BlueXpress Volume 2, Issue 1

BX CONNECTS

Meet Mrs. Altendorf

Page 1

New Cell Phone Policy Page 7

Keeping Millbrook Safe Page 13

A Homecoming to Remember Page 29

VOL 2 | ISSUE 1 FALL | 2018

We are more than just writing. We are Millbrook. We are BlueXpress.

Letter from the Editor Here it is! The first of four quarterly magazines to be published this year by the BlueXpress! None of this would have been possible were it not for the hard work and passion of the students that we have in our program this year, from our new writers to fledgling photographers to videographers in training. I have seen everyone put in their top level of effort, and I believe that this magazine is a shining example of what can be achieved when this happens.

This year, our first issue of BXConnects is themed to a quote by the late great David Bowie: “Ch-ch-changes!� This year, there is a new principal calling the shots at Millbrook High School, new rules for the students to live by, and new staff members and student leaders to get to know. We hope that we have done a good and fair job at reporting the news to you in this issue.

Madison Lazenby, Editor-in-Chief of the BlueXpress

The Publications Team Editor-in-Chief

Madison Lazenby

Associate Editor

Carolynn Unger

Graphic Design Editor Matthew Bennett

Photography Editors Collin Boyer Steven Crowl

Multimedia Editor Alex Stone

Website Editor

Christian Hellwig

Art Team

Matthew Bennett Isabella Evernham

Reporting Team

Allie Corno Robert Huse Oscar Rodriguez Azrael Stavely Sophia Young

Photography Team

Ana Garcia Erin Stewart Rodriguez Karlie Franklin Kei Cortez Nicholas Warrick Zoe Crowl Hiley Justis Jose Rosales

Videography Team Drake Adcox Aidan McAlevy Trinity Myers Jake Upshaw

The Publishers Print Edition Published by Northern Virginia Daily www.nvdaily.com

Digital Publishing by aPrintis Inc. www.aprintis.com

Advisers

Cliff Campbell Maribeth Carmichael

Millbrook High School

251 First Woods Drive Winchester, VA 22603 540-545-2800 http://mhs.frederick.k12.va.us/home

Graphic Design Team

Kim Soule Kimberly Valladeres

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BlueXpress

Serving the Pioneer Community since 2003

BX Connects with highlights from First Quarter 2018

NEWS

23 | Cell Phone Policy

page 1

INSIDE THIS ISSUE IN-DEPTH

1 | Meet Mrs. Altendorf

24 | Bathroom Policy

page 7

25 | Introducing SCA/Class Officers 29 | Homecoming Week

FEATURES

OPINIONS

11 | New Counselor

5 | Guidance Counselors

13 | New Resource Officer

7 | Cell Phone Policy

A&E

SPORTS

17 | BX Toons

27 | Golf Wrap Up

19 | Young Frankenstein

29 | Homecoming Game

21 | Ariana Grande’s Sweetener

31 | Volleyball Update

page 13

9 | Bathroom Policy

page 29

32 | Athlete Q&A

www.bluexpress.net THIS AND MORE ONLINE Keep up-to-date with news from this issue, on campus and around the community by visiting www.bluexpress.net on a regular basis.

On the Cover New principal Mrs. Joanne Altendorf (center) stands with asistant principal Mrs. Raegan Rangel (left) and freshman Andrio Georgiev (right) at the Pioneer Spirit Awards on January 10, 2019.

Our Goal The BX Connects intends to be a public forum for student expression and encourages all sides to voice their opinion. Staff members will honor Millbrook High School and its community and the journalistic profession by placing truth, accuracy and objectivity first.

Corrections, Comments and Clarifications Should an error occur inside this issue, go to www.bluexpress. net/corrections

The magazine for Millbrook High School Campus and Community

Article by | Madison Lazenby

Photos Provided by | Mrs. Joanne Altendorf

In July 2018, Millbrook High perspective, because I can work with she had some minor difficulties while School welcomed its fourth principal, teachers and I can still work with transitioning over to Millbrook.

Joanne Altendorf. Before arriving kids.”

Instead of starting in August with at Millbrook, Ms. Altendorf was a What made Millbrook stand out to the students or before the end of the high school science teacher for nine Ms. Altendorf was its “great reputa2017-2018 school year, she officialyears and an assistant principal at tion” in the Winchester community. ly became principal in July 2018.

Sherando High School for six years.

“I live in the district,” she said, “and She said that this was not ideal as Ms. Altendorf has not made any com- living in this area, you see Millbrook she felt that not having students ments on whether or teachers present she likes Millbrook meant that “the more than Sheranheart and soul of do; instead, she the building wasn’t remarked on how here.” This meant smooth the transithat she had to put tion has been for her in the extra effort and what she likes to get to know the about Millbrook. faculty and teachers “I love Millbrook,” during the summer, she said. “The staff which she called her are so energetic, “initial goal” when the students have coming onto the job. been great. So I am “I wanted to start absolutely loving to get to know the Millbrook.” staff,” she explained, Ms. Altendorf “hear their concerns, explained that the what excites them idea of being able about their classto “have an impact” rooms.” on the whole school However, Ms. Alwas what drew her tendorf believes that to her job as an the transition was Mrs. Altendorf sits at her new desk in the Millbrook High School office. assistant principal. easier than it could Photo by | Steven Crowl “The inner workings have been in other of a school is really something that stickers everywhere.” She explained situations. She specifically has her I like. There’s a lot of moving parts that she felt that Millbrook has a office staff to thank for helping her in a school.” Though she said that very positive presence in the area get acquainted with the procedures her direct work with students as a and she knew that “Millbrook has of how Millbrook operates. “They’ve science teacher was very rewarding great staff, great students.” That, been welcoming, they’ve been helpfor her, she also wanted to be able to along with the fact that her two ful,” she said, but she added that work with the teachers around her daughters will eventually become she did not think that there were to help run the school. She explained Pioneers themselves, was ultimately any major obstacles to overcome in being a school administrator allows why she felt that Millbrook was a the transition since she had been her get “the most out of both aspects “perfect fit” for her. working in Frederick County before. when working in a school from this Even so, Ms. Altendorf felt that “A lot of the policies and procedures

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were similar to those at Sherando,” she explained, “so it wasn’t that I was coming from a completely different county where things could be done in a very different manner.”

When it comes to students, Ms. Altendorf said that she wants to “be visible, be open, [and] be approachable.” She hopes to accomplish this by participating and attending several school events in order to “be able to be part of the culture here at Millbrook.” As she was interviewed

student leaders, which she said has been a “slow” process since it is still early in the year. To remedy this, she attended both of the SCA Forums this year and has been getting to know the seniors and student leaders in order to understand how they want to see Millbrook and their respective clubs and programs change and grow.

respectful and takes us seriously, so that’s really nice.”

Esslinger said that her time as SCA president has been great so far.

“All the SCA Forums have been go-

“[Ms. Altendorf] always comes to the forums and she’s open to talking with us.” - Evie Esslinger, SCA President before many of the Homecoming Week events, she also specifically said that she was looking forward to “the pep rally and Homecoming game.” She attended both as she planned on Friday, September 28, and she was able to crown seniors Savon Smith and Jordan Reid as the Homecoming King and Queen. She is also looking forward to Millbrook’s production of The Addams Family, even admitting that she was a choir and drama student in high school.

“I was involved in choir for as long as I can remember, and I was also involved in all of the musicals since probably seventh grade and all through high school.”

Ms. Altendorf also said that she wants to stay involved with the

Senior Evie Esslinger is the SCA President this school year, and she concurred with Ms. Altendorf and said that she has not met too often with the new principal.

“But she always comes to the forums and she’s open to talking with us,” she said, adding that she was very helpful during the process of deciding Homecoming Week dress up themes, specifically when “[Ms. Altendorf] cleared pajama day.”

Overall, Esslinger believes that Ms. Altendorf definitely takes student leadership seriously, saying, “Oh, yeah, she definitely does… She’s

ing really smoothly and really well,” she said. “I’m looking forward to the rest of the year.” As president, her goals for the school year include continuing the We Are Campaign, which she said promotes “diversity within the school.” She explained, “I really liked that last year, so hopefully we can do it again this year.”

BX CONNECTS | Pages 1 –2

“The staff are so energetic, the students have been great. So I am absolutely loving Millbrook.” - Ms. Altendorf, Principal Ms. Altendorf also has long term walked out of class that day to relationship with student leaders” goals in mind. After talking to sevparticipate as well and gained press at school so that she is able to hear eral student leaders and teachers, coverage from the Winchester Star their concerns and they are able to she has determined work together and that she wants to move forward. She increase “school did not make any pride.” She said that clear indication as to is one specific area of whether or not she school culture that would allow another she would “love to walkout to be held at see continue to grow Millbrook. here at Millbrook.”

In the meantime, However, she was she has much to look doubtful that she forward to, she said. would be able to Ms. Altendorf has make a significant been excited to be impact on that front able to fill the role of just in her first year. principal at school “Change is slow,” she events, such as the said. “It sometimes Academic Awards. takes a little while.”

“It’s exciting… to be The topic of “actthe one congratuing out change for lating the students, many” calls to mind to be the one to the change in the shake their hands Mrs. Altendorf and her family hiking in Sky Meadows State Park. role students hold as they’re walking in society following the shooting at and the BlueXpress. across the stage,” she explained. The Marjory Stoneman-Douglas High Ms. Altendorf appears to be aware current senior class will also be the School in Parkland, Florida, which of the change in how students are first time that she has ever resided led to the resurgence of the national viewed and how they act within soci- over a graduation ceremony in the gun control debate. What made the ety. “I think it’s important to realize role of principal, so one can only debate different, however, was how that students have a voice,” she said, imagine how much Millbrook Pride students across the country took up “and that we need to listen to our she will have on that day in the near the cause and organized a national students.” She also called situations future. school walkout on March 14, 2018. like the National School Walkout More than 150 Millbrook students a reason to have a “good working

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“It’s exciting to be the one congratulating the students, to be the one to shake their hands as they’re walking across the stage.” Ms. Altendorf, Principal

BX CONNECTS | Pages 3 –4

School Counselors: Opinion by | Carolynn Unger

Photo by | Nick Warrick Guidance Counselors Ms. Snowden, Mrs. Unger, and Ms. Robinson attend the annual Senior Breakfast held each August.

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here seems to be a misunderstanding of guidance counselors for years. I have heard many people complain that they, “never do anything” or “won’t help me”. Well as a girl who has both of her parents as guidance counselors, you can say that I take this a bit personally. My parents were always people that I looked up to for advice or comfort in my daily

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academic life. Even counselors who are not my parents have helped me through my shy elementary school and awkward middle school years.

But of course guidance counselors are so much more than people who offer emotional support. Counselors are also responsible for organizing schedules that meet the students and/or parents wants and needs. My mother was just promoted to the job

of Guidance Director this year. The responsibilities of this job as well as creating schedules that satisfy students were slightly overwhelming.

It’s interesting being at home at the end of the day with both of my parents talking about what they can do to make the guidance office a more organized and positive environment for students and parents alike.

This year Millbrook gained a new

guidance counselor, Ms. Snowden, and so far she is loving it. “Just trying to get into everything. Asking a million questions.” Ms. Snowden wanted to be a counselor since she was an admissions counselor at a university. She really wanted to help students in preparing for college and what they want to do. “Also, to steer them towards success after.” In order to become a counselor, she had to earn her bachelor’s degree, double major in psychology and criminal justice, and go on to her master’s in school counseling at Saint Peter’s University. Like other guidance counselors, every day has a brand new task. “Everything changes a little bit, which I kind of like. When I first get in, I check my emails to make sure I’m not missing anything super important, whether it’s a student or a teacher.” Currently, the main focus

in guidance is to make sure seniors get all of their credentials in order to graduate.

When it comes to feeling underappreciated as a counselor, Ms. Snowden says she sometimes feels like they are. “I think it just depends on the person on how they know the school system.” She feels as though people do not truly know what counselors do all day, that they just do scheduling all day long. Which is of course not the case. “That’s part of it, but we also do a lot of different things and we play different roles and put on different hats everyday.”

There are some days where Ms. Snowden wants to show those who don’t know much what counselors can do. “I just want to show them like, ‘Hey! That’s not all we do!’ Just show them the day in the life of a counselor.”

Photos by | Nick Warrick

Ms. Kristi Unger

Ms. Cindy Jones, Guidance Secretary, helps keep the office running smoothly.

Ms. Denise Robinson

Ms. Cindy Jones

Ms. Caitlin Snowden

Mr. Joe Neidrick

BX CONNECTS | Pages 5 –6

Take a Side:

Cell Phone Policy It’s For the Best

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Opinion by | Sophia Young

he start of a new school year came, and with it new rules, including the newest cell phone policy.

The cell phone policy has its pros and cons, but the pros outweigh the cons. The new policy states that the “phone/device is silenced, out of sight, and not in use.”

Teachers are supposed to enforce their rules, as much as most of my teachers dislike it. The reason most of my teachers don’t like the policy, however, is because they are mostly advanced classes that follow a career path, so we are expected to do what we need to do to succeed, and are given more freedoms and flexibility.

If students don’t get something done or use good Photo by | Kylie Stevans time management skills, it only comes back to hurt that learning when we get in trouble at person, and they’ll learn from it. I work for using them or during an feel like this policy is a good thing interview for a job. Being taught in only because I think of school as a an area where you are supposed to be learning teaches you the skills work area, not somewhere you just earlier, before you can get into real go because you have to. When you trouble. grow up and get a job or follow your I also think the new policy is a career path, distractions like phones positive because it can cause a major could become a problem. How likely distraction in classes for teachers do you think a boss will be to pick as well. When a teacher constantly someone who is focused on the job, has to remind students to put their getting work done, versus someone phones away, and have to continchecking their phone when their uously watch to make sure they time is currently supposed to be aren’t out, it wastes valuable time used on the job? that could be spent teaching. I, as a student, think it’s really sad when If we aren’t taught while we are the same student has to be told to young in high school, we would be

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put their phone away every day.

In one of my classes here at school, I have a really great teacher who always does everything he can for students and is very flexible and cool, but this one student always has his phone out and tries to ruin it for everyone else. I feel like students aren’t just being rude to the teacher when they do this, but all the students with their phones put away, trying to get work done and do what they are supposed to do. Those are reasons why I personally think the new cell phone policy will benefit not just teachers and faculty, but students in their process of learning and doing their jobs.

It’s For the Worst

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Opinion by | Robert Huse n Millbrook’s fifteen years of Pioneer pride, many reforms of policy have taken place. From changes in technology and changes in leadership comes the most prevalent change of my junior year- the harsh stance administration takes on our phones. The new cell phone protocol was, by far, the most talked about topic of lunchroom tables and advisory periods, right next to our newly implemented bathroom policy. What brought about the need for these excessive changes? I saw no faults in my classes, or even Millbrook as a whole, for us to be punished with red tape. Making it through the school day has just been made a whole lot harder, or so it may seem.

As the first week continued on, I found that the strategy to keep us engaged had weathered away. It was as if the rule had been reversed back, or was it just that teachers had stopped enforcing it? I have received many candid remarks from teachers on the reform, and they don’t feel cell phones are the root of all evil in the classroom. A teacher’s job is not to become a cell-phone-slayer, but to help their students achieve something. How uncomfortable it must be for a teacher to tell someone, who may be only a few years behind them in age, to “put your phone away”.

It interrupts class, and, most importantly, never would have lasted more than a few moments. I’m most certainly not expecting a free for all from those in power, but replying to a quick text shouldn’t make me feel defiant. In fact, the rule itself is quite strict- but it all begins with the words of “at the teacher’s discretion.” Which means that a teacher can warrant what is right for their students, and, like more than you may believe, completely disregard it. Now, even if a teacher chooses to follow the guidelines precisely, personally none of mine have, there are still many breaches in our attentionand some are even provided by the school.

The Chromebook is by far the greatest and worst thing Millbrook

has adopted into its education program.

I am, as seen above, in no way against the embrace of technology, but Chromebook integration has opened up a few more issues than it has solved. In the context of the cell phone policy, the chromebook has given students an incognito way of totally not paying attention. You will Photo by | Kylie Stevans rarely ever hear a but still maintain a belief they can teacher tell a stuachieve what is important to them, I dent to put their Chromebook away, see no issues with that. unless they’re spotted watching A school should not give you only Game of Thrones or their Pokémon one path to success, because success tab is closed. 95% of time there is can be interpreted in different ways. an excuse to have that browsing Anything that is compulsory carries machine on your desk, whether it’s a stigma that is hard to get around. to look at the slides presentation up The age of mandatory schooling is close, or to complete the classroom supposedly “the best time of your assignment you are going over. Now, lives,” but to most it seems the as much as the school’s wifi hinders opposite. If something can be done your ability to view basic things to ease that tension, even if it as deemed inappropriate, the filter is simple as just zoning out for a few not omniscient. The world wide web minutes, the benefits of happiness was not made for the school sysare far greater than any diploma. tem; therefore, it would be nearly Stress is by far the highest impactor impossible to blacklist everything. on students, and it won’t go away Chromebook abuse will more than with time. Perhaps the rule simply likely never be fixed, and when it exists to teach us there are rules we does- I pity the students who must have to follow in life, but to me it is live through it. seen as a detractor from Millbrook’s With a similar mindset, I believe that, as high schoolers, we should be aura. If I don’t feel safe completing the medial task of checking my email able to experience the normalities in AP English 11, a college course, of life. To be inside a building where how can I feel comfortable being we are treated like an irresponsible myself? As an upperclassman, there child, and then expected to be an outstanding member of society when is no reason why I shouldn’t feel I am in control of my education. I reaching freedom, is absurd. If we are expected to attend college, It will oppose the implied sense the school be quite the awakening when we find board has that there will be no the parameters of the law at our only phones in classrooms. It is time for a more sensible reform that accurately levels of control. The cell phone polrepresents what is happening in “the icy is just one example of our school system believing it is to the student’s real world” that as students we are oh-so-prepared-for. benefit; when in reality, it is the cause of imbalance in a student’s timeline. If a student wishes to spend their time doing other things,

BX CONNECTS | Pages 7 –8

Azrael Stavely and Jose Rosales display the new color-coded bathroom clipboards students must carry when signing in and out of the restrooms.

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Is it an Emergency? : The New Bathroom Policy Controversy Opinion by | Azrael Stavely

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Meet the Staff

Photos by | Hiley Justis

ust like most schools, there have closest bathroom and get back to class as been problems in the past with soon as possible,” Mrs. Altendorf stated. students wandering the halls Mr. Friend teaches ninth and tenth during class time as well as stugrade English. He said, “I think the bathdents skipping class. A new rule has been room policy makes people accountable put in place to help solve this problem. for where they are supposed to be and The bathroom policy states that students when they are supposed to be there. We are not allowed to go to the restroom had a pretty significant problem last year during the first and last 15 minutes of with students not being where they were the period. supposed to After that, be during they have to “The bathroom policy makes people ac- class. I think countable for where they are supposed this has sign out of their class, gone a long to be and when they are supposed to take the clipway toward be there.” - Mr. Daniel Friend board, then solving that sign into the problem. I bathroom their classroom is assigned to, would have to say that this system works and once they are done, they sign out, best for the population that we have.” get their clipboard, and then go back to Mr. Friend also explained that he thinks class. this new policy keeps kids safer in school “The bathroom policy is based on feedbecause there are specific zones where back from faculty and students from last each student should be when they have a year. We are hearing that they wanted certain class so they are less likely to be to place more emphasis on keeping the in a place where they are not supposed students in the classroom. Instruction is to be. Mr. Lewis, Technology coach, said, why we’re here so that is the most im“I think that the new bathroom policy portant piece and hearing that students has helped to alleviate the problem of were walking the halls or going from one students wandering the halls during side of the building to the other side...we class by restricting them to specifics are trying to teach students the expectabathrooms based upon room. It think tions when using the bathroom. Go to the the pros outweigh the cons. There are improvements that can be made, but I think that this is a successful change.”

Some of the cons of this policy would be that students are out of class for a longer time because there is lot of signing in and out of class for the bathroom. Teachers on hall duty are more distracted dealing with all of the students, and some students think that they are being treated too much like children. Even though there are a few cons, there are a lot of pros for the students and the teachers.

Madison Lazenby Editor-in-Chief

M

adison Lazenby is a senior and the Editor-in-Chief of the BlueXpress this year. This is her third year on the BlueXpress team. Outside of school, she was also the founder of Millbrook’s Creative Writing Club, is the secretary for Millbrook’s chapter of the National Honor Society, and is a member of the Drama Club. She is a graduate of Muskoka Woods’ CEO Leadership Program and the UVA Young Writers’ Workshop. Her writing has been recognized by the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards and the Apple Valley Creative Writing Contest. When she is not reading, writing, or studying, she is likely volunteering with either the Northwestern Regional Educational Program or Project Write, inc. She plans on attending college next fall to study creative writing, journalism, and foreign languages.

Her goal in life is to receive a Harrison Hug (look it up) and she loves to complain about not having a Netflix account.

BX CONNECTS | Pages 9 –10

, “So understanding, so welcoming, so helpful.” - Ms. Snowden Article by | Allie Corno

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t Millbrook there are so she went for her master’s degree parts and there are rewarding parts. many great staff memin counseling. “Once I got into my Some rewarding parts about counbers. Welcoming back the masters program, on that first day selling for Ms. Snowden are, “seeing old ones as well as the that we had orientation, I just fell in the positive attitude or seeing a kid new ones. Ms. Caitlin Snowden is love with it,” Ms. Snowden said. To light up after you talk to them, even a new counselor this year. What be able to get her degrees she went if they are having a bad day, you inspired her to pursue her career in to Teal College in Greenville, PA for can see that. I think that’s the most counseling was, “I have always had her bachelor’s degree, and a lot of rewarding. Also just helping them an interest in psychology and the people from Pittsburg went there. through certain situations and help counseling realm, but them through that. You I didn’t know exactly can be part of the soluwhat I wanted to do yet tion for the barriers kids once I completed my break through, I love Bachelor’s.” Her last job that.” Now the most difalso inspired her to be ficult parts Ms. Snowden a school counselor. She faces in her job are, used to work “as an ad“when I cannot help kids missions counselor at an with something, whether online university and I that it has something to saw a lot of students who do with outside of school, were in their 20’s, 30’s, or some type of issue 40’s, going back to school where I can’t help them and never had any get through that, it can direction within high be tough.” Even though school and they would there are the good and report that to me,” she bad sides of counseling shared. Ms. Snowden for Ms. Snowden, she added, “that was somereally enjoys what she thing I wanted to do. I does.

Challenged by the cold air and strong winds from Lake Michigan, wanted to help provide Before coming to Mrs. Snowden and her husband tour Chicago on segway’s. Photo students with direction, Millbrook, she had some provided by Mrs. Snowden. if I can, to help them, prior internships at and to succeed so they James Wood Middle and are better prepared for their future.” She got her bachelor’s in criminal James Wood High School in FrederMs. Snowden really enjoys helping justice and physiology at Teal Uniick County, VA. Millbrook, however, others when she can no matter the versity. Ms. Snowden adds, “It was a is her first official school counseling age of the person. small college and I did my bachelor’s position. Working with the counThe moment Ms. Snowden knew in criminal justice and psychology, selors at those schools, she enjoyed she wanted to pursue counseling double majored.” From there she learning from them and it was a was, “within a few months in when went onto her master’s at Seton Hall good overall experience for her. The I started as an admissions counselor University. That was where she com- ages she has counseled have been at the online university. I think that pleted her master’s degree in school kids from middle up to high school was when I knew I needed to go for counseling. ages. What brought her here was, “I this,” she commented. After that When counseling, there are hard just love Frederick County and ev-

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erybody has been so welcoming,” Ms. Snowden stated. When she was doing her internship she shared that, “everyone at each school was so willing to help me out that I just wanted to be a part of Frederick County.”

For the school year, she is super excited to continue meeting the people and gaining experience, and working as a school counselor. Her goals for the school year are to continue to learn about the application process for colleges, continue working with students on that, and helping them through as

they help her too. Also to really help students with achieving this year. So far this year, a highlight that makes her enjoy her job even more is the people she works with. “So understanding, so welcoming, so helpful,” are some words Ms. Snowden uses to describe her experience with the people here so far.

“Everyone has just been great,” she said. Always eager to meet with new students to talk to and try to help, with the school year only just starting, Ms. Snowden knows it will be a good one.

Photo by | Nick Warrick

“I wanted to help provide students with direction, if I can, to help them, and to succeed so they are better prepared for their future.”

- Ms. Snowden

Graphic by | Matthew Bennet

BX CONNECTS | Pages 11 –12

Meet Deputy Knicely Article by | Azrael Stavely

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erek Knicely is the new deputy at Millbrook High School and has had a career in law enforcement for sixteen years. He spent his first year on the force as a jailer in Warren County, then spent ten years at the Strasburg Police Department, and for the last six years he’s been in Frederick County. Deputy Knicely originally wanted to be in fire and rescue and said, “I got to that point where I could’ve gotten hired but I just never got that call. So I changed career paths into law enforcement.” While deputy Knicely was in high school, he volunteered at his local fire department because he wanted to help people. Deputy Knicely said he had always had a passion for being in fire and rescue so that’s another reason why he started volunteering. He volunteered at the Strasburg Fire Station and was the station lieutenant.

Deputy Knicely went to high school in Strasburg and graduated in 1997, then he attended a police academy in Middletown. His family was very supportive of his decision to join the force even if there were times where it made them nervous.

Deputy Knicely said, “I call this year my freshman year,” talking about how his first year at Millbrook has been, “so far the first couple weeks have been pretty steady, I’m learning. This is a new opportunity for me so I kinda want to get out there and work with the kids.

Mainly so I can show them I have a personality, I’m laid-back, so I can show them I’m not a robot.” So far Deputy Knicely has enjoyed being

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a resource officer for Millbrook and said, “I think some of the kids are starting to see that I do have a personality. Something I’ve been trying to do is go to the games and give the student athletes high fives before the game or tell them good job.” Outside of work, Deputy Knicely like to hunt, fish, and be with his family. He said, “I’m always there for my kids’ activities, I’m very supportive with them. My son and I are crazy about baseball so we’re always doing that.”

Deputy Knicely used to be a K9 handler for the force, adding, “Ike was his name, I worked with him for almost five and half years, he ended up having to be put down after I left. I loved having a service dog but it’s constant work. We used to go to competitions all the time, we stayed within the top ten for a while.”

Deputy Knicely said that his favorite part of being in the force is when he gets to help people “When you’re able to take care of a situation for somebody, especially if you get someone who breaks into cars, so then maybe I can get some of the merchandise back that was stolen and give it back to the rightful owner and to see their faces is a great feeling. The hardest thing about being on the force is death, when you have to notify somebody that their loved one is no longer with us, it’s tough. I’ve had to go into a church on Christmas Eve to notify someone before, it eats on ya.” Deputy Knicely said that he has two kids of his own, he stated that his family is definitely nervous about him being in the force because times have changed from

when he started. Deputy Knicely said that the worst scenario he’s ever been in while being in the force was a shootout in Frederick County. “It’s a different feeling when bullets are zipping through tree lines right over your head.” The way he was trained keeps him going. He said, “We want to be the ones who are there to take care of people, so in a situation like that, it’s tough because I am only thinking about who’s around me, the people I work with, the public, it’s like my family almost is the back burner when in those situations.”

Deputy Knicely said that the media might have something to do with how students perceive cops, commenting, “I think some people know that there is drama in the media however, some media is good. I’ve always looked at everything the same as handling calls, never jump to conclusions. Find out the facts before jumping to the conclusion cause a lot of people want to cut certain sections out but they don’t want to show what led up to the conclusion. That’s how I was trained, you just don’t jump to conclusions.” Deputy Knicely went from being on day shifts in a police car, to being at Millbrook. At Millbrook he helps the staff, he would be in charge if there was any immediate threat at Millbrook. He explained that he was trained in SWAT and he has been trained to deal with any situation where there may be an active shooter at the school.

When asking Deputy Knicely about the topic of accidental shootings, or in some cases accidental discharge, his response was, ”That’s

Deputy Knicely, our new School Resource Officer, is a deputy with the Frederick County Sheriff’s Department and replaces Deputy Fordyce.

tough, you don’t know the angles that people are on, you don’t know what was seen, you might have seen it on video but the sun might have been shining or something, you don’t know what type of light was in there.” On the topic of what Deputy Knicely would say to his kids about what they’ve seen on the news recently about some police officers and how some have been acting, he said, “ Just be open-minded. I’m not going to say there aren’t bad cops.

Every career has a bad person somewhere. But it is a very stressful job and we have to make split-second decision, it’s tough, it’s not an easy thing to do.”

To the students who are a little intimidated by the presence of the deputy at the school Deputy Knicely said, “Come get to know me. I have a personality, I’m laid-back. My daughter and my wife were super static that I got chosen for this position ’cause I know all of her friends and I’m like a big kid at heart.”

Photo by | Steven Crowl

Graphic by | Matthew Bennet

BX CONNECTS | Pages 13 –14

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Advertising and patron dollars help support MHS’s newspaper and journalism program. Dollars generated are used to offset the cost of print production, assist with conference attendance, and various purchases made to help keep our program current. You are helping us become an integral part of our community. Patron level is determined by the following scale: Friends $5; Bronze $10; Silver $15; Gold $25; Blue $50 and Xpress $100+.

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BX CONNECTS | Pages 15 –16

Art by | Matthew Bennett

Art by | Isabella Evernham

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Cartoon Division Arts & Entertainment

Meet the Staff

Cartoonists: Matthew Bennett, Isabella Evernham and Kimberly Valladares

Matthew Bennett Graphic Design Editor

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atthew Bennett is a senior and the head of the cartooning department as well as the co-head of the graphics department currently. He’s passionate about art and tries to take as many art classes as possible.

This year he is taking AP Art in addition to being an art mentor. This is Matthew’s second year in journalism and he hopes to gain even more experience in digital art and create pieces for his portfolio.

He’ll be applying to several art schools this fall, and his goal is to major in illustration. He is interested in a variety of art forms though so he also took an animation class this year and has taken graphics and photography classes as well.

Matthew spends the majority of his time doing art, but he also likes to spend time with his two amazing dogs, Frankie and Sassy.

Art by | Isabella Evernham

BX CONNECTS | Pages 17 –18

robert huse reviews

Images provided by flickr.com with release from 20th Century Fox.

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el Brooks’ Young Frankenstein is proof that a movie from 1974 can hold its worth against today’s flooded comedy genre. Young Frankenstein is a movie brought to us by 20th Century Fox, and it is truly masterful.

This film will make you feel nostalgic, even if you’ve managed to miss out on watching it.

Many years ago, as a young child, I recall my father finding this movie buried in the obscure movie compilation service known as HBO. Having already seen it, my father grabbed me for a hilarious ride to see the story of Dr. Frederick Frankenstein, played by no other than the stunning Gene Wilder.

Once hearing of his grandfather’s passing, Dr. Frankenstein leaves his wife behind and journeys to Transylvania. With the help of a few new friends, and an assistant canoly named Igor, played by Marty Feld-

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man, he soon gained interest in his grandfather’s work and manages to successfully do what the older man couldn’t; reanimate dead tissue. The movie is about the complications of creating a seven and a half foot tall monster, portrayed by Peter Boyle, in a town full of skeptics. Themes of madness, science, and identity all clash throughout the movie, to create a conflict that makes Dr. Frankenstein uncover the past and steer into new futures.

A movie with pristine execution is something far better than its

script. This film is another example of the cast elevating the movie, and Gene Wilder makes no exception.

The 1970’s were a prime time for WIlder with other successful movies such as Blazing Saddles and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Gene Wilder, I’m sure, has already stolen your heart in some way, and he definitely will continue to throughout this film. His performance is without flaws, for you can hear every emotion from his mouth spew through the silver screen. You can really sense his talent for acting

Meet the Staff

when the movie climaxes. It is a very powerful scene of Frederick embracing his ways of a Frankenstein, and finds love for the past and what’s to come in the future. The collaboration between all the cast members is unlike any other movie. Gene Wilder has a talent for being the star-lead character, but letting others grab your attention and get the punchlines.

A perfect setup led to another character standing out as an example of dynamic acting; Igor. His character was crafted beautifully for humor, but Marty Feldman’s role could not be replaced.

There is no understudy that could create such an authentic performance as Dr. Frankenstein’s hunchback assistant.

He has completely indulged himself in the persona of an iconically “abnormal” character. He holds a special relationship with Dr. Frankenstein, as they play off each other’s personalities and levels of intellect. It is a truly commedic pairing

by Mel Brooks to play them in juxtaposition.

Visually, is where all motion pictures come alive. For this film, the set’s aesthetics give importance to how the characters are more reputative. The beauty of this movie is really in the attention to detail, going beyond the desire to just make you laugh. The lighting was stunning; its use of dramatic darkness and warm candelabra closeups goes beyond the filmatic grain. The

lighting gives an extra aspect to the already beautifully authentic costumes.

The universe they created in 106 minutes is incredibly detailed. Not only did the extravagant set affect the mood, but the black and white overlay did not limit the film, but it was enough to enhance it.

This movie will stay with the viewer for more than just a moment. A movie’s job is to entertain and leave the audience with something more than when they came, and Young Frankenstein has done just that for me and so many others.

Brooks saw the gap in the world of comedy and filled it with a movie of substance.

With a riveting narrative, a grand and daring tale was told about a Halloween staple. It was and still is a new and fresh take on the genre of comedy movies. Mel Brooks shaped every second of runtime, so Gene Wilder could shape our hearts for compassion and faces into smiles.

Christian Hellwig Website Editor

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hristian is a sixteenyear-old web developer for the BlueXpress.

Christian considers himself and his teammates the “fire department” of the website because they go to work when something goes wrong. He also designed the layout for the homepage of the BlueXpress’s website. He codes for the BlueXpress as well. He enjoys playing tennis and is a part of the Varsity Tennis team.

Christian makes computer animations and is a tennis coach for Frederick County Parks and Rec. He enjoys fishing anywhere he can, though he typically fishes by himself because he likes being alone. He likes to PhotoShop pictures that have no meaning to anyone but himself, and sometimes they end up being funny. Christian likes history, but also does not like writing in history class. People like to describe him as a fun, energetic guy with a deep burning passion for the movie, “The Brave Little Toaster,” a family friendly film about overcoming obstacles in life.

BX CONNECTS | Pages 19 –20

oscar rodriguez reviews Ariana Grande’s

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Images provided by flickr.com with release from Berisik Radio. n May 22, 2017, a suicide bomber killed 22 people and injured hundreds during Ariana Grande’s concert in Manchester. This event was emotional on Ariana and caused her to cancel the rest of her Dangerous Woman tour dates. On June 4th of that year, she hosted a benefit concert titled One Love Manchester and donated the proceeds to help the victims and their families. Then she went dark and started working on her fourth studio album.

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fter almost two years of not releasing an album, Ariana Grande released Sweetener on August 17, 2018, a fifteen-track album, with a pop sound at its core, though also having an R&B sound to many of the songs. The album’s cover is also very different from the rest of her album covers. Her past albums, such as Dangerous Woman and Yours Truly, were all in black and white. Though with this album, the cover was in color for the first time. This resonates the message that this album is about being happy and bringing light to a dark world.

The first track on the album is raindrops (an angel cried) which is

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a thirty-eight-second cover of the original song by Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. This introduction to the album showcases Ariana’s grandiose vocals and sets the theme for the album which is all about hope. The second track is blazed (feat. Pharrell Williams) which was produced by Pharrell and has vocals provided by him too. The beat is a signature style from Pharell, which is a pop beat with an upbeat attitude. The lyrics are a love song about never letting her lover go and giving them all her love.

The third track on the album is the light is coming (feat. Nicki Minaj), which starts with Nicki’s verse. It continues onto Ariana’s vocals sing-

ing the chorus, “The light is coming, to give back everything the darkness stole,” with background adlibs of a male voice saying, “You wouldn’t let anybody speak.” The male voice in the background received a lot of backlash for being repetitive and distracting. This song was a single released before the album and it got a lot of critique for being repetitive.

R.E.M is the fourth track which features the hook from Beyonce’s demo of the song which was originally hers. Ariana then made it her own, with different lyrics, and features the production from Pharrell.

The song was well received and has become many people’s favorites off the album. R.E.M is one of the songs

on the album which has an R&B sound while staying true to a slow, soulful pop beat.

God Is a Woman is the fifth song on the album and is the second single off of it. This song sparked a lot of controversy and accused her of blasphemy against God. The music video for this track explained what message the song was trying to convey. The song is about female empowerment and their bodies.

She performed this song live at the VMA’s and it was applauded for its choreography and imagery of women as goddesses.

The title track, sweetener, is the sixth song. It starts off with Ariana’s vocals in a vibrant tone with a hiphop (trap) beat with a mix of pop.

The lyrics of the chorus are what many fans have been criticizing the song about. “Twist it, twist it, twist it, twist it, mix it and mix it and mix it and mix it,” is one of the lines from the chorus. This song also features the production of Pharrell.

The seventh song on the album is successful and it is a pop anthem about empowering women. Such as the line, “And, girl, you too, you are young and beautiful and successful.”

everytime is an R&B song about going back to a lover even after messing it up. breathin is an R&B song on the album and has reached number one on the iTunes chart even though it isn’t a single. no tears left to cry was the first single off the

album and it debuted at number one on the Billboard charts.

The eleventh track on the album is borderline and it features vocals from Missy Elliot. The song has a trap beat and the lyrics talk about trying to love someone and hoping they love you too. better off is the twelfth song on the album and it has an R&B sound to it and a slow soulful beat. The song is about leaving a toxic lover and many have specu-

lated that this song was about now deceased, ex-boyfriend, Mac Miller.

The thirteenth track on the album is goodnight n go and it is a very strong R&B song, and includes soft, powerful vocals from Ariana. In this song, she talks about a lover and

how perfect they are for her. pete davidson is an R&B/trap track titled after her current fiance, Pete Davidson. In this song she sings about how happy he makes her and how she is glad about her life with him. A lot of people found their relationship controversial because they had quickly gotten together after her breakup with Mac Miller.

The final track on the album is get well soon and has a soulful R&B sound while having a pop beat. This song is speculated to be about the Manchester attack and how she has tried to heal by finding the light in her life. “This is for everybody, babe, you gotta take care of your body,” is one of the lines in the chorus emphasizing the fact that she wants everybody to be happy and find their light. The song is a total of five minutes and twenty-two seconds, having forty seconds of it at the end of complete silence. Many people speculate that the song is about the Manchester Attack because of its length being the same as the date of the attack (5.22.17).

Sweetener is an album about hope and finding the light in life even in the darkest of times. Her vocals were shown thoroughly in this album as well as the message she is trying to give. Many of the songs may not be radio-friendly, meaning it isn’t upbeat pop tracks popular on the radio today. But the songs have a message, which a lot of music nowadays doesn’t have. It has a message of hope, love, and finding happiness in a time where the world is so tumultuous.

BX CONNECTS | Pages 21 –22

Cell Phone Policy Teachers Opinions & Why it Was Put in Place

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Article by | Azrael Stavely his year, there has been a new rule put in place that states students are not allowed to have their phones out at all during class or they may be confiscated after receiving two warnings from the teacher. The phone would be taken to the office and would be returned to the owner at the end of the school day. An article from “Scary Mommy“ stated that, “Researchers at the London School of Economics gathered test scores from thousands of 16-year-olds between 2000 to 2012, studying the effects of cell phone bans on schools.

The found that the bans boosted test scores by six percent.” This is just one of the surveys done at some schools. That research was conducted from 2000 to 2012, so it’s important to remember it is now 2018 and 88% of teenagers have a cell phone.

A survey done by “Campus Technol-

Photo by | Kei Cortez

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ogy” said that 94% of students want to use their cellphone in school.

Teachers and administrators noticed that cell phone usage in school had become a problem and had been becoming more and more distracting in the classroom. Mrs. Altendorf is the new principal and she said that, “The new cell phone policy is a building-wide policy because it’s hard for students, hard for teachers, and hard for everybody when there in a new rule for individual classrooms. We were looking to kind of streamline it and that is based with the school board policy for cell phone use. We are looking for instructional time in the classroom so the expectation is that it’s a school-wide policy so there is less confusion. So that students can know as soon as they’re coming into any classroom the expectation is that they need their cell phone and earbuds put away.” Mrs.

Altendorf explained that she thinks the school is doing a good job of implementing this rule and that she’s glad that this is a school-wide rule so now the students and teachers have no confusion.

Harvard University conducted a survey as well in 6 different universities that said 92% of students at these universities said that they have used their phone during class to send a text message. 80% of those students said that cell phone usage “decreases their ability to pay attention in class.” This goes for just as many high schoolers, if not more. “This generation has grown up with technology at your fingertips.

It’s gonna be hard to break. It’s like an addiction probably. People are addicted to their phones and want to see what’s going on, on social media and things like that, but we really need to put instruction first.

Technology is a wonderful thing for instruction don’t get me wrong, but there needs to be a balance in the way we’ve been using technology in a positive way. There is time at lunch or another time to check on social media, but there needs to be instructional time without those distractions,” said Mrs. Altendorf.

Mrs. Altendorf also said that playing music can be beneficial to some students and when she taught science in 2003, she used to play music in the classroom. But cell phone usage was not as much of a problem in classrooms as it is now.

This might have not been a problem in 2003, but it is now. Each generation has their struggles and technology is ever-changing, which means new rules to make sure students receive the most from instruction in the classroom.

Bathroom Policy

Meet the Staff

Everything You Need to Know

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Article by | Oscar Rodriguez illbrook has changed a lot this year. A new principal, new teachers, and a couple new rules. One of the new rules is the bathroom policy. The bathroom policy determines the way we use the bathrooms and travel the hallways during class. They have designated bathrooms for certain areas of the school, and each bathroom is assigned a color.

This new policy includes going to the bathroom in your assigned area. If a student is in room 711, a math class, they would go to the black bathroom and not another one. There are also clipboard passes that have to be taken with the student when going to the

Photo by | Kylie Stevans

restroom. Last year’s pass was a badge around the neck, but due to sanitary reasons and how many times they’d get lost, this year it’s a clipboard. The clipboards are the color of the bathroom assigned to the area the class is in.

The new procedure of going to the bathroom is simple. First of all, students are not allowed to go the first or last 15 minutes of class. Once a student can go, they take the clipboard assigned to their classroom which will tell them which bathroom to go to. When they reach the assigned bathroom, the student signs in with a teacher in front of the bathroom and leaves the pass with them. To leave, they have to sign out and

grab the pass back and go directly to class.

This new policy is in place to stop students from wandering the halls and losing important class time. Teachers wasted a lot of time last year looking for students when they should’ve been teaching.

Now, teachers don’t have to worry much about wandering students since there are more teachers in the hallways.

This bathroom policy is in place to stop students from being in the halls unnecessarily and give them more instructional time. Remember to always follow the 15-minute rule and always bring your pass.

Carolynn Unger Associate Editor

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his is Carolynn’s senior year and she works as a writer for the BlueXpress as well as being a member of the choir and drama department. Carolynn also volunteers through Key Club and the National Honors Society.

She loves to talk about Disney and Marvel constantly (especially Spider-Man) and loves to read fantasy/sci-fi novels.

She is an honor roll student and hopes to continue studying communications in college.

Carolynn plans to pursue a career in journalism and possibly work for NBC or CBS. She loves to write reviews for entertainment, but also news and opinions on current events. Some of her favorite articles that she has written was “Preschool Reprieve” in the first issue, “Teachers Packing Heat” in the third issue, and “Moving Forward” in the fourth issue of Volume 1. She enjoys talking through current events and issues that are affecting the school as well as the Winchester community.

BX CONNECTS | Pages 23 –24

Meet the Staff

Article by | Allie Corno

SCA Representatives: What Is Your Role and What Impact Do You Make?

Destini Baylor: I am one of the sophomore class officers. Being a member, one of my jobs is to show up to the officer meetings. Also report back to our group, other members and officers.

Collin Boyer Photography Director

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ollin currently resides as the head photographer of journalism. From starting out with no experience in his first year to leading in his third, he’s come a long way. Collin works at the local Panera bread and likes to play guitar in his band. He hopes to one day become a teacher of some sort. However his dream job is being a professional guitar player alongside his band X-Ray Cat. His band has to be his longest commitment with photography being his hobby. Collin hopes that one day photography will be a larger part of his life. Collin recently has picked up building his own PC as a hobby and wants to continue to pursue this hobby.

Photography wasn’t always a subject Collin found himself fond of, but he slowly ended up growing into it. Being the somber age of 17, he has a lot of high hopes for the future.

Rachel Reimer: I am actually now the senior secretary not a representative anymore due to new members. We all have different titles, but we all work together to make decisions. As secretary, I take notes during meetings and I make sure I can go to all the meetings. It’s a group effort.

Kyrese Kham: My name is Kyrese and my officer position for the class of 2020 is the SCA Representative. I believe the impact that I make is being able to bring new ideas to the matters at hand.

Kelci Smith: I am one of the freshman SCA representatives. My role is to listen to others and what they have to say. With that I will hopefully make it happen.

Most Difficult Part of Being a Member?

Destini Baylor: Being able to attend every single meeting can be difficult.

Rachel Reimer: I guess the most difficult part for me is considering what the rest of the senior class wants and it’s big choices and decisions to be made. Things regarding graduation and things like that.

Kyrese Kham: The most difficult part for me is mainly getting my thoughts out to my peers.

Kelci Smith: Hearing what everyone has to say can be challenging.

The Highlights of Your Position?

Destini Baylor: Having a say in our class is a huge deal and participating in school activities and projects. One that is going on right now is decorating the class rock.

Rachel Reimer: My favorite part is I’ve really enjoyed the Homecoming wall and being able to come up with ideas for that. I think it’s really cool to hear people’s opinions on things.

Kyrese Kham: My favorite parts so far would be being able to discuss topics that may or will be happening before anyone else will know about them. As well as making ideas for prom, class rock, etc.

Kelci Smith: Painting the class rock with everyone who is an officer was really fun.

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Class Presidents: What Is Your Role and What Impact Do You Make?

Lauren Rudolph: I am the tenth grade class president and as president I plan on having a voice for the sophomore class.

Hope Hawthorne: I am the senior class president. I have to make decisions about senior events.

Ellie Bowman: I am currently junior class president and I have been class president since freshman year. I make an impact by helping come up with ideas such as fundraisers, homecoming hallway designs, cancer week (and various other celebratory weeks) hallway designs, class rock designs, etc.

Lyddie Esslinger: I am the president of the freshman class and I think I make a good impact on all the freshman and ideas at Millbrook.

Most Difficult Part of Being an Officer?

Lauren Rudolph: Since I just started, there is nothing too difficult at the moment, but I think one thing would be not being able to always make everyone happy. It’s hard to make everyone happy, but as president I will try my best.

Hope Hawthorne: The most difficult part is managing my time between being a class officer and my other activities.

Ellie Bowman: The most difficult part for me is the use of communication between the teachers and students about things such as meetings. Normally we make it work, but sometimes it can get kind of hectic.

Lyddie Esslinger: The most difficult part for me would have to be able to pursue all of my ideas and other ideas my peers might have. I know we can do it.

The Highlights of Your Position?

Lauren Rudolph: Some highlights of being class president are definitely being more respected that my peers would choose me to be the voice.

Hope Hawthorne: My favorite part this year was painting the class rock.

Ellie Bowman: My favorite part so far was actually the junior class rock painting! I am very proud of the work we did and we had a good number of students turn up to help.

Lyddie Esslinger: So far I love Millbrook and homecoming week has been so fun already!

BX CONNECTS | Pages 25 –26

Meet the Staff

From the Fairway Article by | Oscar Rodrigez

Alex Stone Multimedia Director

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lex Stone is a senior and head of the videography department. Alex films and edits on site events and interviews through the school’s Youtube channel. This is his second year in journalism, previously working as a movie reviewer for both the online and the newsmagazine.

His interests include record collecting, computer hardware, writing, photography and film analysis. His favorite films include A Ghost Story, Before Sunset and Step Brothers.

He has been on Millbrook’s academic team for three years and has played rugby with the local club “The Winchester Cannons” for eight. In his spare time Alex enjoys making absurd edits using Photoshop and walking his dog, Sudi, an eleven year old Lab/Pit mix.

His favorite authors include Kafka, Sartre and Ellis with his favorite book being Infinite Jest, of which he has not read more than fifteen pages. He is unsure of what he wants to do after high school but knows that he will try his best at whatever that ends up being. www.bluexpress.net

Millbrook’s golf team consists of 11 students and coaching them is Mr. Mark Manspile and Mr. Mike Wehn. During this golf season, they played ten games and didn’t win any of them. Their best score was 188 against Loudoun County, who had 166 points, giving them the win.

In golf, winning is very different from most sports because the lower the score, the better. The worst score the Millbrook team got this season was 587 against Warren County when they had 457.

John Hersey, a freshman golfer, said, “The team didn’t get any wins because of lack of skill.” Though he believes with a lot of work, they can probably improve next year. His personal best score is 44.

Golf has been around since the 1450’s in Scotland. John Hersey has played it since he was young and plays it to this day. He said that a benefit of golf is that it’s a sport you can play at any age. “You can play it when you’re just a child or when you’re 60 and have grandchildren.

Golf is a universal sport that most people of any age can play.”

Mr. Manspile said this about the season, “This season we had a lot of younger players gain match experience, which was a great thing. We started to peak and play our best golf towards the end of the season which was exciting as

well. Jack Hayton is our only senior this year. With virtually everyone returning next season, we should be able to make some significant strides next season. We were led this season

by Tyler McGuire and Austin Allamong and they’ll continue to be an integral part of our team next season. I look forward to seeing us use our match experience from this season and improve our scores for the upcoming season.”

Image provided by pxhere.com.

BX CONNECTS | Pages 27 –28

Article by | Sophia Young

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he 2018 Homecoming game between the Millbrook Pioneers and Kettle Run Cougars may not have turned out the way we wanted, but it was still one to remember regardless.

Photos by | Steven Crowl

Junior Jordan Jackson carries the American flag onto the field prior to the Homecoming Game.

The Pioneers took on Kettle Run.

From the return of Millbrook senior Savon Smith, to the ceremony for the Homecoming court, it was a very special night for all in attendance.

The night started off with a Younglife tailgate, Millbrook pride tables for face painting and other ways to show school spirit. There was cookout food and more.Younglife is a club in the Winchester area for students at schools all over the county. Many

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of the students who attend Millbrook football games and sit in the “loud crowd,” are those who attend Younglife.

The tailgates prior to games are a way to hype up, show your school spirit, and just have a good time with friends and classmates. At the face painting tables, Millbrook students took time to paint faces and use handprint ideas for the Millbrook Pioneer varsity football team

supporters.

The game itself started on a high note, especially for Savon Smith, who had missed the first five games of the season due to injury, and was officially named Homecoming King at halftime. The comeback of Savon wasn’t enough to keep the undefeated Cougars from taking a 44-22 victory, but impressive performances by individuals were ongoing throughout the game.

The Pioneers took an early 8-0 lead after Savon made a 35 yard run to the endzone for the first touchdown of the game, followed by a successful conversion run by Gavin Evosirch. The Cougars followed with a touchdown before the end of the first quarter, cutting the deficit to two.

The Pioneers came out strong in the second when Jordan Jackson ran 14 yards to put his team ahead 14-6.

They would continue to play stellar defense, until a huge momentum shift right before halftime, where the Cougars started with the ball at their own 15 yard line. They managed to work their way all the way to the Pioneer’s eight, where Gabe Chumley hit Mark Southard with a pass for the touchdown. Kettle Run completed the conversion, and tied the game, when Shannon Ferguson completed a pass for the tie at 14.

Kettle Run Cougars took a huge advantage over the Millbrook Pioneers as they went into halftime stronger. The Millbrook cheerleaders

completed their portion of another spectacular halftime performance, preparing for their competition October 2nd, as then fans of both teams prepared to see who would start the third quarter ready to win. The Cougars came out ready, as they managed to set up a short touchdown run for Walton Thompson, making Seniors Jordan Reid and Savon Smith are crowned Homeit 20 to 14 in favor coming King and Queen during the halftime show. of the Cougars. Millbrook was unable 14. Millbrook couldn’t respond to the to score on the next touchdown, as Kroll intercepted a possession and got off a short punt pass intended for a Millbrook lineto the Cougars, leading to another backer, so it was another chance for touchdown as Cade Campbell comthe Cougars to go ahead even more. pleted a 40 yard run into the endThe Cougars successfully did this zone. Ferguson caught yet another as Kroll ran the interception all the conversion pass from Chumley, putway back for the 44-14 lead. Millting the Pioneers even further down, brook did manage to make the final 28-14. score 44-22, as backup quarterback Not too Kaden Buza hit Savon Smith for much later, the final scoring play of the game, Ferguson a 50 yard run for Savon. The key to caught yet stopping the Pioneers seemed to be another keeping Gavin Evosirch, Noah Robtouchinson, and Savon Smith lower then down pass, previous weeks on total yardage, Thompson and the Cougars managed to execute completed that strategy well, holding Savon to the twounder 72 yards; Gavin and Noah 28. point conAlthough the Pioneers weren’t able version and to end the Cougars streak, they look lengthened to beat Handley. the already-large lead to 36-

Sophomores Maggie Mannarino and Lauren Rudolph represent their class on the Homecoming Court.

BX CONNECTS | Pages 29 –30

Meet the Staff

Volleyball Striking Strong Article by | Sophia Young

Kei Cortez Photographer

K

ei Cortez is a junior and she has been in journalism since her sophomore year in the photography department, last year she learned a lot so she joined again and now plans on staying until her senior year. This year she hopes to help other aspiring photographers with their work and still learn more for herself so she can keep on improving. She aspires to later become a journalist of any sort since she also enjoys writing.

In her free time, She can be found listening to music on repeat or working on a new painting. She spends a lot of her time in school activities like volunteering and helping with homecoming, prom and what not. If you’re a friend of hers, She will most definitely take a picture of you when you are off-guard then use those against you and keep them in a public folder so everyone else can use them as well.

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This year, the roster of the volleyball team included athletes from each class.

There were freshmen and sophomores, Madelyn White (9th), Jessica Cleveland (10th), and Skylar Johnson (10th), and understandably, even more juniors and seniors, including Jordan Reid (12th), Tori Johnson (11th), Abigail Koeller (12th), Mikayla Ockerman (11th), Ashleigh Nail (11th), Jordan Weir (11th), and Erin Parker (12th). The head coach was Carla Milton, and the assistant coaches were Eric Heflin and Ashleigh Tanis. The team also had several managers, including Ryan Baer, Chloe Crosen, Adrianna Garcia, Jayleen Nunez, and Jensen Tomalesky .

The Pioneers varsity volleyball team defeated Liberty 25-11, 25-9, and 25-7 (3-0) on October 4 to add another win to their 13-2 record for the season. Abigail Koeller had 10 kills and 11 digs, Tori Johnson 14 kills, Jordan Reid 18 assists, and Skylar Johnson 13 assists, leading the Pioneers to their 13th victory of the 2018 fall season. The Pioneers dominated all through the match, taking advantage of every mistake Liberty made.

The Lady Pioneers started the season

undefeated, going 9-0 until September 17, where they fell to Loudoun County High School, and followed the next day with their second loss of the season in a very close match against Fauquier High School. Since then, they have remained undefeated once again and they are looking to finish the season strong, going into

Photos by | Erin Rodriguez the District Tournament.

Last year, the Lady Pioneers’ undefeated streak ended with a loss to the fivetime defending state champion Loudoun County team, which is the same streak Millbrook had going this season until they lost to Loudoun. Last year was a very exciting year for the volleyball team, as they had made it to the state tournament for the first time ever, and had beaten Loudoun County the previous week. The Pioneers season may not have ended the way everyone anticipated and wanted, but that hasn’t stopped them from going for it again this year.

Tori Johnson said that, “Positivity is what gets us through it all, supporting each other, being a team.” The fans who come out definitely are getting more and more into it. “Making it to the state round last year, that really boosted the fanbase of the team, brings more people out. Millbrook is starting to find ways to get more and more people out to these events, and things like the game that decided the Apple Cup for the varsity football team, the varsity basketball state championship, track stars placing, cheer advancing, and now this? Millbrook athletics are really going places.”

Athlete Q&A Article by | Carolynn Unger Photos by | Nick Warrick

Athletes photos from L - R appear in same order as in article.

Noah Robinson ~ Football

How has the season been so far?

We had a lot of ups and downs in the beginning, but overall we came back as a team and we’re starting to pick things up.

What are you most looking forward to?

Just getting in the playoffs and winning every game from now on.

Is there anything you think needs improvement?

We got a lot of things to improve like the moral of the game and turnovers. But overall I think we should be good.

Olivia Escalante ~ Cheer

How has the season been so far?

Pretty good, we’re having a good time. It’s difficult because a lot of the girls are brand new so it’s so awesome to be able to teach them everything we’ve learned the past four years. It’s been a good season, a bunch of good girls.

What are you most looking forward to?

Competition season. Although cheering for our football players is so much fun, competing for your own school is ten times better with having all those people scream your name.

Is there anything you think needs improvement?

We haven’t really gotten so far into the season yet. It’s just minor fix ups such as walking in tight and making sure that everything hits. It’s been so great and we’re all working our butts off and it’s a bunch of great girls and an easy season.

Madelyn White ~ Volleyball

How has the season been so far?

I think it’s going well. We’re starting to get going now so I think that’s good. We’ve hit just a little goal that we had so it’s going well.

What are you most looking forward to?

Definitely getting to play James Wood again and going on to hopefully win Districts. We’ll also get to rematch against Fauquier so that should be fun.

Is there anything you think needs improvement?

Probably our blocking and serve receiving. But I think our attitudes are all good and we work well together as a team.

Jack Hayton ~ Golf

How has the season been so far?

This season was okay. I feel like we could have worked on a lot of things and we could have taken it more seriously, but at the same time we did have fun and it’s good to have fun.

What are you most looking forward to?

Doing well and having fun.

Is there anything you think needs improvement?

For every person it’s different, but I think short game was a big thing. We could have taken time to fix a couple people’s swings to get them more consistent, but other than that I think we did okay.

BX CONNECTS | Pages 31 –32

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From the Archives Fall Photo Album