Contents
The FHS DECA Department spent a week in Orlando to compete in the international competition, bringing home both individual and partner awards.
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7. 9.
The Theater Department performed Grease the past two weekends; see our own review if you missed the show. Despite many warnings about the dangers of artificial tanning, many students at Fairfax still use tanning beds. Just how much are they sacrificing for a sun-kissed glow?
18. & 19.
The death of terrorist Osama bin Laden elicited many different responses from the public and prominent people. The Rebel Roar examines how appropriate these reactions were.
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Fairfax is still waiting to see what prank the seniors will pull this year. In the meantime, take a look back at senior pranks of the past.
Rebel Roar Staff 2010-2011 VHSL First Place in Newsmagazines 2009-2010 Editors-in-Chief Staff Writers Sports Editors Emily Buzzard Suha Akhandker Sam Brott Jordan Sharpe Walker Carlson Brandon Blankenship Managing Editor Natalia Colon Copy Editors Emily Stone Helena Contes Rachel Tran News Editor Kristina Hurd Nikki Strickland Aneela Wadan Steven Kendall Art Directors Commentary Editor Elliot Meyer Toni Rayder Matt Reihing Gabrielle Severson Jordan Rummel Entertainment Editor Business Manager Daniela Torres Zafar Shaw Jessie Mason Features Editors Advisor Emily Robinson Carl Irvin Emily Stone
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May 20, 2011
16.&17.
Before prom, we take a deeper look at the widespread alcohol consumption at Fairfax and the detrimental effects it can have on the student body.
Editorial Policy
Rebel Roar is a published forum of student expression. Letters to the Editor and guest articles are encouraged. Only signed letters 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
editorials 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 encouraged 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 April issue: Garrin Pappas contributed pictures and text to the
“Fairfax Goes Green” spread, but was not credited. We apologize for the omission. Also, the “Trailers at Fairfax” article incorrectly stated that the annual cost of $10,000 to maintain the trailers would be taken out of the school budget. There is no cost to the school to add or maintain the trailers.
Letter From The Editor
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ear Readers,
Every May, the Rebel Roar gives the upcoming editors the opportunity to try out their new positions. This is why you may notice some changes to our paper this month, beginning with this page. As we prepared to say goodbye to our seniors, everyone stepped into new leadership positions. They learned that an editorial position is not just a title, but that it also comes with a lot of responsibilities, meaning that they could no longer spend all of class playing “Pandemic 2” or “Dolphin Olympics.” I was probably the person who had to cut down on my procrastination the most. I’m really going to miss Emily and Jordan. I’ll probably miss Emily more because we have the same name and we share a love for both rain boots and Taylor Swift. Jordan, unfortunately, chooses to sing along to every song played in class, hence ruining every song I’ve ever liked. Thanks a lot, Jordan. I’m totally kidding. Is it obvious that Emily helped me write this? Jordan and all the seniors will be greatly missed by me and the rest of the staff. I’d also like to applaud them for overcoming the acute senioritis that they all seemed to be afflicted with this month. I look forward to next year and the opportunity that I have to influence the school and our community. All of the rising staff definitely demonstrated this month that they will rise to any challenge they’ll face next year. I’ll see you next fall, Rebels! Sincerely,
Emily Stone Editor-in-Chief
Upcoming Rebel Roar Staff 2011-2012 Editor-in-Chief Emily Stone Managing Editor Jessica Meir Copy Chief Walker Carlson News Editor Rachel Tran Commentary Editor Brandon Blankenship
Entertainment Editor Gabrielle Severson Features Editor Nikki Strickland Sports Editor Walker Carlson Art Director Elizabeth Fulmer
Business Manager Jessica Meir Staff Writers Suha Akhandker Natalia Colon Erin Ficto Advisor Carl Irvin
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News Briefs
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Senior Atif Javed and junior Stephen Gillen placed 2nd at the International Science Fair and were awarded the Navy Scholarship with a trip to London along with the Inventors Award. Junior Aditya Mazmudar also participated in this event.
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Upcoming Events
• SOLs begin May 23. • Powderpuff Game May 26
news
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Nancy Melnick, the leadership teacher, will be the new Director of Student Activities (DSA) starting July 1.
• Two hour early release May 27 • No School May 30 - Memorial Day • Senior Awards Assembly June 1
Natural Disasters Plague the South
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hunderstorms, floods, and severe tornadoes families whose loved ones perished. struck the south last month, leaving hundreds On May 2, barely a week after the destruction homeless and killed. The severe weather affected caused by the violent twisters, CBS news reported the Mississippi and Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Texas, overflowing of the Mississippi River as a “large-scale Arkansas and parts of Georgia. disaster.” Torrential downpours are causing the river’s On April 27, rapids to flow into the Alabama experienced grasslands of the deep golfball-size hail, South. Hundreds of gusting tornadoes, flood victims lost their and many fatalihomes, vehicles, and ties. The Associated personal items. EveryPress announced the thing, from walls of sand following day that bags, homemade levees, the total death toll in and ultimately an evacuAlabama reached 238, ation, have been utilized bringing the overall in order to mitigate the number of deaths in distressing effects of the the South to 329. rising water. AccordThere have been ing to the Washington more than 600 reports Post, meteorologist Bill Tornadoes left many neighborhoods in ruins. Photo courtesy of www. of tornadoes this year yahoo.com Borghoff stated that the in Texas, Arkansas, “worst is over,” however, Louisiana, Missouri, and Kentucky. it may take weeks for the water to recede. Aside from the innocent fatalities, everything from In attempts to save the town of Cairo, Missouri, intimate personal belongings to full-fledged cars and rescue teams sacrificed 130,000 acres of farmland. The homes were devastated, leaving countless Americans Mississippi River reached a peak height of 48 feet, nearwithout food and proper shelter. President Barack ly topping the record of 48.7 feet set by a flood in 1937. Obama declared a state of emergency in Alabama. MiZafar Shaw ‘11 chelle Obama sent her deepest condolences to the Entertainment Editor
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news
Tanning: Things you Should Know Before you Hop in Bed
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ashion is literally killing people. A recent study conducted at Emory University is a strong indication as to why tanning- an activity known to lead to skin cancer- has no shortage of devotees. Forty-five photos of women of varying ages were doctored to look tanner. The altered and original photos of the women were then submitted to attractiveness rating site, HotorNot.com. When comparing the two photos of the same woman, the photo of the tan woman was twice as likely to be rated as hotter. The five billion dollar tanning salon industry is also directly linked to an increased chance of skin cancer for those who chose to partake. People who go tanning are 74% more likely to develop skin cancer than those who don’t. With prom looming ahead, many girls at Fairfax are resorting to tanning beds to achieve a fresh, “healthy” glow. Seniors Rachel Sanoske and Siara Slycord say they go tanning as often as three times a week. When asked if she ever considered spray tanning-widely to be considered less dangerous, Sanoske said, “No. Spray Tanning makes you look orange.” Both Sylcord and Sanoske agree that tanning beds have a purely aesthetic purpose in their lives. Neither go tanning for the ritual or experience. For them it’s not a way to relax but
Changes to Lunch Menu undreds of students
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rather a preemptory measure for prom. Some students say that tanning is the “pinnacle of their high school experience.”After June 4th, both agree that for fear of skin cancer, they will stop visiting the tanning beds. Students who have tanned artificially advise others to not be afraid to bargain. “They will try to sell you their most expensive package. You can’t be afraid to just go in there and tell them you want the cheapest deal,” said Slycord. Also, “Level one is the harshest. It’s also the cheapest but if you are really pale, you’ll probably get burned,” added Sanoske. Senior Haley Dail recommends Jwoww’s (of the Jersey Shore fame) tanning lotion to prevent getting burned from ultraviolet exposure.
Helena Contes ‘11 Staff Writer
at Fairfax High School and throughout Fairfax County buy lunch for $2.75 every day. The biggest question surrounding school lunches concerns health. In the past few years there has been much debate over the health of the food served in schools. While cafeterias are trying to serve foods with more nutritional A look at the lunch lines of Fairfax High value, is it really working? School. Photo courtesy of Roshni Patel Every year, representatives for the Student Advisory said, “There were some good things Council from each high school meet like bean empanadas, but some to taste test and choose the foods horrible things like ‘healthy sloppy for the next year’s food menu. This joes.’” The School Board is planning year seniors Sam Brott, Amanda on putting vitamin A in as many Kelley, Rachel Kim, and Victoria foods as possible. Kelley said, “We Tran represented FHS at the SAC found out that they found rather meeting. Senior Amanda Kelley clever ways of sneaking healthiness
into our food, like the nacho cheese has squash and zucchini mixed in.” In the past few weeks, new foods have been introduced to the FCPS lunch menu such as meatball subs, oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, and peach crisp. Many students were not exceptionally happy with the changes to the previously loved cookies, but some new additions made up for that. Not only this year, but next year even more foods will be introduced that aim to increase nutrition for students in FCPS. No one knows what new ways the School Board will find to “secretly” instill health into our foods, but only time will tell.
Toni Rayder ‘11 Art Director
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news
FHS Students Successful in Orlando
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rom April 26 to May 3 members of the FHS DECA Department participated in the International Career and Development Conference (ICDC) in Orlando, Florida. This competition gave students that qualified from different states and provinces the chance to compete and present their presentations at the international stage. The FHS DECA department was a part of the Virginia delegation; other delegations came from other states, providences in Canada, and countries overseas. The ICDC is the final step for DECA members on their journey through yearlong preparation. The first event DECA students participated in was the District Leadership Conference which was held at Lake Braddock secondary school this past November. In March students moved on to the State Leadership Conference (SLC) which was located in Norfolk. At these conferences, partners with DECA sponsor scholarships for students who resemble the necessary traits through their presentation, grades, and hard work. Senior Will Andrews received a scholarship at SLC. Students prepare their projects in class, however, since DECA is a co-curricular activity they must spend most of their time out of school executing and finishing their projects. “The biggest thing that people don’t understand is that each group must write a 30 page paper consisting of their initial idea, the progress, and final event,” said Mr. Matt Behne, a marketing teacher who worked with students throughout the process and attended each conference with them throughout the school year. Mr. Barrow, Ms. Malenich, and Ms. Backof are the other teachers who assisted in DECA and attended the conferences. Students can work in groups, pairs, or individually. Students prepare and memorize a ten minute presentation in which they are required to present each time they attend a conference. At the International Conference, about twenty students traveled to Orlando, Florida. Juniors Katie Robertson, Michael Harnish, Jisoo Kim, Kim Rowland and seniors Will Andrews, Christine LaRoche, Lenore Edwards, Shirly Son, Rachel Kim, Grace Oak, and Victoria Tran were some of the FHS representatives. Senior Victoria Tran presented her individual project in the Marketing Management Individual Role Play event and placed in the top twenty of the world. Senior Lenore Edwards and junior Kim Rowland also placed in the top twenty in the Fashion Merchandising Promotion Plan event. Just like Will Andrews at the state competition, senior Rachel Guy was awarded a scholarship provided by NAPA, a partner with DECA. “Even if they don’t win an award, the chance
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FHS representatives for the International DECA compettition gather in Orlando. Photos courtesy of Matt Behne.
Senior Victoria Tran and Mr. Behne after her top twenty place.
Senior Rachel Guy after receiving the NAPA sponsored scholarship.
of being present at the competition is a confidence builder in itself,” said Behne. “Watching these kids present at a competition, I see more of a change in their confidence and passion than you would in the classroom.” The experiences gained from DECA competitions have had a great impact on the students in the eyes of Behne. At the competition itself, students from all over the country and overseas met and compared stories, projects, and pins to wear on their DECA lanyards. “I’m so proud of all the students because they try something that most people would immediately say no to only because of the challenge DECA may present,” Behne stated, “It’s great to see kids get involved and compete. Students don’t receive enough recognition for everything they do.”
Jordan Sharpe ‘11 Editor-in-Chief
news
Auto Tech Students Race to States
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chool wide excitement over state competitions tomotive companies and the industry,” said auto tech is common for sports, but few people know that teacher Mr. Less Steger. there are state competitions While auto tech states are very for auto tech. This year, howdifferent than those for sports, ever, two Fairfax High School they can be compared to DECA students competed in the auto states. “Both are a hands on tech state competitions in Norcompetition and both are very folk, one placing fifth. good competitions finding out From March 31 through April what the students know and 1, junior Zach Gallotta and sewhat they can demonstrate,” nior Eric Villani represented FHS said Steger. Gallotta and Villani as they participated in hands-on did very well demonstrating as well as written competitions. what they know, seeing as GalWith about 14 different stations, lotta placed fifth in the competithe students were constantly tions. Gallotta and Villani had working on activities from comboth won their district competipleting state safety inspections tions, and senior Travis May had to taking tests on the work they Auto Tech students pose for a team picture placed second, just missing the at the state competition in Norfolk. had done, and even practicing cut off for state competitions. Photo courtesy of www.fairfaxcity.patch.comm job interviews. Steger said, “I was very proud of Since some of the competiwhat all three did and going to tions are not done on an academic scale, they cannot states and placing was icing on the cake.” be judged in the traditional manner. “The automotive Nikki Strickland ‘13 competitions are judged by individuals from large auStaff Writer
Kindles Replace School Textbooks
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chools across the United States have been making news for ridding their institutions of textbooks. In September 2010, rather than passing out textbooks for students in each class, teachers of Clearwater High School in Florida found themselves handing each of their 2,000 students an Amazon Kindle. After the positive response from the students, more and more high schools have been following their lead. Although, buying Kindles for so many students may seem really expensive, the advantages of having these clearly outweigh the price. Having to transport heavy textbooks back and forth between classes and home has been an ongoing problem which lockers have not completely eradicated. The 8.7 ounce Kindle allows students to easily carry all of their textbooks in one lightweight device. Aside
from the lessened burden of a big backpack, students who use Kindles are also able to highlight and make notes in their books, a useful luxury that students with textbooks cannot indulge in. The Kindle also has a built-in dictionary which facilitates comprehension of material. Some schools which A student at a Florida high school uses a cannot afford to comKindle to assist them in class. Photo courtesy of pletely replace textbooks www.tbo.com with Kindles have easily handle technology and are bought some for their libraries. so attracted to it, administrators Just like books, the students can hope these programs can encourcheck out these Kindles, which age students to study and read comes in handy when the book the more often. Kindles are sure to student wants to read isn’t in the play a bigger part in schools as library. Librarians buy the book more school officials see the value for them through a Kindle, allowof having them in classrooms and ing them to start reading in mere take initiative to invest in them. seconds. Daniela Torres ‘11 In an age when young people Staff Writer
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entertainment
emilyover: Prom Edition
Prom is one of most memorable nights of our high school career, but it is so easy for things to go wrong. Never fear Emily Over is here to make sure you look beautiful for your special night.
hairstyle: 1
makeup: 1
Apply heat protectant all over your head.
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Apply liquid back liquid eyeliner and wing it out in the same shape as the eye shadow.
Apply an eye shadow base all over lid up to the brow bone.
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Section hair into a half ponytail, leaving a small layer down. 3
Place the piece of hair in the slit of the curler and roll the curl upward. Secure with a hair clip. (Use the small curlers for the bottom sections and bigger for the top.) 4
Spray hair spray on the curl.
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Take a dark matte charcoal grey color and apply in your crease (starting at the inner part of your eye) in a swooping motion, creating a winged look.
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Lightly line your water line with black kohl eyeliner, then apply mascara and fake eyelashes.
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Take a lighter grey color on a blending brush and blend out the harsh edge. 7
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Repeat steps one through four on the rest of your hair.
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Apply a light bronzer on cheeks and a pink lipstick.
Emily Robinson ‘11 Features Editor
Photos by Emily Robinson.
Let curlers sit in hair while you do you make up.
Take a light matte crème colored eye shadow and place on lid right under the previous crease line you made, making the same wing shape.
Once you’re done with your makeup let the curlers out. Your curls will be super tight, so if you wanted to do an up-do, it would be super easy. Or you could just pouf it back into a half up do like pictured.
Emily Robinson ‘11 Features Editor
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before
after
entertainment
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e R v l i e a w n i F
anny Zuko and the rest of the crew from Rydell High were brought to life by the cast of Grease in the play’s debut on May 6 in the Fairfax High School auditorium. Featuring a cast made up of both teachers and students, (alert: Principal Goldfarb sighting!) the group of Fairfax actors and actresses put on a fantastic performance singing and dancing—while dressed from head to toe in classic 50’s garb. Overall, the play was a success—the singing and dancing in particular appeared incredibly sharp and wellrehearsed—and the dialogue was performed with a skill level highly outperforming my personal expectations. There did seem to be some minor issues with the microphones and tech as a whole, but it didn’t take away from the enjoyment of the performance. On an individual level, several of the performers clearly shined in the spotlight. Senior Cole Smith, playing the lead of Danny Zuko, was a more than solid pick for his given role. It is obvious that Smith has no problem with improvisation—a malfunctioning car prop allowed for a particularly funny moment—although his prop cigarette proved to be hard-to-handle item throughout the play. Still, Smith kept composure and never broke character.
“Grease” graphic by Jordan Rummel. Photos courtesy of Anne Norland.
Senior Jess Rawls did an equally impressive job, and provided most of the laughs throughout the evening. She played the role of Rizzo—the knocked up sultana of sass. It should be noted that the storyline following Rizzo’s pregnancy provided the play’s major dramatic angle, and it sometimes felt out of place with the rest of the play. Still, Rawls managed to fully capture both the over-the-top sarcasm of Rizzo while maintaining the credibility of her character as a whole. Because it is a musical, it was important that the singing and dancing acts of the play were crisp and in-sync. The Fairfax performance of Grease was no exception-- on each of the songs, the lyrics were sung in harmony and together. “Greased Lightning” seems to be the favorite among students asked. Cole Smith thinks it has something to do with the choreography, “Reza created the majority of the dance moves, and as a result we came up with something really dynamic and fun.” General consensus appears to be highly positive with regard to the numerous musical numbers throughout the play. Senior Tyler Lescure reported after viewing Grease, “It was one of the best plays I’ve seen in Fairfax, in all my four years at the school”. My praise matches that of Tyler’s. 4.5 stars out of 5
Jordan Rummel ‘11 Art Director
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entertainment
Real Housewife of D.C.: Lynda Erkiletian
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hen you think of the nation’s capital, you think about politics. You think about the museums, the legendary landmarks, and the president. Fashion might not come to mind at all, except on the streets of Georgetown, or shop around in the Galleria. Washington is full of the same designer boutiques that line the streets of 5th Avenue and Rodeo Drive, like Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, and Dior. Across the Potomac live many influential people who work in the fashion industry. But, Lynda Erkiletian is the District’s one individual who can set trends and shape styles almost effortlessly.
Lynda Erkiletian is the founder/president of DC’s top modeling agency, THE Artist Agency. THE Artist Agency represents models and stylists as well. Not only is she Washington’s biggest professional in the fashion industry, but she also has the power to influence our capital’s trends. Since 1985, Lynda has helped the growth of the fashion industry in Washington, DC. On top of that, Lynda held a starring role on Bravo’s Real Housewives of DC. Freshman Cameron Guckert recently had the chance to interview her.
Q&A
Photo courtesy of Aaron Lager.
Can you explain what you do in a normal workday? “With technology the way that it is, I normally start on my Blackberry, iPad, and return some phone calls. Then I generally take my meetings at the agency, and most of my events are in the evenings.” Who are some of your fashion clients? “We work for all the major department stores and boutiques in our city. In addition, we represent ad agencies. We have both local and nation editorial clients, such as Washingtonian and Vanity Fair.” What makes fashion in DC different? “What you see in our nation’s capital is a multitude of styles, primarily because we’re a melting pot of the world. You see a lot of different cultures represented. Some people like to say we’re a very conservative city, but you head out to Georgetown and it gets a little looser (than on Capitol Hill). So it’s really hard to put your finger on anyone’s style in Washington.” How can someone make a fashion statement in DC? “By remaining current! Read magazines, go online and look at the collections from all around the world. If you want to make a statement, you have to remain true to yourself, you can take something that you see that has become a trend, and then blend it into your already existing wardrobe.” What does DC have to offer over New York and Los Angeles, fashion-wise? “We really are the most powerful city in the world, this is where the [government] is at its peak. It’s not just the accessories and the clothing that make up the fashion industry” Lynda began to tell me about Washington’s impact. She brought up counterfeiting, and how when that was the big issue, people brought their beliefs to the District. She added, “The buck stops here, and when changes need to be made, they bring the [issue] to Washington.” How can someone like me, a normal high school kid in the suburbs, make it big in the fashion industry? “Talent, perseverance, and being unique.” She made it clear to me that you have to use available resources around you, and connect the dots. She went on to say, “You have a lot of options in our area for studying fashion.”
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Cameron Guckert ‘14 Guest Writer
Logo courtesy of bravo.com.
entertainment
Jersey Shore Spin-Offs
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TV’s “Jersey Shore” announced on Thursday, April 7 that cast member Paul DelVecchio (Pauly D) will be featured in a reality projects set to air in 2012. After the entire cast of “Jersey Shore” ends filming in Italy this summer, Jenni Farley and Nicole Pollizi are rumored to be roommates and have cameras follow their love relationships, family issues, and overall social life away from Seaside Heights. Furthermore, fellow cast-mate, DelVecchio will also be featured in a sister reality show centered on his occupation as a professional DJ.
Paul DelVecchio (Pauly D):
Surprisingly, it is the crazy-haired DJ who is one of the first “Jersey Shore” cast mates that is literally “spinning” into a new spin off. This high profile DJ is known for his sold-out concerts and A-list parties. MTV announced that the pilot for the new series was filmed last September.
Nicole Pollizi (Snooki) & Jenni Farley (Jwoww): Although it has not been confirmed by MTV yet, Snooki is rumored to be set to star in a reality show of her own. Earlier this year, Jwoww was also rumored to be costaring in the spin-off series, but as of May 13 it seems as though MTV wants Snooki to fly solo.
Zafar Shaw ‘11
Entertainment Editor
Photos courtesy of mtv.com
Chicago Code: Breaking the Mold of Traditional Crime Shows
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he Chicago Code, TV’s newsest crime/mystery show, is entertaining, thrilling, and suspenseful. The show focuses on everyday coppers dealing with Chicago crime, highlighting the eminent amount of crime on the streets of Chicago, and corruption behind the scenes as well. The show aired early February and is shown every Monday night on CBS at nine o’clock. Each episode is enticing and keeps the viewer asking what will happen next. After all isn’t that what every show tries to provide, suspense? Unlike other common cop shows, the story lines on Chicago Code don’t get boring or repettive, and the ever present interest to elimate corruption in the higher levels of government helps the show keep it interesting. The main character is Jarek Wysocki (Jason Clarke). Wysocki is an experinced detective who gets what he wants and has the delegated power from the superintendant, former beat copper Teresa Colvin (Jennifer Beals), to overtake any case he wishes if it regards to greater corruption. The two, former partners, work in attempts to tackle the corruption in order to provide a better government for the people of Chicago. Both Wysocki and Colvin have family history in the Chicago Police Department (CPD), and only want to see the departnment gets the respect, funds, and well trained cops it deserves. As the first female superintendent of the CPD, Colvin takes a lot of heat for her determination and persistance to dissemble city corruption. She is challenged by higher officals that set up pety street crimes in order to direct her time and attention elsewhere. The head of this corruption, and partner with the Irish Mob, is Alderman Ronin Gibbons. To dig for dirt on Gibbons, Colvin hired an undercover cop, Liam Hennessey (Billy Lush), to work on the inside for the Irish mob, and each episode reveals a deeper mystery about the actions of the mob, and Gibbons’ involvement. The Chicago Code presents a great plot and the characters portary the lives of common beat coppers and detectives very well. Each week the new episode answers questions from the previous, but then leaves the viewer with more to ponder. In the last couple of episodes the story can only get better, as the CPD comes closer to revealing the truth.
Will Sharpe ‘14 Staff Writer
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commentary
Buzz Off!
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lright, so let’s be honest; the hot and not column has become somewhat of a bore; a repetitive element in nearly every publication. It’s time for a change, and this month, I’m taking over The Buzz to not only save you from Emily’s feline personality, but to provide raw entertainment and truth for the students here at Fairfax. So sit back and enjoy the change of pace, the change in temperature, and the end of your school year!
Hot Summer Camp Jobs What could possibly be better than making easy money for doing next to no work and hanging out all day? Granted I’ve never had such a job, and it may be more work than I’ve been led to believe, but making money while spending time outside supervising a bunch of kids and mending their scraped knees is seemingly the easiest paying job this summer. Frappuccino Happy Hour I have to say, the only thing better than a blended, cold, coffee drink has got to be getting it for half off. Yeah, that’s right. Seemingly the best idea since oxygen bars, Starbucks devoted two full hours daily in which they offered their delictable beverage for not only half price, but with toppings and other various means by which you could be picky about ingredients and precise flavor. A true blessing from God himself? Or the works of some Earthly prophet? Regardless, frappuccinos are phenomenal, and half priced happy hour is something I expect to return. The United States of America With Osama bin Laden dead, Charlie Sheen on tour, and Trump no longer running for president; our nation is truly at the pinnacle of its success. America is at the top of the world and continues to prevail as a force to be reckoned with. For such acheivements, I tip my hat to thee, America.
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not Tumblr Takeover Once a place for free minded teenagers, Tumblr provided home to raw art and photography by some of America’s last awesome youth. Sadly, Tumblr has become exposed to the mainstream, being taken over by “popular” bubbleheads that have seemingly ruined something once so sacred with their stupid spam chains and false persona; reblogging most original creations to appear unique themselves. Justin Bieber’s Never Say Never DVD I’m not too sure about the rest of you, but frankly I’m sick of hearing about Justin Bieber everywhere I go. His annoying music, girly voice and 12 year old Beliebers have plagued society for too long, and the end is near. This DVD is just another attack on the human race, stirring about more distraught and bitter hatred towards a child who unfortunately makes more money than we ever will, in our life. Moccasins Especially when worn with black tube socks, have become an utter disgrace to fashion here at Fairfax. Shaving, as I’ve previously stated, is the most important of aesthetic qualities, which granted can sometimes fall under the radar due to lack of time. But when you willingly hinder your appearance and dress yourself with tube socks under wool coated loafers, you’re purposefully making yourself look like a moron.
Brandon Blankenship ‘12 Upcoming Commentary Editor
commentary
Remember the Dress Code
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s the days roll by, and the weather begins to warm, it’s inevitable that students will begin to wear more revealing clothing. However, just because it’s hot doesn’t warrant inappropriate attire. Keeping in mind that one still needs to follow the dress code the county has established. It’s been noted that as the climate begins to change to the warmer side of the year that some students of Fairfax High School are beginning to wear a bit more exposing clothing. Seeking reason from this partial nudity, it is still improper to attend school with the entire back part of your bra sticking out of your shirt, or allowing your shirt to expose more than half of your stomach and back.With only a few more school days left in the year, getting in trouble for violation of
Student Existence After AP Week
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the school’s dress code would be quite ridiculous. Yet, one shouldn’t have to be told by an administrator to fix their attire, so why do some students continually degrade themselves and dress in such a demeaning manner?The FHS’ dress code states that “all students are expected to dress appropriately for an educational environment…” while also prohibiting, “clothing that exposes cleavage, private parts, the midriff, or undergarments, or that is otherwise sexually provocative, is prohibited.” Bear in mind that these simple rules are pretty reasonable itself it shouldn’t be necessary for students to dress in such an unsuitable way for school.
Natalia Colon ‘12 Staff Writer
How to Cram for Finals
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hey ended with a peaceful “Please put your pencils down,” however the excitement of finishing the last AP exam is probably similar to being released from prison after a 20 year sentence. Now that the months of preparation have ceased, many AP students feel as if they have no reason to keep coming to school. “You know classes are pointless when you miss an entire day of school and have nothing to make up,” said senior Diego Poole, displaying a traditional “senioritis” attitude. Although it may seem like most seniors believe AP exams are the actual end of school, there are some students that remain steadfast in their studies. “I plan on getting straight A’s through the rest of the year. I don’t know why everyone is so lazy,” said senior Cameron Nelson. Besides the two outlooks of the final weeks of senior year, there are many actual reasons to keep working hard until the end of the year. If someone decides to transfer to another school because they decide their college is not a good fit, the new college may choose to review the high school transcripts. In addition to this reason, many scholarships are based upon academic achievement throughout high school, and letting grades slip at the end of the year may ruin eligibility. Even if these reasons don’t apply, there is no harm in working hard, and learning for the last few weeks of compulsory education.
t is a common thought that most students care a lot about their final grade and probably study for hours. It’s true they care, but not true that they spend hours studying. For those of us who won’t start studying until 10 p.m. the night before the exam, here a few pointers for: • Acquire as much caffeine as possible. It’s really important to stay alert. Open your books up and try to take a practice test. • If practice tests are not available, go over notes. For those of you who don’t take notes, hopefully your teacher uploads them onto Blackboard. • Estimate how much time is needed to study each section. After all you can’t stay up and expect not to fall asleep in the middle of the final. • Find a way to remember. Since it’s probably a bit after 11 by now, one might as well recite everything, such as definitions or formulas. • Focus on weak points and skim over everything else. You don’t want to keep focusing on what you already know. By this point it’s probably 12, unless you decided to check Facebook a few times, if so, then it’s probably closer to 1 in the morning. What many don’t know at this point won’t magically diffuse into their brain. So you might as well call it day and hit the hay. Best of luck studying Fairfax!
Steven Kendall ‘11
Aneela Wadan ‘11
Staff Writer
News Editor
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commentary
Senior Prank Leaves a Bad Taste at WSHS
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n May 11, a group of seniors at West Springfield High School sparked a food fight as a class prank that escaladed to a full on, food throwing mosh involving the entire cafeteria. During the chaos, a fire alarm was pulled, disrupting classes for a period of time. This resulted in the suspension of the senior prom, senior picnic, and the senior class trip to Hersey Park. An investigation went underway to sort out who was responsible in starting the fight, but the suspension was made official in a letter sent out to parents later that day. In a statement released on Tuesday, May 17th, Fairfax County spokesman Paul Regnier announced that the prom will go on as well as other senior activities. The students who took part in the fight are required to do community service hours. We stand behind this decision by FCPS to let prom continue. While the actions of the students who started the food fights are inexcusable, they are the only ones who should be punished, not the entire senior class. Prom and the class trip to Hershey Park should not have been suspended for the actions of a few individu-
als of the class. We’re glad the administration took this into consideration, in addition to the fact that these two events are the seniors’ last hurrahs for their high school career and have been looking forward to for the last four years. But there is something of bigger importance to address here – a food fight as a senior prank? Really? That’s a bunch of juvenile crap that should be left in middle school. Senior pranks should be creative and funny, not an imitation of the monkey cage throwing feces at the National Zoo. A true senior prank has finesse, cleverness, and cunning. A food fight lacks all three of these critical components. Fairfax High School holds these values true when seniors look to pay homage to their four glorious years of high school. A few ideas we had may be to go sun bathing during lunch down on the football field, turn the trophy cases in the commons into a reptile habitat or fish tank, or start a massive dance party in the hallways between classes. Here, there is little risk for injury or damage of property and the students’ cunningness and creativity is put on a humorous display. Of course, these are just frivolous ideas for the underclassmen to consider. Our class pranks are coming and no, we cannot disclose them to the public due to the sheer awesomeness of our genus.
Elliot Meyer & Matt Reihing ‘11 Staff Writer & Commentary Editor
BUY A YEARBOOK! $70 cash or check Please make checks out to Fairfax High School
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Bring to a Yearbook Staff Member or Ms. Domingo
Gabrielle Nichole Severson,
I was kinda wondering if you might want to go to prom with me? I mean, we’ve been dating for almost a year now, which pretty much entitles me to a yes, but I figured you deserved a proper invitation. And what better way than to embarrass you in front of the whole school in this ridiculous font? Come to think of it, I’ve procrastinated on asking you for quite a while now; I just hope you haven’t found another date because this whole ad idea will probably get me hazed for a few weeks minimum. Just make it worth my time and dignity by saying yes. I promise you I’ll be the happiest man ever!
Blame it on the Alcohol
“I started drinking in 9th grade. My first experience with alcohol was fun but I looked like an idiot. I was stumbling around the house. I made out with this guy and I don’t even remember it happening. Sure it was fun for one night, but I just regret that I was so stupid and let people talk me into things I wouldn’t do. It’s stupid and not the most important thing to think about.”
–Regretful Senior
“I started drinking freshman year because my brother was a senior and he would let me drink with him and his friends. I steal the alcohol I get; I just walk into a store with my drawstring backpack, put the alcohol in and walk out. I am the definition of a binge drinker. I don’t drink often, but when I do drink, I drink a lot. I choose to drink because it’s fun, but also just because it’s there. It’s exciting because it’s illegal.”
-Excitement Seeking Junior
“The first time I got really drunk was this year. I don’t remember anything, I threw up and everything was spinning. I really liked it though- alcohol made me more hyper and everything more fun. My friend took the alcohol from his parents, because his parents didn’t care. I know that drinking is bad for your liver and your health in general, but I only live once so I’d rather just make the best of it.”
–Rebellious Sophomore
“[Students drink] too often. A large percentage will take advantage of the free unsupervised time they have.” “I think many students drink alcohol 1-3 times per week. Although there are students who report drinking during the school week, many students report weekend alcohol use due to parties and later curfews.”
–Observant Teachers
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Alcohol Use and Abuse
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he first few weeks of May, Principal Goldfarb spent time in every government class talking to seniors about appropriate decorum for the next few weeks until the students graduate. With so many school events coming up for the class of 2011, it is understandable that Goldfarb would want to remind students to stay safe. However, many students make potentially destructive decisions despite warnings from people they may respect. Peer pressure, accessibility, and excitement are all reasons FHS students expressed as to why they drink when interviewed during their lunch periods. Teachers’ forewarnings are easily pushed to the corner of a student’s cluttered brain as soon as their peers begin to sing “Shots.” The 2009 Fairfax County Youth
Survey reported that 66.8% of high school seniors admitted to ever drinking alcohol. Although the 2010 survey results haven’t been released, and won’t be until around September of 2011, it is unlikely that the percentage of teenage alcohol users has changed significantly based upon the students we interviewed. According to a Fairfax County Youth Survey representative, the surveys are strategically planned so that there isn’t a popular event right within 30 days of when the surveys are taken (like Halloween, Cinco de Mayo, and New Years.) The tendency of teenagers to binge drink is completely portrayed by these statistics. While 66% of seniors admitted to ever drinking, 44% admitted to drinking within the last 30 days, when there wasn’t
a significant occasion to justify drinking. The huge difference between ever drinking versus recently drinking portrays how teens drink for events. The typical situation for the average teen to drink is at a party for a holiday event. We interviewed several students groups at random during their lunch periods to ask them about their drinking situations. Every student interviewed who drank alcohol described their habits as a social thing. The few freshman groups spoke about drinking in the class of 2014 as a rarity. “No one really drinks. There are the few anomalies, but a lot of kids smoke weed instead of drink, since it’s easier to access than alcohol,” one freshman said.
Emily Buzzard ‘11 Editor-in-Chief
Student Survey: How often do you drink alcohol? Taken May 18 in all lunches on 50 students per grade, 200 students total. A. I don’t plan on drinking until I’m 21. B. I’ve tried a few sips of alcohol. C. I drink only at parties and special events. D. I drink once or twice a week.
C 13%
D 4%
D 10%
B 23%
A 54%
Freshmen
Staff Editorial
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A 42%
C 38% B 16%
Sophmores
e all agree that the overwhelming reason that teenagers have to drink is to fit in with their peers. When it seems like all of our friends are drinking, alcohol becomes difficult to avoid. There are many reasons why teenagers should not drink, some of them pretty serious, and but most are not as plausible. Are students really going to get alcohol poisoning if they have a few beers? If we are able to use our brains, not drink and drive, and keep our morals, then what is the huge problem is with consuming alcohol? Currently, teenagers who are found to have been drinking usually are not formally charged with anything, unless they have been driving or put other people in danger in some way. Teenagers should not be charged with anything for simply consuming alcohol,
D 15%
D 12%
A 22% B 7%
C 57%
Juniors
A 12%
B 12%
C 65%
Seniors
because the choices people make in high school should not affect them through the rest of their lives. Controlling a teenager’s consumption of alcohol should be left up to their parents if necessary, not law enforcement. The current enforcement of drinking laws is appropriate, but the laws themselves are not. Once people are 18, they are viewed legally as adults. They possess all the responsibilities of adults, including joining the military, getting married, and voting. By lowering the drinking age, the taboo of underage drinking should be dispelled, leaving people less hesitant to seek medical help or find alternatives to driving under the influence. The majority of underage drinking would also then take place in safer, more supervised places rather than basements.
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in-depth
Osama’s Death is not an End to Terrorism
T
he destruction of the twin towers is seared into the minds of most Americans. We can vividly remember the smoke rising from the towers, the horrified people running away from the disaster, and the heartbreaking faces of people who lost their loved ones that day. We also associate the name Osama bin Laden with this disaster, as he is the mastermind behind the September 11 attacks. When Osama bin Laden’s death was announced on May 1 America went crazy, and understandably so. Students at Radford University burned a couch. People gathered around the White House, cheering for Obama and his victory in capturing bin Laden. New Yorkers gathered around Ground Zero and Times Square, elated that justice had finally been done to the man who left their city in near ruins. I’ll be the first one to admit that Osama bin Laden’s death was a huge victory for the American troops. Our armed forces have been searching for Osama for the
Rioters outisde the White House in DC raced to the streets exclaiming praise for the president and forces overseas. Phtoto by Emily Berriz.
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past ten years, since the September 11 terrorist attacks changed America forever. However, at this point in the War on Terror, bin Laden’s death is mostly symbolic. The actual death of bin Laden doesn’t do much. A person in hiding doesn’t exactly make the best public figure or leader. However, this death is a warning by Americans to all terrorists. The death of bin Laden tarnished al-Qaida and other Jihadist’s public image. The reason they were able to raise money and recruit is because they were seen as an effective fighting force for the Jihadis. We showed them to be weak and ineffective. Bin Laden said people tend to prefer the “strong horse” over the “weak horse”. We showed him to be the weak horse. Even though American forces made a strong statement by killing bin Laden, the intelligence gathered from his mansion in Abbottabad may be more valuable than his actual death. The general public will never know how many Taliban and al-Qaida will be taken out due to that intel. The countless laptops, journals, and flash drives that were collected have the potential to break the back of al-Qaida permanently. Regarding the celebration of bin Laden’s death, images of people cheering, burning couches, and running rampant was seared into our brains by the media. Is this an acceptable reaction to the death of a mass murderer? Frankly, celebration of death is crude, but I also understand why people were excited. Bin Laden murdered thousands of Americans; his death is a fitting end to the 9/11 timeline. College students just want an excuse for a party, and bin Laden’s death gave them that excuse. People gathered around the White House to celebrate, shouting “four more years,” “Obama,” and “USA.” Clearly, their celebration was partially to demonstrate that they accredit President Obama for the death of bin Laden. Americans can expect our troops to be pulled from the Middle East early. Obama previously stated that the U.S. troops will begin drawing down from Afghanistan starting in July, and the death of bin Laden will surely act as a stimulant to the homecoming of our soldiers. Bringing home our troops from the very unstable Middle East is up to our President, but just because bin Laden is dead doesn’t mean that al-Qaida is gone. As long as there are Terrorists longing to meet their Maker, there will be Navy Seals around to arrange the meeting.
Emily Buzzard ‘11 Editor-in-Chief
in-depth
When Professionals Make Unprofessional Statements
O
n May 1, forces in Pakistan succeeded in providing victims of September 11, 2001, with a little bit of closure by killing Osama bin Laden, the man who organized a series of terrorist attacks on the United States. Regardless of one’s political beliefs, this act serves as a sign of unity and reassurance to the American people, giving the nation something to be happy about. As many stood in Times Square, raced into the streets, or sat in their living rooms watching the telecast, Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall was tweeting rather eccentric tweets about bin Laden’s death. Mendenhall stated, “It’s amazing how people can HATE a man they have never even heard
explanation or a reason to give him the benefit of the doubt. Mendenhall’s questioning of how a plane can demolish a building resembles the ideology of a conspiracy group known as the “9/11 Truthers.” They believe the government had knowledge of the terrorist attacks and even perhaps initiated the idea in order to go to war with Afghanistan and Iraq. They believe that there is evidence proving members of the government to be responsible. The “Truthers” call for an end to the war and an investigation into 9/11 immediately. Why in the world would the United States initiate a terrorist attack on their own country killing almost 3,000 innocent civilians? And to what benefits would this “self terrorist attack” have had on our country? The United States has been in a recession since December of 2007 and at war in the Middle East for ten years. The United States has spent $907.3 billion on the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, while millions of people at home have struggled to maintain their lifestyles and provide for their families in this current economy. How could planning a terrorist attack against their own country benefit the overall good of America or the government? As a result of Mendenhall’s tweets, the professional football player has suffered many consequences. He has been charged by the American public with tweeting “against American pride,” dropped from Champion, the sporting company, for an endorsement deal, and is in question with the Pittsburgh Steelers for a spot on the roster next season. Mendenhall created a blog shortly after Graphic by Jordan Sharpe to clarify his controversial tweets, and on the site he states, “I don’t believe that speak. We’ve only heard one side.”He then went on to this is an issue of politics or American pride; but one of further question the entire event tweeting, “We’ll never religion, morality, and human ethics.” He then goes on know what really happened,” Mendenhall said. “I just saying, “I apologize for the timing as such a sensitive have a hard time believing a plane could take a skymatter, but it was not meant to do harm.” scraper down demolition style.” The Washington Post called this a life lesson opMany viewers of the tweets, and those who heard portunity warning players to tweet at their own risk. of Mendenhall’s statements via newscasts, or word of Individuals must be cautious about the intended mouth, were in total shock. meanings behind what they say. More importantly, How could we hate him? Because he organized an athletes should be most cautious and take into account event to murder innocent people. It doesn’t matter if, as the future of their careers, and the respect of their fans individuals, we have never carried out a conversation when they make such statements. with bin Laden. His decision to terrorize the United Jordan Sharpe ‘11 States, killing 2,996 innocent people does not need an Editor-in-Chief
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Hurd in The Halls
features
E
veryone has heard a snippet of a bizarre conversation and questioned what could possibly prompt someone to even talk about that? For example why would anyone want to talk about a chicken eating chicken wings? This actually hasn’t happened
“Last night my mom called Mrs. Jones and asked her if she had Pokémon white version.”
“After a while I thought I was spelling animal farm wrong.”
to me, but for the pure entertainment of playing up my last name I have decided to find the most random discussions in our very own hallways.
Kristina Hurd ‘11 Staff Writer
“Yeah, it was so weird she just kept saying Optimus Prime.”
“I close my eyes and just think about her feet.”
“Cheddar cheese on peanut butter is the greatest sandwich, my girlfriend made it last night.”
So here’s to you, the girl in the pink sweater and the guy wearing converses. Thanks for the entertainment and if you read this and see your quote, please tell me why you were talking about that girl’s foot.
Josie’s Frozen Yogurt : A Review
J
osie’s Frozen Yogurt, found tucked in University Mall Shopping Center just along Braddock Road, is a healthy, self-served alternative to the general run of the mill ice cream parlor. Some may be hesitant to sacrifice their weekly pilgrimage to Ben and Jerry’s for somewhere with “yogurt” in its name. They can rest assured that the fruit is indeed not on the bottom, but rather makes up the many flavors that are available. There are four different sized cups to choose from and the different flavors of frozen yogurt are priced at 43 cents per ounce. It is important to remember within our metric-system-deprived society that an ounce of frozen yogurt is not particularly a lot. It can be pricey, which you do not realize until you have already placed your cup on to the scale. Two full 16 ounce cups of frozen yogurt cost around 13 dollars. That being said, I definitely got what I paid for within the first spoonful. I had a coupling of Mango Mania and Mountain Ripe Strawberry topped with chocolate frozen yogurt and strawberries. It is self-serve and free samples are offered, which allows one to use
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their own discretion when choosing. The first spoonful of Mountain Ripe Strawberry brought a familiar tune by The Beatles to mind. I daydreamed images of fields of strawberries, adorned with frozen-yogurt-producing cows and a mountain range in the background. It was delicious, and was enhanced by the addition of the chocolate and fresh strawberries. Mango Mania was just that. It was madness of the mango variety. The orange frozen yogurt was too sweet and tart for my liking. I could feel the Tang gorilla hopping from taste bud to taste bud. The atmosphere is hip and attracts many students from the nearby George Mason University campus. There are futuristic orange chairs that would have made Stanley Kubrick proud of where you can sit and enjoy your frozen yogurt creation. Put down the ice cream scoop for a night and give Josie’s Frozen Yogurt a try. It makes for an excellent date night or just going solo for a healthy snack. Forget the Yoplait and go play at Josie’s Frozen Yogurt.
Garrin Pappas‘11 Staff Writer
features
Marijuana Use At Fairfax
M
ary-Jane, Weed, Pot- whatever you want to call it, marijuana is, for the time being, still illegal. According to a recent poll, however, the majority of Fairfax students believe that marijuana should be legalized. This could be because the majority of students also believe that marijuana is not harmful to one’s health, however, there has been no consensus in the medical community on the long term effects of marijuana. Those in favor of legalization say that it would stimulate the economy, decrease drug-related crimes, and enable more regulation in the industry. Despite the fact that marijuana is illegal, 31% of students said they smoke marijuana regularly, with 14% stating that they think they are addicted.
Emily Robinson ‘11& Emily Stone ‘12
Did you smoke on April 20th?
No 67%
Out of 141 students
Are you addicted to marijuana?
Yes 14%
Yes 33% No 86% Out of 132 students
Co-Features Editors
Do you smoke marijuana regularly?
Do you think marijuana should be legalized?
No 3%
Yes 31% No 69%
Out of 141 students
Do you think smoking marijuana is bad for you?
No 55%
Yes 45%
Yes 97% Out of 144 students
Out of 143 students
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features
Spanish Spring Break Trips
W
hile one spanish class took the traditional trip to Spain, and visited Madrid, Cordoba, and Sevilla, this spring break, another explored Greece and Italy. While one toured Madrid, the other climbed to the top of the acropolis for a closer look at the Parthenon. From food to culture, with new friends and new places, the two tours provided once in a lifetime experiences for those who went. We were lucky enough to travel with Señora Gladys Nieves on the latter of the two trips, so we decided to talk to students who went to Spain to see just how different our spring break adventures were.
Photo by Jessie Mason
Best Food? Spain- According to junior Angela Wi, the best food was paella. Señora Michele Campbell prefered the tortilla españa.
Italy/Greece- Nothing beats Italian pizza and pasta, except Greek gyros!
Favorite Site? Spain- Señora Campbell’s favorite sight was Cordoba, but Wi simply said, “The men.”
Italy/Greece- We’ll have to agree with Wi for this one, but switch out Cordoba for the ruins of Pompeii. Seeing the city exactly as it was thousands of years ago when Mt. Vesuvius erupted was unforgettable.
Photo by Jessie Mason
Walking Tours With EF Tours, the group we all traveled with, audio walking tours were a must. Everyday we would take tours with what we called “whisper sets,” hand-held headphone sets connected to a central unit, and follow various tour guides around old cities.
Spain- Toured gardens, palaces, and mosques, according to Wi.
Italy/Greece- Most of our
tours were of ancient ruins like the Roman forum and colosseum and ampitheaters in Greece.
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Photos courtesy of Michele Campbell
Language Use
Spain- “It was exciting to see our students use the
language. I would do it again if I had a similar group of students,” said Campbell. Students also had to use the language when buying lunch and souveniers.
Italy/Greece- Since Italian is similar to Spanish, we
were able to communicate to some extent, but when we hit Greece we were completely lost. Luckily, most people spoke enough English to understand and be understood.
Jessie Mason ‘11 & Nikki Strickland ‘13 Business Manager and Upcoming Features Editor
features
Guys vs. Girls Preparing For Prom
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Girls
onths of planning, unnecessary stress around AP exams, and buckets of money; Prom is by far the most anticipated night of high school life. Here are some of the most important aspects of prom to keep in mind as June 4th is only a few weeks away. 1. The dress: the most important part of prom night. Having a good dress can make or break the night. Make sure you buy your dress with plenty of time for alterations, especially if buying it online. 2. Hair: up, down, or half-up? The choices are endless and aside from the dress, it is an extremely important part of the final look. Make an appointment in a salon with plenty of time to talk to the hair dresser ahead of time, so they know what you want. While you’re at it, get a nail appointment for the same day. 3. Accessories: the shoes, clutch, and jewelry can either be just right or put an outfit over the top. Keep in mind the simplicity of the dress; don’t overdo the jewelry. Remember not to spend hundreds on shoes, as you will most likely take them off when you arrive at prom. 4. Hygiene: showers are required. Perfume and deodorant are highly recommended. It can be very hot at prom, so smelling good is essential to making sure your date and friends don’t leave you on the dance floor. 5. Pre-prom activities: boys cannot be trusted to make the limo and dinner reservations, so make the calls way ahead of time to get exactly what you want. Make sure the transportation you have will fit everyone in your group, and the bigger the group the less each person will have to pay for a limo. 6. Boutonniere: probably the easiest part of preparing for prom, you can pick it up the day of prom at any floral shop of flower section of a grocery store; they will range from $5-$15. 7. Have fun. After months of planning, there may be little things that could not go according to plan. At the end of the night don’t let anything ruin, arguably, the best night of your life.
Toni Rayder ‘11 Art Director
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Guys
irls, girls, girls. “Oh my gosh, the humidity is killing your hair! Does this dress make me look fat? Should I make loose curls or a new up-do? Am I going to need to tan to get rid of all these lines? Five inch heels or six inch heels? Or seven?! Wahhhhhhh!” It is a very common fact that girls will be stressing over their big day in the weeks leading up to prom night. What most people don’t consider, however, is just how hard it is to be a guy in the weeks before the elegant event. With this in mind, here are a few crucial do’s and don’ts for those guys stressing over June 4th. 1. Make sure you watch a ton of ESPN on Saturday morning. You’re not going to be able to watch any sports for the entire rest of the day, so it’s important to get it out of your system early. 2. Have plenty of hair gel on hand. Who knows how much it’ll take to get that perfect spike to stay in place? 3. Don’t wait too long to order your tux. If you do, you probably won’t be able to get exactly what you want. Don’t wait too long to return it either – late fees aren’t cheap. 4. Flowers are important. Put some effort into the corsage and don’t settle for just anything. 5. Do NOT overdo the cologne. No one wants to suffocate in your personal aroma every time you walk by. 6. On the other hand, DO apply plenty of deodorant. We all know it can get pretty hot in there. It would probably be a good idea to shower beforehand, too. 7. Listen to some good music while you’re getting ready. I suggest a classic like Usher’s “Yeah!” featuring Lil John and Ludacris. 8. If you’re driving, make sure your car is in good shape and has plenty of gas. It would be pretty embarrassing if you missed the dance because you got stuck on Route 66. 9. Get pumped and have fun. For juniors, you have to wait another whole year for this. And for seniors… well this is it!
Sam Brott ‘11 Sports Editor
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features
Reinvented Recipes Just in Time for Summer Pesto Grilled Cheese Sandwich This twist on the classic grilled cheese sandwich that may surprise you, but will introduce your taste buds to a wild new sensation. Set the oven to “broil high” to let it warm up. Put two slices of bread on a skillet and lightly butter each side. Flip the bread over so that the buttered side is on the skillet and spread a light coat of pesto sauce on each side along with the cheese and tomato. Put the skillet in the warm oven for a few minutes to let the cheese melt, and then take it back out. Put the two cheesy sides together and cook each side of the buttered bread until they’re a crispy golden brown. Eat your grilled cheese fresh out of the oven to best experience your creation.
Ingredients: 2 slices of Panini, Italian, or other gourmet bread 2-3 slices of mozzarella, provolone, and cheddar Jack cheese softened butter prepared pesto sauce (Costco sells a great little jar of basil pesto sauce) tomato slices (optional)
Easy-Bake Graham Crisps
These little delicacies have the simplicity of a desert-bar method of baking and the goodness of a no-bake cookie. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and place the graham crackers on a cookie sheet. Combine the butter, margarine, sugar, and nuts in a saucepan on the stovetop over medium heat. Bring the concoction to a boil and leave it for 2 minutes. Take the saucepan off the stove, mix in the shredded coconut, and spread the boiled mixture over the graham crackers. Top the crackers with mini marshmallows spread evenly across the entire sheet. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and transfer to a sheet of foil with a spatula. Let them cool, and enjoy your creations. Ingredients: 42 graham crackers ½ cup butter ½ cup margarine ½ cup white sugar 1 cup chopped walnuts ½ cup shredded coconut (optional) 1 cup mini marshmallows Tips: • To the untrained eye, these treats look more complicated than truly they are, so use this as an opportunity to astound your friends with your amazing culinary skills.
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Gabrielle Severson ‘12
Upcoming Entertainment Editor
Tips: • When cooking the grilled cheese sandwich, leave the oven door open a crack to keep an eye on the sandwich, since it tends to brown rather quickly. • Before enjoying your fresh snack, cut the sandwich into triangles… this makes it taste so much better.
Fruit Salad
A commonly overlooked delicacy, fruit salad is a great option for lunch or a snack during the summer. Toss the mixed fruit in a large bowl while sprinkling the coconut and cinnamon into the mixture. Add yogurt or whipped topping as desired, thoroughly mixing it into the fruit. Cover the bowl with saran wrap and let chill in the refrigerator for about an hour before eating. Ingredients: A handful of ripe blueberries About a cup of halved seedless red grapes About 1/2 cup shredded coconut About 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon About 1/2 cup whipped cream/ RediWhip or flavored/non-flavored yogurt (optional) Cubed watermelon Sliced peaches Sliced nectarines Cubed plums Tips: • Eat the fruit salad from one of your mother’s expensive china bowls; the feeling of defiance compliments the fruity goodness of your salad quite nicely. All photos by Gabrielle Severson
features
Senior Pranks: A Brief History
F
airfax has been eagerly anticipating the senior prank of this year. However, it can be guaranteed that this year’s prank won’t be nearly as intense as pranks used to be in years past. Most seniors are afraid to go all out with their pranks due to fear of serious punishment. Some administrators threaten to cancel graduation, and no seniors want to be blamed for the
cancellation of graduation. Fairfax alumni Doug Emerald, Class of 1984 said, “They rarely suspended anyone for pranks back then, unless there was real danger or property destruction.”
Emily Stone ‘12
Upcoming Editor-in-Chief
For Sale
”The year I was a junior or sophomore a bunch of guys ‘borrowed’ a couple dozen real estate ‘For Sale’ signs and put them out all along the road in front of the school. No one was apprehended or punished” said Emerald.
1980-1984
Bombs Away
Pipe bomb in the toilet of the boy’s restroom. Partially flooded the carpeted area of the school. Perpetrators arrested and suspended.
Slip and Slide
Under Lock and Key
4-6 seniors brought in chains and padlocks and locked the doors to the senior hall shut. Seniors hung out inside the hallway until teachers and administrators persuaded them to open the doors. Perpetrators given a week of detention.
Baby oil was dumped on the tile floor of the busiest intersection of the school, near English and History rooms. Crickets were also released. Perpetrators given detention.
Run for Your Life
Seniors organized a mass exodus of students in the middle of a pep rally. “About 15 minutes in, dozens of seniors leaped up and sprinted for the exits. People were running all over the school in 10 different directions as the staff tried to corral people. There were so many people given detention that they held it in the main assembly hall” Emerald said.
Flag Tag
A big rebel (Confederate) flag was painted in the grass in the front of the school at night. Perpetrators were never caught.
2006
Stairmaster
“There were trailers behind the school, and after school one day, the seniors removed the stairs on them, so no one could get into the trailers” said Fairfax alumni Christine Tran, Class of 2009.
2009
Having A Ball
Seniors attempted to make a ball pit in the front of the school by filling one of the pits with plastic balls.
2010 Animal Kingdom Photos courtesy of Fairfax Sampler, Maddie Interdonato, and Google.
Seniors let mice and snakes loose in the hallways, and put crabs in the toilets of the boy’s restroom.
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(Im)Perfection:
T
sports Spring season a tough one for some Fairfax teams
he perfect season. Going in every year, it seems to be what teams strive for – that at the end of all their games, they want to be known as the very best, no doubt about it. The perfect season is what makes a team legendary, like the 1972 Miami Dolphins. Ironically though, the perfect season isn’t the only path to the history books. There is also a much less scenic route to legendary status: Imperfection. As well as people remember the Dolphins, they also can’t seem to forget the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 0-14 first year in 1976. The varsity boys lacrosse and varsity softball teams both went down that unforgiving road. Fortunately for them, though, memories don’t last as long in high school sports. But this article isn’t about making fun of some of Fairfax’s hardest working teams. Actually, almost every squad had more downs than ups this season. Except for a couple of varsity teams it’s been a tough spring for Fairfax, but however tough it was for some teams, it was harder on those that had to fight to get to that elusive first win. And it was the hardest on those that never got there at all. “It was pretty frustrating,” said Travis Godfrey, a sophomore on the lacrosse team. The part that was most frustrating, though, might not have been what did happen. It was what could have been. “We could have done much better than we did, if we had just worked a little harder. We had the talent.” But when a team is in a hole like a winless season, almost nothing seems to go right, no matter how
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much work they put in. That was true when lax played against Marshall. “It was the game we were supposed to win,” Godfrey said, “But we couldn’t catch a break with penalties; everything was called against us.” But is the success of a season measured in wins? Not exclusively, thinks Kelly Lusk, the varsity boys soccer coach. “A season is not solely defined by wins and losses,” she said, “the most important thing for me as a coach is to see growth from the team.” Although her team’s 0-11 start to the season was frustrating, Coach Lusk simply asked the boys to work their hardest every day. “As long as they are doing that, and I see improvement, I am happy. We play in an extremely competitive district against some of the top teams in the state. I am proud of the hard work that this team has put in thus far and really believe that will translate into a result.” It did too, when her team tied South Lakes on May 10. Rough seasons like these can have two effects on a team. They can either tear the players apart, or bring them closer together than before. In the soccer team’s case, Lusk can see the bonds are holding strong. “The fact that the boys yell ‘Family’ in our huddle now shows a lot about their character,” she said. It’s just another reason why Coach Lusk might be right when she says that wins aren’t all that matter when it comes to having a good year. “In many ways – and the ways that really matter in life – this team is the best I’ve ever coached.”
Walker Carlson ‘13 Sports Editor
Photo by Walker Carlson.
sports
Fairfax Takes it to the Field T
his year Fairfax is taking it down to the field for two intense sporting events; powderpuff and kickball. The powderpuff game will be held May 26 and the kickball tournament will be held on June 3. Here’s a quick preview of the powderpuff ladies and kickballin’ guys.
Powderpuff
Liz Nguyen, ‘12
Q &A
Team:
Who inspires you to play powderpuff? Maddy Thompson inspires me and Chris Robic begs me.
Melody Salmeron, ‘11 Team:
What will be your strategy? To shut down Liz. Who inspires you to play powderpuff? The senior class.
What will be your strategy? Get the ball, run, and dodge.
In one word, can you describe your playing style? Aggressive
What will your team be doing for team bonding? We are planning on having a water balloon fight.
What is one reason why you want to win the quest for the Powderpuff trophy? It is our last year and it is our time to shine.
In one word, describe your playing style. Fast.
Kickball ZACK BURNETT, ‘13
Q &A
What will be your strategy? Strategy is not necessary. We will let our games talk for us. What will you be doing for team bonding? We are planning on going ice skating and discussing our views on life.
Kristina Hurd ‘11 Staff Writer
What will be your strategy? We plan on using the Slaughter Rule for every game. Who inspires you to play kickball? I’d have to say Kenny from Back Yard Football.
All photos by Kristina Hurd.
How long have you been interested in the sport of kickball? Ever since second grade it has been a big part of my life.
SAM BECHERT, ‘11
Can you give us a hint as to what your uniforms will be? Originally we were going to wear our birthday suits; however, FCPS guidelines won’t allow us. We are currently planning what our uniforms will be.
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sports
Stanley Cup Playoffs
Coming Down to the Wire
W
ith football out of the picture and March Madness taken care of, it’s now time to grow out our beards and turn our attention to the championship of the NHL, the prestigious Stanley Cup. The Stanley Cup has been North American hockey’s highest achievement for over 100 years and was instituted in Canada around the turn of the 20th century by Lord Stanley of Preston. The race to the Cup this year has been an exciting one already. The Washington Capitals knocked out the New York Rangers, the Detroit Red Wings completed Photo courtesy of their series 4-0 against celebritysentry.com the Phoenix Coyotes, and the Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins in game seven of their series. The San Jose Sharks, Phildelphia Flyers, Boston Bruins, and Vancouver Canucks were the four teams to make it to the conference finals. The Capitals’ playing was all around sloppy this year, with simple errors being made such as missing passes, missed scoring opportunities, etc. The Lightning, who defeated the 4th seed Penguins in a surprising upset, capitalized on Photo courtesy these of zimbio.com errors and swept the Caps in the quarterfinals. The Nashville Predators and Canucks were tied in their second round series one game to one, mainly thanks to Nashville’s goalie Pekke Rinne contributing some great saves to allow the Predators, a fifth seed, to be a serious threat to first seed Vancouver’s Stanley Cup run. Despite Nashville’s great goaltending early on, they were unable to prevail over the Canucks, who took the series four games to two over the Predators thanks to great playing, especially
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that of Ryan Kesler, Vancouver’s center. Boston led Philadelphia in the quarterfinal, but the Flyers are known for comebacks. This year that was not the case, however, with the Bruins overwhelming the Flyers in the last three games played. San Jose’s goalie, Antti Niemi, with 57 out of 59 shots saved, allowed the Photo courtesy of Sharks to keep a 3-0 game zimbio.com lead over Detroit early in the second round. Detroit’s failure to produce on power plays held the Red Wings back from taking the lead in the series. However, with center Pavel Datsyuk’s three assists in the last game, the Red Wings managed to win the next three games and forced a game seven. This was arguably the most exciting series in the race to the Cup with both teams playing extremely well. As they prepared to play game seven, the Red Wings supposedly had a huge advantage over the Sharks considering they had almost double the Game seven experience San Jose had, not to mention that Detroit was on a three game winning streak. However, the Sharks silenced these speculations with Photo courtesy of two goals early in the onlineusanews.com first period, and Detroit simply couldn’t make up the difference to tie the game. The Stanley Cup Playoffs have come to a head now with only the Canucks and Sharks remaining in the Western Conference Finals, and the Bruins and Lightning in the East.
Matt Reihing ‘11 Commentary Editor
humor
Worst Ways to Ask a Girl to Prom
W
ith prom in almost less than a month away, when she was trying to get his attention. So just find guys are scrambling to ask that one girl to the out if she’s still into him or not. That way you and the most anticipated ex won’t both have matching event of the year (other flat tires. than graduation for seniors, Having your mom ask of course). Unless you’re her: Girls already know that completely, 100%, satisfied most guys are all talk, so going with yourself and takwhy do you insist on helping pictures of the couples in ing us prove a fact true? I your group. Do not commit mean yeah, I guess it’s cute these crimes of asking a girl to be sensitive at time times, through these methods: but having your mom ask Via text: If you ask a girl the girl to prom is crossing to prom by typing “PROM? the line. It just proves all the :)”, you have some serious more that you are not a man. rejection issues. And plus Backups: “Hey Lauren, if you can’t confront her to would you be my back up Senior Reza Supandi, an actor in Grease, asked simply ask her, how will she his girlfriend to prom after the performace. This prom date if Kate says no?” expect you to have a conver- is an acceptable way to ask. Photo courtesy of Nina Udeshi. Big no-no. Not only do you sation or even dance with seem like a shallow superfiher? Oh and FYI, the smiley cial loser but you also label face doesn’t really help either. Be a man. And if that’s yourself as an insecure maniac. And if Kate is Lauren’s too hard, get prom out of your head. best friend you may need a third “back up.” Via Facebook Wall: Either you really like attention In front of friends: This clearly means you love ator you really are desperate. You may think that with tention. How can a girl who wants to feel like a prinpeople “watching” she will say yes and not ignore your cess for the night go with a guy whose ego is the size of proposal. News flash: girls these days usually know California? And just because you asked her in front of what game you’re playing. So expect a rejection. a group of friends, you will have your ego stepped on In front of her ex-boyfriend: This could kind of when she says no and walks away. work both ways. Either she’ll love you for making that jerk feel jealous, or she’ll hate you for embarrassing her Aneela Wadan ‘11 News Editor
Omg Totes, Obv Abbrev...
I
t seems like everything is becoming shorter these days: the time it takes to sculpt abs, microwave hot pockets, buy music; and watch movies on Netflix – which is the best thing invented since string cheese. And who doesn’t like string cheese? It’s delicious and entertaining to eat, a wonderful contrast to a boring brown bag spread. But I digress. This article is not for addressing the paramount artistic greatness of dairy products, this is for inspecting the social interactions of the 21st century. My friends, we are living in an abbreviated age. Yes, as if life wasn’t short enough, our generation now
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has fruit ninja-ed our vocabulary to monosyllable abbreviations. Like a bad fart on the Cue bus, it spreads and infects all. What makes this pandemic so contagious are the catchy phrases such as “totes adorbs” or “stfu” (which for publication purposes, means super thankful for you.) It started with the seventh grade “aim” craze. Students went home and chatted for hours over instant messaging, using acronyms to say “laugh out loud” or “talk to you later.” Oh yes, how cool we thought we were by writing such cryptic lingo on our myspace profiles! Slowly, our after school habits seemed to permeate into our
writing and language. Before you knew it, we were more addicted to abbreviations than young scholars are to winning at life. So where does that leave us now? Here: “I totes abrievs!”exclaims senior Mariana Barros. “b.t. dubs, I can’t help it.” “Totes mcgoats!” sassy senior Cole Smith chimes in. “Obvi, abrievs are so legit,” states junior Tracy Neill. “Fo sho,” agrees sophomore Zach Duda. Obvi, abrievs are so totes fab, we now fail to talk props. We can’t comp info, and this results in a short attention span–
Elliot Meyer ‘11 Staff Writer
humor
Tips to Get in Shape
I
n addition to surfing and soaking up the sun, another priority for many Fairfax High School students is getting a toned body for summer. Washboard abs, bulging biceps, and toned glutes are all desirable and very attainable (see: Steven Kendall). The real question, though, is how exactly to go about gaining gargantuan muscles and a ripped body. The answer lies within three crucial steps: a committed cardio program, a protein-infused diet, and lots of heavy lifting.
CARDIO PROGRAM: Essentially, in order to build up a strong
core and firm leg definition, add running to your daily routine. Take a shower in the morning? Try sprinting from your bed into the shower at full speed. Giving a presentation in class? Jog in place until you finish. From my own personal experience, I’ve learned that introducing some form of cardio into every single factor of my life goes a long way to building a solid fitness foundation.
A “MEATY” DIET: If you want muscles so hefty they nearly
shred the fibers in the shirts trying in vain to contain them, then you need a diet as Learning what it takes to be fit is just as POWERFUL as the simple as the rhyme “Columbus sailed strength you are the ocean blue in 1492. “ trying to attain. From a 1000 lb cow, approximately 600-700 lbs of delicious heifer meat can be reaped and consumed. If you want to gain maximum strength, don’t plan on wasting any of it— here’s a quick daily guideline on how you can divide up your meat intake.
BREAKFAST: bacon, sausage, and a country-fried steak. I
believe a combination of this sort can be found at Denny’s. LUNCH: Big Macs. Big Macs. BIG MACS. DINNER: Time to head south of the border for some sizzlin’ FAJITAS. Get a steak and chicken COMBO for the ultimate Protein Blast! With this much meat in your diet, you’ll be sweating out bacon bits in no time.
Even if you are the strongest of them all, make HEAVY LIFTING: If you’re like me, then you know how sure you take time to stretch before showing important it is to lift weights to increase muscle strength and off your skills. Photos taken by Helena Contes.
Once you have achieved maximum bicep muscle, like Jordan, you can win arm wrestling matches while playing on your iPhone.
definition. What you probably haven’t heard about yet is a REVOLUTIONARY NEW TECHNIQUE called MUSCLE CONFUSION. In order to maximize your workout potential, you need to SHOCK YOUR BODY INTO ABSOLUTE SUBMISSION. What this entails is the working of as many parts of your body as possible, simultaneously. Bicep curls, leg lifts, pull-ups, crunches— BUT ALL AT ONCE. Don’t limit yourself to traditional workout techniques either—various household items make great substitutes for some of the most expensive workout equipment. Don’t have barbells? Instead, tape two cans of soda to the ends of a pool cue, and lift that. Don’t have a leg press? Kick your fridge— it applies roughly the same skill and technique. Don’t have a shake-weight? …..improvise! Follow these simple steps, and you’ll be as buff as me in no time!
Jordan Rummel ‘11 Art Director
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