The Black & White Vol. 55 Issue 4 by The Black & White

NEWS

Q&A

SPORTS FEATURE

Students react to President Trump’s inaguration PAGE 2

Author Ron Chernow, “Alexander Hamilton” PAGE 7

Corollary Sports: Bocce, Handball and Softball incorporate all students PAGE 15

CROSSWORD

‘Name a more iconic duo’ PAGE 12

photo by ANDIE SILVERMAN

Walt Whitman High School

7100 Whittier Boulevard Bethesda, MD 20817

Friday, February 3, 2017

Volume 55 Issue 4

The Women’s March

by JENNIE YU

woman in a black knee-length coat stood triumphantly on top of an upended trash can on the National Mall. Facing the U.S. Capitol Building and surrounded by a sea of people, she raised her fist and roared, “Show me what democracy looks like!”

The reply was loud, proud and instantaneous: “This is what democracy looks like!” On Jan. 21, the day following President Donald Trump’s inauguration, democracy looked like 1.2 million people of different ages, races and genders gathered in the nation’s capital to promote human, and specifically women’s, rights. The idea for the Women’s March on Washington began when Teresa Shook,

a retired attorney living in Hawaii, took to social media to express her discontent about the election and suggested a march in Washington D.C. The night of President Trump’s election, she posted the idea on Facebook; when she woke up the next morning, her post had over 10,000 responses, according to an article published Jan. 3 by the Washington Post. The march’s national organizing committee, based in D.C., started out with one person and quickly grew, said Tiffany Russo Audas, a Whitman parent who played a large role in coordinating marchers from across the state as part of the Maryland committee. “It’s become a very rich, diverse group of women from all different walks of life,” Russo Audas said before the march. “They’re coming together to coordinate efforts within their individual states as well, such as organizing travel or lodg-

ing for their sisters marching.” Protesters descended upon D.C. in droves, renting 1,200 charter buses and logging just over one million Metro trips, according to an article published Jan. 22 by the Washington Post. Marchers also made up a majority of some D.C.-bound flights, according to an article published by USA Today on Jan. 20. People carried signs bearing slogans ranging from, “if my uterus fired bullets, the GOP would fund it,” to “we are the granddaughters of the witches you were unable to burn.” Throughout the day, crowds cheered as full Metro cars pulled up to packed platforms, women took photos of each other’s signs and strangers from across the country exchanged travel stories. There didn’t seem to be an indication of anger or malicious intent as crowds streamed towards the rally point at the

Photos by SOPHIA KNAPPERTZ

An estimated 1.2 million people participated in the Women’s March on Washington Jan. 21.

intersection of 3rd Street and Independence Avenue; instead, it was the steely resolve of a united nation: hundreds of thousands of people coming together in one place, at one time, for one cause.

Continued on page 7

Driving high: students speak out by SAM SHIFFMAN It’s 11:30 p.m. Students emerge from the darkness of the Whitman parking lot and head toward their car. Less than an hour ago, everyone in the car, including the driver, took several hits from a bong. Despite their daze, the kids pile into the car, and the driver pulls out into the neighborhood. This isn’t an uncommon tale for Whitman students. Students admit to driving while high on marijuana— and a lot of them said they believe it poses almost no risk. “I didn’t really notice much of a difference,” a senior

said. “I was still able to concentrate, and I didn’t really notice it until I got home that I was that high.” Marijuana’s hallucinogenic effects come from Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which can distort a person’s mind and view of reality. According to the National Institutes of Health, THC impairs body movement, diminishes senses, alters perception and decreases reaction times—effects that directly hinder one’s driving abilities. While multiple studies have concluded that driving after smoking marijuana isn’t nearly as dangerous as drinking alcohol and driving, researchers say it still poses a risk.

“In some ways, drivers under the influence of cannabis are similar to distracted drivers in that they recognize that they are not giving the task of driving their full attention, so they have a tendency to slow down, react slower and be more cautious with the traffic around them,” said Gary Milavetz, a professor of medicine at the University of Iowa who studied the effects of marijuana and driving. “We saw drivers under the influence of cannabis exhibit slower driving and weaving more within the lane than the same drivers not under the influence of cannabis.”

Continued on page 10

NEWS

Donald Trump inagurated as 45th president by ANDIE SILVERMAN and PEARL SUN A sea of red and blue “Make America Great Again” hats covered the lawn outside the United States Capitol. When the Mormon Tabernacle Choir finished singing “America the Beautiful,” the crowd rejoiced, chanting President Donald Trump’s name and shouting “U.S.A.” at the top of their lungs. Trump is starting his presidency at 45 percent approval, the lowest approval rating of any U.S. president since Dwight Eisenhower. Yet, approximately 200,000 people swarmed the National Mall Jan. 20 for America’s 58th presidential inauguration, cheering or jeering as they watched prominent political figures walking out from inside the Capitol. But finally, silence fell over the throng of people who eagerly listened with bated breath as Trump repeated the words “So help me God,” completing the presidential oath and becoming the 45th president of the United States. And as the crowd erupted, a light rain began to fall. A few Whitman students joined the inauguration masses, including sophomore Jack Ryan, junior Carlos Richardson and senior Grace Hering, though many Whitman students opted out of the inauguration and attended the Women’s March Jan. 21 instead—an event that had a turnout roughly three times greater

than the inauguration’s, according to crowd scientists from Manchester Metropolitan University. In fact, since the inauguration, Trump has criticized the media’s coverage of the turnout for the inauguration, claiming that it was deliberately under-approximated. For example, he pointed out that photos comparing Obama’s first inauguration to Trump’s leave out the west side of the Capitol, and the grass near the mall was covered in white plastic for Trump’s inauguration but not for Obama’s, making Trump’s inauguration look emptier. Despite Trump’s protest, the Wash200,000 people crowded the National Mall to watch Donald Trump’s inaguration Jan. 20. ington Post concluded that in comparison to past inaugurations, overall traffic policies, she respects the population’s peal the Affordable Care Act and build appeared to be less hectic. up America’s military and diplomatic right to elect its own leader, she said. “Surprisingly, it was not very difficult “I don’t think that ignoring his presi- strength in foreign relations. getting to and from the event,” Ryan dency would solve anything, and that in Trump began working on insurance said. “I left at six a.m. and the metro cars order for real change to be accomplished, reform directly after the ceremony, signon the red line were practically empty.” you need to work from within the sys- ing an executive order that gave the Ryan went to the inauguration to wit- tem,” she said. Department of Health and Human Serness the peaceful transfer of power and Others showed up to take advantage vices authority to change, waive or delay to support Trump, he said. provisions of the Affordable Care Act it of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. “I like how Trump wants to put Amer“To be completely honest, I didn’t vote deemed too costly to insurers or states. ica first,” Ryan said. “He appreciates the for Trump, but it’s a chance to witness “He’s going to bring the country back value of American business and manu- history,” Washington, D.C., resident Zoe together, focus on small business and infacturing. By bringing jobs back to this Delog said. “A lot of people don’t have surance reform and bring down health nation, I feel our economy will reach its the chance to come because they have insurance rates which have way crossed full potential.” over the unaffordable mark; that’s unackids and family.” Some liberal students also found themSophomore Hannah Feuer, on the ceptable,” said Republican lobbyist and selves in the crowd. Despite Hering’s op- other hand, only would’ve attended if inauguration attendee Kyshia Linabergposition to the current president and his Hillary Clinton had won the election, she er, who travelled to the inauguration from North Carolina. said However, many students voiced opin“I didn’t want to support someone whose beliefs were so antithetical to my ions against Trump’s policies. Feuer said own,” she said. “I watched his speech she thinks his ideas have caused polaron TV and thought he could’ve made a izing social issues and aren’t always fully much better attempt at using conciliato- rational. In response to criticism against Trump, ry language and healing the nation after there was a common message from his such a divisive election.” Although there was widespread me- supporters that day in Washington: give dia criticism that his speech was too dark him a chance, attendees said. “I’m okay with these negative comand divisive, a national poll from Morning Consult revealed that 51 percent of ments because I think it’s going to light voters found his speech optimistic, while a fire under him to prove them wrong,” Linaberger said. “If he gets bipartisan only 26 percent found it pessimistic. Regarding Trump’s agenda, some work done and things are passed faster Republicans at the inauguration said to prove those naysayers wrong, that’s they hope that he’ll unify the nation, re- good for all of us.” Photos by ANDIE SILVERMAN

Inaguration spectators donned “Make America Great Again” hats in support of the new president. Anthony Alonzo (right) travelled from Indiana for the event.

Student club answers call to social action by VALERIE AKINYOYENU When Donald Trump’s election raised concerns that his social policies would restrict the rights of certain marginalized groups, many students seeking a way to actively promote human rights and inclusion approached senior Celia Hoffman, founder of Whitman Students for Hillary. “People reached out to me and said, ‘This is devastating. How can I help? What can I do to make this better?’” Hoffman said. “As high schoolers, it’s very easy to feel disillusioned with the system. It’s very easy to feel powerless.” This overwhelming student response prompted Hoffman to organize a Whitman Students for Hillary meeting two days after the election, Nov. 10, during which club members decided to transform Whitman Students for Hillary into Vikes for Action. While Whitman Students for Hillary had focused on advocating for student involvement in the election process, Vikes for Action focuses on pursuing social change by fundraising and volunteering for a range of nonprofits and other organizations. “Hillary’s campaign was never about just one person,” junior member Ray Crist said. “It was about helping shape a better future for all Americans. We felt the club needed to continue in some form as a way to continue to support the ideals Hillary’s campaign believed in and that we continue to believe in.” For its first project, Vikes for Action partnered with sophomore Azraf Khan and the Ethiopian Development Council based in Silver Spring to run a winter clothing drive for local refugees in December. “It's a great space to make a difference,” sophomore member Zoe Kaufman said. “Not only is it important to

get specifically high school students active in this kind of thing, it's also super important just to get your voice heard and help make change.” The week of the inauguration, club members began selling buttons to fundraise for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). A national organization tasked with supporting reformative legislation and judicial efforts to defend the basic rights and liberties of Americans, the ACLU presents a platform that aligns with Vikes for Action’s mission, club members say. “The fact that our fundraiser is leading up to the inauguration is a way for people to be able to make an impact positively when it’s not such a positive [time],” Hoffman said. Hoffman also facilitated donations to the ACLU fundraiser with Honest Tea founder and CEO Seth Goldman. Honest Tea, which is based in Bethesda, donated 10 cartons of its bottled organic tea for Vikes for Action to sell in its fundraiser. “I think it’s inspiring to see a locally-based business giving back to our community,” Hoffman said. As of Feb. 1, Vikes for Action had raised $286 of its $500 goal for the fundraiser through online donations alone. I know that people care about what happens in this country, what happens in this state, what happens in this school,” Hoffman said. “I think the disconnect is where you draw the line, where you’re willing to say, ‘These are my values and I need to fight for them, I need to stand up for them.’” Celia Hoffman is a copy editor for the Black & White.

Photo courtesy CLARA LYRA

After the election, many disenfranchised students continued their support for social causes by wearing pins and joining the new group, Vikes for Action.

News

Racism at Churchill prompts creation of focus groups by LILY FRIEDMAN Walking into the bathroom, students typically encounter familiar signs. However, Churchill students had a different display on a bathroom door: “Whites Only.” Two Churchill students hung a sign bearing the discriminatory phrase on a school bathroom door Nov. 10. While no students saw the sign since it was removed by the school’s principal, the act was at the forefront of the hate-crime surge in MCPS this fall. Community members across the county have responded to local crimes in a variety of ways, including forming Neighbors United—a group that aims to counter hate and bias through legislation and education—and starting focus groups at schools such as Whitman and Churchill. Following the recent vandalism, Churchill students and teachers looked into possible ways to address race issues; in an effort to unite the school, Churchill junior Sara Heimlich proposed creating a focus group, she said. Before proposing the focus groups, Heimlich and two other friends surveyed about 200 students anonymously on racial tensions at Churchill, and the racism present at the school shocked them. The surveyors have not released results to the general public, she said. “The situation with the sign could be seen as an isolated incident, but when one group in the community is targeted, it really targets everyone,” Heimlich said. “Because of that and the survey results, my friends and I thought we should meet with the principal about what happened and come up with a solution.” Burning Tree community members, who also sought to alleviate racial tensions, started Neighbors United after a resident found an Islamophobic message on her car, said Neighbors United coordinating team member JoAnn Harrison, who formerly served on the Montgomery County Committee on Hate and Violence. “After all of the recent hate crimes, I thought the community needed to get organized and meet to discuss a course of action,” Harrison said. Neighbors United consists of education, law enforcement, politics and interface subcommittees; it hosted its first meetings Dec. 12 and Jan. 11. The education committee has conducted interviews with Burning Tree Elementary School, Westland Middle School and Whitman and Walter Johnson High School principals to develop a model for handling prejudice but

hasn’t analyzed results yet, Harrison said. Regardless of what the Neighbors United subcommittee deems the best way to fight racism, Whitman’s administration will continue to focus on cultural awareness. In second semester, administration plans to transition from cultural familiarization trainings to focus groups similar to those proposed at Churchill. During the group discussions, students, parents and teachers can voice their opinions on race or express concerns about prejudice in the community, Goodwin said. “[The forums] usually involve students, staff and parents,” Goodwin said. “The hope is that the people involved gain an understanding of race issues and come up with ways to address those problems.” Students aren’t required to participate in the discussions, but administration hopes to conduct them during school hours to increase participation, Goodwin said. Due to the current political climate, completely suppressing racism seems unlikely, but raising awareness for the prevalence of racial issues could alleviate some tensions, sophomore Max Rothman said. “Based on the way our country is going right now, those racist ideas aren’t uncommon, and there’s always people that will have those predisposed prejudices that you can’t change,” Rothman said. “Bringing attention to the fact that the community isn’t as tolerant as it seems is important, so talking about the issue may help.”

MCPS hate crimes and responses

Oct. 30

Swastikas painted at Burning Tree Elementary School

Nov. 10

Students hang “Whites Only” sign at Churchill

Nov. 11 Dec. 12

Swastikas painted at Westland Middle School

Neighbors United hosts first meeting graphic by SEBASTIAN SOLA-SOLE

3,700 rapekits mishandled: MD legislators seek improved standards by VALERIE AKINYOYENU Maryland legislators plan to improve rape kit standards by drafting reformative laws with Attorney General Brian E. Frosh’s recommendations released Jan. 1. An investigation by the Baltimore Sun published Dec. 3 revealed hundreds of instances of rape kit mishandling and destruction by Maryland police. A rape kit consists of DNA samples and other evidence collected during a sexual assault forensic examination from the victim’s body, clothing or personal belongings. Statewide discrepancies in how long police departments keep rape kits contributed to the destruction of evidence in hundreds of cases, sometimes without the victim’s knowledge, the Baltimore Sun reported. “For whatever reason, if someone decides that they don’t want to move forward, but at a future time does decide, you want to ensure that that evidence is available to them so they have the strongest possible tools at their accessibility to proceed,” Baltimore County Delegate Shelly Hettleman said. Upon reading the Baltimore Sun’s report, Hettleman decided

to introduce a bill to the Maryland General Assembly requiring police departments to preserve rape kits for at least 20 years. The bill also mandates that police departments notify victims of any intentions to discard evidence of their sexual assault, upon which victims may request preservation of this evidence. “I’ve always been involved in issues of importance to women and just want to make sure that our governmental institutions are being responsive to the particular and unique needs of women,” Hettleman said. A second bill Hettleman is drafting would mandate most rape kits to be submitted to a lab for testing, unless a victim explicitly denies consent to have his or her kit tested. Whether to submit a rape kit to a lab for testing is often at the discretion of police departments, some of which decide against further action after deeming sexual assault allegations unfounded before they are disproven. A survey in Attorney General Frosh’s report states that there are about 3,700 untested rape kits in Maryland, dating from 1981 to 2016. While the Montgomery County Police Department prohibits discarding untested sexual assault kits, other jurisdictions may keep rape kits for as few as 90 days be-

fore discarding them. Tested rape kits play a crucial role in identifying suspects, supporting the victim’s testimony and prosecuting serial perpetrators. In the event that students are involved in a sexual assault situation, some said they would be unaware of rape kit preservation and destruction standards, as schools don’t currently inform students about how to obtain this information. “I think they should inform students about how to do that, because if people do get in that sort of situation, I think they should know what to do and how to react,” freshman Natalie Lewis said. Art teacher Nancy Mornini thinks it’s a mistake to not discuss the rape kit process in health classes, she said. “Maybe if they talked about it in high schools, women would have an easier time seeking help or reporting the crime,” Mornini said. Hettleman believes that the new bills will aid anyone seeking assistance or information to collaborate effectively with medical institutions and law enforcement, she said. “The legislation will ensure that someone who goes to seek medical care is aware of their rights,” Hettleman said.

Briefs Driver sentenced to 12 years after fatal River Road crash by JULIE ROSENSTIEN Ogulcan Atakoglu, the driver who killed three members of the Buarque de Macedo family in a car accident last February, was sentenced to 12 years in prison, five years of probation and 150 hours of community service at the Montgomery County Circuit Court Dec. 9. Atakoglu pleaded guilty to three counts of vehicular manslaughter. On the Feb. 27, 2016, Atakoglu was driving about 100 mph when he collided with the side of the Buarque de Macedos’ vehicle as they crossed River Road, making a left onto Pyle Road. Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy’s office prosecuted Atakoglu. Atakoglu will be eligible to apply for release on parole three years from now after serving only a quarter of his sentence. State’s Attorney’s Public Affairs Director Ramon Korionoff hopes that the sentencing will deter other drivers from speeding in the future, he said. “Hopefully, people understand the gravity of this situation and really don’t speed in a grossly negligent manner,” Korionoff said.

Montgomery County leans heavily for Clinton by HANNA CHAUDHRY Montgomery County accounted for 21 percent of Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton’s Maryland votes, the highest percentage in the state, according to the Maryland State Board of Elections. Some students are proud that Montgomery County voted overwhelmingly for Clinton, they said. Senior Joy London said the voting pattern emphasized the county’s younger population. “It shows that Montgomery County is a liberallyminded county that reflects the younger, collegeeducated population,” London said. Other students who supported Clinton appreciated that citizens were heavily involved in the Democratic process. “This makes me feel hopeful because it shows that people in our area did their part and went out and voted for Clinton,” junior Brittany Zeldow said.

Superintendent’s budget promotes equity, cuts positions from central by PEARL SUN MCPS community members joined superintendent Jack Smith Dec. 13 at Gaithersburg High School to discuss his budget proposal for the 2017-18 school year. Smith proposed a $2.5 billion budget—a 2.5 percent increase from last year’s—to fund the growing student population. Some of Smith’s initiatives include expanding academic extracurriculars, providing SAT, ACT and AP exams to students from low-income families and offering comprehensive teacher training. Principal Alan Goodwin supports Smith’s resolution to decrease class sizes, but he’s concerned with Smith’s plan to hire more teachers by eliminating positions from central service, which include data analysts and technicians, as well as special education instructors and literacy coaches, he said. “How will schools get the service they need when the time comes to address computer and technology issues?” Goodwin said. The school board must adopt a version of the superintendent’s budget by Feb. 14, and the final approval by the County Council will be June 13.

News

International Club presents documentary, ‘We Are the World,’ hopes to engage community by CARMEN MOLINA Spotlights beam on senior Honore Kaseya, illuminating him as he sits on a stool in the middle of the dark TV studio. A mundane, miscellaneous space by day, the studio has transformed into a makeshift movie set. The director murmurs into a headset and calls for quiet. The room silences. With the click of the camera, words tumble from Kaseya’s lips as he begins to speak in Lingala, his native language. His words narrate his personal story: emigrating from the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the United States. Kaseya is one of 17 international club members the International Club is interviewing for “We Are the World,” an original twenty-five minute documentary intended to educate Whitman students and staff on the international community and promote the club’s International Night March 9. Senior and club president Andres Garcia came up with the documentary concept, but the film is being brought to life by seniors and co-directors Felipe Luardo Bustos and Alessandra Fantasia, with the support of ESOL teacher Sonja Maroni, media specialist Travis Swiger and members of the Whitman film club. The film will air in second period classes on March 8, the day before International Night. “We decided that this was not just going to be a side track project,” Garcia said. “This was going to be a real thing that could actually change the Whitman community.” The directors decided that a documen-

tary-style presentation would be the best way to highlight both the universal and the individual experiences of moving to the U.S. from another country, Luardo Bustos said. “We want to show that when you speak another language, you have other beliefs, you have different culture, it's not impossible,” he said. “That’s what we are going to show in the documentary: different people from different countries with different adversities who in someway get adopted to this school and are actually part of the society.” To ground the film in a familiar American perspective, an American student with international roots will ask the interview questions and the film will also feature interviews with Maroni, science resource teacher Donald DeMember and senior Emily Tompkins. The team randomly selected most international interviewees with Maroni’s help, but they also specifically chose some participants, like Kaseya, because of their distinct cultural experiences. Choosing to interview students in their native languages was deliberate; Garcia wanted to make sure the interviewees could express themselves naturally and tell their stories with authenticity. The documentary aims to engage Whitman in the international club community and encourage students to attend International Night itself. “Most of the audience [at International Night] has always been parents of the participants, not the American population, which has always been the target,” Garcia said. “We want the international club to be more out there.”

Photo by TOMAS CASTRO

International Club president and senior Andres Garcia speaks as part of the club’s documentary, “We Are the World,” which highlights 25 members’ experiences and premieres March 8.

Directors are also using the opportunity to boost club participation by assembling teams of native speakers to accurately translate their words to English subtitles. “We’ve discovered new people and have created a really friendly situation with people who didn’t know there were other people who spoke the same language as them,” Garcia said. “That was our second goal: to unite ourselves as an international community—to get people to know more about each other.” In fact, Luardo Bustos and Fantasia had never actually met prior to the pro-

duction but have developed the rapport of life-long friends through directing the film together. The documentary has also fostered a lively community among the film crew and interviewees. But even the friendly atmosphere can’t erase the nervousness that comes with sitting up in front of the camera and sharing a personal story with the school. When it comes time to speak, the voice of the interviewee descends to a low volume, and Luardo Bustos waves his arms, urging the interviewee to raise his voice. “Speak up,” Luardo Bustos reassures Kaseya. “Be proud.”

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The Black & White is an open forum for student views from Walt Whitman High School, 7100 Whittier Blvd., Bethesda, MD, 20817. The Black & White Online Edition can be found at www.theblackandwhite.net. The app can be downloaded by searching for “The WW Black and White” in the app store. Signed opinion pieces reflect the positions of the individual staff and not necessarily the opinion of Walt Whitman High School or Montgomery County Public Schools. Unsigned editorial pieces reflect the opinion of the newspaper. All content in the paper is reviewed to ensure that it meets the highest level of legal and ethical standards with respect to the material as libelous, obscene or invasive of privacy. The Black & White encourages readers to submit opinions on relevant topics in the form of letters to the editor, which must be signed to be printed. Anonymity can be granted on request. The Black & White reserves the right to edit letters for content and space. Letters to the editor may be emailed to theblackandwhitevol55@gmail.com. Recent awards include 2013 CSPA Gold Medalist, 2012 Online Pacemaker, 2010 CSPA Silver Crown and 2010 Marylander Award. The Black & White volume 55 will publish six newspapers and one magazine. Annual mail subscriptions cost $35 ($120 for fouryear subscription) and can be purchased through the online school store.

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OPINION

Students deserve Staff Editorial mental health screenings

In first and eighth grade, students undergo mandatory hearing and vision screenings; public schools often take action to ensure students’ physical health. Mental health, however, is rarely discussed. Addressing mental health in schools is essential; 44 percent of Whitman students self-reported battling mental health issues, according to a survey by the Black & White. Around the country, this number is closer to 20 percent of adolescents, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. But on average, only 25 percent of adolescents diagnosed with mental health conditions receive adequate treatment nationwide, according to a 2014 Time Magazine article. To ensure that all affected students have access to treatment, the MCPS Office of Student and Family Support and Engagement should develop and implement annual mandatory mental health screenings for all students. Currently, it’s up to students or parents to reach out to counselors, school psychologists or school nurses for mental health support. Mental health screenings— which take the form of computerized tests—would be more valuable tools in proactively identifying individuals with mental health issues. In fact, federal officials recommended universal mental health screenings in schools over a decade ago, in 2003. On average, a decade elapses between the onset of mental health symptoms and the time individuals receive treatment, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. This time, known as the “treatment gap,” often results in increased suffering for affected individuals and families. If left untreated, mental health issues can increase an individual’s chance of becoming homeless, poverty-stricken or suicidal, clinical psychologist Dr. Reine Weiner said. Early intervention is crucial in stopping and reversing a spiral into serious impairment. In terms of education, mental health issues can have

Only

25%

a significant impact on students’ learning ability and academic success, Weiner said. For example, depresof adolescents diagnosed with sion and anxiety can cause fatigue, trouble sleeping, poor concentration, impaired memory, poor decision making and reduced self confidence; these Graphic by IRIS BERENDES-DEAN effects have been linked to lower test scores and grades. The stigma surrounding mental health is another common barrier to treatment, psychology teacher Sheryl Freedman said. Implementing mental health screenings in schools will raise awareness and remove an obstacle to seeking help. Then, the counseling department can follow up with students to form treatment plans, if needed. But some fear that mental health screenings in schools contribute to overdiagnosis and overprescription of medication; the failed Parental Consent Act of 2011 attempted to ban screenings on these grounds. However, screenings can be refined and adjusted, and counselor meetings can confirm or counter screening results. Overall, the value of preventing suicides and suffering must outweigh the possibility of mistakes. Educating and protecting students is a school’s responsibility, and fulfilling this responsibility is impossible without due diligence to mental health.

mental health conditions

receive adequate treatment nationally

Police: test all rape kits in MD by TANUSHA MISHRA

Across the United States, more than 100,000 untested rape kits—forensic evidence collected from victims of sexual assault—lie in police storage, forgotten. “Each of these kits represents a victim seeking justice and a potential serial criminal who may be wandering the streets,” the Rape Kit Action Project informs, “We don’t know— yet—exactly how many rape kits await testing.” Maryland has about 3,500 untested kits—not because state crime labs have been backlogged but because police didn’t submit the kits for testing, according to a Baltimore Sun investigation in December that prompted state legislators to call for uniform police standards on rape kits. Maryland legislators have pledged to draft reformative laws to improve rape kit standards—but even though policy changes are extremely necessary, change at the state level isn’t enough. The federal government should require police departments to test rape kits within one month of receiving them, take steps in clearing the backlog by requiring all stored kits to be systematically tested and continue to allocate funds to police departments for testing rape kits and investigating and prosecuting cases connected to the backlog. Currently, police departments across the state have different policies for testing and maintaining rape kits—some departments destroy untested rape kits while others hold on to them for various periods of time. In fact, Baltimore police departments have destroyed nearly 250 kits within the past five years without testing them, according to the Baltimore Sun. This is not unheard of: in the United States, most jurisdictions don’t

have clear, written policies outlining the guidelines for testing rape kits, so police departments make decisions on a case-to-case basis. This is problematic because law enforcement agencies often fail to dedicate time and resources to sexual assault cases, choosing to prioritize other crimes instead, according to the Joyful Heart Foundation, a national non-profit organization that works to end sexual assault, domestic violence and child abuse. Too often, sex crime investigative units are under-resourced and inadequately staffed, which leads to detectives discarding cases that they perceive as unprosecutable. Policies about testing rape kits can’t be left up to individual states any longer. The federal government must ban police departments from destroying kits until after they have been tested. Moreover, testing each rape kit costs between $500 and $1,000 per kit on average, according to The Marshall Project. Allocating federal grants would enable even poorly-funded departments to make progress in ending the backlog. Testing these kits will help to bring criminals to justice: If the state presses charges against a perpetrator,

Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Kit

DNA evidence obtained from rape kits carries weight in court and helps build a stronger, more objective case. Furthermore, sexual violence tends to be a serial crime, according to Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization. By increasing the probability of prosecuting the perpetrator, DNA evidence from rape kits can take part in preventing future instances of sexual violence. And even if the perpetrator isn’t prosecuted, the individual’s DNA becomes part of an FBI database with thousands of DNA-based profiles, making it easier to connect the perpetrator to future crimes. In the United States, 1 in 5 women and 1 in 59 men are raped, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The majority of sexual assaults never reach the police, often because the victim fears an inadequate response from the criminal justice system, according to the Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault. Currently, their lack of trust in our institutions is more than justified. The 100,000 known victims—and likely many more—deserve better.

100,000 untested rape kits lie in storage in police stations across the United States

Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Kit

Graphic by IRIS BERENDES-DEAN

Opinion

by EMMA SORKIN

graphic by ANN MORGAN JACOBI

The price of higher education has spiraled into an insurmountable sum that many families struggle to afford which includes the excessive cost of standardized tests. Testing companies should decrease the ACT and SAT test fees because high costs turn standardized testing into a function of socioeconomic status. Also, students who can’t afford to retake tests or send scores to multiple colleges inevitably face a disadvantage in the college application process, thus jeopardizing their future opportunities. Taking the SAT costs $45 and taking the ACT costs $39.50. These prices may make it difficult for families to afford more than one attempt. Retaking tests has proved effective for many students: nearly 60 percent of students increased their composite score after just one retest, the ACT website

states. Additionally, there are hidden fees at every stage of the standardized testing process. It costs an extra $12 to take the essay for the SAT and $16 for the ACT, as well as $12 to send scores to each college for both tests. To reduce these prices, testing companies should make two revisions: First, there should be one annual fee for taking the test. This fee will cover an unlimited number of test attempts in a single academic year.

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Testing should measure smarts, not salaries

ractice. Will to learn. Studying: the three logical key components in academic success. Income. Socioeconomic status. Background: the three realistic key components in successful higher education.

The price of higher education has spiraled into an insurmountable sum that many families struggle to afford

Second, the current fee waivers should be expanded. Both the ACT and SAT currently provide fee waivers to students who meet U.S. Depart-

ment of Agriculture income eligibility guidelines for free or reduced lunch, giving them the opportunity to send the scores to four colleges for free. This seems generous, but it doesn’t provide students with sufficient funds to meet College Board recommendations; the organization itself even suggests applying to a minimum five to eight schools to improve a student’s likelihood of acceptance. This waiver should cover the annual fee to take the test unlimited times as well as sending scores to at least 6 colleges. MCPS and other organizations have already taken action to cover or lower costs for students, such as releasing free study resources that would otherwise come from costly testprep companies. The College Board itself has launched free, personalized test-prep services available to all students online from Khan Academy. While this is a step in the right direction, it’s not enough. We all must work together to limit this inequality. Testing should be a measure of students’ academic abilities, not their parents’ salaries.

Study halls would encourage students’ success by MICHELLE SILVER It’s fifth lunch, and when you arrive to your teacher’s classroom to get some extra help with the latest lesson, there are 10 other students already waiting. Some ask quick questions; others’ questions are complex, requiring long explanations. As time passes, lunch is almost over and you’ve been waiting in the same classroom for most of the period. In order for students to have more opportunities to get help from teachers and to provide an alternative class option to students with a free period, the school should offer study hall periods. Study hall periods should be offered twice throughout the day, once in the morning and once in the afternoon. Students who want to have a study hall will then be able to pick the option that works best with their schedule. Students often visit teachers to ask questions about difficult lessons, discuss essays and projects or make up missed tests, all of which students could do more conveniently with a study hall. If their teacher doesn’t have a planning period during a study hall, students could meet with other available teachers who teach the same subject. Students would also be able to lessen their homework load by getting work done earlier in the day. Moreover, some students have a free

period because of scheduling logistics or completion of required credits. Currently, students with a free period can be a TA or have an abbreviated schedule. Having a study hall, however, is preferable for some students in this situation, like senior Amelia Easley. Easley explained that having difficulty in some of her classes lead her to drop her TA period to have an abbreviated schedule, therefore giving Easley more time to study. Study halls were offered in the 1990s during every period, but the school stopped offering them because students didn’t take the study hall period seriously without credit or a grade, counselor Frances Landau said. In order to prevent this from happening again, counselors should work with students to determine if they should sign up for a study hall period. The teachers who administer the study halls could also impose mandatory attendance—which could be graded as a weekly ten-point assignment—and enforce library-esque silence rules during the period. Study halls give students the opportunity to relieve their stress by visiting teachers for help and spending time completing their work. When students receive their course sign-up sheet in February, study hall should be a class that they can circle for next year.

Paid leave for teachers: a small price to pay by ELISA MCCARTIN Having a baby should be one the happiest moments in a person’s life, a time when new parents can fully focus on their newborns. Unfortunately, the decision to take time off work in order to care for a newborn is often stressful for MCPS teachers since the current policy—which gives both men and women staffers 12 weeks of unpaid leave when they have a child—is flawed, as it doesn’t give teachers the financial support

current options for teachers

Graphic by ANN MORGAN JACOBI

they deserve. Teachers only get paid during their leave if they use accumulated sick days from past years, forcing some to use up sick days while on leave instead of saving them for when they’re actually ill. Other teachers return to work soon after having a child in order to receive income—losing crucial time with their newborn. To remedy these issues, MCPS teachers should receive 12 weeks of guaranteed paid leave after having a baby. While some teachers, like chemistry teacher Jasen Gohn, were able to rely on previously unused sick days, others like science teacher Mandy Novarr had to forgo pay in order to save sick days for her return to teaching. In retrospect, Novarr said she wishes that MCPS would reflect on the importance of child-rearing in their policies. If teachers use up all their sick days while on leave, they’ll have no safety net if they do get sick after returning to work. But aside from saving teachers’ sick days, guaranteeing 12 weeks of paid leave would also allow teachers to have ample time to adjust to having a newborn; then, they wouldn’t feel pressure to come back to work immediately after having the baby. The first few months following a child’s birth are crucial for the infant’s development, and it’s important that parents are present to create strong bonds with their children. Young children without parents at home

are at an increased risk of prolonged stress that harms brain development and can lead to behavioral and physical health issues that continue through adulthood, a 2012 study from the National Center for Children in Poverty found. Since working parents have less time to take their newborn to the doctor, get immunizations or breastfeed their children, infant health is often compromised. In Europe, a ten-week extension in paid leave for mothers in the workforce was responsible for a 20 percent drop in infant deaths, according to a 1998 University of California Berkeley study. Novarr and Gohn both said that for new parents, having time at home to adjust to life with a newborn is essential; babies require so much attention that it’s necessary to have both parents available. While guaranteeing paid paternity and maternity leave will cost the county a significant sum, this is a small price to pay to benefit our teachers who deserve some financial security while they have a baby. After years of prioritizing student’s education, it’s important that the county starts to consider the children of its loyal employees. Guaranteeing paid leave would give teachers the necessary time with their newborn and allow teachers to preserve their sick days. This is time that parents can never get back unless the county acts.

FEATURE

‘This is what democracy looks like’: women’s march continued from page

Some marchers wore bright pink “pussyhats”: hats with ears which are meant as a play on the term “pussycat” and are a way for women to empower themselves by reclaiming the derogatory term for their genitalia, according to the website for the Pussyhat Project. Others decided to forego subtlety and, instead, donned full-body outfits to express their displeasure—one woman’s middle finger costume drew compliments from a Metro car full of well-wishers. The flagship march in D.C. was paralleled by sister marches across the country and on all seven continents worldwide—altogether, five million people joined the movement for human rights, according to a Jan. 21 Washington Post article. Freshman Rowan Mohan noticed that these demonstrations of solidarity helped to characterize march day and made it unforgettable, she said. “I marched because I wanted to be a part of making history, and women’s rights are a really important discussion to be had,” Mohan said. “The fact that such a diverse group of people came together, regardless of politics, to promote them is a really empowering message.” Senior Jonah Eisenberg joined the march in light of Trump’s election and to fight the feelings of racism, sexism, xenophobia and homophobia it inspired, he said. “I wanted to be a part of what I knew would be a historical event and take action now that I’m 18,” Eisenberg said. “Going to the march showed me how many people are tolerant and accepting and renewed some of my hope for the world and the U.S.” Actress and political activist Ashley Judd, one of several celebrities invited to speak at the March, appealed to many audience members’ sentiments

Q&A by AVA CHENOK Ron Chernow is the author of six historical novels, including the widely successful “Alexander Hamilton,” based on the founding father who now graces the $10 bill. He has won the Pulitzer prize, the National Book Award for Nonfiction and the New York Times Top 10 Books of the Year prize, among other honors, for his works. The Black & White talked with Chernow to discuss his experience writing the landmark biography “Alexander Hamilton” as well as the process of adapting the book into a Tony-winning hip-hop musical. Black & White: What was your inspiration for writing about Hamilton’s life? Ron Chernow: Back in 1998 when I started working on this book, he seemed to be fading into obscurity. A lot of people talked about him as if he were a second or third-rate founding father, and I really thought that his achievements were monumental and as important as the achievements of Washington, Jefferson or Franklin. As I started to read about him, he clearly had the most dramatic life of any of the founders: an illegitimate orphaned, penniless kid comes to this country from the Caribbean. It was a completely wonderful and implausible personal story and also obviously an extremely important political

during the rally. Striding with purpose back and forth across the stage, rousing the crowd, she recited a poem written by a 19-year-old Tennessee woman. “I am a nasty woman,” Judd proclaimed, embracing what was once an insult thrown by Donald Trump at a 2016 presidential debate. “A loud, vulgar, proud woman.” Judd proceeded to denounce the recent reemergence of intolerance and hate in the United States while simultaneously calling on men to realize the persistence of inequality plaguing females throughout the nation: restricted access to birth control, wage disparity and rape culture. A woman pushing a stroller on the National Mall summed it up in one emphatic statement: “Ashley Judd was right. This is America. America’s not just white men.” But men also attended the march. As women chanted, “My body, my choice,” men responded, “Her body, her choice”; as women waved signs depicting uteruses, men held posters that announced, “I’m with her,” complete with arrows drawn in all directions. “Even though I’m not a woman, I still went to show my support and fight back against a restrictive Trump administration,” junior Saul Singleton said. “In particular, reproductive rights are important to me. I believe it’s her body, so it should always be the woman’s choice.” Sophomore Cami Corcoran had one simple reason for her participation in the march: the year is 2017. “Women can’t afford to go back in time and face those struggles again,” Corcoran said. “We just need to keep fighting and keep making our voices heard in order to get the results that we want to see.”

Photos by ANNABELLE GORDON

1.2 million people united on the National Mall, carrying signs, and wearing pink “pussyhats” in a show of solidarity for women’s rights.

For video footage and live reactions from the march, scan this QR code using snapchat or a QR reader. video by AVA CHENOK

With ‘Alexander Hamilton’ author Ron Chernow

story. So I was hoping to revive his reputation; of course, the impact of the book plus the show has gone far beyond anything I could have imagined at the time. B&W: Did you ever think your book would get turned into a musical? RC: This story was so extraordinary that my literary agent and I were always talking about some sort of dramatization. So I had a hunch that it would be dramatized in some form, although before I met Lin Manuel Miranda, I never imagined that the form that that would take would be a musical, much less a hip-hop musical. The book was optioned three times in Hollywood for a feature film and so there was definite interest, but Hollywood could not seem to do it. They must feel a little foolish now, seeing the show. But yes, to the extent that I thought that it would take a dramatic form, I thought it would be a movie or a television series, so I was completely taken aback when I met Lin and he told me he wanted to do this hip-hop musical based on the book. B&W: How do you think having hip-hop as the basis for the music adds to conveying Hamilton’s life? RC: When I first met Lin, he invited me to see his first show which was called “In the

Heights.” I went backstage, and Lin started telling me that he’d been reading my book on vacation. He said, “as I was reading the book, Ron, a hip-hop song started rising off the page!” I was really quite flabbergasted when he said that; that wasn’t a very typical response to one of my books. And then he said to me very earnestly, “You know, Ron, Hamilton’s life is classic hip-hop narrative.” And I didn’t really understand what in the world he was talking about because I wasn’t someone who followed hip-hop at all. I said to him: “Can hip-hop be the vehicle for telling this complicated historical story?” He pointed out that hip-hop, because it’s so dense and rapid, can pack more information into the lyrics than any other musical form. I think that’s what he felt with Hamilton, this command of language and the fact that this penniless kid from the Caribbean is writing his way to stardom. When I actually saw the show staged, I began to understand the way he was presenting Hamilton’s personality was as a very intense, driven figure, and that intensity is matched in this very denselypacked, pulsating music. B&W: Do you think Lin Manuel-Miranda bending the timeline on Hamilton’s life for artistic purposes affects a watcher’s understanding of Hamilton’s life?

Photo courtesy NINA SUBIN

Ron Chernow worked with playwrite Lin Manuel-Miranda adopting “Hamilton” into a play.

RC: What I have said many times over the last couple of years is that history is long, messy and complicated, and Broadway shows have to be short, coherent and tightly constructed. In the show, there are about eight to 10 principal characters, and everything in this story on stage has to happen by, to or through those characters. Although he has great respect for history and is very faithful to it, he’s also creating a Broadway

musical. I think if I had been excessively rigid, he would have felt it, and we probably would have parted company, but it was actually a very good, very fruitful interaction. All the years that we were working together, I wasn’t doing it because I thought it was going to be this mega-commercial thing. I just thought this is a really interesting process. Now it’s opening across the country and world.

In-De

Mental health: A high school pe

by Tiger Björnlu Several interviewed students asked to remain anonymous. Sophomore girl 1 will be referred to as Jill, sophomore girl 2 as Cathy and junior girl 1 as Allison. To uncover student experiences and thoughts concerning mental health at Whitman, the Black & White conducted an anonymous survey throughout seven math classes in late December, receiving answers from 155 students representing all grades. The concept of mental health is nearly impossible to fully define. When asked the first word that comes to mind when thinking about mental health, Whitman students’ answers rannged from “balance” to “suicide,” with many in between. Though the term “mental health” often carries a negative connotation, everyone has a certain level of mental health, including those who are

healthy, counselor Kenneth Putt said. “The extreme end of the spectrum is the kids who have a real diagnosis of [a mental illness],” Putt said. Mental health issues in the nation’s high schools are more widespread than what many believe, according to a 2016 NPR article. An estimated 20 percent of American teens suffer from diagnosed mental illnesses, according to the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control. At Whitman, however, more than 40 percent of students reported experiencing symptoms of mental health conditions, the Black & White survey found. Depression is among the most commonly diagnosed conditions. Nearly 12 percent of teens are diagnosed with severe depression, according to a 2015 NIH study. Whitman’s

numbers are double—nearly 25 percent of surveyed students reported experiencing some degree of depression, the B&W survey found. The amount of undiagnosed mental illnesses among high school students is similarly high. Nationwide, nearly 80 percent of teens who need treatment don’t get it, according to a 2012 NIH study. Anxiety brought on by school and activities can cause symptoms similar to those associated with diagnosed mental illnesses, Putt said. “There are mental health issues that arise here at Whitman with stress,” Putt said. “Kids get so anxious about coming to school because there’s so much pressure on them that some refuse to come to school.”

The student story: living with mental illness

hile many students can label their conditions with a name, each person’s experience and personal struggle with mental health is vastly different from the next. Sophomore Jill, who struggled with anorexia for more than two years, said dealing with school became an even larger burden after the onset of anorexia. “I missed a lot of school, but [anorexia] also played with my focus a lot in class,” Jill said. “When I was trying to recover—especially in this tough academic climate—I would sacrifice recovery to keep up with the pace of school. It didn’t give me a lot of time to think about me and my recovery.” While many of her peers, teachers and counselors sympathized with her struggle, they weren’t always as helpful as outside therapists, Jill said. “I felt like a lot of my teachers and the counselors didn’t really understand,” Jill said. “I definitely think that there’s a lack of understanding of what these mental challenges are.” Her most trusted outlets during this period became her friends and family; Jill felt that she never developed a strong relationship with her school counselor. Since MCPS counselors aren’t trained psychologists, they must refer students to outside therapy, which makes it difficult for counselors to act as a sole reference for mental health help, Jill said. “We don’t see kids on a daily basis,” Putt said. “I have kids who come to me with straight A’s and they’re smiling, and I have no idea what struggles they’re going through.” Anxiety is also prevalent among Whitman students, Putt said. Sophomore Cathy is one of the many students who suffer from severe anxiety. Before receiving medication for anxiety, Cathy felt anxious about nearly everything—even things as simple as forgetting her homework, she said.

“If [students] forgot their homework and the teacher was coming around and checking, they would be anxious,” Cathy said. “For me, if that happened, I would go and throw up because I was so nervous.” The pressure to succeed in school, coupled with anxiety, heightened her symptoms, she said. “Whitman is such a competitive environment that it enhances nerves,” Cathy said. “Everyone’s already anxious about work, and so when you have anxiety and get nervous about things more easily, it just gets that much worse.” Cathy assumed this was just stress that everyone went through, so it was difficult to discover that her anxiety wasn’t typical. Upon talking with her peers, though, Cathy realized that what she was feeling was more than typical stress, she said. Eventually, she was able to find others who had come to similar conclusions about their own mental wellbeing. “The combination of talking to people and taking anxiety medication really helped me realize that I’m not the only one who feels the way I feel, and a lot of other people feel the same way, so I’m not alone,” Cathy said. “It made my life so much easier being diagnosed with anxiety and getting real help to take control of the situation and my life.” A diagnosis is often key in treatment of mental illness. Junior Allison was diagnosed with depression in seventh grade. Her symptoms include a lack of motivation, which makes school difficult for her. “It’s harder to speak up in class and share my opinion,” Allison said. “Having a rigorous course load and a lot of work makes [school] harder to deal with because when I feel unmotivated, it’s harder to get stuff done.” Although she still goes through periods of discouragement, Allison has realized that talking to people about what she feels continues to help her get through rough patches, she said.

24% OF WHITMAN STUDenTS HAVE EXPERIENCED DEPRESSION

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66% OF wHITMAN STU

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How Whitman addresses mental health

igh schools, especially ones with particularly stressful academic climates, can become a breeding ground for stress-induced mental illness, NIH clinical psychologist Melissa Brotman said. “Adolescence and early adulthood is a time of heightened risk for developing mood, anxiety and other mental health problems,” Brotman said. “I think it’s essential that the community continue to support a culture of students, parents and staff feeling empowered to ask for help and consult a mental health professional if they or someone they know appears to be struggling.” Yet, many students may not understand the extent to which mental health affects their peers. According to the Black & White poll, most students didn’t think that a large percentage of Whitman students struggled with mental health, but most students also responded saying that they and their classmates were at least mostly aware of mental health at Whitman, according to the B&W poll. “If people don’t have mental health conditions, they don’t realize it’s there,” Allison said. “People just don’t really know about it.” This lack of understanding is why Whitman’s SGA decided to create a mental illness awareness week in February, senior Keara Sullivan said. Although the month of February is normally filled with LLS fundraisers, the week of Feb. 6-10 will focus on increasing awareness for mental health at Whitman, rather than raising money. “We hope that we can start a dialogue about mental illness issues in the school and make Whitman an educated environment about mental illness,” Sullivan said. “Hopefully we can even help some students currently struggling with mental illness.” For those affected by mental health conditions, the week will highlight the resources already available at Whitman, junior Ray Crist said. “We hope to make some of these resources known throughout the week,” Crist said. “We

hope that by spreading our message, students who suffer from mental illness already will be inspired to take advantage of the resources at school and maybe get help for themselves down the line.” Student-run clubs, including Sources of Strength and umttr, are among the resources at Whitman available for students struggling with mental health, though they are open to all students. Umttr was founded in 2013 by a group of Churchill students after the tragic suicide of their classmate, Evan Rosenstock. The club has branches at local high schools and partners with national associations like the National Alliance on Mental Illness and former first lady Michelle Obama’s Campaign to Change Direction. “Umttr aims to stop the stigma around suicide and create an environment where every life matters,” senior club leader Hannah Kay said. “We want to provide a place of caring and mental wellbeing support where teens and adults can have the privacy of a place to talk to anyone who will listen and not judge.” Sources of Strength focuses on teaching students how to talk with peers who are suffering, junior Madison Holt said. “Sources of Strength was started to help spread awareness and positivity,” Holt said. “The club is focused on spreading hope, health and strength through student connectors, who provide support and friendship to those who need it.” All of the interviewed students who had suffered or continue to suffer from mental health conditions agreed on one thing: regardless of whether it’s a club, friend, counselor, doctor or family member, it’s important for anyone who thinks they might be suffering from a mental health condition to reach out, get help and take control. “Staying bottled up doesn’t help. You need to talk to people because you can’t stay in yourself forever: you’re going to explode,” Jill said. “This stuff hurts and it’s terrible, but it’s not something that you have to go through alone. It’s not terminal, and it is preventable.”

What do you think the general awareness of mental health conditions is at Whitman?

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Graphics by EMMA DAVIS and MEIMEI GREENSTEIN

Feature “[One memory] was sending a video to the D.C. snap story of a few friends and myself [on the canal] and making the cut,” Robinson said. “The 15 minutes of fame I felt were well-received.”

Skaters turn outdoors experience into winter tradition Whitman students, alumni and community members enjoy a snow-day off by skating on the C&O canal lock 7.

by JUSTIN BAKER On a cool January morning, a light flurry touches down on the surface of the C&O canal as skaters brave the cold, whizzing along the surface of the frozen water, bundled in hockey jerseys, scarves and hats. Curious bystanders stop to admire the beauty of the scene, which looks more like something from winter in the remote wilderness rather than the suburbs of D.C. These canal excursions have been a tradition of Whitman hockey players and other locals for years. To take part, all a person technically needs is skates, but the knowledge of how to approach skating on the canal safely is essential too. The love of the game Skating on the canal is a unique way of enjoying the ice, unmatched by indoor options in Bethesda and D.C. For many hockey players and canal-lovers, the experience is wildly different from the common ice rink experience. For Whitman hockey alum Julian Robinson (‘16), the serenity of canal skating helps define the experience. “Kids who play hockey in the D.C. area are so used to playing and practicing in the same rinks year round,” he said. “Besides the obvious natural beauty and surreal feeling of skating outside, the canal is unique because it is one of the few times kids my age can get to play in a truly recreational, love-of-the-game

setting.” Ben Barrett (‘16), a former Whitman hockey captain, said that the canal is an opportunity to connect with other hockey lovers and reconnect with old teammates and coaches. “I love skating on the canal because it’s a great way to run into old friends and coaches who I’ve played hockey with,” Barrett said. The canal is often buzzing with small pickup games. Senior Joseph Tseytlin appreciates this social aspect of the canal, he says. “I love playing pickup games with other people on the canal,” he said. “A lot of people come out to the Brickyard lock and organize small ‘pond hockey’ games, sometimes even bringing real nets onto the canal.” The consensus seems to be that there’s one sure way to make the most of the frozen canal: bring friends. While there are often hockey games on the canal, all that’s necessary to enjoy the outdoor experience are basic skating skills.

Photos by TIGER BJÖRNLUND

inson said. “It transformed the typical C&O canal setting we’re so used to into something comparable to Minnesota or Canada.” Barrett agreed that snowy conditions can make or break the fun of the skate, transforming a routine skate into a wintery trek. “Last year, we went down to the canal right before that huge snowstorm and it was a blast skating on it as the snow started to fall and the storm rolled in,” he said. This braving of the harsh winter weather early in the morning has earned Whitman skaters some well-deserved minutes of fame.

On thin ice: how to know it’s safe While the canal is a fresh and fun way to make the most of winter, it can sometimes put the unaware skater on thin ice. Literally. It’s key to know how to tell if the ice is safe in order to have a fun canal experience. The National Park Service states on its website that although it approves of skating on the canal, it doesn’t check the ice conditions or supervise skaters. They recommend a minimum thickness of four inches, and list permitted skating areas on their website. “I like to go to the canal at Brickyard and MacArthur, which is a pretty popular place,” Barrett said. “One thing I’ll look for is skate marks to see if anyone else has already skated on it. Most of the time you have to test the ice out by walking on the edges a little bit. It’s always weaker on the side closer to the road, so if you can support your weight there, then it’s usually good all the way across.” The canal normally freezes sufficiently after three to four days of well-below freezing weather, so when planning an expedition, always check the weather for the days leading up to your venture, and bring a shovel to clear excess snow off the ice surface. But if you are safe about it, this oldtime experience is an unforgettable one.

Braving the cold The canal skating experience captures all of the tranquility of skating up north, where skating on frozen ponds and lakes is a common winter tradition. But in order to maximize this panoramic experience, skaters need to consider the conditions and time of day. “We played some pickup hockey on a snow day with some teammates in subzero weather and heavy snow,” Rob-

Students share experiences driving high continued from page

Marijuana’s effects on the brain are strongest approximately 30 minutes after consumption, and students said they try to avoid driving during that time-frame. After waiting for what they deem is a sufficient amount of time, they get behind the wheel.

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Marijuana can stay in a person’s system for weeks after the effects have worn off. -Morgan Fox, Marijuana Policy Project

“What we usually do is probably wait at least an hour,” a junior said. “We wait so we aren’t as high. Usually we’re not driving for long periods of time.

We’re probably going through neighborhood roads or trying to take the least suspicious roads where you will encounter the least amount of cars and least amount of consequences.” Students avoid driving on highways because they know they won’t be able to react quickly and make split-second decisions, they said. Multiple students also said that if they’re

still feeling marijuana’s effects, they’ll cancel their plans if it requires them to drive on major roads. “I feel like your driving ability isn’t hindered as much as if other people mess up, you might not be as quick to react,” a senior said. “It wouldn’t be so much your fault, but if people were to stop suddenly, it would be a problem.”

Photo by TOMAS CASTRO

In Maryland, a driver that has any trace of marijuana in their blood classifies as a driver under the influence. Penalties are similar to those of driving after alcohol consumption and include jail time ranging from two months to a year and fines up to $4,000. However, according to the American Automobile Association, it’s often hard for police

to conduct marijuana sobriety tests because the amount of cannabis found in one’s body fluids doesn’t necessarily measure if someone is impaired by the drug. “The technology does not currently exist to determine impairment based on chemical tests,” said Morgan Fox, a senior communications manager of the Marijuana Policy Project. “Marijuana can stay in a person’s system for weeks after the effects have worn off. This means that there is no reliable test like a breathalyzer for alcohol.” Although some students believe driving while high poses few risks, other students are still wary of the potential consequences of smoking and driving. “I drove high one time and don’t plan on doing it again,” a different junior said. “I was lucky that there were very few cars on the road. Every time you do it, you have the same odds, and eventually it will go wrong.” Disclaimer: This photo was staged without the use of illegal substances.

Feature

‘Teachers Righting History’ empowers women Former U.S. Treasurer forms organization to inspire next generation by SABRINA MARTIN

hile students frequently learn about the Founding Fathers who shaped American history and culture, history classes often skim over influential women who have done the same. One powerful advocate of female empowerment, former Treasurer of the United States and Whitman parent Rosie Rios, has dedicated her time to balancing this exposure. Rios served as Treasurer from 2009– 2016 and was instrumental in the Treasury Department’s decision to depict more women on currency, including Harriet Tubman, who will appear on the $20 bill beginning August 26, 2020. Striving to highlight female success in history, Rios launched her Empowerment 2020 initiative this past August, focusing on recognizing women in society and supporting their futures. One project, Teachers Righting History (TRH), integrates historical women into school curriculum through a database of almost 250 historical women which is accessible through TRH’s website. Whitman is among the estimated 180 schools who have joined the cause, and Rios’ daughter, junior Brooke Gumataotao, has worked with principal Alan Goodwin and social studies department head Suzanne Johnson to display posters featuring historically significant women on classroom walls. “I’m all for encouraging our young ladies and men to understand the contributions that women have made in the past and continue to make,” Goodwin said. “And part of the reason you want to do this is [as] an inspiration for young women to take themselves very seri-

ously and to go into occupations where their ideals and talent can be used.” Rios was inspired to found TRH after a 2015 town hall when a man aggressively challenged putting a woman on currency. “He said, ‘what are you trying to do, rewrite history?’ And as the guy’s in my face, it dawned on me,” Rios said. “You have your moments of adversity—you either rise to the occasion or you don’t. I responded to him and I said, ‘That’s exactly what I’m going to do. I’m going to write women back into history.’” But TRH is only one part of Empowerment 2020; Rios has developed three branches of the initiative: “Righting History,” “30X20” and “Count Up to 2020.” “Righting History,” which includes TRH, advocates for building more statues of women in major cities and awarding more congressional medals to women. “30X20” is working to increase women’s representation in Congress from 20 percent to 30 percent by 2020 and to provide voter education to college students. “Count Up to 2020” connects the initiative’s stakeholders to discuss progress and plan for the future. Rios hopes the initiative’s different approaches will help address the systemic gender inequality that exists in schools, the government and the country, she said. “I’ve had my click moment, my awakening, where I’ve realized just how invisible women are. This has nothing to do with me; it has everything to do with her,” Rios said, pointing at Gumataotao. “Why would I want to hold her back? Why would I want her to be the only woman at the table the same way I was? But we don’t realize just how much we may be holding them back if we don’t show them role models and who has come before us.”

Brooke Gumataotao is a firm supporter of her mother’s efforts and plans to continue TRH in the future by starting a club at Whitman for students to learn about historical women, she said. “It’s important because a lot of these women did a lot of amazing things, and we should know the people behind them,” Gumataotao said. “I think small steps over time will make a big difference with women empowerment because it’s promoting the success of women in history.” While Rios pridefully described her daughter as a primary source of inspiration, she explained that her projects have led her to empower not just her daughter but an entire generation of young women. “Millennials are very unique. They

don’t think of the world as boxes of genders or race or orientation,” Rios said. “You guys are demanding authenticity, transparency. You are less likely to think about specific denomination. Your generation of millennials tend to think broader, without labels.” For a generation with such potential, Rios argues that if kids aren’t shown how females have influenced history, their perception of women will inevitably be altered, she said. Rios has been pleasantly surprised about the way her projects have resonated with young men, as well as with young women, she said. “It’s a human issue—it’s not a feminist issue, it’s not a woman’s issue, it’s a human issue.” Rios said.

Photo courtesy ROSIE RIOS

Rios, pictured with daughter, junior Brooke (middle), and son, Joey Gumataotao (‘14) (left), started Empowerment 2020 to increase the prominence of women in school curriculum.

CROSSWORD

W C R O S S R D J2 presents: ‘Name a more iconic duo’

47. Commodity management software developer, abbr. 48. Six ring Chicago duo, list the GOAT secACROSS 1. Classes in this area include Calculus and ond 51. Pizza company that doesn’t cut corners Algebra 5. Actress in “The Wrestler,” “My Cousin 52. Slang term for an opioid 53. Dynamic duo counterpart to John Wall Vinny” and “Cyrus,” ____ Tomei 11. Famous sandwich spread duo ____ and 55. Software spreadsheet producer 59. What you would call Iceland’s Euro cup ____ 14. How many square units of space a shape win over England 63. A line of electricity occupies 15. Waxing gibbous and waning crescent 64. Comedy central duo behind “substitute teacher” and “East-West bowl” are ____ of the moon 66. Next year’s Super Bowl 16. The John, the restroom 17. Duo that you leave for Santa Claus: ____ 67. Oldest member of the Ritz brothers comedy team and ____ 68. Agency behind the Apollo missions, 19. Noah’s boat 20. Sherlock Holmes character featured abbr. prominently in “A Scandal in Bohemia,” 69. Energy saving light source, abbr. 70. Fly that carries sleeping sickness Irene ____ 71. ____ leches cake 21. A hall you eat in 22. Blackbeard carried out her vengeance 23. Flotsam and Jetsam are this type of ani- DOWN 1. Spanish mother, informally mal 25. Classic, yet delicious sandwich trio: ____ 2. Dry, with minimal precipitation 3. An unconscious giveaway in poker 27. Dynamic duo of British sleuths 4. “The Dream” for Houston 35. What famous people do on reddit 36. Croatian counterpart to “The Process” in 5. An organization that plans transportation policy in an urban area, abbr. Philly, ____ Saric 6. Northeast Indian kingdom 37. How you capture a bull 7. How you clean up leaves 38. Create 40. The type of messages snapchat is replac- 8. Terror organization that claims itself as a worldwide caliphate ing 9. Also known as a teeter-totter 42. Raw, genuine 43. “You are next in line for this activity,” if 10. Donkey 11. You can’t grow ____ unless you bury a you were typing on 40 across ____ 45. Christmas and Nerlens are both ____ by JUSTIN BAKER and JOEY SQUERI

Cartoon

12. Entered the world 13. For example, “What do you call a cow with no legs? Ground beef.” 18. “Rocky” spinoff starring Michael B. Jordan 22. To run away before your vows is to leave someone here 24. Test to enter law school, abbr. 26. Ravens telecast abbr. 27. Dramatize, hype 28. Someone from Muscat 29. 1980 Winter Olympics 30. Stadium, sports venue 31. 37th president of the United States 32. Lavished praise upon 33. Second largest metropolitan area in Japan 34. “Memento” and “Dark Knight” directors: the ____ brothers 39. Kick someone out of school 41. San Joaquín airport code 44. Crude teddy bear 46. Absorb liquid 49. Fictional books 50. Express regret for sins or crimes 53. Common sports homecoming ask: “Let’s have a ____ at homecoming?” 54. Fourth largest Great Lake 56. Australian lake spelled similarly to 54 down, but much smaller 57. Tech school in Alberta, Canada, abbr. 58. They go marching one by one 60. A way of cooking salmon 61. “Do it or ____” 62. Sri Lanka’s largest export 64. Kit’s counterpart 65. The letter “s” in Cyrillic script

SPORTS

Coach Schaefer finishes his final lap by KYLE LAYMAN Whether it’s cheering for swimmers during a meet or storing food in his room to encourage his athletes to stop by and chat, swim and dive coach Geoff Schaefer has always been a prominent presence in the lives of students on the team. But starting next year, Chris Schlegel will be taking over as the new swim and dive coach. At the end of last season, Schaefer announced that he was planning on stepping down from his coaching position in order to spend more time with his two daughters following his wife Denise’s death in 2014. Although he’s leaving the swim and dive team, Schaefer will continue to teach English and run Whitman Shorts. “I had to do it without Denise by my side to watch the girls while I’m out,” Schaefer said. “It takes away from the girls’ development, it takes away from their Saturdays, and they need me more than ever at this stage.” As a coach, Schaefer has strived to develop close relationships with each of his team members. “He has helped me learn that being a talented swimmer was not all of it, but rather it’s about going beyond yourself and supporting and cheering for fellow teammates,” junior Max Levine said. “I’ll miss the times after races when I would jump out of the pool, and even if I didn’t swim well, he would always be there giv-

ing me a high five and talking to me about my race as if we were family.” Schlegel has been shadowing Schaefer this season to ensure a smooth coaching transition, though Schlegel will be joining the team with a strong coaching background. He has been the head coach at Potomac Swim and Tennis for 11 years and an age group coach at All Star Aquatics for 10 years. Schlegel was also selected to coach for the Potomac Valley Zone Team six times, including one year as a head coach. “I don’t expect much to change,” Schlegel said. “Schaefer and I both value tradition very highly. The traditions he has brought to Whitman really defines who the team is. I will honor those traditions while hopefully adding a few of my own.” While the team members are disappointed that Schaefer will no longer be able to coach, the swimmers and divers said they support his decision to step down. “At first there was a lot surprise and there was a general element of sadness, but we all understood his reasoning and he assured us he would remain a part of our lives and offer his support so we then turned our attention to who the new coach would be,” junior Stefan Heller said. “Mainly we have tried to work as hard as possible to make sure that he goes out on a good note.”

Coach Kuhn hands over headset

by AMY NANKIN and JOEY SQUERI Lights shine down on the stadium field, and Viking football players sprint out from behind the goal post. Coach Kuhn, clapping and cheering, follows the team and takes his usual spot on the sideline with a headset over his ears and clipboard in his hands like he has done most fall Friday nights for the past 20 years. After 10 years as an assistant football coach and 10 years as Whitman’s varsity football head coach, Jim Kuhn announced his retirement Dec. 6. Although he will no longer be coaching football, he will continue to teach AP Calculus. “It’s a time commitment thing. I’m trying to teach math at a very high level and coach at the same time. It just took a tremendous amount of time to do both,” Kuhn said. “You can only push that hard for a finite amount of time. Then eventually you have to scale back, so this year, I did it.” Three weeks after Kuhn announced his retirement from his head coaching position, a committee of advisors, including principal Alan Goodwin and athletic director Andrew Wetzel, hired Dave Fyock—widely known as Coach Slick— as head coach. Fyock has served as the JV head coach for the

past 10 years. “Coach Slick was already in the program— I’m sure that weighed positively for him,” assistant coach John Floyd said. “Coach Wetzel’s worked with him, and he’s talked to Dr. Goodwin. They all have a pretty good relationship opposed to someone coming from outside the program.” Because Fyock has been in the Whitman football program, he knows many of the athletes personally. Fyock thinks that his close relationships with current players will be key for a smooth transition into the varsity program, he said. Fyock will keep a similar coaching staff for his tenure, as coaches Jerel Chavis, Jay Mooney and Floyd will stay under his leadership. “Coach Kuhn established such a positive environment for the program,” Fyock said. “I just want to try and continue that throughout my time.” After spending two decades coaching football, coach Kuhn says he looks forward to what comes next for him and the team. “I definitely want to stay involved with the school,” Kuhn said. “I’ve had my time, and I’m not going to judge or be involved with their new team. They need to put their own stamp on the program.”

photo courtesy WHITMAN FOOTBALL

photo by TOMAS CASTRO

Coaches Geof Schaefer and Jim Kuhn will be retiring after many succesful seasons to focus on family and school, respectively. Schaefer is retiring from swim and dive and Kuhn from football.

Female athletes thrive on coed sports teams Athletes adjust to faster pace, more physical nature of sports hen freshman Stephanie Solloso’s brother first suggested she wrestle, she thought he was kidding. She couldn’t imagine surviving even a day on the mats against boys who had been wrestling for years.

But after spending about two months facing off against her male teammates every day in practice, Solloso wouldn’t want to be doing anything else, she said. “The fact that I'm getting my face smacked into a mat every day yet going back for more day after day is something that I'm very proud of,” Solloso said. Some Whitman sports—including wrestling, water polo and ice hockey—are coed since they don’t offer separate girls and boys teams. Though some onlookers define these teams by the male players, numerous female athletes compete side-by-side with their male counterparts, often outperforming boys and holding crucial roles on the team. Most girls who join these teams have had experience playing the sport, often participating on all-girls club teams before joining the coed Whitman team. Even with extensive experience, however, female players have had to make adjustments to adapt to the faster and often more physical nature of the boys’ playing style, the players said. “At first [the hardest part] was keeping up with them in practices and having them trust that I could play at the level as most of them,” junior water polo player Anna Bautista said. Once they adjust to the new playing style, female competitors often emerge as crucial members of the team, getting valuable playing time and starting in games. “She has a lot more experience than most of the boys on the team,” junior water polo player Will Koenig said of Bautista. “She is stronger than a lot of them and can guard anyone in the pool. She is the only girl that starts on varsity.”

This camaraderie can also be found in Whitman’s hockey program, with junior Alexa Crist, junior Seo Yeon Yoon and freshman Allison Lennie playing alongside 30 boys. Despite tough competition for playing time, Yoon has played multiple games for the JV team as a goalie, Crist has played forward with the varsity team for part of the last two seasons and Lennie scored four goals this season for the JV team. Both the coaches and boys on all of the coed teams

“

by SAM SHIFFMAN

She is stronger than a lot of them and can guard anyone in the pool. She is the only girl that starts on varsity. - junior Will Koenig

say they treat female athletes no differently than their male counterparts. In fact, it’s common for girls to wrestle in the county, wrestling captain Clark Boinis said. “At first it was kinda weird and a little nerve-wracking,” Solloso said. “I felt out of place being the only girl on the team but my coaches really didn't treat me any differently than they treated the guys so that helped a lot.” The wrestling team has also had multiple female standouts including Harriet Symington (‘14) who participated in the 2012 Junior National Championships and dominated many of the boys she faced. In addition to helping them on their girls teams, female athletes also enjoy playing with mostly boys. “It's been fun to be able to play with guys and on a team that’s so different from my girls team,” Crist said. “It’s also more time getting better at the sport I love.”

Photos by TOMAS CASTRO and ANNABELLE GORDON

Christ (top), Solosso (middle) and Bautista (bottom)

Sports

Athlete of the month: Mark Meinecke After the Vikings hockey team missed out on the playoffs last year, defenseman Mark Meinecke was invited to attend the national hockey development camp over the summer before entering the 2016-17 season. He was determined to stop history from repeating itself. Although he’s only a sophomore, Meinecke is already a top-three defenseman for the third place Whitman hockey team (9–3–1) which is positioned for a playoff run. “This year, we believe that we have a good chance at not just making the playoffs, but going far in them,” Meinecke said. “I’m working my hardest to support the team and be a strong part of it. Every player is contributing, and that’s why we are winning games.” Meinecke’s contributions are not confined to the defensive side. He’s also second in both goals and points for the Vikings, with 9 and 16, respectively. “Mobile offensive defensemen are almost a necessity in hockey these days,” Whitman hockey coach Tom Sneddon said. “Mark, along with a few of our other defensemen, is very talented in terms of offensive production.” Meinecke began his hockey career at a young age; he learned to skate at age three and joined his first competitive travel team at age eight. Joining a team with high-skill players was a humbling experience and sparked his competitive nature and desire to improve, he said. “When I saw the type of competition at the travel level, I was excited by it, but I was at the bottom of the pack,” Meinecke said. “From then on, I tried my hardest to be the best.” Through steady commitment and work

with his coaches and teammates, Meinecke has a strong presence on the ice. “I don’t think I’ve met anyone more committed to hockey,” fellow defenseman Daniel Stevens said. “I was talking to [Meinecke] the other day, and he said he has been on the ice nearly every day for the past week or two. This is clearly seen in his ability to make plays happen either alone or with others.”

“

When I saw the type of competition at the travel level, I was excited by it, but I was at the bottom of the pack. From then on, I tried my hardest to be the best. - sophomore Mark Meinecke

“

by DANIEL WEBER

In the Vikings’ greatest effort of the season, a 4–3 win over the Landon Bears, Meinecke scored a goal and added an assist. Despite his individual prowess, he prides himself on his teamwork and says it’s the most important part of his game. Sneddon agrees that a unified team effort is the key to success on the ice but acknowledges Meinecke’s importance as a catalyst to that process. “Mark, to his credit, is a hardworking player who happens to be very talented,” Sneddon said. “Like all of our players, if he applies his talents in a way that benefits the team, we will be successful. We are very lucky to have him.”

Photo by TOMAS CASTRO

Photo courtesy GINA BJÖRNLUND

Defenseman Mark Meinecke watches his shot on net in a close game against Wootton.

Sports

Corollary sports level playing field

by JOEY SQUERI

ast winter, three varsity sports made the county semifinals: boys basketball, girls basketball and bocce.

Unlike both basketball teams, bocce is a part of MCPS’s corollary sports system, which is designed to give students with disabilities a chance to participate in varsity athletics. “Our goal is to offer the opportunity to compete in high school athletics to every student in our county,” MCPS athletic specialist Jeff Sullivan said. “The corollary sports system has been very effective in achieving this.” Beginning in the spring of 2011, the county has offered one corollary sport per season: handball in the fall, bocce in the winter and indoor softball in the spring. Any student can join a corollary sport, but each team aims to have an even ratio of students with disabilities to students without disabilities. All corollary sports are varsity sports— something that Sullivan said is exclusive to MCPS. “We take corollary sports to the next level,” Sullivan said. “They are full fledged varsity sports. We give them the same status. We give them transportation. We give them officials, and we give them a playoff system.” Of all the corollary sports, bocce has the highest participation rate among the 23 competing MCPS high schools; Whitman’s team currently has 12 members. “Bocce requires the least amount of motor skills,” Whitman corollary sports coach Ryan Mullin said. “It opens up the opportunity to many more students at

Whitman and across the county.” In traditional bocce and MCPS’s corollary bocce, four players from each team alternate rolling a ball down the court, trying to get it as close as possible to the target ball called the pallina. Corollary bocce’s only two modifications are that games cannot last more than 30 minutes and at least two of the four players during each game to be students with disabilities– which include those in LFI and students with 504 or IEPs. Once all four players have rolled, the team with the closest balls to the pallina are awarded up to four points. Each game is played to either 16 points or the 30 elapsed minutes, and the winner is the first team to win two games. In corollary softball and handball, students with disabilities often need assistance to compete, as they may be unable to complete all the required motions independently. However, bocce allows disabled students to compete solely under their own power, senior Grace Goldman said. “In softball if you’re in a wheelchair, then someone is probably batting for you,” Goldman said. “But it’s not quite the same as getting to roll your own ball in bocce and having it be your score on your own.” After the regular season, every team is seeded and placed into a playoff bracket. This adds more competition to bocce, but the underlying theme for corollary sports remains the same, Mullin said. “We do care about how we do in matches and root for our players to succeed,” Mullin said. “But our main goal is always to offer the opportunity of school athletics to every student at Whitman.”

Photos by SOPHIA KNAPPERTZ

The Whitman Bocce program provides athletic experience for students with disabilities.

Dive team executes ‘strength and grace’

by AMY NANKIN

urrounded by caution tape and balancing Snickers bars on their heads, the swim team sits on the side of pool, cheering for divers as they mount the board one by one.

This ritual acts to bridge the gap between two teams that—although normal-

ly perceived to be the same—are entirely different: swimming and diving. “Swimming and diving both take place in a pool, but that’s where the similarities end,” senior diver Caroline LaPlante said. For the past 13 years, coach Geoff Schaefer has coached the swim and dive teams. A swimmer throughout his collegiate career, Schaefer also had some experience in diving, so he took on the

challenge of leading both teams, although there are many differences between the two. One of the main distinctions between swim and dive occurs at meets. For swimmers, nearly every team member competes in all four meets throughout the season, but for divers, only two boys and two girls can compete in each meet. “Dive and swim meets are at the same event, so it’s all connected,” dive captain

Photo courtesy ADAM HIRSH

Senior Caroline LaPlante executed a back dive pike at the meet against B-CC. LaPlante is also a member of the Montgomery dive team.

Michael Barsky said. “One difference is diving is based on the quality of the dive while swimming is time- based.” To help Whitman’s overall team score, Schaefer chooses divers to compete at meets based on how the Vikings compare to their competition; if they are projected to beat their opponent, he chooses randomly, but if it’s expected to be a tight match, he enters his top two divers. Each diver is required to complete three dives chosen from five categories: front, back, inward, reverse and twisters. Because of the individual nature of dive and Schaefer’s limited experience with the sport, Schaefer focuses more on the swim team and allows more experienced upperclassman divers—some of whom are part of the Montgomery Dive Team—to take on leadership roles at practice. “The practices are side-by-side, and I adjust to see who’s doing well or who needs more support that day,” Schaefer said. “The upperclassmen notice things that I don’t notice; they provide a lot of guidance to their teammates.” Under the leadership Barsky of and the rest of the upperclassmen, the divers engage in more freeform practices compared to the swimmers more structured ones and focus on perfecting old dives and learning new ones. “Being a good diver requires a balance of strength and grace,” LaPlante said. “It takes a lot of strength and flipping technique to execute fancy tricks at that level. Most importantly, though, someone must be confident and coachable.” Although the skill set and practice structure of the swim and dive teams differ, the teams bond to form one inclusive group. “There’s a mutual respect between the two, but you definitely make fun of each other,” Schaefer said. “It doesn’t matter if you swim or dive. Everyone’s a part of the swamily.”

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theblackandwhite.net

Album reviews: winter ‘17 by MICHAEL GORMAN

Cudi faces demons with passion, pain Cudi’s newest album, “Passion, Pain, and Demon Slayin’” just doesn’t cut it, lacking his infectious energy and top-notch humming. Most of the songs are throwaways as Cudi’s featured artists can only take the album so far. Cudi’s endless droning can be found from the first song on the album, “Frequency.” The flow is unimaginative, though the production is reasonable. On “Surfin,’” which was released as a single Sept. 30, we get classic Cudi. He found a nice balance between singing with rapping, staying upbeat and exuding energy throughout the track. The only other good song is “By Design,” featuring Andre 3000. The

upbeat, fun style isn’t a common one for Cudi, but maybe it should be. Cudi and Andre create a headboppin’ product, one of their best collaborations. “Baptized in Fire” is another solid track. It features Travis Scott, and the two have worked together in the past on memorable tracks such as “Through the Late Night,” from 2016. This version is a brooding trap banger, minus some of the catchiness from the first collaboration. While there are flickers, the album never catches fire, as the droning takes away from the better tracks. Many of the beats are great, but Cudi wastes most of them away as he continues to struggle with his personal demons.

Artwork by RUN THE JEWELS,

Artwork by WARNER BROS

‘Oczy Mlody’ Rating 2.5/5

‘Run the Jewels 3’ Rating 5/5

Flaming Lips relax on new album With their 14th studio album, “Oczy Mlody,” The Flaming Lips is moving away from the clear, cohesive sound that has been a staple on their more recent albums. In an interview with Billboard, frontman Wayne Coyne explained, “We just worked on whatever songs we stumbled upon and then put them together into this album.” “There Should Be Unicorns” is a winding, harrowing track dedicated to the band’s apparent love for the mystical animal. While Coyne revisits the wonders of childhood, the listener is left wondering what just happened. The spaciest song on the album is “Listen to the Frogs With Demon Eyes.” The song appears to have a message of belief in a partner, but the meaning is clouded by obscure lyrics:

“I can’t see your love but I know it is there” which contrasts with “Have you ever seen someone die / In the summertime?” As a whole, the band’s work with Miley Cyrus has left its mark all over the album, but no song gets crazier than “We A Family,” which features Cyrus. The track begins with a pleasant acoustic guitar accompanied by Coyne’s soft vocals, but as the track goes on, his voice switches between auto-tune and complete distortion, leading to a wildly experimental masterpiece that’s diﬃcult to enjoy. The alternative nature of The Flaming Lips shines through, which will please fans, but few others. No album with a name like “Oczy Mlody” is going to be normal.

Artwork by TOP DAWG ENTERTAINMENT

‘Do What Thou Wilt’ Rating 4/5

‘Do What Thou Wilt’ is ab-soul-utely higher

“Do What Thou Wilt” is Ab-Soul’s loud, abrasive and disorganized claim to the center-stage of modern hip-hop and rap. At surface level, it may seem as if he’s being wildly oﬀensive, but after a deeper look into the lyrics, it’s clear AbSoul is thinking on a higher level. Note-worthy lyrics fuel the album, and the project is a step up from his last work, “These Days,” released in 2014. Throughout the album, Ab-Soul entertains listeners with clever lyrics, especially on “Huey Knew THEN”: “They speak highly of me when I raise my voice / I gotta shoot a free throw to make my point.” On “Threatening Nature,” Ab-Soul uses a moody beat with mixed success to speak on topics such as feminism and religion: “And we don’t speak on sexism much as we really should / The

black man could vote before the woman could.“ Many longtime Soul fans wouldn’t expect a catchy song from the Compton rapper, but on “D.R.U.G.S,” he provides a juicy yet tortured hook featuring Mac Miller. Ab-Soul starts the song describing how much he loves his family and friends, but closes with “Last but not least, I love drugs.” The track highlights Soul’s ability to leave the listener pondering his lyrics--both satisﬁed and confused. For the duration of the tape, Ab-Soul provides sweet ﬂows, along with complex beats and themes. “Do What Thou Wilt” also overshadowed J. Cole’s lackluster album, which was released on the same day, solidifying Ab-Soul’s presence in the hip-hop world.

Artwork by REPUBLIC RECORDS

‘Passion, Pain, and Demon Slayin’ Rating 3/5

Run the Jewels puts rap industry on notice Since their self-titled debut album released in 2013, Run the Jewels has delivered hard flows with distinct social commentary for their fast-growing fan base. The rap duo’s latest effort, “Run the Jewels 3,” was released Dec. 25, making it the best present I received over the holidays. El-P and Killer Mike created another masterpiece with in-your-face flows and cutting beats that start at the beginning of the second track, “Talk to Me,” and don’t slow until the end of the album. The first track, “Down,” sets up the album in a subtle yet fiery manner, preparing the listener for the upcoming heat. Throughout his verse, El-P warns the rest of the rap game: “You’re gonna need a bigger boat, boys, you’re in trouble/ Aye, gonna need a little hope, boys, on the double.”

The song that stands out the most is “Hey Kids,” featuring Danny Brown. The distinct styles of all three artists mesh perfectly, producing a loud, inyour-face track that bumps in the whip. Another great cut is “A Report to The Shareholders: Kill Your Masters.” The duo explores American politics, touching on bombings overseas: “Can’t contain the disdain for y’all demons / You talk clean and bomb hospitals,” as well as the 2016 election, “Choose the lesser of the evil people, and the devil still gon’ win.” With “Run the Jewels 3,” the rap industry has been put on notice. The duo joins Kendrick Lamar and few others as artists who can partner fantastic lyricism with sick ﬂows; they’ll be at the forefront of rap and hip-hop for a long time.

Artist Spotlight: violinist Manya Aronin

Senior Manya Aronin has been playing violin since she was three years old.

by EMILY SCHWEITZER Standing on stage at Carnegie Hall, looking out into an audience of over 3,500 people, senior Manya Aronin softly moves her bow across the strings of her violin, signaling the beginning of Bach’s “Partita No. 3.” When Aronin was three years old, the roles were reversed. She sat in the crowd

Photo by RACHEL HAZAN

in awe of the violinist on stage at a Detroit Symphony Orchestra concert for young audiences with her grandparents. After the show, she had the opportunity to see the backstage workings of an orchestra and fell in love with the violin. A year later, her grandparents surprised her with a violin of her own, and since then, it has remained an integral part of her life.

“Violin was my voice at that time,” Aronin said. “When I was young, I was so shy, I couldn’t talk to most adults. But whenever I performed, I could play as loudly and boldly as I wanted in front of many people.” As Aronin has gotten older, she has a lot to balance between music and school; she practices for four hours a day and takes lessons once a week. But the work and time commitment are a small price to pay for the satisfaction the violin provides her, she said. “I love the violin’s sweet tambour and the richness of its sound,” Aronin said. “I also like how the violin can convey such a wide range of emotions. No matter what mood I’m in, I can always ﬁnd something to play that will comfort me.” Sometimes, her rigorous practice schedule comes before her social life. “Manya holds herself to a very strict practice schedule,” senior Elise Grossfeld said. “Whenever we want to hang out, we have to organize our plans around her practice schedule, lessons and performances.” Manya’s mother, Alana Aronin, said that Manya’s intense commitment to her violin allows her to tackle any diﬃcult

musical piece. Manya Aronin has experienced tremendous success in her violin career already, performing at Carnegie Hall and countless other prestigious venues. Two summers ago, Aronin was one of 10 musicians chosen to attend Interlochen, a six week summer camp, on a full scholarship. Despite her abundant experience and many achievements, Manya Aronin still feels pressure while performing on stage. “In the ninth and 10th grade, my nerves were so bad that it took all of my energy and brainpower to move my bow across the string,” Aronin said. With time, however, she said that it has become easier to handle the stress. Aronin is currently auditioning for conservatories—schools devoted to preparing students for careers in music. In general, conservatories only oﬀer music classes, yet there are some academic requirements as well. Despite the stress of auditioning, Manya Aronin continues to play for herself. “When I play violin, I feel powerful—like I can make a change” she said. “I haven’t felt that way doing anything else.”