September 25th print issue

The

Newsstreak

where every person has a story

Volume XC • Issue 2 • September 25, 2009

harrisonburg high school • 1001 garbers church road • harrisonburg, va 22801 • 540.433.2651 • Newsstreak.com •

Freeze Frame

New schedule allows teachers to help kids in other classes

Jostens delivers class rings Paulina Rendon Staff Reporter

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Block that kick! Members of the Red Sea cheer on the football team during the season opener against Handley. Photo by Rafiqa Haji.

News Briefs Homecoming week is September 28- October 2. Monday is hat day, Tuesday is tie-dye day, Wednesday is white out day, Thursday is stripes and plaid day and Friday is Blue Streak day. Show off your school spirit by dressing up!  The homecoming dance will be held on October 3 from 8-11:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased in room 444 or at the door for $15 per person.  The bloodmobile will be at HHS on October 30.

Sign up in room 444.  The first six weeks ends on October 2.  There will not be school for students on October 12 due to parent/ teacher conference day.  Monday, September 28 will be an activity dayschedule II.  There will be a band/ choir concert on October 15. 

very year, students gather in the JMU Convocation Center for their last high school celebration. Their names are called in front of their friends, family and the teachers that guided them throughout the last four years.

The last words are said, teachers congratulating their students and friends are saying goodbye as their lives lead them in different directions. On the car ride home, the graduated senior’s mind swims with memories they will never want to forget.

No matter what happens from then on, they will always be HHS graduates.

Many students choose to preserve those memories in the form of a ring. Students pay anywhere from $50 to $800 on a class ring. The price varies due to how elaborate someone wants their ring – what stone, what metal, and what decals.

“The most expensive ring I have is $750. It has real diamonds and a 14K gold band. But nobody ever gets

Emma DiNapoli Editor-in-Chief

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Sizing it up. Kiah Silver’s mother talks to Jostens representative Jeff Adams about adjustments for her daughter’s class ring.

Photo by Maria Rose. that,” Josten representative Jeff Adams said.

Josten’s has been supplying Harrisonburg High School’s class rings for between 15 and 20 years. Around 60-70 rings are sold each year.

“Girls buy more. They care more about jewelry than guys do,” Adams said. “Guys usually buy them because their moms want them to.”

However, junior Shannon Tucker got a ring for a different reason.

“I decided to get one so I

Sports Briefs The varsity football team takes on Heritage at home tonight. Kickoff is at 7:30.  Boys and girls cross country teams will race at the Oatlands Invitational tomorrow morning at 9:00.  The Golf team will compete in the Massanutten District tournament on September 28 at 9:50 a.m.

The match is hosted by Broadway High School and will take place at Shenvalee in New Market.  The homecoming football game is on October 2 against Waynesboro. Kickoff is at 7:30.  Volleyball travels to T.A. on September 29. JV plays at 6:00 p.m. and varsity at 7:15 p.m.

RIP Michael. Mary Strickler stands with Jill Blackledge outside the Michael Jackson memorial service in L.A. Photos provided by Mary Strickler.

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newsstreak.com List of Homecoming court representatives  Daily lunch menu  Local gas prices  Athletic scores and schedules  News you need to know 

Coming Up: Fall fashion ideas What’s new in the gaming world  Students and teachers favorite TV shows and new shows to watch for  Best restaurants in Harrisonburg  Ways to make healthy choices in your everyday life  Cross country postseason preview  Homecoming festivities wrap-up  AVID program takes off  Football highlights  

could remember the high school I went to. I want to remember all the good times, good memories. Also I want to remember all the friends I’ve made.”

Students personalize their rings however they want, with symbols that represent clubs, sports and other different kinds of activities.

The most popular design for a ring is called “the tribute,” and it is the standard guy’s ring. see jostens, page b4

Strickler attends Michael Jackson memorial service Heather Hunter Staff Reporter

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y entering the online lottery, yearbook teacher, Mary Strickler won a pair of tickets to Michael Jackson’s memorial service, located in the Staples Center, in downtown Los Angeles.

According to CNN, about 1.6 million fans registered for a chance to win fewer than 9,000 pairs of tickets.

The chances of winning a pair of those tickets were 9 out of every 1,600 fans.

“Everyone said sell them, sell them, but it was a chance to be part of history, and it would never happen again,” said Strickler.

Strickler’s lucky partner in adventure was friend Jill Blackledge, who lived close

to the memorial site. “Jill and Strickler was a Hispanic I screamed,” Strickler said, mechanic, and the woman in when they found out she had front had brought her 90-yearwon the tickets. old mother. “The mood in the Inside the arena, the lights air was lifted with anticipation. were dim, and a huge screen No one knew what to expect,” projected Strickler said. pictures of “But when Jackson. In it started it It was a chance to front of the was like you be a part of history, stage were could hear a big bushels pin drop, and and it would never of colorful the woman happen again,” flowers, in front of and in the me began  Yearbook teacher center of p i n c h ing Mary Strickler the flowers herself.” was a space All the for the gold colored coffin, speakers sat on the ground which held the “King of Pop”. floor of the Lakers Stadium, to Strickler sat in the premium honor and pay their respects section of the stands right in to Jackson. “Everyone was so front of the V.I.P. boxes, the excited,” Strickler said. “It was boxes were mostly filled with the thrill of the moment.” reporters, and cameramen. see strickler, page b4 One of the people behind

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Renaissance class and SCA plan new rallies Emily Knapp Style Editor

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chool spirit doesn’t just manifest itself.

Often, it needs a bit of encouragement.

At Harrisonburg High school, this is where the Renaissance program comes in. Each year, the leadership class is responsible for organizing events throughout the school such as rallies. This year is no exception.

“Renaissance rallies last year weren’t

very popular,” SCA president Emma DiNapoli said, “We’re bringing back the popular hypnotist [Tom DeLuca] and thinking up a lot of new, entertaining acts.”

Among the many events the class is bringing back is the Boy’s Dance Team. For the past three years this group of testosteronedriven adolescents have shaken what their mama’s gave them to songs ranging from “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)” to “Save a Horse (Ride

Sports

News

Young runners play a big role on B6 cross country teams

Ben Shisler takes advantage of ‘cash A3 for clunkers’ program

a Cowboy)” to “It’s Goin’ Down.” Junior Sam Obenshain has been dancing on the team since he was a freshman.

“What would the school year be without it?” Obenshain said.

In addition to dancing, the males of Harrisonburg High will also be able to compete in a “Mr. Blue Streak Pageant,” an event that the class is bringing back from the past due to popular demand. “ P o s s i b l e competition divisions are an evening

Food

gown model section, wrestling match and talent show,” DiNapoli said.

Renaissance is not solely involved in entertainment for rallies – they also organize sporting events such as Pack the Gym, Cram the Course and the Red Sea. They encourage every student to attend and they occasionally offer prizes for the most spirited fans.

On Nov 9, the class is hosting an in school tournament for “Renaissance Kids.” 

Feature

Cake decorating tips and recipes

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Homecoming court profiles

ast year, the school board initially met to push Harrisonburg High School’s start time later in the morning, in order to allow students to sleep in later and to reform the bus schedule. By the end of the board’s deliberations, however, a five to one vote resulted in a new 7:20 a.m. high school start time. A survey taken in the spring had shown only 31 percent student and parent support for a later start time, which influenced the board in its decision. Though school starts earlier, most students are released at 2:20 p.m., a full forty minutes earlier than last year.

The new schedule settled upon by the board and HHS principal Irene Reynolds incorporates the new start time with a mandatory half hour study block for all athletes.

“The new schedule eliminates the 30-40 minute morning wait time for bus riders. Most importantly, this allows every teacher to assist other classroom teachers for an additional 30 minutes per day,” Reynolds said.

Reynolds and other school officials felt that the majority of the student body at HHS would benefit from additional remedial and supplementary attention from both their assigned teacher and another teacher in the same discipline.

Because teachers would lose their planning block in order to assist another teacher, they are required to remain 30 minutes after general school dismissal.

“Teachers will remain for department planning and meetings, collaboration, planning and other means of communication,” Reynolds said.

see schedule, page b4

SCA organizes powderpuff game Diana Gutierrez Style Reporter

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irls playing football is finally happening.

This is the first year that SCA has not only planned but also set a date for the first powderpuff football game. The senior and junior ladies have separated into two teams which are set to battle head to head. In a role reversal, the senior and junior guys will serve as the cheerleaders for the game.

“It’s really exciting seeing everyone come out to this event and it’s definitely something we want to continue doing,” SCA vice president, Kirstin Warne said. The SCA has not organized a powderpuff game in over 10 years.

Each class is going to have their own practices and team t-shirts for a legitimate look on the field. The organizers for the teams were responsible for creating designs and taking orders.

“The shirts are navy blue with hot pink writing that say ‘We’re so 3008, you’re so 3000 and late’ on the back,” SCA president, Emma DiNapoli said.

Practices have been held on the football practice field. see powderpuff, page b4

Photo Essay B1

What’s new around HHS

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The Newsstreak

September 25, 2009

NEWS BRIEFS

Any seniors interested in doing a senior service project this year should stop by room 526 to pick up a senior service project packet and talk to SarahGrefe about possible project opportunities. Help is needed for the Special Olympics every Saturday from September 12 to October 31. The event takes place at Valley Lanes bowling alley from noon to 3 p.m. This event can count as a senior service project.

Anyone interested should contact Tamra Shepard in room 205 as soon as possible for more information. College Night Plus will be held on October 1 at the JMU Convocation center. Come learn about the many colleges that will be represented. For more information see your guidance counselor. The PSATs will be given at HHS on Saturday October 17 at 8:00 a.m. Students must register in the guidance office. Cost is $15 due at the time of registration.

The deadline for registration is October 9. Upcoming SAT dates include November 7 and December 5. The registration deadline for the November SAT is October 1 and the deadline for the December SAT is October 30. For more information on SAT testing, visit your guidance counselor. 

News A2

City schools on alert for swine flu outbreak Tricia Comfort Editor-in-Chief

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hen news of a swine flu outbreak became publicly known last year, schools and other organizations began learning about ways to help prevent it from spreading. The swine flu is an illness that is spread through contact. Symptoms of the swine flu can include fever, sore throat, body aches, cough and headaches.

This year the administrators and faculty at Harrisonburg High School have been taking the necessary measures to lessen the chance of spreading the illness. School Nurse Angela Knupp says there is no way to fully prevent the illness.

“We encourage sick students to stay home, wash your hands often, use good cough hygiene,” Knupp said. “Cough into a tissue or your elbow, instead of coughing into your hands.” A new policy was introduced to our school this year. If a student goes to the main office or the nurses office to get medicine for a headache they are required to get their temperature taken, if the student has a fever of 100 degrees or higher they will be sent home. Students who are sent home cannot return to school until they have been fever free for 24 hours without medication.

Knupp has several other tips to help keep our school healthy.

“Wash your hands before

meals, wash your hands often and well.

Sing the happy birthday song to yourself while you are washing and use soap; don’t just get your hands wet. Eat healthy and stay hydrated to help keep your immune system strong,” Knupp said.

Fashion marketing teacher Tony Antonnicola is serious when it comes to keeping everyone healthy.

“I know the media has hyped up the swine flu, but it has killed quite a few people and I don’t want that to happen here,” Antonnicola said. Antonnicola

Art by Vivian Tejada

New teachers join HHS staff Onna Enosaki Teaching Assistant College(s) attended: UVA Why they chose to educate: “I want to get my masters in counseling but I figured being a teaching assistant would be a good transition” Memorably high school moment: “My best friend and I won the over-all dress up award for spirit week my senior year” Previous job: “I worked in a research lab in college” Embarrassing moment: “My boyfriend broke up with me senior year and my Latin teacher announced it to everyone and tried to find me a prom date” Opinion of HHS so far: “It’s really great.

Everyone is friendly and helpful”

Cromer creates bulletin board service can be worked on, even the student boards as long as they ask us to do them. We then have a design team, so if the teacher doesn’t know t the end what they want to do the of summer, students will make a design teachers are busy and run it by the teacher,” organizing their Cromer said.

“I think it’s a really good classroom and making everything perfect for the idea. It’s great that the first day of school. But one students are going to help thing they are not always with all of this, and I would crazy about is designing like to sign up for this when I their bulletin boards. find the time,” math teacher Mallory Cromer, the fashion Alison Whalen said.

“I think it would be really and marketing teacher, came up with the idea to great if the teachers took start a service so teachers advantage of it. I would will not have to do their like to take advantage of it if I had a bulletin board,” bulletin boards h i s t o r y themselves. t e a c h e r “Unfortunately Jennifer no one has signed I am offering a fifteen Whorrall up to have their percent discount to said. bulletin boards O n e the first twenty-five done yet. But I am b u lletin offering a fifteen customers .” board cost ten percent discount  Mallory Cromer, dollars, and to the first twenty fashion marketing five dollars five customers,” teacher for additional Cromer said. bulletin This is the boards in first year there has been a bulletin board the classroom. Or you can service at Harrisonburg buy a yearly bulletin board High School. Many teachers service which includes consultation, believe it is a good idea. design All the students from the changing the boards twice, fashion and marketing and maintenance. For one class will be the students board it is fifteen dollars, working on the boards. It for two boards it is twentycomes to about fifty people three dollars, and for three that earn community hours boards it is thirty dollars.

“It is not just paper and for working on this job. In Cromer’s class community cut out letters that make hours count toward a good bulletin board,” Cromer said.  students’ grades.

“Any bulletin boards Madison Wilson News Reporter

Bridget Smith Consumer Sciences Teacher

College(s) attended: Bridgewater and Virginia Tech Why they chose to educate: “I like working with people in general and I like interacting with people” Memorably high school moment: “I remember we’d make class floats and we decorated a hall as a monopoly game with a drawbridge” Previous job: “I worked at Minnieland Daycare” Embarrassing moment: “I cheered and I was flying in a stunt and my shoes flew off my freshman year at a basketball game” Opinion of HHS so far: “I like teaching Family Consumer Sciences because I like teaching useful skills”

Michael Fornecker Geometry Teacher

Jordan Loomis Teaching Assistant

College(s) attended: UNC Wilmington Why they chose to educate: “I’ve always wanted to be a teacher” Memorably high school moment: “I remember sleeping a lot in math class; using my book as my pillow” Previous job: “It was with Crosskeys Vineyard” Embarrassing moment: “I don’t remember any. Nothing is coming to mind so I guess I blacked it out” Opinion of HHS so far: “Excellent, the faculty is helpful and the kids are great”

College(s) attended: Penn State and JMU Why they chose to educate: “Because I started tutoring in college and really liked it” Memorably high school moment: “Not really, nothing memorable enough” Previous job: “I worked in the D.C. area” Embarrassing moment: “Not yet, I’m sure at some point something embarrassing will happen” Opinion of HHS so far: “It’s been great so far. After the first week, I’m happy” Infographic by Lauren Martin

requires all of his students to use hand sanitizer when they walk in his classroom.

He also asks his students to wipe down their computer keyboards and mice with a disinfecting wipe on a regular basis.

“I see this as my little corner of the world and I want to keep everyone healthy. If everyone in the school would do it every day it could make a big difference,” Antonnicola said. “I want to keep kids at school, not sick at home.” 

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2008-2009 yearbooks delivered during lunch shifts

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Christine Choi Style Reporter

ong tables are set up along the side of the auditorium commons through all lunch shifts with lines of students awaiting their yearbooks. This year’s cover says Fourever Blue to represent the four years Harrisonburg High school has existed at the new location.

The simple yet unique design on the cover was designed by junior Talia Baltazar and the rest was put together by yearbook teacher Mary Strickler and editor-in-chiefs Wendy Miller and Ashley Ritchie.

The white flowing design down the left side of the hard covered yearbooks was designed by Baltazar and created on Adobe Photoshop. Baltazar drew and freehanded the design on the computer.

With so many yearbooks and orders to keep track of, an organized system is required.

“We put them in alphabetical order. We put receipts on them and put them in boxes. We take shifts and pass them out,” junior Erika 188 people in all grades and faculty polled on Sept 14 by Bravo said.

Mark Duda “ M r s .

Strickler goes to Dallas each year and gets ideas and designs how it’s going to be with ideas from the year before,” Bravo said. At the end of each year, yearbook students have a final project to create and design their own cover and layouts. These ideas are put in a class contest for ideas to put in the yearbook.

“Being in yearbook is like having a backstage pass to all the events,” Bravo said.

Since yearbooks consist of many pictures, students are assigned to each of their sections and events to take pictures. Students like Almarez and Bravo find the class rewarding. Being WHAT YOU THINK Have you ordered your ‘09-’10 TAJ yearbook?

YES NO 103 85

able to learn how to use the computer Photoshop. programs and being able to meet new Staff members put in much effort to people are some of the perks they enjoy get the yearbooks designed and to have about Strickler’s class. them handed out to all the students who The hardest part that most students have ordered them the previous year. find about the yearbook class is Strickler felt this year ran much more writing stories. Since the yearbook smoothly than many previous.  consists mainly of just pictures and captions, when stories are required to be written, it uses a different skill they are not used to using in that class.

“Most pictures are taken by yearbook students and some are brought in,” junior Fabiola Almarez said.

Y e a r b o o k students go to workshops and take trips to learn how to use computer Distribution Day. Sophomore Lauren Phillips hands out yearbooks programs like to fellow sophomores Sarah Schick and Kiah Silver. Photo By Emily InDesign and Jamieson.

The Newsstreak

September 25, 2009

News A3

Health Care Crusade Divides Valley

Doctors, residents, students split on public option Ama Ansah News Editor

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ou see it every time you turn on a TV. It is a top story in every newspaper. It is the subject of passionate debate at town hall meetings all over the country. It is health care reform, the complicated, ever-changing hot topic that is sweeping the country.

According to the National Coalition on Health Care, nearly 46 million Americans have no health insurance, typically because they cannot afford it.

“Generally speaking if they don’t take your insurance for whatever reason, you’re not going to be seen in a private doctor’s office,” Gregory Jesteadt M.D. said. “Comparably, if you’re in an ER setting, they have to see you no matter what.”

Getting medical treatment without having health insurance can leave one with high amounts of debt, which in the long run can affect a bank’s decision when letting someone take out a loan. Health insurance helps patients pay for medical care.

The cost of insurance varies according to how much coverage a consumer wants and/ or can afford. The more you pay for insurance, the better the coverage. Some employers provide health insurance for their workers by taking money out of their paychecks to pay for it.

President Barack Obama

wants all Americans and old citizens,” WHAT YOU THINK to have basic health Chris Driver of Are you in favor of a Government run health care insurance. He Blue Ridge Insurcare plan? is proposing a govance said. ernment-sponsored “No matter health insurance what you’ve heard, program that would if you like your be available to all doctor or healthcitizens. Right now, care plan, you 200 people in all grades and faculty polled on Sept 14 by the government is can keep it. If you Chris Sokolyuk involved in healthdon’t have insurcare, helping create ance, you’ll finally licensing regulations for doc- be able to afford insurance,” tors and running the Medicare Obama said in his weekly adand Medicaid programs. The dress on August 15th, 2009. government also provides mil“I myself wouldn’t let it afitary veterans and their family fect the quality of the care I basic health care. give. I think that there may be “[With Medicare,] if you’re some financial changes and elderly you get a break with realities that physicians may hospital bills and with pre- have to face, good, bad or othscription drugs,” Youth in erwise,” Jesteadt said.

Government leader Kirk MoyThe White House knows ers said. reform comes with a price Medicaid is health care for tag. “We’ve already identified low income Americans, though hundreds of billions of dollars income is not the deciding fac- worth of savings in our budget tor in eligibility. Situations -- savings that will come from such as being pregnant, having steps like reducing Medicare children or having HIV/AIDS overpayments to insurance while living in poverty make companies and rooting out one eligible for Medicaid. The waste and fraud and abuse in program serves approximately both Medicare and Medicaid,” 6 million US citizens.

Obama said at a town hall Some Americans are not in meeting in Green Bay, Wisconfavor of health care reform. sin.

They fear losing their private “Our country is already health care. Some also fear busi- more than 11 trillion dollars nesses opting for the cheaper in debt,” Driver said. “And if government-sponsored insur- Congress passes the health reance will lead to low quality form plan currently being conhealthcare. sidered, it is projected to add “My major concerns about another trillion dollars of debt national health care are the over the first 10 years.” same things so many other citiAs the health care debate zens are worried about—the continues, a recurring topic of cost of it, and also whether the discussion from both the pubhealth care would be as good lic and politicians is the health as it is now for both young insurance industry.

YES NO 121 79

“It [health insurance] is enormously important,” Jesteadt said. “The reality in this country is that we don’t, right now, triage medical care we triage people. We’re not determining what is available, we’re determining who gets what is available. Depending on what insurance plan you have, your insurance carrier can determine what medical care is covered, what medical care is not.

It’s hugely important. ” “I don’t want government bureaucrats meddling in your health care, but I also don’t want insurance company bureaucrats meddling in your health care either,” Obama said at an August 14 town hall in Belgrade, Montana.

“I think that many politicians have tried to make the insurance companies the bad guys in all this. Not us local agents, but the big carriers who actually provide the insurance products and set the prices. Many politicians now refer to “Health Insurance Reform” instead of “Health Care Reform,”” Driver said.

One of the major complaints about health insurance is the cost. The price of health insurance has increased over the years due to many factors such as waste in government medical programs and the rising cost of health care.

“It’s easy to blame insurance companies when you get billed for higher premiums, but those premiums only reflect the higher cost of medical care, which isn’t controlled by the insurance companies,” Driver said.

How deeply insurance companies are affected depends on the kind of reform that will be passed. Many of the possible outcomes create unsavory results for the insurance industry.

“An option is a combination of national health care and private insurance… it might be hard for private companies to compete against the government plan, because the government can “subsidize” their plan with taxpayer dollars which could mean that their prices for the same coverage are lower than the private companies,” Driver said.

“I believe that there are many things we can work at to try to reduce health care costs and make insurance more affordable for all citizens without jumping right into a national health care system,” Driver said.

Still, the fact remains that 46 million Americans are without health care.

“My mom doesn’t have Health insurance,” a sophomore said. “When she gets sick, she just doesn’t go to the doctor.”

“Nearly 1/3 of all children are uninsured,” Jesteadt said.

“This would help those kids tremendously if this is implemented correctly.”

“Young people are the ones who are going to have to live with it for a while. As it’s evident now, once something is established, it’s very difficult to change,” Moyers said. 

New ‘Cash for Appliances’ program slated to debut Molly Denman Staff Reporter

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new program similar to “Cash for Clunkers” has been announced. A 300 million dollar “Cash for Appliances” program will be issued this fall to give consumers money to buy newer, energy efficient products such as: dish washers, furnaces, washer and dryers, refrigerators and air conditioners.

“I think that cash for appliances is good, because it saves people energy and money,” said sophomore

Melanie Bridges.

Unlike “Cash for Clunkers”, it is not necessary to trade in old appliances. Rebates range from $50 to $200 per appliance.

Also, rebates offered by state and local utility districts for the buying of energy-efficient appliances will be added to the cash for appliances rebate.

“Cash for appliances is an easy way to get rid of old, useless appliances and get new, energy-efficient ones,” said senior Cory Dovel.

Rebates will be given for central air conditioners, heat pumps, boilers, furnaces (oil and gas), room air conditioners, clothes washers, clothes dryers,

dish washers, refrigerators, and water heaters. However, only certain energy-efficient products such as; energy star appliances will qualify for this rebate.

“I think cash for appliances is a good idea. If we didn’t have the energy efficient appliances we need then we would be out of luck. Also some people cannot afford them so that will help,” senior Cornealius Mosley said.

Sports Marketing teacher Mallory Cromer recently purchased an energy efficient washer and dryer.

Although Cromer did not use the Cash for Appliances

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or the average middle class family, there are many decisions that need a lot of discussion.

When to buy a house, where to send their kids to school; these are all important decisions that require many months of planning and talking.

Purchasing a car falls into this vast category of planned purchases.

These days, it’s become even more difficult. During a financial crisis that’s putting the main “bread winners” out of work, buying a new car

is the last thought on many people’s minds. Realizing this, the government put a project into motion in hopes that it would bump the automobile industry back into a productive curve. This program is called “Cash for Clunkers.”

“Cash for Clunkers” is a 1 billion dollar voucher program where people could bring in their old gas guzzling cars (Clunkers) and receive a voucher for 3,500 to 4,500 dollars off a new fuel efficient vehicle.

The Shisler family was one of the thousands of families who took part in this program before it ended on August 24.

Good Bye! Junior Ben Shisler stands by his Ford Explorer for one of the last times before trading it. Cash for Clunkers was a program used by millions of Americans. Photo courtesy of Shisler family.

the cash for appliances rebate.

This rebate is for private citizens who are purchasing appliances for their home.

This stimulus has been issued in hopes of creating a more energy-efficient America.

The package is trying to get consumers to buy new appliances to save water, energy and in the future, money. 

Cockerham taking AG classes at TA

Shisler participates in Clunkers program Conner Whitehouse Sports Writer

rebate, she still is happy to have more energy efficient appliances in her home.

“My new energy efficient washer and dryer have saved me money. My electric bill is less than it was before I got the Energy Star appliances. Go green!” Cromer said.

According to cafeteria manager Andrea Early, the HHS cafeteria is not eligible for

In mid-August they went to Myers Ford in Elkton because the local Ford dealer didn’t have what they were looking for. They brought Junior Ben Shisler’s car to trade in. A 1999 Ford Explorer, which on average got around 15-19 mpg and had about 200,000 miles on it, and in return got $4,500 toward a new 2010 Ford Fusion which averages approximately 28-30 mpg. Ben wasn’t too upset about the loss of his car because he received his dad’s Chevy pickup which was a lot nicer.

“The deal really benefited me, it [the Chevy] was a nicer and more reliable truck,” Shisler said.

“The Cash for Clunkers program was kind of the final straw for us to get a car, we had been talking about it for a while but the program egged us on to finally purchase it,” Andy Shisler said. When talking to the salesperson he didn’t seem too excited about the program.

“They thought it was a good idea but the government hadn’t sent them the physical money yet so they weren’t too thrilled,” sophomore Andy Shisler said. 

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Mitch Depoy Staff Reporter

or senior Tyler Cockerham, the first week of school has been different from many others. Tyler Cockerham is attending Turner Ashby for his first class of the day. “I’m taking an Agriculture Class at T.A,” Cockerham said.

For the rest of the year, Cockerham will be at T.A every other day.

Over the summer, Cockerham went to visit Mississippi State University. The schools in the South Eastern Conference, or the SEC, are big on agriculture classes. Cockerham has had the desire to go down south and attend Mississippi State since he was young.

“My grandparents live down in Jackson, Mississippi and I’ve always loved it down there,” Cockerham said. “Mississippi State also has one of the top Agriculture schools in the nation.”

His first block is “Introduction to Agriculture” and his teacher is Mrs. Martin. “I love the class and it’s really chill,” Cockerham said. Last week their objective was to finish painting a tractor.

“While we were painting our tractors last week, the generators that were powering our airbrushes blew,” Cockerham said.

“It sounded like the roof was going to blow off of the school,” Cockerham said.

The first few days of his Agriculture class included learning about animal science and forestry. Since those days, all we have been doing is tractor repairs.

As for after he graduates

from Mississippi State, he wants to move up and the ladder and become a high ranking official in a Agriculture field. “I would like to be a high ranking official in a business like Cargill,” Cockerham said.

The agriculture program is also known as “Future Farmers of America” or FFA. That class is not available at Harrisonburg.

Harrisonburg has JROTC and T.A. has FFA. Some students from T.A come over here to HHS and can take JROTC. It is also a lot easier for the school to send Cockerham to T.A than starting a program here.

As for the rest of Cockerham’s schedule, he comes back to second block by about 20 minutes.

“It’s bad, because I had early release, but since I get here late I spend my last block catching up on the work that I missed,” Cockerham said. His second block is U.S Government. Third block he has weightlifting and to finish the day he has a catch up period.

With the addition of going there for a class, Cockerham has also gotten to know some of the kids there very well. “I hang with some of the kids there now,” Cockerham said.

He also has been invited to T.A’s tailgate before some of their home football games. “When HHS doesn’t have a home game, I will go to T.A’s tailgate,” Cockerham said. Cockerham is also thinking about attending T.A.’s homecoming. “I feel like I’m now a Knight, so I think that it would be really fun to go to their homecoming this year,” Cockerham said. 

The Newsstreak

September 25, 2009

we

this

T

Temperatures inside school building hit extremes

bel i e v e

Michael Johnson Sports Writer

ouchdown, Goal, Basket!

People from all over the world play and watch sports every day, all the time. It is a daily event in my life. Sports are one of the key things I believe in.

Last fall, I went to the James Madison University (JMU) football game versus Appalachian State University (App. State), which was played at JMU. The two teams are always competitive rivals because they both have talented teams.

App. State’s quaterback, Armanti Edwards, was a fourth year starter. JMU also had an incredible senior quarterback, Rodney Landers.

My family and I went to the game about two hours early to tailgate. I usually find my friends and we throw a football around outside of the stadium.

There are giant tents and live bands that play before kick off. The fans were extra hyper and excited for this game because it is always a battle.

Driving through the streets near the stadium, all you see is gold and purple. My family had to park a mile away from the stadium at a tiny grocery store named Mike’s because there was no way we were going to find a parking spot anywhere close.

We walked the train tracks all the way back to the stadium. As we walked, we could smell hot dogs grilling.

With our season tickets we get a slip of paper that allows us to get four hot dogs and four drinks from the concession stands. It is perfect because I have a family of four. Since my sister is at college this year, it is even better because I get two hotdogs.

From outside the stadium, the noise of the fans was muffled. But as we entered, the sound of fans chanting, “J…M…U!”, grew louder and louder.

JMU came out with intensity. The whole game I could not talk because the crowd was screaming at the top of its lungs. All of a sudden, JMU scored and the crowd goes insane.

Everyone around me jumped up and started to yell and wave their arms.

It was so crowded in the stands that I had to get up and walk around so I could breathe. I met up with my friends and we stood against the fence next to the sidelines.

When it was obvious that JMU was going to win, all of the college students stormed out of the stands and raced to the fence. I got trapped in the pack. Everyone was waiting to rush the field after an amazing victory.

The police had to come and calm us down before we hopped the fence , but it did not work.

With the final whistle, havoc ensued. College kids were jumping, climbing and falling over the fence.

I cleared the fence without any difficulties and started jumping in the center of the field with the rest of the crowd shouting, “J...M...U”. My sister, her friend, my friend and I were so excited after the victory that we decided not to bother finding our parents and walked home.

This game was one of the best experiences in my life.

It defined the true meaning of sports.

The great football, the fun tailgating, the amazing food, the incredible atmosphere are all highlights that shaped this tremendous game.

My family and I dedicate a lot of our time to sports.We have learned to appreciate all sports and are glad that it can be apart of our lives. 

OP/ED A4

Staff Editorial

A

s we wrap up our first month of school, we have all been affected by the crazy weather inside the building. Even as we move from one classroom to another, the climate conditions hit extremes. In the Newsstreak room, it’s hotter than Florida in July. A mere four doors down the hall, the math rooms could double as a meat locker. And over in the social studies wing, the air conditioning has cut off… for the third time today.

Last year, Craig Mackail, Harrisonburg City Public the temperature anywhere.”

During an interview with School’s (HCPS) Supervisor Mackail, Mackail said he had for Research, Planning and no knowledge of any specific Operations, was charged by Dr. Ford with the task of saving problems with the system. He money any way he could. He questioned our motives for this chose to change the set points editorial topic, asking questions on the heating and cooling such as, “Is there something system, because it is the easiest wrong I should know about?”, way to save lots of money very “Are there specific rooms that quickly. The set points were are too hot or too cold?” and turned down in the winter, so “Why are you writing about the building wasn’t as warm this?”

“I was in there the day and the up in the summer, so before yesterday the building wasn’t [ T u e s d a y, as cold.

WHAT YOU THINK September 8].”

Between October Are you happy with the But Mackail 2008 and June 2009, temperature in the school? never went the eleven buildings upstairs. in the HCPS “I walked division saved a through the total of $104,439 on main offi ce, the electrical expenses; band room, the the majority of 108 people in all grades and athletic office, the which belongs to the faculty polled on Sept 14 by loading dock and heating and cooling Michael Tower the cafeteria,” system.

Divide Mackail said. $104,439 between “I have never been in a room eleven buildings and each building saved a whopping for more than a half hour,” grand total of $9,494.45; a cost Mackail said.

It’s tough for administrators equivalent to the salary of a cafeteria worker who has been to know what we’re feeling employed with HCPS for seven inside our classrooms if they don’t experience what we do. years.

The time has come for our Currently, the set point at HHS is 75 degrees. That means division administration to take each room should be one or action. In the coming weeks, two degrees above or below they will be faced with a lack of 75. If it is more than one or two productivity from students and degrees difference, Mackail staff, an increase in illnesses said, “those problems are often and an increase in dress code attributed to teachers leaving violations.

According to a study their doors open. When the doors are open, it can throw off released by the National

YES NO 60 48

Art by Vivian Tejeda Center for Biotechnology Information in August 2009 and published by the New York Times, the optimal room temperature for falling asleep “lies between 60 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit”. The hotter the room is, the more restless we become. Instead of being able to concentrate during class, we are too focused on heating and cooling our bodies, to pay attention to the lesson at hand.

In terms of disease spread, the hotter a room is, the faster germs multiply. And the faster germs multiply, the more likely we are to get swine flu.

The colder it is, the more our noses run. The more our noses run, the more we sneeze. The more we sneeze, the more susceptible we are to catching swine flu. It becomes a neverending cycle.

Last winter, the classrooms were so frigid the HHS administration approved dress code violations when it allowed students and staff to wear hats and gloves inside classrooms.

We are tired of being cold.

We are tired of being hot. We are tired of being ignored.

In a building that has been around for only five years, there is no excuse to have the heating and cooling problems that we have. It’s time for our school system to help us out.

Fix our temperatures so we can focus more on our learning. 

Cheerleading highlights Friday nights Lauren Martin Ad Manager

T

here is a feeling in the air on Friday evenings.

An electricity that not everyone can feel, but it is there. As I stand behind football players, yelling and shaking pom-poms in the direction of the crowd, the field, the sky, it is all around me, filling me up and taking me through the night. This feeling will refuse to let me down. It is predictable and constant.

The electricity continues to greet me upon entering the stadium.

The feeling starts long before the lights come on over the field, way before the wonderful rhythmic sound of cleats surrounds my ears.

It starts upon walking into school with a uniform snuggly wrapped around my body on Friday morning. It starts with the painting of the lines on the field. It starts with the “... and now in sports” during the morning announcements. It starts when you hear that last

“

Through the band... kickoff... touchdowns... the electricity does not fade.”

bell ring during the day and the countdown to game time begins.

Walking back into the school after everyone has left; convening with the family of cheerleaders to share the weekly pre-game dinner is something I look forward to.

A time of laughter and jokes, the one day of the “work week” we get to wind down from a strenuous twelve hours of practice. We turn the girls’ bathroom into a second home, clothes engulf the tile floors, hair brushes, make-up brushes and ribbons line the sinks.

If one is not familiar with this routine, they may feel light headed upon walking through the clouds of perfume filling the space above our heads; sweet, candy-like aromas wrapping each of us tightly.

What is your favorite part of HHS football games?

Playing the game, marching band, other:

43%

Red Sea:

23%

Tailgating:

11%

Watching the Game:

23%

100 people in all grades polled on Sept 10 by Savannah Cary. Drumline picture by Olivia McCarty. Red Sea picture

by Phillip Bannister. Football picture by Olivia McCarty.

Helping one another tie perfect bows and button navy and white uniforms; placing each other’s Blue Streak tattoos just so, on the right side of a face is something that never seems to get old.

The twenty minutes right before a game starts are when the school’s spirit runs wild.

The Red Sea is at it’s peak, playing red rover, grilling hot dogs, blasting music; a sea of red t-shirts running and conversing about the previous week’s joys and woes.

The drum line starts to kick up, loud booms and rushes of excitement pulse through the air. Cheerleaders greet fans, with raffle tickets flying in the wind behind them. I gravitate toward Mr. Kelley, the pride and glory of Harrisonburg High School concessions. He mans the grill spitting smoke down onto the parking lot.

Parents arrive decked out in their players’ jersey; siblings sport painted faces and miniature uniforms. And then you hear it, the clickclack of cleats. Two lines of Harrisonburg High School’s finest incased in all their navy blue and white glory, processing toward their territory, their home field. The cheerleaders holler and scream; a mixture of encouraging chants flow from our mouths to the players.

Through the band and dance team, the national anthem, kickoff, first downs, touchdowns, halftime, overtime; the electricity does not fade. With every performance of the fight song, our smiles grow bigger.

Every band song brings an opportunity to shake and show-off. When the buzzer finally sounds, poms attached to hands attached to flailing arms bring the festivities to an end no matter the outcome.

The opposition becomes friend for the ritual of post-game sportsmanship, and the pulse of the night merely follows every fan, cheerleader, player and coach wherever they end up. The Friday night lights may go out, but they will be back soon. 

The Harrisonburg High School Newsstreak The Policy The Newsstreak is published by the students of Harrisonburg High School every three weeks. Reproduction of any material from the newspaper is prohibited without the written permission from the editors. Advertising rates are available upon request.

It is the policy of the Harrisonburg City Public School Board to comply with all applicable state and federal laws regarding 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 staff feels there is a just cause.

The Newsstreak reserves the right to edit and may refuse to publish ads or letters deemed inappropriate, libelous, or obscene. Please drop your letter by room 444 or give them to any staff member. Letters may also be sent to the high school.

The editors and staff : Editors in Chief: Emma DiNapoli, Tricia Comfort Managing Editors: Kim Antonio, Claire Sudol Section Editors: News - David Proctor Opinion - Jessica Strickler Style - Emily Knapp Feature - Alison Domonoske Sports - Claire Sudol Business/Advertising Managers: Lauren Martin, Molly Denman Photographers: Emily Jamieson, Rafiqa Haji, Maria Rose, Paulina Rendon, Olivia McCarty Cartoonist: Vivian Tejeda Page Designers: Ama Ansah, Jorge Colin-Estrella, Phillip Bannister, Christine Choi, Diana Gutierrez, Olivia McCarty, Maria Rose, Savanah Cary, Vanessa Ehrenpreis, Jack Burden, Aidan Newcity Staff Reporters: Kavya Beheraj, Emmett Copeland, Mitchell Depoy, Heather HunterNickels, Michael Johnson, Emily Payne, Alex Rendon, Christy Stearn, Will Turner, Conner Whitehouse, Madison Wilson Freshmen Reporters: Emilee Burke, Mark Duda, Alex Hickman, Gabe Hoak, Vera Shindyapin, Chris Sokolyuk, Katrina Sokolyuk, Michael Tower, Julia Trotsyuk Fun Director: Meagan Kelley Professional Affiliations: The Newsstreak participates as a member of several journalistic evaluation services including the Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA-2009 Gold Evaluationand 2005 Silver Crown Winner), Quill&Scroll Journalism Honor Society (2009 First Place International Award), National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA), the Virginia High School League, Inc. Trophy Class Award, and the Southern Interscholastic Press Association All Southern Ranking. newsstreak.com opt out notice: If you do NOT want to allow your student’s full name or image to appear on the school newspaper site, please send an email to vkibler@harrisonburg.k12.va.us stating: I understand that the school newspaper, newsstreak. com, now has an online version of the publication. I DO NOT want my son/daughter (place student’s name here) to have his or her name or image published on this online venue.

The Newsstreak

September 25, 2009

Op/Ed A5

Rose finds comfort in her lucky underwear Maria Rose Feature Editor

I

believe in lucky underwear. No, really. I do. And I am pretty sure that it works.

For example, last spring, during track season I had a pair of ‘meet-competition-cancellation-luckyunderwear’. Every time I wore that pair of underwear on a race day, I did not have to run. When the bomb threat on April 16 (my birthday) happened, and our home meet had to be called off in case we might blow up as we crossed the finish line, I had on my lucky underwear. (Though really, how lucky can a bomb threat be?)

Then there was the time I was about to race a mile and the meet was called off, as we were literally lining up because of the hurricane-esque rain.

I believe in lucky underwear.

I also believe in the phrase, ‘Always do the thing that you are afraid of.’ It is a much better phrase than ‘Do one thing every day that scares you’ for several reasons. One, if I did something every day that scared me, it would be potentially hazardous to my health and most certainly make me very paranoid. Something that scares me could be walking into the woods at midnight all by my lonesome self and checking out the abandoned camp where Jason from Friday the 13th drowned. Not that revolutionary.

Two, always doing the thing that I am afraid of seems so much more committed;

there are no loopholes. And while I realize that the only difference between these two quotes is the technicality of the phrasing, ‘always do what you are afraid of’ seems so much more…intense.

So, what do you get when you put the two concepts of lucky underwear and facing your fears together? No, not just a random column. Well, maybe.

Every time I write this column, I will write about some sort of escapade testing the luckiness of my different underwear.

I will attempt to do the things that I am afraid of and see if my pairs of lucky underwear actually help out in any way whatsoever.

Until next time, wish me luck!

(Or maybe you should not-we have to let the underwear take care of that.) tt

What’s your biggest fear?

“I’m scared of dying a slow death because it’s painful,” senior Andrew Snell

“I’m really scared of horror movies because they seem so realistic,” freshman Ahmad Salehi

“I’m scared of heights because they make me feel sick,” junior Trevor Shank

“I’m afraid of not getting into college because I don’t want to worry about my future,” senior Grace Byers

“I’m scared of giant spiders because of the movie Arachnophobia,” junior Montana Magee

“I’m afraid that I’m not going to succeed,” freshman Zach Baxter

‘Chicken Noodle’ teaches many life lessons What stresses you out?

Stressors: Homework: 25 School: 21 Annoying/Disrespectful Kids: 5 Family: 4 Work: 3 Drama: 3 Loud People/Noises: 3 Sports: 2 Hectic Schedules/Trying to get everything done: 2 Teachers: 1 Chores: 1 College Applications: 1

De-stressors: Music: 23 Play Sports/ Exercise: 21 Video Games: 8 Sleep: 7 Talk to/Hang Out With Friends: 7 Read: 2 Watch TV: 2 Chill/Relax: 2 Be With Animals:1 Internet: 1 Art: 1 Drink Tea: 1 Dance: 1

77 people were polled in all four grade levels. Infographic by Alison Domonoske.

Phillip Bannister Feature Editor

I

have a cat named Chicken Noodle. People always ask, “Why did you name her that?” but in reality it was my sister who named her.

Noodle used to be my sister’s friend’s cat, but the other cats at her house were aggressive, so we adopted her. She is afraid of everything-that’s where the “Chicken” part came from. As far as “Noodle”…umm, I am not sure about that.

I am sure a bunch of readers are saying, “Why is he telling us about his cat right now?”

I bet a lot of you could care less what the name of my cat is or why it got that name.

This column is not about my cat directly. It is about how I learned that life is not always on your terms.

One time, Chicken Noodle had been put outside. She is afraid of being outside, so we knew it was a problem. We spent a lot of time searching around the house, in the bushes, and in the neighborhood. Every time we would see her and try to go get her, she would run farther away. It seemed as though any time she was within reach, she

got farther away.

Eventually we gave up and just left the basement door open for her, hoping she would find her way back home. I had to end my part of the search early because I was leaving for a trip in the morning. So I left the house around dinner time and headed to a friend’s house from where I would leave in the morning. Around midnight, my parents called and said that Noodle had come home. She had walked up through the basement, to the top door and into living room.

When we gave her space, she came home.

Just like in life, the harder you chase something and the more time you put into it does not always make it work out the way you want. Sometimes you have to be able to sit back and be patient.

To begin with, think about how stressful something is that you want, and then think about worrying about it, pursuing it, or chasing it.

The things we want the most we are sometimes willing to work harder for. When we do not get what we want, we get upset, discouraged, or mad.

Sometimes we feel like we are entitled to things.

No one is entitled to

anything. No matter how much we work, try or cry over something, sometimes it does not make it enough. Some situations call for both patience and effort.

Life does not always happen on your terms and it is not always going to come out in your favor. All you can do is give your best effort without being over the top. I am using that mindset on my junior year. Coming into high school, we all hear that junior year is the worst and the most work. Instead of coming into my harder classes stressed and worried, I came in open minded- ready to work, and ready to learn.

My other years of high school I have pushed and stressed myself and the results have not been as positive as I would have liked. I realize now I do not work well under stress. This year is about balance. It is a juggling act, and I plan on staying in this same mindset. Junior year is a lot of work but I am ready for it. I did not run into junior year an excited mess. I acknowledged the challenges, evaluated the situation, prepared myself, and let it come to me. tt

Facebook v. Twitter debate Emily Jamieson Staff Photographer

D

Art work by Eric King

uring this whole summer, I have been swarmed with little “Tweeters” tweeting in my ear about how I should get a Twitter and how amazing and fantastic it is. Well ya’ know what?

You Tweeters need to stop. Seriously, the more you say I should get one and the more you describe it makes me more compelled to plug my ears and ignore your constant demands.

This whole Twitter shabang to me is just like the Twilight phenomena: annoying.

Why do I despise Twitter so much, even though I do not have one? Good question. Well, you see,

I have a Facebook and I hardly ever change my status because usually I do not know what to change it to and that I am a pretty personal person who would rather not tell however many people are on my friends list what I am doing. Changing your status and following other people’s tweets, is that not what Twitter is all about? It is just not me, to say the very least.

The only thing that I think would be a tad helpful is that you can type in a subject and you can find everything, and I mean EVERYTHING on it. Like if I wanted to find out more about Michael Jackson’s funeral, even though it was on the TV for about ten billion years, I could just type in ‘Michael Jackson’s funeral’ and get every single detail about it;

when it happened, how he passed away, who was there. I guess that is pretty nifty.

I am definitely a Facebook-er. I enjoy writing on people’s walls and liking other people’s pictures, statuses or whatever else people post up on Facebook.

Plus there are games, which I like to play when I do not have anything else to do on Facebook, or when I am waiting for awesome people to get online to talk to. That is another thing you can do on Facebook that I am pretty sure that you cannot on Twitter, and that is Facebook Chat. I must say, it is pretty cool.

I don't think there's anything wrong with Twitter, I just don't want to use it. tt

Special people comprise cross country teams

I

Emma DiNapoli Editor-in-Chief

f you do not happen to be a cross country runner, a family member of a runner, or a close friend of a particular team member, you probably would have no idea what “cheese grating” means, or why rubber ducks are actually much cooler than sliced bread. You also probably would have no reason to talk about bodily functions in public or know how to do a

Frankenstein properly. When someone enters the world of long-distance running at Harrisonburg High School, they join a team which comes with its own particular set of social rules and expectations— rules which are not understood or encouraged by the majority of the student body.

A familiar saying among runners is that you have to be a little bit crazy in the head to run long distances. Even though high school runners only race 5ks (3.1 miles), most people would cringe at the idea of 40 to 50 minute long runs. We,

however, delight in making our runs into “adventures.”

On a recent adventure run, the team clambered over barbed wire fences, found something unmentionable in the woods and accidentally sprinted up several hills. The running is not, however, what defines the cross country team.

It would be fair to say that the cross country team spends equal amounts of time dancing as it does running. While we are planning to choreograph our own dance, our official team routine as of this writing is to the renowned “Jai Ho” song

from Slumdog Millionaire.

Throughout the dance, we make pizza, revive a phoenix and perform classic Michael Jackson moves. The team will perform on request, especially if our favorite foods (queso and soft cookies) are provided.

This column is more than just an endorsement of the girls’ running program/dance team at Harrisonburg High School. I strongly encourage all those interested in any of the activities listed above to contact me or any of the other cross country runners. Blue Streaks Out! tt

Hot, Not Powderpuff Football School Ending at 2:20 p.m.

Football Season Fiesta!

Homecoming Theme Beyoncé & Taylor Swift Obama’s speech on education Fall Temperatures Red Sea Tailgates Yearbooks Jimmy Carter coming to JMU New TV Shows for Fall Gas Prices Dropping Health care Debate Study Hall for Afterschool Activities Eating 1st Lunch at 10:45 a.m.

California Wildfires

Air Conditioning Problems School Starting at 7:30 a.m.

Swine Flu Outbreak Kayne West

The Newsstreak

September 25, 2009

Food A6

Have your cake, and eat it, too Phillip Bannister Feature Editor

F

or thirty seven years and counting Harrisonburg local Debbie Westfall has been baking and selling her cakes, a business that all started with an anniversary cake at her friend’s house.

“My friend’s parents were having their twenty first anniversary and we kind of went from there,” Westfall said.

Westfall then baked out of her house, doing anniversaries, weddings, and birthdays. She made up for her lack of training with first hand experience since she did not go to pastry school.

“I did not go to pastry school, but worked for people and took classes. It was on the job training and I also read a lot of books. They say if food looks good it tastes good. I’ve always been into food presentation,” Westfall said.

A star pattern used to cover a waffle bowl to create the comfy cone from the movie.

In the years that Westfall has worked and created cakes for people, the wedding work is what she favors.

“My favorite work is my wedding work. It is nice to be able to sit down with a person and be able to design something for them,” Westfall said.

One time in the 37 years of business a customer was not happy with the way the cake had turned out.

“They did not like the cake, so I picked it up and did it over,” Westfall said.

Decorating is Westfall’s favorite part of creating a cake. Westfall sees many different possibilities when decorating a cake, not limiting cakes to plastic decorations and frosting.

“There is always stuff that you can use on cakes. Rock candy, dusting sugar, flowers, both edible and real flowers can be used on cakes,” Westfall said. “ I try to use edible items but I have yet to figure out a way to create certain things.

Westfall also believes that customers enjoy that when they come to order a

A finished flower placed on a Hawaii themed going away cake. All flowers and leaves hand made.

cake they can also have flowers ordered for their wedding.

“People like us because we are a one stop shop. They only have one person to go to and one check to write,” Westfall said.

Some of the cakes that Westfall has created have presented a challenge.

“One cake was so large we had to put it through the church window and it fed 450,” Westfall said.

When it comes to challenging cakes Westfall has experience. She has produced cakes shaped as castles and bridges, some that have been western themed, and Harry potter cakes such as a Quiddich broom and a beehive complete with actual frozen bees attached. You can reach Westfall’s store Cakes by Debbie on Mount Clinton Pike. Whatever your imagination can conjure up, Cakes by Debbie can make it happen. 

The finished cake complete with actual cars and two- toned icing. Ingredients for a good birthday for a 5-year- old.

Everything’s coming up roses. A flower hand crafted for a cake. The metal tabel under the flower is spun while the cake decorator creates flower petals with a frosting bag.

A re-creation from the hit Pixar movie “Cars”. The scene was recreated for a “Cars” themed cake for a boys birthday.

Cake coloring, tips, and ideas!

Blackberry Almond Butter Coffee Cake 1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees 2. Grease an 8in. pan AND line it with wax paper 3. Beat together 1 cup flour, 6 Tbs. butter, 6Tbs. sugar, 6 Tbs. apple juice, 1 Tbs. baking powder, ½ ts. salt, and ¼ ts. vanilla extract.

“You always have to keep frosting in front of the knife. If you don’t, the knife will dip into the cake and begin to pick up crumbs and then the frosting is not as smooth.

Also when you are baking a cake, most cake recipes call for the oven to be set too high. I usually set mine 25 degrees below what it says,” Debbie Westfall

“You want to bake the cake so that it rises up above the pan. Then you take a knife and you level off the top so that it sits nice and flat. As long as you have a good base then you are off to a good start,” Debbie Westfall

4. Gently fold in ½ cup sliced almonds and 1 cup fresh or frozen blackberries.

5. Sprinkle with sugar and bake til golden, 45-55 min.

“The problem with coloring icing is it starts to get bitter. Now I’m going to stripe the bag with royal blue so when I put the butter cream icing in the frosting will be two toned, “ Debbie Westfall

Wilson to start job at world renowned restaurant Maria Rose Feature Editor

F

or most students, cooking dinner every nightvoluntarily-is not something they would normally look forward to. But for alumnae Olivia Wilson, when she was a sophomore at HHS, the thought of cooking a meal later on in the day was the only thing she looked forward t o during school.

“I would sit in class and think about what I would cook for dinner,” Wilson said. “I’d start making lists of what might be in season and stuff instead of taking notes. It was what got me through school.”

Starting her junior year, Wilson took her love for cooking to new levels. She started her own business, complete with a stall at the Harrisonburg F a r m e r ’s Market, featuring O-Cakes.

Her baking business required her to make c u s t o m designed cakes for people, often working on four to eight orders a

“

week. Some nights, she would working in the pastry department, work until two in the morning, where she will be making bread type The work itself over ovens, mixing bowls, and foods, and in the service department, piles of homework. designing desserts. wasn’t hard, but “Once the business got going, In the future, Wilson is considering just so tedious it was hard to balance [school going back to school to earn a writing that it drained you and O-Cakes],” Wilson said. degree, but she still wants to pursue “Baking cakes took up time, but cooking. Sometime soon, she hopes emotionally.”

I still had to get my homework to travel in Europe and “trail” her  HHS alumnae done.” way through the country, meaning, “I Olivia Wilson With her dream of becoming a can work my way through different chef in mind, Wilson graduated kitchens.” For her, cooking is a semester early from HHS and something she enjoys because of the began looking at culinary schools. Her first choice was pleasure it can bring to people. the Culinary Institute of America in New York City, “The best part is making people happy,” Wilson but while visiting, she “fell in love with the campus” said. of the French Culinary Institute.

Wilson enjoys food that people take time to make.

Wilson chose the fast-paced six-month program She sees food as an art-just a sort of edible kind. at FCI that was more concentrated so students could “Like chocolate truffles,” Wilson said as an example. graduate earlier. Working five days a week and living “They’re hard to make, and when you find something in the ‘Big City’ was a huge change for Wilson. that good, you have to appreciate it. I could eat a “FCI doesn’t have student housing, so I had to go hundred of those, all the time.”  on Craig’s List, [a web store, similar to Ebay] and find an apartment with people I didn’t know,” Wilson said, of her challenge finding a place to live. “That was interesting.”

Wilson also had exposure to new restaurants and different styles of cooking. Through FCI, she volunteered with four star chefs, like Chef Carmen Gonzalez, and later with Chef Johnny Iuzzini at Bouchon Bakery, a famous pastry shop in New York City. With her Grand Diploma in Classic Pastry Arts from FCI, Wilson was able to work as a pastry intern for Iuzzini.

However, the experience was no cakewalk.

“I had to work anywhere from 10 to 14 hours,” Wilson said. “And you didn’t get paid. The work itself wasn’t hard, but just so tedious that it drained you emotionally.”

Wilson finished moving out of New York on August 28 to begin her job at the Inn at Little Washington, a “teeny restaurant” that has four What’s for dinner? Olivia Wilson and a co-worker having star reviews in Washington, Virginia. Wilson will be a good time while working on a recipe. Photo provided by Olivia Wilson

The Newsstreak

September 25, 2009

Pop Culture A7

Twitter trend hits HHS Kim Antonio Managing Editor

T

witter is a social networking website which although similar to facebook, is more centered on the idea of posting statuses.

“Going to work”, “Out eating lunch”, “With my BFF Jill”, are just some examples of the kind of statuses people may post.

The Bird logo, is a symbol of the name of the statuses which are called “Tweets”, the sound birds make. An easy way for users to update their Twitter is by using a cell phone to text tweets. This way, they can be on the go and update people on their day-to-day activities. Some seniors at HHS, have discovered Twitter and the many uses it offers.

“School today” is just an example of the status update that senior, Jessica Rutledge would use on an everyday basis. Rutledge has been using Twitter since the end of last year because her best friend senior, Emily Knapp, has been using it.

“Emily had it and we used it because we thought it would be fun to talk on there,” Rutledge said.

She also believes Twitter is better for posting than Facebook because of the number of statuses she is able to freely post.

“People might get annoyed with so many statuses on Facebook but with Twitter you can put as many as you want,” Rutledge said.

A big difference between Facebook and Twitter is the method of “following” and “unfollowing”.

Following a person is almost as similar as “friending” them, except

that there aren’t any obligations to accept the request. This also lets you view their statuses, which are similar to facebook news feeds. Users will never know who unfollows a person but the number count will show the difference.

Twitter allows users to view the number of people following them and the number of people they are following, so if someone were to unfollow you, the way to know is to keep track of the number. An easy solution is to block the people who are unwanted, “It’s creepy how anyone can follow you,” Rutledge said.

Users can follow celebrities like Ashton Kutcher (who has the most popular Twitter) and Oprah, or athletes such as Shaq and Lance Armstrong, but this does not always guarantee that they will follow them back. It does, however keep an up-to-date access to what they are doing and promoting. To keep in touch with sports, senior, Parth Goradia uses Twitter.

“I like to follow a lot of athletes but mostly anyone and everyone,” Goradia said. Another sports fan, senior, Ian Frazier also got involved with this concept but first found out about Twitter because of his dad.

“I like to see what different celebrities and athletes are doing,” Frazier said.

Seniors like Frazier, Goradia and Rutledge are becoming more aware of the use of Twitter and its difference from facebook. Their status updates range from “Going to school” or “Watching the game” to “Sleeping in this morning” and “Watching the new movie”. It’s an easy way to connect with people through the internet. 

Follow HHS on Twitter at…

www.twitter.com/hburghigh

High school students try tweeting

can block others if they do not want someone to be following them. A user can post messages on other’s Twitter pages and update their status. Twitter is commonly used as a social propaganda witter, which was created in site by celebrities and professional March 2006 by Jack Dorsey, athletes, such as Chad Ocho-Cinco, is a free social networking Andy Roddick, and Dave Matthews, to website. Rivaling other sites update their fans and followers about like Facebook and MySpace, Twitter upcoming concerts, games, and movie is based solely around updating your premieres. status, telling people what you’re doing “I think [Twitter] is limiting because at that time. you can only have 140 characters in When one first hears about Twitter, your updates, but it’s also cool because they make a pretty quick it’s simple, and it is easily judgment, good or bad. accessible from your This happens nationwide, cell phone,” sophomore My dad but it also happens here Howard Zuo said. at HHS. got one and I In fact, when the idea “When I heard about for a social networking wanted to make Twitter I thought it was site like Twitter was first just a place to chat and sure he wasn’t conceived in 2000 by keep up with people,” being a creeper Dorsey, it was meant to Senior Shane Pouncey be a SMS-based service, on there.” said, “I don’t personally where users could text do it, but power to all the  Senior each other through the people who do.”

Internet.

Ian Frazier According to “I just thought it was Compete.com, Twitter a pretty cool idea, but is the third most used mainly what athletes social networking site, with 55 million and celebrities were doing,” senior Ian monthly visitors. Of those 55 million, Frazier said. Frazier is one of many six million are beginning Twitter users. who has a Twitter account, updating it However, only 40 percent of Twitter about every other day for the past two users actually stick with the website, for months. many of them see it as pointless, and a “[I started because] my dad got one, chore to have to constantly update. and I wanted to be sure he wasn’t being “I thought it was creepy the first a creeper on there,” Frazier said. time I heard about Twitter. I mean, why Even with some negative first would people want to know what I impressions, Twitter continues to rise was doing all the time? I don’t care if in popularity. It’s possible that one day others do it, I just don’t understand it,” it could even take over Facebook and sophomore Joanna Hernandez said.

MySpace. It had monthly growth of Once on Twitter, a user can choose 1,382 percent as of March 2009, making who to follow, but not who can follow the future look promising. them. Anyone can follow someone else without their consent, but users Jack Burden Sports Editor

When first approaching it, Twitter can seem intimidating.

To get started on this rapidly growing social network, some fundamental knowledge is required.

Hashtag – Hashtags are a community-driven convention for adding additional context and metadata to your tweets. They’re like tags on Flickr, only added inline to your post. You create a hashtag simply by prefixing a word with a hash symbol: #hashtag.

At Reply, or “@reply” – A direct tweet sent to another Twitter user.

ReTweet – To repost something that’s already in the Twitter stream. Usually preceded by “RT” and “@[username],” to give credit to the original poster.

Fail Whale – When Twitter gets

Direct Message – Allows you to

overloaded, users see the “Fail Whale” send private messages. error message.

Following – Similar to adding

T

“

someone as a Facebook friend, except that they don’t see your updates unless they choose to follow you as well.

Frequently Followed Celebrities: Ashton Kutcher – 3,573,121 Ellen DeGeneres – 3,255,212 Britney Spears – 3,225,026 Kim Kardashian – 2,300,798 Ryan Seacrest – 2,257,767 Shaquille O’Neal – 2,219,849 John Mayer – 2,207,731

Oprah Winfrey – 2,182,243 Barack Obama – 2,168,626 Demi Moore – 1,990,766 Jimmy Fallon – 1,957,048 Lance Armstrong – 1,953,699 Diddy – 1,938,294 Miley Cyrus – 1,935,397

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The Newsstreak

september 25, 2009

Technology a8

Technological Takeover Netbooks lower price of hardware Christy Stearn Feature writer

T

oday’s laptops are morphing into a smaller, lighter and cheaper computer: the net book. Netbooks are taking the world of technology by storm and changing the way consumers think of laptops. Most users agree that the net book is much more efficient than other versions of laptops because not only is it less expensive, but it is also easier to transport and comes in a variety off colors and styles. he One of the major advantages the net book has on other computers is its size. Netbooks are commonly referred to as a “mini laptop.”

They are usually six inches wide, thirteen inches long, and weigh around two or three pounds. This is significantly smaller than regular PCs, which are typically 15 x 11 inches and 5-12 pounds. Also, net books’ keyboards are only about 92 percent of the size of a normal keyboard.

Comparing the netbook with other lap tops, it is obviously more accessible.

“I used a Net book at Circuit City just to try it out,” sophomore JR Haliburton said. “The only difference I noticed was the size.”

Netbooks are being sold in a wide range of colors, including white, blue, red, pink, green, black, purple, and v a r i o u s patterns.

Different available sizes are also av consumers. to consu Choices of styles consumers offer cons opportunity to an opportun their customize lap top and decorate dec i t

at least $100-$200 cheaper, costing anywhere from $299-$369. Net books have the same capabilities of any other laptop, but with a smaller price tag.

“I really want to get a Netbook for college because they’re a lot cheaper than regular lap tops. I can save money without losing the quality of a regular computer,” senior Cornelius Mosely said.

Although both lap tops and net books have wireless internet capabilities, the net books wireless broadband is built in so you can have internet anywhere a cell phone would have service. In addition to that, if a global plan is purchased, the consumer can log on almost anywhere.

However, netbooks do have their cons. Some users think the small lap tops have major downsides.

“I thought the netbook would be however he or she more convenient but it’s way too small for me. Every time I would type I’d accidentally hit another key and open up another window,” I really want to sports marketing teacher Mallory get a Netbook for Cromer said. “I hate netbooks.”

Netbooks are helping to evolve college,” the everyday laptop into a more Senior efficient and portable PC. They help consumers save money Cornelious Mosley and space without sacrificing value. Even though net books are becoming more popular in stores chooses. and even households, it is up to the The biggest benefit of net books is consumer to decide which computer their cost. Netbooks are drastically fits his or her needs. less expensive than most laptops. PCs range in price, but most net books are

“

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4.) Dell Inspiron Mini 9 Base price $349 8 GB hard drive 2.3 pounds 4-cell battery 8.9 inch screen

5.) MSI Wind U100 Base price $379 120 GB hard drive 2.3 pounds 3 or 6-cell battery 10 inch screen

6.) Asus Eee PC 1000H Base price $475 160 GB hard drive 3.2 pounds 6-cell battery 10 inch screen

Broadcasting makes switch to Final Cut Pro Emily Knapp Style Editor

“

That’s all we have for you today. Have a great day. And don’t forget to buckle up, HHS.” – Every student throughout Harrisonburg High School has heard this sign off hundreds of

Ready, Cut! Senior Ryan Slocum works on editing film projects on the new Final Cut Pro software in the Broadcasting classroom.

Photo by Emily Jamieson.

times. For the editing team within the Broadcasting program, that number is at least doubled. Though hearing the same words day after day may get sickening, their jobs have just gotten a bit sweeter. As of early 2008, the daily morning news show has been edited on a software program used by filmmakers nationwide.

Seth Stratford has been in charge of the Broadcasting program for five years, and had been using iMovie for most of the time.

“We were sort of forced to switch to Final Cut Pro because we got new computers and the new version of iMovie is terrible. So rather than work with that, we decided to switch,” Stratford said.

Stratford is not unhappy with the change, however.

Though he liked the simplicity of iMovie, he preferred to use a program that was non-destructive, a form of editing where the original content is not modified in the course of editing. Instead the edits themselves are edited.

Final Cut Pro is used by top film editors in Hollywood for the same reason and has created such movies as Jarhead, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, and 300.

Stratford is not the only one who’s grown fond of the new system; the students have as well. Senior Ryan Slocum has been interested in editing since he was in the eighth grade and plans on majoring in film and/or communication in college. “[Final Cut Pro] took awhile to get used to, but after I got used to it… It’s perfect,” Slocum said.

Both Stratford and Slocum plan on using the new software when entering SIPA, a journalism convention that the broadcasting program has been involved in annually. Last year, the show they submitted won a superior rating overall, with individuals receiving awards from “honorable mentions” to “best in show.”

Stratford began the new school year by telling his class, “We’ve gotten ‘superior’ for the last two years.

This year, we’re getting ‘all-southern.’” With the ability to edit stories, shows, and ‘intros’ using a more advanced program, the class seems to think this is goal is attainable.

Slocum is most excited about using a feature known as “chroma key,” more commonly known as “green screen.” Generally, this program is used to broadcast weather maps, but Slocum and fellow editor David Grey plan to do much more.

“We have a lot of ideas that we were going to do last year, but couldn’t because the screen was too small,” Grey said. Despite this, he and Slocum were able to create a 30 second introduction piece in which a fellow student’s head rolled, bounced, and was thrown across the screen.

While it has taken some adjustment, the Broadcasting program has grown accustomed to its new software. “The only reason I didn’t switch [to Final Cut Pro] earlier is because I was a bit intimidated and I didn’t have time to sit down and learn it. But now that I have, I’m very happy with the switch,” Stratford said.

Media classes converge, inform, create Molly Denman Style Writer

J

ournalism classes at HHS are converging. Not only will www.newsstreak.com have Newsstreak information, but it will also have morning announcements from broadcasting, literary magazine pod casts, yearbook photo galleries and film clips to go along with stories. The convergence of the website will unite the school and have more information about things that are going on around HHS. “I think the media convergence will help more students be informed about what is happening at HHS,” Broadcasting teacher Seth Stratford said.

The convergence will also make it

possible for students in these groups go on trips together and cover some of the same stories.

“The media group convergence will put us on the cutting edge for media programs in Virginia,” Newsstreak adviser Valerie Kibler said.

The additions to the website will make it possible for students who are not involved in the different groups to find information and learn more about the school and what is going on.

The literary magazine will have a presence on the website highlighting the writing of students in the creative writing classes, offering writing prompts and advertising for submissions. Lit mag students can also join other media students on field trips.

While the first block broadcasting class focuses on the morning announcements, third block broadcasting has been working on

many projects this year. They have been converging into new ideas and shows.

The third block broadcasting classes have been filming a talk show, new intros, news shows, and a show about freshmen.

“When you have broadcasting first block, you mainly work on the morning announcements. When you have broadcasting during third block, pretty much all you do is work on projects like the show for lunch,” senior Elisha Hill said.

Senior Kelsey Hyser is now working on a news show called “Piecing it Together”.

“I picked this show because it is easy and fun for kids to watch,” Hyser said.

This show is about school news, local news and world news.

“First block is an introduction to broadcasting class; it’s when you learn how to use everything. Third block is

more advanced,” senior Jose Cortez said.

Elisha Hill and his group are working on a talk show about freshman. He is recording freshmen and what was most challenging about their first week of school and moving onto different groups in the school.

“We decided to make this show because, we wanted to do a show that incorporated student life and will connect kids in our school,” Hill said.

The talk show debuted during lunch on Sept 17.

“It’s better having broadcasting third block, because you can film stuff in the mornings,” senior David Gray said.

Broadcasting will continue working on these different projects to inform and entertain the students of HHS, making it easier for students to find out about things that are going on around school.

New broadcast anchors chosen for news show Meagan Kelley Fun Director

S

peaking clearly, good posture and personality are just a few of the traits expected of the broadcast news anchors, and this year there will be a whole new group of students bringing the morning news to HHS. The reason for new anchors comes from new schedule changes. Because the advanced broadcasting class is now scheduled during third block rather than first as it was in past years, some anchors now come from outside of the broadcasting classes and are assigned a day of the week to be the anchor.

“In the past,” broadcasting teacher Seth Stratford said, “We would have students sign up for the day of the week they wanted but many students forgot and did not show up. This way, they will just have an assigned day and will know they need to be there that day each week.”

Anchors were chosen from fifteen interested

students. Ten of the students, all juniors and seniors, will be the regular anchors with the remaining five serving as substitutes.

“Those who haven’t done it in the past may have trouble getting used to reading the teleprompter.

Many students seem to struggle with that at first,” Stratford said.

“The first time I was an anchor they had to slow down the teleprompter because I was reading so slowly and trying to pronounce every word clearly,” junior Priscilla Harrison said.

Although Harrison was nervous the first time, she is looking forward to being on the news again.

“I thought it would be really cool. I have a lot of friends in the class that encouraged me to do it,” senior Adam Imeson said.

As for challenges he may face, Imeson is unsure because he has never done it before but he does think that reading the teleprompter may be a little difficult.

“What I’m most looking forward to is wearing those super snazzy suits,” Imeson said.

Junior Ryan Fletcher wanted to be an anchor so he could try something new.

Fletcher wants everyone to know that being an anchor is not as easy as many students think.

“You start off all cool and when they start the countdown, you get all hot and sweaty,” Fletcher said.

Good Morning HHS. Seniors Andrews Kniss and Adam Imeson prepare for yet another morning news broadcast.

The Newsstreak

September 25, 2009

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The Newsstreak

September 25, 2009

Style A10

Class rings reflect personalities Couples ring trading tradition continues But even he remembers the fad of girls having their boyfriends class rings.

“Oh yes, the girls would have the ring on a cute little chain around their neck,” Moyers said. ophomore Hayley Junior Patrick Turner has reversed that Landes and her scenario. He wears his girlfriend’s class boyfriend John Ross ring around his neck on a chain. decided to carry on an “I would say that it was my idea,” 153 people in 9th and 10th age old tradition, and give her Turner said, “It’s just a tradition that I grades polled on Sept 14 by his class ring.

Emilee Burke like. I get to carry around something “He didn’t surprise me, but that represents her and she gets to it was his idea to give me his carry around something that represents class ring,” Landes said while eyeing the large me. It reminds me of her.” piece of silver metal, “It has 2009 on it, his name Turner and his girlfriend Aime John, and a deer for hunting.”

Rudolph, picked images that represent In total, the ring cost about $500, a little more their personalities for their class rings. than the average $300.

“Hers has her name, graduating Not many people decide to give their class year, her school’s team or mascot, and rings away anymore. Landes herself doesn’t flags because she’s on the color guard,” know anyone else who exchanges their rings.

Turner said, “Mine has my first name, The few who do swap say that it symbolizes a football helmet, my position, number, something important to them. and the Eagle Scout’s symbol.”

“This may sound cheesy, but it symbolizes Over the years, the idea of giving class our love, and shows I’m his,” Landes said. rings to a loved one has declined greatly, It also signifies a promise. soon it might not happen at all.

“It’s kind of like a promise ring, if people “[The tradition] will probably continue for a want to stay together, they will do something while but eventually die out. Hopefully there [like exchanging a class ring],” Landes said. will always be someone who likes the tradition,” World History teacher Kirk Moyers never Turner said. understood the class ring nostalgia, and never Landes agrees that exchanging class rings could got one himself. continue, but only if people really care about each “I didn’t want some huge ring that would other.“The tradition of exchanging class rings slowly spread my fingers apart,” Moyers said.

Vanessa Ehrenpreis Feature Editor

S

WHAT YOU THINK Do you plan to order a class ring?

YES NO 61 92

could continue if people really mean [that they love each other], and do something to show it,” Landes said. 

Juniors purchase rings from alternative sources

A

Aiaan Newcity Sports Editor

t the end of your tenth grade year, a Jostens representative speaks to the sophomores about purchasing a class ring from their company. Students are told about numerous options they can choose from to make their own unique ring. Often there are children who buy rings from Jostens, but there are always some kids that find an alternate place to buy their class rings for many reasons.

Junior Simona Byler had looked at Jostens and thought they were expensive and she did not like any of them. So she found a jewelry website that had class rings which she liked. “I looked at the Jostens ring styles but did not like any of them, so I Googled alternative class rings and I found one I liked on Limoges.com and it was cheap,” Byler said.

Limoges.com is a jewelry website where any kind of jewelry can be found.

Junior Jessica May also bought her ring at another ring,” May said. place other than through the school. But instead of May received her ring right away, but with no buying her ring online, she was in Virginia Beach engravings on it. She still has to get the engravings. and purchased her ring at a jewelry show on the She wants to put HHS on one side, and on the other boardwalk. side she wants her initials along with her college Byler did not like the idea abbreviation. “It could be a high of paying a lot of money for a school and college ring,” May class ring. She wanted a ring said. to remember her high school Byler’s class ring describes I wanted a ring that experience but not at the cost her in high school and I could wear my whole whatmemories of Jostens. At Limoges.com she is most important. She got life, not a class ring but everything that she wanted on paid only $50.00 for her ring.

Getting every detail on the ring a classic ring.” it. That is all that matters to her, was important for Byler. The and Byler was excited it was only  Junior, Jessica May only risk Byler knew she was $50.00. Her ring is flat on the top taking was the size. She knew with her birthstone as the stone. that she could possibly get the On an outer part of her ring she size wrong and she did. “I ordered it, but it was too wrote 2011 because it is the year she graduates. The big and I haven’t gotten it sized yet,” Byler said. other side has gymnastics written across it.

Unlike Byler, May did not necessarily buy from Both Byler and May have their reasons for a different place because of the cost; it was more purchasing rings from different places than Jostens. about the way the ring looked. She did not want a All that mattered to them was to get the style they big typical class ring. “I wanted a ring that I could wanted, and every detail on it.  wear my whole life, not a class ring but a classic

“

Different stones determine price of class rings Christine Choi Feature Editor

A

t the end of each year, a Josten’s representative comes to hold an assembly regarding the class rings. As each student flips through the booklet of many different choices, there are options of stones, stone cuts, choice of metal, putting a signature on the back of the ring, and many other variables depending on the ring and price. The options of designs and clubs one can put on the ring allows students to save memories for a lifetime.

“I didn’t want a big [ring]. It was my favorite color and I got it through

Jostens,” family consumer science teacher Bridget Smith said. Smith’s class ring was an average priced, silver ring with a sapphire in the middle.

Because Smith was a cheerleader during her high school, BHS Cheerleading was on one side with a gobbler on the other side.

Art teacher Kelly Shradley Horst took a more creative approach. With the many options of stone cuts, colors, and quality, Horst chose a blue sapphire with a starburst design that showed from underneath. Like most students at HHS, she also bought hers through Jostens.

“I wore my ring on my hand and I wore my boyfriend’s on my necklace.

It’s weird because I’m married to him now,” Mallory Cromer said.

When Cromer designed her ring, it was made up of white gold and a purple stone, had the basketball and softball designs on the side and had her name and sports number, 32. Like Shradley-Horst, she also had a design under the stone that showed from the top but instead of a star, a knight. Though the ring had a complex design and several additions, it only cost one hundred dollars.

Computer information systems teacher Moses Tinsley took a more costly approach to class rings. His ring was close to $450.

“It had a little diamond on top. It

had my jersey number on the side and a football helmet with my last name,” Tinsley said. Although it was an expensive ring, Tinsley only wore it a couple times but still keeps it for the memories.

“I got my [ring] my sophomore year,” teacher Karen Allmendinger said. Since her school mascot was the mustangs with the school colors maroon and gold, those colors were put into her ring. On a necklace chain, she wore her wedding ring and her class ring.

“I purchased it through the school and it cost about $200,” Allmendinger said. The ring had a maroon stone and the band was gold. 

Piercing enthusiasts experiment with different size gauges

G

Phillip Bannister Feature Editor

auging is a new approach to ear piercing which offers customers the option to gauge in multiple sizes, shapes, and colors. While gauging has been available for some time, only recently has the trend become more popular.

Gauges are available in several different sizes; those getting gauges for the first time start with the smallest gauges available and work their way up.

“The smaller the number the bigger the gauge,” junior Catherine Halpern said.

Halpern started gauging a year ago during the summer because she wanted something that was unique.

“Me and my friend Lauren started gauging because it was different,” Halpern said.

Halpern’s gauges got up to a size 3.

A size 3 is about the size of a pea. When a person gets a piercing, the normal size is eighteen. As you work toward creating a large hole in your ear, the size of the gauge reduces in number.

“I used to be able to fit my pinky and glow sticks through them (ear holes),” Halpern said.

Sophomore Lauren Phillips started gauging the same summer as Halpern.

“It was just something different to do,” Phillips said.

When a person elects to begin gauging, there are potential dangers and problems that can result.

“If you skip sizes or go up too fast, your ear will not go back. It’s called a blow out,” Halpern said.

Phillips had a bad experience in the mall while trying to change her size.

“Basically, I was too impatient, so I skipped two sizes and my ear started to bleed like crazy. I was walking all over the mall bleeding all over the place,” Phillips said.

Halpern has been to local band shows in town where singers have sported gauges.

“This one time, a singer at a show had an inch and a half gauge and the bassists tuning peg got caught in it and he {the bassist] was dragging him [the singer] across the stage. It was actually pretty funny,” Halpern said.

After people get gauges, they begin to see things creatively, wondering if they could get things through their gauge hole.

“You just pick stuff up and think, ’hey can I fit this through my ear?’

That’s what happens when you have gauges,” Halpern said.

When Halpern’s parents found out,

they were not too thrilled to know that she was gauging.

“My parents didn’t know I was gauging and it got really bad when they did find out,” Halpern said. “Both my parents are hard core conservative Catholic’s and don’t approve of anything I do.”

After a year of gauging, Halpern began to feel that it had become something everyone was doing and it was just not different anymore.

“I offered to take my gauges out; I asked my parents if I’d take them out would they pay for me to dye my hair. They let me dye my hair however I wanted and I had already been planning on taking out my gauges,” Halpern said.

Phillips, who has size two gauges in both ears, is not a fan of larger sizes.

“When they get big they get gross,” Phillips said.

Unlike Halpern’s parents Phillips believes her parents, would be completely fine with her choice in gauging.

“My parents don’t know, but they wouldn’t do anything. I have my lip pierced,” Phillips said.

Phillips received a lip piercing as a reward for getting good grades, but she also seen people with gauges that have

problems with them.

“My friend had to get his ear fixed because it got too big,” Phillips said.

“They cut it and had to sew it back up.”

Phillips offers advice to those who may be considering gauging.

“Do not gauge too fast or you will rip your ear and it won’t heal,” Phillips said.

Angel Young, a Harrisonburg Alumni is now an employee at hot topic, a music and piercing focused store in the valley mall.

“It’s just an earring, it’s not a big deal,” Young said.

The store does not usually question customers or ask for parental consent on buying gauges unless they are younger. The pricing also does not tend to get to expensive.

“You aren’t going to pay more than $22 for gauges. That is the most you will pay. Most of ours are less than that,” Young said.

A size ten is what Young currently has and is comfortable with.

“I myself wear gauges, but I love earrings. I won’t go past a ten so I can wear them,” Young said.

Young does warn people buying gauges to keep in mind that the elasticity in ears varies.

“Really consider before buying them, because sometimes your ear will not go back,” Young said. 

The Newsstreak

September 25, 2009

feature B1

Homecoming court members excited for dance Christy Stearn Staff Reporter

H

omecoming ballots have been cast and the results are in. Students submitted their picks for homecoming court, and on Friday, September 4, narrowed the candidates down. Two guys and two girls from grades freshmen through juniors and four guys and four girls from the senior class were elected. The court is: from the freshmen class, Nancy Carrie Logan, Paulina Rojo, Seth Kardos, and Robby Ross; sophomores Erika Calderon, Evan Wetsel, Chad Keck, and Corbin Whitelow; the juniors, Ali Byrd, Lexi Vondrak, Michael Holmes, and Landon Turner; and senior nominees Tricia Comfort, Diana Gutierrez, Sally Kardos, Taylor Raines, Nick Fornadel, Alazar Haregu, Tanner Johnson, and Shavan Kareem.

“I was kind of surprised when I found out I’m on the court,” said freshman Paulina Rojo. “I don’t really know what to expect because I’m a freshman, though.”

Although there are mixed emotions surrounding homecoming court, all of its members are anxious to see the results, especially newcomers.

“I’m glad I’m on the court, but at the same time, I’m really nervous because I

haven’t done anything like this before,” is one of my close friends and it’d be crowned during halftime of the football said sophomore Chad Keck said. nice if Tricia was on it too, since they’re game on October 2 against Waynesboro.

“It was really shocking to find out dating,” senior Cory Dovel said.

The king will be crowned at the dance I’m on the court because I haven’t been Although everyone seems to be the following night.

Members on on it any other year,” senior Taylor rooting for a different person to win, all the homecoming court, and even the Raines said. “I’m really excited that I’m of the students are ready to find out the student body, are looking forward to on it this year, though, because it’s my winners. seeing the outcome.  last.”

The homecoming queen will be However, for members that were elected onto the court last year, the experience is not as nerveracking.

“I was on the homecoming court last year and it was a lot of fun,” junior Michael Holmes said.

Students all over the school are excited to see if their choices for the homecoming court are picked.

“I voted for Chad Keck and Evan Wetsel because I thought it’d be really funny if they won,” sophomore Joshua Roberts said.

“I picked Seth Kardos because he’s a pretty Represent. Members of the 2009 homecoming court pose for a picture. The homecoming queen friendly guy,” freshman will be crowned October 2 and the king will be crowned at the dance on October 3. Back row: Seth Kardos, Chad Keck, Landon Turner, Tanner Johnson, Corbin Whitelow, Nick Fornadel, Alazar Haregu.

Andrew Turner said.

“My pick for the Middle Row: Nancy Carrie Logan, Paulina Rojo, Evan Wetsel, Ali Byrd. Front Row: Robby Ross, Lexi homecoming court was Vondrak, Taylor Raines, Sally Kardos, Erika Calderon and Shvan Kareem.

Tanner and Tricia. Tanner

Homecoming on a budget: Girl and guy editions $0

Girls

Hair

Outfitting

Flowers

Nails

Total:

$50

$100+

$100

Don’t style it at all. $0

Have a friend style it for you. $0

Go to a local salon. Salon Eleven, W. Water St. $20

Go to a local salon. The Studio, E. Market St. $35-$55

Borrow a dress and shoes. $0

Shop online from Forever 21 or Charlotte Russe. $10-30

Shop at Ross in Harrisonburg Crossings, JC Penny or Belk in Valley Mall. $10-$90

Shop at Nordstrom’s in Short Pump, Bloomingdale’s in Tyson’s Corner, or Reflections in Harrisonburg. $48- $528

Pick your own or don’t get any. $0

Boutonniere for your date from Martin’s $5.99- $14.99

Boutonniere From Artistic Florists. $7.95

Boutonniere from Blakemore’s Flowers. $5.50-$20

Don’t paint nails. $0

Paint nails with friends. $0

Get a manicure and pedicure at Lovely Nails. $50

$0

$45 (including ticket)

Get a manicure at Lovely Nails, in the Harrisonburg Crossings. $20 $92.95 (including ticket)

Guys Food

Tickets

Flowers

Transportation

Total: $250

$0

friends can carpool home to spend the rest of the night watching movies. Armed with snacks and movies ranging from horror (maybe Silent Hill, Seven or Friday the 13th) to chick flick and comedy (Fired Up, Step Brothers or Seventeen Again) get comfy and enjoy the show. Do not let the party stop once the dance floor closes. Be sure to change out of your fancy dresses and tuxes, though…no one likes popcorn stains.

Midnight Picnic If you and your boo want to spend more time together, here is a cute, clean way to do it. Buy some food and prepare it before Homecoming starts.

Once you are done, head out to the backyard or maybe even inside and

have an impromptu picnic.

Camping Set up some tents in someone’s backyard before you head off to Homecoming. When you get back home, you can spend the night out under the stars. Start a small bonfire and roast some marshmallows and bring blankets-it will probably get cold!

Clean Up After Ever wonder how the cafeteria is transformed from a rowdy dining hall to the classy dance floor? Well, it takes a lot of work setting it all up…and taking it all down. If you are feeling a charitable mood coming on, stay after for half an hour or so and help get the cafeteria ready for Monday morning.

$100

$100+

Invite your friends over and have a small meal. $0

Go out to eat at Jess’s, Qdoba or Chick-fil-A. $10

Go out with friends to Applebee’s, Dave’s or Clementine’s. $20

Take your date out to eat at Taste of Thai, Beyond or Joshua Wilton House. $30 +

Win tickets for you and your date. $0

Buy your own. $15

Buy yours and bring a date. $30

Buy your own or bring a date. $15/ $30

Pick your own or don’t have any. $0

Corsage for your date from HHS Balloons and Blossoms store. $2.50-35

Corsage from Blakemore’s Flowers. $9.50-$28

Corsage from Artistic Florists. $19.95- 9.95

Get your parents to drive you, ride city transportation or bike. $0

Drive yourself.

Gas- $2.49 per gallon

Split the cost of a limo with friends, from Agoff Limo at Newman Avenue. $110.60 per hour.

You and Your date pay for your own limo. $110.60 per hour.

$0

$49.91

$77.37 (Split limo with 3 friends)

$190.55

THINGS TO DO AFTER HOMECOMING Tips: Make sure that all the activities you choose to participate in are legal.

Remember that there is no driving from one place to another from midnight to 4 a.m.

Also, be sure that you have your parents’ permission to take part in these activities.

Basically, keep everything PG rated.

Breakfast after Homecoming Not in the mood to head home just yet? IHOP is open 24 hours and caters to every possible breakfast wish.

Before you head home, drop by for a quick meal…everyone gets hungry after all that dancing!

Movie Night After Homecoming, you and your

$50

get involved 5 simple ways for you to participate in homecoming: 1. Attend the homecoming football game against Waynesboro on October 2nd.

2. Participate in spirit week by dressing up according to the designated days. Monday is Hat Day, Tuesday is Tie-Dye Day, Wednesday is Whiteout Day, Thursday is Stripes and Plaid Day and Friday is Blue Streak Day. 3. Attend the homecoming dance on October 3rd. The dance will be held in the gym commons from 8-11:30 p.m. The cost is $15 per person.

4. Compete in the pie in the face contest during the pep rally 5. Help the SCA and renaissance class decorate the gym commons before the dance. infographic by Tricia Comfort

Administrators try to prevent misbehavior at homecoming

T

Savanah Cary Feature Editor

he homecoming dance can be one of the occasions where students display bad behavior, however, the administrators and school resource officers are working to prevent these problems.

“Behavior last year was improved compared to past years, which shows us that students are capable of having good behavior and having a good time,” Assistant Principal Mike Eye said. There are police officers at the dance and in the parking lot, and usually ten to fifteen chaperones plus administrators. Some people are stationed at the door and there are rovers that travel throughout the Gym Commons during the dance. Behavior in the past has been good, with a few minor problems every couple of years.

“In the past, students have made poor decisions and came to the dance intoxicated,” English teacher and head of the SCA and Newsstreak, Valerie Kibler said. In order to prevent these problems before students arrive at the dance, Principal Irene Reynolds will make announcements over the intercom the week before the dance about proper behavior and good decision making as it relates to the homecoming dance. Also, in the past people in the community have called to warn the school of suspicious activity.

Another problem is vulgar dancing.

“There can be unbelievable dancing and a lack of knowledge of how to dance well,” Kibler said. A few years ago dancing was regulated. There were rules, and teachers were stationed throughout the dance to spot people who were dancing inappropriately, however, this did not work. Kibler feels as though dancing should be regulated again.

“There has to be a line that kids should be taught not to cross in public,” Kibler said. If students are caught

breaking school rules, there are consequences. When students broke rules in the past they were suspended for ten days and placed in the after school program for thirty days. Also if students violate a law, they will have to follow the procedures of the criminal justice system. However, for the most part students follow the rules and make homecoming a good experience for everyone.

“Although students have blemished recent homecomings by bringing or ingesting alcohol, for the most part we don’t have problems. Students have a good time and follow the rules,” Eye said. The School Resource officer, Bill Frank, says that ensuring students safety is the most important thing. This is Frank’s second year working at HHS and last year homecoming went without problems.

“My role is to first and foremost prevent and ensure safety and security,” Frank said. “If there are any violations of criminal law, then I deal with those as well.” 

The Newsstreak

September 25, 2009

Feature B2

Cyber cheating happens easily; how often does it occur?

Students who cheat just end up hurting themselves, Norment says Kavya Beheraj Staff Editor

A

How do you define cheating?

ccording to a recent study done by the Benenson Strategy Group, a globally recognized consulting firm, “cyber cheating is one of the fastest growing forms of plagiarism.” Fiftytwo percent of the students polled, or 486 students out of 1,013, admitted to cheating in some form using the internet.

“I think [cyber cheating] is a problem in the nation, because it’s allowed to be,” English teacher Sarah Taylor said.

Cyber cheating is defined as the intentional use of technology to complete an assignment. This can include stealing pre-written exam papers from sites or cutting and pasting information from the internet without citing sources.

“Using concepts and theories as their own [that are not their own] is still cheating, still stealing someone else’s property,” senior Macie Frazier said.

English teacher Peter Norment does not think it is a major issue here.

“For all I know, it’s happening on

Whispering in class is cheating.

-Freshman Desiree Stuart

a mass scale and I’m oblivious to it,” Norment said. “But I haven’t had much problem with it.”

Students always have a variety of reasons as to why they cheat.

“Because they don’t know what to write, or the answers to a test,” freshman Maria Gonzalez said, as a guess to cheating motives.

Cyber cheating in particular is common from students because it is so easy; there are multitude sites out there that provide perfect papers, pre-written, for a small fee.

“They don’t study, but they want to do well without doing the work,” Frazier said.

Cyber cheating is very tempting to students in high-pressure classes, who need the good grades, or to students who just doesn’t feel like writing the paper.

“I guess it’s like a balancing act.

Is it willful cheating, is it laziness, or was it just poor research?” Norment said.

Norment had a situation a few years ago when a student turned in a paper and the wording was just too perfect. Norment typed in a few of the sentences into the internet, and the essay showed up as a plagiarized piece.

“Especially freshmen, sometimes,

Peeking at someone else’s paper is cheating, but I’ve never cheated.

-Sophomore Allen Rivera

don’t think of it as cheating, especially if it’s a research paper. They just cut and paste and they view it as research,” Norment said.

Although it seems like it doesn’t happen on a large scale at HHS, teachers still implement many preventive measures to stop the student from cheating. One of those measures is being familiar with the sites students go to take the information. The sites are all blocked on school computers.

One way to see if a student has taken an essay off the internet is to just type a few of the lines into an internet search engine and most of the time the original essay pops up. Certain sites do the same thing professionally and teachers use them.

“There are some websites out there; [http://www.] turnitin.com is one, which allows the teacher to process the paper through the website, whether it’s scanned in or if the students submit their papers electronically,” Taylor said.

Another way is to get familiar with the student’s way of writing through in-class assignments. If the student turns in something that’s a complete change in their writing style, most teachers would be suspicious.

“I can read a paper and tell

When you’re taking a test and peeking over to look at answers, you’re cheating.

-Freshman, Ailem Rosales

if it isn’t the way they normally phrase things… it’s pretty obvious,” Norment said.

Taylor teaches Dual Enrollment English, a college course, and as a result is very firm about cheating in her classroom. If Taylor finds that one of her students has been cheating, the paper is an automatic F, and is a zero in the grade book until it gets rewritten.

“Cyber cheating is dealt with very seriously [in college]. Students can just flunk the class or be expelled from a school, first offense,” Taylor said. “We deal with it very, very strictly in this class to help students learn not to do it and not to rely on it as a way to work on papers when they’re in a crunch.”

In the end, it all comes down to the honor code of the student, and the watchfulness of the teacher in charge.

“If you have the mindset ‘I need to get ahead’, then you always will have cheating,” Norment said. “The goal of school should not be to get ahead. The goal of school should be to learn. That’s just going to make you a happier human being.” 

Looking at other people’s paper is cheating.

-Freshman LJ Shifflet

Looking at someone’s papers and writing down their answers is cheating.

-Sophomore Brittany Hevener

Teachers share worst experiences with students cheating “Cheating is not reported

CHEATING AT HHS

as prevalent, it’s not more prevalent than years ago.

Does cheating happen?

Of course. There are all forms of cheating, cheating on a test, cheating on homework or plagiarism.

It’s not as easy to cheat now as it was when I was in school. Because when I was in school and cited a magazine you had to actually go look it up.

Students cheat because they get worried about grades, they need to because they have a problem with material or they didn’t take time to prepare. They

SparkNotes makes cheating easier want the students to read the books. If they use Sparknotes, in my opinion you only care about the grade and not the actual class or book,” Nipe said.

The question of cheating emerges he thought of having an easy with this technique. Most students will way out of some lengthy home- tell you that there is no fowl play to it. work attracts the attention of “I like Sparknotes because it summamany students who struggle in rizes everything for me. Reading takes the wee hours of the night to get things too much time. I’ll use it whenever I done. Students can take the easy way need it,” sophomore Gustaf Nelson out many ways, both in school and out. said. “I usually read some of the book, The internet is a key tool but I will read Sparused to do this; pretty knotes more.” much anything and evStudents need to erything can be found. be aware that literary If [students] use One of the most imporanalysis and help sites Sparknotes, in my tant tools on the internet like Sparknotes are opinion, they only for these people is Sparnot always accurate knotes. or all-inclusive. They care about the All great cheaters simply represent the grade and not the know who to go to and opinion of the writer class.” where to go to. Sparwho is developing the knotes doesn’t take a gesource.  English nius to find. Sparknotes Resources like teacher, Jim Nipe is a website that gives Sparknotes have exsummaries on popular isted for years. One teacher books along with of the original literary chapters of the books and very precise analysis helpers was Cliffs Notes which characters. Yet there are a couple of still exist today. faculty members that think they can “Cliff notes were the helper in my sniff out the users of this lucrative site. day,” English teacher Valerie Kibler Among these is English teacher, Jim said. “But as a student then and a Nipe. teacher now I used them to supplement “Oh yeah, [I can tell] easily, when the reading of a text. They were particthey use Sparknotes they only have a ularly helpful in understanding Shakebasic knowledge of the book and even speare’s works when I was in college. paraphrase what they have read on We would read the notes, then read the Sparknotes. I encourage students to use actual text and follow that with a great it as long as they still actually read the discussion of the language.”  book. It might be a cliché, but I actually Will Turner Staff Editor

T

“

get desperate and they lower their standards. It’s the easy way out, or they have confusion or don’t have the skills.”

- Principal Reynolds

Irene

“I watched a student slip

a piece of paper to his friend, typical cheating, but I didn’t say anything because they had different copies of the quiz. The two had the exact same answers for everything but one got a hundred and the other got zero. I didn’t talk to either kid afterwards, the one kid just learned not to cheat. I just sat there chuckling to myself.”

“I

had one kid who thought he was really getting away with something. I gave a 50 question Scantron test and there was a test key sitting on the table right beside him.

He somehow took the key without me seeing and was using it to fill in the answers. But it wasn’t for the same test, it was for a 60 question test. So he filled in ten extra answers. He had all the right answers for the other test but got a 0 for the one he was actually taking.”

- Biology teacher Ross Bair

- Math Teacher Tricia Cummings

How does HHS stand on cheating?

507 people in all grades polled in September by Michael Johnson Is getting help on a paper you have to write cheating?

Is getting help on your homework cheating?

Should using SparkNotes be thought of as cheating?

Is sharing homework answers with your friends cheating?

Is writing answers on your arm cheating?

Is having answers on paper under your desk cheating?

Have you ever cheated?

       

Have you ever witnessed anyone cheating?

0 SAY YES 61 SAY NO 0 SAY YES 61 SAY NO 23 SAY YES 39 SAY NO 46 SAY YES 14 SAY NO 57 SAY YES 13 SAY NO 58 SAY YES 11 SAY NO 52 SAY YES 10 SAY NO 57 SAY YES 5 SAY NO

The Newsstreak

September 25, 2009

Feature B3

No Time to Waste Students get hands on learning at MTC Alison Domonoske Feature Editor

“

I thought [MTC] would be a better opportunity for me.

After I graduate I can use my classes to get to work. ”  Senior Yara Gonzalez

T

o graduate from high school, students are forced to take many classes they do not enjoy. The monotony of a school day can seem overwhelming, but many students are making their days interesting by attending Massanutten Technical Center and learning useful skills in a hands-on environment.

Junior Ben Shisler goes to MTC in the morning and takes Automotive Technology and Carpentry, while he takes English and Chemistry at HHS. His favorite class so far is Carpentry, because he can see the result of his work.

Apart from dissimilar teaching styles, Shisler has noticed other differences between MTC and HHS. “It’s less diverse,” Shisler said, “There are very few Harrisonburg kids. Mostly everyone is from Rockingham County.”

Shisler chose Automotive Technology and Carpentry as his

classes because he knew he would use both those skills.

“With Automotive I can learn how to work on my own truck- a Chevy Silverado,” Shisler said. “I did Carpentry to use for work, because I already know a guy I can work for.”

Carpentry is also Shisler’s back-up plan for college.

Though MTC takes Shisler away from HHS for half the day he does not feel he is left out of activities.

“They said we can come back any time so I won’t miss anything,” Shisler said.

Senior Ahsanullah Popal, however, does not agree with Shisler.

Popal takes Restaurant Careers and Criminal Justice at MTC and misses some of his favorite class.

“I have to miss half of JROTC,” Popal said. He still enjoys MTC, though, because he can learn useful skills.

“I like Criminal Justice because I’m learning how to be a police officer,” Popal said.

Senior Yara Gonzalez attends MTC in the morning, from 8:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.. Gonzalez takes Cosmetology and Dental Assistant classes.

“I thought [MTC] would be a better opportunity for me. After I graduate I can use my classes to get work,” Gonzalez said.

Her favorite part of MTC is the break they get, unlike anything at HHS where she can catch-up on work.

However, most of her MTC work Gonzalez will most likely not need to catch up on because it is hands on.

“In Cosmetology we’re going to start cutting hair soon,” Gonzalez said. 

Teachers, students share tips for developing good study habits

“I stay every day after school in the library, and then, in my classes, I ask my teachers for help.”

Sophomore Joelle Mwami

Warner, Zuo prefer challenge, curriculum of AP classes that of a freshman level class at any University. Whether it’s the opportunity to impress colleges or pursue interesting subjects, AP classes have become a mainstay of the he workload is rigorous. high school curriculum and a favorite The stress can be enormous. of those who dread the normal, SOL Yet for hundreds of students curriculum. at HHS and hundreds of Junior Natalie Warner, who is thousands nationwide, Advanced taking such courses as AP United Placement classes are a glimpse into States History and English Language, their collegiate future. The College says she is taking the classes in order Board, the not-for-profit organization to challenge herself and dive deeper that runs the program, boasts 37 into complex topics. courses ranging from Art History to “Honors classes and definitely German Literature to Environmental regular classes oversimplify the Science. material. They cram difficult concepts The workload is likened to into a paragraph or even a sentence. They’re forced to cater to the lowest common denominator in order to ensure they pass the SOL,” Warner said.

According to Warner, the benefit she will receive when applying to colleges is only an added plus.

“Of course I considered that. But that’s not why I’m - 13 students taking them. I really enjoy learning,” Warner said.

Others such as sophomore Howard Zuo have exhausted the normal options. Zuo - 47 students all will be taking the highest level math offered, AP Calculus.

“I can’t just go a year without taking a math.

That’s the only thing that’s left. Then I’ll start going to JMU for classes,” Zuo said.

Zuo and Warner agree that perhaps one of the best aspects of AP classes is the lack of every student’s nightmare: busy work.

“Everybody hates busy Out of 100 polled- Poll by David Proctor David Proctor News Editor

T

How long does it take you to do your Homework?

- 21 students

- 27

= 1 Hour

work. You still get it sometimes for memorization but 99 percent of the time, it’s gone,” Zuo said.

Still, the intense workload is enough to make several students drop the classes just days after they begin.

Many teachers often try to encourage students that they feel will be unable to handle the workload to quit.

“It’s sort of amusing seeing teachers weed out the ones who aren’t able to handle it the first few days,” Zuo said.

Zuo hopes that he is able to gain something out of a tougher curriculum beyond just knowledge of the material. Zuo, who plans to pursue something math related in college, hopes to gain a fundamental understanding of the topics. He also hopes to develop better time management skills, something that has long been a problem for teens.

“I use Google calendar a lot to help me stay organized. I use the calendar on my phone sometimes since I always have it with me. Sort of like a PDA. I usually just use my memory to remember assignments,” Zuo said.

Warner hopes that AP classes will help her place out of classes she doesn’t like in college.

“High school is liberal arts oriented enough in my opinion. When I go to college I want to be able to do what interests me, not what others say I need to know,” Warner said.

In addition to placing out, the College Board also boasts that some students can save as much as $19,000 over four years by AP credit, in addition to students being more likely to graduate in four years.

“College is expensive and hopefully it saves my parents some money,” Zuo said. 

It’s coming!

Get ready for the first Bloodmobile.

Save a life. Give blood.

“Always get a good start. Make sure to study nightly and get ahead of your work.”

Science Teacher Ross Bair

“I get my homework out of the way, so I can goof off later.”

Junior Joey Glick

“This is what I do, I stay up at night until 12, and study until 1 a.m.. Then I give myself a quiz and at 1:30 I stop and study for about 10 more minutes. Then I eat, study, and at about 4:30 in the morning I get another snack. Then I play video games and go to bed at 5 am.”

Senior Troy Jones

“Just do it. I know how hard it is, but it is a good feeling to be finished with it.”

English Teacher Jim Nipe

“Get a planner and organize what you need to do and when you need to do it.”

History Teacher Mark Healy

“I try to study a little bit at a time, but it takes me so long because, I always get off topic. I also take lots of notes, so I do not forget things.”

Junior Tabea Zimmermann

“Have smart friends.”

Senior April See infografic by Heather Hunter and Stephen Rich

The Newsstreak

September 25, 2009

Ads B4

HHS hosts first powderpuff football game powderpuff from a1 Senior football players Nick Fornadel, Travis Roadcap, Michael Clopper and Tanner Johnson will be coaching the senior class girls.

“We asked them to coach us because two of them are football captains, and they are all responsible leaders,” DiNapoli said.

“The girls are going to play where they want to play,” senior Tanner Johnson said. Practices consist of scrimmages, throwing, passing and running “We got a lot done at practice; we improved on our throwing abilities. My

favorite thing about coaching is being part of a championship team.” senior Nick Fornadel said. The girls divided into three different groups to practice plays and catching.

“The coaches were good about preparing us for the game; it wasn’t a joke to them, we did actual plays,” senior Courtney Bowman.

By practicing techniques and having good sportsmanship the girls were able to bond.

“It was awesome and new experience at the same time because we got the opportunity to play football which isn’t available at other schools,” senior Sally Kardos said.

“Practices might be kind of crazy but they’ll be fun and the senior class will be a lot closer,” DiNapoli said.

Juniors also have a competitive spirit and want to continue to play powderpuff once the senior ladies graduate.

“Gaining teamwork and showing the guys that girls can play football too,” junior Sarah Boloix said, “I’ve seen powderpuff played in different places and it had always seemed fun.” After a game or two, the next step powderpuff is taking will be to play against other high school teams.

“We’re thinking of playing the Spotswood powderpuff team if they can

get all their girls together,” DiNapoli said.

Senior Patrick Toohey is in charge of finding boys who cheerlead. At most recent count, 20 boys had signed up to cheer for the seniors.

“Some of the competition cheerleaders are coaching us. We want to practice stunts and possibly come up with a dance,” Toohey said.

“There’s about 19 boys signed up to cheerlead now, and Ian Frazier is going to be the announcer,” DiNapoli said, “We still need to get one more referee, Butler is one.” 

Athletes not thrilled with extra study time after school Schedule, from a1

The athletes, band members and other students involved in extra-curricular activities are assigned to specific rooms depending on their particular activity, where they are monitored by a teacher during their planning session; prior to entering their assigned rooms, students are provided with a free afternoon snack through a federal grant. Though Reynolds had expressed hope that athletes would get a jump-start on their homework before beginning practice, most athletes express dissatisfaction with the new system.

“I think we should be allowed to go right to practice,” junior cross country runner Haley Wenos said. “It isn’t fair that we have to go to school earlier than last year and then get forced into staying at school for an extra thirty minutes longer than everyone else.”

Senior soccer player Macie Frazier agrees with Wenos. “The new start time does not really affect me because I go to governor’s school, so I’m here [at school] at 6:50 either way,” Frazier said, “but I don’t want to stay an extra thirty minutes in a study hall during soccer season.”

In addition to complaints about the

Students customize class rings jostens, from a1 Tucker chose the female version of the Tribute.

“It has the mascot [blue streak] and the state of Virginia.

It’s the typical class ring if you don’t pick anything.”

Brittney Payne, class of 2009 got her $100 class ring for a different reason.

“My parents bought it for me, it was my birthday present.”

Payne’s ring has a dancer and a cross on one side, and a dove and Bibles on the other.

“It reminds me of the good times I had in high school.

All my dance team memories, football games, pep rallies, those kinds of things.”

So this spring when the seniors join for the last time, they can proudly wear the symbol of the last four years of their life. 

mandatory study hall, students and parents have raised concerns about the high school’s strict tardy policy, which has remained the same from last year.

Attendance Secretary Cathy Grogg, however, does not feel that the new start time will significantly exacerbate the number of tardies by HHS students.

“The people who are repeatedly tardy will always be tardy, whether they get to school earlier or not. The problem isn’t really that they don’t get to school in time but that they stand around in the halls and intentionally don’t make it to their classes on time,” Grogg said.

Reynolds similarly does not believe that the new start time will result in a drastically higher tardy and absence rate.

“Our bus riders will be picked up at the same time as last year. The high school students will just be dropped off before the middle school students,” Reynolds said. “The drivers and students that are dropped off will need to make adjustments, but they are the minority. The majority of our students ride a bus.” 

Strickler admires Jackson’s music strickler, from a1 Usher sang ‘Gone too soon’, and Mariah Carey and Trey Lorenzo, sang ‘I’ll be there’ together.

Others told stories. Magic Johnson recalled having dinner with Jackson. Johnson wanted some grilled chicken. When the personal chef returned he had Johnson’s grilled chicken and Jackson’s KFC chicken.

Many may just view Jackson as a performer, dancer, and singer, but according to Strickler, the service made him seem like a person.

The memorial service was broadcasted around the world.

“A cross between a rock concert, and a solemn occasion,” Strickler said, “There was no pushing or shoving, people were very respectful, and everyone dressed up. It was just like going to a funeral. I bawled like a baby.”

At the end of the memorial service, as fans exited the arena, a group of helicopters flew into the sky, creating a heart with a ‘m’ in the center.

“Just because I do not agree with his lifestyle, does not mean I cannot admire his music and his contributions to the industry,” Strickler said. 

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The Harrisonburg Education Foundation (HEF) was established in 1994 as a resource for citizens, businesses and estate representatives who wish to provide tax-deductible donations and gifts to the Harrisonburg City Public Schools.

Our mission is to enrich the educational experience for all students in the Harrisonburg City Public Schools.

We are a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization governed by a board of directors representing business, industry, higher education, public schools and community organizations.

What does the Harrisonburg Education Foundation do?

WE encourage community financial support for public education.

WE award grants for specific teacher-initiated classroom programs.

WE provide scholarships for graduating Harrisonburg High School students.

WE recognize and celebrate excellent teachers.

WE support enrichment opportunities for teachers and administrators.

WE maintain a teacher supply depot available to all Harrisonburg City Public Schools employees.

The majority of our educator grants are funded through the proceeds of the “Drive Fore Excellence” Golf Tournament How Does the Harrisonburg Education Foundation Benefit Teachers?

The Harrisonburg Education Foundation has developed programs that highlight and assist the teacher in the classroom. Our programs include: The HEF awards thousands of dollars in grants each instructional year to Harrisonburg City educators who design educationally innovative programs which increase student motivation while meeting our diverse students’ needs.

The HEF operates a “Teacher Supply Depot” for all HCPS employees. The depot located on Garbers Church Road, offers supplies for classrooms that are FREE OF CHARGE. The HEF has distributed over $80,000 worth of free supplies since its opening in 2006.

The Harrisonburg Education Foundation has introduced a new program that gives parents, teachers, students and community members the opportunity to honor a special teacher or staff member while making a donation to the Harrisonburg Education Foundation.

In 2009, the inaugural Sherry Burcham Anderson 5K Run-Walk was held in downtown Harrisonburg. The 5K Run-Walk is a fundraiser that has been designed to support the local educational programs implemented by the Harrisonburg Education Foundation and to celebrate the life of Sherry Anderson. Visit us on the web at: www.harrisonburgeducationfoundation.org

The Newsstreak

September 25, 2009

Sports b6

Freshmen runners appear promising Emmett Copeland Staff Reporter

A

lthough the new year brings a bit of sadness for Harrisonburg cross country with Keeping pace Freshman Erin Goodstein and Junior Haley Wenos pace each the departure of the senior other in the last leg of the Burtner Farm meet on Sept 12. The girls varsity team class, it also brings new life in the form placed second among 11 teams. Photo by Vanessa Ehrenpreis. of freshmen. Freshmen Erin Goodstein, Jenny Kniss, Caitlin Kelley, and The boys picked up five freshman this seaWHAT YOU THINK Katrina Sokolyuk have joined the ranks of son, including Jonas Zimmerman, Mark Duda, Would you ever go to a the girls team, where their main occupations cross country meet?

Jordan Leaman, Mothana Bani-Hani, and Amin have been dancing to Jai Ho, looking cool, Kraimeche. The team has been training hard and running when it isn't inconvenient. All since the season started, their regime includes dedicated, team focused athletes, these four hill repeats behind HHS and running upwards freshladies promise a fierce future for the of seven miles at a time. Their hard work has cross country team. paid off beautifully, at the EMHS invitational 253 people in all grades and At the EMHS invitational on Sept 12 (in faculty polled on Sept 14 by Kraimeche finished fourth on the varsity boys Julia Trotsyuk which the HHS girls team placed second, team and 31st out of 114 at 19:09, Zimmerman and the boys third) Kelley came in third on placed fifth on the team and 44th overall at the varsity team and 19th out of 99 runners with a time 19:37, and Leaman was the top HHS junior varsity runof 23:03. Goodstein placed sixth on the team and 48th ner (meaning eighth on the team), finishing seventh in overall, at 24:44. the JV race. The top seven runners are considered varsity Coach David Loughran said of the freshman talent, since they score points for the team.

“We have several strong returning runners, but we've With this tough group of freshmen and a large numlost some very good ones as well. For that reason, I'm ber of other first-time runners, the next few years should very glad that we have some freshmen who can run in be good ones for the Harrisonburg cross country teams. our varsity.” 

YES NO 70 183

Catch me if you can Freshman Amin Kramiche catches up to his competitors. Photo by Vanessa Ehrenpreis

Mandatory study hall for athletes after school meets with mixed reactions Jessica Strickler Opinion Editor

W

Goofin’ off The high school and middle school girls cross country teams celebrate after the Burtner Farm Meet. Photo by Vanessa Ehrenpreis.

Nafziger competes in World Mountain Running Championships

said.

The World Mountain Running Trophy race features the best runners in the world. Nafiziger, who is part of the junior team, had to comor HHS alumni, Dan pete in the qualifying races. The 2009 Nafiziger, being able to com- team was selected based on the top pete in the 25th World Moun- three U.S. male finishers and top fetain Running Championships male finisher. is quite the accomplishment for anyThe term mountain running refers one, especially since as a freshman to running on terrain on a high elevain high school; he did not believe he tion change. In Campodolcino, Italy, would be qualified to even make the located in the province of Sandrio in HHS Cross Country team. the Lombardy region, Nafziger will “I’m just really be running at excited to represent an altitude of the United States one mile high.

Being on the USA and I encourage “I will be any teenager to run literally runteam is awesome, I because I didn’t ning straight help my team compete know I would get up, and as for this far when I tried and I get to represent Italy’s terrain out as a freshman,” I’m not sure my country.”

Nafziger said. because ev USA Mountain Nafziger comery mountain peted on Sept 6, Running Team Member is different,” in Campdolicino, Nafziger said.

Dan Nafziger Italy for exactly one Nafziger week. He was sestarted to praclected to be part of tice at Reddish the junior team based on his athletic Knob during the summer, running resume and recommendations from up the mountains. He considers runcoaches that he had met at the Uni- ning on a hilled course a strong point versity of Richmond for a race. of his. This provides him the experi“I already know some of my team ence he needs for the 9k (5.5 mile). mates. My friend, Tim Smith who “I would just run on a mountain goes to University of Richmond, or local area. I’ve been doing this for placed fifth in the world,” Nafziger Kim Antonio Managing Editor

F

“

four years,” Nafziger said.

Competing with other countries is an honor but also not a threat to Nafziger. He’s excited to run but is not scared of the other international competitors. What actually thrills him is the challenge of racing against different countries around the world, “It will be interesting how the Europeans will run since they start training earlier than us but you just have to remember, they’re just people,” Nafziger said.

Sophomore, David Love, who ran with Nafziger as a freshman believes that Nafiziger is more than qualified because he is an all around good athlete and encourages everyone to work harder.

“When the team would goof off he would be the one who would straighten us out. He really is a good leader and I think it’s awesome he’s competing in Italy,” Love said.

Representing the USA in the 25th world mountain running championships is also the chance for Nafziger to gather more experience before starting cross country at George Mason University.

“Being on the USA team is awesome, I help my team compete and I get to represent my country,” Nafiziger said. “I’ll remember this for the rest of my life.”

hen students report to their respective classrooms for the after-school study hall, many of them will not be studying. Led by teacher assistants and designed to allow teachers who coach an after-school activity ample time to plan, attend staff meetings or grade papers, the study hall doesn’t allow students enough time to work on what they probably need to the most— homework.

“This is an opportunity for the kids to take a break,” HHS principal, Irene Reynolds said.

“It’s a waste of time,” junior cross country runner Joseph Roth said. “We should be able to start practice at 2:20.”

Fellow runner Keith Thomas concurs, “How do they expect us to do anything in thirty minutes?”

The study hall was never thirty minutes long though. At the start of the school year, it was only 26 minutes. When students couldn’t make it from their fourth block class to their lockers, the cafeteria for a snack and back to their study hall rooms in the allotted six minutes, Reynolds changed the study hall start time to 2:29 p.m.

Now students have nine minutes to report after the end of the day bell and 21 minutes to get work done.

“The football team requested permission to meet in an alternate location,” Reynolds said.

“The assistant coaches, who are not part of the staff, lead workouts in the weight room, supervise film viewings and play reviews in the health classrooms.”

According to the National Sleep Foundation, 45% of teens don’t get enough sleep. Homework is often a key factor. Instead of hitting the books, students are “making signs for locker rooms or buddy gifts or playing games together,” Reynolds said. “A few have been working, but not many.”

One perk of the study hall is the free snack all students are served. Money to purchase the snacks is part of the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), which can serve after school snacks to divisions that serve more than 50% of its students free or reduced price lunch. In the 2008-09 school year, Harrisonburg City Public Schools served 61 percent of students free and reduced price lunches. In addition, the school must sponsor a regularly scheduled educational or enrichment activity in a supervised environment.

For schools to be reimbursed by the government’s program, each student must take a snack which includes two items from two different categories: milk, vegetable or fruit and grains or bread. Typically, the snack options are milk, fruit juice, sunflower seeds, graham crackers, Chex mix, a granola breakfast bar and fresh fruit which consists of apples, pears and bananas.

The cafeteria ladies who stay after school to serve snacks must keep a roster of the students who take a snack and report the number of snacks they serve each day. Students are not required to pay for their snacks, unless they purchase something extra, such as a bottle of water or foods that don’t meet the requirements of two snacks from two different categories.

After the final practice, students are released from participating in the study hall.

“At this point in time, we are not offering another way for students to maintain their grades or receive help after school,” Reynolds said.

“When the activity is over, we do not require students to attend other programs that can boost their grades and understanding of content material.” 

Country runners share their Where do they Cross secret spots for the best workouts.

RUN? At Purcell Park the runners often run around

Burtner Farm is always hot, sunny, and humid. It is a 5K

course and a mix of hills and flat fields. There is also a mini forest, where the only shade is on the course. It is a cross country runners second home. When they aren’t running at HHS, they go to Burtner farm.

HHS Home course’s layout is very diverse. There are flat and hilly parts, the runners also run behind the softball, soccer and football fields. Adding to the course they run behind the red house at the top of the hill and into the woods. Both the boys and girls teams practice on this course most of the time.

the gravel track surrounding the park. From Purcell, the runners might run through JMU’s campus.

Other Schools- When the area schools have meets, the cross country members will run those courses.

-District meet is at Burtner Farm -Regional Competition is at Lord Botetourt -State Competition is at Great Meadows

Little Grill- During the summer, the girls cross country team meets at the Little Grill and runs around the downtown area. when they’re done running they usually eat there.

Infographic by Aidan Newcity, designed by Vanessa Ehrenpreis

The Newsstreak

September 25, 2009

The Rendon Report

New York Mets once again disappoint their fans Alex Rendon Staff Reporter

T

he 2009 Major League Baseball season taught us many things.

One of the lessons that stands out, however, which had previously been debated for eons, is that curses and/ or hexes are 100 percent real. How else would you describe the lowly Metropolitans? The Mets have been so unbelievably cursed this year it’s unfathomable.

“The Amazin’s” have a disabled list longer than the Mitchell Report and this has helped contribute to countless headaches sustained by Mets fans everywhere. In all seriousness though, someone in the Mets organization must have either run over a black cat, killed a unicorn or crossed Voldemort. This is a synopsis of one of the most bizarre and devastating years in the history of the Mets.

The Mets looked promising during the preseason. So promising, in fact, that Sports Illustrated picked them as their World Series pick in the National League.

To top it all off, the Mets were also playing in brand spankin’ new Citi Field. This was going to be the year that the Mets would make their fans forgive them for their famous meltdown down the stretch in 2007.

Rarely has a bar been set so high with the results coming out so painfully low.

Over the course of the season, the disabled list for the Mets included these players at one time or another: Jose Reyes, Carlos Beltran, Carlos Delgado, Johan Santana and David Wright. That doesn’t include the other 15 members of the Mets organization deemed unfit to play. Word has it that even team mascot, Mr. Met, had to get checked out by the team’s trainer. The injuries have been piling up for the entire season and the most recent to their ace, Johan Santana, has really done it for me in the pity department.

Most baseball fans will forgive these things because they are essentially out of anyone’s control. What people have a hard time letting go, however, is how much sheer embarrassment their team causes them. The Mets lose often but they do it in funny ways. SportsCenter even gave them their own “Not Top Ten.” Of course everyone remembers Luis Castillo’s unfortunate blooper that cost the Mets a game against the rival Yankees. But it has been a series of botched grounders, errant throws, three error innings and comical adventures in the outfield that really set the Mets apart.

They seem to operate by a standard that if they’re going to lose, at least they’re going to be entertaining about it.

The Mets have also been less than polished off the field. General manager Omar Minaya, who is already a polarizing figure, didn’t win himself any fans by getting into a ridiculous altercation with a reporter at a press conference. I don’t really blame Minaya for getting heated because his job is pretty much impossible right now. No matter who he signs or who he trades for, it seems that any player that plays for the Mets puts himself in serious danger of sustaining a season ending injury.

What a year it has been for the Mets. It seems that something out of the ordinary happens every game. Notably, the Mets became the first team in National League history to lose a game on an unassisted triple play (ok seriously?). Professional baseball has been around since the Lincoln administration and there have been fifteen unassisted triple plays turned in since about that time. On that fateful Sunday afternoon, the Mets were forging a comeback at home in front of an increasingly energetic crowd. No outs. Mets down by two. Runners on first and second. Jeff Francouer at the plate. Ground ball. Unassisted triple play. Game over. Well, at least they came close that time. 

Sports B7

McDonaldson first girl on team in 17 years Mitch Depoy Staff Reporter

F

or Sophomore Brittney McDonaldson, this golf season is shaping up to be a great one. She has appeared in two matches this year and in the most recent one shot a 94. In a recent JV match, she shot a 45 in 9 holes.

This year McDonaldson is the only girl on the golf team.

“It doesn’t bother me being the only girl on the team,” McDonaldson said. In fact, she is the only girl that coach Mike Ruckman has ever coached in his 17 seasons being with the team.

Her goals for this season are to improve on her all around game.

“I want to get better and break the top six this year,” McDonaldson said.

McDonaldson has been playing golf since the age of five.

“I’ve always really enjoyed playing golf,” McDonaldson said.

Last year McDonaldson was on the JV team, but didn’t make any varsity appearances.

“I [just] practiced with the team and played in some JV matches last year,” McDonaldson said.

Here in Harrisonburg her favorite golf course is Heritage Oaks.

“It’s a good course and it is challenging,” McDonaldson said.

The lowest score that McDonaldson ever shot was an 81.

“I shot an 81 this past summer at Heritage Oaks,” McDonaldson said.

But her most m e m o r a b l e experience with golf happened just the other day in practice.

“Our coach, Ruckman, almost died the other day,” McDonaldson said. “Senior Kyle Bourne hit, and his ball then bounced off of Ruckmans hand and then bounced up and hit him in the head. “ McDonaldson has had her own painful experience this year. She was hit by another member of the team in the foot this season.

McDonaldson has known her coach since Elementary school.

“Ruckman was my P.E. teacher when I was in elementary school,” McDonaldson said. “He is an interesting guy, but tends to get injured a lot.”

As for McDonaldson’s future in golf she is hoping for a bright one.

“I plan on playing college golf at James Madison University,” McDonaldson said.

With several more weeks left in the season, McDonaldson, along with the rest of the team, is working especially hard to get ready for the district tournament, but also just to improve on their game.

“I just want to be in the top six all of next season,” McDonaldson said. 

On your mark, get set..: McDonaldson Get in the hole!: McDonaldson pracsets up to the ball before she hits it tices her short game on the putting down the driving range. Photo by Jack green. Photo by Jack Burden Burden

Brittney McDonaldson 1) Titleist or Callway golf balls?

2) Nike or Callaway golf clubs?

3) Nike or Footjoy golf shoes?

4) Lakeview or Heritage Oaks Golf Course 5) Par 3’s, Par 4’s, or Par 5’s?

6) Driver or Irons?

7) Rough or Fairway?

8) Taylormade or Nike golf bag?

9) Tiger or Phil?

10) U.S. Open or The Masters?

11) Fade or Draw?

12)Math or Science?

13) Spring or Fall?

Smack!: After hitting the golf ball, McDonaldson follows through her swing.

Photo by Jack Burden

Cheerleaders prepare for district competition Claire Sudol Managing Editor

A

t the cheerleading tryouts in August, fresh, new faces filled the auxiliary gym.

Among them were the new head coaches: HHS’s Nutrition and Wellness teacher, Bridgett Smith, and the middle school coach, Dani Hess. With only six returning players from year’s squad, the varsity cheerleaders had to start their season off learning the basics.

Even though there was such a large crowd of newcomers, practices were not any easier. In fact, they were ten times harder according to senior captain Hannah Thigpen.

Practices were twice a day, starting in mid-August.

The team’s routine begins with basic stretching, followed by jumps, stunts, chants, and ending with hard workouts comprised of

Give me an H!: Senior Michelle Taylor and freshmen Katie Jett, Justice Royer and Kaleb McAffe practice libs during practice. Photo by Lauren Martin

RED SEA T-SHIRTS

conditioning.

“I’m really excited about our new coaches because they have a lot of new ideas since they are experienced from cheering together at Bridgewater College,” Thigpen said. The coaches have been teaching a variety of new stunts to the squad that, according to Thigpen, no other team will have at Districts.

Teammates all seem to agree that Smith is a great addition to the squad. “[Smith] is really nice and she listens to us and helps us with our problems,” sophomore Gentry Dove said. Thigpen recruited Dove in the off season after learning about her tumbling skills from gymnastics.

“Our team desperately needed a tumbler for competition and Dove is really good, so I asked her if she would join the squad,” Thigpen said.

“Hannah asked me and I accepted so I could help the team

out,” Dove said. Dove will hopefully be increasing her team’s chances of winning the competition with her round off back handspring back tuck because of the difficulty of the stunt.

“Our combination of stunts is nothing that has been done before,” Thipgen said. Because their routine is going to be difficult, to prepare for the district competition, the squad is entered in four mini cheerleading challenges.

Team unity is a huge part of the team this year.

“It is awesome that we all get along and stick up for each other when needed,” senior Regan Sheets said.

Since the majority of the team consists of newcomers, it is vital they bond and create friendships.

This will help them get through the long, rigorous practices making them more fun, while still helping the team regain an advantage over the other squads. 

Give me an H!: Rachel Defriece, 9, Miche Edge, 12, Destiny Arellano, 10, and Christine Choi, 11, practice libs. Photo

by Lauren Martin

Give me an S!: Taelor Adams, 10, Regan Sheets, 12, Mackenzie Herring, 11, and Sarah Bell, 9, practice their stunts. Photo by Lauren Martin

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The Newsstreak

September 25, 2009

Sports B8

Freshmen duo play integral role on varsity volleyball team

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Vanessa Ehrenpreis Sports Editor

reshman Taylor Grogg is not the stereotypical high school volleyball player.

Standing at five feet two and a half inches, Grogg plays the libero position for the Blue Streak’s varsity volleyball team.

The libero position goes in for any player on the back row.

Grogg admits that it’s a little strange playing with older girls, but does it for the love of the sport.

“I play soccer, and volleyball, but I like volleyball better,” Grogg said.

Ace !

Kerri Hofacker serves up a point in a game against Rockbridge.

Freshman Kerri Hofacker is also a member of the varsity team, playing the position of outside hitter.

“I love my position, you get to jump up and hit the ball back at the other team,” Hofacker said.

Both Grogg and Hofacker’s volleyball careers began recently.

Grogg began playing in eighth grade. She had little experience with the sport, but made the junior varsity team with few problems. Hofacker was recruited by both Coach Andy Thompson and some of her older teammates.

“I started playing two years ago.

A bunch of volleyball players, and Mr. Thompson because he was my gym teacher, started encouraging me to try out for the team,” Hofacker said.

Grogg’s concerns for the team now involve two basic fundamentals of volleyball: passing and serving.

“My goal for the season is to try

to make perfect passes,” Grogg said, “I think the team could improve on our serving, we need practice getting them [our serves] in bounds.”

Hofacker thinks the team should become more connected.

“We need to communicate more, become a whole working team,” Hofacker said, “I would like to improve my hitting.”

The team is already connected outside of the court, so communicating should not be very hard to accomplish.

“We are like a family, we have fun together, we are crazy but fun,” Hofacker said.

The team even has nicknames for Grogg and Hofacker.

“They call me T-Grogg, I sort of like it, but it is weird,” Grogg said.

Hofacker has plenty of nicknames, but likes one in particular.

“I actually have a lot, there is Care bear, Kerri baby, and few others I won’t mention. But my favorite is

Kerri baby because they sing it and make a joke out of it,” Hofacker said.

Throughout games Hofacker says that adrenaline is the main thing driving her to win.

“During games it is a pure adrenaline rush that carries you through. You want the point, so you try to do everything to get it,” Hofacker said.

Grogg says that Coach Thompson also plays a major part in driving the team.

“During games in our team huddles he is usually saying- ‘It doesn’t matter if [the other team] is better, let them beat us. But don’t beat yourself up’,” Grogg said As with any sports team, the Lady Streaks hope to get all the way to the volleyball state championships at VCU. But even if they do not make it that far, Grogg and Hofacker will both continue to play volleyball. 

Perfect pass! Freshman Taylor Grogg talks to Bianca Joiner while she passes Team! Freshman Kerri Hofacker spikes a ball and freshman Taylor Grogg produces the ball. another pass.

Pass! Kerri Hofacker gets low and passes the ball right up to the setter, junior Ali Byrd. All photos by Jim Newcity.

expectations for the remainder of the year, realizing that the team is young and has several new players; she plans to have a phenomenal season and have the team play to their highest potential.

Johnson though young, is overly enthusiastic about the sport of volleyball.

Though this is Johnson’s first year of playing on the HHS junior varsity volleyball team, she has been involved in numerous camps and has developed her volleyball skills through hard work and extensive practicing.

“I try to do my best and I want to improve even more to make it to varsity,” Johnson said, “My plans are to tryout for the varsity team once I’m in high school.”

Though she is one of the younger players on the team Johnson doesn’t fell overwhelmed by the age difference of her current teammates.

Conley isn’t the only one who has realized an improvement in Johnson’s

game, captains Sarah Rose and Denean Bailey also feel that Johnson has greatly improved and come out of her shell from the beginning of the season. Rose, an outside hitter on the team said, “Skyler is very good at volleyball, and worked hard throughout practices and games,” Rose also explained that Johnson always has her head in the game whether it is during practice or a game against a rival team.

Bailey, outside hitter, said that she is a strong player and make a very good setter for the team. Bailey has also seen a change in attitude in Johnson saying, “In the beginning Skyler was shy and quiet, and later she opened up.

Bailey also feels that over the time the team has been playing that Johnson has changed from a good player and setter, to an even better one. They all expect even more from Johnson as she continues this season and starts her career in high school.

Johnson key player on JV volleyball team

O

Ethan Blackwell Sports Writer

ne of the youngest players on the JV volleyball team, Skyler Johnson, a setter, is off to a good start.

“I am very impressed with Skyler, she came to my summer camp and has picked up a lot,” JV coach Britt Conley says. Johnson was able to quickly discover essential skills and has learned the game to a point that she is able to direct and assist her teammate if they need help on the court. Johnson has also improved throughout the regular season, and has been a high performer on the court and in practices.

“During the first days of camp,” Conley said, “She started out well and had an almost natural feel for Set! Eighth grader Skyler Johnson sets volleyball.”

Conley also expressed high the ball to a teammate.

Newcity plays keeper for JMU team

Newcity and asked him if he would like an opportunity to play soccer for JMU. “I wasn’t even going to play or HHS alumni Colin football this year anyway and Newcity, these last thought I could help out with few weeks have been a the soccer team, so I accepted,” huge surprise. Newcity, Newcity said. former varsity goalie and the To Newcity, his mind was varsity football punter/kicker, made up. He was only worried has gone on to JMU to further about what the rest of the team his athletic career. Newcity thought. walked onto the JMU football “ T h e team and began only hard practicing part was with the team.

The only hard leaving the Unfortunately, football part was leaving the Newcity was team; most football team; most of going to red shirt of the team the team gave me a for a year and gave me pretty hard time.” was not going to a pretty  Alumni get to play. hard time.

“I’ve always Colin Newcity For the wanted to play most part soccer, but the kickers football seemed like a good and punters understood my idea also,” Newcity said. decision to change teams,” Little did he know the Newcity said. soccer team was facing some The rigorous soccer practice hard times as far as goalies began immediately. go. Three out of four of their “From a kicker’s standpoint, goalies got hurt and a back- soccer practice was immediately up goalie was needed. Tom more difficult than football,” Martin personally approached Newcity said, “We started Connor Whitehouse Sports Writer

F

“

out with about 35 minutes in the weight room doing some lifting, running, team stretches, footwork drills, technique and highball training, and finished with some small sided games.”

Newcity is looking forward to the season.

“I think the team is looking really strong this year, I think we will be a competitive team all season against anyone we play,” Newcity said.

The coaching staff has been working a lot with Newcity to get his head back in the game.

“I’ve had some great coaching ever since I started training with the team, I’ve been to JMU soccer camps before, so I already had a good relationship with the head coach. The goal keepers coach has had a ton of experience and has been working with me to help correct some of my problems,” Newcity said.

Newcity and the JMU team took the field for the first time in a mini tournament with High Point, Rider, and Richmond College. For further information and schedules for JMU, visit JMUSports.com. 

Soccer player Flores punts on varsity football team Andrew Morrell Sports Writer

C

onnor Flores wants to fill the big shoes of Colin Newcity.

The sophomore will be playing one of the most skilled positions on the football team. Thought to be the most overlooked position in football, the punter has the responsibility of placing the opposing team in difficult field position or getting the offense out of a jam. The soccer team has been the breeding ground for punters of years past, and Flores is no exception.

“I played soccer; the coaches saw what I could do and asked me to come out for the team,” Flores said.

Spectators often peg a punter as a athlete who does not do as much as other team members.

“Everything happens so fast out there, I get nervous, especially when the ball is about to be snapped.”

Most people dream of playing quarterback, but Flores is looking a bit closer to his specialty.

“I want to play kicker,” Flores said. “The punter only drop kicks the ball, they are not scoring points,” Flores said, “The kicker is the one who kicks the field goals and kicks off to start the game, they are more involved.”

Flores will have to wait until next year for an opportunity to take the position of kicker.

It is currently held by senior Jesse Lemasters who shows no sign of losing his job anytime soon.

Though Maria Sharapova has no involvement with football whatsoever, it’s who Connor admires. “I think she’s pretty sexy,” Flores said with a grin; “She’s a great athlete, and she has the perfect attitude of a superstar player.”

Flores was pumped when he and his team took the field for the first time against Handley. 

Carter captains nine member dance team as sophomore

T

Emily Payne Sports Writer

he girls walked out to the middle of the gym like robots. Their eyes glued to their spot on the floor. Standing completely still, the music started. With their moves so in sync, it was almost entrancing to look at. Amber Carter was a fifth grader at the time and when the dancing was over, she had made up her mind. She was trying out for that team.

So, the summer before sixth grade,

she tried out and to her surprise, made it. She spent her first year of middle school being on a team with only seven other people. The year came to an end, but her career on the dance team did not.

She was the captain of the middle school dance team in her seventh and eighth grade years, but when her years in middle school were almost over and the high school was slowly creeping up, she did not quit.

She became a member of the HHS Dance Team in ninth grade and now in her tenth grade year, she is the first

sophomore to ever become captain of the HHS dance team. In the past years of the HHS Dance Team, the team members got to vote, but now it’s different. With only eight team members and few that have ever been on a dance team before, the team decided the captains by who had the most experience of being on the team.

“My ultimate goal was to become captain sometime in my high school career, but I never thought it would be this soon,” Carter said.

With a team of nine people it may seem like an easy job, especially with

Bianca Jerlinski, the second team captain, by her side, but there are definite hard times.

“We have no coach so we lead the team through practices, warm-ups, critique or help with learning dances, and overall help to hold the team together,” Carter said.

After all that hard work Carter can still have a smile on her face.

“I am proud of myself, like I said I didn’t think it would come this early, but since it has, I am happy,” Carter said. 

The Newsstreak

September 25, 2009

2009-10

HHS NEWSSTREAK

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Patrons are members of the Harrisonburg community and others who support the pursuit of excellence in the journalistic publications of Harrisonburg High School. Money generated from the patron program is used to offset costs of attending journalism conferences, to print our paper, and to purchase up-to-date technological equipment for our journalism lab. To become a patron, see any member of the Newsstreak Staff or stop by room 444. Patron level is determined by the following scale: HHS Patrons, $5; Blue Patrons, $10; Bronze Patrons, $15; Silver Patrons, $25; Gold Patrons, $50; and Newsstreak Super Sponsor, $100+.

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What’s New The Newsstreak

September 25, 2009

by Emily Jamieson and Rafiqa Haji

Working the Cash Register. Kelley Lorencki, Sophomore, takes a costomer’s order at her new job at Dairy Queen.

Locking it in. Freshman, Trevor Cockburn puts in his locker combination before heading to third block.

Hungry for History! Freshman Sam St. Ours gets ready for a new day of Moyers’ History Class.

Photo Essay B10

at HHS

Stike a Pose! Freshmen, Robby Ross, Sam St. Ours, and Lydia Hatfield goof around before Kirk Moyers’ World History Class.

Ross Takes A Tumble. Freshman, Robby Ross attempts a cartwheel before Mr. Moyers’ World History Class.

Smiles for Knowledge. Freshman Sarah Mongold cracks a smile before Mr. Moyers’ World History class.

Learning the Wellness. Freshman, Krystal Reyes works on classwork for Smith’s Nutrtion and Wellness Class.

Marking it Out. Math Teacher, Mike Fornecker grades papers at the end of the day.

Loving Art! Sophomore, David Love draws in his new visual journal for his Art Two class.

Get Ready to Learn!

New Family and Consumer Science teacher Bridget Smith settles the class down to get ready to learn about Nutrition and Wellness.

Reading it Up! Freshman, Jose Avila reads his textbook in Smith’s class.

Off to plot the battle. Members of the HHS football team return to the locker room after warm-ups prior to the Handley game.

Holler! Members of the Red Sea student section get excited during the first football game.

Let’s get crazy. Senior Patrick Toohey fires up the Red Sea.

D-Fence! Members of the Red Sea back their defense against the Judges.