Issue 10

7

8-9

People

weighs how seniors can choose between universities.

Arts and Academics team

10-11

12

InDepth takes a

International

Weekend takes

brings you the low-down on students who spend their summers in Europe to visit family.

you on a treasure hunt for the best weekend ever.

look at the true value of the American education.

up for a special spread on focusing in on the IB Art Show.

A

ANNANDALE HIGH SCHOOL

the VOLUME #56 ISSUE 10

20

4700 Medford Dr. Annandale, VA 22003

Informiing the Atoms siince 1954 4

WEDNESDAY APRIL 13, 2011

(703) 642-4229

Policy changes proposed Zero tolerance policy under scrutiny, likely to adjust

BY KL HOANG Staff Writer

RACHEL BERGEN

Boys Varsity Lacrosse: Record: 4-0

Disciplinary policy reform in FCPS continues as Superintendent Jack Dale and other organizations are submitting legislation in order to change the current harsh policies.

On March 30, Dale revealed a proposal to address reform after the school board told Dale that it was the board’s responsibility to do an “in-depth review and prioritize issues.”

Dale recommended that the board refine notification rules to help parents prepare for the disciplinary process, help students and parents understand their rights and responsibilities, record all disciplinary hearings, thereby shortening the disciplinary process.

In the wake of the deaths of South Lakes junior Josh Anderson in 2009 and Woodson sophomore Nick Stuban this year, parents started to become more aware of what goes on when their children are punished. Anderson committed suicide a day before his second hearing, which would have likely expelled “Policy” continues on page 5

Of the non-boundary options, only one was recommended by the school board for further investigation. Option 1-A would make Holmes MS a 6-7 school, Poe MS an 8-9 school and AHS 10-12.

“1-A is the one that I have heard about more than the others in a positive way [from the community],” Braddock District Representative Tessie Wilson said.

Option 1-B, which would send all sixth grade classes back to elementary schools was rejected because it would cost upward of $20 million. Option 1-2, which would make Holmes MS a small secondary school would cost more than $22 million. The official cost of Option 1-A was not announced.

AJ MCCAFFERTY

On April 4, the FCPS school board met to discuss the boundary proposed options to alleviate overcrowding, which would move students to different schools. The purpose of the meeting was to have all of the members of the board approve the scope of the study. The members of the board agreed that all of the schools in the study that could possibly receive students from AHS were eligible to be studied further.

EMILY FRUCHTERMAN

Scope of AHS boundary study approved

Senior Tori Gowland rehearses with the cast. Gowland will be playing the lead, Sandy.

Grease is IB Biology students get the word

Seniors Gessica Azzam and John Oakes look on as Professor Byron Massie points out various features on the cadaver.

close-up look at cadaver

BY EMILY FRUCHTERMAN Co-Editor in Chief

The burning, sickly-sweet stench made IB Biology student’s wrinkle their noses in disgust. But this smell did little to prepare them for what lay around the corner: a human cadaver, wrapped in a stained, off-white sheet and very much the focal point of the room, lying on a metal table centered within the immaculately clean lab.

“This really scared the crap out of me,” senior Julian Jordan said. “I was expecting it, but actually seeing the body was jarring because I’d never seen a dead body before.”

Their guide, Professor Byron Massie, ushered 21 of the IB Biology HL students into the small room on April 7 and began to reverently unwrap his subject, a 58 year-old man who died of Leu-

Theater prepares for iconic high school musical

kemia some time ago. His life at the Northern Virginia Community College Medical Campus in Alexandria began almost seven months ago, when the already embalmed cadaver arrived.

“This is the ultimate gift, really,” Massie said.

“When someone donates their body to science it’s not something they just wake up and decide to do, it takes a lot of effort and is something we really appreciate.”

The visit to the cadaver lab was part of a series of dissections done by the class. Last year, IB Biology students had the chance to dissect rats and squid, while later this year they will be dissecting sheep hearts and fetal pigs. On April 11, the class was able to dissect a sheep kidney.

Massie and his associates began their dissection, using a “turtle cut” to saw around the sides

BY REBECCA MALZAHN News Editor Step ball change, hop, hop, skip, cowboy, cowboy, right turn. This is the sound the cast and crew of the AHS production of Grease have constantly been heard over the past two months.

The “very exciting, high energy show,” as play director and theater teacher George Bennett referred to it, is packed with several electrifying songs and dance moves and is scheduled to be performed on May 6 and May 7. But with a cast of approximately 30 students, rehearsals have a tendency to become very hectic, very fast. So, to solve this problem, professional dancer and

“Cadaver” continues on page 5

“Grease” continues on page 5

Walking for Darfur awareness Annual fundraiser focuses on overcoming haunting tragedy

Visit www.thea-blast.org for the most recent installment of The A-Blast All Access with Greg Nielsen and Pat McCann.

Over the course of eight years, approximately 400,000 lives have been claimed by the genocide in Darfur, Sudan. This is the equivalent of approximately 100 times the population of AHS. In addition to the immense number of deaths, over 2.5 million inhabitants of Darfur have been displaced over these years.

On the brisk early morning of April 9, roughly 50 students, staff and faculty and other members Sophomores Linda Le and Joey Shifflett walk around Lake Accotink durof the AHS community gathered near the check- ing the Walk for Darfur, which was held on Saturday, April 9. in table for the fifth annual Walk for Darfur

AJ MCAFFERTY

BY REBECCA MALZAHN News Editor

event. After filling out medical papers for cautionary purposes and paying their $5 entry fee, walkers and volunteers socialized in groups, keeping close together to get warm. As per tradition, IB students sold spray painted green T-shirts for $5 in support of the cause at the check-in table.

Once it seemed as though nobody else was arriving for the walk, IB community service coordinator Meredith Hedrick grabbed the microphone. After briefly welcoming the crowd, she explained that the event was put together by all of the IB junior and senior candidate students, with voluntary help from Key Club members. IB sponsors included English teacher Catherine Gibson and “Darfur” continues on page 5

2 Are the school elections effective?

“I think the school elections are effective because people get to choose who they want. They choose who they’re voting for and get happy if the person they voted for wins.”

—Faith Paletti

freshman “A lot of people just vote for whoever is more popular. They don’t really focus on the candidate’s achievements and goals.”

—Areeqa Khilji sophomore

“Not really, because people pick the most popular person, which makes it unfair. But, others like me pick people according to the speeches they give.”

— Diana Hurtado sophomore

“I feel that they are effective and that we have good leaders, that work really hard. But when the class doesn’t care, it makes the class representive’s job harder.”

—Becca Sponga junior

EDITORIALS

Our overcrowding solution The A-Blast staff editorial provides options to the redistricting issue at AHS The school board has been working to relieve AHS’s overcrowding for months and the pace of events is finally picking up. A boundary study will likely be authorized in the coming weeks and the school board is set to vote on the issue during their last session in July. Whatever their final decision is, it will have a dramatic effect on AHS, as the school’s population must decrease by approximately 25 percent in order to fit the building’s capacity. However, we at The A-Blast have a vested interest in ensuring that this change leaves our programs strong – something that the school board members absolutely must pay attention to as they go through this process.

While we wish that no neighborhood would have to move, we recognize that change must come. After weighing the options and talking with both AHS PTSA President Emily Slough and School Board Members Tessie Wilson and Sandra Evans, we have come to a consensus. We simply do not see the non-boundary options as feasible and support moving the Bren Mar East and Parklawn neighborhoods to Edison High School and Stuart High School respectively. We think this is the only option that works well for all sides — while every student at AHS is intrinsic to the school’s quality and character, we do need to think about who is participating.

The PTSA has shown that when it comes to Annandale, not all neighborhoods participate equally.

There is a clear trend showing that the further a student lives from AHS, the less likely he or she is to participate in the school’s activities. One major reason that could be contributing to this trend is simply physical distance;

many students who live 20 minutes or more from the school do not have a way to get to and from rehearsals, practices or other activities.

Even when students become upperclassmen and some are able to drive themselves to and from school, the trend is already set – these students find it much more difficult to get into leadership positions, putting them at a disadvantage, especially for college applications. If these students were to move to other high schools, which many times are closer to their homes, they might find it easier to get involved.

The A-Blast is also emphatically against moving neighborhoods such as Wakefield Chapel and North Springfield, both of which lie outside of the beltway. Both of these neighborhoods are within a two-mile radius of the school and many of the students from these neighborhoods are heavily involved in AHS’s activities.

Looking at numbers from the 20082009 school year, we can somewhat predict the participation we might see in the coming years. According to this data, compiled by the PTSA, 48 percent of the girls lacrosse program comes from Wakefield Chapel and the part of North Springfield that lies outside the beltway. This same study shows that 43 percent of the girls field hockey team comes from these same neighborhoods, while 36 percent of our own staff from The A-Blast is from these neighborhoods as well.

While some might say that moving these neighborhoods would open up more space for others to participate, this is not true – many of our teams cut very few students each year and other programs, such as The A-Blast, exercise a no-cut policy.

Noah’s Notes Editorials Column

“Yes, because students’ GPA’s are getting higher so it’s making it harder for students to get into college.”

1

2

4

3

5 The neighborhoods potentially affected by the school board’s redistricting plans are: 1) Wakefield Chapel 2) Parklawn 3) Brenmar East 4) Brenmar West 5) North Springfield

lacrosse team that’s left, much of the parent support structure will have been stripped away.

All of us at The A-Blast care the deeply about the future of our school and the programs in which we have invested so much time and energy.

Since the school board has no choice but to make changes to Annandale, whether boundary or otherwise, we want to see them change in a way that wouldn’t devastate our programs and would bring those students living in the Bren Mar East and Parklawn neighborhoods greater opportunity.

If these neighborhoods are moved, the quality of our programs will undoubtedly suffer.

While we don’t like to talk about it, it all boils down to money and parent participation. Our ethnic and economic diversity is one of our greatest strengths, but the wealthiest members of our community tend to be concentrated in Wakefield Chapel and North Springfield. Moving these neighborhoods makes us lose more than just student participation, it takes away many of the parents who have both the time and disposable income to get involved. This means that for the 52 percent of the girls

— By The A-Blast

Time to stop the xenophobia: enough is enough

—Compiled by Mariel Rocha

Are college admissions getting more difficult?

April 13, 2011

By Noah Fitzgerel Terry Jones, a name that was made infamous in news headlines months ago, has resurfaced into the nation’s limelight. This pastor, who preaches at the Dove World Outreach Center, in Gainesville, Florida, recently completed an action that the international community pressured him not to partake in.

Last August, Rev. Jones, along with his church, organized a day in which he called for Korans, the

holy book of Muslims, to be burned in protest of Islam. While he agreed to not facilitate this event, on March 20, he burnt not only the Koran, but also the already-diminishing credibility of the U.S. in the eyes of the citizens of the war-torn countries of the Middle East, such as Afghanistan.

In terms of American law, this act is yet another deplorable use of America’s freedoms and rights. At the beginning of this year, I wrote an editorial titled “A curse and a blessing,” which focused on whether or not the Westboro Baptist church had the right to protest America’s tolerance of gays at a soldier’s funeral, which I concluded, with reservation, that it did. The question then was: is it legal? The same question can be applied here.

Across the Middle East, particularly in Afghanistan, where a recent bombing of a U.N. compound has been linked to this burning, the effects of this act of hate can be sensed. People such as Rev. Jones have existed since the dawn of time, yet it is in time of distress that the population lends an ear to them.

Xenophobic groups should not be able to capture the world’s attention, yet it seems that they have succeeded. Churches such as that of Rev. Jones’ should not be able to make a profit off of t-shirts that read “Islam is of the Devil,” yet they are.

The sole way to prevent an ever-perpetuating sense of war in the Middle East is to convince the hubs of power in those countries that America is a country of acceptance and tolerance, and the only way to do that is to convey to people who share beliefs such as Rev. Jones that their beliefs do not parallel that of the American people.

The American population must stand by their values and state that it is groups such as the Westboro Baptist Church or the Dove World Outreach Center who are the causes of violence, not a whole religion, and certainly not a widely-accepted way of life.

For a longer version of this editorial, please see www.thea-blast.org/editorials

—Rabeeah Raza

Rule of Thumb

freshman

“Yes, because when my dad went to Virginia Tech it was easier to get in.

Now you need a higher GPA and better SAT scores.”

— James Barker

freshman

“No it’s not.

I think students are just slacking off.”

— Alli Foster junior

“Yes, because the Virginia schools are getting more popular, and more people are applying from all over.”

—Eboni McLaurie

senior —Compiled by Sarah Bergen

Go to the web to read an opinion about: –College Admissions –SGA elections www.thea-blast.org

Woman cleans out purse and finds jackpot

Staff Photographers: Rachel Bergen Sarah Bergen Carly Bouchard Helina Daniel Alexis Gunther Arthur McCafferty Lance Miller Isabel Villarroel-Teran

Editors In Chief: Emily Fruchterman David Hookey

Lifestyles Editors: Jennifer Allshouse Erin George

A woman cleaning out her purse found the winning ticket to the lottery from five years ago. She plans on using it to pay off her bills and take a cruise.

Managing Editor: Ndidi Obasi

Health Editors: Gessica Azzam Katie Vu

Rule: Always clean out your purse, you never know what you’ll find.

News Editors: Annie Curran Rebecca Malzahn

Teenager gets arrested for throwing backpack

In-Depth Editors: Erin Johnson Katie Masters

Circulation Manager: Rachel Baker

Sports Editors: CJ Aftergut Jake Barnes

Art Editors: Jane Aman Jordan Aman

Sports Xtra Editors: Esra Gokturk Brenna O’Neill

Academics Editors: Nikki Contrino Tricia O’Neill

People Editors: Alley Adcock Kelsey Knoche

Copy Editors: Marwa Abdelaziz Rebecca Burke

Weekend Editors: Helena Belay Kelsey Price

Historian: Mariah Pollet Kida Gizaw

Staff Writers: Colleen Adenan Stephanie Allshouse Corinne Balicki Noah Fitzgerel Megan Flynn Hila Ghorzang Parker Gillcash Kate Grandchamp Brekhnaa Gull Becca Hendrickson Kim Long Hoang Natalie Johnson Wisna’odom Keo Elizabeth Kruse Alexa Lafferty Carli Loeb Kylee Nisker Ngan Pham Viviana Valle Rocha Samir Shah Rowan Shartel Jerald Sheppard Maria Suri

International Editors: Jayran Moridzadeh Haumaira Safi

Web Editor: Liz Wilson

Adviser: Alan Weintraut

A teenager from Lee County was arrested and charged with grand theft for throwing another student’s backpack off the bus last Thursday.

Rule: There are more important things to arrest a student for.

Maine legalizes use of switch blades Maine legalized the use of swtich blades for one-armed people. This was done so that in case of an emergency, they wouldn’t have to open folding knives with their teeth.

Rule: If you fear for your life, do not go to Maine.

Editorials Editors: Nasiha Rashid Jeff Shim

Entertainment Editors: Mackda Dinberu Mary Anne Kavjian

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

Photography Editors: Emma Barker Kristen Hennessey Ad Managers: Rachel Coulter Daniel Park

Video Staff: Haben Berihun Alex Davalos William Labarca Gwen Levey Patrick McCann Greg Nielsen Vol. 56 No.10 April 13, 2011 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, 2011.

NEWS

April 13, 2011

Changes to zero tolerance Dale’s Proposal: What it means to you

Volleyball raises funds If you have been recommended for expulsion or suspension then: •

The hearing and your overall sentening will take less time.

•

The principals will have more power to look into each situation and make judgments.

•

You will receive more instructional and intervention support from FCPS when you are in limbo and waiting for your hearing.

•

Your family will receive more information on your rights during the process of your hearing.

•

Your parents will receive faster notification about your case.

Superindent Jack Dale

group called the Loudoun School Discipline Reform has formed on the Internet as well.

“You should know we are in this for the long haul. We have parents contacting us every day with new grievances. Until this process is fixed, we will have angry and active parents ready to advocate for transformation of the culture here from punitive to restorative, bottom up and top down. We are always looking

for people willing to give their time to this, and willing to show up to board meetings to voice their opinions.

We also have a petition through our website and will be promoting that in the weeks to come,” Hemenway said.

As officials take hold of disciplinary policy reform, students may be looking at different consequences for next year.

Senior wins NASP scholarship Senior Kidist Ketema is one of 13 FCPS seniors who received a $2,500 scholarship for their undergraduate studies from the National Achievement Scholarship Program (NASP). Overall, 800 students were awarded scholarships from this foundation. Ketema plans on studying medicine in college.

Getting down with the dead IB students see body dissected on field trip “Cadaver” continued from page 1

EMILY FRUTCHERMAN

of the ribs to remove the chest and expose the organs beneath. As NVCC usually receives only one cadaver per year, this same cadaver has been used to teach many students about the form and function of each organ and system.

Massie began to walk the students through an investigation of the body – although the students were given none of the cadaver’s medical or personal history in order to preserve his anonymity, his every organ spoke volumes about his life and eventual illness.

Each of his organs was affected in some way by his incredibly aggressive cancer – his lymph nodes, Professor Byron Massie hands a liver to senior Saffana which are usually microscopic, had swollen to Humaira during the field trip to the NVCC Medicial Center. the size of eggs, his lungs and heart all contained chest and abdominal cavity, he passed them from rock-hard tumors within their usually spongy student to student, giving each student time to consistency and, most dramatically, his spleen, glean whatever information they could from it in normally a fairly small organ located next to the a very hands-on manner. stomach, had more than tripled in size.

For IB Biology teacher Francesca Mast, the As Massie gingerly lifted each organ out of the experience was very much worthwhile.

Grease countdown

Students hold signs during the walk

New talent takes top roles in play

AJ MCCAFFERTY

Deng Juac, a member of the Lost Boys of Sudan, gave a speech about genocide.

Due to the lack of students who signed up, 12 classes will not be offered next school year. Students who signed up for these classes will be notified by their counselor and will have to sign up for a new class.

• • • • • • • • • • • •

AHS Writing Center Leadership/ Global Awareness Alg 1 Honors Personal Financial Math Math Reasoning Skills Oceanography Web Page Development Programming Global Marketing Education for Employment Ceramics / Jewelry Music Theory & AP

AJ MACCAFFERTY

“Grease” continued from page 1

choreographer Philip Clark was hired to come into two rehearsals a week to teach and help the dancers with their 12 dances.

“It’s really going great. [The dancers] absolutely love the choreography,” Bennett said.

The choreography for the play must be good, because the profits for the play need to be high. This is due to the $750 fee AHS has to pay in order to be able to reserve the rights for the famous play title and to be able to rent the music.

By the last night of the show, the total amount of money the production will have consumed is approximately $2,500 towards the rights, music, choreographer, and materials for the props. But Bennett hopes to make more than this to build a designated profit to put towards the production of other plays.

Bennett is also considering hosting an open dress rehearsal on May 5 with a donation station at the doors to increase their overall profit and allow members of the AHS community who possibly cannot afford the price to come see the show. However, since the play will not be under the official title that night, all donations will be optional.

As a form of encouragement for students, staff and faculty to attend the play and fill the theater, the cast of the play performed one of their dances at the recent Winter Pep Rally.

Sophomore Katie Mock saw that performance and decided that she wanted to take part in the play. “I had been fighting for a while on whether to do it or not to do it,” Mock said. “But after guilty feelings from my friends, being bored at home and seeing the pep rally,

Two girls perform a traditional Irish Step dance during the MYP project presentations. The girls were part of sophomore Nora Kennedy’s project.

AJ MCCAFFERTY

“Darfur” continued from page 1

and IB Anthropology teacher Holly Miller.

“I love the fact that IB encourages teenagers to make a difference in our world,” junior Carolyn Hartley, who is an IB student and an editor in Key Club, said.

Hedrick then handed the microphone to Deng Juac, a genocide survivor who was born in Salam, Sudan during the civil war. He explained his personal experience walking with the Lost Boys of Sudan, a group of children who were orphaned or displaced due to the genocide.

“That sound of the gun fire I never forget,” Juac said. “It destroyed my world.”

He also told the story of his struggles with his lack of education, which he was eventually able to receive at a school in Kenya. He also shared some insight to his organization Mayom Primary School (mayomprimaryschool.com), which is a school he hopes to build in Sudan.

“The thing I like about [the Walk for Darfur] is you guys contribute and choose where the money goes to,” Juac said.

Each year, IB students choose a different genocide organization to which they donate the proceeds from the Walk for Darfur. This year total amount of $503 which was collected from the walk was donated to the Mayom Primary School. “[I participated because] I just wanted to help out the best way I can,” sophomore Linda Le said.

Following Juac’s speech, the walkers began their 3.8 mile hike through the trails of Lake Accotink Park.

While walking along the trails, which were covered in a fresh, thick layer of mud form the downpour of rain the day before, participants passed by white signs staked in the ground.

These signs had graphics and brief

facts, such as “90 percent of these killings have been against innocent civilians and executed by militia groups instructed by the government.” Once the walk was finished, participants were treated to a buffet of snack foods and drinks.

“I think that it went very well,” Gibson said. “I think the weather may have scared off a few people, but all and all I think it went off without a hitch.”

“It makes me feel good that my actions are impacting someone across the world,” Hartley said.

Classes cut for 2011-2012

“I have dissected a human cadaver before, in college,” Mast said. “Although then it was a very different experience. We were looking at muscle and bone structure and not really focusing on the internal organs, so this was really a great experience.”

“I thought the whole day went very well, the timing was good and Professor Massie gave excellent instruction,” Mast continued. “He was very interactive and it was amazing that we could all see and touch the organs, as well as ask a lot of questions.”

A few students, however, opted not to go on the field trip.

“I didn’t go because I felt it was disrespectful to the person the body used to belong to,” senior Zeni Saife-Selassi said.

Human Anatomy classes at AHS used to make a similar trip several years ago, but as enrollment in the class grew, the fieldtrip became impossible.

Now, for the much smaller IB Biology HL classes, the trip might become a tradition.

“I definitely think [IB Biology teacher Claudia] Lemus would take her second year class next year, it is a really great opportunity for all of them.”

A day for Darfur

The volleyball team is having a fundraiser so that players can attend a team camp over the summer. The fundraiser is through the Pampered Chef, a website that sells cookware and baked goods.

30 percent of the proceeds go to the players. Interested members of the community can go to: www.pamperedchef. biz/angie and type in Jan (first box) Austin (second box) in the username section.

There is also the option to host a Pampered Chef party and receive free products, which will be delivered by the end of April and $25 will go to the team. E-mail Jan Austin at Jan.Austin@fcps.edu for more information.

AJ MCCAFFERTY

“Policy” continued from page 1

him out of any Fairfax County school.

Stuban took his life at home on what would have been his sixth day at his new high school, Fairfax.

Dale wants to provide instructional and intervention support for students, give more power to principals, urge parents to fill out exit surveys after hearings and school board rulings, and train and retrain staff on disciplinary guidelines.

“We need to keep a balance between consistency and individual discretion,” said Dale to the Annandale Patch. “Every child is different and needs to be treated so, but every infraction should be treated consistently.”

Reform organizations like the Fairfax Zero Tolerance Reform (FZTR) have pressured the school board and Dale to create legislation to reform discipline policies.

The FZTR has sent various documents to the school board that demonstrate the issues and possible solutions concerning the current disciplinary policies. They are currently working on presenting more to the school board on the May 16 work session that will tackle subjects like

NEWS BRIEFS

Sophomore Maddy Reinert practices her dance rountine during Grease rehearsals.

that’s what really made me want to do it.” Mock is now an extra in the play for dancing and singing sections.

In addition, Bennett is in the process of trying to find six or eight teachers to take part in the play as further encouragement for students to come. The teachers will be placed at the very beginning of the play, and have roles as a group of adults at their class reunion.

The scenery and actors will then flashback to the late 1970s as the teachers reflect upon their past.

“It’s a really fun show. I just want people to have fun,” senior Tori Clodfelter, who plays Marty, said. “We’ve worked really hard.”

“My dream is to sell out Friday and Saturday,” Bennett said.

Sophomore Tom Updike plays his saxaphone for his MYP personal project.

AJ MCCAFFERTY

Superintendent creates proposal

involuntary transfers and providing education and support when kids are suspended.

The Fairfax County Council Parent Teacher Association (FCCPTA) passed a resolution titled “Parental Notification & Involvement in School Disciplinary Process,” that is concurrent with the views of Dale and the FZTR on April 4. In the resolution, the FCCPTA requested that the school board “modify Regulation 2601.24P to include parent representation in the development, dissemination and periodic review of the FCPS student conduct code, known as the SR&R.” “We are trying to organize students as well, and find ways to include them in our work. They are, after all, the most affected body of people and the ones treated with the least respect by the process,” FZTR director Caroline Hemenway said.

Seeing what is being done, various groups have joined the FZTR in changing disciplinary policies to help in their efforts.

“The groups and people we are working with include Delegate Kaye Kory (D-38), the Fairfax Board of Supervisors, Fairfax Partnership for Youth, The Advancement Project, The Rutherford Institute, the Advancement Project, JustChildren, Family Foundation, Voices for Virginia’s Children, the ACLU and the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund,” Hemenway said. A sister

3

Senior Jesscia Camilli works to build an outside classroom in the courtyard.

April 13, 2011

ADVERTISEMENT

5

6 What is your personal goal for the fourth quarter?

PEOPLE

April 13, 2011

Making the tough decision AHS seniors end their college search and try to narrow down their final options

BY KELSEY KNOCHE People Editor

“My goal is to have all A’s and B’s in all of my classes.”

— Ryan Fitzgibbon freshman

“My goal is to get all As, especially in geometry.”

—Abby Gebremichael freshman

“My goal is to not fail any of my classes. ”

—Luke Lundy sophomore

“I want to get As in all my classes.”

— Mairead Kennedy sophomore

“My goal is to get on the A-B honor roll because my dad is bribing me with a new phone.”

— Laura Zambrana junior

“My goal is to pass all my classes especially IB Math Studies.”

—David Croghan junior

“My fourth quarter goal is to not procrastinate so I can get more sleep. ”

—Lisbeth Espinoza senior

“My goal is to pass government.”

— Jean-Pierre Ramirez senior

––Compiled by Colleen Adenan and Rowan Shartel

Visit www.thea-blast.org for a feature on how the extensive diversity at AHS affects student life.

In the first week of April, when many colleges began to release their college acceptances, it seemed as if senior Elisa Figueroa was getting in everywhere. In the end, Figueroa was accepted to eight schools: Stanford, Tufts, Georgetown, Virginia, North Carolina, Boston College, Virginia Tech and Penn State.

As thrilling as her pile of acceptance letters was, Figueroa realized she would soon have to decide which of the prestigious institutions she would attend.

“The biggest factor was probably whether or not I could actually see myself at whatever university I chose to attend. Whenever I visited a college, I pictured myself living there,” said Figueroa .

She was particularly happy when she received her acceptance from Stanford University–– especially since she almost didn’t apply. The Senior Maddie Smith is one of many seniors who has yet to decide where they will attend college next year. “I think I will be waiting until the last possible second to make my decision,” Smith said. Most schools require a deposit to be submitted by California school, ranked fifth in the nation by the May 1 for incoming freshmen.

U.S. News Annual College Rankings, has only an eight percent acceptance rate.

While academics are a consideration in any “Actually, there was a two-week period in college decision, Clark is also highly considering Should she not be accepted off of Virginia’s waitlist, December when I had decided not to apply to quality of life.For Clark the aspect is the beach Ko will likely attend Penn State.

“It’s important to consider what majors the Stanford. During winter break, I decided to apply but other seniors look for places closer or farther on a whim and am very happy that I did because from home. Some even apply for schools according school offers and what the school specializes in. But the dorms, food and location also are it’s an amazing school,” said Figueroa. to how many friends they will have at each given considered,” Ko said.

While she has recently decided on Stanford, school.

While making her decision, Ko is also looking Figueroa had a very tough decision. “All of the “I’m honestly looking for a school close to the schools were really good but I knew when I was beach, of course academics matters but my first to the future. “I’m looking for somewhere that can accepted to Stanford that was where I should go. I priority is getting out of cold weather. Besides offer internships and the education I need to enter wanted to get out of my comfort zone. I have lived that, I am looking for a school with programs and the work force,” said Ko. No matter where this years seniors were on the east coast my entire life and wanted to majors that fit my interests,” Clark said. accepted, all face tough decisions. School size, experience another lifestyle for the next 4 years,” location, programs and student life are all Figueroa said. highly considered in the process. While the wait Similarly, senior Paige Clark will also be I can’t wait until the end was originally to see where everyone would be heading to California for college––though she has accepted, the focus has now turned to where yet to decide exactly where. After being accepted at of the year when I will know everyone will go. both UCLA and University of California-Berkeley, “I have had a hard time figuring out where I where I’m going and I won’t Clark immediately narrowed her list down to two. want to go because I originally thought I would go “I knew these were the schools I liked have to worry anymore. to Kentucky but when I got into Ole Miss, I visited geographically best. I wanted to go to school and absolutely loved it,” senior Maddie Smith said. somewhere warm so I could immediately eliminate Maddie Smith Whether the reason is a last minute visit changing five of the schools I was accepted to,” Clark said. senior their mind or the intense pressure of making In order to make her decision, Clark will visit both schools and weigh her options. “When I visit, Senior Olivia Ko will have to wait a little bit such an important decision, many seniors are left I will know which school I fit into better in regards longer to make her decision, as the University contemplating decisions until the last minute.

“I think I will be waiting until the last possible to the type of people there.” of Virginia placed her on the dreaded wait list.

“Both schools attract very different types of Despite this, Ko holds acceptances from Penn second to make my decision so that I have enough people so I am going to see where I feel I fit in State, Virginia Tech, James Madison, and time to weigh the pros and cons of each side,” Smith said. best,” said Clark.

Connecticut.

“

”

HEALTH

April 13, 2011

Are you counting calories?

Students are pressured to get ready for summer by concurring different diets

BY ALEX BROWN AND BECCA HENDRICKSON Staff Writers Every year right before the start of summer, many people put themselves through rigorous exercises and extreme diets just so they can achieve the perfect beach body. There are many approaches you can take to acquire this slender silhouette, and many of these techniques are utilized across the board for Annandale students.

Senior Ian Griffin exercises and watches what he eats to make sure he gets in shape for the summer. “I have football workouts over the summer so I guess that’s how I get a beach body, and I also try not to eat fast food a lot because it has a lot of fat,” said Griffin.

Another student who enjoys working out is Sophomore Salvattore Ames. “I usually work out at the gym because it gets you psyched up too train your body rather than just sitting at home doing sit ups.”

Like Griffin, Ames also uses schools activities to get in shape. “During the winter and spring I like to do track because it’s a great form of exercising.”

One of the most popular ways, but not so effective, ways to diet is by calorie counting.

Junior Bellal Hussain is one student who likes to take the dietary approach to getting in shape. “Twinkies are for sure my favorite food, but when summer is approaching I try to watch my calorie intake and lay off of them.”

Although calorie counting may seem easy, the International Food Information Council Foundation suggests that although 67 percent of Americans count calories, of those people, 9 out of 10 don’t know how

5

minute

meals

By Gessica Azzam and Katie Vu

This cheese quesadilla is a snack that is very tasty and satisfies hunger. Both cheaper and healthier than fast food, one is able to pick the ingredients that are included in it.

many calories they should take in daily.

Calories are the body’s main source energy and they are generally abundant in foods that contain many fats, carbohydrates and proteins. Since calories are imperative to create energy for your body, pairing calorie counting along with exercise can be very dangerous to your health.

Since we need calories to function, restricting yourself to an insufficient amount of calories each day and then burning them while exercising can cause sickness and fainting.

The easiest way to get the perfect beach body with faster results and less risks only takes three steps. The first task is to set an ideal weight which you would like to reach in two weeks.

Next, you should create a workout schedule that contains a different workout everyday for two weeks. Include exercises such as jogging, pilates and other cardiointensive activities.

The last step is to restrict yourself from eating any sweets or foods that are high in fat.

By completing all of these steps, you will be ready to hit the beach in just two weeks.

7 Eight ways to eat healthy

of

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Limiting the portions you eat enables yourself to slow down to alert the brain that you are full. If you eat too fast, your brain does not realize that you are full and you keep on eating.

3

Any processed foods tend to be unhealthy for your body.

Processed foods are high in calories and preservatives and very low in nutrients.

Next time try eating the whole-grain or organic version of the same food!

4

Try to reduce sodium intake, people should only consume less than 1,500 mg of sodium per day in order to stay healthy. Try snacking on natural foods with less sodium and do not add salt while you are cooking.

Cheese Quesadilla – An easy, quick snack!

5

1. In a small bowl, mix different cheeses and some salsa. Add or take away ingredients if desired.

2. Dive up small tomato squares to include in your snack.

3. Using a spoon, scoop the ingredients into a soft taco shell.

4. Place the opened up shell in the microwave for two minutes.

5. Remove your snack, fold it in half and enjoy!

Try using Livestrong.com has feature called “My Plate” which helps count calories

BY NATALIE JOHNSON Staff Writer Tired of mentally calculating the amount of calories you eat in a day?

Livestrong has come up with a new and simple way to count the calories of each and every meal, adding in the amount of exercise one gets per day to create a complete calculation of one’s physical health. The ingenious calorie counter is called MyPlate and can be found on www.livestrong. com. All you have to do is sign up and begin logging in your food and exercise for the day.

Step one includes putting in your weight, age, goals to achieve, and the amount of activity you achieve. It follows by displaying the amount of calories you should consume within a day. After calculating your set goals it allows you to insert the different types of food you ate or manually insert the calories. It even allows you type in a food product and estimates the amount of calories it probably had so that you do not have to remember numbers throughout the day.

In addition to the different types of food that they have calorie counts for, you can also type in any previously prepared food from many different restaurants including Panera Bread, Chipotle, Trader Joes, and more.

“The Livestrong MyPlate has definitely made me aware of what I am eating and the amount of exercise I have been getting. When I can physically see the amount of calories I am eating it helps me to choose healthier options so I won’t feel as guilty,” senior Megan Loman said.

Not only does the Livestrong MyPlate allow people to track what they are eating and the amount of exercise they are receiving, it allows people to set goals for themselves. People can set nutrient goals, weight goals, and fitness goals in order to further improve their health.

“I think that writing down my health goals would help me to come closer to achieving them. Also, seeing what I eat on paper would definitely help me change the way that I eat because I would strive to pick healthier options,” sophomore Connie Tran said.

The Livestrong MyPlate is a step forward in a society where obesity has become such a large problem because it helps people to be aware of what they are eating and how often they are exercising.

If you are going out to eat, never force yourself to eat the whole entree. If you are not hungry anymore, try asking for a doggy bag!

Heard of people saying “breakfast is the most important meal of the day?” Well, it’s true- eating breakfast is very important for controlling your weight because it reduces the urge to overeat later in the day.

6 7

Try to cut down on sweets.

Beverages and foods already have natural sweeteners, so try to avoid sugary beverages such as Kool-aid and juices.

8

Try to find ways to make food healthier rather than eliminating the food. For example, if you like macaroni and cheese, try adding spinach and diced tomatoes, use less butter, non-fat cheese and non-fat milk.

Try to participate in regular physical activity at least once a day. Exercise can reduce stress, controls weight, and decreases the risk of developing certain diseases.

––Source: Livestrong.com

Work-outs that get your heart pumpin’

Getting ready for bathing suit season Justine Vu, 9

Herson Palma, 9

Jeremy Castellon, 9 EJ Levenberry, 10

Q: What is your physical goal for this summer?

Q: What is your physical goal for this summer?

Q: What is your physical goal for this summer?

Q: What is your physical goal for this summer?

A: I really want to tone my stomach up a little.

A: I want to be more active and fit.

A: My goal is to tone my abs .

Q: Do you make any changes in your eating habits? If so, what?

Q: Do you make any changes in your eating habits? If so, what?

Q: Do you make any changes in your eating habits? If so, what?

A: I want to look stronger with a better looking body.

A: I eat a lot of fruits to stay healthy and fit.

A: I’ll start eating healthier by watching my diet and eating more salads.

A: I have the same diet but I just try to eat more fruits because they are really healthy.

Q: Are there any physical routines you take part in to reach your goal?

Q: Are there any physical exercises or routines you take part in to reach your goal?

A: Playing soccer longer with my friends.

A: I make sure to do a lot of push ups and crunches whenever I can to tone my abs.

A: I usually just try to walk wherever I go. I also make sure to swim a little bit.

A: I eat a lot so I don’t plan on changing my diet.

Q: Are there any physical routines you take part in to reach your goal?

A: I play basketball a lot over the summer.

Alli Foster, 11

Aney Altaf, 11

Q: What is your physical goal for this summer?

Q: What is your physical goal for this summer?

Q: What is your physical goal for this summer?

Q: What is your physical goal for this summer?

A: My goal is to stay as fit as I am and not to gain any weight.

A: I want to work on my abs.

A: I want to lose some weight.

Q: Do you make any changes in your eating habits? If so, what?

Q: Do you make any changes in your eating habits? If so, what?

A: I’d like to keep the same diet and maintaining my weight.

A: I’ll stop eating at night.

A: I’ll eat healthier and drink more water because I never do.

A: For a good weight I try to eat healthy.

Q: Are there any physical routines you take part in to reach your goal?

Q: Are there any physical exercises or routines you take part in to reach your goal?

A: I’m planning on swimming more.

A: I play volleyball over the summer because since it’s a good exercise.

Q: Do you make any changes in your eating habits? If so, what?

A: I’m a vegetarian so I eat a lot of veggies and fruits and drink protein shakes as well.

Q: Are there any physical exercises or routines you take part in to reach your goal?

A: I go to Gold’s Gym and do my own workouts.

Q: Are there any physical routines you take part in to reach your goal?

A: I do sit-ups and go out to run over the summer.

Juanita Mensah, 11

COURTESY OF LEO LEKSANG

Q: Are there any physical routines you take part in to reach your goal?

Q: Do you make any changes in your eating habits? If so, what?

Step one - Ab-Lifts: The first step is to lay against the ground with your back straight. Lift your torso at a 45 degree angle, keeping your hands to the ground and spine straight. Stay in this position for 30 seconds, then return to the ground.

After 5 seconds, return to this position. Do 5 reps of 12.

Ivonne Alba, 12

Q: Do you make any changes in your eating habits? If so, what?

––Compiled by Gessica Azzam

Step one - Cross-Legged Crunch: Leave one leg straight on the floor with another leg crossed over it.

Then, take the arm opposite to that leg and stretch forward, leaving your other arm flat against the ground.

For a more fast-paced workout, alternate between your left and right side every 5 seconds.

––Compiled by Gessica Azzam

8

ARTS

April 13, 2011

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ACADEMICS

April 13, 2011

The Who’s Who of IB Art 1. Jenna Wingfield – “Green Frog on a Black Roof” digital photography 2. Mariah Pollet – “Window to the woods” digital photography 3. Yaritza Pacheco – “Equus Burchellii 4. Tiffany Barber – “Waving Flags” digital photography 5. Jordan Aman – “Windswept” oil on canvas 6. Jenna Truong – “Egg Roll” digital photography 7. Dayana Zyoud-Cruz – “In a Candy Colored Cave” ceramics mixed media 8. Dong Phuong Nguyen – “Blowing” pencil on paper 9. Meriem Khadraoui – “Don’t Fight It” digital photography 10. Allison Warth – “Lady Gaga is a Dreamer” oil and modeling paste on wood 11. Jessica Camilli – “Direction to Perfection” oil on canvas 12. Katherine Yi – “Reflective Flowers” poster color on paper 13. Sean Kim – “East Meats the West” liquid graphite 14. Carrie Vergel de Dios – “Merlin” digital photography 15. Zully Mayen – “Sponga” digital photography 16. Jenna Balicki – “Light as a Feather” digital photography 17. Louise Manahl – “Childhood” digital photography 18. Kevin Muller – “Illness” oil on canvas

COURTESY OF MARIAH POLLET

In case you cannot attend tonight’s show, here are some samples of the IB Art and Photography students’ best works. Below is a list of the 18 students and a representation of the artist and their chosen theme.

Artist Spotlight: Mariah Pollet

9 SAT Words to Know Match the word to the definition to test your knowledge of these SAT words 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

Adjunct Affinity Collusion Corroborate Duress Indiscriminate Monolithic Pathology Pinion Supercilious

Media of Choice: Digital Photography Q: What is your inspiration for your photos?

A: Honestly, I have no specific inspiration. I started with the theme of weather, but got bored with it. I started to experiment a lot and just did things that were fun and crazy.

Q: What do you think of when you photograph something?

A: When I take a picture, I imagine what it will look like as a final print. I try to take it the best I can without edits. I want my work to end up as close to the original shot as possible.

Q: How did you pick your IB theme?

A: I settled on the topic of reflection because it was interesting and found it rewarding. Once I changed my theme from weather to reflections, I just started experimenting and had a lot of fun.

Definitions A. (noun) constraint by threat; imprisonment B. (noun) a wing, feather or type of gear C. (noun) conspiring in a fraudulent scheme D. (adj.) confused, random E. (noun) connected or attached in a secondary or subordinate way F. (noun) conditions, processes, or results of a particular disease G. (verb) confirm; to make more certain the validity of H. (adj.) contemptuous; arrogant I. (noun) connection; close relationship J. (adj.) consisting of a single character; uniformity

1. E; 2. I; 3. C; 4. G; 5. A; 6.

D; 7. J; 8. F; 9. B; 10. H

Students examine the twoyear long process behind preparing for the IB Art Show

BY JORDAN AMAN Arts Editor Walking into her R3 IB photography class last week, Jenna Truong headed straight for the mat cutter in order to prepare her prints for final display. This fivestep process comes only after endless hours spent split between selecting her shots and editing her choices.

For the last few weeks, every senior IB Visual Art student has been filtering through their favorite works, selecting their most-valued pieces and preparing them for display in what is the culmination of the last two-years of hard work. Their goal is to develope a body of work related closely to a theme, selected by the individual artists.

This grueling and often stressful process will culminate tonight at 6 p.m. in the lecture hall, where 17 of AHS’s most gifted art students will be exhibiting their entire senior portfolio.

With media ranging from watercolor and drawing to sculpture and photography, this year’s show promises to be the strongest and most diverse to date.

Preceding the show is yet another anxiety-inducing aspect of exhibiting. The students will each partake in the IB exam, given this year by an examiner from

Maryland. The testing consists of an interview lasting anywhere from half an hour to an hour, depending both on the student’s level (Higher level or Standard level) and the longevity of their explanations. The interview consists of a breakdown of the student’s strongest pieces and the central ideas and concepts behind each work.

Common speaking points include the use of color, composition, concept, subject matter, overall collection, relation between pieces, and the basis and development of a main theme. Standard level students are required to exhibit between eight and 12 pieces, whereas higher level students are required between 12 and 18 pieces of artwork.

Supplemental pieces are encouraged, but will not be considered when the exhibition as a whole is examined.

The universal theme ties the pieces together while each work serves as a representation or interpretation of it.

“This is definitely the best year we have ever had,” artist Allison Warth said. “I’m really excited for the show because everyone has worked really hard and the show looks amazing.”

Warth’s theme of woman empowerment has led her to create images of female nudes, and explore portraiture within her own representative style.

Each artist is given approximately 12 feet of wall space, depending on the sixe of his or her show. With roughly 270 pieces of work hanging in the lecture hall, there is hardly enough space on the walls to fit everything.

“The work is so impressive. [They] should be very proud of [their] work,” art teacher Ann Harper said.

With less examining students this year than last, the larger show is testament to how hard each student has worked to create a fully developed portfolio.

One topic presented among the artists is that of buying and selling their work. With the many viewers coming to the show, IB students must consider which pieces they are willing to sell, and if so, for how much.

“I won’t sell any of my self portraits or any portraits of my mother,” artist Kevin Muller said.

In admiration of each other’s pieces, some artists have resorted to trading work, as money may not be a feasible means of payment for the blood, sweat, and tears required to produce the work.

However, while the IB art show is intended to showcase the developement of each artist, it has also been a learning experience for the first-year IB Art and Photography students. And while the last few months watching their senior classmates has appeased some concern about next year, it has also generated some newer ones.

“The seniors seem really stressed out trying to get everything together at the last minute,” IB Photography 1 student Rachel Bergen said. “However, everything seems to be falling into place for them, so I am not as worried anymore.”

COURTESY OF JENNA BALICKI

Preparing for the big day Artist Spotlight: Jenna Balicki Q: What is your inspiration for your photos?

A: "The world around me. Nature inspires me because I'm outside so much.

I think it is really pretty and the way we are using up resources, we are getting away from the way it should be, and destroying nature. " Q: What do you think of when you photograph something?

A: "I think about the composition and how the colors look. I like to take candid shots, although most of the time I get an image in my mind when I shoot something. I take the shot from many angles to see which comes out best, and that's why I have so many sequences in my show.

Q: How did you pick your IB theme?

A: "I'm always outside and its a big topic around the world recently. the topic relates directly to what I like to shoot, so choosing my theme wasn't really that hard."

Visit www.thea-blast.org for more interviews with the senior IB Art students and for pictures from the IB Art Show.

IN-DEPTH

10 The standards set for students of U.S. public schools are currently too low: Strongly Disagree

9%

• ?• April 13, 2011

Easy

Strongly agree

11% Disagree

Agree

26%

32%

Do not know

22%

The U.S. public school system is out of date and in need of reform: Strongly disagree

16%

Strongly agree

5%

17%

Agree

Do not know

36%

26%

Those who excel in high school classes are automatically intelligent and those who do not are automatically unintelligent: Strongly agree

Strongly disagree

11%

28%

Agree

16%

Disagree

24%

I do not know

21%

How challenging is the U.S. public school system is compared to other country’s?

Less challenging Equally challenging

More challenging

44%

30%

26%

U.S. public schools successfully prepare students for life in the globalized modern world: Agree

47% Disagree

33%

Strongly disagree Strongly agree

12%

8%

This survey was distributed on April 6 during all lunches. Out of the 400 surveys distributed, 306 were returned and counted.

AJ MCCAFFERTY

Disagree

Students in American classrooms today show decreasing interest in school that directly affects America’s international education reputation.

American schools earn an “F” Education in the U.S. requires reform

BY KATIE MASTERS In-Depth Editor Based on its expenditures, the United States should have one of the best education systems in the world. We devote 17.1 percent of our yearly budget on education, or roughly $10,000 per student, while other developed countries, such as England, France and Spain, spend only a little more than 11 percent. Yet, according to the OECD Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), America lags behind such countries in almost every subject.

Among thirty-four other developed countries, we rank 25th in Math, 17th in Science and 14th in Reading, trailing behind top scoring countries such as Finland, Canada and Japan.

These kinds of statistics are alarming for a country that was once a pioneer in public education.

When the concept of public schools–the idea of free, compulsory education, paid for by taxation– emerged in the mid-1800s, it was revolutionary. It changed a society which, before the breakthrough, limited the privilege of schooling to the wealthy upper classes.

As prominent education and creativity expert Sir Ken Robinson and other scholars note, the motive behind the development of public education systems in America was primarily economic.

Seeking to deal with an influx of immigrants to the U.S. and a growing number of unskilled laborers, leaders of the public education movement designed curricula in a way that would ensure basic literacy and provide factories with trained and competent workers. As a result, schools were designed like factory assembly lines. Even today, most public schools in America feature simplistic building plans separated by subject areas and religiously follow schedules of ringing bells; the same type of environment experienced by production laborers.

Children are educated in batches, separated not on the basis of abilities or interests, but on their age.

More often than not, schools view students with the same mentality with which factories view their products. The focus is less on individuality than conformity, or ensuring that each student emerges from their educational experience with roughly the same skills.

While this system was suited to the needs of the 1800s, it is no longer relevant. As the world rapidly grows more complex and globalized, creative and innovative thinkers become a much more valuable commodity than those trained to excel in an outdated system of education. Yet instead of changing to fit the needs of a rapidly changing world, U.S. school systems cling to old traditions and beliefs. Programs which encourage divergent thinking, such as the arts, are ruthlessly cut out of education budgets and replaced with more standardized testing, despite studies which show that participation in arts programs and creative teaching methods increases interest and performance in school subjects such as science, math and reading. Many schools also struggle to incorporate modern technology into their teaching methods despite its pivotal role in virtually all career fields. Though the lack of up-to-date technology in schools is often due to budgetary restrictions, many teachers fail to recognize the value of devices like laptops and iPhones, viewing

Ways to change American education – Stop modeling schools after factories Different students have different interests and different learning preferences. By standardizing education and producing students in “batches,” factory schools alienate students by failing to recognize their unique qualities and stifle their creativy.

– Bring back support for the arts Studies have shown that a person’s brain activity increases and their senses are more active when participating in creative activities. Stu dents have also been showed to perform better academically when exposed to creative activities and teaching methods. To improve a stu dent’s school experience and capacity for learning, America should decrease standardized test funding and give it back to art programs.

– Work with modern technology instead of against it Instead of banning technology like iPods and smart phones, educators should recognize them as potential creative tools and encourage their constructive use inside and outside the classroom. Technology is a fundamental part of today’s world, and teachers can capture the in terest of students and teach them important skills by incorporating it into lesson plans. them as distractions rather than creative tools.

The dedication of American public schools to the concept of conformity is clearly displayed through their dedication to standardized tests, which is supported by legislative action on the part of the government. The most recent and prominent piece of legislation concerning standardized tests is the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, a major initiative of President George W. Bush. The Act established strict standards in reading and math which schools must meet in order to receive federal funding. This piece of legislation is the underlying reason for the SOL tests that AHS students experience each year.

While the No Child Left Behind Act was established as an effort to reduce the number of fundamentally uneducated students emerging from U.S. high schools each year, it unconsciously enforced the notion of conformity and restricted the ability of teachers to develop more creative lesson plans.

School budgets were quickly redirected away from creative programs and towards those that drilled students on the simplistic test requirements, simply in order to receive necessary federal funding.

The 2001 No Child Left Behind Act, and standardized testing in general, are still greatly contested among educators. The advocates of such methods of measuring performance, usually known as “back to basics” educators, support the notion of standardized curriculums, claiming that it ensures that all students possess at least a basic level of academic skill. The opponents of standardized

testing, or “progressives,” view intellectual freedom as the cornerstone of democratic society and view student autonomy, creativity and curiosity as the most prominent aspects of a meaningful education.

By forcing schools to view conformity as a desirable goal, they argue, standardized tests alienate millions of students by limiting their natural ingenuity and turning them against education.

Many excuses are made for America’s poor international rankings in education and our troublingly low math and science scores, which are equivalent to those of students in Third World countries like Thailand and Serbia. Some educators claim that PISA rankings are unfair because other countries select their top-ranking students while the U.S. tests all of its eligible public school attendees. Others claim that the high number of immigrants in public schools drags down test results. But as other nations begin to test greater numbers of students and new studies reveal that even upper/middle class pupils with at least one college educated parent earn mediocre results on standardized tests, such excuses begin to fall flat.

The American public education system should be one of our greatest assets and sources of national pride. Instead, it has gained a reputation as a failure, which ultimately produces lackluster and unenthusiastic students. Many argue that U.S. schools fail their students, and thus ruin the creativity of generations of children.

IN-DEPTH

April 13, 2011

The failure of American education

International schools compared Students compare AHS to schools they have attended in other nations

BY ERIN JOHNSON In-Depth Editor The purported failure of the American education system is highlighted through comparisons between the levels of success in American schools and international schools. Every year, dozens of tests are performed to ascertain the amount of competition offered by different nations in key categories such as math, science and reading.

The function of these tests is to determine which nation has the most successful school system so that other countries can race to copy them. It also serves as a way to point out the flaws in established systems in order to encourage improvement.

The U.S. has been continuously criticized for years for its lack of performance when compared to other nations. American students habitually score low in international rankings based on science and math.

When looking at the statistics, American education seems to have a lot of room for improvement.

Due to the abundant diversity that is apparent at AHS, there are many students from different nations who have firsthand experienced what it is like to learn and study internationally and can actively compare this with the education that is offered by public schools in America.

Senior Andy Nguyen was born in Vietnam and went to public school there from kindergarten to 1st/2nd grade. “The education system isn’t divided into grades, it’s divided into subjects,” Nguyen said.

Key differences that can be seen between U.S.

education and education in countries such as Vietnam is the lack of corporal punishment that is experienced by children in the U.S. “I got hit by a ruler once. It really hurt. Bad kids would continuously get beaten,” Nguyen said.

Senior Arish Ali also experienced teachers who hit their students with rulers at his elementary school in Bangladesh. “Teachers [are] a lot stricter, more formal and less personal. There’s corporal punishment,” Ali said.

Countries like Bangladesh and Vietnam focus less on creativity and more on memorization. “The Bengali system was more math based,” Ali said.

“It was harder, more intensive. It focused more on numbers. Elementary school in America [is] based more on expression. [The Bengali system] restricts your individualism.”

Most school systems just reflect the differences of culture that exist between countries.

Senior Samar Faris went to school in Jeddah,

“

Between the education I got in Vietam and here, education is better here.

–Andy Nguyen senior

”

Saudi Arabia. “It was pretty big, from Kindergarten to 12th grade all in one school. It was originally a mall but the principal bought it because it was the only space big enough for that many students,” Faris said. “The school was divided in half, the girls and guys sections. All the teachers were women and they were the only ones allowed in both sides of the school.”

With different education systems come different grading systems. “[In Saudi Arabia] the curriculum was based on the British schooling system where grades were determined by the final year exams and there was a report card at the end of the

year and it showed the overall percentages in all the classes and a cumulative average which determined your class rank,” Faris said.

The curriculum differences between international schools is key to the differences in test scores and overall assessment of a schooling system. “The curriculum [in Vietnam] focused heavily on reading and pronunciation. Math was also a pretty big chunk of the course,” Nguyen said.

The American school system has been heavily criticized for not allowing students to explore their own interests, but rather making them follow a strict curriculum handed down by the government.

“It’s never about what you want to do, it’s about a set of curricula. Where are our interests?” senior Brian Coffman said.

Even though the U.S. school system is internationally described as inferior to other nations, most who have experienced schools in other nations and school at AHS find that they prefer it in the U.S. “Between the education I got in Vietnam and here, the education system is better here,” Nguyen said. “They don’t allow room for mistakes, they want you to get information on the first time they introduce it. They encourage you to raise your hand and say what’s on your mind here.

It doesn’t matter if it’s wrong or not, it’s not like you’re going to get beaten.”

The fact of the matter is, the American education system is larger than most other country’s school systems. A single school, such as AHS, can offer a better experience than one what would be offered internationally but not impact the general lack of efficiency that is found across the nation. No system of education is flawless, and there is no one correct way to educate children. The source for most of the success is the determination that students have to succeed.

By the numbers, one would assume that an American school would be much worse than one in Vietnam, Bangladesh or Saudi Arabia.

Students’ opinions, however, seem to prefer those in America.

Students’ views on education Reform is greatly needed in schools

BY ELIZABETH WILSON Webmaster I have attended a public school since I entered kindergarten in 1999, and although I would generally describe my experience as a positive one, I have also experienced first hand some of the fundamental problems with the system.

Most frustrating is that it is almost impossible for counties nationwide to manage their personnel. It’s not just that ineffective or unqualified teachers cannot be removed from the system, but that the highly successful teachers cannot be rewarded for their success. Because the payroll is based off of the number of years a teacher has been in the county or at the school, many young, successful teachers are under-compensated. There is

nothing intrinsic to someone who is 50 that makes them more qualified than someone who is 30.

Moreover, the education system’s misguided emphasis on age is not limited to their staff.

Students are pushed through the system in batches, and, to quote British author and education expert Sir Ken Robinson, “It’s like the most important thing about [kids] is their date of manufacture.”

Assuming that kids of a certain age group are at the same intellectual and maturity level results in a school atmosphere focused on keeping the attention of the kids in each grade who haven’t reached the maturity level of their classmates.

It’s the experience of the kindergarten teacher spending half the class trying to get that one kid to stop throwing a tantrum under the table, or the high school teacher who repeatedly interrupts his or her lecture to wake up the sleeping kids in the back.

Read the rest of the article at www-thea-blast.org

Schools focus too much on busy work

BY ALEX GALLOWAY Special to The A-Blast The public school system works great for kids who are all about being in the system of it.

The setup for public school helps those of us who are already good workers.

I say workers because I wouldn’t say that school rewards intelligence as much as it does work.

Busy work seems to be a large factor of public schools, at least up until the time kids hit their junior or senior of high school.

On one hand, busy work is a way of keeping students engaged during class and arguably helps them learn the

material. On the other hand, it detrimentally affects students who can understand the material without repeating it over and over.

One can argue that the advent of IB and AP helped solve the busy work problem, but again, neither IB nor AP even show up until high-school students’ junior year.

In addition to that, IB masquerades as a program that promotes abstract thinking while still adhering to a rather concrete rubric. In school we are told to think outside the box while at the same time being chained into one.

The double standard of it is really a problem with the school system as a whole, a problem I can only assume pervades into other countries given IB’s international status.

As a whole, the school system likely needs reform, but there isn’t really a reformed system as an example, and starting from scratch is a difficult proposition.

Top issues with American schooling

5 2

Lack of parental involvement When compared with other countries, American parents, though criticized, are not as hands on with their children’s education. The book The Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother highlights the differences between Chinese and American parents and how American parents are less involved.

Standardized Testing The phrase “teaching to the test” sums up this category. Many argue that the overemphasis on standardized testing is causing students to only memorize facts that are arbitrarily chosen.

Also, students are judged competent based on test scores which may not be able to test their understanding of the subject.

4 1

Emphasis on egalitarisnism Starting as early as elementary school, the American education system expects all students to be the same. Many criticize the American education system for not allowing students to excel, as they are not allowed to pursue their own interests. Students learn at the same pace, regardless of their comprehension.

3

Curriculum dictated by government Although it is important that standards are set for education by the government, most of the curriculum is inflexible and does not accept the different interests that students might have.

For example, a student who has no interest or aptitude in math is forced to take four years of it in high school.

11

Top three education systems in the world Finland Finland has frequently claimed to have the best school system in the world, and test results seem to prove it. Finland outperformed almost every other country in every single subject on the 2010 PISA test (a standaridized exam distributed internationally by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development), and has the highest rate of teen literacy and greatest percentage of “regular readers” in the world. Finland boasts a unified school system (students stay at one school for nine years, merging primary and secondary education), long holidays and a secondary school system that allows students to individualize their curriculums.

Japan Japanese students earned high marks on the 2010 PISA test and actually outscored their Finnish counterparts on the Science section, making the Japanese education system the second best in the world. Japan maintains excellent educational standards by employing only highly trained and competent teachers, assigning students six to eight hours of homework a night and putting a high societal value on academic success. Japanese school days are longer than those in most other countries and some areas of Japan still feature a six day school week. Additionally, summer holidays are shortened to prevent students from forgetting what they learned in the previous school year. Though Japan’s rigorous education system promotes excellence, it is reported to cause psychological problems in some students.

South Korea Like Finland and Japan, South Korea also earned very high scores on the 2010 PISA test, and more South Korean students complete their secondary education than in any other country.

South Korea devotes a large percentage of its national budget to its public education system, and, like Japan, enforces very rigorous academic standards.

These educational methods have allowed it to quickly rise above more developed nations like the U.S. and Great Britain.

What are the main problems with the American public school system?

“Public schools are really overcrowded and all the textbooks are outdated.”

—Olivia Lafferty freshman “Public school hours are too long and prevent students from getting all their work done and getting enough sleep.”

—Josh Adoremos sophomore “I honestly think there is no room for creativity. The Humanities are ignored most of the time and the emphasis in most classes is on shoving facts down students’ throats.”

—Zulay Huma junior

“Schools are overcrowded and there are too many students in one class, which prevents them from learning effectively.”

—Dana Moon senior

Students not prepared

The main argument against the U.S. education system is that it does not prepare students for the technological, globalized world. Other nations specifically adjust their school’s curriculum so that the students will be ready to compete at a global level.

The fact is, the U.S. education system does not even compare to some countries schools. Students in other countries focus more on math, science and languages, where American students are statistically worse in math and science and world languages are not emphasized enough.

“The biggest problem is a lack of motivation from students. In order to live the American Dream they need a good education, so they should take full advantage of wonderful, free public education.”

—Tobias Dienstfrey Math teacher

12

International

ABlast

the

April 13, 2011

J’étudie à l’étranger

Students choose to go on a new experience and travel far for college Margot Henric

Traveling to France and Spain senior

See if you can guess what country

• Has a population of 10,118,683 • The country is made up Roman Catholic by 95%, and Protestant (Evangelical Methodist) by 5% • The capital is La Paz

PHOTO COURTESY OF MARGOT HENRIC

Where in the world?

Q: Do you attend AHS during the school year but return to a certain country every summer?

A: I live here, but my family lives in France. So I go visit my aunt and uncle in Paris every summer. On my dad’s side, they live down south near Spain at the beach. So, when I visit my grandma who lives up north France, i work at the beach.

Q: Who do you stay with while you live in the U.S.?

A: My mom and my dad live here with me. I’ve been doing this ever since I was eight.

Q: Why do you return to France and Spain every summer?

A: My parents wanted to continue our french culture. They don’t want me to forget how to speak french or my heritage, or where I come from. It’s like I open a drawer in my mind everytime I go back there.

Q: Do you ever miss your family in France and Spain?

A: Oh yea. I miss them a lot. I have a lot of friends there. One of my friends, who works with me on the beach, is coming this spring break for two weeks. She’s never been to America. In fact, I think Im going to bring her to school.

Q: Do you just visit France and Spain, or do you visit other countries?

A: I go to tons of places. I’ve been to Germany, italy, switzerland, austria, and many other places. But mainly I go back to France and Spain.

Henric poses with senior Anna Smith outside the Musée du Louvre in France.

Q: Is it just you who returns to France every year?

A: I go by myself. But in this past year, I’ve brought my best friend with me.

Josh Jean-Jacques

Traveling to Belgium senior Q: Where are you going for college?

A: I’m going to Nemur, Belgium for culinary school.

Can you guess where it is?

“In another planet, like Mars.”

­ Tsion — Gashawtena freshman

PHOTO COURTESY OF JOSH JEAN-JACQUES

Answer: Bolivia

Where would you like to live for a day?

Q: What made you want to study in Belgium?

A: I think it will be a good experience and it will help me in the long-run in landing a job. I also have a lot of friends and family there.

Q: Have you visited Belgium before? And did you go alone or with family?

A: Yeah, I have gone 3 times in the past 3 summers. The most recent time was this previous summer when I went and stayed with my family friend for a month.

I usually go alone but last time my mom and brother came during the last week of my stay.

Q: Do you think it will be difficult adjusting to a new way of life?

A: Of course, everything is difficult at first. It helps that I can speak French fluently and have visited many times before. It will take some time before I can adjust but I dont think I can ever really fully adapt to the Belgian ways.

Jean-Jacques poses for a picture in Belgium with his friends.

Q: What are you most looking forward to while there?

A: I’m looking forward to exploring the country and spending quality time with my friends. I’m also really excited for the Belgian chocolate and waffles!

Q: Do you have any fears or concerns on going to a new country?

A: I’m sad to leave my family and friends and basically have to start over. My main concern is just living completly on my own in a new, foreign place.

“I would like to go to Fiji so I could have clean water all year round.”

­—Dane Harlowe junior

Le never expected to fall in love with the U.S.

By Phuoc Sang “DIMI” Le from Thailand

­—David Crogan junior

“Hawaii because it’s really pretty and has good weather.”

What is the difference between United States and Vietnam? There are many things that are different between United States and Vietnam, such as both countries are strange. When I came to the United States, I saw many things that are strange and I couldn’t believe it. The United States was going to change my life, I needed to begin my new life in the United States. So, when I compare the two countries, I see many things that are different. But, the three most different things between the United States and Vietnam are the culture, fashion, and relationship.

First of all, the culture in the United States is not like my country, it is very strange. In United States, people don’t talk much, they do not communicate at all, people stay at home and watch TV or do something else. In United States, the culture is hard for me to follow, but I will endeavour to follow it. The culture is boring, however I like the United States culture more than my old culture, because this is a new place for me to live.

“

­—Paige Clark senior

“Cairo, Egypt because I want the lovely sunny days.”

­ Ola Layaly — Arabic teacher

Compiled by Jayran Moridzadeh

To listen to American Stories, go to www.thea-blast.org!

...I started a new life in the United States and I hope I can have a better life in the United States.

HAUMAIRA SAFI

“The Death Star so I could hang with my homie Darth Vader.”

When Le came to AHS, he made a lot of very good friends that he has come to love.

”

Dimi Le

sophomore Second of all, the fashion between United States and Vietnam are 100 percent different. In Vietnam, they put colors in their hairs and they have very long hair. Every month, they design new clothes with many colors.

In Vietnam, they dress very normal, in United States, they dress a lot of ways. They copy the fashion from other cultures. However, the fashion in Vietnam and United States are not important to me, I can wear anything.

I hope one day, all kinds of fashion will be the same between Vietnam and

the United States, so I can have an easy way to choose it.

Finally, the last important difference between the United States and Vietnam is the relationship between students and teachers. In the United States, the teachers are very whole-hearted. If you do not understand something, the teachers try to explain it again and they want you to understand what they said. In Vietnam, teachers hit you with a ruler if you do something wrong and are not willing to help. Another relationship is between me and my friends in the United States. Two years ago, the first day when I came to school, I didn’t understand anything, so they helped me and told me about the school and people. Sometimes, they solved difficult things or problems for me, so I really love them.

However, I started a new life in the United States and I hope I can have a better life in the United States. There is no where for me to go except the United States, because United States is the best place for me to start a new life.

14 Nag Natalie

LIFESTYLES

April 13, 2011

Make your eyes stand out Use these simple make-up tips in your everyday routine to make your eyes pop

Advice Column

By Natalie Johnson

Single at Prom Dear Natalie, As you very well know, Prom is fast approaching, which means that boys are beginning to ask girls to go with them. However, I am afraid that the guy that I want to go with is going to take another girl.

I have been crushing on him for quite a while now but I am unsure as to how I can secure him as my date. Please help me figure this out before he is taken!

Protruding Eyes People with protruding eyes have especially wide eyes and lids. Their eyes are easy to apply makeup to, but when applied incorrectly, can make them look like a clown. When applying make-up, use the smokey eye technique for your eyeshadow and start with the dark colors at the lashes and go lighter as you go up to the eye brow. Do not use a lot of eyeliner since your eyes are already big and don’t need to be popped out anymore. Use a couple strokes of mascara to make your eyelashes pop.

Hooded Eyes When skin from your eyelid falls over the eye socket line, then you have hooded eyes. Since you have small lids, you should keep your eye make-up simple. Start by applying eyeliner to the inside of your top lashes to make your eyes appear wider.

Then use eyeshadow and start from your lash line with a light color and go only a little ways up and end with a medium-dark color. If you use only dark eye shadow, everything will blend in. Next apply your mascara and, like the down turned eyes, apply your mascara to the tips of your lashes.

Down Turned Eyes If you have down turned eyes, it is very easy while applying make-up to do it wrong and your eye shadow completely blend in with your mascara.

To apply make-up, start with your eyeliner and put it close to the lash line. Then move on to your eye shadow and start with the light colors towards the inner V of your eye and gradually get darker while working your way to the outer V. Lastly apply mascara to the tips of your eyelashes so it makes your eyes look brighter.

Deep Set Eyes Deep set eyes are deep into the socket with a small eyelid. Take your eye liner and cover the inside of your eye where your eyes lashes begin. When applying eyeshadow, start with the light colors at the inner corners and then gradually get darker while making your way to the outer corners, but when you go darker, angle the eye shadow to go out a little, following your eye lid direction. Then apply mascara to your eyelashes focussing on getting the tips of them so they appear longer and the inner V.

Close Set Eyes Having close set eyes means your eyes are very narrow. Eyeliner should be put on your lash line with a thin line and then on the bottom of your eye as well. Next use the eyeshadow and like the deep set eyes, start from light and gradually go to dark but begin with the inner corner of your eyes and make your way to the outer corner, but more dramatically then the deep set eyes. Mascara should be darker towards the inner corner of your eye and get lighter towards the outer corner.

--Dateless?

Dear Dateless, Why not ask him? Instead of waiting around for him to ask you, which may not even happen, try asking him first. It may sound scary or crazy and I know that it isn’t the “old fashioned” way of doing things, but it does increase your chances of securing the date that you want. Plus, it’ll show him your confidence and that you are a cool girl that can handle your own.

Not only that, but it gives you the control instead of him. Try hanging out with him a few times before you ask to let him know that you are interested and to get him interested in you. Once you feel comfortable enough around him, go for it!

You could try coming up with a fun plan like a scavenger hunt or you could just flat out ask him.

Even if he does turn you down, you at least know that you tried and you will have gained enough confidence to realize that you don’t need a date to Prom to have an amazing time.

—Natalie Have a problem? E-mail Natalie at natalie.johnsonn@gmail.com

How long does it take you to get ready in the morning?

Almond Eyes With almond eyes, your eyes are proportionally shaped. There are numerous ways you can do your make-up, and you have the easiest eyes for doing it. The most popular way is to apply eyeliner along your eyelash line and then at the bottom of your eye. Use your make-up brush and put your light eyeshadow at your lashes and gradually get darker, using the smoky eye technique. When using mascara, you can use a lot and make your lashes look really long and thick, or you can use a little and go with the more natural look.

Make-up products that cut your prep time in half Maybelline creates eyeshadow quads and trios that help you easily apply eyeshadow. The quad tells you where to apply each color and how to apply it.

There are tons of sets in different colors, so you can go with a natural look or a smokey eye for the evening.

For the perfect shade of blush try Almay’s Smart Shade Blush. It goes on as a white cream and then, when rubbed into your cheeks, turns into a shade of blush that will fit your skin tone perfectly. Almay also creates Smart Shade Concealers and bronzers to make it easy to find a shade of make-up that matches your skin.

Wake up in the morning feeling like...

A look into the mornings of clothes, hair and makeup for the teenage girl and boy

BY MEGAN FLYNN AND NGAN PHAM Staff Writers

“It takes me 15 minutes in the morning if I take a shower at night.”

—Christian Collin freshman

“I learned to take like 20 minutes max because I can’t get extra sleep.”

— Marcella Oriz junior

“It takes me about 30 minutes to shower, put on clothes, fix up my hair and put on make-up.”

—Zeni SaifeSelassie senior “The fastest I’ve done it is three minutes, that’s skipping the shower and planning an outfit ahead.”

— Brian Le senior -Compiled by Alexis Gunther

Go to www.thea-blast.org to read stories on the new summer fashion.

Mark by Avon creates customized makeup duos to help with your busy lifestyle.

On their website you can pick between concealer, lip gloss, mascara, brow gel, eyeliner and even fragrances to create your own stick. They are called Hook Ups and are perfect to touch up your make-up throughout the day. You can choose two of the many products to be placed on each end of the stick. The products come in multiple colors so it’s will be easy to find one that suits you flawlessly.

Wake up, roll out of bed, put on a clean shirt and drive to school. No need to deal with finding the perfect outfit or getting your hair just right, you’re only coming to school because the law requires you to, and anything above your physical presence is asking way too much. Given this scenario, most people would say this perfectly describes a guy. While it may be a bit stereotypical, guys generally complain that girls take forever to get ready, but have you ever wondered why that is?

Guys typically take a very short amount of time to get ready, but girls are the ones spending hours primping and spending an unnecessary amount of time in front of the bathroom mirror. Guys and girls are both going to the same place: school. Less sleep mixed with hard work to look good in the morning sounds like a bad combination, so why do girls try so hard?

“It takes me 10 minutes to get ready. I’m up at 6:30 and out the door by 6:40. Girls take forever because they have to look nice,” sophomore Jae Min Kim said.

Alot of girls show up at school with coordinated outfits,

Freshman Chelsea Barrett

Sophomore Sahil Chawla

Wake Up: 5:45 a.m.

Wake Up: 5:30 a.m.

Morning Routine: Get dressed, wash my face, brush my teeth, spread my bed, watch some TV and fall back asleep.

Morning Routine: I take a shower, get dressed and make breakfast. I usually have some time left over so I make sure I have everything.

Leave for school: 6:30 to catch the bus.

Leave for school: 6:20 to take the bus to school.

perfectly made up faces, and flawless hair. You’d think they’re prepping for a photo shoot, but they’re just dressing to impress.

“I dress up because I care about the way I look and don’t want to look like a bum,” sophomore Rukan Said said.

It’s beyond comprehension for guys to understand why girls take so much time to look their best. While boys underestimate it, girls put a lot of heart into their outfits.

“You see a lot of people at school and want to have a good appearance,” junior Evelyn Jaramillo said.

Girls think that looks are a priority in the morning, but some guys think that it might be too much hype.

“Some girls care too much about how they look.

Some girls don’t care at all. I’m sure hair, makeup and choosing the perfect outfit takes quite a while,” senior Jake Dang said.

It isn’t as easy as it looks, but the outcome is being dressed to impress. Time comes second to many girls compared to how cute they look in the mirror. This is another phenomenon that boys continue to ponder about when it comes to the secrets of girls.

SPORTS X-TRA

April 13, 2011

15

EMMA BARKER

Winter AllMetropolitan Athletes

(From left to right) Senior Karl Ziegler, senior Moe Bah, sophomore Hari Mizouri, junior Tony Hysjulien and senior Yari Mizouri show support for Varsity Boys’ lacrosse at every home game.

Hype squad moves from court to stadium

BY ESRA GOKTURK Sports X-tra Editor We follow their chants, cheer alongside them and boo when they get ejected from games. In the fall, it was the famous Atoms boys during football games. During the winter, the AHS “Hype” squad has entertained us and kept our spirits high throughout basketball season.

Now, they have added a few new members to their ranks and are keeping the stands alive at the spring lacrosse games. But is the Hype squad actually hyping lax fans up?

The Hype squad consists of a group of AHS boys who lead cheers at various sporting events. Members of the Hype squad include junior Tony Hysjulien, senior Moe Bah and brothers Yari and Hari Mizouri, just to name a few. For the lacrosse season, the squad has recruited new member and varsity basketball star

Karl Ziegler.

“We are returning the favor [from basketball season] and bringing back some school spirit,” Ziegler said.

The boys have one goal: to get the crowd excited and pumped up, therefore hyping the players up during the game.

“We’re trying to be the loudest cheering section in the Northern Region,” Ziegler said.

While the Hype squad can get the stands roaring during an indoor, tight court, fast paced basketball game, there is some question as to whether their methods will be as effective in the half empty bleachers of a lacrosse game.

“It’s good having fans at our games. They get us going and we get some extra motivation,” senior Bob Stevens said.

Not everyone appreciates the Hype squad’s rowdy behavior and intense cheering. The type of crowd may have a lot do to with

it. Basketball games are tightly packed with students, while lacrosse fans, the majority of which are parents who do not appreciate the excessive cheering, tend to spread themselves across the stands. The Hype squad has gotten some mixed reviews on the blog site laxpower. com, including the words “hecklers” and “hateful,” while others labeled them “sophisticated.”

The Hype squad is also known for occasionally taking things too far. During basketball games, fans watched and yelled as athletic directors would come over to tell the students to restrict their unruly behavior. This ranged from rude comments directed at referees to offensive signs and comments towards the opposing team.

Things can easily get heated in a tightly packed court, but you might expect things to be a little more relaxed at a widely spread football stadium. However, the hype squad

Track & Field Senior Joel Hoisington Honorable Mention

was recently reprimanded at the boys varsity lacrosse game against West Springfield High School after several of their comments were deemed offensive by the Spartan players and coaches. The result was the near outbreak of a fight at the end of the game.

“They may have gone a little too far at West Springfield, but they were just trying to support their team,” Stevens said.

There is obviously mixed feelings about the Hype squad, but nobody seems to mind positive cheering and supporting your team. It is the negative comments and occasional out-of-control behavior that cause debate. Regardless of the feelings towards them, AHS lacrosse fans will be seeing the Hype squad around, whether it be cheering in the stands or being escorted out of them. You can follow the hype squad online this spring at laxpower.com.

Boys’ Basketball Senior Karl Ziegler Honorable Mention

Track & Field Senior J.P. Jenkins First team

Track & Field Junior Ahmed Bile First team

Boys’ Swimming Senior Kyle Tyrell Honorable Mention

British invade girls lacrosse

Interview with St. Bart’s

Girls lacrosse hosts matches against St. Bart’s school

BY ESRA GOKTURK AND KATE GRANDCHAMP Sports X-tra Editor and Staff Writer

EMMA BARKER

Many schools participate in foreign exchange programs and hosting students from other countries. However, this is usually for academic purposes and programs. AHS is unique in that not only do we have academic foreign exchange programs, but athletic ones as well. Last weekend, the AHS girls lacrosse team hosted a team from England, a tradition that occurs every two years.

“We do it for the fun, the experience and the learning. We also do it to make new friends and for the international competition, of course,” AHS lacrosse coach Cindy Hook said.

Last weekend marked yet another event of girls lacrosse hosting a girls lacrosse team from England. This year they hosted girls from St. Bartholomew’s school in Newbury, England.

“I hosted last time [the British] came too, and its so much fun to get to know all of them,” senior St. Bart’s girls gave Head Coach Cindy Hook a school flag and a book on the the history of their school at the potluck dinner.

Megan Loman said.

On April 9, the host families brought their a score of 10-6.

During their brief stay, the two lacrosse teams “The playing is far different from us,” St. guests back to AHS for their departure on the spent April 8 visiting the sites in Washington, Bartholomew’s junior Lizzie Swallow said. shuttle bus. The St. Bartholomew’s girls lacrosse D.C. They toured and walked around after having After the game, the teams all had a potluck teams are touring various places in the United breakfast together at IHOP to talk and get to know together at the school to celebrate their final day States and will be traveling to Baltimore next. each other. They also went to go see the cherry with each other.

The experience is meant to integrate people blossom festival.

“The matches were fun. And the potluck was from around the world while sharing and learning “Everyone really enjoyed walking around D.C. really nice, too,” Swallow said. new experiences on both sides. and spending time with each other, even though “It’s [for] life education, really,” Hook said.

Due to the cancellation of the boys lacrosse the weather was rainy,” junior Kenzi Wright said. game, the girls then all went to Tysons Corner The time spent with the girls from England After returning back to the school and Mall to shop and experience American culture. built new friendships and provided the opportunity going home with their host families, the St. “We absolutely loved the shopping here; to share different cultures and ideas.

Bartholomew’s girls returned later that evening everything’s so much bigger than back home,” St. to AHS for a scrimmage against the Atoms at 6:30. Bartholomew’s junior player Emma Norris said.

The game ended with a victory for the Atoms with

Name: Pheobe Dace School: St. Bartholomew’s School Location: Newbury, England What are you looking forward to the most while visiting America?

We’re looking forward to staying with the host families and being able to meet the different families.

Also, we’re exciting about shopping in New York.

Were you nervous about anything before coming to America?

I was nervous about meeting my host family at first, but they are really nice.

Did anything interesting happen while you were traveling?

When we were at the airport, we were taking pictures and a security guard took our cameras because we didn’t know we weren’t allowed to take pictures. But luckily he gave the cameras back.

What are some of the biggest differences between England and America?

The foods are a lot different, the portion sizes are so much bigger over in America. Also, the terms for things are different too, we call underwear pants and that’s what Americans refer to their jeans as.

How has playing lacrosse in America been so far?

We don’t wear eye goggles when we play lacrosse in England, so we just started to practice with them on so that we can play the Annandale team.

—Compiled by Betsy Kruse

Go to www.thea-blast.org to see a full slideshow of the St. Bartholomew’s experience with the AHS girls lacrosse team.

16 Top 10 iTunes Downloads 1. E.T. (feat. Kanye West) Katy Perry 2. Just Can’t Get Enough The Black Eyed Peas

ENTERTAINMENT Top 5 Prom movies to watch

The best films that capture the Prom night experience

2

Carrie (1976)

Based on the novel written by Stephen King, Sissy Spacek stars as a bullied highschooler in the horror flick Carrie. Facing the abuse of her religiously fanatic mother and the taunting of her merciless classmates, Carrie’s anger finally proves to be too much.

After Sue Snell (Amy Irving), a girl who had previously led the attacks on Carrie starts to feel guilty, she suggests her star-athlete boyfriend Tommy Ross (William Katt) takes Carrie to prom in her place. Days before the Prom, strange accidents begin to occur to anyone bullying Carrie, as her anger begins to manifest into violent attacks through her telekinetic abilities.

Suddenly, Prom, which was expected to be the night of their lives proves to be the ultimate display of Carrie’s wrath.This psychological thriller is the ideal choice for any student looking for a pre-prom fright.

3. Honey Bee Blake Shelton 4. S & M Rihanna 5. Till the World Ends Britney Spears 6. Rolling in the Deep ADELE 7. On the Floor (feat. Pitbull) Jennifer Lopez 8. Look At Me Now (feat. Lil Wayne and Busta Rhymes) Chris Brown 9. Blow Ke$ha

3

10. Born This Way Lady Gaga

4 Prom Night (2008) This film staring Brittany Snow, Scott Porter, and Jessica Stroup, tells a story of the perfect prom which ends up as the perfect murder scene for Donna’s (Snow) pursuant. Donna witnesses her parent’s death and just years after the horrific incident, all seems back to normal. That is until the killer returns, on her prom night of all evenings. Donna finds herself not only trying to escape once again from the killer, but getting rid of him forever to prevent further trauma to her life. This thriller is the perfect film for any prom-goer looking for a little suspense before the big night.

1

Pretty in Pink (1986)

This story follows the poor outscast Andie Walsh who must choose between the love of her best friend Duckie, and the popular, rich playboy Blane. After her prom night takes an unexpected turn, Andie must face the reality that she might lose one forever.This classic film incorporates themes of love, life, and teenage angst, making it the perfect choice for any prom-goer.

Monthly Horoscopes Aries (March 21-April 19) Beware of new people in your life. The intentions of others are not always as they may seem, or as you may hope.

Never Been Kissed (1999) Taurus (April 20-May 20) You and a friend are growing apart. You two have a great relationship, don’t lose it.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) You are struggling in some of your classes.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help and you’ll do much better.

Cancer (June 21- July 22) Someone you have known for a while will show new interest in you. Don’t shut them out, consider their feelings.

This film stars Drew Barrymore who plays Josie Geller, a lonely copy editor for the Chicago Sun-Times who goes undercover at a high school for an article designed to help parents better understand the hectic world of their hormone raging teenagers.

Along the way, she not only finds herself falling in love with her English teacher, played by Michael Vartan, but also goes from a loser to being popular, much different from her previous high school experience.

Many viewers will enjoy this classic underdog tale of a grown woman with the opportunity to relive her high school years.

– Compiled by: Ndidi Obasi, Nicole Contrino and Tricia O’Neill

Celebri-

Get inside your favorite celebrities’ heads

Leo (July 23-August 22) Life isn’t going exactly how you want it to. Try to be more optimistic and things will get better.

Virgo (August 23-September 22) Your social life is putting a toll on your grades.

Make time for your classes so your schoolwork doesn’t suffer.

Libra (September 23-October 22) You have been avoiding going after something you want. Get over your fears and go after your desires.

@charliesheen I always felt the same about you! You have taught me everything I know about WINNING.

If you’re an old white dude with parted white hair, wear a black turtleneck. I’ll think you’re a spy.

I like those movies where everyone inexplicably dies about 2/3rds of the way thru & then there’s just a black screen for like 20 minutes.

I dont use a cell phone.

I carry a full-size 1981 outdoor phone booth with me every where I go.

—Donald Glover

—Rainn Wilson

—Judah Friedlander

Duh! —Miley Cyrus

Scorpio (October 23-November 21) The person whose attention you’ve been going after will finally notice you. Be yourself and things will go smoothly.

S U D O K U

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) You have been stressed out lately by school work and extracurricular activities. Take the time to refocus yourself and relax.

Capricorn (December 22-January 19) You have been focusing too much on yourself.

Try to think of the others around you and good things will come.

Aquarius (January 20-February 18)

Pisces (February 19-March 20)

SUDOKU9X9.COM

You feel you are working all the time and missing out. Don’t worry; your hard work will pay off.

No one’s listening to your views and opinions.

Speak up and you will be heard.

April 13, 2011

5

Prom (2011)

Prom is Disney’s newest dramatic but light-hearted depiction of a high school story, with the central idea for this film being the events leading up to the biggest night in high school. The movie, which will open in theaters on April 29, will begin by following several couples and their intertwining stories as they prepare for prom night. The drama will kick in when the main characters begin to realize their relationships may not be what they seemed, and secrets begin to come out.

For Nova, the main conflict is between her and Jesse, who she finds herself reluctantly attracted to in preparation for her “perfect” night. Mei, Tyler, Lloyd, Simone and the other characters find themselves in a whirlwind of activity and anticipation as prom night approaches. The culmination of the high school lives of these characters will provide for an exciting movie that is perfect for any prom-goer.

ENTERTAINMENT

April 13, 2011

How to get front row seats Concert goers share their tips and secrets to make your night one to remember

BY MACKDA DINBERU Entertainment Editor

3

“I went to the Taylor Swift concert and before I went to sit, I bought my shirts and I got to pick my size without having to worry,” freshman Faith Plaetti said.

Sophomore Sarah (mid left) and junior Rachel Bergen (far right) pose with friends and lead singer Dave Strauchman of Every Avenue.

opportunities? Sometimes it is a matter of luck, but most of the time its pure skill.

“I’ve been to many concerts this year and for almost all of them, I’ve been front row, but that’s only because I know some people who work at venues,” senior Jenna Balicki said.

If you’re not one of the lucky people who have connections and relations, follow these concert tips to becoming the ultimate concert goer:

Check Ticketmaster on the day of big concerts for more tickets to sold out shows.

4

“I was really upset that one of my favorite artists’ concert was sold out, but then the day before the concert I checked online, and there were several tickets still available, so I got to go to it,” junior Omar Mousa said.

When waiting in a crowd of fans, don’t be afraid to push in front of people.

“It definitely is true that whoever is closest to the stage are the ones who want it the most,” junior Tyler Miller said.

2 5

Get there ahead of time, so you can get a good standing spot near the stage.

“I went to a show at the 9:30 Club on the weekend and got there two hours before the doors opened to wait outside, and ended up getting a good spot up front,” senior Zeni Saife-Selassie said.

To improve your chances of meeting the band, hang out around outside the venue after the show.

“I went to see a Lebanese singer, and I waited by the entrance to the stage and when he came out I shook his hand and asked for a picture,” sophomore Alaa Haj-Assaad said.

Surving spring break at home Who says you can’t have fun being stuck in Annandale

BY CARLI LOEB Staff Writer With hot weather,April showers and school winding to its end comes the excitement of spring break just around the corner. It is inevitable that everyone could use a good time off from the never ending stress of school, but how students spend their break varies from person to person.

Most take advantage of the week off by using the time to travel with family, but how does one productively spend their time while staying home?

Some, like senior Jon Le, find spring break as a time for catching up on anything and everything they need to.

“I plan to spend a lot of time with my family and friends and doing things I don’t usually have time for going to the movies,” Le said.

Sophomore Tessa Iglesias has the same idea as Le for her upcoming break off school. “During my spring break I plan on hanging out with my friends at the movies or mall, and catching up on all the sleep I miss during school,” Iglesias said.

Spring break could also be a perfect time to schedule much needed quality time with family and friends you haven’t seen in a while.

“I will probably just spend time with some of my distant family for most of my break because I don’t get to see them very often,” sophomore Bojan Badic said.

Others think of spring break as a preview toward summer and will take full advantage of the warmer weather by being anywhere but inside their houses. “I plan to spend my spring break driving, now that I have

my permit, and spending lots of time outside,” sophomore Jenny Ha said.

Not a fan of the outdoors? No problem! Spring break is always a great opportunity for getting work done that you wouldn’t normally have time for during the school week.

This is definitely the time to feel free to partake in any outside activities that interest you.

“I’ll probably try and be productive with my band-mates of Oh, Satellite!” junior Andy Tran said.

From outdoor activities, to sleeping in, to spending time with your family; spring break is an overall much needed break from the routine course of school, sports, and work.

So, kick back and enjoy your time off. Even if you’re just staying at home, there’s always something to do and people to be with.First stop: spring break, next stop: summer.

Check out the calandar below for some local events taking place during break.

Local Events during Spring Break

Action Shots from the band’s show at Jammin Java on March 31, 2011.

Monday 4/18 Tuesday 4/19 Wednesday 4/20 Thursday 4/21 • Lifetime Television premiere ‘William & Kate’ (9 p.m.)

• Dance Night at Jaxx Nightclub (N/A) • Stride®- A- Palooza: Battle of the Bands at Six Flags America (ALL DAY)

• Charlie Sheen Live: My Violent Torpedo of Truth at D.A.R. Constitution Hall (7:30 p.m.)

• American vs.

Liberty - Women’s Lacrosse (4 p.m.)

• The Color Purple at the National Theater (7:30 p.m.)

For those of you into the local underground music scene, in addition to those of you who are not, here’s a semilocal band for your listening pleasure.

They’re called Safety Word Orange and they’re a pop-rock alternative band from Richmond, Virginia. The band consists of five guys: lead vocals James Mason, guitarist Robbie Rusbuldt (who took the time to answer a few questions about the band), Jackson Wise also on guitar, Will Michalik on bass and Travis King on drums.

Their distinct sound has been compared to bands like Cartel, All Time Low and Third Eye Blind, but sophomore Jazmine Bounds said, “They’re good, definitely unique and they’re just not like any other band I’ve heard.”

Guitarist Robbie Rusbuldt said, “Since we have so many different influences within this band, we all pull from different styles and have come up with a unique sound of our own.”

The band has been featured in music magazines as well as online publications, including Alternative Press’ (issue #265) for one of the top unsigned artist’s for the month of August. They were also voted onto Warped Tour’s Ernie Ball stage this past year, and hopes to participate in Warped Tour again this summer.

When giving advice to high school bands and musicians trying to make it in the industry Rusbuldt said, “[it’s] no different than anything else in life; if you work hard, you’ll see the results.” He added, “I always thought that putting a few songs online and playing a couple big shows would get my band signed, but that’s just not the way it works.” Safety Word Orange’s hard work and effort have paid off so far because their local fan-base just keeps growing.

The band’s name, Safety Word Orange, is representative of the “reminder of a hard time in our lives, [we] use this band as our safety net, in a way it keeps us all sane.” Their fans can definitely get that feeling through their music. “They really know how to get the crowd pumping, and their live shows are really good,” Bounds said.

So, where in Northern Virginia can you see Safety Word Orange play and what can you expect from a live show?

They’ve played at rec-centers, private parties and Vienna’s own Jammin Java.

“The venue doesn’t matter too much to us as long as the kids are there and having fun.” Rusbuldt said, and he suggested that people “search Safety Word Orange on YouTube and you’ll understand what it’s all about.”

You can purchase the bands current EP “On Your Mark, Get Set...” on iTunes right now, and look out for their new EP expected out early this summer.

• Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey: Barnum 200 (7:30 p.m.)

• Shear Maddness at the Kennedy Center 8 p.m.

• Sensorium - A Dining Experience in Washington DC (5 p.m. & 8:30 p.m.)

• D.C. United vs. New York Red Bulls Men’s Soccer (8:00 p.m.)

• Iron & Wine at Rams Head Live! (7 p.m.)

• NHL Eastern Conference Quarterfinals: Capitals vs. TBD - Home Game 3

Friday 4/22 • Nationals vs.

Pittsburgh Pirates - Men’s Baseball (7:05 p.m.)

• Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Big Happy Family Permiers in Theaters • Liberty Smith at Ford’s Theater (7:30 p.m.)

Saturday 4/23 Sunday 4/24 • Loyola vs. Hobart - Men’s Lacrosse 12 p.m.

• White House Easter Egg Roll (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

• The Downtown Fiction at the 9:30 Club (5 p.m.)

• The Kills at the 9:30 Club (7 p.m.)

• Rams Head Live Debut of Crack the Sky at Rams Head Live! (8 p.m.)

• Nationals vs.

Pittsburgh Pirates - Men’s Baseball (7:05 p.m.)

RACHEL BERGEN

1

Get any merchandise at the beginning of the show, most sizes you want will be gone at the end.

Artist Review: Safety Word Orange

BY RACHEL BERGEN Photographer

The lights dim, the crowd roars and you’re stuck staring at the back of someone’s head. The reality is, concerts can leave you annoyed and angered more than joyful if certain unfortunate situations take place.

After already spending a substantial amount of money on tickets, it’s normal to dream about the perfect concert experience of meeting your favorite band and maybe getting up on stage with them and rocking out, but instead of dreaming, why don’t you make it a reality.

People always complain about not getting front row seats, or getting pushed around, but in actuality, that is something you need to be willing to handle if you want to go to a concert. Either you forget about the hardships you’re encountering and just think about the music, or you do something about it.

Attending concerts is one of the hottest hobbies of this generation. And with fresh young artists like Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga gaining momentum in the industry, it’s hard to expect this to ever die down either.

“I go to concerts almost every month now, and it’s it is definitely true, it’s only as fun as you make it, no matter who the artist is,” junior Kim Rowland said.

How do you think your friends, who boast about their concert experiences, get such

Top Five Tips to Remember

17

Guitarist Jackson Wise strums to their song “Fineding.”

Hanna quick to disappoint Soul Surfer drops in

A government project gone wrong, a rogue agent, and a mysterious figure barely escaping the jaws of death. Sound familiar?

That’s because it’s one of Hollywood’s most overdone plots. Wolverine, the Bourne movies, and Salt are all examples of this beaten-to-death concept.

However, the previously listed films topped the box office grossing list and were recognized for their plots.

Saoirse Ronan (of The Lovely Bones) stars as Hanna Heller, a 16-year-old girl who is raised by her father Erik Heller (Eric Bana) in the deep forests of Finland.

Though they are isolated in the layers of snow that surround them, Erik raises Hanna while simultaneously training her to be an assassin. Hanna repeatedly tells her father that she is “ready” by assuring her fluency in Spanish, English, German, and Italian, but Erik tells her that she will not be ready until she can “be ready at all times, even when she is sleeping.”

When her father decides that she is prepared, he gives her the option to go off into society, to perform an undetermined task involving CIA agent Marissa Wiegler (Cate Blanchett), which quickly reveals itself to be a death chase. Just in time, Hanna meets a

family who takes her under their wing, and she utilizes them to get to her dad, who said he would meet her in Berlin.

A comedic element to the movie was most obviously Hanna’s Movie Review: oblivion.

Like many intelligent Hanna people, she had serious trouble with social situations. For example, she could tell a young suitor of hers exactly how many muscles were required to perform a kiss, but lacked the understand of how to execute the peck.

Instead of gratifying the poor boy, she flipped him and nearly strangled him, whispering to him that she enjoyed their kiss. What kiss?

Joe Wright, the director of the film, should have seen what the consistently baffled audiences questioned: how could the introduction have been so misleading?

The movie had excellent potential to be quirky twist on a traditional film plot, but went in the exact opposite direction. There wasn’t much of a plot at all, because scenes that could have involved dialogue included several prolonged fight scenes.

This film, when taking consideration the price of a movie ticket, is not worth the time and money.

D+

BY SARAH BERGEN Videographer Imagine that within a blink of an eye, the dream towards which you have been working for your entire life is swept out from under you.

For surfer Bethany Hamilton, one fateful early-morning trip out to sea did more than just rip her dream away; it ended in a violent shark attack that led to the loss of her left arm. Soul Surfer, a movie released on April 8, is based on Hamilton’s tragedy and return to competitive surfing.

The movie opens up with Hamilton, played byAnnaSophia Robb, talking about her love for the water and her one dream that some day she might be able to make it as a professional surfer.

It is easy to see that Hamilton has the talent and skill to achieve her one goal when she easily wins her first competition.

However, after the attack, the struggles that Hamilton goes through to earn her place back on top pulls the viewers in and causes them to root for her the entire way.

The writers of Soul Surfer were able to keep most of the facts of Hamilton’s story the same and did not add too many cheesy Hollywood fillers in an attempt to engage the audience. Although some of the facts

were out of order, majority of the plot was extremely similar to Hamilton’s life.

There were many recognizable actors in Soul Surfer including Dennis Quaid, AnnaSophia Robb, Movie Review: Helen Hunt and even country singer Carrie Soul Underwood, who has Surfer never previously acted in a movie. These actors filled their roles very well and made the movie believable. Underwood’s acting, while was impressive for her film debut, could have used some improvement at times.

The background music in Soul Surfer helped dramatize many important moments and included a wide variety of genres including traditional Hawaiian music and more. When Hamilton’s attack occurred Hawaiian chanting could be heard in the background as she was rushed to safety.

The scenes of the ocean and beaches through out the movie are breathtakingly beautiful and will make you feel as if you really are in Hawaii surfing alongside Hamilton.

While the movie’s ending can be seen from the beginning, it still is overall a bubbly and inspiring movie that most will enjoy and not regret watching.

RACHEL BERGEN

BY CARLY BOUCHARD Photographer

Bethany Hamilton’s inspirational story is a success

Lead singer James Mason passionately sings to the audience.

A

RACHEL BERGEN

Director Joe Wright fails to come up with an orginal plot

Safety Word Orange livens up the crowd during one of their songs.

Go to www.thea-blast.org to read a review on Hollywood Undead’s new album, American Tragedy.

SPORTS

18

April 13, 2011 Senior Yery Gonzalez competes in the 110m hurdles in the track and field meet held at W.T. Woodson HS on April 6.

Boys lacrosse looks to build on strong start

BY DAVID HOOKEY Co-Editor in Chief

COURTESY OF THANH TRUONG

The varsity boys lacrosse team has started off this season on a roll. After defeating highly ranked Chantilly in a scrimmage, they continued their winning ways with a win over Brook Point followed by an impressive string of Patriot District victories to open the season. The success has not come without hard work, however.

“Practice has been more intense this year,” senior captain Bob Stevens said. “We’ve had earlier Saturday practices and we’re running a lot more, but if we want to do great things, we have to put in the extra work.”

The work has paid off. The Atoms are currently ranked first in the Patriot District and are considered by many to be a favorite for the Northern Region title.

This year’s roster boasts a starting lineup consisting of six seniors, highlighted by Division I recruit Nathan Miller. His younger brother, junior Ryan Miller, is the top underclassman contributor. The defense is held down by Stevens, senior Peter Hagen and senior Andy Craig, while the main goal scorers for the Atoms are senior Nick Lalande and senior Stephen Craig.

Despite their many strong contributors and high expectations, the team must still prove that it can continue its successful run.

They will start by traveling to West Potomac tomorrow and are scheduled to take on W.T. Woodson on Saturday at home in two crucial Patriot District match-ups.

Track continues success Boys and girls bring home combined 16 medals in Northern Virginia Invitational

BY CORINNE BALICKI Staff Writer Sitting down for a seemingly endless amount of time, waiting for your race to come may make track seem like a monotonous sport. Despite this fact, however, the AHS track team has dominated the competition in its last two meets. The irregular weather last week had no effect on track’s schedule or the runners’ performance.

In their second Wednesday meet of the season, held on April 6, AHS competed against South County, Robert E. Lee and the meet’s host, W.T. Woodson. The AHS boys, continuing their success, won or placed in the majority of the meet’s events.

Major winners included sophomore Alex Ellison in the 200m race and senior JP Jenkins in the 110m hurdles. Both teams also took home high finishes in the 4x100m and 4x400m relays.

During the meet, the JV track team filled heat after heat of runners, particularly with respect to the JV girls. In the last four heats of almost every event, AHS competitors made up a majority of the runners. Some heats ended up being all AHS JV

Hassan Mims

Boys finish week with key wins

Q: Why did you decide to coach girls tennis this year?

A: “My bosses, [John] Ponton and [Angelo] Hilios, informed me of the coaching vacancy and asked me to consider applying.

Without reservation, I said yes.

Coaching the team allows me yet one more opportunity to be active in the school community which has existed for years.”

Tennis rebounds from 3-6 loss against South County to defeat Lancers, Titans; improves to 5-3

Q: How do you think your season is going compared to last year?

A: “Last season was a transitional season and [Emarinn] Oundee established a very good foundation for me to work with.

This season we continue to be in semi-transition. But at the same time, last season’s players have matured into seasoned veterans and that is something very special to work with.”

With four returning seniors ranked within their top six, the boys tennis team has the experience needed to compete with any team in the Patriot District. However, having lost their number one player from 2010, the Atoms have had to prove their worth as a competitor, a challenge they have embraced throughout the season’s first half.

Eight matches into their season, the team boasted a 5-3 record following a 3-6 loss to South County and wins over Robert E. Lee and T.C. Williams last week.

“We played well considering we needed a bounce back win after losing to South County on Monday,” senior Erik Morton said following their defeat of the Titans. “Our 9-0 sweep of Lee and 7-2 win over T.C. instilled a lot of confidence into our team going into our matches next week.”

Despite the team’s success thus far, senior Luis Parrado admits that the Atoms had a chance to win all of their matches last week.

“We played well, but we should have beat South

Q: How do you hope to end your season?

A: “As long as we are making progress each week, learning about how best to play tennis and the girls are having fun, that is a successful season.”

Q: What is your goal for the rest of the season?

A: “By the end of the season, I hope to continue the progress of building a strong program– much like the track team has done.”

Visit www.thea-blast. org for a slideshow of tennis photos and more information on the team’s recent matches.

BY CJ AFTERGUT Sports Editor

County, they weren’t better than us,” he said.

Parrado, however, remains confident in the team’s ability and believes that they will be able to build on their early success.

“We have improved greatly throughout the first half of the season because everyone understands each other’s style of play, and that will help us with the tougher matches against Lake Braddock and Woodson,” he said.

Senior JP Ramirez took a similar perspective on the team’s play so far this year.

“The team has improved in the first half and we’re going to keep improving through the whole season,” Ramirez said. “There is always something new you can work on in tennis.”

Now over halfway through their 2011 season, the Atoms have only limited chances to prove that they are ready for both district and regional competition. Of their remaining matches, two are against schools that the team has already lost to this year.

“Hopefully we can beat South County, and if we can beat West Springfield again, we have a real shot to make the playoffs,” Head Coach Mike Scott said.

Despite the challenges ahead, Morton remains confident that the team will be able to improve its record and gain momentum heading into the postseason.

“During the earlier matches in the season, we weren’t able to win games at the crucial moments,” he said. “However, as we gain more experience, we are winning more and more crucial points and

Junior Josh Kim returns a serve during a recent practice.

Kim and the rest of the boys tennis team must still take on W.T. Woodson and South County, both of which handed the Atoms a loss earlier this year.

games.”

Parrado also believes that the Atoms will be able to “end the season with a great record.”

“All we have to do now is play smart and aggressive and focus on one match at a time,” he said.

Rain leads to cancellations for softball Softball forced to practice inside, postpone multiple games

BY RACHEL BERGEN AND HELINA DANIEL Photographers With the girls softball season off to a very rainy start, the team has had little time to squeeze in practices and games. With all of the poor weather in recent weeks, the Atoms hope for fewer cancellations in the near future and more time to practice for big upcoming games.

“We’ve been doing the best we can with the circumstances we’re in,” junior Kayla Meadows said. “The rain is really hindering our time allotted on the field, which is affecting our performance as a team.”

Junior Casey Fait added, “The weather has kept us from practicing outdoors, which is a major setback.

But we are pushing through and we just need to stay focused on our goals for the season.”

HELINA DANIEL

Q: How do you think the team will fair in some of its upcoming matches?

A: “As of April 11, we are 5-2.

Woodson and Lake Braddock are two tough teams we have yet to defeat. Each week, our team continues to make several improvements and it looks like we will have a winning season.

I am extremely proud of the progress the team continues to make.”

The AHS boys were also very successful in the field events, bringing home a medal in every event. Senior Joel Hoisington won the shot-put competition, while junior Monte McCarthy placed fifth in the long jump and junior Richard Maku placed third in the high jump. In discus, senior Nick Dumbia placed second and junior Ian Griffin came in fourth.

“From what I saw at the meet, [boys] will win Regionals. We won and placed in all events so our chances look good,” Hoisington said.

Unfortunately, the girls team did not finish top six in any individual races or field events. However, the girls relay team did place second in the 4x100m relay. Meanwhile, the boys 4x100m and 4x400m relay teams took first in their respective races.

“I like watching team members compete when you know how hard they’ve worked,” sophomore Yanira Guerra said.

Students often dismiss track as a waste of time and a boring sport. However, in the mind of the Atoms track and field team, it is neither. Track meets are exciting, easy to understand and fun to watch. The team’s success shows how hard they have been working at practice despite the gloomy weather. Rain or shine, it is almost always guaranteed that the team will be outside practicing, running as hard as they can in preparation for their next meet.

EMMA BARKER

RACHEL BERGEN

Coach’s Corner Girls Tennis

girls, a rare occurence at track meets.

While the Wednesday meet was a competition for both varsity and JV runners, the invitational held on Friday and Saturday was solely for varsity competitors.

“Personally, I like the larger meets better because you get to run against a variety of people so you have more competition and can measure yourself against better athletes,” freshman Katherine Ross said.

Undeterred by the pouring rain, the team participated in the Northern Virginia Invitational hosted by Edison High School, which included participants from 30 Northern Virginia teams.

“In our invitational, our boys got first place out of 30 and girls came home with lots of medals so it was great,” Head Coach Sean Miller said. The top six finishers in each individual event and the top three relay teams received a medal.

Combined, the AHS boys and girls track teams managed to rack up a total of 16 medals, some of which came from field events. Senior JP Jenkins led the Atoms with four medals for both hurdles and running. Jenkins won the 110m hurdles, received second in the high jump and finished fourth in both the long jump and the 100m sprint.

Sophomore Alex Ellison brought home two medals, both for sixth place, in the 100m and the 200m sprints. Also competing in the 200m was junior Roland Andoh, who placed second. Junior Ahmed Bile won the 1600m event.

Junior Justine Niner pitches during a recent practice. Niner and the Atoms varsity softball team had only played a total of three games before this week and are scheduled to face-off against the Robert E. Lee Lancers on April 13 and 15.

The team has spent numerous practices in the gym, with little playing time on the fields outside.

Not only have they lost practice time, but the team had only competed in three games prior to this week.

After losing their first two games of the season to West Potomac and W.T. Woodson, the girls defeated T.C. Wil-

liams 18-0 on April 6.

“We played really well as a team and it really built up our confidence because we’ve had a lot of games cancelled,” Meadows said. “It’s been really frustrating because we’ve only played three games [this season].”

Although the score was in the Atoms’ favor, Meadows believes

that the team did not play to its full potential.

“We know that we can do better and we’re practicing harder everyday,” she said.

With a 1-2 record as of April 11, the team was scheduled to take on the South County Stallions at home on April 12.

“We’ve never beaten them, but this time around we have a really huge chance of beating them,” senior varsity captain Kelly Hughes said before the game.

While some players focused heavily on the game itself, junior Alex King kept her focus on the season as a whole.

“Our goal for this season is to be Patriot District champions, but personally my goal is to work towards a college scholarship,” she said.

Barring another postponement, the girls will take on the Robert E. Lee Lancers on April 13 and 15 in two key district match-ups. Should they emerge victorious, the Atoms will improve their standing in the Patriot District and build momentum heading into the bulk of their season.

SPORTS

April, 13 2011

Baseball drops 4th straight

19 Senior Ryan Keck throws a fastball against W.T. Woodson high school.

Keck pitched 3 solid innings before giving up the lead.

AJ MCCAFFERTY

The Atoms have had a tremendously tough last two weeks including four losses to District opponents Lake Braddock, W.T. Woodson, T.C. Williams and West Springfield. The week has dropped AHS to number six in the Patriot District Standings.

“Recently we haven’t played as well as we should have and we just aren’t getting the job done,” senior Ryan Keck said. “It has been a really hard couple of games.”

Against the three top teams, the Atoms started out strong but were unable to hold the lead due to poor defense.

“It has been a really tough and disappointing few games because we were leading so many of them early on in the game and we just seem lose our composure,” senior Eric Reynolds said.

It wasn’t defense alone that caused the Atoms to drop the games.

Offensively the Atoms have averaged 4.5 runs a game over the last five

games. Obviously, it has not been enough to win.

“We stopped hitting these last couple of games for some reason. It wasn’t that pitchers were overpowering us; we just weren’t doing what we were taught to do and it was showing,” senior Jordan Cowles said.

“We lost our focus, and we didn’t play a complete game,” Head Coach Ron Abrigo said. “We played a flawless first three innings, and then we lost our focus.”

The only bright spot of the week was the strong starting pitching from seniors Eric Reynolds and Ryan Keck. The two each pitched 3 shut out innings in their respective starts.

The Atoms traveled to South County on Tuesday, but the game was too late to be reported on.

The Atoms next game is on Thursday against Robert E. Lee High School at home. The Atoms defeated the Lancers 5-3 when they opened district play in March.

“This week was tough, but I think we can pull through and finish this year strong,” Reynolds continued.

AJ MCCAFFERTY

BY ESRA GOKTURK Sports X-tra Editor

AJ MCCAFFERTY

Losses to Lake Braddock, W.T. Woodson, T.C. Williams, and West Springfield bring the Atoms record to 2-4 in the District

Sophomore Michael Hennessey pitches his curveball to a batter in the 6th inning. It was Hennessey’s first time pitching on the varsity level.

Sophomore Matt Stevens gets hit by a pitch during the game against W.T. Woodson.

Stevens is the starting catcher this year and hits in the fifth spot.

Girls lax hosts British team

BY JAKE BARNES Sports Editor AHS girls lacrosse had a fun and productive week as they welcomed the girls lacrosse team from St. Bartholomew’s school in Newbury England. Not only did they host their British opponents for two nights but also ended the week with a three game winning streak.

The Atoms came out on top with a win against top rival W.T. Woodson and Robert E. Lee High school. The Woodson game was highly intense and went into overtime with a tie of 11. The Atoms scored in the second half of overtime with an impressive goal by attacker Paige Britton. “I think it was a really good game for the fans to watch, because we had an exciting win in overtime,” senior varsity player Megan Loman said.

Defeating the Cavaliers was a

COURTESY OF BRIAR CREEK PHOTOGRAPHY

Senior Goalkeeper Emma Barker braces herself for the shot from an opponent. The Atoms defeated their competitiors from Newbury, England with a score of 10-4.

big win for the girls, especially after recently defeating the West Springfield Spartans by a close deficit of one at the end of the game. “Everyone played really hard, and even though

we could have done better it was a really big win,” senior varsity player Kate Bermingham said.

The Lee game was slower paced and ended in a victory with a score

of 12-3. “We played well and it was good preparation for the next games that we had,” junior varsity player Kenzi Wright said.

The Atoms then went on to play the team that came down to stay with them from England, after spending the whole day with them. Once again, the atoms came up on top with a score of 10-6. “We definitely had a lot of fun and it was a really good game,” freshman varsity player Sureyya Gokturk said.

The junior varsity girls won their first game against Lee High school with a score of 6-4. The team has been struggling in previous games as they have many beginners and players that are still losing. However, the girls are starting to show much improvement in game performance.

After Spring Break, girls lacrosse will face off against the T.C. Williams Titans at Minnie Howard. They will then play West Potomac High school for senior night and end the regular season with the rescheduled game against the Lake Braddock Bruins, hopefully adding more wins to their current 3-0 district record.

AJ MCCAFFERTY

AHS beats the Brits 10-6 to end last week with a 3-game winning streak and are 3-0 in the District

Senior Greg Nielsen hits against a W.T. Woodson pitcher. The Atoms have struggled offensively in recent games and hope to improve Thursday against Robert E. Lee High School.

Remaining Girls Lacrosse Schedule April 12 - at South County April 26 - at T.C Williams May 2 - West Potomac May 3 - at Lake Braddock

Atoms drop second game

Boys on 3-game win streak Wins over Fairfax, Lee and Woodson bring the Atoms back to 3-3 after a slow start

BY PARKER GILLCASH Staff Writer After a disappointing start to the season, the varsity boys soccer improved their record to 3-3 with a win over Woodson on April 7. Senior Fred Nsiah and juniors Sergio Moya and William Galdamez notched the three goals for the Atoms in their 3-1 victory over the Cavaliers. The Atoms took a commanding 3-0 lead early on and had control for most of the game.

“The win over Woodson was a great accomplishment for the team because they are one of the best teams in our district,” Moya said.

The season started out shaky with 3 straight losses to Falls Church, Centreville, and Stuart, but a big win against Fairfax kick-started the Atoms current 3-game win streak.

“The team is doing well and we are playing good despite our start to the season,” Moya said. With 7 seniors on the team, they hope to live up to their potential.

With a change in leadership, coach Stephen Howes has taken over this season and put them on the right track.

However, the Atoms still have room for improvement. “All we need to do is work together and improve on our communication,” Moya said.

In previous years, the team has had success and gone far in the post-season, and they look to do the same this year. “Our team goal for the season is to win the district and go to the regional finals,” Moya said.

The Atoms are undefeated in the district so far and have their sights on the district title. Their next home game is against district rival West Potomac on April 27 at 7 p.m.

The JV boys have also been successful this season and have only recorded one loss on the season. With 7 seniors leaving this year, the JV record is encouraging for future season.

For a complete schedule, roster, and results for both teams, visit www. annandaleatoms.com.

April 14 - at West Potomac April 16 - W.T. Woodson

BY SAMIR SHAH Staff Writer

April 23 - at Bullis

The girls soccer team is a perfect example of the success exhibited by most AHS teams this season. Head Coach Janeen Westphal leading her team to a record of 4-2.

With wins against Wakefield (Scrimmage), Falls Church and J.E.B. Stuart, the girls team, out of the district, is looking good this season. They have had similar results when playing within the district, with wins against Lee and West Potomac, although they fell to Woodson.

Key Players include seniors Jane Aman and Alley Adcock, along with junior Micaela Filsoof. So far, senior Tania Ghods and freshman Ally Mastrota, along with many others, have scored key goals. With so many talented players, they have high expectations for this season.

“The team’s doing well so far, working well together to get the job done,” junior Natalie Ford said. “I want to score at least two goals.”

With an impressive record so far and many talented players, other teams in the district should watch out for the girls soccer team this season. They may be on their way to a Patriot District championship or at the very least placement in the district finals and a chance to shine at regionals. The JV girls soccer team is also doing well, promising a strong future for the program with a record of two wins, two losses, and one tie.

For a complete schedule, roster, and results to keep up with how the girls soccer team is doing this season, visit www.annandaleatoms.com.

April 26 - T.C. Williams April 27 - O’Connell April 30 - Osbourn Park

AJ MCCAFFERTY

Senior Andy Rubio clears the ball out of the Defensive zone. The Atoms are currently on a 3-game winning streak.

April 12 - South County

CARLY BOUCHARD

CARLY BOUCHARD

W.T. Woodson gives the girls soccer team its second loss this year bringing them to 4-2

Remaining Boys Lacrosse Schedule

Junior Micaela Filsoof dribbles down the middle of the field. The girls soccer team is 4-2 on the year.

Go to www.thea-blast.org to read about how the girls tennis team is performing under new leadership.

20 To Do List

Treasure your weekend Take this quiz to discover which activities suit your out-of-school lifestyle

The Circus

Barnum and Bailey bring their famous show to the Patriot Center on April 19. Tickets start at $7.

Exercise

Garden Festival

Sleep late

“I play soccer and watch Real Madrid play. ”

—Emily Villatoro freshman

“I like to go to the movies with friends or go to the teen center and play basketball.”

—Hari Mizouri sophomore

“I usually go to work at the nail salon.”

KELSEY PRICE

The sttudden nt sllotth

AHS addventturer

You are the one who doesn’t get out of bed until the latest moment possible. You eat breakfast while the rest of the world has their mid-afternoon snack. Due to your nocturnal tendencies, you tend to be a night owl who enjoys meeting up with friends later on in the evening.

Because of this, nighttime concerts are perfect for you. Check out some of the outdoor venues such as Wolf Trap and Jiffy Lube Live Pavilion as the weather gets warmer.

Revert back to the fourth grade and get a large group together for some outdoor laser tag. There are multiple rental services in Northern Virginia, such as Take Aim Tag and Battle Tag Mobile.

You are the kind of person who takes advantage of every opportunity life presents to you.

You make every minute count and have a full schedule of interesting activities. You tend to be a daring person who convinces friends to try new things.

Road trips are a great way for you to spend your day. Take a few friends along and see where the open road takes you. As summer approaches, theme parks such as Six Flags and Kings Dominion are exciting places to go.

Throw on some active gear and visit a national park where you can hike and have a picnic. Check out Rock Creek Park in D.C. or Shanendoah National Park only a short road trip away.

Culinary Conquests

By Kelsey Price and Helena Belay

Senior graduation countdown: 64 days

Be aware of the Class of 2011 car washes in May

Visit us at www.thea-blast. org to view exclusive “Last Weekend I...” stories.

See a show

Go see a movie

Restaurant Guide

Senior class t-shirt are available for $5

Visit a park

RACHEL BERGEN

RACHEL BERGEN

Play golf

Plan a cookout

Take a roadtrip

—Tran Nguyen junior

2011 class bulletin

Watch a game

ANNETTE JNWATIN

RACHEL BERGEN JESSICA CAMPANILLA

What makes your perfect weekend?

Go shopping

Eat breakfast

Filmfest DC 2011 The DC film festival begins April 7 and lasts until April 16. The festival showcases films from all over the world. Tickets start at $11.

RACHEL BERGEN

National Park Week

Beginning on April 16, National Park Week is a completely free event. Local parks in our area have a variety of activities planned.

4.

Wake up early ANNETTE JNWATIN

The Leesburg Flower and Garden Festival is a great outdoor activity that your whole family can enjoy. It begins on April 16 at 10 a.m.

3.

Start here

ISABEL VILLARROEL

2.

April 13, 2011

ANNETTE JNWATIN

1.

WEEKEND

El Pueblo is a let-down If you are the kind of person who relishes waiting a very long time for something because you think it makes for a better experience when you actually get it, then you’ll love El Pueblo.

As we sat in our seats for thirty minutes, hungrily eyeing steaming plates of quesadillas, papusas and tamales, we realized we do not fit in to that group.

From the time we entered the restaurant at 7 p.m. to the time we got the check, we had spent two-and-a-half hours in the restaurant.

Don’t get us wrong, the food was all right, but we could have eaten and gone to see a movie in the same amount of time.

Our evening began navigating through the Burke area to find El Pueblo, a small and dive-y Mexican restaurant located in a shopping center. The outside is less than impressive, but we were pleasantly 9550 Old surprised at the authentically Keene Mill interior.

Rd. Burke, VA, decorated The walls were 22015 covered with pictures and

artifacts from Mexico that added to the overall eating experience.

We were able to get a seat right away, and our server promptly brought out complimentary chips and salsa. We devoured the chips, but in hindsight should have made them last a little while longer because our appetizer course didn’t arrive for another 20 minutes. It did not leave a very good first impression.

For our start, we tried a cheese-filled papusa and corn tamalito. The papusa was reminiscent of a flavorless quesadilla, but the corn tamalito redeemed it completely. With the texture and flavor of freshly baked corn bread, this dish tasted more like dessert than an appetizer After another lengthy wait, our server returned and took our orders. We settled with a chicken fajita salad and steak chimichangas after careful deliberation. Our voracious appetites had not been fully satisfied with the previous two courses and, once again, we forced to wait for an unbearably long time. Finally, our main dishes arrived and we dug in eagerly.

The opporttuniistt Friends often describe you as a person who “goes with the flow.”

You let your plans come to you and never plan out your time. Due to your impulsive tendencies, you tend to mold to the plan of others and let the weekend take its own course.

Because of this, cookouts are the perfect way to spend your afternoon.

Call up a couple of friends and plan a spur of the moment barbeque. The grills at Lake Accotink offer a great option if you require a larger venue than your backyard.

Spend the afternoon outdoors rooting for a local sports team with friends. Buy tickets online for D.C. United and Nationals game held at RFK Stadium and Nationals Park.

The fajita salad far surpassed the chimichanga, which tasted like it had been unwrapped from a freezer package, nuked in the microwave for a few minutes and then dumped on the plate that was then brought to our table. Luckily, the was large enough El Pueblo salad for the two of us to split. There were loads of marinated chicken slices, fresh guacamole and other delicious toppings to make for a truly flavorful meal.

Our marathon meal came to an end when our desserts arrived alongside of our check a little while later.

If your cholesterol levels can handle it, we recommend you try the Xango. It is banana cheesecake, deep fried in a golden batter and covered with vanilla ice cream. Not exactly the healthiest option, but definitely the tastiest.

So, if you’ve got multiple hours to kill on a weekend night, try El Pueblo. But, if you’re like most high school students with busy social calendars, we recommend you skip this stop in favor of something more in tune with your schedule.

B-

Top left: A steak chimichanga platter with beans and rice. Left: The chicken fajita salad was rich in both color and flavor. Above: A slice of fried banana cheesecake with ice cream.

––All photos by Kelsey Price