April 22 Issue

The Pitch April 22, 2013

Walter Johnson High School

Volume 58 Issue 7

6400 Rock Spring Drive, Bethesda, MD 20814

Clash of the Candidates:

Andrew Zhang and Justin Kim campaign for position as SMOB Interviews conducted by Megan Chun and Sabrina Clarke

Photo courtesy of Justin Kim

Candidates Andrew Zhang and Justin Kim visit WJ for the SMOB nominating convention.

Get ready to exercise the right to vote. Prepare to view the annual “Meet the Candidates” broadcast, because the elections for Student Member of the Board of Education are fast approaching.The voting machines will be broken out on Wed., April 24 for students to select who they would like to have as their student representative.

In an effort to help WJ students make their decisions, The Pitch decided to interview the two junior candidates about how they became involved in student politics and what would make them the ideal SMOB.

“Clash” continued on page 2

Photo courtesy of Andrew Zhang

Kim and Zhang appear on “Meet the Candidates,” airing on MCPS TV.

Evolution of Technology

By Sarah Schecker

Are schools effectively integrating new types of technology?

Back when science teacher Nurcin Bardakci was in school, today’s technology seemed far from reach.

“When I was in college, a computer was the size of a refrigerator,” said Bardakci.

Today, computers have reduced dramatically in size and become an essential component of every classroom.WJ also integrates many other types of technology into the school experience. Promethean boards can be found in every classroom and all students have access to Edline whenever they need it.

With all the technology available to them, teachers try and integrate it as best they can into their lesson plans.

“Edline is great because I can post everything I do in class,” said Bardakci. “Kids that are at home [sick] have everything at their fingertips.”

While Bardakci finds Edline helpful for students, she has not found Promethean Boards to be as useful.

“At least it’s at a place that everyone can see,” said Bardakci. “My notes can be loaded up.”

Although Principal Jennifer Baker enjoys the use of technology, she believes there are many gaps in the way teachers integrate it in their classrooms. Moving forward, she hopes to see WJ advancing in the area of technology.

“One of the things all of the teachers and all of the students and I want is the WiFi access,” said Baker.

“The county is saying all schools will have WiFi access by next year and we are going to allow students and staff to use [it].”

Junior Jasmine Hawley also finds the current use of technology very useful in her classes.

“It is a different way to engage the students,” she said. “It is a way to make lectures more interesting.”

Senior Jessica Gomez agrees.

“Teachers use technology in an efficient way to grab students’ attention,” she said.

While WJ is ahead of other schools in many ar-

rial, Inside, Edito & 4 pgs. 3 Check Out:

Photo by Sarah Schecker

The computer labs at WJ are fully furnished with Dell PCs and a Promethean Board.

eas, compared to some other local private schools, it is currently behind in the integration of technology.

Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School established a new procedure, Bring Your Own Device (BYOD), at the beginning of the 2011-2012 school year, requiring students to bring a personal laptop or tablet for taking notes during their classes.

Additionally, the Holton Arms School has a program for students in grades five through 12 called the one-to-one device program. Established in 2000, the program is constantly expanding. Under the program, younger students receive iPads and older students receive tablet laptops from the school to use for their schoolwork.

While there is no doubting the benefits of technol-

Arts & Ent., pgs. 5-7

ogy, it also has its downsides. Technology use can be distracting to some students, and for others, it makes cheating a lot easier.

“Cheating is an issue,” Baker said. “Technology [definitely] plays a role in that.”

Most tests and quizzes at WJ are given with Scantrons, and although they help teachers grade tests with more efficiency, they also allow students to look over at the person next to them and copy the pattern of the bubbles. Additionally, Smartphones allow students to take pictures of assignments.

Any use of technology has its risks, but in today’s modern society, the use of technology in schools in unavoidable. As technology advances rapidly, WJ will try its best to keep up with it.

Feature, pgs. 8 & 9

Sports, pgs. 10-12

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NEWS

APRIL 26, 2013

Clash of the Candidates

Andrew Zhang

VS.

Justin Kim

“Clash” continued from page 1

Photo courtesy of Andrew Zhang

Photo courtesy of Justin Kim

What inspired you to run for SMOB?

AZ: I’ve been a part of SGA for the past six years, and I’ve seen SGA at the school JK: I am always looking for new ways to help others and create positive change in

level and at the local level and what [they] can do. I was looking for more....as far my community. During my work in countywide student organizations... there was as what I could do. a moment where I knew that I wanted to do more and make a greater difference for my peers.

What do you think is the biggest problem that MCPS faces today?

AZ: I think at a broader level, the biggest issue that we face right now is the JK: One of the most important jobs of the Board of Education is to create a budeducational achievement gap, which is a supposed gap between ethnic groups in terms of education. [It is measured by] SAT scores, graduation rates [and], as early as grade three, MSA reading scores. There’s a lot of effort being focused on closing this gap, making sure that students reach their potential, and I think that’s something that at a very broad scheme applies to all students in Montgomery County.

It’s going to be a hot topic issue for next year.

get every year that funds everything from paying our teachers to purchasing enough paper for school printers... After months of negotiations and review, the superintendent has proposed a $2.2 billion budget for the next school year. However, this new budget is $9.9 million above the Maintenance of Effort funding, which is a funding price floor mandated by the state. If our budget is not fully funded, we will have to make severe cuts to our educational programs.

How would you propose to fix this issue?

AZ: It’s not a simple issue to fix, and a lot of people have different opinions on JK: As students, we need to push for a fully-funded budget to ensure that our how to fix it. Another question I might pose is: should you really fix it? But I think the right path to fixing it would be working with different educators and talking to support staff, like counselors, and [talking to] teachers, to ensure that students are taking the right classes. You shouldn’t be pigeonholing students into taking all APs or all honors classes if they don’t want to do that, if that’s not the path they want to take. Also, [we should be] supporting different options for students, as far as career options go, because not everyone wants to take the SAT and do well, and not everyone needs to do all the benchmarks set by MCPS as well.

County Council – the body that funds about 65 percent of our budget – fully understands what is at stake. A few weeks ago, I went down to the County Council headquarters with SMOB John Mannes, Montgomery County Regional SGA President Jeffrey He and other student leaders to speak with our local representatives during the budget hearing... As SMOB, I will defend funding for our critical resources and fight for our educational foundations.

AZ:

JK: The position of SMOB is not a one-person job. MCPS students are a commu-

If elected, how would you work to benefit MCPS?

MCPS is a large, very organic educational system, and it’s the largest in Maryland and sixteenth largest in the nation. How do you benefit this huge, huge system? That’s the question, but I think the answer really lies in making sure that the budget is large enough to cover all the expenses that we need. We get our budget from the County Council, which collects local property taxes, which largely go towards classrooms [and] improvements, but it’s really about how we allocate those funds, making sure that they really go to the areas [that] need [them]. But also, [we should be] pushing for more funds from the County Council, seeing if we can get more, because there’s a lot of things to fix, and it’s all about prioritization now.

nity, and when united, can be a force for change... I want to actively work with students all over the county and expand communication... I will implement the most extensive outreach initiative to date by visiting schools, connecting on social media, expanding our county-wide student advocacy newspaper, the MoCo Student, and hosting student work-groups to develop innovative solutions to issues in MoCo. My voice should not be the only student voice on the Board. I want to bring you to the table, bring your voice to the discussion and bring your ideas into our solutions.

Why are you the best candidate?

AZ: Currently, it’s between me and Justin Kim, from Poolesville [High School]. JK: I’ve been an active advocate for youth issues for many years and my past exI think I’m the best candidate because, at the end of the day, I’m still a student. I’ve been involved in countywide SGA, but it’s not something I’ve made my life. Being a student, being able to bridge the classroom to the [Montgomery County] Board table is a connection I want to provide as SMOB. I think that [I’ll] keep doing what I’m doing, still struggling in my classes [and] not getting enough sleep. Being late to school sometimes is part of the job, part of being a student, and part of being a SMOB. And I think that’s why I’m best suited for this job.

Dear Pitch Readers,

periences have made me a knowledgeable and experienced student advocate. I’ve testified to the Maryland House Ways and Means Committee speaking out in strong support of expanding our SMOB’s voting rights... I met with Governor O’Malley to push for increased technology in our classes and to keep our tuition costs low...

I’ve been to the state house opposing additional high school graduation requirements [and] I’ve worked with student leaders across the county to take a stand on youth issues such as the curfew at the County Council Town Hall. These experiences in pursuing student advocacy have given me a unique view of our school system and present a candidate with a clear vision and a strong passion for MCPS.

LETTER FROM THE EDITORS

In our second to last issue of the 2012-2013 school year, we are covering a spread, located on pages six and seven. number of important topics. The News section will cover the upcoming SMOB This issue’s editorials offer a variety of opinions on different topics, ranging election, in addition to the evolution of technology in schools. We are also featur- from the negative aspects of Disney Channel television shows to feelings about ing the AP Human Geography class, taught by teacher Liliana Monk, in addition graduation. Lastly, our Sports section highlights WJ Crew, a club sport that is to senior Nell Quinn-Gibney’s student produced play, “Blithe Spirit.” growing in prominence.

With prom quickly approaching, our Arts & Entertainment section suggests opAs we wind up this year, we continue to welcome your feedback. Follow us tions for dresses, shoes, tuxes and hairstyles, all at reasonable prices. In addition, on twitter @thewjpitch and “like” us on Facebook. Don’t forget to check out we recently conducted a poll asking students what they would like to put on their wjpitch.com for the latest news! bucketlist before graduating from high school. Check out their top choices in the Sincerely, Print Editors-in-Chief Sari Amiel & Phillip Resnick, and Online Editor-in-Chief Megan Chun

ATTENTION ALL SENIORS:

*In the next few weeks, be on the lookout for a link on the WJ website and wjpitch.com to a googledoc for the Senior Scatter!*

Pitch

SLIDER

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April 22, 2013

3

Detaching myself from Disney, one show at a time predecessor, “Hannah Montana.” In every show, Disney began to focus more Ever since I was a little kid, Disney on the glitz and glam, giving everybody has been an integral part of my life. in all their high school scenarios the However, in recent years, no matter ability to sing or dance. The shows lost how many times I scroll past the chantheir connection to real life, providing nel, I never feel the need to tune in. images of schools that revolved solely I remember being three years old around extracurricular activities and when my mother told me the incredlooking pretty. The down-to-earth naible stories of the lively talking animals ture of previous shows were replaced Timon and Pumba singing and dancing by make-believe environments where to cheer up their friend Simba after his the only problems seemed to be decidexile from his own kingdom. I rememing what to wear or what song to perber the spinning wheel on which Aurora form to. pricked her finger, even after my countYes, shows like “Raven,” where a teenless warnings telling her to not do so. ager gets “visions” of the future was not So, imagine my surprise when I found realistic, but they didn’t try to make it out that the same company that produced The [Disney] shows lost their connection to real life, so. They acknowledged the fact it was fictional, these beautiful fairytales actually had a channel. providing images of schools that revolved solely around another thing they fail to do in their current While in Bangladesh productions. extracurricular activities and looking pretty. during my early childDisney lost the “it hood, Disney was not “Hannah Montana” introduced a fresh factor” it once possessed, which was an available cable channel. I only found component to Disney channel non-anthe ability to keep its audience guessout about it when I moved to Indonesia imated shows, in that it presented the ing what it would do next.

Instead, now for two years and I immediately fell in life of a teenage diva.

New and untestall of their shows are predictable, and love. Starting from the morning carevery time a new show pops up, viewtoons, to the midday adventures of the ed, it was an immediate success, and “Even Stevens” family, all the way until understandably so, because the idea of ers can guess that it will revolve around 8 p.m. when “Art Attack” aired, Disney an average teenager being a secret rock some sort of show-biz talent.

Needless to say, as a sophomore in high had me eagerly waiting on what new star is captivating and exciting, as it conveys the message that anybody has the school who chose to admit to watching stories they could come up with. potential to be special.

But the popularDisney, I was teased by my friends. But Aside from the obvious fascination, it ity of the show caused every show to reno matter how hard I tried to defend provided me with entertainment durvolve around the same concept. the channel, I felt myself doubting my ing my pre-teen years; Disney is the Shows such as “Shake it Up,” “Austin own claims. Now it is safe to say that reason I developed my lasting crush on Hilary Duff, the reason I still follow and Ally” and “A.N.T. Farm” began air- I will never try to defend these claims Raven Symone’s life via social network- ing, all following in the footsteps of their again.

ByWahid Ishrar

By Sari Amiel

EDITORIAL

ing and the reason Shia Labeouf is my brother’s favorite actor.

After these shows ended came the era of “The Suite Life of Zack and Cody,” “Hannah Montana” and “The Wizards of Waverly Place.” Whereas shows such as “Lizzie McGuire” and “That’s So Raven” were more relatable to the typical high school teen, the new shows added a little more glam and a little more fantasy.

In “Wizards,” the show revolved around a family that had secret magical powers, while “Suite Life” showcased a pair of twins who lived in a hotel, getting into mischief along with their friends and families. It was a little far-fetched, but enjoyable nonetheless.

I would characterize my biggest fear as the unknown. Often, when I worry about the future, I’m less upset by stressful scenarios that I imagine and more worried that I don’t know which scenarios will happen. When I was in fifth grade, there was a contest among my classmates to see who could design the nicest cover for our graduation ceremony’s program. In my picture, I drew my years at elementary school as if they were steps on a path, and at the end of the path I sketched a river, with Tilden Middle School barely visible on the other side. This is kind of how I imagine my journey to college as well. All major transitions seem to be like a sudden end on a path with irreversible decisions guiding me on my way to the barely-visible new path I will step onto in the fall.

Despite this similarity, transitioning to college will be the change of the greatest magnitude I have ever faced. I have lived in the same house for my entire life, and the longest time I spent away from my family was three days at outdoor ed. To make matters worse, when I went from elementary school to middle school, and from Tilden to WJ, I had always known exactly where I would be going the next year, since I passed by those schools frequently throughout my Bethesda has a culture of ignorance and affluence childhood.

College is even more unknown, yet ing ruined (“If I die now, I’ll have spent But that doesn’t change the fact that, it bothers me that I, for the first time, my entire life in school!”). It sounds above all else, we are ignorant. We are will play a crucial role in determining cliché, but I never even thought about ignorant about Americans who are what this unknown entity will become. the impoverished people in India, or struggling to pay their rent, or to put A decision of mine will determine my the starving and exploited children in food on the table. We are ignorant about future, and I must directly face my fear Africa, many of whom were subject poverty in third world countries. We are of the unknown in making this decision to extreme conditions or abuse. Guilt ignorant about world issues and conbefore I can move forward and experioverwhelmed me as I reconsidered my flict. We don’t know what it means to ence the effects of this choice. views. experience hardship, and as a result, we Whenever I think of going to school at It’s difficult to feel the burden or convey our ignorance with lightheartedone of the options available to me, I re- By Megan Chun the suffering of others when living in ness or selfishness.

Reactions and responses vary regard- Bethesda, arguably one of the most afalize that four years is an incredibly long It’s not reasonable to expect everytime, too long of a time to have to live ing North Korea’s looming threat of a fluent and well educated suburbs in the one to get involved with non-profit orwith the consequence of a badly made nuclear attack on the United States, but country. In August 2012, CNN named ganizations, join the military or become decision. I realize that, as of now, I don't there seems to be somewhat of an un- Bethesda as the nation’s “top-earning” politically active in order to combat huhave any major regrets -- I am satisfied derlying consensus, particularly with us town, with a 2011 median family in- manitarian issues. The least we can do is with the classes I took, the colleges I ap- young folk: they’re not going to “nuke” come of roughly $186,616, with a educate ourselves. plied for and all the significant decisions us.

17k lead over the second place earner, Am I crazy, or am I the only one who Greenwich, Conn. Bethesda is a place I made. But with the making of such an important decision I fear I might wish believes that North Korea could actu- where every other person over the age I had acted differently. Choosing a col- ally harm us? When I found out about of 13 owns an iPhone, where a pair of lege is one of the few times when the this potential attack on our soil, I was shoes may very well run over $100 and opportunity cost of my decision is plain- worried. It may be easy to joke about $60/hr tutors are commonplace. The ly visible to me. If I choose one school the issue, but in reality, we have no idea hashtag ‘#firstworldproblems’ has also over another, I clearly see what I am giv- how much this could impact us and our become prevalent among people on soing up. People tell me that all of my op- futures. cial networking sites, often used to deI’ve always been kind of a worrywart. scribe a situation in which one has a ditions are good, but I fear I won’t select As a child I was concerned about bur- lemma between two desirable items or the best one.

Although this sounds pessimis- glars and sharp objects, and even when outcomes, such as choosing between an tic, worrying is a part of life, and life I thought I had grown out of my anxiety, iPhone 4S or 5, or vacationing to France would not be what it is without the un- taking AP Environmental Science last or Italy for summer break. known. While I might be more relaxed year made me worry excessively about Cartoon by Caroline Steel It’s not that people in this area don’t if I knew my future now, knowing ev- global warming. acknowledge their wealth or give back But I soon realized that these wor- to the community; this year, WJ raised #Firstworldproblems has been trending on erything would take all the excitement ries were self-serving and miniscule, at over $80,000 to support Pennies for social networking sites that discuss proband meaning out of life. I just hope that that teenagers in developed areas have least in a global sense. Instead of con- Patients, an organization benefitting the lems when I make my next major decision, to face, which are not “real” problems comI’ll be less afraid of the unknown and sidering the impacts on humanity, I was Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. That pared to the issues that many kids growing more eager to play as large a role as I more preoccupied with my future be- money didn’t come out of thin air. up in other nations face. can in determining my future.

“

”

CURVEBALL

Pitch

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EDITORIAL

APRIL 22, 2013

POINT Cultural diversity over senior inside jokes

By Selma Stearns The African American, Asian and Hispanic cultural assemblies are no longer mandatory during the school day, but students are still forced to go to pep rallies for sports each season. On days when there is a cultural assembly, students get a longer lunch, so the same amount of instruction time is being taken out of the school day as would be removed for a third period assembly. Also, some students may prefer the cultural assemblies to the pep rallies. There were many students attending the Asian assembly, and when it was during third period there was a lot of excitement and support for it. There has been no measurement of the popularity of pep rallies, because they have always been mandatory.

Pep rallies are not more important or interesting; at the spring sports rally, students sat outside on cold bleachers and listened to the captains of each team state the nickname of each senior on the team. The benefits of a pep rally are evident: it encourages school spirit, we get to see the teams representing WJ and team captains usually tell students when their upcoming games are. And everyone loves male poms.

However, they are unfairly being placed above assemblies celebrating the various cultures of WJ students.

It is compulsory for all students to cheer for sports teams, while learning about different cultures is optional. The fact that the cultural assemblies still happen during the school day but are not mandatory does them further injustice.

If the assemblies were after school, then there would be no disturbances and students could make an effort to go if they were interested. It is insulting that instruction time is limited, but if a student doesn’t want to see the assembly they can choose not to.

To most students, an hour-long lunch at the mall or at Georgetown square with their friends is more appealing than sitting in the auditorium, which explains the depressing turnouts at the events. It is announced over the PA that an assembly is taking place and students should go, with the understanding that attending them is not the most appealing option. Also, students frequently are making up tests and going in to teachers for help during lunch.

Many people support our athletics department, but some students may

prefer to watch displays of culture. They enjoy themselves at the assemblies, but when they are not mandatory, they choose to eat lunch with their friends.

This doesn’t mean that they value sports over culture.

There are many reasons why class time is not used for instruction during the school year, such as when students watched a video on the dangers of texting and driving. Also, a guest speaker came to the auditorium to speak about drugs, and all students watched this on promethean boards. These are both examples of class time being taken away from everyone to further our education and promote safer and healthier behavior. School sports do not fall into this category, and, if anything, culture is more educational than sports. Culture and health are valid reasons to use class time; sports are not.

Pep rallies have significant community value. However, cultural assemblies are at least as valuable, and they should not be given lower priority than sports teams, especially because sports already have many fans, while most students do not know much about other cultures’ traditions.

Photo by Sarah Schecker

POINT/COUNTERPOINT Pep Rallies vs. Cultural Assemblies COUNTERPOINT Appreciating our school sports teams

By Dashel Lewis

Recently, school administrators decided to make the annual cultural assemblies available to students, but only at lunch. Igniting a debate over whether it’s fair that cultural assemblies are pushed back to lunch while the pep rallies kept their regular slot during school.

Personally, I’d like both assemblies to stay, as they provide much-needed relief from the daily grind of school, but the decision to move cultural assemblies to lunch is hardly a surprising one.

The school pep rallies are supposed to be events that appeal to the entire school, spanning across all the diverse interests and groups in the school. The cultural assemblies, in theory, are events that appeal to people that are specificalEditors-in-Chief Sari Amiel Phillip Resnick Megan Chun* News Editors Claudia Nguyen Izzy Salant* Caroline Steel* Asst. News Editor Izzy Salant Editorial Editors Nathaniel Rees Dashel Lewis* Asst. Editorial Editor Wahid Ishrar Feature Editors Ellie Jorling

ly interested in the represented culture.

Since my arrival at WJ three years ago, the cultural assembly has been generally enjoyed by the student body, providing interesting performances and insightful perspectives. However, the assembly itself is specified, meaning that it’s meant for students that are specifically interested in the culture, so much so that they’d be willing to give up their lunch to support their peers or learn about a different culture.

Even after discussing the fairness of the move, a natural question is why the school can’t simply stage both events?

They don’t appear to be particularly taxing to the schedule. The answer, and a dubious one at that, is most likely a general desire to fit in as much schedule space as possible for school. Opportunities to move events like the cultural

THE

Asst. Feature Editors Christine Bersabal* Grace Leslau* Arts & Entertainment Editor Emily Cosentino Sabrina Clarke* Asst. Arts & Ent. Editor Audrey Marek Sports Editors Ian Morrison Ben Resnick* Asst. Sports Editor Ben Resnick

assemblies to other slots will always be taken, no matter the potential impact on attendance.

Understandably some may cry foul, especially those participating in the assembly, but the truth of the matter is that there’s simply nothing to suggest imbalance or favoritism. The past couple of years have created an illusion that the cultural assemblies are something for the entire school, when in fact they are specialized assemblies.

That’s not to say that the culture assemblies are lacking in quality or entertainment, I for one think they’re more fun to watch than the pep rallies, it’s just that they’re not specifically tailored to the whole school. That makes their move to lunch disappointing, but not unfair or biased.

STAFF

Photo by Wahid Ishrar

Rees’s Pieces

By Nathaniel Rees College athletic programs are too powerful. First, the Penn State scandal hit the news, where coach Joe Paterno and school President Graham Spaniard covered up Jerry Sandusky’s sexual assault of eight underage boys. And now, the footage of Mike Rice verbally and physically assaulting his players has hit the web. And once again, school officials knew about the abusive behavior yet did nothing.

The pattern evidenced by the Sandusky and Mike Rice scandals is clear: there is an attitude dictating that what happens behind gym doors stays behind gym doors in college athletics. Until a video like the tape of Rice becomes public and newsworthy, college athletic directors seem to ignore their coaches’ abusive behavior. Winning, it seems, is more important than addressing ethics.

The scandal that erupted at Penn State ought to have stood as a warning of what can happen when an athletic program is allowed to become too big to curtail and too powerful for university administrators to control. But clearly, other universities have not been able to maintain control over their athletic departments.

Another sports cover-up can’t happen again. School officials need to place moral and ethical behavior above winning, and player safety and well-being above money. The NCAA needs to investigate alleged coaching crimes, and lessen the power of the coaching hierarchy for division 1 basketball programs.

Furthermore, a disturbingly sportsoriented culture festers in collegiate locker rooms, and not just Rutgers.’

Would Rice have survived this long after making homophobic slurs while directing a school play? Probably not. Why did anti-gay slurs deserve something less when directed at athletes? And how must Rutgers students feel, gay or not, when they see intolerable behavior tolerated at the university’s highest levels?

Rice deserved to be fired. Now attention must be turned to Pernetti and others who failed to see what was clear to everyone else: that Rice’s abusive behavior is inexcusable,and that the saftey and well-being of players is far more important than winning a few basketball games.

Photo Courtesy of Chris McCurry

Photo Editors Wahid Ishrar Emily Cosentino

The Pitch is published eight 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 301-803-7184. 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 193 or e-mailed 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.

Columbia Scholastic Press Association Gold Medalist 2009

Maryland HS Journalism Award Best Newspaper Overall Third Place 2009-2010

American Scholastic Press Association First Place 2010-2011

Photographers Sarah Schecker Hope Marshall Cartoonists Caroline Steel Advisor Sylvie Ellen Copy Editors Sari Amiel Megan Chun

Business/PR Manager Claudia Nguyen Head Staff Writer

Anders Norberg Staff Writers JJ Henn Michael Lumbuku Melissa Wainaina Hope Marshall Adriana Del Grosso Selma Stearns Sean Poosson Sarah Schecker *Online Editors

the

Pitch

APRIL 22, 2013

By MelissaWainaina and Hope Marshall

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

The All Out Prom Guide

5

Prom is quickly approaching and seniors are excitedly getting ready for this memorable night. This year’s prom theme is Mardi Gras. Prom is known for being one of the most expensive high school events due to dress or tux shopping, transportation, corsages, hair, makeup, tickets and dinner. Here is a guide for some inexpensive yet fashionable options.You can get everything you need for the perfect prom at minimal cost.

A few of the many styles of shoes that can be worn to prom (pictured above), and more styles of shoes can be found at Reddz Trading (pictured on right).

Shoes

Shoes may be the easiest part of prom outfit shopping, but finding an affordable shoe store can be a bit challenging. Stores like Payless, Forever 21 and H&M have shoes ranging from $15 to $30.

Photos by Emily Cosentino

Hair/ Makeup

Chaos Salon: Chaos, located on Cordell Ave., is a modern salon that is perfect for a pre-prom hair touch-up. They charge $80 for an up-do and $40 for glossing and toning.

Salon A: Located in downtown Bethesda, Salon A is a slightly cheaper alternative. Their haircuts and up-dos cost $60. While you’re there, try out a facial ($50), a manicure ($18) or a makeup application, which is another option they offer for only $40.

Photo By Melissa Wainaina

Photo Courtsey of Facundo Severi

Photo By Melissa Wainaina

Seniors Caitlyn May (left), Facundo Severi (middle) and Felice Amsellem (right) are dressed in prom-worthy outfits.

Dresses/ Tuxedos

Many senior girls have been getting their dresses from various inexpensive online and mall stores. Some favorites are the ones below.

JJshouse.com and Idreamprom.com: These websites are similar to promgirl.com, but are more reasonable in price. They have over 100 different dresses suitable for prom. Dress prices range from $100 to $300.

Lord and Taylor: This department store, located at White Flint Mall, carries an array of dresses, from floor length to high-low to short dresses. Prices may be a bit higher, starting at $150 to $300.

Cache: This stylish store is located at both Montgomery Mall and White Flint Mall. This shop usually carries short dresses, but for the next two months, it will be selling floor length, high-low and short dresses for prom. Prices range from $100 to $400.

David’s Bridal: This is the most popular dress store out of all of these shops.

You can find dresses at a very reasonable price from $99 to $500.

Guys have a bit more of a challenge in preparing for prom, because of tux rentals. Since most tuxes cost at least $500 to buy, renting them is the most reasonable choice for guys.

Men’s Wearhouse and Jos. A. Bank rent out tuxes at a reasonable price.

Men’s Warehouse usually starts off the rental prices around $75 to $200 and Jos. A. Bank is a bit on the pricier side, starting around $150 to $300.

Transportation

If the group you are attending prom with wants to go all out and get a limo or a party bus, be sure check out mylimos.net. Prices range from $50 to $165. You can call them at 703-349-1330 to find more information on the stores’s location, deposits and detour fees.

Photos courtesy of mylimos.net offical website

Mylimos.net has a large spectrum of vehicles for rent, the most popular being limos (pictured on right) and party buses (pictured on left).

Photos courtsey of SalonA.com

These are some different hairstyles created by Salon A for a spectrum of formal events.

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APRIL 22, 2013

By Emily Cosentino and Audrey Marek

Plenty of time left: Freshmen & Sophomores Go on a road trip with friends Learn to drive Have a water balloon fight Get a boyfriend or girlfriend Ride a zipline Watch the ball drop at Times Square Buy a homeless person a full meal Make a million-hit YouTube video Sneak out of the house Leave handprints in wet cement

Confetti is dropped at the 2011 Times Square celebration of the New Year.

w cho e tivi os ties e par the gra tici dua pat ting h

A person ziplines through the forest.

The logo of the popular website YouTube is seen in the upper left corner of the video page.

Hand prints in cement commemorate an experience or just someone’s life.

Cartoons by Emily Cosentino and Audrey Marek

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Before I graduate ...

APRIL 22, 2013

100 WJ s ere tude sur nts e th vey e ey e top d to wo 10 te i uld achig n befo like to h sc re hoo l.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Bethany Beach is a popular destination for this year’s participants in Senior Beach Week.

High school students visit a variety of destinations in Europe, either on school trips or personally.

Last ditch effort: Juniors & Seniors

In the popular Jim Carrey movie, the main character must say yes to everything for a day.

Harry Potter confronts one of his teachers.

All photos courtesy of Brittanica

Go on a road trip with friends Go to Senior Beach Week Visit Europe Plan or receive an epic promposal Tell teachers your honest opinion Participate in Senior Skip Day Go skinny dipping Walk up to a random person, kiss them, then slap them, and yell “We’re over” and run away Say “yes” to everything for a day Do the philly cheese steak challenge

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FEATURE

One final act:

APRIL 22, 2013

Senior Nell Quinn-Gibney directs “Blithe Spirit” for her senior project

By Christine Bersabal WJ S*T*A*G*E works hard to put on two main productions every fall and spring. Additionally, short student produced skits, called the “One Acts” are produced in the winter. However, for her senior research project, senior Nell Quinn-Gibney is directing her own production of “Blithe Spirit”, a British comedy about an author whose first wife’s ghost has come back from the dead and serves as a distraction when he is trying to write a play.

Quinn-Gibney decided on her project because of her passion for theater.

“I wasn’t in [WJ S*T*A*G*E’s] ‘Into the Woods’ and I knew a lot of talented kids from One Acts and the theater class who either didn’t get into ‘Into the Woods’ or didn’t try out because singing is not their thing,” she said. “I really wanted to end my senior year with some sort of theater project.”

After previously directing one play, “The Actor’s Nightmare,” in last winter’s One Acts, Quinn-Gibney encouraged many of the actors to audition for “Blithe Spirit”. Junior Leanna Taylor performed in “The Actor’s Nightmare” and is now in the cast of “Blithe Spirit”.

“I love working with [Quinn-Gibney],” said Taylor.

“She’s such a great director.”

Taylor plays Elvira, the first wife of the protagonist, who appears as a ghost. According to Taylor, the character is very devious, evil and glamorous, which is why Quinn-Gibney cast her in the role.

Freshman Adam Rarey also decided to audition for “Blithe Spirit” because many of his friends from One Acts also enjoyed working with Quinn-Gibney.

Rarey plays one of the main roles as Charles Condomine, an upper class Englishman.

Taylor and Rarey have a lot of experience in theater. In preparing for “Blithe Spirit”, the toughest challenge for Rarey was line memorization. As for Taylor, getting the correct British pronunciations for certain words required a bit more extra effort. Overall, both

Photo by Sari Amiel

can rehearse on weekends when [we] need to.”

Financial concerns are also an issue for Quinn-Gibney. The budget is compiled of donations, but Quinn-Gibney plans on having ticket sales as another source of revenue.

She has to be cautious when buying costumes and must also make sure to buy the rights to use them. All costs must be accounted for so there will not be any debt in the have been his favorite aspect of the pro- having the cast do their own costumes end.

“Blithe Spirit” will be performed on duction so far. and makeup.

“You meet so many new people who Quinn-Gibney admits that there are May 24 and 25 and is open for everyone are unique and fun and great to be not many advantages to being indepen- to watch with a small ticket fee.The cast around,” he said. “Also you probably dently run. The biggest challenge is and crew are excited to show their hard wouldn’t know them if you had never practicing in a classroom instead of a work to the public. Rarey even hopes been in theater.” proper theater. The cast therefore has that it will inspire students to try theQuinn-Gibney shared similar senti- to improvise with props. For example, ater for the first time.

“It’s a fun show,” Quinn-Gibney said. ments. to replace space-consuming objects like “It’s been a fantastic experience,” she couches, they use desks. The produc- “It’s funny, it’s interesting. There [are] said. “I’m working with two full casts, tion is also more collaborative since it is going to be some cool effects so people which is exhausting, but it’s a great mostly student-run. This also allows for should come check it out.” group of kids, so they make it really easy a less strict atmosphere. on me.”

“We have fewer time constraints,” she There are 14 students in the cast and said. “I can pretty much rehearse when Quinn-Gibney hopes to find around [the cast] is free [and] when I’m free.We say that the production of “Blithe Spirit” has been very unique.

“This production is definitely smaller in cast, but I like it,” said Taylor. “It makes all of us closer as a cast.”

Rarey said the other people involved

five students for the crew, depending on where the final performance will be held. If they use the auditorium, she will need someone to run microphones.

One student will be in charge of lighting and sound. To save money, she plans on

“You meet so many new people who are unique and fun and great to be around...you probably wouldn’t know them if you had never been in theater.”

Photo by Christine Bersabal

Director of “Blithe Spirit,” senior Nell Quinn-Gibney (left) oversees freshman Adam Rarey (center) and junior Ana Petricel (right) during rehearsal.

Photo by Christine Bersabal

(From left to right) Freshman Julia Souza, sophomore Hannah Wilcove, senior Yari Jamali and sophomore Marianna Gutierrez run through lines.

9 AP Human Geography teacher applies new ideas, experiences to enhance classroom experience

By Grace Leslau New to WJ this year, AP Human Geography teacher Liliana Monk brings a fresh perspective to this interactive course. Human Geography covers all aspects of human civilization, from religion, to culture, to language.

“It has been called the ‘super social studies class’ because it’s a little bit of everything,” said Monk. “The class is about learning the impact that human beings have had on the world.”

Before becoming a teacher, Monk worked at the U.S. Department of Commerce to facilitate trade between the U.S. and China. She taught at both Einstein and Wootton prior to WJ. “I like the student population [at WJ],” said Monk. “I like the fact that it’s so diverse.”

Monk has a unique approach that incorporates outside material into her curriculum so students can experience real life examples of the content they learn in class. She took her students from Wootton to a cemetery so that they could study the demographic changes that took place among Rockville inhabitants. She also took her students to some of the places of worship in the region, such as the Sixth & I Historic Synagogue, the Washington National Cathedral and the Islamic Mosque, all in Washington D.C., when they were studying about the religions

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APRIL 22, 2013

of the world. The firsthand experience gave students a better grasp of belief systems that might otherwise seem foreign and remote.

“We are basically talking about how our societies work currently, which is really important for being an informed global citizen,” said senior Erica Vinson.

Monk faces a generation of teens who, despite having a wealth of knowledge available at their fingertips, are fairly ignorant when it comes to geography. In a CNN study following Hurricane Katrina, 33 percent of respondents could not identify Louisiana on a map. Similarly, a poll by the National Geographic in 2011 revealed that 47 percent of Americans ages 18 to 34 could not locate India on a map. Through Human Geography, Monk attempts to overcome the geographic illiteracy and lack of fundamental knowledge about other cultures among U.S. teenagers.

“I want [my students] to understand the world a bit better,” she said. “I want them to be more aware of the world around them.”

Monk plans to implement a new approach to her class next year. Students will read “The Kite Runner” over the summer. The novel chronicles the turmoil in Afghanistan from the point of view of a wealthy young Afghani boy.

While students read the novel over the summer, Monk will simultaneously take a course about Afghanistan so she too

can be more familiar with the country’s history and culture. Then students will be able to apply the course curriculum to a country whose culture they understand.

In 2011, Monk received the Fullbright Teaching Award, an international exchange program that allowed Monk to travel to Argentina and teach there. A native of Argentina, Monk also managed

FEATURE

to foster ties between Argentine students and students back in the U.S. via Skype conversations between students of the two distinct nationalities. “[AP Human Geography] gives students a chance to go out and look at things in the world,” said Monk.

AP Human Geography teacher Liliana Monk works with senior Adam Cohen.

Photo by Sarah Schecker

Sports

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SPORTS

Spring sports updates

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Photo by Wahid Ishrar

From left: Seniors Gina Fischetti and Kyle Clarkson, and freshman Kelly Morrison await a serve.

Photo by Sarah Schecker

Photo by Wahid Ishrar

Photo by Wahid Ishrar

Sophomore Ranish Byanjankar sets the ball for his teammate during practice.

Sophomore Solomon Kritz returns the serve.

Boys’ volleyball Co-ed volleyball

By Sean Poosson

This team struggled at the start of the season, losing their first three matches.

The team scored their first victory in a very close match against Paint Branch, in which they played through all five sets. They did the same in a second successive win against Blake, putting them on a two-game win streak. Following a loss to state title contender Wootton, the team stands at 2-4, two wins away from last year’s total win tally. The team looks to improve from the loss throughout their next matches, including their next match at B-CC on April 24 at 5:15 p.m.

By Sean Poosson

The coed team began their season with a bang, going undefeated in each of their first five contests. After facing opponents Richard Montgomery, Einstein, Quince Orchard, Paint Branch and Blake, the team had only lost four sets. The team recently suffered a tough loss to Wootton, but look to bounce back and return to winning with seniors Gina Fischetti and Nicole Hung taking the lead. Their next match is on April 24 at B-CC at 7:00 p.m.

Sophomore Monique Mendez prepares to tumble on the balance beam.

Boys’ tennis

By Michael Lumbuku

This year’s boys’ tennis team has started off the season swinging hard, currently standing with a solid 2-2.

Although the team consists mostly of underclassmen, the team hopes to gain more experience to carry through this season while also maturing for next season. Led by seniors Jamie Schmidt and Matt Skay, the team plans to keep up momentum throughout the rest of the season. They face Whitman today at home at 3:30 p.m.

Gymnastics

By Michael Lumbuku

WJ gymnastics has become quite popular within the last few years, and this year it has become even more competitive. Led by senior captains Lizzie Gierszewski, Grace Leslau and Libby Rice, the team looks to stay strong through the season. The team has shown much improvement in their vault, mat and uneven bar performances and look to improve their performance on the beams. The team has their next match against Whitman at Sherwood on April 25 at 5:00 p.m.

Charging the mound

Parents go overboard trying to micromanage their children’s athletic careers

By Ian Morrison

As an athlete, I’ve grown up in sporting goods stores, constantly buying new cleats, socks, balls, shin guards and just about every piece of soccer equipment you could think of. I’ve also, over the course of my athletic shopping experiences, witnessed many parents bringing their kids in to make similar purchases. As time has gone on, I’ve noticed that parents seem to be a bit obsessive over their children’s athletic careers.

Over time, my perspective on parents and their ways of “encouraging” their children to participate in team athletics has changed quite a bit. To put it simply, parents are insane.

I don’t make statements like this too often, but after playing soccer for 11 years and spending so much time in soccer shops, it’s impossible not to notice many parents’ controlling nature.

The most common might be the controlling, chromophobic father. These dads are terrified of colors, and express this fear by refusing to let their children purchase the colorful cleats that they pick out. I once witnessed a kindergarten-aged soccer player pick out a pair of green shoes, only to be told by his father, “Be

an athlete; get black cleats.” The kid clearly wanted the green cleats, and eventually his father opted to call his wife and ask for her opinion on the colorful cleats.

Much to the father’s dismay, his wife questioned why it was necessary to call her regarding the color of cleat their son picked out. She told him to get the cleats their son wanted, so that he would be happy with them.

When parents control their kids, they suck the fun out of sports. Little kids aren’t playing for the thrill of competition; they’re playing because they enjoy seeing their friends on the field. So why force them to wear something they don’t like?

Parents aren’t simply guilty of being over-concerned with their kids’ uniforms; they tend to become too involved with their child’s entire athletic career. Parents develop a fascination that exceeds that of their child, and as a result kids become overwhelmed by the constant pressure to please an over-enthusiastic parent.

For many young kids, this can suck the fun out of a team sport.

There are so many toddlers and elementary age kids

who couldn’t really care less about soccer, or whatever sport they play. This is not to say that they don’t like playing, but rather they probably wouldn’t notice any difference between life with and life without little league sports. Kids just want to have fun, but all too often, parents get carried away with competition.

Of course parents want their kids to be competitive, but kids don’t need that sort of competitive spirit when they’re seven years old. They just need to have fun and find out what they enjoy doing. Parents should never care about their kid’s athletics more than their kid does; that’s when it’s time for a parent to take a step back.

I do not mean to insult any enthusiastic parents with this, I simply mean to shed light on the silliness that has become all too common among parents. Don’t force your kids to buy a pair of cleats they don’t want, just let them be happy with what they have and what they do. It won’t be long before they grow up and want a lot more than a certain pair of cleats, so while they’re young give them the chance to enjoy something like the simple pleasure of a bright pair of shoes.

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What’s Inside Spring Sports previews

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Ian Morrison’s column Charging the Mound

APRIL 22, 2013

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The coolest crew in school

By Ben Resnick and Josh Greenberg

When people think of powerhouse sports at WJ, sports like soccer, running and lacrosse likely come to mind. Add crew to that list.

Although crew isn’t an official varsity sport, over the past few years the team has dominated local and regional competitions. The WJ crew team is a selfsustaining, non-profit corporation, coordinated by the parents of the rowers.

Crew is part of the Washington Metropolitan Interscholastic Rowing Association (WMIRA), which includes other schools in the area, such as B-CC and Whitman.

The crew team’s captains are seniors Marguerite Bandeuian, Sara Afshar, Rachel Stryer, Bobby Voit and junior Samuel Pruitt WJ crew has three seasons: fall, win-

ter conditioning and spring. The spring season runs from March through midMay and includes eight regattas, which are the regular season races for crew.

One of the highlights of the season is the Stotesbury Cup Regatta in Philadelphia, the world’s largest high school regatta.

The team is coached by Emma Green, who has worked with WJ crew since the fall of 2008 and was named head coach in 2011.

Junior captain Sam Pruitt has been on the WJ crew team for over two years; his favorite part of being on the team is the way teamwork and working hard as a group result in success.

“Crew is a time-consuming and rewarding sport, and not only for the rowers,” said Green. “As a club sport, we depend a great deal on parents and guardians with fundraising, transporta-

Softball

By JJ Henn

Photo courtesy of Mocorunning

Junior Mathew Morris runs at the Woodward relays at Georgetown Prep.

tion and orginizing regattas,” she said The team acquires new members every year, which allows for new bonds to form between the coaches and the athletes.

“Coaching is a lot of work, but it is also a lot of fun. It’s very Photo courtesy of Eric Voit rewarding working with the team and The WJ girls’ crew team holds on to a solid lead in this race. helping them to be as competitive as The crew team is ready for another they can be,” said Green. great season, as both the boys and girls The families of the athletes contribute teams finished last season nationally immensely, which helps create the small ranked (the boys’ team placed sixth at rowing community that the athletes are the petite finals at nationals), and the involved in and in turn, helps the ath- team hopes that many students will letes prosper. come support this expanding sport.

Softball sports a solid record of 3-4 seven games into their season, despite playing many tough teams. The team has taken down Wheaton and B-CC convincingly with a combined 44 runs in the two games. A tough April schedule is in front of the girls as they take on some of the best teams in the county,

including returning state champions Sherwood. Senior captain Amy Caplon, along with junior captains Sarah Duncan and Kristen Scott, will lead the team into the rest of the season and playoffs, where they look to improve on last year’s second round elimination to regional champions Magruder.

Track and field

Boys’ lacrosse

By Michael Lumbuku

With some of the fastest runners WJ has seen in years, track & field has started off the year strong with superb performances in the Coyote Invitational and Largo Invitational. The stand-out performers on this year’s boys’ team include juniors Daniel Kosogof Matthew Morris and freshman Christian Campbell, while seniors Megan Spurrell and Ana Gomerez continue their spectacular performances for the girls’ team.

Come out to watch them tomorrow as they face Wootton and Whitman at the WJ stadium.

Photo by Sarah Schecker

Senior Justin Hom pitches in a home game.

Photo by Sarah Schecker

Senior Chris McCurry looks for his shot in a game against Churchill.

By Sean Poosson

Photo by Sarah Schecker

Versatile junior Kristen Scott plays many positions including pitcher seen here.

By JJ Henn

Baseball

The talented boys’ team is off to a rocky 2-6 start which included many close losses. Senior Jake Scherer has greatly assisted the Wildcats’ 41 runs this season by leading the team with eight RBIs. Senior captain Gus Gill is 11th in the state for strikeouts with 26, despite playing fewer games than his private school competition. Gill is 10 strikeouts ahead of the competition in the Montgomery 4A South region.

The team has a tough schedule ahead of them, including returning state champions Northwest, Whitman and Sherwood.

Girls’ lacrosse

The boys’ varsity lacrosse team started the season very successfully, with a flawless record in their first five games.

The team handily defeated each of their opponents, allowing no opposing team to score more than 10 goals in the first five matches. Since then, the boys have suffered two close losses to rivals Churchill and Wootton. The month of April boasts a challenging schedule, and the team is looking to keep up the momentum. Boys’ lacrosse faces Whitman at home tonight at 7:00 p.m.

By JJ Henn

Despite having a very young team, which includes just three seniors, girls’ lacrosse has a strong record of 3-3 ,which includes an unfortunate 11-12 overtime loss to Churchill. Regardless of the outcome, the girls dominated Churchill at the beginning of the game as they were up 8-2 at one point, showing that this team can beat anyone if they play a complete game. As the season progresses, the team will come together and close out games in time for the playoffs where they look to make a deep run.

Photo by Sarah Schecker

Junior Courtney Bruch attacks in a game against Northwest.