Back to School Issue by valerie Kibler

the

Newsstreak

where every person has a story Volume XIC • Issue 1• August 23, 2010

Freeze Frame Get your kicks on Route 66. Junior Jordan Bushong taps out jazzthemedmusic on the xylophones. Bushong, along with the rest of the band, spent hours practicing music and marching two weeks before the start of school. Photo by Maria Rose.

Summer sunset. Along the Oregon Coast, pictureseque sunsets are not difficult to find. Photo by Maria Rose.

News Briefs

Marching band members prepare for fall season

School will be closed Sept 6 for Labor Day. If you are interested in joining the HHS Forensics team, you can pick up sign up sheets on the bulletin board across from the library. The Newsstreak had 19 finalists in the Virginia State High School League Writing, Photo, and Design competition. The yearbook had eight, and the literary magazine had 15 finalists. Final results will be released at the VHSL/Jostens championship workshop in October in Roanoke along with evaluations of publications from last year.

Natalie Warner

he phrase “band camp” has a number of connotations. Some people picture summer flings and drama exclusive to television shows like The Secret Life of the American Teenager. Others envision an affair similar to boot camp, with music instructors for drillmasters and the continuous rhythm of drum cadence. But for students in the Blue Streak Band, “band camp” conjures images of August days spent on the practice field memorizing music and learning marching techniques. Many students might balk at the idea of surrendering summer vacation two weeks early, but sophomore returning marcher Margaret King offers a differing opinion. “It feels like I’m back home,” she said contentedly. Senior saxophone section leader Simona Byler readily agrees, even though she sometimes would

Sports Briefs

See Band Camp on page A8

New superintendent believes ‘learning is more than SOLS’ Maria Rose

The golf team will compete in the HHS Massanutten mini meet at the Heritage Oaks Golf Center at 2 p.m. on Aug 23. The boys and girls cross country teams will compete at the Easter Mennonite High School Invitational at Burtner Farm on Sept 11 at 10 a.m. Varsity volleyball will compete against Eastern Mennonite High School on Aug 26 at EMHS at 7 p.m. The football team will scrimmage Charlottesville High School on Aug 26, and their first game will be against Handley, at Handley High School on Sept 4. HHS will host the Massanutten Cheer Challenge on Monday, Sept 27 at 7 p.m.

editor-in-chief

r. Scott Kizner is an actor. Well, sort of. As a teenager working in New York City’s Madison Square Garden as a street vendor, he was asked to play a hot dog seller in a short scene for the movie Willy and Phil. (“Trust me, no one’s heard of it,” Kizner said.) But his line—“That’ll be fifty cents, sir”—was cut from the movie after he stumbled over the words for nearly two hours in the filming process. He has, however, had much more success in a different field: education. Kizner, a New York native, was hired this past spring as the new Harrisonburg City Public Schools system superintendent, replacing Dr. Donald Ford, whose 13 year service ended on June 30th. And Kizner is no stranger to the line of work, or the area. This is his third position working as a superintendent after functioning as superintendent in Westerly, Rhode Island and Martinsville, Virginia, for approximately six years at each job. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Baruch College in

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NYC, a Master of Arts degree from James Madison University (which is how he is so familiar with the area), and a Doctor of Philosophy degree (PhD) from Virginia Tech. In addition to that, he has worked as a school psychologist and been a teacher for students with special needs. But Kizner was not planning on being a teacher. It was not until he accepted a position as a counselor at a camp for disabled kids “at the very last minute”, that he realized his passion for working with children. In fact, when he moved to Berryville, Virginia with his wife in 1981, he hosted the first ‘group home’. This meant that he took in teens who were impaired in some way out of a hospital setting and lived with them. “It was exciting; I just got married and one week later I had five teens,” Kizner said with his heavy New York drawl. “In a sense, we were like pioneers, since we were the first ones to do it.” Kizner has also been a pioneer in his own field as superintendent. He brings with him to the HCPS system new ideas that involve heavy collaboration of staff, students, and families. In his previous jobs, he has required

Introductions. New superintendent Dr. Scott Kizner addresses the new teachers and faculty of the HCPS system at a breakfast on Wednesday, Aug 11 at VMRC. Photo by Maria Rose. every teacher to have at least 25 positive contacts between home and school, which is something he intends to establish here. This means that teachers must phone home--but instead of discussing the negatives, they share praise with families about the good things students accomplish. He is also planning to form a student advisory group, which he will meet with quarterly throughout the year to gain a student perspective of the education process and discuss updates. See Kizner on Page A8

AVID teachers focus on new teaching techniques

of eight different institutes offered across the country this summer and had about 2,000 people at each feature editor location. Each teacher spent the morning attending specific classes to learn effective practices in the dvancement Via Individual Determina- classroom that encourage writing, inquiry, collaboration (AVID) is a program that targets stu- tion, and rigor. The teachers were taught strategies dents in the academic middle – B, C, and for critical writing, reading, and incorporating colD students – who have college dreams lege tutors into their curriculum. Collins and Moyand a good work ethic. AVID stuers spent time with several other dents are capable of succeeding AVID administrators to discuss Several of in advanced classes but need asadministration of the program, the personal sistance to reach their full potendocumentation, and funding. tial. AVID’s objective is to close stoires...were Cathy After the classes, the site team the achievement gap and prepare set goals for the next few years heart-wrenchSoenksen, students for a four-year college as the program expands. They ing and cause AVID or university. Last year, HHS spent the afternoons working decided to join AVID’s program for celebra- teacher on a site plan for HHS, making and aide and instill its goals in students plans for the upcoming year, and tion.” enrolled in the elective. During deciding what changes needed the summer, AVID site members to be made as HHS’ second year from HHS attended a summer institute in Chicago, as an AVID school. Illinois to learn how to improve the program in our The site team enjoyed the 30th Anniversary Celhigh school. ebration Luncheon that was thrown during their visit The AVID site team, made up of District Director the most. Kirk Moyers, Site Coordinator Gail Collins, elective “The highlight of the week-long institute was listeachers Bonnie Anderson and Cathy Soenksen, and tening to four recent high school AVID graduates exEnglish teachers Peter Norment and Jen Rose, visited plain how AVID changed their lives,” Rose said. AVID’s summer institute July 26th-30th. It was one See AVID on page A8

Christy Stearn

Homecoming previews and SCA updates Football coverage and statistics The Hunger Games book reviews Athlete spotlight Immigration issue and controversy coverage More bang for your buck: finding cheaper items around town Sarver awarded ‘Coach of the Decade’ and retirement announcement Getting to know Principal Irene Reynolds Tips for succeeding on your SATs

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staff reporter

rather be “out of the hot sun, preferably sleeping.” Band camp marks the beginning of something exciting: the marching season. “Part of me gets excited for the season…I just hope to have as positive of an experience as I’ve had in years past, and have fun the whole time. For me, that’s really what it’s about,” Byler said Though the overall experience seems to be a positive one, marching band can be both challenging and exhausting. Temperatures routinely reach the upper eighties and nineties, and the late August humidity can be stifling. Band members have developed a number of traditions to make camp more enjoyable. Various activities, including water balloon volleyball competitions, movie nights, and themed days like “Superhero Day” and “Country Day”, encourage high spirits. Byler is more than happy to offer an illustration. “On Country Day, we all talk with Southern accents and rock some John Deere logos,” she said.

Newly elected SCA officers plan on bringing the entire student body together Aidan Newcity feature editor

very May the HHS student body votes to elect SCA officers. SCA, or the Student Council Association, is a student-run board of five students trying to make the students get involved in the school and put on events to reach their goals. This year the SCA executive board consists of President Kathy Rodriguez, Vice President Leo Arango, Secretary Ryan Fletcher, Treasurer Christine Choi, and Reporter Lauren Martin. The month before school let out the SCA met and made plans for events for the upcoming 20102011 school year. The SCA did not meet anytime during the summer, but instead focused on creating different plans during their May meeting. “This year the SCA has come up with a variety of plans. We hope to start giving students treats for their birthday like we used to get when we were back in elementary. We are planning on having movie nights like we had a few years back. This year we hope to have a homecoming like the student body has not seen before,” Rodriguez said. Choi is determined to get more students involved with every event and especially spirit week. The SCA always has that goal in mind when planning events. “We want even more students participating in penny wars, powderpuff football, and class wars. We’re trying to expand everything that was successful last year and make them even better,” Choi says. See SCA on page A2

Band moms are an essential part of band camp’s successes Phillip Bannister editor-in-chief

full two weeks before most students return to Harrisonburg High School, our Blue Streak marching band can be found here practicing. This long and potentially tedious time period is known as band camp to marching band students. Students spend hours at the high school playing their instruments and marching every day through the course of band camp. With this extensive practice schedule it is easy to overlook all the work that goes into it as a whole. Band moms, although silent in the background, do a lot for band throughout the season and especially throughout band camp. “It’s a full week of food they need,” Aileen Steere said. “Six days of full lunch. We have to come up with that from various eateries around town. Some food is donated and some is at a reduced rate.” Along with the places around town, parents of former band members still donate food for band camp despite the fact that their child has graduated. The band mothers see their contributions as a way to help the students get the work done they need with no extra stress of having to worry about providing their own food or snacks for breaks. “We do all the support so that they can focus on the music,” Terry Hess said. “They are 100 percent dependent on us.” The mothers go out of their way not to just provide the students with food but with planned balanced meals. See MOMS on Page A8

IN PRINT ON THE WEB

Harrisonburg High School • 1001 Garbers Church Road • Harrisonburg, VA 22801 • 540.433.2651 •

The Newsstreak

August 23, 2010

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The Newsstreak

August 23, 2010

Maria Rose - News A2

HHS welcomes new staff members to Harrisonburg Lynette Nussbaum

Adam Goble

Billy Martin

Michelle Leaman

Subject: Special Education Years taught: 5 years Previous schooling: Eastern Mennonite University Previous teaching experience: Stone Spring Elementary School- 1year, Thomas Harrison Middle School- 1 year, R.E. Lee- 3 years. Why do you teach the subject you teach? I enjoy working with small groups What got you interested in teaching? How teachers helped me when I was struggling in school. What is your favorite thing about teaching? Seeing the light bulb go on in students heads. What do you do on the weekends? Read, hike cook, sleep, friends What is your favorite... Food? Fruit Song? Folk TV show? The Office Book: Whatever I have to read What was your first job? Baby sitting What’s your guilty pleasure? Hitting the snooze button If you did anything besides teaching, what would it be? Social worker

Subject: Ap Environmental Science and Biology Previous schooling: B.S. from Virginia Tech, MSa from Michigan State Previous teaching experience: Teaching assistant at Michigan State Why do you teach the subject you teach? Enjoy biology and envoronmental science What got you interested in teaching? I enjoyed teaching more than research in grad school What is your favorite thing about teaching? Dynamic learning envornments What do you do on the weekends? Reading Favorite food? Tacos What was your first job? lab assistant What’s your guilty pleasure? Dairy queen blizzards If you did anything besides teaching, what would it be? Researcher

Subject: Library/ Media Specialist Years taught: 11 Previous schooling: JMU bachelors and masters. Previous teaching experience: 8 years at E. Wilson Morrison elementary, 3 years at Linville Elementary Why do you teach the subject you teach? I love books and reading. What got you interested in teaching? My mother taught and Anna Marie Plowman, a former boss, was most encouraging What is your favorite thing about teaching? Sharing books with others and finding out what they are reading What do you do on the weekends? Read, eat, and do house ‘stuff’. What is your favorite... Song? Stained Glass Windows- Levi Kreis What was your first job? Working in the music library at JMU. What’s your guilty pleasure? Cookbooks... lots of cookbooks! If you did anything besides teaching, what would it be? Are there other careers besides teaching...?

Subject: ESL/ Spanish Years taught: 0 Previous schooling: EMU, Broadway High School Previous teaching experience: I student taught here at HHS last Jan.-March 2010. Why do you teach the subject you teach? I love languages and learning about different cultures. What got you interested in teaching? The teachers I’ve had and growing up with my dad as a teacher/ princpal What is your favorite thing about teaching? Getting to know my students What do you do on the weekends? Relax What is your favorite... Food? non-American Song? Christian music Book? The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky What was your first job? babysitting What’s your guilty pleasure? dark chocolate If you did anything besides teaching, what would it be? Overseas missions

Jeff Oswald

Darrell Wilson

Amy Histand

Lauren Kershner

Subject: Math Years taught: 0 Previous schooling: Mount Union College, University of Akron Previous teaching experience: Field Placement at THMS- Fall ‘09 Why do you teach the subject you teach? Math is the universal language What got you interested in teaching? Opportunity to influence young people in a positive way. What is your favorite thing about teaching? Sharing knowledge with students; seeing them succeed/ accomplish goals. What do you do on the weekends? Visit friends, fish, kayak, work as a whitewater raft guide, sponatneosly nap, read What is your favorite... Song? Eye of the tiger- Survivor TV show? Man vs. Wild Movie? Rudy Book? Many... anything really What was your first job? A paper route What’s your guilty pleasure? Catching an Ohio State football game at The Horseshoe If you did anything besides teaching, what would it be? Coach or some sort of wilderness guide

Subject: Business Years taught: 0 Previous schooling: BA University of Virginia, MS VCU Previous teaching experience: Student Practicum at HHS, Spring 2010 in P.E. Why do you teach the subject you teach? I have a lot of experience in business and administration and enjoy the business world What got you interested in teaching? I enjoy working with young people and wanted to pursue a new career What is your favorite thing about teaching? Watching students make their own discoveries through learning What do you do on the weekends? Sports with my daughters What is your favorite... Food? steak Song? Melt with you Movie? Star Wars: ‘A New Hope’ TV show? Rescue Me Book? All Dan Brown and Conn Iggulden books What was your first job? Facility coordinator What’s your guilty pleasure? Coca Cola If you did anything besides teaching, what would it be? Restaurant owner

Subject: English Years taught: 0 Previous schooling: EMU, Christopher Dock Mennonite High School Previous teaching experience: Student teacher at HHS and Montevideo Middle Why do you teach the subject you teach? I love reading and writing. I love sharing that with students and listening to their perspectives. What got you interested in teaching? I have had many wonderful teachers nad they have inspired me What is your favorite thing about teaching? The students, of course! What do you do on the weekends? Cooking and baking, biking, spending time with friends What is your favorite... Food? ice cream Song? Let it be by the Beatles TV show? Lost Book? Usually the one I’ve most recently read- in that case, The Brothers K, by David James Duncan What was your first job? I worked at a gift shop in Pennsylvania, where I’m from What’s your guilty pleasure? Chocolate! NEWS

August 25, 2008

SCA plans for homecoming already underway SCA, from A1 Homecoming, the annual dance for all grades in the fall, is produced by the SCA. They are responsible for picking the playlist, decorations, date, and more. The SCA hopes to put on a successful and special homecoming for the 2010-2011 student body. They are planning to recruit the art club and drama department to help with decorations, also trying to get more students involved. At a HHS, the Red Sea is a tradition. The Red Sea is a student section that supports the activities at HHS. Football is the main sport where the Red Sea student section makes appearances, but this year the SCA hopes to change that by encouraging the student section to attend more school activities. “We hope to include more of our peers to participate in school activities,” Rodriguez said. Another plan that the SCA has come up with is for Valentine’s Day. They hope to sell “CRUSH” sodas, so the students can send them to their crush. Rodriguez has a lot of duties on her hands as president. She is the most excited for spirit week and homecoming and seeing if she can truly get everyone involved in each event. Rodriguez herself wants to communicate with the students personally, especially getting the shy ones to participate. Choi is excited to see how much the change can make the school better involved. “We want to take common interests and think of all of the things that students are into at that time and incorporate that into the event we plan,” Choi said.

-8-11:30

Subject: School Conselor (F-L) Years taught: 1 Previous schooling: College of William and Mary, JMU (MEd., Ed.S.) Previous teaching experience: 1 year Page county elementary school Why do you teach the subject you teach? I love talking and listening to students What got you interested in teaching? Interested in children and students, and I had some wonderful counselors What do you do on the weekends? Hang out with my husband, watch sports, go out to eat or cook. What is your favorite... Food? Ice cream Song? Anything my husband plays or sings... he’s a wonderful musician TV show? Survivor Movie? A League of Their Own Book? A Thousand Splendid Suns and Oh, The Places You’ll Go (Dr. Seuss) What was your first job? Life Guard/ Swim Lessons Instructor What’s your guilty pleasure? Clothes shopping If you did anything besides teaching, what would it be? Professional Photographer page designed by Katie Surratt A2

The Newsstreak

August 23, 2010

Mark Duda/Maria Rose- Style A3

Tar Heel Football Facts

Landon Turner commits to UNC with football scholarship Turner on track to graduate early, start college in January – Chapel Hill. “Overall, I think that it was just the best fit for me,” Turner sports editor said. “The campus, the coaches and players, and the lifestyle were the deciding factors for me.” My name is Landon Turner and I am a Tar Heel.” Turner explained that playing at UNC, an up and coming This short and sweet statement ended a long period program in college football, will increase his chances at getting filled with excitement, stress, and overall craziness. a shot in the National Football League, a lifelong goal that he Turner, who was ranked the sixth has had. best offensive guard in the country by Turner also hopes UNC will help him “If I could Scout.com, had received 15 scholarship reach his goal of winning the Outland offers, from college football powerhouses sum up the Trophy, an award given to the country’s such as Florida, Louisiana State and interior lineman. whole recruit- Senior topThough Georgia. he plans to graduate in “If I could sum up the whole recruiting ing process, I Landon December to be able to take part in spring process, I would just say it was crazy,” would just say Turner practice, Turner still has his eyes set on his Turner said. “It’s a relief to finally know final year playing on Friday nights. where I’m going to be attending college.” it was crazy.” “I want to give everything I have, and Hundreds gathered in the HHS gym then some every time I step onto the field , commons on July 11 anticipating Turner’s because I know that these moments will be college choice. Turner had narrowed his long list down to three: something that I can not have back,” Turner said. “I’m looking Virginia Tech, West Virginia University, and The University of to have a great year with a bunch of guys that I love to play with North Carolina – Chapel Hill. Over cake and punch, Turner best.” ended all hearsay, and picked The University of North Carolina

Shane McMahan

“

History of the ‘Flying Disc’ 1871-

William Russel Frisbie buys and renames a Bridgeport, CT pie company “Frisbie Pie Company”

1900-

Yale University students buy Frisbie’s pies and discover the pie’s pans can fly if thrown.

1948-

Walter Fredrick Morrison, a WW2 veteran, returns from war at the same time that flying saucers from space are a popular topic among civilians. -Morrison decides to capitalize on the flying disc, and adopts something else new at the time to produce them with- plastic.

-In 2009, UNC had an 8-5 overall record with a 4-4 record in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) -UNC has been in 27 Bowl Games, with a 12-15 record in them. -UNC has produced 75 AllAmericans -UNC has produced 31 current NFL athletes, including threetime Pro-Bowler Jeff Saturday (Center, New York Jets), fivetime Pro-Bowler Julius Peppers (Defensive Tackle, Chicago Bears) and two-time Pro-Bowler Willie Parker (Running Back, Washington Redskins).

Thomas starts summer tournaments of volleyball, Ultimate Frisbee Vanessa Ehrenpreis

managing editor

olleyball and Ultimate Frisbee are not sports for the average Joe. As junior Emmett Copeland puts it, “Volleyball requires a high skill level.” And senior Keith Thomas has a few requirements for anyone who wishes to play a game of Ultimate Frisbee. “You have to have ups, score, and somewhere in there should be having fun,” Thomas said. Somehow dozens of HHS students met these rigorous requirements and enjoyed playing numerous games of volleyball and ultimate this summer. It all started during the 2010 outdoor track season. Thomas enjoyed playing Frisbee during practice so much, that he began setting up games outside of school. “Frisbee was started by a lot of us playing in outdoor track. We’d call everyone after practice and play somewhere. It’s mostly the runner crowd, but anyone comes,” Thomas said. “I invite everyone on my phone, and then they invite everyone else.” Attendance varies anywhere from 12 to 40 people, but everyone always has a good time. Copeland decided to share his love for volleyball with much of the group, and soon games of volleyball were happening, sometimes even after the Frisbee matches. “The volleyball girls come to play, and guys who wish volleyball were a sport at the

high school. Many different groups within the high school show up. There is a common interest at HHS,” Copeland said. “Games happen a couple times a week at night.” Frisbee games often take place at Spotswood and Waterman Elementary schools. Volleyball is usually at a court in JMU, or OCP’s [Our Community Place’s] outdoor court. Because of the almost unbearable heat, matches take place in the evening. Occasionally people bring water, PowerAde, and ice as a refreshing treat. Vo l l e y b a l l and Ultimate

Fr i s are fairly simple games to play. For volleyball, you just pass the ball over the net [with your hands] and return it the same way. Ultimate is practically the same, just on a field, and without a net. As Thomas puts it, “Team A throws off to team B. B tries to get to the in zone by passing. Those are the basics.” bee

Although it may appear straightforward, Frisbee [and volleyball] can be difficult, and even dangerous. Games often become intense, and people will do anything to score a point. “I’ve accidentally bitten [Ross] Bair in the face. My mouth was open and we both went up to catch the Frisbee… About four people in five minutes were hurt. We stopped the game,” Thomas said. Most people are so focused on the Frisbee that they forget about their surroundings. Junior William Imeson has gotten a black eye when he ran into one of his fellow teammates, and many others have sustained injuries for similar reasons. Even with the possibility of hurting yourself, Thomas and Copeland enjoy playing. “There isn’t one thing I enjoy about volleyball most, it’s just a fun game,” Copeland said. Thomas believes that everyone at some point will play Frisbee. “You can’t get through life without playing a game of Frisbee. People play in college, and high school, pretty much everywhere.” And not just teenagers play. “One time the entire seven-year-old population of Harrisonburg ran onto the field where we were playing. It was so weird,” Thomas said. Even though the Frisbee and volleyball games are much loved, their continuation looks bleak. School and sports will complicate things, but hopefully there will be the occasional match.

As the summer heat sets in, HHS sports get started: football, cheerleading, and band camp spend their August training

1951-

Morrison invents what would later be known as Wham-O’s legendary Pluto Platter. The slope on the outside of the modern Frisbee is still known as the Morrison slope.

1958-

Richard Knerr and A.K. ‘Spud’ Melin, recent U. Southern California grads and owners of a fledgling toy company, Wham-O, see Morrison’s disc on Los Angeles beaches. One day, Knerr and Melin observed Morrison selling his wares in the middle of the street, holding up traffic. Rescuing him from the police, the entrepreneurs invite him to their factory, and make him a deal.

Ready to score. Members of the HHS varsity football team suit up in shoulder pads and helmets during one All that jazz! Saxophone of their two-a-day practices prior to the beginning of section leader senior Simona Byler works on blocking out the school. Head coach Tim Sarver has announced his retirement after the completion of this season and marching band performance lineman senior Landon Turner has signed a letter of during summer band camp. Band members endured record intent to play football at UNC Chapel Hill next fall. high temperatures while learn- Turner will be graduating from HHS in December in ing the halftime routine. Photo order to go immediately to UNC to begin classes and participate in spring training. Photo by Maria Rose. by Maria Rose.

1960-

On a trip to Harvard Universit y, after selling the discs for several years, Knerr and Melin hear the word Frisbie used for their discs for the first time, due to the influence of Frisbie’s pies. They incorporate the term for their product- incorrectly rendering it as “Frisbee.” Infographic by Mark Duda

Game on! Members of the competition cheer squad practice their dance. Photo by Maria Rose.

Block it! Members of the volleyball teams run blocking drills during an early morning practice. Photo by Maria Rose.

The Newsstreak

August 23 2010

Emily Jamieson - Style A4

Organization is key to successful high school year David Proctor editor-in-chief

eginning this school year, many students at HHS will see a slight, but noticeable change in the way that classes are conducted. Organization will be emphasized more heavily than ever before. “We’ve always pushed hard with the freshmen, but this year we’re expanding that to all grade levels,” principal Irene Reynolds said. To ensure that students remain organized, the administration is going to continue advocating the use of planners. In addition, all students will be required to have a binder with index dividers and teachers will begin to consistently check them in order to ensure that students remain organized. The United Way “Stuff the Bus” effort will supply all students who can not afford these

What do you do to stay awake during school? “I drink bunches of Mountain Dew.” - senior, Matt Mendez “I drink coffee in the mornings to stay awake.” - senior Tara Hinkle

school supplies with them. “Stuff the Bus” was a week-long effort to get people to fill up a school bus with school supplies, which would then be donated to those in need. World history and world geography teacher Jere Borg plans on handing out packets with all class materials in it. She also plans to check planners and notebooks. “I’ve always had planner checks so I plan to keep doing that. I’m also going to start checking notebooks more often,” Borg said. Reynolds cites the AVID College Prep program as the inspiration behind this plan. “AVID really opened our eyes with the growth they’ve had. We have kids who normally would not have taken honors classes, now taking honors classes. If it worked for them, let’s try the whole school,” Reynolds said. Reynolds hopes this emphasis on organization will prevent students from facing difficulties in school or work later on. “There aren’t going to be reminders in

college or in work. What we’re trying to do is expose them to organization and we hope that some may begin to see the light. Others will go through their entire life being disorganized, but we want them to see how much easier being organized makes things,” Reynolds said. Borg concurs and claims that students would waste less time by being organized. “You get so much more done by being organized,” Borg said. “You don’t have to go home and waste time thinking about what your homework was, you can just pull out your planner and look. You don’t have to keep looking for assignments.” However, teachers will also play a critical role in keeping students organized. They will ensure students keep neat, organized notebooks, modeled after the “AVID notebook”, and begin devoting class time to study skills. The “AVID notebook” is a notebook for the AVID program in which students keep pens, pencils, Cornell notes (condensed, simplified notes on complex topics), a planner and

What exactly you need to be prepared for HHS: Sometimes, lunch takes a long time to roll around, especially if you have the third shift. Be sure to bring some granola bars and snacks to keep energy levels up.

Having a Red Sea shirt is vital--wear it to all the sporting events and join the student section. School pride is a big deal at HHS, and everyone should get involved! The temperatures at the school are always in a constant flux (even though our staff does work hard to keep it under control), so be prepared for rooms that range from boiling hot to freezing cold. Bringing a sweatshirt is your safest bet to make sure that you are not too uncomfortable during class.

“I tend to talk a lot in class, so I don’t fall asleep,” - junior, Amy Guevara “I just pay attention during class.” sophomore Mary McMahan “I chew gum and draw on the sides of my notes.” junior Kari King

“I sleep first block and stay awake for the next three blocks.” - junior Jordan Bushong

extra notebook paper. “We’re going to have teachers keep students caught up. For example, let’s say there’s a long-term research paper. We want the teacher to say ‘Folks, there’s an outline due in a week. There’s a rough draft due in two weeks.’ That way the teachers know the students aren’t struggling to do the entire thing the night before,” Reynolds said. Some teachers are going to offer incentives to students who remain organized. “I’ve always offered stickers when I do planner checks. I know it sounds corny, but I give students a sticker for each time they’ve filled out their planner. After they get 10 stickers, I give them choices: they can either get 10% extra credit on an assignment or I give them a certificate to the cafeteria. That’s been pretty successful so I’m going to keep doing that” Borg said. “We’re only strong when everyone is on board,” Reynolds said. “This is going to be a school-wide effort.

Even though backpacks are not allowed at school, be sure to bring some sort of bag to keep your books together. Otherwise, it is difficult to make it all the way to your locker if you are on the other side of the school.

Cartoon by Emily Knupp

The basics supplies to get you through class 1. Multiple pens or pencils for homework, class work, or tests: having cool colors makes taking notes more exciting. 2.A flash drive: using a flash drive in school makes it easier to bring work that you have completed at home to school or vice versa. 3.A calculator: having a calculator on you at all times assures that you will always be prepared for class or for homework. 4.Sticky notes or note cards: these are great for note taking or writing down reminders or homework assignments. 5.Using a planner: having a school planner not only keeps you on track with school and homework, it can also be used for extracurricular events as well as school games that you may want to attend.

1 2

5 infographic by Phillip Bannister

Unique fashions are findable in thrift stores Ama Ansah

staff reporter

or students looking to separate themselves from the rest of the fashion crowd without spending a fortune, there is no better place than a thrift store. Sophomore Kari King frequents thrift stores occasionally, combing the racks at Goodwill. “You have to find [clothes] that are good. Some of them are crap,” King said. But it is an adventure, and the prices cannot be beat. “It’s so much cheaper than going to the mall,” King said. She mostly buys jeans but is always amused by the more dated clothes in stores. There are the old prom dresses and old lady dresses, and frocks she describes as “billowy with hideous flowers and buttons.” Junior Jo Donahue favors thrift stores to strip malls. She has the best luck at Goodwill. Her reasons for not going to mainstream stores are numerous. “First of all, my mom is an ex-

hippy, so she has a really large problem with chain stores or any large corporation. Plus, I like the idea of clothes reincarnation. If you need something that you are only going to wear once, like a prom dress or something for a play, it’s very practical to come here because it costs less,” Donahue said. Freshman Sam Martin is also surprised by what one can find at a thrift store. He recalls seeing a 1970’s style blouse with a huge butterfly collar and being very tempted to buy it but deciding against it. Second hand stores do not only sell clothes. Sometimes shoppers can find objects such as plates, radios, furniture and sometimes instruments. “The best thing I ever got was an Indian rain maker stick. It’s legit,” Martin said. “I found it up in Boston.” The Donahue family sometimes purchases kitchen equipment at thrift shops. Things that perform specific tasks are usually in store. “Those things, you can find them but they’re ridiculously

expensive and they only perform Still, Donahue encourages something profoundly hideous or one task so get them used because people to give second hand shops exactly what you need,” Donahue they work perfectly fine,” Donahue a second look. said. said. “You can find anything. Which And if nothing else, it is an Some people, like senior means there’s the potential to find unexpected adventure. Maryama Salehi, use thrift shops if they cannot find what they were looking for otherwise. “Last time I went was a little bit before Halloween. I was trying to find something to see if I could make something like a gypsy costume,” Salehi said. “Then the other time I was looking for bookshelves. I wanted a cheap one so I went to Mercy House.” There are items that shoppers should be wary of purchasing. Donahue discourages swimsuits and undergarments and says it is best to check shoes before buying. “Foot stink, it creeps up on you. But if other people have it, you can’t get rid of it,” Donahue Hittin’ the racks. Thrift stores have many different options for clothes for cheap prices. Thrift stores materials range from clothes to books to random said.

The Newsstreak

August 23, 2010 The Harrisonburg High School Newsstreak The Policy The Newsstreak is published by the students of Harrisonburg High School every month. Reproduction of any material from the newspaper is prohibited without the written permission from the editors. Advertising rates are available upon request. It is the policy of the Harrisonburg City Public School Board to comply with all applicable state and federal laws regarding nondiscrimination in employment and educational programs and services. The Harrisonburg High School City Public Schools will not discriminate illegally on the basis of sex, race, religion, national origin, disability or age as to employment or educational programs and activities. Editorials appearing without a byline represent the majority opinion of the staff, but not necessarily the opinion of the adviser, school administration, or the school system. Signed editorials are accepted from people on the staff, but are subject to editing according to published guidelines and policies. Editorials may be edited for special reasons. Letters to the editor are encouraged and must be signed and a telephone number must be given. Names may be withheld if the editorial staff feels there is a just cause. The Newsstreak reserves the right to edit and may refuse to publish ads or letters deemed inappropriate, libelous, or obscene. Please drop your letter by room 444 or give them to any staff member. Letters may also be sent to the high school. The editors and staff : Editors-in-Chief: Print: Maria Rose, Phillip Bannister; Online: David Proctor, Alison Domonoske Managing Editors: Vanessa Ehrenpreis, Jack Burden Section Editors: News - Maria Rose Opinion - Lauren Martin Style - Christine Choi Feature - Aidan Newcity Sports - Vanessa Ehrenpreis Fun Director: Lauren Martin Advertising Manager: Lauren Martin Business Manager: Savanah Cary Photographers: Emily Jamieson, Maria Rose, Paulina Rendon, Olivia McCarty, Phillip Bannister Cartoonist: Emily Knupp Page Designers: Christy Stearn, Emily Jamieson, Lauren Martin, Paulina Rendon, Molly Denman, Michael Johnson, Madison Wilson, Kavya Beheraj, Heather HunterNickels, Mark Duda, Shane McMahan, Ama Ansah, Phillip Bannister, Christine Choi, Olivia McCarty, Maria Rose, Vanessa Ehrenpreis, Aidan Newcity Staff Reporters: Kavya Beheraj, Heather Hunter-Nickels, Michael Johnson, Christy Stearn, Madison Wilson, Shane McMahan, Mark Duda, Alex Hickman, Kirsten Ferguson, Maggie Siciliano, Ben DiNapoli, Erin Goodstein, Anastasiya Kalyuk, Jenny Kniss, Cristina Mikhaylyuk, Eung-Dap Kim, Charity O’Connor, Rachel O’Connor, Leah Selleck, Lukas Stephan, Natalie Warner, Howard Zuo, Peter Byrd, William Imeson, Zach McDonnell, Simona Byler, Xuyi Guo, Ali Byrd, Mia Karr Freshmen Reporters: John Adamek, Samantha Blake, William Bleckley, Emerson, Bonga, Matt Bowman, Austin Coffey, Megan Coverstone, Anthony Duong, Celia Ehrenpreis, Kevin Franco, Johnathan Gomez-Lemus, Jessica Jolicoeur Professional Affiliations: The Newsstreak participates as a member of several journalistic evaluation services including the Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA-2009 Gold Evaluation and 2005 & 2009 Silver Crown Winner), Quill&Scroll Journalism Honor Society (2009 First Place International Award), National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA), the Virginia High School League, Inc. Trophy Class Award, and the Southern Interscholastic Press Association All Southern Ranking. newsstreak.com opt out notice: If you do NOT want to allow your student’s full name or image to appear on the school newspaper site, please send an email to vkibler@ harrisonburg. k12.va.us stating: I understand that the school newspaper, newsstreak.com, now has an online version of the publication. I DO NOT want my son/daughter (place student’s name here) to have his or her name or image published on this online venue.

Lauren Martin- OP/ED A5

Do you rent Condo A or Condo B? What’s Natalie Warner

staff reporter

n life, there are two different kinds of people: the residents of Beach Condominium A, and the residents of Beach Condominium B. That’s the way life is in Ocean City, Maryland, anyway. The residents of Condo A have a location on the beachfront, with an extensive view of the ocean from their ornate balcony. The residents of Condo B are staying across the street from the beach, with an extensive view of a sketchy shopping center from the peephole in the front door. The residents of Condo A have a pool located in their building and a whirlpool in the master bathroom. The residents of Condo B have a bathroom with a shower, sink, and toilet so close they can sit on the toilet, take a shower, and wash their hands simultaneously. The residents of Condo A have a fully equipped kitchen, complete with stainless steel appliances and a corner wine cooler. The residents of Condo B have a mini fridge, a mini stove, and a halfway functional toaster oven. The residents of Condo A have extra bedrooms for storage. The residents of Condo B have one bedroom and

one broken sleeper sofa. The residents of Condo A have easy access to one of the nation’s most exciting boardwalks. The residents of Condo B have to drive 100 blocks and pay $10 to park. The residents of Condo A have 500 channels of cable and a slick HDTV. The residents of Condo B have a TV the size of a lunchbox and five channels of cable, including the Weather Channel and C-Span. The residents of Condo A have Wi-Fi access in every room. The residents of Condo B have to walk across the street to McDonalds for free Wi-fi. The residents of Condo A have access to a beautiful beach, soft yellow sand, and wild summer sky. The residents of Condo B have access to the same beautiful beach, soft yellow sand, and wild summer sky. Even if the residents of Condo B ended up there due to an unfortunate lack of planning and a rather misleading ad for a “beachside” condominium, and even if one particular resident of Condo B is hesitant to rehash all the unfortunate details, the beach always comes as advertised. There is always enough sand, always enough sky, and always a brave, blue stretch of beautiful ocean. Regardless of whether or not you can see it from your condo.

Body, don’t fail me now! (Please?) Zach McDonnell staff reporter

his summer I attended a two-week history class at the prestigious Brown University. And, boy, was it the time of my life! My teacher was just magnificent, my peers were equally as enlightening, and the girls sure were goodlooking (and—gasp!—smart). I learned a whole lot about American life in the 1960s. Now I’ll just be more impatient to enjoy the rigors of university life! The paragraph above was supposed to be the narrative of this story. To say the least, it is not. This summer, there were no teachers, no peers, and certainly no girls. My experience instead involves needles, IVs, and a million little cups of apple juice. If you don’t get the idea, I was in the hospital. Whoopee! On the morning of June 28 a pain in my abdomen awoke me. It wasn’t stabbing or fiery, but just felt like a bad cramp. Despite my best attempts to abate the pain (a bowl of cereal and two Motrin), the cramp wouldn’t subside— until nine. The cramp came back the next morning. Luckily, on that very day, I happened to have a doctor’s appointment. When I brought up the cramp issue, the doctor asked a few questions and palpated my abdomen. An ominously hollow sound echoed across the room. The doctor broke the silence that ensued: “Any history of gallstones in the family?” My mother could only shrug. The question made sense; the gallbladder is in the upper-right quadrant, and it becomes inflamed at night and after fatty meals. I was referred to a radiologist at Rockingham Memorial Hospital, where I was to get a sonogram. The next day, I received a cell phone call while out with a friend.

The results of the sonogram were in, my mother told me. I had gallstones. The cramps I had were suddenly gallbladder “attacks.” My doctor said I needed to have my gallbladder removed. The dullest vacation known to mankind followed. Everything took a backseat to the stones, which the doctors said shouldn’t affect physical ability but certainly did. Do you want to go to the beach, Zach? No, I have gallstones. Do you want to drive out somewhere, Zach? No, I have gallstones. Running? No. Swimming? No. Living? If only. Everything got a “no” except sitting in the freezing cold beach house and watching TV. I left Delaware feeling neither refreshed nor relaxed. I left it in the same state in which I entered—and I’m not talking about Maryland. I mean boredom, boredom that incessantly enters new depths. I had fallen victim to a certain boredom usually reserved only for disabled war veterans, old people, and the chronically unemployed. It’s a boredom that prevents desires from being fulfilled. It’s a kind that makes the victim say, “What’s the point?” It’s a helpless form of loneliness. I found myself becoming not only bored but boring. Who wants to be around someone who feels trapped by their own body, who lives in fear of pain? So I didn’t bother anyone. In the meantime, my mind became numb. The hospital wasn’t lacking in drama. My roommate, Jason, a D.C. native with frequent seizures, attacked his grandfather due to the aggression a drug called Phenobarbital caused. He would often roll out of his bed and smack against the sterile tile floor. He would call the nurses at one, two, three, four, five in the morning to make a gurgling, groaning sound. The drug was supposed to just make him fall asleep, but due to his weight, well, as Jason explained:

“That pill y’all gave me made me drunk!” And so I’d lie in my bed, on morphine, wondering if I was safe. But my safety wasn’t my only concern. I frequently complained to my nurse Christine about various pains, anxieties, and the fact that Jason wouldn’t stop turning the light on and off. Finally she just said: “You worry too much. You’re a worrier. Most guys your age, they’re just kind of like, ‘Whatever,’ but you, you worry a lot. I don’t know why.” I do. My body failed me. I got an affliction typified by that phrase “female, fat and forty.” This isn’t the first time either that an organ of mine has rebelled. I had an appendectomy at age nine. So at seventeen, I’ve had two “useless” (yet harmful) organs removed. If I’m experiencing diseases that mostly forty-year-olds get, what will my health be like when I am forty? Fifty? Sixty, if I even make it that long? How long before useful organs need to be transplanted or removed? I’ve been told multiple times that I’m in “perfect” health. None of what’s harmed me is my fault. Apparently, there is a history of gallstones in the family. I’m not a victim of poor habits but poor biology. I can’t possibly help that; no one can. So forgive me, but I’m just a tad concerned about my own mortality. Whatever. Everything will probably be fine. When it comes to biology, what else can be said? I could have been dealt a much worse hand. I have a royal flush compared to many, many people across America. Still, I was really looking forward to those girls at Brown. Check us out on the web www. newsstreak.com

This is a shortened version of Zach’s column. For the full version, go to newsstreak.com and check it out online!

Lazy summer days can be absolutely perfect Xuyi Guo

“

staff reporter

It is so early,” I said to myself as I crawled out of bed and slumped to the bathroom. That was at 9:30 a.m. Following a quick breakfast, I jumped on the couch and played video games. That was until 4 p.m. Clearly, I had played way too much, so I stopped, suffering at worst minimal brain damage. Subsequently, I went on Facebook, and watched some videos on YouTube. Then I had dinner. That was at 6 p.m. After dinner, I played more video games. That was until 12:00 a.m. That was my day. Okay, so that was a pretty boring day (and probably a pretty boring paragraph). Yet, there’s something wonderful about it: it is summer. There is something special to me about summer. There is something special to me about summer days. Actually there is something wonderful to me about all parts of a lazy summer day. The summer morning: Summer mornings are awesome because they are so short, and I am not a morning person. Get up at 11:30, and the morning is over before I finish breakfast… or maybe it should be called lunch. The summer afternoon: It is said that summer afternoons are over-romanticized, and I am a guilty party. To me the summer afternoon represents a

freedom. Whereas the mornings are often short-lived and seen through half-open eyes, summer afternoons are as glorious as the sky on a perfect summer day. Summer afternoons are a time to hang out with friends, play sports, play video games, have water gun fights, and do all the things that a student does during the school year when he should be doing homework. It is a freedom of mind, a freedom from burden, and a freedom that I really enjoy. The summer night: Summer nights are just as fantastic as summer days. The weather on a clear summer night is impeccable. The air just sits sweetly, cooler and more amiable than during the day but never cold. The summer night begs for open windows, unless of course your windows don’t have screens in which case you might find yourself making some new moth friends. Summer nights start late and they end late, meaning that I don’t get to catch up on as much sleep as I always say I will at the beginning of summer. But I do get to catch up with some friends on the west coast. Unfortunately, summer can’t last forever. The school year is upon us, which means studying, and no more free afternoons or waking up at noon. However, I will still be staying up late, but for homework rather than playing video games. As, I reach the end of my summer days, I’ll get out of my summer daze, and soon enough I’ll be saying, “It’s so early,” because it really is.

Have an opinion? A question, concern or thank you?Let us publish it for you in a letter to the editor!This is your paper - use the opinion page to share your thoughts!

HOT

2010 FIFA World Cup A soccer lovers heaven. The 2010 South Africa games were among the best ever. Spain and the Netherlands faced off for the title, and Spain reined supreme.

Eminem- Recovery By far one of the most popular albums of the summer. Eminem ‘s hit singles Love the Way You Lie and Not Afraid were inescapable this summer.

Summer Movies Inception, Toy Story 3, Dinner for Shmucks, and Salt were among this summers blockbuster hits.

Football Season The long awatied 2010 Blue Streak football season is right around the corner. We cannot wait to don our Red Sea shirts and start cheering.

Jersey Shore

The hit MTV show was one of the most watched TV series of the summer.

New Superintendent Harrisonburg City Public Schools has a new superintendent after the retirement of Dr.Ford. Welcome to Harrisonburg Dr. Kisner!

What’s NOT

BP oil spill Thanks to BP’s oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, pollution is spreading rapidly throughout the South and even up towards the Chesapeake Bay.

Summer Heat This summer saw almost record temperatures for the Harrisonburg area. For all of you who had summer practices, we send our condolences.

School Starting Sure, some people are slightly excited for the brand new school year. But even those few have to be a little bummed about summer ending.

Locals Killed in Afghanistan JMU graduate Brian Carderelli, and an EMU alumnus were killed during their aid trip to Afghanistan. Eight other humanitarians were killed, the Taliban is believed to be behind the murders.

Mosquito Bites The pesky little insects seem to be everywhere. Their itchy bites wreaked havoc over pretty much everyone.

The Real Housewives of Washington D.C. There are enough reality TV shows as it is. So watching the White House-crashing Micaele Salahi debut in the Real Housewives of DC is almost sickening.

The Newsstreak

August 23, 2010

Aidan Newcity - Feature A6

Mason, Zamora, Alshefski follow family food traditions Christine Choi

Style Editor

e all have a different perception on summer foods. For these three students, they spent their summers reliving family traditions by reuniting with extended families and taking the time to prepare special dishes together. Senior Adrian Zamora had a unique summer experience with foods. He spent his three month vacation with family in Mexico. “The foods were all spicy. It’s basically the same food as what I eat at home but the food here has a different taste. It feels more like home I guess,” Zamora said. Zamora tried all the authentic Mexican foods made

by his grandmother. “My favorite drink my grandmother makes is called Atole. It’s made out of corn. She grinds the corn or something. I don’t know what else she does to it but what makes it better is that she grows it all,” Zamora said. Atole is a hot drink made of corn flour, cinnamon, vanilla, and sometimes mixed in with chocolate, nuts, or fruit. Atole is one of the traditional drinks of the Mexican holiday “Day of the Dead” and is usually sold as street food. There are many different versions or ways to prepare Atole. This drink can be whipped to be made frothy and foamy or mixed with chili peppers, beans, and corn kernels to make a more spicy and flavorful drink.

Sophomore Kiana Mason enjoys one of the more popular summer picnic foods. For Mason, food has been incorporated into one of her most looked-forward-to family traditions. “I like cheeseburgers and watermelon. My family and I go to Blue Hole and have a big cook out. We do it every summer. We grill burgers, hot dogs, and macaroni and cheese and bake a cake. We also take chicken and watermelon. We cook the food together and go to Blue Hole at the same time. Senior Ally Alshefski gets to get close with her Polish side every summer with church picnics and enjoying traditional foods with the Polish members of her community in Pennsylvania, where she grew up. “I mean a lot of Pennsylvania has its

culture blocks. In my city, the picnic is at a church. It’s mostly one ethnicity, like I would say at least 85-90% of my church is Polish. Church picnics are a big thing up in Pennsylvania. It’s all homemade food. We have foods I grew up with like haluski, halupki, and homemade pierogies,” Alshefski said. Haluski is a dish of fried noodles mixed with soft boiled cabbage with seasonings. Halupki is also known as stuffed cabbage rolls. The cabbage is boiled and stuffed with a mixture of ground beef, rice, tomato soup, eggs, onions, and ketchup. Whether it is unique or international, students Zamora, Mason, and Alshefski all enjoyed spending the time together with family and making the foods.

Recipes for your next cookout from the Newsstreak kitchen: Homemade salsa

Homemade Ice/Sweet Tea

4 c. chopped tomatoes 1 1/2 c. chopped onion 1 1/2 c. bell pepper 1/4 c. hot peppers 1/4 c. vinegar 2 tsp. sugar 2 tsp. pickling salt 2 tsp. garlic salt

2 quarts water A pitcher 2 Lipton tea bags [of the iced tea variety] 12 ice cubes 1/2 or 3/4 cups sugar [for sweet tea] 5 leaves of mint

Put all together; simmer until thick. Add peppers, onions and salt to your taste.

Grilled Vegetable Kebabs 2 zucchini, cut into 2" chunks 2 yellow squash, cut into 2" chunks 8 ounces fresh mushrooms, cleaned 2 red and green bell peppers, cut into 2" chunks 2 medium red onions, cut into wedges 2 ears sweet corn, cut into 2" chunks 16 whole cherry tomatoes 8 ounces teriyaki sauce Wash vegetables except mushrooms. Brush mushrooms clean. Prepare vegetables according to recipe. Cook corn in boiling water for about 10 minutes. Toss vegetables in teriyaki sauce. Thread vegetables onto skewers. Place on grill over medium-hot heat. Baste occasionally with teriyaki sauce. Grill 20 minutes or until tender.

Bring water to a boil. Place tea bags in pitcher. Add sugar to the pitcher.Once water is boiling, pour into pitcher. Stir for one minute to dissovle the sugar. Add ice to the tea and place in the fridge to cool. For garnishing or an extra boost of flavor add mint leaves.

Steak Rub 1/4 cup kosher salt 1 cup brown sugar 1/4 cup coarsely ground black pepper (optional) 1 clove garlic, minced Apply to raw meat before cooking, put enough on so that the steak is covered but you can still see it. Once cooked, the rub will create a nice, crisp layer of flavor to the steak.

Students celebrate their 4th traditions Top Five Grilling Madison Wilson

entertainmnment editor

right colors flash in the sky, followed by the loud clashes of sound. Oohs and ahs are whispered throughout the crowd. The only trace of the firework is the spidery smoke shadow that floats away in the sky. It is the fourth of July. July fourth has been celebrated annually since July 4, 1776. This was the date the United States of America was formed as its own nation, independent from the rule of Great Britain. Today, the 4th of July is often celebrated in many different ways. Some families plan trips over the fourth of July, others spend time with grandparents and cousins, and several families enjoy watching fireworks in their home town. Some traditions are as simple as staying home and watching the fireworks. Junior Will Turner usually spends the 4th of July in Harrisonburg with his parents and sister. This year they went to Washington, D.C. and explored the historical city and government that runs the country. “We went to a Nationals game, and the Nationals won,” Turner said. Senior Landon Turner (of no relation) spends most of his summer in South Carolina or in Pennsylvania with his Dad’s family. He is with them over the 4th of July every year. “Yes [we watch fireworks], and I make my own,” Turner said. “We don’t do anything really big; we just hang out around the house.” The Turners usually grill out for dinner, and after a meal and fireworks, they roast marshmallows to make s‘mores. Rising junior Evan Wetsel spends time with her mom, sister, stepdad, and a friend at Smith Mountain Lake to enjoy all the festive celebrations. “Our neighbors have fireworks and they are pretty good,”

Wetsel said. “We have this seafood place we always go to,” Wetsel said, when asked about dinners. Whether they grill out on the fourth of July or eat at home for the night, they always eat out at this restaurant at some point during the week. Rising senior Joe Niland stays in Harrisonburg every year and watches the fireworks from downtown. He cannot remember ever being out of town on the fourth of July. Vacations were always planned for later on in the summer. “This year since it was on a Sunday we went on the third and watched the fireworks downtown. Then on the 4th we just stayed at home,” Niland said. Senior Priscilla Harrison celebrates the 4th with her family, having a traditional cookout and watching the fireworks from their own house, and also putting on a show of their own. Her family’s cookout consisted of a lot of corn, pasta salad, spinach salad, potato salad, and grilled roast. “It was great to have the whole family together in a relaxed enviroment enjoying delicious homemade food together,” Harrison said. Harrison and her family put on their own show. They all lined up to watch the two boys in the family, Jon and Tommy set off fireworks of their own. Senior Haley Wenos spends the 4th with her family and her family friends. But the day after the holiday her family packs up to leave for Wisconsin and Indiana, where her extended family lives. She never misses a 4th of July here in the Harrisonburg, while enjoying being with her family. “We usually have a pool party with my mom’s walking group, then watch the fireworks,” Wenos said. While every family does something different on this holiday, they are all the same in some ways. Most spend time with family. They eat their favorite foods. And they always save time for the fireworks.

Grillin’ Senior Priscilla Harrison enjoyed the fourth of July with her family at their celebratory cookout. (Left) Corn and steak is cooked to the perfect temperature on the grill (Right) Cold dishes such as potato salad wait to be served. Photos by Priscilla Harrison

The best sides and drinks for your cookout: Lemonade

Safety Tips

1. Fire: Be sure to always have a fire extinguisher nearby the grill in case of any emergency. 2. Grease: This goes along with fire. If too much grease builds up in your grill, a fire will start. To avoid this clean your grill every time you use it. 3. Food safety: Bacteria can grow on all foods, so it’s important to clean and cook everything properly. Bacteria will stay on foods being cooked until 165 degrees Fahrenheit. 4. Instructions: To have a accurately working grill, you must read the instructions. Reading about the grill will lessen the chance of a fire. 5. Smoke: Even if there is not a major fire on the grill, smoke is going to be everywhere. Be careful and try to control it. When it gets in peoples’ eyes and lungs, serious medical problems can occur. according to About.com

Iced tea

Soda

Potato salad French Fries

Grilled corn

The Newsstreak

August 23, 2010

Vanessa Ehrenpreis- Sports A7

FRESH FACES

Fall Edition

Wondering who replaced all those seniors who graduated on HHS’s premier sports teams? Look no further. Here are some of the incoming freshmen athletes for the 2010 fall season. Brougan Brown Age- 14 Sport- Cross Country

Why did you join the XC team? Because I’ve never been part of a team before. It was kind of a two-for-one, there are really nice people and I love to run. What is that hardest part about cross country? Running really. But it’s really hard when you have a bad practice. You have to come back the next day and you have no idea why you’re there. What is the funnest part of being on the team? We have breakfast at the Little Grill after we run every other Friday. We also go to Todd Lake every other week. Favorite band? U2 Favorite movie? The Hurt Locker, I am obsessed with that movie.

Cameron Washington Age- 14 Sport- Football Position- Linebacker

How long have you played football? Eight years. I played for the peewee North and East teams. What is the best lesson you have learned from football? I’ve learned to respect my coaches and teammates. What is the most difficult thing about football practice? Running in the hot sun. What was your best moment in football? Last year I got a lot of tackles. Favorite music? Well I’m in band, I play saxophone.

Rebekah Good Age- 13 Sport- Cheerleading

Why do you cheerlead? Because I thought it was fun. It’s something other than sitting around on the couch. I also play basketball and run track. How long have you been cheerleading? For two years. I’m part of a competitive cheerleading team called Spirit 365. What are your goals for the year? Just to get through! Do you look up to someone on the team? I look up to [ Junior] Taelor Adams. What are some of your accomplishments (regarding sports)? I have the middle school shotput record, 34ft. 11in. Favorite snack? Gushers Favorite subject? Math

Ryan Phillips Age- 14 Sport- Football Position- Quarterback

How long have you played football? For two years. Why do you play football? It’s just a fun sport to play. It’s relaxing, and keeps stress levels down. You get to hit people. How did you prepare for tryouts over the summer? I went to a weight training class. And a class at Gold’s Gym called ‘A-Game’. What is the hardest thing during practice? Hills, we normally have to do about eight. We don’t do them all the time, just for punishment. Favorite sports brand? Under Armor Favorite sports drink? Gatorade Favorite candy? Reeses

Lucy Rose

Age- 14 Sport- JV Volleyball Best move- a pass or dig How long have you been playing?

This is my fourth year What is your favorite thing about volleyball? I love it all. But my favorite thing is the teamwork. We’re all there for each other, we cheer eachother on. What is the most difficult aspect of Volleyball for you? Drills during practice, especially serving. Has anything funny happened during practice? Well, once I tripped over a ball and sprained my ankle. I had to walk around on crutches. Favorite band? Paracute Favorite Candy? Sweet tarts Favorite movie? The Notebook

Gisell Alvarez Age- 13 Sport- Cheerleading

How long have you been cheering? Two years, I’ve done competition, too. What is your favorite thing about

cheering? Flying, sometimes it’s scary. The basket tosses are the ones that scare me. When I’m in the air, I just think that they’ll always catch me. Have there been any team bonding activites? We went to camp. And we play games as a team. What do you usually do at practice? First we jog around the school twice. Then we do jumps, and practice. Do you look up to anyone on the team? Lauren [Martin], she is cool. Favorite candy? Twix Favorite sports drink? Gatorade

Kaitlyn Keck Age- 14 Sport- Cheerleading Position- Flyer

How long have you been cheering? For three years, at the middle

school What is your favorite thing about Cheerleading? Doing jumps. Especially toe touches and pikes What is the most difficult cheerleading move for you? Getting my lib is really hard. It’s when they grab one leg and hold you up in the air and you have to stand up. Why did you decide to continue cheerleading at HHS? Because I like it. I did all three years in middle school and had a good time. Favorite Sports Brand? Nike Favorite color? Purple Favorite movie? The Last Song

Jacob Byrd

Age-14 Sport- Football Position- Quarterback How long have you played football? This is my first year. Why did you tryout for the team? I’ve always liked football and thought it’d be a good thing to do. And that Landon Turner is a good kid. How did you prepare for tryouts over the summer? Went to weight training sessions here during the summer. Do you have any goals for this year? To start a game. And be on Tinsley’s good side. What drill are you best at? I’m good at line drills. Favorite sports brand? Nike Favorite artist? Bob Marley Favorite sports drink? Water

Skyler Johnson Age-14 Sport- Varsity Volleyball Position- Setter Number- Most likely two

What is the best thing about playing varsity volleyball? Playing with my cousin Mikala Wolter. What do you struggle with most? I struggle with squaring my shoulders and moving my feet to the ball while setting. I also get nervous when I step onto the court. Once I step over the line, I’m nervous. What is a funny experience you’ve had with the team? Spelling our name with our butts in the air [outlining]. Favorite movie? Anchorman Favorite artist? Drake Favorite soda? Rootbeer

Darius Wegman Age-14 Sport- Football Position- Lineman

How long have you been playing football? This is my first year. What is the hardest thing about these summer football practices? Running around in this heat. What is the hardest drill? Up downs, you jog in place go to the ground and jump back up. It’s kind of like pushups. Why did you join the team? I like playing football, it’s fun. Favorite movie? The Grown Ups Favorite sports drink? Gatorade Favorite candy? Suckers

Larkin O’Hara Age-14 Sport- Cross Country

How long have you been running Cross Country? For four years Why did you decide to continue running in high school? I’ve heard good things about it. I wanted to stay with running because I like running with the team. What is your proudest moment in cross country? A Montivideo race. It was pouring rain, the temperature was good. Everyone PR’d [Personal Record], and I PR’d. What’s the hardest thing about running? Pacing yourself with breathing and steps. Favorite movie? Avatar Favorite pump up song? California Girls Favorite animal? Cats

Shane Santiago Age-14 Sport- Football Position- Running back

How long have you played football? Seven years, I did the peewee

league and all that. What are your goals for this year? I want to score the most touchdowns and lead our team. Who do you look up to? Professionally, Reggie Bush. What drill are you best at? Running the football field, and line drills. Spelling our name with our butts in the air [outlining]. Favorite sports brand? Nike Favorite school subject? Science Favorite snack? Snickers

Beloved XC coach from middle school rises to HHS to replace Ross Bair Zach McDonnell

sports editor

t the tail end of the 2009-2010 school year, a bit of news shook the world of the HHS boys’ cross country team: Ross Bair, beloved coach of five years, would be leaving the team to pursue studies at George Mason University. The initial shock of the news gave way to speculation. Names came and went. Reports came from runners who were ‘absolutely positive’ that someone was taking over Bair’s vacant position. Just days before the end of the school year in mid-June, the new coach arrived. She—yes, she—directed the boys to the gym commons for the first official team meeting. She ran down her expectations, which raised some runners’ eyebrows. Not all the boys knew her, but all of them knew one thing: cross country as they knew it was going to

change. Midway through the meeting, the girls’ team filed out of their meeting and encountered a shock of their own: Lauren Jefferson, beloved cross country coach for Thomas Harrison Middle School, would be the boys’ coach for the 2010-2011 season. Feet stopped. Mouths dropped. Surprise. Shock. Envy. “Jeff…” some girls whispered. “Jeff!” others shouted. For so many middle-school cross country runners, Coach Lauren “Jeff” Jefferson made cross country. And luckily for the HHS boys’ team, Jeff is not falling short of her reputation. “She’s fantastic. We love Jeff,” varsity runner Nevin Heckman said near the end of the optional summer practices. The team is already satisfied with some of Jeff’s ideas. For starters, the boys are now running at nearby Antioch Church and Wilbur Pence Middle School instead of the beaten path around HHS.

“Jeff understands how boring running at the high school is,” Heckman said. He believes the new locations not only reduce monotony but produce new running challenges essential to the team’s strength. Other shifts include more races meant for training, a cutback on weekend meets—Heckman says this is a reflection of Jefferson’s understanding of the “student aspect” of her runners—and a more business-like touch to cross country running that eliminates wasted minutes of practice essential to runners’ academic and social lives. “We’re optimistic,” Heckman says. Though the initial news of former coach Bair’s move demoralized much of the team, Jeff’s arrival is now highly anticipated. And in a year in which defending district champion Spotswood High School has lost five of its seven varsity runners from their 2009-2010 team, Jefferson might just be the start of a slew of great changes for the HHS boys’ team. Jeff and the team have their sights on a much-coveted district title.

The Newsstreak

Vanessa Ehrenpries/Maria Rose- Sports A8

Thomas preserves his passion for music Maria Rose

Editor-in-Chief

rant Thomas likes his water. In the duration of our conversation, he chugs three and a half glasses as he skims his eyes over the crowd at the Little Grill. When I bring it up, he laughs sheepishly and then jokes, “I have to keep my voice primed.” Thomas, an HHS alum and current JMU junior, is a musician, performer, artist, “big fan of the Little Grill’s blueberry pancakes”, and Open Mic Night regular. This means that he performs nearly every night on Thursday Open Mic Nights at the Little Grill. Tonight he has shown up, guitar case in hand, in a plain white t-shirt. As each performer plays on stage— ranging from Johnny Rivers’ Secret Agent Man cover, to an original song about showering with friends and a “no pants dance”—he smiles appreciatively, often starting to clap to the beat, and encouraging the rest of the audience to follow suit. Thomas was exposed to music at an early age, when his mother would teach his younger brother and him to sing. However, he feels that this early exposure wasn’t so much exposure as it was “forcible education.” “My mother made my brother and I sing I Believe I Can Fly, which everyone knows is the cheesiest song ever,” Thomas shakes his head with a grimace. “And then she would invite her friends over and make us sing for them, as if we hadn’t practiced at all.” But despite his initial reluctance to continue music (after his forcible experience with R. Kelly’s ballad, he shied away

from singing), he had talent. And it did not go unseen. Thomas attended Cornerstone Christian School for part of his elementary career. It was there where he joined the honors choir and became immersed, once again, in singing (“on my own terms”), and was inspired to pick up guitar. He then transferred to the Harrisonburg City Public Schools system and enrolled at Thomas Harrison Middle School for the beginning of sixth grade. For a while, Thomas played trumpet in the school band, but dropped after his first year. However, Marlon Foster, co-director of the band, recognized his musical abilities and recruited him to join the jazz band, where he played guitar. “Mr. Foster is the reason I’m into music,” Thomas said, of his old band director. “He fostered my appreciation for it.” In high school, Thomas did not take part in any choral or band groups, or musicals. But he has had experience on stage before. While he might not have constantly participated in music groups at HHS, he did compete in the annual talent show. With a song about the homeless, Thomas took home first place. “I had to go to a track meet right after, so I played in my old, ratty sweatpants,” Thomas recalls. “And I was terrified. Absolutely. I think I may have over-practiced.” Nerves may have gotten the better of him when he played in that talent show, but with more practice, and lots more experience, he feels more comfortable on stage, even if there are a little bit of butterflies. For Thomas, there is always the tension that accompanies performing and drives one to prepare constantly.

In every place he has performed— Dave’s Taverna, Golden Corral, weddings, house parties, and for friends—Thomas still practices hard, and still feels a little twinge of anxiety before stepping onstage. “I’m less nervous than I was before, but it’s still always there,” Thomas said, patting the top of his guitar case. “It all depends on the environment. If it’s familiar and friendly, like the Little Grill”—he turns and addresses this last part to a passing waiter, who high fives him—“then I’m less nervous.” When asked why other performers say that they never get nervous before shows, he responds quickly with, “They’re lying. Everyone gets nervous, even a little bit.” Tonight, Thomas is playing “some old bluesy songs,” as his style usually gravitates toward. In the cramped corner, with a soft spotlight filtering down on him, Thomas looks completely in his element. The audience hushes, more so than they did for any other performer; most have seen him, and the reputation that precedes him consists completely of praise and awe. “You’re momma’s good lookin’,” he croons into the microphone, his fingers twisting and flashing between guitar strings. “Don’t you talk about my momma like that,” an audience member yells back loudly. Thomas yells back (something along the lines of “It’s art, man,”) laughs with the other man, and continues on with his song. Thomas walks off the stage, grinning, and ducking his head modestly as fans clap him on the shoulder. He gently places his guitar case down, scoots his chair in, and takes a big gulp of water.

Belt it out. HHS alumnae Grant Thomas sings one of his own compositions at the Little Grill Open Mic night.Photo by Maria Rose. “Good?” he asks my opinion. “Good,” I nod fervently. Thomas studied music for a while in college, originally intending for it to be his major. But with the stresses it brought, especially the subjectivity of musical theory, he decided to switch and become a foreign language major. “When you love something an art, you shouldn’t make it academic,” he explains, meaning that one shouldn’t make art their

career. “When you have something as an escape, you shouldn’t have it as a stress; you don’t want it to be compromised.” Thomas sees music as a form of expression that can be interpreted in different ways to different people. This openness in meaning is his favorite part. “You can do whatever you want, you’re free from scrutiny,” Thomas said. “No one judges you or asks why.”

Open mic night draws all types of music lovers Heather Hunter

back restaurant with an open kitchen and in the corner. On Thursday nights Feature Writer athestage mood is lively, the lights are dim, and each musician, who crawls out of his cave to he Little Grill is a cooperative, perform, brings with him his own style. worker-run restaurant But the musicians are not the only that is located in northern Thursday night attractions. The host, Chris Harrisonburg. It is a small, laid Howdyshell, is a humorous man who cracks the right jokes at the right time. Sometimes when the musicians thin out, he plucks some strings and howls a song or two, but most of the time he keeps the music rolling and throws a few of his own jokes in every once and a while. He is the heart of Thursday nights. “This is the Jammin’ Sophomore Alex Hunter and [previous] HHS exchange stu- place where I dent Daiki Ishikawa play some blues guitar tunes as open mic night. could come and Photo by Heather Hunter. see what the

Teachers continue AVID training during summer workshop in Chicago From AVID on page A1 The speakers all worked hard in the AVID program, overcame personal struggles, and are now headed to or enrolled in four-year colleges and universities with scholarships and are pursuing careers of their choice. One of the speakers was even mentioned as an example of what can be conquered and gained through a good education by President Barack Obama in his speech to youth in America. “Several of the personal stories of obstacles overcome and successes achieved were heart-wrenching and truly cause for celebration,” Soenksen said. The site team took advantage

of their down time. They wanted to enjoy themselves while in Chicago. “We also had a little time for fun and sight-seeing and even got to watch some filming of special effects in Transformers 3!” Soenksen said. The week in Chicago proved to be a success for the site team. Its members feel as though a lot was accomplished and that the program will continue to improve as the school year progresses. “I feel incredibly proud to be a part of HHS’ AVID team and I look forward to hearing the success stories of our HHS AVID graduates in 2013,” Rose said.

“The school system belongs to the community, not me,” Kizner said. “We’re giving to them.” Kizner is also hoping to take more advantages and opportunities with the students, especially at HHS. As he believes, any class can be applied to real life, as long as one finds the “teachable moments”. Considering that the HCPS system is surrounded by four colleges ( JMU, EMU, BRCC, BC), Kizner hopes to get more students out of the classroom and into real, hands-on learning situations with help from the colleges. “Some [students] may get there first, or last, but what matters is that we get there,” Kizner said. “Students learn at different speeds, but they should be able to believe that they can follow whatever they want to pursue.” Even though Kizner is still new to the

impression on her visitors. “It is an excellent place to start out as a musician and even to come back to, it’s welcoming,” said former HHS student Grant Thomas, 21. “I used to play here regularly in high school, but now that [college] is out, I come here just to play.” The night pushes on. Howdyshell holds a controlled debate over whose fault the oil spill in the gulf is. One man argues the companies fault for the regulations they didn’t enforce. Howdyshell points to a man and says, “Tom, rebuttal.” Tom argues that the fault lies on every consumer that uses oil. Howdyshell keeps the debate civil and ends it peacefully. Howdyshell calls up two regular teenage musicians from HHS, sophomore Alex Hunter-Nickels and junior exchange student Daiki Ishikawa. “Beauty Marks, you don’t have to remind me any more [of your band name] because you left a mark in my soul.” Several more musicians play their music. Others who appeared to watch chat among themselves and enjoy the music. Each musician receives proper attention and loud applause. The night, which started around 8:30 p.m., ends around 10. Howdyshell wraps things up and people trickle out.

Band moms pumped for season From Moms on page A1 “We have to try to get food they would like,” Steere said. “We even look into dietary needs such as vegetarians and allergies.” Even though the main responsibility of the mothers during band camp is getting food and snacks, the booster club managed to have a tent donated that could be used for the band members while they practice on the field. “Putting up tents are the mom’s responsibility as well. One tent was donated to make sure those 60 kids and 10 instructors have shade,” Steere said The band boosters are always accepting more volunteers to help out with the band season. Anyone

Kizner replaces Ford as Superintendent From Kizner on page A1

college kids were doing, smoke some cigs and get away. I was just a kid. Now it’s a second home to me,” Howdyshell, coowner and host of Thursday Night Open Mic, said. “Someone once told me ‘find out what makes you happy, and do it’, that’s what I do.” The Little Grill is as local as it can get. Its long history is rooted in Harrisonburg and it has had many different owners. According to www.littlegrillcollective.com, “In the early 1980’s, the Grill became ‘hippified’…” since then it has been a place of food and music. In 2002 it became “a worker owned corporation.” That is where it stands now. “We used to come here 13-14 years ago for community meals,” Sigi Chabrier said. He and his wife Wanda Chabrier sit in a dimly lit booth along the wall. There is another table three feet away that runs into the center of the room. “It is peaceful here, intimate. Everyone is so…” Wanda starts “…close, and it’s like you can reach the music,” finishes Sigi. Two big speakers hanging from the ceiling might explain how Sigi feels about reaching the music, being so close and all, but there is more to what he said. The Little Grill is a place for people to get together in real life. The Little Grill has a way of making an

system, he is already proud to be working with such a diverse community. The students and faculty share a strong school pride, he notices and appreciates. In a position such as his, he feels it is important to be sure to connect with the students and help teachers make lasting impressions. “If I asked you to name five Nobel Peace Prize winners or Olympic athletes, you probably couldn’t do it,” Kizner said. “But if I asked you to name five teachers, or five people who have helped you, it’d be easy.” His goal for this year is to emphasize interaction, communication, and to raise the expectations of each student. While he realizes that this might be a challenge, Kizner is confident that the HCPS system, and the teacher and student body within, is more than capable of success. “We want students to know learning is a journey, not a finish line,” Kizner said. “And we’re in this together.”

can volunteer at any time. “Everyone can be a booster, it’s an open organization with no charge to join,” Steere said. The boosters handle different aspects of the bands’ year, some work band camp, other work during football games, other parents help during competitions, some help with band uniforms, and some donate food. “We ask for volunteers in March. We changed the make up of boosters, which gives more people the chance to be able to help,” Steere said. Many parents sign up to help during fee day because that is when their children get their schedule. With the band season about to take off in full swing the moms

and boosters are preparing for a busy schedule. “We are hosting a competition with Broadway High school this year,” Hess said. Along with hosting a competition, the band plans to attend a parade at Bridgewater College. “We are doing a parade at Bridgewater for the 175th Anniversary on Sept 4,” Steere said. The band moms are ready to brave a new season of competition marching band. That will with out a doubt be full of practice, food, and music. “I think it is safe to say that we will go through 1,800 freezy pops during the course of band camp,” Steere said.

Band takes over Route 66 From Band Camp on page A1

The real “theme” of this year’s band camp has little to do with Superman or trucker hats, though. Senior Drum Major Jennifer Hess elaborates. “The theme of this year’s marching show is Route 66, and it’s about traveling from Chicago to L.A. The music is very energetic…jazz themes, good drum grooves, and a range of dynamics.” Each segment of the show represents a “stop” on the highway. “There are three parts to our show: the big, energetic opener, the second part, which has solos and various fast-moving lines, and the third piece, which is both a ballad and a restatement of the previous themes,” Hess said. “Our composer is working with the man that writes our drill, so the music flows with the movement really well.” The band hopes that the quality of their show will allow them to attain success

on the competitive marching field. Band director J.R. Snow admits that while there is no one secret to memorizing the music and the drill steps, “Consistent rehearsal strategies, technique, and high levels of energetic work are the keys to a successful season.” Hess echoes his sentiments. “If we keep working hard and keep making things better throughout the season, we will be in good shape. We will be really prepared.” Although the first competition at Millbrook High School on September 18th is less than a month away, band members try to maintain a healthy perspective. While Hess certainly would not mind a few first place trophies, she especially wants to see the band improve. “I hope…that with every rehearsal we get better and cleaner in our drill, and I hope that we produce a show that we are proud of and that our audiences can enjoy.” .

The Newsstreak

August 23, 2010

Maria Rose - Feature A9

We know what you did this summer... Vuvuzela. Alumnus Becky Harris visited Johannesburg, South Africa to watch the 2010 FIFA games live. The vuvuzela horns were a new addition this year, and provided a source of controversy. A debate sprang up when people thought that players might be distracted by the sound of the horns. Photo courtesy of Becky Harris.

Soccer fan Harris travels to Johannesburg to watch FIFA games Ali Byrd & Emily Knupp staff reporters

Getting pumped. Becky Harris and her mother wait for a game to begin in Soccer City Stadium, where many games took place. South Africa invested millions of dollars building several new stadiums specifically for these games.

Soccer fever! Harris gathers with new friends she made while watching the games. Photos courtesy of Harris.

hen 3,261,000 million viewers tuned in to watch the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, our very own HHS alumni, Becky Harris watched live from Soccer City Stadium, in Johannesburg, South Africa. “The trip was amazing,” Harris said via a phone interview. “It is an experience I will never forget.” Harris began the tournament rooting for Brazil to take the crown, but mid-way through, she switched her allegiance to Argentina. It was Argentina’s second striker Lionel Messi, the number one ranked player in the world, who caused her switch in interest. “I really wanted Argentina to win because I love Messi,” Harris said. One of the signatures of this World Cup were vuvuzelas (pronounced vu-vu-zel-ah), noisemakers fans used to cheer on their favorite teams and were heard for the entire 90 plus minutes of each match. “They were very annoying the first day because everyone in the mall would blow them but they weren’t as annoying in the stadium, you got used to the buzz after the first five minutes,” Harris said. Marketing of the vuvuzelas and the increased tourism opened many economic

doors for the people of South Africa, according to Harris. “I was surprised at how well the country came together by building stadiums, infrastructure, and preparing for the massive influx of rabid soccer fans.” In addition to the vuvuzelas, another interesting part of the World Cup games was the intense soccer fans themselves. “I saw a couple of people hold up a picture of a coffin with a country’s flag draped across it, for teams they didn’t want to win,” Harris said. This intense love for the sport, demonstrated by the thousands of fans attending the games, often led to conflict. “The fans of opposing teams at the Germany vs. Ghana game were involved in a fight and the police threw the guy, who started the fight, over the side of the stadium and another police officer on the ground caught him,” Harris said. “I was really surprised the way some fans acted.” Although the games were a highlight of her trip, she enjoyed participating in other activities. “The games, definitely the games, were the best, but I also bungee jumped and played with tigers and cheetahs.” Harris loved her World Cup experience so much she has already decided to attend the next World Cup four years from now. “I am already starting to plan my trip to Brazil,” Harris said with a laugh.

Costa Rican exchange students experience home away from home Simona Byler

staff reporter

his past June, a group of thirteen HHS students traveled to San Jose, Costa Rica as a part of an annual student-exchange program. A trip focused mainly on learning about the Costa Rican culture first-hand and improving Spanish language skills, the students were immersed in a two-and-a-half week experience that has been sponsored by HHS since 2007. This year’s trip was chaperoned by two HHS Spanish teachers, Edson Arango and Constanza Rojas. The first stop the program made this summer was visiting the Panama Canal. They stayed in a local resort before moving on to San Jose, the Costa Rican capital. Here, the students each had their own host families to live with, and attended a day of classes at the high school Colegio Metodista. Junior Peter Byrd was impressed by the support of the soccer World Cup Finals he saw while at the school. “At their school we would watch the World Cup games instead of doing the daily curriculum, and [Costa Rica] wasn’t even in [the games],” Byrd said. Besides spending a day in a local high school, the exchange group also made several small trips outside of the capital to the surrounding areas. A country about the same size as West Virginia, Costa Rica is home to around 4.5 million people, an estimated one percent of whom are indigenous. The HHS students learned

about the daily lives of some mountaindwelling indigenous people, and how they survive without the comforts of the modern era. A favorite event of many of those who traveled to Costa Rica was the afternoon they spent white-water rafting. A main tourist attraction of the country, white water rafting is available at any degree of difficulty. Some currents are strong enough to throw the raft’s occupants out into the river. “Peter fell out during one of the class four rapids which was the icing on the cake to a great trip,” sophomore Robby Ross said. If their sense of adventure was not quieted by the white-water rafting, the members of the group also had the opportunity to go on a series of zip-lines high above the jungle floor. After all of the adrenaline-inducing activities, the students relaxed at several different resorts, one of which was located at the foot of an active volcano. “It was pretty crazy because we got to see and hear it erupt at night,” senior Priscilla Harrison said. Playa Tambor is a beach with many resorts located on the eastern side of the Costa Rican peninsula in the Pacific Ocean. The all-inclusive hotel was Byrd’s favorite part of the trip. “[The resort] had five pools, two soccer fields, beach volleyball courts, ping pong and I could get as much as I wanted to eat,” Byrd said. When they were not traveling around the country, the students resided with different host families. This experience is a

On the edge. Students from HHS travel with an exchange program to visit students in Costa Rica. Along with living with the students’ families, they also saw many local sights, such as this active volcano. crucial one to the exchange program, as it gives the students an accurate portrayal of daily life in a different country. Many of the students this year are trying to keep up their relationships with their hosts. “I couldn’t ask for a better host family experience. Maricruz was the best; she made

sure I had the time of my life,” Harrison said. Ross also had a very positive stay at his host house. “My family was extremely kind and welcoming,” Ross said. “They made the trip way more than just a vacation.”

Tran spends summer writing, publishing book Ama Ansah news editor In early August, most students are thinking about returning to school, buying supplies, and who their teachers will be. Senior Tommy Tran is thinking about what the cover art for his debut novel will look like. And not in the hypothetical daydream sense. Tran wrote a book, has a publisher and has been conferencing with industry professionals over what his cover art will be. I was able to catch up with him one afternoon during his football practice to talk about his debut novel Forever and a Day. Me: What is your book about? Tommy: It’s a contemporary romance about a guy named Lee and basically his becoming a man. It starts his sixth grade year and ends his senior year. It’s about his best friend and his girlfriend and high school bullies. It’s just all the things that he achieves on the way there. It kind of is like one of those stories that I hope entertains people but at the same time, they can also take a message from it. Why did you choose to write about that? Well, my sixth grade year I read over a hundred books and I decided that I had read a lot of bad books. So I decided that I was going to write a book and have it done by my senior year. I went with the goal that I was going to write and publish a book by the end of my senior year.

Have you been working on this since sixth grade, then? No, no, no, I just came up with the goal. I took four months out of my junior year to write this and edit this and everything. So how did this whole character, this whole idea come about? Why this character? Why sixth to twelfth grade? I think that the beginning of middle school is where you, you know, become a teenager and start becoming who you are. You start developing your identity. And I believe it’s going into middle school and then going to high school when you really decide what you’re going to be, who you’re going to be in general. Do you think that any of your real life experiences have influenced what you wrote? Oh, definitely. All writers, when you write, take or observe what’s happened to you in real life, or to your friends or something you hear about, and just all put it together. I think all writers do that. They observe things and take bits and pieces of it and make it in to a story. Do you think that you are at all like the main character? Are there any characters that are based on a specific person that you know? The best friend character is named Ryan. Ryan is like every one of my close friends kind of mushed in to one. And then the main character is a lot like my best friend in real

life, Jessie Meyers, he’s like…this really just genuinely good person. He’s actually the best person I know. When I think of this story I think mostly of my best friend.

the reason they didn’t want it is because I put a Bible verse in there and I did [want it]. And I had to sit there for three hours arguing with two editors.

What is your writing process like? Where do you start? Do you just start from the beginning and work through? Do you ever go back and self-edit?

When was summer?

Well, I started out and wrote the main events down on paper. Then I went back and I basically filled in the chapters. I already had like four or five big main events that I wanted in the story and then I added to it. What do you think is the hardest part about writing for you? The hardest part is how to end the story, for me. Whenever I’d start writing stories when I was little, even now, I always have a problem with ending the story. What is the publishing process like? Long and painful. Well, not really painful. It’s a lot of calling back and forth, lots of emails, lots of conference calls…they’ll send me these long emails with tons of different pictures for the covers and the way they want me to look. It’s all done over internet and phone. And with the editing process, it’s just a lot of emailing back and forth chapters. What they wanted, what I wanted. And there was a point where I got conference called and had to argue about three chapters with how I wanted to put it and how they wanted to put it. And

this?

Over

the

Yeah, all over the summer. But in the end, it’s my decision. I’m the writer. You get the final say in the end? I get the final say in everything. I get to make it exactly how I want it. That’s what I like about the publishing. Who is your publisher? iUniverse. They’re a self-publisher. But they give you a lot of guidance. How many people did you submit this to? I must have called at least ten different publishing companies. And most of them laughed when they found out I was sixteen. That was the big thing. They crapped on me because “you’re sixteen, you’re a kid, you can’t write.” So I finally decided to go the self-publishing route. So, you’re apparently doing cover art. What does that entail? Basically…I sent them an image of what I want it to look like. I wrote a description of what I want it to look like and they made a team of three people. We’re deciding what we want for colors where they

want to put the words. Then they email me back with what the cover could potentially look like with a couple different options. I decide that I want and I can play with it a bit. Do you have an assigned artist?

They do a lot of things anonymously. They had three people edit and do a review on my book. They’re all published authors, but they don’t give out names. They don’t want you holding a grudge. They’re like that with cover art. They don’t give specific names. I know there are two people who are working on it, one who is the cover art and one who is marketing. I have a check in coordinator, who coordinates everything together, like the meetings. There’s my actual editor, some kind of publishing assistant. I get a lot of calls from them. At least two calls per day. I usually miss them half the time and I feel bad. Why is your book unique? Why would people want to read this book?

To be honest with you, it tells a story and a lesson that I think people should hear. It’s different. It’s not your typical mushy love story. To me, it’s like nothing anyone has read before. But I don’t know. I’ll just take it one day at a time. I just hope people take the story and get something from it. Or if anything, I hope they’re entertained for ten minutes. Forever and a Day does not have an official release date yet, but will be out fall 2010.