The Pitch Issue 3 19-20

The Pitch

Walter Johnson’s Student Newspaper

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Volume 65, Issue 3 December 6, 2019 Walter Johnson High School 6400 Rock Spring Drive, Bethesda, MD 20814

A decade in review

2010s

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@TheWJPitch

Pitch WJPitch.com Online

Feature ‘™ –Š”‡‡ •‡�‹‘”• ƒ”‡ ™‘”�‹�‰ –‘ �‡‡’ ‘—” …‘��—�‹–› …Ž‡ƒ�

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Š‘–‘ „› ÂƒÂ”Â‹Â‡ÇŚ Ž‹•‡ ƒ––‘”‡

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A&E Š‡ „‡•– ‘ˆ ͜͞Í?͜• –”‡Â?†• ƒÂ?† ’‘’nj …—Ž–—”‡

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Opinion ÂŠÂƒÂ–ÇŻÂ• ‰‘‹Â?‰ ‘Â? ‹Â? Š‹Â?ƒ ƒÂ?† ™Š› ‹– Â?ƒ––‡”• –‘ ‹Ž†…ƒ–•

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Sports ƒÂ?‡ ”‹ƼÂ? „”‹Â?‰• Š‘Â?‡ ƒ „‹‰ ™‹Â? ˆ‘” ƒ– –ƒ–‡•

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@HumansOfWJ

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Pitch

2 A decade in review NEWS

DECEMBER 6, 2019

Continued from Page 1 1. On August 21, 2017, the United States had Ƥ ͜͠ ǡ Ǥ ǡ Ǥ ͞͝͡ Ǥ Photo courtesy of David Friedlander ͞Ǥ ͝ǡ ͜͞͝​͝ǡ ǡ ǡ

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ǯ Ǥ Photo courtesy of Flickr by Mobilus In Mobili ͣǤ ͤ͜͞͝ǡ Ƥ Ǥ Ǥ Ǥǯ Ƥ Ǥ ǡ

Ǥ Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons ͤǤ ǡ ǡ ͜͞ǡ ͜͞͝͡Ǥ ơǦ

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Two swastikas were recently discovered in a bathroom at BCC. BCC has had incidents of religious intolerance in the past. Many students at both BCC and WJ felt disturbed by the recurring incidents across Montgomery County Schools.

BCC swastika sparks conversations at WJ

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Seatbelts set to be implemented on MCPS buses

News Editor

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Junior Kai Svenson looks out the window on an MCPS bus. Over the next few years, seatbelts will be added in either the lap or shoulder position.

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Pitch

DECEMBER 6, 2019

NEWS

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MCPS kicks off boundary analysis study

By Judith Altneu News Editor MCPS has experienced sig Ƥ ǡ

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- Montgomery County is analyzing the cluster boundaries in order to Ǥ ͣ ͣǦͥ Ǥ Ǥ reach the root of county wide overcrowding problems.

Has WJ seen an increase in fighting recently?

Couples dance at the Senior Citizen Luncheon while jazz band plays their favorite tunes.

Meanwhile, students chatted with guests and welcomed them into the WJ community.

Annual Senior Citizen Luncheon bridges the generational gap

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Pitch

NEWS

A Democratic deep dive

Photo courtesy of Sources of Strength

From left: Juniors Emmie Maisel, Mia Chai, Victoria Rentsch, Nicole Uhl, Ella Mochizuki and Amber Liang pose in the mental health-themed photo booth, hosted by Sources of Strength

WJ honors Mental Health Awareness

By Emma Saltzman News Editor MCPS recognized the month of November as Mental Health ™ƒ”‡Â?॥ ‘Â?–ŠǤ Â? ƒÂ? ‡ƥ‘”– to promote mental well-being ˆ‘” •–—†‡Â?–• ƒÂ?† Â•Â–ÂƒĆĄÇĄ •…Š‘‘Ž• in the county hosted events centered around themes of Â?‹Â?†ˆ—ŽÂ?‡••ǥ ™‡ŽŽÂ?॥ ƒÂ?† problem-solving. “Mental health is extremely ‹Â?’‘”–ƒÂ?–ǥ Â?‘”‡ •‘ ‹Â?’‘”–ƒÂ?– ƒŽÂ?‘•– –ŠƒÂ? ƒÂ?›–Š‹Â?‰ ‡Ž•‡ǥdz MCPS Mindfulness Coordina–‘” ‡ƥ ‘Â?ƒŽ† Â•ÂƒÂ‹Â†ÇĄ ƒ……‘”†‹Â?‰ to MCPSTV. ‘—”…‡• ‘ˆ –”‡Â?‰–Šǥ ƒ …Ž—„ at WJ that focuses on eliminating the stigma around mental health and promoting positivi–› ƒÂ?† •—‹…‹†‡ ƒ™ƒ”‡Â?‡••ǥ Š‘•–ed a week of events centered around promoting positivity and mental health. Events in…Ž—†‡† …‘Â?’Ž‹Â?‡Â?– „ƒŽŽ‘‘Â?•ǥ lunchtime meditation and a mental health-themed photo booth.

DECEMBER 6, 2019

“Our main goal was to get the word out about mental health into the student body and I beŽ‹‡˜‡ ™‡ ™‡”‡ ƒ„Ž‡ –‘ †‘ Â–ÂŠÂƒÂ–ÇĄÇł Sources of Strength Vice President Bridget Fannon said.

Along with the photo booth ‡˜‡Â?–ǥ ‘—”…‡• ‘ˆ –”‡Â?‰–Š ‹Â? partnership with National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) Montgomery County provided pamphlets and resources for students about common mental health issues and how students can get help.

In a time when students face more stress and pressure –ŠƒÂ? Â‡Â˜Â‡Â”ÇĄ ‡˜‡Â?–• Ž‹Â?‡ –Š‡•‡ ƒ”‡ a great way for students to become more educated on mental health and learn how to deal ™‹–Š ‹–Ǥ ÂŽÂŽ ‘ˆ –Š‡•‡ ‡ƥ‘”–• Š‘’‡ to spread the message that “you ƒ”‡ Â?‘– ƒŽ‘Â?‡Ǥdz Dz Â? –Š‡ Â’ÂƒÂ•Â–ÇĄ –Š‡”‡ Šƒ• „‡‡Â? such a stigma around mental health and we need to spread the word that it’s okay and that there are resources for people

™Š‘ �‡‡† –Š‡�ǥdz •‘’Š‘�‘”‡ Sources of Strength member Annie Sylvester said.

One in six children in the United States ages 6 to 17 experience a mental health disorder each year. MCPS has also launched a new initiaÂ–Â‹Â˜Â‡ÇĄ ‡ ‡ŽŽ Í&#x;ͥ͢ǥ ˆ‘…—•‡† ‘Â? mindfulness. The initiative incorporates activities to proÂ?‘–‡ ’Š›•‹…ƒŽ ÂŠÂ‡ÂƒÂŽÂ–ÂŠÇĄ Â?‡Â?–ƒŽ ÂŠÂ‡ÂƒÂŽÂ–ÂŠÇĄ ’”‘„Ž‡Â?ÇŚÂ•Â‘ÂŽÂ˜Â‹Â?‰ ƒÂ?† „—ŽŽ›‹Â?‰ ’”‡˜‡Â?–‹‘Â?ÇĄ ƒÂ?‘Â?‰ others. –—†‡Â?–• ƒÂ?† Â•Â–ÂƒĆĄ ƒŽ‹Â?‡ Š‘’‡ –Šƒ– ‡ƥ‘”–• Ž‹Â?‡ –Š‡•‡ …ƒÂ? Š‡Ž’ to alleviate the stress they endure daily from the pressures of school and bring WJ closer together. “I think that WJ has gained a community of people that support each other and want –‘ Š‡Ž’ ‡ƒ…Š ‘–Š‡”ǥdz ›Ž˜‡•–‡” said. “By doing these cam’ƒ‹‰Â?•ǥ ™‡ ƒ”‡ •Š‘™‹Â?‰ –Š‡ rest of the student body that ™‡ ƒ”‡ –Š‡”‡ ˆ‘” –Š‡Â?Ǥdz

By Caeden Babcock Business Manager and Feature Editor Â? ‘˜‡Â?„‡” ÍžÍœÇĄ –‡Â? ‡Â?‘cratic presidential candidates came onto the Oprah Winfrey sound stage and battled it out for millions to watch. The debate was co-hosted by MSNBC and The Washington Post at the Tyler Perry Studios in AtŽƒÂ?Â–ÂƒÇĄ ‡‘”‰‹ƒǤ Ž–Š‘—‰Š –Š‡ debate was relatively uneventÂˆÂ—ÂŽÇĄ Â?ƒÂ?› •Š‹ˆ–• Šƒ˜‡ „‡‡Â? ‘„served in the past couple weeks including some candidates may not making the next debate.

For candidates to qualify for –Š‡ Â†Â‡Â„ÂƒÂ–Â‡ÇĄ –Š‡› Šƒ† –‘ ”‡ƒ…Š three percent or more in four ’‘ŽŽ• ƒ’’”‘˜‡† „› –Š‡ Ǥ Candidates also had to receive †‘Â?ƒ–‹‘Â?• ˆ”‘Â? Í?Í˘ÍĄÇĄÍœÍœÍœ —Â?‹“—‡ donors with 600 unique donors ‹Â? †‹ƥ‡”‡Â?– Â•Â–ÂƒÂ–Â‡Â•ÇĄ –‡””‹–‘”‹‡• ‘” –Š‡ ‹•–”‹…– ‘ˆ ‘Ž—Â?„‹ƒǤ Š‡ competition slimmed down to just ten candidates compared to the 12 candidates in the previous debate. Š‡ ‡Â?‘…”ƒ–• •–ƒ›‡† …ƒŽÂ? and cool during this debate; –Š‡› †‹†Â?ǯ– Ƥ‰Š– ‡ƒ…Š ‘–Š‡” ‘Â? policy and instead used softer language and disagreed with each other in a more passive way.

It was quite a change from the previous debate where Massachucetts senator Elizabeth Warren was the center of an attack amidst a cloud of other ‡Â?‘…”ƒ–• ƒ––ƒ…Â?‹Â?‰ Š‡” ƒÂ?† ‡ƒ…Š ‘–Š‡”Ǥ Â‘Â™Â‡Â˜Â‡Â”ÇĄ Â?ƒÂ?› ’‘‹Â?–• ™‡”‡ •–‹ŽŽ „”‘—‰Š– —’ǥ like black voters. Dz Žƒ…Â? ˜‘–‡”• ƒ”‡ ’‹••‡† ‘ƥ ƒÂ?† –Š‡›ǯ”‡ ™‘””‹‡†ǥdz ‡Â?ƒ–‘” Cory Booker of New Jersey said.

Booker thinks that black voters are aggravated by the fact that they only receive attention ˆ”‘� ‡�‘…”ƒ–‹… …ƒ�†‹†ƒ–‡• during the election season.

‘Â?‡ ‘ˆ –Š‡ ‡Â?‘…”ƒ–• ƒŽ•‘ expressed concerns about the idea of electing another white president. Booker wants to en•—”‡ –Šƒ– –Š‡ ‡Â?‘…”ƒ–‹… Â?‘Â?‹nee is capable of exciting minorities. They also brought up ”‡•‹†‡Â?– ‘Â?ƒŽ† ”—Â?’Ǥ “...we have a president who is Â?‘– ‘Â?Ž› ƒ ’ƒ–Š‘Ž‘‰‹…ƒŽ ÂŽÂ‹ÂƒÂ”ÇĄ Š‡ is likely the most corrupt president in the modern history ‘ˆ Â?Â‡Â”Â‹Â…ÂƒÇĄÇł ‡”Â?‘Â?– •‡Â?ƒ–‘” Bernie Sanders said.

Trump was a topic that all the candidates could agree on. The ‡Â?Â‘Â…Â”ÂƒÂ–Â•ÇĄ –”›‹Â?‰ –‘ ƒ˜‘‹† …‘Â?ƪ‹…–ǥ …‘Â?•–ƒÂ?–Ž› „”‘—‰Š– ”—Â?Â’ to debate. They all seemed to come together and agree when …”‹–‹…‹œ‹Â?‰ ”—Â?Â’ÇĄ †‹•…—••‹Â?‰ Š‹• ƒ…–‹‘Â?• ™‹–Š Â?”ƒ‹Â?‡ǥ –Š‡ border crisis and impeachment.

With no big disagreements ‘” ƒ”‰—Â?‡Â?–•ǥ –Š‡”‡ ‹• Â?‘ …Ž‡ƒ” ™‹Â?Â?‡” ‘ˆ –Š‡ †‡„ƒ–‡Ǥ ƒ””‡Â?ÇĄ —––‹‰‹‡‰ǥ ˆ‘”Â?‡” ‹…‡ ”‡•‹†‡Â?– ‘‡ ‹†‡Â?ÇĄ ƒÂ?†‡”•ǥ ƒÂ?† Booker were the candidates ™‹–Š –Š‡ Â?‘•– •’‡ƒÂ?‹Â?‰ –‹Â?‡ǥ with Warren speaking the most. ”‘Â? ”‡…‡Â?– ’‘ŽŽ•ǥ ‹†‡Â? Šƒ• been dominating with a 27% Â?ƒ–‹‘Â?ƒŽ ’‘ŽŽ‹Â?‰ ÂƒÂ˜Â‡Â”ÂƒÂ‰Â‡ÇĄ Š‡ also has the most news coverage. Warren comes in second with 22% but more individual campaign contributions than Biden. Sanders has the most individual campaign contributions by far but comes in third ‹Â? ’‘ŽŽ• ƒ– Í?ͤτǤ —””‡Â?–Ž›ǥ ‘Â?Ž› ‹†‡Â?ÇĄ ƒ””‡Â?ÇĄ ƒÂ?†‡”•ǥ —–tigieg and Minnesota senator Amy Klobuchar qualify for the next debate. California senator Kamala Harris dropped out of –Š‡ ”ƒ…‡ ‘Â? ‡…‡Â?„‡” Í&#x;Ǥ Š‡ Â?‡š– ‡Â?‘…”ƒ–‹… †‡„ƒ–‡ ™‹ŽŽ „‡ Š‡Ž† ‘Â? ‡…‡Â?„‡” Í?ÍĽÇĄ hosted by PBS NewsHour and Politico.

Leadership may cancel popular “Bachelors� event

By Lily Salvatore StÂƒĆĄ ”‹–‡” Pennies for Patients is one of the most highly anticipated and biggest fundraisers that the school holds. Though P4P activities are traditions that have Â?‘– „‡‡Â? …ŠƒÂ?‰‡† ˆ‘” Â›Â‡ÂƒÂ”Â•ÇĄ this year the Leadership class is considering getting rid of the Bachelors event.

Bachelors is an event during which male students auction ‘ƥ †ƒ–‡ Â?‹‰Š–•Ǥ ƒ–‡• …ƒÂ? „‡ ƒ ˜ƒ”‹‡–› ‘ˆ ÂƒÂ…Â–Â‹Â˜Â‹Â–Â‹Â‡Â•ÇĄ ‹Â?…Ž—†‹Â?‰ †‹Â?Â?‡”ǥ „‘™Ž‹Â?‰ ‘” ƒ –”‹’ –‘ –Š‡ movies. People in the audience are known to bet hundreds of †‘ŽŽƒ”• ‘Â? –Š‡‹” ˆ”‹‡Â?†• ‘ƥ‡”‹Â?‰ dates. Š‡ ‡ƒ†‡”•Š‹’ Â…ÂŽÂƒÂ•Â•ÇĄ ™Š‘ǯ• in charge of planning all PenÂ?‹‡• ˆ‘” ƒ–‹‡Â?–• ‡˜‡Â?–•ǥ Šƒ• proposed the idea of getting rid of Bachelors in order to make room for a new event. “We realized that we couldn’t add a bunch of new event ideas without taking some away and nobody was really interested in doing Bachelors since they had ‘–Š‡” „‡––‡” Â‹Â†Â‡ÂƒÂ•ÇĄÇł ‡ƒ†‡”•Š‹’ teacher Melanie Schwed said. ˜‡” –Š‡ ’ƒ•– ˆ‡™ Â›Â‡ÂƒÂ”Â•ÇĄ Bachelors has not pulled its weight compared to other events which has made Leader-

Š‘–‘ …‘—”–‡•› ‘ˆ ‹Â?†—’ ͜͞Í?ÍĽ

WJ Bachelors has been a Pennies for Patients event for many years. ƒŽ‡ •–—†‡Â?–• ƒ—…–‹‘Â? ‘ƥ ˆ—Â? †ƒ–‡ Â?‹‰Š–• ‹Â?…Ž—†‹Â?‰ „‘™Ž‹Â?‰ ƒÂ?† movies.

ship concerned about its overall •‹‰Â?Â‹Ć¤Â…ÂƒÂ?…‡ ˆ‘” –Š‡ ˆ—Â?†”ƒ‹•‹Â?‰ month. Dz ˜‡” –‹Â?‡ǥ ˆ‡™‡” ’‡‘’Ž‡ Šƒ˜‡ decided to participate in Bach‡Ž‘”•Ǥ Š‡ ‡˜‡Â?– ™ƒ• †‡ƤÂ?‹–‡Ž› big in the past but now I think students look forward more to ‘–Š‡” –Š‹Â?‰•ǥdz •‡Â?‹‘” Ž‹ ‡…Â?‡”ǥ a current member of Leadership said.

Along with a decreased amount of participation from –Š‡ •–—†‡�– „‘†› ‹� „‹††‹�‰ǥ student bachelors have noticed a decline in male students’ willingness to participate.

“I was one of the few people from my grade who decided to ˜‘Ž—Â?–‡‡” ˆ‘” ÂƒÂ…ÂŠÂ‡ÂŽÂ‘Â”Â•ÇĄÇł •‡Â?‹‘” ‡…ŽƒÂ? Â–ÂƒÂ„ÂŽÂ‘Â™ÇĄ ƒ ’”‡˜‹‘—• ’ƒ”–‹…‹’ƒÂ?– ‘ˆ ÂƒÂ…ÂŠÂ‡ÂŽÂ‘Â”Â•ÇĄ •ƒ‹†Ǥ Dz ˆ Â?‘”‡ ’‡‘’Ž‡ †‹† ‹–ǥ ‹– ™‘—Ž† †‡ƤÂ?‹–‡Ž› „‡ ‘Â?‡ ‘ˆ –Š‡ Â?‘•– successful Pennies for Patients ‡˜‡Â?–•Ǥdz Ž‘Â?‰ ™‹–Š ˆ—Â?†‹Â?‰ǥ –Š‡”‡ is also rising concern about the morals associated with the event. Dz Ž‘˜‡† †‘‹Â?‰ ‹–ǥ †‘Â?ƒ–‹Â?‰ ƒÂ?† ’ƒ”–‹…‹’ƒ–‹Â?‰ ‹Â? ÂƒÂ…ÂŠÂ‡ÂŽÂ‘Â”Â•ÇĄ but this year I realized how anti’”‘‰”‡••‹˜‡ –Š‡ ‡˜‡Â?– ”‡ƒŽŽ› ‹•ǥdz

•‡Â?‹‘” ‘ŽŽ› ÂƒÂ”Â„Â›ÇĄ ƒ Â?‡Â?„‡” ‘ˆ –Š‡ ‡ƒ†‡”•Š‹’ Â…ÂŽÂƒÂ•Â•ÇĄ •ƒ‹†Ǥ This concern was mainly brought on when adding female students to the lineup was proposed. The idea was immediately shut down when it was realized that it promoted the Â‘Â„ÂŒÂ‡Â…Â–Â‹Ć¤Â…ÂƒÂ–Â‹Â‘Â? ‘ˆ ™‘Â?‡Â?Ǥ Realizing the demeaning na–—”‡ ‘ˆ –Š‡ ‡˜‡Â?–ǥ Â?ƒÂ?› Â?‡Â?bers of Leadership wonder why it has not been seen as objectifying for male students before now. “I think we can create newer better traditions that aren’t so †‡‰”ƒ†‹Â?‰ǥdz ƒ”„› •ƒ‹†Ǥ There are still many students who love Bachelors and would hate to see it taken from the Pennies for Patients itinerary.

The traditional nature of the event makes students look forward to it every year. “Because the event has been ‰‘‹Â?‰ ‘Â? ˆ‘” •‘ Ž‘Â?‰ǥ †‘Â?ǯ– really think about it in the degrading way people are seeing ‹–ǥ •‡‡ ‹– ĥ Œ—•– ƒÂ?‘–Š‡” ‘ˆ ‘—” ˆ—Â?Â†Â”ÂƒÂ‹Â•Â‡Â”Â•ÇĄÇł •‡Â?‹‘” ƒ”‘Ž‹Â?‡ Kennon said.

Leadership has not conƤ”�‡† ™Š‡–Š‡” ‘” �‘– –Š‡› will actually pull the plug on Bachelors but just the proposal has caused a stir in the student body.

Breaking MCPS news: MCPS board approves 2020-2021 calendar with preLabor Day start date Data breach exposes MCPS students’ personal data MCPS Board of Education elects Sherba Evans as new president

the

Pitch

DECEMBER 6, 2019

OPINION

5

Women are entitled to express frustration

By Nyomi Fox Opinion Editor

When women were awarded the grand opportunity to enter the American workforce in the early 20th century, opposition abounded. Women were considered to be too weak, too emotional, too domestic. There is no doubt since that time, society has learned to accept that women will not remain submissive. But the traditional perception of women has yet to dissipate.

Joe Biden and Elizabeth Warren have been at the top of the Democratic polls during the ongoing presidential election, so, predictably, Biden sought out a method to lower Warren in ranks. And because he’s facing a woman, the criticism unsurprisingly targeted her demeanor. He labeled her approach to politics “condescending” and “angry,” assuming the characterization would turn public opinion against her. A woman? Angry? Of course, the public thinks, typical emotional instability. Unfortunately, men targeting the demeanor of women is not new to government or society.

Amidst the impeachment trials, Russia expert Fiona Hill remarked, “when women show anger it’s not fully appreciated; it’s often pushed onto emo dz Dz ƪ other people.” The valid state-

ment was made in response to Ambassador Gordon Sondland dismissing Fiona due to her being “pretty emotional” and “upset” and even “sort of shaking.”

The root of this issue is deeper than the prevalence of the dismissals and accusations. The misinterpretations of women stem from the perception that they are emotionally unstable.

Anger, in comparison to frustration, signals more emotional instability. So when people like Biden see that a woman like Warren is frustrated, they label that woman as angry as it corroborates the preexisting stereotype.

Skewed judgments of women are not exclusive to politics; they exist in the widespread perception among our peers.

If a girl walks the hallway without a friendly smile, she will be persecuted for having an RBF. It would be unusual, however, to hear the same term applied to a boy walking without a smile.

If a woman does not constantly put a merry grin on her face, does that make her angry? According to society, the answer is yes.

Female politicians should be allowed to express negative emotions freely without being penalized for it. Warren is frustrated with the elitist economy, with the corruption that permeates politics and with the lack of available health care for all members of society. Biden

Illustration by Izzy Zavareei

reacted to her frustration, and summarized her behavior as “angry.”

It is acceptable to criticize female politicians, just as it is acceptable to criticize their male counterparts. But the criticism directed at women needs to stop emphasizing their personality as opposed to their policies, especially when the

chosen aspect of personality is the supposed fragility of their emotions. Women, in addition to men, are actually entitled to frustration and aggravation without being shunned for the expression of it.

This is not to say that women cannot be angry, as they can and often rightfully should be.

But when a man and woman are

matched in frustration, don’t brand the woman as being erratic while the man is poised.

If you bear witness to a frustrated woman, don’t immediately turn your head and label her as angry. This leap of a conclusion is one done recklessly, at a large scale and only strengthens the notion that women are emotionally unstable.

The fateful obsession with our grades The dangers of

By Siddharth Srinivasan Opinion Editor Even as the moonlight streamed in through my window and the wood owl ceased its incessant hooting, I Ǥ ơ ơ stein—although my paralysis was due to fear, not rigor mortis—as a thousand desperate ramblings besieged my mind.

Had I gotten an A on my math test? When would my English teacher grade my essay? Please, can I get at least a 7.5% on my World quiz, so I can keep my grade ǫ ǡ Ƥ month’s time.

It should come as no surprise that I barely got any sleep that night. I trudged through the following day like a zombie. It took every ounce o f willpower to keep my black-rimmed, sunken eyes open - all because I had spent the previous night obsessing over my grades.

It has become a cliché at this point: Every parent and teacher and counselor will tell us, with the same monotone, with an equal lack of conviction, that grades ǯ Ƥ Ǥ Of course, our grades are important. The grading system is a tried and tested metric for measuring a student’s understanding of course material.

Illustration by Nora Talbott Good grades in

high school can set us up for success in college. So it’s perfectly reasonable that we care about them. But far too often, we take this righteous diligence too far.

Ƥ my just-shy-of-4.0 GPA is because I fear the consequences of allowing it to slip. I dread that I might lose my worth. Ƥ these numbers represent our aptitude has morphed our outlook on the people around us. Our frenzied passion has birthed a mangled, cross-eyed mess, which we no longer use to as an indicator for performance, but as Ƥ Ǥ A few days back, while debating a question on a test, I was informed I was wrong because, compared to my opponent, I had a lower grade. I was able to laugh this ơǤ ǯ state of shell-shocked catatonia, but the logic be ƪ Ǥ This idea that a higher grade automatically elevates a student over their peers exem Ƥ Ǥ ǡ ǯ ơ ǡ there exists a student who might be ơ Ǣ Ƥ peers, their friends, their family looking down upon them as some worthless wretch. My worst nightmare becomes their visceral reality.

Since 2013, teen depression rates have risen by 63%. Yes, there are a multitude ơ mental health, but this extreme preoccupation with our grades is surely one of them.

We focus on getting high grades on tests and quizzes, not learning and apprehension. We focus on competing with our peers, not on establishing meaningful relationships with them. We torture ourselves throughout our four years of high school, subjecting ourselves to a condition of perennial stress. Our grades become a brand, seared into our identity. They erode into the more essential aspects of our personality—our character, our compassion, our love for living—all of which augment our chances of living a happy, healthy life.

overusing emojis

By Sloane Morra ơ We are living in an age where our whole lives are on our phones, but does that mean a smiley face can truly replace the use of words? With 3,178 emojis at Ƥ ǡ less complicated to just reply with these emojis. Ƥ ͜͞​ͤ͜ǡ only becoming a huge trend after Apple released their iOS 6 update in 2012, which included tons of new emoticons. Before then, people were actually expected to type out full responses. Kids born after 2008 don’t know life without emojis. They grow up believing emojis can describe exactly how they are feeling in an instant. This not only limits their ability to express themselves meaningfully, but also causes many other issues.

The overuse of emojis impacts face-to-face conversation. When you are having a real life conversation—not over text messages—you can’t just hold up a sign with an emoji on it. You are forced to describe what you are thinking and feeling with words. When you are used to just picking a feeling ǡ ƥ transition to communicate your feelings to someone. It wouldn't surprise me if in 2020 an app comes out where you can hold your phone in a real life conversation and show an emoji instead of actually talking to somebody.

According to The Emojipedia, an emoji reference site, by mid-2015, half of all comments on Instagram included an emoji. That’s a lot of emojis. In addition to this, it is estimated that more than 700 million emojis are used every day in Facebook posts alone, according to statista.com. Emojis are becoming their own language. Instead of typing out a thank you message, people are simply responding with a thumbs up. When people receive sad news, they reply with a crying face emoji. Words are intimate and sincere, while emojis are cold and detached.

I truly believe that people are going to get worse and worse at expressing their emotions as we become more and more reliant on emojis.

the

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OPINION

DECEMBER 6, 2019

China: A great danger to an ignorant world

By Benicio Balignot A&E Editor It’s increasingly concerning how few people are aware of what is going on in China in regards to their government’s policies, the Uyghur Muslims and, of course, Hong Kong. The sleeping dragon has clawed its way into the roots of the world, and in our ignorance, we are all the worse for it.

It’s not an understatement to say that very few know about what China has been doing, and even fewer have some semblance an opinion on it. Since 1976, the Chinese government has been on a seemingly invisible warpath, deceitfully carving their way into the hearts of global governments and Ǥ Ƥ decades since the Chinese cultural revolution, they’ve engineered complete control over national news and media, and by extension, the entire population. While we may complain about the excessive patriotism Americans exhibit at an early age like reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, it pales in comparison to what the Chinese show.

Since the explosive protests and riots that began in Hong Kong in late March, reports have come in stating that Chinese citizens have been seen attacking any Hongkonger they suspect to be undermining the Chinese government, in broad

daylight no less. Hong Kong police, many of whom have been outsourced and brainwashed by the Chinese government as well, have been condemned by various organizations around the world for human rights violations. Police brutality has been an increasingly hot and “woke” topic for years in the U.S., yet people seem to be ignorant of the savagery the Chinese police are capable of. ǯ Ƥ student in WJ who even knows why the Hong Kong people are revolting. Regardless of the va-

lidity of the Hong Kong pro ǡ ơ ing of thousands feels like the death throes of the American ideals of freedom and justice we tout so proudly.

Back in their homeland, Chinese citizens have been encouraged to harass and report religious minorities like the Uyghur muslims through the near-complete Social Credit System. These Uyghurs, who are both a religious and ethnic minority despite numbering around 11 million, have endured torture, brainwashing

grow unobstructed. If left unchecked, it’s not unreasonable to assume that within a few decades, China will usurp the U.S. and become the dominant world power.

Since China’s cultural revolution, its leaders have steered the nation on the path of economic dominance. By spread ƪ foreign economies and governments, they’ve established an impenetrable shield for themselves. The world cannot act against China, lest they wish to engage in a trade war they surely cannot win. In 2021, it’s expected that the Social Credit ƪ ence foreign businesses, meaning even American companies will have to abide by the credit system when conducting trade with China. It’ll take years upon Illustration by Benicio Balignot years to dismantle the Chinese and medical experimentation vise clamping down on the rest in the Xinjiang concentration of the world, even if we started Ǥ ǡ ơ - now. I’m not asking that we tively a modern-day Holocaust completely abstain from buyis happening at this moment, ing Chinese made products and and yet we still carry on, com- attempt to rip them out from ơ our lives, root and stem, but we millions are enduring every day. at least can be knowledgeable One could argue that China has and aware of the struggles our become a near perfect version fellow human beings are facof Nazi Germany; they’ve suc- ing across the other side of the cesfully managed to completely world. As LeBron James once undermine an ethnic group’s said, “Injustice anywhere is a human rights without fear for threat to justice everywhere. global repercusions. Despite Our lives begin to end the day this, the world does nothing, we become silent about things and China’s power continues to that matter.”

Z oning in

A column by Nyomi Fox Opinion Editor

the

DECEMBER 6, 2019

Pitch

Two tests are too many

By Caeden Babcock Feature Editor When it comes to measuring college readiness, there are two standardized tests: the SAT and the ACT. Why though? Many questions arise over the existence of two tests and whether or not they’re both necessary. The answer is no—having two standardized tests just creates an unnecessary hassle.

The SAT focuses on logic and reasoning over content, whereas the ACT is more content-based and is shorter.

People who are good at mind puzzles and can exploit patterns tend to do the best on the SAT. The SAT requires students to have a larger vocabulary and do math without a calculator. The ACT has more advanced math problems and has questions regarding science, but allows a calculator for the entire test.

Students who apply to prestigious colleges often take both tests in hopes that they will have two good test scores to boast instead of one. Colleges don’t require two scores, but students usually submit both anyway. But with two tests comes double the studying time, money, materials and tutoring.

It is completely pointless to have two tests when all it does is force students –‘ ’—– ‹Â? –™‹…‡ –Š‡ ‡ƥ‘”– ƒÂ?† Â?‘Â?‡› –‘ look good for colleges. Lower-income

Given that our student body is composed entirely of Gen Z’ers, I deemed it necessary to devise a column pandering Â•Â’Â‡Â…Â‹Ć¤Â…ÂƒÂŽÂŽÂ› –‘ –Š‡ ‰‡Â?‡”ƒ–‹‘Â?ƒŽ …ƒ–‡‰‘”› assigned to us.

With great humility, I welcome you to “Zoning in,� a column exploring facets of Gen Z deserving of both criticism and celebration.

The prevailing misconception of Gen Z is that we are attached to our smart’Š‘Â?‡•ǥ –Š‡ ‹Â?ƒÂ?‹Â?ƒ–‡ ‘„Œ‡…– Ƥ”•– ’”‘duced in 2007. Contrary to this notion, the youth of the digitalitized generation are not obsessed with the object, but with the information it provides. This obsession has reached a reliance - people don’t know how to exist without a constant stream of publicized information.

There was once a limit, embraced by the public, regarding how cognizant people should be of others’ undertakings. Gen Z presents the world with a fresh concept: the negation of this limit.

The modern generation is struggling to Â„Â”Â‡ÂƒÂ–ÂŠÂ‡ÇĄ Â•Â—ĆĄÂ‘Â…ÂƒÂ–Â‡Â† „› ƒ Â?ƒ•• ‘ˆ ‘˜‡”whelming, all-too-personal information. But shockingly, no one seems to Â?‹Â?†Ȅ‘” ‡˜‡Â? „‡ ÂƒÂ™ÂƒÂ”Â‡Č„Â‘Âˆ –Š‡ •—ƥ‘cation.

A person logged into Snapchat or Instagram is exposed to a universe of details incomparable to any previous era. With the existence of private stories in addition to those accessible to a more public audience, the information is soon very personal—entailing thoughts, feelings and personal situations. A quick swipe through the content on a user’s feed can tell them where their friends are, what they are doing, who they are with and how they feel about it. In a quick overview, they can tell a user an excessive amount of invasive information.

People generally acknowledge that Instagram publicizes less personal information than Snapchat, as the frequency of posts is extremely lopsided in favor of the latter platform. Unfortunately, I don’t have personal access to Snapchat, so I took a tour through my sister’s account. To me, browsing through the Snapchat stories was enlightening, as Â?› ƒ••—Â?’–‹‘Â? ™ƒ• …‘Â?Ƥ”Â?‡†Ǥ ‘—”Ž› activity, social interactions throughout the day, reactions to events, and other personal information was broadcasted By Emma Saltzman without hesitation to hundreds of peo- News Editor ple Navigating the internet isn’t easy for Aside for the public posts, it would teens. A copious number of us struggle be a felony for me to neglect mention- with mental health, self-esteem and ing the information constantly com- body image issues as a result of our conmunicated between users. While send- stant exposure to social media. ing photos back and forth on platforms To alleviate this barrage of issues aflike Snapchat, users are sharing their ƪ‹…–‹Â?‰ –‡‡Â?•ǥ Â?•–ƒ‰”ƒÂ? ‹• Â?‘™ …‘Â?instantaneous location and activity, not sidering implementing the removal of just events of the past. like counts. Users would still be able to The overt similarity between the two like posts, but the like count wouldn’t platforms is that people cannot bear to be publicized. The goal is for people to experience a social interaction with- continue interacting with one another, out sharing it with the public. Those sans the competitive aspect of comparengaged in social media then become ing the likes on posts. aware of all other social events going on Competition over popularity and soamong their friends, and that knowl- cial status plagues the lives of teenagers. edge is excessive, surpassing what the We are constantly comparing ourselves FBI could discover in a spontaneous in- to one another—and rarely in a positive vestigation. way. You may have felt great about your Absorption of the information per- most recent post, but if another person meating through social media not only got 400 likes on theirs and you only got feeds mundanities to youthful minds, 200, you start telling yourself they’re but it also distracts from news much better than you. All because of some more relevant to society: impeachment number. trials, denial of human rights, and the Removing like counts is necessary. death of a once stable climate. Atten- Too many of my friends have said they tion devoted to Snapchat and Instagram deleted pictures from Instagram purely is attention diverted from global issues. because they didn't get “enough likes.â€?

It is not just that knowledge is excessive, There is some sort of imaginary stanbut that this knowledge is trivial and dard that we make up in our heads, and better left unshared. if our like count doesn’t surpass that

7 THE STAFF OPINION

students have trouble getting into pres–‹‰‹‘—• …‘ŽŽ‡‰‡• „‡…ƒ—•‡ –Š‡› …ƒÂ?ǯ– ÂƒĆĄÂ‘Â”Â† to prepare for both tests in order to get two good scores. ‘ Š‘™ †‘ ™‡ Ƥš –Š‹•Ǎ ‡ ‡Ž‹Â?‹Â?ƒ–‡ ‘Â?‡ of the tests. Then which do we remove?

Which is more valuable to students?

Keeping the SAT makes sense. There are already tons of free practice tests administered to students and free study materials are more easily available. Most of us are more familiar with the SAT than the ACT. But a lot of students still prefer the ACT because it relies less on puzzle-solving and deciphering tricky question wordings. There are no loopholes to exploit or patterns to decipher.

The only thing required is knowledge.

But what if a completely new test were made? A new test that included the best of both skill sets. One that could simulate in equal parts both the SAT and ACT. Students need to have both skills for college anyway, so why not test for both? It would require less studying time and money than preparing for multiple tests. And when the scores are returned, everybody is on the same scoring scale making it easier for colleges to compare. Having just one standardized test that high school students across the country take is a much more logical approach.

Illustration by Izzy Zavareei

Like counts promote senseless competition

threshold, we ask ourselves, was the picture really worth posting?

I have also found myself guilty of falling into the trap of obsessing over likes.

I can distinctly recount occasions where I deliberately waited to post a picture until nighttime because I knew that was when people would be on their phones.

More activity equals more likes.

There is no doubt that social media Šƒ• „‡Â?‡Ƥ–•Ǥ – ƒŽŽ‘™• —• –‘ …‘Â?Â?‡…– ƒÂ?† interact with others over the internet.

It helps deliver news, spread pop culture, advertise and create content. All of these wonderful parts of social media can happen without there being a like count.

Getting rid of like counts from Instagram will put more focus on the content of the post, less on the numbers. We ™‹ŽŽ ˆ‡‡Ž Â?‘”‡ …‘Â?Ƥ†‡Â?– ’—––‹Â?‰ —’ ’‹…tures of ourselves with our families and friends if we aren’t worrying about what others think.

Social media has had countless nega–‹˜‡ ‡ƥ‡…–• ‘Â? ‘—” Â?‡Â?–ƒŽ Š‡ƒŽ–ŠǤ ǯ† Ž‘˜‡ to make it positive again. Let’s bring social media back to what it should be, a way for us to share with our friends and family in a positive environment, where we aren’t constantly comparing ourselves to another because of how many likes we get.

EDITORS-IN-CHIEF ONLINE PRINT Will Cohen Cara Demitz Julia Hananel Kiley Ring Daria London Thomas Wolfson MANAGING EDITORS Molly Benson Zach Meyers Matt Shea ADVISER Wendy Borrelli NEWS EDITORS Judith Altneu Emma Saltzman Emily Speranza Arturo Alipio (online) Aya Hesham (assistant) OPINION EDITORS Nyomi Fox Siddharth Srinivasan Hannah Markov (online) FEATURE EDITORS Caeden Babcock Stella Hadamer Kayla Kahrl (online) Sadie McMullen (assistant) ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITORS Benicio Balignot DeVoncye Freelon Cyiza Andermambia (online) SPORTS EDITORS Ben Files Elijah Kasten Elana Renbaum CARTOONISTS Nora Talbott Bradley Woodside Izzy Zavareei COPY EDITOR Isaac Snow (print) Austin Mucchetti (online) LAYOUT/DESIGN EDITOR Rafael Friedlander Marie-Elise Latorre BUSINESS MANAGERS Caeden Babcock Allie Rothman SOCIAL MEDIA/MARKETING Callie Metzman Izzy Zavareei MULTIMEDIA EDITORS Charley Becker Jack Linde (sports) PHOTO EDITORS Lucas Gillespie Rafael Friedlander FILM EDITOR ƒ–› ”Â?†‘”ƥ WEBMASTER Ryan Leal STAFF WRITERS Danis Cammett Jackie Maloney Rebecca Davids Sloane Morra Maram Faragallah Ethan Oyeniyi A.J. Frattarelli Sammy Peterson Alan Gahart Gabe Riveiro Brigitte Kaba Matt Roman Chelsea Laurik Lily Salvatore The Pitch is published eight times a year by the students of Walter Johnson High School, population of 2,517 and located at 6400 Rock Spring Drive, Bethesda, Md. 20814. Advertising and subscription rates are available by calling 301-803-7184. Opinions represent –Š‘•‡ ‘ˆ Š‡ ‹–…Š Â•Â–ÂƒĆĄ ƒÂ?† †‘ Â?‘– Â?‡…‡••ƒ”‹Ž› ”‡ƪ‡…– –Š‡ ‘’‹Â?‹‘Â?• ‘ˆ –Š‡ Â•Â–ÂƒĆĄÇĄ ˆƒ…—Ž–› ‘” student body. We welcome letters, articles, photographs and artwork, to be submitted to room 193 or e-mailed to wjpitch@gmail.com.

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&+$5*,1* 7+( 0281' Does holiday spirit begin too soon?

Celebrate in December

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Teachers must boost confidence ơ

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On Deck

Breaking Bad (2009)

The Hobbit (2012)

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2010

Best Cinematic Experience

Your Name (2016)

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Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

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Game of Thrones (2011)

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Drive (2011)

IIn n a decade decad a e ded de ƤÂ? ƤÂ?‡† Â?‡† „› ‡š–”ƒ˜ƒ‡š–””ƒ˜ƒ‰ƒÂ?–

•’‡…–ƒ…Ž‡• •’‡ ’‡…–ƒ……Ž‡• ‹Â? ƒ…–‹‘Â? ƤŽÂ?•ǥ Dz Ġ ÂƒÂšÇŁ —”› ƒ… …–‹‘Â? ƤŽÂ? Â?•ǥ Dz ƒ † ƒ ƒ šǣ — ƒ —”› ‘ƒ† Â‘ÂƒÂ†Çł ÂƒÂ†Çł ‹• ƒÂ? ƒÂ? Â? ‹Â?…”‡†‹„Ž‡ ”‡–—”Â? ”‡–— —”Â? –‘ –‘ ‘ Œƒ ÂŒÂƒÂ™ÇŚÂ†Â”Â‘Â’Â’Â‹Â?‰ ’”ƒ…–‹…ƒŽ ‡ƥ‡…–•ǥ Â?‡”‰‡† ÂƒÂ™ÇŚÂ†Â” †”‘ ‘’’‹Â?‰ Â?‰ ’”ƒ…– …–‹… ‹…ƒŽ ƒ ‡ƥ‡‡…–••ǥ Â?‡””‰‡ ‰‡† ™‹ ™‹–Š –Š‡ •–‘”›nj”‹…Š •‡––‹Â?‰ ‘ˆ –Š‡ Ġ ƒš ‹–Š Š –Š –Š‡ •–‘”››nj””‹…Š ••‡––‹Â? Â?‰ ‘ˆ ––Š‡ ƒƒ† ƒš ˆˆ”ƒÂ?…Š‹•‡Ǥ ”‡ƒÂ?‹Â?‰ –Š‡ ÂƒÂ‰Â‡ÇŚÂ‘ÂŽÂ† ˆ‘”Â?—Žƒ ’”‡•‡Â?– ”ƒÂ?…Š‹•‡Ǥ ”‡ƒÂ?‹Â?‰ –Š Â? –Š‡ ÂƒÂ‰Â‡ÇŚÂ‘ÂŽÂ† Ž† ˆˆ‘”Â?—Žƒ ’”‡•‡Â?– ÂŽ – ‹Â? ‹Â? ƒŽŽ ƒ…–‹‘Â? ƤŽÂ?•ǥ –Š‡ ƤŽÂ? Â†Â‹Â˜Â‡Â”Â•Â‹Ć¤Â‡Â• ‹–•‡Žˆ ™‹–Š‘—– ƒŽŽ ƒ…–‹‘Â? ƤŽÂ?• –Š‡ ƤŽÂ? Â†Â‹Â˜Â‡Â”Â•Â‹Ć¤Â‡Â• ‹–•‡Žˆ ™‹–Š‘—– „‡‹Â?‰ –‘‘ ‘Â? –Š‡ Â?‘•‡ ƒÂ?† ’ƒÂ?†‡”‹Â?‰ –‘ ƒ Â?‹…Š‡ ƒ—†‹‡Â?…‡Ǥ ‘•– ‘ˆ ÂƒÂŽÂŽÇĄ –Š‡ Â?‘˜‹‡ ‹• Â?ƒ†‡ ™‹–Š •—…Š “—ƒŽ‹–› …”ƒˆ– ƒÂ?† •‘—Ž ™Š‹Ž‡ •–‹ŽŽ ƒ’’‡ƒŽ‹Â?‰ –‘ ƒ ™‹†‡ ƒ—†‹‡Â?…‡ –Šƒ– ‹– †‡•‡”˜‡• –Š‹• –‹–Ž‡Ǥ ÇŚ ‡Â?‹…‹‘ ƒŽ‹‰Â?‘– Print A&E Editor

On Deck

On Deck

Coco (2017)

Avengers Endgame (2019)

‡•’‹–‡ ‹–• ˆ‘”‡‹‰Â? ‘”‹‰‹Â?•ǥ Dz ‘—” ƒÂ?‡dz ”‡ƒ…Š‡† …‘Â?Â?‡”‹…ƒŽ •—……‡•• ‹Â? ‹–• Ǥ ”‡Ž‡ƒ•‡ ‹Â? ͜͞Í?ͣǤ ”‘••‹Â?‰ ͊ͤ͞Í? Â?‹ŽŽ‹‘Â? ™‘”Ž†™‹†‡ǥ ‹– •—”’ƒ••‡† Dz ’‹”‹–‡† Â™ÂƒÂ›Çł ĥ –Š‡ Š‹‰Š‡•– ‰”‘••‹Â?‰ Â?‹Â?‡ ƤŽÂ? ‘ˆ ƒŽŽ –‹Â?‡Ǥ †ƒœœŽ‹Â?‰ ƒ’ƒÂ?‡•‡ …‘Â?‹Â?Â‰ÇŚÂ‘ÂˆÇŚÂƒÂ‰Â‡ •–‘”›ǥ Dz ‘—” ƒÂ?‡dz ‹• ĥ ‡Â?‘–‹‘Â?ƒŽŽ› ‹Â?’ƒ…–ˆ—Ž ĥ ‹– ‹• „‡ƒ—–‹ˆ—ŽŽ› ƒÂ?‹Â?ƒ–‡†Ǥ ÇŚ ‡Â?‹…‹‘ ƒŽ‹‰Â?‘– Print A&E Editor

…‘Â?‹Â?‰ ‘ˆ ƒ‰‡ ƤŽÂ? –Šƒ– †‡’‹…–• –Š‡ Ž‹ˆ‡ ‘ˆ ƒ ›‘—Â?‰ ˆ”‹…ƒÂ?ÇŚ Â?‡”‹…ƒÂ? „‘› Ƥ‰—”‹Â?‰ ‘—– ™Š‘ Š‡ ‹• ™Š‹Ž‡ Ž‹˜‹Â?‰ ‹Â? –Š‡ ‹Â?’‘˜‡”‹•Š‡† •‹†‡ ‘ˆ ‹ƒÂ?‹ǥ Dz ‘‘Â?Ž‹‰Š–dz ‹• ƒÂ? ‹Â?…”‡†‹„Ž‡ ƤŽÂ?Ǥ Š‡ ƤŽÂ? ™ƒ• ”‡Ž‡ƒ•‡† ‹Â? ͜͞Í?͢ ”‡…‡‹˜‹Â?‰ Â?ƒÂ?› ÂƒÂ™ÂƒÂ”Â†Â•Ç˘ •—…Š ĥ ƒÂ? …ƒ†‡Â?› ™ƒ”† ˆ‘” „‡•– ’‹…–—”‡ǥ

‘Ž†‡Â? Ž‘„‡ ˆ‘” ‡•– ‘–‹‘Â? ‹…–—”‡ǥ ƒÂ?† Â?ƒÂ?› Â?‘”‡Ǥ ÇŚ ‡ ‘Â?…›‡ ”‡‡Ž‘Â?

Print A&E Editor

2019

2015

Art

Best Hip-Hop/Rap Album

Most Influential Book

“My Beautiful Dark Fantasy� -Kanye West (2010)

“The Fault in our Stars� -John Green (2012)

‹†‡Ž› ”‡‰ƒ”†‡† ĥ ‘Â?‡ ‘ˆ –Š‡ „‡•– Š‹’ Š‘’ ƒŽ„—Â?• ‘ˆ ƒŽŽ –‹Â?‡ǥ Dz › ‡ƒ—–‹ˆ—Ž ƒ”Â? ™‹•–‡† ƒÂ?Â–ÂƒÂ•Â›Çł „› ƒÂ?›‡ ‡•– ‹• ƒ …—ŽÂ?‹Â?ƒ–‹‘Â? ‘ˆ –Š‡ ĆŞÂƒÂ•ÂŠÂ‡Â• ‘ˆ ‰”‡ƒ–Â?॥ •Š‘™Â? ‘Â? Š‹• ‘–Š‡” ƒŽ„—Â?•Ǥ ‡ ƒ……‘Â?’ƒÂ?‹‡• ‰”‡ƒ– „‡ƒ–• ™‹–Š ƒ Â?‹š ‘ˆ ’Žƒ›ˆ—Ž ƒÂ?† ˆ—Â?Â?› ”Š›Â?‡• „—– ƒŽ•‘ ’ƒ…Â?• ‹Â? •‡Â?–‹Â?‡Â?–ƒŽ Â?‡••ƒ‰‡• ‹Â? ƒ Ž‘– ‘ˆ –Š‡ –”ƒ…Â?•Ǥ ÇŚ ‡Â? ‹Ž‡•

2010s

ˆ ƒŽŽ –Š‡ „‘‘Â?• –Šƒ– …ƒÂ?‡ ‘—– ‹Â? –Š‡ ’ƒ•– Â†Â‡Â…ÂƒÂ†Â‡ÇĄ Dz Š‡ ƒ—Ž– Â? —” Â–ÂƒÂ”Â•ÇłÇĄ ™Š‹Ž‡ Â?‘– –Š‡ „‡•– ™”‹––‡Â? Â?‘” –Š‡ Â?‘•– Ž‹ˆ‡ …ŠƒÂ?‰‹Â?‰ǥ Šƒ† ƒÂ? —Â?”‹˜ƒŽ‡† ‡ƥ‡…– ‘Â? ‘—” …—””‡Â?– ‰‡Â?‡”ƒ–‹‘Â?Ǥ Ž‘˜‡ •–‘”› ‘ˆ –™‘ …ƒÂ?…‡” ’ƒ–‹‡Â?–• ƤÂ?†‹Â?‰ Ž‘˜‡ ‹Â? –Š‡ †ƒ”Â?‡•– ‘ˆ –‹Â?‡•ǥ –Š‡ •–‘”› ‹• ƒ ÂŠÂ‡ÂƒÂ”Â–ÇŚÂ™Â”Â‡Â?…Š‹Â?‰ ‘Â?‡ –Šƒ– ™‹ŽŽ Ž‹˜‡ ‘Â? ‹Â? –Š‡ Â?‹Â?†• ‘ˆ Â?ƒÂ?› ˆ‘” ›‡ƒ”• –‘ …‘Â?‡Ǥ ÇŚ ‡Â?‹…‹‘ ƒŽ‹‰Â?‘–

Sports Editor

Entertainment

Best Pop Album

Best Foreign Album

“25� Adele (2015)

“Love Yourself: Answer�

-BTS (2016)

Â? ƒ ‰‡Â?”‡ –Šƒ– •‡‡Â?• –‘ Â†Â‹Â•Â…Â‘Â—Â”ÂƒÂ‰Â‡ÇĄ ‘” ƒ– –Š‡ ˜‡”› Ž‡ƒ•– Žƒ…Â?• ‡Â?‘–‹‘Â?ÇĄ Dzͥ͞dz „› †‡Ž‡ ‹• ƒ ’ƒ••‹‘Â?ƒ–‡ ƒÂ?† Â?—•‹…ƒŽŽ› ÂˆÂ—ÂŽĆ¤ÂŽÂŽÂ‹Â?‰ ƒŽ„—Â? –Šƒ– Â?ƒÂ?› ƒ”–‹•– ˆƒ‹Ž –‘ …”‡ƒ–‡ ‹Â? –Š‡‹” …ƒ”‡‡”•Ǥ ÇŚ ‡Â?‹…‹‘ ƒŽ‹‰Â?‘– Print A&E Editor

‡Ž‡ƒ•‡† ‹Â? ͜͞Í?͢ǥ ǯ• ˆƒÂ?‡ ‹Â? –Š‡ Ǥ ’”‘’‡ŽŽ‡† ƒˆ–‡” –Š‡ ”‡Ž‡ƒ•‡ ™‹–Š –Š‡‹” Š‹– •‹Â?‰Ž‡ǥ Dz dzǤ Š‡ ‹Â?…”‡ƒ•‹Â?‰ Â?‡†‹ƒ ƒ––‡Â?–‹‘Â? ƒŽŽ‘™‡† –Š‡Â? –‘ ™‘”Â? ™‹–Š ‘–Š‡” Â?ƒ‹Â?•–”‡ƒÂ? ƒ”–‹•–• •—…Š ÂƒÂ•ÇĄ ‹…Â?‹ ‹Â?ÂƒÂŒÇĄ ƒŽ•‡› ƒÂ?† † Š‡‡”ƒÂ? –‘ Â?ƒÂ?‡ ƒ ˆ‡™Ǥ Š‡ ‹Â?…”‡ƒ•‹Â?‰ •–ƒ”†‘Â? ‡ƒ”Â?‡† –Š‡Â? ƒ ‹ŽŽ„‘ƒ”† —•‹… ™ƒ”† ˆ‘” ‘’ ‘…‹ƒŽ ”–‹•–ǥ ‡‘’Ž‡ǯ• Š‘‹…‡ ™ƒ”† ˆ‘” ƒ˜‘”‹–‡

”‘—’ ƒÂ?† ƒ ‡‘’Ž‡ǯ• Š‘‹…‡ ™ƒ”† ˆ‘” ƒ˜‘”‹–‡ ‘…‹ƒŽ ‡†‹ƒ ‡Ž‡„”‹–›Ǥ ÇŚ ‡ ‘Â?…›‡ ”‡‡Ž‘Â?

Print A&E Editor

Print A&E Editor

2010s: Trends and Fads

2010s: Fashion › ƒ…Â?‹‡ ƒŽ‘Â?‡› Â–ÂƒĆĄ ”‹–‡”

10 20

20 12

In the past 10 years, we have faced a tremendous number of eclectic and extravagant trends. Some we loved and some were admittedly a mistake. Regardless, this decade can be defined by a multitude of different fashion fads and phases, ranging from mustaches to high-low dresses.

Perhaps the most stylish trends of the 2010s, however, were more recent. The past two or three years we saw the revival of nineties grunge including tiny glasses and dad shoes. Fila sneakers were huge for about a month, but regardless of how short of a time period they occupied, they still made a huge statement on the fashion world. These shoes led to other trends, like athleisure and oversized teddy bear coats. The oversized style was grossly juxtaposed with the tiny glasses trend which was kickstarted by clout glasses in 2017. Now these glasses come in many different shapes and sizes, often times geometric to mimic the patterns and textures of the nineties as well.

In the early 2010s though we saw the revival of other decades, like the seventies with hair feathers and high low dresses as well as flower crowns that channeled our inner hippy. Shockingly, we even got a little bit of the fifties back with our high waisted shorts and jeans, almost the complete opposite of the 2000s low waist jeans trend.

Despite this decade being largely a mixing pot of 1900s trends, there are a few things that were uniquely 2010. Shutter glasses appeared in the earlier years when our generation started to go to more Bar/Bat Mitzvahs and Will I Am was huge. However, nothing says 2010s like the man bun.

Some of these trends hopefully will not be carried with us into the new year, but there is no doubt there will be something that will be the 2020s equivalent of shutter glasses and man buns.

3 201 201 8

2017

the

Pitch

DECEMBER 6, 2019

12 Spotlight artist of the month: Graham Harper A&E

By Aya Hesman Assistant News Editor At WJ, we have all kinds of artists ranging from singers, actors, dancers and painters.

We have a painter, senior Graham Harper, who stands out in a crowd with his paintings and observational drawings.

Harper’s interest in art sparked when his older cousins taught him how to draw animals and simple doodles. While art was on pause for some time, he started painting again this past summer and tried to create as much as possible.

“I thought I owed it to myself to try something that I was interested in,” Harper said. “It was so much fun creating all the pieces that I created and while it was challenging, it was a great experience.”

A lot of the artwork Harper Ƥ Ǥ He does a lot of painting and observational drawing to try and put more detail in each piece of art.

“Doing a lot of portraiture and painting allows me to see growth in my art, so I guess that’s the biggest reason why I paint and do art in general,” Harper said.

Outside of art, Harper is also on the WJ rowing team and was voted captain last year and this year. While it occupies most

of his time, it has taught him many things about himself that he didn’t necessarily know before. “ It [rowing] showed me how to truly work hard towards something greater than myself, it showed me that I like to help others succeed and grow as people. I think the lessons I have got out of rowing has helped my drive and passion to create,” Harper said.

Harper would like to pursue art as long as he can. He feels that art gives him the unique opportunity to help him grow and to push himself to the limits.

He has applied to Pratt Institute, an art college in Brooklyn.

Harper will also be applying to Parsons and Rhode Island School of Design. Harper believes that going to an art school will help him go farther as both an artist and a person.

Harper is interested in pursuing art therapy because it would allow him to help others with art. He has a lot to contribute to the world and feels that he is getting to a position where he can help others through art.

Support is very helpful for pushing an art career. Harper has very encouraging parents who support his interests. He also has teachers who believe he will get somewhere with art.

Harper usually takes days to complete a piece.

This sketch was a simple brainstorm and took 1617 hours to accomplish while experimenting.

Photo courtesy of Graham Harper

Photo courtesy of Graham Harper

This piece was inspired by the housing crisis in Iran. Those living outside of Tehran have a lack of basic resources.

“Graham is interested in pursuing a future in the visual arts Ƥ

successful because of his drive to do well and his consistency developing skills,” art teacher

BSU preps for African Heritage assembly

By DeVoncye Freelon Arts and Entertainment Editor During the school year, we have three assemblies dedicated to both promoting the minorities in our school and ơ ent heritages and backgrounds.

One of the clubs that hold the position of having an assembly is the Black Student Union (BSU).

“The Black Student Union strives to educate fellow students about black culture. We hope to share aspects of various cultures that often are overlooked and go beyond initial stereotypes, so everyone feels proud of their background,” senior Khadydia Diouf said.

The club meets every other Monday, holding open discussions of several topics that allow people to express themselves freely in a safe environment without judgment. Some of the many topics that have already been discussed include problematic Halloween costumes, cultural appropriation and the Amber Guyger case.

Holding these open discussions has led to an increasing amount of members. This year the club plans on holding many fun events and club meetings, such as monthly movie nights, a spring trip, college visits to some historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and Six Flags. The most anticipated event that the club prepares for, however, is the African American assembly.

“The African American assembly is our biggest event of the year, as we get to truly show-

Kristine Hrin said.

Harper’s level of inquiry and intrinsic motivation is what makes him exceptional. He takes learning in his own hands and goes above and beyond to

learn about concepts beyond what he’s learning in school.

Harper goes above and beyond and researches artists, techniques and processes in order to learn his own style.

Pitch picks Movie of the Issue: Harriet

Photo courtesy of Doria Wheeler

The Black Student Union members (starting from left) Lwam Yebio, Liana Wilkinson, Nnayelu Oranuba (President), Yerim Kone (Vice President), Jaydan Fogo and Paula Tinong. The members attended the New Student cookout to recruit incoming freshman.

case who we are and the broad spectrum of black cultures that Ǥ ǯ Ƥ ơ acts, like singing, cultural dancing, a fashion show, poems and a step show,” senior Nna Oranuba said.

The African American assembly is held in the month of February dedicated to Black History Month. In the months before Black History Month, the club prepares by setting a theme, Ƥ ȋ ǡ cultural dances, a fashion show and the step team’s special appearance) that will most likely be shown during the short span of 28 minutes.

The club also sets dates and times for the practices. Themes throughout the year have consisted of transcending boundaries that display both histori Ƥ Ƥ Ǥ excitement over the years about the assembly has only grown, even with the schedule chang-

ing and drastically shortened time.

Auditions for the assembly will begin on Dec. 6 and are open for the following acts: Poems, singing, dancing and the fashion show.

“I am excited for the upcoming assembly except I feel there is not enough time to do much in 28 minutes. Overall, I like my role as a leader,” junior Antonia Ackel said.

The assembly is scheduled to happen a week during Black History Month. During that week there will be a few small surprises that may take place days before the assembly. BSU will continue to have multiple acts that push past boundaries and focus on the controversial issues that have happened in 2019. The bright young minds that have been planning for this year’s assembly with lots of hard work and dedication are ecstatic to showcase their background and continue to push forth a positive narrative.

A 2019 adaptation based on the inspirational tale of Harriet Tubman. The Ƥ and tribulations of escaping slavery and leading hundred of enslaved people throughout the Underground Railroad.

Game of the Issue:

Photo courtesy of Dan Peterson

Death Stranding

From visionary game director Hideo Kojima, “Death Stranding” is masterpiece in both gameplay and design. While not directed towards the general audience like its contemporaries, the game is an addicting experience for those that appreciate an intricate story and mechanics, and beautiful graphics

Photo courtesy of Flickr

Album of the Issue: Chixtape 5 by Tory Lanez

Tory Lanez brings old 90’s hits mixed in with 2019 vibes to his 5th adaptation of 90’s remixes with popular features from T-Pain, Lil Wayne, Snoop Dogg and other mainstream artists.

Photo courtesy of Miata Shanay

Pitch

the

DECEMBER 6, 2019

FEATURE

13

First time voters share excitement

Safe-T for school unity

By Siddharth Srinivasan Opinion Editor

By Emma Saltzman News Editor In the early months of 2019, To most, voting is a civic the sophomore class gathered duty. Every two years on Elecin the auditorium to watch the tion Day, people leave work and much-acclaimed Holocaust line up to vote for the individuƤŽÂ?ÇĄ Dz …Š‹Â?†Ž‡”ǯ• ‹•–dzǤ Šƒ– als they want to represent them was designed to be an opportuand their country. This is one of nity for students to learn about the most basic levels of particione of the most devastating pation in a democracy. While tragedies in recent history voting in elections every two devolved into some students years may be a routine to most, cheering and clapping during it brings a whole new feeling of –Š‡ ƤŽÂ?ǯ• Â?‘”‡ •‡Â?•‹–‹˜‡ •…‡Â?‡•Ǥ Photo courtesy of LifeTouch excitement and responsibility The student body was split on The simplicity of the stage set design conveys the dreary day to day lives led by Jews during World War to those who have never bethe issue, undecided on what two. The bleak setting brings across a feeling of hopelessness similar to that of Anne Frank’s story. fore participated. This includes exactly had provoked this bemany students from WJ who havior. Regardless, people were will be casting their ballots for angry. Some were so outraged, –Š‡ Ƥ”•– –‹Â?‡ Â?‡š– ›‡ƒ” ‹Â? –Š‡ they decided to take action. but they also were a lively color “Seeing that Anne was a teen- upcoming election. “A couple of students went to By Brigitte Kaba juxtaposing the fact they were ager herself, I felt that it was Junior Sophie Kotlove is see Mrs. Baker the day after the Â–ÂƒĆĄ ”‹–‡” alive even though they were important to bring to the foregreatly looking forward to incident,â€? senior Yerim Kone •—ƥ‡”‹Â?‰Ǥ front this tragic time in our hissaid. “None of us knew each The cast and crew had many tory. It was important that each participating in the upcoming Č? Č? Č? Č? ’”‡•‡Â?–‡† –Š‡ election. other, but we decided that we opportunities to learn about “Of course I will be voting! needed a group to make the The Diary of Anne Frank, a play the culture and time period of department worked tirelessly „ƒ•‡† ‘Â? –Š‡ ÂŽÂ‘Â˜Â‡ÂŽÂ›ÇĄ ƪ‡‡–‹Â?‰ so as to not miss the play’s idea I want to use my constitutional student body more cohesive.â€? the play and that showed on of what humanity is,â€? director right,â€? Kotlove said.

These students would go on memory of Anne Frank, a Jew- stage. ish schoolgirl who spent her Colleen McAdory added.

Kotlove registered to vote to form the SAFE-T (Students “I feel acting is like stepping Frank always seemed to have when she got her driver’s liAdvocating for Equity and Tol- last years hiding in the annex out of your own person. Her ‘ˆ Š‡” ÂˆÂƒÂ–ÂŠÂ‡Â”ÇŻÂ• ‘Ƽ…‡ „—‹Ž†‹Â?‰ hope and a colorful spirit when cense last spring. Citizens in erance) Club, of which Kone is in Nazi-occupied Netherlands. ’‡”•‘Â?ƒŽ‹–› ‹• ˜‡”› †‹ƥ‡”‡Â?– the world seemed obscure and Maryland are eligible to regisƒÂ? ‘Ƽ…‡”Ǥ from mine because in my day According to WJ’s website, Frank spent a lot of time writing to day life I’m very reserved. But scary with a lack of positive ter at 16, even if they may not in her diary, which she called outlook or material happiness. be old enough to vote in the SAFE-T club, “connects stuthe incredible cast and crew ‘Kitty’ .

Little did she know, Kitty “All the actors performed next election. Most register at dents of all backgrounds with bonded really well and we realeach other, as well as students would be remembered as one of ly tried to emerge ourselves into wonderfully, expressing the the MVA when they get their with administration, to gener- the most moving and widely- Jewish culture,â€? senior Angelina deep emotions that made their license or online through the ate solutions for greater social ”‡ƒ† Ć¤Â”Â•Â–ÂŠÂƒÂ?† ƒ……‘—Â?–• ‘ˆ –Š‡ Ciccarello, who played Anne plight seem real,â€? math teacher Maryland Board of Elections

”‡‰ Š‡”�ƒ� •ƒ‹†Ǥ website. WJ also hosts a voter issues that manifest in our Jewish experience during the Frank, said.

It was clear even without school.� The latter is something Holocaust.

Several cast members vis- being involved with the play, registration drive yearly to enIn one scene, the cast all wear courage students to participate Kone was keen to reinforce. ited the Holocaust museum in “We aren’t focused on just a yellow star, a mandatory label Washington, D.C. in order to –Šƒ– Č? Č? Č? Č? ‹• ƒ ’ƒ••‹‘Â?ƒ–‡ in their government. that Jews were forced to wear for group of ambitious students Students have been taught identifying and understanding get a better idea of the story. issues, but we also want to work ‹†‡Â?Â–Â‹Ć¤Â…ÂƒÂ–Â‹Â‘Â? ’—”’‘•‡• ‹Â? ƒœ‹ Cast and crew even were invited who spent countless hours in their classes the importance territories.

The yellow badges perfecting their craft. They diswith the administration and for a Shabbat dinner where they played a sense of professional- of exercising their right to vote and they hope to apply these –Š‡ •–—†‡Â?– „‘†› –‘ ƤÂ?† •‘Ž—- made it easier to see who would celebrated a mini-Hanukkah. ism beyond their years. important lessons to real life tions. Whether the solution is be sent to concentration death, next year in the election. unlocking bathroom stalls or “I will vote because I want to creating entirely new courses, be a good citizen, be involved ™‡ǯ”‡ Œ—•– Ƥ‰Š–‹Â?‰ –‘ Â?ƒÂ?‡ ‡˜‹Â? •‘…‹‡–› ƒÂ?† Š‡Ž’ ‹Â?ƪ—‡Â?…‡ erything more inclusive,â€? Kone

By Stella Hadamer vant to both physical and men- ‘Â? •’‡…‹Ƥ… –‘’‹…• ’‡”–ƒ‹Â?‹Â?‰ –‘ politics for what I want,â€? junior said.

Feature Editor tal health. These topics include their knowledge and carer. No- Yolita Barreto said.

Ultimately, there was still a The 2020 election will be pivsingular, ultimate mission, acHealth class. The semester –Š‡ †ƒÂ?‰‡”• ‘ˆ †‹ƥ‡”‡Â?– †”—‰• table presentations include the …‘”†‹Â?‰ –‘ ƒÂ?‘–Š‡” ‘Ƽ…‡”ǥ ”ƒ- course that has to be squeezed and alcohol, mental disorders Montgomery County police, otal in determining the course cie Luna. into schedules at some point in and how to correctly adminis- motivational speakers and ex- that politics will go in the next decade. Candidates are run“The primary purpose of every high school career. Every- –‡” Ƥ”•– ƒ‹†Ǥ Š‡•‡ Ž‡••‘Â?• ƒ”‡ perts on various topics.

SAFE-T Club is to connect peo- body takes it, everybody loves not only interesting to learn ‡ƒ…Š‡”• ‹Â?–‡‰”ƒ–‡ †‹ƥ‡”- ning with major issues and pro’Ž‡ ‘ˆ ƒŽŽ †‹ƥ‡”‡Â?– „ƒ…Â?‰”‘—Â?†• it. Or do they? The discretion about, but are also useful for ent types of lessons into their posing their solutions. classes and try and keep the in“Look, folks, this is the most and encourage them to gen- of health class has been de- student’s everyday lives. “Everything we learn in health formation there within as up to important election you’ve ever erate solutions that combat bated for as long as anyone can date as possible. As times voted in your life,â€? Democratic discrimination and promote remember. Parents and change and new discover- candidate Joe Biden said. inclusion in our school,â€? Luna Montgomery County ies in the world of physiStudents on both sides of said. educators have had cal and mental health are the political spectrum plan on For SAFE-T Club to realize countless discussions made, health classes have using their vote to try to elect its goals and enforce change on what to teach and to be constantly recondi- a candidate that will support throughout the school, they when. However, the imtioned. their beliefs. need to work closely with the portance of health class “You are a perpetual “I will most likely be voting administration.

Thankfully had generally been an learner as a health teach- for Trump‌ I know my opinion for them, they have an ally in agreed upon topic. er because the topics keep is not well perceived by people Principal Jennifer Baker— who WJ students and parents have class has some sort of connecwaxed lyrical about SAFE-T expressed a positive attitude to- tion to my life. I know the infor- evolving and we have to stay in our area, but I value what he Club and with whom the club’s wards the class and its necessity mation will stay with me when I current with all of the issues has done as President,â€? junior leave school,â€? sophomore Laura like new drug laws. You have Aidan Conaway said. ‘Ƽ…‡”• ƒ”‡ Â?‡‡Â? –‘ ™‘”Â? ™‹–ŠȄ in the lives of teenagers. to be mindful of all the new inWhile students may be diwhose own thoughts echoed “I think teaching health in Cardoso said.

While the standard topics formation so you can approach vided on who to vote for, most those of SAFE-T Club’s. school is important because “A lot of problems are a re- the kids need the knowledge continue to take up most of topics in class in the best way,� can agree that it is important sult of a lack of understand- and some parents aren’t com- the designated curriculum, WJ ‡ƒŽ–Š –‡ƒ…Š‡” ‘””ƒ‹�‡ ‘Ž†- for students to vote next year if they are eligible so that they ing,� Baker said. “If you know fortable talking about those teachers have also incorpo- stein said.

Needless to say, Montgom- …ƒÂ? ‹Â?ƪ—‡Â?…‡ –Š‡ ˆ—–—”‡ –Šƒ– someone well you won’t treat issues. Knowing that my chil- rated “wellness activitiesâ€? into them poorly. It comes down to dren know how to get help with lessons. Classes participate in ery County and teachers at WJ they will inherit. “It’s important for youths to understanding and learning these issues is very reassuring weekly guided meditations and do their best to update their lessons according to relevant voice their opinion for the fuabout the wonderful richness as a parent,â€? WJ parent Leslie work on gratitude journals.

Along with everyday lessons, information keeping health ture of the country that they we have here at WJ. It would re- Sullivan said. ƒŽŽ› „‡Â?‡Ƥ– —• ‹ˆ ™‡ ‰‘– –‘ Â?Â?‘™ Health class teaches students WJ also invites speakers to give classes as helpful to students as will soon be in charge of,â€? senior Cam Lukash said. each other a little bit better.â€? about important topics rele- presentations in health classes possible.

S*T*A*G*E debuts historical show

How helpful is health class?

“Everything we learn in health class has some sort of connection to my life.�

the

Pitch

DECEMBER 6, 2019

14 From communist China to WJ Spanish department FEATURE

By Sammy Peterson Â–ÂƒĆĄ ”‹–‡” Dr. Xuhua Lucia Liang, who has been a Spanish teacher at Walter Johnson for the past 14 years, was highlighted in a recent edition of the Library of Congress’s podcast, the Poet and the Poem. Yet many of her students are not aware of her accomplishments.

Liang says that she was the Ƥ”•– ˆ‡Â?ƒŽ‡ ™‹–Š ƒ Š ‹Â? ƒÂ?› Ƥ‡Ž† ‘ˆ ’ƒÂ?‹•Š ÇŚ ‹Â? –Š‡ ‡Â?–‹”‡–› of China - which at the time had over a billion people. Š‡ ’—„Ž‹•Š‡† Š‡” Ƥ”•– „‘‘Â? ‘ˆ ’‘‡–”›ǥ ‹Ž› ‘Â? –Š‡ Ž‹ƥǥ ‹Â?

Taiwan in March 2019. Liang is ƒŽ•‘ ™”‹–‹�‰ –™‘ �‘”‡ „‘‘�•Ǥ One is an anthology of her poetry written in three languages; Spanish, English and Chinese.

The other is a collection of her prose, written in Chinese.

When she was growing up in China, she had nowhere near the level of access to education that students have in the United States, much less the students at WJ. Liang grew up in the Fujian province of China under the Communist Reign of Chairman Mao Zedong and the cultural revolution that came with his rise to power. Liang explained Š‘™ –Š‡ ‘Â?Ž› „‘‘Â?• •Š‡ …‘—Ž† legally read were state-ap’”‘˜‡† Dz„‘‘Â?• ‘ˆ ÂƒÂ‘Ç¤Çł As a child, Liang yearned to ”‡ƒ† Ƥ…–‹‘Â?Ǥ Š‡ •ƒ‹† ‹– ™ƒ• possible to get some, but the „‘‘Â?• ÇŚ ‹ˆ –Š‡› …‘—Ž† ‡˜‡Â? „‡ called that - were novels secretly copied in faded handwriting ‘Â?–‘ Â?‘–‡„‘‘Â? ’ƒ’‡”Ǥ Liang distinctly recalls her uncle shattering all of his re…‘”†• ƒÂ?† „—”Â?‹Â?‰ Š‹• „‘‘Â?• ĥ he feared government searches.

‡™ ‘”Â? ƒ– –‘Â?› ”‘‘Â?Ǥ When she came to the US from China, Liang didn’t have a clue as to what she wanted to do with her career. She fell into teaching somewhat by accident. “It was just never on my list of ’”‘ˆ‡••‹‘Â?•ǥdz ‹ƒÂ?‰ •ƒ‹†Ǥ Over the course of her doctorate program, Liang began to ™‘”Â? ƒ– –‘Â?› ”‘‘Â? ĥ a visiting instructor. Later, she was an assistant professor at the University of Alabama, Mobile.

However, at the same time that ‹ƒÂ?‰ ™ƒ• „‡‹Â?‰ ‘ƥ‡”‡† ƒ –‡Â?—”‡ –”ƒ…Â? ĥ ƒ —Â?‹˜‡”•‹–› ’”‘ˆ‡•sor, she was feeling pressure from her deeply-rooted family values to settle down and raise children. “In theory, I should’ve stayed in academia and get a tenure –”ƒ…Â? ƒÂ?† „‡…‘Â?‡ ƒ ˆ—ŽŽ ’”‘ˆ‡•sor...But at a certain point I felt Ž‹Â?‡ Â?‡‡†‡† –‘ Šƒ˜‡ Â?› ˆƒÂ?ily. So I left and quit my tenure Photo by Lucas Gillespie –”ƒ…Â? ’‘•‹–‹‘Â?Ǥdz Spanish Teacher Xuhua Lucia Liang uses her years of experience to help freshman Caroline Wise unOver the next decade, Liang derstand a concept during lunch. Students often come to Liang’s classroom at lunch when they need raised her children and moved Š‡Ž’ ™‹–Š †‹ƥ‡”‡Â?– …‘Â?…‡’–• to the DC area. When she ar Dzȑ ‘˜‡”Â?Â?‡Â?– Â‘ĆĽÂ…Â‹ÂƒÂŽÂ•Č’ …‘—Ž† in the best time of your learn- ‹ƒÂ?‰ •’‡ƒÂ?• ƒ„‘—– Š‘™ rived in the nation’s capital, show up at one in the morning ing and you didn’t learn, while nearly all graduates from the Liang had the option to once ƒÂ?† •‡ƒ”…Š ƒÂ?›–Š‹Â?‰ǥdz ‹ƒÂ?‰ ”‡- Č‘ÂƒÂ– –Š‡ •ƒÂ?‡ ÂƒÂ‰Â‡Č’ ™ƒ• …”›‹Â?‰ acclaimed school of interna- again be a visiting professor at „‡…ƒ—•‡ †‹†Â?ǯ– Šƒ˜‡ „‘‘Â?• –‘ –‹‘Â?ƒŽ ÂƒĆĄÂƒÂ‹Â”Â• ‡Â?† —’ „‡…‘Â?‹Â?‰ various universities. called. diplomats. She did not want to This was not the life that she Â”Â‡ÂƒÂ†ÇĄÇł ‹ƒÂ?‰ •ƒ‹†Ǥ But as history would have it, In fact, Liang wasn’t even able go that route, forced to behave at the same time, she also had ™ƒÂ?–‡† –‘ Ž‹˜‡Ǥ Dz Ž‹Â?‡ ˆ”‡‡†‘Â?ÇĄÇł –‘ ƤÂ?‹•Š Š‹‰Š •…Š‘‘ŽǤ Š‡ Ž‡ˆ– in the interests of the govern- ƒ ÂˆÂ—ÂŽÂŽÇŚÂ–Â‹Â?‡ ‘ƥ‡” ˆ”‘Â? ƒ‹”ˆƒš Liang said. Š‹• ‹• ™Š› ‹ƒÂ?‰ ‹• •Š‘…Â?‡† •…Š‘‘Ž –‘ ™‘”Â? ĥ ƒ ’”‡•…Š‘‘Ž ment. Liang wanted to be able County Public Schools. Liang and upset when she sees her teacher. It was here that Liang –‘ Â?ƒÂ?‡ Š‡” ‘™Â? †‡…‹•‹‘Â?•Ǥ decided to go for stability. She In 1986, she chose to come to became a public school teacher students wasting their time studied for the Chinese Naand not paying attention in tional Exams, which she later the U.S. and get a PhD, rather 23 years ago. –ŠƒÂ? ƤÂ?‹•Š ƒ ÂƒÂ•Â–Â‡Â”ÇŻÂ•Ç¤ class. The students she teaches passed.

Over the years, all of Liang’s Liang was then accepted into “If you graduate, you cannot initial misgivings about teachtoday have a world of information readily available to them what is now the Beijing Foreign Ž‡ƒ˜‡ Š‹Â?ÂƒÇĄÇł ‹ƒÂ?‰ •ƒ‹†Ǥ ing have disappeared.

She needed a full scholarship Dz ‘™ Ž‘‘Â? ƒ– ‹– ƒÂ?† ˆ‡‡Ž ˜‡”› while Liang couldn’t even read Studies University, one of the ƒ ’ƒ’‡”„ƒ…Â? „‘‘Â? ™Š‡Â? •Š‡ ™ƒ• most prestigious academies in –‘ ÂƒĆĄÂ‘Â”Â† Š‡” Š ’”‘‰”ƒÂ?Ǥ ‹- ’”‘—† „‡…ƒ—•‡ ™‡ Č‘ÂƒÂ• Â–Â‡ÂƒÂ…ÂŠÂ‡Â”Â•Č’ China. After getting her Bach- ang applied to nine schools, really can impact young people. their age. “I cannot understand when elor’s Degree, Liang returned to •‹š ‘ˆ ™Š‹…Š Â?‡– Š‡” ƤÂ?ƒÂ?…‹ƒŽ We really leave some good impeople are sitting here and they the university to obtain a Mas- needs. She ultimately chose to pact on young people. I don’t attend the State University of ”‡‰”‡– ‹–ǥdz ‹ƒÂ?‰ •ƒ‹†Ǥ do not want to learn. You are ter’s Degree.

Surviving a staycation

#Teamtrees: One step closer to ending climate change

By Marie-Elise Latorre ÂƒÂ›Â‘Â—Â–Č€ ‡•‹‰Â? †‹–‘” #Teamtrees is a 2019 fundraising challenge aimed at planting 20 million trees by Jan. 1, 2020. The initiative was started by YouTubers Mr. ‡ƒ•– ƒÂ?† ƒ”Â? ‘„‡”Ǥ Š‡ ˆ—Â?†”ƒ‹•‡” ™‘”Â?• „› ”‡…‡‹˜ing donations from users and then sending those donations to a charity called “Arbor Day ‘—Â?†ƒ–‹‘Â?dzǥ ™Š‘ ’Ž‡†‰‡† –‘ plant one tree for every dollar that is donated. #Teamtrees has raised over $16 million.

But why is Mr. Beast planting trees?

Well it all started when Jimmy Donaldson, more com�‘�Ž› ��‘™� „› Š‹• ‘�Ž‹�‡ alias Mr. Beast, suggested that he plant 20 million trees to celebrate him reaching 20 million subscribers on YouTube. Former NASA engineer ƒ�† ‘— —„‡” ƒ”� ‘„‡” partnered with Mr. Beast to start the fundraiser. On Oct. 25, 2019, Mr. Beast uploaded

a YouTube video explaining his plan. Dz –Š‹Â?Â? Í› ‡ƒÂ?–”‡‡• ‹• ƒÂ? ƒÂ?ƒœ‹Â?‰ …Šƒ”‹–›Ǥ – ”‡ƒŽŽ› –ƒÂ?‡• the huge internet community that we have and it’s using it for a great cause, which is saving the environment and planting ͜͞ Â?‹ŽŽ‹‘Â? –”‡‡•ǥdz •‡Â?‹‘” ‘Â?ƒŽ ƒŒƒ’ƒÂ?•‡ •ƒ‹†Ǥ Even though many students believed that the fundraiser was a great idea, some were •Â?‡’–‹…ƒŽ ƒ„‘—– –Š‡ ’”‘…‡•• ƒÂ?† –Š‡ ‘—–…‘Â?‡Ǥ ƒŒƒ’ƒÂ?•‡ “—‡•tioned how and where the trees were going to be planted. Dz ‡…ƒ—•‡ ‹–ǯ• ƒŽ™ƒ›• Ž‹Â?‡ ›‘— †‘Â?ƒ–‡ ‘Â?‡ †‘ŽŽƒ” ƒÂ?† –Š‹• Â?ܠ gets a bowl of rice, and you ƒ”‡ Ž‹Â?‡ Â™ÂŠÂƒÂ–ÇŤ ‘™ †‘‡• –Šƒ– Šƒ’’‡Â?ÇŤ ‘ ÇŻÂ? ƒŽ™ƒ›• •Â?‡’–‹…ƒŽ ƒÂ?† ÇŻÂ? ƒŽ™ƒ›• Ž‹Â?‡ǥ †‘Â?ǯ– Â?Â?‘™ ƒ„‘—– Â–ÂŠÂƒÂ–ÇĄ „—– Š‘’‡ ‹– ™‘”Â?• ƒÂ?† ‹–ǯ• ƒ Ž‘– ‘ˆ Â?‘Â?‡› ‰‘‹Â?‰ ‹Â?–‘ ‹–ǥdz ƒŒƒ’ƒÂ?•‡ •ƒ‹†Ǥ ‡ƒÂ?™Š‹Ž‡ •‡Â?‹‘” ƒ”ƒŠ —œiora doubts that the trees can change the future of climate change. Dz ˆ –Š‡”‡ ƒ”‡ Ž‹Â?‡ Í?ÍĄ „‹ŽŽ‹‘Â?

By Judith Altneu ‡™• †‹–‘”

Illustration by Nora Talbott

trees that are cut every year, and he’s doing 20 million trees, ‹–ǯ• ‰‘‹Â?‰ –‘ –ƒÂ?‡ Ž‹Â?‡ Ž‡•• –ŠƒÂ? ƒ year for all the trees to not even Â?ÂƒÂ–Â–Â‡Â”ÇĄÇł —œ‹‘”ƒ •ƒ‹†Ǥ ˜‡Â? –Š‘—‰Š •‘Â?‡ Â?‹†• ƒ”‡ happy that this initiative is occurring, they believe that neither they nor WJ students would donate money to the charity. “Teenagers steal donuts from Giant, I really doubt they are going to donate money to this …Šƒ”‹–›Ǥ †‘Â?ǯ– ”‡ƒŽŽ› Â?Â?‘™ ƒÂ?› teenagers that actually donate –Š‡‹” ‘™Â? Â?‘Â?‡›ǥDz ƒŒƒ’ƒÂ?•‡ said.

Nevertheless, many students ƒ’’”‡…‹ƒ–‡ –Š‡ Ƥ”•– •–‡’ –‘™ƒ”†• Ƥ‰Š–‹Â?‰ …Ž‹Â?ƒ–‡ …ŠƒÂ?‰‡ ƒÂ?† Š‘’‡ –Šƒ– …‡Ž‡„”‹–‹‡• Ž‹Â?‡ Mr. Beast will continue to help ™‹–Š ’”‘Œ‡…–• Ž‹Â?‡ –Š‡•‡Ǥ

ƒ˜‡ ›‘— ‡˜‡” „‡‡� •–—…� ƒ– Š‘�‡ †—”‹�‰ ™‹�–‡” „”‡ƒ� while all of your friends are relaxing on a sunny Florida beach or in another country? ‡ŽŽ ›‘— ƒ”‡ –ƒ�‹�‰ ƒ ˜ƒ…ƒ–‹‘� …‘��‘�Ž› ��‘™� ƒ• ƒ •–ƒ›…ƒtion.

According to Merriam ‡„•–‡”ǥ –Š‡ †‡ƤÂ?‹–‹‘Â? ‘ˆ ƒ staycation is “a vacation spent ƒ– Š‘Â?‡ ‘” Â?Â‡ÂƒÂ”Â„Â›Ç¤Çł —– ™Šƒ– would you do during a staycation? —”‹Â?‰ ™‹Â?–‡” „”‡ƒÂ?ÇĄ –ƒÂ?‡ the opportunity to try something new. Some ideas include a jigsaw puzzle, bingeing a new •Š‘™ǥ „ƒÂ?‹Â?‰ǥ •–ƒ”–‹Â?‰ ƒ Â?‡™ „‘‘Â? •‡”‹‡• ‘” …ƒ–…Š‹Â?‰ —’ ‘Â? recent movies and TV shows.

There are plenty of leisure activities students don’t have time for when they are busy with school, sports and other extracurricular activities. A staycation is a good opportunity to spend time doing activities you enjoy. “I tend to lounge around, play video games, watch TV ƒÂ?† ”‡ƒ† •‘Â?‡ „‘‘Â?•Ǥ –ǯ• Â?‘– much, but it’s relaxing and that’s what you are supposed to

†‘ ‘Â? ˜ƒ…ƒ–‹‘Â?ÇĄÇł Œ—Â?‹‘” ƒ…Š‡Ž Day said.

Just because you’re on a staycation doesn’t mean you have to stay home! “Don’t just sit in the house all †ƒ› ƒÂ?† ‰‘ ‘—– ƒÂ?† –ƒÂ?‡ ƒ ™ƒŽÂ? and get some exercise [by go‹Â?‰ –‘ ƒ ’ƒ”Â?Č’ÇĄÇł •‘’Š‘Â?‘”‡ ›Ž‡ McElrath said. ƒÂ?‡ ƒ†˜ƒÂ?–ƒ‰‡ ‘ˆ ‘—” Ž‘…ƒtion and go explore a Museum in D.C. or do something else nearby. ZooLights is returning to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo from Nov. 29 to Jan. 1 from 5-9 p.m. The zoo is covered in bright and colorful Christmas lights and some are in the shape of animals. Dz Œ—•– Ž‹Â?‡ •‡‡‹Â?‰ ƒŽŽ ‘ˆ –Š‡ lights and how the zoo is decorated. Last time I went there was a caroling show which I –Š‘—‰Š– ™ƒ• ‹Â?–‡”‡•–‹Â?‰ǥdz •‘’Šomore Lani Inniss said.

ˆ ›‘— ƒ”‡ Ž‘‘Â?‹Â?‰ ˆ‘” ƒ ’Žƒ…‡ –‘ ‰‘ ‹…‡ •Â?ƒ–‹Â?‰ǥ ƒ ‰‘‘† ’Žƒ…‡ ˆ‘” ‘—–†‘‘” ‹…‡ •Â?ƒ–‹Â?‰ ‹• ‘…Â?ville Town Center. “It’s really nice that it is out•‹†‡ ƒÂ?† ‰‹˜‡• ‘ƥ ƒ †‹ƥ‡”‡Â?– ˜‹„‡ –ŠƒÂ? ƒ Â?‘”Â?ƒŽ ‹…‡ ”‹Â?Â? ƒÂ?† ‹–ǯ• ”‡ƒŽŽ› ˆ—Â?ÇĄÇł •‡Â?‹‘” ŽŽ‹‡ Quinn said.

There are plenty of activities –‘ †‘ Ž‘…ƒŽŽ› –‘ �‡‡’ „—•› †—”ing winter vacation.

15 Oh Walter J, how would your world compare to today? the

Pitch

DECEMBER 6, 2019

By Elana Renbaum Sports Editor On Oct. 10, 1924, Washington Senators pitcher Walter Johnson made history by closing out game seven of the World Series in the 12th inning against the New York Giants, securing the Ƥ”•– ‘”Ž† ‡”‹‡• …ŠƒÂ?’‹‘Â?ship in franchise history. ‹Â?Â‡Â–Â›ÇŚĆ¤Â˜Â‡ ›‡ƒ”• ÂŽÂƒÂ–Â‡Â”ÇĄ ƒ•Šington Nationals closer Daniel Hudson turned his own page ‹Â? Š‹•–‘”› „› ƤÂ?‹•Š‹Â?‰ ‘—– –Š‡ Houston Astros to protect the Nationals’ four-run lead to bring the title of World Champion back to D.C. In those 95 years in between titles, Washington baseball had moved all over the country, •™‹–…Š‡† ÂŽÂ‡ÂƒÂ‰Â—Â‡Â•ÇĄ ƒÂ?† ƤÂ?ƒŽŽ› returned back home to RFK Stadium in 2005.

To put the near century gap into perspective, in 1924 a gallon of gas was 11 cents, thanks –‘ Â–Â‘Â†ÂƒÂ›ÇŻÂ• ‹Â?ĆŞÂƒÂ–Â‹Â‘Â? Â”ÂƒÂ–Â‡ÇĄ –Šƒ– would be approximately $1.66 per gallon in 2019. World Series –‹…Â?‡–• ƒ– ”‹Ƽ–Š –ƒ†‹—Â? ™‡”‡ selling for $5.50 a seat ($142.97 today), whereas the cheapest ticket on StubHub at Nats Park was selling for around $800.

As for Maryland nearly 100 years ago, Bethesda and Rockville were the center cities of Montgomery County. They

began as rural farm zones and over time became the urban areas they are known for today. “Bethesda, Garrett Park and Kensington had all developed because of the connection to the streetcar as early as the late 19th century,� U.S. history teacher Nathan Schwartz said.

Both streetcar lines led into DC, which allowed for easy access for those living in the cities who had jobs in DC. Thanks to the New Deal, a program from President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933 designed to create more public work projects and subsequently created more jobs, the governmental presence in DC exploded and more people came to live in Montgomery County that worked for the government or took part in one of these programs.

Bethesda’s premiere neighborhoods began to develop in the early 1920s, which led to a greater infrastructure for the city including gas stations, sidewalks and car dealerships.

By the mid-1920s, Bethesda had become the center city for Montgomery County with barbers, grocery stores and schools.

By the end of the decade, Bethesda’s population nearly tripled from 4,757 to 12,018, and by 1940, Bethesda had nearly

FEATURE

Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Â? ƒ „ƒ…Â? –‘ „ƒ…Â? ƒ’’‡ƒ”ƒÂ?…‡ ƒ– –Š‡ ‘”Ž† ‡”‹‡• ‹Â? Í?ͼͥ͞ǥ –Š‡ ƒ•Š‹Â?‰–‘Â? ‡Â?ƒ–‘”• Š‘Â?‡ Ƥ‡Ž† ‘ˆ ”‹Ƽ–Š –ƒ†‹—Â? ‹• ƤŽŽ‡† ™‹–Š ˆƒÂ?•Ǥ Â? ͜͞Í?ÍĽÇĄ ƒ •‹Â?‹Žƒ” •’‡…–ƒ…Ž‡ …‘—Ž† „‡ ˆ‘—Â?† ƒ– ƒ–‹‘Â?ƒŽ• ƒ”Â? ™Š‡Â? Š‘ƒ”†• ‘ˆ ˆƒÂ?• …”‘™†‡† –Š‡ •–ƒ†‹—Â? –‘ ™‹–Â?॥ –Š‡ Ƥ”•– ™‘”Ž† •‡”‹‡• ‹Â? ƒ•Š‹Â?‰–‘Â? •‹Â?…‡ –Š‡‹” Í?ÍĽÍ&#x;Í&#x; ƒ’’‡ƒ”ƒÂ?…‡Ǥ

8,000 residents on the federal government’s payroll. Â‘Â†ÂƒÂ›ÇĄ ‡–Š‡•†ƒ ƪ‘—”‹•Š‡• with new businesses, underground train networks, quality public education and scenic neighborhoods valued up to the millions. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, Bethesda’s population

is 60,858 people and Rockville has 61,209 populates. ‡ƪ‡…–‹Â?‰ „ƒ…Â? –‘ Â–Â‘Â†ÂƒÂ›ÇĄ ‘Â?‡ of the biggest standouts between these two championships are their celebrations. “[I think that it is] big, has a lot of people, team colors everywhere and people wearing

jerseys,� junior Alina Kahn said of championship celebrations.

This is a common scene you …ƒÂ? ƤÂ?† Â–Â‘Â†ÂƒÂ›ÇĄ „—– ™ƒ• Â?‘– ƒ spectacle found in 1924.

Ways to give back over the holidays

By Stella Hadamer Feature Editor

Be an elf As the holidays roll around, many less fortunate families turn to charity organizations to supply them with some holiday cheer. Charities range from toy drives to clothes drives. One unique organization called “Be an (OI´ DOORZV YROXQWHHUV WR EHFRPH 6DQWDÂśV HOYHV IRU WKH GD\ 3DUWLFLSDQWV JDWKHU DW GHVLJQDWHG SRVW RŕľśFHV DQG read letters to Santa that were sent by underprivileged kids across America. You may then choose a child’s ZLVK WR IXOÂżOO E\ SXUFKDVLQJ WKH WR\ WKH\ DVNHG IRU DQG VHQGLQJ LW WR WKHP IRU &KULVWPDV 2WKHU RUJDQL]DWLRQV such as Angel Tree and the Christmas Spirit Foundation also support families whose Christmas might not be as cheery as yours.

Photo courtesy of Pixabay

Visit a nursing home

The holidays should be a time to spend with family and friends. But what happens to those who have no family to spend the holidays with? This holiday season, try volunteering at a nursing home. Nursing homes rely heavily on volunteers to bring a sense of love and community to their residents. Volunteers may help with many things such as assisting in hosting dances, card games or bingo nights. You can also simply visit the homes and lend the elderly your ear. Many elderly just want someone to talk to and listen to their VWRULHV 3D\ D YLVLW WR 5RFNYLOOH 1XUVLQJ +RPH RU &ROOLQJVZRRG 5HKDELOLWDWLRQ DQG +HDOWKFDUH &HQWHU WR spread some holiday cheer.

Run a race for a good cause

Photo by Rafael Friedlander

'XVW Rŕľľ \RXU UXQQLQJ VKRHV DQG KLW WKH URDG WR SDUWLFLSDWH LQ D IXQ UXQ IRU D JRRG FDXVH +XQGUHGV RI runs, walks and races are organized each year for various charities. Some of the most popular runs include 6W -XGH 0HPSKLV 0DUDWKRQ 6XVDQ * .RPHQ 5DFH IRU WKH &XUH DQG 5XQ IRU WKH ZDWHU +RZHYHU LI you are looking for something more local, check out the Jingle Bell Run. This event is held on Saturday, Dec. 14 at Seneca Creek State Park. All proceeds go to the Arthritis Foundation. So buy a ticket and get running!

Photo courtesy of PxHere

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Pitch

FEATURE

Ok boomer

By Sadie McMullen Â‡ÂƒÂ–Â—Â”Â‡Č€ ĆŹ ••‹•–ƒÂ?– †‹–‘” What comes to mind when one hears Baby Boomers? Â—Â…Â…Â‡Â•Â•ÂˆÂ—ÂŽÇŤ ‹…ŠǍ ‡…‡Â?–Ž›ǥ descriptions have turned to ’ƒ–”‘Â?‹œ‹Â?‰ǥ …Ž‘•‡ Â?‹Â?†‡† ƒÂ?† ’”‡–‡Â?–‹‘—•Ǥ ‘‘Â?‡”• have earned themselves a bad reputation with younger generations by adopting a “holier –ŠƒÂ? –Š‘—dz ƒ––‹–—†‡Ǥ ‘‘Â?‡”• seem to be a symbol of easily obtained wealth and power achieved through luck and circumstance, so when they try –‘ ‰‹˜‡ Ç˛ÂƒÂ†Â˜Â‹Â…Â‡Çł ‹– …‘Â?‡• ƒ…”‘•• as condescending to young ’‡‘’Ž‡Ǥ Millennials and Generation Z have been the target of Baby Boomer entitlement for long ‡Â?‘—‰Š –‘ Â?ƒÂ?‡ –Š‡Â? ƤÂ?ƒŽŽ› •Â?ƒ’Ǥ Š‡ ’Š”ƒ•‡ Dz Â? ‘‘Â?‡”dz conveys the sentiments that both Gen Z and Millenials share when it comes to unwarranted input from the Baby Boomer generation in a simple „—– †‡˜ƒ•–ƒ–‹Â?‰ …‘Â?‡„ƒ…Â?Ǥ Šƒ– •–ƒ”–‡† ‘ƥ ĥ ƒ ˜‹”ƒŽ ‹Â?Tok developed into a slew of memes made by Gen Z as a way to share their dislike of con•–ƒÂ?– „‡Ž‹––Ž‹Â?‰ ˆ”‘Â? ‘‘Â?‡”•Ǥ Various forms of merchandise have been sold by Gen Z teens who didn’t hesitate to jump on the bandwagon and use it to –Š‡‹” ‘™Â? ƒ†˜ƒÂ?–ƒ‰‡Ǥ WJ students have embraced the phrase, using it on social Â?‡†‹ƒ ƒÂ?† ƒ– •…Š‘‘ŽǤ —Â?‹‘” Ashley Wallace believes that there is no intended harm say‹Â?‰ ‹– ‹Â? ƒ Ž‹‰Š–Š‡ƒ”–‡† ™ƒ›Ǥ Dz –Š‹Â?Â? ÇŽ Â? ‘‘Â?‡”ǯ ‹• ’”‡––› funny as long as it isn’t used directly to insult or belittle a •‡Â?‹‘” …‹–‹œ‡Â? ‹Â? –Š‡ •ƒÂ?‡ ™ƒ› –Š‡› Šƒ˜‡ †‘Â?‡ –‘ —•ǥdz •ƒ‹† ƒŽŽƒ…‡Ǥ Dz –ǯ• Ž‹Â?‡ –Š‡ ÇŽÂ?‘ —ǯ ‘ˆ ƒ‰‡‹•Â?Ǥdz While most of Gen Z sees it as a harmless joke, some Boomers have taken it as a very serious personal attack, going as far to call it ageist discrimina–‹‘Â?Ǥ ’Ž‡–Š‘”ƒ ‘ˆ ƒÂ?‰”› ƒ”–‹…Ž‡• Šƒ˜‡ „‡‡Â? ’—„Ž‹•Š‡†Ǥ Š‡ aggressive response has been mostly one-sided as all Gen Z Šƒ• †‘Â?‡ ‹• …‘‹Â? –Š‡ ’Š”ƒ•‡Ǥ This one small phrase caused ƒÂ? ÂƒÂŽÂŽÇŚÂ‘Â—Â– Ç˛Â™ÂƒÂ”Çł ƒ……‘”†‹Â?‰ –‘ ‘‘Â?‡”• ™Š‘ “—‹…Â?Ž› …ƒŽŽ‡† –‘ ƒ”Â?•Ǥ Â?‰Ž‹•Š –‡ƒ…Š‡” ƒÂ? ƒ–thews gave students the op–‹‘Â? –‘ †‹•…—•• Dz Â? ‘‘Â?‡”dz ‹Â? ƒ ˆ”‡‡ ™”‹–‡ ƒ••‹‰Â?Â?‡Â?–Ǥ Š‡ discussion included heated opinions from Gen Z students about Baby Boomers, and huÂ?‘”‘—• –ƒÂ?‡• ‘Â? –Š‡ Â?‡Â?‡Ǥ Dz Â? ’”ƒ…–‹…‡ ‹– –‡Â?†• –‘ •Š—– down dialogue instead of opening it up, which is poten–‹ƒŽŽ› ’”‘„Ž‡Â?ÂƒÂ–Â‹Â…ÇĄÇł ƒ––Š‡™• •ƒ‹†Ǥ Dz —Â?†‡”•–ƒÂ?† Š‘™ ‹– works, it’s meant as a blanket response to misunderstanding ƒÂ?‘Â?‰ ‰‡Â?‡”ƒ–‹‘Â?•Ǥdz Students in Matthews’ class support his understanding of –Š‡ Â?‡Â?‡Ǥ —Â?‹‘” ŽŽ‡Â? ƒÂ?‰ wrote about the phrase, agree‹Â?‰ –Šƒ– ‹– …ƒÂ? „‡ –ƒÂ?‡Â? –‘‘ ˆƒ”Ǥ Dz –Š‹Â?Â? –Šƒ– ‹Â? –Š‡ …‘Â?–‡š– that young people use the phrase today is not deroga–‘”› ‘” Â?‡ƒÂ?– –‘ „‡ ‹Â?•—Ž–‹Â?‰ǥdz ƒÂ?‰ •ƒ‹†Ǥ Dz –ǯ• •—’’‘•‡† –‘ „‡ ƒ Œ‘Â?‡Ǥdz

DECEMBER 6, 2019

Students of under represented religions speak out

By Hannah Markov Opinion Editor Somewhat induced by its close proximity to DC, WJ boasts a distinctly diverse student and Â•Â–ÂƒĆĄ …‘Â?Â?—Â?‹–›Ǥ – …‘Â?•–ƒÂ?–Ž› strives to create a welcoming environment for people of all backgrounds and identities, as seen in the wide range of …—Ž–—”ƒŽ …Ž—„• ƒÂ?† ƒ••‡Â?„Ž‹‡•Ǥ However, some outdated stereotypes remain, particularly concerning belief systems not widely practiced by residents of –Š‹• ƒ”‡ƒǤ Sophomore Ebony Lee is one of the only Wiccan students at Ǥ ‡‘’Ž‡ ˆ”‡“—‡Â?–Ž› „‡Ž‹‡˜‡ that they are a witch or a bad person who will cast spells on them, when in reality, Lee only gives out positive energy and –”‹‡• –‘ Š‡Ž’ ’‡‘’Ž‡ ˆ‡‡Ž ™‡ŽŽǤ Wiccans are also often associated with the Salem Witch ”‹ƒŽ•Ǥ Dz ‰‡– …ƒŽŽ‡† ƒ •ƒ–ƒÂ?‹•– ƒ Ž‘–ǥdz ‡‡ •ƒ‹†Ǥ Dz –”› ƒÂ?† –‡ŽŽ ’‡‘’Ž‡ that we don’t actually believe there is a satan or heaven or hell, cause our belief system

believe that WJ should talk more about religion in history classes, so that students can Ž‡ƒ”Â? Â?‘”‡ ƒ„‘—– ’‡‘’Ž‡ †‹ƥ‡”ent from them and be exposed –‘ —Â?‹“—‡ ’”ƒ…–‹…‡• ƒÂ?† –”ƒ†‹–‹‘Â?•Ǥ “We have lots of fun activities, like traveling to other plac‡•Ǥ ÇŻÂ? ‰‘‹Â?‰ –‘ †‘ ƒ Š—Â?ƒÂ?‹–ƒ”ian service trip in Bolivia this summer, and that’s a really fun ÂƒÂ•Â’Â‡Â…Â–ÇĄÇł –Š‡ •–—†‡Â?– •ƒ‹†Ǥ Dz –ǯ• fun to have your own little community, and also the majority of our religion is practiced in South America and Africa, so Š‘–‘ …‘—”–‡•› ‘ˆ ‹Â?‡ ƒ‰ƒœ‹Â?‡ People of the Hindu faith celebrate the Holi Festival. The annual it’s really great to connect with celebration, popularly known as the Indian “festival of colors,â€? ’‡‘’Ž‡ ˆ”‘Â? ‘–Š‡” …‘—Â?–”‹‡•Ǥdz Even without classroom lesmarks the arrival of spring and blossoming of love. sons, one way to avoid perpetuisn’t the same as Christianity or monism is a branch of Chris- ating cultural cliches is to think –‹ƒÂ?‹–›Ǥ Dz ‡ †‘Â?ǯ– ’”ƒ…–‹…‡ before speaking, an anonymous ƒÂ?›–Š‹Â?‰ Ž‹Â?‡ Â–ÂŠÂƒÂ–Ç¤Çł Similarly, historically induced ’‘Ž›‰ƒÂ?› ƒÂ?›Â?‘”‡Ǥ ÂŠÂƒÂ–ÇŻÂ• ’ƒ”– source of Hindu and Muslim inferences about Mormons reg- of our history, but it is in the background suggests, who has ularly cloud the LDS Church’s ’ƒ•– •‘ ’‡‘’Ž‡ „”‹Â?‰ ‹– —’ ƒ Ž‘–Ǥdz dealt with stereotypes such as The student also mentioned being weird or not valuing othÂ?‘†‡”Â? „‡Ž‹‡ˆ• ƒÂ?† ’”ƒ…–‹…‡•Ǥ “There’s rumours such as Mor- that while the widely known ‡”•Ǥ Â?‘Â?• Šƒ˜‹Â?‰ Ž‘–• ‘ˆ Â?‘Â?•Ǥ Mormon Temple might seem Dz ‘‘Â? ‹Â?–‘ ȑ–Š‡ Â•Â—Â„ÂŒÂ‡Â…Â–Č’ÇĄÇł –Š‡› ‘Â?Ž› Šƒ˜‡ ‘Â?‡ Â?‘Â?ÇĄÇł ƒÂ? ƒÂ?‘Â?›- secretive, since people aren’t •ƒ‹†Ǥ Dz ‡ƒŽŽ› –”› –‘ —Â?†‡”•–ƒÂ?† mous Mormon student said, allowed inside, it will actually ‹– ˆ”‘Â? ƒŽŽ †‹ƥ‡”‡Â?– ’‡”•’‡…–‹˜‡• who doesn’t consider them- be hosting an open house next and sides before you come to selves a minority since Mor- ÂˆÂƒÂŽÂŽÇĄ ƒˆ–‡” ‹–• ”‡Â?‘˜ƒ–‹‘Â?•Ǥ Š‡› ƒÂ?› …‘Â?…Ž—•‹‘Â?•Ǥdz

Seniors on a mission to keep the community clean

By Marie-Elise Latorre Layout Editor We all know the halls at WJ are left so dirty after lunch that even the administrators complain; however, the halls are not the only place that are inˆƒ�‘—• ˆ‘” –Š‡‹” ƒ’’‡ƒ”ƒ�…‡Ǥ

‡‘”‰‡–‘™Â? “—ƒ”‡ ƒŽ•‘ Šƒ• ‹–• ˆƒ‹” •Šƒ”‡ ‘ˆ ”‡’—–ƒ–‹‘Â?Ǥ –—†‡Â?–• ‰‘ –‘ ÇŚ “—ƒ”‡ †—”‹Â?‰ lunch and after school to enjoy the wide variety of food it pro˜‹†‡•Ǥ ‹Â?…‡ ’‡‘’Ž‡ ‡ƒ– –Š‡”‡ǥ it’s a given that trash would be Ž‡ˆ–Ǥ ‡– •‘Â?‡ ’‡‘’Ž‡ ƒ”‡ Â?‘– ĥ Dz‰”‡‡Â?ÇĄÇł ƒÂ?† Ž‹––‡”Ǥ –ǯ• Â?‘™ up to three seniors; Jenny Mc Â?–›”‡ǥ ƒÂ?‹‡ŽŽƒ ‹Ž ƒÂ?† ŠŽ‘‡ Farago to help keep the WJ …‘Â?Â?—Â?‹–› …Ž‡ƒÂ?Ǥ Â… Â?–›”‡ǥ ‹Ž ƒÂ?† ƒ”ƒ‰‘ •’‡Â?† –Š‡‹” Ž—Â?…Š ƒ– ÇŚ “—ƒ”‡ ƒÂ?† ƒŽ™ƒ›• ƤÂ?† ‰ƒ”„ƒ‰‡ ‡˜‡”›™Š‡”‡ „—– –Š‡ –”ƒ•Š „‹Â?Ǥ ƒ•–‡ ranging from napkins to entire rotisserie chickens could eas‹Ž› „‡ ˆ‘—Â?† ‘Â? –Š‡ ƪ‘‘”Ǥ Š‡› once found a broken bottle of Š‘– •ƒ—…‡ ‘Â? –Š‡ ƪ‘‘”Ǥ “Not only is it gross but broken glass could have hurt

•‘Â?‡‘Â?‡Ǥ Š‘‡˜‡” •’‹ŽŽ‡† ‹– could’ve had at least told an adult or someone instead of Œ—•– Ž‡ƒ˜‹Â?‰ ‹– –Š‡”‡ǥdz ‹Ž •ƒ‹†Ǥ However, it wasn’t always like –Š‹•Ǥ ÂŽÂŽ –Š”‡‡ —’’‡”…Žƒ••Â?‡Â? agree that there is a direct relationship between the number of students and the amount of Ž‹––‡”Ǥ Dz – ™ƒ• …Ž‡ƒÂ?‡” †—”‹Â?‰ Â?› ˆ”‡•ŠÂ?ƒÂ? ›‡ƒ”Ǥ Š‡”‡ ™‡”‡ Ž‡•• •–—†‡Â?–• ‹Â? –Š‡ •…Š‘‘ŽǤ —– now, there are always stacks of Ž‹––‡”ǥdz Â… Â?–›”‡ •ƒ‹†Ǥ But what could possibly drive these girls to do work that others plainly refuse to do? The answer is simple: Anger, the gratefulness to a privilege of eating outside and the wish to keep a …‘Â?Â?—Â?‹–› …Ž‡ƒÂ?Ǥ “There are other people who —•‡ ÇŚ “—ƒ”‡ ƒÂ?† –Š‡ ŠƒŽŽ™ƒ›• of the school, why do you think you can litter? Just do what’s right so that other people can ‡Â?Œ‘› –Š‡ ÂƒÂ”Â‡ÂƒÇĄÇł ƒ”ƒ‰‘ •ƒ‹†Ǥ Even though they help clean up, the amount of trash never ”‡ƒŽŽ› ‰‘‡• †‘™Â?Ǥ Â… Â?–›”‡ „‡lieves the reason is that males ƒ”‡ Â?‘”‡ Ž‹Â?‡Ž› –‘ Ž‹––‡”Ǥ Â…-

Â?–›”‡ Šƒ• †‘Â?‡ ƒÂ? observational study for sociology on the statistics behind the Ž‹––‡” ’”‘„Ž‡Â?•Ǥ Dz ˆ‘—Â?† ƒ ‰”‡ƒ– “—‘–‡ ˆ”‘Â? ƒ •‹Â?‹lar study by Aaron Brough and James Wilkie who found that males have a stronger desire to ǎ•ƒˆ‡‰—ƒ”† –Š‡‹” ‰‡Â?der identity’ and see environmentally safe practices as ˆ‡Â?‹Â?‹Â?‡ǥdz Â… Â?–”›‡ •ƒ‹†Ǥ Sometimes the girls are rewarded ˆ‘” –Š‡‹” Šƒ”† ™‘”Â?Ǥ Š‘–‘ „› ÂƒÂ”Â‹Â‡ÇŚ Ž‹•‡ ƒ–‘””‡ A couple of days Seniors Jenny McIntyre, Chloe Farago after making sure and Daniella Mil show their dedication to the community is keeping their community clean. clean, an administrator thanked girls would like to create the –Š‡Â? „› „—›‹Â?‰ –Š‡Â? Ž—Â?…ŠǤ …Ž—„ Dz ‹––‡” ‡Â?‘˜ƒŽ Â?Â‹Â–Â‹ÂƒÂ–Â‹Â˜Â‡ÇłÇĄ Even though they were thank- where they would walk around ful for the free lunch, the up- with trash bags for the last 10 perclassmen believed that they Â?‹Â?—–‡• ‘ˆ Ž—Â?…Š …Ž‡ƒÂ?‹Â?‰ —’Ǥ shouldn’t be awarded for hu“We would also volunteer at Â?ƒÂ? „‡Šƒ˜‹‘”Ǥ –Š‡ ‘…Â? ”‡‡Â? …Ž‡ƒÂ?—’• ˆ‘”

Â? –Š‡ ÂˆÂ—Â–Â—Â”Â‡ÇĄ –Š‡•‡ –Š”‡‡ Š‘—”•ǥdz Â… Â?–›”‡ •ƒ‹†Ǥ

The ultimate guide to staying fit in high school › ”‹‰‹––‡ ƒ„ƒ Â–ÂƒĆĄ ”‹–‡”

Š‘–‘ „› ”‹‰‹––‡ ƒ„ƒ

A walk in one of WJ’s neighborŠ‘‘†• ’”‘˜‡• –‘ „‡ „‡Â?Â‡Ć¤Â…Â‹ÂƒÂŽ for health and can be a great way to workout by yourself or with a group. Walking also burns calories and provides time to talk with friends.

With a stressful schedule and not a lot of time, students –”› –‘ ƤÂ?† •Â?ƒ…Â?• –Šƒ– ƒ”‡ easy and accessible, often inclined to go for an ooey-gooey chocolate chip cookie in class ‘” ƪ—‘”‡•…‡Â?– ˜‡Â?†‹Â?‰ Â?ƒ…Š‹Â?‡•Ǥ ‹–Š Œ—•– ƒ ˆ‡™ Â?‹Â?†ˆ—Ž tweaks, straying away from unhealthy choices can be much ‡ƒ•‹‡” ™‹–Š Â?‘ Šƒ••Ž‡Ǥ The idea of staying in shape and having enough time to meet deadlines and complete extracurricular activities can seem intimidating, but it

†‘‡•Â?ǯ– Šƒ˜‡ –‘ „‡Ǥ A great way to make sure everything gets done is by ’”ƒ…–‹…‹Â?‰ Dz‡š‡”…‹•‡ •Â?ƒ…Â?‹Â?‰ǥdz which encourages bouts of ’Š›•‹…ƒŽ ƒ…–‹˜‹–›Ǥ Dz Ž‹Â?‡ –‘ –Š‹Â?Â? ƒŠ‡ƒ† ƒÂ?† ’ŽƒÂ? •’‡…‹Ƥ… –Š‹Â?‰• ™‹ŽŽ †‘ǥ Ž‹Â?‡ ™‹ŽŽ „—› –Š‹• –Š‹Â?‰ ƒ– ‹ƒÂ?– ‘” ™‹ŽŽ ‡š‡”…‹•‡ Ž‹Â?‡ –Š‹•ǥdz Œ—Â?‹‘” ‘”‘Â?ƒ ‡”‡Â?Â…Âœ •ƒ‹†Ǥ ‡‰ƒ”†Ž‡•• ‘ˆ Š‘™ Â?—…Š Šƒ• to get done, there’s always the chance something can come up out of the blue and take time ƒÂ?† ƒ––‡Â?–‹‘Â?Ǥ ƒÂ?‹Â?‰ ‘˜‡”night oatmeal, boiled eggs and even packing a fruit and veggie the night before school are

great ways to save time and stay Š‡ƒŽ–Š›Ǥ ‘ ‹ˆ Ž‹ˆ‡ ‹• Â…ÂŠÂƒÂ‘Â–Â‹Â…ÇĄ ƒ– least your health doesn’t have to „‡ ÂƒĆĄÂ‡Â…Â–Â‡Â†Ç¤ Dz Ž‹Â?‡ –‘ •–ƒ› Š›†”ƒ–‡† ƒÂ?† pack my healthy lunch beforeŠƒÂ?† •‘ ™‘Â?ǯ– Šƒ˜‡ –‘ ™‘””› about it later and can focus on Â?› •…Š‘‘Ž™‘”Â?ÇĄÇł •‡Â?‹‘” ƒÂ?ŒƒÂ?ƒ ƒ—Ž •ƒ‹†Ǥ

–ǯ• Â?‘– Â?‡…‡••ƒ”› –‘ •–ƒ› ‘Â? –”ƒ…Â? ™‹–Š Š‡ƒŽ–Š ƒŽŽ –Š‡ –‹Â?‡Ǥ ‡Â?‡Â?„‡”ǥ ƒ– –Š‡ ‡Â?† ‘ˆ –Š‡ day we’re humans who make Â?‹•–ƒÂ?‡•Ǥ ‡Â?ƒ‹Â?‹Â?‰ ˆ‘…—•‡† on goals and not comparing ourselves to others improves inner health so our exterior self …ƒÂ? •Š‹Â?‡Ǥ

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DECEMBER 6, 2019

SPORTS

Jake Griffin rewrites history at states

By Isaac Snow Copy Editor

Patrons

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The Pitch

On Monday, Nov. 4, WJ juÂ?‹‘” ƒÂ?‡ ”‹ƼÂ? „‡…ƒÂ?‡ –Š‡ best high school golfer in MaryŽƒÂ?†Ǥ ˆ–‡” Š‡ ƤÂ?‹•Š‡† ™‹–Š the second highest average of all golfers during the regular •‡ƒ•‘Â? ƒÂ?† –Š‡Â? ƤÂ?‹•Š‡† Ƥ”•– at the district championships,

”‹ƼÂ? Â?ƒ†‡ ‹– Â‘ĆĽÂ…Â‹ÂƒÂŽ ƒÂ?† ™‘Â? the state championships with a total score of 71 shots.

From the moment he took his Ƥ”•– •Š‘– ĥ ƒ Â‰Â‘ÂŽÂˆÂ‡Â”ÇĄ ”‹ƼÂ? has been the star of the team.

Â? Š‹• ˆ”‡•ŠÂ?ƒÂ? Â›Â‡ÂƒÂ”ÇĄ Š‡ ƤÂ?ished 11th at states and followed ‹– —’ ™‹–Š ƒ ͢–Š ’Žƒ…‡ ƤÂ?‹•Š Žƒ•– year. He put it all together this year and dominated the entire season. “I’ve come close to winning states the last two years and I’m glad I was able to get it done –Š‹• Â›Â‡ÂƒÂ”ÇĄÇł ”‹ƼÂ? •ƒ‹†Ǥ › ™‹Â?Â?‹Â?‰ Â•Â–ÂƒÂ–Â‡Â•ÇĄ ”‹ƼÂ? wrote himself into the WJ his–‘”› „‘‘Â?• ĥ –Š‡ Ƥ”•– ‰‘Žˆer to win the individual state championship. “It was so impressive seeing Photo courtesy of Lifetouch Jake win the state tournament because he had been so close —Â?‹‘” ƒÂ?‡ ”‹ƼÂ? ƒ––‡Â?’–• ƒ ’—–– ‘Â? Š‹• ™ƒ› –‘ –Š‡ •–ƒ–‡ …ŠƒÂ?’‹‘Â?•Š‹’ –‹–Ž‡Ǥ ”‹ƼÂ? „‡…ƒÂ?‡ –Š‡ Ƥ”•– the past two years, so it was ‰‘Žˆ‡” –‘ ‡˜‡” ™‹Â? –Š‡ ‹Â?†‹˜‹†—ƒŽ •–ƒ–‡ …ŠƒÂ?’‹‘Â?•Š‹’Ǥ awesome to see him get the job with 70 strokes, which won him ”‹ƼÂ?ǯ• ‰”‘—’ ‘Â? –Š‡ •‡…- superstar. “He’s special,â€? Wheeler said. †‘Â?‡ ƒÂ?† –ƒÂ?‡ Š‘Â?‡ ǯ• Ƥ”•– the championship by just one ond day consisted of the lead‡”• –Š”‘—‰Š –Š‡ Ƥ”•– Â†ÂƒÂ›ÇĄ ‘Â?Ž› “My job is to not mess him up.â€? individual state title,â€? team- shot.

The tension of how close it adding to the pressure. How- ‘– ‘Â?Ž› †‹† ”‹ƼÂ? Œ—•– mate and senior captain Owen ™ƒ• …‘—Ž† ‡ƒ•‹Ž› ÂƒĆĄÂ‡Â…Â– ƒÂ?› ƒ–Š- Â‡Â˜Â‡Â”ÇĄ ”‹ƼÂ? ’‡”ˆ‘”Â?‡† ĥ ‘Â?Ž› prove himself as the best golfer Porter said.

”‹ƼÂ? ‡Â?†‡† –Š‡ Ƥ”•– †ƒ› ‘ˆ Ž‡–‡ǥ „—– ”‹ƼÂ? ‹•Â?ǯ– Œ—•– ƒÂ?› the best can and outplayed the in the state, but he still has one competition. more year of high school golf. If states with a score of 71, only other athlete. “He deserves a lot of credit for ”‹ƼÂ? ‰‘‡• „ƒ…Â? –‘ •–ƒ–‡• Â?‡š– “I wasn’t nervous...I just one stroke behind senior Dugan McCabe from Walt Whit- stayed in the moment and keeping his nerve,â€? coach Tom year and wins, he would be…‘Â?‡ –Š‡ Ƥ”•– ƒ”›ŽƒÂ?† ‰‘Žˆ‡” Â?ƒÂ? ˆ‘” Ƥ”•– ’Žƒ…‡Ǥ Â? –Š‡ •‡…- didn’t focus on winning, I was Wheeler said.

By the end of the round, there this century to win consecutive ‘Â?† Â†ÂƒÂ›ÇĄ ÂŠÂ‘Â™Â‡Â˜Â‡Â”ÇĄ ”‹ƼÂ? …‘—Ž† just trying to play the best I ™ƒ• Â?‘ †‘—„– –Šƒ– ”‹ƼÂ? ™ƒ• ƒ state championships. Â?‘– „‡ •–‘’’‡†Ǥ ‡ ƤÂ?‹•Š‡† …‘—Ž†ǥdz ”‹ƼÂ? •ƒ‹†Ǥ

Athlete o f the issue

Senior Jenna Goldberg sprints to state victory

By Ethan Oyeniyi Â–ÂƒĆĄ ”‹–‡” Jenna Goldberg is a name that opponents fear as they compete against WJ. She is a senior cross-country runner who has shown her worth through her high school running career. After not making the soccer team freshman year, Goldberg thought it was best to stay in shape by running track.

A couple years went by and she is now running record breaking times. “Not making the soccer team is the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I think about my life if I did make the team and I’m just so happy I didn’t,�

Goldberg said.

At the county championship, Â?‘– ‘Â?Ž› †‹† •Š‡ …‘Â?‡ ‹Â? Ƥ”•– place, but she also crushed the ”‡…‘”† ˆ‘” –Š‡ Ć¤Â˜Â‡ÇŚÂ?‹Ž‘Â?‡–‡” course with a record time of 17 minutes and 28 seconds. “I broke the county course record and I ran the fastest MoCo time for that course, and less –ŠƒÂ? ƒ •‡…‘Â?† ‘ƥ –Š‡ Â•Â–ÂƒÂ–Â‡ÇŻÂ• ”‡cord,â€? Goldberg said.

Because it is her senior year, Goldberg has been running with more determination than ever. Every day, she runs either on the track or on her own time, and her constant hours of hard work and dedication have paid

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Photo courtesy of Jenna Goldberg

‡Â?‹‘” ‡Â?Â?ƒ ‘Ž†„‡”‰ ™‹Â?• Ƥ”•– ’Žƒ…‡ ƒ– –Š‡ ͜͞Í?ÍĽ ”‡ƒ– Â?‡”‹…ƒÂ? ‡•–‹˜ƒŽǤ ‘Ž†„‡”‰ „‡ƒ– –Š‡ …‘—”•‡ ”‡…‘”† ™‹–Š ƒ –‹Â?‡ ‘ˆ Í?ÍŁ Â?‹Â?—–‡• ƒÂ?† ͤ͞ •‡…‘Â?†•Ǥ

‘ƥǤ ‘– ‘Â?Ž› †‘‡• •Š‡ ˆ‘…—• ‘Â? the hard work she tries to emit, but she makes sure her teamÂ?ƒ–‡• ’—– ˆ‘”–Š ‡ƥ‘”– ĥ ™‡ŽŽǤ “She provides an example of dedication and hard work and encouragement to her team-

mates,� said track coach Tom Martin.

Goldberg realizes that track is not a solo sport. It requires every runner to put in their best in order for the team to move forward together.

As the 2020 fall season starts, Goldberg will attend Wake Forest University, where she will continue her academics and her athletics at the Division I level. Wake Forest is considered a leader in both academics and athletics. “I’m not nervous at all about running in college. I’m so excited because Wake Forest was my top choice - I was even planning on applying ED (EarŽ› ‡…‹•‹‘Â?ČŒÇ¤ – Ƥ”•–ǥ †‹†Â?ǯ– even know I wanted to run in college, but when I was going through the recruitment process I realized that I want to take Wake Forest,â€? Goldberg said.

This is only the beginning of Goldberg’s future success. She will have to dedicate more than her usual 14 hours every week to run since she will be running against top opponents at prestigious schools, but through her previous successes she should have no problem with the intensity that comes with running at the collegiate level. “Jenna is one of the fastest long distance runners I’ve ever met. She’s always grinding even when we don’t even have practice. If she keeps this up, she should have no problem against top competitors,� sophomore cross-country runner Graham Rogers said.

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Triple

Demitz Family Dorothea and Adam Wolfson Hassan and Natalie Zavareei Ilene Gruenfeld ‡ƒÂ? ‘ƥÂ?ƒÂ?

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18

Pitch

SPORTS

DECEMBER 6, 2019

Winter Sports Previews

Hockey hits first stride Indoor track set to go

Managing Editor and Copy Editor Although ice may be cold, these Ice ơ Ǥ Ǧ ǡ ǡ

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Senior Quinn Mulligan skates before a regular season game from the 2018-19 Ǥ Ƥ ǡ gan looks to lead the Ice Cats to success with experience and talent.

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Junior Ella Gaul races through a cross Ǥ ute to the success of indoor track for the 2019-20 season.

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Bocce rolls into new season Boys’ basketball’s past

By Kayla Kahrl

prosperity guides bright future

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Senior Jomel Velasquez attempts a shot in a match against Churchill. A strong senior class looks to improve on last ǯ ment run.

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Senior Bealu Bezabeh reaches for the Ǥ ǯ ǯ Ǥ

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Pitch

DECEMBER 6, 2019

SPORTS

19

Senior Sophia Sarnowski awaits an inbounds pass from a teammate in a game last season. Sarnowski has been a key contributor since her freshman year. Ó

Coach Silver and junior Joseph Meyer show the team technique at their daily practices. Wrestling had a solid season last year and will look to continue their success.

Wrestling looks to pin competition

News Editor Wrestling is in full-swing after their Ƥ Ǥ

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2020

Junior Leah Assaker prepares to take a free throw in a game last season. As a sophomore last year, she was the team's leading scorer.

Girls’ basketball prepares for bounceback season

Sports Editor

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Sports

What’s Inside Winter sports 18 + 19 Athlete Spotlights preview

20

DECEMBER 6, 2019

Cross Country Girls’ cross country created a Maryland state record with Ƥ ships from 2013-2017.

2018 graduate, cross country and indoor track runner Abbey Green was awarded Runner of the Decade by MoCoRunning.

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3peat

Photo courtesy of Tom Martin

Boys’ cross country took the state championship in their stride three years in a row from 2009-2011.

WJ technology teacher Tom Martin was selected by MoCoRunning as Coach of the Decade after leading both teams to eight state championships in 10 years.

2018 graduate, wrestler Kemper Stearns placed second in his weight class at the 2018 wres Ƥ Ǥ

2013 graduate Barry Mangold helped lead the boys’ swim and dive team to win the State Championship three times in the past 10 years in 2012, 2013 and 2015.

A Decade of Dominance Relive some of the best WJ sports moments of the decade

2016 Success for soccer In back to back games, the boys’ and girls’ varsity soccer squads won the Maryland State Championship.

3 MCPS Championships

Boys’ volleyball won the MCPS championship three years in a row from 2017-2019.

All photos courtesy of LifeTouch

Photo courtesy of Corey Criss

Winning streak

2016 2017 2018 2019

WJ Crew: Men Varsity 4+ 3rd place in SRAA National Championship WJ Crew: Men Varsity 4+: 3rd place in SRAA National Championship Women 2V 4+, Mens 2V4+, Women novice 8+: 1st place in the Maryland State Championship Swim and Dive: Girls’ 1st place in Metros and 1st place in the Maryland State Championship Indoor Track: Girls’ 1st place in the Maryland State Championship WJ Crew: Men Novice 4+ 1st place Maryland State Championship Football: ơ