Feburary 2014 - The Churchill Observer

Volume 38 - Issue 6

A National Blue Ribbon School

Friday, February 21, 2014

Administration launches pedestrian safety program

By Danny Gordon Staff Writer Yash Nigam Producion Editor

A sign reminding community members to drive safely was recently placed in front of the bus loop as part of the program.

In response to recent concerns over CHS’ morning dropoff habits, the administration launched a pedestrian safety campaign Jan. 27.

The administration observed an increase in jaywalking, inattentiveness while crossing the street and illegal U-turns, and is attempting to enforce more stringent safety procedures in an effort to protect students.

“It is important for everyone to abide by the rules and follow directions so that a smooth flow is created,” assistant principal John Taylor said at the program’s start. “We will be continually monitoring the situation and adjusting as needed to ensure a safe and efficient traffic flow.”

CHS planned on taking many measures to prevent conditions from returning to the status quo including

Social media sites such as Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram are quickly replacing Facebook as the preferred method of communication for a wide range of CHS students.

Chief among these new networks is Twitter.

“There are new exciting mediums,” senior Maria Koytcheva said. “Twitter gets information across quicker.”

According to sophomore Sean Strittmatter, Twitter is so popular because of its simplicity.

It is “quicker and easier” than Facebook and other sites.

It is perfect for “putting out your thoughts, and students have a lot of thoughts.”

However, AP NSL teacher Matthew Schilling still prefers Facebook to extend his classes beyond the boundaries of the classroom.

“I use it to convey information in a way that is more accessible for students,” Schilling said. “I use it as a medium for students to discuss what’s important in class or current events and as a forum for students.”

Teachers also promote interest in their classes through Facebook.

“I think it’s important as

teachers that we bring the class to the students as opposed to bringing the students to the class,” Schilling said. “If we give the student the opportunity for them to find relevance, it’ll be easier to get them to buy in.”

Students also enjoy the benefits of online Facebook review sessions, such as social studies department head Rodney Van Tassell’s AP Psychology and AP U.S. History reviews.

“On the closed group, students ask questions and we clarify if they’re wrong, and when a response comes by and it’s correct, it’s easy to press the ‘thumbs up’ button,” Van Tassel said.

According to several teachers, when compared to Twitter, Facebook is a better outlet for explaining complex concepts.

“For social studies in particular, it would be hard to answer conceptual questions in 140 characters,” Van Tassell said.

Nevertheless, Twitter, while much newer to the scene, is already the preferred method of student-teacher communication for many CHS faculty, such as Rosenthal.

“Twitter could be one of the

PHOTO BY DANNY GORDON.

maintaining additional police and security presence.

“Security will be out there every day to assist with keeping order and keeping close tabs on what is happening,” Taylor said. “The extra police presence will be only for one week, but [School Resource] Officer Hargrove will be coordinating consistent but irregularly scheduled follow-ups to assist with maintaining the new practices.”

To some parents, however, it does not seem like the administration has taken any additional measures to create a safer environment.

“I actually was not even aware that CHS had launched a pedestrian safety program,” said junior Ethan Denicoff’s mother Andrea Denicoff. “The morning traffic is just as chaotic as it was, and there is no visible increase in security presence.”

Before the flashing safety sign was placed in front of the school Feb. 12, most students were also unaware of the initiative and had not seen any changes despite Taylor’s Jan.

27 mass e-mail that delineated the program’s various aspects.

“I feel like there is no change because there is no extra police presence on site,” junior Aaron Nadler said. “I think that students and parents would only stop breaking the rules if police was there because only cops can issue tickets.”

According to Taylor, the program could have increased awareness and made morning traffic more orderly, but delays and closings during its onset limited long-term coordination between CHS and the police department.

The administration has requested that the police department come to CHS for only two days per week for a few weeks instead of coming for the entire first week as per the original plan.

“We are also seeking expert advice from the Rockville Traffic Department on how to ease congestion and create a safer system for drop off,” Taylor said. “Hopefully, the new program we implement will be more successful.”

News Bao Bao Baby panda is revealed to the public at the Smithsonian Zoo.

PAGE 3

PHOTO BY DANIEL MIYARES.

Facebook is losing popularity among CHS students. best things for teachers,” Rosenthal said. “It lets teachers reach students wherever they are.”

This trend towards the ease of Twitter isn’t unique to CHS; in fact, it is rampant among high schools and colleges across America.

According to the Daily Mail article, since 2011, at least 11 million teenage and college-aged students have left Facebook for other, trendier networks such as Snapchat and Twitter.

Features

CHS Heroes Students find ways to give back to the community through their service.

PAGE 8

Sports Autographs Cabin John Mall store offers opportunties for athlete autographs.

PAGE 17

If CHS is any indication, Princeton’s prediction may prove true. Teachers are on Facebook, but often solely so that they can reach out to students. If young people continue to abandon Facebook, teachers, among other users, could follow suit.

“More people have a Facebook, but Twitter is gaining popularity,” Koytcheva said. “People have been on Facebook so long they’re getting bored of it.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF HALL OF FAME CARDS AND COLLECTIBLES.

A team of Princeton researchers recently published a study predicting a critical decline in the amount of people who use Facebook.

Conversely, Twitter and other social networks are rapidly gaining popularity, especially among young people.

According to a Jan. 23 Sky News release, Princeton researchers project Facebook to lose nearly 80 percent of its users, most of whom are high school and college students, in the next few years.

This trend of abandoning Facebook for other networks is mirrored by CHS students’ social media presence.

“I think more students have Facebook, but on the grander scale, Twitter is becoming more and more popular,” AP Psychology and Honors Modern World teacher Evan Rosenthal said.

Young people form the core of Facebook’s users, yet nationwide and here at CHS, this very demographic is losing interest in the iconic social network, according to a Jan. 22 Daily Mail article.

COURTESY OF TEEN ANGEL PROJECT.

By Daniel Miyares Staff Writer

PHOTO BY ELIZABETH CAMPBELL.

Facebook popularity declining, Twitter rising

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News

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Friday, February 21, 2014

Model UN takes annual trip to D.C. conference

By Madison Hurr Production Editor The Model United Nations club took its annual trip to the 51st North American Invitational Model UN conference (NAIMUN) in Washington, D.C. from Feb. 13-17. This year will be the club’s eighth year attending the conference.

After winning several awards last year and being named a competitive delegation by the Model UN organization BestDelegate, the club is anticipating a successful year.

“One of our main goals this year is to come home with awards and to increase participation and speaking in committees,” senior and Model UN officer Gloria Samen said.

The popularity of the club has

grown exponentially since its formation. The club started out with 12 members seven years ago, and has increased to 120 this year.

“We want to see an increase in passion and interest in topics that involve international relations, human rights violations, and stimulating the world economy,” Samen said.

Due to the soaring popularity of the club this year, the application process became more stringent. This year, applicants were required to write a full position paper on a current event in which they took a stance and provided a solution for a crisis, like the one in Syria. About 150 people applied, but only 120 were admitted.

After becoming a stronger and more serious competitor at the con-

ference last year, club sponsor Paul Jacobson hopes to “really compete and win awards” this year.

The conference serves as a great learning experience for students interested in debate and foreign relations, and an unforgettable weekend with friends from school and new ones from all over the world.

Before going to the conference, members are assigned a country and a committee. Committees range from disarmament and security to world health. Delegates then research the topic they choose from their committee, like civil rights or drone proliferation, and write a position paper from the viewpoint of the country they are representing.

“Researching and writing a po-

sition paper can be tough, but it’s definitely worth it when you are well prepared when debating in committee,” junior Edmond Lee said.

When not in their committees, memb ers can g o out for dinner around Dupont Circle and attend guest speaker lectures. There is also a delegate dance on the last night of the conference where CHS students dressed up for the theme Valentine’s Day. “I really enjoyed the conference last year because I got to learn about a lot of different places around the world,” sophomore Maya Kohli said. “This year I am looking forward to being able to collaborate with new people and get a new viewpoint on things.”

Superintendent visits CHS for town hall meeting

By Ana Faguy Production Editor Superintendent Joshua Starr made a visit to CHS Feb. 3 as part of his yearly visits to each MCPS school cluster. Starr’s visit contained three parts: a dinner with the principals from throughout the cluster, a coffee and dessert portion with PTSA members from throughout the county and an evening with a town hall forum open to all members of the MCPS community.

Starr has been superintendent for twoand-a-half-years, and this is his second year hosting town hall meetings. He also hosts town halls specifically for students.

“I think it is a great idea that Dr. Starr does community nights like this because it’s a great way to touch base with students, staff and executives,” said Kevin Lowndes, MCPS Director for the High School Office of School Support and Improvement.

The PTSA meeting featured several high-ranking PTSA members discussing problems from their various schools.

During the meeting, executive board members compared what they have been seeing at the county level with what principals and PTSA members have been seeing at the individual school level.

“I think it is good for folks to get together to inform board members of issues they find important and to discuss issues with principals and PTSA members,” Board of Education president Philip Kauffman said.

The evening was topped off with a town hall event, which was open to everyone and allowed time for questions. Topics such as the hiring and firing of coaches, Common Core education standards and artificial turf were popular topics brought up among the group gathered at CHS. CHS parent Diana Conway has attended multiple town hall meetings with Starr, and while she likes the premise of

the meetings, she was disappointed in Starr’s response.

“On one hand I feel like it is a great bringing together of the community, and people get to network, but on the other hand I felt that Dr. Starr’s responses were unhelpful because they did not address the questions,” Conway said.

Throughout his responses to questions, Starr continuously reiterated a few standards he found important.

“Our kids must continue to succeed academically,” Starr said. “Our kids should not only be good students but also good people.”

The next town hall meeting is April 28 at Paint Branch High School. Starr plans to continue them as long as he is superintendent.

“The idea of the community day in general is for Dr. Starr to meet everyone and see what parents, students and teachers are thinking within that cluster,” Public Information Director Dana Tofig said.

PHOTO BY ANA FAGUY.

Starr met with principals, PTSA members and community parents.

Friday, Feburary 21, 2014

News

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New baby panda Bao Bao makes her public debut

By Elizabeth Campbell Editor-in-Chief

Baby panda Bao Bao stumbles her way to the top of the rocks and stretches up on her hind legs only to trip and flip backward on the ground. She’s stunned for only a second before rolling on to her back and flashing the crowd an adorable smile.

Scenes like this have been quite common ever since the new baby panda, Bao Bao, made her public debut Jan. 18 at the Smithsonian National Zoo. “This is amazing,” Smithsonian Zoo employee Juan Carlos Ocana said.

“Having a baby here is a miracle.”

Since giant pandas are only fertile for a few days out of the year, the chance of a panda getting pregnant is very low, which is what makes Bao Bao so special. She was born Aug. 23 to parents Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, who gained popularity when they had son Tai Shan in 2005.

“I love Bao Bao in that we get to watch her grow up,” senior Leslie Sterling said. “It’s sad that we’re going to have to say goodbye to her like Tai

Shan, but it’s worth it for now.”

Since Mei Xiang and Tian Tian are both on loan from China, their offspring must eventually be returned to China.

“The keepers decide, but it’s around four years,” Ocana said. “It depends on health, and it depends on government relations.”

Since their time window is limited, many students are taking this chance to visit Bao Bao. According to junior Micheal Baitty, visiting Bao Bao was “very enjoyable and interesting,” and he would recommend visiting her.

The zoo appreciates these visits as it has been using extensive social media updates and press to draw attention to Bao Bao and the rest of the animals.

“Everyone knows about the panda,” Sterling said. “I think she will bring more people to the zoo; people will appreciate other animals too and FONZ [Friends of the National Zoo] will gain a lot of new members.”

According to Ocana, it is not only her publicity and cuteness that helped Bao Bao rise to fame, but also the

PHOTO BY ELIZABETH CAMPBELL.

Bao Bao, whose name means “treasure,” struggles to climb over the rock structure in her den. She had been sleeping in a tub under the rock overhang. fact that since pandas are not natural hunters they are large, brightly colored and slow moving, making them easy for zoo visitors to see.

“She’s so adorable and cute, but she’s so different than the rest [of the animals],” Ocana said. “That’s why people fall in love with Bao Bao.”

tablets, computers or laptops.

“I think it will be cool to have it online because people will finish it faster,” senior Kiana Givpoor said. “I feel like a lot of people are faster on the computer.”

According to a May 2013 U.S. News article, the standard pencil-and-paper version of the ACT will eventually become entirely digital.

According to sophomore Rachel Rosenberg, although she prefers to take written tests as opposed to online tests, she feels the online administration of the ACT will lessen the amount of paper that is used unnecessarily.

In addition to administering the tests online, College Board will be offering online practice tests, which could impact the way many students prepare for the ACT. “Teens are completely used to being online and in front of a computer screen,” ACT tutor Paula Titus Laboy said. “The ACT is such a fast-paced test

that doing it on a computer could save students time and let them complete more of the test thoroughly.”

According to ACT tutor Jordan Abramson, having the ACT become digital could appeal to many students.

“Allowing the students to know their scores upon completion of the test is a big selling point,” Abramson said.

However, some CHS students believe that the online administration will hinder students’ scores.

“I personally prefer to write directly on my test,” senior Kristen Fulchiero said.

“It helps me focus better, and I feel that it will affect students who test like me.”

As of now, the SAT has not announced the transition to online testing. However, that is subject to change due to the Common Core curriculum as well as the ACT moving to online administration.

“It is going to be a major change in the college testing process,” Fulchiero said.

guide them to make better choices, and we can do this best in school.”

In order to ensure that schools are meeting the education standards for suspended students, schools must provide a staff liaison between teachers and parents or students with weekly communication.

For out-of-school suspensions, students will receive daily classwork and assignments from each teacher, and for short-term suspensions, students must have the opportunity to complete all missed work without We want students to learn if “Administrators penalty. they do something wrong. We can look at the “The data is want to guide them to make totality of the clear,” said Bill better choices, and we can do circumstances Reinhard, the this best in school.” when making media relations t h o s e director for the -Principal Joan Benz Maryland State decisions.”

These new Department of regulations also address the conduct Education. “Students who are out of for which suspension and expulsion are school for extended periods of time, appropriate in order to limit students’ including long-term suspensions and time out of school. With expulsions expulsions, are in danger of never (more than 45 days out of school) and completing their diploma.” extended suspensions (11 to 45 days According to a Jan. 28 Washington out of school)—both of which are based Post article, an analysis of Maryland on the discretion of the superintendent state data at the Center for Civil Rights or a delegated representative—the remedies at UCLA has revealed that superintendent or representative must Maryland’s suspension rate is about 8.7 show that other disciplinary measures percent for African Americans students, have been exhausted and limit the but it is only about 3 percent for white exclusion to the shortest period of time. and Hispanic students.

“It’s a good thing,” Principal Joan According to the BOE press release, Benz said. “We want students to learn the regulations seek to eliminate the if they do something wrong. We want to disproportionate impact of school

discipline on students of color and students of disabilities.

The new rules call for the BOE to develop a method to determine whether the discipline of local schools is having a disproportionate impact on minority and special education students. If it determines that a school’s policies do have a negative effect, the school is required to create a plan to eliminate the impact within three years.

Students who have been involved in the discipline system at CHS feel that it could be improved and that the new regulations will benefit students academically.

According to junior Michael, who has asked that his name be changed and who has been suspended for fighting and possession of drugs, both the inschool and out-of-school suspensions were difficult academically because he missed instruction and did not have easy access to teachers.

“I think it is good that Maryland is trying to decrease out-ofschool suspensions,” Michael said. “Suspensions can negatively affect students academically and for some kids it isn’t much of a punishment to miss school.”

According to Reinhard, the number of out-of-school suspensions has already decreased because of the attention the BOE has paid to this issue.

“We expect this trend to continue,” Reinhard said. “More students will graduate and have the opportunity for a successful future.”

ACT test to be offered online starting in 2015

PHOTO BY ELIZABETH CAMPBELL.

The ACT plans to begin offering the test online, but the SAT has not announced any plans to get rid of the original paper version of the test.

By Dana Harris Online Features Editor Beginning in 2015, the ACT will be offered through a computer-based program

in states that offer the ACT on a school day to fulfill the requirements of their district, state or school assessment programs.

Students will be able to take the online version of the ACT on

Discipline policy to reduce out-of-school suspensions

By Jordan Janis Features Editor

After four years of study, The Maryland State Board of Education (BOE) approved new discipline regulations Jan. 28, detailing the requirements for suspensions and expulsions, requiring educational services to be provided to suspended students and decreasing the impact of suspensions on minority and disabled students.

Maryland implemented these new regulations due to concerns over the impact of loss of class time on suspended students, the effect of suspensions on specific subgroups and the length and number of suspensions—42,000 within the last year. Local school boards must update their student discipline policies based on the state’s new regulations by the start of the 2014-2015 school year.

“The overall hope is that these new regulations will help improve school climates, build relationships between school staff and students and keep more students in school,” MCPS communications specialist Gboyinde Onijala said.

According to the BOE press release, the regulations require local school systems to adopt policies that reduce long-term out-of-school suspensions and expulsions, which are only to be used when a student poses an imminent threat of serious harm to others or is engaged in chronic or extreme disruptive behavior.

Local school systems’ new policies must provide for discretion in discipline

as opposed to zero tolerance policies, explain how long-term suspensions are a last resort and describe how they will meet the educational needs of suspended students—all for the purpose of keeping students in school so that they can graduate high school ready for college and a career.

“School administrators will be able to use their discretion when it comes to deciding appropriate disciplinary action for students involved in major offenses,” Onijala said.

“

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The Churchill

Opinions

Friday, February 21, 2014

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Observer Editors

Editors-in-Chief Emily Birnbaum Elizabeth Campbell Chief Production Manager Jane Zankman News Editors Brittany Goodman Julia Heimlich *Katie Clem *Alissa Li *Samantha Silber Opinions Editors Greer Smith *Alissa Li Observations Editor *Samantha Silber Features Editors Jordan Janis Jordan Maser *Ana Faguy *Samantha Silber *Katie Gauch Arts Editors Danielle Kiefer Julia Reagan *Madison Hurr *Arjun Swaminathan Sports Editors Ben Fox Julia McDermott *Yash Nigam *Emily Raab Photography Editors Michael Fox Guransh Singh Erica Spaeth Fact Checkers Ross Tannenbaum Mitra Pishgahzadeh * Production Editors

Managers Advertising Manager Fiona Asbury Business Manager Jonathan Greenzaid Circulation Managers Caitlin Doherty Ana Faguy Contest Manager Jeanine Liu Public Relations Natalie Cortez Noah Salzberg 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 churchillobserver@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.

CARTOON BY GREER SMITH.

Creativity is key to thriving on social media Social Media sites seem to be endless these days: Twitter, Vine, Tumblr, Instagram, and the most ubiquitous, Facebook.

According to a February 2014 ABC.com article, Facebook has 1.23 billion users and 46.6 percent of North America uses it.

Surprisingly enough, even with these staggering statistics, Facebook is on the decline.

According to an August 2013 Forbes article, fewer and fewer teens are signing up for Facebook and instead are moving on to the likes of Twitter, Vine, and other social media sites.

This is probably due to the fact that while Facebook allowed people to connect with friends, these other sites allow people to connect with anyone willing to listen. Through these other sites, people can often find fame and success.

Users of the site Twitter can have thousands, even millions of followers, just due to 140 character blurbs.

Users of Vine can also gain many followers when people see their seven seconds of video over and over.

More labor-intensive social media sites, such as Tumblr, allow people to share common interests and personalize a whole blog to share their personalities with others.

These blogs can also attract a certain level of fame for their users.

While many might suggest that social media is allowing for a generation of mindless communication that cultivates things like “Facebook Stalking” and excessive IMing, it could also be seen as a forum that demands creativity.

As individuals, people are

competing against billions of others to be the most entertaining Tweeter, Viner, or Tumblr.

To make 140 characters or seven seconds special or to make the most interesting blog, people have to be thoughtful and imaginative. By using these social media sites, people are challenging themselves to be a new type of entertainer.

According to a March 2013 Huffington Post article, Twitter is a great place for micro blogging, branding, getting a good laugh, and ultimately, gaining inspiration.

It seems the new goal of social media is not to just socialize, but to dominate socializing. The idea is to be the funniest or the smart-

BSERVER O OPINION

est or the coolest, so that others, whether they really know you or not, will want to connect.

With one popular tweet, the average kid could turn into an Internet sensation. Rather than just viewing these sites as places to spend time while procrastinating, people should view them as the creative tools they are.

Ideas, works of art, charities and news all can be shared. The possibilities are endless, but no longer does social media have to mean shutting out those outside one’s inner circle. It now encourages creativity and interacting with those outside one’s immediate comfort zone.

The CHS community should continue to expand across social networks to share the creativity and intelligence of the student body and to gain from others on these sites.

Safety campaign won’t cure traffic woes

By Fiona Asbury Advertising Manager CHS has recently instituted stricter enforcement for the traffic rules and regulations around the school, including a new electronic sign outside the school aimed at improving the safety of students.

According to Principal Joan Benz, what was once a school issue regarding unsafe behaviors around the school will now fall under the jurisdiction of the police.

While there are undeniably many things wrong with the school traffic during the start and end of the day, these new measures are only attacking a symptom, rather than finding a cure.

According to a Jan. 24 email assistant principal John Taylor sent out to all students and parents, CHS does not allow parents to drop off students anywhere other than the carpool line on Victory Lane, a policy police will be enforcing. Also, all cars must make sure to stop for pedestrian crossings, and new crosswalks will be created.

The whole root of the problem is the carpool line. It not only acts as the channel for a steady stream of parents dropping off their children, it is also

PHOTO BY FIONA ASBURY.

Snow days c ause d a de lay in t he pro m is e o f increased police presence to enforce traffic laws. the entrance to the senior parking lot. The high volume of cars in such a small space results in immediate disaster. As a result, parents look for other places to drop off their students.

Perhaps if the carpool line was moved or a new one was created, there would not be as many problems with unsafe student crossings and drop-offs.

Putting a crossing guard in the carpool line to direct student drivers through one lane and parents through another could also help to alleviate the crowding. CHS can continue to target

the areas at which students are illegally dropped off, but once one area has been eliminated, a new one is created. Parents would rather find creative new places for their child to jump out than sit through the mindless honking and traffic jam that is the CHS carpool line.

Also, while the addition of new crosswalks will be beneficial, it is just encouraging students to get dropped off near those crosswalks rather than use the carpool line. Ultimately, CHS needs to decide whether it is targeting the

students’ unsafe crossings or the parents’ illegal drop-offs.

If the safety of the students is the priority, then maybe more areas should be opened up for safe drop-offs.

According to Benz, the carpool line “is what it is,” and students should incorporate it into their morning routine, just as D.C. area business workers account for traffic when planning their morning commute.

However, many of the students who are driven to school do not plan on being driven. Some students get driven because they overslept, missed the bus, or could not walk with the weather.

These students should not be forced to be late for school just because their morning did not go as planned. Also, students should not need to lose valuable sleep just to make it through the school carpool line.

The way it is now, a student who follows the rules is in jeopardy of being late for class, whereas the students who break the rules have plenty of time to spare. CHS needs to realize that adding law enforcement officials, whose time could be better spent elsewhere, is only making life more difficult for the students. It is not making anything any better.

Friday, Feburary 21, 2014

Opinions

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5

CHS community needs Geography should be a coffee shop alternative taught more in school The CHS second semester senior is a fascinating specimen. Indigenous to Potomac, Maryland, the animal spends the majority of its day sleeping, and upon waking can most often be observed at the local watering hole: Starbucks. Here it can socialize and scavenge for coffee, a vital component of its diet.

Sadly, as the popularity of Starbucks rises, getting decent coffee is becoming a stressful experience rather than a calm ritual for CHS students—especially the second semester seniors who live off of it.

Often, the Starbucks lines are so long that students either have to get up ridiculously early to beat the morning rush or forgo their daily energy boost. The store is even packed during lunchtime, and students often feel rushed to get back to class instead of sitting down to enjoy their drinks.

What students could really use is an alternative coffee venue close to school to balance out the crowd at Starbucks as opposed to replacing it. Not another chain store like Dunkin Donuts or Caribou Coffee, but a locally-owned shop with comfy chairs, good music, and most importantly, quality coffee.

But would a new coffee shop stay in business when it is forced to compete with popular chains like Starbucks?

Businesses like Quartermaine Coffee Roasters are proof that it would. The small thriving company has two store locations: one in downtown Bethesda and one in Georgetown Square. Both locations are within a mile radius of a Starbucks.

According its website, Quartermaine competes with bigger chains by making coffee with beans that have been roasted only 24 hours before they are sold. Its

Students learn to employ spatial concepts and landscape analysis to examine human socioeconomic organization and its environmental consequences.

I can recite the quadratic formula on They also learn about the methods and command, I can plot a graph of tangent, tools geographers use in their research but I can only fill in 27 states correctly on and applications. a blank map of the United States.

No where in the description does I have had almost 12 years of an it mention actually teaching students MCPS education, but I have never once where states and countries are located. had a unit of geography. I am not alone.

According to AP Human GeogIn a survey of 30 CHS students, only raphy teacher Douglas Kraus, while seven could correctly point to Wyoming there is one unit that focuses on locaon a map of the United States. tion, there should be more emphaNational Geosis on teaching graphic did a study students geogon America’s georaphy because it graphic literacy in is so important 2006, and the refor a world that sults were dismal, is increasing in with only half of globalization. the participants beIt is time for ing able to point change. Geogto New York. Still raphy is not a no one seems to be hard concept to doing anything to understand with PHOTO BY ELIZABETH CAMPBELL. change this. repetition. After School is supjust a few minutes of studying, I was posed to be all about preparing stu- able to boost my score to get 41 out of dents to succeed in the real world, yet the 50 states correct.

MCPS is leaving its students with a MCPS should implement a unit of large gap of knowledge. geography in every history class from An article on the College Board web- 6th to 12th grade. U.S. History could site, Why Geography?, clearly states that easily incorporate a quiz on the 50 states, geography is necessary for students’ de- and World History should have a unit velopment because it shows them how on world geography. In AP classes, interconnected the world really is, yet units could even be added in after the no AP class places any sort of emphasis exam if teachers were worried about on teaching the layout of the world. fitting in all the material.

According to the College Board webStudents should be given the best site, the purpose of AP Human Geogra- possible chance of succeeding in the phy is to introduce students to the sys- real world and geography can help tematic study of patterns and processes them get there. Students should no that have shaped the human understand- longer be left wondering: where is ing, use, and alteration of Earth’s surface. Wyoming?

By Elizabeth Campbell Editor-in-Chief

By Ilana Berger Staff Writer

PHOTO BY ILANA BERGER.

Starbucks is often crowded, creating a stressful environment. roasting plant in nearby Rockville allows it to do so, while other stores’ beans must be shipped all the way across the country. In addition to its store locations, Quartermaine also has a wholesale business and sells its beans to food stores and restaurants.

The reality is that in Montgomery County, many people can afford to buy coffee frequently. It would not be hard to gain business, and CHS students would be a big help in sustaining a new coffee shop.

Not only would a new coffee shop be a refreshing place to relax, but it would also provide students with job opportunities.

As a local store, it might also be more willing to host CHS fundraisers.

Starbucks will always be a CHS favorite because of its familiar flavors, but students who are looking for a change of scenery and a comfortable place to hang out would benefit from the opening of an alternative coffee shop. However, most importantly, a wide variety of coffee venues would help make the home stretch just that much more bearable for second semester seniors.

Black History Month is divisive, not inclusive

By Greer Smith Opinions Editor It is 2014: nearly 60 years since the Brown v. Board of Education ruling, 49 years since the passing of the Civil Rights act of 1965, and America’s sixth year with a Black president. Yet, despite all this progress, we still manage to perpetuate segregation through the yearly recognition of Black History Month.

Carter G. Woodson started a Negro History Week in February 1926 to promote the appreciation of Black achievement. In 1976, 50 years after the idea’s creation, the organization extended the week to all of February, and it has since been recognized nationally.

The concept behind Black History Month was once a good thing. It was developed during a time when Blacks were treated as second-rate citizens. It was a necessary means to gain recognition for their achievements and preserve Black history. However, it is no longer that way.

Blacks are now equal citizens and should be treated as such. The history of Black citizens should not be allocated to one month a year as a separate history and culture. Blacks are a part of America. They have been here since before 1776 when the United States declared its independence.

Black history is American history.

Some may argue that it is just a month to highlight a culture, like Hispanic American Heritage Month or Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month, but there is a difference. Heritage month implies celebrating the culture of Americans who have known lineage elsewhere. Black His-

tory Month separates one race’s portion of American History.

Despite what the outdated moniker “African American” may suggest, many Blacks do not have any worthwhile connection to Africa from where the slaves were brought hundreds of years ago.

Unlike these other ethnicities, their history lies firmly in America, and it should not be seen as a separate or lesser part of American History.

In schools, Black history is often scarcely touched on in history class, through no fault of the teachers, but rather the curriculum. Events like the Civil War and the Civil Rights Movement are the most emphasized events.

Most students know the names of Martin Luther King, Frederic Douglas, W.E.B. Dubois, and maybe Malcolm X, Dred Scott and Booker T. Washington, but that is often the extent of the Black historical knowledge stressed in history class. Depending on the teacher, students may not learn about the Harlem Renaissance in the ’20s, or people like Benjamin Banneker in the 18th century.

Allowing Black History month to remain recognized makes it seem acceptable to separate Black history from the U.S. History curriculum and mainstream knowledge, and put it into a separate category only recognized once a year. This prevents students from becoming familiar with a significant part of American History. Rather than emphasize it as Black History, it should just seamlessly be added to the curriculum’s chronological timeline.

PHOTO BY GREER SMITH.

The contributions of successful Black individuals should not be considered separately from those of other famous Americans.

According to BSA sponsor Chris Jackson, at CHS, the Black Student Alliance (BSA) is one of the only places where students can get a chance to learn about Black history through discussion, but it is currently a club of only Black members.

Because their history is still considered separate, many Black students still feel the need to remain separate too, and so Black history is isolated in a single club that is acknowledged by the rest of the school only once a year: Black History Month.

Rather than continuing this retardation of the spread of knowledge, Black History Month should end and teachers and students alike should work to eliminate the concept of Black History as a separate entity of American History, and work to make this neglected section of history more recognized in the classroom. Just because Blacks are a different race than the founding fathers does not make their history any less of an essential part of American History.

6

Observations

theObserver

Friday, February 21, 2014

Scholastic award winners What’s Online?

By Sammi Silber Observations Editor

Congratulations to senior Emily Birnbaum and junior Lauren Bontempo for their achievements in the Scholastic Writing Awards. Birnbaum won the Busboy and Poet’s $1,000 scholarship, seven gold keys and one honorable mention for her various pieces, and Bontempo won a silver key for her poetry.

@ www.thechurchillobserver.com

Arts: CHS students and teachers anticipate this year’s Oscar winners and losers.

PHOTO BY SAMMI SILBER.

Senior Emily Birnbaum writes for fun.

Exciting offer! Want to win FREE tickets to see The Wanted on April 9? Visit our website for more details!

The Observer is updating its online content EVERY DAY! Check it out at www.thechurchillobserver.com.

Freshmen girl trio wins Churchill’s Got Talent

By Guransh Singh Online Opinions Editor

This year’s Churchill’s Got Talent winners were Donna Dadkhoo, Frannie Phillips and Ellie Lavery. These three talented freshmen have never formally been taught how to sing, but have each spent countless hours rehearsing their vocal talents in the shower. Whether with friends, family or complete strangers, they have used their unique vocal abilities to set themselves apart. The Observer sat down with these girls to get to know them better.

What’s the name of your group?

We don’t really have one. We kind of just go by Frannie, Ellie and Donna.

But we were thinking about The FED. How long have you guys been together?

We’re in the same friend group, and when we heard about the show, we just decided to get together.

We only practiced for a week and a half. We met at Donna’s house mostly, and Frannie ate four fiber bars, two bowls of Persian soup,

half of a Persian pizza, some Persian cookies and grapes. We met five times for about an hour.

How long have you guys been learning?

As Selena Gomez said, ‘Everything comes naturally.’ Donna has been playing guitar since the seventh grade, but we mostly just sing in the shower.

What inspired you to choose these songs (“Cooler Than Me” and “You and I”) for the show?

Frannie picked “You and I,” and the first one all of us liked it, so we picked that.

Were you nervous before you performed?

Oh yes, definitely. We thought that Isabella would win. We didn’t even think we would place. We just wanted to make it through the song without messing up.

Our performance was the first time we played it without messing up.

How did you feel when you won?

We were in shock, but afterwards we were grateful and really excited.

What are your plans for the future?

We just want to make it through high school, not die. Next year, we want to be comedians. But actually, we will probably stay together. Maybe we’ll get some gigs.

During the performance, the Observer’s @CHS_Observer tweeted, “Who says the freshmen can’t be fresh? Magnificent. #chsgottalent.”

“Adam’s photography stands out,” photography teacher Amy Gilbert said. “It is well above the level of high school students.”

According to Anderson, he developed his photo using high dynamic range techniques which improved the luminosity and intensity of the train in the photograph.

“When I was leaving the museum, I saw the train and noticed a great opportunity for a photo, so I took it and it turned out really good,” Anderson said.

Congratulations to junior Christina Vezzi and freshman Bill Wu for winning second and third place in the photo exhibition at Johns Hopkins Moment in Time reception. Congratulations to the other eight students who were chosen for exhibition: Simone Johnson Blanchard Emily Greenstein Cameron Heger Kalina Simeonove Alex Gibson Elisa Carpenter Carly Shapiro Kyle Parisi

PHOTO BY GURANSH SINGH.

Maryland Masters Award Hopkins photo exhibition

By Nathan Deychman Staff Writer Congratulations to senior Adam Anderson who won a Maryland Masters Award for his photograph of a train at the B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore.

The Maryland Master Award recognizes young, talented artists who have displayed extraordinary artistic skills reflecting the vision of Maryland’s future.

PHOTO BY ERICA SPAETH.

By Erica Spaeth General Photo Editor

Savett shares poetry Intel Science semifinalists

By Sammi Silber Observations Editor

By Sammi Silber Observations Edtior

English teacher Jeffrey Savett held a live reading of his poetry b ook Pr e s er vation on Feb . 6 at CHS. He read a few poems from the book, including “Preservation” and “Practice.”

According to Savett, he was excited to read some of his poems in front of the Potomac community and his students.

PHOTO BY SAMMI SILBER.

Congratulations to seniors Daniel Liu and Jessica Yau, who have been named Intel Science Talent Search semifinalists. The Intel Science Talent Search is an organization that values public engagement in scientific research and education. Liu and Yau are two out of only 300 semifinalists nationwide, and they will receive $1000 for their research.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CREATIVE COMMONS.

Robotics Team achievement Yearbook recognition

By Sammi Silber Observations Editor

By Sammi Silber Observations Editor

Congratulations to the Zero Robotics Team on winning the second place trophy in the Semi Finals competition, where they had the opportunity to go to MIT, where astronauts from the International Space Station ran their codes on Jan. 17.

Congratulations to CHS’ yearbook staff for receiving Jostens National Yearbook Design Recognition. Finest Hours was recognized for its excellence and will be featured in the 2014 Jostens Look Book.

Finest Hours was one of 426 yearbooks that were recognized and was selected out of 3,000 yearbooks nationwide.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CREATIVE COMMONS..

PHOTO BY SAMMI SILBER.

Friday, Feburary 21, 2014

Features

theObserver

7

Churchill’s List offers students virtual marketplace The group started modestly, but now has over 400 members with over 100 transactions occurring in the last couple of months. While the most popular items on the list are technology such as video games, iPods, and cell phones, people have also sold items such as hats or jewelry.

“Anything can be sold,” Bagheri said.

Freshman Jimmey Stempien has found success on the site selling video games, phones and cameras—he even purchased a rubber band bracelet.

“I would give it 11 out of 10 stars,” Stempien said. “Very rarely does a transaction go south.”

Senior McCall Larsen has also had a positive experience in the group, and is currently searching for a replacement iPhone on the List.

“I highly recommend this as I have heard nothing but good things,” Larsen said. “I hope that more people start to use this as it will widen the variety of items for people to purchase.”

Students should feel safe in the group thanks to Bagheri’s strict monitoring of the page.

“You must be a Churchill student to join and anyone who posts or says anything inappropriate will immediately be kicked off,” Bagheri said. “We are here for business and not playtime.”

The List is for more than just helping students make some extra cash.

The List operators plan on expanding with a charitable objective.

“We are in the process of making a website and through that site we will sell advertising time to local companies,” Baheri said. “With that profit we make, all of it will go to hunger and caner.”

In addition to raising money for charities, the List has also become a place of friendship for many a Bulldog.

“In a way, it’s connecting students in the school,” Bagheri said. “People meet each other and make new friends just through a simple transaction.”

Freshman Jimmy Stempien has sold various items on the List such as this collection of jewelry. Stempien recieved multiple offers from students.

By Elizabeth Campbell Editor-in-Chief Junior Brian Bagheri was searching the endless pages of Craigslist when he began to ponder the quality of the item he was purchasing.

He did not know anything about the person he was buying from, and he did not want to have to wait for his item to be shipped across the country.

After realizing other students may have contemplated similar ques-

tions, Bagheri came up with the idea for “Churchill’s List,” a Facebook group that connects CHS students who are buying and selling items.

“I wanted a way to get my items fast and know that it will be good quality,” Bagheri said. “So I thought to myself, why not start something in which people could buy items from one another within their school system? Churchill’s List is a page in which students can buy, sell or trade items that they might not want but someone else would love to have.”

PHOTOS BY ELIZABETH CAMPBELL.

Senior McCall Larsen ran his last iPhone through the washing machine and is currently looking for a replacement on the List.

Features

8

theObserver

Friday, February 21, 2014

Unsung heroes of CHS improve our community

By Natalie Cortez Public Relations Manager Every year, the popular award show CNN Heroes recognizes and awards unsung heroes—everyday people who change the world through charitable acts.

CHS has its fair share of heroes. Two students, in particular, have reached out to make our community a better place.

Although just a freshman, Madeline Statter has proven to care deeply about the community. She takes part in Teen Angel Project (TAP), a local non-profit program for teens whose mission is to provide joy to communities in need through song, dance and theater.

Statter and others from the group perform at hospitals, nursing homes and homeless shelters, free of cost.

The program has allowed Statter to use the artistic skills she has learned over her years at CHS to perform for those in need.

“I wanted to take part in it because it is a way to bring entertainment to people who are unable to go out and see a show or a concert,” Statter said.

Statter was also attracted to TAP because she has a brother with autism who enjoys her performance videos but cannot go see her performances because he is sensitive to sound and large crowds.

“I feel that I am letting people see shows and entertainment in a way that’s comfortable for them,” Statter said. “People with oxygen tanks or IVs can enjoy themselves because the shows come to them.”

Although it has been hard to balance TAP and school, Statter claims that it has been worth it because of the memorable experiences she has had in the program.

Statter has a fond memory of a performance at a nursing home where she spotted two elderly ladies dancing and singing along.

“By the end, one of the ladies came on stage and gave us all a hug and later fed us cookies,” Statter said. “I could tell she had been lonely in the nursing home and it felt good to make her feel a little bit better.”

For Statter her experience with TAP and alleviating those in need has been rewarding in many ways.

“After every show, I realize how lucky I am,” Statter said. “I find that an applause from a few people who really need it is much more exhilarating than from hundreds of people.”

Another CHS hero is volunteer firefighter Christopher Hallock. Hallock volunteers with the Rockville Volunteer Fire Department (RVFD). Volunteers are assigned certain days of the week to work from 5 to 7 p.m.

Besides the obvious firefighter duties,

Freshman Bill Wu strikes the traditional “Nerdfighter” pose.

By Sarah O’Brien Staff Writer “Increasing awesome and decreasing world-suck” is a motto proudly used by Nerdfighters worldwide.

Nerdfighteria is a community of Nerdfighters all over the world who want to help others and bond over common interests. Nerdfighters unite and do everything from helping charities to making each other laugh. They talk about movies, books, television shows and anything else that is relevant in today’s society.

“The Nerdfighters essentially try to make the world a better place,” freshman member Bill Wu said. “It’s just a meeting of geeky

Hallock said.

However, according to Hallock, being a firefighter has taken away from school to a degree.

“Taking classes for the department as well as volunteering at the station on top of school takes a lot of hours out of the week,” Hallock said. “But it’s extremely worth it.”

Learning about these two CHS heroes may make you think about all the possible heroes around us from your neighbor to maybe a teacher. Go reward, recognize, praise or even plainly thank anyone you think is a hero in the community.

PHOTO COURTESY OF TEEN ANGEL PROJECT.

Freshman Madeline Statter (front center) poses with her Teen Angel Project crew during the holidays.

CHS Nerdfighters work to ‘increase awesome’

PHOTO BY SARAH O’BRIEN.

Hallock is engaged with the RVFD in unique ways such as hosting children’s birthday parties and selling Christmas trees. Hallock has also represented the department and its values by advocating safety and emergency prevention in speeches to the community, especially to children.

According to Hallock, his most memorable experiences with the RVFD are those that involve children.

“It reminds me of how they are influenced by our actions everyday and how much potential and learning they are capable of,”

people who watch too much television and spend too much time on the Internet.”

The group began in 2007 when brothers John and Hank Green started making video blogs (vlogs) on Youtube. With a growing number of subscribers, the Greens began to make more vlogs, ranging from explaining the invalid arguments of climate change to nerdy jokes. They became so popular that they adopted a fan base: the Nerdfighters.

“There is really no requirement for being a Nerdfighter, just if you want to be one, you can,” Wu said.

Recently, because of John Green’s novel The Fault in our Stars, Nerdfighters have been incredibly supportive of the upcoming movie that will be released on June 6.

“I’m excited because I fell in love with the book,” sophomore Aby Chun said.

In 2010, the Nerdfighters of the Greater D.C. area created a Facebook group for all of those who associate with them.

There is also a Nerdfighter page for CHS students, and they can access both pages by requesting to join. Nerdfighters tend to be friendly, so they welcome newcomers with open arms. In the Greater D.C. area, for example, they will be playing the popular board game Clue on March 15 at Union Station; all are welcome to join in.

“Nerdfighteria has had a tremendous impact on my life,” said Jason Spriggs, senior member and group administrator for the Nerdfighters of the Greater D.C. area. “For me, it is a group of people who deeply care about me and who have chosen to become my friends, regardless of physical and geographic characteristics.”

Features

Friday, February 21, 2014

9

theObserver

Seniors spend more than they realize on open lunch

By Jordan Maser Features Editor

Whether a student indulges in fast food five days a week or splurges twice a week on a grande-normous low fat extra hot quad shot latte with whipped cream coupled with an overpriced salad, seniors are spending more money on lunch than they realize.

Many CHS seniors take advantage of their lunch break by going to local restaurants for a midday meal. Over the course of the entire school year, approximately 36 weeks of school (give or take a couple of snow days), seniors have

the option to go out for lunch about 180 times—somewhat alarming when contemplating this cost in addition to other expenditures.

“College is extremely costly,” senior Steven Dilsizian said.

“That being said, senior year at CHS comes along with a ton of expenses like prom, banquet, beach week and open lunch. It’s a bit overwhelming when you think about it.”

In an Observer survey of 46 CHS seniors, 26 percent of students said that they go out to lunch five days a week, while 36.96 percent said they go out once a week. Seniors also said they spend between $4

and $15 each time they eat out.

A contributing factor for student spending habits is whether they are spending their own hard-earned, or hardly-earned, money.

According to the survey, 52.17 percent of CHS seniors have a job. Additionally, 41.3 percent claim that their parents give them money for lunch each week, ranging from anywhere between $10 and $60 a week.

Instead of spending money at restaurants, some seniors prefer to spend their lunch break other ways.

“You can stay at school or go to a friend’s house,” senior Miriam Fall said.

Assuming a student goes out to lunch four days a week and spends an average of $7 on their food, that student will have spent approximately $1,008 over the course of year on lunch. On the other hand, students who go out once a week and splurge on a $10 lunch will have spent around $360. By going out only once a week, students could being saving upwards of $600— money that can surely be used for other things.

Taking all of this into account, students must ask themselves if it is really worth it to go out to lunch as frequently as they are now.

In a school year, you could buy...

Lunch once a week spending an average of $10 -or3 pairs of Classic Short Ugg Boots

Lunch four times a week spending an average of $8 -oran Apple iPad 2, an iPhone 5s and $200 in iTunes giftcards.

Lunch two times a week spending an average of $9 -or2 VIP tickets to the Sweetlife music festival at Merriweather IMAGE BY JORDAN MASER.

10 TO: WCHS Swim & Dive

Features FROM: Coach Roddy

CONGRATS on an amazing season. I loved every minute coaching you all this season.

TO: Elizabeth R.

Friday, February 21, 2014

theObserver

TO: Katherine Stein

FROM: Joey Strawn

You’re sitting next to me but I would just like to tell you thank you for always helping me in Psych… and I love talking to you.

TO: All the Js

FROM

You are all amazing! Tha my opinion, the Observe

FROM: Max Sickels

I had fun with you. Wish we could spend more time together. You make me feel complete. You’re the best.

TO: Jeremy

FROM: Francesca

Happy Valentine’s Day, mushy! You’re the best. I love you!

TO: Jamie Lescht

FROM: Sam Lee

U r the definition of awesome and you’re beautiful. Django Date?

TO: David Fasano

FROM: Morgen

You smell nice. Also, I like your face. You make me happy and I like your laugh. You’re the cutest person I know.

Let’s keep dating because you’re my favorite person.

TO: Greer Smith

FROM: Sam Lee

Greer = swag. Coolest art-fart in the history of art-farts. Orange date?

TO: Stephanie C

FROM: Aaron H

I had a good time with you. Hope we can chill again.

TO: Noah Fleishman FROM: Bryn Edens Always in my heart, Always on my mind, Noah Fleishman, Will you be my valentine?

TO: Tanya Dhingra

FROM: No One

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TO: A Lot Of People

FROM: Anonymous

Jaclyn Shin, being with you is such a win. Paulina Bravo, it hurts to see you with any other chicano. Wendy Letim, please choose me, not him. Megan Wu, I’ve got a thing for you. Nicole Gonzalez, I’ll love you forever—I promise.

Esther Li, please be with me. Caryn Pasking, our relationship is more than a fling. Alissa Li, you’re the only one I see. Cathy Wang, your looks—oh dang! Daphne Ma, for you, I go gaga.

TO: Emily Birnbaum, Jamie FROM:Matthew Martin Bonan and Lacy Findley

By Catherine Goohs Online Arts Editor We all start off as little kids, experiencing the world with fresh perspective and all-encompassing curiosity.

In our first few years we find out what passions we have, what we want to learn more about and whom we like to be around. As the month of February brings back the Hallmark holiday of love and romance and Feb 16-22 is International Flirting Week, CHS students and staff reflect on the first people who made their hearts swell.

According to Principal Joan Benz, her first crush was in either her third or fourth grade class.

“We did not have a cafeteria in my elementary school, so everybody always brought boxed or bagged lunches, and that’s what I remember brought us together,” Benz said. “His name was Ronnie: he had dark hair, was very cute, told funny stories. I remember giggling a lot.

We had semi-intellectual conversations every lunch about social studies and the National Geographic.”

According to Benz, a crush crosses the line into a more mature relationship when one feels a deeper excitement rather than simply the exhilaration of being with someone new.

According to senior Maddie Pasco, the change has something more to do with being comfortable and openly “obnoxious” with a crush.

“As a kid, you are innocent and want to be nice to

everybody, but as you grow up, you want to be more real,” Pasco said. “I met my first crush in kindergarten.

He was really smart and I thought that was cool – we like the same TV shows like PBS. We kissed on the cheek and both got time out.”

For some, a first crush doesn’t come along as early as kindergarten, such as for sophomore James Teixeira, who met his in the sixth grade.

“Her name was Ashley Hicks, and she always seemed to have wind blowing in her hair,” Teixeira said. “She was hot. One time, she dropped her pencil and as I reached to get it, we b o t h touched hands. I leaned in to kiss her and got a face full of floor.”

Though their relationship didn’t bloom at first, Teixeira and Hicks have been dating for four years, though Hicks attends another Maryland high school.

Whether a young couple connects due to their shared admiration for a television show or instant mutual attraction, an air of confidence seems to be a recurring element to the making of a first crush.

“I was a really shy kid, but he was very outspoken,” sophomore Tiffany Cao said.

“His name was King and we

Thanks for being the best FOT buddies!

TO: CHS Golf

FROM: Michael Fox

Shout out to the golf team for having too much swag. GET LEGS.

TO: Churchill’s Students and Staff

FROM: SGA

Happy Valentine’s Day! Thanks so much for all your support.

TO: WCHS Students FRO

I like turtle

M: Mrs. Knarr

ank you for all you do. In er is definitely “IN”!

TO: Shannon Baarman FROM: Noah Jankel

TO: Katya Ellis

Hey, what’s good? Happy Valentine’s day! <3

11

theObserver FROM: Miles Busby

I love you, BAE.

TO: Class of 2014 FROM: Everyone Officers and Sponsor You are a great group of hardworking role models.

Keep up the good work. Just 4 more months!

TO: Emily Birnbaum FROM: Sam Lee

met in first grade. He was the only guy that didn’t think girls had cooties. He was social, kind to everyone, the only kid with blonde hair, and he had these big blue eyes that seemed genuine.”

According to junior Colton Neubauer, maturity levels and development of personality become more significant as one grows older, whereas when one is younger, it’s more about who is “cool” or “cute.”

“I had a crush on this girl named Bailee,” Neubauer said. “She was very energetic and giggly. I liked that she was h ap py all the time and I could j o k e a ro u n d with her.”

Depending on character traits, the ability to be upfront with confessing love either comes easy as a kid or is completely unthinkable.

“I never dropped any hints to my knowledge,” Neubauer said. “I didn’t have the guts to do that as a child.”

While many don’t ever act on proclaiming their interest, some have other ideas about how to end up with whom they admire. For AP Literature teacher Eleanor Goodwin, becoming good friends with her first crush was the chosen route of choice.

“We were both 14 years old and in the eighth grade,” Goodwin said. “We met in this English school in

OM: Colton Neubauer

es.

Features

Friday, February 21, 2014

Liberia, Africa, and our class was very tight-knit. He was a new kid and I was assigned to teach him algebra. He was so good looking and he dressed very well – preppy.

I also loved his posture. He became the class president, was smart, cared about people, the perfect possible boyfriend, and so all the other girls liked him. I stood back while he went through five other girlfriends and just became his friend.”

According to Goodwin, after he broke up with his fifth girlfriend, she met with him for a walk on the beach where they had their first romantic conversation “under the moon.” After that, they stayed together through the process of going to different universities, and his choice of joining the military to fight in the Vietnam War. “The only struggle was when he went to the military while I was in college,” Goodwin said.

“But we made it through that experience; he got pneumonia during basic training and transferred to my school.”

Goodwin and her first crush have now been married for 39 years.

Though it is not as common today to stay with a first love forever, there is something to be said for whom one first finds attractive.

“I saw right away that my first crush was intelligent, caring, while of course being good-looking,” Goodwin said.

“I think young people can intuit the most important things in a profound relationship.”

Why are you going to Kenyon? All of us here are gonna miss you so much. You are the future Kafka, but prettier, and more social.

TO: Isabella Bruno

FROM: Isabella Bruno

You’re really cool. I wish I could be you. I love you.

TO: Maiu Romano

FROM: Guess

YOU ARE THE GREATEST THANG EVER! Literally, you’re the strongest, sassiest, sweetest person on the planet, and I absolutely adore your face. Love you! #sugarface TO: Natalie Hwang, Lucy FROM: Jasmine Baten Bedewi, Katie Roop, Rachet Stackhouse I LOVE YOU GUYS SO MUCH! Thanks for being the bestest friends anyone could ask for. Y’all are insane, but kind of also the funniest, smartiest, classiest and sassiest chicks around. WALL HUG! FROM: Anon TO: JV and varsity girls soccer players Happy Valentine’s Day to all JV and varsity girls soccer players! Shoutout to Keaira, such a stud, thanks for the candy gram!

TO: Samira Hedayat FROM: Sweg Anonimis Gurl, yur sweg is off the charts. I love Samraj, yes I do. I love Samraj, how ’bout you? Luv, luv.

TO: Elizabeth Campbell FROM: Kyle Parisi Don’t worry, no matter how many time he asks, I will not be Guransh’s Valentine.

TO: Rosemarie Feltig

FROM: Someone Who

Cares You’re an awesome friend and person, and being around you makes the day brighter. You’re absolutely crazy, hysterically funny, and amazing. Love you so much!

TO: Dan Leptoukh FROM: WeiAnne Reidy Neev naht ufirt euory deird oreolc.

PHOTO BY ANA FAGUY AND JORDAN JANIS. TO: The Treehouse

FROM: Supreme Owl

You guys are the most amazing bunch of friends anyone could have. Thanks for being wonderfull all the time. Love you all! #wearecrazy

TO: Churchill’s Staff FROM: Orly, ESR Happy Valentine’s Day! Thank you so much for your hard work. You rock!!!

12

Features

theObserver

Friday, February 21, 2014

Body-love campaigns popularized in mainstream

By Jane Zankman Production Manager Different people find different qualities attractive, and recently, viral campaigns have been fighting to promote a more realistic view of what makes a person beautiful.

Dove, a body care and beauty company that sells lotions and soaps, advocates for authentic beauty and self-esteem, and recently celebrated the 10-year anniversary of their Real Beauty campaign, consisting of print and video advertisements and public service announcements depicting “real” woman from all ages and races.

Dove’s first viral video was their “Evolution” commercial, showing how a seemingly normal-looking woman can be transformed into a model through the use of makeup,

lighting and photo editing. This video gave people a glimpse behind the scenes of the advertisements that are all around us.

“If a high school student sees the Dove ad, they do not feel terrible about themselves,” Pulliam said. “But seeing the billboard makes them feel terrible.

When you see a photo of a model or actor, it has been Photoshopped.”

The most recent viral video, “Selfie,” premiered at Sundance and took off on social media, helping girls around the world see the benefit in the “Selfie.”

The short film encourages mothers and daughters to take selfies and embrace their various types of beauty. The film centers around a group of teenage girls and their mothers who are all asked to take a selfie of an area of their body that they believe is unattractive. Through this process the girls and mothers real-

ize that what they find “ugly” about themselves is actually what makes them unique.

Another company that has taken a stand against the prevalence of unrealistic beauty standards is American Eagle, which is now removing the use of Photoshop from their underwear line Aerie and launching an Aerie Real campaign.

“I think it’s a good thing because a lot of teenagers struggle with selfesteem and being comfortable in their bodies,” senior Tierra Moore said.

This new campaign is especially important because while Dove aims at a spectrum of ages, Aerie focuses on teenagers.

“Normally companies advertise models who have been computeraltered,” senior Julia Taladay said.

“This is promoting self-acceptance.”

While these two companies have taken a step in the right direction, many magazines continue to edit the pictures of the celebrities on their covers, giving false impressions to the public.

Most recently, Lena Dunham, writer and star of HBO Girls, a show meant to empower young women by depicting what real girls act and look like, had an arm edited out in an effort to make her appear skinnier in an issue of Vogue.

According to a January 2014 Time article, Dunham believes that despite the use of Photoshop, having her on the cover versus a typical model sends a positive message.

While Photoshop remains prevalent, hopefully more companies will son follow Dove and American Eagle’s lead.

How many hours of sleep do teens really need?

By Gil Jacobson Production Editor

Most of us are all too familiar with the disgruntling feeling of our alarm clock blaring at 6 a.m., signaling that it is time to start our day.

According to a WebMd.com article, teenagers need between 8.5 and 9.25 hours of sleep each night, but new research from a February 2012 Today article claims that 16-yearolds actually function best with seven hours of sleep each night.

Brigham Young University (BYU) economists Eric Eide and Mark Showalter did a study on how the amount of sleep 1,724 students nationwide got affected their performance on standardized tests. They found that seven hours of sleep was enough for older teens.

“The 9-9.5 hour recommend-

ed hours of sleep is an artificial construct,” Showalter wrote in an email.“It is based on how many hours a teen would sleep if there were no competing alternatives like homework, sports or social activities.

But real life has competing demands on our time; most successful teens and college students seem to do ok gradewise with far less than 9 hours a night in sleep.”

To further test this phenomenon, the Observer conducted a survey of the CHS student population on their school night sleeping habits.

Students were instructed to list the times they typically go to bed and wake up at during the week, and also rate their sleepiness on a scale of one to ten, one being completely awake and ten being so tired that they can barely keep their eyes open.

According to senior Melissa Adler,

she is usually a seven on the sleepiness scale and averages close to seven hours of sleep on school nights.

“The falling asleep during class is not voluntary,” Adler said. “I just get too tired to keep my eyes open, so I rest them and the next thing I know, I have missed half of the teacher’s lecture.”

On the other hand, junior Avinaash Sandhu averages six-and-a-half hours of sleep on school nights, but she gave herself a three on the sleepiness scale.

According to Sandhu, her ability to function well each day is “relative,” and not necessarily based upon how much sleep she got the previous night.

“It depends on the amount of work I have due that day and how much effort I need to put into it,” Sandhu said.

PHOTO BY GIL JACOBSON.

Students may be able to function well on less than the recommended eight hours of sleep a night.

Friday, February 21, 2014

Arts

theObserver

13

Pictures worth a thousand words: the art of CHS

By Fanny Chen Staff Writer

The hallways of CHS, aside from faithfully assisting students in their daily journey from one class to another, offers something more to those who are willing to pause and observe—art.

CHS has three relatively permanent works of art on display. Art department head Paul Dermont supervised one of these works, which is the sculpture found upstairs next to the gym windows called “!”. Constructed in spring 2004, the sculpture consists of a series of colorful, overlapping panels in different shapes.

“It started off with the students working on large Masonite panels, and they divided up it up how they wanted, and each section is just one pattern,” Dermont said.

According to Dermont, the Masonite panels were then cut up into random pieces, arranged according to student preference, and then screwed and glued together. The name “!” was the result of a contest between the kids.

“I think they really enjoyed it,” Der-

mont said. “It was good for them to derstood artwork is the large mural work in another medium.” outside the auditorium. It features According to Dermont, the other two the paintings of several classics pieces of art, a wire sculpture in the such as The Persistence of Memory by art hallway and a mural outside the Salvador Dalí, and Starry Night by auditorium, were projects done with Vincent Van Gogh. the help of an artist in residence.

According to Dermont, the mural “We had an was done artist in resithrough andence named other artist in Beverly Ress, residence and and she’s ansupervised other sculptor,” by previous Dermont said. art teacher “She had stuGeorge Nemdents fashion cosky, somechicken wire time around into shapes.”

2003. Beyond According to this inforDermont, the mation, dewire sculpture tails behind was supposed the mural’s to go in the construcPHOTO BY FANNY CHEN. cafeteria, but “!” was created by a class of art students in tion remain they couldn’t relatively g e t e n o u g h 2004. Each student painted his or her own panel. u n k n o w n pieces, so the among CHS sculpture would have looked lost if it students. The idea of constructing a was placed in the cafeteria. new mural, however, remains viable.

Perhaps the most seen yet least unAccording to National Arts Honor

Society (NAHS) president, senior Kallie Williams, a mural has been considered for many years as a possible project to fulfill the requirements for the graduating class of NAHS. “I put forth a mural as an option, but at this point, it seems unlikely, since mural subject matter must be approved, and it would take awhile to create,” Williams said. “If members really want to do a mural, I will work diligently with Dr. Benz and all staff or administration to get it approved and done on time.”

Other factors beside workload also affect the art department’s decision to start another mural or large sculpture.

According to Dermont, the art department has had a lot of new staff lately, so students have been doing more individual projects, such as those temporarily displayed in art exhibits around the school.

Whether it’s the work of a large group or individuals, the effect of student art on CHS is clear.

“Dr. Starr was here Feb. 3 and Dr. Benz wanted our work in room 126, Dermont said. ”So it really makes our school more inviting.”

Seniors begin Beach Week diet three months early

By Julia Reagan Arts Editor

During the week following graduation, traditionally called Beach Week, seniors from across the county flock to nearby sandy shores to catch some rays, hang out with friends and most importantly, celebrate their newfound high school freedom.

Every year, prior to this legendary week, many seniors stress about their bodies, going on crash diets and binge-exercising in hopes of achieving a Beyoncé body in just weeks. This year the trend has taken a leap forward and students

are starting to prepare their bodies for the beach months in advance.

“To prepare myself I decided to go to the gym three times a week and change my eating habits,” senior Nathalie Karam said. “When I go to the gym I usually do half an hour of cardio and about 20 minutes of weightlifting to be toned and fit.”

While some of the seniors are approaching the task individually, others are using friends as moral support by starting group diets and attending exercise classes together.

According to Frentsos, she and her friends are working together in order achieve their exercise

the center aisles, as this is where the produce and less-processed foods are generally found. Fresh fruits and veggies are excellent choices to fuel your body for intense workouts and to There’s Still Time provide you with fiber and nutrients Seniors still have plenty of time to while being low in calories and fat-free take a healthy approach to getting (except for avocadoes which are full of healthy fats). in shape and “I don’t believe in looking great. all those different diLast-minute eting programs,” sefasts and crazy nior Hayley Mulhern workout plans said. “I just try to eat are not neceshealthily, with a balsary. ance of the different The Obs e rv food groups. ” er has some Many resources are healthy tips for available for finding creating a plan healthy recipes and that will help diet tricks. One particseniors and any ularly amazing webother students site, self.com, features look and feel a panoply of food and amazing when diet information, with it is finally time everything from lowto hit the beach. calorie comfort food One new recipes to vitaminworkout trend packed smoothie sugthat is perfect for those who PHOTO BY JULIA REAGAN. gestions and super want to rock a Senior Nathalie Karam opts for food snack ideas. bikini during Listen to Your beach week is salad rather than her usual chips.

Body to take classes at Go Figure Barre Limit portions by eating until Studio. Conveniently located in Park Potomac Place, the studio offers your body tells you it is full and classes that combine pilates, yoga munch on foods that make you feel and ballet for an intense yet satisfy- alive and healthy. ing workout.

Along with all of the excitement, For those who prefer to exercise in Beach Week also brings a great deal the comfort of their own home, there of stress for many seniors with body is a huge selection of free exercise vid- insecurities. However, it is important eos which can be found on YouTube to remember that while exercise and at the click of a button. Some particu- healthy eating is a great start to looking larly health-savvy channels include and feeling your best, there is a fine line Lionsgate BeFit, where top exercise between wanting to be more healthy gurus share exciting and effective and becoming body-obsessed. workouts every day of the week, and “It’s one thing to aim for healthiness Blogilates, where two health fanatics and self love but it’s entirely different to demonstrate exercises to target each excessively push yourself to achieve a part of the body and even provide generally unrealistic goal,” Mulhern said. delicious yet nutritious recipes.

As long as it is done healthily and with smart intentions, prepping for Food is Fuel Beach Week early on can actually Along with exercising on a regu- help seniors achieve greater and more lar basis, incorporating healthy and long-lasting results. Follow our tips, nutrient-rich foods is an important part make some changes to your lifestyle, of creating and maintaining a sleek sil- but also appreciate how wonderful houette. Making small changes to your and beautiful you are, and you will diet can make you look and feel more be on the road to looking and feeling energized. amazing during Beach Week and beA helpful hint is to shop the perim- yond. Look out Beach Week, healthy eters of your grocery store instead of CHS seniors are coming through! goals. They are specifically focusing on leg and abdominal moves that will whittle their middles and add definition to their legs.

Arts

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Friday, February 21, 2014

theObserver

American Horror Story

With the third season’s finale in late January, American Horror Story has been garnering students’ interest. The first three seasons took place in a haunted murder house, an insane asylum and a witch coven. Seasons One and Two are now streaming on Netflix, with the third season coming later this year and the fourth season coming out in October on FX.

All 13 episodes of Season 2 of the Netflix-exclusive TV show House of Cards were online on Feb. 14.

Ever since the premiere of Season 1, fans have been excitedly anticipating the evil twists and turns that Season 2 would bring.

Many CHS students were guilty of “binge-watching” all thirteen episodes the first day Season 2 came out.

House of Cards The Observer sifts through the hype and the hip to bring you topics worth talking, Tweeting and texting about.

According to Chevrolet’s cancer-awareness campaign, for each person who makes their Facebook or Twitter profile picture purpletinted using the company’s “Purple your Profile” tool, Chevorlet will donate a dollar to the American Cancer Society. They have agreed to donate up to $1 million.

Lorde has taken the CHS nation by storm, following her debut album Pure Heroine in September 2013. Famous for her hit song “Royals,” which earned her two Grammy awards, Lorde’s music has traveled from her home country of New Zealand to millions of iPhones all over the world. Lorde is going on her first tour, “Royals,” this March, coming to DC at Echostage on Mar. 7.

Lorde

By Sammi Silber Observations Editor

PHOTOS COURTESY OF FLICKR.

IMAGE BY SAMMI SILBER.

Before it was mysteriously deleted, students were flocking to the App Store to download Flappy Bird. This iPhone App was dominating the charts, sitting on top as the number one most downloaded free application. The game was simple yet frustrating: players had to constantly tap the screen to navigate a bird for as long as possible as it flies through the air in between green pipes.

Although it was addicting, Flappy Bird is now off the App Store.

The creator deleted it, simply stating on his Twitter page, “I can’t take this anymore.”

IMAGE BY SAMMI SILBER.

“Purple your Profile”

Flappy Bird

‘Blast’cast, crew ensures 25th anniversary show will go on

By Arjun Swaminathan Production Editor Blast 25: Mixtape features a mix of songs from both the past and present and will run from Feb. 21 to March 21.

Choral director Matthew Albright, the director of this year’s production, made artistic decisions and chose songs and ticket prices, among other responsibilities.

The decision to choose the name “Mixtape” stemmed from his own life.

“I wanted a term that would talk about the past and present,” Albright said. “Also, when I was growing up, you could mix music from radio and music from tapes and listen to them in playlists.”

Albright is enthusiastic about the opportunities Blast offers to CHS students who love to perform.

“Blast is a great opportunity to engage in a multidisciplinary performance,” Albright said. “It represents gesamtwerk, which means total artwork.”

Student producer and senior Maddie Krueger, one of 17 soloists in this year’s performance, is taking part in her fourth and final year in Blast.

“Basically, I am the student in charge of the entire show,” Krueger said. “I have to make sure that rehearsals happen and

that people know where they are supposed to be.”

The rehearsal process includes a complete rehearsal for the entire show once a week as well as scheduled rehearsals coordinated

by Krueger.

In addition, song leads take charge of preparation for their song.

“Everyone gets stressed during rehearsal,” vocal captain and senior Shelley Austin said.

“However, during tech week and production everyone gets along really well and great relationships are built.”

Preparation for this year’s production was not without its challenges, but performances will still go ahead as scheduled.

“I think the limited amount of time really hindered us,” Krueger said. “Between events that limited space to the pipe burst to the snow days, it’s been really hard to fit in all the necessary rehearsal.”

Delays in the arrival of the music also posed a problem for the production.

“We didn’t receive the music until very recently, so that was stressful for the band and performers,” Austin said. “Also, the breaks and snow days cut down time, so that was stressful too.”

The tech crew was also affected by the time limitations but has adapted as much as possible.

According to assistant student

PHOTO BY JORDAN JANIS.

Senior Mark Spang reherses his number, “Hit the Road Jack.” tech director and audio crew chief junior Aidan Gray, the tech crew is “crazy flexible and used to having tight deadlines.”

Students will be performing songs from past decades including

“Thriller,” “Celebration” and “Love Shack,” as well as some from recent years, such as “Moves Like Jagger,” “Suit and Tie” and “Bad Romance.”

Blast offers a great opportunity for students to enjoy the arts and do what they love.

“My favorite thing about Blast is being able to stay after school to sing and dance,” sophomore Carly Rosenfeld said.

More student choreographers have been involved in the rehearsal process this year.

“When students do their own choreography, it demonstrates learning in an educational environment,” Albright said.

According to dance captain junior Mackenzie Testa, she and her partner, Sloane Momsen, receive the songs, listen to them a few times, come up with the choreography to each verse, and then start teaching.

Krueger, along with others, has enjoyed being part of the community of students who participate in the production.

“When the lights are on, and you are singing and dancing alongside some of your best friends, there is nothing to compare it to,” Krueger said.

“It’s definitely something that I’ll miss.”

Friday, February 21, 2014

Arts

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‘Sherlock’ season premiere incites positive reaction

By Jasmine Baten Staff Writer

Boxy black letters appear on the screen, accompanied by the view of a London skyline. A simultaneous “Shhhhh!” can be heard around the room. The lights dim. BBC Sherlock begins.

After an excruciating two-year hiatus, Season Three of BBC Sherlock premiered Jan. 19, bringing Sherlock fans together to watch and share in the excitement.

The British television hit features a modern adaptation of the legendary Sherlock Holmes and his faithful friend, John Watson. But what is all the hype all about? What has got Sherlock fans so psyched for the new season? Reader be warned: spoilers follow.

“It took so long to come out, and the cliff hanger at the end of Season Two was so hard to deal with, but I really think the wait was worth it,” junior Katie Kidney said. “This season does not disappoint.”

Freshman Carolina Rios agrees.

According to Rios, the three new episodes were “hilarious and life changing.”

Writers Stephen Thompson, Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss are notorious for ending season finales with cliffhangers, choosing to end Season Two with a closeup of an alive Sherlock Holmes following his supposed suicide jump off a rooftop.

“Having read the books, even though I knew he was going to fall and rise again, I was still sobbing the entire time,” senior Elena Freije said.

During the hiatus, Sherlock fans relied on fellow-obsessed “Sherlockians” and social media sites like Tumblr for discussions and “fangirl” sessions.

According to Freije, Tumblr plays a huge role in the Sherlock fandom, which consists of “terrifyingly creative” fans who acted like a “massive support group” through the long wait.

Fans came up with theories of his

survival right up until the premiere of Episode One, which included multiple scenarios of how Sherlock faked his death, each one more bizarre than the last. In the end, the episode never really confirmed which one had occurred.

According to English teacher Naomi Ratz, it was a little frustrating that “they didn’t come outright and say, ‘This is what happened,’ but the theories shown were intriguing.”

In addition to the possibilities of how Sherlock survived, writers also introduced John Watson’s new love interest, Mary Morstan, played by Amanda Abbington.

“Amanda was perfect,” Freije said. “I fell in love with the character as soon as she walked on screen.”

However the highlight of the episode was John and Sherlock’s reunion, which consisted of shouts and punches rather than smiles and hugs.

“It was really well done,” junior Kyle Parisi said. “A positive response would have been cheesy, and John punching Sherlock is more realistic.”

The second episode revolved around Sherlock’s best man speech at John’s wedding to Mary. His lack of social skills combined with his burgeoning emotional side made for a heart-wrenchingly adorable delivery. The speech took viewers through multiple flashbacks of his life with John, the most memorable one being the stag, or bachelor, night.

“It’s funny and so sweet,” Ratz said.

“You can see that Sherlock is trying so hard to connect what he knows about science to what he thinks is fun.”

The tear-inducing, emotion-ridden season takes a darker turn in the season finale, “His Last Vow.” A new villain, journalist and blackmailer Charles Augustus Magnussen, is on the scene, and is the cause of shivers up spines and goosebumps up arms.

“You want to hate him, but he’s brilliant and has a mind that rivals Sherlock’s,” Rios said.

However, Magnussen was not the only one who turned out to be full of secrets. In a stunning turn of events, Mary Morstan is revealed to be a former assassin. Suddenly, nothing is as it seems. Who is Mary really? Turns out, no one really knows.

“Everyone has a past,” Ratz said.

“And even though she lived as an assassin, she proved that she wasn’t trying to manipulate anyone.”

True to form, Sherlock writers delivered a final blow to the show’s viewers before leaving them to wait in agony again. The last few moments shocked audiences with a video of supposedly dead-and-defeated Moriarty, the psychopathic villain from the first two seasons, simply asking, “Did you miss me?”

To this, the entirety of the Sherlock

fandom cried out, “Yes!” in unison.

According to Parisi, it will be great to have Moriarty back.

“He’s not a classical villain,” Parisi said. “He’s crazy, and you don’t know what he’s going to do next.”

The return of Moriarty also raises questions and concerns about what will happen in Season Four.

According to Freije, Season Four will consist of “Moriarty videos everywhere and London in chaos.”

Judging by the pandemonium caused by the finale, Freije’s prediction may just be spot-on.

However, Sherlock fans may have to wait for quite a while, as each season so far has been separated by two years. In the meantime, fans will have to enjoy their long-awaited Season Three for just a little longer.

“Season Three was emotional, witty and thrilling, and everyone should watch it,” Kidney said.

PHOTO BY JASMINE BATEN.

Freshman Carolina Rios is a huge fan of everything Sherlock.

Sports

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theObserver

Friday, Feburary 21, 2014

CHS’ top three favorite Olympic sports

By Alissa Li Production Editor Katherine Michael Staff Writer

As the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia conclude, medals are being doled out to the best athletes in each event. Joining in on the Olympic ceremonies, the Observer has decided to present CHS students with one last medal ceremony: the most popular sports in the Winter Olympics this year.

Though the Summer Olympics are generally the main attraction, the Winter Olympics have a variety of events that CHS students find daring and interesting. These events vary from the popular sport of ice hockey to an almost unheard-of sport called skeleton. Without further ado, the gold medal goes to…

Gold: Figure skating

Silver: Snowboarding

Bronze: Ski Jumping

Figure skating, known for its el egance, was found to be the most popular Winter Olympic sport among CHS students.

“It is very beautiful to watch and also incredibly difficult,” junior Antonia Gaviria said. “It’s inspiring to see athletes do something so hard and make it look so effortless.”

Other CHS students enjoy figure skating because of its unique style.

“My favorite Winter Olympic sport is figure skating because they’re really graceful and can do cool tricks,” freshman Nina Hazra said.

The silver medal goes to snowboarding, which is a popular winter weekend activity for CHS students.

Of course, this popularity is a major result of gold-medalist snowboarder Shaun White competing once again this year.

“I think competing in snowboarding would be really exciting because it’s so extreme,” sophomore Annabelle Humiston said.

Last but not least, the bronze medal is awarded to ski jumping, a sport commonly watched

by CHS students.

“My favorite Winter Olympic sport is ski jumping because I think it’s cool and not something you see every day,” senior Alena Garcia said.

Besides the obvious interest in the sport, students are intrigued by the daring sport and its courageous athletes.

“The thrill of watching someone come down from a frightening height is pretty fun to watch,” junior Winson Yeung said.

Olympics would have also deprived U.S. athletes of the opportunity to compete in the Olympics.

If the US had boycotted the Olympics, Olympic athletes would have been stripped of their opportunity to compete, which for many has been a lifelong dream and commitment.

Proponents of the boycott say that by boycotting the Olympic Games, the United States would have been practicing human-rights advocacy. However, a boycott of the games would not have been effective. Even if the United States decided to boycott the Sochi Olympics, Russian laws would not have changed.

Despite the United States’ global influence, a boycott made by the US likely would not have any significant effect on Russian legislature.

Many proponents of the boycott also say that there is a lack of sufficient security staff at the Olympics. However, this notion is completely false.

According to a Feb. 9 article from The Wall Street Journal, roughly 40,000 security outfit surround the city, creating what some may call a “ring of steel” around the city with checks around the perimeter of Sochi. Fans also are required to show their passports, photo identification, and the Olympic badge they are given at the entrances.

The United States also sent a message by sending its athletes to the Olympics.

They let it be known to the world that terrorists cannot control our lives. If the United States was not to send its athletes, it would have been a sign of weakness and submission to those who threatened us. The United States, by sending its athletes, came across as strong and defiant towards terrorism, an attitude that every country in the world should take.

A boycott made by the United States of the Sochi Olympics was not necessary.

It was a great thing that the US should sent its athletes to Russ i a in hopes of winning gold.

By Jamie Lescht Online Editor-in-Chief

by storming the school and killing 334 hostages, including hundreds of children.

Aside from the threats of terrorism, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “anti-propaganda” laws puts homosexual athletes at risk.

According to a Feb. 3 ESPN.com article, the “anti-propaganda” laws aims to prohibit any discussion of LGBT issues in front of minors.

These laws equate gays with pedophiles and forbid the adoption of Russian children by gay couples or by any couples living in a country that permits same-sex marriage.

As a result, any pro-gay act or statement on television would violate these laws and could result in arrest; these laws apply to Russian citizens as well as international tourists, according to the ESPN. com article.

According to a 2014 ABCNews article, homosexual Olympic athletes will not be prosecuted during the games, but any kind of pro-gay demonstration on Olympic sites is illegal.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has also limited athletes ability to protest in favor of gay rights.

According to a Feb. 3 ESPN.com article, the IOC charter states that “no kind of demonstration or political, religious, or racial propaganda” is allowed to take place on any Olympic sites.

As a result of Russian culture, these athletes will be targeted because of their sexual orientation. While they are promised security from the “anti-propaganda” laws, they are forced to enter a world where they are deemed pedophiles and sex offenders.

By participating in the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, the United States is exposing its athletes to threats of terrorism and discrimination. While participating in the Olympics is a strong part of the American tradition, it’s not worth endangering the lives of our athletes or condoning the policies of a country whose values are far from our own.

By Noah Salzberg Public Relations Manager

The Olympics are a storied sporting event, with participants from around the world. It is the pinnacle of all athletic achievement, a place where history is made and where legends are born. Despite its outstanding tradition, many United States citizens supported a boycott of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia due to controversy surrounding recent Russian legislature, something that is petty and wrong.

This past June, Russian president Vladimir Putin enacted a law that banned the propaganda to minors of nontraditional sexual relations.

Despite the stir this has caused in the US, a boycott is not the answer, and the US made the right decision by attending the winter Olympics.

If the US had boycotted the Olympics, it would have been disrespectful to the host country. Although some Americans are agitated by their anti-homosexual laws and argued that Russia need not be respected, it would not have been right of the US to ignore all the effort the government of Russia put into preparing for the Olympics.

According to a Feb. 10 Washington Post article, the Russian government spent an estimated $51 billion in preparation for the Olympics. That is more than the amount that was spent for every past Winter Olympics combined and is $10 billion more than the most expensive Olympics ever: the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics.

By boycotting the games, we would have d e prived Russia of its opportunity to gain revenue and denied them the post-Olympics benefits that most Olympic hosts e x perience, such as increased tourism.

The Olympics is also not about politics.

It is a time for athletes around the world to come together to embrace the spirit of competition. To bring politics into the Olympics would be a defamation of the Olympic creed and of its purpose of bringing countries of the world together peacefully to engage in athletic competition.

Furthermore, a boycott of the

PHOTOS BY BEN FOX.

Debate: should U.S. athletes have competed?

Around this time, the news is typically filled with countless profiles of Olympic Athletes who are excited to represent the United States and fight for the gold. This year is different, however. For the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, attention has been shifted from getting to know the athletes to evaluating terrorist threats and anti-gay legislation.

With the increasing threat of terrorism and hostility towards homosexuals, the U.S. should have boycotted the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics in order to protect American athletes and spectators.

Sochi is located adjacent to Russia’s Northern Caucuses – areas known for brutal uprisings and centers of anti-Russian terrorism. One of these nations includes Chechnya, a heavily militarized extremist Islamic state with ties to Al-Qaeda. Chechen rebels have released multiple videos calling on fellow Jihadists to help stop the Olympics, according to Jan. 25 New York Daily News article.

These calls have not gone unanswered; in December two suicide bombers attacked the city of Volgograd – a city neighboring Sochi – killing a total of 34 people. Volgograd is a primary transit point for tourists who are traveling to the games.

According to the article, the Vilayat Dagestan, an Islamic militant group, claimed responsibility for the attacks and promised more to come for all tourists attending the Olympics.

Even though Russia has taken multiple preventative security measures, their history when dealing with terrorists has had catastrophic results.

In 2002, when terrorists took hostages in a Moscow Theater, Russian forces reacted by filling the theater with poison gas which killed 129 hostages.

In 2004, Chechen rebels seized a Beslan elementary school and held the students and teachers hostage. Russian forces responded

Sports

Friday, February 21, 2014

Store offers autograph sessions with the pros

By Pablo Roa Staff Writer

From paying for expensive seats to standing in seemingly endless lines, getting an autograph from a professional athlete can be close to impossible.

Fortunately, sports fans in Potomac have the opportunity to get autographs from their favorite athletes right down the road from CHS. For the last few years, the Hall of Fame Cards and Collectibles store in Cabin John Mall has been inviting athletes to come in and sign autographs for customers.

“We started three years ago and it was extremely successful,” owner Peter Averinos said. “We did it inside the store at first because we didn’t know what to expect.”

According to Averinos, during their first signing with Brandon Banks of the Redskins, over 200 people attended, and at any given point 65 people were inside the store.

Over the years, the store has invited athletes from different local sports teams, including Ryan Kerrigan and Lorenzo Alexander of the Redskins and Wilson Ramos of the Nationals.

According to Averinos, the price of the autographs depends on how much he has to pay the athletes. Prices have

ranged everywhere from $0 to $50, with the most expensive one being Kerrigan, who charged $50 per autograph.

“I don’t necessarily make money off of it,” Averinos said. “The whole idea is to do it for the kids and to advertise for the store.”

With these autograph events, not only does the store offer the opportunity to get signatures from professional athletes, but it also offers the opportunity to connect with the athletes on a more personal level.

“It’s exciting,” Averinos said. “You watch them on TV, but when you meet them, you realize they’re just normal people.”

According to Averinos, the autograph signings draw large crowds and those who attend seem to have a good time.

“Everybody’s happy with it,” Averinos said. “Every time I get an event, I get all sorts of posts on Facebook from customers talking about how much they enjoyed it.”

While the store does not have any autograph signings planned going forward, students can visit the store and join their mailing list to receive information on any upcoming autograph signings.

“I think it’s awesome that there’s a place around here that offers autograph signings,” Silver said. “It’s a great opportunity for CHS students to meet their favorite athletes without having to go too far or pay too much money.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF HALL OF FAME CARDS AND COLLECTIBLES.

Nationals’ catcher Wilson Ramos signs autographs at Cabin John Mall.

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PHOTO COURTESY OF FLICKR.

Sherman and Lynch haven’t done anything to deserve media scrutiny.

Media should back off, let Seahawks fly high

By Jake Certner Staff Writer

Seattle Seahawks’ cornerback Richard Sherman and running-back Marshawn Lynch are not only Super Bowl champions, but also a perfect example of the one-sided perception of athletes in the media.

This shouldn’t be the case. Lynch and Sherman have been unfairly vilified because of their media antics. Sherman likes to share his insights publicly, and Lynch refuses to, but the media would have people believe they are both a bad influence.

After the NFC championship game, Sherman gave an interview in which he aggressively yelled at the camera, proclaiming himself the best corner back in the league.

According to a Jan. 21 article from Deadspin.com, the word “thug” was used 625 times on television in context with Sherman the day following his controversial, NFC championship post-game interview.

Sherman received a 4.2 GPA at Dominguez High School in Compton, CA and went on to receive his Master’s in Communication at Stanford University. This academic prowess is that of a role-model, not a ruffian.

A week after Sherman’s rant, Lynch spoke for only six minutes at a mandatory 60 minute Media Day. Lynch has been portrayed in the same light as Richard, as a stuck-up superstar. In reality however, Lynch is just trying to focus on the game.

According a Jan. 28 Chicago Tribune

article, Lynch is a self-described man of action over words, and while he understands that people want to hear from him, he just wants to work.

It is unfair for the media to call Lynch obnoxious for simply being shy. The $50,000 fine he was nearly issued for his short attendance at the 60 minute Super Bowl Media Day is overly punitive; he simply didn’t want to talk about the game before he played in it. The bad reputation that came with the silence was unjust. It seems that Lynch is letting his 12-touchdown, all-pro play do the talking, rather than taking the risk of saying something he might regret.

Many people would argue that Lynch and Sherman are on polar opposite ends of the media involvement spectrum, which puts them both at fault. However, the socalled extreme problems have been blown way out of proportion.

The majority of criticism Sherman received arose from an adrenaline-filled interview, where he went a little overboard after making the biggest play of his life.

Lynch on the other hand, is a pure on-field superstar, not a public personality, which is what the traditional athlete has always been. Neither of the two men have caused problems that effect anyone besides themselves, but people love to discuss atypical famous athletes.

Thus these two teammates have been unfairly placed in the crosshairs of all media.

observer

Winston Churchill High School 11300 Gainsborough Rd. Potomac,MD 20854

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Volume 38 - Issue 6

Winter Sports Recap

Junior Bobby Arthur-Williams

Swim & Dive PHOTO BY MICHAEL FOX.

Boy’s Basketball

Wrestling

By Ben Fox Sports Editor

Despite its disappointing finish in the regional semi-finals of the regional team dual meet on Feb. 12, the Bulldogs made the regional dual meet as a team for the first time since 2001, capping an impressive 12-2 record this season.

The wrestling team now hopes for individual success in the upcoming regional individual meet.

“The heart and soul of our team, [senior] Hunter Sutton, is still undefeated and he is on his way to his third state championship title,” Keita said. “Other wrestlers such as me, [junior] Guilian Groce and [senior] Zach Raizon have played a pivotal role in helping our team get to where we need to be.”

Despite hoping for a better outcome at team regionals, the Bulldogs have recognized their accomplishments, and now hope to move forward with individual regionals approaching.

“The wrestling season as a whole is a very tough grind,” Keita said. “Everyone on the team has risen to the challenge and helped our team make the regionals for the first time in over a decade.”

Sophomore Nicole Brodkowitz

PHOTO COURTESY OF MOCO RUNNING.

Track & Field

By Nathan Gertler Staff Writer

Senior Harrison Gu PHOTO COURTESY OF DEBRA LINDSEY.

By Julia McDermott Sports Editor The Bulldogs swim and dive team finished up a powerful season Feb. 8 with a big win for the girls team at the Metropolitan Swim and Dive Championship.

The top swimming contributors were seniors Harrison Gu and Alicia Tiberino, junior Elaina Gu and sophomore Hannah Lindsay.

“We knew we had a chance to win Metros,” Tiberino said. “We knew Wootton was coming after us and wanted the title too.”

The swim season for the boys was not as consistently strong as the girls, but the team still pulled off a fourth place finish in its division, only one point away from third.

In diving, CHS took first in both boys and girls at Metros with junior Kali Becker and freshman Mory Gould, along with a 2nd place finish from senior Mashal Hashem for the girls.

After failing to defend their 2012 Metros title after a second place finish in 2013, both sides of the swim and dive team were hungry for another win.

Freshman Avi Strauss

PHOTO BY MICHAEL FOX.

By Nathan Gertler Staff Writer

After defeating divisional rival Blair Feb. 7, girls basketball suffered a setback in a loss to Walter Johnson Feb. 11. Despite the loss, the Bulldogs have managed a respectable 10-9 record this season so far and are 5-4 in their division.

The team’s record was mainly because of the leadership role of senior guard and Captain Alex Votaw and the scoring output of junior guard Japria Karim-Duvall.

“When we are focused we are ridiculous on defense and even more so on offense,” Votaw said. “Despite how the games go we always put a lot of points up on the board.”

According to McMahon, the team has “stressed defensive pressure” during practice, and it has seemed to paid off, only allowing opposing teams to reach 50 points in five out of their last 10 games.

Senior Brandon Levenson PHOTO BY MICHAEL FOX.

PHOTO BY MICHAEL FOX.

TEAM RECORDS* : s l r Gi 1 0 - 9s : y Bo 0 9-1

Freshman Rebecca Clem

Girl’s Basketball

By Julia McDermott Sports Editor The season began with a bumpy start with six losses in December alone, but the boys basketball team, under new head coach Robert Bean, has since picked up its game to improve its overall record to 9-10 and its division record to 6-3, making the team third in the 4A South conference.

“We have faced various challenges throughout December and January, and it appears that these challenges have made us a better team,” Bean said. “We have a winning streak of four wins right now, and a lot of our success is due to playing team basketball both offensively and defensively.”

Senior Allen Njumbe and juniors Bobby Arthur Williams and Jesse Locke are dominant factors in the Bulldog’s offense.

“We’ve been making a lot of threes out of our offense, and there are games where we just catch fire,” Njumbe said.

The Bulldogs are now looking forward to their playoff run which is set to begin after the regular season ends on Feb. 25.

Friday, February 21, 2014

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The indoor track team continued its strong season with an impressive showing at the 4A West Regional meet Feb. 6.

The girls, led by senior captain Emma Coleman and junior Lucy Srour, finished third out of 17 teams in the competition.

Coleman finished second in the 300m, while Srour scored a third place finish in the 800m.

“I’m thrilled to have made states,” Coleman said. “It’s my first time qualifying for individual events and a great way to end my last indoor season.”

The boys placed 10th out of 17 teams and is led by senior Kyle Beatty, first in the county in pole vault, junior Noah Jankel, ninth in the county in 55m hurdles, and freshman Jalen Hill, fifth fastest in the 300m dash in the county.

“Our main strength for our team is our abundance of fast runners and our versatility,” sophomore Andrew Zuckerman said.

“We can have any runner do anything.”

Some members of the team also qualified for the 4A State Championship meet Feb. 18.

Hockey

By Michael Fox Sports Photo Editor The CHS hockey team may not have won the championship, but each and every man on the ice bled blue and green in a 4-2 loss against Wootton Feb. 17.

The Bulldogs concluded the regular season with a 9-2-1 record. Junior and assistant captain Ross Allen led the team in points with nine goals and 16 assists for the regular season.

Having completed the season, the Bulldogs look back on the year knowing they gave it their all on the ice.

“We battled hard and came out strong from the start,” defenseman junior Justin Spivak said. “A couple of bounces didn’t go our way and the result could have been different, but that’s just the way the game goes.”

Despite the disappointing finish to the season, the team continues to focus on the high points of the season.

“The team had a very good regular season,” coach Ray McKenzie said. “We played at a high level in beating nonleague opponents Dematha, Archbishop Spalding and Georgetown prep.” *As OF 2/18/14

Hockey 9-2-1

Sports

Friday, February 21, 2014

19

theObserver

A look back at CHS track record holders

By Ben Fox Sports Editor

Anybody who frequently visits the CHS track knows that every year, runners leave behind impressive legacies. On a tall brick wall next to the concession stand hangs the list of track and field record holders, a roll call of names that have managed to withstand the test of time. But what has happened to those who hold the honor of having their name on the board? The Observer investigates the current whereabouts of track and fields’ legends, and the effect that breaking the record had on their lives.

Will Conway

Katie Wolf

In terms of records broken, 2010 graduate Katie Wolf could be considered the most successful female runner in CHS history. During her time as a Bulldog, Wolf broke six different school records for track and field in both dashes and relays.

After graduation from CHS, Wolf was recruited by Penn State on a track and field scholarship, but struggled with injuries and soon left the team to focus on her academics.

After seven semesters at Penn, Wolf chose to graduate in December 2013, a semester early.

“At the end of the year, the coaches told me I focused too much on school and not enough on track,” Wolf said. “I went on to graduate as valedictorian of my college, so maybe they were right.”

According to Wolf, the record that she is most proud of is the 400 meter dash, which she broke as a senior with a time of 55.98 seconds.

“I broke the record during my last high school meet ever at states,”

Class of ‘12 alumnus Will Conway’s recordbreaking 1600-meter run might be the most notable to current CHS students, many of whom know Conway personally.

PHOTO COURTESY OF KATIE WOLF.

Wolf said. “The coach, Dave Warren, once told us that the previous record would never be broken. It was nice to prove him wrong.”

Brian Holloway

Class of ’77 alumnus Brian Holloway was a star on the Bulldogs’ football team, earning a full ride to Stanford University and later playing for the NFL from 1981 to 1988 where he was a three-time ProBowler and AFC Champion.

While Holloway might be better remembered for his football accomplishments, he also starred on the CHS throwing fields, where he broke the records for shotput and discuss as a senior.

“I sprinted up and down more hills, ran more steps, lifted more weights and really lived a very committed life as an athlete,” Holloway

said. “There was a total commitment and sacrifice that was at a very different level back then. I’m not so sure today’s high school athletes even understand this level of total commitment, passion and intensity.”

According to Holloway, the seemingly different sports of football and throwing share one important aspect that is vital to success: the importance of a good coach.

“Great coaching makes a big difference,” Holloway said. “It multiplies the intensity, passion and unwavering commitment to be the best. This drive was equally present in the shot put, discus and football.

Although I far exceeded most expectations, including my own in the NFL, track was my first love. I had dreams of going to the Olympics and was even training with Olympic Champions while at Stanford.”

Along with brother Jon Holloway, who holds the records for the men’s 100 and 200-meter dashes, Brian has managed to become a part of Bulldog legend.

“The great ones always trained hard,���� ��� focused completely and did whatever it took to achieve excellence and personal athletic mastery,” Holloway said. “That’s what it meant to be a Bulldog.”

CHSgraduateMaryamFikrichosetokeepher talents local after recording-breaking runs for the 800and1600-meterdashesduringhersenioryear.

After graduating in 2010, Fikri went on to run cross country and track and field for the University of Maryland, where she is currently a senior.

According to Fikri, the jump from high school to collegiate athletics is a challenging one, but worth the time.

“Going from high school athletics to a Division I school was definitely a major adjustment and at times very challenging,” Fikri said. “The workouts are twice as hard

and the field is twice as competitive. However it made me grow into a stronger runner and enriched my college experience.”

According to Fikri, the athletic environment she was in during her time as a Bulldog most contributed to her success during races.

“My coaches were extremely influential and very dedicated to the sport,” Fikri said. “Their encouragement and mentorship throughout my four years contributed greatly to my growth as a runner. My teammates were also a group of awesome people that I am still really close with today.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF BRIAN HOLLOWAY.

PHOTO COURTESY OF WILL CONWAY.

As the most recent addition to CHS track and field’s record board, Conway still clearly remembers the night he smashed the 1600-meter record with a time of 4 minutes and 16.10 seconds.

“It was awesome,” Conway said. “We hyped up the meet and titled it Friday Night Spikes. I thought it sounded really cool. During the race we had a ton of fans that normally would never have come to a track meet and being able to perform in front of them and not let them down was a great feeling.”

After graduation from CHS, Conway was recruited to Brown University and currently runs cross-country, indoor track and outdoor track for the Brown Bears.

“The whole feel of the program is different,” Conway said. “At CHS, I ran purely because it was fun and I really loved spending time with my teammates and my coaches. Now, my coach’s job depends on his athletes performing at a certain level. There’s always pressure to be your best—which I think is a good thing—but it’s not for everyone.”

According to Conway, while he is proud of his accomplishments as a Bulldog, he accepts that one day the record could no longer be his.

“It feels good for now but you know that records were made to be broken,” Conway said. “There’s always someone faster coming behind you.”

Jon Holloway As the record holder for both the men’s 100 and 200-meter dashes, class of 1985 graduate Jon Holloway is more than equal to his brother Brian in Bulldog track excellence.

Holloway’s extracurricular pursuits during his time at CHS were varied. He was a member of the football and track and field teams in addition to show choir and jazz ensemble.

“To be honest, I am as stunned as anyone else that those records are still in place,” Holloway said.

“I do know, however, that I was immensely proud of achieving those milestones.”

Despite his success on the CHS track, Holloway’s main athletic pursuit during college was the football team.

“I went to Stanford, like my brother and sister before me,” Holloway said. “I played football there. More accurately, I was on the football team. I pretty much only watched for my four years. It was a humbling experience.”

Maryam Fikri

According to Holloway, although he considered switching to track and field during his time at Stanford, personal concerns over his ability to compete at the collegiate level kept him from making the jump.

“I did entertain the idea of moving from football to track, but I simply wasn’t fast enough or strong enough to match the sprinting or weights talent that Stanford had,” Holloway said.

After graduating Stanford, Holloway earned a Ph.D. from Yale University, and returned to teach African American Studies and American Studies in 1999. In 2005, he was invited to become the master of Calhoun College, one of the 12 residential colleges at Yale.

“My main advice is to enjoy yourself, but to realize that true joy comes from trying your hardest and then a little bit more,” Holloway said.

“When you know you’ve given it your all, in this way you’ll have a deep satisfaction that beats everything else.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF MARYAM FIKRI.

Sports

18

CHS trainer helps athletes heal after sports injuries

theObserver

Friday, February 21, 2014

By Hannah Yasharoff Staff Writer

in athletic training at Towson University.

“I played volleyball, softball, ran track and bowled in high school,” Haubenstricker said.

“I wasn’t going to be able to go far with volJunior basketball player Bryan Strit- leyball as far as a career, but I knew I wanted tmatter exits the athletic training room to stay around the athletic atmosphere.” with both ankles taped up. His ankle inAccording to Rivinius, CHS has never juries were affecting his game, but thanks employed a full-time trainer, but this to CHS trainer Gabrielle Haubenstricker, year’s concussion safety initiative in MCPS he is recovering and can continue to play. required outside assistance to administer Haubenstricker is employed by concussion Impact Baseline Testing. ATI, ATI Sports Medicine, a private com- the company that provided this assistance, pany that provides athletic train- also chose to provide trainers to a select ers for profesnumber of sional, collegiate schools, “Ultimately, I just want to be able and high school one of sports teams. which was to help people.”

She was hired CHS.

by MCPS to In adprovide physi-CHS trainer Gabrielle Haubenstricker d i t i o n t o cal therapy serhelping vices at CHS and all of CHS’s Einstein High sports teams, Haubenstricker also offers School and is certified in injury help to all CHS students. She can be management and assessment, injury found in the athletic training room near prevention, immediate emergency the lower gym during after school hours. care and rehabilitation of injuries.

“I’m either there Tuesday and Thurs“I took a sports medicine class that day or Monday, Wednesday and Friday,” introduced all the different types of jobs Haubenstricker said. in the field,” Haubenstricker said. “I auJunior basketball player Bryan Strittomatically gravitated towards athletic tmatter has received help from Haubentraining. Not only could I help people, stricker concerning several ankle injuries but those people would be athletes.” from both football and basketball. She According to athletic director Scott gave him ankle-strengthening exercises Rivinius, having access to a trainer cre- and tapes his ankles for games. ates huge benefits for CHS teams.

“My ankles would still be in pain right now “Our trainer provides a resource to our if it wasn’t for her,” Strittmatter said. “She has athletes and coaches on injury preven- helped tremendously with my recovery.” tion, diagnosis assistance and recovery,” According to Haubenstricker, the best Scott Rivinius said. “It is very helpful to part of being a trainer is being able to help have an expert on site for practices and athletes succeed in their athletic careers. games in case of an injury or illness.”

“Ultimately, I just want to be able to help Haubenstricker became a trainer as a people,” Haubenstricker said. “I don’t know way to remain involved in sports after where the future may take me, but I do know she graduated high school. She majored it will involve helping others.”

“

PHOTO COURTESY OF FLICKR.

Filling out the March Madness bracket has higher stakes this year.

Buffett offers $1 billion for perfect bracket

By Cristian Edwards Staff Writer

The excitement of filling out a men’s college basketball tournament bracket every March is a highlight for every sports fan. Families, friends and even complete strangers come together to pick wins and losses that lead to a national championship. Bragging rights and pocket money are usually the standard prize, but what if the winning prize was $1 billion?

No, that was not a typo. Warren Buffett, Billionaire and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., is teaming up with Quicken Loans and giving $1 billion to anyone who can guess all 63 games correctly in the NCAA basketball tournament.

Senior Charles Halverson is very excited for the tournament challenge this year. In fact, he does it every year.

“It’s fun to just try to see how many games you can get right,” Halverson said.

“It’s also really fun to beat your friends.”

According to AP Statistics teacher Doug Szafran, the odds of guessing every game correct is 1 in 9 quintillion, or as he says, not very likely.

With this in mind, it is also important to point out that in ESPN’s 16 years of doing the NCAA men’s basketball tour-

nament challenge, a perfect bracket has never been recorded.

Representatives from Quicken Loans have yet to announce how to enter the challenge, but they encourage all hopeful fans to keep an eye out for information on their Facebook and Twitter accounts.

One question comes to mind when talking about Buffett and Quicken Loans’ challenge: Why are they offering it if the odds are nearly impossible? For amusement? To see hundreds of thousands of people lose their minds in pursuit of trying to fill out a perfect bracket?

According to Quicken Loans, their goal is to “create amazing experiences for our clients.”

However, the overwhelming probability of actually winning Buffett’s bracket challenge also drains sports fans’ confidence, and because it is so outrageous, some people haven’t even heard of it.

Sophomore Charlie Butler does the bracket every year with his dad and brother, but claims he has never even heard of Buffett offering $1 billion to anyone who can fill out the perfect bracket.

“Is he?” Butler said. “I don’t see why he is, though. I don’t think anyone will win, but I’m going to keep my chin up and hope for the best.”