Volume 38 - Issue 2
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Students question if curtain will rise on future shows By Emily Birnbaum Editor-in-Chief
Following the resignations of technical director Scott Selman and choral director Carlos Barillo last year and theater director Lynda Scionti in mid-September, students are left wondering: What will become of the CHS theater department? Will Blast and the fall play happen under new direction? Blast 25 has been confirmed. Although Barillo, Blast’s director of 16 years, left CHS last year to pursue a career in nursing, Matthew Albright, Barillo’s replacement as choral director, has agreed to also replace Barillo as Blast’s director and producer. Because Albright was hired only two weeks before school started, the show will not be
ready by December, as it was last year. This year, it is going to be in February, and auditions will be held in late October or early November. “No matter when Blast is or who it’s directed by, everybody is excited for it,” junior Siobhan Shea said. “We’re all already preparing for auditions.” Albright’s first task as Blast director/producer is to put together his creative team. During the next couple of months, he is going to be assembling a posy of choreographers, technical directors, parents, assistant directors, and more. The team will be made up of both adults and students, including the technical staff, parents, costume
See Theater, 3
PHOTO BY ELIZABETH CAMPBELL.
Blast 25 is in motion while Auntie Mame has stalled, leaving many questions unanswered.
County places 50 new security cameras in CHS hallways
This past summer at least 50 new security cameras were installed throughout the CHS hallways due to a budget increase in the Division of Safety and Security. Previously, CHS had only 32 operating security cameras. The new security cameras are smaller and less obvious. Netcom Technology Inc. technician Tony Pham installed new cameras in CHS this summer. “They are mainly in hallways and stairways, but classrooms and bathrooms do not have them,” Pham said.
News New School Resource Officer Officer Hargrove joins the CHS community.
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According to CHS security team leader Terry Bell, the cameras are online at all times. “We have access to footage anytime we need it,” Bell said. According to assistant principal John Taylor, theft is a common occurrence at CHS, and the new surveillance system assists in monitoring these situations more closely. The cameras allow for footage of other illegal activity happening in the halls as well. One way to distinguish between the old and new systems is how recordings are accessed. “With the old system the footage was located in a very secure area that very few people had access to,” Bell said. “With the new system, only pertinent PHOTO BY ANA FAGUY.
By Jordan Maser Features Editor
Features Clubs
Get to know the new and unsual clubs here at CHS.
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Students have the right to choose if they stand for the Pledge.
MCPS reaffirms choice to say Pledge By Brittany Goodman News Editor All MCPS high school principals, including CHS Principal Joan Benz, received a memorandum from Deputy Superintendent Beth SchiavinoNarvaez July 26 reviewing the guidelines pertaining to student participation in patriotic exercises and verifying the MCPS regulation JFA-RA which upholds the Supreme Court ruling that saying the Pledge of Allegiance must always be voluntary. During pre-service week, MCPS principals were required to share this information with staff. Key components of this
memo included that staff may invite students to stand and participate in saying the Pledge, but also take necessary and appropriate action if students are being disruptive during it. Staff may not require students to stand and participate in saying the Pledge. In addition, they may not question students’ reasons for not participating. “I think CHS students should be invited to stand,” Dr. Benz said. “But students who chose not to say the Pledge should not be disruptive.” According to Benz, CHS staff has to abide by the memo no matter their own opinions.
Sports Umttr Tournament Community remembers Evan Rosenstock through basketball tournament.
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PHOTO BY BEN FOX.
With the addition of the cameras students can now be monitored in almost every part of the school building.
PHOTO BY BRITANNY GOODMAN.
PHOTO BY JEANINE LIU
PHOTO BY JORDAN MASER.
individuals have the capability to access footage by having an account.” Senior Bridget Bowis is among those who do not believe that the devices are crucial to our safety. “We are a good school,” Bowis said. “It is not necessary; this is not a bad area. It is not like they are cracking down on anything.” Some students have taken an opposite stance. Senior Dominic Singer feels that the installation is beneficial for CHS because the cameras will ultimately lead to a safer environment for students. “I feel that that they will make the school a much safer place,” Singer said. According to Bell, all schools in Montgomery County have received funding from the Division of Safety and Security, and most of that money has gone toward new technology like cameras. “We install cameras in every MCPS high school and middle school,” Pham said. “They’re watchin’ you,” he joked. In addition to keeping CHS safe, the new surveillance devices are used to crack down on students who skip class. “We do not have any blind spots like we used to,” Taylor said.
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
News
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New SGA sponsors plan to bring back old events By Katie Clem Production Editor Special Education paraeducators Orly Santos and Daniel Lethbridge were recently announced as the new Student Government Association (SGA) sponsors who will be responsible for helping students come up with and run all SGA events. The pair’s immediate goals are to hold the same school events, including Churchill’s Got Talent and Mr. Churchill while they also hope to reinstate some of the older events. “In the past, Churchill won an award
for food drives and we would like to bring that back,” Santos said. “We want to show that Churchill is number one in the community.” While all of these events and activities come with a price, students can help make these activities possible by attending school-sponsored events, according to Lethbridge. “Many of the activities are funded by selling shirts and attendance at other events like Mr. Churchill and Churchill’s Got Talent,” Lethbridge said. Not only have Santos and Lethbridge
come up with new ideas, the SGA officers have also been busy coming up with new plans for the school year. “We’re trying to get more school spirit and get more people going to football and basketball games,” president Carly Raizon said. “We’re planning tailgates and a pep rally. We’re also debating whether or not we want to put in another dance or show.” Vice president Erik Roberts would also like to see more student involvement. He plans to accomplish this by making sure everyone knows
about the upcoming events going on. According to Roberts, he wants to get more involved with CHS rival schools. At SGA-wide events, rival schools would be exposed to a friendlier environment than in past competitions. Plans for new events are still up in the air as the SGA gets things together for the new year, but Santos and Lethbridge made it clear that their number one priority is the student’s well-being. “Our long-term goal is for students to feel comfortable and to feel safe in school,” Santos said.
it cannot be offered to previous special services employees. Because Selman was a special services employee as the school’s media services technician, he cannot return to work on Albright’s creative team. Barillo, on the other hand, can join Albright’s team, if Albright chooses to offer him the job and if the job is rejected by the three groups of personnel before him. “As I’ve said before, I would always welcome the opportunity to come back and create with such superior students,” Barillo said. “The CHS talents are inspirational.” Selman’s inability to return begs the question: who will head Blast’s technical crew this year? Because Blast 25 is still in the early stages of planning, there is no set answer to the question yet. According to Benz, Selman’s replacement, new CHS technical director Benjamin Schnapp, may be offered the position. Schnapp is not sure what the future holds, however. “I’m not sure if I’m going to be involved in Blast this year,” Schnapp said. No matter what, however, there is definitely going to be a Blast 25, according to Benz. “Nobody needs to worry that Blast
isn’t going to happen,” Benz said. “It’s going to happen. It’s going to be a big year.” There is still concern, however, for other CHS performances, such as the fall play, Auntie Mame, and the future of the theater department as a whole, following the Sept. 14 resignation of drama club teacher, sponsor and play director Lynda Scionti and the departure of Selman, the play’s former technical director. Though arts department head Paul Dermont and assistant principal John Taylor could not confirm or deny Scionti’s resignation, Taylor did confirm that the play is no longer being directed by Scionti and will be directed by Hoover drama teacher Pamela Bilik. “As far as the perspective of the actors, there’s a huge amount of confusion,” junior Jackie Spang said. “We’re worried and excited because we have a new director coming in.” Auditions for Auntie Mame were held Sept. 10-11. Call-backs were held Sept. 12, and the official cast list was posted on the morning of Sept. 13. By that afternoon, senior Daijah Greene had helped Scionti clean out her room and exit the school. The cast is left with a bout of unanswered questions. “A lot people sacrifice a lot to be part of the arts programs here,” senior Hope
Kean said. “I quit volleyball so I could do the school play, and now w e don’t know what’s going to happen.” Though the play does have a director, they are still without a technical director or prop master. “Right now, the tech crew has plans for the play but we can’t build anything without a tech director,” tech crew junior Aidan Gray said. Kean added that the recent actions of the administration have given students in the theater department the impression that theather is low on the list of priorities for CHS. Though the show is definitely in motion, the cast members still cannnot anticipate what will be different from last year. “I’m happy we have a director, but we still need to get other things figured out before we can get the show on the road,” senior Jimmy Schwartzman said. According to an unnamed source at the school, the positions for a technical director and drama teacher have not yet been filled. The school is currently interviewing potential candidates. “We will do whatever we have to do to make sure there’s a show and a program,” Taylor said.
‘Blast’ future is set, but future of play uncertain From Theater, 1 managers, choreographers, choral directors, and set designers. “It is a difficult process to put together the creative team, but I am working on it,” Albright said. Though there were rumors of Selman and Barillo returning to help with Blast this year, Selman has stated in an email that this is not true. According to Principal Joan Benz, Selman cannot come back due to the structure of the MCPS school system’s hiring process. The contract states that when a position such as technical director for Blast is being offered for a school-sponsored production, the job is offered to three groups of people before it is offered to anyone else. First, CHS teachers are notified of the job opening. If school staff do not take the position, it is offered to all MCPS teachers. If the position remains unfilled, then it is offered to those with special services positions within the school. If all three of these groups of people deny the position, then it can be offered to teachers from previous years. However,
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News
Get to know CHS’ School Resource Officer By Ana Faguy Production Editor
Students may notice a new face at CHS this year; School Resource Officer (SRO) T.N. Hargrove was officially assigned to CHS. The Observer sat down with Officer Hargrove to find out more about her. Officer Hargrove began her career as a preschool teacher and later decided to become a police officer. She has a B.A. in psychology from the University of Maryland, a certificate in African studies, and a M.S. in criminal justice from University of Cincinnati. She has worked at six different schools in MCPS and has been a police officer for nine-and-a-half years. Q: What is the main task at hand with you being here and what other roles will you have? A: Mentoring the kids, educating, [giving] presentations, and car and drug safety. Q: What is the difference between your role and security’s role? A: Security enforces school policies, my role is law related. Q: What is your favorite thing about working at CHS? A: Interacting with the students; it’s to-
tally different than where I came from. Q: Will there be a greater chance of legal punishment for students? A: No, it should be the same if I was here or if I wasn’t. Q: Do you think there is more danger now that the community knows you are here? A: No, absolutely not. I’ve received a warm welcome from everyone. Q: Why did you decide to switch from being a preschool teacher to being a police officer? A: I wanted a change of pace, I wanted to work with adults and kids. Q: How do you respond to people’s concern about your gun? A: Guns are never a toy. My gun only comes out of my holster when I’m going to use it, training or situations that render it necessary. According to Hargrove, her presence here is to be beneficial to the community, regardless of the apprehension of those in the community. “I look at everyone here like they’re my kid,” Hargrove said. “I’m the only one here who can protect you against someone with a weapon.”
PHOTO BY ANA FAGUY.
Hargrove, a Springbrook alumna, has worked at six MCPS schools.
theObserver
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
PHOTO BY MICHAEL FOX.
Seniors Aaron Hubberman and Henoss Taddesse tape an episode of the show.
‘Daily Dose’ has new leadership, new look By Michael Fox Sports Photo Editor CHS distributes its daily announcements through the show known as the Daily Dose, and new Media Services Technician, Ben Schnapp, who replaced previous director Scott Selman, plans to provide the program with enhanced technology and expertise this year. “I enjoy working with the students and helping them learn as much as they can about television and how it is in the real world,” Schnapp said. “I’m in charge of all things technical, I make sure it gets recorded and it gets to the classrooms the next day. I make sure all the equipment is operational.” With new leadership on the Daily Dose, there are many changes in how the show is done. “It’s definitely more structured,” Daily Dose student director senior Maddie Krueger said. “We’re making sure that there’s no ‘uh oh’ moments or stuff that shouldn’t be on, and the kids that are in the class that aren’t one of the five leads are getting more involved in the filming segments. They’re getting the input and giving us their input of what they want to see.” The Daily Dose also plans on using
better camera and audio techniques than in previous years. “This year we’re trying to be very professional,” said junior Aidan Gray, student director of photography. “We are using three cameras instead of one, so we are no longer cutting and jumping around with the cameras. We’re moving towards live broadcasting.” Although the show has made changes from previous years, it holds onto many things. “It is set in the same location for now; we still have two hosts; it’s still the regular announcements, and we still have sports montages, homecoming and SGA videos, and scores,” Gray said. The TV production class has 37 students and a newly restructured studio. Though the program is facing some challenges with the recent resignation of teacher and director Lynda Scionti, the students are optimistic about the show’s new potential. “We’re really about informing the students about what’s going on in the school in an interesting and creative way,” Gray said. “We’re also about teaching the kids how to properly run and produce a television show. We’re there to teach and
Gaithersburg, Watkins Mill set up wellness centers By Yash Nigam Production Editor MCPS has established schoolbased wellness centers at Gaithersburg High School and Watkins Mill High School this school year to raise health awareness and make medical services more accessible to their students. The only other high school in the county with a wellness center is Northwood High School, which has had one since 2008. According to MCPS Spokesman Dana Tofig, the wellness centers provide healthcare, mental health services and other services to students and their families. “It is a doctor’s office in its simplest form,” said Katherine Howard, a nurse practitioner at Gaithersburg High School. “Our wellness center frequently performs physical immunizations, addresses sick visits, and prescribes medications.” The centers are staffed with a part-time pediatrician, a nurse, a social worker and a clinical youth counselor. However, the wellness center is not a substitute for the students’ private physicians. “Chronic conditions require follow-ups where we give the student referrals to their pediatricians and do some basic workup to ease the
COURTESY OF TOM FEDOR/GAZETTE. USED WITH PERMISSION.
Health techs Beth Jordan and Cheryl Jones set up the Gaithersburg center. process with their doctors,” Howard says. “We have a close network with their private physicians who we
work with for the students’ health.” The wellness centers also offer services to students’ families who
cannot afford health insurance. According to Howard, MCPS has an insurance program called Care for Kids that allows siblings of students from less privileged families to use the services of the wellness center free of charge. The wellness centers cost about $1.7 million and have received funding from the Department of Health and Human Services, according to the MCPS Wellness Center Proposal. Non-profit organizations, including Identity Youth and Pride Youth Services contributed significantly to their funding and regularly send counselors to work there. The concept of high school wellness centers is part of a larger MCPS collaborative initiative. “It is a way the school district and county can work together to provide services—educational and non-educational—to families, many of which are living in or near the poverty line,” Tofig said. Given the criteria for having a wellness center, it is unlikely that CHS will get one. “The focus has been to put these centers—and similar partnerships—in schools where there is a high need financially and larger number of students and families that may not have access to healthcare and other services, “ Tofig said.
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Opinions
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Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Observer Editors
Editors-in-Chief Emily Birnbaum Elizabeth Campbell
Chief Production Manager Jane Zankman News Editors Brittany Goodman Julia Heimlich *Madison Hurr *Yash Nigam Opinions Editors Greer Smith *Madison Hurr *Samantha Silber *Arjun Swaminathan Observations Editor *Samantha Silber Features Editors Jordan Janis Jordan Maser *Katie Gauch *Alissa Li *Samantha Silber *Arjun Swaminathan Arts Editors Danielle Kiefer Julia Reagan *Katie Clem *Ana Faguy *Alissa Li Sports Editors Ben Fox Julia McDermott *Katie Clem *Emily Raab *Gil Jacobson Photography Editors Michael Fox Guransh Singh Erica Spaeth Fact Checkers Sam Lawrence Ross Tannenbaum * Production Editors
Managers
Advertising Manager Fiona Asbury Business Manager Jonathan Greenzaid
Circulation Managers Caitlin Doherty Ana Faguy Contest Manager Jeanine Liu Public Relations Natalie Cortez Noah Salzberg Adviser Kelly Knarr
Our Policy
The Churchill Observer is published monthly by the students of Winston Churchill High School, 11300 Gainsborough Road, Potomac, Md. 20854. Advertising and subscription rates are available by e-mailing churchill. observer@gmail.com. Advertisements do not necessarily reflect the opinion of staff, faculty or the student body. Every effort has been made by the staff to assure that the news is accurate and free of bias. Editorial opinions are those of the Observer staff, and personal commentaries and cartoons reflect the opinions of their writers. Letters to the editor must be signed, and assertions must be documented upon request. The Observer is a public forum for the purpose of expressing the views of and informing the Churchill student body.
Sitting or standing, students deserve respect CARTOON BY GREER SMITH.
The Pledge of Allegiance was originally written Sept. 8, 1892 with several additions made over the years. The version used today, with the words “under God” and the act of standing in salute to the flag on the wall was proposed and finally settled on in 1954. For some people, the Pledge is a way for them to show national pride. For others, it is a task they would rather opt out of, but both groups should be able to make their decisions without facing the scrutiny of others. In the famous Supreme Court case, West Virginia v. Barnette, the Court ruled that it was a violation of the First Amendment to make anyone stand for or say the Pledge. It is not up to the school system to determine how students show their political views. So why is it, though we are not required to acknowledge the
Pledge at all, that a daily announcement instructs students to rise for the Pledge, teachers often insist everyone rise, and students who remain sitting can be subject to questioning and dirty looks? Just because someone does not rise for the Pledge does not make that person any less American or proud of the country. There are many different reasons why one could choose to remain seated. The phrase “under God” could make someone without religious inclinations feel they need to remain seated. Though loyal to one’s country, one may not wish to say a Pledge that does not seem to respect the separation of church and state. Or, someone’s religion may be against pledging allegiance to a nation rather than their God.
However, religion is not the only controversy. While proud of their nation, many may not like the idea of just joining in on the Pledge, feeling it is in contrast to their freedom and individuality, and so they choose to remain seated. These are many legitimate reasons to choose not to say the Pledge, just as there are many legitimate reasons for saying it. People like to feel united or want to show respect for the nation or honor our troops. For whatever reason, people choose to say the Pledge. Both groups should be able to make their own choices. No more should the student who chooses to sit be questioned by teachers or peers. It is fine to respectfully inquire, out of curiosity, but teachers should not en-
courage a student to stand. When the majority is standing, it is not the easy choice to be the one to remain in one’s chair, and so the teacher should be the last person to make a student feel uncomfortable about his or her choice. Though it is more common for the majority of the class to say the Pledge, if a student finds him or herself to be the only one rising to say the Pledge, the class and the teacher should be respectful of a student in that situation as well. Sometimes teachers continue to instruct or talk through the Pledge; this should not happen. All students should feel comfortable making their choice. Whether students choose to sit or stand for the Pledge, they should be respected. The point of the Supreme Court case was to recognize our rights as Americans to show our patriotism in whichever way we please.
By Gil Jacobson Production Editor
a large amount of psychological and emotional bullying is present at CHS, which is often due to certain groups excluding one specific student. While staff members have made efforts to reduce the issue of bullying, such as showing a bullying video in homeroom each year, these efforts are not an integrated part of the CHS culture. The bullying video used in homeroom the first week of school, is an ineffective tool in reducing the issue because it
While staff members and administrators may be partially effective in breaking up bullying incidents, parts of truly preventing the conflict from continuing are simple defenses from the victim, such as learning to defiantly say, “No, you’re wrong!” According to University of Illinois psychology professor Karen Rudolph, these defiant responses, unlike a more passive approach, are less likely to increase a bully’s wanting to “up the ante.”
If a student cannot even stand up to being bullied in high school, how will they ever learn to stand by their core beliefs and values when someone unnecessarily criticizes them in the workplace? According to Dermont, a possible solution to the problem is more anti-bullying committee meetings held in the near future, and interested students are welcome to bring their ideas to the table.
BSERVER O OPINION
Bullying policy needs to take its own advice and ‘be the change’ “Nobody likes you,” “Why would you wear that?” and “You’re so gay,” are just a few of the phrases heard throughout the CHS hallways every day. While some of these are said in a joking or even sarcastic tone, not everyone interprets them the same way. Physical abuse at CHS may be rare, but verbal bullying is quite common. Even seemingly mi-
SCREEN SHOT COURTESY OF BENJAMIN SCHNAPP.
The start-of-the-year bullying video is not effective. nor insults and put-downs can be characterized as bullying. According to an August 2011 U.S. News article, 25.8 percent of high school students and 36 percent of middle school students reported being bullied during the 2008-2009 school year. Bullying happens everywhere, even CHS, and while administrators have made multiple attempts to stop the problem, none so far have proven to be effective. According to Art Department Resource Teacher Paul Dermont,
is merely text on a screen with no real emotional appeal. English teacher Kevin Brown suggests that showcasing an anonymous personal story about bullying, weekly on the Daily Dose, might be a more effective approach to solving the problem. The video also fails to mention anything about teaching kids to stand up for themselves. If students do not ever learn to even stand up for themselves, how will they ever know how to stop the bullying from getting worse?
A Letter from the Editor Dear Observer readers, For years, the Sports Section of our paper has been lacking in its true potential. While we have been dedicated in our reporting of wins and losses, players and coaches, and playoffs and preseasons, there is a whole realm of sports stories that we simply have not been able to cover. During the 2013-2014 school year, this will all change. Beginning with this month’s issue, the Churchill Observer Sports Section will no longer contain monthly coverage of each varsity sport at CHS. We will instead focus our coverage on the stories and opinions that students don’t often hear about. The reason for this is simple: by the time our paper has reached you in past
years, the coverages we offered were long outdated. Sports, an activity of non-stop action and excitement, became monotonous. We hope that with our new focus on athlete profiles, sports news, sports opinions and sports features, we can make this subject as fun to read about as it is to watch. We encourage any story ideas and feedback that you, the readers, have for us. Email the Observer at churchill.observer@gmail. com and check out our website at www.thechurchillobserver. com. Enjoy the new Sports Section. Ben Fox and Julia McDermott Sports Section Editors
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Opinions
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Students have mixed reactions to armed police officer Risk outweighs benefits Officer vital to safety By Elizabeth Campbell Editor-in-Chief Where there are guns, violence often follows. Do not bring that potential violence into our school by putting a gun here. CHS was recently issued an armed police officer. It should not have happened. Guns are highly powerful, and while they are fine to use responsibly for recreation, the supposed protection they provide is not worth the risk they bring onto our students. According to a government research project, The Safe School Initiative, the odds of a student in grades 9-12 being fatally shot is less than one in a million. Montgomery County Public Schools has never had a fatal school shooting. Even in the very unlikely case that CHS is ever attacked, there is no guarantee that our armed police officer would be able to stop the shooter. There was an armed guard on school property at Columbine, but the shooters there killed 15 people and injured 23. The uncertainty of which student is the bad guy, as was the case in Columbine, could cause police officers to hesitate to avoid shooting an innocent student. This natural reaction gives the shooter another advantage, on top of already having the element of surprise on their side, making an armed police officer that much less helpful in protection. Not only does a loaded gun not prevent the threat of attack, it could even increase it. All it takes is for one person or group of people to overpower the police officer and steal the officer’s gun, something that is not completely out of the question. In 2012 a high school student in Arkansas stole a gun from his teacher and smuggled it out of the room. Some may argue that since police officers are issued special security holsters, a student could not steal the gun. This is not the case. While security holsters may prevent a straight
grab of the gun it will not prevent an officer from being knocked unconscious and someone figuring out the lock mechanism on the holster. Most holsters used by police departments can be searched online to figure out how to unlock them. There is also the chance of accidental shootings that could arise when there is a gun around. In May, an armed school guard in Colorado accidentally shot a student in the leg in the parking lot, and in a separate event, a police officer accidentally shot an innocent student who had been taken hostage by a gunman. In August a police officer accidentally shot himself in the leg while holstering his weapon. The list goes on and on. In addition to the physical risk a gun causes students, there is also the psychological risk. According to a study done by the National Association of School Psychologists, highly visible efforts to increase school safety, such as cameras or armed guards, decrease student’s feelings of security and negatively affect the learning environment. According to clinical psychologist and administrator at the National Association of School Psychologists, Eric Rossen, who was interviewed for a Dec. 20, 2012 Washington Post article, despite what people think at times like these, schools remain one of the safest places for children in America. So statistically, the psychological costs outweigh any potential benefit. CHS should not have a loaded gun on school grounds and instead have the officer assigned to the CHS community area. This would keep the officer close in the rare event of a school shooting but far enough away to not add any risk to CHS students. Montgomery County needs to stop putting students at risk and take guns out of our schools.
By Dana Harris Online Features Editor Within the past few years, reports of school shootings have flooded the national media. Too many innocent lives have been cut short by ill individuals. These incidents may have turned out very differently had there been an armed police officer on the campus at all times. At the beginning of the school year, MCPS assigned CHS an armed school resource officer, officer T.N. Hargrove, whose main job is to enforce the law at CHS. According to an, Aug. 24 New York Daily News article, many districts across the nation added armed resource officers to their schools after the tragic Dec. 14, 2012 Newtown, Connecticut shooting that left 26 dead including 20 children. In the past, each MCPS high school had a resource officer, but due to budget cuts, the number of officers declined. Now that funds have been restored, CHS has a full-time officer. The presence of an armed police officer can be comforting to many. In the event of an emergency that requires police assistance, the officer would be in a position to control or end the situation. A c c o r d i n g t o stoptheshooting.org, a website to prevent and raise awareness about school shootings, there have been 387 school shootings since 1992,
resulting in 510 total fatalities. Over half of these victims were under the age of 19. Can armed resource officers stop a school shooting? Yes. According to a Feb. 1, 2013 article on Independent Review Journal, a political blog, on Feb. 1, 2013, a middle school student in Atlanta, Georgia brought a loaded gun to school and fired three shots, wounding a 14-year-old in the neck. The school’s officer was able to get the gun away from the individual, preventing any further injuries or fatalities. Some students may be uncertain or even fearful about having a loaded weapon in the school, which is understandable. However, the weapon is in the possession of a trained professional who will only use the gun if people’s lives are at risk. If people are aware that there is an armed resource officer in the building, it may deter an assailant from coming into the school because he or she will be facing a trained professional. In the end, it is horrible that our society has come to adding armed officers at schools across the country, but there are too many violent and aggressive people in the world. Schools cannot take a chance on losing their students and staff. An officer on campus is vital
MOST RECENT SCHOOL SHOOTINGS School
Date
Casualties
Santa Monica College (CA)
June 7, 2013
4
Sandy Hook Elementary School (CT)
December 14, 2012
27
Oikos University (CA)
April 2, 2012
7
Chardon High School (OH)
February 27, 2012
3
Virginia Tech (Second Shooting)
December 18, 2011
2
Dress code is outdated, unfairly enforced
By Fiona Asbury Advertising Manger
Dress codes are meant to ensure that clothing does not create a distracting or uncomfortable learning environment for students. However, at CHS, the dress code is starting to add unnecessary stress and tension to students’ lives. After watching the same dress code video year after year, students are quite aware of what the dress code entails. However, amidst the many necessary and expected rules, certain rules seem absurd, and students are immediately tempted to ignore them. For instance, how many students find shoulders obscene? Or how many students want to have the pressure of making sure their shorts are past their fingertips? Most students would rather risk the small chance of a punishment instead of going out of their way to find “appropriate” clothing. After all, the clothing that meets school criteria can be hard to find.
The fashion industry is promoting scenario is unavoidable because it hapmore skin and less clothing, while pens every time a cheerleader wears CHS is promoting the opposite. With her cheer uniform skirt to school. Cheerthe most leading popular skirts are teen clothnot even ing stores close to advertising extending merchanpast studise in clear dents’ finviolation of gertips, yet the dress the cheercode, stuleaders do dents have not face the to work same conhard to find sequences clothes that as another are actually student “appropriwearing a ate”. skirt that is What may too short. upset stuMany stores, like Forever 21, do not carry These doudents more is when they school-appropriate clothing for students. b l e s t a n see other students walking down the dards cause more anger and disruption hallway in clear violation of the dress during a school day than any inapprocode and not getting reprimanded. This priate outfit would.
When a school sponsored team is wearing a uniform that does not meet the dress code, it is evident that some of the rules are outdated and irrelevant and such rules should just be revoked. While it’s up to administrators to decide exactly how they will enforce the dress code, they should maintain equal and consistent enforcement for all. The students have to take it upon themselves to make sure that they do not abuse a more lenient dress code. Ultimately, if students take advantage of having fewer rules, the school would be forced to revert back to the strict and irritating rules in place right now. Overall, unless the school has a way to make appropriate clothing accessible and a requirement for all, the dress code needs an update. Otherwise, the division in the school between those who follow the dress code, those who do not, and those who are seemingly exempt from it is creating a large distraction—the very thing a dress code is meant to prevent.
Observations
6 By Jordan Janis Features Editor Danielle Kiefer Arts Editor
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Tuesday, September 24, 2013
New Teachers of CHS
The start of a new school year always brings new faces along with the familiar ones. This year, new staff members joined the CHS faculty in a variety of departments, and the Observer sat down with these newest staff members to find out a little more about them.
Nadia Alrabee Special Education Department
Favorite Subject in High School: “I loved geography, social studies and foreign language. I loved learning about different cultures from all aspects.” Last Place she worked: Wheaton High School. Favorite food: Japanese and Thai food.
Jacquelyn Washam Art Department
Matthew Albright Choral Music Department
Favorite band: Kenny Warner's Jazz Trio Most excitedA to: "Teach the choirs, whether it is teaching vocal basics or music theory to fun productions and concerts." Pet peeve: "Beethoven once said if you are going to be a street sweeper, be the best street sweeper there is. Meaning no matter what you decide to do in and with your life, be excellent at it. In order to do that, you have to give your full focus and drive at all times. I don't sit well with people that don't do that."
Makeyda Hilliard Counseling Department
Favorite food: Barbeque chicken with mac n’ cheese. Favorite band: “My absolute favorite band of all time is N’Sync.” Pet peeve: “Not following through—if you say it, then do it.”
Hei Man Anita Ching Science Department
Benjamin Schnapp Media Services Technician
Most excited about: Improving CHS’ television program. Pet peeves: “People leaving messes in my space and not listening when given a simple direction.” Last place he worked: “This is my first. I graduated from Temple University this past May.”
Favorite food: “My husband’s a really good cook. He barbeques a roasted whole chicken and we make buffalo chicken sandwiches with coleslaw.” Pet peeves: “Coming late to class and waiting by the door for the bell to ring.” Most excited about: “A new environaand I’m ready for new people, new teachers, a ‘newness’ to my teaching.”
Timothy Lowe PhysicalEducationDepartment
Jesse Motko Bridge Department
Favorite food: “Pizza. I could seriously eat it everyday.” Pet Peeve: “When people say pet peeve.” Last place he worked: “In the Poconos, in Pennsylvania.”
Favorite food: Sushi Most excited for: “The opportunity to be a part of such a supportive school and community.” Favorite subject in high school: “Health and P.E. I enjoyed playing sports and learning about the body and how to maintain a healthy lifestyle.”
Evan Rosenthal Social Studies Department
Nicole Van Tassell Social Studies Department
Favorite food: Italian. Pet Peeve: Sitting in D.C. traffic. Most excited about: “Working with a great community that supports the arts.”
Margo Hopkins Physical Education Department
Favorite subject in high school: Physics and math. Favorite food: “Dim sum, a Cantonese food.” Most excited about: “Students—every time I see a student learn something, I am excited.”
Lisa Wellek Business Administrator
Favorite subject in high school: “Social studies. I felt as if it was a story that I could just listen to.” Pet peeve: “When you’re walking up the steps and people are walking down the wrong side.” Most excited about: “Gettin’ down at the CHS homecoming dance. That’s how I’ll make my name at the school.”
Arvind Chopra Special Education Department Favorite food: Steak fajitas Most excited about: “I am excited to work in a school because I like the energy that emanates from the student body.” Pet peeve: “People who are gossip or are petty. Life is too short for that stuff.”
Kristin Beheler World Languages Department
Most excited about: The wrestling season. Favorite animals: Wolverine and honey badger. Pet peeve: “Food crumbs on me or my clothes.”
Favorite food: Spanish seafood paella Most excited about: “Getting to know the students.” Last place she worked: “The school, Santa María de la Providencia in Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain.”
Favorite food: Lamb Last place he worked: The National Center for Biotechnology Information at the NIH. Most excited about: “I see a lot of young people who have a lot of potential, and I think a lot of them are going to be leaders of America in the near future.”
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Teachers improve lives with Wellness Initiatve By Madison Hurr Production Editor Since the formation of a countywide wellness program a few years ago, teachers have taken up the challenge of practicing healthy living and have encouraged others to do the same. This September is Self Improvement Month and several teachers will honor this month with their participation in the CHS Teachers’ Wellness Initiative. Math teacher James Collins and assistant principal Doreen Brandes brought the initiative to CHS three years ago to improve the health and fitness of their colleagues as a part of the county wellness program. “The purpose of it is to get people moving and conscious of health,” Brandes said. “We have 22 members now, and our goal this year is to double that.” According to Collins, getting teachers to lead a healthier lifestyle has many benefits, including fewer days with substitute teachers, more energy, lower insurance costs and an overall sense of well-being. “I like the WCHS Wellness initiative because it reminds me that in order to be effective at work, I need to balance taking care of my work responsibilities as well as my responsibilities to my family and to myself,” resource teacher Jan Shapiro said. “The energy I gain from ‘moving more’ translates into more focused time at work and more energy for activities outside of
the work day.” According to the Mayo Clinic website, where clinical experts provide current medical information, physical activity provides people with more energy by delivering oxygen and nutrients to their tissues and helping the cardiovascular system work more efficiently. CHS students also enjoy teachers who are healthy and fit. Students can see teachers as enthusiastic role models for healthy living and take up the challenge themselves. “People who are fit tend to have higher
energy levels and are more often in a good mood,” junior Giulian Groce said. According to Collins, practicing fitness not only improves health, energy level and happiness, it also sharpens goal-setting skills and gives one a sense of achievement. “People become more focused on a healthy weight and on what they’re doing,” Brandes said. “Being active, healthy, and eating well makes one a better family member and employee.” Brandes sends out biweekly wellness tips and information to staff including lists of power foods, me-
PHOTO BY MADISON HURR.
Teachers often walk on the track after school to stay in shape without having to travel too far from their workplace. The track is open until dark.
tabolism-boosting snacks, desk yoga workouts, explanations of concepts like body mass index and a steps-tomiles conversion table. Biking, 5k races, healthy recipe competitions, health seminars and workshops are all additional components of the initiative. The 22 CHS teachers participating in the initiative are incorporating fitness into their lives by logging the number of steps they take and the type of activities they do every day into a website. The county’s wellness program calculates these steps and activities and engages teachers in a countywide competition, in which the schools and teachers who exercise the most are rewarded with prizes such as gym equipment and exercise classes. So far, CHS has won money, a demonstration from a chef who uses healthy cooking methods, a yoga class, and recently, a zumba class. “It can become something easy to get involved in,” Collins said. “We just point the way, and then they take off with it.” Teachers are now encouraged to incorporate lots of walking into their day by going to visit other teachers instead of emailing them, taking a walk during lunch, or settling for a parking spot farther away to make the walk to their destination a workout in itself. “Fitness has improved my overall quality of life, and I want to help other staff members reach their own wellness goals,” Collins said. “We can lead by example and show people how easy it is to add just a few extra steps to their day.”
Club Superlatives: The Popular, Productive and Unique
By Jeanine Liu Contest Manager Every year on Club Night, prospective students scour the rows of tables and walls of poster board in the crowded cafeteria to find clubs that suit their interests. The sheer number of clubs and members vying for students’ attention may be overwhelming, so here are some of the most well-known, productive and unique clubs at CHS.
for a national conference where they negotiate solutions with other delegates. Most members compete with a partner, which helps students develop their communication, listening and negotiation skills. According to Model UN member senior Hope Kean, being a good public speaker is the most important part. Model UN, an interactive club, is recommended for students interested in debate, foreign relations or even just making friends.
The Productive
pseudonyms that pertain to Greek gods and goddesses. “Using pseudonyms tends to attract shyer students, and I feel like we’re better artists and writers for it because there’s less fear of judgment,” Midnight Writers president junior Kim Rooney said. “We can be as weird and passionate and artistic and creative as we want.” Midnight Writers may just be the perfect club for aspiring writers and artists who crave anonymity. To check out their work, visit the Midnight Writers’ website: www.midnightwriters.webs.com.
The Popular
1. Key Club
The Unique
1. Consumption Junction
Key Club is one of the oldest international service organizations for high school students, and its CHS chapter shows no sign of slowing down. The club aims to give back to the local and international communities with activities every other weekend, such as Miracle League, a baseball league for children with disabilities, bake sales for Project Eliminate, a UNICEFsponsored project to eliminate maternal neonatal tetanus in third-world countries, and NIH children’s dinners. “We try to split the activities that we organize so that the majority of the activities are community-oriented and only a few of them are direct fundraising,” Key Club president senior Andrew Reitzes said. Highly recommended for those with enthusiasm for community service, the Key Club does not lack opportunities for goodwill.
1. Amazing Crocheting Enclave (ACE)
Baking cookies, cooking cakes… no wonder Consumption Junction attracts so many salivating students. But here’s the twist: the food isn’t for its members. Consisting of more than 30 members a year, Consumption Junction is a cooking club that allows people who like to cook to give back to the community and earn SSL hours while they’re at it. Every month, the members donate food as well as prepare and serve dinner at the Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless. According to Consumption Junction president senior Melissa Vailikit, club members often break off into groups of friends and bake the foods at home, and the club is open to any foodie wishing to join. 2. Model United Nations (Model UN) Real issues, fake identities. Boasting more than 200 members from all grade levels, Model UN has become so popular at CHS that it was offered as a class last year. At Model UN meetings, members research issues of countries that they represent to prepare
ACE is a club dedicated to spreading the joy of crocheting while bonding with others over a fun and relaxing skill. At the bimonthly meetings, members create everything from scarves to stuffed animals. One of the club’s most impressive projects is a sweater currently worn by the bulldog outside of the main office to support the anti-bullying campaign. According to ACE president senior Tina Zudock, this year, the club plans
to get involved with a crocheting charity that makes blankets with the crocheted squares that members send in, which are then distributed to those in need. The club holds meetings twice a month. ACE may be the ideal club for anyone seeking a peaceful hobby as a break from the chaos of school. 2. Go Club: Originating in China more than 2,500 years ago, Go is a board game consisting of black and white “stones” and a 19x19 grid played between two players who aim to surround each other and occupy a larger total area of the board in order to win. Members of the Go Club meet once every quarter to learn rules and strategies and play against each other in tournaments. Occasionally, members visit a nursing home and teach senior citizens how to play the game. “Anyone with interest can join the club,” Go Club president senior Andrew Tsao said. “Since all different levels of players are welcome, the club accommodates for the different skill levels.” Albeit unusual, the Go Club is worth checking out for those interested in ancient, yet highly strategic board games.
2. Midnight Writers Aimed at giving students a place to publish their art, photography and writing, Midnight Writers is a club that has its creative juices flowing. Their monthly namesake literary magazine publishes everything from poetry to digital art while fitting into a monthly theme and bonus themes, such as Harry Potter. Most writers submit their work under
The Midnight Writers regularly publish a literary magazine every month.
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Tuesday, September 24, 2013
‘Observer’ guide for how to be Employee of the Month By Sammi Silber Observations Editor When CHS students come to school, many expect to have to juggle homework, classwork, tests and quizzes. However, some students have to handle something else along with their schoolwork: a job. Jobs come with not only a ton of work, but they can also come with bosses to impress. Having and keeping a job is a very important skill that all people need to know for life, and impressing your boss is crucial. While many bosses praise their workers and treat them with respect, some bosses are more difficult to work for. In fact, some working CHS students have admitted that they have had a challenging boss. According to freshman Jimmy Stempien, who worked at a summer camp, he did not like his boss because of the way he was treated. “He would always pick on me and always blame an issue on me, whether or not it was me,” Stempien said. According to an Observer poll of 31 students who are working or have worked, 45 percent of workers claimed to have liked their bosses while 55 percent of them claim that they do not like their bosses. Whether the bosses in charge of CHS students are nice or mean, the Observer sat down with bosses and students to learn the do’s and don’t’s of working to transform CHS students from slackers to employees of the month.
DO: Show enthusiasm on the job. One of the things most managers look for in potential employees is
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their enthusiasm. Many workplaces, such as restaurants and clothing stores, want students who can have a smile on their face and be nice to the customers. According to Attman’s Deli manager Slor Brito, Attman’s looks to hire workers with an optimistic and genuine attitude, who are also willing to take on the work load. “We look for people with high energy, who are good with customers, outgoing, friendly, mature, and willing to learn,” Brito said.
DO: Be organized while maintaining your positive attitude. Another way to impress the boss is to stay organized while maintaining your positivity. It is important to always tell the boss in advance if you need to take off some work time. California Tortilla President Bob Phillips looks to hire high school students who are “spunky,” while he also believes that the most coordinated and punctual workers are the best. “The more organized the workers are with their time helps us,” Phillips said. “They could stay organized and tell us when they are going to be out of work.”
According to Brito, personal lives are not to be discussed with customers, and cell phones are prohibited.
DON’T: Use your cell phones while you’re working.
DON’T: Say anything disrespectful or negative.
An issue that usually comes up while workers are on the job is when the students working are on their cell phones. Texting Mike back about the picture of the cat he just sent is not as important as your job. This will make you look immature, while it will also make it seem like your personal life is more important than work.
If you dislike your boss, the most important thing to remember is to keep your thoughts to yourself. If you say something out of line, it will make you look like a negative person with a bad attitude, which will definitely not impress the boss. According to junior Rachel Narrow,
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Junior Billy Ketelhut rings customers up at California Tortilla. even though her boss was “obnoxious,” she avoided saying anything that she may have regretted later. “I brushed it off,” Narrow said. “I knew he was the boss, and I followed his instructions. I bit my tongue and said nothing out of place.” Bosses also see negative behavior as a minus and will not hire anybody who cannot maintain a positive attitude. Work is important. It is a skill that all people should know for later on in life. So be sure to stay positive, focus on the job and avoid talking on the phone or talking back to the boss. Good luck at work, Bulldogs!
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
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Classrooms: You’re hot then you’re cold Temperatures controlled by the county, not school
PHOTO BY ALISSA LI.
The business office often remains a crisp 68 degrees throughout the day much to the dismay of financial specialist Judith Starlings. By Alissa Li Production Editor Bundled up in heavy winter jackets, students brace themselves
for the storm to come—inside their classrooms. Extreme room temperatures, whether they are freezing or sweltering, are a frequent issue at CHS.
According to William Butler, supervisor of the MCPS Energy Management Department, each school is divided into zones. Each zone is determined by the purpose of its room, like classrooms and offices. In each zone, the temperatures are controlled differently. If something is not working correctly, schools can contact the Energy Management Department. Butler and his technicians can identify problems with the temperature in each school by the temperature sensors set up in every school. “The temperature works with temperature sensors in each area through the building which are controlled and monitored outside the building by the maintenance department of the Energy Management system,” CHS building services manager Angel Delgado said. During the summer or when it is hot out, the county drops the temperature to 76 degrees. When it is winter, the county brings the temperature up to a minimum of 70 degrees. Schools can individually change the temperature by two degrees, but the temperature of the school is ultimately decided by the county. However, there are many rooms that do not conform to this regulation, such as the business office. Financial
specialist Judith Starlings, who works in the business office, has to wear a coat and gloves in order to adjust to the office’s cold temperature. “The temperature in the business office is usually 67 degrees,” Starlings said. “I usually keep my winter coat in my office all year long.” The air conditioning can either be on full blast or off; there is no in between. “It’s inconvenient to have to bring a sweatshirt to class when it’s 90 degrees out,” junior Katie Kidney said. “It’s also incredibly harmful for the environment to air condition the school to such a low temperature.” However, although he does not like the temperature of his room, instrumental music director Kristofer Sanz has accepted the problem over time. “I have come to grips with the fact the room is hot,” Sanz said. “It has been a constant issue and you learn to deal with it and move on.” While Sanz puts a positive spin on a bothersome problem, English teacher Jeffery Savett does not think the temperature of his room is a problem at all. “I love the temperature of my room,” Savett said. “I’m very frenetic when I teach and so having the air conditioner work well is really important. Otherwise, I’d be drenched by the end of the day.”
All you need to know about college recommendations By Skylar Whitman Staff Writer College application deadlines are quickly approaching, and students are left with unanswered questions about the proper etiquette for asking and reminding teachers about recommendations. Here are some tips for the students who need a little help in their hunt for the perfect recommendation. Who? With seven classes per semester, two semesters per year and four years at CHS, it is possible to have had about 60 different teachers. College and Career Information Coordinator Luana Zimmerman recommends that you do not consider your recommender solely on the class you got an easy A in. “You should ask an academic teacher, one who knows you well,” Zimmerman said. “Not necessarily where you got the best grade.” What? Most schools require, or at least accept, teacher recommendations. A recommendation is a teacher’s reflection of who you are after teaching you. According to Social Studies teacher Lallitha John, teachers are “honest and truthful in their recommendations.” Make sure you have been a good student in the class so that you will have a favorable recommendation. The recommendation may include summaries of certain projects you partook in for the class or how the teacher felt about your contributions to the class. When? It’s never too early to start thinking about which teacher has made an impact on you
INFOGRAPHIC BY JANE ZANKMAN.
during high school. Freshmen, you may want to keep your current teachers in mind. Always make good first impressions and keep connections throughout the year. Sophomores, start thinking about the teachers you have had the past two years, and make a mental note about the ones you have good relationships with. Juniors, this year is crucial for
figuring out which teacher to ask to write your recommendation. “The best time to ask a teacher for a recommendation is spring of junior year,” Zimmerman said. Seniors, it’s time to sit down with your recommender and discuss their willingness to write the recommendations, what their schedule is like, and what, if any,
information they need from you. Some teachers may ask for you to give them things to write about such as your strengths and your favorite parts of their class, while others write their recommendation and send it to the schools you applied to without asking for your input at all. Where? When you are an incoming senior, you are given a Naviance account. This website keeps track of your applications, test scores, GPA and more. According to Zimmerman, CHS faculty send documents to colleges through Naviance, so your recommender needs to know which colleges you are applying to whenever you have that information. Their recommendations will be sent online through Naviance. Why? Recommendations are almost always helpful when submitting college applications because the recommendation will be a positive reflection on who you are. This should influence the college admissions counselors’ decision of whether you are suitable for their school. How? Some teachers get asked by hundreds of students every year, so being polite, pro-active and respectfully persistent when asking a teacher to write a recommendation is extremely important. Maintaining a good relationship with them throughout the year does not hurt either. “Do not email the teacher,” social studies teacher Rodney Van Tassell said. “Ask in person.” Making good impressions on your teachers is very important. In a few years, one of them may be writing a college recommendation that could help you get into your number one school.
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“Social Media has been awesome because it has made the whole process of promoting and advertising so much easier,” said junior WeiAnne Reidy, who started her own business just months ago. Reidy has loved arts and crafts since a young age, but only recently took up an interest in fashion design. Her clothing and accessories brand, Preidy (pronounced “pretty”), offers handmade and customizable items. “Each piece is completely made to fit the person who is ordering it, down to the materials and the size,” Reidy said. The goal of Preidy is to make custom-
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
ers feel good about themselves through affordable and unique fashion that is trendy and chic. The online webpage, www.Preidybyreidy.blogspot.com, shows the wide variety of items avavilable for sale, including t-shirts, shorts, shoes, flower accessories and soaps. Each item costs no more than $30; however, prices vary depending on the amount of customization. “As for the future, I’m just taking everything as it comes to me,” Reidy said. “My business has already grown so much in such a short amount of time. My plan is to just continue what I’ve started.”
Courtesy of WeiAnne Reidy.
Another student with business on the brain is junior Gavi Kaufmann. After working at a day camp this past summer, she fell in love with teaching Zumba, a Latin-inspired workout dance, and became a certified instructor. “I am certified in Zumba Basic and Zumba Gold,” Kaufmann said. “Zumba Basic is the foundation for Zumba, and Zumba Gold is for older active people with specific physical needs.”
Kaufmann is part of ZIN, the Zumba Instructor Network, which allows people all around the world to find instructors in their area. She teaches Zumba at various youth group events, community centers and congregations. Those interested in booking Kaufmann for their next event should head to www. gavik.zumba.com to contact her and find out more about the world of Zumba. Courtesy of Gavi Kaufmann.
By Julia Reagan Arts Editor
The CHS student body is unstoppable. From selling cookies to teaching Zumba classes, students know how to turn a simple idea into a moneymaking machine. Thanks to the rise of social media and the ease of promoting one’s talents through the Internet, many students have recently chosen to turn their passions into profitable businesses using online publicity.
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
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Courtesy of Natasha Ivanina.
Senior Nick Cohen officially opened his buisness Paddleboard Nick in early June. Cohen has been paddle boarding since age 8 and decided this past summer that he wanted to put his entrepreneurial skills to the test. “Starting a paddle board company was obvious to me,” Cohen said. “I love paddboarding, I love teaching people to paddle, and love the water so I thought, ‘Why not start my own paddle board company?’” Through his company, Cohen offers paddle boarding lessons to
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Senior Natasha Ivanina also fell in love with the Latin spice of Zumba, which was introduced to her by her mom, and took classes for two years before becoming an assistant instructor. She because certified to teach on her own in December 2012. “Zumba is a wonderful dance workout that everyone enjoys,” Ivanina said. “It’s not something like lifting weights or doing situps. You don’t count down those last few reps with your remaining breath and struggle through them. Zumba is fun and very energetic. Before you know it, you’ve already spent an hour exerting all that energy you came with.” Ivanina offers Zumba classes to
11 teachers after school at Mill Creek Town Elementary School in Rockville. While teaching, she likes to incorporate traditional salsa and merengue moves with other dance styles like hip-hop. She is also a member of the ZIN program, which she believes is a crucial aspect to her success as a Zumba instructor. Along with allowing local gyms, clubs, and dance studios to contact her for jobs, being a ZIN member has special benefits like selling Zumba merchandise. Anyone interested in taking a Zumba class by Ivanina should email her at ivaninatasha@gmail.com
anyone who is interested, no matter their age or size. He begins his lessons with a tutorial to teach his students about equipment and basic water skills and then moves into the water to teach self-rescue. Finally, he takes his students to explore islands and coves in the Rehoboth Bay area. Cohen keeps his websites updated with current videos, pictures and blogs. Students interested in taking lessons with Paddleboard Nick should visit his main website www.paddlebaordnick.com. Courtesy of Nick Cohen.
Courtesy of Maria Gomez-Bustillo.
Junior Maria Gomez-Bustillo of Baked Goods by Maria developed a knack for baking years ago and finally decided this past summer to create an online webpage to sell her pastries. “Everybody told me that it was a good idea to start my own business because I already bake so much, and I thought that it would be cool to sell my own products,” Gomez-Bustillo said. Her company offers a wide range of cakes, cupcakes, cookies, bars and brownies, all of which are avaible for pick-up by customers in the area. Gomez-Bustillo prides herself on offering a huge selection of
flavors, with prices ranging from $5 to $25. From brownie mint cakes and s’mores cupcakes to blueberry cinnamon cookies and rocky road brownies, Baked Goods by Maria bakes treats to satisfy any sweet tooth. Gomez-Bustillo also designs personalized cakes, a skill that she acquired from taking decorating courses. “I try to keep everything well priced so that it is accessible to the community,” Gomez-Bustill said. Check out her website at www. bakedgoodsbymaria.blogspot. com and “like” her Facebook fan page to stay up-to-date on information about all things delicious.
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Tuesday, September 24, 2013
What would happen if ‘The Purge’ came to CHS? By Catherine Goohs Online Arts Editor The beginning of the school year is a time when students return to a scheduled lifestyle and follow CHS rules. Theses regulations exist for very important reasons, but what if, for one single day, all CHS rules were thrown out the window? A similar situation is the focus of the film The Purge, released in June, which documents a dystopian America where crime and unemployment rates are at an alltime low. The reason: there is one special day each year, “The Purge,” dedicated to the cleansing of every human’s animalistic aggression. Though the plot quickly diverges to a man-defends-his-family story line instead of exploring the more interesting notion of what a day free of law could mean to the world, the intriguing premise of the film invokes many questions, like what would happen if such a day actually existed? Could a ‘CHS Purge Day’ be beneficial to the lives of the students? “If we had a day to purge, people would break many rules including cell phone use and dress code,” junior Jordyn Kline said. “Some students may not come to school because they’d feel guilty over rule breaking, and some may come to take advantage of this big event.”
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inner anxiety and cleanse oneself of aggression. While having a school day to wear tube tops and text to our heart’s content could be fun, could it be healthy too? “I think one of those days would probably work because it would
I’d wear a funky hat.” - Sophomore Anthony Ratinov
release our stress in a way,” freshman Ayako Sekiya said. However, according to AP Psychology teacher Jamie Frank, cathartic activity, like purging, could actually worsen one’s angst. Studies have shown that the “release” one achieves from catharsis is only short term. “Because you never resolve the reason you have the anxiety, your anxiety could become worse over time,” Frank said. Not only would students get the chance to unleash their inner wild child, but perhaps taking away the rules would establish their importance. “I think it would be valuable because people would see what school is about and what the rules really mean,” Konduri said. According to Gibson, the entire student body would draw some excitement from a day void of rules. It would be like a planned school event, “one of the best d a y s o f the year.” A day to purge could u n fold in many ways, I’d probably have my depending on the student phone out all day and watch body as a whole. It’s fairly Netflix, then I’d leave class possible that if all the rules to meet with friends.” were taken away, not much would change at all. - Senior Dinali Weeraman “You can never really Whether students would spend j u d g e w h a t p e o p l e w i l l d o , ’ ” the rule-free day with friends or Frank said. But maybe the CHS doors avoiding school altogether, it is extremely likely that attendance w o u l d c o l l a p s e w i t h m a y h e m . levels would decrease on Purge Day. An important question to ask is: “I highly doubt anyone would what does it mean if CHS students react extremely well without rules come,” senior Savion Gibson said. The idea of catharsis is to release or cannot function at all? Could
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IMAGE BY SAMMI SILBER.
we be too conformed to act out differently despite such freedom? Or are we so full of angst and rebellious that taking away the rules would unleash anarchy? “If we function well without rules, that shows that students have the right mind set deep inside to
do the right thing,” Kline said. “I think we could function well without rules, but if we didn’t have rules we’d have to make our own decisions and face the consequences. We’d have to learn why the rules are there in the first place.”
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Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Buzzfeed
Students who are avid fans of popular TV series Pretty Little Liars will be excited for the Oct. 22 premiere of its spinoff, Ravenswood. Tyler Blackburn will reprise his Pretty Little Liars role as Caleb Rivers, devoted boyfriend to Rosewood resident, Hanna Marin, (Ashley Benson). Ravenswood follows five teenagers who work together to try to solve a mysterious curse that has been cast upon their town for many years. This website features a variety of entertaining social content on topics such as celebrities, food and DIY projects. The hysterical articles, lists and videos on Buzzfeed have people sharing and showing them to their friends via Facebook and Twitter. Some titles that can be found are “26 Reasons Why the World Needs Instagram” and “The Typical Day of a Kid in the Early ‘90s”.
CHS students can’t get enough of John Mayer’s latest studio album, Paradise Valley. The playlist contains 11 rock-folk songs, two of which feature bonus artists Katy Perry and Frank Ocean. Recently recovered from vocal surgery, Mayer has used this album to reveal a more mature sound with a unique country twang.
Paradise Valley
By Danielle Kiefer Julia Reagan Arts Editors
Ravenswood The Observer sifts through the hype and the hip to bring you topics worth talking, Tweeting and texting about.
Always on the lookout for the latest technology, students are pumped about the most recent iPhone update, iOS7, released Sept. 18. Along with a more sophisticated and sleek design, the upgrade offers a variety of new features including Control Center, AirDrop, and iTunes Radio.
Students have been loving Nike’s new line of shoes, which are lightweight and have a snug, sock-like fit. Despite being made of only polyester yarn, the shoes provide breathability, support and flexibility. These running shoes are also stylish and available in a variety of colors. PHOTOS COURTESY OF CREATIVE COMMONS.
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iOS 7
New arts teacher expands students’artistic horizons By Greer Smith Opinions Editor Jacquelyn Washam, CHS’ new art teacher and a working artist, is using her background knowledge of the art world to help jump-start art students’ artistic endeavors by encouraging all of them to have an art show by senior year. Her idea is for students to put hard work into finishing major pieces and eventually do a show on their own or in a group. This allows students not only to showcase their art, but also to experience the work and emotions a working artist goes through and even have a chance to make some money. “I think it is important to do shows because there is a lot that goes into pulling off an art show and being a working artist,” Washam said. Washam has been doing shows for years, and she knows about the pressure behind them, but she also knows about the value and reward. “My first art show was when I was a sophomore in high school,”
Washam said. “I had a personal show at the Yellow Barn in Glen Echo. I was really excited until I hung my work. I got so nervous; I thought all my pieces were horrible. I ended up selling 12 pieces. It went well, and it fueled me to keep going.” Students will not be expected to have a solo show sophomore year like Washam; they can do a group show or a solo show whenever they are ready. Some students have only started art as a junior or senior, but Washam encourages the idea that anyone who works hard enough can have a show. “I’m not sure if having an art show is something I’ll be able to do, but I’d really like to,” junior Katie Kidney said. Excluding AP students, many of the art students do not have the pressure to make an array of pieces to be presented or shared because the curriculum does not require it. According to freshman Libby Spriggs, having shows is a good idea for those thinking of pursuing a career in art. “It is unrealistic for kids who just do art for fun,” Spriggs said. However, having an art show is
beneficial for more than just students looking for a career in art. It can be a positive way to spend one’s time or a way to give back to the community. According to Washam, some coffee shops and restaurants display student artwork, and sharing art in such shops is “beneficial to the community,” because people get a chance to be exposed to a variety of local art samples by students they may know. Students do not have to aim for an audience outside of CHS, however. There are plenty of opportunities to share within the school. “I want an art show,” junior Ethan Denicoff said. “I would want it to be in the school so other students could see it, because I think students like to see what other students are doing; it’s interesting.” Though it is not required for any student, having an art show, whether at CHS, the Yellow Barn or at local businesses, allows students to share their work, gain new experiences and gives more exposure to the CHS art community. “I invite all of CHS to come out and support the art students,” Washam said.
PHOTO BY GREER SMITH.
New arts teacher Jacquelyn Washam works with senior Alexa Trost to produce her own artwork for a potential show.
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Attman’s Deli proves to be perfect lunch destination By Julia Heimlich News Editor
Attman’s Delicatessen, the new deli in Cabin John Shopping Center, gives seniors one more local option when choosing a restaurant to eat at during their lunch break. Attman’s, which has another location in Baltimore, offers a wide variety of fresh meals including deli meat sandwiches, bagels, tuna, chicken salad, and potato pancakes. “The service is fast, the food is delicious, and it’s very close to Churchill,” said junior Evan Zelig, who works at Attman’s, which opened in July. The deli consists of two separate rooms: at the front, food can be ordered at the counter and carried out, and in the back, the food is served by waiters.
According to general manager Mark Walsh, the CHS lunch break is the perfect time for students to come to Attman’s. “We have a nice, busy breakfast, and then a little lull,” Walsh said. “It’s great that seniors can come in during the quiet period and get served quickly.” The catered boxed lunches are the perfect way to go for seniors, who are often in need of a quick bite. “They’re $11.59 and include a sandwich and a drink, potato salad, coleslaw, a bag of chips, and cookies or fruit,” Walsh said. While the restaurant may be a little on the pricy side for some students, others feel that it is worth it. According to Leslie Sterling, there is “good service and food with a calm atmosphere.”
PHOTO BY JULIA HEIMLICH.
Attman’s opened in Cabin John Shopping Center on July 12, a few months after the closing of its predecessor, Celebrity Deli.
AP Lit teacher publishes first book of poetry cover? Is there any significance there?
done editing a poem?
A: My good friend, Mordechai Rackover, took the back cover photo of the stone carving. It’s a photo of the Karo synagogue in Tzfat, Israel. I took the photo of the telephone on the acknowledgements page in Montreal. We purchased the cover photo of the stones and the dedication photo of the houses.
A: That’s a hard question. A poem is never really done; you just stop working on it. It’s an issue of the taste of an artist. You could work on one poem for the rest of your life, but it would turn into something completely different. It doesn’t make sense to keep editing it for too long, because you have to allow the poem to be what it wanted to be at the time it was written. You don’t want to change the core of what it was.
Q: As I flip through the poems, I can’t help but notice that a few of the scenarios sound a little familiar because you mentioned them in AP Lang last year. Do you usually share anecdotes with your students that are incorporated into your poetry?
PHOTO BY ILANA BERGER.
A: Yeah, certainly things that I’ve told my students get incorporated. “With Mastodon You At Reluctant Concert” is about a Mastodon concert that I went to with a good friend who didn’t listen to that kind of music at all and just seeing him let go and enjoy. It’s a way of me thinking about what to write about later.
Preservation is a collection of the poetry Savett has Q: Which poem would you say is b een w r i t i n g i n his sp are time for the past 15 ye ar s. The your favorite? p oem , “ F i re D r ill,” (b elow ) is insp ire d by CHS st ude nt s. By Ilana Berger Online News Editor Jeffrey Savett, AP Literature and Composition teacher, published July 29 his first poetry chapbook, a short collection of poems that revolve around a common theme. Titled Preservation, and published by CoreyJF Publishing, the book contains poetry from throughout Savett’s career. Q: Many students at CHS had no idea how passionate you are about poetry. What inspired you to put together this collection? A: I’ve been writing poetry for 15 years, tooling away in small journals, and stacking up rejection letters. It’s been a lifetime dream to write this book. What happened was, this local guy noticed my updates on LinkedIn and contacted me saying that he was interested, so I sent him my manuscript. Q: What is the significance of the title Preservation? How does this tie into the theme of the collection? A: For me, poetry is a form of meditation and prayer. Because of my illness (Crohn’s Disease) and many surgeries, I find that I’m hyperaware of my mortality, and it’s made me pay attention more and notice the little things in life. All of the poems in Preservation are moments in my life that I want to
preserve, because I know that these moments are fleeting—they come and go, and soon there are none left. The quote by Abraham Joshua Heschel at the beginning of the book says, “Our goal should be to live life in radical amazement…never treat life casually… what seems to be a stone is a drama.” I try to follow Heschel’s wisdom by making normal, everyday things holy. Q: Did the part about the stone in Heschel’s quote inspire the photo of stones on the cover? A: Yes. “What seems to be a stone is a drama,” tells us to always look twice. In everything, there are still stories and things to be seen, even in something as simple as a stone. The same concept connects to the poem “Slaying Tiamat.” According to a Babylonian myth, creation began with Marduk, a creative warrior who represented light and order, and Tiamat, a dragon who represented chaos and disorder. The world came to be when Marduk slayed Tiamat—order overcame disorder. I don’t really believe in order, but I believe that can we create the things that sustain us. Slaying Tiamat is about me trying to overcome my illness. Q: What about the other photography on the acknowledgement and dedication pages, as well as the back
A: I like “Parts and Labor” and “Dixon Ticonderoga.” Those two are newer. People tend to like the stuff that they write more recently. Q: At what point do you know you’re
Q: I notice that on the CHS website, you’re Jeffrey Savett, but on the cover of Preservation, you’re Akiva J. Savett. What made you decide to do this? A. I have two reasons for this one. One, writing under a pseudonym gives the author freedom to take on different stories and people in their poetry. It reminds the reader that the speaker in the poem and myself aren’t necessarily the same person. Two, Rabbi Yosef Ben Akiva was one of the greatest Jewish scholars of all time, known for his modesty, wisdom, and genius. There is a myth that only four men who ever lived meditated deeply enough to get to the highest realm of mystical union and return alive. Out of those four men, Rabbi Akiva was the only one who was able to return and use his new insight for good in his everyday life. This is an inspiration to me.
Fire Drill
the school contracts her teeming womb; they penguin huddle against the seal tooth wind.
boys commence their chivalry, strip to white undershirts, girls commence their sweetest vulnerable,
accepting flannels and bear hugs, sleeves pulled over hands, tucked arms, fetus tight.
even clinging in this frost, competition has brittled each umbilicus; though they pray for a real fire, the bullhorn all clear is a siren and they’re borne again. -Akiva J. Savett
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Chang is kung fu fighting with kicks as fast as lighting By Jane Zankman Production Manager When people think of kung fu, they tend to think of the Karate Kid, Kung Fu Panda or the song “Everybody’s Kung Fu Fighting,” but in reality, it is an intense, intricate sport and art form. Kung fu, or Wushu, is a Chinese martial arts form and the national sport of China. It is a combination full-contact sport, consisting of handto-hand combat, as well as a showcase sport characterized with artful movement. Senior Andrew Chang has been studying this art of Wushu since an early age. He has competed in many cultural events and competitions. “My parents wanted me to take kung fu lessons,” Andrew said. “I got to learn different weapons like swords and staffs.” Andrew began taking lessons at the age of 6, and made the U.S. Junior Wushu team this past year by placing in the top six at the trials. “We started Andrew in Wushu lessons when he was in the first grade,” said Ann Chang, Andrew’s mother. “It was a fun extracurricular activity at
Andrew’s Chinese school where he could exercise with friends after sitting in class all morning every Sunday.” Eventually, Andrew decided to pursue kung fu further, so he decided to enter the Wushu Academy in Virginia to hone his skills. “I enjoy performing the form because you get to add your own style to everything,” Andrew said. This past summer, Andrew received his black belt in Wushu after 11 years of training. In order to obtain a black belt, there is a “rank test” that each student must pass. “The rank test is really challenging, because we have to do four ‘whole forms,’” Andrew said. “It sounds easy, but you have to build up your stamina and your strength, or else it’s really hard to finish.” According to Andrew, Wushu has two sides: one of technicality and one of style. While he is proficient in the technical side consisting of flexibility, speed, and power, he still believes he can work on his aerial combinations, consisting of intricate jumps and kicks. “I think I have most of the technicality down because it just
PHOTO COURTESY OF ANDREW CHANG.
Andrew Chang competes in a Wushu competition in the sword style (above) and in his favorite, the form style (right). Chang has participated in competitions across the nation.
takes practice and repetition,” Andrew said. “But style is unique and hard to bring out.” Andrew has competed in both local and national competitions from Capitol Classics, an annual martial arts tournament at the National Harbor, to the 2012 U.S. Junior Wushu Team trials, where he placed in the top six. He placed third for staff and sword, as well as fourth for bare hand. “The top six places are selected to represent the US in international competition, so I could have gone to Pan-America to compete in that,” Andrew said. “But I had to focus on SAT’s and other school work because it was during junior year.” According to Andrew, a competition consists of an opening ceremony and a warm-up period where each competitor has floor time. Each competition is split based on
age, style and gender, so it allows for fewer competitors in each competition. “It’s divided by style because some people learn a form to do, but others learn to fight, like in the Karate Kid.” Andrew said. For Andrew it is not just the art form or the competitions that he enjoys, but also that he has been able to meet new people, make new friends and continue to learn from them by comparing techniques. “We watch each other’s styles and learn from each other about both technicality and style,” Andrew said. “But we’re also there for moral support during competitions.” Andrew is planning to pursue Wushu in the future. “I want to continue Wushu at the college I go to, and I have factored in if the college has Wushu or not into my college searching,” Andrew said.
better to take a higher-ranked running back or higher-ranked wide receiver for the flex,” Collins said. The prize for winning the league is pure bragging rights. The Fantasy draft was held during class with some basic draft necessities such as Munchkin doughnuts. According to Collins, the class
was only able to get through nine rounds of the draft in order to fill their starting lineup, and the students will fill their bench using the waiver list. “There’s no prize, there’s no pressure,” Collins said. “I didn’t want it to be competitive as much as I wanted it to be learning.”
Fantasy Football finds a new arena: the classroom By Jonathan Greenzaid Business Manager
Senior Greg Seymour selected Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson as the first pick of the 2013 Quantitative Literature Fantasy Football draft. Starting this year, Quantitative Literature teacher James Collins is incorporating Fantasy Football into the class as a way to show students that math is used throughout our daily lives. “I’m very passionate about having kids see where you can use math outside of the building,” Collins said. “In your real lives and everything else, the numbers are all around you. We make decisions every day with numbers without even thinking about it.” Collins, who has been a Fantasy Football fanatic for 15 years, thought a league would be a fun way to teach students. He is trying to teach his students effective ways to analyze statistics and numbers to make better decisions financially when investing. “There’s no guarantees with stocks, just as there’s no guarantees with players,” Collins said. “You could take Adrian Peterson in the first round in
a Fantasy Football draft and he gets hurt week two. Your season could go down the drain. You may pick a stock, thinking they’re a great stock, and then the company goes bankrupt and something bad happens to the company and you lose money.” Collins’ students appreciate that they are able to play Fantasy Football in class as they feel it makes class more exciting. “I play on the football team, so anything football is enjoyable,” Seymour said. According to the Fantasy Sports Trade Association website, Collins and his students are part of the almost 33.6 million people playing Fantasy Football in 2013. However Collins’ league is more math-based than most. “We are not picking players based off of cool names,” Collins said. “We are picking players based off of statistics and what’s expected of them, and that’s math. If not, everybody would want Jacquizz Rodgers in the first round because he’s got a cool name, but statistically he is not the smartest choice.” Each student has his or her own fantasy team in the class, and the students made their own draft choices based off of player statistics. “We talked about whether it is
PHOTO BY JONATHAN GREENZAID.
Quantitative Literature teacher James Collins has been managing Fantasy Football leagues for over a decade and is excited to be running this first-year league for his class.
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MCPS mandates all teams take concussion test By Julia McDermott Sports Editor
Whether it is from a blow to the head or a violent shake of the body, a concussion alters the way the brain functions. Concussions are one of the leading sports injuries, and can happen from any high school sport, especially the contact ones such as soccer, football and lacrosse. As of this year, MCPS is requiring that all high school athletes take a concussion baseline test before the fall season. “The tests are a tool that can be used to help an athlete following a concussion or suspected concussion,” athletic director Scott Rivinius said. Although CHS has been testing athletes in previous years, this is the first year that the test has been county-funded and required for athletes of all sports. “Concussions have occurred in sports that you would think they wouldn’t,” golf coach Mike Fisher said. “It is better to cover all possibilities than to second guess in the event of that rare occurrence.” With a rapid increase in the number of diagnoses, concussions are becoming an issue that spans from high school sports to the professional level. There has been much debate in professional football on the safety of helmets, and recently
PHOTO BY ELIZABETH CAMPBELL.
Contact sports, such as field hockey, present a greater threat of concussions than noncontact sports, but every athlete still must take a baseline test. three college football players have sued the NCAA for improper treatment of concussions. The players claimed that they continued to experience ongoing headaches, memory loss, depression and
dizziness after suffering concussions, and they denied a settlement with the NCAA. According to Rivinius, the program, which is good for two years after being taken, is done by
ATI Sports Medicine, a different company than the one used in previous years, and it has received support from coaches. The test is a series of memory, reaction time and attention span drills that can be done on any computer in about 25 minutes. With the threat of a second concussion and serious brain damage being even more dangerous in the time after an athlete receives the initial blow, the test displays the differences in the brain before and after the concussion. The results can be read by a specialist to determine the severity of the concussion and the recovery time needed before a safe return to play. Junior Dani Weinberg has received two concussions in her careers playing for CHS field hockey and lacrosse. “I took the baseline test the day after it happened and it showed that I was suffering from a pretty bad concussion because a lot of my scores were significantly worse,” Weinberg said. “Overall the baselines were really helpful for my doctor and I to figure out what type of treatment I needed and how much school was necessary to miss.” A severe concussion can put an athlete on the sidelines for weeks and cause permanent brain damage. “MCPS and others have much at risk,” Fisher said. “In today’s society we are pushed to extremes to protect our athletes and limit our liability.”
Athletes follow traditons on route to away games By Elizabeth Campbell Editor-in-Chief
CHS is home to many athletic teams and even more team-related traditions. One such tradition is based on how different teams choose to travel to away games. Coaches have the option to ask for a bus, paid for by the team, which will transport the players to and from the away game. This option is the one most frequently called upon by the football team, which chooses to travel by bus to all their away games. “Having a bus is much better because it helps pump you up and allows you to get in the right mindset with your teammates before you step on the field,” senior wide receiver Ryan Mortman said. Other teams, such as girls soccer, choose instead to organize parent carpools to their away games. Senior varsity soccer captain Carly Shapiro enjoys the tradition of carpooling for the chance it gives her to see her teammates. “I don’t mind having the parents drive us because you get to bond with some of the girls that you don’t always get to see during the day,” Shapiro said. “Buses are so big, and you always sit with the same people.” She also enjoys the greater freedom she has since she is not reliant on a ride home from the bus. “I would rather not have to take the bus home because by the end of the game we are all tired and ready to go directly home instead of going back to CHS,” Shapiro said. “I’ve never asked my coach for a bus because it has always been a tradition to use the parents.” Some parents also enjoy the carpooling system, such as soccer parent Ed Kennedy who has driven soccer carpool for the four years his daughter, senior Chrissy Kennedy, was on soccer. “I’m fine with it because I like spending time with my girls,” Kennedy said. “I think it would be difficult for some
PHOTO BY ELIZABETH CAMPBELL.
The football team takes a bus to every away game in order to deal with the large team and equipment they travel with. people whose work schedules don’t allow for it, but luckily mine does.” Those on the cross country team have experienced both options since they have used buses for away meets that start before school lets out and parent-driven carpools for other meets. “By having to ask for a ride, we sort of get to know each other better since we have such a large team,” senior runner Morgen Lewis said. Still, Lewis thinks the best option is for students to drive themselves. “I think it would be much more convenient if the students could drive them-
selves,” Lewis said. Sudents can drive themselves, however. A transportation form found on the Montgomery Country website must be filled out by an athlete’s parent, coach and principal and then allows students to be transported to games by another student or parent. According to this form, Montgomery Country is not liable for any harm that comes to those traveling in the way mentioned in the form, such as a parent driving or students driving other students. That is what those on girls tennis, such as junior Sydney Shugarman, have done
in previous years. “I enjoy when the seniors drive because you get way more pumped up without parents in the car,” Shugarman said. According to athletic director Scott Rivinius, while there are no changes he personally wants to see in the transportation system used by athletes, he is always open to talking with the coaches about possible changes they would like to see. No matter which way teams choose to travel to their away games, one can be sure they’ll be ready to play when they arrive.
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Basketball tournament in memory of Evan Rosenstock By Ben Fox Sports Editor
It can be difficult to judge the value of a person’s life until after they are gone. Many knew Evan Rosenstock as friendly, confident, always-smiling, and quick with a joke. He played varsity basketball, loved the Washington Capitals, and seemed ready for a bright future. But after the sophomore ended his own life on May 20, 2013 in a tragedy that rocked the CHS community, Evan became known to many in Montgomery County as a symbol for the growing need for teen suicide research and prevention. Now, four months after his passing, a dedicated group of individuals is striving to make sure Evan is never forgotten. The Bullis School hosted the first annual UMTTR (pronounced “you matter”) 3v3 Basketball Tournament & Fun Day in Memory of Evan Rosenstock on Sept. 15. The UMTTR tournament, led by Evan’s mother, Sue Rosenstock, and CHS senior Erik Roberts, aims to both keep Evan’s memory alive, and prevent cases like his from happening again. The organizers chose the Mayo Clinic for Teenage Depression and Suicide Research and the Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) as the tournament’s benefitting organization. Roberts, who was Evan’s teammate on the basketball team last year, wished to honor his friend’s passing by promoting teen suicide research and development through one of Evan’s passions, basketball. “Evan was my teammate, and I felt like no one was doing anything about it,” Roberts said. “So I thought the best thing to do would be to celebrate his life by playing the game he loved and reminding people that they matter.” Roberts was joined in running UMTTR by Whitman junior Justin Kay, who was chosen to head the tournament next year,
and McLean sophomore Carter Caplan, who was chosen to head in 2015. According to Caplan, who helped to organize celebrity appearances at the tournament and also runs the UMTTR Facebook page and website, UMTTR.org, his involvement in the tournament stemmed from his leading role in running wristband sales at CHS during Evan’s memorial service. Profits from the wristband sales went to both UMTTR and To Write Love on Her Arms, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping those with addiction, depression and suicidal thoughts. “I heard about his death on Twitter and it just shocked me,” Caplan said. “[CHS seniors] Brandon Hubbard, AJ Coleman and I ran the wristband sales at CHS and later I was with Sue, and she asked me if I wanted to be a part of UMTTR.” To increase the profile of the organization, the tournament enlisted the help of many local celebrities, including former Washington Wizard Gheorghe Muresan, (whose son sophomore George is a current CHS JV basketball player), former Washington Capital Yvon Labre, sports author Dave Ungrady, and the Washington Greenhawks semi-pro basketball team. The Mayo Clinic and PCA were chosen as benefitting organizations because of their significant roles in helping to prevent teen suicide. “[The Mayo Clinic] is a very reputable hospital,” Roberts said. “All money going to them will be used productively. It’s a general research hospital, and we’re donating to the teenage depression and suicide division.” The money being donated is expected to be used by the PCA to start a mid-Atlantic chapter of the organization, which will include a corporate office with a full staff. “Sue Rosenstock really wants to make a change in youth sports, and figured that this was the best way to do it,” Roberts said. According to the PCA’s website, postivecoach.org, the organization’s goal is to create
PHOTO BY BEN FOX.
Rosenstock’s parents look at a picture of Evan displayed at the tournament. The tournament received donations from attendeees and companies.
“‘Better Athletes, Better People’ by working to provide all youth and high school athletes a positive, character-building youth sports experience” through workshops, partnerships with schools across the country, online courses and more. “Our mission is to transform the culture of youth sports by changing the win-at-all-costs mentality to positive coaching where kids have a positive character-building experience,” PCA partnership manager and representative Jake Wald said. For Sue, having a regional office of the PCA is a method of changing the hyper-competitive environment of many high school sports in this area. “There is a systemic problem in our whole regional area where people are out of control in sports of all kinds,” Sue said. “It’s parents, it’s everybody. Our goal is to change the culture into a more positive environment.” Roberts also sees the tournament making an impact on those who are currently going through depression. “It’s going to tell them that no matter
how insignificant they might feel, they are so important,” Roberts said. “This is going to show them that.” There is still much talk about how exactly the CHS community, including parents, students and teachers, can help prevent teen suicide and depression. “I think we can do more with depression awareness,” CHS athletic director Scott Rivinius said. “There is not really a great answer; it’s a case-by-case situation. One thing that’s good about this tournament is that it’s CHS students taking time to remember Evan.” Thanks to his mother and dedicated members of both the CHS and Montgomery County community, the loss of Evan Rosenstock will have an effect on our area for years to come. According to Caplan, the tournament has become Sue’s way of using an unthinkable situation to make a difference in Montgomery County. “She’s been trying to make the most of everything, and that’s what is keeping her going.” Caplan said. “Seeing her smile is something special.”
Annual Powderpuff game to be held in October Jamie Lescht Online Editor in Chief Every year, junior and senior girls compete in the annual Powderpuff football game hoping to gain pride for their respective classes. This year the game has been scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 2 instead of its usual spring date. The SGA decided to change the Powderpuff date in hopes of boosting school spirit and encouraging more students to get involved. “We are trying to get as much participation as possible from both players and spectators, so we think having it in the middle of football season will achieve that,” senior class president Amy Dalrymple said. Additionally, having Powderpuff in the fall would address the issue of “senioritis.” According to Dalrymple, senioritis was an issue last year due to the lack of seniors present at Powderpuff. Since the game is during the first semester, Dalrymple expects more participation. Despite changing the date of Powderpuff, the customary rivalry between the junior and senior classes remains. “I definitely think the seniors will win this year because we are incredibly
PHOTO COURTESY OF MORGEN LEWIS.
The victorious junior class displays their dominance after their narrow defeat of last year’s senior class. motivated, and we won last year,” Dalrymple said. “We also have some really athletic girls that help put us on top.” While the seniors are on a winning streak, junior class president Hana
Yen has a different prediction. “I think the junior class has a great shot at winning because every student is really involved and the 400plus of us make a great team,” Yen
said. “I think everything we have done as a class is a testament to that.” The classes will have to wait until Oct. 2 to see who will prevail in this year’s Powderpuff game.
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Volume 38 - Issue 2
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Fall sports highlights
9 out of the top 10 individual male golfers are in the Yachmetz division, including CHS players Oliver Whatley and Luke Schaap.
“We pulled it together in the end. We worked well as a team,” junior Sara Chang on the Sept. 19 3-1 win against WJ.
“I think we played really well because everyone was very spirited and supportive of their teammates.”- junior Sriya Movva on her 6-0, 6-0 win against Sherwood Sept. 17
“We were more together tonight than we’ve ever been throughout this entire season. Every individual on the team contributed to the victory.”- Sarah Johnston on girls’ soccer 6-0 win over Wootton Sept. 17 “It was a tough game but we kept our structure and we played as a team. It was a good team effort. We played with a lot of heart and the future is looking good.” -JJ Van Der Merwe on the 1-0 win against Blake Sept. 10.
J u n i o r D a v id F i t z g e r a l d is ra nk e d s e c o nd in th e c o u n t y for b o y s c r o ss co un tr y .
“At the Kennedy game [Sept. 17], I’d say, we all came out really strong as a cohesive unit. We played 100 percent the entire game, which reflected the impressive score of 6-0.” - senior captain Clare Nolan
“I feel like everyone did their jobs tonight, offense, defense and special teams all contributed to the win. But there is always room for improvement, and that’s what we’re looking forward to.”Andrew Zuckerman on football’s 21-6 win against WJ Sept. 16
Team Records* 3-0
2-0
*as of 9/18/13
2-0
3-1 Gir
ls
3-0
1-1
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Coach resignations lead to questions for preseaon
By Ben Fox Sports Editor In a decision that stunned many in the CHS community, members of the varsity and JV basketball coaching staff have announced their departure from the Bulldogs to pursue other interests. Those who have left include varsity head coach Matt Miller, varsity assistant coach and JV head coach Mike Lovitt, varsity assistant coach Nic Mast and JV assistant coach Kevin Doherty. Miller, who went 79-41 with the Bulldogs in the past five years, has accepted a position as an assistant basketball coach with Shepherd University, a Division II college in Virginia. Miller will also lecture in the school’s Health and Physical Education Department. Lovitt and Mast will be returning to school to complete their graduate degrees, while Doherty will remain in the classroom at CHS, where he teaches Personal Finance and TV Production. According to an unnamed source who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the topic, Miller was recently investigated by MCPS relating to whether his style of coaching had an impact on the May 20 suicide of CHS sophomore and varsity basketball player Evan Rosenstock. The results of the investigation were not shared with the Observer.. Miller denied the Observer’s request for an interview, but did refer us to his recent press announcement on the subject of his departure. According to Dana Tofig, MCPS’s Director of Public Information and Web Services, an investigation may be undertaken if the county receives a complaint or concern about an employee from parents or other member of the school community. “I think it is important to remember that simply because an investigation has been conducted, it does not mean that anyone has done anything wrong,” Tofig said. “But it the district’s duty to
look into complaints when they arise.” Tofig refused to comment on the investigation into Miller, stating it would “not be appropriate” to discuss the situation. According to CHS athletic director Scott Rivinius, the athletic department fully supports Miller and his staff’s decision to leave, and does not think that the investigation had a role in his departure. The athletic department was notified about Miller’s decision before he told the team. “Matt Miller was fully supported by MCPS officials, the Churchill administration and the Churchill athletic department for his basketball coaching position for the 2013-2014 season,” Rivinus wrote in an email. “Matt Miller resigned his coaching and teaching position because of a great opportunity that came about to coach at the collegiate level as well as teach at the collegiate level. The administration and athletic department fully support Coach Miller in his decision to take this job as coaching at the collegiate level had been one of Coach Miller’s long-term career goals.” According to the press announcement, Miller “really felt at home at Churchill over the past five years,” but felt that it was “right for me at this point in my life” to move on. Many players on the team were dismayed by the news of their coaches’ departures, which was revealed in a Sept. 12 meeting between the coaches and all varsity and JV players. According to senior Allen Njumbe, there was a “really sad atmosphere” in the room after Miller broke the news to the team. “There were some people in tears,” Njumbe said. “No one was happy about the news.” The decision for the coaching staff to all leave simultaneously came as a surprise to players, who are currently going through pre-season training to prepare for the upcoming basketball season. “I have no doubt that they all spent a lot of time together thinking about the decision and that everyone was on the same page before they told the
PHOTO BY BEN FOX.
In the absense of a coach, Seniors Charles Halverson and Allen Njumbe have been organzing workouts during the basketball team’s preseason. team about it,” Njumbe said. According to Rivinius, though Miller’s off season program was very helpful for players, he believes the team will still be able to effectively train for the season. “The players were accustomed to a very organized and high-level off-season program run by Coach Miller and his staff,” Rivinius said. “It will be an adjustment for the players, but there are plenty of opportunities for the players to work out and work on their basketball skills before the start of the season.” For the team’s seniors, the question now becomes how they will manage to train during the off-season and perhaps attempt a run at the playoffs in February. “The most important thing is to keep the team focused on the season,” senior Charles Halverson said. “Without a
coaching staff, it is easier to get lazy. We need to make sure that our teammates stay motivated for the season.” According to Rivinus, the athletic department has already begun the process of finding new coaching staffs. “The search for a new coach has begun,” Rivinius said. “There is a search committee of CHS staff members who have coached basketball that are looking for the next varsity and JV coach.” Despite the confusion and abruptness of their coaches’ departure, the players’ thoughts are toward both the future and to preparing for a new era in CHS basketball. “It may have been a consensus decision, but as players we can never know,” Halverson said. “All we can do is look forward to the season, prepare, and get to know our new coach.”
Athletes: more than just teammates, they are family
PHOTO BY ELIZABETH CAMPBELL.
Seniors Shira Rodman and Chrissy Kennedy met on CHS soccer their freshman year and have been friends for the past four years. By Katie Gauch Production Editor Besides working extremely hard in practice, many athletes consider being like a family one of the most important parts of a team’s success. Bulldog athletes, on large or
small teams, not only build strong friendships, but also, an indestructible “family” alliance. “When we get together and play cohesively, it’s really great,” varsity soccer player Conner Quigley said. “Having some individual talent is nice, but it’s hard to achieve anything
without everyone doing his part.” Both big teams, like cheer, and small ones, like volleyball, have activities to promote team bonding. Team activities can include many things such as going to Ocean City or a pool party. Anything that helps players get to know each other on their respective teams. “This year for our team gathering we went over to a teammate’s house who had a pool to cool off in,” varsity football player Alan Ha said. “After most games we would go to Wing Stop to grab some food.” Along with grabbing a bite to eat with one another, the cheer and poms teams also have team dinners before football games to get everyone pumped up for the big game. Poms and cheer also have camps over the summer where most of the relationships are built. “We have team dinners, lunches and sleepovers,” senior poms captain Rachel Glick said. “Also, everyone has a pom buddy on the team that they bake for every time we perform at a football game. Although they do not have the same practices or game sites, some sports with JV and Varsity squads bond with one another by giving gifts to their “little sisters,” who are on the JV teams. According to cheerleader senior Katie Byrne, the cheer team also hangs out at cheer camp, where they work on their skills and bond. With all the time that they have at cheer camp, they
really get to know each other by working well together and expressing ideas. Also, the varsity team bonds with their little sisters by baking cupcakes and cookies for them, while the little sisters do the same for their big sisters. To many athletes, it is also important to form a strong relationship with their coach by inviting them to team dinners and holding captains meetings with the coach. Coaches try to create friendly activities to promote team bonding, because they see success when the team has a close relationship. “I create a family-like environment within my team by encouraging team bonding, cheer camp, dinners, sleepovers and even getting together and going to the fair,” varsity cheer coach Margo Hopkins said. “We play games to say positive things about the person standing next to them on the progress they’ve made so far this season. We even do fun games like wheel barrow races with one another.” Without having a strong relationship with the coach and other players, CHS athletes will not have the successful season that they hope for. “Everyone gets even closer during the season because you have to work as a team and individuals have to figure things out,” Byrne said. “Accomplishing something together creates strong ties and relationships on the team, making us feel united.”
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Sports
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theObserver
Cheer coach has teams bond By Katie Clem Production Editor
PHOTO COURTESY OF DANNY GORDON.
Roddy was inducted into his college’s hall of fame for swimming.
Art teacher inducted By Danny Gordon Staff Writer Noah Salzberg Public Relations
Art teacher and swim and dive coach Brendan Roddy will be inducted into the Salisbury University Athletics Hall of Fame Friday, Oct. 11. Roddy, who started swimming competitively when he was 11, began to swim year round at the age of 13 and swam long distance throughout high school and college. “My favorite memories were on the bus to the meets and hanging out with
the team,” Roddy said. “We always had a good time hanging out in between meets.” According to Roddy, swimming taught him important life skills such as time management and self-confidence. “It also proved to me that I can do what I love, because I am still able to swim now,” Roddy said. Roddy continues to form swim team bonds today with the CHS team. “I loved cheering my friends on,” Roddy said. “Now I do the same thing as a coach.” According to junior swimmer Colton Neubauer, Roddy is very welcoming, and “really makes it so you feel like you are a member of the team.”
With the start of another season, the cheer squad returns with the hope of keeping its Division I seed with their new coach, Margo Hopkins, at the helm. Hopkins started cheerleading with her middle school team and then went onto cheer in her high school and at Towson University. She helped found the Towson stunt team which competed in the Collegiate National Cheer Competitions. Hopkins and the junior varsity coach, Jennifer Johnson, have focused on the two teams bonding so they will better represent CHS. “I want to continue and build on past traditions while incorporating new cheers, chants, dances and stunts,” Hopkins said.
New poms coach joins CHS By Julia McDermott Sports Editor
Resource teacher competes
By Danny Gordon Staff Writer Noah Salzberg Public Relations
Resource teacher Brielle Dana represented Team USA in the Maccabi games this past summer, finishing third overall in the triathlon event. Dana recorded a time of 2:22 in the triathlon, finishing first for the 25-29 age group. “Because I met so many people throughout the trip, during the race it was a unique experience competing against people you know and cheering them on,” Dana said. Dana started running in high school as a member of the track team and continued to run recreationally after high school. She began cycling after buying a road bike, and competing in century 100 mile bike rides. “The opening ceremony was huge,” Dana said. “We marched in with Team USA in front of a stadium of 55,000 in Jerusalem.” According to Dana, before marching in,
all the competitors took pictures with fellow Jews from around the world. This is her second season of doing triathlons. “Running has elevated my energy and allows me to be a better person,” Dana said. “Also, meeting new people is something I’ve always enjoyed.” According to Dana, competing in the triathlon in Israel “was a once in a lifetime experience,” however she has not ruled out the possibility of the 2015 Maccabi games in Chile.
PHOTO BY JULIA MCDERMOTT.
Lichter watches from the pressbox as her team performs the halftime show.
PHOTO BY NOAH SALZBERG.
Fitness focus for tennis coach
The team known around the school for its high kicks and dance moves has a new head coach this year, Melissa Lichter. The poms coach and 8th grade teacher at Cabin John Middle School has a background in dance and coached at Paint Branch High School for six years before coming to CHS. “My team is working hard, and I am already impressed with their motivation and dedication so far this year,” Lichter said. “I have confidence that they will keep striving to get stronger, and I am looking forward to supporting and working with them to reach their highest potential.”
Rivinius takes the reins as athletic director By Julia McDermott Sports Editor
Dana placed third in the triathalon and first in her age group at the Maccabi games in Israel.
PHOTO BY JULIA MCDERMOTT.
Hopkins watched her squad perform at the football home opener against WJ.
Scott Rivinius is the new athletic director after former athletic director Dave Kelley retired at the end of last school year. “The opportunity came up for me to be athletic director, and I took it,” Rivinius said. “It’s something that I have always wanted to do.” Along with being athletic director, Rivinius also teaches two classes of AP Comparative Government. He was also an assistant athletic director when he lived in Houston,
TX. This is Rivninus’ third year working at CHS, and his first year not teaching full-time. “Scott has a wonderful reputation as a teacher,” Principal Joan Benz said. “He has a couple of years at CHS under his belt which has allowed him to gain the respect of administration as well as the students.” According to Rivinius, while the job is demanding, it is anything but monotonous. “There is no standard day, which is something I love about the job,” Rivinius said. “From financing to management to eligibility, every day is different.”
By Julia McDermott Sports Editor
PHOTO BY KATIE CLEM.
Coach Lee looks on as third doubles wins a tight victory against RM Sept. 19.
The undefeated girls tennis team will face this season’s tough competition with the help of new head coach Meaghan Lee. As a CHS ’09 alumna and former tennis player, Lee played on the top doubles team for CHS tennis and she went on to have a successful career at Goucher College. Lee plans to put a greater emphasis on fitness for the season. “I am really excited about being a coach at CHS,” Lee said. “It’s both weird and exciting to be back.”
PHOTO BY BEN FOX.
Rivinius sells tickets for the Sept. 20 CHS vs. Wootton football game.