February 2013 - The Churchill Observer

Volume 37 - Issue 6

Wednesday, February 27, 2012

Students to access WiFi next year

A National Blue Ribbon School

By Julia Heimlich Circulation Manager

Elementary schools enhance security systems.

PAGE 3

HS staff and administration are working to improve financial processes and procedures after receiving a subpar 2012 internal audit from MCPS. Some of the audit’s criticisms included incorrectly classified transactions; the purchase of a cell phone for a staff member when MCPS already provided that staff member a Blackberry; possible breach of contract with a photography vendor; the lack of records for online yearbook purchases, and staff development costs and purchases for the drama and television programs incorrectly charged to the SGA account.

CHS received a five-page audit this year, with Whitman, Springbrook and Blair also receiving equally long audits. CHS received the most suggestions for improvement, 18, compared to 15 for Whitman, 10 for Springbrook and 14 for Blair.

The other 22 MCPS high schools’ audits were either shorter or not published at all. Published audits are public documents available on the MCPS website.

“Each school gets audited every year,” Principal Joan Benz said. “It is like a report card. Our audit report is conducted in June. The report is usually issued in July.”

According to the audit published Sept. 5, principals are the fiduciary agents responsible for ensuring that Independent Activity Funds (IAFs) are administered in accordance with MCPS policies, regulations and procedures. This means that the principal is ultimately responsible for ensuring that all financial matters are handled accordingly.

“The principal, business manager and financial specialist meet with the auditors to review the report,” Benz said.

Features Smoking Cigarette smoking among teens is profiled.

PAGE 9

“That way the misinterpretations are cleared up.”

One issue the audit addressed was the commingling of funds among different clubs, groups and departments.

“The responsibility of the financial specialist is to set up separate accounts for every club and group,” Benz said. “Monies hadn’t been separated into separate accounts.”

However, according to interim School Business Administrator Angela Blade, it is the “direct responsibility of the school business administrator” to ensure that all accounts follow MCPS policy and proper accounting procedures.

The school business administrator at the time of the audit was James Shovlin, who retired in November 2012.

Blade has been the acting interim business manager since November.

Additionally, the audit asserts that “the school paid monthly invoices to provide a cell phone for [the principal’s] use, when MCPS provides “Blackberry or other communication devices to all principals.”

According to Benz, the cell phone purchase had previously been issued and “authorized.” It was recommended that the use continue “until the contract ended” to avoid a large fee for early termination of the contract.

“It has been totally rectified,” Benz said.

The audit also notes that “the records submitted to the financial office by the yearbook sponsor did not include a report of online sales by the vendor, so that a reconciliation of the number of books purchased with the number sold, given free, and the remaining inventory could be completed.”

According to yearbook sponsor Naomi Ratz, detailed records for yearbook sales were kept online and in the yearbook office.

“Now that we know that the business office needs to

See Audit, 3

Sports March Madness CHS students and staff prepare for the upcoming March Madness tournament.

PAGE 17

PHOTO BY ANA FAGUY.

News Safer Schools

By Lara Fu Dana Youngentob News Editors

PHOTO BY BEN FOX.

See WiFi, 3

CHS to fix financial flaws

PHOTO BY EMILIE PLESSET.

Students across Montgomery County will finally have free access to a wireless connection on any personal device in schools beginning in the 2013-2014 school year, thanks to an MCPS Board of Education vote this past September. This type of technology will offer a wider digital curriculum and enhance teaching and learning for students.

“We are working with schools to explore the effective use of mobile and tablet technologies as part of the instructional program,” MCPS Chief Technology Officer Sherwin Collette said.

“These learning environments allow teachers to use digital curriculum to empower students to be collaborative, critically thoughtful learners.”

Wi-Fi access at school could radically change the way students learn and take notes.

“I think students will be carrying around a lot more devices because they will be more useful to them,” IT Systems Specialist Robert Jones said. “It’s kind of pointless to carry them around now.”

All Montgomery County Public Schools are required to abide by the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) to ensure safety and protection for students.

According to Jones, the same websites that are blocked on school computers will still be blocked on personal devices.

“The number one thing people notice that’s blocked is social networking,” Jones said.

“We still have requirements by state to protect children as a whole. That’s why you can’t go on Facebook or other inappropriate websites. The state also requires that they

2

News

theObserver

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Schraibman retires

By Stacey Stein Editor-in-Chief

man when she was a student at CHS. “He was fun,” Nemati said. “He had a lot of interesting labs and he was When Julian Schraibman first came to dedicated to what he did.”

CHS to teach Chemistry, there were no honNow, Nemati has had the opportuors or AP classes, no ninth nity to work with her former graders and he taught in a teacher and learn from him different, smaller building. once again.

Now, after 33.5 years of “He worked hard,” Nemati teaching, he is retiring. said. “He never wanted to give a “When Hurricane Sanlesson that’s half there. He’s very dy came through, two meticulous about what he did. trees fell on my house,” Sometimes kids don’t appreciate Schraibman said. “I was all teachers do, but he worked very planning on retiring in hard and put in a lot of late hours.”

June, but there’s too much Junior Paula Rabade had going on in my life.”

Schraibman for Matter and Energy.

Schraibman has taught “You could tell he really Chemistry, Biology and PHOTO COURTESY OF MCPS. loved teaching,” Rabade said.

Matter and Energy. Besides just teaching, “He worked really hard. He was patient he also led the girls tennis team to two and he always stayed for lunch when county titles, sponsored the Classes of 1981 you needed help.” and 1984 and worked with Chemathon.

After retiring, Schraibman hopes to spend “I like the interaction with the kids and more time hiking, kayaking and reading. He the faculty,” Schraibman said. “It was fun will miss working with the CHS community. seeing the kids out of the classroom and “It’s a school where the majority of stuwatching them grow up.” dents want to learn,” Schraibman said.

Science teacher Sara Nemati had Schraib- “It’s a good community to be in.”

NATIONAL Ban on women in combat lifted

PHOTO COURTESY OF CREATIVE COMMONS.

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta is lifting the ban on women from combat roles in the U.S. military.

According to a Feb. 3 USA Today article, the new order could open up 230,000 jobs to women in all branches of the military.

Women have performed roles such as radio operators, medics, and tank mechanics, but the ban had excluded women from 20 percent of the jobs in the military.

This gives an opportunity for women to advance in the armed forces and receive fairer wages and benefits.

According to a Jan. 24 Wall Street Journal article, allowing women in combat roles has been the biggest policy change since the ban on gay service was lifted in 2011.

According to the USA Today article, military services will create a plan by May 15 to finish the development of incorporating women into combat roles by 2016.

NATIONAL Environmental rally in D.C.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CREATIVE COMMONS.

Environmentalists held the biggest climate rally in U.S. history Feb. 17 on the National Mall in D.C. The rally included a march to the White House to publicize the multiple droughts, wildfires and super storms that have taken place in the US. According to a Jan. 29 CNN article, 2012 has been the hottest year ever in

the United States. In addition, flood conditions in Bangladesh have moved thousands of people, Asia has had massive floods and the Arctic Sea has reached a record low.

According to the article, these weather extremes caused President Barack Obama to make the environment his top priority.

According to the CNN article, the United States has succeeded in completing its moral obligation to the environment. It has led the world in reducing carbon emissions for the past six years and carbon emissions have declined to1992 levels and continue to decline.

According to the article, Obama has promised that the US will lead the world in efforts to reduce global warming, and in the development of technologies to reach this goal.

INTERNATIONAL Pope Benedict XVI resigns

PHOTO COURTESY OF CREATIVE COMMONS.

Pope Benedict XVI announced Feb. 11 that he will step down from his position as the head of the Catholic Church.

According to a Feb. 11 Washington Post article, the Pope decided that it was in the Church’s best interest that he step down, due to his failing physical and mental health.

Pope Benedict will be the first Pope to resign since 1415.

According to a Feb. 11 Chicago Tribune article, the resignation came as a surprise to many, but the Pope’s decision is understood and respected by the Catholic community.

The Washington Post article quoted Archbishop of Washington Cardinal Donald Wuerl saying, “The Pope’s love for the church is such that it would be better not to try to lead this huge flock without the full strength of all of his energies.”

According to the Chicago Tribune article, a new Pope is expected to be chosen by the end of March.

By Emily Raab and Maher Kanwal

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

News

theObserver

Elementary schools Staff works to ease upgrade security systems WiFi access concerns

By Emilie Plesset Online Editor-in-Chief

The Montgomery County Board of Education approved a request at its Jan. 8 meeting to add $364,000 of funding into the School Securities System Projects which will allow all MCPS elementary schools to install the new Access Control Systems (ACS) security system by June 30.

The ACS is part of a 2007 initiative to enhance MCPS school security. It includes exterior cameras installed by the entrances of schools, an intercom system and a remote strike release which will allow main office staff to unlock doors remotely.

“Middle and high schools have security staff to monitor their campuses,” said Robert Hellmuth, Director of the Department of School Safety and Security. “Elementary schools do not. It was decided that we would place ACS in elementary schools so that they could keep all of their exterior doors locked and control visitor access.”

Instead of keeping the doors into the building unlocked during recess, the doors can be locked and teachers can let students in using a swipe card.

“I think this is a great addition to the school,” said Bells Mill Elementary School Principal Intern Trish Thomas.

“It is really going to help us secure the building. All teachers and students will feel safer.”

The new Beverly Farms Elementary School (BFES) building, which opened Jan. 9, already has the ACS installed.

“Parents have adjusted to the heightened security,” BFES parent and PTA member Mindy Kim said.

“But I’m sure some would prefer the ‘friendliness’ of being able to

walk right into the school, like in the old days.”

While the ACS does improve elementary schools security, parents note that it cannot completely guarantee student safety.

“It is far from foolproof,” BFES parent and PTA member Kirstin Cook said. “The front office could buzz in someone that they know, but who is upset and then carries out a violent act. I think it’s helpful but in a very limited way.”

According to Hellmuth, the next time the Board of Education has budget requests for the Capital Improvement Program, the Department of School Safety and Security will ask for funds to place the ACS in middle schools.

There are no plans to extend the program into high schools due to its infeasibility.

“While all would prefer a world where ACS is not necessary, that is not reality in 2013,” Kim said. “We are lucky to live in a county that can make our school environment as safe as possible.”

From WiFi, 1

Schools will install exterior cameras.

have an idea of where students are going on the Internet.”

According to Jones, the school’s Internet service could stop if it is flooded by too many users at one time.

Although it is not certain yet how this problem will be solved, student IDs may be involved.

“We already have about 700 items here, and we’ll have additionally 2,000 more,” Jones said. “That’s a lot of devices.”

According to Principal Joan Benz, giving students the opportunity to use the Internet in school will primarily help with confirming information for research.

“I think it’s great,” Benz said. “As we know, technology just continues to broaden and make time more efficient.”

Media specialist Paige Pagley said she and other media specialists around the county are also trying to figure out a way to provide more electronic books for students to access on their own personal devices. This system will hopefully be available for the upcoming school year.

“We would download them to a mobile platform and they would eventually expire after a predetermined amount of time, much like our book check-out today,” Pagley said. “Books that are a part of our database purchases will be available 24/7, but the ones that are specifically for electronic downloads will only be available to one person at a time.”

Much like many college students are already doing now, more CHS students may be roaming the halls in the near future carrying virtual textbooks on devices such as tablets or Kindles “This transformation in content is accelerating a shift from printed textbooks to interactive, digital

Benz believes that the number of students, staff and activities at CHS has a profound effect on the ability of staff to strictly regulate all financial transactions and procedures, and makes it harder for money to be closely regulated.

“Because of our large student enrollment, there’s more money that comes in and out of our school than other schools,” Benz said.

“We are one of the four biggest schools in MCPS in terms of extracurriculars and athletics.”

According to the 2012 CHS school profile, there were about 136 teachers working at CHS with 2,085 students.

Blair had 2,834 students and 158 teachers. Clarksburg, on the other hand, which received a near perfect audit, had 100 teachers and 1,711 students.

Additionally, CHS coaches who are not full-time staff members have a preseason meeting where the business manager discusses financial responsibilities.

“It is the coaches’ responsibility to know the financial procedures to follow,” Benz said.

To ensure money is secure and accounted for, students are not allowed to handle any money. This has been emphasized and enforced by staff members.

“I’m not allowed to handle the money,” said Toby Heller, Class of 2013 SGA treasurer. “[Scott] Selman handles it because he’s the sponsor.”

According to Heller, Selman submits monies to the financial specialist for the Class of 2013’s account. He then

receives a receipt that is filed into the class’s account.

“The financial specialist and business manager have all the expertise in the business aspect,” Benz said. “There is ongoing training for members of MCPS business offices.”

According to Blade, MCPS is implementing a new financial computer program that will help CHS’ business office better identify the right accounts.

According to Benz, the most common error is “when people go out and purchase something without preapproval.” In this case, the item becomes theirs because they “didn’t follow the procedure” and can’t be reimbursed by the school.

“We don’t have the budget as a school to cover mistakes,” Benz said.

The audit additionally asserts that CHS exceeded the allotted MCPS funding for staff appreciation funds through the use of student funds.

The MCPS fixed budget was $45 per each full-time staff member or fulltime equivalent (FTE).

According to Benz, it was a miscalculation.

“The money was all here,” Benz said.

“Our expenditures were calculated on the number of staff members as opposed to FTE staff members. The school buys a shirt for each staff member because you can’t buy one shirt to share between two part-time staff members.”

According to the memorandum, the county staff development budget for fiscal year 2013 was raised from $45 to $60.

Several of these financial issues have

PHOTO BY EMILIE PLESSET.

3

PHOTO BY ERICA SPEATH.

Students could potentially use devices to access online textbooks.

curriculum and instructional materials,” Collette said. “As our curriculum transitions to a digital medium and the next generation of state assessments move to an online administration, the demand for greater access to technology directly in our classrooms is becoming more urgent.”

Sophomore Danielle Firer thinks virtual textbooks could make schoolwork easier to handle.

“A lot of times, virtual textbooks have extra programs we can use to enhance our learning,” Firer said. “We don’t get that in a normal textbook.”

Sophomore Carly Kabelac, on the other hand, does not see how this implementation benefits CHS students.

“I don’t like the idea,” Kabelac said. “It’s really hard to focus on only textbooks when there are other distractions online, and the screens are bright and annoying to look at.”

MCPS may not see some of these more rapid changes so soon, however.

“Just getting it installed was a monumental achievement,” Jones said.

“It probably won’t have much of an impact at all initially, but as we move along, we’ll see.”

CHS staff addresses discrepancies in audit From Audit, 1 have a copy of the records, the records will be left with them at the end of the year,” Ratz said.

According to Benz, every staff member continues to be educated about the proper financial procedures at the beginning of each school year.

“When our teachers come back in August, they are required to attend a workshop which details their financial responsibilities,” Benz said. “An outline in the CHS Staff Handbook further details requirements for staff members who collect funds for any school activities and events.”

According to second-year CHS teacher Christine Carlson, who is the Relay for Life club sponsor, the administrators mentioned the audit at the orientation.

“They mentioned things got stricter after the audit, so they need paper records for everything,” Carlson said.

According to Benz, the purpose of the audit process is to “assure all monies are accounted for according to auditing guidelines.”

According to the audit, “the computer bank reconciliation reports were not in balance for several months in the audit period, and reports for March, April, and May 2012, had not been completed when [the auditors] arrived on June 28, 2012.”

Benz’s Sept. 19 response to the audit notes that “a process has been set into place that insures internal control processes occur monthly according to MCPS procedures.”

been longstanding at CHS and within MCPS. A July 2007 Gazette article cites “bookkeeping issues” and “poor financial management” as reasons for countywide financial concerns.

“The audit’s recommendations are directive and are not punitive,” Benz said. “The auditors facilitate improvements through the audit report so we are all in compliance.”

According to MCPS chief operating officer Larry Bowers, “an extensive amount of work has been done since 2007 to improve the financial management of school funds.”

Several improvements include the publication of an MCPS financial manual, mandatory financial management training, a stricter hiring process for school financial agents, and a central office position created specifically for working with school financial administrators.

Since audits are conducted on an annual basis, school administrators and financial agents are constantly identifying issues and working to solve these problems. Though both MCPS and CHS have made increased efforts to minimize these problems, only CHS’ 2013 audit will tell whether concerns have been effectively addressed and resolved.

CHS Media Services Technician Scott Selman, Drama Teacher Linda Scionti, MCPS Spokesman Dana Tofig, Community Superintendent Donna Hollingshead and MCPS Internal Audit Supervisor Roger Pisha did not respond for comment.

Opinions

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theObserver

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

The Churchill

Observer Editors

Editors-in-Chief Spenser Easterbrook Stacey Stein

Chief Production Manager Brett Sachs News Editors Lara Fu Dana Youngentob *Emma Crutchfield Opinions Editors Joe Nolan *Josh Denicoff *Jessica Gold Observations Editors Nicole Malament *Josh Denicoff Features Editors Emily Birnbaum Brittany Goodman *Elizabeth Campbell *Jane Zankman *Samantha Silber *Katie Gauch Arts Editors Jamie Lescht *Brett Sachs *Katie Gauch Sports Editors Matt Raab Zoe Forster *Angad Kanwal Photography Editors Ben Fox Guransh Singh Jane Zankman Erica Spaeth Fact Checkers Ilana Berger Jordan Janis * Production Editors

Managers

Advertising Manager Aileen Choi Archive Managers Catherine Goohs Julia McDermott Business Manager Danny Gordon

Circulation Managers Julia Heimlich Danielle Kiefer Contest Manager Natalie Cortez Public Relations Jordan Maser Julia Reagan Adviser Kelly Knarr

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 assure 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.

The Observer is a public forum for the purpose of expressing the views of and informing the Churchill student body.

Education reform needed to compete

CARTOON BY JONATHAN LEE.

By Joe Nolan Opinions Editor

In the midst of the Space Race of the 1950s, the US was startled to find itself playing catch-up with the USSR for the title of world’s greatest superpower. When the Soviets launched Sputnik into space, America accepted the challenge and quickly shifted its education standards to usher in an era of unprecedented scientific advancement and American supremacy above and abroad.

Today, American education currently faces another Space Age dilemma: adapt or fall behind.

We may not be engaged in an international arms race where subpar engineers could spell inferior national defense, but we are in an age that calls for more understanding of math, sciences and computers to compete in a world of technological innovation.

According to an Aug. 13 PBS article, the best 10 percent of America’s schools surpass Singapore’s academic achievement standards, which are the fifth best in the world. However, American schools in the bottom achievement decile only reach the academic standards of Indonesia, ranked 50th.

Although America’s education system is a decent 17th in the world, its abysmal achievement gap leaves our education in need of some serious revamping. To this end, both the current and the last presidential administrations have triumphantly signed into law detrimental

programs, under the guise of awfully cliché politi-phrases.

President Bush’s “No Child Left Behind” (2002) made a sincere attempt to provide schools with incentives to raise academic standards by offering federal aid to the states in exchange for state-imposed academic standards. The act of Congress grew unpopular when teachers, pressured by the state and the schools to meet new standards, began to “teach to the test,” and states found loopholes to acquire federal aid.

Bush’s program was gladly exchanged for President Obama’s hopeful “Race to the Top” in 2009, which promised to close the achievement gap by creating inter-state competition for federal aid. As a result of the act, states devoted more of their budgets to education, since federal aid was awarded to the few states that met the national standards. Thus, billions of additional dollars were spent on improving education.

According to a January 2012 Business Insider article, despite America’s exceptionally high per-pupil education spending, ranking among education giants Luxembourg and Norway, the results in America mostly resemble Poland’s, a country that does not spend half as much on education.

Funding is clearly not the

issue, yet more money is all our education “reform” programs have promised.

Perhaps what is preventing Americans from realizing their full educational potential, perhaps what is holding back the bottom decile from real achievement is not how much money schools receive, but how students are taught the material.

Currently, it is nearly impossible for teachers to be fired, and schools know that they are guaranteed funding. Who needs to try out new teaching techniques when a school is guaranteed perpetual existence and its teachers have tenure?

A voucher system, unlike the traditional public school system, thrives on failure.

If American families were allowed the free and voluntary transfer of students to whichever school they choose, private or public, the American classroom would be a very different place.

First, inner-city schools known for their poor education would be vacated. Families would send their children to schools that have better academic records, desperate to provide them with a decent education.

This process is already visible, as thousands of parents line up each year for a chance to land one of only 50 spots in the Two Rivers

charter school in Northeast D.C. This enormous demand for a better education than what public schools can provide would undoubtedly inspire teachers to open new schools, or take charge of old ones, with fresh ideas about education.

The result is a school system focused not on the teacher, not on the state government, not on federal aid, but on the student.

Vouchers allow poorer families, formerly allowed no alternative, to decide where their children will learn. Rather than a family’s school choice being subject to the government, the democratizing nature of charters gives the family and the community a say in how they want their school to be run.

Nothing provides more impetus for true academic achievement than when schools and teachers have to produce favorable results to remain employed. But “favorable results” will no longer be determined on the cold scales of standardized tests.

If parents could decide where to send their child, they could decide for themselves if the student is growing. Who better than a mom and dad to measure the intellectual flowering of their son or daughter?

As the evidence shows, it is certainly not the federal government.

If America is serious about education reform, if it is honestly looking for a solution for the achievement chasm that pervades our society, she must discard the “more money” mentality and try to alter education from the ground up.

Now that I know my mom was an active staff member on the Observer when she was enrolled, I have decided to become a more active member myself.

Connecting to parents is very important to kids who are close with theirs. I am not the only Observer legacy at Churchill. Freshman Ross Tanenbaum is a Journalism 1 student this year. Ross says that his dad had an influence on his decision to take Journalism.

“My parents told me it was a really good class, and my dad liked it,” Ross said. “I wanted to take a fun class.”

Not only did he influence Ross to take Journalism, but Larry Tanen-

baum also reviews his son’s work.

“My dad always asks to see my Journalism work before I turn it in,” Ross said. “His opinion is important to me.”

Larry Tanenbaum wrote for the Observer from 1967 to 1969, and was an assistant sports editor who had his own column called “The Bulldog House.”

“It was a blast,” Larry said.

Larry is also thrilled that his son followed in his footsteps.

Although he did not pursue Journalism as a career, Larry believes he learned many real world skills from taking the course.

“The writing skills I learned

in Journalism have been essential to my ability to be a successful lawyer,” Larry said. “Every profession requires an ability to write well, so everyone in Journalism and on the Observer is learning skills that will be invaluable to them regardless of what profession they eventually end up pursuing.”

Like his dad, Ross also intends to progress in his journalistic career and hold a staff position.

“I plan to stay on the paper throughout my high school career and I would like to hold a staff position, probably something in the arts department.”

As I enter into my final year at CHS, I will continue to write for the Observer.

My mom’s presence on the paper has inspired me to increase my activity and I have decided to take on smaller projects in addition to my monthly articles. As her legacy, I am able to carry on her memory and, being on the paper, have the sense that I belong.

BSERVER O OPINION

Student finds connection on ‘Observer’

By Erica Spaeth Photo Editor

This past year, I discovered that I have a very personal connection to the Observer. Specifically, I learned that my late mother, then known as Lisa Sandler, was an editor-in-chief of our school newspaper in 1980. It was an emotional discovery for me. My mom and I were very close. She passed away when I was 11, and since then I have been searching for a way to carry on her achievements while still remaining my own person.

We were two very different people, and I struggled with this fact. I loved my mother dearly and wanted a greater connection to her. Finding records of her involvement in the Observer gave me an entirely new outlook.

Journalism was no longer just a high school class.

After I learned of my mom’s involvement with the Observer, my own decision to join the newspaper became much more meaningful. I now have a connection to her that I did not realize I had. I am a proud legacy, representing my mom at the school we both attended.

PHOTO BY JASMINE VALDEZ.

Spaeth discovered that her mother once served as Editor-in-Chief.

Have a comment, question or story idea?

Contact us at : churchill.observer@gmail.com

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Opinions

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Violence highlights need for stricter gun control laws

By Guransh Singh Sports Photography Editor Jared Saltzberg Staff Writer In December 1998, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold of Columbine High School obtained three weapons from a friend who acquired them at a gun show from an unlicensed vendor. Harris and Klebold went on a shooting spree, killing 12 students and one teacher, injuring another 23 people and mentally scarring countless others before committing suicide. In the 14 years since this horrendous massacre, there have been an astounding 130 school shootings in which at least one student or school official has been killed or injured.

At the time, the Columbine High shooting sparked debate about gun control laws.

However, the debate faded away before

PHOTO COURTESY OF FLICKR.

Wayne LaPierre and the NRA lead gun control opposition.

being sparked again by the recent string of shootings in Aurora, Oak Creek and Newtown. Gun control has once again reared its ugly head and come to the forefront of Washington’s political agenda.

Though it may not be politically expedient to tighten gun ownership laws, such reform is a necessity for a country that suffers from the lethal combination of exorbitantly high rates of mental illness and gun ownership. While improving mental health services is the preferred long-term solution to the problem of gun violence, this policy direction may not produce beneficial effects for a long time, leaving innocent Americans vulnerable in the meantime.

So that innocent lives are spared, Congress needs to revisit the concept of an assault weapons ban, and if such a ban is not passed, then Congress needs to give serious consideration to magazine limits that would reduce the damage caused by deadly shootings perpetrated with automatic and semi-automatic weapons. Furthermore, private gun sales, which are not subject to federal oversight and therefore often result in weapons getting into the wrong hands, need to be subjected to some sort of regulation.

Gun reform is an issue that politicians are, frankly, scared to take on. With enormous pressure from the National Rifle Association (NRA) to maintain the status quo of lax gun ownership laws, Republicans and Democrats alike tend to shy away from making meaningful policy changes.

Many think back to the assault weapons ban passed under the Clinton administration and claim that it was not clear that the ban succeeded in reducing gun violence.

An assault weapons ban would be the surest way for the federal government to take a “no tolerance” stance against gun violence, but it is somewhat unfeasible.

For such a ban to be as effective as possible,

it would need to be supplemented with It would be impossible for the government increased funding for law enforcement to to oversee all private gun sales. The best way ensure that a black market did not develop to ensure the effectiveness of such legislation for assault weapons. Assault weapons would be to impose heavy penalties, includshould not remain in circulation because ing criminal prosecution, on any non-licensed they are not necessary for hunting or for dealer who was found to have sold a gun self-defense. They are built to be killing without meeting the federal government’s machines, and to make them available to requirements. If the threat of criminal prosthe general population is unnecessary. ecution outweighed the profit incentive for Magazine limits are another “common private gun vendors, many would not take sense” the chance of selling policy that weapons to dangerous An assault weapons ban would could repeople who would not be the surest way for the federal duce the be able to obtain them government to take a ‘no tolerfatalities otherwise. ance’ stance against gun violence, that result NRA Execubut it is somewhat unfeasible.” from gun tive Vice President violence.

Wayne LaPierre, who Shooters would have to reload more often o n c e supported universal and could no longer effectively spray their background checks, has now suggested that weapons without depleting their ammo and the answer to gun violence is more guns. constantly having to insert new cartridges In response to the Newtown shootings, he into their weapons. However, perhaps the suggested that security guards at schools most politically plausible policy that could be should be armed. He also suggests that implemented to diminish gun violence would moviegoers should be armed in response be background checks for private gun dealers. to the Aurora shootings.

According to the New England Journal However, the notion that “good guys” of Medicine, around 85 percent of all guns with guns are the only thing that can counused in crimes and recovered by law- ter “bad guys” with guns is deeply flawed. enforcement agencies have been sold at Columbine High had two armed guards least once by private parties. who were unable to stop the carnage carA private sale does not require paper- ried out by the shooters and many teachers work, a background check or a waiting pe- claim they would feel even less safe if they riod before the buyer receives the weapon. were required to carry a weapon.

As long as the vendor claims to have no Americans should hold their Second prior knowledge that the buyer is a person Amendment rights dear, but that does who would normally be denied a gun un- not mean that gun ownership should be der federal law, the transaction proceeds immune to restriction. If central tenets of seamlessly. Not requiring background the Constitution like freedom of speech checks or transaction reports during private and freedom of religion can be limited, sales is an inherent loophole in gun laws. there is no legitimate reason to block legSince the private gun market is, for islation that requires documentation of all practical purposes, unregulated, these re- gun sales and imposes severe penalties on stricted people can easily obtain weapons. those who are found in violation.

“

Alexander went ‘Ham,’ Pentagon made right he’s earned his chops decision in lifting ban

By Emily Jin Staff Writer

handedly designed America’s economy and reconstructed its government by encouraging trade with other nations and allowing the government to print money.

This past President’s Day, Americans Although he was born in the West honored an array of influential presidents, Indies, Hamilton was a patriot, fighting including Washington, Lincoln and bravely in the Revolutionary War. He Hamilton. Those who find nothing excelled so much in the New York wrong with that statement need to retake Artillery Company that he was promoted U.S. History, because, as the brighter half to George Washington’s aide. of society knows, Hamilton was never According to ushistory.org, Hamilton president, a truth so outrageous that it threw himself into military studies in rivals Pluto losing its planet status. preparation for the war. His knowledge Hamilton’s influence in shaping of different military techniques and America’s government was artillery strategies was essential, but his efforts are critical in the Patriots’ grossly underappreciated. victory at Trenton.

Even AP NSL fails to capture Every shining knight his genius and importance. does have a shadow, If it were not for Hamilton, and Hamilton embraced America would have crumbled his when his reputation and fallen long ago. was tarnished by a As the main writer of the disgraceful sex scandal.

Federalist Papers, Hamilton His unnecessarily detailed employed his sound logic admission of his adulterous and political dexterity to affair shocked the public tactfully convince America and nearly ended his PHOTO BY ELIZABETH CAMPBELL. that a government with no political career. However, power, no money and no army would he shamelessly admitted everything to collapse before the British could enjoy prove his affair had no effect on his true their afternoon tea. love: America’s new monetary system.

According to a May 8, 2007 PBS As a man in power, Hamilton had many article, Hamilton’s essays made the enemies, most notably Aaron Burr, who ratification of the Constitution possible challenged Hamilton to America’s most by clearly demonstrating its necessity to famous duel. Hamilton never intended to unwitting citizens and fearful statesmen. kill him, but Burr sought blood and fired a As the first Secretary of the Treasury, fatal shot that ended the life of arguably the Hamilton created the First Bank of the most important man in American history.

United States which assumed the states’ So before wasting a $10 bill on useless debt to stabilize the nation’s economy. knick-knacks or trinkets, respect the fact According to AP NSL teacher that you are staring at the face of the Matthew Schilling, Hamilton single- man who should have been president.

By Jeanine Liu Staff Writer After nearly a decade, the Pentagon has finally lifted the ban prohibiting women from ground combat positions in the military, giving women the opportunity to apply for more than 230,000 new jobs in the Army and Marine Corps.

It is about time the Department of Defense realizes the contributions and importance of women in the military, as many women have what it takes to fight for our country.

Women have shown strength and determination in every American war to date. Rosie the Riveter represented the brave women who willingly sacrificed their safe homes and normal lives to weld metal airplanes and assemble heavy machinery in dangerous factory conditions during World War II. More than 200 years ago, courageous women aided the colonies in their fight for independence.

According to AP U.S. History teacher Rodney Van Tassell, most women in the Revolution served in domestic areas of the war effort like cooking and nursing. However, there were notable exceptions including Deborah Sampson, who disguised herself as a man to enlist in the army, and Molly Pitcher, who took over the cannons when her husband was wounded.

This bravery continues even today.

The lift on this ban only legalizes women fighting ground combat, but women have been on the front lines before. Sergeant Leigh Ann Hester proved herself capable of ground combat when she fought back an ambush during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2005, earning a Silver Star for her bravery.

According to the U.S. Army website,

150 women have been killed and over 800 have been wounded out of the 280,000 deployed to the Middle East since 2001.

Banning ground combat for women does not make a difference because neither gender is spared when it comes to war.

Furthermore, lifting the ban does not require the physical standards to be changed because plenty of women are capable of meeting the current standards.

Now that women have the opportunity to serve in a number of new positions in combat, some men might find it hard to adjust to women serving in a traditionally all-male field.

However, many other military units have proved that the mixing of genders is not an issue. The Marine Corps and training base Fort Lee, two large military operations, are both co-ed and still operate at an extremely high standard.

Much like a school classroom where girls and boys learn as equals, male and female soldiers are first and foremost soldiers whose jobs are to serve and protect America. It’s time to let women take the class too, and pass along with their male counterparts.

PHOTO COURTESY OF FLICKR.

The lifted ban opens 230,000 new jobs for women in the army.

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Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Students prepare for SMOB nomination convention

By Gil Jacobson Staff Writer Students from across MCPS will gather March 7 at Walter Johnson High School to nominate candidates for the 2013 Student Member of the Board of Education (SMOB) election.

Blair sophomore Christina McCann, Poolesville junior Justin Kim, Richard Montgomery junior Andrew Zhang, Richard Montgomery sophomore Richie Yarrow, and Sherwood junior Sean Musgrove are all vying for this year’s nomination.

“The fact that there are only five candidates is a living testament to how much dedication and work ethic is required to even qualify as a candidate for this position,” Zhang said.

In order to run for SMOB a student must live in Montgomery County, be a sophomore or junior at the time of the election, be enrolled at an MCPS school and nominated by either themselves or a fellow student, and have one of their school administrators confirm they meet all requirements.

According to Karen Crawford, the Montgomery County Student Affairs Coordinator, the requirements run along the same lines as the adult Board of Education members’ requirements would.

“This is the election of a public

official,” Crawford said. “In other words, there’s no grade point average, it’s not an extracurricular activity.”

However, students running for the position should also be responsible for maintaining their grades, preparing for meetings ahead of time and punctually attending all board meetings. Students should also have some experience working with SGA at both the school and county level such as with the Montgomery County Region of the Maryland Association of Student Councils.

“I think if you had to say one characteristic it would be the word ‘responsible’ because that can cover so much territory,” Crawford said. “Responsible in your time management, responsible with your academics, responsible in your reading and preparing of Board materials, responsible in communications to constituents, you know, so that sums up a lot.”

During the March nominating convention, candidates give speeches and answer questions designed beforehand by the Special Elections Committee. The candidates then give a closing statement before delegates from each middle and high school vote to cut the field in half. The candidates then take questions from the audience before the delegates vote for the final two candidates who move on to the April 24 general election.

According to current SMOB John Mannes, the convention is lengthy, stressful and nerve-racking because it is almost impossible to prepare for the individual questions that will be asked.

Many students voting in the election have different ideal qualities that they look for in a future SMOB. For MCR Treasurer and former Spe-

cial Elections Administrator CHS senior Stephen Lee, it is about experience.

“Experience shows that the candidate truly cares about the students and is not just doing this for popularity and college applications,” Lee said. “If a candidate has a high level of experience, then he or she is more likely to know the issues that impact the students.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF SMOB 365.

Current SMOB John Mannes answers questions at a student town hall meeting.

Falsified test scores tarnish college rankings’ validity

By Danny Gordon Business Manager Yash Nigam Production Editor

Most trust the U.S. News and World Report list of college rankings; they neither question its legitimacy nor the information it presents, considering it to be the product of extensive analysis.

Recently, however, many colleges have disclosed that they have been inflating test scores and GPA data for several years, thus artificially increasing their rating.

Their falsifying of information has tarnished their reputations and has

had repercussions on students who apply to these schools.

According to a Feb. 7 Washington Post article, several colleges, including Tulane University, Becknell University and, most recently, George Washington University in the District, have admitted to projecting skewed scores and test results.

Educational analysts claim that the central problem behind the rating process is that the information reported by colleges is not independently verified. The lack of regulation over college statistics has caused many to accentuate their figures in an attempt to remain competent with other rising institutions.

According to a Jan. 28 Chronicle

of Higher Education article, some colleges have intentionally altered their data whereas others have done so because of carelessness. Experts, such as U.S. News and World Report Editor Brian Kelly, predict that at least a few more cases will emerge in the near future. Others are even more skeptical and believe that many more colleges will begin to disclose that they have misrepresented their information.

The scandal has shed light on yet another flaw in the college rating system: the invalid techniques that U.S. News and World Report and other rating agencies employ in their studies to assess colleges.

According to the Chronicle of

PHOTO COURTESY OF CREATIVE COMMONS.

Bucknell University recently admitted to submitting inflated test scores to U.S. News and World Report.

Higher Education article, U.S. News and World Report does not consider enough factors, and thus creates generalized rankings that are misrepresentative of the colleges.

For example, it usually lowers the rank of a particular college because of a higher influx of groups that traditionally score low on standardized tests, such as African Americans and students from low-income families.

Additionally, U.S. News and World Report often rates the selectivity of colleges based on how many of the top 10 percent of students they admit. However, many studies, such as those from National Association for College Admission Counseling, show that the majority of high schools have stopped reporting the rank of their students. Furthermore, U.S. News and World Report does not factor in the digital revolution, as evidenced by its giving bonus points to colleges who have school libraries that are larger than their digital counterparts.

Forbes is also facing scrutiny for the factors contributing to its studies, though to a slightly lesser extent. The major problem with its rating system is that it incorporates unofficial, untested and potentially false ratings from websites like ratemyprofessors.com.

All these surveying errors from reputable agencies have misled many students into thinking that their dream college is out of reach.

“I might have applied to one or more Ivy Leagues had I known that some of the information on U.S. News and World Report was factually incorrect,” senior Eliot Pack said.

In response to the errors in data and representation, people are demanding that there be more oversight on how colleges collect their information and on the criteria that rating agencies use. Some even suggest that the Department of Education should head this initiative. What is to happen regarding this issue is still yet to be decided and depends on whether more colleges will disclose errors in projecting their data.

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Observations

CHS athletes commit

By Erica Spaeth Photo Editor Congratulations to seniors Dominique Williams (bottom left) and Darrion Locke (bottom right) for committing to play football next year at AldersonBroaddus College of West Virginia.

Williams has played football since he was in fourth grade, and he plays wide receiver and free safety. Locke has played football since sophomore year, and he plays offensive and defensive line.

Congratulations to Williams and Locke on becoming Battlers.

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@ www.thechurchillobserver.com Features: Arts: The perfect recipe Exploring to celebrate cherry and the works of pie month.

Catfishing.

Sports: Ray Lewis is Opinions: Superbowl worthy of a Hall of shows potential for future Fame nod.

TV ads.

Students’ work honored

By Nicole Malament Observations Editor

Congratulations to the following students who were recognized by the 2013 Scholastic Writing Awards.

Darien Aubinoe: Honorable Mention Emily Birnbaum: two Honorable Mentions, three Silver Keys and one Gold Key Jessica Lee: Honorable Mention Chaitanya Singh: Honorable Mention, DC Teen Voices Award Greer Smith: Honorable Mention

Congratulations to the following students for being honored at Johns Hopkins University (JHU) Jan. 31 for their artwork. Their pieces will be on display until March 23 at the JHU Shady Grove campus.

Emily Greenstein: “Morning in Venice” (photo) Sidney Hahm: “Daybreak” (Photo) Sharon Woo: “My Sister” (Painting) Honorable Mention

MUN delegates awarded

PHOTO BY ERICA SPAETH.

Senior earns scholarship

By Natalie Cortez Contest Manager Congratulations to senior Adrien Bossogo-Egoume for receiving a fulltuition scholarship to the University of Wisconsin-Madison from the Posse Foundation.

The Posse program recognizes high school students with exceptional talent and leadership qualities.

Bossogo-Egoume is one of 23 students from Montgomery County to receive this honor, the largest number ever for the county.

Congratulations to BossogoEgoume on becoming a Bucky Badger.

By Nicole Malament Observations Editor

Congratulations to the following students who won awards at the National Model United Nations Convention held in Washington D.C. Feb. 14-17.

Alexandra Boukhvalova: Honorable Mention Grant Haskins: Honorable Mention Hope Kean: Outstanding Delegate Gloria Samen: Honorable Mention

PHOTO COURTESY OF GLORIA SAMEN.

Robotics Poms places reaches finals 2nd in county

PHOTO BY NATALIE CORTEZ.

Maryland schools rank 1st State earns B-plus average

By Nicole Malament Observations Editor

By Nicole Malament Observations Editor

Congratulations to the Zero Robotics team for being finalists in the Zero Robotics competition. The team competed against nine other teams and ran its computer program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Jan. 11. Scan the following QR code to watch the video.

Congratulations to the poms team for earning second place overall and first place in choreography at the Northwest Poms Invitational Jan. 5, and for coming in sixth place at the Montgomery County Division I competition Feb. 2.

Junior presents research

PHOTO COURTESY OF KRISTEN MILLER.

By Natalie Cortez Contest Manager

By Natalie Cortez Contest Manager Maryland public schools, for the fifth consecutive year, remain the highest ranked in the nation, according to a national report released Jan.10.

According to Education Weekly, the nation’s leading education publication, the state received an 87.5 B-plus grade with Massachusetts only 3.4 points behind.

The majority of the nation’s

PHOTO BY NATALIE CORTEZ.

states fell in the C range with an average of 76.9.

Ranking is based on a state’s education policies, student performance, school finances and up to 100 other distinct indicators.

“Education Week‘s analysis of our work illuminates many positives, but we also know where we need to improve,” State Superintendent Lillian Lowery said in a Jan. 10 statement. “We’ll use this and other information, to help make certain we have better classrooms for every student.”

Congratulations to junior Daniel Liu for winning the $1,500 secondplace scholarship award in this year’s regional Junior Science and Humanities Symposia (JSHS) and the chance to present his original research at the National JSHS in Dayton, Ohio.

Liu is one of 200 high school students who competed at Georgetown University Medical Center. Liu’s paper discussed using PGC-1α , a cell protein, to protect human cardiovascular cells from negative effects caused by drugs used to treat HIV. “It was a wonderful opportunity to be able to present in front of so many people,” Liu said. “I look

forward to once again being able to share my work with others and learn a lot from the other students’ projects.”

PHOTO BY NATALIE CORTEZ.

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Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Churchill Compliments brightens students’ days

By Skylar Whitman Staff Writer

A Facebook account called “Churchill Compliments” has become a popular way for students to anonymously compliment each other. The Facebook account, which was created in December and has more than 1,000 friends, posts compliments sent to its inbox.

The account posts about 10 compliments per day.

“What’s great about the page is that it allows people to say the things they feel deep down but wouldn’t feel comfortable saying in person or not anonymously,” said the user behind Churchill Compliments, who asked to remain anonymous.

One compliment may be all it takes to make someone’s day.

“I have received three compliments,” senior Ethan Schneider said. “I was overjoyed

as it was really sweet of whoever it may have been to write such heartfelt, caring things.”

Posting compliments is not about making the person who sends in the compliment look like a good person.

Rather, it is about making the one receiving the compliment happy.

“By not knowing who’s taking the time to post the compliments, it’s impossible to attribute credit to one individual for spreading good feelings,” the account’s creator said. “Churchill students are forced to wonder who’s doing it, and in that sense, they can only picture all the nice things being said about them as being said by the school community, instead of just one person.”

Compliments are also made meaningful by their spontaneity.

“Getting the compliments makes my day so much better,” sophomore Siobhan Shea said. “They were so random and

reading them made me feel so flattered, and I felt less stressed for some reason.”

The account’s creator remains anonymous for many reasons.

“I just want people to recognize that they’re a lot better than they think they are,” the creator said. “If I were not anonymous, people would ask me in person about who submitted what compliment. People may also feel less comfortable submitting honest or emotionally significant compliments if they knew who I was or knew I knew the person they were complimenting well.”

Sometimes, a compliment can highlight a positive side of a person that others may not have seen before.

“It also shows other Churchill students how nice someone actually may be,” Shea said. “If I read a compliment about someone I didn’t really know, I would think that person must be really nice based on what the compliment said.”

According to the creator, the page would be worth it as long as it helped at least one person feel better about themselves and get through the day.

Remaining anonymous keeps the page interesting and mysterious.

“I also feel the anonymity keeps the thought behind the compliment pure,” Schneider said. “There are no boundaries, just someone being honest.”

was experiencing technical difficulties.

In a time before software, when computers were run by hole-punched paper, a virus was not a possibility. So the inner workings of the computer were investigated. A moth was found trapped in the circuitry. After the moth was removed, the computer returned to functionality. The dead moth was taped to a logbook, where it was noted the “bug” had been found. The terms “computer bug” and “debugging” would soon be popularized in regards to solving issues with computers, and have remained associated with the technology ever since.

agencies in the late ‘90s with the goal of fixing the problems before they happened. The agencies averted most of the problems and avoided any major issues. For that, Y2K will always be remembered as the greatest technical difficulty that never happened.

to give speeches, sing songs and inspire a nation. However, the supporters who came to the event but found themselves forced all the way back to the Washington Monument (like we were) only got muffled sound and a broken jumbo-tron screen. For the duration of the inauguration, the broken screen had half of one person’s face and half of someone else’s face on it. Have you ever seen Beyoncé with a middle aged white man’s mouth?

You don’t want to.

PHOTO BY SKYLAR WHITMAN.

Students receive anonymous compliments.

Top five technical difficulties of modern history

By Matt Raab Sports Editor Ben Schick Online Sports Editor The 49ers, the Ravens and fans all over the country were in despair during this year’s Superbowl as they watched their favorite players try to stay loose while they awaited the return of the lights.

The short-lived turmoil and vast media coverage of the lighting mishap at Super Bowl XLVII got Matt and Ben thinking about how much people rely on technology today. We decided to compile a list of the most infamous technical difficulties that Americans have experienced since Thomas Edison created the first light bulb.

1. The Original In1947,post-World War II America found itself in a significantly different technological situation than 10 or even five years before.

Years of worldwide conflict had resulted in an escalating race to develop technology more effective than those of the other side.

One of these developments was the computer. Harvard University researchers worked with funding from the U.S. Navy during the war to develop massive calculating computers, weighing five tons and filling entire rooms. The computers were used to make ballistic calculations that were relayed to ships. On Sept. 9, 1947, one of these computers, the Harvard Mark II,

2. The No-Show Though most CHS students do not remember the turn of the millennium, excitement was in the air when 1999 came to a close and we welcomed the year 2000. There was much anticipation for the new millennium, but there was also a great deal of fear. This fear surrounded the possibility of one of the largest and most disastrous computer crashes the world has ever seen, called Y2K..

At its most basic level, the Y2K problem was anticipated due to programming errors.

Many programs only recorded years with two numbers (80 for 1980), and it was predicted that computers could try to reset to 1900 or try to move to 19100. While that may seem like a minor problem,governmentsandbusinesses,including the stock market ,that rely on computer programs to function properly, could have been severely harmed by the inconsistency of the dates, causing worldwide failures. In the end, world governments and the UN established

3. The New York City Blackout In the late summer of 2003, the citizens of Northeastern United States and the great Canadian province of Ontario were going about their daily lives. But on August 13, software in an Ohio power control room malfunctioned, and alarms were tripped. Unfortunately, John McClane was not there to save the day, and the resulting chain of events plunged much of Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York and other surrounding states into darkness.

For two of the hottest days of the summer, some of the most populated areas in the country were almost completely without power.

While the outage was outside Pepco’s area of service, it is suspected that the general incompetence of the company somehow spread to neighboring states and caused the disaster.

5. Super Bowl XLVII

At the grand spectacle that was the 2012 Presidential Inauguration, President Obama, “Way-to-Go Joe” and Beyoncé were present

Super Bowl XLVII was one that was destined to go down in the history books from the very beginning. With Jim and John Harbaugh coaching against each other for the world title of the sport they both love, fans from all corners were excited to tune into a rivalry that all started in a shared bedroom years ago.

When fans tuned in, however, they had no idea that the game would be remembered for something completely different.

During the second half of the game, half of the lights at the Super Dome in New Orleans went out. For about 20 minutes, fans, players—over half of America—waited in anticipation as the lights refused to turn on. The players tried to stay loose and fans stuffed their faces with more Doritos as nerves ran high. When the lights finally turned back on, the ailing 49ers turned the game around and made a surging comeback, only to come up short to the inspired Ravens. Despite the game’s exciting story and finish, it will forever be remembered as the game when the lights went out.

with the big biceps and triceps with her when the zombie apocalypse strikes.

“I would bring strong people,” Prussick said. “They can carry me.”

Rule 2: Find a weapon of choice that will slay zombies but not attract them.

Ditch the toy sword and get a real one. The best way to fight zombies is to find a weapon of choice. But what is the best weapon to use?

According to junior Claudia Barnett, she would opt to bring a IMAGE BY SAMMI SILBER. gun so that, “she would nothavetogetclose”inordertoescapezombies.

While guns can be handy, the noise and light from the blazing bullet can instantly attract zombies. Instead, try to find any kind of weapon that is silent, like a knife, a sword or even a bow with a full quiver of arrows. Lightsabers, the real, authentic kind, also suffice Be sure to never let a zombie bite or scratch any group member, or else they will become a zombie, so it is always good to have a weapon around.

Rule 3: Make sure the supplies you pack do more good than harm.

Only pack the essentials to surviving: peanut butter, an electric blanket and a survival guide. Stuff your backpack with clothes and imperishable food, too.

Junior Alex Kalik said he would take a lightweight and tasty treat to satisfy his hunger after a hard day of destroying zombie brains.

“I would take Twinkies,” Kalik said.

“They’re awesome and they last forever.”

Rule 4: NEVER fall in love or partake in any romantic affair with a zombie.

This scenario, in reality, is not another Summit Entertainment supernatural romance like Twilight or their newest romantic zombie flick Warm Bodies. Even if they have a really nice body or good hair, stay away from them and avoid making out with them.

Also, if an ex-boyfriend or ex-girlfriend is one of the living dead, listen to Taylor Swift’s breakup songs instead. Remember, they only love humans for their brains.

According to sophomore Jaclyn Shin, zombies are too revolting to date, anyway.

“No, I would never date a zombie,” Shin said. “I’m a clean freak, and that’s gross.”

Before running head-first into the walking dead, pick up the Observer first. Remember, stock up on Twinkies and do not treat the zombie apocalypse like the next Twilight movie. Good luck surviving the living dead.

4. Two Face Takes over the 2012 Inauguration

Tips for surviving the zombie apocalypse

By Sammi Silber Production Editor Charlotte Scarborough Staff Editor

The hallways are bare of another living soul. The school colors once a pristine display on the walls, now mix with red.

The auditorium doors are locked shut, with chains looped through the adjoining handles, the circle completed with a padlock. Wide, large letters, written with a panicked slant, read: Don’t Open—Dead Inside. This is the zombie apocalypse.

In this apocalypse, a virus has broken out that has turned many humans into bloody zombies. But how would all humanity, including CHS students, survive?

Before panic breaks out, let’s define exactly what a zombie is. A zombie is created when a human being is infected by some kind of virus that destroys the human’s personality, leaving behind a zombie mind that desires human brains and flesh.

Even the government believes all people should prepare for a zombie apocalypse.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has a website with a whole page regarding the possibility of a zombie takeover.

Many CHS students are unprepared to take action if a zombie apocalypse occured.

According to an Observer survey of 50 CHS students, 70 percent of students claim that they are not overall mentally or physically prepared for a zombie apocalypse if one were to break out , so the Observer is giving four tips for surviving the zombie apocalypse.

Rule 1: Never travel alone. Find a pack of trustworthy, loyal people to survive with.

The worst possible thing to do in the case of a zombie apocalypse is to travel alone. Find a pack of reliable people to travel with, not ones who will slow down the group. For example, do not bring the girl who always mentions that pop quiz that the teacher forgot to give that day.

Instead, bring the big, brawny varsity football jock who knocks down anyone in his path.

However, while fighting the dead, fear the living and make sure that every single person in the survival pack can be trusted.

According to freshman Stephanie Prussick, she will only take the boys

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Features

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9

Facing stress, students smoke to blow off steam

By Ben Fox Sports Photo Editor

You can smell it on their breath. It lingers in their cars. It sticks to their clothes and cannot be washed out. The smell of cigarettes follows smokers everywhere, even through the Bulldog Lobby and into the halls of CHS. Smoking has long been a problem among teens nationwide.

According to DoSomething.org, a website dedicated to spreading information about the dangers of smoking, every day, over 3,800 teens under the age of 18 smoke their first cigarette. Though cigarettes are illegal for those under the age of 18, many students still find ways to smoke.

CHS students have no trouble getting cigarettes. Junior Rebecca* gets older friends and even strangers to buy cigarettes for her.

“I either get a friend over 18 to buy them for me or I ask random people that are older,” Rebecca said. “I tell them, ‘Hey can you run in and get me cigs? Here’s money.’

They usually say yes.”

Juniors April* and Crystal* take advantage of Crystal’s older sister’s fake ID to purchase cigarettes from local convenience stores and gas stations.

According to Crystal, store workers “only look at the date” when checking identification, ignoring important details such as the person pictured in the ID. Though the stigma against smoking in the United States has grown in recent years, many students do not see any reaction from others, including law enforcement, when they smoke in public.

According to Rebecca, she has “never been questioned by anyone,” including police officers, about smoking.

The Montgomery County Police Department does have policies relating to underage tobacco use. Unfortunately, it may not be enough to stop teen smokers.

According a Montgomery County police officer, who asked not to be named in this article, there is very little that one can do to confirm a suspect is under the age of 18. If a student is smoking in public, an officer is allowed to ask for identification, and if a stu-

dent does not have one, officers are allowed to call the student’s parents or legal guardian.

Different teenagers start smoking for different reasons. Some feel pressured to smoke by friends, others have family members who smoke, and many are simply being curious about trying it.

Junior Hugh* has been smoking for over a year, and both of his older siblings smoke.

“My sister says she’s trying to quit, but she really isn’t, and my brother also smokes,” Hugh said. “My parents normally think that it’s one of them when they smell smoke.”

Despite many of his family members

For many years, smoking cigarettes has been linked to life-threatening diseases including cancers of the lung, mouth and tongue, as well as many heart diseases.

Despite tobacco use being the most widespread preventable cause of death, smoking causes about 1 in 5 deaths annually in the United States.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), adult male smokers live an average of 13.2 years less than non-smoking males, while female smokers live about 14.5 years less that their tobacco-free counterparts.

Reactions to the adverse health effects

PHOTO BY SIMON TESLA.

Some students use fake IDs to get around age requirements to buy cigarettes. smoking, Hugh believes that it was curiosity that led him to smoking instead of influence from his siblings.

“I smoke because I want too, not because someone else did,” Hugh said.

“My siblings smoking had something to do with it, but mostly just by making the cigarettes available.”

Despite having asthma, Hugh still smokes in order to relieve the stress he feels in his daily life.

“If I’m really angry about something I will have a cigarette and it will calm my nerves,” Hugh said. “It’s only one method, and I don’t smoke that often, but it’s an extremely good way of calming my nerves.”

of smoking vary among those interviewed.

Some, like Rebecca, don’t believe that they smoke often enough to experience the negative effects of smoking.

“I understand that it’s bad for you, but I’m not a chain smoker,” Rebecca said. “There are risks to everything, and I don’t smoke enough for severe side effects to happen to me.”

Others believe that smoking has already changed them. Senior Lauren*, who has been smoking regularly for about eight months, is becoming afraid of what cigarettes have done to her.

“The health effects of cigarettes scare me because I can tell that it’s affected me by my breathing and now coughing,” Lauren said.

Students said that their parents largely seemed to either be ignorant or indifferent to their smoking cigarettes.

“My mother knows I smoke,” Lauren said. “She doesn’t like it, but she doesn’t do anything really to stop it.”

In some families, the teen’s smoking is known by one parent and hid from the other. April’s mother knows about her smoking, but her dad has not yet found out.

“My mom smokes, she knows I smoke, and I do it in front of her,” April said. “She’s said she doesn’t like it, but she knows she can’t stop me. My dad will never know.”

Local schools have begun taking steps to help students stop smoking. CHS is taking part in one such program, called the Smoking Cessation Program. In the program, students in small groups of about 10 are taken from one class period every few weeks to discuss the issues related to smoking in a group setting. The program is run by the Caron Foundation, an American non-profit organization dedicated to helping drug and cigarette addicts through the process of rehabilitation.

“The program encourages kids to quit, and gives them the tools to quit,” said CHS nurse Deborah Stapleton, who runs CHS’ Smoking Cessation Program.

According to Stapleton, while some students do not completely stop smoking after taking part in the Smoking Cessation Program, many “lessen the amount they smoke” every day. The program has seen “improvement” in those who participate by “allowing students to change” their behavior.

The issue of cigarette use seems to be divided in the United States today. Though some are ambivalent about the dangers of underage smoking, others are working to stop this monumental problem.

Smoking is an issue that deserves attention in today’s society. Whether views about it will change in the future, or will remain as they are today, is yet to be determined. One thing is for sure: the smell of cigarettes will follow teenage smokers far into their future. *Identities have been changed at the request of those interviewed.

Features

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Wednesday, February 27, 2013

theObserver

By Julia Greenzaid Online Breaking News Editor Ever feel lonely on Friday nights?

Craving some cuddling? Then come to Mr. Churchill, and you might just find your next soulmate.

Clear your calendars Friday, March 8 at 7 p.m., because 14 scrumptious male beauty pageant contestants will be waiting for you in the auditorium.

Junior Christian Carty

Q: Why did you decide to do Mr. Churchill?

Well, I find myself very funny so I felt that the rest of the school was missing out. This way everybody gets a taste.

Q: What is your best quality?

There are too many. I can’t pick just one.

Q: What do you like to do for fun?

Usually I either fight ligers or eat Nutella.

Q: What is your favorite day of the week and why?

Wednesday. It’s nicknamed hump day. That is all.

Q: What is the most important invention and why?

Yoga pants. Enough said.

Junior Zach Raizon

Q: Why did you decide to do Mr. Churchill?

To get Mrs. [Shelley] Perrett’s approval.

Q: What is your best quality?

Calves of a Greek god.

Q: What do you like to do for fun?

Take long walks on the beach and get caught in the rain.

Q: What is your favorite day of the week and why?

Saturday ‘cause it’s like Friday. But crazier.

Q: What is the most important invention and why?

Sparknotes. No one in this generation can actually read.

Senior Kevin Hann

Q: Why did you decide to do Mr. Churchill?

So people realize how much of a jabroni I really am.

Q: What is your best quality?

Probably my narrow, yet outrageously bodacious physique.

Q: What do you like to do for fun?

I like to flex my golden pipes and dance to the beat of “I Want to Dance with Somebody” by Whitney Houston.

Q: What is your favorite day of the week and why?

Hump day.

Q: What is the most important invention and why?

No comment.

Senior Zack Arden

Junior Aaron Hubberman

PHOTOS BY SCOTT SELMAN.

Q: Why did you decide to do Mr. Churchill?

To hit on Allie Amoroso.

Q: What is your best quality?

My eyes.

Q: What do you like to do for fun?

Play NHL 13 and watch Stephen A. Smith go on rants on Sportsceneter.

Q: What is your favorite day of the week and why?

My favorite day is Sunday, because it’s a full day of relaxing and doing whatever I feel like. Also, I think it’s important to mention I have a strong hatred for Wednesdays.

Q: What is the most important invention and why?

Trash cans, because without them where would we put all our trash? It would be chaos.

Senior Kevin Bachrach

Q: Why did you decide to do Mr. Churchill?

‘Cause I’m the man.

Q: What is your best quality?

I’m a stud.

Q: What do you like to do for fun?

I like to bro it up.

Q: What is your favorite day of the week and why?

Friday ‘cause it’s the move.

Q: What is the most important invention and why?

FIFA. BACKGROUND PHOTO BY AIDAN GRAY.

Q: Why did you decide to do Mr. Churchill?

Because I want to represent my school in a positive way.

Q: What is your best quality?

Other than my athleticism? I think I’m an easygoing, outgoing person.

Q: What do you like to do for fun?

Well, play hockey.

Q: What is your favorite day of the week and why?

Saturday, because it’s the day where I can play hockey and hangout with my friends at the same time. It’s really the ultimate day.

Q: What is the most important invention and why?

The toaster oven because you can toast bread, and that’s really important, and make other assorted food and that’s really tasty.

Junior Noah Fleishman

Q: Why did you decide to do Mr. Churchill?

I have nothing better to do after hockey season.

Q: What is your best quality?

My body.

Q: What do you like to do for fun?

I like to party.

Q: What is your favorite day of the week and why?

Friday, because it’s when my party starts.

Q: What is the most important invention and why?

The diabetes pump. Without it, my life would be a lot tougher.

“W guys shou SGA N cute also “I see them na B Th

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

We have an amazing group of s this year, and the entire evening uld be really fun and entertaining,” sponsor Scott Selman said.

Not only will you be able to see their e and charming sides, but there will o be a lot of laughs.

It is a lot of fun and you get to all of these guys make a fool of mselves,” SGA President BrianBurke said. hese 14 males are the highest stan-

Features

Senior Ricky Rothstein

dard of men you may ever meet.

“We have a very unique group of guys this year, they are very close – and not afraid to take cheap shots at themselves, and I think that will set them apart,” Selman said.

Principal Joan Benz agrees that this is not a night to miss.

“Absolutely come; it is so much fun to be together and to enjoy all the laughter, skills and talent the boys bring to us,” Benz said. “It is a night you will never forget.”

Q: Why did you decide to do Mr. Churchill?

I was born to do Mr. Churchill.

Q: What is your best quality?

I have many best qualities. On Thursdays, my best quality is probably my looks.

Q: What do you like to do for fun?

Well, fun likes to do me for fun.

Q: What is your favorite day of the week and why?

Mondays, because everybody hates them.

Q: What is the most important invention and why?

Well, the worst invention ever was definitely clothes because they hide our outer beauty.

Junior Ben Hirschman

Senior Hughes Massala

Q: Why did you decide to do Mr. Churchill?

So I can beat the seniors.

Q: What is your best quality?

My swag is off the charts.

Q: What do you like to do for fun?

I like to go to Sprinkles ‘cause it’s the best place in the world, and hang with my friends Illy, Kobe, and Lil Wayne.

Q: What is your favorite day of the week and why?

Friday because it’s Friday.

Q: What is the most important invention and why?

Air Jordan’s, ‘cause they’re fresh as hell.

Q: Why did you decide to do Mr. Churchill?

I’m doing Mr. Churchill because I like being around the other guys I’m going up against, it’s a fun process. I did it last year, I lost. I don’t like losing, so I’m coming back this year hoping to be crowned.

Q: What is your best quality?

I’ll have to say my style and the way I dress. Let’s not forget that I have every single shirt.

Q: What do you like to do for fun?

I like to chill with my friends, party, play basketball, XBOX…typical guy stuff.

Q: What is your favorite day of the week and why?

Favorite day of the week has to be Friday; it’s the start of the weekend, TGIF. Q: What is the most important invention and why?

The computer by far. Phones also, but a phone is a computer as well, just because of all of the things it allows you to do nowadays.

Junior Dilan Hettiarachchi

Senior Rustin Tashayyod

Q: Why did you decide to do Mr. Churchill?

The spotlight on stage will make it easier for people to see me.

Q: What is your best quality?

My soothing dark chocolate complexion.

Q: What do you like to do for fun?

Sweet talk Siri.

Q: What is your favorite day of the week and why?

Any day a girl talks to me.

Q: What is the most important invention and why?

Waffles; they’re genius pancakes with syrup traps.

Q: Why did you decide to do Mr. Churchill?

Someone asked me to do it, so I figured I would see if I have what it takes.

Q: What is your best quality?

My ability to think outside the box.

Q: What do you like to do for fun?

I like to try new things, and I like venturing out of my comfort zone.

Q: What is your favorite day of the week and why?

Saturday, because there’s no responsibilities.

Q: What is the most important invention and why?

The wheel because it got us rolling.

Senior Erik Rigaux

Junior Jake Pluznik

Q: Why did you decide to do Mr. Churchill?

Because I wanted to get more girls.

Q: What is your best quality?

My butt.

Q: What do you like to do for fun?

For fun I like to play majong and bridge.

Q: What is your favorite day of the week and why?

My favorite day of the week is Thursday because it’s almost Friday, which is almost the weekend.

Q: What is the most important invention and why?

The most important thing that was ever invented was socks, so my feet never get cold.

theObserver

Q: Why did you decide to do Mr. Churchill?

I thought it would be fun. My brother did it four years ago, and it would be cool to carry on the family tradition.

Q: What is your best quality?

I would say my height. I’m 6’3” on a good day.

Q: What do you like to do for fun?

Theater, I guess.

Q: What is your favorite day of the week and why?

Friday, because it’s the start of the weekend, but you still feel like you accomplished something during the day.

Q: What is the most important invention and why?

Senior skip day. Why? I think it’s self-evident.

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theObserver

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

CHS cluster celebrates Black History Month Black Student Alliance holds weekly meetings

By Jordan Janis Fact Checker

are hosting a “Black American History Month Celebration” Feb. 27 at Cabin John Middle School, February marks National Black His- where MCPS Chief Engagement tory Month, a month dedicated to rec- and Partnership Officer Tim Warognizing the achievements of African ner, who connects Montgomery Americans in American history and County government and undercelebrating African American culture. served residents, will speak and Black History Month began as the CHS Step team will perform.

Negro History According Week in 1926, to assistant “Black people have worked celebrated duradministrareally hard to be honored and ing the second tor Brandi to be known. It’s good that week of FebRichardson, we’re being honored like any ruary to comCHS took other people who have gone memorate the a “collabthrough so many hardships.” birthdays of orative” apfreshman Taylor Wikinson Abraham Linproach this coln and Fredyear in honrick Douglass. Negro History Week oring Black History Month in order was created by historian Carter to “include our filtering middle and Woodson and the organization he elementary schools.” founded, the Association for the The CHS Black Student Alliance Study of Negro Life and History (BSA) also held extra activities for (ASNLH), now called the Associa- Black History Month. While they tion for the Study of African Ameri- previously met once a month to recan Life and History (ASALH). search and discuss prominent people Mayors began to annually recog- of African heritage around the world, nize Negro History Week, and in this month the club began to meet 1976 President Ford expanded this weekly, which it plans to continue week to a month when he made the throughout the rest of the year. first Presidential Proclamation of “Usually our meetings consist of tryBlack History Month. Every presi- ing to educate us for the future, but now dent since Ford has recognized Black we’re focusing more on what happened History Month, and in 1986 Congress in the past,” said BSA president junior passed a law that designated Febru- Maimuna Abdullahi. “This month ary as National Black History Month. we’re just focusing on Black History “Black History Month is a great Month—where Black History Month way to appreciate African American came from and who had the whole idea heritage and culture,” freshman Eli of coming up with the month.”

Promisel said. “It gives everyone a Some CHS students feel that Black chance to appreciate all that African History Month does not promote Americans have done for this country.” African American culture effectively.

In honor of Black History Month, “Respecting African Americans CHS and its feeder schools, along shouldn’t be restricted to one month, w i t h t h e C H S C l u s t e r N A A C P especially if it’s the shortest month Parents’ Council Representatives, of the year,” sophomore Michelle

“

Dan said. “Their culture deserves to be celebrated all year round.”

According to sophomore Miles Busby, people do not emphasize Black History Month as much as they should.

Other CHS students believe that Black History Month is a positive way to unite and honor African American communities.

“Black people have worked really hard to be honored and to be known,” freshman Taylor Wilkinson said. “It’s good that we’re being honored like any other people who have gone through so many hardships.”

According to sophomore Brenda Mokua, Black History Month is a way to both give back to the African American community for all that they went through and a time to

celebrate the different cultures in the African American community.

“It means a unification of black communities across America,” BSA vice president junior Maryan Ekoja said. “It gives a goal, a source of motivation, to our black youth.”

According to BSA sponsor and math teacher Chris Jackson, the ability to examine the history of one’s and others’ cultures creates awareness and educates everyone.

“We deserve to be recognized for the backbone we had to fix the injustice in our nation,” sophomore Rayvin Huger said. “We had a lot of violence and unnecessary hate and we overcame that. It’s nice to have a month to be recognized for what we went through in our culture.”

PHOTO BY JORDAN JANIS.

Juniors Mariam Fall, Maimuna Abdullahi and Devyn Jones discuss Black History Month during a meeting of the Black Student Alliance.

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Arts

theObserver

13

The Joy Formidable defies sophomore slump

much stress.

Wolf’s Law has an interesting mix of tracks throughout, and The Joy Formidable experiments with different sounds from gripping to bittersweet. The album makes a grand entrance with hit song “This Ladder Is Ours.” Irresistibly catchy, the song starts out with strings that create a sense of excitement and bursts into an ingeniously crafted tempo that only The Joy Formidable could achieve.

On the heavier, punk side of the album are two triumphs “Cholla” and “Little

Blimp.” “Cholla” has an eerie piano intro that blasts off into loud ferocious distorted guitar riffs—a real knockout. Although every bit as breathtaking as “This Ladder Is Ours,” these two tracks are less memorable.

Similar to “Cholla,” Ritzy and Dafydd go more hardcore in “Little Blimp,” launching distorted guitar riffs left and right. “Bats” is a little less intimidating and more clean-cut pop, but it still shows off Ritzy’s confident vocals—she even nails a little scream before falling into a rather unoriginal riff.

Nevertheless, it’s definitely up there on the list of female indie anthems.

By far the most daring, ridiculous song on the album, “Maw Maw Song” could be featured in a really well done ad for meow mix. Call it stupid, but no one can deny that the chorus is epic, and it sounds a bit like an indie version of Black Sabbath’s “Iron Man.” “Maw Maw Song” seems to just keep going and going, and the beautiful thing is that it actually works.

The versatility of Wolf’s Law shows in two softer tracks, “The Turnaround” and “Silent Treatment.” Ritzy brings out her tender side in “Silent Treatment” as she serenades with only acoustic guitars. Though simple, the song is certainly satisfying because of her calm voice and the beautiful lyrics, “I’ll take the silent treatment off your hands unbeaten/I’ll take the easy sequence/ Less

people, more freedom.”

The one must-hear song on Wolf’s Law has to be “Leopard and the Lung.” Reminiscent of Arcade Fire, the intro holds the ears captive with choppy piano accompanied by the flow of Thomas’s drums—in and out like the waves. After nailing the fast-slow, loud-soft tempo of the song with flawless timing, everything that followed fell right into place in the most perfect way. The secret ingredient however, was the incredible explosions of fearless guitar and fluttering piano after every quiet part.

The song is a tribute to Kenyan Nobel Prize winner Wangari Maathai, who was known for her environmental activism. “Leopard and the Lung” couldn’t be more true to the cause. Every burst of sound is like forgetting how sun shines through the treetops and rediscovering it over and over again.

Last but not least is “The Turnaround,” a smart choice as the last track. Unlike all of the other tracks, “The Turnaround’s” melancholy violin and chorus is something of a slow dance that should end with a passionate kiss, but is instead infused with the quirky edge of The Joy Formidable.

If this triumph is their sophomore album, the band has certainly set high expectations. As long as they keep producing albums as good as Wolf’s Law, they should have a bright future.

with the 10-year anniversary of their debut album, Take This to Your Grave.

However, they moved the date up to April 15 and 16. In addition, they released the dates of an upcoming tour in America, Europe and Australia.

Their official comeback show in their hometown of Chicago started the tour off, occurring the night of Feb 4. Tickets for the show sold out within minutes.

That’s not all. On the same site, Fall Out Boy released a video for its first song since announcing their breakup in 2009. It is entitled “My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark (Light Em Up),” sticking with true Fall Out Boy tradition that has brought fans long titles such as “I’ve Got All This Ringing in My Ears and None on My Fingers” from their 2007 album Infinity on High.

The video for “Light Em Up” stars rapper 2 Chainz burning records and old Fall Out Boy memorabilia. This could signify that Fall Out Boy is no longer the angst-ridden, guyliner-wearing band that fans have come to know and love.

In an interview with the Elvis Duran

and the Morning Show, a syndicated radio show, the band members stated that they wanted to figure out what Fall Out Boy would sound like if they had just started the band in 2013.

It’s clear that the new single is a different sound from classics like “Sugar We’re Going Down.” “Light Em Up” seems to be more of a mix of Patrick Stump’s disco-dance solo work and Pete Wentz’s electronic band Black Cards. The track isn’t too bad; it has a strong beat and Stump’s vocal ability is definitely remarkable. However, the new sound is a bit unexpected and could be shocking to die-hard fans of their earlier work; many have been with the band since its rise to popularity in 2005, when the hit song “Sugar, We’re Going Down” was released.

“I’ve loved Fall Out Boy since fourth grade,” senior Bridget Dubin said.

“Although my music taste has obviously changed a lot over the years, they have a lot of sentimental meaning for me.”

Hopefully, fans can expect even more news in the future from the band. Fall Out

Boy’s Save Rock and Roll tour will bring the band to the 9:30 Club in Washington DC May 31 for a sold out show.

“The opportunity to see a band I’ve loved since childhood is really awesome,” Dubin said.

this voice accompanied with lyrics that ooze with honesty and emptiness.

Following “You & I” is “Heavy Feet,” a track that recalls the percussive tribal beats and angelic harmonies fans fell in love with on Gorilla Manor, showing that even though they have altered their sound, they still are the same headbopping, toe-tapping Local Natives that fans love.

In the noteworthy track “Black Spot,” Ayers sends shivers up the audience’s spines with his raw, distinct voice that leaves the listener wanting more. As the song continues, the instrumentals come in at a faster rate until everything becomes hushed except for Ayers’ voice.

Proceeding “Black Spot” is “Breakers,” a track displaying an orchestra of beautiful sound all melting together into one masterpiece. Another upbeat track is “Black Balloons,” where guitarists Ryan Hahn and Taylor Rice show off their mastery in the lone guitar parts of the song.

“Mt. Washington,” is another track that shows off Hahn’s and Rice’s adeptness. The song, like many on the album, starts out

slow and bare to highlight Ayer’s voice and lure listeners into the song. As it continues however, the percussion picks up, and it becomes an amalgamation of beautiful music until it abruptly withers into its conclusion of the song.

Next comes “Columbia,” a heart-wrenching ballad to Ayer’s mother, who passed away in the summer of 2012. Towards the end, Ayers exclaims, “Patricia, every night I’ll ask myself/ Am I giving enough?” This line’s heart-breaking significance is a plea to his deceased mother to let him know if he is living his life the right way.

Another standout song is “11-11,” one of the bonus tracks. The harmonies on this song are spectacular, and the accompaniment of the violin exaggerates the flowing, melting effect of the song.

If Gorilla Manor was the spring of the Local Natives—new, bouncing and fun, then Hummingbird is the winter, displaying a maturity and sorrow that has come from loss. Both albums are so different, yet one thing remains: Local Natives is a band of artists that needs to be explored by those who can fully appreciate them.

PHOTO BY ILANA BERGER.

By Ilana Berger Fact Checker If Muse and Arcade Fire had a baby, it would be Welsh indie rock band: The Joy Formidable. The band released their second album, Wolf’s Law, Jan 21. Singer and guitarist Bryan Ritzy, drummer Matt Thomas and bassist Rhydian Dafydd released their first album, The Big Roar, in 2011 and turned heads with hit song “Whirring.”

Wolf’s Law, is no disappointment, contrary to the dreaded sophomore slump stereotype.

Perhaps inspired

by Muse’s album, The 2nd Law of Thermodynamics, Wolff’s Law (changed cleverly to Wolf’s Law due to the wolf on the cover) refers to the medical law that bones can change their internal structure depending on their function.

Wolff’s Law is largely why bones are so resilient and can handle so

Fall Out Boy returns to music with new single, sound

By Lauren Price Online Arts Editor

“This isn’t a reunion because we never broke up.”

This sentence is part of the short message that graced the front of FallOutBoyRock.com Feb. 4 after the band announced the end of its four-year hiatus.

The announcement came as a shock to many fans, as the band had repeatedly denied rumors that have surfaced in the past few months. Some were not so shocked, as music blogs and musicians have posted and tweeted recently that they personally heard confirmation.

The most convincing argument of their return was when DirecTV posted Jimmy Kimmel’s Feb. 13 lineup, with the musical guest being the then-still-disbanded Fall Out Boy, which prompted speculation.

The band originally announced on the website that its full-length album, Save Rock and Roll, would be out May 6 and 7 worldwide, which coincides

PHOTO COURTESY OF CREATIVE COMMONS.

Fall Out Boy will be playing a sold out show at the 9:30 Club May 31.

Local Natives succeed despite loss of bassist

PHOTO COURTESY OF CREATIVE COMMONS.

Local Natives performs at the 2010 FYF Music Festival in San Francisco.

By Kara Phillips Staff Writer Local Natives’ sophomore album, Hummingbird, displays the effect of their change in dynamic after the 2010 loss of bassist, Andy Hamm. Even though this loss

could have harmed the band’s sound, the album displays a mature, somber sound that was not uncovered until now.

Kelcey Ayers, vocalist and keyboardist, also reveals vulnerability in his voice that was not surfaced in debut album, Gorilla Manor. In the opening track, “You & I,” Ayers exhibits

Arts

14

theObserver

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

‘Carrie Diaries’ explores Bradshaw’s teen years

By Ariana Etessami Staff Writer

PHOTO BY ARIANA ETESSAMI.

CW’s newest series is based on author Candace Bushnell’s book.

falls for notorious bad boy Sebastian Kydd (Austin Butler, Switched at Birth).

While Carrie manages to find Sebastian’s soft spot, his shady history makes for a dysfunctional relationship that keeps viewers on their toes.

The Carrie Diaries is a spinoff of the original HBO series Sex and the City, which spanned Carrie’s adulthood. Both are based on novels by bestselling author Candace Bushnell.

Even if viewers haven’t watched Sex and the City, they won’t have trouble getting to know Carrie. Since the show delves back into the iconic diva’s past, it actually makes more sense to watch this prequel before graduating to the adult version.

In this series, teenage viewers will be able to hear Carrie’s story from her younger and more relatable self. Audiences will feel every bit of excitement, anxiety, pain, love and jealousy that Carrie feels, and this makes watching the show all the more enjoyable.

Before scoring a glamorous job as a writer for the New York Star, before becoming a fashion icon and way before Mr. Big, Carrie Bradshaw was a normal teenager just beginning to experience the world and all it has to offer.

In the CW’s new series The Carrie Diaries, airing Mondays at 8 p.m., actress AnnaSophia Robb (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) plays the fresh-faced 16-year-old Carrie. With her wild golden mane and famously quirky sense of style, Robb perfectly fits the role.

Carrie and her family live in the suburbs of Connecticut, circa 1984. After her mother passes away, Carrie is forced to take on new roles and responsibilities, including keeping her rebellious younger sister Dorrit (Stefania Owen, The Lovely Bones) out of trouble.

Carrie’s father Tom (Matt Letscher, Eli Stone) is desperate to lift her low spirits, so when an opportunity arises, he scores her an internship in Manhattan.

As Carrie gets her first dose of the fastpaced city life, she encounters new and exciting experiences along the way.

Carrie may have a lot on her plate, but she knows that she can always depend on her trusty trio of buds: dorky Jill, nicknamed “Mouse” (Ellen Wong, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World), supportive and endearing Walt (Brendan Dooling, Breathe In) and feisty Maggie (Katie Findlay, The Killing).

When she’s not with her main crew, Carrie gets dragged into crazy situations with Larissa (FreemaAgyeman,DoctorWho),anadventurous writerforInterviewmagazine.Larissa,likemany others who meet Carrie, immediately falls in love with her unique and quirky persona.

Of course, there’s always romance and heartache strewn into the picture. Carrie

player, which he uses to convince Julie he doesn’t intend to eat her. Many of the song choices were good, but none particularly stood out or unified the entire soundtrack.

Two types of zombies exist in Warm Bodies’ world. R is a corpse, which fits today’s typical image of the undead—pale faces, blank expressions, shuffling walks.

Bonies, on the other hand, are corpses who have completely given up and have torn off their own skin and look like shriveled, black, dementor-esque creatures. In hindsight, the Bonies appear almost comical.

These flaws are minor in the face of the many pros of Warm Bodies. Hoult manages to perfectly convey emotions, such as his nerves as he tries to impress Julie, while maintaining the vapid stare of a zombie.

His voiceover as he narrates his thoughts— because as a zombie he is incapable of speaking coherently—certainly helps, but in just his voice he is able to express shock, curiosity and fear.

The plot is predictable, as most paranormal romances have the same basic motive

of overcoming the protests of friends and successful parallelism of the struggles families in pursuit of forbidden love. At of a typical teenage boy overcoming his the same time, the plot is unique for a awkwardness in pursuit of a girl who’s zombie film. Most zombie flicks focus on out of his league. R’s very first line the humans’ struggle to stay alive amidst is “What’s wrong with me?” and he a storm of blood and brains. Warm Bodies goes on to wonder if people would acfocuses on the zombies’ side of the story, knowledge him more if he stopped and despite slouching and R’s claims shuffling so Zombies will never, ever be that zombies much. Then he sexy. They can be cute, though.” are inhuman muses about and unfeelhow he and the ing, he, at other zombies least, is capable of experiencing emotion. just want to make a “connection,” One of Warm Bodies’ humorous aspects much as how the average teenager is alluding to stereotypical zombie mov- supposedly just wants to find other ies, like when R tries to explain how the people who understand him. world came to be filled with the undead— Vampire and werewolf love stories are perhaps some kind of mutant monkey rapidly becoming dull and cliché. Zombie virus—but is unable to remember. Don’t films have been around for years—but hold it against the poor guy, though. He zombie love stories? Warm Bodies is a can’t even remember his own name, except pleasantly surprising new twist on an that it begins with the letter R. old, exhausted genre, and even people Still, the underlying brilliance be- who are not romance fans will enjoy R’s neath it all is Warm Bodies’ odd yet dry humor and quirks.

‘Warm Bodies’ puts twist on typical zombie movie

By Jessica Lee Staff Writer

Zombies will never, ever be sexy.

They can be cute, though.

Director Jonathan Levine’s Warm Bodies takes place in a post-zombieapocalyptic world, where humans have walled themselves inside a fortress and are steadily dwindling in numbers as more of them either become corpses or dinner. One still-sentient zombie called “R” (Nicholas Hoult, X-Men: First Class) saves a human, Julie (Teresa Palmer, I Am Number Four), and her compassion results in R’s heart slowly coming to life again.

Warm Bodies isn’t perfect—the special effects were wanting and the soundtrack was so-so—but the plot is a great combination of romance, humor and gore. The acting—particularly Hoult’s—is praiseworthy, and the oneliners keep the audience cracking up.

Music is an important theme to the film, due to R’s possession of a record

“

Arts

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theObserver

Since the beginning of the 2013 NHL hockey season, the Washington Capitals have had a slow start with a 5-9-1 record.

The Capitals are still adjusting to new coach Adam Oates’s system, while star captain Alex Ovechkin looks to regain his role as the Caps leading scorer.

The Lonely Island is a popular comedy group that sings original songs on NBC’s Saturday Night Live. Their latest single, “Yolo,” makes fun of the popular phrase “You only live once.” The song has had over 24 million views on YouTube, and it peaked at number seven on iTunes for top-selling songs.

The Harlem Shake is a new dance that has gone viral on the Internet. People make videos of themselves acting normal, but when the beat drops, participants begin to do random dance moves. Many different versions of this dance have been posted to YouTube, including Jimmy Fallon’s own version of the dance.

PHOTO BY ROSS TANNENBAUM.

Washington Capitals The Observer sifts through the hype and the hip to bring you topics worth Tweeting, talking and texting about.

Accepted2017.com

Accepted2017.com is a website that posts the ridiculous comments students make in online college groups. People can follow their favorite colleges and submit funny posts of their own.

SCREENSHOTS BY ROSS TANNENBAUM.

“Yolo” by the Lonely Island

By Ross Tannenbaum Staff Writer

The Harlem Shake

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Temple Run 2 is the sequel to Temple Run and includes improved graphics, a zip line, curving paths and a mine cart. Temple Run 2 is currently the number one selling free app and is the fastest game ever to hit 50 million downloads.

Temple Run 2

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theObserver

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Local band prepares for upcoming performances

By Sonia Shekar Staff Writer

icbluemusic.com, where “Silver Spoon” is also available for free download.

“Everything just kind of fit in, and then we just kind of ran with it,” lead guitarist Ajluni said.

The band’s genre of music can be described as rock with blues, jazz and folk influences in Jack Johnson-meets-Radiohead blend.

According to Harmonic Blue’s website, the members cite influences from many musicians including Bob Dylan, Stephen Stills, Elvin Jones and Paul McCartney.

“I personally like how there’s a peaceful melancholy to it,” Bustos said. “You can find a really relaxing peace in the blue of life.”

Harmonic Blue derives its sound from a collaborative process where each of the four members adds his own unique touch.

According to Ajluni, this method is not always efficient and can lead to arguments, but is essential to their song-writing process.

“By the time it’s come around, it’s totally different from where it started, so I think that’s why we have somewhat of a unique sound,” Ajluni said. “It’s kind of hard to tell people what genre we are because we draw from a lot of different things.”

In spring 2012, Harmonic Blue won the University of Maryland Battle of the Bands and performed at the University’s spring concert, Art Attack, opening for

various artists including B.o.B and The Dean’s List. Then, they embarked on a summer tour along the East Coast, following the release of their EP Villa Borghese.

“It was an honor and a privilege to win and represent the student body as their chosen band for Art Attack, but it was not an opportunity that we inherently made for ourselves,” Ajluni said.

“The tour was a fruit that came from the efforts of us booking the shows ourselves and deciding what the route was going to be. It was 100 percent us, so it was really self-rewarding.”

The members are dedicated to the band, even when the time required for their schoolwork cuts into time needed for the band. However, the band remains Aljuni’s priority.

“You have to be comfortable and realistic with yourself,” Ajluni said. “There’s a limited amount of resources in life, one of which is time, and you can only do so much, but if you try your best in what you do, you’re not going to regret it.”

It can be difficult balancing schoolwork and the band, but Harmonic Blue will face a bigger test this coming spring, when two members will graduate.

Despite the impending challenge, the band remains steadfast in their decision to remain just as dedicated, if not even more so. They came out

hands for their master’s amusement. The scene featuring Mandingo fighting is one of the hardest to stomach in the movie, Quentin Tarantino released his first and it received backlash because there is movie in three years, Django Unchained, no evidence that Mandingo fighting existed. on Christmas Day. The story follows the The point of slavery was to save money journey of hero Django (Jamie Foxx, Ray, by making the use of slaves as profitable as Dreamgirls)—the D is silent—and his new possible, and Mandingo fighting does not friend Dr. Schultz (Christopher Waltz, go along with this concept for the most part.

Inglorious Basterds) as they live the life of However, just as some of the wealthy of tobounty hunters in 1858 and attempt to day seem to have expendable income, some save Django’s lost slave owners love, Broomhilda may have lived (Kerry Washingso lavishly that ton, Ray, The Last Mandingo fightKing of Scotland). ing was possible.

The film is apWhether a repealing on many ality or not, the levels: it has comscene emphasizes edy, Tarantino’s the harshness of signature actionthe time. Much packed and explocrueler things sive violence, and went on in slavery a powerful love that could be too story. Tarantino’s gut-wrenching bold portrayals for the movie or of the attitudes make it downof 1858 have led right depressing. to racial tensions, The fight scene but the backlash was meant to he has received keep from sugaris unjustified. coating slavery, Many people, while still fitting including signifiin with the tone cant blacks in enof the movie. tertainment such In addition, as Spike Lee and people have been PHOTO COURTESY OF CREATIVE COMMONS. picking on so Katt Williams, have voiced how of-called “historical fensive they found Django, primarily inaccuracies” throughout the film. One exfor its use of the N-word. The N-word ample is viewers’ shock that Django is on a is used 110 times in the film, more than horse. In reality, a black person on a horse any previous major motion picture. De- wasn’t unheard of, but horses were usually spite the fact that the word is one of the reserved for white people. Tarantino exagmost detested in the English language, gerated the concept to make a point. The it shouldn’t make Django offensive. movie is a dramatization, not a documentary.

In the south in 1858, especially in MisOne of the main complaints surrounding sissippi where some of the more racially the events portrayed by white characters in jarring scenes of the movie are set, the the movie is when, a band of men plan to kill N-word was commonly used. To dance Django in a surprise attack. They wear white around the use of the word would be wa- hoods, reminiscent of the Klu Klux Klan tering down history, which is not Taran- (KKK). which leads to two major complaints. tino’s intent. He instead emphasizes the Viewers have responded as if the characcruelty and evils of the time, and his use ters in the film are declared the official KKK, of the N-word as it would be used in that and they have tried to point out the KKK day helps show the harshness of the time. was not established until post-Civil War, Another controversy within the movie after the time period of the movie. Howis Tarantino’s portrayal of Mandingo ever, the idea of the scene is to show how fighting. This is a betting sport when two the idea for the KKK came about, conslaves battle to the death with their bare veyed best when the men have a humor-

ous exchange about future use of hoods.

Django is part comedy, so one can enjoy the movie despite the sick world it shows. The scene of the KKK remnant characters is comical, as all the mob members seem like idiots as they argue over the hoods. The complaint is that Tarantino is making light of the KKK, but in actuality he was just poking fun at the antagonists of the movie.

Slavery is a sensitive matter. It was a low point in our nation’s history which makes people feel uneasy when watching a movie about it, but Django has been

The average college student can expect to make new friends, expand his knowledge, and acquire new interests during his 4-year journey.

Few decide to start their own band.

Three University of Maryland students, Zach Field, Gabe Bustos and Anthony Ajluni, and one Towson student, Sam Balcom, formed the band Harmonic Blue January 2011. The four started playing music together in dorms and house parties, but they soon began performing at clubs after receiving positive feedback from other students. What started as a project among friends quickly became a full-fledged band.

CHS 2012 alumna and current student at the University of Maryland, Meghna Balakumar, first heard of Harmonic Blue from one of her professors and soon after became band manager. According to Balakumar, what the band has to offer to CHS students extends beyond the music.

“They’re an up and coming band to look out for, and I think they serve as an inspiration and set an example for other aspiring high school artists of what you can do if you keep at your passion,” Balakumar said.

More information about the band, tour dates, and music can be found at harmon-

PHOTO COURTESY OF HARMONIC BLUE.

Harmonic blue is creating an album.

with their latest single “Silver Spoon” released Nov. 12, for which they are currently working on their first music video.

In addition, the band is working on a full-length album with 10 to 15 songs on it, about twice as many as their most recent EP. They are also planning a series of performances, including an April 3 show in Philadelphia.

“There comes a point where you just decide this is what I want to do with my life, and for us, at least for myself, we’ve found a way to make it work, and we’re just doing it,” Ajluni said.

“We’re young, and the future is ours.

We don’t have any inherent responsibilities, so if you find a way to make music and make it work, then you do it.”

‘Django’ deserves praise for honest depictions

By Greer Smith Circulation Manager

unfairly bashed. Tarantino was honest in depicting the times, and he only embellished to convey his point that slavery was terrible. The comedic side of the film helped to show that even in this dark, dark time, there was still light in the world.

The fact that a white director can make a film that shows such empathy for slaves and understanding of the time makes Django a good thing. Instead of trying to find the offenses in this movie, people should accept it as a stepping stone in coming together to understand the past and build a stronger, unified nation.

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Sports

theObserver

17

Boys basketball keeps its eyes on states

By Josh Denicoff Production Editor The boys basketball team is pushing towards the playoffs with only two losses in the last 13 games.

The team has been playing hard so far this season, earning its 17-5 record.

“We have clinched our division, so we’ve already reached one of our goals,” senior Bryant Wheatley said.

The Bulldogs have made some changes to the team’s lineup to help them win games.

“We lost our point guard junior Matt Moshedi early in the season, so we had to put players in different positions and fix the offense around the loss,” Wheatley said. “The sophomores are stepping it up and playing like juniors, and our juniors are playing like seniors.”

The boys had a hard 67-42 loss during their senior night against Magruder Feb. 19.

Senior captain Dominique Williams was the leading scorer with 10 points.

Magruder is the number one team in the state and has only lost two games this season.

Northwood was crushed by the Bulldogs, 79-38, Feb. 12.

“Sophomore Jesse Locke had a career high 25 points and junior Allen Njumbe played well,” sophomore Bobby Arthur-

Williams said.

The Dawgs pushed forward with an 84-64 win over Watkins Mill Feb. 15.

“Allen Njumbe had 34 points against Watkins Mill,” Arthur-Williams said. “We had more players who could get to the line while they had more three-point shooters.”

The Bulldogs beat Wootton 61-42 Feb. 6. In the second quarter, a six-point run gave them an eight-point lead at halftime.

Following halftime, the team went on a 10-point run to put them up by 15 and secure the win.

“The top players of the game were Allen Njumbe with 18 points and Bobby Arthur-Williams with a double-double,” head coach Matthew Miller said.

The team’s eight-game winning streak came to an end with a 64-46 loss to Quince Orchard Feb. 5.

“I think we lost because we did not come ready to play,” Williams said. “We were very lazy and not into the game.”

The loss was preceded by a victory over Clarksburg, 71-66, Feb. 1.

“Junior Malik Harris went off in the Clarksburg game, finishing with 24 points,” Wheatley said. “Senior Dominique Williams, consistent as always, had 13 points and 9 steals to help us overcome Clarksburg.”

The team scraped by with a 69-64 win in overtime against rival Walter Johnson Jan. 30.

PHOTO BY BEN FOX.

Senior captain Dominique Williams’ consistency helped to lead the Bulldogs to a 19-point decisive victory over rival Wootton.

“Our program’s culture and toughness pushed the win in overtime,” Miller said. “Our guys manned up and found a way to win.”

The team continued their winning streak by beating Richard Montgomery, 67-58, Jan. 28.

According to Wheatley, Harris had his highest point scoring game against RM, finishing with 29 points with Williams adding 22 points as well.

Harris, the new point guard, was able to put up points, break the defense down, and find his teammates.

Williams broke the CHS record for steals in a high school career against RM, reaching 127 steals.

“I expect us to get to the regional finals,” Arthur-Williams said. “I think Magruder will be tough, but I think we can beat them and have a good shot at states.”

a part of the daily talk among students, and it’s common to find them comparing their predictions of who will make it to the Final Four.

“I like it because everyone, male, female, young, old, student or teacher gets involved,” Miller said.

“Everybody has a reason to get excited about it.”

The first two days of the tournament are basically back-to-back basketball, with games on television from noon until after midnight. With continuous games, fans are eagerly looking out for

this year’s memorable game.

One game that stands out in the minds of both Miller and Bell is the 1982 Georgetown-UNC game where UNC sophomore Michael Jordan hit a jump shot that proved to be the game winner.

One of Georgetown’s standouts that year was CHS ’78 alum Eric Smith.

“When you play you don’t get the same feeling you get when you are watching it,” Smith said. “Watching it is more exciting than playing, but trust me, it’s exciting playing too.”

By Julia McDermott Staff Writer

but I think I deserve [to compete], maybe not right now,” Armstrong said in the interview. “I got a death penalty, meaning I can’t compete.

I’m not saying it is unfair, but it is different.”

Armstrong may not feel that his punishment is fitting to his crimes, but many hurt followers believe that he should not get anything less.

He should not be allowed to compete.

After cheating for years and lying about it, he does not deserve to feel the adrenaline, attention and excitement of competition again.

“Personally I don’t think that he should be allowed to compete in ITU sanctioned triathlons,” said Dan Pereles, a local orthopedist, sports doctor and tri-athlete. “He is a 41-year old exceptional athlete who would do well, but hasn’t he taken the world for more than enough of a ride?”

However, this controversy is not all about Armstrong. It includes cycling as a whole. It is a well-known fact now that blood doping was common in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Armstrong is supposedly trying to clean up the sport, but all he has done is bring it negative attention.

Armstrong is a public figure, and he created a bad image of professional cyclists and the culture of cycling by viciously attacking people who told the truth.

To give Armstrong the glory of racing, whether on a bike, in water or on land would be wrong after all the damage he has done to his sport and the people close to him. He finally did something right in coming clean, but he should still never compete, because above all else, he owes the world of sports a chance to forget.

CHS students, staff prepare for March Madness

By Ana Faguy Caitlin Doherty Staff Writers

The NCAA men’s basketball tournament—the three weeks of insanity known as March Madness—is just around the corner, and the word from basketball fans at CHS is to expect the unexpected this year.

“Anyone can beat anyone,” boys basketball coach Matthew Miller said.

“Anything can and will happen.”

A survey of the varsity boys basketball team found Indiana, Michigan, Florida, Duke and Butler were the teams most frequently predicted to cut down the nets at the championship game at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta April 8.

“My heart tells me UNC, but my mind tells me Florida,” said Miller, a North Carolina Tar Heels fan.

Many of those predicted to win have been ranked in the Top Five nationally for most of the season, but that is no guarantee they will come out on top.

According to security team leader Terry Bell, the best part of March Madness is “when the underdog upsets a favorite.” There is plenty of evidence to back up his sentiment.

According to the Infinity sports

PHOTO BY ANA FAGUY.

Students make brackets and pull for their favorite teams. website, some of the Best March Madness upsets were when George Mason advanced to the Final Four in 2006, Jim Valvano’s NC State team nipped No. 1 ranked Houston at the buzzer in 1982, and a hot-shooting Villanova team upset Patrick Ewing and Georgetown in the 1985 championship game.

The fun this year starts on March 17 with Selection Sunday, the day when teams find out if they are in the tournament, and when, where and which team they will play. Brackets become

Armstrong does not deserve second chance

After years of accusation and speculation, Lance Armstrong made his big reveal in a Jan. 17 interview with Oprah Winfrey on her show Oprah’s Next Chapter. In the everythingon-the-table interview, Armstrong solemnly answered Oprah’s frank questions, but for cyclists and athletes all around the word, that just doesn’t cut it.

The cancer survivor, Tour De France winner, father and public figure asked for forgiveness, but after years of vehemently denying drug use, forgiveness is something he doesn’t deserve.

“When I was diagnosed, that turned me into a fighter,” Armstrong said in his interview. “That was good, but I took that ruthless win-at-all-costs attitude into cycling, which was bad.”

In each of his seven Tour De France wins, Armstrong has admitted to using performance enhancing drugs that were popular during the 1990-2000 era.

All of Armstrong’s sponsors have stepped out, and the USDA issued him a lifetime ban from any event that is sanctioned by a governing body. In other words, no more organized competition.

For years there have been speculations about Armstrong’s drug use, and it is no big surprise that the rumors were true, but why is he finally admitting it now?

Although denied by Armstrong, there is a chance that the USDA will lift his ban so that he can compete in triathlons.

“It might not be the most popular answer,

18

Sports

theObserver

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Track places at regionals

By Katherine Michael Staff Writer

The indoor track team hopes to improve next year after a mediocre showing at states.

Select members of the team attended the state championship Feb. 19, including Srour, who placed second in the 800m as well as the 1600m.

The girls relay team, consisting of juniors Breanna Boggan, Juhee Kim, Jessica Weinreich, and Srour placed third in the 4x800 relay.

“We scored 23 points for girls, which is really good for states,” Jacobson said.

In the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association 4A West Regional Championships Feb. 7, Churchill showed their true colors.

‘The team did really well as a whole at regionals,” sophomore Sam Lee said. “I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together.”

Srour came in second place in the 800m, as well as fourth in the 1600m.

Sophomore David Fitzgerald also pulled through for the team, placing second in the 1600m and seventh in the 800m.

“I hit a season best of 4:31 in the mile and was happy with finishing

second,” Fitzgerald said.

Junior Kyle Beatty came out on top, placing first in the pole vault.

“The team has done very well so far,” Beatty said. “We have a lot of top runners in the county.”

The team also attended the Montgomery County Indoor Track County Championship Jan. 26.

According to Jacobson, the team did not perform well at the competition, aside from sophomore Lucy Srour, who won the 800m.

“I won the 800 and got second in the 1600 at counties which was super exciting,” Srour said. “I’m hoping to make states in multiple events including the 4x800 relay.”

Throughout the team’s struggles, there has been some success. Srour came in fourth on the mile, and the team placed in second in the 4x55 shuttle hurdles at the Fast Track to Philly meet Jan. 26.

Although a few seniors will graduate this year, Jacobson is not worried about the impact on the team and looks forward to upcoming seasons of track and field.

“We should do even better for outdoor track because more people will join,” Jacobson said. “Our boy sprinters are getting a lot better.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF JEANNE GRILLO.

Sophomore Lucy Srour competes at state finals. She placed second in the 800m.

PHOTO BY FIONA ASBURY.

Junior Taylor Srebnick practices for the new all-girl ultimate frisbee team.

Girls start frisbee team

By Fiona Asbury Staff Writer

It has been over 40 years since Title IX, the bill allowing women to participate in all sports, came into effect. However, coed teams allowing both genders are often dominated by males, making it intimidating for a girl to join the team. This was the case with the CHS ultimate frisbee team until two female students decided to do something about it.

“We have a boys team, and it’s supposedly co-ed, but no girls ever make it, so I thought it’d be a nice idea to make a girls team,” junior co-captain and creator Taylor Srebnick said.

Srebnick and sophomore co-captain and creator Jess Taylor are putting the girls frisbee team together.

“I hope to make it a bigger team and spread the sport to other schools in Montgomery County,” Srebnick said.

Only one other Montgomery County school, Paint Branch, has a girls frisbee team. Without much competition, the team is looking to play tournaments against other all-girl teams or co-ed teams, mostly from outside the area.

Besides the lack of competition, both captains found the hardest part of creating the team to be publicizing it.

“Many people already have sports

they are committed to, or they really just don’t know what ultimate frisbee is all about,” Taylor said. “We know girls will love it, so we have been pushing many girls to at least try it.”

Their hard work has paid off. The first practice on Jan. 19 had over 10 girls and the turnout has stayed around that number since, but the team hopes to reach at least 14 girls by March. The two girls also acquired Mark Ungerman, a highly qualified coach, for their budding team.

“He is my closest family friend in the area and he offered to coach,” Taylor said. “Years back he played for the USA Ultimate Frisbee team and actually traveled the world and played against other countries, so we have a very experienced coach on our hands.”

Although Taylor has been playing Frisbee competitively for five years, Srebnick just started playing intensely this year.

“It’s a great sport and a great way to stay in shape,” Taylor said. “It’s not just a guy sport and we hope to get that recognized.”

According to Srebnick, there will be an informational meeting at the beginning of March for those interested in joining the team, but practices have already started at Beverly Farms Elementary School.

Interested girls should join the WCHS Girls Ultimate Frisbee Team Facebook group for more information.

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Sports

theObserver

Bocce team finds success in inaugural season

By Ben Fox Sports Photo Editor CHS’s newest sport may not be frequented by cheerleaders or regularly covered by the Daily Dose, but it is making an impact. Bocce, a varsity club sport that began earlier this year, has been a unique and positive experience for the 11 students who participated in bocce’s first season at CHS. The object of bocce is to roll a medium-sized medicine ball as close to a smaller white ball as possible. Players try to get their team’s balls closer than their opponent’s in order to score points. Each team gets exactly four throws per round, and the first team to score 16 points wins.

Bocce is considered a “corollary” sport, which according to the website for MCPS Athletics, means it is “designed for students with and without disabilities who are interested in playing sports but do not have a desire to play at a highly competitive level.”

The ability of the bocce team to allow all students to participate, including those in the five special education programs at CHS, is what sets bocce apart from other mainstream sports. Bocce also makes specific accommodations for those with physical disabilities, such providing ramps for students in wheelchairs.

Bocce coach and resource teacher Jaime Marchese believes that the sport has had an encouraging effect on the students in the special education program.

“I think it gives them confidence in who they are,” Marchese said. “It provides them with an opportunity to learn a great sport, meet new people and make new friends.”

Though many athletes on the CHS Varsity team are in one of CHS’s special education programs, a large number are not. Junior Alex Berrimen joined the team after he saw a notice for it being displayed on one of the many televisions positioned around CHS. “I joined bocce because I saw it as a great opportunity to join a varsity sport which integrates students in the Bridge program and all other students,” Berrimen said.

Sophmore Max Wolpoff also wanted to take advantage of playing a varsity sport. Though he mainly participates in school theater productions, he saw a break in the theater schedule as an opportunity to join the team.

“It’s a fun activity to do,” Wolpoff said. “I’m not going to play any other sports, so this the best shot I’ve got.”

CHS is only one of many schools that have recently incorporated bocce into their programs.

According to the website for the Maryland division of the United States Tennis Association, bocce has recently been integrated into over 70 Maryland high school athletic programs since 2011.

In addition to high schools, the sport has also seen growth among adult and senior divisions. Many schools are adding bocce to their athletic programs due to the opportunities that the sport affords those in special education programs.

“Just because students have disabilities does not mean they are limited in their skills,” Berrimen said. “I think bocce is a great example of this.”

In many ways, the atmosphere of a bocce competition is similar to other major high school varsity sports. At larger competitions, such as the Feb. 2 Divisional Championship at B-CC High School, parents and friends filled the stands to support the players as they competed in a round-robin style tournament for a State Championship berth. The Fox 5 News team even had a camera crew present to film the athletes in action as CHS finished with a 3-2 record in the competition.

“When parents and staff come to support our games, there is plenty of cheering,” Berrimen said. “If the score is close, anything can happen. Games get pretty nerve-wracking.”

According to Marchese, the team’s first season has been a success due to the cooperation of all those who helped spur the team’s creation and growth.

“Teamwork is what made us successful,” Marchese said. “Between the coaches, the players, the school staff, parents and the community, everyone had a part in developing this team. And because of that, the players felt supported and were motivated to give it their all.”

The team finished this season with a 3-3 record, which, along their success at Divisionals, allowed them to go to the bocce state championships at the University of Maryland Feb. 12, where the team finished 7th place in their division.

“We had great participation, a lot of interest, the players played their hearts out, and we had a fantastic season,” Marchese said.

Bocce has made an impression on many of its players, as well as its firstyear coach, who plans on staying with the team for another season.

According to Marchese, she “absolutely” will be coaching the team next year.

19

PHOTO BY GURANSH SINGH.

Sophomore Karim-Duvall has lead the team in points in nearly every game this season. Seniors Racoosin, Thronson, Jenkins and Lindsay have also contributed.

Girls basketball looks to improve in playoffs

By Brett Sachs Production Manager As they finish the regular season and head into the playoffs, the girls basketball team is pushing on in pursuit of a state championship. The Lady Bulldogs have been performing well all season, with an overall record of 16-6 and a conference record of 5-5. After a few tough loses to rivals Whitman and Walter Johnson in early January, the team is working on stepping up its defense and utilizing its diverse set of players.

In their final regular game of the season, the Lady Bulldogs beat Magruder 48-33. Sophomore Japria Karim-Duvall had 12 points during the Feb. 19 win.

The team dominated Northwood, 74-7, Feb 12. The Lady Bulldogs scored 40 points in the second quarter alone, and almost every player on the roster scored at least one point.

“We have a very skilled team this season,” senior captain Alaine Thronson said. “All the girls on the team can play and standout in any given game.”

Karim-Duvall led the team with 13 points in its victory over Watkins Mill Feb. 15. Senior captain Shira Racoosin and Thronson also assisted in the 72-13 win with 12 points each.

After Wootton pulled ahead early in the Feb 6. game, the team came back strong in the second half to cut down, but ultimately lost by two.

“I think we definitely need to work on

coming in strong earlier in the games,” Racoosin said. “We will only learn from this loss and fight back harder in our next games and through playoffs.”

Racoosin and senior captain Katie Jenkins led the team in its victory against Quince Orchard Feb. 5, scoring almost half of the team’s 51 points.

Senior captain Erica Lindsay assisted in the win with an additional eight points.

“Against QO, we were faced with a challenge since Alaine was ill,” coach Katelyn McMahon said. “The team responded.”

The team pulled ahead of Clarksburg early Feb. 1, leading 21-6 after the first quarter. The Lady Bulldogs moved the ball well on offense, showing off the team’s chemistry.

“It was the team defense that stopped Clarksburg and enabled us to win 6641,” McMahon said.

In one of the toughest losses of the season, the team fell to Walter Johnson 49-46 Jan. 30. The Wildcats pulled away early in the game, and with their home court advantage and fierce momentum, they held on against the Lady Bulldogs down the stretch in the division rivalry game.

“I think we only learned from that experience, and came back really strong against Clarksburg and QO in response to the loss,” Racoosin said.

The Lady Bulldogs faced Northwest in their first playoff game Feb. 22.

“Our goal is to win states, and hopefully we can achieve it with some hard work,” Jenkins said.

Sutton and Block due to injuries.

Other wrestlers then quit because of the loss of other wrestlers. The season went downhill from there.

The team has tried not to dwell on the disappointment of this season and is looking forward to next year. There are many freshmen and sophomores, as well as other experienced and highly talented juniors, such as Keita, Sutton and Raizon, who will be able to lead the team next year.

“We have a lot of younger guys with a lot of talent,” Tashayyod said.

“I’m confident the team will do much better next year and in years to come.”

States are scheduled for March 1, and participants are not yet determined.

According to Raizon, Gross and Schleckser have high chances of making it.

Senior Max Park takes on a Watkins Mill wrestler in a Feb. 2 loss.

Wrestling struggles after loss of key athletes

By Ethan Denicoff Staff Writer

After the loss of eight starters, CHS wrestling struggled to meet the high expectations it set for itself at the beginning of the season. The Bulldogs finished the regular season with a record of 4-10.

This season’s underachieving was mostly due to the loss of freshman Mitch Block, sophomore Alec McGee and juniors Hunter Sutton, Hunter Daniel and Adama Keita.

All losses occurred early on in the season as a result of injuries and team members quitting.

“We went into the season with so much confidence,” senior Rustin Tashayyod said. “Everything just fell apart.”

Despite this handicap, CHS

managed to pull out a win against Wheaton Feb. 2. Senior Matt Schleckser won his match, while junior captain Zach Raizon and sophomore Giulian Groce saw their opponents forfeit.

“They just did not have enough people,” Raizon said. “It definitely helped us, but we wrestled hard nonetheless.”

Although the Bulldogs lost their match against Gaithersburg Jan. 29, some wrestlers had solid performances, including Groce, who won his match with a 30-second pin.

“It felt amazing,” Groce said. “I liked helping the team put some points on the board during a tough defeat.”

In the match against Sherwood Jan. 9, the Bulldogs won by a nailbiting two points, with Keita and Sutton both winning their matches.

According to Gross, the team lost

PHOTO COURTESY OF DENISE SCHLECKSER.

Volume 37 - Issue 6

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

By Emily Birnbaum Features Editor When senior Shira Racoosin was in the first grade, her parents signed her up for recreational basketball and soccer teams.

When she began dribbling the soccer ball with her hands, it became adamantly clear that basketball was her calling.

From that point on, Shira dedicated herself to only basketball. She played on an Amateur Athlete Union (AAU) team from third to 11th grade and made the varsity girls basketball team as a freshman.

She also played on the JCC Girls Maccabi Basketball Team for four years.

“I would say that I have definitely matured as a player,” Shira said. “As a freshman playing on varsity, I had very low self-confidence and was honestly really scared to be on the floor. I think as I got older and earned more time on the court, I gained a lot of confidence and drive to play not only for my team but also for myself.”

Shira has been recognized for her talents on each team. She is a captain on the varsity girls basketball team. She was named “Athlete of the Year” by the JCC

in 2011 and “Most Dedicated Player” by her JCC coaches in 2013. Additionally, she was one of the 12 women selected to play on the U.S. Junior Women’s Maccabi Team, representing the USA in the Israel games.

Shira has been dubbed a stand-out player for several reasons. The first is her selflessness, both on and off the court.

When the team needs support, she is always there to provide it, according to freshman Nicole Brodkowitz.

“She puts the interest of the team before herself, and she always supports her teammates,” Brodkowitz said. “She knows how to pick the team up and get them going.”

Besides this impressive sportsmanship, Shira is also sound due to her years of dedication and focus.

“When Shira is playing, she sees the floor,” her mother said. “It’s a hard skill to master. Because of this, she’s able to pass the ball well and lend many assists.”

She has also been noted for her impressive aptitude for jumping.

“Shira has an amazing natural athletic ability, especially when it comes to the ability to jump – both for her

PHOTO COURTESY OF KATELYN MCMAHON.

The Lady Bulldogs benefit from Racoosin’s sportsmanship and teamwork. jump shot and to make defensive plays,” girls basketball coach Katelyn McMahon said. “She has had some truly amazing clutch shots throughout the past four years, and each one still stands out in my mind.”

According to senior Katie Jenkins, the combination of her positive attitude and impressive athleticism is what makes her a truly strong player.

Along the way, she has met several people who have inspired her to continue pursuing her talents.

“One of the most important people in her growth as a player was her first coach, Wayne Olan,” Lauren said. “He truly believed in her and always had encouraging words for her. I know that inspired her to keep playing. He also played a key role in bringing Shira to Churchill from private school.”

Although Shira plans to keep playing basketball, she has decided to focus her sights elsewhere in college.

“Although basketball is something I love to do, I see it more as a hobby rather than a career choice,” Shira said. “I have definitely considered playing in college but have chosen not to in order to pursue a focused, well-rounded college education.”

For now, Shira plans to finish off her last season at CHS with power and pride.

She has come a long way since picking up those soccer balls in the first grade.

“Shira represents Churchill extremely well as a student-athlete,” McMahon said.

“It is rare to encounter a student-athlete who pushes herself to do better in the classroom and on the court at all times. It is a very admirable quality, and one that I know will lead her to a very successful future after Churchill.”

By Zoe Forster Sports Editor

By Katie Gauch Production Editor

With a 6-0 win against Oakdale Feb. 22, the hockey team secured a divisional title and a spot in the state championship.

The Bulldogs also claimed the Montgomery Hockey Conference Championship title after defeating Walter Johnson, 9-0, Feb. 15.

The Bulldogs came out hard in the first period, scoring five goals. From there PHOTO BY GURANSH SINGH. the team kept control of the Hockey will face Easton in the state finals. game, allowing the Wildcats just two shots on goal in the first 15 title, the Bulldogs defeated Wootton in the semifinals, 7-0, Feb. 11. minutes of the game.

“They came out hard and we were a little Senior captain Zach Satin hopes the team comes prepared for the state semi- slow in the beginning, but we had a great third period and scored four goals,” Satin said. finals Feb. 21.

The team only scored two goals “I think we need to make sure we come out fast like we did tonight for our in the first period, but was able to next game,” Satin. “Everyone has been gain momentum later in the game. contributing solidly and our goaltending Martin scored two goals during the third period, and Kwant and Levenhas been impressive.”

Senior captains Satin, Connor Martin son also scored.

“We get up early twice a week and and Zach Arden each scored two goals, and Juniors Noah Fleishman, Brandon Levenson work really hard all in hopes to accomplish our one goal, which is to win the and freshman Ian Kwant also scored.

Prior to claiming the championship state championship,” Martin said.

Just falling short to Wootton and WJ, swim and dive scored a total of 549 points in the 3A/4A West Regionals Feb. 16, giving them a third place win overall.

The girls placed second overall, winning 310 points, while the boys placed third overall, winning 239 points.

“Everyone had a lot of spirit and pumped each other up,” sophomore Grace Pereles said.

One week prior, swim and dive placed ninth in the boys events and second in the girls events at Metros Feb. 9, just falling short to Wootton.

Divers junior Mashal Hashem, sophomore Kali Becker, and freshmen Elaina Faeber and Bridgid Dunn placed second, first, fifth and ninth respectively, to give the team a short-lived 70 point lead over Wootton.

“Boys did well,” senior captain Austin Cole said. “Our girls placed extremely well with second place. The diving really got the girls off to a good start.”

The girls finished with a 4-1 record overall this season, with their only loss coming against Wootton. The boy’s team had a record of two losses: one tie and two wins.

“The boys team went undefeated last

year, but for them it’s been a building season,” coach Brendan Roddy said. “The team has shifted but they are still very strong.”

At divisionals, the girls scored a total of 53 points for diving with strong performances from Hashem, Becker and Faerber.

The Lady Bulldog swimmers were led by senior captain Michelle Illig and freshman Hannah Lindsey. Sophomores Kyle Zonghetti and Andrew Marders helped the Bulldogs finish third place and fourth place in diving, respectively. Senior Austin Cole and Juniors Steve Ge, Harrison Gu and Kevin Gu won the 200 free relay.

“I am happy with the results,” Roddy said. “During my talk at divisionals, I said to leave it all in the water, and we had over 87 percent best times.”

The girls lost their only meet to Wootton Jan. 19. Illig, sophomore Elaina Gu and freshmen Fiona Asbury and Lindsey won the 400 freestyle relay. The boys also fell to Wootton, losing 99-72. However, they won all four freestyle events and won six out of eight individual swimming events.

“Wootton is for sure our toughest opponent on both the girls and boys side,” Lopaczynski said. “We can’t ever count out a team because the swimming in this area is so unbelievably fast. Any team could become a threat.”

Swim and dive will compete in states Feb. 23.

Hockey state bound CHS excels at divisionals

Team Records* ls r i G 6 16-

15-3

4-10

1 2-2-

s boy -1 4 s l Gir

*as of 2/22/13

Boys 17-5