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the VOLUME #54 ISSUE 3

ANNANDALE HIGH SCHOOL 700 Medford Dr. Annandale, VA 22003

8

3

HALO TAKES OVER

AMERICAN GOLIATH

ENOUGH CAFETERIA

20

18

CORN MAZES

With the release of the third instalment of one of the most lucrative gaming campaigns in history, XBox is reeling.

The great American artist Edward Hopper is showcased at the National Gallery of Art.

Editorials takes a stand on the state of cafeteria food; is change in our midst?

703-642-4229

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2007

Find your way to a corn maze this fall to have fun while challenging your mind.

Seniors lament no float

WEATHERTODAY Creating an IB World Mostly Cloudy High: 79

Low: 55

LUNCHTODAY Turkey Hot Dog on Bun, Veggie Taco Hot Pocket, Chicken Fillet on Bun, Deli Line, Pizza Line, PB&J Sandwich, Salads, Yogurt w/ Pretzel

Class of 2008 opts out of flowers, takes on bikes instead

NEWSBRIEFS

BY DREW FLOWERS Staff Writer If you had attended this year’s annual Homecomng Parde, you might have noticed something missing. That’s right, this year there were only three Homecoming floats. The freshman, sophomore, and junior classes all showed exceptional school spirit while the senior class opted to not make a float this year. Every year, to kick off Homecoming weekend, AHS has a parade that circles the surrounding neighborhoods of Annandale. In the parade, you can see many groups such as cheerleading, marching band, clubs, fall sport teams, the Homecoming King and Queen nominees, and of course each class’s float. Each class is supposed to pick a theme, such as Hawaii or Red Carpet, and make a float based on that theme. The floats are then judged and one of them is chosen as the best Homecoming float. Along with the honor and pride of being the best float, then winning class also receives a cash prize towards their class fund.

Language Minority Parent Nights will be held for parents speaking the langugaes of Spanish, Korean, and Vietnamese. The nights will be held to introduce parents to strategies for high school success, steps to graduation, post-graduation options, guidance services, and more. All nights except for Spanish night will be held in English, with language translators. Spanish Night is to be held on October 22, Korean Night will be held on October 23, Vietnamese Night on October 24.

ACCA to sponsor walk ACCA will sponsor a Crop Hunger Walk on October 20 at Lake Accotink. The CROP walk will raise funds for Church World Service’s hunger and disaster relief, refugee assistance, and development projects. Twenty-five percent of money comes back to ACCA to purchase fresh food items for ACCA’s Food Pantry.

IB Meeting to take place during PSATs An IB meeting is to be administered on October 17, after the half-day of PSAT administration. each IB teacher will have to serve on two evaluation committees: one for his/her subject and one additional committee, as part of evaluation. The task for each meeting group will be to fill out Section C of the porgram evaluation self-study questionnaire.

SAT Survey

Yes

22% No

Nearly half of all students take an IB class BY PAUL MATHIS Co-Editor in Chief When AHS adopted the IB Diploma program in 2001, many students shied away from the high level classes due to rumors that the workload was unbearable. Erin Albright, the IB Coordinator at AHS, said that in some cases, this was true. “The classes were harder than they had to be,” she said. With colossal 30 page readings and hundreds of math problems, students were daunted by the prospects of the program to say the least. Now, however, students are packing the gates. The diploma program is experiencing levels of participation far above any it has ever seen, let alone the levels of participation a few years back. In fact, theAHS IB program stands as a model for schools and nations across the world to emulate in terms of participation. Whereas the international average for the percentage of students per school participating in the IB program fluctuates from year to year at around 10%, AHS participation now stands at around 45%. Not only that, but 6 IB classes (out of 35 at AHS) have the highest enrollment of any of the same class in Fairfax County, with two of those classes harboring average scores on the IB exam higher than all other average scores on the IB exam in that subject in the county (two others exceeded the FCPS average scores). “I think that there is a growing awareness that the IB program is accessible to students who work hard,” said Albright. “My man-

date when I am here is making a very accessible program. If we put too much emphasis on the selectivity of the program, then the school will split.” In this sense, Albright and AHS are realizing the vision behind the IB program that was established with its creation seven years ago. Albright explained that the initial theory behind IB was that, “If you put the IB program in a school and make it successful, not only does it raise the academic standards at the top, it pulls up the academic standards of the rest of the school.” Such was the bedrock of the decision made by theAHS academic task force to morph AHS from an AP school into an IB school. Essentially, the task force had been looking for ways to benefit regular students. At the time, AHS had been an AP school, where AP classes had been provided for strong academic students. Granted, there was the ESOL program for students learning English, but the middle man was squeezed: there were few surefire academic opportunities for average students willing to work hard. With the incorporation of the IB program, AHS sought to deconstruct this conundrum. “By putting in the diploma as the highest level academic standard, we changed the philosophy of academic standards altogether,” saidAlbright. “We said, ‘let’s try to include as many students as possible.’” The point being that most motivated students, even with average academic backgrounds, are able to succeed in the IB program.

Undecided

This survey was distributed on Oct. 11 during C and D lunch. Of 500 surveys distributed, 410 were completed and returned.

“Float” continued on page 5

Series Pt. I

“IB” continued on page 5

Seemal Awan and Laith Abu-Taleb piece together the senior “float.”

ANC has open doors

AHS gets new top cop with Tippins BY MOHAMAD ELBARASSE Co-Editor in Chief A friendly new face has been gracing the hallways of AHS. Formerly a security assistant and the head coach of the softball team at Mt. Vernon High School, Chris Tippins has become AHS’s Safety and Security Specialist. Tippins has taken over Cliff Cornwell’s position, Cornwell decided to retire last year and the position was up for grabs when Tippins applied. “I did not even know that the job was open until someone told me,” said Tippins, “I submitted my resume, interviewed, and here we are. I was hesitant to put in for the job but I have confidence in myself that I know I can do it.” “Tippins” continued on page 5

Chris Tippins supervises the end of the day rush with James Carayiannis. Tippins is the new safety and security specialist, taking the place of Cliff Cornwell.

Just World holds first awareness day

57% 21%

IB program sets standard

COURTESY GWENDOLYN KENNEDY

Language Minority Parent Nights

IB Coordinator Erin Albright instructs a student on the intricacies of the IB Diploma. Participation in the program is unprecedented.

MOHAMAD ELBARASSE

On October 17 Seniors will get the day off as underclassmen are scheduled to take the PSATs. In past years, seniors have only had the morning of PSAT presentation off, but this year, the day is to be used for college visits.

PAUL MATHIS

Seniors to get day off for college visits

BY CHARLES SIMPSON Staff Writer Two billion people survive on $2 a day or less. Twenty-two million American children are chronically hungry. Washington, D.C. is the city with the fastest growing number of AIDS infected people in the U.S. Facts like these will be the fodder for awareness as the Just World Project embarks on its first Global Action Day today, world hunger day. To raise awareness, Just World holds ac-

tivities that provide enlightening and often startling information on world issues to its members and the students of AHS. “I think it is really important to spread the knowledge we have,” said communication and outreach committee leader, senior Sarah Lewis. The first movement towards awareness this year is World Hunger Week, which begins today and lasts to October 19. Just World will provide quizzes during the lunches with facts about world hunger. For example, the world

produces enough food to feed twice the earth’s population. Also, a child can be fed for 19 cents a day. Just World is carrying this fact further through a 19-cent donation program. IB coordinator, Erin Albright, started this program with the goal of raising awareness of world issues among students and giving direct aid to both local and international communities. While the program has not existed for long, it already is succeeding at this goal. “Just World” continued on page 5

BY CHARLES SIMPSON Staff Writer Today, Sharon Bulova and Tessie Wilson, Fairfax County board members, will organize a neighborhood center inAnnandale. The center will allow “local people [to] feel empowered to change the community,” says Dean of Students, Rebecca Julca. Opening on October 23, the Annandale Neighborhood Center will be in the quad located behindAHS and offer a variety of programs for students, as well as the entire Annandale community. In order to benefit the entire diverse community of Annandale, a variety of programs will be held at the center including the Hispanic Committee and Financial Consultation, Your Health, and Personal Safety programs. While the Center is not part of the school, it will hold programs aimed at AHS students including the Annandale Teen Club, Key Club, and GMU Tutoring Program. Lane Cyphers, the program coordinator, says the programs offered by the center “Will offer fun and educational activities,” as well as field trips, and services for Annandale as a whole.


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