The Highlander December 2014 by The Highlander

the

highlander

Volume LIX • Issue 3 • December 2014 • McLean High School thehighlandernews.com • @MHSHighlander

MARCHING INTO THE FUTURE

CONTENTS

NEWS

FEATURES

Women in Leadership

5 Leadership class

Highlander of the Issue: Victoria Boinest

What to do around New Year’s Eve

donates

New Wi-Fi in FCPS

10 Qs with “Frau” Wolpert

Technology transforms the classroom

IN-DEPTH 12-15

Marching into the future: Students dedicate themselves to the military

A&E 17 18

Highlander Highlights Battle of the Fans: Mockingjay – Part One

Mixtapes

Street Fashion

OPINIONS 22

Staff Editorial: Permanent solution needed for trailers

Music streaming services aid industry

Administrative approval ruins concept of senior pranks

SPORTS 25

Boys basketball prepares for season

Athlete of the Issue

The Finish Line

Dear Highlanders, As you enjoy the blissful two weeks of winter break, take a moment to look through this edition of The Highlander to keep you updated on all things McLean. Our “Battle of the Fans” page in the Arts & Entertainment section returns, with a take on Mockingjay – Part 1 from both a fan of the books and a Mockingjay newcomer. Our In-Depth this issue explores the topic of high school students committting to military service when they leave McLean. Make sure to take notice of the Sports section, as athletes prepare for the beginning of the winter sports season. As always, we encourage you to write to us with any and all concerns, complaints or compliments for The Highlander. In the time between issues, go to thehighlandernews.com for the latest stories. Happy Holidays!

highlander

the

Letter from the Editors

Volume LIX • Issue 3 • December 2014 • McLean High School thehighlandernews.com • @MHSHighlander

Editors-in-Chief

Andrea Delgado & Hannah Menchel & Grace Murray Julia Al-Akkad & Nhi Nguyen & Maddy Witchey

Managing Editors Design Editor Head Photographer Photographer

Mark Mizusawa James Carver Tanya Ajalli

Advertising Manager

Tara Blackwell

Cartoonist

Anna Marie Garland

Section Editors News Editors

Andrew Opem & Melanie Pincus

Opinions Editors

David Kagan & Liam Zeya

Features Editors

Lucy Hopkins & Katie McGinn

A&E Editors

Ashwin Dasgupta & Sabrein Gharad

Sports Editors

Jake Barnett & Jessica Bulford

Reporters Lisa Bears Anjalie Chauhan Christine Cheon Ethan Cherry John Corvari Michael Davis Lila Duvall Monique Ford Nora Hashem Elena Ifarraguerri

Esme Khalid Veronica Kim Connor Koch Carlyn Kranking Brooke Lyons Sophie Mariam Dereck Marwa Ingrid Morse Sanskriti Neupane Eleanor Patrick Adviser

Hannah Menchel, Andrea Delgado & Grace Murray

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Evan Rapson Leena Raza Young In Seo Sam Silverman Aisha Singh Jade Smith Danielle Walker Jennifer Wang Bora Zaloshnja Catherine Zysk

Lindsay B. Benedict The Highlander is a public forum in which members of the school community can express themselves, discuss issues and exchange ideas. Printed by aPrintis. Advertising Policy: The Highlander sells ad space on each page of the paper except on the front cover, Opinions section and InDepth report. The staff reserves the right to reject any ads it deems libelous, obscene, disruptive or otherwise inappropriate.

To Submit a Letter to the Editors: Please e-mail it to thehighlanderstaff@gmail.com or bring it to room R133. The staff reserves the right to edit letters for grammar and clarity, and all letters are subject to laws concerning obscenity, libel, privacy and disruption of the school process. ‘12, ‘13, ‘14 NSPA First Class; ‘07 All-American; ‘06 Pacemaker Finalist; Hall of Fame

Cover photo illustration of David Bulford by James Carver & Mark Mizusawa

‘05, ‘07, ‘12, ‘13 CSPA Gold Medalist; ‘08 Silver Medalist

‘14 George H. Gallup Award

‘14 VHSL Trophy Class; ‘11, ‘12 1st Place Winner; VHSL Savedge Award

NEWS

CIA Director of Security, FCPS superintendent visit McLean Principal Ellen Reilly invites female leaders to speak to students

Garza smiles—FCPS Superintendent Karen Garza talks to Claire Mooney and other students after her speech on Dec. 1. Garza answered a variety of questions about topics ranging from issues facing the county to the challenges of being a woman in leadership. (Photo by Tanya Ajalli) Andrea Delgado & Hannah Menchel Editors-in-Chief

IA Director of Security Mary Rose McCaffrey came to McLean on Nov. 17 to speak about her life and career. McCaffrey was the first in a series of speakers who will be addressing female McLean students about women in leadership. McCaffrey’s speech detailed her rise to a top position in the nation’s most secretive agency. “The world is a very unsafe place, which makes the job of the CIA a very important thing,” McCaffrey said. She continued to talk about topics including leadership advice, her college experience and her experiences prior to joining the CIA. “I really didn’t know what I wanted to do,” McCaffrey said. “I had a series of jobs.” Once McCaffrey joined the CIA, however, she immediately dedicated herself

to her work. “I did my homework,” McCaffrey said, “I came prepared to every event and project.” At the same time, McCaffrey admitted that it was impossible to have it all. She recognized that her dedication came at a price. “I’ve made a lot of personal sacrifices,” McCaffrey said. “I was married to my job, but that was my choice.” The second speaker in the series, FCPS Superintendent Dr. Karen Garza, came to McLean on Dec. 1. Garza’s talk revolved around her experiences as the first female superintendent of FCPS. During her speech, Garza also emphasized the importance of keeping a balance between work and personal life while having a good support system. “You have to take care of yourself, [make sure] that you’re healthy and that your support system around you is strong,” Garza said.

She continued to talk about the special skills women tend to have and how those skill help in the workplace. “I think women, as a general rule, are strong relators,” Garza said. The students in attendance found McCaffrey and Garza’s speeches inspiring and appreciated their messages. “I have so much respect for women leaders who work in a field that is historically dominated by males,” junior Michelle Ma said. Principal Ellen Reilly said she started the Women in Leadership program to provide good role models for girls facing immense pressures. “I’m trying to take off the stress from some of the things they’re going through,” Reilly said. Reilly plans to have more women come to McLean to share their perspectives. “Some teachers have sent me different names and I’ll see if I can get one a month,” she said. “I’m trying to get a different array of people.” For the first two speakers, Reilly sent invitations to girls in leadership positions as well as those who were nominated by their teachers. “I just wasn’t sure how the first one would go, so I wanted to make sure that girls who were already in that position had the opportunity,” Reilly said. However, Reilly stated that anyone who is interested is welcome to attend. Although Reilly is responsible for most of the program, she also worked with student body president Anna Campion to select the speakers. “I think it’s a really great step forward in terms of getting everybody involved at McLean,” Campion said. “[Reilly] bounced some ideas off me, but for the most part it’s been all her and she’s done a really great job organizing this.” In addition to having speakers, Reilly hopes to expand the program to include field trips and leadership workshops. Page design by Andrea Delgado & Hannah Menchel

NEWS

www.TutoringClub.com/McLeanVA

DECEMBER

Leadership donates to homeless Classes collect material goods, essentials for Share, Inc. Andrew Opem & Evan Rapson News Editor & Online Sports Editor

rom Nov. 24 to Dec. 4, the Leadership class collected donations for the homeless population of the McLean area, a program organized through the goodwill organization Share, Inc. Unlike the canned good donation drive Adopt-A-Mission and the National Art Honor Society held in November, members of the Leadership class did not collect any food donations. Instead, they collected material goods and essentials, such as toiletries and clothes. “We’re working on getting gift certificates, gift cards to restaurants and anything they would need for day-to-day survival,” Leadership teacher Erin Truesdell said. Currently, Share is supporting 20 homeless people in the McLean area. In addition to supporting the homeless,

the donation effort provided a new view of McLean to participating students. “They see an aspect of life that a lot of people don’t realize—that, even in McLean, you can be struggling and that there are homeless people,” Truesdell said. The program also hopes to remove common stereotypes associated with the homeless. “It’s not just this idea of someone who doesn’t want to work,” Truesdell said. Truesdell noted that some of the people Leadership will be assisting are suffering from illnesses such as post-traumatic stress disorder and, as a result, they have been unable to maintain a job. Due to the large number of students in the class, the Leadership team divided into 20 groups of three in order to support each homeless person equally. Each student was then responsible for collecting all of the materials for their assigned person. “We have 60 kids in the class and after

Share, Inc. of McLean...

280

...donated bags of linen and clothing each month last year.

working with [Share], the company that shelters these homeless people, we came up with a plan,” sophomore Jiwon Kim said. “We have been divided into [groups] so that we can have more of a personal connection with our person.” In order to deepen the personal connections, the groups made different gifts for their assigned person. “Besides connecting with them personally, we are also going to give them gifts ourselves such as writing cards,” junior Jessica Monroe said. In the future, Leadership plans to collect donations in parts of the year other than the usual giving seasons. “Our goal in Leadership is to collect more throughout the year, not just this time of year,” Truesdell said. “People always feel charitable around this time of year. It’s the holidays and it’s the end of the year, but many organizations need donations and help in February, March and April.”

...serves about 35 clients each day.

...utilizes more than 1000 volunteer hours per month to run its programs.

...is an all

volunteer

organization.

...ensures almost 100% of donations go to the direct benefit of its clients.

...has been serving the McLean community for 43 years, since 1969. Page design by Andrew Opem & Evan Rapson

NEWS

FCPS launches new Wi-Fi network FCPSonboard provides faster, more secure Internet access Dereck Marwa Reporter

n Nov. 12, FCPS launched a new WiFi network, FCPSonboard. The new network was met with some apprehension from students because it requires users to sign in with their student ID and password and download a usage certificate. However, this certificate, which is unique to every device, simply acts as an identification tool for the network so that it recognizes the device as one with permission to use the network. “I thought that it was an unneeded change that has posed more issues,” senior Adrian Brazell said. “I also didn’t really know a lot about it and I think that most people were uninformed.” FCPS installed the new network in order to strengthen their infrastructure and prevent the network from slowing down. School technology support specialists, such as McLean’s Brian Stagliano, are aiding students with the transition. “There were a lot of issues with people connecting to [the former Wi-Fi network] because you had to use your username and password,” Stagliano said. “If a student forgot their password, then they would come into the library, they would talk to us and we would have them reset their password, and they would be able to get back on the computer. [Then], their phone would store their old password, and it would try to automatically connect three times and it would lock them out.” With the old network, students were forced to reset their passwords repeatedly. They would consult the technology specialists, who would instruct them to have their phones forget the network and put in the new password.

To solve the problem, the new network uses the student’s username and password, along with the downloaded certificate, to authenticate the device during its first use. Once the certification is done, the network recognizes and trusts the device so that there is no longer any need to authenticate again until next school year. Because FCPSonboard is meant to allow any type of device to connect, from iPhones and tablets to laptops, there are many steps in the process. “I’m working with the network people to [make the process easier],” Stagliano said. “Right now there’s about 20 steps for some of them. If you bring in a Chromebook, you’ve got to go through about 20 steps to get it on the network, and it’s just what you have to do. Now, like anything, the first time you do it takes forever, and then you get better and better at it.” In the meantime, many students have been running into problems when signing onto the network.

Some would even rather have FCPS revert to the previous system. “I liked the old system better. I thought it was easier to forget the network and then log in again,” senior Alex Meikle said. “[The new system] is helpful, but then your certificate [can be] lost. If I turn off Wi-Fi on my phone, it deletes my certificates.” Stagliano strongly encourages any student who is having problems signing on to the network to see him or the other technology specialist in the library. If the specialists are still unable to connect a device to the network, there are other alternatives. “There was one student’s device that I wasn’t able to connect,” Stagliano said. “I called our support partners and they’re working on providing a solution for us.” Some students have voiced concerns about privacy, wondering whether or not they will be actively monitored by the administration. “The county doesn’t have anyone sitting in a room watching a bunch of devices,” Stagliano said. “Think about if everyone brought in their phone and a laptop. We have about 2,000 students, maybe a little bit more, so that would be 4,000 devices that someone would have to sit there and monitor. No one is going to do that.” The changes to the WiFi network promise to make things a little easier for both students with devices and technology specialists throughout the county. The process is slow-going, but with the help of the technology specialists and their support team, the administration hopes that students will be able to have Internet access at McLean High School virtually hassle-free in the near future.

N N E C T I O N S U CC E S S O C RAT 9% . 9 E 9 48 4 1

ISTER G E R

ED STUDENT DEV ICE S

onboard S P C F

Page design by Andrea Delgado & Dereck Marwa

DECEMBER

FEATURES

VICTORIA BOINEST ON ICE Highlander of the Issue Julia Al-Akkad & Maddy Witchey Managing Editors

ear after year, senior Victoria Boinest has dreamed of being cast as the lead role of Clara in The Nutcracker On Ice, put on by the Columbia Figure Skating Club. This year, Boinest’s skill and experience as a figure skater led her to achieve this dream. “I was ecstatic, as this is my last year doing the show and I finally got the lead part, so it was very exciting,” Boinest said. Boinest relies on figure skating as an outlet to express both her athletic and artistic qualities. “It’s very different,” Boinest said, regarding her long time dedication to figure skating. “Not many people do it and it’s cool

to be a part of something so unique.” After trying both ballet and gymnastics, Boinest began her figure skating career at the age of 5. “My mom tried to put me in ballet and gymnastics and I hated both of those,” Boinest said. “For whatever reason, she was like, ‘Oh, let’s try skating,’ and so we did. I loved it and it has certainly grown since then.” Boinest looks to figure skating as an outlet to expresses both her athletic and artistic ability. “Skating is definitely both artistic and athletic,” Boinest said. “A huge part of the sport is artistic with the way you perform and how people perceive you as an artist in the sport. But also, it’s athletic. There’s a lot of training that goes into it.” The schedule of a competitive figure skater is rigorous and demanding. On a typical day, Boinest must balance being a full-time student and an elite athlete. “It’s hard. It’s really hard,” Boinest said. “Freshman, sophomore and junior year, I was able to have the opportunity of not having a seventh period. That was easier because I would get to the rink earlier and get home a little bit earlier. It’s a lot of work but if you’re committed to the sport then you want to do everything.” Boinest noted that many people are unaware of the

amount of training and athleticism figure skaters must build and maintain in order to be successful in their sport. “People just look at it as kind of a frilly… showy sport,” Boinest said. “But I skate six times a week four hours a day, and on the weekends I’m there for six and a half hours, and then I train with a trainer off ice. It’s harder than people think.” In addition to Boinest’s usual practice schedule, rehearsals for The Nutcracker On Ice take place for three hours each weekday and every Sunday from 1 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Although the time commitment of the show is intensive, Boinest always enjoys being a part of the show. “It’s a fun experience getting to skate with my friends and watch our hard work for the past couple months pay off in the show,” Boinest said. Boinest’s biggest accomplishment was qualifying for Nationals two years ago. However, since then Boinest has faced some setbacks. “I broke my foot in the middle of competition season,” Boinest said. “I had to withdraw from the competition and be off the ice for eight weeks.” After recovering from her foot injury, Boinest faced another injury, when she broke her hip. “I was off the ice for 12 weeks,” Boinest said. “But you just have to think about how dedicated and how committed you are to the sport and use that to get back to where you [were].” October marked the end of the competition season. Boinest has begun to regroup and train for next season. However, she is currently determining how and where she will continue to skate in the future. “Right now, for me, I’m trying to figure out where I can train and who my coach [will be] and that type of stuff,” Boinest said. “It’s hard, especially with these injuries that I’ve had [and] with college too, but I definitely want to keep [skating].” Photo courtesy of Victoria Boinest Page design by Julia Al-Akkad & Maddy Witchey

Highlander Patrons As a student-run program, The Highlander would like to thank all of our generous supporters who make it possible to print our newsmagazine. Listed below are this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s contributors. We would also like to thank all of our anonymous supporters.

GOLD ($200+)

BRONZE ($50+)

The Barnett Family Juliana Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Reilly Marc & Kay Menchel The Witchey Family

The Pincus Family Cyndee Lord Susie French Tom Rapson Irwin & Irene Menchel The Walker Family Janet Rogers Lisa Waldow

If you would like to become a patron of The Highlander, please send a check to: The Highlander McLean High School 1633 Davidson Road McLean, VA 22101

DECEMBER

Dropping into 2015

Things to do before and after the new year begins Carlyn Kranking & Aisha Singh Reporters

What to do before...

What to do after...

Bask in the glory of surviving another year 10 Start making your resolutions (and finally doing your old ones)

1 Practice writing “2015” instead of “2014”

2 Try to actually keep your resolutions this year

Get your thank you notes out of the way...before it’s 8 too late

3 Break your new year’s resolutions

4 Reminisce about

Watch Ryan Seacrest talk about how cold it 7 is in NYC from the comfort of your living room

the good ol’ days of 2014

5 Hibernate! 6 Cram in the

Lose that holiday 6 weight (holi-weight) Kick back, relax and forget about your 5 homework Stock up on noisemakers to blow 4 at everyone and annoy all your neighbors Warm up your vocal cords to scream “Happy New Year” at 3 midnight (singing in the shower is good practice) Make a big deal about how you’re not going to see 2 people until next year Drink 10 gallons of coffee so you can stay up 1 the whole night

homework you procrastinated over break

7 Joke that you haven’t done

things since last year Examples: I haven’t showered since last year, I haven’t eaten a cookie since last year, I haven’t seen you since last year...

Leave your holiday decorations up and proceed to forget about them for another two months

9 Eat the holiday leftovers! All of them. Hope for more snow so maybe, just maybe, the

10 break will be extended…

Photo obtained via SimonPix on Flickr under a Creative Commons license Page design by Aisha Singh & Carlyn Kranking

What’s the biggest disadvantage about being the only German teacher?

The best thing is that I have my students for all four years, so I get to know them really well.

If I’m reading a paper and it’s terrible German...I think to myself, “Who was this kid’s German teacher last year?” The answer is always, “Oh, I was!” 3

If you won $10 million in the lottery, what would you do?

I would buy some plane tickets and travel the world.

What’s the best thing about teaching German?

10 Qs w/

By Sam Silverman, Reporter

“Frau” Wolpert (German Teacher)

Photos by Tanya Ajalli

If you could binge watch a TV show over winter break, which one would you watch?

Law & Order: SVU, or The West Wing, which is not on the air anymore, but is still a really good show.

You are obsessed with Star Wars. Which movie is your favorite?

Five, The Empire Strikes Back. Then four, three, six and two. One is the worst— Jar Jar Binks.

Do you have any hobbies?

Besides Star Wars? I like to travel abroad. I love figure skating, but I don’t skate very much. I had 18 years of piano lessons, and I’m fairly good.

What’s the best present you could possible get for the holidays?

A puppy! A third Welsh corgi. They’re like potato chips—you can’t just have one... 10

Who is your favorite band?

The Beatles. But I actually prefer solo singers—for example, Tori Amos, Sarah McLachlan, and Kate Bush.

Which restaurant in McLean would you recommend to people?

Ichiban Sushi. I love sushi! Get lunch platter number four with California and unagi rolls.

What are you thankful for?

My son, Eric. Then the rest of my family. I love my colleagues at work and, oh, my friends!

DECEMBER

Technology transforms the classroom

Teachers use apps and websites to supplement learning Sabrein Gharad & Veronica Kim A&E Editor & Reporter

ore than ever, teachers have started using apps, websites and other forms of technology to enrich their learning environments. These tools can be used for anything from providing students with a better understanding of material taught in class to sending homework reminders. Both students and teachers benefit from these technological aids, as they can be used as supplements for learning and for teaching. KAHOOT is an app that has many interactive games that can be played on either an iPhone or a computer. Students can create their own games and share them with the rest of the class. “This is a way for students to be more engaged in class and help them learn Spanish in a far more entertaining way,” Spanish teacher Adam Stryker said. Students find innovative applications like KAHOOT fun both in and out of the classroom. “KAHOOT helps me review class materials. It is like a fun study guide that prepares me for the PALs and the tests,” freshman Monica Kim said.

The Physics Classroom is a website that contains descriptive explanations of physics concepts and short animations. “My goal is to make sure that every student that ever comes through my physics class understands physics. I try to offer multiple views on the same topic, and the Physics Classroom is a very reliable site for this,” physics teacher Tom Pratuch said. “I use the Physics Classroom every time I study for tests or do my homework. It explains confusing concepts well and the animations are very helpful,” junior Angela Tran said.

CrashCourse is a series of YouTube videos by Hank and John Green, covering all sorts of courses from literature to biology. Social studies teacher Anna Dettbarn uses these videos in her classes. “Although some students may use Crash Course as a way to avoid reading the text, I see the videos as a valuable study aid after having read the textbook and paid attention during class,” Dettbarn said. Students see the videos as both entertaining and informative. “I enjoy watching the CrashCourse videos. They are concise and entertaining. I forget that I’m even learning,” sophomore Fatima Shabaz said.

The Remind app is a simple way to stay informed; it sends instant updates from teachers to students via text message. AP Economics teacher Jennifer Johnson uses the app to keep her students up to date. “I think this tool is so helpful for getting in those last minute reminders to students, whether it’s an update for a test or a homework reminder,” Johnson said. Remind keeps students informed and on task. “The Remind app is a really helpful way for my teachers to give me last minute updates before a test or quiz. It’s a cool way to get homework reminders as well,” junior Sara Raymond said.

Page design by Mark Mizusawa

FEATURES

IN-DEPTH

MCLEAN ACADEMY RECRUITS * CLASS OF 2015 JORDAN COLE West Point

BRIAN MAFFEI Naval Academy

CHRISTINE MCCULLA Coast Guard Academy

DAVID RUSSELL Naval Academy *As of Dec. 1

DECEMBER

Marching into the future Students dedicate themselves to the military Jessica Bulford & Grace Murray Sports Editor & Editor-in-Chief east Barracks” is known as the most grueling portion of a cadet’s time at West Point. The freshmen begin their career in the military with Plebeian summer, which consists of seven weeks of basic training. The new cadets are pushed to their limits as they are challenged physically and emotionally. When most high school seniors dream of the college experience, they imagine staying out late with friends, going to parties and escaping the structured life of high school. The real world is still years away. However, a few students at McLean are taking a different route—Jordan Cole, Brian Maffei, Christine McCulla and David Russell will be attending three of the five service academies. The U.S. Military Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy and the U.S. Coast Guard Academy will be represented in this year’s graduating class. As of Dec. 1, the Merchant Marine Academy and the U.S. Air Force Academy are the only two students have not yet committed to attend. These students trade in the typical college experience for four years of intense physical training, strict schedules and redefining their limits. When they graduate they will already have their education paid for and a job in place, and they will be dedicated to the military for five years after college.

REASONS FOR CONSIDERATION

A variety of factors such as finances, family history or even a need for structure play into a student’s decision to commit to a service academy. Besides the U.S. military academies, other military institutions can also provide students with a strong education. The Citadel, the Virginia Military Institute and Norwich University are just a few of the military schools on the East Coast. However, there are several factors which push students towards the academies.

“It used to be ‘I want to go into the military because I want to do service for my country.’ Now that’s a part of it but it’s not the only reason why people choose it. They might choose it for career reasons or financial reasons or for services—one reason is not better than another,” career center specialist Dawn Allison said. “There’s lots of things that make it a fit. If [finances] are a right fit but the rest of it isn’t, it could still be a bad decision just like any college choice. It’s hard to get all the pieces right, and that’s why students transfer. It’s harder to transfer out of the military once you’ve made that commitment.” As many students know, a huge barrier that lies between a student and a college education is the cost. Even in-state schools can cost tens of thousand of dollars, forcing students to take out loans which may take decades to pay back. Students who attend one of the academies automatically receive free tuition and board. The free tuition can be crucial for families who are unemployed or are already putting other kids through college. For students who have to pay for college themselves, this frees them from years of

paying off loans. Instead, money can be saved for the future. “The financial aspect was pretty large because my parents put one of my brothers through college and another is in college right now so they have a lot on their plate,” said Maffei, who will attend the Naval Academy. “So having free tuition cleared up some space in the family, and that’s helping pay for my other brother’s last tuition so I feel like [it has]definitely helped a lot.” College can be daunting for students who require structure. For many, the sense of freedom and lack of parental control can lead to a decline in grades freshman year or even dropping out. The military academies provide strict rules which some students feel is necessary for them to succeed. Being told when to go to bed and when to study, as well as being discouraged from partying, makes it easier for students’ focus to remain on the most important part of college—their education. Although the early rising and ironclad schedule would seem unbearable to the average college student, it’s a key to success for many academy applicants.

“It used to be ‘I want to go into the military because I want to do service for my country.’ Now that’s a part of it but it’s not the only reason why people choose it.”

- Career Center Specialist Dawn Allison Photo illustration by James Carver

IN-DEPTH

CFA Testing Averages

15.89

9.89 8.96

6.78

Acceptance Rate 20 15 10 5 per Branch %

“They might choose it not particularly because they want to go into the military but because they need structure,” Allison said. “They might say, ‘I know I’m screwing up because this is too free and I need to follow the rules.’ I know students who have done that.” High school students are being told more and more often that college isn’t the only answer, and it isn’t the way to guarantee a secure situation in the future. For service academies, this is untrue. Attending an academy requires at least five years of service afterwards, giving students even more time to consider their next steps in life, or to begin their military careers as officers. In the 20th century, students chose service academies because of the guarantee of a position as an officer. The potential of a draft was imminent, and being an officer meant less of a chance of being on the front lines in battle. Although it has been decades since the last draft in the U.S., many students who are considering military careers choose a service academy over a military institution such as the Citadel because of the long-term career benefits. Living so close to the Pentagon, many McLean students know military families or are a part of one. “There’s a lot of people in the military around here, and one of my biggest factors was my soccer coach,” Maffei said. “[He] went to West Point and was an army ranger, and I really just look up to him and respect him. I felt like the

Naval Academy would give me a chance to be more like him.” Having a mother, father or grandparent in the military can be a huge factor in considering attending an academy. Children are familiar with the schools their parents attended, and this familiarity comes into play senior year when selecting a college. “My father was a captain in the Navy, recently retired. At an early age, yes, that influenced my tastes, but you shouldn’t join the military because of family lineage,” said Russell, who will attend the Naval Academy. “Joining the military is among the first decision you’re able to make as a young adult, and it’s not to be taken lightly. I’m confident I’m making the right choice for the right reasons.” Choosing which college to attend is a stressful task. Although a service academy may seem like a perfect choice because of one or even multiple reasons, students must adhere to a long list of requirements.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Commitment to a service academy requires nearly a decade of one’s life. This is one of the most daunting factors—each academy has a required period of at least five years of service upon completion of the bachelor’s degree. A model applicant for one of the academies has obtained strong leadership roles in his or her school or community, is involved in a sport, is physically fit and maintains a considerably high GPA and standardized test scores. All participants who wish to apply to one of the academies must take a Candidate Fitness Assessment (CFA). “You have to do a Candidate Fitness Assessment where you run a mile, do pushups, situps and pullups. That measures physical ability to accomplish tasks,” said Cole, who will attend West Point. Due to the strenuous physical activity and amount of power needed in the military, it is essential for all applicants to be in the best physical condition possible. “If you’re a regular athlete then you usually can do pretty well. Obviously there are people that excel,” Maffei said. “When I was at summer seminar, [I met] a couple people who do triathlons and played water polo. They’re usually the most physically fit and they dominate the CFA. But as long as you know that’s what you wanna do, and you

DECEMBER

work out regularly and you do your situps and pushups, you should be good to go.” One of the most crucial parts of the application process is obtaining a letter from a government official such as a congressman or a high-ranking military official. In this part of the process, students have the opportunity to be nominated in three categories: Congressional Nominations, Vice-Presidential Nominations or Military-

THE COMMITMENT

Basic Training takes place the summer before freshman year for all academy students. This time is spent with exercises and training programs intended to transition students from civilians to soldiers. For all intents and purposes, members of the service academies are soldiers. They are trained as soldiers are and are taught the proper conduct and character expected of

variety of options for college or post-high school activities. “My sophomore or ‘Youngster’ year I’ll be required to sign for five years after graduation in my service selection (submarines, special warfare, Marines, surface, aviation, etc.). If I fail to meet the academic requirements set by the Academy and am kicked out, I will have to serve those years as an enlistee,” Russell said. “There

“I think everyone should serve, whether it’s in the military or community service, because everybody has been given something in your life.”

-Brian Maffei, Naval Academy commit

Affiliated Nominations. In a Congressional Nomination, a student requests a nomination from their state’s senator or representative. The two other types of nominations are the VicePresidential Nomination and the MilitaryAffiliated Nominations. They are selected based on a combination of academic and leadership achievements along with athletic participation. Along with a letter from the governor, the Academy requires three teacher evaluations, while standard universities typically only require one to two. A student’s discipline record must be spotless, and any sign of drug or alcohol abuse almost always results in a disqualification of the application. “It’s an arduous admissions process. You can’t just wake up one morning and think, ‘I want to go to West Point,’” Allison said. “It takes a long time to do the application and during that time period you learn about that school and you learn about yourself. You have to get a nomination from an official, you have to go through the medical exam process, you have to have other recommendations, so by the time you’ve gone through that process you’ve probably been on campus and done a summer program there or at least you visited. You’ve seen what it’s like.”

soldiers in each branch of the military. “You gain a free college education, have a job as soon as you graduate, and even if you don’t decide to stay in the military you can usually get hired anywhere if you graduate from the Naval Academy,” Maffei said. The college experience of a student at a service academy is drastically different. Out of control partying is unheard of on campus, and the academies view the collegiate experience as one of growing in academics, physical strength and especially character. “You’re definitely sacrificing the typical college experience. You’re not going be able to drink or party like everyone else looks forward to in college,” Maffei said. “But I feel like it’s good because it’s a very structured way of life, and that teaches you a lot of discipline in just your self and work ethic. No one needs to motivate you to do anything and that’s definitely a good tool to have later in your life.” Of the thousands of students who apply to the service academies, very few are from Fairfax County. Enlisting straight out of high school is also incredibly rare. Only one student at McLean went directly into the military in 2014. This is primarily because fewer students in the area struggle with finances compared to other portions of the country, and they are more likely to see a

are also countless untold commitments awaiting those who choose to join, both at the Academy and ultimately in the fleet. It’s a huge undertaking and I’m honored to have the opportunity to participate.” Soldiers in the U.S. are frequently seen as “heroes” giving their lives for their country. Many applicants describe this patriotism as their core reason for applying. Whether or not one agrees that these men and women are heroes, it is observably a tremendous commitment for a teenager to make. Oftentimes there are deeper, underlying meanings for the people enlisting or committing to an academy. Some people believe their purpose in life is found through defending and giving back to their home country. “I think everyone should serve, whether it’s in the military or community service, because everybody has been given something in your life. You don’t earn everything you have, and usually when you’re given stuff it’s from your community,” Maffei said. “One of my favorite biblical sayings is ‘To much has been given, much is acquired,’ and that’s what I base my life off of. I obviously grew up in a very privileged area, and I feel like I’m being called upon to give back considering how much everyone has given me.”

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DECEMBER

A&E

What to watch, listen to, read and see this holiday season Andrea Delgado & Hannah Menchel Editors-in-Chief

Sam Smith — The new British singer of the chart-topping “Stay With Me” will perform at the Patriot Center on Jan. 12 at 8 p.m. Smith rose to fame after being featured on the song “Latch” by Disclosure, and his debut album, In the Lonely Hour, was released in May 2014. This concert is not to be missed, as Smith’ s mesmerizing voice and beautiful lyrics are a winning combination.

CONCERT

Walt Disney

Columbia Records Capitol Records

Into The Woods — Into the MOVIE Woods, based on the book by James Lapine and the Stephen Sondheim musical, blends several Grimm fairytales into one enchanting story. The movie, which features an insanely talented ensemble cast, follows the Baker, played by James Corden, and his Wife, played by Emily Blunt, who are trying to break a spell that has left them childless. Featuring the Wolf, played by Johnny Depp, as well as Anna Kendrick as Cinderella, Chris Pine as Prince Charming and many more, the film is sure to spook and delight. It will be in theaters Dec. 25.

ABC Family’s 25 Days of Christmas — ABC Family’s annual 25 Days of Christmas special runs from Dec. 1 through Christmas Day. A wide variety of Christmas and holiday-themed movies will help people get into the right holiday spirit. Highlights include Home Alone at 8:30 p.m. on Dec. 16, Elf at 8 p.m on Dec. 19, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation at 4 p.m. on Dec. 20 and Scrooged at midnight on Dec. 24.

TV SPECIAL

Classics — The fifth studio

ALBUM album of indie duo She & Him,

made up of M. Ward and New Girl actress Zooey Deschanel, was released on Dec. 2. The 13-track album pays tribute to the classic songs of Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Dusty Springfield, Elvis Costello and others. This album is sure to be a hit, but those who want a more seasonal soundtrack should check out She & Him’s 2011 Christmas Album, A Very She & Him Christmas.

The Short List 1. EVENT — New Year’s Eve at the Kennedy Center with Ozomatli, Dec. 31 2. BOOK — Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King, Jan. 6 3. ALBUM — The London Sessions, Mary J. Blige, Dec. 9

ABC Family Page design by Hannah Menchel, Andrea Delgado & Mark Mizusawa

A&E

MOVIE REVIEW

Battle of the Fans: Mockingjay – Part One Two takes on first half of two-part Hunger Games finale

Lionsgate

Sanskriti Neupane Online Opinions Editor

Anjalie Chauhan Reporter

A Fan of the Books

Mockingjay Newbie

s a faithful follower of Suzanne Collins’ popular trilogy, the announcement of Mockingjay – Part One left me with mixed feelings. Nevertheless, the promise of a broken Katniss struggling against the Capitol convinced me to overlook the months spent dealing with the inevitable cliffhanger. As the camera focused on the cowering Katniss, I knew I made the right decision. With a sinister underlying tone, Mockingjay was already superior to its earlier counterparts. Every move was enhanced by the stunning special effects. Each explosion was dramatic, yet still realistic. With the skill of the special effects crew, Mockingjay gave insight where the books could not. Teamed with the effects and the breathtaking costumes, the cast’s superior acting abilities brought the movie together. Jennifer Lawrence didn’t need words—she expressed all of Katniss’s feelings through facial expressions and heartbreaking tears. Sam Claflin made every scene he was in better. Finnick’s humor and ability to persevere through everything was evident in every word he spoke. Even in the darkest of scenes, Claflin added much needed light. However, it was Josh Hutcherson who made the movie special. Even with little screen time, Hutcherson managed to show Peeta’s desperation while maintaining the charismatic and innocent attitude that makes Peeta special. Elizabeth Banks, as Effie Trinket, brought light to dark times, although she was not necessary to the movie. In the book Effie is not seen until the end of Mockingjay, and the movie didn’t need her so quickly either. The movie did stray from the book at times. It did not develop Finnick as well and it didn’t explore Katniss’s relationship with her father. Aside from some disparities, Mockingjay manages to follow the book, and certain changes made the movie better. Magnificent special effects, the chilling “The Hanging Tree” song and the brilliant acting made Mockingjay a movie everyone needs to experience at least once.

ollowing a year of suffering without any knowledge of how The Hunger Games movies would progress, I was glad to get back into the theater. Because I had never read The Hunger Games books, I was able to completely enjoy the movie with no expectations. From the very start of the movie I was sitting on the edge of my seat. The sounds and visual effects blew my mind and made me feel as if I were alongside Katniss while she was shooting arrows. Due to the sound effects, I was jumping up at every exciting moment, making my neighbors wonder whether I was okay. The sound and visual effects added to the thrill of the movie. Not only did the effects help the movie succeed, but so did the costuming and set design. The audience could see the emotional and physical state of each character through their costumes. For once I appreciated the use of mountains of makeup on the actors’ faces. Peeta’s makeup was placed perfectly to show the state of his body and mind. Adding to the aesthetics of the movie, the actors were well chosen. Each actor was able to accurately capture the personality of their character, especially Jennifer Lawrence. I was in awe of her acting skills. I loved how all of her expressions were on point and added so much to the movie. To praise her even more, I loved how Lawrence sang “The Hanging Tree.” I couldn’t get over the fact that all her actions and expressions were so human. Apart from the visuals, the script was also amazing. No line was wasted. Every bit of dialogue was used to accurately describe the situation characters were in. The only problem I have with The Hunger Games movies is that I have to wait a whole year before my thirst for knowledge is quenched. However, this is true for every movie that comes in a series. Overall, The Hunger Games movies just keep getting better, making me even more restless for the next movie to come out. The movie is a must see and will blow every audience member’s mind. Page design by Anjalie Chauhan, Sanskriti Neupane & Nhi Nguyen

DECEMBER

Memorable mixtape mashup This year’s mixtapes show promise for the future of hip-hop Ashwin Dasgupta A&E Editor

lthough it is getting colder outside, hip-hop fans can easily find some serious heat online in the form of mixtapes, a collection of songs by an artist released free online. With the continued rise in popularity of music-sharing websites like Datpiff and SoundCloud, it’s no surprise that mixtapes are steadily becoming a bigger and bigger part of the hip-hop ecosystem.

Travis $cott: Days Before Rodeo

Epic Records

Few mixtapes have been as hyped this year as Travis $cott’s Days Before Rodeo, and for good reason. With endorsements from industry giants like Kanye West and a slew of big name features like Migos and Rich Homie Quan, news of this mixtape spread like a wildfire throughout the Internet. This mixtape manages to live up to its huge hype. A Texas native, Travis manages to viscerally capture the culture surrounding Houston’s ever growing hip-hop scene, especially in his project’s standout track, “Backyard,” which talks about Travis’s childhood. Travis’s verses throughout the project showcase his trap-influenced flow, although he occasionally slips back into a singing flow reminiscent of his favorite artist and former GOOD Music colleague, Kid Cudi. These verses are supported by a wide variety of beats from hot producers like Lex Luger and TM88 that helps to differentiate each of the album’s 12 songs. Travis’s album is full of energetic highs and mellow lows, making it one of the most interesting and enjoyable hip-hop projects of the year.

Kevin Abstract: MTV1987

AliveSinceForever

Abstract is a fitting name for the artist, who’s nearly invisible on the Internet besides his SoundCloud and Twitter page whose follower count is rivaled by the average high school student. Equally abstract is his latest project, MTV1987, which is instantly apparent from looking at the outlandish cover. While the album features typical hip-hop themes like love and battles with drug addiction, the rapper’s weird persona makes him surprisingly easy to empathize with, making his songs more engaging. Kevin’s vocals on the tape follow the growing trend of amphibious singer/ rapper acts like Drake and Childish Gambino. The tracks on this project present an engrossing musical variety as well, with songs ranging from six-minutelong electro-infused hip-hop ballads to tracks that wouldn’t be out of place on a Top 40 station. Regardless of what genre or genres the mixtape is flaunting at a given time, Kevin Abstract’s creativity shines through, making listening to this mixtape an amazing experience.

Childish Gambino: STN MTN/KAUAI

Island Records

Following the release of his sophomore album Because the Internet last year, few rappers have been more talked about than ex-Community star Donald Glover, known by his hip-hop alter ego, Childish Gambino. This buzz was finally answered with his latest project, a two part mixtape/ EP beginning with STN MTN and ending with KAUAI. STN MTN takes place in Gambino’s dreams, where he rules Atlanta and is given his own “Gangsta Grillz” mixtape. In this half, Gambino raps in a persona that resembles a caricature of a typical Atlanta rapper, animatedly spitting verses about clubbing, ladies and cars, although he differentiates himself from the rest through his clever lyricism. KAUAI is the shorter half of the project. On this side, Glover has woken up from his dream on an island in Hawaii. The songs feature relaxing beats and playful lyrics, as well as a good portion of Gambino’s newly discovered singing abilities. The tracks on this half seem more deliberate and of a higher overall quality than the STN MTN side and are definitely the highlight of this overall great tape.

Page design by Ashwin Dasgupta

A&E

From the

CAMPUS

KHALED SOUBRA, JUNIOR

Frunways rom the

HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE YOUR PERSONAL STYLE? DARK COLORS. I’M ALSO REALLY INTO SNEAKERS AND JACKETS, SO I GUESS I’M ALWAYS ON THE MOVE. WHICH DESIGNER IS YOUR SOURCE OF INSPIRATION? I LIKE ACNE STUDIOS AND RAF SIMONS. I REALLY LIKE RAF SIMONS’ USE OF COLOR — HIS DESIGNS ARE VERY ORIGINAL. WHAT ARTICLE OF CLOTHING SHOULD EVERY TEEN GUY HAVE? A NICE BOMBER JACKET. WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU HAD MORE OF IN YOUR CLOSET? I’D WANT MORE VARIETY OF PANTS, LESS JEANS. ALSO, MORE SNEAKERS. ALWAYS MORE SNEAKERS. IF YOUR CLOSET WAS ON FIRE, WHAT WOULD BE THE FIRST THING YOU’D SAVE? THE SNEAKERS I’M WEARING, MY Y-3 QASA HIGHS. WHICH CELEBRITY HAS THE BEST STYLE? A$AP ROCKY AND KANYE WEST. KANYE HAS A REALLY CLEAN AND SIMPLE STYLE, BUT HE’S ALWAYS WEARING KEY PIECES. ROCKY IS COOL BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH SOME OF THE THINGS HE WEARS ARE WEIRD, HE MAKES THEM WORK NO MATTER HOW OUTLANDISH THEY ARE.

What he’s wearing: What he’s wearing: jacket+hoodie: All Saints jacket+hoodie: All Saints jeans: acne studios jeans: Acne Studios sneakers: y-3 qasa high sneakers: Y-3 Qasa High, triple black triple black

Page design by Eleanor Patrick & Bora Zaloshnja

CATWALK hallways To the

Students mix urban streetwear with runway fashion

ANNABELLE LEE, JUNIOR HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE YOUR PERSONAL STYLE? BLACK. ALL BLACK. WHICH DESIGNER IS YOUR SOURCE OF INSPIRATION? I’D HAVE TO GO WITH VERA WANG. I LOVE HER STYLE. WHAT CELEBRITY HAS THE BEST STYLE? BLAKE LIVELY — SHE HAS A PERFECT BODY AND STYLE AND CAN FIT INTO ANYTHING SHE WANTS. WHAT ARTICLE OF CLOTHING SHOULD EVERY TEEN GIRL OWN? A PAIR OF LEGGINGS.

What she’s wearing: jacket: Acne Studios jeans: Rag and Bone shirt: Alexander McQueen scarf: Neiman’s collection Boots: Steve Madden

IF YOUR CLOSET WAS ON FIRE, WHAT WOULD BE THE FIRST THING YOU’D SAVE? A SCARF… I LOVE ALL MY SCARVES, THOUGH — I DON’T KNOW IF I COULD ONLY SAVE ONE. I WOULD JUST DRAPE MYSELF IN SCARVES AND RUN. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE FASHION SEASON? WINTER. I LOVE THE CLOTHES, AND YOU CAN ALWAYS WEAR BLACK. YOU CAN’T WEAR BLACK IN THE SUMMER, IT JUST DOESN’T WORK. ALSO, IT’S SCARF SEASON. WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU HAD MORE OF IN YOUR CLOSET? COLORS.

OPINIONS

Trailing behind

Temporary classrooms detract from McLean’s environment even a need for additional classrooms at some point, but I don’t know if we’re going to have any permanent classrooms built or if [the school] will continue to add trailers.” hrough snow, sleet, rain and shine, Even though the building was designed students are forced on a regular basis to hold 1,986 students, 2,045 students are to trudge out to the oversized cardboard currently enrolled, and that number keeps boxes that supplement McLean’s lack of growing. McLean’s enrollment is projected classroom space. to rise to 2,352 within five years. These temporary classrooms, often There are some who feel that the trailers referred to as “trailers,” have become do have benefits. English teacher Michael a permanent part of McLean due to Enos has taught in the trailers for three overcrowding and the county’s budget years. problems. “Honestly, I don’t mind the trailers. You “Here’s what I know—we have [trailers] have more privacy and it makes it easier to because we are over capacity by about 100 do activities outside,” Enos said. students,” Director of Student Services Paul Despite his affection for them, Enos has Stansbery said. had issues with his trailers in previous years, The physical inconvenience of the including a broken thermostat and ant infestation. He also admitted that it would be “ideal” to have all classes together in the main building. Nevertheless, there is no current plan to deal with overcrowding at McLean, according to Stansbery, and McLean is not slated for renovation. At the end of the day, only schools holding their designed capacity can function properly. Trailers work as a temporary solution for our current overcapacity problem. However, when the number of students inevitably rises, it will become impractical to continue to add more trailers. A longLeft in the cold—Students return to the building from the trailers on a cold December day. These term solution must be found “temporary” classrooms exist at McLean due to overcrowding and a lack of indoor classroom before we reach the looming space. (Photo by Jake Barnett) breaking point.

The staff editorial represents the opinion of the majority of The Highlander editorial board

trailers is one of their major faults. They are separated from the school, which is always locked during classes. “I do not like having a class in the trailers because they are outside and it is a long walk,” freshman Chris Clancy said. Students who need to go into the building for any reason typically miss at least five to ten minutes of class as a result. Also, because of the lengthy walk, students going to and returning from trailer classes struggle to make it to classes on time. Trailers don’t prevent the overcrowding as much as they help bottle it up for the time being. There is no solid plan to change the trailers in the foreseeable future. “We’re projected to grow over the next five years,” said Stansbery, “so there is still going to be a need for classrooms and maybe

Page design by Jake Barnett & John Corvari

DECEMBER

Speak now for streaming Music streaming services aid the industry

albums from Spotify in early November. According to her, streaming services fail to recognize the “inherent value” of art. As Taylor Swift fans, we both acknowledge her concerns and are disappointed with her decision. Swift and aylor Swift shocked her label believe this choice will convert and outraged fans Spotify listens, worth less than a cent each, when she, in into album sales. Although Swift is nearly collaboration guaranteed to sell thousands of albums with her regardless of her stance on streaming, this label, is hardly the case for the majority of artists today. For them, the choice is between increase in subscription Spotify and piracy. streaming revenues from Piracy remains a huge problem, with 2013 to 2014 the U.S. alone losing $12.5 billion to illegitimate music sales and downloads annually, but online streaming services such as Spotify and Pandora have helped dramatically decrease projected revenue its prevalence. From 1999 to 2013, from music piracy dropped 53 percent in the U.S. A survey conducted by the streaming in 2019 NPD Group in 2012 had similar findings, with 40 percent of individuals surveyed claiming that they had stopped illegally downloading music within the past year. Of that 40 percent, almost half cited streaming services as their of songs streamed on reason for stopping. Pandora are from The Internet has also outside major record increased smaller musicians’ labels exposure in the industry. For example, Pandora, a popular Internet radio streaming service, allows musicians to submit their own music to the site as long as it over is for sale on some platform, giving paid subscribers to listeners access to lesser-known groups. Spotify is similarly lenient, providing Spotify a platform for artists interested in making their music available on the streaming Infographic facts obtained via service regardless of their representation the International Federation B i g status. of the Phonographic Industry Machine Sophomore Saebyul Perez has discovered and the New York Post Records, new artists as a result of using Spotify. removed all of her “I listen to a lot of new artists,” Perez Melanie Pincus Catherine Zysk News Editor Reporter

51.3%

$13.9 billion

STR

M IN

G BY THE NU M

50%

10 million

said. “I think Spotify’s a good way to become known.” If he discovers an artist he likes, he is willing to buy their music regardless of the fact that it is accessible for free. “Ones that I really love, of course,” Perez said. A 2011 report from Business Wire found that the four largest record labels— Sony, Universal, EMI and Warner Music Group—control 90 percent of the music market. This means that independent artists face numerous challenges when it comes to getting noticed by listeners. Although major labels monopolize the industry, the vast majority of musicians are not represented by one of them. With the growth of streaming services, artists have more opportunities to succeed without the help of a mega-label. Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, for example, first gained exposure for their song “Thrift Shop” through YouTube and independent representation. Music streaming services offer listeners new variety within their favorite music genres, exposing listeners to relatively unknown artists along with their mainstream favorites. We recognize it was within Taylor Swift and her label’s rights to take her music off of Spotify. However, this attempt to restore the $13 value of her art will only hinder progress. Music streaming not only fights piracy, but also helps up-and-coming musicians establish themselves in an incredibly competitive industry. Even Taylor Swift, who sold 1.3 million copies of 1989 within the first week of its release, is not immune to the hazards of piracy. According to The New Yorker, her release was not only No. 1 on iTunes, but it also topped the charts on Pirate Bay, a torrenting website. Music streaming services are the next big step in the evolution of the music industry. Despite Swift’s protests, standing in the way of their efforts delays inevitable growth. Supporting streaming services is supporting the future of music.

Image obtained via Google Images under a Creative Commons license Page design by Catherine Zysk & Melanie Pincus

OPINIONS

Seniors pranks dulled by administrative approval Having to get senior pranks approved ruins the tradition Connor Koch Reporter enior pranks have long been a tradition at almost every high school in the country. Seniors claim the need to have a bit of fun, often messing with underclassmen, teachers or even the administration. Great pranks are the ones that are outside of the box, creative and a bit risky. Having to get the senior prank approved by administration takes away aspects of a prank that make it memorable. Even

if the administration is reasonable when approving or disapproving pranks, it ruins the concept of a prank: pulling a fast one on the school and creating a legacy that will be remembered for years. “There is no official process, we just have to get it approved by Principal Reilly or an administrator to check if it is okay,” senior class president Juan Esteban Baus said. The most obvious problem with this is that it takes away the element of surprise. Who wants to give the victim of a prank a heads up in advance, just so that they can make sure it’s appropriate?

Obviously, some problems can arise with senior pranks going unchecked. Things can be taken too far, property can be destroyed, and people may be offended, but it is unreasonable to constrain a school tradition on these grounds. It is understandable that administration would be wary of pranks that might cause problems for the school. “[We’ll reject] anything that hurts anybody, hurts an animal, damages school property or brings in extra work for the custodians,” Principal Dr. Ellen Reilly said. However, there needs to be some system of trust between administration and the student body about what is acceptable and what is not. This discretion should be put in the hands of trusted students instead of the school. It would actually be a “prank” if students in the student body government were trusted with approving the class prank instead of spoiling it by telling administration. The student prank approval group would be able to monitor proposed pranks in the same way the administration does, making sure nothing will be damaged and no one will be harmed by any of the potential pranks. “You want to make sure that the people who are pulling the prank know the difference between a prank and a practical joke,” physics teacher Dean Howarth said. “The master stroke of a good prank is that it is being done by people who don’t just want negative attention, they want a good prank. And there’s a difference.” As long as this requirement is met, senior pranks can be fun, funny and exciting without having to get them approved by the school. Trusted students such as the senior class president should be in charge of making sure that the prank is still within the bounds of a good prank. As they are, senior pranks are not truly pranks. The pranks are something more along the lines of schoolsanctioned “fun time.”

Cartoon by Anna Marie Garland Page design by Connor Koch

DECEMBER

Young team, big

SPORTS

dreams

“EXPERIENCE HELPS, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, THE KIDS

Chase the ball—Junior Mike Robbins and sophomore Kaleb Stander watch as senior Jordan Cole dribbles the ball down the court before the team’s first game against J.E.B. Stuart on Dec. 2. Highlanders won 58-55.

ARE COMING IN WITH A LOT OF HUNGER. THEY ALL WANT TO BE PART OF THE ROTATION, SO THEY ARE COMPETING AS HARD AS THEY CAN.” — COACH MIKE O’BRIEN

Katie McGinn Features Editor

fter last year’s season, the boys varsity basketball team hopes to rebound and end on a winning note. Even though the team mostly consists of younger players, they are eager to put in the hard work, time and concentration necessary to win. This season there are only six returning varsity players. Seniors Jordan Cole, Jack Ferguson (captain), Logan Legg (captain) and Evan Rapson and juniors Patrick Dolan and Brandon Hill will be serving as the team’s role models for the players with less experience on the court. “It is one of our challenges to catch up people who don’t have as much experience as Jack,” coach Mike O’Brien said. Yet O’Brien sees some clear benefits that come with a young team. Exposing the freshmen and sophomores to the intensity of a varsity-level sport now will make them stronger and more powerful as their junior and senior years come around. “Experience helps, but at the same time,

SPORTS

the kids are coming in with a lot of hunger, O’Brien said. “They all want to be part of the rotation, so they are competing as hard as they can.” Sophomore Kaleb Stander is one of the new additions to the team. Coming in as a sophomore, he has an underlying feeling of having to keep up with the upperclassmen. “If I push myself every day and execute correctly, I think I will be able to add to the team’s success,” Stander said. Through preseason and the beginning of practices, the team is becoming more comfortable with their new offense. “I always put my confidence in others and tell them what they are doing well and what they can improve on. I need to be confident in my teammates,” Legg said. Despite the young age of the team, O’Brien and his players have high hopes for the season. “My goal would be for us to play the best basketball we can at the end of the year to give us a chance to do well in the postseason,” O’Brien said.

Apart from this long-term goal for the season as a whole, the team wants a winning record as well. “I would like to reach the regional playoffs and personally help the team win games,” Legg said. “I don’t really care about [personal] stats.” In order to achieve this, the team needs to improve upon a few key skills. “We are going to need to rebound much better. That is number one,” O’Brien said. “I want to keep the defense to the same intensity level that it was last season. The new kids need to step up and keep that tradition going.” Legg and Ferguson are also aware of their individual responsibilities to make the season a success. “Since I have been on varsity for three years, I have become a leader to them. I show them how things are done and things I want to get done,” Ferguson said. “I will do as much as I can on the floor and lead the guys as much as I can.” Photo PhotobybyJames JamesCarver Carver Page design by Katie McGinn

DECEMBER

Jack Ferguson

ATHLETE OF THE ISSUE Photo by James Carver Page design by Liam Zeya

Liam Zeya Opinions Editor

How did you start playing basketball?

I started playing basketball when I was in second grade. A couple of my friends played, and that’s basically how I got into it.

How is basketball in the U.S. different than in your homeland of Canada?

In Canada, high school basketball is not as big, whereas for most people here high school is the big thing. In Canada, we just played on the equivalent of travel teams here.

What will be your biggest challenge for you coming into your senior season?

This year, specifically, being a leader is going to be my new challenge. Being the senior guy, leading my team—that will be new for me. I’ve been here for three years, so I can really show the younger players different ways to do things at the varsity level.

SPORTS

Stats & Facts: Jack Ferguson, Varsity Co-Captain Height: 6’5” Weight: 180 lbs Position: SG/PG Years Playing Basketball: 10 Favorite Class: Personal Fitness Interesting Fact: Puts ketchup on everything

Do you have any sort of playing rituals or routines?

Every game I have to chew gum and then switch it out at halftime. It’s gotta be blue Stride gum. Other than that, I’m not really a superstitious guy.

What is the best feeling in a basketball game?

Scoring the ball is always satisfying, and for me, a pull-up jumper is my favorite way to score. Either way, it always feels good to play my game and do what I do.

How do you think McLean’s basketball team can do this year?

We have good potential. We are young, but we definitely have some good pieces to make a run for it in regionals.

What are your plans for after high school?

After high school, I’ll either go play college basketball or go into the military.

LINE

THE Phip Waugh Hockey Freshman

Hannah Smith

Chris Murphy

Denise Saab

“Vacation,” because it means no homework.

“Savage,” because it describes me.

“Pause,” because no one ever listens to me.

Basketball Sophomore

Swimming Junior

Gymnastics Senior

What is your favorite word and why?

“Because,” because it helps you explain things.

What question do you hate to answer?

How tall are you?

What’s your grade in Algebra II?

Are you mad?

Where are you thinking about going to college?

Hot chocolate

A broken leg from being hit in hockey.

A broken arm from when I fell off a counter when I was four.

A sprained ankle from getting crossed up.

Eggnog or hot chocolate? What is the worst injury you have ever suffered? What is the strangest thing you have ever eaten?

A worm

Snails

A scorpion

A sprained back from falling off a vault.

I don’t eat weird food because I’m allergic to everything.

Photos by Liam Zeya & James Carver Page design by Liam Zeya

DECEMBER