tjTODAY
THOMAS JEFFERSON HIGH SCHOOL FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 6560 Braddock Rd., Alexandria, VA 22312
OCTOBER 16 , 2014
Football P6
VOLUME 30, ISSUE 2
All You Need to Know about
PUMPKIN SPICE When you think of autumn, you can’t help but think of Its characteristic spicy-sweetness has been utilized in a wide variety of food products that are popular in October snacks. We looked at similar sets of two pumpkin spice items- such cream cheese and marshmallows- to judge which had the best tasting representative of more on pg. 10
FOOD SMART SNACKS
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently published sensible, science-based nutrition standards for snack foods and beverages sold to children at school. Required by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, these new standards will allow schools to provide healthier snack foods while also limiting junk food available. With several requirements including calorie and fat limits, the USDA hopes that diet throughout their youth. These policies are currently more on pg. 14
BAKE SALES Due to the new policies set in place by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for creating healthier standards for student snacks at school, there are limitations on the food that can be sold at bake sales. The Student Government Association (SGA) is in the process of creating and Halloween night. distributing rules and and malls in the recommendarea all have ations for club leaders. events planned. more on pg. 14
TRICK-ORTREAT
FOOD TRUCKS
more on pg. 12
Food truck arrival is delayed due to electrical problems.
TJ Tweets Jefferson students use Twitter to express their discontent with and further opinions about the new USDA SmartSnacks regulations set in place this year.
Sam Svoboda @DisregardHandle @tjTODAY_news @DasNotMyName Snickers >> #smartsnacks
DJ Jayachandran @DjJayachandran They are terrible....we need our old cookies back @tjTODAY_news @DasNotMyName
Geetika Mahajan @GeetikaMahaj #smartsnacks more like #dumbsnacks I want brownies and pizza I’m a growing teen I need SUSTENANCE
@fudonk End prohibition; we deserve the right to choose #LegalizeIt @tjTODAY_news
Anant Haagen @DasNotMyName @tjTODAY_news Thought theyd focus on eating *healthier* foods but they focus more on cutting portion sizes and setting limits #WhatsThePoint Princess Anna @_italiANNA Fcps keeps telling us we are going to be adults but they are telling us what we can and cannot eat? #smartsnacks
P7
Nationals suffer due to player injuries
P8-9
Students dabble in social activism
Unhealthy Eating: Is it Really a Problem?
91% OF STUDENTS BELIEVE
UNHEALTHY EATING HABITS ARE NOT A SERIOUS PROBLEM
OVER 93% OF STUDENTS BELIEVE
NEW HEALTH GUIDELINES
WILL HARM
THE JEFFERSON COMMUNITY
AT JEFFERSON
ONLY
5%
OF STUDENTS BELIEVE THESE
NEW HEALTH GUIDELINES
WILL BE EFFECTIVE IN LIMITING UNHEALTHY EATING HABITS
P10
12th Doctor stars in new season
80%
OF STUDENTS BELIEVE THE
GOVERNMENT DOES NOT HAVE THE RIGHT
TO REGULATE STUDENT PUBLIC EATING HABITSINSCHOOLS Statistics are ased on an anonymous survey sent out on social media to which 922 students responded.
P14
TJ Plague strikes earlier this year
2
news
october 16, 2014
Foreign exchange programs begin
Kudos & Accomplishments Publications recognized at Virginia workshop On Oct. 6, tjTODAY, tjTODAY.org, Techniques and Threshold were announced as Tropy Winners at the Virginia High School League (VHSL) Regional Media Championships, held at the Fredericksburg Expo & Conference Center.
tjTODAY staff members bring home individual awards Seniors Sandy Cho, Ellen Kan, Stav Nachum and Lindsay Williams, junior Anjali Khanna and Class of 2014 graduates Tommy Lunn and Yena Seo were each Media Championships for creating successful infographics and secondary packaging and front page layout and writing superb editorials, feature writing and sports news.
Techniques receives All-American rating
the National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA). This is the highest rating awarded to yearbooks by NSPA.
Jefferson science magazine honored statewide nos was cited for innovation in the science, math and technology category of Top High Schools and Colleges.
Students selected as National Achievement Scholars Clark-Callender, Theodore Richardson and Rollin have been selected to receive the National Achievement Scholarship, which is awarded to African-American seniors every year by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). They, along with 19 other students from Fairfax County, will each receive $2,500 in scholarship money.
Teams dominate at international college hackathon One team, comprised of juniors Pierce Stegman, called Spacebowl and were one of the 10 winning teams. Another team consisting of junior Fox Wilson, sophomore Samuel Damashek and a non-TJ freshman built a web application called dep10y.me and won $1,000 for the best collaborative hack at the hackathon.
by Esther Kim Opinion Editor unfamiliar uniforms and snippets of foreign conversation in the halls indicate the foreign exchange programs. host 20 high school students from Roosevelt High School in Reims, France, from Oct. 13-26. “We are excited that freshmen stepped up to participate this year,” senior Alec Jessar, French Honor Society (FHS) co-president, said. “We also have a few students who will be hosting two students at once.” The French students will experience the American educational experience by shadowing their host stu-
are sold at three times the American price.” At its Oct. 22 meeting, nouncement videos with the exchange students to raise awareness of National French Week, which spans from Nov. 5-11.
• Oct. 13-14 marked the beginning of the transition to the NEW SENIOR LABS; equipment was moved from old spaces.
•
new research wing will OPEN OCT. 20. CHEMISTRY and GEOSYSTEMS have a
scheduled move-in date at the beginning of the second quarter of the school year.
hosts, watch the Friday Sadie Hawkins football game and
• A NEW PARKING LOT for student use will be open around the same time as the opening of the new administrative suites.
“My English student wants to see what America is really like compared to how
• The DOME'S INTERIOR and likely will not open until the beginning of 2015.
think our biggest cultural end up being friends, but if prove my English accent.”
students will be traveling to Washington, D.C. three times and participating in student-planned activities. The French students and their hosts will also visit Tysons Corner, generally one of the highlights of the pro-
the exchange programs hope to form connections beyond those found in textbook
because in France, the jeans
• The NEW FRONT OFFICE is set to open during the month of October, after the arrival of new furniture.
• begin the inaugural English exchange program with students from Ewell Castle School in Surry, England. These students, who will be visiting Oct. 22-26, will
are no longer required to interview their hosts, as they had done in the past.
“Just as wearing French clothing is seen as very hip in America, anything American is seen as really cool in France,” senior Kate Salamido, FHS co-president, said. “When the French kids come
RENOVATION CORNER
the future, the French and English schools will also as guests to complete the cultural exchange. “The French exchange program provides a chance for students to witness the culture they have been said. “We hope to promote an understanding and love of Francophone culture and global interaction.”
photo illustration by Stav Nachum
New bus app will aid with dismissal by Ellen Kan Print Editor-in-Chief As the clock strikes 4 p.m., swarm from one bus door to another, searching for the right one to board. Another student sprints across the length of the school, his back-
familiar one. Only a handful of administrators and security the school and take note of their buses, students must track down the clipboardcarrying adults who are few and far between. Often, stuthrough the doors just as the bus is pulling out, but there is no guarantee they will be lucky every time. The current
Debate and Student Congress teams place high at Wake Forest Earlybird Competition Junior varsity member and junior Allen Cheng broke
buses in a timely manner. member amd junior Victoria Bevard went to Super Congress. Both of these competitions took place at the Wake Forest National Earlybird Tournament, held Sept. 12-14 at Wake Forest University.
bus commuters, seniors Ani Chandrabhatla and Shantanu a permanent solution. “We noticed that students
tjTODAY Online To see more news, visit our website at tjtoday.org
photo by Lindsay Williams
FCPS move to later start times by Lindsay Williams Online Editor-in-Chief On Oct. 23, the Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) School Board will vote on the late start times recommendation presented by Superintendent tion is passed, starting in the 2015-2016 school year, high schools may begin the school day between 8 and 8:10 a.m., at least 40 minutes after the current schedconference
with
student -
approval will be likely. will not change. However, because of the depot busing system currently used to bring students from around
According to the proposed plan, middle and elementary schools will also be changing their start times as well to accommodate the new system. Middle schools will start at 7:30 a.m. For the depot busing system Jefferson currently uses, the middle schools will serve
“Students who currently take two buses will likely be riding with middle school students next school year, according to FCPS transportation,” Principal pot would more likely be at a middle s c h o o l r a t h e r than the base high school. Our start t i m e should be the same.” S o m e students are worried that the changes may increase the duration of their commute, which is already high for many students.
"Student who currently take two buses will likely be riding with the middle school students next school year." - Principal Evan Glazer
bus arrivals will coincide with when the buses need to leave the depots to arrive
time in transit to and from TJ,” sophomore Numan time is increased, then it will become tougher to take the bus in the morning.” Other students see this as an opportunity for the school to reduce problematic bus overcrowding that has plagued certain areas throughout the years. cause there are more middle schools that we come from than a single high school,” sophomore Arun Sinh said. “Many middle schools feed
buses, especially if their bus is security team already records the positions of buses, so we thought it would be helpful to provide students with a way to access this data.” have designed an app to expedite the process of relaying bus locations to students. and drop buses onto a map of "As each bus is dragged onto the map, its name and location is sent to a database on our server. When a student accesses the page to view the buses that have arrived, their
device pulls the bus information from the server and displays it to them." The seniors used multiple database management systems and programming techniques, including jQuery, HTML 5, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, AJAX, and MySQL, to make their app a reality. "Although the idea came up in May 2014, we only begasn programming in the middle of August," Chanthe front end, the client side, and Shantanu worked on the back end, or the server side." After coding a rough version of the app this summer, the pair met with administrators. They have worked with Assistant Principal Shawn Frank, Security Director Robert McCormick and Systems and Network Administrator Andrew Hamilton to move toward large-scale implementation of the app. students take initiative, especially on a project this large in scope,” Frank said. “They saw a problem and used their skills and know-how to solve it. With this app, they will make a positive impact on the TJ students and community." stages of testing; Hamilton has already assisted the seniors in migrating the app to future, the seniors hope to conduct a full test in coordination with the TJ security team. launch of the app to occur late October or early November. “Our main goal was to use technology in a way that helps TJ students,” Chandrabhatla said. “We hope that our app will be used on a regular basis so students will not miss their
for example, and breaking it down seems like a good a bus. Personally, my bus overcrowded."
photo courtesy of Shantanu Gore
Seniors Ani Chandrabhatla and Shantanu Gore's new app will
news
october 16, 2014
NEWSMAKERS Golf places second at Regionals
TJ Media succeeds at VHSL
photo courtesy of Nathan Chuwait
The News The TJ Co-Ed Golf team placed second in the Regional Golf Tournament, with junior Nathan Chuwait and senior Julie Luo both placing third individually. Backstory On Oct. 6, TJ Golf participated in the Region 5A North Golf Tournament at Green’s Folly Golf Course located in South Boston, Va. The teams placed second overall, which allowed them to advance to the state level. The state tournament took place at Meadowbrook Country Club in Richmond, Va. on Oct. 13-14. At the Regional Golf Tournament, junior Nathan Chuwait and senior Julie Luo, the team captain, both placed third individually at Regionals. Each finished with a score of 76. Although the team did place second, members did not feel that they played to the best of their abilities. “Individually, I definitely feel like I could have played better, but I still managed to finish all right,” Chuwait said. “For the team performance, I am very happy with the way we played. We managed to get second again and it was a great finish, since there was a lot of stiff competition,” Chuwait said. Despite the hard work and the difficulty in advancing to the state level, the team is still keen to take part in the competition, and hopes to bring home the first States victory for TJ Golf. “I’m really excited to be going back to States with the team this year,” Luo said. “It’s always a lot of fun, and I’m excited to have the team all play more competitive golf together. My last year at States is going to be bittersweet, but I’m excited to show off what TJ’s got this year.” - Uzma Rentia
3
photos courtesy of Siddarth Anand
The News Catholic Forensic League (WACFL) tournament on Oct. 11. Backstory Policy Debate and Lincoln-Douglas Debate these regional competitions, high school students from the district debate a resolution predetermined by the national development, bioethics and organ procurement. “WACFL allows students to advocate and talk about interesting and important issues while also deepening junior Aneesh Susarla said. Debaters who perform well at WACFL can qualify for year, both teams sent an unprecedented number of novices to speaking. “WACFL is valuable because it gives the team a chance to traveling far,” senior Jessica Covan said. “WACFL also fosters competition among fellow debaters to create a community where people can learn and contribute.” Policy Debate had a varsity team place third and a JV team in varsity. After this strong showing at WACFL, the leaders of the debate teams are looking forward to a successful year. “TJ has a good reputation, but in the past two years our club grew massively and we were spread too thin,” senior Siddarth Anand said. “We’ve made a lot of changes and we have strong leadership this year, so we hope to take over the local circuit again.” - Stav Nachum
photo by Erinn Harris
The News tjTODAY and Techniques staff members gathered accolades at the VHSL (Virginia High School League) Regional Media Championships on Oct. 6. Backstory On Oct. 6, tjTODAY, tjTODAY Online, Techniques and Threshold received Trophy Class awards, equivalent to state championship recognition, at the VHSL Regional Media Championships at the Expo & Conference Center in Fredericksburg, Va. “I was so happy that all of TJ media won Trophy Class at VHSL – it was a really proud moment because it wasn’t just one of us that won, and it went to show how all the handwork paid off,” Yearbook Editor-inChief Nandini Radhakrishnan said. At VHSL, Radhakrishnan and seniors Sandy Cho, Ruhee Shah, Naini Shiswawala, Lindsay Williams and Eileen Zheng and sophomore Brittany Csik also took workshops relating to journalism, photography and design. “The conference was a great opportunity for me to learn about ways to improve the online newspaper,” Cho said. “There were so many things I learned and I’m very excited to implement them this year.” In addition, seniors Sandy Cho, Ellen Kan, Stav Nachum, Lindsay Williams, and junior Anjali Khanna, as well as Class of 2014 alumni Tommy Lunn, Shayna Hume and Yena Seo, picked up individual awards in the Writing/Photography/Design Journalism Contest for the work they did last year. “It was exciting to be recognized for the hard work we put in, despite the stress,” Williams said. “It’s the product that makes it worth it, but the award was the cherry on top.” - Mei Baek
We accept: poetry, prose, music and art. Submission forms available in all English classrooms.
4
opinion
tjTODAY Volume 30 Issue 2 2014 Trophy Class - VHSL 2013 Pacemaker - NSPA 2013 All-American - NSPA 2013 Gold Medalist - CSPA
Editorial Board Print Editor-in-Chief Ellen Kan
Online Editors-in-Chief Sandy Cho Lindsay Williams
Design Editor Alexis Williams
News Editor Stav Nachum
Opinion Editor Esther Kim
Features Editor Anjali Khanna
Entertainment Editor Kate Deng
october 16, 2014
In light of Neshaminy dispute, students should embrace First Amendment rights Lead Editorial
tj TODAY’s unsigned majority opinion Freedom of speech, freedom of the press. Preserved forever in the Constitution, these are two of our most cherished rights. We are, of course, aware that other countries around the world may not guarantee their citizens these freedoms, but we can rest assured that our First Amendment rights are protected everywhere in the United States, right? Wrong. The Neshaminy High School administration and district, located in after a shocking demonstration of student press censorship. In October 2013, the editorial board of Neshaminy’s awardwinning student paper, The Playwickian, decided that the school’s mascot – the Necial slur, and the editors agreed to strike the word from future issues of the paper. The Playwickian’s decision was in accordance with that of several reputable, professional newspapers and celebrated sports writers, all of whom denounced the impropriety of using the same name
Akhil Waghmare
Business Manager Esther Kim
Staff Reporters ANJALI KHANNA
Guest Writers
It shouldn’t have happened. Schools are supposed to be safe. Yet parents still reluctant-
Annie Abraham Andrew Haymaker Sruthi Jayaraman Pegah Moradi Kayleigh Vance Victoria Yang
that they will stay out of danger; and for good reason, too. The case of Hannah Graham’s abduction is one that is completely avoidable, yet similar accounts of sexual assault occur at college campuses around the country every year. So why don’t college campuses take more preventive measures to protect their students from the dangers of abduction and sexual assault? The answer is simple: many cases go
Adviser Erinn Harris
articles, the word must be spelled out in Editor. The controversy took a backseat after a while, but it came back full force in September 2014. Following The Play-
administrators suspended student Gillian McGoldrick from her position as editor-in-chief for one month, suspended adviser Tara Huber for two days without pay and deducted $1,200 from the newspaper’s school funding. Neshaminy High School’s severe punitive actions stirred up outraged protests from student press advocates around the
country. Among other national organizations, the Student Press Law Center (SPLC) and Journalism Education Association Scholastic Press Rights Committee (JEA-SPRC) decried the Neshaminy lished on Sept, 23, The Washington Post also lauded The Playwickian editors for their maturity and steadfast support of journalistic rights. However, as student journalists, we were deeply disturbed by the shocking extent to which the Neshaminy administration overstepped its boundaries. The storm of controversy surrounding The Playwickian should serve as a wakeup call for both readers and writers of student newspapers. It is a reminder that, while we are fortunate enough for the pursuit of the truth to be fully supported cannot be said for other students. As the next generation of policymakers, entrepreneurs and agents of change, we as students have the civic responsibility to remain informed about the events that unfold around us, to translate our views into action and most importantly, to be aware of the power we wield when we exercise our First Amendment rights.
Safety standards should be reevaluated
Sports Editor
Mei Baek Uzma Rentia
when referring to the Washington, D.C. football team. However, the Neshaminy administration put up a struggle during the 2013-2014 school year, demanding that The Playwickian continue to publish the mascot’s name without censorship. In June 2014, the school board established that while the newspaper would be per-
Hannah Graham, a University of Virginia student who went missing from the campus in the early hours of Sept. 13, which is why her case has made it to the media and continues to be reported even a month after her disappearance. However, when universities are able to cover up a case of sexual assault, they will. To a university, a case of assault is simply an addition to the statistics which drive their safety the news for the wrong reason. It’s obvious the blue lights that line campus roads, an element which used to convince parents of their children’s safety, aren’t working anymore. thew, has also been genetically linked to another case back in 2009 with the murder of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University student Morgan Harrington, whose remains were found months after her disapWhy has he only been behind bars for the last few weeks?
According to an Examination of Sexual Violence Against College Women, college underclassmen are at a higher risk of sexual violence than older university students. Nearly 84 percent of reported sexual assault cases at the school. Despite the gruesome cases of the two girls, college campuses around the country have of cases of date rape, abduction and assault in the last year. University of Virginia students have started promoting the use of an app called Yik Yak, which allows students in the same area to communicate for help if needed. In addition, the school has taken a second look late-night transportation for students. If these acts of sexual violence are to be stopped once and for all, however, universities around the country need to be reevaluating what they can do to make the institution safer for everyone. Providing a safe place for students to learn should be a proactive measure for colleges, not a reactionary one.
Printer Silver Communications
Science and Technology, published It serves as a vehicle for student expression and is an open forum of issues of interest and concern to the A full-year subscription can be purchased through the Thomas
Procrastination should not be a habit
sending a check or money order for
by Stav Nachum News Editor Procrastination is the practice of carrying out less urgent tasks instead of
to a code of journalistic ethics that demands the exercise of accuracy, content of tjTODAY is determined
something more pleasurable in place of less pleasurable ones. Most of the time, to a later time, sometimes even the last minute before a deadline. Throughout the
tjTODAY solicits advertising but reserves the right to reject any material deemed libelous, disruptive, obscene or otherwise inappropriate 6560 Braddock Road Alexandria, VA 22312 Phone: (703)-750-8375 Fax: (703)-750-5010
Feeling overwhelmed, I procrastinated by watching television and working on less pressing assignments in order to delay the dreaded studying. Ultimately, I felt more stressed and underprepared than I would have been without procrastinating, and to work. Since that dreadful week that I have been constantly trying to forget, I have remained on top of my work. I have found
procrastination. I am no exception. However, unlike other people who tend to make it a habit and somehow maintain positive results, I had an incredibly negative experience with procrastination. It was one of those weeks that every
using leftover time to either work ahead or take a much-needed break, I can not only enjoy my breaks without stressing over something I still need to get done,
in each class, two projects and a plethora of worksheets and small assignments.
the work done ahead of time, it seems
and more focused. After having such a negative experience with procrastination and
students use procrastination on a weekly basis. I constantly hear talk of people starting their homework incredibly late at time by working on the bus, at lunch or even in between classes. And all I can do is wonder why they would rather waste time at home and remain stressed all day In fact, when incoming freshmen and sophomores looked to me for advice, the only thing I could think to tell them was something that I had learned throughout the last few years: do not procrastinate, because you will regret it. I hope that they will heed my advice many have through the tempting image of procrastination. Actually, I hope that procrastination is in fact hindering not only their learning experience, but also their peace of mind. photo by Esther Kim
opinion
october 16, 2014
1 2 3 4 5 6
The Value of Standardization Standardized tests promote objective evaluation
Standardization discourages the pursuit of genuine student learning
by Alexis Williams Design Editor
by Esther Kim Opinion Editor
7
recommendations. All of these are important for a college appli-
8
-
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27
5
right now!” -
for Advanced Placement (AP) classes and electives.
-
college admissions prothe students’ overall academic success, but is standardized testing, such as the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and the American College Test (ACT). These tests
career and future. and the increasing obsession over standardized exams should not be replicated in the United States. Although standardized exams are used -
measure themselves against other students and even internationEven
though
indicator of a student’s academic performance, and moreover, the most predominant guide of the student’s future. Although the United States’ educational
uni-
standards for SAT and ACT scores, such as -
-
or the writing section of the ACT, the SAT and ACT still serve as a universal numerical standard for all college applicants. The SAT and ACT are often considered problematic and unfair to low-income families. Those families who
Student Assessment (PISA) reaching far below the international average. On the other
put at a disadvantage for the test. However, these families are
tier of the rankings.
President Barack Obama praised the South
cartoon by Monique Mezher
of the Union Address. It is true that the United States has long been lagging in international academic rankings, with the national average math
28 29
SAT and ACT are also often assessed and changed based on these
30
Orgaisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries in a sur-
31 32 33 34 35 36
and providing a baseline measurement of scholastic aptitude. and that of the United States.
NAME:
-
SUBJECT:
37
DATE:
remember to hold on to our genuine fascination in learning. graphic by Esther Kim
U.S. should be proactive against spread of Ebola When the warning bells sounded in Washington, D.C. on Oct. 3, a state of mass fear and pandemonium. The cause? Two separate ANDREW HAYMAKER
area
hospitals
visiting West Africa. Our worst fears were realized; the deadliest disease in the -
The current outbreak of Ebola is the largest ever of
tion of resources during such catastrophic outbreaks can lead to cures, similar to what happened in the cases of
countries: Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone.
-
ing on the strain. Moreover, the people who died from the disease aren’t representative of the real statistics, sentation and statistics for the deaths in such countries. What do we have to do about this situation? We need to send ample resources to West Africa so that the disease remains contained. It was huge that
tomatic. However, Ebola has never had this large of a human host population before. In the immediate future, a large
ated Press article, but we need to do more. Although
time.
be nothing less catastrophic than the Black Plague.
this crisis, it needs to lead the charge. The Centers for
-
African continent was reported in Spain, and the United States isn’t far from that fate. In Africa, people are al-
West Africa before it can’t be contained. To those who -
death.
disease will reach the United States, but when the disease will reach the United States. While the current strain can be contained in the Unit-
containing this disease in West Africa are far superior to the resources needed.
West Africa, and as of Oct. 1, in Dallas as well.
impossible unless the action is taken. The proper alloca-
Andrew Haymaker is a senior.
6
sports
october 16, 2014
FRESHMAN KATHERINE SCHINELLA
SENIOR ALEC JESSAR CHEN
Plantar fasciitis
Strained hamstring
more and that there is no certain
-
weakness.”
Sprained ankle
Stress fracture
minor, but it helped me realize to be careful
athletic trainer earlier instead
intense or fast-paced.” photos by Sandy Cho and Ellen Kan, reporting by Ellen Kan, Anjali Khanna and Akhil Rekulapelli , graphic by Ellen Kan
Freshman football rushes harsh blow to the Colonials forward despite setbacks After weeks of physical therapy
by Sandy Cho Online Editor-in-Chief
-
For Waymire, time away from -
football team has had its fair
team kills me.” Waymire has been a member
and most importantly, a athletes. Due to the small
-
-
photo by Ellen Kan
team to train and partici-
cancelled
because
helps the team as a whole.”
there
out of our plays and work on -
from the sidelines as the Homecoming game unfolds.
-
sorely missed that in our past two by Ellen Kan and Akhil Waghmare Print Editor-in-Chief and Sports Editor On Sept. 26, the crowd of students, decked in black from head to toe, held their breath as the referee blew his whistle and the football
-
"Our goal is to go all out, even if the odds are stacked against us. We want to be as competitive as possible." - freshman Kyle Gerner
own freshman teams, the most we can do -
are for him.”
us behind all the other freshman teams, but
paled in comparison to the intensity of senior
-
pain as his enthusiasm nearly carried him out of his wheelchair. -
a small number returned. As a result, the -
that is impossible to recreate.” Despite the loss of a key player, the team
sity team,” head freshman coach Michael
-
can,” freshman
of acute compartment syndrome, a debilitat-
-
as the others, we can still imand
mindset
to see what football is like and learn some
derwent a fasciotomy, a procedure in which
photo by Sandy Cho
team in other ways.”
Athletes of the Month
sophomore Stephanie Zablocki Zablocki: “It’s really fun to compete with your friends to help each other improve.” Coach Amanda Kelly: “She has amazing potential and contributes to great leadership.”
senior Haley Stumvoll Stumvoll: “I love the feeling of
senior Maria Velicu Velicu: “My favorite part of playing
good race.” Coach Helen Smith: “A West Point “She’s our No. 1 runner, one of the top runners in the state. recruit for Division 1 volleyball, she is a huge asset to our program.” She sets a great example for the team.”
photos by Ellen Kan
sports
october 16, 2014
Pro sports shouldn’t condone violence We all know what time of year it is. No, we don’t mean Columbus Day, Halloween, or even the much-awaited ter. It’s time for PEGAH MORADI & VICTORIA YANG the NFL to enter the homes of millions of Americans every Monday, Thursday and Sunday for its much-anticipated regular season. According to TV Guide, Sunday Night Football is the third most watched show on television and the most watched show on NBC. The NFL estimates that on average, 17.9 million viewers tuned in to each game in last year’s regular season alone, It’s safe to say, then, that football players are some of the doesn’t end with the television and the living room. You would ers as their role models. So what happens when institutions like the NFL don’t hold these celebrities up to high moral standards when the entire nation is watching? In recent months, professional sports have experienced ous allegations of domestic abuse. Perhaps the most notable of the domestic abuse cases is that of former Baltimore Ravens
SEASON HIGHLIGHTS Aug. 16-18: Three straight walkoffs
Kayleigh Vance
As a part of their 10-game win streak in August, the Washington Nationals won three games in a row off of walkoffs against the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Sept. 16: Nats clinch NL East
In February 2014, TMZ released a video of Rice dragging an unconscious Palmer out of an elevator. Five months after games. To put this in perspective, the typical punishment for substance abuse lasts two games longer than Rice’s sentence. The NFL received criticism for this decision, with many punishment for such an act of aggression. After all, what message does the NFL convey when substance abuse is seen as worse than domestic violence? After another video showed Rice physically assaulting Palmer, the Ravens ultimately terminated Rice’s contract the NFL instituted more stringent regulations regarding the treatment of domestic violence cases among players, and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell took responsibility for Rice’s improper punishment. to curb domestic violence in professional football. After all, Adrian Peterson’s child abuse scandal is currently causing the Minnesota Vikings to ban Peterson from all team activities for the duration of his case. However, as Alberto Godenzi, Dean and Professor at Boston College Graduate School of Social Work, argues, the NFL certainly could do more to eliminate domestic violence. Godenzi contends the NFL should learn from FIFA, which introduced an entire anti-racism campaign following allegations of rampant racism throughout the organization. In fact, FIFA developed the Task Force Against Racism and Discrimination in 2013 to eliminate racial discrimination in international soccer. Why can’t the NFL do the same for domestic abuse? There’s still so much to be done to stop the whole spectrum of domestic violence, child abuse and misogyny in profession-
months after she allegedly beat her nephew and sister at a parmestic violence, the issue is still widespread across the nation. Institutions like the NFL need to acknowledge their inrecords to play sends this message: sports are more valuable than women, children and morality. Seems like a dangerous message to send 17.9 million Americans, three times a week. Pegah Moradi is a senior. Victoria Yang is a junior.
After valiant post-
Following a disappointing 2013 season, the 2014 Nationals were poised to make a run. Doug Fister, the Detroit Tigers’ No. 3 starter and a postseason veteran, outfielder Nate McClouth and utility infielder Kevin Frandsen to strengthen the bench, the Nationals seemed to have no clear gaps in their lineup. It wasn’t a surprise that several experts picked the Nationals, who arguably had the best rotation in baseball, win the World Series. tionals found their star players plagued with inthe season, making the
Tanner Roark pitched a seven-inning shutout to lead the Nats to their second National League (NL) East title in three years.The Nationals celebrated lanta Braves, after beating them 3-0.
Sept. 28: Zimmermann’s no-hitter
of division harder than initially envisioned. Fister started the season on the disabled list and did not return until mid-May. Catcher Wilson Ramos broke his hand in early April, leaving him out until May as well. Both third basemen and leftfielder Ryan Zimmermann and outfielder Bryce Harper broke their thumbs in April, leaving Zimmermann out un-
found themselves only a game and a half out of first place at the end of May. With all these stars out of the lineup, the Nationals sputtered for a saw themselves in third place, a game below .500. As stars like Harper and
During the last game of the regular season, Jordan Zimmermann rehistory. Steven Souza Jr. ended the game with a diving catch to the save the no-hitter for Zimmermann. photos courtesy of the Associated Press content by Kayleigh Vance, graphic by Ellen Kan and Akhil Waghmare
team, the Nationals started to heat up. The team game back of the Atlanta Braves. The two teams battled but the Nationals entered August in first place with a 58-49 record. It looked
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as if the two remaining months would be spent in a battle for first place, but the Nationals went on a 10-game winning streak from Aug. 12-21 and cruised to their second National League (NL) East title in three years. After the regular season ended, many experts again went with the Nationals as favorites to win the World Series. To close out the season, Zimmermann pitched a no-hitter, the first in Nationals history. The momentum for the Nationals was undeniable, and it seemed like no one could slow them down. In Game 1 of the National League Division Series (NLDS), the Nawith the exception of two home runs, one from Harper and one from second basemen Asdrubal Cabrera. Pitcher Stephen Strasburg went five innings and only allowed one run, but the Nationals still fell to the San Francisco Giants 3-2. Zimmermann pitched an absolute gem Game 2 before Manager Matt Williams pulled him with one out remaining in the top of the ninth with the Nationals leading 1-0. After going 8.2 scoreless innings, closer Drew Storen entered, giving up a run and tying the game 1-1 on a Pablo Sandoval RBI. The game went 18 innings, the longest playoff game in baseball history, before the Giants managed to pull away 2-1 and take a 2-0 series lead. The Nationals managed to push the series to a fourth game following a 4-1 win in Game 3, but couldn’t pull out the victory in Game 4. After Harper tied the game at 2-2 with a solo home run in the top of the seventh, relief pitcher Aaron Barrett gave up the lead on a wild pitch. The Nationals could not come back, and lost 3-2. The 2014 season ended up being another heartbreaking one for Nationals fans. Poised to make a deep run into the playoffs, the Nationals’ first- round exit left Washinton, D.C. disappointed for another long offseason. Kayleigh Vance is a senior.
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october 16, 2014
#ItsOnUs
#JoinT
ho by Sandy C r-in-Chief Online Edito ice anPublic serv (PSA), ts nouncemen n Hamm, videos by Jo hington as W Kerry celebrities er h ot and “It’s On g proclaimin sexual asUs” to stop recently e saults, hav e Interth dominated ing across net, splash ome page. YouTube’s h resident P by Launced ma and ba O k Barac ent Joe d si Vice Pre September, Biden in dded “It’s tu the star-s paign calls On Us” cam sexual asfor a stop to to raise lts. sexual assau t to major celebrities to m ti ic v g ts fallin ached ou lege studen organizations have re nnifer s, ar as actress Je hers ye r ch Fo su s ie it br In 2012, ot hins, cele Is” in 2010. panese dolp Ja d n ie on Fr es y ic violence. ct hunting pra d PSA videos called “M to address gun control melight is a ” te li n e ea la P th cr emand a Aniston sues into ve videos to “D s to bring is be supporti appeared in ations, using celebritie s are more inclined to ia ed m arie r social For organiz these lumin vely promoting. In ou of s n Fa e. ic ti popular dev that their idols are ac s of the cause
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october 16, 2014
TheConversation
e m o H ah by Sandy Cho Online Editor-In-Chief social media applications to
speak out to others across
oceans.
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For those living far from dan
and the r-bullying and rape social issues like cybe
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Social media brings awareness and action to current events reporting and photo illustrations by Mei Baek, Sandy Cho and Uzma Rentia
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entertainment
october 16, 2014
Eat this, not that: Pumpkin cream -Gold oreo overpowers the pumpkin -”If I were blindfolded, I would think it was the white cream” -If you just eat the cream, it tastes like pumpkin
Spice
Eat this
-
Fat: 7 g Calories: 150
Starbucks Pumpkin
Kashi Pumpkin Spice Bars
-”My fave” -It’s just really good -Pumpkin spice isn’t distinct -Tastes too much like
-Feels healthy
-My choice of drink on a cold day
-Not special -Tastes good -Wouldn’t have known it was pumpkin spice
Fat: 11 g Calories: 300
Pumpkin Cheesecake -Good texture -Smells good -Sweet--maybe too sweet -Chewy -Spicy Fat: 4.5 g Calories: 130
Fat: 6 g Calories: 170
Giant Brand Cream Cheese -Smells cream cheesey -More pumpkin-y -Aftertaste of pumpkin -Weird combination -Not bad, just odd
-Soupy jello looking -More watery -Tastes funky -Fresh carroty taste -Less sour than Greek yogurt
Fat: 0 g Calories: 100
-Spicy -Looks and tastes like pumpkin -Tastes like bread and pumpkin pie Fat: 7 g Calories: 100
Fat: 0 g Calories: 90
Pumpkin Spice -Would have been better without chocolate -Chocolate is overpowering -Really chocolatey -Creamier than pumpkin should be
Not that Giant Brand Pumpkin -
-Can’t taste the pumpkin Nature’s Path Pumpkin Spice Bar -Very “unpumpkin” -Chewy -Tastes nothing like pumpkin -Good texture -Unremarkable
-Smells really sweet -Crunchy -More like gingerbread -Really sweet--but salty at the same time -Frosting tastes like oreo
Fat: 7 g Calories: 130
-Not very pumpkin Fat: 8 g Calories: 170 Hershey Kiss
Fat: 4 g Calories: 140
-”It’s so orange!” -Doesn’t smell good -Smells like spicy play dough -Suprise white chocolate -Smells like cinnamon
-Tastes like soap
-More gingerbread than pumpkin Fat: 12 g Calories: 210 Fat:0 g Calories: 220 -Can taste the spice -Really pumpkin-y -Not natural
Philadelphia Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese
-Tangy -Really good
-Lots of pumpkin -Sweeter than most cream cheese -Still creamy
Fat: 4.5 g Calories: 170
-Tastes like yogurt Fat: 6 g Calories: 80
by Lindsay Williams Online Editor-in-Chief Losing the main character of a show is always tragic. However, the death of the protagonist, known as the Doctor, is what keeps the 50-year-old show Doctor Who alive. In the face of a Doctor’s death, the audience stares at the television for a few hours after and cries, but we pull ourselves together to speculate about the new Doctor. The wondering is
many companions. His most popular companion was Amy Pond (Karen Gillan), who was married to another companion, Rory Williams. Smith’s youth at but beneath the surface he was one of the darkest doctors, as he was able to forget his tragic past with ease.
debut for the eighth season of the reboot emotions of the people who are caught
for his romantic relationships with
episode that Smith’s Doctor was leading her on, but that Capaldi’s Doctor involved in her dating life with others. He is protective of her with love interest Danny Pink and makes sure he is good enough with her. That being said, he is
age and personality. The Doctor’s true the older Capaldi. He seems colder and
“New Who” by “Whovians,” the show’s fanbase. The 12th Doctor will undoubtedly be compared to the 11th Doctor, portrayed
that belief, even at the expense of the lives of the people with him. In one of the more recent episodes, he endangers the lives of both companions, Clara Oswald (Jenna Coleman) and Clara’s student Courtney, because he refuses to just tell Courtney that she is special.
character. However, Clara’s personality is used well by the writers to introduce us to the Doctor. She tends to take the spotlight in the episodes, which adds to the mystery of the Doctor, although in
aliens. He is also very set in his ways, insistent that there’s no such thing as a good Dalek, a longtime enemy on the show, and unwilling to compromise in
she isn’t going for the English teacher that coincidentally is very similar to the 11th Doctor. With only a few episodes left in the season, it appears the Doctor’s air of mystery will stay intact for at least a
him. His dynamic with the companion any romantic connection whatsoever.
new twist on the show that should keep many Whovians hooked.
entertainment
october 16, 2014
Rave Reviews photo courtesy of www.jasonaldean.com
‘The Flash’
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tjTODAY staff reviews new TV shows, movies, plays, books and exhibits.
photo courtesy of www.rickriordan.com
‘Old Boots, New Dirt’
‘Gone Girl’
by Kate Deng Entertainment Editor
by Alexis Williams Design Editor
by Mei Baek
“Arrow” series called “The Flash.” The Flash (Grant Gustin) guest-starred in “Arrow” as a forensic consultant in a couple of cases. In the series premiere, titled “City of He-
for country singer Jason Aldean’s new
by Lindsay Williams Online Editor-in-Chief -
new sounds to the star’s old, classic twang. Featuring slow, sexy tunes and a few ballads, it brings a slower feel than
wrong for the Flash, or Barry Allen, when he
of a failing marriage turns into a nightmare disappoint. The suspense that built up during
lian Flynn. “Gone Girl,” released in theaters on Oct.
“The Blood of Olympus,” as it is so omi-
her and watched his father go to jail for the false accusation of her murder. Many years later, Allen is put in a coma after lightning bolt from the explosion of the ing up nine months later, Allen is surprised to
sad ballad. This style is not what Aldean
their friends Reyna and Nico. Gaea, the pow-
lyrics and a beautiful melody. The same is true for Aldean’s other ballad, “Too Fast.” The most interesting song on the album by far is the single “Burnin’ It
and her children need the blood of demigods mans are preparing for war – not against the
not the same one he fell asleep in. per speed, and the crime rate in Central City
something not done in any other song. -
he ends up stopping Clyde Mardon (Chad
Aldean starts singing. A major problem with Aldean’s album -
ing. As the details of the case come out, it be-
Argo II through throngs of monsters to unite ing.
-
a masterful author, goes full-force to create -
death penalty after she found out he was cheating on her.
pasts, while others must confront inner demons. Riordan demonstrates that he can not Along with the city changes, Allen also also from the inside. The only complaint that could be made
-
-
rable. The best songs on the album were to see how his character’s story line progresses throughout the season.
-
them.” Rather than being funny, as the name suggests, it instead has a relaxed yet catchy tune and is slightly nostalgic.
and Annabeth. I personally found this to be an unwelcome change from their easy childhood a friendly punch in the arm. Though Percabeth didn’t spend much time in the spotlight
“Gone Girl” had a patchy start, and the -
of their romance felt rather clichéd.
during the unnecessary sex scenes. The acting at the beginning was poor in general, and
– by the masterful ending to the story that
to that of some supporting actors. -
the beginning. Gustin playing the part of the Flash is a -
not a party song in terms of content, un-
opposite. While the two leads weren’t stelit is more intense than other songs and reminds the listener of old Aldean songs, There is no doubt that “Old Boots,
between Gustin and Martin as Iris’s father
“City of Heroes” left me hungry for more.
introduction of 12-year-old Percy in “Percy
from spectacular or interesting. Aldean has put out chart-topping hits, and this album just wasn’t one. The experimentation with a new sound just fell short.
tagonists of Riordan’s soon-to-come Norse mythology series will measure up to the
emotionally and had their own agendas, Gone Girl” is a story worth experiencing. But for those who wish to forgo the poor act-
many readers.
Have you bought your YEARBOOK? There’s still time to get a free name plate if you order by DECEMBER 31. www.yearbookordercenter.com Order #13621
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features
october 16, 2014
An official guide to making your Halloween
r a l u c ta 18th Annual Del Ray Halloween Parade
Trick-or-Treat at Mall-O-Ween
Time: Oct. 26, 2014 Admission: Free Location: Mount Vernon and Commonwealth Aves, Alexandria, VA 22314 Description: The whole family is invited to join in the 18th Annual Del Ray Halloween Parade. Dress up as your favorite character and walk your dog through the streets of Mount Vernon Avenue. Great for: A family friendly event!
Time: Oct. 31, 2014, 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. Admission: Free! Location: [Fair Oaks Mall] 11750 Fair Oaks Mall, Fairfax, VA 22033 Description: Go to the mall for store to store trick-or-treating, while getting some good sales at stores! Great for: Getting candy and great sales
Ghost & Graveyard Special Halloween Tour
Trick-or-Treating at Mount Vernon ‘Time: Oct. 31, 2014, 3:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Admission: $10/adult; $5/child Location: [Mount Vernon: George Washington’s Estate & Gardens] 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon, VA 22121 Description: Mount Vernon opens for trick-or-treating on Halloween night. Scavenger hunts are also available, along with a parade and best costume awards! Great for: Getting candy!
Time: Oct. 24, 2014, 7 a.m. - 9 p.m. Admission: $15/adults, $7/children ages 7-17 Location: [Gadsby’s Tavern Museum] 134 N. Royal Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 Description: Held by Colonial Tours, the Ghost and the Graveyard Tour will include some of Alexandria’s most haunted and spooky locations, while hearing tales of the historic city’s past. Great for: People who loved to be scared!
Chipotle Time: Oct. 31, 2014, until 5 p.m. Admission: $3 Location: 601 King St. Alexandria, VA 22314 Description: If you go to Chipotle in a costume, you get a burrito for $3 until 5 p.m.! Great for: Burrito lovers!
infographic and reporting by Kate Deng
By Kate Deng Entertainment Editor
It’s that time of year again. The leaves are changing colors; the hot summer air is changing to a crisp autumn breeze. Waiting just around the corner of the end of the first quarter is an event that children of all ages, parents, grandparents and pets can come and enjoy. The same circling of the neighborhood can get boring, though, so why not enjoy your Halloween this
year outside of your neighborhood? There are plenty of events to choose from just around the local area, and one of the wide varieties of activities is bound to catch your eye. If you love going to the mall, why not spend your Halloween at Fair Oaks? You get holiday sales while also receiving free candy (win, win!). Or if you’re not a shopper but you still want candy, you could always trick-or-treat at George Washington’s Estate and Garden. If you don’t nec-
essarily want candy but you want to celebrate the holiday, go to Chipotle in a costume and receive a discounted burrito. If you love being scared around Halloween time and you enjoy history, Alexandria Colonial Tours is offering a Ghost & Graveyard tour for all horror enthusiasts. Or if you love parades, the Del Ray Halloween Parade is for you! You can bring the whole family and pets, or go with a group of your friends. Either way, it will be a night to remember.
Jefferson alumna blogs her way through gap year in Kuwait by Annie Abraham Guest Writer Thousands of 18-year-olds around the nation have finally started their first year of college. The next year of their life will consist of completing required courses and hanging around collegetowns with friends. For those who wish to take any course they want or spend the year exploring the landmarks of a faraway city with friends and family, the dream is an ideal but unattainable. For Jefferson Class of 2014 graduate Anwar Omeish, however, this is a reality. “I was reluctant to move out of the traditional high school to college route,” Omeish said. “But once I really thought about it, I realized that I had a lot more to gain than I did to lose by taking a gap year. My parents had pretty much the same reaction when I told them.” Instead of joining the Class of 2018 at Harvard University, Omeish is taking a gap year in Amman, Jordan at the University of Jordan. Harvard encourages its students to take a gap year, even suggesting it in their letter of admission, and 80 to 110 students defer until the next year. For the second half of her gap year, Omeish will be traveling around Europe, Libya and parts of the United States. When she gets back to Harvard, Omeish plans on studying Government, Harvard’s version of political science, and possibly statistics when she begins her undergraduate education. Her eventual career goal is to practice human rights law. “I am tremendously excited about heading to Harvard in the fall, an excitement that is only heightened by hearing about my friends’ experiences as freshmen in college,” Omeish said. “I feel like, because of my gap year, I’ll be able to start college as a more mature
and capable person – that’s the goal, anyway.” According to Omeish, living in the Northern Virginia area insulates people in from a lot of things. Omeish wanted to experience life outside of the Northern Virginia bubble. “We have a very particular culture here, and the world is so much more than that – if we’re going to work for the betterment of the world as a whole, we need to be open to and aware of the variations in socioeconomic conditions, racial backgrounds and community dynamics,” she said. Omeish is using her gap year to study Islamic Studies at the University of Jordan to expand her knowledge of Islam. Her courses include classes such as Hadith Studies, Prophetic Manners and Foundations of Islamic Jurisprudence. All of her books are in Arabic and her teachers only speak Arabic in class, so Omeish is using this opportunity to improve her skills in the language. Anyone interested in following Omeish’s gap year experience can visit her blog, “The Sticking Place.” Omeish gives frequent updates on her daily life and writes about her adventures in Jordan, posting everything from beautiful pictures of Jordanian landmarks to selfies with cousins. She also mentions that spending time in Amman is not that different than living in the United States. “I’m living in a different culture with an entirely new set of people who live lives similar to and different from ours in so many ways.” Omeish said. “It’s exciting and different because it allows me to see, through the haze of global changes and sociopolitical factors, that there is no scary ‘other’ – we are truly fundamentally the same.”
photos courtesy of anwandering.tumblr.com photo illustration by Anjali Khanna
13 MacBooks or Notebooks? features
october 16, 2014
Which will deliver the most classroom success?
Procrastination on the Internet is Handwriting notes in the classroom not healthy for the mind or GPA aids the brain’s learning process by Stav Nachum News Editor
by Anjali Khanna Features Editor
photos by Anjali Khanna
SENIOR CHECKLIST: Have you bought your YEARBOOK? Get a free name plate if you order by 12/31. Have you had your SENIOR PORTRAIT taken? The FINAL ROUND will take place 10/27-10/31 in the auditorium. Have you bought your SENIOR AD? Sales prices extended to 11/1. Choose photos and start working on your message of congratulations, pride and love. Group ads are also available for purchase. Consider joining with other parents and/or booster parents to create ads that honor your senior’s involvement in activities like band or tennis or to commemorate a special group of senior friends. See http://www.tjtoday.org/yearbook-senior-ads/ for more information.
Questions? Email Ms. Harris (EHarris1@fcps.edu)
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health
Battling the
october 16, 2014
TJ Plague
by Sruthi Jayaraman Guest Writer Although we are usually prepared for the first signs that our immune systems are under attack, this year the sudden incursion took the school by surprise. The infamous “TJ Plague,” the seasonal cold that makes its rounds throughout the school every year, rapidly spread through TJ, much earlier than usual. In general, the “TJ Plague” hits the school in October or November, but this year it occurred right in the middle of September, before Homecoming Week. It started with one lone cough, a single sneeze, and over the next few days it seemed to have spread to every person in the school. Most students feel that missing school is not an option because of the responsibilities that follow: making up missed assignments, retaking tests and spending extra time on projects, among other things. “If you miss school, you never miss just a ‘few’ things,” freshman Gabby Li said. “You’ll most likely miss a lot of essential things, because every day at TJ there is something new or important to learn.” During the weekly morning announcements, the Student Government graphics by Sandy Cho, Esther Kim and Anjali Khanna Association (SGA) has made health announcements to raise awareness regarding good hygiene practices in order to curb the effects of the “TJ Plague.” However, staying home when you’re not well enough to attend school may be just as important as washing your hands. “It isn’t a good idea to come to school when you are sick, because even though you aren’t missing class time, it’s really hard to pay attention and actually do well on tests and other assignments when you aren’t feeling well,” junior Anusha Basana said. According to sophomore Amee Kapadia, although recovering quickly for better performance is important, thinking of your peers’ well-being is also necessary. “Students should stay home because rest helps them get better soon, and it lowers the probability of their classmates getting it too,” Kapadia said. Even though students are divided about whether or not to attend school, most agree that certain symptoms can determine if the student should definitely stay at home. For example, junior Maitri Patel believes that students with fevers above 100 degrees Fahrenheit should not come to school. Teachers have a different perspective on the tradeoff between attending school and recovering at home. English teacher Suzette Henry views the decision as more mental than physical. “The choice on whether or not to attend school actually connects with one of the
roots that we are learning in class,” Henry said. “The personal versus communal root, in this case, says that the student can come to school if they’re sick, but eventually they have to think about the other students that they might be affecting.” If students do decide to come to school, health teacher Teri Davis encourages them to follow basic hygienic techniques to lower the risk of infecting their peers. Washing your hands, sneezing and coughing into your elbow, and avoiding unnecessary physical contact with others will prevent the spread of disease. However, if students want to stay at home and recover, clinic room aide Kirstin Stamper has some advice for returning to school quickly. “Rest, rest, rest. It is important to get rest and drink plenty of fluids when you are not feeling well,” Stamper said. “A student may also talk with their parent to see if there are any over-the-counter medications or self-care methods, such as using a humidifier that may help relieve some of their symptoms.” In the end, it is essential that students remember that the ability to cope with both sickness and stress differs from person to person. The decision to attend school or stay at home should be made on a case-by-case basis. “It really depends on the person and how much stress they can take while still being able to pay attention in class,” chemistry teacher Hadan Kauffman said. “If they can understand what their teacher is saying then it is fine, but if they can’t focus then it’s probably in their best interest to just stay home.”
culture while adhering to new Smart Snack guidelines by Anjali Khanna Features Editor If there’s any one thing that has an impact on the drives club fundraisers and interest meetings. Snacks and sweets have also become the cornerstone of and International Night (I-Nite). However, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently issued a new policy for schools
across the country involving the foods that may be sold to the students during school hours. Under this new plan, cleverly titled “Smart Snacks,” all food sold during the day in vending machines must comply to regulations on sodium, trans fat and sugar content. In addition, clubs which formerly held Red Day bake sales must now sell only foods meeting the health standard. Complying with this new set of rules schools, since traditions like Red Day bake sales and the pizza party celebrations have become ingrained in the culture of the school as a whole. “I think the new regulations are great about encouraging healthier eating and food consciousness, but at the same time, they don’t allow for much students at TJ,” sophomore Laura Chu, a member of the Student Government Association (SGA) food comthe week, celery and carrots just don’t do the same thing.” However, SGA has found a way to keep traditions like J-Day alive and well, despite
Because J-Day is a special non-school day event, the Smart Snacks rules will not apply. On this day, The USDA has also created a set of nutrition guidelines called Myclubs will be free to fundgraphic by Anjali Khanna
Plate, with the goal to proxide instruction for balanced diets.
raise in whichever way they choose, and sell foods which are non-compliant with the policy. SGA also released a set of guidelines for clubs to tweak recipes for fat and sugar content, allowing Red Day bake sales to continue without only a minor hitch at most. “I’m glad that SGA found a way to keep food sales at J-Day going,” senior Tony Baek said. “If the nutrition guidelines were enforced that day, I don’t think half the clubs would even be selling anything, which would lead to a lot less participation.” Principal Evan Glazer, who did not have a say in the
the students healthier options. “Although I don’t think TJ had a problem with obesity even before the guidelines, I don’t want the school to be a conduit for unhealthy lifestyles,” Glazer said. “It’s something that is out of the hands of administrators, but we are trying to do our best with the guidelines while preserving the culture at TJ.” purchasing meal items from food trucks, which Glazer plans to have open for business in the early weeks of November. The trucks will only sell cuisine that meets the USDA standard, but the culinary options range from TexMex to Asian. set of rules to follow, the student body has shown they are ready to work around it to keep up the school’s love ing healthier pizzas that we can put forward as an alternative to our classic bake sales and pizza sales,” Chu said. “SGA’s goal is to try and maintain TJ tradition, while encouraging healthy eating and adhering to the new rules.”
october 16, 2014
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education
october 16, 2014
Teachers discuss preparation for the big move by Alexis Williams and Lindsay Williams Design Editor and Online Editor-in-Chief In the Oceanography and Geophysical Systems Research lab on Friday, Oct. 3, fourth period students paused their research to help lab director Lisa Wu pack for the move to the new lab spaces to the tunes of folk rock. The activities in the Oceanography and Geophysical Systems Research lab mirror what is happening in many of the other labs: special activities to get ready. For example, in order to monitor the delicate balance of the tank ecosystems, Wu asked her students to complete a special graded activity related to maintaining the tanks. On the other hand, the Quantum Physics and Optics Lab for now to wait for the arrival of new equipment, including a cloud chamber, a scanning electric microscope, an atomic force microscope and oththat will help seniors with their projects. “As of today, the Quantum Physics and Optics Lab is shut down until the move is completed, new equipment installed and old equipment set up. I expect this process to take three weeks,” Quantum Physics and Optics Research Director John Dell said. “Most labs have had to shut down or reduce their activity during an extended period during the move, though some than others.” The labs in the new research wing, which are set to open in the next few weeks, are bringing big changes for senior research projects as well as science classes. However, there have also been major class changes to compensate for the telelearn days caused by the movement and construction. Research is especially difout the resources available in class. Some teachers are including more time in class for actual lab work before the telelearn days to prepare. “Normally, I would ina busier day with a less busy day,” Biotechnology Research Director Andrea Cobb said. “However with the telelearn, I have to give students activities that don’t include me
quite as much, but when they are here and the labs are set up we will have to hit the ground running.” Changes are also being made to science classes that are not research-related to make time for the movement. For example, in some chemistry classes, students are doing extra lab activities before the projected move date. “We have an uncertain time frame, and if we are going to spend a week or two packed waiting to move, we want to pack as much as we can,” chemisman said. Most teachers are anticipating the opening of the new lab spaces because of increased opportunities to use new equipment, but some are also looking forward to the larger rooms, which will give students a more open learning environment and more space to work. “We won’t be bumping into each other all of the time,” Geosystems teacher John Woodwell said. “The new rooms will be larger, and during eighth period we often have two clubs in a room at once, which will be easier in the new labs.” There is even some equipment that has yet to be unpacked until the new labs open that will give new opportunities to students. In many labs, the new equipment is stateof-the-art. Some of the materials for the Quantum Physics and Optics lab is coming all the way from Germany. “The students are going to be able to use some amazing equipment that no other high school has,” Cobb said.
Clockwise from the top left: Chemical Analysis and Nanochemistry Lab packs up to move; New Oceanography and Geophysical Systems Lab is being constructed for student use; New corridor leads to new senior labs; Neuroscience packs; Prototyping Lab labels materials to be placed in the new space; New classrooms are being built for science classes; Robotics Lab has labeled boxes for construction workers; Back room of Chemical Analysis Lab is stacked with boxes; Oceanography students, seniors Billie Males and Al Ahmed, work around packed materials; Classrooms are under construction. photos by Lindsay Williams graphics by Esther Kim, Alexis Williams and Lindsay Williams