Issue 11

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Congressman Tom Davis speaks to students in Clausen Lecture hall during R3 and R7 Flex April 20.

When the Fairfax Country Public School (FCPS) system planned the 2005 school year, $337.1 million in Virginia State funding was assumed into the proposal.

However at this time the Virginia General Assembly has yet to pass the budget, which would supply the school system with the money. Currently in Richmond, where the General Assembly is meeting, they are unable to come to an agreement on the 2005 budget. This is a difficult situation for FCPS to be in because, by law, the School Board must pass a financial plan, however at this time, that is not possible without the cooperation of the GeneralAssembly. FCPS are taking action as they have written to the General Assembly with a list of items that will alter if they do not receive the state funding. The first action that FCPS is taking, is the threat to cut summer school classes, except for hose mandated by IEP or SOL, if the funding has not arrived by June 1. Secondly, if the General Assembly still has not provided the funding by July 1 then all 2004-2005 extracurricular programs and use of school grounds will be suspended (this will be reinstated when the state budget comes in). The third action FCPS threatened to do is delay school for one week and/or increase class size if the budget is not proposed by Aug. 1. The FCPS School Board as well as the interim Superintendent Brag Draeger are working hard to get the approved budget as soon as possible, and are urging parents and FCPS employees to push their legislatures toward a decision.

A year following the invasion of Iraq, resistance persists in some isolated cities.

52% 31%

UNDECIDED

Do you believe troops should remain after power is transferred to the citizens?

YES

NO

17%

This survey was distributed to 595 students during A, B and C lunches April 23.

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RIVER WILD Great Falls offers a variety of activities in a scenic surrounding

Teenage drinking problems are prevalent, but not insurmountable

Fake ID New safety measures used Lockdown drill usage still shows new means for deterrence apparant

BY CAROLINE FRIEDMAN AND KYLE SMEALLIE Managing Editor and News Editor

BY JUNAID SHAMS News Editor With temperatures in the high 80’s, the desire to get a “cold one” has increased. In doing so, students have turned to fake ID’s to obtain alcoholic beverages, as well as cigarettes.

Despite the risk of losing their drivers license for a year, a recent survey of 487 AHS students on March 23 showed that 37% of the students possessed fake ID’s, as 50% could obtain one.

“I’ve worked here for three months now and fake ID’s have been the biggest problem,” said 7-Eleven employee FarhanAhmad. “Just last week a 16 year old came in with a fake I.D trying to buy a pack of Budweiser.”

While 7-11 is the most common local store, other grocery stores all see their share of ID’s.

“7-11, Magruders, and Shoppers are the ‘hot spots’,” said an anonymous junior.

Nearly two years have passed since AHS and FCPD implemented the “Amnesty week” for students to turn in their fake ID’s into two designated lockers.

In June 2002, Francis Duong, an 18-yearold AHS student was charged with manufac “ID’s” continued on pg. 5

Senior Billy Purdon leaves books in his locker after school. “If it was an emergency then yes it [checking lockers] would be ok, but just for a drill they shouldnʼt be able to do that,” said Purdon.

Students were surprised at the beginning of their R7 classes when it was announced that there would be a lockdown drill on April 19. Teachers were supposed to lock their classroom doors, turn off the lights, close the blinds and gather their classes on the floor where they couldn’t be seen from the windows or doors. The drill came one day prior to the fifth anniversary of the shootings at Columbine High School, the deadliest of school shootings inAmerican history.

Principal Rodney Manuel said that it was just coincidence that the drill was conducted on this day, as well as on the day before 4/20, which is a nickname for marijuana.

The purpose of this drill was to “give a general understanding of the lockdown situation,” said Manuel.

During the drill, three lockers were opened to search.According to Security Resource Officer, Cliff Cornwell, there was nothing found in the lockers except for food. Also, the students whose lock “Lockdown” continued on pg. 4

Park authority hears community’s concerns Meeting discusses renovation plans for Ossian

BY JOESEPH BURKE Staff Writer The Fairfax County Park Authority held its Mason District bond hearing last Tuesday.

There were approximately 35 people in attendance. Jack Nolan, who spoke about the availability of rectangular fields on behalf of a local soccer referee organization, said the crowd easily outnumbered that of the hearings for the Sully and Springfield districts.

The meeting consisted of two presentations by park authorities, first from Fairfax County then a presentation by the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authorities, whose jurisdiction includes the City of Alexandria, Arlington County, the City of Fairfax, the City of Falls Church and Loudoun County, as well as Fairfax

County. The presentations discussed how the two groups assess the park needs of the community and the process by which new park development and renovations occur.

After these presentations, the community members in attendance were given the opportunity to speak about how to spend the funds that would come from the proposed bond referendum. The final decision about distribution of the bond money will come before November, when county residents will vote to either approve or reject the bond plan.

Bo Tumasz, anAHS parent and representative of the Chapel Square West CommunityAssociation, spoke in favor of the proposed master plan to revitalize Ossian Hall Park.

“Ossian” continued on pg. 4

TINA DOUROUDIAN

TINA DOUROUDIAN

After returning from Iraq, 11th District Congressman Tom Davis met with students in Clausen Hall April 20 to share his views and opinions, as well as answer questions.

He covered a variety of issues including the war in Iraq, national security and matters of congressional legislation, before answering questions about national intelligence and political gerrymandering in the upcoming elections. Davis, a native to Northern Virginia, has held similar discussions at AHS and Jeb Stuart High School in years past, and often uses AHS football games as locations to campaign.

Postwar Iraq

10-11

CHUG-A-LUG

Summer sports make visits to the shore all the more enjoyable

Tom Davis talks with students

FCPS threatens Virginia General Assembly

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LIFEʼS A BEACH

NEWS BRIEFS

703-642-4229

MONDAY, APRIL 26, 2004

PAUL GLEASON

Remember the determination of the GI generation

700 Medford Dr. Annandale, VA 22003

A student walks a path through the heavily-wooded Ossian Park. At a meeting with Fairfax County Park Authority, members of the community were able to express safety concerns in rennovation designs.

Teachers prepare classes for exams ATOMversary committee finalizes plans

BY LEKHA MENON Staff Writer

Spanish teacher Noel Koffi helps junior Chris Eliff complete a worksheet in class.

As the countdown continues, seniors and freshmen alike are noticing the signs that signal the end of the year. One such sign, the IB, AP, SOL, and IGCSE exams, is quickly approaching.

Beginning May 3, seniors taking IB andAP classes as well as sophomores taking the pre-IB IGCSE classes will take two years worth of teaching and endeavor to apply it to a one to two hour long exam.

IGCSE, which stands for International General Certificate of Secondary Education, is the International form of GCSE, an academic program used in the UK. Similar to the IB students, the IGCSE students

have been preparing for their exams since the beginning of the year and will complete the exam over several days.

The IGCSE English exam consists of three parts which will be completed over a period of three days. The material for the exam is taken from literature read throughout the year. The first part, entitled Continuous Writing, allows the students to choose from different prompts about the poems and novels they have read.

The Reading and Directed Writing portion of the exam contains passages which the students must write about and respond to. The final part of the exam, the Literature Test, challenges the students

“Exams” continued on pg. 4

Elite prgrams accept achieving students

BY CHRIS SOPHER Ad Manager With only a few more weeks of school, students are beginning to think about their summer plans.

While some will get jobs, go on vacation or just lounge around, others will use the summer to further their education by participating in summer academic programs.

Junior Jamison Foreman was recently accepted to an elite program at NYU. Out of

approximately 5,000 applicants only eight boys and eight girls were admitted, Foreman being one of them. The program runs from the last week in June to the third week in July. He will be taking classes in singing, acting and dancing and will receive six college credits for NYU, which is where he wants to attend college. Foreman will receive free Broadway play tickets and tickets to an art gallery opening “Programs” continued on pg. 4

ASHLEY JONES

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THE GREAT FADING GENERATION

SARAH SOZIO

VOLUME #49 ISSUE 11

ANNANDALE HIGH SCHOOL

Junior Jamie Foreman reherses a song during class. Foreman was recently accepted into a program for the arts at NYU.

BY MIKE WIEST Staff Writer As the year comes to a close, many events commemorating AHS’s 50th anniversary take off. The main scheduled events are taking place during the June 4 and 5 celebration, which many alumni are expected to attend.

At the June 4 open house for both students and alumni, the leadership class (along with others) will help to exhibit some of the major activities and events in school history. This event will mark the beginning of the two-day ATOMversary celebration.

Few activities have yet to be scheduled for June 5, but more are expected. However the AHS Community Festival has been planned for the day. The festival will have food, games, exhibits, performances and building tours for attendees to enjoy. The Rededication ceremony, in front of the school’s entrance, is planned to follow. Many special guests, including former principals, have been invited to attend.

“This is a really neat activity where a piece of Annandale High School history will be made,” said Leadership teacher Jen Hendrickson.

“The Rededication Ceremony sounds like the most interesting event in the ATOMversary celebration. This is definitely one of the parts I would want to attend,” said sophomore MJ Mayassi.Also at “ATOMversary” continued on pg. 4

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Letters to the editor: Cheating at AHS: itʼs easier than you think A familiar scene to most high school students, late night Instant Message conversations like this may seem innocent, but really are considered cheating. Many students cheat on a daily basis without realizing that they are doing so.

All students are required to sign a plagiarism contract through their English classes, but few understand that there are many ways to plagiarize without copy and pasting someone else’s work directly. With the development ofAOLinstant messenger, cheating has only become easier in that students are but a few mouse clicks away from obtaining valuable information regarding homework, tests, projects, and all other types of assignments.

“Often times I witness cheating, but I don’t ever think it is major enough to worry about,” says senior Katie Wipf.

This is the attitude shared by many students, but where do we draw the line? Who is to determine the difference between comparing answers and trading homework now and again? How many times have you been in a class in which your friend has forgotten their homework and you have let them copy yours?

What runs through your mind when they ask you to copy? Most students recognize that it is wrong to cheat, but find it easier to allow others to cheat than to make an effort to stop them.

“Well, when people ask to copy my work, I usually give it to them. The only reasons I wouldn’t is if I don’t like them, they try to sweet talk me into letting them have it, or if it was something huge that required a lot of effort,” says senior Bryce Chadwick.

Perhaps this reluctance to fight cheating is due to a lack of evident consequences. Although our student planner outlines that there are “moral and legal implications” for cheating, it does not specify what these actually are. At the University of Virginia, a school recently in the spotlight for a major cheating scandal, students are expelled or have their diplomas taken away if they are found to have cheated.

But here at AHS it is a different story. Do you ever hear of major consequences for cheating? Until these consequences are established, cheating is a phenomenon that will continue to pervade AHS. —Maryanna O’Neill and Janet Partlow seniors

EDITORIALS

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April 26, 2004

The fading, great generation His friends knew him as Bob, his family as Senior.

To me he was Poppy: a 6’ 5” gentle giant who was larger than life. He was never rich or famous, nor did he ever get to change the world, but Robert Reilly Gleason Sr. was a good man—a rarity too honorable for words.

His death, a month ago at 87, came as a shock, but wasn’t unexpected (his heart had been weak for years and he was recovering from intensive surgery when it failed). While paying my final respects I stared at his resting body, knowing it would be the last time I would set eyes upon him. It seemed so empty.

My grandfather had been a remarkable, successful and respected man, but no amount of success could prevent the inevitable end. I tried searching for meaning in his death, but found nothing; the value was in his life.

Often I hear of the senselessness in this increasingly chaotic world. Fear of terrorist attacks and political and economic upheaval has many acting as if the day of Armageddon has already come. This may come as a shock to the pessimists, but we have seen worse times.

It seems as though the hardships of the GI generation, my Poppy’s generation, have been forgotten with time. The eventful 20th century, an era known for evils but defined by determination, is arguably the most significant in the history of man.

My grandfather was one of five children, in an Irish Catholic family from New York City. His father, a plumbing contractor, was a provider, but not rich. Regardless of their wealth, however, they lived with dignity and class, undeterred by any obstacle, even when my great grandfather lost his business to the depression. Poppy was 15.

He often joked about a custom-made suit he bought as young man. Throughout his life it had been hard to

buy fitting clothes, but as a teen, his statue towered over what was considered tall for the day. For an entire summer he worked on railroad lines for 40 cents an hour. His mother wouldn’t allow him to spend his earnings; he was to save for the suit. For years, I figured the story stressed the importance in dressing well, but as I am now more aware of his life’s circumstance, I know that he was pushing the importance of working hard for an ultimate goal.

The hardships he and the rest of his generation endured give deeper and more significant value to all their accomplishments. Even with the many luxuries we take for granted, there is still a sense of hopelessness when obstacles daunt us.

There is the notion of the immediate withdraw of our troops in Iraq. They claim the cost of 600 lives is too high, and that the acts of violent resistance shows we are unwanted.

Others claim that by staying we are only enticing terrorist attacks and furthering military casualties. They’re arguing that the spread of democracy into a region of known oppression is not worth any form of sacrifice.

Hitler’s appeasement proves that pacifism does not always result in a desirable ending. If our fore-fathers hadn’t stood firmly against the evils of Nazi Germany then peace could have never been brought to Europe, and the blood of 12 million lives would be on our hands just as much as theirs.

It’s hard to fathom that my grandfather had served as a combat medic in such a horrific war. I’ve been used to the image of him asleep on the couch, not saving wounded infantrymen while under the siege of enemy strafe. It’s hard to believe that he fought in such bloody combat as Attu and the Battle of the Buldge, but it’s harder to believe that the kind, religious man I knew, had horrific remembrances of the kilns at the Langerstein concentration camp. He knew men who

Robert Reilly Gleason Sr. was one of millions of Americans who served during the second World War.

served and died and he always regretted their loss, but I know his sense of humanly duty justified the sacrifice.

The flag that draped my Poppy’s casket represents the passingofonemorehero,andonemorelifenotlivedinvain.

He is emblematic of a generation that knew no failure and no surrender. With each death like his, we lose another greatAmerican, and a great generation continues to fade.

It’s hard to believe that my Poppy has passed on.

I want to believe that I’ll once again see his smile or hear his bellowing laugh. But no matter what obstacles I encounter in life, I hope I brave them with the same dignity and strength as he would.

Students need to be more involved Seniors should voice their opinion for graduation speaker

BY ABBY SEGALL Co-Editor in Chief While watching the Feb. 1 Super Bowl Half Time Show and witnessing the infamous revealing of Janet Jackson’s breast, I had no idea this incident would also be affecting my feelings toward graduation.

Howcouldthesetwoeventspossiblyrelate?

Jackson’s revealing has sent a tidal wave of controversy throughout the nation as the codes, which regulate free speech in television and radio, have become tightened. Led by Chairman Michael Powell, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) responded to the incident by creating a revised code of conduct for all media sources, explaining how they should act.

It is also Powell who was assigned to be the speaker at the graduation ceremony for the class of 2004. Powell was

selected after the senior class officers take note to the lack of involvement and discussed with English teacher Nancy advertise more? If I had known, I would Grim about the idea of inviting him. not have chosen Powell for our speaker.

Following the Super Bowl incident, At the first class assembly in the beginning of the year, it was announced that a Powell proposed a revised code of conduct speaker had to be chosen and that if any for the media. Aimed towards “children,” members of the class had a suggestion to the code sets “standards of decency,” tell the senior class officers. This seems but what may be indecent to one may to be the only time they announced this be normal to another. For instance, the FCC seems to believe to the class. Howthat the worst thing ever, barely anyon television these one in the senior class came forth The senior class must listen to days is the sexual behavior occurring because no one remembered the a speaker who, if more seniors in music videos and request or maybe became invovled...might not be prime time television shows, while they simply did they do not seem to not hear the an- speaking care as much about nouncement in the violence that is the assembly seen on television (since at many of the class assemblies it is hard to hear every single day. Violence in Iraq is anything through the talking students). shown on the news every day as people The senior class now must listen to a view dead or wounded bodies. When speaker who, if more seniors became in- did it become okay to see violent activvolved and put forth comments, might not ity, but you mention the word “breast,” be speaking. Why did we not become more and you are banned from the screen?

It will be difficult to leave this new code involved? Why did the senior officers not

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MAking the GrAde Tom Davis comes to AHS

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Congressman Tom Davis made his annual visit to AHS. He spoke to certain classes in the lecture hall. Davis answered questions and informed the student body about pressing issues affecting the Annandale area. Topics such as immigration, school vouchers and gay marriage were addressed. Although not all students’ questions were answered, Davis’ visit managed to keep teenagers aware of current politics.

‘Pajama Dayʼ bends administrations rules

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Last year pajamas were banned as reasonable school attire. The administration cracked down on a semi-school rebellion in which the student body risked suspension by wearing the garmets. Despite the institution of the new rule, the student government held pajama day, a school wide spirit day.

‘Pajama day’ is like letting prisoners out for 15 minutes of excerise.

Iraq: death tolls rises

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The weekend of the April 17, marked the bloodiest month since the U.S. invasion; ten American soldiers were killed in Iraq. Recent uprisings by Iraqi insurgents, especially those loyal the radical Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr, have caused the increase in U.S. casualities. However, recent actions reflect the United States’ incompetence; the new government, put into place June 30, will likely be unstable.

Animals at zoo neglected

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Over the past 6 years, 23 animals at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. have died from neglect or misdiagnosis. In addition, an investigation of the zoo discovered that veterinary records had been changed. The National Zoo, which has almost 3 million visitors every year, needs to ensure the safety of the animals.

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out of his speech when he will be talking to the youth of the future, or as he refers to us, “the children” who he must protect. I don’t want him using my graduation time to promote his ideas in which I, as well as many other members of the student body and faculty, disagree with. At graduation I do not want to have to deal with politics, and when we bring in the most controversial man at the present time to speak to our class, it is unavoidable.

I am not underestimating his importance to our nation, and I would love to hear him speak at another time, in another place. However, I do not want to be subjected to Powell during my graduation—the day I have been looking forward to since elementary school.

Graduation is a big part of senior’s lives and we should stand up and let people hear our voice. This is the person who will be giving us our last goodbye and lead them into the “real world,” so it is important that the senior class can agree on who it should be. My advice to the class of 2005 is to get more involved with the speaker and allow more people to have a say in whether or not this speaker is wanted by the class.

t Annandale High School 4700 Medford Dr. Annandale, Virginia 22003

Vol. 49 No. 11 April 26, 2004

Editors in Chief: Paul Gleason Abby Segall Managing Editor: Caroline Friedman News Editors: Junaid Shams Kyle Smeallie Editorial Editors: John Bernhardt Maggie Owner In-Depth Editors: Erin O’ Brien Katie Stanton Academics Editors: Laura Kelly Alex Silano Health Editors: Meg Nielsen Rachel Sinaiko People Editors: Andrew Menegat Sarah Bizer Cultures Editors: Kathy Ibarra Wided Khadouri Sports Editors: Jared Smith Matt Wiest Arts Editors: Kimiko Yerik Amy Suddarth Entertainment Editors: Ben Berglund John Reiss Weekend Editors: Laura Johnson Elizabeth Nowrouz Sports “Xtra”: Evan Rowland Amanda Sheaffer

(703) 642-4229 email: ahsablast@aol.com fax: (703) 642-4299

Atomic Articles Editor: Sabrina Stacy Atomic Athletics Editor: Erica Satten Business Manager: Evan Ashe Ad Manager: Chris Sopher Copy Editor: Julia Singer Photography Editors: Morgan McEvilly Sean SullivanWriting Coach: Rebecca Kraushaar Staff Writers/Photographers: Stacey Marin, Caitlin Beckett, Joseph Burke, Shayna Dublar, Edward Gibson, Cristian Hernandez, Bridgette Kim, Amy Mathis, Molly Sterlacci, Mike Wiest, Julie Wolf, Tina Douroudian, Stuart Dunbar, Jill Guerin, Matt Hubacher, Ashley Jones, Joe Wilbur, Alex Wahl, Chris Kallendar, Sohaib Khan, Valerie Graves, Sarah Sozio, Nigeen Sadozai, Laela Shallal, Lekha Menon, Megan Berry, Will Akridge Videographers: Josh Lewin, Brent Sullivan Web Design: Paul Gleason Adviser: Alan Weintraut

CSPA Silver Crown 2002-2003

Pacemaker Finalist National Scholastic Press Association 2002-2003

Trophy Class Virginia High School 2002-2003

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 individualʼs right to privacy. Unsigned editorials represent the staff opinions which solely represent the opinion of the newspaper staff. The A-Blast is an independent, open forum for discussion which 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 229 or mailed to the school. The A-Blast reserves the right to refuse advertisements. All submissions become property of The A-Blast Copyright, 2004.

EDITORIALS

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April 26, 2004

Women unfit for combat physically challenging, and no less uncivilized than it ever was before. The soldier relies specifically on physical ability and mental toughness to survive. And, essentially, women are not physically capable of meeting these demands. It’s genetically proven that women have entirely different body compositions than men—different

BY ZANDER ROBERTS compositions that ultimately limit their abilities to lift Special to The A-Blast rucksacks, walk long distances, raise hatches, load misIn 1429, Joan of Arc successfully led the French siles, and fight. They are inherently hindered to properly troops into battle against the English. In the 18th and perform as “true” soldiers.

19th centuries, hundreds of women disguised themThere is an abundance of expert testimony that factuselves as men in the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. In ally describes the physical differences between genders.

1901, the Army Nurse Corps was established. In 1942, Women are intrinsically disadvantaged. Their aerobic the Marine Corps approved of the inclusion of women capacity is significantly lower. On average, they weigh in limited job categories. In 1948, President Truman less and have less muscle mass. “In terms of physical signed the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act. By capability,” claims William Gregor, a military science 1974, seven American Women had died in Vietnam. In professor, only “the upper five percent of women are 1990, more than 229,000 active duty women served in at the level of the male median.” Basically, he is saymilitary services. Today, about 15% of the armed forces ing there is no room for improvement since they have are comprised of women. already reached the upper end of their limits. According But regardless of the statistics, the age-old questions to Gregor, “The average 20-to-30 year-old woman has the still remain. Should women in today’s society be permit- same aerobic capacity as a 50-year-old man.” Even the ted to serve in the military? If so, should they be able to Surgeon General of theAir Force believes that on average, serve in any position including combat arms positions? women only have 60 percent of the physical strength of Recently, with the war in Iraq and the attention given men. It’s obvious the facts are against them. Naturally, to the Jessica Lynch’s POW fiasco, this issue has been women are not fit for combat. launched beyond the usual pedestrian media interest and Now, no doubt there is a highly selective minority into the public eye, resulting in commentary saturation. out there that doesn’t conform to conventions and are Since the days of Plato and Aristotle, when the issue was gung-ho about the military. There are those that can load first debated, nothing has changed—just the recognition missiles and fight. There are those who have the necesthat women are now more assertive of their “right” to sary endurance to complete the training, to overcome the fight. But, regardless of the increased attention brought rigors of combat, and to do so without the slightest hint of on by another rash of news stories, the fact remains that emotion. But these women are few and far between—a women and military service are like oil and water—they small group of fish in a large pond. just don’t mix.

The average woman does not meet the regular Even though the participation of women in the standards of a male’s training. military has been on the steady Of course, this doesn’t matter in rise for more than half a century, the first place because they don’t instances where woman actually have to. The standards in the fight in combat are limited, and their By the mandatory standards military these days are gender military effectiveness is problematic. of men, women would be biased. Women don’t have to run The fact that America has been so as many miles, they don’t have to hesitant on allowing women in the considered incompetent and do as many pull-ups or as many military proves that the concerns sit-ups, they don’t have to go unsuitable for service. for dramatically changing a major through what their male counterinstitution and years of effective parts have to. By the mandatory policies are justified. There are sestandards of men, women would rious moral, practical, and societal be considered incompetent and issues that have caused American leaders to hesitate in unsuitable for service. “feminizing” the military.

Gene Deegan, Commanding General at the Parris Along with increased demands from active feminist Island Marine Corps Recruit Depot, says, “If I were to groups, and increasing toleration from Congress and maintain the same intensity for women in training as the the president to accommodate these vocal and strident male recruits, I would have a very difficult time recruiting groups, the public has not embraced the idea of allow- any females. And if my recruiting mission remained the ing women to serve in combat or increase their role and same, I would fail.” Even in a survey in 1998, “only one number in the American forces. To do so would seriously in 10 female privates and corporals agreed that women degrade the combat effectiveness of the world’s finest should be treated exactly like men.” Basically, women fighting force, and put service member’s lives, including are given unjust benefits at the expense of men, which women, at unreasonable risk. ultimately leads to even larger concerns—morale.

First off, military service is not a typical business. BeIf you’re fighting next to a women in battle who didn’t ing a soldier, considering the responsibilities that come complete the same training you did, who didn’t fly on the with it, isn’t simply just a job. The protection of individual same missions you did, and who isn’t as physically fit as rights is of course the responsibility of civil society. But you are, do you truly believe that that woman will heave the military is the guardian of civil society, and therefore, your body over her shoulder when you get shot and run different rules apply. Although some may argue that the you back to safety—all the while bullets are whizzing effects of having women in the military are justified on by her head and grenades are exploding 50 feet from grounds of civil rights and equal opportunity, they are not her position? defensible by military necessity.

The knowledge that this situation is more than posClearly, the concerns are obvious and understand- sible will certainly have a serious effect on the self-esteem able. The arguments aren’t drawn from merely a single of the men. This is one of the serious threats to consider factor, but from a cumulative pool of facts that would the next time you advocate combat billets for women. lead any reasonable observer to conclude that women They would disturb the cohesive organization of the “would adversely affect military readiness, cohesion and military and weaken the espirit de corps. effectiveness.”

Most of the effectiveness of the military depends Today, ground combat is no more refined, no less primarily on the unity between soldiers—the trust and

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Females in the military tend to be problematic

3 What did you think of President Bush’s performance during his press conference on April 13?

“He can read what he planned well, but he can’t answer questions off the top of his head well.”

—Graham Prosche freshman

“I thought he looked really nervous and couldn’t answer his questions.”

Private Jessica Lynch was taken prisoner during the U.S. invasion of Iraq.

respect every member has for one another. With the position women are in now, regarding their lack of equal strength and standards, and just their overall lack of contribution to the unit, it is more than a possibility that those bonds would be broken. Men would be unable to trust them, and the presence of women would disrupt the overall cohesion.

Logic is clearly against females. In some instances, it is safe to say that women in the military can be considered hypocrites. They claim they want to be equal to men, but the bottom line is they only want that if they are given an advantage to be equal. And even if women aren’t in combat positions but are piloting fighter jets and serving as nurses, anything can happen in war. What happens when her plane gets shot down and she’s forced to eject and engage in hand-to-hand combat when she lands?

What happens if the nurse gets taken hostage while transferring medical supplies from one base to another?

The risks of women in battle are just too great—greater than that of a man.

Becoming a prisoner of war is obviously a danger for both males and females. But when a female is the one who is captured, it becomes increasingly more dangerous. Without a doubt, there exists a greater probability for acts of sexual molestation and rape when women are pushed to the front lines. Sexual assault becomes a serious problem.

One should also consider the impact of women fighters on our enemies. Having women in the military could lead to tougher battles. Usually this is hard to prove and often overlooked. But say for instance your army, where more than 30 percent of it ranks are women, is fighting a force that highly condescends females. The Israeli’s found when they used women on their front lines, the enemy tends to fight longer and harder, rather than surrender.

They are fiercer and more determined to slaughter their opponents. Their characters fundamentally change.

These are all serious problems to consider. It’s understandable for society to want to adhere to civil rights and allow women to fight. But at what cost does this become unreasonable? Are civil rights more important than life?

To what extent should actions be taken to preserve an ideal? Basically, is losing one’s life, a battle, or a war a worthy cost to ensure a woman can “be all she can be?”

As the vast majority of Americans have so far proved, common sense continues to prevail. One can only hope, that for the sake of our national security, we continue to limit and restrict military service for women.

—Kate McCormack freshman “I thought it was interesting. He seemed nervous, but seemed to answer well under the pressure. ”

—Nicole Mott sophmore “He messed up a few times. It wasn’t that professional for a president. But I learned a lot.”

— Miguel Acevedo junior

“I thought he stuggled. He knew what he was talking about but couldn’t come forth with information without jeopardizing secret intel. All in all, he didn’t do the best job addressing the nation’s questions and fears.

—Maryam Pourrabi junior

“I thought he was very poor, and he sounded very uneducated about the war in Iraq.”

‘Lock-Down’ instills fear in students and medical authorities from inside the school, in most cases. Parents and police sped to the scene of the massacre and rounded up students who had taken off from school grounds and into neighborhoods when the sound of well lubricated firearms sent them into a sprinting panic.

William Sanders, a sports coach and computer teacher at Columbine, died in an upstairs classroom of the school as a sign that declared ‘Bleeding to Death’ adorned

BY WILL AKRIDGE the window visible from outside while two Staff writer Eagle Scouts worked desperately to keep On April 19th, 2004, Annandale High him alive.

School initiated a lockdown drill during Before the Columbine massacre, most R7, the final period of the day. A lockdown American parents sent their children off is generally comprised of teachers locking to school confident that they would come doors, students sitting on the floor and out home alive and unscathed. Columbine of plain sight, and windows being obscured changed all of that dramatically. Alby whatever paper is available at the time. though procedures for a lockdown event Students are not provided with informa- have been in place since shortly after the tion regarding the reason for cowering, Columbine massacre, the trademark red but anyone who can remember what Crisis Managehappened a little over ment books that five years ago has an adorn the insides intimation as to how of classroom school officials were Fear is harsh way to teach doors have only inspired to introduce been there since anyone anything, and a procedure more suitthe beginning of able for penitentiaries nothing tells students that the 2003-2004 than public schools. school year. The On April 20th, there’s vulerability in public Crisis Manage1999, Dylan Klebold ment books proschool security then a drill and Eric Harris both vide emergency arrived at Columbine that requires them to hide... instructions for High School armed dealing with a with a variety of wide variety of firearms and homecrises includmade explosives. The ing evacuation carnage lasted for a full 49 minutes and in the event of fire, incoming tornado claimed the lives of 12 students and a preparation, hazardous materials inciteacher. Klebold and Harris committed dent plans, and the mysterious “lockdown” suicide where they gunned down 10 stu- contingency. The lockdown plan has only dents—in the school library. Throughout been performed once at AHS since it was the school, students and teachers bar- approved, and that was on the 19th. In ricaded themselves inside bathrooms stark contrast, AHS students participate and janitor closets in order to avoid the in a surprise fire drill at a minimum of relentless gunfire. Cell phones were uti- once a month. lized to contact worried parents, police School districts across the nation have

With fifth anniversary of Columbine, school safety become an issue of concern

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heightened their alertness of possible school related incidents but have not made their watchfulness public. It is assumed that the school districts have heightened their alertness because of the growing trend of school violence over the past few years. In 1999-2000, the year of the Columbine massacre, there were 33 deaths in American schools. There were 31 deaths in 2000-2001, 17 deaths in 2001-2002, 16 deaths last year, and an extraordinarily disturbing 35 this year. There’s about two months left in the school year, so the body count has plenty of time to rise.

The day before National Drug Law Violation and Imprisonment Day, the 115th anniversary of Adolf Hitler’s birth and, more pertinent to the matter, the five year anniversary of the Columbine massacre and the deaths of the victims and killers involved, AHS students huddled together on the floors and in the corners of their classrooms without a care in the world beyond how much the cold tile affected their posteriors. Teachers performed the required actions found inside the Crisis Management book and hardly anyone asked any question about the “unknown emergency.” Perhaps if the students knew exactly what the lockdown procedures are intended to protect against, the students may react with a little more fervor.

Fear is a harsh way to teach anyone anything and nothing tells students that there’s vulnerability in public school se-

curity then a drill that requires them to hide inside their classrooms like rats in a hole. The students of Columbine High School reported locking eyes with Klebold and Harris through the windows on their classroom doors as their walked their high school hall while they stalked their classmates. Klebold and Harris also made a concentrated effort to produce a vast amount of explosives, including 20 gallon propane bombs and nearly a hundred pipe bombs, for their day of slaughter. If future deviants are armed as adequately as Klebold and Harris, then barriers of wood and glass will do very little to prevent them from shooting out the glass on the door and lobbing in a pipe bomb.

AHS does not have metal detectors or mass weapon detectors outside of the watchful eyes of administrators and teachers. While one cannot question the integrity of AHS’s staff, it is a daunting task to visually search every student’s clothing or bags for evidence of firearms or knives. They catch a few things, though. Johnathan Motes, a 10 year old from Georgia, was suspended from his Parsons Elementary School for using his thumb and index finger as pretend gun. Nine-year-old Austin Crittenden of Alabama was suspended from Sun Valley Elementary School for being in possession of a one-inch long toy gun made of plastic. Zero-Tolerance is a joke. The only thing it tells students about authorities is that authorities are growing more and more afraid of students. One thing is for certain, though. So far, locking students inside classrooms has done nothing to intimidate them.

—Chris Terapane senior

“[It was] too repetitive. We already knew [the information Bush was providing]. ”

—Sukho Na senior

NEWS BRIEFS Editor in Chief named runner-up

Paul Gleason, the co-editor in chief of The A-Blast was named the runner-up for the National Journalist of the Year.

In April, Gleason was named the JEA Virginia Journalist of the Year. His 40 page portfolio was then sent to Nationals.

“I’m really plad for Paul because he works so hard to make this newspaper what it is,” said Health Editor Meg Nielsen.

TheA-Blast has had the past four State Journalist of the Year winners.

Co-Editor in chief assists Academic editor Alex Silano

Opening in Activities Office

The activities office has an opening next year for the position ofAssistant to the Director of StudentActivities. The position has been handled for the past three years

by Cheryl Kraus.Although Kraus will still be working in the athletic office, she will be running the athletic department .

The opening job position is intended for a teacher and will be used as a training position to see if that’s what would like to be done for future years. The hope is that this individual will become an athletic adminstrator. There is a supplement involved to the amount of $3,862. The job position entails such responsiblities as working together with SGA in supervising elections, pep rallys, and homecoming events, club fundraisers and moer.

“The position will require that the person be the liaison between myself and all club sponsors, co-curricular and extra ccurricuar,” said Director of StudentActivities Angelo Hilios.

The job will begin in August when activites commence and will end at the finish of the school year. The deadline for this hire is the 15th of May. “Things will be smoother with a person dedicated just for that task,” said Hilios.

By Molly Sterlacci

Sankoh featured in “Children of War” documentary

Junior Fata Sankoh has been featured in the “Children of War” documentary. The film features local students talking about their experiences as victims of war. They include a young Kurdish man whose father was killed by Saddam Hussein’s police, a young woman who fled war in El Salvador, an abusive mother in the US, and Sankoh, who hid from killing squads in Sierra Leone. The program was broadcasted on the Fairfax County Govt. Training Channel.

The tape can also be checked out from the AHS library.

Fata Sankoh

Scholarships for seniors

TheAthletic Booster is offering a $1000 scholarship for senior students who have lettered in a varsity sport. Applications may be found in the Career Center or the Activities Office. The deadline is May 10.

The Career Center is also offering the Donald Clausen Scholarship, awarded to a senior in performing arts.

Please visit the Career Center or http: //www.fcps.k12.va.us/AnnandaleHS/ CareerCenter/scholarship.htm

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April 26, 2004

After school policy changes Teachers, students react to new mandate; students must be out or with teacher by 2:30 p.m.

BY ALEX WAHL Staff Writer “Students: The time is now 2:30 p.m.

You should have gone to your lockers and be with a teacher in a classroom. Hallway sweeps are starting now. Please leave the building or we will escort you outside. If you are an athlete, you must be with your coach or in the cafeteria study hall. If you are waiting for a late bus, you must go to the cafeteria.”

Those words are becoming normal to everyone’s ears who stays after school.

The administration is cracking down on the “nomadic wandering” through the hallways in an effort to create a better academic environment for both teachers and students staying after to get help.

“Nomadic wandering,” as it was stated in a letter to all staff, was a combination of noise and “inappropriateness” that made a new policy necessary. “We knew that there were other schools doing it to take care of students who were just wandering the halls after school, with really no purpose, or negative purposes sometimes, as we found out,” said Dr. Fay Mpras, Attendance Administrator.

KYLE SMEALLIE

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NEWS

Attendance Administrator Fay Mpras asks students to leave shortly after the 2:30 announcement that all students must vacate the hallways.

It seems that this problem has been a hassle for some time in the last couple of years. “There were some teachers who were very upset, who were trying to work with their students in their classes after school, and then there was so much noise that they would have to leave their students that they were working with in class to go outside and tell the students outside to go to another place,” said Mpras.

Since the new program has been activated, the response from teachers has been very positive. “I think it is wonderful.

I have repeatedly had to tell kids to turn off their boom boxes,” said math teacher Gail Chmura. She said kids are regularly around the corner yelling, practicing

dance routines and doing other noisy activities. She believes safety is the most important thing to consider and that kids should find teachers to stay with instead of being out in the halls. Since the new rules, Chmura admitted that the halls are quiet and she can concentrate more on helping students.

Upstairs math teacher Bruce Fisher also thinks the new policy was well needed. “There are too many kids running around the school unsupervised.

That is the bottom line. It’s like a circus here after school,” said Fisher. As Fisher sees it, things just got too “lax” around the school, and students started making hallways their hangout. “It’s just like coaching

a team,” he said. “If people don’t come to practice then other things will go wrong, you just can’t let things get too ‘lax.’”

English teacher Pam Feil understands both viewpoints of the situation. “Some kids always abuse the liberties they have and create a noisy situation,” said Feil.

She has not had problems with the noise like other teachers have, but still sweeps the English hall after school. “We’re the lucky ones,” said Feil.

Although a majority of teachers support the new plan, many students have different opinions about the new policy.

For example, freshmen Alyssa and Rachael Navarette and Taylor Hobson wanted to go to their English teacher, Michelle Fish, to ask her a question.

The time was only about 2:45, and the girls were about to head off to softball practice. They were out of the jock lobby area when they were stopped by Catherine Del Conte, and denied access to the English hall.

“We didn’t have a pass, so the lady said ‘no.’ It just makes me angry because it is stupid. It’s not like we’re doing anything wrong, we have to be there for practice,” said Navarette.

Some students understand the idea of it, but think that athletes should be allowed to move around the school before practice. “I think that it is a good idea because there is no reason kids should be spending time after school unless it is with a teacher. There are buses to take kids home, they can walk, call their parents; The school should not be responsible for students after school hours unless they are with a teacher or there for a sport,” said sophomore Elizabeth Eckert.

Ossian Park meeting yields litte results Despite concerns of local residents, Park Authorities leave hearing with minimal plans “Ossian” from pg. 1 Ossian is a park located between the campuses of AHS and Annandale Terrace Elementary School.

There have several car break-ins in the parking areas surrounding the park and gang members have been known to congregate there. The master plan for Ossian Hall Park would increase visibility though more lighting and improved sightlines and attempt to attract many visitors with its fields and skate park, in the hopes of thereby increasing safety there. It has, however, been criticized by environmental groups because its proposed renovations would require the clearing out of many trees.

Tomasz first became involved with the issue after he noticed, while picking up his daughter from field hockey practice, that the lights in the Ossian Hall

parking lot were not on.After learning that they had been damaged during a storm, Tomasz began a campaign of what he described as “nagging people” until the lights were operational again. During this process, Tomasz became active in the movement to renovate the park. He said “That park hasn’t been improved in a long time and needs a lot of maintenance.”

Tomasz’s speech at the hearing urged the Board of Supervisors to approve the renovation plan. He said “Don’t miss this opportunity to fund the first urban park in Fairfax County.” Tomasz’s sentiments were later echoed

by Springfield resident and AHS parent Jim Hickey, who said “The master plan will make Ossian a better park and a safer park.”

Other park-related concerns of the Annandale community were also addressed

Summer sessions for students

at the hearing. Several residents of the Pinecrest Heights neighborhood spoke against the inconveniences caused by the dog park in Mason District Park, which is located directly behind their homes.

Throughout the meeting, Park Authority officials advertised the opening of the Wakefield Skate Park, which occurred on Saturday.

This park, located adjacent to the Aubrey Moore (formerly Wakefield) RECenter is the first skate park operated by the Fairfax County ParkAuthority. Hickey expressed his approval of the facility in his speech. He said “You better get ready to open more [skate parks]” while addressing the Board of Supervisors in his speech.

The meeting aptly named a “hearing”, because the Park Authorities heard much about the concerns of the community.

“Programs” from pg. 1 attend during his time this summer in New York.

“It’s fantastic,” said Foreman about his acceptance to the program. “It’s what I’ve always wanted to do.”

FourteenAnnandale students have been recently selected to attend this prestigious organization this summer. The program, a subsidiary of the American Legion, is divided into Boys and Girls State. The session runs for a week at end of the school year, and is attended by students from across the state.

Ten rising senior boys have been selected to attend: Brian Bernhards, James Brouse, Brandon Flowers, Andrew Gisch, Joshua Lewin, Jason Martin, Johnathon Mauer, Nicholas Schwind, Jemshaid Shams, and Max Tholenaar-Maples. Four girls have also been selected to attend Girls State: Ana Rosa Alvarez, Julia Bizer, Katherine Littlefield, and Amy Suddarth.

The program seeks to educate students about government and the humanities. Originally organized by conservatives in theAmerican Legion, the Boys State program teaches attendees about “practical democracy” by having them serve as delegates to the fictional government of the fictional 51st state. Delegates form and manage the government, and two are nominated to attend Boys Nation.

“I applied because it helps you develop basic qualities, and it looks very impressive on a college application,” said junior Max Tholenaar-Maples. He was also recently accepted into Virginia Governor’s School.

Sixteen Annandale students were selected to attend Governor’s school, with 7 others selected as alternates. The state program offers sessions during the year and residential summer sessions in the fields of visual and performing arts, humanities, mathematics, science, technology, medicine and life science.

Students attend the program for five weeks and are given the opportunity to “live, study, and get to know other students with similar interests and abilities from across Virginia.”

Junior Tamara Friedler was accepted to Governor’s School for Russian Foreign Language. “My maternal grandfather’s family is from Russia. I don’t know much about the history, language, or culture, so it seemed like an interesting thing to do.”

New park plan (Right) is the proposed plan for Ossian Park. Trees will be removed to enchance sight lines and the increase in lighting. The addition of more fields and a skateboard park are also planned.

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April 26, 2004

Fake ID problem returns “IDs” from pg. 1 turing fake ID’s after his house was searched and a computer was obtained that implicated upwards to 50 alleged buyers, according to School Resource Officer Paul Pickett and Fairfax County Police.

Now the felony, which disturbed AHS at the end of 2001-2002 school-year, is back on the rise.

“A young man in our neighborhood just got arrested for having a fake ID and trying to buy beer at a 7-11,” said PTSA member Donna Hores.

However making or even obtaining a fake ID has become an effortless task.

Manufacturing an ID simply requires a computer, scanner, photo printer, photo paper, Adobe Photoshop, and a laminator, which is optional. Adobe Photoshop recommends a computer with an Intel Pentium III or 4 processor, 192MB of RAM, and 280MB of available harddisk space. However a computer with lower specifications can usually run the software.

“It’s not on the grand scale as it was two years ago,” said senior Zander Roberts, “but making fake ID’s is still very common.”

“I still make fake ID’s,” said one anonymous senior, “but I only make it for my self. I don’t want to make it for others and get even riskier.”

“Making fake ID’s is pretty easy on Adobe Photoshop,” said one junior. “I did it (made a fake ID) for a friend for the Canada trip.”

Each year, Ski Travel organizes a trip of local high schools to Quebec, Canada.

Though not organized by the school, it is often run through the school.

“Nearly everyone had a fake ID for Canada, even the underclassmen” said

Roberts. “Real ID’s were scarce, they were all fake.”

“Making fake ID’s is ok, but just take an ID of an older sibling. It always works,” said an anonymous senior.

Without going through the hassle of manufacturing an I.D, the Internet has become a common source of suppliers. www.fakeidrnan.org offers 38 links to websites that supply fake ID’s. With prices ranging from $60-$100, ID’s can be obtained for any of the 50 states, and even for nations in Europe.www.noveltyids.com offers ID’s for any country in the world. A passport picture is the only requirement as delivery takes two weeks.

Local stores have therefore begun to increase awareness and training. 7-11 now uses a two-day training session to all new employees to get them accustomed to checking ID’s, and also for what employees should look for.

“We have a magazine for employees that has ID’s for all 50 states,” said Assistant Manager of 7-11 at Bradlick Shopping Center, Vinod Singh. “We keep it at the checkout, and it tells you what to look for in a fake ID.” “The biggest problem is that the kid that wants a Budweiser looks like he’s 24 or 25, but he’s only 17 or 18,” said Ahmad.

“I have to look at the ID or else I’m going to be fired.”

7-11 now uses a green card, red card system for its employees. “7-11 usually sends their own people, dressed up as customers, to see if the employees are checking ID’s or not,” said Singh.

However, Shoppers Food Warehouse leaves the checking of ID’s on the employee. Employees are told to check ID’s only if the customer looks to be under the age of 30.

After September 11, FCPD has also

Teachers Julie Hindman and Leslie Chekin are currently seeking members for the Student Ethics Committee, a group of students that will act as good character role models for the entire student body. This organization will work with students to promote ethical behavior through a variety of student led programs. Teachers are encouraged to submit the names of students that are motivated, considerate, and demonstrate leadership potential and a positive attitude to Lisa Felix’s box by Friday, April 30. The first Student Ethics Committee meeting will be held in May.

Asst. Superintendent speaks to ESOL students Using Adobe Photoshop 7.0, the above Virginia Drivers License was doctored. The Virginia hologram was forged by using multiple state symbols. The DOB can be altered using the text tool in Photoshop. 7500 fake ID’s were uncovered in D.C after a recent sting operation.

increased its awareness on fraudulent ID’s. “We don’t have regular checks, but we do have spot checks to ensure people are complying with the law,” said Sergeant Richard Perez.

The law, under code 46:2-347, states that anyone who attempts to use a fake ID shall be charged with a Class 3 misdemeanor in which the drivers’ license shall be revoked for not less than 30 days and not more than a year. A fine of not more than $500 may be also be given.

“The main and only reason you need a fake ID is for beer,” said an anonymous senior. “I think it’s a minor offense, but it would suck to be caught.”

“I think of the jail time you get for making an ID,” said another senior. “But I can’t use one because I look too young.”

Joseph Hills, a social studies teacher at Lake Braddock Secondary School, beat four AHS finalists in the 2004 Teacher of theYear competition. Hills took home the prestigious award, as well as $3,000 from the Washington Post Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher Award.

In a county that is esteemed for its outstanding school system, it is no wonder that many teachers in the area are perfect candidates for the yearly Fairfax County Public Schools Teacher of the Year Award, which this year occurred at the end of March.

The competition between these teachers is highly competitive. Criteria used for nominating and judging include the teacher’s ability to give students the motivation to learn, understand a student’s individual needs and foster them, be cooperative with co-workers and community members, demonstrate their material in a knowledgeable manner and provide exemplary leadership skills. A different screening committee of educators and community leaders is formed each year, with about 69 applications regularly submitted for review. Thus, it is an honor for AHS to have several distinguished teachers and administrators who have been nominated in the past.

For the past decade, at least one AHS teacher has been nominated for the award. Last year, nominees in-

cluded Carol Rychlik (former math teacher) and Carleen Dixon (chorus teacher). Administrators and teachers that were selected by the PTSA for this year included Susan Taylor (Guidance Counselor), Eleanor Shumaker (social studies teacher), John Hawes (social studies teacher) and Alan Weintraut (journalism teacher).

Taylor, already a two-time Teacher of the Year laureate for her former math teaching, has now brought excellence to her new service for the students. “I’m very honored and very flattered because there are so many outstanding teachers and counselors here at school whom I work with each and every day, so to be selected is very

MEGAN BERRY

BY AMY MATHIS Staff Writer

Government teacher John Hawes adresses his 10th grade Pre-IB Comparative Government class. “I try to make some connection to what the students think is important,” said Hawes.

Students prepare as exams arrive we’re well prepared,” said sophomore Mohammad Rahman. “I’m not planning more than a half hour of review before the test.”

Teachers of the IB classes tend to use a similar method to prepare their students. Because the tests are released twenty-four hours after being taken, teachers such as IB French teacher Patricia Heininge can use them as practice tests for their students. “We’ve done enough practice,” Heininge said. “There won’t be any surprises.”

Senior Diana Nguyen is starting to prepare for her IB Math Studies exam by timing herself on the review packets given out by her teacher. “{The review packets} are helpful because you know what’s on the test and we’re reviewing right

SARAH SOZIO

“Exams” from pg. 1 with three passage based question, of which they must pick one.

In order to prepare her students for the IGCSE test, Pre IB English 10 teacher Augustine Twyman focuses her classes on the literature that will be present on the test. By taking part in class discussions and completing in class writing assignments similar to those on the IGCSE test, students are given a clear idea of what the exam will be like.

“Teachers function as coaches for the exams,” Tyman said. “We lay out the material and give practice thinking about the questions.”

Some students are happy with the amount of preparation they are receiving in their classes. “I think

NEWS BRIEFS Student Ethics Committee

However the administration has not planned to take any actions as it did two years ago. “We’re not going to have another amnesty period because we don’t know the names of people making them,” said Pickett.

According to Pickett, an undercover sting operation by FCPD was conducted during the past summer. As 22 stores were targeted around the area, including CVS, 7-Eleven, Giant, Safeway, and Shoppers, 10 were found to be in violation. In Washington D.C alone, police uncovered 7,500 fake ID’s and social security cards.

“We know that these kids use these ID’s for alcohol and for clubs, but they have to look at the penalty also,” said Pickett.

The penalty of manufacturing an ID is a felony carrying a sentence of 1-6 years.

Teachers recognized in nominations Lake Braddock teacher beats four AHS finalists for teacher of the year award

5

before the test,” Nguyen said.

Also soon approaching are the dreaded SOLs, the Standard of Learning Tests that are required to be taken in order to graduate.

In order to prepare their students for the SOLs, teachers try to center their lessons on the test. This gives the students an idea of what the SOLs will consist of. “I have carefully examined the kinds of questions {the SOLs} ask and then I focus my instruction just on the teaching material needed for the SOL,” said Chemistry teacher Carolyn Walters. Like many other teachers, Walters also uses released SOL tests as review material.

However, despite the immense amount of preparation that they receive, some students do not believe the SOLs are necessary. “I don’t think there is a standardized test that can test the knowledge that teachers give to us,” said junior Ana Rosa Alvarez Flores, who will be taking the SOL in her World History II class. “They waste our time by giving us unnecessary worksheets. We could be learning something more interesting.”

To the left: Seniors Julie Bowes and Julia Ehrenfeld prepare with their IB English teacher Jacqueline Foote for the IB English exam that will occur during May.

unbelievable,” said Taylor.

To Shumaker’s students, her nomination was no surprise. “Mrs. Shumaker is a good teacher because she explains things well and makes you want to learn things that you don’t want to at first,” said junior Mike Torbert.

Having never previously won a teaching award, Hawes was also honored to be a finalist. Hawes’ philosophy of teaching is “to make some connection to what the students think is important.”

“He is a good teacher because he is respectful towards us and willing to help us with any type of work,” said sophomore John Galvin.

Weintraut represented AHS faculty members as one of the five finalists county-wide. Although he did win the award, he feels it was simply an honor to be nominated.

This is the second time Weintraut has been nominated in the ten years he has been teaching at AHS, the last time was during the 1997-1998 school year. “People outside of teaching think that it is static, sedate or somehow glorified babysitting,” said Weintraut. “It really is a job that requires a multitude of skill, so you really have to constantly develop yourself and learn new material to stay fresh and active in the classroom.”

Weintraut values the relationship he has with his students and is honored the PTSA chose to him to compete for the award. “Winning awards is nice but it is secondary to what your real ambitions are,” said Weintraut, whose ambition is to have his students succeed and learn all they can within journalism and film.

After all the nominations were collected and all the application packages reviewed, the teachers were interviewed for 15minutes each. Based on how well these interviews went, the winner was selected.

Additional reporting contributed by Abby Segall.

Events scheduled for celebration “Atomversary” from pg. 1 Also at the Rededication Ceremony, a time capsule will be buried to have a nostalgic item to remember AHS’s 50th year. The time capsule will include certain aspects such as what it is like to be an Atom, and how the school has changed over the past 50 years.

The last activity planned for June 5th is the Evening Extravaganza.Alumni and students will be able to come back to school for a huge Prom. This will include music from each of the five decades from Annandale’s history.

Students all around AHS have expressed interest in theAtomversary, and its activities. “Atomversary events have been really fun to go to and if all of these events end up going through, I will definitely look forward to attending each activity,” said sophomore Matt Dandy.

“These things are a great way to get in touch with the school’s history, while at the same time, being able to talk to my friends,” said Jake Park.

The faculty has also expressed their excitement in the Atomversary events in the planning. “All of the faculty has been really enthusiastic about these celebrations.

The school has been around a while, and it is one of the most unique parts of the school’s history that we have a chance to be a part of, especially from a teacher standpoint,” said teacher Jen Hendrickson. Hendrickson went on to say that, “[The coordinators] have all put in a lot of hard work to ensure that this will be a memorable years, and students have embraced the concept of feeling involved in the school’s history.”

Mason District Kaye Kory and Assistant Superintendent Tom Brady came to speak to ESOL classes onApril 15 during FLEX. Both guests spoke to students in math classes about how FCPS uses math to predict trends and anticaptes needs.

During the past few weeks, the ESOL students have been making population growth graphs and using census data.

Asst. Superintendent Tom Brady

Athletic Booster Scholarship

All seniors who have lettered in a varsity sport this year are eligible to apply for the $1000 scholarship offered by theAthletic Boosters.Applications can be found in the Career Center or the Activities Office. The deadline for application is May 10.

AP Exam Dates

The following is a schedule of the AP exams. If students have a conflict with the test dates or times, they will need to schedule an alternate test date with administrator Paul Litwinetz.

AP English Language - Monday, May 3; 7:20 a.m.

AP Computer Science - Tuesday, May 4; 11:00 a.m.

AP Music Theory - Wednesday, May 5; 11:00 a.m.

AP U.S. Government - Wednesday, May 12; 11:00 a.m.

IB Exam Dates

May 4 - English A1 HL: a.m.

- English A2 SL: a.m - Physics SL: p.m.

May 5 - Physics SL: a.m.

May 6 - Higher Level Math: p.m.

- Math Methods: p.m.

- Math Studies: p.m.

May 7 - Higher Level: a.m.

- Math Methods: a.m.

- Math Studies: a.m.

May 10 - English A1 HL: a.m.

- English A2 SL: a.m.

- English B HL: a.m.

May 11 - Biology SL/HL: p.m.

- Environ. Systems: p.m.

May 12 - Biology SL/HL: a.m.

- Environ. Systems: a.m.

- History HL: p.m.

May 13 - History HL: a.m.

- French A1 SL: p.m.

- French A2 SL: p.m.

May 14 - French A1 SL: a.m.

- French A2 SL: a.m.

- French B SL/HL: a.m.

May 17 - Comp. Sci. SL/HL: p.m.

May 18 - Comp. Sci. SL/HL: a.m.

- Chemistry SL/HL: p.m.

May 19 - Chemistry SL/HL: a.m.

- Spanish A2 SL/HL: p.m.

May 20 - Spanish B SL/HL: a.m.

- Spanish A2 SL/HL: a.m.

May 24 - Music SL/HL: p.m.

- Latin SL: p.m.

- ITGS SL: p.m.

May 25 - Latin SL: a.m.

- ITGS SL: a.m.

- German B SL/HL: p.m.

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Class Election candidates Vice- President

President Banquet to honor student atheltes

Senior April Brassard and junior Brandon Flowers will be awarded by the Annandale Chamber of Commerce their 57th annual Awards Banquet and Silent Auction, in recognition of their athletic performance while maintaining a high GPA . “I was actually kind of surprised [to win the award],” said Flowers. “It’s a big school.” The event is to be held at the Ernst Cultural Center, located at NOVA’s Annandale campus. The Chamber will also be making a donation to the school with money made from the silent auction.

Although members of the community are awarded annually, this is the first time AHS has been the focus. “We wanted to include someone who is a big part of Annandale,” said the Chamber’s Administrative Director Debbie Barret

By Staff Writer Lekha Menon

Professional athlete helps boys soccer sell tickets

21-year old David Stokes of the D.C. United soccer team came to sign autographs and support ticket sales at the boy’s soccer game against West Springfield, on behalf of the partnership between D.C. United and the AHS marketing program.

“I think it’s great to come out here and support the team,” said Stokes.

April 26, 2004

Secretary

Treasurer

Class of 2005 Jennifer Brackett

Jennifer Pereira

•No prior experience •Current President •Wants to improve class •Wants to raise more money participation

Lilian Tetteh

Julia Bizer

•Current Vice-President •Wants to increase fund-raising

•No prior experience •Wants to make a difference

Abebe Bezawith

Alex Barker

Winta Gebretinasy •Current Senator •Wants to raise money for Prom

Tiffany Wattenbarger

•No prior experience •Wants to make money and share her ideas

Sara Fargo

•Current Treasurer •Wants to help raise money

Rizqi Rachmat

•No prior experience •Wants to add ‘spunk’ to the class

Class of 2006

Mohammad Raham Alicia Oben •Current President •Wants to keep everything the same

A rundown of the Pep Rally

•No prior experience •Wants to make money for Prom

Molly Sterlacci

Kelsey Grant

•Could not be interviewed due to Band Trip

•Current Vice-President •Wants to unify the class

Amy Mathis

Erica Satten

•No prior experience •Wants to raise money for Prom

•No prior experience •Wants to make a difference

Class of 2007

•No prior experience •Wants to raise money and get people involved

Jennifer Jacobs

•No prior experience •Wants to make it a great year

Suzanne Vander Eijk

•Current Senator

Laella Shallal

•Current Treasurer •Wants to organize a Talent Show

Sahar Gani

•No prior experience •Wants to raise money for Prom

•Current Senator •Wants to raise money for class activities

Mohammad Mayassi

•Current Secretary •Wants to create new ways for students to communicate better

•Current Senator •Wants to make money

Julianne Simpson

•No prior experience •Wants to make money for Prom

Monica Arrington

Emily Sample

•Current Senator •Wants to increase fund-raising

Helina Tekeste

•No prior experience •Wants to make money for Prom

No candidate for Treasurer

Class elections for next year will be held on Wed. April 28 during flex.

Heather Sanchez

•No prior experience •Wants to help students have a better time

Rediat Tefera

•Current Vice-President •Wants to raise more money

Fiddler goes through the roof COURTESY OF GEORGI BARKER

BY JOE WILBUR Staff Writer

Fiddler raises the roof Above, Kelly Harbison, Ashley Lippolis and the cast of Fiddler on the Roof rehearses “The Dream” scene.

Harbison and Lippolis played Tzeitel and Golde. The play was performed from April 15 to 17.

The AHS theatre department presented the “traditional” classic Fiddler on the Roof, a musical set in a small Jewish village in pre-revolution 1905 Russia. It was performed on April 15-17.

Uncertainty leading up to the show dates was overcome through many last minute scrambling (specifically 2 to 5 pm practices in the last two or three weeks). They managed to iron out the details and put forward an outstanding performance. The musical has been in production ever since auditions were held late January.

Although most were pleased with the overall play, the pit crew suffered from a few unscheduled tempo changes and missed notes, but still provided a highly rated job overall.Along with the pit, the fiddler (Ryan Herold) played the short violin pieces that set the tone for the entire play.

“They did a tremendous job, despite the lack of time and facilities,” said Vicki Farish, the theatre teacher and Fiddler director, pointing to the lack of space in the auditorium, which they had to share with the band due to the renovations.

“There’s reoccurring problems,” said sophomore Andrew Buzzell, referring to the loss of control of most of the lights on the first night, causing them to flash when be-

ing adjusted, and eventually partially blacking out. They hope the problems have now been solved, but are not too confident in the lights’ short working record.

Unlike many high school performances, “Fiddler” actually made a profit on their show. Although the exact number of tickets or amount of money have not been counted yet, they know they sold well over 1000, probably closer to 2000. Thursday and Friday brought solid crowds, and Saturday night was completely sold out, showing the high reputation of the AHS musicals. Last year, the show “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” earned solid reviews from the students, faculty and The Washington Post.

The audience’s favorite scene was the bottle dance, in which junior Jamison Foreman placed a bottle on top of his hat and danced at the same time, trying to prevent the bottle from falling. On the Saturday performance, Foreman was joined by sophomoreAndy McNeese, sophomore Patrick Vogel, and junior Jimmy Connor to create a fourman competition of sorts in which they all tried to be the last person to drop their bottle.

A preview of Fiddler was offered on April 14, in which a select few scenes were performed in Clausen Hall before the performance. “It’s just a little taste for promotion and advertisement,” said junior Jake Brackney.

Property searched during lockdown drill “Lockdown” from og. 1 lockers were opened were not notified that their lockers were searched.

“We did not want to single them [the students] out,” said Cornwell.

TheAnnandale Community Coalition is footing the bill, of an unknown amount, for the canine drill. “It [the drill] was a positive thing.And the Community Coalition encourages this,” said Cornwell.

“It caught me off guard that we were having the drill,” said senior Susan Lanier. “I thought that it made sense to do it though, so that we all know what to do in case of an emergency.”

In addition to the lockdown practice, the Fairfax County Police K-9 Unit was brought in to practice what to do in an actual lockdown drill. Assistant Principal Sean Hearn said that it was important for the police canine unit to become familiar with the building. He said that during Columbine, the police didn’t know where anything was in the building and it made it much harder for them to get their bearings in the building. By conducting the

drill during the school day, it made it much more realistic for people in the building and the K-9 Unit conducting the drill. He said that the dogs were sniffing for bombs and drugs mainly.

However, some students didn’t think that the drill was necessary and didn’t understand why it was conducted now. “I thought it [the drill] was a waste of time,” said junior Elizabeth Waxler.

In the ten years that Cornwell has worked here there has never been any sort of canine practice drill. However, at Lake Braddock, where Manuel was assistant principal last year, they conducted drills much like this one.

“It is a good deterrent for students to know not to bring things to school that they shouldn’t,” said Manuel.

Three officers and three German Shepard dogs participated in the search.

German Shepards are generally used in bomb or drug detection because they have about 2 billion olfactory receptors. These tiny hairs detect chemicals in the air, and send signals to the brain.

Although some question the right for the administration to search lockers without probable cause, it in fact does not violate the Fourth Amendment. Under the decree of the 1985 Supreme Court case of New Jersey v. T.L.O., public school officials can search student property with minimal reasons as to why they are searching.

In 1980, a 14-year-old New Jersey girl (who was protected under the name T.L.O.) was caught smoking in a school lavatory with a friend. She was caught and taken the to theAssistant Vice Principal Theodore Choplick’s office, whereupon he conducted a search of her purse after she denied smoking in the bathroom. Choplick first uncovered a pack of cigarettes, and proceeded to investigate further.

He eventually found a small amount of marijuana, a pipe, empty plastic bags, a significant amount of money in one-dollar bills, a list of students who owed the girl money, and letters implicating T.L.O. in dealing marijuana.

The teen was brought on delinquency charges in New Jersey, but tried to have

the evidence suppressed. She claimed that the search violated the Fourth Amendment, which states: “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.”

After rising through smaller courts, the case eventually came to the Supreme Court in 1985. With a 6 to 3 ruling, the Court declared that public schools are government property so a search of anything on school property, with reasonable suspicions. In essence, lockers belong to the schools, and the administration has the legal authority to search them.

“I think it [the lockdown] is good practice, but it took too long and some teachers got mad because it cut into instructional time,” said senior Maryanna O’Neill. “I really wish I could have seen the dogs.”

ACADEMICS

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April 26, 2004

How much do we use

Blackboard.com?

BY JOSEPH BURKE Staff Writer Back in 1997, most current AHS students were wearing JNCO Jeans, listening to the Wallflowers or seeing Titanic for the first of several times.

However, as notable as these phenomena were, the year 1997 was remarkable for another reason. This was the year that Blackboard LLC was founded, a company that still today is among the vanguard of education technology. Blackboard was founded by two education consultants, Matthew Pittinsky and Michael Chasen—who were fraternity buddies at American University. The two are now chairman and CEO of the company, respectively.

At approximately the same time, a student-faculty research group at Columbia University was designing a user-friendly online education software product. Realizing the demand for their products and the financial success that could come from a merger, the two groups joined forces later that year, forming Blackboard Inc, which designs and sells software that enables teachers to upload their assignments, class notes and other educational materials

that their students can access using the Internet.

In the past seven years—practically an eon in .com years—the D.C.-based company has expanded, hoping to achieve its official purpose, which according to the company’s website is “enhancing classroom instruction, augmenting professional development and increasing parent-teacher communication.” Though many of its fellow companies that were started during the socalled “Internet boom” had to downsize or even failed to stay alive, Blackboard keeps on growing. The company now has 400 employees and is ranked by Inc. magazine as the 6th fastest growing business in the nation.

Most Internet start-up companies tend to go public early, like other area companies such as Net2000 and Lifeminders. In a break from convention, however, Blackboard has stayed private and received $100 million in investment from companies like AOL and the Microsoft Corporation, which is responsible for the frequent rumor that Microsoft planned to buy Blackboard. Waiting for and speculating about a possible Initial Public Offering for Blackboard has become a popular

pastime for Washington area finance experts.

However, the wait has come to end.

The company filed with the Securities and Exchange Committee for an IPO on March 5, 2003, planning to raise $75 million to fund this business venture.

The company plans to trade on Nasdaq under the symbol “BBBB.’’ This news comes after Blackboard has reported its first profits. Although the company lost $10.4 million in the last year, it filing for an IPO indicated the company made profits in the last two quarters of 2003. This is after the company lost approximately $41 million in 2001 and 2002, respectively.

Most of Blackboard’s clients are

post-secondary education centers, like colleges and universities. However, their client base now includes hundreds of K-12 school systems, including Fairfax County Public Schools.

Starting this year, all FCPS teachers have been required to create and use a Blackboard.com account.

The FCPS system is known nation-wide as a center for new technology as well as an excellent education system, ranking as one of the top K-12 systems in the nation. These factors come together in perfectly with the demographic that Blackboard.com is looking for in selling its product.

Eventually, Blackboard aims to have its system set up in all schools across the country, enabling the spread of technology to continute and to keep schools cross-country connected in some way.

As School Based Technology Specialist for AHS, Rebecca Bartelt’s responsibilities include training teachers and assisting them with their Blackboard accounts. She said the hardest part about using Blackboard is “finding the time to sit down and do it.”

7 Q & A With Rebecca Bartelt: Technology Specialist

Q: What is your title and your role at AHS? A: I am the School Based Technology Specialist. I am in charge of the technical training for teachers.

Q: What kind of training did you provide for teachers concerning Blackboard.com?

A: I did one training session on Saturday January 10 for seven hours. Over 60 teachers were given 7 hours of training. I was in the computer lab [helping teachers] all days a bout six more days.

Q: Are most teachers intuitively techno-savvy or did you have to teach them a lot?

A: Some needed a lot of help and others didn’t. Anything that’s new has a learning curve. Some people learn faster than others.

Q: What is the most difficult part about using Blackboard.com?

The Blackboard breakdown: Students Faculty

sophomore Suzanne Van der Ejk. When English teacher Cynthia Alexander taught English 11 at Woodson When Blackboard.com was first HS, one student from her class visited created, it was intended to allow the Brazil during the school year. The stustudents to communicate with their dent, then a junior named Sergio Chaer, visited Brazil two years ago teachers and become more and stayed for at least three organized with homework weeks. Chaer found that assignments. However, beBlackboard.com was very cause of the high percentage helpful with keeping up of students with slow and with schoolwork while out old computers, visiting of the country. He was able the website is not possible to complete a project while in everyday. Much of the stuBrazil, and turned it in upon dent body has to rely on the his return to Annandale. old-fashioned agenda book Although many students to copy down their homelike to visit Blackboard.com work and upcoming tests.

Van Der Eijk and find it helpful in orgaBut other students find that nization for school, some still Blackboard.com actually does help put find faults in the website. some order into their crazy schedules.

“Blackboard.com is a big help, how“I use Blackboard.com a lot more than I think a lot of other kids do. It helps ever, I forgot my password, so I can’t use because I’m not organized at all and it it anymore and I can’t figure out how to has all of the handouts from my classes get my password back,” said sophomore ready to just print off, so I don’t have to Tyler Wolverton.

The site does not give the student wait until the next any idea as to class to get somehow to regain a thing important lost password that I needed,” said for the website. sophomore HenAnother fault of I like the fact that if you ning Snell.

Blackboard.com In the past few is the massive forgot to write down your months, not many amount of money students could be homework, you can go and that it takes to found who had maintain the site. this opinion. But check to see if its online.

Many students the opinions of realize that this students regarding —SuzanneVanDerEijk money could be Blackboard.com sophomore put toward things have greatly needed more in the improved as the school. year has gone on.

“I think that Students have come to the realization Blackboard.com is a waste of money and that Blackboard.com is very helpful in resources because not every teacher uses situation where students need to check it.

Among students, it is a complete joke,” on homework assignments and any said senior Johnny Eklund. missed tests or quizzes.

Slowly but surely, the opinions of stuAt this point in the year, teachers dents in the school on Blackboard.com were only required to have their class syllabus available on Blackboard.com, have been improving. More students but some teachers have gone beyond visit the site each day than in recent that request and posted all course months. Students are now concerned materials and homework assignments that teachers will begin to post homeon their website. When students forget work assignments on the page without to write down assignments, or want to telling students in class. The problem check on when any tests or quizzes will with this is that many students do not be in the class, they can simply log onto have high-speed computers with a stable Blackboard.com and click on the course Internet connection.

Blackboard.com will continue to operthey want to view. ate, with the hopes that all teachers will “I think that Blackboard.com is helpsoon learn how to manage it and put reful because it can provide information quired course documents on the site for about homework and projects when I forget to write things down,” said sopho- students to view. In the future, many see it possible that all students and teachers more Sara Terry.

“I like the fact that if you forgot to will be logged in to Blackboard.com and write down your homework, you can be able to view the site daily. go and check to see if it is online,” said

BY JULIE WOLF Staff writer

“

”

much easier to put information on than a website,” said Alexander.

According to Alexander, there are “[Blackboard.com] is a good tool many advantages, such as the digital for communication, but I hate having drop box. Also, she likes how all of the to learn how it works,” said English work can be accessible to students from everywhere. Alexander teacher Katherine Ingwsays she can put up erson. power points while the Like many new programs students can use flashand products, there is going cards with them. to be controversy. This con“It’s a very utilitartroversy goes deeper than ian tool for teachers, a fight between students parents, and students,” and parents. Teachers are said English teacher displaying differences in Katie Ingwersen. opinions varying from the Alexander would amount of time needed for updating to the cost of Katherine Ingwersen probably also agree with Ingwersen’s comment Blackboard. Overall, Blackboard has many advantages and with the exception of it being a useful tool for parents. Alexander believes disadvantages.

“I believe that Blackboard has the that the one problem with Blackboard potential to be a valuable teaching is that it is too difficult for parents to resource. However, it is still difficult log into and therefore are not always to use and access, it takes even more aware of what is being taught in their children’s time away classes. from teaching, Another and it further teacher that disadvantages is grateful for lower income Blackboard families,” is Spanish said History teacher Marcela teacher David Vergara.

Bellis.

“It helps Accordthe teacher to ing to Bellis, organize the there are curriculum and three major their classes,” disadvantages said Vergara. of Blackboard.

—KatherineIngwersen “The stuFirst,thelower English teacher dents on the income famiother hand, lies are at a can keep themdisadvantage selves updated because their families might not be able to afford in case they miss school with homethe Internet. Also, a student may not work assignments and syllabuses,” know their family’s Internet password said Vergara.

Blackboard is an extremely arguto access the Internet. Lastly, updating a Blackboard page constantly can able topic that also has many adinterrupt a teacher’s plans to prepare vantages. Some of those advantages for a class or waste that teacher’s time include a digital drop box, a ‘virtual’ classroom, and the posting of homein some other way.

English teacher CynthiaAlexander work assignments. These are just agrees that if she had to update daily, a few of the many advantages that then it would be a waste of time, but Blackboard provides.

Many students strongly dislike the since she updates only at least every two weeks, it is not a problem or program as well as many teachers, but waste of time. Alexander supports there is still a number of teachers that the installation of Blackboard with appreciate Blackboard likeAlexander, Vergara, and English teacher Augusmuch enthusiasm.

“I like it as a way for students tine Twyman. There are some major to access material even if they lose advantages and there are some major the paper copies I give them,” said disadvantages. However, nothing is perfect, and since that is true, there will Alexander.

Alexander, who has been using always be different opinions regarding Blackboard for years, even when it was Blackboard. a commercial site says, “Blackboard is

A: The most difficult part is finding the time to sit down and do it.

Information gathered by staff writer Joseph Burke

BY STUART DUNBAR Staff Writer

“

[Blackboard.com] is a good tool for

communication, but I hate having to learn how to use it and how it wrks

”

The Hard Facts: Do students have Internet access at home?

Yes 95%

No 5%

% of students with computers and internet

Of those students with computers, what type of Internet 35% 25%

34% 6%

DSL

Cable Modem/ Unknown Dial-up

293 students were surveyed during A, B, C, and D lunches on April 21 and 22.

8

SPORTS XTRA

• • • • • • • • • •

Daytona Beach, FL Myrtle Beach, SC Palm Beach, FL Outer Banks, NC Rehobeth Beach, DE Hilton Head, SC Cape Cod, MA Tybee Island, GA Virginia Beach, VA Long Beach, NY

Important sufing tips to know before you go out and ride *Be Aware. Be aware of other surfers and water users, of the surf conditions, and of where you are surfing (see Patrolled Beaches). *Comfort Zone. You should surf in waves that you are comfortable in, don’t get in over your head. *Fitness. Make sure you are physically fit when surfing. You need to be able to swim back to shore if you lose your board at the end of an exhausting session. *Food. As with swimming, do not go surfing for at least 45 mins after a meal. *Fun. Surfing is all about having fun, keep it in mind when you are out in the waves. *Hold or Throw. Know when to hold onto your surfboard and when to get rid of it. If you are paddling out then keep hold of your board, you’ll get out back to the line up more quickly and you will not put anyone paddling out behind you at risk.

If you are about to wipe-out then get rid of your board. You are far more likely to sustain an injury if you and your board are getting washed around together. *Patrolled Beaches. If you are surfing on a patrolled beach make sure that you keep within the designated surfing are. Take note of where you should be surfing before you go out, and make sure you stick to it when you are out. *Priority. Always make sure that you are not taking anyone else’s wave.

Remember, the surfer who is closest to the breaking wave has priority. If you see someone already on a wave then the wave is taken and you’ll have to wait for the next one. *Practice. If you want to improve then you need to be in the water surfing as regularly as possible. *Respect. Respect the locals if you are visiting a beach. Remember that you are a guest and that waves should be shared. *Rips. If you are caught in a rip remember that it’s called RIP for a reason and you will probably not make it back to dry land ever again. (although hopefully you already know that a rip is a current that goes straight out to sea and if caught in one that you should not panic and paddle parallel to the beach until you have escaped) *Sun Block.Always wear a good waterproof sunblock. You’ll know about it if you have been out for a few hours surfing in the sun without it. Also if you are not wearing a Wetsuit it is a good idea to wear a UV proof rash vest for body protection. *Surf Buddy. Always surf with at least one other person. Not only will you have more fun if you are sharing your waves but you will always have someone to help you out if you need it. *Surf Conditions. Make sure that the surf is safe before you go in. If you are going surfing at a spot you are unfamiliar with it is a good idea to get some advice from a local. Check out the surf spot while warming up. *Warm-up. Always have a quick warm-up and stretch before entering the surf. This will reduce the risk of muscle injury or cramp whilst you are surfing. It also gives you time to check for any rips or where the best spot to catch waves is.

The following tips have been taken from http://www.surfing-waves.com/basic_rules_ surfing.htm

April 26, 2004

Jogging with the jelly fish

BY AMANDA SHEAFFER Sports Xtra Editor

Awesome beaches on the Atlantic Coast

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When the beach comes to mind many people imagine a serene picture of running next to the sea green ocean, feeling the sand between their toes, the wind in their hair, and the seagulls cawing and flying in the clear blue sky above their head while it is a nice 85 degrees outside. This is the perfect scene for an athletic runner, although, it can be harmful due to negative physical stress.

Running on the beach can be beneficial, but it all depends on the surface you are running on.

According to Physical Trainer, Kathy Ayers, running on the beach may be harmful if you run on the hard packed sand because it can be very stressful on your joints. Along with the hard sand, most of the sand is normally not level due to the erosions from the ground.

Most of the stress is placed on the lower body joints such as the ankles and shins.

There are many people who choose to run on the beach barefoot which is actually worse on your body more so than with tennis shoes. When running with tennis shoes, there is more cushion when placing all your weight down on your feet. The pressure against your knees

and back when there is no resistance creates harsh strain on many other places in the body.

Although, when running on the beach, there are also many positive effects. The muscles do get much more of a work out. The ground is not as hard as asphalt, therefore when running, there is less rebound from the surface making it necessary to push off the ground with more force, resulting in a better workout.

The scenery is tranquil, and completely takes the mind away from how many blocks you still have to run. The waves crashing down, the cool beach

breeze, and the sun beating on you getting your skin tan are all the attractions of running on the beach. The feeling of running on the beach is very refreshing and gives the runner a great feeling of accomplishment and freedom.

Yes running can be a nuesance, but running on the beach can become more of a leisure activity, and less of a burden on the runner. Running on the beach is both beneficial and applies stress on certain areas of the body, but it also gives the body exercise as well as relieving stress from a cluttered filled mind.

Let the waves crash down

BY ERICA SATTEN Atomic Athletics Editor

The scorching sand burns her feet as she runs towards the ocean with her longboard under her right arm. She surveys the waves for an instant before wading into the water and waiting for the perfect wave to come. As she sees the wave coming towards her like a moving wall, she steadies herself on the board and gets ready to ride it. Soon her board has picked up the wave and she is skimming along the water enjoying the breeze while others on the beach admire her talent.

Senior Kathryn Lynch is one of a family of seven in which every member surfs. Lynch has known how to surf since fifth grade. “I have lived in Florida and everyone surfs there. Older people, young kids and even some dogs do it. My older brother got really into it, so he taught me and pretty much everyone else in my family. My little sister even learned how to surf before she could swim, said Lynch.

Beginning surfers use a longboard because it can pick up on almost any wave. It is possible to learn how to surf using a longboard in just one day at the beach. It is not necessary to have lessons for this, but if you want to learn

What do you think is the ultimate sport to play at the beach?

“A crab race -- you get five crabs, and set up a course with sea shells and have them race. ”

—Lisa Ottenheimer freshman

sell mine when we moved, but my family used to share tricks surfing because much more difficult.

“My brother has surfed for years and he is really four different ones,” said Lynch.

Before Lynch moved to Virginia about a year and a adamant about learning tricks, but I do not know how to do any. I just like to surf,” said Lynch. One of the most half ago, she lived in Jacksonville, Florida about twenty difficult and popular tricks is to “hang ten”. This is when minutes away from the beach. “Usually my family, all of the surfer’s toes are at the front of the board, but you friends and I would surf at St. Augustine Beach, Anastasia Beach and Jacksonville Beach because those are have to be an advanced surfer to pull off this move. the nicest,” said Lynch.

Even the most skilled surfers fall off Although Lynch loves surfing, she has their boards and Lynch admits that surfnever participated in a competition or touring can be dangerous. One time she was hit nament. “Where I lived there was only one in the head by the nose of a board when the [tournament] a year and it was for the really beach was really crowded and there were a good surfers, but it Hawaii and South Florida lot of surfers around. However, she thinks they have lots,” said Lynch. that getting sucked into a wave after a fall Even though Lynch does not even know and getting worked by it is a much worse where the closest beach is in Virginia and has experience. “One time when I was surfing not gone surfing since she moved here, she a shark was right next to me and my sister does not plan to push surfing out of her life helped to get it away from me. That was a Kathryn Lynch forever. “I am going to move back to Florida scary moment,” said Lynch’s sister Anna. and go to the University of Central Florida in Surfers switch to a shorter board once they become more experienced because shorter boards Orlando and I will be able to surf there. I am also saving are better for tricks. Surfboards range from nine to five an up money to travel to Australia because it is my dream a half feet and generally the bigger the wave, the shorter to surf there,” said Lynch. the board. “I do not have a board now because I had to

“A dog day, where dogs can come on the beach and play volleyball. ”

—Bill Steinbuchler senior

“Chicken fight in the water because you’re spending time with your freinds, but also having fun.”

—Tammy McCoy sophomore

“Having a huge bon fire party and skinny dipping.”

—Andrew Molchany junior

“Water baseball where you use a water proof ball and bat and play with all of your friends.”

—Chip Brandt senior

HEALTH

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April 26, 2004

9 Health supplement alternatives If you decide against receiving necessary and valuable nutrients from health supplements in powder and pill form, then eating more of certain foods is an alternative to taking supplements.

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION WILL AKRIDGE PHOTO CREDIT SARAH SOZIO

Students take advantage of supplements to enhance health and athleticism

BY RACHEL SINAIKO Health Editor Looking to boost your immune system or build muscles? With so many different health and athletic supplements available today, many students are getting that extra boost they need from supplements, taking anything from extra vitamins to expensive “enhancers.”

Some students use supplements for help in sports and other athletic needs.

Sports supplements come in many different forms including vitamins, synthetic drugs, and hormones. Most of these are available over the counter and without a prescription.

Although many supplements, including steroids, creatine, and adrostenedione have been banned by various sports leagues, such as the NFL and the International Olympic Committee, they are still available for consumption.

Junior Nathan Williams took creatine over the summer for two months, and then again in February. “I used to take creatine, but my coach told me not to because we don’t want young kids thinking that they can take it as supplement to work. There is no replacement for hard work,” said Williams.

Have you ever taken any health supplements?

Why?

SENIOR YONAS TEWODROS

Junior Paul Pham is on the track team and takes Flinstone multivitamins to enhance his performance. “Because as an athlete I need additional vitamins and minerals, I get them through my Flinstone vitamins,” said Pham.

However, sports supplements are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration, so taking them involves risks.

Long-term effects of steroid use include high blood pressure and heart disease, while dangerous side effects of androstenedione include increased possibility of a stroke and hormone imbalances.

Sophomore Jackie Brackett knows people who take supplements for sports, but she is reluctant to try them herself.

“I don’t think its a good idea[to take supplements] because you are injecting this stuff into your body when you’re not even sure what it is,” said Brackett.

Other students use supplements to stay healthy. Junior Emily Dawson takes an Echinacea supplement to boost her immune system.

“I don’t take it on a regular basis. I take it when I think I’m about to get sick because it strengthens your immune system,” Dawson said.

She has been taking this supplement for about a year, after her dad, who has used it, recommended it to her. “I get sick a lot, but with it I don’t get sick as much,” Dawson said.

Sophomore Mary Draper has recently

been sick with mononucleosis, and now exposure. “I used to get a lot of sun blisters takes many vitamins a day to prevent a when I was swimming outoodoors and lysine is supposed to make sun blisters reccurence.

“The doctor suggested I take vitamins occur less frequently and be less severe,” since I was susceptible to getting [mono- Fisher said.

The vitamin E Fisher takes helps the nucleosis] again,” said Draper.

Many students may not take supple- transfer of oxygen to muscles, and the ments for specific reasons, as most take vitamin C helps prevent colds. Fisher multivitamins just because they have started taking the Glocosamine supplements relatively recently. heard they are good for them.

“I was just getting old, and my knees “I take mineral so I don’t get sick starting to bother because it help my me. Now my knees immune system,” feel much better. I said junior Molly can still run twice a Jepsen. week,” Fisher said.

“I take a mul- I get sick a lot but with it Freshman tivitamin,” said [health supplement] I don’t Rachel Navarette math teacher Ann takes a calcium Schwartz. “I take it get sick as much. supplement and is because once upon confident in its longa time a doctor said it was a good thing —EmilyDawson term benefits.

“I didn’t feel any to do.” junior immediate changes, Math teacher but I’m sure in the Bruce Fisher takes a plethora of supplements for his vari- long run it’ll help,” Navarette said. “[Vitamins] really help. ous needs.

“I started taking vitamins in college If I don’t take them, I can definitely feel because I was too tired, and I’ve been that I haven’t taken them,” said Draper.

As health concerns grow, students are taking them ever since,” said Fisher.

Fisher currently takes 500 mg of Lysine, taking the initiative to receive the vita400 mg of Vitamin E, 1000 mg of Vita- mins and nutrients they need, even if it min C, a multivitamin, and 1500 mg of does require the consumption of pills.

Glocosamine.

Additional reporting by Meg Nielsen The Lysine helps Fisher deal with sun

“

”

Cartilade: A health supplement mostly used to ensure healthy joints and correct cartilage renewal, Cartilade is derived from shark cartilage.

Alternatives: Any shark dishes containing the cartilage such as shark fin soup.

Vitamin E: Commonly found in most multivitamins, vitamin E is necessary for the protection of vitamn A and the breakdown of essential fatty acids in the body.

Alternatives: Foods such as wheat germ oil, almonds, mangos, and peanuts are all sources of vitamin E. Chitosan: A drug derived from shellfish claims to absorb fat before the body does, to prevent weight gain.

Alternatives: Eating shellfish, such as lobster, shrimp, and crab shells, is an altervative to Chitosan.

Vitamin A: Most multivitamins include vitamin A, and it can be bought as a specific supplement. VitaminAsupplements claim to enhance vision and help bone growth.

Alternatives: Eggs, dark and leafy vegetables, and many orange-colored fruits contain vitamin A. From webmd.com and nih.org

Locations for supplements —General Nutrition Centers (GNC) offer many different athletic, dietary, and other health supplements.

•7440 Little River Turnpike, Annandale •Ravensworth Shopping Center (inside the Rite Aid) —Ahreum Market offers different Asianthemed health supplements •4231 Markham Street, Annandale —Online supplement stores: •www.supplementcentral.com •www.vitaminshoppe.com

Athletic supplements •Androstenedione- This dietary supplement claims to increase muscle size and strength. It costs between $15 and $40 for a month’s supply.

•Creatine- This supplement is sold in drinks, powders, candy, and capsules. It claims to increase short term energy during intense exercise and increase muscle size.

•HMB- This is sold in moststores as a Calcium-HMB capsule. It claims to speed muscle repair, increase lean body mass, and decrease body fat.

From www.webmd.com

“I take Centrium. It’s a multivitamin that has vitamins A to Z. The doctor told me to take it for energy.”

“I take eight vitamins a day. They’re to build up and strengthen my immune system since I’ve been sick a lot lately.”

“I used to take creatine, because when you work out a lot, it helps to have a boost in muscle recovery. It makes it easier, but I don’t take it to get bigger.”

“I take calcium supplements. I don’t like milk so vitamins are a wayfor me to get my daily calcium.”

“I take garlic pills. I only take them during turkey and hunting season because they repel ticks and insects.”

—Eder Perez freshman

—Mary Draper sophomore

—Nathan Williams junior

—Neila Darvish senior

—Scott Hambrick Psychology teacher

Enhance your drink

BY MEG NIELSEN Health Editor For students looking for more from their beverages, Smoothie King is the place to go. Smoothie King offers more than just delicious smoothies: optional smoothie supplements claim to reduce pain, relieve stress, and build muscles.

Beginning in 1973, Smoothie King opened after founder Stephen Kuhnau began making smoothies mixed with various nutrients and proteins to combat his illnesses. His health drastically improved, and he subsequently opened a chain of smoothie stores.

The store offers a wide variety of specialty smoothies, including workout, low-fat, weightgain, and high-protein smoothies. Customers can also choose to add in certain supplements to their smoothies, aimed to boost energy, relieve stress, or build muscles, for an extra 99 cents.

These “ID formulas” contain various combinations of herbs and health supplements, targeted to alleviate certain symptoms. “If you haven’t eaten anything all day and you get it for lunch, it feels a lot more like you’ve eaten a meal if you get the multivitamin supplement,” said senior Cassie Holcomb.

Most of the low-fat smoothies are available in many different fruit flavors and come with carbohydrate or protein blends. “Sometimes if I forget to take my One-A-Day vitamin, I’ll go and get a multivitain at Smoothie King,” said Holcomb.

Smoothie King also offers different workout and weight-gain smoothies, some of which contain peanut butter or chocolate and vanilla flavors. These smoothies often come with special “electrolyte blends” or additional carbohydrates and proteins.

Smoothies come in three sizes: 20 oz, 32 oz, 40 oz. The prices for each smoothie vary depending on what supplements are added in. “I go literally every day. I spend over thirty five dollars a week there,” said Holcomb.

It is also possible to buy supplements and vitamins in capsule and powder form at the store. Prices for these vitamins and supplements are comparable to those at GNC and other strictly-supplement stores.

Smoothie King is located at 10342 Main Street, in the Old Town Fairfax Shopping Center. (703) 218-1826 Additional reporting by Rachel Sinaiko

Legality of supplements The Dietary Supplement Health and EducationAct of 1994 defined the term “dietary supplement” as a product that contains a “dietary ingredient” intended to add to the diet. The act places dietary supplements in a special category under the general category of “foods”, not drugs, and requires that every supplement be labeled a dietary supplement. Manufacturers of these supplements do not need FDA approval to sell their products.

From www.nih.org

Supplement Glossary •Amino Acids- Chemical molecules which combine to form various proteins.

There are 22 common amino acids.

•Chromium- An important mineral involved in the metabolism of sugars.

It is offered as a supplement to increase lean body mass.

•Electrolytes- Important minerals such as potassium, magnesium, sodium, and calcium that help fluids pass through the body.

•Ginseng- An Asian herb that is claimed to give a long life. It improves heart rate and regulates blood pressure, among other benefits.

•Protein- Any of many naturally occurring combinations of amino acids that also contain elements. Proteins are essential to all living things.

•Testosterone- A hormone produced by both men and women. It controls masculine traits of the body and is a key hormone in muscle building.

From www.bodybuild.com

10 MADD—Motherʼs Against Drunk Driving

MADD was set up in 1979 by a group of California women who, after experiencing the death of a young teenage girl, were upset by a repeat-offender drunk driver. They decided to join together and put a stop to drunk driving. The mission statement of MADD is “stop drunk driving and to support victims of this violent crime.” One section of MADD is the Youth InAction (YIA) program where high school students work with their local communities to stop adults from buying alcohol for underage youth and help tighten the security at stores where alcohol is sold.

One program in YIA, called “Shoulder Tap Surveys,” receives the help of the police as a young person approached a stranger outside of a place that sells alcohol and asks the adult to buy them alcohol. If the adult says yes then the young person hands them a card outlining the law and penalties for buying alcohol for an underage drinker. If the person says no then they are handed a card that thanks them for obeying the law. MADD also holds alcohol-free parties, speeches in local high schools and they mock drunk driving crashes. It was also MADD who made the federal government require states tighten the drinking age to 21 in 1984. To find out more about MADD or get involved visit www.madd.org or call 1-800-438-6233.

SADD- Students Against Drunk Driving

Founded in 1981 by high school student RobertAnastas, now over 350,000 students are actively involved with SADD as they work on their mission to “provide students with the best prevention and intervention tools possible to deal with the issues of underage drinking, other drug use, impaired driving and other destructive decisions.”

SADD focused on safety during homecomings, holidays, proms and graduations throughout the nation. SADD hosts allnight, substance-free parties, fundraisers and school assemblies. Over the years SADD has become more than a program to stop drunk driving. It has become a peerhelping program, which is also dedicated to teen violence, depression and suicide. To contact the Washington, DC SADD office, call 202-265-8922 (extension 1009) or visit www.sadd.org.

DARE- Drug Abuse Resistance Education

The purpose of DARE is to “provide children with the information and skills they need to avoid tobacco to live drug-free and violence-free lives.” The law enforcement and local schools work to teach students about the consequences of substance abuse.

Founded in 1983, about 30 million students around the world benefit from DARE every year. DARE is currently being implemented in about 80 percent of the nation’s K-12 school districts and in more than 54 different countries around the globe. With the DARE program, police officers go to classrooms and teach school children how to resist and say no to peer pressure. For more information on DARE, visit www.dare.org or call 1-800-223-DARE.

t0

Nationwide organizations working with high school students

IN-DEPTH

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teen drinking: myth versus reality April 26, 2004

April 26, 2004

Faculty faces student consumption

“I won’t get caught.” “Nothing will happen to me.”

“Drinking’s not a big deal.” “Everyone does it; what’s the problem?”

the promise they made and of dent at the beginthe consequences that will result if they break it. ning of each year.

“We can scream, yell, and threaten all we want, but we The rights of the administrahave to help them make good decisions, and it’ s tough,” Adams tion include the ability to administer “Hey man, wanna come over tonight? I’m sure I can get my friend to buy us some beer, and my parents said. “We want to help you. We’re not trying to trick you. We breath sample tests as well as drug tests to any student who is suspected of alcohol are out of town this week, so we have don’t have to worry don’t want to lose you.”

Despite signing the pledge, many athletes are unfazed by or drug abuse. This power also applies to about getting caught.”

“Yeah, that’s cool. I’ll tell a few people and we can all the consequences that they could be faced with if caught. “The students who appear to be under the influence pledge should be taken seriously, but I know that people don’t of alcohol or another drug. Security and Safety just chill.”

Even though it sounds like conversations such as these [take it seriously],” said an anonymous freshman girl, who had Specialist Cliff Cornwell keeps the breathalyzer are only taking place before big keg parties, dialogues such as her first drink at the beginning of this year and continues to test in his office, which enables him to carry out the test at any give moment. these are becoming more frequent among teenagers around drink multiple times a week.

A sophomore boy, who had his first “Any administrator can test the country and withinAHS. Drinking has expanded from a student for drinking,” Cornwell Fairfax County substance abuse counselor Julia Burgos the typical Friday night keg parties to routines that can drink the summer before tenth grade, Standard Drinks said. “[The breath test] is used more works for Alcohol and Drugs Youth Services as a school occur on any given night of the week with a variety of admitted to drinking 1-3 times a week, depending on the week.

“Drinking after games and dances rather than specialist, handling questions, screenings and referrals for I’ve been teaching for about during school hours. During school, alcohol within any group of people.

One standard drink equals 10 students, teachers and parents. She explained her services grams of pure alcohol. Each At the beginning of each sport season, every athlete makes everything funnier and better,” substance abuse is low.” Although of these drinks is considered in an interview with In-Depth Editor Katie Stanton on signs the Fairfax County Public School and AHS Extra- he said. “People drink for fun and to seven years now and now treatalways having this authority, there a standard drink and contains April 21. curricular Participation Policy and pledges “to remain feel better.” approximately 10g of alcohol. ment The freshman girl agreed, and I spend more time talking have only been a handful of tests in the What exactly is your position? free of alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs and to exhibit pronoted that relieving stress as another past few years.

I’m a school research specialist for nearly three schools, good citizenship at all times.” This is to ensure that stuabout alcohol than I did The guidance department is availso I sit at most of the schools, Annandale, Stuart and grams. dent athletes are following state laws by not consum- reason people drink.

We have While many students do not take able to students as a source of help for Woodson High School. Basically what I do is I serve as a ing drugs, including alcohol, that are illegal to minors. before. the pledge seriously, some think it is potential problems. “Usually a friend consultant for the staff and the school, teachers, guidance one at Even though each athlete signs this pledge, many do would come [to us] and then we would counselors as well as administrators in the school, as well our Channot take it seriously and run the risk of being caught very important. “There are better things to do [than drinking],” said as helping students who find out who I am, and they may tilly site —GabeRomano talk to the student,” said Taylor. “You and consequentially kicked off of their team. want services or they may want to talk about issues that and one at health teacher end up getting into some real confiden“I’m sure there are guys that break the rules and sophomore Alex Barker, who is inour Reston tiality issues.” Counselors will first refer they aren’t able to talk about to school staff. get away with it, but I think more don’t because we volved in several school activities, in1.01 oz of 11.16 oz can of 3.38 oz glass of site and one students to the AHS Drug and Alcohol How are students referred to you? straight spirits are constantly enforcing the consequences,” said As- cluding band and drama. “Truthfully, beer wine in the Falls There are some students who find out who I am besistant Activities Director and head football coach drinking can damage relationships, and band and sports are Services counselor Julia Burgos (see left), who can make a professional assessment. “We can also give them resource cause they have already been sent to me through either Church site Dick Adams. “In football and sometimes in track, teamwork things.”

One way that schools try to battle the increasing number numbers in the community, information about places to the AOD seminar (the Devonshire Suspension program that I work we discuss and reiterate [the consequences of of student drinkers is inside the classroom. With movies contact, but she is a major resource,” said Taylor. However, for students who have violated one the SR&R policies of out of. drinking] and pump it into them.”

Whatabout the school—either for use of alcohol or use of marijuana, or If an athlete violates the signed pledge, it is and real life stories, Health and Driver’s Ed teachers try to Taylor stresses that counselors avoid intervening, instead for possession). When I do see a student and I’m doing an parents? up to the coach’s discretion whether to inflict enforce the dangers and risks of teen drinking. Although focusing on the consequences of dangerous actions, esMost of the interview for alcohol and drug use services, I inform them the minimum penalty of suspension for two these lessons are meant to educate all students, they often pecially for young girls.

In order to be able to confront the issue of teenage that I am in the school on Tuesdays from 8:30 a.m. until time they call, but I games or the maximum penalty of removal end up ignored by many and only affecting some. Health have to say that a lot teacher Gabe Romano teachers 27 lessons a quarter for his drinking, administrators need to understand how stuabout 2 or 2:30 p.m., depending on what other school may from the team. Many coaches including 10th grade Health class, 3 of which are dedicated to drugs dents are getting hold of alcohol. Across the United be asking for me. I’m also currently attending Poe Middle of the referrals don’t Adams enforce a zero tolerance policy, result in any kind of and alcohol.

“I’ve been teaching for 7 years and now I spend States, it is illegal for people under the age of 21 to School and Glasgow Middle School pretty regularly. We’ve which can result in immediate expulmore time talking about alcohol than I did before,” Romano be in possession of or consume alcohol. It is also It is about 2 a.m. when the game is finished and been doing a lot of prevention work. I’m also doing a recovery assessment. Sometimes sion from the team.

BY ALEX SILANO the majority of the group is beginning to feel a buzz. group over at Woodson. This is a special group that we just what happens is that the “You screw up; I’m going to said. Romano uses videos, worksheets, and guest speakers as against the law for anyone to distribute alcohol to Academics Editor Some people remain in the corner where the beer bong started. This is the second school year that we’re working parent is just exploring the punish you. You screw up tools to educate his students about the dangers of drinking. those under 21. idea that maybe their child “I do think that it helps.

I think that some [students] are Students have a variety of ways of getting Students congregate in the hall- is being used. One boy in particular shouts that the with it. It’s for kids that have already been in trouble and again; you’re gone,” Adams their alcohol, but many say that it is from way around the lockers as the last bell room has begun to spin around and he has trouble have gone through treatment and need a support network, might be using alcohol and said. In order to make listening,” said Romano.

“I really don’t care about the dangers of drinking,” the friends that are over 21. Both the sophomore is about to ring on Friday afternoon. with his depth perception. Other friends scattered some place in the school where they can sit with kids who drugs and its really hard for sure that their playFor seniors, it is a privilege to get out of about the house are changing location sporadically. have also been in recovery and talk about issues and try them to accept that something is ers are sticking to sophomore boy mentioned above said. “It won’t happen to boy and freshman girl mentioned above said going wrong. Usually parents tend that they get alcohol from friends that can class five minutes early for the last period. Within about an hour everyone has felt the full effects and maintain their sobriety in school. the code, they me.”

“It’s a problem that we are not at all adequately addressing legally make the purchases.

Aside from the usual small talk and high- of the alcohol and has the sudden urge to dance, if they What are the general demographics of people to take on that responsibility like it was constantly their fault that they did something wrong here in high school,” said guidance counselor Susan Taylor.

Contrary to the belief that the only lights of the day, a simple question arises: haven’t already passed out. who come to you? remind Remembering that he had a “great CD” in his “What’s going on this weekend?” At first no More parents than anything else. Alot of times, because and that’s why their kid is using alcohol and them However, others see the other side of the story. “I’m fully aware drinking that happens is at planned keg one says anything, but it seems eveyone is car, one boy grabs a nearby accomplice and staggers the schools basically know who I am, if they are called by substance abuse so there’s a lot of denial there. I of of drinking [atAHS]; I know it happens like at any other high parties, many students rely on the alschool,” Barker said. “But by seeing other people do it, I see cohol that their parents keep at home thinking alike--everyone wants to party. Since outside to get it. As the two stumble down the street, a parent who is troubled by their child’s behaviors or they work with the parents to try and get them to see. what their lives are like, and that’s not for me.” as their main source. This also leads no one speaks up, most assume they would eventually the car comes into view and the drunken suspect something, if they call someone at the school, gener- Lets look at the behaviors, lets do some observations, In an attempt to lower the number of high school to smaller, spontaneous gatherings find something to do later, and the group of boy clumsily grabs the CD he was looking for. All of a ally if the guidance teacher or administrator knows who I try some contracts to see what’s going on with them and students that drink, school administrations are given that, while not as populated, can sudden, on the way back the accomplice becomes paraseniors disperse and begins to head out. am, they’ll give them my name and number. If they don’t, then if you want to bring them in, bring them in. So, I may authority over the matter. The responsibilities the still have the same consequences As the group approaches their cars in the noid that her parents may be watching her. The girl they usually ask around until they find somebody and I’ll work with a parent on the phone. Initial contact might be a lot of administration has are outlined in the Student and results. with the CD informs him that it church parking lot, somebe the one that they find. A lot of time they’ll call Safe and two or three months before they actually bring their child alcohol in.

Usually it takes some parents some time before they can use, I’ve seen Rights and Responsibility handbook, which is is 3 a.m. and such a scenario is one speaks up. “Hey man, my Drugfree Youth and that’s part of Fairfax County public distributed to every Fairfax County nearly impossible. Nevertheless, parents are going out of town on school system. We work in partnership with them, but do that.Alot of times they wait until there’s a big problem. I a lot of marijuana Public Schools stuhe insists on running back to the Saturday night and I’m gonna basically our agency is a separate agency, we run under would have to say that most parents don’t’ think it’s a prob- use, I’ve seen a lot of Heads pounding, everyone party. Unfortunately he does not have a ‘thing,’ but don’t tell different confidentialities. When I tell the students that I lem until something major goes on (a student gets caught ecstasy use. Some of the notice a tree branch above him anyone, OK?” keep their information confidential, that’s very serious to me on a school trip, gets caught at school, gets caught at an things that are troubling me helped clean up a large and he smacks directly into it, They agree that he won’t because that’s really part of our job, to keep everything un- activity, goes to a football game, and they’re under the influ- are in the middle schools. There injuring his face. But, the effects speak a word and get in their der confidential categories so that its not a situation where ence and they get caught by somebody at the school). It’s are certain instances that have been room of empty beer cans they’rejust of the beer have enabled him not cars, anxiously awaiting the the student comes to me in confidence and tells me that usually when there’s trouble that I wind up getting phone happening that kind of alarm me because picking their festivities that lie ahead that and paper towels. Everyone to feel the pain. they’re in trouble, I won’t automatically have to call a parent calls. A majority of the stuff I do is education with parents there is use. There was a time when you wouldn’t think with then they may not The two arrived back at the weekend. or call a teacher and tell the school what exactly is going on and with communities. I do a lot of community stuff like about kids using drugs in middle school. But I think around peers to discuss these issues the 8th grade and 9th grade adjustment into 9th grade, you be getting the assistant that they need. I think that havwanted to make sure all was house to the sight of a friend Saturday night rolls around. with them. When a student comes to me, either in my office presentations, PTSA, coalition organizations, etc.

Are you an open resource or do you only work find a lot of kids who wind up starting their use basically to ing someone like me in the schools would be a really cool falling down the stairs, getting It is about 8 p.m. and the host or in the school, basically they have a lot of power over the spotless so no one would be back up and falling down them fit into a whole environment, trying to get a whole new peer thing, if they knew I was here because when they know has yet to contact his friends. amount of information I’m allowed to reveal and disclose to through referrals?

Working through referrals hasn’t been the greatest. group, trying to fit in with the cool kids or who they perceive I’m here, they come. again, with each time bringing He was going to be out of his other people. Of course, state rules and state law supercedes caught.

How responsive are students generally to the drunken laughter from spectahouse all day until around 11 federal law when it comes to confidentiality. If a student is Sometimes it’ll be a slump, it’ll be good then sometimes it to be cool. So, there’s a lot of dangers for a 9th grader with tors. Eventually she would give p.m. This allows the attendees a harm to themselves or to others, I have a duty to report will be very low. Unfortunately, usually when its just be- who they’re going to associate themselves with. I think that advice that you give them? fore or after a big school event, there’s a lot of confusion and a lot of fear about where they I think it depends a lot. I think I’ve been pretty fortunate. up and pass out near the stairs to make up a good lie and get out child abuse or sexual abuse or I might get referrals because should go and who they should be with. I’ve had extremes I don’t do a whole lot of judging and that always helps. I’m of their house without too much suspicion from their which she had fallen from. With all the commotion physical abuse. Basically, subIf you feel you have a problem concerning what winds up happening is where I’ve seen teenagers who are actually dependent on not a parent, so I don’t take that position. I think that’s what parents. Finally, at about 11 p.m., calls are made. All aside, one semi-sober boy stumbled to the CD player stance abuse or someone who’s alcohol abuse, or just need someone to talk to, kids get in trouble and if they alcohol, who are alcoholics with all the symptoms and fit the students are looking for so they tend to respond. They and managed to put the CD in. Since it was 3:30 a.m., systems are go. trying to find out more about Julia Burgos can be contacted through your get into trouble then I might all the criteria. There’s a few very isolated kinds of situa- may not like everything I say, but they realize there are Cars begin pulling up at about 11:30 p.m. They most of the group had passed out or fallen asleep in drugs and alcohol and someone Guidance Counselor or directly at the be one of the people they call tions, but I think for the most part there’s more abuse, a lot certain elements to what I say that ring true and because park an adequate distance away from the house to their respective places; however, two or three of the who’s trying to find out about following: on. In the SR&R, I’m in there of experimental stuff, a lot of social use and I think what of that it sticks with them. Because a student can be open avoid any suspicion, and walk up the driveway. Once remaining people wanted to rock out, and so they addictions and whether or not 107 Park Place as one of the sanctions; one of happens is a lot of students don’t realize or they don’t know enough and feel free to talk to me and not be judged or inside, about 10 friends sit in the living room, talking. did. With the CD on repeat, it cycled through about they’re in trouble. That stuff can Falls Church, VA 22046 the things an administrator what. Because there’s limited time to use for a teenager it’s punished for what they say that they are more open and Waiting for beer to arrive, everyone is getting a little three or four times, with each song being recited by stay confidential.

703-533-5634 can do is to make sure that like use and use as much as you can, as quickly as you can so that they tend to listen more. I try not to go through a lot of antsy. The source, an older sibling of a person at the all with slurred words and air drumming and invisIf a student calls you, the family and the student that then you can...go back home and not get caught and not advice giving and lecturing, it’s more conversational. I try gathering, is able to come through by midnight, when ible guitars.

Direct Line: 703-538-3214 what is the standard progets to meet. I’m one of the get in trouble. Whenever there’s a two or three or four hour to develop some dialogue, do some bonding and establish As the sun began to rise, the remaining few finally all stores stop selling alcohol, and everyone throws cedure?

Julia.Burgos@fairfaxcounty.gov resources for that. We also block of time where a teenager is not doing anything, they’re a relationship first. down $5.00 to help pay for the cases of Coors Light. felt fatigue come over them as they fell asleep on the If a student calls me, they She is also available at AHS on Tuesdays from have a lot of hands-on with more apt to get in trouble. Basically, kids get into trouble if What are your worries about senior activities For the most part, the beginning of this party is like floor. Three hours later, with everyone up, the group can either talk to me on the 8:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. other community organizathat are happening like Prom and Beach Week? they’re not supervised and if they’re around people who are any other weekend get-together, talking and listening congregated upstairs and spoke of the night, recalling phone and tell me exactly what tions so we may work with using. Its frightening how available alcohol and drugs can I guess it worries me that having fun has been associto music. Finally an idea comes from someone on the particularly funny moments, at least the ones that we it is they want from me. If they the Dept. of Family Services, be. There’s use and availability in all the skills. ated with getting high. I think it’s a natural thing to want couch: “Hey, lets play a game!” Everyone agrees and remembered. Heads pounding, everyone helped clean want to discuss a problem, if they want to have an assessThe attitude is there too, “Oh, everybody’s doing it, I’m to change and experiment, but I think one of the things that brings a deck of cards and their beer cans to the table up a large room of half-full and empty beer cans and ment, if they feel that sitting with me and having some sort we do get some court cases. Sometimes we may have to in the middle of the room to begin playing a party paper towels. Everyone one wanted to make sure all of screening to figure out if they need services or not. Fairfax deal with working with probation officers and assisting the just having fun,” and not understanding that there’s a pro- is worrying the most is a lot of teenagers are feeling they game known as Circle of Death. This is where each was cleaned up and spotless so no one would be caught County Alcohol and Drug Youth Services can provide all student to function after they’ve gotten in trouble. We do gression that goes on and with that progression comes nega- really can’t have fun unless they drink or do drugs. The one person takes turns drawing from a circle of cards after and the same type of activities could occur next weekkinds of treatment. We have education, we have outpatient have a forensics program over at JDC [Juvenile Detention tive consequences. So unfortunately, I don’t think there’s thing to remember is that seniors are still underage and guessing a “high” or “low” card. If the card is right, end. After a night of drunken fun, it seemed everyone services which is a couple of nights a week, we have family Center]; there’s a lot of different ways that we can probably enough prevention, I think we need more prevention, more underage drinking has become a really big thing. They’re awareness, more education and not just health class. We at high risk. The drinking games are really dangerous. the selector makes anyone they want drink for the had only one question left in their head as they left, involvement. We have more intensive services for a student get services out to a teenager.

Have there been any extreme situations here need to get students to understand more and to be open and Usually a teenager thinks that nothing can really happen number of seconds on the card, but if they guess wrong, “What am I gonna do next weekend?” who is either flunking out of school because of their alcohol free enough to discuss it. That might the one of the barri- to them, like they’re not vulnerable to anything, and a lot they have to drink for that number of seconds. and drug use or they’re having a lot of difficulties maintain- recently?

I think to guard the confidentiality of students I’m see- ers, that they’re afraid to discuss it and to reveal too much of accidents happen. ing their school responsibilities because of their drug use, we have a school, we have a couple of what they call day ing, it would be best to just have it more general. I have seen information with certain people. They pick and choose and if

Youth services specialist is resource for all

BY LEKHA MENON AND STACEY MARIN Staff Writers

For most AHS students and faculty, underage drinking is more than something they hear about; it’s a fact of life. But do we really know what’s going on with high school students today?

11 How old were you when you were first faced with the decision to drink?

“I was 13. I was at a friend’s party.

The parents were home, but they had to leave. An older cousin was supervising and they called their friends.”

—Sandy Bernedo freshman “I was 14. I was at a Korean nightclub with my friend.”

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The truth about student weekends

—Jung Yoon freshman

“I was 15. I was at a friend’s house and there was alcohol there from his older sister.”

—Andre Beharrie sophomore

“My freshman year. I was at a friend’s house. It was just friends hanging out, not a big party.”

—James Alvarez junior

“I was 15. It was at one of my friend’s parties. ”

—Blen Afework junior

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By the numbers: Underage drinking

36% of 10th graders and 17.3 % of 10th graders and 66.6% of teenagers that 53.4% of 12th graders 31% of 12 graders reported binge drink can buy their own reported they currently consume alcohol.

drinking.

alcohol.

Fairfax County statistics taken from the Communities That Care Youth Survey, conducted in Jan. and Feb. of 2001. The survey was given to nearly 12,000 students in grades 8, 10 and 12. The 2003 survey results were not available this year.

The use of a beer bong is increasingly common among teens.

It enables a person to chug a beer in less than 30 seconds. To operate a beer bong, one person pours the beer into the funnel atop the tube, while the other holds the end of the tube even with the funnel. Once the beer is all in the tube, the holder holds the funnel up and gravity sets in as the drinker chugs the beer as quickly as possible.

“I was in 7th grade. A couple friends were at a house over summer with no parents home. The available alcohol was stolen from the parents. ”

—Emily Dawson junior

“I was 14. I was with friends at school in Sierra Leone.

Some older guys came up and offered it to us.”

—Bobson Conteh senior

“I was in 8th grade. It was just some friends together and someone had gotten alcohol from an older brother. ”

—Will Stroud senior

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Peer tutors educate the future of AHS

13 The class of 2015 speaks up about their cross-age tutors

Austin Jones Do you feel that your Peer tutor is another teacher or just another friend?

He is another friend that helps out Ms. Free. Chip is smart like a teacher and is fun to play with too. He will always be my friend even when I go to second grade. Whenever I see him I always wave at him and he always waves back.

ER

EAFF DA SH

AMAN

What was your most memorable experience with your Peer tutor?

April Fools day was really funny.

Chip played a trick on our class and told us it was snowing, but I was too smart and didn’t believe him. He is always doing funny things like that.

What has your peer tutor helped you with the most?

My reading. Whenever I have trouble with a word in a book, he always helps me sound it out.

AMANDA SHEAFFER

What has been your crowning achievement so far this year?

I have learned lots of vocabulary words that make me smarter and smarter.

SEAN SULLIVAN

Building their electronic literacy along with advancing their mathematical skill, senior Julie Stone assists first grade students of Braddock elementary during their computer session. Students are broken up into different groups and cycle through various stations in which they work on reading, writing and arithmetic skills.

Nicole Cazzol Bertine What was your most memorable experience with your Peer tutor?

OnApril Fools, I tricked Chip by saying he had a bug on his shirt, and when he looked down I flicked his nose.

Reading, writing and mathematics are the corner stones of elementary education. However, the elementary system allows for students to dive into other fields of learning such as art. Seniors Jennifer Dallas and Johnathan Kriss assist North Springfield first graders with their pottery projects.

AMANDA SHEAFFER

SEAN SULLIVAN

What is the most enjoyable part of your peer tutors visit?

After our vocabulary quizzes we get to pick out stickers to put on our cards.

I always pick out the pretty ones like strawberries.

Getting her hands dirty along with her 1st grade companions, senior Jennifer Dallas assists in molding these hunks of clay into those classic, artistically challenged, coin bowls and tea cups elementary schoolers are known and adored for.

What has your peer tutor helped you with the most?

Learning to read. All of the vocabulary quizzes help me with new words that I see a lot in my books and when I find a word I don’t know I know how to sound it out and a lot of the time I can figure it out by myself.

Peer Tutor Chip Brandt

With reading being the primary concern for the peer tutors, senior Chip Brandt takes a break from his daily vocabulary reviews, in order to lead a read along with his 1st grade class.

Brandt is primarily in charge of the studentʼs reading comprehension and vocabulary skills when he and his fellow peer tutors visit the elementary schools during their R3 period.

What is the most rewarding part of being a peer tutor?

Seeing the proud look on their faces when they accomplish a new task whether it be learning a new vocabulary word or after they finished a book. When they accomplish new things without the help of myself or their teacher they are so happy with themselves and that is the most rewarding thing about being a peer tutor

AMANDA SHEAFFER

Do you see yourself in the field of education after you graduate?

Animation and enthusiasm are two of the necessities for peer tutoring due to the energetic animated students they work with. While assisting Braddock elementary students in sounding out some of the more difficult vocabulary words, senior Kate Bagnulo emphasizes her enthusiasm with working with younger students. Bagnulo plans to study in elementary education at Longwood University, and go on to become a first grade teacher

It is a definite possibility. I would love to work with children as an entry level profession. Elementary education is a great job for college graduates.

What qualities must a peer tutor have in order to be effective?

Patience. Patience is key. You also have to be energetic and outgoing. It is easier to relate to the younger students if you are positive and full of energy.

CULTURES

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April 26, 2004

Other European coutnries and their culture Greece

Greece is one of the most desired places to visit in all of Europe for its natural and cultural beauty.

Its history The Parthenon goes back thousands of years to the ancient Greeks, who constructed many of the monuments tourists enjoy visiting today. Among those are the Parthenon and theAcropolis, both located in theAthens, the capital. Geographically, Greece is primarily a peninsula, but also consists of a number of islands in the Mediterranean.

The Greek language is primarily used in mathematics for most of the world, but Modern Greek still remains as the official language of Greece, spoken by 99% of the population. It, like many other countries, is part of the European Union.

For Greece,this year in particular is important to Greece, as they will be hosts of the 2004 Olympics.

In Greece, family is of upmost importance. Greeks have a variety of traditions they share with their families.

For example, in the more rural parts of Greece, a man must ask the father for his daughter’s hand in marriage. When the marriage is agreed upon, the bride must have a dowry. The father provides a furnished house for the newlywed couple, and the female relatives provide the linens.

Greeks can be very superstitious and share a variety of superstitions. Among these are the evil eye, known as the “matisma.” Matisma comes from another person’s envy.

In order to ward off the evil eye, one must wear a charm which is a little blue marble with a painted eye. Garlic can also be used to ward off matisma.

Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein may be the least known of all the places in Europe. Even though it is only about the size of Washington D.C., it is still one of the most beautiful in Europe.

It is located in the middle of the Alps, between Austria and Switzerland.

Liechtenstein has a population of a little over 33,000. Liechtensteiners speak the official language of German, but it still have a number of nuances that are different native to the country.

Liechtenstein continues to have a hereditary constitutional monarchy. Its prince Hans Adams II is currently Liechtenstein’s chief of state, and among the richest men in the world.

Liechtenstein’s food is very much like the food found in Switzerland, Austria, and Germany. One of Liechtenstein’s favorite meals are soups.

Liechtensteiners also enjoy to each a variety of cheeses. Their meals are most often accompanied with wine, like most of Europe.

The small country produces its own wine, but it is rarely exported.

One of the traditions Liechtenstein celebrates is Funkensonntag, traslated as Spark Sunday. Occuring right before Easter, straw witches are burned in order to drive the winter season away. In this tradition, there is some competition among the 13 villages within Liechtenstein.

As a part of the PrincelyArt Collection, an array of arwork is displayed, among those includeworks

by Picasso and Beuys.

Along with art, operetta is also popular within Liechtenstein. In fact, there is an “operetta season” held alternately every year in Vaduz and Balzers.

Europe shares diverese heritage

BY BRIDGETTE KIM Staff Writer Germany, Holland, Ireland: these are just four of the 44 countries that are in Europe. Europe is the continent that is most assimilated to American aspects and culture then other continents, yet they are still drastically different.

Sophomore Henning Snell lived in Europe for seven years; because of his fathers’ job he has had the luxury and opportunity to experience European culture. Snell lived a year in Poland, three years in Germany, and three years in Athens, Greece. An aspect that he enjoys in Europe is its well developed transportation system. Unlike the United States where a car is needed to transport ourselves to our destination, Snell simply caught a bus and got to where he needed to go just as comfortably as he would with a car. “Public transportation is a lot easier.

It’s easier to get around,” said Snell.

Sophomore Suzanne Van Der Eijk also explains that when she is visiting her family in Holland every other summer transportation is also a lot easier. “The best thing to do is bike there, you can pretty much get anywhere riding a bike,” said Van Der Eijk. Freshmen Jenny Jacobs also noticed while her visit in Italy this past summer that “ People walked a lot in Italy and I didn’t see as many cars there, it seemed like there were no real driving laws, people just drive and park anywhere they want.”

One major component to cultures is the language; many of us who are learning a different language understand the obstacle and frustration that one goes through trying to comprehend. Snell felt this way while he was in Europe. “Learning the language was the biggest cultural gap for me, but once you learn how to get around and practice speaking, it’s easier to adapt to,” he said.

However Sophomore Allie Wheeler, who went to Ireland over spring break, didn’t feel the frustration of trying to communicate with the Irish people. “They speak Irish, of course, but most of them speak English so it wasn’t hard to communicate,” said Wheeler. Van Der Eijk, speaks both Dutch and English, making it easier to communicate.

“English is a requirement in schools, so it’s not really a problem, except with the locals, but you

can pretty much get your way around,” says Van Der Eijk.

Besides relating to the Europeans by being able to communicate with them, Snell, Van Der Eijk and Wheeler all say that the people there are really welcoming and friendly and it’s easy to get along with them. Snell said “People here are really introverted compared to the people in Europe. It’s easier to go out and meet someone and hang out with them for the rest of the day.” Discrimination is usually evident to those that aren’t natives; however, discrimination wasn’t really a factor for Snell. “The people were sometimes discriminating but after 9/11 the Germans were really sympathetic. In front of the embassy there were flowers and stuff. But there were also protests on the war on terror.”

Van Der Eijk answers similarly and says “the people are friendly; I just love their culture because it reminds me of family and everything’s really close as a community.” Wheeler also experienced the friendliness of Europe; she said “they were really friendly, and open minded.”

Being in a new friendly place with amicable people, they also enjoyed the new types of activities that the country offers and the types of teenagers that live there. Instead of the casual movie, or going to a friend’s house Snell spent his leisure time at the Europa Center. “My favorite place to hang out was in Berlin at the Europa Center. It’s where all the shopping and clubs were. It can be compared to Georgetown,” said Snell. “The kids there are pretty much the same, styles are different. A lot of their style is influenced

by France, Italy, and Sweden, not the whole Abercrombie and Fitch vintage look.”

Van Der Eijk enjoyed the more tranquil and candid leisure aspects of Europe. “I loved biking to the beach and swimming in this huge lake. I would never swim in a lake here but in Hol-

American SUVʼs dwarf German cars such as this one. “The best thing to do is bike there [in Europe], you can pretty much get anywhere riding a bike,” says sophomore Suzanne Van Der Eijk.

land they’re so clean,” said Van Der Eijk. “In Holland the kids don’t even have to go out and have fun, a lot of the kids in the neighborhood, even kids our age would get together and play games late at night and it’s just a lot of fun because people in my neighborhood don’t do that. When they do go out they seem to have more organized parties and get dressed up, their night life begins at a younger age which is cool. The kids there though are a lot like us. They’re fashionable, preppy, but their style is still different.”

Wheeler spent a lot of her time visiting different cities and towns in Ireland. “I went to Gallway [a city]. I liked the pubs and shops and the town was really cool and I got to ride horses. I also visited Doolin it’s a town, and my family and I visited the Cliff of Mohér, and I got to stay in castle for three nights.” She also found that the teenagers there were a lot like American teenagers. “The kids there are like us, but it’s really rural.”

La vida en España ofrece diversiones podemos percibir que Latinoamérica logró mantener la individualidad cultural de los indígenas y las raíces de sus ancestros.

España es el país que cambió el Además, el componente humano y las destino de Latinoamérica para siempre. percepciones sociales difieren también.

De allí que le llamemos la Madre Patria. "Latinoamérica ha sido influenciada De muchísimas formas se observa esta más por valores tradicionales, España es influencia. Desde el punto de vista de la más europea, las dos culturas difieren en población, la mayoría de los latinoamerica- muchos aspectos" dijo Noel Koffi profesor nos son mestizos, una mezcla de españoles de Español.

"España es conocida por bailes tradie indígenas americanos. Desde el punto de vista espiritual una de las herencias más cionales como el flamenco y los toros," grandes que dejaron los españoles fue la dijo la sophomore Sara Setti, ella vivió religión católica. Por tal razón, la mayoría en España por diez años. España también es conocida por sus de los hispanos son fantásticas playas católicos, o profey mucho sol. san alguna forma "El sur español de cristianismo. A Me encanta la gente es muy bonito España también le por las playas y debemos nuestra española, tú puedes llegar porque es muy lengua, el espacaliente," dijo Rey. ñol. Aunque las a conocer a toda la gente de España también influencias en el es conocida por su lenguaje son muy un pueblo. obvias las dife—SaraSetti arte colonial.

La vida diaria rencias provocan sophomore española también extrañeza. Tal vez es diferente de la más notable es el Latinoamérica y acento. "Nosotros tenemos un acento, y pronunciamos el de los Estados Unidos. "A mi me gusta vocabulario de una manera diferente," que las ciudades son pequeñas, no necesitas un carro para andar por todas partes dijo la estudiante española Ángela Rey. Muchos piensan que la historia de en Barcelona," dijo Setti. "Me encanta que Latinoamérica y España es una sola pero en España puedes salir a todas partes sin esta afirmación carece de fundamento. importar que sea un pueblo pequeño o una Sus historias, tradiciones y culturas son ciudad inmensa," dijo Rey. Porque las comuy diferentes. "La idiosincrasia espa- munidades son pequeñas en España todos ñola es diferente de la latinoamericana" en la ciudad se conocen. "Me encanta la dijo Marcela Vergara profesora de Espa- gente española, tú puedes llegar a conocer ñol y Latín. Observando las dos culturas a toda la gente de un pueblo, toda la gente

BY CRISTIAN HERNANDEZ Escritora

“

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La architectura de la ciudad de Madrid mezcla el mundo viejo con el mundo nuevo. “Me encanta que en España puedes salir a todas partes sin importar que sea un pueblo pequeño o una ciudad inmensa,” dijo sophomore Angela Rey.

es muy amistosa," dijo Setti.

En los domingos el ritual de los españoles es ir a la iglesia y luego pasar todo el día disfrutando con la familia. "Toda la gente asiste a la iglesia los domingos y van a la Plaza. Por la tarde conversan y disfrutan en familia hasta la hora de la comida," dijo Setti.

La sociedad española también es muy excéntrica. "La gente de de España tiene muchas tradiciones y creencias. Algunos son muy conservadores y tradicionales," dijo Rey. Al mismo tiempo la sociedad española mantiene el modernismo y las nuevas ideas liberales comunes en Europa. "Los españoles son influenciados por la cultura europea," dijo Setti. "La

gente en España es muy reservada, les importa mucho la familia," dijo Rey. Este modernismo y tradición son dos aspectos contradictorios que España mantiene.

Es obvio que las culturas de Latinoamérica y España son diferentes. La historia de España es mucho más antigua que la de las nuevas sociedades de Latinoamérica. Las historias de las dos regiones se cruzaron con el descubrimiento de América. Las dos sociedades intercambiaron sus culturas pero al mismo tiempo mantuvieron su individualidad produciendo el componente cultural que hoy conocemos.

ARTS

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Comics craze Other fairly recent comics like Zits also have a way of striking the funny bone of many students.

“Zits is one of my favorite comic strips “Up, up and away!” are the words because it deals with teen issues in a funny that echo from Superman’s mouth as way,” said freshman Joe Carpenter. he flies off to save the day, again. “Good Zits is another popular comic strip grief,” moans Charlie Brown, as he once that appears in The Washington Post. again misses the football, much to Lucy’s This comic deals with a number of satisfaction. These are just two of the teenage issues in a humorous manner famous lines we’ve learned from comics through the main character, fifteen-yearover the years. old Jeremy Duncan. Every day he deals One of the few definitions of comics is with topics that are plaguing him, be it his a source of humor embarrassing in art or life. There parents, his girlare a number of friend Sara, his popular comics friends Hector that fit this definiand Pierce, or tion: Peanuts, Calhis overachievvin and Hobbes ing brother. and Pearls Before Zits creators Swine, to name Jerry Scott and a few. What is it Rick Kirkman about these and reach numerother classic comous fans all ics that keep us over through laughing? the easily relatMany students able trials and had their personal tribulations of favorites when it Jeremy Duncame to comics, can. and they all have Calvin and Hobbes, a classic comic that Although followed the various adventures of a very their reasons as imaginative boy and his stuffed tiger, stopped not as new as to why they enjoy running in 1995. these others, that comics the Family Circus best. is a comic strip “Pearls Before Swine lets me indulge that has shown the test of time. After its in the daily antics of cynical and hilari- first appearance in 1960, Family Circus ous talking animals,” said junior Diana has kept a strong and steady fan base Hollingsworth. over the years. This comic, created by Pearls Before Swine appears daily cartoonist Bil Keane, is a simple, onein The Washington Post and was cre- frame comic that gets right to the point ated by cartoonist Stephan Pastis. Its of its wholesome image. two main characters are a rat and a pig The characters are Mommy, Daddy, appropriately named Rat and Pig. Rat is Billy, Dolly, Jeffy, PJ, Grandma, and their the more scheming of the two. He is an pets Barfy, Sam and Kittycat. While this arrogant scoundrel who can occasionally comic doesn’t usually get its readers rollbe manipulative. Pig is far more endear- ing on the floor laughing, its quick little ing as the blissfully ignorant character. anecdotes are still funny and cute.

These two get themselves in and out of “I always read Zits, Pearls Before everyday situations with their friends Swine, and Family Circus because it’s Zebra and Goat. just so cute,” said junior Mike Krzywicki.

“I like Pearls Before Swine because it’s “It gives me something to do and I like to clever and it is a nice way to start the day,” see clever things.” said junior Kristin Davis.

BY JOHN REISS AND AMY SUDDARTH Entertainment Editor and Arts Editor

Arts profile

Garfield is another clever and witty comic strip that still has readers laughing at the antics of this cat and his owner, Jon. This opinionated feline has everything; sass, originality, creativity and he always says what is on his mind.

Schulz in 1950. Peanuts His quick followed these ten friends wit keeps and their pets on a numreaders ber of different adventure wanting and even a few movies like more as SuperA Charlie Brown Thankshe gets man is one of the giving and A Charlie Brown into most famous comic Christmas. even book characters in Calvin and Hobbes was anothfunAmerica. er comic that still keeps people laughing nier dilemmas with his owner. Created even years after it stopped running in

by Jim Davis, this comic has the newspaper. There is just something grown far beyond its box on the Comics about this little boy and his stuffed tiger created by Bill Watterson. page.

Calvin brings Hobbes with him evGarfield now has entire books to relive his funniest moments, as well as erywhere and the two deal with everycalendars, t-shirts and many other types thing from tough family issues to fantasy space travel. Junior Kelly Beam has a of merchandise.

“Garfield is awesome! He is a fat cat number of Calvin and Hobbes books and finds them to who likes to eat. Who be more fulfilling doesn’t love that,” said than the comics of sophomore Mohamtoday. “The only mad Rahman, sumcomics today that ming one of the many carry their weight appeals of Garfield. are Pearls Before While these runSwine and Zits, but ning comic strips to be honest, the provide laughter for Comics page hasn’t millions of people, it been the same since seems that everyone the Big 3 retired: has a special place for The Far Side, Bloom the classic comic strips County and Calvin like Peanuts and Caland Hobbes,” said vin and Hobbes.

Beam.

Peanuts was a Whether you heartwarming strip Snoopy, Charlie Brown, Linus and Lucy were three of the characters collect every issue that followed a number from the classic comic Peanuts. and every book of a of friends, a dog and a comic series, or you bird through numerous adventures. The characters, Charlie just need to read a few to get you going in Brown, his dog Snoopy, Woodstock the the morning, comics are good for everyone. bird, Linus, Lucy, Sally, Schroeder, Pep- There are different types that appeal to permint Patty, Marcie, Franklin, Pigpen everyone and these comics always leave and Rerun were all created by Charles you wanting more.

Political cartoons through the years

BY KIMIKO YERICK Arts Editor Political cartoons have become a popular way of showing society what is happening in current events through humor. Political cartoons consist mainly of two elements: caricature and allusion. Caricature parodies the individual, while allusion creates the situation or context into which the individual is placed.

Leonardo da Vinci had been exploring “the ideal type of deformity” as an art form, and other famous artists rebelled against him with a new type of art, caricature.

This new genre of art exaggerated certain characteristics to a humorous effect. This artwork was often not displayed publicly, but rather confined in the households of the owner so as not to arise any criticism.

As time progressed, so did the use of political cartoons.

In Germany, Martin Luther made use of political cartoons during the Protestant Reformation. Luther used these cartoons as a means of political propaganda to enhance the reforms that he was stressing.

One of the most plausible reasons why political car-

toons were so successful during its start was because of the high illiteracy rate of the society. The citizens were unable to read, so they had to depend on other means in order to understand what was going on in their government.

Political cartoons have been present in the United States since the time there were only colonies representing this vast nation.

Benjamin Franklin created a political cartoon that read, “Join or Die.” This cartoon displayed the picture of a severed snake, which represented the 13 colonies. This cartoon is considered the very first political cartoon inAmerica. Franklin’s intention for this political cartoon was for it to support his plan fornegotiations between the colonies and the Iroquois that were at the Albany Congress of 1754. This political cartoon soon gained so much prestige that it was published in many of the local newspapers, as well as other newspapers across the continent. The

Comics still going strong

BY AMY SUDDARTH AND KIMIKO YERICK Arts Editors Your alarm clock goes off and you think there’s no way you can bring yourself to get out of bed.

Many people ease their way into the day by starting it off with some humorous comic strips. Comic strips have been bringing people laughs for over one hundred years, but they evolved from colorful books even before that.

The first comic strip ran in 1896 in the New York World. The idea caught on quickly as a fast and easy way to tell a story. Political cartoons were among the more popular comics in the beginning.

They still have a large presence today, but the everyday comic has taken on a much bigger role.

Bob Kane created the well-known Batman comics in May1939, just before super heroes began to become popular. During the early 1940’s, from 1940-1945, approximately 400 super heroes were created. Batman quickly became popular because of his uniqueness as a superhero. Unlike most other superheroes, Batman relied not on superpowers, but on his intellect.

After nearly 50 years of comic strips, the first actual book of comics came out in 1934 entitled, “Famous Funnies #1. This series ran a number of issues costing only a dime per issue. Comics continued emerging into various genres such as romantic, political, western and action. Super heroes began gaining popularity in action comics, especially when Superman first came onto the comic scene in 1959.

The world famous Superman comics first appeared in American newspapers since June 1938, but began to gain poularity in the late

1950s. Superman was the very first comic book character that had super-human powers. Although the creators of Superman, Siegel and Shuster, had been rejected the first time they showed their idea to a newspaper, they didn’t give up. Today, Superman is one of the ten most recognized ‘people’ on the face of the planet.

In the early 20th century, after the Stock Market Crash in 1929, there was a boom in the popularity of comic books. This led to the creation of new types of comics in the 30s, which pictured adventures.

Examples of some of the popular 1930s comics are Flash Gordon, Dick Tracey, and Tarzan. This new era in the comic book industry came to be known as the Golden Age in comic book history. As the century went on, classics like Peanuts and Garfield gained attention.

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cartoon showed that the Indians were a threat to the colonies existence, and that they would have become severed if they had let the indians take over.

Today’s political cartoons have become much more advanced then how they first started out. However, they still have the same ingredients. Political cartoons focus on the important political events of its time, so they are constantly changing. Political cartoons are just another way of informing the public of what is happening, while giving their opinion at the same time.

Junior Paula Foley-Brown is an avid comic book collector who took some time to share her interest Q: How long have you been collecting comics?

A: I’ve always had an interest in comics and I’ve read them for as long as I can remember. I only started buying the books when I was in fifth or sixth grade, though.

Q: Why did you start collecting comic books?

A: Well I have always liked reading them and a friend of mine had a lot of different comic books. Every time I went over to her house I would pillage her room looking through her books. I kept on borrowing them and finally she just said, “Why don’t you just buy your own?” So I did!

Q: Do you have any idea how many comic books you have?

A: Not really, I have less than a hundred. Definitely more than 20 or 30, though.

Q: What do you think makes a good comic?

A: They have to have good plot lines and good characters. If it’s too drawn out or the characters aren’t interesting, I don’t really like it. It also depends on the drawing style. The drawings have to be good and amusing.

Q: What type of comics do you like?

A: Any type, really. Sometimes I read political cartoons, but they’re only good sometimes. I like the ones in the paper and also Anime.

Q: What are some titles of the comic books you have?

A: I’ve got a lot of different types. I have lots of Calvin and Hobbes, Garfield, X-Men, of course — that’s a classic. I also have a few Naruto and some Planet Ladder.

Q: Do you have a favorite comic?

A: Probably Calvin and Hobbes and Garfield. Calvin and Hobbes is really funny, but it also deals with a lot of things that are easy to relate to. Garfield is great too. I mean, it’s Garfield! You can’t help but love a sarcastic cat.

Q: Are there any comics that you really dislike?

A: There’s one that I read once in the newspaper, I think it was called Prince Valiant. It was just bad. It had a really long plot line that had been going on for years so you couldn’t really understand it and the drawings were really tiny and

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A BLAST

SPORTS

the

Williams and Clarett denied

College defectees WR Mike Williams and RB Maurice Clarett’s appeal to enter the NFL draft was denied. The only option for Clarett would be to enter the supplemental draft in which a team would have to give up a first round pick in the 2005 draft to get him. For Williams, there is still an option open to go back to USC or enter the supplemental draft.

Dillon traded to Pats

In a monumental trade, the Cincinnati Bengals traded Corey Dillon to the superbowl champion New England Patriots for this year’s first round draft pick. The Patriots fill their only need in a top-tier running back and the Bengals dump Dillon, who has been an ego problem ever since contract disputes disrupted his 2003 campaign.

The Atoms will take their 2-0 district record into tonight’s contest vs. West Potomac @ 7:15 p.m.

Bonds bid for ʻotherʼ HR record comes up short

San Francisco Giants OF Barry Bonds fell one game short of tying an MLB record for most HR hit in consecutive games (8). He had seven going into the April 21 game versus the Padres but went 0-1 with two walks. The record is shared by Dale Long, Don Mattingly and Ken Griffey Jr.

Tennis pushes towards playoffs, defeats Spartans

JARED SMITH

Senior Braxton Koppelman warms up for his match versus West Springfield on April 22. Koppelman is the no. 1 seeded player for AHS, but has posted a 1-5 record for the season, facing some of the toughest competition in the state.

OnApril 22, the tennis team defeated district foe West Springfield 6-3, improving their record to 3-4 for the year.

Starting on April 12, the team completed a 1-1 week after an April 12 6-3 victory over West Potomac and a 3-6 loss to T.C. Williams on April 13. Against West Potomac sophomore Mike Wiest, freshman Matt Kishiyama and senior Andrew Menegat won their singles matches, along with victories from the doubles teams of Wiest and Kishiyama, junior Samer Abu-Taleb and senior Braxton Koppleman, junior Jim Brouse and Menegat.”

“The team’s been doing well since Andrew Menegat returned from his injury,” said Kishiyama. “Now that he’s back, we’ve been able to put him in positions where we stack up better against opponents.”

Against T.C. Menegat and Brouse won their singles matches, and the team of Mike Wiest and David Clovis won their doubles match. The team faced Lake Braddock on Saturday, but scores were too late to be published.

Pic of the Issue

The Atoms Varsity lacrosse team has started off the season on a roll.

After beginning the season 2-2 in non-district play, the Atoms shot out of the gates winning their second consecutive district game 11-9 versus Hayfield on April 20.

“We felt that if we played better team lacrosse that the team would beat out Hayfield’s individual talent,” said Head Coach Bill Maglisceau.

Junior attacker Adam Park, who scored five goals and added four as-

“

We felt that if we played better team lacrosee that the team would beat out Hayfield’s individual talent

Junior attacker Adam Park cleans himself up during halftime of the Atoms 11-9 victory versus Hayfield on April 20. Park had an all-district performance scoring five goals against the weak Hayfield defense. Along with senior attacker John Bernhardt, the Atoms have developed a potent one-two scoring punch.

will be played tonight at home at 7: 30 p.m.

“Getting ground balls will be the key to victory,” said McMurry. “If our fundamentals are solid, we will beat West Potomac.” The perennial bot-

BY STACEY MARIN Staff Writer The baseball team went into Thursday night’s game versus Hayfield desperate for their first Patriot District win in defense of their crown. They got no such luck as the Hayfield Hawks ran all over the Atoms from the first pitch, scoring 8 runs in the first inning on route to a 9-1 victory.

Senior pitcher Ted Gibson was unable to get through the first inning as he gave up eight runs on route to the loss.

TheAtoms’lone run came in the third inning, as junior infielder Corey Quigley ripped a double down the line, and scored two batters later after he was able to advance after two wild pitches.

The loss drops theAtoms to 2-9 for the year, 0-4 in the district, with the outcome from Fri.April 23 against Lake Braddock too late for press time.

Despite a slow start, the Atoms are looking to gain momentum in their remaining games as they defend their 2003 Patriot District championship.

On April 20 against West Potomac, the Atoms fell to the Wolverines 7-4.

Sophomore pitcher Tyler Wolverton had a good outing, striking out 7 and walking two in 5 2/3 innings, only giving up

tom dwellers of the Patriot District, West Potomac (3-6, 0-2); is trying to avoid another loss at the hands of the Atoms, who have beat them three straight games dating back to last season.

Senior outfielder Chip Brandt slides into third base as the Atoms take on Hilton Head High School during their Spring Break Trip to South Carolina. The Atoms were 1-3 on the trip including a victory against Hilton Head, the eventual champion of the tournament.

1earned run.

Despite Wolverton’s efforts, theAtoms committed 9 errors throughout the night and gave up 6 unearned runs. They also loaded the bases 3 times but for the most part were unable to come through and score, producing only 1 run in those three

opportunities.

“You can’t win without good defense,” Head Coach Matt Caudle said. “We need to keep emphasizing fielding and throwing.”

In their upcoming games, the main goal for the Atoms is to quit making er-

rors, which Caudle said will come with practice. “We need to start playing with confidence. We’re not a young team, but we’re playing like we are. We should be playing with confidence,” he said.

Key players that are currently making a difference for theAtoms are Wolverton and senior pitcher Ted Gibson. “Our problem isn’t pitching,” Caudle said. “[We need to] keep trying to get better at hitting and fielding.”

During Spring Break, theAtoms traveled to Hilton Head, South Carolina, to participate in an annual tournament, the Seahawk Invitational, which hosts teams from across the East Coast. Though they won their first came 10-6, the Atoms lost their next three games.

The Atoms entered this season having lost several key players to graduation.

Adding to that loss of experience was the departure of three other veteran players, junior Austin Coppage, senior Seth Mateosky, and senior Frankie Rathbun, who left the team before Spring Break. Caudle had no comment on this matter.

The Atoms continue their season Wednesday as they will travel to T.C. Williams to take on the Titans at 6 p.m.

The Titans handed the Atoms a 3-2 loss the last time they played on March 30.

Students and steroids Youth hinders track With the recent explosion of steroid controversy in baseball, should high school athletes be able to take supplements to enhance their performance?

BY MATT WIEST Sports Editor The steroid controversy in professional sports has taken the spotlight in recent months, going so far as to occupy a position in President Bush’s State of the Union address. They have long been used as a method to build muscle and improve athletic performance, and, in the shortterm, it has done so effectively. However, when many make the decision to use these performance-enhancing drugs, they often overlook the damaging long-term effects.

According to a recently conducted national survey, 3.5 percent of high school seniors say they have used steroids at least once throughout their high school careers, up from 2.1 percent in 1991.

Sports opinion

SEAN SULLIVAN

goals, the Atoms held on to preserve the 2-point victory.

“We started off the first half playing well,” said senior defender Pat McMurry. “Even though we slipped at the end we held them off. The keys for us on defense are working through the unsettled situations and clearing the ball, which we did well.”

The defense has been the center point for the Atoms this year, with good senior leaders at all three defensive spots. Pat McMurry, Billy Steinbuchler and Noah Crowley have all been key this year on defense.

“That’s our strength, that’s our real strength,” said Maglisceau.

“We’re going to put Pat and Bill on their number one and number two threat, and I like our chances. If we can limit what they do strength wise we’ll be in good shape.”

The other district win for the Atoms, a 14-10 defeat of the West Springfield Spartans on April 16, showed similar tendencies to the Hayfield win. Adam Park had another 4 point performance scoring 4 goals and 5 assists and the Atoms defense shut down a much more talented Spartan squad.

“They were undefeated, and they were in the paper the day before,” said Maglisceau. “They thought they were something special, which they are, but I thought it was going to be a lot tighter then it was. Knocking off an undefeated team in our district is tough.”

The Atoms next game, a district match-up against West Potomac

District foes upend struggling champs

You Make the Call

Senior goalie Gary Espinoza dives for the ball in the Atoms boys soccer game versus West Springfield on April 19. The Atoms tied the Spratans 3-3.

”

—BillMaglisceau head coach

sists, highlighted the two-point defeat of the Hawks.

“He’s really stepped it up,” said Maglisceau. “It’s pretty exciting, he’s becoming the player we thought he’d be. He’s really starting to become a force.”

The Atoms jumped on the Hawks in the third quarter scoring three times to Hayfield’s none and took an 11-6 lead going into the fourth quarter. Although faulting a bit on defense and giving up a couple late

Lebron wins top frosh

In what should be his freshman year in college, Cleveland Cavaliers guard Lebron James won the NBA Rookie of the Year award scoring 78 of the 118 possible first place votes. Denver Nuggets sensation Carmelo Anthony came in a close second place, and Miami Heat forward Dwayne Wade came in third.

James becomes the youngest Cavalier ever to win the award leading all rookies in steals (1.65 spg), second in scoring (20.9 ppg), third in assists (5.9 apg), and fifth in rebounding (5.5 rpg)

BY JARED SMITH Sports Editor

By Matt Wiest

However, these figures do not include overthe-counter supplements such as andro and creatine, drugs which are much more common among high school athletes. As more and more student-athletes begin to experiment with steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs, there arises a liability not just with the individual, but with coaches and professional athletes as well. It is these individuals who set the trends in the world of sports.

The lasting consequences of steroids

must not be neglected. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, some of the harmful side effects of steroids include high blood pressure and heart disease, liver damage and cancers, stroke and blood clots, headaches, joint aches, muscle cramps, among increased risk of ligament and tendon injuries, among others. The risk associated with steroid usage is simply not worth the temporary advantage one might gain over his peers, as improvements in athletic performance can be achieved just as effectively leaving steroids out of the picture, thus eliminating the far more severe long-term hazards.

Professional athletes who use these performance-enhancing supplements set a poor example for up-and-coming athletes on the high school and college levels to follow. It is their responsibility to convey a positive image, as the ramifications of steroid use, especially while young, are not to be taken lightly. Coaches, too, must involve themselves in this effort, as they hold profound influence in the training and development of the athletes they instruct.

There also lies the fact that steroids add an artificial element to the world of sports. As more and more athletes choose to take steroids and other supplements, the nature of sports changes, as natural ability, hard work, and practice are overshadowed by elements as artificial as drugs. This detracts from the integrity of sports, something about which any sports fan should be concerned.

BY JARED SMITH Sports Editor The AHS track team has had some bumps in the road, given that there are only a handful of seniors are on the team this year. In their most recent meet, the Atoms finished third losing to West Potomac and West Springfield on April 21.

“We did pretty good, we have a lot of young kids, not a lot of veterans,” said Head Sprinting Coach Tony Harper.

“They are competing and practicing hard but we are still very inexperienced.”

The highlights of the meet were the girls 4x100m relay team which finished first, the 4x400 relay team which finished first, junior sprinter Ezra Tilaye who came in second in the 400m, third in the 200m, and first in the triple jump, and senior shotputter Julio Vilatoro who finished second in the shot.

The girls 4x400m team made up of freshman Denay Wood, and seniors Lauren Edwards, Phylicia Foreman, and Cameron Wells is the most experienced and the strongest relay team on the team.

“We’ve all been traingin hard in practice,” said Edwards. “We are trying

to make every meter count. Our individual performances have been doing well, but the team overall isn’t strong enough yet.”

The reason the Atoms have had such trouble as a team is because of the strength of the Patriot District, a district in which the Atoms were only able to finish sixth in last year’s tournament. In addition to this years youth, the Atoms are relying on the individual performances to define their season rather then the team’s.

“Middle of the pack at best, we don’t have the experience,” said Tilaye. “We work real hard but it is a tough district.”

In addition to Tilaye’s sprinting efforts, sophomore Keith Watson has emerged as a top sprinter. Using his experience from the starting running back position from football this year, Watson is quickly becoming one of the most feared runners in the region.

The Atoms traveled to Dogwood this weekend for a meet at the University of Virginia. Results of which were too late for press time. The Atoms will have their only home meet of the year on Wed. versus West Springfield and T.C. Williams at 6 p.m.

Senior Lauren Edwards does abdominal work before practice. Working hard in practice has led to Edwardʼs success, which included a first place finish in the 4x400m relay in the Atoms meet on April 21 versus West Springfield and West Potomac.

JARED SMITH

Phil Mickelson put his mark on Masters history as he birdied the 18th hole on Easter Sunday to win his first major as a pro. Mickelson was tied for the lead with Ernie Els at eight under par heading into the 72nd hole at Augusta, after a percise approach shot, Mickelson’s birdie putt barely caught the left edge of the hole and swirled in, giving him the victory. This is Phil’s first major victory in 43 attempts.

Finally erasing the dubious title of, “best player never to win a major.”

COURTESY OF DONNA GIBSON

Number one for the lefty

SARAH SOZIO

Hawks fall, Atoms tall

Sports News

Ouch!

April 26, 2004

A BLAST

SPORTS

the

April 26, 2004

Girls outlast Hayfield

Atomic Athletics Boys JV Lacrosse

The Atoms come back from a 7-3 halftime deficit to beat the Hawks 8-7 on April 20. Sophomore Thera Lombardi notched the game winning goal.

On April 20, after a rough start, the Atoms were able to overcome a four goal deficit in the fourth quarter to defeat the Hayfield Hawks 8-7.

The Atoms were finally able to get on the scoreboard with sophomore Molly Sterlacci’s goal about 10 minutes into the first half. Senior captains Julie Stone and Lindsay Miller each had a goal apiece before the half was over. Trailing 7-3 at the half, the Atom’s strong defense held the Hawks scoreless in the second half.

“Our defense was much better at talking and calling where people needed to fall back,” said senior defender Julie Bowes. “That really helped us.”

Defense is something the girls have focused on, and it was on display against the Hawks.

“We had not only worked on improving our communication on defense, but also our defensive strategies as well,” said coach Cindy Hook.

“It was definitely the best game our defense has played,” said senior goalie Tracie Hiatt. “Our checks were much more effective and we were forcing them

and dictating where they went.”

The hard work and intensity from the defensive end of the field also became apparent on the offensive end. Stone had two goals in a row, followed by Miller’s third to tie the game at 7 with less than five minutes left.

“Once we could feel things working, our confidence from the defense led us to play with more confidence in our transition and attack,” said Hook. “Our communication and timing got better as the game went on… and when they called timeout in the second half, you could just feel the confidence in the huddle.”

With just over two minutes left on the clock, sophomore Thera Lombardi scored the game-winning goal.

“Our intensity level really changed that game,” said Stone. “Our defense forced huge turnovers and our offense was able to produce goals, it was an awesome team comeback for the win.”

Although the girls fell 14-9 to West Springfield on April 16, it was a game of hustle and determination that only helped them to prepare more for Hayfield.

“From the beginning to the end of the game, it was a great team effort,” said

“I think the season is going pretty good so far and we are improving lots. I hope that we will have a winning record this season,” said sophomore David Merrill.

JARED SMITH

BY ERIN O’ BRIEN In-Depth Editor

Sophomores Marie Pierce and Amy Novak look on as Coach Cindy Hook speaks to the team during a timeout. A stellar second half performance from senior goalie Tracie Hiatt held the Hawks scoreless throughout the fourth quarter. Goals from seniors Lindsay Miller and Julie Stone and sophomore Thera Lombardi brought the Atoms back.

Hook. We played extremely well, then West Springfield had this 12 minute period where we were on defense and that kind of took us out of our offensive rhythm.”

Both Miller and Stone had four goals each and junior Lizzy Waxler chipped in for the ninth. “Even though the score wasn’t in our favor, we did well as a team making good connections,” said Waxler.

The Atoms have three district games this week, including West Potomac tonight, where they plan to incorporate some new plays for their settled attack, as well as an improved transition game.

“We’ve learned new offensive plays in hopes of spreading out the offense and increasing our goal percentage,” said Stone.

“Everyone’s been working really hard, it should be an exciting week.”

General salute, Atoms topple W&L 4-2

SEAN SULLIVAN

BY AMANDA SHEAFFER Sports X-tra Editor

Junior Wusu Sessey goes after the ball in the Atoms 3-3 tie against West Springfield on April 19. The Atoms were leading the top ranked Spartans 3-1 in the second half but two late goals pulled the teams even. The Atoms game on April 23 @ Hayfield ended too late for press time.

The Atoms knocked down a 4-2 win on April 21 against Washington and Lee improving their record at an even 2-2-1. Senior forward Johnny Eklund, who scored twice, provided most of the scoring output.

“They definitely shouldn’t have scored those two goals,” said senior Chris Terapane.

“We dominated them, but we still came out with a win, so it works.”

On April 19, the team West Springfield, seeded first in the Washington Post. With D.C. United player David Stokes watching on the Atoms battled to a hard fought 3-3 tie.

“We played real well,” said Head Coach Chris Segaar. “I think we learned to adapt to the change of speed and pace of the game, from when we are winning to getting two goals scored on us to tie it up, they had to keep up and step up the intensity.”

With a determined fight, theAtoms started out the game incredibly strong jumping out 3-1 with a key goal by Eklund late in the first half, but late goals by the Spartans tied the game at three, which is how it ended.

“It was definitely the best overall effort this season,” said Segaar. Though the tough game took its toll as the Atoms lost forward Bobsin Conteh due to a severe knee injury. No player necessarily stood out against West Springfield,

but Johnny Eklund, Bobsin Conteh, Davis Murillo, and Dino Garcia all had solid performances, improving the team unity theAtoms have displayed thus far this year.

In their previous game, on April 16, the Atoms took on district rival T.C. Williams. The team’s performance was not as strong as they wanted it to be with, falling 3-2 to the Titans with both goals being scored by Dino Garcia.

“We came out flat, we weren’t ready mentally or physically,” said Segaar. Prior to this game, the team had been practicing inside all week due to the inclement weather, so this was their first outdoor experience in over a week.

“We didn’t come alive until the second half and it was too late at that point. There is no question in my mind that we shouldn’t have dominated,” said Segaar.

Over spring break, the team played in the McLean Tournament in which they participate in annually. It is a four-day tournament which they earned last place in. They played against Osbourne Park as their first game and won, then played, Herndon, McLean and Edison, although they did not prosper in the tournament.

TheAtoms will not play again until Thurs. when they take on West Potomac at home at 7:30 p.m. While the game on April 23 versus Lake Braddock concluded too late for press time.

Hawks claw Atoms W&L upends girls

“

But they had a near perfect game with very few mistakes.

”

—RickNeave head coach

An April 1 match-up against the district champion West Springfield Spartans ended in a 9-4 defeat for the Atoms, but not before they held close with the Spartans for 5 1⁄2 innings. Senior Anh Tran laid down a RBI squeeze bunt late in the game that kept the Atoms in the game.

SEAN SULLIVAN

BY TED GIBSON Staff Writer

Junior Megan Johnson blasts the first inning pitch over the centerfield fence in the Atoms 12-1 loss versus Hayfield on April 22. Johnsonʼs first inning home run was the first of her three-year career on the softball team and accounted for the lone Atoms run.

The Atoms first district win came against T. C. Williams on March 30, as seniors Amanda Roth and Erin O’Brien each hit triples in the fifth inning to contribute to the six-run fifth inning in which the girls came from behind to take the lead for good.

In a tournament before spring break, the Atoms went 2-2, picking up two big wins against Dominion and George Mason after what Coach Neave described as two “frustrating defeats” against Marshall and Thomas Jefferson.

The March 27 win over Dominion, 15-1, marked the Atoms biggest win of the season so far as Jones pitched her second complete game and freshman Kelsey Grant knocked in four runs.

At the 8-1 win over George Mason on March 26, senior pitcher Ashley Jones chalked a complete game, allowing just four hits, while O’Brien hit an inside-thepark homerun that drove in two runs.

On April 20th the Atoms hosted Washington and Lee and suffered a disappointing 4-1 loss. As a result, their overall record is 2-5 (0-2 in the Patriot District). Sophomore Caitlin Molavi scored the lone goal.

“It was a tough loss and we’re off to a struggling start,” said senior Chrissy Castaldo. “I thought we had a good chance to win this one and I hope we can pull it together to turn our season around.”

On April 19, the Atoms traveled to West Springfield and was shut out 3-0 by a fierce Spartan offense. The Atoms struggled to keep control of the ball, with defensive players seeing most of the action. Despite the efforts of Atoms freshman goalie Kelly Scrivner, the Spartans aggressive offense managed a number of fast breaks and were able to score.

The Atoms game versus Hayfield on April 23 was too late for press time. The other district game for theAtoms was a 30 defeat at the hands of the T.C. Williams Titans. The Atoms last victory came on

March 30 versus Fairfax.

Although the district season has started slow, the senior class made up of Amanda Sheaffer, Kate Bagnulo, Melissa Sielaty, Chrissy Castaldo, Sara Bizer and Amy Merrill are determined to overcome prior defeats and will strive to salvage a winning season.

“This is our last chance as seniors,” said Merrill. “We need to play well the rest of the season if we have any hopes of making regionals. There are a number of tough teams we haven’t faced yet and we need to help our goalies by running a stronger offense.”

Although the losses have begun to pile up, the Atoms non-district games versus this year have been against some of the toughest foes in the region, as they have taken on regional qualifers Centreville and Yorktown.

These games hoped to prepare theAtoms for the tough district schedule, which includes defending Northern Regional champion Lake Braddock, in wihch the Atoms will play on May 7 at home.

The Atoms next game will come this Thurs. as they will travel to West Potomac to try to notch their first district win.

Sophomore Kaitlin Molavi tries to box out the Hayfield player as the ball is thrown in during the Atoms 3-0 loss versus the Spartans on April 19. Molavi is one of several players from last yearʼs J.V. squad who have moved up this season and made key contributions on the varsity level.

TED GIBSON

BY MATT WIEST Sports Editor The Atoms varsity softball team dropped to 4-7 on April 22 in a 13-1 rout against the Hayfield Hawks. After a leadoff homerun by Meghan Johnson in the first inning, the Atoms bats went cold, as they failed to score another run against the Hawks excellent pitching and formidable defense.

“We’re a better team that this,” said Head Coach Rick Neave. “But they had a near-perfect game with very few mistakes.”

The home loss marked the second loss of the week, as they were shutout 7-0 at the April 20 game against West Potomac. After a one-run first inning for the Wolverines, they began to pull ahead while the Atoms offense and defense remained stagnant.

“It was our second worst game of the season,” said Neave. “Each of our best players made glaring mistakes, we can’t afford that all in one night.”

17

Coach: Lam Ung Record: 1-4-1 Last game: 11-5 loss April 20 vs.

Hayfield Next game: Today vs. West Pot at 5: 30 p.m.

Key Players: David Merrill, Trevor Daggle, and Sean Armstrong

JV Girls Lacrosse

“I think that as the year has progressed we have greatly improved as a team,” said freshman Gracie McMurry.

Coach: Kelly Allen Record: 2-3-1 Last game: 12-1 win vs. Falls Church on April 22 Next game: Today @ West Potomac at 5:30 p.m.

Key Players: Elizabeth Do, Elizabeth McErlean, and Gracie McMurry

JV Baseball

“We are looking pretty good. The team plays well together and we will win a lot of fames this year,” said sophomore Josh Del Pino

Coach: Terry Hiebert Record: 4-2 Last game: April 23 vs. Lake Braddock too late for press time Next game: Today vs. Robinson at 6 p.m.

Key Players: Josh Del Pino and Billy Rathbun

JV Softball

“This season we are doing really well. Since the beginning we have been a tight team and itʼs easy to go out there and have fun,” said freshman Beth Sass.

Coach: Mike Gifford Record: 7-0 Last game: April 23 vs. Lake Braddock too late for press time Next game: Today vs. Robinson at 6 p.m.

Key Players:Sara Quinn, Beth Sass, and Christine Sass.

JV Boys Soccer

“The season is going well. We have been playing well against the tough teams,” said junior Alex Aguirre.

Coach: Eddie Latore Record: 3-1-1 Last game: April 23 vs. Hayfield too late for press time Next game: Thurs. vs. West Potomac at 5:30 p.m.

Key Players: Jimmy Garcia, and Alex Aguirre

JV Girls Soccer

“We are having our difficulties but I think we will pull together,” said freshman Madeline Mejean.

Coach: Jessica Doll Record: 2-3 Last game: April 23 vs. Hayfield too late for press time Next game: Thurs. @ West Potomac at 5:30 p.m.

Key Players: Madeline Mejean and Ashley Morgan

18 Box Office Top 5 4/16 - 4/18

ENTERTAINMENT A Buy Pandora Tomorrow today t

become a lot more appealing, especially since sentries now don bullet-proof attire when they detect your presence.

Pandora’s online Konami’s world renowned and seemingly unbeatable Metal Gear Solid experience is more franchise finally takes a back to seat to or less like the solid Ubisoft’s new Splinter Cell: Pandora single player mode, Tomorrow. Both games feature incred- but it definitely sets it ibly addictive stealth action, apart from Pandora Tomorrow just pulls Game Review other stealth it off so much better.

Pandora action games. PlayYour alter ego in Pandora Tomorrow ers pair up two to a team, Tomorrow is once again, Sam one sneaks around ala Fisher, a NSA secret agent single player mode, and out to stop terrorism and the other pair acts as the disarm dangerous warlords.

For a great single-player mercenaries which is more At a glance Pandora appears mode and a multiplayer in line with the Rainbow Six to be a direct sequel to the mode that raises the bar. series. Most players will be highly popular Splinter Cell, more accustomed to hiding but a closer look reveals that rather then searching, but its gameplay has been significantly modified and the inclusion of online the mercenary team is equipped with play further establishes Pandora as the tons of spy-detecting gear, and each multiplayer map is wired with motion-detecnew stealth action game to beat.

Fisher’s new abilities stress stealth tion devices, cameras and laser trip wires. more than anything, but his new weap- Despite this, the teams are fairly equal in onry and gadgets are nifty, too. The en- terms of options for winning. The skill of emy AI has been upgraded substantially, the players will decide the rest.

Pandora’s graphics have managed to so evasive and non-lethal maneuvers

BY CHRIS KALLANDER Staff Writer

A

1. KILL BILL VOLUME 2

Starring Uma Thurman, David Carradine, Michael Madsen and Daryl Hannah, Kill Bill is the second of two parts for the story of Black Mamba’s (Thurman) revenge against her former lover who put her in a coma for four years. Directed by Quentin Tarantino. (R, 137 mins) Cumulative gross: $25,104,949.

surpass its predecessor and achieve a new level of realism. Ubisoft really flexes the Xbox’s muscles here and delivers the best visuals seen so far. Lighting effects steal the show just as they did in the original and create an eerily life-like experience. The environments are no slouches either, each have incredible detailed and fantastic textures.

While the animations of the characters are just as well done, there are still far too many clipping issues in Pandora, and sadly, it detracts from the games realistic presentation a great deal.

Pandora raises the bar for audio as well. Your stealthometer nearly becomes obsolete as you’ll eventually adjust your ears to hear

April 26, 2004

every pitter- patter that Sam makes and adapt your gameplay style accordingly.

The ability to talk with your buddy via the Xbox Live headset, while clearly a must, only adds to the sound pleasantries.

If it weren’t for its outstanding multiplayer mode, Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow would have been a nice sequel, but not the mandatory purchase it has come to be. The campaign mode can only blow you away once, while online play stays fresh and never fails to entertain.

Pandora Tomorrow is easily the best game today.

Sam Fisher aims his gun to take out a terrorist and protect national security.

Satan would be proud of Hellboy

BY MICHAEL KRZYWICKI Special To The A-Blast

2. THE PUNISHER

Living in isolation with over a dozen cats, Hellboy’s title character sounds more like a shut-in-old woman than a giant red devil that defends the world from the paranormal. Hellboy, directed by Guillermo Del Toro, based off the comic book by Mike Mignola, is the rare film that is

Starring Thomas Jane, John Travolta and Rebecca Romijn-Stamos, The Punisher is the story of a retired FBI agent who takes decides to rid the world of scum, starting with the mobsters who killed his family.

Directed by: Jonathon Hensleigh. (R) Cumulative gross: $13,834,527.

3. THE JOHNSON FAMILY VACATION

Starring Cedric the Entertainer, Vanessa L. Williams and Lil’ Bow Wow, The Johnson Family Vacation is about The Johnson family’s attempt to have a decent vacation on their way to a family reunion. Directed

by Christopher Erskin. (PG13, 97 mins).

Cumulative gross: $20,977,918.

Hellboy, part of the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense, perpares to fight evil.

jam packed with action sequences but doesn’t skimp on longing for a normal life. Here, the devil that shaves down character development. Del Toro takes the most unlikely his horns to stubs each week (to appear more normal, one of heroes, a 6-5 red devil from an alternate dimension, example of the tongue-in-cheek humor found throughout and makes him as easy to root for as Captain America Hellboy) is fleshed out with emotions that any adolescent male (the films target audience) can relate or Superman, protectors of the American to perfectly. In one of the more interesting dream.

Movie Review scenes in the movie, Hellboy shadows Liz The story is classic superhero improbHellboy and Meyers, as they go on a date, and ends ability. It begins as Hitler is desperate for up venting to a young boy as they share milk any advantage against the allies as WWII and cookies that the boy’s mother made. comes to a close in 1944. He employs the help Hellboy’s main adversary is a dog from of Grigori Rasputin (advisor to the Russian For its fascinating hell, resurrected by Rasputin (he being resCzars in the early 1900’s, was poisoned, characters and quality urrected by his two most loyal followers, his shot, stabbed, castrated, dragged behind a entertainment. lover and Hitler’s former personal assassin) horse drawn carriage, and drowned before that multiplies anytime one is destroyed. he finally died), to open up an alternate The film begins a vicious cycle as Hellboy dimension and unleashing the terror of hell fights one hellhound after another, until, upon the world. US Special Forces, under with the help of Liz and Meyers, he destroys the command of Professor Trevor “Broom” Buttenholm, FDR’s spiritual leader, stop the Nazi’s from them all at once.

This is the only issue with the film, as it loses some attaining their goal. They exile Rasputin to hell, without any monsters coming through, save for a small devil-like steam as it enters its third act. One scene in particular, when Hellboy and FBI agent have to cross a collapsing child with an enormous concrete hand.

Fast-forward 60 years, and Hellboy has become the bridge, is drawn on and does nothing to progress the spearhead of the FBI’s bureau for paranormal research, story. Also, the final battle is anticlimactic. Without giva top-secret branch that protects the world from “things ing away any spoilers, the battle is short and the villains that bump in the night”. We are introduced to Hellboy die too simply. This could have been done intentionally, through the eyes of young agent John Meyers (Rupert to devote more time to the Liz and Hellboy relationship, Evans), Bruttenholm’s hand-picked replacement. Hell- which the film ends on.

While many of the scenes are campy, the action over boy, who ages in “reverse doggy years” has gained the maturity level of a boy in his teens. This leads to one of the top, and the story absolutely implausible, Hellboy the more interesting aspects of the film, Hellboy’s love spends enough time developing its unique characters for fellow “freak” Liz Sherman, played by Selma Blair. and was made with such clear enthusiasm for the work Sherman, a young woman with the ability to create and which translates onto the screen Hellboy is a blast of a manipulate fire, left the bureau for a mental hospital, film definitely worth your time at the theaters.

B+

Kill Bill 2: the better half of revenge becomes clear thanks to a very lengthy dialogue at the resolution of the story. The complex and entertaining plot seems packed entirely into this installment, which left the “And when I arrive at my destination, I am going first lacking, but makes the second all the better.

Acting is also considerably better—though likely to kill Bill,” proclaims Uma Thurman as she drives towards the culmination of her character’s revenge. The from the presence of actual dialogue. Carradine, the much-talked-about Kill Bill has indeed finally reached star of the rather dull Kung-Fu, returns to the screen, again as a kung-fu master with a desperado its destination with Volume 2, the second attitude. In this familiar role, Carradine acand final installment in director Quentin Movie Review tually does well establishing the character Tarantino’s new story.

Kill Bill 2 and story during his frequent monologues.

“I’ve killed a lot of people to get to this Uma Thurman is also enjoyable in her role. point,” she says. Which is true. In fact, the because she co-wrote the story with Taranentirety of the less than mediocre Volume tino, she is well-suited to the script. Other 1 detailed the bloody killing spree of The For an intricate plot that acting talent includes Daryl Hannah as Bride (Thurman). Plot was in short order is told through excellent the deceitful Elle, and a cameo appearance as we knew little of The Bride’s history or cinematography.

by Samuel L. Jackson, who has become a of her mission. But in this sequel the entire mainstay in Tarantino’s work. back-story is finally revealed. The Bride’s If there’s one quality that defines Tarantiex-boss and leader of the Deadly Viper no’s films, it’s cinematography. The complex Assassination Squad, Bill, (David Carradine), conducted the “El-Paso Massacre” at her wedding story is told through ingenious uses of the camera. In one rehearsal, in which he nearly killed our heroine. We also of the most creative scenes, The Bride is buried alive in discover that the ex-boss is also apparently the ex-lover, a coffin. Tarantino presents this moment with a simple and that the baby she is carrying belongs to Bill. The black screen and then several very creative camera filters Bride’s history with Bill is revealed in short flashbacks to create a very believable scene. And as in Volume 1, there are numerous innovative camera angles that add conveniently scattered throughout the story.

The sudden revelation of the plot that was missing to the feel and give Kill Bill its atmosphere.

Despite its over-exaggerated style, the idea works. A from Volume 1 is a little confusing at first, but eventually

good script with good dialogue helps Thurman and Carradine create a believable on-screen relationship. The creative story, thick plot, and subtle humor simply make the second installment in this series better than the first.

The pieces of Kill Bill Volume 2 just seem to fit, creating an entertaining experience with the original touch we’ve come to expect from Tarantino.

up the topic she thinks that I just want them for myself. How do I help her stop talking to strange people online?

-Nervous Networker

very possible since she already says that she loves these digital personalities. The people who your sister is talking to might ask for personal information like an email address, phone number or home address, and your sister needs to know the safety precautions to doing something like this.

What you must do as a responsible sister is express your concerned feelings to her and clearly state why she is putting herself in a bad situation. Do not allow the conversation to become an argument. Stay calm, even if she starts to make accusations about you wanting to steal her friends. If she does not listen to you then bring a parent into the situation and have them talk to her. If she still won’t listen, then it’s time to pull the plug. For more information on this topic visit www.besafeonline.org

BY CHRIS SOPHER Ad Manager

4. HELLBOY

Starring Ron Perlman, Selma Blair and Rupart Evans, Hellboy is about a hellspawned baby who is raised by humans and must fight against evil paranormal forces. Directed by: Guillermo del Toro.

(PG13, 125 mins). Cumulative Gross: $50,308,617.

5. HOME ON THE RANGE

Starring Rosenne, G.W. Baily and Cuba Gooding, Jr., Home On The Range is about a group of animals who go on a hunt for an outlaw in order to save their farm. Directed by: Will Finn and John Sanford. (PG, 76 mins). Cumulative Gross: $37,782,081.

B+

Dear Abby Advice Column

By Abby Segall Dear Abby, I have a sister who I love very much, but she’s always in a chat room talking to boys and sometimes she acts like she’s in love with them.

She is only 9 years old and when I try to talk to her about this, she does not listen to me. I don’t know what to say anymore because when I bring

Your sister is allowing herself to get into a scary situation by constantly entering chat rooms and developing feelings for people she meets online. For all she knows, the people she meets in the chat rooms could be anywhere from six to 60 year olds, telling her they are also nine. Your sister probably does not understand this, so it is your responsibility to do let her know or have a parent talk to her. According to www.besafeonline.org, young people “may come into contact with people whose intentions are bad; there have been cases of young people being approached online by adults or adolescents who aim to develop a relationship with them in the real world, a relationship that might end in criminal activity such as rape.”

Your sister is at a vulnerable young age at might be easily seduced by an online pal. This situation seems

Black Mamba is trained by martial arts master Pai Mei, who is over 1,000 years old.

Dear Abby was originally written by Pauline Phillips and is written in The A-Blast by senior Abby Segall. To contact Abby with your questions e-mail her at Abbyiss527@aol.com or drop your question off in the Publications Lab, room 233.

April 26, 2004

ENTERTAINMENT

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Fiddler’s in the audience Two area high school students and Cappie members review AHS’ drama departments latest feature, Fiddler on the Roof In the darkness of a still auditorium, beautiful violin music filled the air. This was not the violin of an orchestra member, but of one of the show’s characters-the fiddler on the roof (Ryan Herold). Annandale High School’s show by that name is the story of a Jewish family trying to balance the changes of the modern world with their revered Jewish traditions. Their lives are just as shaky as that fiddler trying to keep his balance on the roof as the family deals with religious discrimination, true love, and other obstacles that test their bond.

The family patriarch is Tevye, played with poise by Jonathon Seiden who exuded a stage presence that only got stronger as the play progressed. His chemistry with Ashley Lippolis, who portrayed Tevye’s wife Golde, was especially evident during the touching number “Do You Love Me?” For her part, Lippolis balanced acting talents with a beautiful, emotional voice that completed her character.

Though not all of the actors appeared to have a firm understanding of their characters, the vocal quality of this show was very impressive. Even without body mics, the actors’ voices carried to the back of the balcony. Though some lines were a bit muffled, the overall vocal quality did not suffer as a result. Some standout vocalists included Kelly Harbison, playing Tevye’s daughter Tzeitel; Jamison Foreman as a Russian, and later as a bottle dancer; and Jesse Vollrath andAubrey Welch who created memorable characters in the song “The Dream.”

On the technical side, Keris KrennHrubec and Coury Shadyac’s costumes were wonderful. Though the set changes were at times slow, chorus members sometimes walked in front of the curtain to entertain the audience and keep the pace of the show from lagging too much. Sometimes entire scenes were played in front of the curtain while the set crew changed the scene, and though the audience could hear backstage noise, this was a good use of stage space.

With their gorgeous voices and growing energy, Annandale showed why this show is considered such a

classic. Congratulation on job well done!

Christy Denny is a student and Cappie at West Springfield High School.

“Without our traditions, our lives would be as shaky as a fiddler on the roof!”, Tevye (Jonathan Seiden) exclaims in one of his monologues.

Annandale High School’s performance of “Fiddler on the Roof” was captivating, and anything but shaky.

“Fiddler on the Roof” takes place in 19th century Russia, in the small, mostly Jewish, town of Anatevka. The Sophomore Jamie Formeman, senior Jonathan Seiden and sophomore Sam Rabonwitz share a story revolves around drink in the drama departmentʼs production of Fiddler on the Roof. the Jewish milkman Tevye (Seiden), his Tzeitel is the first of Tevye’s daughters to deny an arwife, Golde (Ashley Lippolis), and three of their daugh- ranged marriage. Harbison superbly demonstrates her ters, Tzeitel (Kelly Harbison), Hodel (Danielle Larmett), struggle between wishing to be with her true love and and Chava (Katie Burton). Tevye’s daughters reject pleasing her father by preserving tradition. Harbison’s traditional matchmaking and choose to marry for love, beautiful voice astounded the audience whenever she an unheard of practice at the time. Tevye must face the sang. Portraying Hodel and Chava with small and difficult decision of whether to maintain his Jewish tradi- subtle gestures and facial expressions, Larmett and tion or allow his daughters to live happily.

Burton each crafted characters filled with timidity and Seiden connected with the audience in moments fear. Their voices, however, were anything but fearful. of light-hearted banter while strengthening that bond In each production number, the ensemble’s vocal work during moments of despair and solemnity. The stron- brought chills to an already moved audience. gest aspect of Seiden’s portrayal of Tevye, however, was With phenomenal singing and overpowering energy, his powerful voice, most richly displayed in the show’s Annandale’s production of “Fiddler on the Roof” makes opening number, “Tradition.” As Golde, Lippolis com- one want to raise a glass in praise: “To life, L’chaim!” manded respect from the audience, both for the character Becca Gibson is a student and Cappie at South Lakes she portrayed and for her acting skill. That skill was most High School. evident in her dialogue with Seiden. One of the strongest The Cappies is a national program, composed of high vocalists in the show, Lippolis awed the audience each school students from across the country. Cappies travel to time her mouth opened in song. Seiden and Lippolis to- different high school’s plays and write and publish reviews gether, however, produced the most amazing aspect of the of them. At the end of the year they hold their own Tonyentire performance. Their voices blended magnificently style awards, in which they recognize actresses and actors in each song, and their vocal power intensified the already for their accomplishments in acting. exceptional chemistry they shared.

Kevin Smith: the unlikely cult icon

BY JOHN REISS Entertainment Editor As Quentin Tarantino’s newest film, Kill Bill Vol. 2 opened last week, the words, “The fifth movie by Quentin Tarantino” scroll across the screen. On March 19th, the fifth film by Kevin Smith, Jersey Girl, opened and while Smith does not command the same cult icon status as Tarantino, he is well on his way to attaining it.

In 1994, Kevin Smith wrote and directed his first movie, Clerks, which was featured at the Sundance Film Festival that year and received critical acclaim. The film takes place during a day in the life of two nowhere-bound convenience and video store clerks (Dante and Randal), and the two eccentric drug dealers (Jay and Silent Bob) who constantly hang out outside the stores. Totally shot in black and white, the success of Clerks brought Smith recognition not only to his directing skills, but to the druggie-duo he created with his friend Jason Mewes: Jay and Silent Bob. Soon after in ‘95, Smith wrote and directed what he saw as a “smart Porky’s,” a movie called Mallrats.

Mallrats was essentially a film about nothing in which he followed the tale of two heartbroken friends and their trip to the mall. This movie featured Ben Affleck in his first of four rolls in Kevin Smith movies. Despite a flop in the box office, video and DVD sales have proven Mallrats to be one of Smith’s best endeavors so far.

While filming Mallrats, Smith became close friends withAffleck, as well as other co-stars Jason Lee and Joey Lauren Adams. Through a relationship with Adams, Smith was able to write and direct his next movie, Chasing Amy, which earned him several independent spirit awards.

Chasing Amy was Smith’s breakthrough into mainstream. With Ben Affleck and Jason Lee starring as aspiring comic book artists Holden and Banky, Holden falls in love with another comic book artist, Alyssa (Joey Lauren Adams), only to discover that she is a lesbian.

Again in Chasing Amy, as in his two previous movies, Smith includes his character of Silent Bob and Jay, as

real life representations of what Holden and Banky’s comic is based on.

Through his friendship with Affleck, Smith was the executive producer for his and Matt Damon’s writing debut in Good Will Hunting. Combining the big screen appeal of Damon and Affleck, Smith placed them as two fallen angels trying to get back into Heaven in the controversial 1999 film, Dogma. However, if they attempt to get back into Heaven they will systematically end Human existence and only the last descendent of Christ can stop them.

Although Smith has made Jersey Girl director Kevin Smith describse his vision to Ben Affleck and Liv Tyler. each of his movies unique, Jersey Girl is Affleckʼs fourth time working with Smith in a movie which he has written. there are certain themes and niches, which he makes childbirth. Out of luck in New York, he moves back to his consistent through all of his movies. Renowned for his hometown of Highland Jersey where he lives the life of a hometown pride of Red Bank, New Jersey, Smith bases single father, and learns that he doesn’t have to try and all of his movies out of small suburban towns in New be someone, when he already knows who he is. Along Jersey. Also, with respects to his love of comic books, each the way he finds new romance in the form of a local video of his movies includes some mention of comics, either clerk, played by Liv Tyler, and becomes forced to choose minuscule or as a key part of the story. The characters between the life he once led and is right for him. While of a comic of Smith’s own creation, Jay and Silent Bob, the movie was not the best in Smith’s repertoire, he did are also integral to and a mark of a Kevin Smith movie. bring out in BenAffleck, what had long been dormant; the Another filming method of Smith’s includes continuity ability to play a compassionate role, successfully, instead with his casting. Although there have been exceptions the pretentious jerk he is often associated with. within movies, Smith has always casted the same general Despite lack of blockbuster success in his movies, people for lead or supporting roles, including Jason Lee, Smith is not filing for bankruptcy. Jokes, sayings and Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Joey Lauren Adams, Brian moments from movies in Smith’s career have made O’Halloran and Jason Mewes. a mark on the underground side of pop culture. Not With Smith’s newest film, Jersey Girl, he departs from through any revolution in cinematography, but through his usual blend of comedy and romance and pursues an a unique style of structuring his filmmaking has Kevin almost trite story line. Big New York music publicist Smith established himself as a growing cult icon.

Ollie Trinke’s life was great until his wife died during

Coheed and Cambria bring sci-fi to DC

BY DAVID SHERMAN Journalism I Student

Coheed lead singer Claudio Sanchez rockʼs out.

Upon entering the tiny concert hall that is the 9:30 Club you are hit with the strong aroma of alcohol, tobacco, and sweat. On April 13, the New York-based band Coheed and Cambria headlined a four act show at the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C. The doors opened at 7:00 pm, allowing a sold-out crowd to work their way to the front of the hall or take a spot along the rail of the second floor balcony. The Indianapolis band Brazil kicked things off around 8:00, but seemed unable to really get the crowd in the mood for the usual moshing and shoving that takes place at the 9:30 Club. For the most part the crowd stayed pretty calm throughout the six or seven song set, and seemed even a little bored when Brazil’s last song dragged on for almost 10 minutes. Welsh band Funeral For

a Friend came on next and immediately caught the crowd’s attention through the screaming vocals of lead singer, Matt Davies. Funeral for a Friend, who sound very much like Delaware band Boy Sets Fire, played “Juneau” and “The Art of American Football”, among others. After a great performance, Rainer Maria, a trio with a more melodic set, took the stage. But once again the crowd settled down and counted down the minutes untill Coheed.

When Rainer Maria finished there was another wait which lasted about 15 minutes during which the crowd started to get revved up.

Coheed came out playing their song “In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3” off of their second album of the same name. Starting their act at 10:30, Coheed played until about midnight, and probably would have played longer but lead singer Claudio Sanchez said his throat was “all

[messed] up.” They played songs off their first album The Second Stage Turbine Blade including “Devil In New Jersey” and “Delirium Trigger,” and also played off their second album with songs like “The Crowning” and “Blood Red Summer.” Coheed and Cambria, consisting of Claudio Sanchez (vocals/guitar), Travis Stever (guitar), Michael Todd (bass), and Joshua Eppard (drums), are known for their very high pitched, almost feminine, vocals from Sanchez. Coheed involved the surging crowd in every song, at times letting them fill in the vocals while the members hammered out the songs. For an encore they came back out to play the fan favorite“Everything Evil” and then fooled around, improvising for about half an hour; which seemed to entertain the crowd for the most part. All in all, the four hours worth of music was more than worth the bruises and the $12 ticket.

19 HOROSCOPES Aries (March 21- April 19) Good time for public relations and sales. Work to achieve your emotional objectives. Make plans and goals for the 12 months.

Start a new cycle for self-expression, leadership, honor and glory.

Taurus (April 30-May 20)

You can be a dash extravagant.

Work to become simultaneously open-minded and focused. Improved self-expression is dramatic and subtle. Unique new opportunities bring pleasant surprises.

Gemini (May 21-June 21) Good things can happen in your dreams and while you’re asleep.

Positive deeds bring you the benefits and advantages that you desire. Network.

Exchange ideas.

Cancer (June 22-July 22) Take your most ambitious idea, make an action plan and work to make it reality. Give your feelings new life. You are challenged to act in your own best interests. You’re challenged to stay lively and alert.

Leo (July 22-August 22) Spend time on the home front with your favorite people. Go with the flow. Be creative and sexy. Enjoy top notch professional entertainment.

Organization and negotiation brings favorable agreements.

Virgo (August 23-Sept. 22) Your sensitivity is strong and intense. Once you master selfassurance, you can better relate to others. Choose to grow. Your genuine respect can have miraculous effects. Be courageous, daring and sexy.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Make a new balance between your personal needs and your employment status. The greater the contrast, the greater the potential.

Get in touch with mother earth.

Tend to practical affairs. Think before you speak.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Bring out better character traits.

Work with appropriate professionals. It’s easy to enjoy new duties and routines. You can improve your sense of well being. Take pleasure in new experience.

Sagittarius (Nov. 2-Dec. 21) Spend time on the home front with your favorite people. Go with the flow. Be creative and sexy. Enjoy top notch professional entertainment.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Take your most ambitious idea, make an action plan and work to make it reality. Give your feelings new life. You are challenged to act in your own best interests. You’re challenged to stay lively and alert.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb.18) Good things can happen in your dreams and while you’re asleep.

Positive deeds bring you the benefits and advantages that you desire. Exchange ideas.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) Your sensitivity is strong and intense. Once you master selfassurance, you can better relate to others. Choose to grow. Your genuine respect can have miraculous effects.

Hiking and walking— This is probably the most popular activity at Great Falls, which has over 15 miles of mapped trails. Walking along the towpath is the easiest trail to walk on, but the Billy Goat Trail provides a more challenging hike.You will need adequate shoes with ankle support to walk on the trails, especially on the strenuous trails and rocky terrain.

Biking— Another popular option on the towpath, biking can be a relaxing or stressful activity. The towpath is the only location where bikers are allowed to ride. The National Park Service has set rules for bikers, some being that you cannot ride above 15 M.P.H., and helmets are required within the local ordinances.

Boating—Canoeing and kayaking at Great Falls is available, but there are more stringent requirements. Several areas are off-limits, and life jackets are mandatory in the whitewater areas.

Fishing— There are several regions along the Potomac where fishing is allowed, except only from the shore. Fly fishing is not allowed in the rougher regions. Fishing licenses are also required, but it is dependent on the state laws.

PHOTOS FROM WWW.REI.COM

April 26, 2004

Great Falls

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY PAUL GLEASON

Survival Kit for Great Falls: Only the essentials for your outdoor adventure.

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It’s more than just water, it’s an adventure

BY LAURA JOHNSON AND ELIZABETH NOWROUZ Weekend Editors When President Theodore Roosevelt appropriated funds to establish the National Park Service in 1902, his intention was that eventually the money would be used to preserve hundreds of beautifulAmerican wildlife sites. The Maryland and Virginia land surrounding the Potomac River is named Great Falls and was declared a National Park in 1966. Since then, Great Falls has evolved into a staple of the Washington D.C. area, and a highly visited tourist attraction.

Great Falls National Park encompasses many aspects of the Potomac region, with land in Virginia, Maryland and Washington D.C. 900 acres of the park are located in Maryland, and 800 are in Virginia. Also located in the park is the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Historical Park in Maryland. The C & O Canal follows the Potomac River for 184.5 miles from Washington D.C. to Cumberland, Maryland.

We visited the section of Great Falls located in Maryland, several miles off the beltway; this National Park provides many different types of recreation. Hiking, biking, fishing, rowing, or just viewing, are all easily accessible options at Great Falls.

Junior Brandon Flowers said, “It is very beautiful at Great Falls. I really like the hiking and biking, plus looking over at the falls.”

The widely used towpath is a haven for hikers, bikers, and runners. It is a flat, sandy path which runs between the Potomac River and the Patowmack Canal. Many bridges are built to get across the canal, so the towpath is structured as the central trail, and it also leads to the more remote and harder trails. The harder hiking trail is the Billy Goat Trail, which is located around Bear Island

PAUL GLEASON

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WEEKEND

Frances (the mule) is enjoying the attention from a young boy visiting Great Falls.

and running approximately 4.7 miles and ranges from the moderate to strenuous level.

Sophomore Mary Draper said, “I love walking to the edge of cliffs and looking at the waterfalls. I also like to go hiking at Great Falls.”

Biking is another very popular option at Great Falls.

It is only allowed on the towpath, because the other trails are too rocky for mountain bikes. Junior Diana Hollingsworth said, “They [Great Falls] have a very scenic bike trail that I like to bike on. Also, I see ducks and lizards there.”

The wildlife at Great Falls is flourishing as much as the plants and trees are in the springtime. The typical animals you will find are squirrels, birds, ducks, geese, and you have a good chance of spotting deer in the forests, which are on the other side of the towpath.

Even though Great Falls is revolved around water, swimming in the Potomac is strictly prohibited because many people frequently drown in the river. Even in the calm areas, there is some hazard because the currents are very strong, and it is very easy to get swept away by the water.

Despite the fact that there are strict regulations on swimming, boating in the Potomac is for the most part admissible. Canoeing and kayaking are two of the most intense options at Great Falls, but with a life jacket the risk is reduced.

If you aren’t in an exercising mood, or don’t have your running shoes, the rocks are the perfect place to sit and relax, soaking up some sun rays and listening to the rushing waters. For those who haven’t been to Great Falls, the picture perfect scenery features the the rushing water flowing over the rocks.

Many people like the serenity of Great Falls, such as sophomore Hallie Hubble who said, “It’s very peaceful and relaxing, I like to sit on the rocks.”

Freshman Daniel Lagdameo said, “I like the view, it’s very relaxing looking at the waterfalls.”

The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Park offers information about the history of the canals, and of the park. The National Park Service also provides animal demonstrations, such as Frances mule, show at the left. The mules served as a very vital aspect of the canals, because they pulled the canal boats along the canal, from the towpath.

An average canal boat is also on display in the canal. The park rangers are always ready and willing to answer any of your questions.

The picturesque scenery at Great Falls, in addition to the endless activities, make it a great day trip for a gorgeous spring day. Plus, it’s cheap, and good for you, what more could you want?

Essential information for your visit to Great Falls

FROM WWW.NPS.GOV/CHOH

Upcoming Concerts APRIL 28

MAY 3 Nelly Furtado and eastmontainsouth @ 930 Club. Starting at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25.

Visit www.930.com for more information.

MAY 6 Ginuwine, Joe, and Jagged Edge @ D.A.R. Constitution Hall starting at 7:00 p.m.

Tickets are $60.75. Visit www.dar.org/conthall for more information.

MAY 8 WMZQ Fest starring Reba McEntire with Phil Vassar, Tracy Byrd, and Andy Griggs @ Nissan Pavilion starting at 12:30 p.m. Tickets range from $24.50 to $63. Visit www.wmzq.com for more information.

MAY 10 Blondie@ 930 Club starting at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $40.

Visit www.930.com for more information.

This encompassing map of Great Falls shows the division between C & O National Park and Great Falls National Park in VA.

Fresh Caribbean cuisine at Mango Mike’s The atmosphere of Mango Mike’s is so realistic that you can almost hear the pounding surf in the background.

Palm trees decorate Restaurant guide the entire dining area, along with numerous

By Elizabeth Nowrouz and Laura Johnson recreations of sights native to the beach, Pulling into the parking lot at Mango such as fountains and surfboards hangMike’s in Alexandria, you may mistake ing from the walls.

The bar at Mango Mike’s is quite an the suburban restaurant for a sandy oceanside eatery. This is just the impres- experience unto itself. Not only are drinks sion that Mango Mike’s strives to convey. served to the over-21 crowd, a small stage The front of the modest, one-story beside the bar sometimes hosts local building is decorated with sand surround- bands, but the music that flows throughing the walls, exotic plants both natural out the restaurant is centered there. When and artificial and even a real lifeguard’s there aren’t bands, some other sort of activity available for customers stand. As the weather has gotten to take part in during warmer, more decorations their visit, such as sprout up, especially karaoke. One of the around the popular outmost exciting opdoor deck. tions proves to be the With several different salsa lessons offered dining rooms, finding on different nights of seating rarely proves to be a the week. Regardless of large issue, even on the weekends.

Once guided to your table, warm skill level or capability, anyone can come hushpuppies are served to you as you to Mango Mike’s for an evening of dancing, ponder over the vast selections of seafood food and fun.

While the atmosphere and activities of and other “house favorites,” such as a variety of poultry and steak dishes. While the restaurant are exciting, they in no way Mango Mike’s prides itself in its fresh food take away from the culinary experience. from the sea, it has multiple items that For our meal we ordered the Shell Bowl you would find in any local restaurant. and the Snow Crab Legs. The Shell Bowl Located under the “Not In The Mood for contained shrimp, scallops, mussels and Island Food” section, you will find tasty clams cooked in a garlic- butter- white alternatives such as chicken pasta and wine sauce and served over linguini pasta. the veggie platter.

N O V A Nibbles

ELIZABETH NOWROUZ

Story Of The Year @ 930 Club starting at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $14. Visit www.930.com for ticket information.

Directions to Great Falls VA— Take I-495 North to Exit 44 (Route 193), go west.

Turn right on Old Dominion Drive, and go straight for 1 mile to the entrance.

Directions to Great Falls MD— Take I-495 North to Clara Barton Pkwy. Follow for approximately 2 miles, and turn left onto MacArthur Blvd. The visitorʼs center is on the left in 3 miles.

Prices for 3-day parking— $5 per vehicle, $3 per walker/ cyclist Great Falls VA phone number— 703-285-2965 Great Falls MD phone number— 301-714-3714 VA hours— The park is open all hours, visitor center is open 7 days a week, 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

MD hours— The park is open all hours, visitor center is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends.

The island style bar featured in the center of Mango Mikeʼs in Alexandria serves Caribbean inspired drinks, to correlate with the beach atmosphere.

The Snow Crab Legs were served hot with a homemade butter sauce and fresh lemon. We were apprehensive about eating seafood so far away from the ocean, as it does not generally keep well, but we were pleasantly surprised by Mango Mike’s.

Possibly the most creative addition to our meal was the Shark Attack, an enormous Shirley Temple with a creative theme. The drink was served in a medium- sized fishbowl with multiple cherries, lots of ice and a plastic shark.

The SharkAttack, while creative, was a bit exorbitant. At $6.95, a regular drink

would have been much more sensible.

Overall, the prices are not cheap, but not incredibly steep either. The Shell Bowl was $15 and the Snow Crab Legs ran at $11 per plate.

Almost every meal offered very generous portions and there were plenty of leftovers.

Mango Mike’s is located at 4580 Duke St. in Alexandria. The phone number is 703-370-3800 and its website is www.mangomikes.com, which has a plethora of information, from salsa lessons times to photos of the restaurant.