The Patriot February 2011, Issue 4, Vol 46

Basketball Champs

Friend Me “The Patriot” investigates social networking with creation of Heather Williams

Both men’s and women’s make championship appearances, men take title

thepatriot

LIFESTYLE 6

SPORTS 15

February 2011

The John Carroll School 703 E. Churchville Rd. Bel Air, MD 21014

Check out JCPATRIOT.COM for the latest news and updates Volume 46 Issue 4

Photo by Jenny Hottle

‘Innovative’ exam sparks discussion

Photo by Kristin Marzullo

Barker to leave JC after 10 years Allison Walczyk Section Chief After serving 10 years as principal of JC, Paul Barker announced his resignation on Monday, Feb. 14.

Barker will leave at the end of this school year to become the president of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Olney, Maryland. Barker will officially start his new position July 1, 2011.

“I have not looked for a job in ten years,” Barker said. “When we decided to go to a president-principal model, which was over four years ago… I could have been the president, but I decided not to. I wanted to go for my doctorate, and I wasn’t ready.”

Barker found the position opening after browsing several job board websites.

“I had visited [Good Counsel] with Mr. Scholl back in 2003 or 2004. It has one of the oldest International Baccalaureate programs in the state, and I was interested in that,” he said.

Good Counsel is a co-ed Catholic school with over 1300 students.

English Teacher Dick Paaby and former Vice Principal Jim Long Barker originally hired Barker in 1991 as an English teacher.

“He was articulate, enthusiastic, and young, we needed young energy. I knew he would give a dimension that we didn’t have,” Paaby said.

Paaby feels that this is a good time for Barker to move on. “It’s the most natural moment for Barker to consider a new place, and the stars are aligning. It’s virtu-

ally irresistible, ten years is the right time,” Paaby said.

Barker recently re-entered the English classroom when he substituted for current English Department Chair Susan Fisher in the fall.

“He has a passion for English Literature, is extremely analytical, and loves to see students get it,” Fisher said. “Students were very disappointed when he went from teaching AP English to being principal.”

When asked about Barker’s new position at Good Counsel, Fisher said “I think it’s a great opportunity for him and a loss for us.”

“When the job came up, I thought See NEWS 3

Admin responds to Facebook investigation Lindsay Powell Reporter To investigate the role that social media and privacy play in JC students’ lives, “The Patriot” created a Facebook profile for a fictional 16-year-old named Heather Williams.

Within hours of Williams’s friend requesting JC students (Willams eventually was friends with 16.3 percent of the student body), students began posting on Facebook that Williams was a teacher or administrator.

[Read more about Heather Williams’ profile and friends on Page 6.]

“Heather Williams is like the John Carroll Administration looking at pictures or something so no one accept her friend request!!!!” one student

Index

posted on Facebook.

“It’s funny how John Carroll tries to make up people on Facebook and tries adding you as a friend to get you in trouble,” another student posted.

“I was friend requested by her. I accepted knowing that something was up, and then I deleted her like an hour later,” senior Pat St. Clair said.

“I added her, then stalked her profile and tried to figure out which teacher it was because they added only JC people,” freshman Maddie Day said.

Dean of Freshmen Sean Ireton understands why students would jump to the conclusion that the administration was responsible for the Heather Williams profile.

“I can see where the students would see that. Why would you think that your peers would do

Graphic by Jenny Hottle

that?” Ireton said.

“It really looked unseemly.

My first instinct was to see if it could be someone who could harm the students,” Dean of Students Tom Vierheller said.

But the administration was not the first to hear about Heather Williams.

“I was rather late in the process. A mother had called in about it. Thursday was when I find first found out,” Vierheller

said.

As parents were beginning to hear and wonder about this mysterious profile, the school had to take some kind of action. ”What now? Follow up with law enforcement in a reasonable time,” Vierheller said.

As the students began to suspect the administration, the administration began to suspect something much worse.

See NEWS 2

Teacher Richard Wojewodzki gave his two sections of Human Geography an Internet research-based and partially collaborative exam, sparking community discussion on traditional exam formats.

Joey Hoff, Jenny Hottle Editor in Chief, Online Chief With her laptop in hand, freshman Megan Greig curled up on the art wing floor and began taking her Honors Human Geography exam.

In January, social studies teacher Richard Wojewodzki administered a researchbased exam for his Honors Human Geography students, giving his students “full open access to the Net as well as collaboration with their peers during ‘exam time,’” Wojewodzki posted on his blog, “Teach Paperless.”

The 14-question exam, which Wojewodzki posted to his class blog on exam day, covered topics from the use of the word “soda pop” in New Mexico to the 2011 G20 summit in France.

“It was kind of confusing, and most of it wasn’t about knowing [facts]. The exam focused on how to learn and research to help ourselves form our own opinions,” Greig said.

According to Wojewodzki, the exam asked students to “reflect on a variety of skills they’ve learned over the semester to test your ability to actually become a researcher in Human Geography,” as opposed to testing one’s ability to memorize information.

Principal Paul Barker, who was “intrigued” by the “educational innovation experiment,” said, “I don’t know if I would prescribe it as a way to create exams, but it’s not an inappropriate way to hold kids accountable for what they can know and do and think about Human Geography— mission accomplished.”

Social studies teacher Rodney Johnson realizes that “in our school, we have the unique ability to teach things differently.

See NEWS 3

News...2 Lifestyle...4 A & E...7 In-Depth...8 Opinion...11 Sports...14

2 news Egyptian riots spark change, affect junior’s family Grace Kim Managing Editor Egypt is in turmoil.

All schools have been shut down, and it is no longer safe to go outside freely. Protestors have been in the city clashing day and night with their government as they demand a new face to lead their country.

According to the International Business Times, protests against President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt broke out in Tahrir Square in Cairo a day after the president announced that he would not voluntarily resign from presidency until the next election in September.

The protests were peaceful at first, however, within three days since the first protest day, the riots have resulted in the arrests of 500 demonstrators, 24 deaths, and about 1,000 injured.

President Mubarak has served a total of three terms and is 82 years old. Inspired by the uprooting of President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali of Tunisia by its citizens on Jan. 24, the rioters call out for the retirement of President Mubarak and a president elected by the people, rather than by the typical way of election by birthright.

According to the NY Daily News, Mubarak issued a four p.m. curfew for the whole country as protests grew more persistent.

The BBC has stated that Mubarak

issued the curfew to “stop riots, lawlessness, and attacks on property.” The protestors have defied this curfew since its announcement.

As a result, President Mubarak appointed Intelligence Chief Omar Suleiman as vice president on Jan. 29. For the first time during his near 30 year presidency, Mubarak chose a vice president.

The BBC states that the U.S. considers Egypt to be one of its allies, thus they are cautious about taking sides. According to NY Daily News, in a call to Mubarak, President Obama urges him to take “‘concrete steps’ to improve human rights and curb violence against the demonstrators.”

For junior Erik Ishak, the chaos in Egypt provoked anxiety at home.

“My grandfather’s brother and sister are still over there…they’re trying to get to Canada. We haven’t talked to them in a while, but we’re trying to get in touch with them since all of this is going on. We know that they’re alright as of now. We were scared [at one point] when their Internet was blocked from the outside world,” Ishak said.

Schools and the Egyptian stock exchange remain closed. AntiMubarak demonstrators demanded that Mubarak resign immediately, and they continued to call for more days of protests.

According to Ishak, his family

thepatriot Volume 46 Issue 4 February 2011

Former fencing coach dies in snow plow incident

Photo courtesy of MCT

condoned the political uprisings at first. However, as the riots become more aggressive, they hoped for more peaceful methods.

“We know right now [that] it’s [the protests] about freedom, but for how much longer? They [my family] dislike Mubarak but they wouldn’t want violence as a solution. It’s hard to say how it’s going to turn out, but it’ll never be the same as it once was,” Ishak said.

On Feb. 7, the new Egyptian Cabinet raised the salaries of government workers by 15 percent to appease protestors, according to Voice of America news. Suleiman also has met with several opposition groups, along with the banned

Muslim brotherhood.

According to the BBC, on Feb. 10, Mubarak scheduled “an address on national television which the U.S. CIA interprets as a “strong likelihood” for Mubarak’s resignation according to the BBC. Finally on Feb. 11, after eighteen days of protests, Mubarak officially announced his decision to step down. American officials approved of the decision and urge for Egypt to work on a “peaceful transition to democracy,” according to CNN. “I’m glad that it’s mostly over and hopefully Egypt can stabilize and begin a better democratic system. Hopefully it won’t end up like the Iranian revolution,” Ishak said.

Former JC fencing coach Richard Oles was killed by a snow plow in a hit-and-run on Jan. 27.

According to CBS Baltimore, Oles’ car had been towed to a gas station and he was walking home along Mountain Road in Pasadena. Seventy-seven year-old Oles was prevented from walking on the sidewalk by the snow and was forced to walk on the road. Around 2:30 a.m., he was slammed by a truck with a snow plow attached to the front.

A witness dialed 911 and reported that a red Ford F-350 with a plow had struck Oles. He was taken to Baltimore-Washington Medical Center where he died later that morning.

Oles was a fencing coach at JC in the late 1960s. President Emeritus Charles K. Riepe hired him to start the fencing program, and when Oles left in 1970 the program ended. Oles’ exact years at JC could not be found in any records.

“I knew him [Oles] and respected him. I used to talk to him after practice,” former gym teacher Adolph Pons said. “We were probably the only private school in the area with such a good program [fencing program],” Pons said, dedicating the success of the program to Oles.

-Emily Clarke, Contributing Writer

Admin reacts to Heather Williams profile page from FRONT PAGE

“My first instinct is always safety of our students. Your wellbeing is our number one job,” Vierheller said.

“Kids have gotten in trouble before from Facebook so it didn’t seem out of the question that it was the administration,” senior Ryan Kirby said.

“I was hurt by it because I try so hard to remain in a good rapport with the students. I would hate to think that they would think of me as someone who would abuse that relationship and then trap them.

That’s a bad example to set for my students. We should be setting a good example,” Vierheller said.

“It wasn’t that what they were trying to do was wrong, it was the way they [“The Patriot”] went about it. It was deceitful and when you deceive someone it’s wrong,” Ireton said.

“We’re built on a basis of trust you don’t need teachers and administrators watching your every move. It’s off campus behavior.

How long is the long arm of JC’s law for us to go out and search?

No. I wouldn’t want to be a part of it.” Vierheller said.

thepatriot

news

Volume 46 Issue 1 February 2011

3

AP Tests to undergo change in format, style of testing Grace Kim Managing Editor Get ready to meet the new AP program.

According to the College Board, several changes are being made to upcoming AP exams in several subjects such as Calculus, Biology, and United States History.

However, according to the Education Week news brief, changes to the United States History exam are being delayed in favor of changes for AP Biology, and “the final U.S. history framework is slated for publication and distribution in fall 2011, with the revisions taking effect in 2013-14.” ”The board will slash the amount of material students need to know for the tests and provide, for the first time, a curriculum framework for what courses should look like. The goal is to clear students’ minds to focus on bigger concepts and stimulate more analytic thinking,’” according to the New York

Times.

Additionally, the New York Times said that the AP Biology showed a decline in student scores.

Many prestigious universities have begun to reject credit for AP Biology. M.I.T.’s Dean of Admissions Stuart Schmill told the New York Times that students who scored fives on the exams “did not have the problem-solving skills needed for higher-level courses.”

According to AP Biology teacher Megan Deroba, the exam’s questions will shift their focus from straight memorization to application of knowledge and more narrowed down focuses on certain processes.

Every AP teacher must submit a course outline to the College Board for approval. With the new changes to the AP Biology exam, those teaching that subject are being required to resubmit a new course audit by Jan. 2013, according to Deroba.

“It’s going to be a very good

change, not so much a focus on quantity but on quality…[it’s] learning the process as opposed to memorizing facts,” Deroba said.

“I like this [the new changes to the exam structure] better because you have a better idea of what to study and focus on rather than memorizing everything,” junior Danielle Tiger said. Tiger is planning to take AP Biology next year.

Starting with the exams in May of this year, “there will be a change to the way AP exams are scored.” According to the College Board, “total scores on the multiple-choice section will be based on the number of questions answered correctly. Points will no longer be deducted for incorrect answers.”

“I like the fact that you don’t have to get off for wrong answers.

Your level of knowledge should be based on what you get right rather than what you get wrong,” junior Jenny Yang said. Yang is planning to take the AP Language and Composition exam this year.

Photo by Kristin Marzullo

Senior Susan Lubejko pages through her various AP study books, preparing for this year’s exams. The College Board plans to change the methods of testing in upcoming AP exams.

Changes to the AP Calculus AB/BC exams will also be in effect this year. In Part A and B of the free response questions, the “timed portion for Part B” will allow students to continue to work on Part A if they wish, but are not permitted to use their calculators.

“We really believe that the new AP needs to be anchored in a curriculum that focuses on what students need to be able to do with their knowledge,” Vice President of College Board for Advanced Placement Trever Packer told the New York Times.

Exam stirs debate among teachers Barker to resign in June

Lazor likes the idea of using information learned in a creEach teacher has a measure of ative way. However, “in any autonomy when deciding how class, specifically social studto cover the material.” Howev- ies, before you can think critier, “I do believe there should be cally about something or think some sort of consistency when on your feet, you have to have it comes to crafting assessments something to think about,” he that are worth 20 percent of a said. grade,” he said.

“My experience with students According to Social Studies collaborating often leads to an Department Chair Jake Hollin, uneven distribution of work… all teachers give their exams to In group work, I know somethe subject department head and one is doing the lion’s work and to Vice Principal Gary Scholl someone is coasting by,” Fisher “to make sure they’re properly said. assessing students’ knowledge While Scholl acknowledges in the content area. We have ex- the importance of knowing pectations that [the exams] will some facts off hand, “There’s be an appropriate assessment of also another whole dimension what was taught and would give of applying that information. evaluation of students’ progress In the future, that is going to be critical,” he said. in learning.”

“In this class, the exam got to The idea of collaboration the heart of what it was I want- generated talk from both stued to know,” dents and teachers Wojewodzki “I don’t know if I would about cheating. said, adding that prescribe it as a way to According to the purpose was Wojewodzki, “the create exams, but it’s for students to [Honors Human not an inappropriate understand how Geography] exam the content they way to hold kids is set up in such a learned extend- accountable...” way that there’s ed to the real really no such -Paul Barker world. thing as cheating The exam “matches his on the exam.”

[Wojewodzki’s] teaching style,” Wojewodzki checked screens Hollin said. “As an institution, randomly during the exam, but our strength is teacher individu- “he had to trust that we weren’t ality.” cheating on the test. The exam The final question on Wojew- was built on trust,” Greig said. odzki’s exam specifically re“Fears of academic dishonquired student collaboration, esty can be greatly alleviated which he, along with Scholl and by careful and considerate deBarker, believes is important for sign of the assessment itself,” the real word. Partners created a Wojewodzki said.

“10-step plan” to fulfill the JC Concern from several unmission statement through the named faculty members stirred use of technology. up questions regarding exam The idea of collaboration requirements, specifically the drew concern from faculty two-hour format. members such as English teachThe administration switched er Susan Fisher and Psychology from a one-hour to two-hour teacher Paul Lazor. Fisher and exam schedule in the early Lazor agreed that one must have 2000s “to get beyond the 150 some sort of basis information multiple choice questions and before he or she could be a valu- [to] get new approaches to usable participant in a group proj- ing the exam time that requires ect or discussion. students to use higher levels of from FRONT PAGE

thinking, analysis, synthesis, application and evaluation,” Scholl said.

Fisher was unaware of exact requirements for exams, but said that some teachers were upset about rumors that Wojewodzki allowed his students extra time to complete the exam.

Wojewodzki said that the students had the opportunity to use more time on his exams. However, he said that every one of his students completed the exam within the scheduled two hours and 15 minutes extension period.

After freshman Travis Nelson completed only eight of the 14 questions, but received an 85 percent, he wondered how the test was graded.

When grading the semester exam, Wojewodzki did not use a rubric. Instead he “[assessed] where [students] developed from the beginning of the year to where they are now.”

“It’s amazing how much of a change goes on throughout the year with each student. Still, you need to give some kind of a measurable test,” Reyerson said.

Wojewodzki said that while he believes this exam was the best way to assess his Human Geography students’ knowledge, “all teachers have different ways of working.”

Scholl said that the exam style could be applicable to all classes. “In the course that I teach [Anthropology], there are higher levels of thinking that are required an application of ideas. I do test those things—I just don’t do it electronically.

It’s just a more traditional approach to getting to that same end,” Scholl said.

“We want students here to be able to think critically, to use their imaginations, to be able to apply knowledge to things they haven’t seen before and to understand it,” Barker said.

Additional reporting by Collin Hoofnagle.

from FRONT PAGE

President O’Hara will be solely it was a good fit for me,” Barker responsible for the appointment of said.

Barker’s replacement.

In addition, the school is located “I want to involve board memabout 10 miles from his wife’s par- bers, faculty and staff, some parent ents’ home. representatives, and the students. I “I’ve made a professionally am very interested in student opingood career move as well as a per- ion,” O’Hara said. sonal and good family move, and Barker said he is excited but apthe timing is right,” prehensive. “It’s bitBarker said. tersweet, here’s the Good Counsel is place I know. I’ve excited for Barkknown some of the er’s arrival in July. people for 21 years “We’re excited about now. I’m not leaving his strong educational because I think the background and his grass is greener. I’m strong spiritual backleaving for a neat caground. He also has reer opportunity and a strong background have anxiety about in technology, and how it’s actually gowe’re very interested ing to go,” Barker in that,” Good Counsaid.

Principal Paul Barker sel Principal John “I am very happy.

Yore said.

He supremely deserves it both as “[JC] will probably identify a professional, as an educator, and someone as an interim candidate as a person. It is definitely is a loss so that they can have someone for JC,” O’Hara said. ready to go by December of next “But it might be a good time for year,” Barker said. the school to have new ideas and According to the president-prin- somebody else’s energy,” Barker cipal model established in 2007, said.

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thepatriot

lifestyle

Atheism in a Catholic school?

Allison Siegel Print Chief Silently waiting, junior Scott Novak stands in the morning during the prayer. The Hail Mary finishes, and campus minister Patti Murphy-Dohn comes over the loudspeaker with “God is good,” and students throughout the school respond, “all the time.”

Novak cringes.

Though JC is a Catholic school, not all of its students are Catholic.

Novak is one of these 28 percent.

Novak has found that he doesn’t actually believe in any higher being at all, and does not follow any specific religion.

He finds it hard to explain what he doesn’t believe in. “I’d rather say what I do believe in,” Novak said. He holds truth in science and thinks it’s important to ask questions. He thinks that without this

process of questioning the world around him, he would be missing out on opportunities to discover.

With this attitude, Novak thinks that putting faith in God shuts the door on finding reasons for many of the magnificent things the world has to offer.

Another student, who requests to remain anonymous, considers himself to be a “negative atheist.”

This student thinks that all people are born atheist, and it is only some of us that remain that way throughout our development.

“The vast majority of people have ascribed to some religion at some point or another during their lives. I have not. I rejected religion from childhood on,” the anonymous student said.

Novak’s experiences could not be more opposite. Born and bred a Christian, he attended Christian schools and practiced outside of school with his family.

It was around age 10 when Novak had his

Cartoon by: Ryan Selvy

first experience with death that he began to question why God would let that happen.

Novak proceeded to experiment with all different religions, finding what fit him best. He looked into Buddhism, Wicca, and some others. In the end though, he found that there was really no proof to any of it, and chose to put his faith in proven facts.

“You have to accept what is true over what you want to be true at some point,” Novak said.

Novak was afraid his family would be utterly shocked and repulsed that their child did not want to follow the same faith that they had been teaching him for his entire life, but fortunately for Novak, his parents were calm about it.

Novak wanted his family to know of his struggle with Christianity. He was terrified, but had decided to rationally explain why he was no longer going to be a Christian in a 13 page, single spaced letter.

Novak found flaws in the injustice that God allows to happen in the world. People plagued with incurable disease, poverty-stricken communities, dying children and genocide are all things that Novak doesn’t understand to be coming from a loving and caring God. “If God is real, I’ve decided that I’d hate him,” Novak said.

“My family does not know or is unwilling to know. Perhaps, my family simply does not notice or care,” the anonymous student said.

Being a part of the JC Catholic community has proven to be an interesting experience for selfproclaimed atheists. Both Novak

Volume 46 Issue 4 February 2011

“The Patriot” takes an inside look at the presence of Atheism in the halls of JC. and the anonymous student feel that it has actually strengthened their lack of religious affiliation.

Learning more about the Catholic faith has helped both students see where they disagree with the religion.

Novak respects other people’s ideas on religion, but gets frustrated at their closed-mindedness. He finds that the stereotype of atheists being closed minded people is less true than the closed-mindedness of some of his peers. At other times, Novak just becomes frustrated how others don’t see the logic he has found, regardless of how respectful they are.

“High school and college years are times of searching for life’s meaning and all the answers for ultimate questions,” Campus Minister Patti Murphy-Dohn said.

Murphy-Dohn believes that the struggle for faith in a young adult’s life is just beginning, and that many who proclaim themselves as atheists in their teens really just don’t have enough information to decide on God’s existence.

Philosophy teacher Christopher Yeung has at least one atheist student in his classes per year.

“I always try to keep the two [beliefs] in balance – the fundamental of belief is to follow yours conscience…If I’m going to be a true Christian, I still have to treat them as a Child of God,” Yeung said.

“Many might be surprised that my beliefs are not militant. In some respects, I prefer people to realize that there is no god on their own. It’s a much more enlightening conclusion that way,” the anonymous student said.

Facts on

Faith:

Atheism is the

rejection of belief in the existence of dieties.

The word “atheist” comes from the Greek word “atheos” meaning

“without God.”

15%

of Americans report no religious affiliation.

From 1990 to 2008 the percentage of Catholics in America dropped from

26% to 25%

1 in 5

Americans fail to indicate a religious identify.

Source: 2008 American Religious Identity Survey of Educated Adults.

Senior on fast track to NASCAR career Taylor Schafer Lifestyles Editor Senior Mike Goettner won’t need very many notebooks or pencils next year at college. Instead, a toolbox might be of better use to him while attending the NASCAR Technical Institute in Mooresville, North Carolina.

Goettner got his start in the mechanical industry by working with his dad at a family-owned shop in Kingsville for the last few years.

“One big part of working for him is maintaining the equipment and fixing what is wrong with it so I have had some time and experience working in that field,” he said.

Goettner will further his knowledge in mechanics with the hands on program offered at NTI, where he will learn the ins and outs of engines and working in the racing industry while also learning the history, rules, and regulations of NASCAR. Since Goettner is such a huge fan of the sport, going to college in what is known as Race City, USA, only makes sense to him. Mooresville is not only home to NTI but

Photo by Jenny Hottle

Senior Mike Goettner enjoys mechanical work in his free time with his father in their family-owned shop.

Goettner will be continuing his passion for cars at the NASCAR Technical Institute in North Carolina next fall. also to multiple racing attractions like historical NASCAR museums and the race team headquarters of top drivers, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Kyle Busch, and Kasey Kahne.

It is also located just 40 minutes north of Charlotte, North Carolina, home to Charlotte Motor Speed-

way which hosts popular events like the Coca-Cola 600, Charlotte 300, and the NASCAR Sprint AllStar Race.

These factors will help familiarize Goettner with the industry.

“I have wanted to be a part of the [NASCAR] organization for a

number of years, and I thought that it would be an easy way to get into it,” Goettner said. The program is taught by racing industry professionals with at least five years experience in the field.

The decision Goettner made to go to NTI “was an easy choice for

me because I love working on cars and trucks as a hobby, and I like to watch NASCAR. I am a big fan of it,” he said. Being a huge racing fan, Goettner attends at least one NASCAR event each year at Dover International Speedway in Dover, Delaware.

One of his favorite memories from a race came when “Kyle Busch got hit from behind on a turn by his teammate, Joey Lagano, on the last lap. Kyle and Joey then got passed by Brad Keslowski and Brad ended up winning the race,” Goettner said.

After participating in the yearand-a-half-long NASCAR training program, Goettner won’t need any further education to start his career as an entry-level automotive technician in the industryl he will not have to take refresher courses to update his current knowledge until technological advancements are made.

“My plan is to get into a good organization in the business and work my way up through the ranks,” Goettner said. “My dream job would be working as a crew member and being a big factor on why the driver won the race.”

thepatriot

lifestyle

Volume 46 Issue 4 February 2011

DO YOU WANT FRIES WITH THAT?

5

“The Patriot” takes a look at students’ jobs in area fast food restaurants.

Cara Reilly Copy Editor

“Welcome to King Burger where we can do it your way, but don’t get crazy.”

Now while that might not actually be a real fast food slogan, several JC students can empathize with YouTube sensation Bon Qui Qui and her rude customers.

“I have learned how to deal with people when they have anger issues or bad days. I have even been cursed at and flicked off before,” senior Sarah Dennison said.

Dennison has been an employee at Chick-fil-a for about six months.

Dennison said that her craziest encounter was when a couple came in and said that they wanted free brownies and fries because the last time they had been there, they did not receive the food that they paid for. The cashier, being new, agreed.

“They were sitting down and I hear the girl start screaming at him, ‘I told you I’d wait for you when you got out of jail and all you do is [expletive] cheat on me and you never call.’ Then I see a whole tray of food fly across the store,” Dennison said. “Then she gets up and turns to the register counter where all the employees are staring and starts screaming,

‘And everything he told you about the food was a lie, he’s a big liar!’”

The guy picked her up and carried her out of the store. “It’s a very exciting job,” Dennison said, crediting Chick-fil-a’s location near the metro in Hunt Valley to its interesting customers.

“My least favorite part of my job is the ignorant customers I have to work with. Working in the service part of McDonald’s means constant contact with people, and it breeds a general dislike for humanity,” junior Adam Kuester said.

Working with fast food isn’t always as fun as Bon Qui Qui makes it out to be, and security can’t always be called either.

Kuester has been a McDonald’s employee for over two years, and he’s not always “lovin’ it.” Due to his work schedule, Kuester has to deal with “less of a social life, a lot less sleep, no weekends to myself and exhaustion.” And that’s just to name a few.

Senior Kiersten Brown, who has worked at Wendy’s for four years, agrees that balancing her job, schoolwork, and social life is not always easy. “I feel like I get the most homework on the nights that I have to work. Also, I work each Saturday and I don’t like taking off so I may miss out on some things my friends get to do,” Brown said.

Health Alert Leah Polakoff Indepth Editor Super-size me.

Spoken so often with a nonchalant tone, people don’t realize that along with increasing the size of their burger, they are increasing the size of their waistlines. According to the USDA, the average American has increased in size by 10 pounds or more over the past 20 years. Doctors behind this study hypothesize that caloric intake is the main cause of this increase.

Fast food is considered to be among the leading causes of obesity in America, but it is not always the restaurant that leads to belly bulge. It is the choice made by the customer.

More than half of the time, people will eat all of the food that is set in front of them, regardless of the large portion sizes. A study done by the American Institute for Cancer Research showed that 67 percent of people ate the larger portion when presented different serving sizes.

:

Right: Senior Kiersten Brown takes drive-thru orders while preparing a fountain drink. Brown has been working at the Churchville Wendy’s for four years.

“Having a job along with all my other extracurriculars means I have almost no time off, so I often am finishing my homework in the car on the way to school because of it,” Kuester said.

In addition to conflicts that any working student encounters, there are some pitfalls specific to fast food jobs.

“I don’t like smelling like grease when I get off work. It can be stressful when working during a rush or working with people who are lazy because it really takes a team to make things run smoothly,” Brown said.

So why do people choose to work at fast food joints? Location seems to play a big role, as well as availability and work experience.

“I applied [at Wendy’s] because it is literally down the street from my house. It was my second job

Fast food super sizes health risks

The large serving sizes, cheap prices, and accessible locations are what make the fast food nation thrive.

Despite lawsuits against chain restaurants like Taco Bell for only using 35 percent beef in their tacos, and against McDonald’s for overweight teenagers, people continue to eat fast food. According to the New York Times, people now spend more money on fast food than on higher education and electronic devices combined.

Being smart about the choices made when eating fast food is the key to maintaining a healthy body.

Do some research to find out what the healthiest options are, and never upsize your meal.

In 1950, the average serving size of French fries was 2.4 ounces (around 210 calories.) By 2003, the average size had increased to 7.1 ounces (around 610 calories.)

According to the Food and Drug Administration, the average person should consume around 2,000 calories per day (this varies from person to person). To maintain this

Photo by Taylor Schafer

Top: Senior Brandi Chambers hands a customer a Happy Meal at the Constant Friendship McDonald’s.

number, the average meal should be no more than 600 calories. So when a “small” size of fries is the amount of calories allowed in one meal, the pounds start racking up.

And this is all before the upsize.

Upsizing a fast food meal means the amount of fat has also been upsized. According to nutritionist Alicia Palmere, eating excessive amounts of saturated fat, sodium, and sugar can lead to many health issues. “[These foods] have been the major culprit of a large portion of American diseases and conditions such as Type II diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and certain digestive cancers,” Palmere said.

Eating natural foods will keep a person’s body running smoothly.

By planning meals ahead of time, people can avoid eating these calories. According to Palmere, “moderation not elimination” is the key to a balanced lifestyle. “If you’re making good food choices 80 percent of the time and exercising, there should be no reason to feel guilty,” she said.

choice.

Not many places hire at 14, and Rita’s didn’t have any open positions,” Brown said.

Kuester also chose to apply at McDonald’s because there was a restaurant located five minutes from his house.

In addition to the convenient locations, fast food jobs come with other perks. “My favorite part of my job is the free food, drinks and dessert I get at my restaurant for working there,” Kuester said.

Senior Brandi Chambers, McDonald’s employee, likes the job most for “the independence I gain from it and I like making my own money.”

“I do not like the temptation of all the food. I have to force myself not to eat any fries or anything. I

Photo by Ashley Moxley

guess it’s a good way to work on self-control,” Dennison said.

However, there’s more to a fast food job than just free French fries.

“My favorite part of my job is just goofing off with my co-workers. I also love working with people and making their day better, if possible. I have become a much better leader,” Brown said.

“I love interacting with other people. I love seeing the regulars and continuing our conversation from previous days. I have gotten so much more than just money.

I have great friends that I love working with and I have experience interacting with people in both positive and negative situations,” Dennsion said.

thepatriot

lifestyle

Volume 46 Issue 4 February 2011

friend me on fakebook Exploring social media and online privacy with creation of Heather Williams

Joey Hoff, Taylor Schafer Editor in Chief, Lifestyle Editor The rumors surrounding Heather Williams spread quicker than her friend requests.

But, Heather didn’t exist.

On Feb. 1, “The Patriot” began its investigation to understand the role that social media and privacy play in JC students’ lives with the creation of Heather Williams, inspired by a similar investigation by “The Rider” student newspaper of Legacy High School in Mansfield, Texas.

The planning for the investigation began earlier that day, as staff members prepared profiles and purchased stock photos for the account. In hours, Williams transformed from a simple idea to a 16-year-old transfer student from Portland, Oregon.

With the profile ready, “The Patriot” was interested in collecting data that could put a concrete figure on the social networking issues right here in the JC community. At 9:16 p.m., the plan was set into ac-

tion. Staff members would request and accept any and all JC students.

No one else.

“The Patriot” took an exacting approach to the investigation, and staff members would neither initiate contact nor view students’ profiles. Three minutes after beginning the investigation, Williams gained her first friend on Facebook — a sign of Heather’s ensuing attention.

“The Patriot” expected a slow, but steady increase in Williams’s friendships. However, the number of acceptances exploded.

It seemed as though students couldn’t get enough of their new friend, Heather Williams.

The influx of friend requests continued. By 10:16 p.m., Williams friended 48 JC students. On average, this works out to be about one student every 75 seconds.

But, the investigation took an unexpected turn as students began raising questions regarding the validity of Williams’s profile. Eventually, all fingers were pointing at the administration, and the inves-

Heather’s Life Span 1:23 p.m.

Feb. 1 Heather Williams’s profile created, along with profiles for “friends” Rina Kasica and Erik Kellough 9:42 p.m.

Feb. 1 Rumors regarding admin involvement begin to circulate

9:16 p.m.

Feb. 2 Heather Williams friends 119 students

3:34 p.m.

Feb. 3 Profile deleted by staff

Feb. 4 “The Patriot” begins collecting student and admin reactions

9:16 p.m.

Feb. 1 Williams begins friending JC students 10:16 p.m.

Feb. 1 Heather Williams friends 48 students

11:16 p.m.

Feb. 1 Heather Williams friends 68 students after 2 hours Feb. 3 Students and parents contact administration regarding profile

Feb. 4 Heather Williams revealed as part of social networking investigation

tigation began raising issues that “The Patriot” had not expected.

Privacy became a hot topic on news feeds, and students began sending Williams nasty messages online.

The experiment quickly became more than a collection of numbers.

Instead, it offered a peek into how students view the administration and how people express themselves online.

“You’re not as slick as you think. Better luck next time,” one student posted, as paranoia swirled about the mystery of Heather Williams. Some students sent messages with unprintable language.

Students who are normally mild-mannered in school began using questionable language and seemed to become different students online — a real world demonstration of the online disinhibition effect, which describes how people transform their behavior when on the web.

Still, after two hours, Williams’s list of friends continued to grow to include 68 JC students — 9.3 percent of the student body. By the end of the 24-hour experiment Williams had either accepted or requested 119 JC students, which is approximately 16.3 percent of the student body.

During the investigation, the hype exploded beyond the screen, as students seemed to fear a recurrence of the actions taken by the administration in 2007 when

Facebook pictures surfaced showing several key athletes drinking alcohol.

The administration did not actively search Facebook for the photos, but instead, an anonymous person sent three separate envelopes containing the photos pulled from Facebook to Dean of Students Thomas Vierheller, President Richard O’Hara, and former Freshman Dean Elizabeth Pyzik, resulting in the athletes’ ten-day suspension from all extracurricular activities.

While no members of the administration or faculty were involved in “The Patriot” investigation, paranoia struck the JC community as students questioned the true privacy of their accounts.

Within two days, students and parents contacted the administration, questioning the legitimacy of the profile and the administration’s involvement.

As “The Patriot” deleted the Heather Williams profile and the experimental portion of the investigation came to a close, members of “The Patriot” staff approached the administration to clarify the most prominent concern that students’ voiced during the investigation: is the administration currently searching for inappropriate content on students’ online profiles?

According to Dean of Students Thomas Vierheller, the answer is “no.”

By the Numbers In the first hour of the experiment, Heather Williams friended a new JC student every

75 seconds 10%

After two hours, nearly

of JC friended Heather.

119 students either accepted or requested Heather after

24

That’s nearly

hours

6

1in6

students at JC.

mmmmmm

behavior notification

Uncovering the truth behind anonymous behavior online

Taylor Schafer Lifestyle Editor In 2007, country music singer Brad Paisley brought attention to online personas.

In his song “Online,” he humorously describes a middle-aged, overweight burnout who works at the local pizza joint and still lives in his parents’ basement. Though this man doesn’t have much of a social life, his whole world is flipped when he logs in to his MySpace account.

The lyrics play with the character’s double life, claiming that “Online, I live in Malibu, I pose for Calvin Klein, I’ve been in GQ. I’m single and I’m rich, And I’ve got a pair of six pack abs that will blow your mind.” Clearly, this isn’t the case.

My point, you might ask? While most people don’t go as far as this particular situation in creating totally false personas, most people act differently online than they do in real life face-to-face situations. While Paisley touches on the subject in a funny way, it is much more serious in reality. It’s called the online disinhibition effect.

On Feb. 1, the Patriot created Heather Williams on Facebook and friend requested most of the JC student population. Not only did the rumors of Heather being the JC administration spread like wildfire, but the online disinhibition effect hit hard as well.

Within an hour of making the profile and the start of administration accusations, Heather received anonymous and even signed messages from students with offensive language and questionable comments. One anonymous student messaged Heather saying that whoever she was was “[expletive] pathetic.”

Other comments like, “nice try John Carroll,” “suck it John Carroll,” one student asking for apologies from the administration, and many more were received. Online disinhibition was in full effect.

And Facebook is not the only place where this phenomenon is taking place. Blogger, Formspring, and just about any other site where people are allowed space to put their two cents in have illustrated the effect.

We are also lucky that in the JC community, the online disinhibition effect hasn’t been pushed to its furthest limits. Many teen sui-

cides have been caused by or have been involved with online bullying like 15-year-old Phoebe Prince in Massachusetts, 13-year-old Megan Meier in Missouri, or 18-yearold Tyler Clementi in New Jersey to name a few.

But why do people engage themselves in this kind of behavior?

Psychology teacher Paul Lazor blames it simply on anonymity and bad judgment. “It’s similar in cars. All of these things we use to communicate like facial expression, body posture and tone of voice are not present,” he said. He explained that in a real life situation, “your frontal lobe [of the brain] would say don’t do it, but it gets disregarded with social media.”

Guidance counselor Carol Heflin-Shupe agrees with Lazor.

“They have no consequences. They don’t have to look into the other person’s eyes and see the hurt they just inflicted on them.”

Though Heflin-Shupe says she has never had a student come to her as a victim of online disinhibition, she’s “very sure it happens. It gives [the perpetrator] this false bravado and empowers them,” she said.

thepatriot

SIPS:

arts & entertainment

quick

Volume 46 Issue 4 February 2011

‘The Patriot’ staff reviews Bel Air’s eclectic mix of coffee shops

Open Door Cafe Hilary Weidner A&E Editor Vintage art and light Italian music overwhelmed me as I stepped into The Open Door Café located in the Bel Air Town Shopping Center.

I was pleasantly surprised that this coffee shop turned out to be “a wait to be seated” kind of coffee shop.

After five minutes, I was promptly seated in the back of the restaurant section, which was surprisingly large in contrast to the outside appearance of the cafe.

I was quickly greeted by a friendly waiter who gave me the long list of options and a sepa-

rate menu of coffee, teas, and iced drinks.

I chose to get the chai tea, half a chicken salad sandwich, and a bowl of cream of crab soup.

The waiter was very quick in bringing my chai tea latte in a cute yet generous tea cup.

The chai tea tasted as good as it looked with a smooth and filling taste. This latte is a must.

The cream of crab soup was creamy and filled with delicious crab meat. I ate it within two minutes of its arrival.

The chicken salad sandwich was also delicious and very filling.

The bread was warm and toasted.

Coffee Coffee Meg Kirchner Reporter The side salad had just enough mayo and chicken.

The Open Door Café has proven to be the perfect little coffee shop conveniently tucked right in the center of Bel Air. The desserts are exquisite.There are numerous options and a revolving case is displyed as you walk into the dining room, which is quite tempting.

While I did not have a chance to sample the delicious desserts, the four layer chocolate cake (pictured above) was calling my name.

It would be a great afternoon hangout to unwind and relax after school and I urge you and your friends to go.

As I walked into Coffee Coffee I saw towering shelves stocked with colorful ceramic containers, brownbagged local treats, and jars of tantalizing coffee beans (pictured above). Coffee Coffee, located in The Bel Air Festival Shopping Center, invites customers in.

Atmosphere aside, Coffee Coffee boasts some of the best gourmet coffee in Bel Air. With a variety of specialty drinks, such as Snickers, Turtle, and Cupid’s Arrow, the boast does not fall flat.

I ordered, and loved, the caramel and chocolate Snickers latte.

The latte overflowed with warmth and flavor, especially when paired

with a Pecan Pie cupcake.

The coffee leaves one feeling refreshed and not jittery with a frighteningly fast heart rate.

Even in the specialty drinks, the coffee remains smooth and flavorful The delicious homemade or local made pastries certainly don’t take away from the appeal of the shop.

Normally, coffee that costs $3.75 would seem a bit much for a stand-alone shop. Still, with all the satisfaction from the small cup of coffee, that price seems about right.

The coffee and the cupcakes were equally delicious.

Easily accessible and well worth the cost, Coffee Coffee has earned a five star rating.

Rogers Elizabeth Tauber and Hilary Weidner A&E Editors

Shamrock Stephanie Laird Sports Editor On my way to visit a little unknown coffee shop, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I had no idea that this shop would sell me one of the best cupcakes that I’ve ever had in my life.

This place is Shamrock Coffee Shop located on Main Street in Bel Air. Upon arriving to the welcoming environment, I made my way up to the ordering station and discovered slim yet filling possibilities.

I first wanted to purchase a

7

Cookies and Cream Latte, but discovered to my dismay that they were all out of the syrup. My second choice was a chai tea, but they were out of that syrup as well.

I then decided on the Irish Cream Latte and, after seeing the assortment of cupcake choices, I decided on the Cookies and Cream cupcake.

I received my latte and cupcake and sat down to see if the merchandise lived up to its presentation.

Oh boy, did it ever.

The latte was extremely wellblended and meshed to fit Irish

Cream perfection, not to mention the smooth texture of the milk incorporated into it.

There was no distinction between ingredients; all mixed together to a creamy perfection.

The taste of heaven, also known as the Cookies and Cream cupcake (pictured above), was the best cupcake I have ever had in my life.

The icing was more like ice cream and the cupcake was moist and delicious with chocolate to top it all off.

If you’re looking for the perfect little place to enjoy a cupcake and a cup of coffee, Shamrock Coffee Shop is the place to be.

While Rogers Coffee & Tea in Abingdon seemed to have an inviting, welcoming, and warm environment, our first impression was wrong. One word could characterize our visit to this newly constructed coffee shop: disappointing.

We all decided to order coffee and smoothies, considering that’s all we saw as options on the limited menu at the ordering station.

As for the food choices, the only options we saw contained some sort of animal.

However, after we sat down to enjoy our lovely drinks and chat, we saw to our dismay that there were more items, both food and drink, on the menu that were not advertised by the ordering station.

Strike one.

The house- blended caramel flavored coffee was barely drinkable.

All Photos by Hilary Weidner and Elizabeth Tauber

The coffee was extremely strong and we were greatly disappointed in the overall quality and presentation of the coffee. When we start to taste the caramel (which supposedly was blended into the coffee), we will let you know. So far, however, there was no taste difference between this coffee and black coffee.

Strike two.

The first word that came to mind when taking the first sip of the strawberry banana smoothie was ‘weird.’ There was also an imbalance of strawberry and banana. However, if you enjoy sugary clumps of banana in your smoothie, Rogers is the place for you.

Strike three.

Although our first experience at Roger’s wasn’t great, the shop is new and they are still getting things organized. Maybe within time, things will improve. But for now, we recommend sticking with the more experienced places.

8

thepatriot

in-depth

Volume 46 Issue 4 February 2011

Technolog

How smart

Ryan Selvy

Design Editor The nation is on the brink of another war. A phone war. While this war may not include guns and soldiers like your average war, it is raising a lot of argument and opinion in the tech world.

This February is the first time the iPhone left its exclusive partnership with AT&T and join the Verizon Wireless network. With this action, the three main phone operating systems, (Android, Blackberry, and iOS,) have met on the same carrier.

With a Windows 7 phone allegedly on the way later this year, Verizon has opened a world of competition.

On Jan. 9, 2007, during Macworld, CEO of Apple Steve Jobs officially announced the distribution of the iPhone. Aside from Blackberry already having a head start in the smartphone world, this announcement arguably revolutionized the idea of smartphones since Blackberry debuted in 1999.

The iPhone was the first smartphone to be used by not only businessmen but also the general public. On Jun. 29, 2007, the iPhone went on sale to the United States general public.

is your

phone?

Today’s phone battle just got smarter with additional apps and new phones vying for everyone’s attention.

Best smartphone apps for students Facebook Social Free Facebook has been given the reputation for giving any and every student a severe case of procrastination. However, social networking can easily be a very useful tool and an app every smartphone has to have. Facebook can help in a number of situations. When students are a part of a group project they can easily create a thread for all group members. Facebook was created for the college student but these days the app makes every student’s life easier. “The Patriot” even uses Facebook to organize who brings food during layout week.

Speaking OUT

Pandora Music Free

Evernote Education Free Evernote, a free app that serves as an electronic notebook, is a must-have for students. The app focuses on having a note pad that can keep them organized and be easily accessible by fitting right in their pockets. The app has been highly rated by critics and has been placed in both Apple’s “App Hall of Fame” and The New York Times’ “Top 10 Must-Have Apps.” Evernote has also been given the Best Mobile App Review. Its high ratings and simplicity have made this user-friendly app become a popular and helpful tool for students.

Silence can be absolute torture for a student writing an English essay or completing equations for Chemistry class, and the cure for the torture is music. Along with Facebook, the Pandora app is great for everyone, not only students. Pandora is a free radio app which acts as a genius for all music tastes. While doing homework, all a student must do is take out their smartphone and type in their favorite band into Pandora. But beware, you are only allowed to skip six songs in one hour, so choose your songs wisely.

How has your life changed since you got a smart phone?

Simple Mind Education $6.99 Most student apps run along the lines of organization and search engines, but Simple Mind does so much more. The app is like a mind of its own. There are two versions of Simple Mind, one which is free and the other which is $6.99. The Simple Mind app is unique and its helps students with all sorts of brainstorming.This app is highly recommended for students who always find a need for some brain boosting. When your mind is not working or if you are stuck on a question, just take out your phone and fire up Simple Mind.

YeMaya Johnson, ’14 “You can keep your information on it.

It’s like a planner keeping your things up to date.”

W phone do y

thepatriot

in-depth

Volume 46 Issue 4 February 2011

ogy takes brains over brawn The Android operating system was initially released in Oct. 2008, but the platform didn’t gain momentum and publicity until the release of the Motorola DROID in Nov. 2009. With a marketing push from Verizon, the Motorola DROID skyrocketed in sales and the brand began to expand.

Due to Android’s new popularity, many carriers continue to release phones with Android. The operating system gained so much momentum that it became the top-selling smartphone platform by quarter four of 2010.

During Android’s stride to popularity, Verizon launched several anti-iPhone marketing campaigns, including an “iDon’t” commercial, dedicated to pointing out things the DROID had that the iOS did not.

Proven as a successful strategy, the marketing continued to grow until both companies fledged a full-out war between one another.

By Feb. 2011, the two most popular smartphone operating systems landed on the same carrier and continued to battle it out head

to head. In fact, Verizon and AT&T have launched commercials advertising why their service is better for the iPhone.

One of the most important aspects of a phone is the user interface, which is how easy the phone is to navigate and use. Apple’s iOS is known for its very sleek and smooth running physique. Android has been criticized for its user interface being too complicated.

“It’s confusing at first because you don’t know what you’re doing. Once I started using it more I got used to the phone,” freshman Emily Waite said.

Applications are huge flaunting material for the two companies.

Holding over 400,000 applications, the App Store has attracted over 10 billion downloads to date.

However, one of the most notable issues with the approval process was in 2010 when Apple refused to accept the Google Voice application.

“The apps are all better,” junior Ethan Slusher said. “It [has] been around longer, so the phone has a

“In the end, the whole process comes down to preference and opinions.”

better foundation.”

Android has a fully open market allowing anyone to submit and host applications as long as they do not host malicious or illegal substances. Because of this, some criticize the market for being cluttered and dangerous for phones. Regardless, the market currently holds 200,000 applications.

“There are so many options,” junior Max Decker said in reference to his Droid. “You can check Facebook or search the web from anywhere,” he said.

Both iOS and Android have online versions of their stores.

Blackberry, Palm and Windows 7 continue to innovate and bring forth ideas, but Android and iOS continue to hold the top place. Perhaps in years to come, the lesser three will hold a larger market share and public image.

The battle is far from over and there is no definite winner between the two platforms. In the end, the whole process comes down to preference and opinions. All platforms will continue to develop over the coming year with Android’s Ice Cream Sandwich set to launch this summer along with Apple’s annual new phone and software each July.

9

Smartphone smack down

Which smartphone gets more activity, Android or iPhone? These numbers give a closer look at how active these smartphone users are.

300,000 Android activations

per day

230,000

iPhone activations per day

2.5 billion

Droid apps downloaded

Which smartphone OS 10 billion iPhone apps do you use? downloaded 100,000 apps in the

Droid market

Which cell ne carrier you use?

250,000 apps in the

Apple store

In January the JC student body was surveyed on what type of phone and what phone service provider they use. A total of 352 students answered with a 3 percent margin of error.

Information taken from http://www.gadgetvenue.com/apple-statistics-0901550

Brian Tenerowicz, ’13

Amy Van Baalen, ’12

David Scharfe, ’11

“It’s easier than before and other than that it hasn’t changed.”

“It’s a lot easier to connect with people and it’s entertaining.”

“It does so much, and it’s way more fun to have a phone that does everything for you.”

10 arts & entertainment AT THE

MOVIES:

thepatriot Volume 46 Issue 4 February 2011

‘The Patriot’ staff reviews this season’s most anticipated movies

The Roommate Kristin Marzullo Photo Editor "The Roommate" is an out-ofthe-ordinary spine-tingling suspenseful film that will make any college freshman a little more wary of their new roommate.

Leighton Meester (Rebecca) and Minka Kelly (Sara) become roommates as they both enter their first year in college.

In the beginning of the movie, Rebecca seems like the perfect person to live with.

She's a happy-go-lucky girl with a shy side, until she makes a complete 180 and lets out her true psychotic characteristics.

You watch as Rebecca stalks Sara's life and tries desperately to "protect" Sara from those who have hurt her by either scaring them away, ruining their careers, or even killing them.

Of course, Sara is oblivious, until she goes home with Rebecca during Thanksgiving break and learns about her eerie past.

Meester does a phenomenal job of going above and beyond in her role of a girl battling mental disorders.

Her character is so unbelievably crazy.

She becomes so obsessed with Sara that she eventually snaps and scares Sara away.

Then she must fight to get her roommate and so-callede "best friend" back.

This movie will leave you on the edge of your seat because of all the twists and turns.

You never know what's going to happen next, and that's what makes it such an exciting and thrilling film.

This movie is not only a thriller, but it contains elements of romance and comedy.

Cam Gigandet (Stephen) plays Sara's love interest and also offers some comedic relief.

He cracks hilarious one-line jokes and puns and uses his charm effectively to keep the mood light.

The viewers have quick and brief moments to take their minds off the hair-raising suspense.

If you are afraid of movies with blood and guts, have no fear.

With the exception of a few short scenes, this movie focuses more on suspense than horror.

The director leaves your imagination guessing as to what will come next, so often that you begin to psych yourself out.

If you go to see this movie, prepare yourself.

You may be prone to jumping, laughing, screaming, and maybe even accidentally throwing your popcorn into the lap of the person sitting right next to you.

Regardless, this bone-chilling thriller is definitely a must-see.

Gnomeo and Juliet Sarah Kearby Layout Editor Colorful little gnomes make their way to the silver screen in the film “Gnomeo and Juliet.” In the movie the story line of William Shakespeare’s classic, Romeo and Juliet, manages to entertain all members of the audience.

The main characters, “Gnomeo and Juliet”, fall madly in love the second they look into each other’s eyes. It was precious to see their love evolve, in perfect correspondence with one of Elton John’s classics.

Elton John’s music adds a musical touch to this movie along

with adorable dance moves, in which the little gnomes make the cute, yet realistic “chink” sound as they touch hats.

Some of the best characters aren’t even made of clay. A plastic flamingo named Featherstone (Jim Cummings) has a Cuban accent that adds levity and hilarity to the film.

Nanette (Ashley Jensen) is a sassy frog that tells it how is with every line, making the audience giggle.

My favorite character of the entire film has to be Bill Shakespeare (Patrick Stewart) whom Gnomeo meets during his adventure in the park.

After Gnomeo tells Shakespeare of his love story with Juliet, Shakespeare jumps right in with his ending. He tells Gnomeo, “I like the death part.” Gnomeo, of course, disagrees and goes to save Juliet from the same fate.

But don’t worry, if you think this is too safe for date night, sexual innuendos are dispersed throughout the movie for your viewing pleasure.

I recommend seeing it at home because the 3-D feature in theaters costs extra money. But “Gnomeo and Juliet” definitely has its precious and funny moments, which makes it a movie to see.

The Eagle Maggie Cassidy Managing Editor Seeing “The Eagle” was a complete and utter waste of time.

I wish my eyes never had to experience watching this terrible mess of a movie, if you can even call it that.

“The Eagle” is a historical action-adventure film that gets it namesake from the Ninth Legion of Rome that disappeared in the mountains of Britain and lost its emblem of the golden eagle.

Flash forward 20 years to 120 A.D. and you’ll see Marcus Flavius Aquila, played by Channing Tatum, who was a young Roman centurion trying to avenge his father’s death and his family name.

Marcus’ father was the lead commander of the Ninth Legion and was never heard from again after the Legion’s disappearance.

After being injured in a recent battle, Marcus leaves his uncle (Donald Sutherland) and decides to travel north of Hadrian’s Wall into Northern Britain with his slave Esca (Jamie Bell) who knows the native language. There the two must deal with native Seal People in hopes to save the lost eagle and to restore Marcus’s family’s name.

This movie is supposed to be an action-packed, on-the-edge-ofyour-seat type of movie. However, it failed to make my adrenaline pump at all.

Throughout the first 45 min-

utes of the movie, I had no idea what it was about. It took a good hour for the plot to start moving and for the wheels to start turning in my head. And the only time my jaw dropped during this movie was during the sparse fighting sequences when interesting fighting tactics were used.

The plot failed to move me as well. The setup of the film is not original at all. A son trying to avenge his father’s death and restore honor to the family name?

Sounds pretty familiar to me.

The actors were also unsuccessful at really getting into character and portraying people of that time. Whenever Tatum tried to be all broody as Marcus, I couldn’t help but think he was channeling way too much of Brad Pitt from the movie “Troy.” Worst of all, I kept on thinking that Tatum would start break dancing from his role in the dance film “Step Up.” Also, the acting from Sutherland was probably one of the worst acting jobs I had ever seen. His voice was monotone and his facial expressions and gestures were bland. It was nothing like what a regal uncle is supposed to be.

“The Eagle” was a flop of a film, and dare I say that it failed to soar like an eagle.

Go watch an actual eagle fly because that would be more entertaining than watching two hours of Channing Tatum failing to portray a Roman centurion in “The Eagle.”

World According to Lina CENSORED

Censorship alive in American society Ryan Lina Reporter People are so concerned about censorship.

It’s ridiculous to think that words can really affect people in such a negative way.

Why are people so offended by words?

People are way too sensitive and are simply offended way too easily.

Some people hear a certain phrase and all of a sudden, for lack of a better term, all hell breaks loose.

In fact, I’m surprised that the phrase didn’t get edited out of this story because some people might be offended by the mention of “hell” in a newspaper.

Whatever happened to freedom of speech? It apparently doesn’t exist anymore.

If you don’t believe me, think about this. Have you ever walked down the hallway, really mad about something, and just screamed some curse word at the top of your lungs?

If we truly had freedom of speech, you wouldn’t have to be worried about a teacher coming out of his or her classroom to yell at you.

Have you ever watched a movie on television where some of the dialogue had obviously been changed or edited?

It takes away from the movie in an extremely negative way.

Amazingly enough, very little of the actual violence in movies is censored, just the words.

Apparently, it is acceptable for people to be chopped in half, but if somebody heard the “F” word, he or she would be traumatized.

Do people think that the only reason we have psychos in this world is because people use bad language?

Censorship doesn’t stop at television. People have actually been talking about censoring literary classics like “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” and “The Catcher in the Rye.” How far are we going to let censorship go?

Are we really going to destroy literary works just to please those who are easily offended?

We shouldn’t because, in the end, censorship will always lead to blindness.

ED :

STAFF

thepatriot Volume 46 Issue 4 February 2011

It’s doubtful that any high school student has 1,500 true friends.

It’s doubtful that any JC student personally knows 1,500 actual people.

It’s doubtful that those students with 1,500 Facebook friends actually know who their “friends” are.

On Feb. 1, the Heather Williams controversy swept the JC Facebook community, and despite false accusations that the administration created the account, 119 students friended Williams, an alleged transfer into the class of 2012.

This leads to an important question: do you know your Facebook “friends?”

All Facebook users, especially

opinion

11

Heather Williams highlights lack of concern for privacy

high school students, need to think before accepting friend requests and giving strangers complete access to their personal information.

Heather Williams could have been anyone.

Still, 119 people gave her access to their profiles. While “The Patriot” neither initiated contact nor viewed Facebook profiles, the open access to student accounts was stunning.

The reality is that a “Facebook” friend has serious privileges – the ability to search through photos, phone numbers, and in the case of those users “checking-in,” a person’s current location. What’s frightening is that students don’t

seem to care about or notice these privileges. It’s only common sense that users should only grant those privileges to real, trustworthy “friends.”

However, in the world of Facebook, “friending” has become a competition of sorts, but the truth is that the number of friends has nothing to do with anyone’s “likability.”

A Facebook profile should be a reflection of a person’s true self, friends, and life. It shouldn’t be a hideaway for a second life.

When students began accepting William’s request, the JC community filled with an overwhelming sense of paranoia as students be-

lieved that the administration was viewing students’ profiles. This paranoia only highlights the lack of control that students have when it comes to their own profile and online privacy.

Safety on Facebook goes beyond privacy settings. A single student’s decision could have repercussions for the whole community. In this world of social media, privacy will only become an increasingly difficult, sensitive, and critical topic.

You can start the change now.

Scroll through your Facebook “friends,” and keep only those people you actually know.

It’s your profile. Protect it.

Women’s sports deserve attention Imani Love Reporter I walked into the gym on a Wednesday for the girls’ varsity basketball game hoping to find a bit more of a crowd than I did the last time. But no, I just saw the same parents and friends of the players dispersed widely on the bleachers.

Nationally and locally, women’s sports have less attendance and are less advertised than men’s sports.

Every time I turn on ESPN or ABC News, I always hear the highlights of a men’s game whether it’s football or college lacrosse.

When wrapping up the highlights, sportscasters always tell viewers to tune in on an upcoming men’s game. Out of the whole seven minutes they take to recognize sports, maybe one women’s sport is mentioned.

Women’s sports need to be promoted and advertised the same amount as men’s sports. I feel like some of the reason why there is less attendance and viewers of women’s sports is because the

word about them is barely spread about. Not only should these sports be more promoted, but they should also be addressed with more respect.

When it comes to high school and college sports, there are some schools that have one or two sports that women play that are a big deal. We have one: JC’s women’s lacrosse.

Due to their ranking, they get attention and attract interested viewers. While it is a popular sport, it always seems like more people show up to men’s lacrosse games at JC. Women’s lacrosse doesn’t even compare to the men’s basketball, football, and even rugby games, a game that spectators often know little about. These men’s sports still easily get 50 spectators.

The only national women’s sports that receive deserved attention are tennis, soccer here and there, quick shots of cheerleaders doing back flips on the football field during half time, and possibly a view of the butterfly stroke in swimming. Other than that, the

rest of the games on television are dedicated to men.

And it is hard for women to have recognition because we don’t have the same sport choices as men.

One of the most popular sports in America is football, but women are not supposed to play.

On Facebook, I recently saw a friend’s status that said women’s tennis was on television, but he would rather play with his thumbs than watch it . That goes to show how women’s sports are a joke to some people.

People need to be aware of women’s teams and take the time to appreciate women’s sports.

Some more highlights on television, more promotion of upcoming games, and more support from peers would be ideal. Once women’s sports get the respect they deserve, attendance at such events will not be forced, it will be an act of enthusiasm. This approach would be fantastic, because when I walk in the gym, it would be nice to see 75 people (or more) cheering for our lady Patriots.

But what do these examinations actually test? Honestly, there is a better question. What do they not test?

Standardized tests do not test creativity. These tests examine a

person’s ability to arrive upon an answer predetermined by a board of people that have determined them as correct.

Someone who becomes an engineer cannot think inside the box.

However, thinking inside the box is exactly what standardized tests assess.

These tests often do not prove the true intelligence of a person, but instead their ability to “play the game,” learn ways to rule out answers automatically and strategically skip questions that will lower your score.

Not only that, but in some cases, students that work hard and earn admirable grades simply do not test very well on standardized tests, which is a poor reflection of their true capabilities.

In that regard, standardized testing could be considered unnecessary. I’m not suggesting that standardized testing should be eliminated from schools.

However, I am saying that there are other ways to measure a person’s intellect and simultaneously gauge how creative their thinking is.

Photo by Taylor Hooper

Junior Emily Soller shoots a foul shot in the game against St. Mary’s.

Women’s sports often find a lack of spectators in comparison to men’s.

Standardized testing ignores creativity Meg Kirchner Reporter

A pencil poises over a Scantron sheet seeking the correct bubble.

Students are puzzling over their identical test forms and teachers hope that the results are favorable.

Whether it’s for placement in a higher level class or to determine how much you’ve learned, standardized tests wrongly dictate how you are seen in the eyes of the administration at school and the state you live in.

Schools and states with the highest standardized test scores are lauded and respected. Other schools seem completely focused on these tests, and their entire school year is seemingly dedicated to preparing for them.

Schools should spend less time teaching their students to test well and more time helping students understand what they’re learning.

Photo by Joey Hoff

Students seek alternate ways to be academically tested. Standardized tests ignore inner creativity and focus mainly on strict logic of students.

12 opinion

thepatriot Volume 46 Issue 4 February 2011

At Wit’s End

Modern advances make reality seem mundane Allison Siegel Print Chief In a recent read of Sara Gruen’s “Water for Elephants,” I was whisked away into the glamorous world of traveling circuses. Exotic animals, psychotic ring leaders and the threat of being red-lighted in the middle of the night kept me on the edge of my seat.

The circus isn’t something that hoards of people are drawn to anymore. Adults and children alike aren’t waiting for the next chance to see a woman stand on the back of a horse cantering around in the big top. We have better things to entertain ourselves with.

Video games, special effects, green screens and stunt crews have made the seemingly impossible possible. Why watch horses dance in patterns when you can watch a movie where a horse can talk, fly and save lives?

Has the reality of fear, the authenticity of thrill, and the risk of the world been so distorted by technology that real life isn’t enough?

There isn’t much we can find in an action or horror movie that features real action or horror. Flames are simulated, explosions are computerized and zombies are computerized images. There’s nothing to be afraid of anymore.

The idea that life can be enhanced simply by a screen is too appealing to have teens waste time finding their own adventures and having their own experiences in the real outside world.

Horror movies are so abundant and over the top that the idea of an actual killer on the loose doesn’t surprise a teenager anymore. Psychopath with a gun running down your street? Meh, I play that character in the new game I picked up.

The idea of entertainment at a play or in a theater is completely ridiculous. Having to imagine your own settings and props? Forget about it. I’ll just pop on my 3-D glasses and be taken away.

Society needs to experience reality. Reality is slowly slipping away from us because we’re wrapped up in fantasy that’s believable enough to replace the world. You don’t have to step outside your house to find the most incredible thing imaginable.

If we were made to go out in the real world and do some adventuring of our own, maybe humans would understand why life is precious. The thrills of the real world are enough to keep us on the edge of our seats. We don’t even have to search for adventure. Adventure will find its way to us.

Graphic by Ryan Selvy

Editor questions Spanish exchange timing Ashley Snyder Opinion Editor Every February, many students embark on a fascinating trip to Spain as a part of the Spanish exchange with Colegio Infantes.

This is a rewarding experience, one which many more students should take. The issue? Missing three weeks of school in order to do so.

Even more questionable is the issue of work given to those students that choose to travel. Is it the same amount, and does it ever get done?

Traveling to Spain and living in the house of an actual resident could be a once in a lifetime experience. Not only does it provide

the opportunity to practice the language on the deepest level possible, but it also provides the ability to be immersed in the culture.

Other exchange programs, such as the German and French exchange, traditionally take place in the summer or over long breaks in the school year, such as spring break.

This way, students can participate in this rewarding experience without missing three weeks of school, which ordinarily makes playing “catch up” a stressful activity that lasts the rest of the year.

Following the lead of the other exchange programs would most likely get more students to participate. Without the risk of missing school, the program is free to be

viewed as what it is – a fantastic educational experience, free of stress.

In addition to the fact that one must miss school to participate in the exchange, there is also the factor of the amount of work given to the traveling students to complete while they are in Spain.

Teachers seem to give students condensed versions of all the work that will be completed by those choosing not to travel while they are away. It’s not unusual for this work to never get completed.

How is it fair that certain students are let off the hook just because they decide to go to Spain?

Why should they not be required to complete the same amount of work as everyone else?

If a student chooses to go to Spain, that is his or her choice.

Therefore, they should be just as responsible as everyone else for completing their missed schoolwork. They should not be given special treatment.

The Spanish exchange would highly increase its participation if it took place during the summer or a time during the year when school wasn’t in session.

However, until then, with the exchange remaining during the school year, students that choose to travel to Spain should be held responsible for their work.

Saying “Adiós!” to America would be a lot less stressful during the summer. Until then? Take some responsibility.

Graphic by Ryan Selvy

Students deserve credit for school trips Grace Kim Managing Editor A week after eating gelato in Italy and hiking mountains in Switzerland, students have a social studies credit to proudly put on their college transcripts.

Now, students who travel to various countries in Europe and around the world, excluding exchanges, can receive credit for their experiences — a fantastic idea that just makes sense.

In past years, students embarking on science teacher John Hughes’s environmental adventures to the Eastern Shore and beyond have been granted a science or social studies credit, as students engage in hands-on learning.

This hasn’t been the case for students embarking on adventures in Europe, where tour guides act as

teachers instead.

However, this is all beginning to change. Although students may now receive credit for trips such as the Italy and Switzerland trip, the credit cannot replace a normal social studies class for credit. However, students can add the credit to his or her transcripts when applying for colleges.

The credit shows something unique about the student, and those little special things are what colleges will consider when it comes to picking between student “A” and student “B.” Also, the credit shows that the student didn’t just go along for pure enjoyment and that the student was immersed in a whole new environment of historical and cultural knowledge — a living version of courses like AP European History.

It’s also rather simple to be granted the credit. Those participating in the Italy and Switzerland trip only have to put together short presentations about their destinations and their experiences on the trip.

All teachers organizing or leading school trips should consider granting credit, and currently, those students participating in the Italy and Switzerland trip will receive a credit in social studies.

I strongly believe that all other teachers leading trips in foreign countries should follow suit, such as the Ireland and Scotland trip and the China trip.

In these trips, students will enjoy an equally educational and unforgettable experience in their respective destinations as those going to Italy and Switzerland. So why not get the same benefit?

Cartoon by Lauren Friedley

While there is work involved to receive credits, the work is purely optional, and students can enjoy the trip without receiving credit.

Either way, it’s a win-win situation.

thepatriot

opinion

Volume 46 Issue 4 February 2011

Pro V CoN

THE PRO -

Non-exams creatively test a student’s ability to apply knowledge

- by Eva Bialobrzeski

Last year I had to miss my final exams due to personal engagements. All but two of my teachers gave me the option to either take or not take my exams. The teachers who gave me the options were ones that have had reputations for being very strict about academics.

Of course, I chose not to take them, but that doesn’t mean that I didn’t learn anything or that everything I learned disappeared. It just meant that I didn’t have to go through hours of stress, and studying, or in other words hours of and useless memorizing.

Like all students, I start to stress out and complain when the dreaded exam week comes along. I may even spend more time complaining than actually studying.

I’m not one to say grades shouldn’t be so important. I actually believe just the opposite.

Grades are important. However, exams are different. Exams just teach us how to cram and complain.

During midterms, social studies teacher Richard Wojewodzki gave his freshman Honors Human Geography Class a paperless exam which they were able to do togeth-

er. They also didn’t have to cram for it the night before. The “exam” included questions that dealt with current events and researching various subjects. Things that are actually important for students to know and learn.

Not only did the students have to answer questions that are worth knowing, but they had to do it together. As students, we are constantly told that once we get into the real world, we will have to work with people we like and don’t like. This exam seems to emulate the real world instead of just wasting two hours in solitude.

I have never taken one these “exams,” but I can’t help but to wonder how much better the benefits it would be than a two- hour long classic standardized test.

When in real life will we ever need to take an exam? Probably rarely, if ever. When in real life will I have to work with others and research? Mostly likely every day.

This exam seems to actually test on material which was learned not just test on how to take a test.

Students are already forced to take the objective SAT. Why should we have to sit through the agony of a classic exam when the future calls for a new assessment?

It’s the 21st Century, an era based on technology and moving forward. In a world where we are educated to prepare for the work force, an objective an exam is the past and a real life assessment is the exam of the future.

‘The Patriot’ addresses opposing viewpoints on the future of exams THE CON -

Non-exams add unnecessary complications to testing methods

- by Grace Kim

Times are changing indeed.

My immediate reaction to social studies teacher Richard Wojewodzki’s “non-exams” was confusion. How could a teacher give an exam that allowed full access to the Internet and collaboration with other students? I understand that the focus of these unique exams was to apply knowledge and researching skills of Human Geography, and Wojewodzki certainly was aiming to accomplish something I fully support. However, I believe that the method in which this was done is questionable.

I reviewed a copy of his exam, and at first glance, it seems that the exam is easily solved with quick Google searching. Then, after a closer look, I found that some of the questions were outright timeconsuming and tedious.

I would probably be sitting there for a good hour doing a particular question that requested I fully research a country and compare it to the U.S., complete with graphics and at least one citation from six sources.

I also feel that this exam had the potential to be very unfair. I abhor working in groups because I feel

that one person ends up shouldering the most work while the others can hop on their backs and turn in the group work for the same A. Call me old fashioned, but I believe that students should still be required to memorize concepts and ideas that play into Human Geography. Why revamp an examination system that works the way it is? If it’s not broken, don’t bother trying to fix it. According to an article from The New York Times, students that take tests the conventional way retain information up to 50 percent more than other students who simply read information and analyze it.

When comparing my freshman Human Geography exam to theirs, I feel that my exam was stronger because I came away with a wealth of knowledge that I still remember to this day from strict studying of the material. I clearly understood what my teacher expected me to understand and utilize in my answers. Real time application was certainly in my exam, and I connected what I learned in class to my test.

The exam could still be paperless by having the students submit their questions electronically without all of the additional quirks. But when the students are given full Internet access, input from their fellow peers’ brains, and questions solved anywhere from simple searching to in-depth planning, my eyebrows are indeed raised.

Writer exposes ‘evol’ behind love Ryan Lina Reporter Love is Evol. Spell it backwards. I’ll show you.

Honestly, is there any other thing in this world that affects people the way love does? People do crimes for love.

The worst part of it is if someone asks you why you’re in jail, you can’t just go “because of love.”

That will get you beat up and picked last for prison kickball.

Many scientists say that the feeling of love is the body’s natural release of the neurotransmitters, dopamine and serotonin.

Numerous psychologists have said that the brain of a person in love is similar to a person dealing with a drug addiction or suffering from obsessive compulsive disorder. To tell you the truth, these comparisons do make sense.

You know why? People will do anything for love.

No matter what any person says, even if they say they only want it for various benefits or something similar to it, ultimately we want just one thing.

We all want a person who we can be with forever. A person who we can still be with when we are old, smelly, and can’t remember their name.

In the end, we can’t just stare into each other’s milky cataract filled eyes and remain happy. That is all we want in a relationship.

People do anything just to taste love. Look at women. Girls get plastic surgery just so they can look good so someone will love them. I’ve seen girls who try to look years younger, but they can’t reduce their age.

People go way too far to try to attract other people. Women try to get all sorts of enhancing surgeries so they can impress other people.

They go way too far.

Not only do we see people go too far to get in relationships, we also see individuals go through tough times just to stay in them.

Have you ever been to the mall and listened to some people fighting? It’s ridiculous but hilarious.

So I’m going to tell you about it.

You hear things like, “I saw you look at her. Is that what you want?”

Ladies please understand some-

13

The Patriot

The John Carroll School 703 Churchville Road Bel Air, MD 21014 Volume 46, Issue 4, February 2011

Editor in Chief: Joey Hoff Section Chief: Allison Walczyk Print Chief: Allison Siegel Online Chief: Jenny Hottle Copy Chief: Kirby Browning Photo and Design Chief: Kristin Marzullo Managing Editors: Maggie Cassidy Grace Kim Business Manager: Ellen Barker Section Editors: Eva Bialobrzeski Collin Hoofnagle Stephanie Laird Imani Love Leah Polakoff Taylor Schafer Ashley Snyder Elizabeth Tauber Hilary Weidner Copy Editors: Gabbrielle Joseph Cara Reilly Photo and Design: Taylor Hooper Ashley Moxley Ryan Selvy Layout Editors: Nico Cvach Julia Earnshaw Sarah Kearby Multimedia Editors: Megan Battaglia Rachel Dinsmore Caroline Spath Reporters: Hayley Boyle Amanda Graziano Meg Kirchner Ryan Lina Lindsay Powell Brian Reid Henry Shepard Cartoonists: Brooke Basta Lauren Friedly

Cartoon by Ryan Selvy

thing.

If a man is in the mall with you, he loves you. You know what most men are thinking while they’re in the mall? “Man, I wish I was doing something productive.”

Honestly, men shouldn’t have to prepare themselves before they go to the mall.

The sad thing is that love is powerful. You hear countless songs and watch endless movie scenes of someone going through all kinds of hardship just to please their lover or simply be with them

Bruno Mars put it perfectly when he sings about catching grenades and throwing his hands on blades for his lady love.

The truth is that those awful relationships are just not worth it.

You don’t get a rebate when you die. God doesn’t say, “I was going to kill you today, but you were with that idiot for six months.

Here’s a coupon.”

If you find true love, it’s worth having it, but if you go through a living hell to get it, it shows how love really can truly be evil.

Moderators: Mark Ionescu Nick Attanasio The Patriot is a publication of The John Carroll School.

The views and opinions expressed in The Patriot are not necessarily the views of the Board or Administration of The John Carroll School.

The editorial staff invites and greatly appreciates comments from readers on any issue.

Please email us at editor@jcpatriot.com or visit our website: www.jcpatriot.com

14 sports

thepatriot Volume 46 Issue 4 February 2011

Making Waves For the fourth year in a row, the JC women’s Patriots claimed the team silver medal in the IAAM ‘B’ Conference swimming championships, with Bryn Mawr capturing the gold medal ahead of JC. Bryn Mawr moved down from the ‘A’ conference and was JC’s biggest competition all season.

In the IAAM ‘A’ Conference, Notre

Dame Prep topped defending champion McDonough for the title.

The meet was held for both the IAAM ‘A’ and ‘B’ conferences Sunday Feb. 6 at the McDonough School in Owings Mills.

Teams receive points based on individual performances, gaining more points for victories and less for lower results. The final scores for the top three teams were Bryn Mawr with 441, JC with 349.5, and Severn with 281.

The Patriots won three gold medals in the competition. Senior Elaina Kohles won the first gold medal for the Patriots in the 500-meter freestyle with a time of 5:25.37, beating her closest competitor by five seconds in the longest individual race Photo by Jenny Hottle of the day.

Above: Senior Jenna Glassman practices her freestyle before a meet “I’m really proud of how against Roland Park. The JC team defeated Roland Park in that race. well the team has done over Top: Senior Elaina Kohles practices butterfly. the past four years, and I’ll

Story by: Henry Shepherd Photo by: Ashley Moxley really miss being part of the team next year. Everyone is always able to swim fast and drop time in the championships, and hopefully next year our team will be able to get first,” Kohles said, following her final event as a JC swimmer.

The second gold for JC came in the 100-meter breaststroke with a time of 1:09.72 by sophomore Carrie Dukes.

Also, Dukes came in second in the 100-meter butterfly, with a new school record of 57.62.

The final gold for the Patriots came in the 200-meter freestyle relay.

The team of Dukes, Kohles, freshman Paige Tyler, and senior Colleen Walls recorded a time of 1:53.44, a close win over Bryn Mawr’s team.

The same team from JC also claimed a silver medal in the 400-meter freestyle relay, finishing behind the team from Bryn Mawr that they just beat.

Other silver medals were claimed by Kohles in the 200-meter freestyle and

by Carrie Dukes in the 100-meter butterfly.

Many other Patriots claimed solid results throughout the tournament. ”It was a great day for the Patriot girls,” coach Larry Dukes said following the results.

“We are looking to be just as strong as we are this year. We will miss our seniors, but we have freshman coming in next year that will help us out. I look forward to next year’s season and hope to compete for the championship again.

Our team goal would be to win the ‘B’ conference championship. We have been runner up the last three years,” sophomore Carrie Dukes said.

The men’s MIAA championships were held Feb. 12 at Loyola Blakefield.

In the ‘A’ conference, Loyola captured their 18th straight championship, topping their closest competitor, McDonough, by more than 70 points.

In the ‘B’ conference, Gilman dominated the competition, beating all opponents by at least 200 points.

JC finished in seventh place out of the eight teams competing. The Patriots were unable to win an event all day.

Rugby team hopes for successful season “[We’ve been] practicing for two weeks. I think the benefits will Sports Editor be getting these guys fit because a The rugby team began practic- lot of them are going to have to ing in the freezing cold, twice a play a lot of the time because we week the week of Feb. 8, prior to don›t have a lot of subs, so they when the season actually starts. are going to need to be in shape.

They hope to bring a different at- And it will help with team bondtitude to the new season. ing,” Sutton said.

“I want to create a positive reAnother new face to the team is lationship with my team,” senior junior Jonathon Galarraga. captain Brett Prochazka said. “By “I’m excited to just get out on practicing together in the cold, the field and play some ball. I and relying on each other to get know it will be a fun way to hang through each day, I out and prepare for think we are already the football seastarting to come to- “I want us to be one son,” Galarraga gether. I want us to team, not 15 indisaid. “I decided to be one team, not 15 join because a lot viduals.” individuals.” of people told me Senior Matt -Brett Prochazka about it and said it Crane leads the was fun.” team along with According to Prochazka. “It’s a good start to re- Sutton, when it comes to strategies learn the fundamentals of rugby. It and drills for the team, they have gives everybody a chance to know covered ball handling, some rudiyour teammates,” Crane said. “We mentary two- and three-men plays, should come together and have a tackling, and the Ruck formation. successful season.”

The Ruck formation is formed Prochazka and Crane aren’t the when “any combination of three only ones that want the team to players from both teams bind tohave a strong relationship. gether over the ball to try and push The first-year assistant coach over and gain possession,” accordEric Sutton believes that practic- ing to guiderugbyrugby.com. ing early will help the team preAccording to Sutton, the team pare well for the season and create hasn’t done the scrum yet, which stronger bonds, which is key to is when the ball is put back into having a successful team. play after an infraction, according

Imani Love

to guiderugbybyrugby.com “Spatial awareness is what coaches are always stressing, also communication and knowing where you’re supposed to be on the field,” Sutton said. “It’s a very precise game, it’s kind of a mess, but it has to be really coordinated. It’s like non-stop football and that’s what’s cool about it. You just pick the ball up and keep going.”

When new and returning players try out for the team, the coaches are looking for determined and eager players.

“We’re looking for hard work and willingness to learn because a lot of people don’t know how to play when they show up,” Sutton said. “At least from my experience, it is more than just giving a lot of effort. It’s being aware of space and listening to what Coach [Chris] Powell has to say.”

Last year’s rugby team had a record of 0-8-1. In spite of that devastating record, the expectations for the 2011 seasons are high ones.

A coach, captain, and player have weighed in on how they feel the season will go.

“We’re expecting to win the championship and a vast improvement from last year,” Sutton said.

“Hopefully we’ll make it to the championships. Our entire Aside will be seniors, so we have an advantage there,” senior Vinny

Photo by Stephanie Laird

Junior Christian O’Neill, senior Andy Hamiliton, senior Vinny Clough, and senior Matt Tennyson practice a maul. The team has been practicing for the upcoming season.

Clough said.

“We should have a very good season. We have a lot of senior players coming back and some new players that could make a difference. We have some new coaches this year that will be able to help us. JC Rugby Rules,” Crane said.

“We had a rough last season, and this year we have a lot of returning players, so I think we will do much better. We will have about 10 or 11 starting seniors on the team, so we have a lot of experience and leadership on the field,” Prochazka said.

thepatriot

sports

Volume 46 Issue 4 February 2011

Basketball teams break records Men make history, women stage comeback but come up short.

Lewis and Ronald “RJ” Williams fouled out. JC lost sophomores Mike Owona and Rodney Elliot.

JC has not won an MIAA Con- St. Frances was able to capitalize ference Championship in men’s on this and made a small run in the basketball since 1995 and the early fourth quarter. However, JC women’s basketball team has not never let them get back within five, made it to the championships in 27 allowing them to win the game. years. This year’s teams changed This historic win was the first that. ever MIAA ‘A’ Conference ChamOn Sunday Feb. 20, JC played pionship victory and broke the St. Frances for the MIAA ‘A’ Con- record for most wins in a season, ference Championship at UMBC with 29. and picked up the win with a final Senior Ronald Scott had a trescore of 70-58. mendous night with 23 points, The game started out slow. Nei- including several three-pointers. ther team took off to Junior Jarred gain an early lead. As Jones was key on “This was it. We a result, the score was the inside with 12 only 8-6 JC after the knew it would either points. Malcolm be a devastating first quarter.

McMillan scored In the second quar- loss or a major win.” 17 points, includter, Sophomore Mike ing a slam dunk.

-Miranda Ripken Coach Owona and freshman Tony Lionel Owona had to Martin stressed the sit due to foul trouble. importance of the This allowed St. Frances to keep end of the first half after the game. the game tied at 20-20 with less “[The last few seconds] were critithan two minutes to play in the cal. You can do a lot more with a half. However, JC was able to put two possession lead,” Martin said. together a 7-0 run to end the first As for being the coach of the half, capped off with a three point- best team in JC history, Martin had er from freshman Kamau Stokes. only a few words. “It’s an honor.”

JC went into halftime with the Scott attributed the win to a full lead, 27-20. team effort. “We played together Stokes’s three-pointer would with a lot of heart,” Scott said. turn out to be the turning point of As for the championship win, the game. JC continued to build Scott said, “It’s really exciting. their lead in the third quarter, pull- It’s my last year, so I wanted to ing ahead by as much as 16 points. leave it all out on the floor.”

Heading into the fourth quarter, it It all came down to the final was all JC, 44-30. match for the women’s varsity In the fourth quarter, foul trou- basketball team on Sunday Feb. ble caught up with both teams. St. 20. “This was it. We knew it Frances lost two seniors as Greg would either be a devastating loss,

15

Sports with Shep

Brian Reid, Taylor Hooper Reporter, Photo Editor

Success of winter sports’ teams Henry Shepard

Photo by Ashley Moxley

Senior Malcolm McMillan dribbles past opponent senior Ronald “RJ” Williams from St. Frances. The team defeated St. Frances for the third time. or a major win because it’s against our biggest rival NDP,” said junior Miranda Ripken.

After 27 years, the women’s varsity team finally made it back to the championships. By winning the tip ball at the beginning of the game, JC took an early advantage.

With the first half of the game slipping away, their nerves started to get to them. “We definitely came out flat footed and not ready to play. In the second half we realized that we had to pick up the tempo and start attacking the basket,” said junior Emily Soller.

With NDP starting to feel the pressure, they gave JC easy foul

shots.

With JC down by 15 starting the 4th quarter, many would think it was over. But JC came back strong, and dominated the 4th quarter, coming short with three points less than their adversaries.

With the final score being 47-44, NDP came up victorious in the championship. Despite the loss, JC isn’t done yet with NDP. They are ready to work even harder next season and are motivated to win next year. “It was a lot of work, sweat, tears, and laughs, but we got there. I wouldn’t trade any of those memories for a win last night,” Coach Mike Blizzard said.

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Derek Alban

Varsity Men’s Indoor Track Junior Derek Alban has never had an off season, and he’s not planning on taking one. Alban runs varsity cross country, varsity indoor track and varsity outdoor track.

“In indoor track, his best times were four minutes and 44 seconds for a mile, two minutes and 11 seconds for a half mile, and 60 seconds for a quarter mile,” coach Rob Torres said.

Alban ended up finishing in 35th in the state at the 2010 championships.

Yemaya Johnson

Varsity Women’s Basketball Freshman Yemaya Johnson is the only freshman on the varsity women’s basketball team. Johnson plays forward and guard and has been for the past nine years.

Women’s varsity basketball Head Coach Mike Blizzard praises Johnson for her defense. “She has a knack for getting her hands on the ball and deflecting passes,” Blizzard said. “She’s also a good rebounder and has the ability to shoot a three-pointer,” he said.

MORE AT jcpatriot.com V READ

Reporter Wrestling, men’s basketball, and women’s basketball all had great seasons this winter. Wrestling is ranked ninth in the metro, and wrestled in the Maryland Independent School Championship on Feb. 19, placing three wrestlers. Men’s basketball are 28-2 overall, and defeated St. Frances in the MIAA ‘A’ Conference final Sunday, Feb. 20, 70-58. The women’s basketball team lost in the IAAM ‘B’ Conference Championship Sunday against NDP by three points.

For some reason, winter sports are more successful against the top competition than fall or spring sports. In the fall, only women’s volleyball was able to win a title.

Last spring, only men’s lacrosse was able to win a title. But this winter, three teams had a chance to win championships, and women’s swimming already placed second at the IAAM ‘B’ Conference Championship.

The disparity between winter sports and the other two seasons are relatively consistent. Ever since Keith Watson became coach of the wrestling team, they have climbed the MIAA ladder. Head Basketball Coach Tony Martin has led the men’s basketball team on a meteoric rise over the past five years. Mike Blizzard has taken the women’s basketball team from nothing two years ago to an IAAM Championship this year.

The common denominator between the three dominant winter sports is the coaches. Watson and Blizzard were brought from outside the school and have successfully brought their teams to life.

Additionally, Martin was brought into the JC community from Spalding.

It’s hard to deny the impact coaches have on a team. Coaches like Mike Krzyzewski take different players each year to the top, while lower level coaches cannot take advantage of the talent afforded to them.

I’m not saying all the coaches from JC are bad. Many of the coaches at JC have a passion for the game. But, after a prolonged spell of unsuccessful seasons, teams need a change in leadership.

Often, a new coach provides new energy to the team. In the end, it’s all about finding the coach that is able to provide that energy.

16 sports

thepatriot

F LY H I G H

Volume 46 Issue 4 February 2011

Sarah Kearby Layout Editor The JC cheerleaders set out for their first home competition only to start to a skipping CD — a technical failure that no other competing teams had to face.

“It freaks you out and messes you up from the beginning,” junior Kelly McCormick said.

Still, at the Feb. 5 event, JC varsity cheerleaders had to continue their routine, competeing against Catholic High, Mercy, Institute of Notre Dame, Archbishop Spalding, or Mount Carmel.

With smiles on their faces, the teammates clapped and counted their way through their performance, keeping in sync, and nailing their routine.

The crowd was supportive, clapping with the original beat and counting to keep the team’s performance smooth.

“It was a relief [when we heard the crowd] counting for us because then we didn’t have to,” senior Meghan Kazanski said.

Even after nailing their routine on the first performance, the JC cheerleaders were given another chance.

Because JC was not at fault for the equip-

ment failure, the team was not penalized for it.

However, the cheerleaders were exhausted after their first performance. “I was more excited [for the second performance], but then it just fell apart,” sophomore Lauren Heim said.

Despite the surprise troubles, the JC cheerleaders were rewarded with second place.

“I was happy [when I found out we got second place]. Of course, you want to win [and] you want to see the year 2010 on your banner in the gym,” Heim said.

Archbishop Spalding took first place in all three categories, which were sideline cheers or routines without music for both JV and varsity.

“Spalding had more skills, and they hit more of their stunts,” freshman Gianna Langrehr said.

The JV squad picked up where the varsity team left off, finishing in first place at the Feb. 19 IAAM championship competition, beating Spalding.

However, the varsity team was unable to compete in the championships due to player illnesses and injuries.

Additional reporting by Hayley Boyle.

Senior Spotlight

Top: Senior Meghan Kazanski does a torch while being supported by junior Emily Jefferson, junior Jill Lepus, and senior Nicole Trombetta.

Above: Junior Kelly McCormick performs a pike basket toss.

Left: Freshman Gianna Langrehr snaps out of her pike basket toss after successfully completing it.

Right: Junior Kelly McCormick does a heel stretch while being supported by junior Emily Jefferson, junior Jill Lepus, and senior Nicole Trombetta.

Meghan Kazanski

Nicole Trombetta

Michaela Kyburz

Angelica Ellison

Position: Flyer Years cheerleading: 7 Biggest accomplishment: Becoming captain Fun fact: Kazanski loves molecular biology.

Favorite stunt: Double downs

Position: Backspot Years cheerleading: 4 Biggest accomplishment: Being able to complete a toe-touchtuck Fun fact: Trombetta made the cheer squad at High Point University.

Favorite cheer: “We are just beginning”

Position: Flyer/Base Years cheerleading: 4 Biggest accomplishment: Being able to complete three toetouches in a row Fun fact: Kyburz is able to fall without being injured.

Favorite stunt: Arabesque full down

Position: Base/backspot Years cheerleading: 5 Biggest accomplishment: Making the JC varsity squad Fun fact: Ellison likes to sew in her spare time.

Favorite cheer: “Rowdy”