The Churchill Observer- October 2016

Montgomery County Public Schools Winston Churchill High School 11300 Gainsborough Rd. Potomac, MD 20854

thechurchillobserver.com

November 1, 2016

Volume 41 - Issue 2

A National Blue Ribbon School

Class Moves to Change Robe Color

By Thomas Atkinson News Editor Dani Miller Production Editor

By Rebekah Sklute Online News Editor

A

s the new school year settles in, monumental changes have arisen, for our school, our county and even society as a whole. But how do students feel about these changes?

The Class of 2017 voted on to change the graduation robe colors. Instead of boys wearing blue and girls wearing white, everyone will now be wearing blue.

According to Principal Joan Benz, a proposal was set forth by members of the senior class who were passionate about this issue, and then given to Class of 2017 for a vote.

Some feel that graduation has always been hyper focused on seperating genders, and thus this change of tradition will lead to a more inclusive community at CHS, and make the graduation ceremony a safer space for everybody.

“Gender identity is a big issue,” senior Noah Bach said.

“When you struggle with gender identity and are put into a box your whole life, you would kill for one hour where you don’t have to feel that way.”

However many members of the student body believe that one graduation robe color for all seniors is disrupting CHS tradition. In an informal poll of 360 students conducted by the Observer, an overwhelming 81 percent do not like the change, while just 19 percent of students believe the robes should be one color.

“We should take every opportunity to allow students to differentiate from one another and emphasize what makes them unique, rather than promote unity by taking those opportunities away,” Senior Joshua* said.

According to Joshua, the robes also represent a long standing tradition at CHS, and some graduates will lose the sense of nostalgia if their graduation process is different than their friends and siblings.

Features

Wi-Fi Network Changes

PHOTO COURTESY OF LIFETOUCH PHOTOGRAPHY.

The Class of 2016 SGA Officers during graduation. In the past, boys have worn blue and girl have worn white. This year, everyone will be wearing blue.

In addition to the tradition of multi colored graduation robes, a major concern for seniors is how this change will disrupt their photos and outfits on graduation day.

Many senior girls have already taken their senior portraits in white gowns, which now will not match what they wear on the actual day.

“I paid $60 for these portraits and I think these portraits should match what I wear on May 30,” senior Izzy Rayner said.

Also many girls have already bought their dresses for the special day.

“I’ve had my graduation dress picked out for a while because that day is really important to me,” senior Jessica said* “Everyone that I have talked to is bummed about the change because we won’t be able to participate in the same tradition as our siblings and older friends.”

With such an overwhelming response against the robe change in the poll, many are left wondering about the integrity of the vote conducted by administration.

However, according to senior administrator Doreen Brandes, additional procedures were taken to ensure voter fraud was impossible.

“It was suspect if people voted very close in time, so the tech people negated the first 40 votes in order to ensure you couldn’t vote twice.” Brandes said.

According to Brandes, it was brought to her attention that many people missed out on the opportunity to vote, but due to the extensive promotion of this poll on the Daily Dose, voting was solely the student’s choice and responsibility.

“We want everybody to be a part since it’s the senior class’s decision, and that’s why there was vote,” Brandes said.

This dispute over the robe colors has left the senior class divided, with arguments breaking out in the Class of 2017 Facebook group.

“Churchill is a diverse school, but we do not have a single student who does not identify as a gender, so to make an unpopular rule change seems trivial and unnecessary,” SGA President

Ben Birnbach said.

Regardless of whether people agree with the color change or not, this pressing change is representative of the bigger change occurring in our county.

Many schools have set precedent before CHS, promoting gender-neutral policies, whether it be at homecoming or graduation.

BCC has recently eliminated the notion of a homecoming king or queen, and replaced it with a gender-neutral “homecoming court.”

In fact, MCPS recommends that “schools should consider gender neutral dress codes for class or yearbook photos, honor society ceremonies, graduation ceremonies, or dances.”

“Primarily in Montgomery County, there are very few schools now where people wear more than one color” Principal Joan Benz said.

“People feel now as time has evolved that there’s less identification process if everybody wears the same color.” *Name has been changed to maintain anonymity

Over the summer, MCPS placed a restriction on the MPCS Secure Wi-Fi network to block a variety of social media networks including Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook and other sites.

“Many protections that are in place today are there to attempt to prevent access to sites [that are] harmful to children, encourage cyber bullying, or negatively impact the performance on classroom instruction due non-instructional congestion in the network,” Assistant to the Associate Superintendent Stephen Dolney said.

There is a high demand on the Wi-Fi network due to the hundreds of devices that are used in the school, including school computers and personal devices.

“We strive to make sure that our wireless network is readily available and performing optimally for all of the areas of instruction throughout our schools and offices,” Dolney said.

According to Media Services Technician Ben Schnapp, MCPS purposely blocked social media from the MCPS Secure Wi-Fi network over the summer.

“It’s not fair because lunchtime is our free time and we should be able to use social media during the break,” freshman Reima Mannan said.

Some students have begun to use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to bypass the Wi-Fi restriction. VPN is a protocol or portal used to log onto the offsite computer.

The VPN application is used to access the Wi-Fi from an unknown user and location.

The wifi cannot track where the network is being used from or who is accessing it.

By using a VPN it’s easier for one’s phone to be hacked

Continued on Page 3

Sports

Arts

Opinions

Tech Crew

Girls’ Tennis

Album Review

Musical Choice

Get an inside look into the behind the scenes world of CHS

Catch up on how Girls’ Tennis is doing this season.

Student review of Solange’s A Seat at the Table

Student actors should have more say in show choice.

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Page 19

Page 16

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News

November 1, 2016

Junior Plans New Class for Aspiring Entreprenuers

By Drew Ingall Social Media Editor CHS could be adding business/ entrepreneurial classes to the the list of available courses. It would be an experimental class that would run during the 2017-2018 school year.

According to junior Emily Stein, who came up with the concept and is currently designing the class, the classes will continue after the trial year if enough people sign up for it.

Last year, Stein attended a talk at Johns Hopkins University about blended learning, a which is a learning stylewhere students have a more involved role in the classroom. Stein then had the idea of incorporating this style of teaching into a class at CHS. According to Stein’s presentation, the class would be “a student led, teacher guided entrepreneurship class to give real life experience, and push students beyond their comfort zones.”

The goal of the class is to make students work independently and become more responsible for their own success as there will be minimal direct teacher instruction.

She then presented the idea of a

PHOTO COURTESY OF CREATIVE COMMONS.

blended learning class to principal Joan Benz, and they decided to focus this class on business and entrepreneurship.

“I think that learning about [business] in high school is so important because so many people are going to go into it in the future,” Stein said.

After a couple of meetings, they decided to allot Stein one class period per day devoted to developing this class. During this time, Stein creates the curriculum for this class

and maps out every unit for the entire school year.

According to Stein, the class will include various business-related topics, such as coming up with entrepreneurial ideas, accounting, marketing, finance and what it takes to start a business.

Stein’s class has the potential to be very popular at CHS, as many students are interested in business.

According to a CHS poll of 38 students, 68 percent have an interest in learning about business, and

76 percent would be interested in taking a business class at CHS. “An entrepreneurial class would give an outlet to students whose passion lies in business instead of art, drama or sports,” Stein said.

According to Stein, this class could help students create a concept that could lead to innovative ideas or products in the future.

“Who knows?” Stein said. “Maybe one of these businesses will make it big.”

Second SOS Day Brings Fun and Variety to School Day at CHS

By Anna Baranko Social Media Editor Rebekah Sklute Online News Editor Wouldn’t it be nice if school were relaxing and fun? On Friday Oct. 14, it was exactly that for CHS students.

Instead of a typical school day, the school held its second Sources of Strength (SOS) day to relax and unite students with various stress-free activities.

Last May, CHS held its first SOS day. This year, the tradition continued and the SOS day took place the day of the pep rally and homecoming football game, helping to boost the bulldog pride and spirit.

“It was administration’s decision to combine SOS day and the pep rally but because it’s the day before homecoming we felt that students would enjoy a day of relaxation and fun rather than a grueling day of school before a great weekend,” senior and SGA president Ben Birnbach said.

Students rotated with their first period classes to participate in many different activity stations. Activities included coloring, healthy physical activities directed by trainers from the YMCA, yoga, Bollywood dance directed by students, an obstacle course, Staff Jeopardy, Speed Dating, meditation and games led by the SGA. “SOS day is fun,” junior Damien Xie said. “CHS is a stressful society

so it’s nice to have a day to break away from all the stress.”

According to senior Chloe Heller, she enjoyed SOS day because it gave her the opportunity to participate in “stress relieving activities” like yoga and meditation while hanging out with her friends.

SOS day, planned by CHS administration and counselor Makeyda Soriano. It was also planned by Sources of Strength, an MCPS teen suicide prevention program. All three groups worked together to successfully created a relaxing, stressfree day for students and faculty.

“We also have school climate that's an issue so insuring that we are building a positive community,” Soriano said. “We have a lot of students that express wanting to feel a part of a community or wanting to really build a relationship with their teachers or with others and this is a great opportunity to do that.”

Last year, many students skipped the SOS day. So, this year the SGA tried to advertise SOS day towards the freshman as cool event to attend, but did not advertise the day as much as last year. Last year many students skipped school on SOS day because they knew they wouldn’t have class.

Once again, Orchestra teacher Kristofer Sanz directed the meditation station. The auditorium was pitch black while students laid down and listened to a relaxing soundtrack and his voice. He narrated a calm place for students’ minds to travel

PHOTO COURTESY OF ANNA BARANKO.

Students participate in Bollywood dancing lesson during SOS Day. towards.

“I loved the meditation because it was so relaxing and really enjoyable,” senior Faith Meyer said. “The fact that it was completely silent, besides the person who was leading it, made it even better. The lights being off made it be even more relaxing. I have never done the meditation before then, but I would definitely do it again.”

There was speed dating in the gym led by junior sponsor Evan Rosenthal. Students had the oppor-

tunity to meet other students in all grades. They were given a sheet of questions to get their conversations going.

“I liked the speed dating the most because I got to talk to new people and found out that there are a lot of people who like the things that I enjoy, or things very similar to it,” Meyer said. “I'm also not the best at talking to new people, so the way it was made it easier to talk to the people that I didn't know.”

November 1, 2016

News

3

Local Clown Sightings Rattle CHS Students

By Ben Dross Kyle Emery Sports Editors

With a prominent holiday approaching at the end of the month, students trick-or-treating this halloween must be careful, as common clown sightings are no laughing matter.

Starting in Oct., sightings of clowns are becoming more than a common halloween prank. The clowns have been spotted at grade schools and colleges across the nation. “[The clown scaring is] an oxymoron kind of thing we always think about clowns being fun and entertaining little kids/adults and to have somebody use clown faces to threaten people, very serious,” Principal Joan Benz said.

The clowns have targeted the area by threatening CHS as well as other schools, including QO and Wootton, with an instagram account called “Moco.

Clownies.” They claim to represent the clown pranksters in Montgomery County.

How does this generally impact CHS as a whole?

According to Benz, the school won’t be disrupting any instruction unless Montgomery County Police receive any major threats impacting the school.

“I think that [the clowns] are terrifying and creepy and it’s scaring a lot of people around our area, especially at CHS because we’ve gotten threats,” sophomore Setare Aliakbar said.

The school has only received minor threats thus far, accounting for zero shelters and lockdowns during the school day. Although the school has acquired threats, none have required any follow-up actions as a result.

“I don’t really think it has effects on CHS because clown sightings haven’t actually happened in MCPS yet,” junior Maddie Horvitz said. “Besides, it’s not

like these clowns are too viscous to handle; they’re regular people dressed up as horror movie villains with often non-lethal weapons, so police would handle them if a call were made about clown sightings.”

Students are wary that the attacks may increase in severity. Around the country, these clowns have been known to carry weapons such as pitchforks and knives.

“I’m skeptical the clowns will come, but I don’t want to take any chances and be caught off guard,” junior Neel Deka said. “I’ve seen the videos and social media pages so I’m buying it a little bit.”

Right now it seems that CHS has taken no major actions to defend against the clown attacks, as there have been no major threats. It seems unlikely more will come at this point.

“I think not giving [the clowns] much attention is a better way to handle it because it seems to make it less scary,” Deka said.

The clown craze went viral around the same time people started getting into the Halloween spirit.

According to an Oct. 4 TIME article, the clown frenzy started small in South Carolina in late Aug. and has since spread across the country while gradually growing.

The hysteria mostly stems from the paint the clowns wear. Because they conceal their emotions and facial expressions with paint, no one really knows who or what’s under there—it’s an intriguing, yet haunting mystery that draws people to clowns while at the same time scaring them out of their wits.

“The whole clown thing is horrible,” freshman Emma Chen said. “By now, it’s a known joke, but when it was first starting, I was not planning on leaving my house.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF CREATIVE COMMONS.

The Great Clown Scare of 2016 has insighted fear in various communities. Clowns were rumored to be coming to CHS, but never showed.

Annual Canned Food Drive Certain Apps Blocked on Wifi

By Sophie Liss Social Media Editor CHS had a food drive during the month of October to provide food for local families in need of assistance.

All food for the drive was donated by students and collected by class sponsors until Oct. 28 and donated to the Manna organization.

“The food drive is a commendable effort,” sophomore Class Sponsor Jonathan Lee said. “Students who donate to the food drive are doing so out of altruism rather than personal gain.”

School sanctioned charitable events allow students to be involved in making people’s lives better. These events allow students to actively participate in donations that directly impact the lives of the less fortunate by giving these people food and other items they need.

“At the end of the day, nobody wants to see people suffer,” Lee said.

“Donating to the needy when we ourselves are fortunate to have food on the table is a small charity on our parts; the feeling of satisfaction in helping the needy is a very large reward in itself.”

Donating food is not only a way to help others, however. There are many personal gains that come of it, such as learning about social and economic issues firsthand and becoming a more generous and thankful person. “[The] award is the good feeling that you showed your kindness and generosity to your community and school,” sophomore Benjamin Pham said.

Some teachers believe it is important for CHS to sponsor charitable events for many reasons. These include teaching students good virtues such as generosity and teaching them to appreciate the opportunities they are given.

“School is a form of community,” senior class sponsor Kevin Doherty said. “It’s important to instill a sense of gratitude and goodwill in young people.”

PHOTO BY SOPHIE LISS.

“[The] award is the good feeling that you showed your kindness and generosity to your community and school,” sophomore Benjamin Pham said.

Jump from Page 1 “A VPN allows you to get passed the block set by the network administrator,” a senior who wished to remain anonymous said.

“I personally use it for Facebook, Snapchat, Tumblr and Instagram.

The VPN was currently blocked on the Wi-Fi, but there is a a way around it on the computers.”

Not only does this new restriction affect students’ lunchtime break, but it also affects their needs for in school communication.

“We use the Facebook group as one of our main sources of communicatiAon, so no Wi-Fi will impede our ability to communicate with our members,” said senior and History Honors Society President Chloe Heller.

With apps such as Facebook Messenger being blocked, many people are unable to contact their friends about important matters.

“I use social media quite often to keep in contact with not only my friends, but also club officers, group project partners,especially through Facebook Messenger,” senior Eowyn Pak said. “Just a couple of days ago, the golf team girls were going to meet up at the Bulldog Lobby to choose Secret buddies. They canceled last minute and notified everyone through Facebook Messenger but because I was connected to the school Wi-Fi, which was restricted, I never got the memo.”

Many students who use the WiFi for social media purposes are

frustrated with the new restrictions and would support a new system.

“I would propose that they have a separate network for social/personal use, separate from the chromebooks,” Pak said.

However, a site can only be unblocked from the Wi-Fi for educational purposes.

“If a teacher finds that a site that is frequently used in class for educational purposes is now blocked, that teacher can request that the site be put on a safe list for use in class,” Dolney said.

Opinions

4

The Churchill

Observer

November 1, 2016

Outlet is Needed to Voice Concerns

Editors Editors-in-Chief Eugenia Cardinale Arielle Gordon Online Editor-in-Chief Nathan Deychman

Chief Production Manager Emiliana Cardinale Production Editors Camila Camp Eli Gordon Will Hyland Dani Miller Sofia Williamson News Editors Thomas Atkinson Lauren Roseman * Opinions Editor Maya Rosenberg* Observations Editor Sai Sreenivasan Features Editors Sara Heimlich* Emily Wang Arts Editors Sarah O’Brien Balbina Yang Sports Editors Ben Dross Kyle Emery Fact Checkers Bryan Fletcher* Ethan S. Miller Matthew Sun Social Media Editors Jake Herman* Julia Lescht Laura Sneller* Drew Ingall Anna Baranko* Joe Raab Sophie Liss

*also Production Editor

Managers

Advertising Manager Max Kandel Business Managers Eliza Asbury Megan Park

Circulation Managers Brandon Li Jenna Greenzaid* Contest Managers Vicky Gunawan Nora Holland Adviser Mary Dempsey

Our Policy The Churchill Observer is published monthly by the students of Winston Churchill High School, 11300 Gainsborough Road, Potomac, Md. 20854.

Advertising and subscription rates are available by e-mailing churchill.observer@gmail.com.

Advertisements do not necessarily reflect the opinion of staff, faculty or the student body.

Every effort has been made by the staff to ensure that the news is accurate and free of bias.

Editorial opinions are those of the Observer staff, and personal commentaries and cartoons reflect the opinions of their writers. Letters to the editor must be signed, and assertions must be documented upon request. Send letters to the editor to churchill.observer@gmail.com The Observer is a public forum for the purpose of expressing the views of and informing the Churchill community.

So many things divide us at CHS. The classes we take, the friends we have, the sports we play. But at the same time, we are all united. We are all students at the same school, who work hard and who strive to make CHS a better place for everyone.

This year, the Class of 2017 voted on whether to change the color of their graduation robes from white for girls and blue for boys to a single color for everyone. The goal of the proposed change was to make the graduation ceremony more inclusive to all students.

Seniors voted to ultimately to make the graduation robes all blue instead of the traditional blue for boys and white for girls. This vote is a huge leap forward towards both inclusiveness and increased student participation. The fact that there was even a vote on this issue shows that students truly care and want to create change in the decisions that impact them most.

Student input has been on the rise in other schools as well, and has helped to increase inclusivity in the student body.

This year, Bethesda Chevy Chase (BCC) changed their homecoming court to be gender neutral. Instead of having kings and queens, those on the homecoming court were referred to as “homecoming royalty.” BCC has also instituted a gender neutral bathroom.

The CHS senior class vote began as a student initiative, which is a crucial

step forward towards more student autonomy. At CHS, and at so many other high schools across the country, students are not always given the choices or ability to make decisions that will benefit themselves and their peers. Oftentimes the county or the school administration makes decisions impacting everyone, even if those decisions hurts some more than others.

According to Principal Joan Benz, this is the first year in her tenure as principal that anyone brought forth a proposal for any kind of change to the graduation

By Laura Sneller Social Media Editor

correctness on a large scale, such as Matt Damon being cast as the protagonist in “The Great Wall.” This movie is about the Northern Song Dynasty, which revolved around the mysteries of the Great Wall of China. Instead of choosing a Chinese actor to star as the main character, they chose a Caucasian man.

Whitewashing of Asian movies even applies to animated characters. The popular manga and anime “Death Note” is being adapted into an American live action movie, set to premiere in 2017. The main character, Light Yagami, will be known instead as Light Turner, and will be played by Caucasian actor Nat Wolff.

Similarly, the live-action adaptation of the classic anime and manga “Ghost in a Shell” is starring Scarlett Johansson instead of a Japanese actress.

Anime and manga are beautiful and complex forms of expression, but when a director makes a live action movie, they should at least make the characters the race they were meant to be. There are many great Japanese actors who are not able to show their skills in a predominantly white film industry. They should be cast in movies that are an actual part of their country’s culture.

CHS students are reaching the time in their lives when they are very impressionable and are subject to the influence of the media and society. But if all they see are negative representations of their race or religion, they are going to think less highly about themselves, which can lead them to not reach their full potential.

The misrepresentation of people of color does not stop at the film industry’s ignorance. The news media usually only shows the negative aspects of different cultures, which is extremely dangerous

BSERVER O O PINION robes. However, she hopes that this vote will lead to students making more autonomous choices as CHS aims to give students an opportunity to express their opinions.

Students care about the issues that impact them; that is why there was even a vote to change the graduation robes in the first place, and why BCC decided to make aspects of their school more inclusive. CHS cares; that care and passion and drive should translate into students being given more authority over certain choices that explicitly impact them.

IMAGE BY KEVIN HO.

However, there was confusion and conflict surrounding the results of the vote. People who brought up the issue in the first place were lashed out at by those who disagreed, resulting bigger divide, an outcome that was the opposite intent of the proposed solution.

Rather than allowing this tension to build up, there should be more of an open-discussion approach whenever an issue is raised by the student body. CHS should set up a system wherein students can anonymously bring up concerns in order to get those concerns discussed.

Those concerns would then be brought to the student body in a formal and impatial manner, such as by selected teachers or administrators. Students who want to bring about change would not be targeted or harassed if they have a safe space to do so, resulting in more honestly about issues at CHS. Students must continue to raise their concerns. If students can come together to rally behind a cause, they have the ability to have more influence on choices that directly impact them.

While administration does have the final say in most cases, if students worked with one another as well as administration, they might be surprised at all they could accomplish in order to make CHS a more progressive, inclusive, and accepting community CHS, let’s come together and create the change that we wish to see.

Misrepresentation in Movies Must Stop Hollywood has progressively gotten more diverse throughout the years, with more movies and TV shows depicting the lives of minorities, helping to break gender and racial barriers. The new Disney princess movie “Moana,” about a Hawaiian teenager from three thousand years ago, is an example of the film industry breaking out from their usual white female lead.

However, “Moana” is not completely in the clear when it comes to cultural correctness. The demigod Maui, voiced

by Dwayne Johnson, is depicted as not as strong or serious and is not accurate in physical appearances to the Polynesian legend from which one of Hawaii’s islands is named after.

According to a June 2016 Washington Post article, most people were upset because Maui was depicted as overweight, and they felt as if that was another case of American stereotyping by making an important part of Hawaiian culture into a joke.

The misrepresentation of people of color has been a huge problem in the media for a long time. Whether it be a completely incorrect depiction or just a case of cultural insensitivity, misrepresentation has become such a common occurrence that it often goes unnoticed.

CHS students are very connected to the media, and with the publicity that has been surrounding this movie, the theaters will be packed. However, most of the students do not even realize the insensitivity that is being displayed in this movie, therefore becoming prey to it themselves.

This insensitivity causes cultural in-

for these minorities in the United States.

According to a study conducted by the Color of Change organization, 51 percent of the people the New York Police Department arrested for murder, assault and theft were African American from 2010-2013. However, 75 percent of people that newscasters show as culprits for these crimes are black, exaggerating the image of African Americans as perpetrators by 24 percentage points.

This causes people to believe that most criminals are black and primarily male, which creates stereotypes, racial profiling and irrational fear.

According to a 2013 California State University study, the media typically portrays Muslim women as oppressed, uneducated and voiceless. However, in reality, 62 percent of Saudi women are enrolled in higher education. The misrepresentation of this minority makes people underestimate Muslim women, despite their success.

The media plays a huge role in teens’ everyday life, and the problem with misrepresentation and cultural incorrectness is not a new one. The media’s race problem can cause many negative consequences, which will especially affect the impressionable students at CHS. Even though issues of racism are getting better with more societal awareness, the struggle for equality, whether it is for the races or genders, is definitely not over.

Observer October Corrections In our September issue, we misspelled the name of our Athelte of the Month, Lena Capoccia. If you notice any issues with our publication, please contact us at thechurchillobserver@gmail. com.

November 1, 2016

Opinions

Lesser-Known Productions Hinder Theater

5

By Lauren Roseman News Editor Sofia Williamson Online Opinions Editor

This November, the CHS theater department is putting on the production “A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to the Forum.” Have you ever heard of it? No? Well, neither have we.

For the past two years, the theater department has performed musicals and plays that are relatively unknown to most CHS students, including the performers themselves. The attendance of these performances has been strikingly low, as the audience is generally made up of the family and close friends of the actors.

If our community attends and promotes CHS musicals, it will boost the audience size and performer recognition and therefore allow for financing of a much stronger theater department.

According to Director and Theater Advisor Naomi Ratz, she chooses the musicals and plays that CHS performs based on multiple factors. Since there are many talented male actors, she ensures that the shows have roles that demonstrate their abilities and are also challenging enough to expand upon the actors’ experiences and abilities.

One the of the reasons she selects less-known musicals is because she feels that the more well-known shows such as “Les Miserables” have been overdone. However, the reason why these shows are more well-known to the general public, performed more frequently and referred to in popular culture is because these shows are classics. People want to see what they love, and people love the classics.

Ratz also selects lesser-known shows because she does not want the actors to reflect the portrayal of certain popular roles that they have already seen in order to challenge the actors.

Yet, popular shows remain popular because they inspire directs and actors to create different interpretations. CHS actors are more than talented enough

PHOTO BY NORA HOLLAND.

Members of the cast of “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to The Forum” reherse. to put their own spin on a role and make it their own. Also, the roles in many wellknown shows are just as challenging as the roles in lesser-known musicals, if not more.

According to senior and Student Tech Director Izzy Rayner, she has suggested other options in terms of production elements to Ms. Ratz, however, Rayner has no total say in the final decision.

Rayner believes Ratz needs to pick more popular musicals as well, due to the fact that the average CHS student hasn’t heard of any of the recent shows, including the kids in the theater program themselves.

Popular shows are more expensive to produce, due to costs of props and sets. However, if CHS puts on these more popular shows, more students will want to attend the performances to see their friends act in some of their favorite productions, and more students will in turn bring in more money to the theater department to pay for more popular musicals.

Schools with county-renowned theater departments such as Quince Orchard and Richard Montgomery

consistently put on musicals and plays that are deeply imbedded in American pop culture.

Last spring QOHS performed Once Upon A Mattress, a musical based off a well-known children’s tale that was made into a Disney movie in 2005. In 2015, they produced the Sound of Music, which was rated by IMDb the fourth-best musical of all time.

According to QOHS Theater Department’s student director Bree Kooienga, their audiences consist of community members, parents, and students. They attract a large audience through extensive advertising.

If the CHS theater department were to advertise productions in this way and put on plays that are more well-known to the general public, they would attract this variety of audience members, not just parents and friends of cast members.

Also, according to Kooienga, the QOHS theater department allows for student directors of musicals.

They also have a board of student

officers who vote on which productions will be performed, unlike CHS, where the theater advisor alone chooses the production.

This student board allows for a type of autonomy that allows the performers to have a say in what they will be performing. The CHS theatre department should institute a board like the one at QOHS, as well as implement student directors, to allow the students to have a larger sense of ownership with their performances.

By performing more well-known shows, the actors of the CHS theater department can strengthen their skills by not settling for less. These shows are so incredibly popular because they’re well-written and challenging to perform. By pushing our actors to reach new limits in their performance, they can become better actors for shows in the future at CHS and beyond Our student performers and crew members at CHS work hard and love what they do. They deserve to have a say in the musicals they perform, and they deserve to have an audience that appreciates their talent.

dents, only 38 percent believe the new efforts to increase school spirit are productive.

According to Class of 2018 sponsor Evan Rosenthal, not all students are interested in the typical high school experience of attending weekly football games or pep rallies. These students need to be included and considered as well when promoting school events.

students who are not interested or involved in athletics.

Why would these students want to go out and support the football team if those people don’t come out to support them?

Football players and other athletes deserve to be celebrated.

They deserve to be cheered on from the stands for the hours of

aging support and attendance for other club and department events, not only the athletics. Supporting these other groups should be a natural component of school spirit.

Every fall and spring, we have a pep rally to celebrate the school. The athletic teams parade around and we give them the praise they deserve, but we forget the rest of the school.

Where is the applause and the pep rally for club presidents? The students who spend hours and hours on student publications? The exec board members who work behind the scenes to pull off homecoming? The theater and arts department which are filled with phenomenal talent but are so often ignored?

According to Rosenthal, at the school he taught at previously, they celebrated various groups during the pep rallies, not just the athletes. Other groups should be able to walk out during the pep rallies and the SGA should promote other club events as unifying school spirit building activities.

According to the survey, 73 percent of students believe school spirit is about celebrating the community as a whole, rather than only celebrating athletics.

Students will not want to celebrate a school if they don’t feel it celebrates them. It’s time for CHS to celebrate everyone, and stop glorifying one group of students, while ignoring the hard work of the rest.

School-wide Events Celebrate Athletes, Neglect Most Groups

By Eugenia Cardinale Editor-in-Chief

Every fall, the Student Government Association (SGA) faces the recurring problem of trying to increase school spirit. Every year, we are told that this school year will finally be the year of increased school spirit, however, we seem to remain just as unspirited.

Efforts to increase school spirit usually focus around one event: football games. The promotion around the games to increase school spirit have good intentions, but are ineffective, as only a certain percent of the student population cares about or is involved in athletics. Football games are often the center of the effort to increase school spirit because they are large events that draw a large crowd, and in turn, generate significant revenue for the school. However, there are other sports teams that are not as heavily promoted, as well as various other groups of students who have arts or club events as well.

School spirit should not only focus on celebrating athletics, but the entire school community and each and every small group of the school. One group of students should not be glorified while the others are left in the dark.

The uneven support for different events that implies that one group’s hard work is more important and valued than others, which certainly goes against what school spirit is all about.

According to a survey of 64 stu-

PHOTO BY EMILIANA CARDINALE.

The football team runs through a banner at the fall pep rally.

School spirit should not be measured by the number of students who attend a football game, but rather by how students support all athletic teams, clubs, and art groups at CHS. By focusing on the football games, the SGA ignores the population of

practice that they put in to represent the school. But so do the students who work tirelessly on plays, clubs and volunteer work, deserve to be supported and cheered on as well.

The SGA needs to start encour-

Observations

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November 1, 2016

Seniors Earn Perfect Scores on AP Economics Exam

By Emiliana Cardinale Production Manager

Senior Sheila Gaur is the first CHS student to ever earn a perfect score on the AP Macroeconomics exam.

There are about 135,000 students who took macroeconomics test last year.

Gaur is one of the 28 students worldwide who earned a perfect score on the exam.

“Econ was my favorite class last year because of its applicability to current events, so seeing my interest and hard work translate into my test score was awesome,” Gaur said.

According to Gaur, AP economics teacher Monica Malanoski was a big reason for her success.

“I am incredibly proud of Sheila, she worked hard and it paid off,” Malanoski said. “She is the first student that

By Max Kandel Advertising Manager

PHOTO COURTESY OF SHEILA GAUR.

I have taught to earn a perfect on the Macro exam. I have graded AP Exams and know that it takes a lot of attention to detail to score a perfect on the responses.”

EHS Welcomes Inductees

By Brandon Li Circulation Manager Congratulations to the following students for their induction into the National English Honor Society: Adkins, Caroline Amini, Cameron Ashcraft, Alexandra Atkinson, Thomas Babrowicz, Bergan Bai, Jiawei Paid Baker, Gabriella Bandak, Hanan Baranko, Anna Begun, Zane Bi, Chongbright Cammaroto, Magdalen Camp, Sofia Capoccia, Lena Case, Kevin Chan, William Chang, Isabella Chen, Bethany Chen, Bruce Cheng, Jamie Chien, Julia Cho, Helene Comer, Jack Cooper, Julie Craun, Andrew Danziger, Kate Demby, Sadia Demby, Suuba Desai, Alisha Dougherty, Shawna Durand, Lelia Durant, Ava Eisenberger, Corey Eticha, Hawine

Fang, Teresina Frantzis, Vasiliki Gage, Grace Ge, Frank Gordon, Catherine Green, Madison Gunther, Liza Gutridge, Shayna Hardie, Caroline He, Katherine Heimlich, Sara Heller, Jaclyn Herman, Jake Horng, Jessica Horvitz, Mad eline Hua, Hugo Huang, Erin Hutton, Lindsay Jackson, Rebecca Jacobs, Zach Jordan-Millet, Antonia Justement, Shelly Kean, Faith Kidney, John Kim, Elizabeth Kim, Noah Klein, Aliya Kline, Taylor Lao, Kyle Caitlin Lawrence, Libba Lee, Christopher Lee, Hannah Lee, Lucy Lee, Yoonju Leo, Emily Li, Derek Li, Eric

Senior Jennifer Chen earned a 100 percent on her AP microeconomics exam. Only a total of 47 of all 83,000 earned a perfect score.

“I was really pleasantly surprised when I received the letter about my score,” Chen said. “It’s definitely because Ms. Malanoski prepared us so well.”

AP economics teacher Monica Malanoski also praised Chen on her hard work and organization.

“She is just incredibly organized and she pays attention to the details, which I think is important,” Malanoski said.

NHS Welcomes Inductees

By Emily Wang Features Editor

Congratulations to the following seniors for their induction into the National Honor Society: Li, Esther Li, Haoran Li, Jacob Lin, Benjamin Liu, Michael Locraft, Hannah Lu, Joycelyn Luo, Yutian Ma, Hollis Maggid, Jacob Maizlish, Emily Mangat, Hana Manzari, Tara Markin, Victoria Mei, Hannah Miller, Cameron Misaghian, Neeku Mishal, Ahmad Mishra, Varun Mollard, Anna Monson, Josie Morgan, Sarah Namath, Isabel Nayak, Adishree Ohr, Lacey Olcott, Molly Olinger, Andrew Park, Aprill Park, Calissa Parsons, Gabby Primmer, Joseph Prokos, Maria Prosen, Jenna Pyo, Daniel Raj, Yashavini Roberts, Valerie Rodriguez, Constanza Rosenbauer, Brook

Rosenberg, Maya Sachar, Sarah Sailer, Mary Sandalon, Hadas Seligman, Gaby Shahi, Arjun Shapiro, Maria Singh, Amit Small, Bella Srebnick, Hallie Sun, Anna Tai, Michelle Tan, Richard Tong, George Tu, Patrick Twomey, Juliet Vermilyea, Katherine Wachen, Allison Wang, Jenna Warner, Bridgette Wathieu, Adam Weinberg, Josephine Weiner, Brooke Weissel, Sara Williamson, Sofia Winer, Ally Winer, Andrew Wolf, Michael Wolfson, Rebecca Woodward-Montes, Isabella Wright, Elisabeth Wu, Carissa Xia, Grace Youstra, Caroline Zhao, Jack T. Zhao, Matt Zheng, Bliss Zhu, Alice Zhu, Jennifer

PHOTO BY MARY DEMPSEY.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JENNIFER CHEN.

Dan Alpert Hannah Ashe Autumn Cook Jennifer Chen Rebecca Clem Corey Eisenberg Yeama Ho Jocelyn Kelley Hameedah Khadar Lauren Lipson

2016 NHS Induction Ceremony.

Lauren Matcha Jacey Max Laudan Nikoobakht Eowyn Pak Noah Pereles John Sarihan Balbina Yang The National Honor Society (NHS) offers tutoring for students in a variety of subjects and participates in two service projects throughout the year. The theme for this year’s service projects is education; the projects include starting a book donation collection and creating a test-prep book exchange at CHS. “I’m looking forward to helping others both through tutoring and the non academic-activities,” senior Corey

PHOTO BY BALBINA YANG.

Students National Merit Scholars

By Emily Wang Features Editor Congratulations to the following seniors for becoming National Merit Semifinalists and National Commended Scholars.

National Merit Semifinalists: Jennifer Chen Michael Chen Sheila Gaur Matthew Goldsmith David Miller Valerie Roberts Jack Zhao National Commended Scholars: Michael Chang Ig-Jun Cho Alexander Chung Alvin Chung Dan Cohen Madelyn Dahl Ryan Depirri Grant Dong Zachary Einhorn Nina Gautam Nina Hazra Chloe Heller Yeama Ho Xinyi Jing Lucy Lee Alison Li Enoch Li

Meilun Liu Hannah Locraft Ross Locraft Allison Lu William Mishkin Varun Mishra Carli NEedle Andrew Rothstein John Sarihan Max Smith Siddhika Sreenivasan Matthew Suh Jacob Wagner John Walsh Emily Wang Katherine Yau Jeffrey Yin David Yoon Yining Zhu The National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) is a non-profit organization that recognizes academically talented high school students in the United States. In early September, approximately 16,000 students are notified that they have qualified as Semifinalists, the highest scorers in their state. In late September, about 34,000 students receive Letters of Commendation in recognition of their excellent achievements.

“I’m most excited about the possibility of being a finalist and being able to see my hard work pay off,” senior and National Merit semifinalist, Sheila Gaur said.

November 1, 2016

Features

Students Walk to End Mental Illness Stigma

By Kyle Emery Sports Editor In memory of their father who they lost to suicide six years ago, junior Gabriella Baker and her sister, freshman Gina Baker, led a team in the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s (AFSP) “Out of the Darkness Walk” on Oct. 22.

The walk aims to raise money for suicide prevention and to decrease the stigma surrounding mental illness and suicide as well.

“When I opened up my team page on Oct. 4, it was a big step for me be-

this year as a “first step to becoming active in the fight” against suicide and her first step of becoming a “leader.”

After Gabriella announced that she would be walking, UMTTR immediately backed her up by helping with publicity.

According to AFSP’s website, their mission is to “reduce the annual suicide rate by 20% by 2025.”

Gabriella set up a team donation page in which people could contribute to her goal of raising $3,000 by the time of the walk. Her team ended up raising $3,300.

“Keep doing you, Gab,” said a $100

caring messages that I received from sharing my past is what I had always dreamed of but didn’t think would come true because of the stigma that

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had always prevented me from speaking out. It means so much to me how so many people stood by my side in my most life-changing experience.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF GABRIELLA BAKER.

Umttr members and other students walking with Baker at the event. cause I was revealing what I had kept hidden from everyone for years,” said Gabriella, who is a UMTTR officer. “I was afraid to tell people for some reason, perhaps because of the stigma that surrounds suicide and mental disorders, but stepping out of the shadows is the only way to battle it and erase the stigma.”

Gabriella became a UMTTR officer

donor who remained anonymous on the donation page. “I’m so, so proud.”

Another anonymous donor’s comment read “Thanks for doing this.”

A group of fourteen teens and adults showed up to the walk for the Baker team in support of the cause.

“I feel so blessed with all of the compassion that I have received from doing this walk,” Gabriella said. “The

PHOTO COURTESY OF GABRIELLA BAKER.

Gabriella and her Gina Baker with their mother after the walk.

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Features

November 1, 2016

Observer Applauds CHS Theatre Tech Crew

By Sara Heimlich Features Editor Becky Wolfson Online Arts Editor

Although they may not literally have a spotlight shining on them, it is time the behind-the-scenes contributors of CHS theater productions are given some props.

“The biggest misconception about theater is that not a lot of work goes into a production from either side— actors or tech,” stage manager sophomore Junghyeon Lee said. “It takes a pretty hefty chunk out of a day and it takes a lot out of you.”

Like any other extra-curricular activity at CHS, working on theater productions requires dedication and long hours after school.

Daily rehearsals typically end between 3:30 and 4:45 p.m., but during “tech week,” the week leading up to the show, students stay even later.

“We do a lot of hard work and we end up staying at school till 10 or 11 p.m. some nights,” audio technician senior Maxie Wiener said.

Students’ passion for theater inspires them to learn the skills necessary to actually carry out the show.

“I became the involved in tech as a freshman,” Wiener said. “[Though] I had no knowledge of anything soundrelated, I had an upper classman teach me how to use the sound board. I learned the most once I actually started to work with the board on shows.”

Senior Izzy Rayner grew up watching musicals, but she has learned the most about live theater and the process of making a show “go from script to stage” through her role as the student tech director.

Each individual plays a crucial role in ensuring the productions are successful.

“I love being able to do a little bit of everything,” Rayner said. “I get to work on construction, sound, lights and managing.”

Rayner generally arrives at school two hours prior to showtime. She makes sure everything is in place, then

PHOTO BY SARA HEIMLICH.

Senior Jeremy Chang works with power tools to help consturct the sets for the upcoming musical, “A Funny Thing Happened on the way to the Forum.” heads to the “tech green room,” where the crew gets pumped up before the curtain rises.

The CHS productions are studentrun with guidance by official director, film and yearbook adviser Naomi Ratz.

“My role is to basically be the bridge between Mrs. Ratz and the tech crew,” Lee said. “I study the show far in advance of opening night and decide what props are needed [in collaboration] with Mrs. Ratz.”

During the live performance, Lee directs the spotlights, plays sound effects and makes sure there are no “potholes” in the show.

“I’m there to just make sure everyone is where they need to be and have what they need to have,” Lee said.

According to senior costume designer Libby Spriggs, the first thing she does is familiarize herself with the production. She maps out the looks for every character, getting inspiration from the time period and internet. Then, she decides whether to make, rent, or thrift shop items she needs once she has the actors’ measurements.

“My favorite part of costumes is that it’s my personal outlet that mixes fashion design, a passion of mine, and leadership,” Spriggs said.

PHOTO BY SARA HEIMLICH.

Sophomore Harvey Shergill and Senior Maxie Weiner work in the “shop” to build set pieces.

During the shows, Spriggs does the cast’s hair and makeup, keeps the dressing rooms organized and helps with quick changes between scenes.

Another aspect of putting on a successful show is ensuring the audience can hear what is happening on stage.

According to Wiener, she is in charge of all the microphones and setting up the band if there is one. When she is not working on controlling the sound, Wiener also helps to build sets.

Currently the CHS theater department is working on “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” a musical features a dysfunctional Roman family and the shenanigans they bring with them.

According to Ratz, is it a farcical, comedy of errors taking place in ancient Rome about a slave trying to buy his freedom.

“People think that theater is only for one type of person,” Rayner said.

“However, there are so many different types of shows nowadays, from ‘Rock of Ages’ to ‘Hamilton’ to ‘Wicked’ to ‘The Lion King,’ that everyone can find something they like when they go to the theater.”

Any student can get involved in theater productions at CHS. If not, they can still attend one. “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” will be performed on November 4, 5, 11, and 12 at 7:00 p.m. and November 6 at 2:00 p.m.

“Students should come see the show to support their fellow 90 students who have poured many hours into making this a fantastic performance,” Ratz said. “90 students have worked collaboratively to create this beautiful, funny, entertaining piece of art, and we should all celebrate that and support that. Plus, the show is really entertaining.”

As you watch “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” think about the crew hammering down the set, directing the lighting and sound and making final alterations to the costumes. There is more to CHS productions than what shines in the spotlight.

November 1, 2016

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Features

Your Horoscope Says You Should Read This

By Megan Park Business Manager

Whether it is finding out what your week will be like or determining the type of vegetable you are, horoscopes are always fun to read.

Zodiac signs are astrological signs based on one’s date of birth. Many social media outlets, such as Instagram, Snapchat and Buzzfeed have been posting fun and intriguing photos with descriptions such as “Signs When the World Ends,” or daily advice and encouragement for zodiac signs.

“I love reading my horoscopes,” sophomore Anisa Saisan said. “They always pop up on Instagram or Snapchat and it’s really fun to see what my daily horoscope is or something completely random like what battery percentage I am.”

While some love reading their daily horoscope, others do not care much for it. While they may be fun to read, some find them to be unrealistic and unreliable.

“I don’t have much interest in zodiac signs,” sophomore Katie Monteferrante said. “I will admit, they are interesting to read once in awhile but it isn’t something I would go out of my way to read or look at.”

Recently, NASA has discovered a new astrological sign, which would place thirteen constellations in the zodiac instead of twelve. This discovery could throw off the original zodiac dates. It is believed the Babylonian’s left out Ophiuchus, the thirteenth star sign.

The inclusion of the constellation in the zodiac would change the astrological

PHOTO COURTESY OF CREATIVE COMMONS.

A newly discovered astrological sign may impact the traditional horoscope calendar. calendar that has been used for millenia.

According to a Sept. 29 article from The Weather Channel, a discussion on the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) site explained how the sky has shifted because the Earth’s axis is not pointing in the same direction as it was three millennia ago.

On the other hand, NASA has not hinted at changing the astrological signs. As of now, they are still planning to keep the signs the way they are.

According to an Oct. 8 Morning Ledger article, NASA clarified that they are studying Astronomy, not Astrology, and have not changed any zodiac signs.

Also, many astrologers have insisted that nothing has changed.

“I don’t mind that NASA may or may have not changed the zodiac signs,” Saisan said. “It would be a little disappointing if they actually have changed since I’d have to look at a different sign than what I’m used to, but it definitely won’t have a huge impact on me.”

Student Volunteers Impact Election Without Voting

By Drew Ingall Social Media Editor

By Maya Rosenberg Opinions Editor

The presidential election between Republican nominee Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton is all that anyone has been focused on for the past year and a half--and CHS students are no exception.

With the election coming up on Nov. 8, there has been an increase in political interest among high school students.

CHS students have been participating and playing active roles in this election.

“I helped organize a rally to raise awareness of [Clinton’s] policies,” senior Diana Fischer said. “I am also going to organize voting at Our Lady of Mercy location on the day of the election.”

For Fischer, being politically involved is not even about the candidate she is supporting; it is about getting the opportunity to be a part of something big.

According to Fischer, she was given the chance to work for a political campaign and she took it, even though she does not personally support Clinton.

Despite her age, Fischer still feels that she is making a big difference.

Junior Omisa Jinsi agrees that millennials should not only volunteer but also vote in order to have an impact on the election.

According to Jinsi, she has always been a big fan of Hillary Clinton due to her ability to break barriers. Jinsi wanted to be involved with the Clinton campaign because she feels that

Clinton’s capability and intelligence have been overshadowed by petty, sometimes sexist, attacks.

“There are always reasonable backstories to her ‘scandals’ that make up for her actions, but the media and public continue to disregard them and instead pound down on her even harder,” Jinsi said. “Meanwhile, Trump’s scandals pile up with hardly any notice. I think this trend is heavily due to the sexism that is still prominent in our society.”

While students like Fischer and Jinsi have volunteered for political campaigns this fall, other students have stayed out of the political fray.

According to a survey of 50 CHS students, while 45 percent total were interested in politics, 51 percent total did not have an interest in working on a political campaign.

Whether that lack of interest stems from not liking either candidate or not knowing how to get involved, many believe it is important that young people to become politically active.

According to Civicyouth.org, only 19.9 percent of 18 to 29-years-olds casted ballots in the 2014 midterm elections.

That was the lowest youth turnout rate ever recorded in a federal election.

Voting is not the only way students can have an impact on the election. Volunteering, as Jinsi and Fischer both have done, is a great way for students who are not of voting age to get involved.

“Volunteering is always good,” AP NSL teacher Bryan Clark said. “It makes you feel better about yourself but more importantly it benefits a cause.

Join an interest group. Even though

PHOTO COURTESY OF JOSIE WEINBERG.

Weinberg has been volunteering with the Clinton campaign. [some] students aren’t eligible to vote yet, they can still be politically active.”

According to Jinsi, those who can vote should do so. But they should also be educated on who they are voting for, and how their candidate aligns with their views.

“Be an educated voter,” Jinsi said.

“Millennials have the opportunity to change history with this election.

Politicians spend millions of dollars to get young people to come to the polls because they know how crucial the youth vote is.”

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Features

By Eliza Asbury Business Manager Jenna Greenzaid Circulation Manager

PHOTOS BY JENNA GREENZAID.

Top left: sophomore Thomas Young; top right: sophomore Brooke Barclay; bottom left: sophomores Emma Sumberg, Nick Wagman and Lauren Hando; bottom right: Sumberg, Barclay and Hando.

And here’s a joke to get you into the Halloween spirit: What do ghosts eat for supper?

(Flip to back page for answer.)

Novemeber 1, 2016

Halloween creeps up once again and what else is there to do besides trick-or-treating? This year, the answer is so… much… more.

As CHS students have grown older and relinquished their childhood years from the early 2000s, Halloween has turned into a marathon of scary movies, partying instead of trick-or-treating, and dressing up in crazy costumes.

“I love Halloween so much,” freshman Emma Chen said. “When I was a kid, I would stay up as late as I could with my siblings to go trick or treating, but now, I hang out with my friends either going to a party or trick or treating just a little.”

One of the first things people associate with the word “Halloween” is the scare that comes along with it. There are a multitude of activities that bring about that feeling and infuse the holiday with thrill as well as fright and one way is by watching and re-watching horror films.

According to a FilmMaker IQ article about scary movies, the reasons behind the fascination with horror films are the tension and relevance, yet fantasy factor they provide. The tension viewers feel is created through the mystery, terror a n d

sh e m a v la to th so

m ca v fa

th ci a so w b I o fe w

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November 1, 2016

hock in the movies, while the relevance, or how viewers feel like the movie relates to their life, is created by the societal issues or universal fears portrayed in films. The ast reason, fantasy factor, appeals o viewers because they know what hey’re watching is fabricated to ome degree.

There are two sides of the horror movie viewer spectrum: those who annot get enough of the movies versus those who cannot get away ast enough.

“I like scary movies because I love he feeling of getting scared, espeially with my friends because we all laugh at each other’s reactions,” ophomore Ryann Storch said. “I watch scary movies with my friends but not my family. I don’t know how came to like scary movies when no one in my family likes them, but I eel like it makes me unique in a way.”

The idea of having a “Movie on he Football Field Night” filled with cary movies for Halloween has been tossed around SGA with the hopes of making it a reality by next year.

“Students benefit from being able to relax and hang out in a nonacademic environment,” English teacher and SGA advisor Shelley Perrett said. “Unfortunately, it takes time to plan and get rights to the movie, so we probably

Features

won’t be able to do it this year. ” If scary movies do not quite scream “Halloween,” then haunted forests are always an option. Haunted forests have become a popular trend and an easy way to get a scare. Markoff’s Haunted Forest, famous for its lifelike feel due to the realistic portray of horror characters by actors and vividly gruesome horror simulations, is an iconic Maryland attraction that is only open during fall.

“It’s an exciting way to be scared and have fun with your friends at the same time,” freshman Katie Stanish said. “[Markoff’s] is very well done and worth the price and wait. They do a good job of making everything realistic looking.”

The appeal of dressing up on Halloween has not diminished, even for high schoolers. Dressing up in costumes still has its perks, despite the stress that comes with finding one. It allows people to be someone or something completely different from who they actually are.

According to freshman Grace Whitman, finding the right costume with friends takes up so much time because it is hard for everyone to agree.

Even if it’s hard for a department t o agree on a certain costume or just to come up with an idea, teachers also enjoy the fun of dressing up.

According to

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Perrett, it was fun to plan Halloween costume themes with friends and fellow staff members, with costumes ranging from colored M&M’s one year to playing cards another. She and ninth and tenth grade English teacher Christin Nixon are hoping to get the English department to dress up this year.

Some things may not change as you grow up, like wearing costumes, but where you wear those costumes may change. From elementary school to middle school, almost everyone goes trick-or-treating. In high school, however, many kids stop trick-or-treating, opting for a different adventure where costume parties becoming the new-doorbell ringing.

“I think high schoolers have lost interest in trick or treating, probably because candy isn’t as important to them,” said junior Alexis Veizis.

This year Oct. 31 is a Monday, also know as the dreaded first day of the school week. Because Halloween is on a Monday, it poses problems for students who want to stay up late and celebrate.

“I hate the fact that Halloween is on a Monday,” Chen said. “It doesn’t let us stay up late or do things close to as fun as they could have been on a weekend.”

So whether your Halloween consists of binge-watching scary movies, getting lost in a haunted forest or going to a costume party, then you’re in for a treat. Literally.

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Features

November 1, 2016

Homestead Farm Provides Plentiful Pumpkins

By Vicky Gunawan Contest Manager

Since autumn is all about candid picture-taking and pumpkin-picking, what better place is there to celebrate the season than Homestead Farm?

Homestead Farm is located in Poolesville, MD. and provides fresh produce and the perfect fall scenery for its visitors. The farm consists of 230 acres of crops and was founded by James Allnutt in 1763. Today, Ben Allnutt, James Allnutt’s descendant, and his wife Maureen continue the family farming tradition as they make Homestead Farm their home.

“When we have both apples and pumpkins in season, that’s when we see the most visitors to the farm,” manager of Homestead Farm Ian Alnutt said. “Fall is our busiest time by far.”

Throughout the year, the farm offers different types of produce per season such as strawberries, tart cherries and blueberries.

According to sophomore Emily Kim, the farm does a good job of representing all because the farm is filled with pumpkins, hayrides and seasonal decorations.

Hayrides lead the way to the pumpkin patch where visitors can pick pumpkins for 59 cents per pound.

“I found out about Homestead Farm when I was younger when I went apple and pumpkin picking with my family,” sophomore Jessica Reicin said.

Aside from the fresh produce such as Aztec Fuji apples, Pink Lady apples and the pumpkins, Homestead Farm also provides a kid friendly petting zoo with animals such as goats, chickens and dogs.

“My favorite things about the farm was petting the animals and the atmosphere of the farm around the autumn time,” Kim said. “It’s amazing.”

Homestead Farm also provides

PHOTO COURTESY OF JETTA CHEN.

Sophomores Jetta Chen, Rebecca Hu and Caroline Wallerstedt take a hayride to the pumpkin patch at Homestead Farm. In the fall, Homestead Farm also offers several varieties of apples. field trip opportunities for elementary school students. They are able to pick their own fresh produce such as pumpkins in the fall time, and blackberries in

the summer time for seven dollars per person. In the springtime, they are also able to see the spring blossoms and plant their very own strawberry plants.

According to Alnutt, Homestead Farm hopes that visitors also find a lot of great produce and want to come back again and again.

Exchange Students Catch a Glimpse of American Life

By Sara Heimlich Features Editor While some CHS students spent their weekend doing homework and attending sporting events, others spent their weekend in a more unique way: with a Danish exchange student by their side.

The CHS exchange program with Denmark sought to forge bonds between American and Danish students and to create a better understanding of cultural differences.

“I wanted to host students because I thought it would be a cool opportunity to meet people from another country and of another culture,” said junior Emily Stein, who hosted two students.

“I was just excited to meet them and see what they were like, but I was nervous for the same reasons.”

CHS students who hosted the exchange students took initiative over the weekend to show them all that Maryland has to offer.

Juniors Bryn and Maya Arnold hosted two students and among their weekend itinerary was a trip to the Silver Diner and, more interestingly, to Costco.

“Costco was very surprising,” said 18-year-old Nicolaj Baroebo, who stayed with the Arnolds.

According to Maya, Costco was the highlight of the students’ trip because of how “big” everything was to them.

The Arnolds ended their time with the Danish students with a trip to

Shadowland for some laser tag.

Some CHS students looked to alternate cities to provide the Danish with the ultimate American experience.

Stein took them to New York City for a day trip. They shopped, ate and toured SoHo. “I brought them to New York because I love it there,” Stein said. “I think it’s a great part of America and since they have never been to America, I thought they had ought to see New York.”

Others, like junior Bridgette Warner, came up with creative ways to exemplify the true American experience.

She created a mock Thanksgiving meal and invited CHS hosts and their exchange students to come.

Although there are some distinct differences between America and Denmark, the exchange students and their hosts found that Danish teenagers aren’t so different from their American counterpart.

“I was surprised at how funny they were and how similar they were to us,” Stein said.

A big cultural difference that CHS students found is that public school students in Denmark get paid to go to school.

According to 18-year-old Rasmus Rask, one of the Danish students, this is because the government wants students to be focused on their studies instead of work.

Rask found that he was pleasantly surprised by the “politeness and hospitality” of Americans.

Although the Danish students

stayed at the houses of the CHS host families from Oct. 7 to the morning of Oct. 12, their last three days consisted of staying in a D.C. hotel and touring with the class they came here with.

Their schedule includes an official tour of Georgetown University, a football game at the university, an evening walk on the monuments, and a river rafting trip.

Juniors Suuba and Sadia Demby,

who hosted two Danish students, are planning to go on the Denmark trip that is tentatively planned for the Spring.

“We got the incredible opportunity to show the Danish students America,” said junior Suuba Demby, who, along with her twin sister, hosted two students. “It’s an opportunity that won’t get often, so it’s cool that we were the ones who got to show them.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF BRIDGETTE WARNER.

Exchange students and their hosts enjoy a ‘family’ dinner together.

November 1, 2016

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Features

What’s Scarier, Halloween Night or Mondays?

By Megan Park Business Manager This year on Oct. 31, Halloween will land on a Monday. Dun Dun Duuuuun.

Many CHS students are upset because it prevents them from trick-ortreating or staying up late and eating as much candy as possible. Instead, they will be preparing for the coming school day with little to no Halloween spirit.

“I think Halloween should allow for a day off on Tuesday,” freshman Peyton

Kanstoroom said. “People stay out late and we wouldn’t perform well at school the next day.”

Trick-or-treating and handing out candy does not leave enough time for homework, causing an even greater amount of stress for many high school students.

“It’s inconvenient how Halloween falls on a Monday this year,” sophomore Sebin Jeon said. “Usually Halloween takes place on Friday or over the weekend, which allows students and families

to have more time to celebrate and participate in activities.”

On the other hand, as students get older, many realize trick-or-treating is a waste of time and is not fun or necessary.

“I don’t mind having school the day after Halloween,” freshman Fariba Quader said. “I don’t trick-ortreat or stay out on Halloween so it doesn’t really affect me.”

Rebutting her statement, even though some students may not go

trick-or-treating or hand out candy, there are still many distractions and annoyances that come with trick-ortreaters on Halloween day.

“If students decide to go trick or treating it will also be distracting for students at home if people ring their doorbells,” Jeon said.

Having Halloween on a school day may cause a lot of stress, but trick-ortreating is a time for fun and relieving stress while collecting candy. Try to have a boo-tiful Halloween night!

PHOTO BY MEGAN PARK.

CHS sophomores Jetta Chen, Lizzie Hsu, Lana Cantilli, Lena Mojsiak and Sammie Scardelletti dress up as cowgirls and Where’s Waldo on Halloween.

14

Arts

November 1, 2016

Art Speak! Brings Broadway Actors to CHS

By Jake Herman Public Relations Editor

Lights, camera, action! ArtSpeak! is coming to the CHS auditorium Nov.17.

The event, which is organized and led by students enrolled in the CHS Advanced Acting and Directing class, is completely free and open to the community. It is geared towards students and parents in the community. ArtSpeak! brings performers from TV, movies, Broadway, or music to MCPS schools to make them accessible to the community.

“It’s such a cool, intimate event with huge performers who come to speak,” Drama teacher Naomi Ratz said.

The event was created 20 years ago

by Dr. Mark Shugoll, who founded ArtSpeak! to share his love of theater with young people.

“We want students to want to go to the theater,” Shugall said. “We hope by meeting theater stars, CHS students will want to go see live theater themselves.”

Some notable guest speakers from past ArtSpeak! events include Emmynominated actress Patti Lupone and Tony-nominated actor Robert Fairchild.

This year’s speakers are actors Santino Fontana and his wife Jessica Fontana.

The couple acted together in the 2013 broadway musical Cinderella.

Jessica Fontana played Cinderella in the smash-hit musical, while Santino played Prince Charming and was nominated for a Tony award for his performance. Santino Fontana has appeared on TV playing a lead role in Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and is behind the talking and singing voices of Prince Hans in the Disney animated movie Frozen.

According to Shugall and Ratz, the performers typically perform and then answer audience questions such as their most embarrassing moments on stage and what their lives and relationships are like in shows and film.

According to Santino and Jessica Fontana, they are very excited to meet

PHOTO COURTESY OF CREATIVE COMMONS.

CHS students and talk about what it’s like to perform across the country.

“We love what we do and want to share it with students,” the Fontanas said. “It is so important for students to develop a love for theater and the arts.

We are going to do it in a fun way.”

The Advanced Acting and Directing class will promote, organize and run ArtSpeak!

According to junior and Advanced Acting and Directing student Bobby Morris, he is very excited about the opportunities that ArtSpeak! will give CHS

fine arts students. “[ArtSpeak!] opens an opportunity for students to really get a feel of an industry they are interested in, first hand from a professional,” Morris said.

ArtSpeak! will occur on Thursday, Nov. 17 at 7 p.m.

Winston Churchill High School Theater Department presents the “unforgettable, hysterical musical,”

A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart

NOVEMBER 4,5,11,12 7PM NOV. 6 2PM Ticket Information:

Wchsarts.com

2016—Gertrude G. Bish Auditorium

November 1, 2016

By Sarah O’Brien Balbina Yang Arts Editors Recognized in the state and county for her exceptional cello skills for the CHS and Montgomery County Youth Orchestra (MCYO) orchestras, senior and cellist Jenna Wang has set the standard for musical performance at CHS. Some of Wang’s achievements include being the principal cellist of the MCYO and playing in chamber trios and symphonies at Strathmore Hall, Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center and other venues.

“At first my mom picked my instrument out for me since she thought it would be good for me to start a musical instrument and she loved the warm sound of the cello,” Wang said. “As I got older, I started appreciating the cello more as I learned more about it, discovered it’s ‘human-like’ voice and participated in orchestra and summer music festivals.”

Wang has won several awards for her music such as first and second places at competitions, such as the Maryland State Music Teachers Association (MSMTA) Spring Solo Strings Festival and the Feder Memorial Strings Competition. She has been featured in the Gaithersburg Young Artists Award Competition and American Protege Music Festival.

“Although I’ve only known her for one year, I’ve seen her grow immensely as both a musician and an individual, a result of her passionate work ethic,” senior and cellist Jack Zhao said. “She is someone who sets goals and works towards them tirelessly in spite of any obstacles because she truly enjoys what she does.”

In terms of her favorite musicians, Wang enjoys listening to Jacqueline Du Pre and Yo Yo Ma due to their passion for and emotion in their music.

“Yo-Yo Ma’s cello playing is always very musical and warm,” Wang said. “I

15

Arts

Student Art Spotlight: Jenna Wang love watching him play because you can tell that he really ‘gets’ the music and what the composer was thinking when he wrote the piece.”

Wang credits her experience in orchestra as an important aspect in her life since she has been doing it for so long.

“The best thing about being in an orchestra is that you can meet all different kinds of people from all backgrounds and ages,” Wang said. “Even if you have nothing in common to begin with, music becomes a common language for you to begin new relationships with people.

Orchestra becomes an important part of your life and becomes an important family for you.”

In the future, Wang plans to continue cello and plans to major in music in college.

“Jenna is one of the most dedicated musicians that I have had the honor of working with,” instrumental music teacher Kristofer Sanz said. “She’s that student that you hope you have and only comes around once in awhile.

She’s super dedicated to not only the orchestra here but to her solo career and playing in chamber groups. She’s a very passionate musician and she’s the complete package when it comes to technicality and musicality.”

“The best thing about PHOTO COURTESY OF JENNA WANG.

Senior Jenna Wang takes a break from playing the cello. She has been playing for many years and hopes to pursue music further.

being in an orchestra is that you can meet people from all backgrounds and ages” -Jenna Wang

Class 520 Rolls Out Treats

By Vicky Gunawan Contest Manager

Class 520, a popular dessert hangout, just opened in Rockville, MD. They sell Thai ice cream rolls, a new trend that is popular in New York City and other major cities, and has now been brought to Maryland.

Thai rolled ice cream is made on an extremely cold metal plate. The liquid base, made of milk and other ingredients, is manipulated between two spatulas then spread out across the circle.

Once the ice cream is evenly spread out, a spatula is used to turn strips of the ice cream into rolls by scraping it off the metal.

According to an June 21, 2016 article from Paste Magazine, a monthly music and entertainment digital magazine, the trend became popular in the U.S. last year from Southeast Asia, where the treat is often sold by street vendors.

Thai ice cream is customizable.

Consumers can choose from a variety of flavors and toppings such as fruit or cookies, to add into their ice cream or to add on top of their ice cream.

“I thought that the process was very cool and unconventional compared to the usual American ice cream process,” senior Morgan Robinson said. “You watch them make the ice cream before your eyes and some of the toppings are infused as opposed to just [being put] on top.”

The unique creation of the ice cream continues to amaze people each time they order.

According to the manager of Class

520, Adam Shi, the store is popular in cities like Philadelphia and New York, so Class 520 believed it would be successful in the DMV area.

Once word came out that Class 520 was opening, the Class 520 Facebook page received a huge amount of RSVP’s to their grand opening.

“I definitely think I’ll be coming back,” junior Jackie De Melo said. “Not only is the ice cream good, but the price is great for how much you get.”

For just seven dollars you can experience a whole new technique and flavor of ice cream.

PHOTO BY VICKY GUNAWAN.

An order of Thai rolled ice cream.

16

Arts

November 1, 2016

CHS Fall Theater Production to Open Soon

By Nora Holland Contest Manager

houses are occupied by Lycus, played by junior Areya Campbell-Rosen, and Erronius, played by senior Remington It’s that time of year again: the air Steele.

“I like how [the musical] takes place is getting cooler, the leaves are changing and the fall musical is approaching in historical times but has modern comedy,” Miller said. once again.

“A Funny Thing Happened on the This year’s fall musical, “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Way to the Forum” is a well-loved musiForum,” is a slapstick comedy centered cal, earning many awards such as Tony around the events occurring in three Award for Best Musical and Best Book adjacent houses in ancient Rome. Com- of a Musical while it was on Broadway from 1962 to plete with 1964. It was romance, also turned plot twists into a movie in and cross“It is a fantastic comedy,” director 1966. dressing, Naomi Ratz said. “Forum will fit the It is a comthis is an edy like last event worth actors, yet challenge them.” year’s musical, attending “How to Sucfor all CHS ceed in Business Without Really Trystudents.

“It is a fantastic comedy,” director ing,” but is a different type of comedy Naomi Ratz said. “Forum will fit the called farce and challenges the actors in the show in new ways. actors, yet challenge them.”

“We did a comedy last year,” Ratz The protagonist of the musical is Pseudolus, played by senior Alex Scott, said. “I wanted to continue on the coa slave who is pursuing his freedom. medic path and stretch the kids’ talPseudolus attempts to use tricks to ob- ents.”

The musical will open on Nov. 4th. tain his freedom, resulting in mayhem for him and all the other characters The cast rehearses almost everyday afin the musical. He works for Senex, ter school and sometimes during lunch. played by junior Ethan Miller, Senex’s Cast members work on character develwife Domina, played by junior Josie opment while learning dances, scenes Weinberg, and their son, Hero, played and songs.

The show is so funny that it is hard by junior Sam Nasar. The other two

for cast members to stop from laughing while rehearsing. It is a musical that is a joy to perform in as well as watch.

“We have rehearsal every day, but it will be worth it when the show is great,” senior Madeline Statter said, who plays Philia, the love interest of Hero, in the show.

The musical is not only an exciting event for students during the school year, but is also a great way for students to spend time with their friends or make new ones. The constant rehearsals allow

students to get to know each other and create a community by the end of the show.

“I like how I got to meet a lot of new people since I just moved here,” freshman Heather Kirschner said, who plays a courtesan in the show.

“A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” will be performed Nov. 4, 5, 11 and 12 at 7 p.m., as well as Nov. 6 at 2 p.m. If you enjoy loveable characters, crazy plots and lots of laughs, look no further than this year’s fall musical.

PHOTO BY NORA HOLLAND.

Junior Nick Schaap, Senior Alex Scott and members of the cast of “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” rehearse a scene.

“A Seat at the Table” Successfully Comments on Society

By Dani Miller Production Editor Following in the footsteps of her über-famous sister Beyonce, Solange Knowles’ new album “A Seat at the Table” infuses neo-soul and poetry to sonically share the story of Black America in a way that demands to be heard.

For most of her career, Solange Knowles has been stuck in the shadows of her older sister’s success. Her last two full length studio albums have been widely recognized as lackluster. In the past, most people knew her more for her last name than her art.

However, Knowles’ rocky beginnings only add to the beauty of the success story that is “A Seat at the Table.”

With “A Seat at the Table,” Solange has managed to make history.

Knowles’ and her sister are only the third pair of siblings to have their albums debut at the top of the Billboard Charts at the same time, a feat previously only achieved by Michael and Janet Jackson, as well as Master P and his brother Silkk the Shocker.

There is nothing in this album that is not purposeful. Everything, from the falsetto, to the interludes, to the structure of the record has an intent, and reason for being the way this is, including the title of this record itself.

Solange’s’ use of this phrase is meant to symbolize how black people haven’t been given a seat at the table that is America, due to their political, social and economic disenfranchisement. The title alone is as much a part of the art as the music, and it sets the precedent for the political commentary that is to come.

“A Seat at the Table” exceeds the hype. Rarely does an artist achieve what Solange has achieved with her new record. Rarely does an album tell a story so universal and familiar in such a fresh and uniquely personal way that it reignites every human emotion, and inspires in ways music should.

The first song off of “A Seat at the Table,” “Rise,” asks the question that Solange attempts to answer throughout the entire piece: Will you crumble

because of your failures or will you rise above them?

Although this question is posed to her listeners, Solange is asking it to herself as much as anyone else. This song serves as an impeccable opener.

It introduces Knowles’ intimate exploration into her own identity, and how her flaws, circumstances, and emotions affect who she is.

The next few songs are most definitely stand outs. Between hypnotic vocals, mellowed base and powerful content, this middle bulk of the album is near perfection.

The next track, “Weary” expands on the exploration on Solange’s identity that began in “Rise.” Solange immediately opens up with the admittance that she is “weary of the ways of the world.” Perhaps, this is due to all the ways that the world has betrayed her and left her with no place.

Regardless, Solange directly acknowledges her journey to find her place, as she decides that she’s “gonna look for [her] body” and “her glory.”

Solange has many epiphanies throughout the album that help her grapple with her emotions and her identity, but “Weary” might hold the most profound, as she acknowledges “a king is only a man with flesh and bones. He bleeds just like you.”

The knowledge that even the oppressors are just people and nothing more is what keeps Solange grounded throughout the entire album, and it is a poignant commentary on America’s power structure.

As the album progresses, Solange’s emotions progress too. She quickly goes from a state of self doubt to a state of rage, as she alludes to the word of James Baldwin: “To be a negro and to be relatively conscious in this country is to be in a state of rage all the time.”

The portion of the album defined by rage begins with her dad’s words in “Interlude: Dad was Mad,” in which her dad tells the story of how racism and segregation forced him into a virtually constant state of rage.

In the next track, “Mad,” featuring a brilliant verse from Lil Wayne, Solange describes an encounter she had with a woman, who asked her why she is al-

ways mad, in which she responded “I have a lot to be mad about.”

This song addresses the stereotype of the “Angry Black Girl,“ with Solange literally stating, “I’m really not allowed to be mad.” These lyrics, ironically being accompanied by delicate vocals and a mellow beat, symbolises the fundamental flaws of confining black women to one standard.

Solange’s rage continues with the next track, “Don’t You Wait.” This song, which directly addresses the critics who would rather hear her write love songs than politically conscious music, is faster paced to symbolize her moving forward, even though many critics are uncomfortable with progression.

As Solange continues to find herself, the album continues to share different messages and parts of the black experience. Beginning with “Interlude: Tina Taught Me,” in which Solange’s mother discusses the fundamental beauty in being black, the album takes a turn into a new direction.

Solange starts on her journey to self love in the song “Don’t Touch My Hair,” where she talks about the importance of her braids, equating her hair to “the feelings [she] wears.”

The pounding bass and infusion of jazz acts derive from the sound of much of the album, but it works nonetheless.

Solange’s message of black pride and self love continues in her next few songs, “F.U.B.U” (For Us, By Us), in which Solange encourages the ownership of black art and culture, and “Borderline (An Ode To Self Care)” in which Solange takes an “intermission” from fighting for black lives in order to take care of herself, because she’s experiencing an exhaustion that many revolutionaries have and can relate to.

As the album comes to a close and Solange continues to grapple with her identity, the sound of the record derives into uncharted territory.

The next track “Junie,” which discusses how non-black people tend to appropriate black culture without having to experience the struggle of being black in America, is the most upbeat song on the entire album. “Junie” in-

corporates old school funk and techno with R&B to create a sonically pleasing track that one rarely experiences on an album of any genre.

“A Seat at the Table” comes full circle with the last five songs on the album. Solange finally comes to terms with her identity, every kink and nuance included, as she makes the decision to let go of her resentment, rise above society’s standards like the first song, “Rise,” asks her to do, and move forward, knowing her beauty and her worth.

In the last two decades, there has been very few, if any, pieces of music that outline every facet of the black experience in America as well as “A Seat at the Table.” In just 55 minutes, this record manages to tackle stereotypes and highlight all the nuances of the black struggle. It tells a story at once that is unique to her own life yet truly universal.

“A Seat at the Table” is resilience.

It’s the “we’re still here” hollers. It’s the hope that motivates people to keep fighting. And most importantly, as Master P says in “Closing: The Chosen Ones,” it’s the idea that “[black people] came here as slaves, but [they’re] leaving as royalty.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF CREATIVE COMMONS.

Solange Knowles’ album, “A Seat at the Table,” has established her as an outstanding artist and successfully comments on society.

November 1, 2016

17

Sports

Soccer, Golf Coaches Bring Family Tie to CHS

By Arielle Gordon Editor-in-Chief

Like father, like son.

Boys varsity soccer head coach Arnold Tarzy is the father of co-ed golf coach Robert Tarzy, making them the only relatives to both coach at CHS. Arnold is in his eighth season with boys soccer, after coaching golf for five years prior. Robert is following in his father’s footsteps by accepting his first coaching position as CHS golf coach.

“I received the job just weeks before the season started in early August,” Robert said. “I found out that they didn’t have a coach from my dad while playing golf with him.”

Golf and soccer have always been a part of the Tarzys’ lives. Arnold taught Robert how to play golf at age four, and coached him in soccer for many years.

Both have fond memories of the experiences, one being when Robert’s soccer team won a state championship with Arnold as the coach.

“We are definitely able to exchange coaching tips,” Robert said. “Obviously being that my dad is my dad the tips are shared more in my direction than they are in his.”

According to Arnold, his favorite memory is “travelling with my son’s soccer team of which I was the coach.”

A love of coaching in the Tarzy family isn’t just particular to the father and son. Monica Tarzy, Arnold’s daughter

and Robert’s sister, is the head coach of the Richard Montgomery girls varsity soccer team.

Although they do not coach together, the Tarzys are known within MCPS as a sports family because their athletic social circles overlap within MCPS. The family members often cross paths at games and county-wide couching events.

“Referees will tell me that they saw my dad recently or ask if we are related,” Monica said.

Despite all three coaching different teams this season, they are able to support each other at games and matches.

After years of Robert coming out to support his father, Arnold was able to see Robert coach one of his first golf matches.

“It is a little bit more difficult for him to watch our matches, because of the fact that they are at the same time as his practices, but he has been to one,” Robert said. “I have been watching him coach for over 20 years and it was cool to have him at a match to watch me coach for once.”

Robert has been able to attend several boys soccer games and has provided the team with some good luck on the sidelines.

“I believe I have been to five games so far this year,” Robert said. “Ironically, I have watched four of them from the sideline next to the bench and they won all four of those games.

Similarly, it can be hard for Monica and her father to see each other as their

PHOTO COURTESY OF ARNOLD TARZY.

Robert Tarzy (left) and his father Arnold Tarzy (right) are both coaches at CHS. This is Robert’s first time coaching co-ed golf while Arnold is in his eighth season with boys varsity soccer, after five years with golf. game schedules often overlap, but they manage to still to see each other and talk often.

“He loves the fact that I coach,” Monica said. “We talk more now because we are going through similar things.”

Even though they coach different teams, the Tarzys agree that their favorite part of coaching is getting to

know and interacting with their players.

Robert is able to use his relatively recent experiences in high school and college to relate to what his players are going through in and out of their sport.

“My favorite part of coaching is getting to know the team members and watch how they grow as a team as the season progresses,” Arnold said.

Sisters Medal at World Wushu Junior Championships

By Rebekah Sklute Online News Editor Sept. 25 to Oct. 4, freshman Mia Tian and junior Lucy Lee, who are sisters, went to Burgas, Bulgaria with The United States of America Wushu Kungfu Federation (USAWKF).

Along with a team of other talented teens, Tian and Lee missed a week of school to compete in the Sixth World Junior Wushu Championships in Bulgaria. Lee won a gold medal in an nandao and Tian won a silver medal in gunshu and a bronze medal in daoshu. Each event uses a different weapon; nandao uses a southern sword, gunshu uses a staff, and daoshu uses a broadsword.

“Wushu is like gymnastics but it’s actually martial arts based,” Tian said.

“You go on the floor and instead of dancing, you punch and kick.”

Also known as kung fu, wushu is a martial and performance art that originated in China and now has spread and increased its popularity in many other countries, such as the United States,

Japan and Korea.

“It consists of two parts: taolu and sanda. Sanda is the part that is a combat sport, and competitors fight with contact,” Lee said. “Taolu, on the other hand, is a performance sport where competitors perform a form and judges score them, so sort of like the gymnastics floor routine except with martial arts.”

Both Tian and Lee have been practicing wushu for eight years and love meeting people who share their passion for wushu.

“I’ve been practicing wushu competitively since 2008,” Lee said.

Wushu means more to for Tian and Lee than just the competition and winning awards.

“My favorite part about wushu is the close community. Wushu is a medium that connects people from around the nation and the world,” Lee said. “Everytime I attend a competition, I’m able to meet so many different people who share my passion for wushu.”

According to Tian, she likes wushu

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“I think the best parts about practicing together are sharing silly and funny experiences while training,” Tian said.

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November 1, 2016

Sports

New Handball Rule Changes Team Dynamic

By Ethan C. Miller Online Sports Editor

A new rule requiring two girls to be on the court at all times during team handball games has been implemented for the fall 2016 season.

Team handball is a co-ed game played with one goalie and six court players, whose objective is to outscore their opponents by throwing a ball into a goal. Handball is a corollary sport, meaning it aims to open interscholastic sports participation opportunities to all students, especially among those with disabilities. Per corollary sports rules, team handball requires half of the players on the court to have a disability, whether it be mental or physical. The new rule now also requires two girls to be among the seven players on the court at one time. “[The rule was made] to ensure continued participation on the part of females in team handball,” Dr. William G. Beattie, Director of Systemwide Athletics for MCPS said. “The number of female participants seemed to be decreasing each year, and increasingly male participants were dominating play.”

Since the CHS handball team has a majority of male athletes, having two girls on the court at all times limits the amount of time each male can play and forces the female athletes to play significantly more. Although female participation is increased, equal opportunity for the players is lost.

According to Beattie, the rule requiring two girls to be on the court was made instead of making a rule that forces the coaches to give the players equal playing time. He reasoned that the rule was more appropriate because other co-ed sports have a set number of female to male ratio and varsity sports don’t enforce equal playing time.

Although the new rule is trying to

PHOTO BY EUGENIA CARDINALE.

The CHS co-ed handball team moves down the court in their game against Walter Johnson, Oct. 27. The bulldogs lost 39-34 and finished the season 1-5. increase female participation, no one can force more girls to play the sport.

However, for the girls who do choose to play for the CHS team, they are given the same chance to play as any other player. CHS handball coach Evan Rosenthal prioritizes giving the players equal playing time instead of playing the higher-skilled players more often.

“It shouldn’t matter your grade, your gender, your ethnicity, or anything like that for you to get on the court,” Rosenthal said. “Everyone should have an equal chance to play.”

Although he sees the importance of the rule, Rosenthal doesn’t believe that a rule should be made to enforce equal playing time, since the players should

receive equal opportunity to play in the first place. Rosenthal believes other coaches should play everyone equally without being forced to do so.

“There are certain schools that only play guys every single game and they leave the girls on their team on the bench,” Rosenthal said. “That’s not how it works here. We want to make sure everyone gets on the court and that everyone has a fair chance to play.”

The CHS handball team had to forfeit their first game against BCC on Sept. 21, since they were unaware of the new rule and at the time had no girls on the team.

According to senior handball player Dan Alpert, the new rule penalizes the players for something that they can not

control. Since no girls wanted to be on the handball team at the time of the first game, the players, who were excited to play, had to forfeit.

Since the Sept. 21 game, the team was able to recruit six girls to play. However, all but one of the girls quit before the Oct. 20 game against Whitman, forcing the team to forfeit again as it could not meet the requirements of the new rule.

Although the team had adapted to the rule prior to the Whitman game, they were once again negatively impacted by a factor that they could not control.

Alpert still feels that the rule should be retracted.

“It makes MCPS look sexist because they’re pretty much saying that girls can’t compete against guys,” Alpert said. “I don’t think this is true. I think that no matter who’s playing on the court there is gonna be better players and there are gonna be players that aren’t as good as others, but I don’t think it has to do with gender, I think it has to do with how well you know the game.”

Although the rule’s intentions were to equalize playing time and promote fair gameplay on the court, Alpert claims that the disadvantages have outweighed the benefits for the CHS handball team.

“MCPS tends to do a lot things that they think are gonna help, but ends up hurting, and I think this is one of those examples,” Alpert said.

Although to some the rule appears to be counterproductive, for a short time at CHS it successfully achieved its purpose of increasing female participation, as seen with the increase of girls on the team.

“We will assess the opinions of the coaches on the rule upon the conclusion of the season,” Beattie said.

November 1, 2016

19

Sports

Girls Tennis Serves the Way to Winning Season

By Sophie Liss Social Media Editor

Girls tennis has striven for consistency from past years and currently has a record of 8-3-1, as of Oct. 18. The season ended on Oct. 20.

After the 2015-16 season, their overall record was 8-1-1, and the team’s 2014-15 record was 9-1-2. Although the team’s stable success may be the result of many factors, head coach Benjamin Woods attributes it to one in particular.

“They work hard during the season and offseason preparing themselves,” Woods said. “They take the game very seriously and like to be successful.”

This success does not come easily, however, and requires a lot of effort during each practice and match.

“During practice, our doubles teams work on their net game and symbiosis on the court,” senior captain Jennifer Chen said. “Singles players have been working on placement of the ball and adding a variety of different strokes into our game.”

Although tennis requires a high fitness and strength level, it does not only take athleticism to be great at the sport.

The mental aspect of tennis is just as important as the physical aspect, which includes being calm and confident during matches.

“All the girls on our team have amazing strokes, and if we improve our mental game, I know we could be one of the top teams in the county,” Chen said.

Another attribute to the team’s success is the lack of major injuries over the course of the season due to proper conditioning and the players taking care of themselves.

According to Woods, there have not been any major injuries this year. While girls have gotten sick or pulled a muscle every so often, they have rested to heal quickly and be ready to play soon after.

According to Woods, the three senior captains of the team, Chen, Mina Jeremic and Carli Needle, set clear examples of good leadership and provided bonding experiences over the course of the season.

“They keep the team positive,” Woods said. “They have done a great job with the team building, team sleepovers and secret buddy.”

The team’s season finished at the end

PHOTO COURTESY OF JENNIFER CHEN .

Sopomore Sofia Hahn hits the ball during a tennis match. The girls tennis team placed second at counties and credits their success to hard work at practice and strong leadership from their captains. of the county tournament on Oct. 20.

In each of their respective brackets, the team’s third and fourth singles bracket players and third doubles bracket players all made it to the finals and placed

second at counties.

“We stayed focused throughout the season and prepared ourselves mentally and physically for the county finals,” Jeremic said.

Boys Cross Country Runs Strong Again

By Ethan S. Miller Fact Checker

After the graduation of the nucleus of last years cross country team, fondly known as “The Wolfpack,” CHS needs a new five man crew to step up and propel the team back into the limelight.

However, the team does not seem too hindered by the loss. The bulldogs finished first amongst MCPS teams at their first meet.

According to MocoRunning, at CHS’s first meet, the Woodward relays, the bulldogs had five runners in the top 25 and finished only behind private school Sidwell Friends, who they will not race against again this season.

“While we have no superstar, at our last meet our top five guys finished within 35 seconds of eachother and all five will battle each other and be up at the top of leaderboards,” CHS cross country coach Paul Jacobson said.

The bulldogs are led by lone wolf pack holdover Matthew Goldsmith.

Seniors Grant Dong, Vincente Rudolph and Varun Vishna, sophomore Michael Zhang and freshman Nick Karayianis are all new to “The Wolfpack.”

“Everybody wants to get better, and

everybody is motivated by the success of the top runners,” Zhang said.

This year, the bulldogs will look to get to states with a different group of runners but the same core leadership values.

While not as vocal as last years class this year’s group of seniors prefer to lead by example.

“While this year’s group of seniors is much quieter, everybody wants to be number one just like the Wolfpack,” Jacobson said.

According to Goldsmith, he feels everybody pushes themselves in workouts and on runs.

“I think we are a very hard-working team, and many of us put in a lot of strong training,” Goldsmith said. “The workouts are going to have a huge pay-off in making our team stronger.”

They were rewarded for their hard work at counties, where CHS finished 3rd, led by a top 20 performance by Rudolph.

Building off a strong start at their first meet, this year’s bulldogs look to finish the year number one, separating themselves from the rest of this year’s pack of competition.

Student Athlete Commits

By Ben Dross Sports Editor Senior Oliver Whatley has committed to Rutgers University to play golf.

Whatley has been a part of the past two state championship golf teams at CHS. Last year, Whatley won the 2016 District tournament, shooting a 68 to win. He placed 4th individually in the 2015 state championship. At Rutgers, he will be reunited with the individual state champ from 2015, Adam Grey.

“I really look forward to playing at Rutgers with Adam Grey as we were good buddies on the CHS team,” Whatley said. “It feels great to be able to just play golf knowing I am ready to play college golf. It just shows that my hard work has paid off.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF SCOTT SILVERSTEIN.

Senior Matthew Halverson runs in a cross country meet.

PHOTO COURTESY OF OLIVER WHATLEY.

Montgomery County Public Schools Winston Churchill High School 11300 Gainsborough Rd. Potomac, MD 20854

thechurchillobserver.com

November 1, 2016

Volume 41 - Issue 2

By Nathan Deychman Online Editor-in-Chief In fifth grade, senior Matthew Goldsmith ran his first 5k with his mother. His family had been running the race, called Race for Hope, dedicated to raising funds to fight brain cancer, for years. After watching his family run it for so long, he decided to give it a try. He ran it in 31 minutes and has been in love with distance running ever since.

Now a senior and crosscountry captain, Goldsmith has been a three season runner for CHS since his freshman year, running cross-country, indoor track and outdoor track. He has drastically improved every year and become not only a captain, but arguably the team’s best runner.

“Running has taught me the importance of hard work and perseverance,” Goldsmith said. “I have learned hard work through pushing myself on runs and workouts everyday at practice.”

Goldsmith leads by example and has helped guide the CHS cross-country team to a strong season. He is also giving the team a chance for a

strong showing at the county, regional and state championships. Through his strong leadership and impressive work ethic, Goldsmith has gained the respect of his coaches and teammates, “Whenever there is a grueling workout, Matt is the first one to toe the line,” teammate and co-captain Grant Dong said. “More than once, if I fall back during a workout, he’ll pull up right next to me and urge me to hang on. He’s always there helping out in whatever way it can be, whether it means offering running tips or cheering from the sidelines.”

As Goldsmith’s training has developed, he has become the fastest member of the crosscountry team. His times have increased monumentally, with his 3-mile personal best currently at 16:17, more than a minute faster than his previous best. However, his times are not the only ones improving.

Goldsmith’s ability to improve the ability of those around him has led to the development of several strong CHS runners, guided by Goldsmith’s leadership.

“As a captain, I take on the responsibilities of keeping

A National Blue Ribbon School

PHOTO BY NATHAN DEYCHMAN.

Senior Matthew Goldsmith trains for the upcoming cross country state championship. everyone on task, teaching the younger runners, and improving the comradeship and spirit of the team,” Goldsmith said. “I enjoy the added responsibility because I feel that I am making an impact in the running careers of others, as well as I am able to be a role model for the underclassmen runners.”

Even though he is running better than ever before,

Goldsmith remains humble. He has not reached his goals yet and is intent on leading the crosscountry team to a top-3 finish at counties and to qualify for states.

It is this hungry, yet humble demeanor that makes the team want to follow him.

“Matt is the kind of person that you respect and admire but doesn’t think of himself as better than anyone else,” Dong said.

“He’ll crack jokes and try to make

everyone feel comfortable then be able to turn around and hammer out a few miles with total dedication.”

Goldsmith is nowhere near satisfied. He intends to break 16:15 for a 5k, be a top 10 runner in the county, and finish in the top 25 at states. Goldsmith sets high standards for himself, but his work ethic makes his goals more than reasonable. He hopes to carry his strong senior season into college, where he aspires to potentially walk onto a Division I cross-country team and set a precedent for future CHS runners.

“With the departure of last year’s seniors, Matthew has taken on a huge leadership role in his senior year as a bridge between old and new,” crosscountry coach Paul Jacobson said.

As Goldsmith prepares to transition into his last few months as a CHS runner, he has learned many valuable lessons from distance running, and will continue to push through any challenges that may face him.

“I have learned perseverance because in running you don’t always see results right away,” Goldsmith said. “Not every race is your best and sometimes you don’t run good times for weeks. I’ve even had entire seasons where I push myself every day and do not see any improvements when I race. I just know I have to get back to training and eventually the results will come.”

Lawsuit Resolved, Turf to Replace Field at CHS

By Will Hyland Production Editor After nearly two years, MCPS has settled a lawsuit with Montgomery Soccer Inc, putting a plan in place for four new artificial turf fields to be installed at local schools.

The plan establishes the framework for turf fields at high schools including Walt Whitman, Albert Einstein and CHS, as well as middle school Julius West. The fields at Whitman, Einstein and Julius West will be completed by December 2017. A date has yet to be set for the completion of the field at CHS. According to a June 30 Washington Post article, MSI’s suit states school officials led them to believe that if they increased their offers on the Richard Montgomery and Gaithersburg high schools, they would

be awarded the fields. Instead MSI was only awarded Gaithersburg at an increased price and Richard Montgomery was awarded to Bethesda Soccer.

The lawsuit was settled June 30 with MSI getting the

field time they wanted while MCPS got the funds to construct the fields.

According to a June 30 Bethesda Magazine article, MSI has agreed to pay $5.2 million for the construction

of artificial turf fields at Whitman, Einstein and Julius West in exchange for 1,000 hours of use per year over a ten year period.

Artificial fields can be used in many more weather conditions opposed to grass fields, so

PHOTO BY WILL HYLAND.

The natural grass field in the stadium at CHS will be replaced by turf.

the installation of one at CHS would have a major impact on the athletic events held there.

“Turf would give us flexibility with scheduling and practices that we don’t currently have,” Athletic Director Jesse Smith said. “Also, new technological advancements with the materials being used on the fields have increased field safety for athletes, which is extremely important to consider before we make any type of commitment to a change.”

Principal Joan Benz was pleased that the lawsuit had finally been resolved.

“It was not surprising [but] I am glad it has been resolved,” Benz said.

According to a June 30 Bethesda Magazine article, following the completion of these fields, approximately 10 of the 29 MCPS high schools will now have artificial turf fields.

*AS OF 10/28 Girls: 0-1 Boys : 1-0

Girls:

Girls:

17-1

8-3-1

1-7 15-0

Girls: 9-1-2 Boys:9-4-2

13-0

RIDDLE ANSWER (from p. 10) : SPOOK-ETI