Issue 2

A

ANNANDALE HIGH SCHOOL

the VOLUME #59 ISSUE 2

Hottest Headlines

4700 Medford Dr. Annandale, VA 22003 470

Informiing the Atoms siince 1954 4

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 25, 2013

(703) 642-4229

EDITORIALS asks students if they actually like to “Move It, Move It.” See page 3

PEOPLE profiles a band teacher who works for the Redskins See page 6.

Rita, 16, Marty, Isabel, 23, Sophie, 17 and Melanie Bodrog all pose in honor of Isabel’s graduation from Liberty University in May. Four months later, Marty Bodrog was killed in the Washington Navy Yard Shooting. An active volunteer of the AHS Booster club, all 50/50 Friday Night Raffle proceeds were donated to the Boston Bruins Foundation in his honor.

Shooting victim memorialized Marty Bodrog, parent of AHS Alumni, loses life in mass shooting at Navy Yard

LIFESTYLES reveals how your phone case reflects your personality See page 14.

ENTERTAINMENT unfolds the evolution of Apple products.

See page 18.

BY DESTINY GAMMON Co- Editor in Chief Marty Bodrog, a well-known member of the Annandale Community and an avid supporter of AHS, was one of 12 victims of the Sept. 16 mass shooting at the Washington Navy Yard.

“My dad just had a sweet and caring heart and he’s such a man of God and I think that was just something that really spurred his service and his

AHS defeats Herdon and North Point High School

Economics & Personal Finance Classes: Guest Speaker (Clausen Hall)

In the first filming of It’s Academic on Sept. 21, AHS won its first round of the television show over Herndon High School and North Point High School.

The final score of the event was AHS, 540 points, Herndon, 470, and North Point, 390.

The first television event will premiere on Oct. 12 at 11 a.m.

This win puts the team into the playoffs, to take place in February.

The It’s Academic team, starting from the left, Tho Tranh, Christine Tamir and Louis Koch pose with the AHS varsity cheer squad after their substantial win.

Band stops long-standing tradition Marching Atoms no longer attending Chapel parade

Field Hockey vs. West Springfield HS @ 6:15

BY JAROD GOLUB News Editor

Homecoming Nominations (all lunches) Volleyball vs. Robinson SS @ 7:15

To follow tradition, the clarinet section of the Marching Atoms coordinate their costumes at the Wakefield Chapel parade.

With the redistricting of the Chapel neighborhood two years ago, there was the loss of a tradition that had been sponsored by the Chapel Square Civic Association for over 40 years.

Hundreds of kids in costumes hanging out, eating food and waiting to see the AHS band

HUMAN PEACE SYMBOL On your smartphone, scan this code using the application “QR Code” to view the bird eye view of the Peer Mediator’s Human Peace Symbol .

perform. A band made up of many of their role models, the kids that they have watched grow up around them.

It starts with the build-up on street corners, the handing out of balloons for the kids, waiting for the arrival of the high school band. Each year the band arrives after the Annandale parade in downtown Annandale so there is always a wait for them to arrive.

The parade is then led by the band for a few blocks, playing their music, and then the band plays a concert at the playground as the apex of the parade. This is what the Chapel Square Halloween Parade looks like each year.

“Chapel Parade” continues on page 5

Top stories On your smartphone, scan this code using the application “QR Code” to vie w the uploaded online content for the first issue of The A-Blast .

“Bodrog” continues on page 5

“I am very pleased with our performance, they did a great job working together,” It’s Academic co-sponsor Meghan Saladino said.

It’s Academic is a television show that films different high schools participating in a quiz bowl like contest each year. It is currently in its 53rd year as a television show.

The first filming on Saturday consisted of AHS, Herndon, and North Point, with two other filmings following throughout the day.

At AHS, there are other parts to the It’s Academic club besides participating in the television show, It’s Academic. There is also the scrimmage league that AHS participates in in the fall with seven “It’s Academic” continues on page 5

Sept. 25:

“I really appreciated my dad wanting to get involved with the things I liked to do,” Isabel said.

“I always remember him wearing his shorts and walking around doing the 50/50 raffle at the football games and trying to get me to get my friends to buy raffle tickets. It was fun to have him there and watch his willingness to be involved with my high school.”

Marty left not only an everlasting impression on his family, but also on those who he saw day to day.

“Marty impressed me on his willingness to step up and volunteer his time to AHS and its students; asking what he could do to help out and then embracing it with a great attitude and smile,” Treasurer of Athletics Boosters Randy Allshouse said.

It’s Academic conquers competition

BY JAROD GOLUB News Editor

WEEKEND tells the stories of students who go to NFL games.

See page 20.

love for people,” AHS Alumni Isabel Bodrog said.

After graduating from high school in Audubon, New Jersey, Marty became a member of the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, graduating in 1981.

Marty spent 22 years in the Navy as a Surface Warfare officer, retiring as Commander. He then continued with the Navy as a Senior Analyst at a Tech-Marine Company, offering support to the Navy across different departments.

Marty, frequently described as a family man, was married to his wife, Melanie, for 25 years and had three daughters, Isabel, 23, Sophie, 17, and Rita, 16.

Isabel graduated from AHS in 2009 and her younger sisters attend W.T. Woodson HS. According to Principal Vincent Randazzo, Marty was “active in the Annandale Booster Club and ran our 50-50 raffle on Friday nights.”

PHOTO OF THE ISSUE On your smartphone, scan this code using the application “ QR Code” to view the photos from our “Photo of the issue” contest.

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How do you feel about seniors not getting the opportunity to have their own parking lot?

“It’s a good thing. It’s not fair that only seniors can park there.”

— Lauren Contreas freshman

“Sophomores and juniors should get to park where ever they want.”

— Amy Colman sophomore

“That sounds fair, it gives everyone the oppurtunity to park there.”

Sept. 25, 2013

Breaking senior traditions Upperclassmen are being rejected the privilege to be able to park in the ‘senior parking’

BY JOE SEHRER Managing Editor Your bus drives past the senior lot on the first day of freshman year. It’s a scene right out of any iconic ‘80s teen movie; radios playing, friends socializing, and you stuck behind the kid who picks his nose on the bus. The senior lot is your goal, a tangible symbol of your status in the school and of your four years of hard work. Until now.

Seniors have found that this senior privilege, among many others, has been absolved amid concerns of awarding status and exclusionary behavior. The administration has grown increasingly cautious not to separate classes, promote superiority or honor traditions that aren’t exactly in line with the “kumbaya” mentality of FCPS. Senior administrators have made it clear to all drivers that the senior lot no longer exists, being replaced by a communal parking lot that, along with Ossian and the church, will be available to any student driver whose application is accepted.

By taking away the senior lot, the administration is continuing a recent trend in which long awaited senior privileges are taken from them. Last year’s seniors faced restrictions on their very own long held practices; the American tradition of a senior class prank, for one. Seniors arrived to the school at 4 a.m. in order to pursue a prank approved by the administration, which was neither harmful nor offensive in any way. Come 8 a.m, underclassmen arrive to see the balloons, streamers, and lighthearted acts of goodbye were gone.

Then, it was announced that the senior stampede would be taken away as well, out of concern for student safety. Although I do understand and appreciate the administration’s steps taken to keep

— Jeovany Melgar junior

OLIVIA LAFFERTY

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EDITORIALS

The current parking lot across from Ossian park, has traditionally always been considered the senior parking lot.

students safe, it was yet another senior tradition stripped away in a seemingly endless list that also banned seniors from incorporating funny faces in their school ID photos and sleep in on collaboration days. Is it really too much to ask for one more hour of sleep once every other Wednesday?

Even our more academically focused conventions are suffering; seniors are only allotted 2 official college visit days despite the fact that students apply to 5-6 schools on average.

Sure, there may be valid reasoning behind many of these restrictions, and I do not want to discredit the administration, as I’m sure they undoubtedly have our best interests in mind, however, when comparing our school to others in Fairfax County, our list of liberties is running short. Falls Church seniors are released from school 5 minutes earlier than other students, while Woodson seniors are guaranteed “priority seating”, or the first two rows of bleachers at sporting events and are allowed to paint and personalize the senior parking lot.

There is a certain significance to these privileges and perks. They aren’t just unfair advantages rewarded to the veteran class; they are a symbol of our four years of work and a way in which we

Senior tweets on ‘Senior Lot’ “So it’s not the senior parking lot anymore? Oh thats cool thanks Annandale!”

“It sucks waiting four years for something and then learning it out of the blue for no reason at all doesnt exist anymore #seniorparkinglot.”

“I feel since I am a senior that we have the superiority.”

can truly embrace our class, our school, and our time here at AHS in our final year. There is a reason behind the longevity of these practices.

They motivate the senior class to take part in their school when they could easily brush it off after college acceptance. How many times have seniors been seen gathering in the senior lot after school to talk about their day, or bonded over Pumpkin Spice Lattes at Starbucks on collaboration mornings? Also, they are a rite of passage, giving us the distinct honor of being a senior. We don’t embrace these practices because they exclude underclassmen. We embrace them because they include all seniors in an undeniable bond that would otherwise not exist.

Now, I know how it may sound coming from a whiny senior reduced to an underclassman parking lot, but I truly believe I speak for the entire senior class when I say that these acts are disrespectful.

Taking away our traditions discredit our work, our school spirit, and our bond with the school and its administration.

However in all fairness, I must be thankful for the senior courtyard...that we can use 4 months out of the year.

— James Barker @BarkernotBaker

“3rd year of buying a parking spot and still not in the senior lot... ” — Eric Mejean @EJMejean

— Noah Wolfenstein @NWolfenstein

— Destiny Anderson senior

QUOTE COLLECTION

Stuck in between being in the middle class, but cannot afford a public four year college tuition

The A-Blast wants to hear your opinion. Your response to the following question might be features in our quote collection:

BY SHAMAIM SYED Editorials Editor

What is your opinion of how college tuition has become harder and harder to pay? ?

E-mail your responses to ablast.editorials@gmail.com

On your smartphone, scan the above code using the application “QR Code” to read the full story about “financial aid”

Over the last two decades, the cost of attending a four year college has grown more rapidly than inflation and family income. The average tuition at a public four-year college has increased by more than 250 percent over the past three decades, while incomes for typical families grew by only 16 percent.

Most of the students in the AHS community, come from a middle class family. Even though they are living comfortably, a constant topic of discussion in everyone’s house, is ususally how they are going to be able to afford all of the college tuitions.

Even though money won’t hold anyone back from the colleges they apply to and eventually decide on going, there are some students out there who are thinking otherwise. There are a good amount of students who have taken up two jobs, while still taking IB classes, just so they can save up for college. With such a burden on a high school student, some students just don’t end up going to college.

Financial Aid is the first option that comes to everyone’s mind. But the amount of annual family income is usually always going to be higher than the limit set by financial aid. Unless you are living in a low income house, you won’t be aided

SOURCE: HUFFINGTONPOST.COM

Too rich to be approved financial aid

As the cost of a four year public college tuition increases year by year, the median family income has stayed the same.

for college. According to CNN Money, Since 1992, the maximum available through governmentsubsidized student loans has remained at $23,000 for a four-year degree. The amount of money financial aid even offers is no where close to the amount a full four year college tuition would cost.

If we advocate so much about education at such a young age, shouldn’t the government be doing something to help those who have come as far as completing high school?

According to President Barack Obama, he

Staff Editors in Chief: Omnia Saed Destiny Gammon Managing Editor: Joe Sehrer Editorials Editors: Shamaim Syed Christine Tamir News Editors: Bayley Brill Jarod Golub In-Depth Editors: Andrew Peters Sports Editors: Melanie Bennet Sports Xtra Editors: Erin Johnson People Editors: Chloe Loving Kiara Patino

Weekend Editors: Gaby Camili Priya Adhikary International Editors: Nuhami Mandefro Yasmeen Haitalani Entertainment Editors: Ayah Oweis Megan Ryan Lifestyles Editors: Diana Quezada Phuong Nguyen Health Editors: Berta Tarqui Photography Editors: Alex Zernik Cayley Byrne Ad Manager: Chelsea Alfonso Circulation Manager: Biruk Negash

Art Editors: Sandra Webb Academics Editors: Aniqa Rashid Linus Bumbaca Copy Editor: Mark Slough Bailey Oliver Web Editor/Master: Jared Lefbom Head Photographer: Olivia Lafferty Head Videographer: Nadia Elgendy Staff Writers: Summer Ayoub Nancy Evora Andrew Nunez Benny Le Mery Bernene Luka Fernandez Sabrina Hawa Kailyn Garay Maria Baragano Marin Masson

Noah Nelson Cynthia Weiner Sean To Hezekiel Yonas Daniel Yenegeta Tara Ashi Yesenia Blount Sacha Cameron Efstathia Carayiannis Luka Fernandez Andrew Gonzalez Hussein Salem Photographers: Katherine Bonilla Tiffany Huynh Videographers: Medhane Berihun Fahmi Mohammad Amir Mohammad Rahel Tecle Alejandra Irarte Mohaned Zyoud Andrew Gonzalez Alex Lewis Ashley Britton Alexia Sung Kowthar Said Adviser: Alan Weintraut

plans on making an effort to make sure student debt remains the same, promoting innovation and competition and paying for performance. Yes, Obama has had many discussions about how he will be making college tuitions much cheaper and more affordable for every student, but when is that really happening? If college tuitions are rocketing, shouldn’t his plans be coming out soon also?

Student loans are eventually the answer, but in reality we all know loans are nothing, but stress in every way. Continued on www.the a-blast.com.

Annandale High School 4700 Medford Dr. Annandale, Virginia 22003 email: theablast@gmail.com

Vol. 58 No.2 Sept. 25 2013 fax: (703) 642-4299

The A-Blast is an award winning newspaper that strives to inform, educate and entertain the student body and community. Published every three weeks, The A-Blast will not print any material that is obscene or libelous; or that which substantially disrupts the school day, or invades an individual’s right to privacy. The A-Blast is an independent, open forum for discussion that is printed at the Springfield Plant of The Washington Post. Signed letters to the editor of 250 words or less may be submitted to room 262 or mailed to the school. The A-Blast reserves the right to refuse advertisements. All submissions become property of The A-Blast, Copyright, 2013.

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EDITORIALS Unwelcome schedule changes Sept. 25, 2013

Do you prefer the two minute warning bell or the one minute song?

Bring back the normal warning bell and collaboration schedule

BY CHRISTINE TAMIR Editorials Editor Collaboration: what used to be an event welcomed with cheers and sighs of relief is now hardly tolerated with confusion and annoyance.

For the past several years, collaboration has been held during the first Wednesday of each month, resulting in a one hour delay for students.

Besides, students don’t really like the new changes. The hour that students used to spend sleeping in, finishing up homework assignments or going out for breakfast has now deteriorated to a measly half hour at the end of the day. Buses arrive earlier, at 1:30 p.m. (leaving at 1:40 p.m) and students can get home a bit earlier as well.

“Because I am a walker, the new collaboration schedule gives me some benefits. I can get home earlier than usual,” junior Tho Tran said. “However, sleep is more important, especially before class, than early dismissal.”

The majority of students looked to collaboration for the hour of extra sleep, a much-needed commodity for sleep-deprived students.

“I prefer last year’s collaboration schedule because it allowed students to get more sleep before they come to class,” Tran said. “Plus, students are more alert at 8:20 a.m. than they are at 7:20 a.m.”

It seems that students are receiving the short end of the proverbial stick when it comes to collaboration. It seems that we’re losing a valuable opportunity for sleep and a valuable tradition that

“The two minute warning bell because it gives us more time and it’s not as annoying.”

— Edeniya Benitez sophomore

According to a recent poll, 60 percent of students prefer the two minute warning bell to the one minute warning song.

everyone enjoys As you walk through the hallway to class, quickly picking up the pace to reach your next class on time, you hear the all-too-familiar strains of “I like to move it” echo throughout the hallway.

There’s one minute left until you’re late to class and the cheesy lyrics let you know.

The idea was introduced by Principal Vincent Randazzo following research done in schools that used a warning song instead of a warning bell.

“It seemed to reduce the tardy rates in those schools,” Randazzo said. “We thought we’d give it

You are sitting in Algebra class and you’re learning about the quadratic formula and all you can think is about how pointless your lessons are.

You sit there wondering why you even go to school when you aren’t even learning the basic lessons of life or how you are going to navigate through financial decisions.

For those of you that have complained, well you now have a solution since the Personal Finance and Economics class has now been added to the requirements for graduation.

As a senior, I don’t particularly care because its not required for me, but for the underclassmen, you guys are lucky.

Now I’m not saying this because its not required for me, but because I actually think it will help everyone.

Yes, eventually you’ll get to know about all the finance and economics stuff, either through your parents or you’ll just learn about it eventually, but now you will know the ins and outs about everything.

The class had been required because of the legislation passed by the 2010 General Assembly, for all the students enrolled in ninth grade during the 2011 to 2012 school year.

Luckily the class has many options, including being an online class, an online summer option and an AP and IB class.

There are so many options that

the students can choose from, so the class doesn’t interfere with any student who decides on being an IB Diploma candidate or if they just don’t have any space in their schedule.

The class has a range of topics taught, all that not only prepare a student for future financial decisions but also learning about the economy and the market system.

There are so many topics discussed that will be so useful to

“

I like that class because everything you learn in that class would be useful in the future.

”

—Nina Jamialahmed

junior

— Vanessa Chumpitaz sophomore On your smartphone, scan the above code using the application “QR Code” to read the rest of “Unwelcome Schedule Changes

“The two minute warning bell because the song is kind of annoying after a week or so. If they changed it up, maybe the one minute bell could work.”

No. Economics and Personal Finance is unnecessary after taking civics classes

Yes. Personal Finance class provides students with valuable lessons

BY SHAMAIM SYED Editorials Editor

a try, so we adopted it for this year.”

According to a recent poll on thea-blast.org, 59 percent of students prefer the two minute warning bell. In the past, AHS used the two minute warning bell to let students when they had to be in class. The warning bell was a two tone bell with a milder sound

“I prefer the one minute warning song because I like it and it lets me know I have one minute to get to class.”

each and every person as they grow up.

Some that stuck out to me the most, included Buying vs. Leasing a car, renting an apartment, identity theft, insurance and most importantly taxes. Its one thing to learn this information through your parents and whole new thing to learn something so useful at school, in a learning environment.

“I like that class because everything you learn in that class would be useful in the future,” junior Nina Jamialahmed said.

BY CHRISTINE TAMIR Editorials Editor In the wake of the 2008 economic recession, the educational powers of Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) made the Personal Economics and Finance course mandatory for all students. Since then, both students and schools have suffered the consequences.

Besides the economic issues, the class itself unnecessary - the correct time to learn personal finance would be during eighth grade civics classes. The official name of the mandatory eighth grade civics class is “Civics and Economics,” further reducing the need for an additional class during a student’s high school tenure. It is when students are first exposed to paying taxes and basic economic principles.

In the Virginia Department of Education’s (VDOE) curriculum for civics classes, basic economic principles are taught about three quarters of the way throughout the year. It makes much more sense to simply go more in-depth during the basic economics unit during the civics class rather than adding another class during the high school career.Why not just teach the economics class with more detail during that unit and save students some pain?

Integrating the Personal Finance and Economics class with the mandatory eighth grade civics class would make it much easier for students who are interested in pursuing the IB Diploma or the

MYP certificate. The requirements for either the diploma program or the MYP certificate include a fine arts class and (for the IB Diploma) four years of a foreign language, which complicates a student’s’ schedule.

While some may argue that it teaches valuable practical lessons that students don’t normally learn in schools, it’s almost impossible to go

“

The Personal Finance and Economics class is an unfortunate opportunity cost that students are required to make to get their diploma. It’s harder to get an IB Diploma with it, or a high school diploma without it.

”

through life without learning how to write a check or balance a checkbook.

It’s either taught to you by a parent or guardian or through experience.

Junior Diva Chowdhary took the class during her freshman year, but thought that the lessons weren’t unique to just the class.

“I would have eventually learned it on my own,” Chowdhary said.

“They should have definitely made it a shorter class, it takes way longer than it should.”

The Personal Finance and Economics class is an unfortunate opportunity lost that students are required to make to get their diploma.

It’s harder to get an IB Diploma with it, or a high school diploma without it.

— Anu Mandefro senior

“[I prefer] the two minute warning bell because it’s easier to hear than the song, which is hard to hear.”

— Maria Salvatierra senior

“I think the one minute warning bell is more effective because of the shortened amount of time students have to get to class.”

— Roberto Obando math teacher

Likes and Dislikes The beginning of the Powderpuff football game preparations.

Edward Snowden: friend of human rights?

Former contractor nominated

by European Union for human rights award

Backpacks not being allowed at football games anymore.

BY CHRISTINE TAMIR Editorials Editor In a direct jab against the U.S, the EU nominated Edward Snowden for a human rights award on Sept. 7. The award (the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought) is awarded to those who “who combat intolerance, fanaticism and oppression,” according to the official website. It is awarded annually by the European Parliament and past winners include Aung San Suu Kyi of Burma, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and South Africa’s Nelson Mandela.

It’s not hard to understand why Snowden was nominated: the reports he released exposed that the U.S was spying on Europe.

The descriptors of the award - individuals who “combat intolerance” and “fanaticism” don’t apply to Snowden’s actions. Regardless of whether you approve of his actions, it’s near impossible to credibly accuse the U.S government of fanaticism or oppression.

While Snowden can be credited with telling the American people that they were under surveillance, courtesy of their government, and thusly having their rights violated, his efforts against intolerance and fanaticism are yet to be seen.

The beginning of the Powderpuff football game preparations.

Edward Snowden has been nominated for the Sakharov Prize. Past winners include Nelson Mandela of South Africa.

The U.S government is guilty of many things, yet not intolerance and fanaticism (as far as Snowden’s efforts are concerned). To be fair, every government is a strong advocate for their own political agenda, so they do fall on the fanaticism spectrum. The U.S is no exception, but it’s at the fairly low side of the spectrum.

The U.S is guilty of placing its citizens under surveillance without letting them know and spying on other nations. It is not guilty of oppression, intolerance (as far as what Snowden’s released reports are concerned) or an uncommon amount of fanaticism.

Yes, Europe, your anger is understandable, but nominating Snowden for the Sakharov Prize for

Freedom of Thought is taking it a bit too far.

It’s compromising the spirit of the award, which is supposed to be awarded to people who have dedicated their entire lives to combating the forces of intolerance, oppression and fanaticism.

Snowden has spent less than a year fighting for what he believes. While that is certainly admirable (as he will most likely never be allowed in the U.S again) it is not at the level of the other nominees, or the past winners such as Nelson Mandela or Kofi Annan.

The nomination does not mean that Snowden winning is a sure thing, but the fact that Snowden obviously doesn’t fit the bill is a clear indication that he was nominated for the wrong reasons.

On your smartphone, scan the above code using the application “QR Code” to read an editorial about the importance of sleep.

NEWS

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Sept. 25, 2013

Get involved in clubs

What is your favorite club at AHS?

If you’re looking to join a club, chances are you’ll find a club for your interests Fellowship of Christian Athletes

BY BAYLEY BRILL News Editor

senior

Head librarian and Book Club sponsor Janet Pfeiffer decides what Book Club will read.

The Fellowship of Christian Athletes is a student run, faith based group that meets during Atom Time. The purpose of this club is for everyone to meet and share their faith with each other.

“We are a student-run organization, so we normally don’t have adult speakers which allows everyone to freely share their thoughts,” club co-president Carter Britton said.

The FCA meets during Atom Time on Tuesday, everyone is welcome to join, even if they are not an athlete.

Sophomore and co-president Carter Britton wears his FCA shirt.

Book Club

“Korean Bible Study, because you get to learn more about God and make a lot of friends in a friendly environment.”

—Tony Ngyuen senior

BY SABRINA HAWA Staff Writer Book Club is a long running club at AHS that encourages students to read and have fun as well.

“The club is more about being social and having a good time rather than being academic” club sponsor and head librarian “TSA (technology student association), because all the events that we do and competing against other schools in the area.” .—Rasel Abuta junior

Janet Pfeiffer said, “I want the students to have fun while doing this.”

The club plans to meet 7 times a month and has no requirements, other than reading the books given.

Students have a voice in what books they would like to read.

There will be an interest meeting on Sept. 25 in the library after school.

BAYLEY BRILL

“Filament, because it’s interesting to see the literary and art talent of Annandale and it’s rewarding to create something the entire school will look at.”

—Kelcie Chandler

JV Math Team

BY BEN LE Staff Writer The JV Math Team is looking for students who enjoy math and would like compete for the school.

“Students can join to develop math skills and compete,” geometry teacher Leonida Gibson said.

The meetings are in the cafeteria once a month.

“It’s a contest that involves students countywide,” Gibson said. “We won two times last year.”

Feminist Club

BY NANCY EVORA Staff Writer

“GSA (Gay Straight Alliance), we are the most popping club and we all get along well and we all mutally believe in gay rights.”

— Todd Le and Ariana Islam juniors

Just World sponsor and and English Teacher Jan Kamide poses with the Just World Club poster.

Just World Interact

BY TARA EL-ACHI Staff Writer

“I like to be in FBLA, because it isn’t a major time commitment but it’s still fun — Avaid Gebrehiwot junior

Just World Interact is an activist club whose purpose is to raise awareness about global social justice. Throughout the year they host large awareness events, such as the annual Just World Festival, Green Festival and participate in events such as Global Citizens Corps, Relay for Life and Learn-Serve. Their goal is to increase their impact and lead a larger population of students.

“The clubs mission has always been to encourage teenagers, especially at AHS, to be involved with world causes.” club sponsor Jan Kamide said.

There will be an interest meeting on Sept. 26, in room 289B at 2:20pm.

If you are against domestic violence and an advocate of women rights then the Feminist Club is the best choice for you. ESOL teacher Catherine Mounteer has been sponsoring the club for the past four years.

“The Feminist Club has been focusing on promoting education for girls overseas,” Mounteer said, “The goal of our club is to educate the students [at AHS] about the condition of women around the world.”

The club is open to everyone. The Club meets on Tuesdays, at 2:15 p.m. in T6.

Model United Nations

““My favorite club is being an Atoms writing tutor, because its alot of fun to help people improve their writing.”

— Jenny Kang sophomore

BY LUKA FERNANDEZ Staff Writer

“I like SGA because it teaches me how to be responsible.”

— Saad Farooq freshman

Model United Nations is one of the most popular clubs at AHS. The club simulates real United Nation committees which involves role-playing delegates of different countries while discussing real issues going on in the world.

“Students research a country, take on roles as diplomats, investigate international issues, debate, deliberate, consult, and then develop solutions to world problems.” club sponsor Catharine Bishop said.

Senior Amelie Trieu is the president Meetings for this Model U.N. are of Model United Nations. held on Wednesday afternoons once a month. Their first meeting will be on Sept. 25 at 2:15 p.m. in room 298.

Club sponsor Bethany Slingerland poses in front of the flag of equality.

Gay-Straight Alliance

BY BAYLEY BRILL News Editor The Gay-Straight Alliance is a club that promotes equality and acceptance of everyone, despite sexuality. The goal of the club is to promote equality, and stop discrimination based on sexuality or gender preference.

The club sponsors the annual Day of Silence, which is meant to bring awareness to the thousands of kids who remain silent due to bullying and harassment they face. Last year over 200 AHS students participated in the Day of Silence.

They also sell rainbow ribbons all year long. Rainbows are the symbol of equality, and are meant to be placed on backpacks to show support for eqaulity The GSA meets after school on Wednesdays in T-6.

Art Club

BY SOULISA PATH Staff Writer

Seniors begin to get pictures taken On your smartphone, scan the above code using the application “QR Code” to view a story about senior portraits.

Art Club is a group of student artists who meet once a month to make fun art projects and work on murals around the school. Since many students can’t fit art into their schedule, art teacher Suellen Merlo decided to start the club.

“Since they can’t take it during the day as an elective, we’d like them to have a little art in their life,” Merlo said.

“We do it after school so they have a little taste of what we do here during the day.”

The main reason they started art club was to give students a chance to use their imagination and be creative.

Art Club and Art Honors Society meet the first Tuesday of each month in art room 344.

Animal Activists

BY HUSSEIN SALEM News Editor The Animal Activists Club is currently sponsored by math teacher Allie Wheeler. This club focuses on raising money to help animals without homes.

The club would hold bake sales to raise money, and would regularly volunteer at Pet Smart.

As of right now, the club has no members. They would really like to get more members to

raise awareness of the club. “I’m extremely interested in recruiting members that are underclassmen and upperclassmen,” said Ms. Wheeler. Getting more members from all grades would help keep the club going, even after students graduate.

The students in the club would advertise it by having a Twitter and Facebook account, and also by being on the morning announcements and talking about the club. They hope to get more members for the future.

News

Sept. 25, 2013

5

Booster volunteer killed

JAROD GOLUB

“Izzy and I have been best friends since first grade, so almost 17 years. I definitely care about her family a lot, but one thing I always remember about Mr. Bodrog was that he was really tall he had the best smile ever,” AHS graduate and friend of the family Meredith Rutherford said. “Even though he was this towering man, and typically as a little kid if you came over to someone’s house you would be really scared, I never remember being scared of him because he was such a loveable man and was so friendly.”

An active participant of the church, Marty was a preschool Sunday School Teacher at the Immanuel Bible Church as well as being involved in “Young Life,” a christian class for high school students.

According to Isabel, “his faith is something that he’d want everyone to know about.”

“I think it is evident by his three daughters that he was a man of God and a man of really strong character because you can look at them and see it in their eyes and see it in the way they live their lives. He definitely has left a good legacy, that’s for sure,” Rutherford said.

When neighbors were made aware that he was among the victims of the mass shooting at the Navy Yard, they were shocked.

“My knees got weak. Everything about Marty made him just a great guy and a wonderful husband and father,” neighbor and Air Force veteran Ron Early said. “I’m just saddened by it. It’s a personal tragedy, but it really hit home.”

In memoriam of the roll he played on AHS and the Annandale Community, the Annandale Booster club donated all money raised from 50/50 Raffle

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE UNITED STATES NAVY

“Bodrog” continued from page 1

Students in the Drumline practices their music in the back parking lot of AHS .

Band wins competition

President Obama addresses the families of the victims of the Navy Yard shooting at a memorial service held.

tickets for a cause Marty cared about.

“The Booster Club at last Friday night’s game vs. Oakton took all of the proceeds from the 50/50 raffle and donated them to the Boston Bruins Foundation in memory of Marty Bodrog,” Snack Bar Coordinator of Athletic Boosters Jenny Britton said. “Mr. Bodrog loved hockey and he loved the Boston Bruins and his family thought it was fitting that donations be sent in his memory to this foundation which helps children in their community”.

According to President of Athletic Boosters

Jarod Golub News Editor

Mary Johnson, around $300 were raised on Sept.

20 for the cause.

A release written by the Bodrog Family reads “Marty was a humble, loving father and neighbor.

[He] could frequently be seen in all types of weather, even post-blizzard cold, in shorts and his trademark Boston Bruins jersey, walking his dog and helping shovel the driveways of his elderly neighbors, Marty was a source of inspiration to his family and friends – those of us that were lucky to know Marty are better people for it.”

The AHS band took home the award for Best General Effect at their firt competition on Saturday. “They were ranked consistently in the 80’s which are the best first competition scores the band has received in the past decade,” band director Adam Hilkert said.

Bands are not awarded “Superior” at first competiton, so this is the highest score possible. The band’s next competition will take place at 2:30 PM in the USBands Showcase at Herndon High School on Saturday, September 28.

Band to no longer perform

This year the coordinators are trying to get more males involved in the game, options include coaching, stat-keeping and cheerleading.

Powderpuff in full swing

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

JAROD GOLUB

The band will only perform in this parade for the next two years, after that it will no longer be a part of the long standing tradition. These next two years coincide with the grandfathering of Wakefield Chapel students into AHS that took place two years ago. After these next two years, those students will no longer be a part of the school, and so the Chapel Square parade will have no significance to the members of the AHS band.

The reason that the band is not going to be performing in the parade two years from now is the redistricting that happened throughout the county two years ago.

Wakefield Chapel residents will greatly miss the parade due to the large impact that it has on the community.

“The impact of the parade was tremendous,” AHS parent Courtney Collins said. “It was a fun filled occasion for all neighbors to participate in or just spectate. Our mailman, Emmerson, even comes to it each year, dressed as a postal service employee.”

“A lot of the kids like to dress up and follow the band to where we do our performance, they get to play and eat snacks and watch us perform,” senior Sarah Prince said. Prince is a resident of the neighborhood surrounding Chapel Square.

Not only is the parade a very important part of Chapel Square tradition, it is also a large part of AHS tradition as well.

“We are all about community outreach. That is why we do the parade, to inspire people with music,” Band Director Adam Hilkert said. “I remember last year when I was planning out the events that we were going to do throughout the year, all of my

OLIVIA LAFFERTY

Hilkert said. “And now we don’t have that demographic in the AHS band.” The band also loses a substantial amount of fundraising from the loss of that neighborhood.

“At the parade the band gets a lot of donations,” Collins said.

“It also affects funding,” Hilkert said. “The bulk of our funding, particularly tag day, comes from that area.”

This year, the band did not see as much revenue from this neighborhood on Tag Day, seeing as they split the neighborhood with the Woodson band.

“Chapel Parade” continued from Page 1

Junior Michael O’Neill practices in the back parking lot of AHS everyday after school.

students told me that I wasn’t allowed to plan anything for that parade day.”

REDISTRICTING EFFECTS After the redistricting two years ago, the Wakefield Chapel neighborhood will no longer attend schools in the AHS pyramid.

They will go to Woodson High School instead. This has created a lot of problems throughout that neighborhood.

“Our community is losing a lot of good role models in the band students,” Collins said.

Students who live in the Chapel neighborhood also feel strongly about the redistricting and the loss of this annual performance.

“Residents have been complaining about the loss of the Annandale

band from the parade,” senior James Barker said. “It’s their fault, they voted on the decision [to remove chapel from AHS].”

The neighborhood is losing a valuable tradition that has been around for over 40 years.

“Our younger kids grew up with this tradition,” Collins said. “They grew up with ideas of one day becoming the band member that got to dress in costume and march with piccolo or tuba down their neighborhood streets. Now that we are re-districted, we have lost this particular tradition, and our children have lost this particular role model.”

Not only has the redistricting affected the neighborhood, it has also affected AHS in many ways.

“A lot of our band students, at one point almost half, came from that Wakefield Chapel neighborhood,”

Destiny Gammon Co-Editor in Chief

AHS has been struggling with the loss of students after the redistricting, but in recent months, the school has seen some increase in participation.

“Varsity and JV Football numbers have increased, as well as the Field Hockey team,” principal Vincent Randazzo said.

“What we have been doing, is really recruiting kids, peeking their interests, finding out what their passions are, finding out what they want to do in extra-curriculars.”

While AHS has been looking for ways to expand after losing the Chapel neighborhood, the band has also been looking for new ways to get into the community.

“We’re looking for another place out in the community to perform, such as a nursing home,” Hilkert said.

The Chapel Square Civic Association hopes to continue the tradition for years to come.

With the football season in full swing, and Homecoming just around the corner, Powderpuff football is coming back once again. Powderpuff football is a pre-game to the legendary bonfire that allows girls and guys to switch roles as the girls become the football players and the guys present their best moves as cheerleaders. A tradition at AHS, Powderpuff is seeing experiencing changes this year in order to benefit the leadership program and the activity’s participants.

Although the Powderpuff game has been free in the past, this year there will be a small entrance fee for tickets.

“There is a $3 fee and it is going to the school’s leadership fund to help us make school events more fun and creative for the students,” senior Leadership member Michelle Burnett said.

As well as receiving entry into the game, Atoms tattoos will also be distributed.

Due to lack of participation in the past, Leadership is also encouraging junior and seniors males to take part in this long- held tradition.

“We’re trying to get guys motivated to become cheerleaders and support their female friends and their grade,” senior Leadership member Eric Mejean said.

In order to get the boys more involved, a competition will be conducted in which the crowd votes for their favorite male cheerleader and the winner receives a prize and a tiara.

Although practices have traditionally been conducted at Annandale Terrace Elementary School, this year, practices for both the junior and senior classes have been moved to Braddock Elementary School on Sept. 26, Oct. 1, Oct. 3, Oct 8, and Oct. 10.

Participants should check their schedule to be sure that they arrive to the field on time.

The game is on Oct. 15 at 5:30, so all that are interested in attending should mark their calendars.

“It’s Academic” continued from page 1 other schools to prepare them for the VHSL district tournament.

“There are two parts of the It’s Academic Club at AHS,” senior Christine Tamir said. “The majority is quiz bowl, where we compete against other high schools from the area, and the rest is the television show, which consists of a lot of schools.”

In past years, the AHS has performed very well in the It’s Academic television show, as well as in the VHSL league.

“Last year we had the longest winning streak of any team at AHS, were 14-0 throughout last year’s season,” senior Amelie Trieu said.

“We won in our scrimmage league last year, and also made it to the district round,” Saladino said.

This year ’s win did not come easily to the AHS team, with filming beginning earlier than last year, they had a lot less time to hone their skills before the event.

“The filming wasn’t until November last year, so we had a lot more time to practice,” Trieu said.

“We’ve had a bit of a delayed start, since the taping is really early this year we haven’t had much time to practice,” Tamir said.

Practices for the AHS It’s Academic team take place every Friday in Mrs. Berry’s room, room 285.

“Our practices are set up like the scrimmages, we use buzzers and a moderator asks questions while the kids try to answer fastest,” Saladino said. “We’ve been working on simple, basic questions because of the taping, but now we’re switching our focus to district style questions.”

The lack of practice time is not the only thing that the AHS It’s Academic team had to overcome.

The team has lost a lot of team members in the past year, and that has shown in the teams attendance at practices. To make up for this, the team has been actively recruiting members through the social studies department and at Back To School Night.

Many members see this as a long term goal, and are planning on preparing for the future.

“Considering how we have very

JAROD GOLUB

It’s Academic looks towards season

Tho Tran, Christine Tamir, and Louis Koch answer questions during the filming of the show.

few remaining members,” Trieu said.

“My goal is to rebuild and strengthen

the team for years to come.”

It’s Academic Slideshow On your smartphone, scan the above code using the application “QR Code” to view a slideshow of the It’s Academic team at their filming.

6

What is your favorite part about marching band?

“I like the standtunes, and playing in the stands while everyone is cheering.”

—Ben Betts freshman

“My favorite thing is we can combine physical exercise and add a musical component to it, also the group it’s self, we’re like a family.”

—Nick Mortensen sophomore “I love doing the shows and playing music.”

—Caitlin White sophomore

How does marching band add spirt and personality to football games?

“I think it adds to the enthusiasm of the crowd and keeps their spirits up.”

—Jessica Winkler junior

“The standtunes get people going and gets people pumped and fired up. Also the football team likes it.”

—Noah Wolfenstein senior

“I think our standtunes pumps people and it’s loud so its gets people excited.”

—Kaitlin Martindale senior

—Compiled by Kiara Patino and Nuhami Mandefro

On your smartphone, scan the above code using the application “QR Code” to read news of former student Emily Oliver’s published illustrations.

PEOPLE

Sept. 25, 2013

Hail to the Redskins!

Marching band assistant plays in Washington Redskins’ marching band

BY CHLOE LOVING People Editor Many would consider themselves the ultimate fan by watching every game or cheering the loudest. Yet those viewers have nothing on Holmes middle school’s band director, Luis Perez.

Perez is not only a Washington Redskins football fan, he cheers them on from the stands in more ways than one. While working in a local music shop, he encountered a fellow musician who participated in the Redskins’ marching band.

After contacting the director he was given the chance to audition. This is Perez’s 17th year playing in the band.

Are you a Redskins fan yourself?

Yes I am a Skins fan. If not I would not be in the band.

When do you play on game nights?

We do a march around which is walking on the outside of the stadium like the marching band here does the pep train. We also play a pregame show which is very similar to what the marching band does during the half time, just not as involved.

We play two selections and march for one and stand still for the other. We do a pregame show versus a half time.

When else do you play?

We also do parades. We will do a Fairfax 4th of July parade, a Halloween parade in Vienna and then a Silver Spring holiday parade and a Christmas parade. We also play on the Elipse one Wednesday night in the fall.

Above left: Perez poses in Redskins’ spirit wear. Above right: the Washington Redskins’ Marching Band is shown on the field before a home game.

Is this a paid or volunteer position?

It is a compensated volunteer position so I don’t get paid but I am given two tickets to every game. The band sits in the band section and I like to say my wife gets paid for me being in the band.

Do you plan to continue your participation?

I do. I hope to get into a new stadium and get out of that massive thing that I don’t like. Their lease expires in 2025.

What kind of people are in the band?

All kinds. There are 120 wind and percussion players, so actual band members, and 25 band directors of all four levels; elementary, middle, high school and even college bands. The rest are people who were just musicians in school. We’ve got all walks of life. We have lawyers, engineers, police officers, plumbers, and nurses. We have literally the gamut.

Have you ever met any of the players?

We are not allowed to speak to the players. We enter and exit the stadium

through the same tunnel as the team. So if I am lucky, I might leave at the same time as someone and say ‘good game.’

B e i n g a t e a c h e r, a father and playing in the band must take up a good amount of time. Would you say it is worth it?

It is. It gives me somewhere to play. I mean there are other venues I could do but I like the marching aspect of it. I like the sports team aspect too. It does take up a lot of time. We have to be in side 2 hours and 15 minutes before the game starts and then stay until an hour and a half after the game ends. So that’s at least a 7 hour, if not a 9 hour day. It tends to be a long, long time.

I have my own school stuff, marching band Sundays and Wednesdays, so the rest of my time is spent shuttling my kids from one place to another and staying here to do whatever paper work and get music ready, things like that.

How does the outcome of the game affect you?

Its funny. My kids who have had me before will know the Monday after a bad game, I am usually wearing

dark clothes and I am not in a good mood. And after a good victory I am wearing Redskins’ gear and I’m excited. Those Sunday night games that start at 9, that is killer. When the game ends, if we win, we will usually play for another 15-20 minutes after the game is over. We just play music out of our book for who ever is left.

My dad and I went to 2 preseason games when I was a kid. I remember walking through the gates at RFK [stadium] and then under the lights seeing the band in stands. I never would have guessed that one day I would be a member of the Washington Redskins Marching Band.

What is your most vivid memory while in the band?

I have several. Being on the field when a popular player is introduced is very cool. The stadium can get so loud at the field level. My first memory is being on the field for the first game and watching a bomber [plane] do a fly over from the field. It was very impressive. But my most vivid memory is being there for a game after 9-1101 and holding a massive flag that stretched across the entire field. It was very moving.

How do you think the band adds to the team spirit?

It is exciting when we are playing in the stands and everyone is singing “Hail to the Redskins.” We also walk around the outside of the stadium and play at different locations. Fans get pumped and dance and sing when we go by. The band is also important because of its history. It is 75-years old this year and is the only marching band in the Football Hall of Fame. Many other teams have drum lines and other types of live musicians but us and the Ravens are the only ones with a marching band.

Students say you have a party trick. How long can you hold your breath?

1:33.07 minutes. I just timed myself.

Did you ever imagine yourself in this position?

Why do you love music?

Music is something that can bring us all together regardless of where we are coming from.

HEALTH

Sept. 25, 2013

Oily Skin

Dry skin

Combo Skin

7

Indoor Workouts for Rainy Days 1. Desk Lifts

Neutrogena Deep Clean Shine Control Blotting Sheets This is a quick fix when you believe your face is too shiny. This will not ruin makeup because it will only pick up surface oils.

Price: $5

Garnier Moisture Rescue Refresh Gel Cream This cream should be used after washing to keep moisture for 24 hours without making your skin too oily.

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When you have been sitting too long in school or have been doing homework, doing this exercise will get the blood flowing to prevent your legs from falling asleep. There are two versions: One when you hold both legs and one when you interchange. To do the first one, sit down on a chair and cross your ankles and pull your legs up. Use your ab muscles to lift. The second stretch is similar but use one leg at the time and change every 15 seconds.

Aveeno Clear Complexion Cream Cleanser Combination skin needs a balance between hydrating and drying. This cleanser has the right gentle balance, and the ability it helps prevent acne.

2. Stair Lunges

Price: $8

If you have stairs nearby then this workout will help you get moving. You can either walk up the stairs while lunging deeply for each step or walk quickly up and down the stairs. If you do the lunges, walk up and down five times.

If you briskly walk, do this ten times.

3. Side Crunches

This workout is a modification of a normal crunch. Lie down on a mat to ease any pain on your back. Roll onto one side and extend your arm closest to the ground to hold yourself up. Once you are balanced, lift your legs together while lifting your head. Do this 15 times, then turn over to your other side and repeat.

Burt’s Bees Intense Hydration Cream Cleanser

This face moisturizer will not clog pores that oily skin is susceptible to. At the same time, this lotion will not remove oils out of your face.

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For those who have tight flaky skin, a face wash that will replenish after every wash is vital. Burt’s Bees has properties that will lock in moisture.

Biore Preservation Dual Fusion Moisturizer This is a skin moisturizer that is great for those who have an oily t-zone area and dry patches. This cream also contains sunscreen which is great for the flaky areas.

4. Air Jump Rope This exercise can be done even if you do not have a jump rope with you. It is an easy cardiovascular workout that will get your heart beating. Do the same motion as if you had a jump rope. If you can do this fast enough for five minutes it could be equivalent to running a few laps around a track. This is the best workout when the colder months come along.

Price: $14

Price: $10

Skin care for cooler months Fall weather can do damage to different skin types

BY BERTA TARQUI Health Editor Summer is coming to a close and the cooler months are creeping steadily towards us. Due to the dry air outside and house heaters, many students have trouble taking care of their skin when the weather changes.

Oily Skin A little natural glow is great if you want look lively and healthy, however some teens produce too much oil, causing their skin to look shiny.

“I wash my face every night and try stay away from oily food as much as I can,” junior TraMi Ly said.

When skin is too oily, it can be prone to breakouts, acne and blackheads. The best way to care for this skin type is to use a gentle oil free face wash and moisturizer.

A common mistake people make is washing their face too often. Your face need oil and stripping it away can be harmful, leading to dry skin. Oily skin can usually sustain the cold weather, however

some people can have breakouts because of the temperature change. Make sure to change washes wash if your skin type shifts.

Dry Skin On the other spectrum of skin types is dry skin.

Dry skin can look flaky and scaly and wearing makeup can be difficult because it could flake off. The changing of the seasons can worsen dry skin. The ideal thing to do is to use moisturizer specifically for dry skin after you wash your face.

A trivial mistake teens make is washing their skin with hot water thinking that they are cleaning their pores. This leaves skin lifeless and it will lack essential oils that keep your skin clear.

Use lukewarm water and restrict long hot showers. This skin type is most susceptible to worsening dryness over the fall and winter seasons.

“In the winter my skin can be get kind of dry but I use lots of moisturizer to help ease it,” junior Emily Lien said.

You can prevent some drying by using lotion if you will be out for longer than 15 minutes and by covering your some of your face with a scarf so any harsh winds will not hurt your skin. When caring for the rough parts, use an essential oil, like argon or sunflower oil. There are plenty of oils to buy and use, and it varies for each person. Some may cause an allergic reaction, so be sure to skin test one

day prior to using it on your face. Make sure not to apply too much or this could lead to a breakout.

Combination Skin If you have some patches of dry skin and some patches that are oily, then you have combination skin. Dealing with this type can be difficult because most products are designed for one type.

If you have products that work with one skin type but not the other, you should spot moisturize and treat. Have moisturizers that are the best for that type and use it only where it is needed.

“I wash my face everyday at least once when I wake up to keep my skin hydrated because your body is mostly water so it obviously needs it to stay clear and healthy,” junior Jessica Winkler said.

In the colder months, a person with a combination skin type will most likely get dryer skin. You should have a thicker facial moisturizer just in case your skin type changes with the weather.

Make sure to only use it on the dry areas just in case your skin is still oily on some parts. Using a heavy lotion on oily skin can clog pores on the t-zone area, the t-zone area is your forehead to the nose and is usually oily.

Different skin types respond to weather changes; having another set of products for the colder months can help ease any discomfort.

DIY: Skin mask for oily skin

5. Air Squats This is a more challenging version of normal squats. It is a simple exercise to do when you need to get your entire body moving. Start off as you were doing normal squats, make sure to dip deeply. As you go back up, jump up into the air with your hands facing towards the ceiling. Repeat this 15 times to 20 times.

Combination Skin Mask

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BERTA TARQUI

This simple oatmeal yogurt facial mask that will help ease oily skin and restore dry patches. This oatmeal mask will help your face be less shiny.

You will need: One egg One fourth a cup of plain yogurt One tablespoon of honey Small mixing bowl

1. Crack the egg and use only the egg whites. Add the two tablespoons of oatmeal. The egg whites have a drying effect and will absorb any oils on your face.

2. Add the one tablespoon of honey. Make sure it is pure honey to avoid any extra content and sugars. Honey is a great moisturizer that will not create extra oils like other lotions do. The honey will also soften the egg whites effect because you do not want to strip all oils.

3. When everything is added, mix everything until it is a gooey consistency. If the outcome is too watery add another tablespoon or oatmeal.

Leave on your face for ten minutes and rinse with cold water.

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This oatmeal mask will help your face be less shiny.

You will need: One egg One tablespoon of honey Two tablespoons of oatmeal One spoon Small mixing bowl

1. First separate the egg yolk from the whites. For this mask, put the yolk to the side. Put the egg white in a small bowl.

Then add one fourth a cup of plain yogurt.

It is better this than a flavored yogurt because there are less preservatives.

DIY: Skin mask to solve dry skin

BERTA TARQUI

Continued on thea-blast.org

This avocado mask will help replenish moisture back into your skin.

You will need: One tablespoon of honey One fourth of a banana Egg yolk Half of a small avocado Spoon Small mixing bowl

1.Unpeel the banana and scrape half of the avocado into a small mixing bowl.

Avocados contain a lot of good fats that will add moisture to your skin. The banana has B6 vitamins which are needed to help relieve dry skin.

2. Add the egg yolk and tablespoon of honey. An easy way to get only the yolk is by cracking the egg and sucking the yolk out with an empty waterbottle. Egg yolk is good for hydrating skin.

3. When everything is combined, crush the avocado and banana until it is a thick consistency. If it comes out too chunky, add a little more honey. Leave on face for 15 minutes and rinse with warm water.

On your smartphone, scan the above code using the application “QR Code” to continue this face mask for combination skin.

What you need to Noelle Viñas on her past, know about “Our her inspirations and hopes Town” before for AHS auditioning:

BY SANDRA WEBB Arts Editor

Setting: Grover’s Corners, New Hampshire Year: 1901 Characters: Stage Manager: The narrator.

He or she acts as the audience’s guide to Grover’s Corners.

Emily Webb: The bright and cheery “girl next door” type and George Gibb’s love interest.

George Gibbs: class president, baseball star, and all-American golden boy type. Emily Webb challenges him as a love interest.

Dr. Gibbs: The town’s doctor and a civil war expert. He is the hardworking husband and father of the Gibbs family.

Mrs. Gibbs: A mid-thirties woman and the doctor’s wife. She believes her husband is overworked and wants him to take a break. She dreams of traveling to Paris and is the only one who expresses a desire to leave Grover’s Corners.

Mr. Webb: The kindly publisher and editor of the town’s newspaper, Grover ’s Corners Sentinel. His character contextualizes the town for the audience.

Mrs. Webb: Strict but loving mother of Emily and Wally. Mrs. Soames: The town gossip.

Simon Stimson: The town drunk and choirmaster.

Rebecca Gibbs: George’s little sister.

Wally Webbs: Emily’s younger brother. He dies at a young age.

Howie Newsome: The milkman. He appears in every morning scene.

Joe Crowell, Jr.: The paperboy.

Si Crowell: Joe’s younger brother. He eventually takes over Joe’s paper route for him.

Professor Willard: A college professor. He gives a report of Grover’s Corners to the audience, talking about the specifics of town life.

Constable Warren: A local policeman.

Sam Craig: Emily Webb’s cousin. He was born in Grover’s Corners but left to travel West. He returns later as an outsider.

Joe Stoddard: The town undertaker.

Plot summary: The first act of Our Town introduces the audience to a typical day in Grover’s Corners.

The milkman and paperboy go about their business, students go to school and the narrator talks to Professor Willard and Mr. Webb to give the audience some basic information about the town. After school, the romance blossoms between young Emily Webb and George Gibbs. That evening, the choirmaster, Simon Stinson, conducts the choir while intoxicated.

Act two begins three years later on George and Emily’s wedding day.

The narrator initiates a flashback to a year earlier when George, the new class president, and Emily, secretary and treasurer, admit their feelings for each other. George decides to scrap his dreams of Agriculture school to stay in Grover’s Corners with Emily. Back in 1904, the ceremony proceeds as planned.

The narrator announces a brief intermission, concluding act two.

Act three resumes nine years later. Emily has died while giving birth and Grover’s Corners has gathered for her funeral. Dead souls join the funeral party and welcome Emily into their midst. Although the try to dissuade her, Emily goes back in time with the narrator to relive the life she misses. After revisiting her 12th birthday, Emily joins the dead with George at her graveside, ending the play.

Changes to theater department On your smartphone, scan the code above using the application “QR Code” to view a story on the changes to the drama program.

Actor, director and playwright Noelle Viñas landed the position of part-time theater director with dreams of raising a bigger and stronger theater department.

Viñas was born in Uruguay and lived there until her family immigrated to the U.S. at age 5. She was raised by two parents who both taught English and perhaps developed her love of teaching from them. R. L. Mirabal introduced her to theater during her high school years at Lake Braddock and continues to run their theater department.

Viñas began teaching when she graduated high school and worked as an acting coach for her friends. She moved on to writing, directing and producing plays during her time at Emerson College, developing her affinity for teaching.

“I found that being the leader of a team and sharing information with people was really enlightening and it made me feel good,” Vñas said.

Upcoming theater events are: a production of Our Town that will be going up the week before Thanksgiving break.

To teach my mixed level class I am: trying very hard to teach everybody the basics and then going to advancement…

So I’m trying to teach them the basics of what things are called, where theater comes from, what basic theater plays you have to know.

The main lesson I’d like students to learn in my class is: that theater is not something that you need to commit your life to… Even if you take this class and you don’t know if you want to do theater for the rest of your life, there’s always something you can get out of theater.

You learn how to be on a team better, you learn how to collaborate with people better, you all learn how to put on something huge and really hard and very time consuming and very ego-ridden together.

So, if nothing else, theater always prepares people for the rest of life. It’s never a waste of your time unless you’re really negative about it.

Theater shaped me as a person because: it has always enabled me to make text come alive and stepping into other characters is a really amazing way to find empathy in every situation.

So the good thing about being a theater person is no matter how judgey you are, or no matter how much you really feel that you can only see one

Sept. 25, 2013

After spending time all over Boston and D.C., Viñas plans to stick with AHS. She considers one play and one musical the essentials and hopes to add more theater events such as a small, black box production and a Class Acts competition at the end of the year.

Farther in the future, Viñas hopes to create collaborations with D.C. theaters she has worked with in the past including the Voices of Now program at Arena Stage and Text Alive with Shakespeare Theater. She wants to introduce students to several other theaters have programs that allow them to earn professional credits at a young age.

Viñas feels especially close to the Theater Without Borders program and wants to support it.

“I love that whole program because I’m an immigrant myself,” Viñas said. She also aims to direct a bilingual show in support of the Theater Without Borders program. The show would have a Spanish-speaking cast and an English-speaking cast and both shows would perform the same weekend so that audiences could choose which one they wanted to see.

Viñas plans to get involved with the AHS community and sees the bilingual production as an outreach.

Above: Viñas as Grusha in the Spanish version of The Caucasian Chalk

side of things, having to do theater for a very long time makes you learn to see all sides of situations. And that, in general, theater makes you a better person. So I definitely feel that theater has definitely made my life better on the whole. It’s made the lives of people who know me a lot better because I can empathize much better with them.

I think middle and high school theater departments are important because: theater is a place where everybody can fit in. Theater is a place where people that don’t fit in learn how to get along with each other and with the school. It also is a place where people can learn to be outgoing at the same time as learning to be themselves.

Its something that you can’t remove from the high school experience… It makes life more interesting and it makes learning more interesting because you can really just plug theater into anything…

There’s always a way to make text come to life and I think, without that, sometimes subjects can be dead. I’m very interdisciplinary and I love all subjects so it’s very big to me that there’s a way that we pull that out of people. And that’s what theater does, theater sort of pull the subjects out of like dead area and raises them up.

Circle by Bertlot Bretch with Apollianaire Theatre Company. Right: Teahter teacher Noella Viñas.

My advice for aspiring actors is: never disregard something that somebody tells you or teaches you because it can always be used... I would say never ever ever just ignore someone because you don’t understand the situation.

There’s always some truth and there’s always some good to find out of everything...

And maybe everybody doesn’t believe that everything happens for a reason but… if you are there to have a good experience, you can always get something good out of it.

The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given is: “You’ve earned an A in my class but I need you to remember that it’s about the process of putting on a production and not about the product… sometimes the art happens in the distractions.”

I’ve never really forgotten that.

My most influential teMy impression of AHS is that: I really love the kids here. I think you guys have a lot of spirit and you guys sometimes don’t know it, like you guys have school spirit but you’re not aware of it. It’s like you don’t know that you’re great. Everything I’ve gotten from you guys is that you’re really helpful, on the ball, and

you’re honest as anything. And that, I think, is my favorite characteristic so far… here everybody just sort of meet you where they are… they’re really there with you and they don’t for a second talk down to people and I think that is probably the coolest thing about Annadale because that’s not something you can teach people to do. You can try after year and years and years but when someone comes to you and is just honest... and just tells you what they need, that the best place to start any relationship... that’s the best way.

My plans for the theater department this year are: trying to work [class scheduling] out with the counselors, … but of course everything [has] already been scheduled so its really hard. I’m hoping that I’ll be able to get enough kids to be interested in theater and there will be enough school spirit that I can teach full time next year. I really care about you guys and we really need to get the program going and I plan to be here for a while so it just makes sense for me to put a lot of work in it at the front.

Our productions this year will be: at least one play [and] at least one musical. I was thinking about doing a very small laboratory or black box production. Black box is like really intimate audience really experimental theater, usually kind of like potentially ground breaking, more modern work. And then, hopefully,

if we can get the thespians up and running since I know we lost a lot of thespians in the last year, we’ll be able to take a one act to the state festival… So hopefully all of that will happen, but first we have to make sure that the basics happen, so a play and a musical. And once I know that we can do those things, then we can put in all the extras.

As for traditions such as the Drug Play and Class acts I: am definitely stalling the drug play because it normally happens very quickly in the first semester… As for Class Acts, I know all about Class Acts. I think it sounds super awesome, but I don’t feel that the kids are ready yet.

So if it happens this year it’ll probably happen at the end of the year like a final project. So the seniors who are ready to go can do their parting show and direct people, the kids who are brand new have already had a year of theater under their belt and it can be a great send off as people graduate or as people move to the next grade. I really respect all the traditions that come here. I think they’re really cool, they come with the Annandale community and every single theater has different traditions… because theater is very tradition based, it’s very ritualistic. So it’s really really cool that you guys have these traditions, I just have to make sure that I can teach you stuff before I move on.

Continued on thea-blast.og

Student spotlight: Dezhawn Dumornay Sophomore saxophonist dedicates himself to a musical career

BY SANDRA WEBB Arts Editor Sophomore Dezhawn Dumornay has one element common to every aspect of his life: the saxophone. Dumornay discovered his passion in the sixth grade and has been playing ever since, developing an affinity for the instrument over the years.

“My life is better because of saxophone, because of music,” Dumornay said.

Although Dumornay first picked up the sax because “it looked cool,” he has grown to love it while dedicating time to teaching himself soprano, alto, tenor and baritone saxophone.

“I can’t choose [a favorite] between tenor and bari. I love bari because I’m really good at it and I like the things you can do with it, it is fun to play,” Dumornay said. “And I like tenor because I like the smooth sound.”

Learning four variations of the same instrument may seem excessive to some, but Dumornay explains that no one saxophone fits every song.

“For different types of music, you need a different type of sound,” Dumornay said.

Beginning his freshman year, Dumornay has been simultaneously involved in not only one or two, but four school bands: Jazz Band, Marching Band, Symphonic Band, Pep Band at AHS. “As a freshman, to get into symphonic band, that’s quite an honor,” band director Adam Hilkert said. “He’s definitely a terrific player. [He has a] great attitude in music. I love having him in the program.”

Dumornay has distinguished himself among his peers as a talented and dedicated musician who is constantly growing in his musical abilities and working towards his dream career.

“Out of all the musicians I’ve ever known, he’s the most energetic. I just love that guy, he’s an amazing musician,” senior Kamran Shahbaz said.

Dumornay participates further by creating arrangements for his marching band section to perform at events. His continual participation goes beyond the call of duty and inspires his bandmates on a daily basis.

“He is multi-talented. He is the best guy I’ve ever known, a writer, an inspirer, he pretty much carries me throughout

PHOTO COURTESY OF APOLLINAIRETHEATRE.COM

8

ARTS New theater teacher hired

the week,” band member sophomore William Chase said.

For the past two years, he has played with the Orchestra at the First Baptist Church of Alexandria and although he’s not teaching at the moment, Dumornay offers saxophone lessons to those who want to learn.

After practicing for a minimum of two to three hours four days a week, Dumornay dedicates still more time to his saxophone, writing and transcribing songs, using his instruments as a form of expression.

“I am very passionate about [music] and it lets you express yourself,” Dumornay said.

“Since each person is different, they express themselves differently so the music is going to be different. I like to be creative and music is creative.”

All his work and effort will not go to waste: Dumornay has known since he was in eighth grade that he wants to pursue a career in music, and plans to continue playing saxophone.

“I want to become a doctor in music and I would like to teach music. So I would like to do music education and performance and composition and stuff like that,” Dumornay said.

Making a career out of the saxophone is a good fit for Dumornay; the instrument is an essential part of his life. “[The saxophone] is very important.

It gives me something to do. I love the way it sounds,” Dumornay said. “[I want a career in music] because I love music and because the saxophone has grown on me and it is what I love to do.”

ACADEMICS

Sept. 25, 2013

LearnServe helps students Junior Tho Tran continues her LearnServe Project Junior Tho Tran, a member of LearnServe International, started her own venture last year to help people in mathematics.

LearnServe, a program in which a selective group of students from the DC/NOVA region participate in, is one which many AHS students are not acquainted with.

In the program, students have the choice of choosing a topic in which they are passionate in and start a venture that could change their community.

“I understand and see that a lot of people struggle in math so I really wanted to help those people see that math is not as horrible as they think it is,” Tran said.

For Tran, math has been her favorite subject since primary school.

“If you understand it, it’s actually really fun,” Tran said.

Other students participating in the LearnServe program completed projects on various topics, such as global-warming or hunger.

But Tran wishes to focus on math; something that she can actually make a difference in.

Tran believes that one should partake in something that they care about and actually focus on in their daily lives.

LEARNSERVE

BY ANIQA RASHID Academics Editor

Tho Tran uses LovableMath as a resource for students to learn more about mathematics.

“I know some people doing projects on global warming, and you ask yourself ‘do you have a passion for it and do you think about people being hungry all the time?’,” Tran said.

Branching off her current program, Tran would like to start an after-school program to help local middle school students.

“I want them to experience hands-on activities such as cooking, that involves mathematics so we could get them interested in the concept,” Tran said.

Tran plans on starting an after-

school program with middle schools in the area, as opposed to AHS and other high schools.

“I know that I am not doing those kinds of activities with high school students because they don’t have time after school just to be interested in mathematics,” Tran said.

“They don’t have much time left before going to college, so most likely they will focus on how to get into good colleges.”

When asked where she would like to see her project in a few years, “I want it to be a national or nationwide organization because I really believe in free education,” Tran said. “A lot of

people say we have free education in the United States but not really, your parents pay taxes.”

From a global perspective, Tran would like to see her program going international.

“A lot of people in other countries don’t have free education. With this free online tutoring, anyone with access to the internet and computer can basically get free online tutoring.

That’s my ambition. My first goal is to be national then hopefully it will become international, if I can go that far.”

LearnServe International has been a journey for many, allowing special high school students a chance to spread their ideas and innovations and has impacted the outlooks of many members.

“LSI changes my perspective of not only world issues, but of my own capabilities. I also met people who left a mark on me based on their accomplishments, backgrounds, and their good intentions,” said senior Lily Montes de Oca, a LearnServe fellow.

Montes de Oca, says that although her project hasn’t become something more than it was in the start because of her schedule, she feels more prepared to take on the CAS project as part of her IB Diploma curriculum.

“I think students should be aware of the social issues around them, both globally and locally, and be open to innovation,” Montes de Oca said. “They should be creative and definitely be unique, and never be afafraid to ask for help!”

9

How challenging do you find managing your time to do homework?

“It’s pretty hard considering I have football after school; it’s hard but I manage at all times.”

–– Nelson Bersal

“It’s pretty easy, but I’m not the best.”

––Marquez Summers freshman

“It’s really hard for me because I have sports, and I need to get sleep.”

–– Maria Vargas freshman

“I don’t find it challenging at all, but it depends on what T.V. shows are on that day, and if I have enough time to do my homework due for the next day”

Homework’s effect on students Students have trouble balancing homework and sleep

–– Jose Mendoza junior

BY LINUS BUMBACA Academics Editor

Vocabulary Words EXTENUATING adjective Partially excusing.

RECRIMINATION noun A retaliatory accusation.

LINUS BUMBACA

For some students, having to finish homework can have a negative impact on their participation in class. With the amount of homework students get in all of their classes, staying up late is the only way to get it done in time.

“It does affect my participation,” junior Michael Velasquez said. “I’m usually tired in class.”

Velasquez usually gets over half an hour of homework to do for each of his four to five classes, but is able to get it in on time. The time he does get to complete assignments is limited to later in the day.

“I work after school, I do sports,” Velasquez said. Even without participating in several after school activities, the amount of homework and time to do it in makes it difficult for some students to complete everything.

When homework starts to take time out of sleep, students find it hard to stay awake and attentive.

“I feel so exhausted in the mornings,” sophomore Devjani Talukdar said. “I just can’t keep up then.”

Talukdar feels tired all the time in school, having half an hour of work for most of her core classes as well.

The task of keeping up with homework can become harder depending on how much homework is assigned in all of a student’s classes.

A student may be able to finish worksheets and practice due for a class the next day, but still have to find time to work on projects and larger assignments in other classes.

“There should be a little less homework,” sophomore Nebeyu Solomon said.

Carlos Chavez and Min Su Kang, sophomores, use Atom-Time to work on homework that is needed later that day.

“Teachers should take into consideration the essays and projects students get in their other classes.”

Solomon struggles from time to time to finish homework, but mostly keeps up well. For help with schoolwork, Solomon sometimes stays after school with his teachers.

Completing work in school is easier for some students, rather than completing it at home where distractions are rampant. Students often use Atom Time to work on assignments that are due later that day, and talk with teachers when they need assistance.

“We should have more work in class compared to the amount of homework,” Talukdar said.

“Then, we get more opportunities to talk with a

teacher for help.”

While homework can be stressful for students to manage, there are ways it can be useful in understanding content.

“I feel it helps sometimes, but sometimes it isn’t as helpful, because I’m so worried about getting the right answer,” Velasquez said.

Homework, in some subjects is used to prepare students for what they will be learning in class, and in other subjects it requires students to apply what they know and practice using what they learned.

“Homework is helpful, it trains my brain,” said Talukdar. “But teachers shouldn’t expect too much effort from students.”

Atoms Writing Center kicks off a new year AWC begins with its projects in the start of the school year

INSINUATE verb To introduce or otherwise convey gradually and insidiously.

DERELICT adjective Deserted by an owner or keeper; abandoned.

HEDONISM noun The belief that pleasure is the sole aim of life.

STRADDLE verb To favor opposing sides DERIVATIVE adjective Copied or adapted from others; lacking originality.

Now that Atom-Time has begun for the year, the Atoms Writing Center provides students in good standing with opportunities to meet with tutors and work on their writing skills.

During Atom-Time and after school on Wednesdays, students can go to room 274 for help with any writing assignments.

“It’s a very helpful resource,” supervisor Gibson said.

The tutors in the AWC help students develop their writing and organization skills by working with them as they write. Students of any grade level can be tutors or be tutored.

Tutors can help students with writing assignments for any of their classes, reviewing their writing and offering a new point of view.

Even if a student doesn’t have an assigned writing project, they can still develop their writing skills.

“Students get to work with their peers,” supervisor Stephanie Hanson said, “so it’s less intimidating and they get a fresh perspective.”

Hanson teaches English 10, IB English 11, and Advanced Composition.

During meetings last year, there were usually six or seven students at one time working on their writing, although not as many during the

LINUS BUMBACA

BY LINUS BUMBACA Academics Editor

The Atoms Writing Center is held in room 274, open during Atom-Time, Wednesdays after school, and during red lunch.

after school meetings.

Throughout the school year, there are workshops where students can improve on specific writing techniques. For example, the workshop in the first quarter focuses on college writing, while workshops at the end of the year prepare students for the SOLs and timed writing.

Students from any grade are encouraged to join the AWC, even if they don’t think they need help. ”No matter how strong a writer a student is, they can benefit from others looking over their writing” Gibson said.

The AWC has been active for three school years, and has gained more members over that time. The larger number of tutors that are in AWC now means they can continue to handle more students requesting help.

The AWC officially started on Wednesday 17 of September this year.

“We have had more people than when we started, but it’s still not as many as we want,” Hanson said.

Students who want to become tutors or acquire experience tutoring can join the Advanced Composition class, where they learn to assist others with general writing skills.

Online vs.

Physical Textbooks On your smartphone, scan this code above using the app “QR Code” to view a story on the the worth of online textbooks.

12

Flashback Photos: Ali Hashi as the Ambassador

INTERNATIONAL

Sept. 25, 2013

Legacy leads to aspiration Granddaughter of former Somolian Ambassador talks about his accomplishments and impact on her life

wanted to go to universities but did not have the means to do so. In the countries that he served as an ambassador, he was recognized as an outstanding diplomat whom took initiatives to better educational opportunities. He himself was fortunate to receive his education and uses this as a drive for his scholarships.

His father was one of the most influential businessmen in Somalia during his time. My great grandfather made sure all of his sons and daughters were able to go to school. From a young age, my grandfather loved school and took a lot of time focusing on his studies. In between his time after high school and before college, he spent time

Ambassador Ali Hashi receives acknowledgement for his excellence in his field. His accomplishments consist of opening scholarship opportunities and fixing foreign dilemmas.

Ali Hashi poses with other ambassadors in Russia during his years as ambassador.

PHOTO COURTESY OF HAYAT YUSUF

Pictures shows Hashi’s visit to the Czech Republic.

Wi t h o t h e r a m b a s s a d o r s accompanying the visit, they all come together and discuss foreign policies.

Profile photo of Hayat’s grandfather, Ali Hashi, when he was graduating from the University of Rome.

PHOTO COURTESY OF HAYAT YUSUF

Ali Hashi lived in Rome for a large portion of his life.

After graduating from the University of Rome, he spends a few years in Rome when he was an ambassador.

I’d have to say the most influential person in my life is my grandfather. I’ve grown up living with him and with that came all the knowledge he passed down to me.

Ambassador Ali Hashi, is what the Somali community around the world still know my grandfather as. It’s been 20 years since he retired and he still gives speeches at universities and Somali conferences that come to the Washington D.C Metropolitan area. In those speeches, he explains what he has done as an ambassador and the conflicts that affected Somalia.

I still find it fascinating to hear about all the amazing places my grandfather has lived in.

Some of those countries include Italy, France, Russia, Kuwait, Senegal, and Ethiopia. As he traveled to these countries, he was able to bring my grandmother and many of my aunts and uncles with him. They all received most of their education from either Europe or the United States.

Consequently, in addition to speaking Somali, they were able to learn the languages of the places in which they’ve lived. Many of them went on to get PhD’s, Medical degrees, and master’s degrees in their respective fields. This all would not have been possible without the fundamental groundwork my grandfather laid down for them.

He made sure they each were given proper education and went on to receive higher education.

As one of his accomplishments, he tried not to only limit this opportunity to his children. He has set up scholarships through the countries he was serving as an ambassador for. The scholarships have assist Somali students living there who

PHOTO COURTESY OF HAYAT YUSUF

BY HAYAT YUSUF Special to The A-Blast

being a teacher. The first time he traveled to Italy was for a teacher training course that was offered to him. Later, for his collegiate education, he was accepted to go back to Rome and was one of the first Somali men to be awarded a Doctorate of Political Science from the University of Rome.

During my life, I’ve been able to witness some amazing things. One of those includes the yearly meetings my grandfather would hold in our home; bringing together other retired Somali ambassadors that he calls his friends. They all come in our living room and look at old pictures; reminiscing on how young they all use to be. In Somali culture, it is still common for there to be a separation between men and women so during these meetings, my grandmother and mother would stay in a separate room. As a curious child, I always found ways to try and be close to where the men all met so I could hear what they all argued about. At that time, it all seemed boring to me but now that I look back to those times, I see how great it was that these elderly men were speaking so feverishly on the current state of their homeland and what they would do differently if they were the ones who were leading it. Being around such important people at a young age made me feel extremely blessed to the exposure I had.

As a child, I would go to work with my mother who worked in the United Nations. She used to tell all her colleagues that one day I would be the first female President of the United States of America. They were very fond of how determined I was. Although I was very young then, my goals haven’t changed very much. Now as I am senior, I’m looking into where and what I want to study next fall at university. As I attend school, I’m anxious in studying International Relations, which will lead me to profession I have always wanted to do.

Once I finish my college education I plan to follow in my grandfather’s footsteps and become an ambassador as well. I am thankful everyday for the family I come from and the people in my life that have had such a substantial impact on my future. Gaining my grandfather’s approval is one of the greatest things I strive for and I plan to one day see him smiling at my college graduation.

Picture above illustrates Hashi after having a lunch with other ambassadors in Italy.

Hashi strikes a pose with other ambassadors after accepting his award. After years of studying and hard work, Hashi receives recognition in the photo above.

Senior gives insight on her life in Ethiopia

BY FASIKA TADESSA Special to The A-Blast

The photo above shows Hashi today. Living with Hayat, he is one of the most influential figures in her life. With all his awards and accomplishments, being his granddaughter’s idol must be the most fulfilling reward.

Our world has a lot of beautiful countries.

Ethiopia and the U.S.A. are two examples of these beautiful countries. People move from place to place in order to see the world like going to Egypt to visit the pyramids.

When I came to the U.S.A., it was difficult and amazing experience for me. Also, it was scary for me because I have never seen this country before.

I never lived with people who come from other countries. Ethiopia and the U.S.A are very different because of culture, language, and weather.

First, Ethiopia has a different culture from the U.S.A. Ethiopia has cultural food, clothes and

holidays. The cultural food is so delicious, that when you eat Ethiopian food, you will want to eat it every day.

Some foods from my country are kitfo, doro, kocho, injera and more. It made with a lot of spices, vegetables, chicken, false banana tree, tef grain and etc. It takes a lot of time, strength, and knowledge to make them.

In the U.S.A., they don’t have a lot of cultural food. Instead, the U.S.A. has food like burgers, pizza or fast food. That’s the difference between Ethiopia and U.S.A cultural food.

In Ethiopia, people wear cultural clothes too but not usually every day; mostly for wedding and ceremonies.

However, some people wear traditional clothing every day because people wear what they want to wear.

They wear habesha dresses or suits, which are usually white and it have some design on them.

In the U.S.A., people wear a lot of clothes but they are not traditional.

Ethiopia also has a lot of cultural holidays, like Easter, Christmas, and Eid. The U.S.A. also has cultural holidays too, like Christmas, Halloween, and etc.

There are different languages in Ethiopia and U.S.A. Ethiopia has more than 81 languages. In Ethiopia, we speak a common language called Amharic, but we also have languages like Tigirga, Guragiga, Oromiga, Arabic, and etc.

In the U.S.A., the common language is English.

That is a different of this two countries. Most people in Ethiopia speak more than three or four

-Courtesy of Hayat Yusuf

PHOTO BY NUHAMI MANDEFRO

Comparing Two Different Worlds

Senior Fasika Tadessae is involved in Advanced Orchestra and enjoys being an Atom.

languages.

I speak three languages Amharic, Guragiga , and English. When I was in my country, I spoke Amharic and Guragiga well but now I am speaking English well too.

Finally, the weather in Ethiopia and U.S.A. are different. In Ethiopia, it is warm, cold, and hot, but the U.S.A as more weathers.

In the U.S.A, it is sometimes cold, hot, and sometimes warm. Most of the time, it is warm. In the U.S.A., it is cold and hot a lot. Then, in U.S.A., it snows. The warm weather time is too short. Also, there are a lot of storms and hurricanes.

It’s so hard to move and change from one place to another place.

Life Changing Transition to U.S. Student reflects on his life in Somolia and America

Coming to America

On your smartphone, scan the above code using the application “QR Code” to Continue reading Ali’s story on adjusting to life in America from his home country of Somalia

PHOTO BY NUHAMI MANDEFRO

BY AHMED ALI Special to The A-Blast

Junior Ahmed Ali enjoys life at Annandale.

Imagine going to a country where everything was different! I didn’t know how things worked when I came. In America, it has a lot of different types of weather such as snow in the winter, rainy days and even dangerous weather!

My whole family still has lots of fear of dangerous conditions and weather. The biggest differences about my country are the weather, education (schools), and the food.

First, the weather here is not the same in my country. Here, we have different climates such as rain and snow. It snows a lot during the winter, which is difference from my country. Summertime in

Virginia is very hot; sometimes it is record breaking!

But back at my country it crazy hot! You’ll probably die of thirst. Overall, the weather in the U.S is totally different from my country with the different climates, types of disastrous weather, and the different summer weather.

Next, there are differences the education and school structure. In the U.S, there are a lot of opportunities to get a great education for kids to adults everywhere. It has a much better environment and great teaching styles!

Also, America has better resources like advanced technology and supplies such as textbooks. On the other hand, back in my country it’s a different story.

They separate classes from males and females.

I love the schools here and the way the teachers teach! The environment is great and they also provide us with materials and technology!

Finally the biggest difference between my country and here is the food! Here, we have different varieties of food such as Middle Eastern food,

PHOTO

Sept. 25, 2013

Work hard, play harder

For these athletes, practice isn’t just blood, sweat and tears.

13 What is the worst part of missing out on your season?

“I hate not being on the field because I feel like I’m not being athletic and I’m not doing anything important.”

— Julius Miller freshman

MARIFE BARAGAÑO

“The worst part is not being able to practice with my team because I really love running.”

— Brandon Lien freshman

The varsity volleyball team takes a break from practice to pose for a funny group picture. The team shows how comfortable they are around each other, to be able to goof around during practice hours.

“Not being able to hang out with my team and my coach.”

Junior Aviad Gebrehiwot tries to get his coach, David O’Hara, to take a picture with him at cross country practice.

— Julie Swenton sophomore

ALEXANDRA ZERNIK

“I miss being able to play on Friday nights.”

— Jackson Trollinger senior

Sophomore Kevin Folli, on his way out to the field, poses for our photographer in his football practice uniform.

“Just not being a part of the team.”

MARIFE BARAGAÑO

ALEXANDRA ZERNIK

— Dominic Maier senior

Sophomores Molly Gormley, Amanda Adenan and Melanie Valencia practice their balancing act between drills at field hockey practice.

Junior Sam Qualley, senior James Barker and senior Francisco Lam pose with Poe band director Scott Neihoff for Themed Thursday at band camp.

The A-Blast on Instagram

MEGAN RYAN

Our “Photo of the Issue” contest has started! If you would like to be entered into the contest just tag @TheAblast in your picture.

Whoever wins the contest will be featured on this page in the next issue, and will also be announced on our Twitter page and receive a gift card or prize.

Senior Melissa Pratt and sophomore Shleby Runolfson smile for a photo at cheer practice, while participating in a cheer tradition they call “koala.”

JARED LEFBOM

ALEXANDRA ZERNIK

The golf team takes a group photo before racing golf carts at Cacapon Resort in West Virginia.

Photographer Spotlight!

On your smartphone, scan the above code using the application “QR Code” to view a slideshow on Alexandra Chen and her photos.

14 Personalized iPhone cases LIFESTYLES

Many freshmen have worn something that they regret in middle school. The A-Blast surveyed the freshmen below to get a better insight on old and once popular middle school trends. Now that they are high schoolers, these students can’t imagine themselves wearing these outfits in high school.

“I probably regret wearing Hannah Montana shirts.”

Students including sophomore Autumn Yang believe that colors have a role in their lives

BY PHUONG NGUYEN Lifestyles Editor The world is filled with endless possibilities of colors. Color influences a person’s character, personality, and behavior.

Perhaps the most noticeable presence of colors and designs are on student’s iPhone cases.

Since iPhones (with the exception of the iPhone 5C) are available only black, white, or gold. The gloomy and painfully unexciting look of metal prompts students get be creative with their devices with the use of cases. Students enjoy decorating their iPhones with cases that often represent their personality and preferences.

Students who have an overly protective personality, often decorate their devices with Otterboxes or other sturdy cases. On the other hand, students with bubbly personalities adore covering their phones with cases that have bright colors such as baby blue or hot pink. Meanwhile,

— Karen Lara freshman

MELISSA STAMP

Trends Students Regret Wearing

Sept. 25, 2013

Students love to decorate their iPhones with a wide range cases that represent their unique personalities.

students that have sophisticated taste often decorate their iPhones with cases that have intricated designs and patterns. On the other hand you have students that are wild and risky and go without out a case.

“My phone case is very colorful and vibrant

like my soul,” sophomore Marem Atef said.

Some students choose to go without phone cases, which is an indicator of their daring and carefree personality.

Different colors also symbolize different emotions and ideas that exist in everyday life.

Primary colors such as red, yellow, and blue represent strong personalities. For instance, red characterizes a person that has a cheerful and vibrant personality, coupled with confidence and courage.

On the other hand, bright colors such as green, pink, and magenta personify a person’s place in the world. Green gives a person a sense of belonging and security, as well as representing nature and life as a whole.

“I really like lime green and electric blue. I like them because everything around me is so full and boring. I need these colors to liven things up,” sophomore Autumn Yang said.

Students sometimes connect their favorite color to their personal interests. “[My favorite color] light purple represents passion. There’s a lot of stuff that I’m passionate about such as art and piano,” sophomore Julia Nguyen said.

iPhone Mix and Match iPhone cases tell a lot about a person’s personality. Mix and match the cases below to an AHS student and see if you can distinguish the styles.

A. “I regret wearing tribal flats and bleached jeans.”

E.

D.

C.

B.

— Sasha Silva freshman

1.

2.

Christi Nguyen, 10

Brandon Nguyen, 9

Tiffany Nguyen, 10

Georgio Khoury, 11

Hayat Yusuf, 12

3.

4.

5.

“Crocs with sweatpants.”

— Katherine Palacios freshman

— Compiled by Diana Quezada

Answers: A 4, B 1, C 3, D 3, E 5

Look fabulous for fall

“I [once] wore this loose pencil skirt with leggings, it was really ugly [looking].”

Try out some of these fall fashion items as the cool weather approaches

— Kimberly Romero freshman

“Denim with cross leggings; they did not go together.”

— Mackenzie Gilligan freshman

Knee High Socks

Leggings Floral or leather leggings are a good way to stay warm and add a fun and colorful pattern to your outfit. They’re also very stretchy and comfortable.

Love Culture for $11.99

Clark Boots

Keep your legs warm and add color to your outfit by wearing knee high socks.

They are best worn with riding boots or over a pair of sheer black tights.

Forever 21 for $10

Have cold feet during the fall? Get comfy and warm with Clark boots. These boots can be dressed up or worn casually.

They blend well with the fall environment and are a good match for fall jackets and

“Pantyhose with boots and short shorts.”

— Nora Hasrat freshman

Boots

“Wearing all neon, I felt like a light bulb in the dark.”

Flannels

You can make any outfit look dressier than you intended with heeled boots. Black boots can be worn with multiple outfits for both casual and formal occassions.

Urban Outfitters for $69

Wear flannels closed or open with a vneck underneath, or wear them under crew necks. Its a good way be comfortable and casual.

Urban Outfitters for $50

— Iris Arrazola freshman

— Compiled by Phuong Nguyen

Infinity Scarves

Leather Jackets

Infinity scarves keep you warm and tie an outfit together.

They can also be used to cover up low neck lines. Add a necklace for a more personalized touch.

H&M for $14.95

They may be an item for your average stereotypical biker, but they are also good for extra warmth during the fall and winter seasons. obey.com for $130

— Compiled by Diana Quezada

15

SPORTS X-TRA

Sept. 25, 2013

Sister act set on the court AHS graduates and sisters return to coach girls volleyball

“Football because I love the atmosphere, spending time with friends and cheering for the Atoms.”

—GabrielleCasey Senior

ERIN JOHNSON

BY ERIN JOHNSON Sports X-tra Editor One Franjie, two Franjie, the Franjie sisters are back. Two of AHS’ volleyball alumni return to their alma mater, but this time as coaches.

This season, the older of the two alumni, Grace Franjie, returns to coach JV. Grace Franjie graduated with the class of 2011 and has been planning on coming back and helping out around Annandale ever since.

“I had always planned to come back and coach for Annandale, although I did not think [it would be] so soon. However, when the opportunity came I took it!” Grace said.

Not only is she the JV volleyball coach, but she is attending George Mason University. She spends her time as a student, but most of it is spent on the court. Franjie spends more than two hours in the gym each day building up her team’s knowledge and skill of the game and creating a strong program for current and future Sisters Olivia and Grace Franjie pose in front of their old court before the team’s game against Wakefield AHS students.

“It is easy in the sense The Franjie sisters have many goals for this each other every step that I have always been season, working alongside Coach Petrov. of the way. able to be a student and “My goal for the program is to build athletes “Coach (Olivia) My goal for the program is to an active member of my Franjie and I first who share the love for the sport,” Grace said. build athletes who share the love for school or work.” Grace p l a y e d v o l l e y b a l l “All the coaches I believe share the same goal: the sport. All the coaches I believe said. together when she the success of the program by growing dedicated share the same goal: the success of In high school, Grace became an AHS varsity student athletes who strive to be the best on and the program by growing dedicated was a key player on v o l l e y b a l l p l a y e r off the court.” student athletes who strive to be the varsity starting from Despite only playing a handful of games during my senior year. best on and off the court. her sophomore year and Then I coached her so far this year, the volleyball program has big also an active member —Grace Franjie at the club level for things planned for the rest of the season. in leadership and the JV volleyball “I am looking forward to having a fun 3 years. So, you can Annandale community. say we have had a lot season with hard work that will show Atoms She isn’t the only one coaching the JV volleyball team. Her sister, of experience together in volleyball. Although sportsmanship. I am also looking forward to Olivia Franjie, who graduated just last year, is she is no longer a player but a coach like me, it bringing back our annual Dig Pink night with tag teaming with her older sister as a coach. Some has always been the same: sharing our love and the Side-Out foundation coming this October 16 people may think that coaching a sport with their dedication for the sport in different, yet similar, against the titans!” Grace said. sibling is hard, but these sisters have been with ways.” Grace said.

What fall sport are you looking forward to the most?

“

“Volleyball, because it’s a very pumped up environment and the girls play hard.”

— Ali Imran Senior

”

“Football, because I like to spend time with my friends and watch the football team play.”

— Mckenzie Gilligan Freshman

AlumniProfile: “Cheerleading, because all of my friends are cheerleaders.”

— Aviad Gebrehiwot Junior

Stat Box: Name: Olivia Franjie Years on varsity: 3 Position: setter Graduated: 2013 Coach: Assistant coach to all teams College attening: Nova Major: Engineering

The sisters pose in their only varsity team picture together in the 2010 fall

Stat Box: Name: Grace Franjie Years on Varsity: 3 Position: Libaro/ Right side Graduated: 2011 Coach: Jv team College attending: George Mason Major: Communi- COURTESY OF THE ANTENNA cations

A day in the life of a high school quarter back A R R I V E S AT SCHOOL

WAKEUP: 6:20 a.m.

WEIGHTTRAINING

GETSHOME

12:30 p.m.

11:30 a.m.

GOES SLEEP

TO

2:45 p.m.

COURTESY OF ANNANDALEATOMS.COM

The 6’4”, 215 pound triple threat talks about his final season as an Atom, his job as a quarterback, and his hopes for his final season.

Quarterback Steven Schwartz throws the ball in a home game against JEB

Q: What are your feelings about the season so far?

A: So far I think the season is going well.

We’ve definitley improved both offensively and defensively, but [we] are still working to get better.

Q: What are your goals for this season?

A:As a team we’re hoping to make the playoffs and continue our season.

Q:What is the hardest thing about being a

quarterback?

A:[The hardest thing is] throwing a pick, turning the ball over and getting ready for the next drive.

Q: What is the best thing about being a quarterback?

A: Being able to have the whole team count on you under pressure.

Q:Do you have any pregame rituals?

A: No not really. Just hydrate and stay focused on the game.

Q: Who inspires you?

A: My family because i try to make them proud of everything I do.

Q:What keeps you going after a tough loss?

Upcoming fall sports

Volleyball vs. Robinson @ 7 PM (H): September 25 Football vs. Lake Braddock (A) @ 7:30 PM: September 27

Player Profile: Steven Schwartz

BY ERIN JOHNSON Sports X-tra Editor

—SethTweneboa Sophomore

F i e l d H o c k e y v s . We s t Springfield @ 7:30 PM(H): September 25

7:00 p.m.

PRACTICE STARTS

LUNCH

“Field Hockey, because my friends play, their games are competitive and I like to watch them play.”

A: Knowing that my teammates are counting on me and they cant’t see me with my head down.

Q: How have you grown as a player over the past four years?

A: Freshman year was my first year of playing football. Since then I’ve learned a lot more about reading defenses and basically just how to play the game.

Q:What do recommend to JV and Freshmen players who hope to make varisty in the future?

A: During the offseason lifting and conditioning will help out a lot if you don’t play any other sports.

Field Hockey vs. West Potomac (H) @ 7:30 PM: Septmeber 27 Volleyball vs. Madison (H) @ 7:00 PM: September 30 Field Hockey vs. Lee (A) @ 7:30 PM: October 2 Volleyball vs. Herndon (A) @ 7:00: October 3rd

On your smartphone, scan the above code using the application “QR Code” to visit the Red and White Golf Classic website to sign up.

16

More snapshots of varsity football vs.

Oakton

Devin Hamlett (4) recieves a punt while Beau Hatch (33) and Tim Johnson guard (1).

SPORTS

Sept. 25, 2013

Annandale Football After loss against Oakton, football team looks to make improvements for next game

BY ZEKE YONAS Staff Writer After losing to Oakton 15-34 on Sept. 20, the Atoms strive to improve as a team.

The Atoms second home loss of the season leaves room for improvement. They need to make adjustments to become better as the season progresses.

“I think our guys played really hard. We have to eliminate stupid penalties and some stupid mistakes,” head coach Michael Scott said.

The team has been working since the beginning of August.

H o w e v e r, t h e y s t i l l f i n d themselves on the wrong side of the scoreboard.

“We guys who are working really hard, giving it everything they got and the school should be very proud of them,” Scott said.

Although sophomore Tim Johnson scored both touchdowns, everybody on the team was

disappointed they didn’t come out with a victory.

“I performed pretty well, it wasn’t enough to get the win, but it was enough to keep us in the game for the most part,” Johnson said.

The Atoms looked like they would come back, down 15-20, but Oakton retaliated with two touchdowns and sealed the deal.

“We played well as a team, at the end of the game we kind of slowed down,” senior Steven Schwartz said.

The team is looking to continue working hard, everyday after school and some weekends to try to get better.

“We’re making progress, this is going to be a very good football team when it’s all said and done,” Scott said.

As the team looks forward to their next game away at Lake Braddock on Sept. 27, they will watch film of this past game and work to improve on they did wrong to prepare for next week.

The team will try hard to win and even their season record as they go into their next game 1-2.

“Those guys are working really hard, it’s grind, and we’ve got a tough stretch ahead,” Scott said.

Bernard Andoh returns a punt from Oakton after Oakton scores against Annandale.

Tim Johnson runs the ball after he recieves a hand-off from the Quarterback.

Quarterback Steven Schwartz before he throws the ball to one of his teamates.

The team gets pumped by doing a cheer before the start of the game.

Cody Reagan recieves a pass from quarterback Stven Schwartz and attempts to make a run.

Quarterback Steven Schwartz before he attempts to run the ball downfield.

Tim Johnson scores a touchdown for Annandale near the start of the fourth quarter.

Bernard Andoh runs the ball downfield after recieving a punt.

Bernard Andoh runs the ball downfield after recieving a punt.

On your smartphone, scan the above code using the application “QR Code” to visit the Red and White Golf Classic website to sign up.

Senior Quarterback Steven Schwartz recieves instruction from his coaches before a play.

SPORTS

Sept. 25, 2013

FIELD HOCKEY FALLS TO OAKTON Penalty shots are deciding factor in game vs. Oakton

BY MELANIE BENNETT Sports Editor

Senior Captain Lizzie Manthos runs to save the ball from going out of bounds.

After a grueling double overtime, the field hockey team fell to Oakton due to penalty shots on Sept. 19.

“Our biggest strength tonight was the way the team played together and raised the level of quickness and intensity to match what Oakton brought to the field,” Head coach Cindy Hook said. “The team refused to give up.”

The Atoms’ persistence and drive enabled them to score in the first six minutes of the second half. The goal, scored

by Thia Carayiannis, tied the game 1-1.

“When Thia scored I was exhilarated,” senior Captain Lizzie Manthos said. “It put us back in the game and gave us the drive to play even harder and try to win.”

The team will work hard to improve for their next game against Lake Braddock. “We need to improve our passing angles,” Hook said. “We also need to work on switching the field to spread the other team apart.”

“Our weakness as a team is our lack of communication and other minor details such as finishing our shots,” McCann said. “We will overcome them by talking more and hustling in the circle.”

The team’s next game will be their first District game. “I feel pretty good about tonight because we have been playing really well and each game we get better.” senior captain Katie McCann said. “we have a good attitude about everything so it will just be fun tonight.”

“The team has truly taken to heart its not who you play it’s how you play.” Hook said. “I know that they are going to be strong and come out and play their best.” then they take a test so we know they are ready to go.”

CROSS COUNTRY AT LAKE BRADDOCK MEET Boys and girls cross country perservere through horrible weather conditions

BY CYNTHIA WEINER Staff Writer The girls and boys cross country team participated in the Braddock Relays on September 21st at Lake Braddock High School. Under rainy and cold conditions, the teams persevered to complete the muddy mile and a half course through the fields and on the track.

“Under the rainy, terrible conditions, along with injuries, the boy’s team performed really well,” Coach David O’Hara said.

However, the overall

performance was not a complete reflection on the improvement of the boy’s team thus far in the season.

“It was only a half of the distance of a regular race,” Coach O’Hara said. “We also only had two out of the five of our top runners.”

The girls also persevered through the weather, battling the muddy course throughout their race.

“I think the girls team did well, but we just had to keep wiping our faces while we ran,” senior Yasmin Naldosaid.

With another meet under their belt, both teams reflect upon the overall performance early on in the season to look towards improvement by the date of the conference meet.

“We are doing okay; not doing great, but not doing bad,” Coach Philip Harris said about the girl’s

Senior Kaitlyn Martindale runs the first leg in her relay at Lake Braddock High School.

team. “We are in the middle, but we are not where I expected them to be timewise.”

In order to reach their goal of coming out of the conference at the end of the season, the girl’s team has implemented harder practices every day.

“We have increased the mileage by 10 percent and interval workouts are much more intense,”

Coach Harris said.

The boy’s team also have plans to improve in order to be more competitive in the conference at the end of the season.

“We are going to keep practicing and work to stay healthy,” Coach O’Hara said.

Overall, both teams look to improve in their next varsity meet and become competitive in the

17

More snapshots of Varsity Field Hockey vs.

Oakton

Both teams watch as players take penalty shots to break the tie. after double overtime

Senior Bayley Brill dribbles the ball down field to pass it to a teammate.

Junior Jenny McCann passes the ball to a teammate to try and score.

The team takes position before a corner shot by the other Oakton.

Coaches Corner: Cindy Hook Field Hockey

Yonatan Ayele begins his leg in his relay.

Aviad Gebrihiwot finishes his leg of his relay.

Salvattore Ames and Yonatan Ayele at the starting line.

DANCE TEAM CONFIDENT IN PERFORMANCE After an awesome performance, the team looks forward to next game

BY MARK SLOUH Copy Editor

The dance team in sync this season eventhough the number of dancers is less than last year.

The team shows off their skills by doing a mid-air split move in their performance.

The Atomic Dance team has already begun their season.

From Falls Church to Oakton, their performances have been spectacular.

Dance team, a tradition at Annandale High School, has always been there at the basketball games and football games during halftime.

Their competitions, which do not start until this winter, feature the AHS team and another rival team matched up against each other for judging.

The six competitions will go through the winter, when the Basketball team finishes their season.

Each member participates in the performance, and learns

a specific role that could or could not correspond to the other members of the team.

The performances at sporting events go along with a song that lasts a few minutes total.

Some of the members have been injured, such as senior captain Hannah Coulter.

“It was hard watching from the sidelines because of my injury,” Coulter said. “But I think they still did great.”

Dance team will begin basketball season in Nov., headed by their coach Laurie Robson.

“I’ll probably be better by basketball season,” Coulter said. “I‘m excited to perform and I think we’ll do well.”

Senior Hannah Coulter Cheers on her team.

What do you think your strenghts were in tonights game vs. Oakton?

“I think the way the team played together and how everybody raised their level of quickness and intesity to match what Oakton brought and not give up.”

Given the outcome of this game, what do you see that needs improvement?

“I think we still can improve our passing angles, and switching the field to spread the other team apart to create passing lanes.”

How do you feel about your upcoming game against Lake Braddock?

“Im looking forward to the game. Its our first district game, but the real reason im excited is because this team has truely taken to heart its not who you play its how you play that counts. And I know that they are going to come out and play their hardest.”

Compiled By: Melanie Bennett

18

Upcoming Events in the DMV

ENTERTAINMENT

Sept. 25, 2013

The growing iPhone effect Students are rarely seen without their phones in their hands

BY AYAH OWEIS Entertainment Editor It is hard to find a student that does not possess an iPhone or some sort of smartphone these days.

Every time a new version of the iPhone releases,there are a select few students who are already lining up to order the latest iPhone.

“Apple comes out with new phones all the time,” senior Kunnica Kou said.

For the past few years, Apple has been releasing new iPhones, iPods, iPads and laptops on an annual basis. The reason for the rushed production is because other major companies, such as Samsung, have Students are constantly seen around school using their iPhones for homework and social. been catching up to Apple both in sales and production. The iPhone only one, but two new versions of the they did not just change the look of and Samsung Galaxy are practically iPhone. The iPhone 5c, which has a the iPhone. identical phones, besides the design plastic colored cover; and the iPhone Tech savvy students will be and software. The difference of 5s that is much like the original happy to find that the new phones both phones mostly comes down to iPhone 5 that was released last year include a faster processor as well as preference and cost. a fingerprint scanner. but in a new color, champagne.

“When I was shopping for my last The fingerprint scanner makes It seems that Apple has finally phone, I noticed that the Samsung realized that their profits will double it so that the owners of the iPhone Galaxy was cheaper,” English if they made their phones slightly will be able to unlock their phone, teacher Julia Hanneman said. “My cheaper with the introduction of the buy apps and purchase anything brother also jokingly said he would iPhone 5c. The new plastic cover from iTunes and iBooks using only disown me if I ever bought an Apple on the 5c lowers the price by using their fingerprint. For those who are product.” inexpensive plastic for the back, skeptical, they still have the option This year, Apple has produced, not instead of stainless steel. However, of setting up a password.

DC Fashion Week Sept. 23-29 H Street NE

Capitals vs Flyers Sept. 27 Verizon Center

Rascal Flatts Sept. 28 Jiffy Lube Live

“I don’t really plan on using the finger scanner,” senior Brian Abedi said. “It doesn’t seem that great.”

It also seems like Apple has heard what the whole world had been saying for years: a longer battery life.

Nowadays, people practically live on their phones, requiring a need for a lengthy battery life. Apple has finally made the new iPhone’s battery life longer. According to Apple CEO, Timothy Cook, in a recent meeting, the iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s include an A6 chip that has ten hours of LTE browsing time, ten hours of talk time and ten hours of video playback time.

For some students, buying the new iPhone is a waste due to rumors that Apple will release the iPhone 6 around June next year.

“I don’t want to get the iPhone 5s or 5c because they are always making new phones,” Kou said. “I might as well wait for the iPhone 6 to come out to buy a new phone.”

Adding to the many new updates, Apple released the new software update iOS 7 on Sept. 18 that completely transformed the look of the iPhone. With all new app designs and easier navigation throughout the phone. It includes AirDrop, a service that makes it possible for iPhone users to share files.

Despite the new advances by Samsung, people are still lining up to buy the next big thing.

“I am tired of the iPhone 4s that I have now,” Abedi said. “I am ready for something new.”

Students share their reaction to the newly designed iPhone software update iOS 7 “I don’t like it because it looks too much like a Windows phone but I do like the features and shortcuts.”

“I like the colors and the fact that it is easier to use. It has alot of shortcuts. ”

— Marem Atef Sophomore

— Michael Velasquez Junior

— Lucie Lefbom Freshman

Rock the Bells Sept. 28-29 RFK Stadium

“It is a lot quicker to delete pictures and other things. I like the new format and fonts.”

“I like how it looks like it is a whole new cell phone but it’s actually not.”

— Amy Reynolds Senior

Apple products throughout the years MACBOOKS: Macs are built with the most advanced operating system, OS X. All Macs come equipped with built-in software that edits videos, pictures and music.

Comedy Showcase Sept. 30 Jammin Java

“I bought the iBook in 2001 and loved it. My life was on those computers.”

— Meredith Stevens Art Teacher

1999

Velocity DC Dance Festival Oct. 10-12 Sidney Harmon Hall

IPODS: Apple iPods are able to connect to iTunes as well as the radio. Some iPods are able to stream radio and take videos and work with iCloud.

Kodaline Oct. 13 Jammin Java

2008

“I had the iPod shuffle, first generation. It was pretty cool when it first came out because it was really useful.”

— Hime Kebede sophomore

2001 IPHONES: Built with a light design, iPhones are not only sleek but also come with constant software updates from iOS.

2001

2010

2012

“I have the third generation iPhone. I don’t like it because it is not as fast or accurate as the iPhone 5.”

— Saron Cheffena junior

2007

2009

2013

New iPhones come with finger scanner

Celtic Fiddle Festival Oct. 16 Wolf Trap

Apple makes the new iPhones more secure with new Touch ID

BY NOAH NELSON, ZEKE YONAS, AND DANIEL YENEGETA Staff Writers On your smartphone, scan the above code using the application “QR Code” to read the review of Jason Aldean’s Night Train concert.

Apple revealed the new iPhone 5s and its cheaper counterpart, the iPhone 5c. Apple also announced a fingerprint sensor called Touch ID as a new feature to the devices.

“I pre-ordered the new iPhone and am excited to be able to start using the Touch ID,” senior Oliver Molina said.

Located on the home button,

this new security function allows customers to use their fingerprint in place of a four digit PIN number or word passcode.

“You don’t have to think too much,” said freshman Amanda Nguyen “Just put your finger down.”

According to Apple, the fingerprint scanner also acts as a password for the App Store, the iBooks Store, and can verify purchases from iTunes. A user can also add additional fingerprints to allow access to the phone.

Apple representatives have said

in a meeting that the touch sensor takes a high-resolution picture of the fingerprint, analyzes it, and then either confirms or denies access to the iPhone.

In an interview with USA Today, Apple revealed that the fingerprint will be stored on the iPhone itself as opposed to an outside server.

The traditional PIN number and slide to unlock feature can still be used if the user prefers.

Apple says the fingerprint sensor is easier than a passcode because you simply place your finger on the home button, and the phone unlocks.

While some students are more excited for Touch ID because it is user-friendly, others are more looking forward to the increase of security.

“I think it’s more secure because you’re using your own thumb,” said sophomore Zakaria Nour.

However others believe that the traditional passcode is the better option.

“I don’t think it’s as secure as the lock,” said sophomore Loui Al-Ayoubi.

“There are ways to get a person’s fingerprint.”

In the past, Apple has not made any changes to their locking feature due to inconsistencies in the technology.

ENTERTAINMENT

Sept. 25, 2013

Celebrites grow up Young stars transform from their innocent facade

BY MEGAN RYAN Entertainment Editor Being raised in a high stress, high maintenance world can cause issues to young actors and actresses everywhere.

Many young children that start off on television shows get fame and fortune, but in the end are trashy and awful role models to everyone.

For example, one of the many actresses that people are talking about is Miley Cyrus. “Sweet ol’ Hannah Montana” inspiring young girls to fulfill their dreams and being a great role model has turned to a young adult who loves to wear skimpy clothes and “twerk” on stage.

Miley Cyrus is one of the best and most current actress that has gone down the drain. From her new songs talking about drugs and not caring what anybody thinks to her outfit choices and public performances.

Between her break up with famous actor Liam Hemsworth, and her fans turning their backs on Miley, she has lost a lot more than just her mind.

Having as much money as those young actors and actresses do, they do not have enough time to mature and figure out the right things to do with that kind of money. Most wealthy teens (celebrity or not) usually turn to drugs like marijuana, etc.

Making as much money as they did (at such a young age),with the right budgeting can let them be set for the rest of their life. But what if they loved the attention? Actors and Actresses that are famous for such a short period of time become desperate and need attention.

So nowadays the quickest way to get in the news is a) to get involved in drugs and illegal things or b) to become crazy and change their entire appearance just to make a statement.

The pressure to stay trending pushes these amazing stars to break their morals. Take any star from Miley Cyrus to Vanessa Hudgens; their sense of fashion has shifted over the year to appeal to teenagers rather than kids.

Our Disney stars back in the day wanted to appeal to our generation when we were kids,but now that our generation is older and more risque; they have to change to keep up with us.

Our generation’s Disney stars have to compete

with younger cuter actors/actress’ now. Bella Thorne and Chyna McClain can stunningly sing and dance their way into a new generation of Disney fame.

Another example is Lindsay Lohan, being starred in Parent Trap, Herbie Fully Loaded, Mean Girls and Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen, made more money that she could ever do with. In 2007, Lohan was twice convicted of driving under the influence, once for cocaine use, and was in jail for 84 minutes.

Along with all of that, Lohan has gone to rehab a couple of times for the drug usage. According to CNN Entertainment, Lohan quoted that another trip to rehab “is pointless” and that she would “rather to go another country and work with the children”.

Other Stars including Mitchel Musso who was jailed for a DUI and was starred on the famous Disney Channel show Hannah Montana. Matthew Underwood, from an old popular Nickelodeon Show, Zoey 101, was caught with marijuana and an underage girl.

Then lastly, Britney Spears had a mental breakdown a couple years ago; shaving her entire head and got into drugs.

“I think that having an excess of money will not change how they act but it can and probably will change their morals. Cause they have more freedom as actors and they can pretty much do anything they want without consequences,” senior Carly Klima said.

Not all young actors and actresses turn out bad though. For example, Hilary Duff is married and has a child with Mike Comrie. Which is a very respectable life she is living considering she had her own TV shows and movies when she was a lot younger.

Selena Gomez also turned out perfectly fine; between Wizards of Waverly Place, A Cinderella Story and becoming a singer, she is one of the most accomplished “Disney babies”. Gomez didn’t go off on any crazy rants, she didn’t go crazy with her outfits and the biggest difference between her and her co-stars is that she stayed away from drugs.

One last and most current young actress that has resorted to drugs and breakdowns is Amanda Bynes. First with the inappropriate pictures, then the incident with the blonde wig and getting mixed up with cocaine.

She did end up going to a mental institute to gain help fo her not being able to get a grip of

19

Top 5 most anticipated video games by Bailey Oliver and Mark Slough

Bailey’s Hilary Duff at the premiere of “War, Inc.” during the 2008 Tribeca Flm Festival in New York City

1. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain (PS4, PS3, Xbox 360, Xbox One)

herself and is expected to react well.

Bynes was featured on many things including The Amanda Show, She’s the Man, What I like about You, Rugrats, and Big Fat Liar.

What’s ahead for our new Disney stars? Will the pressure push these young stars to drugs, sex, and scandals?

Does anyone really know what goes on when the stage lights are off? These stars could be facing psychological and emotional abuse. Maybe the Bambi face of Disney is only disguising the hunter hiding behind.

There are many more young celebrities out there that have had mental breakdowns, or are even doing extremely well.

But the bottom line is: these young stars do not know how to manage their money and become desperate to get attention, therefore leading to terrible decisions and even worse reputations.

Which young actor or actress do you think is the most influential?

—A series spanning 26 years and nine other games, MGS V looks to take an all new approach to the series with an open world gameplay while using a brand new photo-realistic engine.

2. Super Smash Bros (Wii U, 3DS) —The fourth installment of the popular 2D fighting game featuring famous Nintendo characters.

3. Watch_Dogs (PC, all consoles) —A modern open-world game where you play as a hacker with the city as his playground.

4. Beyond Two Souls (PS3) —This emotional story-driven game from creators of “Heavy Rain” stars Ellen Page and Willem Dafoe.

5. Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number (PC, Mac, PS4, PS Vita) —The sequel to the stylized and brutally over the top violent indie hit.

Mark’s Top 5

1. Battlefield 4 (PC, all consoles) “Miley Cyrus is the worst because she is naked in her most recent music video and inappropriate on stage.”

“Hilary Duff is a really good influence because she made good choices and got married to a nice guy.”

“Miley Cyrus is a bad influence because she’s not doing the right thing. Younger kids cant look up to her anymore.”

“I think Selena Gomez is a good role model because she’s so sweet and she didn’t let the fame go to her head.”

“Miley Cyrus because she was once a role model for kids but shes growing up so people are going to be mislead into going the same direction.”

“Miley Cyrus was a good role model before and many people and now it’s just like she went off the deep end.”

—Sadie Modica

—Erin Lundy freshman

—Tim Johnson

—Kristel Franjie

—Wilson Tu

—Amber Scaff

sophomore

junior

senior

senior

freshman

—This massive first-person shooter game is the continuation of the Battlefield series adding naval, air, and land warfare to the already large-scale combat from the series.

2. Watch_Dogs (PC, all consoles) —A modern open-world game where you play as a hacker with the city as his playground.

3. The Division (PC, PS4, Xbox One) —A post-apocalyptic Massive Multiplayer Online (MMO) where rival gangs fight for territory control and survival.

Into it

OR

Over It

Into it or over it is a survey conducted at all lunches during Tues. Sept. 17.

The Survey was conducted to see what all of the most recent entertainment trends are.

4. Titanfall (PC, PS4, Xbox One) —This futuristic FPS game combines giant mechanical robots and individual characters in medium-scale battle.

5. Super Smash Bros (Wii U, 3DS) —The fourth installment of the popular 2D fighting game featuring famous Nintendo characters.

Our Top Five: In Depth

BY BAILEY OLIVER AND MARK SLOUGH Copy Editors

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Between the game events of E3, Gamescom, and Pax Seattle this year, hundreds of new games have been announced, as well as two brand-new consoles for this coming year. This school year, though filled with work, will be filled with games as well.

The PS4 and Xbox One have been awaited for years, ever since the 2007 release of the PS3 and Xbox 360. The announcements of games such as Battlefield 4, Call of Duty: Ghosts, Titanfall, and more have excited the world of gaming, and some even released, such as Grand Theft Auto V and Madden 25.

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Pumpkin Spice Latte

Lana Del Rey

Riding Boots

Roar

American Idol

Camo

Tinder

Taylor Swift

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WEEKEND

20 Are you ready for

Best sports bars to watch the game

Sept. 25, 2013

some football? e m i T e m a G

Students and teachers share their traditions and various adventures at football tailgates and games

Blackfinn Ameripub

The Greene Turtle Location: 3950 University Dr Ste 209 Fairfax,VA 22030

SENIOR MICHELLE BURNETT’S

Above is a picture of the meal that Burnett’s dad made when they played the New England Patriots. It included lobsters, clams, shrimp and potatos. At every game Burnett’s dad makes food that corresponds to the team that they are playing that day. For example, they have made jambalaya and gumbo when they play the Saints, steaks when they play the Cowboys, Philly cheese steaks for the Eagles, and a clam bake for the Patriots.

dad has been a season ticket holder for the Redskins since 1966 and has taken Burnett and her sister to games since they were five years old. They go at least three hours early to every game so they have a lot of time to tailgate and hangout with friends.

Every Christmas their tailgate crew which includes about 20 people, gives each other really nice gifts and every Thanksgiving game they have a huge feast in the parking lot with turkeys, corn bread and mashed potatoes.

COURTESY OF MICHAEL RYAN

COURTESY OF MICHELLE BURNETT

Location: 2750 Gallows Rd Vienna, VA 22180

SOPHOMORE MICHAEL RYAN and his family pose for a picture before heading out to the preseason Redskins game against the Buffalo Bills. Michael has been attending football games with his family since he was four years old. The Ryan family has held season tickets for the Redskins for about 30 years.

Hard Times Cafe

COURTESY OFJANAN GOKTURK

COURTESY OF ALEXIS MUELLER

Location: 4069 Chain Bridge Rd Fairfax, VA 22030

SOPHOMORE JANAN GOKTURK

Glory Days Grill Location: 3059 Nutley St Fairfax, VA 22030

2014 class bulletin Make sure to support the senior class at the bake sale today!

usually goes to games with her dad and brother where they sit in box seats that her dad typically gets through work. They all wear matching Redskins shirts. Gokturk poses with her friend at the preseason game against the Buffalo Bills in the picture above. Her favorite thing about going to the games is “the atmosphere of being around fans that are die hards.”

her first professional football game Sunday, September 15th, as the Packers took on the Redskins. Her and her family watched the game at Lambeu Field in Greenbay, Wisconsin. Mueller poses in front of the Packers Hall of Fame flags at the Lambeu Field Atrium in the picture above.

Mueller is a Packers fan because her entire family lives in Wisconsin and they all love the team. “It’s just a great team to be a fan of,” Mueller said. Her favorite part of the game was when the Packers were getting ready to go on defense and the entire stadium got as loud as possible to support them. Mueller and her father are also Packers team owners, since the Packers franchise is owned by some of its fans.

October Events in the DMV

Countdown to graduation: 265 days!

Be sure to check out some college booths at the FCPS College Fair at Fair Oaks Mall on Oct. 17

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SENIOR ALEXIS MUELLER attended

GROUPLOVE CONCERT U Street Music Hall, Washington D.C., 7 p.m.

SHEER MADNESS Kennedy Center, 8 p.m.

CAPS GAME AGAINST THE FLAMES Verizon Center, 7 p.m.

RUN ZOMBIE RUN 5K OBSTACLE COURSE Algonkian Regional Park, 9:30 a.m.

SARA BAREILLES CONCERT 1215 U Street Northwest Washington, DC, 7 p.m.

APPLE PICKING AT HARTLAND ORCHARD 3064 Hatland Lane Markham, VA , 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.

ANDY WARHOL: SILVER CLOUDS EXHIBIT Artisphere in Arlington, Virginia, 4 –11 p.m.

SELENA GOMEZ CONCERT Patriot Center, 7 p.m.

ZAC BROWN BAND CONCERT Jiffy Lube Live, 6:30 p.m.

CAPS GAME AGAINST THE OILERS Verizon Center, 7 p.m.

FALL FESTIVAL AT SUMMERS FARM 5614 Butterfly Lane Frederick, MD, 1-7 p.m., open throughout October

CAPS GAME AGAINST THE RANGERS Verizon Center, 8 p.m.

WASHINGTON VS. KNICKS 1st Mariner Arena, 7 p.m.

REDSKINS VS. BEARS GAME Fedex Field ,1 p.m.

JONAS BROTHERS CONCERT The Filmore Silver Spring, 8 p.m.

COX FARMS FALL FESTIVAL Cox Farms, 10 a.m-6 p.m. daily

AUSTIN MAHONE CONCERT The Filmore Silver Spring, 7:00 p.m.

WATERFRONT YOGA National Harbor, 7-8 p.m.

Admission is free.

DISCLOSURE CONCERT 9:30 Club, 8 p.m.

DC DRAG QUEEN RACE 17th Street NW Washington D.C., 9 p.m.

WATERFRONT ZUMBA National Harbor, 7-8 p.m.

Admission is free.

DRAKE CONCERT The Verizon Center, 7 p.m.

HALLOWEEN ZOMBIE FEST The Fairgounds, located at Half & M streets, 6 p.m.

PASSION PIT CONCERT Patriot Center, 8 p.m.

BOYCE AVENUE CONCERT 9:30 club, 6:30 p.m.

THE WEEKND CONCERT DAR Constitution Hall, 7 p.m.

TASTE OF BETHESDA Fairmont Avenue, 11 a.m.

- 4 p.m.

LEE BRICE CONCERT HALLOWEEN HAUNT The Filmore Silver Spring, Kings Dominion, 7 p.mmidnight, every Friday 8 p.m. and Saturday of October

FRIGHT AT THE MUSEUM 575 7th Street NW, Washington, DC., 10:00 a.m- 6:00 p.m.

LEUKEMIA AND LYMPHOMA LIGHT THE NIGHT WALK Freedom Plaza in D.C., 5:00 p.m.

CURBSIDE COOKOFF HISTORIC GHOST 1290 Alabama Avenue, SE TOUR Brewer’s Ally Restaurant Washington D.C., 12 p.m. and Brewerry, Frederick, MD, 7:45 p.m.