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ALL SMILES FOR THE AIR FORCE — Sofia Pardo poses in her JROTC uniform after her academy class. Pardo has to wear her uniform every Thursday to all her classes. (Photo by Saisha Dani)
FLYING INTO THE AIR FORCE
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Junior joins JROTC in hopes of joining the Air Force
SAISHA DANI OPINIONS EDITOR
Shoes stomp on the grass, creating a muffled sound throughout the football field at Chantilly Academy. The sun’s rays beam overhead while 30 students in navy blue uniforms march in their positions in unison. A whistle blows and the rhythm of the marching changes.
Among the 30 students is junior Sofia Pardo, obediently following orders at her Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) academy class. Pardo’s face fills with excitement when she talks about the class and her plans to join the Air Force.
“[JROTC] is a military training class, but it’s not as hard as the actual military training,” Pardo said.
Pardo attends her JROTC class at Chantilly Academy, as it will provide an advantage when she joins the Air Force. Many of the things taught in the class relate to her future goals. They learn drills, the right way to wear their uniforms, how to march and jodies to sing while working.
Pardo hasn’t always wanted to be a part of the Air Force. As a child, she wanted to be a police officer, but things changed once she learned more about the opportunities joining the military offers.
During her freshman year of high school, a few of her friends from church made her consider this opportunity.
“They explained to me the benefit of joining the Air Force, and how they would work their way to actually working for the Air Force,” Pardo said.
Since she liked the idea, Pardo researched the career path. She talked to her parents, and they were on board with her plans.
“I believe it is a wise and important decision to make at her young age, which demonstrates her maturity and responsibility towards life. I feel happy because I know this career path will provide her with a secure future where she’ll be able to pursue her dreams,” said Patricia Zapata, Pardo's mother.
Her parents suggested that if she wanted to join the military, she should take some classes for preparation during high school.
“When I moved to Virginia my sophomore year, I talked to my counselor about JROTC, and at the time Chantilly Academy was the only school which offered the class,” Pardo said.
Despite JROTC being far away, Pardo decided to sign up.
“If you really want to get a good title and you want to enter the Air Force with some sort of advantage, [JROTC] will give you a big advantage. Since they only offered two years, I decided to take the class my junior and senior year,” Pardo said
In her class, Pardo learns the technical and the physical parts of being in the Air Force. The class has physical training every Friday and teaches the different ranks and insignias. Pardo is currently learning about the phonetic alphabet in addition to different marches and drills.
“[Pardo] demonstrates that she always does what she proposes. She always pays attention, and I think she’s one of the best in the class,” said Westfield High School junior Maria Irias Alvarado, one of Pardo’s classmates. “She learns everything so fast and she always studies for when we have uniform inspection, as they always ask us questions.”
The class has helped Pardo grow as a person.
“Taking the class teaches you to be disciplined and take responsibility for yourself, and outside of that it really helps you bond with people and work together,” Pardo said.
JROTC also comes with a few challenges. The class requires strong leadership skills along with memorizing a lot of information.
“I think the most challenging part is stepping out of your comfort zone if you are not comfortable speaking up and being the leader of your group,” Pardo said.
Pardo loves traveling along with learning languages and cultures. After high school, Pardo hopes to work for the Air Force as a linguistic analyst.
“[JROTC] helps you a lot at a personal level to develop character and also helps you develop strength because you are required to speak up for yourself and talk to a person with respect,” Pardo said. “Every time you answer you have to answer with yes, ma’am, no, sir. It really shapes you, your personality, your view of older people and also your respect towards others.”
10Qs with Claire Anton
(Physics Teacher)
by Aleena Gul & Pran Kittivorapat
Photo by Pran Kittivorapat
Scan this QR code to watch all her responses
1. What was your favorite class in college?
Diffusion of Materials. I found the phenomena very interesting because it can be used to strengthen materials as well as embrittle them.
2. Why did you switch your career to teaching?
I traveled pretty much nonstop and it wasn’t really compatible with raising my kids, so I retired from engineering and started to teach.
3. What is the best project you got to do when you were an engineer?
I really liked working on the Space Shuttle. I thought that was a really fun vehicle to work on. I did the structural components and fuel lines within the shuttle itself and I helped with the exterior maintenance, the TCL and the carbon-carbon system.
4. How much coffee do you drink each day?
I am a “one cup” person.
5. Why did you choose to teach AP Physics?
I have taught all levels of physics, and I was really excited about teaching AP because I thought it would be challenging and I thought that it would be less writing than IB Physics, which is what I was teaching prior to this.
6. What is your favorite scientific formula?
I like F=ma because it tells people that if you do apply a net force, you are going to cause an acceleration. It is a good lesson.
7. What do you plan to do in the summer?
Hike the Appalachian Trail.
8. Which song describes you the best?
“Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey.
9. Where is your favorite place in California, and why?
I really like Bolsa Chica Beach. I really like the ocean—it’s pretty and it’s fun to be there.
10. What is the last thing you will do with your Science Olympiad team this year?
We are having our end-of-year party.
Photo by Pran Kittivorapat
Make sure to visit her before she leaves McLean to take a break from her teaching career at the end of the school year!
NEW HIGHLANDERS ON THE BLOCK
Newbies explain how they adapted to McLean this year
SAISHA DANI OPINIONS EDITOR & LIA VINZENZO REPORTER
Sophomore Sanjina Kaul
Moved from Charlotte, NC
Sophomore Sanjna Kaul moved from Charlotte, North Carolina, back in August. Kaul had to adjust to the large size of McLean as her previous school was much smaller.
“Both my old school and this school are very good academically, but McLean is cut-throat competitive,” Kaul said.
Her schedule was also impacted. Not only does Kaul have to take Biology as a sophomore, but she also had to drop classes.
“In my old school we had eight classes, so I’m not able to take all the classes I want to take here.”
Entering a new school always comes with a few challenges.
According to Kaul, “[It was a challenge] getting used to how this school works, its atmosphere [and] finding friends.”
Kaul’s advice for Highlanders: “It can be really nice to invite [new students] to eat lunch with you or talk to them.”
Junior Ethan Switzer
Moved from Beijing, China
Junior Ethan Switzer moved last summer from Beijing, China, where he had been attending an international school that went from elementary to high school.
“In terms of student density, [McLean is] much more closely packed together,” Switzer said.
Like many other new students, Switzer has to take classes he wasn’t planning on taking.
“At my previous school I took Algebra II but then skipped Geometry. I wanted to move up [math levels], but I didn’t have the jump credit, so I had to go back and take Geometry this year,” Switzer said. H
is class choices were also limited.
“Because we came here late [in the summer], it was hard to register for some classes,” Switzer said.
Switzer’s advice for Highlanders: “[Understand that] not knowing the area is pretty hard because after living in a place for a while, you get to know the surroundings, and then suddenly having to know a new area is quite difficult.”
Junior Alessandra Padilla
Moved from SHAPE, Belgium
Junior Alessandra Padilla moved to McLean from the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Belgium in September 2018. Her old school had around 330 students from over 10 different nations.
“Since [McLean is] bigger, it’s a lot less of a community, and it just feels like I’m at school, and then I see these people, but I never see them again,” Padilla said.
Moving also meant she had many scheduling difficulties.
“I have to take a lot of sophomore classes... It definitely makes it harder to meet juniors,” Padilla said.
A big part of moving is making new friends, but that’s harder to do than many people assume.
“It’s hard to make new friends when you don’t really know people, and you don’t know what to expect, especially moving from a different country,” Padilla said. “It was really weird because people talk differently here and act differently, so it was a huge shock to me.”
Padilla’s advice for Highlanders: “Sometimes you should be the person to say ‘hey’ first because when someone starts a new school, they might be insecure…and just saying ‘hey’ can make a lot of difference so that they feel more comfortable.”
Teacher Joseph Dwyer
Moved from Dubai, UAE
Joseph Dwyer has been teaching at McLean since the beginning of the school year. Prior to his move, Dwyer lived in Dubai, United Arab Emirates for two years. Dwyer teaches World History I Honors and AP Psychology.
“The most difficult thing for me [when transferring here] was I hadn’t taught freshmen in a long time,” Dwyer said. “Getting used to their behavior and building the curriculum for Honors World I was something I hadn’t had previous experience with.”
Beyond teaching a new age group, Dwyer also had to get used to different systems. His old school used a system based on the students’ understanding not on points scored.
“One of the major differences in [my previous school] was they had standard space grading, which is much different than the point system that we have here,” Dwyer said.
Despite these challenges, Dwyer has adapted exceptionally to McLean.
“I love working here—it’s probably my favorite school that I’ve ever worked at,” Dwyer said.
FOREIGN EXCHANGE STUDENT’S LIFE IN A YEAR
A student from Thailand shares his personal experience
PRAN KITTIVORAPAT DESIGN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Being an exchange student has been my goal since I was in elementary school. At first, I did not have enough courage to be an exchange student. I decided to go to a summer program with my school in Toronto for a month to see what life was like away from home. That trip gave me the confidence to leave Thailand, my country of origin, for a whole year.
In 2017, I applied and took a test for a high school foreign exchange program with the American Field Service (AFS). Three months later, I got a letter saying I was admitted as an exchange student in the United States.
When I lived in Thailand, I attended an all-boys public secondary school with 3,000 students. Instead of moving from class to class, I stayed in one room and my teachers came to me. I had the same classmates in each class, and we knew each other really well.
I had school from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., 50-minute lunch breaks, shorter class periods and took around 15 subjects. I wasn’t allowed to choose my classes or electives—instead we chose certain curriculum paths to take.
I chose the science-math program, but I also wanted to be involved in English and Thai language activities at school. I played Scrabble in English and Thai and competed in Scrabble tournaments. In our first year competing at the regional level, we won gold medals.
In September, I arrived in America and walked inside an American high school for the very first time.
Everything was brand new. I took classes without knowing anyone or anything at all. At first, it was really hard for me to make my way to different classes. Soon, it became easy for me to navigate.
I noticed a different culture among the students. Back in Thailand, friends just say “hi” to one another, but here at McLean, my friends do fist-bumps, high fives and daps every time we meet. Even though I am bad at responding to American greetings, my friends are very patient when teaching me these motions.
Photography is an activity I have grown to love while living here in America. During every special moment throughout the year, I made sure to take pictures.
I even entered a photography and design project competition for the Technology Student Association, which enabled me to explore my interests.
McLean has given me many opportunities to try new things. One day, a varsity lacrosse coach saw me with a tripod and asked me to film every game in the team’s season. Filming for the team allowed me to participate in videography and sports at the same time, both of which I enjoy.
Outside of school, field trips have been some of the best experiences I have had this year. I went to Harrisonburg, New York City (twice), Pennsylvania and, of course, D.C. My favorite trip was to Columbia University with my journalism class. I made friends with new people and learned interesting tips about design from the event.
These eight months at McLean have been challenging, but they also helped me discover my passions. Once I return home, I will have to catch up on my last year of school and apply to university, where I hope to spend the next four years of my life deciding what to do in the future.
All the memories I made here will remain in my heart and my camera forever.
[EDITORS’ NOTE: The Highlander staff is so thankful for all you have done, Pran, and we will miss you next year!]
OFF TO AMERICA — On Sept. 11 last year, I flew with three other exchange students from Thailand to Dulles Airport. It was the longest trip I have ever taken in my life.
THE GREAT VISIT — On Sept. 28, AFS Virginia students visit the White House. Afterwards we went on a tour of D.C.
SMILE FOR THE SUNRISE — Three AFS students and I watch the sunrise at Virginia Beach. We spent three days vacationing together for mid-year orientation.
RAISE THE FLAG — I traveled aboard the Circle Line Sightseeing Cruise in New York City. We also rode past the Statue of Liberty.
THE GIVEAWAY — My physics class and I pose after my cultural presentation during International Education week.
DRESS LIKE A SPY — AFS students dress up for a scavenger hunt during our predeparture orientation on May 4.
Secrets of the streets
McLean staff members share the ins and outs of their hallway
Reporting by Pran Kittivorapat & Michelle Martinkov
Questions list:
1. Years in the hallway
2. Favorite things
3. Favorite neighbors
4. Favorite time of the day
Silver Hallway
ELLEN REILLY: Principal
1. 7TH YEAR
2. HAVING ALL THE ADMINISTRATORS TOGETHER
3. MR. THOMPSON
4. MORNING (GET A LOT OF WORK DONE)
GREG OLCOTT: Counselor
1. 3RD YEAR
2. RIDICULOUS, PHENOMENAL DEPARTMENT
3. MS. DALRYMPLE/MS. OTAL
4. HIGHLANDER TIME AND LUNCH (HAVE THE MOST VISITORS)
Red Hallway
NIKKI KONG: Librarian
1. 2ND YEAR
2. WATCHING ALL THE STUDENTS WALK BY
3. MS. BENEDICT/MS. BRUINS
4. MORNING
DONALD VIVACQUA: Physical Education Teacher
1. 16TH YEAR
2. “KILT COURT” (HALLWAY TO R196’S NAME)
3. MR. SCHOLLA MR. MUSKETT
4. 6TH AND 7TH PERIOD
Blue Hallway
JULIA BRAXTON: Social Studies Teacher
1. 2ND YEAR
2. CLOSE TO OTHER SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHERS
3. MS. BRADY/MS. BAXTER
4. 4TH PERIOD
LAWRENCE LETKIEWICZ: English Teacher
1. 1ST YEAR
2. EVERYBODY WALKS THROUGH
3. MR. PUZAN
4. MORNING
Yellow Hallway
DIANA SAFFARINI: Biology Teacher
1. 1ST YEAR
2. NOT MUCH TRAFFIC, CLOSE TO WORKROOM
3. MS. CHOUMIL
4. AFTERNOON
JOSEPH DISHUN: Biology Teacher
1. 3RD YEAR
2. COLLEAGUES
3. ROOMMATES
4. MORNING
Green Hallway
KARLA FREEMAN: Math Teacher
1. 14TH YEAR
2. FILLED WITH FRIENDS, LIKES CLASSROOM
3. ALL NEIGHBORS, NEVER HAD A BAD NEIGHBOR
4. WHEN THE KIDS ARE NOT IN THE HALLWAY
MARCO GARCIA: Spanish Teacher
1. 2ND YEAR
2. MAIN HALLWAY, SEE STUDENTS ALL THE TIME
3. MS. BRAZELL
4. MORNING (1ST AND 2ND PERIOD)
Trailers
HEATHER BOVAIRD: English Teacher
1. 2ND YEAR IN TRAILERS
2. TRAILER CLASSROOMS ARE BIGGER
3. ALL THE ENGLISH TEACHERS
4. EARLY MORNING WHEN NO ONE IS THERE
MICHAEL FARMAR: Math Teacher
1. 6TH YEAR IN TRAILERS
2. DON’T HAVE TO DEAL WITH FIRE DRILLS
3. MS. QUARRY/MS. JAFFA/MS. BRASWELL
4. ANY TIME THAT’S NOT RAINING
LAST WORD FROM PRINCIPAL Ellen Reilly...
HIGHLANDER OF THE ISSUE:
A LIVING BATTLEFIELD
A STUDENT SHARES HER STORY ON LIVING WITH EPILEPSY
CC PALUMBO FEATURES/IN-DEPTH EDITOR
Photo by Cc Palumbo
Being able to freeze time and live in a moment forever seems perfect until it’s out of your control. Freshman Linnea Abt’s body entraps her in what feels like a neverending moment. Lightheaded and dizzy, she snaps out of a daze, desperately grasping onto her memory as it slips through her fingers.
When Abt thinks of the second grade, the first thing to come to mind isn’t coloring books and times tables. Instead, she recalls when she was diagnosed with epilepsy. The disorder triggers seizures due to a disruption in nerve cell activity in the brain.
“In elementary school, everyone had these good grades, and I was just falling behind completely,” Abt said.
Her mom’s concerns drove her to take her daughter to the doctor in May of 2011 to get tested. After ruling out potential issues, they came to the conclusion that she had epilepsy but were unaware of when it had developed.
“She had seizures probably once an hour every hour of her day back in second grade,” said Linnea’s mom, Gunilla Abt. “But because they weren’t the ones where she would fall to the ground and instead would go into a daze, we never really knew.”
Abt experiences her episodes in the form of staring off into space, then not being able to recall what happened. The severity can vary, so she makes sure to be safe. Today, Abt wears a bracelet to inform everyone of her condition, so people know what precautions to take.
“I literally can’t take it off. I shower with it, I sleep with it, I eat with it,” Abt said.
Abt is an avid volleyball player and was a member of the freshman girls volleyball team. However, this presents a problem with dress codes during games: the players aren’t allowed to wear any kind of jewelry.
“When I once played travel I actually got yelled at by a referee for having this bracelet on,” Abt said.
the game because of their unwillingness to recognize her condition and allow an exception. Ever since, Abt writes her bracelet’s information on her leg from her hip down to her knee before games in case she is unable to wear it.
“I recently started going back to my bracelet because I had my last EEG and was told that it’s still there and it probably won’t be going away anytime soon,” Abt said. “I would rather have the bracelet on and get yelled at versus having it come off from sweat and people not knowing what to do.”
— GUNILLA ABT
LINNEA ABT’S MOTHER
Along with physical side effects, epilepsy creates challenges in Abt’s everyday life. For example, the Abt family travels abroad every year, but Abt’s epilepsy often presents roadblocks.
“Through security it’s always been a major setback. They always have to open medication and get it tested to see if I am trying to bring in drugs,” Abt said.
Without her medication on trips, she has a higher risk of having a drop seizure, which is a loss of muscle tone causing the body to go limp, resulting in a potentially injurious fall.
“The only drop seizure I’ve ever had was once, and I was off my medication—that was by doctor’s orders,” Abt said.
Around every six months Abt goes into the hospital for an EEG, a test that connects round plates from her head to a monitor to track her brain waves. Every spike signals a seizure.
“Honestly, I don’t really mind it anymore,” Abt said. “And during the time I’m in the hospital, that’s the safest I will ever be.”
Abt’s condition has exposed her to situations that forced her to mentally mature faster.
“Because of the epilepsy she also grew up quicker, so she became more of an older soul in a young body,” Gunilla Abt said.
Abt leaves it all out in the open when it comes to her epilepsy. This enables her to surround herself with people who can keep her safe outside of the hospital in the case of an emergency.
“[During a seizure], basically loosen stuff so it’s not tight around my neck and make sure nothing is in my mouth. You have to time it to make sure I’m not out for longer than two minutes, and if I am then you need to call 911,” Abt said.
Abt’s longtime friend shares her friend’s optimistic outlook on life.
“Linnea handles her epilepsy very well and, although it is tough sometimes, she handles it very maturely and bravely,” freshman Aziza Abdelatey said.
As for what’s next for the volleyball player, she’s now playing for MOJO Volleyball Academy and enjoying every second of it. Abt doesn’t let anything hold her back from playing.
“Her epilepsy does not affect her volleyball, although she is more careful and attentive to her actions,” Abdelatey said. Abt has gained strength from her situation. “I believe that the less you have to hide, the stronger you get moving forward,” Gunilla Abt said.
WHAT SHOULD REALLY BE A SPORT?
Have you ever broken a sweat doing a simple task? If so, you’re not alone. Students across McLean High School describe their everyday challenges, things as simple as struggles with earbuds, and why these activities are deserving of a varsity letter.
MAE MONAGHAN MANAGING EDITOR & STEPHANIE McHUGH REPORTER
STRESS STUDYING
“I had a big Spanish test that I forgot about in first period. When my friend told me that we had it I started to panic because I didn’t know if I had enough time to study for it. Honestly, I really think that with all the stress I get and work that I do, stress studying should definitely be a sport,” freshman Adie Close said.
UNTANGLING EARBUDS
“Whenever I want to listen to music and I pull out my earbuds they are always tangled. I feel like it takes more brain power to untangle them than it’s really worth,” sophomore Annika Tolderov said.
GOING TO YOUR LEAST FAVORITE CLASS
“When I really don’t like the teacher and my grade [in the class] isn’t that good, what’s the point of going? There’s just so much extra effort. Other times it’s too boring to handle and I don’t understand the point,” junior Saleem Aknine said.
RUNNING TO THE LUNCH LINE IN TIME
“Getting to the lunch line is the worst and wastes all of my energy. I have to run to get my food or else they won’t give it to me. Also, I might not have time to eat if I get there late,” freshman Abi Esin said.
