Outlook Oakton
Volume 45; Issue 3; November 23, 2010
Imperfect Perception
Examining Student Eating Disorders
feature
Profile of Senior Ashley Cho, a talented student artist.
news
Students and faculty initiate a new recycling program.
sports Injuries are affecting an greater amount of student athletes.
a&e Students experience the premiere of the seventh Harry Potter film.
better scores. better choices. PrepMatters. PSAT
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SAT
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ACT
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SUBJECT TESTS
individual test preparation & educational counseling
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AP
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SUBJECT TUTORING
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APPLICATIONS
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ESSAYS
Making the Grade
by Ned Johnson, Founder and President of PrepMatters, Inc
My favorite teacher in high school once told me that good students make good schools more than good schools make good students.
At the time, I wondered whether he was nuts. Was he that self-deprecating, that humble? Wasn’t it his job to make good students? Wasn’t my high school a terrific school because of people like Mr. Broverman? Well, Mr. Broverman was right: good students do make good schools. And that’s why grades matter. Granted, the relationship works the other way as well. Good colleges do make students better. But, fundamentally, what makes a great college great is not the sum total of ivy on the walls, the degrees and honors of its faculty and the billions of dollars in its endowment. It is the character and caliber of the student body. By and large, students are measured by grades. That’s why grades matter.
BETHESDA, MARYLAND 20814 301.951.0350
High school grades matter to college admissions folks because they know that students who do well in high school are likely to do well in college.
reflect your strong grades. You do NOT want to divert effort from grades such that (grades falling) the two meet in the middle. Determine – before senior year – which tests are right for you and when you should take them. Planning your testing calendar strategically can not only save time (and heartbreak), but also help you maintain your grades.
Now, grades may not be everything, but they are a lot. As the great philosopher Aristotle observed, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.” Your grades, then, are the record of what learn more tips you have done Register now for our Common day after day, Application Workshop or RSVP week after week, for a free seminar. year after year. They reflect Follow us on Facebook or homework, class Twitter for more tips and work, essays, important dates. quizzes and tests. take a test
So, for parents and for students, grades come first. SAT, ACT and other scores still matter. You’ll likely want to put in real work to perform well. BUT, don’t take on hours a week To schedule a free diagnostic of test As you continue ACT, SAT, or subject test, call preparation if into this critical 703-356-6390 or send an e-mail your grades will junior year and to frontdesk@prepmatters.com suffer. You can spend time retake the SAT; preparing to do you cannot undo a poor grade. well on the SAT, ACT or other Make it your habit to put grades standardized tests, remember that first. they are an act (granted, an important one). Your grades are Want Ned to answer YOUR question? your habit. You want to work to get E-mail frontdesk@prepmatters.com! good standardized test scores that
info@prepmatters.com www.prepmatters.com
McLEAN, VIRGINIA 22101 703.356.6390
table of contents
page 3, nov. 23, 2010
news Black Cultural Awareness Club Oakon students have initated a club focuses on black heritage, as well as raising black awareness throughout the school.
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feature Unconventional Thanksgivings While there are numerous pre-established Thanksgiving traditions, some individuals at Oakton celebrate the holiday in creative and unusual ways.
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in-depth On the cover: Eating Disorders Eatings disorders affect hundreds of thousands of Americans. Testimonials, statistics and specialist interviews explore such disorders and their effects on Oakton students. Photo illustration by Daniel Chait
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opinions In Memomoriam: Katie “Kt� Smith The Outlook reflects on one of its former staff members, Katie Smith, who passed away recently.
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sports Injuries and Concussions Injuries in high school and college level sports have increased greatly in recent years, with a recent statistic citing that 100 percent of college athletes have experienced some sort of sports-related injury.
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sports Eligibility and Grades Grades have become less important for high school sports eligibility, and debate over academics versus sports has surfaced.
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arts and entertainment Harry Potter Premiere
The highly anticipated installment in the Harry Potter film franshise, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallow: Part One, has taken the world by storm as a pop culture phenomenon.
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letter from the editors In memory of our dear friend, Katie Smith
Dear Kt,
We miss you greatly. You were one of the smartest, kindest and most hilarious people that we have ever had the honor of knowing. Your spirit could brighten any classroom or bad day. You always knew exactly what to say to turn tears into laughter. You made everything an adventure. Whether it be running around dressed as a deviled egg, screaming our lungs out as we drove under ‘Bunnyman Bridge’ or simply driving around for miles on end in the middle of nowhere, you always made the most of life and showed others how to do the same. We’re still trying to figure out how exactly you could find something in common with everyone you met and somehow start up a conversation which everyone wanted to be a part of. You had this way about you that just brought people together. We can’t even count on our hands all the different people you’ve introduced us to, most of whom eventually became our close friends. You could always identify what was most important for someone and somehow broach the most sensitive subjects without making it seem touchy or awkward. You were one of the elite few who could quickly and painlessly crop out a photo for newspaper or write a coherent case for debate on how ethanol is the downfall of mankind. Nobody would question you because you would talk so fast, yet make it sound so sensible. You had an intelligence that is so rare and you were willing to let others reap the benefits as well. Thanks for helping us out all those times in newspaper when we had no idea what we were doing. Sometimes we still don’t, but we try to pull it together, Kt-style. Because of you, we have all run out of space on our iPods. A mix-tape was all it took to become your best friend. You introduced us to everything from hardcore-rap to punk-rock to Irish classical. Vipin might still enjoy his T-Swift, but don’t worry, we’ll still subject him to the occasional Nightclub Fight Club song. But, don’t worry, we won’t tell anyone about your conversion to Lady Gaga. Your Mission exemplifies the person that you were. You truly believed that there was something special about everybody, and made a constant effort to discover those qualities that would often go overlooked. You encouraged everybody to talk to that quiet kid in their Spanish class, as you never know what could come from one small conversation. We promise you the mission will live on. We really hope that we showed you all the love that you showed us. You will always be remembered.
Love, Zoë, Kirin and Vipin
page 4, nov. 23, 2010
Outlook Staff Editors in Chief Kirin Gupta Zoë Mitchell Vipin Reddy News Editor Sports Editors Chris Papas Allie Berube Feature Editor Alex Buscemi Michelle Chu A&E Editors In-Depth Editor Lisa Baumgartner Allen Luethke Cole Neuffer Opinions Editors Copy Editors Nikki Clemons Shannon Ragan Dorothy Yen Online Editor Sarah Crain (Ast.) Koorosh Massoudi Business Manager Photo Editor Sarah Crain Daniel Chait Adviser Lauren Luna Staff Michelle LoRusso Melanie Aguilar Alex Belden Emma Mankin Camille May Erin Bennett Madlin Mekelburg Tim Collins Shyann Mirza Spencer Conley James Craig Cassandra Noda Michelle Oh Sofia Crutchfield Chris Peterkin Conner Dick Gabriella Driscoll Emma Pfeifer Chloe Pierce Lauren Embroski Christian Forbes Sonya Price Roxy Ghamgosarnia Andy Reed Kim Gibbons Shayda Shahbazi Rachita Singh Morgan Harwood Becky Singerman Caroline Hipwell Shayda Shahbazi Sarah Hong Anita Tadakamalla Nicole Jakstas Penelope Tangamu Callum Kelton Marilyn Yang Isabella Kidane Alexa Williams Christina Lee Jackson Lizardo Kate Zhukova Oliver Lopez-Gomez
Errors and Omissions Issue 1: Cover: photo by Daniel Chait. Page 5: News Briefs by Chris Papas. Page 6: panoramic photo by Daniel Chait, quotes compiled by Kirin Gupta and Chris Papas. Page 11: Jim DeMint Interview by Kirin Gupta, Awareness Event Story by Vipin Reddy. In this Issue News Briefs: Alex Belden, Erin Bennet, Nicole Jakstas, Christina Lee, Sonya Price. Page 12: photo (top) by Nina Stabile. Editorial Policy Letters to the editor may be may be sent via email to kirin.gupta@oaktonmedia.net or dropped off in Mrs. Luna’s box in the main office or in room 196. The Outlook reserves the right to edit submissions for grammar and content provided the meaning remains unchanged.
news in brief
page 05, Nov. 23, 2010
students take trip 1. Photo to Torpedo Factory
Photography 2 students attended the Torpedo Factory field trip to meet with professional photographers. The trip to Alexandria was on Nov. 8. They looked at photo galleries called “Multiple Visions.” “My Photo 2 class went because the AP students have already gone,” said photography teacher Alan Fischer. “It is the only gallery in Washington that exclusively shows photography.” The trip consisted of many things besides going to the Torpedo Factory. “We took the metro there,” Fischer said. “The students liked it because we walked down King Street where there is usually a Starbucks. After the factory we walked down to see the waterfront.” The trip gave students the chance to talk with professional photographers and see the work that they created.
Apply to 2. Students Virginia Governor’s School
Sophomores and juniors may now apply for VA Governor’s School; the interest meeting was held on Oct. 28. The processes for foreign language and performing arts programs are different from those of the other academies. For performing arts, applicants must audition, whereas for foreign language academies, applicants must write a timed essay and engage in a speaking task. Student activities include researching, going on field studies and learning in smaller groups. The programs help develop students’ career interests. If accepted, students will live for five weeks on a college or university campus. The school can only allow a select number of students to be admitted to these programs. In the applications, students must get nominations from various people, including teachers. Further considerations include awards, essays and extracurricular activities.
allie berube FBLA Students organize food drive athletes sign 3. Oakton 4. for Embry Rucker Shelter to universities Four Oakton seniors (pictured above) signed athletic letters of intent on Nov. 10 for the colleges they will attend in the fall. Basketball stars Zora Stephenson and Danielle Davis signed for Elon University and Central Connecticut State University, respectively. Baseball standouts Luke Willis and Chad Carroll signed for Coastal Carolina and James Madison, respectively.
The Month Ahead Nov. 25-28: No school, Thanksgiving break Dec. 2: Hanukkah begins Dec. 4: SAT Dec. 11: ACT Dec. 16: Ice and Lights
As a part of the holiday season, the Future Business Leaders of America club hosted a canned food drive for the good of the community. The drive ran up until Nov. 19 and canned goods collected were donated to the Embry Rucker Community Shelter. “As the Oakton chapter, we were trying to get something called the outstanding chapter recognition award that includes 12 different fundraising opportunities and projects throughout the year,” said President Yara Mowafy. “We chose a thanksgiving themed food drive to help out.” The main reason that FBLA members are fundraising is for the betterment of the community. Students spend time outside of
the class and club in order to show their support during this holiday season. “These canned food drives enable us to use our good will to help these people feel safer and have healthier lives,” said Virinchi Tadikonda, junior. Donations are accepted and encouraged schoolwide. Students have to drop goods off in one of the designated classrooms: rooms 132, 136, 175, 177 and 197. “We accept canned vegetables and fruit, canned tuna, peanut butter and most importantly, towels batteries and bottles,” Mowafy said. “They run out of these items the most because they don’t have that many of them donated.”
For more on these stories and others, go to
www.oaktonoutlook.com
this month in your words “ “ “
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I killed a man. For asking too many questions. Also. I’m pregnant. ray daniels, honest, unresponsive senior
HP7? What’s HP7? A computer? A disease?
Harry Potter 7, duh!
allen & becky (srs.), dedicated harry potter fanatics
This month I have become anti-establishment. Anything to destroy the establishment. For example, when they call for lunch to end today, I won’t get up. I won’t, because the establishment wants
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me to. I just read 1984; all about rebellion.
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This month I took my son for his first ER visit He bumped his head and he was hurt. He was thrilled to get his first CT scan. And he was fine. I should have realized ...he’s two. They fall. They bump their heads. It’s what they do.
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andy gross, evidently conformist senior
mr. lucus, mildly overprotective father
kirin gupta
page 6 outlook news nov. 23, 2010
closure, we held an Egyptian-style burial. We buried her in a big ceremony, and placed some catfood, her favorite toys and some small change in her tomb - so she would be taken care of in the afterlife. As soon as we finish, they ask, “Can we get a new cat now?” Closure attained fast.
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Our cat died. To help my 7 and 9 year old with
mr. macnabb, undeniably hilarious and historic
OSSAGA members help implement new recycling program
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bout 80 percent of what Americans throw away is recyclable, yet our recycling rate is only 28 percent. Statistics as shocking as this have lead to students such as Amanda Wright, senior, helping to initiate a paper recycling program in the school, made effective Oct. 27. “We’re just trying to spread awareness about the importance of recycling in our community and how easy it really is to do,” Wright said. Alongside Wright, leading this new system is Shannon Hees, senior. When asked about the goals of the project, Hees responded enthusiastically. “We’re really hoping to make it so we all consciously take notice of the different bins in the school and use them for what they were meant to do,” Hees said. Though the program was inspired by students, it was with the help of certain teachers that it was allowed to become a reality. U.S. History teacher Donald Clarke was generous enough to lend his aid. Clarke wishes to bring awareness as well. “My co-sponsors of OSSAGA [Oakton Students Serving Against Global Abuse], Ms. Musgrove and Mr. Faubert, have put together a
brief powerpoint that hopefully some teachers will show their classes as well,” Clarke said. The true question is how effective the new system will prove to be and whether or not students will take the time out of their day to put the system to good use. Some have faith in the program. “I think people probably will if they tell everyone they are actually recycling,” said Roshan Rad, junior. As Rad stated, the main concern is whether the students are knowledgeable of the bins. For example, students such as Kevin Sol, senior, were unaware of their existence. “Hold up, I never knew we had a new program in the first place!” Sol said. Clearly spreading the word about the system will directly affect its success. “We’re trying to reach out in all the conventional ways: posters, cougar news segments, through the Outlook,” said Hees. “But we know it’s going to be most effective with the support of the staff and word-of-mouth to get the message out to emma mankin every individual.”
staff writer
Growing BCA club promotes African-American heritage
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lack Cultural Awareness even elected officers yet,” Harris said. (BCA) is a small club that “There are only two or three students many have not heard about. that attend on a regular basis.” With only fourteen members, many The club members have tried to of whom do not attend regularly, advertise by putting up flyers, promotBCA isn’t extremely popular, but ing the club and sending out e-mails, but stands strong for a good cause. The nothing has seemed to work. “Students club was created to promote an just can’t find the time, or may have appreciation of African-American sports after school,” Tate suggested. heritage and their social and cultural Many of the members think that the contributions to society. lack of interest may be due to the large tim collins number of clubs hosted on Wednesday. “There is so much to be discovered, so much to be shared,” said Students may be conflicted on which Students Breana and Gabbey Tate speak with club sponsor Gloria Harris. “African- sponsor Gloria Harris during a Black Cultural club to go to, and may end up choosing American culture has had such a great Awareness meeting. another. influence on America. The club is not New members are crucial to the just for students of African heritage; we need more students of all improvement of BCA. Harris has a lot planned for the group, types to join BCA.” but doesn’t believe that they should begin with only two or three Students who regularly attend the club joined for different members. “More members are necessary to share the load and reasons. “I wanted to get involved in a club, and BCA seemed responsibility of conducting a club,” she said. “Last year, we had interesting to me,” said Breana Tate, freshman, an active member social events, went bowling and went to museums. This year, I of BCA. “I hope BCA will help me learn about my culture and hope to take the students to the movie Colored Girls, but the group heritage.” has not formulated yet.” Harris also wants Although BCA has been helpful to its members, the club to set up meetings with speakers who will shinar Jain journalism student doesn’t have many. “BCA is still in a forming process, we haven’t talk about African culture. page 7 outlook news nov. 23, 2010
Students attend field trip to the Baltimore Aquarium
Oceanography and AP Environmental Science classes visited the Balitmore Aquarium on a joint field trip to relate classroom lessons to real-life animals in sea-life exhibits
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ceanography There were lights that the and AP jellyfish would capture and Environmental reflect.” Science classes attended a The four-dimensional field trip to the Baltimore immersion theater was Aquarium on Nov. 8 available for students. to experience real-life In the theater, students interactions with aquatic watched Planet Earth. animals. Students also had the The purpose of this field opportunity to watch the trip was to allow students to dolphin show. relate what they learned in “I was expecting [the class to actual exhibits in the dolphin show] to be better museum. because I was expecting “[My classes] get a more athletic tricks,” said zoë mitchell Erin Holden, senior. lot of practical labs in Face pressed on the water tank, senior Jeffrey Abed tries to have a Oceanography, but it’s Students could explore hard to get hands-on labs, closer look. The Oceanography and AP Environmental Science classes coral reefs, experience because we don’t live by an were free to roam the aquarium during their field trip. “I thought the a tropical rain forest ocean,” said Ryan Faubert, saltwater exhibit showcased beautiful underwater life,” Abed said. environment and see life in AP Environmental and Oceanography teacher. the Chesapeake Bay Explorations. Students viewed different animal exhibits and saw animals “[The field trip] was a great chance to see all exhibits. Students varying from sea turtles to jellyfishes. were able to experience Marine Biology,” michelle oh “Jellyfishes in general can be really boring [to look at],” said Faubert said. “What we learned in class, the staff writer Kit Mahoney, senior, “but the way it was set up was really cool. students saw in real life.”
Oakton hits the mall to hear comedians’ plea for sanity Students and fans of Comedy Central satirists join crowd 215,000 strong to hear message
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ashington went a bit funny on Oct. 30, as comedian Jon Stewart and his cohort Stephen Colbert took over the National Mall for their “Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear”. Several Oakton students joined the enormous crowd that stormed the Mall. The rally was remarkable for its blend of satire and gravity, bringing a raucous atmosphere to a mock political event. “Everyone was excited to be there,” said Zak Goldberger, senior. “Everybody was having fun. It was kind of like a party.” “It was hilarious,” said fellow senior Rachel Schwartz. “You had people with the funniest signs. We came and there was this guy with a beard that had a “Beards are for chris papas love” sign, and immediately afterwards there Seniors Rachel Schwartz and Zak was a guy with a “Beards are evil” sign, and Goldberger hold their sign at the “Rally they had a mini fight, and it was hilarious.” to Restore Sanity.” The rally drew “[The people around us] were awesome,” 215,000 attendees. said junior Olivia Meyer. “I wanted to be page 8 outlook news nov. 23, 2010
everybody’s best friend.” Schwartz and her group brought their own sign to the rally, answering a call that Stewart had issued on his program on Comedy Central. “Our sign was saying that we were insane to get up so early on a non-school day to see [the rally]. We got a lot of comments and a lot of pictures taken of it.” The tone of the rally turned serious towards the end, as Stewart delivered his keynote speech, saying, “We can have animus, and not be enemies.” The message rang true with many members of the audience, including Goldberger. “It was the most inspiring thing I’ve ever listened to,” Goldberger said. “I identified with it because it agreed with my political viewpoints. I’m really anti-insanity when it comes to that kind of chris papas stuff.”
news editor
feature
page 12, nov. 23 2010
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Oakton’s own Michelangelo
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photo courtesy of Ashley Cho
photo courtesy of Ashley Cho
shley Cho, senior, had the experience of a lifetime this summer when she was accepted to attend the Pre-College Studio Residency Program in Tuscany, Italy through the Maryland Institute College of Art. “It was like applying to college,” Cho said. “You had to fill out an application, write an essay, send a portfolio and get a teacher recommendation.” The program focused on landscape paintings. If the students’ understanding of the subject was not deemed high enough, the instructors would provide guidance and assistance. But despite its prestigious aura, Cho found the overall daniel chait environment of the program to be surprisingly relaxed and open “I don’t like to make things realistic, I like ended. to add my own spin to them,” Cho said. “We would paint all morning, mostly landscapes,” Cho said. “Then in the afternoon we had a lot of free time. We sometimes went to Florence, went swimming and had open studio time.” All the other applicants that were there were from the same area, and all held the same interests, so getting along with people and making friends wasn’t a problem. “There were about 21 other students there, mostly from Baltimore,” Cho said. “I still keep in touch with some of the people I met there, and we hang out sometimes.” The program not only supplied an in depth look at landscapes and different paint mediums, but it supplied Cho with essential tools for her future. “I learned a lot about myself and art,” Cho said. madlin mekelburg “Now I’m planning to apply to art school, and I staff writer hope I get in. We’ll see what happens from there.”
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1. “We had to do a final, large scale piece. Mine is about six feet tall,” Cho said. “This one was the most fun to do, because I got to change the colors around.” 2. “At one point we had to do nighttime paintings,” Cho said. “It was hard to do at first because you couldn’t see the colors you were using, that’s why the sky turned out green at first. But once you got used to doing it in the dark, you could just paint.”
Student volunteers at homeless shelter on Thanksgiving Day
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ost students’ Thanksgivings are spent crowded around the kitchen waiting for the most anticipated meal of the year. However, while these students are busy cooking and watching football, sophomore Stephen Kralick is volunteering to help others in need. “I [volunteer] at a homeless shelter, and it was originally my sister’s idea,” Kralick said. “Now she’s in college, but I enjoyed it so much that I kept going.” This Thanksgiving, Kralick will be volunteering at the Katherine K. Hanley Shelter by setting up activities for kids, while the parents are given time to do everything from going to meetings to shopping for gifts. “We provide a large Thanksgiving dinner for the families who stay with us over the holidays,”said John Callahan, community coordinator . “But the main push is for toys, gifts and clothes for each of the kids.” Volunteers will prepare food in the shelter’s full service kitchen and plan “shopping trips” for the parents. “It’s a great program, because while we take care of the kids it gives the parents time to find a job, while the kids are still having fun,” Kralick said. “A few of the kids come Want to help? back just beEmail John Callahan: cause they really john.callahan@shelterhouse.org enjoyed their time here.”
Steven Kralick participates in activities with the children at the Katherine K. Hanley Shelter during the Thanksgiving holiday break. “It’s a great program, because while we take care of the kids it gives the parents time to find a job, while the kids are still having fun,” Kralick said. The volunteers will set up for the Thanksgiving festivities by preparing the food and arranging for the parents to participate in shopping nights on the days leading up to the holiday. “It is very nurturing, and there are many kind people who work here and help these people who are in need of a place to stay,” Kralick said. “They have a lot of care for the people, and many of the people seemed erin bennett staff writer happy despite their situation.”
Oakton student walks in annual Macy’s Day Parade
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s November comes to an end, everyone is excited for with M&M corporate.” Thanksgiving and of course the Macy’s ThanksAn estimated 3.5 million people head to New York to giving Day Parade, an annual festival held attend the parade, and over 50 million watch it on TV. in New York City. Senior Esther Workman has “No one realizes how many people are there some fond memories of the 2008 parade, in unless you’re actually there,” Workman said. “It which she got to take part. was really cool to walk Broadway with millions “I was walking with the M&M’s float with of people.” Idina Menzel, throwing out M&M’s,” WorkOther performers in 2008 included Krisman said. tin Chenoweth, Darius Rucker, James Idina Menzel is a singer and acTaylor, Charice Pempengco, Miranda tress, known for her roles in the Cosgrove, Miley Cyrus, David musicals Rent and Wicked. She is Archuleta, The Clique Girlz and also known for her brief role as Rick Astley. Shelby Corcoran, character Rachel Appearing in the 2010 Macy’s Berry’s biological mother, in the first Day Parade will be Kanye West, Jessiseason of the hit TV show, Glee. ca Simpson, Miranda Cosgrove, America’s photo taken from the official website “I didn’t meet her personally,” said Got Talent winner Michael Grimm, Keri Workman, “but I got close.” Hilson, Eric Hutchinson, Miss USA 2010 Rima Fakih, Joan Rivers, The opportunity to be in the Macy’s Day Parade is a rare and the cast of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, the Muppets of Sesame extraordinary one, usually limited to celebrities, performers and Street cast and the Big Apple Circus cast, among others. some fortunate high school marching bands. sofia crutchfield “It was because of my dad’s job,” Workman said. “He works
staff writer
page 10 outlook feature nov. 23, 2010
EXTREME SLEEPERZZ Caitlin Weirick, senior, and Hannah Berlin, junior, deal with more than just hectic schedules during the course of the school year. The two girls must find a way to cope with abnormal sleeping habits.
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Berlin, however, feels differently about her unusual sleeping habits. Though she does not have a diagnosed sleeping disorder, Berlin suffers from extreme cases of sleepwalking, texting in her sleep, and even eating in her sleep. “[My sleeping habits] make me feel really disoriented and confused, but now it’s kind of what I’m known for,” Berlin
Both Berlin and Weirick, who have suffered from their sleeping disorders since middle and elementary school, respectively, have tried to lessen the impact of their sleeping disorders by visiting doctors. “I’ve been to a neurologist and did a sleep trial where I was told to go to bed and wake up at the same time for two weeks,” Weirick said. “It didn’t change anything though, and it only made me more stressed; so I’m planning on participating in a sleep study where they’ll hook me up to a machine for a night and a day and watch my brain activity.” Weirick is hopeful that this sleep study will improve her sleeping habits and will help her be able to sleep naturally. “My doctor prescribed Melatonin, a natural sleeping supplement, to help me fall asleep, but lately I’ve been staying awake through my medication,” Weirick said. “I really want the sleep study to work, but I don’t know what they’ll do with the results. My goal is that I’m eventually able to sleep without the help of Melatonin.” In Berlin’s case, however, it seems as though she will always live with her extreme sleeping habit. “I’ve been to a doctor, but he basically said that I have to suck it up and live with it,” Berlin said. “It’s not really a diagnosed problem, so there’s not really anything that I can do to fix it.”
[My sleeping habits] make me feel really disoriented and confused, but now it’s kind of what I’m known for. hannah berlin, 11 said. “People are usually surprised or skeptical at first, but then they tease and make fun of me. It also keeps people entertained on long bus rides.”
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ith Thanksgiving fast approaching, Oakton students have only two things on their minds: food and that lovely turkeyand-pumpkin-pie induced coma where you sleep off the calories well into the afternoon. The holidays offer us time to catch up on much needed “Z’s” that we go without during the school week. Yet, for junior Hannah Berlin and senior Caitlin Weirick, sleep may not be as restful this Thanksgiving break. For example, it would not be out of the question for Berlin to wake up in a bathtub on Thanksgiving morning. “I’ve done it before,” Berlin said. “I always wake up in crazy places in crazy positions I didn’t think were possible to get into when I was awake.” And though Weirick has never woken up in a bathtub before, while the rest of us are sleeping in until noon Thanksgiving morning, she will probably be suffering from another sleepless night. Weirick and Berlin have very different sleeping disorders, but both affect their lives significantly. “I have narcolepsy,” Weirick said. “It’s when you’re not able to go into a deep sleep. I usually sleep from three to seven hours a night, but they’re not restful. I wake up as tired as I was before I went to sleep.” Weirick’s narcolepsy has taken the biggest toll on her academics and mental health. “It’s stressful because I’m useless even though I’m awake [most of the night],” Weirick said. “I can’t do any homework or anything productive because I’m so tired all of the time.”
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How much sleep do you get per night?
Poll taken from sampling of Oakton Students
morgan harwood staff writer page 11 outlook feature nov. 23, 2010
Online curriculum becomes a substitute for school Junior Sarah Kosar switches from classes at Oakton to online courses
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shannon ragan Kosar works on her classwork outside a Starbucks. She’s looking into getting an internship with a friend of her mother’s who is a movie producer, so it’s helpful that she can take her classes anywhere.
might be a little more personal,” Kosar said, “but [the instructors] are just as helpful [online]. We submit assignments and homework to them, and we can also live chat with them.” Kosar’s family has been supportive of her decision to switch. “They feel good about [my decision] because I’m a lot happier.”
Public school takes up so much time; I felt like I was wasting time. sarah kosar, 11
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o matter what their opinion of school or their grade may be, most students share one complaint-- school takes up too much time. With nearly eight hours of school a day and hours of homework, it’s difficult for students to find time for other activities. Junior Sarah Kosar solved this problem by switching into online classes with Forest Trail Academy. “It takes such a long time in public schools to finish out the year. I can go at my own pace online,” Kosar said. “[One] Sunday, I was thinking about all the things I had to do for school the next day. I just thought, ‘I can’t do this anymore.’” Although these online classes will give Kosar a more flexible schedule and more free time, her motivation to succeed has not dropped. “I think I’m motivated more,” Kosar said. “The work distracted me from the classes themselves. Public school takes up so much time; I felt like I was wasting time.” Online classes vary from classes at a high school in several ways. Courses must be completed in no fewer than two months and no more than a year. “I’m still getting used to them,” Kosar said. The student-teacher relationships and interaction offered with online classes also differ from those of normal high schools. “In regular school, it
shannon ragan copy editor
Balancing act: Students juggle part-time jobs As of November 2009 in the United States, the Virginia unemployment rate rose from 6.7 percent to 7.2 percent, leaving approximately 11.1 million workers unemployed. Of the 143.1 million employed, 1.6 million of them are high school students. It is generally assumed that American teenagers spend most of their time doing school work, extracurricular activities and enhancing their social life, but we’re forgetting the fraction of students who also have work on their shoulders. According to a 2005 study done by the University of Washington, more than 70 percent of the employed students have what are considered classic teenage jobs. Junior Amanda Labb is a part time worker at Skatequest of Reston, an indoor ice rink. “I started working, for pay, during winter break of 8th grade,” says Labb. “I started working because I felt like I had to. I couldn’t spend summer time just doing nothing at home.” Her jobs vary from a front desk lady to an assistant skating teacher, dependpage 12 outlook feature nov. 23, 2010
ing on the time of year. “[In] the summer… [I’m] a camp counselor for the Summer Fun Camp, and during the school year, I help kids learn to skate.” Labb said. Labb doesn’t plan on working until graduation, but she’s glad that she was able to make her own money, which prepared her for the real world. “[Working] has helped me with time management, being a leader, and helping work toward being independent.” Labb admits that balancing work with school is frustrating. But like most things in life, there is an upside to working. “Work also gave me another social life; a bunch of the counselors got really close and we’d go bowling after work,” said Labb. “[I also loved] helping the little kids [to] see them years later when their skating has improved dramatically.” christina lee
staff writer
Students contribute recipes for Thanksgiving favorites Sweet Potatoes with Marshmallows
Rich Chocolate Pecan Pie by: Henry Flores,
by: Abby Glauberman, junior Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups pecans 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips 1 unbaked 9-inch pie shell 4 eggs, beaten 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 cup light brown sugar 1/2 cup corn syrup 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 pinch of salt Caramel sauce, for garnish Directions: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F In a mixing bowl, whisk the remaining ingredients together. Pour the filling over the pecans. Bake until the filling sets, 50 to 60 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool for 30 minutes before slicing. Cut into individual servings and serve with a drizzle of caramel sauce, and sprinkle with confectioner’s sugar.
Ingredients: 4 pounds sweet potatoes, quartered 1 1/4 cups margarine 1 1/4 cups brown sugar 3 cups miniature marshmallows, divided ground cinnamon to taste ground nutmeg Directions: Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish. Get a large pot of water boiling. Add potatoes and boil for about 15 minutes. Drain, cool and peel. In a large saucepan over medium heat, add the remaining ingredients, except marshmallows. Stir potatoes into marshmallow sauce. While stirring, mash half of the potatoes, break the others into bitesized chunks. Transfer to prepared dish. Bake in oven for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and cover top evenly with remaining marshmallows. Return to oven and bake until lauren embroski caroline hipwell marshmallows are golden staff writers brown.
if you want a yearbook for only $66...
You have until Dec. 31, 2010 Buy one now or pay more later www.yearbookordercenter.com
order #4770 page 13 outlook feature nov. 23, 2010
indepth
page 14, , 2010
A question of control One person’s ongoing struggle with anorexia
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t was something I could control,” said Shannon Lee. “I felt like I had no control over my family or my friends – anything really. But you can control what goes into your body; you can control how you look. Does that make sense?” Lee, who has experienced recurring bouts of anorexia, first noticed she had a problem in 2009 while away from home in an environment that granted her the reprieve to examine her self, removing her from the concerns of her perceived inability to control her family and social life. “That summer, when I was away, I noticed it was comforting for me,” Lee said. “I thought ‘Wow, that’s not right’.” However, even though Lee recognized the problem, she continued to deny herself food. “It was to the point where I was getting really sick, but I would rather have not eaten than eaten,” Lee said. “I remember telling one of my friends (while away) about it, and she told me I have an eating disorder. That was the moment I realized it was an issue.” Lee recounts her lowest point, which she also experienced while away from home. “I had told a friend, who sort of made me tell a counselor. I just remember thinking ‘This isn’t the appropriate time, this isn’t the appropriate place’, but she made me tell him. And then he called my parents without me there and said he had diagnosed me. So I was away from home, and all of a sudden, on top of everything else, I was worried that my parents were freaking out. I just remember thinking that things were even more out of control now,” Lee said. Being away from home in an environment that’s very close knit, an environment where one’s business became everybody else’s business, caused things to become, in the words of Lee, “chaotic.” “I remember I didn’t want people to treat me differently or people to be nice. I remember that everyone – well, not everyone – but the counselors and some people knew, and
every time there was a meal it was really awkward,” Lee said. “I felt like they were all looking at me. I didn’t want attention drawn to myself; I didn’t want anyone’s pity or to be treated differently. I didn’t want them to know because people act stupid when they know things.” This trip away from home did not close the book on Lee eating disorder; it was merely the beginning of a difficult journey that continued once she got home. “There was a point where I was pretty much not eating at all. I remember I used to just drink like six cups of coffee a day and not eat any food. My blood sugar would get super low, and I had all these medical issues,” Lee said, “and at the same time I was trying to do sports. It just wasn’t working – I wasn’t sleeping, I wasn’t eating, I was just really unhealthy and trying to do way too much. It was just exhaustion.” Despite the hardships faced by Lee, she has never viewed her recurring disorder as a sign of weakness. “I never really went to anybody else about it,” Lee said. “I’ve always been able to handle it on my own, so I consider that a step up from being helpless. I’m always able to pull myself up out of it. Sometimes it’s just like ‘okay, enough’.” Though Lee’s first noted encounter with anorexia was in the summer of 2009, her struggle began close to a year before, a period when she was down to an astonishingly low 100 lbs. “During sports of that year (2008), I was eating very little. Like, I started to get worried because I was hearing that if you didn’t eat at all you could actually gain weight. I started being really freaked out about what I was eating. Your body goes into starvation mode, and you start storing fat,” Lee said. “I would look at the other girls on my team and wonder why I wasn’t performing as well as them. And then I looked again and it was like ‘wow, they’re all twigs, maybe that’s why’.” However, not eating hurt her performance rather than improved it. “I was terrible,” Lee said, “everyone was just looking at me like ‘wow, she *Alias has been used to assure the source remains anonymous All photo illustrations are of models not related to the story, taken by Daniel Chait
The way I see it, it’s never gone. It comes back, it always comes back. You’re never done with it. shannon lee
“
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sucks’. I wanted to tell people, but I didn’t.” Anorexia took its toll quickly, and the physical signs of degradation made themselves apparent even out of the realm of sports. “I remember my vision was always blurry,” Lee said, “going up the stairs I would be out of breath.” Despite the obvious deterioration, Lee continued to push the limits of her body. “I was doing everything, and I was doing everything right,” Lee said. “I wasn’t doing anything half way – I was a perfectionist. I was pushing myself way too hard. When I think about that year though, I really don’t think about that – it wasn’t out of the ordinary to me. It’s not what defined that year for me, even though it probably should be. It didn’t seem abnormal for me.” That first year with the disorder passed by in a blur for Lee, and the next year came all too quickly, bringing with it new challenges. “My boyfriend at the time used to make comments – point at my legs or point at my thighs if I had them crossed and giggle and be like ‘Oh, what happened there?’ Those comments really upset me – comments like that set you back more than people know,” Lee said. However, it’s not the comments that were the cause of Lee’s anorexia, or any external root for that matter. “The way I always justify it in my head is that things would be so much easier if I was thinner,” Lee said. “If I like didn’t have to worry about squeezing into my jeans. If only I was really thin, things would be easier. It’s weird to talk about out loud – it’s not rational. And I know it; I know that.” Despite headway made on the disorder, Lee remains skeptical of her ability to kick the habit. “The way I see it, it’s never gone. It comes back, it always comes back. You’re never done with it,” Lee said. “It’s a state of mind, and once you go there, you’re there. Whether some psychiatrist tells you it’s okay allen luethke or not, it’s always becky singerman there.”
indepth co-editors
by the numbers Only 30-40% of anorexixs ever recover 1 in 200 American women suffers from anorexia 42% of 1st to 3rd grade girls want to be thinner 95% of those who have eating disorders are between the ages of 12 and 25 Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness Only 30-40% of anorexics ever recover 2 in 3 American women suffer from bulimia 81% of 10 year old girls are afraid of being fat 51% of 9 and 10 year old girls feel better about themselves if they are on a diet
page 15 outlook a&e nov. 23, 2010
A glass that’s always half empty The pressures of teen life have forced an Oakton student into the grip of multiple eating disorders
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lthough eating disorders seem to only to be prevalent in the high-pressure world of Hollywood, students in our own hallways are under equal demands to look and behave a certain way. Jane Smith*, junior, confirms this theory though her account of overcoming one of the most common eating disorders, bulimia nervosa. This illness commonly known as bulimia can be caused by a large array of reasons. For Smith, it was her strong desire to succeed. “I was extremely involved with ballet, and all the girls around me seemed so much smaller,” Smith said. “These girls’ dancing appeared effortless. I wanted that. I wanted to dance effortlessly.” Smith’s anxiety about her weight was not simply triggered by her need to excel in dance. Her subconscious distress over being “fat” could be traced to persistent bullying suffered at an earlier age. “In middle school, one boy relentlessly teased me, calling me fat,” mitch dollard Smith said. “Eventually, it got to the point where it was registered in my head that I was truly overweight.” As she got older, Smith took the precautions that she felt were necessary to control her size. “Every single morsel of food immediately became a part of my calorie count,” Smith said. “I began drinking excessive amounts of water rather than eating, and I increased exercise as a whole.” Varying from extreme fatigue to psychological grief, Smith faced painful consequences of this new lifestyle. “Mentally, I hated myself for how I looked and how much [my desire to be thin] took over,” Smith remembers. “When I wasn’t worrying about falling page 16 outlook indepth nov. 23, 2010
asleep due to my lack of energy, I was constantly obsessing over what I looked like. I just didn’t feel good in my own skin.” Worrying that others would catch onto her pattern of undernourishment, Smith turned to a new strategy that would be less conspicuous to family and peers. “I was pretty worried my mom would judge me,” Smith confesses. “Therefore, I turned to bulimia , binge-eating and then, minutes later, vomiting everything out. It felt satisfying, as though it was working instantaneously.” Despite her efforts to disguise her sudden weight loss, her family began to take notice. “I had lost weight exceptionally fast,” Smith recalls. “In about five months, I had lost around 35 pounds, making me pretty underweight. My mom caught on soon enough and took me to the doctor for help committing to a healthier lifestyle.” Although ungrateful and angry toward her mom’s efforts at the time, Smith now expresses gratitude for the interference of her hazardous decisions. “Being yourself is enough,” Smith assures. “I wish I had someone to tell me that earlier in my life, or that my mom had taken notice quicker, because that just might have saved me from months of feeling disgusted with my appearance and truly hating myself. Although it was hard for me to grasp, you should love who you are despite what you think society expects you to be. No one in the world is like you, and that’s something to feel special about.” *Alias has been used to assure the source remains anonymous
michelle lorusso staff writer
by the numbers Nearly one-half of all Americans personally know someone with an eating disorder The mortality rate associated with anorexia nervosa is 12 times higher than the death rate of all causes of death for females 15–24 years old 20 percent of people suffering from anorexia will prematurely die from complications related to their eating disorder, including suicide and heart problems 80 percent of 13-year-olds have attempted to lose weight The cost of outpatient treatment, including therapy and medical monitoring, can extend to 100,000 dollars or more
A Broader Look An interview with a school psychology teacher about eating disorders
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veryone is insecure. Behind all the make-up and muscles, self doubt weighs down on every teenager’s mind. Magazine models and actors have teenagers comparing themselves to an illusion of perfection, and for some, the pressure is too great. One or two out of every 100 students struggles with an eating disorder. Students with disorders such as bulimia and anorexia fear weight gain and often have a distorted body image. This goes beyond the playful ‘does this make me look fat?’ Teens with eating disorders truly believe they are overweight. Students with disorders don’t just deal with anorexia. Some binge-eat, then get rid of the food later through forced-vomiting, laxatives or even excessive exercise. Eating disorders are most common among female teenagers. Research shows that 95 percent of people
with eating disorders are girls between the ages of 12 and 25. People with eating disorders rarely receive the help they need. In fact, only one in ten people get treated for their eating disorder. If not treated, disorders can lead to serious health issues and even death. Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any disorder. With all the peer and social pressures of our decade, eating disorders demand serious attention. Although students may not realize it, many people are affected by eating disorders. Here is an interview with an expert, Sue Anna Clark. Ms. Clark, a Psychology teacher, shows students how chris peterkin eating disorders daniel chait gabriela driscoll affect teens.
Q: How are you involved specifically with the topic?
vulnerability to addictiveness and different metabolisms, and nurture, with self-image and motivation. The eating disorders often result from a feeling of having no control over one’s life and so the person controls eating.
A: It is part of the curriculum I teach, so I have learned about eating disorders through my course. Personally, I have been involved with eating disorders through research and students who have self-identified themselves.
Q: What are the similarities and differences between different eating disorders? A: Psychologically, all eating disorders are a type of addiction. The addiction varies between different eating disorders, however; for example obesity is an addiction to indulging whereas anorexia may be an addiction to self-image.
Q: How are eating disorders diagnosed? A: They are often made as a primary diagnosis after secondary diagnoses of anxiety and/or depression appear. The person with the eating disorder usually tries to conceal it or deny it, but then it comes out in crisis or hospitalization. They are sometimes self-diagnosed as well.
staff writers
Q: How are they cured/treated? A: Doctors often start with medication for anxiety or depression. Then behavior medication takes place. When hospitalization occurs they usually do a 3-pronged attack of treatment, therapy and behavior modification. A nutritionist is frequently recommended as well.
Q: How can they be prevented? A: Education. Parents need to teach their kids how and why we eat. People need to be taught that all shapes and sizes are acceptable.
courtesy of google products
One in 200 American women suffers from Anorexia Approximately 8 million Americans have an eating disorder – seven million women and one million men Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness 50 percent of girls between the ages of 11 and 13 see themselves as overweight Only 1 in 10 people with eating disorders receive treatment Anorexia is the third most common chronic illness among adolescents 40 percent of newly identified cases of anorexia are in girls 15-19 years old Most fashion models are thinner than 98 percent of American women
Q: What causes eating disorders? A: There is no one theory. It’s a combination of nature, with
by the numbers
chris peterkin page 17 outlook indepth nov. 23, 2010
opinions
page 18, nov. 23, 2010
In loving memory of Katie “KT” Smith
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hen most students arrived at school on Nov. 11, 2010, they assumed it was a normal day. People were chatting with friends, walking to class and raising the usual ruckus that makes up high school. But on that day, there was something amiss. Occasionally, a student would walk by, riddled with tears, hugging friends equally distraught. It had been confirmed that 2010 Oakton alumni Katie “KT” Smith had passed away. Smith was an active, brilliant member of the Oakton community; co-founder of the Debate Club, Feature/A&E Editor of the Oakton Outlook, Technical Editor of the Opus Literary Magazine, head of costumes for Oakton Theatre, National Merit finalist and well-loved friend to many. After graduating from Oakton in 2010, Smith attended George Mason University for a semester. With recognizable catch phrases— from “Ruh roh!” when something went wrong to “Life is a very strange bird, indeed!”— Smith was an individual. The word first spread through text messages, moved to phone calls and inevitably spread across Facebook on Nov. 10. Smith’s Facebook wall was covered in genuine and heart-broken goodbyes and letters. Students and teachers alike were devastated at the loss. Sidney Dillon, AP Literature teacher and Smith’s former instructor, was a person particularly affected by Smith’s death. “I will sorely miss Katie’s brilliance mixed with a wry sense of humor; but most of all, I will miss her impromptu visits to my classroom. I would look up from grading to see her seated across from me; and of course, I had to put down my pen and chat. Her care is abundantly clear when reading the numerous posts on Facebook. Katie truly embodied the quote from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, ‘A heart is not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others.’ (L. Frank Baum)” Smith’s passing came as a shock to us all. To hear a fellow student— who was not only well-loved, but also very relatable— met an early end was something no one expected and everyone dreaded. The school responded appropriately, setting up crisis centers and professional grief counselors so students knew they had support. Friends were there for friends, students for teachers (and vice versa), offering a comforting and understanding shoulder to cry on. In the face of tragedy, the school was undeniably united. As Chad Rummel, former newspaper and yearbook adviser said, “Without KT in our lives, we have a big mission; we must all continue to carry forward KT’s love of her friends and non-judgmental yasmina karrakchou love of people. Take the time to tell those who you are close to that they mean something to you...and then take a minute to get to know a stranger.”
courtesy of google products page 18 outlook opinions nov. 23, 2010
The Outlook and Opus thank KT for all her contributions.
Letter to the Editors: Mixed Martial Arts
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read your article on mixed sam martial arts and how it murphy is a barbaric sport that must be stopped. I am a mixed oakton student martial artist, and this sport instills moral and teaches discipline. This article was obviously lacking any in-depth research of the sport and is insulting not only MMA fighters but Jiu Jitsu students and kick boxers as well. Mixed martial arts uses multiple fighting styles combined into one. It is anything but two untrained men attacking each other. It requires a huge amount of tactic and skill just as much as boxing. In fact, one fourth of MMA is boxing. You have to have experienced an MMA fight first hand in order to judge it like this. When you compare it to boxing, I don’t know how you think they are so different. The main objective in both is to knock the other guy out or to score as many points as possible. Both of these sports are violent, yes, but mankind’s “blood lust” is not increasing or decreasing because of this sport. Humans have always been violent and have always enjoyed violence. Videogames like Call of Duty and Grand Theft Auto are being played every day and are enjoyed by millions. There are things in those games ten times more violent than this sport. Movies such as Saving Private Ryan and even Lord of the Rings are incredibly more violent than this sport. Humans will always be violent, and there is no changing that. Why do you think this sport and boxing are so popular? To say that MMA is not an art just shows how ill-informed this article is. Between all of the Jiu Jitsu positions and when you’re standing up looking to plant your punches, kicks and take downs, the way you go about it is where the art is. You develop a style and specialize in certain things. MMA is a mentally tactical sport that requires skill, strength, stamina and experience. My suggestion is the author should sit down and interview an MMA fighter instead of judging it with the little knowledge he knows about this art form.
Differences in traditions can cause disputing ideas camille may staff writer
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oliday traditions can be very exciting. They invoke a kindred spirit within a community and remind us to be selfless and generous to those we usually overlook. People are usually more agreeable during holidays, and sales and store displays can be enticing. Perhaps they are a happy time for those who look forward to them, but these traditions can be harmful to those who don’t participate. Some people reunite with family and cook a feast for Thanksgiving, but others are satisfied by watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The people who enjoy the fellowship of family may insist that their traditions are best, but that isn’t necessarily true. For some, it’s much more relaxing to sleep in and hang around the house than to slave in the kitchen
for hours over a feast that they will spend more time cleaning up than actually eating. And as for Christmas, the tree and colored lights work for some, but not everybody wants their house to be seen from Route 66. Plus, the commercialization of Christmas may be a deterrent and cause families to forgo the holiday altogether. Traditions can be destructive if they infringe upon the feelings of people who look forward to their quick passing. It’s not fun to be around people who shove their ideals down your throat; so be considerate. If people with differing views don’t accept other opinions, they won’t accept each other. And if people don’t accept each other, all the purposes of these holidays in the first place are lost. So before becoming preoccupied with turkey dinners and a truckload of gifts for friends and family, we should remember to hold differing traditions in equal esteem.
christina lee page 19 outlook opinions nov. 23, 2010
Mandatory sports are a good substitute for P.E. class sonya price staff writer
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n order for students to have the best experience, it should be mandatory that they participate in a sport. Gone would be the whining about having to wear the unattractive P.E. uniforms, and instead students would be thanking the administration for letting them have the chance to wear the stylish Oakton sports jerseys and be part of a team. As a student athlete myself, I can say that playing a sport for all my four years here has been a positive aspect of my high school experience. From games to team sleepovers, being a part of a sports team has been a great experience. It has made me feel like a true, fighting Oakton cougar. Being a part of a sports team is not only so you can feel closer to your fellow cougars, but also so you can stay fit and healthy. We all know that obesity in teenagers is on the rise. Obesity can lead to conditions such as diabetes and heart disease later on in adulthood. Teenagers greg pavek are getting less and less exercise by sitting and watching TV more. In order to combat this trend, teenagers should be participating in some sort of physical fitness on a regular basis. A daily dose of physical fitness is essential in order to lead a long, healthy lifestyle. Now I know some of you are thinking “P.E. is mandatory; isn’t that enough?” Unfortunately it isn’t. The most activity we get from a period of P.E. is putting on uniforms, sitting in the bleachers and talking with friends. If you’re on a sports team, there’s no time to sit around, and you can’t leave your team hanging out to dry because you were “sitting in the bleachers.” Being on a sports team will bring you closer to your friends, and you’ll feel as though you’re part of a family. It will also help you mentally and emotionally mature. Teenagers need to learn what it’s like to work with a group of people who are all striving to achieve the same goal: to win that big game.
page 20 outlook opinions nov. 23, 2010
pro
Mandatory sports are unfair to non-athletic students con
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melanie
f you are like me, aguilar-rojas you aren’t known staff writer as the athletic type. You aren’t really gifted in sports, and gym was torture in elementary school. This luckily goes away in high school as students have to try out to be on a team. It isn’t based on two “captains” chosen by a gym teacher who has no idea you were spacing out while he or she was explaining the rules and actual game. Although sports are beneficial for physical exercise, to appeal to colleges and to help make new friends, some students find it difficult to consider playing for a team. Many students, especially those who pursue academics, do not want their usual routine affected by a commitment to practices and games. Although there are many students who are very academic and participate in sports, they first have to learn how to balance everything. For those who are not interested in sports, making sports mandatory would be dreadful. It is a disadvantage for those team players that have cared about the sport and worked hard to get to where they are. For uninterested students, practice won’t make perfect because they don’t want to do better in the first place. This will only bring the team down, because you cannot differentiate between those who want to be there and those who couldn’t care less. Coaches don’t want to deal with that either. A person could volunteer, join clubs and be involved with other activities rather than sports. There should be more consideration for making such a dramatic change in the way students do their day-to-day activities and manage their schedules. Sports participation would only create a bigger hassle that doesn’t need to be added to our everyday lives.
T
Teacher-student Facebooking is inappropriate
eachers shouldn’t be allowed to friend their students. At school, we uphold the expectations that our teachers and administrators expect from us. At home, on the other hand, students act freely without worrying about the consequences from their educators. The popular website Facebook, however, could possibility restrict this freedom. Facebook is used mainly between students to communicate with one another, but teachers nationwide have begun to friend request their students through the network. Not only is it uncomfortable to accept a teacher’s friend request, it is inappropriate. We put out a lot of information in our status updates or wall posts that could unconsciously create bias in the way our teachers think about us. What if you were so frustrated with your government homework that you posted an angry message about the class one night? What if your friend posted a comment about your plans to skip school the following day? Or what if there’s a questionable picture of one of your friends online? These updates are for our friends to see and would only upset and anger our teachers. Similarly, we could see
information about our teachers that we do not need to know. Who cares what our teachers did this weekend or what they had daniel chait for dinner? That is their personal business, something that their students don’t need to know and, in most cases, don’t care about. What’s the point of adding a student on Facebook? If a teacher has a popularity complex and wants to increase his or her amount of friends, that is one matter. Other than that, I see no necessity to do so. Once a student has graduated, they can add their old professors on Facebook, causing no disruption to the
Club established to look beyond high school superficiality
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e all want the comfort of being accepted, to have that group we call family. Look in the halls of Oakton, dare to say hello to a stranger and see the response. At Oakton High School, we’re too busy focusing on our little groups instead of expanding friendships. Many of us harbor something that we fear to express. Slowly, we are tearing down the elements of happiness and getting along. Too many people are afraid to talk to a person in the next clique over. What is important at Oakton is peer acceptance. Take a look in the cafeteria at lunch. Notice all the tables filled with mostly the same people everyday in the same spots. How many people from tables of other cliques, take a risk in just sitting down and saying hi. Most
call this awkward, but really, it’s just making new friends. A typical reaction would be “why is this person talking to us?’”But when it comes down to a response, will people sincerely give a joyful hello? Probably not. Over the summer, there was a show on MTV called If You Really Knew Me that spoke out to thousands of teens. It showed how opening up and taking risks socially made a significant difference. Unfortunately, the show probably doesn’t visit Oakton. But we might have the next best thing. A club called Spread the Word revolves around discussing how we can better our school socially and how we can better ourselves. The club is about talking about the things that barricade that explosion of openness. It’s a friendly reminder to be
kate zhukova staff writer
greg pavek educational or social environment. As for now, teachers should be restricted from ‘friending’ their students online when they have them in their classes, or else face an awkward class the next day.
alexa williams staff writer real, to be you. Everyone at this school should dare to speak to someone outside their clique, whether they’re in the halls, having lunch or on the bus. Stop and say hello to someone you don’t know. Ask the people to whom you never would have considered talking about their interests. Many would be surprised at what they have in common. Think about it. Is being uptight really worth it? Imagine how great it would be if cliques at Oakton were more open and accepting to new faces. Stop and get to know people, accept everyone and ignore the rumors you hear about people.
page 21 outlook opinions nov. 23, 2010
sports Get pumped A
page 22, Nov. 23, 2010
Athletes carryout traditional pre-game rituals
s in most competitions, sports include a battery of strenuous preparation. These preparations often include a pregame ritual. Although nearly all the fall sports teams have rituals, some athletes view them to be truly helpful, whereas others believe they are just a fun superstitious tradition. The volleyball team has pregame rituals that are less superstitious. “Before the games when [the team is] hanging out, we use car paint to write on our coaches’ cars. We write on each others’ cars too,” said Marisa Sheffield, senior. “Every game, parents bring us dinner. We usually eat it during the freshmen game so we can be ready to watch the JV match.” Unlike the other fall sports, the football team place heavy emphasis on their pregame rituals. For them it is viewed as a truly helpful experience. “Before our games, the team gets together and has a prayer,” said captain Jordan Willetts, senior. “It’s huge. Any pregame ritual we do is really important to the team.” The field hockey team also takes part
KICKOFF
in a superstitious pregame ritual. “Before we stretch we throw all our sticks into a circle and if they are all touching it’s good luck, but if they aren’t touching it’s bad luck,” said Adelle Clinton, junior. “It’s just fun.” These rituals help build team trust and togetherness so teams can perform their best come game time. “I guess you could say it’s a bonding experience,” The football team huddles around captain Jimmy Boone Willetts said. “It helps us to hear an inspirational speech. This is just one of many to know we’re going out pregame rituals in which they partake to get prepared for there to play as a team.” the game. The football team not “Last year we saw the seniors go to Santionly does superstitious or religious things ni’s so we decided we would go to Subway. before their games, but they also have It pretty much just got passed down.” groups that eat pregame meals to help jackson lizardo prepare for the game. staff writer “A bunch of the seniors usually go to subway before the game,” Willetts said.
alex buscemi sports co-editor
Pop Culture Grid __is on my Ipod right now
Weirdest thing a fan ever told you
Who would win a fight- Comstock or Banbury?
If you met Justin Bieber you would...
Sami Olson, Sr. Volleyball
Taylor Swift
“Be the ball.”
Banbury
Ask him for an autograph
Sean Miller, Sr. Ice Hockey
Wiz Khalifa
“Can you sign my butt?”
Banbury
Punch him in the mouth
Caroline Coyer, Jr. Basketball
I don’t know where my Ipod is
“Your sister’s hotter than you.”
Banbury
Give him a hug
Jonathan Morris, Sr. Ice Hockey
John Wall
To eat their hot dog while I was on the bench
Banbury-he’s killed Cougars
Give him a buzz cut
This Month’s Athletes
Inside the Grid
Love him or hate him, pop sensation Justin Bieber has the tween world in the palm of his hand. As expectd, our female athletes want nothing more than to coddle him, while our guys want nothing more than to crush him. “Leave Bieber alone!” videos seem inevitable.
Concussions and injuries hit hard Athletes struggle with injuries that affect them on and off the field
I
n the heat of the game as athletes focus only on scoring that goal or going that extra yard, the last thing on their mind is the ever-looming threat of concussions. Recently a survey of NFL players concluded that 100 percent of the players have suffered some sort of brain injury. In order to fix this growing problem, there has been some talk of removing the face mask off of helmets. According to HBO sports, this will prevent players from colliding head to head because they will want to protect their face. Although this will lead to many broken noses and pulled teeth, it may be the first step to cranial safety in athletes of all ages. This issue is not just in the realm of professional sports; it has also hit the athletes at Oakton hard. These injuries are most
prominent in football due to the violent nature of the sport, but that’s not to say other players are not at risk. Lacrosse, soccer and field hockey are other sports where players are at a high risk of concussions due to continuous contact with little to no padding. Off the field and in the classroom, athletes struggle with the effects concussions have on the brain such as memory loss, disorientation and constant migraines. High school athletes are the most susceptible to these injuries, as the NATA study shows that high school players have a 10 percent higher concussion rate than college players. Certified athletic trainer Paul Rupp treats concussions, but it is becoming more important to prevent them on the spencer conley field due to their increasing severity.
staff writer
Headaches, fogginess, confusion and short term memory loss
Upon impact the victim may experience blurred vision and nausea
Sensitivity to light and blurred vision
Delayed response to questions and difficulty concentrating, which can greatly impact school work
Sensitivity to sounds
Lack of energy, dizziness and poor balance At least four of every 10 high school athletes who have concussions return to action too early Athletic Trainer Paul Rupp Q&A How do you test for concussions?
“ Every concussion is different. We do an initial evaluation and neuro psych testing, then rest, then when resolved we move into light exercise with no pounding until the symptoms subside.”
Q&A What happens if it is untreated? “There could be a second hit, which could cause bleeding in the brain and pressure in the skull, which could lead to death.” & How many concussions are play-
Q A
ers allowed?
“There is no set number. An athlete could have one devastating one that could end their career or someone could have a lot of little ones and be back in a week. It’s hard in younger athletes because they’re still growing, which makes the injury worse.”
One of every four athletes 18 or younger suffer from some sort of concussion Student Athlete Jake Farrar Q&A How did you first feel after the hit?
“Not good. My head hurt alot, I felt confused and dizzy with some memory loss. I felt like I was going to throw up.” & How did Rupp help you
Q A
recover?
“I went to the trainer every day, and he tested and evaluated my health to make sure I was progressing, and I got a brand new helmet.”
Q&A How did you get the concus-
sion?
“I was tackled on turf, and I hit the ground hard with my helmet. My neck flung my head towards the ground like a slingshot. Afterward I was a little more sluggish.” page 23 outlook sports nov. 23, 2010
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The Naked Truth! Uncover the truth at Longwood University and discover what suits you best: · Patrick just finished his internship with Sony Entertainment in NYC. · Luke took his degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice Studies to the White House. · Maddie’s in med school thanks to her undergraduate DNA research. . Corey’s majoring in business and managing the Longwood Student Investment Fund. You’re nuts not to check us out. Visit whylongwood.com or our Facebook page. Go ahead, try us on.
Do athletes have what it takes to play Athletes need skill to succeed, but are they eligible?
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quires him/her to change schools. However, age often impacts the validity of a student’s academic transfer. “If a sophomore is transferring for the AP program from an IB program or something like that,” Full said, “then they still have three years to grow in that program. But if the transfer is a senior [there are more questions].”
The rules exist so that teams don’t blatantly cheat to win games.
Joe Thompson
Thompson said, “when I get that phone call, I have to explain to the parents that I cannot talk to them about football until the student is enrolled at Oakton.” Thompson’s morals may be on the straight and narrow when it comes to recruiting, but not all coaches follow suit. “Why I do that is because it is not fair to the kids in the building who want to play,” Thompson said. “I would hope that is how recruiting is handled.” But for schools like Lake Braddock, it appears that those same processes aren’t followed as strictly. A big name transfer, Matt Zenellato from Robinson Secondary, joined the Lake Braddock football team after talking to the coach. The Lake Braddock coach is reported by the Washington Post to have “fielded calls from a handful of families inside and outside Northern Virginia [who want to move into Lake Braddock territory] based in part on the Bruins’ success last season.” Zenellato’s parents are no different. In the same Post article, Christine Zenellato, Matt’s mother, confirmed the move was for his athletic career. “We looked at prep schools and realized that really close to home there is another high school that is comparable academically, athletically and has a program that would be a good fit for Matt at the position he’s going to want to play at college,” Zenellato said. When coaches recruit a phenomenal player into an already great program, the team has an unfair advantage over others in the district. “It is frustrating for coaches who follow the rules when we see instances where ineligible players play and go unnoticed while there are students who should be able to participate in their school activities [who] the county says cannot participate.” While the rules may be arbitrarily applied, they do serve a purpose and do limit the benefits of stacking a team and pulling players out of struggling programs. “The rules exist so that teams don’t blatantly cheat to win games,” Thompson said.
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Big name trades in recent weeks in the NFL have raised questions about high school athletes’ transfers and how to determine a player’s eligibility. A player switching teams to win a championship or to make more money is so commonplace in professional sports that moves are rarely questioned or discredited. If only it was so easy in high school athletics. Although the VHSL rules and regulations span almost 50 pages, the eligibility line is still unclear. It applies in some situations and to some schools, but not consistently and not to all schools. “It seems like the rule is applied arbitrarily,” said football head coach Joe Thompson. “[But] we strictly follow VHSL rules on eligibility.” While some of the implications of the rules are somewhat unclear, the main rules to focus on are the transfer rule (28-6-1), the proselytizing rule (27-10-1) and some other general rules. The transfer rule seems like it would be the simplest to carry out, but waivers to compete at a transfer’s new school are often rejected for questionable reasons. “[The Director of Student Activities of Fairfax] looks to ensure that students that are transferring are not coming [for the wrong reasons],” said Oakton’s DSA, Pat Full. The wrong reasons constitute the gray area. A student may not transfer to another school in Virginia for purposes other than academic, relating to family issues, or when a transfer has a non-disciplinary issue at another school that re-
Even before the Fairfax County DSA will consider a transfer request the principals have to agree to the waiver. If one principal disputes the athletic waiver, the process is over. Oakton has had four transfer requests from students who wanted to also be involved in athletics this year. Two were accepted while the other two were denied. “In both of our waiver declines the other principal wouldn’t approve them,” Full said. “The [DSA] definitely looks at the fact that the principals have to agree; that is a huge part.” Another big rule for transferring students is the proselytizing rule, which means that an athlete can’t be told by any person representing the school that they will be able to play in the new school. Essentially, a student cannot be recruited by another school. “When a family comes to me about transferring to Oakton,”
allie berube sports co-editor
page 26 outlook sports nov. 23, 2010
T
down
The Washington Wizards
here is much that can be said about the Washington Wizards. It is a team filled with potential, a team filled with problems; but the bottom line is that they aren’t very good. Last year, the Wizards finished dead last in their division, and it does not look like there will be a quick turnaround. The Wizards have put together only two wins so far this year, both against mediocre teams. If it weren’t for John Wall, the Wizards would have started 0-8. In the Wizards’ first win, Wall had over 20 points, 12 assists and nine steals. They managed to send that game into overtime against a bad 76ers team with a buzzer-beating threepointer. In their second win they won by seven against another mediocre team, the Rockets, but only after the Rockets lost their best player in the first quarter. Once again Wall had to play his best for them to get the win. From watching the Wizards play during this early season there are three likely ways the Wizards will finish the year. Here’s the WORST case scenario: The Wizards’ playoff hopes are dead in the
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water and the only thing they’re competing for is the first overall draft pick next year.
Here’s the BEST case scenario: Wall continues to be dominate night in and night out and the rest of the team starts responding and playing their tails off. Defenses learn how to stop Wall and force him to make costly mistakes. Wall also cannot take the pounding of an 82 game schedule and only plays in 50 games. With or without Wall, the Wizards are still a bad ball club and their young talent can’t win tight games and continue to make mistakes. The Wizards go 15-66 placing them dead last in the NBA and fans hope the lottery goes their way for the second year in a row. Here’s the BEST case scenario: Wall continues to be dominate night in and night out and the rest of the team starts responding. Power forward Andray Blatche and center JaVale McGee turn into monsters beneath the basket and each start snagging 10 rebounds a game. Guard
OVERTIME Gilbert Arenas returns to his old form and starts making clutch shots in clutch situations. The Wizards’ starting line-up becomes more comfortable playing with each other and turns into a cohesive unit that wins basketball games. The Wizards finish 48-43 and are the seventh seed in the playoffs. Although they cannot win their playoff series, they have learned how to win, how to play each other and they will threaten the rest of the league next year. Here’s the LIKELY scenario: Wall continues to play well and ends up winning the rookie of the year award. Despite Wall’s good play, the rest of the team still leaves much to be desired on both offense and defense. The Wizards continue to be bad at rebounding and vulnerable to three-point shooters. The Wizards are an okay team and finish the year 31-50. They aren’t the worst team in the league, but they still end up with a lottery pick. The Wizards are closer to the playoffs than they were last year but they’re still at least a year off. james craig
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The break
staff writer
On The Scoreboard
final record 13-8
Volleyball
10/26 v. Westfield W 3-0 10/28 v. Centreville W 3-0 11/01 v. Centreville (District Quarters) W 1-0 11/02 v. Chantilly (District Semis) L 1-3 11/08 v. Langley (Regions) L 0-3
final record 7-4
Football
Cross Country At the VHSL State Cross Country Championship, freshman Hailey Dougherty placed 38 in the Girls AAA competition with a time of 19:26. She was the only Oakton runner to place to place at the State Championship.
final record 11-11
Field Hockey
10/27 v. Marshall (Region 1st Region) W 2-1 11/01 v. Annandale (Region 2nd Round) W 2-1 11/03 v. Lake Braddock (Region Semis) L 0-1
10/29 v. Robinson L 14-21 Winter Sports are around the corner... 11/05 v. Chantilly W 17-14 All fall sports have concluded their season, so it is time to 11/12 v. Robinson (Region look to the exciting prospects in the winter... Boys and Girls Basketball start the first week of December. Quarters) L 7-14 Varsity Wrestling starts their regular season on Dec. 10 Swim and Dive has their first meet on Dec. 3 v. Chantilly. page 27 outlook sports nov. 23, 2010
a&e
page 28, nov. 23, 2010
The Beginning of the End
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he worldwide phenomenon of the wizarding world of Harry Potter is coming to the big screen once again, this time in two parts. The Deathly Hollows: Part 1 follows where Harry, Hermione and Ron left off in The Half Blood Prince on their search to find and destroy the horocruxes of the evil Lord Voldemort. With the trailer receiving more than 15 million views on YouTube, the excitement is evident. “The trailers look really good with all of the action scenes and effects,” said Emily Wang, sophomore. “I am forcing myself not to watch them, because I feel like they will give the movie away.” Enthusiasm among fans is brewing. However, fans have been debating over the fact that it is in two parts. “I do not like the fact that it is separate parts, because the time between each movie is way too long,” said Alyssa Yang, sophomore. “Waiting on a cliffhanger until next summer is really depressing.” Though there is a significant gap of time between the two films, this can also prove to be advantageous from a marketing
Harry Potter
perspective. “The two parts have advantages, because it means that the franchise doesn’t have to end in a rush,” said Alex Hsu, sophomore. “The movie studios make more money this way.” Stores are also cashing in by launching Harry Potter themed items to get fans in gear and ready for the finale. “At the mall passing by Hot Topic, I couldn’t take my eyes off of the store,” said Nazia Pasha, junior. “There were Slytherin and Gryffindor t-shirts everywhere. I bought a Snuggie that looks exactly like a wizard’s cloak.” “Muggles,” or obsessed fans, idolize Potter and are shaking on their brooms with anticipation. “A few weeks ago, I tried to buy tickets to the midnight showing,” said Karima Abduleb, sophomore. “Even though they were sold out, I still can’t wait to watch it. My only wish is that [The Deathly Hollows] will be better than the last two.” The movie will be released in movie theaters nationwide on Nov. 19. sarah hong
staff writer
Harry Potter and the
Deathly Hallows
What it takes to be a Ravenclaw:
What it takes to be a HufflePuff:
What it takes to be a Gryffindor:
What it takes to be a Slytherin:
Witty Curious Intelligent Passion for learning House of Genius
Loyal Just Patient True to themselves Hard-working Best to have as a friend
Daring Chivalrous Known for their courage Harry Potter’s house House of heroes
Cunning Self-invested Ambitious Power-hungry House of many of the most evil wizards
Example: Freshman MAdison Zamora for her brilliance and scintillating wit.
Example: Junior Arianna Rucker for her loyalty, easy smile, and uplifting attitude.
Example: Biology teacher Jackie Fernandez for bravery and “strength of heart.”
Example: Senior mayura Iyer, for her evil contrivances and hunger for power.
“When I finished reading the books I cried. I’m upset, but happy it is in two parts. It won’t end as fast.”
junior
Nazia Pasha
To distance herself from her Harry Potter character, Emma Watson began delving into the wonderful world of high fashion. Last year she became the face of Burberry, along with her brother Alexander, and after consulting with a brand called Fair Trade, this year she’ll be working with Alberta Ferretti to make an organic clothing line.
“I feel great that Harry Potter is ending because I finally get to find out what happens. I don’t read the books.” Mona Rasooly
Emma Watson’s fashion exploits
J.T. Byrne
Many moviegoers seem to be inspired by the uniforms of the Hogwarts students so much that they surround themselves with as much Harry Potter paraphernalia as they can. Thankfully, their search can be limited to this website. Not only can you rummage through all sorts of collectibles here, but there is a message board to discuss your findings and upcoming events. http://www.broomsticksandowls.com/
sophomore
costumes and props
Cougar Quote: how do you feel about H.P.’s impending end?
sophomore
Harry Potter creates own fashion world
“It is exciting for me to see how the series will end, but at the same time it’s sad because it’s like my childhood is ending.” page 29 outlook a&e nov. 23, 2010
winter clothing
Jackets
media mix
One cannot walk down the halls of the school without seeing fleece jackets, especially the Northface. With an array of colors and styles, Northface jackets have become extremely popular. These jackets are very nice, but can be very expensive. Most jackets are around $100 and up, so to save your pocket, here are some alternatives that are very similar. 1. Columbia Sportswear Company -$35-170
Shoes
Pants
While Uggs are still the most popular shoe for the winter, furry slippers have become the next best thing. Keeping your feet warm and comfortable, slippers are an essential to keep you cozy through the winter. Ugg Australia has ones available for around $80-100, but there are many other stores and brands that have cheaper options. 1. Airwalks (payless shoe store)$20
Comfortable, casual and versatile, yoga pants are #1 this season. Black being the most popular color, many prefer to get theirs at Aerie, the sister store to American Eagle. At an average price of about $30, many can be found in other stores.
2. Aeropostale- $50 (discount now for $20) 3. REI brand-$30-120
Taste Quest: The search for Northern VA’s Caffè Amouri Caffè Amouri is a newly instituted coffee house on Church St in Vienna, across from the Bazin’s. Upon entering, one’s senses may be laden with a plethora of aromas, ranging anywhere from the waft of freshly ground espresso to the herbaceous loose leaf Yerba Maté. The simple walls of this establishment complement the sedated atmosphere, providing an escape away from the hassles of the hectic world raging outside. It would appear that besides producing the “Caffe Amouri,” an aptly-named espresso-steamed milk beverage, they also focus on being a place for the community. Posters, flyers, business cards and the like are held up in place by tacks on this board, but in reality, may actually be held up by Caffè Amouri. The staff are all experts in their craft and swift in production, and are always working with a real smile. This place is bossa-nova. page 30 outlook a&e nov. 23, 2010
Coming Soon
2. Target-$15-40
1. Target- $6-25 (especially for petites) 2. Old Navy- $5-20 3. Macy’s-$20
cole neuffer a&e editor
3. DSW- $20-50
Best Coffee
The Soundry
The NOVA music scene is alive, but locations are scant. One of these few is The Soundry: An auto-shop garage metamorphisized into an artist’s haven. Located in the backstreets on Dominion Rd (by the W&OD), The Soundry is the place for poets and painters to work and critique other’s work, in form of either performing on the stage, or on canvas, hanging up all over the vast concrete walls. However, this atelier has more than just art to serve. The Soundry’s counter serves things ranging from coffee to tea, to peanut-butter and jelly sandwiches and then back again; all equally sapid. One of their specialties is a fizz, or “fizzy lemonade,” made from “the smiles of children,” says an employee. The Soundry is a place for creative juices to flow and hopefully shall remain that way for years to come.
Plush
Being the new kid on the block is never fun, but for new gelato and coffee shop Plush, they are coming in swinging. On the corner of Park St and Maple Ave, Plush aims to please with its avant-garde style décor and enthusiastic service. The store itself is a bit out of the way and parking is a joke, but it makes up for it with heady hot chocolate and strawberry macaroons. Plush is more of an airport boutique, but in the sense that it is a wanna-be store, complete with bleach-white walls and an absent atmosphere. Until a stream of people comes in, Plush is just something to pass by. But credit must be given where it is due, and Plush’s coffee ensures that it will become a andy reed landmark. staff writer
Tangled
An all-star musical cast including Christina Aguilera and Cher put on a glitterazzi performance full of feathers and sequins.
Gorgeous Jake Gyllenhall and almost-as-gorgeous Anne Hathaway star in this Thanksgiving weekend romantic comedy.
The missing Disney princess? Rapunzel makes her true Disney debut in 3D, with a lot of spirit and a lot of golden hair.
video game music
Call of Duty Treyarch
Every fall, there’s one thing gamers can always count on: the release of the latest Call of Duty. It’s just like the holidays—only earlier, and instead of sugar plums and caroling on doorsteps there’s frag grenades and trash-talking through a headset. With this year’s Black Ops, were COD fans rewarded like good little boys and girls or left a steaming lump of overhyped coal? The campaign is fast, furious and fun, but I can’t help but feel like I’m playing what I’ve already been playing for years now. Developer Treyarch seemed fully aware of this phenomenon, and tried to compensate for the game’s linear, point-and-shoot nature by overloading the game with ridiculously over-the-top action sequences. With the blur of Michael Bay-esque stunts crowding the campaign, I often felt like I wasn’t even playing the game at all. I simply followed the onscreen button-cues as I was dragged by my eyeballs from a helicopter turret, to a jet-ski, to another helicopter turret, all the while being bombarded by a hail of RPG fire and
music
Loud Rihanna
From “Pon de Replay” to “Only Girl (In the World),” Rihanna’s music has kept people dancing. She still keeps her upbeat pop tempo songs but there was this one point in her life when she decided to go rap and R&B style and write her fourth album, “Rated R.” But after settling that, she has come
screaming. It’s all a bit…over-the-top. Many gamers won’t even touch the campaign, however, and why should they? Black Ops achieves the impossible by creating an even more rewarding, inviting, and robust multiplayer. In addition to the usual leveling and prestiging, players now earn “CoD points” for a job well-done. The in-game currency can be used to upgrade weapons or to buy accessories, and with over 1,500 different ways to customize your boots alone, there’s no need to worry about Becky wearing the same dress as you to the party. The new Wager Matches let players bet their hard-earned scratch for the chance at winning big. There’s also new perks, including an exploding RC-car, and new kill-streaks, including a helicopter that you can pilot yourself while mowing down opponents like weeds. Thankfully, all this gaming glory can be recorded for the world to see with the new Halo-style theatre. Throw in a hilarious and addictive return of Zombies mode and you’ve got enough Call of Duty to last ‘til next fall. At its heart, Black Ops is still the same old shoot ‘em, stab ‘em and blast ‘em up we’ve grown so fond of over the past decade. Happy COD-Day alex buscemi to all…and to all a sports editor good fight.
up with her fifth album, “Loud” which was released on Nov. 16. It shows her flirty and energetic side. She believes that this album should have people up and dancing to her beats. One of her songs, “Only Girl (In the World),” has been on the billboard top 10 songs. It was released in September to show the world a preview of her new album. The next song released from her album was “What’s My Name” featuring Drake. It hasn’t reached the Billboard top 10 songs, but people are saying it might. Some other songs on the
Nov 24
Love and Other Drugs
Nov 24
Nov 24
Burlesque
Name: Rebecca Small Position: Government Teacher Favorite Genre: “Lots of rock” Favorite Artists: U2, Bruce Springsteen Favorite Songs: 1. “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” - U2 2. “I’m an American,” The Boss 3. “Little Pink Houses,” John Mellencamp 4. “Free Fallin’,” Tom Petty 5. “It’s the End of the World,” R.E.M. and The Heartbreakers
album are “Fading,” and “Raining Men” featuring Nicki Minaj. I think this album is one of her best. The pop tempo of the song makes me want to get up and dance. Her song “Only Girl (In the World),” and “What’s My Name” are common favorites, but my favorite song has to be “California King.” It has a light pop-feel, but it’s not a party song. Even though her album has recently come out, I hope it makes the Billboard Top 10 casey noda Albums. staff writer page 31 outlook a&e nov. 23, 2010