December 2011 - Silver Chips Print

Council tables curfew bill Starr presents budget Council delays curfew and loitering votes

By Maureen Lei The Montgomery County Council voted to table the youth curfew and antiloitering proposals on Dec. 6, postponing action on both bills inCOURTESY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY definitely, County Executive Isiah Leggett supported the bill. according

By Srividya Murthy

to Councilmember Phil Andrews (D-Dist. 3).

According to Councilmember George Leventhal (D-at large), the curfew bill was tabled with a vote of 6-3, and the anti-loitering bill was tabled with a vote of 5-4.

Expedited Bill 25-11, the curfew bill, was introduced on July 26 by County Council President Valerie Ervin (D-Dist. 5) on behalf of County Executive Isiah Leggett (D).

If passed, 25-11 will enact a curfew for those under the age of 18 of 11 p.m. on weekdays and 12 a.m. on weekends. The suggested curfew would last until 5 a.m. Andrews and

On Dec. 7, Superintendent Joshua Starr proposed his first MCPS operating budget before members of the Board of Education (BOE), Montgomery County Education Association (MCEA), Montgomery County Council and Maryland state legislature. The event also drew a crowd of administrators, teachers, parents and students from across the county.

The proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2013 budget, which will dictate budget allocations between July 31, 2012 and June 1, 2013, includes greater salaries and benefits for teach-

ers and departmental changes in the Central Office. Starr is recommending a $2.13 billion budget — a $41.4 million (2 percent) increase over the FY 2012 budget and the smallest requested increase in the proposed budget in 12 years. According to Starr, the increased funding will account for a projected growth of 2,250 students in MCPS next year.

Starr began his presentation by discussing what he has learned about MCPS through “Listen and Learn” events, student town hall meetings, book clubs and school visits. “I developed

see BUDGET page 11

Teachers speak out

see LOITERING page 9

Bus cameras to nab violators

By Ruth Aitken On Nov. 29, Valerie Ervin of the Montgomery County Council proposed Bill 37-11,which, if enacted, would install speed cameras on MCPS school buses to identify drivers who illegally pass school buses According to Leon Langley, director of the Public Transportation Office of the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), cameras would be installed on the majority of the school district’s 1,264 buses.

Cameras would serve to monitor driver activity around the bus when the bus’ stop arm is extended.

Under the Maryland State Code of Transportation Section 21-76, drivers are required to stop behind school buses when the bus’ stop arm is extended. According to Langley, however, an MSDE survey this year documented over 7,000 drivers illegally passing school buses on a single day.

Langley noted that the public may not

recognize the extent of the issue.“[The] survey showed that drivers passing school vehicles are a far more prevalent traffic violation than I think most people realize,” he said.

Under Ervin’s proposal, external school bus cameras would photograph cars illegally passing the school vehicle. Bill 3711 proposes that the photographs then be forwarded wirelessly to the Montgomery County Police Department for identification and ticketing.

According to Todd Watkins, director of the MCPS Department of Transportation, the initiative aims to increase student safety by identifying and punishing negligent drivers. “We anticipate this legislation changing driver behavior for those who are in such a hurry that they are willing to pass a school bus. After a few tickets in the mail, drivers will realize that their irresponsible behavior is going to affect their pocketbooks,” he said.

ELLIE MUSGRAVE

Social studies teacher Robert Gibb speaks to state legislators about the new budget at an evening meeting in the Media Center on Dec. 12.

Different families receive equal acceptance Students with gay parents find Blair an open-minded community

By Stella Bartholet

LEAH MUSKIN-PIERRET

Sophomore Langston Cotman is close with his two mothers and says his family structure is accepted at Blair.

Senior Sofi Sinozich has lesbian mothers, but she is neither for nor against gay marriage.

She believes that there are more urgent needs that the government should attend to first. “Marriage is not the be all and end all of everything,” she says.

However, freshman Elia Tzoukermann, also a child of two mothers, is in complete support of gay marriage.

“I am totally for it. I think it’s great,” she says. “I think that people should be able to marry whoever they want to and whoever they love.”

Sinozich, Tzoukermann and other students who have gay parents have varied backgrounds, opinions and experiences. If they are united on anything, it is that they

regard Blair as a friendly place to go to school, where they are not taunted or bullied for their parents’ sexuality.

They may not face discrimination at Blair, but they do elsewhere, they say. In a 2008 Pew Survey, 48 percent of more than 2,000 adults think that same-sex couples should not be allowed to adopt children, compared to 46 percent who support it.

Steve Majors, Director of Communications at the Family Equality Council, says that the tolerance for gay rights in Silver Spring is not common in the United States. “[Blair students] live in a community where [children of same-sex couples] have certain protections, but there are many communities across the country where LGBT [Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender] people are discriminated against,” he says.

Starting a family

Sophomore Mattan Berner-Kadish experienced this discrimination early on at four years old, when he lived in Israel.

He was born in California by donor insemination, a procedure in which a doctor fertilizes the egg of a woman using the sperm from a donor. But when the family moved to Israel, his second mother had to struggle for the right to parent him. In order for the non-biological mother to be recognized as a legal parent, she had to appeal to Israel’s court for permission.

“It was all over the front pages,” BernerKadish says.

The family eventually moved back to the United States, where both his moms are legally recognized as parents. The Israeli

see PARENTS page 15

insideCHIPS Second chance: Columnist Claire Koenig argues against zero-tolerance drug policies. see page 4

OP/ED 4

SOAPBOX 7

NEWS 8

Chipotle: Blair prepares for opening of Mexican restaurant chain in Woodmoor. see page 11

Fresh seniors: New seniors give their opinions on their short time at Blair.

Blair’s resolutions: A wishlist of sorts of things for Blair to improve on in 2012.

see page 19

see page 27

FEATURES 15 CHIPS CLIPS 23 LA ESQUINA LATINA 24

ENTERTAINMENT 26 SPORTS 30

2 EDITORIALS

silverCHIPS

December 15, 2011

Web regulations endanger future For an age of people on the go and a generation that demands immediate access and unlimited information, the Internet has become more than a tool. It is a market, a gathering place and a means of economic survival.

Recent bills entering the Senate and House of Representatives that attack Internet piracy and copyright issues don’t just damage the intended targets, they will destroy our generation’s greatest achievements and endanger our future livelihoods. Blair business-leadersto-come will not be opening storefronts or putting ads in the community paper; they’ll be writing code and collecting customers with the help of online social media. If we allow the close-minded politicians of today to strip the Internet of its status as a forum for free speech and easy-access means of communication, we allow them to steer our future off-course before we’ve had the opportunity to take the wheel.

If enacted, the The Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) of the House and the Senate’s Protect Internet Protocol Act (PIPA) would ensure that sites are held liable for all user-posted content, meaning that if users post copyrighted material onto sites like Facebook and Youtube, the site itself faces possible lawsuits. Even search engines like Google wouldn’t be safe — the acts are phrased vaguely enough so that, under certain interpretations, Google is liable for the content on each site it links to.

This could mean one of two things for the Internet: either user content-based web giants like Google and Facebook would be forced into an oppressive state of self-censorship, or they would be shut down entirely.

The bills allow the government an obscene amount of power in controlling websites, which could very easily be abused. Should the Justice Department find a webpage with illicit content, it would have the power to remove not just the page, but the entire website the page was found on. Essentially, the restrictions could allow the government to censor any content they found objectionable and free speech on the web would quickly become a thing of the past.

Besides restraining civil liberties, the acts would extinguish the Internet-based economic sector that has become an integral part of business today. As America moves further away from a manufacturing-based economy, we will begin to depend even more heavily on new Internet industries. But in face of penalties for illegal content, entrepreneurs will be hesitant to take innovative risks regarding new start-up web projects and consequently we will close off another opportunity for cost-effective business.

Even if brave souls do step up and continue Internet development, the financial support required for large projects would be extremely difficult to find. According to a study conducted by the global management consulting firm Booz & Company, 70 percent of investors and venture capitalists say that they would not invest in an Internet start-up if the proposed regulations are enacted. These startup websites will be the Googles and Apples of the future and the powerhouse of our growing online economy — and these new laws are going to intercept their progress.

Selfishly resisting the natural flow of technological and economic progress will do nothing for America but hurt its newest batch of innovative industrialists. As a generation, we need to stand up for our own future and take control of an issue that will determine our most important contributions to the world, beginning with these bills.

silverCHIPS Montgomery Blair High School 51 University Boulevard East Silver Spring, MD 20901 Phone: (301) 649-2864 http://silverchips.mbhs.edu Winner of the 2009 National Scholastic Press Association Pacemaker Award Winner of the 2009 and 2010 Columbia Scholastic Press Association Gold Crown Silver Chips is a public forum for student expression. Student editors make all content decisions.

Unsigned editorials represent the views of the editorial board and are not necessarily those of the school. Signed letters to the editor are encouraged. Submit your letter to Joseph Fanning’s mailbox in the main office, to room 158 or to silver.chips.print@gmail.com. Concerns about Silver Chips’ content should be directed to the Ombudsman, the public’s representative to the paper, at clairesleigh94@gmail.com. Letters may be edited for space and clarity.

Editors-in-Chief....................................................................................... Claire Boston , Sebastian Medina-Tayac Managing News Editors...........................................................................................Maureen Lei, Srividya Murthy Managing Features Editors...................................................Stella Bartholet, NoahGrace Bauman, Eliza Wapner Managing Opinions and Editorials Editors................................................................Claire Koenig, Maggie Shi Managing Entertainment Editors.............................................................................Helen Bowers, Simrin Gupta Managing Sports Editor........................................................................................................................Claire Sleigh Production Manager............................................................................................................NoahGrace Bauman Managing Design Editor....................................................................................................................Stella Bartholet Design Team.................................NoahGrace Bauman, Maureen Lei, Maggie Shi, Claire Sleigh, Eliza Wapner Managing Photo Editor................................................................................................................Tolu Omokehinde Public Relations Director............................................................................................................ Simrin Gupta Outreach Coordinator...........................................................................................................................Eliza Wapner Distribution Supervisor.......................................................................................................................Claire Koenig Newsbriefs Editor...................................................................................................................................Maureen Lei Fact-Check Supervisor....................................................................................................................Srividya Murthy Extras Editor.............................................................................................................................Katelin Montgomery Executive Business Director.................................................................................................Ann Marie Huisentruit Executive Communications Director...........................................................................................................Jane Lee Executive Advertising Director.......................................................................................................Sarah Marsteler Executive Fundraising Manager......................................................................................................Chunwoo Baik Business Staff.....................................................................................Adrian Craig, Nova Getz, Nicholas Seidell Page Editors.................................................................................Ruth Aitken, Puck Bregstone, Peter McNally, ...........................................................................................Katelin Montgomery, Katie Pohlman,Josh Schmidt, ..............................................................................................Zoërose Waldrop, Hannah Weintraub, Sarah Wilson Copy Editor...............................................................................................................................................Paul B. Ellis Spanish Page Adviser.................................................................................................Dora N. Santiago-González Spanish Page Writers..........................................Janett Encinas, Diana Ferreira, Anilu Martinez,Yessica Somoza, ......................................................................................................Claudia Quinonez, Heydi Urbina, Kelly Ventura Editorial Board......................Claire Boston, Claire Koenig, Sebastian Medina-Tayac, Maggie Shi, Claire Sleigh Editorial Cartoonist...................................................................................................................................Julia Bates Managing Photo Editor...........................................................................................................Tolu Omokehinde Photographers............................................................................. Leah Hammond, Enoch Hsiao, Clare Lefebure ..................................................................................................................Ellie Musgrave, Leah Muskin-Pierret Managing Art Editors..............................................................................................Nathan Gamson, Doyung Lee Artists............................................................................Julia Bates, Xixi Chen, Tatyana Gubin, Matthew Morris Sports Writers..............................Puck Bregstone, Adam Kadir, Janvi Raichura, Claire Sleigh, Langston Taylor Professional Technical Adviser....................................................................................................Peter Hammond Adviser.............................................................................................................................................Joseph Fanning

Raising the bar for Spanish page Silver Chips needs to avoid past mistakes

By Claire Sleigh It is our goal as a newspaper to reach out and include as many people in our community as possible. Blair has a significant Hispanic population, including many who feel more comfortable reading in Spanish. Silver Chips has included a Spanish page in every issue since for the past ten years because we believe that it is important for Silver Chips to be accessible to everyone.

We increased Spanish page at the start of this year to make it a two page section. It was an ambitious move on the part of the leadership of the paper, but one which they felt would better represent the Blair community. This is a change that we intend to be permanent.

To support this switch, the Spanish page writers are now officially enrolled in the Silver Chips class, which allows them to be more involved in the production of the paper.

However, with two pages to edit, the challenge of Spanish page doubles. It has always been challenging to hold Spanish page to the same standard as the rest of the paper because most Silver Chips writers and editors don’t speak Spanish. Even though one of this year’s editors-in-chief is a native Spanish speaker, he has many other responsibilities. The writing, editing and managing of Spanish page then falls to the Spanish page writers, none of who have taken the formal journalism class that is mandatory for all other writing staffers.

Spanish page still has a long way to go — in the past, we’ve had some issues with photos that are too dark, and headlines that

were done at the last minute by non-native speakers and not the Spanish page writers themselves.

In addition, InDesign, the software

Ombudsman Claire Sleigh that we use to lay out the paper, is not compatible with the Spanish language. Line-breaks occur in different places in words in Spanish and English, but InDesign uses the same line-break and syllable rules for Spanish text as for English text. Because of this, all line breaks have to be done manually — and must be redone every time the text changes.

This past cycle, Spanish page presented serious managing and editing problems. One full page story fell through at the last minute, leaving the writers and editors with only a few days to get a full page together. Given this last minute scrambling, the flawed final product comes a bit more into

Web Exclusives Check Silver Chips Online (http://sco.mbhs.edu) for constantly updated news, features and entertainment — and make sure to be on the lookout for these upcoming stories: s

The “Hunter” is back in town: Sports story on the Capitols

s

Red Dots in a Blue Ocean: Feature about Blair Conservatives

s

A price tag on lifelong lessons and school pride: Opinion piece

perspective.

There were some blatant grammatical errors; more so than on other pages, and a lot of issues that were left to be fixed at the last minute. In our attempt to expand the section, the quality of the page dropped, which left the Spanish page advisor, Dora SantiagoGonzalez, with questions as to the direction of the page. Gonzalez works hours of unpaid overtime to keep the section up and running, and has done so for over ten years. She is a tremendous asset to the paper and has helped to shape Spanish page into an important section of the newspaper. Her concern is legitimate, and we are taking steps to avoid these errors in the future. The last minute changes will now be made by Spanish page staffers, who, under the old system, were not present as we were finalizing the paper. In addition, the editors-in-chief are pursuing a closer relationship with Gonzalez by giving her more final oversight over last minute changes.

It will take time, effort and oversight to ensure that we do not repeat the Spanish page mistakes that we made last cycle, but readers should recognize that what Silver Chips does is unique. The only other high school in the county to feature a Spanish page is Richard Montgomery, and we are also one of few newspapers in the state to do so. We welcome the challenges of Spanish page, because improving the section has been a key objective for this year’s editors.

Corrections Photo credit for, “Battling stereotypes in surround sound” (Pg. 21, Nov 10) should have gone to Xorissa Ravitz and Eliza Wapner.

In, “It’s all in the family: The Gondor family legacy,” (Pg.30, Nov 10) photo credit should have gone to Tolu Omokehinde and Alex Joseph.

In “Blair after dark” (Centerspread, Nov. 10) photo credit was not included for Leah Hammond.

silverCHIPS

PRO/CON 3

December 15, 2011

Should police officers be stationed in public high schools?

Zoërose Waldrop

YES:

NO:

Officers in schools have an important role that keeps the school safe

Having police officers in schools might detract from student safety

Last week at a Northwood basketball game, a Blair student was stabbed six times in the back. Though rare, incidents of such extreme violence at school do happen and have a huge effect on the entire Blair community. In cases such as these, it is best to have a police presence that can properly and safely deal with the issue.

An important distinction to make is that police liaison and security guards have different jobs; the Student Resource Officers’ (SRO) role is to deal with illegal activities at Blair. Though security guards would have to follow county rules and regulations when dealing with students involved in illegal activities, an SRO would be able to deal with the aspects of the incident that require police action including official warnings or even arrests. Having a trusted and familiar officer, rather than random police officers who are less aware of the specific circumstances, to work with in situations that require a police presence can help the student and staff function more effectively and cohesively. This familiar yet authoritative presence can help to inform students and guide them towards a better state of understanding with the teachers that would be much more difficult to reach otherwise.

An SRO’s most important function is ensuring the overall safety of the school.

Having a police-trained SRO on hand can help to better assess dangerous situations outside Blair’s walls and work with local police departments if needed. In situations such as this, when time is an issue, this experience and proximity is vital for the safety of the school.

Security assistant Maureen Walsh was a policeman for 31 years prior to working at Blair and has observed many serious cases of violence, including incidents at nearby schools. Not all cases involve stabbings, yet Walsh has seen cases of homicides that have occurred on public school properties both during and after school. SROs do not just deal with violence; they can help to prevent it. Ms. Walsh believes that one of the greatest advantages an SRO provides is their ability to deal with incidents as they happen and keep violence from occurring in the first place, “I feel that it is better to be proactive and anticipate critical situations and to have a plan in place rather than to react to an unfortunate or tragic incident.

SROs can play an integral part in an overall plan to ensure a secure environment in which we can work and learn together,” she said.

Over a dozen serious fights break out each year at Blair, and teachers who have

attempted to stop the violence have been put in serious danger. Teachers are not properly trained to break up altercations as the SROs and the security guards are, and can be harmed while separating students. As they are often the first adults on the scene, it would be best for the teachers to be taught how to properly deal with such situations.

An SRO could hold a seminar on safety in school for the teachers to prevent others who are not involved from being harmed including both teachers and other students.

SROs go further than just protect students’ safety–––they can be integral parts of the Blair community.

Principal Renay Johnson said “I am pro SRO, but more specifically for an SRO who is part of the staff and has a proactive role with the students.

I think the most valuable role they play is as a mentor and positive guiding force.” An officer can mentor NA TH at-risk students AN GA and give guidance M SO for their futures. OfN AN D ficers have introduced CL AI RE students to the Montgomery SL EI County Cadet Program, which GH gives career opportunities in law enforcement for students whose might not look to any further education.

Officers have always become involved with school communities, a representative of the law who is a member of the staff. This can provide the students with a perspective beyond the school, helping them find motivation. SROs provide a sense of trust so students learn to understand that the police and the school are there to help and protect the students.

Two eighth graders were fighting on a Friday afternoon in San Antonio, Texas.

This caught the eye of a police officer assigned to their school and he began to chase after them. One of the boys tried to hide in a shed behind the school. The police officer found the boy and, in a scuffle, shot him, leaving him dead. There was no need for this tragic loss of life, which was caused by the overreaction of this particular police officer. The security guards at the school could have handled this problem accordingly and avoid such an incredibly serious altercation.

Policemen stationed in schools are not needed due to the threat they pose, the unnecessary citations on students records they create, and the money they soak up. Security guards who are also positioned at the schools can handle most problems, and if need be, call the police themselves.

The presence of policemen in schools have a high likelihood of creating unwanted altercations. Police officers have exacerbated many different cases of in-school violence.

The stationing of police officers in high school and middle school settings creates a threat posed against the well-being of the students. The fact that police officers even carry weapons increases the likelihood that they will use them against students, perhaps unnecessarily. Having a security guard instead of a police officer handling the problem removes this potential for violence because security guards do not

Josh Schmidt

carry weapons.

In only rare instances, such as the Virginia Tech and Columbine tragedies would deadly weapons be needed to keep the peace at schools. But, these catastrophes happen so infrequently it seem as though it is only paranoid and the result of too much worrying that police officers would need to carry weapons.

University of Chicago Law professor Craig Futterman, who conducted a study on police brutality and believes that it is common sense that the presence of a weapon alone increases the chance of violence to occur. “If it’s there, you know it’s there, and you’re going to use it. You’re going to concoct some reason in your head as to why it’s necessary,” said Futterman.

Not only do these harmful interactions endanger school security, but they can also ruin students’ futures. If there is any sort of altercation, it can end up on the students permanent record, potentially ruining their chances of college admission and even hindering future job opportunities. No one wants these spots on their records, and colleges are much more hesitant to grant admissions and scholarships to students with any sort of criminal record compared to those without, according to multiple studies.

These unnecessary citations have taken over many students records, especially students in Texas, where schools have stricter rules and a higher number of police officers per school.

According to a study by the Council of State Governments Justice Center, six in ten high school students in Texas were suspended or expelled at least once from seventh grade on. It is impossible to believe that so many teenagers double as students and criminals.

Not only does the presence of police officers in school create potentially harmful disputes, and therefore bad permanent records, but police officers are also expensive. According to the Montgomery County 2011 Operating Budget, Montgomery County will spend exactly $1,630,252 on 20 police officers this year.

As a county that already spends a significant amount of money on security guards, this money would be better spent by hiring more security guards at a lower costs or closing the budget gap that has continuously been a major problem for MCPS. By relying on security guards and not police officers in schools, Montgomery County can save not only money, but also teens’ futures.

voiceBOX “No I don’t think so. It’s a school not a jail you don’t need police.”

“I believe so because student safety is important. Parents expect kids home in one piece.”

-sophomore Wynston Reed

-freshman Yichao Peng

“No I don’t think so particularly in this school because the security can handle it.”

“Yes, but only during special events like sporting events and dances.”

-junior Caren Holmes

-senior Timothy Olawuni

“Yes and they should have specific jobs to do at the school because eventually their presence won’t be enough.”

-sophomore Khiry Barnes

4

OP/ED

silverCHIPS

December 15, 2011

New Walmarts threaten to roll back jobs for teens

Walmarts in Montgomery County risk workers’ rights and tax payers’ dollars

By Leah Muskin-Pierret An opinion Walmart employs a large army, with a work force comparable to the Chinese military, so it was only due time before Montgomery County would be overrun.

The company recently unveiled plans for two new big box stores in Rockville Pike and Aspen Hill. The largest and most hated retailer worldwide is invading, and what it means for teens is lower wages in the short term and a huge drain on their tax dollars in the long term. It is in the best interest of the county’s teenage population to vehemently oppose the Walmart take-over.

As a nationwide chain, Walmart has a bad rap sheet. This is the company that made the news recently for the Dukes class action suit, which asserted that Walmart’s pay and job promotion practices discriminated against women. Two-thirds of Walmart employees are female, but they fill only ten percent of management positions, yet the company remains unprosecuted. Beyond that, there are the ever-present stains of pitiful wages, inadequate benefits, poor working conditions, violations of environmental protection laws and malicious antiunion policies, all of which have

landed the company in hundreds of lawsuits, or approximately two to five cases a day, according to the Walmart Litigation project.

Something is rotten in the state of Walmart, and so by nature, it’s not the type of business which Montgomery County should be accepting with open arms.

Potential workers for Walmart can’t expect any better treatment. The low prices Walmart offers will come at the expense of abused workers, illinformed taxpayers and local businesses, adding up to a nightmare for the youth job market. Each year, the average Walmart employee makes only about $18,000, while the company rakes in $15 billion in profits.

Teenagers, with little work experience and sky high unemployment rates among their demographic, are prime targets for Walmart hiring. Unfortunately, the company with keep their wages low by hiring them only part time and refusing promotions. At the same

time, these teens may be worked through breaks and given almost no benefits. There’s also a good chance that their incredibly poor treatment may violate child labor laws, as has happened in Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Arkansas.

The experiences of workers at Walmart are terrible,

DOYUNG LEE

and shoppers don’t fair much better. There is currently a single Walmart in Montgomery County, and its generally negative reviews should have served as a warning.

If the internet has anything to say about the store, it’s an abomination. On Yelp, the store has garnered a pathetic average rating of 1.5 out of 5 stars. Disgruntled customers complain of useless staff and a poor product selection, or as one reviewer said, “[the store] looks like it was hit with an atomic bomb full of low quality merchandise and stink.”

Even worse, these low paying jobs won’t be confined to Walmart. A UC Berkeley Center for Research on Labor and Education study tracked the eightyear impact of Walmarts across the country on local economies. The study demonstrated a farreaching effect on local wages saying that, “Walmart store openings lead to the replacement of better paying jobs with jobs that pay less.” Even a single

new store can cause a significant decline in earnings for the average retail worker, for example, “For grocery store employees, the effect of a single new Walmart was a 1.5% reduction in earnings.”

All these lower wages compose abuses against the average taxpayer; teens won’t need to be hired by Walmart to be harmed by it. The living wage for a single adult in Montgomery County is $13 per hour, according to a county law, yet approximately 770,00 Walmart workers receive only $9 per hour, and new hires can earn even less than that.

If a teen stays in the job until she has a family, the wage only falls farther below her needs. Ultimately, the costs of food stamps, Medicaid and other government benefits for impoverished Walmart workers and their children fall on the uninvolved taxpayer.

In the future, our tax dollars will subsidize these underpaid workers and therefore Walmart’s billion dollar profits.

Montgomery County doesn’t need the plague of problems that comes with a Walmart invasion.

Walmart is bad news for workers, taxpayers and especially teenagers in Montgomery County. All citizens should rally for efforts to eradicate the company close to home.

Smile for the camera: taping prospective teachers ensures quality Videotaping teaching applicants would allow MCPS to better screen for competence

By Peter McNally An opinion If someone wants to join a sports team, they try out by playing the game, not by taking a series of strategy assessments and then playing the coach.

The same logic applies to the hiring process in public schools. In many districts, the new teacher evaluation system consists of a few tests of knowledge and ethics, interviews, and sometimes a mock classroom lesson usually taught to a conference room of county officials. But this method is inaccurate, and does not showcase a teacher’s ability to perform in what will be

their work environment. Teachers should be evaluated while doing their job, not while pretending to.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has recognized the necessity for a more accurate means of determining teacher proficiency. They have begun handing out sizable grants to school systems like D.C. Public Schools, so that they may videotape possible teachers as a sort of auditioning process before they enter the work force.

Along with providing school systems with a record of individual teaching abilities, the Foundation also aims for schools to amass video libraries that may help identify the often-elusive factors that make for effective

Art Corner Welcome to the Art Corner — a space where Silver Chips artists share their perspective on the issues of the day, or simply entertain with a little bit of good-natured humor.

JULIA BATES

teaching.

People are often apprehensive to let the omnipresent eye of a video camera into their lives. Often, at the mention of taped recording, ideas of the Orwellian ‘Big Brother’ observing their every move loom in their minds.

As technology advances though, it is important for us to be as open as we are skeptical of new methods of evaluation, especially if they have the potential to provide accurate and crucial information.

In addition to being a more logical approach to evaluation, videotaping trial classes also possess the possibility of reducing some of the sources of error in observations. Teachers may artificially and temporarily improve or modify their behavior when they know they are being studied.

This is almost certainly the case when a teacher is asked to teach multiplication to a group of people who may end up signing their paychecks.

Although it will not eliminate the phenomenon, known as the Hawthorne Effect, discreet and unobtrusive videotaping can diminish the effect’s impact on teacher performance. For many teachers, a small camera may be far less intimidating than the presence of an administrator.

Videotaped assessment provides a more in-depth and accurate depiction of skill than that of the relatively obtuse assessments carried out by school officials.

Instead of labeling teachers’ ability with a number and an administrator’s description, video recordings enable officials to replay footage and pick apart the details of a teacher’s performance, catching things that

an interview or test form cannot.

Though the ability of administrators and officials to assess each minute action of teaching methods may seem intimidating to teachers because of the method’s unprecedented attention to detail, intensive analysis is required to determine a teacher’s JULIA BATES ability to meet the rigid standards that we need to have.

If prospective teachers have confidence that they are ready to teach, and if counties and schools are equally confident in an individual’s teaching abilities, than they should have no reason to fear or oppose videotaping carried out in a discrete and professional fashion. Video only reveals what students would experience if a teacher is permitted to teach, and by identifying both the skills and the weaknesses of individual teachers, schools can prevent unqualified teachers from slipping through the cracks of the hiring process.

The field of education is riddled with systematic problems, and along with other amendments to the teacher review process, videotaped observation has the potential to provide much needed transparency to our teacher evaluation system. In a country where the EEP Research Center says more than a quarter of our students do not graduate high school we must remain proactive in seeking out methods that can improve every aspect of the educational system.

silverCHIPS

OP/ED 5

December 15, 2011

With harassment, what we don’t know can hurt us MCPS’ lack of clarity about sexual harassment creates the potential for unreported cases

By Hannah Weintraub An opinion “I heard a rumor that if you touch someone’s belly button for three seconds it’s sexual harassment.” said sophomore Alex Michell when asked what constituted as sexual harassment at Blair.

Like many students at Blair, Michell’s understanding of MCPS’ comprehensive sexual harassment policy is minimal at best. The importance of the sexual harassment policy cannot be disregarded, because, as Penn State has shown, a negligent attitude towards sexual harassment can yield sinister results.

The success of the policy is limited if students are uninformed on the policy or feel uncomfortable reporting sexual harassment. In order to create a safe school environment, the Blair administration must educate Blazers on the specifics of the policy and create an open dialogue for students to talk about sexual harassment.

MCPS adopted the current policy in 1992 and amended it in 1996. The policy outlines what behaviors are deemed to be sexual harassment and the county and school’s responsibilities in preventing and addressing sexual harassment. One of these declared responsibilities is informing staff and students of the details of the policy and creating opportunities for students to learn about sexual harassment.

Guidance counselor Marcia Johnson endorses the policy and believes it to be effective. “It’s clear to staff and clear to students that sexual harassment will not

go to with allegations of sexual harassment.

“I wouldn’t know who to report to if I was being sexually harassed.” admitted sophomore Nick Porter. If students are unaware of the policy and what constitutes as sexual harassment, many cases of harassment may continue and perpetrators may never face consequences.

Even if students knew how to identify sexual harassment, many students revealed that they would not feel comfortable reporting sexual harassment to an adult at school. “If I was being sexually harassed I might report it to a teacher,” said sophomore Rory McClain, “but I would be less willing to report it the worse it was.”

This attitude may stem from the shame and guilt that often surrounds sexual harassment. Teachers could remove this stigma of humiliation by making sexual harassment a regular discussion in the classroom. If the topic became less foreign to students, will instill a level of openness and remind students that there is staff who will support them if they have concerns.

Teachers should provide a vital role in protecting students from sexual harassment but unfortunately, teachers are often as equally ill-informed on the policy as students. “The county assumes ELIZA WAPNER we know about the policy,” English teacher Vickie Adamson said. “But the issue and teachers know are more likely to end is not given due attention.” Teachers are a up in the recycling bin than on a student’s school’s first line of defense against sexual bedside table. harassment, as teachers spend the most Reporting and stopping sexual harasstime with students and have the ability to ment hinges on the presence of an inoversee what occurs in the classroom. “We formed student body. “I have absolutely no have an attitude of no tolerance,” history idea what the policy is,” freshman Ishaan teacher Marc Grossman explains, “if we see Parikh said. “I know sexual harassment it we report it.” is frowned upon but I’ve never heard of Despite this iron- fisted mentality, many rules.” teachers still find it hard to identify what Some Blazers do not even know who to be tolerated.” she said. Although Johnson and the administration may be well versed on the specifics of the policy, Blair has just barely met the requirements for educating students on sexual harassment. The only information Blair distributes on the policy is an underwhelming 200 words buried deep in “The Student’s Rights and Responsibilities Guide”, which most Blazers

actions cross into the territory of sexual harassment and when it is their responsibility to step in and do something. The ambiguity and confusion described by the teachers could be absolved by a briefing on the policy.

Johnson assures that teachers are reminded of the policy at the beginning of each school year yet, teachers seem to believe the opposite. “I don’t recall going over the policy,” said English teacher David Goldberg. This glazed over, and unaware attitude must be curbed by the administration. Relying on the staff’s wavering understanding of the policy could jeopardize the safety of students.

Blair has the framework to address the issue of sexual harassment, yet these tools are not optimized. Equipping students and staff with the knowledge to confidently identify and report sexual harassment, is not only an investment into safety at Blair, but into the safety of the general community and the future well being of Blazers.

MCPS POLICY MCPS’ policy provides staff and students with criteria for spotting and handling sexual harassment.

The policy defines sexual harassment as, “unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and/or other inappropriate verbal, written, or physical conduct of a sexual nature.” This definition helps protect against unwanted behavior by including a variety of things that may make students or staff feel uncomfortable. Victims of sexual harassment should report allegations.

If you are in need of help, contact the police or the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1.800.656.HOPE.

First time substance abuse offenders deserve a ‘Second Chance’ MCPS needs to consider replacing zero-tolerance mindset for a more constructive approach

By Claire Koenig An opinion The list of taboo items schools’ zero-tolerance policies have targeted ranges from GI Joe toy guns to suspiciously clumpy oregano, but the general concept remains the same: schools will not allow the illicit material on their grounds, no matter what the reasonable circumstance.

The idea behind zero-tolerance is that if punishments for misbehavior are severe and unsympathetic, eventually students will realize that the penalties outweigh the pleasures of breaking the law and crime rates will decrease.

However, it is time for school systems to realize that the inflexible, illogical approach to teen misconduct isn’t working as intended.

Teenage use of drugs and alcohol has been a particularly popular item of zero-tolerance concern, but as the draconian response to student usage cracks down, studies show that teen substance abuse is still one of the critical health concerns of our age group. According to a 2011 Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse report, 46 percent of high school students use addictive substances like drugs or alcohol regularly, and one in three of these meets the medical criteria for addiction. These numbers hold true in a nation where, according to the National Center of Education Statistics, 87 percent of schools boast zero-tolerance policies for drugs and alcohol.

Something has to give. Zerotolerance is not the solution to the

teen drug problem, but neither is allowing the health risks to cripple our futures with overly lax policies. In Montgomery County alone, juvenile crime rates rose 63.4% between 2009 and 2010, according to a Montgomery County Department of Police report, and MCPS officials have yet to consider that their zero-tolerance policies are a part of the problem. Fortunately, nearby Arlington County in Virginia has come up with an intriguing solution.

Arlington’s new “Second Chance” project puts emphasis on prevention and education, not alienation. The three-day program, open to first time offenders caught in the possession of marijuana or alcohol, replaces the criminal persecution and school suspension. Students are granted an excused absence from class for three days, in which time they attend workshops and classes with counselors and their parents about peer pressure, self-reflection and health risks associated with

early drug and alcohol usage.

After sixty days, students attend a three-hour booster session in which they discuss and review their progress with their teachers.

With justifiable and merciful policies and a logical approach

to student punishment, Second Chance has the potential to prevent unnecessary substance abuse from an early stage and drastically rethink the way that America looks at school discipline. MCPS needs to break the trend of zerotolerance in Maryland schools and consider moving to more just system of punishment, like Second Chance.

Limited reliance on the police

not only diminishes the chance of students earning a criminal record before they become legal adults, but because there is no connection to a larger law enforcement it also allows schools to adopt a less generalized policy for determining punishment.

One of the major issues with zerotolerance is that it allows for no excuses with regards to possession of illegal material, instead doling out one-size-fits-all consequences, expelling students for leaving things like over-thecounter medications and butter knives in their lockers. If schools take matters into their own hands and determine a more personalized approach to punitive measures, as Arlington is demonstrating, XIXI CHEN students will receive a more just sentence for their actions and counties will collect fewer law suits.

The Second Chance policy with regards to suspension is also far more practical than many zerotolerance policies elsewhere in the country. The absence from school is productive and meaningful — not time spent playing video games or finding another bottle of beer while the parents are at work.

The suspension is also excused, meaning that students can make up work they missed and suffer no academic penalty for their misbehavior. For students struggling in school this aspect of the policy could be the difference between getting themselves back on track and giving up.

According to the staff attorney of The Advancement Project, Alexi Nunn Freeman, “Research shows that when students are in school is when they’re learning,” she says.

“Kids are more likely to drop out, have worse relationships with students in class, and are more likely to interact with the criminal justice system if they fall behind.”

For those students who have already started down the road into more dangerous substances or have continued to make poor choices with regards to illegal activities, Second Chance should remain an opportunity for education and reform, however it is realistic that students can only use the get-out-of-jail-card once. Firsttime offenders should continue to get precedent to educate early on about the dangerous effects of illegal substances.

Second Chance is a well-developed, constructive approach to discourage teen substance abuse.

It is more fair and more comprehensive than any zero-tolerance policy in MCPS, or the nation, and if the data collected from its first years in Arlington yields positive results, there is no reason why it should not spread to our own system and throughout schools nationwide as an effective tool to stop teenage addiction.

6 ADS

February 2, 2012

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SOAPBOX 7

December 15, 2011

Blazers speak out Would you want a Walmart in the area?

What do you think Blair should improve on in the New Year?

see story, page 4 see story, page 27

“Yes, a Walmart should be in the area because it creates better opportunities for poor families.”

-senior Matthew Callaway “No, I don’t want a Walmart in the area. I don’t think that people should shop at Walmart because I don’t like the way that they treat their workers. They don’t pay their workers enough and make them work long hours.”

-junior Melissa Torres

“I really hope Blair improves its food in the New Year, even if they just got fresher apples that would be a major improvements. (Note to staff: apples and sawdust should not taste the same.)”

-junior Ashe Welch “I think that Blair should have open lunch so that kids can go out an buy food that they want to eat.”

-sophomore Jessica Demouy

ART BY TATYANA GUBIN

“Blair as a whole needs to make the resolution to install a fully functional zip line or slide down the length of Blair Boulevard.

The sheer excellence of this should override the downside of injuries.”

-junior Michael Ekstrom

“I would like a Walmart in this area so it could create jobs. Also I would be able to buy some things that I would have to go further out for.”

-junior Walter Marcos “Yes, I would definitely want a Walmart in the area. Walmart has almost everything that you would need. ” -sophomore Tatiana Sindass

“Blair should improve in having school start at 8:40 because that is why there are so many problems with the student attendance because we start too early.”

-senior Tania Castillo

Would you want to come back and work at Blair after you’ve graduated? see story, page 21

If the world ends in 2012, what is the one thing you would want to do? see story, page 27

“I wouldn’t think of coming back to work, I would try to go on with life but come to visit old teachers that help make a change in me.”

-freshman Cherline Charles

“I would like to be experimented on by scientists to be recreated into a robot like Arnold in the Terminator. Then when the world ends I’ll have higher chances of survival than human beings.”

-junior Yakemi Wilson

“I would not want to come back and work at Blair after I graduate because I’ll feel like I never graduated high school and will be stuck in high school forever. Also I’ll be reminded of writing long essays and how stressed out I was.

-senior Michael Riley

“If the world ends in 2012 I would travel the world with my best friends. I would also herd a large group of goats through the streets of NYC. I would spend the rest of my time in Connecticut.”

-junior Trevor Gibson

“If I were going to teach, I’d want to come back to a familiar place but the point is moot because I have no teaching ambitions.”

-freshman Arjuna Subramanian

“If the world ends in 2012, one thing I’d want to do is have my soapbox question chosen.”

-sophomore Katrina Golladay

What was your initial reaction to the PFOX fliers? see story, page 9 “I thought the flyer was pure ignorance. The most ignorant part about it was when they wanted to talk with exgays and that they said that there was no way that they were born that way.”

-sophomore Damar Bess “I was shocked and I don’t think you can change who someone is. It is really ignorant of people to do something like this.”

-junior Niveet Singh “I really didn’t have a reaction, I just thought that they were supporting both sides which is good. But there should be a nicer way of supporting straight people.”

-sophomore Bianca Hernandez

“I would want to share those last moments with the people that I love, travel the world and drive a 1967 Shelby GT 500 Mustang and a 2012 Mustang.”

-freshman Breanna Camp “Have a BIG sleep over inside Blair with chaperones (not too many) and just have fun. We’d be able to play games and eat pizza.”

-junior Joniece Hymes

chipsINDEX 13 10.8 6 37.7

Age of Blair’s new building in years

Percentage of Blazers who say they remember what happened on InfoFlow the previous morning Number of concussions that the average NBA player will get in his career Percentage of Blazers who support PFOX’s right to distribute fliers at Blair

372 6.4 653,400 133

Days until the supposed end of the world

Percentage of Blazers who say they are openly gay Area, in square feet, of grass that is mowed at Blair Number of students who have been suspended in the past year

Chips Index compiled by Katelin Montgomery with additional reporting by Sabrina Bradford, Emanuel Cerón-Rohena, Carina Hernandez, Isaac Jiffar, Aanchal Johri, Fiona Kavanagh, Kellie Tarquini, Chala Tshitundu and Angelina Yu.

Quote of the Issue

“ ” I’m not big on business because I had to manipulate people, and basically screw them over.

Blair graduate Malcolm

see BLACK MARKET, centerspread

8 NEWS

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December 15, 2011

Chipotle Mexican Grill comes to Woodmoor center Chipotle replaces the storefront that was once occupied by China House

By Srividya Murthy On Dec. 13, Chipotle Mexican Grill opened its second Silver Spring location at the nearby Woodmoor Shopping Center.

Chipotle replaced the space previously occupied by Subway, which relocated into the space formerly held by China House.

According to Chipotle spokeswoman Katherine Newell Construction for the new branch began in late August. Since then, the Chipotle management has been hiring crew members and training them in cooking, maintaining the building and providing services for customers.

According to Assistant General Manager Carlos Linares, the restaurant serves all items traditionally on the Chipotle menu.

Linares said that Chipotle holds itself to high standards in ensuring the freshness of its ingredients. “We try to use organic beans and meat raised in farms in natural ways, and we don’t put any hormones in chicken

or pork,” he said. This year, Chipotle is also making record improvements to the freshness of its ingredients. Chipotle plans to use more than 10 million pounds of produce from local farms, compared to the 5 million pounds used last year, according to Smith.

Woodmoor’s Chipotle is currently hiring employees for their restaurant for a variety of positions. Smith said that there are between 25 to 30 employees in every restaurant; responsibilities range from food preparation to answering phones and more besides.

Smith encouraged students to apply for jobs at Chipotle, emphasizing that they would offer students a positive working experience. According to Smith, students will have many opportunities to work at Chipotle because turnover is frequent and is half the industry average.

“It teaches you the service business, about how difficult it is to please, how to be on your toes and do what you’re supposed to do to get the job done. It is a great training experience,” she said.

Linares agreed that working at

Bullying divides Blair

By Peter McNally On Oct. 30, MCPS released the annual Safety and Security at a Glance report, which reveled a notable difference in the opinions of parents, teachers and students on a few issues, especially bullying.

According to the Office of Shared Accountability (OSA), the Safety and Security at a Glance report is a document providing quantitative information

about i n c i MAUREEN LEI dents of theft, violence, bullying, and other factors that impact the environment of every public school in the county.

The report included the results of an online survey of parents, teachers, and students who are prompted to agree or disagree with statements such as, “I feel safe in school” and “my belongings are safe in this school. ” For the statement “In this school, students bullying other students is a problem,” 49.1 percent of the students, 31.8 percent of parents, and 44.7 percent of teachers responded that they “agreed.”

The nearly 20 percent difference between the response of parents and students has caused some to worry that there is more bullying at Blair than parents know. Despite these concerns, Stephanie Williams, the Director of Policy, Records and Reporting at OSA, points out that the diverging opinions are natural.“ The students are more likely to have the-boots-on-the-ground

exposure,” she said. “ The further away you get from the first hand experience with anything, the less aware of it you are.”

Sheri Verdonk, President of the Blair PTSA, agrees that parental response is largely affected by their limited knowledge. “Parents aren’t aware of the day-to-day details because their students don’t come home and tell them,” she said.

Assistant Principal Dirk Cauley pointed out that perspective is not the sole cause of the disparity. The amount of valid parent responses to the bullying prompt may not be representative of the entire Blair community. “ You could have, at minimum, 3,000 parents [of Blazers] and only 88 responded,” he said. Cauley also attributed the difference to varying definitions of bullying. “ A lot of times when you delve into the conversation, its more of a disagreement,” he said.

Personal experience also caused skepticism for Verdonk and Cauley. “ I don’t hear that many complaints about the bullying in the traditional sense of the word,” said Verdonk. Cauley also testified to a lack of encounters with bullying at Blair.

Williams and Cauley still see something to take away from the statistics. “ There is an opportunity to improve communications between these groups on these issues,” said Williams.

Cauley agreed that these statistics may serve as a good forum for discussion between the different part of the Blair community.

Currently, both the Blair Counseling Department and the PTSA Health and Safety Committee, headed by Derek Hill, are offering support for people who are bullied at Montgomery Blair.

Chipotle can be a rewarding experience, and that anybody who is employed at Chipotle will get enough training to eventually become a manager.

He expressed excitement on being able to serve students from Blair and said that the restaurant plans on supporting Blair as its neighbor.

“We are usually very active in the commuELLIE MUSGRAVE nity,” he said.

Smith said that Chipotle opened Tuesday in Woodmoor Shopping Chipotle chose to come to Woodmoor Center, next to Blair. The new location is accepting job in response to re- applications from interested Blair students. quests of several members of the surrounding community.

Spring locations were some of the factors in She said that its prime location near Blair and considerable distance from other Silver see CHIPOTLE page 11

Retailer bill declared unconstitutional

By Katelin Montgomery

complex, it is difficult to tell if the bill is constitutional or not.

Graber said that many communities have tried to pass laws similar to this one and have usually

On Nov. 28, County Attorney Mark Hansen ruled that a bill that would place restrictions on big-box retailers like Wa l m a r t , Costco and Home Depot in opening new stores was unconstitutional.

Bill 33-11, Proposed by Montgomery County Council President Valerie Ervin (D-At Large), requires certain large retail stores to enter into “good faith” negotiations with recognized civic orgaENOCH HSIAO nizations to achieve Big-box retailers like Target now have freer a commu- reign to open stores in Montgomery County. nity benefits agreement that addresses a vari- won in the lower courts.

Ervin is the primary sponsor ety of topics. The main concerns that would be discussed are hiring of the bill and four of the nine practices, training programs, traf- County Council members are cofic, affordable housing and eco- sponsors. The bill does face opposition within the Council, however. nomic impact.

Although the bill was ruled un- Councilmember and chair of the constitutional, Mark Graber, a legal Planning, Housing and Economic expert at University of Maryland’s Development Committee Nancy Francis King Carey School of Law, Floreen (D-At Large) said that the said that since this area of law is so current version of the bill is not

properly written. “There are a lot of problems with the way it’s currently drafted and it would apply to almost every shopping center,” she said.

She also pointed out that conflict could arise when selecting the recognized civic groups with which retailers would have to negotiate, since the bill only allows a certain number of organizations and does not explain how they will be chosen.

Councilmember George L. Leventhal also finds the bill deeply flawed and County Executive Isiah Leggett (D-at large) said he would veto it as currently written.

The legislation has drawn support from labor leaders and from small business owners. One group in particular that has shown strong support of the bill is the United Food & Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 400 union that represents retail and grocery workers.

Tom McNutt, the president of UFCW, believes that the bill would ensure that the only big box stores allowed in Montgomery County would be the ones that improve the quality of living.

Ervin said that if the bill changes, she wants the final version to preserve the goal of the original legislation: to create legally binding agreements between retailers and communities that benefit the residents of Montgomery County.

County Attorney Mark Hansen believes that the negotiations are what make the bill unconstitutional. He said that the bill could illegally overburden the big-box retailers and would give the private entities the power of deciding the community’s best interest.

ENOCH HSIAO

On November 28, a bill that would keep large discount stores such as Target, above, from opening new branches in the Montgomery County area was deemed unconstitutional by County Attorney Mark Hansen.

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NEWS 9

December 15, 2011

Votes for curfew bills Software glitch prevents loss of credit delayed indefinitely Implementation of new policy delayed Council puts off voting from LOITERING page 1

loitering bills, Andrews expressed the belief that the Council’s tabling Leventhal proposed Expedited of the two bills indicates opposiBill 35-11, the anti-loitering bill, on tion. “I interpret a vote to table Oct. 25 as an alternative to Ervin’s as a vote against the two bills,” he youth curfew. 35-11 would allow said.

Riemer suggested a more fluid police officers to question loiterers and individuals who appear to be scenario, theorizing that the Council’s majority opinion regarding engaging in unlawful behavior.

Councilmember Hans Riemer the bills has fluctuated, but that (D-at large) introduced the motion it postponed action to avoid pasto table both bills after reevaluat- sage. “This is politics. Just being the supporting data. “We in- cause it might have passed last creased the police presence in the week doesn’t mean it will in the Silver Spring business district sig- future. That’s why we had to tanificantly, and it had a very posi- ble it; people want the security of tabling,” tive efhe said. fect on Sophcrime. o m o r e In fact, Carlos it fell Jimenez to beand sel o w nior John oneS h e d d third were both o f supportwhat ive of the it forCouncil’s merly CHESTER LAM motions was... to table. a n d The curfew was opposed by many local Jimethe re- youth, including SMOB Alan Xie. nez armaining justification for the curfew is gued that the curfew and loitering pretty weak...The rationale for ta- bills fell outside of the county’s bling the curfew bill also applied jurisdiction to control youth behavior. “That’s perfect because to the loitering bill,” he said.

According to Leventhal, 25-11 it’s not the county’s job to tell us and 35-11 will expire after two what to do. It’s our parents’ job,” years if not voted upon. To move he said.

Shedd added that the bills either bill for further consideration before the two years end, might have proven ineffective if however, the Council must have a passed. “It wasn’t even a threat to us anyway. The curfew wouldn’t majority vote.

Despite the possibility of fu- have stopped people from doing ture votes on the curfew and anti- bad stuff,” he said.

By Sarah Wilson Students in MCPS were not held accountable for any unexcused absences in the first marking period because of countywide technological problems with the new attendance tracking software.

Under the new policy students lose credit after five unexcused absences from classes. Parents also receive an email and automatic call after 3-5 absences to alert them of the situation.

The error prevented MCPS from informing parents of their students’ unexcused absences.

“The system was not functioning the way we wanted it to; the teachers were entering the attendance information so the data is there, but the letters weren’t generated to parents,” said assistant principal Alicia Deeny.

Now that it is working correctly, the new software automates credit loss, preventing teacher discrimination in deciding whether a student would lose credit for significant absences. “What it’s trying to do is not have [the policy] arbitrarily enforced. Now it’s automatic: five days and you lose credit. You used to actually have to click something that would LC

someone,” said math teacher John Giles.

MCPS principals decided that students would not lose credit for absences that occurred during the first quarter under the flawed system. “We had a meeting with all the principals and software vendors and decided it was not fair to hold kids and families accountable. We’re trying to help students, not punish them for problems with the main office,” said Principal Renay Johnson.

Though students will not lose credit, the Blair administration is not ignoring the absences that have occurred during the first marking period. “We’ve been meeting with students even in the first quarter, talking and giving

plan” — a credit recovery application completed by students with their counselors — is now available as a way for at-risk students to restore any credit lost due to attendance during the second quarter.

The school’s new plan will allow students and their administrators to come up with strategies to prevent future unexcused absences.

“All students now have an advocate for success. If a student says ‘my favorite class is PE and I will come if that is my first class’ then we can arrange for that,” said Johnson.

Students at risk of losing credit also meet with the teachers for the courses they have been absent from to complete the final steps for credit recovery. “[Students] go to the teachers to find out what assignments the y need to complete. If they do the plan, they get the credit,” said Deeny.

The software is now functioning and is generating letters home as well as daily emails to Johnson and the administration that list student absences and indicate which teachers are not taking attendance.

The administration will be able to measure the efficiency of the new policy and software at the end of the second quarter when the attendance data can be compared to last year’s numbers. “We’re still NOAHGRACE BAUMAN discovering the probconsequences, but the actual in- lems with the new policy; We tervention plan we’ve just started have to go through a year of it a couple weeks ago,” said Deeny. to find the obvious problems,” The “attendance intervention Deeny said.

NEWS ANALYSIS

Freedom of speech maintained for ex-gay support group despite controversy

By Adam Kadir and Maureen Lei During the advisory period on Nov. 8, several dozen students confronted Principal Renay Johnson in protest upon receiving fliers produced by Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays (PFOX). Johnson issued an apology over Blair’s PA system that afternoon.

The flier advocated for ex-gays, individuals who reject homosexual relationships and feelings in an attempt to develop heterosexual desires, and mentioned several controversial topics, including the idea that sexual orientation can be changed.

According to Johnson, she plans to read through all fliers that come to Blair in the future and withhold material she deems disruptive. “They have the right to [distribute], but we have the right to let learning continue. Principals are allowed to use their discretion,” she said. Johnson also intends to make any fliers that she rejects for distribution available in the main office.

By restricting, but not eliminating, controversial material, Johnson is acting within her job requirements. Even though PFOX may offend students and staff members, their freedom of speech is protected under the First Amendment; Johnson is required to balance community interest with legality.

Christopher Doyle, Secretary of the Board of Directors of PFOX, argued that Johnson’s plan infringes upon the rights of the organization. “[Her plan is] a slippery slope where you will potentially ban all fliers going home,” he said.

Despite Doyle’s objections, Johnson’s

strategy falls within the bounds of MCPS “The school system had to make a determi- teacher Miriam Plotinsky.

Other teachers, like social studies teacher policy. By keeping copies of all fliers in the nation to make a closed forum, where they main office, she will make material available don’t allow anyone to distribute, or a neutral James Mogge, distributed the PFOX fliers to students while avoiding widespread up- forum. Good News Club won, so the school to their advisories to encourage students to set and protest. However, Johnson’s author- system makes no judgment about the con- think independently. “My audience was a group of critical thinkers, so I knew that they ity to control offensive material exists only tent of the speech,” she said. would form their own within Blair; she and other educators opinions,” he said. are limited in their ability to stop the Junior Helena Mejia, distribution of controversial literature a student in Mogge’s adacross MCPS, according to Lori-Christivisory, went to Johnson’s na Webb, the Executive Director to the office during the period Deputy Superintendent of Schools. to voice her disapproval.

According to Johnson, the MCPS “I didn’t think that Blair Office of School Performance screens — a school with stickers all fliers before distribution and only and signs everywhere rejects two types of material: papers boasting an ‘LGBT Safe that endorse illegal and anti-MCPS acZone’ and our very active tivities, and papers that are not branded GSA — would allow such with MCPS’ required disclaimer: “These an offensive and harmful materials are neither sponsored nor message to be passed out endorsed by the Board of Education of to all the students,” she Montgomery County, the superintensaid. dent, or this school.”

Mejia’s anger, howevBecause of the standards MCPS has er, cannot eliminate PFOX in place, students and educators who INFORMATION COURTESY OF MCPS MAUREEN LEI AND MATTHEW MORRIS from the school district. find certain material offensive have little power to keep the responsible groups out of Despite the legal battles guarding PFOX, Though she, and many other Blair students the school district; as long as the literature social studies teacher and Gay-Straight Alli- and faculty oppose PFOX, there is little that is cleared by MCPS, lawsuits and in-school ance sponsor Mary Lou Thornton expressed can realistically be done; the outrage of one protest are the only ways to stop distribu- the belief that the school district should find group does not completely overrule the tion. a way to bar the organization. “MCPS could rights of another, and vice-versa. The MCPS PFOX is protected against its opposition, have a backbone and make this stop,” she flier distribution policy is not perfect — no policy is — but like any acceptable regulajust like any other non-profit organization. said.

In 2003, the Good News Club, an evangeliThornton was one of several teachers tion, it must balance legality and sensitivity. cal mission, sued the school district; the mis- who chose not to distribute the PFOX fliers Principal discretion may hinder PFOX from sion won, establishing a system that requires to their advisories. Teachers who made the standard, widespread distribution; the First MCPS to distribute all fliers that do not en- same decision as Thornton include social Amendment requires that community memdorse illegal activities, according to Webb. studies teacher Anne Manuel and English bers stomach a handful of hurt feelings.

10 ADS

December 15, 2011

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NEWS 11

December 15, 2011

Superintendent proposes FY 2012-2013 budget

Starr requests two percent increase, smallest in twelve years from BUDGET page 1

changes that Starr brought to the table this year. “Dr. Starr has a new energy and new vision for the school system,” she said. Johnson is relieved that Starr does not want to cut school-based positions; according to Johnson, although Blair is the largest school in the county, it faces the setbacks of having the same number of attendance, Media Center and IT systems specialists as some of the smallest high schools in the county.

Starr’s operating budget has garnered support from various officials. “It was a smart ask.

He’s not asking for a huge increase. It’s more likely that the budget will be funded,” said MCEA president Doug Prouty.

ENOCH HSIAO “He was smart in not trying to Superintendent Joshua Starr outlined his add a lot.” budget proposal at Richard Montgomery.

However, the BOE and the County Council must both approve a pretty good impression of MCPS and a the proposed budget before it goes into efgood idea of what makes us tick,” he said fect. According to Johnson, the entire budget to the audience. Starr described his goals as is usually passed by the BOE but takes lonsuperintendent in terms of his ultimate mis- ger to get approved by the County Council, sion for MCPS students. “My which vision is to have the smartest m u s t kids and the greatest people,” c o n he said. sider Starr is recommending allocareorientation in Central Oftions to fice by replacing the Office county of School Performance with departan Office of School Support. ments Starr believes that this will other strengthen professional develthan edopment, including staff and ucation. teacher training, in county Johnson schools and take the currently s a i d teacher-focused curriculum NOAHGRACE BAUMAN that this in the direction of a more stuis what dent-focused curriculum. usually causes teachers to lose benefits and Principal Renay Johnson, who attend- may be a concern in the budget discussion. ed the meeting, said that she enjoyed the Marc Grossman, Blair social studies

teacher and MCEA representative, also forsees friction when the budget is up for a vote by the Council. Grossman said that the $21 million surplus that MCPS retained from FY 2011 will make the Council more reluctant to accept the budget. “The County Council is very skeptical of the school system,” he said.

During this economically trying budget season, the MCEA has organized several town halls for teachers to voice their concerns on education funding to legislators. On Dec. 12, teachers from District 20 schools gathered in Blair’s media center with Maryland State Senator Jamie Raskin, State Delegate Sheila Hixson and State Delegate Tom Hucker. The delegates answered questions on school funding at the state level, and teachers shared personal

stories about how the financial issue has affected their school and personal lives.

Raskin emphasized the need for collaboration. “The money from the state is given to the county government. We don’t tell them how to spend it. The County Council and BOE work it out together,” said Raskin.

“There is division between the Council, the Board and the County Executive. We need to make sure that the county is speaking with one voice.”

The BOE will hold operating budget hearings on Jan. 11 and Jan. 18 and act on the budget on Feb. 14.

The budget will be presented to County Executive Ike Leggett and the County Council on Mar. 6 and will be approved by the Council on May 17. Final action will take place on June 14.

ELLIE MUSGRAVE

Maryland State Senator Jamie Raskin (D-20) visited Blair for a Town Hall meeting on Dec. 12 to explain the budget and MCPS funding processes.

Woodmoor Chipotle opens Silver Spring streetcar stop proposed from CHIPOTLE page 8 the decision. “It is very well traveled, near Blair but far enough from the Silver Spring downtown location and the White Oak location. It was a good mix,” she said.

According to security team leader Cedric Boatman, security has acknowledged that Chipotle will increase the number of students who attempt to leave campus to buy lunch.

Boatman said that security will be more aggressive in handling the closed-lunch policy, with more security cameras and

personnel at Woodmoor. “Security is going to start doing more stake-out,” he said.

Although students can be suspended for leaving school during lunch, Boatman said that security is trying to avoid implementing that consequence.

He said that security would like to first get to the bottom of the problem by directly calling parents and referring students to the principal.

“We’ve had kids involved in car accidents while coming and leaving school. Think if we had it all day. The risk gets that much higher,” he said.

PRINTED WITH PERMISSION OF CHIPOTLE

Chipotle opened on Dec. 13. This year, Chipotle made record improvements to the freshness of its ingredients.

County requests change to D.C streetcar plan

By Emma Bergman Montgomery County Councilmembers Nancy Floreen and Hans Riemer proposed last month that the District of Colombia’s streetcar plan be extended into Silver Spring.

The streetcar plan, entitled ‘DC’s Transit Future System Plan’, was approved by District Department of Transportation Director Terry Bellamy in April 2010 in an effort to increase public transportation within the D.C. area. In their letter sent to Mayor Vincent Gray and County Executive Isiah Leggett on November 16, Floreen and Riemer requested that the streetcar’s final stop be the Silver Spring Metro station, rather than the Takoma Park station, which lies within district borders.

The Councilmembers stated in the letter that the change in route would increase development along Georgia Avenue and would make travel easier for those commuting on the MARC Commuter Rail and the Ride On buses. “A lot of residents of the Silver Spring area as well as people who arrive at the Silver Spring train station by bus or from other areas are going south into D.C. and so this will give them a new option,” Riemer said.

Floreen said she believes that a streetcar stop in Silver Spring would encourage public transportation use. “Driving a car is not very cost efficient nor is it very environmentally efficient and if you live in a place where you can

get to a bus relatively easily we more confusing than it was bewant to encourage as many op- fore,” she said. tions as we can,” she said.

The Councilmembers do not Floreen said she thinks that this share these concerns. Floreen new route would especially ben- and Riemer anticipated that efit those people in the area with- their request would promote the out driver’s licenses, most notably use of public transportation and students.

Sophom o r e Laura Kennedy-Long agrees and welcomes t h e streetcar stop.

“Since we can’t drive, its good to be able to have lots of options for pubCLARE LEFEBURE lic transThe Silver Spring Metro station has been proportation,” she posed as a site for a future streetcar stop. said.

Junior Jordana Rubenstein- spur increased communication Edberg expressed similar views, between the district and Montbut worries that the increased gomery County in future transit construction may cause more initiatives. “It’s an investment, transportation problems than the but one that has big pay off,” said streetcar would solve. “My only Riemer. issue with it is it would have to be According to Riemer, the letter constructed with efficiency and was positively received. “My unplanned out well because that derstanding is that Mayor Gray is kind of transportation construc- quite happy to consider that option can take a long time…and tion so we got a very quick posimake transportation worse and tive response,” he said.

12 ADS

December 15, 2011

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December 15, 2011

SPECIALS 13

It’s beginning to look a lot like...

Photos by Leah Hammond, Enoch Hsiao, Clare Lefebure, Ellie Musgrave, Leah Muskin-Pierret and Tolu Omokehinde Art by Julia Bates, Xixi Chen, Nathan Gamson, Tatyana Gubin, Doyung Lee and Matthew Morris

14 NEWSBRIEFS

NEWSBRIEFS

silverCHIPS

December 15, 2011

Grammy worthy

Educators push against financing law Maryland teacher unions are fighting a new Maryland education finance amendment that could cut as much as $2.6 billion in funding. The amendment, which adjusts the formula used by the government to decide the level of funding, would not factor in summer school and special education programs. According to the Maryland State Education Association (MSEA), this could leave OUT APPROXIMATELY HALF OF THE BILLION PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE EX pected to receive this year. The Maryland State Board of Education believes the amendment is necessary to keep funding steady, while the unions and school boards believe that the funding is necessary to keep Montgomery County Public Schools at its high level of achievement. Consequently, the discussion has moved toward how much money will be lost in actuality if the amendment is PASSED -3%! BELIEVES THAT APPROXIMATELY BILLION IN FUNDING will be lost while the supporters of the amendment believe it is in fact much less.

Petition to support farm gets 50,000 signatures ! PETITION IN SUPPORT OF .ICK S /RGANIC &ARM IN 0OTOMAC HAS collected over 50 thousand signatures to preserve the farm and convince the county to end its plans to build soccer fields there.

4HE FARM HAS BEEN UNDER LEASE SINCE )N -ARCH -ONTGOMERY County began creating plans with a private group to create youth soccer fields on the site. There have been many complaints about the handling of the process, with critics claiming the plans were kept from the public in order to avoid scrutiny early on. Critics also claim the soccer fields would bring negative environmental impacts in addition to unwanted traffic in the area. Nick Maravell, the current owner of the land, says he has no legal agreement to keep the land after December 31, and he hopes the petition will CONVINCE -ONTGOMERY #OUNTY %XECUTIVE )SAIAH ,EGGETT TO EXTEND THE LEASE )N ADDITION TO THE PETITION A GROUP OF ABOUT PEOPLE met for a rally and several speeches before presenting the petitions to Leggett. According to sources close to Leggett, he recognizes the importance of the issue to many people and he will take a closer look at the topic. No date has been set for a public announcement.

LEAH MUSKIN-PIERRET

Principal Renay Johnson receives an award from music teacher Michelle Roberts at the Winter Concert. The award was a “Tri M� award for the Music Honors Society.

County council requests millions for schools The Montgomery County Council approved a request that will ask the Maryland General Assembly (MGA) for $185 million to renovate county schools in Fiscal Year 2013. The MGA has an estimated $250 million budgeted for school construction, meaning that Montgomery County’s request would take up nearly 75 percent of all money budgeted for repairs. Montgomery County is fully prepared to receive significantly less than the requested amount, according to Council Member George Leventhal. Montgomery County usually receives 20 to 40 percent of the amount they have requested. The main projects that have spurred this request are for Paint Branch High School and Herbert Hoover Middle School.

Paint Branch needs the money to complete the construction of their new school building while Herbert Hoover is modernizing.

University of Maryland to cut sports programs The University of Maryland at College Park (UMCP) plans to CUT EIGHT VARSITY SPORT PROGRAMS WHICH WILL TAKE EFFECT *ULY

Among the sports are indoor and outdoor track and field, crosscountry, men’s and women’s swimming and diving, men’s tennis, women’s water polo, and competitive cheerleading. The goal of cutting these sports is to combat the growing budget defecit in the school’s athletic department, according to UMCP Athletic DirecTOR +EVIN !NDERSON "Y CUTTING THESE EIGHT PROGRAMS THE ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT STANDS TO SAVE APPROXIMATELY MILLION ACCORDING TO the school. UMCP athletic department will offer supporters of the TEAMS UNTIL *UNE TO RAISE EIGHT YEARS WORTH OF COSTS FOR THE respective program, says Anderson. The choice of these specific ATHLETIC PROGRAMS WAS BASED ON 4ITLE )8 REQUIREMENTS THAT ASSURE equal men’s and women’s athletic privileges. Anderson promises that the scholarships for all 166 student-athletes that will be affected will be honored as well as contracts for coaches of cut teams.

Silver Spring board meets to discuss library The Silver Spring Advisory Board met in order to discuss the Silver Spring library and curfew legislation. During the section of the meeting designated to discussing the Silver Spring library, Montgomery Country Department of General Services Director David Dise led the discussions about what the plot of land currently occupied by the Silver Spring library will be used once it is emptied. The board came up with a four step proces in which to complete the process. This includes analyzing the current situation and the credibility of the site, determining if there is a possible use for the county, offering the space to public groups (such as the 9-#!

AND l NALLY OFFERING THE SPACE TO PRIVATE COMPANIES )DEAS for the plot include a youth center and a police office that can be used to house the Department of Health and Human services. The LIBRARY WILL BE MOVING TO A SITE CLOSE BY AT THE CORNER OF 7AYNE !V enue and Fenton Street.

Newsbriefs compiled by Josh Schmidt with additional reporting by 4HE 'AZETTE 4HE 7ASHINGTON 0OST and The Silver Spring Patch.

NATHAN GAMSON AND JOSH SCHMIDT

HONORS s "LAIR S h)T S !CADEMICv TEAM CONSISTING OF SE nior captain Daniel Hafner and juniors Thomas 'ADDY AND )AN /ZEROFF $EFEATED 3OUTH ,AKES High School and the National Cathedral School on their show that aired on December 3rd on NBC 4. s 3ENIOR -OLLY &LANNAGAN WAS A SECOND TEAM !LL Gazette Player for Field Hockey and Sophomores -ORGANA $ /TTAVI WAS AN HONORABLE MENTION FOR girls’ cross country. Also, sophomore Donald Be-

namna also made the second team All-Gazette for boys’ soccer. s *UNIORS 7ILLIAM #AI !LEX (AMBURGER AND $AN iel Chen all made All State Senior Band with seven OTHERS WHO MADE !LL 3TATE 3ENIOR /RCHESTRA s 3ENIORS *AMIE +ATOR AND +EVIN &ALLET WERE named starters on the All State boys’ and girls’ soccer teams respectively.

silverCHIPS

December 15, 2011

FEATURES

15

THE KIDS ARE MORE THAN ALRIGHT from DADS page 1 court case settled in 2007, when a jury determined that it is legal for a member of a samesex couple to adopt a child. Berner-Kadish believes that his parents’ court case made a significant difference for gay couples in Israel.

“It was not like they created a movement, but it had an impact on the environment,” he says.

Sophomore Langston Cotman is also related to one of his mothers. He was born to a mother and father, but his parents got divorced the same year he was born. His mother’s girlfriend, now Cotman’s second mom, moved in when he was two. Cotman regards his second mother to be as important a parent as the other two, since he does not remember life without her. “I feel like I get that extra support,” he says.

“I get that one extra parent.”

Sophomore Desiree Aleibar ’s mother and father also got divorced shortly after she was born. Throughout middle school, Aleibar tried to encourage her mother to get back into the dating scene. “She was like, ‘Don’t worry, I’m trying,’“ she says. “But I suspected that she was a lesbian.” What confirmed Aleibar’s suspicions was her mother’s hushed phone calls, which Aleibar sometimes overheard. Her mother eventually admitted two years ago that she had a girlfriend, who moved in.

Sinozich is not related to either of her mothers since she was adopted as a baby.

“It just made me uncomfortable,” she says.

Major says that it is not uncommon for children of gay parents to be harassed because they are perceived to be homosexual as well. “We can’t underestimate that the children of LGBT parents are equally at risk for bullying, harassment and discrimination,” says Major.

Berner-Kadish has had experiences with such prejudice more recently. When he lived

“

I feel like I get that extra support. I get that one extra parent. sophomore Langston Cotman

”

in Israel for eighth grade, his peers would make discriminatory comments about gays and lesbians.

Over the past summer, a couple of teammates on his handball team also made derogatory statements about gay people. “One guy said, ‘I hate gay people. They are so weird,’ out of nowhere,” says Berner-Kadish.

Opening up to an open community

more private, since she does not like being assessed based on her parents’ sexuality.

“I felt like it was affecting how people saw me, when it is not necessarily part of who I am,” she says.

She also worries that people’s reactions could reveal that they are homophobic.

“It could change their opinion of me and my opinion of them,” she says.

Aleibar says she once had trouble accepting the fact that her family would be perceived as different than most other families. “At first I was sad,” she says.

“I didn’t really feel like I had a normal family.” H o w e v e r, Aleibar quickly COURTESY OF THE BERNER-KADISH FAMILY adapted to the idea that she would have Sophomore Mattan Berner-Kadish lived in Israel, where his t w o m o m s , a n d second mother was not legally recognized as a parent. opened up to her friends about it, especially Cotman. “It’s good ter’s homosexuality. She learned to accept to know that other people are experiencing it over time, which is why Sinozich holds so much respect for her grandmother. “She the same thing,” she says. became so open to things,” she says. “It took her a while to get around that, but she became Public display of affection quite modern in the end.”

Unlike Sinozich’s parents, Aleibar’s mothThese students’ parents choose to display different levels of affection. Tzoukerman’s er never came out to her parents. Aleibar parents like to hold hands. The location does suspects that her grandparents know of her not deter them, whether they are in a liberal mother’s sexual orientation, but are reluctant or a more conservative area. “They don’t to accept it. “[My grandparents] are not ready care what other people think,” says Tzouk- to admit it to themselves,” she says.

While these students have many different ermann. She adds that sometimes experiences and views, they are all glad to they get strange looks, but attend a school where they feel at home. her family ignores the “[Students of gay parents] have the reactions. same joys and challenges as all other Before Sinozich’s parchildren, but because of who their ents got divorced, they parents are, they do sometimes feel more of the effects of discrimination,” says Major.

But these students say they do not worry much about these effects at Blair, where they have not felt the prejudice that often exists elsewhere. would refrain from displaying affection when on vacation. Her People often ask Tzoukermann mothers would whether she wished she had a father. pretend that they She has wondered what it would be were just friends like to have a dad, but has never felt instead of a couthat she ever especially needed one. ple so as not to Both Berner-Kadish and SinozTATYANA GUBIN cause a scene. ich say they can’t imagine what “[Showing afit would be like to have a dad. “I fection was] more don’t know what having a dad of a hassle than a would change,” says Sinozich. “If I statement,” says Sinozich. were a boy, it would have changed Her mothers may not have been open a lot of things, I guess, but I am a about their relationship in public, but they girl. Maybe I would have been less were open with their extended families. At scared of boys when I was younger.” first, Sinozich’s grandmother, who passed away three years ago, was against her daugh-

Even those who have experienced harassment elsewhere say that insults and bullying have not been an issue at Blair. They seem to agree that Blair is an open-minded community.

“Everyone here is very accepting,” says Cotman.

Major says that every student deserves to have a supportive community. “I think it is important for any child to go to a school in an environment where their families are recognized, respected and celebrated,” he says.

Tzoukermann adds that although Blair s t u d e n t s a re welcoming, it is difficult to tell friends about her parents’ sexuality since it can be awkward.

TATYANA GUBIN AND ELIZA WAPNER She says that it is not a topic that typically comes Her two mothers got divorced about twelve up when she meets someone, so when people get to her house, they can be confused that years later.

According to Majors, there is no common she has two mothers.

But if friends happen to hear about way for gay parents to have children. “The same methods of creating family [for oppo- Tzoukermann’s mothers and ask her about site-sex couples] are used by LGBT people them, she is happy to as well,” he says, including insemination, discuss the subject. When Tzoukermann held a peradoption and foster care. formance that both her parents and friends atPride and prejudice tended, she introduced The students of gay parents also have had her mothers to some of wide variety of experiences while growing her new peers, who were up. Some of the kids encountered teasing or unfazed. “It was just bullying, while others just felt disturbed by normal,” she says.

Cotman prefers to apoffensive language about gays.

Sinozich says she was never a victim of proach his friends about bullying related to her parents’ sexuality. having lesbian mothers Students used the word “gay” in a derogatory before introducing his way, but no one ever confronted her about her peers to his family. Never parents. She believes that one reason why she have one of his friends never had any issues with other students was had an issue with it. because she attended Lowell School for her “They might have been elementary education, which is known for surprised because it was something they didn’t being liberal.

Tzoukermann, however, faced name- know, but they didn’t calling in her classes. When she was eight have a problem with it,” years old at Sligo Creek Elementary School, says Cotman.

As Sinozich has gotten Tzoukermann was discussing with friends COURTESY OF THE TZOUKERMANN FAMILY that she had two mothers, when one kid older, she has decided called her a “lesbian” for having gay parents. to keep her family life Freshman Elia Tzoukermann was born by donor insemination and is biologically related to one mom.

NO DAD, NO PROBLEM

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CENTERSPREAD December 15, 2011

UNDERGROUND ENTREPRENEURS Where only first names appear, names have been changed to protect the identities of the sources.

He’s always there. Waiting outside the gym locker room, wandering the SAC or mingling on Blair Boulevard. His customers don’t know his name, or much about him, but they know where he will be and what he will be selling.

As the bell rings releasing him from fourth period, Will gets ready for his busiest hour of the day — lunch. Will goes from group to group on Blair Boulevard slipping out from his giant duffel bag a candy bar or box of beef patties to a student and, in turn, they slip him some money, often twice the amount he paid for the product.

Selling unapproved items on campus is against school policy. The consequences for getting caught doing so range in severity depending on what the student is dealing. For food or other legal items, the student receives a warning. However, if the item is an illegal substance,

the student automatically receives a ten day suspension and recommendation for expulsion. Principal Renay Johnson says that the only way students are able to sell products on campus is if it is for a club and with a sponsor.

“It just has to benefit the kids,” she says.

Despite these restrictions, Blazers still find ways to keep the Blair underground economy prosperous. These young entrepreneurs find the campus a lucrative location to sell their products because selling at Blair is easy and profitable, they say. Vendors say they have profited not only from the large monetary gain, but also from the business skills they have acquired that could help them build future careers.

The start-up cost While the market is saturated with marijuana and candy, Elliot has found his own business niche

by selling his band’s CDs. He recognizes the immense amount of business and hype that the Blair community can offer. “Selling CDs gives you more publicity, it helps you start off a fan base,” he says.

Elliot began selling to his friends during t h e

school day, and plans to expand his business by selling to a broader Blair audience.

Will started selling snack food at his middle school but when he moved to high school his business opportunities increased with the size of the school. During lunch, Will walks the hallways with his signature black duffle bag filled with his contraband candy bars, chips, drinks and beef patties. He buys all

his products in bulk at Costco and then doubles the price. Will knew that these snacks would be in demand because they are not offered by the school cafeteria.

Though more risky to buy and sell than snacks,

marijuana sold in small quantities is the most common product for sale on Blair Boulevard. Harold previously sold at Blair in order to get himself easier access to marijuana, and he was surprised by the large profit he began making. Each week, he would sell six grams and make $50.

Like Harold, Jared has been selling marijuana and pot brownies at Blair since his sophomore year. Jared

was also originally looking for more money to fund his habit, but now he has come across a fruitful business.

At the beginning of each week, Jared will buy an ounce of marijuana for about $120. From that he will make 30 brownies, sell them at $10 a piece and make a profit of $180 dollars.

This pays about $70 more than a 15 hour a week minimum wage part time job in Maryland.

Easy, breezy T h o u g h Johnson and security team leader Cedric Boatman say that catching drug dealers is a high priority for school security, students say they continue to make transactions effortlessly.

According to Harold, Blair is an ideal place to conduct under-the-table business. He says that he rarely took precautions when it came to the manner in which he would make

deals. “I’d just put it in their bag and they’d put the money in my bag. It was pretty easy not to get caught,” he says.

Will capitalizes on the fact that catching candy dealers is a lower priority for the security team than catching drug dealers. Boatman says dealing food items to students is a problem of student safety. The security team is still on the lookout for candy dealers because the food has a higher chance of causing sickness, he says. “Is it something that I’m looking for everyday— no, but we look for it and we tell [the students] to stop,” he explains In their effort to combat Blair’s underground economy, the security teams takes advantage of the 88 security cameras located in various places around the campus. Johnson says that the security team can look at these tapes to get leads on students who might be selling. Boatman also says that the security cameras are a great resource for the team. “They are a burden of proof for us,” he says.

Consumer access Although the consequences for getting caught selling at Blair are harsher than getting caught selling outside of school property, these Blazers take the risk in order to reach a larger consumer body.

With 2,835 people confined to one building, entrepreneurs say they see Blaze r s as large and captive audience. Since Elliot began selling CDs, his band’s Maryland fan base has increased. Now they are getting offers to perform from outside the state.

“The money we make selling CDs will help us go on tour,” he says.

you just want to make more money, you start thinking of marketing techniques and you incorporate them,” he says.

Like him, both Harold and Will strive to make their businesses as successful as possible by incorporating similar techniques. They say that by being in the Entrepreneurship Academy they have been able to learn about the core fundamentals of business and apply them to their own ventures. Both believe that their experience selling has given them insight into what they would like to do in the future. “Its not like I’m aspiring to be a drug dealer or anything, but it just makes me want to own my own business even more,” says Harold.

Will also aspires to someday start his own company.

Harold believes that the lessons he has learned as a drug dealer will also help him accomplish these longterm business aspirations.

“You learn throughout the experience, it taught me to choose your partners wisely, don’t go out of your boundaries, and to stick to what you’re good at,” he says. In the nearer future Harold plans to return to selling on the

Lessons learned

According to school policy, selling items on campus that are not affiliated with an approved club is not allowed. However, Blair has a thriving underground economy consisting of the sales of snacks, CDs and marijuana. The consequences for being caught selling at Blair range based upon the merchandise being sold.

Though Jared does not sell for publicity, he understands the importance of promoting himself in order to expand his clientele. “A lot of things matter, how you get your information out and how much you sell it for.

Once you start making money

Blair black market; this time with his own brand of “stoner” t-shirts.

In his time

selling marijuana at Blair, Blair graduate Malcolm has also learned many business skills. “You learn to negotiate and make contacts with a lot of different people. If you don’t handle products correctly you will have problems,” he says. Unlike his fellow entrepreneurs, learning about all the aspects of business has actually dissuaded Malcolm from pursuing business as a career. “I’m not big on business because I had to manipulate people,” says Malcolm.

As the final lunch bell rings, Will packs his items back into his bag. He begins counting his money in the hallway on his way to his next class. The money is only a physical manifestation of the massive success of his candy business.

Elliot hopes that his endeavors will bring him fame, and Harold and Jared get a little extra cash at the end of the week. These Blazers all say that without Blair’s high demand and dense consumer base, none of this would be possible.

By NoahGrace Bauman and Eliza Wapner Art by Nathan Gamson

silverCHIPS

silverCHIPS

CENTERSPREAD December 15, 2011

UNDERGROUND ENTREPRENEURS Where only first names appear, names have been changed to protect the identities of the sources.

He’s always there. Waiting outside the gym locker room, wandering the SAC or mingling on Blair Boulevard. His customers don’t know his name, or much about him, but they know where he will be and what he will be selling.

As the bell rings releasing him from fourth period, Will gets ready for his busiest hour of the day — lunch. Will goes from group to group on Blair Boulevard slipping out from his giant duffel bag a candy bar or box of beef patties to a student and, in turn, they slip him some money, often twice the amount he paid for the product.

Selling unapproved items on campus is against school policy. The consequences for getting caught doing so range in severity depending on what the student is dealing. For food or other legal items, the student receives a warning. However, if the item is an illegal substance,

the student automatically receives a ten day suspension and recommendation for expulsion. Principal Renay Johnson says that the only way students are able to sell products on campus is if it is for a club and with a sponsor.

“It just has to benefit the kids,” she says.

Despite these restrictions, Blazers still find ways to keep the Blair underground economy prosperous. These young entrepreneurs find the campus a lucrative location to sell their products because selling at Blair is easy and profitable, they say. Vendors say they have profited not only from the large monetary gain, but also from the business skills they have acquired that could help them build future careers.

The start-up cost While the market is saturated with marijuana and candy, Elliot has found his own business niche

by selling his band’s CDs. He recognizes the immense amount of business and hype that the Blair community can offer. “Selling CDs gives you more publicity, it helps you start off a fan base,” he says.

Elliot began selling to his friends during t h e

school day, and plans to expand his business by selling to a broader Blair audience.

Will started selling snack food at his middle school but when he moved to high school his business opportunities increased with the size of the school. During lunch, Will walks the hallways with his signature black duffle bag filled with his contraband candy bars, chips, drinks and beef patties. He buys all

his products in bulk at Costco and then doubles the price. Will knew that these snacks would be in demand because they are not offered by the school cafeteria.

Though more risky to buy and sell than snacks,

marijuana sold in small quantities is the most common product for sale on Blair Boulevard. Harold previously sold at Blair in order to get himself easier access to marijuana, and he was surprised by the large profit he began making. Each week, he would sell six grams and make $50.

Like Harold, Jared has been selling marijuana and pot brownies at Blair since his sophomore year. Jared

was also originally looking for more money to fund his habit, but now he has come across a fruitful business.

At the beginning of each week, Jared will buy an ounce of marijuana for about $120. From that he will make 30 brownies, sell them at $10 a piece and make a profit of $180 dollars.

This pays about $70 more than a 15 hour a week minimum wage part time job in Maryland.

Easy, breezy T h o u g h Johnson and security team leader Cedric Boatman say that catching drug dealers is a high priority for school security, students say they continue to make transactions effortlessly.

According to Harold, Blair is an ideal place to conduct under-the-table business. He says that he rarely took precautions when it came to the manner in which he would make

deals. “I’d just put it in their bag and they’d put the money in my bag. It was pretty easy not to get caught,” he says.

Will capitalizes on the fact that catching candy dealers is a lower priority for the security team than catching drug dealers. Boatman says dealing food items to students is a problem of student safety. The security team is still on the lookout for candy dealers because the food has a higher chance of causing sickness, he says. “Is it something that I’m looking for everyday— no, but we look for it and we tell [the students] to stop,” he explains In their effort to combat Blair’s underground economy, the security teams takes advantage of the 88 security cameras located in various places around the campus. Johnson says that the security team can look at these tapes to get leads on students who might be selling. Boatman also says that the security cameras are a great resource for the team. “They are a burden of proof for us,” he says.

Consumer access Although the consequences for getting caught selling at Blair are harsher than getting caught selling outside of school property, these Blazers take the risk in order to reach a larger consumer body.

With 2,835 people confined to one building, entrepreneurs say they see Blaze r s as large and captive audience. Since Elliot began selling CDs, his band’s Maryland fan base has increased. Now they are getting offers to perform from outside the state.

“The money we make selling CDs will help us go on tour,” he says.

you just want to make more money, you start thinking of marketing techniques and you incorporate them,” he says.

Like him, both Harold and Will strive to make their businesses as successful as possible by incorporating similar techniques. They say that by being in the Entrepreneurship Academy they have been able to learn about the core fundamentals of business and apply them to their own ventures. Both believe that their experience selling has given them insight into what they would like to do in the future. “Its not like I’m aspiring to be a drug dealer or anything, but it just makes me want to own my own business even more,” says Harold.

Will also aspires to someday start his own company.

Harold believes that the lessons he has learned as a drug dealer will also help him accomplish these longterm business aspirations.

“You learn throughout the experience, it taught me to choose your partners wisely, don’t go out of your boundaries, and to stick to what you’re good at,” he says. In the nearer future Harold plans to return to selling on the

Lessons learned

According to school policy, selling items on campus that are not affiliated with an approved club is not allowed. However, Blair has a thriving underground economy consisting of the sales of snacks, CDs and marijuana. The consequences for being caught selling at Blair range based upon the merchandise being sold.

Though Jared does not sell for publicity, he understands the importance of promoting himself in order to expand his clientele. “A lot of things matter, how you get your information out and how much you sell it for.

Once you start making money

Blair black market; this time with his own brand of “stoner” t-shirts.

In his time

selling marijuana at Blair, Blair graduate Malcolm has also learned many business skills. “You learn to negotiate and make contacts with a lot of different people. If you don’t handle products correctly you will have problems,” he says. Unlike his fellow entrepreneurs, learning about all the aspects of business has actually dissuaded Malcolm from pursuing business as a career. “I’m not big on business because I had to manipulate people,” says Malcolm.

As the final lunch bell rings, Will packs his items back into his bag. He begins counting his money in the hallway on his way to his next class. The money is only a physical manifestation of the massive success of his candy business.

Elliot hopes that his endeavors will bring him fame, and Harold and Jared get a little extra cash at the end of the week. These Blazers all say that without Blair’s high demand and dense consumer base, none of this would be possible.

By NoahGrace Bauman and Eliza Wapner Art by Nathan Gamson

18

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FEATURES 19

December 15, 2011

Starting their first year at Blair, but also their last For some seniors, their final year of school means starting over

By Katie Pohlman Bertha Garcia walked in the door on the first day of school and was shocked by the number of students she saw and intimidated by the size of Blair. Although she tried her hardest, she got lost several times. She took wrong turns here and there, and walked into stairwell hallways instead of real ones. This may sound like a typical first day for freshmen Blazers, but Garcia is a transfer student and this is her senior year.

There are over 20 new seniors at Blair this year, many of whom are having similar adventures to Garcia’s. Their reasons for transferring range from hoping to improve

their grades to wanting to experience school in America. But they all have received a warm welcome by the Blair student body.

New beginnings

Senior Nathan Henkai came back to Montgomery County from California, where he had moved in the middle of his 6th grade year. He was doing poorly in his new school there, so his parents let him choose between moving back to Silver Spring or transferring to another school in California. Henkai chose Blair because he already knew some students from his elementary and middle school days.

Like Henkai, Garcia is not completely new to this area. She lived in Montgomery County when she was little and transferred this year from Baltimore County Public Schools.

Although Garcia did not know anyone when coming into Blair, she is used to being the “new kid” at school and has already made LEAH HAMMOND many friends.

New seniors participated in the class trip.

“My parents like

to try new places, so adjusting isn’t hard,” she says.

Most of Garcia’s brothers and sisters live in the area and her parents wanted to be closer to family so that her mother, who needed brain surgery, would always have someone to care for her. Garcia says that all of her older siblings graduated from Blair and that she has always wanted to do so as well.

She says they always talked highly of Blair and that made her want to be a Blazer, too.

While transferring for Henkai and Garcia was only a process of moving back, for Abadir it was a huge cultural leap. Abadir was born in Rockville, but has lived in Egypt for most of his life because of his father’s job. He had visited the U.S. before, but wanted to experience going to school in the States before attending college here.

Abadir and his mother moved to Montgomery County to start the adjustment process early. “I want to go to college in the States and I wanted to make the transition easier,” he says.

Warm welcomes For these three new seniors, the first word that comes to mind when describing their initial impressions of Blair is “huge.” They found both the number of students and the size of the building impressive. The environment of their old schools hadn’t even come close

to the one they found at Blair.

The accepting environment of Blair started when these seniors met with their counselors over the summer, says 12th Grade Administrator and Assistant Principal Andrew Coleman. The counseling department introduces the students to the rules of Blair and makes sure they know how the school runs. “I want to be the outstretching arm from the administrators,” Coleman says. He wants to be able to develop a relationship with the seniors to make them feel welcome and regrets that he can’t meet with all of them because of the number of students he has to work with.

The new seniors say Coleman’s attitude mirrors the openness of the student body. “People are really friendly and more tolerant [here] than [at] my other school,” Abadir says. Abadir explains that at his old school, the Egyptians would never have been as open to a new American student as Blair students were to him. His old school was also smaller — it was grades K-12 and only had 1,000 students — and they had all known each other their entire lives.

Just in time The warm welcomes from students at Blair have helped Garcia, Henkai, and Abadir find friends and fit in, but they say they are still in the adjusting phase.

ELLIE MUSGRAVE

New senior Nathan Henkai transferred from California.

“I’m still meeting new people because it’s such a big school,” Garcia says. She wishes she could have gone to Blair all four years, but is still enjoying her senior year.

Henkai is as well, and says that being at Blair has relieved a lot of stress that his old school was causing him. He is happy to be back and catching up with his friends from middle school. “I would have been completely lost at the other school,” Henkai says.

Although these Blazers have just arrived, they are nonetheless making plans to leave. They are ordering their caps and gowns, applying to colleges and anticipating graduation day like all the other members of the Class of 2012.

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December 15, 2011

on the tip of the tongue

By Puck Bregstone

At the age of four, junior Tranelle Dodson was sitting in her living room when her aunt collapsed from a stroke. Dodson rushed into the kitchen to warn her mother, but the words just would not come out.

Dodson had a stutter. Dodson’s aunt was fine and as Dodson grew up, Dodson learned to manage her stutter. Though Dodson and about another 62 Blazers who stutter are categorized as disabled by law, they say their speech impediment is less a disability than a difficult challenge, one they have worked hard to overcome, and now plays only a minor part in their lives.

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act amendments of 1997 state that local school districts must provide special education in the form of speech pathology for students who have been screened and identified as having a speech impediment. When teachers notice a student is having trouble speaking, the teacher must notify a counselor. The student will then be tested with parental permission. Kae Denning-Evans, Blair’s speech pathologist, conducts these tests, and in some cases, begins to work with identified students.

Learning curve According to Kae Denning-Evans, Blair’s speech pathologist, the effect of a speech impediment on a student’s life varies greatly from case to case. Some students will have trouble pronouncing certain words but can still participate and learn in class. In other cases, a student’s speech impediment will be so severe it will prevent him or her from participating in class, which can greatly affect a student’s learning, she says.

Over a period of time, Denning-Evans will take students out of one of their noncore classes for half a period to work on their speech. She works on exercises that apply directly to a certain student’s disability. If a student is having specific difficulty in a subject, Denning-Evans will go through vocabulary pertaining to that class. They will look over worksheets and homework together and make sure the student can actively partake in a conversation concerning the subject.

Class participation is an important part of the scholastic experience. That is usually inhibited by a student’s insecurity to speak, Denning-Evans says.

Legally the Americans with Disabilities Act includes stuttering as a disability.

Senior Rose Kalala, who stuttered as a child, she says occasionally still stutters, but believes that her speech impediment is mislabeled. “ I don’t think I would call my stutter a disability because of the connotations of the word disability,” says Kalala.

Treatment options Both Dodson and Kalala were recommended to see the free speech pathologists at their elementary schools but both opted to instead take matters into their own hands.

Dodson practiced reading from a chalkboard until she stopped stuttering. Kalala managed because her stutter was never debilitating enough to affect her education and grew out of her stutter.

speech pathologist. Everyday, Kalala was taken out of class for 15 minutes to work with the pathologist.

“It was kind of controversial because they asked my mom if something was wrong at home, like, the cause of my stutter was a poor family environment. My mom thought that was offensive and since the stutter wasn’t greatly impacting my schoolwork she took me out of that therapy,” says Kalala.

Kalala says that she sometimes stutters occasionally when she is nervous or speaking French a second language. Her stutter, although not drastically affecting her schoolwork, has affected her social life. “Socially it was the opposite of a confidence booster. I didn’t really like to talk because it took forever,” says Kalala.

Speech is key

XIXI CHEN

Dodson says her stutter was inhibiting as a child and would show up whenever she was excited or upset. Her mother at first took her to a speech pathologist, but then decided instead to help Dodson herself.

“She would have me read out loud for hours and every time I stuttered my mother would have me repeat the sentence until I had it perfect,” says Dodson. In kindergarten, Dodson was put into a special class where a teacher worked with her one-on-one for a period of time. She was not put in a class with other children.

Kalala also developed a stutter at a young age. When she was in kindergarten, her teacher recommended her to the school’s

Speech is essential in almost every academic class says Denning-Evans. “Speech is the underpinning to educational achievement,” she says. Teachers are able to gauge how well a student understands a subject by what a student says in class. If students are afraid to participate because of their debilitating speech impediment, their chance of success is diminished, she explains.

But elementary school has long since passed for both Kalala and Dodson, and over time have learned to mask their stutters over time. While most people can never truly eradicate their speech impediment, many learn to hide it says Denning-Evans. “My family can still detect my stutter every once and a while” says Dodson. Having diminished their stutters, Kalala and Dodson have overcome a great challenge and are excited for the future.

The grass is greener for groundskeeper Noe Fuentes Outdoor maintenance man is the invisible force behind Blair’s beauty

By Ruth Aitken The bell rings for seventh period, and students congregated around scattered picnic tables in the side courtyard trickle back into the building. Students’ chatter and commotion slowly give way to quiet. By the time class starts seven minutes later, the grounds are almost completely deserted.

One man remains outside after the horde of students has cleared the grounds. Noe Fuentes is mowing the back field atop a tractor. Fuentes is the self- described “outside man” of Blair, in charge of maintaining the grounds.

Within the past year, Blair has placed special emphasis on revamping the school landscape. Because thousands of students spend time on the grounds daily, both staff and volunteers have attempted to provide an enjoyable atmosphere outside the school doors.

With the launch of the “Beautiful Blair” project last summer, the PTSA aimed to enhance the campus through initiatives such as flower planting and gardening.

The update of the school’s appearance, Fuentes says, serves both to provide a cleaner atmosphere for students and to boost the school’s reputation. “My job is for [the students],” Fuentes says. “I only try to keep [the grounds] clean so that the school looks good and so that students can enjoy their time. If I can do my job well then it makes the school a nice place to be,” Fuentes says.

Balancing act Fuentes has worked at Blair since 2007, when he accepted a position to work on weekends. About a month ago, Blair extended Fuentes’ hours in accordance with the

hours] is nothing strange for me. I just try to do my job to keep the schools looking nice.”

Although his two jobs are within the same line of work, Fuentes notes that each have their merits. “It’s very different to work at Blair than at my other job,” he says. “But both places are wonderful.”

is a wonderful country and it has given me a lot.”

Fuentes says that working at Blair in particular has presented opportunities to him that he has not been able to secure elsewhere.

“I am very lucky to have the job I do now. I love working with my boss; he’s wonderful. I have two good jobs and that is something that is worth all of the hard work,” Fuentes says.

Hardship to happiness

Unseen but not unnoticed

Fuentes first applied for a position in MCPS after he heard about the job from a former coworker.

“I was working in a little condominium building, and some guys over there had been in the county for 20 years and advised me to apply [for a position at Blair],” Fuentes says.

In Fuentes’ native El Salvador, however, he says he found it much more difficult to find work than in the United States. Fuentes explains that his experiences as an adult in El Salvador were undermined by a struggling economy.

LEAH HAMMOND “The experience of growing up there was beautiful,” Noe Fuentes has worked as Blair’s groundskeeper since 2007.

Fuentes says, but supportHe works at Blair in during the day, but works in the evenings ing himself in El Salvador at the Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart in Bethesda. as an adult was more difcampaign to beautify the grounds. p.m., and then works evening ficult. “It was terrible,” Fuentes Fuentes says that he appreciates hours at the Stone Ridge School says, laughing. “Well, maybe not the shift in his schedule because it of the Sacred Heart in Bethesda, terrible. But the economy was not permits him more freedom. where he has worked for 20 years. good. It was hard for my family to “Working weekends was diffi- Although he works until 6:00 p.m. support [ourselves] there.”

Though Fuentes expresses noscult because I have another job and most nights, Fuentes says that his I want to have time to spend with 12-hour-workday is just a factor talgia for his native country, he my family. It’s much easier to man- of his responsibility. “I know that says he enjoys his current state of age my work now,” Fuentes says. long hours are going to be a part of stability. “I miss El Salvador… I’m Fuentes works at Blair every what I do no matter where I work,” thinking of going back sometime, school day from 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 Fuentes says. “So [working long but right now I am not sure. This

From the varsity soccer team to lunchtime pick-up football teams, thousands of students traipse across the grounds every day. Few students, however, know who is responsible for maintaining the environment where they spend the greater portion of the day.

Most of the work that Fuentes does while landscaping happens during classroom instruction hours. Fuentes says that therefore he does not get the opportunity to interact with students very often.

“Outside, I don’t speak with students very often because I try to stay busy,” Fuentes says.

While students are in class or meandering about the school grounds, Fuentes says, they may see him but not know what his role is within the school community. “It’s a little weird, because I’m just trying to do my job but maybe students see me running around and think I’m crazy,” Fuentes says jokingly.

Fuentes says that although he works in near isolation, he still feels like a part of the Blair community. “Even though maybe nobody sees me working, I do feel like a part of the community here.

I know that [the Building Services staff and myself] do a very important job for the school.”

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FEATURES 21

December 15, 2011

Years later, old Blazers return to new Blair Current teachers who are Blair alumni reflect on how the school has changed

By Maggie Shi In high school, change is systemized. Each year at Blair, it’s in with the new, who come freshfaced out of middle school, and out with the old, who dissipate into college or the workforce. But a few former Blazers come back to their alma mater as staff members Right now, 17 Blair teachers, security guards and administrators are also former Blazers.

These staffers have seen Blair evolve from the past to the pres-

ent, and their memories of their time at Blair make them like living time capsules, allowing us to peer into our school’s past.

For most of its history, Blair was situated at what is now called the “Old Blair campus” on Wayne Avenue. After Blair moved to the University Boulevard campus in 1998, the old campus was converted into a combination elementary and middle school. Class of 1975 graduate Paul Moose, now a social studies teacher and academies coordinator at Blair, recalls the building fondly.

“It was your typical red brick school,” he says. However, he appreciates the nicer facilities in the new building.

Different demographics

SILVERLOGUE ARCHIVES

Kevin Moose, now a social studies teacher and academics coordinator, was a lightweight wrestling state champion during his time at Blair.

Aside from the physical change in facilities, Blair’s students have changed as well. According to Stefanie Weldon, a 1965 graduate who is now a social studies teacher, the school, now known for its diversity, was much more homogenous in the past.

“It was almost entirely white. There were four to five blacks in the entire school, maybe.”

She says that all

of the teachers were also white.

“Montgomery County was all white,” she says. “Their hiring was very discriminatory.”

The school had diversified by the 1970s, when Moose attended, but was still not as diverse as it is now. “I’d say it was about half-andhalf black and white, with a smattering of Hispanic here and there and an infusion of Vietnamese kids who were evacuating South Vietnam,” he says. Moose added that there was no ESOL program at the time, so it was harder for immigrants. “My best friend was from Vietnam,” he says. “He had to learn English all by himself.”

‘Ugly undercurrent’ Immigrants had a hard time at Blair, and so did girls. In the 1960s, sexism was rampant, and Blair wasn’t exempt. Weldon remembers when a girl in her biology class, who was interested in being a doctor, asked a male teacher to sign a form to allow her to intern at the National Institutes of Health. “He refused to sign it,” she says. “He blatantly told her that he didn’t think women should be doctors.” She also recalls personally clashing with a Georgetown University admissions officer who told her she could not attend their school of Foreign Service because she was a woman.

However, besides what Weldon calls an “ugly undercurrent” of attitudes like racism and sexism at the school, she says that the student culture was simpler in the past in terms of students’

behavior.

Moose says the same of his experience at Blair. “In general, the behavior of students got worse. The school culture back then was definitely more innocent,” he says. “Students were scared and respectful of teachers, who were real authority figures.

You never talked back to a teacher.”

Academics were simpler in the past, too. According to Moose, “the workload was much less, but somehow it was effective. We were never burdened by homework, yet SILVERLOGUE ARCHIVES the school day was very meaningful. In her senior year, Stefanie Weldon Education was more was assistant stage manager for the Socratic.” The two play and worked in the school store. consider education now to be a lot messier, with in MCPS. “By pure total luck, of too many outside sources. Wel- the 27 schools in the county, Blair don says, “Students were much had an opening when I applied more independent academically. for a job,” Moose says. “I think There was no practice of parents it all worked out for a reason.”

Weldon practiced law from getting involved in academics.”

25 years and then decided to Finding a way back home teach. “Teaching high school students is one of the most fun Both Weldon and Moose con- things I’ve done,” she says. “I sider their journeys back to Blair was lucky I was hired at Blair.”

To Weldon, going from as a mix of chance and fate. After high school, Moose went on to Blair to the places her eduserve in the army. He went on to cation at Blair took her and teach at Good Counsel and then then finally coming back feels decided to apply for a position a lot like coming full circle.

Managing higher education before high school graduation Blazers take on the workload from Montgomery College’s early placement program

By Michelle Chavez Senior Jamaal Smith puts his binder away, waiting for the precise moment when everyone gets up, leaves the classroom, and only a select few like him get to leave the building: the end of another half day schedule. But unlike many seniors who take on a half day schedule to ward off senioritis, Smith instead makes his way to Montgomery College (MC).

Apart from Smith, only a few other students go to college early as part of the Early Placement Program at MC. The program encourages studious upperclassmen to take college courses for credit through dual enrollment and experience the pace of higher education before becoming full-time college students. While dually enrolled Blazers savor their early college experience, they also say their college classes require effort and a strong work ethic.

But MC is only half of the story for Smith. On the days he does not go to Montgomery College, Smith makes his way to Edison after his half day at Blair.

expect to take anywhere between three and four pages of notes in their lecture-style Construction Management and Materials

The typical day On Tuesdays and Thursdays, the TOLU OMOKEHINDE days of the week he does not have to go to Edison, Smith leaves Blair after the López and Smith leave Blair and take second block and goes to Montgomery the bus to their construction class at College’s Rockville Campus with his Montgomery College Rockville. friend, senior Daniel López. The hourlong ride consists of taking a bus to the college class comprised of all Edison High Wheaton Metro Station, the metro to Rock- School students. “He knows he’s teachville, a bus to MC, a short walk to the build- ing high school students,” López says, ing and the occasional meal along the way. but that doesn’t change the teaching style.

But Smith says not everything changes The transportation isn’t the only part of their day that is longer than usual. “The at the college level. “Right now, I have to class is two hours long,” Smith adds to the do a research paper,” Smith says, smiling already tiring ride, “but we get a break.” at the annoyances he says never seem to During those two hours, Smith and López go away, even after high school. Everyone

in the class has a different topic, minimizing the chances of students dividing up the work. Smith chose to research robots in construction, an interest of his, to make the process less grueling. Despite the displeasures, Smith doesn’t forget about his long-term goal: to major in civil engineering or architecture upon graduation.

Like Smith, López says MC is no easy task. “It’s a good thing I took it because now I know college is a lot harder than I expected,” he says. Aside from the research paper, the class notes, his classes at Edison, and his classes at Blair, López also works as a sales associate in his part-time job. “It’s made me realize that I have to put in a lot more effort because going to three schools [and a job] isn’t that easy,” he says.

Goals and benefits Despite their MC workload, Smith and López say they see more benefits than disadvantages to the program. Both agree that they have become more familiar with the college experience and are now more prepared for when they become fulltime students next fall.

The community at MC is analogous to the Blair community, according to López.

Smith, however, sees a different mindset in most students. “The people are more focused,” he says, “At Blair, you see a lot of people talking, but at MC, you don’t see that.” Smith and López have also taken the initiative of joining the Students Construction Association Club at MC to make the most

of their college experience. Through the club, both have met new people and made friends who share their same interests.

Future expansion

While dual enrollment is relatively new to Blair, the experience with students like Smith and López, who enrolled through Edison, has encouraged West to bring MC to Blair’s building. West is now planning to bring a dual enrollment Chinese 1 class for next semester.

With a more organized system and a formal introduction to Blair, West says dual enrollment will now be easier for students. “I’m personally excited because I think it’s going to bring a different dimension to Blair,” West says, hopeful that the diversity of classes will soon parallel the diversity in students.

MAGGIE SHI

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December 15, 2011

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silverCHIPS End of the world 2012

by Helen Bowers

ACROSS 1. After December 2012, we will all be ________, 5. Group whose calendar ends in 2012

9. “It’s the ____ of the world as we know it, and I feel fine” song by R.E.M 12. “Midnight at the ________” 13. Knight’s title

Excuses

14. Tuesday, for short 15. Office of Risk and Insurance Management, for short 16. With disapproval 18. Theater Living Arts, abbr.

19. Mass Transit District, abbr 20. Evil plan 21. Exclusive group with radical views 22. Organ associated with love 23. Magical __________ player who only tells the truth in Moulin Rouge 26. Is, plural 28. “The man might be the head of the family, but the woman is the _____, and she can turn the head any way she wants” My Big Fat Greek Wedding.

31. Promise 34. Being nothing more than 36. “Love me like the world is _____” Ben Lee song 38. Female sheep, plural 40. Secure English Language Tests, for short 42. Heavy metal band, rhymes with Hotep 43. Remains of oil 45. “You gotta ____ the girl” if you want to take advice from a crab 47. Version of yes 48. In the place of, in _________ 50. Permissible Exposure Limit, for short 52. It’s a _________, it is certain 55. _______s would be busy helping doctors if the world

It should be reversed

TATYANA GUEIN

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December 15, 2011

TATYANA GUEIN

ends in plague 58. “All you need is _____” Beatles song 61. Effect of force 63. Curiosity killed the _______ 65. Illinois Neurological Institute, for short 66. Without law 67. Where horses sleep 68. Virginia Correctional Enterprises, for short 69. Some Blazers go to Einstein for this artistic program 70. The whole is greater than the sum of its __________ 71. Shortened version of even 72. Thin pancakes 73. After a fire in the fireplace everything gets _____

DOWN 1. Impending __________ 2. A planet whose life span is about to end 3. Not in the center 4. Not bright 6. American Society for Surgery of the Hand, for short 7. General exclamation where calamity ensues 8. The religious musketeer 9. European Table Tennis Union, for short 10. ______ and void 11. End of life 16. Female actor 17. Inter____ 20. Statistic Random Access Memory, for short 21. A statement of the beliefs or

S U D O K U

aims that guide someone’s actions 24. ____ Taylor loft 25. It’s not ___ until the fat lady sings 27. Since, for Shakespeare 29. New York ________ 30. Head, shoulders, _______ and toes (singular) 32. Someone who needs to give money back, _______ money 33. Wicked Witch of the ______ 35. Moose’s cousin 36. The pure nature of something 37. We all hope colleges look at our weighted _______ 39. To attack, to lay_____ 41. End of a pen 44. Development Dimensions International, for short 46. A landslide of information is a _______ 49. Take away 51. Stay ________ or die trying 53. French wine 54. Northern Polar map is a ____ 56. Remnants of injuries 57. See 2 Down 59. One time 60. To call a Frenchman over, you would say _____ 62. Advanced International Certificate of Education, abbr.

64. Total National Salary of Yemen, for short 67. Sound that sheep make

COURTESY OF WWW.WEBSUDOKU.COM

Like stealing candy...

by Matthew Morris

Coal is for kids

by Nathan Gamson

24

LA ESQUINA LATINA

silverCHIPS

15 de Diciembre del 2011

Son muchos los beneficios del programa de ESOL Dominar dos idiomas ofrece mejores oportunidades bién existe un programa llamado METS el cual es parte del departamento de ESOL. Este programa es para aquellos estudiantes que estudiaron en sus países hasta un grado de primaria o no pudieron asistir a la escuela consistentemete. Ellos reciben ayuda para aprender a es-cribir y leer mejor, ya que su

pueden manejar su primera lengua bien son usualmente aquellos que aprenden inglés más rápido. Por eso se les recomienda El idioma es un factor muy importante tomar clases de español para su crédito de que puede afectar en cierta manera las as“lenguaje extranjero”. piraciones de los estudiantes latinos como La persona encargada del programa afectó a Danny Velázquez. Este adolescente de ESOL en Blair, es Sra. Bohórquez, una de 18 años tuvo que enfrentarse con la mujer trabajadora con mucha realidad de repetir el grado por su paciencia. Ella lleva trabajando conocimiento limitado del inglés. Él en Blair hace ya 14 años y ha vino a los Estados Unidos en el 2010 sido la promotora de que Blair, con el propósito de sobresalir y ser en el Condado de Montgomery un profesional. Velázquez se sigue sea una escuela secundaria diesforzando y está enfocado en graduferente a las demás. Hace tres arse en el 2013. A él le falta completar años la Sra. Bohórquez proalgunos re-quisitos que las escuelas puso que los estudiantes que espúblicas del Condado de Montgomtuvieran en décimo grado y en ery exigen para poder graduarse.

ESOL 2 repitieran él año. Pero El departamento de ESOL (Inglés como e lla nos explica “repara Estudiantes de Otras Lenguas) petir” es una palabra que no ella existe en el estado de Maryland hace preferiría usar. Los estudiantes ya 30 años. El programa de ESOL en no volverían a repetir todas sus Blair es el más grande del Condado clases, solo tendrían que extendde Montgomery.

Este programa er más el tiempo para tener más cuenta con 16 maestros. Pero no oportunidad de aprender inglés. solo los maestros que trabajan en el Esta fue una propuesta que la departamento de ESOL dan clases a Sra. Bohórquez les proponía a estudiantes de ESOL. También hay los estudiantes y a sus padres. maestros en otros departamentos Pero era su propia decisión si que les dan clases a estos estudiantes.

ELLIE MUSGRAVE seguían en el mismo grado o En Blair hay aproximadamente 360 no. Según la Sra. Bohórquez estudiantes de 46 países diferentes, La Sra. Waltz enseñando la clase de lectura a los esto era algo muy beneficioso hablando 30 idiomas diferentes. El porque los estudiantes podían departamento de ESOL no solo está estudiantes del programa de METS. mejorar su inglés y tener una para que aprendan inglés sino que también apoya a los estudiantes recién lle- educación en sus países fue interrumpida mejor oportunidad de pasar los exámenes gados al país a adaptarse a la escuela. Tam- por diferentes razones. Los estudiantes que de inglés en la universidad.

Por Janett Encinas y Heydi Mora Urbina

Dicha propuesta ya no existe en Blair para este año. Hoy existe un nuevo reglamento del condado, él cual requiere que todos los estudiantes del condado tengan una cierta cantidad de créditos para pasar al siguiente grado. Esto afectará a muchos estudiantes de ESOL. Ahora todo está en las manos de los estudiantes y dependerá de ellos si aprueban el año escolar o no. Bohórquez nos comenta con una sonrisa en el rostro, “ahora que la propuesta no está en efecto los estudiantes vienen a pedirme que quieren repetir el año, cuando antes era yo la que iba detrás de ellos explicándoles los beneficios de quedarse un año más”.

El departamento de ESOL también ofrece una variedad de recursos de apoyo a sus estudiantes y por lo tanto hace todo lo posible de que estos puedan beneficiarse de ellos. Cada estudiante de ESOL tiene la oportunidad de siempre recurrir en clase a un diccionario bilingüe en su lengua, que se encuentran en cada una de las aulas de ESOL. Además, los alumnos se les ofrece tiempo extra para tomar los exámenes y pueden pedir que sus maestros les lean las preguntas o cualquier contenido en inglés.

Estas ayudas son proporcionadas a los estudiantes de ESOL como apoyo adicional para su éxito.

El programa de ESOL ha beneficiado y seguirá beneficiando a muchos estudiantes extranjeros en diferentes maneras. Los recursos proporcionados son herramientas fundamentales para aprender inglés como segunda lengua.

Descubriendo los sabores latinos: panadería en el área Por Claudia Quiñonez y Anilu Martínez En esta nueva y primera edición de “Descubriendo los sabores latinos” estaremos conociendo, promocionando y clasificando los lugares que visitemos a través del año.

Utilizando una numeración de estrellas, en una escala del uno al cinco, clasificaremos los establecimientos que visitemos. Para la clasificación se tomará en cuenta: limpieza, servicio al cliente, comodidad para el consumidor, calidad y sabor de los alimentos.

En esta primera visita, nos aventuramos junto a Alex Mundy, un estudiante del onceavo grado de nuestra escuela quién nos ayudó a decidir la clasificación de nuestra investigación. Nos dirigimos a la zona de Langley Park, donde descubrimos una pequeña panadería en una esquina de una plaza popular y muy conocida por muchos de nuestros estudiantes.

La pequeña pastelería se llama “Casa Blanca” y se encuentra ubicada en el 7988 de la Avenida New Hampshire en Langley Park, MD 20783.

Cuando estuvimos en el local observamos muchas clases de panes tradicionales de los países que

no tiene un lugar cómodo para sentarse y disfrutar de los platillos, ya que el cliente compra y se va. Tuvimos que márchanos del lugar e ir a otro sitio para poder degustar los postres que habíamos comprado.

El pan corbata está hecho de harina de trigo teñida con colorante amarillo y su superficie

Endurance Nation

constituyen nuestra cultura latina. Ante tanta variedad, nos sentimos indecisos con la selección pues todo se veía suculento. Finalmente decidimos ordenar un pan de anís, una corbata, una concha y un pastel de tres leches. Desafortunadamente el local

está adornada con azúcar. La concha tiene la misma textura pero su color y forma varían. El pan de anís en forma de caracol, tiene semillas de anís que le dan un sabor único.

El pastel de tres leches está hecho de leche

condensada, leche evaporada y crema de leche.

Por decisión unánime el postre más delicioso lo fue la corbata por su textura crujiente y por tener un agradable sabor azucarado. Los demás panes no tenían un sabor complaciente y el pastel de tres leches estaba muy seco y no contenía mucho del sabor dulce del que se caracteriza. El precio total fue de $ 4.50, un precio muy accesible para el consumidor.

En conclusión, pudimos inferir que la panadería “Casa Blanca” merecía una calificación general de 4 estrellas, ya que tienen un excelente servicio al cliente, el local estaba limpio, buena infraestructura y percibimos bastante movimiento tanto de los clientes como de los empleados. Aparte de vender panes, elaboran pasteles para diferentes celebraciones. Hubiera recibido una calificación perfecta si el local hubiera sido más grande y ofrecido un espacio amplio para la comodidad de los clientes. Finalmente su localización no se da a notar su presencia en el área.

FOTOS POR CLAUDIA QUIÑONEZ

¿Y tú, qué PIENSAS? ¿Te ha ayudado a pasar los HSA el estar en clases de ESOL?

“Si, porque recibí apoyo de mis maestros.”

“Sí, porque tenía clases con personas que también aprendían inglés.”

“Sí, porque me preparó para lo que venía. ”

Johanna Morataya, Onceavo grado

Alan Espinoza, Onceavo grado

Jennifer Alvino, Onceavo grado

25 Nuestra raza, una realidad equivocada de clasificación silverCHIPS

15 de Diciembre del 2011

LA ESQUINA LATINA

Raza, una palabra que existe solamente en el vocabulario humano Por Kelly Ventura y Yessica Somoza ¿Será que las apariencias físicas realmente determinan de qué raza somos?

Entre hispanohablantes nos identificamos usando nuestros países natales, pero en general somos llamados hispanos, latinos o algo que incluye todas nuestras distinciones desde cultura hasta apariencias físicas en un título creado por el hombre.

Un título que no solo forma estereotipos de quienes somos, sino que también es el resultado de una percepción equivocada en los demás. Percepciones que tapan la verdad detrás de la palabra “hispano”, formada como título de categorización.

Esa verdad consiste en que nuestra belleza como hispanos, se basa en nuestra cultura, lenguajes además del español y en la variedad de apariencias físicas que varía de país en país hispanohablante.

La cultura de cada país cambia drásticamente y el intentar de contener una población debajo de una categoría, se crea una falsa idea de que todos los hispanos son iguales. Esta idea de una cultura común dio salida a la idea de personas de raza latina que hoy en día ha cambiado a “personas de origen hispano o latino.” En coordinación con esta idea, el Censo del 2010 incluyó una pregunta sobre origen hispano que permitió que las personas pusieran su país natal como origen hispano. Sin embargo, no siempre fue así.

En el año 1930 las personas de ascendencia hispana no tenían mas opciones que clasificarse bajo lo que era una categoría racial mexicana. Esto es solo un ejemplo de cómo por mucho tiempo el censo fue visto y todavía percibido por algunos como una forma de discriminación por la limitación

en categorías raciales. Anteriormente para la gente multiracial, el censo creó mucha incomodidad ya que estaban obligados a definirse como solo una raza. Afortunadamente ahora tenemos más op-

El racismo no se trata de tu apariencia física, sino de cómo la nición y el sentido a esa apariencia física. historiadora Robin D.G.Kelley ciones de categorización racial y etnias, pero aun, la categorización racial en el censo y en otros formularios todavía puede llegar a su ma-yor potencial para ofrecer más opciones de origen.

Siendo una escuela con mucha diversidad estudiantil, Blair es un ejemplo perfecto de por qué es necesario y más que nada lo correcto, tener más opciones al llenar formularios con preguntas con respecto a raíces de origen.

Cassie Flores, una estudiante que asiste a Blair con papá de origen hispano y mamá asiática, comparte su perspectiva del tema racial y dice, “En mi casa, yo soy quien usualmente llena el censo y por falta de opciones me clasifico a mi misma y a mi papá

como hispanos, mientras mi mamá se define con sus rayos ultravioletas es una fuente y marca a mis hermanitos como asiáticos. de vitamina D que si absorbemos más de lo Yo aprecio bastante mis raíces, que el tener necesario, puede destruir el folato del cuerpo que definirme con solo un aspecto de quien humano. soy me hace sentir una incomodidad inEs debido a esto, que la gente que vive en terna. Pienso que todo formulario en el áreas tropicales se han adaptado a tener piel que tus raíces son cuestionadas debería más oscura para bloquear y protegerse de tener una marca para ‘todo lo que co- rayos ultravioletas, mientras aquellos que virresponda’ como opción”. ven en áreas con menos sol, tienen piel de color Tal y como el formulario del censo pasó más clara para poder absorber más vitamina por muchos cambios, el transcurso del D. Es tal y como el biólogo antropólogo Alan tiempo deGoodman describe muestra que la reel punto, “El color alidad del asunto de la piel, ya sea oses que raza es un cura o clara, no es el concepto creado resultado de raza, por los humanos. pero el resultado de Un concepto que adapción a una vida biológicamente bajo el sol”. no tiene signifiLo cierto es que cado. Esto mismo aun sin la existencia lo expresan las biológica, el conexposiciones de la cepto de raza nos raza que recorren rodea día tras día diferentes museos con la validez que en la nación con nosotros le asigneel propósito de mos. Y lo hermoso hacernos enes que con el tiemtender lo que dice Camisetas representando la raza que po, las “razas” la historiadora hubieran sido identificadas dependien- inevitablemente se Robin D.G. Kelley, do el año del censo. irán mezclando.

“El racismo no se Claro que para trata de tu apariencia física, sino como la que esto ocurra hasta el punto que no pogente asigna la definición y el sentido a esa damos identificar razas, tomará muchos años. apariencia física” a través de la historia Mientras tanto lo más adecuado es reconocer como la evolución del censo. las diferentes culturas, basándonos en la reTambién logran transmitir su punto de alidad de la vida y eso es que apesar de que que el concepto de raza no tiene existencia haya muchas diferencias, al final todos somos biológica con apoyo científico como la seres humanos. Y esas diferencias no rerazón detrás de los diferentes tonos de piel, quieren títulos para hacernos ver lo bello que que se debe a razones geográficas. El sol tienen de tanta variedad humana.

CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

Los HSA y las consecuencias para los estudiantes hispanos en Blair Por Diana Ferreira Cada día se levanta bien temprano para asistir a la escuela y llegar temprano a sus clases en lo que es una lucha diaria por ser el más sobresaliente y obtener buenos grados.

A pesar de que el inglés es su segunda lengua , él trata de luchar para que esto no sea un obstáculo en sus estudios .

Este estudiante tan perseverante se llama Ramón Santana. Santana está cursando el doceavo grado. Él es uno de los tantos hispanos que pertenecen al programa de ESOL, este programa fue creado para personas que tienen el inglés como segunda lengua. Este ayuda a los estudiantes que tienen dificultad con el inglés a aprenderlo perfectamente.

La mayoría de los alumnos que pertenecen a este programa de ESOL tienen dificultades para pasar los exámenes llamados HSA (High School Assessment). Estos exámenes son los requisitos más importantes para todo estudiante que está cursando el doceavo grado y no ha tenido la oportunidad de acumular los puntos aprobados para graduarse. Este año escolar 2011-2012, los alumnos tienen que tomar tres HSA: Biología, Inglés y Algebra.

Santana es uno de los tantos estudiantes que han tenido dificultades en obtener los puntos necesarios. Uno de los HSA con el que Santana ha tenido más problemas y con el que ha tenido que enfrentarse cada año es el de inglés, ya que lo ha intentado varias veces y no lo ha podido aprobar. Casos como estos los vemos a diario en todas las escuelas secundarias. Los hispanos viven preocupados diariamente por estos exámenes ya que

la universidad para prepararse y poder salir ellos son lo más afectados con este tema.

La señora Margarita Bohórquez es la en- adelante en este país y ser el ejemplo de mucargada principal del departamento de ESOL. chos hispanos que vienen a los Estados UniBohórquez motiva a todos los estudiantes dos y creen que no pueden lograr sus metas.

Algunos estudiantes vienen de sus países que no han podido pasar estos exámenes a que no se den por vencidos y lo intenten para natales buscando un sueño que se les hace difícil cumplir que continúen con ya que la masus estudios en yoría de ellos no la universidad y hablan el inglés. a enseñarles que Cuando llegan esto no es un obsa los Estados táculo en sus estuUnidos tal vez dios si ellos ponen al darse cuenta de su parte y se que todo es diesfuerzan para ferente, algunos lograrlo. tratan de volver Estos exámenes a su país mienson enviados por tras otros tratan el Condado de comenzar Montgomery. A Los exámenes de HSA son un requisito para de una vida nueva pesar de esto hay y esforzarse en muchos estudi- la graduación en el estado de Maryland. aprender el iantes que llegan a su último año de secundaria sin obtener el dioma y los sistemas de este país.

A fin de cuentas lo único importante para puntaje suficiente para pasar estos exámenes tan importantes. El Condado de Mont- muchos de ellos es estudiar y aprender la gomery les da una alternativa para ayudar a lengua, ya que muchos de ellos saben que todo aquel que haya tomado estos exámenes con este nuevo idioma y el idioma natal que y no haya podido aprobarlos. Esta alterna- tienen pueden ser bilingües. Esto les da la tiva es un proyecto de una semana a dos se- oportunidad de obtener un mejor futuro, ya manas. Este se basa en hacer un sin número que cada día el número de hispanos en este de problemas matemáticos, escritura y lec- país crece Otro caso es el de Elsa Hiraldo. Hiraldo tura que están estructurados y enviados por las mismas personas que envían los HSA. vinoa esta escuela sabiendo inglés casi a la Esta es una alternativa que ayuda a muchos perfección. De niña vivió en este país por un alumnos a cumplir sus sueños de tener un tiempo, pero se fue a la Republica Domindiploma de secundaria para poder asistir a icana cuando todavía era una niña. Hiraldo COURTESY OF ENDURANCE NATION

¡Exprésate !

Por la clase de Español AP Lenguaje Luis es un león fuerte como un tanque. A él le gusta asustar a sus amigos. Uno de sus amigos es un chihuahua pequeño llamado Edwin que le gusta soñar. Carlos el tacuazín es un mentiroso y parece un ratón. Todos son amigos de una oveja muy rara de nombre Clara la cual siempre finge estar enferma.

Un buen día, las colas de estos animales amistosos decidieron cambiar de dueños.

Cuando los compañeros descubrieron la de-

“El lío de las colas”

cisión de las colas, todos brincaron de miedo.

Luis el vanidoso dijo, “Mi cola no me hace falta, me siento perfecto así”. Los otros animales reclamaban, se molestaban y querían volver a tener sus colas.

No se acostumbraban a tener colas diferentes, pero no podían hacer nada para evitarlo. Luis les dice, “No presten atención a los detalles. Podemos vivir sin lío”. Pero el desorden existía de todas maneras. Por ejemplo, el chihuahua, quien tiene la cola de Luis, no podía marcharse de su casa porque

su cola era demasiado pesada para él.

Los amigos no tienen por qué entristecerse por sus colas, porque si tienen bienestar pueden tratar de adaptarse. No hay que ser tontos en pensar que la cola es lo más importante de la vida. El porvenir de estos amigos es que el mundo los verá diferente por lucir con colas que para los demás será extraño.

Finalmente ellos viven con la esperanza de acostumbrarse a sus colas nuevas y de que la sociedad nos los juzgue.

es una estudiante que se sacrifica en todo lo que hace y en todo lo que esté relacionado con sus estudios. Hiraldo a pesar de saber inglés, como muchos otros, ha tenido problemas para lograr el puntaje exacto de estos exámenes. Hiraldo al igual que Santana está todavía luchando para poder pasar los HSA en enero del año 2012. Esta es la última oportunidad para que los estudiantes que están en el doceavo grado no dejen esforzarse y pasen estos exámenes.

Cada año, estas pruebas son un tema preocupante para los estudiantes de Blair ya que el porcentaje de estudiantes que están en el doceavo grado aumenta cada año, y todos los días llegan estudiantes de diferentes países y tienen que enfrentarse a estos exámenes. A veces estos estudiantes toman estas pruebas sin tener el nivel de inglés que necesitan para poder pasarlas. Siendo estsa una de las razones por la que hay una cantidad inmensa de alumnos que no han podido llegar a la meta de reunir los puntos necesarios.

Algunos estudiantes no han podido graduarse en el año que les corresponde por no poder completar el puntaje para estas pruebas tan importantes. Este es uno de los mayores miedos de los estudiantes que están en el doceavo grado ya que muchos de ellos casi tienen la edad máxina aceptada en las escuealas secundarias de los Estados Unidos.

Esperamos que este año sea exitoso para la clase del 2012 y que el porcentaje sea más bajo de todos los anteriores y que todos los estudiantes que tienen que graduarse este año puedan hacerlo.

26 ENTERTAINMENT

silverCHIPS

December 15, 2011

Live from BNC Studios.... It’s Infoflow!

By Sarah Wilson “Please turn your TV to Channel 19…“ calls the voice of BNC producer Adam Maisto from Room 100 to the far corners of the school. It resonates into classrooms where teachers have figured out how to turn their Promethean boards to Channel 19 just as the show ends. It rings into the athletics hallway where the gym teachers have penned in the sweaty packs of postP.E. class students leaving the locker room.

Maisto’s baritone even carries outside the school, broadcasting over the parking lot and as far as the winds carry it, like a town crier who proclaims the news to groups of late and irritable students wandering into school at the end of first period.

Rumor has it that on a clear day even the students at Northwood can hear our morning introduction over their own creatively titled announcements show, “The Northwood Update.“ Featuring such popular segments as, “The Word of the Day“ and “The Pledge of Allegiance,“ InfoFlow is Blair’s central venue for morning announcements. Currently, InfoFlow consists of club and school announcements read by green screened hosts over a PowerPoint; but it was not always like this.

InfoFlow has existed and evolved throughout Blair’s history and as far back as anyone can remember, which for our senior

class is fall of 2008.

The golden age Executive Producer of InfoFlow, senior Kiernan Colby, remembers that during his freshman year, it was a much darker time for the morning announcements show. “When I was a freshman, there was a dedicated department that would go around and interview and get hosts and edit after school until 7 p.m. every day. It consumed their lives.

They grew to hate each other,“ he recalls.

Yet this horrible personal sacrifice was the price for a glorious 2008-2009 Golden Age of InfoFlow. BNC staff created original introduction videos, mimicking openings from “The Office” and an astoundingly clever “The Fresh Prince of Blair.“ BNC staff would stop students in the hallways and at lunch to tape them reading the announcements. It was incredible to see the joy and pride in their classmates’ eyes when the next morning they could see their very own friends announcing the citrus sale, on TV. Music changed daily, “Did You Know?“ facts were unpredictable and the work that went into producing the show daily was massive. The flow of info was incredible… then everything changed.

The Golden Age continued until the middle of 2009-2010 school year, when suddenly the pre-recorded hosts were abandoned and

the show was well on its way into a very different stage: The PowerPoint Period.

Rise of the big red pole

an InfoFlow staff and the PowerPoints made for quick and easy productions.

But Fridays were different.

Fridays featured “Live from BNC studios its…InfoFlow Live!“ with main host Aaron King and surprise guest hosts. This new live component in the show, and the potential for live mistakes broadcasting over the school made the announcements even more exciting than when they got a door for the boy’s bathroom by the auditorium, and almost as exciting as what was to come next.

With the hosts gone, the constantly changing openings also began to disappear, leaving InfoFlow bare and faceless. It became a PowerPoint p re s e n t a t i o n , which proved to be the opportunity that the big red pole Floating heads in the SAC had long been waitAt the beginning of this ing for as it beyear, the future of Infocame the backFlow was uncertain. Colby ground image became the executive proCOURTESY OF BNC STUDIOS for the slides. ducer of the show, and, once In the decline of During the 2010-2011 school year, again, everything changed.

InfoFlow, it rose InfoFlow featured guest hosts.

“InfoFlow got scaled back to prominence too far. I try to make it fun as the most covand get as many people in eted spot for club announcements. Its influ- the school to watch it as possible. We now ence continues to this day. have a face, a person actually reading it,” exThe show was a series of graphics, with plains Colby. typed versions of the facts of the day, and This year the show’s featured daily hosts, the definition for the words of the day ap- reading the announcements in front of pearing on screen. BNC no longer included souped up PowerPoints, as some sort of Da Vinci Code mystery plays out in the background. Inexplicable faces and bizarre background photos of dusty classroom corners have been appearing suddenly in the background without any acknowledgment from the live host, indecipherable by the typical viewer. By the magic of green screen technology, floating heads now nonchalantly announce the National Honor Society deadlines. “I thought ‘they can’t just stand there and read’ so I threw a green cloak on [the host] and now it’s hilarious,“ says Colby. It’s a new InfoFlow, one that doesn’t take itself too seriously. It just goes with the…flow.

ELIZA WAPNER

silverCHIPS

December 15, 2011

ENTERTAINMENT

Before the ball drops, Blair needs some renovations

27

Perhaps Blair could use a couple resolutions of its own for this new year

By Simrin Gupta The majority of us Blazers have ambitious, fun and just plain silly New Years resolutions but we’re not necessarily the ones who should be crossing things off our list.

Blair’s building and campus is definitely in need of a face-lift this new year. Admittedly, the recent Blair beautification movement has made considerable progress, but you and I both know there are some aspects that seem like they’ll never change.

Bathroom blues Just mentioning the bathrooms at Blair might send shivers up and down some people’s spines. It seems like every week we’re missing a variety of hardware ranging from sink faucets to locks to doors.

Obviously, someone’s pocketing Blair bathroom paraphernalia but since it doesn’t seem likely that we’ll apprehend this mystery bathroom bandit any time soon, how about some replacements? It goes without saying that everyone loves the makeshift toilet-paper-locks in the girls bathroom.

Ringing in the new year Let’s talk about our current bell situa-

tion. There has to be a way to have some type of uniform system where maybe, for once in our high school careers, we can hear the entire warning bell scale from start to finish. Think about it, we hear this irritating noise almost twenty-five times a day and it never fails to abruptly break off as we stampede from one classroom to the next.

All I’m asking for here is a little closure. Also, BNC: what happened to our musical mornings? We miss them.

Cold sweats Every Blazers across the board will be familiar with this one.

Have a class on the first floor? Others on the second or third? Then you know that none of them are ever the same temperature. Or if they are it’s because the heat has finally come on in midMATTHEW MORRIS November and we’re all sweating in a giant sauna. This doesn’t just apply to students, though.

Teachers know how hard it is to engage a room full of sleepy, knocked-out teenagers.

Granted, some of us are asleep because we spent the whole night doing whatever it is we do that wastes so much time (one of the mysteries of the universe). But the other half

of us have just been lulled to sleep by the tempting temperature. Whether we’re fighting a battle with our eyelids or piling on the layers to protect ourselves from the arctic zone, I know it can’t be that hard for MCPS to get it right.

perpetually smell like vomit and the vending machines will stop eating our money.

Maybe we’ll see fewer bugs crawling around and our desks won’t squeak and our water fountains won’t taste toxic. But let’s not kid

Three (thousand)’s a crowd

What would Blair be without its congested hallways and stacked stairwells? Fun fact: Blair has over twenty-four hallways and five stairwells. So can someone please explain why most of us struggle to get to class everyday? It’s never an acceptable excuse to tell your teacher that the reason why you’re late is because you got stuck walking behind that group of guys who were busy perfecting their hallway steez. At the same time, if you’re commuting from the first floor upward, you end up fighting all of humanity to get wherever you’re going. And let’s not even talk about the student surge during lunch transitions.

My practical suggestions: install traffic lights, hire crossing guards or put in some yield signs. After all, LEAH HAMMOND our hallways have street CLARE LEFEBURE names and the three thousand of us are like a small Let’s hope the new year brings serious traffic management to the hallways. Stoplights, maybe? city.

Hopefully when we all come back from winter break, we’ll walk ourselves, this is Blair we’re talking about. into climate-control comfort and state-of- And in the end, Blair’s quirks are what make the-art bathrooms. Maybe the SAC won’t us love it so much…right?

Time’s running out. What should you do before its too late?

Necessary life-fulfilling actions to accomplish at Blair before Armageddon in 2012

By Zoërose Waldrop As seniors receive admission decisions and start planning for next year, they start to look around the hallowed walls of Blair and begin to wonder what they will miss most about high school.

But this December seniors aren’t the only ones who have cause to look at Blair with a sense of impending nostalgia. Be it in plague, explosion, pollution or flood, it’s pretty much a fact that the end of the world is coming in 2012… Maybe.

It’s time to look at all the things that are still left to be accomplished and create a plan of action. The internet is riddled with suggestions of things that are simply necessary to experience before you kick the bucket.

But these ideas are lacking in creativity, and might, perhaps, devastate the rest of your life just in case the Mayans were off in their calculations. So! We set off on a perilous journey through school rules and policies into a Pandora’s Box of rebellious deeds to do before we die. Let’s begin at Blair.

Pranks Though we’re not known for our senior pranks, Blair does do fairly steady business in the practical joke department.

Throwing 2,009 bouncy balls off the third floor onto a horde of jaded teenagers (class of 2009) and running naked through Blair Boulevard are good crowd pleasers (class of 2006); but they’ve been done, and no one likes a copycat.

But what could top bouncy balls? This subject may cause many to go blank, as have many great ideas throughout history. There is a great connection between the musings of Einstein and Stephen Hawking and pondering what to do as a prank. Just as with the two afore mentioned fellow geniuses, the idea hit me all at once. Goats.

Goats are strange creatures that will consume anything within reach. They have been known to eat cell phones, trash bins and all kinds of furniture. Put simply; they are masters of destruction and this makes for a wetyour-pants hilarious prank.

Imagine sitting in first period English class and telling your teacher that a goat ate your homework, and when he asks you, “what goat?” with a condescending sneer, you’ll be able to point to the one right outside the classroom door.

In class, under the radar Now that teachers home with half eaten

you’ve

sent

your

DOYUNG LEE

tote-bags and thermoses with missing large chunks, you’ve still got to find a way to entertain yourself during the

rest of the days you’ll be stuck in class before the end comes.

There are too many distractions at home to allow Blazers to complete these tasks outside of class hours. You’ve got homework, swim practice and that darn goat that you still need to find a home for before it eats another history assignment.

Though not big in effect or impact, these are vital deeds that must be done before doomsday comes around next year, and what better place to do them than in a classroom?

First, eat a whole pack of M&Ms by tossing them into the air and catching them in your mouth. Always something you meant to do, but never remember to whenever you happen to be enjoying a pack of candy-coated, chocolate morsels.

Note that you may need multiple packs of M&Ms because if you miss one then you haven’t caught the whole pack with your mouth.

Now that you’ve stuffed yourself with chocolate, there’s probably nothing you want to do more than eat 10 saltines in less than a minute.

It’s one of those urban legends that’s supposed to be impossible to do, (like licking your elbow,) but what else have you got to do during French class?

Though it is common knowledge that it is impossible to get sick of eating, there are other pranks to be pulled once you have run out of muchies. Popular favorites include

playing Chinese Firedrill while a teacher’s back is turned or else setting up tiny little dixie-cups filled with liquid on t h e top of a door. If you and your

HELEN BOWERS

classmates a r e quick enough, the teacher will never know what happened, and it’s amusing to watch someone decide whether they want to open a door an get water oured on them, r whether they will wait for you to take them off.

So for those Blazers who want to do something before the world fades into oblivion, but don’t want to spend 20 years in a jail cell asking themselves how stupid they had to be to trust Mayans that died hundreds of years ago, it’s time to rent a goat and get some saltines. We’ve got one year to make a mark on this school before (semi)certain

28 ADS

December 15, 2011

silverCHIPS

sportsCHIPS

June 1, 2012 silverchips.mbhs.edu/section/sports.php

Blazers rally around spring sports

TOLU OMOKEHINDE

At the May 21 Pep Rally organized by the SGA, the Blair Blazers led the crowd in cheers as spring sports teams paraded on to the field, gymnasts stunted at center field.

Varsity Crew impresses at Nationals while season closes out Blazers finish 19 out of 24 while going up against stiff competition

By Josh Schmidt

boat. Due to the lack of the novice division they clung to the middle of the pack. As the race came to a close the rowers faltered and After petitioning simply to enter the com- at Nationals, the team had to find a way into two more boats passed them to put them in Nationals. petition, the Blair crew team placed 19th at The team had previously won the region- 19th place.

Nationals ON DATE? AND AT PLACE?.

As the season comes to a close the team The team, consisting of FILL IN NAMES, al novice championship ON DATE? but since must now reflect on the success of this year. finished with a time of 5 minutes 48 seconds there was no novice section at nationals they Coach Sullivan believes that this season was and was in 17th place before being passed instead rowed in the junior division. As a great for the team. “I think this success is by two boats just 100 meters before the finish result the novice rowers were racing against huge for Blair Crew! We have gotten better serious competitors who had, in many cases, line. Racing against entries from 16 states and better every year,” Sullivan said. and Canada, the team finished 19th out of been racing together for three years.

Mejia agrees in that this team has come The race was hectic from the start as 24. a long way. “I’ve very proud. I feel accomThe entry of the novice team was the many of the more experienced and serious plished… For us to have a novice boat qualifirst appearance in Nationals for the Blair boats pulled ahead quickly. But the Blair rowers hung tough throughout the heat as fying for Nationals is a big step for a club rowing team. Only created a sport,” Mejia said. few years ago, the team has With the end of the season, comes struggled in past years, but is new hopes for the next season. The on the upswing now. team plans on working hard this Ellie Mejia, a junior and offseason and coming together to team captain, was impressed do more workouts, Mejia said. But by the team’s efforts. Ellie MeMejia believes the team will be at jia. “I’m thrilled, proud and a disadvantage, as Sullivan will be very excited about the girls’ leaving at the end of the season. “If performance at Nationals,” we can’t find another coach who Mejia said. As the rowers is willing to make such a big time docked they exclaimed about commitment, the team will really the fun that they had racing have to band together to succeed against such tough competiand improve,” she said. tion. Mejia believes the most This season the varsity team significant part of the comcame the closest in the team’s hispetition was that the rowers tory to qualifying to compete at the completed the race satisfied national level and Mejia hopes that with themselves. “Working the combination of veteran rowhard to surpass our own exers and talented novices may earn pectations…that’s all better them a spot in the national races [for the team],” she said. next year.

Before the team even had But for now the team will the chance to put in work on reflect on this past season. “I’m very the water they had to fight happy with the girls, who in their just to be admitted into the first ear of rowing managed to beat race. Coach Eva Sullivan had ELLIE MUSGRAVE five boats of girls who have been to submit a petition to get the Blair rowers, in practice, work on their fundamentals preparing rowing three years,” Mejia said. boat into the competition so for the Nationals competition. the team rowed as a junior

insideSPORTS Best of Blair Sports See page 30 As Blair athletics come to a close the best teams, athletes and moments are honored and remembered.

DC Sports Coming Back See page 31 Sports teams in the nation’s capital are rapidly on the rise with the Nationals, Wizards, Redskins and even the Orioles up north impressing fans.

silverCHIPS

December 15, 2011

ENTERTAINMENT 29

We all know the comforting feeling of total bliss from biting into a freshly-baked holiday cookie. Though nothing can beat Grandma’s tried and true family recipe, Silver Chips has assembled a collection of cookie recipes from different winter celebrations all over the world. This year when you gather around your family and friends, knock Grandma’s sugar cookies out of first place with this multicultural bouquet of treats.

Berliner Kränzelach

Raspberry Rugelach Rugelach is a staple at Hanukkah parties worldwide, and understandably so! While Jewish families are lighting the menorah, most are also munching on these light,

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Pastelitas de Boda

Originally served at Mexican weddings as Pastelitas de Boda, these powdery cookies could make anyone fall in love at first bite.

Even if they started out as cultural wedding icons, this recipe has spread all over the world and is a popular Christmas cookie in scores of different cultures. The cookie’s powdered sugar coating and the crunchy walnuts combined with the smooth dough make for a wonderful treat whether you’re trying to impress your date or just in the mood for some great cookies.

degrees, grease cookie 1. Preheat oven to 350 sheets st pecans, 2. In a large skillet, toa til un y all on asi occ stirring wn bro ht lig P "EAT BUTTER SALT š CU d an ar sug d powdere y vanilla until very fluff and light 4. Gradually beat in pecans 5. Sift flour over top, ting while continuously bea re mixtu of dough and roll 6. Pull off small pieces on cookie sheets into 1’’ balls, then place in minutes, then roll balls 7. Bake cookies 12-15 ar sug d the remaining powdere

Young Adult (R) — Charlize Theron tackles the role of comically brooding middle-aged woman in her latest film. “Young Adult,� follows recently divorced writer Mavis Gary (Theron) as she returns to her hometown in order to pursue an old flame (Patrick Wilson).

The catch? He’s now married with kids. With a screenplay penned by Diablo Cody (“Juno�) and direction by Jason Reitman (“Up in the Air� and “Juno�), the film promises to deliver the same mix of comedy and poignancy that gave their other films so much character.

(December 16) The Girl with The Dragon Tattoo (R) — The crime-solving dream team of journalist Mikael Bloomkavist (Daniel Craig) and sociopath computer Lisabeth Salender (Rooney Mara)

siao

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Pumpkin oatmeal chocolate chip

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Movies

By Helen Bowers Photos by Enoch H

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TE AS PO ON always GROUND CINNAM ON appreciated at ho liday 1. Preheat oven parties. Whether to 350F and grea se baking shee 2. Combine flou you’re hunkerin ts. r, oats, baking g soda, cinnamon and salt down to watch 3. In a totally di Love Actufferent bowl, be at together butte and sugars until ally for the 10th r light and fluffy 4. Add egg an time or if you d vanilla, mix.

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BEYOND the Boulevard come to the big screen with the much-hyped American adaptation of the first novel in Stieg Larsson’s bestselling Millennium Trilogy.

Bloomkavist and Salender team up to solve the mystery of a woman who has been missing for more than 40 years. Larsson fans hope that the film’s two and a half hour running time will allow for it to stay true to the book’s plot twists and story arcs. Those hoping for even more drama can mark their calenders for 2012 — the American adaptation of Larsson’s second novel is already scheduled for release next year. (December 21)

DVDs Midnight in Paris (PG-13) — Woody Allen’s quirky, fantasy-romantic comedy follows the nostalgic, fledgling writer Gil (Owen

Wilson) on a trip to Paris that changes his life.

Though Gil’s midnight strolls-turned adventures in time travel may seem gimmiky, the film expertly weaves fantasy elements into a modern day tale. Special features on the DVD include a photo gallery and a featurette on the film’s reception at the Cannes Film Festival.

(December 20)

silent dystopia. Fans interested in the science behind pandemics will want to check out the mini-documentaries in the special features section. (January 3)

Contagion (PG-13) — Be sure to stock up on hand sanitizer before purchasing a copy of Steven Soderbergeh’s deliciously frightening medical thriller. The star-studded ensemble (Gwyneth Paltrow, Matt Damon and Jude Law, to name just a few) delivers grossly realistic performances of the effects of a deadly pathogen, and might just leave you scared to travel abroad ever again. But the film’s biggest strength comes from its chilling portrayal of the world’s quick lapse into a

Carbon Leaf at Wolf Trap, January 6, tickets $25

Concerts

Wale at the Fillmore, January 1, tickets $35

Thievery Corporation at 9:30, January 11, tickets $45 Miranda Lambert at 1st Mariner Arena, January 26, tickets $81 Beyond the Boulevard compiled

by Claire Boston

30 SPORTS

December 15, 2011

silverCHIPS

Down, but not out

By Claire Sleigh

D

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AN D

M AU

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Lopez missed two weeks of school with There was a loose ball, and a pileup en- control over her body, “Her face was frozen sued. The play moved to the other end of the and her voice was monotone,” Smith said. her concussion and four weeks of the bascourt, and everyone in the stands followed “It was very vacant, like no one was home.” ketball season.

She returned in time for playoffs, the action, except for Dawn Smith, senior Smith tried to calm her daughter down by Gabrielle Smith’s mother, who was focused having her breath evenly, but Gabrielle be- but even a month after the hit, she wasn’t on the top of her game. on her daughter. Blazer shooting guard gan to cry.

Smith walked her daughter over to the The concussion affected some Gabrielle didn’t get up and follow the play like everyone else. She lay on the gym floor bench once she could sit up, but there, Ga- of her spatial relations, and brielle kept on trying to fall asleep. “That’s her passes tended to be curled up in a ball.

As her mother watched, Gabrielle began when I realized that she couldn’t hold her off center or completely to yell out in pain. Frantic, Smith ran off head on her own, she couldn’t support her miss the mark.

In addition to the physithe bleachers, because Gabrielle had never body. She kept on saying she was sleepy,” cal limitations, the conbeen a crier — she always got up after a hit Smith said.

Smith decided to get her car and bring Ga- cussion also had an and shook it off. But Gabrielle didn’t get up brielle to the doctor’s office, leaving Gabrielle emotional and social toll after this hit.

When Smith got there, Gabrielle’s pupils on the bleachers with the JV coach and a huge on these two Blazers. For were dilated, and at first she couldn’t say bag of ice. On her way out the door, however, Gabrielle, it was difficult to anything. Then she told her mother what she heard the coach ask Gabrielle a simple not even be able to go out year,” was wrong, “It feels like ants are escaping out question: “Who’s that?” she asked. The coach and support her teammates for the s h e first few months. of my head,” says.

“I couldn’t go to she said.

This the games because Accordcomit would be too stiming to Doci n g ulating,” Gabrielle tor Meagan y e a r said. “I used to cry beSady of Chilwill be imcause I wanted to go.” dren’s Naportant for tional MediLopez as she cal Center, Pushing through toprepares for her Gabrielle’s gether COURTESY OF THE NATIONAL LIBRARY basketball career. reaction is OF MEDICINE Lopez joined a sumnot unusual.

Gabrielle had a strong mer league exposition A concussion support base from friends can change and teammates, which team, and was recruited by multiple colthe way a helped her push through leges over the summer. She officially signed person feels her hardships. When Lopez with Sacred Heart University, a Division I or thinks begot her concussion, a little team, last month and will be attending next cause it can more than a month later, fall on a full ride.

According to Smith, Gabrielle questions alter brain that same support base that wave sigmobilized around Gabrielle whether or not she could have gotten a college nals. “When was there for her too. Lopez scholarship were it not for the hit. “There’s a concusexplained, “For [Gabrielle] this looming question,” said Smith. “And she sion occurs, it was even harder. The fact will never know.” it disrupts that I had it after hers made Into the future the way the them more prepared.” b r a i n n o rGabrielle tried to look While Gabrielle regrets not being able mally funcafter Lopez when she got tions. When her concussion, and helped to play the sport she loves, she still sees the TOLU OMOKEHINDE brain sigexplain to Lopez a lot of positives that have come out of her concusnals are not Senior Johanna Lopez got a concussion last Februrary, but returned to play. the things she was going sion. One of the biggest things that Gabrielle transmitted Lopez is a big part of the offense; she scored 16 points against Northwood. through. “I could help her has been able to accomplish is that she has properly, ina lot,” Gabrielle said. “We become closely tied to raising concussion awareness across the state. dividuals can have sensations that seem odd pointed to Lopez, Gabrielle’s teammate and are honestly sisters.”

Last spring, Gabrielle was approached by or unusual,” she says. friend since childhood. Gabrielle did not Gabrielle and Lopez have been friends According to Children’s National Medi- recognize her best friend, and that is when since they were three. They started playing her doctor, Meagan Sady, to be part of a group cal Center, more than three million children Smith got worried. “At that point I decided basketball together in second grade, and have to testify in front of the Maryland legislature on a concussion-preparedness bill. The bill a year get concussions, but only between to call the ambulance,” Smith said. always been on a team together. ten and twenty percent are severe. Yet the Gabrielle went to the hospital that night, Gabrielle had a hard choice to make at evolved what was originally a Maryland repercussions for severe concussions can where doctors tried to determine how serious the beginning of this year’s Blair basketball Board of Education decree into a state law — be extreme. Although getting a concussion her concussion was. The doctors did cogni- season. According to her doctors, she could that all high school coaches must be trained during her junior year made Gabrielle’s life tive testing on Gabrielle but were reluctant have conceivably gone back to play for her to identify and respond to concussions. Sady hopes that this bill will more difficult, she was also able to grow and to inform her parents of the results. “They senior year, but not without help to make athletes, learn from the challenges it posed. didn’t want to tell us because it was so alarm- taking a considerable risk. parents and coaches more ing,” Smith said.

If Gabrielle got another hit knowledgeable about to her head during a game, In the moment concussions, a point the repercussions would The road to recovery which she believes is be far more severe than her Barely a month after Gabrielle’s injury, vitally important. “When the girls’ basketball team suffered another Gabrielle was out of school for five first concussion — which more people understand loss. Senior Johanna Lopez was going for a months, and had to drop three of her classes knocked her out of a year concussions, we can do a layup during a game against Magruder and in order to keep up. Even with her class load of play as it was. Accordbetter job of keeping our as she was in the air, another player clipped reduced to four, Gabrielle still had trouble ing to Smith, the doctor athletes safe,” she says. the back of her legs and she fell. Lopez fell because she could only work for a few hours a warned Gabrielle, “If you Gabrielle still attends straight backwards, without time to brace day. Too much concentration on one activity, want to play so bad, play. all the Blair basketball the fall, and the back and her brain would But you are literally playing games. She sits on the of her head slammed start shutting down. with the next two years of bench, wearing her old into the hard wooden The lines on the your life.” jersey, and cheers her Lopez on the other hand, floor. She got up and page would become teammates on. She has shook it off, but when blurred, and there recovered from her concusalso been returning to she went to shoot her would be nothing to sion quickly enough to coach small amounts, free-throws, there do to regain focus but complete the season with and has also been internwasn’t one basket. go to sleep. Gabrielle Blair. Even though she’s ing at a physical therapy There were three. was homeschooled back in the game this year, MOLLY ELLISON center. Even though she Lopez missed her for four months, and Lopez recognizes that ancan’t play basketball right first shot, but aimed then transitioned to other concussion could be a Senior Gabrielle Smith in now, she is still involved at the real basket the half days of school — real setback. “Once you’ve a game last December, two in the sport and the team second time around the full day was too had a concussion you’re weeks before a concusion senior culture at Blair. and made her shot. overwhelming for more vulnerable,” she says. sidelined her for the year.

Johanna Lopez She has had to adapt However, the risk of getting Lopez sat out the her injured brain. rest of the game and It’s been almost a concussion comes with the sport — they to the realities of having a concussion, and in went to the Emergena year since her con- really aren’t preventable in basketball where the process of adapting she has learned a lot cy Room that night. “I was dizzy and had cussion, but Gabrielle still gets debilitating it would be impossible for athletes to wear and tried new things. “I don’t regret [getting a concussion],” she says. “I do because I can’t a bad headache,” Lopez explained. “I was migraines. If she concentrates on one thing protective gear.

Girls’ basketball coach Erin Conley thinks play, but it has taught me a lot. Nothing huge just out of it. You could tell by looking in for too long, like reading for instance, she my eyes.” will slip into what is called a post-concussion that those who participate in sports are aware had ever happened to me before.”

Gabrielle believes that the concussion has Unlike Lopez, Gabrielle doesn’t remember migraine. She took the SAT for the first time of the associated risks, “In athletics there is much from that day because her memory was in June, and half way through the test, the always the possibility of being injured,” she made her strong. She had to deal with major setbacks her junior year, but maintained her affected by the hit. Smith presents a more words went fuzzy. The next week, she had says.

For Lopez, she just tries to play the game, love for the sport. But more than anything, holistic view of the situation. As Gabrielle a relapse. was diving for the ball, another girl’s forehead Gabrielle has had some severe long-term because while aggressiveness might make the experience of having a concussion has hit the back of her head. Gabrielle screamed consequences as a result of her concussion, players more at risk for injury, it is also what taught Gabrielle to appreciate everything and and blacked out, at which point Smith came which was much more severe than the one defines a strong team. “It’s a worry but I should anything in life, “You can benefit from even be okay. I’m trying to be injure free for next the worst situations,” she says. down on to the court. Gabrielle had little Lopez sustained.

I was just out of it.

You could tell by looking in my eyes.

silverCHIPS

SPORTS

December 15, 2011

WINTER SPORTS UPDATE

31

BY PUCK BREGSTONE AND ADAM KADIR

Boys’ Basketball

Girls’ Basketball

With a new coach and a new attitude, boys’ basketball (2-1) is starting fresh after losing multiple graduating players. Coach Damon Pigrom, who recently coached at B-CC, says he is going into the first few games without much information on his opponents. According to Pigrom, other schools do not put out their best teams during pre-season. “Scrimmages weren’t advertisements,” Pigrom said.

He believes in keeping an eye on other teams, but not planning his plays around their scrimmages. “I try to do research, but it’s somewhat unethical to scout scrimmages,” Pigrom said.

This blind strategy paid off in the first game of the season against GaithTOLU OMOKEHINDE ersburg, Senior Theo Remy dribbles down the court.

Record: which 2-1 B l a i r The team is working on focus this year. won 71Players to watch: 65. Pigrom accredits his victory to his team’s cooperation. “CohesiveTucker Canary Rick Narcisse ness is our strongest part. The players work well together,” he said.

He wants his players to keep bonding to succeed. “It’s all about the Upcoming home games: team. [Against Gaithersburg] we played as a team. That’s what will Dec. 21 — vs. Paint be necessary,” Pigrom said.

Branch Pigrom noted, however, that the whole team was not playing as Jan. 6 — vs. Sherwood hard as they should have. “Certain people need to step up on certain nights,” Pigrom said.

After placing third in their division last year, Coach Erin Conley hopes to improve her team’s record (1-1) by focusing on teamwork. The seniors on the team have all been together for four years and, according to Conley, know how to work well together.

She sees camaraderie as her team’s strongest point.

However, Conley said her team needs to work on technical playing. “We need to work on perimeter shooting and half-court offense,” Conley said. She plans to improve the team’s ball play through repetition and practice.

Conley said her team succeeded during pre-season. “Pre-season was really good. We advanced to the second round of the playoffs,” s h e TOLU OMOKEHINDE Senior Morgan Chase is part of a solid group said.

Record: Dethat has been on varsity since freshman year. s p i t e 1-1 t h e Player to watch: team’s victorious pre-season, Blair lost to Gaithersburg in the Myla Sapp Morgan Chase opener 65-53, but Conley said the game was still an improvement against last year’s champions. In the team’s second game of the Upcoming home games: season, the Lady Blazers got back into their groove and crushed Dec. 19 — vs. Quince Northwood 69-40. But with a long season comes much room for Orchard error, and her team is looking for solutions. Conley said her team Jan. 6 — vs. Sherwood faces problems with the rules. “Foul trouble is always something I worry about. Last year it was a concern.”

Wrestling

Ice Hockey

Last year, the wrestling team finished with a dead even 7-7 record. This year there is a clear and defined goal — to achieve a winning record. On Wednesday the Blair wrestling team (0-1) went up against Blake, but lost the match 45-36 despite an early lead. They have lost to Blake four years in a row now, but this is the beginning of the season and there is a lot of time to improve.

Sophomore Minu-Tshyeto Bidzimou (106) was seen as the most promising underclassmen on the team, especially after he pinned his opponent in the first minute. The captains see him as a major threat this year, especially because of his lightweight class.

The team this year has a steady mix of veteran players and promising new recruits. “We have Record: a great group of guys 0-1 this year,” says coach Jacob Scott.

Captains: This Saturday, Blair Billy Saturno came in 9th as a team Chris Wells at a tournament at LEAH HAMMOND Players to watch: Senior Max Borenstein lost his Magruder High School.

Minu-Tshyeto Bidzimou Senior co-captain Billy match in the third period.

Billy Saturno Saturno, who has wrestled at States for the pas two years, came in first for his weight Upcoming home games: class. Senior co-captain Chris Wells also placed well. The tournaDec. 20— vs. Springbrook Jan. 4 — vs. Sherwood ment at Magruder is typically host to some fairly skilled teams, according to Saterno, and this year was no exception.

Coming off a strong pre-season, the Ice Hockey team (5-2) is looking to improve on its victorious record from last year and emphasize covering the whole ice. The team won all three pre-season games at a tournament in Frederick last month, according to coach Kevin McCabe.

McCabe predicts that this season will be even more successful than last year because of the friendship among teammates and well-balanced players. He also said that his players are resilient and have had comebacks from far behind. “We’ve got a lot of kids on the team that generally like each other,” McCabe said. He also added that the players are committed to the sport and don’t give up easily. McCabe praised goalie Michel Devynck with the team’s success so far this season. He called Devynck, Record: “The best goalie within 5-2 our conference.” Though the defense surrounding Captains: Devynck often falters, Rudy Carson according to McCabe, Alex Stewart COURTESY OF SUSIE SHAFFER Devynck does his best to Players to watch: stop the puck. McCabe The ice hockey team needs to Sebastian Rubinstein said that defensive cover- work on defense this season.

Ryan Henson (Einstein) age is a problem because his forwards don’t accept their defensive responsibilities. Injuries Upcoming home games: Dec. 21— vs. Paint Branch are always a worry in hockey. In particular, he said the team runs Jan. 6 — vs. Sherwood the risk of ankle and collarbone injuries. However these injuries come with the game. “It’s a contact sport,” McCabe said.

Girls’ Swimming

Boys’ Swimming

Last year, the girls’ swim team was pulled into Division I by the boys’ team. The girls’ and boys’ swim team must compete in the same division even if one is more advanced then the other. This year their goal is to show other Division I teams that they are not out of place and that they deserve to be there. The team (0-1) is off to a rough start however with a 62-109 loss to Wootton this Saturday. The team is not discouraged, however, because several of their best swimmers were attending an invitational meet occurring at the same time.

In addition, those swimmers who were at the meet gave a solid run. Junior Emily Lathrop stood out by breaking Blair records in both the 100 Back and the 100 Fly. This is the Blazers’ first year in Division I and every meet promises to be difRecord: ficult.

0-1 Co-coach D a v i d Captains: Swaney Elsa Dupre Molly Nicholson puts his g o a l s Swimmers to watch: modestly, Emily Lathrop “to have a Jennifer Arai respectful LORENA KOWALEWSKI Upcoming home meets: showing COURTESY OF FERDIE WANG Dec.17 — vs.Walter in DiviJohnson sion I,” he One of the girls’ relays huddles before Jan. 7 — vs. Paint Branch their race on Saturday against Wootton. said.

This year the boys’ team was boosted into Division I after a terrific past season. Their goal for this winter is to send as many swimmers to the state meet as possible. Captain Niklas Hammond is excited for the team, “We have a lot of young talent coming in,” he said. The boys’ swim team have a lot of all around good swimmers this year according to Hammond. The boys’ team unfortunately lost to Wootton last Saturday 137-201, but like the girls’ swim team they were missing many of their star athletes.

Senior James Sheperdson had an exceptional meet, breaking three of his personal records. Co-coach David Swaney says that sophomore Alex Bourzutschky is one of the up and coming swimmers to watch.

The team has five Record: Division I 0-1 meets that all promCaptains: Niklas Hammond ise to be Jared Wang difficult, Jack Foster including a rematch Swimmers to watch: against Brian Tsau Blake to Upcoming home meets: make up for COURTESY OF MICHAEL AITKEN Dec.17 — vs.Walter last year’s Johnson Senior Stephan Kostreski swims fly. The disappointJan. 7— vs. Paint Branch boys were missing swimmers on Saturday. ing meet.

sportsCHIPS

December 15, 2011 silverchips.mbhs.edu/section/sports.php

Boys’ basketball silenced in home opener Walter Johnson surges ahead in the second half to defeat Blair in 26-point blowout

By Langston Taylor

Remy and holding its opponents to a two-point lead at the end of the first quarter.

Walter Johnson quickly responded with an 11-1 scoring run to begin the second, a quarter in which Blair gave away a few sloppy turnovers, and at halftime WJ maintained a slight lead of 3428. Once the third quarter started, however, Blair’s game began to fall apart.

impatient. ”I guess we got a little discouraged by their easy points,” NELSON H. KOBREN GYMNAKung said. “We started forcing SIUM, Dec. 12— shots and not taking our time on offense.”

The small group of students, The team’s poor third quarter staff and family that braved the play resulted in Blair being outbitter cold on Monday night to scored 29-6 during the period, putwatch the varsity boys’ basketball ting the game well out of reach. At home opener was greeted with a the beginning of the fourth, Blair jolt. As the clock struck seven, they trailed 63-34. Walter Johnson took noticed a small team in red, trailing their foot off the gas in the last peby one point riod but still with seven sectraded basonds remainkets with the ing, move the Blazers. ball the length Though of the court and the third finish with a quarter was beautiful layup Blair’s worst, to win the Kung begame as time lieved that expired.

The the team’s crowd went performance, wild. particularly But the exdefensively, citement in the was weak gym followt h ro u g h o u t ing the junior the entire varsity team’s game.

“We last-second win didn’t think was a distant we started memory by off that well, the end of the either,” said TOLU OMOKEHINDE varsity game, the junior. as the Blazers Sophomore Damar Bess on defense. Blair lost steam in the second half. “Throughout (2-1) fell to the the game we Walter Johnson continually didn’t get back on D quick enough.

Walter Johnson Wildcats (1-2) by a forced turnovers and converted [Walter Johnson] got too many score of 75-49.

The home team came out them into breakaway layups, and easy buckets.” swinging, starting off the game in one instance, a powerful dunk.

According to Kung, the team with a pair of quick threes from According to junior guard Justin wasn’t ready to play psychologiseniors Tucker Canary and Theo Kung, the team became upset and cally, either, and the players came

in overconfident after winning the season’s first two contests. “We felt a little too comfortable,” Kung said.

“Even the way we warmed up was different than how we warmed up for our first two games. We didn’t compete the way we did the first two games.”

And, when Walter Johnson went on a run, the Blazers let their frustration get the better of them.

“We definitely should have picked each other up better,” he said.

“I guess we isolated ourselves and played as individuals.”

The team is now preparing heavily for their next opponent, Bethesda-Chevy Chase, the school at which head coach TOLU OMOKEHINDE Pigrom previously Senior Tucker Canary started off strong with coached. “[Tuesday’s] a three-pointer, but the Blazers fell behind. practice is going to be crucial,” said Kung. the playoffs.

“Hopefully we’ll take this experi“It’s definitely not another fiveence and make the best out of it. win season,” said Kung, laughing.

[Wednesday’s game] will definite- “It’s a new era. We should be an ly be a war.” interesting bunch to follow.”

As for the rest of the season, Kung is optimistic that it will be The boys’ varsity basketball team will better than last year’s, in which the play its next home game on Wednesboys finished the regular season day, Dec. 14 against Bethesda-Chevy 5-18 and lost in the first round of Chase at 7 p.m.

Lady Blazers demolish Gladiators in Battle of the Boulevard Girls’ varsity basketball beats Northwood 69-40

By Janvi Raichura NELSON H. KOBREN GYMNASIUM, Dec. 9 — The girls’ varsity basketball team (1-1) defeated the Northwood Gladiators (0-2) on Friday night by a score of 69-40. Although the Lady Blazers fell apart in terms of focus and teamwork in the second half, they still were able to maintain a steady lead throughout the game and came up with their first win of the season.

TOLU OMOKEHINDE

Senior Myla Sapp dribbles past a Gladiator defender in Friday’s victory.

Blair struck first with senior co-captain Johanna Lopez hitting a free throw about a minute into the game. Early on, it seemed that it would be a close game, with Northwood immediately responding to Blair’s free throw with an easy layup. But as the first quarter progressed, Blair showed aggression and energy, leading Blair to an early 11-2 lead. Northwood only scored twice in the first period, and the quarter ended with the Lady Blazers ahead, 19-4.

The second quarter proved to be a bit easier for Northwood. Although Blair only allowed Northwood to score seven more points and finished the half ahead by 15 with a score of 36-11, the lead could have been much stronger had the Lady Blazers not missed numerous layups. Senior co-captain Olivia Nono was frustrated with the team’s inability to make these shots. “We all know how to make these shots, we just needed to take our time and use the backboard,” she said.

In the second half, Blair’s defense fell apart and the Gladiators were able to score almost three times as many points as they did in the first half. Head coach Erin Conley believes that the Lady Blazers struggled in terms of focus and teamwork. Coming into the second half, Blair’s energy dropped significantly, and as a result, the team’s footwork and passing suffered. “In the second half, the girls broke down and they were mentally unfocused,” she said. This breakdown allowed Northwood to score 29 points over the final sixteen minutes.

Senior Rose Kalala was a huge asset in Friday night’s win, keeping the team pumped even when the Lady Blazers became a bit lethargic. She was proud of the team, because a lot of players who usually don’t get playing time were given the chance to show their skills. “A lot of people got to play so the points were really evenly spread out,”

insideSPORTS Concussions See page 30 Two girls’ basketball players get their lives and their basketball games back on track after seriious head injuries.

TOLU OMOKEHINDE

Sophomore Erica Adarkwa on a fast break. The varsity girls’ basketball team is 1-1 after trouncing Northwood.

Kalala said.

Although she acknowledged that they could have played better, Kalala was still happy with their win. “A win is a win, so I’m glad we won. We could have done better so I’m considering this a building block for Monday’s game,” Kalala said.

The rest of the season looks promising for the Lady Blazers. If they continue with this forward momentum, Nono believes that they have a good chance to have an amazing season. “The season looks really positive.

If we played like we did [this game], we’re definitely going to have a great season,” she said.

The girls’ varsity basketball team will play its next home game on Monday, Dec. 19 against Quince Orchard at 7:00 p.m.

Winter Sports Update See page 31 Silver Chips kicks of the season with an update on six of the winter sports.

Look out for the swim team as they face new competition in Division I.