The Lance October 2018

We Believe.

THE LANCE

We Will Succeed.

The student newspaper of Linganore High School Volume XXXVIV, XXXVIV, Issue Issue 11 Volume

12013 Old Old Annapolis Annapolis Road Road Frederick, Frederick, MD MD 21701 21701 12013

March 20092018 September

Newly minted Millionaire’s Club receives $500 from Nymeo for successful live-streaming business Ethan Hart Managing Editor

FCPS is transitioning to Schoology to take advantage of more flexible platform and access to grades.

Graphic by Spencer Derrenberger

Schoology slays Google Classroom: FCPS transitions to new learning management system Beau Cameron Co-Editor-in-Chief

FCPS is implementing a new learning management system in all Frederick County Schools: Schoology. This year, teachers have the option to use it, but FCPS plans for Schoology to replace Google Classroom and the HAC grading system entirely in 2019-2020.

“We tested a lot of different systems before we settled on this one.

As of this moment, FCPS has a fiveyear contract with Schoology that can be revisited each year,” said FCPS Achievement Specialist Amy Cordes, who is managing the transition. “Over the course of the next few months we’ll be collecting information from teachers about accessibility and how students and parents are engaging with the platform. Then we’ll make our decision on how to move forward.”

Complaints that Schoology is unnecessarily complicated, and there doesn’t appear to be reason to change are students’ biggest concern. Part of the problem is that teachers are still in the learning phase, so students are, proverbially, “the last to know.”

Ivan Casanova, the Executive Vice President of Marketing for Schoology, said, “Using technology in the classroom can be an adjustment at first, which is why many teachers or districts begin their edtech journey with Google Classroom and other productivity tools. But, for districts to continue to grow and take digital learning to the next level, they need more than just a classroom solution. They need something that can scale and have a broader impact.”

Government teacher Jamie Hendi said, “I like Schoology much better.

It’s much more user friendly and much more organized. I’m building out to use it for my World War II class in the spring. What’s great is that once we finish Unit 1, I’ll be able to unpublish all the stuff from it, so it won’t clutter up the feed. But it’ll be in a folder, so students can still access it.

“The discussions in Schoology are so much better. I’ve found that in Google Classroom, all the students will just look back and copy what everyone else has said. But in Schoology, I can block them from seeing other students’ responses and block them from reposting. Once they turn it in, that’s it. So they can’t copy off other people and then re-submit,” she said.

For students who are used to writing on Google Docs, they have

the option to link their Schoology accounts to the Google Drive. They can upload documents from there and turn them in as assignments.

Schoology isn’t just replacing Google Classroom; it’s also taking the place of HAC. That way, assignments and grades will be in one place.

What most students may not realize is the difficulties presented to teachers by Google Classroom.

Media Specialist and member of the leadership team Ms. Marsha Thompson said, “Assignments graded on Schoology immediately transfer to the gradebook. Classroom doesn’t do that. Schoology is a lot less clicking for teachers and a lot less work.”

Kolias said, “Right now, teachers are having to input grades into HAC and Schoology. If it becomes one platform, or I can push a button and transfer my grades, then I’ll be okay with using Schoology.” Because she has prior experience, Kolias has offered to help teachers to use the new system.

Learing the system takes time, and there is a learning curve. Chemistry teacher Jessica Baker said, “Schoology is supposed to automatically transfer grades, but it doesn’t yet. And it doesn’t update automatically, so there are a lot of bugs, and I don’t know how to fix them, or when they’re fixed. Google Classroom is more user-friendly.

Principal Nancy Doll said that the reason behind the switch is simply because of a desire to make our digital learning environment more accessible for teachers and students.

Cordes said, “With Google Classroom, people can’t have the same kind of access to information. Parents can’t see Google Documents. But in Schoology, a parent can see their student’s work through the parent portal. It allows for more transparency.”

Schoology has over 20 million users across over 60,000 schools around the world. Local users include Baltimore County Public Schools and Calvert County Public Schools and, internationally, Uruguay’s Plan Ceibal, and Cempaka Schools in Malaysia.

While unfamiliar to Linganore students, Schoology has been growing its influence world-wide since it was established in 2009. Right now, it may seem frustrating, but FCPS is confident that the switch will be beneficial in the long-run.

Read more at: https://lhslance.org/yxvmu

Move over bake sales. Step aside car washes. Students in the new LHS Millionaire’s Club have found a way to learn about finance by launching a business. These enterprising students have started a subscription service live-streaming program through High School Sports Network.

On October 3, Nymeo, a local non-profit financial organization, donated $500 to the Linganore Millionaire’s Club at a ceremony that also introduced the club to LHS. The Executive Director of Credit Union Foundation (the Millionaire’s Club founder) Kyle Swisher III and the Deputy Superintendent Mike Markoe were also in attendance.

The live streaming business broadcasts the school’s sports games to fans who can’t attend in person. The streaming service also offers games on demand, dating back to the 2017-2018 sports season. The business profits through subscriptions to the service. The subscription options are $9.95 per month, $30.00 for four months, and $60.00 for one year. clubs and organizations in need.

The club has 13 members, and

Roger Rich, Patrick Greene, and Digital Communications live-stream a game.

photo by Patrick Greene

they are led by CEO and Class of 2020 member Meaghan Vauk. They plan to expand by selling advertisements to local businesses, as well as upgrading their cameras to give their subscribers a better quality viewing experience.

Keith said, “We have been really successful so far, and we are only going to keep getting bigger and bigger.”

The Millionaire’s Club will be streaming more games in the future, such as varsity field hockey versus Westminster on October 15, varsity volleyball versus Catoctin on October 23, and varsity football versus Urbana on November 2 Read more at: https://lhslance.org/5h8ea

Maryland plans to replace PARCC with new standardized test Dana Kullgren, Reporter

Graphic by Tyler Roman

The Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers—or PARCC test, as it is more commonly known—is being scrapped in Maryland. This online standardized test is familiar to most Maryland high school students, as it must be taken by students in English 10 and Algebra I (and, for the unfortunate few, Algebra II as well).

For most students, preparation for PARCC is part of most required courses. However, times are changing. Maryland now plans to toss the PARCC in favor of a new standardized test, the MCAP. According to Jamie Aliveto, the Director of System Accountability and School Improvement for FCPS, the PARCC is being replaced because the Maryland Board of Education wants to create an assessment that “takes less time to administer and that provides more immediate results for students, teachers, and parents.”

Aliveto says that the MCAP (Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program) may be administered as soon as next year, though the timeline is still tentative.

A few years ago, the first PARCC

tests took as many as three days to administer. Now, each is just one class period long, but, students still spend many class periods preparing.

Junior Elizabeth Gilmore said, “I took two PARCC tests last year, and they stressed me out more than needed. I thought some of the questions were irrelevant and didn’t represent the courses.”

Gilmore also said that PARCC was unnecessary because “It judges the teachers’ abilities more than the students’. If the teacher is poor at their job, the students won’t perform well on the test.”

Though this is a valid argument, it is often the function of standardized tests such as the PARCC to measure the success of schools and counties over time more than the capacity of individual students.

Aliveto said, “The state board has insisted that this new assessment must equate to the PARCC assessment in its scoring such that we can continue to measure trends and growth over time.” Therefore, the MCAP will also allow for the observation of trends so educational methods can be improved.

Teachers compose the group that is perhaps the most affected by changes in standardized testing.

Math teacher Jennifer Weiss said that she is against most stanRead more at: https://lhslance.org/isp01

2

The Lance

Features

October 2018

Gaver Farm: Fall is complete with apple cider donuts Ashley Nash Reporter

Gaver Farm is now open for the fall season. At Gaver Farm, visitors can pick their own pumpkins and apples.

Gaver also has a corn maze, slides, a bakery, animals, and a giant pillow to bounce on. But during the fall, they begin selling the world’s best apple cider donuts. These have been sold at Gaver Farm since 2012.

For six years, the apple cider donuts have been made at Gaver, and they are the most popular food item.

Brian House, the concession manager, said, “The donuts are best fresh and hot right when you buy them.

Heating them in the microwave for ten seconds is close to the real thing but not quite as good.”

House said that the origin of the cider donut idea was when the Gaver family went to a convention for farms that specialize in agritainment.

The donuts are made with a batter, put into their ‘donut robot’, and then covered in cinnamon and sugar.

The donut robot puts a even amount

o dough into fryer, then flips them of a and pushes them out when they are c complete.

Gaver Farm is in Mt. Airy close to N New Market so it has a connection to Linganore High School. They also o often hire students and graduates of LHS. L Allison Byrnes, Class of 2021 said, “The best thing about working at “T Gaver is the jumping pillow. It’s so much fun to see how much fun everyone is having.”

Getting into the farm activities is $13.50 on weekends and $9 on weekdays, and they are open every day from 6-10. Shopping in the Farm

photo by Ashley Nash

Market barn is free to anyone. (And that’s where the donuts are!)

They have apple cider, apple cider donuts, apple cider slushies, apple pie, candy and caramel apples, and many types of fudge. The farm market also offers cash and carry pumpkins.

“Gaver is a fun place for families to come to in the fall to have a good time, pick pumpkins, and eat apple cider donuts.” said Maddy Spisso, Class of 2020, who also works at Gaver’s.

The farm was started by LHS graduates Michael Gaver and his wife Lisa in 1978 and the first sale was in 1984. In 2005 the Gaver family was the Frederick County Farm Family of the Year. In 2005 and in 2008 they received the Take Pride in America award. Michael and Lisa Gaver have two adult children and LHS graduates Laura and Greg. Laura married Brian House and their two children Hailey and Emma who carry on the Gaver farm tradition.

Taking a trip up to Gaver Farm and buying some donuts is definitely worth your time and money.

Screen Time controls: Will iOS 12 really limit our phone obsession?

Rachel McCoy Reporter

Let’s face reality. You are on your phone for hours every day, but do you know exactly how many hours?

On September 17, Apple released IOS 12, which is a software update that is available to download on newer Apple devices. This update includes a new feature called Screen Time. Screen Time tracks the time a person is actively using the device and offers three controls for limiting that active time.

There are a couple of different aspects to this new iOS 12 including App limits, downtime, and parental controls.

This is an amazing tool, but how many will really take advantage?

To turn on Screen Time, on the iPhone or iPad, go to Settings. Then click Screen Time with the purple hourglass logo. If this is your first time using Screen Time, you need to click “Turn On Screen Time.”

Then select “This is My [device]” or “This is My Child’s [device].”

App Limits can be used for setting daily limits for the time the user can access specific apps. The selected limits refresh every night at midnight. And they can be deleted or modified at any time. This is shocking for most people, as it makes them realize how long they are on their devices.

Sophomore Diana Bryan checked her settings and realized her busiest app is Snapchat. “I never realized that I’m on Snapchat all day long. I probably won’t change my habits, but now I am more aware.”

She will have a new level of guilt, but not much more.

Another feature is Downtime

able amount of sleep.”

Screen Time can be beneficial to students because they can set app limits and downtime, to be able to get more done in class. While Linganore has the policy to not use phones at all, people still use their phones–under a desk, in the bathroom, and behind the shield of a computer screen.

US News wrote an article, “Electronics in the Classroom Lead to Lower Test Scores.” The article explains how students who were allowed to have phones and computers in the classroom scored lower on exams. They proved this because they showed the results of a study in the Journal Educational Psychology that revealed, “Students who had cell phones or laptops present while a lesson was being taught scored five percent, or half a letter grade, lower on Do you know your exams than students number? The averwho didn’t use have their electronics.” age teen spends If we were able a daily six hours to self-regulate and and 40 minutes on use the new feature screens. to block the use of cell phones in school, students could have a better understandThe last new feaing of course material and might get ture is parental controls. This is higher grades. The reality, though, where parents are able to take control is no one is going to voluntarily set over their child’s device. This feature up the blocking controls. can be set up using the family sharing Kudos to Apple for realizing controls. The parent can get weekly that it’s not okay to always be on reports that they can use to regulate the phone. The Screen Time feature how much time is spent in a given is allowing users to take a walk, app. These different aspects help to sleep longer and have family conmake the iOS 12 beneficial for fami- versations. But it’s up to the user lies, giving more parent awareness of to change. the child’s phone habits. It could also guarantee dinner together!

Parent Chris Coccagna said, “I enjoy these parental controls because Read more at: I can limit screen time, so [my daughRead more at: http://lhslance.org/7eb1b ter] can spend more time helping me https://lhslance.org/7eb1b in the garden and also get a reasonwhich allows users to schedule a period of time that the user cannot use their phone, with only a few emergency settings available. This forces the user to put down their device.

This could be handy at the movies, Thanksgiving dinner or during an exam, but who will do this regularly?

Most students go into shock when they have to leave their phones in backpacks during the SAT’s. And phones STILL ring.

Lancer Media surveyed 60 students with the question, “Would you consider limiting your phone use?”

More than half said they would not limit their phone use. One responder said, “I think it is a good idea and a useful tool that can help people limit their phone time by opening people’s eyes to how much time they waste on technology alone.”

photo courtesy of Jackey Hinkson

Barrel racing champion Hinkson aims for 14 seconds Peyton Johnson Reporter

Senior Jackey Hinkson competitively barrel races for the Maryland Western Horse Association. She is a rising star on the youth circuit, completing the challenge in about 14 seconds. She practices 4 times a week in the summer and twice a week in the winter.

In barrel racing, the contestants race around three barrels in a clover leaf pattern in as little time as possible. Hinkson’s best time is 14.53 seconds.Her best time for pole bending, which is another rodeo competition, is about 20 seconds. She’s won fourth in the youth division finals.

Hinkson’s current horse, Bandit, does pole bending and barrel racing, two very dangerous rodeo events. Barrel racing requires a horse to make sharp turns, and since most arenas have stone dust on the ground the horse can slip or the rider can fall off.

Barrel racing is not technically considered a sport, but Hinkson said, “I think it’s a sport because I’m controlling a 1,300 pound animal.”

The horse she currently races is a 10-year-old paint named “Bandit.”

Her favorite part of barrel racing is the bond between her and the horse, but her least favorite part is the entry fees because they are so expensive, even with prize money she has won for events. Typically, she pays about $70-75 per event.

More expensive than the entry fees is the physical cost. Hinkson has been injured multiple times. Once, on a horse with a skittish temperment, the horse was scared by loud noises– typical of a rodeo.

Hinkson said,“My horse threw me off and finished the pattern without me.” Hinkson has had broken ribs and a broken ankle. Her horse has stepped on her feet multiple times, and once she even got a concussion.

Even though it is dangerous, Hinkson never gets scared.“I love the adrenaline rush.”

Hinkson has had plenty of support develop her riding and barrel racing skills. Her first horse she trained on was Cloud. He was a “project” horse, which she later purchased after the horse was retired. Hinkson’s current horse Bandit is her partner when training with Paige Reynolds, an East Coast champion barrel racer.

Though she wouldn’t consider it a future career, Hinkson is teaching younger girls and their horses how to barrel race.

Hinkson is the third generation to live on Turn n’ Hitch Farm, a family farm with 12 acres. On the farm, Jackey’s family has eight horses, a few pigs, and chickens.

3

The Lance

October 2018

Sports

Are the dangers of artificial turf fields worth the risk?

William Quansah Reporter Artificial turf has increased in popularity around the world, especially in the United States. There are over 12,000 artificial turf fields across the United States, and the number is growing. They’re nice to play on, due to their flexibility with weather, and they are easy to maintain. This all seems great, but many don’t know the growing concern over the dangerous effects of the material that makes up the turf.

Photo by Braden Weinel What is artificial turf? For the majority of artificial grass fields, man-made plastic blades of grass are used with recycled tire crumb.

The purpose of the tire crumb is to act as soil, providing cushioning and traction. It also aids in the durability of the field. Below the grass and tire crumb is a base of subgrade, a drainage system, and geotextile along with more cushioning. These materials make a field that can be played on in all types of weather, causes fewer injuries, and can be easily maintained.

This is convenient for schools, sports organizations, and parks, as their fields are now in use year-round.

Frederick County Public Schools Athletics and Extracurricular Activities Supervisor, Kevin Kendro, favors turf over grass for those exact reasons. “I see the benefits of both surfaces. It is always good to play on a natural surface, but a synthetic(turf) surface allows for more consistency and more opportunities to play during periods of inclement weather.”

So what makes these fields dangerous? Chemical from the tire crumb have proven to have negative effects on the athletes. Heat is the most common known danger, not from just turf fields, but rubber playgrounds, which also use the tire crumb. According to studies by Penn State University, artificial turf fields are 35° to 55° F

hotter than natural grass. Many parents across the country are pushing for restrictions to be placed on these fields for safety, considering playing on this material during the spring and summer sometimes warrants a heat advisory. Fortunately, in Frederick County Public Schools, there are regulations for heat acclimatization.

The lesser known reason for being concerned about turf fields is that the chemicals from the tire crumb can be toxic. Benzothiazole can be found in these tire crumbs, as well as carbon black, and heavy metals. The chemicals can be breathed in and/ or absorbed through open cuts from the rubber rising off the ground from contact and players falling on the turf.

In a much pu licized study by the University of Washington School of Public Health, a relationship was found between University of Washington soccer coach Amy Griffin’s 53 players she had coached in the past and cancer. Her players consistently played on artificial turf fields, and more than 60% were goalies who have more contact with the field.

Studies have been done by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), and they have claimed that the levels of chemicals are not high enough for concern. One thing is conclusive though: These chemicals can cause cancer. Is there a great enough connection to stop using the fields?

Most people recognize that the turf fields are softer for players and cause less injuries. Kendro said, “FCPS does a great job working with the companies who install and inspect our artificial turf fields. One of the main tests that is done annually is compaction testing to make sure the playing surface is not too hard.”

It may take longer for all levels of sports planning to look more deeply into the cancer/turf connection.

Also, there’s money involved.

Most turf companies still use recycled tire crumb when there are other options like coconuts or sand. The recycled tire crumb is much less expensive, and there’s little pressure to change.

Lancer Media asked the Linganore Soccer team the question, “Are you aware of the dangers of artificial turf?”

All of the 22 member squad was aware the heat concerns. The same question was asked regarding cancer-causing chemicals. Only eleven were aware.

Read more https://lhslance.org/4xzcq

With the Warriors winning everything, why watch the NBA? Erich Miller Reporter

The NBA season is almost upon us, and we already know who will win the championship. The NBA “superteam” generation has been the league’s downfall, especially after this past NBA offseason with the Warriors signing four-time all-star Demarcus Cousins. The Warriors now have a whopping 5 all-stars on their team, making the NBA boring and not fun to watch. No team should have the talent that the Warriors do.

The Warriors have recently made NBA competition unfair by winning three of the last four NBA championships, and this year will be no different. No team comes close to the talent that the Warriors have. Not even the world dominant Lebron James has been able to stop them. So then why do people still watch the NBA? The last four years have been rough for the other 29 teams in the league, even the winning Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavaliers have also been to the championship the last four years but only walked away with one trophy. People are not invested in the Cavaliers/Warriors rivalry.

That’s why the ratings were at an all-time low last year at 1.9. This compares to the 3.4 million per game in the 90’s and early 00’s.

This was a big offseason where the Los Angeles Lakers had an opportunity to create a super team to compete with the Golden State Warriors. They were expected to sign Lebron James, Paul George, and Kawhi Leonard. Only one of the three signings happened.

They got Lebron James, and he

Girls soccer celebrates teachers Sammie Hoefs Editer On October 1, the girls varsity soccer team honored their teachers at halftime during their game against South Hagerstown. The girls won 7-0. This was the seventh win of the season, 7-2-1.

The girls honored their teachers at half-time, as the teachers joined them on the field. The girls handed them the personalized gift bags they decorated. Each bag was filled with little goodies like pens, pencils, candy, and gift cards.

Each player added their own special gifts inside for their teacher.

The reason the girl’s soccer team holds Teacher Appreciation night is that they are student-athletes; student comes first. Teachers

are a tremendous resource that help athletes manage both school and sports. Teachers lead and push students to be the best and achieve their highest goals.

Most students do not believe they can do much, but teachers see their endless potential.

“In addition to getting a lot of soccer tutoring from Mr. Lastova, our group was very proud of each girl who nominated us. I kept shouting at Sammie as she was playing. It was really exciting to be a part of this. And, the gift shirts are super cool,” said Mrs. Rebetsky.

The girls contacted any teacher that they feel have influenced them or touched their lives.

Several teachers from elementary and middle school were selected.

It was a great way to build a crowd, too. At the end of the game, all of the crowd celebrated with cake.

is the consensus best player in the world, but he has not been able to take down the warriors single-handedly.

Member of the Class of 2022 Ryan Bennett said, “It’s just boring. There is no point in watching the sport if you already know the champion months in advance. Lebron keeps the NBA relevant.”

There are a lot of Lebron fans among the NBA fan base, and that’s because he’s fun to watch and just seems like he does it all on and off the court. He dominates almost putting up 30 every night, and off the court he does things for people in need. He’s just a person fans can look up to and respect as a man.

Besides the Warriors and whatever team Lebron is on, it is not fun to watch the NBA games. And it is even harder to be a loyal fan in the NBA with the unfairness. that has brewed the last couple of seasons.

Teams like the Sacramento Kings and the Orlando Magic have suffered due to the unfair draft system. The lottery system is where the bottom 14 teams are put into a draw for the first pick in the draft. Some teams have fantastic luck, and others do not.

However, it’s always the big money teams winning the lottery when they are in it, and most NBA fans think the NBA is fixed Yet choosing a draft pick is always difficult as well because an average of eight players per draft are starters down the road. is a small number from 6o picks per draft. You have to be lucky with the players you select.

Read more https://lhslance.org/5z7m0

Recognized Teachers

Mr. Kyle Barnette, History ) Mrs. Samantha Karstens, Math Mrs. Mary Ellen Newcomb, English Mrs. Jamie Hendi, History Mr. Mark Lastova, Career and Tech Mrs. Valerie Riley, Science (Brooke Bennett) Ms. Jessica Baker, Science (Colleen Avilla) Mrs. Rachael Easterday, Physical Ed Mr. Tony Freeman, 5th grade Mr. Sonny Joseph, Physical Education Mrs. Lori Yammarino, 5th grade Mrs. Dragana Blonder, French Ms. Durann Ecalono, Chemistry Mrs. Lori Saylor, Enrichment Specialist Ms. Melissa Hersey, English Mr. Daniel Lake, Math & English Mr. Ryan Grove, History Mrs. Natalie Rebetsky, Journalism Mr. Mario Gaetani, Math

4

The Lance

October 2018

Reviews

toasts

Roasts

Big Mouth: Supreme: An "Excellent" waste of money A nostalgic whiff of preteen spirit people to spend money on practically nothing, I might as well start my own The Supreme brand in recent years brand. My brand is Excellent, and the can be, with utmost certainty, de- Excellent brand will have the finest of scribed as the most substantial waste overpriced junk you can imagine. of consumers’ money, with a hoodA brick with the logo on it? Excelie costing lent has it for $650.00. Why $250.00. And are so many that “classic” people suckwhite tee? Exered into purcellent has got chasing? one of those Supreme too! And you is a clothing know it’s betand skateter because it’s board empire twice the price! with humble Excellent has Photo by Erich Miller sunglasses with origins as small shop on Lafayette Street, the logo plastered New York City. Its founder and CEO, over the lenses because who cares if James Jebbia, in an interview with you can see? It’s expensive and has a Vogue said that he was influenced trendy logo on it! by his own fascination with trendy And Excellent doesn’t even need to clothing.“The shop that carries the put effort into making a website. cool stuff that everybody was wearing—no big brands or anything.”

Today Supreme has become one of largest trendy street wear companies in America. Supreme currently has Read more at: stores in the U.S., London, Tokyo, https://lhslance.org/yejyo and Paris.

And honestly, if it’s this easy to get Andrew Lyons Reporter

Movie Review: Like Father has little to like Alex Dembeck Reporter

In Like Father (rated TV-MA), another stereotypical, and, unfortunately humorless, romantic comedy, Rachel Hamilton’s (Kristen Bell) workaholic tendencies leave her alone at the altar by her fiance Owen (Jon Foster). As she flees from the ceremony, she catches a glimpse of her father, Harry (Kelsey Grammer), who she hasn’t seen in 26 years.

No surprise that, long-lost dad, Harry, shows up at Rachel’s door the next evening and asks to buy her a drink. After a night of rather poor decisions, an inebriated Rachel decides to take her estranged father with her on her honeymoon. As the formulaic story line unfolds, Rachel spends the first 50 minutes resenting her father, but slowly, warms up to him. Other than one small plot twist, Like Father follows the plot of every romantic movie, and Rachel and her dad rekindle their relationship.

While on the Caribbean cruise, Rachel doesn’t do much other than talk on the phone, send emails, and complain about her ex, making her very unlikable. Her father, on the other hand, tries to get Rachel to end her obsessive habits and enjoy herself with other couples on the cruise.

One of the only times Rachel sets down her phone is when she meets Jeff (Seth Rogen), a recently divorced teacher from Canada. Jeff’s character feels very forced and rather awkward in the story line, but what’s a rom-com without overly-awkward romantic relationships?

On the trip, Harry finds an uncon

Haley Enders Reporter

Warning: Minor Spoilers.

Rate: 5/5 stars Big Mouth, a Netflix original, produced by Nick Kroll and his childhood best friend, Andrew Goldberg, was inspired by Kroll being pantsed in middle school in front of his crush.

The entire show is based on Kroll and Goldberg and their experiences in the awkward years of middle school. The fact that many of the embarrassing stories portrayed in the show actually happened to the producers or people they know shows just how personal the show is for Kroll and Goldberg and just how invested they are.

The second binge-worthy season was released on Friday, October 5, 2018. Newbies can catch up on Season 1 on Netflix. The subject is puberty, and it’s made more “alive” by incorporating cartoon figures of hormone monsters. It’s a sick version of Disney’s Inside Out. I am reluctant to watch cartoons,

but watching Big Mouth, especially the most recent season released, was not a mistake. The reason behind this decision being that there is an actual story line in Season 2.

Season 1, especially the end didn’t really have a plot. It was all over the place and kind of just for laughs. It was hilarious, but it didn’t do much to pull you in. Andrew (John Mulaeny) being arrested, Jessi’s (Jessi Klein) mom having an affair with her cantor, and some odd insight to Jay’ (Jason Mantzoukas) home life all had me wondering where this show was heading or if it was even heading anywhere at all.

The second season followed a more concrete narrative. Coach Steve (Kroll) finally finds himself a real friend. Nick (also Kroll) finally finds himself a hormone monster. Jessi starts to go through a rebellious teen phase.

Read more at: https://lhslance.org/mfmqr

Sony's Venom is a misunderstood masterpiece ventional way to stop Rachel’s addiction to her phone, and, in the serene and peaceful Jamaican forests, the two tearfully bury the hatchet and make up, but with 50 minutes left, the movie isn’t over yet.

Harry and Rachel dress in flashy, sequin-covered costumes and prepare to star in the ship’s karaoke night.

Before the pair can perform, Rachel gets a call from her boss saying that her father is bankrupt. The explanation, of course, is another plot point that feels contrived.

Father and daughter heal their relationship and perform in the karaoke contest.

With an extremely talented cast and the idea for an emotional story (a girl reunited with her father), Like Father had the opportunity to go against multiple stereotypes. Instead of taking advantage of this, the story line was poorly executed.

The majority of critics also agree that the movie had the chance to be great, but didn’t take it. Like Father has received a 49% from Rotten Tomatoes. Critics gave the movie a 5.2/10 and viewers gave the movie a 3.1/5.

Read more at: https://lhslance.org/r2fva

Beau Cameron Co-Editor-in-Chief

After Venom hit theatres on October 5th, it was torn apart by critics and condemned for its exclusion of Spiderman, its absurdist humor, and even for the symbiote’s appearance.

Robbie Collin of The Telegraph said, “Sony Pictures appear to have lavished a nine-figure sum on, and are now hoping to establish an entire cinematic universe on the back of, a character who looks like someone drizzled Creme Egg filling onto a bin bag.”

That being said, I loved this movie.

Tom Hardy plays journalist Eddie Brock, the main character and host of the alien symbiote, Venom, who goes up against a corrupt private science institute known as The Life Foundation. The film tells a new, Spiderman-less origin story for the widely popular anti-hero, looking to set up a whole new shared universe of Spider-verse villains.

There’s no mention of Harry Osborn’s daddy issues, no goth Peter Parker, none of your typical early Venom story at all. While many critics have called this a weakness, it’s arguably the best thing Director Ruben Fleischer could’ve done. Audiences don’t need or want a replay the 1990s cartoon or Spider-Man

3— they’re looking for something fresh and exciting, two things that Venom delivers.

The opening scenes are at best choppy, and at worst, disheartening to the point that I saw one member of the audience actually walked out after the first five minutes. However, when Venom and Eddie Brock finally found each other, it became one of my favorite Marvel movies.

The action sequences are unique, a union between stellar fight choreography and Hardy’s ability to pretend his body is being controlled by another being. There’s a motorcycle and drone chase scene that make the ten-year old boy in me light up, and watching Venom in action, using his amorphous physicality to form shields and barriers and a second skin, is nothing short of spectacular.

The character of Anne, Brock’s exfiance, was weak, but she was barely a footnote with Hardy stealing the show. Hardy is an amazing actor, transforming Brock from a journalist who reports on social issues to someone who actually cares about the people involved.

Read

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Oct. 2018

Entries from October Contest "Overgrown" The Fallen Soldier

by Corryn White My grandfather was in the Army Reserves, and he died before I was born. I wanted to write a story to honor all those veterans and people still currently serving. The theme inspired me to create a story where the emotions are so powerful that you feel overgrown with them.

Read the rest of the October entries at https://lancerwatermark.weebly.com/ october-contest.html Artwork

by Isabella DelaHousaye

A

s I walked barefoot along the cold, wet sand I could hear my dad’s voice echo through my head. His voice told me, “Stay strong.” As I reached the lifeguard stand all I could think about was my dad’s trembling voice as he told my mom goodbye, possibly for the last time. I constantly told myself that I would see him again, but honestly I didn’t know. A month ago my dad enlisted in the Marine Corps, he trained days on end. This was his dream, but when the time came, my world was shattered. My dad would be going off to Afghanistan and all I could hope was he would be home for my birthday. Salty tears rolled down my warm cheeks. I thought to myself, “I’m better than this” deep down I knew I was weak; my dad was my best friend.

I can remember my older brother holding me back as I tried to run towards the car. He couldn’t leave us. My mom was a mess after that day.

She tried to bottle up all her emotions, instead she spent the days crying in her room. All her pillows were tearstained, and some had the black streaks of supposed “waterproof mascara” she wore. When the time came for her to move on she buried herself in work. I spent my days doing homework and watching videos of military dads surprising their kids that I found on Youtube. Suddenly I awoke from my daydreaming, I was sitting all alone on the beach. Tear like drops of rain fell down as though the sky was crying along with me. As I stumbled home, all I could focus on was one thing, seeing my dad again.

Days went by quickly, after what seemed like forever a sudden realization came to me, today was my birthday. Today dad would be here to surprise me, although I decided that when he comes I would act all surprised.

Downstairs my brother cooked up some french toast and waffles. We all sat there in silence, I knew what was coming next. I'd watched enough of these videos, any second there would be a knock at the door. Sure enough there was, my heart racing. As I walked over to the door I felt happiness flood through me, I haven’t felt that in a while. I opened the door, standing there was not my dad, but two men in uniforms. What was going on?

The one soldier asked, “Is your mom here?” I was so confused, my dad was supposed to be behind the door.

I called out for my mom and she rushed over. She had a brief discussion and from what few words I picked up I knew it wasn’t good. I could only hear fragments of the conversation. The words, “death, bombing, and funeral” was all I could pick up.

Please no, don’t let him be dead, I prayed. This is all a joke, my dad was always joking around with me and my brother. He was going to walk through the door and I would get a cheesy shirt as a present. I knew it. My mom closed the door and my brother went over to escort her to the couch.

Through her tears, she choked out , “Kids, dad was killed, his Jeep ran over a underground bomb.”

Read more at the October Contests page at lancerwatermark.weebly.com

Escape

by Molly Anderson

For the last time I drive by It abandoned For forever Unwanted, Alone Leaves abundant Vines entangling Themselves, confined In the prison walls Unending A porter Not carrying luggage But the weight Of his own thoughts

The real vines Imprisoning him In himself His misery His loneliness No one there To remember him His face His voice Which no one ever heard Alone Just his thoughts And myself As I pass him He is gone forever No escape From himself

NOVEMBER CONTEST: "THE TIES THAT BIND US" Starting November 1, The Watermark will be accepting submissions for our November contest, "The Ties That Bind Us." Your prompt is to create something--whether it be a short story, poem, art piece (traditional or digital), or photograph--inspired by the phrase “the ties that bind us.” Please keep content appropriate for an audience of all ages. First and second place winners will each receive an Amazon gift card! Details below.

Who can enter? Middle and high school students in FCPS How many entries can I submit? One submission per category Winners will be announced by Friday, November 9. Certificates and prizes will be distributed.

Graphic by Spencer Derrenberger

Deadline: Monday, December 1 Details for submission available at https://lancerwatermark.weebly.com/contests.

6

The Lance

What Makes Us Scared Sammie Hoefs Editor

Do you get scared easily? Are you afraid of the dark?

Do you hate horror movies? Do haunted houses freak you out?

Halloween, the scariest holiday, brings some people joy and, in some cases, tears. It seems kind of odd that people would enjoy being scared, but studies show it is our bodies’ natural reaction.

According to Margee Kerr, Ph.D., sociologist, on Health Line, she writes, “Positive feelings are caused by different neurotransmitters and hormones released when the body feels fear. These are all triggered by the body’s sympathetic nervous system.”

When faced with a scary situation, it becomes a body vs. brain that plays a big part in whether a person enjoys being scared. The frontal lobe does most of the thinking and will tell if you are ok. So when someone is in a haunted house and they get scared, the body will go into fight or flight mode. However, the frontal lobe knows you are safe and your nerves will begin to calm down.

There are two different types of fear: one can just lead to an exciting adrenaline rush and the other one frightens you to the point of tears. Doing something you are afraid of can make you feel that sense of fear; however, overcoming that brings you that sense of comfort. Many people who enjoy being scared find comfort in knowing that most of the scary Halloween pranks are all fake, often funny.

In a recent poll by Lancer Media, participants voted on what makes them most afraid: 36% voted spiders; 23% voted clowns; and 23% voted heights. These feature into scary movies all the time.

Many people who do not enjoy being scared could probably sit and watch a horror movie with friends.

October 2018

Halloween

Field Of Screams: Get a friend and be terrified Grace Gaydosh and Julie Walker Editors

Erich Miller

They can easily close their eyes. However, you probably won’t see them out at a haunted house. For the people who find joy out of being scared, Halloween was made for them.

“I absolutely love horror movies. I find them to be exciting and entertaining,” said Diana Bryan, member of Class of 2021.

According to the Washington Post, “Fear gives us a rush of hormones that make us faster and stronger. . . A hormone called epinephrine (which you probably know as adrenaline) is released to trigger these superpowers, and it can wind your body up so tightly for action that it makes you shake in your boots.”

Most studies on this topic talk about how many people in haunted houses usually scream and jump in the air because they are so afraid, but usually end up laughing because of their reactions.

Karlee Duda, Class of 2021 said, “I hate being scared. I could never go to a haunted house, especially knowing I was going to be scared.”

Most studies show it does not take much for a person to be scared. What causes people to be afraid, is when they are in situations that they cannot handle. The brain is unaware of the situation and does not know how to react.

If you are a person who tends to be afraid in scary situations, you can limit the power your brain has on you. Three easy things will help you deal with these situations.

Halloween Word Search

It’s pitch black outside. You’re running through the woods, not knowing what’s around the corner, and then everything around you goes silent. You hear a quiet groan coming from ahead as you squeeze your friend’s hand. You reluctantly keep walking. This is how we felt as we walked through the Trail of Terror at Field of Screams Maryland in Olney.

Field of Screams Maryland is rated the number one multi-haunt and Best Haunted House and Scream Park in Maryland, DC, Virginia, and Delaware by Steelhead Productions.

Tickets start at $25 varying in price depending on how many different trails the visitor chooses. Attractions include the Trail of Terror, the Haunted Trail, the Slaughter Factory, and the Hades Hayride.

Although it is recommended for 13 year olds and above, many children under that age attend.

“My friends and I went on the Trail of Terror and it was so scary.

We screamed the whole time. If I was 13 I still would have gone, but for someone who gets scared easily, it may not be the best idea to go,” said Class of 2020 member, Hannah Ratchford.

The website is a bloody, gory visual experience. When we first arrived, we didn’t see a spooky atmosphere. All we could see were campfires, photo booths, and food stands, but entering the waiting line at the edge of the woods, quickly changed our perspective.

Even though we bought tickets online, we had to wait in a 45-minute line for the passes. We arrived at 6:30 p.m. when the gates were supposed to open. Unfortunately, they didn’t really open until 6:45 p.m. We suggest arriving around 6:00 p.m. to get through the line as quickly as possible. We left at 8:00

p.m. and the line was much longer.

The wait to enter the Trail of Terror was only about 5 minutes. There was a man made up as a zombie who took our tickets and informed us about the rules and guidelines.

The trail itself consisted of clowns, men with chainsaws, insane asylum patients, distorted mazes, disorienting hallways, zombies, and many small haunted houses. In some of the mazes, there are strobe lights which can be very disorienting, and there are also pitch-black halls.

We won’t give any spoilers, but let’s just say that you might be spooked. Although the actors can be frightening, they cannot pur-

Grace Gaydosh and Julie Walker pose with a Field of Screams actor.

posely touch or grab the visitors.

They are also trained to help if the customers are having an anxiety attack or become overwhelmed.

We were not overwhelmed– scary but not too scared. We skipped the Slaughter Factory because it was indoors, which increased the scare factor.

Read more https://lhslance.org/uuyl4

Lancer Media Staff lhslance.org

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Editors in Chief Beau Cameron Emily Reed

Managing Editors Grace Gaydosh Tyler Roman Elizabeth Anderson Ethan Hart Lilly Player Lily Weaver

Cara Bond Carson Buck Alex Dembeck Haley Enders Emily DiPasquale Tabitha Moses William Quansah

Halloween Apple cider Candy

Ghost Pumpkin Trick or Treat

Bat Cornmaze Halloween

Scary Bones Spooky

Advisor

Mrs. Natalie Rebetsky

Editors Jason Byrd Christian Nolan Julie Walker Emily Webb Jacob Blue Sammie Hoefs CatieJo Tansey

Reporters

Peyton Johnson Kendall Martin Dana Kullgren Ryan Sheehy Emily Lotito Bailey Spore Andrew Lyon Maya Apau Rachel McCoy Erich Miller Ashley Nash Spencer Derrenberger Katie Roach Braden Weinel Josh Tidd

The views and advertisements in this newspaper do not necessarily represent the views of FCPS. We respect the rights of student journalists and the rights afforded to them by the First Amendment and Maryland law § 7-121, Education Article.