The Senior Issue of the Current

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Thomas A. Edison High School

The Current • Thomas Edison High School • Volume 53• Issue 4• 5801 Franconia Road • Alexandria, VA 22310 • June 12, 2017

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what’s inside NEWS:

IB Coordinator (3) Leaving teachers (4) Earlier school year (5) Letter to the seniors (5)

FEATURES:

Geek’s quotes (6) All night grad party (7) College freshmen advice (9) Senior spread (10-11)

OPINIONS:

Is IB worth it? (12) Staff Editorial (13)

SPORTS:

Jock’s thoughts (15) Column as I see ‘em (15) College commits (16-17)

ARTS:

Seniors pursuing the arts (18) Senior choice awards (19) Year in review (20)

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The Current is a student-edited publication serving the Thomas A. Edison High School community.

The Current Editorial Board Editor-in-Chief Justin Askenazy Managing Editor Ryan Pinkney News Editor Camryn Anderson Opinions Editor Jessica Cruz Sports Editor Will Dobson

Online Editor Ryan Pinkney Arts Editor Jillian Brooks Business Manager Spencer Parker Copy Chief Will Dobson Adviser Carl Irvin

Staff Writers & Photographers Mikias Abebe

Mollie Coogan

Spencer Parker Eric Thurman Aya Zaraket The Current is the official newspaper of Thomas A. Edison High School published quarterly by the journalism staff. It serves as a vehicle for student expression and is an open forum of issues of interest and concern to the school community.

Year-long subscriptions are available for $20. Subscription forms may be ordered via email at edisoncurrent@gmail.com. Subscription forms may also be picked up in room C-215.

The staff is deeply committed to a code of journalistic ethics that demands the exercise of accuracy, good judgment, and impartiality. The content of The Current is determined by the editorial board.

Unsigned editorials reflect the majority opinion of the staff of The Current, but not necessarily the opinions of individual editors or staff members. Signed editorials and letters to the editor reflect the views of the authors.

The Current solicits advertising, but reserves the right to reject any material deemed libelous, disruptive, obscene, or otherwise inappropriate.

Letters to the Editor may be submitted to edisoncurrent@gmail.com. Letters may be edited for clarity and length.

With any general questions regarding The Current, please email edisoncurrent@gmail.com

Letter from the Editor: As the school year comes to a close, The Current once again presents its annual Senior Issue!

Follow the treasure map on the coming pages to see where seniors are going to college and take a look at some parting thoughts from history teacher Victoria Vergara and IB coordinator Melanie Morris, who are leaving Edison after this year.

In Opinions, editor Jessica Cruz tackles the issue

of whether doing full IB is worth it, and in Features, former staff writer Ben Davenport offers his advice to our rising college freshmen.

It has been a great honor to have served as the leader of an organization full of talented and hard-working individuals, and I thank you all for the opportunity and your support.

Justin Askenazy Editor in Chief, The Current

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Kiggins transitions from English to IB coordinator Ryan Pinkney managing editor

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The Edison Writing Center gathers for a photo with Kiggins in the front. The Writing Center held a farwell party for Kiggins as she will no longer be their adviser. was the simple fact that the position became open. Kiggins is greatly involved in the program outside of Edison.

She spends a lot of her extra time grading extended essays and English exams for the past five years. Kiggins said, “It was something that was on my radar.”

For Kiggins, there are a lot of responsibilities she is trading as she leaves the classroom. She said coordinat-

ing a large number of tests for a lot of students is going to be the biggest change for her.

Right now, Kiggins does help with the English SOLs, but in IB there is a larger amount of logistics that need to be handled. Also, she said learning all the varying aspects of the curriculum that is not English related will be a challenge.

Though Kiggins will be teaching Theory of Knowledge (TOK), she is going to

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be spending considerably less time in the classroom.

She said, “My biggest fear is leaving the classroom. I will still be teaching TOK but I know that I love teaching....

My biggest fear is that I will miss teaching students too much.”

Kiggins said, “I look forward to working with all the students in the building rather than just the students in my classes.”

Kiggins said her main goal is to increase enrollment in the IB courses at Edison. She would like to see everyone in the school in at least one IB class while increasing the amount of full diploma candidates. In addition, Kiggins said that with the introduction of the Middle Years Program (MYP) there are some huge changes on the horizon. However, she said students should not expect a lot of big changes in the upcoming year.

Kiggins said that there are no current plans to return to teaching but that it is possible she would in the future. She said, “I am going to give this program my all for as long as it needs me.”

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ith the departure of Melanie Morris as IB coordinator at the end of the year, English teacher Stacy Kiggins will be taking over in that position.

Kiggins has been an English teacher at Edison for the past 12 years. She has taught a variety of courses but currently teaches IB HL Literature and the Advanced Composition courses that make up the Edison Writing Center.

Kiggins was not originally very familiar with IB, as she did not take any IB courses during high school. At first, Kiggins taught Advanced Placement courses at a school in North Carolina. In fact, after a disturbing experience in a class, Kiggins was considering getting out of teaching and applied for law school. However, she was able to attend an IB training for teachers getting introduced to the program, and upon completing the training, she fell in love with IB. She then pursued her career goal as an IB English teacher.

Kiggins said that the main factor that led to her decision

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Follow the treasure map to see where the Class of 2017 have found their treasure.

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around, you see that maybe your course needs to veer off into a different direction.”

An example of that mindset was when Morris experienced people who just did not like her or agree with her and she has learned to combat those by what she says is, “taking hate and [making] something happy in the future.”

Morris said that her goal at Edison was to “get [students]

Mikias Abebe

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ocial studies teacher Victoria Vergara is also parting ways with Edison. Vergara will retire next year and live in San Antonio, Texas to take care of her granddaughter. She will then move to Laredo, Texas the following year, where she will spend her retirement.

Vergara taught government and IB TOK this past school year. Vergara said she has loved her department. Vergara said, “I love to have Laredo weekends and Virginia weeks because the caliber of the professionals of the department is amazing.” Everyday, she is impressed by the teamwork and cooperation the social studies department puts day in and day out.

Vergara said to graduates, “Whatever claim you make, there will always be a counter-

Morris talks to senior Carolaine thibeau in her office after school.

One of her biggest responsibilites is working on a personal level with students every day.

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fter six years of being the IB coordinator at Edison High School, Melanie Morris will resign starting next school year. The new IB coordinator starting the 2017-18 school year will be current IB Literature HL II teacher Stacey Kiggins.

Morris was originally a teacher and she said the reason she is leaving is because of her desire to teach again and the creative environment that helped captivate her love for education. As a result, she will be teaching in North Carolina starting in the fall of 2017. Morris was also an Edison alumna and has said that part of the reason why she chose to teach at Edison was because she wanted to meet some of the parents who also were fellow alumni of Edison.

She said over the past six years as the IB coordina-

tor, she learned more about expanding her knowledge through acceptance of different ideas and cultures. Morris admitted that she has sometimes faced challenges of understanding different ideas and perspectives, particularly in her Theory of Knowledge (TOK) classes where she has learned many new things about differences in ways of thinking. Morris said she loves that Edison is an IB school.

Of all the IB classes at Edison, Morris said that she loves IB Psychology. IB Psychology is also a course that she will be teaching in North Carolina.

She said that the beauty of IB is instilling rigor towards students to make sure they are the most prepared for college and the real world.

Morris gave advice for the graduating class of 2017. Morris said that it is good “to be reflective of your situation and be flexible. And sometimes when you just stop and look

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Mikias Abebe staff writer

Mikias Abebe

Edison says farewell to Vergara and Morris

Vergara and Sophomore Patrick Brown pose in her classroom. Vergara has taught many different grade levels while at Edison. claim.” Vergara has said that advice “has changed her life,” and she stresses this principle as a part of how she see the world.

Vergara said her favorite subject is TOK, as she has been teaching the course for so long, which accounts for the many inspirations she has developed because of the

course.

Vergara has two favorite memories from her last year teaching TOK. During the the week of the election of Donald Trump, one of the TOK students was verbally assaulted, and what surprised Vergara was the amount of support the TOK students gave to that offended student

in the right direction.”

She is excited for this new adventure, but she said that Edison will be the school that she will remember most.

Morris said that Edison is “home.” Upon leaving Edison, Morris wants her legacy here at Edison to be known as the one that championed for rigor and hard work.

and how they rallied against hatred.

The other moment was during the second semester.

Vergara recounted that there was a lot of frustration during class one day, and in that commotion, the class was discussing Emmett Till, who was a 14 year old African-American lynched in 1955 by racist white men.

The students were able to discuss the topic well and as a result discovered how important the situation was and what more could be learned, with Vergara describing the experience as being “cathartic.” Vergara said that the number one thing that she will miss about Edison are the kids. Vergara said, “We have a great batch of kids at Edison and I would not trade them for any other kids… the kids at Edison are good.”

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airfax County Public Schools will set its start date to before Labor Day for the first time in decades following a 9-1 School Board vote in May of last year.

The start date for the 20172018 FCPS school year will be August 28. FCPS follows in the footsteps of other local school districts in receiving a waiver from the state allowing them to bypass the mandate, popularly known as the Kings Dominion Law, that schools in the state start classes after Labor Day in order to boost tourism to the region by giving families an extra week and long weekend to vacation.

In support of the change, in an interview with the Washington Post, School Board Member Ryan McElveen said, “Local school jurisdictions

should be allowed to design their own school year without interference from the state.”

A district survey of parents and students showed that 53 percent of those surveyed supported the decision to start earlier. Among Edison students, the reaction has varied.

Students’ concern seems to be that despite the earlier start to the 2017-2018 school year, the ending date of the 2016-2017 school year remains the same.

Freshman Britty Smith said, “We get out late enough and so if we start early we have no summer; also, people already have vacation plans and so they will have to miss school and start later anyway.”

Some in the Edison community, however, are supportive of the change.

Chemistry teacher Berneatta Barnes said, “I’m for the earlier start date since it gives

Courtesy

Eric Thurman staff writer

FCPS.edu

FCPS starts school before Labor Day

The FCPS school board made the decision to change the start of school to the week before Labor Day. The 2017-18 school year will now start on August 28. students an opportunity at the Charlotte Malone. “But end of the school year to start they’re not considering the activities and internships and adults’ points of view or the start de-stressing earlier comlong term benefits over the pared to surrounding counshort term drawbacks.” ties, like Loudoun, that always “Overall we’ll have to wait get a head start compared to and see how it works out and FCPS schools.” if it ends up benefitting the “The student base wouldn’t students and the school,” said really like it since they think Smith, adding, “Only time will ‘Oh, we’re getting a shorter tell.” summer,’” said freshman

PRESS

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Dear Journalism Seniors,

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f there is one thing to be learned from you, it’s that if you care about something, you have to fight for it.

This school year has been one long fight: a fight to keep the journalism program afloat, a fight to create each and every issue, a fight to hold onto the standards that are expected of The Current. Each and every senior is a fighter and it’s clear whether they’re fighting for the paper or during a game or performance. To have experienced that fight first hand was an honor and an inspiration.

This year hasn’t been easy but no matter how many commitments, someone was here to ensure that the paper was created. We all appreciate how much time, effort and energy was poured into The Current this year and despite every IB exam and every DEJ, you have maintained the excellence expected of this paper.

You have set the expectations for The Current so high that those who follow you can only hope to meet them. Your commitment to the program is evident in every story, every section and every issue.

Friendships have been cemented around the table in the Pub Lab through bad karaoke to the Jonas Brothers and 80s hits. Though the program may not live on, these friendships and your legacy will. The experiences had in and after class will never be forgotten and your lasting mark on Edison has been forged in the form of a magazine that gave students a voice.

The mark you’ve left on the J1s won’t be forgotten. You’ve been there for us all the way and that it something we will always appreciate. It is bitter-

sweet seeing you go, because while we’re excited for you to share all you’ve got with the world, it’s sad to know we won’t get to have it here.

Through these mixed emotions, we hope you know how much you have impacted us and how much we love having you here. So while the future is uncertain, we know that the lessons you’ve taught us and the bonds we’ve made will always be cherished and never forgotten.

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What does it take to succeed “Throughout high school, I have enjoyed working hard, both in school and in my extracurriculars. I always had so much going on, but I learned to mange my time well to get everything done. My efforts in high school have granted me with not only the amazing opportunity to attend NYU next year, but also I’ve learned such important skills about giving my all to achieve my dreams.”

-Senior Halle Kaufax

“I think a big part of being successful is working hard but not letting my health suffer. I’ve spent a lot of time studying and finishing my assignments on weeknights, but I almost always go to bed at or before midnight.

Spending every night staying up late may help you get work done, but it leaves you constantly exhausted and muddles your ability to concentrate and maintain the same work ethic moving forward. My advice would be to hold yourself accountable (or have somone else do so) and not stay up into the morning unless you absolutely need to finish something. It may not appear to help, but it allows you to focus so much more in class and not doze off constantly.”

-Senior Timothy Etter

“What inspires me to work hard is the idea that the effort I put in today may benefit others as well as myself in the future” -Senior Kevin Chesson

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University of Maryland, College Park Kyle Glasgow Audrey Barber

Chowan University Eileen Mealing

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All Night Graduation Party delivers fun for students Ryan Pinkney managing editor

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Melissa Lakey

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A group of student volunteers pose at last year’s All Night Graduation Party. The inflatables are set up in the gym at Lee District REC Center. want to miss a minute.”

The event is one that participants really enjoy and remember. Alumna Elena Calese said, “I really enjoyed the night; it was a blast to be surrounded by my friends that I just finished high school with. I would definitely go again.”

Admissions cost $65 in advance or $80 at the door.

The price does increase the closer the event gets. Howev-

er, every student will go home with a gift card and there are other raffle prizes during the night. Food is provided to the students over the course of the whole night.

Senior Courtnie Smith said, “I am excited for All Night Grad because it is the last chance this school year to hang out and connect with a lot of my friends. It will help me build memories that will last forever.”

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he senior All Night Graduation Party is an Edison tradition. It is put on by an executive committee composed of parents from the community. Many parent volunteers donate their time during the night of the event. Held on the night of graduation, seniors meet at Lee District REC Center, where they spend the night doing many festivities. The event’s main goal is to provide a safe, drug-free and alcohol-free evening on the night of graduation. According to the All Night Graduation Party advertisement, it gives graduates a better opportunity and place to have a good time.

The party starts at 11 p.m. the night of graduation and goes till 5 a.m. the next morning. Participants do not get the chance to sleep while at the party. Executive Committee member Melissia Lakey said in an email, “The participants don’t sleep. There is too much fun going on they wouldn’t

There are multiple activities that take place over the course of the night. There are inflatable bouncy houses, a hypnotist show, caricature artists and other activities for graduates to enjoy. Lakey said, “We utilize the entire REC center. There are activities throughout the building.

The highlight of the night is the hypnotist show, which is really incredible. It is very entertaining as a big group of seniors selected randomly will get hypnotized -- lots of laughs. “ Alumnus Charlie Maline said the hypnotist was one of his favorite parts of the whole event and that he highly recommends to volunteer and participate in the party events.

Alumna Talia Carter said, “I think everyone should go to the All Night Grad Party. It’s definitely a really fun way to have one last shebang before everyone ships off to wherever life takes them. The next time you’ll have all those people in the same room together is at your reunion, so enjoy the time you have together.”

Former student Tori Hester poses while an artist creates her caricature. The caricature is one of the popular activities at the All Night Grad Party.

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EHS The Current on the web http://www.thecurrentonline.org/

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Alumnus’ advice to rising college freshmen

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Davenport (second from left) with fellow classmates before a football game. Activities like these help college freshmen get involved, according to Davenport. get focused and be ready to ternity, Delta Upsilon, while study a lot. However, don’t also making the club baseball spend all your time being in a team and being involved with quiet room studying math or Student Council within my trapped in your dorm room all college. All of these actividay. Get out and enjoy what ties made myself feel more the school has to offer. Exinvolved and connected to the perience the freedom you’ve school than when I walked never had before. Make new into my class on day one. friends, join a few clubs and That is what made my get yourself out there. Believe college experience so fun and me, your time in college goes worthwhile. By building a by quickly. Make the most connection with the school of what you have got while it through involvement, I came lasts, because soon enough to love my decision of going you’ll have to be worrying to Penn State. about your career and living As you prepare for college, on your own for real.

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cannot believe it has been a year since I walked across the stage at graduation. It feels as if I was stressing over what to pack for my first year of college yesterday.

These are just some of the thoughts that rolled through my head as I returned home from Penn State University for the summer.

Freshman year flew by way too fast. I never realized that in the moment, but once the year ended and I was sitting at home eating dinner with the family again, it truly hit me.

Freshman year was one of the greatest experiences I have ever had, and to see it end so soon makes me wish I appreciated it even more.

Yes, the classes and homework were extremely challenging, but the ability to have freedom like I never before had is what made freshman year so worth it.

Going to a school with 40,000 students made my year even more extraordinary.

Every day I would meet new

Ben Davenport

people or have the opportunity to experience new things.

I could walk the whole mile across campus and not see a single person I knew along my way. That sense of independence and freedom made it feel like I was truly growing up and learning what it means to be an adult.

I learned that being on your own forces yourself to be more accountable for everything that goes on in your life. If I did not finish my homework on time, my teachers would care less. No one was there to tell me that playing video games instead of writing my English paper was a poor decision. Instead, I had to drive myself to do well and be a responsible adult.

With all that freedom also comes fantastic opportunities to get involved with whatever interested me. Rather than being forced to take chemistry or history, like we are in high school, I could choose whatever classes I wanted to take.

Furthermore, I also pursued extracurriculars that made me feel a part of something bigger than myself.

In the fall, I joined a fra-

Ben Davenport guest writer

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Northern Virginia Community College Medical Campus

Virginia Commonwealth University Sara Adeli Rodrigo Amestegui Ashenafi Ashenafi Christopher Aviles-Sanchez Tianna Ayala Ryan Bo Chelsea Bodaghi Raven Carter Jessica Cruz Barkat Dhaliwal Christopher Erickson Kayla Hendricks Faith Janecke

Alexander McDougall Isaac Ponce

Northern Virginia Community College Alexandria Campus Mikias Abebe Reem Al-Kohlany John Alvarado Eddis Claderon-Espinal Francisco Castro Kayla DeLardi Bayan Hamad Delina Isaac

Huanzhou Jin Hebah Lahrichi Wenhui Lin Elizabeth Rosa Abbey Rumph Matthew Stivason Alyssa Vizcarra

Dionne Jeter Benjamin Jewell Desiree Johnson Shane Kerman Brandon Nguyen Rafael Parayaoan Aleksandar Simic Maria Stanczak Madison Sterner Lexy Thomas Henry Uddyback Genesis Hernandez Amanuel Yiblet

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Northern Virginia Community College Annandale Campus Nathan Abiy Asia Ahmad Jafar Al-Quraishi Saleh Amousa Diego Avelar Nathaniel Avila Kenya Barksdale Orly Barrera Peralta Nawal Berhan Edwin Delgado Miya Demonteverde Lejla Diaz Garcia Edgardo Diaz Gutierrez Ashley Diaz Soto Michelle Dorado Balcazar

Jose Lazo Lovo Laura Light Benjamin Lynch Syed-Ozair Mahmood Kelvin Marchante Alexander Park Jacob Peele Larenz Powell Ciarra Smith Florence Smith Hawa Suri Justin Thomas Xavier Thomas Phu Tran Peiro Villacorta

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Norfolk State University Virginia Union College Camryn Leggett Neisha Peay Brittani Roundtree

Zemi Jacob

University of South Florida, Tampa Jacqueline Mikhaylov

Carroll University Kasi Pagach

Chesapeake College Ruth Flores

Manhattan College Courtnie Smith

University of Virginia Savannah Gold Joshua Lakey Nicholas Madamba

Christopher Newport University Kevin Chesson David Leavitt Sydney Lee Maya Purcell June 2017| The Current | 10

Penn State University Danielle Emhof Henry Thomas

seniors Spelman College Miranda Meritt

University of Vermont Sophia Meyer

Elon University

Embry-Riddle University

Valerie Rugbart

Chirag Mehrotra

Hofstra University

Johnson & Wales University

Emily Yankovich

Chatham University Genevieve Zeswitz

Taylor Mayes

DePaul University Ashlyn Royce

Eastern Kentucky University Alexandra Smrz

University of the Arts Skylar Watkins

Virginia Tech

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Melak Alemu Alyana Alvarez Mazin Bakhit Nathan Bernard Jhonie Geffa

Eles Jones Joseph McAlister Bryce Roper Drew Shearer Kim Srun

Temple University Isabella Malave

Randolph College George Mason University Shimaa Abdel Monem Awwad Ghaida Ahmad Zumarna Ahmed Joanna Baires Barrios Trent Borchevsky Anna Dinh Tina Dinh Rania Elseidy Kunal Kochhar

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Maha Maghraoui Quan Mai Henrietta Mensah Roen Riehl Yousif Romani Van Strifas Janice Wang Kevin Omans

College of William and Mary

Anhar Abdelatif Nuhami Alemu Monica Alicea

Sophia Ennaboulsi Sarah Jordan Dagmawi Shimeles

Amna Ali Kenneth Ayers Emma Krause

Jenny Roegner Shelby Rogers

Longwood University

Design by Justin Askenazy and Ryan Pinkney

Midlands Technical College Jordan Mathis

Colorado State University Matthias Thiebes

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Is full IB worth it?

Ryan Pinkney by

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IB Diploma candidate senior Emmanuel Mendoza watches diploma candidiate Piero Villacorta play chess. IB students make use of their abundant free time after exams are over.

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Jessica Cruz

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t the end of my sophomore year, I was so conflicted on whether I would be taking full IB courses the following fall.

It was not an easy decision to make for me, mostly because of the horror stories that I had heard about IB classes and the constant pile of work students had.

After speaking to one of the best teachers I have had, I decided to go through with it.

I met with my counselor and told her to change my courses and that was that.

To this day, people will tell me that doing full IB is not worth it. After all, I am going to a college that accepted students who took no IB classes, but for me, IB courses go beyond going to a dream college.

First of all, school has always been natural to me.

I have always felt like I belonged in the classroom, which would explain why I am becoming a teacher. I knew

that being in IB classrooms would challenge me. I knew that I would have to overcome obstacles that I would have never imagined. I also knew that I would not be content in a standard class, simply because before my junior year I was always taking the most advanced classes possible.

Being challenged in the classroom is very valuable, especially right before college.

Students learn how to cope with daily tasks and time management skills improve.

The fact that I learned how to manage my time wisely in the past two years means that I will be able to apply that skill to my experience in college.

Besides learning time management skills, the IB program also leads writing skills to improve. It may seem like tedious work (because a lot of it is), but in the end your writing skills benefit. This is significant because for a lot of people, writing is what gets them through college.

Obvious benefits of taking IB courses is the potential to

Courtesy

Jessica Cruz opinions editor

Several full IB students visit the Newseum on a TOK field trip. This field trip is a special privilege that the IB students get. gain credits for college. Full IB students have the potential to go into college with a lot of their general education credits out of the way because of the rigor of the classes they took during their junior and senior year of high school. This saves times and money for the student.

In addition, being in the IB program leads students to bond with each other. I have met people who have been by my side through every assignment, every project and every essay that I forgot was due. The bonds that I formed during the last two years of high school are ones that I will never forget. I learned to collaborate so well and I never felt like I was alone in the entirety of my time trying to scrap my life together.

Another perk of being a full IB student is the opportunity of getting an internship for the last three weeks of school.

After I had taken all my IB exams, I was able to intern

with a lifestyle blogger who is currently living in the DC area. Having this opportunity was significant to me because it allowed me to catch a glimpse of how someone needs to handle a career. Also, how could I not take up the chance to forget about school for the last three weeks?

I will not sugar coat it and say that the full IB path is for everyone, but for those who do take it, it is completely worth it. I leave high school without an ounce of regret to be found. I know that it was the right decision for me. I also believe that it is the right decision for anyone who has the dedication needed.

The IB program is not about giving 100 percent all of the time. It is about knowing when and how to apply your dedication. I am leaving high school with a ton of skills that I did not have before and I credit this to the courses that I took.

opinions

STAFF EDITORIAL

Reflections after 12 years in FCPS

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s four of our editors are graduating this month, we felt it was a good opportunity to discuss some of our takeaways after 12 years as students in FCPS. Make no mistake, we have enjoyed our time here; we have met our best friends and made lifelong memories during our many years of education.

However, we believe that there are a few fundamental flaws that undermine the success of FCPS students and the school system as a whole.

From third grade through high school, there is still a large emphasis on teaching to the SOL. While this is mainly a result of federal and state testing mandates, too often, teachers are more focused on reciting the curriculum than engaging students in learning.

The fact that the county and its schools are reliant on good test scores for funding only exacerbates the problem.

It is not realistic to expect the federal or state governments to change their policies to reflect the best interests of students, so it is important that the county makes an effort to do so.

By encouraging teach-

The FCPS logos from 2005 (above) and today. FCPS has begun to work on addressing the needs of all its students, but more can be done. ers to incorporate the SOL curriculum into interactive activities and lessons, FCPS can increase students’ willingness to learn, both inside and outside of school. For example, instead of limiting field trips, the county should encourage them. Such handson experiences can inspire kids to delve deeper into a subject and are almost always relevant to some element of the curriculum.

Too often we have seen students who are either too

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challenged or not challenged enough by what they are learning in class, and they are forced to put up or shut up as the lessons continue on.

Current teaching standards provide very little flexibility in this regard, as test dates loom and the focus must go to the majority of the class, not the individual student.

Granted, through its Ignite and Portrait of a Graduate initiatives, FCPS has begun to address some of these concerns. Ideas such as having

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students complete personal projects at the end of every other year are good ways to extend learning outside the SOL framework. However, the question remains whether these plans will do enough to specifically reach both the under- and over-achieving student. Just adjusting the curriculum does not address the underlying issue of student growth in a standardized testing system and more specific plans should be made to do so.

However, it is important to note that, on the whole, our time in FCPS has been positive. We have encountered numerous teachers who have had a vested interest in our success. Nowhere is this more evident than at Edison.

It is clear that the teachers and staff care about how we do in school and we appreciate their constant support.

Given the continuing cashstrapped status of the school system, we acknowledge that county officials are trying their best to provide every student a quality education. We hope that every future student is even better prepared for their future than we are.

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The Current staff would like to give a special thanks to our patrons for their endless support! If you would like to become a patron and receive every issue via mail, email edisoncurrent@gmail.com, or pick up a subscription form in room C215.

13 | The Current| June 2017

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Vist our Twitter feed for breaking news and updates about what’s happening in your Edison community

June 2017| The Current | 14

sports Jocks’ thoughts: reflecting on high school sports Will Dobson sports editor “Since you couldn’t play if you had bad grades, playing baserball helped me focus more on academics. It also made me happy every day because I got to do what I love after school.”

-Cameron Hall, baseball “Edison athletics took a lot of my time, but it helps to prepare me for college in terms of time management skills.”

-Punya Saleekul, soccer

“Participating in Edison athletics helped me prioritize my school work and helped me stay organized and committed as a student athlete.”

-Isabella Taylor, softball

Column as I see ‘em: Glover is the answer closer as well. Glover has the lowest walk rate of the three relief pitchers, and his strikeout rate is second to Kelley’s, whose walk rate negates that advantage.

Koda Glover also has the best name since Catfish Hunter, so he has that going for him as well. Baker made the right choice in using Glover as the full-time closer rather than pitching the late innings by committee.

Wikimedia Commons

now be justified by Glover’s success in the closer’s role.

While Glover is the youngest of the three potential closers, he has displayed the essential swagger and confidence that is required of a closer, while the other two candidates have not.

Glover passes the eye test, and the metrics support manager Dusty Baker’s choice to use him as the Nationals

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aving a good pitcher lock down the ninth inning is no longer a luxury in the MLB. Rather, having an exceptional closer is a necessity in order to be a title contender. Last season, the Nationals acquired Mark Melancon at the trade deadline to bolster the bullpen.

Melancon was a key piece in the Nationals making the postseason in 2016.

After the Nationals let Melancon leave for the Giants as a free-agent, they looked for a big name closer to sign to steady the bullpen.

After whiffing on deals with Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen, Rockies closer Greg Holland

and Melancon, the Nationals did not sign a closer, instead hoping one of their relievers would step into the role.

At the beginning of this season, the Nationals bullpen situation was ambiguous.

Blake Treinen, the named closer entering the season, blew multiple saves and now sports a 6.85 ERA. Treinen was pulled from the closer role after imploding in high leverage situations.

After Treinen was removed from the closer role, relief pitchers Shawn Kelley and Koda Glover were called on to share the closer role. However, Koda Glover, who has posted an ERA three runs below Shawn Kelley, has since taken over the closer role. Glover now has seven saves on the season and continues to lock down the ninth inning.

The Nationals’ lack of offseason moves appears to

Courtesy

Will Dobson sports editor

Koda Glover, now the Nationals’ closer, has displayed the poise and confidence that is required of a top-notch closer in the MLB.

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What’s next for Edison athletes?

From basketball to volleyball, The Current takes a look at where some of Edison’s seniors will be playing college athletics next year.

Will Dobson staff writer

Amanda Peren, Swimming

Punya Saleekul, Soccer

Long Island University; DI

School: Frostburg State, DIII

Event: Backstroke

Position: Forward

Favorite Memory: “Going to the State Championship meet with my relay team.”

Favorite Memory: “Warming up under the lights before a game with some of your favorite music to get you pumped.”

Marcel Guzman, Soccer

Genna Zeswitz, Soccer

School: Longwood, DIII Position: Midfielder Favorite Memory: “Playing alongside my brothers.”

Position: Center Midfielder Favorite Memory: “My freshman year we pied the seniors and our coach in the face.”

Kasi Pagach, Soccer

Riley Hayes, Soccer

School: Carroll, DIII

School: Keystone College

Position: Center Back

Position: Center Defender

Favorite Memory: “Playing alongside my friend Julianna Norvell”

Favorite Memory: “My favorite memory is when we beat Hayfield in overtime my freshman year.”

Rachel Work, Soccer

Geli Gaughran, Cross Country/Track School: University of Mary Washington

School: Scranton Position: Outside Back Favorite Memory: “Freshman year, we had competitions to see who could shoot the ball the highest to make our coach mad.”

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School: Chatham, DIII

Events: 1 Mile, 2 Mile, 4X800 Relay Favorite Memory: “My favorite memory of cross country was becoming captain and making it individually to states my junior year.”

Keystone

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seniors

Scranton Chatham

Long Island Howard Gettysburg Frostburg State Mary Washington

Longwood Lauren Myers, Lacrosse School: Howard; DI Position: Defender Favorite Memory: “Crushing Hayfield three times in a row.”

Robert Garnett, Wrestling School: Gettysburg, DIII Weight class: 138 Favorite Memory: “Winning the state championship.”

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Emily Yankovich by

Photo Senior Jenny Roegner played the character Jay Bird (pictured here in blue) i spring musical. This year, Edison Drama presented “Honk!” the musical.

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ne of the hardest careers to pursue is one in the arts.

When there is a whole world bursting with talent, finding a job can be a challenge. These challenges aren’t stopping some Edison seniors, including Emily Yankovich, Jenny Roegner and Halle Kaufax.

Yankovich is headed off to Hofstra University in Long Island, New York with the hopes of double majoring in film and screen studies and stage management. Roegner is going to Longwood Univeristy in Farmville, Va. for theater, and Kaufax is going to New York Univeristy School of the Arts for theater in New York City.

Longwood offered Roegner a “not very necessarily well known theater program” but one that is smaller and very close which is what she wanted. “[This] is something I personally wanted more than a top notch theater program where I would have to deal with ego and things like that,”

said Roegner.

NYU was the right fit for Kaufax as it allowed her to explore her artistic and academic interests. “A lot of times when you want to study theater, [schools] don’t allow you to double major [or] get a minor, but at NYU I could double major. At NYU, I’m hoping to double major or double minor in business with theater,” said Kaufax.

Yankovich’s interest in film really started at the end of junior year. “I’ve been interested in film for a while now, especially towards the end of junior year. I did a summer camp and went, ‘Wow, I want to do this,” said Yankovich.

For Roegner, the love of theater started in freshman year. She said it’s “home.” She grew up a competitive dancer, so being on the stage felt normal and comfortable. “Putting [in] the work and having people show up to watch you is just a great feeling and I really love it,” said Roegner.

It’s no secret that having a successful career in the arts is a slim chance to none.

It takes a special person to

Courtesy

Jillian Brooks arts editor

Jenny Roegner

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current Edison seniors pursue careers in the arts

Throughout the current season, senior Emily Yankovich filmed and photographed numerous productions and performances. Alongside her role as “Penny,” Yankovich also filmed a performance of the spring musical “Honk!”

make it in the arts. “I’m pretty determined and I’m pretty driven. I think that being in an environment where I’m studying it all the time and am surrounded by really talented people is going to push me,” said Kaufax.

Some people can warn students looking at the arts field against it and encourage them to look into something more practical. However, this doubt isn’t stopping Yankovich and Roegner.

“I have pretty supportive friends. I know my parents are nervous for me going into the arts, but at least with post-production, I’m going to be able to find a job. They’re happy that I’m doing what I want to do [and] it’s in the arts but kind of practical,” said Yankovich. Kaufax also recieved tremendous support from her parents with them flying, driving and taking the train with her to 11 in-person college auditions.

Roegner faced opposition from others when she said she wanted to pursue this field.

“Not even my family, [it was] other people,” she said. “One time, it was just at a hair salon [when] this woman asked what I was doing because she knew I was graduating.

I told her that I was going into theater and she was like ‘That’s really a horrible career choice,’ and I was like ‘Excuse me?’ and she [said] ‘There’s really no reason for anyone to go into something like that. That’s dumb.’ It’s one of those things where you just have to say thank you and move on but I was really hurt.

I didn’t ask for her opinion. I appreciate that she gave me her opinion but I didn’t need that kind of negativity,” said Roegner.

“Realistically, you should have backup choices but you should with anything you’re trying to pursue... not everyone’s going to be a surgeon,” said Roegner. For her, the backup plan is becoming a theater teacher at the high school level and Yankovich is hoping to fall back onto stage management.

All three seniors say that if somebody is considering a career in the arts they should go for it. “Don’t be intimidated by it because you can always fall back on something.

So go for it now because you don’t want to regret it later. Go for it now as a young person because there’s always another option,” said Kaufax.

arts Senior Choice Awards

Best Whip

Kayla Hendricks & Sameer Gupta

Social Butterfly

Arda Ismail & Rafael Parayoan

Most Humorous

Michelle Dorado & Al Paz

Reality Show Star

Courtney Choi & Akwasi Agyekum

Couple That Never Was Boy/Girl You Want to Bring Home to Mom

Alyana Alvarez & Matthew Phuong Kevin Chesson & Sarah Jordan

Cutest Couple

Kunal Kochnar & Amanda Peren

Best Dressed

Annie Huynh & Stanislav Lukachevich & Dougie Shimeless

Best Eyes

Geli Gaughran & Xavier Thomas

Best Celebrity Look-Alike Dougie Shimeles & Neisha Pecay Hidden Gem Tiana Ayala & Melvin Coughenour

Most Sassy Kasi Pagach & Akwasi Agyekum

Best Hair Jessica Cruz & Ramzi Negash

Most Changed Since Freshman Year Sophie Meyer & Alex Marasco

Best Artist Maria Stanzcak & Nick Madamba

Best at Makeup

Fatana Karimi

Worst Driver

Serena Feghali & Ben Jewell

Best Voice

Most Likely to be a Celebrity

Madison Sterner & Nicholas Riehle Barkat Dhailiwal & Nick Madamba

Best Smile

Eles Jones & Rafael Parayoan

Teacher’s Pet

Fiorella Levine & Joseph McCallister

Biggest Flirt

Most Likely to be President

Savannah Gold & Chris Erickson Anhar Abdelatif & Daniel Misgana

Drama Queen/King Fatana Karimi & Akwasi Agyekum Most Spirited

Halle Kaufax & Nick Madamba

Most Likely to Sarah Jordan & Kevin Chesson Brighten Your Day Edison Wouldn’t Be the Same Without Halle Kaufax & Nick Madamba Best Techie

Kaalie Price & Ryan Pinkney

Most Likely to Become Anhar Abdelatif & Sameer Gupta a Billionaire Triple Threat Alyana Alvarez & Cole McDowell

Best Bromance Jeffrey Aguilar & Edwin Delgado

Most Athletic Lauren Myers & Robert Garnett Attached At The Hip Maha Maghraoui & Kayla Hendricks

Most Likely to Barkat Dhailiwal & Dougie Shimles Look Best at Prom Most Likely to be Late Sarah Trejo & Eugene Han to Graduation

19 | The Current| June 2017

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Justin Askenazy’s Year In Review the “Anti-Snowmageddon,” school officials decide this whole school-with-no-breaks thing is working great and decide to cancel summer vacation so as to ensure continuity of education. Says Mother Nature, “My bad.”

Justin Askenazy editor in chief

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April

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n case you’re just waking up from a year-long coma, have I got some news for you!

After a long and contentious battle, with the opponent holding a nearly insurmountable lead, one of the greatest winners of all time came back and won the biggest prize of all. Of course, I’m talking about the Patriots winning the Super Bowl! What did you think I was talking about?

In local news, Superintendent Karen Garza announces her resignation from FCPS. Many are shocked by this, as Garza had just taken over a few years earlier. However, (some) fears are calmed when it is revealed that the new superintendent will be Donald Trump, who needs something to do after he definitely, absolutely, certainly does not win the White House.

address the bloviating buffoon in the room.

In a surprise to many, Donald Trump is elected president of the United States, losing the popular vote but winning the Electoral College.

The day after the election, Edison hallways experience an unprecedented level of gloom, with students’ faces still contorted in a state of shock.

The effect was even felt 4,000 miles away, as “The Scream” commented, “Hey, you guys stole my look!”

October

December

September

Nobody focuses on anything besides the campaign, as everyone is awestruck by the sheer ridiculousness of it. In the wake of Tapegate, Wikileaks and “nasty woman,” hospitals note a record number of visits for scandal whiplash. Luckily, under Obamacare, politics-related injuries are covered as a pre-existing condition.

November

In an attempt to restore a sense of normalcy to Edison, the annual tradition of starting a fire in a bathroom is continued, prompting a lunchtime evacuation and a fire department response. In retaliation, school officials crack down on other budding traditions, such as the cheer-off at the pep rally and having the marching band impersonate the football team for a game.

Fortunately, nothing exciting happened in November, so let’s move on to...

Oh fine, guess we have to

January

With the inauguration of Donald Trump, it is clear he can no longer become super-

intendent of FCPS, leaving the job to Steven Lockard.

A rumor goes around that Lockard doesn’t like snow days, worrying many who are looking forward to missing school when the temperature dips below 30 degrees. However, the new Trump administration makes it clear that climate change is just a hoax, so there is no reason to expect any extreme weather. Sorry, snowbros.

February

To very few people’s surprise, the New England Patriots once again win the Super Bowl, coming back from 25 points down to defeat the Atlanta Falcons. President Trump, an ever-hopeful New Jersey Generals fan, responds by instituting a travel ban on the team, preventing them from leaving Houston.

Texans fans present very little opposition to the decision.

March

By the end of the month, it becomes clear that we made it through winter with only one snow day. During a season many (or is it just me?) call

This is a humor article and is intended to make light of real situations.

June 2017| The Current | 20

President Trump again makes headlines by firing a nighttime barrage of rockets into Syria, further complicating the war in the Middle East and U.S.-Russia relations. He makes the decision while eating the “most beautiful piece of chocolate cake you’ve ever seen.” Many amateur bakers are skeptical about this, however, as they once managed to make a cake from a Betty Crocker mix without burning it, and the victory tasted pretty darn sweet.

May

Back at Edison, IB exams are underway, with over a hundred stressed-out kids fighting that last battle against senioritis. Yet many are still able to carve out some time to present their promposals.

Unfortunately, amidst all the testing chaos, one gentleman messes up his sign so that it says, “?MORP” She still says yes.

June

As the school year draws to a close, final assignments are turned in and exams are taken. Outside of school, though, the world is still in increasing turmoil and the country is the most divided in recent memory. You can always look on the bright side and say, “Hey, it could be worse.” Or maybe it’s better to just slip back into that coma.