Newsstreak February Issue 2017

A12: Meet me in St. Louis production

The

B3: Costa Rican exchange students at HHS

B8: Preseason spring sports coverage

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Harrisonburg High School • 1001 Garbers Church Road • Harrisonburg, VA 22801 • 540.433.2651 • Volume XIIC • Issue 6 • February 24, 2017

Leadership camp brings JROTC together Ryan Doerr Staff Reporter

PHOTO COURTESY OF COLONEL ROY MCCUTCHEON

PULL. JROTC members participate in a team bonding competition of tug-of-war at the Brethren Woods leadership camp. The camp was held over the weekend of Feb. 3-5 where old and new cadets were able to bond.

Senior Takeover Day gives responsibility Hannah Miller Copy Editor

PHOTO COURTESY OF YEARBOOK

SERVING IT UP. Seniors Brent Berry and Alex Osinkosky, both taking over Mr. Glick on Feb. 2, serve coffee and pastries to the teachers throughout the school.

With great power comes great responsibility, and on Feb. 2, seniors got the opportunity to be the ones in charge for a day. Teachers were replaced by a singular student, but because administrators hold a higher position, they were taken over by two students for the day. Seniors Idida Castaneda-Gallardo and Hugo Morales took the role of Cynthia Prieto.

“I was very excited [to hear about Senior Takeover Day],” Castaneda-Gallardo said. “It was an opportunity to not only get to know our principal better, but also to get a different point of view on how things work in our school.”

For the past several years, Senior Takeover Day has not been available for these last-year students. “[Senior Takeover Day] has not been done when

I’ve been here, so it’s been at least three years. The seniors hadn’t asked for it, so I think this is a groundswell that comes from the seniors asking, and SCA wanting to be more active, wanting to do some more fun stuff that promotes school energy,” Prieto said.

“I thought it would be fun, I was really looking forward to it.”

Senior Casey Wilson took over her father’s position of athletic director for the day.

“I was really excited, because they did it in the earlier years… but they haven’t done it in the past [few years], so when I heard about it I was really excited,” Casey Wilson said.

“Now I get to hang out with my dad all day.”

Darrell Wilson, the athletic director, shadowed Casey Wilson and Molly Campillo all day while they

See SENIORS page A2

The Brethren Woods JROTC leadership camp takes place in mid-February, and offers new and returning cadets the opportunity to develop their leadership skills while forming lasting bonds with other members of their squadrons.

According to senior Diana Matute, the camp serves as a lesson in discipline and skill that cadets can carry back to the classroom.

“We have the camp in order to teach our new recruits the basics of JROTC,” Matute said. “We teach them how to command and what the commands are. We help them become leaders. We teach them how to act when they leave camp and how to become something greater.”

Sophomore Maggie Hernandez, who attended the camp last year, agrees.

“You learn how to march and do basic stuff in JROTC. You make bonds and learn leadership skills and responsibility. If you make a mistake, they let you know it’s not your fault and it’s not your team’s fault-you’re in it together,” Hernandez said.

For freshman Margaret Sarco, a new member of the class, the events of the camp are a surprise.

“So far I know that we’re going to wake up at six and we’re going to do training. I

See JROTC page A2

STEM students spend day at Valley Mall Christa Cole Photography Editor Head to the mall on Feb. 18th and it might look a little different from the norm. HCPS STEM will be holding its biannual STEM day, an event where members of the community can come to experience the science and tinker with the engineering projects that the STEM middle and high school students are involved in. From the high school, projects will include booths displaying sphero robots, rockets, mock stratostar balloons, looking at cheek cells and more. All STEM classes at the high school will be participating. Overall, there will be about 50 different booths from HCPS taking up spaces not used by merchants and occupying three-quarters of the mall’s corridors and public space.

The day is geared toward elementary schoolers in specific, the STEM program hoping to interest young minds in their fields. This presents some difficulties though, according to STEM director and teacher Myron Blosser.

“We need to appeal to little kids. STEM day really has a focus to excite little kids for STEM, and in STEM biology the work we do is so molecular that

See STEM DAY page A2

Engineering classes rewarded with grant for renewable energy Andi Fox Page Editor At the beginning of the school year, the Dual Enrollment Engineering class received a $15,000 grant entitled ‘Fueling Interest Knowledge and Skills (for a Renewable World)’, or ‘FIKS’, from the ALCOA foundation to research, generate and study renewable energy for HHS. The class is a year-long course offered to juniors and se-

niors that are in the STEM Academy and is taught by Andrew Jackson.

“Our purpose was to investigate a variety of types of fuels that we could create at an educational research level,” Jackson said.

“We are pursuing photovoltaic (solar), biodiesel and methane generation.

Within the Dual Enrollment Engineering class, we took those three different types of renewable energies, and we have a different group of students working on

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New calendar proposal Biotechnology Symposium Every Person Has A Story features Tiny Tots Spring Play Columns and Editorials Spring sports update DECA states Humans of HHS

each one of them.”

The project is completely managed, directed and controlled by the students in the class, which, according to Jackson, is what makes the project so beneficial.

“The best part about this project is the student ownership. They are truly in charge of a $15,000 grant. From saying, ‘Here’s a project, here’s the funds available for it, make it happen’, they are in charge of it. That level of responsibil-

ity on a long-term project is the best thing about it,” Jackson said.

This is the first time HHS has applied for and received this grant, so Jackson doesn’t know exactly how to generate the various resources. Because of this, it is the students’ responsibility to find experts on the renewable resources and enlist their help. This helps to give the students a more realistic research opportunity.

“Currently, what they

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are doing is finding experts who can help us. It’s a big task. How do I make methane for energy use? Our students don’t know, I don’t know, so we have to go find those outside experts who can help us,” Jackson said. “[The students are] getting input and trying to figure out who is doing it, how they are doing it, what our options are and what can we do to the right scale safely within a high school setting.”

Jackson would like the

outcomes from this project to be available for other students to use.

“Our goal is [to have] research level equipment installed at HHS for photovoltaic, methane digester and biodiesel generation, which is what would be available at a college level lab where students are learning about those resources,” Jackson said. “We want them to be something permanent here, that students

See ENERGY page A2

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February 24, 2017

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Sabarre, teachers prepare for annual event STEM DAY from A1 Pre Calc and AP Calculus [you have to think] ‘How do you turn what we’re doing into things that six year olds will have fun with?’”

Blosser said. “So at the high school level, often times in the academic environment, it’s hard to translate that into fun for little kids. Now it could be that other 16 year olds will come up and be like ‘Holy cow, you’re doing what?’, but for little six year olds, they’ll come up and look at an engineered gel box and not know what it is and not appreciate it.”

Despite the challenge, the Governor’s STEM Academy has found ways to overcome it.

“For example, the eleventh graders that are going to be doing a displaying on the stratostar, which is the big balloon they’re going to send up, they’re doing a mock down where they have little balloons filling with helium, and allow little kids to play with that,” Blosser said. “So in biology… we came up with the idea of setting up microscopes and having kids do a variety of cell work where they can look at their own cells under a microscope, things that my students can do easily, so they’ll be running that. So that’s what we’re doing, is [thinking] what is something we’re doing and how can we mock it down so that little kids will experience it.”

A few of Geoffray Estes’

students, along with members of Math Honors Society Mu Alpha Theta, will be displaying projects as well. The Pre Calc students will be presenting “Wobbly Circles” and the Calculus students, the properties of a cycloid, a curve traced by a point on a circle being rolled in a straight line. The projects were chosen due to the complexity of the calculations they involve.

“The Wobbly Circles project deals with calculating the center of mass of a system of two interlocking circles,” Estes said. “The Cycloid Project requires calculus of parametric equations, specifically, finding arc length of a cycloid. We then use our calculations to construct a cycloid of the desired length and use that construction to develop our final product.”

Besides their displays, the rest of their booths were a surprise.

There is much work involved in STEM Day, including that of the students to prepare for their projects as well as present the day of. Students had get their equipment ready, create sideshow presentations and rehearse what they were going to do beforehand in order to know how to act and what to say at their booths. The day went from 10 a.m. to three p.m. in the afternoon, some students showing up even the night before to set up and

others at eight a.m. Most sign up to work for a three hour shift, but some stay for the entire day. Students that work three hours or more were fed lunch and given a STEM Day t-shirt as an incentive to volunteer. Those who arrive in the morning are provided breakfast as well. Volunteering occurred in many different ways, whether working with a science class, an engineering class, or doing many different, general tasks like greeting or working multiple booths wherever there was a need.

There were about 120 volunteers working during the day, some being parents and teachers, not including the estimated 300 STEM students who worked the exhibits.

The day also requires much work and time invested in its organization.

Amy Sabarre, K-12 STEM Coordinator and inventor and director of STEM Day, estimates around 300 or more hours have gone into planning the event. Sabarre shoulders mostly all of the planning.

“I must coordinate with all of the schools to make sure they are working on the student exhibits... I meet with various community organizations about support and volunteers.

I meet with the mall and walk the mall multiple times to plan the map. I must organize the needs of each exhibit and make sure they

New cadet Sarco learns ropes JROTC from A1 don’t know what kind of training we’re going to do, but I know that we’ll be doing it with our squad to build our leadership skills,” Sarco said.

The camp not only helps new cadets build skills, but helps returning ones as well. Senior Kinsley Neff knows this well, as this will be her fourth time attending the camp. “[The camp] doesn’t just help the freshmen. It helps the squad and team leaders, too,” Neff said. “They have previously attended, but they get to return and teach the younger kids. They get to show others their leadership skills and their ability to teach others. It’s really cool to see.”

For Sarco, learning from these upperclassmen is what she hopes will help her out in the future.

“I hope I get a rank up, and that I can prove to everyone that I have what it takes,” Sarco said.

For Matute, this hope is not irrational. For her, the camp fulfills all her expectations and helps both young and old cadets build valuable skills that will help them in the classroom.

“I gain better leadership skills,” Matute said. “The more you know about the

people following you, the more you learn from them. You don’t become a leader just because you want to. You have to follow in order to learn. By letting your followers lead you, you learn how to lead them in the right direction. It helps me a lot. I gain a lot of courage and confidence because they get comfortable talking to me.”

Neff agrees with this opinion.

“It makes it so much easier to lead people if you know who you’re leading.

I don’t want it to just be one-sided. Leadership camp gives you the opportunity to get to know one another. That’s the opening step, really. That’s where most people realize that they want to get invested and be involved. It’s interesting to see how people react to the challenges we throw at them and how they cooperate with one another,” Neff said.

After the camp’s end, the JROTC cadets will exit with a new sense of what being involved in the class feels like. For many, this will mean considering a career in the military. For others, it will simply mean a stronger drive to do better in the class.

“At the end, we talk about where we came from, how we got there,” Matute said. “It’s nice listening to other people’s stories and how much they’ve gone through to get to where they are now.”

PHOTO BY CHRISTIAN RODRIGUEZ

TUETING TWINS. Juniors Collin Morris and Evan Jost, students in the technology and engineering pathway, measure out different molarities of four solutions for a STEM project. They will be analyzing the solutions’ impacts on seed germination rates. have the requirements they requested for their exhibit,” Sabarre said. “I continually communicate by email with everyone involved. I meet in person with the volunteer coordinator to ensure our recruitment efforts are underway and then again to place volunteers at key places throughout the day.

I order all of the supplies, work with maintenance to get tables and chairs over to the mall. [I] order the food, make the [flyers], student passports, signage, movie, et cetera. I look for exciting new things like the Kid Made Arcade and STEM Putt Putt that will be new and different. I could go on and on. Although most of the work falls on me, I could not do it without Lisa Siever who works at Central

office. I call her the co-director of STEM day.”

Despite all of the preparation involved, it all comes out to be worth it in the end. “[The most rewarding parts of the planning are] seeing our community come together on this grand of a scale, seeing the kids shine as they present their projects [and] seeing the happiness in the kids who attend as they participate in things for the first time,” Sabarre said.

Blosser appreciates the interactions that go on between the kids as well.

“It’s a phenomenal day. It’s a really cool day because you see just hundreds and hundreds of people out looking at not only STEM, but also looking at

Harrisonburg City Schools, so it’s really rewarding to see all of our students out, all grade levels, interacting with adults and families and little kids,” Blosser said.

Sophomore Blane Murphy, one of the engineering students involved in rocketry, is also excited for the learning and fascination he hopes will take place.

“I had a really great time doing STEM Day [two years ago], and the job of teaching and getting kids interested in those subjects really felt good to me, knowing that we have the potential to bring out the next engineer to do great things for the world,” Murphy said. “We just need to give them exposure and spark interest.”

Teachers, students switch roles for day SENIORS from A1 got to participate in all his daily jobs.

“I don’t have a day off, we’ll just do the typical stuff that I do during the day… It’ll be more of the prep for other events,” Darrell Wilson said.

Prieto has enjoyed watching her two replacements figure out how to run a day in her shoes.

“I shadow them, and I guide them. One thing I love doing three times a year is the coffee cart,” Prieto said. “I would’ve done it a little bit later in the February month, but I’m totally cool with doing it today because they got to do it.

Seniors got to choose which staff member they’d be for the day, and one motivation for the mini admin was a chance to discuss the prospect of senior privileges.

“Honestly, [I chose Ms. Prieto] because of the senior privileges. I feel like it was a great opportunity to talk about them... we’re actually having an admin meeting later today to speak about them,” Castadena-Gallardo said. “[I also chose her for] power.

We’re the principal for a day, that’s awesome. You don’t get that experience too often.”

After school, topics were debated for giving seniors certain benefits, a nap hour even being one of the discussed ideas. “[The seniors] did a survey with students during

PHOTO COURTESY OF YEARBOOK

TUETING TWINS. Senior Jessica Denton stands next to government and history teacher Mark Tueting. leadership class for potential senior privileges. We were talking about it, and so they decided that they were going to call an admin meeting. We [gathered] all the admins, including all the mini admins, and [had] a conversation about privileges and to see where we [came] off,” Prieto said.

Casey Wilson and Campillo got to do announcements at the end of the day, as did Morales.

He also got to have an inside look at what a day as

Prieto would be like from morning to afternoon.

“I was really excited because I really wanted to be the principal and get her perspective on how she runs things every single day,” Morales said.

For many seniors, the opportunity at authority was not one to pass up, and by participating, the soon-to-be-graduates were able to practice responsibility, promoting senior privileges and experiencing new tasks.

Students experience real-life project ENERGY from A1

PHOTOS COURTESY OF COLONEL ROY MCCUTCHEON

WORK TOGETHER. JROTC cadets participate in the individual and team challenges during the leadership camp in Brethren Woods. TOP: Cadet attempts to get as many sit-ups as possible. BOTTOM: Cadet works on rope-tying skills.

in chemistry, earth science and AP environmental science might use to study renewable energy pieces.”

According to Jackson, the size and complexity of the project proves to be greatly beneficial to the students. “[The students that are working on the project are learning about] project management, because it’s a long term project, financial project management, the correct way of recording engineering projects in an engineering notebook and about the actual resource itself. There’s lots to be learned,” Jackson

said.

As of right now, the resource that is furthest along is the biodiesel. The students have already been able to create a small scale investigation, and they are now preparing to test the resources that they have generated. After talking to experts, the students have developed plans on how to scale-up their project in order to make gallons of biodiesel, which is a fuel made from recycled vegetable oils and animal fats.

Jackson points out that this type of project is very difficult, but not necessarily uncommon in Dual Enrollment Engineering.

“Dual Enrollment Engineering is very proj-

ect-based, so they are learning and enhancing their skills in engineering by doing complex projects. This is one of those several complex projects that is long-term,” Jackson said. “These are so complex that you’ve got to be working on multiple pieces of it as you go along, and that’s difficult. It is an advanced time management [project].”

The grant was received at the beginning of the year and is designed to last until September of next year. However, the students realistically have to finish it by the end of the school year, because many of them will be graduating.

February 24, 2017

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Gear Up program finds success in first semester Abby Hissong Editor-In-Chief Recipients of the “Gear Up Virginia” (GUV) grant, Harrisonburg High School’s class of 2020 have made it through their first semester as high school students with a few additional perks.

Throughout their high school career, the current freshman class will receive college preparatory services and support that will follow them in various ways all the way through their first year of college. Head of counseling, Rachel Linden and assistant principal Lisa Warren are the program coordinators. Thus far, the grant has been able to fund multiple ventures for its students such as an elaborate freshman orientation, various tutoring outlets and special presenters.

“So far I think the most successful part of the program has been the tutoring aspect. We have tutors that are specifically available to work with Gear Up students, so there is more accessibility to individual sessions during ELT and academic academy for these students,” Linden said. “As of the past week or so, there have been 815 hours of in-person tutoring and 1,455 hours of tutor. com, so our Gear Up students are really using the resources offered to them.

There are 304 students in the ninth grade, so if you do the math, the hours logged are pretty significant.”

The online service, ‘tutor.com’ is site where students have 24/7 access to online tutors in any and all subjects. Select ninth grade teachers have also

gone through training to be a tutor on the website so that they can help their students outside of school as well as in the classroom.

“Out of all the Gear Up programs, HHS was the only school that was through the roof on utilizing [tutor.com]. Because of this, they began to give us more paid hours to let the students use the site, which has made a huge difference,” Warren said.

Looking to the spring, Linden and Warren already have several events planned for Gear Up students with an emphasis on higher education.

“We have several college visits set up later on in the year to various Virginia colleges, such as VCU and JMU. We also have another ECMC college night in April, where we give away three $500 scholarships to students just for attending. This college night will be a little different though, because our focus is going to be mainly on ninth and tenth graders,” Linden said.

In addition, the Gear Up coordinators are also planning on hosting an event called ‘Reality Town’. This event would be open to the general public, and would provide students with useful knowledge when considering their future. “‘Reality Town’ is basically a walk through reality situation where students are assigned a career and given a salary, then they have to figure out how to pay the bills and all the different expenses of life with the designated amount of money they earn. It is meant to emphasize the importance of going to college, all Gear Up students

PHOTO COURTESY OF RACHEL LINDEN

GEAR UP. Freshman Sarah Deloney holds poster with Virginia governor, Terry McAuliffe and Virginia School Board

members. Deloney entered her poster design as part of a contest open to all Gear Up schools regarding college planning and won first place. She attended a Virginia School Board Meeting to accept her award, where her poster was framed and signed by the Governor. be encouraged to attend,” Warren said.

In upcoming years, Linden plans on taking some of the ideas that funds from the Gear Up program have made possible and continuing them.

“The cool thing about Gear Up is that it’s emphasis is on things that we already want to be doing, and in some cases already are doing, but it provides us with additional resources to do things in a different way with some added incentives,” Linden said.

“The Gear Up organization wants to create programs and protocol that will outlast the grant. For example, what we did for orientation this year wasn’t perfect,

but the idea of doing that is something that we plan to continue doing in the upcoming years. We definitely have things to fix and feedback to take into account, but I think generally speaking, people felt that that was a really valuable experience for our freshmen to have.”

After seeing what resources have been helpful for students so far, Warren looks forward to implementing and improving the things for future classes that this year’s freshmen have proven deserve funding within the school.

“It’s great that we have so many additional resources that we wouldn’t be able to afford without the Gear

DECA prepares for states under new leadership Sarah Earle News Editor

After receiving multiple top finishes in districts, DECA will head to the state competition held in Virginia Beach, March 3 - March 5. 24 students will attend states, including the first year teacher and DECA adviser Cassandra Cason-Copeland.

“The children will be participating in a weekend of leadership, competition and awards. We have approximately 24 students that may be participating, and they’ve chosen a category to specialize in. [The category] could be presenting the business plan or doing role plays, it just depends on the category they’ll be competing in,” Copeland said. “It’s a great opportunity to reiterate the skills they’ve learned in class and some of the materials or curriculum… and really put them to use.”

Copeland expected that the students’ success at districts would lead HHS to states, due to their performances in previous years.

“I’m looking forward to seeing how the students take what they’ve learned in the classroom and implement it throughout the

PHOTO COURTESY OF MALLORY CROMER

PAST SUCCESS. Seniors Duncan Rutherford and Danny

Dombrowski, with alumni Chase Berkshire and AK Koyee at DECA Nationals last year in Nashville, TN.

competition,” Copeland said. “I think [going to states] is pretty much what they’ve been doing in the past, and we’ve had a large number of students who qualified for states through winning at districts.”

Many students had received first place at past conferences, including districts, so Copeland isn’t worried about their performance at states.

“Quite a few have already won during the district conferences, so that solidified their place in states, and that’s what hap-

pened with Danny [Dombrowski], Audrey [Knupp and] Lucie [Rutherford].

Also David Gamboa, he placed first in districts. They all came in first,” Copeland said. “I’m expecting that a lot of students will be successful. The competition is really competitive, but I’m confident that our students are prepared to do well.”

Copeland has goals for states, including moving on to the next level.

“Last year, from states, we did have Duncan Rutherford that qualified for the International Conference.

This year it will be in Anaheim, California, so it is my hope that we will have students qualify for the International Conference,” Copeland said.

DECA will leave on Friday, March 3 to head to Virginia Beach. On Saturday, March 4, the team will compete throughout the day, later on having a dinner with all of the competitors from all over the area.

They will head back to Harrisonburg the next day.

Copeland is hopeful for the outcome of states and is preparing for states with the help of the former DECA advisor.

“I’m pretty excited [about states]. A little nervous as well because I’m not sure what to expect, however I’m confident that the students who have participated last year can provide guidance on some of the expectations. I’m feeding off of their excitement, as well,” Copeland said. “There’s a lot of information, a lot of new things that I’m learning and I will say that Mallory Cromer, the past DECA advisor for HHS, has been very helpful in providing me with the information that I need to help assist this chapter.”

Up program funds. Through the money that the grant gives us, we can see what works for students and what doesn’t before suggesting what the school should spend its money on in the future. So when we’re asking for additional funds in the future, we have proof that things like ‘tutor.com’ are worth it, which we wouldn’t have known otherwise,” Warren said.

All in all, Linden and Warren are very pleased with how the grant has been implemented. The position of Gear Up coordinators has come with a lot of new responsibilities, but they both agree that it has been worth it.

“We would love to be doing a lot more for Gear Up students, but we’re only two human beings, so it’s a lot to do. We have so many cool ideas, it is just a matter of seeing if we can get the manpower and financial backing behind the opportunities that we want to offer students,” Linden said. “The HHS staff has really gotten on board to help us with Gear Up, and we’ve thrown a lot at them. We’re so grateful to have them constantly supporting everything we’re trying to do and pushing their students in the right direction. I can’t wait to see all the great things that the program will do for our students in the future.”

Man on the Street:

How have you been preparing for DECA states?

“I’ve been printing out role play situations from previous years and then getting people to work them with me so I can get more comfortable with them and confident in myself.”

Junior Sydney Pigott

Senior Duncan Rutherford

“Preparing for [the International Business Plan], I have to write 30 pages, so I’ve been researching a lot about my business, which is importing Argan Oil from Morocco to the United States. I’ve been getting a lot of content, reading a lot of things that I’ll put in my business plan. Right now I’m working on my presentation at DECA states. They give you all of these bulleted outlines to hit, so I’m researching about that... trying to get the most points that I can.”

“I haven’t done anything; I haven’t prepared at all [for DECA states].”

Sophomore Nick Gladd

The Newsstreak

February 24, 2017 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 editorial board. 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 non-discrimination 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 board 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 Editor-in-Chief: Abby Hissong Print EICs: Lucie Rutherford, Owen Stewart, Christa Cole Online EICs: Garrett Cash, Olivia Comer, Angel Hendrix Advertising Managers: Madison Varner, Audrey Knupp, Anna Rath Photographers: Christa Cole, Andrew Rath, David Gamboa-Pena, Yogesh Aradhey Page Editors: Kyle Brown, Anna Rath, Andi Fox, Christian Rodriguez, Nyah Phengsitthy, Yogesh Aradhey, Hannah Miller, Jackson Hook, Theo Yoder, Lucie Rutherford, Abigail Hissong, Christa Cole, Noah Siderhurst, Sam Heie, Owen Stewart, Owen Marshall, Vivian Neal Staff Reporters: Yusuf Aboutabl, Yogesh Aradhey, Kyle Brown, Garrett Cash, Christa Cole, Olivia Comer, Danny Dombrowski, Sarah Earle, David Gamboa, Sam Heie, Angel Hendrix, Abigail Hissong, Jackson Hook, Audrey Knupp, Samantha Little, Owen Marshall, Hannah Miller, Nyah Phengsitthy, Anna Rath, Christian Rodriguez, Lucie Rutherford, Noah Siderhurst, Owen Stewart, Madison Varner, Theo Yoder, Carrie Yoder, Max McDaniel, Hannah Daniel, Lene Andrawas, John Breeden, Ryan Doerr, Andrew Ely, Lily Gusler, Jackie Mateo-Sanchez, Forrest Matter, Jewelia Rodriguez, KiYosia Wallace, Andi Fox, Zoey Fox, Andrew Rath, Edgar Sanchez-Bautista, Vivian Neal, Carson Rising, Iris Cessna, Ty McDaniel, Anzhela Nyemchenko, Jake Urbanski, Josh Wilson, Kenyaa Wright, Samantha Little Professional Affiliations The Newsstreak participates as a member of several journalistic evaluation services including the Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA-2010 Gold Evaluation and 2005, 2009 and 2015 Silver Crown Winner), Quill&Scroll Journalism Honor Society (2012 Gallup Award), National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA) All-American, the Virginia High School League, Inc. Trophy Class Award, and the Southern Interscholastic Press Association All Southern Ranking and 2010 Scroggins Award winner. hhsmedia.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 DO NOT want my son/daughter (place student’s name here) to have his or her name or image published on the new online version of the newspaper, www. hhsmedia.com.

Op-Ed-A4

NEWSSTREAK STAFF EDITORIAL Every high schooler dreams of the day they graduate, the day they get to throw their cap up into the air and cheer and yell and shout in celebration of their accomplishment.

Everyone has their own unique high school experience, but we all share that common goal. Getting to the finish line is not an easy task, but we’ve become adept at overcoming obstacles during our three and a half years here.

The beginning of the end starts when we become seniors.

Reaching the top of the high school

hierarchy is a fulfilling feeling. We’re in the home stretch and the finish line is in sight.

Every senior is inching towards graduation at the same pace, but with different hurdles in their rearview mirror. Some of us don’t take our foot off the gas pedal and take four or more AP classes, but a lot, if not a majority, of seniors ease up a little bit and decide to enjoy their last year of high school. After all, we’ve been through three years of it. We still have to show up and take our tests and do our homework like the rest of the student

body, but being a senior should come with a few privileges.

Senior privileges are something HHS is familiar with in the past, but they have been recently discontinued.

I agree that we are not entitled to a reward just for being seniors, but it is not so outlandish to allow us to leave class two minutes early, have lunch off campus, let us leave the school a day earlier than the rest, show up to school a few minutes late or decorate our graduation caps.

Having things like these will have little

WHAT IS THE STAFF EDITORIAL?

The unsigned staff editorial appears in each issue and reflects the majority opinion of the Newsstreak Staff Editorial Board. The Editorial Board is comprised of all editors-in-chief, page editors, advertising managers, photographers and selected freshman journalism students. In no way does our opinion reflect that of the school system or the administration.

ART BY ZOEY FOX

or no effect on the education we are getting, but they make a world of difference to the tired senior who has been through it all for over three years.

While the freshmen, sophomores and juniors might find this unfair, it’s important to point out that they’ll get their turn in

due time.

Senior year is definitely different than the previous three years, with a combination of stressors that younger classes don’t experience.

With those differences, we should not be treated the same as the rest. We’re coming

towards the end of a long and tiring journey with little motivation left in the tank. Senior privileges would help keep us going as we near graduation, as well as make us feel like we’ve accomplished something, which we most definitely have.

Conservative viewpoints are misunderstood by general public

Graduation cap decoration shouldn’t have to be earned

Gabe Poirot Guest Columnist

Abby Hissong Editor-In-Chief

effectively ignoring the health care rights of unborn children, (of which half are women). The fight against abortion can be summed up with America. Oh, how I love the great quote of Dr Seuss in the America. It’s no doubt that our classic Horton Hears A Who, “A beloved country just witnessed a person´s a person, no matter how bizarre election characterized by small.” a revolution of the silent majority Not only does the Republican versus the politically correct in platform support life before the power. Our attention womb, but their policies has been gravitated enable true financial into the person of blessings and prosperity our new president, to come upon this great (understandably so) country. It doesn’t take instead of the platform a degree in economics that he stands on. to know that excess Here is the question: taxes and debt don’t A Voice of Have you actually read do much to stimulate a the Republican and Reason country’s economy, but Democratic platforms, somehow the left is still or have your eyes seemingly ignorant where this is been glued on CNN? It takes the concerned. The Republican party is realization that President Trump is clear when it comes to government compelled to stand on the values revenue collecting and spending, that any moral American should focusing their attention on cutting agree with to see that our beloved unnecessary taxes and curb country is not going to get worse, corporate welfare. Compare this to but rather wax bold and great. the spending happy liberals, who Now before you go bonkers, aim to increase taxes and use the let me clearly state that I am not money to “reinvest in America, a supporter of his derogatory ensuring economic growth that comments, neither am I a supporter will lead to millions of good-paying of all his stances; I simply stand on jobs”. While this sounds peachy, it’s the side of life. It is obvious to me not so easy or logical. As if taking that the two political platforms are money out of the economy by way ones of life and death, with one of taxes (which lessens hiring by seeing that all life is a gift from God, companies) and then “reinvesting” and another esteeming that the will solve our country’s economy. If choice of a woman is higher than a the democrats had their way with precious child´s chance to be alive. the countries money, we would Yes, I am talking about abortion. continue to drive this country According to the party’s official further and further in debt. website, the Republican platform In conclusion, after seeing the currently asserts the sanctity differing sides of both political of human life and says that an platforms, I encourage you to take unborn child has the right to live, your eyes off the liberal media, period. Trump has time and time and wake up to the extremely again stood by this and opposed dangerous and illogical stances of the horrible act of abortion, with the Democratic platform. My goal the exceptions of rape, incest, or is not to convince you to become if the woman’s life was in danger. a Republican, but rather to educate This stance clearly separates itself the students (and faculty) of HHS from the death statement of the to the viewpoints of the political Democratic party, which states platforms of our great country. I that all women should be privy write this article in full support of to reproductive health services every person, no matter the race, in addition to “safe and legal religion, ideology, or upbringing. I abortion”. By stating this, the am not endorsing the in all that he immoral left is hiding the truth of has done, but I choose to endorse abortion under the umbrella of and stand on the side of abundant “reproductive health services”, and life.

milestones in their lives, we should be able to reflect who we are, where we’re going and who we want to be, however we There are certain privileges choose to do so.

The other main argument that must be earned in school, such as being able to go to the that administration has used to library during free time, choosing back their decision is that there where you want to go for ELT and is a possibility that students who you want to sit with in class. would put inappropriate or As students, we are by no means offensive things on their caps, entitled to every freedom, and therefore they would not be allowed to walk. Hence, because however I do believe there is a possibility that some liberties that someone might should just be given take advantage and shouldn’t have to of this privilege, be earned. Primarily, administration has the right to design chosen to not give it to our graduation caps anyone. This mindset however we see fit. not only seems unfair, This issue has been debated time and Dear Abby 2.0 but also unnecessarily preemptive. I think time again within our I speak for most school, but for some reason, no compromise has students when I say that we ever been made. Students have want to decorate our caps made petitions, suggested a because we want to wear a part supervised “decorating session”, of ourselves when we receive even gone to the school board; the diploma that we’ve worked yet our administration stays for 13 years to get. We want firm on refusing to let students to display our country’s flag, our favorite quotes, our future decorate their caps.

The main reasoning behind college, our baby pictures and their stance is that graduation our accomplishments. With our attire should be ‘traditional’ and families in the crowd watching, that if students decorated their we want to give them a way to caps, they would be breaking spot us in the midst of hundreds this ‘sacred custom’. This excuse of other students. By not is not only lack luster, but it allowing graduates represent literally does not make any themselves on their caps, sense. Excuse me for saying so, administration is taking away but Harrisonburg High School their student’s voices out of fear is by no means your run of the that one person could mess up.

In order to graduate, we have mill, cookie-cutter, American high school, and that’s a good had to sit through countless thing! Fifty-five languages are tests, complete hundreds of spoken in our school alone, projects and study late into we have students come here the night. We have worked from all over the world and we incredibly hard to get where we are told to proudly display our are, and we should be allowed to diversity all the time. So why represent this hard work on our should our graduation ceremony caps. By refusing us this liberty, reflect that we are all the same, administration is basically telling when everyday we revel in the us that they don’t trust us and fact that we are different? We they don’t respect our opinions show our camaraderie as a on the matter. In order to ever class by successfully graduating reach a compromise where both together, therefore we don’t parties are happy, administration need matching caps to show must first show us that they that we are unified. As students respect our views as a student celebrate one of the biggest body.

Demilitarizing police will lessen stigma around law enforcement Noah Siderhurst Op-Ed Editor 963 people were shot and killed by police in 2016.

135 police officers died in 2016. That’s a difference of 828. These numbers represent a fundamental power imbalance between the people in the United States and the agents of government sent to protect them, otherwise known as the police. Is it really right for citizens of a country to receive extra-judicial capital punishments, many times not because of threatening behavior but because of race or other prejudices? It’s simply not right. But how do we fix this imbalance?

Whenever I see a police officer, my first feeling is apprehension. Even in our school, the resource officer wears a bulletproof vest

Sagacious Siderhurst and carries a gun.

For me, the thing that causes this apprehension is not a long history of systemic racism against me personally, although the knowledge of its existence for people of color does make me question the assumption of the “good cop,” but the fact that police look like they are armed for a war zone.

They look ready for battle, almost daring trouble to try their might.

This is why I have come to the conclusion that police should no longer

carry guns.

If police do not have guns, less people will die at the hands of police.

It is very hard to dispute this claim. Where there is disagreement is over the aspect of police self defense. When a police officer’s life is in danger, they should have a way to fight back, to save themselves. However, if I am about to shoot an unarmed police officer and the police officer does not attempt to attack me, I will most definitely think twice before taking his life. On the side of the police officer, this puts added focus on learning ways to defuse a situation and promotes a strategy of community policing rather than doing everything by force.

This will also have the added benefit of improving police-community relations. If police are

forced to not be able to rely on weapons to apprehend people, they will inevitably have to adopt a strategy that relies heavily on the community instead. In addition, if police portray themselves less as an occupying force complete with body armor and weapons, people within the community will be less afraid. When police look more like people and less like machines, policecommunity relations will thaw.

This is not to say that there should not still be special teams designed to respond to violent threats such as shootings, although the extent of their deployment is a debate for another time, it is just to say that the extent to which regular, everyday police officers have become militarized is unsettling.

If you still believe getting

guns away from police is all a liberal conspiracy to weaken the government, just look at Great Britain.

Since the 19th century, police in Great Britain have not carried guns. Obviously, the US is a very different country, but it is still worth considering this example.

Locally, Harrisonburg seems like the perfect place to implement such a policy. Our department has shown a willingness to adopt change, especially in the implementation of restorative justice, and we are a small enough town that such sweeping changes could be implemented easily. We also have very few homicides or assaults, a fact that means there is not much violent crime here.

Our city police department should seriously consider the possibility of taking guns out of the hands of our officers.

The Newsstreak

February 24, 2017

HOT Or NOT

BY CHRISTIAN RODRIGUEZ

Dakota Access Pipeline: Protesters claim it could contaminate water supply and is disturbing land sacred to the Sioux Indian Tribe.

Hundreds protest immigration ban in Downtown Harrisonburg: Principal Cynthia Prieto along with students from the school attended the protest.

Legislation against protesters: In North Dakota, a lawmaker has introduced a bill that would allow motorists to run over and kill any protester obstructing a highway as long as the driver did not do it intentionally.

Patriots win: The Patriots beat the Falcons in Super Bowl LI after overcoming a 25 point deficit in the last two quarters.

Flu season: It’s the time of runny noses and coughs.

Make sure to get your flu shot to protect yourself from the virus.

Australian Open winning streak: Serena Williams beats Venus Williams to win her 7th Australian Open Title.

Quebec Mosque shooting: Six Muslims were shot on Jan. 29.

Holocaust museum makes statement: US Holocaust Museum makes statement aimed toward protecting Syrian refugees from immigration ban and not wanting history to repeat when Jews were not admitted into the United States during the Holocaust.

Bacon shortage and price increase: The largest price increase seen in January was 56 cents, and are projected to keep increasing due to low supply.

Starbucks and refugees: Starbucks claims it will hire 10,000 refugees worldwide in the next five years.

School closings: US had largest school closings in preparation of snowstorms after winter storms cover the Northeast.

Musical performances: Meet me in St. Louis performed February 16th, 17th, and 18th.

Arrested: Knicks announce the arrest of Charles Oakley.

Trump economy: Donald Trump envisions a booming economy that will create 25 million new jobs in the next decades.

Flynn steps down: National security adviser Michael Flynn resigned after allegations of possibly illegal communications with the Russian ambassador to the US. Beyoncé twins: Beyoncé released an entire pregnancy photo album that displayed she is planning on having twins.

No snow days: Due to extensive warm weather, HCPS has not experienced any snow days during the 2016-2017 winter season.

Harrisonburg Mormons making shoes for charity: Kids at the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Harrisonburg make shoes for people in Uganda in need.

Varsity boys basketball ends season: The boys lost against Handley High School in the conference semifinals on Monday, Feb. 14.

Tom Brady named MVP: Tom Brady was named MVP of the NFL after the Super Bowl.

School internet should not be filtered Sam Heie Feature Editor In this era of online education and exploration in schools, several classes rely heavily on both extensive internet research and reaching alternative websites to understand the functions and mechanisms of the world. A full dosage of different perspectives helps the student body become more critical and digest information in a unique manner. However, this intellectual thinking can be impaired by the school internet due to excessive blocks on servers that search for keywords which may have relevance in the classroom. It is understandable to prohibit students from accessing inappropriate and illegal material on school grounds, but when legitimate sources and articles are restricted, it becomes detrimental to students’ learning.

I am a member of both debate and journalism at the high school. The students of both are critical-thinking and aware, and are required to speak knowledgeably about controversial topics. One article written by a Newsstreak member online was rejected by the school server because it contained the word ‘unblocked.’ The article was about the new access rule for YouTube on school computers. It was not a student searching for unblocked porn, it was a news article about a new school policy. Incidents like this have happened in debate as well. Several topics covered this year are about contentious issues, and students have to be able to argue both sides of the issue. We often find that some websites with certain ideological or political leanings are blocked, whereas the opposing view’s websites are not. I am not alone in this experience. An American Library Association analysis of the current filtering system required by the Children’s Internet Protection Act found that current filtering software is “putting children’s education at risk”.

I do not think that school-wide administrators or teachers mean to create a bias with the filtering system, rather that the system blocks of keywords and phrases are too broad. This system may successful-

ly steer the occasional student to not abuse this power can be straying on the dark side of the made serious enough that students would abide. At college, internet back to the educational you are trusted not to cheat on sphere, but in many cases, such tests or assignments. If you are as my countless encounters with caught doing so, a big fat zero iboss, it associates certain words is often the result. The model and phrases with suspicious acwe could use in our school systivity. Understandably, these Heie-er tem obviously wouldn’t be as walls are meant to protect the Power harsh, but a severe punishment individual student and the entire such as loss of internet privistudent body from dangerous material, but the censors create a predic- leges in school would be strong enough ament: do we allow free access without to hold wanderers in line. This would free restriction or do we try to protect students up a substantial amount of time for both while subsequently coddling them? Nei- the students and the staff assigned with ther is ideal, so there has to be an alter- preventing incidents. The code of conduct prohibiting students from carrying out dunative.

The honor code system is used in var- bious activity would remain without a draious school and work environments. It conian filtering system.

The possibilities of a primarily free inplaces trust in the individuals to use the resources responsibly and it punishes them if ternet at school opens a whole new degree they do not. This is what professors in col- of perspective and understanding for the lege use to prevent cheating. This is a sys- student body. The internet was arguably tem where the student population is trust- made to spread the vast knowledge and ed to behave honorably without strenuous ideas of the international community. On supervision. It’s time we apply this to our that basis, it is only hypocritical of us to attempt to restrict the free-flowing beauty internet policy.

Complete access to internet sounds like of the internet webbing that connects eva long shot at first glance, but the incentive eryone.

Protective or restrictive?

Out of 4,299 schools surveyed by the American Association of School Librarians:

94% (4,041) use filtering software

92% said yes

84% (3,740) have an acceptable use policy 73% (3,138) supervise students while using the internet 27% (1,174) limit access to the internet

8% said no INFOGRAPHIC BY SAM HEIE

Valentine’s day puts too much focus on materialism Ryan Doerr Staff Reporter

romantic interactions about material possessions and not genuine connection.

It seems that, as of recently, I really, really, really hate Valencouples have taken to validating tine’s day.

A lot of people on social media themselves based on what kind of talk about how much they hate the Christmas presents they can give not-so-holiday, but most of the talk or how over-the-top they can make surrounds how much they despise their nights out. The problem is ofit because they’re single. I’m not tentimes most prevalent with teenage girls. single, but I hate it regardless.

I’ve seen so many girls expectValentine’s day is a holiday creing their dates to drop ridiculous ated by greeting card and chocolate companies to turn a profit on amounts of money on taking them relationships. They prey on the out to dinner or buying them clothmaterialistic nature of the teens ing and makeup on a whim, and it’s just not a realistic expecand 20-somethings of totation to have of another day, and use that to push person. Your boyfriend relationships based on shouldn’t have to prove things and not people. he cares about you by Of course there are albuying you expensive ways those couples who things, just as having a simply see Valentine’s boyfriend who buys you day as an opportunity expensive things doesn’t to express their love for Ryan’s automatically mean he each other a little more, Ramblings cares about you. but there is no steadThis is the age of confast rule that relationsumption, we all know this by now. ships can’t have days like this at ANY point of the year. There is no Technology is advancing at a more reason for a holiday that has the rapid rate than ever before, and sole purpose of pressuring couples it’s becoming possible to achieve into doing expensive, gift-orient- things we never thought we could ed activities together in the hopes as a society. We like to have things. of forcing their cute relationships Sometimes, it seems that we like to have things more than we like to down the throats of strangers.

Now this may sound like a pes- have people. But mistaking shiny simistic outlook on love. Maybe new things for love and connectsome people simply enjoy giving edness removes us from what hugifts to their significant others, and mans love about one another. We Valentine’s day offers them a venue are social creatures, and while our to express those preferences. But nice things are pleasing for a little the problem doesn’t rest in having while, we can lose the ability to a day for this kind of thing—it’s the feel close to one another if we’re idea that we, as a society, are will- searching for money and not heart. ing to make our person-to-person

Of $18.9 billion spent on Valentine’s day in 2015: Restaurants - 4%

Stabbing at 7/11: The stabbing occurred on the night of Feb. 5, killing one. It was the first homicide in Harrisonburg of the new year.

Movies - 4%

Hannah Daniel Staff Reporter

of things, but I had to stop every so often to sit because my body wasn’t This year, I made a used to the movement. I mistake. I did not get my got really good at taking flu shot like I usually do pills at varying intervals during the fall months, throughout the day, and I nor did I get it during the caught up on a lot of the wintertime, and nor did I Netflix I’d been missing.

I was lucky that the get it even as I watched many of my friends con- strain of flu I caught only tract the flu and miss caused myalgia (muscle days after days of school. soreness), fevers, and a No, I did not get the flu small sinus infection. The symptoms of shot for the the flu were first time in my terrible, but life this flu seathe worst part son, and you’ll of all was the never guess amount of what hapschool and pened next: I practice I had caught the flu. to miss beWhat started out as a Hannah-Rama cause of it. At c o n fe r e n c e , head cold my relay team got more and had made more severe as my week Regionals (my first time went on. A combination ever!) and I wanted to of stress and lack of sleep probably didn’t help my go into it with everything immune system, and that I had. Because of the that Friday, I competed flu, I only attended two at conference with the practices that week. I also swim team and got home became super behind in at 2:00am. The next day, my classes and mentorI promptly lost my voice. ship, and I had to sit out I hung out with a friend many of my extracurricuand stayed up late Sat- lar activities.

I didn’t get the flu shot urday night as well, then this year, and I regret it. worked all day Sunday.

Not only do I regret not Not surprisingly, I woke up Monday morning getting the vaccination with a fever and terrible for my own sake, but also because it put my comcough.

I slept until 1:00pm, munity at risk. The higher and spent the entirety of percent of a population the day either watching that is protected from TV, sleeping, or trying to the flu (by vaccination), get someone to entertain the less likely the chance me. I had little to no appe- for the flu to spread from tite, and any movement person to person. I didn’t required intense concen- get the flu shot because it tration, energy and will- was inconvenient to get it power. Tuesday proved a each time an opportunity similar fate, and Wednes- was presented. After this day was spent trying to year’s lesson, I won’t ever get back into the groove miss the flu shot again.

Benefits of flu shot

Flowers - 30%

Apparel - 22%

Immigration order having an impact: Study says Harrisonburg is included in the most impacted areas by Trump’s immigration order.

Harrisonburg in Washington Post: A story about ‘The Friendly City’ and its inclusiveness appears in the Washington Post on Feb. 12.

Is school filtering at HHS too harsh?

Better to value heart over money Flu shot worth getting

Specialty gifts - 11%

Travel ban ruled unconstitutional: A Virginia US district judge ruled the travel ban unconstitutional on the basis that religious bias is at its heart.

Op-Ed-A5

Jewelry - 29% INFORMATIONS FROM NATIONAL RETAIL FEDERATION INFOGRAPHIC BY RYAN DOERR

1) Reduced risk of getting sick

People who get the flu shot have a 60% lower risk of getting the flu.

2) Less severe symptoms

Flu vaccination may make your illness milder.

3) Protection for people around you

Getting vaccinated protects people around you from being given the virus.

4) Reduced risk of hospitalization

Children and elderly people (the most vulnerable to the flu) are much less likely to end up in the hospital.

INFORMATION FROM THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION INFOGRAPHIC BY NOAH SIDERHURST

The Newsstreak

February 24, 2017

Feature - A6

Cookin’Mania

Cooking class emphasizes nutrition and wellness through hands-on work Sarah Earle Staff Reporter With a variety of options of classes to take at HHS, the cooking class appeals to those who are either interested in a career in the restaurant industry or who want to do hands-on work. Family and Consumer Sciences teacher Diana Kern attempts to incorporate all different types of foods for students to cook and gives them an all around experience, rather than just cooking. “[The cooking class] teaches a lot of stuff.

The nutrition class teaches you healthy lifestyles; not just eating habits, but also stress management, sleep habits, exercise, and nutrition and wellness,” Kern said. “Foods and hospitality teaches you about basic cooking skills and the hospitality industry, that includes food, beverage, travel, tourism, and lodging. Advanced Foods is the class for students that have already had the other two classes; it takes it to the next level and puts emphasis on regional foods of the United States and Foreign foods.”

Prior to starting a unit on a particular food, Kern teaches everything there is to know

about the food to give students knowledge on what they’re making.

“Before we make something, we have to go over the recipe, understand the terms. If we’re in a particular unit, say vegetables, we have to study about vegetables; all different kinds, why they’re good for you, the cooking tips for them, and all of those things before we actually make them,” Kern said. “We just started a new semester, so [currently] the practice labs are usually just things to get them started, learning how to measure and read recipes.

Cookies and biscuits we start out with to practice and then we’ll go on to, since it’s winter time, soups and stews and chili.”

Kern includes as many recipes and foods as she can for the students, that way they can get a feel for the basics and the complex aspects of cooking. “[We make] everything. Fruits, vegetables, salads, soups, stews, chilies, cakes, pies, biscuits, muffins; I could go on and on. Chocolate chip cookies, creamy chicken noodle soup, and Baked Alaska are some of the favorites,” Kern said. “[The amount of time spent cooking] depends on the unit.

Baking can go on forever, [meanwhile] sal-

What is your go-to food to make?

JP Mwami, 12

“Ravioli and my mom’s spaghetti.”

Kinsley Neff, 12

“Spaghetti.”

Diana Matute, 12

“Spaghetti.”

Roshdy Abdalla,10

“Chocolate Chip Cookies.”

Doyle Dick, 11

“An omelet because it makes me look fancy.”

Israel Kakule 11

“Chicken Alfredo.”

POLL BY JOSH WILSON

PHOTO BY SARAH EARLE

BON APETIT. Junior Irina Logvinovich (left) and senior Marta Khikhol prepare a Pizza Supreme in their advanced Foods and Hospitality class. ads don’t take as long.”

After completing the cooking, students have to eat what they make. A big misconception for the cooking class is that students don’t have to do dishes or bookwork, but Kern requires both. Even though she implements bookwork, Kern believes that

the cooking part makes up for it. “[My favorite part about the cooking class] is that it’s a hands-on activity. We’re always up doing stuff and making things and evaluating; it’s just a fun class and an activity class,” Kern said.

Coffelt carries on love for baking since childhood

Olivia Comer Online Editor-in-Chief

Harrisonburg harbors two Kline’s Dairy Bar businesses, both closer to one side of town and nearly a 15 minute drive from the other. Kline’s bustles all year round and seems to be a Harrisonburg favorite, but it is not the only option for fresh ice cream.

On University Boulevard just above Regal Movie Theater, Bruster’s is an ice cream and cake stand that opens in April and stays open until November.

Junior Emily Coffelt found a job at Bruster’s decorating cakes for the summer.

“Usually when you start working there you don’t first go to cakes, but I just started with it and the owner liked them so I kept doing it,” Coffelt said.

As a child, Coffelt’s future aspirations revolved around owning her own bakery. This idea sparked from quality kitchen time with her grandmother.

“I really always have [been baking] with my grandma and when I was younger I always wanted to open my own bakery. So I guess [I’ve just been baking] forever,” Coffelt said.

At that young stage, Coffelt focused her interests on simpler things then later progressed to cakes, and then cupcakes, her favorite.

Hugo Kohl Precious Gems

“I started out with cookies and then I moved on to cakes and cupcakes and stuff like that. I mostly do cupcakes, my sister likes cake, but I like cupcakes more,” Coffelt said. “Usually when I start baking I already have a plan in mind for what I want to do with it.”

Recently, outside of her job at Bruster’s, Coffelt has not had time to bake as much as she would like to, but the holidays always give her the chance to get back into it.

PHOTO COURTESY OF EMILY COFFELT

SWEET TREATS. One of Coffelt’s baking creations includes a cake work for a grandparent’s 50th anniversary celebration.

February 24, 2017

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Feature-A9

The Newsstreak

Your course registration guide English, World Languages and Social Studies

Elective Courses

Advanced Placement Courses

Math, Science and Physical Education

Math, Science and Physical Education

Kyel Towler, Senior Social Studies: “My favorite history class I’ve taken so far is Macroeconomics which I’m taking right now and that’s just studying the economy and all that. If people were to take macro-economy class than honestly their lives would be better. It’s actually part of an area I want to go into later in life.”

World Languages: “Spanish, I wish I had actually taken it longer than I had. Spanish is like a more predominant language in our own country so It would me if I had taken more Spanish classes.”

English: “AP English, [My teacher was] Kibler and because she’s a cool lady and the class really prepared me for writing more often which I plan to do later on. Even if you’re not particularly good and a well student for English class, you can add to your proficiency and have a better understanding.”

Jenny Alvarado, Junior “[I like] piano because it helps me want to learn it and appreciate it more. I would recommend it because I see it more as a base of learning and a good beginner course.”

Neha Pokhrel, Senior “I really enjoy AP Macro Economics because of the teacher and also it’s very different from other AP classes that I’ve taken. [I also like] AP Biology just because I’m interested in it and also something that is really beneficial to me because I want to go into medicine so that’s a building block on my future.”

Shadther Rosso-Feliz, Sophomore Math: “My favorite math class here at HHS was taking honors geometry with Mrs. Stuckey, because she is always open to my questions after school.”

Science: “My favorite science class was Earth science with Ms. Wolchak, because she is very nice and patient.”

P.E.: “My favorite physical education class has been P.E. 10 with Ms. Thompson over the summer because she pushes me to be better.”

Mrs. Amber Corriston “As a dancer I think I would want to take the anatomy class because I’ve heard it’s really great and I would want to go back and like learn all the specifics about our bodies and what not.”

John Collier, Sophomore Social Studies: “AP US History with Mr. Blair, he can make history actually interesting and funny, plus he tells a lot of stories. [I would recommend taking this class because] there’s not a lot of work, but there’s a lot of discussion.”

World Languages: “Spanish 2 with Mrs. Hook because she always made sure we got the best grade we could. [I would recommend it because] it’s a good pace and not too fast.”

English: “Mrs. Digg’s English class because she always helped us to the best of our ability. [I would recommend taking her class because] it gives you the chance to read Carissa Roberts, Junior Social Studies: “My favorite class was definitely Mr. Healy’s class [AP Euro] just because Mr. Healy has a lot of background in Europe, so he’s full of fun stories and he just makes everything really interesting. I would recommend them to take it because it’s a hard course but as long as you read the textbook you’ll be fine and it’s a really easy AP course to take and have on your college application.”

Ann Diaz, Freshman Social Studies: My favorite subject is World History 1 Honors with Ms. Oakes, because she is a very awesome teacher. I think people should take the class as an honors class because I think it’s pretty simple, as long as you do everything you’re asked you’ll be fine. Ms. Oakes is very funny and accepting. The class is great because you can turn in assignments late and receive full credit for them as long as you turn them in before the chapter test.

Hasham Ahmed, Junior “The best elective that I’ve taken is probably computer science because it’s a fun class and I get to do a lot. I really enjoy messing around with computers, it’s kind of one of my favorite things to do. I would recommend this class because it’s an AP class so I think you should definitely try and you can get a college credit out of it as well.”

Randee Joven, Junior “Food & Hospitality is perhaps my most helpful class that could be used in everyday life and the future because I don’t know how to cook...Yearbook is my second best elective because I’m the copy editor right now and although it can be a little stressful... The class gives people an opportunity to be creative too, and I got to meet great people through this class.”

Wendy Santiago, Freshman “My favorite elective is concert band and dance one.

First band is my favorite elective because I have been in band for years now... I like it, I play the clarinet and each year it gets harder and harder.”

Carissa Roberts, Junior “Creative Writing just because you really don’t do anything in that class, and when you do end up doing stuff it’s just fun to be able to let your imagination flow and you don’t really have direction so you just kind of get to go and make what you want to make.”

Cecily Lawton, Senior “I would say band… I’ve always been in band throughout school and I’ve really developed a family throughout it all …. I just really like making music and I like the people and I’m always around them so their really like my family… I would definitely recommend this class but there’s a little bit of a [problem] if you haven’t played an instrument before.”

Emily Chirinos, Sophomore “My favorite elective is art.

I’ve always liked drawing and painting and just art in general...Yeah I would recommend this class because overall it’s a relaxing class because you don’t have to complete a ton of homework outside of class… It’s mostly all done inside the class and it’s a stress reliever.”

Ryan Showalter, Senior “This year my favorite AP class, is AP Biology, I really enjoy the content and Mr. Bair is a great teacher so it makes it all fun and it’s closest to the career I want to pursue in biology or Biotechnology so it helps me the most.”

Kennedy Wolter, Senior AP: My favorite [AP classes] have been AP Biology and AP Psychology. I am planning on majoring in biology, with a minor in psychology. We learned a lot of new and interesting things that will be helpful in the future. I would highly recommend both of them!

Tyler Rodriguez, Senior “This year I’d probably say AP Psychology because I like Mr. Healy. He’s fun, [he] brings a lot of background to the class and the class in general is very interesting to me and I’ve never really had a class like that here in school.”

Genevieve Cowardin, Senior “I recommend so many. I definitely recommend AP Biology, I took the class last year, it’s such an amazing experience. I learned an incredible amount and also how to study.”

Kellie Serrell, Senior “My favorite AP class is AP Spanish because we don’t take tests or quizzes but we get to practice skills such as speaking, listening, reading, and writing. I would recommend people to take AP Spanish.”

Lucy Moss, Senior “My favorite AP class is AP Government because Mr. Tueting is my favorite teacher by far, out of every teacher I’ve ever had. He acknowledges when he is wrong, he’s so calm and respectful to us.

I think that everyone should take AP Biology because it’s really hard but I think it would really prepare you for college like if you want to be prepared ... It’s really great for teaching you how to study, time management skills, and you learn a lot in that class. Your time is never wasted, you’re always learning.”

Nuri Real-Mendez, Senior “[I recommend] psychology because it’s a good class and the teacher is pretty chill.”

Carly Corso, Freshman Math: “My favorite class is Geometry with Ms. Nafzinger, because she is a good teacher.”

Science: “My favorite science class here at HHS has been Earth Science with Ms. Wolchak, because I have found the class to be interesting.”

P.E.: “I took P.E. 9 here, and I liked it because it was over the summer.”

Meredith Goss, Junior Math: “My favorite class I have taken at HHS is algebra 2 with Mr. Henschel, because he is an awesome teacher.”

Science: “My favorite science class that I have taken here at HHS is Honors Biology with Mr. Bair, because he always had interesting stories to tell.”

P.E.: “My favorite P.E. class at HHS is when I took P.E. 9 with Mr. Tysinger. It was my favorite because I had class with my friends.”

Kyle Showalter, Sophomore Science: “I am currently in biology and I like it, I like how my teacher [Mr. Bair] wants me to learn and how he teaches.”

Brianna Kelly, Sophomore Science: My favorite science class so far has been STEM Biology with Mr. Blosser. He has a great teaching style, and he write his notes by hand which are easier for me to understand rather than a powerpoint. I also liked learning about genetics, that was one of our past units.

Genevieve Kennedy, Sophomore Math: I really enjoyed Algebra 2 with Mr. Estes, he taught in a way that was easy to understand. It was easy to follow during class.

Malak Bani-Hani, Sophomore Science: My favorite science class has been Earth Science class with Ms. Wolchak. I really enjoyed it because it was a very hands-on class, and I was interested in the real world topics.

Mrs. Cara Walton “I’m biased I would say World History, but I would also say AP Psych because psychology is very fascinating.”

Mr. Kevin Tysinger “[I would take] P.E. it was my favorite when I was in school. I would probably honestly have looked into taking a class too at MTC when I was high school. I think it is a great advantage that we don’t all take into thought.”

Nurse Angela Knupp “[I would take] Spanish to be bilingual, things I could use, skills in my job to communicate with other people.”

Mr. Paul Rath “I would definitely take a weight training class and I would also be in the STEM Academy for the sciences.”

Mr. Aaron Cosner “I would like to take Mrs. Walton’s history class. She is quite possibly the coolest teacher ever and her classroom is the raddest place in the building.”

Mrs. Sally Young “Latin, we used to offer it…

I just love learning languages, and this is the mother of French, as well.”

Ms. Amy Wheeler “Anatomy and Physiology because I like learning about how the human body works and moves.”

Mr. Billy Martin “I would take Personal Finance, because I am the world’s worst money manager.”

Mrs. Lisa Warren “[I would take] AP Psychology.”

Mrs. Cathy Grogg “I would’ve [taken a class that gave me] a trade or skill that I could always fall back on.”

Mr. Korey Lamb “[I would take] Mac Music or Dance One.” Mr. Ryan Henschel “Pre-Calculus because it gives you a better understanding of the math you have learned so far and it relates it to some real-life example.”

Mr. Ryan Henschel “Pre-Calculus because it gives you a better understanding of the math you have learned so far.

February 24, 2017

JROTC BALL The Newsstreak

The JROTC Annual Ball took place on Saturday, Feb. 11, and is one of the highlights of the year for the school group. It consists of a formal dance and several other celebrations and acknowledgments.

JROTC members reflect on ball experiences Ryan Doerr Staff Reporter Every year, JROTC holds a formal ball to teach cadets that professionalism and fun can live together. This year, the ball will be held at the Spotswood Country Club in February. The ball has been a long-standing JROTC tradition that creates memorable moments for all cadets.

For senior Diana Matute, last year’s ball was a fulfilling, positive experience in more ways than one.

“I love the food. I love dancing with everyone. It feels like a family event, and it feels great to be with everyone.

You get to hear other people’s stories, and it’s really cool,” Matute said.

Sophomore Maggie Hernandez had a similar experience at her first ball.

“I liked the senior tributes, and when the seniors got to talk about what JROTC meant to them and how it impacted their lives. The dancing was really fun, and the food was good. It was a fun place to be with the people you want to be with.”

The ball, which is organized almost entirely by the students, becomes a pivotal bonding experience for members of the JROTC community. Senior Kinsley Neff knows this well.

“I was head of the ball committee

last year,” Neff said. “People don’t realize how much work goes into the ball, and it’s all done by the cadets.

The only thing Sergeant Major does is sign the contract for the venue. It was really cool being a part of that.”

Last year, Neff’s role as head of the committee included a number of different tasks.

“As head, you have to make a seating chart, find a DJ, make a playlist, find a guest speaker, make programs and decide who to toast,” Neff said.

“We usually toast the President, the Army, our fallen comrades, lovely ladies, cadet command, and the United States of America. We’re required to hold a ball, but some other schools just hold small, informal dances. It’s a military custom, though, so we give the cadets a chance to experience it authentically.”

All of the work that the ball committee puts into the event isn’t without purpose, and the cadets know this well. “[The ball] is held to show the cadets how to be proper and respectful. It shows us how to have fun but still have etiquette. Colonel wants to teach us a lesson, but in a fun way,” Matute said.

Although the cadets have fun being able to learn valuable skills regarding professionalism in a military setting, the ball is also meant to allow

the students to have fun with their peers.

“Providing the opportunity for the cadets to get to attend a formal event is really important. Sure, there’s prom, but it’s not like the ball. We have things you never see at prom.

And for the cadets to have the chance to see something like this is really cool,” Neff said.

For Hernandez, the ball is just a perk of the JROTC experience. “[JROTC] keeps me busy. It makes me a more responsible person, and it helped me learn when is a good time to laugh and when is a good time to get something done. I’ve found out that you can have a family within a program like this, even though you didn’t know half the people at the beginning of the year.” Hernandez said.

Overall, the excitement surrounding the ball always results in bonding between cadets.

“I love that we get to dance with each other, even if we don’t know each other,” Matute said. “Sometimes we have to sit with people we don’t even know, and you could see someone across the room that you’ve never met before, but you’ll end up talking to them all night. We’re really social in JROTC. We’re friendly, so when it comes to the ball we get to know each other, even after the ball.”

18:00 OPENING REMARKS Hunter Manzano gives the opening remarks for the ceremony.

NATIONAL ANTHEM The group is led by the HHS String Quartet in the National Anthem.

ARMY CADET CREED Esperanza Rosas presents the Army Cadet Creed to members.

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RECEIVING LINE JROTC members meet at Spotswood Country Club.

POSTING OF COLORS The HHS Color Guard presents the American and Virginia flags.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Kaylen Amador leads the group in the

TOASTS AND INVOCATION The Jr. Cadet at every table charges the glasses and toasts are yelled out.

19:00 DINNER Dinner is served to all of the attendees of the event. The price of dinner is included in the initial price.

19:30

GUEST SPEAKER Michael McClellan introduces guest speaker Amber Corriston.

SENIOR DEDICATION Michelle Pineda and Jazmin Franco lead the group in superlative awards.

CLOSING REMARKS Hunter Manzano gives the closing remarks before the dance to conclude the Ball ceremony.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JROTC

RISE AND REMOVE HATS. The HHS Color Guard led by senior John Pierre Mwami presents the state and the U.S. flags to the attendees of the ball.

Dance lessons taken by all cadets before ball Vivian Neal Staff Reporter On Saturday, Feb. 11, the JROTC annual Cadet Ball was held. Every year, freshmen through junior cadets plan the ball, while seniors enjoy their last year in JROTC. The biggest preparation for the ball comes from the dance lessons given many weeks before to all the students. Dance lessons were first incorporated into the ball when Colonel Roy McCutcheon and Sergeant Major Russell Wilder saw a way to help the Cadet Ball stand out as a more formal event.

“Students learn swing, salsa and waltz. Those are normally the three dances we focus on, but we are especially focusing on swing and salsa this year,” Wilder said. “Students spend

a total of three to six hours having dance lessons, depending on how many times a week they have JROTC.” Dance studio owner and Harrisonburg Dancing with the Stars hostess Karen Thomas has been coming for the past couple of years to teach JROTC students ballroom dancing.

This year, swing and salsa dancing has been emphasized in the classes due to new changes to the Cadet Ball experience.

“In years past, we usually have a couple of songs where they do the dances that they learned, then kids do their normal music,” McCutcheon said. “This year we are having a dance competition. We have one couple from each class: freshmen, sophomores, juniors, seniors. They will compete using two different songs and dances. In the end they get to win

a trophy.”

The winner of the Cadet Ball competition will be able to hold onto the trophy, which is just as much a win for the team couple as it is for their entire class, until the next Cadet Ball. Both Sergeant Major Wilder and Colonel McCutcheon believe that the dance lessons will stay with the students for a long time and allow for a good change of pace from newer dances.

“The students look forward to the dance lessons. It adds a little class to [dancing], because if you saw some of the dances they have today, they take all the class out of dancing,” McCutcheon said. “[It also gives them opportunities to find] somewhere they can go ballroom dancing. If they want to go out and have an elegant evening, now they can dance.”

BENEDICTION Cecilia Munoz-Diegos concludes with a benediction and then the colors are retired.

20:00 JUST DANCE There are several different categories that students compete in based on the genre of the dance.

20:30

22:00

DANCE COMPETITION Eight students compete in a duo’s dance competition.

AWARDS Whoever is voted as the winners of the competition receives a trophy. This year, the winners were freshmen Francheska Fontalez-Gonzalez and

DANCE AND SOCIAL Members dance and loiter until 10:00 p.m. when they are asked to leave Spotswood Country Club.

CLOSING After dancing and enjoying their accommodations for an hour and a half, the members leave the Club.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JROTC

DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY. Freshmen Francheska Fontalez-Gonzalez and Wiston Lobo-Hernandez compete in the dance competition

INFOGRAPHIC BY JAKE URBANSKI

The Newsstreak

February 24, 2017

Feature-A11

Every Person Has A Story

K u n v e r i n s p i r e d b y p a r e n t ’s s u c c e s s

rants on his own as well.

There is only one Taj to get a doctorate in med- set on being a nurse.” favorite quote is, ‘If being Angel Hendrix kind is being fake, I’d rather My dad thought it would be of India, which is located icine because I want to Kunver is really big on Online Managing Editor If you enjoy Indian food, you’ve probably eaten at Taj of India or Taste of India, which are both here in Harrisonburg. These restaurants are owned by freshman Sweta Kunver and her family.

“My dad did not like the fact that we had to work for minimum wage. [He was also inspired by] the fact that his dad started restau-

a good idea to open up his own restaurant, and so our very first restaurant was near Costco. It’s still there and going really well, which is nice to think about,” Kunver said. “I think my favorite memory of building the restaurant is my dad painting the walls. I know it’s boring to watch walls being painted, but it was just fun to watch him struggle with the spray thing he had.”

downtown, but there are five Taste of India’s in several cities including Harrisonburg, Waynesboro, Charlottesville and Staunton.

“I would take over one business [after high school], but I don’t know if I could manage that while being in college,” Kunver said.

Kunver wants to embrace her love of helping others in her future career.

“I plan to go to college

PHOTO TAKEN BY ANDI FOX

FROM INDIA TO THE ‘BURG. Sweta Kunver’s parents’ restaurant, Taste of India, is on the corner of University Boulevard and Reservoir St., across from Costco.

become a doctor or nurse practitioner,” Kunver said.

“I think ever since I was little I always wanted to help people. I didn’t know how to do that, [but] I wanted to be able to travel and help sick people, so kind of like a ‘Mother Teresa’ going on.

So I kind of found out at a young age that I wanted to be a doctor. My mind is changing from different jobs, but I think I’m pretty

helping others. In fact, she wishes that everyone would remember her as being a kind person.

“A lot of people come up to me and ask me for advice, I give it. Sometimes when I see a kid struggling in the hallways I will help them and it goes from the small things to the really big things like helping your mom walk up the stairs when she can’t. But my

be fake,’” Kunver said.

If it wasn’t for her parents, Kunver believes she wouldn’t be the person she is today.

“My mom [inspires me].

I know that’s really cliché and everything, but my mom has had a really big impact on my life,” Kunver said. “She has had it [much] harder than I have and she is just a really strong woman, so I look up to her a lot.”

PHOTO TAKEN BY ANDI FOX

TAJ MAHAL. In downtown Harrisonburg, the Taj of India, one of Sweta Kunver’s parent’s restaurants, is on South Main Street, across from Court Square.

Torres competes in online Rebhun adjusts to her video game tournaments brother’s absence Yusuf Aboutabl Staff Reporter

Senior Anthony Torres has always enjoyed the company of people, but it’s the world of online video games that captivates the majority of his time.

His rise to relative stardom began in an unorthodox manner. It wasn’t his love for gaming that made him begin playing, but rather his urge to be equal to his neighbors that sparked his enjoyment.

“My neighbors had the same console as me, a Nintendo GameCube, and they seemed to take joy in owning things I didn’t, so anytime they bought a new game that I didn’t have, they would rub it in my face,” Torres said. “So to spite them, I would buy those exact games, one of them being Super Smash Bros. I didn’t enjoy it all that much at first because I was lonely and didn’t have friends at the time, whereas this was a game that was meant to be played with multiple people. Years later, I’m playing the newest iteration of Smash, which now has decent online capabilities so I can just play with strangers at any time.”

Smash started as a fighting game based around the concept of King of the Hill.

You fight for control of the stage and try to knock your opponent off into one of the blast zones. Every time you’re hit into a blast zone,

you essentially lose a life.

Lose all your lives and you lose the game. All four iterations of Smash have remained loyal to this formula. Torres plays the newest version of the game, Super Smash Bros, for Wii U, otherwise known as Smash 4.

Torres has been playing the game for years, but he hasn’t always been one of the best players in the region.

“It’s fun beating casual players who have reputations among their friends for being good. Many people don’t realize that there is a competitive scene to the game where you can play professional players. It’s easy to tell who knows what they’re doing and who’s just aggressively throwing out moves,” Torres said. “My college friend, Ashley, told me of some people she knew who played the game and wanted to see if I could beat them. Long story short, I demoralized the best player in the group.”

Torres has confidence in his skill level, which leads him to entering local tournaments to see how he matches up against other highly skilled players.

“I enter online tournaments every now and then to see how I’m holding up against people who take the game seriously. Most are just for the sake of competing against good players since the entry is free and all, but this [tournament]

had a prize for first place so I was interested,” Torres said. “I ended up placing fifth out of 64 players.”

It isn’t luck that makes Torres competitive. His knowledge of the game and its core workings have led to him having long runs of success in the game, both against his friends and the vast majority of online players.

“A great Smash player is able to adapt, and does it more quickly than his opponent. Figuring out habits and knowing how to adjust accordingly is a huge part of taking a match. Mentality is everything because at the competitive level, players are fully aware of what the other character can do, and so it becomes a battle of mind games,” Torres said.

“I’m a great casual player.

I’m a novice competitive player.”

Torres doesn’t only find enjoyment in winning and beating other people.

There is a psychological aspect of the game that intrigues him and keeps him coming back.

“There’s a surprising amount of psychology that goes into the game. Classical conditioning, baiting, intimidation and recognizing behavioral patterns are just a few,” Torres said. “As a spectator, it’s fascinating to see two people have a battle of wits in a controlled environment. It’s like watching mental gladiators in a mental coliseum.”

Lily Gusler Staff Reporter Freshman Danner Rebhun shares a bit about herself and her story.

Rebhun tells her saddest moment, what she is looking forward to and the biggest challenge she currently faces.

“The saddest moment of my life wasn’t really a moment, it was more of an event. My brother, Graham, has a very big personality and he is a big part of my life, whether I knew it before he left for college or not.

When he left, it shocked me,” Rebhun said. “It left a surprisingly big hole in my life because he has so much energy, and I never knew how much I relied on that energy before he left...I felt like something was missing for a while before I fully realized what it was.”

According to Rebhun, her older brother has been the most influential person in her life.

“Graham has been a really important part of my life, especially my life transitioning into high school. He helped me pick out a lot of my classes. He’s the reason I’m taking higher level courses. I look up to him and he impacts my life a lot,” Rebhun said.

Rebhun is an active theatre member, as her

PHOTO COURESY OF DANNER REBHUN

SIBLING LOVE. Rebhun (left) gets used to being the only child at home now that her brother Graham is away at college. brother was, whether it be in the one act or this year’s musical, Meet Me in St. Louis. Rebhun is looking forward to performing on stage.

“I’m excited for the musical. I can’t wait to be on stage. This will be my first time on stage in a few years. There are so many talented people in it, and I think it’s going to be great,” Rebhun said. “I am also looking forward to the rest of my high school career because I know there’s a lot I haven’t learned, whether that’s in

my classes or just about high school in general.”

Rebhun’s transition into high school was not as difficult as she expected, even with long musical rehearsals.

“In middle school, you didn’t really have to study for any tests or quizzes.

The teachers told us all, ‘In high school, you need to study’, and all those things, but I wasn’t really prepared, I suppose, for what high school is,” Rebhun said. “All in all, it’s been pretty easy and it has been great.”

Osinkosky aspires to make career out of flying Theo Yoder Sports Editor

PHOTO COURTESY OF ALEX OSINKOSKY

ROGER THAT. Senior Alex Osinkosky practices his piloting as he flies under the instruction of his grandfather, an experienced pilot.

Ten thousand feet in the air is one of the last places you would find a high school student. Ever since the age of twelve, junior Alex Osinkosky has been periodically piloting a single engine plane in the skies over Harrisonburg. With the help of his grandfather, an experienced pilot, Osinkosky has access to an aircraft and flying lessons.

He has completed two lessons over the past year and this past summer he was successfully able to land a plane solo.

“I fell in love with [flying].

I loved the thrill of going up in the air and maneuvering around up there. Everything below [me] looks so small and simple. It was fascinat-

ing to see the whole valley and how quickly you can get around,” Osinkosky said.

After his first flight, Osinkosky talked to his grandfather about lessons which would eventually lead to Osinkosky obtaining a private pilot’s license at the age of sixteen. Due to finances (a plane can cost around $30,000 minimum) and lack of time, he has not been able to take the sufficient amount of lessons for the license, but hopes to in the next five to ten years. “[During my lessons], my granddad allowed me to help take off the plane and that’s when I realized that I could possibly make a career out of this,” Osinkosky said.

With his interest in planes beginning at a young age, Osinkosky has con-

sidered many careers that involve flying and piloting an aircraft. These options include, commercial flying or a occupation known as a “flight nurse”. A flight nurse travels to many countries and helps those who are in need of emergency care.

If the lessons are successfully completed, he can fly to anywhere as far as Ohio with one fuel tank, or even across the country with stops for fuel.

“I went up with a coworker who is in the marines and [flying] got even more exciting for me. I was actually able to complete my first landing at the end of the summer. The landing was by myself, and as I was coming in, I hit fairly hard.

When I hit, it caused me to pull up, leading me back up into the air. I hit two more

times until I was able to stay fully on the ground. It was scary,” Osinkosky said.

In addition to just flying, Osinkosky is not ruling out the possibility of joining the Air Force, where he would receive his pilot’s license fairly quickly.

“I want to go out and fight for my country, but the flying definitely appeals to me. I like to serve and protect people. Also, getting to fly those fast planes and going at supersonic [speeds] would be pretty awesome,” Osinkosky said.

With his senior year coming to an end, Osinkosky will have to make a decision whether to pursue completing the lessons or going into the Air Force. Until then, he hopes to continue flying with his granddad and friends.

February 24, 2017

Meet me in St.Louis Harrisonburg High School production

Musical fast facts -First Performance of the musical was on October 19, 1989.

-Based off a 1944 film of the same title -Musical written by Patrick Quentin -Composers and lyricists were Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane -The song “Whenever I’m With You” was added in the 1999 Revival.

-It has been nominated for 5 awards, 4 of which are Tony awards (Best musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Original Score, Choreography) -The last award it was nominated for was in 1990 for the Theatre World Award.

-It was performed more than 200 times on Broadway.

-It costs $6,000 to buy the rights of the play.

-The cast this year consisted of 102 people.

-Around 70 stage moms are helping this year - Senior Noel Warren is the lead person throughout the play and is on stage the most.

-The budget for the play consisted of $20,000.

-Mr. Swartz found his inspiration for this play because of the sad play last year.

INFOGRAPHIC BY ANDREW ELY

Feature-A12

The Newsstreak

PHOTOS BY SAM HEIE AND ANDREW RATH

Ansah finds himself impacted by musicals Samantha Little Feature Editor

PHOTO BY ANDREW RATH FAMILY TIME. The Smith family sings the newest addition to Meet Me in St. Louis song.

PHOTO BY ANDREW RATH THE MAID. Known as the maid, junior Julie Hedrick tells the Smith sisters sings advice on how to get a man.

PHOTO BY ANDREW RATH CHRISTMAS BALL. Played by junior Greg Castillo, Lon Smith announces the dancers to the party crowd.

PHOTO BY ANDREW RATH

With the completion of this year’s musical, “Meet Me in St. Louis”, comes the end of a long journey with the StageStreaks program for many seniors. One of those student-actors is ensemble member Andrew Ansah. Ansah first began his acting career when he auditioned for “Honk Jr.” at Thomas Harrison Middle School after enjoying reading lines for class plays in elementary school.

He also started performing in One-Act productions when he was a high school sophomore with “The Beggar’s Opera”. “When I was in fifth grade I signed up for Honk Jr. I had a non-singing role in that, but during the bows we all had to sing, and I said ‘Hey, this is pretty cool I want to do this’. It was fun, and as the years went on, I did all of the musicals in middle school,” Ansah said.

According to Ansah, he has most often played side character roles, and despite the fact that he has always wanted a main role, he wouldn’t trade the experience for anything.

“To be honest, people always think it would me more fun to have that bigger role and do more, but in the end when I look back at the process of being in the production I think of all the people that didn’t get cast, and I should be happy with what I have,” Ansah said. “The directors have to make tough decisions and even if I am a side-character role or only sing or don’t have any lines, it’s a role that the directors thought I’d be fine for, and they chose me over other people.”

Ansah finds that with those unnamed smaller roles, being able to create a back story and personality for them enriches his acting experience.

Throughout the years, he’s been able to improve his ability to channel emotion from within and apply it to his character.

“It’s easy to play a character that reflects reality and yourself, and I’ve always drawn influence from my life in order to enhance my acting. For example, if I need to be angry I just draw out that angry feeling from within,” Ansah said.

As a senior, Ansah has felt more moody and tired at rehearsal as compared to previous years, but reminds himself to have a positive outlook, knowing it’s his last musical. Though he does want to go into a visual storytelling career path in the future, he knows he won’t have as many opportunities when it comes to stage performance posthigh school.

“Honestly I don’t want to leave. I’ve been do-

PHOTO COURTESY OF BOB ADAMEK ACTING ANSAH. Senior Andrew Ansah has participated in One-Act productions and musicals through middle and high school. The drama productions Ansah has been in has had a positive impact on him. ing musicals after school every year since I was in fifth grade, and to have this be my last one hasn’t clicked yet,” Ansah said. “There’s definitely a presence that it is my final one and I don’t want it to end; I want it to go on longer. I’m savoring every moment that I really enjoy and be happy with what I have.”

At the end of it all, Ansah would like to thank not only his friends and family for supporting him in his hobby, but also all of his directors for seeing enough in him to let him take part in this experience.

“I wish I could back and do it all over again and have that on repeat until I get sick of it. It’s definitely affected me in a positive way; I wouldn’t be the same without it,” Ansah said. “It’s definitely impacted me for the better. I’ve had experiences with having fun but also struggling with different roles, and getting to meet all of the people. It’s indescribable.”

Meet Me in St. Louis creates ensemble Who are they? dance numbers to remember Role: Lon Smith Played by Greg Casitllo

Anna Rath Feature Editor This year’s musical, Meet Me in St. Louis, is a dance heavy show, so instead of just the normal requirements for making it in the musical, students also had to be able to dance well enough to make it through a dance callback.

Sophomore Sophia Thomas made it into the high school musical for her second year as part of the ensemble, last year she was handmaiden in Aida.

Thomas has been dancing for eight years and is in the dance strand of the Fine Arts Academy, so she was well prepared to get through the dance callback.

“The dancing this year is a lot more intense. Last year I was a handmaiden, which meant we had kind of a dancey song. Other than that it was mostly walking around doing arm movement,” Thomas said, “This year everyone has a big dance number, and additionally there are [around] three other dance numbers and it’s a lot more physical.”

Thomas dances at the recreation center and takes a variety of different dance classes. Aside from her dance lessons, Thomas really enjoys how dancing in a musical can be different.

“I really love dancing in the musical because there’s an added layer of being your character while you dance. Usually I’m dancing for a performance from a studio, and they might give you a certain emotion but you don’t necessarily have a certain character, but in the musical you have a character you have to think about and these awesome costumes.”

Although Thomas enjoys playing a character with the costume as an added bonus, this year Thomas thinks the costumes make dancing more of a challenge.

“We have skirts and petticoats underneath which makes them larger; I had to get used to picking them up for some moves and not stepping on the edges,” Thomas said.

Sophomore Sam Schaeffer agrees that the costumes increased the difficulty of the dancing.

“The hardest part pretty much for everyone has been the

PHOTO BY SARAH EARLE DANCING IN ST. LOUIS. Musical rehearsals for Meet Me in St. Louis consisted of cast members learning multiple dance numbers.

PHOTO BY ANDREW RATH LOTS TO REMEMBER. Cast of Meet Me in St. Louis work with different beats in their dances. shoes, because the have very slick bottoms and on the stage you slide around a lot and so we’ve had to tape our shoes on the bottom,” Schaeffer said.

Schaeffer was also in the previous musical, Aida, and was part of the ensemble in Meet Me in St. Louis just like Thomas, although Schaeffer has never done any dancing outside of school musicals.

“I think at first it’s kind of hard to put all the work in and all [learn] the choreography, but once you start doing full runs of the show everyone kinds of like gets on board with the dancing.

It really makes the show come alive,” Schaeffer said.

The cast was still working through and polishing the dance numbers up until close to the start of performances.

“Usually we learn the dance number in one or two rehearsals, but then after that we’re cleaning it and improving it for the next few weeks, and even though we’re about to go into dress rehearsal we’ve still been seriously working on all the dance numbers,” Thomas said.

Meet Me in St. Louis encompasses a variety of dances of different levels of difficulty.

“The hardest dance is probably ‘The Banjo’, because it involves a lot of very athletic dancing in it and lots of jumping,” Schaeffer said.

Thomas also believes that “The Banjo” is the most challenging dance number for many reasons. “[‘The Banjo’] is after a waltz scene so we’ve already been dancing for a while, and it also has the most and the biggest choreography. That’s also when everyone is on stage, so everyone’s dancing and it’s a lot more squished,” Thomas said.

Although cast members like Thomas and Schaeffer have to rehearse during late hours and practice lots of dancing, dance teacher and choreographer Mrs. Amber Corriston helps them work through it.

“Mrs. Corriston is really awesome, although she’s not technically a director she always stays through all of our rehearsals and really makes sure everyone is comfortable with the dancing and everything looks good,” Thomas said.

“He’s a good looking character, a Princeton freshman so he’s smart, and a very humble family man,” Castillo said.

Role: John Truett Played by Seth Bontrager

“John is just a normal dude. He is an athlete and plays basketball. He’s kind of out of his element though since he just moved to St. Louis,” Bontrager said.

Role: Mr. Anslo Smith Played by Corin Vogel

“He’s a hard worker and tries his best to be a good father...but when he is in a bad mood he is stern. Overall a nice genuine guy but has a bit of a temper, ” Vogel said.

INFORGRAPHIC BY TY MCDANIEL

BACKSTAGE MANIA TOUCH UP’S. Juniors Randee Joven and Marley Adamek prepare for preview night by doing their hair and makeup. Junior Lizet Muniz helps Joven into getting ready.

BACKSTAGE PLAYERS. Many band students help out with the musical by playing pieces from Meet Me in St. Louis.

TEAMWORK BACKSTAGE. Sophomores Robin Vogel and Ayam Ali help each other with their hair before opening night of the musical.

OLDING UP. Senior Corin Vogel gets his makeup done to play Mr. Anslo Smith, father of the Smith family.

PHOTOS BY OLIVIA COMER

February 24, 2017

Feature-B1

The Newsstreak

Behind the Scenes

Moms make, prepare costumes for musical Lucie Rutherford Print Editor-in-Chief When it comes to putting on a production for hundreds of people, every detail matters. In this year’s musical, “Meet Me in St. Louis”, each member of the 60-70 person cast has their own unique costume that is run through the hands of the costume crew. Costume Committee chairwoman and mom Julie Hatfield is a veteran of the costuming process.

“Meet Me in St. Louis” will mark Hatfield’s seventh HHS production of making, fixing and refining the many costumes worn by the actors and actresses. Hatfield is the mother of a sophomore actor in the musical, and first began helping with costumes when her older daughter, who is now a fourth year at UVA, was a sophomore in “How to Succeed in Business”.

“The musical committee at the time offered me two choices: advertising or costumes. I jumped on the costumes,” Hatfield said.

And Hatfield has yet to jump off.

Though Hatfield recalls spending too many hours on costumes to count, she does have help from other moms of cast members, moms of previous cast members and the many costume mistresses, including junior Courtney Carpenter who has been a part of the costume team since her freshman year.

“Most of the times, the moms make the costumes, so we just find the shoes and other accessories that they need,” Carpenter said. “During the actual musical time, when people have fast changes and they can’t do it by themselves and get back on stage, that’s what we do is we help change people.”

As Carpenter said, the moms have a little bit more of an advanced job.

“We make some of the costumes completely… [though] most of the costumes we use are from the enormous collection in the closets. We alter pieces to fit specific actors, put different tops on different bottoms, change a sleeve, add a ruffle,[things] like that,” Hatfield said.

When it comes to the actual production, one would be hard-pressed to find one of the costume moms as they are constantly busy with whatever problem pops up.

“We are backstage doing repairs, spot cleaning spills, helping with quick changes and hopefully, sneaking into the back of the auditorium to watch the show as much as possible,” Hatfield said.

According to Carpenter, Hatfield and the other costume moms are always there helping in any way they can.

“They come, like, always,” Carpenter said. “They’re part of it every single year… most days they come after school and sometimes

PHOTO BY LUCIE RUTHERFORD

DRESSED TO IMPRESS. Cast members react to sophomore Jenna Altai’s ballroom costume. they come on Saturdays.”

Throughout all five productions, each mom can only be found in the audience during one of them.

“We each take a night to sit in the audience with family and friends. Those nights are nice, just show up at show time like a regu-

lar person,” Hatfield said.

Only being in the audience for one production ties into Hatfield’s least favorite part about chairing the Costume Committee: abandoning her family from January first until show time. Even with that, Hatfield still loves working with the costumes

after so many years.

“I love the creativity involved, I love the old costumes and making new ones, I love working with Stan [the director] and I love working with the students, especially when my own kid is on the stage,” Hatfield said.

Backstage, tech crew allows for hidden musical participation Lene Andrawas Staff Reporter ALL TOGETHER NOW. Junior Gabby Wilson, along with sophomores Parker Rising and Julia Inouye, sing WHAT! GRAB YOUR PARTNER. Skip to My Lou is danced at Lon Smith’s party.

WE ARE FAMILY. Those in the roles of the Smith family sing Whenever I’m With You, a song about the family’s relationship to mend a fight between two of the sisters.

DRAMA AT THE TABLE. The Smith family sits down to dinner, father Alonzo Smith angry about the withholding of a secret.

SHINING STAR. Senior Noelle Warne playing the role of Ester Smith sings The Trolley Song while holding hands with Seth Bontrager playing John Truett, Ester Smith’s love interest.

PHOTOS BY SAM HEIE

There is more to be done than just what is seen on stage. Sophomore Evan Aigner is one of those apart of HHS tech crew.

“It makes all the things happen in the background that you don’t always see,” Evan Aigner said.

Doing all the behind scenes work people don’t realize, tech crew is a big part of the musical. Having the roles being fulfilled by the tech crew who are eager to help behind the scenes allows for the musical to be successful.

For senior Jonathan Aigner, he has had the hands-on experience with tech crew since he was in middle school.

“We make sure music come through okay, light cues goes off and the set gets changed on time,” Jonathan Aigner said.

From doing the sound, to controlling all the lighting, to the backstage crew moving the props onto the

stage or giving them to the actors, they do all the technical work. Not having to be seen really helps a lot of people still want to help and be apart of the musical gives them the chance to ‘shine’, but in a hidden way. Senior Emma Nouri switched to backstage this year, not being a big fan of singing on stage.

“It’s nice to be able to be involved with the musical but in a different aspect and not having to be directly on stage, but still getting to help with the overall effect of the play,” Nouri said.

Crew is a good way to really help out with the production in a secretive way without having to be seen by hundreds of people.

For sophomore Precious Carper, being apart of tech crew isn’t new to her, having been apart of Skyline Middle School’s.

“I love helping backstage and seeing the costumes being put together and I love helping get into them and fit them into their costumes,” Carper said.

Labarge manages her last musical, trains Kunver Nyah Phengsitthy Feature Page Editor

From making sure the main role gets on stage at the right time to directing tech and stage crew, senior Megan Labarge is the person to make sure everything goes alright behind the scenes of the musical.

Starting as a member of stage screw at Thomas Harrison Middle School, Labarge worked behind the scenes of musicals Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, High School Musical and one act play Orphan Trains. From there on out, Labarge’s experience grew behind the curtains, which led her to being stage manager assistant at HHS for musicals Oklahoma and Seussical. In

her junior year, Labarge became official stage manager for musical Aida, as well as this year for Meet Me in St. Louis. Labarge’s last year on the stage feels less stressful due to her senior year experience.

“It feels way different this year than it did last year. I think because last year was my first year [as official stage manager] and I wanted to make sure everything was absolutely perfect, and I still do, but I don’t feel as stressed out this year because I know what I’m doing, and I know what has to be done,” Labarge said.

Communication between the director and cast is vital during the musical, making Labarge a person to help with that task. Being

PHOTO BY NYAH PHENGSITTHY

LEARNING THE BASICS. Labarge explains to Kunver the rehearsal schedule for that week in order to prepare Kunver to be the future stage manager. stage manager comes with gathering props during rehearsal, directing where set pieces go and meeting with

musical parents to make sure things stay organized.

Not only is she attending every single rehearsal to

make sure everything stays in hand, but Labarge is also a part of Meet Me in St. Louis’ dance number Skip to my Lou. During that arrangement, freshman Sweta Kunver’s role as assistant stage manager replaces Labarge while she’s dancing.

Kunver will be the next stage manager after Labarge leaves. With the musical taking up chunks out of her time, Labarge makes sure she stays organized with things unrelated to stage management.

“I have to make sure I am ahead in a lot of my classes so that I can stay ahead, and eventually it puts me back on track by the time the musical is over,” Labarge said.

Labarge comes in earlier and leaves a little later than

the cast does during rehearsal, making it the only thing she doesn’t like about the role.

“I don’t like how late I have to stay up in order to get things done outside of rehearsals, but that’s just something that comes with the job that I knew was going to happen. I’m a person who really likes their sleep, and a lot of times I can’t get as much,” Labarge said.

Meet Me in St. Louis was the last HHS musical production Labarge has managed.

“I’m very sad, but I’m also very relieved because it really is an intense job, and it takes a lot of responsibility,” Labarge said.

“I’m just glad to have that weight taken off my shoulders.”

What’s the best part about being behind the scenes?

Sophomore Evan Aigner, pit “Being able to see the whole thing come together from an outside point of view...but still working in it.”

Senior Emma Nouri, backstage “Adding to the effect of it as a whole... We also have a lot of fun dancing to the ensemble numbers.”

Sophomore Jonathan Warner, lights

Senior Jonathan Aigner, sound

Sophomore Precious Carper, costuming

“Being able to make a large impact on the show without having to recite lines...”

“Being involved without being on stage.”

“I get to help people and... I really wanted to be apart [of the musical].”

February 24, 2017

The Newsstreak

Feature-B2

ESL teachers find joy in department Christa Cole Print Managing Editor Few school systems can say they possess speakers of 55 various languages, and there are teachers working behind the scenes to make communication in our environment flow a little easier. ESL (English as a Second Language) teachers Anu Beheraj and Rachel Hershberger are two of those making it happen, Beheraj teaching ESL English 12 and Hershberger instructing reading. Beheraj has always possessed a passion for languages, enjoying it ever since her childhood.

“I have always loved learning different languages since I was a kid… This just carried on as I grew older and made me pursue a Master’s degree in English language and literature later on,” Beheraj said.

Beheraj enjoys languages so much that she can speak Telugu and Kannada as well as Hindi and English, and spoke French in college, though she can’t remember it now.

Besides her passion, there are many factors that went into Beheraj’s decision to teach ESL, including the influence of her childhood.

“Teaching has always been my passion. In addition, studying different cultures fascinates me. In a way, my own kids motivated me to teach ESL students. I wanted to help students who shared similar backgrounds [to] my own,” Beheraj said.

Learning the English language takes dedication, though, according to Beheraj.

“As [opposed to] teaching History or Math, teaching a new language is a multi-layered process. I may have taught an awesome lesson, but if students do not build and apply the skills in their everyday interactions, the process cannot move forward,” Beheraj said.

Throughout her career, Beheraj has seen

much growth.

“I have seen students come in as Newcomers and in a span of three years test out of the ESL program,” Beheraj said. “One student who stands out was in my English 9 class. In less than three years, this young lady blossomed from being a non-speaker to a current National Honors Society member who is taking Honors classes. She is also part of school-wide peer leadership program. She has no help at home. It is pure grit and a love for learning that propels her forward.”

Beheraj has learned many lessons from her students, valuing them and the students’ drive immensely.

“My students have taught me the meaning of resilience and hope. They often come into this country under difficult circumstances and continue to face challenges, yet most [do well],” Beheraj said. “It is amazing. This job made me appreciate people and things in my own life more.”

Hershberger appreciates the job as well.

“I like my job… Although I don’t always teach the same classes, the same subject…

Even if the material is the same, the students change, so the interaction, relationships and seeing them in the hall [are enjoyable],” Hershberger said. “I really feel more comfortable being around my [students] then say, [regular, English speaking students]... it’s a challenge, because everyday is different.”

Because she teaches reading, students of all levels and language backgrounds come to her, regardless of how much English they know prior to taking her class.

“My fourth block is a reading class, like [very recent] newcomers, and one speaks Tigrinya (the official language of Eritrea and Ethiopia), so she has no English. With Spanish speakers I can kind of explain what the word is… [I use] pictures, Google translate, explaining it to them in their own lan-

PHOTO BY CHRISTIAN RODRIGUEZ

HITTING THE BOOKS. Freshman Anderlin Sevilla receives help on an assignment from ESL reading teacher Rachel Hershberger. They have been working on the Cornell method of note-taking to better Sevilla’s notes in all classes. guage to help them understand.”

Hershberger actually prefers having a mix of languages in the classroom. “[Teaching with a variety of languages in the room] is not difficult depending on how they are in English themselves,” Hershberger said. “So actually I kind of like having a variety, because if you’re the only one in the class with your language, then guess what, the common denominator is English, and you learn English to survive.

Those students learn it a little quicker.”

Like Beheraj, Hershberger has learned much from teaching ESL as well.

“You learn a lot about yourself from teaching… You learn to chill out, choose your battles, probably being more positive than negative, being respectful… You can get kids to do what you want them to do, but if

the relationship isn’t there, then it’s just an authority kind of thing,” Hershberger said.

“Being negative doesn’t change anybody’s mind, encouragement goes a long way, encouraging them with what is right and trying to treat them all fairly.”

Even after 21 years of teaching and learning as well, Hershberger wouldn’t rather be anywhere else.

“I love this school, I don’t know if [teaching ESL] would be the same in other places. I’ve gone to conferences and some of my friends are teachers in the county, and I love the colleagues that I work with, and I love how diverse the halls are. I mean, we have a lot of other students from different places and if I can’t go live somewhere well, ha, I’m surrounded by the nations right here.”

Aljubour grateful for support that ESL program provided Sam Heie Feature Editor

PHOTO BY SAM HEIE

ABOVE AND BEYOND. Junior and former ESL student Aya Aljubouri looks at different college opportunities and the benefits of each in order to help her decide where she wants to apply with her AVID teacher, Hannah Bowman.

ESL Demographics of HHS

58%

of HHS students speak a language other than English

47+

birth countries, including US

27% of HHS students don’t

speak English at home

95+ 47+

students are in their first year of school in the US

different languages

Harrisonburg High School is one of the most ethnically diverse schools in all of Virginia. There is a huge immigrant population which accounts for a large portion of this diversity. Junior Aya Aljubouri is an Iraqi born immigrant who grew up in Syria. She moved to the U.S. when she was 14.

“I was in Syria during the war with ISIS and other groups. They used to have snipers near where I lived, and [if] any person... walked there, they would just shoot them regardless of anything else. It was really terrible there, so we had to move,” Aljubouri said.

Aljubouri did not speak English when she came, so she went straight into the Skyline Middle School English as a Second Language (ESL) program. “[The first day of school] was horrible.

I was really scared and I didn’t want to go there because everyone knew English except me, so it was very difficult. I had no idea where I was. I asked myself, ‘Where am I’ and ‘Who am I’ that whole day,” Aljubouri said. “I was expecting to learn the alphabet before anything, but we actually just learned a very basic vocabulary so we could hold a conversation. It wasn’t very hard, but that’s how I began to learn English.”

Aljubouri rapidly progressed in the ESL program and was able to transfer into the high school after only four months. Her instructor in high school was Ami Beheraj.

“I worked really hard to learn English, but I did doubt myself several times in the early years of being here. The teachers in ESL really helped me and pushed me to be successful and become a better student, which helped me move on from my doubt,” Aljubouri said.

However, her help didn’t just come from the school-led program.

“I watched a lot of American movies and TV shows and just tried to listen to everything that I could that was in English. I

would listen to the radio, music, conversations and so much more,” Aljubouri said.

In 2015, Aljubouri’s freshman year, she graduated from the ESL program and entered into regular and honors classes. “[ESL] was really fun because I fit in very well. Everyone there was trying really hard to learn so that they could fit in and that [helped] me to do better,” Aljubouri said.

She thinks learning English has been a huge help to not just her, but to her family as well.

“My family doesn’t know English, so if they need something, I have to be a translator and interpret for them,” Aljubouri said. “Being able to speak several languages is so helpful. Even if I’m not in the US, English is the language everybody speaks, so it is very helpful to know.”

Aljubouri went to school in both Iraq and Syria. In retrospect, she notices some differences between the education systems.

“The education is very different here than in Iraq and Syria. Here, you usually don’t have too many textbooks because they just print off papers. In Iraq they would give you a textbook and you would have to read the whole thing. The final exam for the classes would be based off of the textbook. It was a little bit harder over there because you would have to study everything in the book. There were no shortcuts,” Aljubouri said.

Despite the difficulties in the education system, Aljubouri still has hopes of returning to her homeland for further schooling.

“I would rather be taught in Iraq because it is very difficult to learn things in a second language here. The education system is better here, but the language is not,” Aljubouri said.

Aljubouri finds support to continue her education in America from other people.

“Sometimes I think I’m not doing really well here, but when people tell me that I’m impressive or tell me that my English is really good, I feel really proud of myself,” Aljubouri said.

ESL program designed to aid newcomers in transition to America Nyah Phengsitthy Social Media Coordinator Research shows that it takes seven to 10 years for someone who doesn’t speak English as a first language to catch up to their native English speaking peers. With the help of ESL, that number lowers down to as little as three years in HCPS. Also known as English as a Second Language, ESL is a program of support for students who are developing English language proficiency skills. Whenever a new student enters the HCPS system and does not speak English at all or speaks another first language, that student is automatically sent to the Welcome Center. There, the student will take a variety of assessments to determine which classes they can be placed in.

ESL specialist Laura Feichtinger-McGrath is head of the ESL in HCPS and works with students from different places.

“People sometimes refer to English Learners as ESL, which is not wholly accurate for many of our students. Some of our students speak English as a third, or fourth, or even fifth language,” Feichtinger-McGrath said.

Although ESL is primarily an intensive English program designed for students who are new arrivals to the country who know

little to no English language skills, it also comes with a new comer’s program. In that program, students will learn basic life skills whether it’s in school, in the city or ways to navigate life in America.

After an ESL student is finished with intensive English learning, there is still support provided student once they’re on their own in a real English class. Counselor Rachel Linden also works with students and teachers related to ESL. “Even once you graduate from intensive English, you’re still getting support, you’re still getting accommodations, you’re still getting monitored by our ESL support staff to be able to academically meet your goals,” Linden said.

58% of the students at HHS speak a first language other than English and there are more than 47+ different languages according Feichtinger-McGrath including English that students know. Because of the urbanized area in Harrisonburg, that is what attracts many different races, which brings them into HCPS. “Language learning as an adolescent is complex...self-identity is attached to language, and confidence plays a big role in learning language,” Feichtinger-McGrath said.

Linden believes that learning a new

PHOTO BY CHRISTIAN RODRIGUEZ

BETTER AND BETTER. Junior Lex Shabani receives help from practicum student Cassidy Flemming from JMU. Flemming is assisting ESL teacher Mrs. Woodward over an eight week period. Shabani has been in the United States for approximately a year, arriving here on Feb. 14, w2016. “[The ESL program] has helped me improve my English. It’s made me get better and better,” Shabani said. language in high school has its challenges, especially for ones who are introduced to English.

“I truly think it’s amazing when students come here with little to no English and graduate high school with a diploma in four to

five years,” Linden said. “Sometimes I think it’s amazing that any student can graduate high school in four years because there’s a lot to learn...but then adding learning a language on top of that? That is amazing.”

February 24, 2017

Feature-B3

The Newsstreak

Exchange Students go to Massanutten, try skiing

COSTA RICA Costa Rica’s population is only

4.8 million

25%

The capital is

San JOse

of the natural land of Costa Rica is protected territory.

GAllo pinto

PHOTOS BY HANNAH MILLER

WE ALL FALL DOWN. The Costa Ricans fall on their first attempt to get off the ski lift. For the rest of the day, the girls stayed on Southern Comfort, the first beginner slope, and continued to slide down the mountain with help from history teachers Marc Healy and Jay Blair. Mahogany Labor (left) even tried Geronimo, the slope next in difficulty level. “[My favorite part was] falling, because it made me persevere and stand again, and try and try and keep trying. It was a great experience… I just loved everything,” Labor said.

Hannah Miller Copy Editor During the transition from January to February, our school had 11 extra students. These exchange students from Costa Rica stayed with Harrisonburg families for two weeks, and went on various trips and tours to experience an American lifestyle.

Living in a central American country, many of the girls have never seen snow. Each year, Massanutten Ski Resort provides the exchange students with a free lesson and ski lift for the day. Isabella Piedra enjoyed experience with her friends. “[My favorite parts were] falling down and the snow, I liked everything,” Piedra said.

History teacher Jay Blair enjoys going up to the mountain

with the students every year.

“The ski day tends to be their favorite day. When we get feedback from the group at Colegio Metodista, they always talk about the day on skis and snowboards, [and] I always enjoy that,” Blair said. “I think it’s so much fun to introduce them, those exchange students, to skiing and snowboarding because it’s so important to me, it’s such a big part of my life, [and] it’s something I enjoy.”

Though Piedra had seen snow before on a vacation, it was new to Abigail Retana, who enjoyed seeing it fall, just like her friends on the ski slopes.

“I loved [skiing], it was my first time doing it. [I had never seen snow before], it was beautiful,” Retana said.

After the two hour lesson in the morning, many of the girls were reluctant to go up the

slopes after lunch, Fortunately, the excitement of one ride was enough to keep them going.

“I know they’re going to have fun, even when they’re nervous... They’re like kids in a roller coaster line; when they’re looking at it, they’re nervous.

They don’t know what’s coming. It might be scary, it might be dangerous, but it’s very exciting and it’s way out of their comfort zone, so I derive a lot of satisfaction from [being up there with them],” Blair said.

Though some girls were on the ground much more often than others, Mahogany Labor didn’t mind a tumble to the snow. In fact, skiing was her favorite activity of the trip. “[My favorite part was] falling I think, because it made me persevere and stand again, and try and try and keep trying. It was a great experience… I just

loved everything,” Labor said.

The success of the Costa Ricans is impressive to Blair. Their determination to attempt a new feat shows through their continuous trials and errors.

“I don’t know that I would say there is a particularly hard part. They’re remarkably good as a group, considering what handicaps exist. They’re all wearing borrowed clothing, a lot of years it’s the very first time any of them have ever seen snow and we’re going to drag them up a mountain and put them on something slippery and push them over the edge,” Blair said. [When] they manage to get to the bottom without dying, that’s a wonderful success… Virtually everyone was able to do good, solid, safe skiing by the end of the day, and they felt really proud of themselves.”

Costa Rica has NO army.

is a common food of rice and beans.

Costa Rica has 2-40

earthquake tremors per month.

There are

There are over

121

801 miles of coast.

Costa Rica’s currency is the

volcanic formations.

7

are active.

There are about

750,000

colon

species of insects.

CR is the second largest exporter of

bananas

They call themselves

ticos & ticas Facts from vivacostarica.com and bahiaadventures.com.

INFORGRAPHIC BY HANNAH MILLER

Man on the Street:

Hamptons plan summer trip to Costa Rica Vivian Neal Staff Reporter

Jimena Vega “[Going] downtown and being able to see new cultures [have been my favorite parts].”

Nicole Salazar “{The best part is] staying with the family. I like that I get to come to school with them, and I have fun with them.”

Mahogany Labor “I liked that downtown is clean, and I liked the friendly people and the shops. It was all interesting. “

Isabella Piedra “I liked practicing your language and meeting new people. I also liked the waterpark.”

For two weeks, Harrisonburg High School participated in a Costa Rican student exchange with Methodist High School Colegio Metodista. There were many families on the sidelines for these students, ensuring their comfort in the new environment of HHS. One such family was the Hamptons.

Senior Ciara Hampton hosted Maricruz Urbina during her two week visit, and plans to visit Costa Rica this summer to visit her family’s three previously hosted students.

“The first student that we hosted was in the summer of my eighth grade year. A woman came to my house and she was looking for people to host exchange students.

We just decided to do it since we thought it would be helpful,” Hampton said.

Although the Hampton family has had the most experience hosting Costa Rican students, they have also found room in their home for European students including a student from Spain and France.

“I don’t know Span-

ish fluently, but I’m in AP Spanish so I know it enough to hold conversations. Most of the students that we host know English fluently,” Hampton said. “The student from Spain didn’t know as much English, but the Costa Rican students are very good at English because they start learning English in kindergarten.”

For Hampton, the biggest challenge when an exchange student first arrives is making a connection and learning about the student.

“It’s hard to adjust since you have people you don’t know coming to live with you. You don’t know what they like to do or what their life is like at home,” Hampton said. “After a few days we get to know them better, and it’s just like having a friend or family stay over. [We’ve learned] the [Costa Rican] students come from a private school and they are really conservative. They are completely different from the people here in Harrisonburg. They are also very religious, which seems to be bigger in Costa Rica than here.”

The Hamptons have been able to keep in contact with many of

their host students through social media, along with the visit Hampton took to Costa Rica as part of HHS’s exchange program for three weeks over the summer. Despite the visits, Hampton noticed over the years how hard, or even slightly easy, it can be to let go of her host students.

“Not every student you host is going to be as good as other ones. You don’t have as good of a connection with them, so for some students it’s been [easier] that they are leaving, but they have been here long enough and the time is up,” Hampton said. “For other [students] it is much harder.”

Maricruz Urbina has been able to experience new things while staying with the Hamptons including skiing. There were also interesting things she took away from the Hampton family. “[One thing I liked about] the Hamptons [is that they] go out everyday. [Ciara is] funny, and she’s sarcastic like me,” said Urbina. “I feel sad about going back to Costa Rica because I’m leaving my second family here. [I’m looking forward] to take [Ciara] places she likes

to go and having fun on Friday nights [when she comes to Costa Rica in the summer].”

For Hampton, Maricruz won’t be the only student she will impact.

As a senior, Hampton has thought out her future and as of now she sees more experiences with the exchange program throughout her life.

“I’ve thought about doing exchanges when

I’m in college since I’ve had such a good experience in high school.

It wouldn’t just be students from Costa Rica,” Hampton said. “Costa Rica is special to me because I know people from there, and I’ve been there myself, but I think it would be interesting to host students from other countries and learning about their culture as well.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF CIARA HAMPTON

FAMILY FUN. The Hampton family enjoys a night out at Ruby’s Arcade with their Costa Rican, Maricruz Urbina. They will go to visit her this summer.

February 24, 2017

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February 24, 2017

Tricia Comfort- Sprint Coach

Jerry Hertzler- Long Distance Coach

Q: Who are your standout athletes for sprint?

A: “For the girls, my two strongest veterans I would say are Sydney Harper and Sara Penrod. Sara has run track her entire high school career. This is my third year coaching her and she has just improved a lot over the years. For the boys, Kyel Towler is also a senior.

I’ve coached him for a couple of years. And then Jocab Seefried is a freshman. He’s been one of our stronger runners this indoor season. I’m hoping he’ll come out for outdoor and have a really strong season and continue that pattern.”

Q: What is your favorite part about coaching track?

A: “I just really like getting to intereact with the kids. During the day I’m in an office all day and I interact with people, but not so much the kids it’s more like businesses and other secretaries and things like that. I like ending my day getting to interact with the kids and hearing about what’s going on in their lives and just trying to help them be better people overall.”

Q: How do you feel about this season?

A: “I’m excited about it. We always hear rumors that certain athletes around the school are going to come out for track in the spring. We’ve heard that this year so we’re just hoping that we have a strong showing and we can get some fast people out. I’m looking forward to seeing who we have and what we can do with them.”

Q: What is your most competitive line up and event?

A: “As far as being able to advance the farthest, Ethan Harris in the shot. Probably the boys 4X100 relay as well.

Evan Jost will come out, he didn’t run indoor. And then the unknowns that will show up that week like Collin. Collin is pretty quick. If he comes out, works, that would be a good possibility.”

Q: Who do you expect to do well this year?

A: “The ones that I know of from indoor would be Mo Berhe, Isaiah King, and Ethan Harris who is in shot put. For the ladies it would be Hannah Miller, a distance runner, Sydney Harper is a sprinter, and probably Sara Penrod would be another sprinter.

I’ve been told, we’ll see if they show up, that Collin Morris, who is playing basketball right now, he says he’s running outdoor. I hope that’s true. And another one that keeps coming up is A.C. [White].”

Q: Who is your toughest opponent in competition?

A: “It’s interesting because our “rivals” would be local like [Turner Ashby] and Spotswood, but they’re not even in our conference. Those would be the two schools that I would say, but our conference is everybody up in the Winchester area, they should be our rivals but we never see them. “ Q: How successful do you think the postseason will be?

A: Last year we graduated some studs so it’s kind of hard to prepare. Abrham Amine is arguably one of the best runners to come through here so it’s hard to replace him.”

Natalie Pittington- Junior Pole Vaulter

PHOTO COURTESY OF NATALIE PITTINGTON

Q: How do you prepare for meets?

A: “Hashaam and I do just basic drills because we don’t have a coach in the winter, so we kind of have to run things [ourselves] and do things how we [knew] how to do them last season. We just do a lot of that stuff and then just stretch really good before you do anything so you don’t pull something. It’s the same thing for outdoor except we have Megan with us and helping us out.”

Q: What is competition like?

A: “If it’s a private school, they’re crazy. They’re like state vaulters. It’s crazy.”

Q: What is the hardest part about pole vault?

A: “You have to make sure you distribute your weight evenly on the pole and using a lot of upper body strength.”

Q: Who got you interested in pole vault?

A: “Hashaam [Ahmed] and Lucy Moss did it last year, but [Lucy] gave up track so I kind of took over for her.”

OUTDOOR TRACK Deloney uses indoor as preparation for spring season Samantha Little Feature Editor When an original member of the now regional-qualifying 4x800 indoor track relay team was no longer able to participate due to a concussion, freshman Sarah Deloney stepped up to the plate and has been improving throughout the season. Despite some initial resistance, Deloney first began running as a sixth grader at Skyline Middle School and has enjoyed it since.

“My sixth grade history teacher Mr. Kahrs told me that I should run and I said ‘Well that’s the most ridiculous thing ever, why would I run in circles if I don’t have to?’, but then I tried it and it was really fun,” Deloney said.

Records GIRLS

4X100 Top 3 1981- C. Fisher, C. Strother, J. Martin, V. Sampson: 49.24 2013- A. Morris, L. Eberly, M. king, M. Williams: 49.26 2012- A. Morris, V. Ehrenpreis, M. King, M.Williams: 49.76 Long Jump Top 4 1981- C. Fisher: 19-3.5 1995- L. Madden: 18-6 1982- J. Martin: 17-11 2013- M. Williams: 17-9.5

BOYS

4X100 Top 3 2009- T. Villeda, Al. Owah, J. Shifflett, D. Taylor: 42.85 2003- An. Owah, J. Knight, J. Murphy, D. Hinton: 43.44 2002- J. Knight, D. Thomas, C. Murphy, D. Hinton: 43.54 Long Jump Top 5 1998- T. Kingsley-Ib: 23-0.5 2007- Al. Owah: 22-11.5 1967- H. Stevens: 22-6.25 1985- C. Fisher: 22-03 1985- J. Baker: 22-0

While at the high school, Deloney has completed both a cross country and indoor track season, and plans to continue her running career this spring with outdoor track. Despite the fact that Deloney felt that cross country was harder due to the increased mileages, she has found that those longer distances have helped her for track. “[Cross country helped for where I am now] because in indoor track it’s really good to have a cushion to build on. It’s easier to get back into a running season when you’re already partially in shape,” Deloney said.

She spends her practices running with the distance group and will spend her outdoor season running the same events that

she is currently improving in during indoor track: the 1600 and 800.

“In outdoor, I would like to get at least the same times or better. The air is drier inside, so I’m hoping that maybe my times will improve a little bit more outside.”

Distance coach Jerry Hertzler has been impressed with Deloney’s performances during indoor track and is hopeful for her outdoor season. “[Her season has been going] wonderful. She had a pretty good cross country season and came to indoor track. Though the weather hasn’t been the best in terms of canceling meets, the meets she’s been able to run in she has just progressively lowered her time in all of her events,” Hertzler said. “I think her outdoor season

will go great; I have big plans for her. She should continue to improve.”

During practices and at meets, Deloney looks up to her older teammates and finds their positivity and encouragement to be her motivation and driving force. However, she also has a strong mindset herself that helps her through practices and meets.

“You really have to be determined and willing to [practice]. It’s not always the most fun thing and it is painful, but it pays off when you go to meets,” Deloney said.

“Then at meets you have to be mentally tough because if one race doesn’t go so well, you still have to tell yourself ‘I have other races, and maybe that one didn’t go how I wanted it to, but now I have a chance to improve.’”

White looks forward to first outdoor season David Gamboa Peña Photography Editor AC White has been playing for the varsity football and basketball teams since his freshman year. Now in his junior year, he has chosen a slightly different path. In the fall he kept his position as the starting quarterback for the football team, a role that he has held all three years, but he opted to not play basketball this year. In the spring however, he plans on joining the outdoor track team.

For White, track has more benefit to his football career then basketball does. He says that track skills and abilities can better transfer to the sport than basketball can. According to White, football is a sport where being fast is crucial and running track will help him be more successful. “[Track is] shorter distance races and spurts of energy and speed. With football, it is the same thing. It’s not likely that you’ll make a really long run every time. More of like a five, six yard gain. It’s all about getting out there as fast as you can,” White said.

White held out of basketball this season because he wants to focus on football. For him, playing basketball in previous years has hindered his ability to keep football in focus, and wanted this year to be different.

“Don’t get me wrong with basketball, it’s really good to work on your footwork and things like that, but the winter transition into the spring is a really important time for me because that’s when all the major [football] camps are,” White said.

Along with running, White also hopes to work out and get bigger for the upcoming season.

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PHOTO BY JACKSON HOOK

STRETCH IT OUT. Junior A.C. White stretches his legs out before he begins his workout.

“We do an all-body workout for about two and a half hours, and I know it doesn’t seem like much, but when you hit as much

of your body as I do, I think a week is needed to recover and get ready for the next week,” White said.

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February 24, 2017

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SOFTBALL Susie Bocock- Varsity Head Coach

Christina Oakes- JV Head Coach

Madison Huffman- Sophomore

Q: Who do you think will step up this year?

A: “We have two eighth graders coming up and one is a pitcher, so that will help JV. On varsity Maddie Cooper is our best athlete. We all can hit this year. I think it will be a successful season.”

Q: Who is the team to beat?

A: “[Turner Ashby]. It is always TA.” Q: Who are stand out players this year?

A: “Maddie Cooper, Constance Komara, Angel Cooper, Thalia Salinas, Krishon Scott, Kennedy Wolter, Hannah Brown. I am bringing up Lydia Grogg and Jakaya Brandon to try out for varsity.”

Q: How do you keep your team focused when you are struggling?

A: “Emphasizing improvements. After every game we go over what we did well and what we need to improve on. [We focus on] individual improvement and team improvement over winning and losing.”

Q: How do you try to gain interest in joining the team?

A: “I talk about it in all my classes. I talk about who plays and that it doesn’t matter if you’ve played before. We usually have one or two people who come from my classes, to try out at least.”

Q: What was the best moment in your softball career?

A: “I hit a triple. I was excited I was able to get it out in the outfield and almost over the fence.”

Q: What are you looking forward to this season?

A: “[I’m looking forward to] playing with new players and learning new skills.”

Q: What do you think will be different in the varsity environment?

A: “I think [it will be harder] to make the team because there are mostly juniors and seniors on the team.”

Constance Komara- Junior

PHOTO COURTESY OF CONSTANCE KOMARA

Lily Harmison- Freshman Q: What is the best part of softball?

A: “We have a lot of fun. I am good at it, so I have a lot of fun.

Q: What would you like to improve on this year?

A: “I hope to develop my hitting. I struggled with that last year. For the team, I want us to win more games. We won a lot last year, but I would like to win more.”

Q: How did you get started with softball?

A: “My dad wanted me to play T-ball when we lived in Arizona. I was crying the first day because I was so scared. Once I finally got out on the field I fell in love with it.”

Q: What is your best memory from your softball career?

A: “I was looking at the fence and my coach. It was really special because it was the breast cancer [awareness game]. Coach [Bocock’s] husband has cancer, she had the biggest smile on her face. It made her smile which made me feel really good.”

Q: What is your favorite position?

A: “Shortstop, my favorite player is Derek Jeter, and my number is two.

I always looked up to him when I was younger. When he retired I was really sad, but I love the way he plays.”

Q: How would you describe the experience you have had on the team?

A: “It’s great, I have loved it since I was a freshman. I had my sister there to tell me to step up my game or be a mother if I needed her. My sister was there for me and has helped me through it all. If I didn’t have a sister and was playing varsity as freshman I wouldn’t be able to do it.

Overall it is a great experience.”

Brown focuses on improvements for upcoming season Anna Rath Feature Editor

PHOTO COURTESY OF HANNAH BROWN

HERE’S THE PITCH. Sophomore Hannah Brown goes through her wind up in a varsity home match up last season.

As the only freshman to play the whole season, sophomore Hannah Brown, was also the starting pitcher for the varsity softball team during the 2016 spring season. Brown has been playing softball for eight years, and for six of those years Brown has played travel softball for three different teams: Broadway, Grottoes and Stuarts Draft. “[During] out of season [softball], you travel a lot and you get to play more because you’re playing three or four games a day. Usually they’re two-day tournaments, so you play two or three games the next day too,” Brown said, “[The travel team] starts practicing maybe once every two weeks, or once every three weeks during the winter towards December, and we really start practicing around February and March. We don’t really start playing [in] tournaments until May because everybody plays school ball.”

With the spring sports season right around the corner, Brown would like to improve her arm strength, especially on the mound.

“I would like to get better at pitching, I would like to get faster. I usually go to a pitching coach to help me with that,” Brown said.

Aside from herself, Brown has also thought of ways the varsity team as a whole can improve to make this season better than the last.

“I think we need to focus more on defense, not focusing on just hitting the ball to the outfield. People need to focus more on hitting the ball and getting on base so we can score. We need to make sure we don’t make the easy mistakes, we need to go back to the basics,” Brown said. “In practice you can have fun, but there’s a certain time where you have to be serious. You can still have serious-fun, but we still need to focus on what we have to do to play softball.”

For softball players who want more practice

Watch out for ‘Hoos in March The only thing I see for the future changed. Malcolm Brogdon, Justin of the University of Virginia men’s Anderson, Mike Scott and Joe Harris basketball team is success. They are have all contributed time and points no Kentucky. They are no North Car- to their respective teams. Brogdon olina. They are no Kansas, but they in fact averages 9.2 points per game are getting pretty darn close. They as a rookie. Not to mention, he has have been a threat in the NCAA tour- dunked on Lebron James, Kyrie Irnament every year for the past five ving, and has completely embaryears and have only gotten better. rassed Philadelphia power forward, Not only are the Cavaliers a good Nerlens was ESPN top ten worthy. If team, but they were blessyou feel like watching some ed with one of the greatest serious dunks, look up a coaches in college basketcompilation of Justin Anball, Tony Bennett. derson dunks for the DalThe pack-line defense, las Mavericks, and you will which has been characterunderstand the talent that istic of Cavalier basketball the University of Virginia since Bennett arrived, is lebreeds. thal. It shuts down the oppos- Captain Virginia has had 20 appearing offense and forces a slow ances in the NCAA tournaHook paced, low scoring game. Just ment, four of which were in to prove myself, offensively, the last five seasons. The Cavthe Cavs average only 69 points, but aliers reached the elite eight last seastill have a record of 18-5 because son, and took a crushing blow from they only allow 54 on average. Vir- Syracuse after leading by double digginia’s leading scorer currently is se- its at halftime. I have no doubt that nior point guard London Perrantes, Virginia is out for blood this year, as averaging only 12 points per game. they are ranked number one in the Kentucky’s basketball team has four BPI (College Basketball Power Index). players whose averages are higher This means that UVA has one of the than that, including Malik Monk who best chances of going forward in the averages 21.9 points per game. postseason and being a threat in the In the past five years they have ACC tournament and the NCAA tourproduced NBA talent. Historically, nament. Once March comes, watch this has not been the case for Virginia out for Virginia, they’re the team no basketball, but since the dawning of one wants to face. the Bennett era in 2009, things have

and conditioning during the off season, there are softball open-gyms or off season training that the girls can attend.

“We do workouts in the weight room. A lot of people don’t really go to them when it’s like fall, but as the season gets closer more people try to come, and if it’s not snowing outside we’ll try to go out on the field,” Brown said. “I haven’t really been to one this year, but last year and when I was in eighth grade I used to come to them, and it was kind of cool. We did workouts in the weight room that help you get stronger, especially me for pitching; [they] would help my legs and my arms.”

Although Brown has had plenty of practice over the years, she was still surprised when she made the varsity team as a freshman.

“It was pretty cool because I was a freshman, so I wasn’t expecting to be on the varsity team.

When I was younger I wasn’t thinking, ‘Oh when I’m a freshman I’m gonna be pitching for varsity”. I never expected that,” Brown said.

Brown looks up to former professional softball player, Jennie Finch.

“There is this Olympic player, her name is Jennie Finch, and she was always told that … she wasn’t going to be able to play. Even her coach told her that she wasn’t going to be a pitcher, and then she ended up pitching for the Olympic team. I actually went to one of her camps, so she’s a big [source of] inspiration for me,” Brown said.

Though she now has a great love for softball, Brown only started playing it because she had nothing else to do.

“When I was little I kind of just wanted to do something, so I was like ‘Okay I’m just gonna try softball and I kind of just fell in love with it from there,” Brown said, “[Now] when I’m on the field, it’s like my escape from reality. When I’m on the field that’s all that really matters.”

2016 In Review

RECORD: 2-14

All-Conference Selections (2nd team): Maddie Cooper Thalia Salinas

Average Leaders: Maddie Cooper .331 Sarah Jackson .316

Constance Komara .304

Postseason: Eliminated in Conference 21 tournament

J. Todd Fowler, DDS, PC General Dentistry Phone: (540) 434-2423 Fax: (540) 801-0493 2870-B South Main Street Harrisonburg, VA 22801

February 24, 2017

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Ritt Culbreth- Freshman

Matt Meiser- Senior

Tristan Fink- Freshman

Q: What was your best moment playing baseball for your whole life?

A: I remember when I was like six or seven I had already been playing for a couple of years, and my coach told me that I made allstars, and that just made me so happy, and it wasn’t even that big of an accomplishment, but I felt like I was a superstar Q: What was your best moment on the high school team?

A: Last year as an eighth grader, I didn’t get to play that much, but at the end of the season I got to go up to bat for a game, and I got a hit and it was lit Q: What position do you play?

A: Benchwarmer. No, last year when I played, I played outfield and I pitched once Q: How many years have you been on the high school team?

A: Last year as an eighth grader, that was my first year with the JV team, but I’ve been playing it for probably five or six years

Q: What was your best moment in baseball?

A: Two years ago, trying to get into playoffs. I hit a three-run homerun to tie the game up and we ended up winning in [extra innings], so yeah, that’s probably the best moment PHOTO BY OWEN STEWART Q: How many homeruns have you hit?

A: 4 or 5 for varsity (home runs) Q: What position do you play?

A: Anywhere in the outfield Q: What has been the hardest game you’ve ever played?

A: Any game against Amherst, because that’s probably the best team we’ll play Q: How was your experience playing all these years in high school?

A: It’s definitely been good, it’s been fun. I’m trying to keep it going because I want to get into college and stuff and enjoy it while I can Q: Do you have any hopes for scholarships?

A: That’s why I’m trying to have a good year this year and see what [scholarships] I end up with Q: What was your first memory playing for the team?

A: It was finally getting the chance to play as a sophomore, and finally getting a chance to play with all the older kids

Q: What was your best moment on the JV team?

A: Getting my first hit about mid season Q: What position do you play?

A: First base and pitcher Q: What was the hardest game you’ve played last year?

A: Probably the one up against TA because it was a really close game Q: How was your experience playing for the team?

A: It was a fun experience, we got to do a lot of thing and meet some cool people during practice Q: What was your first memory playing for the team?

A: First memory, would be playing at open field before the season, and going to meet the coach and everyone I’d be playing with Q: When was the first time you got playing time on JV? A: Not including the scrimmage, I would have to say the second game Q: How did it feel?

A: It felt good being on the field and being able to play Q: What are some of the drills like?

A: Some drills can be hard, where you have to run off and on the field for hustle and all that, and other drills are easier

BASEBALL Simmons takes on final baseball season Jake Urbanski Sports Editor With the winter sports season coming to a close, athletes like senior Malachi Simmons are getting ready to transition into their spring sports. Simmons has been playing baseball in Harrisonburg since fifth grade, and is now approaching his final season as a high school athlete.

Last year, the varsity baseball team went 8-11, and lost in the conference tournament. Simmons has much higher aspirations for his team this year and would like to see them move further in the postseason. “[My goal is to] make a state run… last year we were pretty good as a team, but we got knocked out in the first round of conference, so we need to make a bounce back this year,” Simmons said.

Leading up to this season, baseball’s varsity head coach Kevin Tysinger has worked with Simmons for four seasons already.

This year Tysinger is expecting big things from his senior third baseman and pitcher. “[Simmons] was on the JV team his eighth grade year. His ninth grade year he started down on JV and came up for the playoffs, and he has been on varsity ever

since… I’m expecting a lot, he is a senior and he’s got as much experience as the other guys. He is really talented, I am expecting him to be a leader this year,” Tysinger said.

Along with high expectations for Simmons, Tysinger also has a high set of expectations for this season.

“We have set some pretty high goals this year. We all want to go to states, and we think that we have the team to do it. We are not going to sell ourselves short, we are going to try to go all the way,” Tysinger said.

Although Simmons will be competing in his final high school baseball season, he expects to continue his baseball career in college.

“I want to play for either Radford or JMU… JMU has been looking at me since a kid and it’s close to home,” Simmons said.

Hook returns to varsity as assistant coach Theo Yoder Sports Editor Along with new sporting events, the spring athletic season brings coaching changes. History teacher, Jay Hook, has been coaching baseball the majority of his twenty three years here. He has moved from coaching JV to varsity many times throughout his coaching career, but after training the JV baseball team the past two years, Hook will rejoin the coaching ranks of varsity this upcoming season.

“I am excited. I loved coaching JV but I am looking forward to getting back to coaching the varsity level and really seeing how our guys respond to challenging situations,” Hook said.This season, Hook is going to have to adapt to the level of varsity baseball.

“You’ve got to be better at everything you do. The people you are going to play are going to better. You as a player have to execute on a higher level than what you did on JV. Sometimes it’s more technique on varsity. On JV you can just get by by being a better athlete, that doesn’t necessarily happen on varsity,” Hook said.

The baseball coaches of varsity, with the head coach being Kevin Tysinger, are all sharing different responsibilities this season. Instead of having a pitching coach and a hitting coach, etc, all coaches will work together to make the team better. Aside from calling pitches, Hook has no specific role.

“What we have decided to do this year, because our whole staff has played both high school and college baseball, so we all have a lot of experience, is share the jobs of the coaching positions. Instead of being tied into specific coaching roles, we are all going to share the responsibilities,” Hook said.

Tyler Bocock, a Turner Ashby alumni, will be joining the varsity baseball coach-

PHOTO BY OWEN STEWART

ONE LAST RIDE. Senior Malachi Simmons is congratulated by teammates after a game-tying homerun against Amherst County during his junior season. Simmons, heading into his final season, hopes to play for either Radford or James Madison to continue his baseball career in college.

Delgado attends international academy Owen Stewart Sports Editor

PHOTO COURTESY OF JAY HOOK

RiSING UP. Coach Jay Hook directs a JV baseball practice during the 2016 season.

Hook will be coaching on varsity this year. ing staff for the first time this season. Bocock also played college baseball at Stetson University.

“We are really looking forward to him coming on and bringing his expertise and youthful exuberance to what we have,” Hook said.

With the season looming, Hook and the rest of the coaching staff have high hopes for the games and events to come.

“My hopes for this season are to win a whole lot of ball games. I think we have a lot of physical ability if we can get everyone to buy into what we are trying to do. Even though it is an individual sport in that you can’t hide, it is whatever the team goals are. If we can get people to buy into that, I think we will have a very special year,” Hook said.

The varsity boys baseball team begins the regular season in March, with a scrimmage vs. Monticello on March 7 and the first game on March 13 vs Albemarle.

The Dominican Republic is one of the world’s biggest baseball hotbeds, sending dozens of players into the MLB Draft every year. Throughout the nation, there are plenty of baseball academies, sometimes run by current or former Major League players. Bartolo Colon, a pitcher for the Atlanta Braves, runs an academy in Santiago, in the northern Dominican Republic. Sophomore Noel Delgado attended the academy over the summer between his freshman and sophomore years. He has a family connection, as Colon is their second uncle.

Noel attended mainly because of his uncle’s influence.

“My uncle told me to attend. He thought it would be a good idea for me to go. I was there for about two months,” Delgado said. While it was a long time away from home for the brothers, it didn’t have much of an effect.

“No, [it wasn’t hard]. I’m a citizen of the Dominican Republic. I never lived there, but we went there on vacation a lot,” Noel Delgado said.

Although the travel wasn’t difficult, Delgado did note that the game is played a little bit differently when outside the United States.

“Over there, they’re more strict, and more to the point [than here]. Also, instead of working on one thing for a long time, we work on a lot of things over a short period of time,” Noel Delgado said.

While at the academy, the Delgado’s endured a long day, normally consisting

of around six to seven hours of baseball, mostly in a practice-type setting, as well as a lot of running.

“We got up, worked out, and practiced for about two hours. [Then], we ate, practiced more, [and] had a little school session. [After that], we had some time to do whatever we wanted, we practiced again, had dinner and then went to the weight room until ten,” Noel Delgado said.

Both players have high school baseball experience, with Noel playing JV in both his eighth and ninth grade seasons, and Chayanne playing as an eighth grader before taking his ninth grade season off. Noel hoped to work on defensive skills while at the academy.

“I [wanted to improve] my throwing.

Both my arm strength and accuracy,” Noel Delgado said. In addition to throwing, the academy also focused on positional skills, helping Delgado most at his primary position.

“I [worked the most] on playing first base; catching and picking and stuff like that,” Noel Delgado said.

Since returning from the Dominican Republic, Delgado has seen improvement in many facets of his game, and he’s hoping that it will lead to increased opportunities for playing time this year after being a substitute during his freshman year. He has high expectations for his chances, as well as the team’s chances this season. “[I think] I’ve improved a lot. I think I’m actually going to start this year. I can run faster and I’ve gotten better at first base and hitting,” Noel Delgado said.

“We’re going to win a lot of games. As for stats, I just want to do better than last year”.

February 24, 2017

2016-2017

HHS

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February 24, 2017

The Newsstreak

Eric Ramirez- Sophomore Position: Center Attacking Midfielder -Scored nine goals during freshman year Q: What teams do you most want to beat?

A: “John Handley and Spotswood.”

Q: What has been the greatest moment of your high school

soccer career?

A: Probably when I scored a goal against Turner Ashby last year.

Q: What are your goals for this season?

A: [I would like] to win the conference, get better overall, do well in regionals, and hopefully to go undefeated as well.

Simon Timbrell- Girls JV Coach Q: What previous experience do you have in your coaching career?

A: “I’ve coached both JV and varsity boys teams at Broadway and I’ve coached in the SVU travel program as well.”

Q: What are you looking forward to this season?

A: “Right now, just getting everybody back and seeing all of the players.”

Q: What will be your coaching style/approach this year towards the players?

A: “Being positive, watching them grow, encouraging them, pushing them to their limits and coaching them individually, not only as players but as people. Everyone responds to people [and coaching] differently.

SOCCER PHOTO COURTESY OF ERIC RAMIREZ

Paul Rath- Boys Varsity Soccer Head Coach

Q: How many players did you use from last year’s team? “Fourteen players. Of the fourteen, seven were starters.”

Q: How do you believe roster turnover will affect the team this season?

A: “It will affect us greatly. You’re coming in with a new team, basically. We’ve got to fill seven positions, and we may have to switch positions depending on their knowledge of concepts, physical ability and tactical abilities.”

Q: Who are some players you’re hoping will step up this year for you?

A: Well we’ve got our seniors; Toby Campbell, our starting goalkeeper, Juan Perez, back at center back, and Roberto Gonzalez at outside wingback. Those three right there have to set the pace for everybody else.

Q: What are your expectations for the team this year?

A: It’s high.

We want to be one or two in the conference, definitely shooting for number one.

We fell one game short of states last year, so we want to get to states this year. We don’t lower our expectations just because we lose people. It’s always high.

Q: What, in your opinion, is the biggest game of the year?

A: Our biggest game of the year might be our first regular season game of the year against John Handley. It’d be our biggest game [because] they were undefeated last year, and we lost to them in the conference finals. I know the guys and the coaching staff, we’d like to win that first game over them. It’s going to be a good test.

Brent Loope- Girls Varsity Coach

Q: What previous experience do you have in your coaching career?

A: “For the past five years, I was the coach for the girls varsity team at Waynesboro. Before that, I was the assistant at Fort Defiance for two years. I’ve also coached the Bridgewater [College] men’s and women’s teams and EMU’s women’s team as an assistant. “ Q: What are you looking forward to bringing to the team?

A: “The biggest thing is bringing back that competitive spirit. This is a pretty historic program and has been notoriously good in my time in the Valley. My goal for the program is to get back to where we were and be competitive, especially because of the new classification next year [when we move up to 5A].”

Q: What are you looking forward to this season?

A: Over the past five years I have built a lot of relationships in Waynesboro and have found lots of success with that program, so I’m looking to begin replicating that here, but also starting something new.

Sports-B10

2016 In Review

BOYS Record: 11-5-1 Postseason: Lost In Regionals 1st Round All-Conference Selections: Pepe Gonzalez-Cavazos, Juan Perez, Jetson Matute (1st Team); Carlos Pacheco (2nd Team) GIRLS Record: 6-4-6 Postseason: Lost In Conference 1st Round All-Conference Selections: Faith Runnells, Olivia Yutzy (1st team); Hannah Miller, Michelle Eckstein, Sophia Hartman, Meredith Goss, Abby Campillo (2nd team)

Key soccer stats

17

Combined VICTORIES BETWEEN the boys and girls teams during the 2015-16 season

11 TOTAL

ALL-conference selections (girls and boys) during 2015-16 season

Aguilar to miss season with ACL tear David Gamboa Photographer Sophomore Steven Aguilar was playing in an EMU turf soccer league when he landed awkwardly after jumping over a slide tackle and heard two loud cracks. He immediately went to the floor in pain and had to be rushed to the emergency room.

“I tore my ACL, which helps my knee from sliding forward, and without that support I can’t do sports.

It takes six months to recover,” Aguilar said.

When Aguilar first went to the emergency room, he was told that it was just a knee sprain, but after weeks of continued pain and a visit to the orthopedic center, his ACL tear was found with an MRI. “When they told me [about my injury] I was devastated. All I could think about was missing the soccer season coming up for the high school,” Aguilar said.

The ACL, or anterior cruciate ligament, is a vital piece to the knee’s movement. It connects the femur

and tibia and an injury can occur in which it may stretch or tear.

An injury of this magnitude requires diagnosis by a doctor and often times surgery.

The soccer league that Aguilar was playing on is an adult soccer league. For Aguilar, playing with adults played its part in his injury even though it was an accident.

However, he does not regret playing in the older league.

“It was just an accident, and it happens a lot in soccer when you just play. Also they were adults, so they were playing rough with me. I don’t regret it because I was playing what I love doing, and sometimes you can’t prevent those injuries,” Aguilar said.

His first thoughts were focused on missing out on the upcoming soccer season for the high school and not so much the pain. “[The pain] was bad, but it was bearable. It didn’t make me cry or anything,” Aguilar said.

Following the surgery, Aguilar could not put any weight on his legs or even move it,

and had to use crutches to get around the house.

“My parents had to do everything for me.

They had to get food for me and help me around,” Aguilar said.

He has been to physical therapy up to three times a week where they help him regain mobility, strength and balance.

“Now I’m starting to be able to walk around without the brace. I can balance on it now and put more pressure on it and almost bend it to 90 degrees,” Aguilar said.

For Aguilar, the hardest parts of the injury have been not being able to play soccer and trying to stay healthy. “[I’m hoping to] stay in shape because right now I have to be careful what I eat because I can’t get fat,” Aguilar said.

Aguilar hopes that he can be a part of the team even though he will not be able to play for the team.

“I talked to coach and I’ll probably be the manager,” Aguilar said. “It’s probably the best I can be given my condition”.

14 Number of

graduated players from last year’s boys team (7 starters)

3/13

DAte that HHS takes on john handley in the season opener (boys home, girls away)

Fontanez hoping to make varsity squad as freshman Madison Varner Advertising Manager

to learn.”

Soccer wasn't always Fontanez's only sport.

She also played basketball when she was Last season the girls varsity soccer team wel- younger. Fontanez gave up basketball after she comed four freshmen on to the team, two of found her love for soccer.

“I really wanted to play soccer, because in my whom finished the season by being selected to All-Conference teams. This season,freshman family that's what we all care about. I used to be Francheska Fontanez may join the varsity roster. all about basketball, but now I'm all about socFontanez has been playing soccer since she was cer. I switched from playing basketball when I six years old, and has been apart of travel as well was younger, but I really fell in love with soccer,” as the HHS junior varsity team. Fontanez hopes Fontanez said.

Fontanez’s previous season was spent on JV to move up to the varsity level this season. but she is excited for a new season of bonding “I will be pretty stoked if I make varsity as a that she hopes brings the team closer. freshman because it's hard to make the team in “I'm excited for more players coming up, and general. I think making it as a freshman would be a good way to get recognized, Fontanez bonding more as a team. Win or lose, as long as said. “I really do want to make varsity because we are bonding as a team that's all that matters,” the girls are more experienced on how to play Fontanez said.

In addition to playing on the JV team,Fonand you'll get more control over the ball. In JV it's hard to play with girls that are just starting tanez also plays travel soccer with Shenandoah Valley United, a local travel organization.

“Playing travel ball there are more experienced girls, because of the fact that you have to try out. It’s also more advanced,” Fontanez said.

While taking the field and playing games are the most prominent part of a season, it wasn't the only thing that Fontanez enjoyed about her time last year.

“My favorite part about last season was when we were coming back from winning games and we sing our PHOTO COURTESY OF FRANCHESKA FONTANEZ songs and chants that BATTLE FOR THE BALL. Freshman Francheska Fontanez fights with a we made. I thought that Fort Defiance player for the ball during her eighth grade season. Fon- was a pretty cool part,” Fontanez said. tanez hopes to play varsity this season.

February 24, 2017

Sports-B11

The Newsstreak

Tobias Yoder- Second Year Player Q: How do you think the team will be different this year from last year?

A: So we lost three of our top six… but we still have our top player which should really help us. I will have to play higher up than I want to, and I’ll probably lose, but we’ll see. I think that that will help me in the long run because I’m playing someone better than I am.

Q: What was your hardest match ever?

A: I actually knew the person I was playing against, and we were really good friends, so he would keep making me laugh. I would keep messing up and I actually ended up losing. It was only a scrimmage, but we still lost. Whenever I play against someone I know I play horribly.

Danny Logan- Men’s Tennis Coach

Andrea Osinkosky- Sophomore

Q: What do you think the biggest game of the year will be?

A: Handley. Handley is a top four state-wide level team.

Millbrook just right about our level. There were only a couple points between us. When they beat us it was our first match of the year and we looked kind of lost, and then later on towards the end of the year we played them for a spot in the region and they beat us five to four but it could have gone either way, it’s just a few points in some of the matches that we lost.

Q: Do you have a proudest moment of your coaching career?

A: When they named me coach. I always wanted to coach at my high school, you know, I’m a streak. Just being the coach...Makes me really proud.

Q: Do you think that having three of your top six players gone will affect your play much?

A: I don’t know, we’re not going to be near as strong as we were last year, but as I said, the younger guys like Weston Hatfield, Toby Yoder, Sam Heie, Alex Osinkosky… John Collier… all have experience… I’ve taught them keys to winning matches.

Q: How do you think tennis will affect you in the future?

A: My mom would talk to me about how it’s a sport that you can just take a friend one day and go play it. It will stay with you your whole life.

Q: Do you think that tennis is under-appreciated as a sport at HHS? A: More people are starting to get into it, so I think that more people are realizing that it’s really fun and exciting. Yoder’s a really good coach and stuff, so it’s all around a really good experience.

Q: What is your proudest memory?

A: I got to play in the top six last year, so that was a lot of fun. I remember my first match playing in the top six was really exciting.

T E N N I S

First year players focus on gaining experience

John Breeden Staff Reporter

With winter sports coming to a close, the spring sports teams have started opening their doors, and have begun sign-ups for the upcoming season. The tennis coach, Lawson Yoder, recently had a meeting for anyone interested in playing the sport this spring. The meeting was for returning players and first time players who wanted to join the team. According to Yoder, the tennis team will have a lot of new players this year. Junior Bo Boisen has decided to do it with a friend, but she is still uncertain whether she will be playing or not.

“I thought it looked cool last year, and my friend was talking about it as well, so I was like ‘Hey, let’s do it together’,” Boisen said.

Freshman Katie Ramsey is also playing tennis this year, however, she’s not exactly new to the team. Last year, she had the opportunity to practice with the team as an eighth grader.

“I [hadn’t done] a spring sport [in the past], and I really liked the idea of tennis.

I practiced with them a little bit last year,” Ramsey said.

When trying a new sport, it’s best to be prepared for it. In most cases, trying a sport without any previous practice or focus most likely won’t lead to much success, and in the case of the three players, they have all had at least some sort of experience playing.

“I kind of played around before or during gym,” Boisen said. “Where I used to live, they had a tennis club where you would play just for fun.”

Sophomore Abbey Showalter has also stepped up to take a swing at it this year.

Showalter has had experience with the sport before, and hopes to have time with friends of hers who are on the team as well.

“I have a couple friends that do it and I thought it might be fun,” Showalter said.

“I’ve also played it with my dad in the past, but I’ve never played it through the school.”

Due to Ramsey’s experience of getting to practice with the team as an eighth grader, she has had the most experience of the three.

“I’ve had it in gym class, and last year I was on the team just as an eighth grader to see how I liked it,” Ramsey said.

There are different aspects of trying

out a sport for the first time, including the team. Showalter says that she thinks the team is happy about the turnout of new players.

“There’s a lot of new people this year, so I guess they’re glad about that,” Showalter said.

Ramsey also has a positive look on the tennis team, saying that they’re very supportive by watching her play.

“They’re really loving, [and] happy to have people come. They’re [also] really willing to watch me play,” Ramsey said.

For many, school sports can be a hassle at times, as far as separating athletics from education, and practicing after school for two to three hours is the main culprit.

According to Boisen, she’s going to have to become more proficient at dividing up her time once tennis season begins.

“I will have to get better with doing my homework so I won’t procrastinate and then not do it,” Boisen said.

When being a new player to a sport, most set the standards bar low, and just try to learn how to play properly before starting to build a skill level. Both Boisen and Showalter agree that this tennis season is about learning.

“[My goal is] to actually learn how to play, if I do it, or just get better,” Boisen said.

While Boisen is focused on learning how to play the game, Ramsey seems to have bigger goals on her mind going into her first tennis season.

“I hope to get better, and hopefully challenge more of my teammates to get a spot on the ladder,” Ramsey said.

All of the girls are most looking forward to being a part of the tennis team, getting to know the other players and enjoying the social aspect. “[I’m looking forward] to having fun with friends and not just sitting around, doing nothing all day,” Boisen said.

Similar to Boisen, Ramsey is looking forward to getting the know the team, as well as improving her tennis skills.

“Just having a team, getting to know them, and getting better [will be highlights this season],” Ramsey said.

Showalter is also looking forward to her first tennis season, so she can connect with the team as well. “[I’m excited for] spending more time with friends and playing tennis,” Showalter said.

Muan trying to excel during senior season Kyle Brown Sports Editor Senior Jason Muan is a known tennis player for his near undefeated seasons all four years of high school. Muan has been playing tennis for HHS all four of his high school years, and has been the number one seed ever since his sophomore year. Muan has been playing tennis for over ten years and he explains the reasoning on how he became the tennis star that he is today.

“A lot of hard work. I’ve been playing a lot throughout my whole life, and that’s probably how I got this way. Also a lot of practice, if you wanna get good at anything that’s all it takes. Just a lot of hard work,” Muan said.

Other than his own hard work and dedication to the sport, Muan explains how his father has been a big influence on getting him to go out and play tennis.

“It was my dad [who helped me]. We lived right near EMU, and they have those courts, so we just started playing and it just picked up from there,” Muan said.

Apart from his father pushing Muan to become a better player, Muan states that he actually pushes himself to become great at the sport.

“I’d say I’m self motivated. It sounds really weird, but i just knew that i had a chance to be really good at it so I just kept going for it,” Muan said.

At HHS last year the men’s team had arguably one of the best seasons they have had in awhile as a whole. Many of the top seeds have graduated, and Muan explains his hopes for the new players playing in the top seeds.

“I just hope we do as well as we did last year. We had a really solid team last year, but a lot of our players left, so I hope we can just continue that. It’ll be challenging, the underclassmen will just have to step it up, and that’s all that really matters,” Muan said.

In order to achieve Muan’s goal for the team in the upcoming season, Muan expresses one simple thing the team can do as a whole to work for it.

“I think we just need to be a lot more focused this year than maybe in previous years. We just need to keep everyone focused during practice,” Muan said.

Muan has always had historically good seasons, losing no more than one or two matches in the regular season, and he explains the reasoning behind his single loss from last years season.

“I lost once during my regular season. I was really rusty, because it was my first match, and I lost to this kid from Millbrook, and it just shows me I have to be prepared or else you won’t get it,” Muan said.

For Muan’s senior season he has high hopes of going undefeated during the regular season. As of right now, Muan has not thought far about his postseason hopes and goals.

“I just want to finish the regular season first, and finish that strong, and just take it how it goes during the postseason,” Muan said.

Muan says that his main way of preparing before matches is just hitting the ball and rallying it back and forth as much as he can. Muan explains what he does to compete and stay in shape for the offseason.

“My out of season training this year would be basketball, because it’s helped me get back into pretty good shape, but usually I’ll just hit around as much as possible if i weren’t playing basketball,” Muan said.

Traditionally tennis is looked down upon behind other spring sports like soccer and baseball, and Muan expresses some of the reactions he gets to him playing tennis.

“I’ve had people who’ve come up to me and just asked is tennis even a sport. They just think it’s easy, but obviously it’s pretty challenging, especially if you’re playing at a higher level,” Muan said.

With the spring season coming up fairly soon, Muan states that he is ready and excited for the start of tennis season.

“I just have a love for the sport, and I’ve been playing it for a long time, so I learned to love everything about it,” Muan said. “It’s senior year and I think that this year should definitely be a good year for me.”

SERVES UP. Senior Jason Muan plays the ball to his opponent during last year’s season.

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February 24, 2017

The Newsstreak

Humans of HHS-B10

HUMANS OF In keeping with our motto “Every person has a story,” the Newsstreak interviews students every month in the style of Humans of New York creator, Brandon Stanton. The idea is to tell the story of as many of our students as possible. Check out a similar project at www.hhsmedia.com.

HHS Freshman Margret Sarco

“[I am staying after] to take an Algebra 2 quest, because I wasn’t here the day my class took it.”

Senior Diana Matute

“[JROTC] made me a better leader and it’s taught us to stand by each other when we need each other. They give us jobs and by doing those jobs we are learning about being better citizens and leaders and teaching us how to interact with other people. The more time we spend outside of school and with each other, the more we learn and it doesn’t just have to be about JROTC, we learn about life skills and stuff we can use when we are older and when we are trying to find a job for example. It doesn’t just involve the army, it involves the life skills.”

Freshman Cam’Ron Stuart

“I’m staying after to get help in geometry, and to catch up on my work.”

Junior Joel Clevenger Senior Kinsley Neff

“Coming into high school, I didn’t really have a feel for the military. I didn’t care about my academics, honestly i didn’t care about anything in general. JROTC gave me a reason and motivation to care about my academics, care about myself, my attitude towards other people and just my eloquent life itself and it gave me a career for my future and hope in life”

“How were you were to able to both pole vault and wrestle in the same season.”

“I was doing wrestling a I wasn’t able to go to the conferences for wrestling so I decided to go to the track one.

The reason I was able to do both is because there was no pole vault coach for indoor, only outdoor. Even if i showed up, I couldn’t do anything so they told me I could do wrestling and just vault at meets.”

Junior Collin Morris

“[I have been playing] since about fourth grade, and the higher level you play at, like in high school, the better everyone becomes. Every body starts to level out and everybody is good, its not just a few people on each team who can actually play basket ball. It makes you better because you have to keep up with everybody, and you don’t want to be that person on the team who is not as good as the person beside you.”

“This year has been the most memorable, we were a lot more of a team than we have been in the past.”

Freshman Jonathan Pulido

“What do you do after school?”

“I have conditioning and I lift.”

“Why do you do it?”

“I’m getting in shape for soccer season.”

Junior Uri Conis

“What does setting a school record and making it to states mean to you?”

“It means the most to our team.”

[We know we are] accomplishing something together and that we are leaving our mark on the school.”

Junior Attilio Illiano

“What do you do after school?”

“Go home and eat, and if I don’t work go to the gym.”

Senior Toby Campbell

“What are you here for after school?”

“Conditioning or soccer conditioning” “Why do you do it?”

“I’m trying to get into shape for the upcoming soccer season”

Sophomore Micah Yutzy

“What do you do after school?”

“HHS soccer” “Why do you do it?”

“I do it just because I love it.”

Senior Federico Illiano

“What do you usually do after school?”

“I work, and if I have time I condition for soccer, and If I don’t have conditioning I go to the gym with my brother”