The Highlander Issue 4

The

Highlander Volume LX • Issue 4 • February 2016• McLean High School thehighlandernews.com• @MHSHighlander

Romance: a thing of the past?

CONTENTS NEWS

3

McLean’s largest bookstore closes

4

Langley seniors swap finals for internships

5 6 7

Junior advocates boycott of debate states Victory is in the cards for TheatreMcLean Politics at McLean

FEATURES 8

Teacher makes art for social change

9

Check-in with the class of 2015

10-11 Junior battles Crohn’s of the Issue: 13 Highlander Ben Karimian 14

10 Qs with Kieran Sweeny

15 McLean matchmaking 16-17 Snowzilla 2016 photos 19

Which presidential candidate should be your valentine?

A&E

IN-DEPTH 22-25

What happened to “old school” romance?

OPINIONS 31

Editorial: Snowzilla strikes sidewalks

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Crossfire: Homework on snow days?

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Cold freezes athletes

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Best holiday in February

13

SPORTS 36

VHSL announces realignment plan

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Hockey team: perfection on ice

31

38-39 Winter sports wrap-up 40 Three seasons of action 41

Color guard competes for the winter season

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Girls basketball on the rebound

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Hip-hop’s freshest faces

43

Athlete of the Issue: Veronica Wolff

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Animes to watch

44

The Finish Line

27

Retro playlists

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Comic rivalry comes to life

29

Amazon Originals gain momentum

30

Eye-opening documentaries on Netflix

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38-39

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Dear McLean, Happy February. We’ve had a long hiatus since our last issue was published, and we’re glad to be back.

Despite all of our recent snow days, our staff has been working hard to produce the highest quality product imaginable (and to figure out how to spell ‘February’ correctly). We hope you enjoy the issue!

Make sure to check out our In-Depth piece on how high school romance has changed over the years. In light of the recent winter weather, we decided to warm you up with what can be a pretty steamy topic.

Flip to our News section to see updates on a nearby bookstore closing and TheatreMcLean’s win at a recent one-act play competition.

Take a look at our Sports section for our winter season athletics wrap-up and information on new VHSL redistricting.

Every issue, keep an eye out for our recurring pages: Highlander of the Issue, the Crossfire, the editorial, Athlete of the Issue and The Finish Line.

Throughout the year, please share any comments, critiques or suggestions you have for us by stopping by the journalism room, R133, or emailing us at thehighlanderstaff@gmail.com. Until next issue, use thehighlandernews.com to stay informed on everything McLean. Go Highlanders!

Warmly,

Melanie Pincus, Ashwin Dasgupta, Liam Zeya & Jake Barnett

Highlander

The

Letter from the Editors

Volume LX • Issue 4 • February 2016 • McLean High School thehighlandernews.com• @MHSHighlander 1633 Davidson Road McLean, Virginia 22101 Editors-in-Chief

Jake Barnett, Ashwin Dasgupta, Melanie Pincus & Liam Zeya

Managing Editors

Sabrein Gharad, Lucy Hopkins & David Kagan

Design Editor

Bryan Chung

Photography Editor

Tanya Ajalli

Advertising Manager

Esme Tabra

Copy Editor

Henry Howe

News Editors

Section Editors

Features Editors

Carlyn Kranking & Eleanor Patrick Veronica Kim & Bora Zaloshnja Ingrid Morse & Young In Seo

A&E Editors

Christine Cheon & Leena Raza

Sports Editors

Ethan Cherry & John Corvari

Opinions Editors

Website Editors Editors-in-Chief

Sanskriti Neupane & Aisha Singh

Opinions Editor

Rustin Abedi

Sports Editor

Jackson Payne

A&E & Features Editor

Helen Bloom

Eva Bhandary Anjalie Chauhan Debbie Daniel Jatin Dasgupta Helena Doms Lila Duvall Colin Edson Monique Ford Graham Gibson Nora Hashem David Kagan Anurag Kandukuri Haru Kato

Reporters

Kyuree Kim Anjali Kumar Zoe Le Menestrel Annie Lu Brooke Lyons Sophie Mariam Robert Martine Amir McCormick Sri Medicherla Olivia Mooney Peter Morell John Roth Siddarth Shankar

Alisha Smith Khaled Soubra Jonathan Sperling Ali Tanju Sarah Therriault Danielle Walker Ed Walters Caroline Watkins Conor Zeya Matthew Zwirb Catherine Zysk

Adviser Lindsay B. Benedict Editorial Policy: The Highlander is a designated public forum in which students can express themselves, discuss issues and exchange ideas. School officials do not exercise prior review on this publication or its online counterpart, and student editors are in charge of all final content decisions.

Advertising Policy: The Highlander sells ad space on each page of the paper except on the front cover, Opinions section and In-Depth article. The staff reserves the right to reject any ads it deems libelous, obscene, disruptive or otherwise inappropriate.

To Submit a Letter to the Editors: Please e-mail it to thehighlanderstaff@gmail.com or bring it to room R133.

The staff reserves the right to edit letters for grammar and clarity, and all letters are subject to laws concerning obscenity, libel, privacy and disruption of the school process.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

‘15 Pacemaker Finalist; ‘15 All-American; ‘12, ‘13, ‘14 First Class; Hall of Fame

Cover photo illustration by Tanya Ajalli

‘15 Crown Finalist; ‘05, ‘07, ‘12, ‘13, ‘14, ‘15 CSPA Gold Medalist ‘15 International First Place; ‘14 George H. Gallup Award

‘14, ‘15 VHSL Trophy Class; ‘11, ‘12 First Place Winner; VHSL Savedge Award

Printed by aPrintis

NEWS

McLean’s largest bookstore closes Books-A-Million loses lease, closes Jan. 16 Sarah Therriault Reporter ooks-A-Million had been the largest bookstore in McLean for more than 20 years. However, due to declining sales, the McLean store saw its last day open on Jan. 16. The lease was bought out by neighboring Total Wine, which will expand into the space.

This is not the first time in the store’s history that it lost its lease. In 2014, Books-A-Million’s lease was bought out by Whole Foods. The store was almost ready to begin selling and moving merchandise to clear out the store, but ultimately, Whole Foods elected to not move into the area. This time, though, the store has closed for good.

“It’s a shame because McLean is a highly literate area with lots of readers,” a BooksA-Million associate said. “Books-A-Million is definitely looking for a new location in the area. There’s definitely a market here.”

Associates who worked at the store on Chain Bridge Road were given the option of transferring to another store in the area or leaving the company and receiving a severance bonus.

Brick-and-mortar bookstores as

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NEWS

Closing up shop—The Books-A-Million store on Chain Bridge sold off its merchandise or sent it to other stores in the weeks leading up to its Jan. 16 closing. For McLean students, this means finding a new place to buy school books. (Photo by Sarah Therriault)

a whole are on the decline. In 2011, the second-largest book retailer at the time, Borders, filed for bankruptcy and liquidated its stores. Competition from eBooks and online-based retailers like Amazon makes it more difficult for book retailers to turn a profit.

“Books-A-Million just can’t afford to have unprofitable stores,” a Books-

“It’s a big loss for practicality. Whenever there was a new book, we could go there and get it for the library.”

-Head librarian Joan McCarthy

A-Million associate said. “Borders went out of business because they tried to cover the cost of the stores that weren’t making money with the ones that were.

The problem is that profit margins for bookstores are so small that they had a bad year, and they didn’t have enough money to cover the cost of all their stores.”

“I’m very disappointed,” McLean’s head librarian Joan McCarthy said. “It’s a big

loss for practicality. Whenever there was a new book, we could go there to get it for the library.”

The McLean library had a special members account with Books-A-Million to purchase books for the school.

“I suppose there’s still Barnes and Noble, but it’s not as convenient. Any student could go [to Books-A-Million] to get their required reading, and some of the employees were former McLean students, so they were very friendly and would recommend books. I’ll miss the personal touch,” McCarthy said. “[It’s] another loss of a bookstore in our cultural lives,” McCarthy said. “[Online retailers] like Amazon are nice, but [clicking around to browse] is not as nice as the physical ability to browse.”

While Tysons Corner’s Barnes and Noble and small stores like Hole in the Wall Books in Falls Church are thriving, many students are lamenting the loss of a store that was nearby and easy to reach. “[I’ve got to] drive all the way out to Tysons now if I want a book,” senior Katherine Mullet said. “And I just renewed my Books-A-Million bonus card.”

Page design by Sarah Therriault

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Langley seniors swap finals for internships Langley Leap program could come to McLean

Caroline Watkins Reporter s second semester starts, senioritis comes into full swing. While many McLean seniors will be prying themselves away from their Netflix queue and back into their books in preparation for finals, other seniors at schools like Langley High School will be filling out their applications for internship programs.

Langley is one Fairfax County school that has attempted to tackle the epidemic all seniors endure to some extent or another during their second semester through the Langley Leap program.

Langley Leap allows seniors to participate in a 10-day internship with a local business, school or community service organization instead of taking final exams.

According to Langley’s website, the program allows students to explore an area of interest and gives them a “tangible experience that puts academic interests in action in a non-academic setting.”

There are several requirements Langley seniors must meet to qualify to be an intern. The student must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 by seventh semester, a grade of C or higher in each class at the end of third quarter and follow guidelines on excused absences.

“I think that this internship would be beneficial to me because I am considering

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being a teacher as a career. I am currently a teacher’s assistant in a 10th grade English honors class, and I really enjoy it,” Langley senior Maria McQuade said.

“I love working with kids and I think that this internship would not only be fun, but also helpful for me to figure out if teaching is the career path that I want to take in

“Langley Leap is a program that gives high school students experience in the real world that can potentially open doors to better interviews and jobs.”

-Langley senior Bobby Lytle college, and afterwards.”

Katherine Carris, another participant in Langley Leap, said she believes the program will give her an advantage over other seniors.

“My internship with the Arlington Unemployment Office will definitely get

What would Highlanders prefer: finals at the end of senior year or an internship?

Internships

31 students

Finals

94 students

Poll of 125 McLean High School Students

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me ahead of the game exposure-wise,” Carris said. “I will be able to get ahead of my peers from other schools by getting an internship when they are still in school, and will be able to further develop my social skills by interacting with professionals.”

Although meeting some of the requirements for the program may be difficult for seniors already heavily affected by senioritis, many argue that the program’s benefits outweigh the challenge of minimizing tardies and absences.

Students at Langley High School also said they find the internship beneficial because it gives them the opportunity to work directly with professionals in a field of interest.

“Langley Leap is a program that gives high school students experience in the real world that can potentially open doors to better interviews and jobs,” said Langley senior Bobby Lytle, who hopes to participate in an engineering internship.

Lytle said that with the school’s endorsement, Langley students are able to land better internships than students at other schools and develop relationships with potential future employers.

“But, to be perfectly honest, it is nice to miss the last few weeks of school,” Lytle said. “The bonus of not having to take finals, which to me usually brings down my year grade, is a cherry on top of a massive sundae.”

In a survey of 125 McLean students, the majority of students said they would prefer an internship program over final exams. Principal Ellen Reilly said the program could come to McLean in the future.

“Just a few weeks ago, I spoke to Mr. Amico, the principal at Langley, about the program,” Reilly said. “He is going to send the administrator in charge of the internship program over to McLean to talk to us about the possibility of setting it up.”

According to Reilly, the administration is willng to consider an internship program, but they are still in the beginning stages of considering such a program.

Until then, it’s back to the books, seniors.

Page design by Caroline Watkins

FEBRUARY

Junior advocates boycott of VHSL Debate Championships Debater Fatima Shahbaz cites concerns over safety Siddarth Shankar & Haru Kato Reporters n Dec. 4, Liberty University’s President Jerry Falwell Jr. spoke at the school’s convocation, telling students they should obtain concealed carry permits to “end those Muslims before they walked in,” and “teach them a lesson if they ever showed up here.” Thousands of students cheered in response.

Following these comments, some area high school debate teams have reconsidered their plans to attend the Virginia High School League (VHSL) Debate Championships, or states, in April, which Liberty University is hosting.

In a nation that rated Muslims more unfavorably than any other religious group in a 2014 Pew Research Center poll, Falwell’s comments have made some Muslim debaters concerned for their safety.

Junior Fatima Shahbaz, McLean debate’s novice coordinator, is one of these debaters. “[Falwell] was enticing a race war. He encouraged his students to arm themselves before the Muslims came,” Shahbaz said.

Shahbaz said she is not just concerned for her safety but also about how Falwell’s comments relate to the spirit of debate.

“Falwell’s ideas are not conducive to what debate stands for—creating a positive and healthy environment to speak your mind and speak your opinions,” she said. “When Falwell comes out and says these violence-inducing things, then that healthy environment is not fostered.”

Although McLean’s debate team has not made an official decision on whether or not to boycott the state tournament, Shahbaz said other area schools such as Broad Run and Lake Braddock have done so.

However, McLean debate’s sponsor and coach Christina Shin said she does not want to deny students the opportunity to qualify for states.

“This is a complicated situation. I would understand why schools would boycott [this event], but I don’t want to close the opportunity for students,” Shin said.

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NEWS

“I think we need to think through things and not let our emotions get to us.”

Shin said she believes the best way of fighting Falwell’s comments might be showing up to the event.

“Debate is a tough exercise. You have to be able to deal with offensive and untrue remarks. The spirit of debate is you fight untruths or sometimes exaggerations with truth, statistics and facts,” Shin said.

Head captain Susie Choi agreed with Shin’s sentiments.

“McLean Debate has not taken any official stance on the boycott. We want the two teams [who could qualify for the VHSL State tournament] to be able to decide whether they want to boycott,” Choi said.

Arguably the best—Junior debater Fatima Although Choi does Shahbaz (right) and partner Jessica Boyer not support the boycott, (left) pose at the 2015 Yale Invitational. she said she does support Shahbaz is advocating for a boycott of the Shahbaz’s efforts to move VHSL Debate Championships being held the venue from Liberty. at Liberty University in April. (Photo courtesy of “I do not believe Fatima Shahbaz) holding the championship at Liberty is wise in any regard,” Choi said. “By hosting the consider moving states and stop working tournament at a location that presents a with Liberty. direct threat to Muslim students, VHSL is “I hope that VHSL makes an effort not fulfilling its mission statement.” to move States from Liberty University.

VHSL, for its part, released a statement I want them to terminate their future saying that the event’s location will not contract with Liberty, as this is an issue of change this year. xenophobia, and xenophobia can’t stand “The designated 2016 events of debate... with what debate stands for,” Shahbaz are engaged by contractual agreements,” said.

VHSL executive director Ken Tilley said Despite opposition, Shahbaz is still in the statement. “VHSL respects the pushing for a boycott of the event. right of Liberty’s President to engage in “I don’t speak for McLean, [but] I would public speech, and will not take retaliatory sincerely hope that my fellow McLean action against the University even when debaters would vote to boycott,” Shahbaz that speech is found to be offensive by said. a significant number of VHSL member Shahbaz said she is also planning to schools and their students.” keep up the pressure on VHSL by creating Shahbaz said she hopes VHSL will still a petition calling for a change in venue.

Page design by Haru Kato & Siddarth Shankar

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Theatrical Satire—Cast members in “The Cards of Fate” portray a fictional game show that critiques the entertainment industry at a performance at McLean on Feb. 10. TheatreMcLean’s production won first place at VHSL districts on Jan. 19 and advanced to regionals. (Photo by Chris Clardy)

Victory is in the cards for TheatreMcLean

“The Cards of Fate” earns first place at one-act play competition Jake Barnett & Melanie Pincus Editors-in-Chief n the first installment of America’s Funniest Home Videos, a middle-aged man attempts to jump off of a diving board.

As is usual for AFV’s clips, a cringe-worthy mishap ensues when the man falls squarely on the diving board, cracking it in half.

It’s hard not to laugh while watching this anonymous guy get seriously injured, and while we acknowledge the questionable morality of that, the American public consistently endorses schadenfreude— pretty much every reality TV show ever conceived thrives on exploiting the misfortune of their participants.

TheatreMcLean showcases the harms of this phenomenon in their one-act, “The Cards of Fate,” which received numerous accolades at the VHSL Liberty Conference One-Act Play Competition on Jan. 16. The overall show won first place, while junior Syona Ayyankeril and seniors Christophe Jelinski and Jeffrey Nolan all received “Best Actor” awards.

These wins represent the culmination of weeks of careful thought and rehearsal on the part of director and theatre teacher Phil Reid and the cast.

“I wanted to work on the craft and work on characters, and with our small ensemble you could really delve into the [details]. It was fun to watch [the show] evolve as the rehearsal process happened,” Reid said.

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“The Cards of Fate” features a game show where contestants can win cash and prizes, but they also control the destinies of strangers with every quiz question they answer. Nick Kowslowski is the newest contestant on the show, which starts out lighthearted until he starts doing poorly and consequently hurting people. Hosts Buffy and Cinnamon are elated the show is spicing up as they hope it will translate into a ratings boost, but Nick is horrified at the blatant exploitation of innocent people.

The set of the play includes two shadow screens behind the hosts, which display silhouetted audience members who take pleasure in the pain of the people on the show. Reid said he used the screens to underscore Nick’s struggle against the entertainment industry and those who support it.

“Nick goes through this horrible ordeal [which] is a window [into] what really happens to the people [taken advantage of in the industry]. They are human beings still, they are people who have feelings, and you see that through him,” Reid said.

“I wanted to show that with the piece and especially with the ensemble and [by adding] audience members behind the shadow [screens]...all of that pressure onto Nick the contestant...that shows the burden of society and how [reality shows] affect human beings.”

Junior Emily Swett, who plays host

Cinnamon, said Reid provided insight as the show’s director.

“He had a really clear vision going into the show, and I think his directing is what has really allowed it to flourish,” Swett said.

The Jan. 16 competition was Swett’s second time performing at VHSL districts.

“It’s a really cool experience to see all the different shows from the different schools to see what they all bring to the table,” she said. “It’s a really fun day.”

Meanwhile, it was freshman Gabi Norton’s first show with TheatreMcLean. “[Competing] was hectic and a lot different than I [thought it would be].

[Performing] has been a lot of fun, and I definitely plan on doing more shows,” Norton said.

Reid said he hopes that students will learn of TheatreMcLean’s win and be motivated to join the department, and that the awards will help get the company past the bump of transitioning directors this year.

“The transition was a huge, huge thing for McLean [theater] and it was a big shock. It’s nice to have this win to celebrate the theater through this change.

Even through the turmoil of the change, the theater is still there,” Reid said. “The craft and the work is still there, and even though there can always be a change of guard, this proves that you can create good drama no matter what.”

Page design by Zoe Le Menestrel

FEBRUARY

GOVERNMENT VOTER REGISTRATION

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very year, eligible seniors register to vote in their government classes.

This process has been taking place at McLean for over a decade, and it helps students organize and clarify their political lives.

The Fairfax County Office of Elections schedules services in high schools around the county and comes in to offer to register students who are going to be 18 by the next general election to vote. All the students need is their social security number.

“It’s nice to have someone come in and explain it all and encourage people to do it,” AP Comparative Government teacher Ian Howell said. “It’s kind of a public service.”

For more information about registering to vote, go to www.usa.gov/register-to-vote.

SENIOR POLL:

Are you planning on voting in the Presidential election?

%

.8 17

O T E

82.2%

Illustration by Aisha Singh & Young In Seo

Survey of 73 seniors

POLITICS AT McLEAN Young In Seo & Aisha Singh Features Editor & Web Editor-in-chief

YOUNG DEMOCRATS

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estarted by a few juniors this year, the Young Democrats club was inactive in years past but now meets regularly for civil and political discourse.

Young Democrats members hope to participate in a political campaign this year and lately they have discussed whether the club wants to campaign for Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders.

This year, the club leaders aim to raise awareness that they have created a place where young Democrats can express their views, and they plan to try something new to reach out to students.

“We might try and put a link out for others students to get involved with the elections,” co-president Anjali Kumar said.

The Young Democrats Club meets on Wednesdays in history teacher Dylan Wedan’s room, B182.

Go Donkeys — T-shirt designs are underway.

(Photo courtesy of Anjali Kumar)

Page design by Young In Seo & Aisha Singh

NEWS

YOUNG CONSERVATIVES

IDEAL VOTERS CLUB

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he IDEAL Voters club is a relatively new club that aims to expand students’ perspectives through political discussion. This allows for an environment that encourages different points of view in a non-partisan way, exploring pros and cons of the discussion topics.

“We create an area where people can further and express their views,” said senior Sarah Seigel, press secretary of IDEAL. “We try to discuss topics that are relevant.”

In their meetings, some major topics members analyzed included the Paris attacks, legalization of marijuana, school start times and Obama’s State of the Union speech.

The IDEAL Voters Club meets every Tuesday in B163.

Image obtained with permission via IDEALTogether

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oung Conservatives club is a place where high school Republicans can gather to engage in political activities.

In past years, the Young Conservatives club has knocked on doors to rally support for current United States Representative Barbara Comstock.

Because the club has been inactive for the past year, the club sponsor, history and economics teacher Rick Eyerly, welcomes any student interested in becoming club president next year.

Students who wish to become club members may see Eyerly in room B152.

Image obtained via Google Images under a Creative Commons License

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FEATURES

Teacher makes art for social change Patrick McDonough creates interventionist public art

Carlyn Kranking News Editor t’s a typical city scene in Ballston: people rushing by foot or by car to their next destination, buildings many stories high and... painted lawn chairs? Found in three different locations around Ballston, these chairs were part of a public art initiative called “Beachfront Potential” led by McLean art teacher Patrick McDonough last year. McDonough’s work has been on display in commercial galleries, nonprofit art centers and museums, but he is currently interested in interventionist public art pieces like this one.

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Research Center on the Eastern shore of Maryland.

Like Beachfront Potential, much of McDonough’s art is designed to involve the public. His most recent endeavor is based in Arlington and needs residents’ participation.

“Right now I’m working on a project with the public art department of Arlington County that we’ll hopefully be launching over the next couple of months,” McDonough said. “The project is entitled ‘Civic Symbols’ and is an effort to allow residents to participate in a type of self-identification: What are [the] symbols

teacher inspired him to shift his career path towards the arts and teaching.

“I think that the point when I actually felt most like a ‘real artist’ was probably after undergrad when I started actually making shows outside of an academic environment,” McDonough said.

McDonough said art for him is less about expressing himself than it is about causing change.

“What artists are maybe best at is suggesting ways the world could be different... Even the notion of adding one more painting to the world is an acknowledgment that the world needs

“What artists are maybe best at is suggesting ways the world could be different... Even the notion of adding one more painting to the world is an acknowledgment that the world needs that one more painting—that the world’s not quite as good as it can be as it is.”

-McLean art teacher Patrick McDonough “[I] was looking at sea level rise through of the spirit of Arlington?”

In the project, the people of Arlington the lens of beach culture,” McDonough said. “I put these really art deco painted will vote on what they would like to be lawn chairs along this line of where the the city’s official bird, tree and critter.

McDonough then plans to graphically Atlantic Ocean might rise to.”

Each chair allowed residents to connect represent the winners in a piece unique to their phone to read informational articles the residents.

Although McDonough about global warming, play an interactive game and watch interviews with scientists. said he has always had an Sitting in these chairs in the middle of the affinity for art, he didn’t city, people could envision themselves initially set out to sitting on what might one day be a beach, be an artist. He with part of the city underwater, as a applied to college result of rising sea levels brought on by for engineering, but a high climate change. art McDonough’s art projects have school previously been displayed in Beachfront Potential—A Ballston resident New York, Miami, Chicago and relaxes in one of McDonough’s lawn chairs. many locations around the D.C. The chairs were placed at a location that area. Currently, two of the chairs represented what might one day be a beach from the “Beachfront Potential” as a result of rising sea levels and climate project are on display at the change. (Photo courtesy of Patrick McDonough) Smithsonian Environmental Page design by Carlyn Kranking

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that one more painting—that the world’s not quite as good as it can be as it is,” McDonough said. “I think that that’s a really exciting and profound thing.”

Checking in with the class of 2015 Catch up with five 2015 graduates Brooke Lyons & Ingrid Morse Reporter & Features Editor

Ryan Waugh

Hampton-Sydney College How are you liking the school?

“When I got to Hampton-Sydney it was hard to meet people, but that changed quickly. I became involved in intramural sports and I am also looking into fraternities. I absolutely love this school—the brotherhood is amazing. It is truly like a big family.”

Photo courtesy of Ryan Waugh

Anna Campion

College of William & Mary What do you like to do in your free time?

“I’m in a sorority on campus, Chi Omega, and I dabble in the Guacamole Club. Chi Omega is definitely my main social outlet and I absolutely love it. So in my free time I do a lot of what I did in high school: I read or watch Netflix or hang out with my friends, and on weekends I go to parties.”

Photo courtesy of Anna Campion

Michael Zarpas

Northern Virginia Community College How are you liking the school?

“I like NOVA a lot. It’s a lot better than I thought it would be. It’s not too hard to meet new people at all... There is a bit more of a social aspect than I thought, I originally thought there would be none. My lack of a good GPA helped influence my decision of where to go. Also [I have the] option to transfer to a really good school that I otherwise wouldn’t have gotten into straight from high school, so I don’t plan on staying here for more than two years.”

Photo courtesy of Michael Zarpas

Kacey Beckham

University of South Carolina What was the hardest thing about leaving McLean?

“The hardest thing...was leaving a place I knew really well and leaving the community I grew up in.

You don’t realize it, but you grow up in a bubble of McLean where you know your neighborhood, your classmates, your teachers, the radio stations and your job, but then you leave and all of a sudden you don’t know any of those things... It’s honestly really fun discovering a new community.”

Photo courtesy of Kacey Beckham

Jack Holland

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) Was it hard for you to make new friends?

“It was really easy to meet some great people and become close friends with them because of the way the corps of cadets is organized. I have 23 other freshmen who are in my company so we are together all the time and I’m great friends with them all. It was pretty hard for me to meet people outside of the corps, but that’s because as a freshman, your life is focused on the corps 24/7 practically.”

Photo courtesy of Jack Holland

Page design by Brooke Lyons & Ingrid Morse

FEATURES

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Junior battles chronic illness Elizabeth Kadeli shares the story of her struggle with Crohn’s disease

Esme Tabra & Leena Raza Advertising Manager & A&E Editor

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rohn’s disease is a chronic, incurable inflammatory bowel disease that can affect any part of the body. While it’s most commonly found in middle-aged adults, it can affect young people as well. The disease can cause both physical and emotional scarring, as people suffering from Crohn’s commonly suffer from PTSD, depression and anxiety. People suffering from Crohn’s can reach deep remission—a period in which the disease becomes inactive—but it is difficult to achieve. Besides that, the disease is incurable.

Junior Elizabeth Kadeli is among the 200,000 people affected by Crohn’s disease each year.

“I was diagnosed when I was 6 years old. We first noticed a problem when I started going backwards on the growth chart,” Kadeli said. “It was a very long process of going from doctor to doctor to try to figure out what was happening. It took a very long time for them to diagnose me because Crohn’s was a very uncommon

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disease in 2006 and it was almost unheard of in children.”

Kadeli was not given much information about the disease because so few people were affected by it. At 6 years old, neither Kadeli nor her parents knew what the future would hold for them.

“I didn’t have the energy that other children had, so I spent most of my time asleep and in pain. I had a lot of trouble eating and a lot of foods caused adverse reactions and aggravated the disease symptoms,” Kadeli said.

Because of the weight fluctuations that those affected by Crohn’s face, an additional problem arose: Kadeli developed an eating disorder.

“Eating disorders are common because of the dysmorphia you get from having this disease,” Kadeli said. “A lot of patients begin to loathe their bodies because of the pain and suffering it [has] caused. Because of disease activity, weight loss is inevitable.

Just three years ago I weighed 89 pounds.

Societal beauty standards dictate that we have to be skinny to be pretty. The amount of compliments you get on your weight

when you’re emaciated warps your view of yourself and your body. It’s difficult to have a normal and healthy weight when you associate your beauty with how your body looked when the disease was at its worst.”

Since her diagnosis, Kadeli has tried numerous treatments for Crohn’s. Most of the treatments she underwent caused unfavorable reactions or stopped working.

“I’m currently on a medicine called Remicade, which is an infusion that I get every 5-6 weeks that involves me going into the hospital for several hours. It usually leaves me pretty drained and my disease acts up about a week before I get it,” Kadeli said.

The expenses that come with necessary treatment inevitably take a toll on the family’s financial situation.

“Unfortunately my treatments are extremely expensive and so are a lot of other treatments,” Kadeli said. “It’s not only a problem for my family but [also for] other families who have children with Crohn’s.

Some treatments are up to $15,000 a

FEBRUARY

A Constant Battle—Kadeli wears a Crohn’s awareness bracelet. “With Crohn’s, it’s always been a step forward and two steps back,” Kadeli said. Many patients go through periods of remission and resurgence. (Photo by Tanya Ajalli)

Strength in Sickness—“Having Crohn’s taught me how to be strong and how to do what needs to be done,” Elizabeth Kadeli said. Kadeli has had to miss weeks of school to undergo treatment. (Photos by Tanya Ajalli) month to $3,000 a week depending on the treatment. It’s a huge problem, especially if you don’t have the money for certain treatments because then you can’t fight the disease activity well enough.”

While times have been tough for Kadeli, one thing she doesn’t have to worry about is familial support.

“My family has always been super supportive and I’m very lucky,” she said.

“My immediate and extended family has always come down to visit me in the hospital and make meals and just give general support. My parents have been with me through everything and helped me make some really hard decisions, so I’m very lucky to have them. It’s been really hard on my entire family but we’ve learned how to talk about it and deal with it.”

Kadeli’s parents, Ellen and Lek Kadeli, have come to recognize Kadeli’s personal strengths through her struggles with Crohn’s.

“There are many things that we find admirable about our daughter as she has dealt with this disease. One of them has been her generous, loving and caring spirit. This comes through in the way she helps and cares for others in the midst of

FEATURES

Not a Typical Birthday — Kadeli’s 7th birthday was spent resting at the hospital. This was the first of many visits.

(Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Kadeli)

her pain,” Kadeli’s mother said. “There also are many times when she pushes herself, in spite of her suffering, to be a part of helping realize activities and events that are important to other people but would not be the same without her being a part of it.”

Kadeli’s family and her boyfriend, Andrew Geithman, have come to appreciate every moment they are able to spend with Kadeli. Because Kadeli suffers from a chronic and debilitating disease, they’ve learned to cherish the moments they can spend with her.

“We have been on many journeys and adventures where we had some sense of what to expect…where it would start, mileposts along the way and where it would end. This has been a very different type of journey, for Elizabeth and for her family. And we are still in the midst of it together,” her father said. “As hard as it has been at times, we continue to experience the blessing and wonderful gift Elizabeth is to us. Her courage, strength, vulnerability and sacrifice are tremendous examples. She is our hero.”

Although Kadeli continues to battle with Crohn’s, she is optimistic about the

future and pleased with the development of treatment thus far.

“From the 10 years I’ve had this disease I have seen so much change and growth, from the procedures to the medicines to just the way things are handled with mental health. I’ve seen so many new medicines get approved by the FDA, more emphasis [put] on medical doctors referring patients to psychiatrists, new surgeries, new diets,” Kadeli said. “It’s all very exciting. You can look at the glass half empty, but with a disease like this you need to really look at the glass half full.”

In order to help those who have a chance of getting the disease and those who already have already been diagnosed, Kadeli encourages people to help raise awareness or donate money.

“You can help raise awareness to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA),” Kadeli said. “CCFA also hosts a walk in the summer to raise awareness and you can also donate at the walk. It’s in D.C. every year and this year it’s in June.

You can find more information on their website.”

Page design by Esme Tabra & Leena Raza

11

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They see him rollin’

Highlander of the Issue

Entrepreneurial freshman Ben Karimian glides into hot hoverboard market Liam Zeya Editor-in-Chief hey’re everywhere. Famous athletes and celebrities have them. TV shows and music videos are full of them. More and more kids are getting them. Since late 2015, the phenomenon of two-wheeled self-balancing scooters, more often known as “hoverboards,” has taken international popular culture by storm. This past fall, entrepreneurial freshman Ben Karimian took advantage of this opportunity by starting a business with the principal objective of selling these hot items.

Karimian’s first hoverboard purchase was for himself late last summer.

“I met a guy that was the CEO of NEXTBoard, which is a pretty well-known company in California, and I thought they were really cool, so when I went home, I ordered one for my birthday,” Karimian said. “I got my first hoverboard online from some generic brand for a good amount, but after two weeks, it stopped working.”

After his brother, McLean sophomore Mateen Karimian, had another lousy experience ordering a hoverboard that took over six weeks to arrive, Ben decided to change his approach to buying with the help of his father.

“All the factories are in China,” Ben said. “So you have to first find them. [In] a lot of these factories, not only do they make their own hoverboards, but they also put in their own tweaks—they make different models and such.”

After contacting some factories, Ben realized that he could reframe his purchasing mindset to bulk-buying.

“I didn’t think I was going to buy as many as I did. I got a good price,” Ben said.

The first moderate mass purchase led to more bulk-buying later on.

“After he bought the first few, he bought a set of 50, then 300,” Mateen said.

Ben bought the hoverboards in a variety of models and colors.

“We sell two different models—the Mercedes Benz and Lamborghini Model, and nine color combinations for each,” Ben said. “I came up with the colors.”

Soon, with the help of his father, Ben launched a website—ridequickboard.com —to advertise and sell his merchandise.

“Mostly, we sell in person, but we’re getting professionals to work on our website we’ve had. That’s a whole other challenge, how much money needs to go into the website,” he Wheels Spinning—Freshman Ben Karimian said. rides one of his hoverboards down a Still, Ben has had some sidewalk with an advertisement for his tremendous success getting website on his T-shirt. The site has over 18 different designs of self-balancing scooters athlete testimonials for the for sale. (Photo courtesy of Ben Karimian)

T

FEATURES

website. His website features videos of former Redskins star Clinton Portis and current Wizards player Dejuan Blair.

Both of the athletes are riding Ben’s hoverboards, and he’s in each video. Ben met Portis at his gym.

“The one I was riding [when I met Portis] was the Lamborghini one. It’s graffitied, so it gets attention,” Ben said.

“He asked, oh, where’d you get that, I was looking for one of those. I said, I sell them, they’re this price, and then he wanted to get two for his kids.” “[Ben] is comfortable talking to people about anything related to business,” Mateen said. “That’s his strength. He likes selling stuff and he’s good at it.”

The hoverboard craze that Karimian was able to tap into began as a pop-culture craze in 2015. According to Wired Magazine, famous athletes and musicians like J.R. Smith, Karim Benzema, Wiz Khalifa, Nicki Minaj and Skrillex were sighted on the devices during the year. Justin Bieber made them famous by posting videos of himself on the gadgets on his Instagram page, which to date has almost 60 million followers. In a widely publicized story in December, Rep. Carlos Curbelo (R-Fla.) had to go to an emergency room after injuring his arm riding a hoverboard he gave his daughter for Christmas.

Ben’s business success so far while still in his first year of high school is certainly rare. He said his age was both a blessing and a curse in this venture. “[Some buyers] say, you’re so young and you’re selling them, and they buy,” he said.

“But there’s also that factor where they think, since you’re a kid, your items are not as professional as a big [company’s].”

Ben doesn’t know if he’ll stay in this particular business for long. Many fads like the hoverboard roll out of fashion just as quickly as they came in.

“I’m thinking about something with smartwatches or phones,” he said. “These [Chinese] factories, they sell all kinds of electronics.”

Page design by Liam Zeya

13

10 Qs with

Kieran Sweeney

(History & Economics Teacher)

Interview by David Kagan Page design by Bryan Chung & David Kagan Photos by Tanya Ajalli

What would you do to see the Eagles win a Super Bowl?

I’m not sure what I’d do; I just hope in my lifetime that I see the Eagles play in a Super Bowl.

Advice for rising college freshmen?

Any plans for the future?

I’ll probably go back to school and get my masters in the next couple years. I’m excited to just be here exploring NOVA and the DMV.

Oh my goodness, I have so much advice. The biggest piece of advice is [to choose] your classes wisely.

There’s no recovering from a bad first semester. Make sure that you’re taking classes that you’ll be happy with.

Why history and economics?

What do you most enjoy about McLean?

I wanted to be a history major because I had some awesome professors in college that made me love history. Economics is something I began teaching when I came to McLean.

I have really enjoyed the students and the staff. I feel very welcomed and I love the strong sense of school pride.

It makes teaching here much more enjoyable.

What is your go-to Netflix veg out show?

Favorite memory as a field hockey player?

House of Cards When did you become such a fan of Philly sports teams?

My dad is a huge 76ers fan, and he loves basketball. He’s always had season tickets to the Eagles and would always take me when I was a kid. I probably follow the Eagles more than any other sports team.

Why did you go into teaching?

I loved coaching so much, and I figured that going from coaching to teaching was a very easy transition.

Michael Strahan was filming a commercial at Franklin Field during my practice, and we all got to meet him. I was wearing my goalie equipment so he thought I was especially awesome. We also got to play abroad in Australia in the old Olympic stadium. It was a really great experience to play internationally.

What’s your favorite story from teaching at Central Bucks School District in Pennsylvania?

When I was a student teacher teaching, Tony Danza would show up all the time at my school and watch my classes sometimes. He had a reality TV show called Teach where he would teach a class for a semester at my school. It was actually really weird.

14

NOVEMBER

McLean Matchmaking

Two soulless singles play matchmaker

First Photo—Sophomores Anthony Salazar and Anna Gamboa pose at Tyson’s before eating dinner at Cava Mezze Grill. Although both daters said they enjoyed the experience, they are not planning a second date. (Photo by Lucy Hopkins) Lucy Hopkins & Melanie Pincus Managing Editor & Editor-in-Chief

I

t’s that time of year again: cuffing season. Time to find someone who will warm up your heart and hands while

Pre-Date Survey

Favorite thing to do in your free time?

Anna: Painting Anthony: Sleep

simultaneously emptying your pockets.

In the spirit of the season, we decided to try our hand at matchmaking—and failed.

In the spirit of full disclosure, the primary characteristic these two had in common was the willingness to go on a blind date

One word to describe yourself?

Anna: Energetic Anthony: Handsome

Recap

Anthony: [My first impression was] positive.

Anna: I thought that he had nice hair and I felt bad that I wore heels because I was a fair bit taller than him.

Anna: We had dinner at Cava and then walked around for a bit... We talked about places we’ve been and our childhoods.

Anthony: We talked about each other.

Anna: Personally, I’m not planning to [go out again] because we just didn’t have much in common.

FEATURES

and a free Saturday night.

Call it luck or call it fate, but sophomores Anna Gamboa and Anthony Salazar hit it off fairly well—maybe it is possible to find love (or at least a friend) in the modern age.

Favorite artist?

Anna: Panic! At the Disco Anthony: Taylor Swift

Rate the date Although the pair exchanged numbers, they are not planning a second date.

Anthony: 4/5. I found it to be an enjoyable experience... [It was] very stressful [but] yeah, sure, I’d go on a blind date again.

Anna: 3.5/5. I didn’t feel that we had much chemistry but he was a nice guy...

The date was fun but I felt awkward.

Photo by Lucy Hopkins Page design by Lucy Hopkins & Melanie Pincus

15

SNOWZILLA

Photos by Eva Zarpas, Azita Peters, Kimberly Lebowitz, Marion Meakem, Andreas Doms, Lynn Nguyen & Erin Moloney

16

FEBRUARY

ATTACKS

Page design by Eleanor Patrick & Bora Zaloshnja Graphic by Bryan Chung

FEATURES

17

HEALTHY NEVER TASTED THIS GOOD

Fresh Smoothies & Juices

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Which presidential candidate should be your valentine?

Christine Cheon & Anjalie Chauhan A&E Editor & Reporter

Eh, it could have gone better

Classic flowers

Flowers or chocolates?

Chocolates!

Was the conference at Paris a success?

Do you support Obama?

No, he’s an Obamanation

It slayed

Do you consider yourself a billionaire?

I have a few million laying around

I’m a high school student I don’t

I <3 people

Are you a people person?

Most definitely not

How do you style your hair?

Brush n’ run

It’s just another country

Is Common Core a common bore?

Obama is the apple of my eye

What are your thoughts on Mexico?

YES!

Do you wear the pants in the relationship?

I don’t commit

When you say Mexico, I hear wall

Do you want to see your fellow people land on Mars?

NASA is looting us

No duh

NOO YAS

Page design by Christine Cheon & Anjalie Chauhan Images obtained via Google Images under a Creative Commons License

FEATURES

19

A&E

Fresh new beats

1.

Get to know hip-hop’s newest faces Deborah Daniel & Monique Ford Reporters

1.

Post Malone Post Malone entered the rap game with one hit single, no album and a fresh sound.

His musical beginnings originated in his living room, after playing the game Guitar Hero. After two years of community college, Post Malone moved to Los Angeles to pursue his music career. The self-proclaimed “White Iverson” (due to his Allen Iverson-inspired hairstyle) is one of the few artists lucky enough to have such an abrupt career start. After releasing the song “White Iverson”—the first song he’d ever recorded—Post Malone became an overnight sensation. Now “White Iverson” has over 83 million views on YouTube. Post Malone is currently signed to the record label Republic records, and there is talk of an album coming out soon. Since “White Iverson” crashed the Internet, Post has released the songs “Too Young,” “#mood” and “What’s Up.”

2.

Kehlani Born and raised in Oakland, California, 20-year-old Kehlani Parrish came from humble beginnings. She spent most of her childhood in an unstable home environment, and she was even homeless at points in her youth. Kehlani is now looking at a Grammy nomination for her mixtape You Should Be Here. Starting her career at 14 years old on America’s Got Talent, Kehlani was originally in an urban teen pop group called PopLyfe.

From there, Kehlani discovered her own unique sound and branched out on her own into the hip-hop music industry. Some of her most popular songs include “The Way” featuring Chance the Rapper, “Jealous” and “Down For You” featuring BJ the Chicago Kid. Kehlani is currently working on a debut album, which does not yet have a release date but is set to be released soon.

2.

3.

3.

Justine Skye Known to her fans as the “Purple Unicorn” (due to her purple hair), Brooklyn’s very own Justine Skye is the newest addition to the Atlantic Records label. One of the factors that contributed to her success was her Tumblr fame; before coming out with any music, Justine already had over 50,000 followers. Even though she started her career in 2012 with her Skye High mixtape, Justine is just entering the public eye with her newest album, Emotionally Unavailable. Some of Justine’s most esteemed songs include “Bandit,” “Collide” featuring Tyga and her newest hit single, “I’m Yours” featuring Vic Mensa.

4.

4.

Bryson Tiller In early 2014 Bryson Tiller was a Papa John’s employee, but on the side he was also constructing one of the greatest hits of 2015; “Don’t,” which now has over 51 million views on YouTube, has pushed Tiller to the top of the R&B charts. His album Trapsoul is a balance between R&B and hip-hop. It features soft and serene sounds on tracks like “Exchange”, as well as fast paced party jam called “Rambo.” Since Trapsoul’s release in October of 2015, Tiller has released the songs “Self Righteous” and “Just Another Interlude.” Tiller is currently on tour, unfortunately all shows are sold out.

Photos obtained via Google Images under a Creative Commons License Page design by Deborah Daniels

20

FEBRUARY

Senpai’s suggestions: anime to watch Anime to watch from a variety of genres Christine Cheon & Young In Seo A&E Editor & Features Editor

Mirai Nikki

Death Note

Mystery

Action

Light Yagami, a high school genius, lives an average life until he finds a “Death Note” notebook.

Out of curiosity, Yagami uses the notebook, which can kill anyone as long as the holder knows the face and name of that Shueisha person, in order to rid the world of criminals. Soon after he begins killing criminals, the inexplicable deaths grabs the attention of Interpol and the world-famous detective, L. The story quickly turns into a complex, strategic battle between the two geniuses.

Death Note is hands down one of the most clever and complex animes. L and Yagami are evenly matched in their wit and intellect, which heightens the suspense even more. Filled with well-developed characters and unpredictable plot twists, Death Note is a program that both anime fans and novices can appreciate.

The translated name of the anime, Future Diary, refers to diaries that dictate real life events with the specific time and location.

Amano Yukiteru, the main character, is a reclusive student whose life is turned upside down when he discovers that he is the owner of the number one diary Kadakawa Shoten in a game where the objective is to kill all the other contestants before the world ends on Day 90.

The anime consists of intense action from beginning to end, so there are no boring moments when watching Mirai Nikki.

Learning about the characters and their unique personalities and secrets adds a layer of drama to this already gripping show.

Steins;Gate

Ouran High School Host Club

Sci-Fi

Gaku Iwasa

Okabe Rintaro is a self-proclaimed mad scientist who succeeds in making a time machine with his lab partner. Okabe and his friend soon find out that they have caught the unwanted attention of SERN, a time travel research organization.

The text messages Okabe sends for the purposes of experimentation that he thought were harmless prove to have

Comedy

Main character Haruhi Fujioka, a brilliant student on a scholarship at the prestigious Ouran Academy, finds herself working at the Ouran Host Club in order to repay the school Hakusensha for breaking an $80,000 vase. Because Fujikoa must dress up as a boy in order to be a host, and most of the drama in the show centers around the exploitation she gets into as she tries to conceal her identity.

This anime is light-hearted and highly humorous—everyone and anyone watching is bound to laugh. Probably the most well known shojo anime out there, Ouran High School Host Club is a show worth watching again and again.

dire consequences.

This anime has a good balance between humor and seriousness. Steins;Gate has a complex plot, as most time travel stories do, and it poses some interesting theories about time travel that sci-fi fans are sure to enjoy. Although the anime starts off slowly, it picks up quickly and will keep viewers on the edges of their seats by the end.

Images obtained via Google Images under a Creative Commons license agedesign designby byChrstine ChristineCheon Cheon&&Young Aisha Singh Pasge In Seo

A&E

21

What Happened to

“Old

Zoe Le Menestrel, Sri Medicherla & Ashwin Dasgupta Reporters & Editor-In-Chief

N

o matter their dating habits, gender identity or sexual orientation, high school is an awkward point for teenagers as they reach sexual maturity. Today, walking down the halls of McLean, you can observe all types of romantic behavior: the fouryears-in-the-making couple huddled on the bench outside the cafeteria, the guy feverishly keeping up his Snapstreak with a girl he’s barely met, the girl asking her best guy friend to prom, the gay couple walking down the hall hand in hand, the mix of international students of every ethnicity and race dating.

Romantic relationships have always been a part of high school students’ lives. Romance is perpetually evolving, however, and with the advent of new methods of communication along with the liberalization of American culture, it is changing faster than ever before.

22

The New Face of Romance

Picture this: you’re waiting in your room, a little anxious, but mostly excited.

Someone you’ve liked for a long time has just asked you to go steady. They’re running a little late to pick you up for your movie date, but they called you on your home phone to confirm last night so you aren’t too worried. When they finally arrive, the two of you walk down the street toward the cinema to catch the seven o’clock showing of Singin’ in the Rain.

Afterward, you duck into the local diner to share a milkshake. They drop you home and promise to call the next day. You head upstairs, daydreaming about your future together. It was a good night.

Now picture this: your Uber driver has dropped you off at your date’s house.

You’ve never met them before; they’re a friend of a friend...you think. You guys met on Tinder after you swiped right. You ring the doorbell, they open the door and you head inside. You don’t know much

about them, but it doesn’t matter—this is casual. It’s not too long before you say goodbye and hop in your Uber home.

Later, they text you and you respond. It was a good night.

In the 1950s, ‘60s, and ‘70s, the latter scenario of a casual hookup would have been unlikely, and not just because of the lack of smartphones. When Greco Myren, who graduated from McLean in 1976, went to high school, hooking up outside of a committed relationship was frowned upon.

“If you ‘hooked up’ with someone, everyone would know,” Myren said, “and it would mess up any chance for getting to know another girl.”

Smartphone apps like Tinder have played a major role in increasing hookups.

Tinder is emblematic of the changing tides in the culture of romance, and rightfully so. The service, which advertises itself as a place to find “friends, dates, relationships, and everything in between” boasts over 50 million users, 38 percent of whom are between the ages of 16 and 24. High

FEBRUARY

School” Romance? schoolers typically use the app to initiate casual dates or hookups with people who attend a different school.

“I don’t really use it, but a lot of my friends do. There [are] only so many people at McLean, so it’s useful for meeting people from other schools,” junior Lisa Bryant* said.

Tinder is merely the latest digital innovation in the realm of romantic interaction. The prevalence of other forms of digital communication like text messaging and Snapchat has had a major impact on high-school relationships. “[When I was in high school], you couldn’t really connect over the phone.

We had Instant Messenger. So that [was] like the only way you could communicate.

There was no texting,” said Phillip Reid, McLean theatre teacher and 2005 Chantilly High School graduate.

According to Reid, what we know of today as “hookup culture,” or young people’s tendency to forego committed relationships for more casual romantic interactions, was not present when he was

in high school just a decade ago. He said it was never on his radar.

“I was never aware of [hookup culture].

If it did [exist], I didn’t know about it. It didn’t happen in our class. It was not a thing when I was in high school,” Reid said.

According to a survey of 100 students conducted by The Highlander, nearly 50 percent of McLean students say they have hooked up with people outside of a committed relationship. Bryant is one such student.

“I’m judging myself off of people, so when other people have long-term relationships, I’m thinking I’m the only one who doesn’t. But that’s obviously not true,” Bryant said.

She’s right. At McLean, 23 percent of students have been in long-term relationships, while 49 percent have been in short-term ones, according to the survey.

Hookup culture becoming mainstream at McLean has reduced its negative stigma.

“People don’t even frown upon [hooking up] at all because it’s so accepted,” Bryant

said. “In a month, I probably hook up four times, and I’d say three to four hookups a month is pretty average among single people who go out to parties and are a part of hookup culture.”

Senior Thomas Kelty, however, has had a different experience, proving that while this shift has been significant, it has not been absolute. Kelty has been in a committed relationship for more than four years.

But with the changing tides of dating culture, maintaining this relationship has been no easy feat.

“The thing that really puts stress on a relationship is trying to maintain the balance between your friends and the person you’re dating. There can be a lot of jealousy involved with feeling like you’re not spending enough time with one or the other, and that puts on a lot of external pressure,” Kelty said.

Additionally, McLean’s competitive atmosphere means students have very busy schedules, which serve as roadblocks to forming long-term relationships.

*Name has been changed to maintain anonymity

IN-DEPTH

23

1950s-1960s

- “Going steady” was coveted; it meant neither partner was to date outside the relationship - Women married younger than any time in recent US history

1970s-1980s

- Dating etiquette becomes less formal as premarital sex becomes normalized - Abortion legalized - The Gay Liberation Movement rises to prominence and nontraditional relationships become more accepted and commonplace

1990s-2000s

- Conservative groups begin to pressure young people to abstain from sex until marriage, counteracting the liberalization that resulted from the sexual revolution - Technology becomes a more essential part of dating; online dating and texting proliferate the dating scene - Marriage becomes less important and casual dating becomes more popular

Today

- Dating apps such as Tinder and Grindr facilitate dating - People are getting married older than ever

“Time management [has] been hard because [my girlfriend] has lots of extracurriculars,” Kelty said. “Everyone’s so busy.”

The increasingly competitive college admissions process and drive to attend top tier universities in recent years has been a major factor in the decrease of longer term relationships. “[When I was in high school] I didn’t know a lot of people from my class who went out to the west coast, or in the midwest. I see that more often now,” Reid said. “I think that [the increased distance] has made people reluctant to be in relationships… People have a feeling that if it’s going to be long-distance, it’s not going to work out.”

Social Progress

Since McLean’s founding in 1955, the landscape of American society has drastically shifted toward broadening rights for all minority groups, including within dating culture. Beginning with the counterculture of the 1960s, liberal societal values emerged all over the country.

Though the conservative base formed during the 1950s was by no means dead, movements such as the sexual revolution, civil rights campaigns and gay liberation crusades all contributed to a more modern and equitable dating scene.

The sexual revolution and the widespread proliferation of birth control pills destigmatized sex, especially for women. Between 1965 and 1974, there was a marked increase in the number of women who had sexual intercourse prior to marriage, according to The Journal of Marriage and the Family. The same study found that today, 70 percent of Americans approve of premarital sex as opposed to the 30 percent who accepted it in the early ‘60s. Additionally, The Advances in Communication Theory and Research Journal finds that 83 percent of high school and college students today say female date initiation is socially acceptable, as opposed to the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s when it was more difficult for women to spur relationships.

“In the 1970s, the guys were supposed to ask girls to dances, parties, etc. But we were scared, and a friend that was a girl would help. Thank goodness for having friends that were girls because they could kind of direct you along,” Myren said.

As the sexual revolution was underway,

the civil rights movement was in full swing. One significant milestone of the movement was the Supreme Court case Loving v. Virginia, which legalized interracial marriage in 1967. Though the fight to make interracial dating and marriage societally acceptable was fierce in many places across the country, Myren said the atmosphere in Northern Virginia in the ‘70s was somewhat of an anomaly in the South.

“McLean was unique. There were only a few African Americans and only a few Asians, but with McLean’s international background, [interracial dating] was a non-issue, like it is today. Most of Northern Virginia was that way,” Myren said. “As time went on, I realized that the most prejudiced people went to private [high] schools. After desegregation in the South, many people enrolled their kids in private school where there were no blacks, and unfortunately those youths never had their views expanded or shifted.”

And only last year, the Supreme Court decision Obergefell v. Hodges ruled that state bans on same-sex marriage are unconstitutional. This decision and the increased level of acceptance among high school students that has allowed various LGBT+ individuals to date openly is the culmination of decades of work on the part of gay rights activists.

Tara Dwyer, a creative writing teacher and sponsor of McLean’s Gay-Straight Alliance, said some of the club’s early activities were met with retaliation.

“My first year as the GSA sponsor [nine years ago], the students painted [McLean’s] rock rainbow and that night it was vandalized, it was painted over white and black and there were stick figures of a boy and a girl holding hands,” Dwyer said.

“You don’t see anything like that lately.”

Although a single action cannot speak for the attitudes of an entire age group, LGBT+ teens were certainly more hesitant to come out in the past.

“There weren’t any [openly gay or lesbian couples]... in high school and we were in Fairfax County which is a really open, kind of liberal county,” Reid said.

The more recent widespread acceptance of different sexualities and gender identities can be ascribed in large part to the emergence of the Internet.

Numerous LGBT+ groups, such as The Trevor Project, use the Internet to provide

FEBRUARY

Other 6% Sexual Intercourse 48% Oral Sex Making out

45% 73%

*More than one answer could have been selected

HAVE HOOKED UP WITH SOMEONE WITHOUT BEING IN A RELATIONSHIP

6+ MONTHS

crisis intervention to LGBT+ teens, and generally help them feel comfortable about who they are by showing them they aren’t alone.

“When you can get online and see that there are people out there who are like you, I think it can be a lifesaver,” Dwyer said.

The Internet also presents the novel opportunity to effortlessly communicate anonymously with others, which has made it easier for LGBT+ teens like junior Brittany Regas to come out for the first time.

“I think the first person I came out to was someone online. It’s so much easier to share with them because there [are] no consequences,” Regas said. “With the Internet, more people around the world can connect; you can have LGBTQ

IN-DEPTH

MONTHS

communities online. In this school, there’s not a huge LGBT community, but it’s not hard to find that on the Internet.”

A Bright Future

Headline writers, bloggers, academics, hipsters trying to sound blasé on Twitter are all guilty of it—whenever someone admits their love over the Internet, or workaholics schedule sex on their appointment calendars, or someone uses the app “Invisible Boyfriend” to have a digital, make-believe beau, they’ll quip: “And who said romance was dead?” But despite the pessimism of those who ironically use that line, most people accept that romance will never truly die—it will simply continue to evolve.

It’s easy for members of this generation

to idealize what they know of as dating in the past, but to idealize it is to willfully forget the social injustices of the time.

A lot has changed since the 1950s, and although dating culture today is imperfect, technology and social progress have transformed romance from a narrowly defined area to a freer and more inclusive spectrum.

Photos by Bora Zaloshnja & Tanya Ajalli Infographic by Bryan Chung Page design by Zoe Le Menestrel, Sri Medicherla & Ashwin Dasgupta

25

GET THE HIGHLANDER EVERYWHERE YOU GO! Go to our website www.thehighlandernews.com Follow us on Twitter @MHSHighlandernews Like us on Facebook The Highlander Newsmagazine

S

tudents at McLean come from many different backgrounds and cultures, leading to diverse and complex tastes in music across the community. While “spitting fire” and “dropping a mixtape” is all the rage with many today, some iconic songs from the 1960s, 70s and 80s are pushed aside and nearly forgotten. In order to bring these classic tunes back into the public eye, here are some playlists comprised of songs and albums from the retro era of music to give a glimpse of the past and broaden one’s musical outlook.

ALBUMS 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

1984 - Van Halen (1984) The Cars - The Cars (1978) Pleased to Meet Me - The Replacements (1987) International Pop Overthrow - Material Issue (1991) Houses of the Holy - Led Zeppelin (1973) London Calling - The Clash (1979) Moving Pictures - Rush (1981)

FILM SOUNDTRACKS

ROCK

1. “Peace of Mind” - Boston (1976) 2. “One Thing Leads to Another” - The Fixx (1983) 3. “Change” - John Waite (1982) 4. “How Soon Is Now?” - The Smiths (1985) 5. “You Can Still Rock in America” - Night Ranger (1983) 6. “Surrender” - Cheap Trick (1978) 7. “I Can’t Hold Back” - Survivor (1984) 8. “Blue Highway” - Billy Idol (1983) 9. “Your Love” - The Outfield (1985) 10. “Cult of Personality” - Living Colour (1988)

1. Vision Quest (1985) 2. Kingpin (1996) 3. The Wedding Singer (1997)

s t s i l y a l ro P

Ret Enjoy an

au

POP

ast with

to-the-p dio blast-

vorites

school fa hese old-

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1. “Steppin’ Out” - Joe Jackson (1987) 2. “Owner of a Lonely Heart” - Yes (1983) 3. “The Promise” - When in Rome (1987) 4. “Easy Lover” - Phil Collins and Philip Bailey (1984) 5. “It’s Not Unusual” - Tom Jones (1966) 6. “Dance Hall Days” - Wang Chung (1983) 7. “The Grooveline” - Heatwave (1978) 8. “Come On Eileen” - Dexy’s Midnight Runners (1982) 9. “Let It Whip” - Dazz Band (1982) 10. “Suedehead” - Morrisey (1988)

Jackson Payne Online Sports Editor

RAP

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

“Rapper’s Delight” - The Sugarhill Gang (1979) “The Breaks” - Kurtis Blow (1980) “Walk This Way” - Run DMC (1986) “Super Bowl Shuffle” - Chicago Bears (1985) “Bust a Move” - Young MC (1989)

Scan this code to view and listen to these playlists on Spotify Page design by Bryan Chung

A&E

27

Comic rivalry comes to life

Franchise war set into frenzy with new film releases

Shanzeh Umerani Reporter omic book and superhero fans of both the Marvel and DC franchises have a boatload of excitement in store for 2016.

Not only will there be several amazing movie releases, but also some competition between certain heroes and villains.

It’s safe to say that there is no shortage of hype for this year’s film releases; there is a lot to look forward to, and even more to fight about. Whose side are you on?

The showdown of villain gangs is underway, and it’s the Suicide Squad from DC against Marvel’s Sinister Six. Suicide Squad has high expectations to meet, and with its amazing cast, it may be one of the best comic-based movies to be released this year.

The beautifully psychotic Harley Quinn is portrayed by Margot Robbie, the star of The Wolf of Wall Street and Focus. Musician and actor Jared Leto is filling in the shoes of a fan favorite role, the Joker. Leto has a lot of weight on his shoulders given the success of the late Heath Ledger’s portrayal of the Joker in The Dark Knight (2008).

Fans are not only becoming impatient as they wait for these movies to come out, but they are also excited to see which

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X-MEN APOCALYPSE CIVIL WAR SINISTER SIX DR. STRANGE GAMBIT DEADPOOL

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comic franchise makes their stories come to life the best.

“Marvel has really mastered all of their movies and TV shows to make them really cohesive and an awesome universe to immerse myself in, so I’m looking forward to their upcoming movies,” junior Jared Jacknow said.

As for Marvel’s X-Men, Jennifer Lawrence is back, playing the role of the body shifting Mystique, accompanied by James McAvoy as Professor X. Michael Fassbender, Evan Peters and many more return for the fight in this potential box office hit. Although the iconic Wolverine will not be featured in this film, high standards have been set for this new chapter of the popular mutant task force’s saga.

To add to the tension, certain legendary DC heroes will be fighting for their honor.

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is highly anticipated. DC fans are ecstatic that the lovely Wonder Woman is going to be in the Dawn of Justice film, showing off her skills alongside the two men.

As if choosing between Batman and Superman wasn’t hard enough, we also have Captain America: Civil War, an Avenger catastrophe fight between Iron Man and Captain America.

The Marvel film will also include some of the lesser known heroes, including Spiderman, Gambit and many more for the Civil War. A number of independent releases will also be hitting theaters, with Marvel releasing more films than DC. The first one is Marvel’s sassy Deadpool with Ryan Reynolds. This superhero was actually shot with Wolverine in one of the prequels, and thus shows his story before and after the extra experimentation.

Even before the release, trailers had fans crying with laughter. Expectations for Reynolds’ performance were high, though he seems to have had no trouble channeling his inner sass and love for chimichangas.

Marvel is also releasing the stories of heroes not as well known as others.

Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch has been cast to play Dr. Strange.

Alongside that, we have Magic Mike and Step Up favorite Channing Tatum starring as the titular hero in Gambit. However, not much information has been released to give an idea of who this hero is and where he came from, but he will be making an appearance in X-Men Apocalypse.

Upcoming movies from DC and MARVEL

SUICIDE SQUAD DAWN OF JUSTICE TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES

OF STUDENTS ARE EXCITED FOR

FILM RELEASES A&E

Poll of 80 McLean students

vs.

44%

OF STUDENTS ARE EXCITED FOR FILM RELEASES

Page design by Shanzeh Umerani Photos obtained via Google Images under a Creative Commons license

FEBRUARY

Amazon Originals gain momentum The Man in High Castle helps Amazon Instant Video reach a broader audience John Roth & Ed Walters Reporters obile entertainment is a staple of modern culture. The emergence and prominence of companies that allow for mobile access of television, movies and other films is proof of this.

Corporations such as Netflix and Hulu allow for the exponential proliferation of new television programs and movies.

Now, with the creation of Amazon Instant Video, Amazon has added itself to the list of programs with their own video streaming service.

Amazon, like Netflix, produces its own fresh content called Amazon Originals. In late 2011, the first Netflix Original show, Lilyhammer, premiered on Netflix. Two years later, Amazon premiered its first original shows, Betas and Alpha House, in order to remain competitive with Netflix as a streaming service.

Currently, both corporations are known for creating established shows that are well-received nationally by viewers of all ages. Amazon recently produced The Man in the High Castle (see sidebar) based on a book of the same name by Philip K. Dick.

While Amazon does not disclose

M

viewer statistics, the quick renewal of a second season suggests that the show was popular among its viewers.

The show also received positive reviews from critics. The Man in the High Castle received a 95 percent approval rating from Rotten Tomatoes, and a 90 percent approval rating among the entire audience.

In addition to The Man in the High Castle, Amazon produces Mozart in the Jungle and Transparent, shows that are also critically acclaimed.

Despite its success with The Man in the High Castle, the Amazon Instant Video service remains in Netflix’s shadow. As of right now, Netflix is the most popular streaming service, with Amazon Instant Video and Hulu following close behind.

The exclusivity and meteoric success of its original series have seriously abetted Amazon’s rise in popularity among video services. While they remain less popular than Netflix, their number of users was much lower a few years ago.

If Amazon continues producing material of the same fidelity, it has the potential to become Netflix’s equal in size and popularity.

Hulu 15%

Which streaming Amazon service do Instant Video 23% you use?

Poll of 67 students

A&E

Netflix 62%

The Man in the High Castle: An Amazon Original The Man in the High Castle is an Amazon Original series adapted from Philip K. Dick’s alternate history novel.

The series takes place in 1962 America, one in which the Axis powers had won the Second World War. As a result, Germany and Japan annexed the U.S.; control of the west went to Japan and control of the east to Nazi Germany.

The main characters in the series are undercover Nazi agent Joe Blake and an American couple on the west coast of the U.S., Julia Crain and Frank Frink. The three characters face conflict with Japanese and Nazi governments over a film reel which depicts the Allies winning the war. Crain and Frink work to distribute the reels to citizens until they make their way back to the creator of the reels, the “man in the high castle,” who is located in the Rocky Mountain States.

Meanwhile, viewers see the relevant dynamic between Japanese Trade Minister Nobusuke Tagomi and Swedish businessman Victor Baynes, who are concerned about the power vacuum that will occur when Adolf Hitler dies of Parkinson’s disease.

McLean’s Book Club is reading The Man in the High Castle, based on a vote done by the club members. The book was nominated based on the popularity of the TV adaptation.

“We thought the popularity of the TV series might draw in new members. I created a survey... and The Man in the High Castle won,” said junior Tina Hashemi, President of McLean’s Book Club.

There are several discrepancies between the book and the television adaptation, but they’re trivial enough to keep book-lovers satisfied.

“Overall, I think [Amazon] did a fairly good job of adapting the book into a series, despite making a great amount of changes,” Hashemi said.

Page design by John Roth & Ed Walters

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Eye-opening documentaries on Netflix Documentaries that will change the way you perceive life

Tanya Ajalli & Eva Bhandary Photography Editor & Reporter

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nce upon a time, documentaries were widely perceived as plainly boring. Recently, they have been gaining a new wave of popularity thanks to the ever-growing use of the online television and film streaming service, Netflix. Documentaries provide insight to the lives of others and allow viewers to see the world around them through a new lens. Here are some of the best documentaries currently streaming on Netflix.

Exit Through (2010)

Paranoid Pictures

the

Gift Shop

British graffiti street artist Banksy has literally left his mark on cities throughout the world.

He comes in contact with an LAbased underground French artist, and everything goes downhill from there. Warning: there are claims that this is an elaborate ruse.

Tracy Tragos, Andrew Palermo

Synthesis Films, Netflix

Making a Murderer

Fed Up

After spending 18 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit, Steven Avery is found back behind bars. Follow his lawyers and decide whether he is guilty. You’ll be left questioning the U.S. justice system with the amount of plot twists in this mastermind of a documentary.

This documentary will show you that the American food industry is not as harmless as it seems. Learn how the U.S. is turning sugar into the world’s most addictive drug—all legally. Try to chew on the hardcore facts if you can before you get too fed up.

(2015)

24 Seven Productions

Rich Hill

The Imposter

Rich Hill follows the bumbling lives of three boys living in a poor Midwestern town, and the fragile bonds that sustain them. This endearing documentary is sure to warm the hearts of viewers.

After being missing for three years, Nicholas Barclay returns home, but with different colored eyes and hair.

Everything is not as it seems upon his return.

(2014)

A&E

Atlas Films

(2012)

(2014)

Happy

Emotional Content

(2011)

Filmmaker Roko Belic travels around the globe, determined to find the true meaning of happiness and the myriad forms it comes in. This film has its viewers questioning their own definitions of happiness and whips them into an existentialist tailspin.

Page design by Eva Bhandary & Tanya Ajalli

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OPINIONS

Snowzilla strikes sidewalks

Property owners should be required to clear public walkways The staff editorial represents the opinion of the majority of The Highlander editorial board

A

s the Northern Virginia area prepared for the anticipated winter storm on Jan. 20, a gentle snow beset the area. This relatively minor snow event was not the anticipated mega storm, but actually a pretty benign dusting.

The pending storm promised to bring over a foot of snow, making it the center of attention. So when the light snow began that fateful Wednesday night, local roads were not treated.

What could have been a completely manageable snowstorm became a catastrophe, granting FCPS students their first snow day of the year. FCPS would not reopen on time until Feb. 2 due to the effects of the historic Snowzilla storm.

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) allocated $70.7 million to Northern Virginia snow removal for the winter of 2015-16. After the late January storm that brought the region upwards of two feet of snow, that budget had been depleted.

Consistently in our region, we experience snow events that warrant a school closure, much like the late January storm did. School closures are unavoidable when two feet of snow falls, but should it take over a week for a return to normalcy?

One of the major obstacles impeding FCPS from reopening during snowstorms is that they must ensure that sidewalks are passable.

While most municipalities have a law or ordinance that forces people to shovel the sidewalks on their property or face a fine, Fairfax County does not. Instead, it relies on the residents to clear their sidewalks on their own initiative.

“Clearing sidewalks is the responsibility of private property owners. There is not a law or ordinance in Fairfax County that requires homeowners to clear their sidewalks,” FCPS Public Information Officer John Torre said. “FCPS and the

OPINIONS

county encourage homeowners to remove snow from sidewalks to make it easier for students to walk to and from school.”

VDOT is responsible for the plowing of Fairfax County roads, but not for the plowing of FCPS property.

“VDOT’s responsible for Fairfax County roads. However, the Fairfax County Public Schools are responsible for their facilities, [and] snow removal on school property,” Kathleen Leonard, Senior Public Affairs Officer for the VDOT Northern Virginia Region told The Highlander.

FCPS did not wait long after the Jan. 22-23 blizzard to begin the arduous process of digging out its schools.

“FCPS staff started clearing school properties as soon as the snow stopped... and they had most schools cleared within two to three days,” Torre said.

FCPS custodial staff worked Not a Pretty Picture—Although picturesque extremely hard to clear the snow at first, the two feet of snow that fell that was on FCPS property. However, Jan. 22-23 lost its charm quickly. It took because sidewalks that fall on private over a week for FCPS to resume normal property weren’t cleared, that operations after the blizzard. (Photo courtesy of Kim Farmar) hard work amounted to just about nothing. a snow week is less lovable; in fact, it VDOT, much like FCPS, does not have puts students at a serious disadvantage. the jurisdiction to clear private sidewalks. Snow may close schools, but it does not “While VDOT does not remove snow postpone SOLs or AP exams. from sidewalks or trails, crews are asked Even if FCPS does everything within to be mindful of pushing large piles onto its power to ready schools for the return these areas and driveways,” Leonard said. of students, school may still be closed No matter how hard FCPS worked, they because the sidewalks students need would not have been able to open schools might not get cleared, as demonstrated by on time until they believed the conditions the late January storm. were safe for all students, including the We, the editorial board of The approximately 40,000 who walk to school. Highlander, urge the county to take action It is unacceptable that simple-to-clear by passing a law or ordinance that would sidewalks kept schools closed for a full require sidewalks to be cleared on private week, and that factor exists only because property by those responsible for the the county does not mandate the removal sidewalk. of snow on private sidewalks.

Everyone loves a good snow day, but Reporting & page design by Jake Barnett

31

Homework on snow days Should teachers be able to assign work on days off?

Helen Bloom Web A&E/Features Editor

Colin Edson & Rustin Abedi Reporter & Web Opinions Editor

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lthough many look at snow days as days of respite from the stresses of high school, they should not be left for absolute indolence. Teachers should be able to assign homework over snow days without complaints from students.

In previous years, there has been a lot of snowfall towards the end of the first semester. Since quarter lengths are often not extended, teachers are put in a bind—they have less time to teach curriculum.

“Teachers should be able to give homework over snow days.

Otherwise, it is going to end up with students not being able to catch up with AP tests or SOLs,” AP World History Teacher Lindsey Fisher said.

Work assigned on snow days also provides students with opportunities to improve their grades by giving them manageable assignments and plenty of time to complete them.

“If you are on the verge of an A- or A, you need those extra points...the more the better,” sophomore William Argabrite said.

Additionally, homework is only assigned in the classes students miss on the snow day. As a result, only a maximum of four classes could assign additional work. The work prescribed on days off would also lessen the amount of work imposed on the students when they get back from snow days.

If teachers can’t assign homework over the snow days, students may neither retain the information learned prior to the break nor build off of concepts they have already learned.

“When students are working over the snow days, it helps reinforce what they have already learned. It helps [teachers prepare to] introduce things once [the students] get back,” Fisher said.

“Teachers should be able to give homework over snow days. Otherwise, it is going to end up with students not being able to catch up with AP tests or SOLs.”

-AP World History Teacher Lindsey Fisher

Giving students homework over missed school days allows them to pace themselves and not be bombarded with work when school begins.

“If I get work done over snow days, my stress goes down,” sophomore Ben Weinstein said.

With important tests seemingly always on the horizon, it is vital for work to be assigned on snow days so that students don’t get stuck with a brain freeze.

Photo by Ed Walters

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he notion that teachers should be able to continue to give out homework during snow days is unreasonable. Without teachers, students lack a guiding figure to clarify the concepts covered on assigned work. By giving out work before students have had a chance to properly learn the material, teachers are only making it more difficult for students to be successful and understand curriculum.

“A lot [of teachers] are so concerned with meeting deadlines that they’re not concerned with students’ best interests,” senior Etry Gaugau said.

Regardless of the measures schools go to to ensure that students’ educations aren’t interrupted by snow days, days without school inherently lack structure. Additionally, the serious threat of power outages makes the demand to complete work electronically impractical. Teachers who assign work online are also failing to consider students who do not have access to a computer at home.

“A lot [of teachers] are so concerned with meeting deadlines that they’re not concerned with students’ best interests.”

-Senior Etry Gaugau

“Much of our work now is assigned on Blackboard [or] Google Apps. When teachers post assignments on the web, they assume everyone has the ability to access it, which is not always the case,” Gaugau said.

Furthermore, assigning homework on snow days is unreasonable because the material assigned is oftentimes not given enough review time upon students’ return to school.

Because the county refused to push back the end of the second quarter, the week following “Winter Break 2.0” turned into a week of rushed tests and makeup work.

“I had several tests after our week-long break, two days after we had gotten back. Obviously, there needed to be a setback for the quarter, but instead we jammed much in the last few days, which…led to a stressful and unhappy week,” junior Ryan Nader said.

For the benefits of students’ mental health and academic success, teachers should only be assigning work on snow days if it is based on previously covered concepts or absolutely necessary to a student’s ability to complete the course.

Page design by Colin Edson & Rustin Abedi

FEBRUARY

Cold freezes athletes Training in freezing weather is unsafe

Sanskriti Neupane Web Editor-in-chief

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elow-freezing temperatures make it significantly more difficult for athletes to perform well, along with posing numerous health and safety risks.

According to Runner Academy, it can lead to a nine percent decrease in runners’ pace. That is, runners who would typically have a mile time of eight minutes can end up running at a pace of eight minutes and forty-one seconds, just due to the cold weather outside.

When winter begins and temperatures plummet, Fairfax County Public Schools sometimes makes the decision to close school or cancel after-school activities.

Over the course of the winter of 20142015, in an effort to keep students and faculty inside, FCPS closed schools for 10 days. Although there is not a certain temperature at which schools are canceled, there are times when the temperature is considered too low for students to be able to walk to schools or bus stops.

However, on many days when the weather is below freezing, studentathletes participating in winter sports still have to go outside for practice. Sports such as track frequently hold practice outside in the winter, even when the temperature is below freezing.

“I have to wear so many clothes that I can barely walk,” said sophomore Zita Venetianer, who is a member of the varsity crew team.

In both January and February, the temperature regularly drops below freezing. FCPS’s cold weather safety guidelines ask principals to consider factors such as wind chill and temperature when allowing children to play outside.

“Usually we practice outside. We go outside when it’s freezing rain, so we die, almost,” said junior Rosey Iames, who is on the varsity track team.

Although most of the cold weather safety guidelines are focused on

elementary school children who are outside for recess, the same rules should apply to all students who are outside for school-related activities for an extended period of time.

Cold weather has further been proven to reduce the ability of muscles to contract, preventing athletes from warming up quickly and greatly diminishing their athletic capabilities.

“It’s not good for your muscles, and it doesn’t provide a warm-up,” said junior Ramneek Hazrah, who is a member of the varsity crew team.

According to AZcentral, having cold muscles increases the likelihood of athletes getting injured.

“I think it’s terrible. It’s harder to warm up,” Iames said.

Furthermore, athletes practicing in the cold weather have to expend a greater amount of carbohydrates. Consequently, they tire more quickly and more easily, which prevents them from performing at their best.

“When we practice outside, it’s so cold that I become uncomfortable,” sophomore

varsity crew member Maggie Perry said.

It is possible for athletes to obtain the same amount of training and practicing inside if the right facilities are provided.

“If they got us the gym, and they didn’t let basketball take priority all the time, [we could practice],” Iames said. “They don’t let us have the gym even when basketball isn’t using it.”

Even for spring sports like softball, the county or school should create indoor facilities for the first few weeks when the weather remains cold. Then, as the weather warms up, the athletes can transition to practicing outside.

It is the responsibility of the coaches to create a plan through which athletes can obtain the best training while remaining safe.

Fairfax County must take into account the health and safety risks associated with athletes practicing in below freezing weather. Especially at times where the wind chill is high and the temperature is low, it is imperative to keep athletes inside so they do not get injured.

Comic by Shanzeh Umerani Page design by Sanskriti Neupane

OPINIONS

33

Humor

Groundhog Day is the GOAT The greatest and only holiday in which the actions of a groundhog matter

Lucy Hopkins Managing Editor ebruary is certainly the most magical month of the year; at what other time of the year will naked cherubs wielding arrows, actively seeking out heart-shaped foods, and crying openly in public be acceptable? Marchtember? Maybe. But in no other month are these things as embraced and ubiquitous as they are in February.

In fact, February might be the month most closely associated with the symbolic representation of love; yes, it’s that time of year when permanently spelling out your main chick’s name on your arm, tattooing a loved one’s face somewhere on your body, or filling a small vial with your own blood to give to someone else isn’t seen as creepy, but charming. “My boyfriend loves me SO much that he almost bled out so that I could carry a piece of him around with me at all times; isn’t that just the most romantic thing you’ve ever heard?”

Yes, Valentine’s Day is fabulous, but another, less famous February holiday is arguably the best in the month: Groundhog Day. Now, I know what you’re thinking: not

F

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President’s Day? This is an outrage! You’re right. I mean, what other day of the year do we use to worship old white men?

Certainly not everyday C-SPAN is on, and definitely not on the day of the Oscars this year, either.

Think about this: without Groundhog Day, when would we take the time out of our busy schedules to recognize the hard work and importance of groundhogs?

Octcember 94th? Maybe, but that day is more geared for the celebration of the elephant shrew, but I digress.

Groundhog Day is truly special because it reminds us of the pivotal role these 10-pound rodents play in American society. They literally decide when winter will end (side note: groundhogs could be useful in Westeros), and have for hundreds of years. Groundhogs are as American as any president has been, and even more impactful than some (I’m looking at you, William Henry Harrison. You had a meager 32 days in office—Punxsutawney Phil has had almost 130 years in the U.S. alone).

Another great thing about Groundhog Day? The beautiful, intricate tradition that goes along with the event and the ceremonial garb worn by the men who

speak with Punxsutawney Phil. Not only are there trained handlers for the aforementioned wild animal, but there’s a special place for him to live, too. Oh, and these handlers? They’re the ones tasked with confirming whether or not the undomesticated rodent saw his shadow.

There aren’t this many nuances to Valentine’s Day traditions; in fact, the simple traditions most people follow are those of cursing their loneliness and reflecting on where they went wrong in life, or displaying their affection for their significant other in an incredibly public and generally nauseating manner. Nothing screams love like some conspicuous groping on public transport, am I right?

But really, Valentine’s Day is bad at its core because people use it like it’s the only day to make grand love gestures, when it’s not; every day is a day that can be used to proclaim and affirm your love for people, and the entire month of Maygust was set aside for acts of kindness.

There’s only one day in which our most valuable national treasure, Punxsutawney Phil, is given the attention he deserves: the second day of February. Celebrate accordingly (and responsibly).

Page design by Lucy Hopkins Photo obtained via Anthony Quintano on Flickr under a Creative Commons license FEBRUARY

SPORTS

VHSL announces realignment plan McLean will face new regional foes in 2017 Jake Barnett Editor-in-Chief

T

he Virginia High School League (VHSL), the governing body of the state’s high school sports, has announced a plan to yet again change its classification system starting in the 2017-2018 season.

In 2013, VHSL changed from a division model which pitted local rival schools against each other to a format based on balanced conferences.

“In 1970, [VHSL] put the state into

three groupings: A, AA and AAA, and each group was divided by four based on geography,” Director of Student Activities Jim Patrick said. “So from 1970 until 2012 we were in AAA in the northern region, which was Fairfax County, Loudoun County and Arlington.”

Starting in 2017, McLean’s sports teams will enter a district shared with Langley, Herndon, South Lakes, Washington-Lee and Yorktown.

Realignment is not an easy task, but the proposed plan has sweeping support due

1970-2013 Liberty District AAA* McLean Stone Bridge James-Madison South Lakes Marshall Fairfax Thomas Jefferson Langley 2013-2017 Conference 6 McLean Hayfield James-Madison South Lakes Yorktown Fairfax Washington-Lee Langley Thomas Jefferson Stone Bridge Marshall

2017-2018 New 6A District McLean Herndon South Lakes Washington-Lee Yorktown Langley Hayfield Fairfax James Madison

*Minor changes occurred during this time frame

36

to its favoring of proximity and rivalries over competition. The new region will be home to three of the biggest local rivalries: Yorktown vs. Washington-Lee, Herndon vs. South Lakes, and of course, McLean vs.

Langley.

“The 2012 realignment was done to try and make a more competitive balance. It’s done that. But it created other problems,” Patrick said. “This realignment is an attempt to fix the problems they created while maintaining the good thing that they created.”

Part of the motivation for doing so is the deficit facing VHSL. VHSL is incentivized to increase attendance at its events because it would increase revenue and help VHSL climb out of the fiscal hole it is in.

Thus, the best way to increase attendance would be more rivalry games where more students and community members show up.

VHSL gets 35 percent of the ticket revenue raised from regional tournaments and 100 percent of the revenue from state competitions it organizes.

As it stands right now, with two 6A regions there is a regional semifinal and final, as the top two teams in each region make the regional tournament.

Once the realignment takes place, there will be four regions within 6A. Eight teams will make the regional tournament.

More schools competing in regional playoffs is beneficial for all sides—more athletes get a chance to compete in the playoffs, and there will be twice as many games and therefore more ticket revenue.

For the most part, McLean’s sports opponents for regional games will not change, but there will be fewer teams in the district.

“I think this will be a competitive district for us in most sports,” Patrick said.

Page design by Jake Barnett

FEBRUARY

Skating to perfection

Highlanders finish regular season undefeated for first time in team history John Corvari Sports Editor

O

n the court and field, many of McLean’s sports teams have underachieved this year. However, on the ice, McLean hockey has finished the regular season a perfect 10-0, securing first place in the Adams division for the second straight year.

After an impressive 6-2-2 regular season record last year, only to go on to suffer heartbreak in the playoffs against Broad Run, McLean hockey has returned all but two players and is primed for a deep playoff run.

“We have the same core players as last year, but everyone is a year older and improved,” senior Jordan Blum said.

Blum is the team’s leader in points, goals and assists, and is part of a talented senior group that has been key to McLean’s stellar season. For the Highlanders’ veterans, playing to each other’s strengths has become second nature, and the result has been a balanced attack featuring goals from all but one skater.

“Continuity is very important,” head coach John Sherlock said. “We have eight seniors this year, all of whom have been with us for four years now.”

As one of the only two undefeated teams remaining in the Northern Virginia Scholastic Hockey League (NVSHL)— the other being Stone Bridge—the Highlanders are ranked in the top 10 teams in the area by The Washington Post.

Their season is far from over, and for a team so talented, any early playoff exit would be a serious upset.

“We want to go undefeated and make it to the state championship game,” Blum said.

However, after running through most of their regular season opponents without much difficulty, the Highlanders’ first test has come in the form of an injury. Chris Cardwell, the team’s captain and third leading scorer, has separated his shoulder and could miss extensive time as a result.

Cardwell has anchored the team’s top line and dutifully served his role as captain and emotional leader of the team, but the

SPORTS

Picture Perfect—Senior Jordan Blum yells during McLean’s game against Yorktown on Jan. 1. Blum had one assist in the game, helping the Highlanders win 4-2 and remain undefeated. (Photo courtesy of Kent Arnold)

Highlanders know they must overcome the loss in order to achieve their primary team goals.

“We want to win every game we play,” Sherlock said, “no different now than in November.”

Most importantly, the team knows that they have enough pieces in place to get past injuries and remain a force to be reckoned with in the postseason.

“We are deep,” Sherlock said. “We have

a lot of goal scorers. It’s not just one player doing it all which makes us hard to defend.”

While having a state championship in mind is important, the team must also make sure to stay focused on the games they have to win beforehand. “[We are] ready to play smart and hard every night,” Sherlock said. “The league is pretty balanced, so you can’t look by every other team.”

37

Sports teams brave the chills Winter season wraps up for Highlander sports Wrestling fights for Liberty Conference win

Sophie Mariam & Ingrid Morse Reporter & Features Editor

McLean wrestling took first in the Liberty Conference for the second year in a row and third time in four years. The team finished with five individual champions and 12 placers in the Liberty 6 Conference Championship.

Sophomore Calvin Zug took first in 120, junior Brendan Grammes in 138, senior Conor Grammes in 160, junior Gavin Legg for 170, and senior Cochise Wanzer was the 195 champion.

“We went to districts for the third time in four years, and I was happy with how the team performed as a whole and how I did individually,” senior Cochise Wanzer said.

Dance team leaps to nationals Floating Finish—Senior Rob Martine rises in the paint for a shot while Langley senior Nate Schafer attempts the block. McLean lost 51-49, their 11th straight loss, dropping the team’s record to 1-11 for the season. (Photo by Amir McCormick)

Girls basketball shoots and scores, boys fail to make the shot After losing key players from last season, the boys team has struggled through a disappointing 2015-16 campaign. The team featured nine seniors, including captains Patrick Dolan, Matt Livingston and Zach Glissman, but with only three regular season wins there has been little improvement on last year’s 3-20 season.

However, this season has marked significant improvement for the girls squad. As of Feb. 11 their record was 10-11, a significant improvement from last year’s 6-16.

The season started off positively, with the girls team securing a 5-2 record through seven games.

The team hit a midseason slump, but finished the regular season off strong.

3 38

Number of wins for the boys basketball team this season, worst in the conference

After qualifying for nationals over the summer, the dance team attended two regional competitions as well as Universal Dance Association (UDA) National Championship in Orlando, the largest high school dance competition in the country.

Second-year coach Jesus Villeda has been pushing the team to new heights. The team started off with an eighth place in pom at their first regional, but placed 13th in their medium varsity pom division at nationals, and received a superior rating from UDA. The competition season ended strong with first place in jazz, third in pom and third in hip-hop at their last regional at Gar-Field High School.

The team plans to return to the ESPN Wide World of Sports in Florida for nationals in future years.

Kick It—The dance team performs on stage.

The team attended the National Dance Team Championship at the ESPN Wide World of Sports in Orlando. (Photo courtesy of Julia Kaufmann)

5

The number of champions McLean wrestling had at the Liberty Conference

13

McLean dance team’s placement in the medium pom division at nationals in Orlando

FEBRUARY

McNastics flips through meets

Swing to Success—Sophomore Carolyn Brown-Kaiser performs her bar routine at McLean’s conference meet. Brown-Kaiser placed seventh in the event.

Gymnastics lived up to its standard of being a competitive team at conferences. The team has excelled in past years, and this year was no exception with a regular season record of 6-1.

“We weren’t as good as last year, but we have a lot of great gymnasts this year and hope to make it to states again,” junior Calista Purdue said.

High scores included senior Delaney Gallagher and Purdue, both with a 9.025 on beam., finishing with a tie for fourth place.

Sophomore Carolyn Brown-Kaiser scored a 9.3 for McLean on vault, doing a tsuk pike which earned her second place.

Anna Brower followed closely with a 9.25 and third place in the event.

(Photo courtesy of Marion Meakem Photography)

Indoor track sprints to states Coach Megan Ney and captains Christopher Stolze, John Corvari, Nick Maynard, Kathryn Howley, Caitlyn Pyne and Megan Leimkuhler worked toward high individual and team placements and are attempting to send as many students to states as possible. The overall girls team ranking came in at third and boys at fifth in the district.

At the conference meet, the girls 4x800 team earned third place with the highest girls team finish in four years.

Participants were seniors Leimkuhler, Pyne, Kathryn Howley and freshman Caroline Howley.

Senior Danielle Maynard qualified for regionals with first place finishes (high jump and long jump) as well as a second place (triple jump), and was a key team member, earning 28 out of the team’s total 64 points. Maynard is one of the top sprinters and jumpers in the conference, and has also qualified for states in the high jump.

Other regional qualifiers included second place finishers seniors Wesley Romary (hurdles), Alex Fan (pole vault) and Alisha Smith (high jump), as well as Caroline Howley (3200), who was the highest freshman finisher at the conference meet.

Swim and dive splashes to success

Swim and dive had a sucessful season and a great performance at regionals, girls taking home fourth and boys third.

“As a whole, the team has done very well. We only lost one meet and were competitive at both conferences and regionals, so we are looking forward to more fast swimming coming up at states,” junior Liddy McCulla said.

In relays, the boys and girls in 200 Medley relay both received second place and automatic All-American time, with the girls breaking the record. Girls 400 free relay recieved second place with a record-breaking score.

Highest male individual swim placements included senior Christopher Murphy with first in 100 backstroke. Junior Dorje Wu took first in 100 breaststroke, setting a new 6A North region record time.

For girls, sophomore Sinead Eksteen led with third place in 200 and 500 free, McCulla with third in 200 individual medley, senior Veronica Wolff with third in 100 fly and senior Delaney Gallagher with fourth in 11 meter dive.

9.3

Carolyn Brown-Kaiser’s high score on the vault

200

Just Keep Swimming—Senior Chris Murphy swims butterfly at the regional meet. Murphy plans on swimming at Duke next year. (Photo courtesy of Catherine Summers)

Meter medley relay record, broken by the girls swim team

16’10.5”

* all statistics accurate as of Feb. 11 and provided by team affiliates

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Distance of Danielle Maynard’s 1st place jump which qualified her for regionals

39

A star says goodbye

Patrick Dolan finishes his final varsity season after an illustrious four years of athletics

Triple Threat—From left to right: Patrick Dolan pulls up for a jumpshot against Langley on Jan. 8, walks across the

field during a football game against Fairfax last year, and looks for a teammate in a lacrosse game against South County last year. Patrick has excelled at all three sports since his freshman year. (Photos courtesy of Kent Arnold)

Ethan Cherry & Jonathan Sperling Sports Editor & Reporter

S

itting in front of a red locker in a crowded locker room, senior Patrick Dolan puts on a pair of red high top shoes in preparation for McLean’s basketball game. It’s something he has done countless times throughout the past four years.

Whether wearing cleats or sneakers, Dolan has worn Highlander colors on the court and field more than any of his peers, but the end of this winter sports season will mark Dolan’s last time competing as a Highlander.

Dolan is one of few students this year who will receive the Angus Award, an esteemed honor given to McLean athletes who acquire eight or more varsity letters.

Dolan has played varsity lacrosse since his freshman year as well as varsity basketball and football since his sophomore year. At the conclusion of this basketball season, he will have three varsity letters in each.

The primary difference between Dolan and other athletes is that in all three sports the precedent is to compose teams of primarily upperclassmen. As a freshman,

By the numbers:

11.5

Dolan was one of two freshmen on varsity lacrosse. The following year, he was one of only two sophomores to make varsity basketball and received significant playing time as a tight end on varsity football.

“Any athlete knows how big an impact their family has had on their life—they’re the ones who get you started, and they’re the ones who keep you going. My dad has always been my biggest motivation, and my mom has always been my biggest supporter,” Dolan said. “What would I be without those home-cooked meals?”

Growing up with an older brother and a former Division I athlete as a dad has impacted Dolan’s life tremendously.

Dolan’s current and former teammates say he has always displayed a genuine passion and commitment to his sports.

“Patrick is everything you want in a teammate. He is hardworking, determined and makes everyone around him a better player,” senior Harrison Govan said.

Govan has been Dolan’s teammate in both football and lacrosse.

“Patrick is a genuinely nice and mature person, and you can see that in his play, but he still has that competitive edge that

Points per game in basketball this year

8

Goals in lacrosse last year

17

comes from hating when he loses, which makes him passionate in everything he does,” Govan said.

With sports taking up the majority of his high school life, time management has always been essential. However, he says the memories created make it all worth it.

“I remember the first time the two of us scored a touchdown on varsity, we lost our minds—it was such a big deal because we’d been talking about it since eighth grade,” senior Tom Shue said. Shue has been Dolan’s teammate in both basketball and football.

A hallmark of Dolan’s persona is his superb athleticism.

“Patrick is the best athlete I’ve ever played with,” Dolan’s senior basketball teammate Zachary Glissman said. “He has a great sense of humor which really helps build chemistry.”

Dolan will not play lacrosse in the spring, thereby ending his remarkable McLean athletic career.

“It is definitely bittersweet,” Dolan said of his decision, “but I am really looking forward to taking the spring season off and having some extra time to myself.”

Touchdowns the past two years

9

Varsity letters acquired during Dolan’s high school career

Page design by Ethan Cherry

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FEBRUARY

Color guard competes for winter season Team grows, prepares Peter Pan-themed show

Preparing To Compete—Varsity color guard practices at McLean on Jan. 16. Junior varsity placed first and varsity placed second in their respective categories at a competition at Potomac High School on Feb. 6.

(Photo by Annie Lu)

Melanie Pincus Editor-in-Chief

J

esus Villeda, who serves as director of McLean’s color guard program, has worked with the guard for five years.

During his time here, the team’s size has increased nearly sevenfold.

“We started off with seven students, all with varying skills, and now this winter season we have 45 students in a [junior varsity] and a varsity program,” Villeda said.

Senior Addie Wilkerson, who is the team’s head captain, said increased size has correlated with better performance.

“Not only is the varsity getting better because it’s more selective as we bring more people into the program, but also the JV’s getting better because before…you just kind of put anyone who doesn’t know what they’re doing into the JV,” Wilkerson said. “Now it’s a higher level.”

This year, the JV team will compete in five local competitions. The varsity team will compete in four, along with a Winter Guard International (WGI) regional competition in New Jersey. “[WGI] is going to be a really different and awesome experience that we haven’t gotten to do yet, particularly because around here color guard is big but not really big, as it is in other parts of the country,” senior and co-captain Katie Rizzolo said, “so going to a regional sort of opens us up to guards from other places.

The guard typically selects a show for its winter season around August. This year, the JV and varsity groups are preparing Peter Pan-based pieces.

“The varsity theme is escaping

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Neverland or leaving Neverland and the decision of…Wendy wanting to go back home and leaving Peter behind,” Villeda said. “[JV is] doing the lost boys, so they’re interacting with pirates and with mermaids… It’s a lot more goofy and theatrical, and the varsity show is more serious.”

Villeda believes that the theme of the show may be relatable for performers.

“The music that we picked is ‘I Believe’

by Christina Perri, and the song talks about overcoming obstacles, and…that can resonate with anybody at any time, whether you’re going through a hard time with something personal or you’re about to leave high school,” Villeda said.

Wilkerson said the idea of leaving is especially relevant to seniors on the team.

“It’s going to be kind of emotional as we get to the end of the season,” she said.

Rizzolo said color guard has acted as an outlet for her during her four years on the team.

“Being around everyone who’s so different but is so comfortable with being themselves, helped me sort of be comfortable with being myself, and just expression in general,” she said. “There’s so much support, there’s no judgment.”

Sophomore and member of the varsity team Smritee Thapa said the team allows her to be herself.

“I also dance outside of here, but it’s so different here because there’s so much more a sense of family,” Thapa said. “I can be so much more like myself, while at dance I always feel kind of awkward.”

Villeda said the sense of family sets McLean color guard apart from other

programs.

“I’ve heard that from a lot of students in a lot of different programs and other dance teams as well where you go into one of those environments and you just feel super self-conscious and you feel like you have to prove yourself,” Villeda said. “Here it’s more nurturing and more lifting each other up. You can be yourself and still do well in our program.”

One of the appealing aspects of color guard is that students can grow in other aspects of their life as a result of their experiences on the team.

“One of the biggest challenges is overcoming a lot of fear...there’s a lot of exposure...and that is a little nerve wracking sometimes,” he said. “Actually going onto the floor and performing in front of a ton of people [is] a good experience for students because it gets you prepared for your future... It helps with confidence.”

The performance aspect of color guard is many members’ favorite part.

“The satisfaction you get after coming off the floor after a really good show is just amazing,” Rizzolo said.

Color guard hopes to continue to grow and compete at higher levels as new members develop and become more experienced.

“We are losing the largest chunk of seniors that we’ve ever had, but we also have a really large sophomore class, and we’ve recently brought in another 10 freshmen as well, as well as kids in middle school,” Villeda said. “I’m hoping the program will grow, and we’re hoping to go to nationals next year or the year after.”

Page design by Melanie Pincus

41

Girls basketball on the rebound Teamwork, strong defense lead varsity to success Jackson Payne Online Sports Editor

However, after the rough patch the team began an upward trend, ollowing last year’s lackluster 6-16 getting back in the win column. campaign, the varsity girls basketball “We went through a bit of a bump,” team has enjoyed a solid comeback season. Monroe said. “Now we obviously With a respectable 10-11 record as of need to finish the season strong and Feb. 11, there are plenty of reasons to be continue to work together as a team.” excited about the future.

Teamwork has been the key for “The girls have worked very hard this the Highlanders, who have stuck season,” head coach Jen Sobota said. “We together during trying times and have played almost every game very closely kept their heads in the game. and have put ourselves in a position to “I believe one of our biggest win a number of games, and we look to strengths is our team mindset,” improve each and every day.”

Sobota said. “We know that we have The team started the season on a tear, to play all together as one in order winning their first three contests and to be successful, and they work very holding on to defeat Marshall on Dec. 19 hard and push each other every day to reach 5-2. to be the best they can be.”

“We started out strong, winning a lot of Although McLean’s players may Competitive Drive—Senior Jess Monroe games,” senior guard Jess Monroe said. not be as big or strong as some of gets past a Fairfax defender on the The hot start soon fizzled away as the their opponents, they believe they’re way to the basket on Jan. 15. The Highlanders went through a disappointing teamwork helps make up for the Highlanders have relied on Monroe slump, winning just two of their next 10 difference. for much of their scoring this season. games.

“Team unity is the best thing, and (Photo courtesy of Kent Arnold) “We came together as a team and got it’s the only thing we have when we’re back to where we needed to be,” junior going against better competitors,” of our games are won or lost based on their forward Hannah Smith said.

Smith said. “We know we’re not the biggest points,” Sobota said. “There are so many or strongest team out there, but we other things that don’t necessarily show work really hard together as a team, up in the stats that everyone contributes and that’s what’s important.” to. Whether it be defense, rebounding or While the Highlanders’ mindset playing the supporting role, everyone has has been a vital factor in their success contributed.” this year, their excellent defensive As the season nears its completion, the play on the court has been equally team looks to continue its current stretch impressive. through the rest of the schedule and into “We play a special defense where the playoffs. we’re on help most of the time,” “We would like to finish with a record Monroe said, “so we’ve been able to above 500,” Sobota said. “We will continue hold the top scoring teams to just to play as a team and hope that the work about 40 points in games this season, we put in will lead to our success.” which is really good.”

No matter the end result, McLean’s Contributions from the entire resurgence this year has proven that team have made teamwork all the teamwork can truly take a team a long more important for the Highlanders, way. whose accomplishments this “I think our defining moment [of the Rallying Cry—Coach Jen Sobota speaks season are the result of a season] is still yet to come,” Sobota said. to her team in preparation for their game collective effort rather than just With the playoffs on the horizon and a against Langley on Jan.8. The Highlanders any one player. winning record at stake, the Highlanders lost the game but have rebounded with “Jess Monroe and Hannah will have plenty of opportunities down several key victories to reach 10-11 for the Smith are our biggest point the stretch to experience that defining season. (Photo courtesy of Kent Arnold) contributors—however, none event.

F

Page design by Jackson Payne

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FEBRUARY

Athlete of the Issue

Veronica Wolff Nora Hashem Reporter

Besides swimming, have you played any other sports?

I played soccer until freshman year.

What are some of the main differences between swimming for McLean and swimming for your club?

My club team is a lot more intense than [McLean’s team]. The practices are harder and the meets are usually two or three days, but club does not have the same kind of team atmosphere that McLean swim does. Also, club is much more individual, whereas in high school you are focused on performing for the good of the team.

What is your schedule like?

I swim year-round for my club team. During high school season I swim for McLean as well as my club team. We get about three weeks off in August but the rest of the year we are practicing.

What do you love most about swimming?

Getting to spend time with my team. They are like my second family, and I have no clue how I would make it through practice without them.

Why did you start swimming?

I started summer league swimming because my best friend had signed up and because I’ve always loved being in the water.

Do you have any traditions before a meet?

Not really. I make sure I eat well and get lots of rest. Depending on the meet, I like to hang out with my friends and relax so I’m not stressed out going into competition.

STATS & FACTS

Grade: Senior Sport: Swimming Favorite Athlete: Katie Ledecky College: Williams College Best Event: 200 Butterfly Years Competing: 13

What are your goals (if any) for 2016?

I would love to finish off high school and perform well at states, hopefully with an All-American consideration cut. I am also focused on making summer junior nationals for my club team.

Photo courtesy of Nora O’Sullivan Page design by Nora Hashem

SPORTS

43

Finish Line Reported by Conor Zeya

Leah Horan

Mike Redding

Alex Wassel

Kathryn Howley

Freshman Swim

Sophomore Basketball

Junior Wrestling

Senior Track & Field

What is one thing you do to prepare for every game?

What is a word you would use to describe yourself?

Drink Gatorade

Adventurous

Listen to my own original music

Big

Wh Eat six packs of Gushers

Big

Pack Smartwater and racing socks

Who is your dream Valentine?

Perfectionist What is the weirdest thing youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve ever eaten?

Young Johnny Depp

Kate Upton

44

Dragonfruit

Salted watermelon

Coach Jackson

Snails

Zac Efron

Starfruit Page design by Bryan Chung

FEBRUARY

Tutoring Club of McLean is in Your Corner Since 2010, Tutoring Club of McLean has been helping your fellow Highlanders thrive.

Our award-winning, individualized instruction is guaranteed to help you keep your grades and study skills in peak performance.

We’ll help you create a custom plan that sets you up for academic success. From Statistics to Physics and AP History to Foreign Languages, we’ve got you covered. We’ll also help you ace your college entrance exams and applications, and prepare you for college and beyond. Stronger grades and higher scores open more doors, so call today to find out why so many students and parents refer their friends to Tutoring Club.

Call or email today to find out about our free COLLEGE 101 presentation for juniors in April (sophomores are also welcome if there is space), or about our COLLEGE APPLICATIONS SUMMER BOOTCAMP for rising seniors.