Issue 2

ANNANDALE HIGH SCHOOL 4700 Medford Dr. Annandale, VA 22003

the

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VOLUME #56 ISSUE 2

7

Informiing the Atoms siince 1954 4

SEPTEMBER 22, 2010

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10-11

Health provides healthy habits for the new school year

(703) 642-4229

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Lifestyles finds ways to make your summer outfits school appropriate

InDepth investigates free speech both at the school and around the country

Weekend gives you the recipe for the perfect tailgate

Atoms beat Stallions 7-3

Congested

Varsity football improves to 2-1 after defeating the South County Stallions

AHS suffers severe overcrowding

Powder Puff interest meeting today

ALEXA LAFFERTY

Attention all juniors and seniors interested in competing in the Powder Puff game! There will be an interest meeting this afternoon in Clausen Hall at 2:30.

Freshman class elections to be held Attention freshmen! Class elections will be held this Friday, Sept. 25 and Monday, Sept.

27 during R5 Flex and lunch.

Remember to vote for your favorite candidate!

Field Hockey Atoms Challenge upcoming

Despite a boundary change that transferred students to Lake Braddock and Falls Church, AHS still must deal with overcrowded hallways and lunch lines. Read more on page 5.

Construction prompts questions

With two minutes left and the ball on the 34-yard line, the Atoms varsity football team clung to a four-point lead over Patriot District rival South County. On fourth and eight, the Stallions had one last chance to overcome the deficit. Quarterback Jacob Josephs dropped back to pass and threw a jump ball to the left sideline, where senior cornerback Jake Barnes was able to come down with the ball and clinch the AHS victory. “[The defense] played great all game,” said head coach Mike Scott. “It was an oldschool Annandale football game. We knew we had to play great “D” and we knew we had to stop them. If there was a defensive MVP for the game it would be Jake Barnes.

He played great.”

Barnes finished the game with two interceptions and also added a catch for six yards on offense.

The lone touchdown of the game came with four minutes left in the third quarter.

After playing a scoreless first half, the Atoms finally had the opportunity they needed. After an AHS fumble in South County territory, the Atoms defense came out and made a play. They forced a fumble and it was recovered by senior Yari Mizouri.

On the ensuing drive, the Atoms pounded the ball on the ground with junior Tyrek Worrell and senior Stephen Cook. Eventually, Cook was able to cap the drive with a one-yard touchdown run.

“South County’s D-line couldn’t stop our offensive line [on that drive] because of [senior] Bob Stevens, [senior] Paul Phongsavan, [junior] Ali Ali-Musa, [senior] Abenezer Anteneh, [senior], Joel Hoisington, [senior] Henry Cooper, and [senior] “Football” continues on page 17

The new modular is nearing completion and with it comes important questions about the construction process

The varsity field hockey team will be competing in the annual Atoms Challenge this Saturday, Sept. 25 at AHS. The team will play against St. Catherine’s and National Cathedral starting at 10 a.m.

BY REBECCA MALZAHN News Editor

Golf competes at District Tournament A.J. MCCAFFERTY

The varstiy golf team will compete in the Patriot District Tournament Sept. 22-23 at Twin Lakes Golf Course.

The modular should be up and running by just after the Columbus Day holiday.

As students finally get reacquainted with the hallways of AHS, certain teachers prepare to leave their classrooms. Soon, some teachers that have to share classrooms will be able to make the transition into the modular unit currently being installed. The 14-classroom unit is scheduled to be completed the week following Columbus Day weekend.

Construction for the modular unit began in July, and is nearing completion. Despite delays at the beginning of the project, the construction team has maintained a good working speed.

“The biggest thing is with coordinating moving everything,” said County Field Construction Supervisor Paul Scott.

There are multiple people and companies involved in the installation of the modular unit. Fairfax County is overseeing the “Construction” continues on page 5

A.J. MCCAFFERTY

Atoms Field Hockey Record: 5-3

ERIN GEORGE

BY DAVID HOOKEY Co-Editor in Chief

Senior Devin Lawrence runs with the ball during a practice leading up to the South County game. Lawrence leads the team in receiving this season with six catches for 118 yards and a touchdown.

Limited parking leads to relief for some and disappointment for others

BY ROWAN SHARTEL Staff Writer

See www.thea-blast.org for a video about freshman orientation.

When senior year comes to mind, the most obvious things that cause students stress are college applications, exams, sports, and making it through their final high school year.

This year, however, seniors had a whole new issue to worry about: obtaining a parking spot at school. Due to the construction in the back parking lot, faculty has been taking up student parking spots, disallowing any students from parking on school grounds for the first

two weeks of school.

Although there is an argument that buses can always be used for transportation, students who participate in after school activities such as sports and clubs need a way to get home after school, and late buses aren’t available until October. Furthermore, Ossian Hall Park, which will offer 48 new spots for students upon completion, most likely will not be open for use until after Columbus Day. These complications are causing strong reactions among seniors. Put simply, the lack of parking space is aggravating because, “there’s not a lot of it,” said Alay Tedla. “I took the bus the first two weeks of school, and I didn’t like it, because I’m a senior and I shouldn’t have to.”

“I rode the bus, and I have to get up A group of seniors looks at the list of students who received parking spaces. Only 63 spots were allotted but approximately 45 more will

“Parking” continues on page 5 become available when Ossian Hall Park construction is completed.

DAVID HOOKEY

Students react to parking announcement

2 How should the “puppy pitcher” be punished?

“I have no opinion on that because this is the first time I have heard of it, but that is crazy.”

—Bryan Jefferson sophomore

“It think it is wrong to do that and she should be put to death, or at least go to jail.”

—Paolo Gosalvez

junior

“She should get community service. That is terible and there are a lot of people who love puppies.”

—Brandon Hua

junior

“I think she should do a community service at a dog pound and maybe some jail time.”

EDITORIALS

Sept. 22, 2010

Death penalty, too far fetched The anonymous puppy-pitcher girl should be punished by engaging in community service

BY DANIEL PARK Staff Writer Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably heard of the notorious “Puppy Pitcher.”

A graphic video was posted on YouTube; the video depicts a teenage girl with a red hooded sweater and blond hair throwing six newborn puppies into a coursing river.

Throughout the video, the puppies can be heard squealing and barking for mercy before they are thrown, flailing their limbs desperately before they crash into the water.

The girl in question seems to have no problem with throwing the puppies. Giggling throughout the video, she can clearly be heard saying “whee!” before throwing another puppy.

The video, although removed because of YouTube’s terms of service, was saved and became the center of international attention. Celebrities such as Twilight star Kellan Lutz have openly said how disgusted they are by the video. Transformers director Michael Bay has reportedly offered $50,000 reward to anyone that can give information on the girl.

Animal protection agencies denounced the video and condemned the girl for her actions. Many Facebook groups were created; one of which, “Find the girl who threw the puppies into the river,” has over 47,000 members. Many sites started a global search for the girl, with sites such as tumblr and 4chan leading the charge.

From the video, one can assume that she is a blond, European female, which wasn’t much information to start with.

Throughout the search for the girl, many false accusations occurred. A girl named Antonia Mistvic was thought to be the girl, and she was bombarded by death threats and denouncements until she eventually closed her Facebook account.

It was later revealed that she was just an innocent German schoolgirl.

As the international backlash intensified, a

A girl in the video is picking up the newborn, sick puppies.

After picking up the newborn puppies, the girl proceeded to flinging them into the rapidly flowing river.

story about an elderly old woman who rescued five puppies from a river surfaced. The article stated that the woman found and rescued five puppies from a river before they died.

While this may be news to rejoice, the puppies in the video were black and white, while the puppies she rescued were brown and black. Its widely speculated that the woman fabricated this story to take heat off the girl, but instead the search continued.

An apology video made supposedly by the girl who threw the puppies was posted on YouTube. She identified herself as Katja Puschnik.

The video is frozen on one frame of the infamous video, and states, “I would like to apologize for my behavior. The puppies belonged to my grandma and she told me to get rid of them because they were only three days [old] and were ill. They had parasites from their mother. I didn’t knew exactly what to do so I thrown them in the river because it was a short death. I did not want to make them suffer. I am really sorry for this :-( ” The video apology has been removed from youtube, and the girl’s identity could not be verified.

The search continued, failing to yield any real results until Bosnian Police said they have identified the girl. The police found her with

anonymous tips from animal protection agencies in the country.

The girl in question lived in Bugojno, Bosnia.

She was then arrested. Under Bosnian law, people who torture or kill animals can be fined anywhere from $19-$6400. She is a juvenile and her name has not been released because of the excess amount of death threats she has received and fear of what will happen if that information is leaked to the world.

After watching the video I was extremely disgusted by the girl’s action. Not only were her actions irresponsible, she shows no remorse whatsoever for her actions.

She obviously needs help. I’ve never heard of a girl who took pleasure in throwing puppies in a river and became a normal and productive member of society.

However, the reaction of people who watch the video think she should receive a harsher punishment than jail or a fine. Some people think that she should receive the death penalty for her crimes.

Yes, she did a horrible thing, but the death penalty is a stretch for me. There are people who have murdered other people and they still have been forgiven eventually. The girl shouldn’t get the death penalty, but she should be punished nevertheless.

Annandale parking space woes

—Danielle Reyes senior

Permit prices should be lowered because of time lost “That is cruel, and I think she should be thrown in the ocean with a bay of dog food.”

—Daniel Nguyen

senior

BY NASIHA RASHID Editorials Editor The construction of the modular and the Ossian Hall remodeling has caused a lot of issues for faculty, staff and students in the beginning of this year. Due to the modular’s placement, the faculty

and staff parking lot has lost about 100 spaces prompting the faculty to parallel park along Four Year Run. The faculty is currently using the student parking which means students will not be able to park until Ossian Park is finished; however, they are still allowed to apply.

The price of a parking space is $200, and the students who wish to purchase and save a spot for the future have to turn in the application now, without the money. The spaces will not be available to them until November. Students have to either ride the bus or have their parents drop them off

at school as a result of the parking issue this also adds on to the traffic issue that has long been a problem here at AHS. Lack of parking spaces also causes issues with participating in club activities. Students cannot easily participate in after school activities because they would need to find a ride.

It seems unfair to the students who have applied for ten months, but in actuality they’re only getting eight months. The school should give a discounted price for the months lost as a way of compensation.

Rules of Thumb This time it is not a UFO

Hannah Montana, a Health Hazard?

“I think it should be a combination of a certain amount of jail time and a lot of community service working with animals under the supervision.”

A 12-year-old girl has seizures whenever she hears a Hannah Montana Song Rule: Luckily this girl has an excuse to not listen to Hannah Montana.

Jennifer Gille took off all of her clothes and stole a taxi because the driver refused to take her to Michigan.

A person fell from the sky head first but then mysteriously vanished.

Rule: He could be the next Amelia Earhart.

Rule: When you don’t have money and do need a ride, do not ever strip and run.

—Kristen Wood science teacher

Staff

Compiled by Brekhna Gull

Corrections In the previous issue, sophomore Gunnar Thompson’s name was misspelled as “Gunner” in page 4.

Please contact The A-Blast staff if there are any other corrections to be made.

Editors In Chief: Emily Fruchterman David Hookey

Entertainment Editors: Mackda Dinberu Mary Anne Kavjian

Historian: Mariah Pollet

Managing Editor: Ndidi Obasi

Lifestyles Editors: Jennifer Allshouse

Web Editor: Liz Wilson

Erin George

Editorials Editors: Jeff Shim Nasiha Rashid News Editors: Annie Curran Rebecca Malzahn In-Depth Editors: Katie Masters Erin Johnson

Go to the web for more information on the recent elimination of some cafeteria snacks, such as Poptart’s. www.thea-blast.org

Woman Strips and steals taxi

Video Editor: Greg Nielsen

Health Editors: Katie Vu Gessica Azzam Photography Editors: Emma Barker Kristen Hennessey Ad Managers: Rachel Coulter Daniel Park

Sports Editors: CJ Aftergut Jake Barnes

Circulation Manager: Rachel Baker

Sports Xtra Editors: Brenna O’Neill Esra Gokturk

Art Editors: Jane Aman Jordan Aman

People Editors: Kelsey Knoche Alley Adcock

Academics Editors: Tricia O’Neill Nikki Contrino

Weekend Editors: Kelsey Price Helena Belay

Copy Editors: Brook Tamir Marwa Abdelaziz Rebecca Burke

International Editors: Haumaira Safi Jayran Moridzadeh

Videographers: Gwen Levey Amanda Denny Patrick McCann Stephen Craig Staff Writers/Photographers: Lance Miller, Helina Daniel, Carly Bouchard, Maria Suri, Elizabeth Kruse, Ngan Pham, Viviana Valle Rocha, Samir Shah, Alexa Lafferty, Mohamed Tunis, Isabel Villarroel-Teran, Alex Davalos, Alexis Gunther, Arthur McCafferty, Kim Long Hoang, William Labarca,Rachel Bergen, Sarah Bergen, Natalie Johnson, Kylee Nisker, Kida Gizaw, Stephanie Allshouse, Carli Loeb, Colleen Adenan, Brekhna Gull, Rowan Shartel, Jerald Sheppard, Gunner Thompson, Kate Grandchamp, Wisna’odom Keo, Noah Fitzgerel, Wiz Odom, Megan Flynn, Haben Berihun, Hila Ghorang, Parker Gillcash Adviser: Alan Weintraut

Annandale High School Vol. 56 No.2 (703) 642-4229 4700 Medford Dr. Sept. 22, 2010 email: theablast@gmail.com Annandale, Virginia 22003 fax: (703) 642-4299

The A-Blast is an award winning newspaper that strives to inform, educate and entertain the student body and community. Published every three weeks, The A-Blast will not print any material that is obscene or libelous; or that which substantially disrupts the school day, or invades an individual’s right to privacy. The A-Blast is an independent, open forum for discussion that is printed at the Springfield Plant of The Washington Post. Signed letters to the editor of 250 words or less may be submitted to room 262 or mailed to the school. The A-Blast reserves the right to refuse advertisements. All submissions become property of The A-Blast, Copyright, 2010.

EDITORIALS

Sept. 22, 2010

President Obama: Yes he Can? As his first presidential term is halfway done, many core issues still remain untouched

BY NOAH FITZGEREL Staff Writer Two years ago, the nation was in the midst of the race for the Presidential Office. President George W. Bush’s second term was coming to a close, and it seemed that most of the country, as reflected in campaigns from both sides of the aisle, was ready for change.

A young senator from Illinois seemed to come out of nowhere to take on the likes of Hillary Clinton, a seemingly unfair match, as it seemed Clinton could easily win.

However, a few months later, the country would find out that their new president was a Mr. Barack H. Obama. A fever had seemed to take the country, where everyone had their opinion on who was the best option, why, and why the other candidate was the absolutely worst choice possible.

I know I was a part of this fever, as I helped to place fliers on my neighbor’s door the night before the elections for the Obama campaign.

After his win, the many practical changes President Obama promised seemed a reality, and as a result his face was immortalized on bumper stickers, t-shirts and bobble heads. “Obamania” as many in the media called it, was in full swing.

Now two years later, has President Obama followed through on his seemingly flawless plan? The news seems to convey that the answer will be seen by the results of mid-term elections.

If many seats up for election in Congress that were once held by Democrats stay within the party, then yes, he has done a commendable job, but if those Democratic seats turn Republican, the message is, no, he has not completely lived up to his promises.

When running for Office, President Obama had promised many things, and when it came down to

As mid-term elections approach, citizens question whether Obama can get back to core issues addressed in his agenda.

the last months, his main opponent, Senator John McCain, did too.

They both agreed that troops should eventually withdraw from the Middle East, and that the education system had some needed reforms, but they differed on two major topics: Health Care reform and the economy.

The eventual victor of the race promised major Health Care reform for the country, saying that he would add some sort of government-backed option that would compliment the existing programs of Medicaid and Medicare, while being competitive with the private insurance companies, that would help bring the cost of insurance down. This has not happened yet.

While, yes, President Obama has passed some Health Care reform that prevents some of the most unfair practices some insurance companies

3 Where do you think Osama Bin Laden is Hiding?

were using, there is still no promised government option.

As stated earlier, the economy was another major point in the Obama campaign. Presidentialhopeful Obama promised revolutionary tax breaks for individuals and small businesses.

Unfortunately, the mishaps of corporate America has bogged down President Obama’s economic agenda. If you were to walk around the neighborhoods of middle-class America and ask if any of President Obama’s changes in the economy have affected them for the better or worse, more than likely, the answer you would receive would be “no.”

In fact, students of AHS reflect this last statement. Jonathan Pratt, sophomore, responded to being asked about how the economy has affected him said, “The economic changes President Obama have made has not affected me.”

Sophomore Ulugbek Israilov added, “President Obama’s economic changes have not affected me, but they might in the future.”

This will most likely become reality if President Obama is able to complete the agenda he started.

So, where did time go? A major chunk of President Obama’s time was spent on fixing the economy, rightfully so, through bailouts that were mostly last resort options.

However, some of his valuable time was spent on “beer summits,” the Shirley Sherrod issue, and the zoning of a New York City mosque, which are all perfectly debatable issues, but were partly so controversial because of President Obama’s involvement in the first place.

It seems that maybe these promises that range from large job growth, to the closing of Guantanamo Bay were with good intentions, but were the result of a young, hopeful, and relatively new politician, who had yet to see all sides of some of these issues.

Now with the economy in a better place then it once was, and corporate America temporarily in check, President Obama needs to return to his original agenda of core issues that won him his position in the first place. Can we get back to the plan? Hopefully the answer is yes, yes we can.

“Osama bin Laden is hiding in India.”

—Kevin Chavez

freshman

“Oh! Here in the United States, waiting to attack.”

—Andrea Robinson freshman

“He is in the tropical rain forest where nobody has been before.”

—Kylie Reagan

sophomore

“He is hiding somewhere with all his Islamic people that help him make bombs plotting his next attack on the U.S.”

Burqa is not the only threat

BY JEFF SHIM Editorials Editor For the past several years, the French government has been debating the potential banning of the Burqa and the Niqab, garments that cover the entire face except the eyes of Muslim women.

The heated controversy has been going on for the past year, and just recently, French senate approved the official legislation by a vote of 246 to 1, becoming the first European country to ban the Burqa.

The purpose of imposition of this legislature is to overcome the so-called “barrier to human interaction.” However, the question is: Is the Burqa really a barrier to human interaction as the French like to think?

Of course, for security reasons, the Burqa would propose a threat given the rise in suicide bombings in the past few years. However, banning the Burqa as a whole is unjustified.

Regardless of the person’s attire, a threat exists whether or not a Burqa is worn. For example the underwear bomber and the shoe bomber both managed to conceal explosives in their so-called “normal” attire.

Where is Osama bin Laden?

Esteemed western intelligence are still unaware of his whereabouts, unfortunately

BY NASIHA RASHID Editorials Editor It has been nine years since the 9/11 attacks and the war in Iraq is over, according to Obama. But one thing remains indefinitely unsure: Where is Osama bin Laden? The last we knew, he was hiding in a series of caves in the Kandahar Province of Pakistan, but how long ago was that? One question that resonates among the American public and possibly all over the world is: Why, exactly, have we not been able to locate Osama bin Laden?

He has not been exactly quiet about his views on U.S. Foreign Policy, nor discreet about his plans for the future, even putting out videos to the worldwide public. One would expect the CIA to have either located his whereabouts or captured him by now. However, it seems as though they have been following less than reliable sources and halfheartedly searching for him.

CNN reported that a former European intelligence official has released information that the CIA has had close brushes with Osama bin Laden and his top leaders. The European Intelligence official also noted a very “reliable” source close to Al Qaeda’s top officials; however, the information was not current enough, according to Western intelligence.

How current does it need to be in order to find bin Laden? It is as if they are playing an exceed-

ingly difficult game of Where’s Waldo. Except this time, bin Laden is not wearing red and white striped garb and standing in the middle of a large crowd.

However, it seems as though nine years is too long for Western intelligence to not catch a glimpse of, or, preferably, actually capture him.

It has been rumored that he was able to trek across Afghanistan, where 10,000 U.S. troops were deployed, without being caught. He even met with the Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the man behind the 9/11 attacks, back in 2003, when there was heightened sensitivity and western intelligence was supposedly on high alert.

Western intelligence is playing a blind game of hide and seek with bin Laden, and despite the fact that according to the intelligence official the intelligence agency was able to map out bin Laden’s specific whereabouts, they still could not catch him.

He is using rather elementary tactics that are proving to be highly effective; his method of isolation is working in his favor.

Keeping himself surrounded by very few trusted

individuals ensures that he will not get captured.

We can tell that it is working because it has been nine years and counting and there is no sign of him. For all we know, he could be pulling a Saddam Hussein and hiding in a man-made hole equipped with juvenile technology.

Or better yet, the more popular presumption is that he may have died already.

The entirety of the situation sounds like a failed movie script with minimal action. We could stay hung up on conspiracy theories that the CIA is hiding Osama bin Laden in its headquarters or that he got facial reconstructive surgery, though that seems highly unlikely.

According to Hillary Clinton, Pakistan government insiders know bin Laden’s whereabouts but are choosing not to speak, prompting the U.S. to seek more solid ties to the nation.

Nonetheless, it is about time that we get the answers we want and this game of hide and seek needs to end.

It has been almost ten years since the 9/11 attack and he is still playing Hide-and-Seek.

—Brenda KornegayPalmer sophomore “He’s hiding underground, probably somewhere in the Middle East.”

—Emily Oliver junior

PHOTO BY SANIYA MIR

A recent French legislation that banned wearing the Burqa cannot be justified

Muslim women wear the Burqa and Niqab for specific religious beliefs and besides that, it is nothing more than a daily outfit.

The history of the French government points to their Laïceté government, a total separation of Church and state.

The French government may not have any involvement in religious affairs and vice versa; however, this legislation reminds us of the religious intolerance that existed centuries ago.

This ban is also hypocritical — the nation prides itself on an unrelated and also contradicts the French government’s action.

French government has recently banned the Burqa and contradicts its Laícité policy.

The legislature does not completely exemplify Laïceté government structure wearing a Burqa may also vary.

Although the French government’s Laïceté and should be modified. In 2004, the French government already passed a law banning public style is favorable, it has gone too far with its display of religious symbols in schools, and items religious intolerance. The new legislature does not such as Muslim hijabs, “over-sized” Christian correspond with the idea of separation of church and state because it sets certain limits to rights to crosses and Jewish Yarmulke were removed.

The past legislature may be acceptable since express personal beliefs.

The recent poll showed that about 80 percent of those symbols should not affect children at schools, but a complete banning of a specific religious French citizens agreed on banning the Burqa. Such display in the country is taking away one of the statistics reflect on the religious bias in France natural rights of a person. Also, the meaning of and will allow Americans to appreciate their First Amendment rights.

“He is Dead! They hung him.”

—Kayla Heraud

junior

“He is chilling in Miami probably because they are looking everywhere but here. So he is chilling.”

—Meriem Khadraoui senior

“He is probably in another country like Jerusalem.”

—Asia Rogers

senior

“I think he is somewhere in Pakistan.”

—Judy Merriman Office assistant

“I’m not sure but I heard it is somewhere around the Afghanistan and Pakistan border.”

—Stratton Shartel

Social Studies Teacher

NEWS

4

Teachers show off their babies

Parents of freshmen get the feel for AHS

BY COLLEEN ADENAN Staff Writer A new group of people roamed the halls this past Wednesday, learning new things about the administration and the programs at AHS. But these people were not freshman, they were actually their parents. Freshman parent’s night was held this past week on Sept. 15 at 7:00 p.m.

The evening began with a slideshow of pictures from the Freshman Orientation on Sept. 3 as parents filed into the auditorium.

The Freshman Class Administrator, Vince Randazzo, later spoke to parents and gave advice to them, by recommending them to get their kids involved in the wide selection of extracurricular activities at AHS. Hassan Mims, the Dean of Students, stressed the importance of attendance and its correlation with success. He later added advice, saying, “Freshmen need to find an upperclassman to look up to.

“

”

That would help them make good choices and make a connection with other classmates.” A video was then showed to the parents, made by Alex Barker, AHS Alum 2006, about the great qualities of AHS titled “Atom Pride”.

Parents also learned about programs like the different diplomas and the collaboration program. “I think the collaboration program is good for freshmen to be together, make new friends, and learn about AHS,” said parent Julia Lafferty.

“But I think they’re much better for upperclassmen to sleep in.”

“I think the freshman parents are concerned about what happens in high school, such as the courses and are they too challenging, so mainly the curriculum and courses,” added counselor Nancy Templer, who also helped organize the event.

“The most important thing about high school for freshman year is getting off to a good start, no matter what has happened. It’s a chance for a fresh start, academically and socially, it’s an opportunity for teachers to look at students differently and they can turn over a whole new leaf and shine.”

BY BECCA HENDRICKSON Staff Writer Many students and teachers were affected by the miniature baby boom that took place here at AHS last year. A whopping total of five teachers were pregnant at the same time, which called for five long term substitutes, and several unprepared and uneasy students.

Out of the five pregnant teachers, all returned to teach at AHS for the 2010-2011 school year, except for English teacher Meghan Jones, who gave birth to her first child, John, during last year’s spring break.

Trying to teach over a hundred students a day is already a mentally and physically exhausting task, but taking care of a newborn child while running on very few hours of sleep at the same time seems virtually impossible.

“Life has changed drastically — you pretty much run on little to no sleep. It’s hard to function, but if I’m going to lose sleep over something I’m glad it’s her,” said history teacher Meghan Adair, who gave birth to her first child, Madison Jane, on April 6, 2010.

On the other hand, biology teacher Claudia Lemus and history teacher Meghan Saladino are both second-time mothers. Lemus welcomed her son Diego Fabian into the world on March 5, 2010.

COURTESY OF MEREDITH STEVENS

Sept. 25 will kick of the first competition of the season for AHS’s marching band.

The Marching Atoms will perform their patriotic themed show at approximately 1:00 p.m. at Woodbridge High School. The band will be one of several bands to perform at the Woodbridge Viking Invitational.

“Life was already chaotic,” said Lemus. “But it [has] just got[ten] more chaotic” since the birth of her second child.

Shortly after Lemus, Saladino gave birth to her second child, a boy named Anthony Joseph, on April 23, 2010. Both of Saladino’s children were forced to be cesarean sections after she went through a painstaking 46 hour labor with her first child just two years ago.

Photography teacher Meredith Stevens is a new mother and her first child, Connor Gabriel, was born on December 7, 2009, by natural birth.

“He was in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) for a week. We are still not one hundred percent sure why, but we believe it was caused by Meconium Aspiration,” said Stevens.

Meconium Aspiration is a condition that occurs when the infant inhales meconium, which is a mixture of what the baby digests while it is still in the uterus. This mixture gets stuck inside of the baby’s lungs and causes breathing problems that can ultimately lead to lifelong illnesses.

Most cases of Meconium Aspiration are treated by using antibiotics or a ventilator to maintain normal breathing.

Although taking a two-month break from school and spending every day of it with your newborn child may seem like heaven, that vacation has to end at some point. “I love my job, and I love being a mother, so I had to be able to do both,” said Stevens. When asked if she would like to have any more children, Stevens said that she wants to have another child later on, preferably a girl. Lemus feels differently and she responded laughing, “No, not for the next six years, at least.”

These five teachers had anything but an easy

Photography teacher Meredith Stevens poses with her son Connor at a family event.

year last year between juggling their jobs and caring for their newborn baby. Whether it was having to put up with unprepared substitutes, or dealing with moody teachers, almost everyone felt the shock of the historic AHS baby boom in one way or another.

New year, same rules, old habits Teachers crack down on cell phone usage during class time

BY ANNIE CURRAN News Editor Wherever you see a teenager, you will more than likely see a cell phone in their hand. Cell phones have become something that many teenagers feel they cannot be without, a statistic that is increasing everyday with the help of advances in technology.

Now that the increasing dependence on technology is encroaching into the classroom, teachers are beginning to lose patience with the students who break the rules to check or use their phone.

“It’s the same story every year,” said math teacher Srividhya Krishnasamy. “They have some reason to use their phone.”

During a poll taken in all lunches on Sept. 15, 86% of the 366 students polled said that they had a cell phone and 22% of the students said that they have had their cell phone confiscated at some point during their high school experience and 36% felt that teachers had become more strict about cell phones this school year. Only 20% said that they never text in class, the rest varied in their answers from rarely to always.

The school’s official policy regarding cell phones is on a sign in most classrooms for every AHS student to see. The sign reads, “No cell phones. Off and out of sight, at all times during the school day.”

“We’re determined to keep the cell phones out of the classrooms,” said history teacher Jonathan York.

The first violation, teachers are to confiscate

Hiding cell phones under the desk is one of the many ways students use to text during class.

the phone and it can be picked up after 2:00 in the front office by a parent. “I had it by my side, I was texting my mom to tell her I was going to be home late, and he (English teacher Christopher Bagot) was walking around. He came around behind me, he saw it and grabbed it without saying anything to me,” said junior Evan Washington.

The second violation, the same routine follows, but the student must additionally attend a

Saturday detention. The third violation, the phone is confiscated and the student faces one to three days of out of school suspension. The phone will be returned to the student during the re-entry conference with their parents.

The first day of school, all teachers are supposed to discuss the cell phone policy, and many even add stricter rules onto it. The point is to explain to students that mobile devices will not be tolerated as they return from summer when there were no restrictions.

When a student is caught with a cell phone, there are a variety of excuses they read off to their teacher.

“I’m just checking the time”, “it accidentally turned on and I’m turning it off” or “it’s an emergency.”

The most common one, which more often than not is actually the truth, is “my Mom or Dad is texting me.” If this excuse has worked in past years, it is not going to fly in many classrooms this year.

“If it’s an emergency, (the parents should) call the front desk,” said York. “The cell phone should not disrupt the classroom.”

Many of the students who are texting their parents feel it is necessary they respond. Parents set the example that their children follow, which is why many feel that it is okay to talk to their parents during the day. “I don’t text them often, but when I do it’s pretty important,” said Washington.

As the third week of school comes to a close, students are becoming readjusted to life where they cannot constantly check their mobile phones.

Though the majority of students cannot wait for the bell to ring at 2:00 so that they can text their friends, many teachers still feel that cell phones are encroaching into our lives too much.

“I am a technology immigrant,” said York. “You guys are technology natives.”

Marching Band holds annual Tag Day Marching band students, faculty and parents spent the day collecting donations around the community

BY KYLEE NISKER Staff Writer While most students spent their Saturday morning sleeping in, the marching band was up early and ready to begin their biggest fundraising event of the year. On Saturday, Sept. 11, the entirety of AHS’s marching band members went door to door in local neighborhoods asking for donations, as they do at the beginning of every season.

The neighborhoods were broken down and assigned to different groups, which generally consisted of four students. A volunteer parent/guardian driver provided transportation for the groups. They then set off into their specific area inside AHS’s boundaries. Each group had a goal of how much money they would collect before the afternoon was finished.

“The car I was in raised about $1,500, and there were about fifteen cars,” said freshman Noah Wolfenstein.

Go to the Web To stay updated on the latest events happening at AHS such as:

Saying cheese one last time COURTESY OF KAREN EPLEY

End of Ramadan brings beginning of Eid Band director Andrew Loft demonstrates the proper way to talk to people in the community, along with freshman Josh Keller and sophomore Raphael Miller.

COURTESY OF KAREN EPLEY

Marching Band Competition

After last year’s baby boom, The A-Blast checks in with the teachers and their newborns

ANNIE CURRAN

NEWS BRIEFS

It’s a chance for a fresh start.

- Nancy Templer

Sept. 22 , 2010

Seniors Andrew Pack and Kari Berg wait outside a house during tag day.

The total amount of donations collected exceeded $13,000. “Tag Day was very successful,” said band director Andrew Loft. “It was not only fun for the students, but also it was a team-building opportunity.”

The band members represented their school by walking around the communities wearing their full performance uniforms. Various amounts of donations were collected from houses that were willing and able to support the program. All of the money collected from the fundraiser goes to the band and guard booster programs.

“I do not think this was necessarily a successful fundraiser because my group did not make as much as I think we should have this year,” said junior Kaitlyn To. Marching band is not cheap, as each year they perform at several different locations, to which they require transportation. Half-time performances at home football games, the Halloween Parade and competitions also require funding. These important events cost the department money, which is mainly collected from the annual Tag Day. A successful fundraiser ensures the band may participate in all the activities they look forward to each and every year. A lot of donations were collected, but overall, the entire department really appreciated each dollar that was donated.

NEWS

Sept. 22, 2010

AHS still overcrowded Students walk through packed hallways as the County conducts a boundary

Go to the Web To see a video about the making of the modular. www.thea-blast.org

BY EMILY FRUCHTERMAN Co-Editor in Chief

NEWS BRIEFS Next collaboration day to be held

ALEXA LAFFERTY

Students squeeze through the halls, working their way from class to class, dodging open lockers and crowds of people, often slowing to a standstill as they approach hallway intersections. For many, the worst part is that this congestion is here to stay- unless the school board approves other methods, AHS will rise from 500 students over capacity to 800 in the next three years.

“The boundary study that they did this past year was just a band-aid on our overcrowding problem,” said Dean of Students Hassan Mims. “The school board needs to do a bit more before we can fix the problem entirely.”

While the hallways still feel crowded,AHS’s enrollment actually decreased by approximately 70 students this year.

However, Mims does not believe that this drop is a direct result of the boundary changes.

“The decrease [in enrollment] is not directly correlated to the boundary change,” he said. “It may have had some impact, but there are many other factors going into it.”

The school, which was originally built to hold 2100 students, has had to make some adjustments to accommodate the growing class sizes. For example, the school now has several dozen trailers in the back parking lot and is in the process of building a multi-classroom modular as well.

“When all the construction is finished, we’ll have 40 classrooms outside,” said Director of Student Services Steve Sengstack. “That means that at any given time, we’ll have 1000 students outside the main building.”

One major problem with overcrowding has been that while the population has expanded, the school’s facilities have not.

“We still have the same number of bathrooms, the same size cafeteria and a gym that we can’t even have a pep rally in,” said Sengstack. “These problems result in longer lunch lines and wacky hallway intersections - facility issues that we can’t easily fix.”

Although the new modular will help with overcrowding within the building, it does not mean that any other trailers will be disappearing.

“What people need to understand is that the modular is not taking away any of the trailers,” said Mims. “All of the classrooms outside are here to stay.”

The convergence of the science hallway and the English hallway stairs is normally very crowded in between classes.

Sengstack believes that students may have caught a glimpse of how the school should be at the end of last year.

“After the seniors graduated and we were still doing underclassmen exams, we saw what the school would be like if we weren’t so overcrowded,” he said. “The hallways were much easier to navigate and the lunch lines were quicker.”

Students have found problems with the hallways as well.

“It seems like the hallways are much more crowded,” said sophomore Jenny Jessen. “I keep getting hit by really tall people who don’t watch out for the little people like me.”

As a result of last year’s boundary changes, referred to as Year 1 by many administrative officials, 141 students formerly in AHS’s district were switched to other schools.

Of the students, 95 went to Falls Church and 46 moved to Lake Braddock, depending on where they live.

However, some of these students found ways to stay at AHS.

“Seniors, of course, were grandfathered in. Sophomores who could show that they were taking courses leading to an IB Diploma also had the option to stay,” said Sengstack.

“Other students had to go through a case-by-case application process based on how well they would adjust to a new school and a number of different things.”

Students also could make small choices about what school they wanted to attend.

“If an incoming freshmen who had been redistricted to Falls Church really wanted to get the IB Diploma, they would have the option of pupil-placing into Stuart,” he said.

For now, the school simply has to cope with overcrowding.

“Class sizes will get a little larger as they years go on,” said Sengstack. “They’re predicting that we’ll be growing by approximately 100 students each year.”

The School Board is currently looking into further boundary changes to alleviate overpopulation at AHS. For more information, check www.fcps.edu/fts/planning/ annandalestudy/index.htm.

Students react to the parking assignments AHS announces the names of those awarded parking spaces “Parking” continued from page 1

really early, and it’s very crowded,” added Tori Gowland.

Some seniors are bypassing the bus route and insisting on parking at the First Presbyterian Church on Newcastle Drive, which has several spots around the outside of its parking lot. These spots are taken every day on a first come, first serve basis, meaning that they fill up very early.

Because of the recent events, the demand is even higher, causing some students to leave for school as early as 6 a.m.

“We’re having to get up an entire hour earlier than last year to get a spot at the church because they’re the only spots available,” said Molly Sgrecci. “It’s a huge hassle,” added Elisa Figueroa.

On Sept. 15, students who applied for parking spots this year were picked and assigned them, although not all applicants were able to secure a spot.

Out of about 160 applicants, only 63 spots were available. Criteria that went into picking students for spots included: good attendance, behavior, and grades, as well as no financial obligations.

“I can only explain the process of picking spots to the students who were not chosen; how it was determined,” said Jamie Carayiannis, who was in charge of distributing the spaces. “We only have 63 spaces; someone’s not going to get a spot. Kids who deserve a space can’t have one and it stinks.

I feel bad for them.”

“I was furious when I didn’t get a spot,” said Matt McCartney. Ben Kiesel added, “I was lost for words. My mom will probably drive me the rest of the year now.”

An added problem for students who did not receive spots is that not only will their normal schedule change, but also sports and extra-curricular conflicts come up.

“I’m not very mad that I didn’t get a spot, but I guess I can understand. I live close to the school, so for me it was just a commodity for practice,” said Raquel Ruiz, who runs cross country. “I’ll walk to school this year.”

The situation may seem grim now for those who must find alternative means of transportation, but it could be looking up in the future.

“We’re trying to negotiate with the park authority at Ossian Hall Park to get additional spaces; we’re trying to make it better,” Carayiannis added.

“We have been saddled with this, and we’re doing everything we can to fix it. If people are patient, hopefully by November I think things will work out.”

Administration explains lingering questions AHS community works around construction “Construction” continued from page 1

entire construction. This includes the gas company, the county electricians, the power company (Dominion Virginia Power), along with the various other contractors working under county supervisions. (The general

5

contractor for this project is Creative Finishes Inc.) Considering the now limited space in the back parking lot, AHS will have to create a new emergency evacuation plan for the 29 trailers and modular unit. “[The modular unit is] classified as a semi-permanent instruction so they come under the same rules as the trailers,” said Assistant Principal Vincent Randazzo.

Beginning in the end of September, after school groups will be available to AHS students at the Annandale Neighborhood Center. They will be held every Monday and Wednesday from 2:00 to 4:00.

Students are encouraged to bring friends with them. There will be snacks and different groups and activities.

AHS to host Parent/Teen Traffic Safety Night On September 29, parents and students are invited to the Parent/ Teen Traffic Safety Night for the first quarter. It will begin at 7:00 p.m. in Clausen Hall and end at 9:30 p.m.This assembly is a new requirement for students to get their driver’s license.

Ask The Principal: Back to school night

“If everything is done by Columbus Day holiday weekend, I’m guessing [the construction will be done] by second quarter. So it’ll be a smooth transition form first quarter to second quarter. That would be the best case scenario, if we could make that transition from first quarter to second quarter,” said Assistant Principal Vincent Randazzo.

2. From a teacher’s perspective, how do you feel about the 14 new classrooms being built in the modular unit?

“I think it’s a good idea. [Changing classrooms is] very challenging. You have to be very organized [when] switching classrooms, which I have four rooms for five different classes. And it’s challenging getting my cart [full of classroom materials] through the hallway because it’s so crowded,” said English teacher Mary Ann Lyerly.

“The reason we’re building this is because a new elementary school, Coates Elementary School, was built and it changed the boundaries.

And with the boundary change, McNair [Elementary School, who previously had it] didn’t need it [anymore],” said County Field Supervisor Paul Scott. Fairfax County realized that AHS was still overcrowded, despite the recent boundary change, and decided to move the modular unit there.

4. What is the total cost of the modular unit?

The total cost of transferring the modular unit, installing it and setting up the plumbing and electricity is “in the ballpark of a million dollars.

It’s a rough estimate,” said Scott. It all depends on how much actual site work we have to do. That depends on the [location and the placement of the modular unit outside] the school”.

AJ MCCAFFERTY

After school groups are available to students

1. Will AHS be able to make use of the modular unit by second quarter?

3. How did AHS obtain the modular unit?

Workers assemble the inside of the modular outside of the school. The modular is expected to be completed by Colubus Day.

On Oct. 6, AHS will have the second collaboration day of the year.

Freshman students are to report to their assigned location by 7:20 a.m. All other classes must be in class by the time the bell rings by 8:26.

5. When will the construction process be completed?

“It takes about six to nine months to design the plans and get it approved by the county. And [it takes] roughly three months to install,” said Scott. There was a slight issue with getting the permit approved

by Fairfax County, which initially held the process up a bit. “We’re moving right along,” said Randazzo. “We never had a firm date, just that they were going to start it during the summer. Because everything depended on when the permits were going to be finalized.”

John Ponton

Q: Why do you think that it is important parents attend Back to School night?

A: “It gives parents the opportunity to meet teachers, learn about each class, and experience the day-to-day routine of students.”

Q: What can parents look forward to?

A: “They can look forward to a long list of course requirements expectations.”

Q: What can parents do to support the school?

A: “Get involved!”

Q: How well do you feel students and faculty have adapted to construction around the school?

A: “In an exemplary manner. The timing couldn’t have been worse but I’m confident we will meet the challenges posed by the ongoing construction. The good news is that it should be completed by December 1, if not sooner.”

PEOPLE

6 What would your dream vacation be?

Sept. 22, 2010

Celebrating the summer Students share stories of their vacations and missions trips

“I would go to Bermuda for those tropical breezes.”

KATIE MCCANN, 9th

COURTESY OF KATIE MCCANN

—Josh Keller freshman

“I would go to Egypt to ride camels.”

—Luke Lundy sophomore

This summer, freshman Katie McCann spent a week vacationing in the Cayman Islands, located in the Caribbean.

While there, McCann experienced a variety of activities including snorkeling, visiting a sea turtle farm, swimming with string rays, and visiting the many beaches located along the island.

McCann considers visiting the sea turtle farm her favorite part of the trip because “even though it smelled bad, we got to hold really small turtles and they were so adorable,” said McCann.

In addition to this, they were able to watch the larger turtles fight for their food during feeding times.

McCann also enjoyed seeing the many wild roosters and chickens on the side of the road near the beaches. “They would all just walk up to people, it was crazy!,” said McCann.

To remember her trip, McCann sent a postcard to friends from one of the places they visited called “Hell.”

She also brought back a bracelet that says “Cayman Islands” on it because she wanted a souvenir to help her remember her first trip to the Caribbean.

In all, McCann says she would love to return to the Cayman Islands because not only were the people very nice, but “they also had the coolest accents.”

“I would go to Antarctica to build snowmen and play with penguins.”

—Billy Bennet junior

“I would go to the Bahamas to get really tan. ”

—Katie Bui senior

ANNIE RUTHERFORD 11th Junior Annie Rutherford spent 12 days of her summer vacation in the Dominican Republic on a mission trip with the Immanuel Bible Church. While on the trip, Rutherford, along with a number of other students, including two other AHS students, seniors Chris Marshall and Emma Barker.

They did many things to help the people in the area including helping at an orphanage for children with disabilities. “I really liked playing with the children in the orphanage and bringing joy into the lives of those less fortunate,” said Rutherford.

The kids at the orphanage faced so many difficult obstacles in their lives, including health issues. Other activities included spending time with children

at a Haitian Church in a Haitian village near Santo Domingo, working in a pediatric orthopedic hospital, and hosting Vacation Bible School for children in the hospital. Although they were very busy, they still had some time to relax and see the sights of the area.

“The trip was so much fun and if I had the opportunity to go again definitely would,” said Rutherford.

Since Rutherford was able to go on the trip with close friends, she was not only able to spend her summer vacation in a beautiful place but also to help people who were less fortunate.

“My favorite part was being out of my comfort zone and helping people,” said Rutherford.

EMMA BARKER

Freshman Katie McCann poses with a sea turtle while in the Cayman Islands on vacation this summer.

Junior Annie Rutherford and Senior Emma Barker pose for a picture while washing sheets on the roof of a pediatric orthopedic hospital in Santo Domingo.

––Compiled by Patrick McCann

yet they wear the biggest smiles I have ever seen.”

He shared one story of a 12 year-old boy who was extremely proud of his shoes because of how clean they were. “The people we worked with had so little, but were so happy with what they had. I know this is something we seldom experience with all we have here,” said Cowles.

In all, Cowles was very happy with his learning experience in Uganda. “I was grateful for the people who sponsored me so that I could go—I will never be the same. I believe I saw evidence of how God is turning a place where people have memories of mostly death and sadness, into a place where they see hope, love and grace,” said Cowles.

Go to the web to read about senior Jenna Wingfield’s trip to the Galapagos Islands!

www.thea-blast.org

September Celebrity Birthdays

1Conway Twitty 2 Lennox Lewis 3 Charlie Sheen 4 Beyonce Knowles 5 Michael Keaton 6 Jeff Foxworthy 7 Buddy Holly 8 Pink 9 Adam Sandler 10 Arnold Palmer 11 Bear Bryant 12 Yao Ming 13 Ronald Dahl 14 Tyler Perry 15 Heidi Montag 16 Nick Jonas 17 John Ritter 18 Lance Armstrong 19 Trisha Yearwood 20 Helena Belay 21 Faith Hill 22 Joan Jett 23 Bruce Springsteen 24 Jim Henson 25 Shel Silverstein 26 Serena Williams 27 Avril Lavigne 28 Hillary Duff 29 Bryant Gumbel 30 T-Pain

77 45 45 29 59 52 74 31 44 81 97 30 94 40 23 17 61 38 35 17 42 49 60 73 79 28 25 22 61 24

Senior Jordan Cowles poses with one of the boys who he encountered during his trip to Uganda. With his church, Cowles assisted the Watoto Organization in building “Cities of Hope.”

EDCEL ARGUETA, 12th Senior Edcel Argueta traveled to Paris, France with friends for a relaxing vacation.

During his trip, Argueta made trips to both Versaille and Frankfurt. In Versaille, he visited the Palace of Versailles. He also visited many of the famous museums in France such as The Louvre, where he said his favorite part was the courtyard because it was “really pretty.”

Argueta noted that his favorite part of the trip was the many sights in Paris, including the Eiffel Tower. “Even though it’s really cliche, the Eiffel Tower was pretty cool to see because of how famous it is. I also played basketball right near there with kids on the junior French national team,” said Argueta.

As a part of National Community Church, senior Jordan Cowles traveled to Gulu, Uganda this summer to assist the Watoto Organization in building “Cities of Hope.”

This organization provides housing for women and children whose lives are affected by AIDS and genocide under the motto “Restoring Dignity to Vulnerable Women.” The areas also provide schooling for children and teach women valuable trades to support themselves financially.

While in Uganda, Cowles spent much of his time hand-mixing cement to make bricks for the walls of a new classroom. Cowles said that his trip was “not only eye-opening, but heart breaking. Everywhere you see broken people.

They have been through more than I can ever imagine,

“My other favorite part was the Nike store because it was 3-stories high. I basically wanted to live there because it was so awesome.” Argueta also shopped at stores such as a five-story Louis Vuitton.

“The stores there were a little more expensive than they are here, but they were all tons of stories high and they were really cool to explore,” said Argueta.

He also enjoyed the night life in France because of the many fun places to hang out and spend time with friends.

“France was a ton of fun and I definitely recommend visiting there. I would go back for sure, it was an amazing trip,” said Argueta.

COURTESY OF EDCEL ARGUETA

COURTESY OF JORDAN COWLES

JORDAN COWLES, 12th

Senior Edcel Argueta looks at the Eiffel Tower while on a trip in Paris, France this summer. “I had a ton of fun in France and I would definitely love to go back,” said Argueta.

––Compiled by Kelsey Knoche and Alley Adcock

Who am I?

Who am I?

• I have taught at AHS for two years.

• I attended University of Mary Washington.

• I have been at AHS for three years.

• I majored in Psychology with a minor in History.

• I majored Psychology.

• Out of school I like to watch Anthony Bourdain’s “No Reservations,” be outside, cook, and see my friends.

• I attended George Mason University.

• Out of school I like to sky dive, play tennis, basketball, soccer and other sports.

• My favorite music is rock.

• My favorite part about AHS is interacting with the students.

• I like to listen to anything acoustic.

• My favorite season is fall.

• My motto is “I never saw a wild thing feel sorry for itself.”

• The one place I want to visit is Italy because I love the

• My favorite season is fall.

• I graduated from AHS in 1998.

• My favorite place to visit is Siena, Italy because my adopted Italian parents who live there making everything more beautiful.

language and culture.

• I was born on June 8 in Alexandria, Va.

• I was born on Dec. 6 in Fairfax, Va. ––Compiled by Kelsey Knoche If you think you know who either of these teachers are, come to the Publications lab to receieve a prize.

HEALTH

Sept. 22, 2010

Healthy habits for the new school year

What do you eat before school?

“Cereal, because it tastes good and it’s one of my favorite foods.

--Maddie Smith senior “Cereal and milk because it’s the most important meal of the day!”

Some tips that students should keep in mind as they embark on a new year

Seniorit is nly is o ar, t i , ye rs ool itis” nio e h s c s or ion the eni ent g of ng. “S y high Att n i ki inn db w slac beg ace ollo the t start ssue f ot f d n i o e n do lop do n ommo but eve c d rs, t o a a i rm th is en at a te chers ol s t o k th he I h r . a o d sc e w t ft nd tren ash end o the niors a slapd id e avo e e t th by s ibes th o do a way to o t ol s t cr des rs tend he bes n scho oad. o T io el sen l year. o focus colleg t oo the sch ssue is for y i d s i th rea are you

Get enough sleep Getting enough sleep is a very important aspect for all teenagers. Getting less than seven hours of sleep can hurt a teenager’s health and increase the chance of getting sick. All teenagers should be getting between eight and nine hours of sleep per night, which helps reduce the amount of stress throughout the day. It also boosts one’s memory and makes one more energetic. Teenagers should realize that with the increase in the amount of sleep one gets, it is less likely that they get tired during the day.

So, make sure you get enough sleep so you don’t feel restless and fall asleep in school!

7

---Adam Huenemann junior “Cocoa Puffs because I’m cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs!”

Balance your academic and social life

Exercise regularly

—James Terrell sophomore

It is very important that high school students know how to manage their lives in terms of social situations and academics. Even though school is a place of learning, a student is bound to have some sort of social life. For this reason, it is important to keep in mind that school should not completely overshadow the time a student has for his/her friends. At the same time, time for friends should not be the most important aspect of a student’s high school life. Students who maintain both these aspects of life will be able to achieve academically while keeping up with their friends and having fun!

In high school, it almost seems as if there is no time for students to exercise during their free time. It is scientifically proven that at least one hour of exercise a day is necessary for a healthy body and balanced lifestyle. It is imperative to keep in mind that exercise keeps one’s immune system properly working by helping fight against disease and sickness. The more a person exercises, they are they less likely to contract an illness or disease due to a strengthened immune system. Exercise is also a good way to blow off steam or stress, boosting one’s confidence and releasing pheromones in the brain – the chemicals that make a person happy.

“Usually I eat a glazed doughnut, a pop tart, or Frosted Flakes.”

---Timothy Ho freshman

“Bagels because my mom makes them for me and they are very good.”

s p i t n a Freshm

Learn time management Learning how to control time management has been proven to reduce stress and improve productivity. By planning each day, it can help a person feel more organized and know what he/she has to do. Writing a to-do list and a schedule can help a student prioritize their tasks and can make them feel more in control of what needs to be done. If you have a busy schedule, make sure you have little breaks so you don’t feel overloaded with work. Try to limit distractions by closing the door while working.

Having control of your time limit could help your concentration and decrease the amount of stress in your life.

—Amanda Villafona freshman

—M ake good first —D imp o n ress o you ions rsel t procr f org asti n aniz a ed te and —T kee alk p frie nds to a lot of p eop le; m —T ake ry t o ge extr t in acu v rric ular olved i —B acti n an vity give e yours e into lf an pee r pr d reme —D essu m o n re fr ber to and ’t be n om a try any ot new fraid t one thin o talk gs! to p eop le

––Compiled by Katie Vu

Work-outs that get your heart pumpin’

Breakfast boosts energy Skipping breakfast in the morning is proven to cause a decay of energy in the body for the rest of the day

5meals minute

BY NATALIE JOHNSON Staff Writer

By Katie Vu and Gessica Azzam

Quick breakfast meals for students in a hurry to get to school on time Yogurt parfait – A light breakfast

PROVIDENCE.ORG

1. Put a scoop of natural yogurt into a small bowl 2. Add several spoons of sugar according to your preference and mix 3. Top the yogurt with mixed fruits including raspberries, strawberries, etc.

4. Optional: Sprinkle on granola or other ingredients on top

Step three: After twisting the left, go back to the center and hold for another five seconds. Begin twisting to the right and have the stick gently touch the ground. This exercise will work your abs.

Egg white omelette – A heavier breakfast 1. Place a pan on the stove with one tablespoon of olive oil on top 2. Take the egg whites from about 4-5 eggs and pour them into the pan 3. Add sliced vegetables such as red peppers, mushrooms or onions (etc.) to the pan’s contents 4. Once the food is complete, place the omelet in a plate and add a quarter cup of salsa

Step two: As you approach your legs, stay in that position for five seconds.

Slowly twist your body to the left so the stick gently touches the ground and hold for five seconds.

IMMAEATCHU.COM

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. This fact has been repeated to students over and over again, but many overlook it and decide that missing the meal is not that big a deal.

Students make up excuses as to why they did not eat breakfast; whether it be they did not have time or they want to lose weight. However, it is time that students realize the true importance of breakfast and how much of an impact it has on one’s everyday life. Many people often think that skipping this meal will help them lose weight, but that is in fact a myth. While you sleep, you are inactive; therefore, your metabolism is slowing down.

If you wake up in the morning and decide to skip breakfast your metabolism will stay at this lowered state; however, if you eat breakfast it will speed up your metabolism and will increase your fat burning ability.

It also prevents you from overeating because you are getting the energy you need when you need it.

“Eating breakfast stimulates your metabolism and gives you energy.

This helps me during sports because I am not as hungry later in the day and I have the energy to perform well and not get tired as much.” says sophomore Connie Tran.

Your body needs the energy that breakfast gives you in order to run properly throughout the day. If your body was a car then the fuel that is needed to keep you going is in the form of glucose. Both your brain and your nervous system need glucose in order to function. If you do not supply glucose then your body turns fat into glucose and causes you to be slower throughout the day.

Furthermore, eating breakfast is scientifically proven to assist students with their concentration at school. Therefore, eating breakfast potentially is good enough to help students that are usually sleepy or simply lazy at school to improve their grades.

“Breakfast really depends on what you eat. If I eat a good breakfast it helps me think a lot clearer and not be so drowsy throughout the day,” says junior Tyrek Worrell.

Healthy breakfast items include oatmeal, bran cereal, whole wheat bread, high fiber cereal, fruit, and eggs. These are just a few examples of items that can be consumed and will benefit you. Sugary things like Pop Tarts, high sugar cereal, and doughnuts are not considered a healthy breakfast and will not benefit you.

So ignore all of the myths you may have heard about the “benefits” of skipping breakfast and start giving your body the energy that it needs.

You will begin to see the effects of this healthy habit if you begin to eat a breakfast filled with the vitamins and nutrients you need to endure another day at school!

Step one: Lay on the ground with your legs at an incline. Cross your hands over your stick so your stick is parallel to the ground. Slowly raise your upper body so your elbows are touching your thighs.

To view this week’s healthy exercise, visit us on the web:

www.thea-blast.org

ARTS

BRIGHTYOUNGTHINGS.ORG

Upcoming exhibits in galleries throughout the DC area

This is a piece from Luciano Penay’s new exhibit, now being displayed at the Katzen Arts Center in American University

Luciano Penay: Time, News, Paintings and Natural Forms Katzen Arts Center, American University Through Oct. 17 Nightscaping Civillian Arts Projects Through Oct. 16 In Irons Civillian Arts Projects Through Oct. 16 Novel Abstractions Reyes and Davis Independent Exhibitions Through Oct. 16

Psychedelic art no longer flower power

BY JORDAN AMAN AND JANE AMAN Arts Editors Whether it comes from drug-induced inspiration or colorful creations of an artist’s mind, psychedelic art explores the reaches of a world far from ordinary. Its geometric patterns, shapes, dream-like projections and neon colors have fascinated viewers for over 40 years. Psychedelic art was introduced to the art world in the mid-1960s, often as a result of LSD induced “trips” or hallucinations.

The goal of psychedelic art is to depict the imagery, colors and patterns and other hallucinations observed during a trip. The result is usually a warped and contorted image with fantastic colors and patterns.

Like many other fads, psychedelic art has gone in and out of popularity.

However, it has made a recent resurgence into pop culture through both the media and selected artwork.

Much of this kind of art work was first seen on band posters and album covers of bands and artists throughout the 1960’s and on into the ‘70s. Artists such as Santana and Jimi Hendrix are perfect examples of this use of imagery.

In many cases, the imagery depicted on the album cover was reflective of both the style and message of the group’s music.

The cover of Hendrix’s “Axis: Bold as Love” album depicts a rendition of the Hindu devotional Viraat Purushan-Vishnuroopam, which uses a wild array of colors and repeating designs that is both eye-catching and confusing. Santana’s “Lionhead” and “Abraxis” albums contain hidden images and intricate patterns reflective of an LSD “trip.”

Despite the negative connotations that come with the term “psychedelic,” the artwork that has resulted is no doubt eye-catching and pleasing to look at.

For those who will never encounter such an experience, psychedelic art is a window into a very twisted, colorful and distorted world.

However, it is important to note that long term use of hallucinogens

Picture Cohesian Curator’s Office Through Oct. 23 Spencer Finch: My Business with the Cloud Corcoran Gallery of Art Through Jan.23

CORCORAN.ORG

psilocybin In today’s art world, psychedelic art is less of a form of drug-induced expression and more of a venue to express ideas and opinions that surround the artist.

Though the fad is slightly out of the main stream, psychedelic artwork will continue to amuse the art community for years to come.

POPMATTERS.COM

This is a piece from the Spencer Finch exhibit at the Corcoran Gallery of Art. The piece is called “Passing Cloud.”

Jae Ko Marsha Mateyka Gallery Through Nov. 3

ARTBMA.ORG

Andy Warhol: The Last Decade Baltimore Museum of Art Through Jan. 9

Above is a piece entitled “Self Portrait” which is feature in Andy Warhol’s upcoming exhibit at the Baltimore Museum of Art

Calling all art students!

The Workhouse Arts Center Lorton, VA Life Drawing Classes Every Thursday 7 p.m.-10 p.m.

Cost: $15 (non-members) $10 (members and stu dents) Open Drawing Classes Every Thursday 7 p.m.-10 p.m.

Friday 1 p.m.-4 p.m.

Cost: $15 (non-members) $10 (members and students)

The Soundry Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art School Life Drawing Classes Every 2nd and 4th Friday every month from 8 p.m.-11 p.m.

Cost: $15

Go online to www.theablast.org/arts to watch a step-by-step video on how to draw a cartoon face.

can result in permanent psychosis, so while the imagery may be appealing, it is never a good idea to partake in such activities.

Furthermore, LSD, as well as other hallucinogens, is a Schedule 1 drug, which is punishable by law to possess, produce, consume or distribute.

Swiss chemist Dr. Albert Hofmann first created Lysergic acid diethylamide, or LSD in 1938. Five years later, Hofmann accidentally ingested an unknown amount of LSD, and thus the psychedelic properties were first observed.

The first intentional ingestion of the chemical took place on April 19, 1943 at 4:20 p.m. (which is the possible reason behind the slang use of this time.

Dr. Hofmann consumed 250 micrograms of LSD and was astounded at the unexpectedly strong effects.

The U.S. government began testing and studying the drug in and throughout the 1950s.

The drug took hold of the counterculture in the 1960s.

In 1963, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration classified LSD as an Investigational New Drug, placing new restrictions on the substance.

Psychedelic art made its entrance into the world as a result of the use of and experimentation with LSD and other hallucinogens such as mescaline and

Jimi Hendrix’s album cover, “Axis: Bold as Love” embodies the style and look of psychedelic art.

GRAPHIC BY JERRY SHEPPARD

Through a kaleidescope eye Artist Richard Colman puts a modern twist on the patterns and colors of psychedelic art

BY JORDAN AMAN Arts Editor Richard Colman is a native of the D.C. area, hailing from Bethesda, Maryland.

Now residing in San Francisco, Colman is producing more work than ever and has been featured in multiple magazines over and again, including JUXTAPOZ, Milk magazine and Moose Magazine.

Since Colman graduated from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Massachusetts, his work has been exhibited all over California through galleries such as PRISM and New Image Art Gallery in Los Angeles, White Walls Gallery in San Francisco, and galleries as far as Krets, Sweden and Copenhagen, Denmark.

Colman has also been featured in multiple books and group exhibitions around the world.

Colman’s success is directly tied to his immense body of artwork, comprised of highly technical paintings and mixed media.

Typically, he works in gouache and ink on either wood and/or paper on a very large scale.

His signature imagery is that of intricate patterns, undulating lines, twisting rainbows, bright, even florescent, colors and mismatched body parts.

“Psychedelic art is awesome and makes trippy wall art. I love how every time you look at it, you see something different,” junior Jessica Camilli said.

Throughout his work runs a theme of sexuality and intensity, and with this theme comes a specific shock value, which is exactly what Colman intends.

His imagery if not completely vulgar, is fanciful and confusing. To the

viewer, Colman’s work is disorienting and requires specific attention to detail to appreciate each individual piece of the paintings.

On that note, however, his work is so controlled and deliberate, the viewer can’t help but at least appreciate his lines and patterns, if not the entirety of each piece. Some pieces such as, “The Same Only Different, Panel 1” (right) appear as though Colman cut apart a pre-existing painting and pieced it back together in a different order.

In regards to Colman’s work, this hunt for hidden images is never ending.

This technical and complex composition is anything but unplanned, and has somewhat of a jarring effect on the viewer, because all sense of continuity within the piece in nonexistant.

Other works, such as, “Untitled, with Legs”, focus mainly on line and color. Again, we see Colman’s complex juxtaposition of blocks and shapes within the piece, but the overall flow of the painting is more evident than that of the aforementioned piece, “The Same Only Different, Panel 1.”

Here, the underlying motif is a paint drip.

Behind all the rainbows and bricks and patterns, there are paint drips, which are not repeated through any other painting. the other recurring subject is clumps of legs.

From the title, legs are expected, however, the design of this painting is so intricate, the viewer must hunt for these legs.

Colman’s work is complex, twisted and questionable, but is also intriguing and eye catching.

His work makes viewers think and wonder, which for any artist is a big accomplishment.

RICHARDCOLEMANART.COM

In the Galleries

In living color

Psychedelic art originally embodied the free flowing hippie movement of the 1960s. In today’s art world, psychedelic art is rendered to portray the ideas and opinions of the artist.

“The Same Only Different” by Richard Colman is a jumbled and mismatched example of psychedelic art, which utilizes a wide array of colors, patterns, lines, and images.

RICHARDCOLEMANART.COM

8

Sept. 22, 2010

Colman’s “Untitled, with Legs” shows a complex mix of bright colors, heavy contrast, twisting lines, and disorienting imagery, which perfectly depicts the visual motifs typically found within psychedelic art.

ACADEMICS

Sept. 22, 2010

Juggling school and all its extras

9 Meeting Dates to Know

Students share the key to maintaining a high GPA while participating in extra-curriculars

•Atoms Red Cross- Meets weekly. Interest meeting on September 29 •B-Buddies- Once a month on Mondays from 2:15 to 3:30.

Room 22 •BCAA- Meets monthly. See Ms. Berry or Ms. Davis for more information • Book club- Meetings on late bus days, after school in the Bistro.

•Chess Club- Every Monday in room 233

MICHAEL HENNESSEY

TATIANA NIANG

ALEXIS GARRETSON

BOBBY PRADACHITH

LAUREN BARNARD

Grade: 10

Grade: 10

Grade: 11

Grade: 12

Grade: 12

Activities: Basketball and Baseball

Activities: Marching Band and Swim

Activities: Winter and Fall Cheerleading

Activities: Football, Winter Track, Spring Track

Activities: Cross Country, Swim and Softball

Hardest Part: “Projects are really hard to do because I procrastinate and try and to it all in one night.”

Hardest Part: “One of the hardest parts of balancing school and sports is trying to get after school help and getting to practice on time.”

Hardest Part: “Time management is the hardest part because there is only so much time to get everything done.”

Juggling Tip: “I try and get my homework done before practice and I try and do it as soon as I get it, I don’t wait until the next day.”

Juggling Tip: “I try to stay organized by keeping a schedule of when I can do my homework and when I have practice.”

Juggling Tip: “I use flex and any free time I can get between school and practice to do my homework.”

Juggling Tip: “ I have a schedule for school, sports, and homework and try and schedule it hour by hour and if I don’t have time to do all my homework, then I will stay after with my teacher.”

Juggling Tip: “ I am really committed to sports and I am a hard working student, So I’m motivated to make sure everything gets done on time.”

To fix it

es m ga

Your math teacher is having problems with her projector, he or she asks you

Your personal hero is...

Bil lG ate s

ma ba O nt ide es r P

You a lways know how to m an en ake tranc e

You a re carry ing th e new ipad

To help keep the class quiet

Sharing your opinion of the book

When you walk into the room, all eyes turn to you because...

You’re most likely be seen watching...

ip ss Go

To

e ak m

el fe r e em tt th be

C an a reating w pow esom e e repo rpoint for y rt our

To give them advice

Who do you most closely resemble in Mean Girls

In Hollywood, you would make your fortune...

ng cti re i D

When a friend is upset, he or she can always count on you...

•Theater without BordersMeetings held every Wednesday in room 201A

“How It’s Made”

ut lp o He elter sh

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rl Gi

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Cady Heron

•STAND- Meets two to three times monthly. See Ms. Thompson or Ms. Graham for more information

•West African Student Union- The first Wednesday of every month in room 134

Producing

Try and help them work through it?

o de Vi

Sit down and help explain the problem

Politic Scien al ce

.

Your favorite part about English class is...

You are looking for service hours for school, you are more likely to too...

For your birthday, you ask your parents for a magazine subscription to...

A movie, definitely

A celebrity gossip magazine

When given the choice between video games and watching a movie, you pick..

a f Su for rien gges he d o t a lp r p ski ar en ng t

• Green Atoms- Wednesday’s after school in room 208

•”It’s Academic”- Meets Friday for one hour. See Ms. Saladino or Ms. Berry for more information.

Start Here

A younger sibling is struggling with a math problem. You....

• Gay/Straight AllianceMeetings held the first and third Mondays of every month in trailer six.

•Korean Bible StudyMeetings held twice a month after school. See Mr. Choi for more information.

Follow the road map to discover the ideal clubs for you

St ay of out it?

•FCCLA- Once a month on Wednesday. See Ms. Dodd or Ms. Esslinger for more information.

•Just World-Once a month in room 269B

Find the club that fits you best Two friends are arguing, do you....

•FCCA- Prayer every Tuesday before school at 6:55am in room 333. Huddle meetings every Saturday at 2pm.

SAT WORDS TO KNOW Find the definition that best fits the words below (answers underneath).

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

Blazon Datum Forby Impromptu Lackadaisical Mawkish Obviate Sequestrate Vociferous Zeitgeist

Definitions A. (adj.) Sickening or insipid B. (verb) To make widely or generally known C. (noun) A premise, starting point, or given fact D. (noun) The intellectual and moral tendencies that characterize any age or epoch

Super Hero

Follow the Leader

Tech Savvy

Drama Queen

E. (adj.) Besides F. (adj.) Listless

“Key Club is the oldest high school community service organization in the country,” says Meghan Adair, the group’s sponsor.

You are a natural born leader and like being in control. Friends can always count on you to give your opinions as well as your advice.

You may enjoy clubs like...

You may enjoy clubs like...

• • • • •

• • • • •

Key Club Green Atoms “B” Buddies Animal Activist Atoms Red Cross • Amnesty International • S.T.A.N.D.

According to sponsor, Jonathan York, the group’s motto, “Model U.N., trying to solve the world’s problems while getting kids out of class for over twenty-five years,” says it all.

Debate Club Model U.N. S.G.A. Model Judiciary Student Advisory Council

You are always on top of the latest gadgets and gizmos. In class, teachers depend on you to solve any computer glitches.

Self-expression has never been an issue for you. Teachers always look forward to seeing your projects

Your loud creative perspective will be greatly appreciated in clubs such as...

• F.C.C.L.A. Computer • Filament Science Club • After-School Media Tech Club As part of the Filament, Drama Technology sponsor Kathleen Dion said, “You help make and design • Theatre without Students a creative masterpiece.”

Borders Association Video Production Club

G. (verb) To clear away or provide for, as an objection or difficulty H. (adj.) Making a loud outcry J. (noun) Anything done or said on the impulse of the moment K. (verb) To confiscate

You may be a good fit for clubs such as...

• Dawn Wicklund, the sponsor of the Video Production club said, “We’re working toward making this a class, not just a club.”

• •

•

Go to the web for more study tips! www.thea-blast.org

Answers: C; J; G; A; F; K; H; D; B; E

You are a caring individual, who enjoys helping others and making a difference.

You are constantly putting others first and looking out for your friends.

10 To what extent do you feel the U.S. supports citizens right to free speech?

Most of the time 65%

Sept. 22, 2010

Does America The extent of the First Amendment Does freedom of speech include burning a Qu’ran on 9/11?

BY KATIE MASTERS In-Depth Editor

Seldom 20% All the time 8%

IN-DEPTH

Never 7%

This survey was distributed on Sept.

15 during all lunches. Out of the 300 surveys distributed 261 were returned and counted.

How much freedom do you think Americans have?

Too much 11%

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances” — United States Constitution The United States is widely known to be one of the freest countries in the world, a reputation earned in part by the Supreme Court’s history of defending citizens’ right to free speech. Countless court cases have granted Americans the right to display obscenity in the media, curse, protest political decisions, insult officials and endorse the violent overthrow of the government, among other actions whose legality would be inconceivable in more oppressive countries. Recent actions undertaken

by U.S. citizens, however, have brought America’s extensive freedom into question, and have caused people throughout the world to question: does America need censorship?

In late July, word began to spread that a nondenominational church located in Gainesville, Florida, was planning to host a demonstration for September 11, in which members of the congrega-

tion would ceremonially burn Qurans to protest the Islam faith. Pastor Terry Jones, who created the concept of “International Burn a Koran Day,” stated that burning the holy Muslim text would express his church’s belief that Islam “is the religion of the devil” and “that it’s causing billions of people to go to hell.” As the word spread, the church’s intended protest sparked a media firestorm which sparked intense discussion throughout America and the Middle East.

Jones’ plan angered millions of Americans, Muslim or otherwise, for good reason. Many Christian groups harshly criticized Jones for undermining the integrity of their shared religion, and members of the Islam faith were righteously incensed by his plan to desecrate their holy text. As September 11 neared, even prominent members of the government became involved. President Obama condemned the demonstration, and Jones received personal calls from Pentagon officials concerned over the volatile effect his actions could have on troops stationed in the Middle East. The Imam of the Muslim community center currently under construction about two blocks from New York City’s Ground Zero also tried to initiate a meeting with Jones, who found the building’s proximity to the sight of the September 11 tragedy disrespectful.

The main debate concerning the demonstration, however, focused on whether Jones had the basic right to express his views against the Islam faith in such a radical manner. Many felt that his actions would negatively affect America’s domestic and international situation, and that the government should intervene to keep the protest from occurring. A larger faction of citizens, however, felt that the demonstration was protected by Jones’ First

Top four controversial free speech cases 4. Morse vs.

Frederick

3.VA vs. Black

Facts of the case:

Not enough 33%

Just enough 56%

Do you always feels free to exercise your right to free speech at AHS? Not sure 5%

No 30%

Yes 25%

Amendment rights, and that government intervention would be unconstitutional. From around the globe, people added to the slew of opinions, with many international residents endorsing the view that America granted its citizens too much leeway to publicly express potentially offensive views and opinions.

First Amendment rights are at the core of the U.S. belief system, but many freedom of expression cases can seem trivial, or even ridiculous. A news story released on September 16 covered a teen’s suspension from school for violating its dress code.

Freshman Ariana Iacono, whose nose ring proved objectionable to administrators at her Raleigh high school, said that her suspension was a violation of her rights because the accessory was an extension of her membership in the Church of Body Modification, a verifiable religious organization with clergymen and a statement of beliefs.

Iacono and her mother, also a member of the religious organization, are appealing her punishment, arguing that the school refuses to acknowledge the girl’s First Amendment rights only because they are not familiar with her sect. Though they possess a valid argument in the eyes of the law, their issue pales dramatically when compared with such cases as Cox vs. Louisiana, which concerned a civil rights protest.

Americans are one of the few groups of citizens able to claim virtual freedom of expression, a privilege denied to the vast majority of people in the world. Along with that advantage, however, comes the responsibility of citizens to determine the worthiness and integrity of the message they wish to express.

A high school student in Juneau, Alaska displayed a banner reading “BONG HITS 4 JESUS” across from his school as the Olympic Torch passed by. His principal suspended him for displaying a banner with reference to illegal drugs

Decision: The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 in favor of the schools rights to to prohibit message that reference illegal drugs during a school sponsored event, even if it is off-campus

The Event: In 1998, Barry Black led a Ku Klux Klan rally on private property with the owner’s permission in Carroll County, Virginia. At the end of the assembly the members set a cross on fire. The local sherriff arrested Black because of a Virginia law prohibiting burning the cross to indimidate

2. Texas vs.

Johnson

1. Tinker vs.

Des Moines

The Event: In 1984, at the

The Event: Three high school students in 1965 wore black armbands to school to protest the Vietnam War after a rule had been passed by the school to prohibit the action. The students were suspended and had to go home

Republican National Convention, a man participated in a political protest which involved pouring kerosene on an American flag and setting it on fire. A Texas law made this act a crime, and Johnson was charged

The Decision: The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 in favor of Johnson that his First Amendment rights had been violated by this law because his act was a form of expression

The Decision: The Supreme Court ruled 8-1 in favor of Black’s rights, as the Virginia law against cross burning was unconstitutional

The Decision: The Supreme Court ruled 7-2 in favor of the students. Their decision stated that students can peacefully protest in school

Somewhat 40%

1985 The Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC) was formed by a group of mothers in protest of the offensive song lyrics that they heard in their children’s music.

The group forced the music industry to begin placing warning labels on records with explicit content

1892 The first federal obscenity law in the U.S. allowed the Customs Service to censor “obscene and immoral” images

1989 Madonna’s highly controversial music video for her song “Like a Prayer” debuts on MTV. The video famously features Madonna dancing in front of burning crosses, along with other Catholic iconography

1950 The crusade against crime and horror stories in the 1950s resulted in mass censorship of popular crime comic books

Go to the web to view a slide show about what freedom means to AHS students www.thea-blast.org

C•O N•T R•O

V•E R•S

1968 The Classifications and Ratings Board was 1939 created in 1968 as a way to satisfy a public Time Magazine sparked a worldoverwhelmed by the rapidfire social changes wide controversy when it listed of the 1960s. The Motion Picture Association Hitler as its Man of the Year, featurof America (MPAA) rates films based on a ing a cover that depicted a graphic four- category system that warns viewers of illustration of the Holocaust potentially inappropriate content while protecting the artistic rights of the filmmakers

Y•

1991 Vanity Fair’s cover of a nude, pregnant Demi Moore set off a firestorm of public criticism.

The now-iconic image helped skyrocket Moore’s career

IN-DEPTH

Sept. 22, 2010

Need Cens rship?

11 Do you feel that your freedom of speech rights are protected at AHS? “No, because whenever I curse, my teachers always get mad.”

—Fahmi Mohammed freshman

“My freedom of speech feels like that it is but it isn’t. You can’t really say what you think without consequences.”

—Amim Elgarch junior “Yes. People around AHS consider your opinion and respect it, from what I can see.”

—Jacinta Lam senior “Yes, but because I’m in the position to influence students, I don’t alwas say my opinion.”

—Samantha Spinney teacher Top Left: Norman Rockwell painted this to symbolize freedom of speech, Top Right: Terry Jones, a pastor from Florida, stands in front of a sign declaring his plan to host a “Burn a Koran Day” on September 11, Bottom Left: Students at Berkeley campus protest for freedom of speech, Bottom Right: Ariana Iacano has been suspended from school for wearing a nose ring.

High schools and free speech How much is the First Amendment at AHS?

BY ERIN JOHNSON In-Depth Editor Three students in Des Moines, Iowa protest an unpopular war by wearing black armbands to high school one day. Their school administration suspends them, stating that it disrupted the school day.

The students, thinking that their First Amendment rights had been violated, took the case to court.

This event seems as though it could fit into the context of today and the unpopular wars in the Middle East. In fact, it is a basic description of the famous Tinker vs. Des Moines Supreme Court case that was judged in 1968. The Court ruled in favor of the students, famously saying that “it can hardly be argued that either students or teachers shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate.”

But what rights do we, as high school students, have when we enter the school grounds? What rights do we have to free speech, protest, and proclaiming our political opinions? What does all of this have to do with AHS? The issue of freedom of speech in high school has been highly contested for decades. Several court cases, such as Tinker vs. Des Moines, have even reached the Supreme Court. Although the First Amendment says that the government can-

not prohibit the exercise of free speech, there are exceptions, including defamation and speech that could incite rioting.

Although the Tinker vs. Des Moines case affirmed students’ rights to free speech during school, subsequent cases have limited just that.

In 1988 the Supreme Court decided in Hazelwood vs. Kuhlmeier that school administration had the right to edit student-produced newspapers that rely on school funding.

At AHS, the school newspaper, The A-Blast, is school-based but the material is student owned. At most other schools the principal or other administrators have a direct say in what is put in the school newspaper, and edit it with an iron fist. Here, the students put together the newspaper and decide what material to put in it. However, with any freedom there are some restrictions. This newspaper, like any other, is not allowed to print obscenities, libel, material that could cause a disruption to the school day, copy written or plagiarized material, or material that constitutes an invasion of privacy.

In recent years there have been few free speech issues here. In fact, earlier this year the school was awarded with the annual Journalism Education Association’s First Amendment Press Freedom Award. The award acknowledges AHS’ tolerance and upstanding of the First Amendment rights.

Although it focuses on freedom of the press, all aspects of the First Amendment are looked at.

Our school did not receive this prestigious award just for tolerating speech, but for advocating it.

Students are allowed to express their political

1996 The Communications Decency Act of 1996 was the first effort to regulate content posted on the internet.

The law restricted First Amendment Rights by criminalizing indecency and obscenity on the web, making any offensive content viewable by minors illegal

I•N

•T

opinions through extracurricular clubs like the Young Democrats and Young Republicans. There are countless religious clubs such as the Muslim Students’ Association and the Korean Bible Study.

One of the only obvious restrictions on free speech at AHS is the dress code, which is put in place to dissuade students from wearing inappropriate material to school.

One of the few events in recent history concerning free speech at AHS occured in May, 2004.

Seniors Paul Gleason and Kyle Smealie, A-Blast journalists, were driving in the area near AHS and saw a mass of police cars. They took out their cameras and started taking pictures of the event. A police officer called them over and asked to see their camera. After threatening them to leave the scene and stop taking pictures, the officer proceeded to delete the photographs taken. After meeting together with the Fairfax County Police Department, the students were only rewarded with an apology from department officials.

Free speech in high school is a touchy subject for many, because on one hand the First Amendment protects the peoples’ rights to speech, but on the other the administration is trying to create a safe and beneficial school environment. The First Amendment in general has been a hotly debated topic. Some question if people really should be able to say whatever they want. Others only question, why should they not? Every school has a different level of tolerance of speech, and AHS is one of the more tolerant.

2008 Vanity Fair’s photograph of Miley and Billy Ray Cyrus, which many found implicitly sexual in nature, helped direct extensive criticism towards the Disney star

H•E

•M E•D I•A

How well do you know your rights to free speech?

1) You come to school one day wearing a shirt that says “Nobama.” A teacher asks you to cover it up for the rest of the day. What do you do? a) Immediately pull your sweatshirt on. You do not want to get a referral! b) Refuse, saying that there is nothing inappropriate with your shirt.

2) At a football game a group of students begin to chant obscene comments towards a member of the opposing team.

A member of the administration comes up and tells the students to leave the game.

What do they do? a) Stand their ground. It’s not like they are in school or anything. b) Leave the game, they do not want to get into any trouble.

3) During Heritage Night, four students stand at the entrance of the school holding signs protesting abortion. A member of the school administration tells them to leave school grounds. What do they do? a) Leave, but the next day file a complaint. Their protest was peaceful and in no way disrupted the event. b) Leave peacefully. At least they got a chance to share their opinions.

4) A student jokingly mimes a gang symbol to a friend of theirs in the hallway. A teacher sees it and the student is suspended. What should they do? a) Appeal the suspension. They are not really in a gang and the symbol means nothing to them. b) Accept the suspension. It is only a minor offense this time.

But remember that it could be much more if done again.

Results: 1-b, 2-b, 3-a. 4-b

1981 Celebrity photographer Annie Leibovitz shot John Lennon and wife Yoko Ono mere hours before his assassination. The couple’s provocative pose, combined with Lennon’s subsequent death, makes the photo one of the most controversial in history

2004 Janet Jackson’s infamous nip slip at the 2004 Super Bowl Half-Time Show prompted an FCC investigation and undermined the family-friendly reputation of television company CBS, who broadcasted the event. The incident incited waves of criticism from concerned parents across the nation, who failed to find humor in the unexpected display

0-1 answer right: Wow, you really need to look into what rights you have! It is true that certain speech is not allowed in school, but not everything is prohibited.

2-3 answers right: You almost know everything, but might need to pay more attention in your government class.

4 answers right: Way to go!

You know your freedom of speech rights through and through.

•

Since mid August, 33 miners have been trapped 2,300 feet underground in Copiapo, Chile.

Though help is on the way, it is said that the miners will not be able to get out until around Christmas.

•

Malaysia recently enforced a “hatch” program where mothers can anonymously leave their unwanted newborn while workers will provide care for them.

•

Last week, France issued a ban on burquas and niqabs, or anything that covers one’s face.

Do you think the U.S. should be involved in the flood rescue?

“No, because we’ve already done enough in the Middle East, we’re spending too much time there.”

—Hal Tchalekian freshman

“Yeah, because we’re all living in the same place and we should help eachother out.”

—Brandon Morgan sophomore

“I think we should because it’s a good example that we do reach out and give aid to others.”

—Katie Sydlik

“I think they should help, as a top world country we should be able to care for other countries.”

Flood affects thousands AHS students and faculty sympathize with victims of flood in Pakistan

BY K .L. HOANG Staff Writer After nearly two months of massive flooding that hit Pakistan, the damage is still being felt.

Aid camps are struggling to keep the victims orderly in addition to distributing food and care. The Pakistani people are trying to adapt to their temporary lives while their homes and lands are devastated.

Heavy monsoon rain sparked the disaster of which has now been the cause of at least 1,600 deaths. The flooding had reached from the northwest tip of Pakistan to the southern end.

The damage is the worst they have had in their history, as 500,000 people have been displaced from their homes and an overall 20 million affected.

Numerous things were destroyed by the flooding, such as 17 million acres of crop land and 200,000 livestock. Since the farmers cannot meet the deadline to sow seeds in 2010, there will be food shortages in 2011 as well.

The students and staff at AHS sympathize and find ways to help out the situation in Pakistan.

“My wife donated money to relief organizations. I think giving money to reputable aid organizations is good,” said Stratton Shartel, an social studies teacher.

In addition to food shortages, the floods have damaged an estimated 2,433 miles of highway and 3,508 miles of railway.

The people of Pakistan had not seen this sort of disaster in 80 years. Many Pakistanis have become agitated by the state they are in. They chastise the government for not doing better.

The Pakistani people are not alone though. The United Nations has received money from various nations, especially the United States, to aid Pakistani relief efforts.

“

WWW.STATE.GOV/P/SCA/CI/PK/FLOOD/MAPS/INDEX.HTM

Did You Know...

Sept. 22, 2010

WWW.HDL.LOC.GOV/LOC.GMD/G7640.CT000786

12

INTERNATIONAL

...I think it’s sad that it happened, especially since it was during Ramadan and now Eid. —Syid Ali senior

”

They have already received the two-thirds of the $459 million that was requested in August.

Another appeal was asked on September 17.

Not only are governments helping out but average men and women around the world are donating their money and efforts also.

The flooding has crushed not only their physical homes and livelihoods, but their spirits as well.

Students find it hard to imagine how their life would be if they were stuck in the flood.

“Terrible, I wouldn’t not be able to survive by myself,” said junior Omar Khatib.

“If I was over there it’d be hard for me. I know my family over there but I haven’t done much to help. I am going to donate some

Senior Syid Ali worries about his family in Pakistan, which is located between Afghanistan and India.

money soon,” said sophomore Adil Jared.

The timing of the most important Muslim holiday, Ramadan, where believers participate in fasting from dawn to sunset and other Islamic traditions, was especially rough.

“I have distant family there. I think it’s sad that it happened, especially since it was during Ramadan and now Eid. I tried to show my support by going to a fundraising dinner and donating some of my clothes; I know it’s a hard struggle,” said senior Syid Ali. Additionally, the Taliban have stated that the flooding was God’s punishment unto them for accepting secular leaders. Moreover, the flooding has paved the way for Taliban insurgency. Military forces are busy healing with the relief effort. During this vulnerable

period, some believe that the Pakistani Taliban could rise.

Some Pakistanis are getting annoyed by their government and other nations. They say they are not getting enough help or food. When the food deliveries come by people rush to get what they can and some are left behind.

The International Labour Organization reported on September 7 that around 5.3 million jobs have been lost because of the massive floods.

“I think we should encourage people to help out,” said sophomore Tehniat Zheert.

Hopeful spirits like Tehniat offer some positivity in these dim events.

—Tisha Vo senior

“Yeah, because they should do anything to help. They went to Haiti and Katrina to help them, if we have the resources then we should help.”

A new life in America from Sierra Leonne

—Bethlehem Solomon senior

BY MASALLAY SESAY from Sierra Leone

—Bonnie Vining English teacher Compiled by Jayran Moridzadeh and Haumaira Safi

My name is Masallay Sesay. I am from Sierra Leone, West Africa. I have been in America for two years. These past two years have been a difficult time for me. Everything for me was very different. I had to learn a different language, different customs, different food, and different people. I was like a newborn baby because I didn’t know a lot of things, I had to learn new things.

Life in America has advantages and disadvantages. The advantages of living in America are freedom and a better education. We have freedom of speech and education without paying school fees. We can say whatever we have to say. In my country we have to watch what comes out from our mouth.

“

I had to learn a different language, different customs, different food, and different people. I was like a newborn baby because I didn’t know a lot of things, I had to learn new things.

To listen to more podcasts of Annandale American Stories, go to www.thea-blast.org!

—Masallay Sesay Junior

”

The disadvantages of living in America are America’s clothing.

Also, in today’s society most kids disrespect their parents and dont get punished, but in my country if you disrespect your parents you will face consequences. Kids today talk back to their parents and some kids these days come to a point where they hit their parents back. But, in my country they do not tolerate such a thing. Some do not have any home

HAUMAIRA SAFI

“Of course we should help Pakistan because we’ve helped other countries in similar situations so why not Pakistan.”

Junior Masallay Sesay has been in the U.S. for two years.

training like the good old days. People these days do not value their American heritage. In my country when you see a grown up person you have greet them. No matter if you know them or not, to show respect.

The United States has a great government system. The reason why I like living in America is because they have better education, health care, and opportunities for a better way of life. Education in my country is not as easy as it is in the U.S. because not everybody can afford to pay the school fees. Many kids there would love to have the opportunities that we have here. But, what I miss in my country is the culture and traditional food.

I miss my family and friends. The things I used to do in my country for fun was helping my grandmother farm, fish and hunt. Sierra Leone is a beautiful country. I would love to go back when I finish my education to help the people in need.

PHOTO

Sept. 22, 2010

ATOM PRIDE

The marching band and varsity football team celebrate their first season win over the Falls Church Cougars 35-0. It was also Mike Scott’s first win as head coach of the Atoms. The team has since improved their record to 2-1 after beating the South County Stallions 7-3 Thursday.

13 The Class of 2011 around Fairfax County

Lake Braddock HS Each senior class at Lake Braddock High School paints the concrete bruin which is located in front of the school.

PHOTO BY AJ MCCAFFERTY

Robinson HS

(L) A fan shows his AHS pride by wearing his homemade spirit cap and football t-shirt. (R) Sophomore Joe Bermingham warms up for the big game against Falls Church.

COURTESY OF BRIAR CREEK PHOTOGRAPHY

Seniors Lance Miller, Edcel Argueta, Adam Goodison, Jordan Aman and Matt Chiappane take on the role of the 2010 Atom Boys.

West Springfield HS Seniors paint the year of their graduating class on the bleachers in their stadium.

Seniors Kelsey Knoche, Alley Adcock and Jennifer Allshouse show their spirt with the rest of the Atom Girls. “Go Fight Win” was painted on their stomachs.

The football team proceeds to the locker room for half-time.

W.T. Woodson HS

COURTESY OF BRIAR CREEK PHOTOGRAPHY

With painted bodies, red attire, and loud voices, Atoms fans display their pride as they cheer their team on to a crushing victory over the Cougars.

Seniors at Woodson High School paint the rock that sits outside of a front entrance.

––Compiled by Kristen Hennessey

Players on the sideline observe their teammates during an offensive play in the first half of the game.

11

twenty

Go to the web to see scenes from the Tea Party Rally that recently took place on the Mall. www.thea-blast.org

spirit

Tea Party 9/12 Rally

snapshots around school

The Class of 2011 cannot contain its school pride. To show its spirit they have decorated the C-Train by the track, the Senior Courtyard, the chimney on the roof, as well as leading cheers in the student section at football games.

-Photos taken by Emma Barker

PHOTO BY AJ MCCAFFERTY

Freshman James Barker helps the players and fans get pumped and excited for the football game.

Barker and other members of the marching band, had their first public performance the night of the Falls Church game.

Seniors at Robinson High School can pay to paint a patch of the walkway along their stadium bleachers.

14 Nag Natalie

LIFESTYLES

Sept. 22, 2010

Styling into the school year How to turn your summer styles into a more stylish and school appropriate outfit

Advice Column

By Natalie Johnson Dear Natalie, My boyfriend has been complaining that we do not spend enough time together every day. It is my junior year and I really need to focus and work hard in school but I don’t want to lose my boyfriend in the process of doing so. How do I balance my studies and show my boyfriend that I care at the same time?

—Torn Dear Torn, You need to find the right balance between your boyfriend and your studies.

Hanging out with your boyfriend is more appealing and fun, but doing your school work overall is more important. It is great that you are recognizing that you need to focus and work hard in school because this is your junior year so you need to push and work as hard as you can. However, this does not mean you have to shut your boyfriend out of your life and not give him any time.

Try to schedule your days so that you have time to do both your schoolwork and hang out with you boyfriend. Right after school get to work on homework and then when you are finished you can go hang out with him. If some days are heavier on homework than others it’s okay. You guys don’t need to see each other every day of the week. In fact, it’s better to space out the time you spend together.

If you are really busy during the week and cannot see him, give him a phone call instead of a text so that you can hear each other’s voices. If he does not understand why you can’t make time to see him, you need to let him know that you care for him but that you need to get your school work done so that you can get a good grade. If he truly cares for you and wants you to succeed he will understand and enjoy the time that you do have together.

—Natalie

LOOK OUT: While summer is the time to dress for the hot weather and be comfortable, school is a working environment and students should dress appropriately. This means that, your outfit should not show your undergarments and you are not allowed to wear a hat or head covering unless for religious purposes.

LOOK OUT: Summer is the time to look cute and so is the school year, but while the summer air isn’t air conditioned, the school is. Your shorts/skirts need to go longer then your fingertips when you put your arms by your side, and your shirts need to be at least 3 inches wide on the shoulder and must not show excessive back.

TRICIA O’NEILL

To see more about the dress code or student rights go to http://www. fcps.edu for the full students rights and responsibilities handbook.

ERIN GEORGE

Summer

School

Summer

School

LOOK OUT: Strapless tops and short dresses, ahhh yes that sounds like summer. Dresses are one of the easiest things to slip on during those hot summer days, but for school, students are not allowed to wear strapless dresses or dresses that do not follow the “finger tip rule.”

LOOK OUT: During the summer it’s tempting to wear humorous Tshirts that refer to illegal drug use or other inappropriate school topics but once you step into school these shirts can get you into trouble.

Instead of promoting negative concepts, wear a shirts that supports your favorite band or sports team.

Look great and get to school on time Use these helpful tips to cut back on the time you use in the morning to get ready for school

1

“I have my backpack packed the night before and all my homework done.”

—Michelle Burnette freshman

Instead of running around in the morning, trying to find the ‘perfect’ outfit, pick out what you want to wear to school the night before.

This way, when you wake up, you can easily get dressed without wasting time going through your drawers trying to find a certain shirt.

3

“I do my hair at night and then go over it in the morning.”

— Nisreen AlSuqi junior

2

“I don’t hassle myself with personal hygiene and I don’t eat breakfast.”

—Brian Coffman senior

Save time by eating breakfast on the way to school instead of sitting down in your kitchen. Skip cereal and grab a granola bar to eat in the car. Since breakfast is the most important meal, make sure you pick a granola bar that will substitute for a meal by giving you the necessary nutrients you need for the day. Try a Special K Bar or PowerBar, as these granola bars have added protein to get you through the day.

Take a shower the night before school instead of taking one the morning of. This is an easy way to add a lot of extra time to your morning routine. For girls, you also won’t have to worry about blow drying your hair or coming to school with wet hair. If sleeping on wet hair creates a problem with your hair style, use the extra time in the morning to flat iron or curl your hair.

4

Don’t turn on the TV or radio. These things will distract you and cause you to lose much needed time in the morning without even realizing it. If you usually listen to music or have the TV on the in the next room, turn it off and see how much faster you get ready in the morning.

How do you carry your books?

“ I save time by laying out my clothes and packing my lunch the night before. I also make a list of everything that needs to be done the next day.”

With the heavy books and school binders we asked students how they prefer to carry them Sophomore Yanina Merida carries a satchel, which is also known as a duffel bag, to hold all her stuff for sports. “In the mornings when I bring it in, there are so many people in the hall and I bump into them.” It doesn’t hurt her shoulders because she only carries her binder, shoes, and clothes.

Satchels are a fashionable yet practical way to carry your books around school. However, studies do show that satchels can lead to bad posture and future back problems.

—Kathleen Gilfoil teacher

KATE GRANDCHAMP

Compiled by Alexa Lafferty

Go to the web for more advice from Natalie! www.thea-blast.org

School

Summer

“Chapter 1 section D: Clothing with language or images that are vulgar, discriminatory, or obscene, or clothing that promotes illegal or violent conduct, such as gang symbols, the unlawful use of weapons, drugs, alcohol, tobacco, or drug paraphernalia, or clothing that contains threats is prohibited.”

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

How do you save time in the morning?

School

Summer

“Chapter1 section D: Examples of prohibited clothing include, but are not limited to: sagging or low-cut pants, low-cut necklines that show cleavage, tube tops, halter tops, backless blouses or blouses with only ties in the back, studded belts, chain belts, clothing constructed of see-through materials, and head coverings unless required for religious or medical purposes.”

SARAH BERGEN

ERIN GEORGE

Says.......

Satchel

“I carry this backpack because it’s stylish and practical. It holds a lot of books but it’s not too big,” said Junior Emily Oliver.

She carries a different amount of school supplies each day, but Oliver states the most she ever has is two binders.

Carrying your books in a backpack causes the least amount of strain on your back and shoulders, compared to a satchel or purse. Oliver says it only causes pain, “when there’s a lot of stuff in it.”

Backpack

Another trendy way to carry your books is in a purse like freshmen Brenda Pereira. She said she carries her books in a purse because, “I like Hollister and I am girly and it’s spacious. Also it’s better than carrying things in my hands.”

She also states that the bag doesn’t hurt her because she isn’t carrying it for that long between classes. Studies do show that carrying a bag on one shoulder for an extended amount of time can cause strain to that side of the body. It can also cause an uneven amount of muscle build up in your arms and back.

Purse

Go to the Web! For more volleyball pictures, visit: www.thea-blast.org

Volleyball vs. Edison 9/15

Senior captain Teppi Shultis prepares to set the ball. Shultis plays the positions of right side and setter.

Sophomore Jessica Gallogly looks on from behind as fellow sophomore Clare Lazar and senior Grace Franjie attempt to block a ball hit by an Edison player.

Sept. 22, 2010

Golf prepares for districts Varsity golf to begin Patriot District Tournament today with high hopes of making regional tourney

BY CJ AFTERGUT Sports Editor Golf is a game of strength, both mental and physical, that requires intense preparation and careful execution. This is why, for the last seven weeks, the Atoms golf team has been practicing hard for what is undoubtedly the most important match of their season, the Patriot District Tournament.

The team is scheduled to take on the rest of the district today and again tomorrow afternoon at Twin Lakes Golf Course. To qualify for regionals and move on to the next round, they will have to continue the success that they have experienced throughout the season.

“As a team we have done really well [this year],” said senior Eric Reynolds, who is one of six starters slated to compete in today’s tournament. “A lot of people have stepped up this year to make our team competitive.”

The team finished the regular season with a final record of eight wins and five losses, including four wins in “tri” matches.

Head coach Richard McCormack is optimistic about the team’s performance this year, and believes that the team has as good a chance as any to move on to the regional tournament.

“Very few golfers in the world have achieved the level of competence as our starters -- very few. They will do as best as they are able in the District Tournament, and that alone is great,” said McCormack.

In his first year back as head coach since 2004, McCormack has coached the team to a winning record despite the loss of several key players from last year.

“Coach Mac’s return did wonders for our team,” said senior Greg Nielsen, another one of the expected district starters. “He has the most golf sense of anyone I know and really helped improve everybody’s game in practice.”

Added Reynolds, “Coach Mac has been a huge help to our team this year; he has really motivated me to become a better golfer.”

Not only are the players impressed with McCormack’s knowledge of the game, McCormack himself is very pleased with all of the progress made by his players this year. Faced with limitations on practices because of high costs and a lack of decent courses in the area, the team has had to make the most of their playing time.

“Given the limitations I just described about the lack of playing and practice facilities, we have worked so incredibly hard -- harder than anyone can ever

LANCE MILLER

16

SPORTS

Senior Evan Smith tees off during a recent practice. Smith is one of seven seniors on the team and one of the scheduled starters for the district tournament. He and the rest of the squad will take on their district rivals on Sept. 22-23 at Twin Lakes Golf Course.

imagine -- at getting better and learning how to handle the difficulties of the game,” said McCormack.

In addition, though the early start of the golf season led to a lack of practice time between matches, the team has made the most of their time on the course in preparation for districts.

Now all that is left for the team is to put together all that they have learned in practice and previous matches to come out strong in today’s tournament.

Should they score well and place second, which is possible given their overall performance this season, they would secure a place in regionals.

Said McCormack of this goal, “that is doable, given that all of the pressure will be on the two teams that have dominated the district: South County and Lake Braddock. But they have shown vulnerability, especially South County.”

In the end, it all comes down to whether or not the team’s district competitors perform well over the next two days, allowing them to put pressure on both South County and Lake Braddock and maybe even knock one out of the running for a spot in the regional tournament.

XC comes out strong in first three meets

The volleyball team huddles during their recent game against Edison. The Atoms lost the game by a score of 3 to 1.

—photos by Rachel Bergen

Varsity cross country schedule September 25, Oatlands Invitational @ Oatlands September 29, Patriot All Comers @ Burke Lake Park October 2, Octoberfest @ The Plains October 5 vs. South County @ Burke Lake Park October 16, Stallion Stampede @ South County October 21, Patriot District Festival @ Burke Lake Park October 28, Districts @ Burke Lake Park

Varsity volleyball schedule

BY K.L. HOANG Staff Writer The boys cross country team kicked off their regular season on Sept. 16 with the team’s first non-invitational meet, held at Chinquapin Park. The Atoms squared off against three other schools: Woodson, T.C. Williams, and West Springfield.

During the meet, the top ten varsity runners ran the course as a workout while the junior varsity runners were put on the line to test their metal.

Most of the runners on the cross country team thought the course was hard and exhausting.

One runner, sophomore Austin Chavez described the course as, “repetitive, hilly, and a bad course for me. We ran by the same place three times. Then into the woods and then it got really hilly. There was really bad terrain.”

The same tone of exhaustion was carried throughout the meet as the clouds rained down on the runners.

Kids from every school stood at checkpoints to direct the runners where to go and support their team.

Parents stood at the finish line with the coaches and girls as they watched their children compete against each other.

Coach David O’Hara, who is in his first year as head coach, stated before the race that he thought, “the JV guys are going to do well.”

“I thought the race was hardcore.

I felt nauseated at the end though.

To prepare for the race, I listened to

COURTESY OF BETH OLIVER

Senior Izzy Yaroch attempts to spike the ball over the net as two Edison players jump to block her hit.

Senior James Grandchamp competes in a 5k race at the Monroe Parker Invitational which was held on Sept. 11.

It was always my dream to be the head coach of a cross country team,” said O’Hara.

Coach O’Hara also stated that he had only one goal for his team; “one goal, baby. Regionals.”

October 4 @ Woodson October 7 vs. West Springfield October 12 vs. West Potomac October 14 @ T.C. Williams October 21 @ South County October 26 vs. Robert E. Lee October 28 @ Lake Braddock November 1, Districts - 1st Round November 2 @ South County, Districts - Semifinals November 4 @ South County, Districts - Finals

BY ISABEL VILLARROEL Photographer The girls cross country team ran a successful 5k race at their meet on Sept. 16. The meet was disturbed by a bit of rain, but that didn’t stop the girls from running their best. It also didn’t stop family, friends and coaches from cheering on the runners all the way to the finish line.

Junior Sabrina Romano participates in the Monroe Parker Invitational. Romano is one of the team’s top runners this year.

Coach O’Hara was really proud of all the girls for giving it their all, describing the perseverance they showed despite the dismal conditions and challenging course. “The raining condition and the extremely hilly

second mile added to the challenge of the race.”

The meet’s final score had AHS in third place with 61 points, following West Springfield at 45 and T.C Williams at 31.

Coach Phil Harris was satisfied with the progress of his team. “I am pleased with their performance at the meet. Connie [Tran] turned an outstanding performance and Sabrina [Romano] is running exceptionally well. The team is finally coming together.”

The team also competed in the Monroe Parker Invitational on Sept.

11.

Senior Natalie Johnson, one of the varsity team’s key runners, was pleased with her team’s performance.

“Victoria [Ko], Sabrina [Romano], and I started off the year at a good pace at invitationals. Our times were really good, but there is still room for improvement.”

The varsity girls were all excited to start their new season, including senior Tori Clodfelter, who described her goals for the season. “My hopes for the season are to get my times down and to finally finish my fourth year of cross country.”

Senior Carrie Vergel de Dios had a similar point of view. “My goals for the season are for my team to do well collectively and place at one of the meets.”

Overall, the girls are looking forward to a successful season and expect another year of strong performances from both the varsity and JV runners.

Win at all costs, just don’t get caught

September 23 @ Stuart Septmeber 30 vs. Washington Lee

Girls XC battles rain in first meet of season

COURTESY OF BETH OLIVER

Lil Wayne and warmed up with the team. My favorite stretch to do is the ducky (butterfly) stretch,” said junior Brandon Marwah, who came in at 89th place.

“The first part of the race was flat, after the first mile, things got difficult. Overall, it was a bad course,” said sophomore Dylan Gore.

The results of the race looked good for the Atoms. The top five finishers from Annandale were sophomores Khalid Abdu and Hung Truong along with seniors Chris Marshall, Yery Gonzalez, and Tyler Britton. By the end of the meet, Coach O’Hara had a proud look on his face as he announced the names of his athletes during the bus ride home. “[My first season is] going good, everybody’s working their hardest.

JV racers show promise in first race of year

Aftergut’s Afterthoughts

By: CJ Aftergut Winning is everything in sports. At a young age, children are taught to improve and have fun participating in sports. Though winning does feel great, they are taught that sportsmanship and progress are more important. This idea, however, is very different in the world of professional sports.

To professional athletes, winning means everything, and that is how they make a living. They are paid to produce, and failure could cost them their job, while success could bring them fame and glory.

This puts a lot of pressure on professional athletes, some of whom will do whatever it takes to win. Such actions may include anything from using performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) to violating basic league rules.

In today’s sports world, the most prominent form of cheating comes from the illegal use of anabolic steroids and other PEDs. This problem is most

common in baseball, in which many players are commonly suspected of using PEDs. Perhaps the most prominent example is Barry Bonds, whose homerun record many fans believe to be tainted because of steroid use. Both his and the actions of others have raised questions of personal integrity throughout the sports world.

The rise in PED usage and the increasing success of today’s athletes has also caused many to question those whose longevity has defined their careers. For example, cycling great Lance Armstrong, who overcame cancer to win seven Tour de France titles, has recently been faced with accusations of former teammates concerning the use of PEDs. The use of steroids and other performanceenhancing drugs also throws a cloud over many of today’s biggest sports stars, whom are constantly under suspicion by the media and sports fans as to whether they have taken to the use of illegal substances in order to heighten their athletic abilities.

However, the use of PEDs is not the only form of “cheating” in the sports world.

It seems that everyone understands the concept of sportsmanship, but do all professional athletes practice it? To put it simply, no. In fact, many professional athletes regularly violate the unspoken rules regarding sportsmanship. When it comes down to it, they will do whatever it takes to win,

whether or not it is against the rules.

Such unsportsmanlike conduct occurs almost daily in the world of sports. In fact, just last Thursday, in a game between the AL East leading Yankees and second place Rays, shortstop Derek Jeter acted as if he was hit by an inside pitch in order to reach base safely. He then scored the game’s tying run when the following batter blasted a two-run homer.

Had the Yankees won, there would have been even more debate over the decency of Jeter’s “act,” which itself caused much commotion among fans and analysts.

Some people believe that this is only part of the game and that as long as they are not directly violating the rules of a sport, professional athletes should do all they can to increase their chances of winning. Many players and coaches agree with this belief, and thinking themselves beyond the ideals of sportsmanship and fair play, will do anything they can to win.

Others believe that this unsportsmanlike conduct is wrong and should not be tolerated by sports officials and commissioners. The players and coaches that take part in these acts, however, do not care whether they are penalized or disliked throughout the sports arena because to them, the only thing that matters in sports is winning.

18 Horoscopes

ENTERTAINMENT

Sept. 22, 2010

VMAs reach a new high

Aquarius (Jan. 20 - Feb.18) This week is not your lucky week, but meet a new friend by the end of the month and your luck will change.

Pisces (Feb. 19 - March 20)

BY NGAN PHAM Staff Writer This year’s MTV Video Music Awards, hosted by Chelsea Handler, had high expectations from the last VMA’s dramatic events.

Though the new “Jersey Shore” episode preceding the award show warmed up the audience, the VMAs stepped up and got the crowd even more pumped up.

Hot musical Artists such as Nicki Minaj, Paramore, Drake, Ke$ha, Usher, Rihanna, Florence and the Machine,

Your friends have been acting weird lately, but focus on other aspects in your life and things will fall back into place.

C0URTESY OF MTV

Aries (March 21- April 19) The stars are not aligned in your favor this month. Ignore this cosmic collision and focus on the positives.

Zing!

Rihanna and Eminem perform their hit single “Love The Way You Lie.”

Taurus (April 20 - May 18) You will be confronted with obstacles that will frce you to use your decision making skills. Trust your gut, and stick to it.

and Taylor Swift hit the stage and performed some of the most popular songs in America today.

Eminem also came back to the music scene with his comeback performance of “Not Afraid.”

Lady Gaga, as expected, arrived with new outrageous fashions and entered the VMAs with two awards. She walked out with a total of 5 moon-man awards, changing outfits almost every time she accepted. She also took home one of the most coveted awards for “Video of the Year”.

“Lady Gaga’s outfit was crazy. I’ve never seen anyone dress like that to any awards show,” said senior Meriem Khadraoui.

Justin Bieber made millions of teenage hearts throb as he performed for the first time on the VMA stage, with his hit songs “Baby” and “Somebody to Love.”

Along with great performances, the movie awards also had much needed comic relief with its host, comedian Chelsea Handler.

For the first time in 16 years, the VMAs had finally been hosted by a woman. Handler did not let up on the jokes as she made fun of half the celebrities in the crowd.

However, lucky for her, everyone expected her blunt behavior on the stage.

“I actually really enjoyed the show this year, Chelsea Handler was the best choice. She makes everything funny with her sassy and sarcastic comments. I wonder who they will pick for next years show; it will be hard to outshine Chelsea Handler,” said senior Aya Ibrahim.

Finally after weeks of trying, your goal will be achieved. Hard work really pays off.

Cancer (June 21- July 22) With a new school year brings a lot of stress, but focus on time management and things will get easier.

Mumford & Sons

Miike Snow Leo (July 23 - Aug. 22)

Virgo (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22) Be ready to pursue a new goal. Do not be afraid to take risks in order to achieve it.

Curren$y

Sagittarius (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21) Try to avoid other people’s conflicts and negativity, focus on yourself for awhile.

Capricorn (Dec. 22- Jan. 19) Lately you have been overthinking things because of the excessive amount of work you have been given. Do not let your thinking influence your judgement.

Coming from one of the music capitals of the United States, New Orleans, rapper Curren$y is the new talk in today’s rap and hip hop society.

Curren$y is currently signed to one of the most known labels, Def Jam Records, This label is known for having stars like Justin Bieber, Young Jeezy, Lady Gaga and more.

This young man’s album has just been released in July and is called Pilot Talk.

The tracks on this album can be compared to some of Wiz Khalifa’s music.

The battle continues

Now over a year later, it is still a sore topic to some

BY NOAH FITZGEREL Staff Writer

Scorpio (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21)

This London based band has started to make a breakthrough in the United States music industry.

The quartet has been compared to the notable Kings of Leon and the Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young.

The group has a CD available for purchase called Mumford & Sons which includes tracks with a folk influence.

Currently, the group is on tour in Europe. And soon enough, their success will reach the shores of the United States.

This Swedish electro-pop band has already been featured on several hit shows, such as Melrose Place, Gossip Girl, Cougar Town and even MTV’s Jersey Shore.

They have even made television apperances on Jimmy Kimmel Live, where they performed one of their most famous songs “Animals” live.

The band currently has an album available called Miike Snow: Deleuxe Edition, the tracks sound very much like Vampire Weekend but with an edgy twist.

Try to take some time off from school work and try to relax with some “me time.” There is nothing wrong with taking some time off every once in a while.

Do not let others define you because you know you can do anything. Let go of any doubts and be who you really are.

Though there were many highlights throughout the awards, memories from the past still remained. After the dramatic event that occurred with Taylor Swift at the last VMAs, it seemed as if Kanye West had disappeared.

However, West reappeared as he unveiled his new song, “Runaway.” It is apparent that Swift is not as angry as she sang “Innocent,” based on West’s actions, and how he can still get his reputation back.

From the preshow to the end credits, the VMAs this year met its expectations through its great performances and hilarious scenes.

With a sound similar to Colbie Caillat, Angel Taylor is a pop singer with earthy and relaxing songs.

Taylor has already produced an Extended Play (EP) that is available on iTunes. The EP is called Love Travels and includes multiple tracks that can be described as easy riding music.

Taylor is currently with Columbia records and has already toured with artists such as Adele, Kate Voegele, and Gavin DeGraw.

She has been climbing her way to success.

Gemini (May 21- June 20)

So far everything is going right, so enjoy it while it lasts. Do not get too caught up though, the stars may have other plans in store.

Justin Bieber wins the crowd over with his flaming hot dance moves.

Notable newcomers Upcoming artists on the peak of success in the music industry Angel Taylor

Libra (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22)

C0URTESY OF MTV

Hollywood’s A-List crowd the Nokia Theater for a night

“Yo Taylor, I’m really happy for you, and I’ll let you finish, but Beyoncé had one of the best videos of all time!” time One year later, these words, which were spoken by musician Kanye West at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards as Taylor Swift was accepting an award, is still a hot topic on entertainment news and blogs.

In fact, it was somewhat of a topic at this year’s VMA’s, with some speculation as to whether one of Swift’s songs was about West and what occurred last year.

This year attheVMAs. Swift and West both performed.

Each of them both gave the impression that each of their songs were

directed towards each other.

Swift sang about how even though what West did was wrong and rude, she forgives him and is ready to move on.

West’s song was more about how he himself had established that he was a jerk for doing what he did last year. So how has this whole ordeal affected West’s career? af Well, to put it this

Kanye’s famous act of shame which was shown live at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards

way-- eleven Annandale students were asked to say the first thing that came to mind when “Kanye West” was mentioned, and 10 of them immediately responded with something relating to the Taylor Swift incident.

This is definitely a negative result for West.

“It destroyed his career, and it’s not big news.

I actually think it’s starting to be old news,” said sophomore Sam Dores.

While the whole topic is interesting of sorts, not many items stay on the news for a year, and the ones that do usually become a bother to readers and viewers.

So, while some view Kanye West in a negative light, many believe that he made a mistake, and he obviously regrets it.

Sophomore Christina Uglietta added, “I thought it was totally inappropriate that Kanye came up during Taylor’s speech, but he has apologized and I think we should just get over it.”

Many times careers are ruined, and then eventually regained.

Sometimes the process is speedy, but it can also be just the opposite-Britney Spears being a good example.

However, nobody can say it better than West himself, who posted on his Twitter account on two separate tweets on Sept. 4, “It starts with this…” “I’m sorry Taylor.”

Hopefully this whole ordeal has been squashed for good..

C0URTESY OF MTV

ENTERTAINMENT

Sept. 22, 2010

Gomez makes a scene

The best sophomore albums in pop

The pop star’s sophomore album shows great promise

BY HABEN BERIHUN Staff Writer In 2009, Disney starlet Selena Gomez, known for her lead role in television series Wizards of Waverly Place, introduced her music to the world. Selena Gomez and the Scene originated in California and have recently released a second album titled A Year Without Rain following their debut album, Kiss and Tell. While Gomez is the main focus of the group as lead vocals, she is supported by Joey Clements on bass, Ethan Rogers on guitar, Dane Forrest on key board and Greg Garman on drums. The band’s debut album showed off their electronic synth-pop style that everyone can dance to, which has been continued in A Year Without Rain.

Both of the band’s albums have done well on the Billboard charts in America as well as Canada. Their hot summer single “Round and Round,” an angsty but upbeat song about confused feelings, went to 24 on the Billboard’s Top 100 and 76 on Canadian Hot 100. The band has been on many television programs including late night talk shows and the Disney Channel. Also, the band has done many tours including the “House of Blues” tour, the “Kiss and

Tell” tour to promote their debut album, and are now starting their “A Year Without Rain” tour.

MTV recently quoted Selena Gomez saying, “I’m really proud of this record, it’s very different, and kind of shows my growth a little bit in our music, so...I’m

excited, I can’t wait. I think if anything the lyrics are more powerful, in a way.” This is true. The strength of the lyrics in this album easily shown in her song “I Won’t Apologize” which has the line “I won’t apologize for who I am.” The album has a lot of girl-empowering lyrics, and a central

message of being independent.

The main song in the album is called “A Year Without Rain.” The track has a ballad-like feel about missing a guy while still maintaining Gomez’s signature thumping back beat. Fans should be excited for the song “Rock God,” which is a promising duet with Katy Perry.

“Intuition” is another fun and upbeat track that will win over Gomez’s fans. There are many other great songs on the album including “Summer’s Not Hot,” “Live Like There’s No Tomorrow,” “Sick Of You,” “Spotlight” and “Ghost Of You.” This album is a big step for Gomez, who is slowly following in suit of Miley Cyrus to break out of the pop princess stereotype. As she continues to grow as a musical artist, Gomez is earning her place in today’s pop industry. Gomez’s sophomore album exudes maturity and has been taken in stride by new fans and old. It has a great rhythm and beat, and it really fits well with the club scene with popping electronic keyboard that just makes you want to get up and dance.

The young star has done well with this album, which is definitely recommended for the teenage girl audience, but could be enjoyed by anyone. With no dirty lyrics or inappropriate messages, it is great listening for the young and old. A definite thumbs up, Selena Gomez and the Scene are here to stay.

Lady Gaga thrives with shock and awe The princess of pop wows the crowd at her show in Charlottesville

BY CARLY BOUCHARD Photographer

you get to the third album and you realize ‘I’m still writing about him?’”

Most of the audience hushed for the song. g. How could Lady Gaga even attempt to try a song with an “almost country ountry vibe” to it? Well she tried, and she succeeded with flying ng colors.

The song was very different from her typical heavy beats, but Gaga was able to show off her voice oice without as much synthesizing and background und music. “I really liked how she played the piano no and sang without as much going on besides es the ballad,” said UVA freshman Tori Zupan, n, “You notice that her voice is kind of raspy in n it and she’d stop to say some words in French, h, but that only made it better because we knew w it was real.”

The concert took a shift after her raunchy hy performance of “Boys Boys Boys,” which included ded full-on body groping and sexual inferences. Because e the tour was sponsored by Virgin Mobile, Lady Gaga was allotted otted a $20,000 donation to the cause of her choice per concert ert performed.

Her choice, the RE*Generation campaign, is a charity that serves to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender der youth that are kicked out of their houses when their parents learn about their orientation. “Their parents,” she he stated with a smile on her face, “don’t understand that at they were born that way.” About then, all of the students dents in agreement went berserk with applause. Gaga continued on with the show and closed with one of her biggest hits, “Bad Romance.”

Lady Gaga is the only one who can dance around almost naked, and still not be borderline pornographic. She also is flexible with her performance; she put on a UVA t-shirt that a student threw up at her and said that she loved ved it even though t-shirts are “against [her] religion.” ligion.”

Finally, only Lady Gaga could get a school that is known for its prep style to dress themselves as if a blind man put their outfits together.

1. Oops!... I Did It Again Britney Spears

2. Millenium Backstreet Boys

3. The Fame Monster Lady Gaga

4. Teenage Dream Katy Perry

5. Like a Virgin Madonna

6. FutureSex/ LoveSounds Justin Timberlake

7. No Strings Attached *NSYNC

8. My World Justin Beiber

9. Hangin’ Tough New Kids on the Block

Top 10 iTunes Downloads 1. Only Girl (In the World) Rihanna

2. Just the Way You Are Bruno Mars

GET

The pearls and polos that belonged to University of Virginia students were tossed aside last Wednesday for something a little more, well, outrageous. Decked with spandex, neon colors and other risqué attire, assorted Charlottesville students marched their way to the newly-renovated John Paul Jones Arena to dance the night away to the one and only, Lady Gaga.

Many people did not appear at the concert until after the opening performance, but the stadium became filled to its capacity before Gaga’s opening number. After taking a look around, anybody would have noticed this was not typical concert. Some outfits were seemingly exact replicas of previous Gaga outfits and deserve praise, as many hairstyles and dresses clearly took effort to create. However, many of the fans were dressed in outfits that clearly were never meant to be worn, no matter how “Gaga-esque” they thought it to be.

She is Lady Gaga for crying out loud; only she can wear inappropriate items without deserving scrutiny.

When her first song, “Dance in the Dark,” began, cameras flashed and the whole crowd screamed as if they had regained voices after ten years of silence.

However, Gaga had not even appeared. All that the 15,000 people could see was an opened door with the swaying shadow of the modern-day Madonna.

After what seemed like years of torture, Gaga strutted her way down a flight of stairs and began her show.

The set list was filled with every one of Gaga’s biggest hits, including “Just Dance,” “Paparazzi,“ “Poker Face” and her latest chart-topper, “Alejandro.” Gaga even put forth a sneak-peak of her latest album by setting a piano on fire and stomping on the keys with her stiletto boots, something only she can do without scaring her fans. After the unorthodox feet-performance, Gaga sat down and began her new ballad, “You and I,” that is to be released in her next album.

“It’s got this rock and roll, almost country vibe to it.” Gaga said. Additionally, she shared the origin of the song. “It’s about the sexiest man I’ve ever laid eyes on. Actually, in both of my albums, every song I wrote was about him. And then

19

TY IMA GES

3. DJ Got Us Fallin’ in Love Usher

Lady Gaga performs at her show in one of her very unique costumes.

Nelly MTV

SPLASH

MTV

FAME PICTURES

4. Just a Dream

5. Teenage Dream

S U D O K U

Katy Perry

6. Club Can’t Handle Me Right Now Flo Rida

7. Love the Way You Lie (feat. Rihanna) Eminem

8. Dynamite Taio Cruz

9. Dog Days Are Over Florence + The Machine

10. I Like It (feat. Pitbull) Enrique Iglesias WEBSUDOKU.COM

WEBSUDOKU.COM

Go to the web for a movie review on Easy A, in theaters now. www.thea-blast.org

20 How do you show your football spirit?

WEEKEND

Sept. 22, 2010

Planning the perfect tailgate Expert tips and tricks for making your tailgate a fun and memorable experience

“I show my spirt by wearing red and white clothing to the games. ”

A flat area, such as the senior parking lot pictured left, is the perfect location to hold a tailgate because of its proximity to the field and its available parking.

—Victoria Huenemann freshman

“I show my spirit by putting red war paint on my face.”

When planning the perfect tailgate, choosing the right location is essential. Your best bet is a parking lot or flat field area, which allows people to roam around as they please.

This will encourage people to play football and frisbee, along with other games that will surely make your tailgate one to be remembered.

Finally, try to chose an area close to the event you plan on attending afterwards so that your entire group won’t have to trek miles and miles to get to the desired location.

—Marwa Eltanir sophomore

“To show my spirit I am really loud and obnoxious. I also curse at the refs.”

—Ahmed Bile junior

“To show my spirit I congratulate the players that I know.”

—Brian Coffman senior Compiled by Colleen Adenan and Rowan Shartel

The to-do list 1.

The success of a tailgate is measured directly by the turnout. In order to make your event the best it can be invite everyone you know to join in the fun.

Putting specific friends in charge of music or games will take some of the workload off of you.

Advertising is a key way to make this happen. The DECA club, which hosted a tailgate the night of the first home football game, posted flyers and banners around school, as well as advertisements on the news reel.

However, if you are looking to keep your event exclusive, Facebook invitations should do the trick just fine.

Start

1. Pick the spot

2. Invite friends

Finish

4. Cook the food

3. Show spirit

The most crucial part of a tailgate is definitely the food. In order to truly have a successful tailgate, make sure you have all of the basics.

These include hamburgers, hotdogs, chips, soda and all necessary condiments to complete your meal.

It is important to know the number of people who plan on attending prior to purchasing the food in order to avoid running out in the middle of your tailgate.

The entire point of planning the perfect tailgate is to show spirit for whichever team you happen to be rooting for.

Dress in your teams’ colors, make posters and practice your cheering.

Act as energetic and loud at the games as you possibly can!

AHS students and parents gather around the food at the DECA tailgate held in the front parking lot.

Movies on the Potomac On Sunday, September 26, see the classic scifi thriller, Jurassic Park on the big screen! It begins after sunset at National Harbor.

2.

The larger the group of people attending your tailgate, the more memorable the experience will be.

WMZQ Fall Fest This concert event will be on Saturday, Sept 25 at Jiffy Lube Live in Bristow, Virginia.

Tickets can be purchased for as low as $35.75. The gates open at 4 p.m.

Some sizzling burgers, a couple packs of hot dogs and the right condiments are all you need for the perfect party.

Two of the senior Atoms boys, Lance Miller, top, and Matt Chiappane, left, begin the time honored traditions of painting their stomachs before home football games.

A group of senior girls support the Atoms by spelling out an upbeat message on their stomachs along with some of the players’ numbers on their backs.

The two I’s in win were designed to represent an 11.

All photos by Kelsey Price

Visit us on the web at www. thea-blast.org to view an exclusive “Last Weekend I” column by staff writer, Natalie Johnson. You can also view additional “Culinary Conquests” online.

Culinary Conquests

2011 class bulletin The senior class meeting will be held on September 24 during Flex

Buy senior bumper stickers from Emma Barker for only $3

Restaurant Guide

By Kelsey Price and Helena Belay The other day while we were on our way to go run some errands in Fairfax, a small, blue restaurant sign caught our attention. It read, “Blue Ocean Japanese Restaurant.”

The two of us had never heard of this place, let alone noticed it among the many shops in Fairfax plaza, including Trader Joe’s and Chuck E. Cheese. However, at that exact moment in time, we decided that we must experience this place for ourselves.

We arrived at 4:50 p.m. and we are surprised to find out that the restaurant did not open until 5 p.m. The ten-minute wait, however, was all worth it as soon as we entered the building.

The walls were covered in a serene bamboo paneling, which instantly made us both relax.

The room was well lit, as it had both a large front display window as well as hanging light fixtures working in its favor.

The staff was friendly and efficient, immediately seating us as soon as we arrived.

The Blue Ocean Restaurant had an extensive menu, filled with a multitude of dishes that

varied both in flavor and in price. Small appetizer plates were available for around $7 and full course; traditional Japanese dinners for two could be purchased for $69 if customers called in advance.

After pondering the menu for a few minutes, for neither of us could decide if we were in the mood for sushi or something new, we ultimately decided to order soba noodles and a side dish.

Soba noodles are made from buckwheat and are served in a broth similar to chicken noodle soup.

One of us ate the sansai soba noodles, which had a medley of vegetables in the broth, Blue Ocean while the other had the Restaurant tempura soba noodles, which came with a side of vegetables fried in the delicious tempura batter.

Each main course came with a salad topped with a delicious Asian dressing. In addition, we ordered some edamame as an appetizer. This brightly colored vegetable takes on the appearance of a green bean. However, it is served cooked and has a coarse outer shell with a texture comparable to a peach. You do not eat this shell, but merely suck out the small beans on the inside.

Although the quantity of food we ordered was considerably less than our first culinary conquest, this meal still stuffed us to the brim.

Our total bill came to be $26, meaning that our adventurous tastes only cost our wallets $13.

Upon leaving, our waitress gave us a warm and friendly goodbye, bowed respectfully and told us she hoped we would return again soon.

After that delicious meal, we will definitely be making a second visit.

B+

Top: Our delicious appetizer, edamame, was served by itself with a light coating of salt. Middle: A chicken teriyaki skewer had a savory flavor and was covered in a sweet glaze. Bottom: A view of the beautifully decorated restaurant which gives off a serene vibe.

All photos by Kelsey Price