The Highlander Issue 9

Highlander

Volume 53, Issue 9

March 27, 2009

McLean High School; 1663 Davidson Road, McLean, VA 22101

CHECKED OUT:

School libraries will soon suffer cutbacks Shefali Hegde Assistant News

One million dollars. That is how much money the libraries at Fairfax County Public Schools collectively lost for the 2008-2010 school years due to budget tightening.

“It translates into a 12 to 14 percent budget reduction,” head McLean librarian Carol Cuccia said. One million dollars means 50,000 fewer books and possible staff reductions in the future.

“We’re really trying to fight this,” Cuccia said. “But we could lose some positions in our central staff.”

Downsizing will affect, most profoundly, the materials that are currently available to students. Cuccia predicts that some of the 15 databases will have to be deleted by next year. Basing their decisions on the popularity and usefulness of the programs, the librarians will have to look at search statistics and choose which databases to keep and which to get rid of.

Previously, the library had been able to afford to add new databases for students and teachers, but those days might be over. The Oxford English Dictionary database, for instance, was added at the beginning of this year at a request from a new English teacher.

“I don’t think we’ll be able to re-do that, next year,” Cuccia said. While some of these continued on page 6

Students mentor middle schoolers Ryan Flamm Reporter

The Safety Community Coalition (SCC) sponsored its 13th annual middle school forum on March 19.

The purpose of the program is “to gather the students, to teach them how to make better, responsible decisions,” SCC President Cameron Edgar said.

At this event, middle school students were able to ask high school students about things that they care about like parties, dating, stress, bullying, and drug use.

Middle school “students get the opportunity to speak candidly, and get answers from high school students,” SCC Director Laura Zoll said. “It’s really exciting to give this opportunity to kids in the community.”

The event took place from 9:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the McLean Baptist Church and included an adult forum of teachers, parents, and community members as well. Approximately 266 people attended, including faculty. Students from McLean, Langley and Potomac high schools helped middle school students from Longfellow, Cooper, and Potomac to prepare for high school. The high school students involved were in grades 9, 11, and 12 and are members of the youth advisory counsel of the SCC, which is the student branch of the coalition.

Middle school students were selected from peer mediation classes and by counselor nomination. To better help the seventh and eighth graders, the high school students attended a training session March 8. At the continued on page 4

photo by Rubina Sarkisian Junior Denise Bakar looks away as one of the INOVA nurses inserts a needle into her arm at last Thursday’s blood drive. The Key Club exceeded their collection goal, collecting a total of 136 units of blood. They accomplished this despite many students being out of town on band, orchestra, and chorus field trips, and having to turn down prospective donors for various reasons, like low iron. For the full story on the blood drive, see page 4.

FAIRGRADE: Students begin to feel effects of grading changes Devan Kerley News Editor

After months of fighting the county’s grading system, the organization FAIRGRADE convinced the Fairfax County School Board to increase the weights given to AP classes. Only two months after the decision, students have begun to feel the effects of the change.

The additional weights for AP classes, which went from .5 to one point, were added to mid-year transcripts so that seniors would experience some of the benefits of the grading change, including better chances of qualifying for merit scholarships and university honors programs. For some seniors, this meant a significant increase in their GPA that also qualified them to join the National Honor Society (NHS), just months before graduation.

“Usually in the spring we have maybe about seven or eight seniors that didn’t get picked up in the first round,” NHS sponsor Barrett Kashdan said. This year there were 40 kids that were eligible. “That was pretty dramatic,” he said. “It shocked me.”

Senior Emily Tilman was one of the inducted seniors. Her GPA went up by about .04, which was enough to qualify her for NHS membership.

“I was so close to getting in before,”

Inside Two ‘08 graduates are engaged —and they’re not the only ones. Read the details on page 14

Tilman said. “I felt cheated out of it.”

The induction ceremony for the new members took place on March 11. “It’s always nice to have more students in NHS,” Kashdan said. Because of the community Many seniors were eligible for induction in National Honor Society this month after new weights for APs were added retroactively to their GPAs.

service requirement, “more people will be doing more things.”

The minimum GPA required for NHS membership is 3.5. Students who had this average or higher were invited to apply for membership at the beginning of their junior year. This year’s increase in eligible students was due in part to the retroactive weighting of AP classes which meant that students who took APs had higher GPAs. “It gives people like me who work really

Find out about the recent area spike in crime on pages 12 and 13

hard but don’t get rewarded for it a little bonus for their effort,” Tilman said.

Though senior Will Stanton was also inducted into NHS, he thinks the one-point weights are overly generous. “It seems like now they’re doing too much to make our grades better,” he said.

Honors courses may also be weighted .5 points next year, though that issue is currently being debated.

The new ten-point grading scale has not been officially approved, but should it go into effect next year, it is difficult to gauge its possible effects. Some think that not much will change because teachers will adjust their classes to make it more difficult to get an A. “Teachers were always aware of the severity of our grading system and compensated students for it,” Kashdan said. “As FAIRGRADE sets in, teachers will compensate on how they evaluate students. They have to.”

Not all teachers plan on doing this though. “I’m going to keep things just the way they are,” English teacher Marc Cascio said. “I think it’s only fair that our grading scale be on par with the rest of the country.

I don’t intend to make it harder for my students.”

If it does become easier for students to continued on page 5

Turn to page 10 to read about administration monitoring your computer use

Student athletes so talented they’re on national sports teams? Learn more on page 23

2

NEWS

Highlander

March 27, 2009

Virginia legislature bans texting while driving Moises Cazal News Editor

The Virginia Senate passed a bill to ban texting while driving for all drivers recently, joining eight other states with the same legislation, including the District of Columbia and Maryland. If Gov. Tim Kaine signs the legislation, the new law will take effect July 1.

Virginia already had a law banning underage drivers and school bus drivers from phone usage altogether. It is a secondary offense for minors to use a cell phone, but it is a primary offense for bus drivers using cell phones while driving.

Some students feel that texting while driving is not their primary concern. “It’s not that big of a deal,” junior Geena McDaniel said. “I don’t think it should be a law.”

Other students think that texting while driving is a danger. “If you are [texting], then it’s clear you’re not paying attention to the road,” freshman Rajeev Kant said. “Why would you even think of doing it?”

Texting while driving will only be a secondary offense, except for bus drivers, if signed by Kaine. This means that police officers can only punish drivers after pulling them over for another offense such as speeding. Students think this is not enough to protect other drivers on the road.

“It should be a primary offense,” senior Danielle DaCre-

glect it,” junior Ethan Arkin said. “$500 for hitting a couple of buttons? That’s disgusting.”

Senior Sarveshwari Singh thinks that “the fine should be more severe,” she said about the penalty Don’t Text in Virginia. while driving The ability of the police to regulate the offense is questionable.“If they [students] get pulled over, they Text while will just put their phones in their bag,” Arkin said. driving According to an American Automobile Association (AAA) report, “young drivers from 18 to One out of two 25 [years old] are overwhelmingly more likely than teenagers text older drivers to text message.” However, older drivwhile they drive, but ers from 35 to 44 year old are reported to talk on the contrastingly, only one phone as much as young drivers. out of fifty adults do. A Students text more because for adults, “texting is law banning texting while not really part of their generation,” Arakin said. driving passed the Virginia The AAA also found that 46 percent of teenagers Senate and could become a law effective July 1. text while they drive and that 40 to 50 percent of all accidents are caused by driver inattention. information from the American Automobile Association website “It will definitely teach the kids to drive safer,” freshman Jake Ahlgrimm said. “It will take some of the ma said. “Otherwise people and students will just put their hazards out of driving.” phones away.”

Texting while driving, dubbed TWD, could cost drivers $20 for the first offense and $50 for future offenses. Con- The writer can be reached at moisescazal@hottrastingly, Maryland’s legislature passed a bill on March 17 mail.com that can cost offenders up to $500.

Students who disagree with the law plan to “totally ne-

New Safeway broadens shopping experience

75 The new Safeway in McLean opened its doors on March 13, after almost a year of renovation. The shopping center has many new amenities, including a Starbucks, dry cleaning services and self-checkout lanes.

Zenobia Morrill Reporter

After about a year of construction, the Safeway near Pimmit Hills officially opened its doors on March 13.

The whole shopping center underwent a major renovation, replacing the old Safeway with a more modern one designed at the convenience of nearby workers and residents.

Welcoming customers with an array of floral designs presented at the entrance, this Safeway includes a variety of new features that cannot be found anywhere else in the area.

Due to its location near many surrounding offices, the Safeway is larger and contains two extra registers to make shopping more efficient and compliable. New available services include dry-cleaning, postage stamps, check cashing, money orders, phone cards and carpet cleaner rentals.

In addition, there is a Starbucks, a Café, a and specialized Express and Self-checkouts.

According to store manager Albert Cabrera, the store’s focus is on customer service and new designs in order to appeal to returning customers.

The wine cellar is particularly large and run by a man with over 35 years of experience. Cabrera notes that “most grocery stores get a lot of profit for wine” and, because of its McLean location, the store places lots of focus on the wine selection.

The pharmacy, located in the back, is constructed with wood to convey a more contemporary look. In addition, it is the only store to have private consultation rooms for

pharmacist-customer conferences.

The Floral section features what Cabrera referred to as a “new lifestyle” set-up that is specifically used to decorate the entrance and welcome shoppers. Bordering the floral arrangements is the enormous produce section, which includes a wide variety of organic foods.

“We are aware that many people in the area are careful about health,” Cabrera said.

Near the registers are the Customer Service counter and two seating areas, a Café and a Starbucks. Wi-Fi is available for those who want to get some work done while sipping on their afternoon latte.

Customers have so far seemed pleased with the ambiance and customer service.

“I thought it was great,” local mother Linda Nichols said after her recent visit to the store.

McLean students feel the same about the customer service.

“I loved how there were workers in every section waiting to give out samples,” senior Alexis Longwell said.

With this Safeway attracting so many shoppers, the bar has been raised for nearby competitors such as the Safeway in the Chesterbrook Shopping Center and the Giant in downtown McLean.

Not only is the store gaining business from nearby corporations and previous customers,

650

photos by Zenobia Morrill but many residents in the heart of McLean are venturing to see what the new Safeway has to offer. Nichols finds that the quality of the store is “comparable to Balducci’s.”

However, according to Cabrera, their prices need to remain low to keep attracting business, especially during this economic recession. The store manager feels that, so far, the goals for business are being met.

“We’re all about customer service,” Cabrera said. “Our goal is to get returning customers regardless of the sales.”

Although the new features of the store are successfully appealing to customers like Nichols and Longwell, the economic depression still has an effect on the new business.

“It’s a little hard,” Cabrera says, “but Safeway is a very stable company that owns all their warehouses. Safeway can choose to out-beat any prices at the moment because they’re very competitive.”

The writer can be reached at msmorril@yahoo.com

18

90

billion text messages sent per year in the U.S.

calories are burned by donating one pint of blood

alcoholic drinks consumed by an average male during spring break

percent of guns seized in Mexico are traced back to the U.S.

1,743

Safeway stores around the country

NEWS

March 27, 2009

Highlander

3

Events in Darfur change STAND’s approach Cammie Meade Assistant In-Depth Editor

When President Barack Obama took office on Jan. 20, STAND supporters around the country rejoiced. Obama had promised to move forward in stopping the genocide occurring in Darfur, a region on the western border of Sudan.

Since that time, Obama assembled a team working to end the bloodshed in Darfur. However, recent events led to delays in the team’s planning for the course of action that the administration will take.

On March 4, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir.

The warrant claims that al-Bashir is a fugitive and is wanted for crimes against humanity, war crimes, and intentionally directed attacks on civilian populations in Darfur.

This action taken by the ICC marks the first time that the group has indicted a head of state. Reacting to the accusation, al-Bashir issued a statement forcing 13 foreign aid groups to leave Darfur in the next year.

According to MSNBC, the government under al-Bashir condemned the warrant as a Western conspiracy aimed at destabilizing the oil-rich nation of Sudan. Additionally, alBashir issued a public statement proclaiming that he will

to cooperate with the ICC. In McLean some students are concerned about the present situation. Junior Leila Goldstein, a member of STAND, is worried about the expulsion of the aid groups.

“People are left with no food because the humanitarian groups were the ones providing it,” Goldstein said. “Everyone is left starving now.”

Many other officials around the world are worried about the possible detrimental consequences as well. U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice told the Washington Post, “If this decision stands, we can expect over a million people to be in immediate risk of losing their lives and the responsibility for that decision lies squarely with the government of Sudan.”

With this turn of events, STAND, the chapter at McLean that is working to raise awareness about the genocide in Darfur, has taken a new approach.

“We are still going for advocacy and teaching people about what is going on,” STAND member Leila Goldstein said. “However, we are also going to try to write more letters to representatives, asking them to take action because the humanitarian groups have been kicked out of Darfur.”

STAND has hosted fund-raisers such as a used cell phone drive and a movie night, and will continue to promote aware-

September 2004

3 Marc h 20o0ut between s ak Fighting bre n Army (SLA) ratio Sudan Libe and Equality and Justice (JEM).

Movement

ness with other activities. “We’re going to have a candy and soda sale in April and we are also going to try to get another speaker to come,” Goldstein said.

STAND sponsor Christy Toledano is pleased with all of the fund-raising that has occurred. “We have raised about $1,200 so far, but about $800 of that came from the summer where we collected donations individually at Giant,” Toledano said.

During a recent movie night held by STAND, attendees were encouraged to fill out postcards addressed to the president that informed him of the situation in Darfur and encouraged him to take action. The group also hosted a letter writing party to contact Virginia Senator Jim Webb and received a response from him. At the last meeting, STAND member Chelsea Stresler brought in information about how it’s possible to text Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to let her know about the situation.

So far, the situation in Darfur has led to 300,000 deaths and the displacement of 2.7 million others.

The writer can be reached at cmbballgirl@comcast.net For an editorial opinion on the genocide crisis, see page seven.

Marc h 6 2009 Presiden t al-Ba orders th e expuls shir ion of 13 foreign a id organ iz ations in the next March 4 2009 year.

The International Criminal Court issues an arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir.

U.S. Secretary of St ate Colin Powell states that D arfur killings are “genocide.”

March 2004 UN official claims that “Janjaweed” militias are carrying out systematic killings of Africans in Darfur.

infographic by Cammie Meade

Timeline of events in Darfur

Hallway littering provokes enforcement of lunch policy

“If you walk around, you see a lot of trash and garbage on the floor,” assistant principal Christie Taylor said. “We don’t want kids filtering all the way back to the school because we are finding trash all over.”

This problem in the hallways has been addressed in Principal’s Corner, in which principal Dr. Deborah Jackson urged students to stay out of the upstairs hallways for lunch. Leadership also contributed “Clean Up Your Trash” posters.

Despite the efforts, the posters have not drawn successful results yet, Summers said. “I see [trash photo by Charlie Park in the hall] everyday in all three Lunch policies will soon be enforced because of excessive garbage in the halls, lunches,” Summers said. “Walk like these milk cartons left outside the cafeteria. through [the hallways] after lunch, Charlie Park and take a look around and see what I’m talking about.”

Assistant News Editor The posters have also been targets of vandalism. The Freshman Teddy Smith chooses to eat his lunch in the poster near the lower gym was torn down and later taped red hallway near the lecture hall because of the congestion back up. in the cafeteria.

“I can understand when [students] have their freedom “Usually the cafeteria is too loud and noisy,” Smith said. they want to be able to do certain things,” Taylor said. “But “So I just don’t want to be around all those people who making the building look even trashier by vandalizing signs kind of get out of control sometimes.” will not make situation any better.”

Although the hallways are open for lunch, students have For Smith, the policy is endurable, but he has one doubt been unaware that not all will be allowed. According to in his mind. “It is a pretty obvious solution. I don’t see that security officer Donald Summers, the policy states that only much trash and I don’t think they should limit us just to the hallways around the cafeteria and the lobby near the the cafeteria. That would be worse” lower gym are permitted for lunch. The other hallways, es“All people really have to do is pick up their trash,” Taypecially the front lobby, are prohibited. lor said. “It’s a big problem that can be solved very easily.”

Students who eat lunch in the other hallways will be sent back to the permitted area. This policy will have stricter The writer can be reached at sircharliepark@yahoo. enforcement, given to the excessive amount of trash found com recently on the hallway floors.

Students run for class office Bryan Kress Assistant Features Editor

Students will be able to vote once again in the school elections to nominate class officers for the 2009-10 school year.

The winners for Class Council, SGA and SAC will be voted and announced on April 20.

The candidates applied for positions during interest meetings on March 18. Applications were due today, and soon the potential candidates will be announced. With the announcement of the candidates, the campaign season will begin.

Sophomore Bijan Peters has decided to run for SGA President, but hasn’t created a strategy to campaign yet. Peters decided to run in order to help the community and “to help McLean continue increasing school spirit.”

The school elections have three different positions for each class. The SGA consists of five students, including the SGA President, who discuss student activities, address problems in the school and plan activities like food drives.

The SAC represents McLean in monthly meetings with other Fairfax County schools. The Class Council plans activities for their grade and are in charge of class t-shirts, homecoming banners, and funds for their class. The council is made up of five elected members from each grade.

The school elections and the officers nominated hold a great deal of influence on school affairs. This year the SGA held several functions, including the “Chipotle Burr-EatOff”, two “Cram the Can” food drives and Toys for Tots.

Candidates will have the opportunity to share their ideas with the students on April 17 when each nominee presents their speeches. While the school elections have just begun, Peters intends to make the race interesting. “You can expect something good,” Peters said.

The writer can be reached at bkress1992@gmail.com

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Highlander

NEWS

March 27, 2009

Key Club exceeds goals at second blood drive Forum gathers middle, high schoolers

Ali Shapiro Editorials Editor

The Key Club collected 136 units of blood last Thursday in its second blood drive of the year, just surpassing its goal of 132 units.

For the past few weeks, sponsor Jim Menderson appeared on the morning show to promote the blood drive. Despite conflicting performing arts trips, the turn-out was high.

The blood drive received more donors than the last drive in October, in addition to 10 more units of blood.

Senior Key Club member Hannah Choi said that more students sign up every time, but many performing arts students were upset that they could not donate due to trips to Orlando and New York. “A lot of juniors and seniors that had donated blood before regret not being able to this year,� Choi said.

The recent adjustment in the age requirement also benefited the drive. After lowering the minimum age from 17 to 16 before the October blood drive, Career and Technical Education teacher Cara Mosley, a sponsor of the blood drive, said that participation has gone up. “A lot of sophomores that were 15 have now turned 16 and have signed up to donate,� Mosley said.

Mosley feels high-schoolers have the most to contribute because of their health. “They have young blood to donate,� she said. “Many haven’t gotten sick or been out of the country.�

Still, many students were turned down during the drive.

Senior Amanda Ibrahim was just a few weeks shy of being able to donate, due to a vacation about a year ago. “Because I went to the Dominican Re-

photo by Torin Liberthson- Brown Junior Joon Kwon is screened at last Thursday’s blood drive to make sure that he qualifies to donate. During the screening, iron levels and medical history are checked to ensure health. public last year, they thought I had malaria,�

Ibrahim said. “So I couldn’t donate.�

Many students, such as senior Amanda Ball, were not able to donate due to a lack of iron at that particular time. “My iron was too low,� Ball said. “But I have donated before.�

Mosley said there were more students signing up than there were slots for.

Key Club president Anisah Khan said the blood drive went “really well and was a lot

more organized [than the previous one].�

Students who donated blood will receive letters in the mail once their donation has been given to patients. “Once the doctors use the blood, they send a letter saying ‘Thank you. You’ve saved a life,’� Khan said.

The blood collected will be distributed throughout D.C. and Northern Virginia.

The writer can be reached at alison519@gmail.com

from page 1 training session on Mar. 8. “We talked about what it was like in middle school, discussed ice breakers, and how to deal with anyone who got out of hand,� junior Melissa Wilson said.

Senior Sarah Megas said students talked about what high school is like, finding balance in life, stress, and selfadvocacy at the event. “The middle-schoolers thought of high school like it is in movies, with drugs and bullies,� Megas said. “They got a good idea of what high schools going to be like.�

The eighth graders then split into smaller groups of 15 to 20, each with two high school students to discuss topics in a more personal environment.

Seventh graders began their day in small discussion groups of about 20, then made skits on the topics discussed like bullying, substance abuse, and healthy relationships. These skits were later watched by students and adults.

The high school students who attended received 10 hours in community service and practiced life skills. “You learn how to organize and facilitate a group,� Megas said. “It was very successful.�

The writer can be reached at rflamm@gmail.com

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NEWS

March 27, 2009

Highlander

5

Spanish club gets active with “Pack the Pantry” Nikki Kaul Assistant Features Editor

1

Prom fashion show

4 - 15

AP exams

10

Senior breakfast and senior trip

For the first time, the Spanish Club is undertaking a big project to give back to the community. Posters have been placed around the school notifying students and teachers alike about “Pack the Pantry,” a drive to collect and donate items to the Reston Interfaith Charity. The non-profit organization helps the needy by assisting with housing, clothing and meals.

“The items collected will be sent to English speaking and Spanish speaking families that are less fortunate around this area,” club president junior Anni Lichtenbaum said.

The drive is being supported by Spanish Club sponsor and teacher, Charles Shea.

“Shea’s family often donates to this charity,” Lichtenbaum said.

The drive initially started out simply as a book drive, but “turned into a more effective drive,” Lichtenbaum said.

“This is the first time we’ve ever done anything this big.

Apart from the banner designing contest at the beginning of the year, we’ve never done any big projects before.”

There is still an emphasis on books for the drive, but sanitary items, food, clothes and baby items are also desired.

The entire foreign language department is helping out with the project, with every teacher in the foreign language hallway having boxes for the students to drop off their items in teachers’ rooms.

Many Spanish Club officers have been active this year at meetings and in helping out with the drive, and also trying to get members interested in the project as a whole.

“At the meetings, at least 15 to 20 members have been showing up for this project, which is a really good turnout for the club,” Lichtenbaum said.

The drive will run until the day before spring break, and students have until then to keep bringing in donations.

“The drive as a whole is similar to the Drive for the Troops last year, with people trying to bring in as much stuff as possible,” Lichtenbaum said.

Students can bring in items to any foreign language teacher’s room, where there are boxes for the items.

“Ms. Hardy, Mr. Bigger and Ms. Wolpert have boxes in their classrooms for students to drop off their donations,” Shea said.

2

Senior talent show

18 - 29

SOL testing

11

Convocation

The writer can be reached at Nikkster1@gmail.com

6-10

Spring break

30

Prom

15

Graduation

What to donate

photo by Devan Kerley Senior Richard Neldon discusses the National Honor Society inductions with Principal Dr. Deborah Jackson at the spring induction ceremony on March 11. The FAIRGRADE initiative to change the grading system allowed many seniors to be inducted to NHS this year.

FAIRGRADE begins to set in from page 1 achieve high grades, that may not be entirely a good thing.

Some wonder if the more forgiving scale may take away from the achievements of students who get straight As on the 94-point scale.

“I have mixed emotions about it,” junior Amy Taylor, a frequent occupant of the all A honor roll, said. “I’m still going to be really happy for the other people who get all As… I’m just hoping they worked as hard as I did for it.”

With the current scale, it can be difficult to get As. “It’s not easy,” Taylor said about making the all A honor roll. “It’s worth all those nights when you stay up until three in the morning studying when everyone else is in bed.”

Cascio hopes more students will achieve higher grades in his class next year.

“I have a significant amount of B-pluses,” he said. “I’m kind of happy those are going to be reflected as As from now on.”

With generous weights and grading scale, the school board is hoping that Fairfax County students will be more qualified for merit scholarships and college admissions.

Superintendent Dr. Jack Dale will present his findings on changing the grading scale at a meeting on April 20, after which the School Board will vote on the proposed change.

“The more encouragement we get in school, the better we’ll do, and I guess that’s what we really want in the end,” Taylor said.

The writer can be reached at devan.kerley@gmail. com

Fourth quarter calendar May

April

June

End of the year details come together Holly Betancourt In-Depth Editor

The senior class officers are finalizing the details of the rest of the activities for senior year. It has already been decided that the class trip will be to Kings Dominion on June 10, with the last senior breakfast occuring that morning.

“We had the students vote, and the majority chose Kings Dominion over Hershey Park,” senior class officer Malaika Pacque said.

The senior class officers and class sponsor Rob Plunkett have also been working to narrow down the list of possible graduation speakers. Seniors were asked to send in names of possible speakers with their contact information until Feb. 20. Six to eight names were received, most of which were people from within the DC area, according to Plunkett. The list was then reduced to four names, after the senior class council eliminated the people “that were just too out there, or if we got them it would cause too many logistical problems,” Plunkett said. The senior class officers then voted on their favorite speaker. “We do not vote on who we want, we vote on what we think the class wants,” Pacque said.

While the graduation speaker has been chosen, no one at McLean is authorized to release the name. “We have been told that we can’t release [the name] until the person’s organization releases a press statement which could be tomorrow or a month from now,” Plunkett said. The criteria for choosing a speaker came down to “someone who has positively

influenced society,” Pacque said.

Seniors pick for Teacher of the Year has also been chosen, but will most likely be announced on the day of convocation June 11. According to Daniella Minetti, senior class sponsor, the male teacher of the year won by a bigger margain than the female teacher of the year. The teachers of the year have also not been notified that they were chosen.

This year’s prom will continue to be at the Westwood Country Club in Vienna. Although ticket prices have not been decided, “we are trying to keep the prices the same,” junior class officer Alex Assaf said. The junior class council also hopes to improve this year’s decorations at the prom.

“Decorations are going to be more intense; we are really sticking to the theme ‘Fire and Ice,’ Assaf said.

The music to be played this year will also be different, since the DJ will only play requested songs instead of using a playlist.

One song that will definitely be played is “I Melt” by Rascal Flatts. In choosing the five songs for students to vote on, junior class officers used iTunes to narrow down song selections. “We wanted to stick to the theme ‘Fire and Ice’, so we looked on iTunes for those words and also for songs that flowed,” Assaf said. “I Melt” was the clear winner after students voted, and “Ring of Fire” by Johnny Cash came in second place.

The writer can be reached at Hob181@gmail.com

All donations will be sent to Reston Interfaith.

Boxes for the items are in Mr. Shea, Ms. Hardy, Mr. Bigger, and Ms. Wolpert’s rooms.

Books Clothes Sanitary and hygiene items Non perishable foods Baby items

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Highlander

NEWS

March 27, 2009

SLEEP’s proposal rejected by community, school board Moises Cazal and Devan Kerley News Editors

The parent-led organization Start Later for Excellence in Education Proposal (SLEEP) faces their worst roadblock yet with rejection from the school board to move school starting times later. The final decision was made during a school board meeting on March 19 with a vote of 10-2.

The proposition is detailed in Iteration 3, a report from the Transportation Task Force. According to the report, elementary schools would have started the earliest—some at 7:50—followed by high schools, then middle schools as late as 9:40. This caused many logistical problems to residents throughout the county. SLEEP calls it disruptive and flawed, and does not regret its rejection.

Students seem to agree with this consensus. “My brothers are still in school so I would get home after they did, and

both my parents work,” freshman Dominic Henson said.

Henson’s concern about the care of younger students was shared by many, contributing to the failure of the proposal.

Freshman Melina Eames dislikes the idea of starting and getting out later. “Even if you get up earlier, you’re still going to get the same amount of sleep,” she said. Lack of support by students and parents alike led to the plan’s failure.

“Iteration 3 was not good enough,” cofounder of SLEEP Phyllis Payne said. “We preferred that the school board would have included the input from the community dialogues; adapt the plan to more of a consensus.”

The decision was made after receiving input from the community through an online survey posted on the county web site and town hall meetings. County reports from the community through the survey show concerns about transportation, traffic and extracurricular activities.

“When you get out of school later in the day you’re going to be pressed for time,” Eames said.

SLEEP believes the county’s decision will not deter them from their goal. “It has only been delayed,” Payne said.

“SLEEP is not an organization that will go away because the school board has not found a solution.” Payne plans to wait for improvements from the Transportation Task Force in routing abilities and efficiency.

“The need for later high school start times won’t go away,” Payne said. “It can’t, not as long as our teen students are coming to school exhausted and stressed out, sleeping in class and suffering the health consequences of ridiculously early bus pickups and start times.”

The writers can be reached at devan.kerley@ gmail.com and moisescazal@hotmail.com

Library will suffer major budget cuts

photo by Mohammad Tavakoli

from page 1 web resources will definitely remain because they are paid for by the county, such as Gale Cengage Databases. More obscure resources are at highest risk of deletion.

Cuccia feels the loss would be upsetting. “We would hate to get rid of some of these,” she said. “Proquest, for instance, and the smaller ones such as the Congressional Quarterly have been great for students to work on their class projects and essays.”

Additionally, the library staff will face repercussions because of the budget shortfall. Head librarians will have to work ten fewer days, meaning a tightened salary. “I’m working. It’s a job. Obviously, I’m not happy, but I have to deal with it.” Cuccia said. “Everybody has to give up something for the budget to work. We all have to do our parts.” Because ten days will be cut from her schedule, Cuccia will have a heavier workload. “I am definitely going to be much busier during the school year to make up for the lost days.” Cuccia said.

Library cuts are part of the 2010 Budget Plan, which aims to reduce the cost of supporting student learning by an overall $157.5 million.

“Each year, lately, the county has held back more and more. A few dollars here and there, but they’ve usually given it back at the end of the year.” Cuccia said. “This time we’re likely not going to get the money back.”

The change is worrying for many students. “I use the library after school quite a lot and I know I’m not the only one,” junior Charlotte Lee said. “I rely on it to do all my homework after school because I just cannot focus at home, and I don’t have the same computer programs available at my house.”

Students agree that library reductions will be detrimental to their studies. “Where else am I supposed to study?” sophomore Zach Pottanatt said. “There is nowhere else in the school for [students] to do work together. It’s wrong for the district to take away these resources from us.”

However, the librarians remain optimistic. “We are not going to let the budget reductions affect the way we run the library,” Cuccia said. “The hours will stay the same, and we will provide the same quality services.”

The writer can be reached at shefali_hegde@ hotmail.com

EDITORIALS

March 27, 2009

Highlander

7

Trade sanctions and bake sales:

genocide needs more aggressive solutions Shefali Hegde Assistant News Editor

What the world needs most is a global Jiminy Cricket, a conscience stronger than individual human apathy and national political interests. From the Holocaust onwards, the response of the international community has continually been that of “Never Again.”

However, those words never seem to hit home. In Rwanda, Bosnia, and Sudan, the crises were ignored until it was much, much too late. The armed conflicts, the mass graves, the helpless international bodies, these all repeat themselves in an almost perpetual déjà vu.

Even right now, Darfur is descending into another man-made disaster, as the world powers simply watch with disinterested eyes.

In fact, lately there has been more concern for the lives of Darfur in the halls of McLean High School than inside the walls of the White House.

Sudan’s crisis intensified in the past few weeks, with President Omar Hassan alBashir expelling 13 foreign humanitarian organizations from the country on March 6.

The action will result in 1.1 million Sudanese refugees without food or water, and 1.5 million without medical care, according to the United Nations.

To this grotesque behavior, the U.S. State Department’s initial reaction was simply thus: “This action is certainly not helpful to the people who need aid.” Not helpful. Incredible. But, a ridiculous understatement is better than favoring the other side. The President of the U.N. General Assembly went so far as to call criminal charges against President al-Bashir “racist.”

Such laconic, breezy responses from the largest international powers are the most ma-

licious partners in genocide. The apathy towards the genocide on the part of common people is less worrying than the irresponsibility and sluggishness on the part of national governments and especially the United Nations.

Indeed, even the Student Anti-Genocide Coalition (STAND) at McLean High School has delivered a harsher statement than that of the president of the Genphoto courtesy of savedarfur.org eral Assembly. Protestors urge action in Darfur as many governments stand by on the sidelines. Many activists believe that the world (See page 3.) is watching once again as another genocide occurs.

The United NaBut they do not come close to combating cide program in history. tions, supposedThe United Nations needs to add some ly the world’s peacemaker, has played directly the complicated and corrupted power that is in the palms of the brutal Sudanese dictator, most worth fighting: the international bu- teeth to their policies, before they are all a man willing to starve half his country to reaucracy. The problem needs to be tackled undermined by dictators. Benign tools of peace-talking are never as effective as aggresdeath just to prove a symbolic point. The at its root.

Bake sales and “Save Darfur” T-shirts are sive mechanisms, such as no-fly zones and indictment against al-Bashir has been postponed for a year because of his actions. There wasted efforts when dealing with a power trade sanctions.

Most of all, the international body needs is even serious talk about removing the war like the United Nations. The main answer crimes charges altogether. Apparently in the here is not awareness from the general pub- to use its collective intelligence to create a spirit of “peace,” the United Nations is ready lic, although that is certainly something to solution that will save lives. And maybe, just fight for, but aggressiveness from the power- maybe, they can learn from history’s misto overlook al-Bashir’s horrific actions. takes this time.

From the international Non Governmen- ful people.

And the answer is definitely not appeasetal Organizations to our very own STAND club, genocide awareness groups have given ment, as Neville Chamberlain did sixty years The writer can be reached at shefali_ ago only to release the most systematic geno- hegde@hotmail.com enormous efforts to provide aid to refugees.

School should set incentive for consistent attendance Cat Davis Editor-in-Chief

As bad as it may sound, seniors need an incentive to come to class and no, “for your own personal educational gain” is not good enough.

After going through the college application process and finally knowing where home will be for the next four years, it is easy and probable (as much as teachers may deny it) to lose interest in high school. The incentive: take away final exams for seniors.

Come third quarter, seniors feel about ready to give up. Over the course of the last 12 months, they have been through the SAT, gone on way too many campus visits, filled out ungodly numbers of college applications, written countless essays dealing with meaningful prompts such as “your favorite word” or “your best experience,” spent hours waiting by the mailbox, refreshed the page so many times your hand started to hurt…needless to say, you get the point.

They have done all of this on top of a regular school schedule. Granted, this is all just a part of high school. Everyone has gone through it and will go through it. However, after all of this effort, seniors begin to weigh the issue of sleep versus school and, more often than not, they choose the first. This disease diagnosed to most second semester seniors is commonly referred to as “senioritis.”

Senioritis takes over lives. It causes seniors to overlook that 50-point essay due tomorrow, or that math test that has been put off for two weeks now. More importantly, “senioritis” forces students to ignore the “importance” of coming to class, which towards the end of the year can cause an angry call or letter arriving at your doorstep.

However, as unbearable as it may be, teachers still have valuable things to say and teach. But again, because of senioritis, the average senior does not think about what could

potentially be learned. Instead, they just do not show up to class. Seniors need to stop skipping so much and attend class for the last three months of their high school career.

But how? There is no way to convince seniors to attend class other than offer an incentive.

So, take away final exams. The catch: seniors must miss no more than three class days a year. Sounds like a stretch, but to make this realistic, the incentive has to be something you can work towards. If achieved, a senior would find him or herself with a cleared out schedule as opposed to three final exams lurking over their heads in May. At this point, teachers’ eyes are most likely popping out of their sockets. But in general, this idea can only benefit both teachers and students.

First, it would encourage class attendance. It is much better for a student to be present in class, actually listening and absorbing information, than for a student to miss 15 to 20 days of a class, not only missing the class, but also missing out on valuable information. This surge of attendance would promote more class participation and class discussion.

Also, as seniors, we have taken numerous tests over the past four years. At this point we know how to study and take a final. One more final exam is not going to send us off to college better prepared than we were before. In fact, because the majority of seniors are already into college, they will more likely than not continue their trend of not studying for the final at all.

For teachers of senior classes this incentive is appealing because they will not have to grade 120 finals well into June.

If the administration at McLean ever offers this as an option, it would be the teachers choice whether or not to offer this motivation to students.

Some may argue the unfairness of the “no finals” policy. If there is an unforeseen circumstance that causes someone to miss school, than that is too bad. This policy would be a big gift and if a senior misses school, even if it is not his or her

choice, they would be required to take the final. However, not missing more than three days of class can be done.

Others might argue that this system would mess up grades throughout the class because half the class might have to take a final and the other half would not. To the half that does not have to take the final, there are many easier supplements that can be offered such as a project. An “easy A” project is much more desirable than writing three comparative essays in 90 minutes.

Yes, exams are beneficial to students. They determine what a student knows and doesn’t know, but for a senior, final exams in most cases will not properly represent a student’s understanding in the class. Final exams for seniors are just pointless.

The writer can be reached at cdavis2871@yahoo.com

Student Opinions: 138 students at McLean were asked whether or not the policy of no finals for seniors who don’t skip is a good idea. Here’s what they had to say.

66 72

disapprove of the policy approve of the policy

8

EDITORIALS

Highlander

March 27, 2009

Obama’s new plan may disrupt upcoming school year Prianka Das Advertising Manager

Last week President Obama proposed his plan for advancing American education. Obama seeks to lengthen the school day, school week and, yes you got it, the school year.

He hopes to follow in the footsteps of South Korea. The Washington Post reported that “[Obama] encouraged experimentation in the public school system, including proposals to extend the school day... to bring the United States in line with some Asian countries whose students are scoring higher on tests... and to eliminate limits on the number of charter schools.”

As a student in the current public school system, I don’t think we should experiment with the current school system.

I don’t want all the students to be treated like guinea pigs in this new education plan. What people don’t realize at first glance is that this school extension will seriously intrude on the rhythm of American life.

We’ve been brought up with the current school system.

We all have an idea when seasonal breaks start and end. For years we have planned activities and summer and winter programs around a rough schedule. It is outrageous to even begin to comprehend the amount of adaptation it would take

PHOTO POLL:

to change schools throughout the country to an elongated schedule.

“We can no longer afford an academic calendar designed when America was a nation of farmers who needed their children at home plowing the land at the end of each day,” Obama said in his first presidential address on education to the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

In the same speech, Obama showed his dislike for summer vacations. “That calendar may have once made sense,” he said. “But today, it puts us at a competitive disadvantage. That is why I’m calling for us to rethink the school day to incorporate more time--whether during the summer or through expanded-day programs for children who need it.”

Are we really being repudiated as a “dumb” country? On the contrary, with our original school system we’ve risen to an incredible standard in education compared to powerful countries across the globe.

The United States has clearly led the world with the highest number of Nobel Prizes, totaling over 270. We are the country with the most patent filings. This indicates the system we have is a success, not a snag. There is no need to reconstruct an education system which Americans have become so familiar with for decades, and which has proved successful.

As students, we have a pretty good idea of the stress lev-

el most kids already have at school, especially high school.

We’re involved in numerous activities, have leaning towers of homework, and have a seven-hour school day to manage five days a week.

We also have a home life and personal interests separate from school to handle. Extending the school year will just increase the pressure we have to deal with and give us less time for just about everything. Junior Haleemah Qureshi said that the new plan would be stressful for those who are actively involved in outside activities.

“Some people who have interests outside those of the school curriculum will suffer from the extra emphasis on school work,” Qureshi said.

Freshman Chad Lasnier believes that extending the school year should be an option to some kids. But it would just increase the gap between the really intelligent kids and the students who don’t really care about school.

I understand that this plan is not set in stone and a huge amount of details need to be deliberated before it can be implemented. Still, before this idea gets too far, I want to point out that the proposal of making school longer is a little too extreme for my taste and I fail see any direct benefit in it.

The writer can be reached at priankadas91@yahoo. com

What do you think of President Obama’s idea of extending the school year?

“I can understand that it could be an improvement, but personally I would hate it.”

-Junior Abigail Dean

“Not my cup of tea.”

-AP US History Teacher Helen Stephan

“I think we should just keep it as it is. Breaks are useful and people who get As actually need that time to study.”

-Junior Daye Kim

Lowering drinking age has long-term benefits Torin Liberthson-Brown Assistant Editorials Editor

The idea of lowering the drinking age is a common topic heard throughout the halls. People whispering about what they did during over the weekend, how much they drank, who they were with, and what “went down” is a typical post-weekend activity.

Every weekend there is underage drinking going on. From parents to older siblings to family friends, there are many options for kids to buy alcohol. These people, and the kids, spend hardearned cash just to get their hands on what they need. The age 21 is more of a guideline than a restriction, viewed by most as just a minor obstacle in weekend plans. Many kids thrive on breaking the rule.

The National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984 required all states to raise their purchase and public possession of liquor age to 21. States that did not enforce this law were faced with a reduction in highway funds.

The drinking age has varied over the years in the United States. In the early 1970s, 29 states began lowering their ages to correlate with the newly reduced military enlistment and voting age of 18.

“I believe that if someone can fight in a war and be in the army, they should be able to drink freely,” junior Connor Dent said. “The age should be lowered to 18.”

18 is the perfect age. It falls between the end of high school and the beginning of college, enough time to have your own experiences, and decide for yourself if drinking is something you want to participate in.

In 1984, President Reagan signed the Uniform Drinking Age Act mandating all states to adopt 21 as the legal drinking age within five years. Soon all states had set 21 as the minimum drinking age.

In 60 other countries, excluding Japan and Iceland, the

drinking age ranges from 16 to 18, while places like China, Poland, Thailand and Portugal do not even have one in place.

So why is the United States still stuck at the age of 21, even with all the illegal possession?

“The United States has just as much alcohol use as other countries, it’s just more integrated into their culture,” Dent said. “Other countries seem to drink alcohol for taste, not purely for getting drunk.”

One must also consider all the exceptions to the law, as well. In some states, religious reasons and medical purposes are two exceptions to the age of 21 drinking laws. Location matters too; drinking in private clubs and establishments can be legal in other states.

Some states have another exception. If a family member is present and gives consent, or if it is on private property, drinking is considered legal. It is not clear which states hold these exceptions exactly, so you can never truly know when you are being illegal or not.

If kids don’t know what the boundaries are, they are sure to cross the line. Virginia has no exceptions to this law except for religious purposes; if there are going to be exceptions in some states, they have to be the same in every state.

“I know some people who have been addicted to alcohol, it destroyed them at a younger age so they would now avoid it in the future,” Lee said. “So the set back would not lead to a come back.”

If people are exposed to drinking when they are young, many won’t feel the need to go out every weekend and get smashed.

They would have already been through that stage, or already gotten over the hype, so it wouldn’t be a major part of their lives.

For a lot of people, if they have never tried drinking before, and then are exposed to art by Arthur Kwon Lee it at a later age, like in college, they can abuse alcohol in excess.

Drinking is very popular for those under 21 because of Drinking can be a new, exciting experience, but it should the thrill of breaking the law. It is a psychological fact that not necessarily be that way. It is something that should be kids, when they are told not to do something, want to do the done responsibly and in moderation. Learning this early is opposite. They will do anything to get what they want. The key to maintaining safe drinking habits. same thing is true for underage drinking.

“Drinking should be completely legalized, because if you The writer can be reached at torin.liberthson@yahoo. drink while you’re younger, you get over the hype and craze com of drinking,” senior Arthur Lee said.

EDITORIALS

March 27, 2009

Highlander

9

You’ve got no mail: FCPS’ problematic mail server to hear that I had sent both of them to his e-mail account. knows where they end up. When teachers don’t respond to eThere had to be six other students who gave the exact mails they never receive, and when administrators can’t offer same response. It wasn’t our fault that our article summaries advice on proposals they never receive, they take the blame and platform analyses didn’t make it to Government teacher when the e-mail system is at fault.

Ian Howell; the blame lay with Fairfax County’s infamous In regular e-mail land, your attachments and documents mail server. make it to the recipient. Most people don’t obsess over the “On a regular basis,” according to government teacher Ms. status of their sent mail; they assume that the client would Walker, e-mails “don’t get through.” She added that “they get not ‘lose’ their message, and continue on. In Fairfax County, dumped all the time.” though, you have to take the safe I understand that Fairfax side. You could always try sendCounty is in tough times. If we ing it again. Better to send three A working e-mail server is can’t get Bermuda grass for the messages saying “DID YOU GET not an extravagance; it’s esfield hockey, that’s understandTHIS?” than to have none arrive sential for the thousands of able. If the lunch lines won’t serve at all. teachers and students who Subway this year, I’m fine with it.

This is the point in my editoexpect it to perform.

But a working e-mail server is rials where I usually tell Fairfax not an extravagance; it’s essential County to do something. Infor the thousands of teachers and deed, the server issues need to be students who expect it to perfixed. But students, teachers and form. administrators don’t have to wait Ms. Walker has had so much trouble receiving e-mails on around for this problem to be solved. Anyone with an FCPS her FCPS account that she set up a Gmail e-mail for teacher- account should follow Walker’s lead and create a Gmail or student communication. She added that the FCPS e-mail Yahoo e-mail, then request that students sent e-mail there network seems to have trouble accepting major mail servers, instead. The e-mails list on the McLean website can include such as Yahoo. a warning about the hit-and-miss nature of Fairfax County eNot all teachers get aggravated when a piece of mail mails. And students, if they’re willing to go back to the 20th doesn’t make it, as history teacher Barbara Ruff said. century, can actually bring printed documents to teachers in “I’m not frustrated by it because I never expect technol- person, rather than attaching and sending them. ogy to work,” she said.

After all, when essay grades, parent-teacher communicaThe server issues have even hurt parent-teacher relations. tion and administrative proposals are at stake, we can’t afford Walker said that “parents get upset” when she does not re- to wait for FCPS to solve the server problem. spond to e-mails that never made it into her account.

Imagine a day in the life of FCPS’s mail server. A teacher The writer can be reached at sleet@ymail.com marks a student down a grade because she never received his essay on the Berlin Wall. An administrator sends a package of budget documents to his Fairfax County account; only God

photo by Ned Burchfiel

Ned Burchfiel Managing Editor

I learned about FCPS’s mail problem last October—the very day that an AP Government essay and quarterly journal were due. My teacher asked me where my assignments were, only

“

“

Students broaden knowledge outside of McLean Ali Shapiro Editorials Editor

L

earning inside the classroom is not always fun. Teachers will lecture, give worksheets, write notes on the board to copy and a lot of it is just tedious work that eventually gets stuffed into a binder pocket. While I understand that this work is essential for learning, classroom learning is not always the best way to gain an education.

Adventuring outside the walls of McLean is beneficial in so many ways and can immensely expand what you may be learning. Field trips are not just a way to get out of school and slack off. While it’s definitely more enjoyable to walk around a museum than sit in a desk for an hour and 45 minutes copying notes, there are more to field trips than just a fun bus ride and a free period.

Shying away from textbooks and whiteboards is not a bad educational decision and can be what’s standing in the way of a broader education. The teachers at McLean definitely provide the basics students need to know in order to pass SOL’s and final exams, but there is so much more than the fundamentals of learning. Field trips to museums, other states or even foreign countries are so beneficial in providing that extra learning.

McLean is so close to an area that is full of places to explore. People desire to go visit D.C. in order to view one of the many museums available that educate people on many topics. D.C. offers museums of art, history, space, news, crime and so much more. With such a wide range of places to go and discover, it seems almost impossible that students even stay in classrooms, considering there is somewhere to go for almost any subject.

For many students at McLean, field trips can be more than just a couple hours outside of school and can last almost weeks. Foreign language classes often take trips to countries around the globe. For students who are attempting to learn another language, it can be extremely difficult to fully comprehend it while sitting and simply reading a textbook. Not only can traveling to a particular country aid in learning the language, but there’s so much about culture and society that is just impossible to learn unless someone is really there.

This weekend, German students with high enough grades are traveling to Germany for about two weeks in order to learn more about the language and way of living. Trips such as these could cover multiple chapters in a textbook and so

much more. The opportunity of going to a different country will create lasting experiences that will stick in one’s mind more than a page of notes they may have received in class.

Interesting lessons in school are easier to pay attention to, and therefore one absorbs more information. Excursions such as these can be so interesting that, although someone may be learning the same thing they would have by listening to a lecture, it’s easier to fully understand and enjoy an overall educational lesson outside of class. Obviously, seeing the real Eiffel Tower in Paris is so much more interesting than looking at a measly picture in a book.

Other classes, such as band and chorus, venture out on trips to showcase their talent to hundreds of people. The drama department will be traveling to Scotland this summer to perform at the American High School Theatre Festival.

The trip will provide students with an opportunity to visit an interesting country and to represent McLean in a huge theatre event. Along with representing the school, students will be able to view other productions and hopefully learn about how to improve their own productions for upcoming years.

Publications at McLean, such as journalism, broadcast journalism, and photojournalism, go on yearly trips across the country to participate in competitions and courses that serve as teaching tools that can’t be taught in class. Oceanography students go on trips to further understand topics that are tricky to teach in a classroom with just fish tanks.

Students at McLean are greatly privileged to be able to travel farther than classroom to classroom and experience what many high school students, and even adults, don’t have the chance to. Students are fortunate to receive educational options other than getting textbooks and copying notes. Students at McLean should not take for granted the chances to travel and leave the school to explore new things. It’s something that many other people wish to do.

The administration at McLean is very generous to teachers who wish to send their students somewhere other than just they’re classroom. Field trips can cost a great deal of money, especially ones that require pricey transportation, such as travel buses or airplanes. The county, which approves all field trips, is using money that could be put to resources or tools for classrooms and allowing students to travel miles and miles and receive enlightening information about a subject.

Students certainly need to look at field trips as more than just time out of school and realize that the county is doing them a huge favor by allowing them to leave the classroom.

The writer can be reached at alison519@gmail.com

art by Zenobia Morrill

12

IN-DEPTH

Highlander

March 27, 2009

13

Crime and punishment McLean neighborhood sees spike in crime Holly Betancourt In-Depth Editor

Chesterbrook Woods resident senior Carolyn Chastka parked her car in her driveway last Wednesday night only to find it gone hours later.

When Chastka woke up , she heard that her 2004 Honda Accord was stolen. “In between the hours of 9 p.m. and 2:30 a.m. I got a phone call from the police to let me know they found my car,” Chastka said. “Someone stole it and burned it.”

Chastka had parked her car in her driveway for the night and locked the car doors, but the police found the car on the corner of Franklin Park Road and Chain Bridge Road only hours later.

Recently there has been a rise in crime in McLean’s Chesterbrook Woods neighborhood.

As a result, the neighborhood restarted their neighborhood watch program a n d urged residents to be vigilant.

At a meeting Monday, held by the Chesterbrook Woods Citizens Association (CWCA) at Chesterbrook Elementary School, neighbors addressed the recent increase in crime.

Captain Steve Thompson, Commander of the McLean District Police Station attended the meeting and answered questions from Chesterbrook Woods residents. Thompson stressed that if you see anything suspicious you should immediately call the police.

“It’s never a burden [to call the police],” Thompson said.

“We are here to answer calls.”

Recently, incidents in the neighborhood have involved peeping toms, car break-ins, and possible drug deals. According to Thompson, the McLean police station has recently received two calls of what citizens believe to be drug transactions.

As for overall crime in McLean, Thompson said that it is down in most categories except burglary which has increased slightly.

Another incident occurred in the same McLean neigh-

Changing legal consequences at 18

Molly Welch Managing Editor

borhood on March 6. In the morning a resident was attacked by three men. His pockets were searched and the man was kicked in the back.

He will most likely need surgery, according to the CWCA security incident report.

Just four days later on March 10, a suspicious person tried to open a locked glass door from a deck, according to an e-mail sent to Chesterbrook Woods residents. A 9-year-old girl saw the incident and her parents called the police. The police sent a helicopter to survey the area in hopes of finding the suspicious person.

According to Thompson, a helicopter comes to an area depending on availability.

In the same neighborhood, senior Alex Chamberlain’s 2007 silver Toyota Camry was keyed last Tuesday night while it was parked outside of his house. “[The key markers] are all the way d o w n the drivers side,” Chamberlain said. To restore his car, Chamberlain must bring it to the dealer and get the paint job fixed.

Thompson said, as of now, the different crimes appear to be a bunch of random acts, but that the incidents are happening mostly at night.

At the meeting, one resident asked what was happening with crime in schools, including McLean.

“The schools have been pretty quiet,” Thompson said in response to the question.

“We’re not seeing much gang activity in our schools.” He also mentioned that the police meet with the principals for this area’s schools quarterly to discuss events occurring in their respective schools.

Still though, Chesterbrook Woods residents like junior Jessi Ende are feeling uneasy.

Ende said she is disconcerted by the incidents in the neighborhood.

“I don’t feel as safe as I used to because all the crime is happening around me.”

The writer can be reached at hob181@gmail.com

photo by Mohammad Tavakolii

Turning 18 isn’t just another birthday—legally, that is.

It also ushers in adulthood with all its unpleasantries, including more accountability for legal infractions.

“For one thing, they go to two separate courthouses for their hearings.” Fairfax County Police officer Tawny Wright said. “The main difference is that one person is an adult and the other is under 18.”

One group of upperclassmen found this increased personal responsibility minimized consequences for illegal behavior. Senior Kyle McColgan hosted a beer pong tournament at his house for around 40 upperclassmen boys.

All involved were under age 21, but some were 18 years of age, while others were younger. Midway through the tournament, which took place during the day, the boys were interrupted by police o f f i c e r s’ arrival at the house. “ W e were cooperative and respectful to the cops and didn’t lie or try to run,” McColgan said.

“That was the key.”

According to McColgan, the police officers divided the boys into those who were over age 18 and those who were not. The 18year-olds were taken outside and allowed to leave without calling parents. This group of boys was not charged.

“Everyone over 18 got off completely,” McColgan said.

In contrast, the boys under 18 were instructed to call parents to be picked up from McColgan’s house and received unofficial court dates. This group of boys is also liable to be charged for their underage drinking offense for up to a year or until they turn 18.

Similarly, one freshman, who wished to remain anonymous, charged with drunk in public, possession of alcohol, and underage drinking has an impending court date and predicts that she will have to take classes and participate in community service.

“If I’m clear for a year, then it’s taken off my permanent record,” the freshman said.

Another 18-year-old senior, who was arrested this year for being drunk in public, said that

he received only slight penalties since he is legally an adult. The senior will have a Class 4 misdemeanor on his permanent record, has to pay a fine of $97, and will only have a court date if he does not pay the fine online.

Students who get into legal trouble before turning 18 are often court-ordered to participate in educational programs to help prevent future infractions. Underage drinking offenders often have to participate in the Stay Alive for Education (S.A.F.E.) program as a part of the penalties for their actions. S.A.F.E. consists of four classes, two of which are workshops.

One senior student who participated listened to a speech by a member of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and visited the Intensive Care Unit at Inova Fairfax Hospital. Parents attend two sessions with their children.

“The mom [from MADD] we listened to has been giving speeches for nine years and she still cries every t i m e ,” the senior said. “They show you everything; it’s so graphic. I would never drink and drive after seeing that.”

Seniors, regardless of age, also have to consider not only legal impact of their decisions, but also how criminal activity can affect college acceptances.

One McLean graduate had his acceptance rescinded from Virginia Tech after being apprehended for drinking on school grounds and consequently being suspended for five days. “[My coaches] smelled the alcohol on me and knew I was drinking,” the student said.

“When Tech found out [I had been suspended], they weren’t too happy.”

Legally and otherwise, McColgan feels that turning 18 provides a heightened awareness of responsibility for students.

“You’re really forced to start taking responsibility for your actions,” senior Kyle McColgan said. “Stuff stops just going away and actually impacting your record and the rest of your life.”

The writer can be reached at mwelch34@yahoo.com

10

EDITORIALS

Highlander

March 27, 2009

Invasive program SynchronEyes angers students Henry Kuhl Reporter

The school gives us computers to do work. We do work on them, and when we are done with our work, we may play a few games or surf the web. Apparently, this is considered abusing the computers.

But what is the harm in these games? The websites that are “bad” are blocked, so why are we not allowed to visit sites that remain accessible?

The program SynchronEyes, that allows teachers to see what all students are doing on their computers, is a disgrace.

It is a violation of our rights and an invasion of our privacy.

The school gives us these computers; they should let us use them in a reasonable manner.

I can understand website blocking. Students shouldn’t be allowed to surf Facebook, or go on other inappropriate websites during school hours because that could encourage inappropriate activities such as cheating. But what I don’t understand is why the restrictions placed on students are so severe. Students should only in extreme cases be locked out of their accounts, because this will prevent them from doing their work, especially if they are in a computer-based class.

Besides, there really is no harm at all in playing an innocent game such as “Brick Bat” or “Text Twist,” or many of the other internet games that students play.

It is also completely wrong that the teachers are watching us. That is a total violation of our privacy “If I want to do some homework, or read my email, I don’t want them to be seeing it.” Sophomore Sean Zolghadr said.

Even worse is that we are not supposed to use email in the

library. Students that don’t have printers at home use email to send files from their home computers. They then can print them out at school. This is a useful resource, and it is not feasible to me why it would ever be prohibited or discouraged.

Many students are also not aware of what the ramifications will be for abusing the computers. An entire video on sexual harassment was aired at the beginning of the year, but I saw nothing of the sort related to computer use. These rules can be found in the Student Rights and Responsibilities, or SR and R, but the SR and R booklet is so lengthy and extensive that students don’t even bother to read it.

Because of this lack of consequential knowledge, students are left to wonder what is against the rules and what isn’t. Then, when they use the computers for something that they thought may have been permitted, they are reprimanded, and that just isn’t fair.

Even the students who do know the rules probably don’t know the consequences. This information is not easy to access, and it almost seems as if the county wants us to get in trouble.

“Even though some kids don’t get any work done, most are able to complete that work and still have fun during a computer-oriented class,” freshman Matt Commins said “SynchronEyes takes that ability away.”

Commins and Zolghadr agree that it was a waste of money for the school. “With so many budget problems, SynchronEyes should be the last of their worries,” said Commins. A license for the number of computers in the library cost $779, according to

Too little homework leaves students desperate Asli Uyanik Reporter

The

When I got my progress report I saw I was only 0.05 points away from the A that I worked so hard for and the worst part was knowing that one measly homework point would have gotten me an A. In my Spanish class, for instance, my entire class always does poorly on PALS and we end up pleading for more homework just so we can salvage some part of our grade.

Spanish teacher Linda Shultz said, “The foreign language department agreed that homework can only be 8 percent of a student grade.”

It’s the same with almost every other department: they agree on the percentage homework can be and apply it to every class. I think that if an entire class is not doing well, there should be some leeway because every student has different learning styles and needs than others.

I have realized that my hardest classes tend to be the classes that just give tests and in-class assessments and refuse to give what most teachers consider “busy work.” For students like me who are horrible test-takers, the lack of homework leaves us unsure how to be successful in that class.

The bulk of my homework is studying and reading which, sadly, teachers do not award any points for other than in the form of quizzes or tests. A couple of worksheets here and there could help raise our grades those couple of extra points and also reinforce the material that we learn in class.

A good alternative for teachers that do not want to just give points is the method that math teacher Michael Farmer and the Pre-Calculus teachers use.

He said that he does not give points for homework in upper level math class because it’s an elective and not a SOL based course. Instead, he gives the students homework quizzes. The points from these quizzes add up to the same amount of points as checking homework. Students can also make corrections on some quizzes to gain back points, helping bad test-takers raise their grades.

Homework can not only raise a borderline grade and help bad test takers, but it also helps us practice and reinforce what we learn in class. I hate to say it, but homework can really help students learn tough subjects. It can also help students like me that have trouble with memorization because they will begin to remember the information through the repetitive worksheets.

Managing Editors

Circulation Managers

In-Depth

Bridget Berry Paige Kinghorn

Holly Betancourt

Assistant In-Depth

Editorials

Cammie Meade

Ned Burchfiel Molly Welch

Ali Shapiro

Reporters

Assistant Editorials

Photo Editor

Torin Liberthson-Brown

Chris Herron-Venancio Henry Kuhl Zenobia Morrill Reza Masghara Daniel Jabbour Danny Marx Asli Uyanik Ryan Flamm

Mohammad Tavakoli

Features

Online Editor

Jasmine Mohandesi

Sarah Albani

Assistant Features

Advertising Manager Prianka Das

Section Editors News Devan Kerley Moises Cazal

Assistant News Charlie Park Shefali Hegde

graphic by Henry Kuhl and Charlie Park

A

52 days of school until summer vacation.

A

14 students won at the DECA State Leadership Conference.

B

SGA placed posters around the school reminding students to clean up their trash.

C

Students can no longer eat in the hallways for lunch.

D

Drastic restrictions have been placed on computer usage.

F

We are proud of being #55 in the nation, but the banner has gone too far.

The writer can be reached at simka115@ hotmail.com

http://www.mhspress.com

Cat Davis Talia Roth

The writer can be reached at henry_kuhl@yahoo.com

Highlander Report Card

Highlander Editors-in-Chief

head librarian Carol Cuccia.

If they are going to give us the privilege of using these computers, then we should be allowed to do more than just schoolwork.

Nikki Kaul Bryan Kress Rubina Sarkisian Danny Jabbour

Sports David Berk Lizzie Masghara

Assistant Sports Andrew Davis Ibrahim Jacobs

Adviser Amy Poe Volume 53, Issue 8 Published 12 times yearly McLean High School 1633 Davidson Road McLean, VA 22101 703-714-5838

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Highlander

FEATURES

March 27, 2009

Engaged and underage young marriages face new generational challenges Talia Roth Editor-in-Chief

now” to things like having kids later and living together unmarried.

S

S

ternheimer does not mean that a proper education is impossible after marriage, but she said that it “creates a few more challenges, you have to take someone else’s needs into consideration,” she said.

Young couples should not expect a perfect marriage, either. “Really examine what your expectations are,” she said. “That’s the challenge. Many people have unrealistic expectations at any age, but especially when you are looking for someone to define who you are.”

Podlasek agrees that she needs to know herself before she can know who she wants her husband to be. “I’ve changed so much in high school,” Podlasek said. “You change in college. There are so many people I haven’t met. I don’t want to close off any possibilities.”

Bob Stritof has seen a major difference in the past 46 years. He said the pressure of getting married has greatly been alleviated. “I don’t think young couples think they have to get married today and their parents agree that they should wait, quite a difference from our generation,” he said.

he met him in history teacher Barbara Ruff’s 7th period AP US History class. He was the new guy at school and very shy. They began talking and getting to know each other. She never expected that, two years later, she would be engaged to marry him.

“It was about a year and a half into [the relationship],” 2008 graduate Rachel Byrne said about marrying 2008 graduate Aaron Wolfe. “I realized it was going to happen a lot sooner than I expected.”

Byrne and Wolfe plan on marrying in July of 2011. She knows that what she is doing isn’t common or necessarily popular today. “I know I’m really young and I’m aware of that,” she said. “I’m not naïve, but I’m ready. I’m ready for it.”

U

niversity of Southern California Sociology Department Lecturer Karen Sternheimer called young marriage currently “so unusual.” But Byrne’s decision was once the norm, according to Sternheimer.

She said during the decade after WWII, it was much more likely.

Since the 1960s, couples have been postponing marriage. In 1950 and 1960, the median age for marriage was 22.8 years for men and 20.3 years for women. In 2006, for both men and women, the median age for marriage had increased by more than four years for both genders.

“Essentially at 18, you could earn a decent living and have a family,” Sternheimer said.

Now, “it is not as economically feasible. Most people need more training after high school to be successful; if people get married young, they might not have those opportunities.”

Bob and Sheri Stritof, marriage guides for About.com, were married in 1963. “At age 23, I was the last of all my friends, some of whom were younger than me, to get married,” Bob Stritof said.

Today teenagers often aren’t thinking of marriage. Senior Angela Podlasek has been dating her boyfriend for almost two years, but said marriage really isn’t on her mind. The only time she has talked to her boyfriend about marriage was jokingly about having kids and what their names might

A

be. “As a girl I want a perfect wedding and prince charming,” she said. “I want to get married, but I’m not ready now.”

Sternheimer credits the shift in marriage times to the changing role of young adults in society.

“What’s really changed a lot is the way we socially define young people,” she said. “We largely expect them to be in an extended adolescent period. That’s different earlier in the 20th century when they would’ve had the same responsibilities adults would have had.”

In agreement, Podlasek said she also believes dating has become more of a relaxed concept. “These days dating is more of a casual thing,” she said. “Society is more open

nother major change in the idea of young marriage is the way this culture perceives it. “Now young marriage is looked down on,” Sheri Stritof said. “Many young couples today realize the importance of being older and having finished their education prior to getting married.”

Bob Stritof thinks the shift in perception is due to a change in the expectations of those entering marriage. “The general perception is that young couples today are not ready for marriage, not ready emotionally or financially,” Bob Stritof said. “That didn’t use to matter.”

Now 18, Byrne said despite some of her friends and family being “shocked,” she is sure of her decision.

“I’ve always known that I wanted to marry him,” she said. “Age doesn’t really matter to me. I feel we’re mature and responsible enough to really understand what we’re about to do.”

The writer can be reached at talia.roth@hotmail.com

Photos courtesy of Rachel Bryne 2008 graduates Rachel Byrne and Aaron Wolfe will be getting married in July 2011. The couple met in Mrs. Ruff’s AP US History in fall 2006 and were engaged to be married on January 9th 2009. Wolfe proposed to Bryne at a Disney theme park as can be seen in the picture to the right. Wolfe gave the above left engagement ring to Bryne.

FEATURES

Top ten picks for spring break

HOT SPOTS

March 27, 2009

SAN JUAN

1.

The name means “rich port,” but Puerto Rico is the perfect solution for anyone who wants to be surrounded by natural beauty, historic sites, and culture. Activities include scuba diving, going to markets, and dining at deluxe restaurants. Night life includes clubs and casinos.

THE 2. Jamaica Bahamas

5.

Warm water, clear seas, white-sand beaches and sunshine. The 700 Bahama Islands are the perfect place to go to relax and tan. The trip is affordable, popular, and full of leisurely activities.

3.

Jamaica is filled with tons of beaches, history and sunshine.

Music, art, and culture are a big parts of a trip to Jamaica, along with good restaurants, shopping, and golfing.

6.

ARUBA Bermuda

Dreams come true on this beautiful island with a clear ocean and white beaches. Its diversity includes people from South America, Europe and those from other Caribbean islands, bringing a large international cuisine and a number of different languages.

A number of various activities include hiking, diving, shopping, and sunbathing.

Miami is filled with an endless night life and multitudes of beaches. The perfect place to have fun, it also includes a diverse group of restaurants and art centers.

4.

MIAMI

This small island offers tourists with lots of marine activities.

Its famous “Ribbon of Green” includes ecological reserves, rolling hills, gold courses, and classic homes and gardens.

Snorkeling and scuba diving is extravagant due to the great coral reefs and shipwrecks.

Its pink-sand extravagantly colored seas are surrounded by underwater coral reefs.

7.

CABO This paradise is located at the tip of the Baja Peninsula off the Pacific Ocean. The towns are lively at night and laid-back during the day. It is known for its golf courses along with its extraordinary marine life.

Fine dining and nightclubs are found all around the town. photos courtesy of applevacations.com

Highlander

15

8.

CANCUN This area is loaded with restaurants, night clubs and shopping areas.

Outdoor activities include snorkeling, scuba diving, wind surfing, water skiing, deep sea fishing and jungle tours.

Punta CANA Anyone would

9.

be swept away by this secluded island in the Dominican Republic. Palm trees sway along the line of beaches. Golfing, clubs, and handcrafts are a big part of a visit to Punta Cana along with dancing Merengue.

The keys The Keys are filled with a wide range of different outdoor activities. They are home to the United States’ only living coral reef which makes the diving and snorkeling experience great. Sports fishing is another extremely popular activity found in the Keys. If you’re not a fan of the water, things like hiking, waling trails, and guided ecotours are available.

10.

info by Rubina Sarkisian

16

FEATURES

Highlander

March 27, 2009

In character: professionals comment on inaccurate media portrayals Many grow up thinking a profession is exactly like what they see on TV, but just how realistic are the shows you watch? Do medical practices really have so much drama? Is a paper company as dysfunctional as it seems? Is it really that easy to catch a criminal? Is being a secretary for a fashion magazine actually more than just being a personal therapist for the boss?

graphic courtesy of ABC Studios Productions

“The doctor’s personal life does not coincide at all with real life,” GWU Medical student Meera Shah said. “In terms of politics, there is a professional code that doctors have to follow and abide by.

The cases are pretty accurate for the most part, but since it’s a drama, the show only picks the most rare and dramatic cases.”

graphic courtesy of NBC Universal Television

“Ugly Betty is kind of true in the sense that we also do work with photographers and photo shoots, but the show is mostly about Betty’s life in a job you would expect someone who is beautiful and rich to have, but Betty is the complete opposite,” Newsstand Manager for Northern VA Magazine Carla Sanchez said. “In my job, we don’t focus so much on the lives of the employees, it’s completely professional.”

“Law and Order is not very realistic in the courtroom,” lawyer Ted Sibert said. “The show has to dramatize it to make it interesting. In real court, you cannot say as much and it’s a lot slower and more methodical. You can’t just say whatever you want.” graphic courtesy of NBC Universal Television

“Overall, The Office portrays dull work at a company fighting to stay in business where employees are surrounded by an incompetent management,” Marketing and Creative Coordinator for LCI Paper Joshua Birch said. “Dunder Mifflin sells copy paper and office supplies while LCI Paper sells blank invitations, wedding quality envelopes, specialty paper, and accessories. Watching the Office, you get the sense that they’re in an outdated business trying to sell copy paper to companies that are trying to use less paper.

On the Office, branch manager Michael Scott is more interested in his employees’ personal lives than their productivity. LCI’s owner, is completely different; he’s bright and insightful. Michael Scott would rather do anything but work.”

graphic courtesy of ABC Studios Productions

infographic and info by Danny Jabbour

FEATURES

March 27, 2009

17

Highlander

Economic downturn $trikes college acceptances Jasmine Mohandesi Features Editor

e-mails asking them to rescind my acceptance which they finally did.”

“It would have been awesome to go The economy is at its lowest point in decades. Growing financial concerns are to Duke if the economy was not so bad,” forcing students to stay in-state and to Thompson said.

“I want to go to medical school,” decline acceptances to private institutions.

With families unable to afford tuition Thompson said. “If I went to Duke for and the ruthless reality of this economic undergrad as well, then I would be in super downturn, many students at McLean have debt. Maybe I will go to Duke for medical become obligated to rethink their college school when the time comes.”

Senior Eliza Enriquez is in a similar acceptances.

Senior Joe Thompson was accepted to situation. Enriquez was accepted to Cornell Duke University early decision but had to University as well as several in-state colleges, but has recently been forced to contemplate rescind his acceptance.

“I applied early decision to Duke, which if going in-state would be a better decision.

“I would love to go to Cornell,” Enriquez was binding,” Thompson said. “But because the economy is so bad, I sent Duke a few said. “But William and Mary and University of Virginia are both great schools and definitely more cost-effective. I feel like deciding where to go next year is more difficult than the actual application process was.”

Senior Paul Capp is hoping for scholarships to boost his chances of going out-of-state.

“I would like to go outof-state,” Capp said. “But depending on whether I get enough scholarship money, I may have to stay in-state.”

Senior Caity Flint, who will be attending Virginia Tech next year, has applied for four scholarships to help her parents pay her art by Claudia Bolanos

Q: How do you

“If i ever buy a CD, it’s off iTunes.”

-Junior Rosie Boone

“I use limewire because its free.”

-Freshman Gershom Sacks

“I don’t want to spend money on individual songs.

I want to experience new music.”

-Sophomore Jacob Eyer

Cost of Attendance

University of Virginia (In-state, public)

Duke University (out-of-state, Private)

Tuition/Fees:

$9,490

$37,630

Room:

$4,119

$5,360

Board:

$3,590

$4,820

Books/Supples:

$1,150

$2,940

Personal:

$1,824

Total Cost:

$20,173

tuition.

“If I were to get all the scholarships I applied for, I could potentially get up to 14 thousand dollars,” Flint said. “I always have wanted to go to Tech, but the economy definitely gave me an extra push to go there, since out-of-state was no longer an option.”

Senior Alyssa Rajabi applied to schools in Virginia and West Virginia.

“Since we have such great schools in Virginia, going out-of-state is not really worth it,” Rajabi said. “I don’t want to have a

Since the introduction of digital media players like iTunes and peer-to-peer file sharing, CD sales have dropped steadily.

From 2007 to 2008, 17 million less CDs were sold according to NPD’s Digital Music Study.

One of the largest reasons that CD sales are falling is that people prefer buying single songs from iTunes instead of the complete album.

However, download sites have had trouble as well. iTunes can only maintain a staff of 10 and Touch and Go has cut 21 of its 23 person staff according to the Los Angeles Times. They have lost most of their staff because of the problems with the economy.

Many people prefer downloading songs illegally from file-sharing websites such as Limewire.

In an attempt to stop illegal downloads, the US may follow what other countries are doing: get caught sharing three times, and your internet access will be cut off.

A study has found that the number of people listening to music on mobile devices has increased, while there is a decrease in music sales. The problem with illegal downloads is that artists make zero profit.

“Artists get a percentage of the CD sales,” junior Jessica Burnam said. “When people illegally download music instead of buying CDs, their

$50,750

big burden coming out of college as a result of going out-of-state.”

Enriquez is hopeful that the new president will fix the economy that is so difficult for college students.

“Hopefully President Obama will get us out of all this,” Enriquez said. “I just hope that the economy gets better by the time we get out of college.”

This writer can be reached at mohandesij@yahoo.com

c ause C s e n u D iT

Chris HerronVernancio Reporter

including personal

sale

de cli

sales go down.”

Another problem with Limewire is the viruses one can download.

“I had Limewire but then my computer became slow,” junior Cristina Crawford said.

Online ad-supported music services such as Pandora and Last FM have increased in popularity, with Pandora’s users rising 18 percent.

YouTube is another source of free music and is now more accessible because of the introduction of the iPhone. It has an application including both YouTube and Pandora, though YouTube has recently stared censoring copywritten music from clips.

Still not all similar sites are prospering.

SpiralFrog, a pioneer of ad-supported sites, shut down on March 19.

With these types of online sites, it is difficult to make a profit because of the amount they pay for licensing.

However, independent music labels are suffering much more than major labels.

Stores that still continue to sell CDs require a guarantee from the independent labels that they can sell at least 5,000 copies.

Despite the current decline in compact disc sales, CDs have not yet disappeared.

“I don’t want to spend money on individual songs,” sophomore Jacob Eyer said. “I want to experience new music and I don’t care about the economy.”

ne

Lim ew i

get your music?

d n a re

Shown below are the costs to attend a typical in-state, public university compared to a typical private university. The costs of attendance for the University of Virginia and Duke University were taken from their respective web sites.

The writer can be reached at chrisherron1@ yahoo.com

18

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FEATURES

March 27, 2009

Highlander

19

“I Love You, Man” shows the guy love Bryan Kress Assistant Features Editor

to the dorky and socially-inept Peter. This changeup works in Rudd’s favor, as a majority of the film’s laughs come from his inability to act cool.

This marks the third collaboration between Rudd and Segel, after 2007’s Knocked Up and last year’s Forgetting Sarah Marshall. While this film provided tons of hilarious scenes, and plenty of lines that will surely be quoted by every teenager, it wasn’t as wellcrafted as the underrated Sarah Marshall, nor was it as endearing.

The film also has a stellar cast including Samberg, famous for his work on Saturday Night Live, who steals every one of his scenes with his pitch-perfect goofiness. Rashida Jones (The Office), as Peter’s fiancée, stands out in a cast full of men. J.K. Simmons (Juno), Jon Favreau (The Break-Up) and Jaime Pressley (My Name is Earl) round out the hilarious cast.

Although the film centers on Rudd and Segel, the supporting cast makes the film more amusing and provide plenty of entertainment.

What the film mainly suffers from is its predictable structure. It feels too formulaic and follows the romantic comedy (or in this case, “bromantic” comedy) norm too closely. The audience can easily predict the outcome of the story, which makes the film slightly bland. There are no surprises or twists, and it struggles because of this.

Even though the plot is weak and predictable, moviegoers will enjoy the goofiness that Rudd and Segel provide. I Love You, Man exceeds expectations as a comedy and shines the spotlight on two actors who have spent their careers in the background.

The film gives new life to Rudd and Segel’s careers, and also new meaning to the term “bromance.”

The first great comedy of 2009 has arrived in the form of I Love You, Man. Despite its obvious plot imperfections, the movie still delivers with great performances by stars Paul Rudd and Jason Segel.

The film centers around real estate agent Peter Klaven (Rudd), who has recently become engaged and faces the harsh reality that he doesn’t have any male friends to be his best man. In an attempt to find a best man, Peter goes on several “man-dates”, but he is unsuccessful.

He eventually meets Sidney Fife (Segel), and the two bond despite their polar attitudes. Peter is a sensitive, awkward dork while Sidney is a wild, carefree dude.

The remainder of the movie focuses on their relationship and the emergence of Peter’s more adventurous side.

The plot line is as ridiculous as it is amusing. The most blatant plot hole is the entire conflict in the movie. Peter struggles with finding a best man even though he has a younger brother, Robby (Andy Samberg). The movie doesn’t acknowledge this, nor does it supply a reaPhoto courtesy of Paramount Pictures son for Peter to disregard his brother.

However, this blemish is soon forgotten Peter (right), played by Paul Rudd, and Sidney (left) played by Jason Segel, bond as Peter and Sidney become friends. The as part of Peter’s quest to find a best man in the new comedy “I Love You, Man.” chemistry between Rudd and Segel is evi- The film benefits from Rudd and Segel’s real-life friendship and positive chemistry. dent and provides a sense of authenticity to Rudd, who has been on a comedic hot streak after highthe movie. The two men, who are friends in real life, play off each other through the many buddy scenes. profile movies like Role Models and Forgetting Sarah Marshall, The writer can be reached at bkress1992@gmail.com Their relationship in the film feels more like a genuine friend- is the greatest component of the film.

He switches from his trademark snarky, sarcastic character ship rather than two people acting in a movie.

Censorship: How McLean and the country stack up Nikki Kaul Assistant Features Editor

“In relation to other countries, I suppose we’re more liberal than most,” Rouly said.

In Syria, TV shows are changed around to meet Throughout their lives, people learn what is socially acceptable and what is not, what is moral and what is immoral. the standards of what is appropriate.

According to sophomore Farah Albani, TV Much of this is taught though the school system.

Components of censorship are expressed in school every- shows and networks will cut out provocative and obscene scenes. day. For example, in EngThe U.S. allows lish class certain books are for more material banned, movies watched to be posted on the in health class are previewed Internet or in other and chosen for appropriate forms of publicaviewing, and the computers “If songs are bleeped over tions, more than throughout school deny acon the radio, then they some Middle East cess to certain websites. shouldn’t be played at all.” countries and very According to sophoconservative nations, more Brian Roy, “we have -Lauren Jarrett where chat forums too much moral and politisophomore are enough to send cal censorship.” people to prison for Sophomore Lauren Jarlife. ett agrees with Roy and “Saudi Arabia is specifically says that music really strict on what should be censored.

“Censorship really bugs me,” Jarrett said. “If songs are material can be published,” Albani said.

Also, “on magazine covers in the Middle East, going to be bleeped over on the radio, then they should not girls on magazine covers are extremely covered up,” be played at all.”

Websites like Facebook, AOL and sometimes even You- Albani said. “When celebrities appear on magazine Tube are blocked. If a McLean student tries to access those covers, if they aren’t covered up enough, authorities will go and photoshop the pictures of the celebrities.” types of websites, they will be blocked by the FCPS server.

Books are perused over and carefully selected by a panel “Facebook should be accessible after school but blocked for Fairfax County Public Schools. Many books, such as The during school,” sophomore Yunsoo Bae said.

Still, some students believe that our school is more open Catcher in the Rye,The Color Purple and Families used to be challenged and some even banned from English classes in and allowing compared to others.

“

“

DELTA DRIVING SCHOOL OFFERS DRIVER’S EDUCATION AND BEHIND THE WHEEL. PLEASE CALL 703-573-1231 OR 703-593-4897 OR VISIT www.deltadrivingschool.net TO GET A FREE COUPON VISIT www.deltacoupon.net

Cens

rship

A number of books have been challenged by the school board and the community Proxy websites are forbidden from being created by students Dress code is emphasized Certain websites are blocked by the FCPS server ie. Facebook Videos that are shown in health class are selected by a censorship panel

Fairfax County.

“In Syria, books are not the biggest deal,” Albani said. “In general, books don’t cause as much controvery there as they do here.”

The writer can be reached at nikkster1@gmail.com

20

SPORTS

Highlander

March 27, 2009

McLean athletes draw collegiate attention

photo courtesy of CJ Rogers Senior CJ Rogers looked at numerous schools, but gave a verbal commitment to Emory and Henry College to play football in the fall.

photo courtesy John DeCrema Senior Kelly Hall (front) was recruited by Clemson University to row under Head Coach Richard Ruggieri. Clemson is a Division one rowing school and continually feeds rowers to the United States national team.

Reza Masgarha Reporter

photo courtesy of Grayson Dahl Senior Grayson Dahl, a nationally ranked lacrosse player, plans to play Division I lacrosse for Brigham Young University in Salt Lake City throughout his college years.

photo courtesy of Peter Brosnan Senior Peter Brosnan hopes to play college basketball for Mary Washington University in Fredricksburg, a division three school.

Are you an artist?

McLean High School has sent many athletes to play at the college level.

Kelly Hall, recruited by numerous colleges for rowing is part of the McLean crew club and has been rowing every year here at McLean.

“Growing up I played just about every sport. I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do when I got to high school,” Hall said. “I don’t really know what drew me to crew, a lot of my friends were doing it and they told me to try out. I went for it and fell in love,” Hall said.

According to Hall, McLean crew requires participation all year round. “There is no offseason.”

During the fall and winter, the crew team holds conditioning practices every day. They usually last around two hours and involve running, erging (rowing on machines) and sometimes even yoga.

During spring, the crew team holds practices on the Potomac River in Georgetown. Sometimes the team runs twoa-day practices during the school week, at five o’clock in the morning and again in the afternoons.

Hall has been recruited by Clemson, Syracuse, the University of Tennessee, and Old Dominion University. Syracuse University offered Hall a full-ride scholarship, but she has decided to go elsewhere.

“I’ve decided on going to Clemson to row. I’m planning to row all four years. After that, making the national team would be incredible. Right now I don’t see the Olympics as a realistic possibility,” Hall said.

Hall was awarded a partial scholarship for her freshmen year that turns into a full ride scholarship if she continues with rowing through her sophomore year at Clemson University.

Another athlete recruited from McLean is senior Grayson Dahl. He has been playing lacrosse since he was in the third grade.

“My sister started playing before I did, I sort of followed her into the sport,” Dahl said.

Dahl played one year of lacrosse on the junior varsity team before making the varsity squad as a sophomore and is currently a nationally ranked player.

Dahl has decided to go to Brigham Young University in Utah to play lacrosse. “After I’m done playing in college, I want to pass the game on to my kids,” Dahl said.

Good at graphic design?

Another athlete being recruited for football from McLean is Christopher “CJ” Rogers. Rogers, who has been playing for six years, transferred to McLean from Matthews High School in Matthews, Virginia.

Rogers came to McLean to play football in a higher division, something he thought would appeal to colleges when it came time for recruitment.

“If I was able to stand out at a school that has a high amount of competition, then colleges would be more eager to have me,” Rogers said.

Rogers has verbally committed to play college football at Emory and Henry University in Emory, Virginia.

“I was looking at a number of schools, but Emory and Henry is offering me a full ride and a chance to try out for a starting position,” Rogers said.

However, it wasn’t all fun and games for Rogers after football ended. Going through an almost year-long recruitment process, Rogers has had to put just as much time in the offseason in order to stay ahead.

“I lift at least four times a week, and the other three days I run around three miles to keep my endurance up,” said Rogers.

Even though Rogers will be graduating, he still participates in the offseason weight training program for McLean football.

Senior Peter Brosnan is also involved in the recruiting process. He has been playing basketball throughout his four years here at McLean: one year on the freshmen squad, one on junior varsity, and two on varsity.

The two main schools that have been recruiting him are Johns Hopkins university in Baltimore, and Mary Washington in Fredricksburg.

During the regular season, Brosnan participates in team practices that take place every day for two hours.

In the offseason, Brosnan participates in basketball conditioning and plays for a travel basketball team. “I play basketball all year round at a competitive level,” said Brosnan.

“I would love to play basketball all four years in college if I get the opportunity. After college, though, I plan to stop playing at a competitive level. I’ll definitely be interested in coaching as I get older,” said Brosnan.

The writer can be reached at rmasgarha@yahoo.com

Then The Highlander needs you!

(Come to Room S111 for more information)

SPORTS

March 27, 2009

The extra edge:

Highlander

21

Athletes use supplements to improve their game Elizabeth Masgarha Sports Editor

While any athlete would like to posses the ability to build strength and skill like clockwork, it doesn’t hurt to have a little boost to keep the progression going—legally, of course. Always close by and at a range of prices, a string of protein, recovery agents, and metabolic boosters have crept into the daily consumption of high school athletes.

“I go for the ones with the best recommendations, which are usually the more expensive ones,” said an anonymous source. “But when I first started taking protein and didn’t know much about it, I used cheaper ones and still saw good results.”

Although protein is allowed to be taken because it is a dietary supplement, other supplements like creatine and glutamine come in conflict with VHSL (Virginia High School League) regulations.

“All performance enhancers are banned,” athletic trainer David Lee said. “Protein is okay, but anything that allows you to gain muscle that is not natural is not allowed.”

What athletes find useful about these powders is the ability to see consistency. Most athletes hit some sort of “wall” when training when they feel as though they cannot continue because their muscles have simply “maxed out,” but having the ability to move past it seems to be a real motivator.

“It helps to know that I’m taking something that won’t hurt, but always help,” said senior Aaron Lesher. “Even if the results aren’t major, every little bit counts.”

Although many are skeptical about the use of these powders,

science is in favor of these mixtures and proves that results will come with constant use.

According to Medline Plus, a website sponsored by the National Institute of Health (NIH), “several high-quality studies have shown an increase in muscle mass with the use of creatine. However, some weaker studies have reported mixed results. Overall, the available evidence suggests that creatine does increase lean body mass, strength, and total work.”

Usually consumed between two to three times a day, an eight ounce glass of water or juice is required to be taken with the supplements, which for some can add up to a lot of liquid.

“I just carry around a gallon of water with me during school,” Lesher said. “The amount of creatine that I take requires me to drink about that much, so it’s easy to keep track that way.”

Every supplement takes on a task to enhance the body. One like creatine would help one take advantage of a full workout. Glutamine helps the muscles repair so one feels less sore the next day.

Those who want to gain weight use a more complex mixture that is specifically targeted to gain muscle gradually, but faster than the normal rate.

In high school, however, none of these substances are tolerated and coaches prefer to take a different route.

“I want my athletes to excel obviously, but they don’t need to do this in order to,” baseball and football coach Mike Noyes said. “I definitely do not endorse this type of behavior.”

The reporter can be reached at emasgarha@yahoo.com

Who’s on top: The brands that are beating out competitors Animal Pak is a mixture of creatine and protein in one that serves as the ultimate muscle builder.

This sells at $48.95 and can be taken two to three times a day.

This weight gain supplement goes for $94.99 a pack but is the number one selling supplement in America, according to VitaminShoppe.com.

photos by Elizabeth Masgarha

Glutamine is a common blend that serves to help the muscles recover after excessive use. This can range from $30-100, but all have the same ingredients.

better scores. better choices.

PrepMatters.

PSAT

|

SAT

So you’ve rocked your SAT? Now it’s time to roll through Subject Tests and APs.

by Ned Johnson, Founder and President of PrepMatters, Inc "Once more, dear friends..."

You've taken the SAT once, maybe twice. You've got a great set of scores. You're beginning to page through those thick college books and get excited. What now?

The good news is that the two most important factors in college admissions are grades and SAT or ACT scores.

Done. The bad news is that AP and Subject Tests are looming. Keep your cool, use your time wisely, and the spring of your junior year just might be doable!

All about Subject Tests SAT Subject Tests are a great opportunity to show that you're ready for the rigors of college course work. Not all Subject Tests, however, are for everyone. If you've got a college list together,

4918 ST. ELMO AVE BETHESDA, MARYLAND 20814 301.951.0350

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ACT

This is another creatine combo that not only contains protein but shots of caffeine as well. This mixture helps give energy right before a workout and works on the recovery afterwards.

individual test preparation & educational counseling |

SUBJECT TESTS

|

AP

|

APPLICATIONS

check with individual schools for their requirements: some don't require any, some require one or two, and very few require three.

You should take only those tests for which you are the most prepared. Just because your math teacher has covered all of the topics on the Math Level 2 test doesn't mean it's for you. The idea is to reinforce strong SAT scores - not undermine them. June is the perfect time to take a history or science - especially if you've just taken the AP course. If you need to put off a test until the fall, consider making that one Literature or maybe Math. In all cases, take some practice tests to see where you stand. If you feel that you will need many weeks worth of preparation to get ready you're likely taking the wrong test.

AP classes vs. AP tests Raise your hand if you or someone you know is near the point of melting down about AP exams this month. At the risk of invoking the ire of every AP teacher from here to California, I offer this advice: don't sweat them for they don't really matter. At least, they don't matter as much as other things or as much as you think. AP exams are not an admissions criterion for college.

Repeat the mantra: "Grades first. Grades first."

Grades are what matter most to the colleges you

info@prepmatters.com www.prepmatters.com

|

ESSAYS

hope to attend. That you take AP courses matters; it demonstrates rigor. That you do well in those courses matters; again, grades come first. In contrast, the scores you get on your APs really don't matter. When colleges sit down to look at your application, AP scores aren't even invited to the table.

So why do we do it?

Now, AP scores may matter once you are in college and hope to opt out of a 101 course and tackle the harder stuff early on or if you want to graduate early or double or triple major. However, those are separate issues from actually getting into college. If you study like a maniac to get a top score on the AP and, as a consequence, bomb a test, quiz or paper in that or another class, you have made a bad trade-off.

Grades first Ideally, you've been preparing all along, have a light workload in your other classes, and will do fabulously on your APs. But, if your life is harried, you're buried in work and you are stressing out, remember: grades first. You can get into the college of your dreams with lower AP scores in a way that you cannot with lower grades.

Grades first.

6721 CURRAN ST. McLEAN, VIRGINIA 22101 703.356.6390

22

SPORTS

Highlander

March 27, 2009

0-10, not again

Ibrahim Jacobs Assistant Sports Editor

Last season the football team went 0-10, a feat that no one on the football staff wants to see repeated. Players and coaches are working this off-season to ensure that this doesn’t happen again. After their final loss at Langley, they went to work.

“The day after the Langley game, our off-season began.

The majority of the players are conditioning in the morning session and afternoon. They are also participating in other sports such as lacrosse and track,” sophomore Francisco Bermudez said.

While the weight room draws the biggest crowd in terms of participation, many players are participating in spring sports such as track, soccer, baseball, lacrosse and crew to remain competitive and boost speed and endurance.

Commitment was the big issue that needed to be addressed this offseason. Charts of top performers in certain areas of weight lifting are one way that the staff is boosting competitiveness in an effort to draw more players into the weight room and other off-season workouts.

“A big point this offseason was the level of commitment because it hasn’t been good in the past. It must be a priority this year,” Coach Jim Patrick said.

The team went 0-10 but Patrick doesn’t feel the record is proper justification for the hard work put in by the players, he also saw positive things that can be built upon next year. “Our record wasn’t indicative of how hard we tried, we played a lot of younger guys and we got a foundation of where we wanted the program to go. It was frustrating at

photo by Ibrahim Jacobs This serves as a reminder to players and coaches of what happened last season and what must be done before next season. This was put up in the weight room by the football coaching staff and serves as motivation for the players to succeed. times though but we got bright spots to build upon to reach our goal of being a championship team,” Patrick said.

Another question could be that players would be less willing to play this upcoming season due to lack of success last year.

“I expect about the same amount of players to play next year but it just depends on their attitude,” sophomore quarterback Erik Johnson said.

Often times when a team is struggling, the first move is to cut the coach and start from scratch. This was Coach Patrick’s first head coaching job and his first season with McLean after being the offensive coordinator for Hilton High School for five years. However, players have expressed confidence in Coach Patrick.

“I am fully confident of Coach Patrick because he believes in us, so there should be a reason to believe in his coaching and his staff,” Bermudez said. He is taking over for Coach Rivera, who led the team to a 2-8 record.

Only two professional football teams have ever finished a season without a win, the 1976 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who are statistically the worst ever team in football, and the 2009 Detroit Lions. Although this happens quite frequently in college, most notably the division one Northwestern Wildcats

who lost 34 games in a row spanning from 1979-1982 and the Duke Blue Devils lost 24 straight from 1999-2001.

Cross-town rival J.E.B. Stuart who had previously endured more than two consecutive winless seasons, beat McLean this past season to break their streak. Although McLean has had a better record than J.E.B. Stuart over the past three years, the loss is one that players look to avenge next year.

All the hard work aside, it is hard to imagine that the team could make a complete turn around in one season because processes like this usually take time. What can be assured is that the team is doing everything possible to make sure that they finish better than last year.

“Not a day goes by when the core of our team isn’t thinking about how to get better,” Patrick said. While the players look forward to the first game that is being counted down in Coach Patrick’s office and the weight room the anticipation grows.

“I’m excited for the first game because I want to prove the people wrong that say that we’re no better than last year,” Johnson said.

The writer can be reached at Ibrahim.Jacobs@hotmail. com

Inside March Madness: predictions for who will come out on top Sweet 16

Elite eight

Final four

Final four

Elite eight

Champion

Louisville

Sweet 16

Pittsburgh Pittsburgh

Louisville Arizona

Xavier

Pittsburgh

Michigan State

Pittsburgh Villanova

Kansas Villanova

Michigan State Michigan State

Duke Connecticut

Pittsburgh

Connecticut

North Carolina North Carolina

Connecticut Purdue Connecticut

Missouri

Gonzaga

Syracuse

Syracuse Syracuse

Memphis Memphis

Oklahoma

info and predictions by Ibrahim Jacobs

Economic crisis may provoke athletic department frugality David Berk Sports Editor

This season, the boys and girls varsity soccer teams are scheduled to play 13 games, the boys varsity baseball team is scheduled to play 15 games, and the boys varsity lacrosse team is scheduled to play 10 games. Due to the current economic crisis, it is possible that next year these seasons could be ten, twelve and seven games long, respectively.

“The superintendent and School Board are talking about shrinking the schedules for several sports,” Assistant Activities Director Jim Linza said. “If they did, it would be in order to save money on transportation and paying game officials, which come out of the Board’s budget.”

According to Linza, in addition to shorter seasons, coaches’ salaries are currently less than they have been in the past, and they could suffer more cuts in the future.

“Coaches pay really only covers basic expenses like gas and food,” boys varsity soccer coach Mike Anderson said. “It

[coaching] is not about making money, so as long as the pay covers those expenses, it’s okay. I don’t think it [the cut in pay] will affect people’s want to coach because coaches don’t coach to make a living off it anyway.”

Some teams have had to forfeit spring break trips that usually occur every year. This, however, is only partially the fault of the economic crisis. In fact, most of the money that goes into teams’ spring break trips comes from the parents of the players.

“It [the economic crisis] hasn’t hurt us,” Anderson said.

“It is mainly that we haven’t gotten as many volunteer donations.”

The last major budget cut that the county could suffer is the dropping of sports. The sports that are under consideration for dropping are gymnastics and indoor track. The future existence of track has been debated among parents and county officials for several months this year.

“It starts at the top, where they’re talking about cutting

a number of sports, such as gymnastics and indoor track,” Linza said. “Most sports don’t make money, some don’t even charge admission, and those are the ones being looked at closest.”

The last major expense the Athletic Department has made recently was the installation of Bermuda grass on the main field during the summer of 2006 and Linza does not think that the school will make a similar purchase anytime in the near future.

“I can’t foresee a costly purchase anytime soon due to the current [economic] situation,” Linza said.

Other localities are not necessarily having the troubles that Fairfax County is having. For instance, “Arlington [county] might have 20 game seasons for some sports where Fairfax County schools would only have 14 game seasons,” Linza said.

The writer can be reached at dberk2@gmail.com

SPORTS

March 27, 2009

Highlander

23

Freshman soccer players represent the United States on national teams Andrew Davis Assistant Sports Editor

T

o many student athletes, playing on a high school varsity team is the pinnacle of their athletic careers. Many students exceed this and play on regional teams. However, some students are going even further and are even playing on national-level teams.

One of these students is freshman soccer player Caroline Gray. Recently, Gray tried out for and made the girls varsity soccer team at McLean. She also made the summer league national team for youth players. In addition, she is competing in the Super Y League, a youth soccer league that draws teams from all ages across the country and is considered to be the top level of youth soccer in the United States.

Gray was originally put into the national team system by her club coach.

She was selected to attend the team’s camp, and was eventually asked to join the team. Although she has not participated in many official events with the team yet, Gray is looking forward to some upcoming events.

She is particularly excited by the fact that her team will be playing against foreign countries.

“I am going to have to go to camp soon, and we will probably play some foreign teams. I think that we might be going to Britain soon,” Gray said.

Although she is playing at the high-

est level available to her, Gray does not necessarily see soccer as a career. She is also unsure about whether she wants to play soccer in college. Nevertheless, she is hoping that her high level of play and demonstration of commitment will help her when she applies to colleges.

For now, though, she is just trying to enjoy the experience of playing on such a highly competitive team.

“It is really very fun. We travel a lot and meet a lot of new people who are at the same level of school as us,” Gray said.

On the boy’s side, freshman and varsity soccer player Michael Russo also competes on several top-flight teams.

Russo made the varsity soccer team as a freshman, and currently plays for an under-15 club team called the Olney Rangers.

The Olney Rangers compete in the Region I League, and are ranked first in their age group nationally. They also compete in tournaments all over the country. They are planning to play a tournament in Dallas over spring break, and another one in California in May. In addition to playing for McLean and the Rangers, Russo also plays for the under-15 national team. He was originally selected to play on the team after scouts that were sent out to wellattended tournaments invited him to come play. The scouts look at and evaluate many players, but Russo is one of only 18 players currently playing on

the national team.

However, the competition to perform well and remain on the team can be fierce. According to Russo, there are many competitive players who are vying for a spot on the team. If a player is not performing at a high level, the coaches will not hesitate to replace them.

“At the end of the season, the coaches evaluate you and then decide whether or not you should stay on the team,” Russo said.

But being on the national team does have its perks according to Russo. One of these is the extensive traveling the team does. Many times the team will travel to a foreign country to play.

“We travel a lot, and play other national teams. So far we have played against the Italians, and planning some more games,” he said.

Another perk is knowing that he is playing at the highest level available to him. However, despite playing at such a high level, Russo is unsure about whether or not he wants to make a career out of soccer.

“I do not really know how everything as far as college is concerned will turn out. But right now I am just having fun playing because I love soccer so much,” he said.

The writer can be reached at adavisbb@yahoo.com

Freshman soccer players Michael Russo and Caroline Gray practice for their McLean teams. In addition to playing varsity soccer at school, they are both members of highly competitive club teams and the under-15 national team.

Photos by Andrew Davis

24

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Highlander

March 27, 2009

R un, don’t wal k : see what run is perfect for your workout Ch

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Location: Placed right in the middle of Georgetown, this trail follows M Street and then up the Potomac River. This scenic run is a flat surface that is perfect for long or short distances. The type of trail allows a runner to stop at any point and turn back depending on the type of workout they might want. Beginning on Wisconsin and M, the trail ends completely at Chain Bridge Road.

Directions: •Start right behind the Georgetown Park Mall •Run to desired point or until the end at Chain Bridge Road Watch out: Make sure you run in the proper direction because the trail is popular for walkers and for bikers.

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Location: This run starts on Maddux street in McLean and ends where Chain Bridge Road meets the Potomac. The trail follows Pimmit Run creek and goes through a very rural path for about 3.76 miles. This scenic trail keeps you from any watchers, allowing you to run in peace and quiet. You also have the ability to stop and turn around at any point, just run your desired amount.

Directions: •Begin on Maddux Road •Follow through the forest until you see the river Watch out: Keep aware of your surroundings constantly because this trail has no sidewalks for an actual path. Your only guide is the creak that runs until you reach Chain Bridge Road.

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The Loop: caution: once you start, you can’t stop Description: This trail circles Theodore Roosevelt Island, covering many noted points in Georgetown. The trail goes from cement, to gravel, to roadway. The elevation targets calf and thigh muscles on top of already working your abdominal and additional leg muscles. When in the mood for a more intense workout, this run is key.

Directions: •Pass John K. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts

•Continue past the Lincoln National Memorial •Cross the Arlington Memorial Bridge Watch out: There is a dirt path that you have to cross in order to continue on the loop and it leads you to the bike path. Continue through the bike path along George Washington Memorial Parkway. Cross the Key Bridge, and run underneath Whitehurst Parkway, pass the waterfront and end at Thompson’s Boat House.