Issue 6

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the VOLUME #49 ISSUE 5

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CORCORAN ARTS New exhibits at the Corcoran Museum in D.C. bring artwork to life.

ANNANDALE HIGH SCHOOL 700 Medford Dr. Annandale, VA 22003

10-11

CARTOON MANIA Kids are not the only ones allowed to watch cartoons. Find out the history of adult cartoons such as The Simpsons and Family Guy.

NEWS BRIEFS Pulitzer Prize winner Wendy Wasserstein to be at Artspeak

The Choral Department will be joining Pulitzer Prize winner Wendy Wasserstein this Thursday at 7 p.m. in Poe Middle School to perform selected Broadway songs. Wasserstein won the Pulitzer Prize on her theatrical performance in The Heidi Chronicles. She also won the first Tony Award given to a female playwright. Wasserstein will be speaking at Artspeak!, able Wendy Wasserstein to answer questions from the audience as well as sign autographs. In addition to Wasserstein, a surprise guest will also be performing. Artspeak! will take place in the lecture hall at Poe

703-642-4229

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2003

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BEST BREW

LEGEND LIVES

With winter just around the corner, find out which coffee shops serve the best cup o joe to keep you warm.

Although Tupac was murdered seven years ago his spirit is remembered in a new documen tary, Tupac Resurrection

School moves up in rank AHS moves up to number 52 on the Challenge Index BY CAROLINE FRIEDMAN Managing Editor This year AHS is number 52 out of 157 schools in The Washington Post’s annual challenge index, which will be released in the Post Thursday. The A-Blast obtained an advance copy of the rankings. The index measures the availability of International Baccalaureate (IB) and Advanced Placement (AP) courses by dividing the number of AP and IB tests by the number of graduating seniors. AHS’s Challenge Index number is 1.5440, which is up from last year’s number. The previous number was 1.162 and AHS ranked NO. 63. “It’s all about how all schools in the Washington area are getting better education,” said IB coordinator Erin Albright. “We are part of a very exciting trend of better education.” Washington Post staff writer Jay Mathews first published the challenge index in his 1998 book, Class Trouble.

Middle School.

Leadership class to hold an ATOMversary competition

Following the winter break the leadership class will sponsor a teacher-student basketball shoot-out as well as an Annandale history bowl. These events will take place during January flexes and is aimed at increasing celebration hype for the ATOMversary. Juniors and seniors will participate in the basketball shootout and a collection of eight students from each grade (four boys and four girls) will compete against one another in the history bowl. Students will be able to sign up for the competition during all lunches the week before winter break.

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY WILL AKRIDGE AND PAUL GLEASON

“Index” continued on pg. 5

Gang activity causes concern BY LEKHA MENON Staff Writer

The Black Cultural Awareness Association received 525 pairs of socks in contribution from the faculty and students. The sock donations are to be delivered to a homeless shelter during the holiday season. Virginia Crowley and her class, who donated a fifth of the total amount of socks collected, were treated to a Thanksgiving breakfast last Tuesday courtesy of the B.C.A.A. The drive ended last week.

Same-sex marriages Two weeks ago, the Massachusetts State Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriages. Massachusetts is currently the only state which has passed this new law. Do you agree with the Massachusetts court decision to legalize same-sex marriage?

47%

No

Yes

18%

Undecided

35%

225 students were surveyes during B, C, and D lunches on Nov. 25.

Administrator Shawn Hearn (left), and School Resource Officer Paul Pickett (right) discuss matters pertaining to student activity in gangs.

Ethics group speaks to students BY JOE BURKE Staff Writer Every year, students hear about the importance of values like honesty, respect and trust. The Honor code that each student agrees to at the beginning of the school year stresses the importance of these values both inside and outside of the school building. Recently, the administration has begun to place an even greater emphasis on these values. In conjunction with

the Ethics Resource Center, a Washington, D.C.-based organization that promotes ethical leadership and character, AHS has taken the initial steps in the formation of an ethics program. Principal Rodney Manuel made the first steps in contacting the Ethics Resource Center, thereby initiating the program. He hoped to emulate the Ethics program put into place at Lake Braddock Secondary School, where he worked previously. These efforts began when the Ethics Resource Center held

a forum for parents on Nov. 18. The purpose was to get feedback from parents and determine what kind of character traits they value most. The next step was a set of focus group meetings held on Nov. 21 during the school day. Representatives from the Ethics Resource Center led a discussion in an effort to evaluate the student body and determine its core values. There were five separate focus groups, comprised of “Ethics” continued on pg. 5

Band records for holiday program BY CRISTIAN HERNANDEZ Staff Writer The spotlight was on the Symphonic Band last night as it recorded a TV spot for the Apple Fairfax County School channel. The show was named the “Holiday Spotlight.” The band recorded three songs, including two selections from the Nutcracker, and a piece entitled “Greensleeves.” The tapings will air the week before and throughout winter break. The choir as well as other Fairfax County Schools, ranging from elementary to high school, participated in the tapings. This is the first year the band

has performed in the event and to be able to participate in the show, the band had to apply and be accepted. “We have been practicing for a month and half,” said senior Greg Loewer. “We were prepared because we sound good.” Band members are excited at the opportunity to showcase their talent. “I think that it’s good that we are getting recognized outside the school,” said senior April Brasser. “I’m looking forward to it, it’s a lot of fun,” said senior Colin Agnew. Some members are looking forJunior Jessica Martin rehearses with the ward to seeing themselves on TV. Symphonic band for a performance on the “Band” continued on pg. 5 Apple FCPS station.

MEGAN BERRY

Sock drive piles pairs

Although AHS has already encountered two or three incidents related to gang activity since September, according to school resource Officer Paul Pickett, the administration is not worried about an increase in gang violence. Safety and Security Specialist Cliff Cornwell does not cite gang violence as a major problem at AHS, although he does acknowledge that it does exist. “Gangs are an issue at all FCPS schools. Gang activity at AHS is low this year,” he said. The PTSA is having a meeting tomorrow to update parents of safety issues. Since the terrorist attacks of September 11 and the Sniper shootings last October, the administration hopes to make parents more cognizant about school security. This meeting will also help to promote gang awareness among the parents. “Our number one priority if to ensure the safety of the students and staff and any steps

to do that will be taken,” said Principal Rod Manuel. These steps include educating the faculty and administration of ways to identify gang behavior. The gang unit of the Fairfax County Police Department has taught AHS how to recognize actions, dress, and depictions of gang symbols. The stricter dress code helps to ensure that students cannot portray threatening gang symbols in school. Students are often misled by gangs. “A feeling of importance, acceptance, family, and love draws them to a gang,” Pickett said. The administration tries to encourage participation in school activities as alternatives to joining gangs. Getting involved within the school can often prevent students from getting in trouble outside of school. “We’d rather see students be part of AHS than gangs,” said Cornwell. According to Pickett, the majority of those involved in gangs at AHS are Hispanics, followed by the Black, Asian, and Caucasian “Gangs” continued on pg. 5

MORGAN MCEVILLY

Administration works to ward off gang participation

Sports banquet honored fall athletes BY ALEX WAHL Staff Writer “I just wanted to say thank you, it’s been the best years of my life,” said senior Noah Crowley, winner of the $500 Scholarship award for varsity football at the Fall Sports Banquet on Nov. 19. Crowley was the recipient of this award for his character, conduct, responsibility, leadership, and dedication he showed as a member of the football team. Several fall sports teams ended their season with tremendous results. Remembering pre-season football worries, varsity coach Dick Adams said it was predicted to be a bad season for football because they were unsure of the quarterback. However, he said he has been extremely pleased and surprised by the great season the boys worked for. “It was an incredible effort; tremendous senior leadership,” said Adams. Freshmen football coach Bill Maglisceau said the freshmen had the best season since 1980, with a record of 8-1-1, while junior varsity also did well at 4-4. Varsity finished off with a 6-4 record, beating Lake Braddock and coming closer to victory than any other team with Robinson. Along with Noah Crowley, Cory Da“Banquet” continued on pg. 5


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