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The Warrior TheCulture Western Hemisphere Western Albemarle High School
The Warrior Culture
Is Western a “Sports School?”
Volume 28 Issue 2
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december 2012
table of contents
December 2012 The Culture of Sports
news
5
10 opinion feature
What’s Inside? Rosalie Stoke makes her mark on the Senior Patio.
Technology Revolution page 5
The 3rd Party Issue page 10
Review of “As You Like It” page 18
Chem Club members Andy Cohen and Lauren Kelley roast marshmallows with Ms Stuzman.
sports
arts 18 & entertainment
22 Isaac Rowlingson keeps a steady beat in the band’s holiday concert Dec. 16.
Salsy Expose page 22
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latitudes FIND US...
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photos by: Deepa Shivaram
december 2012
volume 28 issue 2
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WESTERN HEMISPHERE STAFF Editors-in-Chief Haley Roland Morgan McKee Web Editor Sarah Rainey Design Editor Maya Langman Photo Editor Deepa Shivaram Copy Editors Kristi Hagen Sophie Webb Business Manager Maggie Spindel News Editor Patrick Andrews Opinion Editor Tim Dodson Sports Editors Brandt Berry Kamila Setaro A&E Editor Zach Mandell Latitudes Editor Sarah Duska Staff Writers Grant Tolber Kelsey McKechnie Sarah Honosky Ian McKechnie Morgan Broadus Isabella Fernandez Garrett Hatmaker Lauren Kearns Sam Lesemann Eme Massarelli Lucas Rhondeau Emily Williams Lillian Xu
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Letters to the Editor: The Western Hemisphere welcomes letters to the editor of any topic of concern to the Western community. All letters must be signed; works submitted without the author’s name will not be published. All materials are subject to editing for libel, obscentiy, poor taste, spelling, grammar, punctuation, style and space. Submit letters to the editor to 5941 Rockfish Gap Turnpike, Crozet, VA 22932 or wahs. news@gmail.com Our Mission: The Western Hemisphere is the studentrun newspaper for Western Albemarle High School in Crozet, Virginia. The Hemisphere seeks to inform, educate and entertain the student body and local community. The opinions expressed in our newspaper do not necessarily reflect the opinions of any school governing body, such as the school board, school administration or faculty.
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news
Classrooms adopt new technology by KRISTI HAGEN LEFT: Andrea Garcia tests the speed and velocity of her dune buggy in Physics.
T
he room is surrounded by eight flat-screen televisions. Every student has a netbook out. Equations in Expo marker are scribbled on a floor-to-ceiling whiteboard. Years ago, this classroom would have looked like it came out of a science fiction film. But in the Digital Age, it is quickly becoming the norm. The increase of technology in recent years has inevitably shaped the education process as teachers adopt it into their lesson plans. Physics teacher Ms. Taylor has noticed the development throughout her career and says the biggest change has been accessibility: “From being lucky to having one desktop to having as many computers as you wish.” She is appreciative of the flexibility that technology provides. Without it, students are often limited to what teachers lecture in class and what is assigned for homework. “Physics is passion-driven, not teacher-driven,” she says. What she aims for is a classroom where students can explore topics that interest them, which online resources provide easy access to. Since every physics student receives a netbook for the year, research becomes a simple task. “Google is an incredibly powerful tool,” she adds. “When they have a question, they don’t necessarily have to ask me.” Over the years, technology has also aided students as they work on projects outside of school. Through websites that allow a document
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photo by: Deepa Shivaram
to be edited by several people at the same time -- most noticeably, Google Drive – face-to-face meetings are no longer needed to complete group PowerPoints for class. The use of online simulations helps students grasp scientific concepts –- such as gravity or alpha decay –- that are difficult to replicate in the high-school classroom. In one such simulation students in Ms. Karpovich’s chemistry class could explore how pressure, heat and volume related with only several clicks of a mouse. Today, students have near-immediate access to the Internet through cell phones and iPods, and many also own laptops. As a result of greater accessibility to the Internet, teachers are requiring students to turn in work online to sites such as TurnItIn and BlackBoard. Instead of scribbling in the margins of printed-out papers, they have the option of typing up comments. And with instant comparison to the web and other uploaded papers, they can easily check for plagiarism as well. Some teachers are taking a step further and experimenting with new technology. Ms. Taylor applied for a grant
from the Albemarle County DART Innovation Seed Project and received 10 high-speed cameras and eight flat-screen televisions. She plans to use them to videotape experiments, which can then be linked up to the televisions so that the class can observe it for a discussion. Ms. Karpovich’s chemistry class is currently in what is known as a “flipped-classroom.” In a traditional high school class, teachers lecture the material to students in class and assign practice or application problems for homework. In a flipped-classroom, students watch videos or go over notes at home, then discuss the material and do problems and labs in class. Student teacher Ms. Tuszka likes this format, as it allows for more time to do labs in class instead of spending it teaching new material. By going over the notes at home, students have more time to absorb the information and fully understand it, without the time pressure of a 90-minute class. Sophomore Patrick Hicks, who is taking chemistry with Ms. Karpovich, says, “It helps me learn better because I can work at my own pace.”
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news
by KELSEY MCKECKNIE
2012 marks the 30th anniversary of the honor council at Western, but recently many students have been noticing a relaxed attitude among peers when it comes to cheating. The school handbook states that the honor council is in place so that students can police themselves and cooperate to make sure that everyone follows the rules. While this paints an ideal picture of how our school should function, some have been wondering whether or not the system is in fact an effective method of controlling cheating. There are a number of students at WAHS that are not even certain what exactly constitutes an honor offense. “Cheating for me is not doing your own work, but not necessarily on homework or classwork, only on tests and quizzes,” said one anonymous student. “Looking at someone else’s work without them knowing is cheating, but if they know that you’re looking at their work and are OK with it, then
it’s not really cheating,” another anonymous student said. The schools definition of cheating in the handbook is quite different and considers “copying another student's work” or “giving another student answers or work” as cheating, begging the question: do the students at Western realize their indiscretion? Even people that are aware of the
fact that they are breaking the honor code seem to think that it’s OK to do so. “I consider cheating to be turning in work from someone else that you lead the teacher to believe is your own work, and by that strict definition I guess I do cheat occasionally,” said an anonymous student. “A lot of people at Western cheat, but I don’t really think that it’s a huge problem,”
another anonymous student said. The other side of cheating comes from the individuals that enable others to get credit for work that isn’t their own. “I feel like people always copy my homework, or I’ll do all of the work on an activity in class and people just put down my answers. It’s just hard to say no,” said an anonymous student. Senior Julia Updike has served on the council for the past four years. “Being on honor council has taught me that it’s important to stay true to yourself and hold yourself to a certain standard. I think that honor council is a great way for students to provide an example for other students and uphold integrity,” Updike said. Student leaders like Updike work hard to preserve the 30-year tradition of trustworthiness and integrity at Western and it seems that more people should take a page from her book.
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news
WAHS History Teachers Travel the Globe by EMILY WILLIAMS
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his previous summer, three teachers from the WAHS social studies department, Mr. Dolenc, Ms. Mulcahy and Ms. McLaughlin, traveled to countries across Europe and Asia to learn about different nations’ histories, cultures and education.
When Ms. Mulcahy traveled to China over the summer, the surroundings that awaited her were like that of a movie, literally. Ms. Mulcahy said, “When we went to Beijing, we visited the kung-fu school where they filmed the new ‘Karate Kid,’ because it was one of the only ones in session.” In addition to Beijing, Ms. Mulcahy also toured the cities of Xian and Shanghai through a travel program, after being selected by a Virginia school merit scholarship. “The process was pretty intense. I had to be interviewed, and they even had to talk to Mr. Francis,” she said. Ms. Mulcahy was joined by about 20 others, as they visited many of China’s historic landmarks, such as the Forbidden City and the Great Wall of China. The group was also able to view the terracotta warriors
found in the tomb of the first Chinese emperor, Qin Shi Huang. Ms. Mulcahy learned about the Chinese education system by visiting an elementary school there. “It was a lot different from ours because instead of dividing by age, they were all in one room,” she said. In addition, she talked with a Chinese high school principal and found that their problems within schools are very similar to ours here. “They have some of the same challenges as we do,in that they are trying to find a way to balance the importance of test scores and skills needed in real life,” she said. Her most moving experience throughout the trip was witnessing a funeral ceremony put on by Buddhist monks in a temple in Xiang. “It was interesting to see the mixture of modern and traditional elements,” she said.
This past summer, Mr. Dolenc returned to his roots when he traveled across the globe to Germany. Mr. Dolenc, who teaches World History I and Government, applied to a competitive social studies program that leads tours for teachers. Over the course of two weeks, Mr. Dolenc and 15 other teachers from all over the United States, went to cities including Berlin, Geis, Weimar, Erfurt and Frankfurt. The historical aspect of the trip included visits to the Nazi party grounds and the Nuremberg trial rooms. He also went to Buchenwald, a former concentration camp in Weimar. “It was really moving to be there,” he said. Other infamous sites he visited included the Reichstag building where German Parlia-
ment meets; Cecilienhof, where the Potsdam Conference was held; and a location where sections of Berlin Wall still stand. However, the trip was not solely focused on history. Mr. Dolenc and his group members also went to see German schools in session and learned about their education system. “After eighth grade, they split up into either a vocational school or college, which I found really interesting,” Mr. Dolenc said. When asked about his favorite parts of the trip, he said, “We did a bike tour through Potsdam, which was really fun.” However, his favorite moment was visiting the Wartburg Castle, where Martin Luther was exiled. “Martin Luther is my homeboy,” he said with a laugh.
Ms. McLaughlin began her summer journey tracing the significant locations from World War I, in Brussels, Belgium. Her travels took her all around the countries of Belgium and France with a group of fellow educators from both the United States and Great Britain. Ms. McLaughlin received this opportunity through a program called America on a World Stage, provided by a Teaching U.S. History Grant. Most of these places were not new territories for her, as she had taken a similar trip with Western students two
years ago. “It was my first time being in Verdun and Brussels, but I had visited everywhere else,” Ms. McLaughlin said. As part of the trip, Ms. McLaughlin was required to make a movie about the destruction of Verdun with a smaller group of four others. The movie they made also focused on the memorial in the town and the efforts to rebuild it. Ms. McLaughlin especially enjoyed visiting the Argonne forest in France. “It was really special for me because my grandfather actually fought there in World War I,” she said.
photo courtesy: Mr. Dolenc
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ABOVE: Mr. Dolenc poses in traditional German garb.
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news
Students Ask the Questions, Counselors Answer by LILLIAN XU
A
fter getting off the phone with an anxious parent, Ms. Wright is besieged by kids who seek her help and guidance in managing stress and other concerns. During lunch, she discusses opportunities with students who are academically accelerated, then changes gears to aid students needing a motivational push. Among these jobs that are imperitive to the success of students, answering the many questions of both involved parents and hard working students is the most important. Counselors such as Ms. Wright spend hours solving problems, and by the end of the day, they end up talking about the same concerns multiple times. Many of the most popular questions include:
“How is GPA calculated and how can I get more information on how to prepare a better transcript?” -Eric Xu (10th grade) In the calculation of GPA, each letter grade is translated to a quality point – A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, F=0. An average is figured with a 4.0 being the highest unweighted GPA possible. “What goes on my high school transcript? What do colleges look at (what grades, exams and semesters)? Am I on track for getting into my dream college?” -Christina Zapatero (12th grade) Your transcript will show the grades you earned in your classes, your GPA, and your highest SAT and ACT scores. An additional quality point is added to each Honors and AP class before averaging the weighted GPA used to determine class rank. “How does the year-grading (the new grading just adopted this year) work as opposed to the semester-grading (the system from the past years)? -Kristen Richey (11th grade) Basically, instead of having two letter grades for two different semesters on your transcript, there is only one letter grade for the whole year that appears on your transcript. “How common is doubling up with Geometry and Algebra 2?” -Olivia Cornish (9th grade) Very common! A lot of people double up with those two math classes to catch up or get ahead.
CoderDojo:
A coding program turned international by MORGAN BROADUS
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ach day, the average youth spends a surprising amount of time using technology. Some of it is for educational purposes, but unfortunately, much of it is not. Facebook, Twitter,
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Tumblr and gaming websites are all popular places where many teenagers spend their time. Humans are constantly on their phones, laptops, iPads, many of them accustomed to the life they have come to know with technology. While most of the younger generation understands the technology in their lives, theres some people who’ve taken their understanding of technology to a whole different level: CoderDojo. CoderDojo is an academy where technology-loving youths of all ages go to learn to code, develop websites, apps, computers, games and so on. The program was founded in Ireland in 2011 by James Whelton and Bill Liao. Since then, there have been over 150 CoderDojos created in 22 countries. Volunteers run the free, nonprofit learning organization, setting up Dojos and organizing various events for the program.
CoderDojo goes along with the meaning of “dojo” (a school or practice hall where karate, judo or other martial arts are taught). The students can get belts for the level they’re on, just like martial arts students get belts for the level of ability they have. This past summer CoderDojo was started in Albemarle County, providing free learning for kids and teens of all ages. Once the program launched the classes were signed up and filled in less than 10 minutes. Students must have a mentor who is qualified in all areas of the learning. A few mentors of the Albemarle County CoderDojo students are Jon Baber and Paula White. Jon Baber said, “I definitely found the students racing past me at CoderDojo. It was a wonderful moment to behold.” Paula White is an elementary teacher who loves how older and younger kids can
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news interact and help one anCONTINUED FROM other. Michael PREVIOUS PAGE Craddock also has had a big part in the program. Craddock is a computer science instructor at Monticello High School, so he has a lot of knowledge about computers. Most of his students who like his class will be interested in the CoderDojo program. Craddock likes being apart of CoderDojo because you get to work with students of all ages and because it’s a natural working environment. CoderDojo uses a large range of programs such as HTML, CSS, Mine-
craft, stencil, sketch, Javascript Rule and other various webpage programs. Since there is such a wide range of ages, they also use simpler programs such as Microworlds. A few students here at WAHS who’ve participated in CoderDojo are two freshmen, Jake Amtmann and Chris Rabasa. Their class consisted of a four-day period in which they would learn and experiment with various web programs. The first day they used scratch and stencil, the second they created a 2D game, the third they used HTML and CSS programs, and the last day they had many options to chose from, one being experimenting with robots and Kodu (an Xbox
program). The two said they really enjoyed the class, they learned a lot, and that they would gladly go back again. CoderDojo started off being a free learning class in Ireland, but the success of the the program has really taken off. Walton Middle School has started offering sketch as an elective due to the increasing interest in it. CoderDojo is now being used in 22 countries and isn’t just a summer program anymore. Now it is being held once or twice a month in Albemarle County, maybe even more in other cities and towns. The class has really helped students with computer skills, interactions with others and teaches them valuable knowledge about life.
The Life of the Modern Military Family by SOPHIE WEBB Wakhan
(Wakhan Corridor)
Mazar-e Sharif
Toraghondi
Herat Shindand
Shir Khan Kunduz Noshak USH K U
Bagram
KABUL
HIND
Jalalabad
Ghazni
Kandahar Zaranj
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ost Western students can expect their parents to be home every night at 5 on the dot. However, others are not so fortunate. Junior Addie Oliver’s mother, Elizabeth Turner, works for the U.S. Army as the Chief of Military Justice. Turner has been serving in Kabul, Afghanistan since July 2012 and will return home around August 2013. In Kabul, Turner is in charge of military justice action, ranging from court cases to misconduct grievances. Addie moved to Crozet during the summer of 2011, after living in Arlington, Va., while her mother worked in various defense programs. They moved so that Elizabeth could attend the Judge Advocate General
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School, located in Charlottesville. Attending JAG was the last in a series of steps that prepared Turner for her role as Chief of Military Justice. “First she went to law school and got her law degree. Then she worked as a legal assistance attorney at Fort Sill in Oklahoma. Then she worked as an administrative law attorney at Fort Sill. Then she worked at the Trial Defense Services office in Fort Sill. Then we moved to Arlington, Va., where she worked in the Defense Appellate Division and then in the Defense Counsel Assistance Program. Then we moved to Charlottesville where she was at the JAG school for a year,” Oliver said. Addie has been with her mother every step of the way, although that involves a large deal of moving around. Addie explains that when she moved to Arlington she didn’t like it, and she missed living in Oklahoma, where most of her friends and family were. However, she grew to love Arlington, and now loves living in Crozet, which was a
pleasant change from the large metropolis of Arlington. Addie is a junior at Western, and she is on the varsity sideline cheerleading squad. She cites her grandfather Peter, who also served in the military, as her mother’s main inspiration for entering the career field and adds that she has been similarly inspired; she hopes to follow in her mother’s footsteps and become a defense lawyer. As much as she loves Crozet, Oliver admits that is has been really hard living away from her mother for so long. Currently she is staying with her step-dad, and she says of her mother, “I miss her so much. My mom has always been a single mom so it has always been just me and her together. This is the first time I have really had to be away from her for such a long period of time. It has been really hard to try to adjust to not having her around.” Luckily, they are able to communicate briefly through email and phone calls, although communications from Kabul are inconsistent.
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opinion
Complaints From an Angry Voter by TIM DODSON
D
uring the election season, the popular question was “Obama or Romney?” But what about “Obama, Romney, Stein, Johnson or Goode?” People seem to have a false perception that we only have two choices in elections, when in reality the people can choose whoever they want. The two parties hold an unfair monopoly over the political system. As the system has evolved following the first presidents, the polarization has never been as bad as it is today. The parties have changed over time, but the principle of keeping others out of power has remained the same. Its results: a stagnant economy, an unsustainable empire, unrealistic expectations, upset people and talks of secession from various states. An argument against this would be that it is individuals and uncontrollable factors which have contributed to these issues. However, it could be said that ideologies have created the socioeconomic and political environment our world is in today. These ideologies which lack accountability and responsibility govern the very parties which control our lives. The WAHS Mock Election contributed to this madness by only including the Republican and Democratic parties on its ballot. True, the AP Government project groups were supposed to be learning about the American political system in its most recognized form, but in the process some students were alienated by the festivities. Since when did the political opinions of young Libertarians, Greens, Socialists and Constitutionalists not count? What happened to the write-in box? According to government teachers, third-party candidates were not included on the ballot due to issues with timing and resources. However, did such circumstances justify eliminating the write-ins or third parties altogether? In one way, I understand the reasoning behind the ballot, as the election was intended to correspond with the classes’ projects. On
ABOVE: Will Sukovich casts his ballot in the Mock Election. photo by: Deepa Shivaram
the other hand, wasn’t our country founded on the principles of individual thought and civic engagement? Therefore, I cannot agree with suppressing the third parties and forcing students to vote between only two choices. The election sent a message that the political alternatives don’t matter.
The election sent a message that the political alternatives don’t matter. Most people probably do not care about the inclusion of a write-in or third party candidate on the ballot, but for those of us who do, the Mock Election was a let down. In fact, only 850 students casted their vote at the Mock Election, meaning that about 25 percent of student body did not cast ballots. Most of this 25 percent probably did not vote because their teachers didn’t take them or they were sick, but at least some segment of the student populace protested the election through withholding their vote. In many ways, the election was similar to the real one: campaigns pander to the voters and then do it again year after year. Beyond the third parties, perhaps the broader issue at the election was that these students will be voting in a matter of years (if they aren’t voting already), and there wasn’t a movement for a third party. Remember: choosing between the lesser of two evils is still choosing evil.
Should there have been third parties in the Mock Election? photos by: Tim Dodson “Yes. Everyone has a right to vote for who they want to.” - Maddie McKalips, 10th grade
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“With the politics we have today, I would support them being on the ballot.” - Ilo Zak, 11th grade
december 2012
Charlottesville Dermatology Debbie Elder, MD Phone: 434-984-2400 Email: debeldermd@embarqmail.com
600 Peter Jefferson Pkwy
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feature
The Extracurricular Crisis I s We s t e r n a “s p o r t s s c h o o l ” ?
by ZACH MANDELL & KAMILA SETARO
mecq said of those who don’t participate in sports, “but they are choosing to feel that way because we certainly appreciate all the things that all our students do, and we try to acknowledge those things.” On one chaotic Friday night at Western, there was a playoff football game as well as the drama department’s production of “As You Like It.” Both performances sold out. The next day’s Daily Progress covered the Warriors’ win over Charlottesville. However, no such praising was published for the play.
RIGHT: Rachel Poulter-Martinez makes a face in “As You Like It.” ABOVE: Oliver Herndon trots off the field.
photo by: Ryan Jones
A Tradition of Dominance Just walk in on Dr. Domecq’s annual beginning-of-theyear “tradition” speech, and it is hard to argue that Western’s proud history in sports is not a dominant component of the school’s psyche. By June 2012, Western had compiled 150 district championships, 58 regional championships and 26 state championships in 35 years. These numbers simply dwarf those of any other school in the area. When Monticello High School was founded in 1998, many thought that the new high school would lead to the demise of Western’s athletic dominance. Since its founding in 1998, however, Monticello has just three state championships, and Western undoubtedly remains dominant. The designation of WAHS as a “sports school” is just about unanimous throughout central Virginia. Charlottesville High School is an “arts school” -- it has its own Performing Arts Center. Western is a sports school -- the Warriors clean up the Jefferson District every year in just about every sport. This is well-known. This is also unavoidable within Western’s campus. Might this distinction be constricting to the students who do not participate in athletics? Not if you ask Dr. Domecq. “Western is not a sports school. It is ‘the’ school in central Virginia. And by that I mean that we are dominant in virtually everything we do,” he said, sporting his signature blue athletic jacket. “I think there are folks who may feel slighted,” Dr. Do-
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photo by: Deepa Shivaram
The Identity of Western At the Albemarle County office building sometime before 1977, a pen was marked over the map of the county. The Department of Education had decided that Albemarle High School had become overpopulated and that the county was in need of another high school. They marked off the westernmost corner of the county to fill the new school, Western Albemarle High School, that was to be built in time for the 1977 school year. Because the constituency of public schools is determined solely by place of residence, by a line drawn over a map, it would make sense that the student body of each school is its own diverse ecosystem. The collective personality of one public school should be just like that of any other. Schools, however, have identities of their own. “Western is definitely a ‘sports school.’ At Orange County, I never heard anything about the field hockey team or the volleyball team,” senior transfer Eddie Sher said. “Sports are definitely a huge part of the culture here. People really come out to the games,” concurred senior three-sport athlete Daniel Kuzjak.
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feature
The Case for Fine Arts Smack in the middle of Coach Bicker’s eighth-period study hall, somewhat distanced from the rest of the class, were three upperclassmen. Junior Corinne Kelleher, senior Connor McLean and senior Gabe Zak had their desks facing each other and were playing a round of the card game Magic. Two of the three were wearing face paint. Corinne, Gabe and Connor are all involved in drama and would say that their involvement with the athletic program is marginal. “We all go to the football games just to hang out with our friends and see the band,” said Gabe. Students at Western like Gabe, Connor and Corinne that are not absolutely invested in sports are a huge minority; about 60 percent of students at WAHS play a sport. Might the minority disagree with Dr. Domecq’s insistence that sports are not supreme?
Many who participate in the fine arts feel that, financially, they are given the short end of the stick. “There have been two new tracks built recently while, until this summer, we hadn’t gotten a new stage since 1977. I don’t want to sound bitter, but I’m definitely a little upset with the distribution of money,” said Connor McLean. The fine arts department, which, according to its constituents, suffers financially at the hands of sports, actually embodies many qualities that people generally think are unique to sports, in theater especially. Competition for the leading role, performance night adrenaline rush and teamwork are essential to the process of putting on a production. These elements are also reminiscent of sports, which are often viewed as the antithesis of the arts and the greedy sponge of funds. LEFT: Western students rush the field after beating Charlottesville this fall, celebrating the excellency that has made WAHS the envy of every school in central Virginia.
photo by: Deepa Shivaram
Can Fine Arts and Sports Coexist and Excel? More than anything, Western’s obsession with sports reflects its general competitiveness. In a play, there is no winner. “Here, we measure our success in terms of championships. Other schools measure their season on whether they beat Western,” Domecq said. As far as sports go, Western can call themselves the best in the area and easily back up such a claim with their decorated trophy case. People at Western are very proud of their place at the top, almost obsessed with it. Perhaps Western’s obsession with being “the school in central Virginia” explains its prioritization of sports, the easiest way to defend such an title. However, the drama department thinks it can become
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another source of pride for Western Albemarle. “Ms. Pitts is really revamping the program,” said Gabe Zak. The department is on a rapid ascension. Western’s art department certainly doesn’t have the same prestigious reputation that Monticello’s and Charlottesville’s do, but if they continue to sell out performances and put on good showings at VHSL competitions (last year they got second in the district) this could change. Ms. Pitts and her cast may be on their way to changing the perception of Western with one simple recipe, the same recipe with which the championship banners in the gymnasium are decorated: excellence.
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sports
different from any Pole-Vaulting : “It’sother sport”
by IAN MCKECHNIE LEFT: Senior pole-vaulters Ashley Laubach and Chandler Legard pass the time between one of their many practice jumps.
photo by: Deepa Shivaram
W
hen I took off, I knew I wasn’t going to make it.” Emily Rayle, a sophomore and pole-vaulter for the Western team, lamented her narrow elimination from participating in last year’s national championship. “There was just such a depressing feeling when I felt myself hit the bar,” Rayle said with a laugh. Despite her offhand tone, it is clear that she was taking her chance for redemption very seriously. Rayle and her fellow pole-vaulters are training hard for the upcoming season, which is set to begin in mid-December. The team’s coach, Kevin Matheny, maintains a promising outlook on the season. “Everybody’s looking good, and that’s scary,” Matheny said. “I really hope everybody follows through with how they’re looking right now.” With everyone’s current performance in
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practice, Matheny thinks he could have up to three boys and three to four girls qualify for the national meet in March. For high school teams, this number is unusually high. In fact, there is not another team in the state that comes close to Western in overall team performance. In the recent past, the Western girls have been known to sweep every top spot in the Jefferson District. Also, a high number of graduates have gone on to vault at colleges such as UVA, Virginia Tech, VMI, Mary Washington and JMU. But where does this success come from? It is clear that Coach Matheny has a lot to do with it. He started vaulting at Western during his eighth-grade year, and eventually set a record that was broken only recently in 2005. He went on to a successful career at George Mason University, both vaulting and
later coaching. He returned to Western as a coach in 1991 and has been here ever since. Matheny attributes his own success to the two world-renowned coaches he had in college. With one American coach and one Soviet coach, Matheny utilized a blend of vaulting techniques that he passes on to his own students. However, Matheny feels his love of the sport is more important than his knowledge. “You can have all the right information in the world, and have a bad attitude and be a sorry coach,” he said. It is clear that Matheny has passed his passion to his students; every one of the athletes is driven to improve. Senior Jessika Brenin summarizes the feelings of other athletes well, “You just feel cool when you tell people you’re a polevaulter.” Said Jessika, “It’s different. It’s different from any other sport.”
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sports
Swimming with E-”Fish-In-Sea” Western swimmers look toward another winning season
by SARAH RAINEY
ABOVE: WAHS swimmer Helen Given painfully kicks her way through the pool.
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round Albemarle County, high school students groan as they slowly roll out of bed and prepare for the long day of school ahead. While the majority of Western students shower and eat breakfast, one group of dedicated athletes has been up since before dawn. Cars line the small parking lot of Crozet Pool, and inside the newly added bubble, members of the Western Albemarle swim team glide through the water during their grueling morning practice. With two consecutive state titles, wins at all dual meets and almost all invitationals last year, the girls’ team is expected to once again have an outstanding season. This year they are led by sophomore Remedy Rule and seniors Anna Corley and Elsa Strickland, among others. Due to the loss of one of the most talented and powerful senior packs ever, many of the younger girls are stepping up to continue the impressive winning streak. One of the best swimmers on the girls’ team, as well as current state record holder for both the 200 and 400 freestyle, Rule comments on this season’s team, saying, “I think we’re in a good place ... We have a lot of really good girls on our team that have different specialties.” Led by Alex Rayle, Max Tempkin
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and Danny O’Dea, the Western boys’ team is also predicted to perform well throughout the season and at districts. They hope to win both districts and regionals and continue on to place highly at states. The addition of the Crozet Pool dome has aided the team in many ways and is a main contributor to the huge turnout this year. Western now has a pool where they can host home meets to compete against other schools. Crozet Pool is also more conveniently located than last season’s practice pool: Fairview, across town. This has made practices much easier to get to. For meets where there are less lanes available to Western, head coaches Diana Bowen and Dan Bledsoe plan on bringing a travel team. The massive success of Western’s swim program has called attention to the fact that swimming is a lot different than many other sports. The combination of both physical and mental challenges, such as knowing when to start a flip turn, along with the hundreds of hours put in, back up the argument that swimming is more difficult than other sports. Western’s team is composed of many who have a true passion for the sport. While some are just trying it out for the first time, others have been swimming
photo by: Deepa Shivaram
for as long as they can remember. What began as a fun summer activity transformed into a year-round commitment. Regardless of the large numbers, the team intends on remaining a varsity-only sport and not separating into two distinct teams. Many of the best swimmers on the team not only participate in Western’s winter swim team, but also swim for a club year-round. For year-round swimmers the training never stops; they practice every day and don’t stop over schools breaks. Alex Rayle, who swims for both SMAC and Western, explained, “The dedication swimmers have to put into their sports far outweigh most. I practice nine times a week, totaling 18 hours of practice without counting the 25-minute drive to and from practice. At my club team we average about 8,000 yards per practice which is about five miles of swimming and about 320 laps.” Even with all of the changes, like increased participation and a new home pool facing the Warriors, teammates keep things in perspective. Rule said, “It’s not always about swimming fast; it’s being part of a team and learning how to work hard and putting effort into something. All the people I get to meet and all the places I get to go are really cool. Not swimming would seem so weird.”
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Dissecting the Free Throw by PATRICK ANDREWS
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ou’ve gotten set up at the foul line. Only one thing stands in your way: the shot. Fear creeps into your mind as you’re frozen, staring at the basket, imagining the immeasurable distance that stands in between you and your goal. It’s the survival of the fittest out in the jungle, commonly called the court -- and you’re stuck in the thick of it. How will it turn out? Will you make the first? The second? Will you miss both? Miss the first but make the second? Or will you make the first and then face the horrible reality of missing the second? Everything depends on that last shot. The ball could end up in the hands of your opponents, the predators who immediately target your basket, your only source of life. In a lucky change of events, one of two things could happen: you could buy your teammates some time to regroup before the predators run wild and attack from all sides, allowing for an increased chance of survival. Or your team could recover the ball and gain an advantage against the animals who are out to get you. One basic principle rules what happens on court: survival of the fittest.
Aim/Arc: Throughout the process of shooting a free throw, your eyes should be locked onto the back of the rim, the intended target for shooting a basketball. Although many people prefer different types of arcs for the ball when they shoot free throws, Sumpter suggested a pretty high arc in order to have a cleaner shot through the hoop. However, the type of arc that fits best may vary from person to person due to factors such as height, power and personal preference. The hands: The fingers are lined along the laces of the ball, which is centered between the index finger and the thumb, but the the palms don’t touch the ball. When shooting, the shooting hand should be flexed as you bring the ball into position and drive the ball upward toward the basket.
Knees/Legs: When bent in preparation for the shot, the legs should form a 90 degree angle, providing ample potential power for the shot to reach its intended destination. The last thing any basketball player wants is to shoot an “air ball” and have to face the ridiculing chants of the crowd, a brutal ending to a player’s confidence.
The feet: The feet, which are shoulder-width apart, are lined up so that the shooting foot is in line with the middle of the basket, along a “nail” that marks the middle of the free-throw line.
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he game’s tied 60 - 61, and your team is behind. It’s the fourth quarter. You look at the buzzer and shake when you realize there are just seconds left in the game. For a brief moment in the game, something rare happens; the crowd is silent. All eyes are on you as you try your best to shake off the pressure and tie the game or even win it for your team. But is the pressure ever too much? Sumpter said, “No, the pressure never really gets to me in a game.” He just tries his best to “make the shot and block out the thoughts” about what his shots could mean for the success of the team. However, the obnoxious screams and distractions caused by the opposing crowd, for which the fanatical WAHS fans are best known for, are just too difficult to handle for some players.
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Charlottesville Dermatology Debbie Elder, MD Phone: 434-984-2400 Email: debeldermd@embarqmail.com
600 Peter Jefferson Pkwy
Women’s Health Care Practice in Crozet Elizabeth Mandell, MD Phone: 434-249-1613 Email: emails4females@gmail.com
Located in the Shoppes of Clover Lawn (across from Harris Teeter)
Reed Stowart Tolber P.A
Famiextensi ly ownedve Irestaurant wi t h t al i a n menu & tradiGluten-tionalfree menuAmeriavaicanlableFood www.salspizzacrozet.com Tues-Sat 11am-10pm; Sun 4pm-8pm
Reed Tolber Phone: 434-295-6659 Email: reedtolber@gmail.com
9 Canterbury Rd
(434)823-1611 Dine-in and Take-out
crozet shopping center december 2012
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arts & entertainment WAHS Drama Review: As You Like It
Onstage Seating Creates Shakespearean Intimacy
so if you were not able to get tickets in time, I would definitely recommend going to see the spring play. It’s great to support the program, and it’s fun to be able to experience theater in a whole new way.
by LAUREN KEARNS
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estern Albemarle Theater Ensemble performed William Shakespeare’s “As You Like It,” on Nov. 16 and 17. It is not as well-known as many other Shakespearean plays, but it was a pleasure to watch nonetheless. One thing that set this production apart was that the audience actually sat on the stage, allowing for us to better understand the character’s emotions and actions. This play was full of action, romance, adventure and even humor. Like most of Shakespeare’s works, there are multiple subplots and back stories. “As You Like It” is the story of Rosalind (Mandy Barnes), a young woman who has been banished from the royal court of her uncle (Ben Evans). A gentleman in the kingdom, Orlando (Brennan Reid), has fallen madly in love with her. To escape her problems, Rosalind disguises herself as a young man named Ganymede and then flees from the kingdom with her cousin Celia (Laura Barnes) and the court jester, Touchstone (Walker Spradlin). While in the forest, Rosalind/Ganymede runs into Orlando, who tells “him” about his love problems with Rosalind. This creates a pretty awkward situation for Rosalind herself, but while still pretending to be Ganymede, she begins to give Orlando lessons about love. Meanwhile, a shepherdess named Phebe (Rachel Poulter-Martinez) has fallen in love with Ganymede, not realizing that “he” is actually a girl in disguise. This upsets Silvius (Noah Bowden), the shepherd who is in love with Phebe. Determined to solve all of these love issues, Ganymede arranges a wedding, where it is revealed, much to everyone’s surprise, that Ganymede is in fact Rosalind, and all is fixed with a joyful wedding shared among four couples. Director Ms. Pitts said, “Incredibly self-aware and penetrating of the complexities of human nature, Rosalind outshines all the other characters with her sensitivity and understanding.” This is certainly true; Mandy Barnes’ performance of Rosalind was incredible. The character herself is so deep, and the actress was really able to bring her to life. One thing about this play that really struck me as being different from any play I had seen before was the lack of props. Of course, each character was in costume, but aside from that, there were hardly any props. It was impressive that with such few objects they were able to transport us back to Europe in the 17th century. Also, before the show and during the intermission, there were live performances of modern music by the cast members. “As You Like It” sold out both nights it was performed,
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ABOVE: Junior Ben Evans and freshman Deborah Ayres-Brown dance at “As You Like It” dress rehearsal. photo by: Deepa Shivaram
What Are You Doing Over Break? by GARRETT HATMAKER
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s the holiday season approaches, many families are traveling out of town, some to see family and some just to get away. Big cities such as New York have a lot to offer for people looking to get in on Christmas traditions like the giant Christmas tree at Rockefeller, which is widely regarded as the most famous Christmas tree in the world. Freshman Marta Rampini is visiting New York with her family to see Times Square, the tree in Rockefeller Plaza and “The Lion King” on Broadway. She said, “I’m really excited to be able to go out and see everything and to be able to say that I’ve been there.” She then said, “It’s definitely going to be crowded. I’m not sure if thats positive or negative, but it’s definitely going to be interesting”. If you’re not into tourism over winter break, you can instead visit family. Thats what freshman Allie Eichelberger and her family are doing. Even though the Eastern Shore isn’t exactly a winter vacation destination, she is going to see family and celebrate Christmas in a more traditional manner. She said, “I can’t wait to see family and celebrate Christmas.”
december 2012
arts & entertainment
Movie Review: Lincoln
A Presidential Performance by HALEY ROLAND
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t’s not a question of if “Lincoln” will win an Oscar this year. The question is how many? Daniel Day-Lewis was Lincoln. From the way he walked, to his voice, his expression, his accent, and his mannerisms -- it was like seeing the beloved president risen from the dead, retelling the last year of his life. Spooky? A little. Mind-blowingly fantastic? You bet. Part of the movie’s success undoubtedly comes from America’s fascination with Abraham Lincoln. From “The Conspirator” to “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter” and now “Lincoln,” we Americans have indulged our fascination with the president in past two years. Hollywood is collaborating with history books to become the ultimate enabler to our patriotic addiction. But as far as addictions go, this one has produced a truly wonderful film. Director Steven Spielburg and composer John Williams have sold their souls to brilliant filmmaking, and the product is a fascinating, enthralling, and thoroughly well-made biopic of the last year of Lincoln’s life. Though the idea of watching 2 1/2 hours of political history seems daunting, the film is so well-cast, so wellacted and so well-filmed that the hours breeze by easily. It also manages to not fall prey to the typical “civil war” movie. Though parts of the war do play a role in the film’s plot, it’s dominated by the surprisingly interesting story of Lincoln’s home life -- his relationships with his wife and two sons -- and the story of his struggle in the passage of the 13th Amendment. Lincoln’s relationship with his oldest son is one of the most engaging parts of the movie. Their relationship is tormented by Robert’s desire to join the army, against Lincoln’s wishes, and Robert’s belief that he isn’t loved by his father. The movie also brilliantly captures the strained relationship between Mary Todd Lincoln and her husband. After the death of their son, Mary is frequently crippled with grief and tormented by the fear that she is believed to be insane. Adding to the intrigue of the plot is Lincoln’s struggle with passing the 13th Amendment, against the urgings of many in his cabinet to wait until his second term. The story is not only told in the courtroom battles and sessions of Congress, but also in the private meetings of Lincoln with his Secretary of State and close friends. This new look at the intricate, personal, and often secretive life of Lincoln is absolutely spellbinding.
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Proof of Spielburg’s excellent work comes in the face that despite knowing that, obviously, the 13th Amendment was passed, I still felt a tingle of nervous anticipation as the final votes were cast. On the whole, the film is incredible. It doesn’t matter if you don’t know much history, or if you simply don’t really care that much about history. The movie was mindblowingly good, and I highly suggest seeing it. Especially in the fancy new theater.
Reviews of New Theater Mixed by LUCAS RHONDEAU
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buzz has been stirring amongst Western students about the newly built IMAX theatre in Charlottesville. It is the largest to ever grace our wonderful city, but its colossal stature does not guarantee a warm reception. In fact, mixed reviews have been the major response to the theatre, and experiences have varied greatly between individuals. Sophomore Taylor Godine remarked on his time spent in the IMAX, “The chairs were extremely comfortable. It was like sitting in a leather rocking chair.” When asked about the actual IMAX section of the theatre, however, his response was negative. “Picture a normal movie screen and add 10 feet to one side. Then add $7 to the cost, and that was the IMAX screen.”
Perhaps Sipe summed it up best, referring to it as the “Lie-Max.” Sophomore Kyle Benson also had a disappointing story to share. “I went to see ‘Skyfall,’ and I made it through two-thirds of the movie. All of a sudden, the fire alarm went off, and I am yet to see the final third.” Although Kyle said the floating screens and the stadium seating greatly enhanced the movie-going experience, he says his evening was ruined by this turn of events. It is clear that a verdict has not yet been reached on the new multiplex. For every luxury, there seems to be a flaw that detracts from the movie, leaving viewers with a difficult decision on how they view this new attraction. Perhaps sophomore Clark Sipe summed it up best, referring to it as the “Lie-Max.” Although they might advertise comfort and a great time, they are yet to gain our trust. How is one to know if these luxuries aren’t as false as Abraham Lincoln being a vampire slayer, or a fire that never occurred?
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arts & entertainment
Movie Review: Skyfall
A More Broken Bond by SAM LESEMANN
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sat down to the opening previews of “Skyfall” with the healthy dose of skepticism that came from so many terrible Bond films. Hope was difficult when directors and actors alike did their best to turn the movies from a respected series into a slapstick comedy of big budget blockbuster. After so many boring, cookie cutter films like “A View to Kill” (1985) and “The World Is Not Enough” (1999), I began to see Bond films like cake mix; just add water and stir. However, “Skyfall” changes everything. “Skyfall” is somehow more stripped down but also just better than the films that preceded it. Bond and his cohorts are much more human and permanent than they were in the old films. Decisions and actions now have permanent, physical repercussions. While the old movies had almost been cartoons with the plot and characters resetting after every movie, the repercussions of “Skyfall” and the previous movies have lasting influences. Daniel Craig returns in the role of a battered and broken Bond, one who shatters the idea of the superhero Bond and creates an image of vulnerability. Judi Dench returns to her role as MI6 head M, who serves as a scolding mother to Bond’s often self-destructive habits. Javier Bardem plays the Hannibal Lecter-esque villain, the charmingly sociopathic Raoul Silva. Each character is more flawed, more human, than any villain or hero that has ever been under the Bond name. They create an air of edginess to the film, a quality unfamiliar to Bond movies.
4 Best Bond Movies 1. Goldfinger (1965) The quintessential Bond film has it all: girls, guns, cars and a villain too real for life. Sean Connery has the best performance of his career, playing Bond as he was meant to be. Plus, it features the original bond car: the Aston Martin DB5 2. Casino Royale (2006) The revamping of the entire James Bond franchise reestablished James Bond as the serious, dark character that had been the hero of the original books. 3.From Russia with Love (1964) The second film was a smash hit. Picking up after Dr. No left off, this film had James Bond facing outwitting SPECTRE as he smuggled a secret soviet coding machine out of Turkey. 4. Skyfall (2012) Reconciled old and new, tying the new James Bond with some of the classic facets of the old films. It continued the style
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The plot, involving Bond chasing after a list that contains the name of every deep-cover secret agent that NATO has in deployment, is well written and dynamic as well. From Shanghai to Scotland, the story becomes less and less a search for the list, and increasingly a journey of self-discovery. For Bond, it’s his own grasping of his weakness as a human being. For others, its a realization. What makes “Skyfall” so great is that, at its core, it presents something new. Oscar winning director Sam Mendes ditches the old formula for something not seen before, and, throughout the film, makes a noticeable difference. No more is Bond flying on jetpacks and doing battle with bumbling dictators. Instead, Bond faces his own vulnerability in a world that is much more real than ever before.
photo credit: skyfall-movie.com
of Casino Royale, while adding its own twist to finish the transformation of the franchise
3 Best Bond Actors 1. Daniel Craig: As good as Sean Connery was, Daniel Craig has played the role better. Sean Connery’s Bond had emotion yes, but not like Craig’s. He plays Bond as a human man, broken and stretched beyond his limits. 2. Sean Connery: The original. Nothing more needs to be said. 3. Pierce Brosnan: As emotionless as he was, Brosnan had his moments: the opening bungee jump of Goldeneye, leaving the North Korean prison at the beginning of Tomorrow Never Dies. He played the part too seriously though; Even when the films took a jokier turn, he still looked as if he had just been told his grandmother had
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recently...
ABOVE: Fans cheer on the WAHS basketball team against Jefferson Forest. LEFT: The Operation Smile Club decorates cards for their community service project. ABOVE: WAHS alum and P!nk guitarist Justin Derrico stopped by in December. BELOW: Dance team performs at half-time during the WAHS vs. Jefferson Forest basketball game.
photos by: Deepa Shivaram & Patrick Andrews
december 2012
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latitudes
Popular Trends: Fash on and F Winter fashion advice from a clothing diva
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reens, maroons, navy blues and black. Tall leather boots and bulky sweaters in place of the open sandals and tight tank tops defining a warmer time. Summer has definitely gone, winter has come and with it new apparel for everyone. For the boys, it’s khaki pants instead of khaki shorts. But for the girls, winter presents a much bigger change in clothing. It might not be complicated to get ready in the morning, but a lot of thought goes into it. To a lot of girls at Western, fashion is very important. Senior Maggie Rossberg is famous for her obsession with clothing. It is not
A Salsy Expose by EME MASSARELLI
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aithful customer Sierra Brown eats at Chipotle at least two times a week. Her order is a burrito bowl with extra rice, mild salsa, corn, cheese and lettuce. When asked why she loves Chipotle so much, she responded, “I don’t really know. It just tastes so good. Best Mexican food by far.” One restaurant that practically every resident in Charlottesville has visited at one point or another is the Mexican franchise Chipotle. With around 65,000 possible meal combinations Chipotle is not without variety. There are over 638 Chipotle locations across the United States. Steve Ells, the owner
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strange to hear Maggie talking about cute shoes or someone else’s outfit because this senior girl always finds a reason to bring up clothing. This winter brings back old trends and introduces new ones. For those of you not up to date with the latest trends, photo by: Rossberg wanted Sarah Duska to share some of her professional insight. Her number one, easy tip: “It’s all about layers in the winter: the scarf and the tights. It’s warm, and it’s cute.” Bright colors are not something that of Chipotle, has made it a goal to strive for better communities. Chipotle restaurants have started making their buildings environmentally conscientious, and they use local and family farm produce. People go to Chipotle because of the convenient location and good food, but beware of the seemingly everpresent out-the-door line of college students and businessmen. “My family and I don’t go out often, but when we are in Barracks Road we usually look for something quicker,” busy student Georgia McGuire said. But honestly, after a hard practice or while in town running errands, most Western students will confirm that sitting down with your friends and family while grabbing a burrito at
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by SARAH DUSKA
Rossberg encourages. “In the winter I don’t want to see colored pants,” she said. “Dark colors are for the winter. I don’t want to see any bright pants.” Rossberg suggests thrift stores like Natalie Dressed and Glad Rags where one can find unique and fun clothing. According to Rossberg, desert boots, big necklaces, pleated vests, mixing patterns and textured tights are really in for the winter. The task of getting dressed in the morning is honestly daunting. And if you’re hoping to benefit from Rossberg’s fashion advice but find yourself overwhelmed, please don’t fret. On the days I decide to go for a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt, I find myself a victim of Maggie’s observant, and arguably judgmental, eye. The fact is, you can’t always look fashionable. So here is my two cents: just be creative and dress how you like.
photo by: Deepa Shivaram
Chipotle is a good feeling. “I’ve been to Chipotle a few times and love their burritos,” freshman Austin Germani said. Among their famous burritos, Chipotle also serves burrito bowls, crispy tacos, soft tacos, salad and chips with guacamole. The average overall review of Chipotle by Western students, is that it is a delicious and easy-going place to dine at. The next time you’re shopping at Barracks Road, consider stopping by for a bite.
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latitudes
He’s Making a List: by ISABELLA FERNANDEZ
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he holidays have many special traditions associated with them, varying from family to family. However, there is one thing that almost everyone has in common over this season of giving: presents. Every year, millions of kids spend hours working on their holiday wish lists, and freshman Ethan Cole is no different. He remembers writing his list as a kid. “I folded it into an airplane, then I threw it out the window,” Cole said. He no longer writes his lists down -- or throws them out the window -- but he does give serious thought to what he is asking for, like most Western students. By the end of November, most students had already decided what they are hoping to receive this winter. Some only want
What students wish the holidays will bring
one or two things; others’ lists go on forever. Among all the people asked, a trend began to appear in their lists. An overwhelming number of students want some form of new technology, including Ethan Cole. He is asking for a new phone, a desire echoed by multiple other students. Also on their lists were tablets -- such as Kindles -- and iPods. Teachers seem to be thinking along the same lines, although their choices are more home related, such as a new TV. Even if they are not asking directly for
Boots for girls with chilly feet at Zappos.com ($60)
A sweater from Ralph Lauren for guys that need some color in their closets ($70)
Cozy up with a Nook from Barnes and Noble ($199) For girls who want a dress with flair, modcloth.com is the place to go ($53)
For movies of all genres, Best Buy is a great bet ($19.99)
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one of these things, chances are they want something related, such as headphones or money to buy their own. Other than technology, common wishes included clothes and shoes, mostly boots, among girls, and video games among boys. Many students wanted sports-related equipment. One person confided that they wanted magical rainbows, and another wished for world peace. No matter who you talk to, though, they will have some idea of what they would like to receive this season.
Need to get your hands on the new FIFA? Best Buy has your back ($59.99)
Best Buy is the go-to for all your headphone, iPod and electronic needs ($19.99) Modcloth.com also has cozy jackets to keep your snowlover warm ($55)
World Peace is Priceless: But here are some inspired gifts to keep things peaceful this winter from etsy.com
For guys who want some new shoes for the holidays, visit famousfootwear.com ($69.99)
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Summer Camp at UVa Will Produce a Lifetime of Memories
Academic Enrichment Camps Golf and Tennis Camps Visit Our Website or Call 800-334-7827 www.4starcamps.com 4 Star Camps are locally owned and operated
The Western Hemisphere Western Albemarle High School 5941 Rockfish Gap Turnpike Crozet, VA 22932
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december 2012