The Churchill Observer- September 2016

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

thechurchillobserver.com

September 28, 2016

Volume 40 - Issue 8

A National Blue Ribbon School

Hogan Mandate Puts School Calendar in Flux

By Nathan Deychman Online Editor-in-Chief Brandon Li Circulation Manager

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan issued an executive order Aug. 31 requiring all Maryland public schools to start after Labor Day and end no later than June 15.

The change will be implemented beginning with the 2017-18 school year, and many school systems are trying to figure out how to adjust their calendars in order to meet the requirements of the mandate. Schools are allowed to apply for a waiver to start before Labor Day, but must have legitimate evidence to change the start date.

“Governor Hogan is a man who does his homework,” CHS principal Joan Benz said.

“I think people will appeal, but it’s probably a done deal.”

According to Benz, MCPS was aiming to start the school year even earlier than it currently starts, but this mandate completely negates that plan. However, Benz believes that MCPS will make the later date work and fit all educational activities into the new calendar.

The post Labor Day start will supposedly save energy costs as August is the second hottest month. In addition, the change could possibly

boost the economy in the tourism industry and for small businesses across the state.

According to an Aug. 31 WTOP article, a 2013 study found that a later start date could save the state $74.3 million.

School systems in the state of Maryland are still required to have 180 instructional days a year. To meet the new mandate, schools might have to shorten breaks and get rid of holidays.

The mandate could affect the amount of days off during the school year, including spring and winter break. This could also impact the Muslim holiday and Jewish holidays later in the fall that MCPS allocated days off for earlier this year.

“If MCPS changed the Muslim holidays, they would have to change all of other religious holidays,” Benz said. “If that happens, it will become much larger than just the start time of the school year.”

Math teacher Christopher Tappis believes the late start will be problematic for teachers.

“I think it will affect PARCC testing and AP testing because there will be one less week of school,” Tappis said.

“There is less time to prepare the students for these tests.”

Opponents of the mandate argue that students will lose more information acquired

PHOTO BY SARA HEIMLICH.

Hogan’s mandate could have CHS students returning to school after Labor Day. during the school year due to the longer summer, which would lead to a decrease in academic performance.

Although the mandate has stirred some controversy among Maryland school

systems, as long as it stays in place, Maryland public schools are going to see a lot of changes regarding their days off and the pacing of their curriculum for years to come.

“I think the students will

love starting school after Labor Day,” NSL teacher Lallitha John said. “I think we teachers have to gear ourselves up to plan accordingly for the school year so students are ready for the May AP exams.”

International Students to Enrich CHS Community

By Lauren Roseman News Editor

PHOTOS COURTESY OF CREATIVE COMMONS.

Students from Denmark and India will be hosted by CHS families during the month of October.

CHS students will be hosting 29 visiting students from Denmark and 10 from India Oct. 7 to Oct. 21. The visiting students will do activities with their host families and attend CHS to learn more about American culture.

The students from Denmark will arrive in Maryland Friday, Oct. 7, and stay until Wednesday, Oct. 12.

The students from India will arrive Oct. 14 and leave Oct. 21.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for students to enhance their cultural experiences,” Assistant Principal Doreen Brandes said.

According to Brandes, students from the Denmark school, Alssundgymnasiet Sondberg, have been visiting schools in Frederick for many

years. CHS became part of the program when the program expanded.

“I met with representatives from the school. We planned the framework for this to happen, and now it’s coming to fruition,” Brandes said.

The students from India are from the Tagore International School. Brandes and Principal Joan Benz heard about this school from a CHS student who once attended it. Brandes and Benz established this partnership with it when they visited the school in December.

While in Maryland, the visiting students will attend CHS with their host students and participate in evening activities with their host families.

“The students will probably take their visitors around Montgomery County and show them the beautiful resources we have here, like DC and Great Falls,” Brandes said.

“Also, the visitors can enjoy home meals and festivities that go on in the everyday home, or participate in the religious services that the family may or may not

attend.”

According to junior Sadia Demby, she is excited to meet with her visiting student and may take them to the National Harbor, the movies, or on a hike.

“I’m extremely interested in becoming a more active member of our global community and I feel that by reaching out to those who are from different countries and have different cultures, I will develop a more holistic viewpoint on life,” Demby said.

According to Brandes, after their stay with their host families, the students from India will go to NYC and the students from Denmark will go to DC to experience more of the US. According to Brandes, she is hopeful that after they leave, the visiting students will stay connected with their host families.

“These students will have lifelong friends and contacts, and hopefully the CHS students can visit them in their home countries,” Brandes said.

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News

September 28, 2016

Bill 87 Expands SMOB’s Voting Rights and Power

By Emily Wang Features Editor

The passage and signing of House Bill 87, which grants the Student Member of the Board (SMOB) expanded voting powers, is a major step in student representation on the Board of Education. Governor Larry Hogan signed House Bill 87 Mar. 10 and has been in effect since July 1.

“Many of the new items I can vote on affect student's daily lives. This student perspective is as necessary as ever, yet cannot be properly utilized without a more complete vote on Board of Education matters,” SMOB Eric Guerci said. “The expansion of SMOB voting rights would truly bring to light a countywide commitment to advancing the student voice.”

The bill will increase SMOB voting powers by granting them the same rights and privileges of an elected member with the exception of matters on disciplinary action against personnel.

Among the new powers granted to the SMOB is the right to vote on the capital and operating budget, school closings, reopenings, and boundaries and collective bargaining. Anne Arundel County is currently the only other county in Maryland which grants a student full voting rights.

According to Guerci, while the new voting powers have not changed his participation in the BOE, they have allowed his vote to be officially counted instead of simply recorded.

Bills that focused on expanding the

This is Guerci’s second term as SMOB as he was re-elected last school year. Earlier this year, he advocatPHOTO COURTESY OF ERIC GUERCI ed for expanded SMOB voting rights in Annapolis.

SMOB’s power have been proposed before in 2012 and 2015, but were special ordered (consideration of the bill was postponed to a future time) by former Senator Brian Frosh during the second reading and filibustered minutes before sine die (assembly adjourned).

“It is hard to say why certain bills do not pass in certain years,” Legislative Aide to the Board of Education Patricia Swanson said. “There are many different pieces and strategies that go into a bill passing and passing a bill is extremely difficult. Often, a bill has to be introduced many times in many differ-

ent sessions before it finally passes.”

Consideration on the house bill was postponed by special order, until Senator Hershey adopted March 29, but aside from a brief debate on the Senate floor, the bill passed through without noticeable problems.

Observer Welcomes New Staff Members to CHS Community

By Emily Wang Features Editor Puja Sharma Class of 2004 alumna and new Counselor Puja Sharma came to CHS after spending the last three years at Ridgeview Middle School in Gaithersburg. She loves animals and especially enjoys horseback riding, which she has been doing since the age of six.

“I think it will be awesome to see the seniors getting into college because that’s what you’re working toward for four years,” Sharma said.

“I am looking forward to seeing and helping students reach their goals.”

PHOTO BY EMILY WANG.

By Becky Wolfson Online Arts Editor La Faye Burris Before coming to CHS, Assistant School Administrator La Faye Burris used to work as a staff development teacher at Lee Middle School.

Burris enjoys home renovation and running. If she did not work in education, Burris would be an interior designer.

“At Churchill, I am looking forward to getting into the classes, looking at instruction and observing the students learning in all their activities and clubs,” Burris said.

Bhuarati Umarji French 1, 3 and 4 teacher Bharati Umarji previously taught at Kennedy High School, Einstein High School, and CHS until 2012. From 2012-2016, she worked as an administrator for government contracts. She returned to teaching high schoolers because she believes that no matter what school, students this age are young and motivated to learn with college around the corner.

When she is not teaching, Umarji is fond of listening to classical music and seeing student performances. In the summer, she teaches French at an orphanage in India, where the students are fond of the language, which brings her joy.

“I am pleased to return to Churchill because I love working with the kids and the level of excellence they perform in any activity they do,” Umarji said.

Tristina Kim Honors Spanish 1 and Spanish 3 teacher Tristina Kim is a new addition to the language department at CHS coming from Takoma Park Middle

School. Her favorite part of teaching is seeing students enter her classroom ready to learn and seeing the smiles on their faces.

When she is not teaching, Kim enjoys to travel and has seen four solar eclipses across the world in Mexico, the Caribbeans and China.

“At Churchill, I am most looking forward to building relationships with my students outside the classroom,” Kim said.

out to eat, taking his dog on hikes, and cheering for Penn State football.

“As 9th grade administrator, I want to ensure that all freshmen are successful in their transition from middle to high school,” Reck said.

Like us on Facebook The Churchill Observer Follow us on Twitter @CHS_Observer

PHOTOS BY BECKY WOLFSON.

By Rebekah Sklute Online News Editor Stephen Reck, is one of the two new assistant principals and the 9th grade administrator. Before joining the CHS community, he worked at White Oak Middle School and William Allen High School.

Before becoming a school administrator, Reck was a teacher for schools in both Pennsylvania and Maryland.

“I taught many subjects including social studies, technology, science, and math. I also served as a staff development teacher and science/tech RT,” Reck said.

Outside of school, Reck has a variety of hobbies. He enjoys traveling, going

Observations

September 28, 2016

New Staff Members Join CHS Community

By Dani Miller Production Editor

Nathan Conyer Among the slew of familiar friends and faculty here at CHS, lies new teachers, excited to join CHS for the upcoming year, including resource teacher, Nathan Conyer.

Resource teacher Nathan Conyer taught for four years at Prince William County, and even taught for five years at CHS, before leaving and coming back five years later.

“I am looking forward to getting to know the student body,” Conyer said.

“I want to make sure everybody knows that I’m here and I’m accessible.”

Conyer is excited to make his return to Churchill and make an impact on the students lives.

Stephen Wilson Geometry and Algebra 2 teacher Stephen Wilson previously taught SAT Prep in Northern Virginia and is excited to embark on his first year at CHS. Before entering the classroom, Wilson was known to enter the ring, as he had a career wrestling in college.As the upcoming year rolls in, Wilson is excited to join the Blue Ribbon community and make an impact on students’ lives.

“I am looking forward to being a part of the Churchill experience,” Wilson said

By Max Kandel

Advertising Manager Denise Gordon Spanish 2 and 4 teacher Denise Gordon joins CHS after teaching at Watkins Mill HS for 22 years.

She also enjoys traveling and has taken students many places like Australia and New Zealand.

“I love Churchill so far the students and the staff have made me feel really welcomed,” Gordon said.

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Danielle Harris US History and AP Government teacher Danielle Harris is a first time teacher who is also working part time at Whitman. Harris loves that the Churchill community has a lot of school spirit, is fun and is motivated.

Harris grew up in Charles County in Maryland. She went to Villanova University and received her master’s degree in education and a bachelor’s in history from Eastern University. In her free time Harris loves to cook, read and hike.

“I hope to survive this school year and hope that all my students will learn to love social studies,” Harris said.

PHOTO BY MAX KANDEL.

PHOTO BY DANI MILLER.

Michael Richard With the upcoming school year ahead, many new teachers have joined the faculty here at CHS, including resource teacher, Michael Richard.

Richard taught high school for two years in Connecticut before relocating to Montgomery County three years ago.

Resource teacher Michael Richard comes to CHS from Connecticut where he taught high school for two years before relocating to Montgomery County three years ago. Richard will also be co teaching English 10 and US history.

According to Richard, US history is the perfect class for him to co teach due to his unwavering passion for it.

“I’m a huge history nut,” Richard said. “I’m really into US history. Once a month, I try to go to the Smithsonian Museum. I’m a student of history, probably reading about one book a week.”

Scott Hanna Physics teacher Scott Hanna is one of many new teachers excited to make his mark on CHS. This will be Hanna’s first year teaching Physics at CHS, and his fifth year teaching overall, after previously teaching Earth-Space Science at Francis Scott Key Middle School for three years and interning at Montgomery Blair High School teaching honors Physics Hanna is looking forward to making Physics as enlightening to the students as it is to him “There is a great deal of wonder in the natural world and I hope to share a small part of it with others,” Hanna said.

Marla Rudnick Foundations of Technology teacher Marla Rudnick previously taught technology at Richard Montgomery HS and has taught at CHS as a long term substitute. She was a substitute teacher for a total of about seven years.

She enjoys working on different fiber techniques like knitting and weaving, with metal.

“I really like the community and the students, and it’s not a very long drive for me,” Rudnick said.

PHOTOS BY DANI MILLER.

By Ethan S. Miller Fact Checker

PHOTO BY DANI MILLER.

What’s Online?

Graciela Garcia Spanish 3 teacher Doctor Graciela Garcia is a new member of the CHS Foreign Language department.

Garcia has over 30 years of teaching experience both in the U.S.and in her home country of Uruguay.

After receiving her bachelors in Uruguay, Garcia immigrated to America and enrolled at Catholic University, receiving her Bachelors in Spanish Language and Literature.

She then received her PhD in Spanish language and Latin American Literature from the University of Maryland.

According to Garcia, she prefers to be called Doctora by her students and her coworkers as she wants people to understand the hard work that she put in to ultimately receive her Phd. “It’s a respect thing, most immigrants are not able to continue their education, so for me and my family it was very important to continue my education,” Doctor Garcia said.

Lorna Solomon English 9 and Resource in Bridge teacher Lorna Solomon previously taught for 20 years in such diverse places as Cote d’Ivoire West Africa, Baltimore County, Haiti and El Paso Texas.

She enjoys travel, reading, live performances such as theater and music, tennis and being with her family.

“I like the enthusiasm students display for learning and extracurricular activities. I hope to become familiar with the school community by attending events,” Solomon said.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MARIA RUDNICK.

By Vicky Gunawan Contest Manager Beth Meyers Honors Algebra 2 and Algebra 1 teacher Beth Meyers comes to CHS from Magruder High School.

Meyers grew up in Rockville. She did her undergraduate studies at the University of Rochester and did her masters degree at Penn State.

She also enjoys geology, hiking and baking. She is also a huge Nationals fan.

“The CHS community is great, supportive, inviting and friendly” Meyers said.

PHOTO COURTESY OF LORNA SOLOMON.

Megan Bruce English 9, US History, Resource and Special Education teacher Megan Bruce taught at Myrtle Beach High School in South Carolina before coming to CHS. In her free time, she enjoys going to the dog park with her Weimaraner and watching her firefighter of a husband play ice hockey.

“My favorite part of co teaching these classes is seeing my students multiple times a day. I hope to get to know my students individually since I will be teaching them until they graduate and to survive my first year as a teacher,” Bruce said.

PHOTOS BY VICKY GUNAWAN.

Opinions

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The Churchill

Observer

September 28, 2016

School Policies Irk CHS Students

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

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

*also Production Editor

Managers

Advertising Manager Max Kandel Business Managers Eliza Asbury Megan Park

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

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

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

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

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

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

IMAGE BY KEVIN HO.

The start of school comes every year without fail. New classes, loads of homework and the numerous “contracts” students mindlessly sign on the first week of school in order to get out of homeroom and on with their day.

Every year, a Code of Conduct is handed out, in addition to an Anti-Bullying policy and an Anti-Drug policy.

Students sign multiple forms stating that they will refrain from breaking the dress code, coming to school under the influence, bullying others, and other prohibited behaviors. How many of these students read the forms that they sign? Do these contracts really hold students to their word?

These rules are important; they are the groundwork for an orderly and productive school. But if students do not know the rules they sign up to follow, they won’t know what the consequences to their actions will be.

In order for these rules to mean something to students, administration should place more of an emphasis on these rules and their subsequent punishments in order for the rules to hold real weight with students and parents.

According to Principal Joan Benz, students sign behavioral forms and tend to ignore the rules and consequences until they apply to them.

According to a poll of 61 CHS students, 83 percent said that they did not read the MCPS code of conduct or other behavior contracts that they signed the first week of school. If students do not read the forms that they are contractually letting themselves follow, what good

are those contracts? In order for students to be aware of the consequences to their actions and follow their agreements, they must actually know what they are actually agreeing to.

Students most likely do not read the forms handed out to them during the first week of school for a multitude of different reasons. Year after year, they are given the same forms. All of these forms more or less state the same thing, and students have grown bored and tired of reading this repeated message, and take no notice of potential consequences because they have no reason to.

BSERVER O OPINION So, students simply scribble their signature on to these forms and move on with their day.

But what if a student breaks a rule that was mentioned on the forms that they hastily signed?

According to Principal Joan Benz, these contracts are signed by parents and students in order to show that both parties have agreed to the rules and are willing to handle the consequences of those actions.

Of course there are consequences to poor actions, but rules are a two way street. Students must know consequences to their actions, and additionally, administration must distribute punish-

ments on a regular basis. If punishments to student’s actions are administered regularly and according to the MCPS Code of Conduct, the established rules will hold more weight with students, and will prevent them from committing poor behaviors in the future.

According to Benz, signing these behavioral contracts will prepare students for the real world where they must sign contracts for things such as jobs. While no one is denying that contracts are an important part of adult life, they are stressed more in the adult world than they are here at CHS. If these forms are meant to serve as an example for later in life, they must be treated as such-with real consequences.

In order for these rules to mean something to administration should place more of an emphasis on these rules and their subsequent punishments.

Rules are important, and no one is denying that. But in order for these rules to hold their importance, a few things must change. First, both CHS and MCPS should come up with ways to make the delivery of these rules less boring and routine. Whether that be through a new video, an interactive presentation or simplified pamphlets, there should be new and interactive ways for students to access the rules.

CHS, let’s start off our school year right. The rules aren’t changing, but our actions can. If the school does their part and we do ours, we will have a successful year.

Hogan’s Order Neglects Community Needs

By Jake Herman Public Relations Editor When Governor Larry Hogan signed an executive order mandating that Maryland schools are to start after Labor Day next year, he left some of the state’s largest and most populated school districts wondering why their needs were completely ignored.

Hogan’s mandate does not benefit students or families in MCPS. The changes made to a school calendar should be a local decision, instead of a statewide one.

The executive order, signed Aug. 31, restricts the time that school can be in session to after Labor Day, and until no later than June 15.

However, the state laws in Maryland still require schools to have 180 instructional days each year. MCPS and other districts will be forced to cram in the same amount of days with a smaller window of time.

Other public school systems with similar populations to MCPS are already having to take drastic measures in order to accommodate the mandate.

According to a Sept. 1 Baltimore Sun article, Baltimore County Public Schools, whose calendar is currently similar to MCPS, will have to take harsh measures such as having school on Jewish holidays, lowering the amount of

teacher development days, cutting snow days, and shortening spring break in order to comply with the mandate. None of the preceding options seem to be very popular with parents, students or teachers, and they pose more harm than good.

Ironically, the MCPS Board of Education (BOE) had already proposed their own calendar for the 2017-18 school year prior to the mandate. According to their calendar proposal, MCPS’ schools

days off such as Rosh Hashanah and Eid al-Adha for example. MCPS has large Jewish and Muslim populations, and they make it a priority not to send students to school on those occasions in order to respect their religious beliefs.

However, under Hogan’s mandate, those days off will likely be on the chopping block.

Not only does Hogan’s mandate spell a logistical nightmare for the BOE and their calendar, the mandate is simply illogical for MCPS to begin with.

According to Hogan’s executive order, the main reason for starting school after Labor Day is that it would boost the state’s economy by helping the tourism and the hospitality industry in Maryland, and particularly in Ocean City.

However, according to an Aug. 31 Washington Post article, starting school after Labor Day would not benefit students with poor socioeconomic backgrounds because it places a larger financial burden on those families who can’t afford to vacation on the boardwalk because they must to pay for more day care.

MCPS has recently made closing the achievement gap one of its main priorities, so why force the state’s largest and highest-achieving district to change its ways over selling more popcorn and funnel cake?

Starting school after Labor Day may be what’s best for Maryland, but for MCPS, it is the wrong path forward.

MCPS families are better off having local officials with the most knowledge about their county decide when their children will go to school. would start two weeks before Labor Day and end in the first week of June.

According to an MCPS statement issued with their calendar May 25, the BOE chose the earlier start date because it gives students taking AP and PARCC exams an extra week of instruction to prepare for these important tests. This makes sense, especially because there are no more final exams at the end of the year, the AP and PARCC should be taken into more consideration.

Though not everyone may agree with the BOE proposed calendar, MCPS families are better off having local officials with the most knowledge about their county decide when their children will go to school.

Take non-federally required religious

September 28, 2016

Opinions

Chorus Group Canceled Without Notice

By Julia Lescht Public Relations Manager

Life isn’t always fair, and sometimes, changes occur that are beyond our control. For the members of the CHS choirs Showstoppers and Simply Irresistible, otherwise known as Simply, this is just the case.

This school year, CHS decided to drop the class Simply Irresistible, one of the choir program’s selective girlsonly choruses, from its course offerings.

This makes Simply an extracurricular afterschool club, leaving all the students who initially signed up for the class to be split and placed into either Showstoppers, the most advanced co-ed class, or Voice of a Generation (VOAG), the entry-level, first-year chorus class consisting of mostly less experienced vocalists. Now, the mixed class of Showstoppers and would-be Simply students have been merged into one larger choir called Sing-Chronicity. Every girl in the class is now required to perform for both Simply and Showstoppers regardless of which choir she signed up for.

CHS Administration cut the class because not enough people signed up, but the way they carried out this change was unprofessional and inconsiderate for many reasons.

According to Principal Joan Benz, not enough students signed up for the choir, so it was unable to be its own class.

There have to be a certain number of people in a choir in order for the sound to be full-bodied.

CHS choral director Matthew Albright has no comment on the subject matter.

CHS was unprofessional in administering the change in the way they notified students—they didn’t.

Students arrived to school on their very first day to find either VOAG or Showstoppers on their schedules instead of their class of choice, Simply. Simply was an elective based on students’ skill and level. Students had to audition and were placed into a specific class to match

PHOTO COURTESY OF BILL WU.

Simply Irresistable performs “Girl On Fire” in BLAST 26. The group was a class last year but due to low enrollment, it was canceled and is now an extracurricular group. A new group, Sing-Chronicity was formed. stead. their skill level, yet the class they were specifically placed into just disappeared from their schedule. CHS either forgot or simply failed to notify them beforehand.

According to Benz, she does not know if the counselors or Albright contacted the students over the summer.

What administration should have done instead was communicate with the students who were signed up for Simply through an email, letter, or even voicemail. If they had explained the situation to students prior to the first day of school, it would have allowed students to think about what classes they would choose to take in place of Simply. With even a simple email, students could have been spared the frantic search for a class that would fit into their schedules, and not be left scrambling their first week of school.

In addition, this change is unfair to those who already were in Showstoppers because they had to audition to get

into the advanced class, while the people who were placed in the class due to the schedule change did not have to audition. This reduces the integrity of the choral program’s long standing selective choirs by first abolishing one of them, and then by merging the most advanced with students who are still learning important choral skills. This is unfair to those who auditioned to be in Simply and were placed in VOAG in the same way—despite their skill level; they were placed in the non-audition, beginner class that is below their vocal training.

Even more, the merge increased class sizes greatly. Such a large class size is overwhelming and frustrating to both the students and the instructor because it is difficult to manage so many students in an elective that often requires indi-

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vidual teacher attention.

Furthermore, every girl in Showstoppers is now required to participate in both Showstoppers and Simply. This means that they have to attend after school Simply rehearsals and perform for both Simply and Showstoppers.This creates more commitment and more work for all the girls, as those who only signed up for Showstoppers have to partake in an extracurricular they did not sign up for, and with those who only signed up for Simply as a class have to practice for Simply outside of school.

The school and staff expect the students to be respectful and considerate, so in what way is it fair for the school to not reciprocate? By mishandling a situation like so, the school loses such esteem from its students, especially from those directly affected.

Would it have been acceptable had the school dropped a class such as AP Biology, just because too few students signed up, and not inform the students beforehand? No, it would not.

The arts are just as important as core academic classes, and they should be treated as such. Not everyone is a scientist or mathematician, just as not everyone is a singer or a dancer. Everyone has their own unique interests and talents. Whether they be science or music or math or language, each person deserves an equal opportunity to pursue them.

In the case that this happens again, the school should notify students prior to school starting via email or phone call. Then, they should also allow the students the option of switching into a different elective or academic class.

Administration’s poor communication about this important change shows how little thought and care they put into their decision. If administration appears to care so little about chorus, then the choral students will feel little obligation to care about administration in return.

People always say to treat others the way you want to be treated, and CHS administration failed to do so.

Large Class Sizes Hinder MCPS Student Learning

By Sofia Williamson Online Opinions Editor A CHS student with a learning disability sits in English class, unable to read the PowerPoint presentation her teacher is giving. She asks her teacher for help comprehending the lesson; however, it’s simply not possible for the teacher to assist her before the bell rings, as he also must assist the other 39 students in the class.

Classes at CHS are becoming increasingly large, putting everyone at a disadvantage in their learning. Students with learning impairments are struggling more than anyone, however, and they are not being offered comprehensive or permanent solutions by the school, county or state.

The 2016-2017 MCPS Master Budget lists one of the top budget priorities for this year as “lowering class sizes with additional teachers to continue the district’s commitment that all students have the opportunity to succeed and will be successful.”

This absolutely should be a priority for the county to have when establishing their expenses; however, county officials evidently haven’t kept their promises, as many classrooms across MCPS, especially those at CHS, have reached outrages sizes of as many as 40 students.

According to the Center for Public Education, several studies conducted from the late 1970s to present indicate that teachers with small classes give more attention to individual students. High school math teachers

were found to engage with individual taking standardized tests. students more frequently than teachers However, IEPs are hard to get, with larger classes, most likely because and without the initiative a parenthey spend less time on classroom man- tal advocate, it’s nearly impossible agef o r ment CHS, MCPS, and the Maryland Board of t h e s e than s t u teach- Education have attempted to provide as- d e n t s e r s sistance to students with learning impair- to be with placed larger ments, but without a parental advocate re- in the classenvisearching them, they are not widely used. es. r o n The ment lack of preparation and inability to that’s best for them. Let’s face it, give individual attention is absolutely not all parents are able and willing not the teacher’s fault. They must also to put forth this strenuous effort. adapt to larger class sizes, and the inDepending on the severity of crease of students makes it difficult their disability, these students to give the attention they should to should also be given the option to all students, but especially those with either stay in a mainstream classlearning impairments. room setting, be transferred to a CHS, MCPS, and the Maryland different MCPS school with better Board of Education have attempted capabilities to teach to their needs, to provide assistance to students with or to easily transfer into a private learning impairments, but without a school with funding on behalf of parental advocate researching them, the county. they are not widely used.

In order to determine which opIn order to receive a 504 plan or IEP, tion is best for the student, schools the initiative of a parent, or parental should require yearly testing for advocate, and the school must be in- learning impairments for all stuvolved. A doctor’s diagnosis from an dents, much like students are reoutside practice must also be present- quired to take concussion tests ed, which requires extensive effort on before they play sports. If a stubehalf of the parent as well as a consid- dent tests positive for a learning erable health insurance bill. impairment, the school, not the IEPs and 504 plans allow students parents, should advocate on their to have accommodations such as ex- behalf to place them in the best entended time on assessments.The plans vironment possible. also allow for a one-on-one aid in the These changes could be funded classroom, and accommodations when from money spent designated for

the purchase of additional technologies, such as chromebooks. Students should be considered a top priority, not laptops, as most schools already have computer labs..

The bottom line, however, is creating smaller classes in order to benefit the student body as a whole, including those with learning impairments.

No one can learn in such large classes, and they are at a major disadvantage when they cannot receive individualized attention from their teacher.

In order to do this, the county would have to implement new school district borders in the near futures.

This is an ambitious task, but it should be implemented into the budget.

According to the National Center for Education, 13 percent of students ages 3-21 need special education services. That’s approximately 272 CHS students if this statistic is compared to the CHS population of total students.

It is reasonable to speculate that money is standing as a barrier to these changes. However, funds for additional technologies, such as chromebooks, must be put on the backburner until we can first help this 13 percent of students who need equality of opportunity to achieve.

Just because a child was born with a learning impairment, doesn’t mean they should not have the opportunity to succeed like any other student. This type of inconsideration on behalf of the school system is unacceptable, and changes must be implemented before these students lose hope that they can learn just like everyone else.

Features

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September 28, 2016

CHS Alums’ Advice For Tackling College Apps

By Sai Sreenivasan Observations

As the stressful season of college application begins, here is some advice from CHS alumni on how to make the process easier.

Do: Start Early The Common App has a plethora of information to fill out and it is better to be early and relaxed rather than be late and stressed out.

“My biggest regret is procrastinating because it was the source of much of my senior year stress,” freshman at Cornell University, Glenna Zhang said.

According to freshman at Duke University, Julia Wang, it’s helpful to finish essays early in order to be able to come back to them with a fresh pair of eyes. Under a time constraint, you do not have the time for multiple reviews.

Do: Be Honest “Colleges are not just looking for the best students they want the best students that fit the best with their campus

culture, do not make yourself sound fake,” freshman at the University of Pittsburgh, Audrey Case said.

Honesty is the best policy and Case emphasizes that being true to yourself is the best route to take.

Do Not:Apply to Many Schools Just for the Sake of Applying “Only apply to schools that you are actually interested in and would really consider going to if you get accepted,” Zhang said.

College applications are not only time-consuming, but also expen-

sive. Minimize stress by going through your list of colleges and deciding which ones truly fit you. “ A p p l y to your safety schools with the same enthusiasm as you apply to the Ivies,” Case said.

“Safety schools should also be schools you seriously consider because there is a greater possibility of getting accepted.”

Do: Ask for help “I suggest going to your English teachers for advice on your essays, because in-

IMAGE BY BALBINA YANG.

put from different perspectives is crucial for improving,” Zhang said.

Although college essays are very personal, your English teachers will be able to give you criticism that you may not receive from a parent or a friend.

Do Not: Lose Your Voice Although it is great to get input on your essays, it is important to make sure that your essays still sound like you.

According to freshman at Cornell, Emily Chow, a good essay should incorporate your personality or else the college won’t be able to get a grasp on who you are. Furthermore, if your essay does not reflect you, then the college may not be accepting the right student.

Do Not: Stress out According to Chow, don’t over stress about the process. “It’s not about being the absolute best,” Chow said.

Instead, she suggests focusing on accomplishments and communicating that effectively through the essays and supplementals.

Fake Instagram Trend Encourages Authenticy Online

By Eliza Asbury Business Manager

Known as “finsta” for short, finstagrams are the latest form of social media for kids to add to their already long list of social media accounts.

A finstagram is an additional Instagram account that people use to post photos exclusively for their close friends to see. They serve many purposes, from ranting, gossipy posts, to embarrassing and funny ones.

“I think having a finsta has become such a big trend because it gives people an outlet that they don’t normally have on their real [Instagram] account,” said sophomore Brandon Bland, whose fin-

sta username is thebadad.

In addition, even though finstas are meant to be more of a joke, they actually do a good job of capturing the imperfections that Instagram accounts often hide.

According to an Aug. 8 article in The Odyssey Online, finstas are usually an additional account that aren’t about people’s unblemished lives. To the contrary, finstas display unattractive selfies, along with long captions complaining about user’s lives. A finsta captures what a Instagram account doesn’t.

For many finsta users, their account has allowed them to share a different but more real side of themselves.

Whereas students typically use their real Instagram accounts to fit a certain image, finsta gives them a chance to not

worry about picking the perfect filter for their staged shots.

“Finstas are good because it lets people show their quirky, weird, ugly sides without the worry of the whole world judging them,” junior Ray Gilmore said.

“I think most people crave authenticity, but starve themselves by promoting a spoofed up, carefully manicured version of themselves online; they use finstas as their true outlet.”

Finstas are also known for unusual usernames. It is common for finsta usernames to be a play-on-words or funny nickname. For students, finstas can take away a lot of stress that Instagram may pile on. On Instagram, users become so focused on how many likes, comments and followers they have, along with what other people are doing with their

lives.

“I think social media can be great, but the way the [Instagram] app is regularly used is really unhealthy,” Gilmore said.

“It makes people way too concerned with their outward image, and encourages them to value themselves based on feedback they get from friends. When I got an Instagram, I started caring about really weird, shallow things. ” On finsta, people post multiple times a day with far from perfectly-edited photos. In fact, most of the pictures people post on finstas are slightly embarrassing and funny.

“I use Instagram to post artsy or cute pictures with my friends, but on finsta I mainly use it to post more of my personal problems and rant,” Bland said.

Dear Bulldogs of Churchill (and all of those who teach, guide, and love you): My name is Jeanette Dixon. I won the April 26, 2016 primary as a candidate for the At Large seat on the MCPS Board of Education against the incumbent. I believe it is time for new leadership on the Board. Our school system is changing, with more students impacted by economic inequality, limited English proficiency, and special needs. I will use my 30 years of experience as a teacher, parent, and principal to work on behalf of all students to change the status quo in MCPS. I believe the BOE should govern with total transparency and improve communication so that there is fairness and opportunity for all students and staff.

As someone elected to student government in high school and college, and who taught NSL government, I value the importance of student voice. While principal of Paint Branch (2001-2013) I made it a priority to meet with my student leadership for a monthly lunch. I wanted to hear directly from students about what they thought was important in our school. If I am elected to the Board, I will continue this hands-on approach. I plan to have my own student interns and attend extracurricular school events around the county. I also want to re-establish the Superintendent’s Leadership Program that was discontinued three years ago. In addition to ensuring that all students get a world class education, it is critically important for Board members to mentor the next generation of leaders.

Information about my priorities for service on the school board, details about volunteer opportunities for my campaign (students can earn SSL hours by handing out my fliers at polling places on Election Day), and links to my social media accounts are available on my campaign website: jeanettedixon.org. If you are 18, I hope that you are registered to vote. As a student leader in my New York City high school I worked on and helped accomplish lowering the voting age from 21 to 18.

I hope you will share this newspaper and my ad (which is one way I can support student activities while getting my message out) with family and friends, and that you will stand with me during the general election on November 8, 2016. We can make a difference for all students.

Sincerely, Jeanette Dixon Candidate for Board of Education (At Large)

September 28 , 2016

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Features

Early Grad: Best Three Years of Your Life?

By Jenna Greenzaid Circulation Manager Everyone sees high school as a four year adventure where you take risks, try new things and seize new opportunities while gaining lasting memories, but for some, that journey may end early.

Graduating early is assumed by most teens to be an unattainable idea; the workload and the idea of missing senior year discourages students from pursuing early graduation. Still, some students decide to make the big jump.

Despite the effort needed to be put into graduating early, it can be a worthwhile choice for some.

“It’s less than a month’s work combined if you put all the hours together,” said now-senior Adam Rosenbaum who plans to go to Israel after this year to work and find internships.

“But then you get a free year of extra time just delivered to you on a silver platter, so I’ll take it.”

Early graduation has a lot of components to it that people may not even think about. There are many steps students must take in order to get approval for earning their high school diploma before originally planned.

“You have to write a plan for what you’re going to do after you graduate, and you have to send it to the counselor who signs off on it and who then sends it off to the principal,” Rosenbaum said. “That has to be sent to the county, and that waives your last year of high school so you don’t have to do it — you’re technically a senior after your sophomore year.”

According to a College Confidential article on early graduation, college admissions boards are more likely to scrutinize an early high school graduate’s application than a student who

completes four years. Because of this, the student’s counselor has to sign off on their plan for after they graduate early once they know they’ll receive all their necessary credits before senior year in order to assure the student can truly graduate early.

Many believe that because they graduate early, the students who miss their last year completely miss out on all that senior year has to offer. However, that is not necessarily the case.

“That’s sort of misleading because you don’t actually miss your senior year,” Rosenbaum said. “You don’t have it with your grade year but you still go to prom, you still get the senior privileges, and you’re officially a senior in all the books.”

Early graduates are labeled as a “senior,” instead of a junior, during their last year in high school in official documents.

“The whole label gets kind of confusing because I will officially be a senior at the start of the second semester, but as of now, I guess I’m still a junior,” said junior Bella Estes, who hopes to join a ballet company upon graduation.

Families or guardians are usually supportive of what their kids aspire to achieve. When it comes to early graduation, it’s no different.

“My whole family is super supportive and helps me out. They were the ones who told me about graduating early and got me interested in it,” Estes said.

Not many students graduate early from CHS every year and most of the work and planning they have to do is done with their counselor.

“It has to be kids who really plan for it because they have to work with their counselor every year,” Principal Joan Benz said. “They still need the 22

PHOTO BY JENNA GREENZAID.

There are positive and negatives when it comes to Early Graduation. Pictured: Justin Greenzaid, 6th grader at Cabin John MS. credits in all those areas and your condensing them into three years instead of four so that takes a lot of coordination between the student and counselor to make sure that student is getting everything that they need in order to graduate a year early.”

According to Benz, MCPS discourages early graduation because they feel that in most cases students need all four years and to get that many credits

in three years is a lot more stress.

After their senior year, their third year of high school, early graduates can apply to college, take a gap year, or pursue whatever they chose to do after they decided to graduate early.

“Graduating early will help me not have to worry about completing high school online,” Estes said. “Hopefully I won’t regret it. I may think about it, but I’ll know I did the right thing.”

Topoisomerase IV is an enzyme that alters the supercoiled form of a DNA molecule. In the paper, Litwin provided a graph of her data from her experiments. When Nikoobakht re-performed these experiments, their graphs looked nothing alike.

“I was given a protocol on how DNA winds and unwinds and the role that topoisomerase IV plays in it,” Nikoobakht said. “The protocol was written by a graduate student who had done the same set of experiments.

However, I performed the same experiments over and over and no matter what I did, the results just would not match hers. The graphs from the data I would get were so lopsided and crooked unlike Litwin’s. That’s what helped us realize it’s basically impossible getting that result with the protocol the graduate student wrote, concluding that DNA does have different binding affinities for different topoisomerases.”

Over the summer, Nikoobakht spent seven weeks gathering information on the same topic as Litwin by performing many experiments and getting help from her supervisor.

“I realized around 15th run of the experiment that if I am doing the exact same things that the person before me did, the problem isn’t with me but with the protocol,” Nikoobakht said. “My supervisor and I realized that at about the exact same time.”

Though Nikoobakht and her supervisor were pleased by their new discovery, they still had plenty more to figure out.

“We also realized that now we have to come up with an explanation of why the previous experiments of the gradu-

ate student didn’t work,” Nikoobakht said. “What we believe is that the protocols that Litwin wrote are not the same things she did to get those results.”

Nikoobakht didn’t anticipate the summer as it came to her. Once her experiment was verified, she realized she had much more work to do.

“The plan in the beginning of the summer was to produce results that could be used to publish in a paper,” Nikoobakht said. “However, now that the data is disproving the original paper, my group is planning to re-publish another paper with updated results.”

Even Nikoobakht’s teachers were thrilled when they found out about Nikoobakht’s recent accomplishment.

Her science teacher, Virginia Brown, was overjoyed and amazed by what Nikoobakht had discovered .

“She’s fabulous,” Brown said. “Not only is she intelligent, but she’s always helping the other kids in the class as well. She’s dedicated, conscientious and I would have never thought she’d accomplish something so big at such a young age.”

She has also been getting large amounts of support from her friends and family who are congratulating her on her recent discovery. This experiment has added on to her continuous love for science and research. She hopes to work in a field of science in the future to help research new ideas.

“When I told some of my teachers and friends, they were so ecstatic and proud,” Nikoobakht said. “It truly still is an amazing feeling. I love the field of science. Being a summer student at NIH gave me a whole new view of what my life could be like in research.”

Senior Proves DNA Protocol Incorrect at NIH

By Megan Park Business Manager Recently, senior Laudan Nikoobakht proved that data from a theory dealing with DNA and their

binding affinities with topoisomerase IV, was incorrect.

According to a 2014 Nucleic Acids Research paper, graduate student Tamara R. Litwin proved that DNA does not have different binding affinities for different types of topoisomerase.

PHOTO COURTESY OF NIKOOBAKHT.

Nikobakht and her partner Victoria Haass presenting for their molecular genetics poster symposium.

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Features

September 28, 2016

SCHOOL SPIRIT: RENEWED

By Sara Heimlich Features Editor

The 2016-17 school year: finally the year of renewed school spirit at CHS? In the first quarter of the first home football game, the student section was filled with painted faces and the crowd was spotted with blue and green. But by the fourth quarter, few students and parents lingered.

“A good football team needs a good student section, and a good student section needs a good football team,” SGA copresident Ben Birnbach said. “One needs to come first.”

Several groups in the CHS community are determined to keep people at the games and cheering all the way through — despite the scoreboard.

Decorated stands, cookouts, and new shirts are among the initiatives being made to boost spirit.

“We feel the best way to increase school spirit is to change CHS's culture,” Birnbach said. “This all starts with getting the freshmen to buy into the idea we're trying to sell. While upperclassmen saw the poor behavior of former CHS students such as leaving football games early, the freshmen and sophomores can still be convinced CHS is a great place.”

The school and community that football coach and CHS alumnus Albert Song remembers from ‘90s is far different from the CHS of today.

“Last year, the stands seemed empty, and I didn’t see a lot of things that express community at school,” Song said. “When I was [a student] at CHS, there were banners hung around the school, pep rallies all the time and everyone dressed up and had painted their face. Teachers wore jerseys, a tradition I brought back. The stadium from one hill to the other was completely filled, top to bottom. Not just CHS students and families, but the entire community was here every Friday night.”

Students often disregard football games as an event they aren’t willing to sacrifice their Friday night for.

“Academics come first for CHS students,” SGA sponsor Shelley Perrett said. “They’re exhausted from school so coming back to school on Friday night is the last thing they want to do. The spirit at CHS is oftentimes ‘If I’m not directly involved, I don’t go,’ but we need to support each other. If you come, you just may have a good time, too.”

The Booster Club, an organization of volunteers mainly made up of parents, is initiating improvements for school spirit at CHS, namely in their athletics. They have working with SGA and Leadership class to brainstorm ideas, and have been selling new merchandise, like the stick-on phone pockets (available for $4 at the school store). “[The Booster Club] helps to enhance school spirit and raise money for CHS athletics,” said Leslie Janis, president of the Booster Club and mother of two CHS athletes. “The more we volunteer, the more we can give back to the students and the school.”

Several other groups, including SGA and leadership class, have come together to bring spirit and pride back into the bulldog vocabulary.

September 28, 2016

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Features

D FOR ANOTHER SEASON? Dawg Pound Decoration

Banners will hang from the stands and blue and green Solo cups will fill the fences.

“With decorated stands, people would feel the energy and feed off of it,” sophomore Sophia Veizis said as she cheered on the football team at the Einstein game.

Cookout Fridays

Cookouts will now be held on the track inside the stadium at 5:30 p.m. before every home football game.

According to senior Jack Skilton, cookouts are a great place to meet up with friends and meet new people too.

Kan Jam, Spikeball, and Cornhole are among the activities that will be offered at cookouts.

Free food is available to those wearing their “Dawg Pound” shirts.

“Our sense of community is not up to par,” Birnbach said. “Creating somewhere you want to be, not have to be, is our goal. We have really tried to stress the cookouts this year.”

Newly-designed pocket “Dawg Pound” t-shirts, which are the ticket into cookouts, are available for $15 in room 229.

Sports Season Passes Fall sports passes are available for $18 through the Booster Club.

“Student passes makes going to the games easier because the students do not have to think about buying tickets or waiting in line before each game,” Janis said. “We also hope student passes increase the number of kids who are committed to going to the games. If you spend the money up front, maybe you will be more committed to going.”

A purchase of the season pass enters the buyer in a raffle for a chance to win a V.I.P. spot in the stands.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF SHAYNA GUTRIDGE.

Game Giveaways

Bead necklaces, face paint, tattoos, CHS spirit wear and glow sticks will be given to students to encourage them to stay all four quarters.

Boost in Football Team Morale Chant Collaborations

New cheers and dances are being created to increase crowd participation and involvement in games.

“The Poms and cheerleaders are working together to collectively increase the students’ energy at the games,” Janis said.

Song anticipates an improvement in the team this season and encourages his players to keep the ball rolling with school spirit.

“I ask football players to sit in the front of the classroom because we care how teachers see us and hope to bring them on board to support us with spirit,” Song said. “High school football is high school Americana: cheer on a team towards a common goal. We are looking forward to a better season this year to make games more exciting for the fans.”

Home games will be Sept. 30 (Whitman), Oct. 14 (B-CC) and Oct. 28 (Wootton).

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September 28, 2016

Arts

Netflix Originals Keep Viewers Queued Up

By Sophie Liss Social Media Editor Nora Holland Contest Manager

When CHS students are not doing sports, school work, or extracurricular activities, they’re probably bingewatching shows on Netflix.

Netflix Originals are TV shows and movies created and produced by Netflix. They have become increasingly popular among CHS students. Some of the most popular include “Stranger Things,” “Fuller House,” and “The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.”

Stranger Things “Stranger Things” has been an extremely popular TV show ever since it first was released in July and is rated 9.1 out of 10 on IMDb.com. The show is set in Hawkins, Indiana in 1983 and stars Winona Ryder as the mother of Will Byers, a young boy who goes missing one fall night. The story focuses on Will’s friends and family’s efforts to find him and bring him home despite many frightening and mysterious challenges that get in their way.

“Stranger Things” is suspenseful,

frightening, and at times even humorous. It is a perfect show for anyone who wants something with a mystery that will keep them guessing until the last episode, relatable characters and a sensational soundtrack that accurately embodies the show’s 1980s theme.

“I loved ‘Stranger Things,’” sophomore Jerry Wang said. “The fact that it was released by Netflix benefits the story because Netflix allows for a viewer to binge a bunch of episodes at once instead of having to wait a week for each new development.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF JERRY WANG.

Winona Rider stars as Joyce Byers in the latest Netflix Original, “Stranger Things.” Netflix has gained popularity with its multitude of Original TV shows and movies that are being released this year.

Fuller House “Fuller House” is a sequel to the popular 90s television series “Full House” and follows D.J. Tanner as she raises her three children with the help of her sister, Stephanie, and her best friend, Kimmy. While it was widely anticipated, its reviews have been mostly negative and it has an average Rotten Tomatoes rating of 33 percent.

The show is filled with nostalgia and an abundance of references to the original ABC hit, Full House, making it a great binge for big fans of the characters and show. However, many popular characters from the original show are not included in the spin-off and the plot is very similar to plot of the original series.

“I think that most people are still hung up on the original “Full House” characters and are disappointed that all of the original characters are not involved in the new show,” sophomore Nikkia Zarabian said.

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt The “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” is among the more well- known Netflix originals. This show tells the story of Kimmy, a “mole woman” who spent 15 years underground with a cult who believe they were the last survivors of an apocalypse. She spontaneously decides to live in New York and soon gains a peculiar job as a nanny for a rich family. She lives in a closet and makes a bunch of new friends. The show is quirky and humorous, perfect for watching when you want a good laugh.

“It is really different from all other shows because it does not hold back in being really weird,” said senior Vicente Rudolph.

So whether you need to procrastinate from doing your homework or you need a new show to binge watch, these Netflix originals are definitely the way to go.

September 28, 2016

Student Art Spotlight Art Student

By Sarah O’Brien Balbina Yang Arts Editors When we think of the arts, it’s usually music, theater or fine arts. However, ever since senior Lauren Hassan started the Slam Poetry Club, the CHS arts community has had an outspoken new member.

“Since she came to CHS, I have seen her grow into a respected leader of her peers,” Slam Poetry club sponsor, Christin Nixon said. “She has always been outspoken, but I have seen her take that talent and use it to influence her peers and society to make a positive difference.

Slam poetry or “spoken word” is similar to rap music but without music in the background. Although slam poems can be about anything, they usually center on social injustices.

“It’s not always poetic, it doesn’t have to rhyme, it doesn’t have to be about anything specific, it can be collaborative and it most definitely does not have to angry,” Hassan said. “Some slam poems are angry but there also those that are funny or sad or inspiring.

There are no rules, it is simply a creative way to express yourself in a manner that grabs people’s attention.”

Hassan, however, tries to push herself out of her comfort zone to tackle hard-hitting issues in her poems.

“I tend to write about feminism, racism, romance and family but I try to take on perspectives that aren’t usually covered,” Hassan said. “In a sense, I shed a new light on overused topics.”

In terms of inspiration, Hassan uses her everyday experiences and past events.

“If I overhear a stranger say something I disagree with, or if I see something that makes me think, I can make something from that encounter,” Hassan said. “Anything can spark an idea and you really can make something from nothing.”

As the Slam Poetry Club is relatively new at CHS, Hassan welcomes new members. Her advice for beginners is to write about real-life events.

“A lot of people who are new to slam poetry tend to struggle with not knowing where to start,” Hassan said.

“The thing is, writing slam poetry is no different than writing in general. Draw

Spotlight: Lauren Hassan

PHOTO COURTESY OF LAUREN HASSAN.

Senior Lauren Hassan, founder of the CHS Slam Poetry Club, delivers a slam poem. Hassan writes and performs poems covering a wide range of topics from racism to romance. from your life. If someone makes you angry, if you see something upsetting on the news, if you try something new that you loved or you hated you can make that into a slam poem.”

And just like any other writer, Hassan faces writer’s block.

“Unfortunately, writer’s block isn’t something you can just wish away,” Hassan said. “It’s unavoidable and it’s inconvenient so a lot of the time you just have to wait for it to pass, unless you have a deadline.”

Hassan has some advice for other students faced with writer’s block.

“Read some prompts, listen to some

Gene Wilder Remembered

By Eli Gordon Production Editor

What do Willy Wonka, Frederick Frankenstein and The Waco Kid all have in common? They were all played

by Gene Wilder.

Wilder, most well-known for his iconic portrayal of Willy Wonka in “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory,” passed away Aug. 28, due to complications of Alzheimer’s disease.

Wilder brought to life Roald Dahl’s vision of the eccentric and quirky Willy Wonka.

According to biography.com, Wilder made his movie debut in the 1967 “Bonnie and Clyde,” for which he was nominated for an Academy Award.

Wilder became a comedic icon during during the 1970’s, appearing in other famous movies such as “Young Frankenstein” and “Blazing Saddles.”

Throughout his career Wilder was an actor, author, screenwriter and a director.

According to IMDb.com, Wilder was nominated for 11 film awards, including an Emmy, a Hugo and a Las Vegas Film award. He was also nominated for three writing awards,

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Arts

one of which he won for his book “Young Frankenstein,” later adapted into the comic film classic by the same name.

Wilder was a major part of the 70’s culture and his work will be remembered forever. Wilder was and still is an American icon and will be missed.

motivational music, drink some coffee and don’t get comfortable because if you’re too comfortable, you won’t want to write,” Hassan said. “If you keep writing, eventually, it’ll will get better. As long as you keep writing it doesn’t matter how good it it and it doesn’t matter what you’re talking about. I promise you, writer’s block ends. It’s like cleaning out a drain: you have to get all the gross stuff out before the water’s clean again.”

Along with art in the written and spoken word, Hassan is interested in many aspects of art, as she took tap dancing, ballet, piano and singing les-

sons. This year she is in SingChronicity, the new chorus class offered at CHS as well as ceramics.

“Since the club began, Hassan has really encouraged me to try various types of slam—especially during our meetings when everyone is practicing,” Nixon said. “It is so much fun and usually very shocking to hear what people can come up with. Many times what I hear in our slam meetings or when viewing various slams is a great deal of passion and beautiful word choice.

It seems that poets who do Slam are able to reveal more raw emotion and insightful perspectives than they usually would.”

Normandie Farm Wishes The Faculty, Staff & Students A Great School Year!

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PHOTO COURTESY OF WIKI COMMONS.

Gene Wilder starred in popular movies such as “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.”

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Arts

September 28, 2016

Pokémon Go Trainers Trying to Catch’ Em All

By Emiliana Cardinale Production Manager

All around the world, no matter where you go, you can see people wandering while staring down at their phones trying to catch ‘em all.

Pokémon Go is a GPS based, augmented reality game in which players can essentially find virtual creatures, called Pokémon, in the real world.

Players walk around their area. When a Pokémon is “in range,” the player can “catch” them using pokeballs. The Pokémon will pop up on the phone screen, but the background will be the landmark one is standing on. The player then virtually aims a “pokeball” at the Pokémon to successfully catch it.

As one catches Pokémon, they are also able to explore cities and landmarks which are “pokestops” in the game, locations at which one can earn pokeballs and other prizes.

“I think it’s kind of fun to have something you share with so many people,” said photography teacher Amy Gilbert, who has been playing since the game came out. “You can talk to almost anybody about it, even if it’s somebody that hasn’t played it.”

Not only is the game a talking point, it is also a tool for socializing because it allows players to interact with each other in the real world while playing a virtual game.

“People are getting outside and socializing because catching Pokémon and especially battling involves face to face contact,” senior Eowyn Pak said.

“I know Pokémon Go works in terms of getting people to meet new people, and that is a great thing.”

Pokémon Go allows people to exercise while also playing a game. To find Pokémon, players need to leave the house and explore the towns and cities in which they live. They also have to walk in order to “hatch their eggs” and get more Pokémon.

“It makes me go out and exercise,”

Gilbert said. “There’s a place near my house where I can go out and walk all around and hit a whole bunch of Pokestops. I get some exercise, I hatch my eggs and I catch some Pokémon.”

The Pokémon craze has been around for a very long time in the form of comics, a TV show, and trading cards. This game allows many millennials to reconnect to that interest they had as a kid.

“I’ve been a fan of Pokémon as long as I can remember,” senior Vicente Rudolph said. “I was always a fan of the video games and TV show as a kid.”

Despite the health benefits and nostalgia it brings, Pokémon Go may simply add to the lack of socialization that some feel is prominent in today’s society.

“Even though people are going outside more, exercising and doing it with their friends, it is just another reason to be on your phone,” sophomore Bettina Saraydaroglu said, who doesn’t play the game.

It can be also simply another distraction in our society of non-stop media consumption.

“Pokemon go can be fun, but has taken valuable time that should be used for studies, getting some extracurricular work done and college apps,” Pak said.

Pokémon Go can also be disruptive and used in inappropriate places or at inappropriate times. It is a game that can become addictive and can lead to players using it in a disrespectful manner.

According to a July 12 Washington Post article, The Holocaust Museum is a Pokestop, and because of this, many players attempted to catch Pokémon inside of the museum. This can be disrespectful towards the museum, a place meant to remember the tragedies of the Holocaust.

Although according to Pak, Pokémon Go has left a positive mark on the community by helping businesses get more customers, motivating people to get out of the house, and more.

“I have heard some pretty good stories about Pokémon,” Pak said. “An animal shelter used its free wifi to have volunteers walk their animals around the neighborhood.”

Bill Nye to Debut on Netflix

By Matthew Sun Fact Checker

Bill! Bill! Bill! Bill Nye the Science Guy! Bill Nye has finally returned to the small screen once again.

Bill Nye the “Science Guy” will star in a new Netflix original show, “Bill Nye Saves the World.” The show is planned to launch in the Spring of 2017.

According to an Aug. 31 Netflix release, “Bill Nye Saves the World” will star Bill Nye as he talks about scientific topics that are misunderstood by the general public.

Bill Nye has had a long career, mainly his widely popular “Bill the Science Guy” PBS show from 1993-1998. Most of his show is still used today in schools for educational as well as entertainment purposes.

According to IndieWire, a film review website, Nye has spent his life trying to get people excited about science, and he’s happy that he can work with Netflix to educate the public about commonly discussed issues.

Netflix has promised that Bill Nye will get to keep his “unfiltered style”of speaking rapidly and use of random noises that us millennials have come to

PHOTO COURTESY OF CREATIVE COMMONS.

Bill Nye sports his trademark bow tie. His new show, “Bill Nye Saves the World” will premiere on Netflix in early 2017. love.

“Bill Nye Saves the World” will surely become a new fan favorite for science lovers and for the new generation of students.

“I can’t wait for the show to come out,” sophomore Eitan Weinbaum said. “I loved his old show and I’ll love this one too.”

PHOTO BY EMILIANA CARDINALE.

People everywhere are walking around with their phones out, playing Pokémon Go. The app was released over the summer.

13

Sports

September 28, 2016

Football Brings in New Approaches On and Off the Field

By Julia Lescht Social Media Editor The CHS varsity football team is coming into this season with new strategies for improvement, following a disappointing 2015 season.

The team has undergone several changes both physically and mentally in order to boost their skill level and thus enhance their game.

“This year we have really stepped up the intensity of practices and workouts,” senior Jack Wagman said. “We’ve also been able to put in a lot more of our playbook and we have changed our offense substantially.”

Practice makes perfect, and the varsity football team strives to achieve perfection through intense practices that average two or two and a half hours each day.

According to sophomore captain Michael Janis, head coach Albert Song tells the team “practice makes permanent,” so the team makes sure to play to the best of their ability and to push themselves each practice.

Players view last year, their first year with coach Song, as a sort of trial period.

Now that they are better acquainted and more comfortable with both Song and each other, they view this season as their opportunity to produce better results.

“Last year was a down year, but we were still learning,” senior captain Joel Goldstein said. “Now that we have a strong core around us, we’re ready to go out and execute our gameplan.”

One new addition to the team is starting quarterback, Janis. Although Janis is one of few underclassmen on the team, it is not evident in his or his teammates’ attitude.

“I hope to lead the team by example and by always being there for my teammates,” Janis said. “We know we must

PHOTO BY ELIZA ASBURY.

Cheerleaders look on as CHS takes on Einstien Sept. 9. The Bulldogs lost to the Titans 31-16 in their first home game of the season and are off to a 0-3 start. practice how we want to play, so our practices have a high tempo and require lots of focus.”

According to Song, the team has “drastically changed” the way they practice, including holding combined practices with the JV team. Additionally, the team has developed a new tougher, “mental character” that is required for such a rough sport.

“I’m expecting for us to shock a lot of people at CHS and around the county,” Goldstein said.

Although their record thus far has been 0-3 (as of 9/16), there are more games to come.

“To play our best, we continually push each other to get better at practice each day and that brings out the best in all of us,” Wagman said.

By pushing and supporting each other, the team creates a unified foundation, that not only encourages them to work hard, but increases their enthusiasm and eagerness to play.

“We expect to go out and play hard every game and do the best that we can,” Janis said. “That’s all we can ask of ourselves and through this, we can expect to be a very competitive team on the field every game.”

Student Athletes Commit

By Ethan C. Miller Online Sports Editor

Senior Allison Frommer has committed to the University of Pennsylvania to compete in gymnastics.

Since 2012, Frommer has competed for Hill’s Gymnastics, a team located in Gaithersburg, MD. Over the past four years she has moved up from level 8 of the Junior Olympic Program levels to the most difficult level, level 10.

“I chose University of Pennsylvania for the coaches and the gymnastics program,” Frommer said. “I think I can work well with the three coaches and continue to grow as a gymnast. The team is really supportive of each other and gets along really well.”

Coco Kuchins Senior guard Coco Kuchins has committed to the Air Force Academy to play basketball.

Last season, Kuchins led the CHS girls varsity basketball team in points per game (12.8), field goals (88) and 3-point field goals (23). Kuchins’ strong play, including a 29-point performance against Northwood, led the team to a 17-3 regular season record. When it came to her decision, the basketball program wasn’t the only deciding factor.

“I like that at the Air Force once you graduate you will already have a job,” Kuchins said. “It’s an excellent education and is highly respected.”

PHOTO OF COURTESY OF RYAN LEONARD.

PHOTO COURTESY OF COCO KUNCHINS.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ALLISON FROMMER.

Allison Frommer

Ryan Leonard Junior Ryan Leonard has committed to Towson University to play lacrosse.

Leonard had an impressive sophomore season, scoring 29 goals and earning 24 assists, totaling 53 points. He averaged 2.94 points per game, ranking fifth for the team. After seeing his play in summer tournaments, Towson decided to extend Leonard an offer.

Leonard joins senior Spencer Knife as the second current CHS lacrosse player committed to Towson.

“I chose Towson over other schools because of my family history there,” Leonard said. “My brother played lacrosse and my dad played basketball.”

14

Sports

September 28, 2016

Boys Soccer Poised for Improved Season

By Will Hyland Production Editor

Bolstered by an improved defense and a majority of players returning, the CHS boys varsity soccer team hopes to build on last season’s progress.

The Bulldogs finished last season with a 5-9 overall record and an early playoff exit but, with thirteen seniors returning, the team will be much improved.

“I place no limits on what this team can accomplish,” head coach Arnold Tarzy said.

Junior Darius Siahpoosh, a new addition to the team this season, is very optimistic about this season as well.

“We are better because we have more technically skilled players,” Siahpoosh said. “Having seniors is great for the experience down the stretch.”

Senior captain Jack Stern, the top scorer on last years team with eight goals, is convinced the team will take a step forward as well.

“The intensity is much higher; the players are taking this season much more seriously,” Stern said.

Tarzy believes that although CHS is in the most difficult region in the state in 4A South, the sky’s the limit when the team plays to its full potential.

“With a very competitive region

PHOTO COURTESY OF JACK STERN.

Senior captain Jack Stern kicks the ball in a recent game. The boys soccer team is off to a 4-1-2 start and hopes to make it deep into the playoffs this year. that holds perhaps the overwhelming majority of the top teams in the state, it’s difficult to predict a finish,” Tarzy said. “If we do what we’re capable of, we’ll finish as a satisfied team.”

CHS’s defense is much improved through five games as a team. The

Bulldogs have conceded just nine goals opposed to last season where they had conceded 12 goals through this point in the season. CHS is also out of the gates fast with a 4-1-2 overall record as of Sept. 25.

All evidence points to a strong sea-

son for the CHS boys varsity soccer team due to an overwhelming amount of experience and talent. The promise from last season appears to be coming to fruition this year and a deep run in the postseason looks like a very real possibility.

Girls Soccer Looks to Continue Strong Play

By Kyle Emery Sports Editor

Coming off a nearly perfect 2015 season, the girls varsity soccer team plans to use different approaches this year in order to win the state title.

By appointing senior captains Frannie Phillips and Danielle Katz as well as junior Molly Olcott early in the season, the team has more time to develop new strategies and skills before the arrival of the regular season.

“After basing our attack around our starters throughout the 2015 season, we want to create a more centered attack, instead of one person scoring a majority of the goals,” head coach Haroot Hakopian said.

As far as goals go for the team, incorporating different approaches and techniques will help give the team an extra edge over the course of the season.

“Our main strategy is to be the most fit and hard working team in the county,” Phillips said.

As far as the overall size of the team this year, Hakopian expanded the team from about 20 to 24 players in order to help to build a better and stronger team over the years to come.

“We have a great mix of players this year, with each player’s ability and strength being a central contribution for the team,” Hakopian said.

As a result of the expansion, Hakopian has added four freshmen to the roster, one being Jordan Estes, who plans to build off the team’s strategies and incorporate her young talent.

“My goal for this year is to train as hard as I can and to become a better player as well as team member throughout this season,” Estes said.

The team has not only considered new approaches towards the season, but has made many improvements, including building an inclusive environment for new-comers on the team.

“We have really built a great atmosphere on and off the field this year,” Phillips said.

Competition for the team seems to vary each year. Teams including Walter Johnson, Whitman and BCC all have been “tough competitors” in the past, according to Hakopian.

So far, the team has made a successful debut, with wins against both Wootton

and Rockville as well as tying Urbana, making their record 3-1-1, as of 9/25.

“I think that every team we face this year is going to be really challenging because we have a target on our backs after our successful season last year,” Olcott said. “As long as we stay focused and intense, I believe that no one can beat us.”

According to Hakopian, one of his main goals for the season is to improve over the course of the season as well as hopefully preparing everyone for the playoffs. An abundance of injuries prior to starting the playoffs in 2015 may have cost the team their championship, but he will not let that happen this year.

The Girls Soccer team warms up before a game. The team is off to a 3-1-1 start and hopes to compete for the State Chamionship again.

PHOTO COURTESY OF BUCK PHILLIPS.

15

Sports

September 28, 2016

Girls Volleyball Sets Up for Competitive Season

By Sophie Liss Social Media Editor The girls varsity volleyball team has a difficult task ahead of them as they try to beat last year’s impressive overall 20-2 record, but the team is up for the challenge.

This season, senior captains Emma Jin, Molly Stark and Nina Gautam along with head coach Cindy Hillard will attempt to build on their successful season last year.

“Chemistry and positive attitudes were the keys to our success last year,” Hillard said.

However, These were not the only factors that contributed to the triumphant year.

According to Jin, each individual player’s dedication to the team also was vital in last year’s dominating season.

Despite having an excellent year and averaging over 10 kills per set (a kill is a successful point) the team did not win the state championship, falling to Northwest in the 4A West Regionals.

“In order to win this year, we need to have the best defensive team in the area,” Hillard said.

The players and coach know what they need to to in order to prepare for even the toughest match-ups.

According to Jin, “conditioning and repetition,” are key strategies to practice in preparation for the season.

Everyone is confident in their abilities even knowing the tough road ahead.

“Our team does not have a lot of height as compared to our opponents, but we have excellent passing and defense and we have a huge amount of heart,” Hillard said.

The team’s captains will focus on leading the team in any way they can and being a good example for the younger players on the squad.

PHOTO COURTESY OF EMMA JIN.

The girls varsity volleyball team meets in a huddle during a match. So far, the team is off to to a 5-0 start.

Senior captains Emma Jin, Molly Stark and Nina Gautam have hopes of leading the team to States.

According to Stark, she wants to show the younger players that she will never give up and keep pushing herself.

Even the younger players on the team want to learn and embrace their roles to help make the team as good as possible.

“My job, as a setter, is to set a player up where they can earn a point for the team,” freshman Serena Xu said. “I don’t feel like I’m the youngest on the team, because the team is a family.”

FOLD BOLD.

The team started off their season in the best way possible- they defeated Wootton three sets to one. Junior Anna Mollard led the team with four blocks, and Gautam had a team-leading seven kills.

“As expected, it was a battle and our defense beat their offense,” Hillard said.

As the team looks ahead to its upcoming matchups and the season as a whole, they will attempt to duplicate the success they had in their first game.

“We plan to win sectionals, then regionals and go to States,” Hillard said.

“Each girl must better her volleyball IQ so when we meet other teams we can find the best way to compete and win.”

In their second game against Damascus, the squad again won three sets to one.

“As a team we adjusted to their plays after losing the first set and came back strategically to beat them in three sets afterwards,” Jin said.

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thechurchillobserver.com

September 28, 2016

Volume 41 - Issue 1

By Ben Dross Sports Editor Lena Capiccoa’s natural talent and strong mentality set her apart from the other players on the golf course, but it’s her hard work that will help her keep the distance.

Capiccoa started playing golf at age four at her home course, TPC Potomac at Avenel farm. Along with her success on the CHS team, Capiccoa also won four individual tournaments this season in other tours. While playing for CHS last season, she recorded 144 strokes to finish second among girls in Maryland. There are very few players that can match her talent.

“She’s a good barometer for other players to measure themselves against,” golf coach Robert Tarzy said.

The team as a whole is coming off a record-breaking season. Last year, the undefeated Bulldogs won the state championship, with a score of 572 strokes, beating the record by 24 strokes and second place finisher Walter Johnson by 26.

Capiccoa’s 144 stroke performance was a big part of that, as she had the third best score

PHOTO COURTESY OF LENA CAPICCOA.

Junior Lena Capiccoa hits a tee shot. on the team. Her 75 stroke outing in Districts (against other MCPS teams) was also an essential component in allowing CHS to qualify for States. The team has lost talented seniors including Adam Gray and Luke Schaap. If they are going to repeat their success this year, younger players will need to step up.

“We need to just continue to play well,” Capiccoa said.

“We have players that have been there before. Experience

is key.”

This year however, the team is making a big change.

All-Met Coach of the Year Aaron Vactor is no longer the head coach of the Bulldogs.

This year, new coach Robert Tarzy looking to make his mark with the talented golf team, with returning players like Capoccia playing a big part in helping him settle in.

“Having Lena on the team helps the team as a whole,” Tarzy said. “It can be intimi-

A National Blue Ribbon School dating to play in a co-ed match, but having a player like Lena to lean on helps relieve some of the stress that goes along with co-ed play. Knowing that Lena will likely give the team a lead makes it much easier.”

Golf is a mental game. Even professional golfers get rattled when a shot isn’t perfect or a putt just misses the hole. The players who get far are the ones that can stay calm no matter what the situation is.

“Lena has a really strong mental game,” Tarzy said. “She is able to compartmentalize her thoughts and block out all of the real life distractions when she is playing.”

Even talented players can improve, including Capoccia, who is working hard to be the best golfer she can be. While she feels like her ball striking and distance putting are great, she’d like to improve on her all around short game over the course this season.

Another reason for Capoccia’s success is practice. During the summer she practices from seven in the morning until six in the evening every day. Whether it be going out and playing or just working on the range, her goal was to be golfing every day.

It is that mentality that correlates directly with her success.

“She puts in the time on her own or with her swing coach to fine tune her game outside of practice,” Tarzy said. “There is no secret to being a good golfer, or to be good at anything else.

You have to put in the work... and Lena does.”

Dawg Data 18:15

Senior Julia Reicin’s time in the 5K during the dcxc invitational.

16:17

Senior matthew Goldsmith’s time in the 5K during the dcxc invitational.

16

Receptions for senior Wide Receiver Jack Dellafiora in the first 3 football games

4

Wins for Girl’s Tennis so far, the 5th most in mcps.

Field Hockey Opens With Strong Start 1

By Joe Raab Social Media Editor

CHS field hockey has been practicing hard and is geared up for the season.

According to County Sports Zone, last year the

team finished 8-4-1, placing second in their division. The team hopes to build on the success from last year, as a lot of players are returning.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ALEXANDRA SPERLING.

“A significant portion of this year’s team remembers both our successes and our shortcomings from last season, and they are motivated to build on their experiences,” head coach Cay Miller said.

This year’s team has set high goals for the season after getting eliminated in the first round of the playoffs last year.

Losing first round in playoffs last year was disappointing, but I believe we have what it takes to go further into playoffs than we have gone before,” junior captain Faith Kean said.

The team is on track to

reach their goals starting the season 5-0, as of 9/25. Their start includes a 2-0 win over Springbrook, who defeated them last year in the regular season.

The team also changed aspects of what they do off the field by setting standards to be able to reach their goals.

“We have had more team meetings and discussions this year about the type of team we want to be,” Miller said.

This year’s team has come together a lot more than years in the past.

“I think there is more team cohesion this year, everyone motivates and encourages each other,” Kean said.

The number of games decided by one set for the undefeated girl’s volleyball team. The rest of the team’s wins have been by two sets or more.

0

Number of goals allowed by Girl’s Varsity Soccer this season

Sophomore Alexandra Sperling, junior Faith Kean and senior Jocelyn Kelley play offense.

0-1 Boys: 1-0 Girls:

Girls:

6-0

Girls:

6-1-1

0-4

3-1-1 1 5 - 0 Girls: 5-0 Boys: 4-1-2