Issue 14

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700 Medford Dr. Annandale, VA 22003

8-9

11

AFTER AHS...

LIFEGUARDING

ATOMVERSARY PHOTOS

As the class of 2004 says goodbye, many of them will be traveling near and far for a higher education

NEWS BRIEFS Fairfax County appoints new superintendent

On May 27, the FCPS School Board elected a new superintendent to replace Daniel Domenech. Jack D. Dale, who was has been the superintendent for Frederick County Public Schools since 1996 will officially take on his new role on July 1, 2004. In 2000 Dale won the Maryland Superintendent of the Yea and he Maryland Instructional Computers Coordinators Association award in 2004.

According to Washingtonpost.com, Dale will receive a four-year contract for $237,000 annually. Even though Frederick County is one-fourth the size of Fairfax County, the press release from FCPS states that the School Board president Kathy Smith said, “[Dr. Dale] understands the importance of serving as an advocate for the schools at the state level. He has experience working closely with the community and with local businesses... We are confident he is the right person for the job.”

Yearbooks are distributed

BY MEG NIELSEN Co-Editor-In-chief

“Annandale is the same school, red and white, with good teachers and nice kids. Annandale has always been a special place because of the community and all the other things that go with it, and [the Atomversary] is just a continuation of that spirit,” said Jim Finch, former principal of AHS from 1966 to 1986.

After special events all year, AHS finalized its golden anniversary with the Atomversary, a weekend long celebration beginning Fri., June 4 and concluding Sat., June 4.

The events began on Fri. with boys and girls basketball and girls lacrosse alumni games, and continued with the rededication of the baseball to former baseball coach Dave Carter. Friday night was also an open house, giving alumni a chance to tour the building, and meet with old friends. “[The Atomversary] has just been a lot of joy and happiness, seeing all of [my] old friends,” said Chuck Howery, class of 1959.

“I thought it was great to see the young and the not so young get together. It was fun talking to Keith Watson to reminsice over football and share that common bond,” said George Fruchterman, class of 1984.

Sat. morning began with entertainment including martial arts, Annandale Terrace jump ropers, and a break dancing

Former AHS principals Ralph Buckley, Jim Finch, Ray Watson and Don Clausen stand with current principal Rod Manuel in Causen Hall at a former and current faculty reception. All of the principals were honored at the Atomversary Rededication ceremony Sat. June 5.

exhibition. Activity tables were also set up in the cafeteria, with activities such as face painting and ‘knock down the cans’for kids, as well as a quilt raffle and craft show for adults. “…the booths were so well designed and thought out. There was such a variety of things for [children] to do,” said Cindy Hook, chairperson of theAtomversary committee, and former student and teacher and current field hockey and lacrosse coach.

BY MOLLY STERLACCI AND JOE WILBUR Health Editor and Entertainment Editor

The band peforms “From Threads of the Past”, by Robert W. Smith, a specially comissioned piece for the Atomversary rededication celebration June 5.

Due to different causes, gas prices in the Northern Virginia area have been rising at staggering rate, it is difficult to find a gallon of regular unleaded gas for under $2.

Of students who drive, are you cutting back spending in other areas?

YES

49%

NO

51%

Are you making an effort to drive less because of the high prices?

YES NO

42%

58%

This survey was distributed during R5 lunches on June 3 to 567 students, and 439 responded positively to being able to drive .

Despite the majority of the events being scheduled to be outside, the rain on both days did not significantly damper the events. “…considering how much it was raining, I was amazed at the number of people that came out,” said Hook.

The weekend was marked by Sat.’s Rededication Ceremony, during which AHS honored its five principals. “Talk about how AHS gets in your blood. If you’re here for a little while and tap into that Annandale

spirit and tradition of excellence you really don’t want to go teach or work anywhere else…I think having principals that like to stay here for long periods of time really says a lot about our school,” said Hook.

The ceremony opened with the AHS symphonic band playing the Star Spangled Banner, followed by choral students singing the high school alma mater, leading into a special performance by the band of “From Threads of the past, the Fabric of Our Future”, a song specially commissioned song for the Atomversary.

The ceremony was attended by former principals (in chronological order) Ralph Buckley, Jim Finch, Ray Watson, Don Clausen, and current principal Rod Manuel. The new Grand Entrance Hall was dedicated to Buckley, and theAuditorium was dedicated to Watson. “They had no idea. Watson was truly overwhelmed…touched doesn’t even begin to describe it,” said Hook.

The ceremony concluded with Manuel’s acceptance of the school back from its four former principals. “For all this to happen my first year is really quite and honor and to be able to stand up with the four past principals and receive the building again for our fiftieth anniversary again was really special,” said Manuel.

The events of the weekend were intended to both celebrate the past accomplishments ofAHS, as well as to remind the community of what AHS stand for today.

“Atomversary” continued on p. 4

Band plays last note at concert and banquet

Band commemorates Atomversary

Rising gas prices

As seniors graduate, the ABlast says goodbye to twenty-five loyal senior staff members

ATOMversary finale

:LAURA JOHNSON

Students crammed into the main gym during R7 and W6 flex on on June 4 to receive the Antenna’s 50th edition. Yearbook advisor Niki Holmes said, “It went really well on Friday considering we were cycling to the entire school, with 5000 bodies going through.” She gave the number 5000 because teachers brought their classes down twice. 1200 yearbooks were ordered, and all but approximately 200 were distributed in 90- minutes. Yesterday, June 7, 100 were distributed afterschool in room C2, and the remaining 100 will be distributed today afterschool in the same room, across from the cafeteria.

Five generations of principals come back to cheer on the 50th anniversary, with the help of AHS students

16

SAYING GOODBYE

LAURA JOHNSON

Many students plan to spend the summer working out in the sun as lifeguards at area pools

703-642-4229

TUESDAY JUNE 8, 2004

The band ended their year with a successful series of concerts and their annual awards banquet on June 1-3.

At the June 1 fiftieth Anniversary Spring Concert the Gold and Red Concert Bands presented Eternal Journey by Victor Lopez, Over the Rainbow by Harold Arlen and arranged by Jerry Brubaker, The Girl from Ipanema byAntonio Carlos Jobim and arranged by Ted Ricketts, and a symphony of various recognizable pieces arranged by Douglas Wagner.

The Symphonic Band played the Blues Brothers Revue, From Threads of the Past, The Fabric of Our Future by Robert W. Smith, a specially commissioned piece specifically for the Atomversary.

Junior Jimmy Connor, a member of the Symphonic and Jazz bands, said “The Symphonic band concer twent pretty well, except for some of our numbers which weren’t ready so they sounded a bit rough, be we still made it through them and overall, it was pretty good.”

On June 2nd, the Jazz Bands and Percussion Ensemble joined with theAnnandale Singers to hold their Spring Jazz and Percussion Concert. The Percussion Ensemble performed movements 1 &2 of Perspectives

by Lawrence Wiener, Swedish Folk Song, arranged by Cort McClaren, and the First Movement of Acoustic Suite by William Schinstine.

The Thursday Band played Dizzy Atomosphere by Dizze Gillespie Blues On Parade by Woody Herman and Toby Tyler,, Pennsylvania 6-5000 by Carl Sigman and Jerry Gray, and Fowl Play by Kris Berry.

On June 3, the bands held their annual awards ceremony in which they awarded various members of the band for their accomplishments during the past year.

Two of the most significant awards were John Kilgore, the recipient of the John Philip Sousa Band Award, and Andrew Winters, who won the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award.

“I think we were quite successful this year overall, especially at the Spring Trip at Myrtle Beach because we won a lot of awards and we played really well,” said Connor.

Four years ending With graduation looming ahead, seniors close out the year with exams

BY STACEY MARIN Sports Editor With just four days left of school for seniors, the remaining days can be counted down by the hour. Final exams this week are one more thing out of the way, bringing the last day of school and graduation closer and closer for the 490 seniors at AHS. The senior awards ceremony, one of the last times the senior class will be together, will be held today, June 8, at 8:00 am in the auditorium. “[The awards ceremony] is something special that kicks of the last week of school for seniors,” Guidance Director Steve Sengstack said.

Students who have won awards have been notified by mail that they have won an award so that they will be in attendance of the event. Parents are also informed so that they can be at the awards ceremony.

Students are not told what award they have won, which is announced at the ceremony.

Unlike many schools, AHS chooses to hold their senior award ceremony during the day. “Many schools do awards ceremonies at night because it’s a better opportunities for parents to attend,” Sengstack said.

“We do it during the day so it’s in front of your peers, people you were with all these years. It makes it a nicer ceremony.”

Awards that will be presented include various scholarships and recognition of students by each department in the school. This year five new awards will be given out to students. These awards consist of the Black Cultural Awareness Association Scholarship, the George Mason University Scholars Scholarship, Peer Mediation Award, Attendance Award, and the Donald Clausen Scholarship. Also for the first time, the three foreign exchange program students will be recognized. “[The awards ceremony] is a nice kick off [to a big week],” Sengstack said.

“Then there are senior exams, graduation rehearsal, baccalaureate, and a week later they’re graduates.”

Before graduation, seniors will have a mandatory graduation rehearsal on Fri., June 11. Exams will be through Thursday of this week. Cap and gown pickup will be on Mon., June 14. Also on Mon., June 14 will be the baccalaureate, a nondenominational event which will be held at AHS at 7:00 pm.

“Senior” story continued on p. 4

ELIZABETH NOWROUZ

VOLUME #49 ISSUE 14

ANNANDALE HIGH SCHOOL

The AHS drama department performed its annual Company Play on May 28, dividing the program into two seperate productions, “A Merry Regiment of Women” and “The Taming of the Shrew.” Junior Cristina Tuluceanu (above) played Lady Macbeth in “A Merry Regiment of Women”. Story on page 4.

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EDITORIALS

Dear Editors, I was pleased to have been interviewed for a recent A-Blast article on Blackboard.com, but I am writing to correct what I believe was an incorrect quotation in theApril 26th edition. I never stated that I “hated” any kind of learning to any reporter at any time. In fact, modeling “lifelong learning” for students is one of the many great joys of my job here at Annandale. I hope that in the future, the editors will check any quotations for accuracy, and will “chalk up” the mistakes in the recent Blackboard.com article as a learning experience.

—Katie Ingwersen English Teacher

Dear Editors, I am writing this letter out of deep concern for the people involved in the “Gossip Girl’ scandal. For those people who do not know, a website was started revealing gossip about various seniors, identifying them with just initials. On Wednesday, June 2, pandemonium erupted among the senior class. Copies of the document were circulated and news of the website spread rapidly. People quickly narrowed down their “suspects” as to the identity of the AHS “Gossip Girl.”Among those implicated was senior Emily Miller. While at first others were accused, she is the one who has taken the heat for the document. Certain people have said that they have proof that it was her, leading many to believe this rumor.

In addition to the gossip spreading among the students, anAHS teacher has allegedly told students that he believes that Emily is the “Gossip Girl.”

Having known Emily since we were both five years old, I know that this is not only greatly upsetting to her, but that Emily is way above this kind of behavior.

In the many years we have been friends she has always conducted herself as an adult and can be described as someone who is way beyond her years. This sort of childish and immature behavior is not characteristic of anything that Emily has ever done in the past, nor anything that she ever would do. When I asked Emily her feelings on the matter she said, “anybody who knows me at all knows that I couldn’t care less about stupid high school gossip. I don’t have anything against anyone at this school and have no desire to slander the reputations of my classmates.”

Emily does not deserve to bear the brunt of everyone’s hostilities over this document. Having only a few days left at AHS, we as seniors owe it to each other and to ourselves to act as adults and put this sophomoric incident behind us.

—Caroline Friedman Senior

June 8, 2004

Some oil advice for Bush

BY BEN BERGLUND Editorials Editor

Letters to the editor:

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With gas prices near their all-time high and no sign of falling, it’s time for the government to step in and drive the price down with oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Granted, this is not a permanent fix, but cheaper gas during the summer holiday season would be good for the economy.

The added benefit of some relief on OPEC’s already thin supply would also help keep the price of world petroleum down, albeit a small amount.

SaudiArabia, OPEC’s most prolific member, has pledged to boost its crude output by 10%. When OPEC meets next week, the cartel may try to shut down such efforts to lower oil prices in order to keep its precious profits high.

Analysts, however, suggest that perhaps today’s high oil prices are due to a drastic increase in demand, not a cartel induced reduction in supply.

Based on past figures from when George Bush (senior) flooded the market with SPR oil in 1991, and when Bill Clinton did so in late 2000, gas prices could be estimated to drop by as much as 20-26 cents a gallon. Such a drastic drop would surely encourage consum-

ers to worry less about how to fit gas into their tight budgets and spend their hard-earned money over the summer holiday season.

More than just a threat to the U.S. economy, the current oil crisis is becoming a threat to the global economy. Extra oil from the United States’ SPR, in

“

Based on past figures... gas prices could be expected to drop 20-26 cents a gallon.

”

addition a 10% increase from Saudi Arabia would help to dampen the blow to the world economy.

President Bush has refused to use SPR, citing vulnerabilities to terrorism if the reserve was cut short. “We will not play politics with the Strategic Petroleum Reserve,” he told reporters after a recent meeting with his staff.

Obviously, opening the SPR would not be a long term solution to rising oil prices, but some damage control

is prudent when dealing with the ever-sensitive economy. A long-term solution will really only come with the elimination of our dependence on fossil fuels (which are forecasted to run out within the next 30 years anyway).

Such solutions will take significant time, but cheaper gas in the meantime would make the long road to a better solution a little less painful.

Cheaper gas means consumers will spend more on other wants, which directly translates to a stronger economy.

This is important right now when the economy is bouncing back from its much-maligned recession. During an election year, this would help President Bush’s reelection campaign and take some of the economic fire away from Democrats.

The signs of gas prices falling or even slowing in their rise are not showing. With the extreme increases that have been seen recently (25% in the last year), prices could soon hurt the economy very severely. A simple move with the SPR would slow or even eliminate this damage. President Bush needs to give the order to flood the market before the whole country goes broke.

More oil wells, like this, would raise oil supply, but the worldʼs largest oil cartel, OPEC, doesnʼt want that.

Fighting the good fight

BY MATT WIEST Staff Writer It seems all too frequent that people throw around unprovoked insults and baseless criticisms of President Bush and his administration. From inside the Beltway to the editorial pages of newspapers around the world, political pundits have sounded off ad nauseam against Bush and his band of “international school-yard bullies” (as the always-reasonable Senator Ted Kennedy calls them).

On the milder side of these attacks, Bush has been indirectly labeled “dishonest,” “immoral,” and, perhaps not so mildly, an “intimidator.” Indeed, as Paul Krugman’s May 28 column in the New York Times illustrates, some feel that the “straight shooting” Bush with “moral clarity and righteousness” we saw after 9/11 was no straight shooter at all. On the harsher side, Peter Oborne, in his May 15 column in the British magazine spectator, called Bush’s America nothing short of “gross, murderous, barbaric and obscene” in conducting its Iraq policy. Apparently President Bush has become the enemy. Through all the confusion, hardship and criticism of the past year, it’s time we remind ourselves of our purpose, time to refresh our memories as to why we are fighting.

When the towers came down on 9/11 and the Pentagon was struck, the world changed. All Americans came together to rally around a common good: the defense of liberty and winning the war against terrorism. In a stark change in American foreign policy, Bush declared that America would not distinguish between terrorists and those nations who harbored them. Today, we are witnessing this change, as our hard-line approach has led us to

MAking the GrAde Saudi Arabia pledges oil boost

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Due to recent oil shortages on the part of OPEC, Saudi Arabia has pledged to boost output by 10%. This bonus will help quell world prices for oil and lessen worldwide recession. Hopefully when OPEC meets next week, Saudi Arabia’s decision will not be overturned.

Annandale celebrates “Atomversary”

A

Over the weekend, events such as the Atomversary dance, a rededication ceremony took place at the school. During the ceremony, principal Manuel honored Dr. Michael Bishop, who created the school constitution, with the Annandale service award.

Film Festival moved

C

The film festival was moved from Wednesday, June 9 to Monday June 7. The festival had originally been on the same night as the spring sport’s banquet, forcing students to pick between them. Students will no longer have to choose, but some may have to change plans for the new date.

George Tenet resigns

F

as public opinion polls on the war in Iraq continue to decline.

Naturally, this puts his presidency in jeopardy, a risk that Bush was willing to take going into Iraq. Why take this risk? Because Bush believed it was the right thing to do, and he has not gone back on his word. He was not willing to play politics with the security of America and the future of the world.

Contrary to Mr. Krugman’s claims, Bush has indeed been a “straight shooter.” His honesty, courage, and determination have been paramount to this nation’s resolve in the war against terror, a war that must be fought and won. Bush is by no means perfect, but he has the will to carry America through hard times as he has proven time and time again.

overthrow two of the world’s most horrible regimes.

President Bush has not faltered in the years since 9/11. When Bush stood atop the ruins of the World Trade Center on September 14, 2001, he promised the workers “I can hear you, and the rest of the world hears you, and the people who knocked these buildings down will hear all of us soon!” Indeed, the terrorists heard us.

The decision to remove the Taliban in Afghanistan was met by little resistance domestically and internationally, as the terror links there were irrefutable. But many in America and around the globe question the Iraqi links to al-Qaeda and other terrorist organizations. Despite this widespread doubt, the evidence is quite abundant.

Saddam Hussein’s support for terror is unquestionable. He employed it himself in the gruesome and disturbing torture of his own people. But his support for terror goes beyond its implementation in his own punishments. Saddam offered $25,000 to the families of Islamic suicide bombers in the Hamas terror organization. High-ranking Iraqi officials are strongly believed to have met with Mohammad Atta, one of the hijackers in the WTC attacks, in Prague prior to 9/11. In 2000, Fedayeen officer Ahmed Hikmat Shakir attended an al-Qaeda summit meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Shakir would later be captured and found to be in possession of contact information for several high-level al-Qaeda operatives that were implicated in the 9/11 attacks.

These instances paint a clear picture of the links between Saddam’s Ba’athist regime and notorious international terror organizations such as al-Qaeda.

Yet still some cast doubt on any possible links between the two. Puzzling, isn’t it? The general public has largely ignored Bush’s warnings about the tough road ahead,

Former directer of Central Intellegence resigned Thursday. Some analysts speculate that Tenet’s resignation may be an effort to take some heat off of the Bush administration’s Iraqi prison scandal.

Tenet’s official reason for resignation is for “personal reasons.”

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Annandale High School 4700 Medford Dr. Annandale, Virginia 22003

Vol. 49 No. 14 June 8, 2004

Laura Johnson Meg Nielsen Elizabeth Nowrouz Managing Editor: Rachel Sinaiko News Editors: Lekha Menon Ben Berglund Editorial Editors: Joseph Burke Academics Editors: Laela Shallal Bridgette Kim Erica Satten In-Depth Editors: David Sherman Molly Sterlacci Health Editors: Shayna Dubler Atomic Events Amy Mathis Editor: Caitlin Beckett People Editors: Laura Kelly Cristian Hernandez Cultures Editors: Sohaib Khan Stacey Marin Sports Editors: Mike Wiest Alex Wahl Sports “Xtra”: Julie Wolf Amy Suddarth Entertainment Joe Wilbur Editors: Editors in Chief:

Arts Editors:

CSPA Silver Crown 2003-2004

(703) 642-4229 email: ahsablast@aol.com fax: (703) 642-4197

Weekend Editors: Business Manager: Ad Manager: Copy Editor: Photography Editors:

Sarah Sozio Sabrina Stacy Evan Rowland Krista Silano Jason Rutherford Megan Berry Tina Douroudian

Staff Writers/Photographers: Stuart Dunbar, Kaity Burdette, Kate McCormack, Peter Nguyen, Ramaty Kargbo, Lindsey Downen, Sheryl Cogar, Christine Osipchah, Alyssa Navarrete, Bryan Krzywicki, Julianne Simpson Videographers: Chris Kallender, Dan Vicco Web Curator: Chris Sopher Adviser: Alan Weintraut

Julia Singer Jill Guerin

Pacemaker Finalist National Scholastic Press Association 2003-2004

Trophy Class Virginia High School 2003-2004

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.

IB REVIEW

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June 8, 2004

Three years of IB in review The IB program arrived at AHS during the start of the 2001-2002 school year replacing the previous AP program. The International Baccalaureate Organization was founded in 1968 to offer a set curriculum to the children of diplomats.

IB English A1 •Number of Candidates— 59 •Number of Awarded Grades 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 1 10 22 21 3 0 0 •Average Grade— 4.77 •Average Grade (Worldwide)— 4.92

IB Language IB French

•Number of Candidates— 10 •Number of Awarded Grades 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 0 2 3 5 0 0 •Average Grade— 3.5 •Average Grade (Worldwide)— 4.95

Jacque Foote IB English II

In the first year, only 9 courses were available to students. Now, three years later, 32 are offered. Below is a review of the IB program.

Average grades are from the 2002-2003 school year.

“I would like to change the African unit and create a link between Chinua Achebe and Heart of Darkness. I would also like to throw in African poetry to strengthen the program.”

Level of Difficulty 5

IB Spanish

•Number of Candidates— 16 •Number of Awarded Grades 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 0 8 7 1 0 0 •Average Grade— 4.44 •Average Grade (Worldwide)— 5.41

IB History •Number of Candidates— 32 •Number of Awarded Grades 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 4 8 10 9 1 0 0 •Average Grade— 5.16 •Average Grade (Worldwide)— 4.53

MaryAnn Richardson IB Topics of 20th Century

•Number of Candidates— 7 •Number of Awarded Grades 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 0 1 0 2 1 2 •Average Grade— 2.50 •Average Grade (Worldwide)— 3.94

Has the IB program helped you in college admissions?

“Yes it did because I got into basically all the schools I applied to and I will be attending Dartouth in the fall.”

“IB is a great academic program. I don’t do it for the numbers, I do it for my kids.

Learning always triumps.”

IB Latin

3 —Austin Willis senior “No, I don’t think it really helped.

You should only do the IB Diploma if you’re really going to commit to it.”

—Justine Bui senior

“Yes, it definitely helped me. I wouldn’t be going to William and Mary without it.

I would probably be going to JMU or Mary Washington”

Level of Difficulty 4

“We had a pretty good year and I don’t plan to change a lot of things next year.

I’m pretty happy with the program.”

Statistics were taken from http://web4.ibo.org/ ibnet/diploma/results/subjstat_new.cfm

—Jonathon Seiden senior “I got rejected from six colleges and I have a 2.58 GPA. However, I’d say the experience is rewarding.”

Patricia Heininge IB French

Level of Difficulty 4

—Jonathon Kassalow senior

IB Math

IB Science

IB Higher Level Math

IB Biology

IB Art

•Number of Candidates— 34 •Number of Awarded Grades 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 0 0 2 15 15 1 •Average Grade— 2.55 •Average Grade (Worldwide)— 4.37

IB Music

•Number of Candidates— 10 •Number of Awarded Grades 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 6 3 0 0 0 •Average Grade— 4.78 •Average Grade (Worldwide)— 4.66

IB Chemistry

•Number of Candidates— 16 •Number of Awarded Grades 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 0 8 7 1 0 0 •Average Grade— 4.44 •Average Grade (Worldwide)— 5.41

IB Theatre Arts

•Number of Candidates— 6 •Number of Awarded Grades 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 0 2 0 1 0 0 •Average Grade— 4.43 •Average Grade (Worldwide)— 4.06

IB Physics

•Number of Candidates— 36 •Number of Awarded Grades 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 0 5 13 12 3 0 •Average Grade— 3.61 •Average Grade (Worldwide)— 4.36

IB Visual Arts

•Number of Candidates— 13 •Number of Awarded Grades 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 2 5 5 0 0 0 •Average Grade— 4.61 •Average Grade (Worldwide)— 4.54

“Next year, we will be working on what helps students learn material that will help them be successful on the IB exams.”

“It’s very different from any class any student would take in this school. It’s up to the student to put in as much effort as they desire.”

Thomas Pratuch IB Chemistry

Level of Difficulty “Half way between regular class and college class.”

Joyce Weinstein IB Art

•Number of Candidates— 27 •Number of Awarded Grades 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 0 0 4 13 10 0 •Average Grade— 2.78 •Average Grade (Worldwide)— 4.69

IB Math Studies

•Number of Candidates— 49 •Number of Awarded Grades 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 4 13 13 6 4 0 •Average Grade— 4.18 •Average Grade (Worldwide)— 4.69

IB Math Methods

•Number of Candidates— 63 •Number of Awarded Grades 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 6 17 21 13 4 0 •Average Grade— 4.13 •Average Grade (Worldwide)— 4.9 “I think for next year and in the future, we need to change the order in which we teach.

We need to teach the difficult topics closer to the exam.”

Lorraine Johnson IB Higer Level Math

Level of Difficulty 5

Level of Difficulty “Very challenging.”

Effect of IB in college admissions How did IB Diploma candidates fair in college admissions in Virginia and Ivy League universities? Below are statistics from the past two years.

Rejected

Waitlisted

Accepted

Rejected

Waitlisted

Class of 2004

Accepted

Class of 2003

University of Virginia

6

3

0

4

3

3

College of William and Mary

2

1

0

4

6

1

Virginia Tech

6

0

1

7

1

1

James Madison

3

0

0

5

2

0

George Mason

1

0

0

4

0

1

Harvard

0

0

0

0

1

0

Princeton

1

0

0

0

2

0

Yale

0

0

0

0

0

0

Dartmouth

0

1

0

0

2

0

Cornell

0

0

1

1

0

0

Brown

0

2

0

0

0

1

Penn

0

1

0

0

0

0

“Yes, because the courses were challenging and similar to ones in college so you have to learn to manage your time, and I got in where I wanted.”

An IB Student Survey was conducted in May 2001. 1041 IB Seniors were surveyed from Maryland, D.C, South Carolina, and Virginia.

Below shows the regular admission rate vs the IB admission rate.

University College of William and Mary University of Virginia University of Maryland Virginia Tech New York University University of California-Berkeley University of Pennsylvania Johns Hopkins University Georgetown University Dartmouth Duke University Cornell University MIT Princeton Columbia University Brown University Yale University Tufts Stanford University Harvard

Average Rate 41% 39% 51% 61% 29% 26% 23% 32% 22% 21% 26% 31% 16% 12% 13% 16% 16% 26% 13% 11%

IB Rate 72% 67% 95% 80% 79% 60% 58% 83% 51% 60% 50% 70% 42% 21% 46% 34% 20% 52% 15% 13%

—Julie Bowes senior “Yes, because it distinguishes you from other students because it’s not that common. Your GPA might not be as good as if you were in regular classes, but it still helps a lot.”

—Mahalet Girma senior

NEWS

4 TINA DOUROUDIAN

BY AMY SUDDARTH Entertainment Editor

Hispanic essay contest sponsored Telemundo and NBC4 are sponsoring a Hispanic Heritage Essay Contest open to all students of Hispanic heritage in grades 10-12. The 1000 word essay, written in English, should address the topic and explain why “Being Latino in the U.S. is the Best of Both Worlds.” Telemundo representatives Jayme Ribeiro and Alejandra Serna visited AHS on Thurs., May 27, to promote the contest to the students.

The essay is due in the Telemundo office today, Tues., June 8. The essay can be mailed or faxed. More information, including an application form, is available in the main office. They are also available at www.nbc4.com. The top four winners of the contest will receive a laptop computer and an “educational grant,” which is a scholarship to be used later for college. The top winner will also have their essay published in El Tiempo Latino, a local Spanish newspaper.

This is the sixth area that Telemundo and NBC4 are promoting the essay contest, which is open to high school students around the DC area. The essays will be judged by ten local Hispanic leaders, and the results will be announced at a reception later this fall.

“This is a chance for Hispanic kids to show their pride and explain the best parts of each of their cultures and get the best of both cultures at the same time,” Ribiero said.

— Compiled by Sports Editor Stacey Marin

Students receive scholarships Seniors Yodit Gebreyes and Ashley Miller are two of eight winners of a $2000 scholarship given by the FCPS Marketing Advisory Board for 2004.

Both Miller and Gebreyes are attending George Mason University in the fall.

Students nominated for Cappie Awards Senior Ashley Lippolis and Junior Jamie Foreman have been nominated for Cappie awards. Cappies is a Washington Post program that provides an opportunity for high school students to review high school plays. The winners will be announcement on June 13 at the Kennedy Center. Lippolis was nominated for Female Vocalist and Foreman was nominated for Male Dancer, both for their perfomances in “Fiddler on the Roof.”

The last company plays of the year were performed on Thursday, May 27 at 7:00 p.m. in the auditorium. The plays were put on by members of the Company, who put on three productions per year and work in and out of class on their performances. The Company, a co-curricular acting troupe, is made up of students from Theatre Arts 3 and 4, as well as IB Theatre, which are three of the most advanced theatre classes offered at AHS. The Company performs several short plays and adaptations a few times a year.

For their final two shows the Company performed “AMerry Regiment of Women”

by Rae Shirley as well as “The Taming of the Shrew” by William Shakespeare.

“A Merry Regiment of Women” was put on first. This play put a spin on the classic Shakespeare plays by bringing in the main female roles from such plays as “The Taming of the Shrew,” “Macbeth,” “Othello,” “Romeo and Juliet” and “Antony and Cleopatra.”

Kate, Lady Macbeth, Desdemona and Cleopatra decided that they had finally had enough. Historically, Shakespeare’s

female characters were given less recognition and less stage time than their male counterparts. The women of Shakespeare were tired of being treated as second rate, so they established a league of women to put a stop to the injustice.

This play featured senior Coury Shadyac as Kate, junior Christina Tuluceau as Lady Macbeth, junior Emily Peebles as Desdemona and senior Aubrey Welch as Cleopatra. Junior Jessica Samuelson took on the weighty task of director for this play. Being director usually comes with its ups and downs and this production was no different.

“The most difficult thing was making the movements of characters so the stage wasn’t boring,” said Samuelson. “But the final production ran pretty smoothly.”

“The Taming of the Shrew” was the second play performed that night. This play is a Shakespeare original in which the main character, Kate, is stubborn and rude until she is ‘tamed’ by the leading man, Petruchio.

Kate, played by senior Justine Bui, starts off the play as a disobedient, disorderly girl who takes orders from no one.

Petruchio, played by senior Anthony Sanchez, makes it his duty to transform

Senior Tony Sanchez , playing the part of Petruchio, and Junior Amy Jacobs perform in “The Taming of the Shrew.” This was one of the two plays performed May 27 by students in Theatre Arts 3 and 4 as well IB Theatre students.

her into a docile, obedient wife.

Senior Kate Bagnulo was the director for this play and she, too, encountered her share of difficulties with putting it all together.

“The biggest problem with the play was that a lot of the actors were seniors, so IB testing often interfered with rehearsals and class,” said Bagnulo.

In the end, the plays came together quite nicely, though. With the exception of a few minor memorization errors, the actors did an excellent job of bringing out their characters.

“In the final production everything went great, I was really surprised,” said Bagnulo.

Atomversary brings together former principals “Atomversary” from pg.1 “…our original goal was to make sure that we got not just the alumni back to celebrate but that we could have a joint celebration with students and alumni,” said Hook.

“I wanted to communicate and remind people and really educate some of our newer people and newer students as to why we say we have ‘a tradition of excellence’ and what that really means.”

“The thing that has not changed is the pride. We wrote the song, voted on the colors, and its all still here, with pride, and we’re still having fun,” said Bonnie Kern Fairbank, class of 1959, who considers herself and her class, the first to go all four years at AHS. ‘Buckley’s Babes’.

In addition to exhibiting the pride of the past fifty years, Hook hoped to strengthen the current student to teacher experience. “I think as adults we need to also understand there’s more to be gained as teachers and administrators from tapping into that extra something when students and teachers truly work on something in addition to the academics…I’d just like to see if we could add that extra dimension of the activities and education that occur outside the classroom,” said Hook.

Despite the difficulty of contacting alumni and informing them of the events, the Atomversary rejuvenated alumni dedication to AHS and AHS and led to plans to form an alumni association. “Financially, and even more importantly with their time and energy, the alumni are ready to come back and help Annandale. We’ve never really had an opportunity to do that, so I think that is a real important outgrowth,” said Hook.

“Although the Atomversary is over, its really not over because this huge positive thing is now going to happen.”

The Atomversary served as a conclusion to a year-long celebration of the past fifty years of AHS, and the school pride of classes past and present are reflected in its success.

“You can plan an event but you don’t know if you’re really going to reach the people, but I have just heard so many comments from people as to how they were just filled with pride and that’s when you know it was really a success,” said Hook. “You couldn’t have been there and missed why AHS is special and why everyone feels so special about our school. I think its unique and I don’t think you’ll find that anywhere else.”

Athletes honored

LAURA JOHNSON

The following 21 students were honored at a reception in Clausen Hall on June 4 for having perfect attendance. Every student received a gift certificate and a Perfect Attendance Certificate signed by the Juvenile Court Judge and Rod Manuel.

AMY SUDDARTH

Theatre students conclude year with excerpts from A Merry Regiment of Women and The Taming of the Shrew.

Perfect Attendance Recognized

•Lindsey R. Downen 9 •Rachna S. Soun 9 •Trang T. Pham Nguyen 9 •Waqar Mansoor 9 •Francisco E. Avila Valle 9 •Sleimen Frangie 9 •Anthony E. Hsu 10 •Jeffrey S. Wilkins 10 •Jennifer D. Ngo 10 •Josh M. Delpino 10 •Chenhui Wan 10 •Alexander Franjie 10 •Ha Yan Suh 10 •Adib W. Chua 10 •Dinh T. Pham 11 •Surmeen K. Bedi 11 •Thien Thanh N. Pham 11 •Karen Rocha Vargas 11 •Varun Sharma 11 •Mirtha I. Claros Andrade 11 •David E. Mahen 12

June 8, 2004

Company performs play

NEWS BRIEFS

Rod Manuel presents a certificate of recognition to 1 of the 21 perfect attendance awardees.

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Former Principal Don Clausen greets AHSʼ first principal, Ralph Buckley at the Atomversary rededication ceremony. Clausen was principal from 1994 to 2003 and Buckley was principal from 1954 to 1966.

Student eats cicadas

Student follows family tradition and savors cicada specialities while they are still here

BY ALEX WAHL Sports “Xtra” Editor

Hook

Oʼ Brien

BY MEG NIELSEN Editor-in-Chief For the first time in AHS history, two AHS female athletes and one coach were awarded three of four possible awards sponsored by the Fairfax County Women’s Sports Award program. Each Fairfax County school nominated a student in each category, and the county-wide nominees were honored at a banquet at the Fairfax County Government Center at 2 p.m. on Sun., June 6.

Senior field hockey, softball, and former basketball player Erin O’Brien was awarded the High School Sports Woman Of The Year for Fairfax County award, which is based on athletic excellence in addition to leadership and scholarly qualities. “I was really surprised because there were so many accomplished athletes nominated. It was an honor to be recognized with an award like that among such talented people,” said O’Brien.

Senior field hockey and lacrosse player Julie Stone was awarded the

Stone

Donna DeVerona award, based on athletic leadership and enthusiasm. “I was very shocked to be given the award considering I was surrounded by nominees that had accomplished so much, but I’m honored that I was recognized,” said Stone.

Senior Jared Smith was nominated in the category for high school journalists in the coverage of women’s sports.

Girls field hockey and lacrosse coach Cindy Hook was awarded the Fairfax County Coach of the Year award.

“It’s a tremendous honor that I think would not have been possible without all the commitment, dedication, and winning attitudes of my players from both sports, every year,” said Hook.

Both O’Brien and Stone received $350 scholarships, while Hook received $250 for the AHS athletic program.

“I’ve played for coach Hook for four years and I know her on and of the field, and I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this award,” said O’Brien.

You don’t find many people who eat cicadas in bread, roasted, marinated in bay seasoning, dipped in soy sauce, fresh from their shell or chocolate covered without being bribed by either their friends or family. But there always is someone who takes advantage of the opportunity. Because cicadas only come out every 17 years, and because they are only good when you eat them before they harden, some people have taken the opportunity to make meals out of cicadas. Sophomore Tara Keller has eaten them in almost every way imaginable.

“My ancestors had eaten ground katydids, and my mother and I had found “cicada-licious” a cicada cookbook, that sealed it,” said Keller.

Keller’s first cicada was chocolate covered, and she ate it for breakfast one morning before school. She said she just put it in her mouth and started to chew.

Everyone who hates cicadas or hasn’t tried one probably wants to know. What do they taste like? “With the chocolate covered ones, it was like a chewy center, like truffles, except not.

The others were dry and crunchy.” Keller said that her mom has tried one plain, without any thing on it, and described it had a really bland taste. Cicadas basically absorb the taste of what you do

with them. Marinated, in soy sauce or chocolate covered, they take on each taste.

Keller and her entire family have also tried cicadas, along with several of her friends that have humored her by trying them too. Keller could not give an exact number of how many she has eaten but just kept it at ”quite a few.”

Keller, along with other educated cicada eaters, only eats the tenerols, or cicadas that have just emerged from their shells.

These cicadas are called soft shelled, because they have not fully matured. If they are eaten when they are hardened, or mature, there is a good chance of getting an upset stomach because human digestive systems were not designed to digest hardened cicadas. There are also toxins in the females that can cause an upset stomach.

Cicadas may be terrible at flying and annoying to hear through the window, but they are healthy. They are high in protein, low in fat and have no carbohydrates, which makes for a good substitute for the normal chips or pizza.

Cicadas come out at a certain temperature. In Keller’s community, there was a fire, so she collected several of her cicadas from the area that was heated by the fire. Depending on the temperature in an area, there There are several recipes to cook cicadas that can be found online.

Seniors say goodbye and celebrate “Seniors” from pg. 1 The day seniors have been counting down to since freshman year will finally come on Tues., June 15. Graduation will occur at DAR Constitution Hall at 7:00 p.m. The speaker will be Chairman Michael Powell of the FCC. Also, in honor of this being the fiftieth anniversary of the school, all past principals ofAHS will attend the ceremony.

Following graduation will be All Night Grad Party, which will be held at South Run Recreation Center. Tickets are $35 ($15 for students with free or reduced lunch), and will be available for purchase at the June 8 awards

ceremony, the June 11 graduation rehearsal, and the June 14 cap and gown pickup. Only cash will be accepted for the tickets, which will also be available for $50 at the door.

Check-in for All Night Grad Party, themed Beach Blast 2004, will be at South Run will be between 11:00 pm and 12:00 am, and the event will last until 5:00 am.

There will be a bus from AHS to South Run. If a student chooses to leave the event, their parents will be called.

In the days following graduation and All Night Grad Party, many seniors will set off for Beach Week with their friends. Some of the most popular beaches

that students visit are the Delaware beaches and the North Carolina Outerbanks beaches. Beach Week is not a school sponsored event, and for many it is just one last time to hang out with friends from school.

No matter what next year will bring, whether it be college, work, military service, or something else, all seniors are looking forward to graduating and being done with high school. “I’m excited to be able to leave high school, but I will miss all of my high school buddies,” said senior Vernon Liechti. “I’m excited about graduating so I won’t have to deal with high school anymore.”

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Lifeguarding

FEATURES P PH HOT OT O O BY IL : K LU R ST IST RA A TI SIL ON A : A NO LY SS A

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a job so cool...it’s HOT!

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said “yeah, but it was just scary. I didn’t expect for it to happen. You expect everyone else to take care of it, except yourself.”

In order to work at the park, Robey went through a week of training in the classroom followed by in-water training. “You had to go to the end of the eight foot pool and get the dummy at the bottom [of the pool] and bring it back to where you can stand.”

But the training didn’t stop there. “Once I was a lifeguard, we had in-service training where every Tuesday or Thursday, you had to stay for an hour and a half and do more training.”

On the contrary, senior Eric Ober who was trained through The ALA believes that he did not undergo sufficient training for the job.

“The people who trained me need to do a better job. They did not ‘drill’ the information into my head enough…companies such as theALA should have more then a two day training session,” said Ober. However Ober still believes he has the ability to be a good lifeguard. “When I guard, I’m strict. I don’t want anyone to get hurt.”

Do lifeguards provide you with more safety while your swimming? Or are they just teenagers doing the job for a quick dime? One thing is certain, the need for lifeguards is a very controversial issue.

“Yeah, because I don’t have to look out for my little brother as much because I know that there’s a lifeguard who is also looking out [for him].”

“No, because I think I can swim well enough.

I guess for younger kids it’s good but for teenagers it’s not really necessary.”

“No, because I have a lot of friends who are lifeguards and I’ve seen them not really do anything. They just sit around.”

—Sofia Vivero freshman

—John Galvin sophomore

“Most lifeguards are just kids that are doing the job for a quick dime. While in the chair they are highly too distracted to actually save lives, if not by friends, then by sleeping,” says senior Aubrey Welch.

She shares this belief along with many other community pool members who don’t feel their lives are in good hands when swimming. “They only do the job for the money. They don’t care about saving peoples lives.” said Welch.

She belongs to Parklawn pool admits that she would never become a lifeguard. “I’d be just like them; I’d be the one that sits in the chair and sleeps” However, she still believes that there should be more strict regulations, saying that “anyone who takes the course passes.” She made up her mind about lifeguards after her sister almost drowned. “The lifeguards just didn’t see her drowning for about 30 seconds; I tried to go in there and save her myself.”

Freshman Luis Ferreira agrees with Welch when saying, “I don’t think lifeguards do a very good job, they never seem to be paying attention,” said Ferreira. Ferreira and Welch are just a few of the students who think that lifeguards should undergo more intense training to become certified for the job.

“I think that lifeguards should be required to renew their training every year, it would make me feel a lot safer,” said Ferreira.

Among the many certification companies in the area, the main three are Crystal Aquatics, NV Pools and The American Red Cross. All the courses cover relatively the same material and take roughly the same amount of time to complete.

Crystal Aquatics trains their lifeguards using instructors from The American Red Cross to ensure the students are taught the most efficient and up-to-date safety techniques available. A member of the Crystal Aquatics management staff is present at every course.

Lifeguards are chosen for the job based on their ability to excel in the course. Some of the classes offered by Crystal Aquatics include CPR, community first aid, and standard lifeguard training.

Another company that offers lifeguard certification is NV Pools. NV Pools maintains a year round training center in its head quarters in Chantilly. All NV Pools employees must attend

“No! I was in California and the current is really strong, and my cousin and I decided to go out [in the ocean]. The current took us under and they [the lifeguards] told us we knew what to do.”

—Olivia Standiffer sophomore

Where Can You Get Hired?

Thinking of becoming a lifeguard? Here are some pools you mi ght want to check out.

two workshops in May to review their skills before the summer season arrives.

According to the official NV Pools website “regular on-site pool staff meetings are scheduled to practice emergency procedures, review pool rules and policies, discuss pertinent NV Pools’ management policies and practices, and to review matters of importance to the pool and staff.”

The American Red Cross offers a training program that teaches surveillance skills that enable lifeguards to recognize and prevent injuries, rescue skills in and out of the water, first aid and CPR. To become certified by the American Red Cross you must be at least 15 years old and pass courses in the classroom as well as in the water.

Junior Tamara Kinney, who was trained by The American Lifeguarding Association (ALA) and now works for North Springfield pool, believes that she was sufficiently trained to become a lifeguard.

“It [the course] was very intense…and there were not distractions. I had a really good teacher,” said Kinney.

She describes the process by saying that they “learned how to make rescues in and out of the water, how to work with other lifeguards to make a save, and also how to use first aid and CPR.” Senior Julie Stone who works at Annandale Swim and Tennis Club agrees with Kinney and believes that lifeguards are adequately trained.

Stone was trained through the American Red cross.

“It was a three day process and we watched videos to learn first aid and lifesaving procedures which were demonstrated on mannequins,” said Stone.

She explains how the instructor gave the students different scenarios and the students had to know and perform whatever procedure was necessary.

Last summer, senior Erica Robey life guarded at the wave pool located in the well known water park, Cameron Run, for approximately a month and a half. During that month and a half Robey estimates that she made between 10 and 15 saves.

When asked if she was prepared to make saves, Robey

BY KATE MCCORMACK, ALYSSA NAVARRETE AND KRISTA SILANO Journalism 1 Students

Does having lifeguards at your pool make you feel safer, and why?

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Senior Amanda Sheaffer lifeguards after school at Wakefield Chapel Recreation Association.

—Diana Hollingsworth junior

“Definitely, because I go in the pool knowing that if i run out of breath someone is there to rescue me. If there’s a child who doesn’t know how to swim [it is helpful]. You don’t want to go to a pool that someone died at.” ___

—Annandale Swim and Tennis Club —Audrey Moore Recreation Center Pool (indoor) —Edsall Park Swim Club — Forest Hollow Swim Inc. — ILDA Community Recreation Association — North Springfield Swim Club — Parklawn Recreation Association — Ravensworth Farm Swim and Raquet Club — Sleepy Hollow Bath and Raquet — Sleepy Hollow Recreation Associa- tion — South Run Recreation Center Pool (indoor) — Wakefield Chapel Recreation Association

Learn the Lingo

These are some terms you should be familiar with if you want to be a lifeguard.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation— The technique of performing rescue breathing and chest compressions.

Carotid Artery— the artery running up the side of the neck where the pulse may be felt.

Dry Drowning— drowning in which no water enters the lungs caused by a valve in the throat Expired Air Ventilation— rescue breathing First Aid— initial or emergency help given to a casualty before qualified medical assistance arrives.

Hypothermia— the condition which results when the body temperature drops below 35 degrees celcius.

Larynx— commonly known as the adam’s apple, the part of the airway that contains the voice box.

Near-Drowning— survival of a casualty after an incident involving immersion in water.

Pulse— the impulse that may be felt in an artery with each heartbeat.

Resuscitation— the act of reviving a nearly or apparently dead casualty.

Unconscious— the state which a casualty does not readily respond to visual or vocal stimulation. www.redbrick.dcu.ie

Oheneba Boateng senior

Ever saved a life?

Senior Lindsay Miller has been working as a lifeguard at Wakefield Chapel pool for 2 years. During the summer of 2002, Miller saved two lives. The A-Blast caught up with Miller to hear about her heroic experiences.

A-Blast: What company certified you to become a lifeguard?

Miller: American Red Cross A-Blast: What did you have to do during your training program?

Miller: It was several days longwe went through CPR, water safety regulations, injury procedures. We went through swimming courses, in which you swim several laps with out stopping.

There was a brick at the end of the deep end and we had to swim to the end dive down pick up the brick and swim back with it laying on your chest, which is much like if you were saving someone drowning. We also watched videos on what to do. At the end of the course we had to take a swimming test, a written test, CPR test and pool test.

A-Blast: Does the environment of the pool your working at determine your ability to lifeguard?

Miller: No it doesn’t because in the

course we went over the importance of staying on task, and I try to set a good example A-Blast: What were your saves like?

Miller: The first save I made was in my first year and a 2-3 year old boy, jumped off the diving board, and he hit his foot on the way down. He began to call for help and looked like he was struggling. In panic, I jumped in and carried him out of the water. The second save I wouldn’t really call a save. A little girl at a swim meet jumped in and in the middle of the lane she stopped. She began to cry and look as though she would not make it to the other side. I jumped in and carried her to the shallow end. She was fine, just a little startled.

A-Blast: Do you feel you were prepared for this?

Miller: I know that I was prepared [from the training program] but I was definitely not expecting anything to happen while I was on duty. Being hesitant will only make the siuaton worse, so I was just confident and dove in to make the saves.

A-Blast: What were the responses of the people you saved?

Miller: Both the little boy and girl seemed to be fine, just upset and frightened by the situation.

A-Blast: How did you feel after you made the save?

Miller: It was definitely rewarding but I would never want it to happen again. I think I was actually more upset than the two little kids were.

This survey was taken by students during C lunch and flexs in early May.

6 What is your opinion on guys wearing pink?

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Pimpin’ in PINK

With summer around the corner, it is becoming more popular for guys to wear pink

people who have the guts to wear it,” said freshman Amal Fadde.

Many people agree or disagree with that statement and others are just unThe summer season has begun and decided.

The color pink is heating up disagreepink is spreading across runways like wild flowers. As you walk down the hall- ments everywhere. “What is happening to ways of AHS you see that more guys are the world? Men wearing pink, that is such not afraid to wear pink. But the guys don’t a girly color,” said Freshman Rediet Tefera. care what anyone says; they are choosing And she’s not the only one who agrees with that statement. to be pretty in pink!

Pink has been branded as a color for Many guys aren’t afraid of wearing pink. Others fear stereotypical behavior girls for years. When a baby girl is born, the first thing she receives is a pink blanand being called gay.

Pink isn’t only worn to express sexual- ket, and when a baby boy is born the first ity but people wear it just because they thing he receives is a blue one.

Pink has received many opinions from like it. “Guys wearing pink is no different people throughout from someone wearthis season. “Guys ing yellow, or blue, wearing pink is an orange or any other interesting new color,” said junior What has happended to the thing. “Anybody, Daniel Borras. regardless of gender, The pink world? Men wearing pink, should be able to epidemic is turning wear any color they heads and is becom- that is such a girly color. want. Black guys ing wide spread look good in pink,” all across the U.S. —RedietTefera said freshmen RoSome people believe freshman berta Falk. it is a gang related It’s so funny how phenomenon and people are so trapped others believe it is a in certain ways of thinking that something strong fashion statement.

Lately gang members across the U.S. slightly out of the ordinary like guys wearare choosing to wear pink as a new gang ing pink can cause such a stir. Everyone color. It has been said that wearing pink has seen the shirts that say “Girls Rule”, is a new sign of unity. A school in Tulsa “Girl Power”, “I Make Boys Cry”, “You’re banned pink because of gang speculation. my Boy Toy”. I’m sure a lot of girls might “It’s brave and different, I have respect for say that the shirts are just cute and cool,

BY RAMATU KARGBO, SHUKRI MOHAMUD, HAWA WARDERE Journalism 1 Students

“It’s gay, it’s a color for girls and guys shouldn’t be wearing it.

—Sunny Singh junior

“I truly don’t like guys wearing pink. They should stick to blue or other colors. It looks good on certain guys.”

“

—Zainab Sankoh senior

“As long as they have a matching outfit,I don’t trip.”

—Allam Mohamed sophomore

“Pink is a girl color and I don’t think guys should be wearing it.”

—Mark Phillips junior

Sun Isn’t always Fun!

Itʼs 12:00 noon, you wake up,

put your bathing suit on and run outside to meet you morning match. You get a towel and plant yourself under the sun. Your mom tells you to put sun lotion on, but you dont listen you know better then her. About four hours later you wake up and you canʼt move. You get up and finnaly walk inside and your mom has all the facts about tanning up on the computer.

The reddening of the skin is due to injury to blood vessels close to the skinʼs surface, which causes them to become swollen. At the same ttime sun exposure can reduce cancer by helping the body to process Vitamen D. Thus, sun exposure has many cons and pros. The sun is the center of the universe that gives of energy in waves of light and heat. There are three types of radiation, ultraviolet, visable light and infrad. UV can be the most dangerous. Tanning beds give off the least but cause more permanent damage. Safer ways to tan might be using lotions and crems or the airbrushing technique.

But theses ways are only satisfactory to some people.The only true way to keep safe is to use a lotion with a SPF of at least 15.

Accesories for the Beach

*Lotion of a SPF from 15-45 *Towels *Umbrella *Drinks/Food *Bathing Suit *Toys to Dig with

June 8, 2004

”

they don’t really mean anything, but anyone would immediately be upset if they saw a guy wearing a shirt that said something like “Guys Rule the World.”

So why can’t a guy wear a pink shirt if a girl can wear a shirt insulting him? When we asked Freshman Akil Charles, who is also know for wearing pink clothes, what he thought about guys wearing pink, he said “It’s something new, everybody was rocking the same thing and I just wanted to bring in something new.”

When we asked him what he thought about people who call wearing pink gay, he added, “ People who think guys who wear pink are gay, they just hatin’. Cameron looked tight wearing it so that inspired me to start wearing it.”

Some people say that there’s a difference between who wears it and many students said it depends on who’s wearing it sometimes it’s a racial issue like some people think that a black guy would look “straight gangsta” and like he’s trying to represent something but a white guy would just be wearing it to wear it.

We asked Akil Charles what he thought about this opinion he replied.

“Anybody can rock pink if they’re Black, White, Spanish orAsian. [That’s not what it’s about.]”

This pink issue at our school started out with only two of our students Akil Charles “Junior” and Ronald McCiver “Tank”, who were the only guys who wore pink at our school and now as your walking through the hallway you might see at least five different guys wearing

it and at least a hundred who actually would wear it.

Some guys are indifferent and others think it’s the worst color for a guy to be seen in.

As the color becomes more and more popular among the teen population the opinions are also gradually changing.

So ask yourself would you wear pink?

Why not? Do you really want the opinion of others to limit your choice of what to wear? The bottom line is pink has been labeled as a color for girls and it’s harder for guys to escape the popular stereotypes of society.

Pink Chuck Taylors have become popular among the students .

Summer fashion Do’s and Dont’s

BY RAMATU KARGBO, SHUKRI MOHAMUD, HAWA WARDERE Journalism 1 Students Summer is the season for shopping, hanging out at the pool, and going to the beach. But what happens when you wake up one morning and realize that you’re not ready for the summer season?

Shopping is a big part of every season. No one would wear an outfit they wore in the winter in the summer, which would be a big fashion no no! Everyone has different taste on what they like to wear and that makes it more interesting. that shows that many people shop at many different places like Old Navy, Gap, Foot Locker, Gusse and many more. “I go to random places and if they have something that I like I buy it,” said freshman Crystal Cregge.

Many people take fashion seriously, and others just don’t care what they wear. It really dpends on the person and their sense of style. When people get dressed they like to wear things that express them and their personalities.

It seems that as the weather begins to heat up, people begin to shed their clothes like skin. Girls wear shorter skirts and shorts, and shorts an guys just take off their big bulky sweaters and wear T-Shirts and jeans or shorts.

Summer is also a season for major dress code violations as students are beginning to wear fewer clothes, the skin is beginning to come out more. “Girls shouldn’t over exaggerate with all the small stuff, too much cleavage and booty shorts, nobody wants to see alll that.” said freshman Andrea Bonilla.

Clothes that show too much cleavage or booty shorts aren’t the only things that you shouldn’t wear during the burning heat of the summer. you shouldn’t overderess either , “One summer I wore a long sleeved black sweater

with black jeans, I was burning up that day.” said Julie percent of the votes in the survey that we conducted.

Although black and blue aren’t the usual bright colors Tumasz Summer is also a time to let loose and show some that are worn during the summer season, more guys skin but too much is unnecessary. During the summer tend to wear them.

When surveying the female population we found that most people like to go on vacation to the beach. It’s very important to look your best in public, especially on a vaca- more than 30 percent of females prefer to wear pink, but tion. “Pack clothes that can be multi-functional. A denim over 50 percent choose to wear a variety of colors.

Along with summer comes excitement. It means skirt for example can be worn with a tank-top and flip flops for a cute daytime look and to go sightseeing.” said school is out and your available to work which means more money to shop! Most stores these days are boostfreshman Amal Fadde. ing up the prices of their merchandise.

Summer is the season evThe shirt you could have bought last eryone looks forward to. Many year for five dollars has been raised people take their appearence very to 15. seriously. It is very important that People usually put a lot of effort you separate the clothes in your Summer is a great season into the clothes they wear becuse as closet by season. Winter clothes for shopping, you could get you know, you are what you wear. If should be heavy, thick, warm someone usually wears bright colors but cute, and it should show your away with wearing anything you can tell that they either love personality. Spring is the season bright colors or that they are happy, for longer skirts and jeans, and if its necessary a light sweater. Sum—Roberta Falk and energetic.

It is also very important to dress to mer clothes should be light, short, freshman impress because the way you dress is cute, and bright if you want to stay usually the way you want to be seen. cool weather wise and style wise.

Fall is the season where you break out the sweaters and People love to show off their styles and let the whole world wind breakers because the weather becomes a little bit know that this is who they are and it doesn’t matter what people think of them. colder as winter begins to roll around the corner.

It’s neccasary to show who you are and wear what you “Summer is a great season for fashion. You could get away with wearing parctically anything. Bathing suits, feel is comfortable because nothing lookes good unless flip-flops, and long tee-shirts are everyday wear. Summer it feels good. No one should ever wear something just means fashion freedom, and of course pants are required to impress others, as long as they feel great. So always dress to be you, and remember if is not comfortable it is if you’re not at the pool!” Said freshman Robert Falk.

Summer is also a season to wear a variety of colors. not right.

Blue, black, and white were the most popular colors among the male student population taking up over 50

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THE 2003-2004 STAFF OF THE A-BLAST THANKS ITS READERS AND ADVERTISERS FOR ALL OF THEIR SUPPORT... SEE YOU NEXT YEAR! If you would like to recieve The A-Blast next year, mail a check of $15 to The A-Blast Annandale High School 4700 Medford Drive Annandale, VA 22003

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A History of Rap Music artists who practice rapping are African American, it is listened to by almost every race and is one of the most popular types of music listened to these days. More recently some other rappers from different races have begun to show talent, Eminem being the most prominent.

Rap is and will continue being one of the most entertaining types of music that people should enjoy. It will continue to inspire as well and lead the way for future generations. It is an art that will continue to grow and bring new fans every day.

—Austin Willis senior

“I really like Britney Spears, just kidding. I’m not into metal annd classic rock. I also like techno, i’m a secret raver.”

This picture was taken from 8Mile, it is a good example of freestyling.

What genre of music do you prefer?

—Catherine Tedla sophomore “Classical music is relaxing ”

—Tyler Okasaki sophomore

‘‘I listen to soft rock . ”

—Jackie Sabine Teacher

Shakedown with The Shakedowns

“I like jazz.”

—Marion Mclaughlin

BY ARCADIA LACOMA Journalism 1 Student

PICTURES TAKEN FROM WWW.THESHAKEDOWNS.COM

junior

PHOTO TAKEN BY LARZ LACOMA

Meet the Shakedowns, J, Nick, David, and Davey. They’re a local D.C. rock band with a sound that’s similar to music by Jet, The Strokes, The Whitestripes, and The Vines, that new-old rock music that’s exactly like their name would lead you to believe.

Although the original Shakedowns line up had a different bass player and drummer they’ve managed to stay popular as a local band in the D.C. area and up and down the east coast. J and Davey have been friends since high school and Nick and David were fans before meeting and eventually joining the band.

Even though the members of the band came together and made this great rock sound their inspirations seemed to be very different form each other’s. Nick, the youngest member, is most inspired by the Pixies, Tre Cool from Greenday, and the other members of the band. “I like Sponge bob, too.” says Nick. David says Joe Summer, Tom Waits, and The Clash.

Davey says Prince and Cheap Trick. “ I’m inspired by musically… everyone, everything I hear.” Says J. “That basically it, I hear stuff. You know what its like, you’re listening to the radio, and the band may be hideous, but you hear something cool when they go “Dunh Dunh Dun Dun Dun…” and your like,“Cool!” I decided not --to be picky. I used to be very picky.”

“There’s no bad music, just different music.” David concludes.

“No, there’s a lot of bad music.” J. laughs.

Their advice to other up and coming lo-

What kind of music do you listen to?

“I like rap and hip-hop. 50 cent is cool.”

This survey was distributed on April 21 during A, B. C, and D lunch to 500 students and faculty.

Music is one of the most popular forms of entertainment. It is an art that inspires and gives people sounds pleasurable to the ear.

In the south Bronx in the 1970’s, a new form of music was on the rise. It was a type of music with steady beats and slick rhymes to flow with the beats. It was rap.

Rap originated through the art of free styling, which was when a rapper would rhyme to any beat to the best of his ability. The competitions were usually referred to as battles in which one rapper would come out on top and the other would walk away a loser. Freestyling requires a quick mind and a good vocabulary.

Rap really was originated on the east coast but when it hit the west coast was when it really Began to be widespread.

Rap on the East coast and rap on the West coast are similar in meaning but much different in style. The East Coast rap style is considered much more street.

Many of these rappers come from a life of hustling and crime. Some examples of east coast rappers would be Jay-Z and Naz. The west coast rappers are much more into thug rap. Thug rap is more about getting women and showing support for different crews and gangs. Some examples of west coast rappers would be Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg.

Then you have the rappers who are just good with word Sand flow to beats really well. One example of this would be Ja Rule.

More recently, rappers from the south have stepped up with their own style and beats. This music is more about dealing with oppression and the racism in the south.

To make it as a rapper is hard enough but once your there it is even harder to keep up your image. Some rappers continue to put out the street vibe even though they no longer live that life, while other rappers change and go with the trends or set their own style. No matter what your style you must do what your fans like and you must be an individual to make it in this business.

Although most of the

PICTURE WAS TAKEN FROM THE MOVIE 8MILE.

BY FRANK RATHBUN AND BUD IRELAND Journalism 1 Students

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David Elliot, Nick Popovici, J. Navaro and Davey Bell, The members of The ShakeDown

cal bands is basically, to practice. “Practice a lot,” says J. “Practice everyday if possible [and] don’t be afraid to write something weird” Also a good idea is to listen around.

“Listen to all kinds of music” says Davey.

“While grilling next to their pool, listen to Hip-hop. While driving in the rain; listen to weird, like, movie soundtracks music.”

“And always have someone in the band who has the nerve to call clubs constantly.” Nick suggests.

For touring The Shakedowns insist on having strange hygiene behavior in order to become more creative on the road.

“In fact, purposely lose your cleaning products on the road,”says Davey, “or misplace them then find them after you

get back.”

“Or be obsessivly-compulsivly clean, that also helps you really focus.” J adds.

Their views of the best and worst parts of being in a band seem to be that all the worst parts are the best parts and vice versa. “ The best part about being in a band is screwing up all of your personal relationships simply so you can hang out with three other people all the time.” says J. One of the worst parts seems to be money. “ We owe $32,000 to value places” says Davey.

“Do you remember The Simpson’s where Mr. Burns was talking about succeeding in business,” says J. “[Those are] the worst parties about being in a band.”

Everyone agrees with that but they

Meet the Shakedowns: Name: J. Navaro Age: 24 Instrument: guitar and lead vocals

still seemed happy about where they were and what they were doing.

“The good things about being in a band are sitting in a room like this,” says J, “with a thing of water over there,” he says pointing to one corner of the room, “and a thing of beer over there.”

The Shakedowns next cd is due out September 7, 2004. It will be their third release and they’re very excited about it “[Its] way better that anything.” says Davey.

To buy the first two releaces, Move and On, or to check out summer tour dates visit www.Theshakedowns.com.

An Unplanned Pregnancy is a Hard Thing to Face... ... The Fairfax Pregnancy Help Center Can Help.

What We Offer:

Favorite songs: “Toxic” by Britney Spears and “Coming Clean” by Hillary Duff Name: Nick Popovici

Age: 22 Instrument: Drums Favorite Song: “Pretty Weird” by Menard Name: David Elliot

Age: 23 Instrument: Bass

Free Pregnancy Test Conficential Support Adoption, Medical and Community Referrals Post-Abortion Counseling

Favorite Song: “Death or Glory” by the Clash Name: Davey Bell

Age: 24 Fairfax Pregnancy Help Center

10875 Main Street, Suite 109 Fairfax, VA 22030 (703) 278-5433 e-mail: slm@marantha.net www.slmpregnancy.org

ALL SERVICES FREE AND CONFIDENTIAL

Instrument: Guitar and Backing Vocals Favorite Song: “Casa de Fanatamas” and “Sloppy Joe” by Davey Bell

8 What is one object that you can not leave behind when you go to college?

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Class of 2004 Departs from AHS

International Immaculate College Kimiko Tomisato Yerick

St. Johnʼs, Jamaica Principia College

Nadia Siles Alvarado

Shamis Hassan Mohamud

Ithaca College

Ian Michael McLeland

Bel- Rea Institute of Animal Technology

Kelly Marie Harbison Keris Sabrina KrennHrubec

Northwestern Prep School

Rochester Institute of Technology

Charles David Brandt

Edith Marie Drosos

Bowling Green State University

University of Washington

Iowa State University

Jaime Eunjin Jeon

How do you think that college will differ from life at AHS?

Cornell University

Dartmouth College

Larnice Laugerla Sules

Melissa Ann Sielaty

Susan Hope Lanier

Syracuse University

Kathryn B Lynch

Mount Vernon Nazarene University

Julia Lynn Ehrenfeld

Drexel University

Gloria Esther Manana

Phylicia Casey Foreman

Ohio Technical College

“I definitely could not leave my journal because that is where I go to vent and ponder about this thing called ‘life’. ”

Franklin and Marshall College

Douglas Marvin Clavel

Tracie Michelle Hiatt

La Salle University University of Massachusetts-Amherst Erin Elizabeth O’Brien

Andrew Mark Charl Evatt

Penn State University Jared Lee Smith

Penn State University-Altoona Andrea Alexandra Arciniega Mahlet Dori Girma

—Susan Kang senior

University of Pittsburgh

—Anh Hoang senior

York College of Pennsylvania

“Classes will be a lot more challenging. I will live a whole different life style because I will not be at home and I will have more money.”

Braxton Dallam Koppelman

Jonathan Louis Levy

Deleware State University Shakara Janell Lecount

“I will not be able to leave behind my guitar because I always play my guitar when I am bored.”

Frostburg State University

West Virginia University

Eileen Anderson O’Day

Prince Georgia’s Community College

Michael David Burris Chelsea S. Duffy Jennifer Ashley Gleason Richard Edward Hores Patrick Walter McMurry Thomas Scott Richard

—Andrew Nguyen senior

—Carolyn Ichter senior

Ibrahim Momoh Conteh

Salisbury State University William Michael Purdon

University of Maryland Mark Andrew Bellingham Eun Kyung Choi

Shepherd College Rebecca Anne Frece

“I can not leave behind my personal messenger.”

—Charlene Ferrell senior

Clemson University

Duke University

Lauren Anne Edwards Christopher Steven Flowers

Yonas Tekle Tewodros

Elon University

Brooks Institute of Photography

Amy Kathleen Merrill

Miranda Josephine Brackett

University of South Carolina

Paul Morris Gleason Kathleen Mary Willi Wipf

Christopher John Evans Michale Peter Perucci

Bobson Conteh

University of California Santa Cruz Andrew Jason Seok Menegat

UNC Chapel Hill April Elizabeth Brassard

“I can not leave home without my artichoke collection because it has brought me much joy on Saturdays.”

—Brian Bagot senior

“I would not want to leave my high school memoirs at home because they show the best years of my life.”

—Ciara Moss senior

“There is no way that I can leave behind my cowboy bebop DVDs. ”

—Noah Crowley senior

“I would not want to go to college without my boyfriend because I love him too much. ”

—Brenda Duong senior

Wake Forest University

Cory Jahmel Daise

Northern Virginia Community College Mark Samy Abdalla Abdul Hadi Samir Abo-Issa Ahmad Khalil Abu El Hawa Ibrahim Abu-Ghannam Kendra Janae Adams Wossenyelesh Goshu Agegnehu Shabir Ahmad Erik Joshua Alva Cesar Augusto Alvarez Lady Diana Alvarez Charles Amapanga Dawoud Ameri Oscar Alfaro Andrade-Reyes Cristian Alfredo Antequera Sasha Lydia Argueta Moushaline Tesfagaibr Asmeron Dalal Atef Audrey Varanee Auandee Brian Micheal Bagot Nicole Gael Barrentine Victoria Ann Barrantine Manuel De Jesus Berrios Sarah Jane Binkley Emmanuel Blancovich Rachel Marie Bonds Brandon Lee Boorerbaugh Stanislav Bratishko Anthony Drwight Braxton Jr. Seth Alan Bruning Mateosky Amy Claire Buckles George Arthur Buzzell Casey Travis Byrd Thu Ngan Thi Cao Silvie Angella Castillo Amir Amaeed Chaudry Rizwan Raza Chaudry Benjamin Warren Clark Grace Johanna Carlos Brenda Bonnie Conteh Abdi Rashid Dahir Mohamed Dahir Issa Aziza Bao-Ngoc Dang Charity Noel Davis Karen Lizeth Delgadillo-Jimenez Abshir Osman Del Huot Soon Eam Andrew Charles Eblen Bismark Franco Rashid Sorie Fullah Kyle Edward Gaines Bryan Keoma Galarza Juan Janio Garcia Caballero Daynor Luddy Garcia

Katy Elizabeth Garcia Khatera Taheeri Karen Guanilo Hindowa Kelvin Tangula Julius Hanson-Takyi Jr. Kristina Elaine Taylor Auburn University DeAundra Sheree Heatley Michael Bruce Troutman Laura Jean Barker James Matthew Henderson Dillard University University of TexasSufian Saeed Unseri Monica Hesham Mei-Ling Liber Matthew Shemar Acker Austin Austin cong-Luan Van Tamoor Ijaz Brian Scott Edwards Cynthia Del Carmen Vasquez-Saavedra Elizabeth Ipanaque Adrian William Vineault Madiha Iqbal Hekmat Shah Zadran Mohamed Ahmed Jama Eastern Kentucky University Ayoob Ashraf Jan Stephanie Joy Kruse George Mason University Bilal Javed East Tennesse State University Robel Abraham Shawn Chritophe Johnson Amanda Beth Sheaffer Brian Redmond Anderson Kehkashan Khan University of Tennessee- Knoxville Amanda Nijma Hamz Bassa Sheerabeel Khan William Steven Akridge Ujalla Devi Khanna Sarah Adelima Bizer Chanda Mary Kim Oheneba Ofori Boateng Madalyn Marie Kneece Daniel patrick Boyd Jesse Aron Krieger Diana Bustamante Brittney Cherrelle Lawrence Susan Carol Caicedo Tony Huu-Minh Le James Madison University Eric Christopher Leach Elias Antoine Chamoun Justine Khanh Tuon Bui Andrew K. Lee Marymount Neila Darvish- Niknam Carolyn Diane Ichter Glenda Paola Lizama University Linda Doan Alvaro Antonio Luna Nhut Minh Pham Le Nhan Van Bui Brenda Doung Karina Guiselle Luna Anh Tram Nguyen Cindy Loren Caceres Kristen Michelle Durbin Khalid Mahmood John Daniel Reiss Amanda Leigh Green Kevin Kathik Mam Andrea Charline Eguino Erin Marie Shuniak Shenandoah University Lindsey McKim Sellner Ashley Raquel Martin Clovis Constantin Fleming Chadha Peter Leresche Valerie Nicole Smith Kathy Janet Martinez Daniel Min Hyeok Edith Tola May Alfred Sinneh Smith Julie Katherine Stone Yodit Berhanu Gebreyes Edith Manja Miller Kimberly Phuong Anh Tran Sali Nabil Hama Poria Moridzadeh Jessica D’Anne Vollrath John Lester Kilgore Mattu Morovia Jessica Lee Wisecarver Elina Hung Kim Syed Manzur Morshed Mary Washington College Kevin Lee Luong Ciara L. Moss Rebecca P. Kraushaar Oscar Enrique Natera David Edward Mahen Ashley Lorraine Lippolis Philong Andrew Nguyen Ashley Lynn Miller Rana El Faith Noureldayem Patinam Hesham Mohamed Sergio Marcelo Pacheco Hawar M. Muhammad Blue Ridge Community College Alejandro Parra Min Kyong Kim Ahn Dong Nguyen Katherine Laura Payne Thao Ngoc Nguyen Jennifer Patricia Perla Khoa Dat Nyugen Phan Benjamin Lewis IV Orchard Bridgewater College Khuyen N.K. Phan Nicholas Lee Payton Noah Andrew Crowley Geraldine Yuzeli Quiroz Anh Ngoc Pham Megan Wheelock McCurdy University of Virginia Sabah Shaheen Qureshi Laydy Margot Reyes-Lopez Khalid Walid Abul-Hawa Frank Hugo Rathburn IV Julie Nichole Sanchez John Robert Bernhardt Dina Ruth Romero Omar Agustin Serrano Julie Kathleen Bowes Blade Micheal Ronetz Katherine Michelle Stanton Angela Melody Briggs Hugo Dante Salvatierra Emmanuel Katumbi Patrick T’Chawi Jonathan Richard Eklund Nausheen Shahid Bersabeh Mezemir Medmim William Michael Steinbuechler Virginia Polytechnic Janet Elaine Partlow William Carroll Stroud Jr.

Institute

Evan James Ashe Charles Bruce Dickinson Elizabeth Anne Gill Katharine Rebecca Haines Se-Youn Kim Anthony Ross Lipari Stephanie Lynn Lugar Elsa Mekonnen SukHo Na Brent Richard Sullivan Cameron Louise Wells Ejaz Zeb

Alexander Guy Roberts Matthew Vernon Wiest

Bryce Dunn Chadwick Marisa Elise Menezes

George Washington University Colin Alexander Agnew Junaid Shams Ploi Swatdisuk Linda Vu Tran Georgetown University

Florida State University

Alexander An Phu Nguyen

Cassie Anderson Holcomb

University of Florida Edward Scott Gibson Alexander Peter Silano

2- Year College

Longwood University Katherine Gentry Bagnulo Jason Charles Bracken Stephanie Anne Halkyard Ashley Antoinette Jones Maryanna Dvorak O’Neill Scott Christophe Rodden Max Dietrich Ruth Christopher Joseph Terapane

Virginia Commonwealth University Mulki Abdullahi Ahmed Brett Justin Ashford Katim Faal Charlene Suzanne Ferrell Christina Asha Gidwani Carrie Anne Horton Jonathan Gregory Kassalow Chanh Bat Le Kimberly Maitram Le Gregory Keith Loewer Jr. Aakanksha Maan Yama Rokay Nadi Erica Christine Robey Anthony Robert Sanchez Christopher Eric Schubert Jr. Kathleen Renee Sloan Van-Phuong Nguyen Tran Andrew James Van Pernis Nicholas Veizaga

Ronoake College Justin Robert Wade

Virginia Military Institute Lillian Le

Radford University Lynchburg College Laura Elizabeth Bellot Holly Marie Counihan Jonathan Barrett Kriss Lindsay Marie Miller Lauren Elyse Sherman

The College of William and Mary

Christopher Newport University Stephen Charles Barr Christine Foster Castaldo Cynthia Lauren Horning Matthew Gerard Komara Amanda Nichole Roth Sean Daniel Sullivan William Augustus Williams IV Andrew Philip Winters

Old Dominion University Southern Virginia University Carmen Maria Marroquin Galvez

Shireen Muhammed Abedlhaq Fitsum Kidus Aberra Kojo Asamoa-Caesar Jr. Justin Michael Keaton Lamin Albert Mansaray Helen Lizzveth Rivas Samuel Zewdu Tadesse Carter McAllister Wlison Kari Madeline Wolfe Dae Young Yoon

Hampton University RaAnaa Davis Zainab Sankoh

Norfolk State University Melat Aklilu Ubah Mohamoud J. Hamud

Employment Justine Allen Courtney Thomas Erik Custy Kelley Louise Green Johnna Oshea Hairston Aitezaz Hassan Anna Agnes Johnston Hilda Perez Mohammad Anwar Saeed Amandeep Singh Stephen John Smith Jason Anthony Thomas Andrew Stephen Vaccaro

Riena Gloria Daguiso Guery Mario Espinoza-Orellana Kevin Patrick Gott Mark Wayne Hutchison Jr. Kevin Philip Judson Raza Kassim Ibraham Bahat Ashley Nicole Robertson Michael Martin Selsor Carlos Augusto Vega

Virginia State University Jennifer Ann Dallas Dennis James Demaree Manuel De Jesus Gomez Valerie Lynn Graves Alexander Gojko Kolundzic Catherine Laura Mazur Morgan Bernice McEvilly Sara Kate Murphy John Paul Olson Atiqa Tabassum Raja Somaly Ry Angel Marie Scott Meredith Elaine Webb

Roal Victor Echevarria Sera Eren Arca Ali Gunduz Salman Hayat Noorul Huda Svetlana Kayumova Anas Mousa Mansour Dilreba Avazhanouna Mukhtarova Gabriel Jean Pardo Mike Postigo Mushfiqur Rahman Egela Sahlemariam

Prof-Tech School

David Lee Alvarado Jonathen David Carpenter Thomas Vernon Liechti Donald Anthony Martin Jonathen Micheal Seiden Coury Ann Shadyac Tracy Melissa Strauch Gilda Villela Samuel Seium Shawnna Elaine Sellers

Undecided (as of 6/3)

North Carolina Wesleyan College

Morehouse College

—Katy Garcia senior

“In college you are not pressured to go to class if you do not want to and you can skip. I think college will be fun.”

Caroline Bacon Friedman

University of Delaware

“I can not leave my stuffed animal cat behind because I have had it for 12 years and it is meaningful to me.”

9

Military Service Mariam Jamal Ali Ruby Ann Alipio Paige Renee Allen Antonio Bernardo Calderon-Gordaliza Hannah Grace Choi Eder Fidel Coca Jose Roberto Dias-Castillo David Jeffrey Flowers Asadullah Frahmand Nhan Ngoc Huynh Andrew Joseph Judge Susan Jisun Kang Ahmad Robert Pierce Sergio Dennis Salamanca-Espinoza Jonathan Guanlao Torres Joshua Franklin Vance

Nursing School Mi Hae Kim Amina Moalim Noor Rebecca Gladys Velez

Said Mohamed Abdi Bissan Read Al- Naji Furqan Ahmed Altaf Alexander Gonzalo Andrade Paul Mansel Baldwin Lindsey Dianna Berens Brandon Christophe Betz Andrew Lawrence Boechler Claudius Jimmy Campbell Mose Choi Jovita Martine’ Covington Fatmata Ann-Marie Deen-Turay Austin James Defferding Ana Dinora Delcid DuVal Odell Dumas Anh Thuy Duong Juan Miguel Duran Matthew Edward Ebner Kalid Tofik Ebrahim Ruthie Lavan Edwards Victor Alfonso Escobar Pablo Axel Espinoza Yo Han Eun Fahad Farid Nathaniel Cordai Floyd Marlene Gamboa- Roca Wais Ghowsi Mary Kathleen Golden Mathew Aaron Halkyard Anh Tuan Hoang Adhemar Hiza Villagomez Carl Matthew Hubacher Alpha Yahya Jalloh Amandine Jojic Edgar Eduardo Jorge Vidaurre Michael James McLarnon Miles Fulton McNeill Rabia Ilyas Mian Emily Ludwin Miller Zenfuns Mokonnen Crystal Diane Moncada Katherine Leigh Moon Silvia Andreina Mora Ramirez Solomon Kebede Mulu Omar Mohammed Nachawati Ramin Andrew- Lee Naghdi Elizabeth Gabrielle Nettles Diana Ngo-Hoang Nguyen Crystal Tran Nguyen Ngoc- Hien Thi Nguyen Quynh- Phuong Trong Nguyen Xuan- Dao Tang Nguyen Andew Douglas Nicholas Nicholas Alexander Norwood Eric Ober Margaret Kathleen Owner Martin Teofilo Perez- Calderon Viva Van Pham James Nam Philapy Minerma G. Quiroz Thomas Charles Risden Pablo Roberto Rojas Amy Jane Rojas Nigeen Sadozai Mary Ann Santos Abigal Irene Segall Jacob Fahmi Shammas Tearoosh Hajar Sindi Luis Armando Sopo Edgar Ramon Sorto Benjamin David Stanley Kurt Charles Styer Sirak Socrate Teodros Yussif Nurrudeen Thulla Gaelle Petzi Tiepmo Casey Nichole Trippe Thai Anh Truong Kidist Tsegaye Susanna Suki Un Daniel J. Valdez Aubrey Alexandra Welch Darren Matthew Wyatt Jonathan David Young Sharif Mohamed Youssif

“College will be more fun, I will be able to focus just on my major, marketing, and I will not have to worry about six different classes.”

—Jose Garcia senior “I will have more freedom in college and will be able to take whatever I want.

It will be better.”

—Marisa Menezes senior

“I will have a lot more responsiblity at college and I will have to do my own laundry. ”

—Chris Terepane semior

“College will have more mature and independent people and there will also be more responsibilities. ”

—Madiha Igbal senior

“I will have more freedom and I will not have to worry about teachers nagging me.”

—Michael Burris senior

“There will be less classes and more time for social activities.

The social activities in college will be different than here and I will have more freedom. ”

—Jovita Covington senior

10 What are some things that make you smile?

“When I’m tickled and when friends are silly and when things happen that aren’t expected to happen... to other people.”

—Lisa Ottenheimer freshman “Funny expressions, friends, flowers and pretty things.”

—Donna Yu

freshman “The FCA, [and] snow falling outside the window.”

—Alex Barker sophmore “Pretty girls!”

—Brandon Betz

senior “Students when they really try their hardest, my good friends, quality chocolate, hearing my kids voices on the telephone, and seeing a really good foreign movie... with subtitles.”

---Pam Feil

English teacher

Top 10 Tips For Having a Healthy Smile 1. Clean your teeth and gums twice a day with a flouride toothpaste.

2. Cut down on sugary foods and drinks.

3. Visit your dentist regularly.

4. Have your teeth professionally cleaned by a hygienist at your dental office.

5. Use a small to medium size toothbrush, with soft to medium multi-tufted round ended nylon filaments.

6. Replace your toothbrush every two to three months, sooner if the ends become worn.

7. Electric toothbrushes can be more effective and are also easier to use for people with physical difficulties.

8. Disclosing tablets can help you see which parts of your motuh need the more attention- you can purchase these from your dentist 9. Flossing is a good way to clean between your teeth. It removes food particles and plaque from between your teeth and under the gumline where toothbrushes are unable to reach.

10. Mouthwashes are just a temporary way to freshen your breath. If you use them constantly, visit your dentist for a check-up because you might have an infection. Avoid mouthwashes with alcohol because they increase your chances of oral cancer.

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Don’t worry, be happy... us happy feelings. Still not convinced that smiling is good for you? It is 2.5 times easier to smile than frown and it takes only 17 muscles to smile, as opposed to The overwhelming scent of pasty latex 43 muscles to frown.

To find out how you feel about smiling gloves and mint fouride encompasses you as you walk into the white-wallled lobby of and its effects, we conducted a survey of the dentist. A place full of turquoise-clad aproximately 500 teachers and students doctors with face masks is a sight dreaded throughout the school.

How do you rate your smile? Do you by many kids and adults alike.

Is all of this pain and trouble worth wear braces? How often do you smile? it in the end? In the long run, yes. In ad- These are some of the questions we asked dition to healthier teeth and gums, you in the survey. As you walk through the can expect a whiter, more radiant smile halls, how often do you see others smile, that comes in handy in many situations. or smile yourself? Results show that Having a good smile thanks to the dentist, 46% of people say they smile “very often” and maybe even braces, boosts confidence throughout the day, as opposed to the and improves your appearance. A smile meager 4% that say they “rarely” smile. is contagious, and frequently smiling If you’re one of the many who smile often, people bring a positive atmosphere to good news! Studies show that smiling is in fact good for your health, and 75% of those around them.

Smiling and laughing are physically you “agree”. 17% are “undecided” 8% did good for you as well. Research shows that not agree.

“I agree with [smiling being good for they decrease the stress of everyday life, relax muscles, and decrease pain. In fact, your health] because if you’re always serifor those who are health-concious, fifteen ous, that’s how people will define you, but minutes of laughing and smiling is equal if you smile every now and then, people to the physical activity of running a mile. will perceive you better,” said sophomore When you smile or laugh, a sequence of Sharon Manana.

In contrast, reactions begin in freshman Billy your body that inGibson does not creases heart rate think smiling and blood pressure. ... If you smile every now is good for your This reaction also health. He said, strengthens your and then, people will “When you’re smilstomach muscles. ing, your happy, Another part perceive you better. but when your of you that is done [smiling] strengthened by laughter and smil—SharonManana your mood is at an ing is your immune sophomore all time low.”

The truth of system. Smiling the matter, acand laughing make cording to Dr. Joyour immune system more able to fight sicknesses. Smil- seph Mercola, “…[smiling] is beneficial ing releases endorphins, which makes to the cardiovascular system, respiratory you feel better and happier. In addition, system, muscular system, central nervous it causes the nervous system to produce system, and endocrine system.”

In addition to smiling because it’s good cerebral morphine, a hormone that gives

BY CARISSA DEZORT, LINDSEY DOWNEN, AND EMILY VINCENT Journalism 1 Students

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for our health, many people smile more frequently because braces have perfected their smiles. Braces can give you a more confident smile, which in turn can make you more confident about yourself.

“Now that my teeth are corrected, I definately feel more confident when I’m smiling and I smile a lot more,” said junior Katie Littlefield.

Those who wore braces a few years ago might have been more self-conscious about their “metal-mouths”, but now the number of people with braces has increased, making braces a more common sight. 35% of those polled say they “wear or used to wear braces”. If you’re still not warmed up to the idea of wearing braces, then just think of the end result: a more beautiful smile that will make you feel better about yourself. Just think of

some of the celebrities who used to wear braces. Britney Spears wore a retainer and braces. Cher wore braces for a year and even Jason Kidd, of the New Jersey Nets, also wore braces in college.

Respnses for questions regarding what makes a person smile ranged from chocolate to animals. However, among the most common responses to that question were friends, “hot” boys and girls, television, food, and shopping.

Some people say that seeing others smile makes them smile as well. It goes to show that a smile is contagious among people, and you can brighten someone else’s day by smiling yourself. Smile for the well-being of others, if not for your own well-being.

Test your celebrity smile knowledge Answers to this “Guess that smile” quiz are at the bottom of the page

5.

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1.

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Q&A with the best smiles at AHS We interviewed Nick Peyton and Caroline Friedman, senior superlative winners of ‘Best Smile.’

What do you think is unique about your smile?

Nick Peyton: I put it out a lot.

Caroline Friedman: I don’t know if there is anything unique about it...I’ve been told that my face lights up when I smile. I don’t know if that’s unique.

Do you think that people who smile more will have better social lives?

N: Yes. C: Yes, because if you come across as not enjoying life, no one will approach you.

What makes you smile?

N: Enjoying life.

C: My friends is a big one, family, jokes.

Did you have braces or a retainer when you were younger?

N: Yes, braces.

C: I had braces for almost 3 years. I had a palette expander and now I have retainers.

Do you think you have an infectious smile?

N: Yes. C: Sure!

Did you expect to win “Best Smile?”

N: No! C: No, it was kind of like a joke with my friends [to nominate me]. Also, the votes are spread apart so you don’t need that many to win.

Has your smile ever helped you in a tough situation?

N: Yes, it is a lot easier to explain something to someone who is angry with a smile on your face.

C: When teachers are mad, if I joke around with them, it makes them not mad at me.

“Guess That Smile” Answers 1.

3.

2.

Jennifer Garner

Jim Carrey 5.

Dennis Quaid

Chris Rock 6.

Cameron Diaz

4.

Julia Roberts 7.

Halle Berry

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11 Fun and Games

On June 5, AHS celebrated its 50th ATOMversary with a community-wide festival and rededication ceremony. Although rain kept many people away, the day was still one of alumni reuniting and visiting.

The Morningʼs Martial Arts Demonstration by the Yong Sung Oee Hapmuel Studio showed AHS various defensive manuvers.

Ralph “Buck” Buckley speaks at the ATOMversary about his experiences as AHSʼs first pricinpal.

Buckleyʼs term at AHS started in the fall of 1954 until the spring of 1966.

Former principals, (from left) Donald L. Clausen (1994-2003), James G. Finch (1966-1986), G. Raymond Watson, Jr (1986-1994), and Ralph E. Buckley (1954-1966) standby as Principal Rodney A. Manuel makes a speech for AHS alumni and family at the rededication ceremony.

One of the Annandale Terrace Jumpers manages a handstand while still keeping her rhythm and balance.

Freshman Robert Ortiz-Ateca pulls a move during the Break Dancing Exhibition performance. This summer, the group will be holding a fundraiser at “Music and Dance” located in the Saratoga Shopping Center.

Cindy Hook, chairperson of the ATOMversary Committee helps AHSʼs first principal Ralph Buckley (1954-1966) cut the cake at a reception for former and current faculty in Clausen Hall.

Sophomore Drew Cowles performs for the AHS alumni with his band Sight Unseen, who will be playing at the Fairfax Fair on Friday June 11.

During the indoor field hockey almuni game, AHS alumnus Torrie Higgins prepares to dodge other AHS alumni who are ready and waiting.

ATOMversary Committee Chairman Nikki Hunter McDonald, adorned with AHS colors,

Vivian Watts makes a special presentation at the Rededication Ceremony.

Watts presented a plaque officially recognizing AHS for itʼs 50th ATOMversary, and for excellence in academics, athletics, and character.

Freshman Lisa Ottenheimer cheers on a child of an AHS alumnus as he participates in the Class of 2007ʼs activity table, Can Knockdown.

All photos by Laura Johnson and Tina Douroudian.

AHS varsity football players attempt to block nine year old AHS hopefull, James Barker.

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PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY DAVID SHERMAN

Phobias:What freaks you out?

Freshman Timothy Yuskavage screams in horror and tries to hide his face as something terrifying creeps up on him.

“

ate problems and should be treated. Some people are so petrified by their fears that they become unable to move. With proper treatment, however, the majority of phobia patients can completely overcome their fears and be symptom-free for years, if not for life.

If you suffer from a phobia, be sure to consult a specialist and get help as soon as possible. Support groups are available for anyone who is in need of counseling.

Phobias can negatively affect your life in many ways, but if you can overcome your fears, you can live a fulfilling life.

Boys vs. Girls: Who’s Braver?

”

4% were undecided

63% of boys have a phobia or know of someone who does

525 Annandale students were given this survey during A, B, C and D lunches and flex during late May.

sure what the causes of phobias are, some phobias are a result of how the brain works. Other phobias are triggered by a certain event. If something terrible has Your heart starts to beat fast …you feel like you’re happened to you, you might react by developing a fear going to explode. You can’t breathe. Your hands start to about it such as post dramatic stress disorder.

Some phobias can go away. If you were afraid of the sweat. You get dizzy and feel like you are going to fall. You think you are going to die. You want to run, but where dark when you were a kid, you could simply grow out to? These are common reactions that people with phobias of it when you grow older, which most of us have done. have. A phobia is a strong fear of an object or situation Phobias that do not go away can be treated in a number of ways, although treatment is not that can cause anxiety. People can always successful. have phobic reactions to animals, Confrontation is one method of activities, people or social situations. treatment that makes you come The fear can be caused by an actual face-to-face with what you are presence of or the anticipation of the A fear is something that afraid of. For example, with the object or situation. cannot be overcome on fear of wild animals someone may Phobias are driven by emotions. show you the animal you are scared A phobia is not an illness, however, your own. of and explain to you how they move it can affect anyone; it doesn’t matand how they are different from you. ter how strong or smart you are.

Phobias affect people of all ages, —TerryAliabadi They may encourage you to touch it, races, and of all locations. They counsler and this could lead to you accepting the animal and no longer fearing it. can begin at any age and they are However, confrontation of your fear more common in women. Phobias can interfere with schoolwork, sports and your social life. may not always be successful.

If your phobia has been brought on by an event, like a It’s hard to live a normal life and go about a daily routine.

They can be as common as the fear of heights or can be car crash or your parents’ divorce, it might help to talk to as odd as the fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of a professional. If you can work through what is upsetting you by talking it out, your phobia might go away. your mouth.

JuniorAndrew Molchany has a fear of being struck by The difference between a fear and a phobia is that a fear is rational, meaning that there is logic behind it. lightening that was brought about when his grandfather A phobia is irrational. You feel fearful when you believe was struck by lightening while he was in the army.

“I run really fast from my car inside when there is lightyou do not have the ability to deal with something. When there is a large degree of misinterpretation of why you ening,” said Molchany. This is the way the he deals with his phobia of lightening, otherwise known as ceraunophobia. are scared, your fear becomes a phobia.

A phobia can make someones life miserable; it can There are genetic factors associated with phobias.

Many people who have a phobia have relatives with cause embarrassment and shatter your self-confidence. similar phobias or symptoms. Although no one is quite A phobia that interferes with your daily life can cre-

73% of girls have a phobia or know someone who does

“I get freaked out by snakes and spiders.”

“I’m freaked out by the scary red eyes on the cicadas.”

“I’m not scared of anything at all.”

—Zain Javed freshman

—Nicole Mott sophomore

—Jenna Wade junior

—Mariam Ali senior

“Cockroaches! When they get in my room I want to leave, even though I love my kids.”

—Virginia Crowley teacher

Cicadaphobia: people are bugged out People all over Northen Virginia are petrified by the cicadas

Cicadas have become a huge topic lately and you can’t blame people; they are everywhere. But are people taking this whole cicada epidemic too far? The invasion of these creepy creatures has been hyped up by the media so much that some people have actually become afraid to go outside because of the cicadas. Freshman Melissa Chiappane is one of these people.

When the 17-year cicadas, named “Brood X,” started to emerge from the ground Chiappane barely even noticed. It was not until they started to make their incessant chirping noises that Chiappane finally realized her yard was being invaded.

“I thought they were pretty gross looking.

The thought of one coming anywhere close to me freaked me out,” said Chiappane.

She is not the only person who is scared of the Brood X cicadas. Many people are frightened by the new insects that have swarmed the Northern Virginia area. Although there is, in fact, nothing to fear about cicadas, for some reason they have petrified people.

Maryland officials are doing everything in

their power to prove that the cicadas are harmless.

Everyone has heard of the people that have fried and eaten a cicada or two.

But yet, people continue to be afraid, and they stay inside all day until the chirping dies down.

Some people are going great lengths to shield themselves from the insects. This year people have been known to lay sand down in their yard so it would be impossible for the cicadas to emerge.

It’s hard to understand why people are so scared of these literally harmless creatures. The only harmful thing that the cicadas can do is make your pet sick if they eat too many outside.

Entomophobia is the fear of insects, which in effect, is the fear of cicadas. Entomophobia is brought on by a number of terrifying events that involved insects, the phobia is usually developed during one’s childhood. Cicadaphobia is a condidtion brought about every 17 years when the annual cicadas emerge from the ground.

Did you know...

—60% of people in the world have been affected by a phobia at some point in their life

—The National Institute of Mental Health estimate at least 5.3 million Americans suffer from a social phobia —Nearly 40% of Americans confess to having an extreme fear of an object —The average age of onset for social phobia is 15-20 years of age, although most fears begin during childhood Information from www.nimh.nih.gov/

School phsychologist

Yes, many times. They usually talk to their parents first and then their parents contact me, but sometimes students have come directly to me.

What is the most common fear that you have seen at Annandale?

The most common would have to be the fear of school. Kids stay out of school for a period of time and then refuse to come back because they are afraid of the amount of work they will have to make up.

Do you think fear is a serious problem at Annandale?

I would not say that fear is a major problem here, but I have realized that over the past couple of years the number of kids afraid of school has increased.

However, I only see a small percent of the students here.

At what point does a fear become legitimized as a phobia?

I think a fear becomes a phobia when there is no real logic behind it, for example, there is nothing to be afraid of at school; yet these kids are scared to come back. There is no explanation behind a phobia.

What advice would you give someone who is scared of something?

I suggest that he/she talk to someone, be it their parents, a teacher, myself, or a social worker here at school. A fear is something that cannot be overcome one your own. It takes persistance and perserverance.

Phobia Glossary

“Snakes have always freaked me out, they are so weird.”

DAVID SHERMAN AND MARGARET CROWLEY Journalism 1

Q & A with Terry Aliabadi Have students ever come to you about a fear that they have?

JULIANNE SIMPSON Journalism 1

What freaks you out?

13

Hundreds of people across the Northern Virginia and Maryland area are plagued by this phobia.

This is exactly what a phobia is, even though there is no reason to be afraid of cicadas, people are afraid to go outside while they are around. There is no logic behind it, and this is what composes a phobia: a fear with no logic behind it, no real reason to be scared.

No matter how much city officials try to convince the people that the 17-year cicadas are harmless, most people who are afraid today will remain afraid until the cicadas die off.

Achluophobia — Fear of darkness Agrizoophobia — Fear of wild animals Anuptaphobia — Fear of staying single Ataxophobia — Fear of disorder or untidiness Bacteriophobia — Fear of bacteria Blennophobia — Fear of slime Carnophobia — Fear of meat Catagelophobia — Fear of being ridiculed Ceraunophobia — Fear of thunder and lightning Didaskaleinophobia— Fear of going to school Enochlopphobia — Fear of crowds Entomophobia — Fear of insects Gephyrophobia — Fear of crossing bridges Glossophobia — Fear of speaking in public or of trying to speak Herpetophobia — Fear of reptiles, or creepy, crawly things Hypsiphobia — Fear of height Illyngophobia — Fear of vertigo or feeling dizzy when looking down Isolophobia — Fear of solitude, being alone Kakorrhaphiophobia — Fear of failure or defeat Musophobia — Fear of mice

Myctophobia — Fear of darkness Necrophobia — Fear of death or dead things Obesophobia — Fear of gaining weight Odynophobia — Fear of pain Panthophobia - Fear of suffering or disease Panophobia — Fear of everything Pathophobia — Fear of disease Phasmophobia — Fear of ghosts Pharmacophobia — Fear of drugs

Pteromerhanophobia — Fear of flying Pyrophobia — Fear of fire Rhytiphobia — Fear of getting wrinkles Scolionophobia — Fear of school Sesquipedalophobia — Fear of long words Heterophobia — Fear of the opposite sex Ophidiophobia — Fear of snakes Sophophobia — Fear of learning Spermatophobia — Fear of germs Spheksophobia — Fear of wasps and bees Taphephobia — Fear of being buried alive or cemetaries Thanatophobia — Fear of dying Topophobia — Fear of certain places or situations, such as stage fright Triskaidekaphobia - Fear of the number 13

14 Breakdown of AHS students with a job

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It’s off to work we go...

Number of students searching for a job falls to record low

BY JASON RUTHERFORD Journalism 1 “Summer is a time for sleeping, relaxing and having fun, not for working,” said sophomore David Merrill.

“I’m too busy with other activities in and out of school,” said Darrin Burrell, a junior.

These opinions reflect an increasingly prevalent trend among American high school students over the past few decades. Across the country, fewer teenagers are pursuing a job during the summer months.

In 2003, 56.9% of Americans ages 16-19 either had a job or were looking for a job, the lowest percentage since 1964.

Comparatively, 58.1% of teenagers looked for work in 2002 and 60.4% in 2000. In the summer of 1978 69% of teenagers sought a job.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics attributed the trend to an increase in students

enrolled in summer school. Nearly 26 percent of teenagers attended class last summer whereas a decade ago, 16.3% went to summer school. AHS students had other ideas.

“They are lackadaisical,” said junior Enrique Humbachano.

“I think there are two reasons,” said sophomore Stuart Dunbar. “Either [teenagers] are lazy and do not think it is necessary to have a job, or they are too busy with sports and going out to have time.”

Sophomore Sean Whitley, a counselor in training for Cyber Camp, said the decline was “because more people are going on vacation.”

Adam Laird, freshman, said, “Kids are getting money from their parents and depending on other people – not themselves.”

24.2 million youth entered the labor force last summer but an additional 3.2 million were unable to find work amidst tight

Surveys were distributed to 500 students during R3/R7 Flex on April 20 and R1/ W8 Flex on April 26. .

An Interview with the Career Center The Career Center’s Robin Roth

Q: Is it helpful for a college bound student to hold a summer job?

A: It is beneficial for everyone. Students will learn responsibility, working for others, time management skills and money handling.

Q: What resources does the Career Center have to help students find a summer job?

A: I had people call me about position opening jobs. Fairfax County also mailed me. I put all the information in notebooks called “Jobs & Employment”.

Q: Does volunteer work look better on a college application than work that students are paid to do?

A: No, not necessarily, but they like to see both. I think that most competitive colleges are stressing that.

Q: How can students best use Career Center resources to help find a summer job?

A: By coming and using them!

Most students are not coming to utilize the career center.

Students are allowed to come during lunch, flex and after school.

Q: What do students under the age of 16 have to do to get a work permit?

A: There are papers you need to fill out, proof of birth, parental permission and proof that someone will hire you. When you are 16 you don’t need it.

Where do you work and how do you like your summer job?

“I’ll be working at VTF Coffee during summer. I like the ability to do different things and meet new people. I work in the warehouse and it gets really hot.”

—Brian Bagot senior

competition for a limited job market. The unemployment rate among young people reached 13.3% in 2003, up from 12.4% in 2002. Nationally, employment rates held at 5.6%. The Bureau of Labor Statistics ascribes this increase to a rise in the immigrant population that traditionally competes with teenagers for introductory jobs.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics also tracked a movement among 20-30 yearolds who have settled for jobs usually filled by teenagers. Additionally, a period of slower economic growth experienced in the last few years negatively impacted teenagers seeking a job. Economists estimate that 18-24 months of strong growth are needed before teenagers benefit significantly.

“It is a combination of a lack of jobs and people don’t want to deal with responsibility,” said sophomore Vinnie Athey.

ArecentA-Blast survey found that 54% of AHS students have a job for the summer, consistent with the national average.

Sixty-three percent of AHS males are employed contrasted with 60% of males nationwide. Forty-seven percent of AHS females occupy a job compared to 56% of young females nationally. Senior males are the most likely to work and freshman females are the least likely to look for a

“I might be a guitar tech for the band, Don’t Look Down, on The Warped tour. I just like promoting the band. I would love traveling, and being on the road with them.”

“I like running my auto detailing business because I’m able to determine my wages, it’s easy work and good money. I don’t like the fact that it is tedious work and there is a lot of repetitive action.”

—AndrewMochany junior

—Steven Skeldon junior

job.

“I’m going to have to get a job when I get a car,” said freshman Sara Negron.

Students who choose to work during their summer vacations cited several benefits to working. “I like the money,” said Michael Sheppard, a freshman.

Sophomore M.J. Mayassi, who works as a hockey referee at Wakefield Rec Center, said, “It’s all about the green,” and “I get free hockey equipment and all the Gatorade I can drink.” Others noted the valuable work experience that a job provides.

“It is an introduction to what real work will be like,” said Natalie Bowman, a sophomore who is an assistant teacher at a ballet camp.

Dunbar, who works at the Kings Park Giant, said, “It teaches me how to be friendly to people.”

“

Kids are getting money from their parents and depending on other people - not themselves

”

—AdamLaird freshman

“I’ll be working at the skatepark. I’ll be making sure kids are wearing their pads. I love getting into the skatepark for free and meeting new kids.”

“Over the summer I watch my neighbor’s house. It’s really easy and the most boring thing. I can’t throw a party because it’s next to my house.”

—Bong An sophomore

—Arcadia Lacoma freshman

Mow for the Money

BY JASON RUTHERFORD Journalism 1 Of the nearly 25 million young people who hold a summer job, a large number of them have found a lucrative niche in lawn mowing. Many AHS students have looked to their neighbors’ yards for a source of income.

“First I tried babysitting, but I knew that didn’t cut it, so I did lawn mowing,” said sophomoreAlex Barker. He and others turn to mowing for its flexibility and consistency.

It gives them a steady source for earnings with the freedom to do other things.

“If you’re in high school, if you’re a freshman, if you don’t have a car, it’s good money,” said freshman Tim Pugarelli.

Barker, who runs B’s Lawn Service in the Wakefield Chapel area, said, “I started in the summer of seventh and eighth grade.”

Barker’s business has expanded to include five of his neighbors and he puts in an average of 3 hours each week. “It all started after my dad paid me to mow our lawn,” he said.

David Astrow, a sophomore who regularly mows three lawns per week said, “This is the first year I’ve really been getting into it and making a lot of money.” Astrow spends six hours per week mowing, “weed whacking,” raking and removing debris.

Many students find employment with Neighborhood Services (NS), run by AHS Head Football coach Dick Adams.

“We do hard labor, clean up people’s yards. We mulch, we rake leaves, we cut down trees, shovel snow. We cut lawns.” said Mo Salih, a sophomore who works 10-15 hours each week.

“NS is like a big slave family,” said

coworker Enrique Humbachano, AHS junior.

Workers in this field point to several benefits from their efforts. Barker said he enjoys “Being able to point to that person’s yard and say ‘I did that lawn’,” refering to the pride of a finished job as well as getting paid.

“It builds discipline and concentration. It makes you stronger,” said Pugarelli.

Salih said that the best part of mowing is “To feel like I am independent and not [relying] on my family.”

Lawn services are not without their difficulties. Workers deal with the muggy weather, mosquitoes, redundancy and “It’s boring,” said freshman Michael Sheppard.

Salih said the hardest part of outdoor work is “when it’s hot and you’ve been working all day and he’s [Adams] watching

you.”

Humbachano said, “It’s hot and we have no time to drink or eat.”

“The hardest part is not being at the pool and all your friends are out partying,” Purgarelli lamented.

“I almost fell in the pool [while mowing],” admitted Astrow.

“I’ve chopped a few things” with the lawn mower, Barker said.

Additionally, mowing is a seasonal job and only provides income during the temperate months. Cicadas have provided an added hardship as shells, wings and body parts are collected along with grass clippings.

Despite the challenges associated with working outdoors, students are motivated

by hefty profits. Mowers earn, on average, from $20-35 per lawn, contingent on its size with only expenses for gasoline and other materials incurred. Rising gas prices have increased the cost of doing business.

Lawn mowing is not for everyone.

“It stinks. I did it once and I am never doing it again,” said freshman Margret Cromwell. For some, mowing the lawn is an unpaid responsibility.

Sophomore VinnieAthey described it as a “fantastic job.”

“It’s an easy way to make money,” said Josh Delpino, a sophomore.

Five worst teen jobs —Delivery and other driving —Working alone in a cashbased business: convenience stores, gasoline stations, fast food restaurants etc.

—Traveling youth crews: doorto-door sales, etc.

—Jobs where employers pay “under the table” wages —Construction — especially working in heights and in contact with electricity Source: The National Consumers League

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Joining the U.S. Military The military offers a number of benefits to those who enlist.

BY PETER NGUYEN Journalism 1 Student Joining the military can be a good experience for those who are seeking something different, those who strive to do something to help others. In doing this, enlistees receive benefits that provide essential needs for them and their families.

One benefit is low-cost or free medical and dental healthcare. This is a large benefactor for those who come from lowincome families that need healthcare and insurance coverage. These benefits will still continue even after you retire from the military.

Many college education benefits are available to enlistees. Joining the military is a good way to get into college because of the monetary benefits.

For those who are joining the army during college, taking the electiveArmy ROTC (Reserve Officers’ Training Corps) can provide two, three, or four year tuition scholarships in college, as long as you agree to serve on active duty or in the reserves afterwards. ROTC also provides you with leadership training so that once you get into the army; you become a junior officer (2nd Lieutenant) in the Army’s ranks.

If you are not planning to do Army ROTC, an enlistee can still receive up to $50,000 for your college education from the Army College Fund combined with money from the Montgomery GI Bill.

The Army isn’t the only branch that offers education benefits. The Navy has NROTC (Navy Reserve Officers’ Training Corps) that can provide a sailor with up to $150,000 in college education benefits. The Navy College Fund, combined with the Montgomery GI Bill, will give an enlistee $50,000 for college.

Those who looking to join a university and are interested in the military should consider the four military service academies. These are the US Military Academy, better known as West Point, the US Naval Academy, the US Air Force Academy, and the US Coast GuardAcademy. These academies provide you with free tuition, rooms, and books, even free meals. They also have high academic standards while stressing physical fitness and high morals and ethics at the same time. The academies have produced high-standard military men and women over the years. One of these was George S. Patton.

However, these academies are extremely difficult to get into. West Point, the Naval Academy, and the Air Force Academy require a nomination from a US Congressman, Senator, Representative, or the US Vice President unless you have already enlisted before applying to one of the academies.

In the military, you may earn certain bonuses because of the jobs that you take. For example, in the Army, one person could earn as much as $20,000 when he or she enlists, based upon what they are going to do and how long they choose to serve in the military.

People who are considering joining the military, but are not ready to enlist, may be interested in the DEP (Delayed Entry Program), which allows people to enlist, then report to basic training a year later. An enlistee can use this time to get into shape for the physically demanding basic training. Most of the people who request this enlistment program are high school students.

One year after 9/11, President Bush approved an executive

order declaring that non-citizens who serve in the military for at least three years during times of war can apply for citizenship and be naturalized without any residency requirements. For those who are seeking citizenship, but have not met the residency requirements, have an opportunity to be naturalized in the military. After obtaining citizenship, military personnel are encouraged to move into military programs requiring citizenship, such as the US Navy SEALs. Military enlistees will receive many benefits, these were just some, and they will be able to do things that will be memorable and make a difference in their and someone else’s life. For the people who will be graduating from high school, the military is a career that should be taken into consideration.

Military service is challenging and not for all people.

BY JAI AND JAYA KRISHAN Journalism 1 Students There are also some disadvantages in the requirements of joining the military.

One of the first requirements is to take the ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) test, and to pass it. Most high schools offer this test to juniors.After passing theASVAB test, one must be at least eighteen years old to apply for the military. It is also necessary to be fit and in good shape in order to go through the first six weeks of basic training.

Those who have problems with authority are likely to have problems in the military. Most, if not all the time, someone will always be there to command and control you.

The branches of the military all have some sort of basic training. The purpose of basic training is to provide a recruit with the skills to be able to function in

the military. Getting in the military means risking your own life in a battle to serve your country. And if one is not brave, there is no way he/she can be successful in joining the military nor will they enjoy this field.

There are many disadvantages in gaining military employment. To get military employment, one has to adjust to the military way of life, for example; authority of others, rules and regulations, staying apart from family, etc.

If one did not go to ROTC to obtain an officer commission, one has to go through the OCS (Officer Candidate School) in order to obtain it.

Background information is also an important factor of getting in the military. It is very important to fill out all paperwork (forms) correctly. One should never lie and fill out false information.

To be an officer, and to enjoy the rewards of high salary and other benefits, one needs a college degree.

If one chooses an employment in military aviation, however, that includes many disadvantages as well. To be a military pilot, one must commit a minimum of nine years to the military together with pilot and officer training. For independent thinkers, who prefer to make their own decisions and choose their own way of living, the Air Force is not a really good idea to consider. This is so because military aviators do not take control of their decision of where they will be deployed, which aircraft they are to fly etc.

Those pilots who are interested in flying aircrafts and look forward to only flying on duty might not like this job because their flight duties may be replaced with office duties at any time.

The military’s pilot training programs are very competitive and their requirements are highly selective.

Physical testing and interview requirements are also very demanding and challenging to meet.

Being in the Air force is not just about flying aircraft, it is about completing a mission that is the defense of the country.

the military. However, basic training is physically demanding. For those who don’t consider themselves very physical, the military is not for you.

One of the other disadvantages in the military is that one will have to dress up in their uniform. Even if you don’t feel like dressing up, you will be ordered to.

Those who hesitate to travel should not consider joining the military because they may deploy you overseas anytime even if you don’t want to. One has to be prepared to fight wars anytime.

Another disadvantage of joining the military is lack of sleep and rest.

The working hours vary depending on the position one is in. In most cases one A combat engineer carries a confiscated has to sleep late and get up early.

One of the most important is fear. 107 mm rocket back to his truck near People who are scared of losing their Kirkuk, Iraq. life are really not suitable of joining

15 Are you planning on joining the military?

“No, I wouldn’t because I don’t believe in fighting for a country that I don’t respect.”

—Ubah Hamud senior

“No, I just don’t want to... It’s not one of my goals.”

—Tamoor Ijaz senior

“No, I’m trying to pursue a career in other communications. Military is just not for me.”

—Brett Dailey junior

“‘Cause I’m not athletic and I don’t like it when people are dead in front of me.”

—Kidest Tariku junior “I would love to but I’m too lazy to be a soldier.”

—Derya Dogan junior

“No, because I’m too young to die.”

—Courtney Fay sophomore

“Yes, because they can pay for my school and when I retire they can still pay.

—Byron Aguilar sophomore

June 12, 1775: U.S. Merchant Marines Founded

October 13, 1775: U.S. Navy and Coast Guard Founded

November 10th, 1775: U.S. Marine Corps Founded

Septermber 18, 1947: U.S. Air Force Founded

August 7th, 1789: U.S. Army Founded Local Military Recruiters

Females

On May 5th, 10th, and 11th, 326 students were surveyed.

Males

11 - Yes 109 - No 23 - Undecided

109

23

31 - Yes 107 - No 45 - Undecided

107

31 11

1. USAF – Sergeant Mark A. Jackson (703)-617-7309 2. U.S.Army – Staff Sergeant Derrick Sneed (703)-681-6399 3. U.S. Navy – David Calderon (703)921-9280 4. U.S. Marines – Staff Sergeant Harper (703)-325-7719 5. U.S. Coast Guard – Chief McCarthy (703)-960-5923

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FEATURES

A

t

June 8, 2004

Bon voyage A-Blast seniors

What comes to your mind when you think of ABlast?

“Too many late nights with my pretty A-blast girls. Rowr!”

—Katie Stanton senior

“It’s an amazing extracurricular activity, and I’m glad I’m a part of it”

—Kimiko Yerick senior

“Late night newsie action, Portland and San Diego ladies.”

—Abby Segall and Caroline Friedman

Top Row, Left to Right: Sean Sullivan, Junaid Shams, Alex Silano, Andrew Menegat, Amanda Sheaffer, Kyle Smeallie, Erin OʼBrien, John Bernhardt, Evan Ashe, Brent Sullivan.

Middle Row, Left to Right: Abby Segall, Morgan McEvilly, Sarah Bizer, Katie Stanton, Maggie Owner, Caroline Freidman, Will Akridge, Ted Gibson.

Bottom Row, Left to Right: Jared Smith, John Reiss, Ashley Jones, Matt Wiest, Rebecca Kraushaar.

“Bringing Weintraut food when I’m late for school.”

—Jared Smith senior

“I will miss late nights with Katie and other friends.

—Erin O’Brien senior

Paul Gleason

Paul Gleason’s past positions have been Staff Writer, Sports Extra and Co-Editor in Chief. Paul was named High School Journalist of the year by The Virginia Journalism EducationAssociation, and was runner-up for National Journalist of the year. Some of his favorite memories have been the trip to Portland, Oregon and San Diego, California, and many “your mom” jokes throughout the years. His college plans are to study journalism and film at Elon University. Paul will miss the feelings of dedication, devotion and professionalism while still being a high school kid under the direction of a great teacher.

Abby Segall

Upcoming Concerts June 11 Blink 182 and No Doubt @ Nissian Pavillion starting at 7 p.m.

Tickets for lawn $34, and range from $34-45. For more information visit www.nissianpavillion.com June 13-14 Madonna @ MCI Center starting at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $93-303. For more information visit www.mcicenter.com June 19 Jessica Simpson @ Nissian Pavillion starting at 7:30 p.m.

Lawn tickets $25, and range from $25-48. For more information visit www.nissianpavillion.com

Abby Segall has held the positions ofArts editor, News Editor, and Co- Editor in Chief. Her favorite memories have been cutting off five inches of Katie Stanton’s hair, going to Portland and San Diego, Weintraut buying her the “I’m Crabby” T-shirt, talking Buffy with Alejandro, delirious late nights, meeting so many different people, being a newsie, the feeling of accomplishment and the responsibilities. She will be attending University of Vermont in the fall.

Caroline Friedman

Caroline Friedman’s past positions have been Weekend Editor, News Editor and Managing Editor.

Her favorite memories are being newsie with Abby, cutting Katie’s hair, conventions, the taste of pizza on last nights, Weintraut’s “your mom” jokes, and good times with everyone. She will attend the University of Pittsburgh in the college of business. She will miss late nights, meeting awesome people, Weintraut, being part of a team and having a voice in the school.

Kyle Smeallie

Kyle Smeallie has been a Staff Writer and News Editor. His favorite memories have been Weintraut’s impressions of Paul and Weintraut’s mom and her irressitability. Kyle will attend the University of Delaware.

He will miss Caroline Friedman and all the other foxy ladies, especially Phillippe.

Junaid Shams

July 8 Hanson @ Warner Theatre starting at 8 p.m. Tickets are $32.50. For more information visit www.warnertheatre.com July 11 &1 4 Dave Matthews Band @ Nissian Pavillion and Merriweather Post Pavillion starting at 6 p.m..

Lawn tickets $39 and others are $56.50. For more information visit www.ticketmaster.com

Junaid Shams has been a Staff Writer, Editorials Editor, Academics Editor and News Editor. His favorite memories include eating pizza, making fun of Mr. Weintraut’s mom and working with friends on late nights. He plans to attend George Washington University in the fall and study Pre-Med and Journalism. Junaid will miss late nights most about A-Blast.

John Bernhardt

John Bernhardt was a Weekend Editor, Sports Editor, and Editorials Editor. His favorite memory was going to San Diego this past year. He will be attending UVA in the fall. He will miss most the feeling of completion and accomplishment after finishing an issue. He will also miss the countless opportunities to beat Weintraut in arm wrestling.

Maggie Owner

Maggie Owner ‘s past positions have been Staff Writer, Features Editor and Editorials Editor. Her favorite memory was pushing Rebecca around in a shopping cart and hanging around at night outside the conference center on the Portland trip. She will be attending Elon University. She will miss all the close friends she has on staff and the craziness of late nights.

Erin OʼBrien

Erin O’Brien was an Arts Editor and an In-Depth Editor. Her favorite memory was going to San Diego over spring break. She plans to play field hockey at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. She will miss

late nights.

Katie Stanton

Katie Stanton was Copy Editor, Entertainment Editor, and In-Depth Editor. Her favorite memories include the San Diego trip, the awards ceremony in Dupont Circle when “Abby and I got in a fight.” She will be going to George Mason University. She will miss the people she’s met, the crazy late nights, and getting delirious and stupid at 7 p.m. every late night.

Will Akridge

Will Akridge’s past positions have been Staff Writer and Graphics Designer. His favorite memory was when Ms. Richardson got very angry about Katie and Maggie’s article and he ended up writing an alternative article with Sopher, only they lost the pictures and they had to retake them. He will be attending the University of Tennessee. He will miss most about A-Blast is interacting with brilliant people and making them look more attractive in Photoshop.

Alex Silano

Alex Silano was the Academics Editor. His favorite memory is when he, Reiss, Smeallie, Wiest, Junaid and Menegat stole the pizza from the jock lobby during late night and ate it with Mrs. Richardson, then coming back up to the room with only four and a half boxes. He will be attending the University of Florida where he plans to room with Staff Writer Ted Gibson. He will miss Smeallie’s weekly antics on late nights. He will also miss Paul’s constant screaming at the Staff Writers, and making fun of Jared.

Jared Smith

Jared Smith has been a Staff Writer on A-Blast and a Sports Editor for two years. His favorite memory was creating the “wall of shame”. He plans to attend Penn State University in the fall. He will miss late nights and arguing with Paul for stupid reasons.

Sarah Bizer

Sarah Bizer was a Staff Writer, Atomic Articles Editor, and Peoples Editor. Her favorite memories include listening to Enya with Abby at her computer, cutting Paul’s hair, and the San Diego girls. She plans to swim at George Mason University and wants to major in education. She will miss her A -Blast girls and how much fun she surprisingly had on stressful late nights.

Matt Wiest

Matt Wiest has been a Staff Writer and a Sports Editor. Some of his favorite memories have been “the pot banging” incident with Junaid junior year, and the San Diego trip. In the fall he will be attending UVA. He will miss the pranks, jokes, arguments and debates during class and on late nights.

Morgan McEvilly

Morgan McEvilly’s past positions have been Photo Editor and Photographer. Morgan will be attending Radford University. She’s going to miss the super cool teacher Big W, all the crazy last nights, Paul getting mad and red and free pizza.

Brent Sullivan

Brent Sullivan has been a videographer on A-Blast.

His favorite memory is winning with his film at the Film Festival. He will be attending Virginia Tech in the fall.

He will miss watching movies and Sabrina Stacy most about A-Blast.

Sean Sullivan

Sean Sullivan has been a photographer and a Photo Editor. His favorite memories were the trip to New York, playing 9-ball in the hotel pub, skating in the Trump Ice Rink, and walking around the city. In the fall, Sean will be attending Christopher Newport University. He will miss late nights the most about A-Blast.

Valerie Graves

Valerie Graves has held the position of a Photographer. Her favorite memory is everything about A-Blast.

She will be attending Radford University. She will miss most about A-Blast is Abby, Morgan and Sarah, also the “nothing to do” days where they sat and gossiped, all the friends, late nights, great editors and co-photographers.

“It was the best class ever.”

Ashley Jones

Ashley Jones was a Staff Writer and a Photographer.

Jones’s favorite memory was the D.C. convention. She plans to attend Longwood University and major in communications. She will miss hanging out in the room with Caroline and making fun of Weintraut.

Kimiko Yerick

Kimiko has been an Arts Editor. Her favorite memory has been the experience of being on staff. She plans to attend Immaculate University and major in education.

She will miss Weintraut’s jokes most.

John Reiss

John’s past positions have been staff writer and Entertainment editor. His favorite memories are late nights and he plans to attend JMU. He will miss “Weintraut’s Mom.”

Amanda Sheaffer

Amanda’s past positions have been being Staff Writer and a Sports X-Tra Editor. Her favorite memory of the A-Blast are the late nights with the staff and ‘Traut, and being called a man from Weintraut because of her laugh.

In the fall she plans to attend East Tennessee State University or VCU. She will miss Weintraut making fun of her laugh in San Diego and him loving it.

Ted Gibson

Ted Gibson has been a photographer and a Staff Writer on A-Blast. His favorite memory is making the yoga picture of Evan. He plans to attend the University of Florida and room withAcademics EditorAlex Silano. He will miss the wall of shame and the arguments between Paul and Jared most.

Rebecca Kraushaar

Rebecca Kraushaar has been anArts Editor,Academics Editor, Writing Coach and Illustratar/Cartoonist. Her favorite memory was going to the Renaissance Festival to do a story for weekend. “Those turkey legs were massive.”

Kraushaar plans to attend Mary Washington and major in Art or Art history. She will miss most about A-blast is Sarah and Sabrina, all the funny people on staff and our amazing Macs. “I wish I could take them both away with me to college.”

Evan Ashe

Evan Ashe’s past positions have been Staff Writer, Atomic Athletics and Business/ Circulation. His favorite memory was when Rob Payne fell over in the pink chair. He plans to attend Virginia Tech in the fall and he will miss not staying for deadlines at A-Blast.

Andrew Menegat

Andrew Menegat has been a photographer and a People’s Editor. His favorite memory has been stealing pizza on late nights. In the fall he will attend the University of California Santa Cruz. He will miss “the pizza” most about A-Blast.