The Pitch
Walter Johnson High School
November 25, 2013
Volume 59, Issue 3
6400 Rock Spring Drive, Bethesda, MD 20814
High school censorship silences sounds of students
By Izzy Salant and Anna Hovey
is also looked over by the SGA and its sponsor, Rainer Kulenkampff, who Homecoming is a time go through the same task for sports, dancing, being of deciding what is school rejected by dates and so appropriate or not. He many other forms of selfexplained how he goes expression. At WJ, homethrough the process. coming comes with anoth“After considering what er tradition: The movie. was school appropriate This year’s movie sparked and what was important some controversy among to the story, I discussed students, as some were the sensitive material with upset with the amount of the SGA and we typically alterations made to the came to a consensus on movie. There were scenes whether or not scenes or removed, including some content was appropriate.” that were deemed sugCangarlu’s scene was gestive, inappropriate or not considered appropripotentially offensive to ate, after examination, and students. Treasurer Ryan Cangarlu acknowledged Cangarlu’s main scene inthat while he may not have cluded various parts that found the scene offensive, could be considered offenit is administration’s job sive and were ultimately to step in if they believe cut. others will. While adminCangarlu’s scene deistration may not love to picted his attempt to get Photo Illustration by Sarah Schecker censor the video, it is their to school, in which his car Students who were bothered by the censoring of the homecoming movie this year voiced their opinions to Cangarlu. Baker responsibility to provide breaks down, causing him explained that she doesn’t enjoy censoring, but she will do it if need be. a safe environment. Even to go on an adventure and leaving the SGA to find initial anger passed, I started to realize that administra- so, he spoke to Baker about his scenes in the movie the missing money themselves. However, there were tion wasn’t making its decision personally against me, in person to plead his case, and she suggested that he scenes within this section that could be deemed in- but they were really just trying to make sure that peo- re-film those scenes. Cangarlu did not have time to do appropriate, such as when Cangarlu is in bed with ple in our school weren’t offended. School shouldn’t so, unfortunately, as the airing of the movie was only a friend senior Gilliam Levy, which he was told could be a place where anyone feels mocked or ridiculed.” Principal Jennifer Baker agreed, and added why she few days away at that point. Since his scene did not air, be insulting to gay students. In another scene, when Cangarlu uploaded the video to Youtube and posted Cangarlu sang along to a song that included the lyrics censors something in the first place. “We [shouldn’t] be promoting drugs and alcohol the link on Facebook, so people still had a chance to “children obey their parents in the Lord” and he was see the scene. told this could be offensive to non-Christian students. or making fun of certain groups,” she said. “No one “I was really happy with the reception of the [cut] After these parts were removed, Cangarlu felt his part should be offended. I look [at the movie] through a scene,” said Cangarlu. “A bunch of people talked to in the movie had lost its fluidity, and decided to re- certain lens, as 2300 students and the public viewing me about it on the days following the release on Facethis, and I think if any of it could be interpreted as ofmove all of his scene. book. They were all really supportive.” “At first, I was really upset that I needed to cut the fensive.” Besides Baker and the administration, the movie “Censorship,” continued on page 4 different parts of the scene,” said Cangarlu. “After the
Abuse of animals in the food industry is not a paltry matter
By Adriana Del Grosso Thanksgiving, for many students, usually involves gathering around the table with family to share a meal that features turkey. The meat production industry is a massive industry in the U.S., and production spikes around the holiday season. The average American consumed nearly 17 pounds of turkey in 2009, ac-
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cording to National Geographic, which is 6.6 pounds above Canada and nearly twice that of the other three leading countries. The U.S. demand for poultry has put pressure on the agriculture industry to produce large quantities of meat quickly and cheaply.
“Abuse,” continued on page 5
EDITORIAL pages 5-8
Americans need to pay more attention to people of diverse backgrounds since they are the link between different cultures and languages.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT pages 9-12
Music at and around WJ is featured in this issue’s spread, including POP Fly, pictured above.
Illustration by Alex Alavi
FEATURE pages 13-16
SPORTS pages 17-20
A look into WJ’s past concerning driver’s ed and why it is no longer a class at the school.
Girls Cross Country wins their first state championship since 1999.
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NEWS
NOVEMBER 25, 2013
WJPITCH.COM M O R F Like The Pitch on Facebook and follow us on Twitter! @TheWJPitch
“Can” You Say Success? By ElizabethWinter and Tenni Idler After two weeks of intense social media campaigning, WJ’s Kids Helping Kids Food and Funds Drive annual canned food drive has come to an end after collecting a total of 1,630 cans. The school’s goal was to raise 1,500 cans, but the drive actually exceeded expectations thanks to incentives that motivated students to reach various benchmarks. The cans will be donated to the Manna Food Center located in Gaithersburg, to benefit the poor. According to their website, the organization, founded in 1983, “strives to eliminate hunger in Montgomery County through food distribution, education and advocacy,” and is involved with countless local organizations to provide for needy families. Manna feeds approximately 3,300 families throughout the county each year, providing them with up to five days of perishable and non-perishable foods, once every 30 days. The nonprofit also distributes food to local agencies like soup kitchens, food pantries, group homes and emergency shelters throughout the county, and through the Smart Stacks program, provides kidfriendly food to underprivileged elementary school students every Friday. This program makes sure kids get enough to eat over the weekend, when they cannot rely on free or reduced price school meals. “Our goal this year is to collect one million pounds of food to feed hungry Marylanders,” said the Maryland State Department of Education on their Kids Helping Kids Food & Funds Drive. The success of the drive was due to extensive promotions from the leadership class who had been tweeting about cans non-stop for the last few weeks. The tweeting about the drive was a nightly homework assignment for students in Leadership. Students began tweeting common movie names with “can” inserted into the title to remind others about the drive and keep students interested. “AnchorCAN,” tweeted @Vodka_Lucass, “BatCAN: the dark knight. “Message in a CAN,” tweeted @kreppin and “She’s the CAN” tweeted @N0TmarG0T...
LETTER FROM THE EDITORS Dear Pitch Readers,
Photo courtesy of Kendall Repetti
Depending on how many cans students collected, teachers had to complete certain humorous tasks as a reward for students. They ranged from science teacher Jamie Grimes in a dress, pictured above, to English teachers Sylvie Ellen, Rachel Gold and Joanne Reynolds dancing to Vanilla Ice’s “Ice, Ice Baby.”
We have an exciting new issue for you this month! Our News section tackles the complicated issue of student censorship, with an emphasis on the homecoming movie, which aired in late October. In addition, we cover the dangers for bikers and drivers. In the Editorial section, we emphasize the voice of the student body by conducting a number of polls based on articles in the section, including a debate on year-round versus traditional school calendars and the relationship between weight and bullying. Arts & Entertainment plunges into the world of fashion, music and shopping. The Sadie Hawkins dance is quickly approaching, and we have more details on the dance itself in addition to dance fashion trends. The spread features the different aspects of music culture including brands of earphones, music groups at WJ and upcoming concerts. Furthermore, the Feature section covers a multitude of topics such as the weight of student backpacks, exercising in the winter, politically conservative students at WJ and a Q&A with last year’s SGA. Lastly, Sports wraps up the fall sports season with a Q&A with the varsity captains. Also, the girls’ cross country team, who captured the state title, is featured on page 19. Our back page is a catch-up with former alumni who are now collegiate athletes. We hope you enjoy this issue, and as always, feel free to send us feedback at thepitch@walterjohnson.com. Follow us on Twitter @thewjpitch, and on Facebook under the same name. Have a happy holiday and see you next year!
Left: A count of the number of cans the school collected was displayed by the main office, letting the students know how close they came to their goal.
Photo courtesy of Meghan Donaldson
Sincerely, Print Editors-in-Chief Emily Cosentino, Claudia Nguyen, and Online Editor-in Chief Megan Chun
Photo by Tenni Idler
For the rest of this article, plus more, visit wjpitch.com! Use the QR codes to go there now!
Corrections from Last Issue Page 1- The page numbers for Arts and Entertainment and Feature were switched.
By Joshua Lang
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NEWS
Road rage gets a whole new meaning
With people becoming more competitive and trying to get into better shape, both hardcore and recreational cyclists have drifted off the beaten path and onto the roads adding new dangers and challenges for drivers. In an area as densely populated as Montgomery County, driving can be difficult enough, but throw in bikers and driving can become absolutely dangerous. Compared to cars and motorcycles, bicycles can only go so fast. This slows up traffic substantially, frustrating many drivers in the process. Most drivers attempt to pass cyclists, but this maneuver is very dangerous as drivers are forced to enter the opposite lane to pass. It may be impatience, or simply annoyance, but people do not always seem to choose the right time to pass, causing crashes that could be severe. “It’s dangerous since a car may accidentally be in the bike lane and the biker may get hit,” said sophomore Lainie Jaffe who is a new driver. “Since the car is so much bigger than the bike, it wouldn’t end well for the bicyclist.” According to the Department of Transportation (DOT), from 2002 to 2011 an average of around 693 cyclists were killed in traffic accidents each year. These fatalities count for two percent of the total traffic accidents in the nation. “I’ve seen kids on bikes that may not realize that there’s a car coming,” said Jaffe. “[As a result they] are in the middle of the road or just riding out of their driveway without looking out for a car.” In September, two cyclists were killed and two were injured in Hampton, NH when they were plowed into by a car crossing the median of a road. According to CBS, an SUV driven by a 20-year-old crossed over into the northbound lane and struck four cyclists. Tragedies like the one in New Hampshire, not only show the dangers cyclists and drivers have to face, but it also helps to raise awareness of just how dangerous
sharing the road can be. The driver in New Hampshire was only 20 years old, and students learning to drive are not much younger. Because distracted driving and driving under the influence are concerns surrounding young drivers, cyclists are seriously at risk for being involved in an accident. “Drivers feel like the road is theirs and bicyclists are infringing on their right to the road,” said senior Jacob Sheppard-Saidel who bikes to school every day and also competitively. “That causes drivers to become upset and then they do things that are irrational and stupid.” For inexperienced drivers, trying to drive with bikers around can be difficult. Cars are forced to sometimes follow slowly behind cyclists and are unable to reach the posted speed limit. Automobiles have the right to pass a bicycle, but only when it is safe to do so which is at a distance of at least three feet away. According to the Maryland DOT, “The driver of a vehicle
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overtaking another vehicle, including a bicycle, which is going in the same direction, shall pass to the left of the overtaken vehicle at a safe distance.” However, passing can be extremely dangerous, especially for an inexperienced driver. In order to pass on a single lane road, one has to drift into the oncoming lane and, if timed poorly, can yield fatal consequences. “If a cyclist does something stupid and they screw up and get hit by a car,” said Sheppard-Saidel. “The result of that will likely be a severe injury, a death for the cyclist or a severe parts injury because bikes are a lot more fragile than cars. If a car does something wrong and runs over a cyclist, maybe they’ll get blood on their tires and a scratch of paint on their car.” Although cyclists have the right to share the road with automobiles, the risks of driving with cyclists are very great, and in an era where technology is taking off and distracted driving is at a high, people need to be more careful than ever.
Graphic by Sarah Schecker, information from the National Highway Traffic Saftey Administration
Donate your used books to the Booster Used Book Sale The WJ Booster Club Used Book Sale is set for March 1-2 in the WJ Cafeteria. We will start accepting used books after winter break at the Walter Johnson main office during office hours. Please box or bag your books for easy transport. Community members may also drop off used books in the WJ cafeteria on between 9-11am on the following Saturdays: Jan. 11, Jan. 18, Jan. 25, Feb. 8 and Feb. 22. Watch for announcements to link to the volunteer sign up sheet and special requests to clubs and teams who have received Booster funding to come out and help with this event. SSL hours are available for students. Questions? Contact Barbara Ferry: bferry@ngs.org or Gail Gleeson: gkglee@verizon.net.
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NOVEMBER 25, 2013
Hide and Seek: Teens are disguising information online, but colleges may not be looking By Amanda Gross
It’s no secret that teens today love to post on social media. With a plethora of sites such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter available and increasing in popularity, teens are sharing more than ever online. Many fear this will negatively impact their chances of getting into college. However, new studies reveal that in reality, this may not be a problem. A new forthcoming 2013 Kaplan study cited in the San Francisco Chronicle revealed that fewer than one in three admissions officers say they check students’ social media postings or Google them when going through applications. A report in May by the Pew Research Center’s Internet and the American Life Project revealed that 91 percent of the 12 to 17-year-olds it surveyed post photos of themselves, and 24 percent post videos. Another 91 percent are happy sharing their real name, 60 percent their relationship status, 82 percent their birthday, 71 percent the town in which they live and the school they attend, 53 percent their email address and 20 percent their mobile number online. It is now even easier for teens to share information online; instead of teenagers on Facebook being restricted to sharing their posts with friends and friendsof-friends, 13-to 17-year-old users now have the ability to post their comments and photos publicly. As the ability to share information publicly increases, teens are trying new ways to hide this information from the colleges they’re applying to. Many teens worry that they won’t get into their college of choice because admission officers will see personal information online. Seniors Jenna Harrison-Peters and Caroline Steel use aliases on Facebook to keep colleges from finding them. “[I use an alias] so colleges won’t be able to find anything they may not like. I tried deleting posts [but] it was too time consuming,” said Harrison-Peters. “What you write on social media never goes away,” added Steel. “Whether or not assumptions that admissions officers check social media profiles are true, I think it’s prudent to guard against the possibility. I don’t want to risk my chances because of an off-handed remark I made on Facebook sophomore year.” Harrison-Peters said the amount average teens show online is not too much.
“It’s their business,” she said. “They have to deal with the consequences if they make a bad decision. I think [colleges] should be allowed [to look at applicants’ profiles] if given consent from the applicant. And if given, it is just to see [the student’s] extra-curricular activities, nothing should add or detract from the applicant,” she said. In reality, the officers that look at student’s profiles do not ask permission. Steel does not think colleges should check applicants’ social meGraphic by Sarah Schecker and Izzy Salant, information from Pew Research Center’s Internet and the American Life Project dia accounts. “When admissions officers check [teens’] Admissions officers at other schools feel that checkprofiles, they are making assumptions about a student that may or may not be true based on what they chose ing the online profiles of applicants would simply be or didn’t choose to post online,” she said. However, too time-consuming. For example, University of Calishe does feel that certain red flags may be useful to fornia, Berkeley received 83,690 freshmen and transfer applications last year and admitted 18,074. Officolleges. “If one student is cyber bullying another, I think a cers told The Chronicle they wouldn’t be able to look university would have reasonable clause to use what up every student, and find it unfair to only look up they find as a stepping stone for further investigation,” some. Even at a small school like Harvey Mudd College, a private science and math college in Southern she said. Teens’ fears that colleges will see everything they California, admissions officers would have to check post online appear to be unnecessary, as many admis- out more than 3,000 applicants. “I don’t want to do that,” said Harvey Mudd Director sion officers feel checking these accounts is an invasion of Admissions, Peter Osgood to businessinsider.com. of privacy. Stanford University’s Dean of Admissions told The “I could chase my tail for a long number of hours.” Technology continues to change the world. What we San Francisco Chronicle, “That’s their private space. I just think it’s the wrong thing to do. Imagine if we consider private today may be common knowledge in could remove ourselves to an age when people wrote the future. Only time will tell how sharing informawonderful letters back and forth. We wouldn’t be tion will impact our society. searching through that. So I think it’s wrong to do just because it’s there.”
Admin censors homecoming video for potentially offensive content “Censorship,” continued from page 1 In terms of school censorship in general, there are many different factors that must be taken into consideration. According to School Attorney Daniel Rubin on Huff English online, a website dedicated to the discussion of issues and ideas in English education, “[One] of the main criteria in dealing with school censorship cases relates to what is called the Tinker disruption standard. Students do have First Amendment rights to express themselves as long as it doesn’t interfere with the order of the school day. The question is, does the student expression cause disruption in the school?” There have been many cases regarding censorship and rights of high school students and some have been brought all the way to the Supreme Court. An example is Frederick v. Morse in which student Joseph Frederick, at a school-sponsored event at a high school in Juneau, Alaska, presented a sign reading “BONG HiTS 4 JESUS”, which Principal Deborah Morse viewed as encouraging illegal drug use and students were asked to put it away. The students refused, the banner was confiscated, and they were suspended and a law suit was filed by one of the students, against the principal, arguing that the banning of the sign went against their First Amendment rights. In the end, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Morse, stating that Frederick’s actions were not protected by the First Amendment. However, there was a case, Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier in which student freedom won. Students wrote two
stories about teenage pregnancy and divorce. The principal deemed these articles inappropriate and decided they could not be printed. Since there was no time between the release of the paper to make edits and take out the articles, entire pages were eliminated, which the students thought was unfair, and they decided to appeal this decision to the courts, saying it violated their rights. The district court ruled that it did not violate their rights as the paper was school-run and the principal can decide what to leave in or take out, but the students brought it to the Supreme Court, who ruled in their favor. Video from youtube.com/rainerkulenkampff When something is cen- Screenshot of the 2013 homecoming video in which producers of the homecoming movie sored, such as the homecom- compromised and censored items deemed school inappropriate in a clever and humorous ing video, these cases and way. their rulings may be taken into consideration. “We don’t have much censorship,” she said. “I beWhile this evidence may point to a conclusion that the school censors a lot of student videos and speech, lieve in the first amendment. Students should be able Baker assured that there isn’t very much censorship at to say what they want and say what they think. I hate the school, and there is actually quite a bit of freedom. censoring.”
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NOVEMBER 25, 2013 Editors-in-Chief Emily Cosentino Claudia Nguyen Megan Chun* News Editors Izzy Salant Tenni Idler* Elizabeth Winter* Asst. News Editor Anna Hovey Editorial Editors Wahid Ishrar Anders Norberg* Asst. Editorial Editor Adriana Del Grosso
Photo courtesy of Wahid Ishrar
Weighty Issues
ByWahid Ishrar
Bullying and body image issues are both current and controversial topics, but the connection between the two is seldom acknowledged. Middle school is one thing highschoolers never talk about. We pretend that it never happened because we know that, generally, at that point in our lives, we were one of two things: the bully or the bullied. And each of these labels is equally embarrassing to have, so we deliberately choose to block those memories out. But those memories have lasting effects. I was a little chunky during my middle school years. Nothing too major- at least I didn’t think so. But as the days passed, I felt more and more isolated by the “cool kids.” I’d hear jokes made about how I probably couldn’t run up three flights of stairs. When asked to participate in a long-distance race that involved the whole class, I was told to just let it be, because I didn’t stand a chance. The possibility of me having a crush on a girl was also hilarious, since I didn’t stand a chance there either. At some point, I decided to change my lifestyle. Although I felt happy with myself, clearly not everybody around me did. So I started exercising more frequently; I ran a little more every day, lifted more weights and did a few more crunches. And I felt better about myself. I’m not saying that the fact I lost weight is a bad thing. The motivation behind the loss is what is troublesome. I felt I had to change myself to please others. I was not unhealthy. I was not obese. And yet, I was treated as if I had made a mistake because I loved to eat. Recently, I gained two and a half pounds.This number may not seem high to most, but it seemed monumental to me. Every passing day, I envisioned myself going back to my “fat days,” as if out of all the things that could go wrong with my life, that was the worst possibility. My experiences have led me to believe that I am not healthy. I always doubt anyone who tells me I am not fat. And I don’t think this intuition will ever go away. We as humans have to accept that being fat is not a sin. Being thin is not a sin. Being any healthy body weight is not a sin. And society- be it parents, teachers or peers- has to actively work towards providing this teaching to children so that when they do reach middle school, they don’t look at people different than them and think that those people are wrong or weird.
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STAFF
EDITORIAL
Feature Editors Selma Stearns Julieta Gozalo- The Pitch is published eight times a year by the students of Walter Johnson High School, Michaud* 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 Asst. Feature and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the staff, faculty or student body. We Editor welcome letters, articles, photographs and artwork, to be submitted to room 193 or Michael Godfrey e-mailed to thepitch@walterjohnson.com. The Pitch is an award-winning paper that works towards Arts & providing the student body with accurate, as well as credible, information. Entertainment Editor Audrey Marek American Scholastic Columbia Scholastic Nico Bonetta-Misteli* Press Association Bronze Medalist Asst. Arts & Ent. First Place 2010-2011 Editor Columbia Scholastic Columbia Scholastic Press 2010-2011 Annika La Vina Association Press Association Advisor Marylander Award Gold Medalist Sylvie Ellen Newspaper Division C
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Sports Editors Social Media Ben Resnick Consultant Zeke Green* Sabrina Greene Josh Greenberg* Staff Writers Sabrina Greene* Asst. Sports Editor Nick Williamson Amanda Gross Jake Weinischke Zack Shapiro Artists Joshua Lang Adriana Del Grosso Chizobam Nwagwu Alex Alavi Layout Editor Copy Editors Adriana Del Grosso Anna Hovey Photo Editor Marissa Nardella Sarah Schecker Staff Photographer Business Taylor Smith Manager Claudia Nguyen *Online Editors
Abuse of animals in the food industry is not a paltry matter “Abuse,” continued from page 1 Imagining all of the families sharing dinner this season, it is not hard to understand why large-scale production emphasizes quantity over quality. Industrial poultry farms must prioritize getting the most output out of the space they occupy versus preserving space for the animals raised. This creates environments where birds are often raised in dark, crowded sheds. A scene in the documentary, “Food, Inc.,” for example, shows the inside of a chicken house where the birds are crowded so close they often trample one another. The average bird is not what it was years ago. The domestic turkey of today has been genetically altered to better suit the demands placed on the meat industry. According to the Public Broadcasting Service, domestic turkeys are twice as large as their wild counterparts, making them unable to fly. Additionally, they have been bred so their feathers are white, as opposed to the camouflaging colors necessary in the wild, to ensure they are more visually appealing after they are plucked. The meat industry has been chastised for their treatment of animals and resources. Members of the public and the media often publicize their disgust at the abuse animals are treated with. Recently, street artist Banksy released a performance piece where an animal transportation truck was decorated with toy animals and was driven through a meat packing neighborhood in New York. It has become increasingly common for people to abstain from turkey and other meats.
In 2011, 5 percent of Americans claimed to be vegetarian, according to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. Among other reasons, many vegetarian individuals and families choose not to eat meat because they don’t want to support the industry. These people find other ways to enjoy holiday meals even if they practice turkey-eating abstinence. Even though industry-supplied turkey has dominated holiday dinners in recent years, some people find other methods to purchase the familial bird. Some families may choose to replace the usual grocery store-bought bird with a turkey from a local farm, one that has been wild-raised or free-range. Although these families will spend more money per meal, they justify the cost because the animals are treated humanely and are not abused the same way they would be at an industrial farm. Also, because these animals are not subjected to the same amount of genetic alteration to produce the quantity of meat large scale farms want, they have a different taste some people prefer to that of a grocery store-bought turkey. Public chastising of the meat industry in films such as “Food, Inc.” and books such as “The Omnivores Dilemma” by Michael Pollan, which was named one of the best books of 2006 by The New York Times, brings to light facts about the meat on the dinner table. Information spread through the media influences people to make decisions about their diet based on the impact it has. Some people decide to alter their habits after they become more conscious of the impact their family meal has on the treatment of animals, but it is an individual’s decision whether or not they alter their traditions.
Illustration by Alex Alavi
Graphic by Adriana Del Grosso Photo by Sarah Schecker
By Anders Norberg Dear Anders, I have a teacher who avoids my questions/inquiries that she doesn’t know answers to and tries to credit luck when I get an answer right. She is not like this with the other students. I am tired of always trying to prove myself to her and constantly being shot down. How do I tell her that she needs to change her attitude without offending her? Sincerely, Fed-up-student Dear Fed-up-student, There is probably a good reason the teacher doesn’t like you.You probably smell or sound dumb all the time. My suggestion is to just send her a passive-aggressive email. Say stuff like “Most of my classes this year have been great, but in yours…” or “Some people can be so difficult in class when they say I am right by luck.” Your teacher might also be jealous of your wicked good looks or oozing charisma and class. Another way is to just accept that not all teachers are going to like you and that you only have one quarter left in the class. After that you’ll probably never see her again, and inside, she knows she will miss you. Sincerely, Anders Norberg
Have a dilemma? Send your questions to andersanswers@gmail.com and solve all your problems!
EDITORIAL
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The Pitch Opinion
Ever since the homecoming video was aired, discussion on censorship has circulated among students. According to the Student Press Law Center, in order to legally censor student work, administration must be able to show that censorship is “reasonably related to legitimate pedagogical (educational) concerns.” What this means is that the justification for censorship cannot be due to an irrational or emotional argument, but rather have sound logic behind the decision. This is the foundation of censorship for public high school media according to the precedent set by the Supreme Court case of Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier. Media is filled with references to sex, drugs and violence. Every day, students watch movies, listen to music and read articles that often reference these top-
ics.Yet, as soon as students walk through the school doors, these ideas are suddenly taboo. For example, in this year’s homecoming video, red Solo cups and guns were censored with large smiley faces. It makes sense that administration doesn’t want to appear to condone violence and alcohol use, especially among students. However, there is violence and alcohol in all parts of the world and as young adults we need to be able to differentiate between reality and parody. Additionally, there was contention regarding SGA treasurer Ryan Cangarlu’s scene which was cut from the final version of the homecoming movie. Principal Jennifer Baker stated she took issue with certain scenes because she was concerned they had the potential to offend students. She suggested these particular scenes could be edited, but
ultimately Cangarlu decided to cut his entire part and instead post it on a Facebook page designated for WJ students to allow them to view a video of his scenes freely. Although Baker’s intention to protect students while they are in school is understandable, without definitive proof, it seems presumptuous to assume that enough students would be offended to warrant censorship. For future homecoming movies, perhaps student producers and directors can finish filming in advance in order to allow enough time for a student focus group to view the movie before the final airing. This would allow for student feedback and “legitimate pedagogical concerns” to be addressed and alleviated, allowing for production to reshoot if necessary.
Graphic by Adriana Del Grosso
Year-long school will provide students with stress relief
By Zeke Green
It’s Aug. 12, summer is coming to an end and the thought of school for the next 10 months becomes a reality. Where did the summer go? It flew by like always and will not be back for a long, dreadful time. The only solution is year-long schooling, a four-break alternative filled with happiness. The year includes a month off in the summer and three two-week breaks around the major holidays. Despite this, some are not on board with the idea. A common rebuttal is, “we love our summer don’t take it away!” The response is simple. A month in the summer is plenty of time to go to the beach, hang with friends and go on family vacations. This also eliminates the need for expensive summer camps for young kids whose parents cannot afford them. Along with this, there is plenty of time, such as the two weeks given in the spring and winter to experience different vacations and camps.Time is plentiful for those who love the snow and the flowers, instead of the one week break that flies by. Summer is a quick and easy way for students to forget everything they learned the past year. According to a study by the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State School, learning retention among students in year-long school is higher than that of the typical long summer break schools. Summer break is a staple of life, but shortening it a little would be worth the instantaneous negative reaction. The academic advantages are there as well as the psychological Illustrations by Alex Alavi ones, they just need Students will benefit from having a longer time to be exploited. dedicated to breaks throughout the seasons.
Summer offers valuable opportunities for students
By Sabrina Greene
The idea of staying in school all year long is daunting. Kids live for summer vacation. Having the summers off encourages kids to go outside and be active. It allows opportunities for travel, camp and work. Year-round schedules and nine-month schedules have equal amounts of vacation time, but in the former case, the time is more spread out over the year instead of being condensed into the summer season. Taking a week or two off at a time throughout the year does not allow enough time for long trips or full work experiences. It also may be more difficult for parents who work to take care of their young kids for multiple times a year. During the summer, parents can sign kids up for camp or daycare for a longer period. Studies conducted by The Ohio State University have shown that test scores and grades remain the same whether on a 12-month or nine-month schedule. Since the same amount of learning and retention happens either way, there is no point in stripping away all the fun of the summer season. It’s just as important to have the opportunity to learn through actions as through the textbook. Without summer break, kids won’t have opportunities for unrestricted social interaction that they would have in the form of summer camps or volunteering. Taking away family time, going to the beach or visiting grandparents could be detrimental to childhoods. In order to keep kids motivated in school, there has to be something to look forward to, and summer vacation is Summer provides students with opportunities, that something. such as camps, internships or playtime outside in the sun.
NOVEMBER 25, 2013
Photo by Sarah Schecker Graphic by Adriana Del Grosso
Innately Skilled?
The relationship between talent and skill is commonly misinterpreted. Talent is an innate ability to accomplish a task, while skill is the product of time, effort and hard work. Hard work always beats out raw talent. My brother is a basketball player, and as much as I adore him, I have to admit when he first dribbled a basketball, he was the furthest thing from a talented player. I can recall him coming home from games aggravated because he was sitting on the bench while other players on the team, who seemed to practice less than he did, were playing and more importantly, scoring. Flash forward to today, he is the top scoring player on all three of his basketball teams, and is looking forward to playing varsity in high school. He was not innately talented, but he spent more time practicing, and that effort made him become a better player. I am not saying if you are talented you cannot be very skillful at your craft, but people who start with a lack of raw talent have the motivation and drive to practice and learn. Hard work is everything. The common saying “you can do anything you set your mind to,” as foolish as it may sound, is true. Motivation and persistence will lead to betterment. This does not mean if you practice drawing you are going to morph into Da Vinci. What it does mean is that a first attempt at drawing an eye might not turn out well. The shading could be off, the shape may be asymmetrical, etc., but after practice, it will not only become easier, but will become an overall better drawing than the first one. People who have a lot of talent might not feel the need to practice and put in the effort to improve, since they are already very good. This puts them at an immediate disadvantage. In order to achieve complete success, constant learning and practice is necessary. Professional soccer players are always training; the athletes at Liverpool FC train every day for two to three hours, and also put in an hour at the gym. Most people would not disagree that these star athletes on the current third ranked team in the Premier League have an immense amount of talent, but they are truly skillful because of the ludicrous amount of effort that goes into training. In order to completely excel at almost anything, a person must develop the skills in order to successfully achieve their goals. Talent will provide a great head start, but it won’t finish the job alone. Hard work is the link that most people are missing when associating talent and skill.
Up Bat
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NOVEMBER 25, 2013
EDITORIAL
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at
Graphic by Adriana Del Grosso
In the spirit of the holidays, many Nov.15, The Pitch went to classes and asked actors and directors produce movies On questions about topics covered in the Editorial with timeless plots to capture the section this issue. Here are the results. seasonal cheer. We asked students, *First three polls conducted by The Pitch on Nov. 15 on 72 students. “What is your favorite holiday movie?” Weight and Bullying Roxanne Leal Senior
“‘Barbie in the Nutcracker.’ I have been watching this movie in December every year since I was five years old.”
Have you ever experienced bullying or felt discriminated against due to your weight?
Yes No No, but I have witnessed others being bullied for these reasons.
22.5% 35.2% 42.3%
To read about a personal struggle with bullying in regards to weight, go to page 5 and read “Weighty Issues” by Wahid Ishrar.
School Year Timeframe
All photos by Wahid Ishrar
Bradley Adam Stein Junior
“‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ because it has a great story paired with amazing visuals.”
Would you rather have year-long school with more breaks and a shorter summer, or keep it the way it is? 22.5% 69.0% 8.5%
Year-long The way it is No preference
For more on this debate, go to page 6 and read “Green vs. Greene” by Zeke Green and Sabrina Greene.
Commercial Opinions
Alexandra Papanicolaou Sophomore
“‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas.’ I love it because it makes me feel like a part of the holiday spirit.”
Noam Rand Freshman
“‘Home Alone 2.’ Unlike other holiday movies, it is hilarious and thrilling.”
Would you still support a company that has expressed an opinion opposing your own regarding a controversial issue? Yes No Depends on the issue
15.5% 26.8% 57.8%
To read an opinion about why supporting such businesses is wrong, go to page 8 and read “Products and the press” by Audrey Marek.
The Pitch Online What do you think of WJ’s spirit this year? Pitiful Pretty good Decent/mediocre Fantastic/superb Subpar/not good Terrible/horrendous
50% 13% 12% 11% 8% 6%
To express your opinion on issues that matter, go to wjpitch.com and vote on the home page.
*Poll conducted by wjpitch.com from Nov. 1 to Nov. 18, on 719 respondants.
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EDITORIAL
NOVEMBER 25, 2013
Products and the press
Picking sides only leads to more controversy By Audrey Marek
Illustration by Adriana Del Grosso Illustration by Adriana Del Grossso
Americans need to pay more attention to people of diverse backgrounds since they are the essential connection between different cultures.
Masters of many worlds
Multicultural and multilingual people provide a crucial link throughout the world By Claudia Nguyen
schools across the nation have already From China to Israel, Peru to Gha- adopted this viewpoint and now offer na, Ecuador, Korea, France, Spain, In- dual-language instruction. In Utah, for dia and everywhere in between, WJ is example, 20 percent of public schools lucky enough to have an incredible array now offer language immersion educaof countries represented in the student tion, which teaches half of the students’ body. Although our school has clubs and classes in English and the other half in events to appreciate cultural diversity, Spanish, French, Mandarin or Portuthe value of these multicultural individ- guese from kindergarten through 12th uals is often underestimated in society. grade. As of July, representatives from America is considered the melting 22 other states have already traveled to pot of cultures, yet it remains biased. Utah to learn about the program. English-language dominance and antiNeurological benefits aside, teachimmigration policies are just a couple of ing future generations new languages ways in which it rejects diversity rather and embracing children who grow up in than accepts it. Society still fails to fully multicultural families is essential. Havacknowledge how important multicul- ing an abundance of people who comturalism and multilingualism are. The prehend and accept the languages and people who are exposed to these back- beliefs of several countries will allow grounds are the bridge between cul- for improved global communication tures. They have so much to offer as the and interaction. Many global conflicts masters of many worlds. have arisen as a result of misunderThis generation is the product of standings between cultures. Society as a this cultural mixing. Kids coming from whole needs to embrace a wide array of two, three, four or more cultural back- cultural backgrounds in order to foster grounds can grow up inherently learn- a more understanding generation that is ing and understanding a plethora of better able to comprehend the decisions traditions since birth. It’s According to TIME Magazine... a already been proven that children exposed to two multilingual brain is nimbler, or more languages in the early stages of life dequicker, better able to deal with velop advanced cognitive ambiguities, resolve conflicts abilities that allow them to learn more effectively latmore efficiently and resist er on in life. According to Alzheimer’s disease and TIME Magazine, new studies are showing that a mul- other forms of dementia longer. tilingual brain is nimbler, quicker, better able to deal with ambiguities, resolve conflicts more and motivations of people from other efficiently and even resist Alzheimer’s cultures. With this blossoming gendisease and other forms of dementia eration, we will be better able to reach longer. more effective agreements and comproIn a polyglot world, a largely mono- mises, and cultural feuds can become a glot nation, like the U.S., needs to take thing of the past. steps to avoid falling behind. A few
“
”
Shock value is a difficult thing to measure, especially today when nearly anything goes. The number of tweets or Facebook posts can quantify the publicity something receives, but in the current philosophy of the media any press is good press. The only way to truly measure the impact that a statement can have on the American public is through its monetary value. Over the course of the last few years, a slew of businesses have come out with a variety of controversial statements and products, and their profits do not always reflect the outrage that ensues. As consumers, we are just as involved in the politics of companies as their CEOs or employees, and we need to recognize and act on this, even if it means giving up a few things we like. In 2012, Chick-fil-A publicly provided donations to a group against gay marriage, followed by a tweet expressing disappointment in 2013 Supreme Court rulings that made such marriages controversial. Though some effort has been made to remove the company from the center of the issue by deleting the tweets and withdrawing the donations, it was too little, too late. These actions were taken only after numerous protests, and the distaste generated toward Chick-fil-A has remained.
alienate portions of clientele for the corresponding businesses. Still, large companies choose to involve themselves in heated political debates. Such corporations should not be major players in arguments over controversial issues; it makes no sense. I fail to see the correlation between a chicken sandwich and gay rights. Does the “eat more chickin’” cow have something going on with the laughing cow cheese mascot that we don’t know about? Why on earth would you need a gun to buy coffee? And why would anyone deliberately alienate his company’s clientele by saying that he only wants an exclusive group of people to wear his clothing? That being said, when these statements do occur, we too often fail to put our money where our mouth is. Some of these companies, like Abercrombie and Fitch, have experienced loss of revenue in response to controversies. But others, like Chick-fil-A, have experienced increases in revenue. Proponents of the companies and their causes often use these trends as evidence for their case, claiming that they indicate a majority supporting the company and its statements. This is not always true; some of that revenue will be from people who agree with the statements issued by the company, but much of it will be from those who don’t put much stock into the views of the business and are
Illustrations by Adriana Del Grossso
Certain brands or their representatives take a stance on controversial topics, causing some customers to ponder whether or not to continue to patronize them.
Closely following in 2013, Mike Jeffries, CEO of Abercrombie and Fitch, created an enormous issue through his explanation of why the brand’s wellknown clothing was not offered in large sizes for women. It was relatively simple: He wanted his company to cater to “the cool kids.” No apology was issued for this offense, and sales have plummeted for the company, even as it tries to distance itself from the CEO’s controversial statement. There’s a difference between being cool and being arrogant and obnoxious, a distinction I think Jeffries missed somewhere along the way. This year, Starbucks has asked that guns not be carried in their stores, even where it is legal to carry them, because it puts other customers on edge. The statement was issued as a request and clearly stated its reasons, yet many customers were still outraged. Most recently, Urban Outfitters sold a t-shirt saying “eat less.” Each of the described actions would inevitably
focused instead on the product or service they provide. This seems all well and good, but suddenly the three bucks that you put down for a quick sandwich are being taken to mean that you are against gay rights. It’s not a situation that should exist, but it does. If companies want to take a stance on political issues, they need to be prepared for the consequences, which are not coming right now. Monetary gain is treated as a definite way of measuring a reaction, and as consumers, we need to recognize this and act accordingly. I don’t eat at Chick-fil-A or shop at Abercrombie and Fitch, because these actions have apparently become a way of expressing beliefs. I continue to drink Starbucks, and personally appreciate the lack of artillery when ordering a frappucino. Some may say that this is an awful lot of thought to put into a sandwich, a t-shirt or a cup of coffee, but purchasing these products now comes with a message, and we have to be careful of what we’re saying.
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Pitch
NOVEMBER 25, 2013
Photo by Wahid Ishrar
Member of the Live Life to the Fullest club, junior Seujean Han displays her Sadie Hawkins Fashion.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Photo by Wahid Ishrar
Member of the Live Life to the Fullest club, junior Danya Firestone models a formal fashion for the dance.
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Photo by Audrey Marek
President of the Live Life to the Fullest Club, senior Rebecca Lerner shows off some holiday Sadie Hawkins style.
Live Life to the Fullest Club plans Sadie Hawkins Dance Student Stats By Audrey Marek
When students think of school dances, their minds will most likely jump to Homecoming, Prom or even Glow. This year, the Live Life to the Fullest club will be adding a holiday-themed Sadie Hawkins dance to this list on Dec.7. Tickets went on sale on Thursday, Nov. 21, and the last day to buy them is Wednesday, Nov. 27. The purpose is to raise money for a college scholarship in honor of the recently deceased Sargent, a friend of English teacher Rachel Gold. The dance is designed for all grades to enjoy, and will be accompanied by a travel-themed spirit week, which will last for two days prior to the dance. The first day, Thursday, Dec. 5, will feature seniors as New Orleans, juniors as Athens, sophomores as New York and freshmen as Honolulu. On Friday, the spirit for all grades will be patriotic, or D.C. “Amy [Sargent] loved and lived in D.C.,” said president of the club, senior Rebecca Lerner. “We have tried to keep [Sargent’s] memory in mind when planning all aspects of the dance,” said Lerner. Like Homecoming, the dance will be held in the
Are you planning on attending the dance? Yes No I don’t know
Do you like the girls -ask-the-guys format?
22.9% Yes 32.0% No 45.0% Indifferent Who do you think should buy the tickets? 26.8% Girls 24.2% Guys 49.0% Split the cost
40.0% 21.6% 38.6%
Survey was conducted in eight English classes, two from each grade level, totaling 153 students.
Photo by Audrey Marek
This poster for the dance can be found around the halls of WJ.
gymnasium, and tickets cost $20. “We hope to make at least $10,000. All of it will go directly to the scholarship,” said Lerner. This profit would come from ticket sales alone, not deducting the expenses associated with the dance, like the DJ. The Booster Club is covering all costs of the dance, so the club does not have to take money out of their budget. The dress code will be holiday formal, which qualifies dress similar to Homecoming but with more holiday colors and the option of holiday clothes, such as Christmas sweaters, but they are not required. Another difference between this and other dances is the Sadie Hawkins format, meaning that girls are delegated the task of acquiring dates. Most dances, Homecoming, Prom and Glow included, have a rather open system, but traditionally the guy is in charge of asking the girl and buying the tickets. With this alter-
nate structure, all the responsibility is with the girls. “We chose Sadie Hawkins for a few reasons,” said Lerner. “The main reason was that [Sargent]…loved to challenge the convention and would have loved to see girls empowered.” The club has a lot left to do before the dance can go forward. Each member of the club is delegated responsibilities determined by Lerner, and she has a lot to do herself. They have also created a promotional video, which at press time was scheduled to be shown on the morning announcements Wednesday, Nov. 20. and Thursday, Dec. 21. If you missed it, find it on YouTube at http://youtu.be/KxR5cQBCP2s. “My role will be motivating the club members to help, securing the DJ and space, [and] working with leadership and [the] administration,” said Lerner.
Concerts
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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
NOVEMBER 25, 2013
Music Cult
By Annik
Want to see your favorite artist live? Take a break from the books and dance the stress away at these upcoming shows.
Image courtesy of beyonce.com
Image courtesy of avrillavigne.com
Avril Lavigne is making a comeback with her new self-titled album.
Take a road trip to New York City to catch Avril Lavigne at the Highline Ballroom on Wednesday, Dec. 4 at 8 p.m. Like Beyonce, tickets are sold out, but be sure to check second-hand ticket sites for a bargain. Image courtesy of imaginedragonsmusic.com
This event takes place on Friday, Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. at Norfolk, VA’s Constant Convocation Center. Tickets start at $22 and go up to $42.
Image courtesy of johnmayer.com
John Mayer’s newest album, “Paradise Valley,” was released this year. The album “Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die” was released earlier this year.
The Fillmore Silver Spring will feature Panic! at the Disco on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2014 at 8 p.m. This standing-room only, general admission concert sells for $37.75.
Advanced Choir Like a challenge? Advanced Choir provides an exciting, educational environment for music enthusiasts to expand their vocal training as well as improve their music reading skills. This choir performs at school concerts and county festivals, and has advanced to the state competition for the last two years. Students must first complete two semesters of General Chorus and audition for this exciting course.
Catch a Beyonce show at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 18 at the famous Verizon Center in Chinatown. Seats go out fast for this popular event, but check second-hand ticket websites, such as stubhub.com or vividseats.com for smart steals.
WJ Cla & Clu
Imagine Dragons will be coming to perform their hit album, “Night Visions.”
Image courtesy of panicatthedisco.com
Beyonce will be performing songs from her hit album, “4.”
On Saturday, Dec. 14, Maryland’s Baltimore Arena will host John Mayer, accompanied by opening act Phillip Phillips, at 7. p.m. Tickets start at $56 and go up to $87.65.
In the halls, students p to their cellphone ringto their iPods searching fo If there is one thing Wi it’s music. These classes ideas to WJ’s music sce sical ideas and adding t
Madrigals This highly advanced choral ensemble performs a varied repertoire, mostly a cappella. While performing multiple gigs around the community, members of Madrigals wear traditional Renaissance costumes. Madrigals compete at festivals every year and have Photo by Audrey Marek qualified for state competition for the Madrigals sings while wearing traditional Renaissance costumes. past few years. Recently, Madrigals performed at University of Maryland College Park and Strathmore. Many years of vocal training are required for this challenging class.
The POP Fly class performs at Stra
POP
This unique approach to a music class includes tion to performing many school shows during lu performs at show choir festivals and also books g ensemble admits students by vocal and dance aud recently performed at Strathmore, for Superinte event on Nov 11.
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Pitch
NOVEMBER 25, 2013
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
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ture at WJ Earphones
ka LaVina
Beats by Dr. Dre
These popular, top-notch headphones offer quality sound that is worth the expense, ranging from $100 to $450. Styles range from studio, a classic design, to wireless, which do not need a cord to connect to a musical device. Make a statement with a sleek and modern style.
Headphones express students’ personalities, as well as their music tastes. Colors range from bright yellow to fiery orange to dark gray. Many companies offer unique alternatives to the generic, white earbuds. No matter the shade, sound quality or shape, Wildcats reveal their persona by putting on a pair of headphones.
Image by Flickr, ergobabycarriers
Beats by Dr. Dre come in a variety of different colors and showcase a unique design.
asses ubs
plug in earphones, dance ones and scroll through or their favorite tunes. ildcats share a love for, s and clubs provide new ene by challenging mutheir own Wildcat twist.
Sol Interested in receiving the full listening experience? Ranging from $100 to $200, Sol headphones provide a light, durable design that proves easy to take on the go. Sol emphasizes deep bass without drowning out melodies, making it perfect for an intense musical experience.
Skullcandy
Image by Flickr, gersongraphics
Sol offers headphones with great sound quality and minimalist style.
With many affordable and reliable products available, the Skullcandy brand is ideal for the eccentric music listener with prices that range from $20 to $350. Turn up the volume with these funky and durable headphones that are famous for their bright-colored styles. Image by Flickr, siete20api
Skullcandy offers headphones in a variety of colors and styles.
Chocolate & Vanilla
Photo by Audrey Marek
athmore Music Hall in costume.
P Fly
s choreography as well as vocal training. In addiunch, POP Fly, an a cappella-infused show choir, gigs around the community. The entertaining dition and performs popular songs. They just endent Dr. Joshua Starr's State of the Schools
These two a cappella groups are comprised of an all-male team, Chocolate, and an all-female team, Vanilla. Want to join? Students can audition and participate in this year’s Christmas in Washington, a televised holiday program where members sing back-up Photo courtesy of Kelly Butler for popular artists such Vanilla performs an a capella event at Montgomery Mall. as Diana Ross, Demi Levato, Jennifer Hudson and the Backstreet Boys. Members also organize community events, such as caroling and fundraising ceremonies. Caramel One vocal club students don’t have to audition for is Caramel, which meets on Thursdays in the choir room at lunch. Students get a chance to join in on the a cappella fun without auditioning.
General Choir This class introduces students to the basics of high school chorus with or without musical experience. With no audition required, General Choir gives interested teens a chance to display their love for singing music. Jazz Choir This club meets on Tuesdays at lunch in the band room. With no audition required, this unique group gives flare to WJ’s jazz scene.
Graphic by Audrey Marek
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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
NOVEMBER 25, 2013
HOLIDAY RECIPES By Sarah Schecker
Pumpkin Cookies
Procedure:
Preheat oven to 350° F. Grease baking sheets. Photo by Sarah Schecker
Photo by Sarah Schecker
A pumpkin spice latte with cinnamon and whipped cream is delicious and easy to make.
Pumpkin Spice Latte
Ingredients:
Procedure
2 cups milk 2 tablespoons canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix) 1 to 2 tablespoons sugar (to taste) 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice 1 tablespoon vanilla 1/2 cup hot brewed coffee (Recipe from foodnetwork.com)
Best Buy iPad mini $299 Comes with a free $100 Walmart gift card
Photo courtesy of Flickr, ITholix
The iPad mini is discounted at Best Buy on Black Friday.
Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag $34 $25 in savings Grand Theft Auto V $34 $25 in savings Batman Arkham Origins $34 $25 in savings
In a saucepan, heat the milk, pumpkin and sugar over medium heat until hot (do not boil). Remove from heat and stir in the pumpkin pie spice, vanilla and coffee. Pour mixture into mugs, garnish with whipped cream, cinnamon sticks and a dash of pumpkin pie spice.
Ingredients: 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar 1/2 cup butter (1 stick), softened plus one tablespoon 1 cup canned pumpkin 1 large egg 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 cups sifted powdered sugar 3 tablespoons milk 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
BLACK FRIDAY DEALS By Zach Shapiro
Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt in a bowl. Mix sugar and butter in large bowl until well blended. With electric mixer, beat pumpkin, egg and vanilla until smooth. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Place one spoonful of mixture on baking sheets. Bake cookies for 15 to 18 minutes or until edges are firm. Cool cookies completely. After the cookies cool, drizzle the glaze over them. To make the glaze, combine powdered sugar, milk, one tablespoon melted butter and vanilla extract in small bowl until smooth. (Recipe from verybestbaking.com)
Walmart Apple iPad 2 $299 $100 in savings
You don’t have to wait until Black Friday to get great holiday prices. Visit websites such as groupon.com or livingsocial.com to find great discounts. You can often save 50 percent on store gift cards. Make sure to check out woot.com as well to catch huge savings on electronics. The website posts a different deal every day and has fantastic prices.
Radio Shack
Motorola Moto X $99 with two-year contract agreement $100 in savings Samsung Galaxy Note II $99.99 Comes with free $100 Visa gift card $100 in savings
Photo courtesy of Flickr, GBPublic
A still from Batman Arkham Origins, which will be on sale at Best Buy on Black Friday.
Completed pumpkin cookies are ready to be eaten.
Photo courtesy of Flickr, janitors
The Samsung Galaxy Note II is on sale at Radio Shack on Black Friday.
Tips for a foolproof Friday Plan ahead: Know where the best deals are and what you want to pick up beforehand. Prioritize what you are looking to buy since you might not have enough time to get everything you want. Bring advertisements: Some stores might require you to have the advertisement with you in order to get the better price. It’s better safe than sorry! Use a credit card: Most credit cards give you a warranty on what you purchased. Because Black Friday returns are difficult or nonexistent in most stores, don’t risk getting a damaged product.
Photo courtesy of Flickr, Sucelloleiloes
The iPad 2 will be marked down at Walmart this Black Friday.
Kindle Fire HD 7” $99.99 $100 in savings Microsoft Surface RT $199.99 $150 in savings
Photo courtesy of Flickr, Jason A Howie
The Microsoft Surface RT will be on sale at Walmart on Black Friday.
the
Pitch
NOVEMBER 25, 2013
FEATURE
Students struggle with heavy bags By Zack Shapiro As the second quarter begins, students find themselves carrying around more papers than before. Many also carry around heavy textbooks and thick binders, hunching over from the weight. The American Chiropractic Association recommends that bags only weigh 10-15 percent of a student’s body weight, but many students carry bags weighing much more. Some students carry bags weighing around 20 pounds, meaning it isn’t hard to find students stumbling under the weight of heavy backpacks as they try to make their way to class. Senior Alex Crowe carries a heavy bag, but he sees the weight as a benefit. “My backpack gives me a sweet workout because
it’s so heavy,” said Crowe. Many students are carrying around the weight of sports gear in addition to their papers and textbooks. “After a long day, carrying a big bag is hard and tiring,” said Junior Ugo D’agnese. “Carrying the extra weight of sports equipment is something that most students don’t want to do.” Constantly carrying around a heavy backpack can lead to serious health issues. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 10,000 students under the age of 19 were treated for backpack related injuries back in 2005. The spine is made up of 33 bones, called the
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vertebrae, that have shock absorbing book at school and not have to worry disks in between. A heavy backpack can about carrying it back and forth. Many pull a student backwards, causing them backpacks are now being made with to slouch forwards to compensate. This wider straps, which can help to spread causes the spine to compress unnatuout the weight on the shoulders and alrally. leviate some pressure. Some signs that a backpack could be To avoid carrying heavy sports equipcausing back problems include changes ment, students can leave gear in team in posture when wearing a backpack, lockers or in a teacher’s classroom. struggling To help rewhen putting lieve some of the backthe stress on pack on or their backs, taking it off, students try back, neck, to keep the or shoulder weight of pain, tingling their backin the arms packs down. or hands and Cleaning red marks out bindon the shoulers regularly ders. If any of and leaving these unnecessary symptoms books and Information from www.kidsgrowth.com are present, papers at medical athome is one tention from a doctor or chiropractor way to reduce this immense weight. In might be required. the interest of health, students should Luckily, most teachers and backpack look for backpacks with wide straps or manufacturers realize that heavy bags try carrying text books in their arms have negative consequences on their rather than in a backpack. Students wearers and are taking steps to prevent should do their best to keep the weight backpack-related back problems. Many of their backpacks under 15 percent of teachers have two sets of textbooks for their body weight. their students so they can leave one
19.8 lbs
is the average weight of backpacks brought to a Florida high school in one week.
Photo by Sarah Schecker
Religion-based clubs open to students of all faiths By NickWilliamson One policy that all WJ clubs have to follow is that they be “open to any and all students,” as is heard every day on the announcements. Clubs such as the Fel-
tian] faith and how they can impact their community in a powerful way.” Elinor Cohen, president of the Jewish Culture Club, said that people of all religions come to the club, and everyone always has a good time. “The main purpose of the club is to educate WJ students about the Jewish culture, and people who are interested, or [who] come with their friends both show up,” said Cohen. “Another draw is that we always have good food, and who can say no to that?” Bingei said that the open and supportive community is an attraction for students of different backgrounds to come to the club, as well as wanting to have a positive impact on the WJ community. This includes having charity drives, attending sports events as a club to cheer on members and WJ and planning special events for the upcoming holiday season. “We’d like to think that it does help unify the WJ community,” said Bingei. “We are a group that strives to edify
main purpose of “theTheclub is to educate WJ students about the Jewish culture.”
lowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) and the Jewish Culture Club draw students of a specific demographic, so do they truly follow the policy? Angelina Bingei, president of the FCA, welcomes anyone to stop by and check out the club, regardless of background. “We have a lot of game days, socials [and] events that are low-key in nature,” said Bingei. “We also have some events that are more geared toward those who seek to learn more about the [Chris-
and encourage anyone, club member or not.” Cohen said that her club is one that unifies the community because kids who come to learn about the culture also meet people who like the same things as they do.
Photo courtesy of Angelina Bingei
The Fellowship of Christian Athletes encourages students of any religion to join.
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FEATURE
Chris McCurry
NOVEMBER 25, 2013
Last year’s SGA: Where are they now?
Barry Mangold
By Emily Cosentino and Claudia Nguyen
Ty Glover
Andrew Matus
Photo courtesy of Chris McCurry
Photo courtesy of Barry Mangold
McCurry attends a football game with friends.
Chris McCurry (former SGA President) is currently attending the University of Michigan, where he plans on pursuing entrepreneurship. He has already joined a student-run consulting group called BOND and intends to spend his summers working for McKinsey & Company to acquire experience in the field of consulting before moving onto sales and trading. After gaining these experiences, McCurry wishes to ultimately pursue his own entrepreneurship endeavors. Additionally, he has joined two fraternities, one business and one social, and has also continued playing lacrosse in college for the school’s club team.
Mangold and a friend at a college football game. Photo courtesy of Ty Glover
Glover has taken a gap semester and is travelling around America and Costa Rica.
For his first semester, Ty Glover (former SGA Vice President) decided to participate in a program called the Elon Gap Semester. As a part of the program, he travels around the country completing service projects for the local communities, and is currently in stationed in Costa Rica. Previously, Glover traveled to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation to work with the Lakota tribe in South Dakota, as well as St. Louis, Mo. providing the homeless with opportunities to become employed and learn about urban farming.
Photo courtesy of Andrew Matus
Matus now attends West Virginia University.
Andrew Matus (former SGA Secretary) is attending West Virginia University this year, where he is actively participating in a variety of leadership positions. He is currently involved with the freshman class SGA at WVU and is interning under a governor on the student board of governors. Matus has previously interned at a variety of other places, such as a consulting firm. Eventually, Matus plans on pursuing a career on Capitol Hill.
Barry Mangold (former SGA Treasurer) is studying at the University of Virginia this year, where one of his biggest priorities is balancing swimming and schoolwork. He swims for the UVA varsity team, and plans on pursuing a leadership position in his third or fourth year. In addition to swimming, Mangold intends to join other clubs on campus. He tried out for an a cappella group called the Hullabahoos, but unfortunately did not make callbacks. Mangold has not yet decided what field he would like to pursue in college, but said he might be interested in media and television.
Q&A:Former SGA members share memories
What are your favorite aspects of college?
Mangold: “The swimming- it’s more intense and college training is better [than in high school.]” McCurry: “College is all about defining who you are. In addition to the flourishing social scene at Ann Arbor that never lacks a ‘dry’ moment during the weekends, the people you meet will truly make an impression on you. Everyone at college is extremely driven to succeed because in truth, we realize how fortunate we are to have the opportunity to be at such a great institution of learning, and we all wish to create a promising and lucrative future.” Glover: “Well, I haven’t exactly had the typical college experience so far, seeing as I have only been on campus once. My favorite aspects of the gap semester program have been seeing the country and working with fantastic organizations.” Matus: “There are so many cool things about college. Homework, while not a favorite activity, is enjoyable. Education is my top priority here at WVU. Personally, and not speaking for others, going to the football games is awesome. Also going to basketball games should be fun. Ready to go meals from the dining hall makes it easy to cook. The friends that I’ve made are definitely high on the list. Emailing professors is also great. So that about sums that up.”
Glover: “Applying for this program through Elon was a leadership opportunity; I am also applying for a program... called the Leadership Fellows program.”
McCurry: “SGA has sharpened my public speaking, delegating and organizational skills. I also got pretty good at applying face paint.”
Do you keep in contact with each other?
Did SGA benefit you or provide you with skills that have aided you in college?
Mangold: “No, I hate these guys. They do their own thing, and maybe I’ll text them at Christmas, but that’s just out of common courtesy. I don’t really want to talk to them.”
McCurry: “As a freshman entering the unforeseen world of college, it can be easy to become just another student in the sea of people very similar to yourself. However, I have found that my experiences in the SGA Matus: “Yeah, I guess you can say we keep in touch. have allowed for me to stand out amongst my peers. We have our twice-daily meetings under Mr. Rodger’s Not only do I have a viable experience to talk about on desk, and occasionally in the tunnels underneath the my resume, I also feel that I have acquired analytical stage.” skills and leadership qualities that will allow for me to flourish in an environment of self-realization.”
What was your favorite aspect / what do you miss the most about the SGA? Mangold: “I miss the leadership class- a class designated to being creative and cooperative was so awesome and I didn’t fully realize that until I was gone.” Glover: “I miss our group; nothing ever felt like work with us. Even if our task was as easy as making copies for Dad, I mean Mr. [Nico] Atencio, I always ended up dying of laughter and getting a lot of weird looks [from] passing students.”
Have you continued to pursue leadership positions in college? What advantages has being a part of the McCurry: “Absolutely! I have taken leadership posi- SGA provided you?
Matus: “What SGA gave to me was the spirit to try everything. Before SGA and senior year, I didn’t attend all the awesome events that WJ had to offer, and I regret that I only got to experience it once. Now that I’m in college, I try many things.”
What do you think about this year’s SGA? Glover: “I know that from what I have seen, this year’s SGA is getting stuff done. I [feel] confident with the group that came in after us. Bobby [Ellet] is an extremely motivated guy, and I’m sure the [homecoming] movie will be amazing, along with everything else this year for the class of ‘14.”
Matus: “Pretty good group; [I’m] still waiting to pitions especially in the first semester. However, I have rate the homecoming movie, but after I’ll pass my final been able to take advantages within my pledge class, Mangold: “Being in the SGA taught me how to ap- judgment. But in all seriousness, I have faith in that running for the position of social chair for next year.” proach people confidently, even if I felt nervous or in- they’ll do a great job.” secure, [which] has obviously helped me meet people.”
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The other side of the story: Being conservative at WJ By Nick Williamson Maryland has a large population of Democrats, especially in the Bethesda “bubble”. This creates an interesting situation for the school’s political minority- the conservatives. Jake Holder*, a Republican sophomore at WJ, said that since he tends to see things differently than most people at school, he has interesting debates with some students and gets to see what the opinions of others are. In a classroom setting, Holder said he feels it would be pointless to try and defend himself against a whole class of people who oppose him. Whether he gets involved or not in a debate depends on how strongly he feels on the issue. “If I get an immediate emotional response, I’ll say something, but if it isn’t important enough to me to go through all the work debating it, I just brush it off,” said Holder. Social Studies teacher Steve Miller has had conservatives come to him and tell him they feel discouraged from classroom debate because they know everyone else is liberal. He encourages them to join class debates anyway, and tries to guide debate so that the purpose is to discuss opinions, not to attack other students. “I tell my [students] not to jump on people,” said Miller. “I want them to discuss the ideas without attacking the person.” Mnelik Belete, another 10th grader and Republican, said he does not feel at all discouraged being the only conservative in class.
“You should never be deterred from class discussion, her political opinion into a discussion,” said Belete. even if your opinion is in the minority,” said Belete. “As long as the teacher does not say that one party “It’s your opinion, and you should be proud of it.” is superior to another or try to instigate an ideology Holder said teachers often have a different opinion onto his/her own students, [the teacher should have] than he does, and if they start to put their opinion into as much freedom as the student.” a lesson, it really takes away from his learning. Miller pointed out it is not against school policy for “It doesn’t matter whether you’re a conservative, teachers to share their beliefs, contrary to what most [a] liberal, [a] Republican or [a] Democrat, it’s ridicu- students believe. lous [when teachers “It isn’t necessarily Registered Voters in Montgomery County let their opinions afmy goal to keep my fect instruction],” said opinions out, but I do as of October 31 Holder. “I don’t think think it’s important you should ever try to that both sides are disteach with an opinion, played evenly so that and you should be as people feel welcome unbiased as possible.” to join in,” said Miller. Miller disagreed, saying that while *Name has been 55.7% opinions have the cachanged at request of pability to take away interview subject. from the lesson, they usually don’t. It also depends a lot on the topic. Democrat Belete agreed with Miller, and said that 24.4% teachers shouldn’t 19.9% Republican feel discouraged from sharing their opinions during discussion. Other “I believe it’s fine if a teacher puts his or Graphic by Selma Stearns. Information from montgomerycountymd.gov.
Students find ways to stay hot when it’s cold
By Amanda Gross
All photos by Amanda Gross.
Doing yoga and stretches keep muscles healthy during the winter months.
When it’s too cold to run outside, using a treadmill is a good alternative.
As the temperatures decrease, so does the motivation to brave the cold and exercise outdoors. Teenagers who hate the chilly air may find themselves struggling to stay in shape during the winter. Luckily, there are many indoor fitness options available during this freezing season. Yoga teacher Janice Cornell suggests joining a gym and taking classes such as spin, hot yoga, Bikram yoga or swimming. “If you don’t want to go out and run, then hit a treadmill,” said Cornell. Physical Education teacher Shelli Hill suggests students join a gym, buy fitness DVDs, do “boot camp”like workouts, or do cross-fit activities that work more than one skill. For students interested in joining a gym, Hill recommends spin, Zumba and body pump classes. “Check the gym for variety and to see what’s available for teens,” said Hill. She recommends the gym Soldier Fit with locations in Rockville and Gaithersburg. “It’s like a boot camp with a lot of teens,” said Hill. “It’s fun and like a big community.” Cornell recommends taking yoga classes at Extend Yoga, where they have “five dollar Fridays,” or getting a student membership at the YMCA, which has the benefit of a pool. She also suggests Down Dog and Thrive Yoga, where there are drop-in classes on Fridays. Hill suggests that teens exercise three to five days a week, but more is better. The best type of exercise combines all types of fitness, such as cardiovascular, muscular strength, muscular endurance and flexibility. “The FITT [Frequency, Intensity, Time and Type of exercise] formula is an hour of cardio three times a week, but exercising three times a week is the minimum,” said Cornell. “If you’re lazy, find a buddy to work out with.You can motivate each other.” Hill said that exercising and maintaining fitness in the winter is very important, especially for teens. “It helps relieve stress and leads to many, many other health benefits,” said Hill. “I know it’s hard to fit into busy schedules, but you have to put yourself first. Try and find time.” It’s clear that today’s teens have more ways than ever to remain healthy while staying of the cold.
Indoor exercise equipment can be used when going outdoors is not an option due to the weather.
Deep lunges are a great stretch that can be done year round.
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NOVEMBER 25, 2013
Driven from curriculum for good reason? By Selma Stearns
someone to talk to. The classes use PowerPoint Driver’s Education (Driver’s presentations produced by the Ed) was once offered as a class, MVA, so all of the classes ofbut today students have to fered by varying companies find their own resources and at various locations cover the programs to get the schoolsame basic material. ing they need to be successful Widemann said that if the drivers. class was taught in school, she Principal’s Administrative would not take it, as in her Assistant Lynne Grogg started opinion it would be a waste working at WJ in 1985, when of valuable class time that Driver’s Ed was a class stucould be used for academics. dents could take during the It would be practical if enough day at almost all Montgomery students were interested, but a County High Schools. Grogg lot of the student body is consuspects money was a reason cerned with academic classes why the class was discontinand have enough required ued. classes to take already. “My brother-in-law taught Grogg agrees that it would the course at Rockville High not be practical to offer the School, but he said that they class during the day. lost the funding due to bud“I think it would be too costget,” said Grogg. ly as you would need to purJunior Lea Widemann took chase cars with the special dual a 10-day Driver’s Education steering and breaking devices,” Course for three hours a day Photo by Sarah Schecker said Grogg. “Also, insurance is Now that Driver’s Ed isn’t taught at school anymore, students go elsewhere for Driver’s Ed classes to places such as “I at Walt Whitman High School Drive Smart” Inc. another concern.” over the summer. The class Driver’s Ed was offered as a “Literally all I did was sleep and text [or concepts] you just know if you have cost around $500 and covered class when Grogg attended high school, and pass notes,” said Widemann. “I ever been in a car.” a Motor Vehicle Association (MVA)but she did not take it because her parlearned nothing...To be honest, I think Widemann took the class with her issued curriculum. Widemann does ents taught her how to drive. most of [the material covered in Drivfriend, junior Seungyeon Jung, and she not think the class was beneficial to her because she said she didn’t learn very er’s Ed] is stuff your parents can more said the session would have been uneasily and more efficiently teach you, bearably boring to take alone without much.
WJ’s technology team gets rid of the glitches By Michael Godfrey
tia’s work and said that without Fotia, With approximately 700 computers using technology at WJ would be very throughout the school, a Promethean difficult because most teachers don’t board in almost every classroom and know what to do when malfunctions occur. over 200 staff members using computers every day, technology is intertwined with the daily routine of student life. What effect does it have on students when the technology malfunctions? Almost every student has had the experience of being in a classroom and the teacher’s Promethean board stopped working. Students watch as their teacher has a meltdown, tapping the board repeatedly with the electronic pen with no response. This is very common for some classrooms, while others have nearly perfect boards. George Lavelle, Foundations of Technology and Designing Technology Solutions teacher, said his Promethean board always runs smoothly, but every once in a while the computer system that connects him to the school network malfunctions. When this happens, all Lavelle has to do is contact WJ’s IT specialist, Collin Fotia, to repair the system. The process is usually quick since Fotia can often make repairs directly from his computer in his office by accessing the malfunctioning Photo by Wahid Ishrar system. George Lavelle uses technology in class for hours every Lavelle is very thankful for Fo- day in his daily routine.
Lavelle said using technology is necessary for his classes, and has many benefits for students’ learning. He likes the way it engages the students in a way teacher lectures can’t. “Everything we do in class is somehow geared towards the concepts behind technology,” said Lavelle. Fotia’s average day of work as IT specialist typically consists of travelling all over the building to help teachers with their technological dilemmas. Once Fotia reaches the scene of the problem, remotely or physically, the problem can usually be solved immediately, but for a more damaged system it could take a couple hours. Also, there are situations where Fotia can’t make the repairs because the hardware is damaged, so he has to call for warranty repairs from his superiors. “I enjoy supporting the staff of WJ,” said Fotia. “They are very open and understanding.” He is pleased with the general durability of WJ’s technology and said it is generally functioning well. “We are one of the more fortunate schools,” said Fotia. “We have a lot of technology.” With an abundance of technology, it seems like any student could walk into any lab or the media center and access a computer. However, Fotia said there is always a demand for more computers in the school.
According to the U.S. Department of Education, in 2009:
97% of teachers had one or more computers in their classrooms everyday 93% of those computers had internet access The ratio of students to computers in schools was 5.3:1 40% of teachers said that they or their students use technology in their classroom “often” and 29% of teachers responded “sometimes. 23% of teachers had interactive white boards in their classrooms Information from nces.ed.gov
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NOVEMBER 25, 2013
Fun Runs: The revival of recreational running By Emily Cosentino and Megan Chun Over the last couple of years, a plethora of “fun run” 5K races have emerged, targeting those who look for interesting and creative ways to get physically active. Even if you don’t consider yourself to be a runner, you can still participate in these races, such as the Color Run, the Electric Run and the Zombie Run. Senior Lina Kastanos and her friend, fellow senior Yasmin Samson, participated in the Color in Motion race that took place on Sept. 14 in D.C. Color in Motion advertises itself as a fun and enriching experience, where participants can walk, run or jog while having multicolored paint splattered on them. For Kastanos, the best part of the run was the after party. “They threw paint at us and we danced the whole time,” she said. Although Kastanos did not prepare for the race, she was used to intense physical activity. She is currently enrolled in the conservatory program at Strathmore’s City Dance, and subsequently dances for roughly eight hours a week. Kastanos also used to be involved in indoor track. She cites her love for running and Color in Motion’s affiliation with the Make a Wish Foundation as reasons for participating. “My race experience was amazing,” said Kastanos. “The end was a bit tough, since I did not stop for a break and had not trained. However, being done with the race made me feel very accomplished and energetic.” While some, like Kastanos, participate in 5Ks purely for enjoyment, others have larger goals in mind. Senior Angelina Bingei began training during June 2013, in hopes of running an 8K race in July, the Rockville Twilighter. She followed an 8K training schedule she found on About.com, and started running three miles a week in total, in addition to Jillian Michaels’ 30 Day Shred, a combined ab workout, cardio and strength program.
“Honestly, starting out, I had the stamina of a dying cow with three legs,” said Bingei, who was not involved in any recreational or varsity sports, prior to running. But in a twist of fate, her 8K was cancelled due to inclement weather, and Bingei ended up signing up for a half marathon in September. She ran every day through the fall, and finished the race with a time of two hours and 18 minutes. Bingei continues to run, but finds it hard to balance college applications, schoolwork and other extracurriculars. With such a tight schedule, it is easiest for her to run alone. “Some people find it helpful to train with a friend, but personally, I think it’d be hard to find someone who’s about the same level as you,” said Bingei. “The great thing about running [alone], though, is that it’s a race against yourself.” However, intensive training is not for everyone. For people who run for pleasure, and perhaps desire to build up their stamina, Bingei had some advice. “If you stay diligent with your training schedule, you’ll start racking up two miles, three miles, six miles, 10 miles in a matter of a couple weeks,” she said. “It took me two months to train up to 13.1 miles of nonstop running. Trust me, if someone with a natural crippled-and-dying-cow stamina like me can get to 13.1 miles, then so can you.” While the thought of walking or jogging 3.1 miles may seem daunting at first, conditioning yourself for a 5k is easier than you may think. Read the training tips on the right to jumpstart your fitness levels. Depending on your current level of fitness, it may take you shorter or longer to properly prepare for a 5K race. Adjust the tips at right to fit your needs.
Photo courtesy of Rachael Belcher
The Color Run after-party when an explosion of colored paint occurs.
The Color Run
The Color Run nicknames itself the “Happiest 5k on the planet.” Why? First of all, it is supposed to be a relaxed experience. It is an untimed race with no official winners. Enjoyment is stressed, rather than completing a ten minute mile. If you want to run this race, here is what to expect. Show up wearing white at the beginning and brace yourself to be drowned in color paint not only at the beginning party, but at each of the five kilometer marks as well. At the end of the run, when your outfit is no longer recognizable as white, there is a finishing party. More paint falls from the sky along with music blasting loudly from the speakers. This race is a fun experience to go out with friends, get drenched in paint and get some physical activity with some healthy competition. Add some color to your life with the “happiest 5K on the planet.”
Photo Courtsey of Rachael Belcher
Two teens at the start of the Electric Run.
The Electric Run
The Electric Run will also add some color to your day, but instead of with paint, with lights. The Electric Run is a 5K race that has music sounding throughout the race, along with multi-colored lights creating a unique and fun experience. There are different “lands” and “features” such as lakes and rivers, neon trees that change with the music, lighted tunnels and arches, lite up fountains and many others. In each race, roughly five to seven different lands will be seen throughout the course, to make each run distinct and unique from any other. This race is not timed and does not have official winners. There is a chance to run individually or in teams of four, so whether you are going to with friends or just trying to have a good time while staying fit, this race can add a new spin on physical activity in your life.
Running Tips
from Cross Country head coach Tom Martin -Start your training by attempting to run one or two miles the first week. Try to run a few times a week, but always be sure to allow for two days of rest, throughout the entire training period. -Once you can comfortably run two miles, increase your distance to three miles. After you have built up enough endurance to run three miles, try five. If you are running consistently, this may be around the third week of training. Do not increase the distance of your run before you can run the previously set length. -Once you master five mile runs, alternate running three and five miles, trying to increase your pace. -If you cannot run the entire way, use a combination of walking and running until you build up enough stamina. Your first goal should be running the full distance, rather than increasing speed or length of run. -Cross training, such as yoga, swimming, biking, or dancing, may also increase fitness levels and can supplement your training.
Electrodash: 5k Dance party
The 5K Dance Party combines a 5K race with a dance party. The official webpage advertises that “dancing in the streets is [usually] reserved for West Side Story style dancing gang fights,” but that there is now a different motive for dancing. During the 5K there are displays of artwork, lasers, neon lights, illuminated inflatables, luminescent water features, and sound effects for each kilometer. All of this leads up to one ultimate dance party with respected DJs. When you start, you will receive a T-shirt, neon glasses, a temporary neon tattoo, an LED bracelet and a ticket to the after dance party. What better way to celebrate finishing a 5K other than with a raging party that is glowing with neon lights?
19 Girls’ cross country wins state championship the
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NOVEMBER 25, 2013
Photo courtesy of Mocorunning
The girls’ cross country team poses for a picture after winning the state title.
By Ben Resnick
The stage was set. For the first time all year, the girls’ team had beaten the B-CC Barons, which set up an exciting race at the state meet. The Barons were going for their third straight state title, as the Wildcats were going for their first since 1999. The girls’ team struggled in recent years; last year the team finished 13th in the state and the year before the team did not
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qualify for the state meet. This year was very different, as the girls trained hard over the summer and changed the image of their team. “A lot of us ran consistently over the summer,” senior captain Irina Bukharin said.“ This gave us a strong platform to start our season with.” The girls started the year with an impressive showing at the Woodward Relays, in which they finished in second place, behind only the Barons. The girls continued their strong year by finishing 4-1 in the division, behind the Barons again. The team was led all year by junior Kiernan Keller. She attended the the Academy of the Holy Cross her first two years of high school but transferred to WJ for her junior year and has since led the girls’ team. The team also recieved key contributions from Bukharin, junior Melanie Cirillo, sophomore Emily Murphy and freshman Katriane Kirsch. The team fell again to the Barons at the county championship as the girls took home second place. After that race, coach Tom Martin realized that a change was necessary should they best B-CC in their next outing. “[The team] needed to hold back on the first mile to make the second half of their race stronger,” said Martin.
The girls finally got the upper hand on the Barons at the regional championship in commanding fashion; they placed five runners in the top 16 and won the meet by 20 points. “When we won regionals, [the team] realized that if we ran our best, we could win at states,” said Keller. The girls came out looking strong at the state meet. Keller placed fifth overall, Murphy and Kirsch finished seventh and eighth respectively, and Bukharin came in 11th. They needed one more girl in to win the meet as the top five runners score. A pack of B-CC runners came in between WJ’s fourth and fifth runner, but Cirillo came in 41st to seal the close victory. WJ scored 60 points, just edging out B-CC who scored 64. This was one of the closest state meets in recent memory. “I hope that the girls continue to race as a tight knit team, and go into next year’s season with the same excitement and enthusiasm that made this season special,” said Martin. When people think of dominant sports at WJ, soccer, swimming and boys’ cross country often come to mind. But this year, the girls’ cross country team put themselves back into this category.
THE GRID
Bidding farewell to the fall sports captains
Compiled By Ben Resnick and JakeWeinischke Fall Sports captains
Michael Spak
Gabe Irina Bukharin Vasconcelos
Sport
Cross Country
Cross Country
What was the most memorable moment of your season?
Winning the The Manhattan state chamInvitational pionship. in New York
Anna Rowthorn Apel
Alejandra Ramos
Josh Jacobs
Chase Keller
Kasey Yamashita
Volleyball
Golf
Football
Tennis
Soccer
Field Hockey Soccer
Making it to regional finals for the fourth year in a row.
Just being on a team and being part of a family
When we almost beat Whitman
When we beat Whitman in the second round of playoffs.
The most memorable moment was winning the division title.
My favorite Being part memory was of an amazgetting a ing team sack in the Churchill game.
Megging Willem SheetzZiegle every practice
Our first game I'm going against Whit- to miss my man that night teammates. was the first game we truly came together as a team.
Getting to be with my team all the time
I will miss not being able to practice with the boys, and enjoying the weather.
I will miss all my football friends and hanging out everyday.
When cocaptain, Elinor (and I) cupcaked our coach in the face.
I like to play lacrosse when I’m not playing football.
Spending time with friends, doing whatever
What will you Slow clap miss most about Thursdays the fall season? and my teammates
The incredibly close team we have.
When you’re not Twerking playing your sport, what do you do for fun?
I like to eat. I spend time Spend time with friends. with friends usually at school events
If you had one Craig ticket to your Ferguson game what celebrity would you give it to?
President Obama
Jeremy Abby Mac Miller Ebobisse or just because I Wambach Ronaldinho like his music. or Beyoncé
Coke or Pepsi?
Coke
Coke
Coke
Brigid Morris
I like to Hang out Enjoy the cook,dance with friends weather and hang out or sleep with family and friends.
Coke Coke only if it’s diet, regular I like Pepsi better.
Matt Anderson
I would give I would want Ryan it to Bubba Peyton Man- Reynolds Watson. ning to come to my game.
Coke
Coke
Pepsi of course
Coke
Photos by Sarah Schecker and Wahid Ishrar
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Girls’ Cross Country wins the state championship
Tips to competing in “fun run” 5k races
NOVEMBER 25, 2013
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Upping the intensity: College athletes experience new levels of training
By JakeWeinischke
For the majority of incoming college students, higher education is a time to pursue a degree and become a desirable candidate for the workforce. It is a time where adulthood becomes a reality while childhood, along with its many aspirations, becomes a memory. However, some are able to pursue their childhood dreams of competing at an elite level while simultaneously preparing themselves for the demands of work and adulthood. Recent graduates Kristen Larrick (’13), currently a volleyball player at the College of William and Mary Virginia, Elad Covaliu (’12), currently a football player at the College of the Holy Cross, Massachusetts, and Nick Regan (’11), currently a cross-country and track runner at American University in Washington, D.C. are examples of this select few. Larrick initially gained interest in volleyball as a freshman. She made varsity and immediately found her niche. She joined the area’s top club team, Metro American Volleyball Club. She was named to the Washington Post All-Met first team as a senior, after leading WJ to the region championship alongside fellow William and Mary signee and WJ graduate, Stephanie Paul. Additionally, Larrick also helped WJ to division championship titles in 2010 and 2011. She was also a gifted basketball player, earning first team all-county honors as a sophomore. Unlike high school volleyball, college volleyball is a year-round sport. Conditioning and reviewing film of opponents in addition to four-hour practices nearly every day, make for a demanding commitment. “Our off-season is spent doing extra practice, conditioning and strengthening,” said Larrick. While such obligations are strenuous, Larrick was well-equipped entering her freshman year, due much in part to her high school experiences. “A lot of the time [in high school] I’d have a long day of school, then basketball practice [followed by] volleyball practice. Then I’d get home at midnight and start my homework. I’d go to bed at around 2 or 3
Photo courtesy of Mocorunning
Photo courtesy of Nick Regan
Nick Regan competed for WJ in cross country and track and field and he continues to compete in both at American University.
a.m. Then I’d start the day over again.” Larrick is once again excelling and showing resiliency against trying factors, being named the Colonial Athletic Association rookie of the week in early October, the first of presumably many achievements at the next level. Elad Covaliu was the face of the football team during his four-year tenure. He Photo by Steven Groobert Photo courtesy of Elad Covaliu totaled 1,300 rush- Elad Covaliu runs the ball for both WJ and Holy Cross as he dodges tacklers on the opposing team. ing yards, 1,500 receiving yards and 24 touchdowns during his high school career, in addition bly impacted Regan’s physical condition, he is most to posting 118 tackles and nine interceptions on de- complimentary of the social benefits. His tenure at fense. As a senior he earned second team all-league WJ instilled in him key ingredients for success such honors. Additionally, he was a two time wrestling as diligence, patience, and consistent hard work, all of county champion, claiming the 2012 state title at 182 which have remained integral parts of his character as pounds. Adding to his already abundant resume, Co- a collegiate athlete. Regan has practice seven days a week with two days valiu also captured the regional track title in both the containing two practices. These rigorous demands 110-meter hurdles and the 300-meter hurdles as a sehave constructed what Regan describes as a dedicated nior. His astonishingly protracted successes are mere lifestyle, impacting all of life. reflections of his devout work ethic. “The ability to sleep, eat healthy, study, and have fun “Every time I step on the practice field or step in the weight room I make sure that no one is working is significantly impacted by athletic obligations,” said Regan. harder than me,” said Covaliu. While the true derivation of his success is his dedicaThis mentality continues to endure. Starring for tion, Regan insists that the values he acquired via his three varsity sports for the duration of his tenure at former coaches and his experiences at WJ, are conWJ, Covaliu has never experienced an off-season. The tributing factors. only major distinction between high school and col“My success deserves credit from my past and curlege has been the team’s commitment level off of the rent coaches who have instilled certain values, pain, field. “To be honest, high school practice is actually harder and motivation that ultimately serves as the underlying physically than college practice. It’s the mental aspect reason why I continue to build upon past successes.” As Larrick, Covaliu, and Regan continue to climb in preparing for games that increases drastically at higher in their successes, they are fueled by a common the collegiate level,” said Covaliu. “I have about eight force, in their ambitions. It’s these ambitions that have hours of meetings each week to watch film and analyze allowed them to develop both as athletes and as people scouting reports and game plans.” as they aim to take their game as far as possible. The time he dedicates per week to football accumulates rapidly, generally spending four hours a day, five days a week with the team. Like his peers, Regan’s running career has childhood roots. After participating in numerous middle school fun-runs, Regan recognized his exceptional ability. “Naturally, I decided to take up cross-country my freshman year at WJ and it’s been a love hate relationship ever since,” said Regan. While high school cross country inevitaPhoto Courtesy of Kristen Larrick Photo by Sarah Schecker Kristen Larrick bumps and spikes at the high school and collegiate level.