November Issue

Read it Online www.herefordharbinger.org

Five Stars for “Secrets”

Girls Field Hockey Wins States

harbinger Hereford

Volume IV Issue II

Hereford High School, Parkton, Maryland

The voice of Hereford High

www.herefordharbinger.org

November 2014

“Guys and Dolls” performance begins

Photo by Sophie Seaman

The Hereford Theatre Department presents the musical “Guys and Dolls” from Thursday, Nov. 20 to Sunday, Nov. 23. The show will be at 7pm from Thursday to Saturday and at 4 pm on Sunday in the Hereford Auditorium. Tickets costing $12 will be available at the box office one and a half hours prior to each performance.

Photo by Lisabeth Stewart Athletes use crumbling stairs to travel between the gym and the parking lot. The cement has been crumbling and breaking badly for years. Just before publication, these stairs were repaired.

Front door opens

Safety concerns loom across campus Photo by Emily Palumbo

The main entrance to the school will open soon. Though the doors were supposed to be open by the beginning of the school year, the project has taken weeks longer than expected.

“[I’m] kind of pumped, because I don’t like using the side door[s],” said Paige Hawkins (’16).

“I’m glad that the front doors are opening,” said Russell Carter (’15). “I want to see how it’s going to look.”

At this point, it will take four or five weeks for the official unveiling. Only a few more things need to be done, such as the floor tiles and electrical wiring. The new main door will have an airy vestibule that will allow more light to shine in, which should make the second floor social studies hallway feel larger.

Walter Navarro of M3 Contracting said that the top half of the walls in the nearly complete main lobby should be finished by Friday, Nov. 21.

The floor and bottom half of the walls are to be completed in the next couple of weeks.

Index

2-3 4-7 8-9 10-13 14-15 16

Hereford Sports Spotlight Features Opinion In Focus

By Lisabeth Stewart

On Monday, October 27, four volleyball players found themselves trapped inside the gym elevator after entering it and attempting to ride in it up to the main floors of the school.

“We were going upstairs and we heard a thud,” Cameron Bibaud (’16), one of the trapped girls, said. “We got stuck and [the janitors] couldn’t find the keys that released [the elevator doors]. We had to push the emergency call button and they had to call the fire department. They had to knock out the [elevator] ceiling and we climbed up all the way up the ladders into the shaft, all the way up. It was scary. It was an hour and twenty minutes of horror.”

“Four of [my] friends actually got stuck in the elevator yesterday because it’s not working properly,” Anna Nash (’18), teammate to the volleyball girls trapped on Monday, said. “If there was a fire and they got stuck in there they could be dead.”

“I’m not letting anyone back into that elevator until I know it’s safe and that [the emergency] button goes to 911,” Acting Principal Joe Jira said.

This has raised other students’ questions about how safe Hereford really is concerning the physical school building, behavior, the construction workers present on campus, and other factors which contribute to an overall state of safety.

Other dangers lurk around the school, which students fear may become personal hazards as they attend school. The crumbling staircase outside the gym is one example of such a hazzard.

“I’m definitely not the most alert person, and I tend to be a little clumsy. More often than not I end up tripping over a broken or cracked piece of the steps [outside the gym],” Alicia DePasquale (’16), a varsity badminton player who uses the gym stairs on a regular basis after practice, said. “I’m waiting for the day when I eat it hardcore.”

Inside

Some students, though, feel safe within Hereford regardless of the possible dangers other students may perceive.

“I think for the most part [safety] is pretty good here,” David Maddison (’17), a witness to the elevator rescue and an athlete who uses the gym stairs, said. “We do have a police officer here. As long as the elevator cables don’t snap and [cause it to fall and people] die and no one trips on the stairs then they should be fine. Safety can be improved if they install new [outdoor gym] stairs.”

While Jira acknowledges that Hereford cannot ever be completely safe, he strives to keep all students as safe as possible while attending school.

“We are as safe as I can possibly make us, but as I say that, we live in a free society and anything can happen at any time regardless of how we lock it down. We have to be open for kids here,” Jira said.

Continued on page 3

Inquire

Hereford Harbinger @HHarbinger Pages 8-9 No more silence, end the violence

@HHarbinger

2

harbinger Hereford

@HHarbinger

hereford|November 2014

ON THE STREET:What do you think of Ebola?

Infographic by Alicia Moreira

Do you know the Harbinger theme song?

You better!

We will record students singing the lyrics for a new video in December.

Learn the lyrics online at www.herefordharbinger.org.

Start practicing!

Write a caption for the above photograph of English teacher Charlie Lidard.

Submit your caption to the Harbinger at www.herefordharbinger.org

harbinger 3 Hereford

hereford|November 2014

@HHarbinger

Where are they now?

Holly Morgan

Holly Morgan not only enjoyed teaching geometry, but also spent time as one of the class of 2015 advisors.

“Hereford was such a special place,” she said. “I will always be grateful for the time I was able to teach there.”

Her son Tommy was born last July. “Being a mother is a privilege and the greatest joy I’ve ever known,” she said.

“It’s hard to put into words what a thrill it is to have a child.”

Morgan plans to stay at home to raise her son and any future kids that she may have. “Once our child or children are in school, I would consider returning to teaching,” she said, “so that could be awhile!”

For now Morgan says that she is considering tutoring students outside of school. “I miss math too much!” she said.

“No, seriously. I miss doing math.”

Photo provided by Holly Morgan Left: Holly Morgan holds her 4- month- old son Tommy. She taught math at Hereford for 4 and a half years before leaving to raise her child.

Ashley Chapa

After six years teaching Spanish, Ashley Chapa left Hereford so that she could work closer to home.

Her family moved from Federal Hill in downtown Baltimore to Silver Spring in order to have a bigger house for her growing family. The drive to and from school was too much for her, so she had to make the tough decision to switch schools from Hereford to Clarksburg High School in Montgomery County.

“It was honestly one of the hardest

things that I have ever had to do,” she said.

“When I got hired at Hereford, I imagined teaching here forever and never leaving.”

Chapa is still getting used to her new school. She isn’t sure that anything will feel the way that Hereford did.

Even with this change, Chapa is working on becoming a better teacher. “I plan on teaching for the rest of my life,” she said. “I couldn’t imagine doing anything else or doing a job that would be more important than this.”

Photo provided by Ashley Chapa Right: Ashley Chapa and her family celebrate her son Luca’s first birthday. She taught Spanish at Hereford for six years before leaving so she could work closer to her family’s home in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Elevator failure prompts concern for school safety Continued from Page 1

The school currently has 32 security cameras focused on the school’s entrances and exits which are under constant surveillance by the administration and Officer Snyder.

Officer Snyder, the School Resource Officer assigned to Hereford High School, said that he feels Hereford ranks “a 9.5 out of ten, with a ten being optimum” concerning safety. “The people are the primary reason why,” he said. “The people in this community understand that police officers in this community alone cannot keep everyone safe.

In this case, it requires the intervention of others to keep the school safe. I’m really grateful I wound up here. We have very few issues here.”

“I feel that Officer Snyder definitely helps out [with safety] and overall Hereford is a safe area,” Alicia said. Due to safety drills, “everybody knows what to do if there is an evacuation, but I don’t really think there’s a risk of those things happening.”

“In my opinion, [the evacuation drill] seemed to go pretty smooth,” Social Studies teacher Rob Greenwood said.

Greenwood accurately identified that one of the students he was responsible for during the evacuation drill had been pulled by a firefighter to ensure that teachers could notice if a student went missing. “Perfect practice makes perfect,” he said.

“I think it is important to practice those types of procedures in case there ever is an emergency,” science teacher and evacuation drill participant Thomas Keller, said. The drill “seemed to go off without a hitch. I think there are a lot of big events that we hear about nationally. We need to take precautions to make sure those kinds of bad things don’t happen at Hereford.”

Safety is recognized by students and teachers alike in order to provide a safe school atmosphere.

“The construction workers all have hats and there is caution tape around areas so we don’t go there,” Megan Loomis

(’18), who feels secure after the first month or so at high school for the first time, said. “The teachers are also in the hallways in case of bullying or other stuff.”

Other upperclassmen such as Maddie Westwater (’15) do not agree with Megan. “I don’t think this school is safe because a lot of teachers just overlook what’s going on in their classrooms,” Maddie said. “Kids could be getting bullied and the teachers just think, ‘Oh. They’re joking. They’re friends.’”

Other concerns surround the renovation and the possible dangers related to having a construction crew on school property building the new science wing.

“In general, all around the construction is really dangerous,” Elizabeth Tilley (’16), who has been a student here for long enough to know what it was like before the major renovations began, said. “[We need to] finish the construction quickly and then improve the things we have like the steps and elevators.”

“There are protocol and safety” about the construction currently happening on campus, Jira said. “[The construction workers] must tell me everything that could impede safety in the school.” The main way to stay safe is to follow all directions that Jira communicates about where students are and are not permitted to go. “We don’t want kids to go where they’re not supposed to go,” he said.

“[With] all these random construction guys walking around the school, how do you know if they’re a good person or a bad person?” Cameron said.

“All construction workers who work for CAM must have an ID badge on,” Jira said. He also wants students to know that they can tell a teacher or administrator if they ever see anything or anyone suspicious or concerning to them. He wants all students to know that at any time, “they can come to talk to Officer Snyder or myself,” he said. “Your parents, when they send you to school here, make me responsible for their kids’ safety.

That’s the number one job I have here.”

Photo by Lisabeth Stewart Teammate Erin Collins (‘17)and varsity volleyball coach David Schreiner look on as members of the Hereford volunteer fire company rescue four trapped volleyball players. The girls were trapped for an hour and twenty minutes due to a missing elevator key, which if located would have greatly aided their rescue.

4

harbinger Hereford

@HHarbinger

Advertisements|November 2014

5 harbinger sports|November 2014 JV football player dedicates season to ALS @HHarbinger

Hereford

By Will Wilkinson

Griffin Wilson (’17), JV football wide receiver and safety, isn’t driven by winning, how good he plays, or how many passes he catches.

“Griffin is playing really well. He is one of our captains and doing a great job as a team leader. Griffin is our leader in receptions and receiving yards,” said JV football head coach John Walter.

He is driven by a stronger force than just simply focusing on his stats. Griffin’s uncle, Corey Haas, has ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) whose only way of communication is through pointing his eyes towards an object.

Griffin always keeps his uncle in mind during his games and he feels that as long as his uncle is fighting, he is fighting.

“My uncle will always hold a huge part in my life and he is always with me in my heart but I especially feel him when I’m on the field,” said Griffin.

Haas has had ALS since 2009 and continues to be an avid sports fan especially of his nephews. Griffin needed his uncle’s support during a game against Franklin High School and it was the thoughts of his uncle that prompted Griffin to pump up his teammates. Despite their perseverance, the Bulls could not come away with the victory.

“I did not know about his uncle but I think that is special that Griffin dedicated the season to his uncle,” said Walter.

ALS causes nearly a near full body shut down and forces victims to use breathing and feeding tubes and due to inability to do anything oneself. Due to the inability to do anything oneself, some people with ALS needs a nurse or special care person 24/7. Haas has a nurse who watches over him all the time to ensure he is taken care of.

OPINION

Photo by Will Wilkinson Griffin Wilson (‘17) breaks through the banner as the Bulls take the field. The JV cheerleaders made the banner for the homecoming game.

“The one thing my brother has showed Griffin, while Haas has no ability to speak, eat, or live independentsuffering from the horrible disease of ALS and his inability to ly. Haas’s ALS has progressed so much that he eats and breaths move, talk, or function in any capacity whatsoever,” said Grif- through tubes and cannot talk whatsoever. Even though he canfin’s mother Kim Wilson. Wilson quoted Mahatma Gandhi say- not talk to Griffin, he stays with him in his heart. ing “Strength does not come from physical capacity but from indomitable will.”

Hereford is equipped for a zombie apocalypse

By Brady King

Think about a world of mass destruction; people running the streets faster than the fastest kid in gym class, clawing, biting, and scratching each other just to obtain a single loaf of bread, just trying to escape them…

The zombies.

But wait; there’s hope. Rumor has it that there is a town of about 20,000 people that has a significantly higher rate of survival than anywhere else in the world. A town where food,

Photo provided by Andrew Kilgore Trevor Kilgore, father of Andrew Kilgore (‘17), prepares to fire his compound bow. Trevor practiced target shooting to prepare for the upcoming hunting season.

water and other living supplies are abundant, the zombies are killed before they can kill. This town is where you need to be.

This town is Hereford.

Some say a zombie apocalypse is inevitable, but others say there’s just no way it will happen. “I think a disease would make zombification, which would make people look like zombies, possible,” said David Stickles (’18). He just doesn’t think that the “zombies” portrayed in the movies are realistic at all.

But if there is any chance of it, you should be prepared. Fighting a population of zombies is not as simple as getting the most destructive weapon you can and blowing their heads off with it.

There is a protocol to follow if you wish to live to see the end of the apocalypse.

If you’ve ever seen the show The Walking Dead, you’ll know that a crossbow is a highly effective method of killing zombies and staying alive. Firearms are a risky choice because their loud bang draws the attention of every zombie within a mile. A silent strike is imperative in the zombie killing business.

A certain person comes to mind when you are weighing the possibility of survival. Government teacher Jonathan Shinnick said that it is necessary to be self-sufficient. He thinks that agriculture teacher Mr. Davis would be a probable survivor because he grows food and hunts.

If you want to be a part of the most elite, highly trained of zombie killing militia in the event of a zombie apocalypse, come on over to Hereford, or else feel the wrath of the walking dead.

Follow the Harbinger on Twitter @HHarbinger for recent sports scores!

6

harbinger Hereford

@HHarbinger

sports|November 2014

OPINION

Mock Trial: It’s not a club; it’s a sport

By Meghan Anderson and Amanda Hammersla

In a buzzing Mock Trial court room, lawyers lay down their best hand they created thorough analysis and strategic thoughts.

After the defense attorneys ante up they decide to place a bet and grill the witness for the defendant’s acquittal. Prosecutors quickly call their bluff with conclusive evidence that the defendant is inescapably guilty.

Meanwhile spectator’s eyes glance back and forth, watching the trial simulation. The teams utilize critical thinking, public speaking abilities, and prior knowledge of legal procedures. They convene to strategize and practice their skills to then partake in a series of competitions.

The system of Mock Trial is almost synonymous to that of many sports teams we have at Hereford. So does that make Mock Trial a sport?

“It’s mental and physical,” said Mock Trial member, Ben Fizer (’15) as he gaveled his hand on the desk. “We have to run around a court room and make people feel like they are dying.”

Just like any other sport, Mock Trial requires a certain talent and proficiency that is imperative to performing at a competitive level.

Former Mock Trial member, Adriana Culotta (’15) said those in Mock Trial work just as hard as athletes at Hereford. “It’s a test of thinking on your feet and knowing the law,” she said.

“[In Mock Trial] you aren’t doing anything physical,” said Ben Berger (’15). “That’s like calling The Future Physicians Club or The Future Educators Club a sport.”

When all objections to Mock Trial’s classification have seized, a consensus surfaces that Mock Trial teaches techniques that are pivotal to a successful future.

Current member, Max Barton (’15) said Mock Trial also helps develop skills of persuasion, management, and cooperation that can be used in any career, not just legal professions.

Ben said Mock Trial prepares you for life more than athletics does because people rarely pursue careers as professional athletes. For Mock Trial, students interact with people in real life situations.

“But in other sports you interact with people, that’s called a team. When we plan races we also do a lot of reasoning and strategizing,” said Cross Country runner Jesse Cornwell.

“Sports prepare you for the real world just as much.”

The announcements are littered with updates, the

Photo by: Sophie Seaman Lisabeth Stewart (’16) sports the Mock Trial shirt from last year while reviewing the new case. Current Member, Ben Fizer (’15) said their bond is like a sports team and they are like a family. newspaper has an entire page for sports, and people treat State Champions like royalty. Sports teams get recognition frequently at Hereford, but why do athletics always capture a primary position in conversation?

“[Mock trial] is a small club that has a lot fewer matches than other sports teams. They can have around 20 games but we can perform as little as two times and as much as eight,” said Mock Trial adviser (or should I say coach) Jonathan

Field Hockey wins States

Photo peovided by: Kathy Vicchio Field Hockey celebrates their victory at States. They beat Kent Island 2-1.

Photo peovided by: Kathy Vicchio Field Hockey seniors savor their win at States. Maggie Guberlet scored the first goal of the game.

Shinnick. “We get attention but you just don’t hear it twice a week like other sports.”

Mock Trial received a case that mimics both the Ferguson, Missouri shooting and the Trayvon Martin case. They won’t come face to face with their rivals until January, but in the meantime they will undergo grueling practices so they are ready to nail their match.

sports|November 2014

@HHarbinger

harbinger 7 Hereford

Fall sports teams end successful seasons

Photo by Eric Shipley

Photo by Will Wilkinson

The volleyball team (top) huddles after scoring a point.

The team moved on to state-semis and lost to Rising Sun

Hannah Ace (‘17) (right) runs to place second in Regionals.

The team placed second over all in the State Championship.

Photo provided by John Roemer

Dawn Elliot (bottom right) cheers on her son Lucas Elliot (‘15) at his senior game against Kenwood. The Bulls lost 2-0.

Varsity football (above) prepares to take the field during a home game. They lost in their first regional playoff game to Eastern Tech in overtime.

Photo by Will Wilkinson

8

harbinger Hereford

Graphic by Alex Toma

NO MORE SILENCE

END THE

VIOLENCE

By Maggie Gutberlet

SPOTLIGHT| November 2014 9

“I

With many cases, it is hard to fully know the circumstances. Regardless, many activists say that people should be asking why Rice acted out with such violence in the first place instead of shaming his wife for staying with him.

was told how to dress and do my “It’s called the ‘just-world effect’,” said Psychology teacher Rob makeup. If he didn’t like how it looked, he would tell me I looked Greenwood. “It’s when people blame victims for ‘asking for it’ whorish or stupid,” said Santana Mays (’15). “He didn’t like how or not doing what they believe is the right thing.”

Domestic abuse is not an adult-only problem. The DeI acted with my friends and he told me that. I didn’t really notice partment of Justice reports that girls and young women between that he was doing that to me because it wasn’t all the time, but the ages of 16 and 24 experience the highest rate of intimate partwhen it happened, it really got to me.”

Santana said that she was in an emotionally abusive ner violence – almost triple the national average.

Greenwood said that a lot of high school students stay relationship. She recommends that unhappy daters take a step in emotionally abusive relationships because they do not know back and look at their relationships.

“I would tell anyone to listen to their friends…my one what a healthy relationship looks like.

“Kids confuse emotional and physical relationships. friend didn’t really like him, and it turned out she was right,” said If your boyfriend or girlfriend starts to control you, run for the Santana.

The topic of domestic violence is not new — not here, not any- hills,” said Greenwood.

But sometimes, it is not that easy. where.

“He would say things that made me think he actuJust recently, an occurrence at the track had domestic violence ally cared when knocking on he really didn’t, our door. which made me

A feel foolish and Hereford father used,” said Hanwas shot in the nah Boliek (’15). head with a BB “He would bite gun by his exme and squeeze wife’s current me to the point boyfriend. He where I couldn’t suffered minor breathe because he injuries. thought it was fun “ I t ny. I thought about was considered getting out, but he domestic viomanipulated me lence because to the point where it was relationI thought he did ship related,” nothing wrong.” said former Hannah was involved in an abusive relationship her Baltimore City Police Officer and current English teacher John freshman year. She said that if she could go back, she would Raduazzo.

Raduazzo said he handled many cases of domestic stand up for herself and not fall for the lines her boyfriend used when he told her to stay with him. abuse during his time as a police officer.

The Guidance Department at Hereford deals with cases

“There were at least three calls a day,” said Raduazzo.

“The severity of the situation varied from couples calmly waiting of domestic abuse every year.

“Unfortunately we don’t have many people come in as for me to handle it, to seeing chairs flying through windows.” first reporters,” said Guidance Department Chair Ellen Fitzkee.

The media seems to be teeming with stories of NFL “That is, victims don’t report the situations themselves. They stars and celebrities assaulting their significant others, but the fa- reach out to their friends, and the friends come to us, usually mous are not the only contributors to this terrifying phenomenon. anonymously.”

Fitzkee also said that a lot of high school girls stay in Domestic violence is a common ailment of the masses – and yet these relationships because of low self-esteem and the way womit is one of the most underreported crimes.

The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence defines en view the world. She says society has not made the progress it domestic violence as willful intimidation, physical assault, bat- thinks it has.

“It’s so difficult to get away because of the powerful tery, sexual assault, and/or other abusive behavior perpetrated by level of emotion. The abuser does his abusing and then begs for an intimate partner against another.

The victims are mostly women. In fact, one in four forgiveness. It’s human nature to want to forgive,” said Fitzkee. women are subjected to violence within their relationships each “It’s a powerful web, but it can be broken with courage and a strong support system.” year.

Awareness about domestic violence is on the rise. The

Yeardley Love, a Notre Dame Prep alumni and mem- “No More” campaign and the One Love Foundation have been ber of the University of Virginia lacrosse team was brutally beatusing the power of social media to change the way things are. en and killed by her ex-boyfriend in May 2010.

Fans of Sunday Night Football or Law & Order SVU,

Her ex George Huguely V kicked in the door to her have seen the “No More” commercials regarding domestic viodorm and shook her as her head hit the wall repeatedly. Police found that he had sent her threatening messages after they had lence. Football players and actors voice their support of the victims and their prombroken up. ise to no longer be

He was bystanders. found guilty of

One Love first degree murlooks to “shatter the der, amongst other MyPlan helps users determine if their silence” by asking crimes, and was people what they will charged to 23 years relationship is hazardous on a scale of do to end the vioin prison. slightly harmful to extremely dangerous. lence. They are also

More reworking with House cently, former BalResearchers at Johns Hopkins have been of Ruth, a safe haven timore Raven Ray developing this app for 20 years. for battered women Rice was suspended and children, located indefinitely by the in Baltimore.

NFL for hitting his

The two fiancé-turned-wife groups came together Janay Palmer.

“When I heard about the Ray Rice situation, I didn’t to form the One Love iPhone app, called MyPlan. MyPlan helps know how to wrap my head around it,” said Physical Education users determine if their relationship is hazardous on a scale of teacher Jennifer Erline. “I think it’s sad that it took actually see- slightly harmful to extremely dangerous. Researchers at Johns Hopkins have been developing this app for 20 years. ing the video for it to [have an effect].”

The use of social media does not stop there. The Na “I was surprised when I heard,” said Katherine Hayden (’15). “I had served them at my old job and they seemed happy tional Network to End Domestic Violence urged users of weband acted kindly towards each other. I’m curious as to why it sites such as Facebook and Instagram to post purple images raising awareness not only during the month of October, which is happened.”

Rice and Palmer were arrested February 15 on simple Domestic Violence Awareness Month, but also throughout the assault charges, and at that time it was unclear what had trans- entire year.

Like with all social media, there are repercussions in pired.

On September 8, TMZ released a new video showing situations such as these. Lately, images of people dressed like that Rice punched Palmer, knocking her out. This new video re- Ray Rice and Janay Palmer – faces painted black and adorned with faux bruises – have been found on Instagram and Facesulted in Rice’s current punishment.

Many people asked why Palmer chose to stay with book.

Whether the situation is low-profile or in the spotlight, Rice despite his actions. emotional or physical, the awareness being raised about domes The fact that people ask that question reveals the way many people view domestic violence – victims are often blamed tic abuse will benefit thousands across the country. for their reactions before the assailants are blamed for their actions.

“

It’s so difficult to get away because of the powerful level of emotion.

Ellen Fitkzee

“

“

“

APPS SafeTrek

By holding down the SafeTrek “button” on the app, users are able to call 911 without drawing attention to themselves. While designed to promote safety on college campuses, it has been reported that the app has been used to contact authorties during domestic situations. $1.99 on the App Store

R3

R3 stands for Recognize, Respond and Refer, and this app helps victims do all three. It provides a quiz comprised of four simple questions to measure the level fo abuse and help figure out the right way to go about seeking help. If you recieve a high enough score on the quiz, the app will alert the authorities for you.

Free on the App Store

bMORE Safe

This app created by Mercy Medical Center is desgined for use by high school and college students, primarily in the Balitmore area. It provides resources based on your responses in the quiz that helps you gauge if you were a victim of abuse.

It also allows you to get police help, medical help and to contact a crisis outline, all within the app.

Free on the App Store

Domestic Violence Information

In additon to the vaulable information about recognizing domestic violence in your life, this app has a quick hide button that will allow you to hide the app from people behind you.

This was created in case one feels they are in danger while using the app.

In addition, this app gives important phone numbers and a Personal Safety Plan.

Free on the App Store

By Maddie McGee

10

harbinger Hereford

@HHarbinger

advertisements|November 2014

features|November 2014

@HHarbinger

harbinger Hereford

11

Shinnick swims to success

By Cailyn Fennell

Social Studies teacher Jon Shinnick recently returned to his swimming hobby about four years ago after an extremely long break.

“I discovered working…I liked money,” he said, about the reason he stopped years ago.

Shinnick recently swam nine miles in an Ocean City

open water competition this past summer. He plans on swimming the English Channel race in retirement and even believes he could complete the Alcatraz swim.

The English Channel race is approximately 30 miles long. In ideal conditions, he could complete it in “16 to 22 hours,” he said.

Open water competitions include the factor of swim-

ming with sea creatures. When he swam the “Swim Ocean City” this summer, he said he tried not to think about the sea ceatures.

He swims five or six days a week, and a minimum of three miles each day. Shinnick plays mind games in order to pass the time by and not get bored. He jokes about trying to make a bandage at the bottom of the pool move with his waves.

Shinnick believes that Michael Phelps’ recent DUI arrest will hurt his career and reputation more than his marijuana scandal did because he believes that at 29 years old, the athlete should have learned and matured from his past mistake, rather than making another one.

“I think that’s really his problem,” he said. “He’s going to suffer the consequences again.”

Shinnick has a tattoo on his left forearm of a wave, the two raindops falling from it represent Rain, his daughter, not prison, despite what some people may assume.

Another tattoo he has is a lightning bolt on his leg representing The Grateful Dead, a band Shinnick saw multiple times and listened to in the late 80s and early 90s. Other bands he currently listens to are Fish and Blues Traveler.

Shinnick attended Towson University and wanted to become a police officer. He was in a program in which he rode with working police officers while they were on the job in order to learn in action. He ended up hating the position, so he became a teacher.

He taught at Patapsco High School for several years.

While teaching there, a student of his was expelled and returned to his trailer trying to fight Shinnick. Shinnick calmed the situation down before anything got out of hand. He later found out that the student was shot and killed in Baltimore City.

Shinnick claims that he did rambunctious things as a student in high school.

“Teenagers are teenagers,” he said of teen behavior.

Shinnick apeared in a press conference with Journalism teacher Mary Beth Stuller’s 6A Introduction to Journalism class

Photo by Brady King Shinnick teaches AP U.S. Government and politics, as well as GT and Standard Government. This is his eleventh year teaching at Hereford and his favorite thing about teaching here is “the students.”

Students share experiences from China

By Holly Watson

Liz Barranco (’16) and Dylan Fox (’16) were two of eight students who traveled to China for six weeks over the summer.

The students were a part of a Baltimore county foreign exchange trip. Before they left in May, they hosted the student they were going to be staying with for five weeks.

Although both trips were fun, Liz said when the Chinese students came here it was more businesslike because they were coming to look at colleges. When the American students went to China though, the trip was more a trip to learn and have fun.

Students noticed many differences between the two cultures, and variations in food were unusual for the students.

What one culture considers a delicacy to eat, another gets squeamish at the thought. The foreign exchange students

who went to China over the summer were exposed to all sorts of Chinese delicacies.

Dylan was enthusiastic about the food, smiling as he described his experience with squid on a kabob.

“In China, everything is on a kabob,” he said.

Hot pot, a famous meal in China, is a big vat of water placed on top of a grill in the center of the table. You then choose what meat you want to eat and boil it.

Along the same lines is a meal called Korean Grill, where, instead of boiling your meal, you simply grill it in the center of the table.

Liz Barranco (’16)

Dumplings are also very common in China and are cooked in various ways. During his visit, Dylan made homemade dumplings with his host family.

“We made like 400,” he said. “The Chinese eat so much, I never ended a meal hungry.”

There was some “comfort food,” as Dylan called it.

There was McDonalds, pizza restaurants, and giant twisted potato chips called potato tornadoes.

Dylan’s presentation really got the class’s attention when he told them of “a century egg,” an egg that is packed with mud until no air can get to the inside and then preserved for around 40 years until it is eaten. Liz described it as salty and said it really wasn’t that bad. But she also said that you aren’t supposed to eat too many because they can make you sick.

Dylan also ate cow intestines. His exchange student’s family didn’t tell him what it was until after he tried it. He compared the tasted to that of a liver.

Liz, who is a vegetarian, was worried that the host family would not have food that suited her. “It ended up being okay though and they had more than enough options that I liked,” she said.

The trip will be available again to anyone in any grade level this upcoming year, even students not taking a Chinese class.

The students who went came home willing to embrace other cultures and places.

“This trip prepared me for traveling abroad in the fu-

Photo by Sophie Seaman Liz Barranco (’16) shares about her trip to China with an Introduction to Journalism class in a press conference.

The class asked her interview questions and then drafted articles about her experience.

Photo by Sophie Seaman Liz displays her photo album to explain her trip to China.

Liz, along with seven other students were in Xi’an, China for six and a half weeks and Beijing, China for three days over the summer.

Photo by Sophie Seaman Numerous other foreign exchange students share their trip experiances to China with their peers. Christy Ivey (’16), another student who shared her experience in classes, said “The China trip opened up a lot of doors for a changed persepective, new friends, and a deeper understanding of the Chinese language.”

“

This trip prepared me for traveling abroad in the future by [opening for me] new culture and new things.

“

ture by [opening for me] new culture and new things,” Liz said.

12

harbinger Hereford

@HHarbinger

News Briefs: Drum Journalism gets the story

features|November 2014

roll, please

Photo provided by Thomas Keller Harbinger and Pioneer staff attend a journalism convention in Washington D.C. Students learned how to improve their publications through photography, writing, and editing workshops.

Photo provided by Katie Stuller Students pose under the Friendship Archway in Chinatown after eating dinner at Wok and Roll. In addition to attending the journalism convention, students also made time to sightsee and have fun. “My favorite part about the trip was seeing the White House for the first time in person,” Alex Toma (’16) said. “I learned a lot about journalism design but had so much fun while doing it.”

Jamie Stinefelt and Mary Beth Stuller took some journalism students to Washington D.C. for the Journalism Education Association convention, November 6-10.

On this trip, they listened to many journalists talk about their past experiences in the field of journalism including Bob Woodward, the man who wrote the infamous Watergate scandal story for The Washington Post.

According to Katherine Walker (’16), who was on the trip, Woodward, in his keynote speech to students, said, “Get off your ass and go to the story.”

Six Pioneer staff attended the trip: Grace Clark (’15), Tyler Hill (’15), McKenna May (’18), Anna Nash (’18), Sophie Benson (’18), Katherine Walker (’16), and Joe Donatelli (’15).

“Deciding to go to D.C. was something I am so glad I did,” Grace said. “I learned such valuable information regarding journalism and how to be an effective editor. Also being a part of such a fun group of people definitely aided in the overall experiance and I am so thankful to have been involved.”

Five Harbinger staff attended this year’s convention: Maddie McGee (’15), the co-editor-in-chief, Lisabeth Stewart (’16), the business manager, Alex Toma (’16), the design editor, Joe Donatelli (’15), the staff cartoonist, and Katharine French (’16), a reporter.

Maddie said that she was “really excited to have the opportunity to go on the trip. Since I am planning on majoring in journalism and pursuing it as a career, any chance I get to learn from real journalists is just preparing me for my future.”

“I enjoyed the trip very much. My favorite part was definitely going to the convention and meeting very intelligent people from around the country,” Stuller said.

“My favorite part of the trip was probably the fact that everything we learned can be applied here in our school publications,” Lisabeth said. “I can’t wait to share all I learned with the other Harbinger staff and collectively work to make our paper even better.”

Musical talent sounds great

The following students participated in all-county music ensembles: Olivia Dias (’16), Suzanne Stuller (’15), Lizzy Pease (’17), Kelsey Brush (’16), Scott Isett (’15), Sam Boelens (’16), Holland Brown (’17), Joe Owens (’16), Holly Watson (’16), Jacob Hamidi (’15), Sarah Coffey (’16), Madison Plunkert (’17), Sophia Sackleh (’17), Steven Isett (’15), Zoe Seitz (’16), and Hannah Ace (’17). Students auditioned to participate in the ensembles. All students performed at a concert on Monday, Nov. 17 at Morgan State University.

Photo by Maggie Gutberlet Charles Fluharty rests after playing with the pep band at the homecoming football game on Oct. 18. Fluharty is starting a drumline for interested students. Thier first showcase will be Dec. 3 at the holiday concert.

Fluharty has proposed that he stop teaching a ChemisBy Lucy Reider

Science teacher Charles Fluharty has a talent outside of try class next year so he can teach the percussion class and spend time after school and instructing members of the drum line. the chemistry lab that many students are not aware of.

When enrollment increases throughout the next couple

“I’ve been a percussion instructor for almost 25 years now. I played in high school and I’ve instructed since graduating of years and the drum line gains experience, Fluharty is also hoping to organize a marching band to perform at sporting events high school,” Fluharty said.

Because of his interest and talent in percussion, Flu- and concerts.

The administrative secretary Denise Butcher, attended harty has decided to start a drum line that will eventually evolve Hereford in the 80s and played clarinet in the marching band. into a marching band.

“When I was in school we had 100 kids in the band,”

Principal Joe Jira has given Fluharty financial support so that he can buy all of the equipment needed to get started. Butcher said. There has not been a marching band at Hereford Fluharty, who has bought drums in the past, purchased top-of- since the 90s, and many teachers and students would like to see the-line equipment for the drum line and has already held numer- one organized again.

“My dream for Hereford High has always been to have ous practices after school.

The new drum line played as a part of the pep band at a marching band,” Jira said. With the help of Fluharty and Band football games and pep rally this past fall. Craig Stone (’18), a teacher Janet Sovich, Jira’s dream seems very realistic.

Anybody interested in joining and attending drum line percussionist in the pep band and drum line, loved the experi- practices after school should contact Charles Fluharty. There is ences he had this fall.

“The best part is getting to play at the football games plenty equipment for new members to join, and anyone is welcome to become a part of the drum line. and at pep rally. It’s fun to be the entertainment,” Craig said.

The drum line is scheduled to debut on Dec. 3 at the Next school year, percussion will be offered as an elective for any students interested in learning how to play drums and partici- school-wide holiday concert. pate in the drum line. The class has been offered in the past, but due to low enrollment rates, it has been dropped every year.

The unsung heroes of Hereford High

works during the day. He is the building operations supervisor, so

By Peyton Butt

How would you like to walk into school with fecal he is in charge of making sure the building is running smoothly matter an inch deep on the ground? To have the floor be so gross for students.

“So when it snows at night, his job is to make sure part that you are forced to throw away your Nike tennis shoes? Well, of the sidewalks are clean in the winter time,” said Principal Joe that was the scene described by custodian Roland Marcelo.

He and all the other night custodians had to work to Jira, “When the building is cold, his job is to make sure that this clean up the mess, using masks and anything they could find to building is warm.”

What many block the smell. people may not realize

While these is the grounds are not custodians may not be handled by custodians. the most noticed emThey are only in charge ployees in the school, of maintaining the inthey are certainly one of side of the school while the most important. the grounds keepers

The custodians take care of the outside. along with the cafeteria

Some students ladies and bus drivers have said that their are the reasons we don’t peers should try to keep have spills and trash all the school cleaner themalong the halls and stuselves instead of relydents are provided with ing on the custodians to lunches and rides to clean up for them. school every day.

“It would be

The school nice if people kept the itself has three sets of bathroom nicer,” Carter custodians that work evPhoto provided by Mary Beth Stuller ery day. Three during the Janitors stay well into the night after school, working to ensure class- Shiloh (’15) said.

“I feel like it’s day, four from 3-11p.m., rooms, hallways, and bathrooms are clean for the next day. Although and some that work often unnoticed, they play a large role in the overall cleanliness of the on the kids, it’s not on the janitors,” Brandon from11p.m.-6a.m. before school building.

Baginski (’16) said. the students arrive.

“The kids have to do

“Everything here is just in a lot better condition than at Dulaney,” said Hunter the simple things that they should be able to do, throw their trash away, flush the toilet. It’s just the simple things.”

Newman (’17) a transfer student from Dulaney High School.

Kevin Woods is part of the first set of custodians that

advertisements|November 2014

@HHarbinger

harbinger 13 Hereford

14

harbinger Hereford

Hereford

harbinger

Informing and entertaining the Hereford Zone Hereford High School 17301 York Road

Parkton, MD 21120

410-887-1905 Volume 4 Issue 2 ADVISER Mrs. Mary Beth Stuller EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Maddie McGee Meghan Anderson BUSINESS MANAGER Lisabeth Stewart STAFF WRITERS Peyton Butt Garrett Doak Katharine French Noelle Funk Christian Gesler Maggie Gutberlet Amanda Hammersla Kirsten Herman Brady King Abby Laporte Alicia Moreira Emily Palumbo Samantha Preston Emma Reider Lucy Reider Caprice Roché Sophie Seaman Alex Toma Maddie Turner Will Wilkinson

A member of the National Scholastic Press Association Rated First Class 2013-2014 Online herefordharbinger.org E-mail hhsharbinger@bcps.org Twitter @HHarbinger Instagram @HHarbinger Facebook Hereford Harbinger Students and faculty are encouraged to submit letters to the editor in Room 207 or e-mail them to hhsharbinger@bcps.org. They may be edited for length and punctuation.

Each issue, Hereford Harbinger distributes over 1000 papers to the school’s 1315 students and 110 faculty, local businesses, and the Hereford Zone community.

All funding comes from advertising.

The Harbinger encourages readers to patronize our advertisers.

Advertising Rates 1 Issue

Full Page Half Page Quarter Page Eighth Page

$300 $150 $75 $50

Half Year

Full Year

$1,200 $2,400 $600 $1,200 $400 $800 $200 $400

*This is the pricing for black and white ads.

Color ads are available at twice the cost.*

@HHarbinger

opinion|November 2014

Our view: Marching band will unite arts and athletics

At Hereford, it is inevitable for one to hear praise of the track team’s newest 4x4 meter relay record or the field hockey team’s latest state championship win. Our trophy case in the gym is filled to the top with various county, regional, and state awards earned by an array of teams at Hereford, all won after each team has completed its exceptional regular season.

Sports are held on a pedestal, and for good reason. Soon, we anticipate, Chemistry teacher Charles Fluharty’s new drumline will join them on that pedestal.

With such a large emphasis on athletics, there is seemingly little room for praise of the arts. But such praise is necessary for the continuous success of these programs. As a nationally ranked school, this success is what is expected of us. Along with our strong athletics, we keep up our academic standard by keeping a good school-wide GPA and respectable pass rates for our offered AP courses, but, it takes more than good grades and numerous state titles to maintain our excellence.

The music and arts program is a huge factor to what makes this school such a success, but we rarely seem to hear about it. The music department has won numerous competitions

and many art students have been recognized for their exceptional portfolios. There are students being accepted into prestigious summer art programs and being chosen to sing the National Anthem at local events. Unfortunately, these achievements are often overshadowed by our top-ranked athletic teams.

EDITORIAL

With Fluharty’s up and coming drumline/marching band, elements of athletics and the arts will be combined, highlighting the excellence of both programs. Having a marching band perform at football games will be an excellent opportunity for the public to be exposed to another strong aspect of the high school, one that does not commonly get the exposure it deserves.

Not only will the marching band bring much needed attention to the music and arts program, but it will also unite our school and give us a greater sense of school spirit. Having the musicians bring a crowd to its feet after a winning touchdown or after a performance during the holiday concert will briefly bring us together as Hereford students and give us yet another reason to be proud to be Bulls. With our support, the marching band will make football games will be more spirited, basketball games more energized, and pep rally more positive.

Students interested in joining the drumline should contact Fluharty.

Photo by Caprice Roche

Students should give teachers report cards

By Abby Laporte

Students are always evaluated by their teachers on their work ethic, test performance, overall behavior, and several other miscellaneous factors. If the teachers have the privilege of evaluating and grading their students, shouldn’t students also have the right to evaluate and grade their teachers?

Students spend just as much time with the teachers and could be able to offer insight on what the teacher does well and what he or she needs to work on. Collecting this data could help students improve their grades and help teachers improve their classes, especially to teachers who are just starting.

New Math teacher Shelby Haacke considers the teacher evaluations to be a “useful and effective idea” which would be based on the student’s understanding.

“As a new teacher, having a student reflect on his or her learning to evaluate [me] would be a good tactic to use as an assessment,” she said.

College professors accept evaluation forms from their students after each academic term. Considering 74% of last year’s graduates attend a four year university and 17% attend a two year university, why can’t the same evaluation be done to the teachers in AP courses or required graduation classes?

AP student and college applicant Samantha Trikeriotis (’15) thinks that evaluating her teachers would be just as beneficial as evaluating her future professors since students are personally being affected by the teacher.

“If the teachers heard what their students think of their lessons and students were able to say ‘Hey! I don’t understand the lesson.’ or ‘I think it would be better if you taught us this way,’ then it would help me and many students learn more effectively,” she said.

AP Psychology teacher Rob Greenwood isn’t all for giving students that much power unless the teacher agrees.

“Leave it up to the teacher to decide.” he said.

Government teacher Jonathan Shinnick is also a little reluctant to allow his students to perform the evaluation unless it was only based on the academic standard. But, overall, he liked the idea.

“It would be a good idea if it was used to let teachers know, and to inform me personally, how I could improve my teaching.” he said.

Principal Joe Jira also appreciated the idea, but was a little reluctant.

“It’s (the teacher evaluation) good feedback but the evaluation sheet would need to be worded very carefully so that someone couldn’t take a ‘cheap shot’ at a teacher,” he said.

Sierra Gottschalk (’16) feels that teachers who “keep things interesting and engaging” are more beneficial to her and her learning rather than teachers who “slap a worksheet on the student’s desk and expect them to understand everything.”

I have failed tests and quizzes solely based on teachers not fully explaining their lesson. So if I was able to take an evaluation like this in hopes that my general grade and learning experience would improve, I wouldn’t think twice about it.

The official BCPS Formal Observation Tool is given to many teachers and administrators when they are in the position as the “observer.” They are required to fill out a form with three domains including the teacher’s planning and preparation, the classroom environment, and the overall instruction. This evaluation is done two to four times per year.

“Teachers haven’t been asking for a lot of student feedbacks because they figure the feedback from the Formal Observation Tool, since it includes ideas regarding kids in each domain, demonstrats their overall teaching ability,” Jira said .

When teachers compare siblings...

By Katharine French

If you have siblings you understand what it’s like when your parents compare you. Whether they are older or younger, we’ve all experienced the “Why can’t you be more like (insert siblings name here)?” It’s bad enough when parents do it, but what about teachers?

Fortunately, none of my older siblings attended any Baltimore County Schools, so I’ve never experienced the harsh discrimination. I can’t say the same for my seventh grader sister, who constantly says, “Why did you have to do so well in French?” and, “Because of you, Mr. Simms thinks I’ll be lazy in gym.” It would seem that many teachers stereotype students based on their older or younger siblings, which can be a burden to some.

For younger siblings, it can be hard to live up to the standard set by their older family members.

“Meaghan has always

been really studious and because of it, she’s always made great grades.

I guess when I get a new teacher who has had her, they think I’ll be the same way,” said Luke Manna (’18).

“Sadie always took the most APs and did really well. She’s

just extremely smart, and I’d bet that certain teachers that have me wonder if I’ll live up to that. Yeah, we’re sisters, but we’re completely different. She loves calculus, and I love English,” said Addy O’neill (’16).

Sometimes it’s not always

Photo by Sophie Seaman Dylan Fox (’16), left, and his brother Liam (’18) are one of many pairs of siblings in this school.

high standards, though. Sometimes you’re older sibling was a class clown or worse, a slacker (in the teacher’s eyes). “My older brothers that went here awhile ago, used to really get on the teachers nerves, to the point where they were thrown out of the classroom. I don’t want them to think that I’ll be the same way, so I kiss up to some teachers.

So far, it seems to be working,” said Michael Purdie (’16).

Twins, too, have this same problem.

“Alex get’s the better grades, and our parents compare us for it. It’s not too much of a problem at school and it doesn’t affect my grades. We’re completely different people so we really can’t be compared,” said Drew Toma (’16).

Every kid is different.

Parents know it, so I’d think that teachers would know that too. Especially, since many of our teachers are parents themselves.

opinion|November 2014

@HHarbinger

harbinger Hereford

15

OPINION

MADDIE’S MUSING

By Maddie McGee

High school is like Ebola

You may have Ebola if you have chest pain and a cough, stomach pain, bleeding from the eyes and a severe headache. You may also be in high school.

Between the vast amounts of homework and the mindless typing and re-typing of your address and Social Security number on your college applications, schoolwork is enough to make your head hurt and your eyes/ other orifices bleed.

For those of us who play sports, we’re accustomed to the body aches that come from a hard day’s practice. Theater students are used to the sore throat and cough after hours and hours of rehearsing for Guys and Dolls.

Not only can high school make you check WebMD furiously, in hopes that you don’t have Ebola, but the social stigmas surrounding the disease can be found recurring in the halls of today’s modern secondary institutions.

Because there is no cure for Ebola, people judge those who are involved with the cause. Doctors returning from treating patients in West African countries are often put in quarantine even without displaying any symptoms.

People who have been cured of Ebola will likely deal with the aftermath of it for the rest of their lives. Essentially, nobody wants to be around someone who could potentially have Ebola.

In high school, people don’t want to associate with the girl who peed her pants in the cafeteria, or the guy who threw up in the middle of the musical. That’ll follow you around for the rest of your high school career.

At your 10 year reunion, you’ll hear people talk about your incident, and they’ll be laughing with you, but they’re glad they’re not you.

Unfortunately, that’s how those with Ebola will live the rest of their lives. We’ll sympathize with you, but really, we’re glad we’re not you.

We’ve established that Ebola can be a reputation-destroyer, akin to drunken antics that you’ll most definitely regret. Ebola is a virus that is classified as a Category A bioterrorism agent by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and could technically be prepared and unleashed as a biological weapon of mass destruction. (Hopefully Kim Jong-un and his best friend Dennis Rodman don’t read this in an effort to finally take down the United States). And how does this relate to high school?

Imagine a young woman, given the diagnosis of, say, an STD. That STD can become a weapon of mass destruction in two ways. One: the girl can allow the disease to spread like wildfire, or two: her diagnosis can act as a weapon of mass destruction for one thing and one thing only, her reputation.

One nurse knows how Ebola can ruin a reputation. Kaci Hickox was treating Ebola patients in Sierra Leone last month. Upon her return to the United States, she was quarantined, even after testing negative for Ebola.

Once she was allowed to return to her home, she was still under a 21-day at-home-quarantine, because of the long incubation period associated with Ebola.

She spoke out, refusing to follow the quarantine protocol, even going on a bike ride on a public trail with her boyfriend. Patients will likely not want her to be their nurse when they’re sick and their immune systems are compromised. She told NBC News, “I hope that one day we as an American culture can get over this fear and can learn to show compassion instead.”

Illustration by Joe Donatelli

Beware: Colleges scope applicants’ social media

Students applying for colleges need to maintain a high GPA and QPA, stellar SAT or ACT scores, and now, appropriate profiles on social media, too. More and more colleges look at the profiles of their student applicants as a factor for deciding admittance.

A recent study conducted by Kaplan Test Prep found that in 2013, 31 percent of the 381 colleges surveyed admitted to looking at applicants’ social media pages. This percentage has risen from 2012 when only 26 percent had looked at applicants’ social media pages.

This trend has become more common and some people even think it is inevitable. Cassidy Nozemack (’16) who committed to Elon University this year for lacrosse said, “I think it is pretty obvious that colleges are going to look at your social media.”

While some see this as an invasion of privacy, someone’s privacy can’t exactly be invaded if he is posting content on a public website.

“If they post it on social media, everyone can see it, so colleges should be able to see it too,” said Emma Vicchio (’15), who has a Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, and Instagram account.

Because of social media, teenagers are able create images of themselves online whether they use it to their advantage or not.

“I think it’s wise for colleges to gain as clear a perspective on a candidate as possible,” said Charlie Lidard, who teaches both Engineering and English. He graduated from high school in 2008 and received his master’s degree in Masters of Arts and Teaching from Towson University this year. “That being said, I think students are too transparent on social media.”

Many students don't realize this, but they have a rare opportunity to present themselves on social media that could help them when applying to college. They can create an image of themselves that focuses on and even enhances their positive characteristics.

McKenna Porter (’14), a freshman at the University of South Carolina, said, "Although most students tend to look at the negatives, your social media presence can actually help you. The qualifications you touch on in your essays and write on your resume like ‘Environmental Activist’ become a lot more valuable and legitimate when you retweet a recycling tip or post a picture of you planting marshes with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. These things bring your resume to life and make your positive attributes much more tangible.”

By posting inappropriate content online, that applicant is representing himself with a negative reputation. Spanish teacher Tiffany Bibaud, whose daughter applied for colleges last year, said, “Colleges are essentially businesses that are investing in you.” She said that it is in their best interest to look up applicants online.

“If a college accepts you and you end up going there, your social media presence no longer just represents you, but it represents the college also,” said McKenna.

Many people view social media as a personal profile that only

friends should be able to see but one can easily modify the privacy settings on most sites. Additionally, this personality on people’s profiles may work to an applicant’s advantage.

Bibaud said that by looking at social media, “[colleges] have more of an idea of who you really are because what comes across on a transcript is a very shallow view of who you really are.”

“I am really careful about what I post on social media so I keep up a good image with Elon,” said Cassidy.

“I definitely checked over my various social media profiles to make sure there was nothing too inapropro,” said McKenna who has already been through the college application process. “I also made sure my privacy settings were intact so I still looked like an angel from the outside."

Graphic by Alex Toma

in focus|November 2014

@HHarbinger

“The warm fall colors make me forget the approaching winter cold,” said Sophie Seaman (‘15).

harbinger Hereford

16

Fall

Photo by Sophie Seaman

The images featured were submitted after the Harbinger challenged student-photographers to submit pieces that related to this month’s “In Focus” theme: Fall.

The Hereford Harbinger invites submissions of photography or poetry based on our monthly theme.

The December theme is: JOY Email images (.JPEGs) or poems to hhsharbinger@bcps.org

Photo by Gina Davis “I was on the ground in the leaves taking this photo,” said Gina Davis (‘17).

Photo by Sydney Gilmore “The sun was setting and the colors of this leaf were very vivid,” said Sydney Gilmore (‘17).