Vol. 43, Issue 2

Opinions4

Arts&Style7

In-Depth10

Features12

Academics15

Sports17

“Pride and Prejudice”

The

Purple Tide

Chantilly High School

All the way from 1800s England to Chantilly, “Pride and Prejudice” was the drama department’s mainstage fall production and Cappies show, involving months of dedicated work from students onstage and behind the scenes. gg Page 7

Life after high school

Read about the myriad of unique experiences that Chantilly alumni are having in college.

Page 12

4201 Stringfellow Rd., Chantilly, Va. 20151

Friday, Nov. 17, 2017

Volume XLIII Issue 2

Cheer flips the way to first in region Nyla Carter-Ogden staff writer

Proudly donning the school colors of purple and white, the varsity cheerleaders dominated the local competition this season, each match gearing up for the team’s end-of-the-season highlight of district and regional first place finishes for the first time since 2009 and 2007, respectively.

“We were all crying and freaking out because we hadn’t won district in eight years,” junior Becca Owens said.

Varsity cheer coach Brett Hysinger was impressed with the passion and drive displayed through the routine.

“Their win boosted their confidence and made them more hungry to do well at regional,” Hysinger said.

The drive and desire to win began earlier than one may think, with cheer practices beginning in early August.

“They started practicing for this routine back in the beginning of August and have been perfecting this routine for the past two-and-a-half months,” Director of Student Activities Corey Bowerman said.

“On the first round of districts, they had a fall, but they came back in the finals and did great.”

The Purple Platoon helped the team reach a new level of competition by encouraging the members during the pressure-filled moments at competitions.

“When we had the Purple Platoon support us at regional and district, that pushed us so hard and we had so much drive to really perform for them,” sophomore Ashvita Vadicherla said.

The team fed off of the energizing

atmosphere that the audience created.

“Everyone was yelling for us, and we’d never hit a routine that perfectly before,” Owens said. “That was the best we’ve ever hit it at district.”

The team credits its bonding as a catalyst to its success, creating deeper levels of trust that ultimately launched the team into a new era of success. The teammates’ bond solidified further following the recent announcement that one of the captain’s moms had been diagnosed with breast cancer.

This captain, senior Taylor Zampiello, has played a crucial role in

the team’s success this year. Not only did Zampiello help lead practices, but she also made sure to be there for her teammates, who often come to her for guidance both on and off the mat.

“Everyone clicks and comes together like a family,” Zampiello said. “We’re all sisters, and we have [senior] Gio [Encarnacion], who’s like our brother.”

The teammates were there by Zampiello’s side after her mother’s diagnosis of breast cancer, and they served as an unwavering support system for both Zampiello and her sister, freshman Payton Zampiello, also on the varsity team.

“We made [my mom] this really big card and got her this huge flower bouquet and an Edible Arrangement,” Taylor Zampiello

said. “Everyone’s been super great about it, so having them with me and helping me through it has been awesome.”

Moments like these often test the bonds of teams, causing student athletes to open themselves up to those who see them in their most vulnerable moments. The varsity cheerleaders have shown tremendous support to those who need it most within their team, which has contributed to the newly established winning streak.

After success at the district and regional levels, the next item on the team’s list was heading to the state championship in Richmond, which was a goal of the team following last year in which a slim point margin prevented them from doing so. Although the team did not place at the state level, that didn’t deter them from seeing the real prize gained throughout the season.

“As our seniors move on, we’re just going to keep pushing and trying,” Vadicherla said. “It’s going to motivate us more to continue a legacy.”

The support and communication system the team developed over the season certainly had a positive effect on the ability to face and conquer other competitors.

Cheerleading is a team sport, and by coming together during times of distress, the athletes showed that they are capable of doing amazing things.

“I’m hoping what they take from it is that in life, you get out of it what you put into it,” Bowerman said. “If you work hard, there are rewards.”

photo by Phil Dolinger Freshman Alexandra Reaves and junior Camille Duong practice tumbling across the field before competition season begins.

photo by Paola Henriquez Senior and cheerleader Synara Peterson, along with the rest of the team, presents community member Lori Zampiello with roses. Zampiello is currently undergoing treatment for breast cancer.

chantillynews.org

@chantillynews

The Purple Tide

photos by Phil Dolinger and Paola Henriquez Left: Freshman Payton Zampiello prepares for district by perfecting her flips before the competition. Top: Junior Mary Mullins pumps up the crowd during the Pink Out game against Centreville. Bottom: Senior Taylor Zampiello is held up by the team as part of a cheer during the breast cancer awareness Pink Out game.

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2 news

the purple tide | issue 2

Nov. 17, 2017

Purpose of the Pledge of Allegiance Kaycee Hubbard copy editor

Over the past year, the topic of patriotism has become extremely prevalent in the United States. For example, standing, sitting or kneeling has become a heated debate on the football field; Colin Kaepernick and a slew of other football players have received stark criticism for choosing to kneel during the national anthem. However, a subject that has remained a continuous area of discussion since the implementation of the Pledge of Allegiance in classrooms is whether or not it is acceptable for a student to kneel or sit during its recitation.

On Oct. 2, India Landry, a senior at Windfern High School in Houston, Texas, was suspended for several days for refusing to stand during the Pledge of Allegiance.

While Landry waited for her mother to pick her up from school, Martha Strother, the school principal, threatened to call the police if her mother didn’t show up within a certain amount of time. Strother explained to the student that she would only be allowed back if she stood during the pledge.

While some U.S. citizens do not believe students should have to recite the pledge each morning, the majority of them do.

According to Rasmussen Reports, 68 percent of American adults think students

*Source: First Amendment Center illustration by Kaycee Hubbard

should be required to say the Pledge of Allegiance every morning at school, compared to a mere 25 percent who do not think students should be required to say the pledge.

Many Americans typically regard the standing for the pledge in the classroom as a sign of respect for our flag, country and the veterans who have fought for the United States.

“I personally believe that you should stand for the Pledge of Allegiance for the purpose of standing for the United States and all those who have fought for us to be free,” junior Cathryn Freret said. “I believe that while students have religious and cultural differences, they should stand for the blessing of freedom we have in this country and for what we believe in.”

Some also think that standing for the pledge is a way to honor the deceased persons of America, as well as those who will create change in the future.

“I feel like standing is a form of respect for America itself, and for the people who have been before you and for the people who are to come,” junior Nyliek BrooksAllen said. “But if you wish to sit during the pledge, then you have that option too.”

The opposing side of the argument believes injustices are still being enacted in the United State’s legislature. The students that have protested the Pledge of Allegiance recently believe that they are doing it to focus on the trials that many minorities, particularly black Americans, face when it comes to interacting with law enforcement.

“I will never stand and respect a flag that does not respect everybody under it,” senior Meriem Abou-Ghazala said. “The main concept that is being overlooked is

police brutality. What you’re standing for is showing solidarity for those of color who have been targeted for decades by police. Look at the actual U.S. flag code of honor and read what is in there. It doesn’t mention anything about kneeling, sitting or standing.”

According to the 2017-2018 Students Rights and Responsibilities Handbook for Fairfax County Public Schools, “Students are expected to recite the Pledge of Allegiance and to observe one minute of silence each day, unless the student or his or her parent objects to participation in such exercises. A student’s decision to participate or not to participate should be respected.”

English teacher Nikki Lehman agrees with the FCPS guidelines, which are in line with state law, and thinks that it is a student’s right to choose based on his or her inclinations.

“I do think it’s a personal decision,” Lehman said. “I wouldn’t encourage a student one way or the other.”

The nationwide conversation about kneeling during the national anthem has opened the discussion further about what the pledge means to the American people.

“Over my years of teaching and even as a student, it’s sort of this rote thing that everybody does and I’m not sure you really think about it when you say it,” Lehman said. “The reason for the protesting has kind of gotten muddled. I believe it began as a protest for Black Lives Matter, and now all of a sudden it has been attached against our country, against our military, and I don’t think that’s the intent of it. I strongly admire students who have a strong conviction for these issues.”

Community welcomes new administrator Momiji Barlow staff writer

Despite being new to the school, Subschool 4 Assistant Principal Amy Parmentier had already established herself as a friendly face in the Chantilly community when she began her first day on Oct. 23. Previously, she was an assistant principal at Franklin Middle School and a familiar face to many students.

“Parmentier has high school experience as well. She worked at Centreville High School and Westfield High School, so she knows a lot of families and communities that are just like ours at Chantilly,” Subschool 2 Assistant Principal Mike Astudillo said.

Many students were close to Parmentier during her time at Franklin because of how much she cared for their well-being and emotional health.

“I know she is a champion for sticking up for kids and doing what’s best for kids in all situations,” Astudillo said.

Students that have known Parmentier from her previous work experiences admire her for her enthusiasm.

“Mrs. Parmentier is a really kind and loving person,” sophomore Maya AboulHosn said. “I think she’ll bring her positive energy to the Chantilly community.”

Parmentier earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Mary Washington and then attended the University of Maryland and the University of Virginia for her graduate degrees.

“She has a social worker background as well, so she understands the family component and what makes a wellrounded student,” Astudillo said.

Chantilly has one assistant principal

for each subschool, except for Subschool 2, which has two assistant principals.

Chantilly also has an assistant principal for the Academy, and Director of Student Activities Corey Bowerman and Director of Student Services Robyn Lady are part of the administration team as well.

Although assistant principals play a vital role in decision-making and the day-to-day running of the school, many students are uninformed about their exact roles within the administration.

“First and foremost, we’re here to maintain a safe and secure environment for the kids; that’s our ultimate responsibility. The way that we break down our responsibilities with our nine or 10 administrators is that we have different areas of focus,” Astudillo said.

“For example, I supervise the English department. Ms. Parmentier supervises the social studies department. In the future, she’ll be working with Charge Ahead and Impact Aid and some other different logistical things that we do here at the school.”

Parmentier decided to take an administrative role at the high school level because of her expertise and vast experience. The Chantilly community is very excited to welcome a friendly face.

“Having been at Franklin and being a part of the Chantilly pyramid, I knew what an amazing school this was, with outstanding students, great teachers and a really strong administrative team,” Parmentier said. “I was ready to leave middle school and come up to high school, so being able to come over to Chantilly is such an honor. I’m so excited about getting to know and work with the amazing staff and students here.”

photos contributed by Momiji Barlow, Amy Parmentier and Maddy Quigley Top left: Sophomore Patrick Mountcastle catches up with Assistant Principal Amy Parmentier, who was previously his assistant principal at Franklin Middle School. Top right: Parmentier poses with her daughter, Caroline, and her husband at his recent graduation from the University of Virginia. Bottom: Parmentier works with Subschool 4 counselor Julie Edstrom on student advising.

Nov. 17, 2017

the purple tide | issue 2

news

FCPS aims to diversify workforce following recent media attention Sarah Raza staff writer

This past May, The Washington Post published an article about a recent study conducted by George Mason University researchers, which revealed that in 2012, FCPS teacher hire rates statistically differed between white and black applicants, even if they had similar qualifications and degrees.

According to the study, black candidates made up 13 percent of the teacher applicant pool and received 6 percent of job offers; on the other hand, 70 percent of white applicants received 77 percent of job offers, leaving some to wonder what the school system is doing to increase diversity in its teachers.

“I feel like diversity is something that a lot of countries don’t have the privilege to experience, unlike the U.S,” sophomore Saahithi Achanta said. “We should take advantage of that and embrace diversity rather than push it away, because nobody wants to be monotone.”

The findings from the study were validated and published by Harvard Educational Review, and the researchers found that when black applicants received job offers, they were often at low income schools with high minority populations, potentially leading to a “workforce segregation.”

A representative from FCPS issued a statement that the school system did not have a chance to validate the study, emphasizing that the information is from

five years ago, and that the district has success,” McElveen said. been working continuously to improve A study conducted by New York diversity among the applicant pool.

University professors in 2016 found According to school board member additional evidence that supported the Ryan McElveen, more than 28 percent push for increased racial diversity among of teachers hired this school year were teachers. The survey asked about 50,000 minorities. In fact, students at 200 schools from grades six to between 2010 nine to rate their teachers on a five-point and 2016, scale based on if they felt their teachers minority cared and motivated them. For the teacher most part, minority teachers employment consistently received in FCPS higher results than increased by 20 other teachers. percent.

One suggested In 2016, the reason for Department this result of Education is that released a students statement could saying that better relate nationally, the to and K-12 teaching understand workforce in a teacher 2011-2012 was who shares comprised of about similarities 82 percent of with them. white teachers.

“I think it Some critics claim is very important that these statistics are that, not just along *Source: Washington Post ethnic lines but also proof of discrimination illustration by Sarah Raza income and religious within hiring practices.

“A more multicultural workforce lines, kids from different backgrounds will help our students of color feel should have role models that they can more strongly connected to the school identify with,” Principal Scott Poole said. community, and thus they will feel that According to the FCPS statement the school system is more invested in their in response to the study, progress and

3

improvements have been made in hiring since the year of the study, 2012, yet some believe that the long history of the issue means that more work is still necessary down the line.

“Today’s discrimination is the result of historical injustices committed against people of color,” McElveen said. “These were stitched into the fabric of our society- from our laws and economic system to our housing patterns and our schools. As we become a more multicultural society and people of color are better represented in our political system, these issues will dissipate over time, but we aren’t there yet.”

As of now, FCPS has taken on multiple recruitment strategies aimed at increasing diversity, including partnering with other universities and minority organizations, such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU), to encourage minority students to choose teaching as a profession. The goal is to help future minority leaders feel welcomed into the school system, and to ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity to prosper in the workforce.

“We do know that as a division, we definitely have a lot of work to do, but it can be done,” Poole said. “You have to make an effort, and I think that if we can work with our recruiters from the school system to reach out to those part of underrepresented groups, a difference can be made.”

opinions

Nov. 17, 2017

Why America needs more gun control Priya Viswanathan managing editor

One man, but 59 lives. Community members and loved ones whose lives were taken by a single person in the span of 10 horrifying minutes in Las Vegas.

Sadly, mass shootings in America are not uncommon. So far in 2017, there have been 308 mass shootings, according to Gun Violence Archive. The United States has the largest number of mass shootings every year, and the number of firearms per 100 people is higher than that of any other nation, according to the Council on Foreign Relations. Therefore it is no surprise that, according to the American Journal of Medicine, the rate of gun-related murders is 25 times higher in the United States than in any other high-income nation.

“There are a lot more mass shootings, homicides and shootings in general in America because of guns than in any other country in the world,” senior Ben Gross said.

The federal government has implemented minimum gun control policies, but more specific laws have been left up to the states. The problem here is that some states are far more lenient than others when it comes to the sale and purchase of guns.

“There should be some standard policies that can’t be manipulated,” junior Julie Ablimit said. “If states are able to change certain laws and be more lenient, that opens the window for gun violence incidents.”

Many pro-gun rights activists’ main defense for the continued protection of citizens’ right to own firearms is that when a criminal is wielding a gun, the only way to stop him or her with another gun. Though this may be the case for law enforcement officers, private citizens rarely, if ever, use their personal firearms for self-defense purposes. In fact, according to the Violence Policy Center, for every one justifiable gun homicide, there are 34 criminal gun homicides, 78 gun suicides and two accidental shootings.

“If you’re going to go with the argument that guns are meant to protect people, you don’t need an automatic rifle to protect yourself,” Gross said. “Guns are doing more harm than protecting people.”

A common misconception is that gun control advocates are calling for a complete ban on guns, but that is not the case. An outright ban on guns is impractical and an infringement of the Constitution; however, the enforcement and implementation of universal gun control policies are not.

Congress has come to a consensus on the

regulation of candy and even women’s bodies, but not guns, objects that take the lives of over 13,000 people in the country every year, according to the Gun Violence Archive.

The devastating effects of the failure to enforce gun control laws were seen in Texas on Nov. 9. The shooter should not have been allowed to purchase a firearm because of his domestic violence conviction, but the Air Force failed to report this

known to get into trouble should not be allowed to buy [guns] because then they can fall into the wrong hands,” sophomore Saahithi Achanta said.

Implementing gun control should not be based on partisan politics, profit or the simple desire to own a firearm. It should be based on the value of human life, and it is time for Congress to prioritize the lives of its constituents.

information to the FBI. The lack of enforcement of gun control policies allowed the shooter to easily obtain a gun and murder 26 innocent people.The implementation and enforcement of universal background checks does not violate people’s rights; it saves lives.

“People who have extremely radical backgrounds [or] people who have been

illustration by Priya Viswanathan

Personal column: Democracy in the Middle East

with the flight to the United States. I look forward to this experience every year, but in the summer of 2011, we skipped our Before 2011, people in the West would trip. When I asked my parents why we not be able to find Tunisia on a map, didn’t get to go, they responded, “We can’t let alone recognize it as a country. This go this year. Just wait until next year.” My ignorance would change when Tunisia confusion increased that December when made headlines with the emergence of my father took a trip to Tunisia without the Arab independence movement, the us. My mom explained to my sister and I Arab Spring, which overtook the Middle that the Arab Spring had begun, placing East. Tunisia is my homeland, and each Tunisia in a state of chaos; there were summer my family and I take the 10-hour violent riots and protests filling the streets, plane trip to visit our relatives. These trips making it dangerous for us to travel there. are the only time I see my grandparents, While I was stuck at home, the people as they are deterred by the economic and of Tunisia were risking their lives to physical hardships that are associated overthrow dictator Ben Ali and to create a democratic state. As the next summer approached, I was excited to see my grandparents, and I was sure that the country was going to blossom with the freedom I had associated with democracy. However, these images quickly vanished when I arrived in Tunisia; the familiar beaches were filled with trash, every wall was graffitied, buildings were covered with political posters, the main road intersections were manned by armed guards and the streets once filled with tourists were empty and somber. Tunisians lived with a sense of uncertainty and fear that came with such uncharted territory. photos contributed by Salah-Dean Satouri My trip left me wondering Top: Senior Salah-Dean and sophomore Serena Satouri sit how a country could on a ledge by the Mediterranean Sea in small tourist town change so dramatically in Hammamet, Tunisia, just outside of the country's capital in a year. I returned home 2009. Bottom: Satouri poses with his grandfather at his home thinking that the country in Djerba, a northern city off the coast of Tunisia. He has visited his grandparents every two years since he moved away in 2010. had regressed, but with

Salah-Dean Satouri copy editor

each subsequent visit, I noticed significant progress; roads were being cleaned and buildings were being built, but the most significant difference was seen with the people. They weren’t afraid to be outside anymore, and were filling the air with sounds of hope. The country was becoming the free society I had known from living in the United States.

Being a part of two worlds has given me a unique perspective on democracy. I know the difference a democratic government can make. To this date, Tunisia is the only surviving democracy after the Arab Spring.

The country did this by enacting one of the most liberal and secular constitutions in the Middle East, arguably becoming the most open Muslim majority country.

The Middle East remains a region in which countries are not able to embrace democracy and have historically fallen to authoritarian and tyrannical regimes. This is due, in part, to the Islamist ideology, which is unwilling to secularize the government and separate the Quran from policy. As a surviving democracy, Tunisia rejected the fundamentalist mentality of Sharia law, and the ruling party of Tunisia, Ennahda, strayed away from a religious foundation to build a secular constitution.

Historically, traditional ideology hasn't fared well when attempting to set up democratic governments. It isn’t easy to set up a democratic government.

The aforementioned Arab Spring saw revolutions in Egypt, Libya, Bahrain, Syria, Oman, Algeria and Morocco. Most of these countries have devolved back to forms of autocratic government or states of anarchy through the ineffectiveness of interim governments, which have been harmful to the people of these countries.

Many factors have played into this devolution, but the major issue that has been cited is the fundamentalist ideology upon which these new governments were

built.

The traditional Islamist ideology has an inherent contradiction with a liberal democracy, but not an inherent contradiction with democracy itself.

Being Muslim myself, I understand the reluctance and hesitation of the Muslim community to evolve and progress, fearing it would dilute the fundamental core of the religion. The governments of these Muslim majority nations are looking to devolve back to the past, but as we have seen, governments that revert and are unwilling to adapt will fail, and those which look to the future are prospering. Solving this issue is more complex than simply signing in a piece of legislation or enacting policy. These growing governments must understand that separating Islamist principles from government doesn’t mean that the citizens will lose their religious fervor.

Western democratic principles evolved from the Enlightenment, which brought out the idea of separation of church and state. Islam never experienced such a movement, so the majority of Muslim governments assumed religious authority and became, in practice, theocracies. In the Western world, we cannot expect the importance of Islam in government to immediately wane. A government which uses Islamic principles is not inherently anti-democratic, as the two principles are not mutually exclusive. The main principle of democracy is to fundamentally be responsive to the voting public, and if the voting public sees Islam as a key principle, then Islam will continue to be found in government. But if the government's founding principles are created upon a platform of religion, progress will be limited. To truly make the Middle East more democratic, there must be a secular voice among the fundamentalist noise.

Nov. 17, 2017

the purple tide | issue 2

Paying for participation

opinions

5

School-related dues limit students’ opportunities in extracurricular activities.

Anika Mereddy staff writer

Public school was founded on the basic idea that every student, regardless of background or financial status, deserves an equal educational opportunity.

However, in recent years, the costs of extracurriculars, exams and clubs in public schools have increased.

“When they first made public schools, the level of education was not as demanding as it is now, so free school policy worked,” junior Michelle Lee said.

“But now, more is expected of us; now the standard is higher.”

In this day and age, when students actively participate in multiple clubs and sports, the cost of education does not just include lunch.

“People who are thinking about college and higher education want to join as many clubs as possible, but you also have to pay for them,” senior Ana Quintano said.

Typically in order to join a club, a payment is required. This money goes to help support the club and pays for senior cords and other related expenses.

In order to join DECA, for example, students must first enroll in a marketing class and then pay an upfront fee of $40.

Clubs are not the only activities that require payments. Honor societies also have fees, like the $15 students are required to pay to join French Honor Society. The funds go toward membership pins and certificates from the national organization, and any remaining money goes toward the school’s chapter.

“Not only are clubs, outdoor activities and higher level classes time-consuming, but to actually add monetary value to

them makes them so much more difficult to partake in,” Lee said.

Some students pursue higher level classes in order to challenge themselves, which can add to the already increasing bill of public education. One of the main goals of taking an Advanced Placement (AP) class is to gain college credit, which can only be earned by passing the AP exam. As part of the FCPS Fiscal Year 2018 Approved Budget, the county adopted new fees for high school students regarding AP testing. The school system will pay for the first six AP tests that each student will take over the four years of high school, and after that, it is the student's responsibility to cover the costs. As listed on the FCPS website, the price of each AP exam, after the six paid for by FCPS, is $93.

Although students who qualify for the Free and Reduced-Price Meals program are exempt from the AP exam fee, the high cost of clubs and sports may dissuade many students from participating, thus their college applications could potentially lack the variety that students in good financial situations tend to have.

“People are in different situations; someone might only have one parent, like I do,” Quintano said. “I live with my mom, and that situation is hard because I do not work and it’s only her income. So, we have to find something to help me pay for those things.”

In addition to AP exam fees, students in their junior year pay for their PSAT scores if they want to receive them back, and seniors must fund their SAT tests as well.

While the PSAT is a one-time payment, many

students take the SAT multiple times, at around $50 for each test, causing strain on many families.

Students who cannot afford to give that $175 needed for girls’ soccer or that $200 needed for robotics, due to their financial situations, may miss out on opportunities that could benefit them in the future.

While most families do realize that participation in school activities is important, the increasing costs of afterschool activities can discourage students from joining. However, the school has initiatives in place to help students who may not be able to afford club and activity fees.

“I believe that the school has a very important responsibility to make sure that students never miss out on opportunities for reasons that are beyond their own control,” Principal Scott Poole said.

While FCPS does help students who are in the Free and Reduced-Price Meals program, students who are not in the program but still struggle to pay schoolrelated costs should be able to receive aid as well.

“It is not the students’ fault, and we should ask everybody to responsibly pay what they can pay,” Poole said.

Students should not be barred from participating in certain activities solely due to lack of monetary resources; they should be able to enjoy the same benefits as any other student.

“If there is a student who has a problem, they should talk to their counselor in a confidential setting and alert the school administration,” Poole said. “We will take care of it.”

illustration by Anika Mereddy

Boy Scouts make progressive decision to allow girls into the program Javeria Zulfqar staff writer

Recently, the Boy Scouts of America announced that the organization will soon allow girls into the program. The Boy Scouts of America and the Girl Scouts of the USA are separate organizations that have over a century of history behind them, and only recently have the national organizations begun making major changes to their standards for members and leaders.

On Oct. 11, the Boy Scouts leadership announced that girls would soon be permitted to join. Although this decision shocked many, it wasn't completely unexpected. The organization already offers co-educational programs, including Venturing, Exploring, Sea Scouting and Learning for Life.

“Boy Scouts is opening up a girl-scouting program with the same curriculum, which is a great thing because now these girls can learn how to shoot,” senior and Eagle Scout candidate Ben Klosky said. “They can learn wilderness survival and build huts in the forest like the guys.”

Starting next year, Cub Scouts will open to girls, and in 2019, Boy Scouts plan to launch a program for teenage girls, allowing them to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout, an award that has academic and professional rewards. The Girl Scouts equivalent is the Gold Award, but it does not have the same worldwide recognition as Eagle Scout.

While some may see the changes

within these organizations as progressive moves toward equality, others see them in a different way. In a published statement, the Girl Scout leadership team stated, "We vehemently oppose this decision and stand firm knowing that Girl Scouts is the best leadership experience for girls in the world."

According to Buzzfeed, the Girl Scouts claim that the Boy Scouts are allowing girls to join simply to appease millennial parents and that it is reckless to think a program designed for boys can be effortlessly translated for girls. According to the Girl Scouts official Twitter account, the need for female leadership has never been clearer, and the organization believes that it is the only group with the expertise needed to provide female scouts with a well-rounded scouting experience.

Frankly, the changes in these organizations are long overdue. According to The New York Times, girls have been attempting to join the Boy Scouts since the 1970s. In 2015, a group of girls called the Unicorns attempted to join the Boy Scouts. They wanted to be outside learning to camp and tie knots.

“What I like about Girl Scouts is the fact that you get to be with people that you eventually become friends with,” sophomore Brianna Gordon, who has been a Girl Scout for 10 years, said. “What I dislike about it is that the only thing we get to do is sell cookies.”

A blog post on the Girl Scout

website states, “We believe strongly in the importance of the all-girl, girl-led and girl-friendly environment that Girl Scouts provides.”

However, not all former Girl Scouts agree with this positive assessment of the scouting experience.

“One of the major issues I have with Girl Scouts is the fact that the troop leaders don't pay attention to the students,” sophomore and former Girl Scout Christine Schneider said. “There's a lot of bullying because [in my experience] it's a bunch of girls hating on each other 24/7.”

With such a large organization, not everyone’s experience is the same. Some girls might have a negative experience, but others may love it.

“I enjoy Girl Scouts because it lets me have a lot of opportunities to go places and

volunteer,” sophomore and Senior Girl Scout Dana Ablimit said. “It really helps you make new friends you might not go to the same school with.”

Boy Scouts and Girls Scouts are both similar organizations that have the same goal of preparing America’s youth and providing unique learning experiences. They both are structured in troops, operate on badges and focus on teaching leadership skills. Both started separately in the early 19th century when social expectations for boys and girls were different, which caused the difference between the two organizations to be the separation of genders. With so many troops all over the country, it is difficult to ensure every child's experience is positive. Some girls may rather learn survival skills than selling cookies, and joining Boy Scouts may provide them with that opportunity.

illustration by Jasmin Yoon

6 opinions

Staff Ed: #CHSthanks to you It feels to many as if there is nothing right in the world today.

From natural disasters to mass shootings to acts of terrorism, the nation’s path is littered left and right with anything but positivity.

People live in fear, not knowing whether they or their loved ones are safe when they leave their homes, even in places of worship and schools. No one should have to live through this panic. But what can we possibly do? We cannot dictate the actions of others, nor can we change what has already occurred. While our options may seem limited, our hope for better days is not.

With all the senseless chaos raging around us, it can be difficult to step back from the stress. Let’s direct our energy to seeing what is positive in our lives.

So, thank you. Yes, you. Thank you for picking up this copy of the newspaper and caring enough to read it. We spend long hours working to create and distribute a product we are proud of. We truly hope the newspaper covers topics that you care about, exciting your pride for Chantilly High School and our community.

Thank you to our new principal, Dr. Scott Poole, for being so supportive of our programs, staff and students. We see you in the cafeteria during lunch; we see you in the halls throughout the school day; we see you reaching out to us all.

Your involvement has not gone unnoticed, and we appreciate

Managing Editors Lexie Buswell Maura Olson Priya Viswanathan Academics Editor Rachael Gunn Arts & Style Editors Rithika Ashok Kat Martin Features Editors Sophie Chehab Julia Duran News Editor Rachel Dadoo Sports Editor Katie Carita Opinions Editor Nikitha Seri Business Managers Sophie Chehab Rachael Gunn Paola Henríquez-Iraheta Kat Martin

Copy Editors Kaycee Hubbard Kyndall Hubbard John Martin Salah-Dean Satouri Staff Writers Sarah Ahmed Momiji Barlow Nyla Carter-Ogden Caroline Castle Alex DaSilva Ryan Hodinko Rosy James Shahd Joari Jane Kang Zainab Khan Raeshin Kilsby Kayla Kim Shikha Kinariwala Angela Lee Alyssa Lusk Anika Mereddy Aria Nagai Maddy Quigley Devika Raj Sarah Raza Alessandra Tazoe Sydney Tucker Brooke Wagner Eric Walsh Priscilla Woo Jasmin Yoon Javeria Zulfqar Adviser Clare Gartlan

Nov. 17, 2017

Volunteering: a holiday special?

Levels of compassion spike during holiday season.

Alyssa Lusk staff writer

your efforts to get to know us.

We are fortunate for many things, which are overlooked so often, but are infinitely important to us. It is essential for us all to take a moment away from the rush of our lives and reflect on the good that surrounds us.

The good that comes through the everyday acts of kindness from teachers, everything from offering a smile to agreeing to sponsor a club. Teachers’ efforts often go unnoticed, but collectively, we recognize them and are grateful for all they do.

The custodial staff cleans the school every day and night, ensuring that we have spotless halls and a comfortable learning environment. Custodians not only vacuum the floors and clean the bathrooms, they also pick up trash around the school that basic human decency decrees should be cleared by those producing the garbage. They shouldn’t have to, but they do because they care about our comfort, and that’s thoughtful.

We need to cherish and embrace the good around us. We also acknowledge that the outside world can be a horribly cruel place, and we should never ignore that or stop trying our hardest to offer support to those affected by tragedies. Despite all that discourages us in today’s world, there are many instances in which gratitude can surpass grief; all we have to do is look.

The Purple Tide Staff Editors-in-Chief Kaitlyn Cheng Ted Thomas

the purple tide | issue 2

Holidays mark the time for joyous celebrations and serve as the perfect opportunity to spend time with those you care about the most. Full of this loving spirit, many people feel the need to give back or help those less fortunate than themselves. Although this feeling is prevalent during the holidays, it fails to be a part of many people’s lives once the season is over.

“I definitely notice more people in the holidays, especially during Christmas and New Year time,” sophomore Celina Selvathambi, who volunteers at INOVA Fairfax Hospital, said.

“I think it’s because that’s when they have free time and when we need a lot more volunteers, especially with a lot more accidents happening.”

Even volunteer work that is not as demanding and intense as helping in a hospital seems to significantly increase in the number of volunteers that are eager to assist during the holidays.

“More people come to volunteer during the holidays,” sophomore Dahin Song, who helps out at Open Door Presbyterian Church, said. “I guess they are in a happy mood and they feel the need to give to other people who aren’t as privileged.”

For some, the goal of the holiday season is to genuinely participate in bettering the community.

“We get more friends coming in the holidays because they feel like they lose sight of the season and what it really means,” sophomore Barrett Kinnier, who works with New Life Christian Church to distribute lunches to the homeless people of D.C., said.

With so much emphasis placed on volunteering during the holidays, people tend to forget about helping out during the rest of the year, which can lead to a shortage of volunteers.

“During the end of the school year, from June to July, it’s really bad because we never have enough volunteers,” Selvathambi

said. “Everyone’s on vacation and there are so many patients, so we are just frantically running everywhere.”

If feelings of unity and generosity remained after the holiday season and more people volunteered throughout the year, there would be more progress within the community, which would foster prosperity.

“It would definitely make more of a positive impact,” Song said.“Just showing up and showing you care for the people that you serve makes things run a lot more smoothly.”

Allocating time to volunteer is a direct way to help your community, but it is also a major obstacle that holds people back from volunteering. Luckily, there are other ways to help.

“People could donate to the hospital because we need more clothes for the incoming infants and the other kids in pediatrics,” junior Rahul Rampuria, who volunteers at INOVA Fair Oaks Hospital, said.

Although the holidays are a time when volunteering is the most prominent, there is always something that can be done to help, no matter the day, month or year.

“There is always room,” Song said. “Whenever you feel the need to volunteer, whether it’s at a church or another organization, I’d say go for it.”

Editorial Policy The mission of The Purple Tide is to provide an outlet for student expression, present unbiased news coverage and inform and entertain students, faculty, staff and other members of the community. Student journalists are required to promote responsible journalism and cannot violate the prohibitions on written expressions contained in Section C of Chapter 1 and Regulation 2612 of the Fairfax County guidelines. The newspaper is a member of the National Scholastic Press Association, the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, the Southern Interscholastic Press Association and the Virginia High School League.

The Purple Tide is the official student-produced medium of news and information published and produced by Journalism 2-4 students. The paper has been established as a designated public forum for student editors to inform and educate their readers as well as for the discussion of issues of concern to their audience. It will not be reviewed or restrained by school officials prior to publication or distribution.

Because school officials do not engage in prior review, and the content of The Purple Tide is determined by and reflects only the views of the student staff and not school officials or the school itself, its student Editorial Board and responsible student staff members assume complete legal and financial liability for the content of the publication.

All printed material will be subject to the review of the Editorial Board.

Unsigned editorials reflect the majority opinion of the Editorial Board.

Otherwise, opinions expressed are not necessarily the views of the staff, Editorial Board or adviser.

We welcome letters to the editor, but only signed letters will be considered for publication. Due to space limitations, not all letters will be published, and we reserve the right to edit them for length as long as the meaning remains intact. Materials that are considered gossip, illegal, libelous or profane by the Editorial Board will not be printed. Letters to the editor should be emailed to CHSpurpletide@gmail.com or sent to Room 228 at Chantilly High School. The publication may also be contacted at (703) 222-6318.

We reserve the right to refuse unsolicited ads. All unsolicited ads will be reviewed by the Editorial Board in accordance with established criteria.

The Purple Tide does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, handicap or nationality or on matters regarding sexuality, religion or political affiliation.

illustration by Bharathi Mathivanan

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arts&style

Nov. 17, 2017

Pride and Prejudice Shahd Joari staff writer

Earlier this month, the drama department performed Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice.” The play is based off the famous novel which was published in 1813 and sold over 20 million copies worldwide, according to the website Independent.

The novel has been the subject of various adaptations, including director Joe Wright’s film rendition. The story is based in the early 1800s and is about the Bennet family.

Mr. Bennet has three daughters, each with differing personalities, and a bossy wife.

The plot revolves around the sisters’ quest to find husbands before they become too old for marriage. The story is furthered by a rich gentleman, Mr. Darcy, who has taken up residence in a nearby estate. The sisters soon find love in unexpected places, and the story covers the ordeals of happiness, scandal and social expectations faced by English women during this time period.

“It can be summarized as ‘[Keeping up with the] Kardashians’ in the 1810s,” junior Annabelle Kirkendall, who was a part of the design team, said.

The show was double cast, and one cast will be Chantilly’s entry for the Cappie awards, a highly esteemed awards program for D.C. area high school drama departments.

“The Cappies is our version of the Tonys or the Oscars,“ senior Isaac Thornton, who played Colonel Fitzwilliam, said. “We have judges come in from other schools and judge what really stuck out.”

The drama department hopes to be nominated for Cappies award this year.

The production team and cast put a significant amount of time and effort into constructing the play, which started in early September. Initially, rehearsals took approximately two to three hours.

However, as the play approached the premiere date, six to seven hours of rehearsals was required. The rehearsals consisted of the performers elevating their acting to portray the characters.

“It is hard for me sometimes to capture

the character,” senior Zaid Al Nouman, who played Mr. Bennet, said. “I have to make sure to balance not being too frustrated, and I can’t show too much emotion.”

Another time-consuming aspect was set production and the building team, who constructed the set starting with only pieces of wood. The students shaped, designed and painted the entire production themselves. At one point, they taped and painted the entire stage to look like hardwood floors. Other technical theatre students operated the lights and sound to help enhance and deliver the story effectively to the audience.

“Everyone has their job, and as long as they complete it, everything goes well,” senior Quinn Dunham, who was a part of the building team, said. “It’s like gears in a clock, and as long as everyone works, it works.”

Behind the scenes, the costuming team took fabrics and produced the clothing by sewing, cutting and assembling an assortment of fabrics into complete costumes. The hair and makeup team, led by senior Carolan Corcoran, took different wigs and styled them into hair that resembled the styles of the 1810s. For the makeup, the team created simplistic looks that still fit the theme of the characters.

“It’s very busy, but we work in a smaller group and we’re structured, so we get a lot done,” sophomore Piper Reed, who worked on the design team, said. “I think it’s all worth it for the actual show, and it’s a lot of fun to see everything you’ve done.”

After working on the play for over two months and putting in countless hours of preparation, the drama department was pleased with the audience’s positive reaction to the play. “[‘Pride and Prejudice’ was] absolutely wonderful. Each setting changed with new background and props,” senior Grisma Pathak, who attended the Friday night performance, said. “All the actors and actresses portrayed [the characters] really well. They made the book come to life in a great way.” photos by Kat Martin Top: Seniors Aris Stovall, Annie Silva, Zaid Al Nouman, Emanuele Di Prima and Caroline Woodson, who respectively played Elizabeth Bennet, Mrs. Bennet, Mr. Bennet, Mr. Bingley and Jane Bennet, laugh as Al Nouman is given feedback on his acting. Collage: Actors from the Cappies cast embody their characters on stage during a dress rehearsal. Bottom left: Sophomore Maggie Corcoran, a member of the hair and makeup team, fixes Stovall’s wig in between scenes. Bottom right: Seniors and publicity team members Alex MacNamara and Olivia Madigan finalize the program that was distributed to audience members before each performance.

8 arts&style

Chantilly Showcase

Marium Farukh, 10

the purple tide | issue 2

Nov. 17, 2017

Art helps students cope with stress Zainab Khan staff writer

“[My sister] lying inside [the drawing] represents that that’s who she wants to be. I was inspired by my sister because children often use their art to express how they feel.”

Lauren Johnson, 12

“This piece is a part of my concentration on body image and bringing awareness to insecurities caused by societal expectations.

This is a self-portrait inspired by my own frustration of overthinking past social situations to the point of despair.”

Zoe Tury, 11

“The meaning behind it is that nothing in life is permanent; even inanimate things eventually die and become something new.”

Noelle Hagy, 12

“I chose to place these fragments of my memory of [my grandmother’s] house behind me, fading into my profile, because it symbolizes me trying to move on.”

A student is painting in the main hallway of his high school. To onlookers, it seems like he is merely finishing up a project for his art class. However, for him, with every brush stroke, he has transferred his emotions and poured all his stressful thoughts onto the canvas. Students like this one utilize art for more than the purpose of entertainment; these students use it as a portal to help cope with and relieve stress, while taking the mind away from the daily struggles of life.

Art is used by many people as an outlet and a way to express creativity. Whether it is a dedicated passion or just something to do while bored, art can help one take his or her mind off the pressures of life. One may be doodling because history class is tiring, but according to fastcompany.com, his or her mind is slowly getting less and less consumed by negative energy. With the simple act of finishing the final petal on a rose, this student begins to think more positive thoughts and ideas instead of being weighed down by the stress school puts on students.

Some teenagers have been making art since they were young and are passionate about using their creativity to produce something they’ll cherish forever, while also having fun and lifting the weight of responsibilities off their shoulders.

“Art has always been the biggest anti-stressor in my life, and it helps me to calm my nerves,” sophomore Arin David said. “Painting and drawing are my go-to anxiety cures when it gets especially high. Being able to sit down at my desk and set my mind at ease for hours is great.”

Many artistic individuals agree that being in an art class or club during or after school is a relaxing and fun way to get rid of the constant stress of school, even if it’s just for a little while. Many find that learning new art techniques helps them unwind from the many hours of class they have each weekday.

“Whether it’s big class assignments or simple doodles, art can help me take my mind off of things that might have been stressing me out,” sophomore Luanna Peraldo said. “When I make art, I try to work on the most creative topics I can think of.”

Along with helping to relieve stress and anxiety, some students say art also helps them sort out their feelings and express themselves when they are feeling down or confused.

“I’m able to portray my emotions through my art,” sophomore Christine Schneider said. “If I feel really sad, I can draw someone who is really happy and it makes me happy. I’m able to put all of my emotions into my art piece, and if I want, I can throw the piece away and know everything will be okay.”

Some creative programs available at Chantilly include

illustrations contributed by Arin David and Christine Schneider Top: Sophomore Arin David used a lyric from the song,“Love and Memories” by O.A.R. as inspiration for this art piece.

Bottom: Sophomore Christine Schneider drew Yoo Jeongyeon, a member of South Korean girl group Twice.

art, drama, choir, photography, ceramics, graphic design, creative writing, dance, band and orchestra. These are all electives that you can join and are year-round classes.

If you’re ever feeling like your head’s about to explode with stress, try turning to art to help relieve anxiety.

“I express my thoughts and feelings through my art like most artists do, and it’s fun to see how some artwork has deeper meanings than others,” David said. “If I hadn’t kept drawing since the third grade, I would be a different person than I am today.”

Nov. 17, 2017

the purple tide | issue 2

arts&style

Healthy, on-the-go snack alternatives for the busy bee popcorn (106 calories)

Shikha Kinariwala staff writer

paprika & cayenne (36 calories)

granola (132 calories)

vanilla yogurt (114 calories)

strawberry (4 calories)

honey roasted almonds (162 calories)

raisins (129 calories) *Source: Calorie Calculator photos by Shikha Kinariwala

Most mornings can start out with sleeping through alarms, and quickly getting ready and rushing out the door to leave for school. Sometimes, you may completely forget to grab a bite to eat.

This is an unfortunately familiar scenario for many high school students. Spending late nights doing school work and subsequently having very little time to give your body the nutrients to start your day is common among everyone.

Most stress-burdened students resort to postponing their morning meals to during the day, between hectic day-to-day activities. Having various extracurriculars crammed into a schedule takes a significant amount of time out of evenings, so students’ studying time is forced to spill over into mornings. On top of that, the small amount of time available to snack to compensate for the lack of breakfast usually excludes healthy food that can positively impact learning.

“I usually snack on a bag of chips or stuff that’s really unhealthy because I don’t have time to get or make healthy food, so I end up eating in the car or on the bus,” sophomore Parth Vakil said. “I usually don’t get a full meal because I always have a lot of homework and have to wake up early to study. I never really have time to finish my food at all, especially since school starts very early.”

Starting your day with enough energy to last the entire day is crucial. According to Time Health Magazine, skipping breakfast can lead to metabolic impairment, which could potentially raise the risk for obesity and type 2 diabetes. Not eating in the morning can also throw off your body’s natural rhythm.

“Usually during school I’m not hungry, but when I do get hungry, even some sort of food as simple as fruit is a better alternative than a bag of chips,” senior Jennifer Cheung said. “It’s hard to have breakfast in the morning because you’re really tired and the last thing you want to do is get up

9

really early and eat, but it’s vital that you get something to fuel you for the school day.”

Apart from just providing energy, certain breakfast foods like fruits and cereal are important sources of nutrition.

According to nutrition.gov, a whole grain cereal such as Kellogg’s All-Bran Complete Wheat Flakes provides calcium, vitamin B, iron, protein and fiber.

“If I had the time to eat [healthily] in the morning, I would definitely be more energetic throughout the day,” sophomore Stephen Hwang said. “[I would] have enough energy to actually listen in class and participate in activities more, so it’s kind of unfortunate that I don’t get enough time to eat [healthily] beforehand.”

Despite the ongoing stress of school and extracurriculars, there are a variety of different healthy do-it-yourself snacks you can make and keep at hand to take care of your body throughout the day. You can customize your recipes to fit your liking as well.

“One thing I have a lot in the morning is smoothies,” Cheung said. “It’s really easy to make, you can cram proteins in one drink, and it’s very convenient to drink at school. There’s no recipe. You can get as creative as you want, and it’s pretty versatile in terms of ingredients.”

The benefits of eating healthy outweigh maintaining a diet of junk food in terms of health and lifestyle. Making good decisions about things students typically don’t pay much attention to, like breakfast, can make a greater impact than they realize.

“I think in general that a lot of people are discouraged from wanting to eat healthily because it can be overly time-consuming,” Cheung said. “Making good decisions for your body and health really spills over into the rest of your daily routine, and students should be encouraged to try because it can only have positive effects in life.”

Encountering the Black Friday frenzy Alessandra Tazoe staff writer

Imagine getting a bloody nose because you were trying to score the best deals of the season, being pushed or even punched in the face while grabbing the last video game on clearance or waiting in line for more than an hour ready to pay, only to discover that your wallet is missing. These are all events that have occurred at the national level during the phenomenon known as Black Friday, notorious for not only cheap deals, but also bizarre shopping experiences.

One would think that by getting to the parking lot early in the morning, there would be open spaces everywhere, but that is definitely not the case on Black Friday. Everyone is trying to get in and out, and mean glares and nasty stares are exchanged when someone takes the parking space someone else has already claimed. Circling around multiple times before finding the one open spot, only to realize that the car doesn’t fit in between the two other horribly parked vehicles, is just another common occurrence at any store on Black Friday. Sometimes, one

needs more than just good driving skills to emerge unscathed from the hectic atmosphere of the early morning rush.

“When I was four, my mom and I got into a car accident while trying to find parking on Black Friday,” sophomore Isabelle Sheard said.

“It caused a four-car pileup, and my nose started bleeding because my nose hit the seat.”

Big-box stores such as Target, Walmart and Best Buy all have some of the best deals on Black Friday. People freak out over these sales, opting to camp outside before the sun comes up and wait for hours before fighting over the best deals. Sophomore

Barrett Kinnier encountered some difficulties when he found a shirt from his favorite TV show “The Flash” for $5 instead of the normal $22 price.

“There was only one left, and this guy wanted to get it too, so he ran started yelling at me,” Kinnier said. “I ended up punching him to get the shirt away.”

While Black Friday is known illustration by Catherine Xu throughout the country for the heated altercations that can arise between shoppers, it is also synonymous with waiting in lines.

“When my dad went to swipe the

credit card, it got stuck in between the conveyor belt and the small one-inch crack,” sophomore Nels Williams said.

“It took them 15 to 20 minutes to remove it, and by the time they did, there was a line wrapped around the store leading outside because of us.”

Many people have had such negative experiences while shopping on this day that they have decided to never shop on it again, and instead, shop online during Cyber Monday. According to the National Retail Federation, 43.8 percent of people shopping on Thanksgiving weekend used their mobile devices or computers in 2016. This mobile version of Black Friday allows for shoppers to search for the best deals from the safety of their home.

This year, Black Friday falls on Nov. 24. Although deals such as major discounts and outrageous incentives may seem enticing, keep in mind the possible consequences of becoming an active Black Friday shopper. As the annual shopping spree approaches, be sure to watch out for the extreme prices and the extreme people.

10 in-depth

the purple tide | issue 2

Nov. 1

WHAT

WAS SHE

Jane Kang staff writer

WEARING?

When actress Ashley Judd was invited to a formal business meeting by renowned Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein at a hotel around two decades ago, she was unexpectedly told the meeting would take place in his hotel room. There, she was greeted by a bathrobe-clad Weinstein, who ushered her in and asked for a massage as well as other sexual requests, which she denied. Judd’s recount of this appalling incident resembles the stories of many other victims who encountered similar abuse at the hands of Weinstein.

Judd was one of eight brave female acquaintances of Weinstein who first accused him of sexual assault through a shocking news article published in The New York Times. Media outlets spread the terrifying stories of the victims like wildfire, and the world condemned Weinstein for what appeared to be one of the biggest scandals in Hollywood history. However, there was still truth left to be uncovered, and in the days and weeks following the article, numerous other testimonies joined the outcry, revealing the dark underbelly of Weinstein’s career and corruption in the entertainment industry as a whole.

The number of sexual allegations against Weinstein reached over 100 within weeks of the first accusations, according to The Guardian.

Among the accusers were many household names such as Angelina Jolie and Gwyneth Paltrow, causing people to wonder how such wide-scale abuse of power had remained a secret- at least at a national level- for so many years.

Although the news stories exposing Weinstein’s abuse of power have been disturbing, the press coverage has opened the floodgates for others to come forward about their own experiences with sexual harassment and assault. In the past few

weeks, notable figures such as Kevin Spacey, James Toback, Louis C.K., Ben Affleck, Brett Ratner, Dustin Hoffman, Jeremy Piven and even former president George H.W. Bush have been accused of past sexual misconduct, and this list only continues to grow, according to CNN. As more people began to speak out about their experiences, the movement gained momentum and power, and the initial trickle of information that revolved around Harvey Weinstein gave way to a flood of condemning exposés of sexual assault and harassment.

These stories have spearheaded an entire movement dedicated to raising awareness about the ubiquitousness of sexual abuse, shining a spotlight on the prominence of the issue. The demand for awareness and change gave rise to the #MeToo hashtag trend on Twitter, which has encouraged victims of any unwanted sexual advances to share their experiences on social media.

This hashtag has become nothing short of a phenomenon, with over 1.7 million tweets from over 85 countries, according to CBS News.

The large number of people who have confessed to experiencing sexual abuse, but were unable or unwilling to share until recently, calls attention to a glaring issue that affects many women and men. Despite the progress made in recent years, there is still a social stigma that surrounds speaking publicly about sexual misconduct. Potential blows victims might encounter in their career or reputation after speaking out often prevent this problem from being adequately addressed.

“It’s the stigma around victims of sexual harassment and the fact that some people are outcasted and blacklisted from their careers that they can’t speak out,” sophomore Gayatri Chintala said.

According to the National Women’s Law Center, at least a quarter of women in the workplace have experienced sexual harassment. Many believe that Hollywood

has fostered harmful relationships through a culture that often tolerates and even hides the sexual abuse that occurs within the industry, which is evident from the media attention surrounding the issue. The social and financial power that Harvey Weinstein wielded against his victims further validates the idea that a victim may receive more harm than help upon sharing, also displayed through the recent report from The New Yorker that Weinstein hired private investigators to find personal information that could be used to help silence his victims.

“The women are afraid of not being listened to,” senior Jayce Nguyen said.

“Especially with someone as influential as Harvey Weinstein, it puts their reputation at risk.”

These Hollywood victims had to fight against a social structure that had initially given Weinstein a significant amount of power over them.

“I have a lot of appreciation for the women who stepped forward because this guy had a lot of privilege in terms of his position in that company and in terms of being a white male,” school psychologist Morganne Owens said.

“It’s one person versus things that have been institutionalized in our society, in entertainment, and going against all those mechanisms of approval that gave this person so much leverage is why it’s difficult.”

Sexual misconduct is not only faced by women, but by men as well.

According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, men make up 9 percent of victims of sexual assault and rape. However, admitting sexual harassment or assault can undermine the image of masculinity and strength that men often feel pressured to project, according to a report published by the University of North Alabama, overshadowing

the necessity for people to care about and find solutions to this sensitive issue.

“There’s a culture of masculinity,” Nguyen said. “That’s why this continues to happen; people grow up with the idea that this doesn’t happen to men even though it does, and oftentimes, it’s treated more like a joke.”

Needless to say, there is still a lot of progress to be made in terms of raising awareness and creating an environment in which all are comfortable with sharing experiences of abuse, regardless of gender, career or the power of the perpetrator.

The steps that the initial eight victims took paved the way for countless others behind them, and the issue has expanded to highlight the crimes of other individuals both within and outside the entertainment industry.

“To reduce stigma, we have to create a culture of increased sense of belonging, where people feel like they have support,” Owens said. “We need to get that awareness out, that this does happen and it’s okay to get help.”

*Source: Rainn Organization illustration by Ted Thomas

This photo illustration depicts many societal views regarding sexu

17, 2017

the purple tide | issue 2

in-depth

11

The problem with blaming the

victim Caroline Aronhime

illustration by Caroline Aronhime

staff writer

*Source: “Rid of My Disgrace” by Dr. Justin and Lindsey Holcomb illustration by Kaitlyn Cheng

According to the Rainn Organization, one out of every six women will be the victim of an attempted or completed rape in her lifetime.

Many women also face instances of sexual harassment. When you turn on the news or look at a newspaper, it is commonplace to see stories of sexual harassment happening across the country, and not just to women. A 2015 study by Cosmopolitan revealed that one in three women between the ages of 18 to 34 has been harassed at work. If statistics about sexual misconduct do not change, information reported by the media could turn from infographic to reality for students as they graduate from high school and enter adulthood.

Victims of sexual misconduct are often blamed for their own experiences, either when reporting incidents of assault or through media messages and lines frequently used in society such as “What was the victim wearing?”

Victim blaming, a common term at the heart of the current media conversation about sexual assault in America, is described by the

illustration by Ted Thomas and Kaitlyn Cheng

ual misconduct as well as the reluctance victims may feel regarding the decision to share their stories.

Cambridge for Consent website as actions or words implying that the victim of an offense is to blame for what happened to her or him.

A sexual misconduct case that received widespread media attention was that of the Stanford swimmer Brock Turner when he was convicted of sexually assaulting an unconscious woman after a fraternity party. Facing a maximum of 14 years in prison, Turner was sentenced to six months in county jail and served only three before being released. In a letter to the judge hearing Turner’s case, one of Turner’s childhood friends stated that the victim drank too much on the night of the assault. According to an article by The Guardian, Turner himself repeatedly cited alcohol and college party culture as the reason for his attack, rather than blaming himself for his own choice to assault the victim.

Some common examples of victim blaming are lines such as “She must have provoked him,” “They were drinking too much” and “She was probably asking for it.”

Through the media coverage surrounding the Harvey Weinstein assaults and the many other cases of sexual misconduct that have recently been reported, there has been an extensive amount of victim blaming by both Hollywood insiders and people following the reports and the trending #MeToo hashtag on social media. Designer Donna Karan, for example, stood up for Weinstein and stated that women are asking for “trouble” by the way they dress and present themselves. Although Karan has since apologized, her remarks went viral and reminded the public that while progress is being made in acknowledging the prevalence of sexual assault, once considered a taboo subject that was swept under the rug, many believe that more education and awareness programs may be needed for society to overcome the tendency to blame victims.

“Society makes us feel guilty for wearing short tops or short shorts because guys will look at us differently,” Selvathambi said.

The topic of victim blaming is acknowledged in the FCPS curriculum for health, family life and physical education.

“We reiterate throughout any instruction on abuse/assault that it is never the victim’s fault,” FCPS coordinator for health, family life and physical education Liz Payne said in an email interview.

As more and more stories about sexual misconduct are reported by the media every day, victim blaming continues to be a topic of discussion for students and society alike. Many students believe that education is the key to social change.

“We have to teach guys to respect girls and allow them to dress and be themselves,” Selvathambi said.

features

Nov. 17, 2017

Chantilly alumni find success in life after high school Kyndall Hubbard copy editor

photos contributed by Tora Crank, Pooja Trivedi and Yahya Abou-Ghazala Top: Alumnus Tora Crank poses with Millie Bobby Brown, who plays the character Eleven on the show “Stranger Things” after attending Brown’s live interview. Middle: Alumnus Pooja Trivedi, second from left, poses alongside other members of the Projects with Underserved Communities program.

Bottom: Alumnus Yahya Abou-Ghazala coaches soccer to kids in Lebanon.

Every year, a group of highly qualified and prepared seniors leave Chantilly’s halls to embark on new opportunities and adventures that await them in the outside world. Many recent graduates have been finding success in what they enjoy while positively influencing others along the way.

One of the biggest shows in recent years inspired Chantilly alumnus and YouTuber Tora Crank, who graduated in 2017, to study screenwriting at the New York Film Academy.

“If it weren’t for ‘Stranger Things,’ I wouldn’t be studying film right now. I used to have a fan account for the show on Twitter and that’s where people started asking me to make videos of my theories on YouTube,” Crank said. “It took off about eight months ago. One of my videos titled ‘The IT Trailer But I Scream Every Word’ blew up, and is now at 400,000 views.”

One notable opportunity was an invitation to an interview with Caleb McLaughlin, the actor who plays Lucas on “Stranger Things.”

“I got to ask him a question, but before I could even ask it, he stopped me and said he knew who I was,” Crank said.

“It’s the coolest and weirdest thing to know that your favorite cast watches your YouTube channel.”

Crank’s experiences have helped her discover her deep passion, indicating a clear career choice.

“I would love to make a career in entertainment,” Crank said. “Studying at the New York Film Academy and keeping up with my channel is getting me there. Every day I get to spend my

day focusing on what I’m interested in.”

Since graduating in 2015, Chantilly alumnus Yahya Abou-Ghazala has impacted multiple lives through giving back.

“About a year ago, I came to the decision that I wanted to provide some sort of relief for Syrian refugees in the Middle East,” Abou-Ghazala said. “I knew how big the refugee crisis was, and I wanted to focus my effort on something that I was good at.”

Abou-Ghazala was able to use family ties to obtain information on how to help.

“I reached out to some family friends and they put me in touch with a nongovernmental organization (NGO) called Sawa for Development and Aid,” AbouGhazala said. “They told me that their youth soccer team was underfunded and had to be canceled.”

Raising money for the team, AbouGhazala traveled to Lebanon with soccer equipment and a bigger vision for himself and the young players.

“The goal of this team was to use soccer for character development and to build a sense of brotherhood and purpose among the players,” Abou-Ghazala said.

“The most important thing to come out of the training sessions was that they understood what the real purpose behind the team was.”

His interests and familial origin initially compelled him to take action.

“I’ve been playing soccer since I was eight years old, played competitively all through high school, and now I’m on the club soccer team at UVA,” Abou-Ghazala said. “My family is half-Syrian and halfPalestinian, so the Syrian refugee crisis hits really close to home. I felt like it was my own family and I had a personal connection to everyone.”

This experience marked the beginning of what Abou-Ghazala intends to be a lifelong philanthropic pursuit.

“I know that my long-term career path wants to benefit the rebuilding of Syria, and this was a really humbling first step to see how much impact a small project like mine can have,” AbouGhazala said.

Alumnus Pooja Trivedi, who graduated in 2016, engages in philanthropy with a scientific approach by participating in the program Projects with Underserved Communities (PUC) at the University of Texas at Austin.

This year-long course allows students to design research projects in response to community needs.

“We are building a sanitation station in the village of Don Kang, Thailand. The elementary school students in that village have limited access to clean water for handwashing and toothbrushing,” Trivedi said. “Throughout this academic year, we will design, research and fundraise, and over the summer, we will travel to Don Kang and construct the hygiene station for the elementary school.”

Trivedi’s motivations to participate in this project stem from her values as well as her career goals.

“I am a strong believer in paying it forward. I had a great childhood and education and I want to use that to help out this community,” Trivedi said. “As a biomedical engineer, I hope to work in imaging and instrumentation, particularly medical devices. After that, I would like to take my career in a philanthropic direction by bettering medicine and health in underserved areas.”

The success of these alumni is validation that future graduates will attain similar accomplishments.

Despite recent small family trend, large families show that more can be merrier Chapman said. “It became too expensive on a schoolteacher’s salary.”

Despite all the benefits that come with When some students think of family, sizable families, some believe that it puts they usually think of hardworking parents, financial strain on the parents. However, two to three children, a pet and possibly a negative stereotypes such as these do not white picket fence. Although big families prevent children of large families from were prevalent in years past, according to creating fond memories with their siblings Gallup News, almost half of Americans say and parents; in fact, being part of a large that two children is the ideal amount for a family creates more opportunities to have family. Yet, there are several large families memorable moments. in the Chantilly community, showing that “I was never lonely; my siblings are like more can indeed be merrier. my best friends. When we were bored, we “I am the middle child,” senior used to play King of the Hill. We went Abraham Bonane said. “Four older through three Xboxes, the last of which sisters, one younger sister and three my mother broke by shoving a butter younger brothers.” knife in while trying to fix it,” Knisely said.

Many parents with lots of children For teenagers growing up in big also enjoy having many grandchildren. families, childhood can be a wild ride.

“Having a big family is fun,” health Nonetheless, being a part of a large family teacher Ralph Chapman, father of 14, is a rewarding experience. said. “It’s the best because we have lots “They all have their own distinct of grandkids, all 29 of them.” personalities, and they’re all pretty good While sharing resources such as people; they’ve all got their feet on the bedrooms, bathrooms and electronics ground. We have a lot of fun; there was can make for a chaotic household, it never a boring moment in the household,” does not stop children of large families Chapman said. “There were a lot of good from keeping a positive attitude. In photo contributed by Ralph Chapman times and some rough times, but it all Health teacher Ralph Chapman, second row, sixth from the left, poses with all 14 of his children and fact, the constant interaction and balances out in the long run.” some of his 29 grandkids at one of his daughter’s weddings. companionship may cause them to be

Sydney Tucker staff writer

more fulfilled.

Compromise plays an important part in keeping things peaceful in the household.

“Especially growing up, dealing with people, you have to learn to compromise on a lot of things. You have to learn to live in a space with a lot of different people,” Bonane said.

Some believe that birth order affects personality and that being the oldest may make you more responsible and academically inclined, while being the youngest child could potentially make you

more social.

“I believe being the youngest has contributed to me being social and outgoing because my siblings and I would always do things together, and that gave me the courage to go out and be less shy about making friends,” sophomore Renae Knisely, member of a family of 11, said.

Big families can sometimes be seen as a spectacle, but people who have large families learn much from growing up surrounded by relatives.

“We didn’t have big vacations,”

Nov. 17, 2017

the purple tide | issue 2

features

13

photo contributed by Anne Yong

GoFundMe raises awareness as well as money Sarah Ahmed staff writer

The website GoFundMe sprung onto the scene in 2010 with the premise that users would be able to donate to causes they deem noble. Recently, many community members have been using this crowdfunding platform to raise funds for a multitude of different causes.

Ryan Kwak, a senior at John Champe High School in Loudoun County, recently suffered from a severe car accident that completely shattered his spine. In order for him to regain any ability or feeling in his spine and legs, he had to go through an extensive amount of surgeries.

Unfortunately, not all of the surgeries were covered by the Kwak family’s insurance. As a result, the family faced a substantial amount of medical expenses. His friends turned to GoFundMe to raise money and help cover some of these costs. The Kwak family was extremely grateful for the community’s support, and the GoFundMe page trended, raising over $76,000 in just a few weeks.

The campaign received an immense amount of love from friends, family members and even strangers. Although the GoFundMe page was extremely effective at raising funds quickly, Kwak’s friends started to use Venmo and PayPal once news of the efforts to raise money expanded into neighboring communities.

“We actually stopped using GoFundMe because the corporation took 10 percent of all proceeds made, which meant a huge portion of the money raised didn’t actually go to Ryan’s family,” senior Alayna Lee said.

Even with the cuts in raised funds, GoFundMe made an important difference by spreading Kwak’s story, as the website creates a simple and easy way for people to communicate and learn about issues at both the community and national levels. Even with the success Kwak’s family has had so far with raising money, they are still continuing to accept donations to cover Kwak’s rehabilitation costs.

“Currently, he is in the Kennedy Krieger Institute at John Hopkins, but we want him to attend another rehab center that is really good but extremely expensive,” Lee said. “Each day there costs $5,000, which means that a year there would be a ridiculous amount of money, so a lot of donations are needed.”

Much like the community used GoFundMe to help one of its own, the local area has also used the website to raise funds to help those in other states through hurricane relief efforts. Teacher Anna Knox and Principal Bob D’Amato from Lees Corner Elementary School created a GoFundMe page to raise money for and assist the Fort Bend Independent School District in Texas. This community initiative helped further the recovery efforts from the devastation of Hurricane Harvey, and in a matter of weeks, raised over $13,000.

“I was humbled with the reactions to our video and how much we raised for the Fort Bend School District,” Knox said. “GoFundMe sent the funds to an assistant principal at an elementary school that had structural damage due to flooding.”

Knox and D’Amato decided to use GoFundMe because they had heard positive things from other people that have used it. They also wanted a way to allow people to donate without using cash and liked that there was not a minimum amount that one had to donate in order to help.

“We liked how easy the process was to post on YouTube and Facebook,” Knox said. “It seemed to be the best way to reach out to people, knowing that the majority of students and families have access to social media.”

Not only was the hurricane relief GoFundMe page seen throughout the local community, but it was also viewed and shared on an international scale.

“I was told that one friend shared the video on her Facebook page,” Knox said. “Her friend in Italy saw it and made a donation.”

3 Questions with... senior Harika Nathi

1 2 3

Describe your summer internship.

I participated in an internship at Johns Hopkins University. It was a lab that was related to helping pediatric kids with traumatic brain injuries. It was a really cool experience; I was able to reach out to the researchers and the professor there and actually observe what they do in the lab and in their surgeries. I got hands-on experience that I would never have gotten in school.

What clubs are you involved with?

I am involved with First Technology Challenge, which is a type of robotics, as well as Girls Exploring Engineering, which was recently changed to Girls Exploring STEM. We do outreach programs at local elementary schools and host mentor dinners with women in the STEM field.

Have you always been interested in STEM?

I’ve always been interested in engineering, and that’s why I joined robotics.

After taking AP Biology, I was more interested in biomedical engineering; it was the combination of the two that made me want to go into STEM.

14 features

the purple tide | issue 2

Nov. 17, 2017

Politically active students impact community at large Angela Lee staff writer

As the next generation of voters, American teenagers are on the cusp of societal leadership and assuming their rights and responsibilities as citizens. However, teenagers are seldom considered politically active members of society. Not all teenagers are apathetic, though, as several students show on a regular basis by getting involved and making their voices heard.

“Being politically active helps put perspective on what’s happening. If I start now, I’ll be ready for when it comes time to vote,” sophomore Shreya Tripathy, who volunteered for Ralph Northam’s campaign, said. “I feel like other people should start being more politically active and join the different clubs to foster their own opinions. You want to create your own beliefs and perspectives. You want to be able to change what’s happening and make the world better for others as well.”

Whether a person leans left or right, it is important to engage in politics as a student because it is not enough to just know what is going on in the world. Although the majority of high schoolers are unable to vote, there are a variety of activities that people can participate in to get involved in

their communities.

“Since we’re so close to the capital, there are a lot of marches and amazing things going on. Seeing people together creates this kind of environment where I feel accepted,” sophomore Serena Satouri said. “It’s nice to go and actually feel like you are there for a cause. I met many amazing people that are not only inspirational, but they’re intelligent and they’ve taught me so much, not only about myself, but how to treat other people.”

Social media platforms such as Instagram, Twitter and Facebook are helpful tools in finding information about upcoming marches, protests and activist events. Many organizations broadcast planned demonstrations and spontaneous protests, solely relying on these platforms to spread the word.

In addition to attending the March for Life, an annual anti-abortion rally, junior David Rodriguez stays active in local and global politics by serving as President of the Young Conservatives club. Rodriguez was an intern for governor candidate Ed Gillespie and went door-to-door on weekends to talk to potential supporters.

“First of all, it gives you good hours for college, but personally, it helped me because I’m really shy in person. Door

knocking helps me if I’m talking to someone I don’t know,” Rodriguez said. “It helps me say ‘This is me and this is what I believe. I care about the way this country is going.’”

Political awareness is paramount to the future of our country, as is participation, and many students, even those who cannot yet vote, have been getting involved and taking on active roles in the community.

Opportunities to become educated and engaged in politics in school can help form political opinions and aid understanding of campaign issues.

“We have amazing clubs at school like Young Democrats and Young Republicans. It’s just amazing because you can voice your opinion and you can join groups that have the same views as you,” Satouri said. “The clubs have opportunities outside of school, which gets the members active.”

Getting involved can help young people avoid the trend of political apathy.

“Right now with politics, the atmosphere is very prone to change, and I think that if you start now and you really believe in it, you can actually make that change happen,” Tripathy said. “We are the future; we have the ability to change it.”

photos contributed by Angela Lee and Cameron Khan Top: Seniors Caroline Huxsoll and Hannah Bradford and junior Rashon Lopez confer at the Young Democrats meeting held in October. Bottom: Junior Cameron Khan and friends pose before canvassing their neighborhood last year. Many students continued to help in the most recent election held on Nov. 7.

Best Buddies promotes relationships while encouraging inclusion for all students Novotny said. “It was really cool to go to the city with my friends and to see the staff writer National Mall, Washington Monument Founded at Georgetown University and Capitol building, while walking to in 1989, Best Buddies has grown from a support a great cause.” small group to a worldwide organization.

There are many walks that happen Through the combined efforts of all its around the country that provide members, Best Buddies has positively opportunities to see the Best Buddies impacted the lives of over 1.1 million mission in action at the local level. They people with and without Intellectual occur in a variety of cities in around 29 and Developmental Disabilities (IDD), states. These walks are important events according to the organization’s website. that help fund Best Buddies across the The organization is dedicated nation. to establishing a global volunteer The club is starting to plan movement that creates opportunities for one of its biggest events, for members to make friendships. The the Best Buddies Capital Best Buddies club has been active at Region Prom 2018 in Chantilly since the 1990s. The club pairs Washington, D.C. In up group members through a peer buddy addition, there are matching system, which helps identify several other events matches based on interests, needs and being planned such time availability. Chantilly’s chapter as a Valentine’s Day encourages all of its members to dance and a winterparticipate in a multitude of themed meeting in events to help students with December.

IDD feel more included.

The club meets once “The club has a wide a month on Mondays range of activities that a after school to discuss member would typically upcoming events do along with their buddy and give members or as a group of friends. the opportunity to During Halloween, we participate in club go trick or treating and activities. Students can have movie nights. These join Best Buddies in activities give peer buddies Room 123 and enjoy an opportunity to have activities that will fun and learn new things,” inspire Chargers to learning disabilities continue giving back teacher and club sponsor to their community for photo contributed by Noelle Hagy Susan Rorie said. “These years to come.

Some of the members from the Chantilly chapter of Best Buddies pose together during the D.C. Friendship Walk. Front row: activities give the Sophomores Avery Golla, Jenna Novotony and senior Noelle Hagy. Second row: 2017 Chantilly Alumnus Mary Connell and members and participants

Devika Raj

a positive social and cultural learning experience.”

Participating in the club gives students the opportunity to work with peers with disabilities and provides a unique learning experience for all who take part.

“I learn a lot from my interactions with the club members and buddies, especially patience and inclusiveness,” senior Liam Maison said.

The international program organizes several community and fundraising events across the country, some of which are attended by Chantilly members. For

example, the Best Buddies Capital Region Friendship Walk, recently held in Washington, D.C., rose awareness and support for developmental disabilities.

Many Chantilly students joined the 5K walk with their buddies and even brought family members. After the walk, participants enjoyed an event filled with food, music, dancing and several other activities to celebrate friendship and inclusiveness.

“My experience at this year’s Friendship Walk was awesome” senior and club president Amara

seniors Kaylin Fitzgerald, Amara Novotony, Alex Ciccone, Megan Connell, Harrison White and Liam Maison.

academics

Nov. 17, 2017

Teachers foster welcoming environments to enhance learning Maddy Quigley staff writer

Within the community, many teachers work toward enhancing relationships with their students by becoming involved and showing interest in their students’ lives.

Students at Chantilly are able to create deep bonds with their teachers because many teachers strive to benefit students not only academically, but emotionally as well. Teachers often seek ways to connect with students outside the boundaries of teaching and classroom instruction.

“I am very concerned about my students’ emotional well-being, partly because of what I see in the classroom and partly because I have two children of my own that I worry about as well,” social studies teacher Angie Rollet said.

Some teachers spend their own time and money making their classroom a more welcoming environment by buying snacks and setting up comfortable workspaces for their students.

Teachers who pay for food or classroom decorations with their own money hope to create a pleasant atmosphere.

“I started my teaching career in California where some students didn’t have a lot. I know that realistically I have students that are hungry and maybe

can’t afford food so I got into the habit of bringing food for the kids,” English teacher Deb Wydra said. “I also think that everyone just relaxes a little bit more when they have some food.”

Several teachers try to create connections with students instead of seeming distant. Teachers like Wydra attempt this by buying food or small gifts for their students. Something as small as a teacher giving out snacks or remembering birthdays can have a significant impact on a student’s life.

“Mrs. Wydra is definitely emotionally involved with us and she really cares about us,” junior Josh Bowers said. “We are almost like her kids and it’s really helpful to have someone like that teaching us.”

Sometimes teachers try to award their students with small celebrations to relieve some of the stress they endure in school.

Since school and extracurricular activities can be strenuous and demanding for a student, some teachers search for ways to subdue their tension.

“2 years ago I started putting students birthdays on the class calendar to recognize them so we remember that we are all people in a classroom,” Rollet said.

“We often [lose] focus in class and get caught up in the academics so that’s why I like to have little celebrations.”

Students oftentimes form bonds with their teachers over the course of the year because of everything they do for them.

Creating a beneficial connection between a teacher and a student can oftentimes enhance that student’s life.

“I feel a little closer to the teachers that remember things about my life or give us little treats because it’s something special they do for us,” sophomore Patrick Mountcastle said.

Teachers are expected to educate their pupils, but they often do much more than that. Getting to know students personally and showing interest in their lives can greatly assist a positive teacher-student relationship.

“The only way I can take care of a student’s emotional well being is to build a relationship with those students and sometimes what a student is going to remember the most has nothing to do with academics,” Rollet said. “But has everything to do with a connection between a student and a teacher.”

Though it is often overlooked, teachers try their best to supply students with the emotional and academic support they need whether that is buying food for classes or just simply remembering certain things about their lives.

photos by Maddy Quigley Left: The librarians go out of their way to make the school library a comfortable space for students. Sophomores Sofia Vergara, Isabel Gonzalez and Maya Aboul-Hosn enjoy playing checkers in the library during their downtime. Right: Social studies teacher Angie Rollet assists sophomores Anthony Exley and Rachel Walls on a history project. One of Rollet’s focuses is creating a positive working environment.

Zack Winfrey

What inspired you to teach art and coach wrestling?

I thought that I was going to be a business major when I was at JMU, but I hated what I was doing. I took art in high school and decided that my life would be better at that time as a teacher. I was a painting and art major first; then I added art education as a minor. I played sports my whole life, so I knew that coaching would be something I’d like to do if I was teaching.

What do you like to do outside of school?

I like to make my own artwork. I make a lot of vintage signs and big wooden signs and wooden canvases. [I also] do other types of art production; that’s my hobby. I make a ton of T-shirts; it wasn’t on purpose, but it’s good revenue for the wrestling program. I wasn’t planning on making [them] when I started teaching; it just happened to be an easy fundraiser.

photos by Maddy Quigley Top: Senior Patrick Collins helps himself to food provided by English teacher Deb Wydra, who enjoys bringing in treats for her students.

Middle: Wydra talks to senior Anthony Rodriguez in class. She is known for being a supportive teacher. Bottom: English teacher Julianne Abruzzo created a reading nook in her classroom that she decorates according to the season in order to provide a cozy corner.

What has been your favorite teaching moment?

There are several students who have chosen to study art after high school who have created awesome art portfolios. [I enjoy] watching their art develop into an extensive portfolio, usually over 30 pieces of art, that are really well done. When they graduate, move on, come back to visit and show me what they have continued to make in college, it is [really] awesome and motivating.

What do you love most about Chantilly?

I think the community and the kids are great.

They work hard and are well-behaved. I think that everyone is very supportive of each other. The atmosphere is positive and [the students] all want the same thing, which is success. They use our criticism really well and try to make themselves better.

16 academics

the purple tide | issue 2

Nov. 17, 2017

Interest meetings and college visits assist students in finding future education Maura Olson

managing editor As students make their way through high school, many focus on what comes next, and often that means college.

Campus visits are popular because they put high schoolers in the shoes of college students and provide the lay of the land.

“Visiting campus is huge,” Regional Recruiter for West Virginia University Mandy Weaver said.

“I could tell you all day long about West Virginia University, what it looks like and how I think

you may like it there, but I don’t know you and until you get out there and see it, you really are not going to know exactly how you feel about it.”

Many students spend time researching and visiting campuses, either staying with friends or going with family on breaks during the school year.

“I’ve toured U-Va., William & Mary, Davidson and Michigan,” senior Eli Rothleder said. “I think college visits give you the best possible idea of a school because you’re actually there and you can talk to people who actually attend.”

Although visits can serve as a crucial part of the college search process, not all students can travel to the campuses in which they are interested. To make the process more convenient, representatives from many colleges come to visit high schools to give students a preview of what campus life is like

and to answer questions.

“Even though you can do your own research, if you come and talk to an admissions counselor during a meeting, you’re going to find out some ins and outs and some tips that you can’t find online,” Weaver said. “We’re the experts; we’ve worked through the process several times with students, so you’re going to get so much more help that way.”

Although interest meetings can be helpful, some think that the meetings don’t have the same effect compared to visiting the campus.

“The downsides are that you don’t get to experience the campus and what it is like to live there, which is pretty important when you’re choosing a school,” junior Lindsay Jones said.

Students are encouraged to visit campuses and attend interest meetings to ensure they find the perfect college for them.

“It’s good because you can get a lot of the same information you’d get at the on-campus information session,” Rothleder said.

To get the most out of a college visit, admissions officers recommend to immerse yourself in campus life by sitting in on classes and eating at the dining hall.

“I like to tour on weekdays so that I can see the student life as people go from class to class,” Jones said. “I always get spirit wear and I either eat at the dining hall or a local place that is really popular.”

illustration by Rachael Gunn

Innovative teachers implement engaging methods

photo by Alex DaSilva French teacher Elaine Gonzalez uses the timer feature on the educational game Classcraft to keep students engaged when they are completing assignments.

Alex DaSilva staff writer

Various teachers are bringing innovative twists into the classroom. Some involve unconventional methods such as ProjectBased Learning or the use of games.

Many believe that English teacher Lucy Voorhees is innovative in how she uses projects and creates an open space that feels welcoming for students.

“I try and make my class feel fun,” Voorhees said. “I set up the space so that students feel comfortable to move around, and it keeps the energy high. I don’t know if it’s always successful, but that’s what I’m trying for.”

French teacher Elaine Gonzalez, implements an online program known as Classcraft, which is a game that gives each student an avatar with a class, such as mage or warrior, and an ability that they can use to help themselves and their classmates during quests. Quests are a series of activities that can reward a student with experience points and some in-game currency, depending on the completion of an assigned activity.

Classcraft offers a program called

Boss Fight, through which students are randomly selected to answer a question and deal damage to the boss if they answer correctly, or take damage if they answer incorrectly “I’m trying to keep up and make things different for the students and not predictable and boring,” Gonzalez said.

Modern teaching strategies provide engaging ways for teachers to determine whether students are actually learning.

“Innovative teachers can have a good balance,” sophomore Manas Kethireddy said. “They can give us a good amount of quizzes and projects so that they actually assess my skill.”

Many teachers are trying different methods to make their curriculum more accessible, ensuring that their students understand the material and can apply it during assessments.

“It’s become really popular to experiment with classroom space and the ways that you are approaching the material,” Voorhees said. “It’s always good to keep it fresh.”

Overall, innovative teaching methods produce alternative ways for students to learn and synthesize information, therefore enhancing their educational gain.

photo by Rachael Gunn Quests on Classcraft are divided into small assignments with descriptions in French that must be completed before moving on.

sports

Nov. 17, 2017

Football comes to bittersweet end Priscilla Woo staff writer

photos by Paola Henriquez and Kaitlyn Cheng Top: The offensive line prepares to snap the ball and continue its drive to the end zone. Despite having various setbacks this season, the team continued to put up a fight every game. Bottom: Sophomore and quarterback Tyler O’Reilly dodges defenders as he runs up the field looking for pass options. As starting quarterback, O’Reilly is a leader both on and off the field.

Although the varsity football team experienced a challenging season, spirits are high as athletes and coaches alike begin to plan for next year. Though the team was unable to end the season with a win, the players continued to persevere and focused on improvement during each and every practice.

At the base of any successful team is a strong and unified group of athletes. This season, the football players built up their experience and worked hard to grow their team chemistry in order to improve their results in the future.

“We are lifting all year long and making football a priority,” football head coach and physical education teacher Sean Curry said “We really need to make football something that we care about 12 months out of the year, not just August to the end of the season.”

Although the team dealt with consistent setbacks, players were increasingly determined to progress their skills as the season came to

an end. This was Curry’s first year as head coach of Chantilly football, as well as his first year back at Chantilly after teaching in Loudoun County, and he is more ambitious than ever to help the young athletes as they grow in terms of motivation and skill.

What made this year’s team unique is the number of sophomores on the varsity roster. This means that the team had a great deal of potential but less on-field experience than in years past.

“Right now, we have about 10 sophomores that start full time,” Curry said. “We’ve had as many as 13 sophomores starting, so we are very young and are going to continue to build on the foundation we are laying this year.”

Unlike in past years, there were not as many seniors to guide the newer players. However, the younger players were able to gain experience this year and build strong foundations to bring more victories in following seasons.

Throughout the season, members of the Purple Platoon remained enthusiastic and attended every

game, cheering for the team in the face of multiple losses.

“We are showing our spirit and supporting them even though they aren’t doing too well,” senior Colin Nguyen said. “They’re trying hard out there, so we really can’t blame them.”

Showing spirit and encouraging the athletes every game is just one way to support them and provide motivation for the team.

“They seem very excited about where we are going to go,” Curry said. “It’s just a matter of getting there.”

Football requires thoughtful planning and foolproof execution, which the varsity team has been striving to achieve.

“To outsiders, it’s probably a disappointment,” sophomore and varsity player Ben Condemi said.

“But for the team, we are growing each week, and are getting better and better.”

The young athletes have enhanced their skills through repetition and practice in order to improve on the field for next season and onward.

Fall teams celebrate end of season Football

High school football games on Friday nights are an important staple in the lives of American teenagers.

They are opportunities for high schoolers to spend time with friends and watch the sport that has grown in favor across America. But once the lights shut off and the season ends, the team

Field Hockey

Team bonding is an important tradition for the field hockey team.

The players come together outside of practice to spend quality time with each other as a team at the end of the season. While the team hosts the typical celebrations of senior night and the banquet, the girls also add a personal touch to their celebrations through their end-of-season sleepover.

“Usually for the banquet, we’re dressed up nice,” junior and varsity field hockey player Rachel Dicesare

Volleyball

tries to find a way to commemorate its time together. Like other sports teams, football hosts senior night on the last home game of the season and holds a banquet once the season concludes.

Senior night occurs throughout other sports programs as well and is meant to recognize all that the senior players have accomplished both athletically and academically.

“At the end of every season, we host a banquet where we recognize all of our

said. “The coaches talk about the season and reflect on everything we’ve done and how we’ve grown as a team, and also hand out special awards.”

The banquet is meant to be a time for the team to just hang out and have fun. It’s organized as a potluck, with the team bringing in mostly pasta and desserts. During the banquet, honors such as the MVP award, sportsmanship award and all of the first team district nominations are given to the players.

“The celebrations are really fun

Since the start of the volleyball program in 1998, celebrations have remained an essential part to ending the season. Head varsity coach since 1999 and substitute teacher Charles Ezigbo has made sure that every season is celebrated to its full extent in order to acknowledge the players and all they accomplished.

athletes and give out awards such as team MVP, offensive player of the year and other things like that,” junior and varsity football player Dylan Sparks said.

“We recognize the guys who keep going hard for every part of the season and really give their best effort.”

The banquet provides a chance for players from all team levels to come together for a final time and reflect on what occurred throughout the season as well as try to predict any changes

because it’s a nice way to end the season,” Dicesare said. “It’s a last big group meeting where we all get to see each other, which is nice because we don’t always see one another during the regular school day.”

Having the players, parents and coaches from all team levels at the banquet makes ending the season more of a memorable and sentimental experience, focused on appreciating all the hard work put into the season.

“By everyone getting together, including the parents, at the banquet,

“The volleyball team normally does senior night toward the end of the season as well as our banquet once the season officially ends,” senior and varsity volleyball player Lexi Carlisle said.

Senior night is dedicated to all the graduating players in the volleyball program and is meant to honor all their hard work and commitment they have put into the team. Traditionally, the underclassmen and their parents

that might occur in the following season, such as new players and talent.

Regardless of how the season ended, senior night and the football banquet helps boost team morale and unity for upcoming seasons.

“The banquet is for all three teams: freshman, JV and varsity,” Sparks said. “If you have a bad season, these celebrations end it on a high note, which is pretty important.”

it sets a tone for the program, the expectations for the players and the way that the coaches work with the players,” Dicesare said. “It just makes us stronger as a whole.”

organize this special annual event.

“For the banquet, our coaches and parents come together with all of the players in our program to the cafeteria at school for dinner,” Carlisle said. “It includes freshmen, JV and varsity teams, so we definitely start to see who might be forming our next varsity team. It’s just good to see the JV and freshman players as much as we can, since they’re the future of the volleyball program.”

The banquet is held in December and is the last event that the program holds until August when tryouts start for the next season.

“I think it always ends everything on a good note,” Carlisle said.

Top: Senior and varsity football player Christian Parana races upfield to put the Chargers in scoring position during the homecoming game against Oakton. Middle: After a strong run in the regional tournament, the varsity field hockey team will begin its postseason celebrations. Junior and captain Allison Green has helped prepare the team throughout the season. Bottom: Though the volleyball postseason run ended, junior Celie Feighery and the team have begun to commemorate the team’s successful season. photos contributed by Phil Dolinger compiled by Brooke Wagner

18 sports

the purple tide | issue 2

Nov. 17, 2017

Managing the team: what goes on behind the spotlight

Aria Nagai

their jobs, managers are also there for the players both on and off the court, Tom Brady, Steph Curry, Lionel allowing for a boost in team morale.

Messi and Bryce Harper. These are “Managers are really good for the names of some of the world’s motivation; even though they don’t play, most famous athletes, and sports fans they’re always there,” sophomore and around the world are familiar with basketball player Kavya Shankar said. these superstars. However, many do not “They help you get into the spirit of the know the names of the people behind game. If you’re having a bad day, they’re the scenes: the sports managers. The there for moral support, which is nice if same can be said of the teams here you’re not doing so well.” at Chantilly. Managers enable the Even though the managers do not athletic program to run smoothly and necessarily play on the team, they are are a crucial part of the teams, even very much integrated into the team if their hard work is not consistently atmosphere and dynamic. acknowledged. Many students are “I definitely feel like I fit in; I’m photos contributed by Phil Dolinger and Katie Carita unaware of what the sports managers do really close with the team,” Gustafson Left: Freshmen Nhi Troung and Angelica Mendoza, who play on the freshman volleyball team, for all the athletes. said. “We’re just a tight knit group.” help manage the clock with senior and manager Emma Gustafson during varsity games. Right: “For volleyball, we shag the balls In addition to helping the athletes Junior and varsity field hockey manager Emily Bacha-Camacho fills in the team roster during and take the team statistics on how the team’s regional game against Marshall. She keeps track of each athlete’s playing time. during the season, managers also assist the players are doing,” senior Emma the coaches. contributions to the teams and the Gustafson, manager of the swim and Field hockey head coach and physical education teacher Kristina Plaugher programs. volleyball teams, said. “We just make believes that with the help of the managers, she is able to save valuable practice time, “I like how you can still be part of sure everything runs smoothly.” making the coaching process run more smoothly. the team,” Gustafson said. “I can make Along with the statistical side of “Managers make it so that we can get to the actual work in practice quicker new friends, make new memories and because they’re helping get the experience the same things as them.” equipment out there while the kids The dedication the managers put are getting warmed up,” Plaugher into each of their teams allows for the said. “They’re in the background coaches and players to focus on the helping out and doing little things on games and practices, rather than the the side that are needed to be done.” set-up. The managers are a crucial part The work that managers put into of the athletic program, supporting their each program is often overshadowed respective teams at each and every event. by the athletes. The managers of each “I think that if a student is interested program have different requirements in managing, they should go talk to the and support their team through hard coach of that program and find out more work and dedication. about what that manager does,” Plaugher “Managers have a significant said. “It’s a great way for students to get position in the program, so people involved.” should appreciate them more,” The major benefits that sports Shankar said. “Everyone just managers supply to teams sometimes photos contributed by Kaitlyn Cheng and Phil Dolinger overlooks the fact that they’re there fails to be acknowledged. Without Left: Seniors Camille Ohanian and Brooke Bain stand with the varsity football players on the to help the team.” them, many teams would not have the sidelines. As trainers on the team, they are ready to help the coaches and athletic trainers at any Even though at times they can opportunity to achieve the high levels of point during the game. Right: Ohanian runs across the field to bring water to the players between go unnoticed, managers enjoy their success that Chantilly is known to hold. plays. This is just one of the many responsibilities that sports managers and trainers have. jobs and find many benefits in their

staff writer

U.S. men’s team fails to make World Cup Caroline Castle staff writer

Americans all over the country were devastated on Nov. 17 when the U.S. Men’s National soccer team lost 2-1 to Trinidad and Tobago. To qualify for the World Cup competition, the United States only needed to tie or beat the team, a seemingly easy feat considering the island country’s team is ranked 83rd in the world. While some people expected the United States to fall short in later qualifying rounds, many were taken off guard to discover that the nation would not be competing in the 2018 Fifa World Cup at all.

Many factors are to blame for why the U.S team fell short in the qualifying process. Since soccer is less popular in the United States than in many other nations, some believe that the team may have had a financial disadvantage compared to the competition.

“Everything is a business in the United States, so all the clinics, extra training and even teams cost a ton to be on,” junior Olivia Fergerstrom said. “In other countries, you see free academies to raise athletes; you don’t need money in those countries to play soccer.”

There are many limitations for young players looking to play competitively, as travel soccer, along with camps and clinics, is often expensive.

“It’s a lot harder to play the game in this country if you don’t have a lot of money. Our country has the best resources,” Fergerstrom said.

Not only does money affect national athletics, but the abundance of choices in the United States also influences the competitive level of play when it comes to worldwide sports. Due to the variety of major league sports in the media, it is difficult to make a lasting impression in the United States on the average viewer’s mind. In many other countries, however, soccer is often the most prominent and popular sport by far. In Europe, the main motive is to train young athletes that can play at an intense, competitive level. In the United States, there are relatively few organizations completely dedicated to training future professional soccer players.

“There’s no coaches, no organizations, and those are how players gain their skills,” physical education teacher and girls’ varsity soccer coach Melissa Bibbee said. “Here, it’s very rare that you see kids just go out and play. I think that’s a problem. In other countries, soccer is the choice. They don’t have American football.”

Despite these drawbacks, the expectations of our national soccer team varied and many people had different

reactions. Some faculty and students predicted this outcome and weren’t surprised with the results of the team’s season.

“My reaction was pretty much disappointment, but not really surprise.

I saw it coming,” Bibbee said. “Men’s soccer in our country has not really progressed much, and I’m not sure it’s going to. Honestly, I think we need to just go with young guys. Players that are in their twenties, or in the academies, or playing overseas.”

Others were more surprised and upset after the news. Because it has been three decades since the United States last failed to qualify for the World Cup, many were astounded that the nation would not be participating in the tournament.

“I did not expect them to lose,” sophomore Kaavya Parikn said. “I think there needs to be some major changes in the system because obviously, something is not working.”

Despite the disheartening downfall of the American national soccer team, many students, athletes and faculty will still continue to enjoy their favorite sport and support the tournament, no matter the final outcome.

“I will be watching, but it’s just not the same without the United States,” Parikn said. “It’s just sad.”

*Source: U.S. Soccer website illustration by Katie Carita

Nov. 17, 2017

the purple tide | issue 2

sports

FALL SPORTS photo by Kaitlyn Cheng

photo contributed by Megan Connell

19

photo contributed by Phil Dolinger

Cross Country

Football

Volleyball

The cross country season came to a close with the girls’ team earning a third place finish at its district meet at Burke Lake on Oct. 26. Junior Nicole Re finished the meet in first place and as a district champion for the girls’ race. In addition, senior Tyler Amos placed second in the boys’ district race. On Nov. 2, the team competed at the regional meet at Burke Lake as well. At regional, the girls’ team placed fourth, just missing a trip to the state competition. Meanwhile, the boys’ team placed fifth overall, but individually Amos was able to qualify for state. The competition took place on Nov. 11 and Amos placed 20th.

The varsity football ended its season with a record of 0-10, its last game was against Westfield and ended with a score of 7-46. The Chargers experienced a difficult season they continued to enter every game with enthusiasm.

Despite the hardships players were given recognition for their skills. Senior running back Joey Imperato along with sophomore running back Pierre Johnson both achieved Second Team All-District Offense. Similarly, senior and first year player Christian Parana won Second Team All-District Defense. The team was senior heavy, but they will need to sharpen their underclassmen in order to achieve wins for next season.

The varsity volleyball team ended the season with an impressive record of 14-2. The Chargers crushed Oakton 3-0 in the district semifinal game. The team then went on to win the district championship against James Madison, winning with a tight 3-2 score. It then earned a bye for the first round of the regional tournament, and then in regional quarterfinals, the girls beat Washington and Lee 3-2. However, their season came to an end when they lost 1-3 to Langley in semifinals. Though volleyball will be losing an experienced pack of seniors, the team has a strong pool of underclassmen to take over next fall and continue to improve.

photo contributed by Phil Dolinger

photo by Sarah Ahmed

photo contributed by Phil Dolinger

Cheerleading

Field Hockey

Varsity cheer ended its season with a very successful run.

The team placed first in the district competition, which was held at Chantilly. This is the first time in nine years that the girls won the district competition. Cheer again came in first during the regional competition, the first time it has done so in 11 years. This finish secured the girls a spot in the state championship held at Virginia Commonwealth University. Though the team did not place at the state competition, it received many accolades, including the First-Team All Region honor, given to senior Haley Alderman.

The varsity field hockey team ended its regular season with a record of 8-8 and a conference record of 4-4. In playoffs, though the team lost 0-1 during a hard fought game against Madison in district semifinals, it still earned a spot in the regional tournament. During the first round of regional, the Chargers steadily beat Washington and Lee 3-1. However, the girls lost to Marshall 0-1 in overtime during regional quarterfinals, knocking them out of postseason play and ending their season. With nine graduating seniors, the team will look to its large junior class to further its success next season.

Golf This year’s golf season ended with a second place finish at regional, losing to rival Langley. It was the end of the season for the majority of the team, but senior Sam Jung advanced to compete for a state title. After day one, Jung was leading the field by three strokes. However, on the second day, Jung lost his lead to a Langley player. With seven seniors graduating, next year looks to be a build season for the Chargers, but there is solace in the fact that two starters will be returning. The team will look to juniors Steven Walsh and Shravan Mohan to lead it to another successful season next year.

How did the team prepare for this successful season?

This season, before every practice, we have a board and we have a quote that each of us can bring every week. It gives us a mindset for practice and success in games. We also set up a really cool game plan before each game, and we meet in the locker room to really focus on how to win.

What was winning the district championship like?

Junior Morgahn Fingall

Winning felt really cool, considering that the volleyball team hasn’t won in a really long time. It was a really humbling and surreal experience. A lot of people didn’t know how this team was going to end up, how far we were going to go, and to actually win something was a great experience.

What are your other goals for the post season?

Our goals are to just make it farther than last year. Last year, we lost in district finals and then lost in the first round of regionals. Our first step was to knock off district finals and go far in regional.”

Why do you like being apart of the volleyball team?

My favorite part is getting to know girls from all grades and ages, also the way the coaches and everyone sets the team up for success. It’s really fun to be on a team where everyone enjoys each other’s company and really enjoys playing the sport.

Personally, what do you do to prepare for a game?

Before every game, I have my own special warm up. My pregame routine is to go out and jump rope, and before I leave the house, I listen to “Uptown Girl” by Billy Joel. I also always tie my shoes right before game time. photo contributed by Morgahn Fingall

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Nov. 17, 2017

Autumn: when the trees are bare, clutching only the occasional leaf to their weak grasps, and red and yellow leaves fill the road, making what was once the dusky color of an autumnal night into a vivid collage of brilliant hues. As you breathe in the pure, crisp air on a Saturday morning, you may be wondering what could possibly make this serene seasonal scene any more spectacular. The answer may lie just outside your door.

Hiking Just an hour away is Shenandoah National Park; during the fall season, this beloved park becomes a mosaic of color, with each trail more beautiful than the next. The crackling of the leaves leads nature’s orchestra while the wide array of colors creates a breathtaking, picturesque scene. As a reward for your valiant efforts to surmount these winding trails, you reach a view so extraordinarily breathtaking that it’s recommended to don an oxygen mask before you lay your eyes on a sight of such pure wonder.

“In the fall, the leaves are changing and the temperature is perfect for hiking,” senior Annie Silva said. “The higher you get, the crisper the air. It’s just really nice.” photo by Ted Thomas

Bonfires If you aren’t in for the long haul to the summit, a more cozy option can take place in anyone’s backyard. A bonfire is a popular way to escape the frigid autumn nights. This activity provides the a perfect place to huddle up with a group of your closest friends, listening to music, cozied up in a furry blanket while waves of heat from the fire travel just far enough to keep you warm.

“We have a fire pit in my back yard, and I love to have people over and socialize because it’s the perfect atmosphere for good conversation,” senior Steven Risi said. “Bonfires are pretty cool.”

photo contributed by Jessica Terrazas

Apple Picking Autumn isn’t just the season of pumpkins and squash; it is also the prime season of apple picking. Some students are taking full advantage of this season by heading out to farms and picking their own fruit.

“I went to Heartland Orchard with my family, and we got in some nice family bonding,” senior Megan Van Rafelghem said. “My cousin, who was born in China, really wanted to do it, and when we got there, the whole family had a lot of fun.”

Winter is coming, thereby marking the end of the apples and the start of the frost. For the time being, however, the peak of apple picking season is not yet over, so if you are interested in getting a hands-on experience with picking your own produce, you should clear your calendar before the winds of winter begin. photo contributed by Megan Van Rafelghem

compiled by Salah-Dean Satouri and John Martin