April 30, 2010 The Pitch by The Pitch

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Walter Johnson High School

April 30, 2010

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Volume 54 | Issue 8

6400 Rock Spring Drive, Bethesda, Md. 20814

The Making of...

Auditions. Callbacks. Crew meetings. Director meetings. Rehearsals. Choreographing. Sitzprobes. Tech Weekend. The infamous “Hell Week.” On the opening night of WJ S*T*A*G*E’s The Wiz, these, albeit vital, aspects of the preparation process for the spring musical were far from the minds of most audience members. “When you watch a show, it’s only three hours, and you don’t really realize how much work it really takes and how long we’ve actually spent doing it,” said senior Gina Amsellem, who was double cast as Addaperle. Director Colleen McAdory says it is a multi-step process for the cast, crew, orchestra and production staff – McAdory, vocal director Hernandez-Cata, producer Jon Bos and technical director Kevin Daney. Once the production staff agreed on The Wiz as this year’s musical, they held three days of auditions to begin the four-month-long process. The three days of auditions started with a day of singing. The second day was the dancing audition, which McAdory views as a vital aspect of the selection process. “That really helps us to solidify the chorus, because the students who can sing and dance really well are going to be our first choices, obviously,” said McAdory. The directors had to make some difficult cuts for callbacks, but the most difficult cuts came after callbacks, when the production staff met at a restaurant to painstakingly decide on the cast list. According to McAdory, approximately 30-40 students were not cast at all. On the flip side, McAdory and the team of directors also found some roles so difficult to cast that they resorted to double-casting. If the directors felt two students were equally deserving of a specific part, the role was double cast and both students got the part. When the grueling selection process was over, McAdory created a calendar of goals and schedules. “I try to go piece by piece,” said McAdory. “If I were to look at the whole big picture every day, I would be very much overwhelmed.” The cast then began the first round of rehearsals, which focused on practicing one scene at a time. These practices ran from 2:30-4:30 p.m., and eventually lasted until 5:30 p.m. Music was essential to learning and rehearsing the scenes. With The Wiz largely based on a variety of AfricanAmerican styles of music, HernandezAp Exams Pg. 5

WJ REMEMBERS Special section 7-10

The Wiz

Cata said her job didn’t end at vocals. “I think that I have to teach them to bring the song to life,” she said. And it wasn’t just singing that brought the music to life. The pit orchestra, led by director Christopher Kosmaceski, rehearsed biweekly. After the pit and cast convened about one month before opening night, Hernandez-Cata said it didn’t take much time for the soloists, background singers and ensemble to get in sync with the pit. Once the cast and pit orchestra had become familiar with each other, the tech crew began incorporating what they had been working on with the cast and orchestra. During the weekend before the show, called Tech Weekend, the tech crew put the fruits of their labor into each scene. It The Sexting Scandal Pg. 11

was especially over this weekend that the crew was severely affected by the lack of previous technical director Ty Huber, who was on extended medical leave. The next and final stage was Production Week. Beginning on the Monday before the show, the more aptly named “Hell Week” required five days of tireless work and dedication, as the finishing touches are made to the production. Among other features of “Hell Week,” last-second rehearsals and practices, short breaks and 15-hour days are all to be expected, according to sophomore ensemble member Sarah Collins. Pit orchestra, cast, crew and directors were required to stay after school until 8-10 p.m. every night, and some of the stuProm Style Guide Pg. 12

Photos courtesy of Kathleen Seale

Clockwise from top: the set, the costume room, cast members Garrett Schiponi and Eddie Simon getting their stage make-up on before the show.

dents were cut very little slack by their teachers. Despite the months of hard work required to execute the show, many cast and crew members wouldn’t trade the experience for the world. “Though we work very long and have insane hours, at least for me, the moment we hit the stage, it’s all worth it,” said junior Mariel Berlin-Fischler, who is both in the ensemble and on the crew as encore crew chief and publicity co-crew chief. “I think this is a show that WJ will be very proud of.” Sports Updates Pg. 14

WJ Sports

Quick Hits

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Volume 54 | Issue 3

Photo by Stefany Carty

The final stages of modernization are winding down with the completion of the field.

FinalTouches on the Field

By Hannah Flesch

Now in the final stages of modernization, WJ recently added a prominent feature to its core of new sights to see and enjoy. The brand new artificial turf field was finally completed earlier this month, easily identifiable by the colorful appearance that a turf field brings along. During the fall season, fall sports, including football, girls and boys soccer and field hockey played on their first home field in several seasons, but could only play on simple grass that was going to be taken out after their seasons. Now, coaches and teams will enjoy a brand new field. “We will be able to practice and play games daily and not have to worry about destroying the grass,” said varsity head football coach Jon Kadi. Maintaining the highly anticipated turf field will not be easy; WJ will have to spend nearly thousands of dollars per year to keep up the estimated $1.2 million field, which Bethesda Soccer Club is helping to pay for. After Richard Montgomery High School recently implemented its own turf field, Montgomery County has received a number of requests from schools including WJ, Gaithersburg, Paint Branch, and Wheaton to add to the list of schools with the artificial turf. Proponents of a turf field, including WJ parent Scott Marks who likes the idea of an artificial turf field, have said

Corrections

The article about the Maryland Scholars Program, published in the March 26 issue of The Pitch, requires the following revisions: - These classes do not have AP exams. They do have mid terms and finals. - No classes have been taught at Whitman this year or next year. The program is, however, offered to Whitman students. - The classes referred to in this article in the past tense correlate to next year’s schedule. - The class called “International Political Relations” has been cancelled. However, there is a course entitled “The US in World Affairs” being offered.

that it is more “environmentally friendly” because it cuts down the amount of fertilizers and lawn mowing needed to keep up normal grass fields. “This way more teams can use the field in their seasons and not have to worry about mud or ruining the field after a rain,” said Marks. According to athletic director Sue Amos, a machine will “groom” and maintain the field and disinfect it two times a year. Both boys and girls lacrosse began their seasons with “home away from home” games, similar to last season, but have been able to take advantage of the new field from the day it was finished. Most expected the field to be done by the end of spring break, but had to wait just a bit longer. Varsity boys lacrosse coach Jon Mayer explains the sport of lacrosse is better suited for turf and WJ will make sure to take advantage of its usage. “The home field has always been awful here, and having the new [turf] field is nice,” said Mayer. Having turf “should prove advantageous in the long run,” he added. Members of the football team working out in the off season have been spotted using the turf and the new stadium to work on conditioning, hoping to becoming faster as a result of the smooth surface come football season. “I feel that we will be more athletic and could be faster than some of our opponents,” said Kadi. “However, the turf will give that same advantage right back to the other teams best athletes. So in my opinion, practicing on turf will not provide any advantage over the other teams.” With the new field only a couple weeks old, the final stages of modernization have seemed to be winding down, evident by the increasing amount of WJ athletes practicing on campus after school. According to Amos, all that’s left to finish for the stadium is the track, which contractors will begin after the spring seasons. The million dollar project will remain for years to come at WJ, leading to a new era of modern technology in and around schools that has slowly but surely increased throughout the country. Who knows in ten to 20 years how many more will adopt this new wave of athletic innovation.

6400 Rock Spring Drive, Bethesda, Md. 20814

April 30, 2010

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Volume 54 | Issue 3

What is the weirdest thing you’ve called a student?

I CALLED TO ORDER THE LIMO AND THEY ASKED, “PROM OR FUNERAL PROCESSION?”

During typical prom weekends, 46% of 15-20 year olds traffic deaths involved alcohol according to buzzfreeprom.com And that’s not because they crashed into a beer truck. Taking a limo does not keep you safe the whole night. Being under the influence before or after the limo ride WRECKS the safe night you planned. ENJOY THE PROM STAY SOBER

April 30, 2010

6400 Rock Spring Drive, Bethesda, Md. 20814

What is a prank that students have pulled on you while you were teaching?

What is the funniest way students tend to describe you?

How do you try to make yourself memorable?

Spiro’s Barber & Hairstyling 10530 Connecticut Avenue Kensington, Maryland 20895 Tel: 301-933-3370 Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday: 9AM-7PM Saturday: 8AM-6PM Sunday: 9AM-3PM E-mail: Spiros1969@aol.com

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April 30, 2010

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Social Networking = Social Suicide Watch for the Cameras When the Red Cup is in Hand

By Abby Singley

Now let’s say I’m not looking for you in such an innocent way. Let’s say you’re my ACT tutor, well, ex-ACT tutor, who was slacking a bit on the job. After this tutor of mine was “iPhoning” every session, throughout the entire 90 minutes, and barely even teaching us anything, I decided to do a quick little Google search of my own. It took all of two minutes: the first thing that appeared was his Twitter. And right beneath, a tweet about tutoring! He was complaining that he had to tutor during the U.S.-Canada Olympics hockey game, but that it was all good because he could follow the game on his iPhone… while tutoring. Lesson learned: Unless your Facebook, Twitter, blog, etc. is as

private as possible, do not discuss anything which involves a boss. And even if I’ll never forget the last day of eighth it is super private, you’re probably betgrade; I was finally going to be a highter off just not discussing those types of schooler. In other words, I got to make a things. Facebook. That was the best day of my life, As far as those fears that come with color so I thought. Then came those talks, lege admissions officers looking at applithose “one ‘red-cup photo’ and your life cants’ Facebooks and not accepting them is over” lectures. Yet, social networking is based on those infamous red-cup photos, all about a balancing act. Is one photo or I beg to differ. Do you really think these are a few “flavorfully-languaged” posts on people have time to look at the Facebooks Facebook really going to be the sole reason of every student who applies to their someone doesn’t get into college? Probaschool, or even a narrowed-down group bly not. There are rules and tricks that will of students? McDaniel, a small liberal arts help you survive out there in the world of college in western Maryland, claims that social networking. admissions counselors don’t care what’s Over the years, my dad has taught me on kids’ Facebooks because they have betsome of the most important skills one could ter things to do with the time. If anything, ever acquire: the true art of Googling. one might think a school of Last year, we had to verify that size would have more a woman’s quotes in a Pitch time to go Facebook fishing. article right before we sent But even small schools don’t the paper to the printer. In care what you do in your free less than five minutes, I had time. One admissions counfound her Facebook, home selor finished her Facebook phone number, work phone point with, “If you wouldn’t number, middle name, date want your mother to see it, of birth, past areas of residon’t put it online.” So, bedence and even more inforsides your mother, if you mation. Okay, so I guess it wouldn’t want your friends was a tad creepy when I left a to see you getting trashed, message on her work phone don’t put it online. Lesson number, which she had never learned: Your social-netprovided The Pitch with. But working life remains “secret” I got the job done. Lesson to some schools, but you’re learned: If I, an innocent responsible for your reputaPhoto courtesy of Johan Larsson little blonde girl can find this Social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter attract innocent victims tion with your peers when it information, a creepy stalker of the younger generation via cell phones, daring them to ruin their reputa- comes to photos and posts. can find way more. Be care- tions with one shot of a “red-cup photo..” ful of what you put online.

Obama’s Cult of Personality By Cameron Keyani Change we can believe in. Surely this country has been changed since the election of America’s first black president, Barack Obama. The question on politically minded Americans’ tongues should be “has this change been for the better?” The problem is that the majority of Americans aren’t even asking this question. Ever since his campaign began way back in 2007, Obama has been a rock star, not a politician. From dancing on the Ellen Degeneres Show to appearing on Saturday Night Live, his campaign was of the most shamefully unprofessional of all time. But that was the whole message. He isn’t a soulless suit and tie-wearing robot; he’s a young and hip president who plays with his kids and who tried cocaine in high school, but it’s all okay because he admitted it.

Obama isn’t only hip; he’s your friend too. In a slick internet campaign, Obama appealed to the American teen by appearing to be one of the most accessible candidates of all time. No one could question the actions of a president who has appeared in a video on American Idol, could they? One might ask, “What’s the big deal with America’s youth loving and trusting their president for a change?” The problem is simple; an American youth that loves their president isn’t asking what he’s doing. Obama hasn’t begun the military withdrawal of Iraq, with troops still being sent in. I believe his primary solution to the recession has been more bailouts to the corporations that don’t deserve to survive. His “shovel ready” jobs are nowhere near as numerous

as the false optimism he shovels down Americans’ throats on television. His health care plan flirts with socialism and divides a Senate that should be focusing on reducing American debt. The great Achilles heel of a Republic is that a ruler, no matter how inept, can be kept in power by the approval of its citizens. Conservatives like Bill O’ Reilly and liberals like Keith Olbermann have opined that if Obama can’t make a big policy reform more successful than his healthcare plan, he will likely not be re-elected. But they are forgetting all of the youth who Obama’s campaign indoctrinated in 2008 who will be of voting age. The country may recover from Obama’s legislative blunders, but it may never recover from a public foolish enough to elect him.

[editorial]

Luke’s Life! The Men Who Made the Man

By Luke Wilson How often have you heard that someone has been a bad role model and should be reprimanded? (Michael Phelps, anyone? Tiger Woods?) Lucky for my readers, I have taken the time to point out the worst violators of role model status; some may surprise you, but trust me, I know a bad apple when I see one. Barack Obama - Not only did I fall in love with Barack in 2008, I fell in love with his aspiration to give all citizens universal health care. With this new found idealism, I started recommending treatments to students who complained of being sick or in pain. This went well until I accidentally offered my cousin’s Viagra instead of Advil to a student complaining of a headache. I called it the ultimate Barection, but the police called it illegal distribution of prescription drugs. Karen Mulligan – Many of my readers may not know who Karen Mulligan is, but as an avid follower of the New York Sharks of the Independent Women’s Tackle Football League, I find it a stirring and stunning display that Mulligan, a physical education teacher, is now the starting quarterback for the league best New York Sharks. However, I got carried away by Mulligan’s independence. When playing flag football as part of an orientation at a summer camp where I worked, one particular girl would not stop talking trash. So I did exactly what Karen Mulligan would have done. I leveled her. I jumped from the ground, the champion of the conflict, screaming and fist-pumping. Unfortunately, the girl lay on the ground as the loser and as it turns out, was a camper (she was big for her age... for the record I have never seen an eighth grader that was 5’10 and 195 pounds…) This led to back and forth between lawyers and an eventual firing. Dr. Garran – Inspired by Dr. Garran’s leadership during modernization and the futuristic feel ofWJ, I decided to modernize my life. The first step in this plan was to get with the music of our generation (rock is so 20th century; rap is where it’s at now). My first lyrics included a certain gardening tool beginning with an ‘H’ and ending with an ‘E’, a bag and a nine foot pole. I was immediately laughed out of the rap community and shunned for about the first two months of my freshman year. I listen to rock now. Ashton Kutcher – The man who has Punk’d multiple celebrities once had my heart. I became so infatuated with his show that I had to punk someone. So one day I did a classic (place dog poop in a paper bag, put bag at the front door of a house, light bag on fire and ring the doorbell, the homeowner comes out, stomps out the fire, but in the process gets poop on his shoe…OWNED!) After I completed this four-step process, I zoomed in to the scene with my camera. “What the hell are you doing?” the homeowner screamed. “You’ve been punk’d!! How does it feel?” I shouted with glee. “Why would you do this to your own house? Are you an idiot? You’re cleaning this all up!” my Dad yelled before slamming the door. Foiled by my own genius…damn it, Ashton.

Pitch

[editorial]

Curveball They Don’t All Suck

By Colin Buley I’ve been in school for 13 years. Doing some quick math, that means that I’ve had approximately 65-75 teachers. I don’t remember all of them. But the ones that I do remember all had something in common: they were either really good or bad. I hesitate to call any teacher bad because, although I have my doubts about just a few (just kidding, kind of), I do believe that most of them had good intentions. Heck, they became teachers, an extremely important (and underpaid), almost altruistic profession. It’s only been within the past few years that I’ve stopped looking at them as evil fun-suckers sent to make my life miserable. I’m disappointed it took so long, but I’m grateful that I finally saw the bigger picture. The importance of teaching can be seen in an unattributed quote that I once came across: “Teaching is the profession that enables all other professions.” We really should be appreciative of what they provide us. The fact remains, however, that some teachers are great, and some of them would be better suited as prison guards. I’ve seen teachers go past joking around (which there is nothing wrong with) and make kids feel dumb for saying the wrong answer before. Good luck ever getting that kid to trust you again. I’ve seen teachers attempt to re-teach something the exact same way after everybody failed the quiz. Yeah...square peg, round hole. I’ve seen teachers stand in front of a classroom and read from a textbook all period way, way too many times for my mental health. That’s not teaching, that’s lecturing. And I’ve seen teachers literally do the same routine, say the same things, and just be boring in general every day. Good luck getting anybody to pay attention. When your goal is to teach students, well, the student perspective should probably be taken into account more than anything. This is what the good ones understand. Every great teacher I’ve had has had multiple or all of the following things: flexibility, creativity, approachability and enthusiasm. When things aren’t going well in class, the good ones shake things up and try something different. Sometimes they get creative with it, they’ll make an interesting assignment, maybe do an activity (active=not boring). Candy may be involved. The way they carry themselves is different as well. Every single one of my favorite teachers has been approachable, always ready to help. Most teachers will say they are, but these teachers showed that they are. They treat students with respect, and in turn get respect back. They seem to treat their job as a joy, not a chore. They’ll act as if it all actually means something. There is something genuine about them. I like to think it’s that they really do care. All of us who knew Karl Savage were rocked by the news of his death, and I’m sure that if you didn’t know him, you know who he was by now. If you don’t, you really, really should because Mr. Savage encompassed everything I value in a teacher. He made me want to learn; he made AP Lang one of my favorite classes and and that in itself is a miracle. That’s what great teachers do, they inspire their students to want to learn and are there as a tool to help them do so. Us students, should probably use these tools while we have the opportunity, and just maybe, thank them along the way.

April 30, 2010

The

Pitch Opinion: The Corny Truth About Our Food With advances in modern medicine and the booming emphasis on being health-conscious, it would seem that our generation would be living longer and feeling better than any previous generation. But that’s just not the case. According to an Olshansky group study supported by the National Institute of Health (NIH), our generation is actually expected to have a shorter life span than our parents. And a very probable contributor to our untimely death: corn. America was built on corn. Well, really it was built on tobacco, but that doesn’t sound as good, so we use corn instead. Corn was initially a healthy and filling treat for the colonists who landed here, and its prominence has only grown since then. Corn can be found in virtually all processed foods, and even random items like shampoo. Unfortunately, its nutritional value has fallen since Columbus first landed, and

it’s grown for optimum efficiency rather than taste and nutrition. Most corn isn’t grown for its taste because very little of the corn grown is meant to go straight to your table. Instead, it is sent out to be consumed by farm animals or turned into high fructose corn syrup and other artificial sweeteners, and then put into most processed foods. Which is to say, the diet of most Americans. Because we grow so much corn, and the government endorses its growth by subsidizing the corn industry and encouraging as much corn production as possible, it’s dirt cheap and made with little care. People sacrifice quality for lower cost, and as a result, our food ends up being less nutritious and filled with empty calories, aiding the obesity epidemic. Take, for example, the beef patties and burgers that Americans are so fond of. These cows are corn fed. Corn is not

their natural diet, and is not healthy for them. The corn fed to cows serves to quickly fatten them up and make them sickly, which translates into less-nutritious meat. Also, corn syrup is a cheaper and sweeter alternative to sugar and is put into most processed foods. It has virtually no nutritional content and contains sulfuric acid. Sulfuric acid is best known for its use as battery fluid. So really, is it any wonder that there’s an obesity problem in this country? People are eating up cheap corn-based alternatives to real food, and even our meat is deteriorating health-wise. And how could we possibly be expected to live longer than our parents when we are slowly poisoning ourselves with foods filled with acid? So while we wait for the corn to leave the food industry, it is important to realize exactly what is going into our food.

First Television, Now Internet: Examining the Boundaries

of Reality Shows and How Far They’ll Go By Alexandra Sanfuentes Your fly is down. I can see it. I’m watching you via the internet through one of the 60-plus cameras that are stationed all over your house. Just watching. This voyeuristic fetish many people have in America is called watching reality TV. With the economy’s downward spiral, networks and producers are refraining from creating television shows in which they actually have to pay actors thousands of dollars to pretend to be someone else. They have a simple solution. Film regular, ordinary people seven days a week, 24/7 with no privacy whatsoever. Yes, that means there’s a camera in the bathroom. Millions of people across the nation would be watching you trip and fall when you thought no one was looking. They would see you spill your cereal on your shirt and pick up a chip and eat it off the ground. There are a few reasons why people in this country, especially those of the younger generation, waste tons of hours slouched on their couches watching other people’s lives go on while they could be living their own. First off, the drama is ridiculous. With dozens of cameras on you, you’re bound to crack at some point and when you do and everyone will watch you melt down. Then they’ll watch it again on YouTube. That kind of pressure makes what you had of a normal life into Everyone Else’s Business. Not only that, but we also tend to watch these reality shows so we can feel superior to

someone else. Admit it. Seeing someone else screw up on TV, in real time, has got to make you feel better about your own sore situation. New internet shows, such as Hulu’s If I Can Dream, which features six 20-somethings on their quest to becoming successful musicians, actors and/or models, film their rising starlets even when they’re sleeping in order to make sure that they catch every moment of their journey to stardom. But where is the line of privacy drawn? In 2009, the documentary We Live in Public made it to theaters, giving the world a look into the lengths people will

Columbia Scholastic Press Association Gold Medalist 2009 Editors-in-Chief Arts & Entertainment Colin Buley Editors Luke Wilson Sasha Tycko Abby Singley* Sophie Meade Rylee Genner* News Editor Ava Bleiberg Feature Editor Ku Jung* Camilla Yanushevsky Assistant News Editor Katie Levingston* Liz Wasden Assistant Feature Editor Allison Gordon Editorial Editor Alexandra Sanfuentes Layout Editor Ian Green* Parker Smith Assistant Editorial Editor Copy Editors Devon Murtha Abby Singley Sports Editor Devon Murtha Mateo Williamson Photo Editor Hannah Flesch* Celia Karp Jeremy Smith* Assistant Sports Editors Kathleen Seale* Kathleen Seale Zach Gordon * Online Staff

take to make their lives public, even if that means risking mental collapse and all-loss of privacy. The story starts out as an innocent internet experiment, with a couple testing the effects of the internet on their everyday lives. By the end of the trailer, everyone has gone completely insane and a few of the subjects are running around completely naked, carrying guns. If the internet is going to drive us to killing one another in times of extreme psychosis, why would we feed our guilty pleasure of watching the personal lives of other people? Networks just need to suck it up and get over their money troubles or else we’re all just going to end like creepers, spying on each other. It’s only a matter of time before the internet and real-time TV make us utterly nuts.

Graphic by Krithi Ramaswamy

Staff The Pitch is published nine times a year by the students of Walter Johnson High School, 6400 Rock Spring Drive, Bethesda, Md. 20814. Advertising and subscription rates are available by calling 301-803-7302. Editorial opinions represent those of The Pitch staff and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the staff, faculty, or student body.We welcome letters, articles, photographs, and artwork to be submitted to room 211 or emailed to thepitch@walterjohnson. com. The Pitch is an award-winning paper that works towards providing the student body with accurate as well as credible information.

American Scholastic Press Association First Place Special Merit 2008-2009 Print Staff Writers Jennifer Spencer Flor Martinez Jenny Deutsch Cameron Keyani Abby Singley Alex Spinard PR Manager Alex Spinard

Online Staff Writers Ryan Lynch Miklos Szebeni Daniel Fanaroff Rosemary Hammack Roshel Mullokandov Online Reporters Peter Langer Stefany Carty

Photographers Kathleen Seale Andrea Linder Advertising Manager Julia Haymore Hannah Flesch Advisor Artist/Cartoonists Hilary Gates Krithi Ramaswamy Will McGowan Samara Fantie Business Manager Flor Martinez

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April 30, 2010

[remembrance]

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Remembers Special section

Walter Johnson Ms. Berger

By Ava Bleiberg and Abby Singley On April 7, students were informed of the death of beloved English teacher Karl Savage. Two weeks later, on April 20, science teacher Carolyn Berger passed away after an illness. In remembrance of these two beloved faculty members, mentors and friends, individual students began organizing tributes to both teachers. The response to these efforts has been tremendous. Immediately after the news was delivered, senior Celia Karp posted a large piece of paper on the wall outside of Savage’s room, along with a supply of Postit notes on which people could write their memories and read those of others. Within days the wall was covered and eventually visited by the Savage family, who expressed deep gratitude. Eventually, the wall was taken down to be given to the Savage family. The wall was replicated for Berger and met with equally wholehearted participation. The messages left on Berger’s wall will be given to members of her family by senior Mariah Perry. Perry spent many lunch periods and afternoons with Berger. Perry accompanied acting science resource teacher Pat Richards to the hospital during Berger’s last days. Perry collected from Berger’s students memories, stories and poems through Facebook and was flooded by emotional responses. Perry brought the letters to the hospital while Berger was in a state of limited consciousness and read her the well-wishes from her students. An hour later, Berger passed away. Perry is still collecting messages to give to Berger’s family members. Berger’s family has asked that donations be made to the Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis in Berger’s name in lieu of purchasing condolence cards and/or flowers. Shortly after her death, Perry organized a day of wearing plaid and sunglasses as a tribute to the teach-

Mr. Savage

Photo courtesy of Mariah Perry

er’s typical attire. Plaid was also worn in honor of Savage. When junior Orli Berman left her fifth period class after the shocking announcement of Savage’s death, Berman and her friends decided they were going to wear plaid. “People were talking about little things they were going to do to remember him, and everyone was talking about wearing all black in mourning,” said Berman. “I was like, ‘No, I’m pretty sure Mr. Savage wouldn’t want us to be mourning the loss of his life, [instead of] celebrating his life as long as he lived.’ I figured that plaid would be a good reminder.” After Savage’s funeral, Berman and junior Gina Lorenzetti handed to Savage’s son, Jeremiah, a framed photograph of all the students and staff dressed in plaid. “There were more people wearing plaid than green for pep rallies,” said Berman. Seniors Joseph McManus and Mateo Williamson immediately met with Leadership teacher Nico Atencio to discuss memorial projects for Savage. The main event being organized is the “Savage May Beard Growing Contest,” during which six teachers and six students will compete to see who can grow the best beard, as determined by the student body. To vote, “beard bucks” will be available for purchase; the more beard bucks spent on a candidate, the more likely they will be to win. “We decided to do a beard growing contest because of Savage’s avid participation in No Shave November,” said McManus. “The goal of Savage May is not only to raise money for the scholarship but also to make sure that a great man and incredible teacher is not forgotten by the students of WJ.” The money raised will go directly to the Karl Savage Memorial Scholarship, awarded to students who show academic excellence in the field of English.

Photo courtesy of Evelina Cebotari

Honorary “Savage Tees” will be sold in conjunction with the event. A haiku, determined by a haiku-writing contest, will appear on the shirt along with a photograph of Savage to commemorate the constant “Haiku Battles” between Savage’s and English teacher Bill Griffiths’ classes. “The ‘Haiku Battles’ were when [Savage’s or my] class attacked the other class unannounced and the classes had a haiku contest,” said Griffiths. “It was a way to keep each other’s teaching honest and to get the kids to do things that excited and inspired them.” In light of WJ’s recent loss, students are encouraged to present their haikus and other poetry about Savage and Berger during the annual Poetry Slam, held in the WJ Media Center in observance of National Poetry Month on April 30. Students are channeling their emotions into creative outlets other than writing as well. Senior Julia Baumgart painted a portrait of Savage which will be placed in the Spectator Literary Magazine as a tribute to the teacher’s love of literature. The Art Installation Club has also been working on a project which will sandwich the student-written messages and haikus between panes of glass, to be installed as windows when finished. The logistical properties of this project will be known in late May.

Savage and Berger Remembrances

8-9 What you didn’t know about... Ms. Berger and Mr. Savage

Ms.Berger’s Favorite Experiment

Savage Picks

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April 30, 2010

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April 30, 2010

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[remembrance]

R E M E M B R A N C E What you didn’t know about...

What you didn’t know about...

Mr. SAVAGE

Ms. BERGER

By Allison Gordon and Camilla Yanushevsky

-He went on a church mission to Belgium and France, and became a Francophile and a good chef. His chicken Marbella was a standout -He loved to bake -He named his motorcycle Lucy -He has three kids, one boy and two girls -He has a dog named Gus -He followed many punk bands and went to a Morrissey concert and a Red Hot Chili Peppers concert -He’d often listen to Wilco and Elliot Smith when grading papers, planning, etc. -His office used to be in the basement of the old media center -He started the movement “Seize Back The Day” - a proposal to not work on Leap Day

Fun Fridays will live on

You subbed for my class one day. It was the most fun class we had all year

It doesn’t matter if you win or lose... all that matters is your team name

Thank you for officially making us unstupid

IN LOVING MEMORY

“

Photos courtesy of Mariah Perry, Karl Savage’s family and Re- I Chin

“

To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die. --Thomas Campbell, “Hallowed Ground”

Life just got A teacher a little less of everything to awkward everyone

Awkward family photos were the best way to start class

You taught us more than made s y a lw a u AP English, Yo fun with your you will be you taught class nergy extremely and great e us AP Life unconditionally missed

You always reminded me of my dear grand mother. She waonce a teacher, s an I think if I were d to ever see her in “teacher mode,” she would be ju st like you

She was really able to relate to her students

-She has four kids, two boys and two girls* -She has two cats -She liked Mexican food, fresh pineapple, nachos, Popeyes chicken, chocolate and biscotti. -California Pizza Kitchen was one of her favorite places to eat -She enjoyed sitting in her bedroom, looking out the window and watching the deer that came up to her house -Lemurs were one of her favorite animals -She loved puzzles, the ocean and Peruvian culture -She loved sports and spent most of March Madness in front of the TV (she would root for the underdog) -She loved*total tennis and soccer corrected from original version

I’ve never met a teacher You are the reason I want as proud of to go into her students science and as you were

engineering

You had the rare ability You were an amazing to make me person and interested my respect in my least favorite for you will su bject last forever

Your enthusiasm and energy ma de class fun every day

You were inspiring and independent and I will never forget you

You were a great teacher and an incredible woman

I had never enjoyed a science class before taking physics with you

[remembrance]

Savage Picks By Sasha Tycko and Sophie Meade

Pitch

April 30, 2010

The

arl Savage was nothing less than a connoisseur of pop culture and entertainment. His eclectic taste in music is legendary, ranging from classic folk and punk to goth and contemporary bands. Savage found beauty in everything, regardless of genre. Even to those who may not share his specific tastes, his passionate and comprehensive approach to the arts is inspiring. Below is our overview of a few Savage favorites which hold artistic value and preserve our memory of him.

>> Music

>> Literature >> Film

Frank’s Wild Years, 1987 Since his emergence from the seedy underground of Los Angeles in the 1970s, Tom Waits has carved out a spot for himself in the music world, combining a sense of Photo courtesy tomwaits.com the dramatic with a bluesy jazz sound. A disciple of the Beat movement,Waits rasps about the rejected and the lost in his distinctive, alcohol-soaked voice. He does this in a beautifully raw way that elevates his sound from fuzzy bar music. His seventh album, Frank’s Wild Years is a strange album, even for the eccentric Waits. Originally a musical play, the album follows Frank in a Jack Kerouac-esque journey through the mucky parts of life. It features an eclectic arrangement of drums, horns, banjo and organs, brought together by Waits’ characteristic voice. New listeners to Tom Waits might find his 1985 album Rain Dogs less of a shock to the ears. On this album, Waits strays from the lounge-piano sound and incorporates more of a jazz feel. -S.T.

By Cormac McCarthy In this post-apocalyptic tale of an inseparable father and son, nearly every basic detail is withheld. The reader knows nothing of the setting’s location within the United States, the names of the two main characters and most notably the cause or explanation of the Photo courtesy of randomhouse.com cataclysm that left the world so desolate. Despite such a vague background, the novel is known for its horrifying imagery and harsh detail of the ravaged landscape. In contrast with the wretched nature of the setting is the tender relationship between the father and son as they stumble across the treacherous earth. While they face the threats of wandering cannibals, hazardous weather conditions and starvation, the father never loses sight of his son as the complete center of his universe. An interesting point of contradiction noted by fans of the novel is the gorgeous nature of such horrific descriptions, images beyond the comfort zone of the human mind. As a review in the New York Times most appropriately puts it, “‘The Road’ would be pure misery if not for its stunning, savage beauty.” -S.M.

Tom Waits

More picks: The Smiths, Bob Dylan, Wilco, Sid Vicious, LCD Soundsystem and The xx

By Ava Bleiberg

The Road

Harold and Maude

Paramount Pictures, 1971 Hal Ashby’s 1971 film epitomizes modern dark comedy Photo courtesy of paramount.com with the humorous and touching relationship between 19 year-old Harold and 79 year-old Maude. The film first introduces us to the young and pathetic Harold, who spends his days faking his own suicide and attending funerals, due to his fascination with death and his attempts to alarm his unconcerned mother. When Harold encounters Maude, a fellow funeral-attendee, he is jolted by her zest for life and the two form a close bond. Meanwhile, Harold’s mother is intent on finding a proper match for her son, but Harold only grows closer to the elderly woman as she teaches him to truly live life to the fullest. The film has been renowned for its convergence of both comical and sentimental value, tied together by the eccentricity of the plot and characters. The cast includes Bud Cort as Harold and Ruth Gordon as Maude, as well as Vivian Pickles as Harold’s mother. Both Cort and Gordon were nomiMore picks: poetry by Billy Collins and The Age of Innocence by nated for Best Actor/Actress in a Musical or ComEdith Wharton edy film at the 29th Golden Globe Awards -S.M.

Berger’s Best

arolyn Berger was known for her vast knowledge of mathematics and science. She taught the multivariable calculus and Quantum physics classes at WJ. Though the fact became known only after she passed away, Berger taught Quantum physics at the highest high-school level within the US. Her two most popular projects were to create a spiderweb for Quantum physics, and to hold a paper tower building competition during multi-variable calculus. One day each year, Berger’s Quantum physics class would attempt to walk into the classroom but be denied access by an intricate web of string intertwined throughout the classroom. Berger held an annual paper tower building competition with her multi-variable calculus class. “It taught us to be creative,” said senior Kevin Spak. “The whole point of it was to get away from the ridiculously hard stuff for a while.” The final goal was to get the best ratio of height to weight of the paper structure so the structure could support a stack of quarters for ten seconds.

The spiderwebs and box pyramid are symbolic of Berger’s two most notable classroom projects. She created a web throughout her classroom during Quantum physics and had a paper tower building competition during multi-variable calculus.

Graphics by Ava Bleiberg

Pitch

April 30, 2010

[feature]

The

Sexting A New Fad Spreading Quickly Through the Nation’s Schools Sexting is the act of electronically sending sexually implicit messages or photos, primarily between cell phones. Photos courtesy of Luke Cusumano and The Accent/Flickr

Extra, Extra: Sext All About It Should schools punish sexters?

By Camilla Yanushevsky That weekly awkward “hi” to your school crush and that monthly love letter you stick on his/her locker are long gone. With the Internet and cell phones, teenagers, including students at WJ, are no longer attempting to explain their feelings and instead are sending their feelings electronically. According to the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy,

20 percent of teenagers (18 percent of boys; 22 percent of girls) have admitted to The punishment should be electronically sending, up to their family, or whomor posting online, ever is in charge of them. nude or semi-nude The school has no business in the personal lives of the pictures or videos of students. themselves. --Junior Katie Baden

They should be lectured if they share the picture. It’s more of a trust issue. --Senior Chauncey Liffiton

Photos by Devon Murtha

Just the parents should discipline them. The teacher can tell them and the parents can decide. It is their responsibility over the kids. --Sophomore David Sidibe

Many teens are creating and then distributing naked or half-naked pictures of themselves, usually through ubiquitous camera-equipped cell phones. But what if this new practice of “sexting” usually to either a boyfriend, girlfriend or romantic interest, spun out of control? What if tomorrow, you came to school and every person in the school had seen a naked picture of you?

What many teens don’t realize is that “sexting” has consequences that go beyond several days of blushing.

On April 15, Pyle Middle School and Whitman High School were the scenes of a police investigation.

An undisclosed number of female students of Whitman and Pyle posed for inappropriate photos and videos that were later distributed. The police are still trying to identify the females in the photos and videos, as it has been reported that the “sexted” material of these females was being sold and “rented out” by the receiver. The charges that will be placed on the receiver and distributer of the texts, and the “sexted” photos could wind up in the hands of potential employers or college admissions officers.

Even worse, this fad can lodge felony charges.

The law sometimes construes sexting as solicitation or distribution of child pornography, with the penalties being up to seven years in prison for distribution of the images and 20 years for creating them. While a sexter might find a way to dodge the maximum sentence, he/she could be required to register publicly as a sex offender, a label that follows one for life. Eighteen-year-old Phillip Alpert, mad at his 16-year-old ex-girlfriend, sent naked photos of her to more than 70 people. He is serving five years of probation for the crime and is also registered as a sexual offender. In extreme cases, sexting can lead to death.

Last year, an 18-yearold girl in Cincinnati, Ohio hanged herself after months of ridicule.

She sent a nude photo of herself to a boy she had a crush on and after the relationship ended, he forwarded the picture to students throughout the school. The same type of tragedy was repeated with a 13-year-old girl from Tampa, Fla. who committed suicide. The nude photo she sexted to a boy was forwarded to other teens by a girl who borrowed his cell phone.

Statistics

WJ is far from immune from this endemic 56% of WJ males have received a sext. 39% of WJ females have received a sext. 74% of WJ students know someone who has received a sext. 69% of WJ students know someone who has sent a sext. 29% of WJ students know someone who has had a sext become public. 219 students surveyed in 11 third period classes from April 26-27

[arts&entertainment]

Pitch

The

Prom 2010: Style Guide

>>Girls The Dress

When picking your dream dress, it’s ideal to have some picture in mind of the general style, so as not to get lost amongst rows of department store racks. If you’re set on a long dress, you have fewer options in the way of silhouettes than if you decide to go short. Mull over which styles you know are most flattering on you and decide between cuts like empire waist,

>>Guys The Jacket

Though it may seem that all jackets are the same, subtle detailing can set you apart from the reset. For the slimmer guy, a double-breasted style is most flattering and will add more bulk to a thin frame. Otherwise, a one-button tuxedo will create the most attractive silhouette.

body-contour, and trapeze. For most, a high waist will be the most flattering and elongate the body. Stay away from too many embellishments, for this can create a cluttered look.

The Shoes

If your dress is a solid-colored, basic silhouette, then your shoe options are nearly endless, but remember that with such a simple dress, the shoes are one of your crucial outlets for stylistic flare. If your dress is slightly more extravagant, try

to stay away from overly strappy shoes (like cut-out oxfords or Grecian pumps) in order to avoid a detail overload.

Accessories

Jewelry is never mandatory, and no one is making you carry a clutch. But accessories can drastically sway your look, for better or for worse. Avoid overdoing it; pick one element (a necklace, earrings or bracelet) and make that your main piece of jewelry.

April 30, 2010 By Sasha Tycko and Sophie Meade

Hair & Makeup

Remember that your up-do will most likely fall apart and your makeup will smear by the end of the night, so keep it simple. For long dress-wearers, pulledback hair generally provides the cleanest look, while both up-do’s and blowouts easily flatter the short dress look. In your makeup choices, keep it light and tasteful (your eyeshadow does not need to be the same color as your dress). Be wary that too much makeup can easily make your look appear costume-y.

The Shoes

ties, but vests can be accompanied by as well. For a crisp look, avoid With a black tux, avoid brown You also have the choice between a peak, neckties brightly-colored vests – matching your shoes at all costs. Your safest bet is with notch or shawl lapel. The peaked (point- date’s dress can look tacky. the classic black patent leather shoes. Go ed) lapel is the most traditional for those for a funkier look with black and white going for a classic look, while the notch lapel is a more contemporary look. And This is the most definitive deci- spectator shoes, or even sneakers. please, stay away from white jackets. sion in the quest for the perfect tux. Bow Photos courtesy of Men’sWearhouse and NorThese stores have great selections for ties are certainly more classic, while dstrom. prom wear such as: (from left to right) this est/Cummerbund the necktie appeals to a more contem- Primetime Collection vest, Badgley Mischka While the cummerbund is the porary fashion sense. While the tie does shoe, Calvin Klein jacket, Jessica McClintock more classic choice for a tuxedo, the vest not need to match directly to your date, clutch, Campia Moda tie, Men’s Wearhouse is more traditional for the Prom. Cum- avoid clashing colors. Invest in a real tie shoes and Trixxi dress. merbunds are always paired with bow and leave those clip-ons at home. For more Prom tips, visit WJPitch.com

Necktie/ Bow tie

April 30, 2010

Pitch

The

[sports]

6000 Executive Blvd., # 510 Rockville, Maryland 20852 301-770-7900

Neil Barkin, MD ♦ Stephen Rockower, MD ♦ Victor Wowk, MD ♦ Carter Mitchell, MD

We specialize in sport injury prevention and treatment

[sports]

WJ Sports

Pitch

April 30, 2010

The

QUICK HITS

By The Sports Staff

Gymnastics

Track & Field

Key Gymnasts

Key Runners

Sophomore Emily Newcomb Freshman Guillemette Bodenreider

Recent Meet

Upcoming Meet MCPS Championship

Win vs. Springbrook

at B-CC (5/4)

and Sherwood (4/20)

Co-coach Ursula Bright Gymnastics

Recent Meet

Senior Sean O’Leary

Boys 2nd Place, Girls 8th

Junior Camille Bouvet

place at Viking Invitational (4/17)

Upcoming Meets Arundel Relays and Nike Spring Classic (5/1) Southern Classic (5/7)

“The WJ girls put more difficulty in their routines County Varsity Championship at Clarksburg (5/12) which helped our score a bunch. What hurt was several girls that fell on the balance beam; Every Junior Runner Camille Bouvet fall is .5 deduction which is a huge loss. We will “Both boys and girls 4 X 8 relay teams are among work on these problems at practice and hope to do the top in the state and look to win states.” better in the upcoming meets.”

Boys Tennis (6-3)

Co-Ed Volleyball (3-7)

Key Tennis Players Record/Recent Matches Key Volleyball Players

Recent Matches

Sophomore Jordan Krasner Win vs. Sherwood (4/27)

Junior Jennie Zelenko

Loss vs. Watkins Mill (4/26)

Freshman Jamie Schmidt Win vs. Quince Orchard (4/23)

Junior Scott Goldman

Loss vs. B-CC (4/23)

Upcoming Match

Win vs. Northwest (4/22) Loss vs. Churchill (4/20)

Today at Rockville

Sophomore Tennis Player Jordan Krasner

Upcoming Match Today at Churchill

Win vs. Einstein (4/21) Loss vs. Gaithersburg (4/19)

Sophomore Volleyball Player Amelia Moura

“The season is going really well. Hopefully we’ll finish 8-4.” “I think we have had a great season and improved a ton.”

Athletes of the Month

Roya Hakimzadeh

Jeremy Lee

By Parker Smith

Class: Senior Position: First Base

Class: Senior Position: Setter

9 RBIs, 1 HR, 0 errors at first base

“

My biggest contribution has just been being a leader as well as a team player.

”

Leads the boys volleyball team in assists

“

I’m just a part of a team that works hard.

Photo by Kathleen Seale

Hakimzadeh has been on varsity softball all four years of high school.

Future: American University

Photo by Julia Haymore

Along with senior Dimitri Rizos, Lee was named a captain this season.

”

Future: Georgetown University

April 30, 2010

Pitch

The

[sports]

Girls Lacrosse Has Eyes on the Prize By Jennifer Spencer

Photo by Celia Karp

Senior middie Georgina Beven and the Wildcats look to keep winning against B-CC tonight at home.

Over the years, girls lacrosse, 4-3, has turned from an average team to a powerhouse program in the county. The young team showed tremendous potential last year becoming 4A west regional champions. Though the team lost several key seniors last year, three returning seniors and several starters return. This year, the girls are looking to make an impact at the state level. With a new coach who shares this goal and a motivated group of skilled players, anything seems possible. The success of the program motivated the girls to take advantage of the off-season to improve their skills. They played indoor lacrosse this past winter and worked on improving their endurance by running. This kept the girls sharp on their stick skills, in shape, and ready to go at the start of the season. “Our goals for the season are the same as last year’s win regions again and make it to states again…nothing less,” said senior captain goalie Yassie Ajdari. “As a captain I just try to set an example for the girls and make sure we are all focused.” Senior co-captain attack Grace Durkin feels the same way as Ajdari. She has been excited for this season all year long and anticipates a lot of success come the championship part of the season. “We have had a really fun season so far

and I think if we stay positive and keep working hard we’ll be able to go pretty far,” said Durkin. The transition into the season was not all smooth though, as they have had to adjust to a new coach. Head coach Brittany Borsody was welcomed to the staff after previous coach Jen Greenberg had to resign at the last minute. “After meeting coach Borsody and getting use to her style of coaching, we realized how great of a coach she is,” said Ajdari. “She’s tough but only because she has high expectations for all of us.” The team, primarily composed of juniors, has relied on seniors Ajdari, Durkin, and junior co-captain and defender Sarah Howie to ease this transition into this season and guide the team along with Borsody. Other key players such as junior midfield Rachel Skay have led the team on the field as well. A major strength of the team is how well the girls are able to work together as most of the girls are good friends outside of sports. “Our coach pushes us and we work really hard, but it will all be worth it if we accomplish our goals and have a winning season,” said Skay. “The best part about the team this year is that we are all really close and really enjoy playing together.” The team has senior recognition night tonight at the WJ stadium. The draw for Regional Brackets will take place on Monday, May 10.

New Field, New Hope: Softball on the Rise By Zach Gordon A few years ago, softball at WJ was almost an afterthought, regarded as one of the worst sports in the school, winning a grand total of four games in 2008 and 2007. But coming off a 7-7 season last year, WJ softball now with a 5-6 record, has become a formidable opponent to the other teams in the county. One of the biggest impacts on the team this year has been the renovation of the softball field. Last year, the team had to practice and play their games at Tilden Middle School, a hassle for the entire team. Although it was one of the last steps in WJ’s modernization to be completed, the convenience it now provides seems to make up for the year of lost space. “It has been great to be back on our home field,” said coach Jamie Ahearn.

“Not having to go back to Tilden [to play] has been wonderful on us all.” The team’s tough schedule, where they lost to state powerhouse Richard Montgomery, 10-0, and first-place Blair twice, 7-3 and 5-2, has been difficult to manage, but so far they have managed to pull out of it with impressive wins over Watkins Mill and Churchill, along with Rockville, Einstein and Wootton. “I see us as one of the top teams [in the county],” said senior and third baseman Jessica Peterson. “We just need to stop making mental errors as a team.” Senior co-captains Peterson and first baseman Roya Hakimzadeh lead the diverse team, which sees a combination of all four grade levels. Coming down the stretch into the playoffs, the team must get some quality wins to solidify a good seed. They have the opportunity to do that against Paint Branch and Magruder

next week. “I believe we will continue to play hard against our competitors and beat many of them,” said Ahearn. “Anything is possible with the great group of players I have playing for me.” The team came into the 2010 season with a goal of ten wins. And with a combination of senior leadership and underclassmen potential, the softball program at WJ seems to be on the right track to accomplish the goal. Both the team and its coach are ready to put their tumultuous past behind them and continue to build around the play of the last few seasons. But Ahearn knows there are a few keys vital to the team’s success: “Hard work, tenacity, and knowing to have fun while playing the sport we all love.” * Game on 4/29 was too late to cover.

Photo by Kathleen Seale

Peterson is one of four senior captains this year, along with Hakimzadeh, Nicole Nakagama and Kat Gratton.

For Boys Lacrosse, It’s All Hustle

By Kathleen Seale Instead of having a new coach to work with as other teams do, the boys lacrosse team, 6-1, is rebuilding after losing 11 players to graduation last year.The loss of Daniel Cohen, Andrew Goldstein, Dylan Ellis, Charlie Hartley, Patrick Durbin, Andrew Schoemer, Danny Weissman, Jake Gallagher, Jonathan Silberman and Max Kanner took a toll on the team for this season. In spite of this, current players and head coach Jon Mayer have a positive outlook for the season. “We lost an All-American and an entire starting defense and goalie,” said Mayer. “However, per usual, we expect the guys coming back to pick up from where we left off last year.” In order to prepare for the season, the team put a lot of hard work in during the off-season. Some of the athletes played club during the fall and summer, went to camp or worked on the wall to get bet-

ter for this spring season. With the help of senior co-captains Andres Rocha (defenseman) and Sheng Fan (midfield), the team has been able to build themselves up to defeat their opponents this season. “We are improving every day but we are a young team and we still have a lot [to work on],” said Rocha. “But I think we are coming together and we will be ready to play against teams like Churchill, Whitman and Wootton in the playoffs.” The Wildcats haven’t suffered too much this season. Last season, the team depended on giving the ball to all-everything Daniel Cohen, but this year, many players, including sophomore attackman Jake Verner and junior attackmen JP Brennan and Colin Dabney have the ability to take over the game so opponents do not stop the offense by shutting down one player. The only lingering question at the beginning of the season was what the defense would do. Assistant coach and defensive coordinator Ryan Walton has helped in-

crease the level of the Wildcats’ defense, so that it does not drop off this season. “We graduated an entire defense last year, but I have been fortunate to have great players step up to the challenge and compete at the highest level,” said Walton. “As a team we are very well rounded and strong over the entire field. Last year there were a few gaps in our squad, but this year has proven to be different.” The team also focuses on togetherness. “[Bonding] hasn’t been a problem for us because we are all really good friends with each other,” said Fan. “We brought back some traditions to further show unity. For example, all the returning seniors shaved our heads right before the season started.” In order to continue achieving their goals, the team must execute, work hard, and have the heart to get there in order to have the opportunity to face the

regional championship and win it. “We are just beginning to click, and we have yet to reach our potential,” said Mayer. “I look at it a lot like a train. We had a few hiccups when we were building the train and laying the track. But now everybody is getting on board, and we are getting ready to make our run.” Dear William Alberto, I know you wouldn’t want me to do this...so I decided to anyway...

Will you go to prom with me? Love, Kathleen

Sports W i l d c a t

April 30, 2010

Softball gets off to hot start pg. 15

Check out The Pitch Online at WJPitch.com

Wildcats Get Edged Out Again

Wildcats Arrive at the Midpoint of Their Season with Something to Prove By Mateo Williamson As senior Mac Gill took the mound on April 15, against state championship contender Wootton, the Wildcats braced themselves for what was the greatest test of the season so far. When Wootton got the final out of the game, the once 6-0 Wildcats were handed their first loss of the season. “We came to the game thinking we could win and we played our best,” said Gill. “They just got the right plays at the right time and came out on top.” The team has gotten quality pitching out of its senior pitching staff, lead by senior Robin Mowatt, but the team has had trouble closing out games, including blowing a three-run lead to Northwest. “This year our pitching has been phenomenal,” said senior outfielder Sam Coe. “We just need to get clutch hits and stop leaving runners on base.” One of the team’s biggest struggles over the past few weeks has been its hitting. In the first six games, the team drove in a total of 73 runs. Since then they have trailed off, scoring only eight runs in the past five games, including their most recent game against Gaithersburg in which they were

shut out. “We haven’t been hitting well the past few games,” said Coe. “We need to hit well when we need to.” Every game, the team has been starting roughly eight seniors on defense, which has helped the team keep its focus and sustain intensity during games. “Having a team with this many seniors has been great as far as experience and skill levels,” said senior outfielder Sam Knecht. “It’s helped us keep each other at a high level intensity during practice and during games.” The Wildcat’s schedule does not let up in the near future, with their next game at 4A East leader Sherwood. In order prove themselves as a playoff contender in 4A, they will have to beat out teams with better records than them, something the team has not been able to do so far. “What we need to do is keep focused in practice and continue to work hard,” said Coe. “As long as we that we should compete at a high level over the next month.” While lacrosse and softball have played games on their new fields, baseball has continued to wait patiently for their’s to be ready. It is uncertain when it will be ready, but for now the team will continue to play at Shirley Povich Field in Cabin John Park.

Senior Mac Gill pitches against Watkins Mill in a 14-1 win.

Photo by Celia Karp

Boys Volleyball Extends League Dominance which is what makes us stand out from the other teams,” said Rizos. After Rizos dislocated his shoulder at The boys volleyball team is offering stiff the game versus Gaithersburg, he missed competition to opposing teams this sea- the following two games against Einson, continuing their level of play from recent years. For the past several seasons the team has finished with a winning record and there are several reasons behind the teams almost consistent triumphs every season. Coach Sylvie Ellen believes that there are several aspects that have helped the team thrive this season. “The team’s continued success is a result of players with high skill level and a sincere commitment to the sport,” said Ellen. “They get along well with each other and the team unity plays an important factor, especially when we face challenging opponents.” Senior co-captain and middle hitter Dimitri Rizos has noticed that the teamwork this season has shown the teams strengths along with its unity. Photo by Julia Haymore “The strengths of the team are our teamwork and the mentality of everyone (From left to right) Sophomore Halid Hamadi and sein such a way that we feel comfortable niors Nick Taylor and Jeremy Lee stand united in the playing with each other on the court, face of adversity.

By Alex Spinard

stein and B-CC. Although the team was missing their team captain, they played to their fullest potential and won both games with decisive victories, giving both teams little opportunity to score throughout the course of each round. Another reason for the Wildcats continued success is their consistent commitment to training and improving technique. One main focus that the team has always worked on is giving it their all, no matter the score. “We have been working on playing each point until the whistle blows and not giving up,” said Ellen. “As a team, I have tried to emphasize the importance of moving on from mistakes and making the next point count.” This tactic has been very successful, as the team has only suffered one loss, to Blair (18-25, 18-25, 22-25), but still maintain a 9-1 record. Despite the loss, the score reflects the team’s dedication and enthusiasm in putting all their effort until the whistle blows. And even though the team lost the opportunity of potentially going undefeated, as the team did back in 2008, the Wildcat’s spirit has not been hindered. Instead, the team imme-

diately turned their focus to the upcoming playoffs in May where the team hopes to make it to the final round. “We will go far in the playoffs because of our teamwork and the great leadership that we have as a team. Everyone will contribute to the success of our playoff run,” said Rizos. After this season, the volleyball team will lose five seniors due to graduation. Many are questioning the capabilities of the team; however, Rizos is optimistic about next year’s team. “Next year will be a reconstructing year,” said Rizos. “But the guys that will be here next year like Juan Pablo, Felipe Corte, Halid Hamadi and Raul Silva will be the main factors of the team and will lead the team to great heights,” said Rizos. The team will only consist of two seniors for next season and will rely on sophomore players like Hamadi, Corte and Silva to help maintain their winning record. The end of the season will be on May 3, along with the celebration of senior recognition. The game will be against Rockville High School in WJ’s gym at 7 p.m.

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