June 2011 - Silver Chips Print

Starr chosen as next Long-serving Blair teachers to retire MCPS Superintendent Teachers reflect on changes during their careers

By Maureen Lei Joshua Starr was officially appointed the next MCPS Superintendent by the MCPS Board of Education (BOE) on May 10. Starr visited Montgomery County to sign the Superintendent’s Contract on May 11. According to BOE President Christopher Barclay, Starr will begin his tenure as suJoshua perintendent on July 1. Starr will be replacing Jerry D. Weast, the current MCPS Superintendent.

Starr will visit Montgomery

County again between June 14 and June 16, when he will meet with several community members and organizations. The exact times and groups have not yet been determined.

According to Starr, he does not plan on making drastic changes in MCPS, and will spend his first few months learning about the area and community.

“I intend to meet with administrators, principals, COURTESY OF MCPS teachers, parents, Starr students, and as many people as I can to familiarize myself with the culture and

see SUPERINTENDENT page 7

By Maggie Shi

Six teachers, each of whom has worked over 20 years in the school system, across several departments will be retiring from Blair after the 2010-2011 school year.

Retirees include magnet teacher John Templin, physical education teacher and athletics director Dale Miller, social studies teacher and testing designee Debbie Fickenscher, foreign language teacher and resource teacher Arlette Loomis, fine arts teacher Janet Berry and social studies teacher George Vlasits.

Retirement for these teachers will be based on a system for Montgomery County Public School employees who joined before July 1, 1976. This system requires the retiree to have 30 years of credited service, which is calculated based on scheduled work hours, or to be at least 60 with five years of credited service.

The calculation for retirement benefit amount is based on the average final salary and the amount of credited service. According to Vlasits, “I’ve gotten to the age where I can afford to retire.”

For the teachers, financial security factored into a general sense that the timing for the retirement seemed right. Fickenscher said, “it’s time for a change,” and Miller said “I think it’s about time.”

Vlasits also cited seeing a change

in his teaching ability, saying “I find it harder, even physically, to do what I used to. [Teaching] wears me out, and I am exhausted more. I want to quit while I’m still ahead.”

Vlasits started teaching in 1965 and came to Blair in 1991. Over the years, he said that he was saddened to see changes in the education system overall. “We’ve seen

see RETIREMENTS page 7

Making a scene

Kids Ride Free program reinstated

By Maureen Lei and Srividya Murthy Beginning in July, MCPS students will have free access to Ride On and Metrobus services on weekdays between 2 and 7 p.m.

The Montgomery County Council passed the Kids Ride Free program on May 26 for Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 after suspending it for FY 2011.

According to Montgomery County Council Spokesperson Neil Greenberger, the Kids Ride

Free program will cost the county about $376,000 of the county’s $4.4 billion FY 2012 budget.

Councilmember Nancy Navarro (D-4) pushed to reinstate the program after hearing numerous criticisms from citizens of her district. According to Greenberger, Navarro’s district is home to many citizens who regularly use public transportation. “[Navarro] represents the eastern part of the county, where we do have pretty good

transportation, and where people are dependent on it,” he said.

According to Councilmember George Levanthal (D-At Large), the future of the program is promising, but its continuation will depend on the financial situations each year. “We really want to support the program and keep it alive,” he said. Greenberger warns that future economic hardship may put

see RIDE page 8

Johnson named new Blair principal Williams promoted to community superintendent

By Stella Bartholet and Maureen Lei The MCPS Board of Education (BOE) confirmed Renay Johnson, the current principal of Takoma Park Middle School (TPMS), as

the new Blair Principal on May 23.

Outgoing MCPS Superintendent Jerry D. Weast appointed Johnson to succeed Darryl Williams, Blair’s current principal, who was promoted to the position of Community Superintendent for the Clarksburg, Damascus, Gaithersburg, Magruder and Watkins Mill cluster of schools by the BOE on April 28.

Johnson will begin her tenure as the principal of Blair on July 1. Until then, she will collaborate regularly with Williams, who will help her transition into her new setting at Blair.

Administration adjustment COURTESY OF TPMS

Renay Johnson

COURTESY OF TAKOMAPARK.PATCH.COM

Darryl Williams

Johnson says that she looks forward to working closely with

ENOCH HSIAO

Seniors Anthony Carrell and Elizabeth Spilsbury perform in Blair’s One Acts, a chance for Blazers to show their acting skills without the length of a full play.

Blair staff and believes that their opinions are important in the decisions she will be making as the new principal. Before making any vast changes at Blair, Johnson plans to first settle down and speak with other teachers and administrators about their concerns.

“For the first year, I want to learn the lay of the land and understand the culture of the school,” she says. Fortunately, Johnson has had experience at the high school level.

Before working at TPMS, Johnson was an assistant principal at Paint Branch from 2002 to 2006, which she feels will help her make the switch to Blair. Johnson credits her time at Paint Branch with helping her develop a passion for high school-level leadership, and sees Blair as an opportunity to fulfill that passion. “I’ve always had a love of high school instruction, the students, the programs, the culture, and I knew I’d want to go back to high school eventually, even when I took the

job at TPMS,” Johnson says.

TPMS Computer Science teacher James Street, who will also be moving to Blair in the fall, is confident that Johnson will serve Blair well. “She’s a great leader. She understands what our job is, and I think she’ll be a great principal,” Street says.

Looking back but moving forward While welcoming Johnson, the Blair community will also have to say its goodbyes to Williams. His contributions include meeting Adequate Yearly Progress for the past three years and seeing increased numbers of students graduate. “You see students who actually overcome challenges and graduate,” he says. “Those are probably my proudest moments.” These moments, along with the

see JOHNSON page 9

insideCHIPS The SGA Solution: Maggie Shi encourages students to interact more with the SGA. see page 4

OP/ED 2

SOAPBOX 5

NEWS 7

No more NSL: Maryland schools to stop administering the NSL High School Assessment. see page 7

FEATURES 13

Bridging the gap: Blair graduates spend a year educating themselves before going off to college. see page 13

Pride and puzzles: As some Blazers fill in scantrons, others fill in puzzle packets. see page 19

ENTERTAINMENT 21 LA ESQUINA LATINA 23 CHIPS CLIPS 25 SPORTS 26

2 EDITORIALS

silverCHIPS

June 3, 2011

Frequent turnover hinders learning Principal Williams’s “exciting and sad news” that he will leave Blair to take the position of community superintendent has largely left teachers and students disappointed and skeptical.

Williams’s four-year tenure at Blair has been considerably shorter than former Principal Phillip Gainous’s 23-year stay, and MCPS’s decision to offer him a promotion after he saw just one class cycle through Blair seems calculated — as if Blair was just another rung in the ladder; or in this case, the key to a job in central office.

In the interest of eliminating this “stepping stone” strategy to which schools like Blair gain and lose administrators at breakneck speed, MCPS needs to take a critical look at the Leadership Development Program (LDP) that prepares teachers for administrative jobs.

When administrators use positions at Blair, a strong résumébuilder with its high-scoring students and renowned programs, as a springboard to jobs higher up in the MCPS bureaucracy, they are helping themselves at the expense of the rest of the school. After all, it’s hard for an administrator to forge meaningful relationships with staff and students when one is barely there long enough to even get to know them.

That’s not to say that Blair has been devoid of positive changes under Mr. Williams’s leadership. In fact, in 2008, after Mr. Williams’ first year, Blair made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) for the first time since 2005, and has made AYP every year since then. In addition, the 2010 graduation rate increased after five years of decline.

These accomplishments are commendable, but speak only to statistics. Quantifiable indicators of school progress are important, but so are the relationships with administrators, staff and students. In order to have the most productive leadership overall, administrators, especially principals, must stay long enough to know how best to run a particular school.

A 2005 study by the University of Maine found that principals are integral to the overall health and success of a school and can personally influence student learning. The practice of constant administrative promotion takes these influential individuals from the schools they know best. The study also noted that principal turnover is an increasing trend, with the average stay of a principal decreasing from 8.1 years to 6.9 between 1997 and 2005.

The current LDP only reaffirms these findings. Under the framework outlined by the program, an aspiring administrator could make the leap from teacher to principal in just five years. This rushed timeline promotes constant reshuffling of administrators.

An administrator could spend just two years as an assistant principal of one school before being promoted to principal of another. As lucrative as some of these positions — and the salaries that accompany them — may be, they can lead to an ever-changing school administration that is too fleeting to ever become particularly attuned to the unique environment and needs of an individual school. In an effort to promote stability in school leadership, the LDP should focus on keeping administrators for the long term, instead of endlessly promoting them.

So with Renay Johnson’s appointment, we hope that MCPS deviates from this unfortunate practice of placing principals with the intent to push them up the ladder in just a few years. Expecting a reprisal of Mr. Gainous’s legendary decades-long leadership is probably unrealistic, but having a principal who views Blair as not just a springboard, but as a long-term commitment, is not. Doing so would ensure a sense of consistency that could help Blair improve even more in the years to come.

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 Editors.........................................................................................Evan Horne, 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.........................................................................................................................................Helen Bowers Executive Business Director.................................................................................................Ann Marie Huisentruit Executive Communications Director...........................................................................................................Jane Lee Executive Advertising Director.......................................................................................................Sarah Marsteler Business Staff.......................................Chunwoo Baik, Ann Marie Huisentruit, Jane Lee, Sarah Marsteller Page Editors.............................................................Stella Bartholet, NoahGrace Bauman, Claire Boston, ...................................................................................................Helen Bowers, Simrin Gupta, Claire Koenig, .........................................................................................Maureen Lei, Sebastian Medina-Tayac, Srividya Murthy, ............................................................................................................Maggie Shi, Claire Sleigh, Eliza Wapner Copy Editor................................................................................................................................................Paul B. Ellis Spanish Page Advisers..........................................................Mariángeles Cuadrado-Corrales, Dora González Spanish Page Writers...................................................................Michelle Chavez, Janet Encinas, Yessica Somoza .............................................................................................Claudia Torrico, Heydi Urbina, Kelly Ventura Editorial Board.........................Claire Boston, Claire Koenig, Sebastian Medina-Tayac, Maggie Shi, Claire Sleigh Editorial Cartoonist......................................................................................................................Doyung Lee Photographers................. Leah Hammond, Evan Horne, Enoch Hsiao, Leah Muskin-Pierret, Tolu Omokehinde Artists.........................................................Julia Bates, Xixi Chen, Nathan Gamson, Doyung Lee, Matthew Morris Sports Writers.....................................................................................Allison Daitch, Claire Sleigh, Eliza Wapner Professional Technical Advisers....................................................................Peter Hammond, Brian McLaughlin Adviser.............................................................................................................................................Joseph Fanning

June issue: changing of the guard New staff needs to uphold standards and polish product

By Claire Sleigh The observant reader might notice recent updates in our staff box. Silver Chips’s June issue is always entirely edited, written and managed by juniors. In the fall, we will formally begin our managing editor positions and work with a new group of junior staffers. Here is where we hope to take the paper next year.

Last year’s paper saw huge improvements both in the quality of the writing and in more minute details. This was partly because two years ago was a bit of an off year — Silver Chips did not receive the Columbia Scholastic Press Association’s highest honor, the Gold Crown award, or the National Scholastic Press Association Pacemaker award. Silver Chips has almost always been the perennial winner of both. Starting from this difference in quality and staff, the outgoing senior class made huge improvements at a rate that next year’s paper can only try to emulate. It will be a challenge for the rising editorial staff to continue the same level and quantity of improvements.

The improvements we made this year were both small and large; the senior editors improved the aesthetic of the paper by stressing photo quality and creativity of layout, made stories more readable by holding seminars on journalistic grammar rules and cutlines, brought staffers together (an issue in the ’09-10 staff) and made stories more accessible to students.

That being said, there are still lots of things that Silver Chips can polish.

Through this year, the paper has had issues with typos, which damages our professionalism. We can also work on making our news

Corrections In “Spring Sports Update” (p.29, April 14) junior Samantha Schweickhardt’s and senior Michael Zhang’s names were spelled incorrectly.

and op-ed sections relevant and interesting to all Blazers and increasing the quality of the Spanish page. We have already taken both

Ombudsman Claire Sleigh short-term and long-term measures to improve these critical aspects of Silver Chips.

Some of these changes will happen quickly: our promising copy editor Paul B. Ellis will read and edit all text during production for the all-too common small grammar and spelling mistakes that take so

much away from the quality of our stories.

On the other hand, making every issue and story relevant to a large percentage of the school is a feat that generations of staffs struggled with. The main problem is that the staff of the paper does not have the same mix of races, income level and educational experiences as the broader Blair community.

The up-and-coming junior staff , while they will be a huge asset to the paper, is no more diverse than any of our previous staffers. That being said, there are other actions we can take to make the stories diverse even if we aren’t. We hope to reinstate an old policy of “storming the SAC” for story ideas, and will be more mindful of having a broad base of stories in the future.

Our editors have a couple of key ideas for how to improve the paper next year, but many of these are not based on what you, the Blair community, want to see in your paper.

With a new year starting, we are in the optimal position to make the big-picture changes that will increase the professionalism and readership of the paper and make us deserving of the highest national and state honors.

Want to help the paper improve next year? E-mail the ombudsman queries, comments or suggestions at clairesleigh94@gmail.com.

Letter to the editor This opinion is not an attack on anyone in particular, but rather an observation of how one rule change has affected the dynamics of the whole school. I feel it’s time for an honest discussion about how the abolishment of the Loss of Credit policy has completely changed Blair in the past year.

We the teachers were told that “it would take a while to get the kinks out,” and to “be patient with the inevitable problems” and that everything would settle down as the school year progressed.

I have been teaching for over 20 years and I’ve never seen such chaos in the halls between classes, nor have I spent so

much time starting and re-starting lessons, answering questions because of the students coming in late for class. We have had a huge increase in truancy and unexcused tardies. About 40% of my students would have lost credit under the old rules.

Now a committee is being formed to address the attendance issues of this year.

What? The kinks aren’t out yet? I thought the old LC policy wasn’t strong enough. Isn’t it time we stop enabling and lowering standards? Soon we’ll be producing a whole generation of high school graduates who can’t make it to work on time.

John MacDonald, Health teacher

silverCHIPS

PRO/CON 3

June 3, 2011

Has Jerry Weast been successful during his 12 years as MCPS superintendent?

Simrin Gupta

YES:

NO:

Weast used funds to significantly reduce the achievement gap

Weast’s work with the achievement gap is a misrepresentation of data

Ever since before most of us can remember, Jerry Weast has held the position of MCPS Superintendent. He started making changes when the majority of us were not yet in kindergarten and now he’s handing the reins over to Dr. Joshua P. Starr, who will be leaving his position as chief of schools in Stamford, Connecticut. Since 1999, Weast has been making a conscious effort to raise academic standards and narrow the achievement gap for the 140,000 students in Montgomery County.

Before the term ‘achievement gap’ made it’s way into our educators’ vocabularies, Weast had specifically focused on the differences in expectations for minority and majority students. He worked with Advanced Placement (AP) testing —encouraging more African American and Hispanic students to participate in AP exams. Over the past decade, Montgomery County has seen a record minority participation in AP exams, and students are performing well on them too. MCPS released statistics indicating that over the past decade, the number of African American students who received a passing score on at least one AP test rose from 199 to 1,152. And for Hispanic students, the numbers increased from 218 to 1,336.

Early in his career as Superintendent, Weast divided Montgomery County into red and green zones — the red zones specifically designating low-income and high-minority-population schools which he could focus on granting them more resources. Weast was less concerned with the western, (‘green’), zones of the county, which were (and still are) home to the more prestigious, high-performing schools.

The school district granted Weast an additional $60 million annual budget increase to spend toward rehabilitating red-zone elementary schools. Red-zone school spending was increased to $15,000 per student, compared to $13,000 in green zones. With this extra funding, Weast was also able to reduce class sizes in red-zone schools to 15-17 students, as compared to the 23-25 students in green zone classrooms. By reducing the student-teacher ratio and increasing funding for at-risk schools, Weast effectively improved education standards in many of the county’s floundering elementary schools.

When gauging Weast’s level of success, one should look at one of his biggest accomplishments — the creation of all-day kindergarten programs. According

to a report overseen by former Board of Education President Patricia O’Neill, more than 90 percent of kindergartners last year met or exceeded reading targets, which effectively narrowed the achievement gap by race, ethnicity and socioeconomic status. Weast has often been criticized for spending disproportionately on lowerperforming elementary schools, but it’s important to realize that in a segregated area like Montgomery County, it’s too easy for educators and policy makers to sweep minority needs under the rug. Weast was a strong proponent of getting students the help they needed as early in their academic careers as possible.

He was concerned with improving learning conditions from the very beginning of students’ schooling, a concept that eventually earned him the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award.

Finally, Weast pioneered a dramatically important peer review system that affected MCPS administrators, teachers and support staff. Weast sought CLAIRE SLEIGH to hold educators accountable based on the evaluations of their coworkers, a revolutionary concept when it was first introduced. That has since enabled educators to better evaluate their staff members.

One of Weast’s favorite phrases is, “We are a tall tree in a short forest.” The Kansas native did acknowledge that Montgomery County may not be as well off as it thinks itself to be and consequentially, there is plenty of work to do in the future. Regardless, Weast has worked tirelessly to put the school district on a productive path and he leaves it infinitely better off than where it started.

In Weast’s reign as MCPS superintendent his primary focus has been closing the achievement gap — the difference in academic performance between races and income-classes. As soon as he was appointed he geographically divided the county into red and green zones depending on socioeconomic factors within districts.

These districts served as an initial base for reform, and as Weast progressed he began to see more resources spent on the schools with statistically LARISA ANTONISSE lower income and higher minority ratings and less on those with generally well-off families.

Statistically speaking his work has been remarkably successful; steadily imposing careful regimens on schools with high minority and low-income population and raising the standard for black and Hispanic students. MCPS test scores have risen exponentially and every year officials see improvement in the way that the progress of minority students is catching up.

But the numbers don’t capture the whole story because the progress of historically low-achieving students in Montgomery County has not come without a price. As those struggling to keep their test scores up are held afloat, others sink.

Claire Koenig

Throughout his campaign, Weast has pushed for “the highest standards” for all of his students. He hoped to move beyond a segregated past and into a new start for MCPS, insisting that MCPS has found a way to not only pass all students, but to challenge them.

But in heightening standards for one set of students, Weast has also decreased standards for those already performing well, thereby holding their scores stagnant in order to close the gap, skewing the data and misrepresenting real progress.

Although the scores themselves are an issue, the methods by which MCPS attains the scores are similarly problematic.

Standardized tests are time-consuming and unreliable, and during his time as superintendent Weast introduced a whole arsenal of them into MCPS to acquire statistical data on which to base curriculum changes.

But according to The National Center for Fair and Open Testing (FairTest), “No test is good enough to serve as the sole or primary basis for important educational decisions.”

Weast continues to implement more tests and rely on them to track student progress and make huge demographic judgments that effect decisions regarding the entire county.

By using standardized tests to measure success instead of teacher evaluations or student progress reports, Weast has jeopardized the quality of the data acquired.

In looking ahead to the future, however, we have reason to be optimistic. Starr’s track record with schools and achievement gaps has been positive — many parents in Starr’s old district felt that he successfully bridged the achievement gap, and the demographic levels there are not dissimilar to those in MCPS. Starr also agrees that test scores are not the best way to measure success in our schools, that we cannot rely on them solely for information the way the current administration has been. “Test scores are not equivalent to a profit-and-loss statement,” he told the Huffington Post.

Starr has proved himself a reliable and successful superintendent in counties similar to MCPS, if not quite on the same larger-sized scale. His opinions regarding measuring success in terms of the achievement gap are more realistic in that they include less reliance on standardized testing and more evidence based on teachers in classrooms.

voiceBOX What qualities do you look for in a superintendent and what initiatives would you like to see them undertake?

“No HSAs because standardized testing does not efficiently measure intelligence.”

-freshman Aaron Posner

“I think they should be open minded with the students and be willing to accept new ideas.

-junior Chanel Alridge

“Provide better school lunches, better school security and more strict dress codes.”

-sophomore Anthony Vo

“I guess they should be a good leader and know how to control students.”

-junior Molly Raulin

“They should be present because we never see them.

They should wear sweater vests and polo shirts.”

-sophomore Nyah Layne

4 OP/ED

silverCHIPS

June 3, 2011

Representation hindered by miscommunication SGA should work at fostering stronger relationship with the student body

By Maggie Shi An opinion

Whenever someone at Blair says “student government,” it usually comes with an acknowledgment of the irony of calling it a “government.” The administration knows, the teachers know and the students know that in the end, the adults are the ones in control.

For many Blazers, Blair’s Student Government Association (SGA) has been reduced to a league of party planners. But although SGA may not have the capabilities of a true government, it’s the closest we’ve got to a student voice in school policy, and it needs to assume its responsibilities as such. In addition to planning school events, the SGA needs to remember make an effort to represent the students, and uphold a level of transparency so that the student body and the SGA can exchange information and feedback.

Despite the common opinion, the SGA actually does have a say in school policy. SGA President Adam Biru meets with Principal Williams every week, and the SGA is surprisingly close

with administrators and teachers. Biru says that any time a student approaches SGA with a problem, he brings it up with Williams in the next meeting. According to Biru, “Our power stems with our relationship with the administration.”

The trouble is, not many people bring issues to the SGA. Right now, the best way for students to contact the SGA is to go to their classroom and talk to an officer, which can be intimidating. The SGA needs to put in effort to show the student body that it is willing to take suggestions from the students and find solutions together.

One possible solution is to revamp the SGA’s online presence. Blair SGA’s website, blairsga. org, has not been updated since November. The website does have a section that allows students to contact the SGA, but few people know it is there because the website isn’t worth visiting. If the SGA were to put more effort into improving and promoting its website, it would foster a stronger relationship with the student body and students would be less hesitant to give input.

When students do

contact the SGA, they often come with expectations that are too high. According to junior vice president Caryne Moses, the SGA is often blamed for policy changes even if it was not involved, and students complain about issues the SGA can do nothing about, like the closed lunch policy.

While it’s important that students communicate with the SGA, they need to evaluate how reasonable a request or complaint is beforehand.

At the moment, the SGA has taken an initiative to anticipate common student complaints. Its advisor, Claudette Smith, assigned a project to encourage SGA members to study social issues at Blair.

Each SGA officer has chosen a topic that he or she considers a problem at Blair, and then conducts research on the topic by conducting surveys, polls of students and interviews with Blair staff. After researching, each member will present his or her work in front of the SGA, and then the group will decide which issues to tackle together.

With this project, the SGA has found

many simple solutions to student problems.

Secretary Sara Pollacco, for example, looked into why the benches on Blair Boulevard were taken away two years ago. After talking to administrators, Pollacco found that it was because administrators felt that students weren’t cleaning up after lunch. She conducted a few surveys asking students if they would promise to be clean in order to get the benches back and said that all of them agreed.

According to Smith, the project is important because it will provide information to back the SGA up when it brings issues to the administration. When the SGA has concrete research, the administration will be more willing to take action on an issue.

But taking action is just half of the equation. First, the SGA needs to know what issues should focus on. And while the research project is a commendable initiative, the SGA still has work to do — it needs to foster a stronger, more open bond with the student body.

DOYUNG LEE

Small unions can be orchestrated into greater symphonies By splitting the MCEA into smaller unions, teachers could help the school board face the music

By Claire Koenig An opinion Blending a group of voices is not easy. Each individual sound has qualities to be praised and faults to be eliminated; some areas where everyone is the same, some where everyone is different. But it is in working through the varying pitches, the stringent chords, the kinks in the lyrics to find a perfect balance that there can be unity. Harmony.

The Montgomery County Education Association (MCEA) is the largest teacher’s union in the state of Maryland. It represents over 12,000 educators that work in 190 schools with about 140,000 students throughout Montgomery County. It covers classroom teachers of all grade levels, special education teachers, school counselors, media specialists and a number of other education professionals. It sprawls over lowincome neighborhoods, metropolitan cities and wealthy suburbs, supporting teachers and students in all manner of situations with all manner of problems. But as impressive as the work of the MCEA may be, its ability to solve the problems of all of its members single-handedly is debatable. By splitting the massive MCEA union into three different branches, communication would improve between teachers and their unions, and the unions would be more cohesive — creating true unity that could lead Montgomery County to a better school system.

It is possible that without the force of the MCEA behind every request the school board would gain power and stall progress in school reform. Assuming the smaller unions would do their job and find different challenges to tackle, the board could be overwhelmed by demands to fix problems, so instead of encouraging change smaller unions would restrain it.

One of the perks of being a union member is collective bargaining, in which the union writes a contract guaranteeing set wages and rights for all of its members. This means that individual workers do not have to fight their employers for their basic rights by themselves.

But despite the undeniable power in the collective voice of 12,000 people, the fact remains that when all of them shout at the same time, no one can hear a thing.

Unions were first formed in the United States, to protect unskilled laborers in industrial factories.

Each member knew how to do their job sufficiently and was the same as the next in terms of union contracts concerning wages and rights. There weren’t different talents or areas of expertise for negotiators to take into account, just one voice shouting for the same basic rights.

But times have changed, and the unions of many professions don’t cover people of the same skill level, but people of many.

In careers like teaching where competence levels vary, the same contract that was unifying for the factory workers is restricting.

Large-scale unions like the MCEA can inhibit the collaboration process of collective bargaining for teachers and make contracts unresponsive to what teachers and their students need.

With less land to cover, the smaller unions would span fewer

teachers, making the union’s process of collective bargaining for teacher’s rights and wages with the school board easier and more effective. Each teacher would have a closer relationship with the union, meaning they would have more say in the battles they fight, and districts could zero in on the real issues that teachers have DOYUNG LEE determined need attention. According to education researcher and professor Susan Moore Johnson, the right kind of collective bargaining within teacher’s unions can be one of the greatest assets to education reform. “We can focus on the possibility of collective bargaining…but only encouraging the processes that really are consistent with reform, embracing a broad range of issues in discussion and bargaining, having both sides acknowledge that they have a shared stake in solving problems collaboratively.”

Conversely, by narrowing the scope of the MCEA, the union and school board would be able to create much more specific contracts that don’t just benefit teachers, but check them. The contracts that teacher’s unions like the MCEA currently make with the school boards are binding to every union member.

That’s 12,000 people in 12,000 different working situations all being held accountable by the

restraints of one contract.

But if the unions were smaller they could afford to make contracts more specific to the district where teachers were working, which would mean three different contracts that teachers could decide to join onto instead of just one. Smaller unions would also leave the school board more power to introduce rules about teacher responsibility on accountability that pertain more specifically to smaller union districts, which would ensure that every child has access to a comprehensive education.

This new level of specificity for union contracts would not be able to affect curriculum, which is set by the school board alone, but could change the methods of measuring teacher progress so that tenure and increased pay

would not be based on test scores so much as improvement of grades over the course of the year.

Contracts could afford to be more specific, including details about the methods educators should use to teach in areas where Montgomery County clearly needs help, like special education. This would give guidance to those new to the profession or support to those who need it. Maybe these smaller groups would have powers of negotiation with the school board that greatly rival our perceptions of teachers unions today.

And maybe the change would be liberating to educators, opening new doors to solutions and rights they do not have today. It all depends on the sound of the unions voices, and whether or not they could learn to work together to carry a tune.

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.

NATHAN GAMSON

silverCHIPS

SOAPBOX 5

June 3, 2011

SOAPBOX: Blazers speak out Have you ever gotten kicked out of a store before? Why?

Do you think the SGA has a big role in school affairs? Why? see story, page 4

see story, page 21 “I was kicked out of the Gucci store in Georgetown because I was the only Hispanic and I was followed everywhere I went. They thought I was going to rob the place they told me to leave. I felt bad because I was discriminated against.

-sophomore Jose Canales “I was at Old Navy and me and some friends went inside the store. We were being complete goofballs. So we decided to play soccer with a ball in the store. It was kind of a bad idea. So someone from the store was like ‘This is not a playground’ and they told us we had to leave.”

-sophomore Alfredo Diaz “I have been kicked out of a store. It was a KB Toys in Silver Spring. My friends and I were riding wood horses and jousting in the aisles, then they kicked us out.”

-freshman Tommy Harrelson

“I don’t think the SGA has a big role in school affairs because we hardly see them and it looks like they don’t care.

-sophomore Allison Salvatierra “Lol, no.”

-sophomore Max Beard “At least this year the SGA has attempted to have a role in school affairs, but hasn’t completely been successful. I have been disappointed with the lack of communication between the ninth grade executive members and the ninth grade.”

-freshman Paul Ellis

ART BY DOYUNG LEE

“The SGA organizes a lot of fundraisers and events, so I would say they play a pretty big role in the school’s social affairs.”

-freshman Radina Mutskova

How much do hear about JV teams at Blair? Why? see story, page 26 “You rarely hear about JV teams at Blair unless you hear the JV team players talking about their team. JV team news and scores are almost always excluded from Silver Chips articles and the announcements even though they usually have better performances.

-freshman Simeon Kakpovi

“No, I’ve never gotten kicked out of a store before because I am a good person.”

-sophomore Najahla Lucas

“I rarely hear about JV teams. In Silver Chips it is always about varsity teams and the school announcements always comment on the varsity team.”

-freshman Kelsey Terhune-Cotter

How do you feel about principal Williams leaving?

Would you consider taking a gap year?

Why or why not?

see story, page 9 see story, page 13

“I feel very sad about Principal Williams leaving Blair because he has watched my sister when she was at Blair. He was the one who made it official that my sister graduated from Blair. I really wanted for Mr. Williams to tell me that I made it through high school. I guess I know that I will miss Mr. WIlliams a lot and hope he can come to my graduation.”

-sophomore Jordan Smith

“Yes, I would consider taking a gap year because I need a break from a four year high school. A good break would help me get rid of all the stress I would receive.”

-sophomore Abel Asafere

“I am sad that Mr. Williams is leaving Blair. However, I understand that it is for a good cause. I want to wish him the best of luck for his future and appreciate his service in Blair.”

-junior Tilkumari Parajuli “I don’t feel anything about Principal Williams leaving. I don’t even know him, I just know what he does and his name.”

-sophomore Jully Min

“Personally, I wouldn’t take a gap year because it would throw me off my education. If I take a gap year, then I probably would forget some of the things I learned.”

-senior David Juarez “Yes, I would consider taking a gap year. A year break would allow me to raise money for college. I would be free to roam the world at age 18.

It seems very appealing. I would definately do it for emotion reasons.”

-junior Connor Siegel

chipsINDEX 692 19 8 45

Average number of calories in a Chipotle burrito Percentage across-the-board increase in Maryland Standardized Assessment scores under Jerry Weast Number of Blair sports teams with winning spring records Average cost in dollars of a Vans Warped Tour ticket

124,240 1.99 66 1727

More students in enrolled in Montgomery County than Stamford County, Connecticut, Starr’s current county during 2008.

Blair’s dropout percentage

Average humidity percentage in Washington, D.C. Average combined SAT score of Blazers

Compiled by Helen Bowers with additional reporting by Ife Adelona, Hannah Lynn, Stacy Mathew, Katelin Montgomery, Leah Muskin-Pierret, Camille Newell and Janvi Raichura.

Quote of the Issue

“ ” “It was like a pressure cooker, unlike anywhere else on Earth.” former Blazer Grace Marston

see CENTERSPREAD

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June 3, 2011

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Starr appointed superintendent from SUPERINTENDENT page 1 share with people their concerns, and hopes and dreams. I wasn’t hired on a mandate for change, and that gives me the opportunity to learn about the school system,” he said.

Starr will come to MCPS, which serves approximately 144,000 students, after six years as the superintendent of Stamford Public Schools (SPS) in Stamford, CT, a school district that serves approximately 15,000 students. During his tenure in Stamford, Starr created a common curriculum for all SPS schools and advanced standardized test scores, according to Parent Teacher Council of Stamford President Wendy Lecker.

Despite Stamford’s relatively small population, Starr expressed confidence regarding his ability to transition into MCPS. “The size difference is certainly obvious, but the approach and strategy are very similar. In Stamford, we’ve modeled ourselves after what you all have done down there, and I’ve familiarized myself with your method. The biggest challenge for me will be getting to know people

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June 3, 2011

as quickly as possible and engaging with people throughout the community,” he said.

Starr also credited his past job experience as preparation for leading a large school district. “Before Stamford, I was the Director of School Performance and Accountability in New York City, and that work was about designing a system to measure performance across 1.1 million kids, so I understand the size. I think I’m ready,” he said.

Weast was also optimistic about Starr’s appointment, expressing hopes for c o m m u n i ty ELIZA WAPNER receptiveness.

“I think Dr. Starr will do well. He was carefully selected, and he’s a caring person. I hope the county shows him the same love they showed me,” he said.

BOE Member Patricia O’Neill, the only remaining member of the BOE that chose Weast for the superintendent post in 1999, identified Starr’s modernness and awareness as traits that distinguished him from his competitors.

“He seemed in touch with the 21st century, with technology and with our vision as a school system,” she said. Barclay agreed with O’Neill, adding that Starr’s skills will help him lead MCPS in a tough financial situation.

Barclay also expressed his hope that Starr will carry on some of Weast’s accomplishments, including a focus on educational equity and a willingness to talk about race.

Six teachers to retire this year Long serving teachers will begin new endeavors from RETIREMENTS page 1

Blair athletics department in 1983, and gradually rose to the position of athletics director, which he took on in 1994. Of the nature of Blair when he started working, he said

less and less emphasis on real education and more on testing.

Students are expected to take less and less responsibility over their own learning.”

For example, Vlasits said that he noticed how parents would complain to teachers if their child was doing badly in a class, rather than dealing with it at home. Still, Vlasits said that he enjoyed his time at Blair. “I like to think that it took a long time to find my home, and I came to Blair and found it.”

Loomis came to Blair in 1985 after piloting the MCPS French im- INFORMATION COURTESY OF MCPS mersion program in 1976. “After that there was a completely differ[the immersion program] became ent attitude in the student body. more structured, then I decided “There were a lot of problems,” that I wanted to teach high school,” he said. “The citizenship of the she said. Before coming to Blair, students wasn’t as good as it is she had taught as a college profes- today.” Another change Miller sor. The transition from private cited was the shift in demographto public school system teaching ics in the students, which led to a was a demanding challenge, but shift in the strengths of the athletic she said the experience allowed department. For the future of the her to learn a lot about both her- athletics department, Miller hopes self and her students during the that the new athletic director will be able to solve the financial probprocess.

Loomis said that her proudest lems the department has dealmoment at Blair was seeing her ing with. After retirement, each AP French Literature class gain teacher plans on spending time popularity, growing from a class his or her own interests while still of twelve to 90. Over the year maintaining an active role in the she saw a shift toward more vi- community. “I want to see the sual teaching methods. “I can see world,” said Vlasits. “I want to changes,” she said. “There is more travel to Europe or to the Mayan technology now, like Promethean ruins. Even my son has traveled more than me.” In addition, Vlaboards and movies.”

Miller began working in the sits still wants to participate in ed-

ucation reform. “I’d like to do a lot more reading and also write about education — books and articles.”

Vlasits says that he wants to participate in school reform with the teacher inp u t , rather than from an administrative standpoint.

H e says that he feels qualified to help with school reform b e cause of his expeMAGGIE SHI r i e n c e in schools. Loomis plans on continuing her own education. “What I love about teaching is that you’re learning yourself,” she said. She wants to go back to school. Fickenscher is involved with the Special Olympics bowling team, and wants to continue being active in the community. In addition, she says she would like to help her disabled daughter move out.

The teachers all expressed excitement about a change of pace, but also a desire to remain active.

Miller said, “I’ve worked long enough,” and plans on spending his retirement relaxing and spending time with his grandchildren. However, he does intend to continue following Blair sports.

“I have to keep busying doing something, though. I will probably come back to support Blair,” he said.

Maryland to eliminate NSL HSA as graduation requirement State drops government exam in an effort to cut back on school spending

By Valerie Hu

Though the state will no longer offer the Government HSA, the National, State and The Maryland State Board of Education Local Government (NSL) course will remain voted to eliminate the Government High a graduation requirement.

Blazers will be taking the Algebra, EngSchool Assessment (HSA) as part of the state budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2012. By dis- lish, Biology and Government HSAs this continuing the exam, the state hopes to save week. Currently students need to either pass approximately $1.9 million, according to the each exam or receive a combined score of 1602. But starting next year, students will Baltimore Sun. only be required to pass the Algebra, English and Biology HSAs or receive a combined score of 1208 in order to graduate.

The state decided to cut the exam because it was facing a large budget deficit, according to State Superintendent of Schools Nancy Grasmick. The reason behind eliminating the Government HSA in particular was that the No Child Left Behind Act only required states to report high school test results in reading, mathematics and science. “Of the state’s four high school assessments, only Government was not required by federal law,” Grasmick said.

Students who were originally scheduled to graduate in 2011 and did not pass the Government HSA will not graduate in 2011. However, students scheduled to graduate in 2012 or beyond will not be required to pass the exam in order to graduate next year, according to Grasmick. Instead, those students who will have taken the HSA by the end of this year will be able STELLA BARTHOLET

to count the score towards their combined total of 1602, according to the Maryland State Department of Education’s “Elimination of Government High School Assessment” information sheet.

Generally NSL teachers valued the Government HSA as a rough indicator of students’ understanding of civics. However, they did not believe the exam was necessary for the state’s assessment of high school students. The state consistently altered the HSA, acEMMA LANSWORTH cording to Advanced Placement (AP) and on level NSL teacher NSL teacher David Swaney believes that the Marc Grossman. “It became dif- Government HSA was not worth the cost. ficult to assess what the test reAlthough the state will no longer adsults meant,” he said. “There was a lack of transparency in the design and grading of minister the Government, students will still the Government HSA, which caused anxiety be required to pass the NSL Government course. “The exam covered content that is alin both students and teachers.”

AP NSL teacher Lansing Freeman con- ready required in the Government course,” sideres the exam to be a redundant method Grasmick said. “The difference now is that of setting standards for students. “The HSA those students will no longer have a manis a valuable tool in establishing baseline dated state test to pass.”

Grossman does not anticipate major proficiencies for graduation standards,” he said. “Of course, the same role is fulfilled by changes in student motivation as a result of the elimination of the NSL HSA. “I think stuteachers giving assessments and grades.”

Additionally, AP and on level NSL teach- dents will continue to demonstrate progress er David Swaney noted that eliminating the because they know the course is required,” Government HSA will give teachers more he said. Swaney also expects his students to flexibility with regard to their classroom in- stay motivated. “I do think there are some struction. “’Teaching to the test is a pain in that won’t take it as seriously if they don’t the neck,” he said. “[It] squelches creativity need to ‘pass the test’,” he said. “But not big numbers. The class is fun.” of the teacher.”

8 NEWS

Award program terminated General Assembly votes to end Scholar Award The award will be completely (GPA) to apply for the program phased out in 2015 when current and submitted 90 student appliseniors graduate from college, ac- cations to MHEC. Maryland General Assembly cording to MHEC. Many current juniors were will not offer the Maryland DisCareer and college informa- unhappy that they had to go tinguished Scholar award for the t i o n through the high school class of 2012 and becoordiprocess even yond, but will continue to fund nator though they recipients in the class of 2011 and Phalia didn’t have an those who are already enrolled in We s t opportunity to college. s a y s gain money for According to a press ret h a t college. lease from the Governor Martin t h e “I was kind O’Malley, the award’s terminacancelof frustrated tion occurred because of budget lation that we had challenges and cuts to college fiof the to do all the nancial assistance programs. award work in filling The original decision, which w i l l out the applipassed in the General Assembly impact cation and we in April, denied funding to curcollege never find out rent high school seniors. deciif we’re acceptOn May 11, Governor Martin sions ed or not,” said O’Malley restored the scholarf o r COURTESY OF MHEC NOAHGRACE BAUMAN AND MAUREEN LEI junior Laurel ship for seniors who were awardBlair Brown. Some ed last year. juniors who applied for the pro- students were especially inter“While this year’s budget defgram. ested in the financial assistance icit presented unique challenges, The award provides $3000 an- that the scholarship would have and we worked together to adnually for students enrolled in offered. “I was really hoping to dress the revenue shortfall with get some scholarship money tough choices to go to an in-state college and deep cuts like UMCP,” said junior to existing Shiv Kaul. “It’s becoming programs, it harder to find colleges that was never our offer merit-based scholarintention to ships.” West says that while impact prior students spent time and awards,” said effort in applying, she is O’Malley in the content that the state did press release. not rescind funding after Seniors were awarding students, as it had notified of the originally done for seniors. restoration of “At least they didn’t their awards award it and take it away. on May 16.

That’s how I look at it,” she According said. West says that students to the Marywho benefitted and would land Higher COURTESY OF WASHINGTON POST have benefitted from the Education award needed to have a GPA Commission The Maryland General Assembly voted to cut of 3.7 after it was recalcu(MHEC), the funding for the scholarship program in April. lated without non-academic organization two-year and four-year Maryland courses. “For a lot of kids, extrathat conducts the award, high colleges or universities. Accord- curriculars help,” she said. “The school juniors who submitted aping to West, the Career Center students who benefit are those plications for the program earlier invited 132 Blair students with who, when you take out the extra this year will not have their apeligible grade point averages stuff, still had solid GPAs.” plications processed.

By Srividya Murthy

Non-profit hosts media festival Gandhi Brigade promotes social justice through media

By Stella Bartholet The Gandhi Brigade, a local non-profit organization, hosted its fourth Annual JustUs Youth! Media Festival in Downtown Silver Spring on May 21. Blair students participated in activities related to social justice issues at the festival, including film competitions, workshops and performances.

The JustUs Youth! Media Festival is an event in which participants under the age of 21 use different forms of media to promote peace and unity. The Gandhi Brigade provides youth with the resources to explore leadership and social justice issues, according to Executive Director Richard Jaeggi.

Several Blair students took part in the four-hour film competition, which allowed them the opportunity to demonstrate their media skills under pressure. In the competition, groups of participants had four hours to create a Public Service Announcement (PSA) about one social justice issue with provided supplies.

Senior Juan Acevedo participated in the competition for the first time. His group chose to create a PSA about bullying and struggled with the time limit. “I feel like if we had a little more time we could have done better,” he said. “But for the time we had it was pretty impressive.”

Senior Rhys Talbott, on the other hand, felt fairly confident about his PSA due to his prior experience. Talbott participated in and won the competition last year. He and his group won again with their PSA protesting

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June 3, 2011

peer pressure.

Talbott also won the Truthforce Award for a documentary he and seven of his peers made on immigration deportation.

According to Youth Organizer of the

Kids Ride Free program to return from RIDE page 1 all policies, including Kids Ride Free, at risk. “As we’ve learned in the past three years, when things

INFORMATION COURTESY OF NEIL GREENBERGER

Sophomore Natalia Campos said that the presence of the Kids Ride Free program will give her an economical option to get home every day. “That’s good, because [the cut] stopped me from staying after school because I couldn’t get home,” she said.

For junior Austin Liou, the free bus will be a convenience for everyday transportation.

“It’s really useful because when I need to go places and don’t want to spend money, or don’t have money, it’s useful,” he said.

Junior Sean Reynolds was MAGGIE SHI happy about the program coming back, but believed that the program should have continued throughout the previous school year as well. “I

are really bad, everything is a potential reduction or elimination.

Many of the councilmembers say that they look at everything,” he said.

Leventhal said that the program has widespread benefits for students.

“It certainly benefits students throughout the county whether in public or private schools,” he said.

Greenberger added that the policy will also benefit other community members. “This was a hardship on many people. Not just on students, but on parents who needed to find rides for their kids. We don’t want COURTESY OF WMATA kids packing cars, Students will be able to use Ride-On and and we have a lot of confidence in the Metrobus services for free next year.

Ride-On system,” he said. think getting rid of it was a bad Many Blair students will be di- idea, and for getting to and from rectly benefited by the program. school, it was really helpful.”

Gandhi Brigade, Cathy Chu, anyone under the age of 21 could submit artwork about a social justice issue of their choice to be considered for the Truthforce Award. There were 227 submissions, nearly 60 of which were videos.

The award is new to the festival, along with the performance aspect of the event. Over the past three years, the JustUs Youth!

Media Festival has grown and expanded to include more forms of creative expression, according to Jaeggi.

The students planning the event decided that a fashion show, dance and musical performances would be a popular addition to the program.

Blair junior John Rose took advantage of the performance addition to the event and rapped his song “Can’t Back Down” to encourage listeners to stand up against bullying.

“I’m putting music with a purpose back in society,” he said.

Rose also participated LEAH MUSKIN-PIERRET in a freestyle rapping Participants helped paint the background of murals competition alongside freshman Ismael Oates, with finishing touches put on by a professional.

who aspires to become a professional rapper. He heard about the festival from Rose, and saw it as an opportunity to practice performing for a public audience.

Not only has the event grown, but the organization as a whole has expanded as well.

In 2005, Jaeggi founded the organization based on Gandhi’s values; that one cannot send peacemakers into the world without proper guidance, just like one cannot send soldiers to war without training.

He hoped that the organization would provide students with the resources to learn leadership skills and make a difference in their community.

The organization began as a small voluntary group, which met at the Long Branch Recreation Center. But over the past six years, the Gandhi Brigade has grown to support more than 75 students and a paid staff, according to Chu. One of the biggest expansions of the organization took place in 2008, after Blair freshman Tai Lam was shot dead on a public bus. A group of about 30 students gathered in his remembrance to raise awareness about gang violence. The Gandhi Brigade decided to collaborate with the group, creating the program “Mixed Unity.”

Former Blair student and member of Mixed Unity Juanita Bailey explained that since Lam was so well known, many students wanted to join the movement against violence. “He was a member of the community and everyone knew him,” she said.

“After he died it kind of hit everyone.”

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June 3, 2011

9

Williams passes the torch from JOHNSON page 1

encounter in July, he learned about how to handle the change. “You get used to the size staff and students at Blair, have enriched and what’s not working,” he says. “It’s a Williams’ experience at the school. He says different kind of leadership.”

Blair’s large there are many aspects school size will of Blair that he will miss be only one of in his new job, including the many chalpep rallies, diversity and lenges for Johnrelationships with stuson, says Wildents, teachers and parliams. On top ents. “And I guess I will of adapting to miss wearing the Blair Blair’s unique apparel,” he joked. characterisBut Williams looks tics, Johnson forward to the new chalwill also have lenges that lie ahead.

Incoming Blair Teacher to resolve the Being in charge of 47 James Street school’s issues, schools will allow him to such as getting make a bigger difference students off of in the community and the ineligibility work with more principals. “I am going from handling a 3,000 list and raising GPAs. Williams also has adstudent population to over 25,000 students,” vice for Johnson on how to make the transihe says. “So you can see change on a bigger tion easier. He recommends that she attends all Blair events and gets acquainted with the specialized programs early on, such as ESOL, CAP and Magnet.

I don’t think she’ll be in a big rush to move on from high school.

Administrative continuity

LEAH MUSKIN-PIERRET

Principal Williams will take on a different set of responsibilities in his new post as Community Superintendent of 47 upcounty schools. He assumes the role July 1.

deciding factor since periods of transition Sophomore Mitchell Gross hopes that While Williams and Johnson are can be difficult for schools to endure. “Ev- Johnson will develop a stronger relationship confident that the transition will run eryone has to make adjustments, and that with the student body through regular interadjustment period can action. “The next principal should be more smoothbe awkward, difficult, involved with students and get to know the ly, some clumsy teachers and long,” are more she says. concerned.

Adamson The prohopes that cess of Johnson selecting stays for a the new re l a t i v e l y principal long periallowed od of time commusophomore so that nity memBlair will bers to Mitchell Gross not have to voice their go through opinions. another On May 5, Community Superintendent Bron- transition.

But Johnson assures the da Mills met with staff, students and parents in separate meetings to hear Blair community that she plans what qualities they were looking for on staying for a long period of in a new principal. Mills explained time. “I am not looking for the the selection process, in which a panel next best job,” she says.

Street also believes that Johnof teachers, students and administrators interview all of the candidates. son is truly excited to work at The panel then votes on one candidate Blair and does not plan on leavLEAH MUSKIN-PIERRET they believe should become the next ing soon. “I don’t think she’ll be principal and makes a recommen- in a big rush to move on from During his tenure at Blair, Williams has maindation to Weast. In the end, Weast high school,” he says. “I hadn’t tained constant communication with staff, a makes the final decision, considering heard her say she wanted to do quality he will take with him to his new job. this and move on,” he says. the panel’s advice.

LEAH MUSKIN-PIERRET Mills also asked the attendees of the scale.” Williams will also have to adjust to Williams discusses the after-prom event with the Student expectations his new responsibilities, such as providing meetings to fill out a form that asked about security team for the last time as Blair principal. what they would like to see in the next prinsupport and guidance to his cluster.

While teachers have their Williams already experienced adapting to cipal. The Student Government Association, a larger student population when he moved staff and parents all had the chance to write opinions about the transition, many stu- kids,” he says.

Street believes that Johnson relates well from William H. Farquhar Middle School to down their comments, requests or concerns. dents are not as well informed.

Freshman Andre Highsmith says that he with students and puts a great effort into During the search for the next Blair prinGaithersburg High School in 2007. Though the population jump was much smaller than cipal, English Resource Teacher Vickie Ad- does not recognize William’s name. “I don’t connecting with them, and he is optimistic that she will carry that skill to her post at the 22,000 student difference Williams will amson stressed that longevity should be a even know who that is,” he jokes.

Blair.

She was always seen out and about, roaming the hallways and interacting with students at TPMS. He never heard any complaints about Johnson from students at TPMS. “They seem pretty positive about her,” he says.

The next principal should be more involved with students.

Looking to the future

INFORMATION COURTESY OF MCPS

NOAHGRACE BAUMAN AND ELIZA WAPNER

After four years under the leadership of Williams and 23 years under the leadership of Phillip Gainous, Williams’ predecessor, Blair is about to enter yet another age of administration under Johnson. Looking forward, staff members have diverse concerns and thoughts regarding the change.

Street believes that the transition will bring longevity and stability to Blair. “I don’t think she’ll be in a big rush to move on from high school. I hadn’t heard her say she wanted to do this and move on,” Street says.

Other teachers, such as Adamson, worry that Blair will have to go through even more changes in administration if Johnson leaves after a short tenure. Johnson, however, reassures the Blair community that she will lead the school for a long time. “As long as the job continues to be challenging and fun, I will stay,” she says. “I’m not looking to move.”

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NEWSBRIEFS

NEWSBRIEFS 11

June 3, 2011

Flags of our forefathers

Wheaton Costco effort advances despite opposition The Montgomery County Council defeated a proposal that would have prevented the county government from funding a Costco in Wheaton Mall by a 6 to 3 vote on May 16. Montgomery County is now free to give Westfield Group, a property development company, $4 million over the next two years to pay for construction costs. It is scheduled to give Westfield Group $2 million per year in 2011 and 2012. Costco will be built in the second-floor space previously occupied by Hecht’s, a department store.

Under the plan, the store is due to open in early 2012. The county has been criticized for spending money unwisely in the face of a $300 million budget deficit, but Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett defended and fought for the measure to fund construction. Leggett argued that the construction of Costco will bring jobs to the Montgomery County and stimulate the economy.

Chipotle to open in Woodmoor Shopping Center Chipotle Mexican Grill will open in Woodmoor Shopping Center in July on a lease from Regency Centers, a commercial developer based IN *ACKSONVILLE &LORIDA )T WILL OPEN IN THE LOCATION CURRENTLY OCCUpied by Subway. Subway will remain open, but it will move to fill the space currently occupied by China House, which is relocating from 7OODMOOR TO THE .EW (AMPSHIRE ,ANGLEY AREA 4HE RESTAURANT WILL occupy 1,990 square feet of space, according to a press release issued

by Regency Centers on April 5.

Blazers had mixed views regarding Chipotle’s move, expressing excitement about the proximity of the restaurant, but concerns about students violating Blair policy to leave campus during lunch to eat at the establishment.

LEAH HAMMOND

Air Force cadets walk down Constitution Avenue carrying the flags of various nations as part of the 2011 Memorial Day parade in Washington, D.C.

Career Center gives away prom clothing Blazers had the opportunity to pick up outfits for prom, free of charge, from a collection in the Career Center between May 5 and May 13, according to Career Center Coordinator Phalia West.

Blazers who did not have the means to get prom clothing on their own were encouraged to select pieces from the collection in preparation for prom, said West. The package of clothing included six ties, eight men’s dress shirts, four jackets, 23 pairs of women’s shoes, and over 40 dresses.

According to West, Blair parent Laura Rodriguez, an International Trade Analyst at the United States International Trade Commission (USITC), delivered the prom clothing, to the Career Center on May 3. The USITC organized a fundraiser to put the clothing together for Blair.

West praised the Rodriguez and USITC for their actions and the positive effects on Blazers. “This was just such a nice thing to do, and it’s really a blessing for some students here,� she said.

Maryland Electricity Service Act Passed The Maryland Electricity Service Quality and Reliability Act (HB WAS SIGNED INTO LAW BY 'OVERNOR -ARTIN / -ALLEY ON -AY

after the Maryland General Assembly passed the bill in a 113-22 vote on April 11.

4HE LAW WAS INITIALLY PROPOSED BY $ELEGATE "RIAN * &ELDMAN $ in response to the numerous power outages Pepco customers went through last winter, according to his 2011 Session Letter.

HB 391, commonly known as the “Pepco Bill,� sets up a system of fines for Pepco and similar utility companies that do not meet government standards. According to the bill, the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) must set standards for the utility companies by July 1, 2012.

Under the bill, utility companies will be fined $25,00 for every day THAT THEY FAIL TO MEET TERMS SET BY THE 03# &ELDMAN EXPRESSED HOPES that the law will encourage Pepco and other electric companies to provide better service in the future.

Effort to repeal Dream Act gathers bipartisan aid /RGANIZERS OF A PETITION TO REPEAL THE -ARYLAND $2%!- !CT A LAW providing financial aid for undocumented college students, submitted the first group of signatures on Tuesday. They submitted 18,579 voter signatures, one third of the 55,736 signatures needed by June 30 to bring the issue to a referendum, to the Maryland secretary of state’s office.

The signatures were collected through downloadable versions of the petition and public petition drives. Local election boards across the state will review the signatures to ensure that they satisfy state requirements. They will then send the signatures to the Maryland Board of Elections for a final review.

The Maryland Board of Elections has until June 20 to finish reviewing the signatures. It plans to begin posting progress reports on ITS WEBSITE WWW ELECTIONS STATE MD US ON &RIDAY 4HE $2%!- !CT passed in the Maryland General Assembly in April, and Governor -ARTIN / -ALLEY SIGNED IT INTO LAW ON -AY )T IS SCHEDULED TO GO into effect on July 1.

Compiled by Maureen Lei with additional reporting by Srividya Murthy

ART BY JULIA BATES, MATTHEW MORRIS AND XIXI CHEN, CALDENDAR ORGANIZED BY NATHAN GAMSON

HONORS s .INETY TWO PERCENT OF "LAIR STUDENTS WHO TOOK THE .ATIONAL ,ATIN EXAMS WON AWARDS FOR their superior performance on the test. s 3ENIOR Michael Ayele won a Questbridge scholarship and will attend Brown University on a full ride. s 3ENIOR Alexander Briese was named one of 20 .ATIONAL &INALISTS IN THE 53! "IOLOGY /LYMPIAD

s 0RINCIPAL Darryl Williams was named MCPS %3/, 0RINCIPAL OF THE 9EAR %3/, TEACHER Katie Honerkamp WON THE -#03 #AROL #HEN /UTSTANDING %3/, 4EACHER !WARD IN #OMMUNITY 3ERVICE s -ATH TEACHER Jacob Scott WAS NAMED .!!#0 -#03 4EACHER OF THE 9EAR s #OUNSELOR Marcia Johnson was named MCPS #OUNSELOR OF THE 9EAR AT THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL

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June 3, 2011

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FEATURES

June 3, 2011

13

The student sabbatical

By NoahGrace Bauman

worked on trails, cleared debris and managed Class of 2010 graduate, Gemma Deustawildlife and invasive species. chio, lives on her own off of a mere three Though volunteer work is a popular opdollars a day. She gets up at six every morntion for students taking gap years, others ing and works with at-risk fourth graders in decide to go straight into the workforce. Class Washington D.C., and she loves it. of 2010 graduate Jonathan Lockwood worked Deustachio opted out of the safety of a for his father as an IT specialist throughout dorm and the support of professors, deferthis past year. ring her acceptance to University of MaryLockwood decided to take a year off so land to join the D.C. City Year team for her that he could reapply to University of Marygap year. land College Park, his top choice school.

This alternative option — where students Though he didn’t get in, he was accepted to take a year off after high school and before University of Maryland Baltimore County, college — has become increasingly accepted where he will attend school in the fall. in the United States and at Blair. Career During his gap year, Lockwood worked Center secretary Phalia West says that 40 hours a week though few stufixing computdents take gap ers for his fayears, the numther’s company ber has increased and finalizing from people not the company’s taking them at website. all. Prestigious Lockwood colleges like says that takPrinceton and ing a gap year Amherst have helped him gain even begun crea better work ating programs ethic, which is for those who necessary for his wish to defer intended area of acceptance for a college study: year. mechanical enMany of these gineering. students work, And because volunteer or enCOURTESY OF RICH ADAMSON of these gains, roll in special Former Blazer Rich Adamson spent his Lockwood recservice-oriented ognizes that takprograms dur- gap year volunteering at national parks. ing a gap year ing their year off. was the right decision for him and believes Harry Cheema, Senior Manager of Recruitit would be for other high school graduates. ment and Alumni Affairs at City Year ’s “[College] is an extra $20,000 on parents, and Washington D.C. branch, cites a fundamental [students] need to be ready to take education difference between academic education and seriously,” he says. the experience of a gap year. “It’s one thing Adamson agrees with Lockwood and says to sit in a classroom and talk about skills you he has found his gap year beneficial because need, and its another to actually go out and it gave him time to figure out what path he learn them,” says Cheema. wanted to take. “A lot of people think they City Year, a member of the Americorps program, sends young people ages 17 through 24 to 19 different locations with urban public school systems across the United States.

These volunteers become mentors, role models and tutors for young students, and, as Cheema says, helps them improve their academic performance.

Because taking a gap year has recently become more popular, City Year has seen an influx in student volunteers. At the D.C. branch Cheema reported a 7-10 percent increase in enrollments that started in 2006.

not sure if it’s everyone’s cup of tea.”

Passionate pause

Not only did she enjoyed her experience but, for Deustachio, taking a gap year helped her find her calling as well.

As a result of her experience at City Year, Deustachio plans to study either social work, elementary education or criminal justice in college. “This is the first year where it is worth it for me to wake up at 6 a.m. every morning… and now for better or worse I have to do this for the rest of my life,” says Deustachio. “There is no way that I can turn my back on what is going on [at these schools].” She strives to make a difference in the lives of her students, and City Year has given her the tools she needs to make that difference happen.

Because of City Year Deustachio spends her weekday mornings workCOURTESY OF RICH ADAMSON ing with students in reading groups of all levels. Deustachio is given signifi- Adamson cleared debris, worked on trails cant autonomy when she works in the and managed wildlife during his gap year. school: she is allowed to formulate her hinder the college application process as long own projects and lesson plans.

She conducts a behavior club at lunch as the student uses their time effectively. “If during which she teaches students skills you sit out a year and you’re not using that time wisely, you can’t they need in order come into that school to avoid trouble. In as easily as if you apthe afternoon, she ply and tell them what works with the stuyou want to do,” she dents on math and says. after school, she Cheema also says runs different enthat if the students richment clubs for choose to take a gap first graders. year, regardless of Deustachio dewhether it is with velops a one-on-one City Year recruitment officer City Year, it actually working relationhelps make the college ship with many chilHarry Cheema application process dren, which Cheema easier. “Most colleges believes makes the want to see how [apgreatest difference with students. “This plicants] go out in the world and are benefitimproves the climate of the entire ting the community,” says Cheema.

Taking a gap year can help students feel school and reinforces [for students] that there is an adult that wants more prepared for college, but it can also positively affect their mood. Deustachio believes them there,” he says.

Though Adamson’s gap year that the experience has boosted her morale. was less structured than Deusta- “It has given me a lot of confidence. I can see chio’s, it helped him figure out the improvement I made, I can say I helped that he wants to major in environ- this kid move forward in life,” she says.

Adamson, like Deustachio, believes he mental science in college. “When I got out of high school I had a learned an important life lesson during his few things I thought I wanted to time off that he plans to emulate throughout do, and that confusion is what led his life. “I learned that taking things at a slow me to take a gap year. I needed to pace is a lot more enjoyable,” says Adamson. clear my head and get my thoughts Lockwood, on the other hand, gained a more tangible reward from his gap year experience. together,” says Adamson.

Not only did taking a gap year With the money he saved working he was help him decide on a field of study, able to fund a trip to Europe with his two best but it also allowed him to network friends.

Lockwood will spend two months in with scientists involved in his prospective profession. “With going to Europe and his time off will give him the COURTESY OF GEMMA DEUSTACHIO national parks I got to get in touch opportunity to witness a different kind of life Taking time off with people in the field and could he wouldn’t have been exposed to normally. share information,” he says. “I Though Adamson and Deustachio spent their Deustachio knew that Deustachio spent her gap year leading student enrichment learned about where I can go to gap years in different ways both of them were City Year was the right activities at a Washington, D.C. public school. immersed in a world outside of academia. study and the path I can take.” gap year program for her can just jump right into college because they And all three plan to use the because she always knew she wanted to do feel like they should or have pressure from skills they gained service work; she graduated high school Gap year gains their parents, but they really should take time during the year with more than 400 Student Service Learnto consider their options,” says Adamson. Acin the future, ing hours. She decided to take a gap year Just like Adamson, Deustachio cording to West, taking a gap year is a viable dedicated her time to giving because she knew that she wasn’t ready for specifically in option for those students not mentally ready back to the community, which another four years of school. “I’ve always their college for college. been really indepenshe believes will benefit careers.

West however, her when she goes back to dent and I wanted does recognize that school in the fall. Cheema to see what the real taking a gap year believes that City Year world was like,” she is not for everyone. helps its volunteers says.

“The kind of kid that find a career path, Fellow Blair most would benefit encouraging them alumnus, class of is one that would 2010 graduate Rich be more active in stick to it as a one Adamson, also dethe college commuyear commitment, cided to defer his adnity. “They get to they can’t lose the mission to Guilford college and know wind of wanting to College for a year what they are pasGemma Deustachio go to school,” she because he felt he sionate about so Class of 2010 graduate says. “Its not for all wasn’t quite ready they are more passtudents, they have for college. “I just sionately engaged in to have some kind of social responsibility.” needed a bit of time off to refresh,” he says. their college career,” Deustachio also realizes this and though Adamson, like Deustachio, chose to says Cheema. she greatly benefited from her gap year she take his time off from school to volunteer.

West says that most says that her intensive line of work might not Though he didn’t do it with a specific gap students are hesitant be for everyone. “Its really hard work, living year program like City Year, Adamson about taking a gap year but on three dollars a day with no support,” she volunteered for Redwoods National Park she maintains that the time says. “I love having taken a gap year, but I’m and Shenandoah National Park, where he out of school does not actually INFORMATION COURTESY OF CITY YEAR NOAHGRACE BAUMAN

This is the first year where it is worth it for me to wake up at 6 a.m. every morning.

They get to college and already know what they are passionate about.

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CENTERSPREAD June 3, 2011

EVAN HORNE

Grace Marston decided to leave Blair because she felt like an outsider. Marston enrolled in Bard’s College at Simon’s Rock, a college that only accepts dropouts. She says she could relate better to her peers there.

Falling through the cracks It is not easy to move against a cemented educational system; for many former Blazers, dropping out of high school was not a trivial decision. It meant leaving the familiar world of Blair and entering the “real world.” Grace Marston, a CAP junior at Blair in 2007, decided to drop out of Blair because she felt that she didn’t belong in the Blair community and her ideas didn’t fit in with those of her peers. “I felt really socially isolated when I was at Blair,” she says. “I didn’t have my own personal group of friends. I was just like a wanderer.”

Marston says that she began to seriously consider dropping out after reading the book, “Into the Wild,” by Jon Krakauer — a true account of a college student who gives up a materialistic life for a chance to explore the Alaskan wilderness.

Marston felt that she could relate with the book in a way that her peers couldn’t. She felt that everyone was headed towards Ivy League colleges and didn’t question other paths to eventual happiness. “It bothered me that everyone knew what they were going to do. I was the only one questioning if there were any options besides that,” she says.

Former Blair student Nick Leonard, who dropped out of Blair as a sophomore in May 2007, also felt the drawbacks that come with

most people that time comes after college. For me, I told myself, that time is now.”

Confronting the future

Defining new goals

In addition to dropping out academically, these Blazers had to leave traditional high school life completely. In order to take this leap, they needed support from their family and friends, which did not always come easily. For Meroney, many of her friends could not grasp the fact of her decision, especially under the negative connotation of dropping out. “My close friends supported me, but others were really surprised,” says Meroney.

However, with the support she got from her family, she found the courage she needed to continue.

In the fall of her would-be junior year, Meroney being part of a large student population. “I didn’t the decision to drop out of Blair was not a choice. signed up for classes at Montgomery College. really like the social climate of high school,” he As a Blair freshman in 2008-2009, Meroney faced “The only reason I was successful was because my says. “It was a lot of people and a lot of stuff bouts of asthma, causing her to miss many days family supported me,” she says. going on. I guess I was just tired of it.” After of school and lose credit in some of her classes. In On the other hand, Leonard felt that his famdropping out, Leonard homeschooled under his order to start again on a clean slate, she transferred ily and friends took longer to accept his choice. mom’s guidance, and through the process, grew to Northwood for her sophomore year, but her “Convincing my parents was the most difficult more introverted. However, his decision to drop asthma problems returned and she dropped out of thing,” he says. Leonard says that his parents out allowed him to dedicate more time to his pas- Northwood as well. Although she felt that both were unhappy with where he was taking his life sion in music. “I’ve been interested in music my schools did their best to help her through her med- and thought he wasn’t being serious enough about ical condition, Meroney was unsatisfied with the his education. “It put a little stress on our relawhole life,” he says.

But for former Blair student Marie Meroney, limited options that the system gave her. “With tionship. Eventually, they realized it was for my good.” Even through the tension, Leonard stayed on track because of his commitment to his goals. “I knew what I wanted to do,” he says.

Marston says that she made her decision independently of her family and friends, though her peers were also surprised. “When I dropped out, everyone thought I disappeared,” she says. “It was my personal decision and wasn’t influenced by my peers,” she says. After leaving Blair, she applied to Bard’s College at Simon’s Rock, a small liberal arts college in Massachusetts that only accepts high school dropouts.

She felt that the environment at Simon’s Rock was more like the environment she hoped for at Blair.

“It was really cool. I got the type of friends I was looking for,” she says. As she met students from around the country who dropped out for various reasons, she gained a fun, exciting and rewarding experience. “It was like a pressure cooker, unlike anywhere else on Earth,” she describes with a laugh.

Meroney says that leaving high school involved leaving a whole world behind. “There are times I feel socially that I’m missing out, especially when I see my friends go to prom,” she says. However, Meroney accepts her position and is hapALLISON DAITCH py with her decision. “There Marie Meroney transferred to Montgomery College at the beginning of her junior year. comes a time in your life, you have to say, ‘I have to do this.’ For She felt that the school system could not adapt to her frequent absences due to illness.

By Srividya Murthy Art by Nathan Gamson Background by Tolu Omokehinde Our society has etched the story of the successful student: they advance through elementary, middle and high school, working hard and achieving good grades and finally standing proudly as high school graduates. Adorned with a cap and gown, diplomas in one hand and admission letters to top colleges in another, they are completely prepared to meet the future ahead. While this trajectory is common for many Blazers, it conceals the paths of who do not follow this story: the paths of Blair dropouts.

According to Blair counselor Marcia Johnson, approximately 55 students have dropped out of Blair so far this year. Johnson says that most students have dropped out for educational reasons and to pursue other options in college. Many former students at Blair who have chosen to drop out have found distinctive opportunities that fit their own goals — goals that high school could not help them reach.

such a large student body, [the school system] can’t really cater to individual needs,” she says.

After spending two years at Bard’s college at Simon’s Rock, Marston came back home in Silver Spring to take non-credit classes at Montgomery College. She found that she felt the same way as she did at Blair and decided to quit, instead working at odd jobs to make money. She plans to move to Pittsburgh, where many of her college friends live and work. She hopes that the money she makes will help her transfer to Columbia College in Chicago and put her on the road to reaching her true dream of working at art museums. Although she always wanted to work at art museums, her path has changed drastically since before high school. “Up until that point, I thought that I was going to do what everyone else expected me to. I didn’t really question any of it,” she says.

Meroney hopes that by the summer of 2012, she will have an associate degree in anthropology from Montgomery College, so that she can attend a four-year college with her peers. She recently took the General Educational Development test to get a certification equivalent to meeting high school graduation requirements. “When my friends are graduating school, I will have my associate degree at Montgomery College,” she says. “It speeds

COURTESY OF NICK LEONARD

things up, surprisingly.”

Nick Leonard left Blair late in his sophomore year because he After homeschooling, felt invisible within the school’s large population and wanted Leonard worked with his parents in their accounting to spend more time focusing on his future career in music. business for a few years.

He currently attends Montgomery College with a harder as a student at Blair, she could have attendmajor in music and a minor in fine arts. Although ed Columbia College earlier. At the same time, she he was interested in music from a young age, he is glad that her decision gave her the opportunity felt that leaving high school helped him steer to- to attend Simon’s Rock and to meet people whom wards the future he was aiming for. “It has given she could relate to. “I’m really glad that I went to me a lot of time to focus on what I want to do and Simon’s Rock. It was a very cool place.” my career,” he says. Leonard hopes to transfer to Junior Riva Fairhall plans on dropping out of a larger school, continue his music education, and Blair at the end of this year and sometimes fears later, teach music. that she made the wrong choice. “I’m scared.

Sometimes I wake up in the morning and think, Looking back ‘What did I just do?’” Fairhall believes that while dropping out involves taking risks, she is willing With intricate plans and passions to succeed, to do what is necessary to reach her own aspirathese former dropouts don’t regret their decision tions in theatre. “A lot of people drop out in the to leave high school. Nonetheless, Marston says heat of the moment,” she says. “I have a plan, and that dropping out does not work for everyone and I think that will help me be successful.” should not be a decision taken lightly. “I don’t For Marston, Leonard and Meroney, dropping think that people should think it’s cool to drop out out of high school had its obstacles, but turned out of Blair,” she says. For Marston, the inspiration to to be the route that best fitted their identities and take a different route came unexpectedly. “It nev- their goals. While most Blazers reach their final er happened to me before that I read a book and destinations along a paved, trodden path, some did what it told me to do,” she says. “But it was must navigate the unfamiliar and the unexplored that book that told me that there is something you to get to where they need to go. These Blazers can do other than what everyone else expects you prove that with keen focus and determination, any to do.” Marston often feels that if she had worked route will ultimately end in success.

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CENTERSPREAD June 3, 2011

EVAN HORNE

Grace Marston decided to leave Blair because she felt like an outsider. Marston enrolled in Bard’s College at Simon’s Rock, a college that only accepts dropouts. She says she could relate better to her peers there.

Falling through the cracks It is not easy to move against a cemented educational system; for many former Blazers, dropping out of high school was not a trivial decision. It meant leaving the familiar world of Blair and entering the “real world.” Grace Marston, a CAP junior at Blair in 2007, decided to drop out of Blair because she felt that she didn’t belong in the Blair community and her ideas didn’t fit in with those of her peers. “I felt really socially isolated when I was at Blair,” she says. “I didn’t have my own personal group of friends. I was just like a wanderer.”

Marston says that she began to seriously consider dropping out after reading the book, “Into the Wild,” by Jon Krakauer — a true account of a college student who gives up a materialistic life for a chance to explore the Alaskan wilderness.

Marston felt that she could relate with the book in a way that her peers couldn’t. She felt that everyone was headed towards Ivy League colleges and didn’t question other paths to eventual happiness. “It bothered me that everyone knew what they were going to do. I was the only one questioning if there were any options besides that,” she says.

Former Blair student Nick Leonard, who dropped out of Blair as a sophomore in May 2007, also felt the drawbacks that come with

most people that time comes after college. For me, I told myself, that time is now.”

Confronting the future

Defining new goals

In addition to dropping out academically, these Blazers had to leave traditional high school life completely. In order to take this leap, they needed support from their family and friends, which did not always come easily. For Meroney, many of her friends could not grasp the fact of her decision, especially under the negative connotation of dropping out. “My close friends supported me, but others were really surprised,” says Meroney.

However, with the support she got from her family, she found the courage she needed to continue.

In the fall of her would-be junior year, Meroney being part of a large student population. “I didn’t the decision to drop out of Blair was not a choice. signed up for classes at Montgomery College. really like the social climate of high school,” he As a Blair freshman in 2008-2009, Meroney faced “The only reason I was successful was because my says. “It was a lot of people and a lot of stuff bouts of asthma, causing her to miss many days family supported me,” she says. going on. I guess I was just tired of it.” After of school and lose credit in some of her classes. In On the other hand, Leonard felt that his famdropping out, Leonard homeschooled under his order to start again on a clean slate, she transferred ily and friends took longer to accept his choice. mom’s guidance, and through the process, grew to Northwood for her sophomore year, but her “Convincing my parents was the most difficult more introverted. However, his decision to drop asthma problems returned and she dropped out of thing,” he says. Leonard says that his parents out allowed him to dedicate more time to his pas- Northwood as well. Although she felt that both were unhappy with where he was taking his life sion in music. “I’ve been interested in music my schools did their best to help her through her med- and thought he wasn’t being serious enough about ical condition, Meroney was unsatisfied with the his education. “It put a little stress on our relawhole life,” he says.

But for former Blair student Marie Meroney, limited options that the system gave her. “With tionship. Eventually, they realized it was for my good.” Even through the tension, Leonard stayed on track because of his commitment to his goals. “I knew what I wanted to do,” he says.

Marston says that she made her decision independently of her family and friends, though her peers were also surprised. “When I dropped out, everyone thought I disappeared,” she says. “It was my personal decision and wasn’t influenced by my peers,” she says. After leaving Blair, she applied to Bard’s College at Simon’s Rock, a small liberal arts college in Massachusetts that only accepts high school dropouts.

She felt that the environment at Simon’s Rock was more like the environment she hoped for at Blair.

“It was really cool. I got the type of friends I was looking for,” she says. As she met students from around the country who dropped out for various reasons, she gained a fun, exciting and rewarding experience. “It was like a pressure cooker, unlike anywhere else on Earth,” she describes with a laugh.

Meroney says that leaving high school involved leaving a whole world behind. “There are times I feel socially that I’m missing out, especially when I see my friends go to prom,” she says. However, Meroney accepts her position and is hapALLISON DAITCH py with her decision. “There Marie Meroney transferred to Montgomery College at the beginning of her junior year. comes a time in your life, you have to say, ‘I have to do this.’ For She felt that the school system could not adapt to her frequent absences due to illness.

By Srividya Murthy Art by Nathan Gamson Background by Tolu Omokehinde Our society has etched the story of the successful student: they advance through elementary, middle and high school, working hard and achieving good grades and finally standing proudly as high school graduates. Adorned with a cap and gown, diplomas in one hand and admission letters to top colleges in another, they are completely prepared to meet the future ahead. While this trajectory is common for many Blazers, it conceals the paths of who do not follow this story: the paths of Blair dropouts.

According to Blair counselor Marcia Johnson, approximately 55 students have dropped out of Blair so far this year. Johnson says that most students have dropped out for educational reasons and to pursue other options in college. Many former students at Blair who have chosen to drop out have found distinctive opportunities that fit their own goals — goals that high school could not help them reach.

such a large student body, [the school system] can’t really cater to individual needs,” she says.

After spending two years at Bard’s college at Simon’s Rock, Marston came back home in Silver Spring to take non-credit classes at Montgomery College. She found that she felt the same way as she did at Blair and decided to quit, instead working at odd jobs to make money. She plans to move to Pittsburgh, where many of her college friends live and work. She hopes that the money she makes will help her transfer to Columbia College in Chicago and put her on the road to reaching her true dream of working at art museums. Although she always wanted to work at art museums, her path has changed drastically since before high school. “Up until that point, I thought that I was going to do what everyone else expected me to. I didn’t really question any of it,” she says.

Meroney hopes that by the summer of 2012, she will have an associate degree in anthropology from Montgomery College, so that she can attend a four-year college with her peers. She recently took the General Educational Development test to get a certification equivalent to meeting high school graduation requirements. “When my friends are graduating school, I will have my associate degree at Montgomery College,” she says. “It speeds

COURTESY OF NICK LEONARD

things up, surprisingly.”

Nick Leonard left Blair late in his sophomore year because he After homeschooling, felt invisible within the school’s large population and wanted Leonard worked with his parents in their accounting to spend more time focusing on his future career in music. business for a few years.

He currently attends Montgomery College with a harder as a student at Blair, she could have attendmajor in music and a minor in fine arts. Although ed Columbia College earlier. At the same time, she he was interested in music from a young age, he is glad that her decision gave her the opportunity felt that leaving high school helped him steer to- to attend Simon’s Rock and to meet people whom wards the future he was aiming for. “It has given she could relate to. “I’m really glad that I went to me a lot of time to focus on what I want to do and Simon’s Rock. It was a very cool place.” my career,” he says. Leonard hopes to transfer to Junior Riva Fairhall plans on dropping out of a larger school, continue his music education, and Blair at the end of this year and sometimes fears later, teach music. that she made the wrong choice. “I’m scared.

Sometimes I wake up in the morning and think, Looking back ‘What did I just do?’” Fairhall believes that while dropping out involves taking risks, she is willing With intricate plans and passions to succeed, to do what is necessary to reach her own aspirathese former dropouts don’t regret their decision tions in theatre. “A lot of people drop out in the to leave high school. Nonetheless, Marston says heat of the moment,” she says. “I have a plan, and that dropping out does not work for everyone and I think that will help me be successful.” should not be a decision taken lightly. “I don’t For Marston, Leonard and Meroney, dropping think that people should think it’s cool to drop out out of high school had its obstacles, but turned out of Blair,” she says. For Marston, the inspiration to to be the route that best fitted their identities and take a different route came unexpectedly. “It nev- their goals. While most Blazers reach their final er happened to me before that I read a book and destinations along a paved, trodden path, some did what it told me to do,” she says. “But it was must navigate the unfamiliar and the unexplored that book that told me that there is something you to get to where they need to go. These Blazers can do other than what everyone else expects you prove that with keen focus and determination, any to do.” Marston often feels that if she had worked route will ultimately end in success.

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June 3, 2011

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17

FEATURES

June 3, 2011

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A new school of thought

By Stella Bartholet Like any typical Blair student, sophomore Conlan Mayer-Marks grudgingly wakes up at six in the morning, brushes his teeth and gets dressed. But instead of throwing on the standard t-shirt and jeans, Mayer-Marks neatly buttons up a military uniform.

This past February, Mayer-Marks transferred out of Blair after deciding that Massanutten Military Academy was just what he needed. According to Tom Huckabee, Director of Admissions at Massanutten Military Academy, most students attend military school at their parents’ request. Other teens come from military families and find comfort in attending a school that promotes military values, he says.

But Mayer-Marks decided to go to Massanutten for a completely different reason: a fresh start. After struggling with academics and depression, he knew it was time for a change. What he thought would only improve his grades and mental health has also introduced him to a new kind of authority and forced him to appreciate the freedoms of his life at home.

and see how I would react,” he says.

Massanutten students have trouble wrapping their minds around the fact that Mayer-Marks chose to attend the school.

On the first day, a group of them noticed he was new, walked up to him and asked what crime he was there for. “It’s funny because that’s what they say when you go to jail,” he says. Mayer-Marks explained to them he was not there for a punishment. To this day, many students do not believe that he made the decision to attend Massanutten.

Reforming in uniform Soon Mayer-Marks learned that Massanutten would be more than just challenging, but also frightening. On his first day, he was nervous and on the verge of a mental breakdown. Upon arrival, a student took him to

Low spirits Mayer-Marks had been searching for a way to escape his depression since last December. He had stopped caring about the important aspects in his life; his grades suffered and social life stalled. His worried mother, Constantine Mayer, hired multiple counselors, but nothing would lift his mood.

Mayer-Marks felt horrible that his mother was working so hard to relieve his emotional pain. After hearing a family friend speak of her son’s progress in military school, Mayer mentioned the possibility of attending Massanutten to her own son. He agreed to tour the school and after visiting even offered to transfer immediately.

Mayer-Marks liked the idea of living in a controlled environment and more importantly, easing his mother’s worries. However, in the end, he made the decision based on his curiosity and desire for a challenge.

“The main reason why I wanted to go was to put myself in a completely different place

PHOTO COURTESY OF CONLAN MAYER-MARKS

Conlan Mayer-Marks decided he needed to make a fresh start at Massanutten Military Academy.

adapting to milithe school taitary school. “I have lor who shaved learned a lot from Mayer-Marks’s the adults here behead and then cause they all have handed him a been in the army or gray jumpsuit. at military schools The fear and they understand helped Mayerhow hard it can be,” Marks adjust he says. “They really quickly to the care for us.” strict military Mayer-Marks lifestyle.

He adds that the strict took on many atmosphere has also new responhelped to improve sibilities such his grades, since it as cleaning the prevents him from toilets, learnprocrastinating. ing commands “Here I can’t do any and marching COURTESY OF MASSANUTTEN MILITARY ACADEMY of the things that I in complex forwould normally do mations.

He Massanutten Military Academy helped that would distract received punMayer-Marks get his life back on track me from my eduishments for the smallest mistakes, which trained him to cation,” he says. “Here all I have to do is perform his duties impeccably within four school work, workout, clean and anything days. This strict authority is a main compo- else higher ranks tell me.” nent of the culture at Massanutten. “What A social dilemma the school really tries to emphasize is the fact that you need to listen to adults and Though Mayer-Marks has made great never question authority,” he says. strides in his schoolwork, he has had some difficulty socializing with fellow peers. He Academic attention says the political attitudes of Massanutten This strong emphasis on authority has students differ greatly from those of Blair helped Mayer-Marks improve his academic students, making it hard to relate to his performance. His mother says his grades peers. He has witnessed excessive bullying have soared since leaving Blair, partly due and heard both sexist and homophobic comto the increased attention and support from ments from other students.

Despite this, his peers’ stories and attihis teachers.

According to Huckabee, the average class tudes have expanded his view of the world. size at Massanutten is about 8-12 students. He feels grateful for the freedoms in life that Many of the teachers live on campus, allow- he took for granted before. “I really appreciing them to spend more time with students. ate everything I have at home now,” he says.

“Strong bonds form, which can be very “At home I feel like a billionaire. I started important in young lives,” Huckabee says. going to church a lot and praying more then “Think about your favorite teacher. Your I used to and I really have learned to get appreciation probably comes not so much stuff I need to get done and I need to stop from teaching style or academic knowledge, procrastinating.”

Authority has helped him pull his life but from the connection, the relationship you discovered and developed with that together, though Mayer-Marks is unsure of whether he can survive another year, meanteacher.”

Mayer-Marks holds great respect for his ing he may roam Blair’s hallways once teachers, who sympathize with his struggles again.

Getting the upper hand in the standardized testing system Blair students take advantage of weaknesses of the SATs and other standardized tests

By Maggie Shi Where only first names appear, names have been changed to protect the identities of the sources.

With the onset of summer, students are dreaming of lazy days by the pool and warm, homework-free nights. But standing between them and the bliss of summer vacation is a formidable obstacle to overcome: exams. Not just final exams, but also standardized ones like the High School Assessments (HSAs), Advanced Placement (AP) tests and the SAT. Teachers, school officials and the College Board seem to have a knack for synchronizing their testing, turning May and June into a two-month testing frenzy.

For most students, this amounts to long nights hitting the books and cramming. But some prefer not to study the material, but rather to study the system itself — and beat it. Call it what you may — be it “being resourceful” or “academic dishonesty” — but where there is testing, there is cheating. Just as tests have changed to become more standardized and administrators have tried to make testing procedure more secure, students have adapted their methods too, finding weak spots in testing procedure to take advantage of. For these students, cheating has become so commonplace it isn’t looked down upon or even kept secret — “it is simply another strategy to get ahead,” says Jeff, a senior.

Lost in the crowd According to the State University Education Encyclopedia, as testing becomes more standardized, the tests students take

are becoming more general, meaning more common during AP tests, she says. With the students take the same test. Larger groups large testing rooms, many test-takers and make it so proctors are not able to keep few proctors in each room, Gabriella says track of every test-taker. Daniel, a junior, that copying off peers’ AP tests is relatively detect. says that he took advantage of these lapses difficult to in attention to sneak outside materials into his HSA test. “During the Algebra HSA, ‘The greatest damage’ I knew I wasn’t going to remember the quadratic formula,” he says. “So I wrote Not only do these students sneak in notes that down and tucked it in my hat. When or sneak looks at other papers, but they now I needed it I just took it out.” Daniel says sneak in technology that gives them access that he did the same on several other tests to a wealth of information. Jeff rememand has never been caught. bers how he used his cell phone’s Internet Some students don’t just rely on themselves — they will look to their peers when they don’t know the material.

Gabriella, a junior, says that during her AP test for NSL, she just looked around at the tests next to her. “I just compared with people around me for multiple choice,” she said. “And for free response I looked for people with big handwriting.”

Simply looking around the room at other papers is fairly INFORMATION COURTESY OF EDUCATION-PORTAL.COM ELIZA WAPNER

scapabilities to cheat on the SAT. He says he got around the SAT reading section, which tests vocabulary, by memorizing the questions and then going to the bathroom to look up definitions.

The ease of access to the internet with cell phones has become a headache to testing officials. According to Blair testing coordinator Debbie Fickenscher, “a cell phone’s going to do the greatest damage.” They are relatively easy to hide and hard to detect in a large group of kids. “It’s easier with technology to get the word out [about what’s on a test],” she says. According to Fickenscher, College Board gives its AP and SAT tests on the same day at the same time to try to reduce the instances of students who have already taken the test telling students who have yet to take the test the answers.

Disregarding the rules

These students don’t see themselves as committing any particular treacherous crime when they cheat, perhaps because it is so prevalent. According to Daniel, cheating is not looked down upon by his friends but almost treated as a skill. Even after some of his peers were caught, it did not discourage him from cheating; he contends that those who get caught are simply “not doing it right.” Gabriella says, “Everyone is okay with it, and they’re totally open too. It’s accepted.” They don’t feel much remorse for their cheating, either. “When it comes to school, I feel like I don’t have much a conscience,” Gabriella says with a laugh. For these Blazers, all that matters is making the grade. As Jeff puts it, “You just have to do what you need to do to get ahead. Simple as that.”

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Spirits ‘flii’ at Puzzle Palooza Schoolwide competition challenges students

By Eliza Wapner Senior CJ Argue hangs another blue beaded Mardi Gras necklace around his neck.

His face and body are already caked with blue and white face paint, giving him the appearance of a retro superhero; a blue and white Israeli flag drapes proudly over his back.

Argue may not be a superhero, but for the past three days along with his team, Flii (pronounced fly), he has been vivaciously battling like a superhero for the Spirit Award in the 2011 Puzzle Palooza.

The self-proclaimed “Puzzle Lords,” magnet teachers Peter Ostrander, David Stein, James Schafer and Peter Hammond began Puzzle Palooza last year as a way to keep Magnet juniors and seniors out of four corners and in school during their open morn-

other team, except along with knowledge, they also have spirit.

See instructions

As Flii and other teams fought their way through the fifteen puzzles, it became abundantly clear that these puzzles were no jigsaw puzzles; they were incredibly complex and require interactive, creative thought. Think of a sheet of paper that has ten or so famous art pieces from which you need to put into a DNA sequence. But don’t stop there because after that, twist those strands into a double helix to get the answer the answer of “the teenage mutant ninja turtles.”

Since the puzzle was titled, “The missing turtle is still learning,” participants had to realize that all members of the teenage mutant ninja turtles’ art was present except Michelangelo’s. But still don’t stop because then you have to realize that Michelangelo famously said, “I am still learning,” but since he was Italian he obviously spoke it in Italian, so thus the answer is “Ancora Imparo.”

Phew!

Many of these puzzles go unsolved. Only one team solved all fifteen puzzles, and although team Flii put up a fight, they were TOLU OMOKEHINDE only able to solve ten. Last year, the Senior Jenna Yi, junior Becca Arbacher and senior Kris puzzles were semiShin attempt to solve a puzzle with the help of Google. original according ings of HSA week, but now it has grown to to Hammond; some were copied and others include any juniors and seniors without more were self-made. This year however, all of than one HSA. the puzzles are written by the Puzzle Lords Argue and his team of fourteen other themselves or donated by professional puzzle members begin this four day journey like any writers.

A Flii zone

As the days go on, full of surprises and perplexing puzzles, Flii continues their theatrics, ever determined to win the spirit award. When the desks in their home base, room 312, not used to solve puzTOLU OMOKEHINDE zles, they are strewn Team Flii builds team spirit with cheers and costumes. with streamers, face paint, hair rollers, Taking the stage jumpsuits, ribbon, hair dye, pompoms — anything that could be used to display their As the team waits for the spirit award to colors. In their precious spare time, the team members practice their many battle songs be announced, other teams walk up to the including a cheer, chant and re-write of the stage and receive their awards. The winsong “Like a G6” by the Far East Movement, ners get the huge prizes as promised: iTunes turned into “G secant V” by junior Kathryn gift cards, Magnet mugs, puzzle books and stuffed water bears.

Waychoff.

Each team’s members are clad in their colEach team had their own way of finishing off the four days. Right before the awards ors making the auditorium look like a patchceremony on the last day of the competi- work quilt. As each team is called up to the tion, some teams scramble to finish a few stage, they perform their own special cheer more puzzles, while others start to clean with big grins spread across their faces.

Finally, the spirit award is announced. up the mess of decorations in the borrowed classrooms. Team Flii, meanwhile, prepare “Last year, picking the spirit award was for the awards ceremony in a different way: hard,” announces master of ceremonies and they strap up. “Someone has to wear the Puzzle Lord Stein. “There was one spirited jumpsuit,” Waychoff yells. Senior Monica team and eleven non-spirited teams.” But this Ly decides to don the white jumpsuit splat- year was different, Stein explains, there were tered in blue paint; junior Matt Bernstein twelve spirited teams. But Stein had to pick ties speakers onto his chest with blue ribbon; one, he announces the winner... “Team Flii!” junior Robert Chen converts himself into a As the team runs up to the stage singing their stegosaurus with party hats. After costuming, anthem, the curtain from behind them slowly rises, revealing Schafer standing in front of the team practiced their cheers.

Flii walked out of the room looking quite the hugest prizes so far: brightly colored flamboyant. As they walk down to the audi- blow-up pool toys.

By this time, the auditorium is filled with torium where the awards ceremony would smiles and hands full of prizes. After four take place, their confidence soars.

The team only completed ten of fifteen days of work, sweat and puzzles, there is no puzzles, but they all say they decided to easy way to wrap it up, except for another focus more on the spirit aspect. Argue, the puzzle. “Julian Lofton,” Stein shouts as he team captain, is confident about the team’s searches the crowd, “What does the number success. “I think we did a great job,” he says, 361 mean to you?” Lofton springs up from “Even if we didn’t win we still are happy how out of his seat and shouts back, “361 days until Puzzle Palooza Three!” it turned out.

Communicating through creation Blazers use choreography as a means of expression

By NoahGrace Bauman

she helped choreograph an Indian dance for a somewhat larger audience; for the 2010 Smithsonian Folk Life Festival.

to other aspects of their lives, says Johnson.

Senior Talia Mason stands redMason says that her experiences faced and panting with a feeling choreographing and leading a teen of satisfaction after performing company have increased a serious of jumps, leaps and her confidence. “After chotwirls in front of a group of her reographing, dancing and peers at the Liz Lerman Dance organizing for three and a Exchange. The routine, which half years, I know that I have she painstakingly arranged herskills that will carry me forself is more than series of moveward. Academically, I have ments — it is an expression of become a stronger student; her thoughts and feelings into my leadership skills have led a kinetic work of art. me to make genuine friendMason is the co-president of ships,” says Mason.

Liz Lerman’s Dance Exchange Kelly O’Connor, director Teen Exchange, a program that of the Blair plays and mugives teens the opportunity to sicals, has also recognized choreograph their own modthese benefits and has used ern dances with other teens students as choreographers and then perform their pieces. for the past ten Blair shows.

Co-founder of the program, O’Connor believes that Elizabeth Johnson, believes choreography requires teens that choreographing as a teen to have a certain level of comTOLU OMOKEHINDE is an extremely beneficial promitment and responsibility. cess. “Generating material Griffis (center) performs in the piece “They have to be organized teaches you how to listen to your he choreographed for the musical. and proactive. They can’t imagination,” says Johnson. “It just show up, they have to teaches you a lot about leadership Like Mason, for Lichten choreog- know what steps to teach,” says and confidence beyond anything.” raphy is more than just formulating O’Connor.

For these teens choreography is a a routine. It’s a way for her to maniSenior Billy Griffis was one of different kind of education and self fest her feelings into an observable the choreographers for this year’s expression that provides them with medium. “Dance for me is the way production of Guys & Dolls. It was a unique set of skills that will carry I most naturally express myself… his first experience in choreography on throughout their lives. the way I move my body encapsu- and he believes that it taught him lates my emotions,” says Lichten. skills that he plans to use throughPlie perks Though choreography provides out his life.

Mason and Lichten with a means to “[Choreographing] taught me Freshman Josie Lichten choreoexpress themselves, choreography patience, how to start something graphed her first piece when she also provides teens with many other and finish something efficiently was nine years old. Just last year, practical skills that they can bring and to be able to bounce ideas off

TOLU OMOKEHINDE

Mason uses techniques such as Build-a-Phrase to collaborate with her peers and choreograph an original dance routine. of other people,” says Griffis.

Choreography creativity Though patience, being able to finish what one starts and collaboration are all important skills for choreography, it is creativity that helps these teen choreographers overcome obstacles. These teens strive to create original routines and movements, a feat easier said than done, says Griffis.

For the plays, he had to emulate a specific style of dance and do research, watching videos to learn basic steps to add to his routines.

For Lichten, inspiration comes from the outside world. “I usually get inspired by something I read or see in high fashion. Alexander McQueen is a big source of inspiration for me,” says Lichten.

Mason, however, uses choreography techniques like BuildA-Phrase, where she will pose a question corresponding to the topic of her dance and watch movements that people make as they answer.

She then uses those movements to formulate her own routine.

Dancing through life

Rather than a series of movements it is this meaning behind dance that leads Mason to conclude that dance can be revolutionary for her own life, as well as for the world around her. “It’s amazing how dance, or dance facilitation skills that I’ve learned at Dance Exchange have helped me shape my outlook on the world, and on how the world can, and should be influenced by the powers of movement, and collaborative processes of learning and creating,” says Mason.

To these artists, choreography has made a difference in their lives, and they believe it will continue to inspire them. Mason’s experience choreographing has helped her figure out what she would like to study in college. “As a result of this rich education, I have developed a keen interest in dance therapy and clinical psychology,” she says.

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21

Blair Pair With Springtime drawing to an overheated end, some Blair students may have given up on finding the perfect summer fling. But with the help of Silver Chips, you can get to know your prospective soulmate on a date!

Jazzing up a friendship May 28, 2011 6:00 P.M., OLAZZO RESTAURANT, SILVER SPRING ELLIE: I was in Downtown Silver Spring one hour before I was supposed to be there, so I ran home and realized “Oh man! I have to be at the restaurant!” so I got ready and ended up looking a lot nicer than I usually would, it was a total Mulan transformation.

MICHAEL: I was the first to arrive so I walked in and had no idea who I was going to be with or where I was supposed to go, so I kind of stayed in the foyer for a little bit and then the host came up and sad “You must be here for Date Lab.” Then he said to wait at the bar then Ellie came in and I was like “Yay!” ELLIE: The first thing I noticed was that I felt a little overdressed, but it went really well. I thought it would be a lot more awkward than it was because I thought I wouldn’t know who I would be going out with but then I saw it was Michael, and he was being very gentlemanly, pulling out my chair and holding the door, things like that.

MICHAEL: It was funny, I had actually seen her earlier in the day, so when she came in we just said “hi” like you would to a friend and we just started talking. I thought it would be a complete stranger but it ended up being someone I kind

MICHAEL: We talked a lot about music. A lot. Mostly just about favorite artists and genres and what we think about today’s music.

We actually have a lot of similar tastes; we both like jazz a lot.

ELLIE: It was a really nice restaurant. There was a couple sitting next to us who ended up splitting the bill with us! It was also the first date that we both had ever been on, and we both agreed it was a good date. My favorite part of the date was just getting to finally talk to COURTESY OF ELLIE MUSGRAVE AND MICHAEL STRAUTMANIS him for more Sophomore Ellie Musgrave and junior Mithan a few minchael Strautmanis shared music tastes. utes. We knew each other but of know. We just talked for an hour didn’t really knew each other. over a free meal. It was awesome.

MICHAEL: We went to the back ELLIE: Music. We talked about of the first room of the restaurant music almost the entire time. It and sat down. The first thing I was the first thing he asked me and remember saying was that I was he had been talking to my friend afraid I would be on a date with a Noah who told him I was a bass- complete stranger and that I was ist and we talked about starting a glad that wasn’t the case. I didn’t band and our tastes in music which expect the date to be so nerve turned out to be very similar. wracking! I expected to be a little

By Helen Bowers and Simrin Gupta Whether you’re a fan of the low prices and vast selection or if you greatly oppose the environmental impact and harsh mistreatment of their workers, there is no denying that Walmart is one thing and one thing only: a playground.

With vast, unattended spaces and a labyrinth of shelves of objects to be misused, it is almost impossible to resist temptation.

And how better to prepare ourselves for the incoming Walmart branches in the DC area (one on Georgia, New York, New Jersey Avenues and another on East Capitol Street) than to try out some of the online tips for having fun at Walmart.

So your two daring, brave Silver Chips star reporters decided to breech the rules of consumer etiquette and wreak havoc at Walmart.

underwear. Unfortunately, we didn’t see their faces when hey reached the check-out registers, as we were too busy trying to run for dear life (the husband was pretty muscular and could probably kill us in a second if he was so inclined) as we giggled.

After that, we placed the rest of our undergarment collection in odd places around the store. Shopping for some new pans?

You’ll have to look behind the leopard print bustier.

Passing through the cereal aisle? Your box of Lucky Charms cereal seems to be hiding behind that sequined night gown.

Candy déja vú

W e selected the Helen and Simrin take a relaxing nap in register in the back of the Underwear pranks the aisles of Walmart, to the chagrin of store with the other shoppers in the store. shortest line.

After wandering about the Intimates department collecting First, we chose a Kit-Kat bar, bought it, and arm loads of different sized undergarments, immediately went around, grabbed a Heath some made entirely of pastel color lace, oth- bar and circled around to the same register. ers of bright animal print patterns, we set It only took two times before the cashier off in search of unsuspecting customers, noticed, called her friend over, whispered ones who leave their carts unattended while something to her and giggled pointedly at us browsing the racks for a new outfit, or while while we browsed the calorie laden snacks searching for their preferred brand of cereal. by the register for a third time.

For future Walmart miscreants, more subWe came across a family of four looking at baby strollers. As we strolled by, we tossed tlety would result in a more confused cashier in a particularly hideous pair of lacy hot pink and in a better joke.

TOLU OMOKEHINDE

nervous, but I don’t think there were any long pauses or silences.

We just kept talking about random stuff. We started making fun of this weird movie playing. There was this girl and she was really drunk and they were at a party, and she was crawling on the floor and he was on top of her slapping her. It was strange.

ELLIE: I would give the date an 8.

I really enjoyed it, It was so sweet and cute, it was not super romantic but I liked that because if we had tried to be like a couple it

would have been so much more awkward. I would go on another date, but I would wait for him to ask me out. I’m really bad at asking people out; it’s not even funny.

MICHAEL: I would give the date a solid 10. It was awesome. I would really like to go out again and wouldn’t mind asking her out first; I might even do it today.

STELLA BARTHOLET

Tracking Track-suit Lady

“Pink Track-Suit Lady” is what we christened the victim of our next escapade. She was a true Walmart archetype clad, head to foot, in a pink, velvet tracksuit complete TOLU OMOKEHINDE with clashing fuchsia Helen and Simrin create a makeshift bowling alley socks. We found her in the cleaning department in the foodstuffs aisle. Though they weren’t kicked browsing through the out of Walmart this caused a few double takes. vacuum cleaner bags and followed her, always keeping within five feet, caught that added an element of excitement as she bought paper towels, perused scented to our games. Nap time and bottle bowling candles, dabbled in electronics and scanned must clearly be common goings on at Walthe shelves for pasta sauce. mart.

Eventually she headed for the exit of the store, possibly looking very nervous, we Spare change don’t know, we couldn’t see her face. We suspect that the phone call she made shortly Our purchase of true Walmart necessibefore exiting the store was to call for a big, ties, a lot of junk food and a foot washer strong somebody to come protect her from (because everyone needs one, really), cost the two crazy teenagers following her around around $11, and after we had counted out $5 Walmart. in spare change found under couch cushions and in pants pockets, the clerk, in a very anPlaying dead noyed tone, suggested that we go over to the Coinstar in the corner and convert all of the We picked out the most hideous and most change into bills. We were, needless to say, comfortable granny-style nightgowns from dismayed. the clothing department. We grabbed some It was quite a spectacle our cashier being pillows from house wear, and plopped down over six feet tall, and very muscular, with to take a nap in the middle of the aisle. Sur- several tattoos on his arms not to mention a prisingly, no one noticed our impromptu nap death-rocker T-shirt. We were then forced by time, and no one saw fit to tell us to get the common courtesy and a fear for our health to heck out of their way. People mostly just change almost $30 worth of change into a rewent around to the other side of the aisle, ceipt, give it to the steaming cashier and then very perplexed. check out.

To our great displeasure, we found that The silver lining was getting to see the people really didn’t notice many of the things typical small town “I work at a Walmart and we did. Including the time we went bowl- would rather go have a life than check out ing with two liter bottles of soda in the food this person’s junk” expression on a 30-somesection. thing year old man, which added a deeper Really, it was the thrill of possibly being motivation to the outcome of our visit.

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By Simrin Gupta With school finally winding down and summer right around the corner, some of the hottest artists are busy prepping for some sweet summer shows. If you’re sticking around this summer, quit looking for ways to beat the heat — listen to some great beats instead. Some scorching tours are happening close to home.

2011 Vans Warped Tour

Rolling Papers World Tour

the end of the night.

If you’re looking to scope out some new bands, Warped will usually feature a handful of up-and-coming artists.

Vans Warped Tour is the classic sum- The best thing about Warped is that the mer concert. The international tour festival lets old and new music collide. features music by artists representing The lineup changes every year based on who’s popua wide range of lar, but older genres from pop to bands like Bad hip-hop to punk.

Religion have Warped has been been known the longest runto perform bening festival concert fore. tour in America and This year’s more than 600,000 lineup includes fans come out every Gym Class Hesummer. The outroes, Attack Atdoor music festival tack!, Family has multiple stages COURTESY OF STEELTOWNROCK.COM Force Five, The on which different Ready Set and bands perform at Hundreds of fans cluster by one of the We Came as regular intervals. giant inflateable stages at Warped.

Romans. You Fans can vote on which band they want to play the lon- can get the latest tour updates on Twitter gest and the band chosen will perform at @vanswarpedtour.

an overwhelmingly explosive response.

Wiz has also done some more serious tracks like “On My Level”— a pure rap track featuring Curren$y.

Though fewer Blazers may have The Rolling Papers World Tour is definitely going to be one of the freshest con- heard of Curren$y, he was named one of the Top 10 Freshcerts hitting Marymen in XXL magland this summer. azine and is curBig names like Wiz rently preparing Khalifa, Mac Miller to drop his sixth and Curren$y are album. sure to bring some As for Mac excitement to MerMiller, the riweather’s stage.

19-year-old PittsKhalifa is proburgh MC will moting the release be promoting the of Rolling Papers. launch of his new The album features record Best Day high-energy tracks COURTESY OF TICKETSINVENTORY.COM Ever. Wiz and while still mainMiller hit Baltitaining Khalifa’s At a recent outdoor concert, Wiz raps more last year, signature laid back lyrics from his new album. and now’s your vibe. Prior to Papers, Khalifa released Kush & Orange chance to see them light up the stage one Juice and the Taylor Gang fanbase had more time.

Sunday July 24 at 3:30 p.m.

Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia, MD

Tuesday, July 26 at 11:00 a.m.

Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia, MD

Tickets

The Loud Tour Saturday, June 4 at 7:30 p.m.

1st Mariner Arena, Baltimore, MD

Naturally, no one wants to pay a fortune for concert tickets, so here are some easy ways to attend shows this summer.

Everyone’s familiar with TicketMaster, but some other ticket sites are StubHub, TicketFly, ShorelineTickets, AmazonTickets and TicketNetwork.

These websites are somewhat under the radar, but if you start your ticket search early enough, you can score tickets for up to $10 less than face value.

Another great way to score

Rihanna’s new tour is rumored to feature some crazy new costumes and elaborate stage designs that are sure to create a memorable night. This summer, she’ll be touring with Cee-lo Green, famous for his insanely catchy radio hit “F--- You.” The Loud Tour kicks off right here in Baltimore at 1st Mariner Arena. Rihanna’s album, Loud, is her fifth studio album, released by Def Jam Records in November last year. Her last tour promoted her edgier album Rated R which featured hits that had a defiant, in-yourface-attitude. Loud is a 180 degree turnabout for RhiRhi, who’s now releasing more club tracks with a lighter, more fun pop vibe. However, the Barbadian superstar still recorded a few slower, more heartfelt ballads for the album, like “Love the Way you Lie (Part II).”

Bringing even more energy to the show is eclectic artist Cee-lo. He’s come a long way since his days with Goodie Mod and Gnarls Barkley and he’s recently released The Lady Killer.

When Cee-lo and Rihanna hit the COURTESY OF NEONLIMELIGHT.COM stage together in June, the two are bound to deliver an awe-inspiring At the Grammys, both Rhianna and Ceeperformance. lo had show-stopping performances.

Movies X-Men: First Class (PG-13) — Charles Xavier (James McAvoy) and Erik Lehnsherr (Michael Fassbender), better known as Professor X and Magneto, used to be the best of friends. The two mutants met at Oxford in the 1960s and they bonded over a mutual interest in opening a school for other mutants. The film takes place before the current X-Men movies, highlighting the complex relationship between Xavier and Lehnsherr before they became archenemies. The action-packed flick follows the two former allies as they and their team of mutants embark on a mission to save the planet from nuclear threat. (June 3) Green Lantern (PG-13) — Marvel Studios and DC Entertainment have teamed up to transfer this classic comic book storyline to the big screen. Green Lantern stars Hal Jordan (Ryan

tickets is to listen in to Radio stations, like D.C.’s popular HOT 99.5. You can either call in or enter contests online and with a little luck, you can score free tickets.

If all else fails, you can go to the venue and hope that you’ll be able to buy tickets there.

Bigger shows that are sold out online will usually have scalpers selling tickets outside the arena, but be wary because you’ll have to spend big bucks at the last minute.

Rockstar Festival Saturday, July 30 at 1:15 p.m.

Jiffy Lube Live, Bristow, VA

The whirlwind tour features 12 metal bands, 26 tour buses, 13 production trucks and over 20,000 amped-up fans. The Mayham festival, which started in 2008, has become one of the most popular heavy metal shows of the year. Metalheads from all over Maryland and Virginia are expected to attend this explosive event.

There are three stages on the tour: the Jagermeister stage, the Extreme stage and the Rockstar Energy Drink Main Stage. The main stage will feature bigger bands like Megadeth, Godsmack and Disturbed. But, up-and-coming bands like In Flames and Suicide Silence are performing too. The tour is sure to have tons of energy, but even if you’re not that pumped up, Rockstar will help you stay awake.

To make it easier for young metalheads to keep up-to-date with all the mayhem happening on the tour, you can follow it on Twitter or download the new Android application that lets you create a tour schedule, set alarms COURTESY OF NOISECREEP.COM to notify you when your favorite Silent Suicide perfoms their set with lots bands are playing and get notificaof headbanging energy. tions about meet-and-greet sessions.

BEYOND the Boulevard Reynolds) in the title role. The Green Lantern Corps are the superhero group responsible for the intergalactic protection of peace and justice. They’re facing their toughest battle yet, as the evil Parallax is threatening to destroy the universe. If Jordan, the first human ever recruited for the corps can find the courage to defeat Parallax, he may turn out to be the greatest Green Lantern yet. (June 13)

DVDs True Grit (PG-13) — In an attempt to avenge her father ’s murder, Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld) sets out to capture his killer — the infamous Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin). She enlists U.S. Marshal Reuben “Rooster” Cogburn (Jeff Bridges) to help. To Ross’s dismay, the Rooster seems like the ultimate disappointment, based on his drinking and general lack

of cleanliness. Eventually the two start a journey to the Indian Nations in hot pursuit of Chaney but the trip forces them to measure their own ‘true grit’. (June 7) The Adjustment Bureau (PG-13) — The existence of reality is questioned in this fastpaced sci-fi thriller. The storyline follows the life of New York congressman David Norris (Matt Damon). Norris ends up losing a major race but coincidentally meets the beautiful Elise (Emily Blunt) and shortly after and the two fall in love. One day, Norris happens upon a strange scene at his new job. The adjustment bureau, a mysterious group of men who ‘adjust’ real life situations, threaten to erase Norris’s memory if he reports what he saw to anyone. The adjustment bureau, acting under orders by ‘The Chairman’, is focused on keeping the two apart. Norris begins a life-threatening battle to keep his

relationship alive while trying to outsmart the adjustment bureau. (June 21)

Concerts

The Script at D.A.R. Constitution Hall, Sunday June 5 at 7:30 p.m.; tickets $43

Owl City at Pier Six Concert Pavilion, Saturday June 18 at 5:30 p.m.; tickets $52

Animal Collective at Merriweather Post Pavilion, Saturday July 9 at 8:00 p.m.; tickets $30

Katy Perry at Merriweather Post Pavilion, Wednesday June 15 at 8:00 p.m.; tickets $63

Beyond the Boulevard compiled

by Simrin Gupta

silverCHIPS

LA ESQUINA LATINA

3 de Junio del 2011

Humala o Keiko, destino de Perú Perú espera ansiosamente el resultado de las elecciones en las partes más pobres del país.

Humala y su partido tienen inclinaciones Después de la primera vuelta de las elec- centroizquierdistas. Aunque Humala dice ciones, los peruanos se quedan con la opción estar más central, ha mostrado admiración de elegir entre la hija de un infamado ex pres- hacia Hugo Chávez en el pasado. Si gana la presidencia, hay una posibilidad que Humala idente o un simpatizador de Chávez.

Según la encuestadora Ipsos Apoyo, Ol- puede implementar creencias Chavistas. El lanta Humala, del partido Nacionalista Pe- resultado de un gobierno socialista, como la ruana, le gano a Keiko Fujimori, del partido de Venezuela, puede ser la pobreza, la enferFuerza 2011, por 7 por ciento. La segunda medad resultando de escasez de alimento y la falta de la democracia vuelta electoral que tiene Perú hasta entre Humala el momento. y Fujimori se Humala afirma realizará el 5 tener sus propios de Junio de planes para gobereste año. nar y no va reflejar el Al acercarse gobierno de Chávez. a la fecha de la Humala todavía tiene segunda vuelmuchos simpatizata, la brecha dores, la gran mayentre Humala y oría vive en zonas Fujimori parece pobres. Las personas cerrarse. Las de escasos recursos encuestas afirALTERNATIVALATINOAMERICANA.BLOGSPOT.COM todavía favorecen al man que desde mayo del 2011, Los candidatos a la presidencia Peruana candidato centroizquierdista porque creen Humala tiene son Ollanta Humala y Keiko Fujimori. que el socialismo les el apoyo del 39 por ciento del voto peruano y Fujimori esta va a ayudar. Sin embargo, el ejemplo que deja Venezuela es suficiente para ver que dichos solamente a uno por cierto atrás de Humala.

Ambos candidatos prometen dar énfasis partidos políticos no son los más efectivos.

Fujimori y su partido tienen inclinaciones en la educación y la pobreza. Para mejorar la educación, ambos quieren incrementar derechistas derivado de el partido de su palos sueldos de los profesores e implementar dre, Alberto Fujimori. El ex presidente Fujievaluaciones que surgirán varias veces al año mori, quien sirvió entre los años de 1990 y para asegurarse que estudiantes estén recibi- 2000, fue acusado de acciones ilegales duranendo la instrucción adecuada. Los candidatos te su presidencia. Además de usar el dinero también quieren continuar la lucha contra la del país para sus logros personales, también pobreza, enfocándose más en la desnutrición violo los derechos humanos, realizando secre-

Por Michelle Chavez

tamente la matanza de muchas personas.

Políticos consideran a Fujimori como un dictador y teman que, con la victoria de su hija Keiko Fujimori pueda gobernar al país a través de su padre. La razón por el creciente apoyo de Fujimori, según varios políticos, es resultado de los votos de la clase media que favorecían a los otros candidatos durante la primera vuelta, y no son necesariamente apoyados por Fujimori.

El ganador del premio Nobel, Mario Vargas Llosa, dice que esta elección es como decidir “entre el cáncer y el sida.” Si Humala gana las elecciones, Perú se puede convertir en un país socialista, hundido en la pobreza.

Si Fujimori gana, la corrupción de la década de su padre puede volver, con Alberto Fujimori en la cabeza de las operaciones.

Esta elección es como decidir “entre el cáncer y el sida.”

Es difícil saber si el nuevo presidente, sea Humala o Fujimori, implementarán acciones que favorezcan ideales Chavistas o Fujimoristas. Ahora, los Peruanos solamente pueden esperar para el 5 de Junio, deseando que no les toque “el cáncer,” ni “la sida,” sino un gobierno que sea justo.

La obesidad afecta a la población latina Nuestra cultura juega un factor muy importante en nuestra salud Por Claudia Quinonez Torrico La población hispana es una de las rasas étnicas que va creciendo año con año. Actualmente , 50 millones de hispanos residen en los Estados Unidos. Aunque también estamos creciendo físicamente, ya que una epidemia de obesidad amenaza la salud y bienestar de las familias hispanas.

Recientes estudios encontraron que el 52% de la población hispana sufre de sobrepeso y obesidad.

No se sabe exactamente que causa esto, pero un factor muy importante que influye, es nuestra cultura. Por ejemplo, tener una “estructura BLOG.CIENCIAS-MEDICAS.COM corporal pesada” es mas aceptable socialmente que en otras culturas. Otro factor importante es la escasa o ninguna información sobre el cuidado de la salud, que las familias hispanas reciben.

Otra razón que afecta es el factor económico que las familias hispanas tienen, algu-

nas veces comer comida rápida sale más económico que hacer una comida casera por la falta de recursos. Finalmente otro problema que afecta son las ba- rreras del idioma, ya que la mayoría de información de salud es en ingles y a los padres se les hace muy difícil de entender. En consecuencia, la población hispana sufre de sobrepeso. Pero en especial los estudiantes hispanos.

Para la mayoría de los estudiantes hispanos es más difícil comer porciones pequeñas o comidas saludable , ya que ellos están acostumbrados a comer en porciones grandes. Esta costumbre se inicia en el hogar, continuando en la escuela y entorno social.

La obesidad entre los niños y jóvenes latinos existe a raíz de que la mayoría de los padres inmigrantes, llegan a un país donde el lenguaje y la cultura son diferentes. Por el cual terminan obligados a adaptarse a la cultura como cualquier humano tuviera que hacerlo. La comida es una de esas cosas que inevitablemente se diferencia de país

23

¡Ú Última Ú ltima hora!

Por Yessica Somoza

Legalizar las drogas, SI o NO El ex-presidente de México, Vicente Fox propuso “legalizar la producción, la venta y la distribución de las drogas” en México. Fox dice que la legalización de drogas solo es una estrategia para golpear y romper la estructura del narcotráfico. Fox también estableció que eso ayudaría a reducir el consumo de drogas a nivel mundial, en especial entre los jóvenes. “En ocasiones la consumen por su inclinación a la infracción de la ley” dijo Fox. También estableciendo que el costo que el gobierno mexicano y el pueblo mexicano están pagando a causa de la lucha contra el crimen organizado es muy grande. Particularmente por las 37,000 vidas que se han perdido.

El ex - presidente dijo que “Lo prohibido parece generar tentaciones de consumo. Yo creo que las prohibiciones no funcionan”

La mujer más vieja del mundo María Gómez Valentín de la ciudad Carangola, Brasil, obtuvo el reconocimiento como la persona más vieja en el mundo este ano. El “Guiness Book of World Records” lo confirmo en el mayo. La señora Valentín tiene 114 años, es decir que nació en 1896. ¿Y que es su secreto para una vida larga? Ella dice que ha vivido por tanto tiempo porque se aseguro de hacerse cargo de su vida y no de las vidas de otros. Este es la primera vez que Brasil ha tenido una mujer con este titulo; la segunda mas vieja mujer en el mundo vive en las E.E.U.U.

La mala nutrición y una vida sedentaria en país. En resultado, en vez de tener una puede provocar más obesidad y producir comida saludable , muchos prefieren conenfermedades.Los hissumir comidas rápidas. panos son 1.7 veces más Pero también teniendo vulnerables de sufrir en cuenta que la maydiabetes que una peroría de padres hispanos sona estadounidense. ,no tienen el tiempo suOtras enfermedades ficiente para, estar con son la hipertensión, sus hijos. Ya que ellos asma y problemas cartienen que trabajar. Lo diovasculares. En los que los niños y adolesúltimos años todos escentes hacen mientras tos problemas de salud sus padres trabajan, es han aumentado entre mirar televisión y jugar la comunidad hispana. video juegos.

Algunas formas de En un estudio realprevenir estas enfermeizado, investigadores dades son aumentando miraron televisión por el consumo de frutas y 860 horas entre las vegetales, disminuyen3p.m y 10p.m (horas en do el consumo de bebique los jóvenes y niños CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL das dulces y comidas miran mas televisión) en cadenas televisivas Hay mas ninos Latinos obesos grasosas, y el tiempo de mirar televisión. como Univision y Tel- que los de las otras razas.

Tomando estos pasos emundo, que son vistas simples , pueden ayudar a mejorar la salud por el 94% de la población hispana. Estos y nutrición, podemos empezar por tomar científicos descubrieron que el 2/3 de cada hora son comerciales sobre comidas y bebi- buenas decisiones alimenticias para vivir mas felices y saludables. das no saludables.

¿Y tú, qué PIENSAS? ¿Cuál fue tu mejor experiencia del año escolar?

“La mejor experiencia que tuve este año escolar fue el baile de Homecoming.”

Dalia Herrera Onceavo grado

“Mi mejor experiencia del año escolar fue que por primera vez obtuve un GPA de 3.00.”

Mauricio Amaya Décimo grado

“Mi mejor experiencia del año escolar fue hacer nuevas amistades y compartir y disfrutar mucho con ellos.”

Johanna Perez Décimo grado

“Mi mejor experiencia del año escolar fue tener una maestra estudiante en la clase de español.”

Selvin Argueta Décimo grado

24 ADS

June 3, 2011

silverCHIPS

silverCHIPS

With a cherry on top

by Helen Bowers

The final stretch

CHIPS CLIPS 25

June 3, 2011

by Tatyana Gubin

ACROSS 1. Tub of warm bubbling water used to relax in 7. Frozen _______________ can be a good substitute for ice cream 12. Electronic Record of Health, for short 13. Petrol 14. Vocabulary of a ghost 15. Giant ball of burning gas that lights up the sky by day 16. Quantity 18. Balloon movie 19. Editors in Chief, for short 20. Place or group in which you belong 21. Consequently 23. Disagree 24. Egg_____ is a popular drink over Christmas 25. Scenic Graph Layout, for short 26. Disease that makes it hard to focus 28. Indicates actor not to speak to other actors on stage when saying a line or speech 33. Deed 35. Spasms of the diaphragm that must be stopped by drinking water 36. This league of schools is

Happy the panda

considered the best 38. The foot’s fingers 40. Past tense of Scottish verb Dree, to endure or suffer 41. Chances 42. Term often used when talking of religion to describe different sections of faith 43. Opposite of East, plural 46. Opposite of Math 47. Put forward 48. Military Engineering Service, for short 49. Play, jump and leap about 51. Phonetic pronunciation for T 52. Greeting 54. Little siblings often want you to take them _______ 55. He’s just not that ____________ you 56. Male child 57. Word used to describe how dogs and other animals sip water 58. Tones, melodies and tunes are all part of this DOWN 1. Can’t wear pants made of this material in the summer 2. Getting battle equipment 3. Popular ice cream flavor 4. Space, area 5. Facial blemish 6. He, in French 7. It’s not _____, it’s me

8. Exclamation uttered when a mistake is made 9. Utilize 10. Destroyed 11. Tennessee Community Organizations, for short 17. United Health Group, for short 22. Over head not, underneath 25. Having expelled saliva onto something/someone 26. Among 27. Nights counter part 28. Helpers 29. Yell 30. There is a giant picture of this in the middle of this crossword 31. Name of a tire company that rhymes with duets 32. Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, for short 34. Edible container of ice cream 37. Virginia Department of Education, for short 39. To place one’s weight on a chair 41. Not on 43. A smell ________ thought the air 44. Utensil used to eat ice cream 45. Immobile 47. Unlocks 50. Kanga’s son 51. Trinity International University, for short 53. _______cream

by Sam Elkind

S U D O K U COURTESY OF WWW.WEBSUDOKU.COM

Wicked Witch of the East... Coast

Chips

by Nathan Gamson

by Doyung Lee

silverCHIPS

SPORTS 26

June 3, 2011

Homecooked competition serves the ultimate friendship Ultimate Frisbee teaches Blair students unconventional and important lessons.

By Eliza Wapner Sophomore Puck Bregstone leaps to snatch a Frisbee out of the air. As he catches the disc, he lands hard on the ground, accidentally pushing a member from the opposing team down. The time is stopped, not by a referee, but by the players.

Bregstone is part of Blair’s Ultimate Frisbee team, Homecooked.

Ultimate is a sport that involves throwing and catching a disc, combining aspects of basketball, soccer and football in a fast-paced game of teamwork.

But although the game has a defined set of rules, on the field play is self-officiated, meaning that there are no referees and team members are expected to uphold only the “spirit of the game.” The players make all calls and by the standards of this “spirit of the game” philosophy they are required to be fair and uphold the sincerity of the game.

The Washington Area Frisbee Club (WAFC) defines this unique code of conduct as a set of rules that relies on “sportsmanship that places responsibility for fair play on the player.” According to WAFC this dedication to the integrity of the game is what really sets Frisbee apart from mainstream sports.

The tricks of the trade In Ultimate, the objective is to get the Frisbee in the end zone.

After the frisbee is caught, the number of adult and college memGill for her belief in the team. player can only move up to three bers. The growth in youth Frisbee “She’s very supportive of the steps before passing the disc to anhas seen new leagues and players team,” he says, “she never puts other player. The main strategy of participating, including the WAFC us down.”

Ultimate is to set up a “stack” or a Washington, D.C. area league that This support translates into line of players success. down the field This seathat helps son, Homeplayers reach c o o k e d the end zone stands with to score. a record of According two and to the New four. They York Times, beat Paint Ultimate Branch’s Frisbee was fairly new invented by team and the hippies of lost to the 1960’s as Sidwell an anti-sport F r i e n d that harbored School’s a congenial established mind-set; no and school referees, no funded previous exteam. Gill perience and predicts TOLU OMOKEHINDE no intense that as Sophomore Luke Shoppert gives the frisbee a toss during a Home- the years contact.

In 1979 an cooked Ultimate practice. The team practices regularly at Blair. go on, the organization team will called USA Ultimate was created to Homecooked plays in. continue to improve. She credregulate national tournaments and Three years ago, Kris Gill, for- its this to a strong core of underleagues. Since then the sport has mer president of WAFC moved to classmen team members. continued to grow to include colTakoma Park and wanted to get lege and high school students. In involved with the community by Breaking the mold fact, in the past year youth Frisbee teaching Ultimate. She became has taken the US National Governthe coach of Homecooked and has According to Andy Lee, direcing Body For the Sport of Ultimate come every Wednesday since to tor of manufacturing and com(USA Ultimate) by surprise as the practice with the team and teach munications at USA Ultimate, the number of student members in them more advanced skills. Junior sense of responsibility and teamthe organization surpassed the co-captain Marcus Clarke praises work is a mind-set that boosts

morale, which in turn attracts people to the game. Lee says that this is one of the primary reasons for Ultimate’s growing popularity.

“It’s one of the underlying principles of Ultimate that teaches sportsmanship, honesty and integrity which appeals to kids and parents,” he says. “There is a great life lesson that is taught through the game.” According to Gill, this mind-set leads to player’s respect towards their own teammates and the players on the opposing team.

“You become friends off the field [with your teammates] because of spirit of the game,” says Gill.

According to Clarke, even in rough spots the team stands together well and maintains a sense of camaraderie to keep them going strong. During a grueling game against Magruder, Homecooked was losing badly, but they managed to maintain a positive outlook. Sophomore Camille Newell made an inspiring speech, motivating the team to make a four point come back to finish the game Magruder eight and Homecooked four.

According to team member sophomore Devin Rutan, Homecooked Frisbee is based on friendships, making it unique in the school sports arena. “That’s what sets us apart from the rest of sports,” he says, “[ultimate is] more fun and it’s more about companionship of the game and doing something you love.”

jvJOURNAL

By Claire Sleigh

JV Softball

JV Baseball

The JV softball team finished off the season with an outstanding record of 12-1, making them one of the strongest JV teams at Blair this year. Compared to last year’s 3-9 record, this year’s team has made huge improvements, which Coach Louis Hoelman III attributes to the fact that many of the athletes on the team were naturally talented and knowledgeable about the sport at the onset of the season. Unlike soccer and basketball, which many athletes play from a young age, softball is a slightly more obscure sport that attracts fewer veterans. However this year’s team had a wealth of strong batters, and most importantly, a strong pitcher and catcher.

The team demolished almost all of their competition — with scores like 25-0 — and, according to Hoelman, only played one bad game (which they won). Hoelman believes that they played their best in their 11-0 loss to Sherwood on April 7. Hoelman said that this team showed a strong level of maturity and worked well together. “One of our best parts was our team unity,” he said. “They just bonded together and played outstanding ball.” With six seniors graduating from varsity this year, Hoelman expects that many of his JV players will be moving up.

COURTESY OF CHIP PY

Sophomore Emma Lurye is JV’s primary pitcher and leads the offense.

JV Girls’ Lacrosse

TOLU OMOKEHINDE

It was a strong year for JV baseball because they had many good pitchers.

It was a heartbreaking season for the JV baseball team(5-8): they started off the season with a weak record of 2-6, but rebounded after spring break to win four out of their next five games. In games against teams like powerhouses Churchill, Whitman and Magruder, Blair was victorious by large margins. These teams had outstanding records before the Blair match-up but the Blazers put them in their place. However, because of Montgomery County regulations, the team was not able to play the extra game it needed to break 500, a real blow to such a comeback team.

Even so, Coach Richard Porac believes that the record shows an incredible amount of determination on the part of his team and says he is proud of their accomplishment.

“Their record is outstanding considering how they started off the season,” he said.

Throughout the first half of the season, Porac felt that the team had it in them to be better, and that they recognized this potential in themselves even if they couldn’t put it to use. “They knew they were capable of playing better and they did,” he said. “They are one of the most proud teams I’ve been around because of how resilient they were and how hardworking.”

The JV girls’ lacrosse team finished off the season with a losing record of 3-8, but coach Christine Denny does not believe that the record is at all reflective of how well the team played. “The record sounds awful,” she said. “But it was actually a really successful season.” They kept the scores close in games against three of the powerhouse teams in the region, Magruder, Sherwood and Walter Johnson. These teams generally demolish the Blair squad.

Out of a total of twenty team members, 17 of the players were brand new to the sport; of these players, 14 were freshman.

Denny hopes that many of the freshmen return to play next year and that this group of freshmen will be the new lacrosse leaders.

Hopefully this new batch of freshmen will invigorate the varsity squad.

The team was focused on learning the basics of the sport, and performed well despite their lack of training. “They were a group of girls committed to playing and practicing,” Denny said. “They trusted each other.”

Denny is disappointed that the record does not show the progress the team has made.

However, if these players continue progressing at the same rate, Denny is confident that they will be an asset to the varsity squad.

EMMA HOWELLS

Sophomore Alayna Abel protects the goal and returns the ball up field.

JV Boys’ Lacrosse

ENOCH HSIAO

Sophomore Justin Kung led the JV team in goals scored this year.

During their 11 game season, the boys’ lacrosse team won eight, lost one and tied two, to close the season with one of the most successful records the team has had in years. Coach Adrian Kelly believes that the team played an excellent season, although he would have liked to have seen them go undefeated.

The team kicked off the season with a 5-2 win against powerhouse Whitman that proved to be a confidence booster for the remainder of the season.

They went on to tie Damascus 8-8, quite a feat given that Damascus had only one loss prior to the Blair game, and are considered one of the toughest teams of the league.

However the two ties that the Blazers secured were well worth the struggle as they kept the Blazers from finishing with a record similar to last year’s 7-4 record.

The team relied heavily on freshmen power and new finds because there were only four returning players to the JV squad.

According to Kelly, the team’s strongest suits were an athletic and physical defense, and an able goalie. Having this strong defense took pressure off the offense and allowed the Blazers to keep the scores tight in key games.

silverCHIPS

27

SPORTS

June 3, 2011

best of blair sports

BY CLAIRE SLEIGH BEST MALE ATHLETE

BEST FEMALE ATHLETE Senior Eve Brown has been a pitcher on Blair’s varsity softball team since her freshman year. Brown has pitched the majority of the games for the past two years and achieved a record of 12-1 for this past season, striking out 82 batters in 72 innings. Her only loss was against Chesapeake in the state semifinals.

According to Hoelman, Brown is a quick and dedicated learner who puts in a lot of time and effort to perfecting her pitch. The work she puts in outside of Blair practices and year-round travel softball — with personal coaches for example — has paid off and made Brown a force to be reckoned with on the field, says Hoelman.

Perhaps it is all this extra work that Brown puts in that makes her so confident in her pitching abilities — regardless, Hoelman truly sees her confidence on the mound as an asset to the team and believes that the confidence inspires her leadership capabilities. “The team knows that when she is pitching they are going to get her best performance,” he said.

Senior Caleb Furlow uses his speed and technical prowess to be a force on the football field, where every step counts. His speed has allowed him to make important catches for Blair during his four year career. “A yard in front or a yard behind makes a big difference,” coach Jeffery Seals said. Furlow ran indoor and outdoor track during the football off-season to keep in shape, and his work paid off this past season with his nine touchdowns, four interceptions and over 1,000 all-purpose yards. Furlow played a variety of both offensive and defensive positions on this year’s football team, as a result of Blair not having enough players to make a full switch between defensive and offensive squads.

According to Seals, Furlow is a quiet leader on the team — Furlow saves the yelling and cheers to the other captains and chooses to lead by example. “He has a great attitude and a great commitment to the sport he plays,” Seals said. Furlow will continue to play football in college where he will be attending Virginia Military Institute on a full ride.

BEST MOMENT

TOLU OMOKEHINDE

Senior Eve Brown excels at closing innings at crucial moments.

BEST FEMALE TEAM

Mere minutes left on the clock, and Blair basketball was losing to Einstein, a team that they usually beat. The game had not been going well for the Blazers, who had lost their lead over Einstein after a series of errors and bobbled plays. With the clock ticking down the seconds and a two-point deficit on their minds, the Blazers pressed the offense with the goal of getting the ball to senior Joshua Kickenson. However, Kickenson had been having a bit of an off-game: he was heavily guarded and his shots just weren’t making it in. Twice the ball was rebounded, and the final time it ended up in the hands of junior Tucker Canary. Canary took the shot from the behind the three point line and at the sound of the buzzer, the game was closed with a 39-38 victory for Blair.

Since this shot, Canary has been hailed by teammates and fans as a solid player under pressure. Canary himself described the moment as a quick flash. “I just threw it up there,” he said.

According to Head Coach Mark DeStefano this play secured Canary’s position as a leader on the team and gave the team momentum.

DeStefano described the feeling of making a game-winning basket at the buzzer as a sugar high — while it improved confidence and energy short term, the effects during the playoffs more than a month later were minimal. However, it did allow Blair to secure their fifth consecutive win against Einstein, and their third consecutive win of the season. Even though DeStefano didn’t think it was a particularly pretty game, this shot brought renown to the team.

Blair produced two record-breaking sports teams this spring: both our softball and gymnastics teams deserve recognition for their accomplishments. This year, gymnastics defeated every single one of the teams in their division and won States to top it all off. To many Blazers, it may seem surprising that gymnastics is one of the top teams that Blair has fielded this year, but they have Softball Season dominated competition. Unlike other teams in the county, Blair’s Record squad doesn’t merely rely on a couple of “tens” (experienced and consistently good gymnasts), but on the whole team. Senior captain Claire Hoffman stressed that Blair’s goal this season was being “solid.” Everyone on the team contributed to the win by racking Gymnastics States up points, and this strategy paid off in their championship win.

Winning Score Softball put together a strong, athletic and across-the-board talented softball team this year that took Blair further into the playoff season than they have ever been. Blair defeated long time rival Sherwood (17-2) to secure their position as regional champs and went on to perform well at States, despite their 8-0 loss to Chesapeake. At the start of the season, the team set the goals of going undefeated and winning States. And while neither of these goals were realized, Coach Louis Hoelman believes that it is good for the team to set high goals. Even though they missed the mark, the team’s belief in their abilities helped them take the division with a record breaking win.

17-4

167.925

LORENA KOWALEWSKI

Senior co-captain Taylor Smith takes on the bars. The team beat Walter Johnson, to whom it lost to during counties, at states.

BEN BUCHHOLZ

Senior Caleb Furlow uses his speed and drive to further Blair offense.

BEST MALE TEAM

The boys’ volleyball team destroyed competition this year — they beat every team in their division and won the County Championships (and therefore States). Their starters team never dropped a set, and consistently gave Blair a large lead from the start of the game. Blair lost only one match during the season — rival Richard Montgomery (RM) bested them when Blair was missing five players. However, Blair encountered RM again during the final round of the playoffs, where they beat them in three sets by a score of 25-16, 25-16 and 25-18. This Boys’ Volleyball win allowed them to capture the county title, and therefore States Record because no other counties in Maryland offer boys’ volleyball.

Before they could make it to the finals round of the playoffs, Blair faced Wootton during the semifinals in the closest and hardest-fought game of the season. The second set was particularly close and went beyond the normal score of 25 because the winner had to win by two points. The final score of the set was 29-27. Even though Blair beat Wootton in straight sets, this was the closest match of the season and was an opportunity for the Blazers to show off their skills. Blair has some of the best individual players in the league, and it is partly these players who prop up the team.

Junior Andy Zhang is considered by many to be one of the strongest hitters in the county — senior Michael Zhang believes that Andy’s skills were instrumental to Blair’s success, especially against teams with a less penetrable defense.

16-1

MOLLY ELLISON

Sophomore Tony Liang and senior Michael Zhang block an opposing team’s attack. Blair volleyball last won County Championships in 2006.

sportsCHIPS

June 3, 2011 silverchips.mbhs.edu/section/sports.php

Blair softball knocked out of States in semifinal round Blazers win the region, but fail to get it going offensively at States

despite an 8-0 loss to Chesapeake High School. The Blazers (17-4) BACHMAN SPORTS COMPLEX, held their own defensively against the Cougars (23-0) for the first half May 24 — of the game before being overBlair softball made history this whelmed by Chesapeake’s strong year with its first ever appear- hitting.

In order to make it to States, the ance in the State Championships, where the team remained positive team first had to defeat long-time rival Sherwood (17-2) in the 4A West regional finals. Earlier in the season, the Blazers took a hard fall to Sherwood, losing to them by four runs.

In the playoffs, however, the Blazers were triumphant and pulled off an 8-6 victory after a hard-fought and nail-biting game.

The Blazers moved onto the state semifinals with high hopes, but from the first couple of innings of play it was clear that Chesapeake had the upper hand.

The Blazers TOLU OMOKEHINDE hardly had a chance to test Chesapeake batters were quick to reach first, complicating freshman Annie Pietanza’s job. out the Chesa-

By Claire Sleigh

peake outfield.

Chesapeake senior pitcher Megan Hyson shut down the Blazer offense from start to finish, coming close to a nohitter. According to head coach Louis Hoelman, Hyson, who will pitch for Georgetown next year, is one of fastest pitchers any of his teams has ever encountered.

Because Hyson was such a formidable pitcher, the Blazers never got to test out the Chesapeake outfield. Hoelman believes that Blair would have had a much better shot at victory if it weren’t for Hyson’s tricky and TOLU OMOKEHINDE quick pitches.

Blair wanted to jump Senior Emily Haislip is one of Blair’s strongest batters but even she on Hyson’s pitches early had trouble getting a hit against the Cougar pitcher. Haislip was the to ensure she wouldn’t only Blazer to get on base, but not until the bottom of the seventh. find any type of rhythm, Brown. Schweickardt was able to but the Blazers were unsuccess- inside-the-park home for Chesabring the inning to a close, but the ful. In fact, Blair was unable to peake. Shortly after, consecutive Blazers moved onto the rest of the get a single runner on base until hits down the third base line put game with an eight-run deficit. the bottom of the seventh, when two Cougars on base. With runIn the end, Hoelman was proud senior Emily Haislip was walked. ners on first and third and the Blazof the team for making it this far, The team finally got it going a bit ers already down by a run, senior and is hopeful that the experience after Haislip’s walk, and Hoelman Eve Brown stayed calm and struck his young players gathered from believes they would have been in a out the final batter.

Blair found itself down by only playing in such a high-stakes game much better position had their sevwill carry over to next season. Seenth inning performance occurred two runs entering the fifth inning nior center fielder Katlyn Harmiearlier on. However, the stress of – the Cougars had yet to adjust son echoed Hoelman’s statement. playing in such a big game with an to Brown’s solid pitching. How“I have no doubt in my mind that unusually large crowd really got ever, Blair’s defense soon began to they will be back here next year,” to the team and made them play crumble when a series of three triples increased Chesapeake’s lead. she said. tight.

Blair’s anxiety was exposed in In the middle of the inning, HoeStay up to date on Blair sports the first inning when a small mis- lman sent junior Samantha Schweteams via twitter: @SCOsports take defensively turned into an ickhardt to the mound to replace

Blazer gymnastics wins state competition

insideSPORTS

Blair edges out Walter Johnson and Severna Park for title

Best of Blair sports

By Allison Daitch

meet. “Competition was close – the scores vary between a couple of tenths and that is the difference between winning and losing,” The Blair girls’ gymnastics team won first she said. “We knew it would be close with WJ place in the Maryland state competition in at the end, so the pressure was on to stick all Anne Arundel County on May 11. This was events by all competitors.” the first time Blair gymnastics has won the Wynn thought the Blazers performed division and state title in the 10 years since especially well in their floor the program was created. routines where the gymnasts After placing second at incorporated more advanced counties to Walter Johnson tumbling techniques and (WJ), the Lady Blazers moved skills. “They all did a great job on to compete for the Bi-Counand I am very proud of how ty title against the top two they handled the pressure, teams from the two counties their nerves and focused,” that have gymnastics proWynn said. “I couldn’t have grams, Montgomery County asked for them to be any and Anne Arundel County. better.”

Blair took first place with a The line up and routines score of 167.925, WJ scored were the same as those persecond with 160.775, Severna formed during the counPark placed third with 156.15 ty competition. Hoffman and Old Mill placed fourth praised the girls for making with 154.3. Other competitors quick last minute adjustments came from both counties’ allto the equipment. “We had star teams, teams consisting to overcome some challenges of select gymnasts from the with the equipment,” she county competition to particisaid. “A lot of it was old or pate in individual events at the couldn’t expand to the size state competition. we are used to, but we did A notable Blazer perforCOURTESY OF SOPHIE SEIDELL well considering.” mance came from senior SoWynn attributed the win phie Seidell who placed second Blair won the state gymnastics title on May 11. This was the to the girls’ determination on beam with 9.3, second on team’s first state victory since the team was formed in 2001. and strong attitudes. “Confloor with 9.3, fourth on vault with 8.9, fourth on bars with 8.9, and third all two level 10 gymnasts that participated dur- tributing factors are their competitive nature, around with 36.4. Sophomore Kayla McCaw ing counties, but the girls were competing in their wanting to better themselves and each also tied for sixth place in beam with a 9.0. nationals during the state competition, which other, and their great attitude and work efThese strong individual performances along hurt WJ’s overall score. A level 10 gymnast forts,” Wynn said. Wynn also noted that the with solid scores from all of the Blazers con- is extremely skilled, almost at elite status. gymnasts had supportive coaches and said tributed to their overall winning score. ”We Even with WJ’s top two gymnasts absent, the girls never accepted less than their best won because we have a solid team which Wynn was unsure about the outcome of the effort. meant that everyone was getting between seven and nine on every event,” senior cocaptain Claire Hoffman said.

Hoffman and coach Hillary Wynn attribute the Blazers’ success over WJ, who placed first over Blair in counties, to the absence of WJ’s strongest competitors. WJ’s team has

See page 27 A review of an exciting year of Blair sports, including the best teams, two steller Blair athletes and a game winning basketball shot.

JV journal See page 26 A season overview of girls’ and boys’ JV lacrosse, softball and baseball.