The Highlander--Issue 8

Highlander

Volume 53, Issue 8

March 6, 2009

McLean High School; 1663 Davidson Road, McLean, VA 22101

Latin instructor declared ‘Teacher of the Year’ Science students Danny Jabbour Assistant Features Editor

The sole Latin teacher of McLean, Jim Bigger took home the “Teacher of the Year” award on Wednesday crediting his win to his 6 F’s.

“The key to being a successful World Language teacher are the 6 F’s,” Bigger said. “You should be friendly, flexible, fair, fun, firm and forgiving. I listen to my students most of the time, I hear their pleas, and cries and I come to school on Saturdays to offer students extra help.”

Bigger has been nominated for “Teacher of the Year” many times in the past and

thinks of the award as another way of recognizing teachers who probably won’t be recognized any other way.

“It’s an honor to first of all be nominated for “Teacher of the Year” and I also appreciate the support of the faculty for recognizing the World Language Department,” Bigger said.

Many of Bigger’s students were excited about his achievements. One student brought in a balloon for him as a congratulations.

“He deserved it, he’s a fantastic man, I love him,” senior Liz Sullivan said.

“You won’t understand the greatness of

Mr. Bigger until you have had him as a teacher.”

According to students, Bigger’s win was well deserved and some students were even expecting him to win.

“I’m not surprised that he won,” junior Ryan Lester said.

There were a total of three finalists this year: Biology and Oceanography teacher Claire Silva, English teacher Lewis Sinclair, and Bigger.

Silva has been teaching at McLean for about a year and a half and in Fairfax County for 10 years. When Silva found

continued on page 3

Rare March snow gives students a break from studies Ned Burchfiel Managing Editor

Sunday marked the first day of meteorological spring, but for the D.C. Metropolitan area, it felt more like the middle of January.

Periods of heavy snow on Monday morning brought five to seven inches of snow to the Fairfax area, tripling the seasonal total. This rare March storm was one of the most potent on record, and the largest since a February system in 2006, according to the “Capital Weather Gang” on washingtonpost.com.

The heavy snow meant a snow day for most counties, including Fairfax.

Junior Madeline Glista first learned about the snow forecast on Saturday, and trusted what the meteorologists were saying.

“I’m always optimistic,” she said. “I usually tend to trust the weather people.”

Meanwhile, sophomore Adam Darr “didn’t believe [the forecast] at all.” He did not hear about the forecast until Saturday night.

Snow filed into McLean by 5:20 p.m. Sunday afternoon, turning the ground white in about an hour. Lulls in the precipitation meant that the first inch did not accumulate until a few hours later, when the radar began to show steady precipitation.

Fairfax County Public Schools sided with Glista on the storm and issued an early closing notice by 8:45 p.m. Sunday night. About 24 hours later, administrators made the decision to delay Tuesday start times by two hours.

At the time of the early closing, most yards did not yet have an inch on the ground, and the radar looked disappointing. By 10 p.m., though, the storm looked ready to overspread the East Coast and disrupt travel the next day.

The coastal system headed towards Philadelphia overnight, bringing with it four additional inches by 8:00 a.m. Monday.

Lingering snow showers gave way to sunshine by afternoon, but the wind and cold alike helped keep secondary roads frozen.

When she saw the snow on Monday, Glista thought, “Wow, that’s really white.” She took the day easy, “relaxing and sledding with friends.”

Darr, meanwhile, spent Monday hard at work. He cleaned the snow off three cars and shoveled his driveway, though he hoped to go sledding as well. See the back page for a report on sled jumping and shots of the action.

The 5.6 inches measured at Reagan National Airport, according to the Capital Weather Gang, was the first major March snowstorm in nine years. Unless another storm man-

Inside

What’s really in the food you’re eating for lunch?

Find out on page 18.

compete at regionals Nikki Kaul Assistant Features Editor

Thanks to many long hours of hard work, multiple trials and regular meetings, several teams and individuals are going to Regionals in the Science Fair, and have received Honorable Mention in Toshiba Exploravision.

The Science Fair is an experimentation contest, which tests students’ ability to design and conduct an experiment. Toshiba Exploravision makes students research different current technology to innovate or voice their ideas for new technology. These projects are mandatory for honors and AP students, but optional for regular classes.

“We are going to regionals because we had a ton of data for our project,” sophomore Harry Siggins said. “We tested the chord frequencies of a piano and guitar.”

The group’s data spanned 20 pages of numbers and observations. “Along with our large amount of data, we took a lot of pictures, which I believe helped us a lot,” sophomore Nader Sobhani said. “Our project in general worked well with the rubric we were assigned.”

Honorable Mentions of the Toshiba Exploravision contest went to Automotive Hydroelectric Drive, Stackable Gardens, The Blood Powered Prosthetics System, The Cherry: Composition Through Shadow, The Personalized Doorbell, The Spherical Wheel, The Spotter, Thermal Energy Recycler, and Tsunami: Barrier.

“I’ve been doing Science Fair for 14 years now,” AP chemistry teacher Tom Pratuch said.

“The projects that tend to win and go to regionals tend to be the projects that students are personally vested in.”

For Science Fair, first place projects can go to regionals. This year, a new reward is being implemented for participants. Projects sent to regionals will receive $15 in prize money. Honorable Mention winners will be awarded $5.

The writer can be reached at nikkster1@ gmail.com.

New AP requirements possible next year Ryan Flamm Reporter

ages to follow, it will mark the end of an underperforming, but surprise-filled winter.

Glista doubts that next storm will come. After all, “The weather forecasters told us it would be the last snow of the season.”

The writer can be reached at sleet@ymail.com. photo by Mohammad Tavakoli

Homosexuality is one of the most controversial issues of the day. Learn how our generation is dealing with it on Dribble over to page pages 12 and 13.

23 for coverage of the Special Olympics basketball season.

Open to page 8 to read about the overflow of college junk mail.

It has been proposed that students who get into higher level classes, AP or Honors, by a waiver instead of a recommendation will be required to attend MHS Prep class.

Students would need to attend the program every Tuesday and Thursday where teachers from every subject help students. The program is a resource for students who are looking for help.

According to Social Studies teacher Robert Plunkett, the program is used to help students adjust to AP classes.

“We don’t want to put obstacles in your way,” Plunkett said. “We want you to succeed, you need to take advantage.”

The proposal is disagreeable to some.

“I don’t think they need it,” junior Martin Zavala said. “Highlander Time is enough.”

On the other hand, some students feel this policy would benefit the school and the students in it.

“It’s smart because it keeps the kids up with the class,” freshman Brien Comey said. “If they take a class too hard for them they could fail.”

According to Assistant Principal Christie Taylor, the proposal is subject to change and may not take effect.

“We don’t want people to fail when there are resources to help them,” Plunkett said.

The writer can be reached at rflamm@gmail. com

2

NEWS

Highlander

March 6, 2009

DECA prepares for competition Moises Cazal News Editor

photo by Nikki Kaul At last Monday’s Twilight Club meeting, a debate arose over which guy protagonist Bella Swan should choose in the novel, vampire Edward or werewolf Jacob, was passionate. Team Jacob was unofficially declared the winner.

‘Twilight’ lovers engage in heated debate Nikki Kaul Assistant Features Editor

“Jacob Black is a real man,” sophomore Chelsea Skinner shouts out as the Twilight debate commences.

“Well Edward is willing to sacrifice his soul for Bella,” junior Megan Jones yells back.

Last Monday, Team Jacob defeated Team Edward and Team Switzerland in the Twilight Club debate showdown that had been publicized by Twilight Club members.

Edward Cullen is the main romantic interest of Bella Swan in the Twilight series, and constantly struggles against Jacob Black. Both vie for Bella, but Edward emerges victorious.

The club’s members all debated with each other to see which male lead would be the better man for Bella. Club president and sophomore Farah Albani arrived with notes and comments at the ready.

The debate consisted of three teams. On Team Edward, was Albani, sophomores Maddie Lord, and Whitney Fritz and juniors Megan Jones and Ambar Atta. The main opposition was Team Jacob, which had sophomores Chelsea Skinner, Hannah Menchoff, Tina Boor, Umar Khan and senior Anisah Khan.

The smallest team at the debate was Team Switzerland, which had only one member, sophomore Nuha Naqvi. Librarian Carol Cuccia also attended, siding with Team Edward.

Team Jacob went first and voiced their arguments. All of the

Correction Box

members stood up and were eagerly stating their opinions.

Fiery words were shot across the room, spewing insults at Edward and Jacob alike. Both teams stood up, shouting at each other, while attempting to maintain their debate etiquette at the same time.

The members’ opinions on Twilight all differed, but most were centered on the plot setup of the novel.

“I liked the romantic conflict between the main characters and the action sequences as well,” Jones said.

The reasons why certain members were on Team Jacob, Edward or Switzerland included who was a better fit for Bella and who was a better character overall. Personality traits, character development, character chemistry, and how Edward and Jacob differed in their decisions in horrendous situations were just a few of the matters touched upon at the debate.

Menchoff was rooting for Jacob Black because he is the underdog. “He just fits so well with Bella,” she said. “They play off each other perfectly.”

By the middle of the debate, things were heating up. People were still yelling, groaning and laughing with each other.

Jones said the debate brought the club together. “It gave us [Twilight club] a sense of unity for a common topic.”

The debate finally ended vaguely. Albani assented that Team Jacob was the winner of the debate.

In the story “Unlicensed teens take over the road” in our January 16 issue, the reporter misquoted Lana Puljic. Puljic was never interviewed for this story. The Highlander apologizes for any harm that the story has caused. In order to maintain the paper’s high ethical standards, the reporter will no longer be writing for the Highlander.

Correction

In the January 16 issue, the article ‘Familiar faces step in to fill vacant positions”, Anne Labbe and Anne George were incorrectly referred to as a nurses.

Their correct titles are clinic room aides.

The writer can be reached at moisescazal@hotmail.com

The writer can be reached at nikkster1@gmail.com

Students with a passion for math create club Prianka Das Advertising Manager

Retraction

The Distributive Educational Clubs of America (DECA) organization is taking 34 students to compete at the state level in Norfolk next Friday through Saturday.

“This is the largest delegation we’ve taken,” Career and Technical Education department chair Debra Fargo said.

“We’re in a good position to do well.”

Students participating had to take online tests and some wrote in-depth 32-page manuals on businesses or marketing topics. Students like junior Angelica Michael hope to obtain experience from the trip.

“I’m trying to get a state secretary position and I wrote a manual about advertising on school buses for the competition,” Michael said. “If I win either I’ll be satisfied.”

Senior Sarah Kim looks forward to the competition.

“It’s my first time going so I want to experience everything Mrs. Fargo talked about,” Kim said.

There are four categories of competition and the students will participate in all of them. The first category is of individual students taking on roles and presenting hypothetical situations to judges. The second involves a two person team putting on more complex role-playing.

The third category includes students writing 30-page manuals on topics related to marketing or business. Lastly, the fourth category comprises of a team of four people competing in a “Quiz Bowl” where students answer trivia questions.

To prepare, students “look at examples from the past, study, do role playing, and review vocab.,” Fargo said. Also, former students and DECA members who previously won nationals come to instruct the current participants.

“Our mentorship committee helps the students understand it better,” Fargo said. “It’s better when someone you can relate to teaches you.”

Since 13 more DECA members made it to states than last year, more students have a chance to go to nationals.

Over 10 students made it to nationals last year. Students and Fargo agree they will also have fun while representing McLean.

“We get to have fun too, but we have to keep the professionalism,” Michael said.

Senior MMC member Zoon Tariq said, “Math Club’s legit. Mu Alpha Theta is only for upperclassmen—math club is available to evStudents breathed new life into mathematics this year by creating eryone.” Although MMC is open to all students, it is recommended for students to be in Pre-Calculus or in a higher level math course. the McLean Math Club (MMC), a club for those who love math.

Tariq won the T-shirt design contest held by MMC to craft a cre“There had been effort before to establish similar groups of students for external competition, but failed eventually [due to] ative T-shirt that members can wear when going for competitions low participation. Now, MMC is reviving long gone tradition,” with other high schools at universities across the nation. The T-shirt reads, “MHS Math Club” in said president, junior math symbols, while the back Edward Kim. The club Senior McLean Math Club Member Zoon Tariq won the T-shirt has a right angle triangle and is sponsored by teacher design contest held by MMC .The purpose of the contest was to reads, “Because we’re always Michael Farmar. right.”

The creation of their craft a creative T-shirt for members to wear at competitions with Tariq said, “We went to new web site shows the other high schools at universities across the nation. competition at G[eorge] club’s effort to organize W[ashington] U[niversity] and maintain itself, and [John] Hopkins. We also and inform students had meetings to prepare for who have a passion for the AMC.” mathematics. Junior The club is preparing for Ben Paris is the current a booming start. They’ve had web page manager. successes even in the earliest It is often hard to stages of their beginnings. “So distinguish between all far, we have participated in of the school’s math George Washington Colonial teams. Students taking Math Bowl and Johns Hopmath classes are familkins competition. Fortunateiar with Junior Varsity Math Team and Varsity Math Team, where kids go for individual and ly, one of our members, Kidai Kwon, won the round at GW,” junior team math competitions (usually 5 to 6 problems) for extra credit or Edward Kim said. With the making of their new web site and the start simply for fun. As explained in their web site, MMC is different from of some great achievements, MMC charges forward to show Mclean the Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society in that “it competes with that it has potential to swell to a promising future.

The writer can be reached at students from outside McLean High School while [Mu Alpha Theta] priankadas91@yahoo.com competes internally and tutors remedial students.”

March 6, 2009

NEWS

photo by Danny Jabbour

Performing Arts dreams big with Grease and Aida The Performing Arts department is revisiting a monumental decade in music history for their upcoming production in an effort to draw more people to come and watch.

The popular musical “Grease” will be performed this year and is expected to be a hit among students of McLean and the rest of the community.

Denise Perrino, the head of the drama department, is excited about the decision to perform “Grease.”

The musical was not chosen solely on its appeal to the students. The drama department has been invited to perform at the American High School Theatre Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland. The Festival is part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

This production will be the theatre department’s third and final production of the year, but they’re not the only ones putting on a popular show.

The choral department is performing “Aida,” a rock musical based on the music of Elton John.

The two well-known musicals will be performed around the same time and it may be difficult for both drama students and chorus students to participate in both. Senior

3

Award for Bigger, better, best Latin teacher Jim Bigger is loved by nearly all his students. His unusual teaching methods, according to students, make Latin fun and entertaining.

Alison Shapiro Editorials Editor

Highlander

Charlie Cook says there is some disgruntlement between chorus and theatre.

“A majority of people are in both chorus and theatre, so they have to choose between either one and there is the likelihood that one teacher will get upset,” Cook said.

Perrino agrees that there are many students who participate in both chorus and drama, but insists that the two productions are not meant for students to choose between either one. Perrino knows many students that are auditioning and planning to perform in both “Grease” and “Aida.”

Senior Jackson Langevoort is auditioning for both productions, but is not concerned about handling both, due to the regulations set forth by the performing arts department.

“The rule is, you can’t have a major role in both,” Langevoort said. Langevoort has a cameo role in “Grease” and is auditioning for another role in “Aida.”

Langevoort agrees that due to the popularity of “Grease,” many students will enjoy the play. Both “Aida” and “Grease” have just begun casting and rehearsals; they are expected to be performed in Spring.

The writer can be reached at alison519@gmail.com

continued from page 1 out that she was nominated for teacher of the year, she was shocked.

“I was surprised and very humbled to be nominated,” Silva said. “I’ve only been working here for about a year and a half and I didn’t think anyone knew who I was.”

Mathematics teacher Michael Farmar is the Faculty Advisory Chair (FAC) and is responsible for organizing the process for the teacher of the year. Farmar first sends out e-mails to McLean staff members for nominations, but each nominator must give a reason as to why they nominated their teacher. All McLean staff members are allowed to nominate one teacher.

After that is done, Farmar accumulates the nominees; there were a total of ten this year. He then contacts the nominees and asks them if they are comfortable with being nominated. When the nominees are set in stone, he sends out another e-mail with a list of the nominees, each staff member can only select one nominee. When the re-

sults are in, Farmar then calculates the top three candidates and he finally sends out the final ballot. There are a couple guidelines in the process for teacher of the year.

First of all, the nominees cannot be past winners and must have worked in Fairfax County for at least three years.

Last year’s winner of the “Teacher of the Year” award, Ghislaine Tulou, is very impressed with her colleagues for all the dedication to their careers, and expressed how lucky McLean students truly are.

“The students at McLean are so fortunate to have such strong and inspiring teachers,” said Tulou. “I am constantly amazed by their breadth of knowledge, their mastery of their subject, their commitment to students and to teaching.

There are so many faculty members who should be recognized.”

The writer can be reached at djabbour80@gmail.com

For Editor in Chief Talia Roth’s views on teacher of the year see page seven.

Multicultural Night tonight Charlie Park Assistant News Editor

and a fashion show starring international clothing models. “We also have magic This evening, the International Culture shows, dances, and singing performances United (ICU) Club will hold Multicultur- in foreign languages,” Koo said.

The Multicultural Night is usually a big al Night in the cafeteria from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Admission is six dollars, or bringing success, according to Koo. “As many parents participated and food enough for six people.

“It is an evening in which we hope the helped us, students participated in it as well,” Koo said. “Many whole McLean comof the participants bring munity will particitheir friends or people pate,” ICU sponsor FACTS TO GO they know, and some even Dr. Alba Ben-Barka come from other schools. said. “It’s a potluck -What:Multicultural There are usually many dinner. There will be people enough to fill the a medley of food and Night whole cafeteria.” entertainments from -Where: MHS cafeteDespite the continudifferent countries.” ria ous successes of the event, Created in 1990 -When: March 6 from Ben-Barka said that not

by Ben-Barka, the 6. p.m. to 9 p.m. many American students Multicultural Night participate in Multiculbegan as an event to tural Night. bring together people “The participants are roughly 90 perfrom other cultures.

“The whole idea is to celebrate the di- cent of international attendees and 10 perversity,” said Ben-Barka. “The goal of the cent of Americans,” Ben-Barka said. “For event is for people to get introduced and years and years, I tried to make the Multiexposed to different cultures, and to enjoy cultural Night all inclusive because that is and appreciate the differences among these the idea behind it; it cannot be an international event if not all the nationalities are cultures.”

The shows at the Multicultural Night included. That’s the bottom line; we are are performed by the groups both in and all members of the same race - the human out of the MHS campus. According to the race. I would like to invite everybody to ICU president Aileen Koo, specific events come. Come in and enjoy!” that will take place in this year’s MultiThe writer can be reached at cultural Night include the performances sircharliepark@yahoo.com

by Step Team, Hispanic-cultural dances,

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4

NEWS

Highlander

Briefly 9 students named AMC winners Nine McLean upperclassmen scored a 95+ on the rigorous American Mathematic Competition (AMC) 12 exam, qualifying for the next round.

William Burleson, Young Joon Cho, Doug Henderson, Edward Kim, Kidai Kwon, Yong Joon Kwon, Victor Nguyen, Hyun Woo Paik, and Athreya Tata have all been named AMC winners.

The 25-question, 75-minute entrance exam was no breeze, according to junior Doug Henderson.

“My results were very surprising.

The test was much harder than I thought it would be,” Henderson said.

“I could only answer about 75 percent of the questions.”

Nevertheless, Henderson and the others will advance to the second and final round of the competition, the American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME), on Tuesday, March 17. Both tests will determine qualification for the United States of America Mathematical Olympiad (USAMO).

-Shefali Hegde

Broadcast to attend convention

Ten students in Broadcast Journalism will be attending the 2009 Student Television Network Convention in Orlando, FL. The trip will take place from March 18 through March 21 and will provide many opportunities for students.

At the convention, students will be able to enter several of the 17 onsite competitions including making a documentary, anchoring, music video, and editing. Students will also receive hands-on training and hear from veteran news anchors John Roberts (CNN) and Bob Woodruff (ABC).

On Friday night, students will attend a Film Festival and Music Video Showcase in which awards will be given for best picture, best director, original screenplay, cinematography, editing, and original score.

-Ryan Flamm

Capitol Steps performance returns It’s as much fun to satirize politics as it is important to follow them. At least, that seems to be the belief of the Capitol Steps, the group of performers who travel around the country making fun the nation’s leaders. The Capitol Steps will once again perform at McLean, this year on March 15, as a fundraiser for the All Night Grad Party.

“You have to know what’s going on in the news to enjoy it,” event organizer Stefanie Schoepfle said.

According to Schoepfle, any proceeds from the sale of tickets, which are $35, go to fund transportation, food, and other costs of the post-graduation party at Dave & Busters.

Though parents and other community members are the usual attendees of the event, it is open to students as well. “If you have any interest, it’s really funny,” Schoepfle said. The performance will begin at 7 p.m. and tickets are sold beforehand and at the door.

-Devan Kerley

March 6, 2009

Students show off abilities during Senior Talent Show tryouts courtesy of Kyle Pacque.

Additionally, judges witnessed the guitarist-singing pair of Nicole Becher and Peter Amaral, and a humorous scripted dialogue between Rakesh Guha and Matt Parent.

Many bands hoped to use the talent show to gain visibility among their peers. Freshman Nadeem Bohsali, whose band “Break the Floor” also auditioned on Thursday, had struggled to find places to play.

“We haven’t had a gig in a while.

It’s been mostly parties at friends’ houses,” Bohsali said. “The talent show would give us the opportunity to get attention from not just our friends, but the whole school.”

Pure love for music also served as a prime motivator for auditionphoto by Shefali Hegde ing. “It’s slightly nerve-wracking, but mostly exciting,” freshman and History teacher Robert Plunkett and senior Kate Waters judge the Senior Talent Show tryouts last fellow band-member Charlie Zheng Feb. 24 to Feb. 26. Acts included beatboxing, stepping, and street dancing. said. “And I love to perform.” That success, or athletic strength,” sophomore fact was made evident when, chanShefali Hegde Mathew Samuel said. “I like this show be- neling the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Zheng Assistant News Editor The opening chords of Jeff Buckley’s cause it showcases and praises other gifts kids lifted his guitar over his head and began manically strumming, all the while belting “Hallelujah” rebounded quietly around the have.”

Vying for a spot in the April talent show out lyrics to “Dani California.” walls of the cafeteria, as freshman David Empty Chair, composed of juniors Nick Ha soulfully crooned the words: Love is not line-up, students from all grades performed a victory march. It’s a cold and it’s a broken three minutes pieces for the judges: seniors Tobat, Zach Johnson and Tom Hall, is anMalaika Pacque, Kate Waters, Scott Rich- other band contending for a time-slot on Hallelujah.

Ha’s performance was one of many at last ardson and senior sponsor Robert Plunkett. the big night. Though the group has been On the last day of auditions, more than together since the members were in middle week’s Senior Talent Show tryouts, which spanned three full evenings from Feb. 24 to ten different groups tried out. It was a school, this is the first time they auditioned Feb. 26. The Talent Show has always been vast array of instrumental, vocal and even for the Talent Show. “We just wanted to rock hard and have fun,” Tobat said. popular at McLean, selling out in past years. theatrical performances.

Some of these included a hip-hop The Senior Talent Show is less than a Many students enjoy the talent show because it is a medium for abilities not typically influenced beatboxing duo, a highly month away, on Thursday, April 2. percussive choreography from members of This reporter can be reached at exhibited in a learning environment. shefali_hegde@hotmail.com “School is usually strictly about academic the Step Team and a freestyle street dance

McLeadership begins the process of choosing new Big Macs Holly Bentacourt In-Depth Editor

sion process. They will look at grades, attendance and activities of each student. AcOrganizing a program cording to Shetterly, this infor at least 400 people formation proves that a Big is always a challenge. So Mac “needs to be someone this week, the steering who is very dedicated.” committee, staff members Next year’s 12 executive who oversee executive mentors have been chosen mentors, met to finalize and will be running the the nomination process meeting next week in the aufor next year’s McLeadditorium. Grace Choi, one of ers. next year’s executive mentors “The nomination prowas approached by Shetterly cess, just like McLeaderand told she was nominated ship, is an ongoing prophoto by Mohammad Tavakoli and given an application to cess,” Coordinator of the fill out. “We were given yelMcLeadership program The McLeadership steering committee, made up of staff members, discuss low slips of paper to come and member of the steer- possible changes to the program. The nomination process for Big Mac is to the Principal’s conference ing committee Joan Shet- starting this week. room where we were told terly said.

The beginning of the nomination process started this week when that we were going to be next years’ executive mentors,” Choi said. teachers were sent recommendation sheets to nominate four to five Shetterly hopes that by mid-April all Big Macs will be chosen.

Other aspects of the McLeadership program will stay the same students yesterday.

Next Thursday there will be an informational meeting for all fu- such as the sessions with trainer Deb Holt during Highlander Time ture juniors and seniors interested in becoming Big Macs. Juniors and the process of matching up freshmen with their Big Macs.

“We had computer assistance from a program a few of Ms. who are Big Macs this year will not need to attend the meeting, but Wright’s students made last year,” Shetterly said. they must fill out an application.

This was the first year of McLeadership in which all freshmen “Any interested parties can come down to the auditorium. We will be telling potential Big Macs what is required of them,” Shetterly were included in the program. Shetterly thought it turned out well.

“Overall we are very happy with the first year of the program. said. At the end of the meeting potential Big Macs will be given apThere is no question, it has areas that need to grow. We are considerplications if they are still interested.

Names of interested Big Macs will be crosschecked with the names ing all the ideas that have been given to us.”

Shetterly feels positive about the program and the success of their given on the list by teachers. But, even if a student’s name was not first year. recommended by a teacher they are still able to apply.

“In general Big Macs have been responsible and freshmen have On their application, the student, “must get the signatures of a few teachers. That will give validity. Those already recommended will been responsive,” Shetterly said. “We are exceptionally grateful to our get an extra bonus. Students really interested in becoming a Big Mac executives who have done an outstanding job of leading this initial can get a head start and ask a faculty member to recommend them,” year of the program.”

This reporter can be reached at Shetterly said. hob181@gmail.com Faculty members, and this years’ executives will help in the deci-

NEWS

Blast from the past: Project Enlightenment Cammie Meade Assistant In-Depth Editor

“You really feel like a celebrity out there,” Senior Jill Crampton said about being a tour guide at Mount Vernon.

Crampton is part of Project Enlightenment, a club founded by physics teacher Dean Howarth and two other teachers in the early 1990’s. The major event of the year for the club is a three day event at Mount Vernon, during which club members give tours.

In Project Enlightenment, participants must do research about the colonial time period, find a person to portray, and learn every possible fact about that person.

“A lot of it is your typical research, but aimed at being able to re-teach the information,” Howarth said. “It is much more authentic [than schoolwork] and allows students to have ownership of what they’re doing.”

Howarth believes that the project introduces students to a different type of learning.

“Projects like this that rely on intrinsic creativity are the kinds of things that make a school and a student body stand out and gives students a lesson that lasts a lifetime, not just until the next test,” Howarth said.

Besides the Mount Vernon trip on Memorial Day weekend, the club staffs open houses at museums in Alexandria such as Gatsby’s Tavern, and does guest speaking at local elementary schools.

The students deal with a variety of people at Mount Vernon as they guide tours and share information that they have researched all year. Senior Jill Crampton is in her second year with

Project Enlightenment, and participated in the event at Mount Vernon last year.

“The Rolling Thunder actually comes through Mount Vernon and they are some of the nicest people we meet,” Crampton said.

However, occasionally the students will encounter some visitors who are not as kind. “Last year, some kids ran into a woman who thought she knew

dents every year to participate. This year there are around 60 participants, not including the Armonia choir who performs alongside the others.

Most participants are juniors and seniors because they have taken more history, including American history in 11th grade.

Still, Howarth has never had a problem recruiting enough volunteers to staff the various events.

“It’s mostly driven by student interest,” Howarth said.

Projects like this that rely on “We have very little recruiting to do, intrinsic creativity are the kinds of because year in and things that make a school and a stuyear out it is a very dent body stand out, and give stupopular program.” dents lessons that last a lifetime.

Junior Joon Kwon Dean Howarth has also just joined Project Enlightenment Sponsor the club this year, and has already been involved in a couple events. “[I joined] because I thought everything,” Crampton said. “She it would be fun and educational; fun started cursing them out and saying because Mr. Howarth is funny and that their characters were not impor- educational, because you are learning tant.” about new characters from an old age,” Just recently, a group of the Proj- Kwon said. ect Enlightenment members went to After running the club for fifteen Spring Hill Elementary School to help years, Howarth has dealt with many out on colonial day. Senior Tenzin different students and situations. “One Khando was one of the McLean stu- of the things I am most proud about, dents who went to Spring Hill. every single year we have alumni on “We were presenting directly to the college break who come back and say students,” Khando said. “We each had it was the most memorable experience stations where we taught different sub- of high school,” Howarth said. jects, we were focused on electricity.”

This writer can be reached at Since its foundation, the club has csmbballgirl@comcast.net been attracting a wide variety of stu-

“

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Highlander

WHO’S WHO IN PROJECT ENLIGHTENMENT? Match each description with a name!

A. James Madison B. Thomas Jefferson C. Benjamin Latrobe D. Abigail Adams E. Judith Sargent Murray 1. Junior Abby Dean is playing the role of the wife of the 4th president.

2. Junior Doug Henderson is playing the role of a British architect who designed the Capitol building in Washington D.C. 3. Junior Chelsea Strelser is playing the role of one of America’s first advocates for women’s rights and called for the equality of the sexes.

4. Junior Josh Boehm is playing the role of America’s fourth president.

5. Junior Victor Cary is playing the role of the third president of the United States.

1. D, 2. C, 3. E, 4. A, 5. B

March 6, 2009

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NEWS

Highlander

March 6, 2009

Is your personal information becoming Facebook’s property?

THE OFFENSE

Chris Herron-Venancio Reporter

HACKERS Last week, at least five virus attacks occurred on Facebook. Experts say that it has become a breeding ground for cyber criminals.

PROTECT YOURSELF -Run antivirus software -Reset your password -Avoid suspicious

links -Log-in at the real home page Information from www.examiner.com

Facebook sparked a controversy after an attempted change of its Terms of Use. It was changed so Facebook owned all user information and had unrestricted use of that information, even if the account was closed.

Users of Facebook claimed that the new policy was a violation of their rights.

“They don’t have the right to take our identity away,” junior David Nguyen said.

After the change, users became angry and Facebook quickly returned to its old policy. However, the incident revealed some concerns with social networking sites in general.

One concern was that, since Facebook owned all of its users’ information, they could sell this information to third parties without the person’s consent, even if these people deleted their account. One member, Julius Harper Jr., formed a Facebook group called “People Against the New Terms of Service” which

reached up to 88,000 members. The group expressed several problems with the policy change, including worry that Facebook could be bought by another corporation with less honorable intentions than Mark Zuckerberg and his team.

After the second change, which was a return to the previous Terms of Use, all users saw a message running across the top of the homepage saying “Over the past few days, we have received a lot of feedback about the new terms we posted two weeks ago. Because of this response, we have decided to return to our previous Terms of Use while we resolve the issues that people have raised.”

Facebook also retracted its change because the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC), an advocacy group based in Washington D.C., threatened to file a formal complaint to the Federal Trade Commission.

Facebook is currently writing

two more documents to go along with their Terms of Use and privacy policy. The first will be the Facebook Principles, which will explain why Facebook would consider any new policies or not consider others. It would also define the users’ rights. The second document will be the Statement of Rights and Responsibilities, which will replace the current Terms of Use. Facebook created two separate groups for each document so that members can read it over. The networking site has also taken a new approach by allowing users to either vote for or against these new documents.

But Facebook announced that if they decide to add any new features, they would not seek user approval, but would make sure it followed the guidelines set up by the Facebook Principles.

The writer can be reached at chrisherron1@yahoo.com

From the Facebook Terms of Use, later removed:

“By posting User Content to any part of the site, you automatically grant to the company an irrevocable, perpetual, non-exclusive, transferable, fully paid, worldwide license to use, copy, publicly perform, publicly display, reformat, translate, excerpt (in whole or in part) and distribute such user content for any purpose, commercial, advertising, or otherwise.“

graphic by Cammie Meade

March 6, 2009

Gifted, talented, and the rest of you Shefali Hegde Assistant News Editor

Challenging young students with advanced academics is certainly a commendable goal. However, when the challenge comes at the price of hording standardized tests on children, branding second-graders as either “gifted” or “average”, and preempting enormous learning gaps and psychological damage, a reform is needed. I am referring, of course, to Gifted and Talented (GT) Education programs.

After the Cold War, gifted education spread like wildfire among American schools. Slickly disguising itself under such terms as “homogenous grouping styles” and “individualized education”, it weeded out those with particularly high IQs or those who demonstrated academic excellence.

Today, Fairfax County Public Schools houses one of the biggest GT programs in the country, according to Carol Horn, the Coordinator for Advanced Academic Programs at Fairfax County Public Schools.

First of all, the entire GT program is based on the simple concept of genes over hard work. Until 1993, Fairfax County based admittance into the program on a single test score. Thankfully, in 2003 that criteria expanded into multiple factors, including teacher recommendations and parent questionnaires, but the program is just as dependent on quantifying intelligence as ever.

The official “GT Screening Sheet” for second-graders contains index scores for eight different tests: Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT), Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (NNAT), Otis-Lennon School Ability Test (OLSAT), the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale, Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC IV), Cognitive Assessment System (CAS), and the Kaufman Assessment Battery.

A child’s “Verbal Comprehension, Perceptual Reasoning, Working Memory, and Processing Speed” is also neatly summed up in a three digit number. On the bottom of the screening sheet are two check-boxes: Eligible or Ineligible.

The placement of that check can determine a student’s future: their

friends, self-confidence, social skills, even their school (third-graders in the area are all sent to Haycock Elementary if their scores are high enough). Sophomore Alec Werner can recall the process. “Many of my close friends had to leave halfway through elementary school. I never talked to them again.”

It had always been my impression that it was the school’s duty to foster intelligence, creativity, and hard work in students, especially those that do not naturally exhibit those tendencies.

But as they currently are, Gifted and Talented programs favor students with micromanaging parents, those who are ready to open the wallet for tutoring services or those who have enough free time to fill out appeals.

Students with a real interest in new challenges and learning, but who perhaps do not reflect their passion in test scores, get shunted into the “regular” classes, taught gradelevel work, and start to develop an inferiority complex. “They made the rest of us feel kind of dumb, or unworthy of these extra resources and special programs.” Werner said.

By systematically estranging the “gifted” kids, we are left with groups of underachievers with no positive role models. School specialists have been trying to diagnose Northern Virginia’s achievement gap for years.

Well, GT is a primary cause. After all, which students would want to challenge themselves later on in life, if there is clear evidence from grade school that they cannot handle it?

Fairfax County should reform their gifted education system by making it less about numbers and more about creativity, diligence, and effort. To do this, it is necessary to cut back on the government-mandated tests and have more classroom assessments. Further, the gifted programs should not be a total division, but rather subtle changes in a child’s learning environment, so as not to propagate unnecessary stigma.

EDITORIALS

Highlander

7

Don’t touch your iTouch Bryan Kress Assistant Features Editor

Students have always found a way to not pay attention in class, whether it’s by texting friends or playing games on a calculator. However, these old methods have been replaced by Apple’s iTouch.

The new device allows a person to download applications, along with a music player and wireless internet.

While these applications can be useful at home, they are aggravating in school. Does a student really need to play with their Zippo Lighter application while learning about analytical essays? Is it worth it to receive a bad grade just so you can get a new high score on Word Warp?

Applications can be helpful outside of school but serve almost no purpose in school other than providing students with a distraction from class work.

The only scholastic use the iTouch has is access to the Internet. With the Internet in the palm of their hands, students can easily use an internet translator in their language class or look up information on Wikipedia.

While this breaks school rules, it also puts students without an iTouch at a disadvantage. Without constant access to the Internet, students are not able to work as fast as those with the aid of search engines.

The growing use of the iTouch also brings up an interesting question: can’t students wait until they get home to go on their own computers? Facebook and e-mail applications are completely worthless, yet students feel the need to check them every ten minutes. In the seven hours that we’re in school, not much will change on a person’s Facebook page.

Since these applications could easily be used at home, they only serve the purpose of wasting time and attention in the middle of class. Users need to have some self-control and wait to check their e-mail and Facebook notifications until they get home.

The iTouch has 15,000 applications, but there are only five or so that actually serve a good purpose. Students load up their iTouch with a bunch of pointless applications when they could use the money for something more important.

One of the worst applications is called “I Am Rich.” It costs one-thousand dollars and adds only a small icon on the screen so people can brag to others about their money.

The iTouch serves no purpose in school and will distract students from their schoolwork. Everything on the iTouch can easily be accessed at your home. So please, keep it there.

The writer can be reached at bkress1992@gmail.com photo illustration by Bryan Kress

The writer can be reached at shefali_hegde@hotmail.com

Students silenced for “Teacher of the Year” Talia Roth Editor-In-Chief

It’s the students that are getting taught by these teachers. It’s the students that see them everyday, that are able to see their strengths and their weaknesses as educators. Yet, it’s the teachers that get to vote on McLean’s “Teacher of the Year.”

Every year teachers are asked to vote for their “Teacher of the Year.” Michael Farmar, the Faculty Advisory Chair, sends out a mass email, asking staff members to nominate one person and explain why they should be nominated. Next, Farmar, also a math teacher, asks teachers if they are OK with their nomination. Sending out another email with a ballot of all nominees, Farmar asks each staff member to vote only for one of the nominees. From the votes, Farmar consolidates the list to three finalists and asks the teachers to vote once more.

From this final vote, the “Teacher of the Year” is chosen.

This may seem completely democratic, it may seem totally fair, but there is one major glitch. None of the voters

were taught by any of the teachers.

Students are not in any way involved in the process.

Seniors get to choose their own “Teacher of the Year” at the end of the year, but freshman, sophomores and art by John Park and photo illustration by Mohammad Tavakoli juniors’ opinions go unrecognized. teacher.

The award is for McLean’s “Teacher of the Year”, if they Other teachers often don’t see what goes on behind the want only teachers to vote, they should call it the “Teachers’ scenes of a teacher-student relationship. They don’t sit in Teacher of the Year,” like they call the seniors’. I’m not say- other teacher’s classes everyday, they don’t see what really ing teachers don’t know who the best teachers are, after all, goes on. they are the professionals. They are trained to know what’s This doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be able to vote, it just good and what’s not. But, sometimes the best teacher isn’t means that students should get to vote too. These teacher’s the one whose students all pass the AP test. Sometimes the students, not other teachers, are the best judge of a teacher. best teacher isn’t the one who organizes lesson after lesson to hammer the information into a students’ heads.

The writer can be reached at talia.roth@hotmail.com Students might want to recognize a teacher who asked them what was wrong when they were having a bad day.

Students might think that a teacher who stays after to help them really understand the information in a new way rather than having them look things up on the Internet is the better

8

EDITORIALS

Highlander

March 6, 2009

Time to get rid of course requirements nc

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for example, has a few standard requirements that kids can knock off by their sophomore year. Other schools, like Hamilton College in New York, don’t even have a core curriculum. These schools don’t graduate unbalanced, unprepared slackers; rather, they respect the individual interests and needs of students and assume they’ll make the right decisions in college.

Core classes aren’t just a strange idea in theory; they can also impede students’ progress in education. Students who relocate to Fairfax County may have to retake a subject they’ve already studied in, but didn’t quite match the standards or testing requirements of FCPS. If it weren’t for the requirements, they could take the next-level class in its place or pursue an additional subject.

ESOL students might have trouble meeting some of the English t g requirements, even if they’re brilliant in another language. Given that every student in this building has unique needs and abilities, a standard core curriculum can inforgraphic by Ned Burchfiel be an impediment for some and problematic for others.

Our high-ranked student body guessed it. The core classes make for effective test prepara- deserves the freedom of choice and administrative respect tion, but the more math and English requirements students that many college students already receive. If Fairfax County rack up, the less opportunities they have to pursue interests waived the 17 ‘core’ classes and trusted students to make the beyond the ‘core.’ best educational decisions for them, we could have a more Perhaps Fairfax County and Virginia could take a hint motivated, engaged and passionate year as a result. from colleges’ approach to core requirements. Middlebury, The writer can be reached at sleet@ymail.com

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So, you’re planning to graduate from McLean. Four years of English? Check. Three years of lab science?

Check. Four years of history or social studies? Check. Three years of math? Check. A performing or fine arts elective? Check. Two years of PE? Check.

Going to college isn’t a matter of aptitude or brilliant talent; it’s all about filling in the boxes.

Our school may “value and respect the diversity of our school community,” according to its website, but the same 17 course requirements are imposed on thousands of students here. Whether you’re a band freak, science geek, theology buff, history nut or none of the above, Fairfax County expects you to take the same seventeen course types as your peers. Sure, there are electives, but it’s hard to fit your interests and passions into a schedule that already includes four or five class requirements.

Now, I’m not saying that students should be free to take seven T.A. classes, or that English and Science aren’t important for future success. Rather, I have an issue with imposing specific requirements on kids mature and motivated enough to pick their own classes. By the time high school rolls around, students should know that English is an important class to take, and that seven electives may not be the key to a better future. The county and the state, however, see things differently.

Maybe there’s a deeper motive to the requirements. Nearly all of the requirements involve reading, writing and math.

What are three components to the PSAT and SAT? You

ie

Kenneth Burchfiel Managing Editor

Most McLean students will have G to amass 17 requirements to graduate. Can you find them all?

Junk mail overflows in mailboxes Asli Uyanik Reporter

When rushing to print out my homework from my e-mail five minutes before my class starts, I have the added hassle of having to search through 23 useless e-mails from various colleges.

After the PSAT scores have been announced, it is common for students to receive e-mails and letters from colleges. Although it may seem like a good thing that these colleges have taken the time to send you an e-mail, it’s really only frustrating and meaningless.

The purpose of these e-mails is generally to inform students about the college and their options, but the majority of the e-mails have no information

about the college and why you should apply which make them ineffective in recruiting new applicants.

Many of these e-mails start with the same old headline: “(insert name here), we’ve noticed you!” If you proceed to open the e-mail, inside you will generally find quizzes that promise they can help the undecided teenager find the major that’s right for him or her. Scrolling down, it’s obvious that the colleges really have no information about your academic career and are not interested in accepting you into their college.

Laura Baker, a sophomore at McLean said, “I don’t think that the letters have anything to do with students. It’s just for the money.” Many colleges send these letters with their upbeat and promising headlines in order to receive the overly priced application

fee of $65 from unsuspecting and naïve students.”

However, there is a benefit to all this college junk mail. Some colleges send the letters to let students know that they are out there so they won’t be overlooked, especially if they are in an obscure location or have an unknown name.

Katie Capp, a sophomore at McLean, said “I think it’s nice to know what’s out there because a lot of times I wouldn’t know these colleges existed if they didn’t contact me. It just lets me know my options.”

It’s true that a lot of colleges that have contacted me so far are mostly schools I have never heard of. The schools don’t generally fit what I’m looking for because they are generally in an obscure location or are not centered on the major that I want, but it still lets me know all my options so I can make an informed decision.

For the majority of students, these letters only take up space and are a pain to lug to the trash can. When you take the PSATs there is the option of not giving the colleges your information, but most students are afraid because they think it will discourage colleges from noticing them.

However, instead of wasting paper and clogging up your inbox, there are different ways that colleges can reach out to students. For instance, the school can host a college fair where you can personally meet the admission officers and learn what the college offers. Also, colleges offer tours where you can get a feel for its atmosphere.

The writer can be reached at simka115@hotmail.com art by John Park

Senioritis Last issue we asked students what they thought about senioritis. Is it a problem that needs to be stopped, or a 12th grade tradition that deserves more respect? Here is one of your responses.

“To expect a person who has spent four years of their life working as hard as they can to get into college to not slack off once they have achieved that goal is ludicrous. We’ve worked long enough and deserve a break.“

~Senior, Maggie Crawford

“sufferer of senioritis since age thirteen”

Letter to the Editor As the College Career Center Specialist at McLean High School for the past 15 years, I am always happy to have the Center highlighted to the student body and the community as a resource for planning both college and career paths. However, I would like to point out that I did not say “. . . the College Career Center is one alternative available for students to get advice on the college admissions process.” The Center is in partnership with school counselors to provide resources and advice for all students. It is the resource center for all college programs and materials, online and in print, as well as scholarships and financial aid, summer programs, jobs, military and career information.

Students cannot go through McLean High School nor apply to college without the help of the school counselors. From academic advising to writing college recommendations, along with social and personal counseling, school counselors are an integral and vital part in the lives of our students.

Through grade level units for all students, individual and small group meetings, school counselors and the College Career Center support all students.

~Career center specialist, Isobel Rahn

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Highlander

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EDITORIALS

Highlander

March 6, 2009

Will we really need more SLEEP?!!! SLEEP wants a later wake-up call Henry Kuhl Reporter

I t ’ s 6:15 a.m. and my a l a r m clock is going off. I get out of bed and start my morning routine, and before I know it the clock hits 7:20 and I’m walking into first period. Soon, I am at lunch, and before I know it the bell rings and school is over. But the day is still young. There is still time to have fun and get my work done. This is a great schedule. However, it is all subject to change.

SLEEP, Start Later for Excellence in Education Proposal, is a group of parents pushing for the start times to be changed in Fairfax County Public Schools. They believe that getting more sleep is going to benefit students’ health.

A typical day at McLean would begin at 8:45 and end at 3:35. At Longfellow Middle School, the day would begin at 9:40 and end at 4:30. This is utterly ridiculous. These parents who are running SLEEP are displaying inconsiderate views of the average American, who has a job that they need to arrive at by a reasonable time. Now there are a lot of stay at home moms in Fairfax County, but there are

also many households where both parents work full time, and those households would likely not be able to accommodate these new hours.

The teachers, who have long commutes, have not been taken into consider-

to their jobs, and their hours can be affected.” It has always been a great thing that students are able to work for their own money. If they aren’t even getting out of school until 3:35, I don’t see how they would ever be able

Cross ation. “Whenever we have a delay, the traffic is terrible, and that’s what it would be like every day,” English teacher Tara Dwyer said.

Dwyer lives in Oakton, but there are teachers who live even further out, and the traffic would be unbearable.

Yet another thing to consider is extracurricular activities and sports. Everything would be pushed back by an hour and 20 minutes.

Track, for example, would end at almost 7 p.m. instead of the current 5:30 p.m.

Some sports, like swimming, wouldn’t even be able to practice at all.

Students will also face trouble holding a part-time job. History teacher Lonnie Bickel said students “will have a harder time getting

Twenty percent of students fall asleep in their first period class. Dark under-eye circles and a disheveled mind are not uncommon attributes of the average Fairfax

to hold an afternoon job. It’s unclear to me how a high school student could hold a job, play a sport, and keep up with their grades with this horrible new schedule.

Lastly, I doubt that most people would really even get more sleep. The high stress might also affect their ability to get a good night’s sleep.

“I would probably stay up late, plus I would need to allow more time to commute,” Bickel said.

The parents of SLEEP just need to give up. FAIRGRADE was a group with a genuinely good purpose, and they succeeded. The vote on the grading scale changes was a 10-0, but I highly doubt that the start time changes will get a vote like this.

The writer can be reached at henry_kuhl@yahoo.com

Alison Shapiro and Holly Betancourt Editorials Editor and InDepth Editor

ment counts. I will cherish any extra time I can get, which is why Wednesday late openings are always exciting. Just imagine having Wednesday every day, but even better, SLEEP has proposed that school begin at 8:45 every morning, and although school would not end until 3:35, there are more perks to sleeping in and staying at school later.

SLEEP is not just a group of complaining parents. They have done research and have found many studies that support their proposal. A study performed by the Minneapolis School System showed that when they changed their start times to be later, their students went to bed around the same time as before, and ended up getting up to one hour more sleep. In addition, numerous studies have shown that later start times increase test scores which then raises grade point averages. Teens have a natural pattern in which we have a late-to-bed and late-to-rise cycle. If Fairfax County changed the start times, it would help students in their school and personal lives. Studies have shown that sleep deprived teens are more likely to experience

fire County high schooler. Overloaded by AP classes and extracurriculars, students treat sleep as secondary, and pull all-nighters almost continuously. But does it really have to be that way? Start Later for Excellence in Education Proposal (SLEEP) is a group of parents who wants to change that. They are pushing for later start times in order for students to receive more sleep and improve their grades.

While others may not care, I personally enjoy spending those extra few minutes lying in bed in the morning because every mo-

depression, difficulty with peers and parents, and are more likely to use alcohol and drugs.

At McLean, extracurricular activities are just as important to some students as academics. For this reason, many students worry that their sports schedules will be negatively affected by later start times. But, Arlington County Public Schools changed their high school start times to 8 a.m. and have noticed very little negative impact on sports practices and games with the new schedule. Sports teams would also now have the option of having morning practices, which the crew team has already been doing.

Many students have been concerned with how later times would effect their sports and extracurriculars after school. The extras after school would only be delayed about an hour and wouldn’t add much time for students to sleep. In addition, everyday at 2:10 when you are sitting in class you would fondly remember the days when the bell would ring and students would scatter out of class.

It’s dreadful to have to get ready for school when the sun isn’t even out yet. If the sun isn’t up, then no one else should be either, right?

Waking up to a bright sky is so much better than having to get up to one that’s pitch black, making you feel nocturnal.

These writers can be reached at alison519@gmail.com and hob181@gmail.com

Future of late bus riders does not look promising Rubina Sarkisian and Danny Jabbour

The

Asistant Features Editors Does Fairfax County ever take the students into consideration?

Adults vote for certain things but what about the students’ opinion? Does Fairfax County even care about us? Some of the things that the budget cut is changing won’t be helpful to the students and their futures. For example, instead of having two days for late buses, next year students will only be given one day.

Many students engage in clubs and sports which keep them after school for several hours. When parents cannot pick up their child because they are working the student has to stay at school until working hours are over.

Sophomore Simone Janssen stays after school often to make up work and gets extra help before a big test.

“Having only one late bus day next year will affect me a lot because it will be more difficult for me to get home from school after extracurricular activities,” Janssen said.

Many students are under the legal driving age and cannot find a ride home after school but need to stay after to help their grades. Things like making up a test, a science lab, or even getting extra help really influence a student’s grade and understanding of the subject.

“I think that this is a really bad idea because it will cause peoples grades to drop which will decrease the level of intelligence of the school,” said Janssen.

Lots of students stay after for a short club meeting and then are able to take the bus home rather then waiting around for a ride. With the convenience of late buses students can

Highlander http://www.mhspress.com

Editors-in-Chief Cat Davis Talia Roth

Managing Editors Ned Burchfiel Molly Welch

Photo Editor

Circulation Managers Bridget Berry Paige Kinghorn

Editorials Ali Shapiro

Assistant Editorials Torin Liberthson-Brown

Mohammad Tavakoli

Features

Online Editor

Jasmine Mohandesi

Sarah Albani

Assistant Features

Advertising Manager Prianka Das

Section Editors News Devan Kerley Moises Cazal

Assistant News Charlie Park Shefali Hegde

Nikki Kaul Bryan Kress Rubina Sarkisian

Sports David Berk Lizzie Masghara

Assistant Sports Andrew Davis Ibrahim Jacobs

In-Depth Holly Betancourt

Assistant In-Depth Cammie Meade

Reporters Chris Herron-Venancio Henry Kuhl Zenobia Morrill Reza Masghara Daniel Jabbour Danny Marx Asli Uyanik Ryan Flamm

Adviser Amy Poe Volume 53, Issue 8 Published 12 times yearly McLean High School 1633 Davidson Road McLean, VA 22101 703-714-5838

do anything after school.

Sophomore and Twilight Club founder and president Farah Albani is worried about the situation that will occur next year.

“Students have to put school work as their first priority and the Twilight club is just for fun. It’s going to affect everyone,” Albani said.

We think that the kids who ride the bus, and use late buses are already at a huge disadvantage because it takes them longer to get home, and now that Fairfax County is getting rid of a full late bus day, it leads to more stress and less time for things that mean a lot to students. This may be one of the worst decisions that Fairfax County could have made.

The writers can be reached at rubina.sarkisian@gmail. com and Djabbour80@gmail.com ‘05, ‘07 CSPA Gold Medalist 08’ Silver Medalist

06’ NSPA Pacemaker finalist Hall of Fame 07’ All American winner

VHSL Savedge Award

The Highlander is a public forum in which members of the school community can express themselves, discuss issues and exchange ideas. Printed at Silver Communications.

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EDITORIALS

March 6, 2009

Tough times demand economic literacy David Berk Sports Editor

Derivatives. Deficits. Deleveraging.

Depreciation.

Is your head spinning yet? Until recently, the bright high school student unfamiliar with the subjects of macroeconomics and finance would have no reason to feel inadequate. After all, these were matters to be tackled in college and graduate school, and then only by students with an intellectual or career interest in them. But the turmoil that economists and political leaders are saying is the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression is roughing up our lives and those of people we know.

Many families are cancelling or scaling back their summer vacation plans because one or both of the parents are uncertain about their jobs. Others have put the purchase of a new car or a spiffy Mac laptop on hold. And an unlucky few have had their college savings accounts gutted by declines in the

stock market. How should we as high schoolers react to these slings and arrows of outrageous economic fortune?

One possible response is to tune the economy out and let our parents worry about it. After all, it’s not yet our time to bear the burdens of adulthood. But it seems to me that as adults-in-training and soon-to-be voting citizens, we must begin now to understand the current economic havoc. That way, over the next few years, we will acquire the necessary knowledge both to handle our personal finances effectively and to choose political leaders who know how to handle our nation’s finances effectively. Too many times I’ve heard a student ask a teacher, “so what exactly is going on?”

A meaningful first step in the direction of educating the student body would be the hosting of a mandatory half-day program here at McLean that taught students the basics of the current crisis, its causes, implications and solutions. To identify appropriate speakers, we would not have to look beyond McLean faculty members and

McLean parents with relevant professional backgrounds. If we needed to reach outside the McLean High School community, we could certainly entice a public-minded Washington area journalist or civil servant capable of boiling down complex issues into comprehensible language. Of course, the program should include ample time for questions and answers. And if it works, well, then it can serve as model for other area high schools.

Surely, if Dr. Jackson and our faculty were presented with the prospect that McLean students would graduate high school without a firm grounding in science, mathematics, English or history, they would be alarmed, and rightly so. Such subjects are considered necessary because literacy in them is needed in the real world. But given the extent to which economic forces are rocking our daily lives, is it any less necessary for students to graduate from high school with an understanding of the nature of those forces? I think not.

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Highlander

Economics Vocabulary De·riv·a·tive (n) -like an insurance policy that protects its owner from a decline in the value of another investment.

Fore·clo·sure (n) - when a bank seizes propertyfrom a customer who can no longer pay off the loan that the bank gave them.

Le·ver·a·ging (n) - when one uses debt to supplement investments. The more you borrow on top of the funds you already have, the more highly leveraged you are. Deleveraging means reducing the amount you are borrowing.

Se·cu·ri·ty (n) - essentially a contract that can be assigned a value and traded. For example, a stock, bond or mortagage debt.

Sub·prime·mort·gage (n) - a type of mortage that carries a higher risk to the lender (usually a bank) because it is offered to people who have had financial problems or unpredictable incomes. The over-distribution of these by banks was one the main causes of the financial crisis because many of the high risk people ended up failing to pay off their mortgages.

Info by David Berk Graphic by Regis Brett

The writer can be reached at dberk2@gmail.com

SAT extensions should be for everyone Danny Marx Reporter

Once 25 minutes expired from the timer on the TV, SAT proctor Alan Munaker’s stern voice instructed the students to close their testing booklets and place their No.2 pencils on the desk in front of them.

A few students in the class with jet-engine-brains got all of the questions done with five minutes to spare; that’s just the way they’re wired.

But most students in the class did the best they could with the time they had. They got most of the questions done, but omitted the ones they couldn’t figure out in a minute, just like they were told. One question in particular bugged them. They knew they missed a few. They kicked themselves all the way to the water fountain.

Maybe they’ve wondered how much better the test would go with just a little bit of extra time. I’m sure they’d

snag a couple of checks on questions they omitted at first, or answered incorrectly in their haste to finish the section in time.

Many students find themselves in this perplexing predicament every month. Fortunately, accommodations exist, among them 50% and unlimited extensions. Every student deserves them.

McLean’s self-proclaimed “application guy,” Robert Bouchard can only recommend accommodations for students he truly feels need them.

“Say you broke your right hand. There is an accommodation that lets you answer the questions orally for someone else to write down,” Bouchard said. “Any student can apply for accommodations, but the College Board has the final say if you get them or not.”

These accommodations are rather exclusive. Only 20 Highlanders are scheduled to receive them. I feel fortunate to be one of them.

Certain students would not benefit from an extension at

all. Speed and focus are senior Bobby Oudemans’ bread and butter for the SAT. “I’ve taken them twice, and each time I finished the section I probably had about 10-15 minutes to correct my work,” Oudemans said. “I think that the allotted time is perfect for the SAT.” Sophomore Nuha Naqvi believes specialized SAT accommodators are vital to testing equality.

“I think it’s fair for a disabled child to have accommodations on the SAT,” Naqvi said. “They do have disabilities and they should be accommodated.”

I think everyone who takes the SAT should receive an extension, too. And why not? It benefits everybody.

A unanimous 15-minute extension would be more practical than a 30-minute extension or unlimited time, as there should still be an emphasis on speed. In other words, I’m suggesting everyone onboard should wear a life vest, because a few life preservers won’t save every sailor fallen overboard, drowning in the ship’s wake.

The writer can be reached at nimbalo871@verizon.net

Teachers stay after school... for what?

Anna Glendening Guest Reporter

In a regular nine to five job, you leave at 5 p.m. In fact, why would you stay past 5 p.m.? Especially if you’re not getting paid for it, working overtime is pointless: unless there’s something that is imperative you get done. Your work will still be there tomorrow. And even if you do stay late, you get paid for it. In a fair world, people get paid for the work they do.

Unfortunately, the education system is not part of this world. An FCPS teacher’s contract hours end at 2:50 p.m., only 40 minutes after the last bell. Time spent after this is volunteer work. Some teachers counter this by not staying after; however, many teachers stay to grade papers, attend faculty meetings and, above all, help students.

And the very students for whom teachers stay after without pay are the same students who have no appreciation for the dedication of these teachers. Students text throughout an entire class period and then get angry at teachers who aren’t available for hours after school to help them catch up on material they didn’t feel the need to learn in the first place, and it is not unusual to catch someone spacing out during notes because they know they can just get them after class.

Yes, it is your right to have an education, but after those paid hours end, it becomes a privilege to have a teacher willing to stay and help you figure out that last problem you didn’t understand or simply reteach you a concept that was completely over your head. Remember, they’re not getting paid for it.

Almost every student complains about essays and tests. But while

you only had to write one essay, your English teacher might still stays after to help students, even though his drive home be grading over 100 of that same paper. Although you had is more than four times the length of many students. a killer five page math test, you math teacher has to try and While the system in place is not likely to change any time follow dozens of scribbles and scrawls that, while seemingly soon, money is not the only thing we can offer teachers. Belegible when coming out of your head, can be hard to deci- cause of the budget crisis, it is up to the students to apprecipher. One planning period doesn’t exactly cover that. Teach- ate their teachers since the administration isn’t going to be ers are then forced to take much of this home or stay later raising their salaries anytime soon. after school, and the kind of commute many of the teachers A simple thank you would hardly suffice, but at least it’s have doesn’t help. a beginning. And what if teachers feel like they don’t get any While for the largest part students are from McLean or credit for their work? There are already some who stay for the immediate area, teachers may have to deal with a 40 min- only a few minutes after the last bell. If they don’t stay after, ute commute that only increases with traffic. Coming from the students who really need that extra help even after putLoudon County is math teacher Adam Shipman, whose 20 ting in work during class will be the ones who suffer. minute commute in the mornings becomes an hour comAs for those texters who don’t pay attention in class: staymute in the afternoons. Because Shipman leaves his house at ing after school for something you could have learned and 6 a.m., the commute is much shorter in the mornings, but he been done with during class is wasting your time as well, can often be seen at school until 4 p.m.; this means his com- and unless you’re discussing the meaning of life, the conmute increases versation can’t be so important dramatically. you’re willing to waste everyHowevone’s time. er, ShipMr. Shipman’s commute: man

Commuting’s cost

15 miles away; car gets 20 miles per gallon G Total 7.5 gallons a week fdH At $2 a gallon, commute costs $15 a week With 36 school weeks in a year, commute costs $540 a year

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The writer can be reached at highlanderstories@gmail.com

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Homosexual students endure, accept blatant discrimination Talia Roth Editor-in-Chief

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enior Gay Straight Alliance President Rachel Zucker fondly remembers her in freshman year seeing a senior and junior boy holding hands in the hallway.

“It just showed how comfortable they were with their sexuality and with each other,” she said.

“They were out in the open about it, they didn’t care what people thought about them.”

But, Zucker found this situation extremely rare and has not seen anything like this since because she thinks the school would not be accepting of it.

“There would be some opposition towards it,” she said. “They would get ridiculed and I just don’t feel like McLean’s a big enough safe haven for them to show who they really are.”

“It would isolate you from people,” Anneke De Nooy, a former student of McLean, said. De Nooy is openly gay and after attending McLean for three years, she now attends Northern Virginia Community College and George Mason University, in addition to taking an online class at McLean. “I think people would show some strange looks,” she said.

“You’re always going to get looks and remarks.”

At McLean, De Nooy endured a lot of intolerance for her sexuality when her classmates suspected her of being gay. “There was a lot of giggling,” De Nooy said. “I definitely felt discriminated against. I was called dyke, all those epithets that are used.”

De Nooy said the environment of McLean and the attitudes of the people here are very inhospitable for gay people. “If I wasn’t so sure of myself I wouldn’t have been able to express my sexuality so openly,” she said. Openly gay senior Rigo Ordonez would agree, saying his security with himself was what made all the comments just roll of his back. ne day a neighbor of Ordonez’s started school at McLean. They were in the same Trigonometry class and Ordonez’s neighbor was shocked at the way some of the people in the class treated him.

“He was like ‘you take crap from them every single time?’ Ordonez said. “He was surprised that they do that all the time. I was like ‘I deal with it.’ What am I going to do about it? That’s who they are.”

Still, De Nooy recognized not all students here were against her. “We do have some students supporting the cause,” she said. “But there’s a massive amount of people that think we’re freaks.”

It also wasn’t just students that she felt were uncomfortable with her sexual preference. “I’ve heard teachers make politically incorrect remarks,” she said. “Some teachers are OK with it, but there are definitely some that aren’t.”

According to the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), a national survey released in October of 6,209 middle and high school students found that 86.2 percent of Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender students experienced harassment at school in the past year. 60.8 percent felt unsafe at school because of their sexual orientation.

The name calling and mean looks, while the bulk of the discrimination according to De Nooy, were overshadowed by events in October 2007. uring Ally Week, the GSA painted the rock rainbow colors. Two days later, it had been spray painted over in black with phrases like “go home,” “man, woman,” “no gays allowed,” and had a boy and girl stick figure holding hands.

“It was mild, but wrong and upsetting to everybody,” GSA Sponsor Tara Dwyer said. “We had some people that were very upset, very emotional people that were in tears, people that felt threatened, people that felt unsafe.”

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Highlander

“It was pitiful,” senior GSA member Lizzy Sul- in high school, and Dwyer is optimistic about livan said. “They were so desperate to prove their this area, calling it “progressive.” point.”

“McLean’s a lot better than some other “I was really surprised,” Dwyer, also an English schools,” she said. “We are more accepting than teacher said. “I thought ‘really?’ I most schools.” thought things were so different. I ut for De Nooy, had worked with kids for years and better isn’t good they always seemed to be much enough. “I want more progressive than when I was total accepin school. But when I saw that I tance,” she said. “I want to thought ‘gosh I guess a little bit of have just as much rights as that still exists.’” someone else does.”

Instead of acting in anger or reLike Dwyer, De Nooy taliating, the GSA took a different agreed that McLean is more approach to dealing with the disphotos by Tara Dwyer accepting than many other crimination. According to Zucker, they “stressed places. De Nooy has friends in the ‘S’” and worked on explaining more about what other places in the state that have had much harder the club is trying to do. experiences than her.

“The main mission of the club is to promote “Gay people have horror stories,” she said. equality among everyone,” Dwyer said. “People “McLean is better than a lot of other places.” are often thrown by that ‘G,’ but there is that ‘S’ However, on a national level, De Nooy does not as well.” believe that she will ever see her full rights.

The issue was handled very well by the adminis“I wish you could get to a point where there was tration according to Dwyer. Not only an act of dis- acceptance and we can get equal rights, but I don’t crimination, it was vandalism of school property on think that’s going to happen in my lifetime,” she the rock, sidewalks, and staircase to the black path. said. “Until then I just have to accept that there are “So, then it became a different issue,” she said. people out there that don’t agree.”

De Nooy was still at McLean in October 2007.

She said the event showed feelings of students that The writer can be reached at talia.roth@hotmail. she had always known were there. “Homophobia com had been kept under wraps,” she said. Until this event, “There was never a direct attack against homosexual people.”

This opposition did not hurt Dwyer’s belief that McLean, on the whole, is accepting. “It was a small number of people at this school that felt that way,” she said about the vandalism.

De Nooy did not feel like the administration was as supportive as it could’ve been.

She had hoped that the administration might have held an informative class like sex education or something educational to counter the attacks.

“In McLean, all the discrimination is sort of put under the covers and when they painted over it all that discrimination came to light,” she said. “I was surprised at how far we haven’t come.” fter this set-back, the GSA worked on making students feel like they had a safe haven to go to in the school. “We try and help them in a world that isn’t as tolerant as the people who are with them,” Zucker said.

While Zucker said that students at McLean may not be purposefully discriminating, they are doing it nonetheless. “A lot of gay jokes go around,” she said. “I hear ‘that’s so gay’ so many times and I don’t think people understand what they’re saying.”

“I had a kid last year say ‘why does that upset people?’ Dwyer said. “It’s a synonym for stupid.”

GayStraightAlliance.org tries to shed some positive light on a heavy subject. The website sells posters that say “expand your vocabulary, don’t say that’s so gay.” The poster suggests 66 alternative words including: lame, ridiculous, unpleasant or annoying. wyer, however, feels lucky that McLean even has a GSA. The previous high school that she taught at in Springfield, Va. did not, and she saw a lot more bullying of people suspected of being gay there than she does here. “[McLean] is pretty accepting of the different types of people that go here,” Dwyer said. “When I think back to when I was in high school, if there was a student there who said they were gay, they would’ve gotten beaten up every day and I don’t see anything like that here.”

Dwyer went to high school in Loudon, Va. and when one boy was suspected of being gay, he was severely beaten.

“A kid got beat up so bad he had to go to the hospital,” she said. “They had to take him in an ambulance. I just remember being surprised that someone would get beaten up so badly.”

Over 10 years have passed since her experiences

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March 6, 2009

Young people speak up for gay rights

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Molly Welch Managing Editor

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arvey Milk’s generation wasn’t the only one with the activist spirit.

Proposition 8, Oscar award-winning film “Milk,” and a slew of political legislation have drawn lines in the sand for many young people regarding gay rights, and our generation is more vocal on both sides of the issues of discrimination, marital rights, and more.

According to GSA vice president junior Julia Katz, the GSA’s membership has paralleled this polarization in youth opinion. She says that the club has seen an increase in its membership and meeting attendance and has “definitely grown.”

“A lot more young people support [gay rights] than people realize because they don’t share their parents’ values,” Katz said. “Activism is something I want to be invested in the future.”

Katz sees this generation looking to legalize gay marriage by state and through a federal law overturning state bans. “[But] there are a lot of young conservatives against it, and they don’t really understand,” she said.

“We’re a lot closer to achieving some goals than we were back in the 70s, and so I think that [the younger] generation has been profoundly affected by that being on the national stage,” D.C.-based Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League (SMYAL) Executive Director Andrew Barnett said.

Youth’s recent resurgence in the gay rights debate contrasts with the current generation’s apathetic image. In 2003, a CBS News story entitled “The Apathetic New Generation” reported on a survey conducted by the Representative Democracy in America Project. The report stated that only 54 percent of the 15 to 26 age bracket thought it was important to pay attention to government and politics, while 78 percent of adults over age 26 thought it was important.

In one example, Matt Palazzolo, 23, founded the organization Equal Roots Coalition to streamline grassroots efforts on behalf of the pro-lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights movement after the legislation was passed.

Not only supposedly apathetic, this generation is also born of the World Wide Web—most were raised during its popularization—and youth’s reentry into the gay rights movement mirrors this. The Equal Roots Coalition advertises itself on popular Internet sites such as Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.

“I’ve seen youth embrace new technology and new ways of communicating in ways that the adult community may be more reluctant to,” Barnett said. According to Barnett, youth put a unique spin on the movement by blogging, Twitter-ing, and “sharing their thoughts and perspectives through the Internet.”

He also said that social networking sites like Facebook and Myspace “get the word out” and “create strong social networks.”

This year, SMYAL has also established the LGBT Youth Advocacy Internship, where seven high school and college-aged people work to develop in-depth knowledge of LGBT community, a sense of history of community, and a broad sense of LGBT movement.

The interns also help facilitate Cultural Competency training, where teachers and other instructors are advised on how to deal with youth LGBT issues.

Recent publicity over Proposition 8 and “Milk” has also compelled those against gay marriage and gay rights to be more vocal about their views.

“I’m more prone to speak out against gay marriage because it’s getting so much positive attention and I feel like I want to counter that,” senior Richard Sigman said. Sigman’s church, The Falls Church, is currently undergoing a split with the Episcopal Church over the appointment of a homosexual man as a bishop. Sigman says he supports his church’s actions.

Barnett feels that the youth voice, perspective, and “sense of authenticity” are invaluable in the gay rights movement.

“The most powerful thing that youth can bring to the LGBT movement is their fresh perspective and their inherent dynamism,” he said. “Youth have the ability to see things as they might be and aren’t bogged down by the past and how things have been in the past.”

”

photo illustration by Mohammad Tavakoli

The writer can be reached at mwelch34@yahoo.com

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FEATURES

Highlander

March 6, 2009

‘Slumdog’ follows its rags to riches story Bryan Kress Assistant Features Editor

The Academy Awards have been known to disappoint in big categories by picking the less-deserving nominees. However, this year they went against the stereotype and chose all the right nominees, making this year’s program predictable.

The greatest winner was Slumdog Millionaire, which picked up eight trophies, including Best Picture. Of all the Best Picture nominees, it was the most uplifting and wellcrafted. Also, it won a slew of awards leading into the Oscars, including the top prizes at the Golden Globes and British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA’s).

The film that began as an indie underdog, which was originally supposed to go straight to DVD, at the beginning of the awards season came into the Oscars as the favorite.

But some skeptics are still puzzled why a movie with a mediocre cast and illogical story line managed to snatch the Oscar over the other films.

The movie follows an orphaned boy named Jamal, who grows up in the slums of Mumbai. The film focuses on three stages of his life, beginning during his childhood to early adulthood. While dealing with his life in the slums, Jamal also struggles with his corrupted brother Salim and falls in love with another orphan named Latika. Jamal goes on an Indian version of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire in an effort to catch the attention of Latika.

Q

photo courtesy of Fox Searchlight Pictures Jamal (Dev Patel) is a contestant on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire to catch the attention of his childhood love. Slumdog Millionaire recently won Best Picture at the Oscars.

The film uses flashbacks to show how the uneducated Jamal was able to answer the difficult game show questions, while also revealing the deeper secrets from his past.

Every event that occurs in the flashbacks is an answer to each question thrown at Jamal for the duration of the game show.

While the plot seems too unrealistic for Academy standards, skeptics must remember that the movie that was nominated for 13 awards this year dealt with a man who could age backwards. Nothing is too unrealistic for the Academy.

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Highlander: How exactly does the 15 day list work?

Yates: I take eight factors into consideration before I send the notification letter out. We look at check outs/check ins, excused and unexcused absences, unverified absences, medical, prearranged absences, and clinic absences. Before I send out the letters, I send the list to the counselor because sometimes they will know if there is a special circumstance [that causes the student to miss so much school].

Highlander: About how many students do you find on this list every year?

Yates: Right now there are about 60 on the

Also, the movie contrasted with the other films because it had a brighter tone compared to the other Best Picture nominees. This film focused on a boy from the slums winning money beyond his wildest dreams and winning the heart of his childhood love, while the other films centered on a deceptive president (Frost/Nixon), a doomed romance for a man that ages backward (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button), an assassinated gay politician (Milk) and an exNazi concentration camp guard accused of war crimes (The Reader). Slumdog’s uplifting

message most likely affected the voters of the Academy.

Perhaps the most important thing that helped Slumdog win was that it was, to put it plainly, better than the rest. It had the skill of visionary director Danny Boyle, whose versatility allowed the movie to capture the heart of the Mumbai slums. He managed to assemble a cast of inexperienced actors and make them look like pros.

The film also featured one of the most upbeat soundtracks in years. A.R. Rahman’s fusion of Eastern and Western sounds provided the movie with an extra layer of urgency and believability. The majority of the other Best Picture nominees had dark and ominous compositions.

This is not to say the other films were not well-made. Milk was a deeply moving film, featuring Sean Penn, who did a pitch-perfect portrayal of Harvey Milk (and was rewarded with the Best Actor trophy). If Slumdog had lost, Milk would have easily taken home Best Picture as well.

Slumdog Millionaire was forerunner in the Oscar race for good reasons. It was different compared to the other nominees; it centered on a part of the world not seen in Hollywood and it was well crafted by an excellent director and cast. In the end, the film followed its unbelievable story line to become the top dog in Hollywood.

The writer can be reached at bkress1992@gmail.com

with attendance secretary Rene Yates. Yates has been working at McLean for six years and knows everything there is to know about attendance policies regarding the 15 day list. list. But the list really takes off around spring break when it starts to get nice out. Kids start skipping more and before they realize it, they miss one too many [days]. Also, seniors get senioritis.

Highlander: Is it possible to get off the 15 day list?

Yates: There are always loop holes that students can get through. Medical reasons or family deaths can obviously not be prevented.

If a letter goes out due to a disability or medical reason, that is when the letter can be retracted if need be.

Highlander: What are the consequences of being on the list?

Yates: There are various things that can happen. [The student] will stay unexcused [after they are on the 15 day list] until a doctor’s note is provided. [If a note is not provided] they will fail the class for attendance. Technically the note needs to be

provided no more than 48 hours after the absence.

Highlander: Why is a doctor’s note necessary?

Yates: If someone misses 15 days of the same class, there is obviously an issue. Some schools have 10 day lists. When I first worked here, we had a 20 day list.

Highlander: Are there any exceptions?

Yates: College visits don’t need doctor’s notes. However, you can’t come to me every Thursday and say ‘I’m going to Christopher Newport’ and happen to be going to Virginia Beach. We keep records of where students visited over the past three years so I can check up on previous visits. There are always rules to be broken, or unforeseen circumstances (family deaths, etc.). The 15 day list is not so set in stone that it cannot be overturned.

Info by Cat Davis

25 things you should know about newspaper

1. We have had four advisors in four years 2. Roughly 25 hours are spent in production per person 3. There are 32 people on staff...

4. ...only 17 of these staffers will be returning next year...

5. ...15 of these are seniors, who will be leaving at the end of this year 6. It’s scary to think that half of our staff is leaving 7. 6 of our staffers are NHS members 8. There are 18 computers in the lab 9. Over 2,000 people read The Highlander 10. 2,300 papers are printed per issue 11. 14 of the staffers are MHS athletes 12. Amount of pizza consumed by the staff: indescribable 13. There are 12 issues published every year

14. Our couch was found road-side and has never been washed.

15. By 6:00 p.m., there are bound to be many arguments 16. We have a British flag and an American flag in the same room.

17. There is every utensil needed in the cupboard except spoons.

18. We are some of the messiest people ever.

19. We have 70 plaques on the wall, all framed 20. A full page ad in the newspaper starts at $220 21. When Taylor Swift’s Fearless album came out, it was all you would hear for a long time, despite the boys’ complaints.

22. Dinnertime only lasts for 5 minutes...

23. ...The food is consumed in half that time 24. It’s all about the love/hate relationships 25. No matter how many complaints we all have, we still have fun

FEATURES

March 6, 2009

Where in the W rld have you been?

Torin Liberthson-Brown Assistant Editorials Editor

Many teachers have come and gone from McLean High School. But where do they actually go? It’s hard to believe that teachers leave the school at all, let alone go somewhere exciting for a change. Three beloved faculty members have moved to places far from McLean, and Virginia itself, to pick up their lives as teachers and explore other careers. From the Big Apple, to Aloha paradise, these staffers check back with us about their lives away from McLean.

The writer can be reached at polkadotpetals92@yahoo.com

Highlander

Hey McLean, Right now I’m busy getting my second masters degree; I am studying Fashion History at FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology) in NYC and interning at the New York Public Library for Performing Arts. I also have two part time jobs: I give tours at the Lower East Side Tenement Museum and I tutor kids who are on Broadway (don’t worry, I don’t teach them to sing or dance - I’m sure my students at McLean will be relieved to learn that!) Everyday is something new; I have seen countless movies and TV shows being filmed (even met a few stars). I have learned so much history about the city and love being able to walk almost everywhere. I don’t miss driving, except when grocery shopping, which is a pretty arduous task without a car. I don’t know what my future plans are. I have another year left in my program and I really love NYC (although it is so expensive and I could do without the cold, windy weather.)

Ms. Cutler

NY

TX HI

Aloha McLean!

I have been teaching 6th grade English and Social Studies at Mililani Middle School in Hawaii. It is located on the same island as Honolulu. I miss the students that I got to know, especially well in chorus during the last few years. But I’m having fun teaching, though I’m looking to get back into administration sometime in the near future. The weather here in Hawaii is beautiful, the coldest it has gotten is the low 60s at night a few times, so I won’t be coming back to the DC area anytime soon! I absolutely love the fact that I can go to the beach after a hard day of work and go surfing or “standup,” which is also known as paddle boarding. People here are extremely friendly. There is definitely an “aloha spirit” here in Hawaii. However, those students and teachers who know me well know that I’m completely addicted to Ann Taylor Loft and Target. Neither store is here in Hawaii. I’m now learning how to surf and paddleboard, Also, I learned how to play ukulele...sort of.

Ms. Carney

Hello Highlanders!

I got engaged in June! And I moved to Texas in August. And two weeks after school started, Hurricane Ike swept through the Houston area causing local schools, including mine, to be closed for two weeks. I live in the Houston metro area and have a five minute commute to work.

Did you know Texas students pledge allegiance both to the U.S. and then to the Texas flag? At school, I love the football fanaticism and the FFA barn where students raise livestock.

I don’t love the extreme focus on standardized testing, and I was shocked to learn that they bring drug-sniffing dogs into the classrooms to search students! Perhaps you think McLean is strict, but you seriously have no idea. I’m still teaching English.

I have six sections of English 11, and next year we’re switching from blocks to a seven period day. I miss all of my students, now in the 11th grade, the Highlander staff, MSA and GSA, along with the quality student journalism McLean and Fairfax County schools are known for. I’ve been watching more “King of the Hill” to get an accurate glimpse into the minds of Texans, and we just bought a house here, so I expect you’d all be long gone if I ever did come back.

Ms. Cimino

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FEATURES

Highlander

March 6, 2009

Students of various religions follow tradition of fasting Jasmine Mohandesi Features Editor

The world is becoming more multicultural everyday. McLean High School has become a “melting pot.� In every classroom, there are students from different countries who practice an array of religions. When you look around, you are surrounded by Atheists, Christians, Agnostics, Jews, Muslims, Hindus and others.

Last Wednesday was not just the regular Wednesday. To a group of students, it was instead, Ash Wednesday; the start of a “limited fast� for Roman Catholics, Anglicans and a few other branches of Christians. Students and teachers with “ash

crosses� drawn on their foreheads were seen throughout the halls.

Senior Kristof Inocentes was one of those students with an “ash cross� on his forehead. “As a Roman Catholic, I celebrate Lent which lasts for 40 days,� Inocentes said. “Those 40 days symbolize the days that Jesus Christ spent in the desert and endured temptation from Satan.�

Inocentes also participates in the limited fast aspect of Lent. “I gave up cursing and meat for Lent,�

Inocentes said. “You are supposed to give up ‘indulgences’.�

Fasting is a predominant part of many other religions.

Jewish sophomore Ethan Gaba fasts for Yom Kippur.

His fast begins before sunset the day before Yom Kippur and lasts for 25 hours. “We have services in the morning and then just rest,� Gaba said. “It’s fine if you don’t have your mind on it, if not, it’s pretty difficult.�

Senior Sally Jaroudi is a Muslim student who participates in Ramadan. “We fast for 30 days, a month based on the moon, from sunup to sundown,� Jaroudi said. “Every year, Ramadan is two weeks earlier than the year before.�

Jaroudi says that fasting is “more of a personal thing. So you can realize how

Period of Fast Duration

blessed you are.�

According to Jaroudi, teachers and students are very accommodating of fasting. “Teachers are really thoughtful, if we have a class party, they will postpone it,� Jaroudi said. “And the Muslim society holds a Eid night.�

Senior Sina Mostaghimi, who is of the Bahå’í faith, also fasts. Mostaghimi does not eat or drink from sunrise to sunset for the 19 days before the Iranian New Year. “We fast as a sacrifice and also to cleanse the mind and body,â€? Mostaghimi said. “It’s not fun. But I deal with it.â€?

The writer can be reached at mohandesij@yahoo.com

Purpose

Rituals

Bahå’í Fast

19 days (Bahå’í month of `Ala’ March 2-March 20)

“A reminder of abstinence from selfish and carnal desires�

Roman Catholics, Anglican, and other branches

Lent

40 days (Begins Ash Wednesday)

Repentance, soul searching

Limited fast, Ash Wednesday, church services

Islam

Ramadan

One month (Ninth month of the Muslim Calendar)

To teach discipline and self control, cleanse body and mind

Fast from sunrise to sunset, prayer

Yom Kippur

25 hours (10th day of the month of Tishri)

Bahå’í

Judaism

“Day of atonement�

Fasting, prayer

Fasting for 25 hours, prayer and synagogue services

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FEATURES

March 6, 2009

Highlander

McLean speaks out

17

To find out the effects of the recession, the Highlander staff walked around downtown McLean to ask businesses and their customers how they are dealing with the current economic crisis.

We are still the old-fashioned restaurant.

People get their money’s worth. Expensive restaurants get hurt and lunch and dinner places go way down. Our business is 99%

repeat customers.

We know our customers can always rely on the quality of the food. McDonalds is real cheap; Kazan is real 1

expensive. This one fits right in your pocket.2 Fairfax Cleaners have not made any cuts so far.

However, we have had to raise single item

prices, and started to use recycled hangers.3 In the

last 2 months, business has definitely dropped, it has become a lot

quieter. People’s hours have been cut, having less staff come in, that makes it difficult on everyone.4 I am watching my

photo by Mohammad Tavakoli

budget. I know what I make and how much

I can spend. I now start to get coffee from my office instead of Starbucks.5 Partially it changes the shopping habits of a lot of customers. A lot of people will trade down on the items they might purchase. It hasn’t affected our business at all negatively,

everybody has to eat

nor do we expect it to... .6 My employees are working shorter hours and we are unable to make expenditures. We are being more conscious of what is going on around the U.S. 7 The people ask for lunch menus instead of dinner menus because it’s not as expensive.8 We changed muffin sizes and

the price

lowered

so people could afford them. We are now also selling scone bites instead of the larger scones because they are cheaper and more practical.9 There is nothing I can do. Percentage-wise, we’ve had a

loss of 15-20% of

b u s i n e s s . When you lose 15-20% of business, you face economic difficulty

regardless.10 Most people save up their money because they’re scared of the recession, but

keep buying

the key is to and putting money into the economy. You have to put money in to get it out.11 The economy hasn’t hurt us too bad yet. The reason being is because of instead of buying new cars, people are investing more money into their old cars.12

I’m worried about where we’re headed.

I’m also worried about the world because if it’s hard here, in the U.S., it’s always worse elsewhere.13

Zeynel Abidin Uzun, Owner of Kazan Restaurant 2 Melissa , Waitress at McLean Pizza 3 David Lee, Fairfax Cleaners 4 Gavin Cunningham, employee at McLean Hardware 5 Marleine Awad, BB&T Relationship Banker 6 Rick Makely, Store Manager at Giant 7 Dale Mullane, McLean Cleaners 8 Yinia, Waitress 9 Meaghan Kane, Greenberry’s 10 Sherif Hamby, McLean Pizza Restaurant 11 Sue Hale, PhD 12 Dave James, Firestone Store Manager 13 Vincent Doran, Retired Citizen.

Layout by Rubina Sarkisian 1

18

FEATURES

Highlander

March 6, 2009

Behind the lunch counter: upcoming changes in the cafeteria Sarah Albani Online Editor

Lately, there have been adjustments as to how food is prepared in the cafeteria. The burritos will now be wrapped and prepared at McLean, versus by a company, which usually sends them pre-made. French fries, which last year were previously baked, have returned to being deep fried.

“Well, the kids just like them better,” Cafeteria Manager Peggy MacDonald said as the reason for the switch. Her position as a cafeteria manager allows her to make such changes.

Additionally, Fairfax County Public Schools Food and Nutrition has decided to serve French fries only two times a week this year.

Variations such as Seasoned Potato Wedges, Potato Rounds, and Hash Browns, will be served on the remaining

days. According to MacDonald, since these alternatives are baked, they contain less fat.

Changes also include shuffling menu items to vary the days they are served. “[The FCPS Food and Nutrition Office] just thought having hamburger/cheeseburger every Wednesday was too redundant,” MacDonald said. “So they are trying to change things around.”

In an effort to comply with Federal Standards regarding nutrition in school food, lunch menu items have been altered to improve nutritious value.

“Federally funded programs must plan menus that meet federal nutrition standards based on the dietary guidelines for Americans,” said Pat Avery, a FCPS Food and Nutrition Services employee. “These standards limit the amount of fat and saturated fat. FCPS goes further and limits trans fats and

Take a look at what you really eat...

serves whole grain breads.”

In addition, white bread is being swapped for whole wheat buns and rolls, and white rice has been replaced with brown rice.

To suit the taste of students, new items with a greater resemblance to restaurant food entrées are now being served.

“The whole focus, of course, is the students,” MacDonald said. “New items are added to appeal to them.”

New options in cafeteria are being introduced to attract student business. There will soon be “Fairfax Chipotle Burrito” which contains rice, southwestern beans, taco meat and cheese all wrapped in a tomato-basil wrap. It will be served on March 24. There is also a new item called the “Orange Chicken Bowl.” It contains orange chicken, oriental vegetables and rice.

The writer can be reached at salbani26@yahoo.com

Seasoned Potato Wedges • • •

120 Calories 2 grams of protein 3.5 grams of fat

1% Milk

Lays Baked Potato Chips*

• 110 calo ries • 8 grams of protein • 2.5 gram s of fat

• 110 calories • 2 grams of fat • 2 grams of protein

Cucumber and baby carrots

Spicy Chic ke Sandwich n on Wheat Ro ll

approx. 20 calories • 1 gram of protein • less than 1 gram of fat

•

• 300 Calories • 24 g rams of protein • 7 gra ms of fat

nutrition information retrieved from www.fcps.edu * FCPS meals do not include potato chips. This item may be purchased separately.

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March 6, 2009

FEATURES

Highlander

19

McLean and Longfellow orchestras elec trify school Nikki Kaul Assistant Features Editor

McLean High School was shaken to its core by the orchestra and their electric string instruments on Feb. 13. The concert was titled “Electrify Your Strings” and provided students an opportunity to venture into new musical territory. Longfellow Middle School also sent over few select orchestra students to play along with the McLean orchestra.

Mark Wood, a renowned musician, started up this program to help students and educators alike to reach new musical boundaries.

One of his staffers, who is known as the “Go-To Girl,” Bridgid Bibbens is an accomplished musician. She helped McLean and Longfellow orchestra students throughout the process. They partook in a two day workshop to prepare them for Friday night’s concert.

McLean Chamber viola soloist and sophomore Johannah Gehman said, “The concert was a very different experience for me. We learned about electric string instruments and it was very eye-opening.”

During the concert, the different sections of orchestra battled it out, and everyone got pumped up. Bibbens shared the spotlight with the students, walking around while playing as passionately as possible.

“The concert was really good, and the soloists were really good as well,” sophomore Elizabeth Lee said.

At one point during the concert, freshman Tariq Farah got up and started dancing during a piece, and entertained the crowd.

Everyone went wild, and people started getting more into the overall mood of the concert.

During the concert, Bibbens played a “Viper” which is an electric string instrument.

Some students were able to come up to the front of the stage with Bibbens and play the

electric instruments for the crowd.

“I expected less techno music, but the songs were great and amazing. But on occasion, it would sound squeaky. I imagine it was on purpose,” Lee said.

Bibbens provided music from her Macintosh Notebook as background sounds for the concert. Percussion and guitars were also included in the concert, a first for a McLean Orchestra concert. For the duration of the concert, conductor Gretta Sandberg and Longfellow Orchestra teacher Susan Kervick stood on the sidelines, observing their students in action, while cheering them on.

“I thought the concert was a fantastic success,” Sandberg said. “It exceeded our expectations and it got the public excited.”

The whole Mark Wood experience is supposed to be about a cutting-edge experience for students and educators alike who wish to venture into new and ground-breaking territory. McLean and Longfellow students did just that on that Friday night.

The concert was a big success with a large turnout of people. The crowd got the orchestra pumped up and everyone got in the “electric” spirit.

The event was amplified and the venue was very energetic. All the orchestra students wore black shirts with the orchestra’s timings and location. The title was “Rock You Can Believe In.” “I’ve never been to a rock concert, and this is the closest I’ve been to anything like it,” Lee said.

Overall, the concert was a success, and the orchestra raked in some profit as well.

Bibbens “paced the students well and understood their abilities,” Sandberg said. “We will definitely try to do something like this again in the future.”

photos courtesy of Eileen Nelson

Senior violinist Bobby Oudemans and Bridgid Bibbens get the crowd rocking with their electric instruments. The company that Bibbens works for was hired to lead.

The writer can be reached at nikkster1@ gmail.com

Senior cellist Anna Kobylski rocks out on her electric cello. The orchestra continued to play as they followed Kobylski’s lead.

Senior violist Ashley Johnson tries the electric viola on for size. Johnson was one of several students who played an electric instrument in front of the crowd.

Bridgid Bibbens takes a quick look at her music as she leads the orchestra. Bibbens worked with the students for two days to get them ready for the concert.

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Highlander

SPORTS

March 6, 2009 sports column

Tarnished Reputations Ibrahim Jacobs Assistant Sports Editor

photo courtesy of Eva Greene Sophomore Eva Greene prepares to begin the backstroke. Greene placed first in the regionals in the 100 meter backstroke and broke a record in the process.

All-American effort Three McLean swimmers and divers earn All-American titles after successful performances in regional meet Zenobia Morrill Reporter

It was once assumed that in order to compete with the best, you have to have the best: the best athletes, the best equipment and the best coaches. However, McLean proves everyone wrong with three All-American athletes coming from a school that not only does not have their own pool, but also under the leadership of a coach with only one year of experience.

Although the success of these athletes can be attributed to the hard work put into the season itself, their accomplishments go beyond just putting more effort into practice. Many of their stellar performances stem from their outside efforts to maintain healthier diets and get involved in additional swimrelated activities.

After completing a fairly successful season, the team ranked third in the district, with senior Martin Brown achieving

photo courtesy of Martin Brown Senior captain Martin Brown celebrates Senior Night with fellow swim-mates at the final regular season meet.

Are you an artist?

All-American scores for diving, and sophomores Eva Greene and Charlie Putnam ranking in the top 130 nationally for swimming. In order to properly prepare, Brown worked very hard throughout the duration of the season.

“Occasionally, I’d wake up early to lift weights before school or eat some raw eggs in the morning to boost my protein,” he said.

Outside of the Swim and Dive program, Brown participates on the dive team at Chesterbrook Pool. He also coaches the younger divers on the team and holds private lessons.

At the state level of competition, Eva Greene placed fourth in the 100 meter freestyle and second in the 100 meter backstroke. When competing regionally, not only did Greene place first in the 100 meter backstroke, but she broke a regional record. The key ingredients for success, according to Greene, were “hard work and a lot of practicing.”

“I really wanted to break the regional record, and with that motivation I was focused on making All-American,” Greene said.

Putnam did not get the All-American vote by chance either.

He put in hours of work and dedication in the pool and out.

After receiving a time of 1:53.68 in the 200 yard Individual Medley and a 51:57 in the 100 yard backstroke, he qualified for All-American. While working hard to maintain his aerobic capacity, Putnam stepped up his efforts.

What tied the three together was the ambition and determination of math teacher and head coach Jeremy Craig. Craig implemented a strict swim regime that balanced land workouts with their time in the water.

Whether it comes down to teaching dive classes, or waking up at 4 a.m. to include additional practices, each All-American athlete has committed their time and schedules to achieving their goal.

This reporter can be reached at princesssparkleOC8@yahoo.com

Good at graphic design?

Forgiveness. In kindergarten it was as simple as saying sorry for breaking your friend’s crayon.

In the world of professional athletes, saying sorry and begging for forgiveness can lead to court cases, fines and ruined reputations.

On Dec. 13, 2007, U.S. Senator George Mitchell released a 409-page report covering his 20 month investigation of baseball. He revealed 89 current and former baseball players that had been involved with steroid use or distribution.

In the past month, two of the country’s biggest sports icons have been caught using banned substances. Michael Phelps was photographed smoking marijuana, not even a year after the Summer Olympics in which he won a recordsetting eight gold medals. In addition, Yankees superstar Alex Rodriguez admitted to using steroids during his 2003 MVP season.

When the Mitchell Report was released, the debate came up about whether or not the player’s achievements should be recognized because they had cheated. The most discussed was the debate over whether or not Barry Bond’s record breaking home run total should be valid because he is still being investigated for steroid use.

“I am traditional and the players that are cheating are breaking the records of great players like Babe Ruth and Hank Aaron who didn’t use drugs,” athletic director Tom Herman said.

Alex Rodriguez admitted to past steroid use in February, stating that he was young and irresponsible. His steroid use occurred during the 2003 season, the year he won MVP while playing for the Texas Rangers. But more importantly, a year in which no policy for steroid use was in place, meaning that the league can not punish A-Rod. This is unfair on many levels; first, he won MVP on steroids so why should he be allowed to keep the award? Second, track runner Marion Jones was forced to give back all the medals she won when she was convicted of using performance-enhancing drugs. If she was punished, why shouldn’t A-Rod and all the other pros that did the same thing be held accountable and punished as well?

The story of Michael Phelps is a different matter entirely. What he did sparked more controversy and debate but should not be any reason for a stain on his accomplishments because it did not affect his performance. Both Phelps and Lance Armstrong are on the list of athletes who overcame adversity to not only excel but dominate in their sports.

Marijuana is an illegal drug so what he did was wrong, but it could have been a lot worse. Phelps has already lost endorsements and his reputation has been slightly tarnished but he was lucky to lose only that.

Not that the money really matters to the superstar, but had it been steroids or another performance enhancing drug, then Phelps might have well kissed his fame and legacy good-bye.

“Michael Phelps was a young guy and I have a lot of respect for him. He was learning disabled when he grew up and swimming was an outlet for him. He learned his lesson but he showed that you can still be good at stuff and the picture will taint that,” Herman said.

This reporter can be reached at washington.fan@hotmail.com

Then The

Highlander

needs you!

March 6, 2009

SPORTS

Limited space leads to more cuts Andrew Davis Assistant Sports Editor

It is a familiar sight to see athletes working extremely hard after school in order to be in top form for their sport. However, many people are not familiar with the students who work and train just as hard, but are unable to earn a spot on a team.

Getting cut from a team can be one of the most depressing things about high school. An athlete can work and train for months in order to prepare, but come up just short in tryouts.

One of these students is junior Connor Hymes.

Hymes played JV soccer as a freshman and sophomore, but failed to make the varsity squad this spring. He said that his two years on JV made the experience of getting cut much worse.

“Playing two years before definitely made it worse. I had to watch all my friends from the team move up to varsity,” Hymes said. photo by Andrew Davis Playing on the varsity squad has been one of Hymes’ primary goals in high school.

Above: Varsity lacrosse and soccer (below) players run drills during recent practices. Due to “I have been playing soccer since I was a little the number of people that tried out for both teams, many players had to be cut. kid, and this always seemed like the top thing that JV tennis team. He sees this as both a blessing and I could achieve as far as soccer goes,” he said.

However, Hymes does feel that he got a fair try- a curse.

“Obviously I am disappointed that I did not out. He cited the number of players and the depth of talent at the tryouts as the primary reasons for him make varsity, and I have to watch all my friends play getting cut. He says that he does not hold a grudge varsity. On the other hand, it is good to be in the against the varsity team, but he is disappointed that system, and hopefully I will get moved up, or make all of his training during the winter was wasted. varsity next year,” Lindstedt said.

Lindstedt also trained some in the winter. He Hymes worked out consistently, and also played for a McLean Youth Soccer club team coached by McLean hoped that this training would put him over the top in tryouts. He said that getting put on JV was a varsity head coach Mike Anderson.

“I went running a lot, and just tried to get out and somewhat disappointing experience, but that overall, play. I also play for the Raptors which is coached by it was a positive thing.

“It is like when you are really hungry, and you Coach Anderson. Me getting cut by him definitely want some really good chocolate ice cream that you made it a lot tougher.”

Junior Robert Lindstedt tried out for varsity ten- have, but when you open the freezer, all you have is nis for the first time this year. He was also disap- vanilla,” he said.

The writer can be reached at pointed by the fact that he was not put on varsity. adavisbb@yahoo.com However, unlike Hymes, Lindstedt was put on the photo by Mohammad Tavakoli

Highlander

21

An inside look: Connor Hymes Grade: 11 Sport: Soccer Worst part of getting cut: I had to watch all my friends from the team move up to varsity.

Level of preparation: Played club soccer, and worked out during the winter.

Robert

Lindstedt Grade: 11 Sport: Tennis Worst part of getting cut: I have to watch all my friends play varsity.

Level of preparation: Occasionally played during the winter.

Marco

Anshien Grade: 11 Sport: Lacrosse Worst part of getting cut: I was upset because lacrosse seemed like a fun sport.”

Level of preparation: Not a whole lot, just decided to play.

22

Highlander

SPORTS

March 6, 2009

photos and graphic by Reza Masgarha From football to hockey to basketball, sports movies work to captivate audiences by telling a story. It’s one story that plays with emotion and character to explain how one person, or a number of people are able to walk away from defeat towards victory. Overcoming obstacles, diversity, and temptation, the stories empower viewers to follow in their footsteps and persevere through all odds to accomplish what is most important to them. Whether it be creating a league of their own, flying through space to unreached limits, or playing with an Angel, these films all shine in the Friday night spotlight.

1 2 3 4

Angels in the Outfield: The California Angels are the joke of the MLB.

Roger, a young boy currently in foster care, is the Angels’ biggest fan. Roger’s father comes to visit and Roger asks if they can ever live together again. Roger’s father responds that when the Angels win the pennant, they will be united again. The next game Roger sees actual angels helping the team make amazing plays. Roger tells the team Manager, George Knox, who decides to keep Roger at every game. With the help of angels, the team is able to turn it around. “The movie really makes you appreciate what you have,” junior Victor Nguyen said.

Friday Night Lights: This is the true story of the 1988 Permian High

School football team in Odessa Texas. The surrounding town is divided by race and struggling economically, but all that goes away on Friday night when almost the entire town goes to watch the Permian Panthers play. The first game of the season the team’s star runningback goes down for the season, and the team town is spiritually crushed. Coach Gaines is able to keep his team together and make a miraculous run into the playoffs. “The movie taught me that you can never let anything get to you. You have to go on with your best effort,” freshmen Alexei Ortiz said.

Space Jam: Swackhammer, owner of the amusement park planet Moron

Mountain needs new attractions and decides that the Looney Tunes would be perfect. He sends five undersized whimpy aliens known as the nerdlucks to capture them. Bugs challenges them to a game of basketball for their freedom.

Win, and they’re free, lose, and they must go and become attractions at the park. In a twist, the nerdlucks take the playing abilities of NBA superstars and make themselves tall and strong. Bugs enlists the help of Michael Jordan as a last resort. “The movie showed me that if you believe, no matter your size, you can beat anyone,” sophomore Henry Contreras said.

Miracle: Miracle is the true story of the 1980 U.S. men’s winter Olympic

hockey team, coached by former team U.S.A. hockey player Herb Brooks.

The film chronicles the team’s journey as well as one of the greatest moments in sports history, the “miracle on ice,” where 20 ragtag college players from the U.S. beat the international juggernauts from the Soviet Union. “The movie showed that if you unite as a team and work hard you can overcome tremendous odds,” sophomore Aaron Golesorkhi said.

5

6 7 8

Remember the Titans: This movie is the true story of the T.C. Williams

football team in 1971. T.C. Williams has just been formed from a white school and a black school being desegregated into one. Newly hired head coach, Herman Boone, an African American, takes the position promised to Bill Yoast, a successful white coach from the area. Boone takes the players to a rigorous camp that is intended to not only improve football ability but unite the team as well.

Eventually the players become unified and go on to have a tremendous season, despite many race-stemmed issues that arise. “The movie taught me that a team divided can not stand,” Sophomore Rozh Baraway said.

We Are Marshall: In November 1970 most of the players and coaches

from the Marshall University football team tragically died in a plane crash.

University President Donald Dedmon was on the verge of indefinitely suspending the program until begged to reconsider by students on campus and the few players who missed the flight. Made of only 18 players, 15 of them freshmen, Lengyel leads the team through the season, which is an accomplishment in itself.

“It is really inspiring that they were able to overcome that tragedy,” freshmen Dylan Pagnotta said.

A League of Their Own: WWII threatened to shut down the MLB. Tak-

ing advantage of the situation, Walter Harvey, a candy manufacturer, decides to make a women’s league to make some money. The movie mainly revolves around the sibling rivalry between Dottie Henson, the older, more beautiful, and more talented one and Kit Keller. The two meet in the championship finals for an intense competition. They come together afterwards and reconcile before going their separate ways. “The movie was inspirational to me because they were the first to show that women could be respected as athletes.” English teacher Christy Toledano said.

Coach Carter: In 1999, Ken Carter agreed to become the head coach of

his alma mater, Richmond High School. Carter takes the disorganized program and undisciplined players and turns them around. He implements strict academic requirements, a dress code, and a code of conduct. Carter fights to make sure that the boys follow his regulations and explore more possibilities than sports for their futures. “The movie made me realize that you have to excel in multiple areas to be successful in life,” sophomore Tinn Suwannasorn said.

SPORTS

March 6, 2009

Highlander

23

photos courtesy of Head Coach Mark Thompson

Above: In the game, McLean Hawks hold an inner circle to discuss strategy and pick formations.

Left: The Special Olympics basketball team and coaches show off their new uniforms.

Special Olympics basketball triumphs in regional tournament Elizabeth Masgarha Sports Editor

The Special Olympics basketball team continues their undefeated streak, having competed in six games, the team so far has four wins and two ties.

Head Coach Mark Thompson and Assistant Coach Cameron Fraiser implement practices where the number one rule is to have fun, literally.

“What is different about coaching Special Olympics is that, for these students, it’s a time to have fun working as a team and just getting to play the game,” Fraiser said. “It is a real privilege to work with them because they are so humble, inspirational, straightforward, even with something like playing basketball.”

Thompson has been working with Special Olympics for the past six years with the help of numerous volunteers and his Assistant: Fraiser.

Each year the team assembles a group of students ranging from grades nine through 12 to compete with other schools from around the state.

“

It is a real privilege to work with them because they are so humble, inspirational, straightforward, even with something like basketball.

”

-Cameron Fraiser Life Skills Teacher

This year’s group includes artists, like freshman Chip Dar Jaun and pure basketball enthusiasts like junior Brian Marquez.

Marquez, also the team’s captain, has been playing on the team since he came to McLean and gets his fill of basketball on and off the court.

“I play on my own at least everyday,” Marquez said. “I

also play with my team every week at practice and it’s something that I enjoy a lot.”

Marquez says that the most difficult opponent they have faced was the Area II Lightening team, that they played last week. The team managed to work together and pull out victorious with a final score of 32-28.

“The team really came together and played tremendously,” Thompson said. “We knew that this game was going to be tough, but in the end their effort really paid off.”

The feedback from the school has also helped boost spirit for the players. Many faculty members attend away games.

“The administration and faculty have been great,” Thompson said. “They come out and support the team with spirit. It makes our players feel even more connected with the school.”

This Saturday is the team’s last game at St. Steven’s and St. Agnes middle school in Alexandria. They play at noon against the GMU Gold Terminators.

The reporter can be reached at emasgarha@ yahoo.com

24

SPORTS

Highlander

March 6, 2009

High octane sledding Students tear up a local hill Ned Burchfiel Managing Editor

After an overnight snowstorm brought six inches to the McLean area, sledders on Monday flocked to a large hill on Maddux Lane near Chesterbrook Elementary.

Their mission: to spend their snow day defying gravity by flying off a rock-hard jump.

"I was concerned that it would be too icy," senior Stephen Lastova said. He also worried that "it would take the wind out of me."

Once on the jump, however, Lastova "realized how nice and smooth it actually was."

The crowd at Maddux lane was a mix of all ages and interests. Although most stayed towards the smooth side of the hill, young girls, teenagers and a parent all tried the jump.

Though jumps and sledding tricks often hurt him, Longfellow 7th grader Luke Lockard “usually [thinks] of the positives” when sledding. For example, his neighbor gave him a free lunch because of his sled jumps, which included a front flip.

“This was my first time flipping but I do standing up a lot,” Lockard said. “Every year I try something new.”

Sled jumping requires its share of coordination and strength. Lastova gets exercise daily using weights, a treadmill, push-ups, sit-ups and squats, whereas Lockard gets plenty of practice from other sports.

“I wakeboard, snowboard, skate board and do stupid

stuff on it. I do pretty much anything on a board,” he said.

In the past, Lastova had sledded behind Lemon Road.

His street "used to have the neighborhood lights all lit up" for night sledding, which was "not the safest thing but still a blast to do."

Sled jumping is not injury-free. After the two front flips, which involved “landing really hard on my back,” Lockard had a headache all of Tuesday. “I was pretty hurt after the last flip,” he said.

Lastova did not attempt the tricks that Lockard performed, like standing up or flipping onto his back.

Nevertheless, he feared losing his grip on the sled and accidentally spinning after rotating off the jump. When sledding, Lastova has "the fear in the back of your head that you might break something."

Would-be jumpers, says Lastova, should wear a helmet "if you're going to hit those bumps on purpose.”

Successful jumps, he says, involve "hitting the ramp on the sweet spot" and keeping a hold onto the sled.

Adds Lockard, “make sure you’re not just trying to impress friends and look cool. Do stuff that you’re pretty sure you can pull off.”

A day after Lastova and Lockard launched off the jump, plenty of snow was left on the Maddux Lane slope.

Early on Tuesday, a group of children was already back at the hill, ready to sled the two hour delay away.

Sledders at Maddux Lane in McLean spent Monday getting some air. A large jump erected on a local hill sent students flying, flipping (see below) and crashing as the day went on.

The author can be reached at sleet@ymail.com.

Sledding for your health Five steps to a sled front flip as performed by Luke Lockard Note: for experts only.

1 1. Approach the jump.

Elizabeth Masgarha Sports Editor

2 1

3

2. Enter into a spin as the sled heads to the ground.

3. Release the sled.

4. Maintain the tuck until fully rotated.

5. Land on the sled. (Lockard bounced off.)

4

5

Most people associate sledding as being the perk of a snow day or an activity for little kids. What they fail to realize is that sledding is not only a great way to build muscle, but it also can be simulated any time of the year.

According to bodybuilding.com, sled training can strengthen your biceps, abdominal, glutes, hamstrings, balance and endurance.

When just casually sledding on a snow day, the only real exercise would be from walking back up the hill with your weight [the sled] repeatedly. However, a few alterations to that situation, and an actual workout can be made from this unlikely activity.

“Picking hills that are steeper and more hilly work the gluts, hamstrings and ab muscles, because the uneven surfaces force these muscles to contour to the terrain and stress them much more than a flat surface,” athletic trainer Michael Danielsson said on the website.

He goes on further to say that in one hour of continuous sledding, a person can burn up to 360 calories.

Another tip that he suggested is to add snow to the sled when walking up the slope, because this addition of weight will only increase the drag and stress the muscles even more.

Apart from just getting a workout on these select days of the year, sled training can now be simulated off season as well.

What is known as a Westside barbell, is a “machine” that can be used on any smooth flat surface and offers even better results that just sledding.

“People are beginning to transition to

this type of training more than just the regular lap pull down,” athletic trainer David Lee said. “Not only is this great for cardio and endurance, but also helps simulate what happens in sports. This is the best way to build the exact muscles used when playing a sport.”

Josh Henkin, another trainer from bodybuilding.com, displays the array of benefits to come from using this machine.

He first begins by saying that sled training with the Westside dumbbell will “even out the muscle imbalance” that most people have.

For those suffering from a weak back and poor posture, this weight can adjust those problems while building muscle. It can also be used to strengthen those who suffer from back and knee injuries and can’t perform squats or lungs.

What is also different about sled training versus other exercises is that the chance of injury is very low.

“If consistent with reps and progression of weight increase, it is very difficult to hurt yourself,” Henkin said. “You only hear of people hurting themselves when they try to work with such heavy weights without the muscle to do so.”

So whether actually sled training, or getting a simple workout on a day off from school, sledding can offer a good workout that can strengthen your core as well as multiple muscles that range from your biceps to hamstrings.

“I love sledding, I always drag my friends out when there’s snow on the ground,” senior Brooke Bush said. “The fact that it helps me lose weight is just a bonus.”

The writer can be reached at Emasgarha@yahoo.com.