May 2016 issue

Sherwood High School 300 Olney-Sandy Spring Road, Sandy Spring, MD 20860 www.thewarrioronline.com

Warrior 38th Year, Issue No.5

May 12, 2016

the

Inside: News: 1-4, Features: 5-6, Humor: 7, Healthy Eating: 8-9, Spotlight: 10-11, Opinions: 12-14,Wondering Warrior: 15, Entertainment: 16-17, Sports: 18-20

Getting a Job:

What makes it so difficult for teens to get employed? pg. 2

First World Problems:

“I wanted extra foam on my latte!!!”

pg. 7

Healthy Eating:

Discover benefits of various lifestyles, as well as places to go for a healthy meal. pg. 8-9

Beaches:

Comparing features of nearby beaches. pg. 10-11

The Pulse:

See if stereotypes about American ignorance apply to Sherwood students.

pg. 14

Everyone

knows the routine.

First, students groan, continuing to stare blankly at the board, only now in the dark. Then, at the instruction of a voice over the loudspeaker, lessons stop and kids get a few minutes of silent smiles and a few fast snapchats as everyone huddles in a corner. These are the lockdown drills as Sherwood knows them, but the occurences of tragic school shootings have sparked a debate about whether the lockdown approach effectively protects students and staff from threats.

Some schools nationwide have started implementing the “Run, Hide, Fight” method. The technique consists of three steps.

First, try to escape the situation.

If that’s not feasible, hide with as many people as safely possible in a locked and preferably barricaded area, ideally without windows and not near a main hallway. As a last resort, try to fight the threat with any tools available.

Although “Run, Hide, Fight” is recommended by the FBI, MCPS does not endorse its use in schools, instead choosing the lockdown approach, which is part of the MCPS Emergency Response Plan. The plan is formatted in a generic outline for each

school to complete individually, geography and student and staff population being important factors, but basic protocol remaining the same throughout elementary, middle, and high school. “‘Run, Hide, Fight’ is a method that we believe is more likely to be used by adults in a work environment,” said Michael Jones, cluster security coordinator at

Lookbook:

Check out trendy summer styles. pg. 16

Baseball:

The Collins and the Ervin brothers give insight on what it’s like to play sports with siblings.

Nicole Reich ‘17

pg. 20

see LOCKDOWN, pg. 3

MD Act Protects Student Journalists New Voices Maryland Act guarantees students their First Amendment rights.

by Maya Koeppen ‘17

Summer Activities:

Students reveal their favorite things to do in summer. pg. 15

the MCPS Department of School Safety and Security. “If an active shooter(s) breaches a school we do not advocate ‘Run, Hide, Fight.’ Locking down in place is much more practical … there could in fact be more than one active shooter and that person’s position on the campus may not be known.”

“Run, Hide, Fight” is always

voted against when the emergency procedure for Sherwood is reviewed periodically by the on site emergency team (OSET), conducted by the Department of School Safety and Security.

According to Pat Rooney, Sherwood’s security team leader, the technique has flaws that can lead to chaos and put students in more danger if not executed properly.

“There have been incidents where somebody has come in with guns and they flushed people out of the building only to find that there was another gunman outside the building,” said Rooney.

He expressed that if a threat were to arise during lunch or when kids are not all secure in classrooms, the best option is to run. “Lunch time is a perfect example of when to use fight or flight. With that many kids in one area [cafeteria], there really is no way to quickly get into a secure room.”

If someone is in a bathroom or hallway during a lockdown, Rooney recommends locking and barricading the door if possible, and staying stationary until emergency personnel arrives.

Although “Run, Hide, Fight”

Maya Koeppen ‘17

Shevitz Launches Women’s Studies

by Danielle Katz ‘18

For the first time in Sherwood’s history, a course entitled Women’s Studies will be introduced in the 2016-2017 school year. The class, created by social studies teacher Beth Shevitz, aims to educate students on prevalent gender issues.

From introductory lessons on the history of patriarchy to debates on the effects of the sex industry, the course strives to investigate topics usually only shown as an afterthought in a curriculum and bring them into the spotlight. Students will have the ability to voice their opinions on topics considered controversial, or even taboo.

Shevitz was greatly motivated to create this course after years of working with and observing high-level and AP students, mostly female, who, despite having excellent academic records, did not think they were good enough to apply to the universities they wanted to attend as well as having an overall low

see SHEVITZ, pg. 3

Maryland has become the latest state to grant high school and college journalists the same First Amendment rights as other members of the media. On April 26, Senate President Mike Miller and Speaker of the House Michael Busch approved the New Voices Maryland Act that Governor Larry Hogan signed it into law.

Introduced by Democratic Senators Jamin Raskin and Jim Rosapepe on February 5, this anti-censorship law allows both high school and college student journalists to exercise their freedom of press and speech in school-sponsored media regardless of whether the school supports the publication financially.

This legislation also protects students and their advisers from administrative restraint prior to publication as well as from punishment afterwards. As the first state of the new year to get a New Voices bill through state legislature, the passing of this bill marks significant progress in the nationwide movement for student press rights.

Gary Clites, a journalism and film teacher at Northern High School in Owings Mills, as well as the current president of the Maryland-DC Scholastic Press Association, is a staunch advocate for the bill and student press freedom. Since first becoming president of the association in the 1990s, Clites has been working towards a free press bill in Maryland alongside Frank LoMonte, the president of the Student Press Law Center, and Rebecca Snyder, executive director of the Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association. Their advocacy, as well as the passing of a bill with similar purposes in North Dakota, gave the bill the

energy and support it needed to make it all the way to the state legislature.

“I sincerely believe now that this bill is signed into law, it will strengthen the teaching of journalism across the state. For the first time in nearly three decades, journalism students will be able to make the kinds of editorial decisions real journalists make without fear of frivolous censorship by administrators,” said Clites.

Despite its widespread support, there are some who are still hesitant about the amount of power and influence the bill would grant to student journalists and their advisers. John Woolums, the director of governmental relations for the Maryland Association of Boards of Education, opposed some aspects of the bill. While the association supports the majority of the bill, it worries that the authority of the school would be far too limited in the process. These concerns, along with others, prompted the addition of amendments to the law in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Amendments added in the House gave high school administrators the ability to limit profane, vulgar, lewd or obscene language, or any other language that has the intent to harass, threaten or intimidate others. A Senate amendment added in March prohibits the student media advisers from exerting their position in order to influence their students to promote a particular position in their publication.

Starting on October 1, the Maryland New Voices Act will take effect, granting Maryland students the free press rights shared by their professional counterparts. “The key is to be journalistically responsible in everything we write or create. That should be the goal of every responsible journalist,” said Clites.

The Warrior•News 2

May 12, 2016

S W E N in brief

Maryland Expands SMOB Voting Rights

by Priyanka Paudel ‘19

On March 30, the Maryland State legislature approved voting rights for the student member of the Montgomery County school board. The Student Member of the Board (SMOB), beginning on July 1, will be allowed to vote on matters such budgets, school openings and closings, and redistricting.

“The expansion of SMOB voting rights would truly bring a countywide and statewide commitment to advancing the student voice with unwavering empowerment of the next generation,” Eric Guerci, a junior at Bethesda-Chevy Chase, told Maryland lawmakers in testimony earlier this year. Guerci won re-election as the SMOB last month.

The SMOB will not be allowed to vote on “negative personnel action” related to the board, such as suspensions and terminations.

Advisory Will Be Back

by Alex Nnabue ‘18 For the third year, the 32-minute Tuesday class period of advisory is returning to Sherwood for the 2016-17 school year. Since there have been mixed reviews regarding the class and questions of whether it is serving its purpose, administration randomly selected 70 students for a survey and asked questions that discussed both positives and negatives of advisory and whether it has been helpful.

They also got input from the students on possible improvements.

The staff also was presented with a survey that informed teachers that advisory would return next year, but it asked for staff opinion on how to go forward with the program. The administration maintains that advisory builds bonds between students and their teachers.

Academic Year Extended

by Lauren MacFadden ‘17

The school year for students will be extended by a day as a result of a category-four blizzard that hit Maryland on January 28 and brought two feet of snow, trapping many in their homes for days and making some transportation impossible. MCPS, along with neighboring counties, cancelled school for six days, using up the remainder of the allotted snow days and an additional two days. As a result, the school year was initially planned to be extended two days.

The county requested a waiver for the added school days because Maryland declared a state of emergency in the aftermath of the blizzard. However, Maryland officials denied the request due to the fact that the school year calendar had not been structured to make up for the missed school time.

Government To Regulate E-Cigarettes

by Leah Peloff ‘18 For the first time in history, the federal government is taking action against the booming e-cigarette business. According to a survey conducted by the Washington Post, e-cig use among high school students has jumped from 1.5 percent in 2011 to 13.4 percent in 2014. This legislation will ban all electronic cigarette sales to minors and require all tobacco products to undergo government review.

The ban on sale of these products to minors, as well as the prohibition of distributing free samples, will take effect on August 8.

After this, warning-labels will be required starting May 2018. Products that are already on the market can remain so for up to three more years because the government is giving manufacturers two years to submit product applications to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for review. The FDA likely will next target flavored cigarettes for regulation.

Teen Job Market Continues To Suffer

by Shawn Yaftali ‘17 Twenty years ago, about half of all Americans between the ages of 16 and 19 had employment during the summer. Today, less than one-third of this age group will have a summer job.

This reality can be attributed to the Great Recession, an economic downturn that caused consumer spending and business investment to dry up in 2007. This caused the U.S. labor market to lose 8.4 million jobs, or 6.1 percent of all payroll employment.

Teen employment has historically followed the patterns of the market—climbing during economic booms and falling during recessions. With this trend in mind, it’s not shocking that teen employment plummeted after this recent incident. However, since hitting a low point of 29.6 percent in 2010 and 2011, teen employment has barely recovered across the nation. Summer employment rates for teens rose to just 31.6 percent last year.

Even after the economy stopped dwindling in the summer of 2009, its growth has not been nearly strong enough to create the jobs needed to keep pace with normal population growth of roughly .8 percent per year. This forces workers who’ve lost their

jobs to revert to other financial means. Minimum wage positions such as cashiers and baggers, positions originally composed of teens, are now being filled by adults.

“I’ve been working [at Harris Teeter] for three years, and when I first started working here all the people in the front were teenagers, at least 21 or younger. Recently within the past year, we’ve had many older people start to work here [as those positions],” explained Vinnie Jackson, a co-manager at the local Harris Teeter.

Laid-off older workers have several qualifications that can help them win jobs when pitted against younger applicants. For instance, older folks can work long-term which leaves less holes in scheduling. More importantly, these adults have work-qualities that develop from their past experiences.

“The old adage goes, ‘You can’t get a job without experience and you can’t get experience without a job,’ and that has even bigger implications now,” said Alicia Sasser Modestino, an economist at Northeastern University, in a Wall Street Journal article.

Additionally, there has been a smaller number of teens look-

ing for work in comparison to the past. With colleges becoming harder to get into every year, many teens have been allocating time to work on resume builders such as volunteering internships.

“Being able to say that you interned for a company, especially if it’s related to your planned major, is a nice boost on college applications. While a job is useful, this is something I’ll be considering over the next few months,” said junior Brandon Lee. With little change expected to come, there have been attempts to solve this issue on a national level. For instance, Democrat George Miller, former Representative of California, introduced the Pathways Back to Work Act of 2013 [in a previous session of Congress]. The act was proposed in order to provide subsidized employment for the unemployed, low-income adults, and both summer and year-round employment opportunities for low-income youth. However, the bill died several months later in the House of Representatives.

This issue is not getting better any time soon, so teens should expect to fill out a lot of new job applications. Finding a job while thousands of teens and adults compete at once will not be an easy feat.

Class

Number of Tests Taken

Percentage of Scores 3 and Higher

MCPS Ranking/ Schools Surveyed

English Language

183

84.7

7/24

English Literature

124

79.8

8/24

Calculus AB

95

46.3

16/25

Calculus BC

54

79.6

16/24

Biology Chemistry

68 40

89.7 60

10/22 15/20

Gov. and Politics

225

78.7

8/25

US History

61

78.7

9/24

World History

178

73.6

12/23

Spanish Language

69

73.9

24/24

High Number of Students Still Taking APs

by Josh Averbach ‘18 Late spring means warm weather and the approach of summer. It also means that it is time for AP testing. Some 820 Sherwood students are taking about 1,696 tests this year.

Jamii Avery, a counselor who helps coordinate Sherwood’s AP testing, thinks that students sometimes don’t choose wisely when deciding what AP classes to take.

She worries that too many students are making choices about AP classes based on what their friends are doing, not what is best for them as individuals.

According to the College Board, the number of high school graduates who took rigorous AP courses nearly doubled between 2003 and 2013, and the number of low-income students taking

AP classes more than quadrupled. Performance also improved during that time period, as there was a greater increase between 2003 to 2013 in the number of students who received scores of three or higher than in students who received scores of one or two. During this time, MCPS became nationally recognized as a school system leading the push to increase the number of students taking AP classes.

Avery worries that too many students prioritize their coursework over their mental health. However she thinks that the school’s AP programs are a strength because of the students who are capable of succeeding with a rigorous slate of courses and put in the work required to do so.

Data compiled by MCPS

seems to show that most students are capable of handling AP courses. According to this data, 73.3 percent of exams taken by Sherwood students received scores of three or higher. The school ranked ninth out of 25 MCPS high schools. The majority of schools which performed better than Sherwood based on that statistic, including Walt Whitman, Wootton, and Winston Churchill, are located in and around the particularly affluent areas of Potomac and Bethesda.

Last year, 67.8 percent of Sherwood’s 475 graduating seniors took at least one AP exam, and 55.6 percent of Sherwood’s graduating seniors received at least a three on at least one of their AP exams. The latter statistic ranks Sherwood ninth out of 25 MCPS schools.

The Warrior•News

3

May 12, 2016

Chromebooks in Classes Concerns Parent Group

by Lexi Matthews ‘18 At an MCPS Board of Education meeting in February, Safe Tech for Schools Maryland (STFSM) questioned the health implications of Wi-Fi in schools.

The group read 15 letters expressing why wireless technology should be removed from classrooms because of its carcinogenic, or cancer-inducing, nature.

Wi-Fi, like all radio-frequencies, emits radiation as it carries signals between devices.

It is most clearly seen in MCPS through wireless routers affixed to ceilings of classrooms, helping connect chromebooks to the web.

Although the American Cancer Society has published reports discussing the difference between high-energy radio-frequencies, like UV rays that have been proven to alter cells to become cancerous, and low-energy radio-frequencies, like Wi-Fi and microwaves that are inconclusive of having the strength needed to deliver these effects, doubts have still been expressed about whether children should undergo longterm exposure to the latter.

“Its harmfulness doesn’t have to be proven now; it might take years to finally be proven. Why wait years? You can’t go back in time with your kids,” said Thea Scarato, a member of STFSM, in a video on their website. The site updates daily, expressing how only ‘strong disbelief’ of damage isn’t good enough for the group with children’s health at stake.

“We want definite answers or we don’t want Wi-Fi,” Scarato said.

Because of these beliefs, STFSM has requested that MCPS

revert its $15 million chromebook investment into hardwired computers, eliminating their allegedly harmful Wi-Fi aspect. This would require purchasing Ethernet cables for each chromebook, and could cost nearly $6 million.

The basis of the groups’ letters comes from the publication ‘The BioInitiative Report,’ which has released studies on the dangers of all radio-frequencies. Although BioInitiative is comprised of 29 professors and doctors, its authenticity has been questioned due to its self-publishing nature, meaning its facts are not check by and impartial party before publication.

In April, the Board of Education released an official response on its Office of the Chief Technology Officer web-page, explaining that removing Wi-Fi was not necessary. The Board noted that its wireless technology fully met all Federal Communications Commission standards, and cited the World Health Organization’s explanation that BioInitiative was immensely oversimplifying the process that is used to identify carcinogenic items.

“The classification of radio frequencies as possibly carcinogenic comes from extremely heavy cell phone use. Wi-Fi does not accurately represent the classification’s intentions,” the response clarified, as Wi-Fi radiation is one one-thousandth the power of that of cell phones.

‘Possibly carcinogenic’ isn’t exactly definitive either; it means no clear scientifically proven evidence can link the item to cancer, and other items that fall under the title include coffee, aloe, and

Lockdown Drill Effectiveness Being Questioned from LOCKDOWN, pg. 1 is not used at Sherwood, there are other safety procedures that students and staff should practice. For example, never open a normally locked door for a person that one might happen to see asking to be let into the building; that’s the security team’s job.

Even if the person in question is a student, it would be difficult to know why he or she is not coming in through the main doors and if his or her intentions are harmless.

If students are out in the open when an emergency occurs, the current protocol calls for them to locate the nearest classroom.

“They [the attacker(s)] are looking for an easy target. The kids that are away from the doors, with the lights off, and are not

Shooting Prompts Shelter In Place Shelter in place, a procedure used to keep students safe while also continuing classroom instruction, was utilized last week at all MCPS schools when an active shooter threat arose in the area on Friday, May 6. Eulalio Tordil was taken into custody Friday afternoon after killing his estranged wife on Thursday in Prince George’s County and then the next day was arrested in Aspen Hill after another shooting at Montgomery Mall. Tordil shot and killed two people and injured two more. visible to the suspects are safer than a student who was to be in a hallway,” stated Rooney.

Shelter and lockdown drills may seem like the perfect opportunity to send a quick text or take a short nap, but the reality is stu-

dents must stay alert. There have been tragedies across the country caused by attackers in schools, so it’s imperative that students protect themselves to the best of their ability by being aware and smart about safety.

Shevitz Creates New Class For Next Year from SHEVITZ, pg. 1 self-confidence.

“I am repeatedly frustrated by comments such as ‘it’s too hard’ or ‘I can’t do that’ by female straight-A students,” said Shevitz.

After years of making this observation and researching the MCPS course catalog and seeing no courses that would empower female students and teach relevant topics relating to gender studies, Shevitz drafted a proposal to Principal Bill Gregory, which later made its way to the Board of Education. She gained approval and began writing the curriculum.

By promoting it during this current school year to her current students, the word spread, and by the time course registration was over, Shevitz was able to gain enough interest to run the class

for one period each semester. In addition to the introductory unit regarding the history of patriarchy and term definition, the other units will consist of Women’s Health, Women and the Media; Women and Human Rights; and Exceptional Women.

Students will read articles on current obstacles women face and have debates based on the readings of opposing viewpoints.

This curriculum includes the importance of the media’s messages through analyzing pop culture and its references to deeper meanings. Students can also expect to analyze song lyrics for references to gender inequalities and debate whether certain ideas or phrases in pop culture are degrading or have evolved to be empowering to women.

Shevitz has explored ideas of local field trips for her class,

including a self-defense class at a martial arts studio in Olney, as well as the women’s exhibit at the Arts and American History Museum.

Although the course focuses on differences between idealizations of men and women over time, Shevitz encourages boys to take the class. “Male students should take the class because this is not at all a man-bashing class.

These are issues women are facing every day and if there is a woman in your life, then these issues will affect you,” she said.

As the only school in the entire county currently running a course like this, Shevitz encourages all students to take advantage of this unique opportunity.

For more information about the class, Shevitz can be contacted via e-mail or can be visited in her classroom, H141.

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The Warrior•News May 12, 2016

4 Debate Team Talks About Global Warming Controversy

Chase Wilson ‘17

by Christopher Sung ‘17 Responding to Young Democrat Madeline Daugherty ’17 (Left), Young Republican Mike Ricciardella ‘17 (Right) counters claims made against the Republican National Committee’s platform on global climate change. While Ricciardella speaks, the moderator, panelists, and other debaters stare at Ricciardella in earnest.

Although underestimated, the Young Republicans were able to control much of the debate and elicit cheers from the audience. Ricciardella made strong at-

tacks against the Young Democrats and was on the offensive throughout the entire event, forcing the Young Democrats to concede on many of their points. Despite their solid performance, the Young Republicans were criticized by some members of the crowd for being less substantive than their adversaries.

The second half of the debate saw the Young Democrats recover from their initial performance.

Madeline Daugherty made strong responses against many attacks from the Young Republicans and was applauded for a few of her comments.

Obtaining 504 Plans Proven Difficult

by Danielle Tobb ‘17 A 504 plan is intended to level the playing field for students with documented disabilities and is analogous to the school providing ramps for wheelchairs.

However, an issue with these 504 plans is that it is difficult to prove that a student needs access to additional aids to learn in the same manner that his or her peers do.

The plan often requires parents who may not even be aware that 504s exist to initiate the process.

Even then, the process is lengthy and sometimes costly.

The plan provides an outline as to what specific accommodations a student needs in order to remove the barriers he or she faces in learning. The time it takes to put a 504 in place for a student depends on the completeness of certain paperwork, the extent of time that a student has had the difficulty, and the overall impact that a student’s impairment has on his or her learning ability. According to Section 504 (a part of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 that prohibits discrimination based upon disability), in order to qualify for a 504, a student must “have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activity and have a record of impairment.”

“The process [to get a 504 plan] is not as involved as obtaining an Individualized Educational Program (IEP), but there is still a team that meets to decide whether or not a 504 would be appropri-

ate,” said Elizabeth Al-Atrash, the head of the Counseling Department.

A father of a sophomore female at Sherwood with severe anxiety explained the process that his family went though to get a 504 plan for their daughter.

He said that the school required that the basis for the plan be an evaluation by a psychologist—a comprehensive, expensive psych educational test. After this, he explained that they went to her guidance counselor to request a 504 meeting. A formal process ensued in which the counselor obtained intake information such as why their daughter needed the 504, and then their counselor surveyed some of her teachers to determine if they saw the same problem that her parents claimed she had. The counselor also considered past grades, attendance records, and other behavioral information to decide if a 504 was necessary. After the whole process, the counselor, teacher, and school psychologist came together to confirm that a 504 was pertinent to the student’s success.

Teachers are involved in the beginning of the process by completing reports on a student’s behavior in class. She said that when they hold the actual 504 meeting, only one teacher often is in attendance because other teachers are busy teaching their classes. When the 504 plans are reviewed, “counselors ask the teachers to complete a report to determine whether the student

Students with Individualized Educational Programs (IEPs) and students with 504 plans have a documented disability or impairment. There are 99 students with 504 plans and 202 students with IEPs at Sherwood this school year.

For students with an IEP, their disability has a significant educational impact, and requires direct specialized instruction, in addition to supplementary aids and services. A student must qualify for one or more of 14 broad categories to obtain an IEP. Students with 504s have a documented impairment, requiring targeted accommodations to access educational programs in the same manner that their non-disabled peers do. There is no approved list of disabling conditions to qualify for a 504. has been using the accommodations,” explained Al-Atrash.

English resource teacher Shelley Jackson thinks that teachers should be involved in providing input on accommodations a student receives. She explains that individuals who don’t know the curricula typically give accommodations, thus a certain accommodation may not work in a certain class. Additionally, Jackson said when teachers fill out quarterly reports, there is no place on the form for a teacher to suggest whether or not an accommodation is beneficial to a student.

The Warrior•Features May 12, 2016 Student Disproves Beauty Pageant Stereotypes

by Lauren MacFadden ‘17 The first beauty pageant was in 1888 in Belgium; it was a formal event in which those who attended had to dress in their nicest clothing. Since then, the ‘Toddlers & Tiaras’ phenomenon swept the nation in 2008, leading to a widely held belief that all beauty pageants are superficial and mean-spirited.

Inspired by her mom who participated in beauty pageants, junior Paris Holbrook has competed in Miss Maryland Teen USA. “Most people think that just because pageants are called ‘beauty’ pageants, means that it is all about how you look physically but that is not the case at all,” explained Holbrook.

Because of the various stereotypes, people fail to realize that beauty pageants have a completely different intent; they wish to uplift girls and help guide them to a successful future. In fact, most pageants have specific categories like talent and speaking.

There is also the catwalk which involves walking a certain way.

All of the categories are added together which determines a contestant’s ultimate score.

“The process is very rigorous and goes by fairly quickly. You have to stay focused at all times while managing to have fun with all the girls … You have to answer unexpected questions on the spot about any particular topic during the interview,” said Holbrook.

The process that goes into competing in a pageant is less about looks and more about

Holbrook posing at the Miss Maryland Teen USA in 2015. preparedness and genuineness.

Throughout the experience, girls learn how to treat other people by supporting their fellow contestants, which is a skill needed to be successful later in life. Holbrook explains that all the contestants begin to feel more like a family than competitors by helping each other with makeup, jewelry, and even lending dresses to one another if needed. Instead of acting malicious like the stereotypes portray, the girls all support one another so that they can all have fair opportunities in the pageant.

The girls also learn that winning is not the most important thing in life, but to be proud of who they are.

“I have learned that to be something you’re not is not worth anything because at the end of the day we have to love ourselves and

What’s the Buzz About BuzzFeed?

by Priyanka Paudel ‘19

“Which Famous Family Do You Belong To Based On Three Random Questions?”

Clearly, I am a part of the Miley Cyrus family. What about you? If you don’t know to which clan you belong, BuzzFeed has the answer to that quiz and more, as well as videos and news. BuzzFeed’s audience has swelled to over 200 million worldwide since 2006. BuzzFeed offers topics ranging from different lifestyles to businesses, but quizzes and videos are by far the most popular features among teens.

“I go on BuzzFeed every day.

I have the app and everything,” said freshman Emily Carrera. It has become a part of my daily routine at this point. I get all the quizzes that I want, which I’ve probably taken more than half of.

I watch all their videos on YouTube and everything.”

Some of BuzzFeed’s quizzes include “Which Female Disney Channel Star Are You Based On Your Birth Month?“ and “Are You More Kendall Jenner Or Khloé Kardashian?” Most teens know BuzzFeed through You-

A New Perspective

by Lucy Kuchma ‘18

Courtesy of Paris Holbrook ‘17

Tube, its most popular medium.

With six different channels, and thousands of videos, it is hard to ignore BuzzFeed’s presence.

From odd videos like “Here’s What Happens When You Fart At The Same Time As Someone Else,” to cultural topics such as, “12 Openly Gay Oscar Winners,” BuzzFeed has figured out what will grab people’s interests.

Apart from all the fun, BuzzFeed has some of the hard news that people need. “Sanders Struggles To Back Up Idea Clinton Has Been Compromised By Donations” was recently posted on the site. For the people who want to keep up with the presidential campaign, they can click from their most favorite quizzes to BuzzFeed’s hard news section.

BuzzFeed brings out the creativity in users, as its goal was and always will be to be genuinely fresh. BuzzFeed’s quizzes and videos make people laugh, while other topics from cultural wars, such as gun violence, abortion, and same-sex marriage, have earned respect for the site’s hard news coverage. BuzzFeed offers teen and others the chance to be informed on all things buzz.

love who we are before anyone else can love us,” said Holbrook.

Despite the assumptions made by many that beauty pageants are shallow and unhealthy for the mindset of young adolescents, beauty pageants have prevailed to create positive experiences for millions of girls around the world. Those girls, including Holbrook, now better understand how to be a kind person as well as know who they are and empower themselves and others.

“The pageant helped me figure out that I wanted to do people’s hair and makeup for the rest of my life. I also learned how to love me because making people look beautiful makes me so passionate with what I do and it not only makes them love themselves but me love myself as well,” said Holbrook.

5

When it comes to vacation, most people envision a calm, relaxing environment with good food, a nice place to stay, and fun activities. Imagine going to a foreign country with no idea what your lodging will be like, what you will be fed, or what you are going to do. Then imagine how great that adventure could be.

I was lucky enough to be able to participate in Sherwood’s annual foreign exchange with a high school in Marseille, a city in southern France. I could not have been more excited to see more of the world, as I had never left the country prior to this trip, and I have been studying French for roughly four years.

However, in that moment when we stepped off the bus and into the arms of our host families, I was arguably the freest and most terrified I have ever felt.

There’s something unexplainably vulnerable about being thrown into a family and basically becoming a child of different parents for 10 days. At the same time, it is so exciting to live in another person’s shoes, whether similar to your own or completely different.

Part of the reason so many people are able to get so close with their host student is due to the process by which students are assigned to one another.

John Falls, foreign language department head and leader of the French Exchange at Sherwood for over ten years now, corre-

sponds with Colette Ameliani, the English teacher at Lycée Paul Mélizan. The two discuss the personalities of all of the students participating in the exchange and personalize the entire process as much as possible. This makes it so that almost everyone is quite compatible with their assigned host to begin with.

The extent to which you really create a bond with your hosts in such a short period of time is extraordinary. If someone had told me I would develop such a uniquely close relationship on this trip, I might have said that was wishful thinking, but because you’re forced to live by their side and really rely on them for every aspect of your daily life, you become so connected to them. This sort of relationship is unlike any other relationship I have ever had in the sense that there is no time for any judgment. Regardless of whether you have shared interests, you simply have to adopt their interests for the time you’re staying with them.

On the average day, you either go to school or go out on the town and just simply absorb culture. It sounds cliché, I know, but I wouldn’t say it if it wasn’t entirely true. I observed so many similarities and differences between just the ways people exist.

For example, the way of life is so much more relaxed there. People move slowly and appreciate everything in the moment. Whereas here, things move quite quickly and the appreciation is often done in retrospect.

Students Perform Together in Music Class

by Lizi Thach ‘18 Music is an interest that appeals to many students here at Sherwood, but not all students are able to take the music class they desire. Thanks to the ingenuity of some band students, kids with special needs are able to experience a real music class—many for the first time.

This effort first began when Special Education teacher Jill Galt received drums, maracas, egg shakers, and triangles, donated to her by Chuck Levin’s Washington Music Center. She asked band teacher Alexander Silverbook if his students could teach her class how to play the instruments. Soon, Silverbook had a few volunteers, including Socrates Matthews, a sophomore guitarist, who teaches and plays for Galt’s students every Thursday at seventh period.

“It’s fun and entertaining [to teach] the students interested in playing music and it’s a very interactive experience for [them].” said Matthews. “We would teach them simple beats … [like] fourfour beats.”

Danny Santiago, a senior volunteer guitarist and singer, also commented about how the students will occasionally sing along to a variety of songs they

Courtesy of Jill Galt

Nathaniel Long and Sarah Lorenco play their instruments. play, such as “Let’s Twist Again,” “Born to Run,” and other songs from Rock n’ Roll Revival.

Through volunteering to teaching students with special needs, different learning styles and subjects have been integrated into the classroom. This socialization creates and influences positive behaviors, emotions, and social interactions, as well as an increase in appropriate verbalizations and communication with enhanced listening skills, according to Galt.

“The music class [has provided] a wider understanding of how each individual student can make their own music and be part of a musical group,” said Galt.

“This experience may influence [other] students to pursue a career or want to volunteer with people that have intellectual disabilities.”

Volunteering around the school proves beneficial for classes and teachers, as well as for the volunteers themselves. Silverbook stated that volunteering helps to contribute to programs throughout the school, like Galt’s class.

“Those learning get to learn how to play instruments and learn songs like a music class. For the students teaching them how to play music, they learn how to teach music and how to interact with others outside the class,” said Silverbook.

The Warrior•Features 6

May 12, 2016

Junior Aims for Theatrical Career

by Lydia Velazquez ‘17

there is a reason for spring fever?

by Leah Peloff ‘18 As the weather warms up and spring is in full bloom, many students are hit hard with the desire to be outside enjoying themselves instead of being cooped up in some small, stuffy classroom. This distraction from educational duties is largely due to the mere happiness and excitement that an increase in sunlight sparks in people worldwide.

Is this ‘fever’ a figment of imagination or are there really facts to back it up? A student’s grades drop, work ethic fades, and attention in class becomes hard for a student to maintain due to the annual spring fever.

Recent investigations have proven the shorter periods of sunlight and colder weather throughout the winter, known as the ‘winter blues,’ leads to a higher production of melatonin in the pineal gland; an endocrine gland in the brain that secretes hormones throughout the body. Melatonin is the hormone that indicates to the body that it is time to go to sleep, so it makes sense that people feel more tired, and even depressed during wintertime.

Dr. Michael Terman, the Director of the Light Therapy Unit at the New York State Psychiatric Institute, found that about five percent of the population is affected so severely by the winter blues that they are clinically diagnosed with Seasonal Affective Disorder. This disorder is defined as a type of depression that comes from the changes in seasons.

As the number of hours of daylight increase with spring

approaching, the amount of melatonin shrinks and the body instead creates more serotonin, known as the ‘happiness hormone.’ This hormone is exhausted over the dark winter months, which causes the melatonin to have a more profound effect on the body than it would in the spring or summer months.

Not all people experience the same symptoms as a result of this fever. It is not uncommon for some people to actually feel more depressed during the spring months. Dr. Norman Rosenthal, the director of season studies at the National Institute of Mental Health, noted that hospital admissions for depression and alcoholism reach a peak in the spring months. This is partly because there is heightened feeling of loneliness and hopelessness in some as they watch others enjoy the nice weather.

“Some people appear to be unable to adapt physiologically to the rapid seasonal change; their bodies break down physically and emotionally under the strain,” explained Dr. Rosenthal in The New York Times.

For the most part, however, spring brings happy vibes that make people want to go outside and enjoy themselves. These desires leave many classes full of daydreamers and many homework assignments untouched.

There is nothing wrong with this natural, psychological cycle of sunlight-induced distraction as long as students learn how to contain the fever and hammer out the last bit of school before they are free to fulfill their laissez-faire attitude that comes with warmer weather.

Dreams are frightening, no doubt about it, especially in a day and age when the “future” is constantly at teenagers’ throats and it seems more reasonable to pursue a career that guarantees stability rather than fulfilling a dream.

Though there is nothing wrong with wanting to major in something that provides a sense of security, junior Rachel Weisenthal does not let the intensity of her ambitions stifle her.

“Honestly I won’t be happy and satisfied unless I’m performing,” said Weisenthal, “and I’m willing to work my butt off to make that happen.”

Weisenthal began to put on “shows” for relatives at a tender age. It wasn’t until 4th grade when she participated in a performance at a local Jewish community center that she recognized her interest in performing extended beyond the family living room.

Over the years, Weisenthal has been involved with organizations like Damascus Theatre Company and Blake High School Summer Musical Institute. She has held down roles such as Chava in “Fiddler on the Roof,” Paulette Bonafonté in “Legally Blonde,” and Erma in “Anything Goes.” Her most recent, and possibly favorite, performance was “A Grand Night for Singing” at the Gaithersburg Arts Barn.

“Performing live forces you to do your best every single time.

A different audience sees you

courtesy of Rachel Weisenthal ‘16

Weisenthal performing at the Gaithersburg Arts Barn. every night, and it’s your responsibility as an actor to give each audience your best performance,” explained Weisenthal. “There’s nothing to hide behind; the second you’ve said a line or sang a song it’s unchangeable whether you did your best or worst.”

With this daring mindset, Weisenthal has been open to learning and developing new skills in a very different kind of classroom. Though wearing lots of makeup, donning (sometimes) fancy costumes, and being the center of attention for a few hours might seem all fun and games, it really isn’t. Performing has taught Weisenthal about hard work, accepting rejection, and being confident in front of a crowd. Not to mention that playing a countless number of characters has given her the opportunity to gain new perspective on different lives.

Over the course of her own life, Weisenthal has gained inspi-

ration from individuals both on and off the stage. Choir teachers Michael Maddox and Bill Evans hold a special place in her heart as they have helped her hone in on her technique and have taught her to appreciate music more and understand the vast impact it has on people’s lives. Another prominent mentor in Weisenthal’s life is her vocal coach, Dorothy Miller.

“She is the most wholesome, loving, good-natured person I know,” gushed Weisenthal.

“Without her I wouldn’t perform and sing the way I do today. If I make it on Broadway, I’m going to mention and thank her every chance I get.”

With a growing number of shows under her belt and a loyal support system, Weisenthal has confidence in her future and plans on finding her place on the marquee with, as she says, “sheer will, determination, and hopefully a little luck.”

Students Share Music through SoundCloud Alleigh Keyes ‘16 Before he presses upload, sophomore Khari Johnson checks to confirm his track is mastered.

Then, he listens to it a couple more times to make sure it sounds perfect. He decides to promote the track by releasing clips of it before he fully releases his original beats and rap songs.

At the click of a button, Johnson can share his original songs and sounds using the popular online-music platform SoundCloud.

This platform, launched in 2008, allows users to post, listen to, and download audio.

“I listen to music on SoundCloud all the time, and I post every so often when I come up with a good song,” Johnson said.

Typically, singer-songwriters use SoundCloud as a medium to post music. As a singer-songwriter who is passionate about her craft, sophomore Lily Rathbun uses SoundCloud to post originals and covers of popular songs.

Rathbun has originals titled “Drifting Away” and “Let You Go.” As for covers, she has put her spin on the likes of Ed Sheeran and Christina Perri.

“I post my music on SoundCloud so I can share it with family and friends for free,” said Rathbun, who is currently working on another song to be released in the coming weeks.

Kayla Cohen ‘17

Senior Alex Martinez and sophomores Lily Rathbun and Kevin Keating utilize SoundCloud to share their music.

Instead of posting emotive songs with emphasis on vocals, others such as sophomore Kevin Keating use SoundCloud with a focus on production. Keating uses this platform to share his electronic dance music (EDM) or rock tracks. “My best track was an EDM track. It took me a while and it was a product of my favorite sounds in music,” Keating said.

With this platform, musicians are also encouraged to collaborate with those who share similar interests. Senior Alex Martinez collaborated with a slew of students, including seniors Tony

Niverth and Carley Kolker, to make a song for their swim team.

“I thought SoundCloud would be the easiest to use and would make it easier for the others to hear it,” Martinez said.

They plan on dropping an EP with more swim team songs this summer.

SoundCloud has become a prominent force in music streaming. Spotlighting everyone from serious singer-songwriters to producers to other entertainers, SoundCloud expresses the abilities of a variety of extraordinary students who have many talents and skills.

The Warrior•Humor

7

May 12, 2016 Teachers Create a Self-Appreciation Day Staff attempt to cope with their hurt feelings that stem from a lack of recognition for their lasting contributions and welcoming presence in students’ lives.

by Lizi Thach ‘18 The aftermath of National Teacher Appreciation Day (NTAD) on May 3 drastically transformed into a teacher “Unappreciation” Day, as many teachers, behind locked classroom doors, spent several hours crying, consuming comfort food, and binge-watching baby animal videos on the Internet for self-comfort.

Many teachers expected some kindness in return for their strenuous hours of hard work for teaching and preparing lessons for their students. Science teacher Emelia Gonzales explained that teachers have many hardships throughout the year, like grading tests without hurting a student’s feelings, or constantly struggling to read horrible handwriting.

“I have noticed that students no longer seem to appreciate teachers anymore, so I knew this year wouldn’t be any better than last year,” said Gonzales. “I just want someone to bring chocolates and cards and acknowledge me

for once!”

While teachers want their students to notice them for their hard work, students respond with disrespect by not paying attention in classes, or playing on their phones. Building Service workers have reported a huge increase of littered chocolate wrappers and tissues in the hallways. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup wrappers were discovered in a corner in the F hallway, and Kit Kat crumbs were scattered all over the floors in the downstairs H hallway.

Teachers also stockpiled on pizzas, donuts and sugary beverages within their department offices last week for their after school therapy sessions. The purpose of these sessions was to encourage teachers to have a positive outlook on their teaching careers, even if they are not appreciated by their students. These sessions have promoted self-esteem in some teachers, but most of them decided to cry themselves to sleep that week.

In order to stop this constant cycle of sorrow, the cafete-

ria staff has created a recipe of Comforting Chocolate Cupcakes to distribute to all teachers every NTAD, commencing operation “Self Appreciation” Day as a go as of next year. The staff aims to provide appreciation and support from the school to ensure an enjoyable and loving environment for all teachers. The staff will ensure all teachers will be provided half a dozen of cupcakes which will be decorated beforehand, but teachers are free to bring their own toppings. Social studies teacher Scott Allen, for example, plans to bring rainbow sprinkles, or as he calls them “Jimmies,” for next year’s NTAD. “I have never been this excited for cupcakes in my whole career of teaching!” said Allen.

“I can’t wait to decorate my cupcakes and then devour them in front of my students and see them suffer, since their tears empower me. I’d probably have sprinkles everywhere throughout my classroom, but it will be so worth it. It will be a Self-Appreciation Day for all teachers to remember!”

Bieber Fever Nearly Kills High Schooler

by Natalie Murray ‘18

Sophomore May Blueberg never imagined that a disease she has had since age nine would nearly end her life. Her illness is quite common and usually not life-threatening, but when she experienced cardiac arrest on March 21, the cause was her disease: Bieber Fever.

Blueberg has had “Bieber Fever,” a condition that affects millions of teenage girls, since 2009, when Justin Bieber’s first single, “One Time,” was released.

“It was 2:19 p.m. on July 30 when I turned on the car radio. As soon as I heard his voice...” said Blueberg, as she paused to stare dreamily into space. “His voice was so beautiful that I basically died right there. It was love at first listen.”

Since that day, Blueberg has been wholeheartedly obsessed with Bieber. Her collection of Bieber merchandise includes all of his albums, both of his movies (which she watches at least eight times a month), 331 posters hung on her bedroom walls, 27 shirts, framed concert tickets from each of his tours, and various other objects, such as cupholders, stickers, and jewelry.

In addition to her wide variety of merch, Blueberg proves her superfan status in her frequent social media posts regarding Bieber.

Her Snapchat stories often feature her myriad of photos of him with filters, Bieber lyrics compose nearly all of her Instagram captions, and a vast majority of her tweets have to do with the singer.

In fact on Sunday, March 20, Blueberg tweeted a Photoshopped picture of her and Bie-

The Western World’s Extreme Struggles “First World Problems” are defined as relatively trivial or minor frustrations (implying a contrast with serious problems such as hunger, war, and contagious diseases that are more prevalent in the developing world). Even young people in Olney know what it feels like to endure the pain and indignities of First World Problems. The following are experiences of the miseries of having to live in one of the most prosperous nations on Earth.

“I went to 7-Eleven and looked for a Coke can with my name on it, but there wasn’t one there. How rude!”

“The battery is low on my widescreen laptop but my charger is in the other room! How am I going to finish typing my paper?!”

“My Beats were tangled with my other Drake headphones in my backpack!”

“I upgraded to an iPhone 6s, but the iPhone 7 is coming out in a few months, so I obviously have to get it.”

“The remote to the 60-inch TV is lost, so I have to get up off the couch if I want to change the channel or volume from now on.”

“The French manicure I got last week has already chipped!”

“My mom gave me new Ray-Ban sunglasses as a birthday gift, but I accidentally sat on them and they broke.”

“While I was tanning in Hawaii over spring break, I forgot to take my Louis Vuitton watch off my wrist. Now I have a really bad tan line!”

“I asked for EXTRA foam on my pumpkin spice latte!”

“I went to Italy for a week on an exchange program and I didn’t even have phone service. That means I couldn’t get the Snapchat geofilters of the places I went!”

Compiled by Kayla Cohen ‘17

Parents Promise Son New Car for Being a Good Kid

by Chase Wilson ‘17

The photoshopped picture of superstar Justin Bieber and sophomore May Blueberg as bride and groom, which initiated this whole incident. ber as bride and groom, saying “@justinbieber this could be us one day!! Love you!!!!” As she checked her phone in the middle of health class the next day, she saw that Bieber had responded to her edit, saying “@MAYisJustinsBAE oh haha that’s kinda creepy.“ Upon the realization that her favorite person in the world acknowledged her existence in a whole 44 characters, Blueberg’s heart stopped.

Luckily, the class was finishing their its unit, and Blueberg

was successfully resuscitated.

The entire class got bonus points on the next test for handling the situation so well.

After the incident, Blueberg became even more obsessed with Bieber, hanging a massive poster of his tweet on the ceiling above her bed.

“I like to see it before I go to sleep. It makes me so happy that he knows I exist,” said Blueberg.

“Like, before, there was zero possibility of us actually getting married. Now? It’s totally possible!”

Throughout the school parking lot, one finds an unusual number of luxury SUVs, muscle cars, souped-up trucks, and sports cars.

But, occasionally a Nissan GTR will show itself, or a turbocharged white Mustang 5.0L will cruise around the traffic circle. A lucky student might catch a glimpse of a red Lamborghini Aventador or a matte black Stingray Corvette.

Behind the wheel of all of these cars is one student. Senior Matt Rello owns nine cars with a worth totaling nearly $1 million.

“I’ve loved cars before I could even drive. At 16, I had three cars already. I couldn’t drive them obviously, but I would wax them every day. My favorite thing to do was just look at them,” said Rello.

All of his vehicles were bought by his parents. His mother, Heather, justifies these purchases through the claim that more expensive cars have very advanced safety measures in them. His father, Stephan, bought him his first car for graduating middle school with, as he puts it, “three consecutive times on the Honor Roll.”

Many of the students at Sherwood would feel blessed to have even one car to drive or the opportunity to obtain a driver’s license,

but Rello believes that since he does so well in school, his parents have a moral obligation to buy him gifts. He brags that he has taken a total of three Advanced Placement classes over his high school career. He has earned a B in AP NSL and a B in AP Psychology. Currently, he is enrolled in AP Statistics and looking to turn his current C into an A. Rello and his parents have agreed to continue this plan through his years in college and through his first job until he has moved far enough up the ladder at his father’s successful home-building firm, at which point they will stop buying him cars. At that point in his life, Stephan Rello said that his son will be more suited for a yacht of some kind for every accomplishment. In the near future, his parents have agreed to buy him a Bugatti Veyron if he attends school for 100 days in a row to finish out his high school career.

“It’s been a long, hard, uphill battle, but I’m trying really hard to keep the streak going,” said Rello. However, with six days to go he has been struggling. He’s often seen looking out of classroom windows to the parking lot, undoubtedly trying to plot the fastest route to whatever car he chose to drive that day.

8

The Warrior•Healthy Eating May 12, 2016

Farmers Market in Olney Provides

Access to Variety of Local Food Culture

by Isabella Pilot ‘18 The Olney Farmers and Artists Market, a staple of the community since 2007, offers everything from raw, local wildflower honey to vegan, gluten-free falafel. Alongside these “healthy” products are decadent homemade chocolates, cupcakes, and crêpes. But with four grocery stores open daily in Olney, waking up at the crack of dawn on a Sunday to attend the market may seem unnecessary. Also, how healthy can a Farmers Market be if it sells sweets?

Holistic health practitioner Daniel Brafman has the answer.

“Health exists in many different dimensions, and here it’s about the community aspect of health.

Having one-on-one conversations with the vendors, making eye contact with the person who made your food, and knowing what you’re supporting are all healthy behaviors,” he said. Brafman has worked in the health and wellness field “for as long as [he] can remember.” He has been setting up shop at the market since June 2015, sharing his expertise on exercise, pain and stress management, and nutrition, as well as selling his delicious bone broth.

“No other market has someone like me. My goal is for this to be a place where people can learn about health,” said Brafman.

All of the vendors at the market are passionate about their products, many of them selling food native to their home countries. Southern Cross Bakery offers a taste of Australia and New Zealand with their meat pies, El Tenedor de Nacho provides authentic Latin flavor in their em-

by Mallory Carlson ‘19

Chase Wilson ‘17

A customer shops at the Farmer’s Market near Medstar Montgomery. panadas, and Dalat Deli serves up traditional Vietnamese cuisine.

Sophomore Rotem Kaufman, who was born in Israel and works at the Tovavi Falafel stand, explains that, “People like the falafel because it’s authentic. It’s Israeli food made by Israelis.”

The Olney Farmers and Artists market is about so much more than just health buzzwords.

Behind every product is a person who has devoted his or her life to serving our community. Mark Mills of Chocolates and Tomatoes, along with many other vendors, has suffered through cold Sunday mornings selling their sustainable, delicious vegetables at Olney’s first ever No-Frills

Winter Market. Jennifer Brown, owner of Cupcakes Lounge, wakes up at midnight to bake all of her pastries fresh. And the man behind Orchard Breeze Farm knows that the meat industry has taken a turn towards cruelty and factory farming, but he sticks to treating his animals with respect.

He believes in “letting Mother Nature do what she wants.”

In order to be truly healthy, one must balance mental, emotional, and physical well-being, and the Olney Farmers and Artists Market is the perfect place to do so. Forming connections with the people who make your food is a quality of the market that grocery stores simply don’t have.

A Loca-What? Why You Should Ditch the Grocery Store and Eat Local Foods

by Naomi Lawrence ‘17 Every Sunday year-round, one can drive by the intersection of Route 108 and Prince Phillip Dr. in Olney, and see dozens of white tents with hundreds of people milling around under a beating sun. This, ladies and gentlemen, is Olney’s best expression of the locavore movement.

A “locavore” is a person who chooses to eat locally grown and produced food. Usually, this refers to food grown within 400 miles from where it’s sold, taking less than one day to transport.

There are countless benefits to this up-and-coming “trend.”

One of my favorite benefits is the feeling of community when people come together at local markets. When people go to supermarkets, they usually go in, get what they need, pay, and leave. Local markets, however, are more of a group effort to organize and support, which brings the community together.

‘Natural Food’ Is Not Very Natural

Take the Olney Farmers and Artists Market. My experience has been amazing. I was able to meet great people who live nearby, and I love that I get to interact with the people who grew the food I eat.

But the locavore movement is more than a social gathering.

A major reason of popularity is that locally grown foods are scientifically proven to have a better nutritional value than food that is packaged and shipped, according to a North Carolina State University study. Packaged food is laced with chemicals to help preserve it for the long trip.

This sounds nice, but in reality, the chemicals caused the food to lose freshness, which in turn causes a loss of nutrients. Now, I don’t know about you, but I like my food to have its full nutritional value, not half of it just because it had to travel far.

The decreased travel time of locally grown food also helps the environment. So much of

the earth’s pollution is caused by the fuel and greenhouse gases that are produced by transporting food over long distances. Not having to transport food from thousands of miles would likely decrease pollution, and who does not want that?

Another amazing benefit of eating locally (that many don’t realize) is its effect on the local economy. By choosing to eat only locally grown food, one is therefore supporting the employment of local farmers rather than farmers on the other side of the country. This local circulation of money allows for a stimulation of the local economy, which provides jobs for those farmers.

It’s time to bid frozen foods in grocery stores goodbye and broaden your horizons. I challenge you to implement local eating into your diet. It may not be 100-percent perfect at first, but any food that you can buy locally will not only help you, but it will also better your community.

From those who routinely eat a balance of protein, vegetables, and whole grains each meal to those who simply buy fruit at Roots to arrange it in an aesthetically pleasing way for social media while actually eating a cupcake they also picked up, the #cleaneating tag, used to promote eating “real” or “clean” foods, has staked its place in the world of trends and helped carry the rising popularity of natural foods.

Ideally all “clean” foods are not packaged or processed, are healthy, and are, the key word here, natural. Natural food has become the angle for many food producers, like Roots or Whole Foods. Most average grocery stores have a food aisle with a host of products that advertise themselves as natural, but in reality cannot promise anything because of the vagueness surrounding the meaning of the word.

The FDA has not formally defined natural, so its use is not regulated by any law and companies can use it freely. There are some producers who make quality products and use the “natural” advertising in an honest way to

promote healthy items, but there are also products that advertise themselves as natural when really they contain artificial components or chemicals. An example is Del Monte fruit cups—Consumer Reports found they contain artificial preservatives, despite the “natural” label.

It’s not just artificiality in products that people need to worry about—there are ingredients that have become trendy in the #cleaneating world that are misleading. Agave, a nectar that’s used to sweeten many products, causes many people to see only the absence of cane sugar or high fructose corn syrup on the ingredient list and not think twice, but Agave is about 1.5 times sweeter than sugar and usually highly processed before being added to a product. Similarly, coconut oil is perceived as a healthy choice, as it comes from a fruit, but it’s still a mostly saturated fat, which isn’t a healthy fat (like what’s in avocados).

A lot can be hiding behind an ingredient label, so before Instagramming that “natural” snack, take a look beyond the packaging to find out what you’re really eating.

Vegetarianism Also Offers Benefits for Environment While vegetarianism obviously saves the lives of animals, it also decreases pollution and health care costs.

by Megan Werden ‘17 When most people think about being vegetarian, they think about how many animals’ lives will be saved. Although this is an important point, there are other compelling reasons why being a vegetarian produces positive results.

Recent research has found that livestock farming has lead to climate change. For example, cows release methane into the atmosphere, which causes pollution; pollution inevitably leads to global warming, and therefore climate change. Hence, eating more vegetables rather than having big farms with animals like cows could promote a healthy environment.

On another note, consuming processed meats cause worldwide health problems. They increase the risk of terrible yet common diseases like heart disease. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations found that for a healthier diet, one must eat less sugar, and meat. A study done at Oxford University that showed that a healthier diet would lead to 5.1 million fewer global deaths by 2050. The cost of health care could also be potentially lower, as people would be healthier with their plant-based

diets.

Healthier diets will lead to the environment being healthier and better off as well. The study shows that eating more plantbased foods would lead to mortality being cut by 6 to 10 percent by 2050 and will decrease greenhouse gas emissions.

If more plant-based foods were being eaten, less environmentally diminishing practices would be occurring. More land with plants would be needed, and therefore there would be less deforestation. This would then lead to even less greenhouse gases being released into the atmosphere because more carbon dioxide is released when trees are cut down.

When tropical zones are deforested to make room for more ranching land, extra carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere. Therefore, limiting this ranching will benefit the atmosphere.

As meat tends to be a large part of the American diet and in other countries around the world, vegetarianism holds many positive aspects for things other than the vegetarians themselves.

If vegetarianism was further considered, people would have a much greater chance of living on a healthier and more sustainable planet.

The Warrior•Healthy Eating May 12, 2016 An Obsession with Healthy Food Can Lead to Disorder

by Leah Peloff ‘18

Anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating are the three most commonly known eating disorders. Each of these disorders cause life-threatening symptoms. Unfortunately, it is fairly common to know people suffering with one of these disorders in this day in age; however, not many people know that there is a fourth, equally dangerous disease: orthorexia.

Defined as an obsession with eating foods that one perceives as healthy, orthorexia starts out as a seemingly beneficial focus on eating fresh, natural, and organic products. Eventually, however, this “passion” and “motivation” can quickly spiral into a compulsive obsession that takes over other aspects of a person’s life.

In comparison to the other commonly known disorders, orthorexia is a fairly new phenomenon, having been named

by Dr. Steven Bratman in 1996.

Although it is still not recognized by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental disorders, orthorexia is similar to the other disorders in many ways. For example, a person with Anorexia nervosa may not eat for a week in order to stay thin, while someone with orthorexia may only eat a certain

type of food for a week, thinking it is the only thing healthy for them to consume.

The side effects of orthorexia are extensive. As for physical health, those affected may not get enough nutrients from all aspects of the food triangle. Socially, many orthorexics struggle because they plan their entire life around adhering to a specific diet. For these individuals, there is little time to do anything else besides planning their next meal.

“I pursued wellness through healthy eating for years, but gradually I began to sense that something was going wrong,” said Bratman, a recovered patient of orthorexia, when interviewed for Karin Katrina’s article on the National Eating Disorders website.

“My ability to carry on normal conversations was hindered by intrusive thoughts of food. The need to obtain meals free of meat, fat, and artificial chemicals had put nearly all social forms of eating beyond my reach. I was lonely and obsessed.”

Although healthy eating is encouraged by all health professionals, this newly discovered disorder shines a new light on the need to monitor these so-called “healthy” choices before they mutate into a dangerous obsession.

Veganism Proving To Be More Than Just a Trend

by Meghan Kimberling ‘17

Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Ellen DeGeneres, Ellie Goulding, Ariana Grande, and Jennifer Lopez all have something in common other than their extravagant lifestyles in the Hollywood limelight. All of these stars are vegan. But what does it really mean to be vegan in Hollywood or in the rest of world for that matter?

The definition of the vegan lifestyle differs from person to person depending on their ethics and values. For example, someone may follow the strict dictionary definition of being a vegan and not eat or use any animal products, including not eating any types of eggs, fish, or even honey because it is made by bees. However, others may just strive to eat plant-based and be less inclined to follow the strict rules. It may sound like a dramatic change in lifestyle, but those who switch confirm that they would never go back.

The Vegan Society claims that many people go vegan for their own personal health. Vegan foods, often packed with antioxidants, can diminish chances of heart disease and diabetes. Vegans also claim that they felt and looked younger than ever before, and had increased energy in everyday life after becoming vegan.

Many people also switch to being vegan because of the ethi-

cal concerns about eating animals.

The large movement against animal cruelty has encouraged many to give up animal products in a stand against animal exploitation.

Veganism is frequently showing up in pop culture. Forward-thinking schools in California have transitioned their meals to include numerous vegan choices. Metro News has introduced a list of “The 20 Best Vegan Instagram Accounts to Follow” (which cites just 20 of the hundreds of sites out there). Beyoncé and JayZ’s faith in the lifestyle has fueled the release of their own vegan meal delivery service and their sponsorship of a 22-day challenge aimed at getting more people to try a diet free of all animal products.

This new lifestyle fad has spread across the nation with three different vegan diet books entering Amazon’s Top 100 list.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has even named 2016 as the “Year of Vegan”. And, veganism may also have had an influential following long before; Leonardo da Vinci and Albert Einstein were reportedly vegans.

If you want to be like Jay-Z or Beyoncé or if you want to look and feel your best every day, you might want to consider the vegan lifestyle. The animals—cows, pigs, fish and other animals—will be very grateful.

9

Menus That Offer Healthy Options

by Danielle Tobb ‘17 Eating habits formed during adolescence have an impact on the rest of one’s life. Forming poor eating habits during the teen years can potentially evolve into obesity, diabetes, or heart disease later in life. Current unacceptable eating habits need to be improved if teens want to be fit for the duration of their lives.

Below are five restaurants in Olney and Rockville that were rated based on healthiness. To be considered “healthy,” meals must have a healthy amount of saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium.

The restaurant also needs to offer sides of fruits or vegetables, and fried foods cannot be a majority of the menu. Lastly, entrées containing less than 600 calories must be available, and gluten-free/vegetarian options are a necessity.

Freshii (*****) Located in Rockville, Freshii is a healthy foodie’s dream. Freshii’s salads and wraps consist of an assortment of fresh vegetables and low-fat dressings. The noodle/ rice bowls are packed with protein-rich foods such as tofu, chicken, steak, or turkey. For an even healthier meal, the bowl can also be prepared with a kale or quinoa base. If that isn’t enough, Freshii also has a juice and smoothie bar.

Ranging from a Mighty Detox Juice to a Powerhouse Smoothie, this restaurant has it all. There are no fried foods on the menu, and most of the offerings can be made vegetarian or gluten-free.

Vegetable Garden (*****) This Chinese restaurant in Silver Spring puts a unique spin on the typical healthy foods. The menu is completely vegan, and most options are gluten-free. One may be skeptical to try a vegan restaurant, but the meals are truly delicious. A staple on the menu is the Yellow Bird, which includes zucchini, yellow squash, mushroom, carrots, and tofu. The Vegetable Garden uses only organic ingredients. Astonishingly, items have a healthy amount of sodium in them, despite being a Chinese Restaurant.

Silver Diner (****) The eatery in Rockville and other Montgomery County locations is a pioneering restaurant in hearthealthy options. The restaurant dedicates an entire section on their menu to healthier options, including grilled flounder with reduced sodium ginger teriyaki sauce and fresh veggies. The Silver Diner also has an substantial number of gluten-free and vegan meals, and offers meals that are fewer than 600 calories on their menu. This restaurant offers a scrumptious and fairly inexpensive way to eat out in a healthy way, as long as one avoids the fried, tempting diner foods.

Panera (****) The chain’s menu features one of the largest varieties of healthy options compared to other fast food establishments. A stable meal for health-conscious individuals is the Power Mediterranean Roasted Turkey Salad. This item off

of Panera’s secret menu (a list of healthy options that are not officially listed on their regular menu that you have to request) is packed full of all-natural, antibiotic-free turkey, romaine lettuce, red onions and other vegetables.

Panera also makes available to its customers a book containing all of the calories, cholesterol, etc. found in every meal and item sold at the eatery. Although this sounds like an overwhelmingly healthy restaurant, be careful not to order high sodium items such as the broccoli cheddar soup.

Overall, Panera is a good option for individuals who want to eat out, be health conscience, and not blow a wad of cash.

The Mykonos Grill (***) The Greek restaurant in Rockville offers a menu that allows diners to eat smaller, healthier portions.

Mezedes, or small plates, include vegetarian options such as the melt-in-your-mouth Spanakopita.

Entrées are always served with a large amount of fresh vegetables.

The Mykonos Grill extends a traditional and healthy Greek meal to all that eat at their restaurant.

However, be sure not to order the fried squid, as it is very high in calories and fat. Also beware of their dips, which are very high in fat content. The Mykonos Grill offers a twist on the traditional “heart-healthy” food. *=met no criteria **=met 25 percent of criteria ***=met 50 percent of criteria ****=met 75 percent of criteria *****=met all of the criteria

s e h c a e B y b r a Ne Best and Worst Beaches for Teens on the Eastern Shore

by Amanda Allen ‘17

Ever wonder what the beach and nightlife is like at the town that is just a short drive away on Route 1? Maryland and Delaware have many wonderful beaches that may fit your needs. Going down Route 1, families and teens can choose from Rehoboth, Dewey, Bethany, Fenwick and Ocean City.

Rehoboth

Rehoboth has many attractions to keep all ages busy. Three locations of Tanger Outlets offer stores such as Nike, Under Armour, Michael Kors, Vineyard Vines, American Eagle and more. Kids can enjoy the Midway Family Fun Park, which has activities like go-carts, bumper boats, mini golf, lazy river, pools, slides and a Movie Theater next door. Another perk of Rehoboth is that there is a full boardwalk with many shops and popular food places including Grotto Pizza, Thrashers French Fries and Nicolas Pizza, known for their famous inside-out pizza they call Nicobolis. Rehoboth also has nicer restaurants such as The Big Fish Grill and The Cultured Pearl, which has an award-winning sushi menu with the option of rooftop seating. Also, there is a kid-friendly amusement park, called Funland, right on the boardwalk. A negative with Rehoboth is that the beach and boardwalk are overly crowded, and sometimes can feel very dirty. There is always a lot of traffic, resulting in difficulties for finding a parking spot. Rehoboth is definitely the beach with the most opportunities for all ages.

Dewey

Dewey is not a very family or teenager friendly place and is known as the beach where people in their 20s like to party. Bars line both sides of Route 1 which runs right through the center of Dewey, which is filled with pedestrians under the influence. Although there is no boardwalk, Dewey does provide lots of options to paddle board and rent jet skis on the bay. A popular outdoor restaurant for all ages is the Rusty Rudder, which has average food, but has a Reggae band playing every night. The restaurant leads into a pier on the bay and has a nice volleyball court in the sand for people to play on.

Bethany

Bethany has a very small-town feel, which explains its popularity with families. This beach has a smaller boardwalk with typical beach stores and a limited variety of food options. Most visitors do not leave town without stopping by the Bethany Surf Shop, which offers surf body and skim boards, T-shirts and other apparel, popular Bethany Beach stickers and surf tours. On the other hand, Bethany is a very crowded beach, making it difficult to find a parking spot for those that do not rent a house within walking distance.

Fenwick

Fenwick is different from all the other beaches in the area. Fenwick Island State Park is a three-mile barrier island known to be a very relaxing and quiet option for people that are looking for seclusion and privacy. Many people look to fish in this part of town. A downside to Fenwick is that it is expensive to stay there because there are few rental options.

Ocean City is also a place known for fishing. When the waves are too rough, the bayside offers aquatic rentals like jet skis and paddle boards. Ocean City is a popular place for teens to hang out due to the many attractions, including the carnival at the end of the boardwalk and other fun activities such as the mirror maze. There are many mini golf places throughout the town and a huge waterpark called Jolly Rogers with awesome water slides, roller coasters, games, go-karts, a Ferris wheel and miniature golf. Ocean City is very dirty along the boardwalk which may cause some to turn away, but there is an abundance of entertainment.

Dewey Rehoboth

Ocean City

Bethany

Staying Safe at Beach Week

by Sara Casareto ‘16 Beach week: a fun and sun-filled senior tradition following high school graduation in June. For students in Maryland there are many options for a locale, but no beach feels like home in the way that Maryland’s Ocean City does. Beach week is characterized as a weeklong party with carefree fun and often, to be candid, binge drinking.

Although this reckless behavior seems harmless to the young partygoers themselves, crime rates in Ocean City skyrocket during the month of June.

According to Ocean City’s 2015 Police Report, the month of June had the highest total number of crimes at 455. Police last year received 13,358 calls for service. Certain crimes increase more than others come beach “month.” The Ocean City Police recorded four cases of rape and 191 cases of assault, numbers that were higher than those of the other months.

Unsuspecting students, many of whom are inexperienced and naïve, could be potential targets for these violent crimes. It is extremely important to stay with people that you know and trust. Students are never too old for the buddy system, especially when in an unfamiliar locale in a potentially inebriated state. As old-fashioned as this may sound, even though students may not be driving, each night have someone be the “designated driver” of the group, that way one

Fenwick

person amongst your friends is always sober and able to keep an eye on everyone.

Crimes like assaults and thefts increase as more and more people go to the beach and as the amount of drinking increases. Sherwood seniors look forward to this week every year, and it is meant to be a good time. Seniors should also keep in mind that it is not just their fellow classmates at the beach; there are families, students from different schools, and those who may be there to prey on teens.

Not only is there the risk of getting in trouble with the police, but there is the danger of losing more than a student’s clean rap. Do not drink and drive. Buckle seatbelts. If the lifeguard is not in the stand, keep feet in the sand. No one gets left behind, and remember the buddy system. In addition to Maryland laws, Ocean City has its own set of laws and failure to follow them will not only end fun early but can result in fines, loss of license, and cancellation of car insurance.

In order to keep everyone as safe as possible, Ocean City Police have a smart phone app which can be located at the Apple store or Google Play by looking up “311 Ocean City Police.” This app enables users to easily and anonymously report any problems they have while at the beach. In cases of an emergency, students shouldn’t hesitate to dial 911 or call the Ocean City Police hotline number: 410-723-6600.

Ocean City

The Warrior•Opinions 12

May 12, 2016

Warrior P

the Should the school provide students with individual teacher evaluation surveys? rs determine Do teachers act differently w le o o h sc h ig h n a hen C observed by a supe ? rvisor? teaching quality

Allow Students To Evaluate Teachers Four years ago, the Warrior wrote an unsigned editorial arguing that student surveys should be part of the teacher evaluation process. The article stated that, at a minimum, teachers should provide surveys to receive feedback for what they do well and what they could improve. Apparently, neither administrators nor teachers themselves were persuaded by the editorial’s argument because very few teachers voluntarily issue their own surveys.

Student feedback would be far more accurate and just than the current system, which entails observers, either an assistant principal or a department head, sitting in on class periods and assessing the quality of teaching they see.

Currently, teachers are notified before a formal classroom visit by a supervisor, which usually occur once every few years. However, it should be noted that when teachers are informed that they will be evaluated, it results in an inaccurate representation of their everyday teaching because they are able to temporarily change their teaching approach and attitude in the class, resulting in an unrealistic glimpse into the classroom.

Because students spend nearly an hour every day with their teachers, they know them better than any administrator could. Students are familiar with the teaching style methods their teachers use and the manner in which they interact with students.

The fact is, numerous teachers at Sherwood are notorious for their poor teaching or bad attitudes. An internal survey of the Warrior staff illustrated the fact that students consistently identify the same handful of poor teachers. Some of these staff members have been here for years, and the problems that students are having with them are not new developments. The current evaluation process is not effective, as these teachers are still at Sherwood and have not improved even after years of administrative observations.

Perhaps Sherwood has neglected to change the approach due to the difficulty of implementing a new system. However, change must be made now to give students a voice, allowing them to determine the quality of teachers, and thus providing the highest quality of education possible. Administrators and students are qualified to make decisions regarding a teacher’s performance in different ways. While students experience the day-to-day habits of their teachers in the classroom, administrators know more about the behind-the-scenes work. With that in mind, the best possibility would be to have both opinions heavily factor into whether a teacher receives a positive or negative review.

The most logical format for survey completion would be using an online database so results are compiled quickly and in an organized fashion. The data then would go directly to the administration where they can make decisions about which teachers should be notified of their positive or negative responses and what action should be taken. To have the largest sample and most accurate representation, the surveys would be required from every student in every class and would include items like whether teachers cover tested material thoroughly and whether they treat each student with respect.

Of course, there are a number of amazing teachers at Sherwood who would likely receive glowing reviews from students. Another proposition is that teachers should be recognized for outstanding student survey responses. The idea, although appealing in theory, is relatively impractical and isn’t entirely necessary considering teaching the material effectively while engaging students in learning should be a basic expectation of educators. Thus, teachers should not be rewarded for simply doing their jobs but for going beyond their responsibilities.

ublished six times a year, The Warrior serves as Sherwood High School’s premier news source.

Over the years, it has received numerous state and national honors. With a staff of 35 students, The Warrior keeps the Sherwood community apprised of local and national events.

All opinion articles represent the viewpoint of the writer. The unsigned staff editorials solely represent the opinions of the newspaper staff. These articles do not necessarily represent the views of Sherwood High School.

The Warrior welcomes Letters to the Editor of 250 words or less. They may be submitted to room C268 or emailed to thewarrioronline.shs@gmail.com. Letters must be signed, and all content received by the newspaper is subject to editing.

The Warrior staff invites feedback and corrections to printed inaccuracies.

The Warrior reserves the right to refuse advertisements.

Staff Print Layout and Production Directors ............... Natalie Murray ‘18 Christopher Sung ‘17

News Editors ................................................ Mallory Carlson ‘19

Meghan Kimberling ‘17

Specials Editors ....................................... Katherine Sperduto ‘19 Megan Werden ‘17

Features Editors ..............................................

Danielle Katz ‘18 Lauren MacFadden ‘17

Humor Editor ................................................... Shawn Yaftali‘17 Spotlight Editor .............................................. Amanda Allen ‘17 Opinions Editors ........................................

Naomi Lawrence ‘17 Lexi Matthews ‘18

Wondering Warrior Editor ............................... Lexi Paidas ‘17 Entertainment Editors ..................................... Alex

Nnabue ‘18

Tate Harrop ‘17

Sports Editors ................................................ Natalie Murray ‘18

Nicole Reich ‘17

Online Online Managing Editors ........................... Lydia Velazquez ‘17 Zach Weisenthal ‘18

Content And Copy Director of Copy and Content ....................... Danielle Tobb ‘17 Copy and Content Editors ............................ Josh Averbach ‘18

Lucy Kuchma ‘18 Leah Peloff ‘18 Isabella Pilot ‘18

Managing Photo Editors ................................. Kayla Cohen ‘17 Maya Koeppen ‘17

Photographer ................................................... Chase Wilson ‘17 Cartoonist ....................................................... Sidney Brown ‘17 Pollster .............................................................. Colleen Yates ‘18 Staff Reporters ................................................ Nick Comeau ‘17

Elizabeth Kronlage ‘18 Priyanka Paudel ‘19 Lizi Thach ‘18

Business and Publicity Directors ................... Connor Brady ‘17 Noah Rosendorf ‘17

Advisor .......................................................................... Peter Huck Composition Assistant ............................................... Janet Mednik

cartoon by Sidney Brown ‘17

The Warrior•Opinions

13

May 12, 2016

LOWERING THE VOTING AGE

Equal Rights Are Needed For Equal Responsibilities

Teens Are Not Ready To Take on Voting’s Hassles

The transition from sheltered middle school days to the opportunistic world of high school is an intimidating one. Teenagers are hit hard with responsibility; driving, getting a job, planning for the future. Adults expect teenagers to adjust to the real world in the blink of an eye, so why are young adults held back from having a say in who runs their country?

The 26th Amendment, ratified in 1971, granted citizens “who are eighteen years of age or older” the right to vote. This legislation was passed due to the unjust actions of our government during World War II in sending 18-year-old men to war who lacked the right to vote. The United States might not be sending unrepresented young men into battle anymore, but the passage of the 26th amendment surely did not end all government discrimination against teenagers.

Eighty percent of high school students get a job at some point before graduating, and each and every one of these students are required to pay taxes. On top of this, teenagers must pay sales tax on every purchase. This totals up to billions of dollars in taxes paid by teenagers to the government, yet teenagers have no say in how much is taken from them.

Most 16 year-olds have spent the past decade of their lives sitting in classrooms, living under their parents’ roofs, never having to pay bills to ensure they have running water, heat, or electricity.

Issues like social security, health insurance, and international relations are usually overshadowed by their focus on education, developing careers, and taking their first baby-steps into the real world. Should the responsibility of voting be piled onto teens as well?

In November, voters will choose the next leader of the country based on who they believe has the best views on ISIS, Wall Street, Medicare, and the refugee crisis, some of the most hotly debated topics of the 2016 presidential election. This political complexity, difficult enough for most adults, only amplifies for teens possessing no experience in these fields; those under 18 cannot legally own a gun or serve in active duty, and very few pay income tax or have their own health insurance. Asking them to make decisions based on these topics they have no knowledge of is like asking an American to vote in China’s next election.

Supporters of a lower voting age claim that our trust in teens to

by Isabella Pilot ‘18

Additionally, children as young as 13 are tried as adults, approximately 3,000 of them serving life sentences without parole and some 10,000 being held in adult jails.

Possibly the biggest argument against granting teens their right to vote is their immaturity and lack of knowledge, but is it fair to generalize all young adults as incompetent? Plenty of teens participate in student government, enroll in government courses, and stay up to date on current events. These teens can offer a fresh perspective to the fast-changing political world.

Students lacking knowledge and maturity will likely also lack motivation to go out to the polls and vote, and what’s the worst that could happen if they do participate? Writing in “Beyoncé” or their own name onto one ballot won’t make a difference on the outcome of an election.

Society is constantly changing. Teenagers living nowadays lead entirely different lives than teenagers in the ‘70s, ‘80s, and ‘90s. People vote based on their individual experiences, and adults simply don’t know what it’s like to be a teen in 2016. The only way to ensure that teenagers are given their well-deserved representation is by giving them their well-deserved right to vote.

by Lexi Matthews ‘18

80

Percent of high school students currently hold a job and therefore pay income taxes.

With the presidential election in full swing, Colorado and New Mexico are considering allowing younger voters into the booths. Do teens deserve this new responsibility or are they in over their heads?

24

Percent of teens actively follow the news.

drive shows that they are responsible enough to vote. However, teens have proven relentlessly that this trust has been misplaced; 86 percent of all motor vehicle accidents involve a driver aged 16-19. More than that, this analogy does not explain the whole issue. While those involved in an accident may feel the aftershock of a teen’s driving ineptitude, thousands of teens voting recklessly on issues they do not grasp could threaten the future of our entire nation.

With uninformed teens entering voting booths—which most are, as Gallup finds only 24 percent of 12-17 year-olds actively follow the news—deceitful practices in politics will only further increase. Candidates will likely prey on the young minds’ misunderstandings and impressionability to make flashier, less achievable promises they are certain to fall for, and our country will reach a new level of turmoil.

Even if teens suddenly became ultra-informed, their right to vote would likely have little impact. Less than half of all 1825 year-olds vote each year, and the projected number of 16 yearold voters would be even less than that. When uselessness seems to be the best-case outcome of lowering the voting age, we should leave it be.

To The Point More than a Pretty Face

#LoveWins Again

The Problem with Prom

by Meghan Kimberling ‘17

by Maya Koeppen ‘17

by Leah Peloff ‘18

“The Headless Women Project” sounds more like a serial killer manifesto than an awareness organization.

Marcia Belsky, a comedian and musician, initiated the movement to call attention to a tasteless trend that she observed while taking a college advertising class.

By displaying movie posters like “Crazy, Stupid, Love,” “The Wolf of Wall Street,” and even child-friendly movies like “Minions,” side by side, the viewer can recognize a previously unidentified pattern: the women in the posters are headless. “We are numb to this type of imagery of women, and we see it so much that we don’t really see it at all,” Belsky explained.

By avoiding the advertising of a human’s most identifiable feature, the marketing industry is stripping women of their individuality and character. “It affects how we see ourselves, how we define our value, and how others both see and treat us,” observed Belsky.

Women have been dehumanized in politics, sports, and most any job in general. Advertising should not follow the same path. If headless women of film posters transition into every other means of advertisement, Time Square will be filled with billboards of women’s arms and legs.

At no time is the power of Internet community more prevalent than when there is a controversy to stir up people’s passion. Repeatedly, social media comes to the rescue of companies that suffer public outlash for being inclusive. April 29 was no different, after Old Navy posted an ad to Twitter of an interracial couple wearing their clothing, to a cascade of racism and hatred. Quick to their rescue, supporters of the campaign shut down opponents, tweeting messages with the hashtag #LoveWins and some even sharing photos of their own interracial family.

In a time when the generic American family has become a thing of the past, many brave companies have adopted this same inclusivity into their marketing campaigns to appeal to a broad array of consumers. While Twitter facilitated this controversy, it is comforting to see that the members’ response offered a glimmer of hope for the ideals of tolerance and equality.

Any company that include same-sex couples and interracial families in its advertising should be applauded.

Meanwhile those who are too ignorant and blind to see the beauty of diversity should, quite frankly, just stay silent. It is 2016, and love is love no matter one’s gender or race.

Senior year brings many experiences that students have anticipated their entire lives. They build up these events, notably prom, and begin to think that this will be a night they will remember forever; it must be perfect. This Cinderella fantasy of how prom should be drives focus away from a fun, end-of-high-school dance and towards a superficial, drama-filled night that many seniors actually dread.

The process starts months in advance with looking for the perfect dress. Girls who will be attending prom create a Facebook group to show everyone their dress and make sure no one gets the same one. A good idea, in theory; however, it often leads to cattiness and bullying with girls making fun of each other, or confronting someone about a dress that may be too similar to theirs. In addition, there is added pressure on getting a date. It once again becomes a competition and makes some people feel that they must have one in order not to be judged by their peers. Boys feel the stress of prom too, by having to create the most elaborate, original promposal. Between having the best dress, date, promposal, and more, prom has become less about pure fun and more about competing for perfection.

The Warrior•Opinions 14

May 12, 2016

Parents, Not Schools, Should Teach Life Skills Naomi Lawrence ‘17

Beginning when they are still only toddlers, children have been learning life skills such as self-control and persistence from their parents. Now, some public schools in the United States are trying to mistakenly assume the role of teaching these character traits.

Recent updates to a federal education law require schools to use one form of non-academic measures to determine school performance. Some states, like California, have chosen to measure success based on its students’ level of social-emotional development.

To assess intangible qualities such as time-management, school officials are surveying students, asking questions such as “did you come to class prepared?” and “did you finish your work right away?”

The problem with this approach is obvious: self-evaluated survey responses are easily susceptible to subjectivity. Obviously, children would more likely lie and say, “Yes, I did my homework” rather than tell the truth and say they didn’t accomplish what they needed to do. Even if students do not fake their answers, the survey provides incentive for “superficial parroting,” or repeating the same action/response without actually changing behavior.

On top of that, there are legitimate reasons behind why students struggle academically regardless of their amount of grit.

Students with learning disabilities, a difficult home life, or ineffective teachers often perform miserably in school. With a focus on social-emotional skills, schools could conveniently blame a student’s academic deficiencies on a lack of effort and persistence rather than appropriately addressing the root causes of underachievement.

While Sherwood does not formally assess its students’ social-emotional skills, it has joined the ranks of schools across the country that have put an empha-

sis on teaching “life skills.” Partly in response to former Superintendent Joshua Starr’s focus on students’ emotional well-being, Sherwood implemented its advisory program last year, with a primary goal of helping students learn skills like grit and self-reliance. But in reality, that’s not what happens in many advisories. The majority of Sherwood students spend their Tuesday morning advisory classes chatting with friends, catching up on homework, or studying. The “lesson plans” of advisory classes, like teaching students how to set goals, have eroded, and the few teachers who try to stick to that plan often end up feeling as

though not much was accomplished.

The major question remains: should teachers have the responsibility of teaching and assessing their students’ social-emotional skills? Shifting the focus from the academic instruction of core classes contradicts the entire idea of education. Public educators are trained to teach students math, English, and social studies, not life skills, which are developed through situational circumstances. They can’t be taught through lesson plans, nor can they be measured through a survey. Let parents keep their duty to raise their children with social-emotional skills as they see fit.

CURRENT EVENTS Many critics both here and abroad have criticized Americans for being uneducated and simply ignorant of world events and national politics. To determine just how true this caustic stereotype is, the Warrior asked 138 members of the Junior Class to answer12 questions about things going on about current events. The results, gathered from five AP and four Honors World History classes, are as follows.

24%

Who is the current Secretary of State?

76%

Results collected by Lexi Matthews ‘18

Survey Results 12 Correct 10-11 Correct 8-9 Correct 6-7 Correct 4-5 Correct 2-3 Correct

40%

What are several men recently arrested in Belgium suspected of doing?

2% 60%

3% 13%

9%

7% 87%

8%

What have many Republican Senators been criticized for refusing to hold a vote on?

30% 22%

0-1 Correct

41%

78%

What is is the name of the incriminating documents published connecting 12 world leaders to tax evasion?

Incorrect

Correct

Survey answers (from top to bottom): John Kerry, being in connection to the terrorist bombings in Paris and Brussels, President Obama’s Supreme Court Nominees, and the Panama Papers.

15

The Warrior Wonders...

What was your favorite summer activity when you were younger?

“Playing kickball with the neighbors because I got to run around“ David Golding ‘17 “Staying out at the park until sunset because it was warm and we could invent all sorts of games” Madison Lilly ‘16

“Going to Camp Sonshine because I got to hang out with kids my own age and go on ‘adventures’” Erynne Dixon ‘17

“Going to camps because you “Going to Disney World because I loved getting the characters’ autographs” would get to meet new people” Carly Opar ‘16 Ana Cruz ‘17

What is your favorite summer activity?

Vacation 40%

Hanging out with friends 29%

Playing sports 9%

Camp 4%

How much of your summer homework are you going to do?

Amusement park 5%

Swimming 5% Other 8%

Who do you play with in the summer?

All of it

Some of it

None of it

Friends

Travel Team

38%

18%

44%

20%

18%

Rec Team

Camps

12%

10%

Other

No one

16%

28%

What activity do you wish was considered a summer sport?

Hanging with friends 33% Sleeping 33% Eating 20% Tanning 7% Watching TV 7%

*132 students surveyed compiled by Lexi Paidas ‘17

The Warrior•Entertainment 16

May 12, 2016 www

Subtle Grunge

This look combines a classic 90s grunge look with more modern pieces. Pairing boyfriend jeans with a fitted crop top creates a contrasting look, especially when adding a men’s belt. The jeans and belt make the outfit seem relaxed, while the crop top gives it a more feminine flair. To adapt the outfit to be more summer appropriate, try high-waisted shorts or distressed jeans. When considering distressed jeans, steer clear from the generic ones that have rips going all the way up to the pockets. Save a couple bucks and make your own: Go thrifting and find a pair of jeans a size or two too big, roll them up to make chunky cuffs, and make a big cut in each knee.

This will create a more simplistic, but still vintage effect. Combat boots would continue the vintage vibe of the outfit, but chic booties or basic sandals can also give the outfit more balance.

As summer slowly descends upon us, so are graduation parties, day trips into the city, and inevitably warm weather. Below are a few looks that guarantee you to look cool during all your endeavors this summer:

Julia Lo ‘17 is wearing: light wash boyfriend jeans, men’s belt, maroon fitted crop top and brown booties

Boho Chic

Basic But Bold

Summer is no doubt the time for the “boho” look to shine. A great way to incorporate such a broad style in a subdued manner is with light wash jeans of any kind (patched ones add a bit more texture), a light-colored flowy top, and classic brown sandals. The brown sandals, being a summer staple equivalent to that of black sneakers in the fall, can go with just about anything. Consider minimal accessories, possibly a few rings or basic earrings, to keep the outfit as polished as possible.

If your desired look is an eye-catching one that doesn’t require too much effort, try out the lazy girl staple that is the t-shirt dress. Invest in a wide-necked t-shirt dress and a bralette of a complementary color to that of the dress, creating a girly and casual look. If you prefer pants to dresses, try jeans and a wide-necked top instead.

Depending on personal preference, finish up the outfit with high-top sneakers, like Converse, or thick-strapped sandals. If your dress is a solid color, try a fun, patterned headband to give the look more texture.

Lydia Velazquez ‘17 is wearing: patched, light wash jeans, white, flowy top and brown sandals

Mezghan Akbar ‘17 is wearing: cream bralette, wide-necked t-shirt dress, and Converse

~compiled by Lydia Velazquez ‘17 and Maya Koeppen ‘17

Coming Up with ‘Something Witty’

by Lexi Paidas ‘17 The Olney/Brookeville area is quite fortunate to have copious musical outlets to help inspired and developing young musicians.

One such inspired musical group is Something Witty, an alternative rock band comprised of sophomore Soc Matthews and juniors Aimee Nguyendinh, Nina Linkletter and Julia McIntrye, a Good Counsel student. Since its formation in the summer of 2013, the band has played venues such as coffeehouses, Outta the Way Cafe, Friday Night Lives, Rockstravaganza, Rock the Lot, and the Strawberry Festival.

The group has released three individual songs in the alternative/rock/indie genre. These songs, “Poptarts,” “XYZ,” and “Recovery,” can be found on multiple media platforms, including Soundcloud and Youtube.

Their songs are inspired by bands like The Strokes, The Killers, HAIM, Catfish, and The Bottlemen. When it comes to personal inspiration, Nguyendinh says that “seeing all the insanely talented musicians around school and the community motivates and pushes me to do better and to practice more.”

The members make sure to stay focused on their academics as well as their musical careers.

The band says that playing together doesn’t affect their schoolwork and that they have learned to work around their band practices and gigs. “My tricks for balancing grades and the band is

From left to right: Aimee Nguyendinh, Julia McIntrye, Nina Linkletter, Soc Matthews comprise the alternative rock band Something Witty to try to do everything until there the money raised from sales goes really is no time to do both, then directly into the “band fund.” prioritizing school in a crunch,” The band members intend to explained Linkletter. continue playing music together Another factor the band as well as individually to increase members must consider is where their capabilities. The band also the money comes from to pay hopes to release an album and infor equipment and studio time. crease their number of studio-reThe group raises funds by selling corded original songs. According original t-shirts that come in mul- to Matthews, the absolute best tiple colors and feature a graphic thing about playing in the band of a brain with a thought bubble is, “just making music and having that says “Something Witty.” The a great time doing it with people band’s t-shirts can be purchased who have as much of a passion from any band member, and all of for it as I do.”

The Warrior•Entertainment May 12, 2016

17

A Play of ‘Almost’ Perfect Love Stories Late-Nite TV Gets a Feminist Twist From Bee’s ‘Full Frontal’

by Colleen Yates ‘18

Lydia Velazquez ‘17

by Lydia Velazquez ‘17 The Northern lights are considered to be magical, and in the (imaginary) town of Almost, Maine, these lights influence whether nine couples’ relationships fall apart or come together.

Rather than putting together one cohesive play, the Sherwood C.A.S.T produced “Almost, Maine,” by John Cariani, a collection of vignettes focused on the concepts of relationships and love.

Many familiar faces from the fall musical were seen in the show, reflecting the department’s capability of including students of all ages and experience levels.

“It’s nice to give an opportunity for the large number of students we have in C.A.S.T to participate,” said theater director Andrew Dodge. “Each of the students had a lead for their scene and worked on character and really built their acting skills.”

This play presented the theater department’s strong actors in a way that would not have been seen in a “traditional” play.

A particularly intriguing actor was sophomore Erik Mayerson who played Dave, a skier who tries to put the moves on a longtime friend.

“The show was a lot of fun and not a lot of pressure,” said Mayerson. “It’s fun doing a show with your friends.”

Students across MCPS Take Home Prizes at Film Festival

by Alex Nnabue ‘18 The third annual Sherwood Student Film Festival was held in the Ertzman on April 28. The festival, sponsored by English teacher Christiane Lock, took place in conjunction with the annual art show, with junior Leo Trieu serving as the emcee. Inspired by the final film project that is required in Lock’s film class, the festival has grown to give students across MCPS an opportunity to showcase their acting, directing, editing, and storytelling skills for a larger audience.

“The third annual Sherwood Student Film Festival was our biggest event yet with over 45 entries from eight different high schools in the county. We offered cash prizes to all three categories: $100 for each first prize winner, $75 for each second and $50 for third place winners,” said Lock.

While most of the submitted films were comedies, other categories included narratives, documentaries, and animations. A panel of students and teachers judged the movies and selected eight finalists in each category. The final eight were then sent to judges outside of Sherwood, which included a local actor and artist along with an American Film Institute (AFI) theater film professional, to rank as first, second, third and honorable mention.

The judges were given a rubric for each category and focused

on the storytelling techniques as well as camerawork and cinematography. The majority of films are under ten minutes and some can be as short as two minutes.

Many films, such as animations, require a depth of skills and take over a month to make.

At the festival, four to five films from each category were presented. All participants were notified if their film had been selected to be shown or possibly win prior to the event. The film club, whose president and vice president are senior Megan Proctor and junior Lydia Velazquez, respectively, raised money for the event by selling turkey grams, by placing advertisements in the program, and by receiving a grant from the Executive’s Ball Community Fund.

Winners were selected from across MCPS, from schools such as Poolesville, Paint Branch, Albert Einstein, Northwest, and B-CC. From Sherwood, sophomore Matt Post won in the documentary category after submitting three films and receiving first and third place, and honorable mention for the third film. In the animation section, Proctor won second and third place while seniors Jennifer Jung and Michelle Koo received honorable mentions for their narrative.

“We’d like to thank Mrs. Lock for her great work and ourselves for providing outstanding competition,” said Post.

Famous comedian and commentator Samantha Bee had been the longest serving correspondent on “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” until a twist of fate caused her life path to slightly alter. Bee was given the opportunity to start her own show, “Full Frontal with Samantha Bee”, which made its debut on February 8. With a feminist edge, Bee has zestily jumped headfirst into the hosting chair.

In an interview on National Public Radio (NPR), Bee talked about growing up with great female role models such as Lucille Ball and Catherine O’Hara.

These experiences and her mother’s feminist beliefs, led to her becoming a comedian.

In the debut episode, Bee called out Vanity Fair magazine after it left her out of a males-only shot of late-night hosts. She retaliated by photoshopping a picture of herself in front of the men.

The bit set the tone for the show and showed that Bee wouldn’t let long-time hosts like Jimmy Fallon and John Oliver outshine her.

Bee continued the show with a segment called “Elected paperweight of the month.” She said that she wanted to spend time on the Democratic candidates,

but said there were just too many jokes on the Republican side. She introduced Mike Holmes, a state senator from Alabama, who created a dress code for the state capitol only targeted at women. Bee immediately fired back with insult after insult towards Holmes’ tendency to praise groups that exclude women.

Her next segment focused entirely on Jeb Bush. While interviewing supporters of Bush, an individual compared him to milk, calling him “not a fantastic drink, but a solid one to have.” Bee signed off with great promise for her next show.

Bee continued to deliver in subsequent episodes. A particularly amusing segment ensued in which her crew followed some Donald Trump supporters. Bee engaged the Trump fans in a conversation, asking them why they support Trump. Her witty commentary shows the flaws in the supporters’ reasons for backing Trump.

Samantha Bee’s insightful humor in “Full Frontal” which airs on Mondays at 10:30, is hilariously entertaining.

GRADE: A

SHOWS N’ SHINDIGS Concerts Merriweather Kenny Chesney - May 19 Ellie Goulding - June 13 Train - July 20

Jiffy Lube Luke Bryan - June 11 Wiz Khalifa - July 31 G-Eazy - August 4

Verizon Center Selena Gomez - June 4 Drake Summer Sixteen - August 19 & 20

Movies X-Men: Apocalypse - May 27 The Conjuring 2 - June 10 The Purge Election Year - July 1 Finding Dory - June 17 Ice Age: Collision Course - July 22

The Warrior•Sports 18

May 12, 2016

The Warrior•Sports May 12, 2016

Softball Team Is Favorite To Win Fifth State Title

by Natalie Murray ‘18 The varsity softball team has finished its fifth season in a row undefeated, with 99 consecutive wins. After yet another hugely successful season, the Warriors may be on their way to another state championship.

With 15 wins and 196 total runs this season, it is no question that Sherwood softball had an excellent season. Their average margin of victory was 12.3 runs, and the mercy rule (where a team automatically wins if they are up by ten or more runs after the fifth inning) has gone into effect 12 times. They even shut out their opponent in 11 out of 15 games.

As four-time defending state champions, the Warriors face an enormous amount of pressure to perform well. Though their phenomenal record does prove that they are deserving of being ranked No. 1 in the metropolitan area by the Washington Post, it also puts a massive target on their back. “At this point, people are aiming to beat us,” said Coach Ashley Barber-Strunk. The reputation of Sherwood softball increases with each victory, as does the desire of other teams to defeat them.

Particularly concerning to the team are Northwest, Blair, Leonardtown and Chopticon.

Northwest proved to be a difficult opponent for the Warriors in the regular season, when Sherwood beat them 10-7. The Jaguars also

Record: 15-0 Number of shutouts: 11 Total runs scored: 196 Total runs conceded: 14 Average runs scored per game: 13.1 Average runs conceded per game: 0.9 Most runs scored in one game: 19 Fewest runs scored in one game: 7 gave the Warriors a run for their money in last year’s state championships, where Sherwood won 4-0. Though Sherwood beat Blair 15-0 during the regular season, the Blazers are still a concern, mostly because of their star pitcher who was unable to play against the Warriors due to an injury. She has recovered and recently returned to the pitcher’s mound, but her effect on the team is questionable after being out for so long.

Leonardtown and Chopticon, on the other hand, are in a different county and therefore did not play Sherwood this season. However, they currently have 12-7 and 16-4 seasons, respectively, and have performed well in past playoff games.

Despite the abundance of strong opponents, the Warriors are confident that they can do well. “Our plan is to keep working hard and keep on going,” said Barber-Strunk. One of the major strengths of Sherwood softball

is the team’s experience—many players have played softball since age five or six. In addition, eight of the thirteen team members are seniors, and three of them—third baseman McKenzie Bina, first baseman Kelly Bouma, and outfielder Marisa Mancini—have all been on varsity since they were freshmen.

“I was really nervous freshman year, so I think we know what to expect now,” said Bina.

She and Bouma, a fellow captain, both agree that their time on varsity not only boosts their confidence but also gives them a stronger incentive to stay undefeated and finish their high school career with four state championships under their belt.

The Warriors’ perfect season earned them a bye for the first round of playoffs, so they will begin their quest for their fifth consecutive Class 4A state title on May 16, when they play either Paint Branch or Mergenthaler.

19

The U.S. Women’s Soccer Team Deserves Equal Pay

by Connor Brady ‘17 and Noah Rosendorf ‘17 The U.S. womens’ soccer team has finished in the top three in the World Cup several times, and won many tournaments in the past 20 years. The players’ paychecks, however, do not reflect the team’s success, as the women’s earnings are significantly lower than their counterparts on the U.S. men’s team.

As a result, the women filed a wage discrimination lawsuit with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) against the U.S. Soccer Federation for not giving them the pay that they deserve. In response, the federation is suing the women’s national team union over the disagreement of whether the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) is valid. The timing of this turmoil is unfortunate with the Summer Olympics, in Rio de Janeiro, rapidly approaching.

“We believe now the time is right because we believe it’s our responsibility for women’s sports and specifically for women’s soccer to do whatever it takes to push for equal pay and equal rights,” said U.S. soccer star Hope Solo on NBC’s “Today.”

The EEOC filing states that each woman would earn $99,000 if they won 20 friendlies. In comparison, the men would earn

approximately $263,320 for the same record. The men would still earn $100,000 if they lost all 20 games. If the women play more than the 20 games, they get no additional compensation. The men get paid between $5,000 and $17,625 for every game they play after the 20 games. The U.S. women were awarded $2 million for winning the World Cup in 2014. In contrast, the German men received $35 million for their 2015 World Cup win.

U.S. labor laws demand that employees receive equal pay for equal work. In addition to the lower salaries, the women earn less money for appearance fees and bonuses. This is a direct violation of the labor laws; because of this, the women players want to terminate their contracts.

There is a reason that the women’s U.S. national team players are unhappy. They bring in more revenue than the men yet still earn less money. They consistently outperform the men but they are not equally compensated.

“We just want to get some respect and the support that we deserve, because it wasn’t easy becoming World Cup champions and Olympic champions” said U.S. player Carli Lloyd. The players recognize the constant appreciation they receive from their fans and are now demanding the same appreciation from the federation.

Matt Popeck Takes Passion to Another Level

by Tate Harrop ‘17 Junior Matt Popeck’s talent and dedication to lacrosse has earned him the opportunity to play for St. Joseph’s University’s NCAA Division 1 lacrosse team. Signing on to play college lacrosse is just the latest opportunity that his sport has given him.

Popeck started playing lacrosse in the 6th grade for Olney Boys and Girls Club team.

Three years later, as a freshman, he earned a spot on Sherwood’s varsity team. Being one out of two freshmen on the team, he dedicated more time to enhance his skills. Along with playing for Sherwood, Popeck plays lacrosse year-round with a club team that participates in fall and summer tournaments.

Last summer, he got the unforgettable experience to travel to Israel with the Israel Men’s National Lacrosse team. Not only did he compete against local Israeli teams, he also competed against other international squads. This experience gave him the chance to share the game that he loves. In Israel, he got to play

Nicole Reich ‘17

Junior Matt Popeck will be entering St. Joseph’s University in 2018 to play for the Division 1 lacrosse team. with local kids who had never touched a lacrosse stick.

“It was an incredible experience to see a different part of the world and to teach something that is a huge part of my life to children that didn’t even know what lacrosse was. The kids were all

so interested and I feel grateful to have experienced that,” said Popeck.

Ironically, this unique experience of traveling across the globe brought him closer to home than he could have imagined. The Fellowship of Christian Athletes,

which sent Popeck to Israel, also brought along a coach from St. Joseph’s University, located in Philadelphia. While in Israel, Popeck got a chance to learn more about St. Joseph’s.

While visiting the university in January, the coaches made

Popeck an offer to join the team in 2018. Since the university already has multiple commitments from defenders, Popeck chose to take a gap year following graduation. Ranked in the top 30 of the NCAA division 1 program, St. Joseph’s lacrosse team has only had four losses out of 16 games this season.

“I love the city of Philly and the positive attitude of the St. Joseph’s lacrosse players. To get the chance to play the sport that I am so passionate about at such a great place makes me very excited,” said Popeck. “I hope to get even better before I go to St. Joseph’s so that I am the best I can be for the team.”

After three years of playing varsity, he is now helping to lead the team as it is continuing its season. In 2015 Popeck was a First Team All-County player for Sherwood. Devotion and positive outlook keep Popeck determined to achieve more. Today his passion for the game is as strong as ever, as is his gratitude for what it has given him, including the chance to play at a lacrosse powerhouse, St. Joseph’s University.

The Warrior•Sports 20

May 12, 2016

Baseball Is a Family Affair for Two Sets of Brothers

by Nicole Reich ‘17 The varsity baseball team impressively came together en route to an undefeated regular season, but four players share an extra bond beyond that of teammates.

They are the Collins brothers, Patrick and Brendan, and the Ervin brothers, Matt and John.

The Collins each started their baseball careers when they turned the age of 5, but they never played alongside one another on the same team until their two Sherwood seasons together. Patrick, a senior second baseman, appreciates the fact that they have each other to talk about the sport together.

His younger brother concurs.

“My brother and I have been on separate teams our entire lives and have competed against each other, but now since we’re on the same team, it’s nice to see all the hard work and effort being put towards one goal,” said Brendan, who is a junior pitcher and first baseman. Brendan likes having Patrick with him on the team because there is more competition, while Patrick insists the two brothers keep it friendly. If the two ever end up getting into arguments, they always get over it quickly. A perk for Brendan is getting rides from his brother, though Patrick jokes that his younger brother never cleans his stuff out of the car.

The Ervins also have been

Nicole Reich ‘17

Top: the Ervins. Bottom: the Collins. Left to right: Patrick Collins, Matt Ervin, John Ervin, and Brendan Collins inside the Sherwood baseball dugout. playing baseball ever since they can remember and have played for Sherwood together for two years.

Matt, a senior starting pitcher and outfielder, likes having his little brother on the team and how they get the chance to share the field.

John, who is a junior shortstop and second baseman, enjoys having his brother there especially

because it is a lot easier to work with each other on their baseball skills. “It’s convenient to have the opportunity to be able to practice with someone on the baseball field and at home,” added Matt.

They never get into fights because they are on the same team and play different positions. “We get along very well both on and

off the field. Being on the same team as him makes high school baseball that much more enjoyable,” said John.

Both sets of brothers share the connection of being related on the field and having lucky parents that only have to attend one game in order to see their sons play. Patrick Collins understands

the Ervins’ similar connections, while John Ervin thinks it is cool to see the different dynamic relationship between the Collins brothers. Matt Ervin and Brendan Collins agree that it is awesome to see another set of brothers on the team, but they often forget about it because they’re all just teammates trying to make this

Girls’ Lacrosse Finishes High-Scoring Regular Season

by Lizi Thach ‘18

Kayla Cohen ‘17

Left to right: seniors Kristen Russell, Danielle Rohrman, and Taylor Andrews triple teamed a Wootton player to gain possession on April 29.

The girls’ varsity lacrosse team earned the number one seed in section one of the Maryland Public Secondary Athletic Association after blowing past their Montgomery County competition this season. After winning a closely contested game by a score of 9-7 against Whitman on March 23, the Warriors outscored their nine remaining opponents in the county by a margin of 15429.

The Warriors entered the season full of expectations to excel towards states, especially after reaching the Regional Finals last year and losing 16-14 in a highly competitive game against Howard. The best girls’ lacrosse programs in Maryland reside outside of Montgomery County, and Sherwood scheduled top opponents to start off the season.

On March 21 against Southern, a state semifinalist last year, the Warriors came out on top 12-9.

Two days later, the Warriors lost

22-6 against 2015 state champion, Century. “[Century] is one of the best teams in the country … so we were grateful to have them show us our weaknesses early,” said Coach Kelly Hughes. “We were shown some holes in our game and it gave us something to focus on instead of something to hang our heads about.”

One of the reasons for the team’s offensive output is that several of the talented players are capable goal scorers. Hughes explained that the team knows their individual and team movements very fluidly, and the team’s experience has shaped the team’s offensive play style. “This is a team full of seniors who have played together for a long time,” said Hughes. “At this point in their careers, everything I would ever ask them to do together on the field is already being done as second nature. Passes move swiftly and girls are in the right place at the right time.”

A mid-season bonus to the

team’s fluid attacking style is the return of senior Taylor Andrews from a serious ligament injury.

She has the ability to initiate the team’s offense into motion. Senior Danielle Rohrman’s athleticism continues to amaze observers with her speed and technical skills, especially for a player who first started playing lacrosse as a sophomore.

After a successful regular season, the Warriors will host the winner of Paint Branch at Westminster on Saturday, May 14, at 2 pm in the Sectional Semifinals.

The team is preparing by studying other teams in order to advance past state regionals. The Warriors are likely to face Howard on May 18, and they are game-planning for potential opponents.

“We pick key players from the other team to designate as threats,” commented Hughes.

“We do this against tough teams as often as we can; it’s important to be prepared and be ready to adjust our play to counter the other team.”