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Harrisonburg High School • 1001 Garbers Church Road • Harrisonburg, VA 22801 • 540.433.2651 • Volume XC • Issue 1• September 27, 2013
Swartz announces winter musical at potluck dinner Luke Gibson Online Editor-in-chief
The main draw of the annual drama potluck tends not to be the large quantities of food, nor the dessert, for that matter. Instead, students, parents and patrons of the HHS Stagestreaks gather to hear the name of the winter musical. The announcements were lead by drama teacher Stanley Swartz “It’s lovely to see you guys greeting each other. I love that about theater, the community building that happens; I would encourage you to do everything in your power to contribute to that,” Swartz said to the crowd. United by the common love of performance, Stagestreaks is a community. Swartz’s address began after everyone had sampled the food available, which was provided by the event’s attendees. “We have a boosters committee who makes all of this happen,” Swartz said. He went on to introduce Jenny Burden as the current booster president as well as other respective members of the committee. A notable topic mentioned was the One Act’s achievements almost a year previous, which meant a high standard was expected to continue. “Obviously with winning a state championship last year, the pressure is on. We had a superb group of seniors, but we have a superb group of people who are still here. I’ve also seen and heard fabulous things about the freshmen. I think our tradition of excellence
ALL PHOTOS BY LUKE GIBSON
OKLAHOMA! Drama teacher Stanley Swartz announces the winter musical on September 3. Oklahoma! generated much excitement among the students and parents. Attendees enjoy a potluck style meal and good conversation.
See DRAMA on Page A2
Extended Key Club Boot Project helps Kenyan orphans Learning Time begins this fall Mia Karr Editor-in-chief
Brenna Cowardin Managing Editor This year, almost every Tues. and Wed., all students at HHS will get a study hall. That’s right, starting in October after the first interims go out, Wed. morning after first block students can get extra help on homework, attend a SOL remediation session, get caught up on work or get ahead. Assistant principal, Eric Sents was a core member of the group that got Extended Learning Time off the drawing boards and into the school day. “[ELT] is an opportunity for all students to work on either their academics or making up SOL tests based on need,” Sents said. “Some students will be directed to go work with a teacher based on their grades or needing to retake an SOL, other students will have a choice on how to utilize that time.”
See EXTENDED on Page A2
Class meetings kick off new school year Ellie Plass Style Editor
Class meetings at HHS mean only one thing. Summer is definitely over, and everyone is expected to be back into the swing of the school year. The meetings go over the old rules for the upperclassmen, and introduce them to the freshman. Every class goes, and everyone gets the same speech from the administration. This year there were a couple of big changes made to the rules and procedures of HHS. Principal Tracy Shaver said that the newest change made this year was the extended learning periods they are going to
See MEETINGS on Page A2
Hundreds of pairs of shoes walk through the doors of the HHS every day. The presence of shoes on feet is something completely expected. For the orphans of the Cura Village in Kenya, this is not the case. For two months out of the year, the ground is covered in cold mud, and many children have to walk barefoot to school. Yearbook adviser Mary Strickler and Key Club adviser Maurizio Antonnicola have teamed up to change this state of affairs. “You can’t even concentrate when you’re cold and wet,” Strickler said. She decided rain boots would be an affordable and effective option to help out. Over the summer, Antonnicola sent emails to the faculty asking them to “adopt” a child. Participating teachers bought a pair of rain boots and are going to fill them with either money or basic sup-
plies such as toiletries. Some teachers are asking their students to get involved with raising money, and some clubs have chosen to adopt as well. The children will receive their boots in November, in time for the rainy season, and pictures will be sent back to the classes that participated. Strickler is no stranger to Cura. Last year the yearbook staff worked to compile a
“Once you see their little faces, you have to help them...[and] boots are a very reasonable thing you can buy.” -Mary Strickler, Yearbook Advisor
yearbook for the orphaned children, some of whom had never before seen their picture. This village in particular is special, because while there is a stigma surrounding orphans elsewhere in Kenya, Cura had welcomed many orphaned children who have lost their parents to AIDS. “Once you see their little faces, you have to help them,” Strickler said. She is eager to include the whole school in a project that was as successful as last year. “Even my most basic needy [students] took great pleasure in buying something for someone who needed more than they did,” Strickler said. “Boots are a very reasonable thing you can buy.” History teacher Cara Walton decided to purchase a pair of boots for a Kenyan boy. She chose a rocket pattern that she thought would be a “universal boy theme.” “I feel like it helps bring awareness to how much we have and how little other people have,” Walton said. “I think a lot of Americans are ignorant of that.”
Corriston teaching new dance class after lifelong interest Sydney Little Online Editor-in-chief Amber Corriston’s new dance class is among the many new classes being added to the curriculum for the new school year. There are two levels of classes during third block, but both primarily focus on understanding movement. This can be explained through certain elements of dance, such as rhythm, speed and force. Other than physically dancing, the students learn the history, terminology, and anatomy of dance. Throughout the year students will move through the different genre’s of dance; jazz, modern, ballet, world dance, and musical theater.
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Corriston began dancing at age three and continued through her high school years in Bellevue, Washington. Once in high school, Corriston served as a teacher’s assistant to her mentor Elizabeth Lanning. This included teaching a few classes of her own. After high school, Corriston planned to go to the University of Washington, where she studied engineering. “During my freshman year, I won Miss Washington, 1995. This was through the Miss America Scholarship Organization, which ended up paying for all of my tuition in college. I also had the opportunity to spend much of my freshman year as a motivational speaker in public schools around Washington
See DANCE on Page A2
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PHOTO BY CELIA EHRENPREIS
KEEPING RHYTHM. Students compose original dances while studying a unit on medieval and court dancing.
Coming Up Musical audition coverage Fall sports coverage One Act coverage Fall TV show reviews Clubs news Halloween around the ‘Burg Local election coverage Winter sports previews: indoor track, swimming, basketball, and more.
September 27, 2013
News Briefs
The
Newsstreak
Oklahoma announced as winter musical DRAMA from A1
PSAT Students in ninth, tenth, or eleventh grade who have taken Algebra II or are currently in Algebra II are eligible to take this test. High-scoring juniors can qualify to be National Merit Scholars. The test is free and will be administered on Oct.16. COLLEGE NIGHT HHS is hosting College Night Plus on Thursday, Oct. 3, from 6:30 to 8:30 at the JMU Convocation Center. Over 90 colleges will be in attendance. UVA ENGINEERING PROGRAM The Society of Women Engineers at the University of Virginia is inviting female seniors to apply for a place in their High School Visitation Program, which will take place on Nov. 9. The program gives women a look at UVA’s engineering program through informative speakers and hands-on activities. Applications are available in the counseling center and must be mailed in by Oct. 11. JEFFERSON SCHOLARS PROGRAM Applications are now available in the counseling center for the Jefferson scholars program. The program includes a full scholarship to UVA as well as other enrichment activities. Applicants should exhibit academic excellence, leadership ability, and responsible citizenship. Applications are due to Rachel Linden by Oct. 7 ASVAB HHS will be administering this test on Oct. 8. Interested students can sign up in the counseling office.
Class meetings reinforce school rules MEETINGS from A1 begin offering. “I think it will give students the opportunity to get the help they may need. Some students can’t or won’t come after school, so having it built into the day will help a lot of people,” Shaver said. The periods are essentially study halls for all students twice a week, starting in October. If a student has anything lower than a C in a class, they will be required to go to a remediation session for that subject. However, students with passing grades are permitted to use the time however they want. One thing that has been widely discussed amongst the student body is the sudden reinforcing of the “shoulder rule”. This refers to the administration implementing a rule that everyone’s shoulders must be covered by clothing. “This is not a change, it’s a clarification. We noticed that at the end of last year students weren’t dressing appropriately for school. There is a time and place to wear certain things, and school is sometimes not that place,” Shaver said. So far the staff hasn’t had too many problems with students breaking the rule. For a first offence, the only punishment is a clothing change. “We have had to call a couple of parents to notify them of the problem,” Shaver said. For the HHS seniors, class meetings are a thing of habit. They know most of the rules, making the time spent in them largely a formality. However, for the incoming freshman, everything is new. “We present everything in the same way, but we go more into specifics with the freshman than we do with the seniors,” Shaver said.
NEWS- A2
can continue,” Swartz said. Harrisonburg will once again be hosting the preliminary stage of the competition this year, now referred to as ‘conference’ level. Swartz skimmed through events that could be expected in the upcoming school year, which followed a close format to the previous. “In the spring we offer our spring play and we also have Spring Arts showcase. We deliberately have the schedule arranged, both in terms of schedules and auditions, so that it is very possible for you to be in the spring play and in the spring arts show,” Swartz said. It was evident however, that the highlight of the evening was the announcement of the musical. “This year, one of the problems with the musical is that we have district band on our stage ten days before the show, so that has gone into my factoring of what show we do. I look for shows that I think we can do very well. I look for shows that have lots of different roles for lots of guys and girls because we have so much talent,” Swartz said. A quick check of the clock showed it was 6:59. With this, he begins his reveal, but not before playfully throwing out clues that this year’s musical would be ‘Oklahoma!’ “The show is set in 1906. It is a musical which is based on a play. It has been done here before. It is one of the most famous musicals, it has historical significance. We did it at the high school 13 years ago,” Swartz said. The crowd could be heard recounting previous years among each other. “It is the only show which is named after a state.” For those that didn’t already know at this point, the answer had soon spread to all ends of the room. Junior Phoebe Copeland is typically the musical’s stage manager, but was unaware of the show up until this point. “I had no idea. He only told me about the minimal set because of the district band conflict,” Copeland said. For students hoping to be cast, they must perform a
monologue as well as a song from the show when auditions take place in November. However, even those not interested in appearing on stage still have preparations to make.
“For me, there won’t be much to do until auditions, but I’ll have to familiarize myself with the show, watch the movie version, and listen to some of the songs,” Copeland said.
PHOTOS BY LUKE GIBSON
SHOW BIZ. Junior stage manager Phoebe Copeland discusses the announcement of Oklahoma! as the winter musical with one of the attending parents.
LAUGH OUT LOUD. Senior Jason Tran enjoys a chuckle during the drama potluck on Sept. 6.
Journalism staff members celebrate Constitution Day Mia Karr Editor-in-Chief Local retailers may have begun stocking up for Halloween, but another little-celebrated fall holiday was recognized by the journalism students of HHS: Constitution Day. Constitution Day is observed on Sept. 17, the day the U.S. Constitutional Convention signed the Constitution in 1787. The holiday was established in 2004, and all schools receiving federal funds must observe it in some way, as mandated by the United States Department of Education. For journalism students, this meant
wearing hunter green T-shirts emblazoned with the first 45 words of the Bill of Rights. The Bill of Rights is especially pertinent to journalism, because it guarantees freedom of the press. The Newsstreak also hosted a contest on Twitter to see who could name the five freedoms in the first amendment of the Bill of Rights. Senior Deborah Halpern was the first student to respond. Her prize was a Constitution Day T-shirt. During fourth block, Newsstreak members handed out T-shirts to the first student in several classrooms who could name the five freedoms. Overall, it was a day of celebration for American schools.
ELT hopes to improve grades EXTENDED from A1 school’s needs are. We pulled from each of
Last year, the administration began on the road to what we now call Extended Learning Time by using time during the regular school day to set up review sessions for students who needed to retake SOLs. This was especially important for seniors, who got to their senior year with the necessary credits, but were missing the SOL verification needed to graduate. “We pulled students out of classes and pulled teachers from their planning time to remediate students, and it presented a lot of challenges, but we also saw that this idea might work,” Sents said. That was the beginning. In February of last year a committee started meeting with a teacher from each department. “We did some research, went to some different school divisions and talked with a lot of other schools before coming up with our current version of the plan,” Sents said. HHS isn’t the only school adapting “study hall” to fit their student population. “[ELT] is something that’s growing in popularity,” Sents said. “It looks different in different schools, depending on what the
those schools the different pieces that we thought would be best for HHS.” Even though they plan on starting with a singular study focus, Sents hopes that ELT will eventually offer many choices of activity. “We’re moving forward with mindset of starting small with the narrow focus of SOLs and classroom performance right now, but hope down the road that we can expand the offerings during ELT,” Sents said. For instance, Sents mentioned integrating clubs into the school day, working with students on SAT prep and filling out college and job applications and finally asking teachers about any enrichment opportunities they’d like to offer. Sents is looking forward to seeing the program begin. “I’m just excited to get it off the ground. What makes me optimistic is that both students and teachers recognize the need for this, and that people think this could be a benefit to the high school,” Sents said. “I’m looking forward to what the future holds.”
Dance classes introduced DANCE from A1 life if that’s where my path lead,” Corriston state,” Corriston said. After spending most of her freshman year as a motivational speaker, Corriston decided to double major in dance and communications. “From that experience, I decided that I really wanted to be in the classroom working with students of all ages and I figured I could always pursue engineering later in
said. After college, Corriston traveled to New York City, Connecticut, and then back to Seattle again. Throughout her experiences, Corriston has taken classes, directed programs for studios, and taught her own classes. “I have done a bit of performing, but I always come back to teaching because I love it,” Corriston said.
Don’t miss the 2013 Homecoming Dance A Red Carpet Affair Tickets Available TODAY in room 444 $12 per person
Q&A with SCA President Jacob Byrd Sarah Scribano News Editor 1. As the SCA President, what are you the most excited for in the upcoming year? “I’m most excited to get as many students from the school involved as possible. It would be really neat to see the Red Sea have hundreds of kids at all kinds of sporting events.” 2. Do you have any plans that you think will really benefit the school? “Yes, all the things we are working on will bring the student body and school together. We are very diverse at Harrisonburg and we want to celebrate that as one.” 3. Why did you want to become the President of the SCA? “I’ve always enjoyed being on SCA. I was the reporter as a sophomore, treasurer last year, and it was just the next rung of the ladder.” 4. What do you enjoy about being in the SCA? “I love watching a plan come together after putting a lot of hard work into it.” 5. Does it take a lot of work to be in your position? “It has been more work this year than in years past, but that was expected. Depending on the night I could do anywhere from five minutes of SCA stuff to two hours.” 6. Do you ever find it stressful? “Planning homecoming has been somewhat stressful just because of how soon in the year it is, but the council spent hours with SCA adviser Valerie Kibler before the school year started, making plans and beginning to put them into action.” 7. How do you want to make a difference in this school? “I want to leave a model for years to come on how to bring the student body together and support fellow classmates in all their activities.” 8. Do you have any plans to reach out into the community? “I’m working with Mr. Wilson on making potential partnerships with businesses in the community to sponsor the Red Sea.”
September 27, 2013
The
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NEWS A3
Blue Streak Nation welcomes new teachers Stephen Lotts
Julian Dean
Colin Beers
Sara Gingras
Where did you go to college? James Madison University Subject you teach: History What do you do in your free time?(Hobbies) I read comic books and play video games. What did you want to be in high school? Oceanographer or archeologist The most frequently played song or band played on your ipod: I’ve been listening to Rob Zombie. The last book you read: “A Wise Man’s Fear”. What is the last concert you attended? Flogging Molly The best Christmas/ birthday present you have received: An iPad. If you could be on any reality show, what would it be? Fear Factor or Get Out Alive What is your least favorite part of teaching? Grading papers The coolest place you have visited: Everglades Hidden talent: Artist Guilty Pleasure: Old 1980’s Sci-Fi movies Describe yourself in one word: Awesome
Where did you go to college? WVU for undergraduate, Rowan, NJ for graduate and currently at JMU Subject you teach: BSA English What do you do in your free time?(Hobbies) Hiking, reading, writing and practicing archery What did you want to be in high school? A cop Previous Jobs: Instructor at a Police Academy and a lifeguard The most frequently played song or band played on your ipod: Wait So Long - Trampled by Turtles The last book you read: Paradise Lost by John Milton What is the last concert you attended? Floyd Fest The best Christmas/ birthday present you have received: Books of Norse Mythology If you could be on any reality show, what would it be? Get Out Alive because I’d get out alive. The coolest place you have visited: New Gange - Prehistoric Ireland Hidden talent: Play bagpipes Describe yourself in one word: Uncivilized Who’s your role model? James Joyce Infographic by Anna Dick
What college did you go to? Houghton College (4 years) and Ohio State (8 years of night school and online classes) Subject you teach: Biology and Anatomy Years of experience: Eight in the USA and two in China The most frequently played song or band played on your ipod: Pour Some Sugar On Me by Def Leppard The last book you read: The Bible What is the last concert you attended? Chinese cultural concert in Hong Kong The best Christmas/ birthday present you have received: A leather jacket from my parents. If you could be on any reality show, what would it be? The Amazing Grace What is your least favorite part of teaching? When students don’t want to learn. The coolest place you have visited: Venice, Italy Hidden talent: Ventriloquist Guilty pleasure: I will occasionally watch Glee. Describe yourself in one word: Passionate Who’s your role model? Dad
Where did you go to college? Keene state college in Keene New Hampshire. Graduated in western New England University. Subject you teach: Literacy Enrichment 9th and 10th grade What would your last meal be? A little of everything with apiece of chocolate cake. The most frequently played song or band played on your ipod: Baby music The last book you read: Of Mice and Men What is the last concert you attended? Dave Mathews Band The best Christmas/ birthday present you have received: An engagement ring. If you could be on any reality show, what would it be? Amazing grace because I like to travel. What is your least favorite part of teaching? Having to give students consequences The coolest place you have visited: Parent’s house Hidden talent: Field Hockey Describe yourself in one word: Short Who’s your role model? My Grandmother.
Infographic by Ella Marian
Infographic by Kathryn Hall
Aaron Cosner
Barbara Eye
Heather Hostetter
Adam Benson
Where did you go to college? I went to Bridgewater College and also to Liberty University. Subject you teach: I teach English and have also taught AVID in previous years. What did you want to be in high school? I wanted to be a carpenter, build houses and also to be a blue collar like my father. **Blue collar is when you are doing physical labor instead of sitting in an office all day. What do you do in your free time?(Hobbies) I run, spend time with my family (wife and little boy), go camping and also do graphic design. If you could be on any reality show, what would it be? Duck Dynasty because that way I would have an excuse not to shave or trim my beard. The coolest place you have visited: Oxford, England. Hidden talent: I am a pretty amazing guitar player. Guilty pleasures: My wife and I have seen The Office series three times. We say we’re going to watch one episode, but end up watching three or four and end up going to bed late. Describe yourself in one word: Introspective. Who’s your role model? C.S. Lewis.
Where did you go to college? Bridgewater College Subject you teach: Now I’m an instructional coach, but I used to teach language and literature. What do you do in your free time?(Hobbies) I like to read, which is a pretty boring hobby. I’m a total foodie. I will drive hours for a good dinner. The last book you read: I can’t remember! I love to read, but I never have time to. The best christmas/ birthday present you have received: I consider my children to be the best presents I ever received. If you could be on any reality show, what would it be? No one would want to see me on a reality show. I’d be voted off immediately. What is your least favorite part of teaching? Grading. I would much rather have conferences with students about what they have mastered and what they still need to work on. I don’t like to assign grades. The coolest place you have visited: Jerusalem--great food there!! Hidden talent: I can speak some Chinese Guilty Pleasure: Old superhero cartoons on Netflix. They relax me. Describe yourself in one word: Spirited!
What college did you go to? Radford University Subject you teach: English Years of experience: First Year Teaching What do you do in your free time?(Hobbies) Reading, dancing, and hanging out with friends. What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think about high school? Having a good time and Friday night football games. **She is an alumni of HHS and was part of the first class to spend all four years at the new high school. What is your least favorite part of teaching? I love to read my students’ work, but not having mountains of papers to grade. The coolest place you have visited: London, England and Santorini, Greece Hidden talent: I’m very good at finding four leaf clovers. I have found at least thirty. Guilty pleasure: TV Shows - There are certain ones that I have to watch every night even if I’m grading. Describe yourself in one word: Strong Who’s your role model? My mother. Infographic by Sarah Scribano
Where did you go to college? I went to California University of Pennsylvania. Subject you teach: I teach tech-ed, Broadcasting and STEM. What do you do in your free time?(Hobbies) I enjoy anything outdoors, woodworking and photography. What did you want to be in high school? I wanted to be a fighter pilot, but I was too tall. Previous Jobs: I detailed cars, worked on a farm, did landscaping, construction and poured concrete. What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think about high school? Fun. I had a good time in high school. It was the Good Ol’ Times. What is the last concert you attended? A Blake Shelton concert in the First Niagara Pavillion in Burgettstown, Pennsylvania. If you could be on any reality show, what would it be? Duck Dynasty because it is awesome and because of Uncle Si. The coolest place you have visited: The St. Louis Arch was pretty cool. The Grand Canyon was cool also. Who’s your role model? My grandfather because he is everything that I wanted to be.
Infographic by Isabelle Burden
Infographic by Maria Delgado
Infographic by Remiel Marrero
Infographic by Austin Engle
Raymond Stubblefield
James Phillips
James Bywater
Danae Delozier
Where did you go to college? University of Te n n e s s e e , Knoxville Subject you teach: Earth Science Years of experience: 33 years What do you do in your free time?(Hobbies) Ski and Bike What did you want to be in high school? Forest Ranger Previous Jobs: Construction What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think about high school? Change What would be your last meal? Breakfast The most frequently played song or band played on your ipod: Over the Rainbow The last book you read: 1984 What is the last concert you attended? Ana Popovic The best christmas/ birthday present you have received: A Bike The coolest place you have visited: Portillo, Chile Hidden talent: Music Describe yourself in one word: Tall
Where did you go to college? North Carolina school of Arts Subject you teach: ESL What do you do in your free time?(Hobbies) Things with technology, computers, radios, and games. What did you want to be in high school? Archeologist What would your last meal be? Macaroni and Cheese The most frequently played song or band played on your ipod: Hoyesados The last book you read: Inferno What is the last concert you attended? Elvis Concert The best christmas/ birthday present you have received: Handmade scarf from daughter If you could be on any reality show, what would it be? Dancing with the Stars What is your least favorite part of teaching? Grading The coolest place you have visited: Grand Canyon Hidden talent: Dancing, electronics and technology Describe yourself in one word: Curious Who’s your role model? Ben Franklin
Where did you go to college? Oxford University Subject you teach: Math What do you do in your free time? (Hobbies) I have two kids so they take up most of my free time. What did you want to do in high school? Physicist Previous jobs: Microchip Manufacturer at H&M What would your last meal be? An Indian dish What is the most frequently played song or band played on your ipod? Something off of the Decemberists album The last book you read: Hunger Games What is the last concert you attended? Lupe Fiasco If you could be on a reality show, what would it be? I’d be on one of those cooking shows because I like to cook, like the one with the guy that yells a lot. The coolest place you have visited? Vietnam Guilty pleasure: Very salty salt and vinegar chips Who is your role model? Parents
Where did you go to college? Slippery Rock University Subject you teach: Reading What do you do in your free time?(Hobbies) Reading, Hiking, and Swimming The most frequently played song or band played on your ipod: American Pie The last book you read: Life of Pi What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think about high school? Playing Sports What is your least favorte part of teaching? Grading If you could be on any reality show, what would it be? Any cooking show The coolest place you have visited: Greece Hidden Talents: The voice of Gollum from Lord of the Rings. Guilty Pleasures: I love bad Sci-Fi movies Describe yourself in one word: Creative Who’s your role model? The teachers I work with.
Infographic by Benjamin Willis
Infographic by Bulberto Torres-Cruz
Infographic by Austin Swift
Infographic by Sarah Scribano
September 27, 2013
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The Harrisonburg High School Newsstreak The Policy The Newsstreak is published by the students of Harrisonburg High School every month. Reproduction of any material from the newspaper is prohibited without the written permission from the editorial board. Advertising rates are available upon request. It is the policy of the Harrisonburg City Public School Board to comply with all applicable state and federal laws regarding non-discrimination in employment and educational programs and services. The Harrisonburg High School City Public Schools will not discriminate illegally on the basis of sex, race, religion, national origin, disability or age as to employment or educational programs and activities. Editorials appearing without a byline represent the majority opinion of the staff, but not necessarily the opinion of the adviser, school administration, or the school system. Signed editorials are accepted from people on the staff, but are subject to editing according to published guidelines and policies. Editorials may be edited for special reasons. Letters to the editor are encouraged and must be signed and a telephone number must be given. Names may be withheld if the editorial board feels there is a just cause. The Newsstreak reserves the right to edit and may refuse to publish ads or letters deemed inappropriate, libelous, or obscene. Please drop your letter by room 444 or give them to any staff member. Letters may also be sent to the high school. The Editors and Staff Editors-in-Chief: Print: Celia Ehrenpreis, Mia Karr Online: Luke Gibson, Sydney Little, Rafael Snell-Feikema, Fernando Gamboa Managing Editors: Brenna Cowardin (print) and Isabelle Burden (online) Advertising Managers: Austin Coffey and Joshua Byrd Photographers: Ava Reynolds, Luke Gibson Videographers: Jake McDaniel and Aubtin Heydari Staff Reporters: John Earle, Julexus Cappell, Victoria Giron, Joshua Byrd, Austin Swift, Ellie Plass, Brenna Cowardin, Luke Gibson, Alexis Dickerson, Nishat Jamil, Faith Runnells, Maria Delgado, Pablo Pacheco, Sarah Scribano, Ali Baapir, Danny Dombowski, Hunter Manzano, Jacob McDaniel, Cathryn Hall, Claudio Hernandez, Bulberto Torres-Cruz, Austin Engle, Aubtin Heydari, Ella Marian, Ben Willis, Ariel Vogel, Garrett Thompson, Jessica Nguyen and Ava Reynolds. Professional Affiliations The Newsstreak participates as a member of several journalistic evaluation services including the Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA2010 Gold Evaluation and 2005 & 2009 Silver Crown Winner), Quill&Scroll Journalism Honor Society (2012 Gallup Award), National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA) All-American, the Virginia High School League, Inc. Trophy Class Award, and the Southern Interscholastic Press Association All Southern Ranking and 2010 Scroggins Award winner. 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.
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Op/Ed--A5 A5 NEWS
ELT will help with students‘ work load NEWSSTREAK STAFF EDITORIAL Freedom during the school day seemed like an unattainable dream last school year. The concept that students could have 50 minutes twice a week to do whatever they wanted would have seemed preposterous. But despite our doubts, that is exactly what will happen this Oct., with the introduction of Extended Learning Time. This privilege will only be offered to those who have at least C’s in all their classes. They can use the time as a study block amongst other activities. The administration hopes to bring in speakers, set up activities, and other fun activities for C or higher students. During this time students with D’s and F’s must go to remediation in the subject(s) they are not passing. The idea came to
be when the administration realized that the majority of students with low grades could not stay after school for the offered extra help because they had no way of getting home, or had other after school activities. This way students will be able to receive the help they need, but not have it conflict with after school. There are still a fair number of unanswered questions about ELT. Will this take the place of club day? What activities will be offered for students with grades above a C? How will the administration make sure all the students are in the correct place? These questions and more will have to wait to be answered come Oct. Some Newsstreak staff members are concerned that students will not use this time productively; that students will mess around and get nothing done. Overall the Newsstreak staff-
believes that ELT will have a positive effect on the halls of HHS. This will be a strong incentive to help raise students’ grades. Students will work harder to achieve good grades if they are working towards a goal. They will also
work hard to maintain high marks if it means having 50 minutes of free time to do what they please. Schools across Virginia have implemented this program with successful results and HHS is hopeful to experience the same outcome.
WHAT IS THE STAFF EDITORIAL? The unsigned staff editorial appears in each issue and reflects the majority opinion of the Newsstreak Staff Editorial Board. The Editorial Board is comprised of all editorsin-chief, page editors, advertising managers, photographers and selected freshman journalism students. In no way does our opinion reflect that of the school system or the administration.
THE ACTUAL VOTE In a 13-4 vote the board voted to support extended learning time. Members of the board who disagree with extended learning time, are against because there are no study halls built into the schedule this year.
Road to obtaining drivers license can be bumpy The path to getmy peers were born ting my license was knowing you can take a rocky road. (Pun a left on red from a completely intendone-way to a oneed.) Now that I’ve way and daydreambeen a licensed driving about four way er for a few months, I intersections while feel I can reflect back sucking on their liton my journey withtle baby thumbs. At The Mia out being too pained least that’s the way by the memory of Perspective it seemed to me. I my traumatic experishiver to think what ences. would have happened if I had I got off to a bad start. Since I driven home from the DMV after turned 16 last Oct., I could have getting my permit, like so many gotten my permit well before the others. end of freshman year. Instead, I So, in those early driving days, procrastinated. Although I regret- my self-esteem was crushed as ted it, it probably wasn’t a horrible surely as my body nearly was after idea because I was barely ready to a great miscalculation while trying drive when I finally stopped being to change lanes. It didn’t help that lazy and took the test. the very first time I went driving a For whatever reason, I was couple of jerks noticed how inexkind of terrible. It seems a lot of perienced I was and sped past me
as I was trying to make a very legal left turn. I know, people are mean, and it happens. But there is still a slight possibility that I may have, um, cried about it. I also got sidetracked for a few months after it got cold, I got busy and I almost hit my neighbor’s car. Just when it seemed I was destined to spend my life as a licenseless, incompetent, embarrassment of a person, I started to get serious about learning how to drive and stopped sucking so badly. The last thing standing between me and my long overdue license was Behind the Wheel. It really wasn’t that bad and Mr. Supko was a great teacher- the one time I was driving on the wrong side of the road (more understandable than it sounds given the location, I promise) he let me correct it and only calmly reminded me we were
in America. So, licensed at last! Of course I still have a lot to learn- we won’t even get into my ongoing battle with parking. However, I struggled with something and then got better at it and reached my goal, and if that isn’t the plot of basically any movie I don’t know what is. I’m writing this column so that some sophomore who is as driving-challenged as I was can know there’s someone else who had to continually remind themselves which was the break for the first month. While their friends are exchanging stories of driving on the interstate in pouring rain while blindfolded and knitting a sweater, they can know it doesn’t take a superb amount of skill to eventually get your license.
Junior year can be toughest one of them all “Junior year is like am I the only one the Thursday night of thinking of all of high school.” this? Maybe it’s too Jenna Hamilton early, but I’ve al(Ashley Rickard, ways been the perMTV’S Awkward) son to be prepared could not have said it early, whether it be better in my opinion. getting to school 30 Being in the eleventh minutes before first Just Julexus bell, or now. grade is like waiting to say ‘TGIF’ after a long week, and Like, high school is stressful I’ve only been a junior for a couple enough with friends, extracurof weeks. riculars, working, driving etc. Now I mean, do I pick out a corsage junior year just seems to add to or an SAT book? Where will I ap- the mix. AP’s and Dual Enrollment ply to college and will my GPA be classes? It’s a whole new world. I good enough? These are just had never taken anything higher some of things I’ve been thinking than an honors course, so it might about. just be me on that one. I also can’t help but wonder, Where will I go to college? I
don’t even know what I want for dinner tonight. College will be such a tough decision, I mean this will be my home for four years after high school. Do I look at purely academics, or that AND campus life? Do I want to be in a rural or urban area? Will I even stay in Virginia? College tours will be a necessity, but what if my mom tries to force me into a place I’m not feeling? I guess I’ll cross that bridge when I get there. Standardized testing for college, high level classes, homework every single day of the week. Junior year will be strenuous. But, above all, we all need to remember that this is the best time of our lives. I know it sounds a little
ridiculous after that mini rant I just had, but seriously. Things will NOT be the same after high school. I have no bills, my mom gets my food, and pays for everything. When I was in elementary school, all I could think about was growing up. I dreamt of a time when I could finally be an adult. Now here I am, 16 years old thinking about how awesome it is to be a teenager. I get treated like an adult but I don’t have the same responsibilities (not quite yet). My point is even with all the chaos of junior year, I can still sit back and recognize how lucky I am; even with all this school work.
Reality TV is completely overrated these days When MTV’S The girl’s quest to win Real World debuted just one beauty in 1992, it created an pageant has been entirely new format broadcast into the of entertainment. It living room of famigave millions of TV lies across the naviewers the opportion and everyone’s tunity to get their favorite Italians weekly fix on the moved to the Jersey latest happenings in Shore. American pop culI find reality teleture. vision to be absurd. Gabbin’ With I will admit Since then TLC, that evGarrett the E! Network and ery Sunday evening MTV have been pioat nine I like to sit in neers in the business of reality the recliner and watch the most television. Their easily relatable famous Armenians in the world shows about the average Ameri- deal with everyday issues like can family such as the Kardashi- whether or not their home in Old ans have captured the hearts of Town Calabasas is big enough. people around the globe. A little As a socially conscious Ameri-
can citizen, I plea to the big shots in the entertainment world to reconsider the reality television business. For people in some parts of the world, shows like The Jersey Shore are their only glimpse into American culture, and they are furthest from the truth. I don’t know about you, but I am not a “Guido” nor do I think I want to be. Don’t get me wrong, reality TV is entertaining. The only problem is it isn’t very realistic. You can’t spell realistic without real and it isn’t real if it’s Honey Boo Boo. The worst part is that these people who are exploited for pure entertainment value have now become important parts in pop culture. Their names will forever
go down as great American entertainers. I mean there are so many talented people with actual ideas who work their whole lives to be as recognized as Kim Kardashian and all she had to do was have an adult film scandal. If it’s that easy nowadays to land a TV gig, then I’ll call up Mila Kunis right now. The fact of the matter is, calling The Real Housewives of Orange County reality TV is like calling Star Wars historical non-fiction, which for obvious reasons, is not categorized as such. We need to work on our labelling issues here in the U.S. because if we don’t, a documentary on Momma June will end up on the History Channel and ain’t nobody got time fo’ that.
Let your voice be heard! Send your letter to the editor to the Newsstreak.
September 27, 2013
HOT
The
One Direction debuted their first movie, about life as pop stars called This Is Us, first overseas then in America.
Tony Award winning singer Patti LuPone will be performing at the JMU Forbes Performing Arts Center on Sept. 28.
Football/Homecoming Friday Night Lights are back! Our homecoming game will be against Fort Defiance Sept. 27 and the following day is the dance.
Justin Timberlake JT is back on top with his recent VMA award for Video of the Year for his song “Mirrors”.
NSYNC Reunited Late 90s-early 2000s boy band NSYNC is back together and a possible reunion tour is in the works.
Robin Thicke R & B singer Robin Thicke is back in the spotlight for the catchy hit “Blurred Lines” featuring T.I.
High-waisted shorts The 80s fashion is back in this season with high-waisted shorts.
Easton Corbin & OCM Show Classic Country band Old Crow Medicine Show performed at the Rockingham County Fair [original singers of “Wagon Wheel”], as well as country star Easton Corbin.
Delay Tactics
Rafael Snell-Feikema Online Editor-in-chief By now, we are more than eight months into Obama’s second term - the term in which he was supposed to start making progress and resist appeasing the Republicans. And yet Obama has continued to do very, very little. Among his list of non-accomplishments are the issues of gun control, the budget, and immigration reform. Granted, these are probably flexible issues in Obama’s mind. He has to compromise occasionally to be able to pass later reforms. But the one thing that most people would agree is not compromisable is the future of our children. Obama would certainly agree. “...For the sake of our children and our future, we must do more to combat climate change …The fact is, the 12 hottest years on record have all come in the last 15. Heat waves, droughts, wildfires, and floods – all are now more frequent and intense. We can choose to believe that Superstorm Sandy, and the most severe drought in decades, and the worst wildfires some states have ever seen were all just a freak coincidence. Or we can choose to believe in the overwhelming
AP Pyschology is now offered as an actual class, not just online, taught by Mark Healy.
Ashton Kutcher
NOT Miley Cyrus twerking Miley Cyrus received negative reviews for her provocative performance at the 2013 Video Music Awards. “No Shoulder” rule HHS administration has gotten rid of the “finger width” rule and replaced it with no visible shoulders at all.
Celia Ehrenpreis Editor-in-chief School is back in session and a number of changes have come along with it. One of the most important adjustments is the switch to a 10-point grading scale. This has replaced the 7-point scale HHS originally had, making it easier for students to pass their classes. I am in full support of this decision. Those extra three points may not seem to make that
Conflict in Syria Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad uses chemical warfare against his own people. Obama announced Congress will decide whether or not to get involved.
Tilted Kilt Harrisonburg’s new Irish pub Tilted Kilt receives mostly negative reviews because of employees’ revealing outfits.
Messed up schedules While some students got all the classes they requested, others were left with empty blocks. The cut off for schedule change was Sept. 3.
Applying to colleges This fall is crunch time for seniors as they decide what colleges to apply to. College night is Oct.2 at JMU Convo.
Tony Soprano died James Gandolfini, better known for his character Tony Soprano in The Sopranos passed away at the age of 51.
Thrill Kill in Oklahoma Three Oklahoma teens gun down collegiate baseball player Chris Lane, of Australia, in a random attack.
North West Rapper Kanye West and reality T.V star Kim Kardashian welcomed baby North West and revealed the picture on Kris Jenner’s talk show.
Conflict in Eygpt Egyptians have taken to demonstrating in the streets again to protest their government. Several protestors have died.
Cory Monteith died Glee star Cory Monteith found dead from drug overdose at the age of 31.
judgment of science – and act before it’s too late,” Obama said in his Feb. 12 State of the Union address. And yet on the massive issue of the Keystone pipeline - the issue that drew 40,000 people to Washington D.C. earlier this year - the Obama administration has been bizarrely uncommitted. Practically no statements have been made by the administration - and it’s not as if this is an unimportant issue. Once again, it seems Obama is using the calculus of a moderate: weighing menial, temporary jobs against the very future of our world. It’s a serious issue. Oil pipelines are environmental catastrophies waiting to happen, and the Keystone pipeline is particularly dangerous in that even its revised route is dangerously close to the Ogallala aquifer, one of the largest sources of unfrozen freshwater in the entire world. The accused instability of such projects was given a tangible example in late March, when Exxon’s Pegasus pipeline burst near Mayflower, Arkansas, spilling thousands of gallons of oil and forcing the evacuation of twenty-two homes. The risk isn’t just poisoning via oil: governmental regulations protect the chemicals used in tar sand oil production as “trade secrets” and some of these chemicals, even in incredibly low concentrations, can render water unfit for consumption. Perhaps more devastating is the market effect of the pipeline; its construction will make profitable the extremely devastating practice of tar sand oil extraction. Take a tract of beautiful, di-
verse boreal forest and strip it, dig up the very ground, and then poison it with a thousand chemicals. Furthermore, tar sand oil production is up to 22% more polluting than traditional oil production. Its production, then, represents the progression of the fossil fuel industry into the exploitation of secondary oil resources, which require magnitudes more damaging extraction efforts and would authorize continued growth in our unsustainable use of fossil fuels. Stopping the Keystone pipeline would present a significant barrier to this horrifying development. Obviously, these environmental risks far outweigh the menial job benefits. The environment is our home, our future, and one of few redemptions. Jobs can be created elsewhere (green jobs, for instance…), but the environment can never be reconstructed. Our infrastructure projects should focus on progression, not regression again into polluting and destroying our environment. Again and again, the Obama administration has delayed their response, and this is unacceptable. On the issue of the Keystone pipeline it is obvious that not only Obama should decline authorization of the bill, but also that he should publicly denounce the practice implied. If Obama is really in any capacity a liberal, which I very much doubt after the PRISM scandal and his proposed entry into Syria, he will reject this legislation. We will see what comes, and so will the future inhabitants of our country and our earth.
10 point grading scale will be more fitting
AP Psychology
Ashton Kutcher’s Kid’s Choice Award speech on individualism was extremely motivational to our generation.
OP/ED A6
Obama should focus on more pressing issues
1D Movie
Patti LuPone @ JMU
Newsstreak
much of a difference, but when I received a 92.4 in a class and was forced to settle for a B, they certainly mattered to me. A 10-point scale will allow the student body to relax a little, and not be as stressed about their grades. HHS switched to the new scale to become more consistent with the other speciality schools in the area. Massanutten Regional Governor’s School and Massanutten Technical Center are both operating on a 10-point scale. HHS, however was still on a 7-point scale, giving students who attended both programs
lower grades because of the grading system. Now all of the schools have the same scale, eliminating confusion and annoyance. Senior Alex Conis is excited, but skeptical
about the switch. “It will definitely be more convenient. Although I know some of the teachers are planning to change the way they grade. They might grade fewer assignments, or grade on a harder level,” Conis said. Senior Sara Shenk-Moreno is also happy with the switch. “Classes will be on the same level as Dual Enrollment classes now. That’ll be a nice change,” Shenk-Moreno said. The actual success of the system is yet to be determined. Report cards go home in early October.
NEW GRADING SCALE @ HHS 90%-100% : A 80-%-89% : B 70%-79% : C 60%-69% : D 59%- below : FAILING
Read, Write, and True
High school kids should plan for retirement Joshua Byrd Op/Ed Editor Over the summer many high school students had jobs, and some will continue working throughout the school year. When I received my first paycheck, I noticed there was a tax receipt on the bottom. I was surprised by the amount of money taken. The takers were the federal government, state government, social security and Medicare. The biggest taker of the four was social security. I am already starting to think about retirement at age 15. We all should because without major reforms in our social security and entitlement programs these programs won’t exist for us when we need them. According to CNN Money reports, “The government’s official position is that there is enough money saved to pay benefits at the currently scheduled amounts until 2041.” In 2041, I will be 43 years old and will be 22 years from benefits. The last time social security was reformed was in 1983 with the Reagan-O’Neill deal. It was a bipartisan amendment which reformed social security. This example shows that reforms can be done. High school students, if you started investing at age 16, $1000 every year (about $20 a week) at an annual rate of return of six percent, at age 65 you will have $272,958.40. But it is likely the retirement age will go up so you could have even more by age 75. Retirement might seem far away for most high school students, but really students should start thinking about it now. Another incentive to start a retirement fund now is our 16 trillion-dollar debt. Will government be able to provide all the services they have in the past for the future?
City could certainly be putting money to better use Dylan Bontrager Guest Reporter When I look out my dining room window, I feel naked, exposed by the absence of the 50-some-yearold tree that was chainsawed by city maintenance work. Despite the street superintendent’s assertion that repairs to the street and sidewalks were overdue, they were quite unnecessary. The surface of the road is even, and the sidewalks have never tripped a soul. Even so, according to an arborist, the maintenance did not need to hurt the tree, even though street and sidewalk sandwiched it. But nothing stops the wheels of a maintenance machine with mixed
up priorities. ally think of no better place The tree came to spend this money? It down in early would seem so. Most obviJune. The job, finously, instead of replacing ished in two days, functional sidewalks, how left the middle about putting in new ones of the stump jagwhere they are needed? ged and sharp East of downtown, much of Left of Main where the wood US 33 has none. had snapped. The Or we could put in bike tree was so big, a chainsaw could paths. Erickson Road gives bikers not reach even halfway through its no help navigating a narrow twobase. lane bridge that leaves nowhere A tree of such size is indeed for cyclists, including several HHS devastating to lose, but the big- students heading to school. ger travesty is the money the city Clearly, the street superintenspent. Between the street, the dent has many better places to sidewalks, and multiple trees, spend his budget. But the departgood money was spent on Dixie ment as a whole could use a wakeAvenue. Could the Harrisonburg up call, too. Blacks’ Run, especially City Public Works Department re- downtown, is full of bacteria that
only come from excrement. Even the Big Spring under Court Square is too tainted to touch. So how does poop pollute a spring? Near the Square, sewage must be seeping out of the plumbing and into our local waterways. If that isn’t a worthy expenditure, what is? A project of this visibility would be open and shut in a matter of days – inconvenient for that short time, but done quickly. Even that, though, is more than can be said for our little project. The preliminary work began in Feb., but as of early Aug., the street remains untouched and the sidewalks are not yet done. And there is a gravel pit where our tree once stood.
Cyrus’ VMA performance shenanigans reopen debate Aubtin Heydari Staff Reporter The recent VMAs have left an interesting mark on American pop culture’s collective psyche. Out of all the shenanigans from that night, the majority of the talk was about former child star Miley Cyrus’ excessively provocative performance. Despite the act itself being truly horrendous and cringe-worthy, what was of equal notice was the reemergence of the debate over slut-shaming that occurred. Slut-shaming is a societal process by which a person (almost exclusively a woman) is exposed and shamed for seeming to act in an overtly sexual manner. While there are obvious problems with the oversexualization of women in the media, there is an equal problem with the same media’s
responses to it. revealing clothing). Women everyIn the context of where face competing the VMAs, we can messages that create see some of the cognitive dissonance; same language beon one hand, we push ing applied to Mistandards of beauley. While it is one ty and sexuality on thing to say Miley young women which shouldn’t objecStay with Me shames those who tify herself or her don’t meet them. On the other dancers, it is another to consider hand, we shame those who re- Miley subhuman for embracing spond and ‘exceed’ them. We see her sexuality. Additionally, Miley this happen everywhere, espe- is the only one who receives the cially on college campuses and in blame, despite the fact that both high schools. her producers and managers of The problem is that men aren’t artists around the world push usually effected the same way. their artists to embody a similar Men who are sexually promiscu- image. ous aren’t thought of that way, We live in a culture where Miand rather are glorified, while ley’s new video featuring near nuwomen are considered sluts. dity gets 11 million views in its first This logic helps propagate victim 24 hours, but people keep acting blaming in a rape culture (the as if they ‘don’t care’ or think that idea that a woman ‘deserves it’ or it is unbecoming of her to act this is ‘asking for it’ when they wear way. We reward this behavior but
then punish, even dehumanize, those who participate once they become more than a background dancer. Once they have a face, someone we know, grew up with, then it is not ok for them to be a toy, an object of our sexual interest. It disgusts us. The inequality here is especially visible when we look at what is said about the men in the performances. There is little negative commentary about Robin Thicke, who participated in the lewd act and featured plenty of scantily clad dancers himself. His hit song “Blurred Lines” toys with issues of sexual consent and trivializes date rape, even going so far to glorify the idea that some women ‘just want it’. We see this labeling everywhere, from college frat houses to nationally broadcasted media, and it’s something that needs to stop.
September 27, 2013
The
Newsstreak
STYLE A7
Movies topping the box office
The Butler isn’t just any history film Ava Reynolds Photographer Not everyone has the patience to sit in a dark theater for two and a half hours, especially for a “boring old history film”, but Lee Daniels’ The Butler was not any old film. Being a person who has a bit of history geek in them, I loved The Butler. In fact, I even cried a bit. You follow the life of Cecil Gaines (played by Forest Whitaker), a lower class African American man, through adolescence until old age. During this period, the 20th century, a series of events lands him the job of being a butler at the White House. He serves eight presidents throughout his career. What I enjoyed about this film was that it was not just the storyline about Gaines’ life. The plot revolved around his two son’s
lives as well. There was a significant amount of tension in the Gaines family, due to the split views about what was going on in society. Gaines’ eldest son was very much of the standpoint of African Americans who wanted to have their voices heard, no matter what it takes. The eldest son participated in many famous civil rights events, for example counter sit ins, being a member of the freedom riders, as well as the Black Panther group. His father highly disagreed with his ways. Because of his job as a butler, Cecil Gaines was taught to stand in the background and not say a word, metaphorically and literally. This is a major theme all throughout the movie. Another reason The Butler is a “must see”, is because of the interesting way the historical parts were put together. They showed actual footage, stills, and newspa-
per clippings from things like the freedom rides and Dr. King rallies. Viewers also realize how even though the butlers are ordered to be invisible, they hear so much. What they hear and see affects them and their community. The butlers can also affect the president's decisions on some things, especially when the butler and president form a small friendship. This movie really made me think about how much goes on behind the scenes of government administration and what things affect decisions made by government officials that we don't think about. The Butler was different than other lengthy historical movies, because it was interesting through to the end. Also, it was based on a true story, which makes it even more intriguing. Get out and see The Butler, before it takes the stage of the Oscars!
The Worlds End is a must-see comedy Aubtin Heydari Staff Reporter
As hilarious as it is rambunctious, this British science fiction comedy film captivated me the second I heard the cockney accents. The movie is the third installment in the Three Flavors Cornetto trilogy, the brainchild of Edgar Wright, Simon Pegg, along with Hot Fuzz and Shaun of the Dead. Casually and accidentally linked by the presence of three different flavors of Cornetto, a British ice cream brand, these movies all share general similarities in cast, style, and rating. Each one is critically acclaimed, and The World’s End is no different. It follows the epic adventure of a group of college mates reuniting to complete a pub crawl (or, in Americanized terms, bar hopping), who along the way uncover an alien conspiracy as well as rile up some old
emotions. From every standpoint, this movie is nearly flawless. Pegg and Wright’s writing is impeccable and demonstrates a skill in combining meaningful narrative, symbolism, and motifs with some hilarious dialogue. There were plenty of moments where I very audibly laughed out loud and couldn’t stop chuckling because of the quotable one-liners. From a directorial standpoint, the film is amazingly well done. Diverse, well-chosen, and complicated shots add to the film’s unique and comedic appeal, as well as show off Wright’s evolving artistic talent. The acting was of equal caliber. Each character was well developed, charming, rounded, and well-cast. The fight scenes are another place for praise. The choreography was mind-blowingly well thought out and the alien robot bashing was so mesmerizingly intense
that it actually made me laugh out of sheer awesomeness. If there is a film you see this year, let it be this one. On top of the fact that the film is already well made, everyone speaks with British accents, which just makes it so much more colorful. With friendship struggles and a couple of love triangles, the film drunkenly tackles mid-life-crises and has semi-intelligent yet genuine commentary on human nature. If you are a movie nerd and like films that pay homage to different genres and play with cinematography and plot, this is the film for you. If you happen to be a fan of science fiction and apocalyptic disasters, this film is for you. If you just want to laugh and watch drunken men beat the living daylights out of alien hordes, this film is definitely for you. After a very entertaining night at the cinema, this moviegoer gives the film five out of five stars.
Elysium leaves something to be desired Fernando Pena Staff Reporter Don’t mind the cliché opening narration. It sets the scene of a futuristic dystopia where the movie Elysium takes place, even though the movie’s true meaning lies in today’s world. “Earth was diseased, polluted and vastly overpopulated,” said the narrator, pay attention to “was” for this is no longer the case, director Neill Blomkamp’s world is marred with poverty and inequality. Los Angeles, where the story begins, is no longer a luxurious city of fame and fortune, it’s broken and burnt to the ground, heaps of trash plague all of Earth. Elysium, an artificial paradise of mansions, luxury and health, provides a stark contrast to Earth. Blomkamp draws from the 1927 film Metropolis by Fritz Lang, a dystopian future that pits the plight of poor workers against the élite. Elysium takes a twist and incorporates an abandoned Earth and fleeing people like the Pixar film WALL-E. But the resemblance stops there. It’s neither light hearted or an average Sci-fi flick. The South African writer-director first came on the scene in 2009 with District 9,
an inventive futuristic take on the apartheid in his home country. There is a similar trend of social commentary present in Elysium. Max (Matt Damon) is an orphan who grows up to be a gang leader, now free from the shackles of illegitimacy, is a functioning member of society working his way up the ranks at a factory. Working in LA is hard, the city is plagued with unforgiving robocops, brutally dealing punishment to anyone and everyone that is deemed defiant. The automated society shows how dysfunctional things are, it is near impossible to do anything without being charged with an offence. Working conditions are horrendous, they leave Max blasted with radiation when his superior dangles his job over his head if he doesn’t enter the radiation oven. Left with only days to live, he decides there has never been a better time to attempt the illegal journey to Elysium, where citizens have medpods that restore them to perfect health, even in the worst situations. The government in Elysium doesn’t take too kindly with illegals attempting to make the journey up, just as much as the United States does with Latin American job seekers. Secretary Delacourt (Jodie Foster)
is the head of Elysium’s security division, charged with keeping the habitat safe. Overstepping her boundaries, she goes out of her way to keep Elysium as she sees fit, while disregarding the rest of the world. The film’s intelligence is smothered by the action packed style of directing and arguably sloppy cinematography. There are sentimental moments in the film, accentuated by slow-motion, that give you hope that the protagonist journey may come to happy ending, that all will be fine, and that nothing will go wrong. At the same time there are intense robotic exoskeleton fight sequences that make you uncertain of what may happen next. You come to terms with what will happen in the end early on, giving the hero a solution to all his problems on a silver platter. It would have been nice to see something that doesn’t end everything so quickly. As it stands the ending is just fine, but it could have been better if the director had make it drag on a little longer and toned down the emotion. It would have made the underlying message of the film more apparent, giving the audience a chance to realize what it was without having to think about it too much.
Olympus has Fallen is classic action movie Hunter Manzano Staff Reporter This edge-of-your-seat action thriller follows Benjamin Asher, the President of the U.S., and a former secret service member, Mike Benning. Olympus has Fallen is a classic “hero saves the world at the last second” kind of movie. I never wanted to take my eyes off the screen, because it had constant action, plot twists, and excitement. Consisting of countless very violent acrobatic fight scenes, and a bit of strong language, this is a highly preferred movie among the male members of the audience. The movie begins at Camp David, a beautiful vacation home for the President and his family. When the first lady is killed in a car accident leaving the camp, Presi-
dent Asher fired Mike Benning, who saved his life instead of the President’s wife’s, because he blamed him for her death. Later on in the year, the White House was attacked and taken over by many North Korean soldiers, keeping President Asher and two of his colleagues hostage inside. From there, they planned to pry from them codes that self destruct our nuclear missiles. It’s now up to Mike Benning, to save the President and the United States of America. Although some fellas I spoke to didn’t care for the film, freshman Tyler Rodriguez enjoyed the movie. “It had a well-thought-out script with a lot of suspense. The actors were good, and it was definitely worth watching,” Rodriguez said. Director Antoine Fuqua had a pretty good idea of what he was doing.
This is Us delights fans of boy band, One Direction
Isabelle Burden Online Managing Editor
One Direction, the British boy band who has quickly taken the pop world by storm, has recently upgraded to the big screen with their new movie, This Is Us. Harry, Zayn, Liam, Louis, and Niall were all very excited to release the long- awaited movie. For the whole week before the release, One Direction was jam- packed with publicity photo shoots and exclusive interviews about the film.
Fans of the boys were thrilled to see This Is Us, including me. In anticipation of the movie, I watched the many trailers and excerpts that were periodically released to tease the “directioners”, as we fans are called. Aug. 30 was the official release date for the movie; directioners across America had been waiting for this day since March. The movie was just as spectacular, if not more, than promised by One Direction. It was considerably cooler in 3D, as expected, though it was great ei-
ther way. It featured funny moments with the band, like Niall dressing up as a security guard at one of his tour shows, where he fooled fans into thinking he was a One Direction hater for laughs. He then revealed who he actually was and surprised fans. Other artists and famous people who admired them appeared in the movie, such as Chris Rock and Martin Scorsese. Whoever wasn’t a directioner before seeing This Is Us, certainly should be now.
Upcoming Movie Releases
Insidious: Chapter Two Sept. 13, 2013 Prisoners Sept. 20, 2013 Starring: Hugh Jackman
Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2 Sept. 27, 2013 Starring: Anna Faris, Bill Hader Romeo and Juliet Oct. 11, 2013 Starring: Hailee Steinfeld, Ed Westwick Paradise Oct. 18, 2013 Starring: Julianne Hough, Russel Brand, Octavia Spencer Carrie Oct. 18, 2013 Starring: Chloe Grace Moretz, Julianne Moore Ender’s Game Nov. 1, 2013 Starring: Hailee Steinfeld, Abigail Breslin, Harrison Ford Thor: The Dark World Nov. 8, 2013 Starring: Chris Hemsworth The Hunger Games: Catching Fire Nov. 22, 2013 Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Dec. 13, 2013 Starring: Martin Freeman, Ian Mckellan
September 27, 2013
The
Newsstreak
STYLE - A8
Social Networking
21 must-have apps Vine
With thousands of videos on Youtube titled “Best Vine Videos 2013” or “Biggest Vine Compilation” being added everyday, Vine makes it easier to create 8-seconds or less videos to share with the world. “I like watching them because the famous Vine people are really funny.” Jason Tran, Senior
Snapchat
Mobile Gaming
Social Networking reviews by Jessica Nyugen
Jelly Splash
Music
Mobile Gaming reviews by Isabelle Burden
Pandora
Number one on the app store charts is a new game called “Jelly Splash”. You must connect similarly flavored jelly dots in lines to move onto the next of over 100 levels. “It’s so simple, but hard at the same time. I feel like a three year old could play it, yet I still always die and have to reset the timer until I can try again,” junior Katherine Komara said. Pandora is a music listening app that allows its users to experience new music. Listeners plug in a song or an artist, and the program puts together all of the similar music. After setting up the stations, the apps plays on shuffle with very few commercial breaks. “I love listening to music, and Pandora is great because it isn’t interactive so I can multitask.” junior Evan Dotas said.
Flow Free
Shazam
Potpourri
Music reviews by Ellie Plass
Pic Stitch
Task Killers
Potpourri review by Victoria Giron
myHomework
Event Planners
Task Killers review by Fernando Gamboa
LivingSocial
Picstitch can quickly combine multiple pictures into one photo collage. Combine great photos and post them on Instagram, Facebook, or twitter. Choose from seventy different layouts. “I like Picstitch because if I’m doing something fun, I can take multiple pictures from it and put it into one. It’s more versatile and you can show more of what you’re doing,” Caroline Shenk, junior. MyHomework is a free student planner app by Instin. It makes adding classes, homework, upcoming test and quizzes a breeze. Its presence in the ITunes, Google Play, Amazon and Windows 8 app store makes it a perfect choice for keeping up with school work. “This would be more effective than a planner because people are more keen to use technology.” Evan Dotas, Junior.
The LivingSocial app offers daily promotions, coupons, and certificates that you can use at many local or national companies. The app offers ideas to help plan your next events on a daily basis and offers up to 90% off in discounts.
Long gone are phone calls and text messages. Snapchat has brought together pictures and captions to the art of conversation. Now you can send images, whether they are ridiculous or embarrassing, this doesn’t matter because they will disappear forever in 10 seconds or less. “I don’t like that the picture goes away quickly because if you didn’t get a good look at it, you can never look at it again,” junior Stuart Baker said. Flow, an addicting puzzle game, has taken the gaming world by storm. The objective of the game is to match up the colors to make more room for the next colored puzzle. “I play Flow because it’s a very fun game that challenges my brain,” junior Stuart Baker said.
Candy Crush
Shazam is the perfect app for anyone who listens to the radio. It allows the user to play a short clip of a song, and then uses this to give you the songs name, artist and album. This makes it easy to look up and remember songs that you like. Listeners do not have to spend time searching the lyrics, this app finds the song for them. “It’s just nice if you’re in a public place and you hear a song and you know you know that song but you just can’t remember.” seniorMariah Flick said.
Wanelo
Wanelo provides a cool way to shop with an endless stream of products that you can buy online. Follow stores and companies to see all of their products on your feed. All of the products are available for purchase and you can favorite them to purchase them later. “Wanelo makes me hate my life because I can’t afford everything,” Deb Halpern, senior.
Pocket, formerly Read it Later, is a free reader app by Read it Later, it saves websites, pictures, articles, and videos in an easy to view format. Pocket saves everything for an offline, on the go, format that makes consuming information easy and streamlined across Android, IOS, Kindle Fire, Mac OS and Chrome. “I save things[websites] I like and read them later.” Paige Baedke, Senior.
Groupon
Path
Need help planning your next social event? Trying to find local deals at your local chop house? Groupon is a deal-of-the-day website that offers discounts and promotions for your next social event. Sign in and find local deals for restaurants and activities in your area.
Social Networking
Social Networking
Spotify
Alien Blue helps you browse Reddit in a phone-friendly way. Reddit offers a variety of news, entertainment, and photos that users can have a conversation about. You can add comments and post directly from your phone. “It tells you everything you want ever, every piece of information that you might want is on Reddit,” Aarash Heydari, junior.
Flashcards
Fandango
7. Temple
Music
gram
Run
3. Draw
8. Pinterest
Streaming Music
Something
9. Twitter
Streaming Music
Event Planning
Fandango is a ticket service company designed to eliminate waiting in lines for movie tickets for its members. By paying for your ticket online it can be printed off at home and scanned at the movie theater. Use fandango to look up movie times apply for promotions and have an all around better movie going experience.
PAID APPS:
2. Insta-
Music
Event Planning
FREE APPS: 6. Pandora
Gaming
Flashcards, by popular online dictionary Dictionary.com, is free for android and IOS and gives students the opportunity to create, share and find other’s notecards. This brilliant study tool makes reviewing vocabulary terms easy and intuitive. The app comes backed by 70,000 ready to use flash cards that feature vocab lists for all grade levels and even for major standardized test, SAT, ACT, PSAT and AP.
Most Downloaded Apps of 2012 1. YouTube
Gaming
Most everyone with a smartphone of some sort, has given into the gaming craze that is Candy Crush. In the game, you must pass levels by doing tasks like eliminating ingredients and demolishing gel- covered candies. “It’s easy at the beginning, but then it gets harder as you go along,” Brianna Rodriguez
Spotify is an excellent app for someone willing to pay for their music. While they give a free trial, the company requires you to pay a small fee after the beginning period. It is essentially an app that allows you unlimited listening to any song that you want. “It’s like having a radio that you get to choose what music to play.” Noah Heie, Sophomore.
Event Planners review by Garrett Thompson
Android vs. Apple
Path is the combination of all social networking apps. With one click you can post on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, and Foursquare simultaneously. Share pictures, message friends, and learn to converse with handcrafted stickers. Don’t forget to check in with Path and show everyone where you are. “It was like too much social networking,” junior Hannah Purcell said.
4. Flashlight 10. Skype 5. Facebook
1. Angry Birds Space 2. WhatsApp 3. Draw Something 4. Camera+ 5. Where’s My Water
6. Angry Birds Star Wars 7. Fruit Ninja 8. Angry Birds 9. Bejeweled 10. Tetris
Source: The Wall Street Journal
Apple announces new line of mobile devices, iOS 7 Joshua Byrd Op/Ed Editor Apple announced two new iPhone models on Sept. 10. In their keynote in Cupertino, CA, C.E.O. Tim Cook announced the iPhone 5s, Apple’s newest flagship device, and the iPhone 5c, an inexpensive option for those who still want an iPhone but don’t want to pay too much. Apple kept the same price as they always have for their flagship, $199 on a two year contract, and $99 on
a two year contract for iPhone 5c. Apple stopped carrying the iPhone 5, this is unlike what they have done in previous years by carrying three models at a time, the newest, last year’s and the year before’s model. Apple added a new color to their flagship line, gold, and kept the Space Grey, black, and Silver, white. Other improvements to their flagship are a new 64-bit A7 processor for better performance and graphic enhancement, a dedicated M7 processor for motion,
dual “True Tone” flash for more accurate color reproduction in pictures, larger pixels for better performance in lowlight situations and what Apple says to be DSLR level image processing. The iPhone 5s’s distinguishing feature is the new fingerprint reader on a redesigned home button. Apple paired their new fingerprint scanner with “Touch ID”, their system for validating purchases and unlocking the phone without the need of a password. This new security system won’t
upload fingerprint information to Apple servers or allow developers to access the information, it will all be stored on the processor with no fear of it getting in the wrong hands. Conversely the iPhone 5c doesn’t adopt any new internal components, it is just like their old model, the iPhone 5, but with a new skin. The iPhone 5c is available in five colors: white, pink, yellow, blue and green. Apple is selling cases with holes cut out to mix and match colors, these were spe-
cifically designed for the iPhone 5c to show off the new color options. Both iPhones were announced on Sept. 10, the iPhone 5c went on pre-order Sept. 13 and Apple fans had to wait in line on Sept. 20 if they wanted to get their hands on Apple’s newest phone on launch day. Both models came out on all four major networks. Apple also released ios7 on Sept. 18 for iPhone 4, 4s and 5 users as well as iPod touch 5th Generation, iPad 2, iPad with Retina display and iPad mini.
September 27, 2013
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September 27, 2013
The
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STYLE - A10
Homecoming: A Red Carpet Affair New DJ much anticipated by SCA, student body Julexus Cappell Op-Ed editor HHS is in for a change for this year’s homecoming dance. Former HHS student Ryan Slocum, now a senior at James Madison University will be the DJ. According to SCA president senior Jacob Byrd he is fully accredited for the gig. “He just recently opened up [DJ-ed] for Beyonce’s younger sister, Solange Knowles in Charlottesville,” Byrd said. Slocum does regular performances at weddings and college parties, and is not just locally known. He has interned at a record label in New York, and that’s possibly where he’s heading after he graduates from JMU. To hear some of his music, check him out on Twitter [@ryan_slocum]. “I’ve listened to him on Twitter, and he actually posts videos of him mixing songs. It’s pretty cool,” Byrd said. Although the price is a little higher to pay for the DJ this year, Byrd believes it will be rewarding. Slocum is charging $700, a couple hundred more than previous years. His price also includes special lights for the dance from a friend of his. We should be expecting completely new music than past homecomings. Slocum plays house music, rap music and some other genres. Byrd wanted someone that could get the crowd moving. “It should be a lot of fun with more dance music,” Byrd said. This will be Slocum’s first high school dance gig on Sept. 28, but Byrd isn’t worried about his potential.
“If I could use one phrase to describe the DJ, it would be ‘top-of-the-line’,” Byrd said. Slocum’s interest in music started early, when he started collecting vinyl records in high school. “My freshman year of college, I purchased another turntable and actually began to practice DJing with two turntables, a mixer and records,” Slocum said. Slocum took gradual
steps to get to where he is now. Although he bought equipment his freshman year at JMU, he did not immediately start performing. “My second semester of sophomore year I began to ‘play out.’ I started to incorporate a computer into my DJ setup and since then, I’ve been trying to gain as much experience as possible.” And with experience comes learning from mistakes. Slocum became
aware of this a night he was performing at a formal at JMU when his speakers blew out. “They just failed on me. I packed up my stuff and gave the money back and went home. I was so bummed,” Slocum said. Although that happened, Slocum has come a long way from there. DJ-ing is more than a habit to him. He describes DJ-ing as “a good outlet for me to steer clear of trouble, and show
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY BRENNA COWARDIN
a more innovative side of myself.” Just recently Slocum got the opportunity to open up for celebrity Solange Knowles on campus at the University of Virginia. He would consider that to be one of his best experiences as a DJ. “It was the biggest venue I’ve played in and everyone seemed to enjoy what I was doing,” Slocum said. He explained that the opportunity came out of
nowhere through a friend in Charlottesville. Once she called he agreed to do the show, but he wasn’t fully aware it was Beyonce’s little sister. “She emailed me with more details and it was then that I realized ‘Oh man, this is for Solange?’ That was crazy,” Slocum said.
Meet the homecoming court 2013 Students pumped for dance What are you most looking forward to about homecoming?
Girls
Samantha Blake: “I’m most looking forward to walking onto the field with my dad.”
Celia Ehrenpreis: “I’m looking forward to spirit days. I love decades day.”
Guys
Chloe Scanlan: “I am most looking forward to probably hanging out with my friends.”
Megan Miller: “My dad gets to walk me out. He wants to match.”
Juniors: Tori Armentrout, Isabelle Burden Sophomores: Isela Ramirez, Yasmine Rodriguez Freshmen: Molly Bauhan, Jadah Kilby
Garrett Thompson: “I would actually really like to be homecoming king.”
Abe Nouri: “I love the homecoming football game. It’s eighth grade night for band, and it’s cool to see the younger kids. I am also looking forward to spirit days. They’re always fun.”
Blake Long: “I’m Not pictured: hoping that it’s Senior Dean Koo good. I’m looking forward to the DJ.” Juniors: Evan Dotas, Sam Imeson Sophomores: Ranon Barber, Tucker Wyatt Freshmen: Cade Templeton, Danny Dombrowski INFOGRAPHIC BY BRENNA COWARDIN
SCA has easy time picking theme Danny Dombrowski Staff Reporter This year when students enter the doors to HHS for homecoming, they will be entering the world of Hollywood. Every student who attends will walk down the red carpet, just like their favorite celebrities. This year the theme is Red Carpet Affair. SCA president senior Jacob Byrd ultimately chose this theme because everyone in the SCA liked it.
“It was the most popular idea,” Byrd said. Every August the SCA gets together to brainstorm different ideas. Out of all the options they picked this Hollywood style theme because nothing like this has been done in the last few years. “Plus we thought it was a theme that everyone could get involved with and it also corresponds with other spirit days throughout homecoming week,” Byrd said. The decorations this year will include a red
carpet leading you into the school and balloons. Plus, lights that are synchronized to the music. Byrd hopes the dance will improve on last year’s homecoming. “I think it will be a lot better [than last year] because of the new DJ and music,” Byrd said. Byrd believes students fashion statements will also change this year. “I think we can expect to see a lot of bow ties, they are making a comeback.”
Ali Baapir Staff reporter
With homecoming tomorrow night, students are staring to get excited. Junior Yad Kababchi hopes to get the chance to go this year. Last year, he missed it because he didn’t have time. “I didn’t go last year but I heard it was fun,” Kabab-
chi said. He thinks this year will be just as fun as last. Senior Marko Spirollari went to homecoming last year and plans to attend again this year, even though he did not enjoy last year’s music. “It’s entertaining because of the food and dancing,” Spirollari said. Senior Larkin O’Hara had high hopes for this year’s dance.
“I am hoping it will be fun because it’s my senior year,” O’Hara said. O’Hara claims that her freshmen year homecoming was great, and she’s optimistic that the SCA will make this year’s successful. Sophomore Ranon Barber thinks that this year will live up to expectations because last year it did. “I want to go and have fun,” Barber said.
PHOTOS BY BRENNA COWARDIN
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. Junior Yad Kababchi, senior Marko Spirollari, Larkin O’Hara and Ranon Barber.
Homecoming fast facts Who?
DJ: Ryan Slocum, and everybody who wants to have fun
What?
Hollywood: A Red Carpet Affair
Where? Gym Commons in HHS Cafeteria
Why?
“We were bouncing around ideas [for the homecoming theme], and someone said Hollywood and we all agreed,” said SCA president, senior Jacob Byrd.
When?
Saturday, Sept. 8 - 11 p.m. INFOGRAPHIC BY AUSTIN SWIFT
September 27, 2013
The
Newsstreak
FEATURE- B1
PHOTOS BY AVA REYNOLDS
MARCHING ON. Band members practice tirelessly as a group and independently every week to prepare the three-part theme showcasing the life of Ludwig Von Beethoven.
Band selects new theme for season Garrett Thompson Style Editor
Each year on the Ides of March(ing band), members of the HHS marching band eagerly await the reveal of the next year’s show. This year was no different. For the members of the band the theme of the show defines the next year for them through their competition season. The theme of the competitive show this year is Beethoven Falling Apart. Ian Richard, Marching Band Director at HHS is very excited about this years show. Richard played a key role in deciding the theme of the show this year. “This year the show is a concept based on an action. It’s more abstract,” Richard said. “In years past, the show has been about a thing or a location but this year we’re trying to tap into the life of Beethoven.” Marching band shows are stories told
through music and visuals. “Originally the plan wasn’t to do the falling apart,” Richard said. “The plan was redemption. Beethoven wrote Symphony No. 9 at a very pivotal point. It would be more powerful if we showed the tragedy of his life. We decided to go with the falling apart to make a more powerful statement.” The show, though based on the the works of celebrated composer Ludwig Von Beethoven, is originally composed by J.R. Snow, director of bands at HHS. “If the audience doesn’t get the idea, if they don’t understand the story of Beethoven through the music then we haven’t done our job,” Richard said. “Beethoven’s works are so unabashedly emotionally driven that you can’t help but get emotional.” Drum Major Ellen Upton couldn’t even use words to describe her excitement. “Ooh and Ahh was what first came to my mind,” Upton said about her initial re-
action. “This is going to be one of those shows where people will know the music. Most marching band shows people don’t recognize the music so this will be really cool.” As Drum Major, Upton directs the band during all performances. “Right now I am getting glimpses of the musical impact the show will have. We aren’t there yet but we will get there,” Upton said. The show will be performed at all of the band’s competitions including the much anticipated Parade of Champions at JMU Oct. 19. Looking to perform well in their competition season, the band hopes this year’s show will wow audiences and judges with its unique concept. “Taking the idea of Beethoven and his life’s works and putting them in a marching band setting is definitely something that has been fun to work with,” Richard said. “The goal is to get better every year. A better show and better writing leads to a better band, we’re always trying to take the next step.”
BAH-BAH-BAH-BUM. The horn section practices their marching for the halftime show during practice. Senior Danielle Yutzy practices with freshmen John Agner and Zach Benivento-Zahner.
Upton steps up as new Drum Major MARCHING Celia Ehrenpreis Editor-in-chief
Almost every Friday night, senior drum major Ellen Upton climbs up a ladder to stand in front of hundreds of people. She raises her hands waiting for the marching band’s complete attention. She takes a breath and then she’s off conducting her way through the halftime show at breakneck speed. Upton was selected drum major after a rigorous audition process at the end of last school year. “We had two weeks of learning how to conduct and practicing with various tempos. Then we performed The Star Spangled Banner in front of the directors for assessment. Finally, we had interviews with last year’s seniors and directors. They asked us various questions about our strengths and weaknesses and our plan for the band if we were picked,” Upton said. “I was happy with my audition, and overjoyed when I got the title.”
Upton already had three years of experience as flute section leader before she became drum major. Upton describes her job as “a liaison between the directors and the musicians”. “It’s nerve-racking because I always have to be on my A-game. I’m constantly being watched at practice and during the halftime shows,” Upton said. She enjoys seeing the band’s collaboration from a different standpoint, as neither a director nor a student. “I miss leading the flute section, [being drum major] means less playing time. I interact a lot more with all the other parts of the band, which is fun too,” Upton said. Although Upton intends to keep music a part of her life in the future, she does not intend to pursue a higher education specialized in music. “I love band, and the people in it, but the colleges I’m interested in don’t have very strong music programs, maybe I’ll minor in music,” Upton said.
BY THE NUMBERS Percussion-17 students Flute-11 students
Sax-Alto-7 students Trombone-7 students Trumpet-7 students Horn-4 students Sax-Tenor-4 students Tuba-4 students Clarinet-3 students
STANDING TALL. New Drum Major Ellen Upton determinedly directs the band during practice.
Bass Clarinet-2 students Sax-Bari-2 students Baritone-1 student Oboe-1 student Violin-1 student
Band strives for competition success
Sarah Scribano News Editor
KEEPIN’ TIME. The band’s drumline marches in sync and keeps the rythm on beat for the rest of the band.
BAND
The HHS marching band has been working tirelessly as they prepare for their upcoming competitions. Almost 100 hours of practice had already been put in before the first day of school arrived. The band is now practicing two and a half hours three days a week after school. Working faster than they ever have by memorizing about 50 sets of the show within the two weeks of band camp, the entire show must be put on the field before the first competition, something that has never been accomplished. Marching band consists of hard work, concentration, and a whole lot of sweat. Some may assume insanity, marching around trying to hit an exact point on the football field without looking down, but
those who are a part of this program have come to love it. Freshman Patrick Badia finds it slightly stressful to put the music of his trumpet with the marching, but he’s excited to be able to perform. Competitions are always a thrilling moment to put all of their hard work on the field, but the lifelong relationships that are formed in this special program are what keep these kids working. The new drum major, senior Ellen Upton loves the marching band. “I think that we are better than other bands because of our environment; we truly are a family. When you love everyone around you, you don’t want any of them to fail so you work harder.” The encouragement from the fellow band members in and out of practice helps this group to become an award winning band. The director of the band, Ian Richard, believes that the “many high-quality bands
in the category including Colonial Heights, South County, and North Strafford” will be the band’s greatest competitors in the upcoming competitions in the AAA class. His favorite part of the competitions is being able to watch the HHS Band perform with their “extraordinary energy and commitment to excellence.” There is a great stress from his view on the sidelines as he watches the band perform, because he knows there is nothing left that he can do, his only power is to “rehearse each detail beforehand, and hope for the best!” Beginning on the Sept. 26, the band will be traveling to multiple schools to set their performance of “Falling Apart” on the field, it will continue every weekend until the Oct. 28 where they will end with a state assessment, having the opportunity to become an honor band for the fourth year in a row.
New year means new section leaders Ava Reynolds Staff Photographer Sweat drips down the marchers’ faces. Their chests are heaving with exhaustion. The HHS marching band has just finished a runthrough of their show. Some are smiling because they had an awesome runthrough, others are thinking about what to fix next time. Only a couple of weeks ago, the band was just learning the basics of marching. It’s taken more than a 100 hours of hard work, but the band has finally set their whole show. This couldn’t have been possible without the hard work of 17 band members: the section leaders. Auditioning for the role of section leader for the next marching band season happens in May, before the season starts. The audition consists of written questions about leadership, as well as verbal ques-
tioning face to face. The verbal section is with all the directors and seniors on the leadership team. Once the new or recurrent section leaders are posted, the leadership team gets right to work to prepare for the year. The busiest time for the section leaders is during marching band season. Members of the leadership team help keep things organized and form committees. A member or two of the leadership team will head the different committees. Depending on what the committee is, the leaders will recruit other band members to help out on them as well. Some committees include field committee, uniform committee and social committee. There is even a decoration committee to make the band room look nice whenever events are held. Between all the committees, most everything gets taken care of. Another role of the leadership team is to be there for any band member who has
questions. The section leaders want to create an environment where everyone feels they have a voice and can go to their section leader with a question or comment. During band camp, the section leaders do many things to try and get to know and welcome the incoming freshman and first time students. They plan social activities after long practices and to try and integrate sections. “The leadership team has made sure [the band] keeps up their attitude and work ethic all season,” freshman trumpet section leader Hollyn Slykhuis said. “Because of that we’ve gotten a lot more done on the field than last year.” Being a section leader is not always easy, but the band members who are in leadership are the ones who can make choice to always make sure they are setting a good example for everyone in the band. Without the section leaders, the band would be very chaotic.
HORNS UP. The band works hard, preparing for their state assessment on Oct. 28. The marching band preformed Falling Apart in it’s entirety on Sept. 26.
September 27, 2013
The
Newsstreak
FEATURE - B2
Studying: An Unfortunate Necessity
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY LUKE GIBSON
Teachers give students advice about studying Mia Karr Managing editor Although many changes have occurred in HHS this year, from the introduction of Extended Learning Time to the adoption of a ten-point grading scale, one thing remains the same: the large amount time many students dedicate to studying. While not the most exciting of tasks, many teachers have insight as to how to make the studying process easier and more effective. History teacher Marc Healy had found that many of the students in his AP European History class discover they have to study for the first time. He sees improvement in knowledge of the material over the course of the year. “Manage your time. Do a little bit when you can and don’t procrastinate and have a whole lot to do at one time,” Healy said. He suggests spending an average of 30 minutes on homework/studying a night for regular classes and an hour a night for AP classes. “Often I see students reading and taking notes on what they’ve read and the notes aren’t the important notes that need to be
remembered,” Healy said. “ I think there need to be some focus on what is important when you read and what’s not.” For many students, AP tests add another layer of studying to their workload. To study for these tests, Healy suggests reading the book and trying practice questions, online or elsewhere. He also suggests finding a study space that works for best for you and staying away from sensory distractions. Healy discovered his own studying method through trial and error. “I found that I’m a person that writes things down, that way I remember better. I’m a visual learner,” Healy said. Spanish teacher Kim Hook finds studying an essential part of learning a new language. “Definitely with a foreign language you have to study more often. You can’t put it off until the last minute,” Hook said. She also suggests studying frequently for short periods of time and doing something rather than just reading over the material. “I think that students think that if they stare at the page long enough, the information will magically get into their head. But
you have to make yourself do something with the information,” Hook said. English teacher Peter Norment works with his AVID students to develop studying methods. “Cramming is a mistake,” Norment said. “Or taking notes in class and simply reading over those notes. Or studying for an hour and a half the night before the test...You can study smarter, not harder.” AVID classes use a study strategy called Cornell notes, abbreviated as the numbers “10-24-7”. Ten minutes after a lecture, students go back and highlight, circle key terms, and mark important ideas. 24 hours later, they return to the notes and group them into main ideas and then write a question about each main idea. About seven days later, students write a summary of the material by answering those questions. “The real trick to that is repetition. Getting you multiple short bursts of information, not in one sitting, to increase your retention of the information,” Norment said. “By separating it off into those three time periods... [You’re] repeating the information into your brain. It helps transfer information from your short term memory into
How do you study?
“In class I take notes by hand. “I read the textbooks.” At home I turn the harder Sophomore Kayla Lehman class’s notes, like history, into flashcards.” Junior Michael Walton
“I read through the textbook “I take notes and then I read and write down what I think the textbook.” is important, and then I study Freshman Molly Campillo what I wrote down.” Junior Aisha Dames Infographic by John Earle
Seniors implement variety of study habits Victoria Giron Feature Editor Having had four years to perfect the “study session”, seniors know all the tricks in the book to ace their exams. Studying is not fun, but it is a part of high school that everyone has to do. Most people have a preference of how to study and develop habits that stay with them for the rest of their high school careers. Some seniors, like Alex Conis, make a good use of their school time. “I have a study block and I study during it, but I usually do homework instead of studying,” Conis said.
Senior Samantha Blake is meticulous during her studying. “If I have to do a reading I try to take notes while I read and then look over my notes or I make flash cards,” Blake said. Senior Rachael Kerley doesn’t typically study alone. “I get with a group of my friends to study and we work on stuff together,” Kerley said. To make everything stick in her head, Kerley writes everything down on paper several times. When she’s not studying in a group, Kerley doesn’t have a tolerance for noise while studying. “I have to remain in total silence,” she said.
Senior Daniel Roth takes a different approach to studying. “I kind of like having music as a distracter, it keeps me from becoming frustrated,” Roth said. Roth’s game plan for studying includes reviewing notes and important parts of the chapter. But Roth doesn’t think that studying is always effective. “I honestly think high school is not the best judge of how studying makes your grade better,” Roth said. Others, like Ben Hill, are affected by senioritis. “I don’t [usually] study, only sometimes for some tests,” Hill said.
you long term memory, because your short term memory will quickly dump information after a day.” Norment believes this is strategy that should be adopted throughout the school. “I have advice for teachers: give your students time in class to do that revision of notes... If you finish a lecture and you present some material, let some time go by and then let you kids mark up those notes and then the next morning, in class, let them chunk that material. And then a day later, let them write the summary,” Norment said. Another component of AVID is peer tutor groups, which are held every day the students are in class except Friday. Norment says these groups are similar to what many students do in college. He also sees time management as an essential skill to have in college. “One third of students drop out of college their freshmen year and it usually has something to do with being able to balance the load,” Norment said. “Learning to manage your time now will help you to manage your time in college.”
Where do you study? At Home
45
Library
19
Don’t Study
15
School
09
Don’t Know
09
97 people polled by John Earle
Counseling staff give pointers on how to take the SAT Ella Marian Sports Editor
To properly prepare for the SAT, students should study for the test questions. Students can take class courses in Charlottesville and at Blue Ridge. Sometimes there are after prep sessions at HHS. Some math teachers will take the last 20 minutes of class to go over questions that could be on the SAT. “[Some ideas for studying include] getting a good night sleep,” counselor Tim Meyers said. Also if students download the College Board app on their smartphone or
apple device, it can give students SAT questions of the day. Students can also go to collegeboard.com and set up an account. It gives students information on different colleges and what scores and classes are required for that certain college. Many guidance counselors and the people that work with guidance, such as Meyers and Veronica Ortiz, advise students to take the PSAT so students can get a feel for what the SAT is like and get better with time management. The PSAT is in October, but deadlines for sign ups were Sept. 6. “Keep your cell phone away from you because it can be a big distraction. In the end it will help a lot if you just ignore it,”
Ortiz said. Developing good studying techniques will also help students in the long run. Students should go to a place where it’s quiet and they can concentrate. Taking good and organized notes can also be a benefit for studying because they are readable and understandable. In addition to taking good notes, don’t just write what the teacher has on the board. If they say something that is informational but isn’t on the board, write it down. “[To study for an AP exam], get with the teacher who is providing the database questions and [get familiar with] the style the test is going to be,” Meyers said. Studying sample questions can help students get
an understanding of what to expect for any kind of exam. “Generally speaking, those people that do well on those tests have a good face knowledge of history to begin with and the course itself prepares students for the test,” Meyers said. Teachers have been through the AP and SAT process before so asking them for help, isn’t a bad idea. If students feel like they are unsure of what to study for the AP exam and how to study for it, they should go to their teachers. They are here to help students with these exams, SATs, and finals. They don’t know if students need help unless students ask for it.
September 27, 2013
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FEATURE- B3
Best Breakfast in the ‘Burg
IHOP prepares delicious pancakes
Faith Runells Sports Editor
PHOTO BY JOSH BYRD
DINER STYLE BREAKFAST. L&S diner is built in the style of an old railroad car and is included in the Register of Historical Places. L&S is famous for it’s breakfast and pan-fried chicken. L&S originally opened in 1947. L&S serves traditional big old-fashioned country breakfast. The small restaurant only serves 24 people at a time.
L&S Diner cooks up old-fashioned breakfast Josh Byrd Op Ed Editor When it comes to the old fashioned diner-style breakfast, there is only one place to go in Harrisonburg: L&S Diner. From its red, white and metal exterior to the building itself, it just gives off the feeling that you are going back in time to the 60s. The interior has tile floors and a white bar. The interior style also matches up to the exterior. Eating at one long bar gives a bird’s eye view of almost all the food preparation. The big griddle top grill is on the opposite side of the bar in the middle. This is where all eggs and meats are
fried. Watching the chef make the now famous garbage omelet is like watching Da Vinci creating the Mona Lisa. It is an art. The garbage omelet starts with eggs being beaten. After the eggs cook, the chef adds the peppers, onions, sausage and mushrooms. Then after adding the other ingredients, they will turn the egg to make it into a semi-circle. It is then served. That isn’t their only great dish. There are many options that are delicious. Like the sausage gravy over homefries or biscuits. It is delicious either way. The serving size is small, but the taste makes up for it. What is better than buttery/
IHOP is a breakfast chain restaurant that is commonly known as a local spot you can go to for breakfast at anytime of the day. As one of the few restaurants in town that stays open all day every day, it is always a convenient place to eat. IHOP serves a variety of different types of pancakes, waffles, crepes, omelets, and eggs during all hours of the day, but if you aren’t feeling a breakfast for dinner, they also serve regular dinner foods, including sandwiches, burgers, soups and salads, and even steaks. Although they are mostly known for their delicious breakfast foods, their lunch and dinner items can also hit the spot. My favorite meal at IHOP is the red velvet pancake combo, which was just recently added back to the menu. It includes two chocolatey red velvet pancakes with cream cheese icing and powdered sugar as topping, your choice of eggs and bacon or sausage. Although this meal is probably not going to supply you all your nutrients for the day, it’s great if you’re feeling a
sweet tooth and want to treat yourself. This meal includes some of the most fluffy and soft pancakes, and isn’t like the normal pancakes you can make at home, these do not even need syrup because of the incredibly delicious flavor already included in the pancake. The signature dishes of IHOP include the red velvet pancakes, the big steak omelet, and the international crepe passport. Each dish is original and stands out in some way. The environment at the restaurant is relatively cute. My waiter was a sweet lady in her forties or fifties who has probably made her living off of serving breakfast foods. The customers you normally see at IHOP are either families and elders, or college kids looking for somewhere to go after a long night. Either way, the people there create a welcoming environment and the service is quick. The servers almost never make mistakes on orders and drinks, and they’ll check up on you and your food often. Overall, IHOP offers a welcoming place at all times of the day for anyone to come eat. Their slogan says it all, “Come hungry, leave happy”.
salty potatoes with heavy, thick, and creamy sausage gravy? Even during the middle of the breakfast rush, you will still get your food within 20 minutes or less. But you shouldn’t go to L&S Diner just for the food. There is also a social aspect to it. It is usually crowded, so expect to sit next to someone and have a conversation with them. Many of the people who are at the restaurant our retirees. But that shouldn’t be a reason not to go. The conversation is always interesting when talking to them. If you are looking for a quick and good breakfast L&S Diner is your place.
PHOTO BY ARIEL VOGEL
WAFFLES INC. Waffle Houses only offer two types of waffles, but they offer four toppings and an array of sides to choose from.
Waffle House lacks choices Ariel Vogel Feature Editor
PHOTO BY JESSICA NGUYEN
PHOTO BY JESSICA NGUYEN
ALL IN THE COMMUNITY. The Little Grill Collective has been on the North End of Harrisonburg since the 1940’s. It has been owned by a worker’s collective since 2003.
THE BREAKFAST CLUB. The Little Grill serves vegan, vegetarian and meat options. They are open six days a week and are known for their famous Sunday brunch. In addition to serving delicious food, The Little Grill also has entertainment, like open mic night and live music on a regular basis.
Little Grill offers cozy dining
Jesscia Nguyen Feature Editor
the questions to find the hardest one. Our waiter, who also happened to be the cook, had been gone for a while to prepare my order of the ‘Pancake of the Month’-ginger and pear- and a side of bacon. Customers chattered around us; most had probably been drawn out of their home with the words “Breakfast Night”, or had just wanted the
sky high pile of tacos I saw one table order. The waiter eventually came with our food and it smelled “What is the only mammal amazing. I smeared butter all that has four knees?” over those pancakes and smoth“Flamingos? Bears? Wolves? ered it in syrup, then proceeded Cats?” I guessed. It was eleto take my first bite while my phants. I pulled out cards from friend wrinkled her nose, bethe long Trivia Pursuit boxes that cause even I will admit-ginger the Little Grill had graciously set and pear is not something I out on every table, looking at all would ever imagine to be in a pancake. But that first bite was an explosion of flavor. It really should have been called a ginger pancake because that was the one flavor I could taste, but I got the grittiness from the chunks of pear hiding in my pancake. It was a little bit denser than normal, but delicious. I could only imagine what the classic pancake would taste like. Little Grill is the definition of cozy. Yes, the space is limited, but it is brilliant how every inch of the wall is covered with everything from paintings to flyers to a toy dinosaur with a teddy bear head(it’s above the mirrors next to a bike). Before this I have never stepped foot in the Little Grill, but now I see PHOTO BY VICTORIA GIRON why the quaint restaurant on ALL’S FAIR IN FOOD AND EATING. The Little Grill also supports the forgotten side of downtown local farmers and uses fair-trade products. The cuisine is inspired by still thrives: it kind of makes me Mexican, Mediterranean and American food.
I feel like it’s a pretty safe bet to assume that a rare few HHS students have ever gone to our Waffle House. And, in my opinion, for a good reason. Walking into the restaurant, the first thing I registered was how my friend and I were the only customers under 40 years old and 200 pounds. Also, we were the only females besides the staff. The three other customers were obese, elderly men digging into huge burgers, their camo hats resting on the stained plastic tables next to them. Next, I noticed the layout; there was a bar situated in front of an open kitchen (so we could watch the cooks make the masterpieces that would be our meals?) and a couple booths on either side. Jessica and I selected a booth separate from the other customers, all apparently regulars, judging by the comfortable conversationsthey were having with the staff. The single waitress working was a tiny white woman with long red hair and about ten teeth. She bounded over to us, enthusiastically suggesting coffee, tea, anything to make these unfamiliar faces comfortable. After politely declining her overly zealous offers and ordering only a soda and a minute to think, I looked at the menu, looking for the restaurant’s namesake.
After far more searching than a one-paged, laminated menu should entail, I accepted the fact that the only waffle options were pecan or plain with 25-cent toppings. Surely a restaurant entitled “Waffle House” should offer some variety of waffles? Belgian or fruit or something that wasn’t just a waffle with strawberry substitute on top? It was not to be, however, and I ended up selecting the chocolate chip topping with a side of bacon. The bacon. I paid almost $3 for three mediocre and undercooked pieces of bacon. Although I should have realized that mediocrity was the standard in this place, I had hoped that no one could truly make bacon undesirable. However, our local Waffle House achieved the unachievable. Taking my first bite of waffle, my immediate thought was “Oh. This doesn’t suck.” It wasn’t the most amazing thing I’d ever put in my mouth, but it certainly wasn’t bad. It did, however, remind me of the chocolate chip pancakes from Little Grill. That may have been caused by the same excess of chocolate in the two breakfasts, but the tasty similarities were uncanny. The check, on the other hand, did suck. I paid $8.44 for a drink, a single waffle drowning in chocolate and three pathetic excuses for bacon. Sorely disappointed, but not altogether surprised, I paid and we left the Waffle House for the first, and most likely the last, time.
PHOTO BY ARIEL VOGEL
EMPTY BOOTH. The waffle house seems to have fallen behind in the race for the best breakfast in the ‘Burg.
September 27, 2013
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September 27, 2013
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HHS ATHLETIC BOOSTER CLUB Get all of your HHS apparel today Don’t forget! Buy all of your camo for camo night on October 25 at the Turner Ashby football game
Strite’s Donuts “They’re awesome!” - Peter Norment Harrisonburg High School English Teacher
HHS - Newsstreak: Expires October 25, 2013
Dance & Company We offer serious classical and contemporary training from youth to adult in a positive and progressive program of study. Performance opportunities are provided through annual spring concert performances, informal showings and student participation in the dance center's repertory youth performance companies. Classes are offered year-round in ballet, modern, tap, jazz, musical stage, hip-hop, and Irish step dance.
For information and guidance in class selection please call: 810-3631 or 433-7127 or 234-8317 115 South Main St. Harrisonburg VA 22801
September 27, 2013
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SPORTS B6
Red Sea rocking fan section at athletic events
PHOTO BY FAITH RUNNELLS
STARTING OFF WITH A BANG. The students in the Red Sea form a tunnel for the football team to run through to get to the field prior to the first home game against Handley High School.
Tailgate attracts all grade levels Aubtin Heydari Staff Reporter
PHOTO BY FAITH RUNNELLS
REPRESENTING. Students in the Red Sea come out onto the field to welcome the football team as they run out.
Shifflett takes over as new quarterback
Brenna Cowardin Managing Editor
Although senior Matt Shifflett has only played high school football the past two years, he is now quarterback for HHS after a late season switch last year. “[I switched to quarterback last year because] we just needed somebody,” Shifflett said. “We had a lot of injuries.” Shifflett specifically remembers the Liberty game last season. The team was supposed to lose pretty badly, but they pulled out a win. “We were down with a minute and a half left, and we went on a game winning drive and we won with 20 seconds left,” Shifflett said. “It was really, really awesome.” Unlike some students, Shifflett never looked to professional athletes as role models, instead he turned to
his father, who played football and wrestled for Turner Ashby for inspiration. “My dad had a big role in [my athletic career],” Shifflett said. “He was always telling me, ‘you gotta work hard, you gotta keep going just to get better’.” The football team practices in three different sections, individual, group and team every Monday through Thursday for about three hours each day. “We have what’s called an individual period where you go to your main position. Then we have ‘group’ with a group of the position that you are. Linemen will go with themselves and smaller, quicker kids will practice together. Then we’ll do what’s called team, where we go 11 on 11, full tackle, running through certain plays,” Shifflett said. To prepare for game day, HHS foot-
ball coaches get video for the players to watch. “Our coaches are really good at getting film on the teams that we’re playing, so we’ll watch that, and see what they’re doing against us to try and either stop them, or exploit them when they’re on defense,” Shifflett said. As for personal game day rituals, Shifflett wears certain compression shorts based on the outcome of the previous game. “Depending on how the game went before, I have a lot of pairs of compression shorts so I’ll usually wear the same color,” Shifflett said. “I’m a big superstition guy.” Shifflett loves the moment right before the game starts. “[My favorite part of football is] just running out on the field on Friday nights,” Shifflett said. “It’s a great feeling.”
The Red Sea is truly a unique part of HHS. A relatively recent tradition, this movement in school spirit began as a microcosm of students at football games but now encompasses most of the school, dominating sporting events year round. One of the primary duties of the Red Sea is putting together the tailgates at all the football games. Senior SCA President Jacob Byrd calls the tailgates a “parking lot party,” while senior and Red Sea aficionado Travis Schreiber-May defines itas the “mental and physical preparation for a sporting event.” With anywhere between 30 and 60 students at any given tailgate, kids start arriving at 5 p.m. to fill up the upper corner of the student side parking lot. They enjoy student chosen music, cornhole games, food, friends, and miniature football matches. Cases of Red Bull energy drinks rapidly disperse among the crowd as the student section amps up for the game. To top it all off, a large huddle of fury driven chants and energetic moshing ignites the flame that burns for a four quarters of Friday night light madness. While the tailgate is a sacred ritual for seasoned
football fans, newcomers to the school are seldom seen at the pregame. Freshmen in particular tend to feel alienated and are uneasy about attending. The SCA and Red Sea council are trying to fight this trend and open up younger students to the fun. “The [tailgate] is a great way for freshman to meet new people,” Byrd said. The intense spirit of camaraderie at the events gives kids new to the school a cool avenue to meet and hang out with people outside of the traditional in-school setting and become part of the HHS experience. “Just come out, have fun, and enjoy yourself,” senior Blake Long, a veteran tailgater, said. The pre-game can make or break the spirit of the crowd, so starting it off on a positive note and with a large turnout is vital. The Red Sea is making extensive efforts this year to reach out to freshmen by airing advertisements during the broadcast and speaking personally to individuals. Additionally, carpools are being put together to help students who want to come but are too young to drive and don’t have rides. Starting with these new efforts, the Red Sea is hoping to make this year’s tailgates the most inclusive and most energetic so far.
Coaches look forward to season
Faith Runnells Sports Editor
This upcoming year will be the third year Coach Thurman has been the head coach for the HHS football team. He and the rest of the eight football coaches are very much looking forward to this year and what it brings for the team. “I’m looking forward to watching these kids develop. They work so hard and I think it’s just going to be a good year. I’m just going to see what this group can do, and what they’re capable of. It excites me,” Thurman said. Quarterback Coach Carico feels the same excitement for the team this year.
“This year we have a closeness and togetherness that we didn’t have last year. The team’s attitude makes it exciting. I’m 57 years old, and I still didn’t sleep last night because I know we’ve got a ball game tonight. I get excited every time we do this,” Carico said, the day of the team’s first game of the season, at E.C. Glass on Thursday, Aug. 29. Both Coach Thurman and Coach Carico have noticed the improvement in the team bonding and work ethics. “Kids really have a great attitude. There’s not a lot of ‘I’ this year, there’s a lot more ‘team’. They’re all really good kids and they can really put in work and get after it. There’s just a whole different feel with this group,” Thurman said.
The team practices every day after study hall for two to three hours, and normally have their games on Friday nights. The biggest competition of the year is not yet known, but Coach Thurman thinks the team has much potential. “I haven’t seen anybody play yet, so I don’t know who’s the competition yet. But we’re young. If next year, we can get somebody to take Matt Shifflett’s spot at quarterback, we have potential to be good this season and next,” Coach Thurman said. All the coaches are looking forward to this upcoming season because the team is showing a great work ethic and attitude which they think will especially pay off for the team.
PHOTO BY JULEXUS CAPPELL
TURN IT UP. Local radio station Kiss FM 93.7 came to the tailgate and played some music.
Cross country team helps to clean up bleachers after football games Ariel Vogel Feature Editor “Even if it is service, it’s with the team, so it’s fun,” sophomore Allison Kasch said, a second-year runner on the girl’s cross country team, referring to the fundraiser the team does every year: cleaning up the stands after home football games. “It’s part of our fundraising, to buy team gear; jackets, bags, stuff like that,” girl's cross country coach Dave Loughran explained. Loughran has been coaching the team for ten years and they’ve been doing the fundraiser for eight of those years. They started
doing this fundraiser when Coach Carico was still the athletic director and was unhappy about the cleanliness of the stadium after games. “We had a conversation as I was getting on the cross-country bus at seven in the morning. I said we could do it for the same amount of money as he was paying already to have it cleaned, and he liked that idea, so it became our job,” Loughran recalled. Though the team is doing it for a good reason, it doesn’t change the fact that they’re cleaning up trash. “The middle school section in the stands is definitely the nastiest, because they have the least
regard for keeping public areas clean. They’re followed closely by the Red Sea, who should take greater care in using trash cans,” Loughran said. As to what the runners get with the money, that depends on how long they’ve been running. “First year runners on the team get jackets that are pretty sweet and second year runners get backpacks. For third and fourth year runners, we get them what they want. It varies from year to year; we get them some pretty sweet stuff that they get to keep,” Loughran described. Raab, being a fourth year runner this year, listed some items fourth year runners have selected
in the past. “It’s been pullovers, like hoodies with the zipper that only goes halfway, raincoats, maybe some sweatshirts. We haven’t decided what we’re getting this year yet,” she said. The decision will be made by all the fourth year runners on the team. The fundraiser isn’t required of the team members, but he says most attend anyway. “Most of the team attends the games, so they’re already there. People can’t come to every game, though, [so] it’s not necessarily required," Loughran said. Senior Julie Raab has been on the cross country team all four years, and has attended the clean-
ups since her freshman year. "I might go more this season, but [I've attended] pretty regularly in the past," Raab said. Kasch also participated in most of the cleanups last year. Raab enjoys the cleanups, for the most part. "It's kind of gross, because it's all trash, but it's worth it because we get money for our cool stuff and it's fun when there's a big group of us," Raab said. Kasch agrees, adding that it's good bonding time for the team. "We're a crazy team, [so] we just make a lot of jokes. It's [basically] another hangout,” Kasch laughs.
September 27, 2013
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Get your Red Sea Gear in room 444 t-shirts - $10 hoodies - $20 beanies - $10
HOMECOMING FESTIVITIES THIS WEEKEND Tailgating with the Red Sea beginning at 5 p.m. in the gym parking lot Crowning of the King and Queen at halftime of the football game Dance in the gym commons from 8-11 on Saturday night $12 per person Tickets must be purchased today - they will NOT be sold at the door
ADS - B7
September 27, 2013
Sports Briefs VARSITY FOOTBALL The varsity football team has played two football games as of our print deadline. The first game was against E.C. Glass on Aug. 29. HHS won the game 27-24. They lost to Handley by 63-27 on Sept. 6. The next game will be on Sept. 20 against Liberty at HHS.
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Boys join cheerleading squad again Austin Engle Staff Reporter
FRESHMAN FOOTBALL Freshman football has played one scrimmage and one game. The scrimmage was on Aug.16 at Fluvanna County. They lost their game against E.C. Glass with a score of 6- 20 on Aug. 30.
PHOTO BY ALEXIS DICKERSON
VARSITY VOLLEYBALL The girls have had two scrimages this year so far. East Rock on Aug. 16 and Luray on Aug. 21. They have also had two games. They lost the game to Page County, 2-3, on Aug. 28. They won their game against Eastern Mennonite with a score of 3-2 on Aug. 30. Their next game is on Oct. 1 at Robert E. Lee. BOYS CROSS COUNTRY At Massanetta Springs Course the boys finished second place on Aug. 26 against Broadway, Spotswood, Turner Ashby, Eastern Mennonite, and East Rockingham. Their next meet is on Oct. 24 at Burtner Farm. GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY The girls have had three meets so far this year. Their next three meets are on Sept. 28 at New Market Battlefield, Oct. 2 at Burtner Farm, and on Oct. 12 at Panorama Farms.
Cheerleading is a sport that requires a lot of practice, and even more for sophomore Abner Johnson and senior Jarek Arellano because this is their first year. “Last year, I went to a private gym and practiced tumbling,” Johnson said. He made the varsity squad this year. Johnson after making the team faced more problems. One of these problems is scheduling conflicts and another is his peers. “I get teased by the football team for joining,” Johnson said, but he has decided to stick with it for the sake of “trying something new.” With the scheduling conflict somehow he managed to fit in all of the practices. “I have football practice from after school until 6 p.m. and then cheerleading from 6:30 until 8:30, said Johnson. Luckily for him the cheerleading practice isn’t at the same time as football. The cheerleading squad was successful last year, and made it all
the way to states. This year with male help they may go even further. However, Johnson and Arellano are used to the more aggressive football mentality. They will have to change their mindset while cheerleading to be more supportive and excited. Even if it means that they feel out of place when they “Don’t know what they’re doing.” Most would assume that cheerleading is a female dominated sport, and they would be right, but guys like it too. In football, for example, you feel good for scoring a touchdown or making a good play, in cheerleading you feel good knowing that you inspired that player to make that spectacular play. Overall, Johnson enjoys it, even though it gets repetitive and tiring while they are working on the stunts and fixing the little things. His favorite thing is the tumbling, doing handsprings and cartwheels along a section of open space, and his least favorite is the jumps. No longer is cheerleading a girls-only sport.
PHOTO BY ALEXIS DICKERSON
TUMBLING WITH THE CHEERLEADERS. Sophomore Abner Johnson and senior Jarek Arellano do back flips for practice and set up for a basket.
Medley shines as young star Pablo Pacheco Staff Reporter At only 15 years of age, sophomore Devin Medley is a key player on the varsity football team. Medley’s father influenced him to start playing football. “My dad told me that it would be a good idea,” Medley said, when asked why he decided to play football. He was only nine years old the very first time he touched a football and started playing. Currently, Medley is a running back and linebacker on the varsity team. A running back is the player who runs out into the open field to be an option for the quarterback to throw
the ball to. “It’s my favorite position because I’ve been playing it since I was younger,” Medley said. Medley isn’t thrown off by being a younger member of the varsity football team. Despite it being his first year on the varsity team, Medley is a very competitive player and does get a lot of playing time. “Being a sophomore and playing in the varsity team is basically the same,” Medley said. “My favorite drills during practice are the running back drills,” Medley said. Practice runs from 3:30 in the afternoon until 6:30 in the evening. The team spends three long hours everyday practicing for the upcoming games.
Medley has many goals for his athletic career this year but there’s one in particular that is his main priority. “I hope to get a lot of yards and to get a lot of tackles.” Medley said. He recently scored a touchdown on the first home game of the season against Handley on September 6. “Devin has a big body which is an important feature of him. He’s also really quick for his size,” senior Brennen Kea said about his younger teammate, Devin. The coaches love having young kids in the varsity football team so they can grow into amazing players by their senior year in high school. Devin Medley is one of those young players in the varsity team and will be a great threat on the field two years from now.
PHOTO BY ELLA MARIAN
GETTING READY. Sophomore Devin Medley does warm ups at practice to get ready for the second home game.
Q & A with cross country freshmen Molly Campillo Brenna Cowardin Managing Editor 1. How long have you been running? Since sixth grade. 2. What’s your favorite race memory? I really liked the race at Elkton in seventh grade because I like the shade [on the course], and I knew the course better than most people. [Campillo lived in Massanutten up until seventh grade so she went to Elkton as a sixth grader.] And when I got to a certain point in the race, I was surprised by how close I was to the finish. I got a lot of energy
Tyler Rodriguez Ella Marian Sports Editor
PHOTO BY AVA REYNOLDS
GOING FOR THE WIN. Freshman Molly Campillo runs in the EMHS Invitational at Burtner Farm on Sept. 14. Campillo finished fifth on the team. She started the season at seventh on the team and worked her way up in the varsity race.
1. How long have you been running? Since 6th grade. 2. What’s your favorite race memory? Yesterday. I got my best time [20:58]. The last stride at the end was the best. 3. How is running in high school different from middle school? There a lot more milage, the practices are a but longer, and the races are a bit harder. 4. What are you most excited for? The kids on the team are really nice and we have a lot of fun. 5. What is your goal? To break 20 on my 5k. 6. Why did you start? I did it in middle school and I really liked it, plus
and finished with my best time. 3. What’s your least favorite race memory? My first race. It was almost 90 degrees on the Montevideo course, with no shade. I was not prepared. It was the only race I’ve ever walked in. 4. How is running in high school different from middle school? The practices are a lot harder, but the team is closer. 5. What are you most excited for? I want to improve as much as I can and run really hard with everybody. I’m excited to keep doing my best. 6. What is your goal? I would really like for our team to go to states. [As an in-
other kids were telling me that it is a lot of fun. 7. Who inspires you? My middle school coach; he was a really nice, a really good coach and it was really fun to practice with him. 8. Do you plan to continue running in college? No, only for the duration of high school. 9. What’s your least favorite thing about running? It gets tiring, and some days you’re just not feeling the best, and you don’t really want to run as much as you’re supposed to, but you have to get better. 10. What is a typical day at practice? Lots of hills, lots of mileage. We do a lot of running, we don’t go into the weight room. [Coach Lauren Jefferson] says that because we’re running in meets, we should focus on that in practice.
dividual], I want to beat 25 minutes [in a 5k]. 7. Why did you start? I always liked running before [cross country in middle school]. In my neighborhood, the kids would run places and play outside a lot. 8. Is this a family thing? My sisters really like running. They’re both running at the middle school, and I hope they continue in high school. 9. Who inspires you? [My sister] Abby pushes me to run harder. In sixth and seventh grade, I didn’t push myself, but in eighth grade, we ran together and I ran harder. She’s a really good runner. She does both cross country and travel soccer at the same time.
PHOTO BY AVA REYNOLDS
RUNNING STRONG. Freshman Tyler Rodriguez runs in the meet at Burtner Farm on Sept. 14.
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THE EXPERIENCE- B10
SAFARI ADVENTURE
LONG NECK. This giraffe was one of the animals at the safari park that was fenced in rather than roaming free.
SAY CHEESE. This small antelope is known as a Blackbuck. Blackbucks can reach speeds of up to 45 miles per hour and are native to India.
WHITE-BEARDED WILDEBEESTS. Also known as gnus, these wildebeests originally hail from Africa.
STRIPES ON STRIPES. The zebras are a popular attraction at the park. However, patrons are warned not to feed them because they bite.
SNACK TIME. The park features two types of camels- Dromedary camels have one hump and Bactrian camels have two humps. Both animals take enthusiastically to being fed and our known to steal food buckets and attempt to make them part of their meal.
Virginia Safari Park offers unique, animal-filled experience Mia Karr Editor-in-chief The camel clearly had the upper hand in this situation. Its bulbous eyes stared at the bucket of food I was offering in a disinterested manner. I was about to chicken out and roll up my window, when the animal sauntered over and wrapped it’s teeth around the edge of the bucket. I tried to hang on, but soon the camel had yanked it from my hands and tilted its large head back to dump the entirety of the small, brown, food pellets into its mouth. Then, as if to prove how little it meant to him, he tossed the bucket on the ground and walked away. One bucket down. Luckily, we had three more. Although one could have mis-
taken my surroundings for an exotic wildlife reserve, I was actually about an hour and a half away from Harrisonburg, at the Virginia Safari Park. The park boasts 180 acres of land and is “Virginia’s Largest Zoo”, according to its brochure. Visitors can take guided wagon rides or, like me, drive through in their own cars, watching and feeding the animals, which include emus, llamas, camels, gazelles, wildebeests, bison, and zebras. Some of the animals, like the camels, are fenced in, but others may end up standing directly in front of you car. I spent close to two hours driving through the park- and by me, I mean my mom drove and my fellow reporter, Brenna, and I fed the animals, took pictures,
and frantically rolled our windows up when certain animals got too close. It took me a little bit to work up the courage to actually feed any of them, but not all of the creatures were as rude as the camels. Llamas, for one, would make pleasant dinner guests. They calmly stuck their head in the bucket, chewed a few bites, and then repeated until I moved on. Emus did a weird sort of shifty dance until sticking their beak into the pellets for short spastic bites. Some of the animals had already eaten their fill by the time we reached them. I was surprised by the large number of cars there on a Sunday afternoon. The atmosphere was pleasant. Little kids stuck their heads out of sunroofs, women craned out of their win-
dows to get the best picture, and everyone generally seemed to be enjoying themselves. There is also a small zoo attached to the park with kangaroos, birds, and a tiger. I talked to ranger and tour guide Bryc Talley, as he greeted cars at the entrance gate. (Telling each one not to feed the zebras, because they bite.) Talley has been working at the safari park since mid-March. His favorite animals are the Bactrian (twohumped) camels. “Most of them are really friendly and some of them even have little funny tricks that they like to do. There’s one that has really ticklish top lips, so if you tickle right in front of his nose he’ll wiggle his lips around,” Talley said. According to Talley, the zoo
does a lot of buying and selling of animals with other zoos. The animals in the park come from places as varied as Africa, Europe, and India. The absence of predators is the main way the park is different from the wild. “We try to keep things as natural as possible,” Talley said. Aside from the cars and loud children, I could have been fooled into thinking I was observing the animals in the wild. It was a unique and fun experience, and worth the drive. If I went again, I wouldn’t buy so much food- four buckets was way too much, even including the bucket I spilled all over my car while climbing into the front seat for a good camera angle. Otherwise, I have no regrets about spending a few hours in the park.
HUNGRY BIRD. The emu originally hails from Australia and is the second largest flightless bird.
PHOTOS BY MIA KARR AND BRENNA COWARDIN
NAP TIME. These blackbucks soak up some sun on the large grassy area that also doubles as their chief food source.
FUNNY FACE. This Rocky Mountain elk is also known as the “watipi” and is native to the mountains of the Western United States and Canada. Its antlers can weigh as much as a four-year-old child, but it is also a good jumper and fast runner.