Issue 2

current

the

Thomas A. Edison High School

Thomas Edison High School • Volume 52• Issue 2• 5801 Franconia Road • Alexandria, VA 22310 • December 4, 2015

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what’s inside NEWS:

School Board priorities (3) Primary Day late opening (3) FCPS snow day policy (4) National Honor Society (5) Unhealthy meat, new kiss & ride policy (6) FCPS budget (7)

FEATURES: Part-time workers (9) Holiday traditions (11) Two-religion families (11) A day in the life (12-13)

OPINIONS:

Star Wars (14) Vegetarianism (15) Education system (15) Opposing viewpoints: Android vs Apple (16) Editorial (17)

SPORTS: Capital Scholastic Hockey League (18) Washington D.C. skiing (18) College Football Playoff predictions (19) Column as I see ‘em (19) G Force (20-21)

ARTS: Kaufman and the Nutcracker (22) Winter Spectacular (23) Movies older than 10 years (24) December 2015| The Current | 2

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 Emily Jarmin Opinions Editor Jessica Cruz Features Editor Judy Beauvais Sports Editor Will Dobson

Online Editor Ryan Pinkney Arts Editor Talia Carter Arts Director Joel DeSante Business Manager Judy Beauvais Copy Chief Justin Askenazy Adviser Carl Irvin

Staff Writers & Photographers Camryn Anderson

Ben Davenport

Mikyla Kelly

Salman Ashraf

Joel DeSante

Alex Marasco

Jillian Brooks

Zemi Jacob

Lexy Thomas

Katie Burkett

Eles Jones

Bailey Thompson

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 or anonymously outside of Room C-215. 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 holidays approach at a fast clip, it is important that we turn our attention to the season of holly and jolly. In this issue, we highlight some of the holiday traditions of Edison families, as well as the many holiday-related activities in which Edison students participate outside of school.

In addition, December means

snow, so we talked to Jeffrey Platenberg, who makes the initial call on school closings and delays. Look for his insight on why he makes the decisions he does and what he expects this winter to be like.

Season’s greetings from The Current!

Justin Askenazy Editor in Chief, The Current

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Potential buget cuts hit home Lee District representative Tamara Kaufax explains the future decsions that will be made from the school board

Ben Davenport staff writer

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he near future for Fairfax County Public Schools may not be as bright as once thought.

Currently, FCPS faces a budget deficit for 2017 upwards of $100 million. According to Tamara Derenak Kaufax, Lee District representative, “The problems facing the budget are real. They are not imagined, and they are putting our system at risk.”

Since 2008 the total budget reductions for FCPS has been approaching $500 million. Along with that, 2,200 positions have also been cut.

During that exact same time, FCPS has had over 23,000 new students in the school

system. “To give an idea of how big 23,00 students is, that is nearly the entire population of Arlington County Public Schools,” said Kaufax.

That is not the only relation FCPS has to ACPS, as according to the Washington Area Board of Education, teachers in ACPS make, on average, $10,413 more than those in FCPS. “What I am seeing is a slow ebb out of our system.

I have had several schools where they did not have teachers in certain positions, because we could not find the high quality teachers that we come to know and expect in Fairfax. I hear from teachers regularly, that they can no longer afford to live here in Fairfax. When they know they can go a short distance away

Schools open late for primary election Fairfax County Public Schools to open two hours late on March 1 Katie Burkett County website, “Virginia law requires FCPS to provide staff writer n March 1, 2016 there 180 days of instruction, but if days are lost to inclement is expected to be weather, FCPS may switch a large amount of to a 990-hour requirement. voters to come out to Fairfax County schools to vote during Adopting the delayed opening for March 1 reduces the the presidential primary.On October 22, the Fairfax Coun- number of built-in inclement ty School Board approved the weather days from 13 to 12.7 for the 2015-16 school years.” request for a two-hour delay “I believe that it is fine for schools proposed by the Fairfax County Board of Elec- for them to take those two tions. According to the Fairfax hours from our snow days County Public Schools (FCPS) because I don’t think we are website, 165 of the 196 schools going to use all the snow days and centers in FCPS are used anyways,” said senior Phanas polling places. The purpose uphong Phothi. of the two-hour delay is to allow students to avoid the traffic and crowds of people expected to come out to vote.

With that, those two hours will cut into the built-in inclement Local citizens vote in the 2012 weather days from 13 to 12.7 primary election at the Bauer Drive for this school year.

Community Recreation Center in According to the Fairfax Rockville, Maryland.

Courtesy of Wikipedia.org

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and make more money. This is one of the main reasons why our budget right now is as big as it is,” said Kaufax.

In order to keep up with the rising population of students and growing need to support their teachers, FCPS has been researching what is best to cut from their budget.

This past year Superintendent Karen K. Garza put together a budget task force to identifying potential programs and services to reduce, eliminate, or redesign, beginning with the 2016-17 school year. On November 9, the task force released their suggestions for budget cuts. “Some of the cuts in that report are difficult.

Increasing student parking, making kids pay for IB or AP tests, paying fees for sports, increasing class sizes, and eliminating language immersion programs. They are cuts that I find personally unacceptable, because they will sincerely impact the quality of education for our kids,” said Kaufax.

This quality of education that FCPS has come to know and love cannot be maintained unless proper funding from the Board of Supervisors and the state is provided.

“We thought the chances of getting money from that state was better,” said Kaufax.

For FCPS, 70.6% of the budget’s funds come from local institutions, like the board of supervisors. While only 23.2% comes from the state. “Just last week I went to Williamsburg, VA for a conference, and on the last day of the conference I heard a legislative briefing from lobbyist, who have the ear of lots of people, that costs associated with Medicare could prevent the funds we need.

Even though Governor Terry

McAuliffe and Secretary of Education, Anne Holton, are advocating for more funding for K-12, since Virginia ranks 42nd in K-12 funding, we may not get the funding we were hoping for,” said Kaufax.

The low funding amount from the state to FCPS can be credited to the county’s overall wealth. “Because as an aggregate Fairfax County is so wealthy, they look at that as our ability to pay into the education system. They do not account for now we have probably have has many, if not more students receiving free and reduced lunches in Fairfax County, than DC Public Schools,” said Kaufax.

If the state continues to examine FCPS’s net wealth as its ability to pay, funding from the state would be unlikely.

In that scenario, budget cuts appear inevitable. “Because we already pay more into Richmond than we get back, people do not want to change the funding formulas. They feel they will get less if we get more,” explained Kaufax.

Kaufax expressed deep support from the community is needed as the new year rolls around. “For us to hear from you [students] is important, but it is more important if students and the community want to get active and involved. You need to understand what you are asking for. We cannot raise funds for ourselves. It simply comes from the board of supervisors and the state,” said Kaufax.

Unless funding is provided from the state or through local efforts, as Kaufax said, “schools right now are at a place where further cuts will truly tamper the quality of education that we know to be in FCPS for all these years.”

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The decision falls on snow

Jeffrey Platenberg goes in depth on how he makes the decsion to close schools durng winter storms

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hile many students and faculty believe that Ryan McElveen makes the decisions for school closings during winter storms because he is the one who notifies the public through Twitter, Jeffrey Platenberg is the one who decides whether school is open or not. Platenberg became Deputy Superintendent for Fairfax County Public Schools in 2000 and moved to Assistant Superintendent of Facilities and Transportation Services in January of 2013.

Platenberg grew up here in Fairfax County and worked here for approximately 12 years. “Having grown up through elementary school in FCPS, I have seen many changes in our communities and continue to try and be a positive part of giving back to ensure generations of families are as fortunate as I feel I have been.” said Platenberg.

Along with Fairfax County Public Schools, Platenberg has also worked in South Carolina Richland School District One, Lexington School District One in Lexington, SC, and Loudoun County Public Schools, VA. When making the decision to close schools during inclement weather, Platenburg works with a variety of people. “I work with the Council of Governments for the Washington Metropolitan Region, the Fairfax County Police Department, Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles and surrounding school districts-and my transportation department,” said Platenberg.

Platenberg and his team December 2015| The Current | 4

take in account many factors when determining if schools will be open or not. According to the Fairfax County Public Schools website, “The decision is often influenced by where the parents, staff members, and students live, how they commute, what their child care situation is, and many other factors.”

Many students who have to walk to school know the dangers of walking on the untreated sidewalks.

Senior Ian Previ said, “I think that Fairfax County needs to anticipate the storms more, and they need to have more precautions made. One big thing I think is really important is that all the sidewalks need to be clear; I know a lot of people who slipped and fell last year during the winter storms.”

As stated on the Fairfax County Public Schools website, “When the school system considers the impact of weather conditions on the ability to open schools, it considers all the methods of transportation. In fact, because school bus transportation is by far the safest form of transportation, decisions to delay or close schools are rarely made because of concern over school bus transportation. FCPS thinks about teenagers who drive to high schools in the early morning hours before it is

light. It thinks about students who walk and about students waiting at bus stops.”

When weather events are actually occurring, or have occurred, the school system gathers information from many sources. The Fairfax County Public Schools website explained, “FCPS administrators participate in regional conference calls that include representatives from the National Weather Service, the Virginia Department of Transportation, mass transit, police departments, federal and local agencies, and school systems.

The school system consults with the Fairfax County Police Department to get road condition information from different parts of the county.

FCPS security staff members report what they are experiencing as they check schools and parking lots. School bus transportation staff members drive into neighborhoods and around schools to obtain firsthand information on current conditions.”

After last winter, students, including senior Sarah Weinstein, are not happy about the decisions made by the school system when it came to closing schools during inclement weather. “They need to make the deadline for the decision earlier. Especially for families with elementary school children, the parents have to find a place for their kids to go Joel DeSante

Emily Jarmin news editor

while they’re at work in such a short amount of time.” said Weinstein.

After receiving comments on the late posts about the closing, the school system is attempting to change that.

“Stay tuned, we are attempting to communicate more effectively and provide as much advance notice as possible.” said Platenberg.

Platenburg stated that he has regretted a decision that was made when closing schools or not, but uses them as a learning tool for the future. “Each event-although unique- provides me with learning opportunities to use on subsequent decisions.” said Platenberg.

Platenberg said, “What I hate most about my job is constantly feeling that there are not enough hours in each day to do more on behalf of the FCPS community. We are all so fortunate to experience all [Northern Virginia] and FCPS offers. Unfortunately, one doesn’t realize it until they experience other places that don’t provide such a vibrant opportunity.”

After each choice Platenberg and his team makes provides them with an opportunity to gain more perspective from the community through their feedback. “Every decision provides the opportunity for me to gain feedback from concerned/upset parents. I listen to them, provide them with the rationale and thank them for providing me their experience or insight. I then let them know that they are calling me because they are calling on behalf of their child and I take that very seriously,” said Platenberg.

news Ryan Pinkney managing editor

T

Ryan Pinkney

he National Honor Society, less formally known as NHS, this year inducted over 100 new members into the Edison chapter. This took place at the induction ceremony in the auditorium on Oct. 29.

Inductees and their parents filled the room, making it a very well attended event. The great increase in the membership has made it a club that represents a greater portion of the school.

NHS is a national organization, divided into regional chapters, that recognizes students with a 3.5 grade point average or higher, giving them an opportunity to participate in service projects and activities with their peers.

The students throughout the year have to acquire 10 hours per semester of service.

The hours have to involve both hours with NHS during their scheduled projects and

individual projects conducted outside of the club. Science teacher Kate Anderson, who has been a co-adviser of NHS for the past three years, said that the main purpose of the club is “to make sure there are lots of service opportunities.”

Science teacher Debbie Meinholdt has been an adviser for Edison’s NHS for ten years. She said that NHS is important because having a club that recognizes student’s academic accomplishments and giving them an opportunity to do more adds a good value to the school. NHS members are expected to help the students around them to also academically achieve and be a role model.

Service is an important characteristic and goal of NHS. The members are given the opportunity to serve the community that helped them achieve. “Not just a taker but a giver,” said Meinholdt.

The members take responsibility for organizing and

The NHS officers, at the Nov, 9 meeting present the service project plan for the year. They also advertise the Edison’s personal NHS T-shirt for purchase.

Ryan Pinkney

NHS gets to work on a new school year

Senior Faten Hasen is the president of the Edison chapter of NHS. (On the right) She lights the induction candle at a meeting that took place on Nov, 19. participating in service projects. Each year the group has numerous projects, including Reefs across America, soup kitchen visits, Pennies for Patients to support leukemia research, recycling projects, school beautification, and many more.

Anderson said that her favorite service project is knitting blankets to send to children in Africa. She likes it because the project involves a more group and social aspect.

Anderson said, “The group of students spend time together, getting to know each other and serving others. Doing service as a group has a powerful positive effect on students.”

Junior Andrew Shearer, being a recent inductee into NHS, has not yet been able to participate in any activites yet but he said, “I am excited to get to work with people that

have my similar personality and people who enjoy serving the less fortunate.”

The NHS service projects are not limited to NHS members only. The club believes service is something everyone should be doing to help their community, which supports students in so many ways from sporting events to fine art shows. Mienholdt said it is important to always be giving back.

Anderson invites anyone that wants to serve to come to the service projects.

Anderson said that NHS is a lot of fun and that everyone should bring up their GPA or maintain their GPA so they get to become a full member.

NHS will continue to be a part of the Edison community and an organization that gives and serves to the welfare of others.

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“Meat”ing your maker

The World Health Organization discovers that processed meat causes cancer Judy Beauvais features editor

Judy Beauvais

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very morning you wake up, mom is cooking breakfast on the stove. She is frying eggs and bacon. Toast is warming in the toaster. Everything is business.

A recent report from the World Health Organization (WHO) said that our processed meats such as bacon, hot dogs, sausage and others, can cause bowel cancer.

According to WHO, in the past year their has been 34,000 bowel cancer deaths linked to overconsumption of processed meats.

The meet section at the Rose Hill Plaza Safeway.

Photo by Judy Beauvais The meat section at the Rose Hill Plaza Safeway.

Those who eat meat have

The meat section at the Rose Hill Plaza Safeway. The meat was declarged unsafe by the World Health Organization

found this report quite shocking. Junior Sydnee Bryant said, “I think that that sounds crazy, but [also] slightly possible,” The new discovery has people wondering about their meat. Some people are un-

bothered by the new discovery. Senior Norissa Toussaint said, “It’s not going to stop me from eating sausage or bacon,” The discovery has caused disturbance but will not stop people from enjoying

their meat. The report has informed us of the dangers of eating too much processed meat but, it hasn’t impacted the consumption of processed meat.

It is not only meat lovers that have had a recent discovery. Vegetarians have had their share in bad news as well. WHO has tested vegetarian meat and discovered samples of real meat and a few samples of human DNA in their faux meat. “What?

Thats mind boggling,” said animal science teacher Karen Nestlerode.

Meat, processed or faux, has always been a part of the American culture. With the new discoveries, both vegetarians and nonvegetarians will have to think twice about their substitution for meat.

School implements new kiss and ride policies Justin Askenazy editor-in-chief

December 2015| The Current | 6

Justin Askenazy

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dison Security on Nov. 4 instituted a new kiss and ride system for those who are dropped off and picked up at school. The plan involves changes to the entry and exit doors used by students and places restrictions on the traffic flow around the school.

School security officer Larry Choates instructs a driver in the new kiss and ride policy.

Photo by Justin Askenazy School security officer Larry Choates instructs a driver in the new kiss and ride policy.

Under the new system, students will be allowed to use doors five and 13 to enter and

School security officer Larry Choates instructs a driver on the new kiss and ride policy. The driver was confused about the protocol for drop-up.

leave the building for kiss and ride. Concurrently, door 17, which was previously used as the main kiss and ride door, will be closed.

Changes have also taken effect outside the school. It is now illegal to take a left turn out of the Van Dorn

St. exit during arrival and dismissal, and drivers must go to the stoplight to take a left on Franconia Rd. However, right turns at all exits are still permitted.

School Safety Officer Sherman Deck said that the new procedure was created for

two reasons. One, the later start time was affecting the movement of traffic. “Buses were late getting here because traffic was backing up, and parents would just block [the road] and line up,” he said.

The other problem was that the old system was potentially dangerous. “When the buses were coming in and kids were walking by, it was unsafe,” said Deck.

According to Deck, the new kiss and ride is working well so far. However, he acknowledged that the adjustment will continue to take some time.

“I know people don’t like it because it’s a change and it’s different,” said Deck, “but I want people to remember it’s for the safety of the students.”

news

Fairfax County officals recommend new budget for 2017

Fairfax County Public Schools plan to make adjustments on the budget for the 2016-17 school year that can impact students Camryn Anderson staff writer

F

airfax County is the 10th largest school system in the country with 196 schools and centers, serving more than 187,000 students.

More and more students become a part of the Fairfax County Public School system each year. Nearly half of FCPS schools are over capacity. It has gotten to the point where FCPS is struggling to keep up with the growing enrollment of students and operating costs. Over the past eight years, FCPS has gained at least 22,000 new students and the operating budget has increased by $238 million dollars.

FCPS relies on two main budgets: the operating budget and the construction budget.

According to the FCPS website, the operating budget consists of the money that is used for day-to-day operations and maintenance for our schools and it is also the source of income for staff members. 70% of funds from the operating budget come from the county, 23% from the state, and 7% from other resources.

The construction budget simply deals with facility needs like renovations and repairs. Over the recent years, FCPS has made slight increases in funding but not enough to meet the requirements needed to support any and all students that are a part of Fairfax County.

With the growth of enrollment, more students are receiving free and reduced lunches, intensive language services, and other additional support, which increases costs greatly. Since fiscal year 2008, FCPS has cut almost half a billion dollars and more than

Contributed The 2017

change the budget. year.

by fcps.edu

budget development and school planning time line provides the public to see how school officials are planning to

Budget

decisions must be made by

2,000 positions. This has put the current deficit to a total of $75 million dollars. How do we solve this problem?

In an FCPS interview, Superintendent Dr. Karen Garza discussed the budget situation and some ways that she intends to fix the problem.

Over the past years, elementary school class size has been raised three times in attempt to balance the budget. This has affected classrooms negatively by not allowing teachers to focus on any of their students individually. Teachers and parents are becoming more and more concerned. Garza stated that her and the school board are working on some new policies and changes to regulations but they have not come up with an exact plan.

She is hopeful that after the budget presentation in January, the community will continue to invest because they see how much the school system needs the funding.

In order to fill the gap, many cuts will have to be made.

There is a poll on the Fairfax County website where people

December 2015

in order to effectively plan for the

can decide what cuts they think should be made for the upcoming school year. Some options include cutting school athletics, fine arts programs, and after school activities. A couple of students gave their opinions on the impending budget cuts. “If they cut sports, I’d be devastated. They can’t cut sports for me but if they cut drama then it would be a whole other story for someone else,” said sophomore, Isabel Nieves.

When asked what the school board should do about the deficit, Sophomore Adam Abu-Jamous said, “They should cut stuff because that’s all that they can do unless we want to lose everything we have. They shouldn’t cut sports because that’s what everyone does and enjoys.

They should cut stuff that’s unimportant to people.”

Nieves’ said: “I think they should reduce the after school buses and eliminate electives that not many people register for every year.”

Cuts have to be made within school programs instead

2016-17

school

of positions. Since fiscal year 2008, 2,175 positions have been cut and the school system simply cannot afford to lose any more. Fairfax County has the lowest percentage of leadership team and management programs with a 0.7% compared to Falls Church and Manassas Park who are tied with 2.8%. Income for teachers and other staff is at it lowest point which puts us at risk. By reducing income rates so much, teachers may be more inclined to leave.

Garza stated that, “FCPS wants to maintain its excellence.” To do so, they need to keep all teachers at FCPS schools and they won’t stay unless their needs and wants are being met.

The fiscal year 2017 Proposed Budget is scheduled for January 7, 2016. At this meeting, our Superintendent proposes the current budget and any ideas or solutions that she has. The final budget plan will be approved in May of 2016, which will tell us what will be cut for the next school year.

7 | The Current| December 2015

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Come visit our website for more Edison news and feature stories

http://www.thecurrentonline.org/

December 2015| The Current | 8

features Eagles take charge of their futures Judy Beauvais features editor

G

oing to the movies, eating at Chipotle or going out with friends costs money and asking parents all the time for money to hang out can become a very frustrating routine. “I always wanted to work, so I can have money to spend without everything going through my mom,” said senior Ada Lazo. Some students at Edison have taken steps to make their own money. These students have part time jobs in the Springfield Town Center or in local businesses around the area. “I work at Springfield Mall in a store

called Bubble Bounce,” said Lazo. The students work in places that accepted to hire young people that are willing to work for them.

There are some students who have multiple jobs . “I work at Kids Foot Locker and Hybla Valley Vet Hospital,” said senior Sophia Chbarat.

To some students with jobs, having a job can assist in preparing for the reality of what work is. “I want the experience of having responsibilities and juggling work with school,” said Chbarat.

Ada Lazo

“I want the experience of having responsibilities and juggling work with school,”

-Sophia Chbarat

Sophia Chbarat

Students use their minimum wage jobs to gain experience and knowledge for their job

Senior Sophia Chbarat gets ready for work stripe shirt is the Foot Locker uniform.

at

Kids Foot Locker. The

ref

Senior Ada Lazo posing with the princess of the Halloween season at her job, Bubble Bounce.

and to gain experience about how to stay responsible and professional.

Each job has a process that people have to go through.

“My process for getting a job was start at building my resume and going to stores and handing out my resume,” said Chbarat. Some students went through the normal process of completing an application and then completing an interview, but other students went through a unique process or no process at all. “The principal knew me because I was a student [at the Arabic school].

After I graduated she offered me the job,” said junior Rania Elseidy. Having connections to an employee or having previous relations to the business can make the process of getting hired slightly easier for people applying for jobs.

Students had to go through another process to find busi-

hour.

This

was during the

nesses that would allow high school students to work in their facilities. “ I just found jobs that I was interested in and looked to see if I got the opportunity to work there,” said Chbarat. Students had to find places that were looking to hire high school students.

After getting the jobs the students had to tell the company when they could work.

Some students only work one day a week, “I work on Sundays for six hours,” said Elseidy. Other students had more availability. “The shifts are six hours. On weekdays, I start at 3:30pm and get out around 9:45pm. On weekends, I usually work 9:30am to 4:30pm,” said Lazo.

Students work part time jobs so they can gain experience and earn money on their own. Though it may take a lot of time, it is definitely worth it in the end.

9 | The Current| December 2015

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features

Traditions around the globe Lexy Thomas staff writer

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he holiday season is the time to create memories and bring family together. Many people celebrate their holidays differently based on their religion, where they grew up, and many other factors.

A common holiday that is practiced in America is Christmas. According to Pew Research Poll 9 out of 10 americans have said they celebrated Christmas.This holiday is celebrated on the 25th of December being that Jesus Christ was born on this day.

During this holiday, families build Christmas trees, decorate their homes, visit family members, and exchange gifts.

“My family and I have many traditions we like to do during christmas holidays but my favorites are opening gifts around the christmas tree and

eating Christmas dinner with my family!” said senior Megan Hendricks. “Christmas is a time to gather around with your family and let them know that they are loved.”

There are other holidays besides Christmas, such as Eid al-adha.This is a holiday celebrated by the Muslim population. Eid al-adha is also known as the Feast of Sacrifice and the dates celebrated vary.

On Eid Al-Adha, families in the U.S. along with all the other Muslim countries come together to pray and sacrifice animals such as goats, cows and sheep. This is a symbolization of Ibrahim’s sacrifice to Allah. According to junior Fatana Karimi, the animals have to meet certain quality standards in order to be sacrificed. They can not be sick or blind and must meet a minimum age restriction.

A goat has to be at least 1 years old and sheep must be at least 6 months old. “My favorite tradition is going to the mosque to pray and be thankful for everything that I have, and this is important because it is a chance to get closer with Allah,” said Fatana Karimi. During the time of Eid, Muslims are obligated to share with the poor, being that charity is one of the 5 Pillars . Pillars, also known as the frameworks of a Muslim’s life. Muslims are also urged to practice waqf by providing land or money to help build more mosques, schools and hospitals.“I do really love my holiday tradition! Every year we send money back home so they can sacrifice a goat and give it to the less fortunate people. It’s honestly just such a great feeling,” said senior Shanarah Akter.

Elham Mohaba

Different cultures have their own holiday traditions that they celebrate

Elham Mohaba celebrates Eid Adalha. This is the outfit that she had worn for the festive day.

Celebrating the holidays in two religions Growing up in a household of two religions make the holidays twice as fun

Judy Beauvais features editor ther families have double the joy during the holiday season because of the multiple religions in their family.

Freshman Sarah Sklar gets to experience this during the holidays. “[The two religions that are in my family are] Catholicism and Judaism,” said Sklar. Her holidays consist of the nativity scene and the menorah . “I usually celebrate Hanukkah first, with my dad’s family, who live[s] here in Virginia,” said Sklar. “For Hanukkah, we invite my dad’s

festivities she leaves her home and enjoys her other holiday with her Catholic family.

Because of the two religions, Sklars family only celebrates the major holidays of both religions. “ Hanukkah and Christmas are the only religious holidays we celebrate consistently; it makes keeping them straight easier,” said Sklar.

-Sarah Sklar Sklar gets to experiChristmas Eve dinner, and ence the importance of invite my uncle, aunt and both religious holidays to her cousins over to my grandparfamily, what they mean to ents house, or we go to my them, and why her family enuncle/aunt’s house because joys celebrating them the two we alternate every year,” different religious holidays said Sklar. For her Christmas each year.

“[The two religions that are in my family are] Catholicism and Judaism,”

Sklar

Jillian Brooks

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family for dinner and exchange gifts.” Before traveling over to her mother’s to celebrate Christmas, Sklar lights up the eight days of festivities with her Jewish family.

“For Christmas, we have

is awaiting the double holiday

fun she gets this year. clarinet in the

Edison

She

plays the

band.

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Walking through high

These students have schedules that involve them working in the school for most of their day Judy Beauvais features editor

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dison has many ways for students to get involved. There are students who involve themselves deeply within the school by joining clubs, becoming class officers, and many other things. At times, heavy school involvement has students’ schedules revolved around school. There are also students who have activities in which they are involved outside of school that make it hard for them to balance school work and the activity they are involved in. These are a couple of students that have schedules revolved around school and after school activities.

Tess Megret

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enior Tess Megret gives an insight of a typical day for her at Edison. She is involved in field hockey in the fall, Edison’s swim team in the winter, school clubs such as National Honor Society (NHS) and is a part of the student government association (SGA) as the class of 2016 president. “All of these activities require a lot of time and dedication which is why I often time stay after school, wake up early, stay up late or work on them over the weekend. This way I can do the best job that I can,” said Megret. She takes us through her involvement in each activity, with all the time she spends in each activity. Megret is also a full IB student. “Full IB is something that is also all year round and began last September when school started,” said Megret. On top of all the activities she is involved in after school, during school she participates in higher level courses. After all the activities, Megret still finds time to unwind. “Although I have a lot going on, I do try and make some free time in order to relax. Whether it’s throwing around the frisbee or lounging around the house and watching movies, I always try to find time to be with my friends and family,” said Megret.

Danielle Bullock-Riley

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December 2015| The Current | 12

enior Danielle Bullock-Riley goes through her normal day with her involvement in track, National Honor Society and the College Partnership Program. “A normal day for me involves waking up around 6:00 a.m. to get ready for school. I do a normal morning routine, make my lunch, pack my track bag, and pack my school book bag. After that I usually have a little time to spare while I wait for my bus to come to take me to school. This usually happens on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I wake up around 5:00 a.m. to get ready for morning practice, and I basically do the same morning routine, but instead of riding the bus to school I get dropped off at the track so I can go to practice. When the bell rings at 8:10 a.m. I go through all my classes and then at the end of the day at 2:55 p.m. I go get changed so I can go to track practice. I have practice for about two hours and then I go home afterwards. When I get home, I take a 30 minute break, and then I take a shower. After that I eat dinner and do homework, and I usually go to bed pretty late.”

features

“I am involved in several activities! This fall I was on Edison’s field hockey team. For field hockey, I have practice every day after school for 1-2 hours.”

Tess Megret

“For field hockey, it began over the summer in the beginning of August. Then the field hockey season ended in late October.”

Danielle Bullock-Riley

Danielle Bullock-Riley

“This winter I will be a part of the Edison swim team. [For] swim team, I have practice every day after school for 1-2 hours. Swim begins in November and lasts until the end of January-March.”

Danielle Bullock-Riley

Tess Megret

Tess Megret

school one step at a time

“I devote 6 out of 7 days a week to “I am currently volunteering at track. On most days, I spend about every Redskins home game for 2 hours total at practice; other about 7-8 hours on Sundays days I might spend about 3 hours to fulfill my individual service total in practice if I have both hours for NHS, and I participate morning and afternoon practice. I in the group projects that NHS also have track meets either Friday organizes.” nights or Saturday mornings, and they can last up to 4-5 hours.”

“There are times when I have to participate in track both in the morning, in the afternoon after school, and on the weekends.

Fri-

day night track meets can last late at night also.”

13 | The Current| December 2015

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current

The force is truly awakened with new Star Wars release

Evan Kerkhoff guest writer

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tar Wars: The Force Awakens is a movie that fans of many generations have waited a long time for. The last Star Wars movie that was Revenge of the Sith which came out in 2005, a year that a lot of people in our generation might not even remember. This movie excites me because it’s the first Star Wars I’ll be able to be able to go to the midnight premier.

One reason the creation of this movie, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, took so long to come out was because no one had real motivation to make a new movie until Disney bought the franchise in October 2012. George Lucas was planning to retire the franchise and hand it down to a new generation of filmmakers. Disney took advantage of this opportunity because they knew Lucas films is one of the great entertainment companies of all time and knew they could build on it.

I have high hopes that Disney will do a fantastic job creating Star Wars movies because they know exactly how to franchise and make movies December 2015| The Current | 14

that the many generation of Star Wars fans of and nonfans will enjoy respectfully.

Disney has created a vast movie empire with animation which gives them amazing experience in editing and CGI and that is perfect for any kind of Star Wars movie.

Daniel Fleetwood, a superfan of Star Wars since he was a child, was able to see The Force Awakens before it is released in December due to an illness from which he passed away a couple days after seeing it. Star Wars The Force Awakens was motivation for him to live through December but the terminal illness became worse and JJ Abrams, the director of The Force Awakens, allowed him to see the movie before his passing on November 10, 2015 because it was Daniel’s wish to see the movie. Fleetwood said that the new movie is better than the original trilogy that came out in the 80’s.

Disney again proves that they can make dreams come true and shows that they can work well under pressure and deliver another instant classic. This movie is a sequel to the original trilogy, it is the aftermath of Star Wars Return of the Jedi (episode

6). Star Wars Return of the Jedi ends in a winning effort from the rebels and fall of the Galactic Empire. While the rebels are finishing up getting rid of every single Star Destroyer in the galaxy there is a battle over the planet Jakku.

The battle of Jakku is where the start of the new movie takes place, also where Rey and Finn, the main characters of the upcoming movie, team up to run away from Captain Phasma and Kylo Ren, the antagonists.

The overall theme of the movie is to not let Anakin Skywalker’s lightsaber get into the hands of Kylo Ren and to defeat a new empire called the First Order. As Rey and Fin are running from Kylo they are meeting new friends around the galaxy and getting into the path of the rebels to aid them in missions.

John Boyega is Fin, a major role player in The Force Awakens and his partner Daisy Ridley is Rey, she is an orphaned girl on planet Jakku. Adam Driver is Kylo Ren, the antagonist, Mark Hamill is Luke Skywalker, another protagonist. Harrison Ford is Han Solo, another major character and his lover, Carrie

Fisher, is Leia Organa. The cast contains more characters that have been in previous movies but also has tons of new characters like Fin and Rey. The graphics in this movie will be drastically better than the original trilogy due to the fact of new technology built in the 21st century.

Spaceships and battles will look better and more fluent.

I am very excited to see what Disney will be able to do with CGI and other graphics.The difference for this Star Wars and others is that it is a completely new story. Compared to the past movies, the plot of this story is not laid out like in the other movies and the plot will build forward in time and not backward like the other ones.

It’s a connection between the new generation and old generation of Star Wars which will be the foundation for a new trilogy that Disney is creating. This movie will be worth the hype. This movie will bring together the younger and older generations that share the similar love for Star Wars. In a sense, it’s a new hope for a completely different Star Wars experience than before.

opinions

I got 99 problems but meat ain’t one

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hen you are taught your whole life to follow specific norms, it’s hard to change your lifestyle. Getting the people around you to accept the changes you make in your life is even harder.I grew up in a family that has barbecues every weekend from the first week of spring to the last week of summer. I always wanted to be a vegetarian because of my love for animals, but as a child I did not have the information or the will that I needed to change my diet and my family did not support something they did not understand.

When I first became a vegetarian it really had no purpose.

I just decided to stop eating meat because I was tired of it. After the first two months, I began to think about how much I wanted to be a vegetarian when I was younger

Vegetarianism is a lifestyle and the actual point of it. I don’t think it’s fair for humans in which a person excludes meat from their diet. There to kill animals when there are different types of vegetarare other very viable options, ianism. Lacto-ovo vegetarians but we are conditioned to see eat dairy products and eggs. ourselves as superior to other Lacto-vegetarians continue animals. to eat dairy products, but do I’ve been a vegetarian for not eat eggs. about 8 Vegetarians months when exclude now. I know eggs from that it’s not their diet can a long time get protein but to me from soy it makes products, a huge beans, and difference nuts. It’s actubecause My ally easier to family still get enough does not protein than quite undernon-vegetaristand why ans believe.

I choose to A healthy meal consisting of vegan exclude meat grilled cheese and tofurkey with baby The third type from my diet, arugula, a fugi apple, blackberries, and of vegetarianism is veganbut because homemade chocolate almond butter. ism, which has I can educate them now about other sources many more restrictions than lacto-ovo and lacto-vegetarianof protein and about the mistreatment of animals in farms, ism. Vegans exclude all animal products from their life, such they understand more.

Serena Feghali

Jessica Cruz opinions editor

as honey and even cosmetics that have animal by-products are not acceptable in a vegan lifestyle.

Out of the three types of vegetarianism, I think the best option is veganism. I understand that not everyone has the same ideals, but my morals don’t allow me to hurt animals. Veganism allows people to live in a manner that does not hurt other organisms, and although being a vegetarian lessens my contribution to the cruel treatment of animals it does not cut it out completely. By eating dairy I contribute to how badly milking cows are treated and that is something that I constantly think about, however I have become too accustomed to having dairy in my diet and my lack of self-control does not allow me to exclude it from my diet. It’s hard for me to accept that I don’t have enough self-control, but I hope that one day, I can fully exclude animals products from my life.

Jessica Cruz opinions editor hy is it that we are treated like children for 18 years and then expected to suddenly decide what we are going to do with the rest of our lives? The whole concept of growing up is complicated and having to make huge decisions for the first time only further complicates that process.

I’ve always had certain views on the education system. For example, the fact that in elementary school and middle school kids are practically trained for the sole

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purpose of passing an SOL is ridiculous. Students don’t have any kind of liberty with their education and everyone follows the same script. It ruins the actual beauty of education.

When I was younger I wanted to be a teacher, but as I grew up I slowly started realizing how meaningless teaching could become in a world where everything is about passing tests and getting into college. Kids don’t actually learn the material they are being taught, they just memorize facts for a test.

I wish the concept of actual learning and education wasn’t

buried six feet under, but it is.

I don’t enjoy learning the way I used to. I no longer feel like getting an education will lead to happiness and success, this may be false to certain extents but it is what feels true at the moment. I cannot understand how students are expected to delve into college immediately after four years of being told what to do every step of the way.

If we are going to be expected to become adults within a span of year, then we should be treated like adults beforehand. I understand that being treated like adults calls for more responsibility, but I’d

Alex Marasco

Education: more questions than answers

College brochures located outside of the career center. They are available for student use when searching for a college or university to apply to.

rather be prepared for college and for the rest of my adult life instead of being spoon fed for four years and then being thrown into the world.

15 | The Current| December 2015

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Opposing Viewpoints Are iPhone and Android phoning it in?

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es, I have an iPhone and I love it.

The amount of smartphones available on the market continue to increase every season. Apple and Google yearly release new models of their phones and accessory devices. This makes it harder and harder to find the “best” smartphone available. The iPhone, though does not beat Android sales solely because of price, is the most efficient and reliable smartphone out there.

Junior Nicholas Riehle is a big fan of his iPhone 5c which he recently upgraded to after previously owning a different iPhone. He said, “I can do everything I need to do digitally with it: games, homework, using the internet; just like any smartphone. But on the iPhone it is formatted how I think; I don’t need to search through, or learn how it is organized. Even a child could figure it out! And many have.”

The user interface on the iPhone is something that sets it apart from Androids and is the part of the phone people interact with the most with their phone. The iPhone interface is simple, beautiful and smooth and for that reason it attracts so many people including children.

Apple’s design and execution of design into a smartphone is beautiful and is unmatched in the market. When holding any Apple product you know it’s Apple by the fact that it feels balanced, slick, and smooth.

When holding an Android there is no uniqueness that sets it apart from a Windows phone or a Blackberry. AnDecember 2015| The Current | 16

Talia Carter arts editor

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droids lack the sense of flavor in design that iPhones capture so perfectly in the palm of your hand. That is how Apple, even though the prices are often higher than the Android, continues to sell millions of new iPhones every year.

Apple is always going to

here’s no such thing as a one size fits all phone, so why is Apple trying to make it seem like there is? In Apple world, you are confined to one choice of phone. The company will add one small feature to their models at a

bring that perfection into the palm of the consumer market.

Consumers trust that when they buy an Apple product they are getting the Apple quality and they are. It is one of the most exciting things ever to tear the seal of the pure white iPhone box and hold it in your hand for the first time. Only the iPhone is able to create this excitment everytime. That is why I love my iPhone and I will never switch to anything else.

time and convince you that it is completely necessary to buy the one that is the size of your face instead of the one that is slightly smaller. Android provides many options when picking a new phone whether it be a Samsung, an LG or an HTC. You are not forced to “make” only one choice. Why be the same when you can be different?

People joke about how Samsung makes “brick” phones, but it definitely comes

Joel DeSante

Ryan Pinkney managing editor

in handy. What I find amusing is that if someone were to drop their iPhone onto a pile of feather pillows placed on a cloud, surrounded by a litter of sleeping puppies, it would fail to maintain composure of its screen. On the other hand, I could drop my Samsung off the top of a building, have it mauled by lions, and it would emerge completely unharmed. iPhone users are constantly bombarded with updates to their phone’s system. If there are that many problems, why buy it in the first place? While these updates are intended to improve the phone’s performance, they sometimes cause more problems than before.

Android rarely has to send out updates to their users because when an update does come out, it takes care of any major and/or minor bugs.

In the unlikely event my phone were to freeze, I can simply take the battery out of the back and start over again.

However, if I were an iPhone user, I would have to haul myself to the nearest Apple store to have some “genius” use their magic Apple tool to open up my phone and fix it for me only to tell me that it is necessary for me to buy a new one. iPhone makes it seem like the only thing that matters is the Apple logo sticking out of your back pocket. I will be honest, Apple produces really beautiful phones, but why go for a good look when functionality is more important?

It’s like wearing a pair of high heeled shoes to run a marathon. You would look good, but there is clearly a smarter, better option.

See full stories at http://www.thecurrentonline.org

opinions

STAFF EDITORIAL

The best way to solve FCPS’ budget crisis

Fairfax County School Board

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t is no secret that Fairfax County Public Schools, and the county as a whole, is under a budget crisis. The school system itself is facing a $60.6 million shortfall for next fiscal year, a significant amount of its $2.6 billion total operating budget. According to a recent Washington Post article, this is largely due to cuts in federal funding that had been funneled from Fairfax County to the schools.

While FCPS Superintendent Karen Garza has requested more money from the Board of Supervisors, they have only offered an increase of three percent, a paltry amount. In turn, the Supervisors have asked the General Assembly in Richmond for an increase in public school funding, which probably will be a futile request.

Ideally, FCPS’ funding would be covered by the state government as soon as possible, and the whole situation would be resolved. But this is only feasible by increasing revenue through taxes or cutting spending on programs beneficial to people statewide.

Given today’s polarized and partisan political climate, any such measures would be virtu-

FCPS Superintendent Karen Garza (right) and School Board members attend a county meeting on the 2015 budget. The school system is facing a budget shortfall in Fiscal Year 2017. ally impossible to pass.

Thus, FCPS is left to lick its wounds and trim the hedges, so to speak. Last month, a School Board task force submitted a proposal to cut either $50 or $75 million from the budget. The plan was far-reaching, leaving almost no part of the district untouched.

A major focal point of the proposal was an increase in fees levied on students, including increasing the parking fee and forcing payment for AP, IB and PSAT tests.

While many people, especially low-income families, may balk at paying more for what is

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already a pretty expensive free education, such increases are the best way to ensure kids do not lose valuable academics or activities. (Note: FCPS has said that those who qualify for free or reduced lunch will continue to receive waivers for the increased fees.)

If not, students’ daily lives, and not just their wallets, would bear the brunt of the proposed changes. Included in the plan was the elimination of freshman sports and language immersion programs, as well as the one late bus day per week currently afforded to high schools. These cuts, among many others, would

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drastically alter students’ participation in electives and extracurricular activities, having negative effects on their academic and mental well-being.

The outright elimination of programs should be avoided where possible in the final budget.

However, FCPS can not make up the difference by fee increases alone. Its solutions should also come from within. Such a large school system likely has redundancies in its operations. Reducing these would surely save a large amount of money.

FCPS should also continue its support for technological advancement in learning.

Hastening the implementation of online textbooks and transitioning more classes to the Online Campus would cut the high costs of in-person instruction.

Of course, no solution can be agreeable to all members of the FCPS community, but budget cuts were never meant to be so. The best solution is to embrace the lesser of all evils by raising funds while having minimal impact on student experiences, something the school district certainly has the capability to do.

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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.

17 | The Current| December 2015

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Hockey students glide in the CSHL

Alex Marasco staff writer

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igh school does provide different types of sports for the different seasons during the school year. There are activities like football, baseball, swim and dive, volleyball, basketball, etc. Some may be more filled than other but there is a selection to choose from. Out of the sports to choose from, hockey is not one of the available programs.

Even so, hockey players do have options to join teams, clubs or leagues in Virginia.

One league in particular is the Capital Scholastic Hockey League (CSHL), which is a, according to their website “non-profit educational league open to high school-based teams” that are divided into two divisions of North and South, and is “composed of

eligible students interested in the sport of ice hockey.” With no school rink to use, several practices are held at the Mt. Vernon RECenter in Alexandria and at the Kettler Capitals Iceplex in Arlington.

Edison is actually represented in the CSHL and Junior Cole McDowell was willing to talk about hockey itself and his current experience with the league. Cole said that hockey is “harder to appreciate, considering how different it is from other sports [...] in America at least, hockey is very ignored, especially in NOVA where it isn’t the most popular sport.”

This argument can be found among hockey fan bases around the world, but Cole does feel that the CSHL is a great way to play and compete around this area. He states: “I really like that the new high

school league gives schools from around here a chance to play for their school”.

Along with Cole is another current Edison student. Senior Austin Rush is also playing for the Edison team and got to share his thoughts. Austin enjoys the CSHL because “there are players who play club together, so you know a lot of the kids you play against” also mentioning that other past leagues Edison has participated in were “horrendous” in

terms of scheduling with bad time slots. “Hockey is an expensive sport” Austin pointed out, and he would recommend also joining another club like most of his teammates to maximize hockey play time as the CSHL is very limited in their time slots, most of the time being only once a week.

The Capital Scholastic Hockey League is always an available option and anyone can register online from their website.

Eagles hit area slopes this skiing season

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hile most people associate winter with being bundled up inside drinking hot chocolate by the fire, there are plenty of opportunities to get active. One way to get out and have fun is taking part in winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding. Virginia is considered to be a southern state, so a lot of the time people may not be aware of the opportunities to participate in winter sports in the area. Places like Whitetail Ski Resort, Ski Liberty, Ski Roundtop, and Blue Knob Ski Resort are all within a day’s drive. Each place brings with it a different environment and experience.

“My favorite place to go skiing is Blue Knob because they have a lot of slopes with different difficulties and variety,” said senior Robyn Palompo.

“Since the drive to Blue Knob is kind of far [three hours], I go to closer resorts more often throughout the skiing season.” According to DC Travel’s website, the closest resort to

December 2015| The Current | 18

the DC area is Ski Liberty, located only 78 miles away in Carroll Valley, PA. Coming in a close second is Whitetail Ski Resort, 91 miles away, located in Mercersburg, PA. Following them is Ski Roundtop, 114 miles away, located in Lewisberry, PA. One way winter sports entices students to keep coming back is the sense of adrenaline received. “I love the feeling after finishing a trail.

I love when I am cruising down a slope and I am going so fast that I cannot feel my legs; it is just one of my favorite things to do,” said junior Scott Greenlaw. In comparison to the slopes out west, the vertical drop in the nearby areas does not compare in terms of exhilaration and mountain scenery. However, Whitetail boasts 935 ft. of vertical drop from top to bottom, and as Greenlaw put it, “I like that there is a separate section on the mountain for black diamonds.”

These ‘black diamonds’ are the most challenging courses that the resorts have to offer.

This access to difficult and steep slopes allows for students to feel that

the nation for new skiers and riders. sense of adrenaline down their spine.

To coincide with this, all resorts in “My favorite part of snowboarding is the area provide opportunities for just getting to the top of the mounnew skiers to develop their skills on tain and feeling the adrenaline rush easier slopes. According to the webas I start to go down the mountain” sites of all three resorts, combined, said senior Reilly Dandridge. the resorts offer 16 green slopes (easOn the other end of the spectrum iest difficulty) the fear of and each falling or resort offers injury is a specialized common learning areas. concern As senior while on Skye Carlson the slopes. said, “It was However, definitely resorts in the scary at first area strive trying to to ensure learn how safety is their to control top priority. yourself while According to flying down Ski Roundthe mountain, top’s website, The slopes are a great place to spend a snow day [however] I Roundtop, or a long weekend with friends and family. would totally Liberty and recommend to Whitetail were all my friends to try skiing. It is not awarded the Conversion Cup by the only a skill that you will have forever National Ski Areas Association. The but it is an experience like no other cup recognizes the best programs in that fulfills a sense of adventure.”

Ben Davenport

Ben Davenport staff writer

sports

The Current’s College Football Playoff predictions Ben Davenport staff writer

1- Clemson (12-0): With a win Saturday in the ACC Championship vs. #8 North Carolina, Clemson will guarantee itself a spot in the College Football Playoffs, and most likely the #1 spot.

Behind great leadership of quarterback Deshaun Watson, and a #17 ranked defense, the Tigers seem to have a good shot in the playoffs. However, we predict they will fall to Michigan State in the semi-final game.

2- Alabama (11-1): With a win Saturday in the SEC Championship vs #15 Florida, Alabama will guarantee itself a playoff spot, and certainly a top 2 spot. Led by heisman front-runner Derrick Henry, and the #1 ranked rush defense, the Crimson Tide seem to be hitting their stride as they enter the postseason. However, they have yet to face a team like the Sooners, and will lose because of that.

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2

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4- Michigan State (11-1): Only have a shot at making the playoff if they defeat the undefeated Iowa Hawkeyes in the Big Ten championship. We predicted they will beat the Hawkeyes, and guarantee themselves a spot in the top four. Led by senior quarterback Connor Cook, they will defeat Clemson, but fall short to Oklahoma in the championship game.

3- Oklahoma (11-1): Have already secured a spot in the college football playoff as best they can. With no conference championship, the odds of the Sooners falling out of the top 4 are highly unlikely. With tons of momentum and key victories against top 25 opponets, the Sooners appear to be the most playoff ready team out there. That is why we predict they will win the College Football Playoff.

Column as I see ‘em

If Bryce Harper chooses to test the free agency in 2018, he will get top dollar Will Dobson sports editor

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ryce Harper was recently crowned the 2015 National League Most Valuable Player unanimously by the Baseball Writers Association of America. This makes him the youngest unanimous winner ever. To some he may still be overrated (although he should not be), but to many he is the best player in the game right now. A title like

that is sure to bring the big bucks once he is a free agent.

Harper could potentially have 29 suitors vouching for him.

While Harper is under Nationals team control until after the 2018 season, he may test the market to see what lucrative contracts are offered to him. While he may decide to sign an extension with the Nationals before he reaches free agency, Washington fans should definitely prepare themselves for the eventual departure of Harper. Accord-

ing to The Washington Post, who polled MLB team executives, Bryce Harper’s next contract could fetch upwards of $400 million dollars over ten or more years.

In the past, Harper has expressed a desire to play for the Yankees at some point in the future. It is likely that Harper’s next contract will follow the pattern of the huge blockbuster deals like Giancarlo Stanton’s and Alex Rodriguez’s. It is entirely possible for Harper’s next

contract to surpass the record set by Stanton’s 13-year, $325 million mega-contract.

However, while saying that he would like to play for the Yankees, as they were his favorite childhood team, Harper has also shown interest in playing for one team his entire life. Recently, he told The Washington Post, “I have a couple more years in D.C., and hopefully at the end of that, we can do what we can and maybe be a National for life.”

19 | The Current| December 2015

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Will Dobson sports editor iking is a skill that is frequently learned by people of all ages, and yet, the competitive nature of it is often unrecognized. One student who is fully acquainted with that competitive nature is junior George “G” Schulz. Schulz believes that attention to the sport is given “not so much in America, but in Europe. Cyclists are the equivalent of rockstars there.

Cycling is the football of Europe, especially in Belgium.”

Schulz has been biking for a large part of his life, although it was not the sport that he was first introduced to. In fact, it wasn’t even his idea to start riding. Schulz said that it was his dad who signed him up for his first race. “I had a fun time, but there was no reason to think that I was going to stick with it,” said Schulz. “A few years later,

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izes in Cyclocross. According to Schulz, “Cyclocross is a type of racing that combines both mountain biking and road racing into one type of race.” Essentially, bike along the track, which is mainly

booster.”

Schulz does occasionally experience other than winning, however. Being top dog is not even number one on his list.

Schulz prefers the idea that anyone can succeed in his

“I would like to go as far as the Tour de France, the biggest bike race in the world”

-George Schulz grass or gravel, and have to carry bike over obstacles scattered around the course.

Schulz’s favorite memory of his career so far was “a cyclocross race in New York called Super Cross,” he said. “Going into the race, I was told that a top-five finish would be a good result because I was rac-

sport; as he said, “my favorite part of riding is all the things that I get to see and experience. Also, I tend to not be a very good skill-oriented sports player. In endurance sports like bike racing, you either have the fitness and the fortitude, or you don’t. I like to know that if I put in the hours

ships] will be one of my goal races for the year. After that I will likely be done until March when road racing begins.”

However lofty the Cyclocross National Championships may seem, it is not the end of the line in Schulz’s eyes.

He expresses his hope to continue racing in the future by saying, “I would like to go as far as the Tour de France, the biggest bike race in the world. It’s hard to make it that far though. It would be a dream to race professionally, but dreams are only achieved when you put in the work to achieve them and make them your goals. After college, I will assess my potential in the sport.”

While Schulz recognizes that cycling may not get the attention that it deserves in America, he says, “People just need to know that the sport

G FORCE Avid biker George Schulz rides his way to France

however, I stopped playing soccer and started doing a few mountain bike rides. From there, I started to realize little by little that I was going to be a biker.”

However, Schulz is not just any type of biker. He special-

December 2015| The Current | 20

ing with the adults. I crashed twice in the beginning of the race, but rode into the lead in the last 10 minutes of the race to win. It was huge for me to overcome the expectation that I couldn’t fight for the win, and it was a great confidence

of training, I can win.”

Although his Cyclocross season is winding down, Schulz has the Cyclocross National Championships to attend in January. Schulz expects to place well, saying, “[the Cyclocross National Champion-

is out there. Everyone is welcome at a bike race because the community is welcoming and just plain awesome to be a part of. Cycling is a great sport for your health, and can lead to great times.”

sports Schulz was recently sponsored by the Van Dessel bike company

The Tour de France consists of 21

day long segments in which the rid-

ers traverse 2,200

miles of mountain-

At one point, Schulz had a 10 race winning streak, which ended only because he was crashed into at the end of the race.

Joel DeSante

ous terrain.

21 | The Current| December 2015

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Kaufman en pointe Sophomore Kelsey Kaufman stars as the leading role in the Metropolitan School of the Arts production of the Nutcracker

Clara, the young girl around which the story centers. hen the holiday Kaufman is just another season rolls grade-conscious student at around, it brings Edison High School. You with it lots of traditions like may see her in the hallway drinking egg nog, giving pres- and not even know that she is ents, and watching holiday double cast in a role that has been played by ballet legends such as Gelsey Kirkland. As Clara is featured in every scene of the ballet, the role is physically demanding and requires Kaufman to be at every rehearsal.

With rehearsals from 10am8pm, managing school work can be difficult.

Kaufman says, “Whatever spare kaufman poses with her Nutcracker prop. She is exit- time I have, I’ll ed to start performances on December 3, 4 and 5. use it. Eagle time, movies. Another tradition advisory, I use that to the best commonly associated with I can. Whether that means holiday cheer is going to staying after school with a watch the Nutcracker. The teacher to finish an essay I Nutcracker is the classic would have spent hours workstory of a girl receiving a ing on myself...if that means nutcracker for a Christmas I’m reading six chapters in a gift and dreaming a lucid book and eating dinner at the dream. The dream features same time, I’ll do it.” dancing Sugar Plum fairies, a The teachers here at Edison heroic nutcracker and an evil who know of her dancing are mouse king. The ballet has very supportive of it. Kaufman been around for over 100 years also says, “During the So You and features a musical score Think You Can Dance season, composed by Pyotr Ilyich my english teacher, everyday, Tchaikovsky and original cho- would say ‘Yaya or Gaby?’ And reography created by Marius I say ‘Team Gaby!’”

Petipa and Lev Ivanov. This Kaufman is at the studio year, the Metropolitan School almost seven days a week of the Arts (MSA) is producduring the holiday season to ing the ballet with sophomore rehearse for the Nutcracker Kelsey Kaufman starring as and MSA’s other seasonal December 2015| The Current | 22 Glen Cook

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show, Frosty Follies. All of that work does pay off, as MSA Nutcracker artistic director Jacqueline Doherty says, “Kelsey’s technical ability and outstanding artistry on stage makes for a wonderful Clara.

Her ability to dance this part with beautiful lines and quality makes for an outstanding performance.”

Kaufman has been participating in the Nutcracker for nine years and plans to be involved in the show next year as well. Next year, she hopes to dance the part of Arabian.

She says, “[The Arabian] is smooth and slow and different than the rest of the Nutcracker.”

Kaufman says biggest role models are her dance teachers because they want her to have an outlet and really push her

to be her best. They help her get from point A to point B which is a process Kaufman really likes. The Sports Marketing class Kaufman takes is a great example of this. Kaufman states that if a professional dance career does not work out like she hopes it will, a career in marketing is something she will consider.

Even though Kaufman puts school first, she has a very strong passion for dance and believes that you should follow your heart. Kaufman provided a piece of advice for those students who are trying to juggle extracurriculars and school work. She says, “School has to be a priority… but what your passion is and what you gotta towards, you have to put [an] equal amount of effort into that as well.”

Laura Mann

Jillian Brooks staff writer

Kaufaman warms up before her rehearsal begins. She expresses that classes are hard work, but are worth it in the end.

arts

Performing Arts to spread holiday cheer

Edison Band by

Contributed Edison band director Charlie Mitchell leads the band and orchestra in their performance at the Winter Spectacular last year. He will be leading the ensemble again this year.

by

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efore families go their separate ways for Winter Break, the Edison performing arts department will be putting on a two-night Winter Spectacular to welcome the holidays, complete with music and dance numbers performed by band, orchestra, choir and drama students.

An abridged version of the Nutcracker Suite will be played, as well as holiday staple “Feliz Navidad.”

The concert will feature Christmas-themed selections representing cultures from many different global locales, including Africa and Brazil.

Why the multicultural emphasis? Band director Charlie Mitchell isn’t sure. “We just came up with that idea,” he said.

This will be the second

straight year the department has put on such a show. The idea was hatched last year so that “the entire department could get a chance to perform together,” said Mitchell. He and the other directors then decided to make it open to the public, albeit with a three dollar charge to benefit the programs.

Those who attended the Winter Spectacular last year were treated to a dance performance by then-sophomores Jenny Roegner and Emily Yankovich during “Waltz of the Flowers” and a large, spinning dreidel during the Hanukkah-themed portion of the event.

This year, Mitchell promises a few changes to the previous program. “[People] can expect a little more dancing, a lot more music from different cultures...and to be participating,” he said. Participating?

“They might be singing along

Contributed

Justin Askenazy editor-in-chief

Edison Band

Edison band, orchestra, choir and drama to perform Winter Spectacular concert

Edison Choir members join the band and orchestra for a song during last year’s Winter Spectacular. Other members of the performing arts department were also featured. in some instances; we might even ask some questions,” he warned.

Students from the various programs will be working closely together, according to Mitchell. In addition to the overall show, which will integrate members of band, orchestra and choir, one orchestra student will be dancing and small groups of musicians will perform chamber pieces.

Costuming will also play a large role in this year’s Spectacular. Drama students will be dressed in makeup and costumes, which will be used to entertain the crowd during photo-ops after the performance. Those without costumes will also be in the holiday spirit by wearing

Santa hats and other seasonal headgear.

The musicians themselves are looking forward to the concerts. “I’m really excited to see how the combination of band, orchestra and choir is going to play out,” said junior and band member Nuhami Alemu. “I’m excited to see how we’re all going to fit on the stage.”

Likewise, they appreciate getting to work with other ensembles. “I can’t wait to perform with the band,” said senior and choir participant Luqman Fulmer.

The Winter Spectacular will take place on December 16 and 17 at 7 p.m.

Staff writer Mikyla Kelly contributed to this report

23 | The Current| December 2015

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arts

Do you feel old yet?!?

Talia Carter arts editor

Movies released over a decade ago

Director: Richard Linklater Theatrical release date: September 24th, 2003 (12 years old)

Director: Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson Theatrical release date: April 22nd, 2001 (14 years old)

Director: Chris Columbus Theatrical release date: November 14th, 2001 (14 years old)

Director: Robert Zemeckis Theatrical release date: November 10th, 2004 (11 years old)

Director: Andrew Stanton and Lee Unkrich Theatrical release date: May 30th, 2003 (12 years old)

Director: Gore Verbinski Theatrical release date: June 28th, 2003 (12 years old)

December 2015| The Current | 24

All DVD covers provided by Emily Jarmin & Ryan Pinkney