The Viking

the

viking

Loudoun Valley HIgh School News Magazine 340. N Maple Ave. Purcellvile VA, 20132

foreign faces

under the big top

Exchange students talk about their american experience’s

Homecoming pep rally concludes circus themed spirit week.

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issue 1, November 2011

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too much grit to quit One equestrian competes in the American Eventing Championships

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RUGBY??…We are Western Loudoun Rugby Football Club FACTS: Rugby is a game of strength, skill and speed, a high intensity activity that incorporates athleticism with teamwork, sportsmanship and an esprit-de-corps second to none in the sporting world.

World’s 2nd most popular sport. A World Cup Sport, An Olympic Sport, A Collegiate Sport, A high school, middle school, and youth sport Western Loudoun Rugby Football Club offers USA Rugby Virginia sanctioned teams for Girls & Boys U19 High School Clubs Boys U15 Middle School Club Spring & Summer Seasons, Both touch and tackle

Contact Western Loudoun Rugby Football Club at:

www.westernloundounrugby.org

at a glance cover: Dance Team at

staff

pep rally. photo/Tierra Dongieux

inside

editor in chief

Rachel Boisjolie Tatum Davenport Torri Hart

2 Valley’s Fasinating Freshmen

copy editor

4 Foreign Faces

Melissa Fairfax

photo editor

5 The Return of Powder Puff

Charles Lyons

ad manager

6 Battle of the Exes

Madison CoppaLuckman

8 Under the Big Top

staff writters

Gaelyn Foster Leigh George Courtney Morgan Mairin Rivett Meagan Solano Sheridan Suminski Jo Trumbadore

staff photographers Paige Armstrong Tierra Dongieux Liam Klavon Connor Wood

adviser

Paige Cox

contact

paige.cox@lcps.org 340 N. Mapple Ave Purcellville, VA 20132 540-751-2400

Sophomore, Lauren Vineyard decorates sophomore hall Photo/ Charles Lyons

6 Under the Big Top “My favorite part of spirit week was probably seeing all the people’s outfits, it made coming to school a little more enjoyable because it was all really funny.”

-Will Jones, junior

10 Truth is...

12 We Will Never Forget 9/11 13 Faces of Freddie 14 Too Much Grit to Quit

20 Swiss Bliss

check out the viking online at www.vikingnews.com

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Photo: courtesy of Walton family

Valley’s Fascinating Freshmen

Doors open at the beginning of the school year as new Vikings bring their unique attributes.

Fumbling fingers grab for a back pack as wideeyed students gaze in nervous excitement at the sign reading “Loudoun Valley High School”.

They step off the bus and on to the red carpet leading them to their first day of high school. They scramble around trying to find their homeroom and

a thousand questions whirl around in their heads.

“Will my teachers be nice? Will I know anyone in my classes?” These students are 2011’s freshmen class and they are as new to Valley as Valley is new to them.

The class of 2015 is the second class since 2001

to experience their freshmen year in the high school with sophomores, juniors, and seniors. In 2002, overcrowding in Valley and Blue Ridge Middle School had become an issue. Harmony Intermediate School opened that fall to relieve overcrowding, pushing ninth graders out of high

the adrenaline is enough to make you feel great for weeks. Dance is just a great way for me to exercise and make me feel good.” said Walton.

Walton’s commitment to dance does not stop her from striving for academic excellence. She is one of the few students who attend the Academy of Science. Though AOS is a great school with many long term rewards, it is notorious for its heavy workload.

Balancing AOS with the demands of two dance organizations is no picnic for Walton.

“I’m really loving AOS so far, but it has been adding a lot of pressure on to my schedule. I need to figure out little bits of time when I can work on homework at dance, so I’m not up late all the time.”

Walton said.

Freshmen are not the only ones happy for the change. Teachers are also excited to welcome ninth graders back into the picture. Mrs. Lowry and Mr. Dick both teach a mixture of freshmen and upperclassmen. The difference between the grade levels is apparent, and freshmen often need a unique teaching style. Mrs. Lowry uses many more hands-on activities with freshmen than she does with any other grade.

Though it has taken adjustments, she loves the change of scenery, and feels that freshmen really add something to the high school community.

“Freshmen are very energetic. They are willing to try anything and are not afraid of looking silly. They bring in new ideas and want to chart their own paths.” said Mrs. Lowry.

Mr. Dick has noticed differences between the freshmen class of 2010 and this year’s freshmen class. He thinks this may be because of the fact that this year’s ninth grade never changed from a middle school to an intermediate school.

“They are more ready to be identified as a high school student,” said Dick.

“The readiness for change is more apparent.”

Though everyone has been through a big transition, most agree that it is best to have freshmen back. They have brought new ideas and personalities to Valley, adding to the Viking spirit. They have come with open minds and clean slates, ready to learn what high school is all about. article/Gaelyn Foster photo/Charles Lyons

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school. Now that Woodgrove High difficult to deal with when I get tired of School has opened and Harmony sitting at a desk for an hour and a half, has been made into a middle school, but other than that it has been a pretty Valley has returned to its former seteasy transition. “Alba said. up welcoming freshmen back into the These alternating school days are not school. the usual teenage schedule, but Alba We all know the classic stereotype feels it is the best thing for her. Being of the freshmen class: “They’re so at home full time would be too boring immature! Why can’t they find any of for her, yet she is not used to sitting their classes? They’re too loud.” It’s at a desk all day. Alba says that it true, these stereotypical viewpoints has brought out good aspects of her are inevitable. However, the class personality. of 2015 is filled with bright, talented “I think it’s made me a little more students who are ecstatic to finally be outgoing. It put me in situations Vikings. where I had to talk to people I don’t Doug Barton is one of these young know, and I think that’s made me talents. Barton is taking this infamous more assertive.” says Alba. transition from middle school to high Loaded schedules and commitments school in stride. He said that overall, are hard for anyone to manage. the high school is a more “I just love being up on positive experience than Blue Ridge. stage and putting smiles on “I like Valley a lot more people’s faces.” than middle school because you have a lot more -Doug Barton freedom. There is a lot more responsibility though, and more is expected form you here than in middle school.” said Barton.

Among other things, Barton is a talented guitarist. His passion for music began in fifth grade when his dad played him songs on the guitar. Since then, Barton has been strumming, practicing, and improving. Not only is Barton an active member of our school’s jazz band, he also plays at private gigs. He has However, freshman Rachel Walton played at benefits and birthday parties handles her many activities skillfully. and frequently performs at coffee She, like every freshman, has had shops and pubs. Though the private to adjust to the significant jump from gigs and applause are rewarding, it is middle school to high school, but the love of music that is important to she has an unusually tight schedule.

Barton.

Walton is involved in two different “I just love being up on stage and dance organizations, both of which putting smiles on peoples’ faces.” are derived from her dance studio, Barton said.

Loudoun School of Ballet. She Another enthusiastic Viking has 50 performs two or three times a year percent of the time and 100 percent of in the Loudoun Ballet Company, the pride. Michaela Alba attends two which focuses on classical ballet, classed at Valley on A days, which are and twice a year in the Loudoun Algebra 2 and Honors Earth Science.

School of Ballets and Jazz, which is Though she is here only part of the an advanced jazz and contemporary time, she also gets a feel for high company. Various dance competitions school and a taste of the transition. are in the mix as well. Walton loves However, this transition is from home these two very different dance styles to school rather than from middle equally, which is why she does them school to high school. According to both.

Alba, these two environments are not “Dancing is my passion. Whenever I similar at all. feel horrible, it always helps to go to “Overall, the best word I could use a dance class. The feeling you get to describe it is interesting. It gets when you’re on stage is amazing and

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foreign faces

Omiko Lomiashvili - Georgia Q: How were you assigned your host family? Omiko: It’s really big process, they chose me. Ah, ah put this in, put this in--I am very grateful that they took me.

Q: How does Valley compare to your school at home? O: It’s not harder, here you get more at school from teachers, and they teach you as much as they can.

At home, I work 5 or 6 hours a day on homework. I go on Saturdays too.

Q: Have you enjoyed Valley events? O: I was at first football game it was really awesome.

But, I didn’t know anybody; I was sitting in middle of old guys. I wanted to cheer and say “Go! Go!” but…they look at me.

Sawasdee Charoenchang – Thailand Q: How does Valley compare to your school at home? Sawasdee: Really different. My school has no buses, no lockers, and more students in classes, about fifty.

Q: What’s hardest about not knowing the language here? S: Oh…very hard because it’s not my first language. I could only say “yes”, “no”, “thank you” on first day. I only studied English one year, then I got a scholarship.

Q: How was it trying to find friends here on the first day? S: Very hard, but American people easy to talk to.

Jonathan Louis Grosse – Germany Q: How was it trying to find friends here on the first day?

Jonathan: All those people on first day are kind of in groups, and this group is talking and this group is talking, and you don’t know what to do.

Q: What was the hardest part of leaving your family? J: I feel like I a bad kid, cause I’m not homesick. Yet, I never was a person that was like, “Oh, Mommy!” She works often; I was used to being alone.

Q: Have you gone to any Valley events, like games? J: I went to football games, volleyball games, and I have spirit, and I think it’s good here. In Germany, nobody would come to a game.

Exchange students talk about their experience’s so far from home.

Ali Mulhi– Yemen Q: How do the kids differ at home? Ali: We speak Arabic, but act the same. But, with girls, in my country there’s a red line there. You can’t say a lot of things around girls.

Q: How does Valley compare to your school at home? A: It’s really different. Here, it’s bigger. Our school is really little, but it goes really high. We stay in class whole day, teachers move.

Q: What’s hardest about not knowing the language? A: First few days were really hard, I thought “AH they speak really fast I cannot understand them!” but…it’s ok.

Delcio Padilha Abs Deliberato - Brazil Q:Why did you want to come here? Delcio: Because I need to speak English more.

My Grandfather is a pilot and I need to learn English to be a pilot for my family.

Q: How does Valley compare to your school at home? A: In Brazil, no buses, girls are here more beautiful. It’s easier here.

Q: What do you miss about your home? Family? D: I miss my home, because every weekend…party. And I love my family.

Q: What would you most want people to hear/know about your country? D: People in Brazil…no stress. article/ Meagan Solano photos/ Charles Lyons

VS THE RETURN OF POWDER PUFF

Juniors The junior and senior teams walk hand-in-hand towards each other at the center of the football field. Both teams are in a straight line, with the four captains in front of them. It’s dark, and the lights overhead are beaming down on the field. Supporters sit in the stands on both sides of the field.

Everyone is anxious for the game to begin. This is what the past few weeks of effort has all built up to; this is last year’s redemption.

After weeks of effort and practice, the Powder Puff battle returned on October 18. On the field, tensions were high, frustration was evident, and both teams were vicious.

The hard-fought game ended with a senior victory of 14-0.

Last year, Principal Susan Ross, along with the administration and the P.E. department, made an executive decision to cancel the annual Powder

Puff game because of a string of pranks between the junior and senior girls that got out of hand.

After last year’s incident, everyone assumed Powder Puff was gone for good. When Ross announced the return of Powder Puff, it came as a big surprise.

“Ms. Ross really looked at the whole picture and decided to bring it back,” said Powder Puff coordinator Joyce Phillips. “Her decision was backed by the administration and the P.E. department, as was last year’s decision to cancel [Powder Puff].”

Students took the initiative and convinced the administration to allow the reinstatement of the Powder Puff tradition, which was one of the main reasons for the return of Powderpuff.

“I went to Ms. Ross to see if she was even open to the idea,” said senior Chloe Spillane. “I worked with

Seniors

my Key Club adviser to write a petition on why we should get it back. Then I came up with a list of ways to prevent what happened last year, like the Pasta Party and the Honor Code. We all met with Mrs. Phillips to discuss it.”

It was no small feat. Spillane wrote a three page petition, several seniors and the P.E. department held multiple meetings with the administration, and each player, coach, and cheerleader received an honor code. The honor code, written by senior Kate Trombadore, required signatures from both the player and parent. The honor code banned team sleepovers, pranks, and derogatory action of any kind towards any person.

Seniors Allison Pentony and Katelyn Rehovich designed a list of measures to prevent a repeat of last year’s debacle; the list was presented to the administration along with the petition.

Instead of the team sleepovers, both teams attended a potluck to build team morale.

All the proceeds of the game go to various charities. The profits will be split between Key and Spirit Clubs, which are each in the process of choosing a beneficiary.

Overall, Ross is proud of Valley students for taking charge of Powder Puff and displaying their excellent leadership skills.

“I was impressed with how they worked together as a team,” said Ross. “Last year was the hardest and easiest decision for me, because I did not want to cancel Powder Puff but I knew I had to. I’m proud of the students who came together to help bring Powder Puff back.” article/Leigh George, Melissa Fairfax photos/Paige Armstrong

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Battle of the Exes Valley vs.

Woodgrove volleyball game heightens rivalry

A break up can go one of many ways. There’s type A: both parties agree to split, type B: one party leaves the other, and type C. The type that involves the rivalry of 3,000 highly competitive teenagers.

When this happens, things are bound to get a little messy.

Last year, the break-up of the century occurred when classes, couples, and cliques were ripped apart in the Woodgrove-Valley split.

Like any break up, things had been bad for a while, the student population doubling since 1995. Anyone who endured Valley’s crowded hallways in 2009 will explain just how difficult it is to get to class on time with 1,664 students blocking the way.

The division was necessary.

Inevitably, drama follows.

While hearts were broken and tears were spilled at the beginning of the split, football season came with aggression and rivalry, each school longing for the success of its own team. When Valley’s varsity football team crushed Woodgrove 510, what began as friendly competition soon spiraled into an enmity that still has both schools buzzing.

This hostility, however, has given Valley’s athletes a reason to train. This was evident September 7 when the jungle, as spirited as ever,

helped Valley’s varsity volleyball team dominate the Wolverines with a score of 25-17, 25-13, and 25-17.

While some students are put out by the over-the-top display of rivalry that was apparent at the game, it gets junior, Morgan Hammer, “pumped” for games and practices. As a prominent member of the volleyball team, she enjoys the competition.

“It‘s pretty serious. Sometimes we say mean things to each other but I like it. It’s fun.” Hammer said.

Many of the students at both schools have paid a high emotional price for the sake of this ongoing competition. As Loudoun Valley’s 50th anniversary approaches, is our struggle with Woodgrove worth damaging our honorable reputation of respect and sportsmanship?

As Valley students, many would argue that it is far more important to maintain a friendly affiliation with our sister school and preserve the sportsmanship that makes Valley one of the top schools in the county. Others however, would argue that this rivalry has only made the school stronger in spirit, especially with regard to athletic teams. Now with tighter bonds than ever, they are all committed to the defeat of the dreaded “Woodgrovians”.

This Woodgrove-Valley

“It’s pretty serious.

Sometimes we say mean things to each other but I like it.”

conflict, however, can also be seen at an academic level, Woodgrove ranking 120th out of 324 schools, and Valley ranking 25th. If the competition continues to intensify, overflowing into the academic field, could this battle of the schools push students to further their scholastic achievements? Perhaps, instead of being discouraged, or even merely being tolerated, this rivalry should be encouraged.

Although this level of competition has its pros and cons, it may be just what Valley football needs to beat it’s former fling again this year. Let’s not forget that Woodgrove finally has seniors --seniors who, during their junior year, were forced to compete against older, more experienced opponents. However, according to junior Nick Bolan, a Valley Varsity football player, the rivalry is the least of their worries.

“I don’t believe in the Woodgrove rivalry because they need to beat us in order for it to be a rivalry,” Bolan said, “ [Woodgrove is] just another team. I'm not too worried.”

Whether a meaningless past time or truly a legend, this break-up is bigger than merely one couple separating.

This is because it involves not only two people once in love, but an entire student body once in love with Valley.

Now that half have been forced onto new turf, they must continue to build up the walls of rivalry that keep them from expressing the grief they undoubtedly felt at leaving their home; the home of the Vikings article/Jo Trombadore photos/ Rachel Boisjolie

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Under the Big Top Excitement builds as students and teachers dress in original costumes to kick off this year’s school spirit.

“I wanted to be different. I figured there would be other people painted green too, so it was funny when I saw I was the only one.”

-Sophia Wade

Spirit Days from right to left go green junior Sophia Wade finds a creative way to dress up in her class colors as the green giant.= ring leader Rodney Jones hands off the Spirit Stick to the winning junior class, after the cheer off contest. decorate Delaney Cosgrove makes decorations for homecoming in her powder puff gear. when in rome Lauren Jane, Zack Wilson, Mark Cypher, and Amber Poland wrap up in their senior togas. texting troubles Frank DeMauro removes a glove to text in his Luigi costume for character day.

photos/Tierra Dongieux, Paige Armstrong

Viking Pride from left to right get loud Junior class cheerleaders vamp school spirit within the bleachers at the pep rally. aiming high Senior homecoming court members, Malia Pownall and Nick Robinson, hit every note during the senior homecoming court sing off. game time Vikings on the line face the Park View Patriots at the homecoming game.

Pep Rally from left to right break through Avery Holloman and Ciara Bucci hold the “Plunder the Patriots� sign at the pep rally for the football team to tear through. free style Senior homecoming court members, Mark Cypher and Caitlin Gore, rap their way to victory. spirit stick Members of the junior class hold up the spirit stick proudly after winning the cheer-off at the pep rally. face off Nathan Lovelace, the patriot, and Scott Steele, the viking, act out an epic battle between mascots. seaing green Junior class cheers on their peers while wearing their class color.

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More than six billion minutes are spent on Faceook each day worldwide.

If Facebook were a country, it would be the fifthlargest country in the world.

The most popular pages on Facebook are those of Michael Jackson, Homer Simpson, Facebook (the company), Barack Obama, Starbucks, and Stephenie Meyer’s “Twilight”.

FAD (Facebook Addiction Disorder) is a real, treated and diagnosed disorder.

48 percent of young Americans say they find out about news and current events solely through Facebook.

While Facebook explains how “poking” works on its help center, there is no explanation about the origin of the phrase. “We thought it would be fun to make a feature that has no specific purpose...So mess around with it, because you’re not getting an explanation from us,” said David Kirkpatrick.

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Truth is

TOP STORIES SINCE YOUR LAST VISIT (5) JD Carpenter

As surprising as it might be, the Facebook-based trend, 'Truth Is…' opens the floodgates for a revealing delve into the adolescent headspace. "It's there, it's available. What's the point of calling someone and asking 'what do you really think of me?' when you could just "like" a status and ten minutes later, get their response. It's very accessible," says sophomore J.D. Carpenter.

The fad involves one participant updating their status on the social networking site with said unfinished sentence. Then, if others are intrigued to see what that status-maker thinks of them, they use the “like” button to alert the status’s author that they’re interested in a ‘Truth Is...’ update. (Some of these statuses garner almost 100 "likes.") Minutes later the person who made the status composes an ostensibly revealing few sentences--sometimes more, occasionally less--that lets whoever it is know how they feel about them; each and every treatise prefixed by the words "truth is."

Charles Lyons

To an outside perspective, 'Truth Is…' speaks to the tendency toward passive-aggressive behavior very much present in the modern teenager. It is shocking to generations past to witness a trend such as this one. It’s a practice that illustrates the fact that millions of people would rather find out what their friends and acquaintances really make of them via the meek click of a button on the internet rather than direct inquiry.

Carpenter's thoughts certainly reinforce this. Something like 'Truth Is…' explicitly defines this generation of kids, as part of an outwardly passive-aggressive wave of individuals; people often uneasy to confront situations and problems with head-on straightforwardness. This isn't everyone, however.

Sophomore Sydney Cole would much rather let others know what she thinks of them (and vice-versa) via face-to-face, interpersonal relation. "[Trends like 'Truth Is…'] are pure silliness," Cole professes. Still, such overwhelmingly passive-aggressive behaviors persist, despite the fact that it's clear not everyone falls under that umbrella.

The trend is illustrative of a rift between the values we espouse and the actions we consciously choose to go out and perform. In fact, this pattern proves true for countless adolescents.

Many teens, whether they participate in social networking trends or not, wrestle with a disconnect between their words and their actions. For example, countless people, including Carpenter and also sophomore Julia Hink, admit to the general sameness the transparency of the 'Truth Is…' compliments. However, both students also alluded to the fact that they participate in the fad too, in full-awareness of its shortcomings. For all that arises in its wake, what drives a trend such as this one? Several students cite the most prominent force behind the popularity of 'Truth Is…' as pure boredom. Sophomore Laura Gorenshtein, a hearty proponent of the fad, agrees, saying it's of no real importance to most people, and merely just another thing to pass to the time. Others might disagree, but all are uniform in their estimation of the trend as yet another brief sideshow in the lifelong quest to find something to do.

Carpenter suggests that perhaps people are trying to construct the illusion of being entangled in a web of social

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connections and relevancy. He said he thinks "people that do ['Truth Is…'] have no life and are just narcissistic and egotistical and have nothing better to do. They just want people to have the impression that they have a social life." The internet, is, after all, a classic case of malleable, wide-open possibility. Cole feels that yearnings for connectivity and artistic inspiration are desires that can still be genuinely satisfied in other, not-sodistant corners of the web. Among others, she cites popular blogging platform Tumblr and photo-sharing platform Flickr.

Places like these are proof that both good and bad can be made from such a flexible tool, one so ever-present in our lives.

Another notable aspect of memes like 'Truth Is…' is the age of the people who engage in them, a range that generally

Charles Lyons

stretches from about 12-15 years old. As teens reach the upper reaches of their adolescent years, they begin to participate in such things less frequently. This is simple enough, but the possible reasons why this holds true are a little more complex.

Perhaps the reason stems from an inherent emotional, social, and personal immaturity present within the age range.

Subsequently, the immaturity possibly drives kids to, find clever, more inadvertent ways of solving their issues.

Equally as possible is that increased participation in 'Truth Is…' and similar fads among younger teenagers these days is a quality specific to their generation, that teens older than this range currently simply didn't experience such a fixation.

Whatever the answer, it's clear these sorts of trends are most popular with a younger adolescent crowd than an older one.

Interestingly, trends such as 'Truth Is…' are considered by most as strictly female activities. Some (such as Cole) even consider it odd for males to participate, and the fad coaxes

Sydney Cole

a certain level of abidance out of people to the strict gender codes that often govern today's generations of teens--at least those in Northern Virginia. Carpenter speaks to these codes, pointing to an intense need for social acceptance and approval as the reason many adolescent girls participate in such trends, saying that guys remain more apathetic toward these sorts of things because of the fact that they have more room to move within their boundaries of social acceptance. "With guys we can kind of chill at home and play Xbox all day if we want, but girls, they can't really do that." As it does other patterns in our various behaviors, 'Truth Is…' exposes many of the gender politics that run deep within our generation.

Surprisingly, deep-seated truths about the adolescent condition spring forth from a seemingly weightless thing such as 'Truth Is….’ This evinces that people are perhaps most completely honest and, at the same time, their most concealed selves when online.

Such is the great, endlessly frustrating and fascinating paradox of the internet. article/Charles Lyons photos/ Liam Klavon, Paige Armstrong

Zachary Kakol, junior “I don’t use chain statuses because all it is is people crying out for attention, and frankly, it is really annoying.”

Andrea Garcia, junior “[I’ve used] ‘Inbox me’ because I get interesting questions.”

Tanner Saur, senior “[I’ve used] ‘I’ll admit’ because it’s hilarious.”

Justyn Miller, senior “[I’ve used] ‘I’ll admit’ because it helps pass time.”

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We Will Never Forget 9/11...

On the tenth anniversary of September 11th, in a somber ceremony, Purcellville reveals their First Responder monument.

A gleaming American flag, from the Pentagon, stands tall in front of Fireman’s Field in Purcellville, VA. Next to the banner is a large base made from stone that was gathered from a barn in Shanksville, PA where flight 93 crashed on 9/11/2001. Atop the stone is a 24-inch, 75 pound I-beam from the World Trade Center that crumbled on September 11th, 2001, the day America was brutally terrorized by the AlQaeda terrorist group. This is Purcellville’s First Responder monument.

The design team for this project has proved to be exceptional, the members include, Wayne Hughes, David Putmen, and Allen Cochran.

When asked of his memories of 9-11 Cochran responded, “I was the restoration supervisor on the tomb of an Unknown Soldier…right next to the Pentagon. I remember, most, not understanding-flying planes into buildings were something nobody even considered. And we were right in the middle of it. I remember distinctly thinking ‘it’s never going to be the same.’ And it’s not. I hate the way we have to look over our shoulder, the way we are suspect

of different people, the people we lost, and the young people we continue to lose.”

Even Facebook, usually home to silly statuses, felt the shift in attitude on the 9/11 anniversary.

Statuses remembering the day of the attacks cluttered newsfeeds, keeping those affected in prayers, and figuratively saluting the USA for pulling through. The overwhelming amount of partiotism made statuses unrelated to the attacks seem out of place. With such heavy, troubling thoughts, the anniversary had an eerie tone to it all throughout the day. In the back of every American’s mind was the fact that the day marked a memory too awful to be sufficiently described. Everyone felt it, a nation unified in remembrance, unfortunate because of the circumstances and yet irrevocable. It was only fitting that Facebook would reflect the nation’s real-world sentiment as well. However, no matter the method that people remember 9/11, we’ve made our intention clear, we will never forget. article/ Melissa Fairfax, Torri Hart photos/ Liam Klavon

“ I hate the way we have to look over our shoulder, the way we are suspect of different people, the people we lost, and the young people we continue to lose.”

-Allen Cochran

Faces

of

Freddie

Head custodian Freddie Wright has kept the school running smoothly for over 30 years

“You can call me Freddie.

Everybody just calls me Freddie.”

Head custodian Freddie Wright has known every Loudoun Valley football coach, and could tell you about every principal. He’s an integral part of our school’s past and present, both a resource and a “constant,” the description DECA supervisor Stephen Varmecky offered of the driven custodian, adding, “he’s always here, always involved. If you need him, Freddie’s there.”

Freddie, who has worked at Valley for 35 years, is an important figure in the school’s everyday life, and one who generates a lot of respect among the students. He’s a seemingly impenetrable force of good and hard work; the student body has a lot of reverence for Freddie.

“We talk quite a bit. We talk about baseball sometimes—he’s really into the World Series. He likes sports… we just like him,” said Scott Steele, former football and wrestling coach, of the Athletic Department’s relationship

with the time-tested custodian.

“I’ve always thought [Freddie] was appreciated…at least by the staff members and I think by the students.

When we have the student/teacher day, a number of students always want to be Freddie. He’s the hardest working man in the building,” said Varmecky.

Freddie works fueled by an intense one-track determination, and displays an upmost kindness and sincerity at all times. When addressed as Mr. Wright, he simply chuckled to himself and said, “You can call me Freddie.

Everybody just calls me Freddie.”

By all accounts, he’s personable, approachable, and relatable. “Unless there’s mud on the floor, Steele notes, “then watch out!”

Few students know much about him. Few know, for example, that Freddie stays after every school night until 10 p.m., or that he comes in on weekends to help with the upkeep of

the campus. Not many are familiar with his unique language, which Steele and the Athletic Department as a whole dubbed ‘Frejulian.’ “If you can understand Frejulian, then you’re in,” Steele said.

No matter the angle at which one approaches our legendary head custodian, the sentiments are all the same.

“I like to call him ‘The Machine,’” said assistant principle Sam Gross. “He’s always busy doing something to help out.”

“He’s the captain of his ship! He’s just a hardworking man, and we appreciate it,” said Varmecky.

Freddie’s unmistakable place in history, steadfast dedication, and quiet leadership make him an essential aspect from every perspective, whether you’re an athlete, band member, teacher, librarian, or colleague. article/Jo Trombadore, Charles Lyons photos/ Charles Lyons

Too M u ch Gri t To Qui t Sara Vitkus’s experience competing in the American Eventing Championships

Eventing is a sport

that requires patience, persistence, and a lot of grit. In the equestrian world, this triathlon is considered to be one of the most intense and dangerous disciplines. The sport is divided up into three vastly different phases that test the rider’s and horse’s athleticism, boldness, and their communication as a pair. Equestrians who choose this discipline must master dressage, show jumping, and the infamous cross-country course. Eventers work year round, all with different goals in mind. However, every eventer in America secretly day dreams about one day competing at the biggest event in the United States, the American Eventing Championships (AECs).

This challenging event, located this year at Chattahoochee Hills in Fairburn, Georgia, accepts only the nation’s best riders of each level, ranging from beginner novice (lowest) to advanced (highest). Those who complete the event are among the best riders and horses in the country.

Junior Sara Vitkus is one of these talented riders who completed the AECs. She and her horse Season O’Reason (Nike) competed in the junior novice division, along with 55 other competitors. For Vitkus, this was an experience of a life time.

The first step on the journey to the AECs is qualification.

Riders and horses must both complete and place in a certain number of recognized competitions before being able to enter the AECs. The number of completions and placings required varies by the level. Qualification for novice is one 1st/2nd or two 3rd place finishes, as well as three clean cross country rounds regardless of placings. For Vitkus, qualifying was not a difficult task. She and Nike picked up their clean cross-country rounds at their first three events of the year, and received their qualifying win at Loudoun Hunt Pony Club Horse Trials, their second event of the year. From then on, they were bound for the AECs. Though the pairs who qualify are excited for the chance to compete and driven by the thought of glory, the strenuous drive

to Georgia is enough to take off some of the shine. Vitkus was among the exhausted competitors who drove for hours on end just to get to the event.

“The trip to Georgia was about 12 hours on the way down, and 13 hours on the way back, due to a blown tire. It took me a day or so to recuperate from the lack of sleep, and Nike the same,” said Vitkus. “We drove through the night.”

Nevertheless, the long haul did not take the glamour out of the experience for Vitkus. As expected, the courses were more complex, and the “questions” they asked were difficult.

Competition was tight, but Vitkus was thrilled to compete.

“The atmosphere was incredible. There were people from all over the country and everyone was really nice and friendly,” Vitkus said. “Chatt Hills was gigantic and probably five time the size of most events around here. We had to use golf carts or the minidirt bike to travel from place to place. The dressage and show jumping rings had fantastic footing, decorations all around, and lots of spectator room. The cross-country course was gorgeous and wound around the green hills of Georgia with new jumps, a nice design, a bright-blue water complex, and aerated footing.”

All in all, Vitkus was very happy with her results. She was pleased with her dressage test, and jumped clean around both show jumping and cross-country, aside from 0.8 penalties for “speeding” on cross-country. According to Vitkus, Nike gave it his all.

“Overall, it was an experience of a lifetime. It was just an honor to qualify and have the opportunity to compete against the best in the U.S., and I was glad to finish 32 out of 56,” said Vitkus.

“I would love to go back sometime, hopefully at a higher level.” article/ Gaelyn Foster photo/ courtesy of Vitkus family

“Overall, it was an experience of a lifetime.

It was just an honor to qualify.�

-Sara Vitkus

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swiss bliss For 10 days, the girls traveled about the various parts of Switzerland, building new relationships, learning foreign cultures, and having the time of their lives.

When the troop hopped off the airplane in Switzerland, they checked in at the Switzerland Girl Scout chalet.

A chalet is a triangular, cabin-like

structure with a wide roof (the rooves are actually referred to as “wides”). Troop 3744’s chalet was made up of multiple levels, with a dining hall and living rooms in another chalet.

The scouts also found themselves mingling with people from Ireland, Canada, Germany, and Switzerland.

The girls learned a lot about other cultures from interacting with these different people, and formed new friendships. Many girls keep

in touch with their friends over seas through Facebook and other internet connections.

“I learned that people are the same anywhere you go” said junior Cara Broshkevitch “Even though they were from a different culture, we’re all the same.”

The girls enjoyed activities such as shopping, white water rafting, rock climbing, zip lining, hiking, and paragliding. Thoughout the trip the girls

were eager to try all activities, everyone had their favorite.

Troop 3744 worked for three years before they were finally able to afford the trip. Each girl had to raise around $3000. They held various fundraisers and sold items such as environmentally friendly notebooks (made from recyclables. “I would definitely do it again,” said Katie Pownall article/ Gaelyn Foster and Courtney Morgan

from the left:senior Hannah Backman, senior Anna Lofdahl,senior Lindsey Ashley, junior Cara Broshkevitch, junior Katie Pownall, senior Malia Pownall, Woodgrove student: Jessi Rodgers