volume 53, Issue 6 april 1, 2015
Walt whitman High school
7100 whittier boulevard
Bethesda, maryland 20817
theblackandwhite.net
photo by MICHELLE JARCHO
bRAVE, parties highlight issues with underage drinking
Senior Ben Scheer plays the piano during the performance of “Benny and the Jets” in Talent Show 2k15: The Revolution. Talent Show included about 175 students as actors, musicians, tech and dancers.
Talent Show 2k15: a revolution to remember BY NABA KHAN Featuring a stunning variety of musical acts, spotlight dance solos and on-and-off-stage acting skits, Talent Show 2k15 truly revolutionized the highly-anticipated annual production. The show included 22 acts and a heartfelt, all-senior finale, with skits and videos adding comedy after every few performances. This year’s theme, “Revolution,” was inspired by director Lucas Weals’s desire to build off of previous talent shows while also breaking free from some of the more negative aspects of past years, he said. Attitudes about the exclusion of certain grades or groups of friends were something Weals said he actively worked to change this year. “What I wanted to do this year
“Pitch Please” and “Solid and Sound.” Drumline’s act culminated with the entire cast running onstage, decked out in Whitman gear and chanting “1-2-3-4, Let’s get busy!” “I loved all of it, it was just all so amazing,” eighth-grade Pyle student Izzy Mate said. One unique aspect of this year’s Talent Show was the introduction of intricate dance acts. Junior Adin Kramer played “Arebesque” on the piano as senior Natalie Pagenstecher danced a contemporary solo, and senior Rebecca Rahman and junior Sophie Bevirt sang lead vocals of “Glory and Gore” to accompany five dancers downstage who added a captivating visual component to the act.
was to once and for all clear away those tensions, which I feel to be distractions from the true magic of performance,” he said. The performance opened with a dramatic countdown to the beginning of the “Revolution,” displayed on screens hanging on either side of the stage. The curtains opened, revealing seniors Jivko Andonov and Jason Dunn poised to rap UGK ft. Outkast’s “International Players Anthem.” Music styles were strikingly different in each act, ranging from senior Guilan Massoud rapping Kanye West’s “All of the Lights,” to junior Kaycie Goral’s belting out Florence and the Machine’s chilling “Girl With One Eye.” Among the usual slew of student bands were Drumline, Poms, Jazz Band and a capella groups
continued on page
by Trevor Lystad As dance music blared through a dark gym full of more than 1,000 students the night of March 8, most were enjoying bRAVE, a fundraising dance for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society. But for seven students, the eagerly anticipated event ended too soon, after they were found under the influence of alcohol. Two of the students were taken by ambulance to the hospital, while parents picked up the other five. Underage drinking is an increasing concern at Whitman, as 19 total students have been caught drinking in the last six weeks, including the seven at bRAVE and an additional 12 who were cited at two separate parties. These students face lighter punishments than they would have in years past. The Black & White reported Feb. 21 on how the relative lack of punishment for underage drinking on the Breckenridge ski trip shed light on changes in school discipline policy. Principal Alan Goodwin said he is now inclined to avoid punishment for out-of-school transgressions; punishment for students found under the influence in school have been reduced as well. The bRAVE incidents mark the first time the new policies have been applied for an in-school transgression.
Seven students caught at bRAVE, given modified zero tolerance punishment
The night began smoothly, but ninety minutes into the dance, administrators and security guards began finding intoxicated students. “There were a few students who had way too much to drink and couldn’t handle it and kept throwing up,” a sophomore girl said. “Obviously the administration and security noticed.” The seven students faced a reduced zero tolerance punishment: 20 hours of community service, a two-day in-school suspension and a 10-day suspension from extracurriculars. Additionally, they were banned from participating in or attending the next major school event: Talent Show. At least one student had planned to perform. Since it was all seven students’ first offense, Goodwin said, he decided on the lighter punishment. Although the full zero tolerance punishment is still an option, Goodwin said he plans to save it for more serious or repeat offenders.
16
Continued on page 8 and 9
Freshmen tennis powerhouses look to lead team to success
B
by anna marcus oys tennis is coming off their best season in years, going undefeated and winning the county championship. And though the team lost over half of the starting lineup, including state champion and first singles player Aries Wong, there will be no shortage of talent on the team this year as two star underclassmen look to take the courts by storm. This season, freshmen Andrew Leung and Liam Rotzoll will play two and three singles respectively for the team. Leung and Rotzoll, who are both ranked in the top 20 of the Mid-Atlantic for boys 14 and under by the United States Tennis Association, will look to lead the team in what will likely be an-
other stellar season. “I’m excited because I always have enjoyed playing singles more than doubles,” Leung said. “I like being the one out there fighting by myself and having the team cheer me on.” Though the freshmen may be small in stature, as Rotzoll weighs only 100 pounds and Leung weighs 118, they pack a big game that can handle players of any size. In the team’s scrimmage against Georgetown prep, Rotzoll faced an opponent who was over a foot taller than himself, but was able to handily defeat him 6-1, 7-5. “Whenever I play bigger opponents I try to hit the ball out of their comfort zone and make them move around the court,” Rotzoll said. Currently, Leung trains on average
Inside Look
three times a week at Four Star Tennis at Bullis. Rotzoll plays at the Junior Tennis Championship Center in College Park, typically five times per week. Their intense practice schedules have also helped develop their extremely consistent strokes. In addition to that consistency, the boys each have unique areas of their game where they’re especially strong. For Leung, his powerful forehand makes him hard to beat. For Rotzoll, it’s his speed. Despite the loss of many starters, coach Jasen Gohn believes that the team will be able to step it up and have another spotless season. The playing field should be leveled with the other competitive schools in the county who also graduated similarly strong senior classes, Gohn said.
Seniors bring umttr charity to Whitman
Perspectives on Greek Life from alums
Alums run Panama
Page 3
Page 6
page
hostel
11
“My expectations are the same as every season,” he said. “To be undefeated, and win the Division I Title.” The boys will face their first tough match of the season Wednesday, when they take on the Wootton Patriots away. Both freshmen are looking forward to the season and are ready and excited to face the pressure that goes with holding such important slots on the team. “I love the intensity and the feeling of winning a match,” Rotzoll said. Gohn is excited to have the boys be a part of the team not only for their tennis talent, but also for their likeable personalities. “[Andrew and Liam] are both super nice,” Gohn said. “It’s always nice to get good players, but it’s really great to get friendly, nice kids.”
Athletes to watch this spring
Alums balance sports and service at Naval Academy
Page 13
Page 14