Issue 7

Wed. Feb. 14, 2018 Vol. 63 Issue #7

Annandale High School’s

THE A BLAST

“VICTORY” Varsity basketball wins their senior night.

Informing the Atoms since 1954

4700 Medford Dr. Annandale, VA 22003 www.thea-blast.org

SPORTS 16

Excitement builds for Just Word Festival Ryan McElveen to be the keynote speaker

BY ASEAL SAED Co-Editor in Chief

“We hope to make the AHS community aware of all the issues that are occuring both locally and globally.”

--SHIRLEY CHU

Just World Vice President

The festival began as a way to inspire youth activism in the community. The club’s mission is to encourage students to understand the importance of being active in their local and global communities.

There will be several clubs and organizations who will be presenting at this year’s event including Girl Up, Green Planet, Annandale Kendo Association, SETA, Pearl Raven and ShelterBox. Through several events including chalk4peace and write4rights, the club has promoted peace and awareness of diversity internationally. The festival is their biggest event that brings all the different aspects that make AHS unique together.

The club has been planning the event since December and are excited to share their work with everyone.

“We hope to make the AHS community aware of all the issues that are occurring both locally and globally and that we have the power to celebrate these differences,” Vice President Shirley Chu said.

SHUT THE FRONT DOOR

BY BNIQI CHEN Co-Editor in Chief As senior Megan Lee rushes from one side of the school to the other, she hears other students shout and yell expletives such as “F off!” or “Hey B!” at each other. She stops walking and shakes her head, before hurrying off to class again. Lee, who went to private school for nine years, is shocked by these outbursts, even after four years at AHS. “I think the extremely small ration between teachers and students is what kept cursing so low at private school.

I was never in an area where teacher supervision wasn’t present,” said Lee. “Etiquette was also an extremely valued principle at our school and was practiced as much as every other academic class.”

To confirm Lee’s observations, The A-Blast placed four reporters around the school during the class exchange between R1 and R3 on Friday, Feb. 9, Placed in the upstairs language hall, downstairs science hall, jock lobby and cafeteria, they were instructed to mark down each time they heard any sort of obscenity. The reporters found 22 cases of cursing, with words ranging from “damn” to “f” within the eightminute period.

This wasn’t a one-time phenomenon and doesn’t only happen when the bell rings. Cursing is heard throughout the day at lunch, club meetings and even in class.

Teenagers are taking what was once deemed inappropriate even in

Students prepare to compete during the Black History Bowl asking the question and being a host.”

Harris is also the sponsor for the BCAA club.

During the Bowl, students compete in four teams, one from each grade with a teacher sponsor. Students answer questions about major African AmeriBY ASEAL SAED can figures who range from artists and Co-Editor in Chief musicians to activists. The trivia will fall under five categories: Scientists, Auto-Tech and Engineering teach- Famous-Firsts, Civil Rights and Music. er Phil Harris’ no-non“It is important that we sense tone is something of host the Black History Bowl a trademark. every year because we are able The Black History to inform students about the Bowl host has employed real efforts that black people it in more than 20 years of have made in American histhe event, doling out kind tory,” BCAA President Cecirebukes and affirmations lia Joseph said. “It is a time for to participants. students to use competition to “That is unfortunately become more informed.”

PHIL HARRIS incorrect!”

Students have already Auto-Tech and His signature style begun preparing for the event, Engineering continues with this year’s in hopes of winning the $100 Teacher Black History Bowl on prize.

Feb. 23 during an extendThe teams often meet ed W4 in the auditorium. together in sessions to study Hosted by the Black Cultural Aware- and practice before the actual event. ness Association (BCAA), the Back HisStudents are given information tory Bowl comes every year during packets to study off of. Each group uses Black History Month to celebrate the different techniques in preparation for impact of African Americans through- the event. out history.

Harris hopes that the event will “The bowl creates an awareness serve as a reminder to students of black of history and culture, and the impor- history and excites students. tance of the bowl is to deal with some of “I love hosting the Black History those stereotypes that say that African Bowl and seeing the excitement in kids’ Americans are just interested or able to faces when they get a question right,” do certain things and not others,” Har- Harris said. ris said. “The information is sometimes a refresher to me which is why I like

Teams practice for the annual bowl in hopes of winning $100 prize

are published as headlines across the world and forever preserved as part of his records while in office.

The A-Blast, along with professional media outlets, usually refrains from publishing profanity. However, due to the position of government officials and their role in society, it becomes proper and a duty for the press to report them to the public.

When authority figures such as the President and parents regularize swearing, they set an example for adolescents to follow. Words become corrosive and lose their original meaning.

This blurs the line between teenagers knowing when they are permitted to curse and when it is inappropriate to do so.

In some families, parents are more relaxed about swearing. Other families prohibit cursing completely.

“I never curse with my parents and only do it within my friend circle,” senior Ingrid Guardado said. “But I know that there are people who freely swear at home because their families simply don’t care anymore. It’s become really normal now for some.”

Not only is cursing normalized, but also the casual use of racial slurs.

“People who aren’t black should not use the n-word because it is a derogatory term,” senior Samuel Wondwossen said. “Using it is ignoring the country’s history of slavery.”

In today’s increasingly technologybased world, the young adults of the 21st century are also influenced by new

Has language devolved in the 21st century?

Are we getting more coarse in our speech? private settings and using it in every aspect of their lives. Swear words have taken up the role of fillers in students’ daily vocabulary, becoming more frequent in their everyday conversation.

“I think that when you are an adolescent, you’re very aware of the people around you,” School Physcologist Dr. Anne Brosnan said. “There’s a lot of pressure on kids to fit in and to be a part of the bigger group and they can behave and do things that they think is going to make them better liked or better accepted by other kids.”

Auto-Tech and Engineering teacher Phil Harris has been at AHS for 19 years and recognizes the shifted dynamic in teenage vocabulary.

“I try to do the same thing that I have always done and reprimand them for using that language,” Harris said. “But now it is more frequent in the classroom, hallways, practices and it bothers me because that language is not used to respect elders.”

Language itself evolves with the culture, values, beliefs and symbols of society. Teenagers of every generation have altered language to what they value or deem as in or out of style.

Knowing the latest slang or hip word

has always been an integral piece of the teenage experience.

Teenagers are not only exposed to profanity in popular culture, but also by news and adults.

“There are definitely times when I turn on the news and there are just swear words spread across the screen,” senior Betel Eyob said.

Even the President has been asked, on numerous occasions, to throw out profanity. In 2005, Donald Trump was recorded saying that because of his status, he can “grab them [women] by the pussy.”

More recently, President Trump allegedly referred to immigrants from African nations as “people from shithole countries” during a meeting. After his State of the Union speech, Trump claimed that the Democrats who did not stand for him committed acts of treason. The President did not provide the correct and legal standard for treason, giving this word, a new meaning.

“I feel like because how public it is, kids will look up to people of higher position and repeat after them,” Eyob said.

The words of the President cannot be censored and hidden away. They

CONT. Page 5

Mr. Annandale returns Rehearsals begin for the highly anticipated annual event

BY SHYEIM CAMPBELL Staff Writer Who has the most muscle? Who is the most talented? Who is the most intelligent at AHS? Mr. Annandale is a pageant where contestants compete against each other to become the final Mr. Annandale.

The annual Mr. Annandale contest will be held Feb. 23 at 7:00 p.m. in the auditorium, this will reveal who is the best all-around at AHS. Mr. Annandale will include 10 contestants and will cost $5. There is a promo video being shown every announcement showcasing the 10 contestants.

Students are probably wondering if this Mr. Annandale is different from the previous ones or how they prepared this event.

The difference between this Mr. Annandale and the previous ones is that there will be only 10 contestants instead of 12 due to the lack of participants.

“Organizing this event is hard because we depend on the guys to have their music, props, and performances ready,” senior and head of the committee McKenzie Yi. “I’m most excited to see all the Mr. Talent performances because there is always one funny one.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF MARIAM MOHAMED

Preparations for the Just World Festival are well underway as the Just World Interact Club prepares for this year’s theme: unity in diversity.

The annual festival is a cultural melting pot as the community enjoys and learns more about local food vendors, businesses and organizations.

“This is our annual big event that we have been planning for the past few months,” Just World President Steven Hy said. “We are using the theme ‘unity in diversity’ because we want to celebrate AHS’ diversity.”

Students are especially excited for School Board member Ryan McElveen, who will appear as the keynote speaker for the event on Feb. 23.

“We invited Ryan this year because he spoke at the festival just two years ago and I heard how popular he was,” Hy said. “We saw how popular he was and so we decided to invite him.”

Senior Lennon Wuhrer and alumni Liam Conroy compete during the Mr. Annandale competition last year.

According to senior and Leadership President Rebecca Kindling, there will five judges and the crowd is counted as a judge as well. There are five categories along with five crowns, one for each category and one for the Mr. Annandale.

Mr. Elegance will have contestants working their best-dressed look. Boys

would wear their suits and ties and their escorts a formal dress. To earn Mr. Muscle, contestants need to show their muscles to the audience and wow the judges.

Mr. Talent is the category where the boys will display a unique talent to the audience. Mr. Spirit has the requirement of wearing white and red to display AHS pride.

After making it to the top five, the finalist will then be able to compete in Mr. Intelligence where they will be asked simple questions about your life, your future, or the school.

Senior Jack McCrossin will compete in Mr. Annandale because it is his senior year. He has watched the event ever since his freshman year, and he always thought it looked fun.

“I’m most excited to see who will actually win the competition this year. I haven’t really planned out what I’ll be doing, but I am sure it will be worth the watch,” McCrossin said.

Senior Tyler Rush is another contestant that will be in the Mr. Annandale pageant.

“I am really excited to see what the rest of my friends will be doing for their performances,” Rush said.

Senior Leslie Moriba is another eager contestant.

“I am most excited for Mr. Elegance because I will get to show off my drip with my escort, but I am not really sure what I will be doing for the pageant,” Moriba said.

2 EDITORIALS

Wed. Feb. 14, 2018

How the Olympics affects international affairs

World History teacher Ashley Senior tries to implement bits and pieces of black history into the curriculum of her class. Senior is also coaching the freshman team for the Black History Bowl, an event where classes compete to answer questions on black history. The Bowl will be held on Feb. 23 during W4.

Teachers should include more lessons throughout the year

BY SUAD MOHAMED Editorials Editor February marks the one month where people are encouraged to educate themselves on black history and the impact that black people have had on American society.

Using Black History Month as a way to introduce the history of black Americans is a good idea.

But as teenagers, it’s time to realize that those little snippets are not enough. The lessons need to go more in depth.

Black history extends further than just slavery and the Civil Rights Movement.

Black people have contributed far too much for their history and background to be condensed into and represented only by the likes of Harriet Tubman and Martin Luther King Jr. Because of this, many teachers have tried different tactics at introducing black history in their classes.

“There are many black countries that speak Arabic, so I plan on playing some music from those countries and talking about that for a culture unit,” Arabic teacher Ola Layaly said. “I’m also sponsoring different types of cultures for Heritage Night this year.”

“I teach mostly ESOL students, so I try to include black history facts here and there,” World History teacher Ashley Senior said. “Especially since most of my students have never heard about it. I’ll try to give a worksheet about black history as a warm up.”

But forcing these lessons isn’t the right way to do it. An abrupt lesson is just awkward and leaves students confused.

“I always try to include black

13.3% of the U.S. population identifies as black

83.2% have a high school diploma

2.4 million of veterans are African American

18.7% have a bachelor’s degree

3.6% have an advanced degree SOURCE: US CENSUS BUREAU

Statistics to know about black Americans Although the percentage of Americans who are black doesn’t even reach 20%, it is the largest racial group after Caucasians, who make up 76.9% of the population. history into my class,” Technology and Engineering teacher Phil Harris said.

“But the introduction has to be natural.”

But not every teacher can implement the topic into their class and that’s why an event like the Black History Bowl is important.

Because participants have to study in preparation for the Bowl, it encourages all students to learn more about black history.

“I learned a lot of new information while I studied for my participation in the Bowl last year” sophomore Elizabeth Dula said.

Teachers’ efforts to include black history do not go unappreciated by students. It benefits all students in multiple ways.

There’s no arguing that the curriculum in history classes is geared towards Europe and the U.S. But adding even a small unit on black history would be more engaging to black students.

They would be able to connect better to important figures who share a similar background.

“I get why it’s important to learn about the World Wars and stuff. But it’d be more interesting to hear about things that happen in Africa. And not just stuff like colonialism,” sophomore Lamis Osman said.

Enlightening black students on the history of black people in America can also show them that the people before them were able to achieve so much, so they can, too.

Especially today, black people and other minorities are sometimes dehumanized and seen as ‘thugs.’

Teaching black history could reverse that negative outlook and remind students that black people are not inferior.

“Through media and other things, we are taught to think of people as color as criminals and threats to society. Our own president has said so,” sophomore Kadijah Janneh said.

“But educating students and reminding them that black people were more than just forced labor can fix that damaging misrepresentation.”

However, students don’t only want to hear about the historical impact of black people.

The effect that African Americans have had on culture is also a very crucial topic for students to know more about.

Black culture has been more appreciated lately, particularly with hip hop music becoming more popular.

But even though hip hop is fun and entertaining to listen to, it’s essential that students are able to see that black people have done more for music, film, and literature than rap songs.

Many impactful books and films were created by black people.

Most genres of music, such as jazz, blues, and rock, stem from the music made by slaves.

“Black people survived through times of being thought of as less than human. Through all that hardship, they were still able to develop their own culture,” Janneh said. “Since it’s becoming more mainstream lately, it would be beneficial to all people to learn about where it all started.”

It’s clear to see that students would benefit from and value more recognition of black history in classes.

Black history is an integral part of American history, and world history, and it’s time that teachers’ lesson plans reflect that a bit better.

MANAGING EDITOR Grace Hogye NEWS EDITOR Diego Feliciano EDITORIALS EDITORS Ruth Mekonnen Suad Mohamed COPY EDITOR Yvonne White IN-DEPTH EDITORS Casey Nguyen Kim Vaides SPORTS EDITORS Fares Ayoub Luke Elkins SPORTS XTRA EDITORS Jude Nanaw Ethan Zimmerman WEEKEND EDITORS Cameron Foti Halley Thadeus

ENTERTAINMENT EDITORS Lina Al Taii Nicolle Uria Christian Reyes LIFESTYLES EDITORS Yabi Bereket Ivanna Perez PEOPLE EDITOR Henry Hoang ARTS EDITORS Maryam Dereje Galilea Sejas HEALTH EDITORS Rachel Shogren PHOTOGRAPHY EDITORS Serene Ghul Katie Pope ACADEMICS EDITORS Jessica Salisbury Kavi Shamdin WEB EDITOR/MASTER Victor Nguyen AD MANAGER Yvonne White CIRCULATION MANAGER Yvonne White

SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER Lennon Wuhrer STAFF WRITERS Khadija Ahmed Jamie Baker Alexander Burita Shyeim Campbell Jacqueline Claros Lopez Mya Clyburn Brenda Gamez Pablo Gammara Noe Gonzalez Jamileh Hamadeh Abraham Kebrom Mahdi Larhmari Elias Moura Arzoo Marzi Tiana Reams Erik Rivas-Martinez Jason Reyes Hasan Royer Victor Torrico Calderon Adeljada Zequiri

Follow The A-Blast

Kim Yo Jong, Kim Jong Un’s younger sister, shakes hands and greets Moon Jae In, South Korean leader.

The games create a setting where nations that otherwise wouldn’t interact are forced to.

It’s likely that had it not been for the Games, Jong Un and Jae-In would have continued the silence between the two nations.

The host country can also use the Olympics as a type of soft power, meaning that they can spread their culture and values without force.

An example of this was seen in the 1936 Summer Olympics, which were held in Berlin, Germany.

The Nazi regime used the games that year to spread their beliefs like anti-semitism past their borders.

Although there’s been some protest and backlash, most people believe that only good can come from the creation of the joint team anf Yo Jong’s desire to visit.

If the two nations are able to overcome their differences and participate in sports competitions together, who’s to say that they can’t remove the rest of the tension?

Monthly Poll

THE A BLAST STAFF CO-EDITORS IN CHIEF Binqi Chen Aseal Saed

In his New Year’s Day speech, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un put forward the idea of talking to South Korean leader Moon Jae-In regarding North Korea’s participation in the Olympic Games.

By Jan. 17, Jong Un’s sister, Kim Yo Jong, announced that she would be attending the games.

It was also announced that North Korea would be sending athletes to form a unified women’s hockey team, and that they would enter with the Korean Unification Flag for the opening ceremony.

Many were surprised, as the two leaders hadn’t talked in over two years.

In fact, many countries planning on participating in the games raised concerns last year regarding safety.

Many were worried that conflicts between the two nations and North Korea’s missile testing could compromise the safety of athletes.

The French Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports even threatened that France would pull out of the games.

Other nations, like Austria and Germany soon followed suit.

Although it has been reported that the athletes are staying in separate buildings, the union along with Yo Jong’s presence is proof of how the games, and other forms globalization can alter the relationships between nations.

US EMBASSY IN SOUTH KOREA

More black history is needed in the classroom

SUAD MOHAMED

BY SUAD MOHAMED Editorials Editor

Look out for the next poll @theablast on Twitter to vote for the next issue!

Annandale High School Vol 63. Issue No. 7 4700 Medford Dr. Annandale, VA 22003 The A-Blast is an awardwinning newspaper that strives to inform, educate and entertain the student body and community.

Published monthly, 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 emailed to theablast2017@gmail.com or submitted to room 262 or mailed to the school. The A-Blast reserves the right to refuse advertisements.

All submissoins become property of The A-Blast, Copyright, 2018.

74

people voted

11% said that they agree with Trump’s proposal of a military parade 69% said that

they don’t agree with Trump’s proposal of a military parade

20% said that they don’t care

MELAT HAIMANOT sophomore “I think that the idea of a military parade is a good one. It would be a good way to honor our troops, who deserve a lot of appreciation. I don’t understand why people have an issue with it.”

ABAG ADAWI junior “To me, the idea of military parade is terrible.

There’s no real benefit, and the cons outweigh the pros, just like the rest of Trump’s ideas. I don’t see a point to having the parade.”

EDITORIALS 3

Wed. Feb. 14, 2018

Finding the cure to ‘senioritis’

BY RUTH MEKONNEN Editorials Editor As we dive into the winter season, you may find yourself feeling a little off. Your inability to get up from your bed in time to get to school may have increased, while your memory when it comes to project and test deadlines is deteriorating.

Your motivation for anything other than graduation has plummeted and you probably can’t even remember the last time that you put effort into your outfits.

If you feel yourself nodding in unison to any of these symptoms, you may need to get checked because you have come down with senioritis.

This, often ignored, disease is something that is sweeping the hallways.

Not only is it highly contagious, but it remains very difficult to combat.

Senioritis is defined by Oxford dictionary as “a supposed affliction of students in their final year of high school or college, characterized by a decline in motivation or performance.”

This illness is something that has the ability to affect anyone and is heightened around the second semester.

“I find myself worrying and thinking about life after high school, rather than stressing about my grades,”

senior Alichia House said. “The closer we get to graduation, the harder it becomes for me to stay motivated because graduating feels like that is the only thing that is left to do.”

Some students feel the need to give into senioritis because they feel like they put in 11 years of hard work.

“Senioritis is something that I am struggling with so by balancing my time well and forcing myself to wake up on time I am able to control it better.”

--MANOA RAHARINAIVO

senior For those of you going to college, it is important to note that colleges will look at your final year grades.

Getting into your top choice school does not mean that you’re completely accepted. Colleges have the ability to rescind their offers of admission if they

see a big dip in your second semester grades.

Not only that, but colleges also might put you into academic probation because poor grades show them a lack of comprehension, which wastes your time and money.

Even merit-based financial aid can be affected if you don’t end the year right.

Although House has a less severe case of senioritis since she is an IB diploma candidate, she can’t help but stress that students need to find something that motivates them to get past senioritis.

“Remember that you only have a short way to go. You have finished the hard part so don’t give up now,” House said.

Another way to combat senioritis is by creating small goals to accomplish every week.

This could be anything from showing up to all of your classes on time, finishing your homework on time, studying for your test, to dedicating a day every week that you will dress up.

The one true cure to senioritis is graduation but the only person that can lessen the symptoms is you.

Let’s be an example for the underclassmen and finish the year even better than we started.

Protesting double standards

BY RUTH MEKONNEN Editorials Editor Protests are what makes America so great. Not only are people able to voice their opinions, but they are also able to express their disagreements freely.

But, where do we draw the line and when does a protest become too much?

After the victory of the Eagles in the Superbowl Feb. 4, many rioters took to the streets of Philadelphia and chaos ensued.

Rioters turned over vehicles, burned buildings, climbed lamp posts and did just about anything to cause destruction.

But what was more surprising than the way these fans acted was the way that officers and the public responded to them.

Many of the out of control fans were laughed at and taken as jokes.

People found the fact that they caused so much destruction over a celebration as a source of entertainment.

Not taking into consideration that they were destroying so much property, people were cheering the passionate fans.

Why is it more acceptable to cause so much chaos over a celebration than over an actual issue?

When Black Lives Matter began gaining momentum in the past years over the deaths of many black men it was met with harsh criticism.

This anger and frustration voiced, especially during the 2015 Baltimore protests, was met with such opposition

Senior Alichia House is one of the many students who have felt the effects of ‘senioritis’: an epidemic that has left seniors feeling lazy during the second

Is vaping the new alternative to cigarette smoking? considering that e-cigarettes have different flavors, it doesn’t feel like it is doing much harm.

But it is important to consider that Millennials seem to never be able to even if cigarette smoking is worse, you catch a break these days. are still consuming chemicals.

In a recent survey conducted by Not only that, but this dependabiliMonitoring the Future, millenials are ty is something that, like cigarettes, has vaping now more than ever. the ability to control you.

In fact, the survey shows that 35.8 It might not be harmful, but it is not percent of high school students are try- all that completely harmless considering vape as opposed to the 26.6 percent, ing that there is still much research to who are smoking cigabe done. rettes.

With anyAlthough e-ciga- “I don’t thing, it is rettes, such as vaping important to are meant to limit cig- think remain cautious arette smoking, it is and safe. people not a safe alternative.

In addition, This is why it is so should if you feel as alarming that teens though you are vape are smoking it. becoming too WRAL, a news because accustomed to channel in North Carvaping, speak to olina, reports that this they’re a counselor or a new trend is harming still putting toxins into parent and seek teens specifically makhelp. ing them eight times their body.”

If you are as likely to switch to planning on --BETEL EYOB smoking actual cigattempting to arettes as opposed vape, consider to other teens who greatly what you haven’t used e-cigarettes. are getting yourself into and think about The fact that the very thing that is why you’re doing it. made as an alternative might lead to Every problem has a solution and smoking is startling considering that substances will never be the answer. a 2017 study by the National Institute We are almost completely rid of cigaof Drug Abuse reports that one in three rette smoking, let’s not let vaping be the high schoolers vapes. thing that holds us back.

Similar to cigarette smoking, vaping is a source of relief.

It is a way to rid of stress, and

BY RUTH MEKONNEN Editorials Editor

After a riot broke out in Philadelphia, many people took to social media to show the hypocrisy of the situation by comparing it to the Black Lives Matter movement. This uproar began as a celebration of the Eagles winning the Superbowl. that there was a lot of destruction.

Everyone was just so angry, and rightfully so.

Even staying within the realm of football, many players were met with criticism over peacefully protesting by refusing to stand during the National Anthem.

Colin Kaepernick, who began the ‘taking the knee’ movement, was met with such criticism that he became the head of public debate.

Clearly there seems to be some form of a double standard as people are more focused on the entertainment factor instead of the actual cause.

These two movements, which have meanings behind them were

disregarded as barbaric when a riot over a winning a football game was seen as entertainment.

Problems that were rooted within society are finally gaining attention, and we are closer, now more than ever, to change.

But if we continue to focus on what is deemed more entertaining rather than what is important there is no way that we will gain momentum for that change.

Our mentalities need to evolve and we continue to encourage the people who want to be at the foot of this change instead of giving attention to those who simply just want to cause havoc.

MAKIN’ THE GRADE Timeless celebration

A B C F

RUTH MEKONNEN

Seniors are combatting their daily urge to just give up on their school work while awaiting graduation.

Time’s latest cover story is about the Marvel film Black Panther to celebrate the milestone of this movie. This movie is not another superhero movie, since it is filled with a predominately black cast including a black superhero. This is the perfect movie and an even better magazine cover to start off Black History Month.

Feminist mutant crayfish As taught in biology classes, a single mutation has the ability to have a rippling effect on the environment. This is the case for crayfish in which a single mutation 25 years ago created an all female species that has the ability to asexually reproduce in an instant. The cray fish is cloning itself in numbers and is taking over Europe.

Call me beep me The Disney Channel is going to bring back the 2002 classic TV animated series Kim Possible by developing a live-action movie. They are beginning their casting of this movie and fans have taken to Twitter to post which celebrity they would like to play each part. Although it seems like great news, we need to remain wary in case this new action doesn’t live up to the shows reputation.

Misplaced home A couple in Texas was confused when they discovered that their cabin’s structure was completely gone. Only pipes and blocks remained. When contacting police it was found that their home was simply repossessed because of their financial problems.

Cartoonist Corner

4 NOTICIAS DESTACADAS

Miercoles. Febrero 14, 2018

Nicolle Uria tuvo la experiencia de estar en television (Izq) y de poder ir al capitolio para representar a los hispanos y a los dreamers de Virginia

Experiencia ύnica de nuestra estudiante Nicolle nos relato su experiencia en el congreso y lo que ella sintio al representar toda una comunidad POR NICOLLE URIA Editor de entretenimiento Averiguar sobre mi estado migratorio fue lo más difícil que viví en mi vida, incluyendo la realización de todas las cosas que estaban sucediendo debido al estado de inmigración de mi familia, como problemas financieros y emocionales.

Entrar en las cámaras del senado fue como un sueño hecho realidad porque nunca me habría imaginado estar ahí con el estatus que tengo.

Mi experiencia fue única, en mi camino a la cafetería fui llamada por uno de las secretarias del Congresista Connolly del condado 11.

“Senorita. Uria nos gustaría invitarla a ser la invitada del Congresista Connolly para ir al estado de la Unión el próximo martes.31 de enero” me dijo la secretaria. Por un momento tuve que pensar y asegurarme de que lo que escuché era real. Me senté en la esquina del pasillo para responder preguntas sobre mí y la escuela. Me dijeron que habían visto el artículo del Washington Post que salió unos meses antes en octubre.

Toda esa semana tuve un montón de entrevistas en el canal 7, “Buenos días, washington”, el canal Fox 5, Telemundo, Univision y muchas noticias locales, previas al día del evento.

En el gran día, comencé reuniéndome con los distintas personas para hablar sobre mi discurso que iba a dar delante de un montón de gente de prensa y del Congreso.

Cuando llegamos al Capitolio, mi estómago estaba lleno de mariposas porque nunca antes hablé delante de un grupo de personas, estaba súper nerviosa de la experiencia que estaba viviendo, especialmente porque Nancy Pelosi, la líder demócrata mayoritaria, estaba a mi lado.

Detrás del escenario conocí al Senador Cory Booker y algunos otros políticos que fueron al evento. Además de conocer a distintos políticos, yo conocí a “soñadores” increíbles que eran mucho más viejos que yo y me inspiraron a luchar aún más.

Después del discurso, tuve tan poco tiempo para comer y prepararse debido a que había más gente que intentaba entrevistarme, yo iba sin parar y otro medio como ESPN me seguía todo el

día porque yo juego voleibol.

Alrededor de las 5 pm ya estaba lista y vestida para reunirme con el congresista Connolly para caminar hasta el Capitolio en el tren subterráneo que tenían en su propio edificio (el edificio Rayburn).

Con el congresista Connolly hablamos acerca de lo que sentí en ese momento, la emoción que tenia y me senté en su oficina viendo videos de mí siendo entrevistada y todavía,para mi, esto era un sueño hecho realidad.

Alrededor de las 7 pm, nos subimos al tren subterráneo y fuimos a cenar con otro congresista y sus invitados que también eran “soñadores”.

No podía creer que estuviera en una habitación con las muchas personas que hacen un cambio cada dia.

Fue una locura lo que vivi. Después de conocer a todos y tratar de contar mi historia, nos dividimos para poder sentarme arriba en la galería, y él podía sentarse en el piso de abajo.

Personalmente, el discurso no fue el resultado esperado, pero estaba feliz que yo tuve la oportunidad de representar a los 800,000 y muchos soñadores que viven en esta nación y estoy muy feliz de poder hacerlo porque desde ese momento, esto me ha abierto muchas puertas y me ha influenciado aún más para seguir adelante y alcanzar

mis objetivos.

Los estudiantes que están en mi situación merecen tener una voz y no muchos son abiertos acerca de su situación, pero esta es la razón por la que que fui al senado, para que todos puedan relacionarse y saber que no están solos. Fue un honor y un recuerdo increíble que nunca olvidare.

Se le agradece a Nicole por su relato y por el ejemplo que da a la escuela de seguir adelante y mas que todo de representar a nuestra comunidad al ir al congreso y hablar de su experiencia.

Cabe destacar que Nicole tambien creo su club en la escuela, ella empezo el “Club para lideres Hispanos”, en este club ellos hablan de distintos temas como inmigración, la comunidad y mas que todos, Nicole les inspira para ir a la universidad y seguir adelante en la escuela.

La siguiente reunión del club será en Febrero 20 y tendrán un workshop donde les darán bastante información acerca de universidades y se enfocara en el tema migratorio para estudiantes que no saben que hacer o como protegerse de cualquier problema migratorio Se felicita a Nicole por lo que representó a la comunidad hispana y por el apoyo que les dio al ir al estado de la unión y representar a los 800,000 indocumentados.

Los casilleros son muy utiles pero todabia se usan regularmente?

POR DIEGO FELICIANO Editor de noticias Con esta nueva generación, muchas de las actividades han cambiaron en la escuela, ahora puedes ver a estudiantes con sus teléfonos en cada pasillo, estudiantes tomándose las famosas “selfies” y publicandolas a las redes sociales, cosa que no se veía hace 15 años y no era típico para los estudiantes de los 2000 Ahora, con la nueva tecnologia, la mayoria de las actividades en la escuela han cambiaron, muchas de las tareas están disponibles online en Google Classroom o Blackboard , los estudiantes usan mas la computadora en vez de leer un libro en formato físico, y como consecuencia el uso de los casilleros llegó a ser innecesario para todos los estudiantes.

En estos años, la mayoría de los estudiantes han decidido dejar de usar los casilleros, algunos solo lo usan para guardar su ropa de deporte, otros todavía lo usan para sus libros pero en general los estudiantes ya no usan como antes.

Esto no solo pasa en nuestra escuela pero lo usan alrededor de la nación, estudiante Isabel Echeverria de Maryland comento al Washington Post que ella no usó su casillero ni una sola vez. Otro estudiante como Sean Radley del sur de California comentó que tal

casillero, algunos pueden tener la suerte de tener su casillero en un lugar céntrico pero otros tienen la mala suerte de que este en un rincón de la escuela y no puedan ir cada vez.

Otro gran factor es la pérdida de interés por el casillero por parte de los estudiantes.

Hace veinte anos atras, los estudiantes tenían un afecto a sus casilleros al punto que lo decoraban cada vez o tambien estudiantes preguntaban a las chicas o amigos si querían salir de paseo , cosa que cambio completamente ahora debido a los teléfonos y la comunicación más fácil que ellos tienen.

A pesar de este cambio de moda, las compañías que crean los casilleros están viendo una manera de modernizarse y poder ofrecer un producto que pueda satisfacer las necesiUna pregunta importante a hacer es si los casil- dades de los estudiantes. leros todavía se necesitan o no en el siglo XXI Ahora se considera la opción de poner puertos USB en cada casillero o también vez haya un libro o dos pero él rara vez visi- poder desbloquear los casilleros con el teléfono o digitalmente. ta su casillero.

Esta opción también promoverá la idea Este cambio total de moda ya empezó a hacer efecto con los mismos arquitec- de que los estudiantes guarden sus teléfonos tos, anteriormente cada arquitecto tenía que durante clase mientras este está cargando Con estas nuevas propuestas, se espeplanear un espacio para los casilleros pero ahora la mayoría de las nuevas escuelas ya ra que los estudiantes puedan volver a tener no los piden debido a que es un gasto de dine- interés en los casillero y se pueda recuperar ese gusto e interés que se tenía anteriorro y los estudiantes no lo usan cada vez.

La pregunta para todos es ¿por que no mente pero esto costará más a las escuelas si quieren los estudiantes usar su casillero? es que realmente quieren seguir con los casilPara muchos es debido al tiempo que tienen leros Se espera que en diez años, las escuelas para ir, aqui en la escuela es cinco minutos de clase en clase, pero en otras escuelas es secundarias ya no tengan mas casilleros pero si se decide establecer un cambio al diseño mas o menos el mismo tiempo.

Otra razón puede que sea debido a que los y modernizarlos para todos los estudiantes, profesores no dan tantos libros a los estudi- habrá una oportunidad de que se pueda antes como antes o están disponibles online, recuperar el gusto de los estudiantes. facilitando a los estudiantes el acceso a este.

Otras razones es debido a la distancia del

El estado de la uniόn sorprendiό a la gente El presidente hablo a la nacion pero cual fue su mensaje en esta ocacion POR DIEGO FELICIANO Editor de Noticias Cada año el Presidente tiene la opción de hablar a la nación y al Congreso de sus planes futuros y siguiendo la tradición que se estableció años atrás, el Presidente Trump dio su discurso al Congreso.

Hubo algunas polémicas al inicio debido a que el Presidente y la primera dama fueron en distintos autos y otras acerca de DACA, pero el Presidente decidió estar presente en esa ocacion y hablar al pueblo estadounidense de sus planes para el futuro y de lo que logró cumplir en un ano en el poder El discurso del Presidente fue el mas recalcado en los medios debido a los distintos temas que hablo y a la vez a la ineficazia debido a que no hablo acerca de los temas que la gente y los congresistas esperaban.

Mas que todo la gente espero ver que el Presidente iba a decir después del famoso cierre del gobierno debido a que no se logró un acuerdo con DACA ni con el muro y con los actuales problemas de Rusia, Corea del Norte e ISIS. Pero lo que el Presidente recalcó en una hora y media no fue del todo aclaratorio En general, el Presidente dio su punto de vista de la nación, el comento que el esta haciendo un buen trabajo debido a que los

de DACA al contrario el dijo un comentario que causó polémica, el dijo que “todos los estadounidenses son soñadores”. A pesar de esas polémicas, el Presidente dio un poco de fe porque días antes de su discurso el acepto la idea de ofrecerles un camino a la ciudadanía americana para todos los indocumentados pero a la vez el continuara con la creación del muro fronterizo entre Estados Unidos y México.

El también nos dio a entender que seguirá siendo estricto con sus planes de inmigración, el cancelara el servicio de loterias de visa y tambien el no va a permitir que residentes puedan traer a su familia debido a que tienen papeles.

El otro punto malo de su discurso fue que el Presidente no habló nada acerca El presidente Trump dio su discurso dirigido al de la guerra de afganistán o cual serán los pueblo americano (Credito siguientes planes para derrotar a ISIS, algo trabajos aumentaron y el desempleo también que mucha gente espero que mencione o que está bajando para los latinos y los afroamer- de alguna idea de como el Congreso actuicanos. El tambien decidio hablar de su logro ara debido a que previamente el menciono al pasar su reforma de impuestos, una de que quiere dar más dinero para poder mejolas primeras propuestas grandes que logro rar nuestro armamento y dar más ayuda a pasar. Esta nueva reforma ayudará hasta los soldados pero no se mencionó nada en su cierto punto a la gente pero esta dirigido discurso. mas que todo para las compañías EstadounEn general, el Presidente recalcó lo que idenses e industrias grandes. Otro punto que logró en su primer año en el poder, a pesar de el Presidente destacó es que el mercado de pasar solamente una de sus grandes propufinanzas está al tope y desde que fue elegi- estas, el Presidente trump tiene fe de trabado Presidente este llego a subir mas y mas. jar en equipo con los demócratas para unir a No todo fue bueno del discurso del Presi- la nación pero el tiene que parar de atacar al dente, el fallo a hablar de temas primordia- otro partido o ser más respetuoso con lo que les como DACA, a pesar de que los demócra- dice debido a que el es el líder de esta nación tas llevaron a algunos recipientes de DACA y el nos representa ante todo el mundo.

(Ver primer articulo) el Presidente no habló acerca de lo que pasara con los recipientes

CREDITO: SANDIA.GOV

Que tan necesario es el uso de los casilleros?

Andrew Cox es un experto acerca del bitcoin y los riesgos que inplica este.

Que es Bitcoin y porque se volviό tan popular ahora?

POR DIEGO FELICIANO Editor de Noticias Ultimamente la gente ha empezado a oir de una nueva moneda digital llamada Bitcoin.

Esta es única debido a los límites que esta implica y mas que todo que solo es digital.Pero la pregunta es ¿como se origino esta moneda y realmente vale la pena invertir en el futuro en esta?

Bitcoin se creó en 20082009 gracias a Satoshi Nakamoto. Su idea principal era en crear un sistema electrónico de pago que sea seguro y eficaz.

Al inicio el precio de este era de $0.008 dolares y no se tenía idea de que tan grande llegaría a ser esta moneda pero fue hasta ocho años después que la gente empezó a prestarle importancia a este nuevo mercado de valores.

Cabe destacar que al inicio Bitcoin no se consideraba como una moneda o valor alguno debido a que la gente no conocía de este y la mayoría de las tiendas no aceptaban esta moneda Pero con el paso del

tiempo,esta moneda llegó a ser tan popular que su precio aumentó a niveles drásticos al punto que llegó a valer mas de $8420 por un bitcoin y está aumentando con el tiempo.

La gran pregunta es, una vez que uno tenga las monedas bitcoin, ¿en qué tiendas se puede usar?, la verdad es que la lista es limitada a tiendas como Dish, Expedia, Microsoft y otros pero hay compañías pequeñas que pagan tu orden a cambio del bitcoin, por ejemplo “Pizza For Coins” pagan tu orden debido a que compañías como Pizza Hut o Dominos no aceptan esta moneda todavía.

Con todos esos datos, bitcoin todavía no está al nivel para poder usarse en tiendas regulares y también internacionalmente no es tratado como dinero.

Al contrario, en países como Ecuador, China y Bolivia es ilegal el uso de estos.

Pasará un largo tiempo hasta que el mundo pueda aceptar Bitcoin como una moneda mundial pero hay un gran riesgo debido a que este sistema es electrónico y fácilmente se puede borrar la información de uno.

Why is this page translated to Spanish?

This section was created with the aim of broadening our reach as a publication towards the large population of Spanish-speaking students.

AHS is the most diverse school in Virginia, with an extensive ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) program, and Spanish is the second most spoken language at our school.

As a newspaper, our goal is to inform and entertain the largest possible group of viewers. Las Noticias Destacadas is a selected translation of a variety of the most pertinent articles in The A-Blast. We hope that through this new section, we can be a more inclusive and diverse publication.

NEWS 5

Wed. Feb. 14, 2018

CONT. FROM PAGE 1 types of unregulated media sources that are scattered with curse words.

Although the internet has broadened the accessibility of information, the web is also a place for uncensored and obscene content.

Through social media platforms and video sites, kids have entry to a world of expletives. The modern move away from television and radio means that they can watch and read thousands of videos and messages whose language is regulated by the media companies themselves and not by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

Since obscenity and indecency are not protected under the freedom of speech listed in the First Amendment, the FCC decides and filters out the profanity on television and radio.

Today, enforcement from the federal government has lost its previous value as current generations increase its dependence on finding entertainment on the Internet.

“YouTubers do and say crazy things for attention and views now, there is practically a curse word in every video,” Guardado said. “I think that we are also influenced by the music that we are listening to, which is definitely different from the sounds of previous generations.”

After repetitive use, profanity, as with any other type of word, gains a different level of power.

“We as a society decides what is appropriate,” Brosnan said. “The words that we consider curse words are words that we as a society have decided are bad words. Really, words are just words.”

Even though language is fluid and cursing may be just another generational hype, it is worth recognizing the influences that have contributed to this shift.

“I wasn’t taught to use cursing as an outlet and it never really occurred to me or my peers to ever use profanity at school, let alone in our daily lives,” Lee said.

For people like Lee, even though it is difficult for them to understand the purpose of casual cursing, have learned to ignore it and not allow themselves to become offended by it.

News briefs

Students practice for Heritage Night

President’s Day There will be no school for students on Monday, Feb. 19 to observe George Washington’s birthday/President’s Day.

Band Pyramid Concert

PHOTO COURTESY OF MARIAM MOHAMED

Language Evolution

Alumni Fatima Kamara and senior Cecilia Joseph practice their West African dance during last year’s Heritage Night rehearsals. Their group, The Royal Bloods of Africa, have performed every year for the past four years of the event.

Seniors prepare for their final show

BY ASEAL SAED Co-Editor in Chief Heritage night, AHS’s largest cultural showcase, will return this year to display the multicultural, and the school’s diverse student body on Mar. 16.

The annual event has been a staple for AHS community as it is chance for students to display their unique cultures and ethnicities through dance, song and other performances.

“Heritage Night is my favorite night of the year because it is able to bring so many cultures together which is what Annandale is all about,” senior Jemela Kanu said. “I have been participating in the event since last year and it makes me so proud of my culture.”

Official Heritage Night auditions will be on Wed. Feb. 14. By setting up auditions early, Leadership hopes to have the event run as it is their first year organizing the event. In years past, psychology teacher, Whitney Hardy. This is one of the major changes to the program this year.

“We are seprating the rehearsals by ethnicity until the final dress rehearsal with everyone the night before the show,” Leadership Leadership student Rebecca Tecle said. “The rehearsals allow us to get any supplies for the performers, but mainly

make sure they are all prepared.”

Students who want to participate in the event organize themselves in groups based on their country or culture they plan to represent.

Students are then required to audition in hopes of participating in the event.

To prepare, students have to have

“Last year I was disappointed that there was not Ethiopian group, so I worked with other students to make sure that it wouldn’t happen again.”

--MERON SAMUEL

senior

a teacher sponsor and set up their own practices in preparation for the event.

Some students have been preparing for months, while other have just started.

“I have been thinking about Heritage Night for a few months now, and planning choreography,” senior Cecelia Joseph said. “The practices require a lot of work and sometimes we can clash over choreography which is why we need the extra time.”

Joseph and Kanu plans to perform with her group “The Royal Bloods of Africa” to dance traditional and modern Ghanain, Kenyan, and Sierra Leonean

dances.

She has performed with the group since her freshman year, but other groups are not as experienced.

“Last year I was disappointed that there was not Ethiopian group, so I worked with other students to make sure that it wouldn’t happen again, “ senior Meron Samuel said. “Now our group is really big, but we have to work on new choreography.”

Afterwards, the groups are required to attend three rehearsals prior to the event to make sure that each of the performances run smoothly.

Heritage Night is one of the most popular events of the year because of its ability to bring so many students together through their cultures.

Because of AHS’s widely diverse population, the event garners a lot of attention not just from students, but their families as well.

“I decided to do Heritage Night this year because I saw that there were no Ethiopian groups last year, so I felt that I had to represent,” senior Afomia Assefa said. “We have such a big Ethiopian population it is only right that we represent them.”

The night will definitely be very exciting. We have not seen the auditions yet, but just based on the numbers alone I know the night will be successful Students are also attracted to the event for its ability to unite AHS through the significance of culture in the community.

“I am especially excited for the event because I will get to see my own culture on stage,” senior Lydia Adissu said.

There will be a pre-assessment concert in the auditorium with middle schools on Wednesday, Feb. 21. The concert will begin at 7 p.m. and admissions is free.

Battle of the Bands

The annual Battle of the Bands concert will be held in the auditorium on Friday, Mar. 8 at 7 p.m. Contact Joseph Witokowski for more details.

Mr. Annandale

Leadership will host its annual Mr. Annandale pageant starring junior and senior boys in the auditorium at 7 p.m on Feb. 23. Tickets can be purchased at lunch and are $10 each.

Just World Festival The annual Just World Festival will be on Feb. 23. The event will allow for students to learn more about global and local issues in yhe community.

Pre-Assessment Concert The chorus department will be holding a pre-assessment concert in the Watson auditorium on Thursday, Feb. 15. The concert will begin at 7 p.m. and admissions is free.

Heritage Night Leadership will me hosting the annual cultural showcase on Mar. 16 at 7 p.m. in the auditorium.

Rehearsals begin March 16 for students to practice.

Singing Valentines The chorus department will be selling singing valentines until Feb. 14, ad will be singing throughout classes on Feb. 15 during classes.

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6 ACADEMICS

Wed. Feb. 14, 2018

Math teacher Victoria Douglas

Special Education teacher Ellrowlyn Brown

Science teacher Angel Fitzgerald

English teacher Jeffrey Smith

“When I was younger I used to play ‘school’ with my brother, so I have pretty much always known that I wanted to be a teacher. I just love being able to work with kids in this type of an environment. My favorite part about my job is when students from previous years come back and visit and tell me how much they miss being in my class or how the material they are learning all makes sense.”

“I spent 5 years working as a Youth Court Coordinator and a Juvenile Residential Counselor. Those experiences helped me refocus my desires to help prevent youth from entering the juvenile justice system. Therefore, I thought being a teacher would be a great way to do just that.”

“I have experience doing engineering work and I was able to take a break from that when I was raising my kids, which ultimately gave me the ability to decide what I wanted to do as a long lasting career, teaching. My favorite part is being able to teach students that science is all around us.”

“Outside of my family, teaching has always been my one true love. I’ve always taught in one form or another. I was a coach before I was a teacher, and I think coaching youth lacrosse is what made me realize that I really enjoy teaching. I’ve always had a fondness for literature and that’s what made me realize teaching is for me.”

Why we teach...

Teachers discuss why they share a passion for educating

BY JESSICA SALISBURY Academics Editor

Math teacher Michael Mazzarella “I teach because I like to make a difference and I like to help people. I also enjoy making math fun for students and being there to help them if they don’t understand it, especially if they have struggled with it in the past. Interacting with students and accomplishing different challenges is what I enjoy doing everyday.”

Teachers don’t get a very high paying salary, are often seen working past the clock, and many times have to bring school home with them in order to grade papers or plan class activities for the next day. This causes many people to find themselves asking the same question; why do they do it?

The selfless job is a passion for many. Some teachers even go the extra mile and help students after school to coach sports teams or even sponsor clubs.

“I think most teachers teach because they love working with kids and it is something that they find enjoyable,” sophomore Ryan Fowler said.

When you hear the word

“job” one of the firsts things that probably come to mind is money.

Although teachers are a necessity for a bright future in America, they do not get paid nearly as much as other important careers do such as lawyers, doctors, or Politicians.

It is listed on the Fairfax County website that the average salary for first year high school teachers is about $55,325, and a teacher with a PhD and over 20 years of experience can hypothetically end up earning around $114,000 or more.

Some schools and counties in other locations can also be seen to have higher pay rolls for teachers compared to Fairfax County.

When the clock strikes 3:30 teachers are allowed to leave, still everyday after school you can see teachers taking time out of their personal day to stay even later to

help students become even more successful. Some also can be seen holding meetings for clubs, staying after to coach a game or practice for a sports team, or creating lesson plans for future class periods.

Annandale has a population of 2,219 students, along with 166 teachers and administrators who make a difference in their lives everyday.

Overall I think that it is pretty safe to say that most teachers don’t do it for the money, instead they hope to better the upcoming generation and make an impact of the future of America. The extra work and commitment they put into not on during school, but in their personal time, can go to show just how much they care about their job, students, and staff.

History teacher, Ashley Senior

Business teacher Howard Dwyer

History/Psychology teacher Kathryn Hallett

“I really love history, and I enjoy being able to share my love for the subject with my students. I actually wanted to become a history teacher thanks to my high school teacher. It makes me really happy to see how confident my students are by the end of the year.”

“Teaching is the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I love my students and I love what I’m doing because the kids keep me young. My days go by so fast ever since I started teaching and I hope that I’m making a difference in my students lives.”

“I love sharing my passion for history with others. I also love teaching psychology because it’s an elective course. There’s no strict schedule because of an SOL, which allows me to explore the student’s interests more in-depth.”

Math teacher Kathy Nice “Teaching is a second career for me and I feel really strongly that the key to our future is educating the poor and the ignorant. I just love seeing students succeed and the ‘aha’ moments they have when they finally understand something.”

Special Education teacher Christopher Bagot “Teaching is a rewarding profession. While working with students I think I can make a difference in their lives, or at least I hope I do, which is something I really enjoy. I love seeing my students use the things I have taught them.”

Sudoku

Mikalah Parsons tumbles out of IB

BY JESSICA SALISBURY Academics Editor

How do you keep up with your academics and social life?

Well, the majority of my time is spent on academics, but when the week finished, my friends and I go to The Block to catch up. Also, outside of school, I like to try to catch a movie with friends, or just get some dinner.

IB Spotlight: Profiles of Diploma Candidates

What are your studying habits?

My studying habits have changed over the years. I used to wait until the last day to study for a test or quiz, but now I try to spend a couple of hours a day reviewing. I review material that I have learned in class the day of, so that it’s less stressful when a test comes around.

What are your plans after high school?

After high school, I plan on attending an in-state university to study either science or engineering.

How do you prepare for IB exams?

To prepare for IB exams, my teachers hand out practice materials which I find very helpful to study. I often do independent studying as well to help me with areas I find challenging.

ATOMS ATHLETICS

What is your favorite IB subject?

My favorite IB subject is Anthropology because the teacher, Mrs. Miller, emanates so much enthusiasm for the topics we are learning. Even though it’s early in the morning, we do interesting and engaging activities that make the subject matter come to life.

Senior IB candidate Mikalah Parsons performs at her cheer competition held at Lake Braddock fall of 2017. my teachers have helped me because they understand that I have a plethora of work to finish, and need more time to complete it.

What skills do you think the IB program has taught you that can help you later in life?

Is your only focus academics?

The IB program has taught me how to write insightful I do not solely focus on academics, I am involved and well organized essays. Additionally, this program has not only taught us how to survive in college, but to in a lot of other extracurricular activities. I participate in cheer, track and field, chorus, the Jap- thrive, which I think is really important and will help me be successful in the future. anese Culture Club, early identification program, National Honor Society, and TriM. What advice do you give to future IB candidates?

My advice is to focus on your time management. In order Who has helped you on your IB journey to get the most out of the program, being able to manand how or why? age your time as well as your work is key. Don’t leave My mother has definitely helped me along this things until the last minute and keep a healthy balance IB journey because she, too, recognizes how hard, but valuable, this program is. Additionally, between your social and academic life.

Check your sudoku answers for this issue!

HEALTH 7

Wed. Feb. 14, 2018

Is your cellphone unhealthy?

Studies claim phones cause cancer and insomnia

BY RACHEL SHOGREN Health Editor

1

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION OF IDRIS DAHIR BY YVONNE WHITE

CELL PHONES CAN CAUSE CANCER This rumor has been around for ages. Many believe the radiation from cell phones can cause a growth in tumors.

A recent study from the US Department of Health involved exposing rats to cell phones for nine hours a day for two years.

Researches found a strong link between the cell phone radiation and the growth of tumors surrounding nerves in the hearts of males. Those tumors were not found in the female rats.

The researchers made a link to Snapchat addicted humans in their study. People who are staring at their phone for hours a day using social media may be at risk for certain types of cancer.

Researchers have acknowledged that more studies need to be done before phone users make serious changes. As of now, it is a good idea to limit your phone use.

2

SMART PHONES CAUSE INSOMNIA Smart phones keep people up late at night for more reasons than just social media. Smart phones emit a blue light that can suppress melatonin, the sleep regulation hormone. This leads to insomnia.

Smart phones are held close to the face, intensifying the absorption of blue light from the phone. This can cause severe insomnia, keeping avid phone users from getting enough sleep.

Keeping smart phones on at night only adds to the problem.

Charging your phone in a different room or far away from where you are sleeping will keep way the temptation of picking up your phone constantly. This will help people get more sleep.

Smart phones have the biggest effect on kids. A National Sleep Foundation study found that at lest 75% of kids ages six through 17 have at least one electronic device in the bedroom. Pre-teens that keep their electronic devices on all night get about one hour of sleep less a night.

Adolescents cannot tolerate the blue light exposure as well as adults. Their melatonin production is affected much more than adults.

Although many see cellphones as a negative part of the sleep process, some use their phone to help them fall asleep.

“I have insomnia, but I don’t think my phone contributes to it. If anything, I will use my phone to watch Netflix to help me fall asleep at night,” senior Charlotte Getsey said.

Manufacturers are looking into a solution to the blue light problem that affects many peoples sleep at night.

If you have been having trouble sleeping, it may be because of your electronic device. Turn off these devices at night.

3

TINY SCREENS CAUSE VISION PROBLEMS Reading articles, scrolling through Instagram, reading emails, and texting friends may be the reason that you have been having some vision problems. Those tiny screens have a major effect on your eyes. The combination of the bright light and tiny words can cause blurred vision, headaches, sore eyes, and dry

The consistent notifications from smartphones leave people on edge and stressed out. Cell phones have also been found to cause insomnia, vision problems, illness, and possibly cancer. eyes.

Completely stopping the use of your smartphone won’t solve the problem. You should take frequent breaks. For every 20 minutes that you are on your phone, look far away for 20 minutes. This will help rest your eyes.

This system will also prevent those headaches that are frequently caused by these tiny electronics.

4

CELLPHONES CAN MAKE YOU SICK You hold your cellphone close to your face, you are constantly touching it with your germy hands, it is bound to catch a few germs.

You use your cell phone everywhere, you set it down on everything, and all these places are sources of bacteria.

A recent study by the Michigan School of Public Health found more than 17,000 bacterial gene copies on the phones of high school students. You are breathing in those bacteria when you are talking on the phone, and you are spreading that bacteria when you touch your face or a door knob or someone else after touching your phone.

That bacteria can attack your immune system and lead to sickness.

Researchers have found several dangerous bacteria on cell phones including streptococcus, MRSA, and E.Coli.

In order to prevent these bacteria from building up on your phone, leave your phone out of the bathroom and be sure to clean it with a micro fiber cloth frequently. Don’t let your phone be the reason you get sick.

5

CELLPHONES INCREASE STRESS Cellphones project a high frequency with their constant ringing and buzzing that can have a negative effect on stress levels. The frequent notifications tend to put people on edge.

A Swedish study placed a direct link between psychosocial aspects of cell phone use and mental health symptoms in young adults. Excessive cell phone use was found to be the cause of stress, sleep deprivation, and depression in young adults.

Cell phones have also been found to negatively affect emotions.

Several studies show that when one is talking with a cell phone present, they come off more negative and distant.

Be aware of your cell phone. If you are having a conversation, especially an important one, put your phone away and out of sight.

Also, if you start feeling distant from people or have an increase in stress, try using your cell phone less.

PE teacher Derek Sweet demonstrates how to strengthen your abs, legs, and arms

PHOTOS BY RACHEL SHOGREN

Three exercises you should try this week V-ups

Single leg squats

Handstands

Start by laying flat on your back with your legs squeezed together and your arms at your ears. Lift your legs, core, and arms simultaneously until your arms reach your legs. Keep a flat back the entire time. Slowly lower yourself back down to being flat on your back.

V-ups challenge the entire core. They target the abdominals, tones the obliques, and strengthen the back muscles.

Start by standing on one leg (extended) with the other one bent. Slowly squat down, remembering to keep your back flat. If you have trouble balancing hold on to something lightly, don’t use it to pull yourself up. Be sure to do the same number on each leg to have equal strength.

Single leg squats target the same muscles as running: the hips, hamstrings, quads, and calves.

Find a flat wall. Face the wall and place your hand about six inches from the wall.

Kick your legs up into a handstand. Keep your arms straight, pushing through your shoulders Squeeze all your muscles and try to stay tight.

Use the wall for little support, as you get better try to do the handstand without the wall.

Handstands target all major muscle groups as you need to stabilize while being upside down.

NIH.GOV

Best ways to recover post work out Ice problem muscles

Stretch out your body

Ice is one of the most common ways to recover postworkout. Athletes use it to recover from injuries as well.

Ice reduces the tension and pain associated with sore muscles. Ice reduces the painful tissues while numbing the sore muscles. 15 minutes of icing is reccomended.

If you normally have shoulder or knee pain, be sure to ice those specific areas after a long workout. Ice baths are also effective after an intense full body workout.

Many people stretch before working out, which is just as important as stretching post workout. Stretching after a hard workout gives you a chance to relax and recover.

It also prevents muscle fatigue and soreness. Stretching after a workout keeps the muscles warm and promotes circulation.

Be sure to stretch before a workout to promote injury and after to prevent fatigued and sore muscles.

Experiment with Cupping

Sleep has been proven to help in recovery. If you are not getting enough sleep after a workout, you are more likely to feel muscle fatigue as well as feel more exhausted. Muscle building contractions happen during sleep. Those contractions help promote recovery.

Try to develop a regular sleeping routine. Going to sleep at the same time every night will help ensure you get a full eight hours.

Cupping has become more popular after several olympic athletes showed off their circle marks at the 2016 Olympic Games. It is claimed to relieve muscle soreness. Cupping is the placement of several glass or plastic cups that create a vacume seal. They sometimes add aditional heat to help.

The cups pull blood to specific areas to speed up recovery. It often leaves bruise like marks on the skin. Cupping is often used in combination with acupuncture and dry needleing.

NIH.GOV

Get some sleep

Try Dry Needling

Roll it out

Dry needling is a procedure in which an acupuncture needle is inserted into the skin, directly targetting a muscle trigger point. The patient will then feel the muscle spasm and contract. It can be very painful, but generally the patient will feel better afterwards. Dry needling is best for knots that have developed and extremely tight muscles.

Some people do not like it as the process can be painful to get used to.

Foam rollers have become increasingly popular amoung athletes. Many even bring them to their competitions and practices. Slowly rolling over certain parts of your body speeds up healing and speeds up the recovery process. It breaks up adhesions and scar tissue that lead to muscle fatigue. You can also use a muscle roller stick to relax certain muscles.

8 PHOTO

Wed. Feb. 14, 2018

Electives...so many choices!

Electives impact the high-school experience by giving the students opportunities to take classes where they can develop new skills or further explore their passions. Although many students have already chosen their classes, there is still time to change a class or join an elective that interests you. There are dozens of choices to pick from, the options are endless. If an elective is not held in school, students can also take academy classes at other FCPS schools.

ABOVE: Mastering their forte: Women’s Ensemble rehearses their new song to prepare for the upcoming spring concert. “When I was in 6th grade, I promised myself I would take chorus every time I had the chance to. It’s an elective where I get to learn different types of music and I can express myself,” junior Sandra Benitez said. “My favorite part would be the relationships that I have formed with others. Anyone who takes this class will learn something unique every day.”

Sketching the space: freshman Stephanie Max-Jones works on her sketches while incorporating negative space into her drawings. “I like taking art studio as one of my electives because it’s a good way to express myself,” Max-Jones said. “This class would be a good fit for someone who wants to share their creativity with others. My favorite part about this class is the projects because it gives me the chance to put together all the knowledge I’ve learned and mold it into something bigger.”

Stringing together: Orchestra students rehearse new sheet music for the spring concert. “I always saw people on TV doing really cool things like sports and music. For me music was the one thing that stood out to me and I admired those who played in concerts. Imagine knowing how to make good music. It’s something that’s not related to school but it’s still learning which really appealed to me.,” junior Ephrata Yohannes said. “It’s different than your typical math or science class, it’s a good skill to learn how to work well with others. It’s a good class for people who want to make new friends and just have a good time and feel accomplished.”

Meating the goal: Culinary students slice turkey to add to their new sandwich recipe. “I chose cooking because it’s a skill that will help me in the future,” senior Aldahir Huayllaquisee said. “My favorite part is that we work together and learn new techniques. We did a veteran event where we cooked for those who serve in the military and it was nice cooking for those serving our country. It’s a relaxing class but you learn a lot.”

All smiles: Arabic teacher Ola Layaly with two of her Arabic 1 students.“I chose to take Arabic as one of my electives because my parents speak Arabic. It’s actually a really fun class and I like the cookies the teacher gives us. Ms. Layaly is a happy and encouraging teacher with a nice attitude which is one of many reasons why I would recommend this class to someone else. She is one of those types of teachers that you can build a stronger relationship with,” freshman Mohamed Omer said (right).

Music to motivate: leadership students junior Rebecca Tecle and senior Ian Marburger listen to tunes while working on their assignments. “I love how leadership gives students time to relieve their stress through class competitions or pep rallies and it gives them happiness throughout the day,” Tecle said. “My favorite part is getting to interact with different parts of the school like the ESOL and special ed kids.” Leadership is a great class to join to have fun, free time, but also be viewed as a leader in the school. “I like leadership because it helps you with social skills and it gets you more involved with the school,” Marburger said.

Laying out the pictures: Junior Idris Dahir focuses on making a unique and interactive layout for his yearbook page. “In yearbook, I enjoy quoting different students, taking pictures and then putting them together to make an aesthetically pleasing page of memories for everyone to remember even after high-school,” Dahir said.

Pumping the brakes: Autotech students observe their classmate fix a tire. “I decided to take auto tech because I wanted to learn how to fix cars to prepare myself for the future. When I own my own car and something breaks, I will have the knowledge and skills to fix it by myself thanks to autotech. Learning how to fix cars can help you obtain a job that pays pretty well. My favorite part about the class is getting the experience of working on multiple different cars and improving my skills every day,” junior Leonardo Martinez said.

Finding their focus: Photography students viewing the film negatives. “I took photography because I genuinely enjoy working with cameras behind the scenes and learning about lighting and techniques,” sophomore Cerys Jones said. “It is a fun class and the teacher is really chill so you gain another friend through her. If a freshman was trying to find a few simple electives to take, photography is perfect because it’s easy and fun, but you’re still learning and it’s interesting.”

ARTS 9

Wed. Feb. 14, 2018

SHOWING THE LOVE THROUGH ART What is your favorite part about being a part of Singing Valentines?

Singing Valentines

BY GRACE HOGYE Managing Editor Silence fell over the audience as Hamlet uttered his famous lines, “To be, or not to be.”

AHS’s IB English students watched Director Michael Kahn’s modern rendition of William Shakespeare’s Hamlet amid a crowd of over 800 other students from various schools around NOVA. This field trip to the Shakespearean Theater in Washington D.C. was taken in hopes to give students a better understanding of the play which they will be studying later this year.

EMILY TRACHSEL junior “I’ve participated in Singing Valentines twice, this is my second year.

I really like participating in Singing Valentines because it’s a great way to show appreciation and just make people smile. It’s something that might make people’s day and make them smile when they think of it.

They mean a lot to me because since i’m a part of them I can buy my own song for my friends and sing directly to them and it’s really fun and also funny to watch. Depending on a song they pick, singing valentines could be a really good way to show someone how much you love and appreciate them.”

IOANA MARTIN junior “I’ve only participated in Singing Valentines once before. Singing Valentines means helping to spread love or deep affection around the school. It also means making a few people laugh or making someone’s day which I just love doing.

I don’t know if it shows how much love you have for someone, but it does show that you want to share the a happy moment.”

KYLE DALSIMER junior “I have been participating in Singing Valentines for 2 years now, which is almost my whole high school life. I love the fact that we get to deliver happiness and love from one person to another and sing for them. It shows love and affection and it makes a person a really happy.

It also makes me to make another person happy.”

SAM BENTON junior “This is my first year in AHS therefore this is my first year participating in Singing Valentines. I think singing valentines is a good way to spread the cheer of the holiday. I also love the fact that you can embarrass some of your friends with goofy request and they would get back at you with another embarrassing song. Overall, it’s a fun experience for everyone involved. I wouldn’t say that my favorite part is not learning that day, however, I also wouldn’t say that it’s not my favorite part.”

IB Literature sees Hamlet

“It allowed me to get a better understanding of the play before we read it.”

--Selam Negash Junior Kyle Dalsimer, Junior Emily Trachel and Ioana Martin practicing their vocals for Singing Valentines in the hallways.

BY BRENDA GAMEZ AND MARYAM DEREJE Stuff Writer and Arts Editor Valentine’s Day is a day many look forward to, but others dread.The school overflows with couples showering each other with gifts and their love to each other.

There’s chocolate, candy, flowers and even giant teddy bears everywhere.

What makes AHS unique from other high schools on Valentine’s day is “Singing Valentines.”

The classroom door opens and out comes a choral student ready to serenade a girl or a boy, with their love ballads. Every year, the chorus department produces “Singing Valentines” as a way to promote chorus and the amazing voices that they have, and to raise money, but most importantly to make someone smile.

Each year, the chorus students needs to audition their piece, or song that they would like to perform, in the hopes of brightening a girlfriend’s or boyfriend’s day.

In order to have a person serenade a significant other, one would need to first know the schedule of the person whom they would like to send the valentine to, and the song. This “sale” occurs during all lunches starting a week before. Each person or duo is displayed where they sale occurs, along with the song that they would be performing.

The serenade only happens during red days. Depending on the teachers it can take longer or shorter than expected. A teacher is going to be asked if they are okay with choral students coming to there class to perform for a person, it’s

up to them to say yes or no.

There are many choral students that are not only gifted in the art of singing, but also in the art of playing music.

Junior Emily Trachsel, has been taking part in Singing Valentines throughout her high school career, and this year, she plans on using her ukulele to bring on another flare to the mini performance of love.

Trachsel thinks that, one of the reasons she participates is to see the bright smile on students faces.

Junior Ioana Martin, thinks that she thinks it’s a sweet way to spread love

“I don’t know if it shows how much love you have for someone, but it does show that you care about them.”

--IOANA MARTIN

Junior and raise money.

She loves seeing the person receiving the Singing Valentines she likes seeing them laugh and knowing that she made their day better with a song makes her day.

Many students from freshmen to seniors participate in Singing Valentines, it is a way to bring different people with different voices all in one harmony

and also to make someone’s day. See it a cheesy, fun way to show someone your love for them or even the love for yourself.

Who wouldn’t want to have someone sing to them and make their day?

Although some people see Singing Valentines as a very embarrassing thing others, really love the attention and love they recieve.

Some people can’t wait until the take a video to post it online and show off to the people that didn’t get a chance to see being serenaded. Which is what makes this whole process fun.

Although a Singing Valentine may seem like a day dedicated to lovers, it doesn’t have to be.

You could send one to your best friend to embarrass them and show them how much you love them, or if you only love yourself, you can send one to yourself.

Singing Valentines week is a very hard week for some people. Am I going to get serenaded or not?

That’s the question that runs through most people’s mind.

However, for the rest this is the best week of there year. Getting sung to in front of your classmates and friends and hopefully even in front of the person that dedicated the song to you.

Whether you want to directly have that person know it was you or you want to send it anonymously to your crush, it’s the perfect gift for someone on Valentine’s Day. It’s not a way to measure love, but to give someone special and happy memorable moment. It’ll be a moment that person will never forget and make them smile in the future.

“It allowed me to get a better understanding of the play before we read it,” senior Selam Negash said.

“It was a really fun experience and I enjoyed watching the actors’ enthusiasm.”

The many experienced actors of the Shakespearean Theatre Company did a great job of portraying Kahn’s vision of the famous play. Actor Michael Urie, from ABC’s Ugly Betty, brought the audience laughter as well as agony as he played the main role, Hamlet. The play would be incomplete, however, without the many talented supporting actors.

They came together to perform a very well done unique interpretation of Shakespeare’s original play. Kahn’s rendition is set in the 21st century and incorporates modern technology such as trading Ophelia and Hamlet’s love letters for love text messages.

Though the setting is altered, the script holds true to Shakespeare’s original version and the modern setting gives students a better understanding of the context and meaning behind the sometimes confusing shakespearean language full of “thou’s” and “hath’s”.

Thanks to the hard work of the actors and Kahn’s creative and unique vision, the play holds true to Shakespeare’s original intentions of instilling heart wrenching emotions on the audience and proved to be a successful and valuable trip for the IB English classes.

“I really liked it because I got a direct experience in an actual theater rather than just simply reading the play in class,” senior Khanh Nguyen said.

Artist Spotlight: Junior Kyle Dalsimer

BY GALILEA SEJAS Arts Editor Singing in the shower and belting their hearts out whenever possible, has been a practicing method for junior Kyle Dalsimer and senior John Lopez; which allowed them to be able to place top scores in a singing competition that took place on Saturday, February 3rd.

Dalsimer and Lopez along with hundreds of other singers were able to partake in a competitive singing competition, the Virginia National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS), held at James Madison University.

In order to be entered in the prestigious competition, a singer would need to be recommended by their voice teacher, based on the potential that they see in their student and quite possibly their improvements as well.

Dalsimer has been singing ever since he was young but hasn’t been able to display his singing potential since he was mainly dedicated to sports in his freshmen year.

Through the motivation he received from his family and friends, he began becoming more serious in singing.

Though Dalsimer has recently just begun his journey of singing in an ambitious competition, where he placed first in the musical theater category, he has already been able to set his own standards from participating in the competition twice.

Lopez, however, has been fortunate enough to partake in the NATS ever since his freshman year.

“I have spent a lot of time practiced much more, whatever you guys can practice with is good, I spend about an hour a day each day for weeks,” Lopez said. Lopez has been singing in

Dalsimer playing a part in the installment of Mary Poppins’ “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” in the annual Broadway Deserts performance. Dalisimer is a member of Annandale Singers, the highest choir group at AHS. the classical music section of the competition, that has a different scoring system than the musical category that Dalsimer participated in, where he scored first.

“Classical music and singing is an art that is very underrated nowadays.

You’re able to express yourself, it’s poetry, song, paintings and everything in one,” Lopez said.

Classical singing mostly focuses on a person’s ability and flexibility to work on their muscular movements near the source of the sound (i.e. larynx), and can soon train a singer to only sing in this category.

Musical theater singing, on the other hand, requires that a singer be experienced or rather flexible in singing many

different types or categories of singing, such as classical, rock, etc.

“As a singer, improvement is always the key, now more than ever,” Dalsimer said. The well rounded Dalsimer has his fair share of extracurricular activities and time that he dedicates to improving his academic, athletic and acting life.

Similarly, Lopez has been participating in many musical productions throughout his high school career with his role as the bishop in Les Misérables, to a lead actor in the spring musical, as Frollo, the caretaker and uncle of Quasimodo, played by Dalsimer.

Both of these singers have practiced for the competition differently, yet they both received top scores.

Lopez chose to dedicate at least an

hour of his day to solely singing, and improving himself based on his previous performances and learning new skills that leads him to continuously succeeding in the NATS. Dalsimer, on the other hand, participates in different extra curricular activities that have lead him to practice differently.

“Because I have a sports background, I prepare for things like this as if they were a sporting event. I train nonstop leading up to it, doing as many repetitions (singing my songs over and over) as I can,” Dalsimer said.

He has been practicing and improving his singing for this competition ever since last year, where he placed in the top 10 for the last competition, but got eliminated in the Nationals Semi Finals

Dalsimer playing a different duet scene in the Broadway Desserts. level.

The different experiences that Lopez and Dalsimer had, has lead them to attaining high scores in this arduous competition, where they were compared amongst a wide variety of musical and classical singers alike.

Fortunately enough, they were able to show their talent and their beautiful voices to the judges and other performers alike.

If you would like to hear their charming voices, come see Annandale Theater Company’s production of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” on April 19-21. “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” on April 19-21.

10 IN-DEPTH

Wed. Feb. 14, 2018

IN-DEPTH 11

Wed. Feb. 14, 2018

SOMEBODY TO L VE? Who wears the pants?

As senior Ben Suarez walked into Roberto Obando’s Pre-calculus class his first day of junior year, he took a seat and did not take notice of those around him. This included the girl that strolled into the classroom with her long, jet black hair and blue backpack.

She chose to sit right in front of him. Little did he know that she, junior Vinh On, would be his girlfriend one day.

As magical as their first encounter seemed, reality hit. Their first meeting was as awkward as can be.

“At the auditorium, he stood with his friends,” On said. “I came over to greet him.” However, her efforts are unwelcome. Suarez only replied to her inquiries with awkward pauses and short answers.

Despite getting off on the wrong foot, they met again. It was her solo performance during the annual Broadway Desserts that brought them together. Suarez was instantly hooked and entranced by her angelic and melodic voice. Turning to his friend during the performance, he referred to her as the “girl from math class.”

“I was surprised by her strong voice because I had the impression that she was soft and timid,” Suarez said.

During the performance, he decided that he had to talk to the girl with the majestic voice. However, nerves hit. Hard. Suarez backed out of his original plan. He decided to go home and contemplate on how to approach On in the future.

Months pasted and nothing happened. One day, Suarez finally picked up all the courage he had and messaged On, while she was on her trip to Vietnam during summer break. With the 12-hour difference, one would think that talking would be close to impossible.

“I would find myself waiting till night dawns in the United States, and morning rises in Vietnam, for her to wake up and reply,” Suarez said.

The pair talked rarely, but when they did, they talked about their common interests: music, Asian drama, variety shows, and their common hatred for vegetables. When school started, On decided that enough is enough.

your significant other. By following these norms, students are expected to lead idealistic relationships.

Junior Tiyo Kebede, a movie enthusiast, recognized the effects that the media had played on her high school expectations prior to attending.

“Upon arriving to high school, I felt pressured to immediately find someone because of all the teen movies and television shows I watched,” Kebede said. “The new girl always had to find the

BY CASEY NGUYEN super popular and cute guy to fall in love with her.”

In-Depth Editor Despite enjoying all genres, Kebede’s favorite and most watched is teen drama. However, she feels that teen movies have Walking down the hall, you are met by strange glances and misled her on what high school would be like due to the dramatinquiries. Whispers follow your every move until you run into a ic plots. hard chest. Falling from the impact, the books you were holding “The media today dictates so much of our world, includfall to the ground. As you slowly reach to pick them up, a warm hand slightly grazes yours and you find yourself mesmerized by a ing relationships,” Kebede said. “It portrays all different types of relationships: unrequited love, forbidden love and passionate stunning pair of blue eyes. love.”

Students typically have a preconceived idea of what high One movie that gave Kebede a disschool will be like long before beginning it. torted view on how teenagers interact Whether it be from books, the experience “I thought it was going to is Robert Iscove’s 1999 film, She’s All of friends and family members or even That. The film is a romantic comedy: from teachers constantly repeating how be like that [everyone being a cheerleader leaves a popular upperhard it will be. mean to each other], but classman boy for a college male. Thus, Movies and television shows are arguhere everyone just hangs out embarrassing him in front of the entire ably the biggest influence. Often, it is porschool. To enact his revenge and keep traying high school as a highly eventful together. You just kind of his reputation, he attempts to date the place with never-ending drama, sex and know everyone. high school nerd. romance. “[I’d] watch movies and see all these In television shows and movies, nerds --HANSOL YOON people who are supposedly my age, are bullied, jocks are dumb, and the cheerjunior only care about how popular they are leaders rule the school. These are the typand how much sex they’re having,” ical American high school archetypes that Kebede said. teens are most familiar with, due to the Life is not Glee, where mean cliques will go around shovinfluence of the media. ing their classmates in lockers or throwing slushies at innocent Popular shows and movies like Glee, The Secret Life of an bystanders.

American Teenager, High School Musical, Clueless, 90210, GosIn reality, everyone is kind and supportive of each other, even sip Girl and Mean Girls perpetuate the typical high school archethe kids with “nerdy” hobbies and tendencies. These include playtypes. ing with Rubik’s cubes, playing tennis, and participating in IB These teenage films have amplified teens’ unrealistic expectaclasses. tions, affecting teens’ thought process that there is some level of High schoolers are supposed to be filled with hormones and truth to it all. awkwardness, but not everyone is living a drama-filled relationThe love lives of today’s teenagers are dramatized on the big ship and getting pregnant. screen, influencing students’ belief that they need to have boyIt is time to stop relying on the media and begin living the friends or girlfriends like Zac Efron or Shailene Woodley. exciting new chapter of our lives without the influence of the lies These dramatizations also lead to unrealistic expectations of that were ingrained into us from an early age.

The media today continues to create unrealistic expectations on high school relationships

Senior Ben Suarez (left) and junior Vinh On (right) have been dating for the past four months.

Zachary Proffit

Married since 2012

Married since 2014

““I went to middle school and high school with Mr. Mathis from the social studies department and I never knew he had an older brother. So after college, we had some mutual friends stay in contact and we met up one night and I had a chance to met his brother. I guess it was love at first sight.”

“I joined this one online dating site and I thought it was to meet women in the United States. But actually, it turned out that it was women overseas. So, I am getting all these e-mail from like the Philippines, Vietnam and Singapore. I saw a face. I didn’t expect anything, but I got this really eloquent e-mail from her. The problem is that she was located in Macau. We Skyped a couple of times. I was hooked.”

Married since 2015 “[My wife] was in the choir for the University of South Carolina and my best friend was also in the choir. They were both very short, so they stood next to each other and became good friends.

Them being friends eventually led to us hanging out. It was Cinco de Mayo, eight years ago in 2009 when we went on our first date. We got married on July 2015, six years later and the rest is history.”

GABRIELA DELEON freshmen “Trust and honesty.

Nobody wants to be in a relationship where there are lies that keep you apart.”

HAKIM IDRIS sophomore “Trust, honesty, respect and commitment. This is because you can’t be with someone who you don’t trust or respect.

Food is also important. “

LAILA LOPEZ freshmen “I believe that communication and interest makes a healthy relationship because talking things out makes people feel better.”

EMAN JARADAT junior “Trust is by far the most important aspect that should be in all relationships. It’s the basis of stability in relationships. Without it, there is no relationship.”

MAX LEHANEY sophomore “Loyalty and telling the truth. Being loyal shows that you want to be devoted a relationship and telling the truth makes the relationship strong.”

IDRIS DAHIR junior “Ya’ll got to vibe with each other because if there is no vibe, then it is just two people getting together for sex.

That’s just useless.”

JOYCE BOGHOSIAN

Teachers’ love stories Four teachers share their experience and how they first met their future spouses

Take the public out of PDA

BY CASEY NGUYEN In-Depth Editor Ding! The bell sounds, marking the sevenminute free time before the next class. Seven minutes; you know what that means?

The perfect time for all the couples to get together for some action. Falling in love is a wonderful thing and when it happens, you may want the whole world to know of this budding romance. A subtle smooch or a romantic gesture here and there might seem harmless, but onlookers may see it quite differently.

Most schools, like our own, have policies in the student handbook that discourages PDA, also known as public displays of affection. However, this does not stop or prevent students from doing these gestures in the hallways. Couples who express their fondness and passion can be commonly found at every corner throughout the school.

“I think it is better for couples to do it privately because not everyone wants to see that sort of stuff,” senior Ben Suarez said.

Suarez has been in a committed relationship with a fellow classmate for four months. In his opinion, affection is an important aspect in keeping a relationship interesting and lively, but only in a private setting. Suarez believes that couples who make out in the hallways are inconsiderate of those around them. Thus, he does not condone any displays of affection in a public setting, especially in an educational environment.

“My girlfriend and I don’t want others to see our connection between the two of us because it is something only the two of us should witness,” Suarez said.

Junior Zain Ghul is a frequent onlooker to these common and peculiar phenomenon.

At times, she ponders the question: why is it that some couples cannot help but obsessively have the urge to touch each other in front

of others? She recalls witnessing these incidents countless times, but one memory from the previous year has left its imprint.

“I would be walking back from the gym to my locker with one of my friends and we had to pass a [set of] staircase[s] on the way there,” Ghul said. “At the staircase, there was a couple that would be sucking each other’s faces so hard that I think the guy swallowed a part of his girlfriend’s face. It was disgusting.”

PDA may elicit a range of reactions from various people. Being too affectionate in public, especially in a learning environment, shows a lack of basic and general etiquette. When you and your significant are making out in front of other people, it is likely to make them feel extremely anxious or uncomfortable. This especially relates to those who are conservative by nature or perhaps just single.

“Couples should be more considerate, not only because some people are single, but also because nobody wants to see that sort of stuff when they are in school,” Ghul said.

“They should consider the effects that they have on others.”

Junior Hlina Wondwossen shares the same opinion as Ghul in regards to public displays of affection, during school and just in public. In her opinion, Wondwossen finds the lovey-dovey touching and groping to be disgusting and an unacceptable behavior.

“It is so rude. I am here to learn, not to see you and your boyfriend, who you are going to break up with in two weeks, kiss right in front of me and everyone else,” Wondwossen said.

Your actions may seem tame and even romantic, like a scene from a Disney animation or even from The Notebook. However, it is the complete opposite in the eyes of those who are surrounding you. To the public and in reality, you and your significant other are just swapping spit. With that being said, publically acting overly affectionate with your boyfriend or girlfriend can be offensive to others or can even get you into trouble.

PHOTO ILLUSTRATED BY CASEY NGUYEN

What makes a healthy and strong relationship?

JOEL JEPSON

Joel Jepson

Kathleen Mathis

Does this disgust you?

This is the type of PDA that students witness in the hallways throughout the school day.

Holly Miller Married since 2007 “I met my husband hiking. We were both in this hiking group together. We ended up talking to each other and he was really funny and had a good taste in music. I got a ride home from him after the hike and I left my water bottle in his car accidentally. So, I got his e-mail from someone. He asked me, ‘What’s your favorite sports drink?’

Then, when we met, he filled up my water bottle with the drink.”

HOLLY MILLER

BY KIMBERLY VAIDES & CASEY NGUYEN In-Depth Editors

“I became frustrated and impatient,” On said. “I cornered him to confess and that was the night we started dating.”

Due to their complex schedules, On and Suarez attempted multiple techniques to come together during the school day. “[The best way was] just to call each other at some point of the day,” On said.

Currently, their relationship is often in the way of their main priority: school.

“There really isn’t anything we can do except manage our time properly,” On said. “I think relationships help relieve the stress that school brings. There are many times where comfort and encouragement is needed from one another.”

“Even if we have school obligations, we [video] call anyways and leave it on while we do our own school tasks,” Suarez said.

However, like any other relationship, they also experience some fighting.

Although fighting “comes naturally”, Suarez explains, they hate fighting as much as the next couple.

Suarez and On knows that fighting is what keeps their relationship healthy because the misunderstandings, disagreements, and conflicts are resolved with such actions. It is all part of a learning process that helps with shaping and defining a relationship.

“In our four month relationship, we fought over 20 times,” Suarez said. “We’re on a hot streak.”

Even though they fight like a married couple, there is still love in the air. When asked what they mean to each other: “Mahal,” On said. Mahal is Tagalog, the native Filipino language for love, dear, or costly. They keep a lively and healthy relationship with each other, but what about their friends and family?

“At some point, it did affect the way we interacted with friends.

We saw ourselves drifting from our own social groups many times, but we’ve learned to balance out time with each other,” On said.

Their family’s approval means the world to them, but to Suarez it means leaving his true love for his family. Suarez will be leaving for the Philippines after graduating high school, moving more than 9,000 miles away.

“I told him to break up with me,” On said. “[But] we both ended up agreeing that we couldn’t.”

Despite not knowing what the future beholds, the couple believes that their mutual trust and constant communication will continue to build their relationship. They both acknowledge the flaws that can occur. However, their efforts and characteristics are what creates a compatible relationship.

ZACHARY PROFFIT

Two students share their love story and ways they maintain a committed relationship

Fiction versus reality

How NOT to break up with someone Here are five methods that shouldn’t be used when ending a relationship in high school

BY KIMBERLY VAIDES In-Depth Editor

T

here are dozens of couples in the hallways that cling to each other in more ways than one. High school relationships are well-known for their displays of affection and rumors. When a couple calls it quits, there are appropriate and inappropriate ways to do so.

Don’t make break ups any more dramatic than they need to be in high school.

Regardless of the grade you’re in, this decision should be done in a mature manner. These days, teenagers turn to social media to rant about a heartbreak. Some stay reserved about it, but rumors spread quickly.

The impulsiveness and immaturity of teens can severely damage the feelings of another when it comes to break ups.

Here are some heartless ways teenagers should not break up with someone.

1

CHEATING Ranked first for the worst break up method, yet is a common and pathetic way to end things.

Sophomore Salvon Simmavong recalls the time she was cheated on and informed of it over FaceTime. She knew her then-boyfriend had been flirting with another girl, but didn’t think much of it. He confessed to her through FaceTime that he kissed another girl.

“I was devastated, honestly. I had never been cheated on before and it was my birthday, so it only made me feel worse,” Simmavong said. “It made me feel like I wasn’t good enough because he went after other girls.”

In a sense, relationships should be private. Another individual shouldn’t be used as an excuse to show loss of interest for your significant other. Not only should couples be respectful to their partners, others should be mindful and respectful to those in relationships as well. Cheating can tarnish someone’s faith in others, damage self-esteem and impact them in future relationships.

2

GHOSTING Ranked second, is ceasing complete communication and contact with your partner without any warning.

This method is technically not a break up, but a technique to run away from a problem. It disregards the feelings of a partner, possibly leaving them bewildered and at a complete lost for long periods of time before they realize that they have been left.

Instead, it’s better to give someone a reason for ghosting them and in return, the person should respect their decision.

Student Survey

29% Have been cheated on by a partner

3

OVER DM OR TEXT Never recommended. This disrespectful method shows no empathy for the other party.

“My ex and I were just texting and having fun,” senior Angie Choi said. “Soon, he broke up with me saying it was him, not me. I felt hurt, sad and confused. It’s the worst because you don’t know how the guy looks when he is texting you and saying things can’t work out.”

It’s best to end things in person to settle any unresolved issues.

It may not be the easiest thing, but it’s the right thing to do.

4

THROUGH A FRIEND Sometimes, people will tell their partner’s best friend or acquaintance to tell them that they’re breaking up with them. Like the previous methods mentioned, this is an indirect way that can hurt. Don’t make someone the messenger. Nobody wants to carry someone else’s burden.

5

KEEPING IN TOUCH After all is said and done, don’t lead an ex on. No matter the circumstances, break ups can be painful and difficult. Many people would like to stay friends with an ex, but it is nearly impossible. The wounds are still fresh and feelings cannot dissolve in a mere few hours. If the person who ended things keeps in touch with an ex, it can be difficult for both people to move on. It can also lead them on, whether it is intentional or not. Just don’t talk. It’s over. Spend some time apart from each other.

Ending things should be permanent. It shouldn’t mean having a change of heart two days later. If you are hesitant about breaking up because of external factors, don’t let it prevent you from alleviating yourself. It’s notorious that high school relationships aren’t built to last. Thus, any breakup in school should not halt one’s success in school. It should nudge one’s attention towards a more academic focus and finding one’s own character.

38% Have been in a relationship lasting more than a month

36% Have NOT had their first kiss

51% Find kissing an acceptable form of PDA

47% See PDA a few times every school day

29% Agree rumors or gossip regarding the status of relationships can spread quickly

= 10%

150 surveys were passed out during W4 and PrideTime on February 8th, 2018. 130 were returned.

12 INTERNATIONAL

Wed. Feb. 14, 2018

Teachers share experiences abroad ELL teacher Kimberly Sisskind: South Korea ELL teacher Kimberly Sisskind took her English teaching skills to Gangnam, South Korea. After college while she was in graduate school she searched for a teaching position abroad to expand her experiences.

“In America I had more technology to teach with and here there is a lot more flexibility with the curriculum,” Sisskind said.

She taught elementary kids from a book provided by the school. For a month she taught English grammar.

“The students really had a lot of energy,” Sisskind said.

Teaching there was not the only hard part, living there was also different for Sisskind to adjust to. “It was like a motel where everyone had their own pods and we shared a kitchen. In our pods we each had a bed, a desk, a TV, and a bathroom,” Sisskind said.

Comparing the two different teaching experiences, Sisskind noticed a lot of similarities and differences. Teaching in one place brings new knowledge to another.

“I encourage everyone to go and travel abroad just for the experience,” Sisskind said.

English Bonnie Vining: Tokyo, Japan English and Peer Tutoring teacher Bonnie Vining taught in Tokyo for eight months. She wanted to travel but knowing she did not have enough money, she thought she could just teach abroad.

“I got my TEFL certificate in San Francisco and they had a connection to a company sending teachers over to Japan and it was really easy to do because they arranged everything for us,” Vining said.

She was working with students from a technical engineering university. “I conducted English conversations in classes with them so it was an after school extracurricular activity for the students,” Vining said.

Tokyo is a big city in Japan, and Japanese culture is an interesting new thing to learn about.

“Getting to experience Japan through my students eyes and being an American not being able to speak Japanese would be my favorite experience and I would do it all over again,” Vining said.

English teacher Kathleen Mathis: Egypt

Spanish teacher Benjamin Carlos: Military

English teacher Kathleen Mathis spent the summer of 2010 in Egypt for a month traveling the country to see the historical sights.

She did many things that she got to bring home with her. “I had an opportunity to develop lessons that I brought back to Annandale,” Mathis said.

Learning about the famous writer of Egypt, Naguib Mahfouz. Who she had also learned about in the past before she went to Egypt. “I visited some of the places that he frequented when he was alive,” Mathis said.

On the trip she met a lot of other people that were also teachers. Becoming friends with them outside of working with them. “It was a group of teachers from all over the country,” Mathis said.

She loves to travel and experience new things along with new people, considering that she has travel a ton of other times in the past.

She gives advice to anyone who wants to travel. “It is always good to put yourself out of your comfort zone and that is the only way that you can learn new things,” Mathis said.

Spanish teacher Benjamin Carlos was in the military so he was stationed abroad for many different occasions.

Going to Germany, Korea, Vietnam, Greece, Spain, Panama, and Peru.

In some of the places Carlos went to, his job was to teach or to train people.

“I taught at the Peruvian Military Academy, I was the visiting professor for military science. I was teaching them American tactics but at the same time I had to work and teach within their system,” Carlos said.

Carlos became a Spanish teacher because of his experience from being stationed in Spain.

When he was assigned to Spain the first time, he traveled by himself and met new people and even met his wife.

“I met a girl at the university and three years we got married, when we both retired we came back the United States and started teaching,” Carlos said.

“If I could do it all over again I would because it was a wonderful experience and I possibly see myself teaching abroad again,” Carlos said.

ELL teacher Meredith Hedrick: Qatar

Social studies teacher Meg Richburg: London

Meredith Hedrick went to Qatar for four years. Hedrick went and taught English as a second language and social studies.

Considering the school was from grades preschool to 12th grade, it was a big school. There was a recreation center right in the middle of the school and they could explore the other classrooms during breaks.

“It was like being a big university campus with the little kids and older kids,” Hedrick said.

Hedrick’s whole family was there.

Two of her sons attended the school, her and her husband became teachers there.

It was a school built from the Royal Family. Her sons and her got a lot of experience by being with the Royal Family.

Teaching in Qatar and teaching here in Annandale were very similar but also very different. “It was an IB school, we are also an IB school, but they are a private international IB school which is very different, but overall the IB curriculum, seeing it for the little children is very beneficial for them,” Hedrick said.

History and Social Studies teacher Meg Richburg lived in London for 12 months and studied there for nine of those months.

“I wanted to experience another country and it allowed me to study history where it actually took place,” Richburg said.

Studying in London is as similar to studying in the United States. You have day to day class or assignments and have the same academics. But the chance to study in a new country was not all that Richburg lived through when she was in London. She witnessed and went through an act of terrorism at the time.

“When I was evacuated from the underground I didn’t realize it was because there was a bomb onboard.

Everyone was quiet and it was tense, I found out that evening on the news that there had been a bomb found on the train that was linked to the IRA,” Richburg said.

Even after the act of terrorism, Richburg would do it again.

Meredith Hedrick sorts tee shirts with senior Steven Hy.

Immigrant Stories: Coming to America

BY AKLESIYA ABEBE Special to The A-Blast In my life, I have taken many journeys, good and bad ones. But nothing compares to this story I am about to tell.

It was Oct 12, 2017, my father, my brother and I arrived at the Dulles Airport after a 15 hour flight from Ethiopia.

It was one of the happiest moments of my life, and I let out a huge sigh. My mother was already living in the U.S for around three years, and she requested that we be processed and brought to America legally.

We also had other family members but only from my mom’s side.

On my mom’s side we met uncles, aunts and extended cousins.

I was very shy when meeting them, since I actually didn’t remember most of them.

We all gathered at the airport taking turns to greet each other.

They were greeting my mom, there was some crying, some hugging, and some kissing, all in disbelief because we finally made it here, in America.

Coming from Ethiopia, we had cultures that were very conservative and we heavily depended on religion to get us through.

We came to America because of the politics surrounding our government. Fortunately though, we had a normal life back home.

We had a decent home, my parents worked professional jobs and we went to private school.

We got more disturbed as our country was nearing a violent political fight and we thought it was best for our family to expand our future somewhere else.

Upon arriving we took at least two to three months to adjust to the new American lifestyle. My mom was ready with a place for us to stay.

Plus, our whole family came to the rescue by providing us with things from a microwave to a TV. We started school shortly after.

Without any exaggeration, it was truly the hardest experience in my lifetime.

I was pretty nervous to meet new people, especially because the school else was so diverse it scared me a little. I was asked a lot of questions and I would just nod yes because I did not know how else to answer.

Some students made fun of me due to my heavy accent as I struggled to pronounce some words, even though I was fluent in English.

I understand a lot and I could answer and have conversations with people, but my accent was just so strong, some people had a hard time understanding what I was saying.

After few months, I got used to the system and I started getting more comfortable. I got used to how the scheduling worked for school and also the culture here as well.

I heard their music and other things as well. I made friends easier, and found people who were just like me, people who came from other countries as well.

Looking back I’m glad I came to America, the changes it brought were good for me in the long run.

I learned so many new things, things I would not have known if I did not go through everything I did.

I also learned more about me, no matter the situation I can overcome it and come out stronger.

In some ways, I’m glad we’re living here now because there’s so Junior Aklesiya Abebe poses in front of the White House in Washington D.C. much more opportunities for us and better living conditions. But I will never forget Ethiopia

AKLESIYA ABEBE

Junior Aklesiya Abebe comes from Ethiopia: an exciting journey

LIFESTYLES 13

Wed. Feb. 14, 2018

Should lockers still be a necessity?

Lockers are still relevant

BY YABI BEREKET Lifestyles Editor Junior Feven Lebamu carries a 15 pound Jansport backpack five times a week for school. As the weeks progress, her bag begins to overflow with homework assignments, textbooks and graded work.

Although a majority of these things are lightweight pieces of paper, all of it begins to accumulate into something much more- something that could lead to a plethora of negative results by the end of the school year.

Thankfully, the school provides lockers for each student to prevent the possible consequences of carrying the heavy weight of a heavy backpack.

By the end of first quarter, Lebamu switched to using her locker to help her store her school books and binders.

She only carried them when she needed them.

The changes she felt when walking from class to class were incredible. Getting to and from classes became trouble-free; she had her locker to thank for that.

It’s unfortunate that many students do not use their lockers because taking seven classes means there is a significant load to carry daily.

Lockers serve the purpose to hold necessities that are needed during the day, and although it is an extra trip to make when getting to classes the trip iit’s worth the effort. It saves students from the problems caused by carrying the heavy weight of a backpack all day.

Athletes have to bring an extra bag with them to and from school with their equipment and clothing. They do not have to carry it with them.

“I can use my locker to put my practice bag in there for cheerleading, so it’s one less thing for me to carry,” senior Alichia House said.

Using your locker during the day can also help store extra things that people get from classes, such as camera equipment from IB Film studies. It helps keep expensive belongings and valuables safe.

“If I have to carry a camera for class, it’s heavy so I put it in my locker,” senior Dawit Wondwosen said.

A common consequence which could arise from carrying a heavy bag during the day is having musculoskeletal problems. This is especially present when the bag is held on one shoulder. The pressure that is added to the shoulder leads to a tilt in the spine.

Rather than having to get red marks from holding a heavy bag, using a locker is an opportunity for students to save the energy and avoid the pain.

Lockers need to go

BY AVE CLYBURN Staff Writer

YES

Junior Kyle Dalsimer has no clue where his locker is.

He has had no need to use it for months. Dalsimer is not alone as many students feel the same way.

Lockers in the school building are turning out to be a waste of space, and are often only used by freshmen and sophomores.

“Lockers are only used by underclassmen to use it for PE, no other grades use them,” sophomore Deby Cruz said.

Lockers are no longer a need for students. Getting from class to class from one side of the school to another is already a journey in itself, so having to make time consuming stops between classes only makes the trip longer.

“My classes are far away from each other and I always talk to people in the hall,” sophomore Michael Zepeda said.

Along with taking time in between classes and risking being late, there is not a lot of space in lockers.

They are designed to only fit a school bag and few other things. Besides that, it is as good as useless.

“The lockers we have are too small to fit everything I need to bring for school,”

sophomore Savannah Gravitt said.

Lockers don’t provide a lot of space but they sure do take up a lot of space.

The hallways are already jam packed as it is with some students hustling to get to class and others standing in the middle of the halls socializing.

“When the freshmen do use lockers, they make it harder for other students to get through the halls," sophomore Veronica Gonzalez said.

Now that students are all issued laptops, there’s no need to keep textbooks in lockers since they can be found online.

With laptops and less paper for homework and classwork, there’s less to carry in a bag.

“People don’t use them anymore because they have everything they need in their backpack and just carry it around all day,” senior Joseph McCoy said.

Student athletes and band and orchestra members are given two to three lockers.

Not all of them are even being used.

Too many lockers equals too many combinations and not enough memory.

“I forgot my locker combination as soon as I got my sports locker for cross country,” sophomore Hakim Idris said.

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION OF DEBY CRUX BY: YABI BEREKET

NO

What I keep inside of my locker An inside look on necessities in student's lockers

Y

appin' with abi

Advice column Dear Yabi, I've had the same best friends for about three years now. We are as good as inseparable, and I really consider them my sisters. But recently, a new girl started hanging out with me and my three friends, and I feel like she's slowly replacing me, but it's not on purpose. What should I do?

- A friend in need

Instruments "I keep my violin in my locker because it is easier to get to it. I also keep work for that class in there at the moment until I need it since it's on the way. My instrument is heavy, so I don't have to carry it with me during the day," freshman Savannah Jones said.

Extra Clothes "In my locker, I keep an extra pair of pants for baseball. I also keep extra clothes in there in case I accidentally spill something on my them, specifically my pants because I have spilt drinks on them before," sophomore Hakim Idris said.

Body lotion "I have PE so I always bring either spray or lotion with me. I leave it in my locker and after class, I usually go to my locker and use it. I also leave some spray in my gym locker, too, just in case because I don't want to risk smelling bad," sophomore Melat Haimanot said.

School bag "In my locker, I mainly keep my backpack and sports equipment in there for when I do baseball or another sport. I leave my backpack in my locker and get my gym bag for baseball after school," junior Philip Barlow said.

Lunchbox "I put my lunch box in my locker because one time, I brought Ethiopian food. It spilled all over my bag and my homework. I got a F for that homework assignment. After that day, I realized I better keep it in my locker," junior Ephrata Yohannes said.

Gym bag "I keep my practice bag for gymnastics in my locker because it's too heavy to carry around.

I don't need to have it with me throughout the day. After school, I go to my locker and get my bag then go to practice," senior Alichia House said.

Dear friend in need, I'm really sorry that you're in this of position, it's unfortunate because if you confront your friends about the situation, it might not go as well as planned. What I mean is that if it's happening but it's not on purpose, it might come off as you not liking her- and maybe that's the case.

One of my main suggestions, as risky as it seems, is to confront your three friends first. It's the mature thing to do and it's the safest. Ask them if there is something going on with you guys, so you won't have that paranoid feeling. They may actually be mad because you might have done something, or it really is just nature taking its course on your friendship.

Something else you could try doing is trying to get to know the girl who may or may not be stealing your friends. Maybe she's really nice and is only trying to gain some new friends, and isn't trying to replace you. But there is the slight possibility that she is trying to do the wrong thing and replace you in the friendship. If that's the case, then you should tell your friends.

If she is trying to replace you in the friendship, I don't think the plan will actually work because in most cases like this, your true friends will stick by you no matter who tries to intervene.

Fashion Spotlight: Jemela Kanu, 12 Q: Where do you like to shop?

A: The stores that I like to shop at are Papaya, H&M and Forever 21.

PHOTO CREDIT: JEMELA KANU

Q: What is your favorite accessory?

A: My favorite accessories to wear are my gold hoop earrings.

Q: What is your typical outfit for school?

A: My typical outfit for school consists of my ripped jeans, ankle boots, and a nice top.

Q: What do you wear on bum days?

A: I don't really bum, but when I do, I would wear an oversized sweater and ripped jeans.

Q: What's your favorite season to dress Senior Jemela Kanu wears a crop yellow halter top, a for? jean jacket, and brown ankle boots.

A: My favorite season to dress for is autumn because I feel like I can do way more with my outfits.

Q: How long does it take you to get ready?

A: Getting ready in the morning, it takes me about 45 minutes, including a shower.

Q: How much do you invest in clothing?

A: When I go shopping, I spend about $160.

I buy clothes that can match with different pieces so every outfit is different.

Q: What are your favorite pair of shoes?

A: My favorite pair of shoes are my long black boots because they go with everything.

Q: Do you dress to impress or for yourself?

A: I definitely dress to impress myself.

Q: Who is your fashion inspiration?

A: I don't really have a specific inspiration, but I love watching people try on something different.

PHOTO CREDIT: JEMELA KANU

Q: How did you learn to dress?

A: Well I've always loved clothes, so I just started to put different pieces of clothing together.

Kanu pairs a floral and ruffled dark blue romper with brown sandals.

14 PEOPLE

Wed. Feb. 14, 2018

Our very own Valentine

Assistant principal Brian Valentine and freshman Shyeim Campbell talked over how Campbell AHS’s sponsored sweatshirt after the treacherous work for football.

AHS’s new assistant principal puts his heart into his work

I attended the State of the Union

BY NICOLLE URIA Entertainment Editor Finding out about my status was the hardest thing to ever learn about myself, including realizing all the things that were happening were because of my families immigration status, like problems financially and emotionally.

Walking into the chambers was like a dream come true because never would I have imagined myself there with the status that I have. I was called by one of Congressman Connolly’s secretaries as I was on my way to lunch.

“Ms. Uria we would like to invite you to be the guest of Congressman Connolly at the state of the Union on January 31st , of next Tuesday.”

For a moment I had to just think and make sure what I heard was real. I sat in the corner of AHS answering questions about myself and my school. I was told that they had seen my story from The Washington Post that came out a little earlier in October. That whole week I had a bunch of interviews from Channel 7, Good Morning Washington, Fox 5, Telemundo and Univision.

On the big day , I started off by meeting with forward U.S Congressman Gerry Connolly to talk about my speech that I was going to give in front of a bunch of press and people of congress.

When we got to the Capitol, my stomach was full of butterflies because I have never spoke in front of a bunch of people like that before so I was super nervous especially because Nancy Pelosi was right next to me.

BY AVE CLYBURN Staff Writer Although Brian Valentine has been here an Assistant Principal for three months, teachers feel as if they can stop by and talk to him about anything.

Before Valentine came to Annandale, Valentine was a Dean of Students at West Potomac High School. “I was looking for opportunities in terms of professional growth,” Valentine said.

Out of all the Fairfax County Public Schools, AHS drew a lot of attention from Valentine. Much of this attention can be credited to the school’s amount of diversity.

The vacancy that was inside of former Assistant Principal Jamie Carayiannis’s office has now been filled.

“I was pretty selective about the schools I was interviewing at because I wanted a school that was very much like Annandale, one where there was a lot of room for students to grow and succeed and a very diverse place,” Valentine said.

Valentine wasn’t new to the county and wanted to see students thrive and grow as a school.

In his three months at AHS, he has seen a lot of improvement from all of the different schools that he has been in.

“That’s what I’ve been used to during my time in Fairfax County Public Schools. This is my third year in Fairfax County Public Schools,” Valentine said. “It’s been a whirlwind. First I was at Hayfield then at West Potomac and now here, at Annandale High School. So I’m hoping to be here for a little while.”

Principal Tim Thomas was given the task of hiring the new assistant principal.

“I really hit it off. I was invited to an interview by Thomas and I met a lot of the administrators. I just got a real good vibe from them,” Valentine said. “There were so many reasons more than I could capture here in this interview but just know that I am excited to be here with the students and teachers.

Senior Nicole Uria and Congressman Gerry Connolly pose for a picture before the State of the Union.

Assistant principal Brian Valentine looked over documents on Assistant principal Brian Valentine and math teacher Jessica Klein talk about upcoming midterms. his Valentine loved the students and teachers, who all had welcoming smiles when he first came here.

“Annandale is unique, I think every school I’ve been to in Fairfax County Public Schools has had its own very distinct character. Annandale is very different it’s very community oriented here,” Valentine said. “I never felt anything but welcomed since the first day I came in the door. That’s probably one of the biggest things about Annandale, the student body here is very approachable and very nice folks I really enjoy that.’’

Valentine hasn’t always worked in the NOVA area. Before coming to Fairfax County Public Schools Valentine lived in Florida and taught there. While in Florida, he taught for 8 years and grew up in a small town of Oveideo just outside of Orlando. There, Valentine taught many subjects. He taught English, social studies, and even science.

“I was looking for a change of scenery I was in the middle of finishing my

masters in educational leadership,” Valentine said. “The opportunities here at Fairfax has been really great to learn.’’

Valentine had a lot of experience teaching over the years. Despite his love for

“I never felt anything but welcomed since the first day I came in the door.”

--BRIAN VALENTINE

Assistant Principal

teaching, he wanted to experience something new. Valentine wants the student body of Annandale to know Because of AHS, Valentines has felt

a welcoming present since arriving at AHS. He even wants to return the favor to the students that he encounters.

“If you see me in the halls say hey.

I’m looking forward to great things. I’m excited to be an atom,” Valentine said.

“I’m getting used to red. The red here at Annandale is going to take me sometime to get used to.”

Many may think that the change in jobs was an arduous task. However, AHS’s welcoming nature and Valentine’s experience in the school system made the transition much easier.

“It’s not difficult moving vice principals,” Valentine said. “This wasn’t as much changing as it was an opportunity for us to hire behind Mr. Carriyanis who retired. It’s always exciting to bring new leadership in the building.”

Valentine’s transition to AHS has proved to be a rewarding new experience. His goals and plans for AHS’s future look bright and will hopefully continue to do so.

Back stage, I met Senator Cory Booker and a few others too. Along with that I met amazing dreamers who were much older than me and inspired me to fight even more. After the speech I had such little time to eat and get ready , but with what time when people were trying to interview me non stop and ESPN was following me around all day because I play volleyball.

Around 5, I was all set and dressed to meet Congressman Connolly to walk down to to Capitol Hill in the underground train they had in his building (the Rayburn building). We spoke about what I felt, the emotion and sat in his office watching videos of me being interviewed and it still didn’t all feel real.

Around 7, we rode the underground train and went a dinner reception with other congressman and their guests who were dreamers as well. I couldn’t believe I was in a room with the many people that make history. It was insane.

After meeting everyone and trying to tell my storye, we split ways so I could sit upstairs in the gallery, and he could go sit down stairs on the floor. The speech was not the outcome I expected but I was still there to represent the 800,000 and many dreamers across this nation and I’m really happy I got to do it because since then, this has opened many doors for me and influenced me even more to achieve and reach for my goals.

The students that are in my situation deserve to have a voice and not many are open about their situation but this is why I am, so everyone can relate and know they aren’t alone. It was such an Honor and an amazing memory.

aa I was a cheerleader and President of Key Club and French Club and dance captain for my show choirs, Spotlight and Rhapsody.

HUMANS OF ANNANDALE My name is Natnal Endalkachew and I am a senior here at Annandale High School. I love my community. One thing that influenced my life and who I am today is the people I am surrounded by and their diversity.

I live in Alexandria, Virginia, and everyday I interact with people of different backgrounds. Ethiopians, Koreans, Peruvians, Moroccans and many more work, shop, play and learn together in my community. I would not be who I am without the privilege of meeting and learning about the people around me and where each of them came from.

Living in one of the most diverse areas in the country has positively impacted me in so many different ways. I have been able to experience and learn about so many different cultures, religions, and traditions.

The diversity of Northern Virginia and Annandale High School has also helped me be open minded and much less judgemental.

I have learned to love my peers and everyone in my community no matter what they look like, where they are from, or what they believe in.

I love all the culture around me and I

WHO AM I?

I attended...

Cosby High School in Midlothian, VA and James Madison University.

The extracurricular activities I did were..

I was a cheerleader and President of Key Club and French Club and dance captain for my show choirs, Spotlight and Rhapsody.

I was born in...

I was born in a small beach town, Neptune Beach, in Florida.

My favorite book is...

The Prophet by Khalil Gibran.

Natnal Endalkachew senior would not trade it for the world. Hate and fear come from the unknown. But once someone understands something, they are able to overcome their negative assumptions.

I have learned to give people second chances and go into conversations without any prior judgement. Listening is so important in forming new friendships.

It is extremely rare for a community to be diverse, which is why I am going to miss the unique combination of backgrounds and cultures at Annandale High School.

Before teaching at Annandale....

I was working at a technology company in Tysons corner until I got accepted into graduate school to get my Masters of Education.

Why did you choose teaching...

I believe in working to achieve a better future for everyone, the way to do that is work with the younger generations. School is a great place to build relationships, share ideas, and learn from one another. But mostly, again, for the fame and money! Shout out to all my fans for making this possible.

Favorite movie is...

My favorite classic movie is The Sound of Music.

But probably The Town or The Departed...Any movie set in Boston that revolves around the mafia basically.

I teach at Annandale because...

For the fame and money. And for my fans.

What I do in my free time is...

I am a cycle instructor at a fitness studio in Arlington! I also enjoy hiking, running, biking outdoors, trying new recipes in my crock pot and listening to podcasts.

Favorite quote is...

“Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.” -Rumi Use a QR Code scanner to reveal Who Am I?

SPORTS X-TRA 15

Wed. Feb 14, 2018

Football player commits Ahmed Ibrahim signs National Letter of Intent

COURTESY OF AHMED IBRAHIM

Years of sweating and working hard on the Atoms Football field, catching and defending countless passes, paid off for senior Ahmed Ibrahim.

Ibrahim was ecstatic received an offer from Alderson Broaddus University to play college football.

“I was very excited and grateful that I am getting the opportunity to play football at the next level,” Ibrahim said.

Alderson Broaddus University had been in contact with the senior football player for months and made an athletic scholarship offer recently.

“I have been in contact with them [Alderson Broaddus] since December,” Ibrahim said.

Not only a football player, Ibrahim participated in wrestling freshman year as well as track for all four years of high school.

The participation in multiple sports complemented his play as a wide receiver and defensive back for the football team for all four years of high school.

The experience of high school football is set to prepare Ibrahim for football at the college level.

“Playing AHS football put me in an environment that gave me an opportunity to understand the value of hard work,” Ibrahim said.

“I learned to work through adversity and learn what it is like to be a part of a brotherhood.”

This was not the first time Alderson Broaddus made a football-related scholarship offer to an Atom’s football player. as 2017 Alum Jalen Jackson received an

COURTESY OF HUNTER SWEIDSH

BY JUDE NANAW Sports X-tra Editor

A football player for four years, senior Ahmed Ibrahim received an offer and signed his National Letter of Intent to play football for the Alderson Broaddus Battlers. offer from the school last year.

Alderson Broaddus is located in Phillip, West Virginia. Tution for undergraduates is approximately $23,000.

Ibrahim looks to improve as an athlete before the start of the football season at college.

He looks to gain strength in order to be well-conditioned for next-level football.

“I hope to get stronger and faster to be more athletic overall,” Ibrahim said. “Improving my athleticism overall will help me at my position.”

Despite playing as both a wide receiver and defensive back during his final football season as an

Atom, Ibrahim will most likely be playing as a defensive back, more specifically a cornerback, in college.

“One of my main goals is to continue to get better at my football position which is cornerback,” Ibrahim said.

“This is so I can help the team more overall.”

It is a challenge to earn a starting role on any college football team as a freshman as upperclassmen with more college experience are typically given starting roles.

However, Ibrahim is aiming to earn the opportunity to start for the Alderson Broaddus

Battlers this upcoming Fall season.

“One of my goals is to start for when the college football season begins,” Ibrahim said.

The four seasons of rigourous practices followed by games against difficult opponents appear to have paid off for Ahmed Ibrahim.

The hard work year in and year out in multiple sports has allowed him to maximize his potential on the football field and the opportunity to compete at the next level.

Work towards an athletic scholarship AND

Around this time every school year, student-athletes from around the country are receiving offers dealing with athletic scholarships from multiple schools.

This holds true for AHS where student-athletes have already begun signing National Letters of Intent to continue playing a sport in college.

With this being said, there are steps that can be taken that will improve, not guarantee, one’s chances of earning an athletic scholarship by their senior year.

1

DEDICATION IS KEY It is important to participate in a sport throughout most, if not all, years of high school. Not only does this show dedication to a sport but it also improves a student-athletes skill set in the sport.

Should they receive an offer from a college, they will be better prepared.

4 KATIE POPE

BY JUDE NANAW ETHAN ZIMMERMAN Sports X-tra Editors

Commitment during practices and games is an essential first step towards working to earn an athletic scholarship in the future.

2

JOIN TRAVEL TEAMS High school sports are not always the most competitive when compared to more advanced travel teams. Joining a travel team for a sport will allow for different kinds of practices and more challenging games which results in greater skill improvement. A number of travel teams also attend scout tournaments.

3

POST RECRUITING HIGHLIGHT VIDEOS Posting highlight videos from a sport online to a platform such as Hudl, or sending your individual highlights to college coaches is another to attempt to gain recognition amongst college scouts.

ATTEND COLLEGE VISITS AND EVENTS An effective step to take towards earning an athletic scholarship is to attend college visits to those colleges of your interest.

Depending on the school, coaches are typically present at visits which gives the opportunity for the student athlete to speak with coaches and ask questions about their sports program of interest at the school.

5

WORK TO KEEP YOUR GRADES UP Aside from steps that can be taken in a sport to improve chances at an athletic scholarship, grades are just as important. When colleges make athletic scholarship offers to student athletes, grades get looked at and are factored in just as much as achievement in sports and athletic skill and capability. Grades could be the deciding factor when an athletic scholarship offer is to be made.

Students hyped for Winter Olympics Beginning of event draws attention from students all around school

BY JUDE NANAW Sports X-tra Editor The Winter Olympics kicked off just recently on Feb. 9, this time from Pyeongchang, South Korea.

The start of the Winter Olympics garnered the attention of many students around school.

A number of AHS students invest a lot of time in keeping up with and watching events daily.

“One of my favorite things about the Olympics is chanting on the US

team in all of the events as they compete against multiple countries,” junior Javonte Durr-Cannon said.

There’s a broad range of sports that students prefer to watch at the 2018 games ranging from bobsleigh to ice hockey to cross-country skiing.

“My favorite events would have to be either the snowboarding or cross-country skiing,” senior Nghia Nguyen said.

“I prefer those events over any others because I feel like they require more preparation and work.”

With the Winter and Summer Olympics always being two years apart, there’s a great deal of variance between the two.

Differences in types of events and playing environment typically results in views preferring one over the other.

“I like to watch both [Winter and Summer Olympics] but prefer the Winter Olympics more,” Durr-Cannon said.

“The athletes competing work hard in colder temperatures which makes the

winter games better than the summer ones to me.”

Some students noted that the amount of events and sports being less in the Winter Olympics than the Summer Olympics enhance and make the viewing experience better.

In past years there have been as many as 42 summer sports in the game compared to only 15 total sports in the winter games this year.

“It is easier to keep up during the winter because there are less events,” Nguyen said.

This year, the official Olympics app also allows for an easier time keeping up with events and the medal counts by allowing the user to select the country they want to view information on.

Upon doing so, it becomes easier to view upcoming events for the selected country and their medal count.

Having begun on Feb. 9, the winter games will last a little over two weeks until Feb. 25.

(Left to Right) Garrett Roe from Vienna, Ashley Caldwell from Ashburn, and Thomas Hong from Laurel are three of the local athletes competing in the 2018 Pyeochang Winter Olympics. They will be competing in ice hockey, freestyle skiing and short-track speedskating respectively.

Hunter Swedish has his hand raised after a win against a Mount Vernon Opponent.

Injury of the Issue: Hunter Swedish

BY JUDE NANAW Sports X-tra Editor Senior Hunter Swedish has been playing tennis and wrestling throughout most of his years in high school. Along with playing sports, Swedish is also an IB Diploma Candidate. He suffered a torn ACL, recently which held him out of sports for the rest of the year.

Q. Which sports do you play?

A. Throughout my time in high school I have done wrestling and tennis.

Q. How long have you been playing each sport?

A. I have done wrestling for all four years of high school and I’ve played tennis for three years since sophomore year.

Q. What is the injury that happened to you?

A. My injury to is a torn ACL. Q. What was the reaction of your teammates and coaches?

A. My injury was essentially viewed as a tragedy and they were sad to see a missed opportunity for me.

Q. How has the recovery process been for you?

A. Recovering so far for me has been rather speedy and faster than I expected.

Q. How much time do you spend on rehabilitation?

A. I usually spend anywhere from half an hour to sometimes an hour and a half daily.

Q. For approximately how long do you anticipate being out of sports?

A. I am most likely going to be held out of playing for a minimum of at least six months.

Q. When do you think is an ideal time for you to be fully recovered from your torn ACL? A. I am hoping for a full recovery before heading off to college this coming fall.

Q. What is the worst part about your injury?

A. To me, the worst part about having a torn ACL is the inability to compete and participate in multiple sports.

Q. How will the injury affect your future play?

A. I will definitely have to watch out when playing sports in the future to protect my knee fully. Protecting my knee will become on of my priorities.

Which 2018 Winter Olympics Event are you most excited for?

NICK BELLEM freshman “The winter Olympics event I am most excited for is bobsledding because it seems really fun.”

GABRIELA DELEON freshman “I am most excited to watch ice skating because it just seems really graceful and fun.”

HAKIM IDRIS sophomore “I like to watch curling more than the other events because I’ve always wanted to try it in my free time.”

KEVIN LIEU junior “Snowboarding because the tricks and flips are really entertaining.”

JEREMY BERRY junior “The event I’m probably most excited for is Ice Hockey because it is always fun rooting for the U.S. team.”

KORA COKER

SERGIO VILLAROEL senior “I am pretty excited to watch bobsledding in the Winter Olympics because it seems very hectic.”

ASHER CAMPBELL senior “I’m looking forward to watching the speed skating events because they’re always really intense and interesting.”

junior “I like watching figure skating because it is a lot harder than it seems and is really graceful.”

16 SPORTS

Atoms basketball victorious on senior night

PHOTO COURTESY OF VITALINIA FUENTES

What Winter sport do you think is going to perform the best in the postseason?

Wed. Feb. 14, 2018

BELLA FRANCIS sophomore “Wrestling because they are really good athletes and have a good coaching staff. They have been very good throughout the past years in the postseason.”

Junior Makayla Lopez running in a 4 by 400 at an invitiational.

Girls Track prepares to run the show at regionals

BY ALEX BURITA Staff Writer

AYMAN ABDELAZIZ junior “Boys basketball,l because they are very talented and have the potential to make it past districts.”

EYOB MENGISTU senior “Indoor track ,because they have two people that can probably win the region or come close.”

LENNON WUHRER senior “Wrestling, because they have a good history of winning conference and they have very talented players that will perform very well in districts.”

Shooting guard Junior Lotongo drives towards the basket with the score of 70-43 win against T.C Williams on Feb. 2.

BY JAMIE HAMEDAH Staff Writer The boys varsity basketball team has had a great season so far. Now, they are preparing for the postseason. The team has a current record of 13-9.

Recently, the boys had their senior night where they honored the seniors on the team and the managers. The final score of the home game against West Potomac game was 71-60.

“We all played really well during senior night,” junior Junior Lotongo said. “It was a great team win and a big win against West Po.” “At the end of the senior night game we let the other team fight back a little, but, for the most part, we played really good and had control of the ball,” junior Abbey Yared said.

Boys varsity basketball Coach Gilreath believes the team can improve on valuing the basketball every possession.

“I’m most proud of the way the boys are coming together at the right time.

We have some swag now,” Gilreath said.

During the senior night game, the team played together as a team and they played with a ton of energy and emotion.

“They just really wanted to have a memorable senior night. The underclassmen wanted to see the seniors have

a successful senior night,“ Gilreath said.

Even though Gilreath was impressed with the way his team played, there is, of course, always room for improvement.

“Cutting down the careless turnovers is something I want to see. Those things can catch up with you in the postseason,” Gilreath said.

Since the postseason is coming up, the team is looking forward to seeing more wins like the one against West

“Our team is really good at defense because we communicate with each other .”

--ABBEY YARED

junior Potomac.

“The team is preparing for the postseason by remaining focused on our goal at the beginning of the season, which is to be district champs. We cannot be satisfied with what we’ve done so far,” Gilreath said.

The players have been preparing for

Coach’s Corner: Julian Scarbourgh Coach Scarborough is the varsity track coach for sprints.

He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but grew up in Reston, Virginia. He went to George Mason University and has previously coached at South Lakes High School. He is married with no kids, but always refers to his athletes as his kids

2. What are your personal achievements in track?

In high school I was a pretty good sprinter and jumper. In college I was a good jumper as well.

4. What are your strengths as a coach?

My strengths are teaching fundamentals and trying to get my athletes to believe that they have the talent to compete with anyone and achieve their goals through hard word and dedication.

5. What are your best and worst memories as a coach?

I have a lot of great memories: Annandale Hurdler Jacob Weber going undefeated, Annandale Jumper Astrid Ligonde breaking the triple jump record and Franco Kitila Qualifying in 100m nationals as a freshman. Boys 4x4 winnings the conference in 3:25 Boys 4x1 qualifying for nationals, and Jay Pendarvis qualifying for state and nationals. And this current season, the girls and boys 4x2 and 4x4 qualifying for regionals. Worst memory was at South Lakes when I had to scratch a state qualifying relays team that broke curfew.

6. How do you handle the discipline of players?

Depends on the offense. It’s not a one size fits all.

Girls basketball transitions to playoffs

BY KHADIJA AHMED Staff Writer

1. How did you discover your interest in track?

As a kid, I was always the fastest kid in the class. And was always interested in Track and Field.

3. How long have you been coaching track at this school?

I’ve coached at Annandale for four years now. Astrid Ligonde (triple jump record holder) McKenzie Yi, and Jack Curtain were my first group of athletes at Annandale.

this time of the year since November, they hoped for all their hard work to pay off.

“We are ready for the postseason because we have a lot of momentum carrying us into these next few games,” Yared said. “ We are currently on a five game win streak, and we are not looking to break it anytime soon.”

The players are well aware of their room for improvement and pitch in to make their next game a win.

“Some things that we could improve on as a team is rebounding and playing on the offensive side of the court,” Yared said.

“The team needs to improve on communicating on the court and getting 50/50 balls,” Lotongo said.

Despite the abundance of things that the team could improve on, the boys have clear strengths in most areas.

“We are really good at playing like a team and we are really good at playing defense,” Lotongo said.

Each player recognizes what the team is doing right because they have to look at the positive in order to have the attitude to improve on their weaknesses.

After a successful senior night, the boys varsity basketball team is looking forward to having a really successful postseason and many more wins.

From Feb. 1 to 3, the girls track team participated in the Gunston District Championship Meet at Episcopal High School.

The team felt they did great in the championship and the results proved them correct.

“We performed very well and some remarkable things happened at the meet,” Coach Phil Harris said.

Many of the relay teams had an outstanding performance where runners beat their seed times. The girls 4x800 relay took fourth place, but beat their seed time by a whopping 45 seconds with a time of 10:43.

In the 4x200 relay, they rallied to finish second in front of Hayfield and West Potomac, who each earned a time of 1:56.

The 4x400 relay was also successful as they placed third in the district with a time of 4:20:53. Unfortunately, West Potomac beat Annandale in that event by fractions of a second.

“The absolute highlight of the meet was when one of our runners placed [third] in the 1000 meter run, which has not happened in the last five years of indoor track,” Harris said.

There were many more girls to qualify for regionals this year than in many past years.

“Overall, this success in the Gunston District Championship which featured runners advancing to the regional meet from many of our events came from tough practices,” Harris said.

The Occoquan Regional Meet will be held on Feb. 12. There were 18 teams in total will be participating, including AHS (Results were not available at press time).

“The team has improved remarkably from repeats on the track to work their endurance along with many speed workouts,” Harris said.

These tough workouts were the reason for why so many athletes earned PRs since the start of the season.

“Coaches are great for always believing in us and helping us improve.

Especially for times when we want to quit,” junior Vitalina Fuentes said.

Vitalina ran the 4x800 relay, mile, and two mile events.

Overall, girls track is looking to have a positive outdoor track season with major improvements made during their indoor season.

7. What advice do you have for your players regarding the balance of athletics and academics?

Academics always comes first. They are students first and athletes second.

8. What goals do you have for the team?

The goal for the boys was to qualify for state and try to win the region. And for the girls to run well at conference and give our best effort.

9. How would you describe the organization of a typical practice?

Typical practice consist of breaking into athletes specialty events.. I mean distance, sprints, jumps, hurdles, pole vault and shotput.

10. What is the best advice you have ever given a sprinter?

If you can’t see it, you’ll never achieve it.

11. Who are your role models in coaching?

Coach George Johnson the South Lakes track coach and Coach Bob Graumann the South Lakes football coach.

The 2-11 girls varsity basketball team may have gotten off to a rocky start, but they are only looking to improve. The girls put in so much effort as they have practice six days a week for two hours at a time. The girls have set a solid goal for themselves: to win the league and state title.

“So far, the team is doing pretty good and each time that the team gets together for practices, we continue to see a lot of improvement. I am really happy and excited to see how far we have come as a whole team,” senior Sara Elkebri said. “I am personally doing pretty good, but one thing I can work on is having a lot more confidence in myself when I get the ball during games.

Also, the team could work on communicating a lot more with one another so we can continue to get better.”

Their record may not be the best, but the team has specific strengths they should be very proud of.

“First off, we are seventh in the area in threepoint shooting, and another good thing is that Grace Hatch is fifth in the area in rebounding. We also have two girls averaging 15 points,” girls’ varsity basketball Coach Brown said. “Some other things that the girls are really

TIANA REAMS

VITALINA FUENTES junior “Track, because they are very well coached. I also run track myself. Also, they have a lot of very talented runners.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF JUNIOR LONTONGO

BRIAN FUENTES sophomore “Wrestling is going to go far because all the guys are experienced and also coach sweet and the coaching staff.”

Junior point guard Jayla Irvin dribbles up the court against Centerville on Jan. 24.

“The attitude of good with is shooting and coming to work hard each the team also needs to and every day. Those are improve. A common attithings that have really tude Annandale sports improved and impressed teams have is ‘We are me. They are a really Annandale, we do not good group of girls and I expect to win.’ That is am really hoping they get something that has to some success because they change very quickly. It takes a lot of time to learn really deserve it.”

The girls’ team could how to win and it also improve on their rebound- takes working really hard ing and finishing off their every single day. I really plays, but the main thing believe that they can do it,” the girls are really strug- Brown said.

Although the girls’ vargling with is their size as a team. The team is not sity basketball team might as big as other basketball not be doing so great right teams, so that means that now, they have great posisome girls who are not tivity and goals to reach, so used rebounding now have they are trying their very to participate in that. The hardest to get there. girls should also be a little more physical.

SPORTS 17

Wed. Feb. 14, 2018

Wrestling dominates districts

BY JAMILEH HAMADEH Staff Writer The boys varsity wrestling team has accomplished many great things so far this season, and recently they won districts which is a huge accomplishment for the whole varsity team.

“I am really proud of my team and I am happy that we won first place, “ freshman Hugo Amaya said. “My team gave it all the power they had and we definitely earned that first place win.”

The team’s hard work paid off with their success at district. It was a great reward for the team’s efforts throughout the season.

“I feel great about winning districts ,” sophomore Dylan Weaver said. “My brother took second place when he was in high school and I made a promise to him that would take first.”

The boys train very hard and it has paid off with a huge win. They have been training for districts since the start of the season and are very pleased with the results that they got.

They cherish their success in districts, but are putting in hard work to prepare for regionals.

Due to this, the boys are looking forward to regionals so they can reach their goals that they have set.

“We practice six days a week for about two and a half hours,” Kokilananda said.

The usual practice for the varsity

the wrestling room,” Kokilananda said.

Amaya believes they possess strengths beyond the physical ones needed for wrestling.

“My team is really good at bumping each other’s confidence up, we are also good at pushing and cheering each other on no matter what,” Amaya said.

Amaya realizes that the team is not perfect, however.

“During districts, a lot of the boys on my team won their matches and continued to push through,” Amaya said.

“Some of the boys on the team got overpowered and may have started losing their confidence because they made mistakes so we need to fix the mistakes that happened during districts so we can do even better during regionals and hopefully take a first-place prize home again.”

They plan on solving these problems before regionals begins.

“I think my team could work on our technique, teamwork, and pushing a little harder while we are conditioning,” Amaya said. “Personally, I want to improve on increasing my speed and finishing the moves that I begin during matches.”

The boys’ varsity wrestling team hopes to continue to see an abundance of wins and a really successful time in the near future at regionals.

“I’m really proud of my team because we all worked really hard to win districts and we managed to receive first place, so I am very happy.”

--HUGO AMAYA

freshman boys consists of a lot of wrestling and learning new moves and techniques that they can use during their matches and lot of conditioning.

The boys have many strengths that they put to use.

“Our strengths are overcoming adversity because we all do that in our lives on a day to day basis,as well as in

ALLEN KOKILANANDA

Five wrestlers capture first in their weight classes

(Left to right) Dylan Weaver, Allen Kokilananda, Uriel Sejas, Cesar Lopez, and Patrick Lee pose with the tournament brackets showcasing their first place finishes at the Gunston District Championships.

Boys track ready for regionals

Swimming finishes off season at regionals

BY LUKE ELKINS Sports Editor

20 swimmers qualified for regionals, but none moved on to the next stage.

On Feb. 2 and 3, the swim and dive participated in the Occoquan regional championship against 17 other high schools from around the region at Charles J. Colgan HS. Regionals occurred after districts the previous week, where the Atoms took fourth place in the Gunston district against West Potomac, T.C. Williams, Hayfield and Mount Vernon.

At districts, they had a combined score of 538 points, 352 of which came from the girls and 186 came from the boys.

“At the districts we did really well, I was proud of the way at the way they swam at the relays and got personal bests times, 20 of them moved on to regionals,” Coach Victoria Douglas said.

Many swimmers like junior Kayla Holcomb and senior Lennon Wuhrer had a successful season where they dropped a lot of time and both qualified for regionals.

“The team performed well at districts and regionals for beginning the season as a rather inexperienced team. A lot of the underclassman dropped time,” Holcomb said.

Both Wuhrer and Holcomb participated in the regional meet. Holcomb participated in the 100 free and the 200 free relay and Wuhrer swam in the 200 medley relay, 50 free, 100 fly and the 400 free relay. In total, the Atoms had 20 swimmers participate in regionals.

“During the season we have come together more as a team and swimmers have stepped up to the plate to give their best efforts at meets and practice,” Douglas said.

Before the regional meet however, there was a lot of preparation mentally and physically that had to be made in practice.

“People who were going to regionals came to swim practice and worked on getting the momentum down and working on cardio,” Douglas said.

Practices were the key to success, according to many of the swimmers.

“We’ve developed and improved

The AHS boys track team raced in districts on Feb. 1 and 3 at Episcopal High School.

The Atoms faced off against their district opposition that they have versed in meets this season.

Those teams were Hayfield, Mount Vernon, TC Williams, and West Potomac.

Many Atoms performed well at districts and qualified for regionals on Feb. 12 and 14.

Senior Matthew McKiver finished 1st in Long Jump and High Jump, senior Joseph McCoy finished 1st in 55m hurdles and 4th in 300m, sophomore Jay Pendarvis finished 1st in the 300m and 3rd in the 55m dash, sophomore Mikyas Sahlu finished 1st in the 3200m and 3rd in the 1600m, freshman Mousa Ayoub finished 6th in the 1000m, senior Ahmed Ibrahim finished

KATIE POPE

BY ALEX BURITA Staff Writer

Staying on track

Flying high

Junior Gabe Milian runs at districts at Episcopal High School in Alexandria on Feb. 1.

Sophomore Kia Morawetz swims the 100 yard butterfly at Lee District Rec Center in a tri-meet against Chantilly High School and Edison High School on Nov. 17.

GABE MILIAN

Overall, the team looks to work hard, exercise, and build muscle in order to improve more and have another successful season next year.

“We’re excited to work with the kids and work on them being more of a team next year,” Douglas said.

“The team has come a long way since the start of the season and we are looking to have a very successful season next year due to the freshmen developing a lot of skill throughout the season,” Wuhrer said.

“I look to improve for next season by staying active with doing lacrosse in the spring, doing club swim in the summer, and running and lifting in the fall,” Holcomb said.

After finishing fourth in their inaugural season in the Gunston district, and also giving a decent showing at regionals, the Atoms will try to improve for next year.

through practices and tough workouts throughout the season with a mixture of focus on technique, speed, turns, and dives,” Holcomb said.

“These practices have helped many beginners on the team to develop more skill to have a successful season,” Wuhrer said.

“Additionally, the coaches have improved the benefit of practices by better tailoring sets to swimmers’ specific events where a whole body workout is achieved.”

The mindset of the team this year was set on improving whilst making sure that practices were not long and insufferable as well.

“The whole focus of swim this season was to have fun while improving strokes so that underclassman can improve while having fun with the sets created by coaches,” Wuhrer said.

3rd in the 500m, senior Tyler Rush finished 4th in shot put, and junior Alex Ohene finished 6th in shot put.

The relays also did well as the 4x400m relay and 4x200 relay both progressed to regionals.

However, all did not go well for every runner at districts.

“Districts was a bittersweet meet, I ended up getting tripped up and cut and had to be sent to the hospital and got 12 stitches,” junior Gabe Milian said.

“Overall, I didn’t do so well, the relay I was in didn’t get to finish the race since I got tripped.”

It was an unfortunate circumstance for him, but he has confidence in his team.

“There will be good competition, but hopefully we can win the region,” Milian said.

Many Atoms will be looking to further their season and perform well in regionals, as the top performers there will head to states.

Player Profile: Ahmed Ibrahim

BY JASON REYES Staff Writer How long have you been running track?

I have been running track for four years now.

How did you discover your interest in track?

I discovered my interest in track when I saw Olympic runners in the Olympics and wanted to be like them.

AH,MED IBRAHIM

Who is your favorite athlete and why?

Usain Bolt is my favorite athlete because he is the fastest man in the world.

Senior Ahmed Ibrahim runs the 500 meters at the Prince George’s County Learning and Sports Complex in Prince George’s County, Maryland on Jan. 13.

What inspires you to run track?

What inspires me to run track is seeing the success in people in this sport, and I want to have the same success that they have.

What’s your favorite event to run?

My favorite event to run is the 400 meters because I’ve ran that race the most and it’s what I’m best at.

How have your friends and family supported you?

My friends and family have supported me by motivating me to keep working hard and getting better.

What’s the best advice you’ve received?

The best advice I have received is: With dedictation and hard work, the possibilities are endless.

What is your daily training routine?

My training routine is that everyday I have a track workout in practice then afterwards I go to the weight room to work on getting stronger.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I like to listen to music and watch videos of others athletes in my free time.

What’s your favorite song to listen to before a meet?

My favorite song to listen to before a race is “ Money and power” by kid kudi because it motivates me to do better.

What’s your favorite pre-meet meal?

My favorite meal to eat before a meet is fruits because it’s healthy and makes me feel better when I run.

What other sports do you play?

An other sport that I play is football What’s your favorite part about running track?

My favorite part about running track is the meets when the whole team comes together and we all hang out and cheer for each other.

What advice would you give to track beginners?

My advice to track beginners is stay with the program, it takes time to get better but with hard work and dedication you can make it happen.

18 ENTERTAINMENT

Wed. Feb. 14, 2018

Senior Megan Lee stores her record collection up on her wall in her bedroom, as a display of her love for music and it’s history.

GIRL, PUT YOUR RECORDS ON 21st century teenagers are keeping vinyl records alive and they feel more authentic,” Lee said.

“Collecting records has given me another hobby that broadens my music taste and brings me back to the music my As time goes on, technology contin- family grew up making and listening ues to develop and grow in an unprece- to.” dented manner. Recently, the entertainRecords are also a form of music that ment store Best Buy announced its plan is handed down from generation to gento remove CDs from all of its stores, and eration, and it’s important to note that many people are speculating that Tar- once stores look to turn fully digital, get will follow suit. these important pieces of history could Although many people are turning get left behind and become obsolete. to digital media as apps like Spotify and “I have about 60 records now and I Apple Music offer more convenient and started collecting back in 2014,” senior accessible options, some people are still Kendall McCleary said. “The one that holding on to old school forms of access- means the most to me I would say is ing music. In fact, according to Forbes the first record that I owned, which my magazine, 18-24 year olds were respon- mom got for me. It was the 1975’s first sible for over half of the purchases of album. It means a lot to me because it physical media in 2017. was the first record I ever owned and Many teenagers are looking to physi- it was the one that started me actually cal media forms like records and CDs as wanting to collect more.” a way to appreciate music and its histoFurthermore, unlike listening to digry. Collecting records is becoming more ital music where it will sound a certain and more common among young peo- way no matter what, listening to records ple, because of the history and meaning is an experience behind it. you can tailor to “It started your own preferoff when I got a “ One of the ence. record player for great things “I like it betmy 14th birthday,” ter because the I like about senior Megan Lee sound for me said. “My grand- vinyl is the is like deepma gave me a kick album cover er because you start by giving me can change some of her old and the art the base on it, Beatles, Michael work. It’s incredible art they and so you can Jackson, and Bee used to have on records and feel the music Gees vinyls. I was more through obsessed with The on the inserts in the records.” the speakers Beatles and asked --JONATHAN YORK than you can if for a record player, I History teacher you’re just lishad a reason to buy tening to it on all of their albums.” your phone,” Even more, collecting records is a McCleary said. “The appeal of owning great way to find new music and appre- them and listening to them is just a difciate music that isn’t of this generation. ferent experience than listening on a It’s a way for any real music lover to regular speaker.” learn more about music and see how far The sound of the record also grows it’s come. the more frequently it’s played, and it “I started going to record shops and shows a true connection with the music. buying used vinyl because I like the “My favorite thing about listening cracks and pops the older ones have to records is the physical aspect of it.

Where to start your record collection

BY LINA AL TAII Entertainment Editor

Unique Thrift Store

JCPenney

Urban Outfitters

Bloomingdale’s

Records $1

Crosley Record Player $60

Record Display Shelf $79

Turntable System $199

Located at Mosaic District in Merrifield, this store sells assorted used vinyl. Spend some time looking through the collection and finding something interesting. If you’re lucky, you might find a vintage record from The Beatles or Michael Jackson.

Here, you can find a small suitcase style record player for a relatively low price.

This crosley brand player also comes with advanced pitch control abilities and built-in bluetooth abilities to tailor your listening experience.

Every record collection needs a display, and the perfect one for your records is easy to find here. This store has options varying from rustic to modern styles, featuring records and turntables on the same display.

You can purchase a record player with a matching speaker system, for an even more captivating music-listening experience. This modern turntable pairs an old fashioned listening method with a newer design.

You have to set the needle and physically pick it up to mess around with the tracks,” Lee said.

Unlike creating a lengthy play list of your favorite songs on an app like Spotify, owning records gives you an opportunity to showcase your music taste within your collection and even witness it grow as your music taste changes.

“I think the main part of the physical appeal is just being able to show them off,” Lee said. “I have a wall in my room dedicated to vinyl shelves where I just display some of my favorites.”

People also lean towards purchasing records because of the ability to get different colors and even the same record in different forms.

“I like having a physical copy because especially for records they all look different because you can get different colors, not all of them are black, and I like watching them spin when you put it on to listen to it,” McCleary said.

Although people look towards apps like Spotify and Apple Music because they are presumably cheaper than buying a physical copy, with research and planning, anyone can start a record

collection.

“It’s a really expensive hobby to have because like each record is $20 so you have to pick which records you want, wisely,” McCleary said. “You have to be smart about it or else you’re gonna spend way too much money in one go.”

However, there are other options, like purchasing used records from thrift stores, or looking for deals on new records before purchasing them.

“I buy used records all the time that are much cheaper than buying them new,” Lee said. “The used records coincide with my music taste since I love classic rock but even with modern artists, a record with a skip or two knocks down the price without losing a ton of the music. Also, with the current artists that release music on records, they often include digital download codes for free so you pay for the vinyl, but also get the entire album downloaded on your computer/phone for free!”

Stores need to recognize that there is still a consumer demand for physical media forms, and completely removing them from stores shuts out that entire demographic of people. Continuing to

sell and produce physical media forms is important to appreciating the progression of music and how far it has come, but also to remember where it all started.

“I would say that some old school media forms are coming back like records,” McCleary said. “It’s smart to keep them around because you can see more clearly the progression of music and especially if you can still use it, like records and record players which you can still buy and use. It’s smart to keep some old things that can still be used.”

With the path music is heading to right now, in the next decade CDs could become as hard to access or even harder to access than records. Even though the advancements in technology are great and should be appreciated, physical media is still important to have and own, especially for music lovers who want to see and hear the way music was first made.

“I think music is really where I let myself go vintage,” Lee said, “Because it’s such an important aspect of my life and I love seeing and having the roots of where music sharing first began.”

Timberlake not in sync with fan expectations Playlist of the Issue

Super Bowl halftime show attempt at pop remixes results in a mess

LET ME LOVE YOU Mario Single (2004) This confessional style R&B song is the perfect way to reveal your feelings.

Justin Timberlake’s new album release barely had a second to gain attention before his boring halftime show preformance took the spotlight. The highly anticipated Super Bowl LII was aired nationwide on Fed. 4, 2018.

Before the Super Bowl, Timberlake released his new album called “Man Of The Woods,” which featured pop artists such as Alicia Keys and Chris Stapleton. One of his hit songs from that album is Say Something featuring Chris Stapleton. The song made it to the top 10 on iTunes Apple Music’s top charts.

This was not the first time Timberlake performed in the Super Bowl, back in 2001, he performed with Britney Spears and NSYNC, his former boy band. In 2004, he also performed alongside Janet Jackson.

The 2004 performance had made headlines and had viewers shocked due to Timberlake accidentally exposing Jackson’s breast for a split second.

Critics were quick as was the FCC to bring heat to Jackson more so than Timberlake for the “nip slip.” Once again, the 2018 Pepsi halftime show also made headlines, however, unlike 2004, these headlines were not of an incident, but about Timberlake’s performance. Social media outlets, including Twitter, were filled with negative comments and backlash of the performer from his outfit choice to his tribute to Prince, a former iconic American singer who died in 2016.

“I’m not the biggest fan of Timberlake,” freshman Isabella Rodas said. “His energy didn’t exceed the energy of other singers.”

However, some people thought he did

JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE INSTAGRAM

BY ERIK RIVAS Staff Writer

YOU & I John Legend Love in The Future (2014) This slow jam love song is perfect to play in the car with your significant other.

SAY YOU WON’T LET GO James Arthur Back from the Edge (2016) James Arthur’s soft voice shines in this acoustic love song.

Timberlake posted a series of images from his perfomance with a themed background.

well compared to previous half time show preformers, such as Madonna, The Black Eyed Peas, and Beyonce.

“I thought it was pretty good,” freshman Danny Salisbury said. “It was better than the ones in the past.”

The week following up to Super Bowl Sunday, rumors had already begun stating that Timberlake was going to have a hologram as a tribute to Prince.

Compared to Prince’s 2007 performance, Justin Timberlake was concerned a “wimpy joke.” Playing a tribute to Prince during the halftime show would’ve been disrespectful.

Prince, whom passed away in 2016, was born in Minneapolis and had many hits.

He was known as the “King of Pop.” He also gave the Super Bowl one of the best performances in 2007.

During the Super Bowl LII halftime show, there wasn’t a hologram, but there was a projection of Prince performing I Would die 4 U and it also made the town turn into the color purple. Prince sang his songs during the halftime show, while

Timberlake let his background music and background singers do the heavy lifting.

From the hologram, it followed a distracting mumbled opening in which fans could barely even pick out Timberlake’s lyrics.

Unlike Timberlake, Prince also knew how to balance his songs. But, Timberlake’s attempt to remix his own pop classics resulted in wobbly rock arrangement.

In addition to the skill of his balance, Prince also knew how to stick his landing.

Prince’s halftime show ended with one of the greatest moments in halftime history, his remarkable performance on Purple Rain.

Justin Timberlake could have made a much better halftime show by focusing on highlighting his own talents and his unique voice. Compared to previous halftime shows, this one was disappointing and under whelming.

BEST PART Daniel Caesar, H.E.R. Freudian (2017) Daniel Caesar and H.E.R. harmonize well together in this slow love anthem.

PERFECT Ed Sheeran Divide (2017) Ed Sheeran dropped the perfect song for a romantic serenade on his 2017 album.

BOO THANG Verse Simmonds, Kelly Rowland Single (2011) This catchy love song highlights Verse Simmonds Hip-Hop/R&B style.

18 ENTERTAINMENT

Wed. Feb. 14, 2018

Fortnite: Battle Royale takeover The famous building game is creeping up like a storm

BY CHRISTIAN REYES Entertainment Editor Fortnite: Battle Royale is the multiplatform video game that has students fighting to the death with machine guns, rocket launchers, grenades, and more. As of recently people everywhere have hopped on the trend.

The game itself is pretty simple. You can play by yourself in Solo mode, play with a friend in Duo mode, or play with two or three friends in Squad mode.

In Duo and Squad mode, if you need people to play with and none of your friends are online, you can add a “fill” to your team so you won’t have to play these modes alone.

The idea of the game is to be the last one, duo, or squad standing. You start the game on the battle bus, and you or your team pick where to jump off and land.

Once you jump, you skydive through the map and once you’re close enough, a parachute deploys. If you have won games in the mode you’re currently playing in, then an umbrella can be deployed which will parachute much faster.

You start off with a simple pickaxe, and you have to break things down to get materials and find chests, and look around to pick up weapons and medical equipment.

To survive, you must avoid the storm, which takes health away every second you’re stuck in it.

After that, its a free-for-all between you and the other teams.

Epic Game’s Fortnite: Battle Royale is the free 100-player PvP mode in the original Fortnite game. The closed beta includes one giant map, the battle bus, Fortnite building skills and destructible environments combined with intense PvP combat. The last one standing wins.

Students have been drawn to the game after Twitter videos have gone viral of the game, showing YouTubers going on crazy killing sprees and winning the game. Famous Youtubers include Ninja, Avxry, and Muselk.

“I saw a Twitter video on this game and I’ve been hooked ever since.” said senior, Jasiel Aldino.

These YouTubers catch attention by going into Squad games by themselves, no fill, and winning. Although this is not recommended, it is achievable if

you’re good enough.

The game also gives you a character, and it changes throughout each game.

You change from a boy to a girl sometimes, but all of them have the same outfit. You can get different characters and outfits by buying them, but I personally don’t see the point of buying things in a free game.

You can also buy different pickaxes and different parachutes.

The most exciting part of the game is being able to play with your friends.

You can run a Squad game and talk about school that day, talk trash, or talk about anything you want if you have a mic to communicate with.

You can also call out enemy coordinates and revive eachother when your teammates are down.

When you win a game, “Victory Royale!” appears on your screen, and students have said that there is no better feeling. Winning a game is hard and long, but it is all worth it to you and your squad when you win.

Movie Review: Den of Thieves

Playing Squad mode is fun until a teammate takes your SCAR weapon. A SCAR weapon is the strongest gun in the game. This action has resulted in broken friendships and truly is unforgivable.

Students have been posting their wins all over Snapchat for weeks.

Twitter accounts and videos have been made in response to the game.

These are just some of the reasons as to why the game will continue to be popular.

Creativity and unpredictability at its finest show through this new action movie

BY TJ GONZALEZ Staff Writer Debuting on the same weekend as “12 Strong,” Den of Thieves was heavily overlooked for the untold, true military action film about the Housemen entering Afghanistan one month after the tragedy of 9/11.

Den of Thieves takes back a good amount of that attention.

The film has a “cops and robbers” plot, where a group of experienced heist men are up against a few robust, law-abiding detectives who look to take down the knowledgeable criminals.

It is definitely like a liveaction GTA V video game if it had a better plot.

The film stars the legendary rapper Curtis James Jackson III, better known as 50 Cent, the “Straight Outta Compton” star, O’Shea Jackson Jr., and the star of the god-awful “Geostorm,”

Gerard Butler. All three make phenomenal improvements from their previous works.

Butler’s character, who’s on the law’s side, has this toughguy, “I do what I want” detective persona, yet has a very raw, emotional, side-story, lighting up a connection to a specific audience, while also capturing the sympathy of others.

O’Shea Jackson, who serves for the criminals, has very “jumpy” persona. He is extremely intimated by both sides, as he plays a young-gun criminal who drives for the experienced heisters, and gets caught by the crew of detectives.

Aside from the two main stars, the acting is very well done from most of the characters.

This, in my opinion, is better because it fits the films action.

The action in this film is heavy. It is above-and-beyond.

The very first scene gives you a really good sense of how much

action there is going to be.

It may not show up for a good amount of the movie, but in the first scene alone, the movie gives you a good amount to take in and last you till the next action scene.

Whilst you wait for the next action scene, the film gives you a good amount of story to a few of characters to feed on, as mentioned with Butler’s and Jackson’s characters.

By a few, it’s only one or two more other than Butler’s and Jackson’s, which is reasonable and it actually helps the movies by focusing on only a hand full of the character’s backstory.

The film as a whole really bonds together.

It is predictable, plot wise, though the action kind of takes away from the predictability.

It may even beat out “12 Strong” which wouldn’t be too surprising, though it would be acceptable due to its amount of emotion and gritty acting.

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