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700 Medford Dr. Annandale, VA 22003

BINGE EATING BLUES

NFL DRAFT 2007

With playoffs complete, NFL teams are now looking to find the next Peyton Manning.

Today’s Weather Partly Cloudy High: 45

Low: 34

Today’s Lunch

— Spaghetti with meat sauce or marinara sauce — Chicken fillet on bun — Peanut butter and Jelly Sandwich — Yogurt with Pretzel

Today’s Flex — Wed. Feb. 14: R5 (dating game show)

This Day in History 1859 — Oregon became the thirty-third state in the U.S. 1912 — Arizona became the forty-eighth state in the U.S. 2003 — Dolly the sheep, the first clone mammal , was euthanized because of incurable lung cancer.

NEWS BRIEFS Valentineʼs Day dating game show to be held today

Today during R5 flex a dating game show will be held in the auditorium and will feature students competing for the chance to win a date in the AHS Bistro. Student’s who will be participating in the show were asked to sign up during lunches a few weeks before Valentine’s Day.

Binge eating is a common problem which can lead to serious health problems.

FCPS School Board approves motion for placeholder on $300,000 from 2008 budget to address transportation issues

BY DAVID SHERMAN Co-Editor in Chief We have all thought it at one point or another. At first we can’t believe it. It feels as if only seconds ago we closed our eyes after another grueling night of homework that we, for reasons we still can’t comprehend, put off until the last second. And we definitely have all mumbled something along the lines of, “Too early...” and hit the snooze button. However, to the delight of many students, this all may be changing soon.

Since 1998, Fairfax County has been compiling research on the possibility of switching to later start times for schools. According to the organization SLEEP, Start Later for Excellence in Education Proposal, the Fairfax County School Board created the Task Force to Study High School Opening Times that year.

The task force, compiled of parents, teachers, and school officials, supported later start times for school at the end of their six-month investigation. However, the task force was unable to come to a consensus on how this would be achieved.

SLEEP, created by community activists in January 2004, is currently working with School Board members, PTAs and principals, to put later start times in action.

“SLEEP” continued on page 5

Schwien

NICOLE SWIGER

The following AHS students have been nominated to compete for admission to Governor’s School this summer.

58%

Sophomore Rachel Burnette, pictured above with freshman Jennifer Oakes, placed first in the state swim meet on Feb. 9 and 10, for the 500 meter freestyle with a time of 5.28.82.

Additionally, during the preliminary rounds at the state meet, Burnett had a time of 5.27.50 in the 500 meter freestyle. This time automatically qualfied her as an all American swimmer and broke the national high school record for this event.

BY GREG YOUNG Staff Writer

Governorʼs School nominees announced

(Keep in mind that a later start time means a later release time from school)

Burnett breaks national high school record

‘Sleeping Beauty’ awakens crowd Cameras provide

Chemistry teacher Melody ColebrookJones was recently deployed to Iraq.

Colebrook-Jones had been teaching in the science department at AHS since 2004.

Do you think a later start time for AHS is a good idea or a bad idea?

With the Academy Awards approaching, AHS students vote on their picks for various awards.

SLEEP later

Science teacher, ColebrookJones, deployed to Iraq

— Seemal Awan: Math, Science and Technology — Stephanie Berg: Math, Science and Technology — Jeremy Hsu: Math, Science and Technology — Wafa Khadraoui: Life Sciences and Medicine — Ah-Ram Kim: Agriculture — Bich-Lien Vu: Agriculture — Miyako Yerick: Humanities — Kelsey Blanco: Theater — Elise Miles: Instrumental Music — Jennifer Patton: Instrumental Music — Natalia Schwien: Theater — Wattana Savanh: Visual Arts — Alaina Talley: Vocal Music

AND THE OSCAR GOES TO...

COURTESY OF KATIE ALVAREZ

For the presidential elections of 2008, candidate Barack Obama is appealing to a younger generation.

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BARACK AND ROLL

703-642-4229

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2007

Senior Daniel Lagdemo played “Prince Alexander/ the Frog,” in this yearʼs childrenʼs play Sleeping Beauty.

The play was held on Feb. eighth through Feb. tenth.

As Sleeping Beauty went into its final minutes, the auditorium was filled with kids who decided it was time to get involved in the play. When the hero Prince Alexander, played by senior Daniel Lagdameo, was about to kiss the fake Princess Briar-Rose, played by Lauren Kinch, and subsequently become poisoned, the kids decided it was time to intervene.

“No!,” shouted several of the children, “don’t do it, don’t kiss her.”

As expected, the kids helped guide the good Prince to realize the trap, and rescue the real Princess Briar Rose.

“Kids are responsive, and their imaginations get into the play and it helps a lot,” said junior Jennifer Patton, who played the real Princess Briar-Rose.

With the help of the children, the annual children’s play was performed on Feb. 8 through 10. The first showing of the play was performed at a special time, 4 p.m., so that kids could see the play and get home bedtime. On Feb. ninth and tenth, the play was performed at the usual time of 7 p.m.

The kids were also allowed to talk with, and get autographs from, their favorite characters in the play. The actors relished the opportunity to entertain the kids one final time.

The children’s play also gives the opportunity for drama teacher Vicki Farish to give one of her students a chance to direct a large production. This year, that prospect was given to junior Elisabeth D’Amico.

“You have a lot of responsibility, you have to fit schedules around everyone else and be in charge of everything,” D’Amico said.

“Sleeping Beauty” continued on page 5

increased saftey

Security developments continue to help AHS reduce vandalism, violations and crime

BY EBONY CHAMBERS Staff Writer Have you ever felt like you were being watched? Well, you are. Three years ago AHS was one of the first schools in Fairfax County to have security cameras installed. There are now nine cameras installed outside around the school.

“I have seen the cameras but I never thought that the administrators or whoever actually paid attention to them and watched the cameras to see what was going on outside,” said junior LaToya Potts.

According to Safety and Security Specialist Cliff Cornwell, one of the main reasons the cameras were installed was to catch people that were breaking into student Security cameras, like the one pictured above, are located and faculty cars. Because of around the exterior of AHS. the addition of the cameras, as well as new administrative changes, AHS has become one of the safest schools in Fairfax County, said Cornwell.

There are nine cameras located on the outside of the school.

One is near the gym that can see the senior parking lot, and ALYSSA NAVARRETE

VOLUME #53 ISSUE 8

ANNANDALE HIGH SCHOOL

“Security Cameras” continued on page 5

Black History Bowl approaches Black history month celebrated through fifth annual competition

16% Undecided

Itʼs a bad idea

Itʼs a good idea

26%

This survey was distributed on Feb. 9 during B, C and D lunches. Of 500 surveys distributed, 445 were completed and returned for inclusion in this graph.

The fifth annual AHS Black History Bowl will be held during W6 flex on Friday, Feb. 23 in the auditorium.

The Black History Bowl, which began in February of 2003, is an academic competition between each of the classes. Each class has a team of three participants and one alternate, all of whom are challenged with questions on black culture and contributions.

History teacher Kathlyn Berry and English teacher Augustine Twyman are sponsoring the event and are looking forward to yet another fun and educational competition.

Students have already signed up for the event and the teams have almost been finalized, although there have been some issues with freshman and senior participation as well as practice.

“Black History Bowl” continued on page 5

ALYSSA NAVARRETE

BY KRISTA SILANO Managing Editor

Itʼs Academic places second Seniors Tim Yuskavage, Chrissy Osipchak and Alyssa Degner-Lopez compete while being taped for an upcoming episode of the Itʼs Academic TV show. The team competed against Oxon Hill High School and Woodrow Wilson High School on Sat. Feb. 10. Woodrow Wilson beat AHS with a score of 595 to 565. It will air on March 31 on channel 4.

Fairfax County Public School’s Internet polices are a joke. Anyone with a cursory knowledge of Internet browsing can think of at least ten web sites right off the top of his or her head that can be used to bypass the firewalls thecounty put in place.

Now, I understand the reasoning behind them—it is the county’s responsibility to protect students from “inappropriate websites,” not only a moral obligation, but also a legal one.

But the facts are the facts. The vast majority of students know of websites that can bypass filters, and the list of those sites grows faster than the county can block them. The overwhelming majority of sites seen with the bypasses are the Facebooks, Myspaces and such. Instead of such a fruitless effort on FCPS’s part that does not prevent, but only delay by a few minutes, perhaps teachers should be mandated to more vigilantly supervise students’ Internet use or some other measure.

The truth of the matter is that children nowadays have a link to Internet use that no other generation can claim.

The Internet is our most important medium of education and communication—rather than assume that we are ignorant to know how to bypass the filters put in place, FCPS should do something more progressive, such as implement a course on responsible and efficient use of the Internet. Until then, they are engaged in a cat-and-mouse game that the students continue to win.

—Tim Yuskavage Copy Editor

Faculty should not be able to confiscate cell phones In a dire emergency the faculty needs to be considerate of students using cell phones during school hours. When a student is text messaging their parent during the day it is usually to inform them of their whereabouts after school, or information that the parent needs to know.

Do the teachers think that the parent will be angry because their child was trying to contact them?

Doubtful. However, they will be infuriated if they are forced to leave work early to come to school to pick up their kid’s cell phone because a teacher confiscated it and took it to the office.

It might be more understandable if the teacher was willing to give the phone back to the student after class. But no, most teachers insist upon putting students and their parents through a loop to retrieve a phone. Is the teacher angry that the student feels it necessary to talk to their parents for five seconds rather then be sitting staring as a teacher slowly passes papers back?

Or is it that the teacher wants to take the phone away solely because they can? Some teachers must feel empowered by the agony that they are knowingly putting their students through.

—Lea Nickerson Staff Writer

Issue 7, Jan. 23 corrections On page 4, in the story “Sudoku tournament held,” Mohamad Elbarasse’s name is mispelled.

On page 4, the photo in the top right hand corner is miscredited to Nicole Swiger, the photo was actually taken by Paula Yuskavage.

On page 8, in the story “No limits on love,” Zain Javead’s name is mispelled.

On page 18 in the rail, Maggie Craig’s name is mispelled.

Feb. 14, 2007

Time to Barack and roll

BY LUCAS HIGGINS Staff Writer

FCPS web filters prove ineffective

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When Barack Obama walks into the Johnson Center at George Mason and is met with positively giddy screams of borderline groupie-ism from college students, that really should be reserved forAkon or Panic!At the Disco, it seems almost surreal that a politician is getting this much love from our generation.

Politics is a realm filled with people whose egos are almost visible auras that follow around their respective owners. Most of the time, your average politician is going to be the guy who smiles dishonestly at a crowd of people he secretly loathes, kisses a couple of babies, then climbs back into his limo and throws back some nicely aged scotch.

Okay, maybe that is a little harsh, but I think it is accurate to say that most high school students take an extremely cynical outlook towards politicians as a whole, and this is only if they take any outlook at all.

Most of the high-profile news coming out of D.C. these days has something to do with a scandal (shout-out to Mark Foley). None of us will forget Bill Clinton’s romp in the oval office, which occurred right as most current high school seniors were just ascending into political consciousness.

So we may be cynical, but we cannot be blamed for being so. The political landscape has given us plenty of examples of the dirty politician, and few examples of a champion of the people, someone we can all fall in behind and have great hope for.

This twilight zone moment happened on Feb. 2.

Almost 1,000 college students from around the country were assembled here for Obama’s first public event since his unofficial announcement of his quest for the presidency

in 2008. The cheering lasted for a good ten minutes until Obama finally got the crowd to calm after a few not-so-stern “Quiet-down.”

Obama began his speech talking of his past and how similar he is to all of us. He’s made mistakes that or just as bad or worse than anything any of us had done. He’s felt alone, felt rejected, gotten drunk, even gotten high a few times in his younger years, just like us he says. But who is “us?”

“Us” is the generation of people who he was standing in front of. “Us” is the jaded legions of college and high school students scattered about the nation. In other words, “us” is who he is counting on if he wants to get elected. So Obama went on and pitched his plan for what it is exactly we need to do. Bottom line, he said, “Get out and vote.

Prove them wrong.”

I assume the “them” are those who do not think Obama has a legit chance to win because he is going to be banking on younger voters, who, despite a recent surge in political participation, still seem to be leaning towards the apathetic route when it comes to voting.

But, if anyone could do it, it would be Obama. He is by far the youngest candidate vying for the presidency, he is undoubtedly “cool,” and his record is clean enough for his voters not to be disengaged because of some ugly scandal rearing its head.

Besides, compared to the other candidates, Obama has very little money to work with, which is why he is going to take a tip from Howard Dean and use the Internet to raise money. Obama already has a good opportunity to raise a ton of money early on thanks to his ridiculous exposure on the new myspace, facebook. The largest group in facebook’s short history belongs to Obama, but was started by one of

WWW.OBAMA.SENATE.GOV

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EDITORIALS

Senator Barack Obama is a likely contender for the Democratic nomination for the 2008 Presidential Election.

his many rabidly loyal fans.

For the next two years, it is a matter of rallying the troops. Deep down, most young people have the will to vote, they just need to summon it and utilize it. Barack and Roll. author’s e-mail: lucas.higgins@thea-blast.org

Ceasefire finally reached

BY AYA SAYED Staff Writer While the past few weeks have witnessed an unleash of chaos in the Palestinian streets, a ceasefire has finally been reached between the participating factions. The two rival factions, Hamas and Fatah, agreed on Feb. 8 to form a government of national unity aimed at ending a wave of violence between them and an international boycott. The agreement, signed in Islam’s holiest city, appeared likely to end, at least for now, weeks of fighting that have ravaged the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Still, it seemed to stop short of meeting the demands of the international community for resuming relations and support for the Palestinian Authority.

The violence between Hamas and Fatah began a few weeks ago. Nonetheless, the main instigator of the violence is found about one year ago after Hamas’ landslide victory in the Jan. 25, 2006 election, partly due to Fatah’s internal splits. After Hamas’ victory, Israel also stopped the transfer to the Palestinian Authority of the estimated $55 million that it levies every month on Palestinian imports destined to the West Bank and Gaza through Israeli seaports, thus depriving the Palestinian government of nearly 40 percent of its financial revenues. After the United States and European Union cut off financial aid to the Hamas-led Palestinian Authority, tensions have been rising amid an economic squeeze

on Palestinians.

International sanctions against giving money to the Hamas regime hurt the Islamists. Yet the European Union had earlier stopped aid to the PalestinianAuthority because of its financial irresponsibility. This kind of thing should be remembered in the face of a strong temptation to declare Fatah, as opposed to Hamas, the “good guys,” or at least the lesser of two evils.

Another cause of the violence that occurred was political conflicts with the state of Israel. Although Fatah has supported a two-nation solution since the 80s, Hamas has refused to acknowledge the Jewish country’s right to exist. One wants to solve the conflict through negotiations, the other is not willing to rule out terrorism as a last resort. Fatah politicians routinely condemn suicide bombings, but Hamas sees such attacks as resistance and selfdefense.

Moreover, the new Hamas government seeks to seize more power in the government, while the President Mahmoud Abbas, head of Fatah, has been increasing his power. The days before the cease-fire have witnessed severe violence, caused by the constant combat that had occurred between the militias of Fatah and Hamas. The militias would take hostages and storm government and party buildings. The situation was further deteriorated as a result of the political division between the security forces.

While the exact cause of the violence has not been

MAking the GrAde Mozart back in action after penis removal

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Mozart, an iguana from the Aquatopia Zoo in Belgium, was stricken with a permanent erection.

He later had his penis surgically removed because he was not able to walk in his previous condition.

But now Mozart is back with his girlfriends at the zoo enjoying a healthy sex life, said a spokesman for the Aquatopia Zoo.

NFL to plant trees to make up for Super Bowl Imagine all those heat-trapping greenhouse gasses emitted from the Super Bowl. Five hundred tons of carbon dioxide will be emitted from the NFL Experience Super Bowl Theme Park alone.

So what is the NFL doing about this? They are planting 3,000 mangroves and other trees native to Florida is what they are doing. The planting of the trees will begin in August and, if all goes well, it should end in May.

Health Minister of Japan makes derogatory remark

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Health Minister HakuoYanagisawa referred to women as “birth-giving machines” on Feb. 4. He also added that women should “do their best per head” to stem the falling birth rate in Japan. This caused much unrest among the civic groups and the general public in Japan, who quickly called for his resignation. Yanagisawa has apologized profusely, but his fate in office is still undetermined.

Woman punches peer in discussion over death penalty

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Martha Eleanor Walters, 19, was attending a seminar at Saint Mary’s University in Winona, Minnesota when she punched a fellow student over remarks he made regarding the seminar.

The class was engaged in a discussion of the death penalty when a student suggested that the lawyers were at fault for the high cost of death penalty cases. Walters, the daughter of two attorneys, proceeded to punch her peer in the face.

The seminar is one of the core requirements of the Catholic university.

revealed, it appears that it has as much to do with power, money, and weapons as it is about relations with Israel.

While a large-scale civil war has been prevented, the last few weeks have resulted in the death of about 25 and the injury of more than 170 Palestinians. Among those killed were several Fatah members of the Palestinian intelligence service, including a deputy chief commander, as well as two Hamas members.

During the time of this internal struggle within Palestine , neither party was focusing on negotiations with Israel, but rather their main focus was this inner power brawl in which each party wants the fruits of leadership: power, prestige, and money.

Even though there is a cease-fire between these two factions, many Palestinians still wonder if they will ever be able to pass this horrible time in Palestinian history.

The violence, destruction and terror have paused for what will probably be a short period of time. Sadly, many around the world have already wondered why innocent Palestinian people were killed, and what is ironic is that the Palestinians are causing the deaths of their own people—their own brothers. While the violence, destruction and terror have ceased to continue. There is still a large possibility that violence will erupt again.

Until the two groups are able to end the reasons behind their violence, then violence is destined to erupt once again. Yet what is ironic is that the Palestinians are causing the deaths of their own people, their own brothers. Has the lust for power corrupted the minds of Palestinians to the extent where they are willing to raise a gun against their own people? Until the Palestinians are able to realize that their real enemy lies undefeated, their land will never return the rightful owners.

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Vol. 53 No. 8 Feb. 14, 2007

(703)642-4229 email: thea-blast@thea-blast.org fax: (703)642-4299

Editors in Chief, Print: Alyssa Navarrete David Sherman Editor in Chief, Online: Erick Vu

Photography Editor:

Managing Editor: Krista Silano Copy Editor: Tim Yuskavage Online Editor: Bryan Krzywicki Design Editor: Matt Camilli Kevin Leach Graphics Editor: Adam Kasdorf Circulation Manager: Kyle Knoche

Sports Xtra Editors:

Margaret Crowley Julianne Simpson Sports Editors: Avery Adcock Greg Rosenstein

Jeff Dean Matt Johnson In-Depth Editors: Paul Mathis Chrissy Osipchak Weekend Editors: Kate McCormack Tim Shadyac Online Staff: Samah Janpanar Amy Steinbuechler Ad Manager: Amy Stevens Marisa Tordella Academics Editors: Michael Craig Matt Camilli Cason Kynes CJ Sidener Taylor Hobson Emily Vincent Videographers/Editors: Gus Nielson Spanish Consultant: Antonio Rivadinera Drew Wildes Staff Writers/Photographers: Ben Hendrickson Bud Ireland, Daniel Fishman, Arts Editors: Lyndsay Jacobs Rachael Burnett, Ebony Chambers, Charlie Laura Simpson Winters, Lucas Higgins, Lea Nicherson, International Editors: Vanessa Cerro Meredith Rutherford, Julie Tumasz Waliha Gani Brandon Williams, Greg Young, Nathalie Editorials Editors: Shriya Adhikary Cladera Carrera, Claire Bui, Nicole Swiger, Mohamad Elbarasse Aya Saed, Caroline Merz, Cristian Roldan, Laith Abu-Taleb, Amina Mohamed Entertainment: Layluma Hotaki Adviser: Alan Weintraut Jenny Jacobs Health Editors: Becca Grimsley Sarah Waiter Trophy Class News Editors: Michelle Risse Pacemaker Virginia High CSPA Emily Sample National Scholastic School Silver Crown People Editors: Julie Baker Press Association 2005-2006 2004-2005 Lindsey Downen 2004-2005 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 m the school. The A-Blast reserves the right to refuse advertisements. All submissions become property of The A-Blast, Copyright, 2007.

EDITORIALS

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Feb. 14, 2007

Vaccine should be open to all Public debates often have two legitimate arguments on either side. This, however, is an exception. Assuming that the vaccine is safe, every young woman in America should be inoculated against cervical cancer. To argue against such a policy would be nothing more than ludicrous, and would set back America in terms of scientific advances and medical progress.

What is so unfortunate about the controversy revolving around the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is that it is less about the science and medicine, and more about society and the state of women’s rights in America. An HPV vaccine presents America a golden opportunity to eradicate a form of cancer, a deadly and destructive disease, and yet the nation’s politicians are arguing whether or not to implement it.

Millions of dollars have been spent to deter people from smoking lest they suffer from lung and heart cancer.

The Race for the Cure has created unprecedented nation-wide awareness about breast cancer; even prostate cancer has entered the nation’s consciousness with high-name figures dealing with the illness. Yet, cervical cancer is being discussed as, let’s face it, less of a medical issue and more of a political issue.

A political issue, you ask?

Absolutely. In Texas and Washington, D.C. a proposal was made that all young women in the state receive such a vaccine. The medical benefits are more than evident: the removal of the risk of cancer, less follow up procedures which save both Gardasil, the HPV vaccine created by Merck, is given as time and money, and less inthree shots over six months before being fully effective. vasive procedures that have

their own risks. The opposition, brought mostly by right wing, religious based organizations, gives feeble excuses. One argument is that most young women are never exposed to the disease, thus such a mandate is not a good idea. This argument is laughable.

Opinion The odds of getting many diseases we are inoculated against

By Tim Yuskavage is small – Meningitis, Tetanus, Hepatitis, yet those are still all given out in the name of safety. The other argument given, which is more reflective of the true opinions of the opposition, is that this vaccine would give girls more opportunities to be, as they put it, “promiscuous.” This argument is as old as sexual health itself; if someone is against the HPV vaccine on those grounds, surely he or she must also be against birth control, condoms and abortions.

The argument that measures that control birth rates and STDs will result in more premarital sex is baseless. Does the use of seat belts result in more crashes? Just because someone has extra opportunities to do such a thing does not automatically compel them to do so. For the majority of women, this vaccine would only protect them against this terrible cancer, and act as an extra layer of defense.

What’s origin of this controversy? It is, I believe, the old double standard that still exists, unfortunately, in many parts of our country. The use of condoms does not have this sort of controversy surrounding it, but after all, it is mostly men using condoms. There is a definite disparity that is still around. Both birth control and now this vaccine, are so widely debated because, in the end, they give women more opportunities to liberate themselves in society. This is, ultimately, something that many men are still unwilling to accept.

If there are seriously concerns about this vaccine based on legitimate scientific and medical concerns, fine. However, if it is, and it truly seems like it, that the objections to this advance in medical science is based on old sexist double standards, then shame on those who feel that way. This vaccine is a wonderful opportunity to avoid a problem no woman deserves. Hopefully, the Texas and Washington proposals will succeed and spread across the nation.

Tim’s Take

author’s e-mail: tim.yuskavage@thea-blast.org

Unreasonable standards Mo’s

Mindset Opinion

By Mohamad Elbarasse Sobre su terminación en el 1883 de mayo, el Puente Arroyo, un puente colgante de acero que liga Brooklyn a Manhattan como el puente más largo en el mundo.

A. a Manhattan como B. a Manhattan, y fue C. y Manhattan, fue D. con Manhattan, fue Have some trouble answering that question? You would if you were not fluent in Spanish. Now you know how 10,200 immigrant students in Virginia will feel come SOL time. And just in case you were wondering, answer C would have been the best way to phrase the sentence.

In recent weeks Fairfax County has challenged a unfunded mandate by the federal government by refusing to administer the SOLs to immigrant students who educators believe are not ready to take the exams.

The “No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB)” was signed into law on January 8, 2002. NCLB reauthorized a copious amount of federal programs that were meant to improve the performance of United States’ schools by increasing the standards for reading and writing in English. The law requires that 100% of students, regardless of race or level of income, are proficient in all core subjects by the year 2014.

But now a new problem is arising in many counties,

including our Fairfax County. Under federal law, immigrant students, who have not fully mastered the English language, are to be tested at the same level as students who are fluent in English.

The controversy is that the gallant Fairfax County School Board voted against administering the exams to the portion of the students in Virginia who would be affected by this law. But the U.S. Department of Education threatened to take “enforcement action” against Fairfax County and may possibly withhold funding if schools did not administer the tests. On Jan. 31, federal education officials denied the School Board’s request to use the test from last year again this year. They also added that Virginia educators have had ample time to create a new test that met the federal standards for NCLB. Last year, federal officials rejected the exams proposed

by Virginia, because the tests don’t cover the same grade level material as those given to students fluent in English.

Virginia educators are worried about the welfare of their students. They believe that it is unfair to administer a

test, which requires proficiency in English, to a student who has not mastered the English language. Other counties such as Arlington County and Harrisonburg County have passed similar measures and are facing the same backlash.

More recently, the Fairfax Board of Supervisors has sided with the decision made by the School Board and is now caught in a battle with the Bush administration. The Bush administration has been accused of having a “tin ear” on its policy toward testing immigrant students. U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings, who visited AHS in Sept. of 2006 to present a grant to further develop Arabic and Chinese language programs, wrote in a letter to The Washington Post that Virginia was failing to meet the requirements set in the “Standard Clause” of NCLB. The Bush administration and NCLB are setting very unreasonable standards and NCLB should not be renewed this year when it is under Congressional review. Educators should be able to do their job and should be able to decide when to administer the tests to the students who they think have mastered the English language. Superintendent Jack Dale said that they would put the SOLs “in front of the kids when they’ve learned enough English to have it in front of them.”

Immigrant students who are not proficient in the English language should not be forced into practically failing a standardized test when it is known they are not ready. The government should not be telling educators how to teach children. Educators should be able to judge which students are proficient enough in English to take the SOLs—not some government official who has never met the children, and whose lives he or she will so drastically change.

Shriya Says

Do you think there should be a ban on trans fat?

“No, because people should take trans fats in moderation and be smart about what they are eating. I eat trans fats every day, and it doesn’t effect me.”

—Adem Gokturk sophomore “No, because it’s the people’s choice, and they should make the decision.”

—Megan Baxter freshman

“They should ban it although it wouldn’t make much difference because America’s fat already. People wouldn’t notice.”

—Mishell Hernandez sophomore “Yes, because trans fat are bad for you.

They are the worst kind of fat.”

—Robin Hertel senior

“No, because it’s America. People should be able to eat what they want.”

—Nathan Witmer junior “It should be banned because the U.S. needs to learn better eating habbits. It’s bad for your heart.”

—Gibran Armstead freshman

author’s e-mail: mohamad.elbarasse@thea-blast.org

Why are trans fats still around? their footsteps.

But what exactly are trans fats and why are they so bad for you?

Trans fats are a type of unsaturated fat. They are found naturally in small quantities in foods like milk, goat meat and beef. The naturally occurring trans fats are not bad for you. Most trans fats consumed by people today, however, are industrially created as a side effect of partially Opinion hydrogenated plant oils. Most companies use trans fat

By Shriya Adhikary because they increase storage life of packaged goods and also enhance their taste. These items with trans fats can Picture this: you are a 25 year old walking home from be left on the shelves for many months, sometimes even work one night when suddenly your heart stops, literally. years, before they go bad.

It is shameful to think that Americans are harming You are the victim of a heart attack, brought to you by a high trans fat intake delivered straight to your arteries. themselves when they intentionally put these dreaded fats into food products simply to make money. Just to You thought heart attacks were only make a couple more dollars, food for middle-aged men with high chomanufacturers slip these deadly lesterol, didn’t you? That used to be fats in to make packaged foods nonthe case, but in this age, the amount perishable. of trans fats in an assortment of foods In 2002, the National Academies’ are taking a toll on everyone, young Institute of Medicine warned that and old. there is no safe level of trans fat that Last December, we all heard can be consumed, and, like eating fast about New York City banning trans foods, trans fats should be avoided as fats from its restaurants. Most of us much as possible. These artificial and heard the news and most of us passed unnecessary fats greatly increase the it off as just another attempt to comrisk of coronary heart disease. bat the growing obesity epidemic in Just a 2 percent daily increase in America. But research and reports your trans fat calorie consumption show us that a rise in body fat is doubles your risk of heart disease not the only danger that occurs as a while a 2 percent decrease will result of consuming trans fats. There halve the same risk. Let’s not even are more critical dangers we face. get into the huge problem of obesity Hundreds of restaurants naMcDonaldʼs is changing their cooking inAmerica where trans fats are only tionwide have stopped using these after customer complaints about aiding to the rise in numbers of obese controversial trans fats in their foods oil trans fats grew. One Big Mac contains Americans. There is also a fear that and many more food service providers 1.5 grams of trans fat, while a serving of they can cause diabetes, some types are seriously considering following in large fries contains 8 grams.

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of cancers, and liver dysfunctions, although these threats from trans fats have not been proven, But don’t freak out just yet. There is some action being taken against your worst food enemy. Many fast food companies have stopped using trans fat oils when cooking their food. Fast food chains such as KFC, Taco Bell, Wendy’s, and most recently McDonald’s have vowed to or have already removed trans fats from their menus and instead use alternate, healthier oils when preparing meals.

Some of these changes have been voluntary while others arose only after people complaining about the use of the lethal trans fats sued the companies. The legal action that followed has gathered media and public attention, causing a rise n public awareness of the dangers of trans fats.

But not enough is being done to protect Americans from something that is so easily prevented. If trans fats are destructive to your health and not a needed component in foods then why are they still being used in the majority of U.S. cities and restaurants? If restaurants, fast food chains, and food manufacturers will not do so voluntarily, the government needs to step up to the job.

The people in the Washington, D.C. area have the power and ability to do something about trans fats but haven’t taken the initiative.

Will America never learn to get rid of the things that harm Americans? The removal of trans fats needs to not only be a nationwide effort but also a worldwide movement, and only the public’s dissatisfaction will move the companies and restaurants to do away with them.

So the next time you are eating out, ask your waiter or waitress whether the food you are consuming has trans fats.And when you are in the grocery store, deciding if you want to pick up a box of Honey Buns, think twice, who knows how long they have been sitting on that self. author’s email: shriya.adhikary@thea-blast.org

“Yes, because people are becoming too obese.”

—Tzenat Berhe junior “Yes, because it will be a benefit to the general health of the public. Unfortunately we, as a society, don’t take good care of our health.”

—Judy Fisher math teacher

Interested in finding scholarships for college? Come into the Career Center today and start looking for a scholarship that fits you. See Robin Roth for further information about applying for a scholarship. Don’t wait for college acceptance to start thinking about scholarship offerings. Stop by the Career Center today.

5 AHS students participate in a 30-hour famine

CJ Sidener, Bryce Donald, Michelle Kinzer, Ellie Holcombe, and Kevin Stough are participating in a 30 hour famine on Feb. 23 and 24. St. John’s United Methodist church participates in the famine every year to benefit children starving all over the world.

In order for the famine to benefit children around the world, these students are in need of sponsors. Just one dollar a day can feed and care for a child for one day.

Last year, the 30 hour famine fundraiser collected $ 11.6 million. This year, the goal is $13 million. Currently, 2,873 children have been cared for by the money that has been collected so far.

College Updates

Any seniors who have been accepted to college are encouraged to come to the Career Center share the news with Robin Roth.

AHS Parent liaison department

TheAHS parent liaison department is a very diverse group of individuals who bring an array of skills to the school. They work at the AHS Parent Resource Center, helping students and parents that speak English as a second language. The department are going to be working with parent programs through the WAPI grant for the schoolcommunity partnership program.

Fashion show

The annual fashion show will be held Wed., Feb. 21, at 2:30 in the auditorium.

The show will last approximately an hour, and is hosted by the advanced fashion-marketing students. Tickets are $3 if bought in advance, sales starting Feb. 14, and $5 at the door.

This year’s show will feature clothing borrowed from Chocolate, Wet Seal, Charlotte Russe, New York and Co., Levi Strauss & Co., Urban Behavior and Pacific Sunwear. The upcoming show features more stores this year due to the fashion marketing class having “a lot more guys than before. We had to branch out to stores that included men’s wear,” said fashion-marketing teacher Jessica Raynor.

All the clothes are borrowed and the stores the models are representing will be announced before each scene.

“It used to be small,” said Raynor. “They only did a prom show, but it’s become a much bigger production.” The theme is “Street Glam” but the show is broken into different sub-categories including: punk, classics, vintage and celebrities.

Hiatt leaves AHS community Marketing teacher and alumnus retires after 35 years of being a part of the community

BY ALYSSA NAVARRETE Co-Editor in Chief Though marketing teacher Jack Hiatt has only worked at AHS for eight years, he has been a part of AHS since 1972, when he attended the school as a student. After his lengthy commitment to AHS and the Annandale community, Hiatt retired after the first semester of this year.

“Annandale has been such a big part of my life since ’72,” said Hiatt,” I’m going to really miss the traditions, the people and the community.”

Though it may seem strange to retire mid-year, Hiatt had to complete the first semester at AHS in order to qualify for full retirement benefits.“I started [teaching] on Dec. 1 1976, so basically I started mid-year,” said Hiatt.

“Because I started mid-year, my opportunity to retire with full benefits can at the end of first semester [this year].”

As a student at AHS, Hiatt was active in both the baseball and wrestling teams.

“My best memory of AHS [as a student] would be the friends I had in the senior class and the activities,” said Hiatt. “I also liked the coaches and teachers I got to know while at AHS.”

Teacher designes license plate

Army Ranger Cpl. Mathew Commons, in 2002. Commons started pushing for these commemorative Gold Star license plates to be adopted in Virginia, and after extensive and constant effort over the last two years; a victory is finally at hand.

Two weeks ago, Commons reBY LUCAS HIGGINS ceived word from the Virginia MoStaff Writer tor Vehicles Department Greg Commons is being recognized for helping design a new Virginia that a designed Gold Star vehicle license plate for individuals whose immediate family members have license plate has reached died while serving their country. The Virginia General Assembly recently the Virginia state bureaucracy and has been approved. This is a great relief when passed a transportation bill that Commons had been working on in honor of you consider the draining process of getting this plate signed into law finally. his son, who died in the war in Afghanistan.

“I first saw an online article on a Massachusetts website about a woman who The purpose of this license plate is to honor the families of those killed in service got a license plate approved similar to mine. She had lost her son,” said Commons. during peacetime, act of war or conflict. The new license plate will feature the “So I erroneously contacted Senator John Warner, who referred me to Delegate words “Remember the Fallen” at the bottom, with a gold star on the right Amundson. Eventually it was incorporated into a transportation bill and signed side, signifying the loss of a family member in military service to the United into law by Governor Kaine.”

States. A symbolic triangular box with the American flag—which is given to Very late in the process, Commons was informed that if he did not have 350 families during memorial services—and a saluting soldier will be on the bottom Commons signatures, the license plate did not stand a chance to get passed. “I called Delegate left of the license plate.

Amundson and explained the situation. Within an hour, I had received an apology,” However, even this is a pleasant thought when compared to the worst-case scenario. says Commons.

One of our very own staff members, Social Studies teacher Greg Commons, lost his son,

Social studies teacher pushes for a Gold Star license plate in Va. to commemorate the Iraq war

Science National Honor Society

The following students met the qualifications for the Science National Honor Society Nita Avary Seemal Awan Kyung Choi Arlene Chung Sahar Gani William Gibson Kelsey Grant Yamen Hama Janssen Marie Han Dana Hardbower Kathryn Janssen Wafa Khadraoui Ah-Ram Kim Tina Le Ben Lord Omar Mayassi Josh Miller Reema Naz Amanda Nguyen Diem Nguyen Hama Linda Than Nguyen Truc Anh Nguyen Y-Van Pham Abdullah Rahmanyar Bethlhem Teshome Michelle Tran Jonah Williams Nausheen Yusuf

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Channel 7 weather man comes to Career Center

During the W2 flex on Feb. 27 Brian van dee Graaff will be in the lecture hall discussing his path to his career, specifically the science and math aspects of his job. Space is limited, so teachers should contact Robin Roth in the career center to reserve space immediately.

After graduation in 1972, Hiatt attended Old Dominion University. He then returned to the Northern Virginia area in 1976 as a student teacher at Mount Vernon High School.

Hiatt also worked as the Director of Student Activities at West Springfield High School and as a teacher at Fairfax High School before returning to AHS. “I wanted to return to Annandale for many reasons,” said Hiatt. “First of all it’s close to my house because I live in Annandale. Also, at the time my oldest son was at AHS and my daughter was getting ready to come to AHS.” At AHS, Hiatt taught numerous classes in the marketing department including sports and entertainment marketing, advanced sports and entertainment marketing, marketing one and advanced marketing. Hiatt was the sponsor of the student government association during his first three years at AHS as well. In addition to teaching marketing, Hiatt was the sponsor of Annandale’s DECA club.

“As a sponsor Mr. Hiatt was very supportive,” said senior DECA secretary Kelly Scrivener. “With competitions and stuff he always had resources for us and was always there to help.”

Marketing teacher Jack In his retirement, Hiatt will continue to work as a teacher. Beginning Hiatt graduMarch. 1, he will begin working at a school called “Youth for Tomorrow.” ated from AHS This is a residential school made up of about 70 students. in 1972. He has “A friend works [at Youth for Tomorrow] at they were interested been teaching at AHS for eight in starting a vocational program at the school,” said Hiatt, “So I’ll be years. running the vocational program there.”

Pam Gravitte has been hired and has begun teaching in Hiatt’s place. Though the marketing classes have continued as usual without Hiatt, many students miss having him around.

“It’s different without Mr. Hiatt,” said Scrivener. “He had been there since before I was a freshman, so he really had a lot of experience at AHS.”

Sophomore Diana Nguyen presents her project to the judges. Project ideas were designed by the students based on their interests.

BUD IRELAND

Scholarship offerings

Feb. 14, 2007

Freshman Aimee Jennings is judged on her project at the Science Fair. Projects were judged based on a rubric according to the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair.

Annual Science Fair held at AHS 275 AHS students create experiments to participate in the annual science fair

respectively, and may move onto the Regional Science Fair, or beyond. Judges may ask questions, and students may provide demonstrations to help express their project’s purpose. In other words, presentation of the projects may help the judge better understand the project, leading to better scoring.”

Judges are from throughout the AHS community, representing almost every department, not just the science department. Several non-instructional staff members have also volunteered their time from local businesses; local military personnel and parents of students, who are mostly professionals in relevant careers.

“I feel this is a great opportunity for students to interact with professionals in possible careers they may choose,” Fenchel said.

BY CLAIRE BUI Staff Writer “It all started off when my friend gave me a ultrasonic mister toy,” senior Samantha England recalled as she glued on the final pieces to her tri-fold project board. “It was a pretty broad idea, but from there, my partners and I decided to do a physics-based experiment on ultrasonic frequencies, or sound energy that is too high to be heard by the human ear.”

Sophomore Kathy Intaraamnuay took another approach on her project, deciding to test the effect of macronutrients on the body during physical activity.

I feel this is a great opportunity “I wanted to see how fats, cholesterol for students to interact with and protein influenced a person’s body and performance,” she said. professionals England and Intaraamnuay are two of approximately 275 students who partici—StevenFenchel pated in the annual AHS’ Science Fair on AHS Science Fair coordinator Feb. 2, most whom are enrolled advanced science courses.

Students this year will be competed in a variety of different categories, some including Physics, Engineering, Zoology, Botany, Behavioral and Social Sciences, Medicine and Health, and Chemistry.

Three separate judges evaluated students based on a rubric according to the Intel Students make final adjustments to their International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) rules, consisting of creativity and project before judging. originality, scientific process or engineering goals, and thoroughness.

“The purpose of the rubrics is to limit subjectivity, and we do not pair judges with students they know,” said Steven Fenchel, biology teacher and coordinator of the 2007 Science Fair.

According to Fenchel, “Students with the highest cumulative score will be place

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Students presented their projects to three judges and were critiqued on their project.

Later start times considered “SLEEP” continued from page 1 According to SLEEP, later start times for high school would be incredibly beneficial to students: “Later start times would coincide with students’ body clocks so that teens are in school during their most alert hours, and can achieve their full academic potential. Later start times will have a positive affect on students’academic achievement and physical and mental health.”

“All my IB classes are always assigning projects and tons of homework at the same time, so I always have to stay up late to finish everything,” said senior Kelsey Grant. “I definitely don’t get enough sleep.”

There are several reasons why the School Board hopes to impose later start times to Fairfax County schools. The hormone that regulates the sleep cycle, melatonin, makes it difficult for a teenager to fall asleep until after 11 p.m. and to wake up before 8 a.m., according to the National Sleep Foundation. The typical teenager needs about nine hours and 15 minutes of sleep. However, the typical teenager usually only gets, on average, seven hours and 30 minutes of sleep per night.

According to SLEEP, a lack of sleep among teenagers in middle and high schools is linked to “depression, susceptibility to illness and injury, irritability, car and other accidents, stunted growth and even obesity.” In general, a lack of sleep negatively affects a teenager’s ability to think and learn.

Fairfax County was not always structured as it is now. At one time, FCPS had a two-bell system instead of the three-bell system that is in place today. Once implemented, this system became difficult to alter due to the interconnected schedules that revolved around the new start times.

Other barriers to altering start times for FCPS include “extracurricular activities for high school students, high school students with jobs, reliance on older students to care for younger siblings after school, parent and teacher schedules, and a general resistance to change,” according to SLEEP. Recently, however, the final report of the transportation consultant (MPS) on later high school start times was made public and reviewed by the School Board. On Dec. 11, the School Board found that later high school start times are feasible at a “reasonable cost,” and models with bell schedules between 8 and 9:35 a.m. would cost between $5.9$9.2 million (Fairfax County has a 2008 budget of $2.2 billion).

According to SLEEP, on Feb. 7, the School Board voted 7 to 5 to include a $300,000 placeholder in Fairfax County’s 2008 budget to address pressing transportation issues. While the final motion did not specifically mention later start times, SLEEP views re-engineering transportation as a step forward toward achieving later start times.

In a recent poll conducted atAHS, 260 said that creating later start times was a good idea, 115 said that it was a bad idea, and 70 were undecided as to whether or not it was a good or bad idea, out of 500 students surveyed.

Some students, on the other hand, would much rather come to school at the regular time and get it over with, rather than have to stay later.

“It doesn’t make sense,” said senior Graham Prosch. “The later we come in, the later we have to stay. I’d rather just come in and get it out of the way so I’m not here all night.”

If a later start time is in the future, the final decision will come down to the school system’s Department of Facilities and Transportation Services, becuase start times mainly depend on when the buses can get the students to and from school, according to SLEEP. School principals and the Fairfax County School Board also have some say in the start times.

SLEEP is currently compiling a petition in support of later start times. To sign this petition or view further information on the issue at hand, visit www.sleepinfairfax.org/index.html.

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This year, the questions for the competition are being compiled by the It’s Academic team. All members were assigned a different section of black history and came up with ten questions each.

“It was a little challenging sometimes because I had to constanly communicatite with the supervisors and talk with the rest of my group but overall I think it was a very educational experience,” said It’s Academic team member Marie Han. “We did a lot more modern things that the teachers had not planned on and we’re doing visuals and audios, so I think it will grasp the audience attention more and get them more involved.”

The first three Black History Bowls were won by juniors and seniors, but last year the sophomores upset the trend by taking first place.

According to Twyman, an unspecified financial prize from the PTSA will be given to the class who wins first place, and all participants will receive small prizes. “[The Black History Bowl] has always gone well. The auditorium always fills up right away and people seem to enjoy it,” said Twyman.

“Black History Bowl” continued from page 1 With very small teams and a large student body, it says a lot to be picked to represent your class. In addition to filling out an application, “Mrs. Twyman has provided a little test,” so coaches can pick students who seem to have the most knowledge on black history, explained Berry.

“It’s an interesting phenomenon here at Annandale that most participants are not black, but they have a great interest in celebrating and honoring the contributions of black people to this country,” said Twyman.

This year, government teacher Tim Kelly is coaching the freshmen, history teacher Maryanne Richardson is coaching the sophomores, English teacher Pamela Feil is coaching the juniors and history teacher Greg Commons is coaching the seniors.

As far as judges go, Berry hopes to have the same teachers from last year to judge the Black History Bowl again. World history teacher Jackie Sabine has already said she would come back, and the sponsors have high hopes for world history teacher Joe Valentino and Pre-IB government/IB geography teacher John Hawes.

5 NEWS BRIEFS The A-Blast receives grant

The A-Blast has been choosen to receive a $1,000 grant from the RadioTelevision News Directors Foundation.

The project is used to identify, inspire, train and challenge the next generation of electronic jounralists by devolping new broadcasting programs.

Apple federal credit union grows

The Apple federal credit union offers membership not only to students up to age 23, but also to parents. It is a $5 charge to join. Parents need to download an application at www.applefcu.org and send it in to the Atom Branch with a photocopy of their valid drivers license.

The Atom Branch is open on white days, but never on Mondays. For more information, contanct Monica Bentley as Monica.Bentley@fcps.edu.

All night grad celebration tickets on sale

All night grad party tickets will be on sale during the senior breakfast for $35. Advance tickets are a savings of $15.

Students who buy advance tickets are automatically entered in a drawing to win a $50 gift certificate to Best Buy. All checks should be made out to AHSPTSAANGC. For more information visit the AHS senior webpage.

“Later start times will have a positive affect on students’ academic achievement, physical and mental health.”

NICOLE SWIGER

Winter sports banquet arrives

This years winter sports banquet, hosted by the athletic booster club, will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 28 in the cafeteria.

Dinner starts at 6 p.m. and lasts an hour, the awards ceremony begins at 7:15 p.m. in the auditorium, followed by individual team awards. Each family is asked to bring a main dish as well as a salad or dessert large enough to serve 6 guests. Families are asked to use only disposible trays and utensils. The door charge for dinner is $1 per student, senior or child, and $2 for adults.

Ethically Speaking Ethics Advice

NICOLE SWIGER

By Layluma Hotaki

NICOLE SWIGER

Feb. 14, 2007

Junior Kelsey Blanco, left, seniors Daniel Lagdameo and Wolied Yahia, top right, and juniors Jenny Patton, Tahar Al-Suqi, and senior Trish Nguyen appear in this yearʼs childrens play, “Sleeping Beauty.” The play was performed on Feb. 10 and was marketed to the under ten crowd in the Annandale community.

Children’s play premeires “Sleeping beauty” continued from page 1 Farish was very confident with her decision to let D’Amico direct the play, saying that she had “a lot of faith in the director.” Farish admitted to being nervous because of the snow day on Feb.6, but maintained that the show was performed and directed very well.

One of the key factors in directing a children’s play is to constantly keep the children involved. During several different scenes, actors asked the children rhetorical questions, made silly jokes, and asked the kids advice during parts of the play.

Because the play kept the children’s attention, it maintained a solid energy level throughout.

“I love acting and interacting with kids during the play,” said senior Wolied Yahia, who played the Spider and provided much of the comic relief during the play.

Farish mentioned four components to creating a successful children’s play.

“One, the play has got to be shorter. Two, it has to appeal to all of the audience. Three, the actors have to get used to

a noisy audience. Four, the actors have to stay in character during the entire play,” said Farish.

One challenge that the actors in the play had to face was the noisy kids audience. During several parts of the play, parents were forced to exit with their children due to crying and other problems. Despite these distractions, the actors remained relatively focused and the play went on without any obvious glitches.

Another unique challenge was presented to junior Kelsey Blanco, who played the evil witch Evilina.

“I had to put on an ‘extreme’ character,” said Blanco, “You have to be a bit more overdramatic.”

Overall, everyone seemed very satisfied with how the final show went.

“Things went wonderfully,” said Farish, “We made a decent amount of money and put on a great show.”

“Its been an incredible journey,” said Patton, “I thought things went very well.”

Security cameras keep an eye on AHS “Security cameras” continued from page 1 were broken. After reviewing the tapes, we were able to find out who had vandalized one is in the back of the school to view the trailers, the sidewalk area by the church and the trailers,” said Cornwell. With further investigation the situation showed that the the side of the school. Another camera is off the sidewalk by the church and the side of the “trespassers were not students, but people from Maryland.” school. Another camera is by the automotive shop, overlooking the teacher parking lot.

According to the Fairfax County Public School’s Profile, AHS’s School Safety Report There is also a camera near the main entrance of the school to monitor visitors Card shows a decrease in serious incidents and fights in and students entering and existing the building. the past three years.

Each entrance to the school has a sign informing everyone that comes onto Changes in security and the changes in administration, the property that their movements are being monitored. such as the addition of Ponton, new administration staff They make me feel a little The cameras record 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If something and security cameras have caused a positive change here happens on school property, then police, security officer Kenny Williams or safer when I come to at the school.

Principal John Ponton may go back to a certain day “I think that the cameras were a really good idea,” said and review the tape to determine what happened school. junior Victoria Smith. “They make me feel a little safer when and who was involved.

I come to school knowing that there will be a less likely Several have occurred, with trespassing being chance that someone would come onto the school property —Victoria Smith and cause problems, like the Columbine in Colorado.” one of the most frequent. “The cameras have helped junior us catch a lot of trespassers that have come onto the City schools, such as Fairfax High School, have cameras property and vandalized the school’s property,” said inside of their school. Lake Braddock Secondary School has Cornwell. Additionally, “certain incidents like fight43 cameras around the outside of their school.AtAHS there ing, and students skipping class have went down due to the are only motion detectors in the hallways, which are mainly used in the evening when installation of the cameras.” the school is closed.

The cameras have been successful in protecting and prevent“I think the cameras were installed to help protect the students here at Annandale. ing violent acts around the school.

Unlike many schools, Annandale is making the school safer to help us feel comfortable Cornwell “The most recent incident was on Dec.17, 2006, when a about coming to school and not having to worry about something bad happening to use trailer was vandalized. It was spray painted and several windows during the day,” said senior Carissa Dezort.

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Hey SEC, I have a problem. My two friends got into a fight and are giving each other the silent treatment. I really would want them to be friends again. I’ve waited to see if time would do something. It’s been a while. What should I do? Should I be the middle man and try giving them advice back and forth to each other? But what if they end up hating me?

Sincerely, Stuck in the Middle Dear Stuck in the Middle, I see how you can be considering both options. My first advice to you is, if you’re not involved in it, try not to be. Let them work it out by themselves. If they can’t and you don’t feel comfortable choosing between one or the other, let them know. I don’t think being a “middle man” will help because usually things are misunderstood and lost in translation. This will also only cause you to be more hectic. If you can get them two to talk about it, that would be just fine. Don’t get stuck in the middle!

Good luck!

Sincerely, The SEC Dear SEC, My friend had a party a few weeks ago. It turned out to be a whole lot bigger than he had intended, and he ended up getting in trouble. But his parents really only found out about the party because of me. At some point during the night I accidentally pried his washing machine knob off.

I didn’t want to tell him and get in trouble so I threw it away. His parents noticed the missing knob and immediately knew something was up. I want to apologize, but at the same time I really do not want to get in trouble. What should I do?

Sincerely, Prier of Washing Machine Knobs Dear Prier, I assume since this party was very big, you might have been inebriated along with everyone else. First off, you shouldn’t put yourself in positions like these. I think you should definitely get the courage to tell your friend about how you made him get in trouble. After all, it was your fault. Apologize to him and offer to tell his parents that it was your fault. Now that his parents are suspicious of something happening, the blame will be on your shoulders, but at least it will be on the shoulders of someone who deserves it. Good luck.

Sincerely, The SEC If you have an ethical dilemma and would like advice on how to handle the situation, submit your questions to layluma.hotaki@thea-blast.org. All submissions will be confidential.

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Breaking cultural barriers The Parents Center helps immigrant parents learn how to get involved

BY CASON KYNES Academics Editor Imagine going to a different country and trying to go to a school where classes are taught in a different language and the entire school system is completely different. It is hard for students who have been born in the United States to understand the difficulties that immigrant students have as they enter into this drastically different system.

However, it is not only the immigrant students that have a hard time getting used to theAmerican schooling system.

Their parents also have to overcome cultural barriers.

These parents often have a more difficult time integrating into this American culture than their children because they have spent most of their lives in another country. The Parent Center atAHS, however, helps parents like these better understand the American school system so they can help their students achieve in school.

There are eight parent liaisons in AHS who work directly with immigrant parents to smoothen their cultural transition. Vida Sanchez, along with the many other groups in AHS that deal with this problem, does a great deal to assist these parents.

“I coordinate the program so that it all connects and we collaborate together, school community and parent in that triangulation,” said Sanchez. “We try to see where parents can be helpful to teachers who can be helpful to students.”

This program assists immigrant families in multiple ways.

“This year the program is called the School Community Partnership Program,” said Sanchez. “In this program, what we are trying to do is to help immigrant parents fa-

From all over the world Top five countries (other than the U.S.) represented at AHS 1. Bolivia — 128 students 2. El Salvador — 81 students 3. Vietnam — 80 students 4. Pakistan — 70 students 5. South Korea — 54 students

Source: Student Services

cilitate academic success for their kids, but also help them to learn how to get acculturated to the school environment and to the community around them. Many of them are still integrating into our communities, especially theAnnandale community. So we offer programs for parents, and we offer activities for students.”

AHS is a highly diverse school with 80 different countries represented within the student body.

“We directly work with five language communities here at Annandale High School because they happen to be the five that are the most highly represented,” said Sanchez.

“These languages are Spanish, Korean, Vietnamese, Arabic, and Urdu. We find that all of the language groups have their own unique challenges to the United States and the school system in the U.S. because they come from very radically different countries. I would say that there isn’t one particular group that is going to have a harder time than another group.”

Vida Sanchez also teaches a Spanish version of the basic

parent leadership class.

“We try to acculturate our newly immigrated parents.

The first session is all about expectations, what expectations are you coming with from your old county and what do you expect this school system to do for you,” said Sanchez.

“We also talk about what the expectations of the school are and how they should deal with the Students Rights and Responsibilities.”

Parents are taken on a tour of the school and they become familiar with the career center and library. Administrators, guidance counselors and other people who have to do with the academic success of these parents’ children are invited to talk to them. In addition to that, people from the community, such as the human services, are invited to speak to these parents. The role of the center is not only to allow these parents to get to know their school better, but also the Annandale community.

Immigrant parents have a lot of difficulties to face.

“One of the things they tell us when we start those classes is that, beyond the obvious language limitations that there might be, they also have barriers to their engaging in school activities. Things that are kind of beyond the

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The Language Barrier

Top five primary languages (other than English) spoken at AHS 1. Spanish—571 students 2. Vietnamese—150 student 3. Korean—78 students 4. Urdu—70 students 5. Arabic—60 students Source: Student Services

somebody have to work 12, 15, 16 hours a day and not have any time to come in and do anything in school,” said Sanchez. “But beyond all of those kinds of issues there is a real need for helping them understand how our school system works compared to how schooling works in their different countries.And of course that takes into account their own school experience too. How do they feel about school? What are their expectations? What is their own individual perception about what you go to school for?” said Sanchez. “They will talk about those differences and they will say what their expectations are when they come and how they’ve had to change that paradigm as they were faced with the reality of schools in the United States.”

Because of the differences in technology between their former countries and the U.S., there are many things that these parents need to learn, including computer skills.

“One of the things that we have started is a basic computer class for parents,” said Sanchez. “What we are trying to get them to learn there is the basics of how to communicate with the school and school staff, like e-mailing a teacher directly and accessing the Internet on blackboard and knowing where to find resources for their student to help him with a project and things like that.”

The program does not only deal with immigrant parents. It also works with teachers to teach them how to more effectively work with immigrant families. The academic success of the immigrant students and the school environment in a teacher’s classroom are issues that are being discussed in this program.

This immigrant issue is definitely one that needs to be dealt with because of the dramatic effect it has on the learning ability of the students.

“It is a disadvantage for students when their parents are not versed in what the school culture is all about,” said Sanchez. “When a parent knows how to effectively advocate for their student, when they know what the rules and regulations are, what the rights and responsibilities are, and when they understand who the staff is, the personnel that are here to support and help them, they are able to work with their students much better. Students don’t get in trouble as much, and they know what the expectations are.”

Q&A with Hispanic Leaders Club sponsor Jennifer Carey What are the biggest Challenges that immigrant parents face?

Not understanding how the school system works, not understanding how to be engaged or invovled. It’s a really complex issue. It can be from the smallest thing of what to do to pick up a son when he’s sick, to what does Jennifer Carey it mean when there is a twohour delay, to why their son or daughter is failing. Or something simple like not knowing how to talk to a teacher. It can be a language barrier, but it can also be a cultural barrier. In some cultures, you do not question a teacher. It can be something very simple or it can be something huge. It somewhat depends on the kind of schooling they were getting in their country, how much schooling they had or their parents had.

What drives you to help parents and students who are immigrants?

I think it’s what drives any teacher. We want to see the students succeed. I think I notice it more than some or I’ve been trained to notice it because my father was an immigrant. I’ve heard about differences in school systems since I was a child. My dad is constantly comparing, even today, the French system to the American system.

He thinks that it’s very interesting, and he loves the fact that I’m a teacher. Overall any teacher is going to tell you the reason they’re interested is the want to see students succeed.

What have you done at AHS to help close the gap between students with immigrant parents and those who do not?

I started with the first year I was here and was part of the reasearch team here that was researching immigrant parent involvement.

In terms of the students, I helped them organize a latino group that would eventually form the following year. Every year I’ve gotten involved in a different way. I would like to continue to help in a different way every year.

What resources do you have to help these immigrant families?

I helped to write part of a $45,000 grant which was called the Hispanic youth leadership intiative ,which works directly with the Hispanic -leadership -club. I got contacted about doing that in August. So at the beginning of last year I had no idea. Through the grant this year we got a parent coordinator position for the grant alone as opposed to being a parent liaison. That has given us access to so many more things. This year I don’t think we’re going to have the grant. So I don’t know where everything is going to go.

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What are some of the challenges that students with parents from different cultures face in school?

“At school students fit in with different groups based on race and it might be hard for them to fit in.”

—Edwin Romero sophomore

“They may not have the same views and restrictions on teenage dating.”

—May Dang sophomore

“They just don’t really understand the procedures at a public school.

Learning a new language and trying to fit in at the same time can be difficult. ”

—Anna Marcois junior Annandale High School Countries Represented by students birth place Afghanistan Algeria Argentina Australia Austria Bangladesh Belgium Bolivia Bosnia Brazil Cambodia Cameroon Canada Chile China Colombia Congo Costa Rica Cuba Dominican Republic East Germany Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Ethiopia France Gambia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Greece Guatemala Honduras Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Israel Jamaica Japan Jordan Kenya Kuwait Laos Lebanon Mexico Mongolia Morocco Napal Netherlands Nicaragua Nigeria Pakistan Panama Peru Philippines Puerto Rico Qatar Romania Russia Rwanda Saudi Arabia Sierra Leone Somalia South Korea Soviet Union Sudan Syria Tanzania Thailand Togo Turkey Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Uruguay Uzbekistan Venezuela Vietnam West Germany Yeman Zaire

17 3 16 1 2 14 1 128 2 2 1 2 7 4 10 10 1 1 1 2 1 3 2 81 51 3 1 4 11 1 2 14 19 1 17 1 7 4 1 2 3 1 3 3 1 5 12 3 6 1 1 4 1 70 5 41 17 1 1 4 2 1 9 40 26 54 2 10 1 3 1 1 1 1 3 3 1486 1 1 2 80 9 1 1

SPORTS XTRA

8 Who should the Oakland Raiders select No. 1 in the NFL draft?

“Troy Smith, because he’s a good quarterback, and he has an endless amount of skills.”

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Feb. 14, 2007

The next generation

The season may be over, but for those who would rather look to the future than back on this year, the time is now. This year’s NFL draft has a plethora of great players ready to contribute to the league.

Oakland Raiders #1 Jamarcus Russell QB The Raiders have more holes than a piece of Swiss cheese, but their biggest need is at quarterback. Al Davis (the owner of the Raiders) likes his athletes, and Russell’s 6’6’’ stature will appeal more to him than Brady Quinn. Russell’s performance against Quinn in the Sugar Bowl will also help him skyrocket to be the eighth quarterback picked first overall in the past nine drafts. Russell’s arm is rock solid and can easily fling the ball deep down the field, a great match for Randy Moss, who had great success with Russell’s NFL look alike Daunte Culpepper.

—Mohamed Elghoul sophomore

Detroit Lions #2 Brady Quinn QB

The Lions have spent their last three drafts picking wide receivers in the first round.

With Jon Kitna at the age of 36, Brady Quinn, the senior from Notre Dame, and the consensus number one draft pick going into the college season, would be the perfect choice.

Quinn’s overall balance offers the entire package, including two seasons working in an NFL style offense under Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis. His talent has been overshadowed recently by Notre Dame’s loss in the Sugar Bowl, but Quinn is far more talented than his performance in that game. Quinn has NFL size and a good arm.

“Brady Quinn will go No. 1 because he is a good quarterback and a good player.”

Cleveland Browns #3/4 Adrian Peterson RB

—Katie Jansen junior

At the third or fourth pick (this will be decided by a coin flip between the Browns and the Buccaneers) the Cleveland Browns will take Adrian Peterson, running back from Oklahoma. The feature back the past two years for the Browns was Reuben Droughns, who has averaged less then four yards per rush. Peterson has been one of the most explosive backs in recent years and would be a good pick at three or four for the Browns.

Peterson has averaged above five yards per carry each year at Oklahoma.

“Jared Zebransky because he’s good under pressure as well as doing trick plays.”

Tampa Bay Buccanears #3/4 Calvin Johnson WR

—Theodore Langel senior

With Quarterback troubles in recent years the Buccaneers have also been riddled by an under-achieving receiving corps. Georgia Tech receiver Calvin Johnson is one of the best athletes to come out of college ball in recent years and would give the Bucs the big play receiver that they need. Johnson has both the speed he needs to beat corners down the field and the size to take the ball from them. At number three or four, Johnson would be a fantastic choice.

“Jamarcus Russell because he’s the best quarterback in the draft.”

Arizona Cardinals #5 Joe Thomas OT

Joe Thomas, the bulldozer of a left tackle, as a senior at Wisconsin, helped plow the Badgers to a quiet 11-1 regular season record. A solid tackle is a necessity for any good offense, and the Cardinals have everything set but their offensive line. Not only can the 6’6” and 310 pound lineman pass block, but he can make lanes for former pro bowler Edgerrin James, who had no help this season from Arizona’s current offensive line. Thomas is a giant who has great feet and technique and is one of the best tackle prospects in years, and will be playing a long time in the NFL.

—Mo Hassan senior

Important Dates/ Events –2007 NFL DraftApril 28-29, 2007. The first day includes the first three rounds of drafting, while the second day is for rounds four through seven.

–NFL Combine February 21-27, 2007. This annual event is a place where elite athletes entering the draft are tested for speed, size, and athletic ability in front of hundreds of scouts.

–Pro Days: Each individual college has a day, held after the NFL Combine and befre the draft, in which scouts come to their universities to take a look at the players from that college.

Names you need to know Brian Leonard FB/RB Rutgers –This running back is not the most explosive or flashy back in the draft, but he does all the little things right.

He even became a fullback during his senior year at Rutgers for the team. His versatility blocking, running and passing game, catching and running the ball makes him a very valuable “do it all man” for a team in the NFL.

Mason Crosby K Colorado –A career 13 out of 25 from over 50 yards, Crosby has the leg to make it in the NFL. Although some skeptics cite the senior from the University of Colorado’s altitude advantage, Crosby has been consistent in both home and away games.

Drew Stanton QB Michigan State –The senior quarterback suffered through a horrible season, but has all the tools to make it in the NFL. Not only is he a good passer, but he also has the ability to create plays with his legs. He will likely be a third or fourth round pick and will be able to eventually work himself into a starting job.

Washington Redskins #6 Gaines Adams DE

The hometown Redskins come into the draft with a maturing offense and an under achieving defense. With the number six pick in the draft the ‘Skins will take Gaines Adams, the pass rushing defensive end from the Clemson Tigers. Adams finished the 2006 season with 15.5 sacks and would be a great addition to the ‘Skins line. Adams would come in and replace aging end Phillip Daniels who finished the year with only three sacks and 24 tackles. Adams would create a volatile pass rushing combination teaming with other end Andre Carter, and is a quality pick at number six.

#8

#7

Alan Branch DT-Texans

Dwayne Jarrett WR-Vikings Former top draft pick Troy Williamson has been a bust at WR and the Vikings are still lacking the dominant receiver that they lost when Randy Moss left. The Vikings will pick Dwayne Jarrett, the 6’5’’ phenom from USC, giving the Vikings a solid down receiver who can not only run past defenders down the field but go up and take the ball from the defensive back.

#11

Ted Ginn Jr. WR-49ers The Ohio State junior has world class speed that will provide a game breaking threat, whether it be as a wide receiver or as a return man for the 49ers. The 49ers do not have a true number one receiver and they need a deep threat. Ginn’s electric speed will make them forget about their defensive needs.

#15 Adam Carriker DE-Steelers The Nebraska defensive end has great strength that will make him perfect for the 3-4 scheme that the Steelers play.

The Steelers are pretty well rounded and Carriker has risen up the draft boards after an impressive Senior Bowl.

The 6’6’’ 292 pounder is so strong that some believe he could even be changed into a tackle.

After taking Mario Williams and passing on Reggie Bush and Vince Young in last year’s draft the Texans will take another defensive lineman. Michigan defensive tackleAlan Branch would provide the 20th ranked run defense in the league with a dominating presence, along with a good surge up the middle when it comes to pass rushing.

#12

Darrelle Revis CB-Bills

The Buffalo Bills are at risk of losing top cornerback Nate Clements to free agency, so picking the Pittsburgh cornerback will insure their defensive backfield for the next few seasons. Revis has good size for cornerback, standing at 6 feet tall and weighing 200 pounds. He will pair nicely with young Donte Whitner in helping build a strong secondary for the future.

#9

Leon Hall CB-Dolphins The Dolphins will take the talented CB from Michigan who is the best defensive back in the draft. His shutdown skills have been applied all of his career at Michigan, where he played as a true freshman. Some worry about his 4.5 40 yard dash, but that can be improved at the NFL Combine, and he still was able to dominant in the Big Ten.

#13 Lawrence Timmons LB-Rams The Rams defense was the second worst rushing defense in the leauge, hiding behind the press concentrateded on the Colts defense. The junior from Florida State had a very strong and productive season. His 6’3’’ 227 pound build will lead him to jump out of Buster Davis’shadow, who he was second to in team tackles last season.

#16

#17

Marshawn Lynch RB-Packers

Jamaal Anderson DE-Jaguars

The Green Bay Packers will select Lynch with the 16th pick because current running backAhman Green is going on 30, and Lynch is a great value with this pick. While Lynch will eventually replace Green as the primary runner, using two running backs will continue to popularize the new trend of using two running backs.

The Jacksonville Jaguars will take defensive end Jamaal Anderson from Arkansas. Their DE position is compiled of guys that are either too young and inexperienced or too old and starting too slow down, andAndreson is a great value with the 17th pick. Anderson will step in as a starter to shore up an already fearful defensive line.

#10

Laron Landry S- Falcons The playmaker from LSU will help shore up the Falcons defensive backfield that was plagued with injuries this past season, and whose current saftey is 33 years old. Landry’s 6’2’’ 200 pounds is a good size for a defensive back in the NFL. While the Falcons will be tempted to take a wide reciever, their secondary was too much of a liability to not address.

#14

Patrick Willis ILB-Panthers The Butkus award winner, as the nation’s best linebacker, will help solidify the Panthers concerns over Dan Morgan’s future. Patrick Willis had a very strong Senior Bowl week and is a very solid and safe pick.At 6’2’’ and 240 pounds, Willis is a solid run defender with surprising athletic ability that will help him with pass coverage.

#18

Amobi Okoye DT-Bengals This rare prospect out of Louisville is only 19 year olds and will continue to grow further from his already 6’2’’ 287 pound frame.

Okoye, who skipped grades after immigrating to the U.S., started at Louisville at the age of 16. Okoye has the ability to play both the one and three technique, which adds to his value to the Bengals who desperately need defensive line help.

PEOPLE

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Feb. 14, 2007

What’s your personality?

Career center offers other options for students to analyze their personality

BY MEREDITH RUTHERFORD Staff Writer

CREATED BY LINDSEY DOWNEN

There comes a time in everyone’s life when they begin to wonder what they would like to be when they grow up. Most kids start out wanting to be a firefighter, doctor, pilot, or princess. Once the starry-eyed imagination tones down a little, young people begin to think about what occupation for which they would enjoy and be most qualified. Several opportunities to address such questions are provided for high school students.

The Career Center offers many personality and job tests which assess one’s abilities, interests, and possible occupations. Robin Roth, Career Center Specialist, explains that Fairfax County subscribes to two different tests. One is Career Cruising, which helps match colleges and jobs based on a students test results. The other test is called Kuder, which looks at interests and activities to help with resumes and college applications.

“The whole point of these tests is to help students learn more

Which celebrity has the same temperament as you? (Clockwise from top left) Albert Einstein– a rational, Ernest Hemingway– an artisan, George Washington and Mother Teresa– both guardians, and Mohandas Ghandi– an idealist.

about themselves and to take a few minutes to take an inventory of themselves. I suggest that everyone take a few during high school to help direct them to where they might want to go to college or what type of career they might be interested in,” said Roth.

The tests are very helpful, especially if taken seriously and answered truthfully. Sophomore Carson Wahl found them to be fun and beneficial.

“I was interested in what the outcome would be for my answers. After I got the outcome, I could refine my results to find a more appropriate match, which I thought was more accurate,” Wahl said.

The personality and job tests are also valuable because they can be taken in school or at home. They have websites that allow results to be saved and tests to be taken for free. Taking them at home is a good idea because it allows one to spend more time on the questions and think through each answer. “[The tests] might provide me with vital information about what to pursue in college if I was given more time to think about each question seriously,” decided Wahl.

Personality and career tests are very useful for high school students, whether one is looking for ideas on possible careers, or schools or one needs help with a resume or college application.

The Keirsey Four Temperament Sorter For each question, rank the answer choices 1-4. Mark the one most like you as number one, less like you number two, still less like you number three, and least like you number four. This test is from Please Understand Me, a book by David Keirsey that aims to help people to better understand themselves.

5. Coming right down to it, I tend to be __ a) practical and opportunistic __ b) compassionate and altruistic __ c) dutiful and diligent __ d) efficient and pragmatic

1. I’d rather study __ a) arts and crafts __ b) literature and humanities __ c) business and finance __ d) science and engineering 2. I feel best about myself when __ a) I’m graceful in action __ b) I’m en rapport with someone __ c) I’m rock-solid dependable __ d) I exercise my ingenuity

6. I respect myself more for __ a) being bold and adventurous __ b) being kind hearted and of good will __ c) doing good deeds __ d) being autonomous and independent

3. In mood, I’m more often __ a) excited and stimulated __ b) enthusiastic and inspired __ c) cautious and prudent __ d) calm and detached

7. I’m more inclined to trust __ a) impulses and whims __ b) intuitions and intimations __ c) customs and traditions __ d) pure reason and formal logic

4. I keep coming back to __ a) perfecting my craft __ b) helping others affirm themselves __ c) helping others do right __ d) figuring out how things work

8. I’m sometimes eager to __ a) make an impression and have impact __ b) lose myself in a romantic dream __ c) be a valued and legitimate member __ d) make a scientific breakthrough

9. I’m in a lifelong search for more __ a) thrills and adventures __ b) self-understanding __ c) safety and security __ d) efficient methods of operation 10. In facing the future __ a) I bet something lucky will turn up __ b) I believe in people’s innate goodness __ c) You just can’t be too careful __ d) It’s best to keep a wary eye 11. If it were possible I’d like to be come __ a) an artistic virtuoso __ b) a wise prophet __ c) a chief executive __ d) a technological genius

13. As a guide to action I look primarily at __ a) immediate advantages __ b) future possibilities __ c) past experience __ d) necessary and sufficient conditions

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Most Likely to Succeed “Success is derived from passion and hard work.”

—Helen Patterson senior “I was nominated because I have an awesome passion for learning and I believe that knowledge is power!”

—Katie Jansen junior

“I believe anything can be achieved with hard work and dedication.”

—Abdullah Ramanyar junior

“I got nominated because I’m outspoken and some people consider me smart. I get A’s and B’s every quarter and it’s easy for me to remember facts.”

15. I appreciate it when others __ a) surprise me with generosity __ b) recognize my true self __ c) express their gratitude __ d) ask me for my rationale 16. When thinking about misfortune __ a) I usually laugh it off __ b) I often wonder why __ c) I try to make the best of it __ d) I view it from a wide prospective

12. I do best in a job working with __ a) tools and equipment __ b) human resources development __ c) materiel and services __ d) systems and structures

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Atoms who matter

14. I’m most self confident when I’m __ a) adaptable and flexible __ b) genuine and authentic __ c) honorable and respectable __ d) strong willed and resolute

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—Emily Koppelman sophomore “I think I was nominated to be Most Likely to Succeed because I’m, organized and well rounded. In addition, I have already set plans for my future.”

What are your results? Score them here 1

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—Michael Chung sophomore

“I was nominated because I respect everybody and try hard.”

Scoring Directions: First, in the numbered columns above, record your rankings (one through four) for each of the 16 items. Second, add the numbers across each of the four rows (a,b,c,d) and place the sums in the boxes at the far right. Third, circle the letter (A, I, G, or R) beside the lowest sum, that letter symbolizes your personality type. Fourth, A stands for Artisan, I for Idealist, G for Guardian, R for Rational.

What does your temperament mean?

Artisan: The Artisan’s core needs are to have the freedom to act without hindrance and to see a marked result from action. Artisans highly value aesthetics, whether in nature or art. Their energies are focused on skillful performance, variety, and stimulation. Artisans tend to be gifted at employing the available means to accomplish an end. Their creativity is revealed by the variety of solutions they come up with. They are Elizabeth Taylor talented at using tools, whether the tool be language, theories, a paint Rational: The Rational’s core needs are for mastery of concepts, knowledge, and competence. Rationals want to understand the operating principles of the universe and to learn or even develop theories for everything. They value expertise, logical consistency, concepts and ideas, and seek progress. They abstractly analyze a situation and consider previously un-thought-of possibilities.

Research, analysis, searching for patterns, and developing. hypotheses are Walt Disney quite likely to be their natural modus operandi.

Idealist:The Idealist’s core needs are for the meaning and significance that come from having a sense of purpose and working toward some greater good. They value unity, self-actualization, and authenticity. Idealists prefer cooperative interactions with a focus on ethics and morality. Idealists tend to be gifted at unifying diverse peoples and helping individuals realize Princess Diana their potential. They build bridges between people through empathy and clarification of deeper issues.

Guardian: The Guardian’s core needs are for group membership and responsibility.

Guardians need to know they are doing the responsible thing. They value stability, security and a sense of community. They trust hierarchy and authority and may be surprised when others go against these social structures. Guardians know how things have always been done, and so they anticipate where things can go wrong. They have a knack for Queen Elizabeth I attending to rules, procedures and protocol.

Other sources for personality assessment: www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/ JTypes2.asp : This website offers the Jung typology test, which is a more in depth personality test.

Please Understand Me and Please Understand Me II : Both by David Keirsey, these books feature two personality tests, scoring, and information to understand your results.

Who am I? • I attended Penn State University

• I attended Penn State

• I majored in African American Studies

• I majored in Political Science

• His hobby is collecting model cars

• His hobby is running and reading

• I like to listen to go-go and rap • I have traveled to some states in the

historical books

• I have traveled through Europe and some cities in the United States • I like to listen to classic rock • My motto is to believe in yourself • I was born on December 20, 1960, in Winchester, Massachusetts

1 2 4 7

Lisa Marie Presley, 39 Farrah Fawcett, 61 Rosa Parks,1913 (died 2005) Ashton Kutcher, 29 Chris Rock, 41

United States like Florida and Chicago

• In my spare time I like to read and listen to music

Celebrity Birthdays for February

8 Gary Coleman, 39 9 Mia Farrow, 62 11 Kelly Rowland, 26 Jennifer Aniston, 38 12 Christina Ricci, 27 13 Jerry Springer, 63 17 Paris Hilton, 26 18 John Travolta, 53 Rihanna, 19 20 Cindy Crawford, 41 22 Drew Barrymore, 32

• I have taught at Annandale for two years

half

Compiled by Leah Nickerson and Julie Tumasz.

Surveys were passed out during flex and were also chosen by editor selection.

Last Issue’s

Who am I? • I have taught at AHS for a year and a

—Daniel Blasser freshman

• My pet peeve is when people are inconsistent • My favorite part about teaching is inspiring my students compiled by Bud Ireland If you know the answer to “Who am I,” come to the publications lab

• In my spare time I like to sleep • My favorite season is fall football season • I was born in Portsmouth, VA on August 29, 1982 • I enjoy playing Madden and coaching football • My biggest pet peeve is when people do not try and do not listen to other people

Davis

23 26 27 29

Dakota Fanning, 13 Erykah Badu, 35 Elizabeth Taylor, 75 Jeff “Ja Rule” Atkins, 31

East of Eden: Gardens of Asian Art February 24-May 20, 2007 Landscapes in Japanese Art February 3- July 15, 2007 Tea Bowls in Bloom: Botanical Decoration on Tea Ceremony Ceramics February 3- July 15, 2007 Perspectives: Simryn Gill through April 29. 2007 Parades: Freer Ceramics Installed by Gwyn Hanssen Pigott through November 4, 2007

Ongoing Exhibitions Ancient Chinese Pottery and Bronze Art for Art’s Sake The Arts of China Arts of the Indian Subcontinent and the Himalayas Arts of the Islamic World Black & White: Chinese Ceramics from the 10th to 14th Centuries Buddhist Art Charles Lang Freer and Egypt Contemporary Japanese Porcelain James McNeill Whistler Japanese Screens Korean Ceramics The Peacock Room The Religious Art of Japan Sculpture of South and Southeast Asia Small Masterpieces: Whistler Paining from the 1880’s

Featured Artist Grant DeVolson Wood (1891-1942)

The Freer Art Gallery, located in Washington D.C., is packed full of artifacts

BY LAURA SIMPSON Arts Editor Charles Lang Freer is not a name that is heard every day. Students may not know it, but Freer can be accredited for one of the amazing Smithsonian Museums. The Freer Gallery of Art is composed of Charles Freer’s art collections from around the world, a visit to the gallery is a walk through the history of ancient civilizations such as Egypt, China, India, Japan, and Korea.

The three rooms composed of Buddhist and Islamic art explain the history of the religions through cave carvings set up on the walls. Many statues and collectables of Buddha and Bodhisattvas, which are beings who are completely devoted to assisting those who are trying to complete Buddhahood, are set up around the rooms. The rest of the rooms in the gallery have art from ancient Asia and Egypt.

The Egypt room has many figurines of gods and goddesses in a showcase, while pots, masks, animals, and hieroglyphics decorate the walls.

The Asian art is the most interesting in the museum. The different cultures of Asia are shown through the art pieces, all beautifully crafted in their own unique way. Each art piece shown has a brief paragraph explaining what it is, where it is from, and what is thought to have interpreted in ancient times.

“We could spend our whole day in here, there is so much history and information on the cultures, it’s almost overwhelming,” said a young couple visiting from Pennsylvania.

The gallery is set up into 19 show rooms, each with a different theme of art pieces. The giant rooms are spacious and dimly lit, with each theme comes a different room with a different color on the walls. The artwork is set up along the walls of the room or This statue was one of many in the in glass cases Buddhist Art rooms. Many of the in the middle artworks were small figurenes. of the room.

Spotlights are thoughtfullyset up to draw the viewer’s attention to the artwork without any distractions. Walking from room to room, the showing of art does not stop as paintings are set up on the hallway walls and giant statues or sculptures are at the end of each hall.

The current publicized exhibit is “The Peacock Room.”

The room was once a dining room of a Frederick Leyland, a ship owner in England whose architect, Thomas Jeckyll hired James McNeill Whistler to decorate the room. The room at first had been of modest decorations of antique leather on the walls, a painting of a beautiful woman and roses before Whistler got a hold of it. While Jeckyll was out of town, Whistler redecorated the room to have the ceilings covered in a pattern of peacock feathers and the wooden walls painted with peacock designs.

After getting in an argument with Jeckyll over the drastic changes to the room, Whistler covered the expensive leather with a Prussian-blue paint and painted two peacocks aggressively facing each other as to represent the fight between Whistler and Jeckyll. In 1904, Freer purchased the room as a new addition to his house in Detroit, where he displayed his collection of ceramics.

After Freer’s death in 1919, the room was transported to The Freer Gallery of Art in Washington D.C and was opened to the public in 1923.

The room is displayed in a quiet area and is very hushed by carpet and dim lights. The shelves along the walls are decorated by blue and white porcelain from the Qing Dynasty in China. The two dominant colors are a navy blue turquoise and rusty gold. The peacocks on the wall, the highlight of the room, are gold and very large with many feathers and long tails. A bench is set up in the middle of the room for viewers to sit on as they take in the beauty. The ceiling is decorated with peacock feathers and hanging lights. The room looks completely old-fashioned and quite different from the everyday dining room.

The painting of the peacocks were the main feature to the “Peacock Room,” although the room was orginally titled “Harmony in Blue and Gold,”

by Whistler.

This painting by Wood is titled “Stone City.” Grant is best known for his artworks of the midwest in the 20th century.

Compiled by Lyndsay Jacobs, Arts Editor

This statue is one of two that are kept at the end of each hallway. “Kongorikishi,” the statue, was a guard of an entrance gate to a temple in Sakai, Japan.

The Freer Art Gallery not only has beautiful art exhibits, it also has many upcoming events, including performances, films, and family programs.

There is a unique gift shop on the bottom floor that includes mock-artifacts and cultural books for sale.

The gallery is located on the Mall at Jefferson Drive, 12th Street, SW, Washington DC. It is connected to the Sacklar Art Gallery by an underground exhibition space. The exhibit is open and free of chargefrom 10 AM to 5:30 PM everyday. Students can contact the gallery at (202) 633-4880 or publicaffairsAsia@so.edu

Experiencing Broadway

Senior Brendan Mauer works towards family comic book

Broadway stars Jessica Boevers and Matt Bogart come to Poe Middle School

this side project is that they all get easily distracted by other things. Mauer hopes to get the comic started by this summer.

Mauer seems to get his talent from “I love drawing because it expresses your feelings, and you can draw basically his whole family. Both of his brothers are anywhere, so it provides a good time waster involved in art programs in college.

Mauer is in IB Art 2 at AHS and the in class,” said senior Brendan Mauer. This National Art Honsenior has been ors Society but still drawing and doing I love finds that he enjoys other forms of art drawing cartoons since elementary drawing the best. Mauer’s school. biggest inspiration His current projbecause are his friends who ect is to create his encourage him to own comic book with it expresses do his best and give his two brothers. your feelings him creative ideas Mauer plans to draw —BrendanMauer for him to express in the pictures while his senior his art, Mauer plans two brothers, Kevin to continue art in the and Jonathan, write future and hopes to the script.

The comic takes place in the future, attend VCU Savannah or The University where the world is in ruins due to an over- of Arts, Philidelphia. powering cult. The main character is a hotshot who is sent on a mission to destroy the overpowering cult and save the world.

In order to complete his mission, the main character must be turned into a chimp. There is also an underlying lesson to be learned throughout the story.

The main character is good-looking and extremely cocky, but when he is turned into a chimp, he is extremely ugly and learns what it is like to be made fun of.

“I came up with the general idea just fiddling with weird concepts, and my brother thought of the underlying personality of the hero to make the story more dramatic and less of a ridiculous idea. I think the series would be cool because although it would be humorous, because yes, he is a chimp, it would be dark too,” said Mauer.

Mauer’s oldest brother just graduated from film school and his older brother is currently attending a college majoring in film, which naturally makes them joyous to come up with issue ideas and write the scripts. They are very excited to get Brendan Mauer drew this chimp in an effort to compose a graphic fiction character he and his brothers plan to write. He the project started.

The only downfall to will be the illustrator and his brothers will write the script.

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American painter Grant DeVolson Wood (February 13, 1891 – February 12, 1942) was born in Anamosa, Iowa. Wood is known best for his paintings of the rural American Midwest.

Wood first enrolled himself in art school in 1910 in Minneapolis, a few years later he enrolled in theArt Institute of Chicago. Wood later taught painting at the University of Iowa and became a center of the University, Wood did a variety of paintings such as ink, charcoal, ceramics, metal, wood and found objects. Wood’s best known work is American Gothic which was painted in 1930. It was first exhibited at the Art Institute of Chicago and can still be found there today.

The peacockʼs fighting represented the argument between Whistler, the designer, and Jeckyll, the architect over the rooms design.

Student Artist of the Issue

BY LAURA SIMPSON Arts Editor

Above is Woodʼs most familiar painting in 20th century American art, titled “American Gothic.”

LAURA SIMPSON

Anceint and Medieval Metalwork from Dumbarton Oaks through April 1, 2007

One man’s obsession...

LAURA SIMPSON

Current Exhibitions

Feb. 14, 2007

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BY LYNDSAY JACOBS Arts Editor The Broadway stars, Jessica Boevers and Matt Bogart hoped to inspire young artists to pursue their dreams in the arts at this weeks ArtSpeak!

One thing that made the two more interesting than past ArtSpeak! guests is that the two are actually married.

Boevers and Bogart have only done a few Broadway shows together. Both said that the experience was better than most people would expect. They were able to perform together and “then go home make out with each other,” said Boevers and Bogart answer the audiences Boevers. question about there Broadway careers.

As with most performers, there is always a funny story or embarrassing in Art and Music. “It has a great profesmoment that happens while on stage. sional training program,” said Boevers For Boevers, she played it safe. Saying about why she chose the Cincinnati “I came out with a coat inside out once” Conservatory. not wanting to say anything too embarArtSpeak! is a “program designed rassing to the audience. to excite students about the arts” said On the other hand, Bogart decided to Mark Shugoll who was in charge and open up a bit more. “I would get to the the host of ArtSpeak!. ArtSpeak! is also second verse of the song God Why and an opportunity to get to know Broadway forgot the words for five performances in stars first hand. a row,” said Bogart. When the crowd still ArtSpeak! is a regular event that was not pleased he continued, “I’ve had typically takes place at Poe Middle zippers down, I remember sitting down School, but that does not stop AHS stuin a chair [during a peformance] saying dents from coming. Not only were many this is going to be a problem.” of the seats filled with students from What made ArtSpeak! especially AHS, but ArtSpeak! was co-hosted by interesting was the energy that both sophomore Jane Rabinovitz and senior Bogart and Boevers had while talking to Rachel Navarrete. the audience. They were a humorous and Although many AHS students were exciting couple to watch. Also, during the in the audience, they were not the only show both of them performed two songs, a people. There were students from Loudon duet together and each sang individually County and various high schools in songs from Broadway.

Fairfax County. The room was also full of While Boevers had always known adults and students from middle schools she wanted to be on Broadway, the story and elementary schools. was different for Bogart. Boevers mother Artspeak consisted of a series of differowned a theatre in Chicago, so she grew ent acts. The first act was “Meet Jessica up around Broadway and knew that it Boevers and Matt Bogart. “This consisted was always going to be in her future. of a trivia contest where you had to guess For Bogart, on the other hand, it was who was singing the song, Boevers or not until high school that he became Bogart. The winner of the contest won involved in theatre. Bogart was always autographed CDs from both Boevers involved in sports and was a track and and Bogart. This act also consisted of a football star for his high school. Coming performance from the two. The second act from a small town in Ohio, it was not as consisted of questions where the audience easy to get involved in the theatre for Bo- was able to ask Boevers and Bogart quesgart. It was not until the school’s theatre tions about there careers. teacher seeked him out that he actually At the end of the show both Boevers began to work in the theatre. and Bogart were available for autographs Both of the stars attended the Cincin- and CDs were sold for only $10 a piece. nati Conservatory of Music and majored

LYNDSAY JACOBS

Freer and Sackler Exhibitions and Events

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Spotlight Shines on Pack the Pit

13 We pinned down Coach Sholders and talked to him about Pack the Pit.

MARGARET CROWLEY

The Atoms defeated the McLean Highlanders 37-33 in the Jan. 31 competition in the “Pit.” The upstairs gym was packed with students and faculty who came out to support the wrestling team and its seniors.

Are you happy with the performance at Pack the Pit? Yes, we did an excellent job.

We have a young team and McLean was a good team to beat.

How long has Pack the Pit been taking place at Annandale?

Since 1990 with Coach Adams.

Is Pack the Pit your favorite match of the year?

Yes because the school and the community really get involved.

Senior Wade Akridge (215 lbs) pushes his opponents face into the mat.

His long, curly didnʼt get in the way of his victory.

MARGARET CROWLEY

Who were the stand-out performers?

Baha Awadallah, Jesse Kruse, Wade Akridge, and Bud Ireland. Ricky Adams also had a great pin in the last match to win the meet.

JULIANNE SIMPSON

Fans who were able to get into the meet for only $1 cheer on the wrestlers. Pack the Pit night is known for bringing out a large crowd.

Were you pleased with the support you got from the community?

Yes, I am extremely happy.

It was an unbelievable atmosphere for the kids.

As two opponents wrestle on the ground, the referee gets down low to look for any fouls being commited. When there is a foul or the wrestlers leave the circle, then the whistle is blown and they return to middle to start again.

Wrestling coach Keith Sholders looks on during one of the matches.

Coaches and teammates can often be heard yelling encouragement and directions at the wrestlers during their match.

JULIANNE SIMPSON

JULIANNE SIMPSON

JULIANNE SIMPSON

If you could describe Pack the Pit in one word, what would it be?

Electrifying

Wrestlers watch the match while preparing for their own matches.

Teams were split up on either sides of the mat. There were a total 14 matches on Pack the Pit night.

Junior Jesse Kruse (189 lbs) takes on his McLean opponent in a face off.

The Atomic Dance Fusion performed one of their dances in the middle of the meet.

Steps to making taco in a bag

MARGARET CROWLEY

MARGARET CROWLEY

The snack bar was stacked with candies and treats and the traditional “taco in a bag” was a huge hit as always.

Senior Baha Awadallah (130 lbs) takes on his opponent. Awadallah ended up winning the matchup in an important victory for the Atoms.

Step 1: Take an individual bag of Doritos or Fritos and smash them up without opening bag.

MARGARET CROWLEY

Step 2: Open bag and put in what you like on a taco from the ingredients available such as lettuce, tomatoes, chesse and sour cream.

Step 3: Hold the bag closed and mix up.

MARGARET CROWLEY

Wrestling coach Keith Sholders, Dick Adams and the rest of the wrestling team watch intensely as one of their teamates takes on their McLean opponent.

Step 4: Eat right out of the bag.

MARGARET CROWLEY

MARGARET CROWLEY

Two wrestlers get wrapped in the middle of their match. Wrestlers ar required to wear headgear to protect their ears.

Cheerleaders came out to support the wrestlers for the night. They could be heard chanting the names of wrestlers throughout the matches and banging on the mats for encouragement.

Wrestlers for both teams shake hands after the meet. AHS won the meet against McLean with freshman Ricky Adamsʼs (125 lbs) pin in the final match.

Cheese, chili, and ground beef were among the options served with bag of chips.

14 Nutrition Quiz 1. How many servings of fruits should be eaten per day? a. 1-2 b. 2-4 c. 3-5

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Belt tightening times

3. What is the number one nutritional danger for most Americans? a. High cholesterol b. Too much fat c. Not enough fiber 4. What percentage of a person’s diet should be fat? a. Under 15 % b. 30 % or less c. 40 % or less 5. What percentage of a Big Mac is fat? a. 35 % b. 45 % c. 55 %

6. Which fats are healthier? a. Unsaturated b. Saturated 7. Which carbohydrates are healthier? a. Complex b. Simple 8. What is the most frequent cause of death in the U.S.? a. Cancer b. Heart Disease c. Stroke d. Accidents 9. What’s the least number of times per week that one should exercise? a. 1 b. 2 c. 3 d. 5 10. Which of the following is considered a cardiovascular exercise? a. bowling b. golfing c. swimming d. weightlifting

Answers 1. b. 2-4 2. c. 3-5 3. b. Too much fat 4. b. 30 percent or less 5. c. 55 percent 6. a. Unsaturated 7. a. Complex carbohydrates are better, and are found in cereals, breads, rice, pasta, and other foods. They usually include many nutrients and fiber.

Simple carbohydrates are found in foods with high calories but few nutrients, such as desserts, and soft drinks.

8. b. Heart Disease 9. c. 3 10. c. Swimming Source:http:/www.whitememorial. com/content/cool_tools/quiz/ health_quiz.asp

Food of the Issue

Bananas have sucrose, fructose, glucose, and fiber, which can give a quick boost of energy to a tired student or athlete. The iron in bananas can help people with anemia, and the FDA says bananas can reduce the risk of a stroke or high blood pressure.

They also contain trypotophan, that converts into serotonin which functions as a mood-booster. The anacid in bananas helps those who suffer from heartburn.

Bananas are a much better source of nutrition than apples. They have 4x more protein, 3x more phosphorus, and 5x the amount of vitamin A and iron.

Signs of binge eating disorder • Eating unusually large quantities of food even when not really hungry • Eating until they are uncomfortably full • Eating alone or in secret because you feel ashamed or embarrassed • Eating or grazing continuously without ever feeling satiated • Eating when you are stressed or unsure of how to cope with emotional challenges • Feeling unable to control what or how much you are eating • Feeling disgusted, depressed, or guilty after overeating

Your brain says, “Stop eating!” But you may be out of control already. You could already be classified as a binge eater. Everyone sneaks a couple extra helpings on Thanksgiving and true, sometimes after the Pringles pop, you just can’t stop. But what if you could never stop eating and nothing could stop you?

Binge eating is not a joking matter. It is a disorder that affects millions of Americans.

It can have serious effects on a person’s life. Binge eaters often become obese because of the large amounts of food that they end. Twenty percent of binge eaters are overwieght or obese. This can lead to headaches, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, joint pain and many other comlications.

Recently, The Washington Post published a survey and study about the binge eating disorder. The results were appalling. Many believed that anorexia and bulimia were the worst eating disorders because of the attention they have received in recent years. The study, published in the current I can’t stop eating. I eat issue of the journal Biological Psychiatry, is based on information collected because I’m unhappy. I’m between 2001 and 2003 from 2,980 adults 18 and older.

The survey found that 3.5 percent of women and 2 percent of men had unhappy because I eat. been binge eaters.

Harvard Professer James I. Hudson, who led the study, said, “This makes it clear that binge eating is a common condition…more common —MikeMyers than the other two disorders combined, anorexa and bulemia.” It looks Austin Powers like doctors might want to focus more on binge eating now that these facts are on the rise.

Doctors are having a hard time determining if a person has binge eating disorder. After reading this article, don’t turn your friend into a doctor just because he gets a second helping today. It’s common for people to overeat once in a while. It’s also completely normal. There are some other signs besides eating a lot that shows that a person is on his way to binge eating.

For example, a person might also eat much more rapidly than usual, eat until uncomfortably full, and eat large amounts of food, even if they are not hungry. Binge eating is also called compulsive overeating because bingers usually feel to powerless to stop eating. Someone also might be a binge eater if they prefer being alone while eating or if they are depressed after eating. Mike Meyer’s quote from Austin Power goes to a whole new level. “I can’t stop eating. I eat because I’m unhappy, and I’m unhappy because I eat.

It’s a vicious cycle.”

Senior Jessica Nguyen shares her opinion on binge eating. “America is one of the richest countries that offers the most variety of food. Why abuse this prerogative by letting food go to waste? I say this is the only right we can abuse,” Nguyen says.

The world laughs at our obesity problem and the binge eating disorder is the core of this problem. Could the large portion sizes that many fast food restuarants serve be a cause of this problem? McDonalds has taken Super Size off the menu and added healthier choices such as salad in response to the recent films such as Super Size Me and Fast Food Nation. Can changing the portion size solve all our problems? This disorder goes deeper than anyone thinks.

Another danger is that the binge eating disorder is longer -lasting than other disorders. Hudson said, “People who reported binge eating said they had it for eight years on average, compared with 1.7 years for anorexia.” This underground disorder can be tougher to get rid of and can come at a younger age.

Teens and kids are developing this problem early. They can eat what their parents do and develop the problem through their parental eating problems. Depression is also present in middle and high school and girl and guys are pressured to eat more and more.

Senior RaquelAguirre says, “Girls and guys

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can sometimes pressure each other to eat. I believe that same number of girls and guys would b e infected by the binge eating disorder. Guys eat too much to show how manly they are like by eating a 1 pound burger at Fuddruckers. Girls probably would get depressed and eat 10 pounds of chocolate.”

Restated, binge eating disorder is a serious problem, but don’t forget that you do need to eat a healthy good amount. Don’t diet too much to get away from the binge eating disorder. This could lead to anorexia, another problematic eating disorder in the U.S. Binge eating is similar to bulimia, but there is one major difference. Binge eaters don’t thow up the food after they eat it.

A good rule of thumb is “Eat everything in moderation.” Eat but don’t become Mike Myer’s overweight character in Austin Powers.

Lose the white bread that is essential to losing weight. The fiber contained in wheat bread slows down the digestive process and makes a person feel less hungry for longer.

In a recent study at Harvard Medical School in which data was collected from over 74,000 female nurses aged 38-63

BY SARAH WAITER years over a 12 year period, it was found Health Editor that women who consumed more whole grains consistently weighed less than If anyone were to order a turkey sand- those who ate less fiber-rich foods. wich with bleached bread you would call For freshman Donnie McQueen makthem crazy. Unfortunately that is what ing the switch from white bread to wheat many of us are ordering and consuming bread was rather easy. “I grew up eating today without a second thought. Doctors mainly white bread because my parents recommend the switch from white bread to bought white bread. I just ate what they wheat bread as a healthy alternative that gave me,” said McQueen. “It was not that is very beneficial to your health. hard to switch breads because bread is One difference between white bread bread no matter what color it is.” and wheat bread is the For other students however way they are processed. the switch is greatly avoided. “I The two breads are couldn’t care less. White bread processed using wheat tastes better with peanut butter flour. In white bread howand jelly for sure,” said junior ever, the bran and germ, Donald Purdon. Purdon has which give true wheat eaten white bread his whole life bread its brown color, as and has not considered making well as many other benthe switch despite the health eficial ingredients have benefits. been removed. The flour The AHS cafeteria has also is then also bleached us- Freshman Donnie McQueen made the healthy decision to ing potassium bromate is not bothered by the fact switch from using white bread to or chlorine dioxide gas that the cafeteria serves wheat bread. While the changes which removes any yel- wheat bread. “Bread is may bother some students, othno matter what color low color from the bread. bread ers have adjusted to the new and it is,” said McQueen.

Bleaching also gives the healthy alternative. bread a longer shelf life If you’re concerned about and allows the product to remain edible your health or just looking to lose a few even throughout long transit times. pounds, switching from white bread to “I think it is [bleaching] a good thing in wheat bread may be part of the solution. consideration of families that need to use their bread consumption more wisely so it Why wheat bread? lasts longer,” said junior Becky Lallande.

Lallande also realizes that implications of the bleaching process and still chooses to •High in fiber which makes you consume wheat bread. “I still think wheat is feel fuller for longer better, because in order for it to be bleached •Contains natural vitamins and they have put something else into the mix grains that doesn’t really need to be there” •Reduces the risk of heart disease Not only is white bread lacking much by decreasing cholesterol levels of its major vitamins that have been re•Contains antioxidants which moved during the bleaching process, it is help to prevent cancer and heart also known to be too easily digested which results in a dramatic rising and falling of disease blood sugar levels and insulin. Wheat bread however contains the necessary daily fiber

Get a healthy start by choosing wheat bread instead of white

WWW.HELPGUID.ORG

Binge eating has become the nations most prevalent eating problem, affecting more people than anorexia and bulimia combined

BY JULIE TUMASZ Staff Writer

2. How many servings of vegetables should be eaten per day? a. 1-2 b. 2-4 c. 3-5

Feb. 14, 2007

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Finding new life in the U.S. Many students tell their story and experiences of the beginning of a new life

Facts about Immigrantion ∞ An immigrant who has a college degree will pay $198,000 more in taxes during their lifetime than they collect in government services.

VANESSA CERRO AND WALIHA GANI International Editors

WALIHA GANI

One cramped apartment, two rooms, and six people. This is the life of junior Luis Pac who has been living in the U.S. for almost six months.

From the first known humans to set foot onAmerican soil as immigrants from northeast Asia, the United States is a nation inundated with immigrants, who have contributed significantly to America’s economy.

Immigration, legal and illegal, has become an extremely controversial issue in the U.S. Currently, there are nearly 26 million immigrants living in the U.S, with California holding the most immigrant population: seven million Mexican immigrants.

The multifarious student population of AHS brings together an immense amount of countries together as the student population accounts for students from all over the globe.

Most of these individuals have a story to tell.

Pac arrived in the U.S. six months ago from El Salvador in the hopes of a better life after two years of struggle to receive a visa. “It’s really hard to be an immigrant because one wants to have opportunities, in our countries we don’t have that. We come over here and try to get a better life,” said Pac. Sophomore Aarzoo Usmani emigrated from Afghanistan three years ago. Her family were not prepared for all the financial problems they faced upon arriving in the U.S. “When we arrived here, my dad was always so stressed out. It was hard for him to Sophomore Aarzoo Usmani came to the United States from Afghanistan three years ago to escape the Taliban and war. Upon arrival, her family faced many struggles. find a job, and the whole family was just down all the time,” said Usmani. “No one knew it would be that hard.”

Immigration began to accelerate in the 1960s with the invention of the jet airplane, have to keep up with school work and money work,” said Salvatera.

“When I first arrived here, everything was so strange. I didn’t know how to speak which facilitated travel greatly. Since 1675, immigrants have accounted for about 15% English, and I just felt people were laughing at me or something,” said Usmani. of the population. Unlike the early immigrants who came to America to seek religious Despite the fact that there have been current limitations on immigration, immigrants freedom, most AHS students emigrated to the U.S. on their own or their parent’s visions of today’s generation are fortunate because there was a time when the U.S.’s Congress of attaining a higher education.

“That’s why my mom said I should study to get a better job. They say if you don’t speak banned certain people from emigrating because of their health or lack of education.

In the Immigration Act of 1917, literacy requirement had to be met for foreigners to English than you can’t get a good job. But since we have papers and I have the opportunity to go to school I should, and that’s why I’m studying now,” said Pac. “I’m planning enter the U.S. As of 2006, the United States accepts more legal immigrants as permanent residents than the rest of the world combined. According to a poll conducted by the Pew on becoming a doctor.”

“I came here to make something of myself. America offers too much for me. A chance Research in 2006, 52 percent of Americas felt that immigrants are a burden because they take jobs and housing. for success is everywhere,” said sophomore Iyann Mohamed.

Unlike the majority ofAmericans, most ofAHS students view For senior Julio Salvatera, a Bolivian, America enlightened his mind. immigrants enriching the American economy.

“At first when I got here, I felt insecure, I felt that it was a good option to “I think that if I wasn’t for all these different people I meet in join a gang because I’d be respected and no one will mess with me,” said school, I would view things so differently. Our school would be so Soalvatera. “But then I got thinking and I thought, the world doesn’t end I came here to make different, so boring,” said sophomore Beelan Daniels. However, here.And the world ends there if I get into this,’said Salvatera. “I was really some student’s opinions differ. close [to joining a gang] but I decided not to, I thought of my parents and something of myself.

“They’re [immigrants] not paying taxes, and they get free how much they would suffer, and the pain that I would cause myself.” health care,” said junior Lane Craggs.

When immigration first became popular in the U.S., many were often America offers a lot for me Salvatera speaks out about his role in American economy poor and uneducated. However, the following generations after that have and society. succeeded in fully using the opportunities America offers.

“What gringo [Caucasian] would want to pick up trash or —IyannMohamed Some students came to the U.S. to escape the turmoil of a messy sophomore clean bathrooms? We immigrants do make a difference, in the war. aspect of working and how we work. If you compare theAmerican “Sierra Leone was in a serious war when I came here. I came here to people, they don’t like to do what we do, what American would begin a new life, to see peace,” said sophomore Fatmata Bah. “There was like to do construction?

There is nothing else for us to work in, because the government so much fighting there, and when I came here, I had freedom, peace—a better life,” “In Afghanistan, there was so much going on with the Taliban, our family was fearful, doesn’t permit it,” said Salvatera.

Some students feel coming to America was a mistake. life got pretty scary, so we were lucky enough to come here for a safer life,” said Usmani.

“In my opinion, our life would have been so much better if we had stayed home because Living in America as an immigrant for most students is not always easy, but often then my parents wouldn’t have to start over again,” said junior Cam Nygen. difficult.

“My mom has to start over going to college and is trying to get a graduate degree, and “When I first arrived here, I wasn’t going to go to school, I was going to work to pay for the rent because I sleep with one brother and my mother sleeps with my other sibling,” at the same time working. My parents let our big business go in Vietnam to be with our family and to have a better education.” said Pac. Salvatera is also in the same position as Pac. “I work part time cleaning right now. I

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What do you think about immigrants and their impact on the U.S.?

15 ∞ Immigrants collectively earn $240 billion a year, pay, $90 billion a year in taxes, and receive $5 billion in welfare. ∞ Immigrants who becomeAmerican citizens in their lifetime end up paying more taxes than the average native born American. ∞ Average immigrants that live in the U.S. contribute $25,000 to local and state governments. source: www.pfaw.org

Number of people who are foreign born in U.S.

1. 8,544,600 – Mexico 2. 1,594,600 – China 3.1,413,200 –Philippines 4. 1,244,200 – India 5. 1,001,200 – Cuba source: www. wikipedia.com

Gay and Lesbian Immigration ∞ Around the world there are 17 participating countries that allow same sex partner immigration benefits. ∞ Since a 1994 ruling, gay men and lesbians have been able to immigrate to the United States if they are escaping persecution based on their sexual orientation. ∞ For HIV-positive foreign nations, there is a near-total ban, prohibting them from entering the United States. Unless the HIV person has immediate relatives who are permanent residents or citizens, they are able to apply a waiver of the bar on immigration. source: www.immigrationequality.org

World News ISRAEL “They make a good impact because they pay taxes which ends up enhancing our economy, which means more money to spend on school and education.”

—Brett Wynn freshman

“Legal immigration is good, but illegal immigrants just come here and don’t do anything besides stand next to 7-11. ”

—Ashley Swiger sophomore

“They definitely affect the economy positively because they take the lower jobs, but there is a certain level of resentment becauseAmericans should be entitled to have those jobs too.”

—Sarah Lewis junior

“In some ways, they have good impacts because they bring a lot of diversity and we help them get a better life. ”

—Ale Gandra Centeno senior

“Immigrants have a tremoundous effect on our economy because we have always been a labor short continent and still are.”

—John Hawes government teacher

One man’s experience A parent and his son tell the story of their journey across the U.S. Mexican border

BY WALIHA GANI International Editor Darkness. Fear. Loneliness. Survival. These were the only thoughts and feelings swimming through junior Carlos Galicia’s father, Federico Galicia, as his wife, with baby Carlos in her womb, were crossing the U.S.-Mexico border illegally.

Federico’s story With illegal immigration becoming more of a tumultuous issue than ever before, Galicia tells his story of coming to the U.S., and the obstacles that aroused once he arrived.

In order to camouflage with the dark night, one must wear dark clothing to prevent chances of getting caught.

“My wife and I didn’t even know we had to wear dark clothes, so we came out wearing white shirts, and ended up wasting time to go back to buy those black, long shirts,” said Galicia.

The lonely night “When my wife and I were crossing the border in long walks, there were a bunch of other groups with us. But as we were jumping the fence, we were alone. No one is there to help you. It’s all you. The only person you care about is you and you only.”

When Galicia and his wife arrived in the U.S. safely 17 years ago, he felt a mix of fear and hope.

“We were always afraid of getting caught. We were just

Reading up on the facts... ∞ According to the Census data, the current illegal population is between seven and 20 million. ∞ Between 400,000 and 700,000 unauthorized migrants have entered the United States each year since 1992. ∞ Most enter crossing either the U.S.–Mexico border or the United States-Canada border ∞ Some hide in vehicles, while others track through the Arizona desert, cross the Rio Grande, or in some cases elude the U.S. Border patrol. ∞ At least 95% of all illegal South American, European, and Asians get here by overstaying their visa. ∞ On average, it is estimated that more than 10,000 enter the U.S. everyday. ∞ 59% of illegal immigrants live in or near poverty.

fearful of someone coming out and catching us. But then, we also felt hope for starting a new life– a better life,” said Galicia.

Being an illegal immigrant in the U.S. is all about the work—long hours of day and night labor.

Struggles and Labor “I worked at Roy Rogers at night and had construction work in the day time. Even with two jobs, it was barely enough, we were still struggling,” said Galicia.

The biggest obstacle for Galicia was learning English and American culture.

“When I first came here, I faced a cultural shock, and at first it was hard to adapt to the new system, and pass the language barrier. said Galicia. “Life in the U.S. was tough, but Galicia feels the opportunities the U.S. offers were far greater than the negative circumstances he was facing.”

“We lived in a two bedroom apartment with six people, but I realized the importance of being bilingual and the many doors in America opened up for me and my family,” said Galicia.

Galicia’s decision to come to the U.S. has greatly helped his 17- year- old son, junior Carlos Galicia.

Carlos’s story “If I lived in Mexico, an environment that is condusive to living under poverty level, I wouldn’t have accomplished anything over there,” said Galicia.

Similar to many other immigrant students atAHS, the best opportunities America offers for Carlos lie within the realm of education.

“America offers me an education of higher accreditation. Back in Mexico, I wouldn’t even have passed middle school. I wouldn’t have accomplished anything in my life,” said Galicia.

Galicia also feels like he owes something to his parents for the struggles they endured upon their arrival, and to show the U.S. what he is capable of.

“I would say I have a lot of hunger to accomplish something in this country. “I don’t want my parent’s sacrifices to be taken in vain and thrown down the drain,” said Galicia.

Israel’s cabinet on approved the first Arab Muslim minister of the Jewish state.

The firstArab Muslim minister on Israel’s cabinet was approved by the government on Jan. 29. Raleb Majadele, a Labor Party legislator, won the majority’s vote as minister in Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s cabinet. Most lawmakers oppose this idea of anArab holding a position in the Israeli cabinet.

Student Response: I think a Muslim on the Israeli cabinet will be helpful for the Palestinians and for the Israelis because they have been trying to look for a solution so long, and this will be the first step. Even though this might not solve all the tensions between them, it will set a good example for both sides.

–senior Wahab Saeed

FRANCE The French government put a ban on smoking in public spaces on Feb. 1. The ban prohibits smoking in workplaces, schools, airports, hospitals and other “closed and covered” public places.Anyone caught smoking will be charged with $88. The ban was mainly a cause of the 66,000 deaths each year from smoking. This ban has stirred anger among the 15 million French smokers as many feel their the ban is violating their rights.

Student Response: I don’t think [the ban] will work, because no matter what you do, people always find a way to break the law. Since there are so many smokers in France, it will be very hard for the law to go into effect.

–senior Kevin Stough

Spring sports predictions

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Wrestling places fifth

JOSH MILLER

Freshman Jack Velasquez pins down a Mclean wrestler during Pack the Pit. The Atoms are currently 18-9, and finished fifth in the district.

JOSH MILLER

Freshman Damien Stone puts a move on a Mclean wrestler to pin him during Pack the Pit on Jan. 31. The Atoms won with a score of 37-33.

Senior David Valentine attempts to field a ground ball.

Tennis: Girls tennis had a very successful season last year. They started off the season with four consecutive wins in the district. The only thing that stands in the way of this season’s players is the fact that they lost a number of influential seniors via graduation. The boys are not in the same situation. They did not lose as many as the girls team, and have great returning players. Seniors Samson Belay and Matthew Kishiyama, along with juniors Laith AbuTaleb and Daniel Kwon, will be leading the team this season.

Girls basketball brings down the house

BY BRANDON WILLIAMS Staff Writer The Lady Atoms look to gain another win to validate their chances at a championship this season. After a 27 point blow-out loss to T.C. Williams, the Lady Atoms felt the urgency to get back to the top. They came back hard with three wins to West Potomac, Lake Braddock and, most recently, to South County, with a final score of 70-45.

To avenge the loss to the Titans, the Atoms did what they could to blow-out the West Potomac Wolverines.

It was obvious that the Wolverines were no match for the enraged Atoms. Defeating the Wolverines by 15 points, the Lady Atoms increased their district record to a mediocre 5-7.

Although the team’s district record seems to be lousy, they have said they are aware of the holes on the team, and if lucky, they can fix them by the time the district tournament arrives. With a current overall record of 1012 the Atoms are hoping to gain more confidence going into districts.

Junior Tiffanie Turner admits that there are some obstacles, and that it took the team longer than they expected to overcome them. Turner cites lack of focus, communication problems and practice ethic as some of the issues they have been facing all season.

“It feels like we don’t communicate enough, and it results in big problems when it comes to games,” said Turner.

However, the Atoms have had to go through a tough transition this season, which could explain a number of their issues. They lost a number of senior starters last year and brought in a new coach.

AVERY ADCOCK

Baseball/Softball: Baseball only lost three seniors from a strong team last year.

Senior pitchers Will Wade and Ben Hendrickson will lead a well balanced team this season. Often an overlooked team, softball will be coming out strong this season. After a convincing run last year the Atoms hope to learn about each other even more to continue improving. Junior Nicole Richie is also back to help rev up the team.

“

”

Lacrosse: Both the boys and girls teams are looking to capitalize on their successful seasons last year. The girls finished with a record of 10-15 and the boys ended with a record of 6-6. On the girls side, seniors Krista Silano, Emily Vincent and Marie Han, along with juniors Mary Bermingham and Tiffanie Le, hope to win districts and regionals. Seniors Bryan Krzywicki, Trevor Daggle, Drew Chadwick, along with juniors Matt Johnson and Zach Sells, are back on the boys side to lead the team to a hopeful district championship.

Junior Tiffanie Le defends against a South County defender.

wrestled in the 160 pound weight class.

“We need to work on scoring, take downs, and not giving up take downs near the outof-bounds lines,” said Godbout.

Despite AHS’s fifth place finish, Godbout still individually qualified to advance to the

BY CLAIRE BUI Regional championship on Feb. 15 at CenterStaff Writer ville High School. He will be joined by Santos, The varsity wrestling team endured Ireland, Akridge, junior Jesse Kruse, and a fifth place finish at the Patriot District freshmen Ricky Adams, Nick Chuong and Tournament this past weekend on Feb. 9 Damien Stone, respectively. and 10. Though the team has a number Unlike any other winter sport at AHS, of new, younger members who are strong the varsity wrestling team has pre-school competitors, it has relyied heavily on its training at 6 a.m., in addition to after school wrestlers from the team last year, such as practices that are held every day from 3 to junior Jesse Kruse and seniors Oscar San- 6 p.m. The amount of time and effort put tos, Baha Awadallah, James Godbout, Wade forth by the team has not been in vein.

Akridge and Bud Ireland.

“We are better conditioned than any other The match kicked off in the main gym team. We want the guys on our team to be Friday afternoon at fresh, mentally and 4 p.m. It was an eight physically healthy, man individual double and strong for their elimination tournament. matches,” said We need to work on Competitors could lose Barden. once and still wrestle The 6 a.m. pracscoring, take downs, and in the third and fourth tices serve many rounds, but if they lost purposes, mainly for not giving up take downs twice they were done for mental toughness. the season. The top four “We want our placers in each weight —JamesGodbout wrestlers to know class qualified for the senior that they have outRegional tournament, worked their opaccording to coach Ryan ponents. Who wants Barden. to get up at five, work out at six, go to class AHS was in fourth place by the end of each day, and then practice again at three?

Saturday’s tournament, but West Springfield Only the tough,” said Barden. “Also it gets High School managed to jump the team by them used to getting up early to workout and one half of a point in the end, bumping AHS get their weight down for an early morning down to fifth place overall. Hayfield High weigh-in, wrestle their first round match, School took home the District Champion then sit around for a couple of hours and get title, while Lake Braddock Secondary came ready again for their second round match. in second. Both schools have been AHS’s “The team is doing very well, considering biggest competition throughout the season, we have six freshmen and three sophomores according to Barden. in a starting line-up of 14,” said Barden. “I just “I think the team did pretty well as a tell the guys to always be positive. Anything whole, but the hardest part was the fact that can happen, no matter how grim the outlook we didn’t have any district champs who came can seem. Wrestling is an individual sport, so in first place. We had a lot of guys who came [the coaches] treat everyone as in individual. really close and could have placed in the top We just tell to relax and have fun.” four, but then lost their matches in the last second,” said senior James Godbout, who

Adams and Akridge finish second in class

Soccer: Last season was not the best for both the girls and boys team. The boys finished with a final record of 3-12, along with the girls record of 4-2-9. The girls have a new coach, which they hope will boost their winning streak. Seniors Julianne Simpson, Margaret Crowley, Jenny Jacobs and junior Avery Adcock hope to boost the girls performance. Seniors Scott Prosch and Jai An hope to lift the boys side to a better record.

Senior Kelly Scrivner anticipates a shot.

Feb. 14, 2007

AVERY ADCOCK

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SPORTS

Senior Kelli Muchmore tracks down the ball to go to the basket. The Atoms won on senior night on Feb. 8.

Sophomore Alexis Williams guards the ball from a South County player. The Atoms won with a score of 70-45.

“The loss to T.C. Williams upset me, because I know we can beat them and we know as a team that we’re better than T.C.,” said Turner.

Senior captain Denay Wood took a more optimistic view on the team.

“If we give 100 percent, we should do very well in the district and make it far in the region. The main obstacle for our team to win this season is for the team to stay focused and work hard,” said Wood

When asked if the team is indeed able to be coached, both junior Kamilla Stevens and Turner broke into dead silence, expressing that the blame does not fall completely with the coach, but with the team who chooses to not want to be coached.

One thing is sure, seniors Kelli Muchmore, Wood and junior Jenna McRae possess the talent to lead the team far into the district. The question, though, is can they bring the team together to do so?

McKinney places first in district in diving

BY CAROLINE MERZ Staff Writer

Sophomore Marcos Mavlian swings at an oncoming ball.

PHOTO COURTESY OF LIFETOUCH

Track/Field: Despite losing many standout athletes last year, varsity track is looking to qualify as many as they can to regionals and states. Senior Brandon Williams, along with junior Brad Grabo are looking to qualify for reginonals.The 4x2 running team went far in witner track and will be back for spring with aspirations for more of the same. Junior Erik Cabellos was only feet away from qualifying for states last year in the discus, so this year he hopes to qualify as well.

Freshman Sean McKinney in mid-hurrdle in the district meet. McKinney was first in districts, second in regionals and holds the school record for diving.

First in districts, second in regions, school record holder and he still has three more years.

Freshman Sean McKinney has taken the high school diving world by storm. He is one of three divers on theAHS Swim and Dive team for the 2006-2007 season. At the Patriot District Meet on Jan. 26 McKinney placed first. At the regional meet he placed second by .15 points ,with a total of 427.40 points. He scored fourth this past weekend at the Virginia State meet.

Leading up to the district meet, McKinney explains how he was pretty excited, this being his first district meet as freshman. But this was not his first experience with competitive diving.

McKinney has been a member of the Patriot Dive Club, a year round dive program, and the North Springfield summer dive program in the past. He only has two weeks off in the summer where he is not diving. To prep for this particular meet he has been practicing five or six times a week.

Being a freshmen and having that much success can lead to criticism from upperclassmen.

“Some kid at regions gave me a hard time because he got cut as a senior and I didn’t,” said McKinney. “People give me a hard time, but it’s fine. There aren’t that many people on dive team.”

He has become close with many members of the team, including senior Nick Alvarez and freshmen Maggie Craig, Jennifer Oakes, and Caroline England. Being a freshmen, McKinney, along with many other freshmen and new members to the team, had to survive through the famous “Rude Awakening.”

“It was fun to see all my friends who are usually perfectly dressed,” said McKinney.

McKinney plans to do his best in his next three years of high school and become the defending champion of his district title.

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Feb. 14, 2007

iot District in the Patr evin McCracken, th 5 , -6 6 : k for: K rew ’s record Last year ing players to loo ean Armstrong, D S n , r n tu so e John Key r ggle, Matt arch 15); Trevor Da t Vernon (M n ou M : k d ic atten l 30) Chadw games” to our liams (Apri “Must-see ac (April 20), T.C. Wil staff feels that one of ls, el g S om in e ot h offs. T West P he coach ings utlook: “T will be face Coach’s o ng into the season Chadwick on the w oi h g it s w tation strength , and Vu ro aglisceau.

Dae-Hwan ,” said coach Bill M d oo g e could b

Last year’s record : 3-12-0 Key returning pl ayers to look for: Roster is not yet finalized “Must-see games ” to attend: West Springfield (March 26), Lake Br addo Coach’s outlook: “T ck (April 27) he plans for the team create a solid defen are to se led by the senior players that are returning to th e team and to create explosive offense led a young by aggressive and want new players that are to soccer,” said coach An make history in AHS tonio Rivadeniera.

SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW 2007

Sports

Spotlight

Information compiled by Greg Rosenstein, Sports Editor Design by Adam Kasdorf, Graphic Designer

Sports Column

Compiled By Greg Rosenstein

NICK ALVAREZ

Last year’s record: 5-9 Key returning playe rs to look for: Sams on Belay, Matt Kishiyama, Ta her Al-Suqi, Jimmy DeLaCruz, Laith Abu-Taleb “Must-see meets” to attend: West Potomac 27) (March Coach’s outlook: “W e will compete in every match and play hard to improve,” said coach Mike Scott .

Year: Senior Sport: Swimming Note: At Regionals on Feb. 2., finished tenth place in the 50 yard freestyle with a time of 22.08 sec. Alvarez’s efforts made him eligible for the VHSL State Championships on Feb 10, where he placed 13th.

Player Quote: “I worked really hard and just wanted badly to go to States,” said Alvarez.

ANNIKA JESSEN

Year: Freshman Sport: Swimming Note: Qualified for States after earning fourth place in the 100 Meter fly.

Player Quote: “Everyone is improving and I have been working really hard this season,” said Jessen.

Last year’s reco rd: 13-6, 2nd in the Patriot Distric Regional Quarte rfinalists t and Key returning players to look fo Silano, Emily Vi ncent, Mary Berm r: Marie Han, Krista ingham and Tiffa “Must-see gam ny Le es” to attend: West Springfield 27) (March Coach’s outlook : “I am really excit spring--we will ha ed about our team ve a good core of str this ong, experienced to provide great lea players dership and lots of players that are ready to join them younger ,” said coach Cindy Hook.

Last ye a Key ret r’s record: 10-4 urning , players 3rd in Patriot D “Must-s ee istrict. t (March games” to atte o look for: 27) nd: Wes t Spring “Must-s field e West Po e matches” to tomac (M attend: Coach’s arch 27) our star outlook: “We lo ters from st will be a last seas all of r o coach M e-building year, n. This ” ichael K ishiyam said a.

d: 7-9 ok for: r’s recor Last yea ning players to lo lenda Ngo r G d tu ass an Key re nt, Beth S : Kelsey Gra to attend ounty ( April 27) C e meets” “Must-se ee (April 17), South inth season n L y ard to E m rt is e Rob oking forw . playk: “This lo o o m tl I’ u d o n Coach’s s Head Coach) a veral J.V les a layers. Se ro (2nd year h eight returning p pon to play critical it u working w year will be called s Grant. a st ers from la ,” said coach Thom m a te e th n o

Last year’s record: 5-11-2 for: Kelly Key returning players to look ry Adcock, MarAve , ean Mej e elin Mad er, Scriven e Tumasz and Juli bs, Jaco garet Crowley, Jenny pson Sim e Juliann Lake Braddock “Must-see games” to attend: (April 27) h, I am hoping to Coach’s outlook: As a new coac and place year last from rd reco improve our es of making it hop the higher in the district with coach Janeen said ,” ricts dist of d roun thru the 1st Westphal.

17

rious ific record, va cord: No spec re ’s ar ye t Las meets look for: an g players to Key returnin s, Alvin Siv, Emily Koppelm m ia ill W Brandon nd: mes” to atte “Must-see ga ch 28) ar Home meet (M k: “We have a lot of young oo tl ou ’s ch Coa rans to some push our vete talent that will his is one of the more t .T s,” very fast times e have seen in several year w alented teams arris. lH said coach Phi

Last year’s record: 8-13 Key returning players to look for: Nick Twomey, Ben Hendrickson, Will Wade, Jon Andersen, Jeff Dean and Eric Bridge “Must-see games” to attend: Langley (Mar. 16), West Springfield (Mar.23), Coach’s outlook: “We have set our goal in winning the Patriot District title and advance in the region tournament.

We have eight seniors and six starters back from last years team. If we stay healthy, play consistently, and confident, we should be a top four team in the district,” said coach Ranilo Abrigo.

RACHAEL BURNETT

Year: Sophomore Sport: Swimming Note: Competed in the VHSL State Championships on Feb. 10.

Placed third in 200 meter Freestyle (2 min 5.07 sec) and won 500 meter Freestyle (5 min. 27 sec).

Burnett’s 500 M victory broke the previous national high school record of 5 min. 29 sec., and automatcally gave her All-American status in the event.

Player Quote: “I have been training really hard the past year,” said Burnett. “Going down to a good competition helped me better my time.”

MAGGIE BERMINGHAM

Year: Freshman Sport: Girl’s Basketball Note: Scored career high of 16 points against Lake Braddock on Feb. 5.

Player Quote: “I was motivated to play well because a lot of my friends go to that school and I really wanted to beat them,” said Bermingham. “I’m working hard to help the team win.”

Additional reporting by Marisa Tordella

Atomic Athletics The records of JV Sports around AHS

JV Boys Basketball

10-5 JV Girls Basketball

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Oden or Durant? The question continues The

Extra Point Sports Column

By Greg Rosenstein Thanks to David Stern and his rule that requires players to complete one full year of college before declaring for the NBA Draft, the amount of young talent throughout the college ranks is possibly the greatest since 1981 when Michael Jordan, Patrick Ewing and Chris Mullin were starting out. This year’s list includes North Carolina’s trio of Wayne Ellington, Tywon Lawson and Brandon Wright, Arizona’s Chase Budinger, Washington’s Spencer Hawes and Duke’s Jon Scheyer. But by far the top two freshmen with the biggest impact on the game today are Ohio State’s center Greg Oden and Texas’ versatile big man Kevin Durant. Both, if they leave school early, are the likely #1 and #2 picks. So if you had the choice, which would you take?

Let’s start with Oden, the best center prospect in the

past decade. At 7 feet, his size alone is something most NBA general managers covet. Despite having limited movement with his shooting hand (he had surgery on his right wrist prior to the season) he is still averaging 15.3 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 3.6 blocks per game. Oden is shooting over 60 percent from the free throw line (one handed!) and also does not waste possessions for his team because he is shooting 63 percent from the field.

While his offensive talents will grow over time, Oden’s specialty is on defense. In addition to the 3.6 shots he gets a piece of each game, his mere presence causes opposing players to alter their shot selection. Couple this with his amazing knack for grabbing tough rebounds, and he is clearly the best defensive player in the nation. Ever since high school in Indianapolis, Oden has received comparisons to Boston Celtics legend Bill Russell.

Now take a look at Durant, the offensive specimen of the Longhorns who is averaging 25.1 points and 11.4 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 1.9 blocks per game. Durant, at 6 feet 9 inches, is one of the most complete players in college basketball. Along with his variety of effective post moves, he can also hit the midrange and three point jumper (36.9 percent from beyond the arc) and spreads out the defense in doing so. He is averaging about 33 points and 14 rebounds per game in Big 12 Conference play. The one knock on Durant is that critics feel his defense is not completely up-to-par despite averaging almost two blocks

and two steals each game. But with the right coaching and experience, Durant has the potential to become an upper-tier defensive player.

Along with Wisconsin guardAlando Tucker, Durant is a frontrunner to take this season’s college basketball Playerof-the-Year honors. It’s hard to bet against a player referred to by scouts as “Kevin Garnett with a jump shot.”

Both players added to a struggling NBA franchise would provide at least 10 games to their win total. The reason a decision such of this is so hard is because both are completely different players. One is a defensive monster that changes the entire scheme of an offense and has a very good offensive game to accompany it. The other a scoring machine who can make a shot from any spot on the floor, and at any time he pleases. But if it came down to it…

Oden would be my choice.

It’s not everyday a player like Oden comes around. At 7 feet tall and 280 pounds, he already has an NBA-ready body at the age of 19. And think about how good he could be with both hands. His wrist still isn’t fully healed from surgery prior to the season and he’s still averaging 16 a game.

Durant is an unbelievable talent and will have a very good and prosperous career in the NBA. But with his size, strength, IQ, and athleticism, Oden possesses the quality to be a franchise center that a team can be built around.

All sports records taken from www.annandaleatoms.com

The varsity boys basketball game ended too late for publication.

For coverage on the first round of the Patriot District Tournament, log on to www.thea-blast.org

18 AHS voted for who they thought should win the Academy Awards and the results are...

ACTOR--Leading Leonardo DiCaprio —Blood Diamond Ryan Gosling— Half Nelson Peter O’Toole — Venus Will Smith —THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS Forest Whitaker —The Last King of Scotland ACTOR-- Supporting Alan Arkin — Little Miss Sunshine Jackie Earle Haley — Little Children Djimon Hounsou —Blood Diamond Eddie Murphy — DREAMGIRLS Mark Wahlberg —The Departed ACTRESS-- Leading Penélope Cruz —Volver Judi Dench — Notes On A Scandal Helen Mirren — The Queen Meryl Streep — THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA Kate Winslet —Little Children ACTRESS--Supporting Adriana Barraza — Babel Cate Blanchett —Notes On A Scandal Abigail Breslin —Little Miss Sunshine Jennifer Hudson—DREAMGIRLS Rinko Kikuchi — Babel ANIMATED FEATURE CARS Happy Feet Monster House ART DIRECTION Dreamgirls The Good Shepherd Pan’s Labrynth PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN’S CHEST The Prestige CINEMATOGRAPHY The Black Dahlia CHILDREN OF MEN The Illusionist Pan’s Labrynth The Prestige COSTUME DESIGN Curse of the Golden Flower THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA Dreamgirls Marie Antoinette The Queen

ENTERTAINMENT

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’07 Oscars: A wide open race Wildes gives an advanced look at Academy Awards

Best Adapted Screenplay and Original Screenplay are also very tough too call.

I’ll break down the races and determine who deserves to win and who probably will win for each of the major categories.

her powerful portrayal of Queen Elizabeth I after the death of Princess Diana in The Queen. Judi Dench has not gotten the praise she deserves for her role as a bitter history teacher in Notes on a Scandal, and she is not likely to The get the award with all of the hype surrounding Mirren. Kate Winslet was also nominated for Little Children.

The greatest time of the year for film fans has already passed. Sundance has come and gone without too many Best surprises (although next year could be Actor:: Pethe year John Cusack gets his Best Ac- ter O’Toole tor nominee, keep an eye out for Grace earned Movie Review Is Gone). The Golden Globes as well his eighth Who deserves to

By Drew Wildes as all of the other major festivals and nominawin: Judi Dench. Who awards (Screen Actors Guild, Directors tion for his will win: Guild) have wrapped up as well. We can role as a retired actor in Venus, and is Helen Mirren. usually make some form of an educated one of the few nominees posed to cause guess of how the Oscars will turn out us- problems for the overwhelming favorite, Best Director: For a great director ing those other awards, but this year the Forest Whitaker. like Martin Scorsese to have never won field is wide open.

Whitaker seems to be the best bet Best Director is a crime, but he is just The Oscars is becoming less and less to win for his role as Ugandan dictator plain unlucky. The Oscars committee is of a popularity contest each year, and it Idi Amin in The Last King of Scotland. famous for handing out awards to nomiseems that the voters are taking into ac- Superstars Leonardo DiCaprio (Blood nees who should have won in years past, count and voting for low budget films as Diamond), Will Smith (The Pursuit of so he has a good shot at winning his first well as the more “artsy” pictures. This Happyness), and newcomer Ryan Gos- Oscar— but just like always the competiyear’s big surprise ling (Half Nelson) round tion is tough. comes straight out out the rest of the nomiPaul Greengrass truly deserves it FACTS ABOUT THE of that style. nees. Smith has received for his delicate portrayal and unselfish GOLDEN MAN Little Miss praise for his eye-twitch- storytelling of the event on 9/11 and of Sunshine was a ing role in the emotional the brave passengers in his film: United little film when • Weighs 8.5 pounds father-son tale in The 93. Past winner Clint Eastwood was it went into Sun• Stands 13. 5 inches tall Pursuit of Happyness, rewarded again for his WWII epic Letdance last year, • Designed by MGM’s chief art but Whitaker shouldn’t ters From Iwo Jima, which takes place but came out a director Cedric Gibbons have a problem winning, from the side of the enemy, a side not giant beast when • The first time the name he deserves it. often shown by American filmmakers.

Fox Searchlight Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu for Babel “Oscar” was used was after Ausnagged the Who deserves to and Stephen Frears for The Queen drey Hepburn’s first best actress rights and began win: Forest Whitaker. were also nominated. win in 1934 campaigning for • The Academy didn’t actually Who will win: Forest a, seemingly out Whitaker Who deserves to win: Paul use the name “Oscar” of reach, best picGreengrass.

Who will win: until 1939 ture nomination.

Best Actress: This Martin Scorsese.

Well the camyear’s field has a compaigning worked; bined 29 career nomiBest Picture: This cateLittle Miss Sunshine received the nod nations, the only first time nominee is gory is as stacked as ever and for Best Picture as well as The Departed, Penelope Cruz (Volver). She put on a doesn’t have a clear cut favorite The Queen, Letters from Iwo Jima and fantastic performance, but will be for- even this far into the race.

Babel. gotten and over shadowed by the four Babel won the Golden Globe and This year’s nominations are intrigu- other veterans. has some relevance to current events, ing because most of the big categories are Meryl Streep delivered, once again, a so voters might be persuaded. Eaststill in competition with each other; there stellar performance as a fashion maga- wood always is able to get love from the is no front runner for Best Picture or Best zine editor in The Devil Wears Prada, but voters and they will want to vote for him Director at this point. The awards for all eyes have been on Helen Mirren for and his Japanese war film Letters from

Drew

Review

Iwo Jima.

The Departed was the most successful of the nominees at the box office and seems to be a little above the rest.

The Queen will win best actress, but does not stand a chance for Best Picture. It would be a huge surprise if Little Miss Sunshine pulled off the upset but it is constantly gaining momentum as we inch closer and closer to Feb. 25th.

Who deserves to win: The Departed. Who will win: Little Miss Sunshine.

Best Picture Nominations Babel

The Departed

Letters from Iwo Jima

Little Miss Sunshine

The Queen

DIRECTING Babel THE DEPARTED Letters to Iwo Jima The Queen United 93 DOCUMENTARY FEATURE Deliver Us From Evil AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH Iraq In Fragments Jesus Camp My Country, My Country DOCUMENTARY SHORT The Blood of Yingzhou District RECYCLED LIFE Rehearsing a Dream Two Hands FILM EDITING Babel Blood Diamond Children of Men THE DEPARTED United 93 FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM After the Wedding Days of Glory The Lives of Others PAN’S LABYRINTH Water MAKEUP Apocalypto CLICK Pan’s Labyrinth ORIGINAL SCORE Babel The Good German Notes on a Scandal PAN’S LABYRINTH The Queen ORIGINAL SONG “I Need to Wake Up” — An Inconvenient Truth “Listen” - DREAMGIRLS “Love You I Do”— Dreamgirls “Our Town” — Cars “Patience” — Dreamgirls BEST PICTURE Babel The Departed Letters from Iwo Jima LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE The Queen VISUAL EFFECTS PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN’S CHEST Poseidon Superman Returns Results were compiled by a survey passed out on Feb. 6 to students in B,C, and D lunches. Of 500 surveys passed out 438 were returned.

Producers: Alejandro González Iñárritu, Jon Kilik and Steve Golin

Producers: Graham King

Producers:

Clint Eastwood, Steven Spielberg and Robert Lorenz

Producers:

David T. Friendly, Peter Saraf and Marc Turtletaub

Producers:

Andy Harries, Christine Langan and Tracey Seaward

Haunted is strange yet delightful Take Charles Darwin, mix him in with they expect a nice seaside villa or vineyard, Saw II, and add a little bit of the original complete with daily food and wine to nourFrankenstein, and what might come out is ish their writing needs. What they get, however, the closest thing to is an aging Chuck Palahniuk’s theatre latest novel, house, with Haunted. all windows Palahniuk’s on and doors newest experiment bricked goes far beyond over, and his last novels in nitrogennumerous scopes, Book Review preserved both the disgusting

By Paul Mathis meals the and the paradoxionly food.All cal, the thematic of this is the and the graphic.

Haunted, a story about various writers machination of an old man, Mr. Whittier, trapped in an aging theatre with no way who has brought these people together to out, go to any lengths to control their out- test their writing abilities.

Soon, though, it becomes apparent that come, all the while sharing a part of their histories in short stories, telling each other each author is somewhat insane. Thus, as about the worst experiences that changed each begins to realize that what happens in the house will be the only major story, all of their lives.

Though Palahniuk goes far to create the men and women begin to sabotage the pathways into new areas of revolting rev- experiment, in order to better their “plots.” elation, sometimes the novel comes out as As each one fights for survival and literary mastery, their carnal instincts come to the disjointed, but still entertaining.

When 18 men and women answer the surface.

What takes up the bulk of the novel call to and ad describing a three month getaway to create their literary masterpieces, is Palahniuk’s treatment of each of the

Paul Prose

characters’ histories, which he makes into separate short stories. These stories are sometimes graphically disgusting (they have been rumored to make people faint at Palahniuk’s initial readings of the novel), and always entertaining.

As always, Palahniuk offers paradoxes of current life and the world at large, to the point that Haunted becomes not only a story of carnal rage and gore, but a rumination on pop culture and present society. He constantly introduces different views of morality and circumstance, claiming at times, for instance, that we are all like rocks in a rock tumbler, being crushed and pained so that on the other side we come out polished as gems.

However, it is these paradoxes that send the novel down a course that it never fully resurrects itself from. Palahniuk is not an author who simply treats his writing as the traditional narrative, using minimalist word

Adventures of Brew By Drew Wildes & Ben Hendrickson

placement to add an effect to what it is he has to say.

Nevertheless, the reader might come out wishing that he added more of a connection between his characters and the plot. The story of the house and its actions within develop, but the reader never fully knows how each character feels about these events, or who each character is beyond his or her own story. The characters come off almost as props rather than people in their theatre-house scramble.

The result of all of this is a highly entertaining, but often distant novel.

Palahniuk is constantly making a point and shedding his wisdom about life in way which no one can resist.

But as far as getting deeply involved in a story goes, this hard to do with Palahniuk’s strange, page-turning delight.

ENTERTAINMENT

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Feb. 14, 2007

Wii sets high standards

BY LAYLUMA HOTAKI Entertainment Editor On Nov 19, 2006, what were you doing? Senior Earl Lacefield was in line camped out in front Toys ‘R Us in Kingstowne Plaza. The reason for this you might ask? He was the 109th person in line out of 500 people waiting to purchase the new gaming system Nintendo Wii. “I probably could have sold my spot in line for $200,” said Lacefield. “But it was fun because we watched movies and played Connect 4.”

This gaming system, worth around $250 is the most revolutionary of its kind. Since Lacefield bought his Wii on the first day of release, more than 3.19 million others were sold.

Wii is a more interactive game that creates an argument against the parents who don’t approve of video games for their children. Is America really too fat? Wii might be able to change that because it enables you to move your body. You motion along with the game as if really playing the game. For example, if you are playing baseball, you Senior Earl Lacefield must hold the censor bar as if it’s a real baseball bat and swing it that way, too.

It has changed the way kids play video games. Usually you play with a controller. “Old games are boring because you keep pressing buttons and nothing else. With a Wii, you can sit and stand,” said senior Samson Belay.

Belay received his Wii as a gift for Christmas. Along with the Wii he received four games as well. Games for the Wii sell as high as $70.

What’s your favorite gaming system and why?

“I play a lot more when friends are over,” said Belay. “I also play with my little brother and sister so that’s fun.”

“It’s different than any other gamOf course with every gaming system’s upside, there’s a ing system that’s ever come out. It downside, or two. Lacefield said that the has a sensor bar and a wireless conbad thing is “that the sensor bar won’t troller,” said Belay. “It makes you feel always register your movements.” like you’re actually playing it.”

Also, the sensor bar needs batterThe Wii also connects to the Inies to operate and they only last ternet so that you can do many things about two to three weeks. such as looking at the forecast of the entire “When you play video planet. You can also watch local, national games, you get kind of lazy, and world news through the connection. so the Wii makes you work Another great feature of this gamextra hard which can get ing system is that you can buy points annoying sometimes,” said (through the Internet) from a credit Belay. “You can sweat playcard and you with those points, you’re ing this game.” able to buy games from older Nintendo Another downside to systems. These games include classics this game system is that such as Super Mario and Donkey Kong. the more people that play “You can also plug in [Nintendo] Gamethe game, the less space Cube controllers and games into the Wii,” said there is to play the game Belay. “After I found that out I sold my Gameand move.

Cube and made some money.”

Lacefield said, “Even Another gaming element this system has is that though it has some bad you are able to create your own “Mii” which is your parts about it, it’s still a own character that plays for you. You are allowed to really good game to play dress your “Mii” in any clothes and change the color if you like sports because of its eyes, the shape of its face, mouth and nose. Anyit makes you feel like thing you can think of, you can change it. you’re actually playing the After uploading it to the controller, you have a porsport.” table “Mii” to play with and can take it to a friend’s The Wii has “definitely house and plug it into their Wii. set the bar for future While some kids play this game everyday, like Belay, for only an hour or so, Lacefield doesn’t play Senior Samson Belay plays golf on gaming systems,” said Lacefield. everyday. When he does play, it can be for about eight his new Nintendo Wii system. hours.

19 Download This: 1. This is Why I’m Hot, Mims 2. On the Hotline, Pretty Ricky 3. Say it Right, Nelly Furtado 4. So Sick, Natasha 5. She’s Like the Wind, Lumidee 6. Here in Your Arms, Hellogoodbye 7. Game On, Disciple 8.The Runaround, Taylor Hicks 9. Not Capable of Love, The Ataris 10. Famous Last Words, My Chemical Romance

Horoscopes Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb.18)

You’ll receive an enthusiastic response to the project you’ve been working on. Don’t let that stop you from doing what you need to improve your work. Look out for Virgos this month!

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)

Your main opponent is boredom.

Though work may be tedious, find a way to amuse yourself. Just don’t let the boss catch you in your time of leisure.

Aries (March 21-April19)

Forgiveness is more than and act of grace. It’s an element of change. Without it, you can’t move forward. It may look like you’re in a new place, but it’ll play out the same as before.

“I love XBox 360 because the colors are really pretty. It’s kind of hard to learn, but it’s fun to look at.”

“I choose XBox 360 because it’s cheaper than a PS3 and they’re basically the same thing.

Also, it has wireless controllers.”

“PS2 because it’s easy to control and to learn.

Their graphics aren’t the best like XBox 360, but I still like them.”

“The PS3 is like $600.

It must be great if it’s worth that much. I want it because it’s very mysterious. I’ve only played it once, but it’s amazing.”

“I’m a retro guy. I like Nintendo because I understand it. My favorite games are Super Mario and Zelda.”

—Andrea Quezada freshman

—Imran Afridi sophomore

—Mayra Cardenas junior

—Andrew Lewis senior

—Patrick Hughes teacher

Switchfoot hits the floor with Oh! Gravity

Dear Guy on the Metro, I’m really sorry that you thought I was crazy—I’m not.

I was listening to music, I swear! It just happened to be toe-tapping worthy…

Sincerely, Emily Just a warning for listeners to Switchfoot’s new album Oh! Gravity, don’t listen to it on the metro unless you’re willing to tap you’re toes, and quite possibly disturb the patrons around you like I’m afraid I did. Don’t ask me what song I was on when I was tapping those toes though… I couldn’t tell you. While Oh! Gravity offers a new style and a new beat to Switchfoot, most of the songs are remarkably

forgettable.

After listening to the album, it’s almost as though you fell asleep and woke up after the album was over. You don’t remember quite when you zoned out, but you know that you shouldn’t be done with the whole album yet! Individual songs are quite good really, it’s just as the next one gets going the listener has no idea what the last song was about.

The first song, and definitely the most memorable, is “Oh! Gravity” for which the album is obviously named. It’s the shortest song on the album—maybe that’s what keeps it in the memory—and the only song that has made it to mass media so far. Lead singer, Jon Foreman, asks “Why this tragedy?/Why can’t we seem to keep it together?” The lyrics are probably the most repetitive of the whole album, but the beat keeps the song moving forward at least.

“Dirty Second Hands” heads where few rock bands wander—into the minor key. They pull Switchfoot it off well, even if they do border on a Oh! Gravity metal sound that doesn’t fit them. The lyrics are difficult to summarize within each song because they don’t exactly have a main theme.

“Awakening” is more like what Switchfoot listeners are used to listening

C+

to. Much like the radio-ready “Dare You to Move” off their last album, The Beautiful Letdown, “Awakening” deals in the need to be reminded that we’re alive.

In fact that is very like “Dare You to Move”… but I digress. “Awakening” offers a plaintive, aching chorus that goes “Here we are now with the falling sky and the rain/We’re awakening Here we are now with our desperate youth and the pain/ We’re awakening/Maybe it’s called ambition, you’ve been talking in your sleep/About a dream, we’re awakening.”

This line draws the listener to pay attention to the lyrics for the first time in the album, though it doesn’t make it too much more memorable than the last song—or the next.

Overall impression: I listened to this album at least 4 times through before sitting down to write and I still had to re-listen to songs as I wrote in order to remember what I was talking about. It’s not bad to listen to, but when recommending songs to your friends bring the CD with you so you remember what the heck you’re talking about.

Download this: “Oh! Gravity,” “Awakening”

The arsonists give death metal a new sound B

brutal, period. The vocals, well, it’s a whole lot of screaming.

If you can’t take the heat, stay out of the kitchen.

While most of the songs are good and a blast to scream along to with your friends, and/or grandmother, two stand out from the rest and make the album. The first, “Scobra vs. Cupcake,” is five minutes of starting, stopping, and all the other speeds a band can go. The last minute of the song, including the synthesizer outro at the end, makes the song worth listening to completely just because you get the full effect of a build-up.

The second, “City of Angels Cakewalk,” is the final track on the album and will destroy whatever misconception you had about death metal. Several times throughout the song, you realize that unlike most death metal band’s members, these guys can actually play their instruments.

Another techno-esque outro and the album is capped off nicely.

Brutal, but fun. ‘Nuff said, kiddos. author’s e-mail: lucas.higgins@thea-blast.org

easy

medium

WWW.DAILYSUDOKU.COM

Fill in the blank spaces in the grid so that every vertical column, every horizontal row and every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 through 9, without repeating any. There is really only one solution to each puzzle.

This puzzle is based upon reasoning and logic. It does not require any arithmetic.

Sudoku

Of all the complaints about popular music today, originality, or the ridiculous lack of, is probably at the forefront of fans’ qualms with what musicians are putting out today. For every issue, it becomes increasingly difficult to find something completely different and respectable to review. So let’s get off the mainstream, I mean WAY off the mainstream for issue eight.

Ready, set, cringe. Death metal…indie death metal at that. Out of Santa Cruz, California is Arsonists Get All The Girls. Now, you cannot look at this particular genre of music expecting to take them really seriously. Contrary to popular belief, death metal is all about fun. Now death metal’s oft-mistaken-for-and-considerably-more-pissed-off-younger-cousin black metal is where all the satanic rituals and generic music comes from. Open your mind

when considering death metal. Instead of Arsonists something dark and seething that is a chore Get All the to listen to, try to envision it as System of a Girls Down on a six-pack of red bull after they’ve Hits From had a bad day. the Bow So with this cutesy image of the B.Y.O.B. boys, give Arsonists Get All the Girls a chance. They’ve done something that most metal bands try to stay away from because it makes them come too close to “glamorous,” which is add in a keyboard. Their debut album, Hits From the Bow packs quite the cheeky punch from the beginning.

Before I continue, I do not want to lead you, the experimental listener, on. This music is not for the faint of heart. It may be fun and original, but it is death metal, and it has all the elements of it.

The guitars are grinding and choppy, occasionally doing some brilliant riffing, but mainly sticking to a path of apocalyptic mayhem. The drums are

WWW.DAILYSUDOKU.COM

BY LUCAS HIGGINS Staff Writer

Taurus (April 20-May18)

You’re handling some testy personalities. They will be as difficult as possible to deal with. Keep smiling, even when you’re out of ideas.

Gemini (May 21-June 20)

Youth is sweet. You’re hanging around in that sweetness, regardless of your age, because your curious attitude keeps you fresh.

This month will be quite interesting for you.

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

The morning is sluggish, even with coffee. Perhaps you’re nervous about an upcoming presentation, or about meeting a deadline. Work and your inspiration will kick in this month.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)

Faith comes to different people in different ways. Your tolerance of this process in its many forms allows you to be accepting instead of judgmental, especially in regards to yourself.

Virgo (Aug. 23- Sept. 22)

The best way to show your might is by remaining flexible. A willingness to cooperate and reach a workable compromise serves you well. Gentle persistence will win the way.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

Just because the numbers add up doesn’t mean the figures are right. It’s not often that your intuition leads you astray. Believe what your higher sense is telling you.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

There’s a fine line between doing well unto others and stretching yourself too thin.

Beware of taking on too many responsibilities.

Saying no is sometimes the best for you.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

When the gong gets rough and people start to butt heads, remember that the only power any of us really has is the power to relinquish control.You can walk away anytime.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Romance can spring up in the most unusual places. Maybe even right under your nose, if you’d only open your eyes and see without prejudice.

Let go of preconceived notions.

“I miss how we gave out Valentine’s Day cards to all our classmates in elementary school.”

Perfect Valentine’s Day Students share their opinions on the holiday of love.

BY TIM SHADYAC AND KATE MCCORMACK Weekend Editors

—Andrea Quezada freshman “One time, a boy surprised me by putting candy and flowers in my locker.”

—Megan Baxter freshman “I remember holding hands with my girlfriend while walking through the park on Valentine’s Day.” —Richard Moujaes sophomore “I don’t have one, I hate Valentine’s Day.” —Kevin McCracken junior

“I asked my girlfriend out on Valentine’s Day. I gave her flowers and candy and had rose petals on the floor.”

—Andrew Lewis senior

Carolina Mendez, a home made card.

“I made her a card, but I got her a [fake] diamond ring and I’m going to give it to her,” said Hinojosa. “I like Valentine’s Day because you get to be romantic for a day and can’t be made fun of.”

Junior Brooke Barlow enjoys spending Valentine’s Day with her friends. She feels that on Valentine’s Day a boyfriend is important, but not as important as friends.

“Friends come first before boyfriends, but there’s a time for everything, so sometimes friends, sometimes boyfriend.” She explained how her friends had been there for her long before a boyfriend ever had.

Some people feel that Valentine’s Day is a time to spend with the people that are always there for you. Many times this does not involve boyfriends and girlfriends, but groups of friends coming together enjoying each others company.

There are Senior Diego Hinojosa works on a card still many couples for his girlfriend of over a year. that enjoy spending Valentine’s Day in a more traditional way, with dinners, movies, candies, and flowers.

Senior Eder Perez plans on spending his Valentine’s Day at home with his girlfriend, Ingrid Roca. Perez is hoping to find a way to create a home cooked meal for his sweetheart. “Valentine’s Day is a special day, I need to do something special, so I’m going to try to cook a meal,” said Perez.

Valentine’s Day plans can become tricky when couples do not understand exactly what they want from each other. Whether its staying in, going out, or being lonely it can still be seen as another day of the week

rubbish holiday if you don’t have someone to love, and if women don’t want me as their date on Valentine’s Day they must be crazy, ” said Wade.

Valentine’s Day is a big day for any couple because it often shows a couple how serious their relationship is. Many couples are afraid to celebrate Valentine’s Day because they feel that it may make their relationship more serious than they had wanted.

Additionally this is an extremely secretive time of the year, when men and women scurry to find the perfect gifts for their love ones and find perfect restaurants to take them to.

Greeting card sales are typically at their second highest point during this time of the year, second only to the winter holiday season. Candy and flowers sales also boom during this time, being two other popular gifts for Valentine’s Day. Senior Diego Hinojosa saves money by making his girlfriend,

The “Hallmark Holiday,” Valentine’s Day, is one that is typically dreaded by men with special woman in their lives. Frequently, couples do not understand exactly what their special someone wants.

For most couples, Valentine’s Day is no ordinary day of the week. It often takes weeks of planning, if the couple plans on having a special night. In this day and age many believe that Valentine’s Day has simply become an enormously pumped up retail holiday that in reality is not a truly special day of the year.

High school students have a large effect on the popularity of this day because candy, cards, and flowers are often expected from significant friends. Even though many despise this day, it is still a day when some sacrifices must be made to ensure the happiness of a person you care about.

This day often makes those without a special someone in their lives feel lonely. They hear of the extravagant plans of their friends and classmates and can only imagine the feelings of love.

Junior Thomas Beckett is one of those people.

“I don’t like Valentine’s Day because I’m not into showing affection” he said.

He went on to say, “I hate all the hearts too because they represent a feeling I don’t have.”

Senior Will Wade shares the same mentality Senior Diego Hinojosa and sophomore Carolina Mendez share a kiss in the hallway. towards the holiday.

Although the couple will be unable to go out on Valentineʼs Day, they plan on making “Valentines Day is a up for it later.

For Valentine’s Day, which of these options would be your favorite thing to do?

70

60

52

9th grade 10th grade 11th grade

65

12th grade

50 41

40

33

30 21

20

Upcoming Concerts

Feb. 14, 2007

KATE MCCORMACK

What’s your favorite Valentine’s Day memory?

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KATE MCCORMACK

20

WEEKEND

31 26

21

23 16

9

10

Dinner and a movie

Make a home cooked meal

20 11

Go into the city

11

Do something adventurous-

23

24

17

19

17

16

10

7

11

Other

Stay in

Out of 500 surveys distributed 463 were returned

9:30 Club

The Newloves Sun., Feb. 18

For the opposite sex, what is the best gift to give for Valentine’s Day?

Male

Female

Candy: Flowers:

9

Clothing: Food:

Sun., Feb. 26 and Mon. Feb. 27

The State Theater U-Piter

Fri., Feb .17 Bruce Springsteen Tribute Sat., Feb. 17

The Birchmere Mike Cross Thurs., Feb. 15

Verizon Center

The Who

Thurs., March 8

12th

Stuffed Animal: Other: 5 10

Jack’s Mannequin

11th

15

20 25 30

Chow Down Restaurant Guide

By Kate McCormack and Tim Shadyac

5 10

15

20 25 30

5 10

15

20 25 30

5 10

15

20 25 30

to fried ravioli. Along with most of the appetizers is a fresh tomato marinara sauce in which you can dip your food.

It’s hard to go to Pines of Naples only once, almost all of the restaurant’s customers come back for more because of the friendly staff and good food.

While eating you notice that everyone is on a first name basis with the restaurants owners, George and Iliana, who both cook and serve customers.

Service was extremely attentive and the food was brought out quickly.

The restaurants decor itself is not pleasant. Located on Columbia Pike in Arlington, it’s easy to drive right past Pines of Naples. It’s located in a small rundown shopping center with about ten parking spots.

There are two rooms to be seated in at the top of a long creaky staircase. One room features a bar that isn’t in use and the other has a bookcase of seashells on display.

Pines of Naples restaurant is a “hole in the wall.” Itʼs Pines of Naples dishes are all rea- hidden in a run down shopping center on Columbia sonably priced considering the quality Pike. of the food.

It’s hard to find a restaurant these days whose food has a home-cooked quality to it. However, at Pines of Naples, all of the dishes taste home-cooked and delicious.

Pines of Naples’ specialty is pasta. The noodles are all prepared in the restaurant itself which is unique for most pasta restaurants since preparing noodles is tedious . It’s well worth it, as every dish on the menu tastes delicious.

A must have is “Sophia’s Special,” named after the owners’ daughter. It’s made of angel hair pasta in a tomato garlic sauce.

Fresh warm bread comes before every meal. Portions are generous, usually they serve each individual their own loaf.

All of the pasta dishes at Pines of There is a wide variety of dishes to Naples are made with home-made order for appetizers, from fried calamari pasta noodles.

For more information please call: (703)521-7551 3205 Columbia Pike Arlington, VA 22204

Food:

Service: Decor: out of 4 stars

KATE MCCORMACK

Mon., Feb. 19 and Tues., Feb. 20 Gym Class Heroes Wed., Feb. 21 Anberlin Fri., Feb. 23

10th

th

Jewelry:

KATE MCCORMACK

Slayer