The Tattler: Back To School Edition -- September 2019

T A T T L E R

SEPT 2019 Lorem ipsum

Tattler Staff Editors-in-Chief Lilly Behbehani Josh Garber Emma Volkers

Art Editors Yael Chiappori Bela Omoeva

Business Team Contributing Editors Natalie Schwartz Rachel Auerbach Olivia Moffitt Isabel Danzis Grace Carter Grace Harrington Anna Hirst Managing Editors Charlie Kannapell Dan Shapiro Alex Waterman Cover by Yael Chiappori & Special thanks to Team Backpage.

How does one define change?

Some may think change is the rise of new beliefs and the downfall of others.

Others might see change in social movements against historical practices that have lost their rationality with time.

Or in a young generation of advocacy and activism driven by a spirit of relentlessness.

Does change depend on location and context?

Ten teens from across the country experience a fluctuating political and social scene in ten different ways; whether they’re a high-top Converse lover or a Croc connoisseur.

Is there a certain magnitude that must be reached for something to be considered “change”?

New developments arise on local and national levels: A new field and new administration occupy the attention of students at a high school in Bethesda, while thirty minutes away, an upcoming election sparks conversation about the future of our country.

Is it necessary for us to be able to define change?

In reality, there’s never a moment when we’re not experiencing some sort of physical, mental, or ideological shift. Every day, our communities are evolving, cultures thriving, and landscapes transforming. Whatever may be happening in the world, whether in our backyards or across the globe, we have the ability to either challenge and acknowledge them or to recede and let them be. Whether we think of them as a change, however, is up to us.

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The Doctor is Out

By Lilly Behbehani, Charlie Kannapell and Emma Volkers

On Tuesday, September 10th, Dr. Jones announced that she was leaving B-CC after being promoted. Read about her new job, and reflections from her time at B-CC.

The Doctor is In

By Isabel Danzis and Grace Harrington

Meet Dr. Mooney, B-CC’s new interim Principal.

B-CC Cautions Students to Avoid Vaping Electability Poll Undermines the Democratic Process Gen Z in Euphoria

In Sports

By Josh Garber

By Steffi Lewis

By Yael Chiappori

Seven people have died from vaping-related causes. How do B-CC students view vaping now?

The Democratic debates are in full swing. Read one writer’s opinion about how measuring the electability of a candidate hurts American democracy overall.

This summer, HBO’s new TV show Euphoria was released. It instantly became popular with American teens because of its realistic storylines and captivating makeup and fashion.

We’re Home 2020 Fall Sports Takeover This Team’s a Keeper Potentially Toxic Field Prompts Neighborhood Concerns

By Various Photographers

By Anna Hoover and Sophia White

By Eli Davis and Dylan Greenhouse

By Alex Waterman

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EDITORIAL

September 20, 2019

A DECLARATION REPRESENTATIVES by

of

BETHESDA-CHEVY CHASE HIGH SCHOOL

F

in the A-HALLWAY assembled

our score and thirteen years ago, our county brought forth on this spot on East-West Highway, a new school, conceived in excellence, and dedicated to the proposition that all young men and women shall “Learn, Think, Serve, & Be Responsible.” Ninety-three years later, we have a slightly more modest proposal: “Attend Today [PLEASE]...”

Now, we are engaged in a great trial, testing whether the new administration, or any administration, so conceived and dedicated, can, for more than four years, endure.

Towards this noble goal, We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all Barons are given an equal chance, that regardless of grade level they are endowed by administration with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Lunch off campus.

Towards this noble goal, We the Barons of Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School do ordain and establish this list of strongly-held, heart-felt proclamations:

We, the Barons, are for

administrators who do not pause to try to remember the names of students they have not yet met.

We, the Barons, are for

a school that doesn’t expect us to sprint from the F-Wing basement to the 4th floor in six minutes.

We, the Barons, are for

an administration that does not hold us accountable for the grievances against our ForeBarons.

We, the Barons, are for

transparency between administration and students that goes beyond clean windows in the main office.

We, the Barons, are for

more parking spaces, but fewer announcements about parking passes.

We, the Barons, are for

a school that deals with social issues proactively; not after the Washington Post writes about them.

We, the Barons, are for

a school that maximizes, through field trips and projects, all the opportunity that Washington, D.C. has to offer.

We, the Barons are for

a community where a conservative can invite a liberal to Homecoming.

We, the Barons, are for

a school that doesn’t require students to take exams that cost a kidney on the black market.

We the Barons, are for

an administration that recognizes we require more than the noble Sources of Strength to address mental health issues.

We, the Barons, are for

a school board that puts students’ needs first before playing musical chairs with our administration.

We, the Barons, are for

Mr. Levine speaking at graduation.

Viva La Rons!

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FEATURE

The Doctor is Out... the importance of helping all students. Their strength and leadership will really help carry forward those initiatives. I think that the students help keep [projects] alive, the different activities they are involved in can help continue those traditions.”

What will you be doing in your new position?

“I am someone who is supporting schools and supervising and hiring principals for them. I have 3 clusters (all the schools that feed into one high school) - Paint Branch, Blake, and I hate to say it- the Whitman Cluster. There are 20 schools and two special schools- Rock Terrace and Steven Knolls, who we partner with a lot through our best buddies program, so I am excited to work with those students. My role is to help the principals with all aspects of school life- my title is the director of learning, achievement, and administration. We support administration with day-to-day issues certainly with learning and achievement but also with incidents.”

BY LILLY BEHBEHANI, CHARLIE KANNAPELL, AND EMMA VOLKERS What is your memory of your first day as principal at B-CC? “The first time I came to campus was on Baron Palooza. A student invited me and it was amazing- perfect weather, and I was seeing all of the different things that the students were involved in, and the community came out. As students came up to me I remember them telling me about how involved B-CC students were, and how many different things they liked to do. It is one of my best memories and was really a perfect day.”

If you were to change one thing about your time as principal at B-CC, what would it be?

“I would make sure that I am always communicating how proud I am of [everyone’s] accomplishments and really almost over communicating it so that people really hear that part and don’t just walk away with ‘and here’s how we can grow.’ I think I would communicate in a way that really emphasizes the excellence [here] but also that excellence can only be maintained if we keep at it and we keep our commitment to professional growth, or keep that commitment to things we need to do.”

What was the hardest part of being a principal?

“For me that was like the drinking and drug use which is a huge health issue. When I tried to address it, I don’t think people realized how concerned I really was and some of the things that I saw during my first year- definitely some scary stuff. I feel like that has gotten a lot better in terms of what I see at social events, obvious4

ly there is always lots of work to do. In terms of having a social event and having someone pass out and having ambulances called, that is some of the scariest and hardest stuff that I have had [to deal with] and that was my first year. Then the parents would run here to try and meet the ambulance and it was really upsetting because basically all of the students here are in my care.

I don’t care how many -like 2,446 students- they are all my children and I don’t want anything to happen to them.”

How do you wish to be remembered at B-CC? “I really want to be remembered for having a focus on doing the best that I could for students.

My actions were sort of around the vision of access, belonging, and collaboration. I really wanted to make sure that we looked carefully at our school data and we were able to say we are doing the best we can for every single student here. I really hope that I am remembered for focusing attention on every student who comes through the door because If a school can’t make a difference for students regardless of their background, I don’t know why they would come to school. I see school as a difference maker. I really hope that can be something that I am remembered for.”

How are you going to ensure that the initiatives and projects that you’ve started at B-CC are continued after you leave?

“There really is a transition process in place that we gradually transition and that even when I’m not on campus that I’m open and available for support. Our instructional team (which is basically heads of all departments) meets every week and we focus on school improvement. I think that they are strong and they really understand

Obviously, this change of administration comes at an inconvenient time.

How hard was this for you to make this decision?

“Awkward is an understatement- obviously it is really difficult to make this decision because I personally have invested a lot of time in the school and I love the students and staff and the community, I genuinely enjoy the work I do here.

I have always wanted to be a principal so it was difficult, I think that I can grow my leadership capacity even more by being able to see this broader view of the district. Two positions came open and it is a pretty competitive process, the timing was terrible and I wasn’t really sure if people were going to be hired for the roles right away. I am very committed to the transition and committed to being accessible to make sure that it really is a seamless one.”

We haven’t had consistent admininistration at B-CC in a while. Our most senior administrator has only been with us for 4 years. How do you think this affects the students -- having administration that they don’t know?

“I think that they key is communication and visibility, [and] I have seen our new administration come in and really interact with our students and staff in a positive way and I think that this is laying a good foundation. The bottom line is that we are all here because we want to help students.

We really see our roles as how can we assist, we don’t want there to be worries, we know that it is stressful to be a high school student, and we want to bring resources to really help students. I have a lot of confidence in this team, they are already fulfilling that role, and I hope that students also don’t hesitate to reach out.”

Will we be seeing you at the class of 2020’s graduation?

“Oh I’ll be putting that 2020 graduation on my calendar. The principals have a lottery where we pick the dates randomly and Mr. Mooney picked a great number so I think it will be a great date.”

...The Doctor Is In

FEATURE

BY ISABEL DANZIS AND GRACE HARRINGTON On September 10th, Dr. Jones, the B-CC principal of four years, announced that she had been promoted and was leaving B-CC. Her replacement, Dr. Shelton Mooney, came to B-CC the day after and is currently the acting Principal.

Dr. Jones’s promotion felt somewhat abrupt to students, as it was announced in the middle of the day, in the middle of the week with no warning. “This is a very fast moving process,” said Dr. Mooney. “I found out about forty-eight hours Dr. Jones was promoted at the Board of Education [meeting].”

“In the first conversation I had with Dr. Jones, she said [B-CC] was a good place to be.”

Before coming to B-CC, Dr. Mooney was an Assistant Principal at Seneca Valley High School. In July, he transferred to Wheaton High School to be a Principal Intern. Principal Interns shadow the current principal.

When MCPS asked Dr. Mooney if he would want to position of principal at B-CC, he immediately said yes. “In the first conversation that I had with Dr. Jones, she said [B-CC] was a good place to be. So it was absolutely a no-brainer decision,” said Dr. Mooney.

Currently, Dr. Mooney is the acting principal and Dr. Jones is in the process of training Dr. Mooney, although she is no longer principal. ““There will be about two weeks where both she and I are both here, for the majority of the time. She will bring me up to speed on all the things a principal has to do, [we will be going into classrooms] and [she will be] pointing out things to me.”

Dr. Mooney plans to stay at least through the end of the year. The long term position of the new B-CC principal has not been filled. Currently, applications for the permanent principal have not opened up yet. “Once the application’s been sent out it is something that I am eligible to apply for,” said Dr. Mooney.

“I am going to be in and out of classrooms, meeting with staff members, meeting with members of student government.”

Dr. Mooney plans on integrating himself in the school community by talking to students and going to school activities.

“I am going to be in and out of classrooms, meeting with staff members, meeting with members of student government,” he said. He also plans to attend as

many B-CC events as possible to help get to know the student body as well as possible.

“I’m not an immediately say ‘no’ person.”

Currently, Dr. Mooney is not looking to make changes. “I don’t have a basis of knowledge to even say if there would be anything,” he said. However, he is open to listen to students if there is a problem. “I’m not an immediately says no person,” said Dr. Mooney. “If it’s changes that are student initiated, we need to sit down and think, ‘Is this the best thing for students and the right decision?’ Then I’m open to that.”

The Baron Nation Chimes In “I think the timing could not be worse. Homecoming. There will be a lot of drinking I’m worried. I’m worried.” --Anonymous Teacher “I don’t have an opinion since I’m a freshman. I haven’t been here long enough to know enough about either principals.” - Don Smith, 9

“I think it’s interesting. I was very surprised. I never really noticed what the principal has done before. I know people used to talk about how there used to be dances... She’s been here my entire high school career so it’s going to be interesting to see if any change is going to actually happen.” - Rachel Wilson, 11

“I think it will be interesting because I was only with Dr. Jones for one year, so maybe having a new principal will be another freshman year for me.” -Eliza Mencher, 10

“I feel like it is very sudden. We definitely did not see it coming. But I am open to him be a [good] principal... He’s only going to be with us for a year, though.” -Abigail Kessel, 12

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FEATURE

Link Crew and New Challenges for Class of 2023

GRAPHICS BY MOLLY BUSIS

BY KADIJAH BAH For the first time starting this school year, students from the newly built Silver Creek Middle School will join students from Westland Middle School to become a part of B-CC’s freshman class. Most of the incoming freshmen from these schools are already acquainted after attending a year at Westland together, but many still have worries about entering high school with another group of students. “The most intimidating thing [about joining Westland students] is that you won’t make friends with people from the other school or that your friend group will be different,” said freshman Ailey Fogel-Bublick from Silver Creek. On top of that, many freshmen are just nervous about the typical challenges that come with being in high school.

New this year to B-CC, Link Crew helps freshmen deal with the stress and fears of entering high school, along with helping the students from the two middle schools get to know each other.

Link Crew is a program that was created in 1992 and has now been established in 3,705 high schools across the country.

“The purpose of Link Crew is to make sure the incoming f r e s h m a n at B-CC feel welcome and a part of our school’s culture,” said senior Link Crew member Mareike Nebel.

Starting with

freshman orientation in late August, Link Crew plans events throughout the school year that will give the new freshmen insight into dealing with the academic and social anxieties of high school while also connecting them with upperclassmen aides. This helps freshmen get more one on one time to discuss their personal concerns about entering high school.

Since this is the first year that B-CC will have two middle schools feeding into it, there are many new obstacles that the freshmen will have to face. “The most intimidating part [about entering high school] is having to get used to being with new people in my grade along with being in a new environment. My class will have to adapt to all new people,” said freshman Henry Fairbanks, a from Westland Middle School.

Some freshmen are worried about the social situation that two schools coming into B-CC will create. “Because there used to be only one school that fed into B-CC it was easier to create a type of community. The [middle] schools are really separate right now,” said Fogel-Bublick. When it comes to academics, some freshmen are worried the middle schools might have differences in the way subjects are taught. “We’re all on different paths and are used to different teaching methods,” said freshman Miranda Duffee.

With the new freshman, members of Link Crew understand that things will be different and some of the challenges that the freshman have to deal with may not be anything familiar to their own experiences. Despite that, members of Link Crew also believe that they can have a positive influence on the freshman and help their transition into high school run smoothly.

“Link Crew will introduce freshmen to

different opportunities that B-CC provides as well as helping them navigate the school and giving advice about issues that pop up along the way,” said Senior Link Crew Member Lucie Daignault.

Many Link Crew members also feel that the program can truly help connect the incoming freshmen from the two different schools. “Everyone can get along if we all are just open minded. I believe Link Crew can push this message across,” said Nebel.

Even with all of the stress and concern about entering high school, the new freshmen are excited to see all of the opportunities that B-CC can offer them. “I think high school is obviously going to have harder work but also more opportunities to do the things I love doing,” explained freshman Mael Timamo.

“I think high school will be more fun than middle school,” said Fairbanks.

In addition, members of Link Crew are equally excited to finally meet the class of 2023. “I don’t know many of [the freshmen], but I can’t wait to meet them and show them around B-CC,” said Nebel. The incoming freshmen are in for what will hopefully be a successful first year at B-CC with the help of Link Crew.

NXTWAVE Music Group Breaks Into Music Industry

Today, there are countless young artists with talent and creativity, but many have limited means to promote their music or grow their talent. Even with social media and our current level of technology, promoting one’s music is a challenging step that many artists, especially teenagers, get stuck on.

NXTWAVE Music Group is a company focused on helping and supporting these young artists.

They work with teenagers from states across the U.S. to grow the artists’ brands, promote their work, and connect with the public. The company operates both in management and events.

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NXTWAVE is currently managing an artist from New York, as well as an artist from Texas. Many young artists do not have the opportunity to perform live and connect with their audience, so NXTWAVE plans concerts specifically for teenage artists to grow and develop their work.

Ava Solomon, a senior at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School, is the creator and manager of NXTWAVE. Solomon began as both a DJ and a producer, and later moved towards helping artists promote their music. “Many teenage artists aren’t given opportunities to perform and when I noticed [that] I wanted to create something to give them an opportunity,” said Solomon. “I started NXTWAVE as a way to help young artists get their voices heard.” The company has expanded to a staff of 10 people and Solomon now runs the company as CEO. In addition to running the company, Solomon works with teenage artists to create and release their own music, connects them with professionals in the industry and helps them communicate with their audience through social media.

This past summer, NXTWAVE began its concert series, NXTWAVE Summer. NXTWAVE Summer hosted live shows in DC and New York City.

NXTWAVE summer consisted of two distinct shows, NXTFEST and SoundWAVE, with NXTFEST being a more typical, upbeat concert and SoundWAVE being small, more intimate acoustic shows.

B-CC senior Benjamin Moran, one of the artists that performed at NXTFEST this summer, says that the music festival was “pretty dope”.

NXTFEST, in Downtown Bethesda, was the first show of the summer, and was put on in collaboration with Montgomery County Students for Change, a student-run organization advocating for gun safety. Benjamin Moran, Jacob Daley, Kari Kira, Lauren Hailey, Keisha Monique, and Lily Oyen, all young artists from the DMV area or visiting from NYC, each performed their unique and original work for this sold out event.

Following NXTFEST, two acoustic shows, one in Montgomery County and the other in Brooklyn, NY, took place in order to provide artists local to the venues with an event to perform their music.

“NXTWAVE Summer 2019 was the first of many. Next year we’re hoping to expand from three shows to ten and bring NXTWAVE Summer to more states” said Solomon.

PHOTO COURTSEY OF NXTWAVE MUSIC GROUP

BY MIA ROMANO

FEATURE

GRAPHIC BY YAEL CHIAPPORI

Born on September 11th: Life’s Treasures Among Tragedy

BY GRETA FARKAS

Every year on September 11th, the country mourns in remembrance of the 3,000 lives lost to terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City in 2001. For me, however, September 11th has additional significance: my birthday. When I wake up on my special day, I get the typical birthday cards and the nice birthday breakfast. It’s not until I sit down and turn on the television that seeing old images and videos of the twin towers under flames and the smoke billowing into the Manhattan skyline makes me almost feel bad about celebrating my birthday.

An internal conflict ensues: do I celebrate my birthday publicly? Does being happy on the day when thousands of innocent civilians died show disrespect to America? These are the thoughts that run around in my mind on September 11th, and it’s been this way all eighteen years of my life. Luckily for me, I am not alone.

I share a birthday with the thousands of Americans that were born on that unfortunate day, two of which attend B-CC: Seniors Eve London and Aaron Knishkowy. London says she often feels guilty and wonders if she “is allowed to be excited and receiving presents when people are experiencing so much loss.” Knishkowy, on the other hand, has mixed emotions. “Obviously I didn’t live through 9/11 so it doesn’t

have as much of an impact as say someone who is 40 and saw the destruction, but I think it definitely has a little extra meaning for me.”

When people find out that I was born on September 11th, the first thing they ask is which year. When they learn it falls in 2001, their response is always “that’s awful” or “I’m sorry, that sucks.” It hasn’t always been easy growing up with these responses, but they remind me that this day carries different significance for everyone and how I need to be mindful of what I do, even if it is my birthday.

The impacts from the September 11th attacks were felt locally, as D.C. was thrown into chaos when the Pentagon was targeted. As a result, local hospitals struggled to attend to both the injured from the Pentagon attack and the women that would soon become new mothers. One of these women was Eve’s mom, Dr. Joanne London, who was left waiting for a room in Sibley Hospital while the attacks were under way. Watching the news, she saw live shots zoomed in on two towers under smoke, unaware that they were the Twin Towers of New York City. When she realized that it was America that was under attack, she “was in shock. It didn’t feel real,” she says.

Soon after she got placed in a room, it “felt like everyone had left the whole hospital to go help [the injured from the attack].” At the

same time, my mom, Karin Martinson, heard an announcement that “all [hospital] workers were called in” to attend to the influx of patients. When the doctors came into her room, she said “they would just stare at the TV” in shock, and sometimes would even forget about her. Caught up in the panic, they “tried to speed up [her] birth”. With an already tense situation unfolding in her delivery room, she also worried about her friends and family in New York: “trying to contact them and make sure they were safe was difficult since there wasn't a connection and not all the calls were going through.”

Nonetheless, Eve, Aaron and I were brought into the world on that chaotic day. Every year when September 11th arrives, we’re reminded of the significance the day has to us and our families, and the impact of the day’s events that are still seen in America today.

Being born on a day like September 11th in America is something that not many families can say they relate to. Having my birthday on a day notorious for its tragedy is difficult, but I hope that with time, those who experience it learn to allow themselves to appreciate it, because at the end of the day it’s an uncontrollable part of our identities and it’s part of what makes us who we are.

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FEATURE

HOW DIVIDED IS AMERICAN YOUTH?

In an attempt to answer this, we have turned to 10 teens from different parts of the nation to gain their perspective on different topics relevant to American society today. In order to keep their identities anonymous, each teen has submitted what they would consider to be their “spirit shoe,” which we will be using to represent the impact of their societal footprint. Each edition of The Tattler will bring yet another wave of perspectives from these teens. Hopefully, by the end of the year, we will have walked a mile in their shoes.

BY LILLY BEHBEHANI, HAYDEN RENAGHAN, EMMA VOLKERS

What do you do on the first Friday of the school year?

“The first Friday of school, my friends did a huge senior grade camping trip.”

Steamboat Springs, CO

WE INTERVIEWED 10 TEEN What do you do on the first Friday of the school year? “I am planning on sleeping because I am worn out and my friends tend to be boring on Fridays (Saturday’s get all the action).”

Oakland, CA

Do you worry about gun violence? Do you have friends with guns? Has your school had a scare?

“None of my friends have guns and thankfully I feel completely safe at school. My school hasn’t ever had a scare, but sometimes in public I get slight worries about gun violence, for example I was at a music festival it crossed my mind, or sometimes when I’m at the movies also.”

Newport Beach, CA 8

Have you listened to Peppa Pig’s new album? Why or why not?“I have not listened to Peppa Pig’s new album. [Instead,] I have been dedicating myself on training for the amount of trauma I will receive for listening to the album. The day it came out, I knew I had to begin training because I was not ready for the bangers that she released on us just like that.”

Miami, FL

FEATURE

Do you worry about gun violence? Do you have friends with guns? Has your school had a scare? I worry a lot about gun violence. I see how gun violence has impacted a lot of my peers at my school, some of whom are survivors of gun violence. My school has had multiple scares from people threatening to shoot up the school..”

Chicago, IL

GRAPHICS BY YAEL CHIAPPORI AND MOLLY BUSIS

NS AROUND THE NATION

What do you do on the first Friday of the school year? “Dinner! It’s great catching up after a long week with a bunch of new changes.”

Boston, MA

Do you worry about gun violence? Do you have friends with guns? Has your school had a scare?“I worry about gun violence globally, but I do not worry about it in my school. I feel very safe when I go to school because we have a security system and my school is small enough that I feel I know everyone personally. Luckily my school hasn’t a scare with gun violence.”

Westchester, NY

Do you worry about gun violence? Do you have friends with guns? Has your school had a scare?

“I do worry about gun violence and think there should be more restrictions and background checks. Yes, I have friends with guns but they are for hunting and target shooting. We haven’t had any scares in my school, but there have been some nearby.”

Bellefonte, PA

What do you do on the first Friday of the school year? “The first Friday of the week I drove an hour after school to see my friends outside of school and we went to the movies and hung out and just really enjoyed each other’s company. It was 8 of us.”

Miami, FL

What do you do on the first Friday of the school year? “I had soccer practice and went to bed.”

Lenoir City, TN

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NEWS

by josh garber In her last back-to-school night as B-CC’s principal, Dr. Donna Redmond Jones cautioned parents of the dangers of their children’s usage of electronic cigarettes.

This statement was in response to the massive epidemic occurring around the country in which six people have already died and more than 500 have been hospitalized with vaping-related lung illnesses.

On August 23rd, public health officials announced that a patient in an Illinois hospital was the first to die of mysterious lung illness linked to vaping. Six more people have died since in states including Oregon, Kansas, Indiana, California, and Minnesota In a news release to the public, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) wrote that “while this investigation is ongoing, people should consider not using e-cigarette products. People who do use e-cigarette products,” said CDC Director Robert Redfield, “should monitor themselves for symptoms.”

According to B-CC’s school nurse Carey Dwyer, one reason vaping has caused such an outbreak is that buyers are often not aware of what is in their vaping devices. “Technically you don’t always know what’s inside when you’re vaping, especially when you’re not one to configure your vaping device,” said Nurse Dwyer. “You don’t always know what chemicals are in there or what drugs are in there.

Nurse Dwyer also believes the ramifications of vaping is even more serious for teenage students. “[Companies are] exposing you to a very addictive substance in a period of time which is very crucial in that brain development,” Nurse Dwyer said.

Yet, many high school students are unafraid of the consequences.. A survey conducted by the National Institute of Health found that in the last 30 days, one in four high school students has vaped. One B-CC senior, who preferred to remain anonymous, found this statistic unsurprising: “Freshmen come in and start doing it because they think it’s cool and then develop crippling addictions.” The senior is under the impression that the epidemic has reached B-CC and that students are often vaping in bathrooms and even in classes.

In-school vaping should also be no surprise to

faculty at B-CC. Two years ago, the B-CC Podcast, a Tattler-sponsored production, outspokenly debated whether Juuling should be allowed in class.

Last year, the Tattler covered a story involving a student who had multiple seizures due to excessive vaping.

Several B-CC students interviewed were slightly worried when learning about the prolific number of vape-related illnesses but don’t see the need to quit vaping entirely.

According to one student, they started vaping because of the amount of stress they were under.

The student believes that because of the area we live in, vaping is even more a problem due to the inherent competitiveness of Montgomery County.

For one student, they are starting to see a large decrease in teenage vaping. “Last year, you would walk in the bathroom and see four people hitting Juuls. Now fewer people even own Juuls.”

The same student has also decided to slow down their vaping habits. “I think I’m going to become a social vaper, where if I am in a social environ-

ment, I would vape.”

For senior Ben Moran, “[the recent vaping-related illnesses] haven’t affected views on vaping.

A lot of people don’t care about the risks. It’s harmful to your lungs and everyone should know that by now.”

Moran agrees with Nurse Dwyer in the sense that “the challenge is to stay informed and to know what you’re putting in your body.”

A different student disagrees with the media’s portrayal of the vape-related illnesses. “The media is getting it wrong. Many of the people hospitalized for vaping have actually been suffering from other illnesses previous to their vaping,” the student continues. “New studies are coming out showing that marijuana products used in the form of a vaping device is causing more of the cancerous chemical due to the oil that they put inside of the drug.”

This student is not entirely wrong. Authorities believe certain vaping products like THC-infused cartridges may have been the cause of rapid and severe lung-related illnesses that ultimately lead to these deaths.

Due to the concern of vaping-related health illnesses, on September 11th, President Trump said that he would ban certain flavored e-cigarette products.

In addition to the nationwide action against the vaping epidemic, the B-CC school administration hopes to take assertive measures to combat this issue. Dr. Jones said in an exclusive interview that she had been talking with the PTSA regarding vaping incidents. “The PTSA and I want to make sure that parents and their students are all aware of the real effects of vaping and what it can do,” Dr. Jones said.

Dr. Jones doesn’t know what concrete actions might be taken by county officials to address the concerns of student vaping, but she does know of specific additions to the student code of conduct that wasn’t there before.

Dr. Jones, nevertheless, believes that success in solving the vaping epidemic can only be achieved with student involvement. “We need to bring the students in to be apart of these conversations because the students can say what is going to be effective in terms of getting some information out because we don’t want students to face poor health consequences as a result of this.”

ICE Does Not Receive Assistance From Montgomery County

by jason grayer Montgomery County officials and businesses have been pushing back against Trump’s plans for the Immigration and Customs Enforcement(ICE) to raid several cities in the United States this summer.

On the weekend of July 13th-14th, President Trump, via executive order, administered the raids set to target over one million undocumented immigrants. Although the President has stated publicly that the top priority of the raids are to capture criminals, they have also affected non-violent and law-abiding undocumented immigrants, including children and veterans.

The raids evidently have local ramifications; they have been occurring in Montgomery County since President Trump took office, and even more since the surge this past July. However, 10

Montgomery officials have made their positions and intentions clear on how to deal with ICE in the future.

Since July 22nd, local agencies are not allowed to cooperate with ICE at all, due to Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich’s (D) executive order, “prohibiting all executive-branch departments from, among other things, using local government resources to assist federal agents in civil immigration investigations.”

The order specifically prohibits ICE officers from entering nonpublic space in government buildings. In addition, the order bars access to individuals in government custody-unless they are in possession of a court order or criminal warrant-to ICE officials.

County Executive Elrich’s order has received praise from many immigration activists, includ-

ing the immigrant advocacy group CASA, who called the order “extraordinary.”

It is not only local government that is taking action against ICE, but also local businesses. The Bethesda based hotel company, Marriott, has recently announced that they will not allow ICE agents to stay in Marriott properties, and that Marriott will no longer fund, or be the provider of migrant detention centers.

Under the Trump administration, raids are set to continue throughout the end of his first term. Trump has also threatened and hinted towards other raid surges in the coming months. While it seems that Federal government bodies are doing little to stand up to Trump, it’s especially important that on a local level our officials aren’t rolling over to Trump’s executive agencies.

ILLUSTRATION BY AIDAN MOFFIT AND BELA OMOEVA

B-CC Cautions Students to Avoid Vaping After Seven Die From Vape-Related Causes

NEWS

Parkland Survivors Unveil “A Peace Plan for a Safer America”

GRPAHICS BY GRACE CARTER

by ethan tiao After the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre, we made a promise as a country to never let it happen again. Since that fateful day, 2,126 mass shootings have occurred, shattering the lives of thousands of Americans - immersing our nation in an incessant onslaught of anguish and heartache.

6 years and 2 months later, seventeen students were gunned down at Marjory Stoneman Douglas in Parkland, FL. Two years later, after traveling around the country building the foundation for a momentous grassroots movement, Parkland survivors put together an ambitious, multi-faceted gun control plan to combat the root causes of everyday gun violence and mass shootings. They’re calling it, “A Peace Plan for A Safer America”.

Amongst measures to reduce urban and domestic gun violence and suicide, the plan, a clear rejection of the status quo and incremental change, would create a national registry system, ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, implement extensive buy-back programs, raise the minimum age to buy guns, create a more comprehensive multi-step gun licensing system, including an in-person interview and a 10-day wait before gun purchases are approved, and establish a national director of gun violence prevention.

“The idea as a whole would work together really well to help change the gun violence sphere.”

The task of getting the plan ratified in Congress is an onerous one. Senior Jake Danneger,

an eligible voter in the 2020 election, touched on the plan’s ambitious nature. “I agree with most of these initiatives in theory, but in practice, I don’t think it’s feasible… the people they’re targeting [Conservatives] are the ones who hate the reforms the most.” Katrina Taylor,

try have guns who shouldn’t and I think these steps will help ensure guns fall into safe hands.”

Senior Bryce Hartigan touched on the subject of comprehensive background checks. “People act like there are no background checks [already in place]. With that being said, I’m not opposed to the 10-day wait,” he said.

One of the more controversial measures, the mandatory buy-back program and a future ban on assault weapons, caught B-CC students’ attention. With respect to the buy-back program, Hartigan claimed that “it’s too controversial [to get passed]. People don’t want to give up their assault weapons.

People need to give the Second Amendment the same respect as others.” Danneger echoed Hartigan’s sentiments claiming that “no one’s going to really do a buyback program.” It’s an aggressive effort to take assault weapons off the market, one that will hopefully minimize the chance of another mass shooting, but in this polarized political climate, can it garner enough support from both sides of the spectrum to pass?

“People need to give the Second Amendment the same respect as others.” taking a more optimistic viewpoint, said that “the idea as a whole would work together really well to help change the gun violence sphere.”

Taking mass shootings into consideration, students had a lot to say about the Parkland survivors’ idea to improve licensing and purchasing.

Senior Asher Rubin praised the idea, saying that “from a neutral viewpoint, I like [more comprehensive licensing] because the interview itself may act as a deterrent to someone who may be dangerous with a weapon from buying a weapon in the first place.” Taylor echoed his sentiments saying, “Right now, a lot of people in this coun-

“A Peace Plan for a Safer America” stems from the minds of students who have seen the horrors of gun violence within their own school walls; students who have spent the last two years trying to understand the root causes of the epidemic that changed their lives forever. Amidst a tangled mess of political intrigue, gridlock within our national legislature, an upcoming midterm and Presidential election, the plan will certainly set the tone for a highly anticipated gun violence prevention conversation.

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OPINION

A Conservative’s Case for Universal Background Checks

GRAPHIC BY AIDAN MOFFIT

BY ELI GLICKMAN

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America faces an epidemic of gun violence.

With mass shooting after mass shooting, our nation is on edge. While this ought to be an issue that can bridge the schism between the two political parties, it does not. People are far too divided on how to solve this epidemic. Firearm related crimes must be curbed effectively without encroaching on the second amendment. Many Americans -- particularly conservatives -- support the Second Amendment. Like them, I believe strongly in the right of the people to bear arms for two main reasons.

Guns are necessary for self defense. NPR reported in 2018 that the National Crime Victimization Survey found around 100,000 uses of guns for self-defense annually. Numerous studies indicate that criminals are less likely to attempt to commit a crime when they know the victim is armed. Self-defense is a vital right in a society in which large urban areas are left with no police presence and are riddled with crime.

Our society also needs firearms to protect against tyrannical government. Across the globe, the rise of oppressive regimes and the backsliding of democracy is becoming more prevalent. It has been the policy of many autocrats to ban private gun ownership to solidify their power over their people. Venezuela enacted such a law in 2012. Javier Venagas, a Venezuelan teacher in exile said in an interview that “guns would have served as a vital pillar to remaining a free people, or at least able to put up a fight.” He continued to say that “the government security forces, at the beginning of this debacle, knew they had no real opposition to their force. Once things were this bad, it was a clear declaration of war against an unarmed population.” While the chances of America becoming despotic are infinitesimal, an armed people must be the vanguard against such an event ever materializing.

As important as the Second Amendment is, it cannot not extend to all people. It is not sustainable to entrust firearms to people with a history of crime or people who are mentally ill and at a higher risk for crime or suicide. We must stop felons, people with violent or unstable tendencies, and the mentally ill from accessing guns.

I believe the best way to accomplish this is by implementing Universal Background Checks (UBCs). Universal Background Checks are programs mandated by law that require gun vendors to investigate the mental and criminal history of the purchaser, typically during a waiting period of over three days before the customer is either

given or denied a firearm. They also close loopholes that do not require a buyer to wait for a period of time, such as that of gun shows, forcing them to conduct a background check before they sell the gun.

Previously implemented universal background checks have proven to be an effective solution to previous gun problems in America. The Brady Act was passed into law in 1993, named for James Brady who was shot during the attempted assassination of President Reagan. However, the act only applies to Federal Firearm Licensees approved by the ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms,

and Explosives).

Unfortunately, many gun sales, like online sales and gun show sales, do not conduct background checks. The Brady Act, which established a mandatory waiting period when buying a gun, was championed

by Ronald Reagan. He wrote in an op-ed for the New York Times that “based upon the evidence in states that already have handgun purchase waiting periods, this bill -- on a nationwide scale -- can’t help but stop thousands of illegal handgun purchases.” And it has. A 2014 report by the Brady Campaign to Prevent Handgun Violence found that since the Brady Act’s passage into law, 1 million attempted purchases of firearms by convicted felons had been stopped by background checks.

It has become the line of Republican leader-

ship to suggest that UBCs are unconstitutional or infringe upon our Second Amendment rights.

This is nonsense. A five-day wait to get a firearm, or even a ten-day wait will not infringe on one’s constitutional rights because in the end, if they pass the background check, they get the gun. The background check gives teeth to laws meant to keep guns out of the hands of unfavorable persons in the most efficient way possible. UBCs are not only compatible with the Second Amendment, but they reinforce it. They keep guns away from dangerous people that are not eligible for a Second Amendment right and keep them in the hands of those who are eligible.

The underlying hypocrisy in the unwillingness of Republican lawmakers to implement background checks is their apparent support for ‘red flag laws’ (which are also a good idea) in the wake of the El Paso and Dayton shootings. The New York Times defines red flag laws as “state laws that authorize courts to issue a special type of protection order, allowing the police to temporarily confiscate firearms from people who are deemed by a judge to be a danger to themselves or to others. Often, the request for the order will come from relatives or friends concerned about a loved one who owns one or more guns and has expressed suicidal thoughts or discussed shooting people.” Lots of GOP lawmakers and even President Trump have signaled support for red flag laws, according to the Associated Press; however, the 2019 Bipartisan Background Checks Act had only 8 Republicans vote ‘yea’ and 188 votes ‘nay’ in the House. If Republicans support courts taking away guns from dangerous people after they have bought them, why not prevent them from getting the gun in the first place?

It is time for both parties to come together and handle these issues swiftly and properly. We have seen that background checks are effective and do not in any way curb the right to bear arms of the law-abiding. As Reagan deftly put it, “while there has been a Federal law on the books for more than 20 years that prohibits the sale of firearms to felons, fugitives, drug addicts and the mentally ill, it has no enforcement mechanism and basically works on the honor system.” The honor system is not sustainable, felons and severely mentally ill people cannot be trusted with firearms and cannot be trusted to abide by the law with firearms. To keep weapons out of the hands of unfavorable persons effectively, Universal Background Checks must be implemented.

OPINION

GRAPHIC BY MOLLY BUSIS

Electability Polls Undermine the Democratic Process

BY STEFFI LEWIS Hopefully, you joined me in watching the Battle Royale, er, Democratic Party presidential debates this summer. Our hot and humid days gave way to long evenings of spectating political “debate” foreshadowing what promises to be a long and grueling election cycle. Regardless of the finer points separating one healthcare proposal from another, the bigger questions of “electability” - the almost indefinable capability of being an ‘electable’ candidate - dominated the collective subconscious. Will it come down to a question of ideas and leadership qualities, or will we see a race dictated by “electability” polls that knock out candidates before their ideas have barely been heard? Which candidate has the right mix of competence and assertiveness to beat Trump? Are some candidates too old, too left, or too nutty to be elected?

Following the 2016 presidential election, the concept of “electability,” the undefinable and amorphous quality upon which many pundits have built careers trying to divine, has been turned on its head. There has been a monumental shift leading up to the 2020 election; defeating the current president and doing nothing more is now a viable policy position. Many candidates aim to channel anger against Trump from voters who simply seek a return to normalcy, and their platforms reflect that. Are competence and proven leadership still valued? Does the average voter even recognize those qualities anymore? Have Trump’s voters in 2016 come to regret their decision and are now willing to elect another kind of candidate? Or, are voters so averse to change that Trump, as embarrassing as he may be, is still preferable to the unknown?

The “electability” quotient undermines the opportunity for new, diverse voices to join the conversation. Early “electability” polling heavily favors the status quo so can discourage minorities from running, following the trend of saying the country isn’t ready for a female, Jewish, Muslim, or a gay president.

Barack Obama’s election was a sign that our traditional beliefs of “electability” had become outdated. Even some Republicans were able to agree with him and see past their perceptions of

his exterior, while more progressive voters saw his election into office as changing the course of representation and diversity in America.

Winning the election was a signifier of progress.

Really, it was his youth, engaging personality, and vision for the future that were the primary factors in energizing the voters. And although it’s disingenuous to suggest that his race wasn’t a factor, it was his words that got him elected.

Following Obama, Trump absolutely shattered our notion of “electability.” For starters, he has divorced (twice), is a pathological liar, cruel, insulting, and clownish; he was antithetical to the American ideal of a presidential candidate.

And after 2016, pollers and experts, as well as the American people, were left scratching their heads. So, we face a resurgence of the ageold “electability” calculus. Our confusion has returned us to trying to guess what qualities will move the most people which leads us to get hung up on the demographics of the candidate pool.

Maybe, we are focusing so heavily on electability because one candidate has not emerged as a second Barack Obama or our knight in shining armor. Maybe, it is because the lines of “electability” have been blurred and average voters cannot objectively evaluate the candidates.

But, one thing the Democratic Party needs to resist is the media-driven narrative that incessantly categorizes the candidates by their ethnic, gender, and/or senior citizen statuses.

A Gender on the Ballot survey completed by the American University found that 56% of voters have heard the media talk about women candidates being unelectable. The unnecessary inclusion of the “electability” line of questioning, specifically from the moderators of the Democratic debates to the candidates, reduces the contest to one that focuses on the voters’ perceived biases rather than issues of substance.

The discussion of “electability” seems to be an artificial topic created to fill air-time and is rooted in stereotypes. This year’s debate stage was much more diverse than all of the past election cycles. With just one exception, the American people have only ever seen white men elected president. It’s hard for many voters to

comprehend more demographically-diverse individuals serving in that position and it certainly does not help when the media emphasizes those differences as a source of discussion.

But, this is, indubitably, a transitional time for our society, with more Millennials running for office and Gen Zers starting to vote. And voters are demanding a candidate who represents something different, who represents progress.

If you’re like me, which is to say way too interested in the politics of elections, then you understand my anxiety-fueled feeling following the debates, just as well as you understand the feeling that something seismic will come out of this election. The 2020 election cycle will be big.

If we elect a candidate of substance and morality, it could be a truly transformative moment for the country. Despite this, some of the most inspiring candidates to our generation, including Pete Buttigieg, Bernie Sanders, Tulsi Gabbard, and even Andrew Yang, are already being written off by the mainstream media outlets as unelectable.

Overlooking the heinous voter suppression conducted by the majority party and the utter lack of ethics the current administration practices, the simple fact is they are in power because they were elected. To change the course of our future, to ensure safety, equality, and prosperity, to guarantee strong diplomacy and better gun laws, the Democrats need a candidate who will inspire a wave of voters, everyone from the grassroots to the moderate center.

At the end of the day, the out-dated “electability” notion is short-sighted and implies that the average American voter is an intolerant person who is only comfortable with a candidate who seems to be cloned from previous presidents.

Handicapping the race prematurely has played too much of a role in our pre-election dialogue.

It’s time to abandon the “electability” talking point; it has no place in the unfolding campaigns.

It’s not our responsibility to decide what works and what does not in this landscape. But, it is our responsibility to ignore the superficialities of demographics and support the candidates who embody our definition of a president.

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OPINION

Hong Kong Protests Needed for Democracy

BY AMELIA DEWELL AND KARINA

inspired previously apolitical sectors of Hong Kong to protest - lawyers, teachers, bankers, and even accountants took to the streets to voice their displeasure.

The backlash was immediate: the CCP labeled the protesters as violent rioters and called in police to put down the riot. In August, the protests became increasingly violent when Hong Kong police, emboldened by the government, fired teargas canisters and rubber bullets at protesters. One woman suffered vision loss to

her eye after being hit by a bean bag round fired by police. After her photo went viral, the bloody eye patch has become an unofficial symbol of the protesters, signifying the brutal methods of the police.

As someone who follows politics and the human rights situation in China, I believe the withdrawal of the bill and these protests represent a huge win for democracy, and a humiliation for the CCP. Despite the Chinese state-run media’s campaign to demonize the protesters and blame foreign interference, the protests have been a successful defiance to the CCP’s grip on Hong Kong. We must applaud Hong Kongers for their persistence and also for their unwillingness to retaliate violently against the police, and instead to let the protests speak for themselves.

As of now, the protests continue for the fifth consecutive month. These protests, which mainly consist of youth, are reminiscent of the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests, where students in Beijing called for a transition to democracy and an end to corruption within the CCP. The protests ended with the CCP sending People’s Liberation Army (PLA) troops and tanks into the square to run over the students. The death toll was anywhere from 6,000 to 10,000, but the CCP has logged no official number, and continues to deny the protests and ensuing massacre ever happened.

It’s unknown if these protests will end like Tiananmen, but recent satellite images show large numbers of PLA military vehicles amassing near the Hong Kong border. To the CCP, already destabilized by the U.S-China trade war, the ongoing protests send a clear message to Beijing: Hong Kongers will not let their civil liberties go without a fight.

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This summer, tensions have been steadily rising on the other side of the world. Beginning in late March and reaching its zenith in July, Hong Kongers have come together en masse to protest a proposed (and now withdrawn) extradition bill that would have allowed the mainland Chinese government to deport suspected criminals in Hong Kong to China.

The reason for the legislation’s controversy was that it represented a further loss of autonomy for Hong Kong.

Although Hong Kong is part of China, the city was under British rule for 156 years until its return to China in 1997. During those years, Hong Kongers became accustomed to a certain lifestyle under British occupation - accustomed to civil liberties, due process, and rule of law.

Though supposedly one and the same, China is very different from Hong Kong - the country has a long history of abuse of power, persecution of ethnic and religious minorities, and no rule of law whatsoever. Given this history, the extradition bill would have allowed China to deport Hong Kongers to the mainland for actions considered crimes there, such as criticizing the government, protesting, and exercising freedom of expression.

The bill would allow China to tighten its grip on Hong Kong’s autonomy and force it to submit to its will.

One of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)’s abuses of power in Hong Kong include the election of Carrie Lam as leader of the city. Chief Executive Lam achieved her position not by being popularly elected, but by being Beijing’s mouthpiece in a rigged election. Therefore, the fact that it was Lam introducing the pernicious bill to the legislature added insult to injury.

Protesters flooded built-up areas of Hong Kong, such as Causeway Bay and Victoria Park, demanding the resignation of Lam, the scrapping of the bill, and democracy for Hong Kong. The protests brought congested districts of Hong Kong to a standstill, with a massive turnout of 1.09 million on June 9th and almost 2 million on June 15th, according to the Civil Human Rights Front. The movement to protect democracy

SPORTS

WE’RE HOME. With the opening of B-CC’s Guckeyson Field comes a new wave of Baron pride.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF, LILLY BEHBEHANI, AND MICHAEL COYLE , STEFFI LEWIS, MARGO OGROSKY

15

SPORTS

2020 FALL SPORTS TAKEOVER

BY ANNA HOOVER AND SOPHIA WHITE The new school year may be just beginning, but our fall sports teams have been back to work since early August.

Meet some of our top senior students athletes.

Natalie Ryan Ryan has been working on improving her volleyball skills since her freshman year, and it paid off for her when she made varsity as a sophomore. She loves continuing working to improve her skills and is excited for her final year on the team. “My favorite moment from B-CC volleyball was being elected as a captain her junior year and being able to have a leadership role on the team.

James Freibert James is one of the newer members of Baron’s cross country, but immediately claimed a spot with the top runners last year. He has been running for 6 years, and joined the cross country team his junior year after moving from Seattle, Washington. His exciting and fun personality along with his great leadership and passion for running creates a great atmosphere on the team. Friebert’s goals for the season include breaking 17 minutes in the 5k and to be a leader and one of the top runners on the team. “ I love running because it makes me a stronger person and increases my confidence in other areas of my life.”

Amelia Rehrig Rehrig is a multi sport athlete with smarts on the field and dedication to her practice. She has been playing B-CC soccer since freshman year, and is hoping to possibly play soccer in college after high school. With her senior season approaching, Amelia and the girls soccer team has been hard at work to prepare for the upcoming season. “I’m really excited to get on our new field and pretty confdent that we will do well this season.”

Bruno Nachipucha Bruno is a leader on the field and someone who will work until the very end to ensure the success of the team. On and off the field Bruno is a dedicated student athlete with drive, focus, and passion for soccer. His teammates and coaches would describe him as a funny, loving and kind person that just likes to have fun. He credits his family as his biggest inspiration, for always being there at his games and practices and making sacrifices to help him succeed: “It’s always been my family. They have always been there for all my games and practices and like everything I have done. They have sacrificed everything for me and I want to pay them back for all of it one day.

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PHOTO BY BELA OMOEVA

SPORTS

From left to right: Carl Lauridsen (Denmark), Can Gunes (Turkey), Juan Sebastian Cruz (Colombia), Dylan Zane (Jamaica) Missing from photo: Arjun Akwei (India), Kande Mande (Democratic Republic of Congo), Haru Steinberg (Japan)

This Team’s a Keeper A LOOK INTO THE DIVERSITY OF THE B-CC BOY’S SOCCER TEAM by dylan greenhouse and eli davis In most countries, soccer is a lifestyle; a means to unify a community; a staple in the lives of so many. In America, soccer has acted as a fourth-tier sport, maybe even fifth; however, the increased amount of international students has created a stronger appreciation for the sport at B-CC. In 2017, B-CC’s boys soccer team took the state championship home. That year featured two international players who were essential in their championship run. This year, the boys team is made up of a strong collection of internationally diverse and culturally distinct players. Coach Guillermo Melendez believes, “[international players] bring almost like a different ‘flavor’ to the team and they bring certain things or certain styles of play…which just makes everyone better.”

The team is compiled with players from countries including Colombia, Democratic Repub-

lic of Congo, Denmark, India, Jamaica, Japan, Turkey, and of course, America. Coach Melendez thinks the diversity of the team may bring a new sense of pride and culture to Barons soccer.

Returning senior Dylan Zane moved here from Jamaica in the summer of 2013. For him, soccer helped with the transition to life in America because it gave him “an immediate group of friends.”

For senior Carl Lauridsen, who grew up in Denmark, “[soccer] helped [him] become a part of a community outside of school.”

Junior Juan Cruz, a Colombian immigrant, has a similar story. He says by “interacting with [his] teammates, [he is] learning many things different from those used in [his] country.” Fellow junior Can Gunes, whose parents immigrated to the United States from Turkey, says that “soccer is a way that Americans can transition to other countries.”

The Barons soccer team is just two years removed from their state championship glory and have aspirations of bringing the title back to Bethesda. “Since it’s a global sport,” says Lauridsen, “it’s not about culture or ethnicity, but more about how good you are at the game.” The Barons are both diverse and talented with Zane adding, “we have a pretty stacked squad this year and if we do it right, we have a solid shot at States.”

Gunes believes that having foreign players on the team helps drive their motivation and improves the team as a whole: “I feel that the passion that I have on the field for the game is fueled from being a Turkish player.” Despite their cultural differences, they have come together as a brotherhood with one goal in mind: to win a state championship.

Potentially Toxic Dust Prompts Neighborhood Concern by alex waterman On September 4, a concerned neighbor noticed a cloud of dust hovering above the newly constructed field, visible from even a couple blocks away from Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School. Believing that this dust was made up of a material called silica, this East Bethesda resident immediately contacted Montgomery County Public School officials. Her concerns were rooted in the potentially dangerous impacts of inhaling silica, as the National Occupational Safety and Health Administration says this material can cause lung cancer if inhaled. The parent groups DC Safe and Health Playing Groups pushed MCPS officials to order the construction crew to stop working, leading to a brief “stop work order” that same day, and a new water mitiga-

tion strategy to prevent dust from spreading.

Once the neighbors noticed that the construction workers were putting down silica sand and zeolite -- a mineral that is commonly used for various types of kitty litter -- as the infill, the parent groups began to voice their distress.

The neighbors became concerned not only for students and neighbors nearby, but also for the workers who were not wearing any protective gear. When the neighborhood brought these safety concerns to the attention of the MCPS Construction Office, according to one neighbor, they were “immediately responsive and issued a stop order” that day. The Department of Environmental Protection then sent some of their own inspectors and according to one neighbor, “the contractor was required to bring

in a water truck” in order to maintain and control the dust that was now scattered for blocks.

The president and chief executive officer for Hess Construction, Andy Hess, denied claims that their construction was posing risks to the community, saying the only silica used on the field was natural silica contained in the sand.

According to Hess, after the crew was done laying out this sand, the only material used for the infill was zeolite. The concerned neighbors have remained adamant that silica was being used during the construction of the field following these remarks. Regardless of the controversy, one thing is for sure: the excitement and spirit of the Baron community lingers around the field far longer than any dust.

17

STYLE

BY YAEL CHIAPPORI The HBO show, Euphoria which was released promptly after schools were let out for Summer on June 16th, became an instant hit online, becoming HBO’s second most-tweeted about show behind “Game of Thrones.” The show follows Rue, a recovering drug-addict, and a group of teenagers from her school as social media and teenage pressures lead them to make many unwise decisions. The show touches on many serious topics from drug abuse to toxic relationships in graphic ways that, though exaggerated, seem familiar to high schoolers.

The styling acts as an artistic storytelling device impeccably through the show in ways popular movies and series haven’t seen before.

Reducing this show to fashion and makeup is a severe oversimplification. Still, it could be said that makeup artist Doniella Davy and costume designer Heidi Bivens deliver superb

performances that have made the wardrobe and makeup looks synonymous with the show.

Though the outfits and makeup worn by the characters are unconventional, they aren’t questioned by the other characters and the viewer becomes accustomed to seeing eccentric makeup on the characters, such as cloud and star eyeshadow and the juxtaposition of feminine and masculine elements.

Jules is a transgender girl dealing with moving to a new school, wears bright watercolor eyeshadow looks, layered shirts, and pleated skirts that relate to her battle to conquer femininity. Rue’s baggy and disheveled looks through the show reflect her mental state battling drug addiction.

From YouTube to Instagram, remakes and interpretations of Euphoria makeup and outfits are everywhere, some taking great inspiration from the show in their everyday wardrobes.

Many on the internet have already shown their own connections to the show, but the ideas and fashion elements such as sheer tops and extremely oversized hoodies are trickling down from the media to high schools.

“There is a conversation that can be started about creating a safe environment for young people to be able to express themselves with the way they dress and the way they look,” says Bivens. “And hopefully this show will [encourage them to do so].” The viewers develop an eventual understanding that what the characters wear is a part of their identity and the stance they take toward the world. Euphoria pushes for free expression and unapologetic showcases of a large range of styles without seeming overly costumey which attracts students today.

GRAPHIC BY CHARLIE KANNAPELL

Firework Frenzy

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BY CHARLIE KANNAPELL Every year, thousands of D.C-Metro area residents and tourists gather in the nation’s capital to witness the famed fireworks display on the National Mall. Many locals have made a tradition of spending the 4th of July camped out the entire day to claim the perfect viewing spots, bringing along checkered tablecloths, picnic baskets, lawn games, and, of course, an abundance of red, white, and blue. This was the familiar scene taking shape on the grounds of the mall on the mild July 4th evening this year; up in the sky, however, the muggy summer air stirred up by a small cold front that had passed hours before was quietly growing more and more uneasy.

By sundown, with a packed mall and all eyes pointed just above the city skyline, it was time for the show to begin.

The first fireworks flew into the air and exploded into an array of colors that lit up the city’s faces and monuments. While a calm atmosphere blanketed the grounds, the Earth’s atmosphere wasn’t so welcoming to the fiery foes. Soon, the distinct colors in the sky grew

hazy and blended into a heavy cloud of smoke that hovered above the D.C. skyline and masked the fireworks from view. The peaceful aura of the night quickly lost its charm, leaving the audience unsatisfied and disappointed. No more than five minutes into the show, a mass exodus began to form; viewers stood up and departed the National Mall in masses, leaving the ongoing fireworks display behind.

At least they thought they had left everything behind. A strong westerly wind caused the cloud of dense firework smoke to follow the crowds into the city. The smoke dropped into the streets of D.C. and spread like wildfire, polluting the air and leaving the already disappointed viewers coughing and wheezing as they scrambled to find shelter in nearby buildings to escape the smoky air.

What started out as a typical summer afternoon in the nation’s capital had transformed into an apocalyptic night-

mare by the end of the day. How did this happen?

On this day, there was an abnormal situation in the earth’s atmosphere. On a normal day, the atmosphere usually stays coolest at higher altitudes, and gradually warms at the lower altitudes towards ground level.

However, because of the stormy weather patterns that passed through the area earlier in the day, this pattern was shifted: the cold air followed the falling rain towards the lower altitudes, leaving a dense body of warm air above it to act as a barrier just in time for the fireworks show. When the fireworks shot up and exploded, the smoke left behind from every pop became trapped with no place to go, creating an enormous build-up of smoke in the sky that grew in size with every firework.

The annual fireworks display in the nation’s capital never disappoints. That is, until the odd day that was July 4th, 2019. Maybe this day was destined -- a wake up call for the country to make sure we don’t take fireworks for granted -- or maybe, it was just dumb luck. One thing we know for sure, though, is that the anticipation for the next fourth of July is at an all-time high.

PHOTO BY YAEL CHIAPPORI

Gen-Z In Euphoria

BACKPAGE

The Rattler: Back 2 Skool

BY LILLY BEHBEHANI, ISABEL DANZIS, GRACE HARRINGTON, AND CHARLIE KANNAPELL

B-CC Bans Cheering on Football Field After Complaints from Neighborhood Residents

Sick of kids being distracted by cellphones, teachers are forced to find new ways to hold their students’ attention. Due to the overwhelming amount of VSCO girls scheduled to enter B-CC in the class of 2023, it was proposed in a staff meeting that the best way to get kids’ attention was to incorporate their language into the classroom.

Teachers have been practicing phrases such as “sksks” along with “and I oop” in casual conversation and are excited to test out their new skills in the classroom. A math teacher said that “[she] really think[s] that this new approach is going to be effective…and [she] oop[s].” Teachers are excited to see the results of this new program and a few have been spotted sporting friendship bracelets, hydroflasks, and scrunchies in efforts to fully embrace their new personas.

Following the recent success of the ban on barking in a Chevy Chase dog park, the East Bethesda Citizens Association has enacted a law that prohibits any noise above 50 hertz, the lowest measurable sound able to be detected by the human ear, from being made at the B-CC home games this season.

The community around B-CC has cited the extreme cheers as distracting and disrupting, especially when the noise continues past 6pm.

In response to the new ban, B-CC has made many changes to limit the noise coming from home games. Three areas of focus include noise from the players, the crowd, and the infrastructure of the stadium.

Players are no longer permitted to make loud grunting sounds while playing, nor will they be allowed to celebrate victories verbally. Likewise, coaches have been told that they must refrain from screaming orders to players from the sidelines or noisily announce their anger or excitement.

All MCPS referres have been fired and have been replaced with airport runway employees due to their experience with precision in hand motions.

A new prerequisite for joining the cheer team is proficient in basic sign language, as all popular B-CC cheers have been converted into sign language. All students have watched sign language instructional videos instead of B-CC TV for the last three weeks in preparation for to cheer for their teams.

The B-CC school store is expecting a large shipment of bell-less cowbells to arrive within the next week, and they are expected to sell out fast.

Disobeying the new laws will result in prosecution to the highest degree -- public shaming on B-CC TV and a full banning from walking the streets of East Bethesda.

Seniors Make Up For Lost Time on the Field, Set Up Camp on the 50 Yard Line

B-CC Student Becomes the First Ever Spikeball College Recruit in the World

Seniors have created a nightly class-wide sleepover initiative on the new turf field. A Signup Genius has been made with a three-year wait list that continues to grow. Seniors have stressed that they get priority over underclassmen, but assure the younger classes their time will come.

Despite all the hype surrounding the new field and sleepover, the first night was rough. A caravan was organized for the inaugural night of the initiative and the excited Barons made their way over to the home field at 8 P.M. Barons eagerly ran out of their cars and into the stadium. As soon as they stepped onto their turf, they noticed loud cheers saying “Go Wildcats!” and a green mass occupying the stands. The Barons had stumbled into an ongoing Wildcat pep rally. The cheering died down, and bleak silence blanketed the stadium. The two groups of opposing schools blankly stared at each other, wondering if there was a scheduling error. Barons, after 2020 seconds of silence, realized that B-CC’s home field was indeed finished and they were indeed on the wrong home field. And as fast as they came, they left. Barons quickly loaded back up into their cars and zoomed to 4301 East West Highway and followed the signs to their real home-- the Baron Dome.

Different Baron Pride festivities take place each night, varying from sleeping bag potato sack races to roasting marshmallows over a George Foreman grill. In order to attend these festivities, there is a strict dress code of blue and gold attire, so don’t even think about wearing anything that doesn’t come from the school store. “The blue and gold dress code is so harshly enforced that a student was asked to leave for wearing light blue and mustard yellow,” said a senior who chooses to be anonymous.

They are still in need of marshmallows, sleeping bags, flashlights, tents, and general camping necessities. Contact the initiative hotline if you have any of these supplies at (240) PLS-HELP.

Our very own Ron Rollin has made sports history today, as the Sophomore has announced his verbal commitment to the Harvard Spikeball Team. Rollin’s impressive pocket shot accuracy and his dominant leaning serve have attracted top-tier college recruiters, with the likes of Yale, Colombia, Princeton, and Stanford. Ron Rollin says he is “extremely excited and proud” to be joining Harvard, as he can usually be seen throughout the hallways sporting his official HarvardxSpikeBall™ backpack.

All Barons are invited to watch the groundbreaking signing day on February 31 in the main atrium. When asked what drew him to Harvard, Rollin’ says that “The combination of elite academics and top-notch spikeball facilities made me take off my custom-made, limited edition spiking goggles and see that Harvard was the best choice for me.”

GRAPHICS BY BELA OMOEVA

Teachers Incorporating “sksksks” Into Curriculum to Appeal to Gen Z

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