Issue 1

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Thomas Edison High School • Volume 52• Issue 1• 5801 Franconia Road • Alexandria, VA 22310 • October 23, 2015

Joel DeSante

the

Thomas A. Edison High School

current

the

what’s inside NEWS:

New Dean of Students (3) School Changes (4-5)

Twins at Virginia Tech (6) New teachers at Edison (7)

FEATURES: Animal Science (8)

Fashion (9) Sexuality (10)

Behind the scenes of Spirit Week (12-13)

OPINIONS: He Said/She Said: Prom Proposals (14) Confederate Symbols (15) Vergara on Donald Trump (16) Planned Parenthood (17) Editorial (19)

SPORTS: Fall sports review (20) Winter sports preview (20) MLB playoffs (21) Column As I See ‘Em (21)

ARTS: Movie Reviews: The Martian, Pan, The Walk (22) Inherit the Wind (23) Night on Broadway (23) Edison Guitar Man (24) October 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 Advisor 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 cwirvin@fcps.edu. 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 cwirvin@fcps.edu or anonymously outside of Room C-215. Letters may be edited for clarity and length.

With any general questions regarding The Current, please email cwirvin@fcps.edu or jaskenazy@gmail.com

Letter from the Editor: Greetings Edison students, faculty and community!

Welcome to a new year of The Current! With a new advisor, editorial board, and group of staff writers and photographers, we are excited to offer you a revamped newsmagazine, now in full color.

In this issue, you can expect to find a number of hot topics affecting Edison today, such as the numerous changes made by FCPS and Edison this year and the preparations for homecoming. You’ll even get to know the

new Dean of Students and some of the teachers joining the staff this year. We are also happy to introduce a number of guest writers, offering their perspectives on topics ranging from fashion to Donald Trump.

In sports, the fall sports season is coming to a close as the winter season gets underway.

Look for a review of last season and a preview of the next.

We hope you enjoy the content in this issue!

Justin Askenazy Editor in Chief, The Current

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New Dean, new rules T

New Dean of Students hired to crack down on attendence

his year at Edison High School, there have been many new additions to the school staff.

One of those additions is Nancy Dolan, the school’s new Dean of Students.

Though most of the current Edison students won’t recognize her, this is not Dolan’s first time being a part of the Edison staff.

In 1999, she started her career in education here as a long term substitute. From there she went on to teach at Hayfield High School for 9 years as the Dean of Students and business teacher. She taught at Herndon Middle School for a year before returning home, to Edison.

After having five of her children walk the halls of Edison, she said, “It’s like coming home.” Dolan looks forward to becoming involved with student clubs in the near future but has not found the time yet this year.

Dolan has already built relationships with students, she believes, “The relationship building is a big part of what helps students succeed.”

Dolan knows how important the student to teacher relationship can be to a student. She explained, “As the mother of seven, I know that some of the best teachers and administrators my children had built those relationships, so my kids knew they had someone at school that cared.” She carries this policy here at Edison with her students.

Dolan is the administrator in charge of student attendance. If a student is not coming to class or school, the Dean of Students

is the one who works with the students and their parents.

Dolan works with a student and their parents to figure what the problem is. Dolan spends her day making phone calls to parents, and meeting with students about the tardy policy. Her day is focused on the students and talking to them about how they can get to class on time.

This might sound alarming, but she has your best interest at heart.

Edison uses a progressive discipline system when it comes to tardiness.

Dolan explained, “With unexcused tardies students are assigned progressive discipline, hoping that the first will remind them of the importance of getting to class on time.” Penalties are increased if the offence is repeated.

Dolan stated, “You start with minor discipline such as conferences or warnings. Then move towards something a little harder such as lunch detention and after school detention, then on to Friday school. After that we turn to an alternative instruction or in school suspension.”

This policy has shown to be effective throughout the county.

Dolan stated, “This system has been working in several schools across the county, so I have no plans, currently, to make any changes to them. And a change would be decided on by the Admin team, not just me.”

Dolan hopes that the new policy will be just as effective here at Edison as it is in other schools. “When you meet with students to discuss the issue at hand, in my case tardies,

“I also hope that they know that I am always here for them and that I want the best life successes for them”

Jillian Brooks

Jillian Brooks staff writer

Dean of Students, Nancy Dolan, is here to encourage students to be on time to their classes, and make the most of their time at Edison.

you talk about the behavior that causes them to be tardy. Then you describe the progressive discipline that is set up for the tardiness. This leads them to rethink being tardy as they don’t want to go to lunch detention and subsequent after school detentions.”

Dolan is prepared to become very close with the families she works with. She said, “The students need to know there are people here who care about them and will work with them in order for them to succeed” in reference to working with students and their parents.

Dolan is happy to be back at Edison. She explained that “the faculty and staff here make new people, even returning old ones, feel welcome and appreciated.”

Transitioning to a new school can be hard but when you have old friends waiting for you, it can be easier.

Dolan can relate to new and returning students at Edison.

Dolan has greatly appreciated the fact that students have accepted her and her job and she said that “reinforces my theory of how great they are and how successful they can be.”

As a lover of books, a quote from F. Scott Fitzgerald seems to sum up Dolan’s feelings of being back at Edison. “It’s a funny thing coming home. Nothing changes.

Everything looks the same, feels the same, even smells the same. You realize what’s changed is you.”

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Who can say we’ve

Edison High School adds new cameras, changes

Emily Jarmin news editor he recently placed cameras have always been an idea for the Edison security staff, but they could never find the time and money.

Safety and Security Specialist Sherman Deck said, “All of the schools in Fairfax County have to pay for the cameras themselves, so it’s a process of getting them. Ms. Brumfield was really for it and I’m happy that she was.”

Deck explained, “Fairfax County was the only county that did not have cameras in The new camera system placed in the school serves to look over the schools.” Edison students in the hallways and other populated areas.

Edison saw in the school yet.” While oththe need to update the security ers have already grown to dissystem and jumped at the oplike them, senior Casey Lockard portunity. said, “If security actually did After finding some money left their jobs, then we wouldn’t over from the renovation, Edison need cameras.” welcomed the installment of Students are not yet accuscameras. Deck explained how tomed to seeing the cameras on the cameras have been beneficial every corner. However, senior already this school year for the Evan Kerkhoff does not see security staff. “We had some the need to have the cameras in issues already and we went back school,“I don’t think we should to the cameras to look. The camhave cameras because we have eras don’t lie,” he said. security guards already to watch The cameras are simply us.” to help security clarify what Deck reaffirmed that the happened after a disturbance cameras “are a must. We can’t occurred. Deck describes, “We don’t check them daily, we check cover every area of the school, but cameras can and it can help them when there has been an out a lot.” incident.”

Students have not had time Some students haven’t realto grow used to the installment, ized the new addition to the however time will come when walls. Senior Dustin Starbuck stated, “I haven’t seen any of the everyone will see the benefit to their saftey of having the cameras cameras.

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“It pushes everything back.

Students are getting home later, starting homework later, and will eventually go to bed later.”

Senior Noel Araya stated that the only postitive of this change is the extra time to sleep, “I used to wake up at 6:00 and now I wake up at 7:20, which is great.”

Junior Chenchen Handler expressed, “I don’t like getting out later, even though it is a later start. I’d rather go to school earlier and get out earlier so I can do more after school.”

Araya stated that in his first block, he “feels more awake and not as tired and drowsy but more attentive.” Others are lacking to see any difference so far this year in their behavior in first block compared to last year.

By the end of the day, students say they are more exhausted than previous years. Handler states that she is “always half asleep” in one of her most important classes, SL Math.

“I don’t think the time change was worth it”

Contributing staff writers, Camryn Anderson, Eles Jones, and Mikyla Kelly.

Emily Jarmin

Emily Jarmin news editor he time change is a county wide innovation which is believed to improve students’ academic ability. Edison previously started at 7:20 and now starts at 8:10.

While the extra hour of sleep sounds appealing, many students and teachers are lacking to see any positive impact of this adjustment. English teacher Heather Brueggen stated, “From someone who lives far away, I don’t like them. I leave my house at the same time as last year because traffic is so bad.”

Senior Noel Araya expressed his thoughts on the difference in the start times. “It sucks getting out at 2:55 because we were used to getting out at 2:12,” he said.

Teachers are failing to see any impact on students’ behavior since the time change. Brueggen explains, “I still have students falling asleep. I have more tardies in first block now. There are more late buses and students who have parents dropping them off are tardy because traffic to get in here is so bad.”

Senior Kevin Aboagye said, October 2015| The Current | 4

Joel DeSante

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news

changed for the better? the start time and switches the schedule Emily Jarmin news editor

the added pressure that this is a graded class, so I’ve gotten really close with the kids in my advisory. I know how they are doing in school, I know what classes they need to focus on, but i’m not the scary teacher that’s going to give them an F.” Advisory provides time for students to visit with their teachers or to work on homework. If a student is failing a class, their advisory teacher must send them to their failing class. Anderson explains, “I love that students have so many opportunities to do remediation.”

While students are still getting used to the advisory, many are using the time to their benefit to get work done. Senior Eric Beinhart said, “I like how advisory is every other day because I have more opportunities to get work done.”

Karimi discussed her love for advisory, “I actually really like it because someone’s watching over me and helping me when I need the extra help.”

Anderson expressed that during advisory, “Kids behave differently walking into eagle time than they do walking into a core class. Even a teacher you love, you still know they have to grade you on something.”

Anderson stated that she, “would rather keep the new advisory class than last year’s eagle time. I think its been super helpful for my students and myself.”

While adjustments have been tough, teachers and students are trying their best to adapt to the schedule changes.

new schedule.” Compared to seeing her studentseveryday last year because of the semester classes, she now sees them every other day.

She explains, “As a teacher I feel like it provides more time for the students to understand the information.”

Anderson stated, “I don’t feel completely overwhelmed by the amount of work that I’m getting in from students.”

Anderson expresses how the schedule has affected her teaching styles because she has more time compared to years before.

“I am giving more homework because kids have more time to complete it. They don’t have to worry about getting everything done the next day. Instead of grading tests as fast as I could to get it back the next day, I now have one more day so I can be more detailed.”

Anderson has already seen a change in her students performance. She explained, “My kids did impressively better on the test than I expected them to, I didn’t teach it any differently” Students have mixed feelings about the adjustment, junior Cole McDowell said that he enjoys it because he has “more time to do homework.” While junior Fatana Karimi explained how she prefers the four by four because, “I only had four classes to focus on per semester.”

Edison’s new schedule also came with a new eagle time for the students and teachers. This year students have a built in advisory class every other day, compared to only having eagle time once a week.

Anderson expresses her love for the added advisory time, Contributing staff writer Lexy Thomas

Emily Jarmin

“ I have already built a really good relationship with the sophmores in my advisory.”

Here to help those who are still confused on what day it is, history Andy Neal wears a blue shirt to infrom students what day it is. Neal teaches Psychology and Anthropology.

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dison finally said goodbye to the four by four block

schedule and has updated to the Red Day Blue Day schedule.

Many students and teachers are still adjusting to the

transition, while the freshman are already familiar with the change because of Mark Twain Middle School’s similar schedule.

While some are bitter about the change, geosystems teacher Kate Anderson is “really enjoying the

“I love that students have so many more opportunities to do remediation”

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Seeing Double at Tech Twins Shania and Shahanara Akter were accepted to Virginia Tech last month.

Ben Davenport staff writer

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wins, Shania and Shahanara Akter were accepted to Virginia Tech last month.

While many high school seniors find themselves around this time of the year applying to colleges and trying to meet application deadlines, Shania and Shahanara Akter can rest easy, as they have already been accepted to the engineering program at Virginia Tech.

Through their membership in Fairfax County’s College Partnership Program (CPP), the Akters were able to discover this opportunity to get accepted into college early. The CPP is a program whose primary goal is to increase the number of students, particularly first generation and minority students, who enroll and succeed in college.

Although the program is aimed at first generation college students, “anyone can join the program throughout their four years of high school,” explained Shania. In order to prepare their members for college, the CPP offers services such as academic counseling, SAT prep sessions, assistance with completing college applications, student workshops, parent education sessions, a summer experience on a college campus, and news and information related to colleges and careers via FCPS’s Blackboard 24/7 site. As Shahanara puts it, “The CPP works with colleges. Colleges recognize how valuable the program is.”

One school that recognizes the program’s value is Virginia Tech. They have a special partnership with the CPP called the

“Fall Visitation Program.” In this program, students, through CPP, visit Virginia Tech in September for only $20, provided transportation to campus, have lunch with staff, and are allowed to apply early to Virginia Tech.

However this program does follow a first come, first serve basis, with limited spots and certain requirements for those thinking of applying. “You need a 3.7 or higher GPA, be a senior in CPP, and have to stay on top of your email, as spots fill up quickly” explained Shania. With that in mind, once registered, the process as Shahanara explained, “is easier; the application is non-binding, admission officers do not defer decisions, you do not have to chose a major and no official transcript is due before the September admission deadline.”

The due date for this early application opportunity is typically a week before the fall visitation, which fell on September 11th this year.

If members wish to just do the fall visit, they are welcome to, but it is strongly encouraged if Virginia Tech is on top of their list to apply early. Once the application is submitted, applicants then attend the fall visit, where they are notified on whether or not they got in.

Luckily for both Shania and Shahanara, they were notified of their acceptance the day of the fall visit. “Virginia Tech is one of the top colleges in Virginia, and known especially for its top engineering program, so being able to have this opportunity was amazing,” said the Akters.

The process of applying and filling out the application was not done all on their own.

Lending a helping hand to the Akters was their counselor,

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Shania Akter

“Being able to have this opportunity was amazing”

Shahanara and Shania Akter on the day of their Virginia Tech fall visit. They visited the school as part of the college partnership program.

David Schlemmer. “He was super helpful in guiding Shahanara and myself through the whole process. Before the school year even started he helped us complete the application process” explained Shania. Another person who provided assistance was first year teacher, Ms. Oden. “She read, edited, and returned our essays to us within one day” said the Akters. The Akters expressed a great deal of gratitude towards their mentors, “without their help, the application process would have been even harder.”

It is programs like this with which the CPP strives to get their members involved. Shania and Shahanara are not the only two to take advantage of this opportunity, as according to Fairfax

County Public Schools’ “The College Success Program” page on their website, in past years upwards of 35 students from across FCPS have taken advantage of this opportunity. As of right now, Virginia Tech is the only college that has such a partnership with the CPP, but plenty of other college visit opportunities exist through the program. If interested in joining, students should contact their director of student services, visit FCPS’s website or head to the career center here at Edison for more information. As both Shania and Shahanara expressed, “The process of joining CPP is selective, but I would recommend it to all high school students in Fairfax County.”

news

Jessica Cruz opinions editor aquel Aguirre is a new IB Math Studies and Algebra 2 Strategies teacher at Edison this year.

This is her second year teaching mathematics.

Aguirre helps students work out complicated math equations.

She said she always knew she wanted to be a teacher, but thought of it as something she would do when she was older until she went to teach English in Chile. Aguirre studied abroad in Cuba and Morocco.

She went to the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, but she grew up in the area and attended Annandale High

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Emily Jarmin news editor his is not the first time Jim Harris has been to Edison, but this time he is a teacher.

Harris is an Edison graduate -- class of 1996 -- and coached basketball here. After graduating from George Mason University, Harris went to Oakton High School and taught math there for seven years and Briar Woods High School for seven years.

“I always thought I would be a basketball coach, but I found that teaching math wasn’t that different from coaching,” said Harris.

Harris coaches the Edison Eagles basketball team. He was their coach from 1997-2002.

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Emily Jarmin

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welcoming everyone is. Addison said she wants Edison drama to be a program of diverse students that are willing to learn and get exposed to a wide variety of culture.

Edison drama will be continuing with its tradition of a fall play.

This year’s selection is “Inherit the Wind” by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee, which will play Nov. 12, 13 and 14. The winter One Act Festival and spring musical will also be a part of this year’s Drama program.

Addison invited the whole school to “Come try theater” and to “come learn something new about the world.”

School. She said she enjoys rockclimbing, hiking and running along with teaching math.

She said her favorite thing about teaching is getting to know students, creating bonds with them, and watching them grow into person. She said her perfect classroom environment is one where kids know when to be serious but can joke around.

She said she really likes Edison and that the teachers in the math department have been very supportive. “The students are really great. They’re really wellbehaved, and motivated, and smart, and caring,” said Aguirre.

Harris is the new Assistant Director of Student Activities. He works daily in the academy with Berk Stoy and Dianne Lewis.

While Harris said he enjoys working in activities. He is also the new teacher of the leadership class.

Harris has never taught leadership before, but he said he is “excited for all the new opportunities this year has to offer.”

He explained how he plans for the leadership class to be student-run. He said, “If the students want to go big, I will help them to go big.”

With the fall pep rally coming soon, Harris said that he “has no doubt that the pep rally committee will be great.”

Jessica Cruz

Ryan Pinkney managing editor his year the Edison drama department welcomes a new director, Tammarrah Addison.

Addison has spent eight years teaching. She spent four and half years in the Navy, then attended San Diego State University, majoring in theater with an emphasis in performance. She said it was her hope to be performing coming out of San Diego State, but by taking a part-time job as a substitute, she discovered that she loved teaching. Since then she has taught in several schools, including a school in Japan.

She said is very excited to be here at Edison and loves how

Tammarrah Addison

New eagles take flight

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Paws and enjoy life

Judy Beauvais features editor he academy is the part of the school that has hands on classes that prepare you for the work field. Animal Science is one of many academy classes that prepare students for the work field. “ I think it opens up starting positions in the field which would be hard to obtain without the class,” said senior Megan Shearer.

Animal Science is a class that prepares students with skills and knowledge for the veterinary field. “ It taught me new things... I've learned how to handle dogs the correct way,” said junior Kayla Delardi.

Animal Science is a class that allows its students to understand what is safer and what is the proper procedures for dogs.

Students in Animal Science enjoy the experience they have with the class. “The best part is the hands on experience that we get,” said Delardi. The hands on experience is what makes the academy class intriguing for the students in the class. It also allows students to get a feel for what safety and kowledge that they learn is important to know and understand.

The class itself prepares

Animal Science looking good.

grooms dogs for the community.

and safety around an animal but grooming for the first time made me realize how important it was to know my hazards and how to reduce them,” said Shearer.

Within level one of Animal Science the students are in class for sometime to learn about safety and learn about the actions and “voices” of dogs. “Level two Animal Science reviews safety for a few weeks, but, then we learn about the anatomy and the physiology of the dog, so we get into more of how the dog works,” said Delardi. The level two class of Animal Science gets more in depth with the animals and learns about their biology.

Animal Science

is not only about hands on eduscation. they use books to learn

about terminology, safety, and hazards that come with the field and the class.

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Bubbles

was taking advantage of

Animal Science is a class that is here to give an experience to students interested in the vet field. “I want them to gain knowledge and skills that can help them work toward their career goals,” said Nestlerode.

The teacher hopes that the students will gain the experience and knowledge they need to further their career or see if the veterinary field isn’t appropriate for them. “Working with the animals and working with a great group of people who share the same interest and passions as I do is pretty awesome,” said Shearer. The students enjoy working with each other to help their passion and their career.

Judy Beauvais

Judy Beauvais

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students for the veterinary field and its hazards. “Safety!

Students must take safety in this classroom seriously,” said Animal Science teacher Karen Nestlerode. The safety measures taken to avoid injury and hazards with dogs must be taken note of by the students to further their knowledge of hazards that are in the workplace. “They need to be a step ahead of that animal and in control,” said Nestlerode.

The students must be able to be in control of the animal at all times so that hazards and risk of injury are lowered.

This class is open to the community for grooming services.

The class teaches the safety precautions to consider and the signs of danger within the animal. But, the class is not all suds and bows. “...It is amazing exposure to animal handling, clinic terminology, basic anatomy, and people skills, which are all necessary in this field,” said Shearer. The class not only prepares students for the hazards it also provides knowledge of the illnesses of the dogs and the terms veterinary field works use in the office.

The academy classes usually offer two levels to the course. “At first, it was weird how we had to learn a lot about body language

Judy Beauvais

Edison academy’s Animal Science produces the opportunity to get hands on trianing for the veterniary field.

Animal Science of her cage.

has many class pets.

Bella

is the only bunny, and enjoys the comfort

features

The essence of inspiration

Edison’s own Kwabena Boatang introduces his love and inspiration for fashion.

“What would a world be without pictures of clothing”

light.

He

uses his lens to inspire others.

Kwabena Boateng

of him they’re one of my favorite shoes ever. Inspiration comes from everywhere for me, I mean EVERYWHERE! I get inspired by everything. I could be looking at a black blog screen and I’ll have an outfit in mind or even walking down the street gives me inspiration.

I really enjoy a lot high end clothing brands such as Michael Kors, Tommy Hilfiger, Kenneth Cole, Calvin Klein, etc. I like how those clothing lines give off the Hollywood look, which is one of my favorite looks, because of the many high end clothes and the very essence of their uniqueness. The Fresh Prince is also one of my favorite looks. I like the 90’s fashion era because of the simplicity of the outfits and the colors that come together.

Capturing your fashion Boateng poses in front of one of his fathrough a lens is the most imvorite high end stores. He is spreading his portant thing to do when you’re love for fashion with his sister. having anything to do with fashion. It helps you remember who inspired you that day, what outfit do you see yourself wearing almost all of the time. I always make sure I capture my outfits in a nice clean setting so all the attention will be on the outfit I’m wearing. When I take pictures of my outfits my goal is to inspire people to try different, unique looks. What would a world be without pictures of clothing? It would be pretty hard to dress and find outfits that intrigue or Boateng poses to capture his outfit in interest us.

Kwabena Boateng

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be a fashion photographer and a movie director because every day you’re shooting a different model, which means you get to see the different clothing each of them has to bring. I’d rather wake up everyday getting to work with fashion models.

My number one fashion icon has to be Kanye West because his clothing line is really different and just pure genius; it's nothing you’ve ever seen before.

His clothing line is unique because he's challenging himself, and challenging our expectations. I thought I’d never wear or like chelsea boots but because

Kwabena Boateng

Kwabena Boateng guest writer i, my name is Kwabena Boateng and I am a senior here at Edison. With that said, I am really excited to be able to not only share a look into my life, but to also share new things I come across that inspire me. I hope that I can inspire you to find your true sense of fashion and to express yourself fully!

When you’re trying to create your personal style, just go ahead and wear anything; it’s about expressing yourself and showing everybody your personality through a series of different outfits or styles that you like. Finding fashion inspiration is something that is important because it tells you what you truly like about the clothes you buy. It's something that helps you stay consistent but still unique with your outfits.

I first got into fashion when I saw Kanye West's’ “Yeezy” clothing line. There was something about the clothing line that just sparked inspiration in my head. My dream job is to

Kwabena Boateng captures his oufit in a different filter. The focus of the photo is his outift while the rest is watered out.

Check out the The Current’s Twitter page at @EHSTheCurrent.

Tweet us with your stoy ideas for the next issue coming after Thanksgiving break.

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current Sexuality: a controversial topic in modern society Insight into the complex world of sexual identity

Jessica Cruz opinions editor

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here is no denying that sexuality can be a complex issue, but we owe it to ourselves and to each other to be as educated as possible on such touchy subjects. Sexuality isn’t what most people would consider a “dinner table topic” but that does not mean that we should not start treating it like one.

“There are definitely other sexualities out there other than straight and I feel like knowing more about them will create a nicer environment for everyone in general,” said senior Emily Wylie.

Besides the fact that you should be aware and respectful of others’ identities, it is important to decide what you do and don’t identify with.

Confusion is a big part of teens’ lives and can even lead to stressful situations.

Heterosexuality is the obvious social norm in which a person is attracted to the opposite sex, however we can hope that society will change to accept other sexualities. Even if you identify as straight it’s imporatant to help other sexualities be just as accepted as yours.

this scale (often referred to as the Kinsey Scale) he established the idea that everyone’s sexuality lies on a spectrum. The scale goes rom 0-6, 0 being exclusively heterosexual and 6 being exclusively homosexual. Some might say that the impact of this scale is that it allows people to identify in various ways and to defy the standard of sexuality.

Bisexuality is a little more complicated to understand because it can mean different things to different people.

Some bisexual people also recognize that bisexuality lies on a scale. One could be bisexual with a preference for women or a preference for men. The definition that might make the most sense is one that comes from biresource.net, Robyn Ochs said “I call myself bisexual because I acknowledge in myself the potential to be attracted, romantically and/or sexually, to people of more than one sex, not necessarily at the same time, not necessarily in the same way, and not necessarily to the same degree.”

intercourse. Some asexuals decide not to participate in any kind of sexual activity. Asexuals are able to establish emotional relationship relationships, just like everyone else, and may experience sexual attraction but they have a desire to get closer to a person in ways that aren’t sex.

Demisexuality is when a person cannot experience sexual attraction unless they have a strong emotional connection to someone. For example, a non-demisexual can walk past a stranger on the street and think they are attractive and a demisexual cannot. Demisexuals will rarely experience sexual attraction and therefore demisexuality and asexuality are sometimes interrelated. The difference is that demisexuals can experience some sexual attraction to someone they have a bond while most asexuals cannot.

Pansexuality is when a person can be attracted to any and all genders. This includes transgender* people, intersexual* people, androgynous* people and agender* people. An easier way to understand pansexuality is to think about the phrase “it’s not about what is between their legs, it’s about what is between their ears.”

“People can like the same gender, it’s not that hard”

Hiding from something that is quickly becoming more commonly talked about in this society is not going to help you, so be open to different conversations about sexuality.

You might not be different, but there is someone out there who might need your support.

“People can like the same gender, it’s not that hard.” said Wylie.

Key Terms

Intersexual- a person who has both male and female genitals, can identify as male, female, or not identify with any gender Androgynous- having characteristics of both male and female

Homosexuality is when a person is attracted to the same sex. Sexologist Alfred Kinsey developed a HeterosexualHomosexual Rating Scale with two other colleagues and with October 2015 | The Current | 10

Asexuality is defined as having the lack of desire to act upon any sexual attraction. Asexuality usually differs from person to person, some asexuals are willing to have intercourse with their partners but won’t necessarily feel any satisfaction throughout

Agender- not identifying with any gender; genderless Transgender- not identifying with the sex you were assigned to at birth Flags conttibuted by Katie Burkett

features

Come visit our website for more Edison news and feature stories

http://www.thecurrentonline.org/

11| The Current | October 2015

the

current

Judy Beauvais features editor

Prepping

Freshman

make candy to decorate the hallway.

They

use hershey’s amd other fun

Kayla Delardi

Kayla Delardi

Class of 2019: Candy Land

Freshman

show their beginning of the hallway.

They

use candy pieces as

decorative pieces of the poster.

T Class of 2018: Tomorrow Land colorful candies.

The

sophomore class comes together to work hard to build their class float and

C

show their spirit for homecoing.

Kayla Delardi

Elu Mohaba

he freshman have prepared their hallway and their float for homecoming. They have prepared themselves with many supplies and techniques to conquer the completion of their float.The freshman hope that with their hard work they influence a bigger population at homecoming. “I feel like I’m helping the school and making it fun and pretty for everyone to enjoy and I hope that a lot of people go to homecoming,” said freshman Emely Sanchez. The freshman also believe that the experience is great. “It’s fun because you’re getting involved with the school and you get to meet new people,” said freshman Adriana Guerrero. The freshmen float and hallway will be decorated as Candy Land.

The 2018 class hallway is Tomorrow Land. Featured in this poster is Mr.Lake,Mr. Allwine,Mr.Boyd,Ms.Brumfield, Mr.Kotula,Mr.Johnson and Ms.Vegara.

lass of 2018 builds their float and decorates their hallway in the theme of Tomorrow Land. The sophomore class experienced some turbulance. “It was kind of stressful trying to finish everything in the time we were given,” said sophomore President Elu Mohaba. But, all the work and time put in by the class pays off. “...We put a lot of work into it and I hope everyone will enjoy the artwork...,”said Mohaba. The sophomores hope that others in the school will admire the effort they put in for their decorations and the float.

October 2015 | The Current | 12

features

For Pep

Ryan Pinkney

Kayla Delardi

Class of 2017: Outer Space

The Junior class creates their float in their classes homecoming theme Outer Space. Isabell Aldaba and Taylor Mayes help by creating moons.

The junior calss theme for Brumfield and Ms.Evans.

their hallway is

Outer Space. This

poster features

M s.

T Class of 2016:Under the Sea

Judy Beauvais

Kayla Delardi

he Juniors create their float and hallway together to put their team work to the test.”Contributing to the junior hallway made me feel like I was helping my class,” said junior Kayal Delardi. Juniors also hope to win the homecoming competition against the seniors. “I think it would be cool to win and beat the seniors,” said Delardi. Junior float and hallway theme is Outer Space.

Seniors begin to bring there ideas for the float parade. Seniors help from within the action.

E

to life for the homecoming float

The

Under the Sea. The Alm16ty” on the bottom.

seniors hallway decoration is following their theme

continues their class spirit with

“All

hail the

class

dison seniors build their last float this homecomng , remembering how exciting it was to build floats in the past high school years.

“The most fun part of building the float is creating a design and everyone contributing ideas,” said senior Vice President Whitney Lebebe. The seniors believe that float building with the class is good experience.

“Of course it is[a good experience] because it brings your class together,” said senior Sarah Loarca.Float building and hallway decorating brings the classes team work to light.

13 | The Current | October 2015

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He said / She said

The controversy behind homecoming proposals

October 2015 | The Current | 14

with her self esteem.

If a girl were to do a big homecoming proposal like guys do at school the thoughts running through other girls’ heads would be, she’s desperate for a homecoming date or she’s “trying too hard” for a date.

That could also bring the girl to

Talia Carter

Y

es, it’s the guy’s responsibility to ask the girl to homecoming. From there on, the guy’s role will vary depending on whether or not he and his date are “just going as friends” or actually becoming boyfriend and girlfriend.

When a guy asks the girl to homecoming, it makes it a compromise between the two.

Guys do have a tendency of changing their minds a lot and not knowing what they want at times. So boys taking the first step and taking initiative to take a girl to homecoming shows how responsible and serious he is about it.

Of course a girl wants a guy who’s going to be with her throughout the whole dance and to stay with her for as long as possible, so that’s one of many reasons why a boy taking the first step on compromising to take a girl to homecoming is better than a girl asking a boy.

I also think that if the girl is asking the boy to homecoming and he rejects her, she will get her feelings hurt and her self esteem might be hurt as well, whereas, if the boy asks and gets rejected, he will be hurt, but not as emotionally deep as the girl getting rejected.

A boy taking initiative has also been the “thing” for a while. Taking her out on dates, and opening the door for her when getting out of the car, pushing the chair for her to sit down, it’s part of the role being a gentleman. I also believe that the girl asking and getting rejected could hurt her overall opinion on a boy and his judgements about her. She might think twice about herself whereas before she asked a boy to homecoming she was much stronger with her conscious, and

not ask because of what others will think of her as she’s asking and that does play a role when a girl decides to ask. When a guy does it there’s not much thought from other people, the only thought is “hopefully she says yes”.

I believe that it is much easier for someone to take rejection rather than people calling a girl desperate or even being called clingy. To me the guy taking the initiative shows the girl that she was worth the time, and that she is date material for him.

Jessica Cruz opinions editor aybe I’m just extremely untraditional, or an overly-devoted feminist, but I think that girls should be able to ask guys to homecoming.

We don’t live in a man’s world and it’s not all about letting men take control. It should

M

Joel DeSante

Anonymous guest writer

have never been that way. And I know, maybe I’m taking this too far, but this is a little push of encouragement to all you girls who have thought about asking a boy to homecoming but are too afraid to.

First of all, why not? There is nothing holding you back, except for yourself. I realize that we have grown up in a society where boys are supposed to make the first move, but things are changing. Feminism and the feminist movement have made a positive impact in the world.

Boys might feel that their masculinity is being threatened by being asked to homecoming by a girl, but if they really have that much trouble accepting a simple proposal, maybe the problem comes from deeper within them. All they have been taught is that “manly” things are meant for them only and they feel emasculated by such miniscule things. By asking a boy to homecoming, you are undoing everything that has been taught to them their whole lives.

Don’t get me wrong, this is not an article about me hating boys who don’t accept the idea of girls asking guys out.

This is an article about the sexist culture that surrounds us from the time we’re born. I am advocating against this and against the notion that girls and women can’t make decisions.

We are perfectly capable of deciding who we want to go to a dance with.

The stigma that girls will be more hurt than boys over being rejected is extremely sexist. It is easy to see that boys and girls both have feelings that shouldn’t be undermined. A boy can be as easily hurt as a girl.

Boys, guess what? Girls asking guys to homecoming takes the “pressure” off of you! Not only do girls get to actually be equal to their male counterparts, but you kind of, sort of benefit from it.

I’m really just trying to emphasize how perfectly fine it is for girls to ask guys out in general. No one gets harmed and it’s an all around better thing for society. By doing something out of the social norm we change our society, little by little and I think that’s one of the most important things someone can do.

opinions

Is Confederate heritage American heritage?

Ryan Pinkney managing editor

The truth is to a very small degree the flag does symbolism slavery, but did racism start before slavery or after the fact? That is a questions historians still debate today.

A Google search will prove that there is no true right answer to this question. Forums and blogs have become battlegrounds where people joust over their opinions, showing that popular opinion may justify city and county law ending so many traditions that celebrate the Confederate history. Though, would it be fair to stop celebrating Columbus day because public opinion was against Columbus for started the inaccurate “Indian” name to all the Native Americans that has stuck with them through

the centuries?

Columbus was a courageous and persistent man who took risks. He is known all over the world and we celebrate him as the first man to sail from Europe to the Americas.

History, though it has parts of which no one is proud of, is an important part of who people are and the traditions today. The Civil War was mainly fought over slavery, but no one living today was even there or influenced the outcome of that war. It is important though to remember both sides of Americans soldiers that fought and died for what they believed in.

The way we remember these people is by the simple tributes of road sign and flags. It is a small thing that we can do to honor these people and celebrate our Confederate-heritage. That is why it is important to keep these traditions and to continue to remember our American history.

Joel DeSante

W

e can’t change history, only the way we remember it.

The city also, twice a year The City of Alexandria, (Memorial Day and Robert E. Lee’s with the national attention confederate birthday), hangs Confederate flags flags and symbols have been getting, is at a prominent street intersection putting up for debate many traditions in Old Town. In the middle of the that celebrate the Virginia’s Confederate intersection stands a statue of a heritage. southern soldier that is frequently This past spring Alexandria city visited by tour guides. council members put in question a This past spring, Virginia 1963 law requiring that any new “streets Governor Terry McAuliffe called running in a generally north-south an end to state-issued license plates direction shall, insofar as possible, bear that showed Confederate flags, the names of Confederate military clearly showing that the governor leaders.” will lean towards supporting The proposed action by city legislature that takes away council member Justin Wilson is a bill Confederate symbols in the state. repealing this law and also taking away a People say they have a problem requirement that new east-west streets be with Confederate flags and street named for persons or places prominent signs because they symbolize in American history. Though Wilson racism and slavery. Is this entirely firmly states that this bill will not actually true? change the current street names but shows a difference in attitude towards once celebrated history.

15 | The Current | October 2015

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Vergara trumps Trump’s stance on Hispanic voters

I

s Donald Trump a showman? Is he a TV personality? Is he a real estate mogul really worth billions of dollars? Is he a serious and viable presidential candidate? Does he defy description? Those questions and others seemed to dominate the political cycle this summer.

The press had a field day covering this rather eccentric and unusual declared candidate for the Republican nomination for President. How then to describe him? Bombastic, opinionated, grandiose, aggrandizing, successful, boastful. In addition to those descriptors, we can now call him the frontrunner for the Republican presidential nomination. I recall watching Donald Trump’s presidential announcement speech on 16 June of this year and the adjectives above were evident in it. But then I heard him say, “When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending the best, they’re not sending you, they’re sending people that have lots of problems and they’re bringing those problems. They’re bringing drugs, they’re bringing crime. They’re rapists and some, I assume, are good people, but I speak to border guards and they’re telling us what we’re getting.” At that moment I thought, “Shikes! Don’t go there Mr. Trump. Don’t be a race-baiter. Please stop!”

But he didn’t stop and thus I knew I had a problem. I knew the country had a problem.

Specifically, I knew Hispanics of all stripes had a problem and that it would only grow larger.

I knew that it would soon be “open season on Hispanics,” no matter our citizenship or immigrant status.

I also remember speaking with Ernesto, my younger son, and telling him that this part of the announcement speech October 2015 | The Current | 16

“had legs” that would resonate with parts of the Republican base who harbor anti-immigrant sentiments and also with xenophobic and racist extremists. He urged me to have faith in our country, “After all Mom, we are a country of immigrants; besides he was only addressing the undocumented and criminal elements.” I sighed, thinking how young and inexperienced he is and how lucky he has been, to a large degree, to be spared of racial/ ethnic discrimination that I have witnessed at Edison High School, directly at me personally and at many of my Hispanic students. I also remembered that it is human nature to paint all with the same brush.

As the summer wore on and Mr. Trump refused to retract his statements, a candidate who once had a 60% negative rating among Republican voters became the frontrunner. I grew more worried especially since many of Mr. Trump’s town hall meetings were dominated – it seemed – by xenophobes who espoused his sentiments about immigration and Hispanics. I remember a Trump supporter telling Jorge Ramos of Univision to “go back to your country,” even though the reporter is a United States citizen. I remember that outside of Mr. Trump’s Dallas town hall meeting, arguments between Hispanics and Anglos nearly led to physical confrontations.

By now Ernesto was growing concerned as he saw the traction that Mr. Trump was getting from the statements that previous to this, he had seen as benign. By the end of July, Ernesto was concerned enough to

Gage Skidmore

Victoria Vergara guest writer

Donald Trump

speaking at

CPAC in Washington D.C. on February 10, 2011. Trumps Mexican boarder to keep illegal immgrants out of the

pleaged to build a wall on the

United States.

note that trouble was brewing.

For many, all Hispanics were the rapists, drug dealers, and criminals described by Mr. Trump and few if any were coming to our defense.

Thus Ernesto reasoned that, as a people, Hispanics had to defend their own because nobody else was. No longer could he differentiate between natural-born or naturalized Hispanic Americans or between documented and undocumented Hispanics. To condemn one was to condemn all and it became necessary to defend all.

He reminded me of the poem he first read at the Holocaust Museum by Martin Niemoller titled “First they came for the Socialists,” First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews,

and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

The evolution in Ernesto’s mindset is one that, I find, now more prevalent among Hispanics. Watching Univision and Galavision, reading Hispanic news publications, even on social media it is becoming evident that the Hispanic population of the United States is rapidly evolving in its opinion on Mr. Trump.

Some polls indicate that his disapproval rating is higher than 80% among Hispanic groups.

If history teaches anything, it is that the Republican Party cannot win a presidential election without getting a sizable chunk of the Hispanic vote. According to the Pew Research Center, George W. Bush won 40% of the Hispanic vote in 2004 which helped insure his election victory. On the other hand, according to the

Continued on next page

opinions Continued from previous page same polling center, in 2012, Mitt Romney only managed to garner 27% of the Hispanic vote with 71% going to President Obama and we all know who won that election.

Over the summer I kept wondering why Trump was focusing so much on Mexico, immigrants, “the wall,” and “making Mexico pay for the wall,” especially in July when a Quinnipiac University poll asked “Which of these is the most important issue in deciding your vote in the 2016 general election for president: the economy and jobs, terrorism, immigration, the federal deficit, health care, foreign policy, climate change, or taxes?” A whopping 37% of respondents named the economy and jobs as the most important issue, followed by health care, terrorism, and foreign policy.

Immigration came next with just 9% of respondents naming it as the most important issue.

Yet immigration reform and

undocumented immigrants seems to be the rallying cry of Trump and his supporters. It was very reminiscent of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani who was described by then presidential candidate Senator Joe Biden as prefacing all his campaign statements with, “On September 11th…..” as if that were the only issue on the minds of voters when the mayor staged an unsuccessful presidential bid in 2008.

Likewise, it seems that Trump prefaces all his statements with, “Mexico this…..Mexicans that….” Even though the general electorate does not rank immigration reform as one of its top concerns, he has struck a nerve with that segment of the population who uses it to promote their own brand of bigotry and nativism. While it may work in the primary season, it is almost guaranteed to fail in the general election, should he receive the nomination. While

the Hispanic community is a large and diverse one that is difficult to characterize, Mr. Trump’s well-framed narrative about “Mexicans” has resonated clearly with Hispanics. We get it. We know what he meant and means. We won’t forget it. And no matter how many times he says, “The Hispanics, they love me,” the truth is we don’t and that might well be the reason why he or any other Republican candidate loses

the 2016 presidential general election. Are there other, more important issues Mr. Trump could have addressed in such a vociferous manner? Yes. Did he? No, neither did any of the other candidates. The long, silent, pregnant pause between the time Mr. Trump made the statement and other Republican candidates for President responded was well heard by Hispanics in the country and we won’t forget that either.

Planned parenthood grants privileges

T

he debate of pro-life vs pro-choice has been long drawn out, and of course conservatives view Planned Parenthood as troubling because they are the #1 provider of abortions in America. The controversy with Planned Parenthood has increased greatly after several undercover videos were released, including one of Dr. Deborah Nucatola, Senior Director of Medical Services for Planned Parenthood. In this video, which has been proven to be highly edited and could have been taken out of context, Nucatola is seen speaking about the selling of fetal body parts and organs. Selling body parts and organs is illegal and of course a video such as this one would bring up a lot of questions from everyone, especially those who

are opposed to the services that Planned Parenthood provides.

Opposers of the funding of Planned Parenthood used the videos that were released as leeway to push for the defunding of Planned Parenthood. A report has been sent to Congress about the videos and along with that many doubts have arisen because the videos have been proven to be edited. Judge William Orwick III has ordered David Daleidan, the founder of an anti-abortion group, Center for Medical Progress, the group that released the undercover Protester for planned parenthood shows videos, to release the full their support on the streets. unedited version of the videos.

Most of the controversy about Parenthood Planned Parenthood comes from provides STD tests, birth the fact that they perform so control, Plan B, general many abortions, but they fail to health care services, and even acknowledge that the services relationship and sex advice. they provide are far more Defunding it means depriving just than abortions. Planned people of the right to affordable Sarah Mirk

Jessica Cruz opinions editor

healthcare.

If the big issue here is abortion then I am pro-choice.

There is no reason that a woman should not do what she wants with her body, but even if you’re pro-life it’s easy to see that Planned Parenthood is not just abortions. They provide many necessary services to people who would otherwise not be able to afford it, not just to women who do not want to be mothers. It gives people options that they should not be stripped of.

It is obvious that the debate over whether the government should fund Planned Parenthood will be a long one, but in the long run I hope that eventually there can be compromise. The impact of defunding Planned Parenthood would be far too big to ignore.

17 | The Current | October 2015

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WINTER SPORTS TRYOUTS BEGIN MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2015

In order to try out you MUST have the following documents turned in BEFORE NOVEMBER 9: 1. VHSL Physical form – all 4 pages - completed including ALL necessary signatures!

2. TWO (2) copies of the Emergency Care Form completed and signed.

3. Both you and a parent/guardian must complete the concussion education online @www.fcps.edu/sports * PAPERWORK CAN BE TURNED IN TO THE ATHLETIC TRAINER MRS. HORNE DURING ALL LUNCH SHIFTS ON THE FOLLOWING DATES:

Thursday, October 22

Thursday, October 29

October 2015 | The Current | 18

opinions

STAFF EDITORIAL

Were this year’s changes really worth it?

M

uch ado has been made about the many changes Fairfax County Public Schools and Edison have implemented this year. At the school level, two major changes have gotten students talking.

The new surveillance cameras in the hallways and other common areas surely gave students pause as they entered the building on the first few days of school. Many students likely thought that this was a new plan by the administration and the security staff to keep an eye on us throughout the day and infringe on our privacy rights. These concerns are understandable, yet unfounded.

The administration insists that the cameras will only be used in matters of discipline, where it is necessary to have an exact recording of the misbehavior.

As long as this is the case, the cameras can only be beneficial to the students at Edison.

However, the question inevitably arises: is such an investment worth it? Would the funds used for cameras have been better off appropriated for new technology or supporting the fine arts and other extracurriculars? While all are noble causes, the installation of the cameras best provides for the safety of the school as a whole. By making misbehaving students easier to prosecute, they both greatly increase the

Super Sponsors THE PINKNEY FAMILY THE ASKENAZY FAMILY THE DOBSON FAMILY

A surveillance

camera hangs outside the school.

The

installed to assist security with student discipline.

efficiency of the disciplinary process and deter such misbehavior from happening in the first place.

The cameras have already proved effective, with the security staff saying that they have used them to discipline students.

The other big change at Edison this year is the introduction of a new schedule.

The main difference from last year is the reduction of classes from eight to seven, causing students to lose an elective.

Another facet of the new system is 4th period, a combination Advisory/Eagle Time that is designed to provide kids with support and remediation, which were previously only given one day a week.

cameras were

This year’s schedule offers a mixed bag for students. The Advisoty period is very helpful, giving them the chance to catch up on homework or take a short break from the school day.

Eagle Time is also being used more effectively, as students are generally signed up by their advisor to go see a teacher of a class in which they are struggling, as opposed to getting the pass themselves. The fact that this is every other day encourages continued attention to success.

However, the schedule itself is cause for concern. The elimination of an elective surely removed an element of fun from many kids’ schedules, causing additional stress and fatigue.

The bigger problem for the

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school, though, is the lack of opportunity for students to retake classes. On the old 4x4 schedule, those who failed a class in the first semester had the chance to retake it the next. Now that all classes are year-long, it is almost impossible to re-do a class in the same year. This severely limits the ability of struggling students to graduate on time.

Edison should have taken this into more serious consideration when creating the schedule, but, failing that, must come up with a effective plan besides mandatory summer school.

The last major change of the year came on the county level. In October 2014, the Fairfax County School Board voted to push back high school start times to give students more sleep.

While the School Board certainly had good intentions, their decision has not had the desired effect.

Even with the later start, the school day, along with afterschool activities, is still the same length. Coaches do not shorten their practices, teachers do not shorten their help sessions and late buses do not arrive any earlier. In effect, everything is just pushed back by 50 minutes.

This causes students to start their homework later, leading to a later sleep time.

While the change was made with our best interest at heart, it has not been effective and should be reconsidered.

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19 | The Current | October 2015

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Winter sports preview

Alex Marasco staff writer all may be coming to an end soon, but that doesn’t mean the excitement of sports will.

Winter sports are approaching and that means basketball, swim and dive, gymnastics, track and field, and wrestling are about to begin.

Some teams found more success than others last winter (like the girls varsity basketball winning Regionals or 10 swimmers from the Swim and Dive team going to states), but it is now a new year and there’ll be some new faces on freshman and JV teams while some will return for another season playing for the varsity team. While there may be some new athletes, winning is still what everyone is striving and looking for as a fan, athlete, or coach. Junior Angelo Kline of this year’s Swim and Dive team describes winning as a “paramount” and “the reason

Will Dobson

F

Last

year the

Swim

Dive team sent ten swimmers and divers to the state 7 returning swimmers. This was a step up from the previous four swimmers qualified.

and

competition, including season, in which only

why I get up to go practice in the morning”.

Coaches have a long season ahead, but are set to get their players ready for the first game, or meet, of the season and will help improve the team overall throughout the season.

Expectations are set by the first day of practice and every coach have expectations that can be met with hard work and dedication.

Boys varsity basketball coach Terry Henderson was willing

to share his expectations for the upcoming season, “My expectations are always the same, and that’s simply... Let’s go out and compete to the best of our abilities every game.”

The success our program has had over the last five years has been great! We’ve had a lot of team recognition, as well as individual success with many players still playing at the next level. Therefore, the bar is always set high for our

basketball program, and we intend to keep pushing it higher and higher.” Henderson also made note about the influx of new and younger athletes replacing the players now gone this year: “Knowing we will have a young inexperienced team, it will be important for us to do this, and keep our confidence high.”

Coaches also are looking for athletes who can contribute the most to their team and collect wins. Different coaches are looking for different things in an athlete. The players seen playing are the ones that the coaches see as a hard worker, talented, coachable, and mentally prepared.

Every team is starting with a 0-0 record, so no team is currently better than another.

They all want that fast start and the momentum that comes with it to follow their team throughout every game.

Fall athletic season wrap-up Will Dobson

sports editor

T

his fall, Edison sent out six sports teams to compete to the best of their ability. The football team (2-4 at time of publication) has struggled, but is putting up their fair share of points. Crosscountry, a perennially successful team at Edison is in a rebuilding stage this year with only 3 senior guys, and not many more girls.

Field hockey has had another very strong season finishing the regular season at 6-1. Cheer has had a huge part in boosting morale at football games, keeping everyone happy. Last but not least, golf had a great season with 2 seniors.

Senior quarterback and team captain Ben Davenport said that at the beginning of the season, their main goal was “ to win the October 2015 | The Current | 20

conference championship and bring back the great Edison football tradition”. While they may not have been conference champions, nobody can say they didn’t put in the work and grind every day of the season.

Davenport said “while we were unable to win the conference championship, I believe the right people are on this team to help put Edison football back where it needs to be. It will take time to be where the program once was, but with Coach Boyle and the underclassmen, Edison football will be in a good place in the near future”.

Cross–country may have had the highest expectations of the fall teams this season, expectations that may have been unfair due to the youth of the team. However, they

did give the other teams a run for their money. Junior team captain Jhonie Geffa believes that they can get a leg up on the other teams in the postseason, however. “We do have a chance to win districts as a team, but for states we have one guy who may have a chance. His name is Yared, and he is a sophomore.

Next year I do think that we have a chance of going past regionals as a team”, said Geffa.

The future seems bright.

Field hockey, always a district powerhouse, was thinking big at the beginning of the season.

Senior team captain Emily Ajello said “I was really excited because we had a fresh team, and the girls coming up looked awesome. I expected us to win the conference championship”.

The goal of conference

championship is looking very attainable as of publication.

“We are starting the playoffs going in 6-1 behind Marshall, so I think we will be able to take home the championship.”

The golf team came into the season looking to surpass last season’s accomplishments.

Senior team captain Skye Carlson said “I didn’t really have any expectations coming into the season… There was a lot of pressure on [the seniors] to hold the team up, so I just wanted all of us to play well”.

For many of the teams, improving next year appears to be a daunting task, but one that is wholly possible. Good luck to any playoff teams, and we look forwards to seeing them next year.

sports

The Current’s MLB playoff predictions Ben Davenport

staff writer

Toronto: The Blue Jays (93-69) enter the postseason as AL East Division champs, their first appearance since 1993. The Jays come into the playoffs with a deep roster, including: Josh Donaldson, 3B, David Price, SP, Jose Bautista, RF, and Troy Tulowitzki, SS. The combination of young stars, and experienced veterans, we predict the Blue Jays will win the World Series for the first time since 1993.

Chicago: The Chicago Cubs (97-65) enter the postseason as the fan favorite to win it all. Having gone 107 years since their last World Series win, the fanbase is hungry for a victory. Led by Kris Bryant, 3B, Anthony Rizzo, 1B, and a possible Cy Young Award winner in Jake Arrietta. We predict the Cubs to make the World Series, but fall short to the Jays.

Chicago Cubs

Toronto Blue Jays Blue Jays Blue Jays

Cubs

Kansas City Royals Kansas City: The Royals (95-67) appear in the ALCS for the 2nd year in a row, and look to find redemption after their World Series loss last year. The Royals coasted into the postseason this year, and won the central division by 12 games. Lead by Lorenzo Cain, CF, Kendrys Morales DH, and Eric Hosmer, 1B, the Royals pose one of the best offenses in the league. Although the Royals contain loads of talent, we predict the Blue Jays to defeat them this series.

New York Mets New York: The New York Mets (90-72) come into the postseason red hot after early season predictions had them going nowhere.

Yoenis Cespedes, CF, comes into the postseason red-hot after being traded to the Mets, but it is the pitching staff of: Matt Harvey, Noah Syndergaard, and Jacob deGrom, that is the centerpiece of this Mets team. The lack of a star offensive player leaves us predicting the Mets to fall short to the Cubs in the NLCS.

Column as I See ‘em: Youth Sports Will Dobson

sports editor

C

hildren all over the country are focusing more and more on becoming single sport athletes in an effort to make it to the next level, whether that be college or the pros. The stress of repeating the same motion over and over again without any

variation can be stressful to an athlete’s body. The new path taken by many children is not always their decision.

Many children who have been playing sports from a very young age have been pushed by their parents to continue competing at high levels. This affects their willingness to play and could factor into an eventual burn out for that sport.

Orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews told The Cleveland Plain Dealer in a telephone interview that he began to see a sharp increase in youth sports injuries, especially baseball, around 2000. Andrews says that the growing phenomenon

known as specialization leads to playing a single sport yearround, which is a large factor in overuse injuries for children.

Parents who believe that their child is the next Bryce Harper are pushing them to play as much as possible, and this is leading to physical and mental injuries in their children. These kids are not getting their break when they go to play basketball or soccer; they are playing a single sport all year long, which is incredibly stressful on the body parts they are using.

However, parents are not entirely at fault for this issue.

Highly competitive teams, which are viewed as the only

way to take one’s talent to the next level, can take certain liberties with which players they allow on their teams. They may filter out players who aren’t able to throw a certain speed, or who don’t focus their talents on a single sport. This puts added pressure on the athletes and their parents who seek success.

The chances of playing in college are very small, and smaller yet are the chances of going pro, so let children play to whatever degree they like.

This provides challenge and competition for the children, and fewer medical bills for the parents.

21 | The Current | October 2015

the

current

Let’s go to the movies!

The Martian Camryn Anderson staff writer

T

he Martian, directed

by Ridley Scott, is a mix of adventure and sci-fi. The lead character, Mark Watney (Matt Damon) is part of an expedition to find life on Mars when a storm hits and he is left there all by himself. The movie has great graphics which gave the movie an intensive sense of reality. I enjoyed the way that Scott included humor

throughout the film because without it, the story would have been too much to handle. While Watney is stuck on Mars, he makes many risky decisions, like growing potatoes in his own feces, that make me worry how things would turn out. Just when things start to look up, everything comes crashing down on him. Fortunately, he manages to pull through in the end. Some

cast members include Jessica Chastain, Jeff Daniels, Beth Mara and Kristen Wiig. Scott made some major time jumps throughout the film that leaves the viewer wanting more. I’d rate this movie 4 out of five stars. If you’re looking for a movie that is going to keep you on the edge of your seat, The Martian is for you.

some of the many cast members who bring this movie to life.

Throughout the movie, Peter is labeled as a warrior and is forever known as Peter Pan. This movie was directed by Joe Wright and written by the late J.M Barrie. Although Pan was not as good as the original Disney movie and did not have much structure, it was still quite interesting. The script was

well written and the actors did a remarkable job. This movie is great for younger children and families. There is great action and superb visual effects throughout the movie. Pan was slow in the beginning and rather confusing towards the ending the movie. Pan is also out in 3-D which gives more of an effect for the kids. Overall, I would give this movie a 3.5 out of 5 stars!

Pan

Lexy Thomas staff writer an, prequel to Peter Pan, is about a 12 year old orphan named Peter, played by Levi Miller. Young Peter gets sucked into a mythical world called The Neverlands, and is faced with adventures while meeting many people along the way. Tiger Lily ( Rooney Mara), Pirate (Hugh Jackman), James (Garrett Hedlund) and lastly Mary (Amanda Seyfried) are

P

The Walk

Ben Davenport staff writer

T

he Walk, based on a true story from 1974, does an excellent job of capturing the true nature of the original story. The film follows the journey of Philippe Petit, played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and his journey to walk across a wire. Not just any wire, a wire placed between the two world center towers. He arrived at this idea when in France performing as a street artist and got word that plans for the twin towers were being built in New York City. Over the next few years, he recruits a team of accomplices,

October 2015 | The Current | 22

including his girlfriend Annie (Charlotte Le Bon) and his circus-performer mentor Rudy (Ben Kingsley). In August 1974, just as the twin towers were being completed, their plan was put into action.The director Robert Zemeckis uses swooping camera movement and thrilling angles to give the audience goosebumps as Petit elegantly walks back and forth more than 400 meters above the astonished crowd below.

Gordon-Levitt plays the role beautifully, channeling the man’s mischievous passion into every step. While the plot of the story is able to provide a good enough story and build up, the

movie is truly about Zemeckis’ technical wizardry, which means that Petit’s emotional reaction is never properly explored. Neither are any of the surrounding characters, who basically fade into the beautifully rendered backgrounds. Kingsley tries to chomp on the scenery, but even he pales in significance next to the subsequent eyepopping effects sequences, in which Zemeckis makes viewers’ stomachs lurch at the staggering heights. Thankfully in Petit himself, and in Gordon-Levitt’s performance, the film has an engaging center that carries us right through the story, leaving us both amazed and speechless.

arts

From the page to the stage

Tamarrah Addison

Judy Beauvais

very fall, Edison drama produces plays of every genre here in our Edison theatre. This fall, they are producing Inherit the Wind, a play written by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee. Practice makes perfect. The actors come together to help liven their practice performances in rehearsal. “We play cast building games at the beginning of practice to warm everyone up…” said senior Megan Harris.

gives suggestions on

acting though example.

Each character, through the actors, must come to life in their own unique way. “... Ms. Addison talked to us about how we should ‘color our words’; ...we need to think about how we want to say each word to paint an interesting auditory picture for [our] audiences,” said senior Emily Wilson. The personality of the characters is painted for the audience by each line the actor says.

It is commonly known in theater that each production has a core or a strength that pulls the play together perfectly. “I think it’s my actors; the strength of the play is my actors,” says Drama teacher Tamarrah Addison.

The actors are the core value of the play and bring the play to its ultimate best. Each play or movie even have a pull factor and a theme to portray. “The playwright’s theme in Inherit

5, 6, 7, 8!

Talia Carter arts editor

T

he lights on Broadway may shine bright, but the Edison students shine brighter. The choir department’s third annual Night on Broadway show is here!

Night on Broadway has been one of the choir’s biggest fundraisers since 2013. The students prepare selections from different Broadway shows and perform them for their friends, families, and fellow classmates.

Junior Madison Sterner said, “[Night on Broadway] is just a really fun way for the students to express themselves in choir in a way that relates to them more.”

The students have been practicing since the beginning

the Wind is about freedom of thinking… using two big entities like religion and science,” said Addison. The play's theme brings two big controversial points together on stage and in the light.

This production itself is about someone going against tradition in their town and now fighting for their freedom to think. “I believe that freedom of thinking is in jeopardy, and this play is bringing that about,” said Addison. This play captures the consequences of the freedom to think and that how in today's society we are gradually losing the privilege to think for ourselves. “I think these two big giants will really bring people in and get them thinking,” said Addison. Inherit the Wind will allow the audience to not only enjoy a production, but to take something that will keep them

Judy Beauvais

E

Edison Drama rehearses for their fall production of Inherit the Wind

Senior Thai Doung rehearses his lines for his character, Matthew Brady.

thinking.

The actors have noticed new experiences for Edison drama. “I think this play, at least in recent years, gets much more serious than Edison drama usually does.” said Wilson. “I am excited to see how well they work together,” said Addison.

Inherit the Wind will be performed for the Edison community on Nov. 12, 13 and 14.

The Edison choirs prepare for Night on Broadway

of the school year on their group numbers. Sterner said, “Time is probably our biggest problem... but we’ll get it together.”

The department has faced a few difficulties in recent

much change, and I think it has set us back on our progress, but it has also brought us together as a department because we now depend on each other.”

Sterner agreed with Dawson

years. One of them being that there have been three different directors in the past three years.

Senior Jocelyn Dawson has been a part of the choir for her whole high school career and has seen first hand the evolution of the department. She said, “I think it’s been very rough on the students to have to adapt to so

when Sterner said, “I think that everybody has grown from it.

They’ve been able to experience it, and even though sometimes it wasn’t easy, we all got through it…”

With a new teacher, the students have had to make adjustments, but they have nothing but nice things to say

“I think it’s been very rough on the students to have to adapt to so much change...but it has also brought us together as a department”

about her. Dawson said, “I love the new teacher. She is very energetic and enthusiastic about her job, and she relates to her students very well.”

Regardless of certain setbacks, the choir students intend carry on and put on a fantastic, entertaining show.

Night on Broadway will take place in the auditorium on October 30th at 7pm.

Last

year’s

Kimberly Dawson

Judy Beauvais features editor

Night on Broadway No Buisness Like Show

rehearsal for

Buisness. The

students has lots of fun

with this number.

23 | The Current | October 2015

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current

Sing us a song Mr.Guitar man Talia Carter arts editor

Y

ou’re sitting in the cafeteria, eating your lunch when all of a sudden, you hear the sound of guitar strings strumming in the distance. You turn to see what it is and standing with one foot on a chair and a guitar strap on his shoulder, is a familiar face.

Edison’s guitar man, junior Nicholas Madamba, has been serenading Edison with his music for the past two years.

Madamba’s love of music has always been prominent, but he did not begin his acoustic journey until 2013, his freshman year. “I started listening to my favorite songs on my iPod and I figured that I loved them so much, I wanted to be able to express them to others.” said

Madamba.

While he enjoys listening to different styles of music, Madamba’s favorite genres are country and rock which would explain one of his most popular numbers, “We’re Not Gonna Take It”

by Twisted Sister.

Madamba is also well known for his regular performances in the cafeteria. “...it allows me to get to know people on a personal level. Sometimes it introduces me to others” stated Madamba The guitar man has also been a participant in Edison’s Got Talent for the past two years.

According to him, his first year was more fun than the second year, but he plans to perform again this coming year in the

Jocelyn Dawson

Meet the man behind the guitar Nicholas Madamba

Nicholas Madamba stands for applause at Edison’s Got Talent in 2014. Madamba really enjoyed singing and playing his guitar at his first talent show

show.

People are not only applauding his music, but also his charisma. “[Madamba] is very brave to go up there to sing and dance in front of many people...I think that’s really admirable.” said senior Karim Claros.

Madamba brings a certain spirit to the class of 2017 that other classes should envy. “When [Madamba] walks into a room, his positive energy radiates making everyone around him smile,” said senior Kathryn Heislup.

Despite his parents’ attitude towards his music, Madamba continues to develop his talents.

He said, “...my mom got a little critical of me because of some issues in my sound.” He refuses to let his parents stop him from

doing what he loves.

Madamba does not necessarily want to pursue music after high school, but he does want to resume his enthusiasm towards making people happy with his guitar. Senior Ahmed Chaudery says, “...he’s a pretty cool because he puts a smile on people’s faces whenever he goes

Eric Hedge

“[Madamba] is very brave to go up there to sing and dance in front of many people...I think that’s really admirable”

Nicholas Madamba prepares to begin his performance at Edison’s Got Talent in 2015. Regardless of sound issues, madamba carried on with his song.

October 2015 | The Current | 24

around with his guitar and sings songs.”

With the support from the school community and his colleagues, Madamba will continue his showering of happiness on people. Madamba is living proof that kindness is the way to go and even if people are mean to you, all you have to do is be nice back to them. After all, some great artists once said, “all you need is love.”