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the Wednesday October 3, 2001 Volume #47 Issue 3

h t t p : / / w w w. f c p s . k 1 2 . v a . u s / A n n a n d a l e H S / A B l a s t / 2 0 0 2

Student ‘approached’ at Ossian Park

by Richard McCormack Profiles Editor

On the day before Back-to-School Night, a student was approached when walking home at 3 p.m. through Ossian Park.

“She was approached by an unidentified man who attempted to grab her.

She screamed and resisted, he ran,” said Principal Donald Clausen in a letter to the parents of all AHS students. The man was described as a white male, about six feet tall, with “dirty” blonde hair and blue eyes; he weighs approximately 170 pounds.

Police surveillance has risen, with more officers in the area and bike patrols now around Ossian every week.

Even with more patrols, “there’s still a

ANNANDALE H IGH SCHOOL

Informing the Atoms since 1954

4700 Medford Dr. Annandale, VA 22003 703.642.4229

Class Acts to open next week

possibility of another attack,” said Safety and Security Specialist Cliff Cornwell.

Cornwell is urging all students to walk in pairs or groups and to be more alert, especially when walking in sparsely populated areas.

Officer Zambron, who has been working the area for two years, is telling people that “they need to get pissed off, give a fight. You might get hurt but you might get hurt if you don’t fight. You might as well try.”

Students have mixed reactions to the incident. Senior Stephanie Glotfeltly said, “I’m not too scared, I think I could handle myself in that situation.”

But others feel differently, “It makes “Ossian” con’t on p. 5

SARAH SHERMAN

Two students walk home through the Four Year Run entrance to Ossian Park. Located near the track and a prime parking spot, this is roughly where a student was approached on Mon. after school.

by Lauren Sterlacci Staff Writer

Next week the stars of Class Acts will perform multiple plays, each of which appeals to just about everyone.

There’s comedy, romance, drama and adventure from one play to the next.

The curtains slowly open and all attention is directed on the stage as the show begins to unfold. The night will consist a total of four plays which each grade level has been practicing from 24:30 Monday through Thursday.

“It was a rough start getting on track, but all of the directors and actors are hard at work and I’m really excited to see what develops,” said Vicki Farish, drama teacher. The audience will get a chance to see a wide range of different plays which are guaranteed to entertain them. On October 10th at 7:30 p.m. you’ll hear the audience hush across the room as the Freshman, Sophomore, Junior and Senior Class Acts plays are being performed in the auditorium.

Directing the Freshman play, The Day the President Called... are seniors Amber Panik and Matthew Pena. Pena added, “Directing has required a lot of patience, responsibility and dedication.”

The comedic play is about a teenage girl who is struck by a golf ball which is swung by the President of the United States. Throughout the play the President tries to contact the young girl but complications always seem to arise.

Monster Soup is the sophomore play directed by sophomores Cory Shadyac and Peter Leresche, in which a family of ghouls can’t pay their rent so they seduce their daughter into marrying a villain in order to keep their house.

Sophomore lead actress Ashley Jones commented, “I’m having so much fun practicing after school and I can’t wait to show my fellow peers all the work we

KATHERINE KISHIYAMA

Seniors work on Games, their one act play for next week.

have put in this.”

Now a play little more on the romantic/comedy side, the junior play Rome Is Where the Heart is directed by junior Meg Stoltz is about a young man who falls in love with a slave girl. When a series of mistaken identities occur as well as many confusions the play starts to unravel. Junior Meg Stoltz remarked,

“ I’ve had a lot of fun directing this play and it will be nice to let everyone see what we’ve been doing these past few weeks.”

Games, the senior play directed by Geordie Cambell is on the more serious side. A group of friends who attend their “Acts” con’t on p. 5

Release of SOL, AP scores show improvement NHS inducts new

by Rachel Jones Staff Writer

The Virginia Standard of Learning (SOL) results and the Advance Placement (AP) test results are back. In almost all subjects test scores have risen.

Last year was the first year in which freshmen were required to pass a certain number of SOL’s to graduate. Last year was the first year that the test counted towards graduation for last year’s freshmen. Freshmen classes did better than most other classes. Counselor Paul Litwinetz said, “For those who the test did not count for graduation, might have taken the test half-heartedly.” All freshmen classes had a passingrate of 70% or higher. A school

needs a 70% passing-rate for all tests (except U.S. History).

“We’re really pleased because we had dramatic improvement, but we also realize we need to get better,” said history teacher, John Nemeth. “We can’t relax until everybody passes, that’s the bottom line,” Nemeth said.

Fairfax County also saw significant gains in its SOL scores. The passing-rate has increased on 23 of the 27 tests administered. The number of passing schools in the county has risen to 143, which are 32 more schools than last year.

“We are, of course, pleased with the continuous progress that our students are making.

The hard work of our teachers

Average results for the 2001 SATs Register with Verbal Average AHS

505 725

TJHSST Langley H.S.

595

Madison H.S.

573

Woodson H.S.

579

to sign up for these SAT dates: October 13 November 3 Decemeber 1

Math Average AHS

520 745

TJHSST Langley H.S. Madison H.S.

616 585

Woodson H.S.

589

see story on school SAT results on p. 5

“SOLs” con’t on p. 5

Football price of admission raised to $5

by Paul Gleason Staff Writer

At the start of the 2001-2002 football season, many high school football fans in Northern Virginia, were surprised to find that the entry price had risen since last season.

“The prices are too high, I think that students should get in free, well only Annandale students should get in for free,” Sophomore Charlie Dickinson The Northern Regional Counsel are the people responsible for the rise in admission price. Last season the admission cost was $3 pre-sale, $4 dollars at the gate. This season the Northern Regional Counsel changed the cost to $4 pre-sale, and $5 at the gate. The cause of

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this is due to the fact that running the games has become more costly. The equipment needed for the games are also becoming more expensive to buy and to maintain.

“Although the price has risen, I still believe that if you consider what you pay to see a movie, that seeing your friends, or family play football at this price is pretty inexpensive,” said Annandale Athletic Director, Angelo Hilios.

Last season, the football program alone brought in $20,000-30,000. “If the crowds are the same as previous seasons, we should expect to bring in a couple thousand “Tickets” con’t on p. 5

members in annual ceremony

REID EDWARDS

History teacher John Nemeth sells tickets for the new price of $5 last week for the game against Hayfield.

children, helping out at a church or youth center, working at an elderly center or nursing home, Recently, all juniors with a working at an animal shelter, or 3.5 grade point average or many other ways to help out higher, were analyzed and others without getting paid. Also, selected to apply to join the when you are inducted into the National Honor Society (NHS), a society, you must attend the prestigious organization that is clubs’ meetings, which occur once devoted to helping the commua month. As Houff explains, “At nity. the meetings, you mainly discuss By being a member of the activities and community service NHS, students opportunities.” can be more To be selected involved in the into NHS, working NHS REQUIRMENTS actively in school is community and be honored for key. The sponsors • Cumulative GPA their good first receive the list of 3.5 grades. “Some of all juniors who advantages to have a GPA of 3.5 or • 10 Hours of being in NHS Community higher from Service means knowing guidance. Then you have a high they consult those • Teacher GPA and being students’ teachers recommendations recognized for to get positive or • Leadership doing hard work negative stateskills in school,” said ments about the Helen Houff, a student. After the senior and sponsors confirm member in NHS. that the chosen student is strong “NHS is great because I love in all areas of the selections, then being involved in the community a letter is sent to the student and helping out. Plus, it looks asking them to apply for NHS. great on college applications,” “I work hard in school, keep said Mikaela O’Connor, also a my GPA up, and help out in my senior at AHS. community,” said Houff, “and If you are chosen to be in the because of my involvement and National Honor Society, you can grades, I was invited to join the expect to do a minimum of ten society.” hours of community service as After you get invited to join opposed to only five hours for the National Honor Society, you other societies. Some ways you “NHS” con’t on p. 4 can get community service hours include tutoring younger

by Laura Hollowell Staff Writer

hat’s inside

A Look Ahead October 3-4 Cap and Gown orders in Mat room 8

Columbus Day Holiday

10 Class Acts, 7:30 p.m.

10 Powder Puff, 3:00 p.m.

10 Bonfire

12

14 Football comes off a 21-3 loss to Hayfield and gets ready for an away game at Robinson.

H to the Izzo! Find out if Jay-Z’s anticipated latest release, Blueprint, is worth all the publicity.

11 Senior Parent’s Night, 7:30 p.m. in auditorium

16

12 Homecoming Game, 7:30 against West Potomac

The Maryland Renaissance Fair is known for its variety—from fantasy to food.

Check out what it has to offer this year.

13 Homecoming Dance, 8:00 p.m. in Cafeteria 16 PSAT Testing 30 Fall Orchestra Concert, 7:30 p.m.

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Wednesday, October 3, 2001

Student Complaints against the new tardy policy: CROWDED HALLWAYS

Due to the construction and clogged hallways, getting to class on time is an arduous task

FLEXIBILITY SACRIFICED

The time between classes is crucial for essential activities such as visiting lockers, bathroom breaks, etc.

STRINGENT PENALTIES

Excessive discplinary action is taken when students accumulate tardies

CLASS TIME MISSED

Under the new policy students miss even more valuable class time

Tardy policy flawed

atomic

Reactions

The administration has instituted a controversial new tardy policy in an effort to limit the amount of tardies from last year. This “zero tolerance” policy has been in effect since the second week of school, much to the dismay of the student body.

Admittedly, AHS has a serious tardy problem that must be addressed. The new policy has been effective in decreasing the amount of students tardy to class. However, the new policy is flawed and presents numerous problems for the majority of students who are not habitually late to class, and therefore must be revised.

What do you think about the way President Bush has handled the attacks on Sept. 11th?

“I think he’s handling it really well because it’s a lot of pressure on one man’s shoulders.”

This policy would not be entirely out of line if students were put in a position in which getting to class on time was not “mission: impossible.” This year, due to ANDREW SATTEN the renovation, many of the quicker Math teacher Bruce Fisher signs passes for tardy students. In the new system for deterring routes to class have been blocked off. In tardiness, late students have to take the time to wait in line and get a pass at the front lobby particular, the media center hallway before being allowed into class. which is crucial to accessing to far wings of the school. The school is also overhad been permitted to enter the under the tardy policy are also populated, and critical hallway intersecclass and simply been marked late excessively stringent. Being late for tions are virtually impassable during by the teacher. This new procedure class only twice throughout an peak minutes of class transfer. Due to just adds an unnecessary step that entire school quarter should be these conditions, certain classes are complicates the issue. applauded, not punished by a 2:10difficult to make on time. If this policy High school life is stressful 3:30 Tuesday detention session. remains a fixture, enough for students Further, under no circumstances more time must be and this policy only should accumulating tardies result added between The new tardy policy is classes. adds to the anxiety. in an out-of-school suspension as it

flawed and presents numerous Tardies are Furthermore, time problems for the majority of discouraged, between classes students who are not habitually because by being late to class, and therefore it serves various must be revised. late to class purposes for stustudents miss dents. It is a time in valuable instrucwhich students use tion time and to go to the bathYes 31 No 2 disrupt the flow of room, visit their the class. Neverlocker and take a theless, this new policy only fuels mental break from their last class in these problems. By the time stuorder to get geared up for their next dents realize that they are late to one. This new policy coupled with class, have to walk to and wait at the the fact that it is difficult to get to tardy desk for a pass, and then class on time prevents these necesreturn to class, they will have sary actions from taking place. missed more class time than if they The disciplinary actions included

—Charlie Dickinson sophomore

“He has done an amazing job, he’s really brought the country together.”

does under the present tardy policy.

Though the administration is the highest authority within the school, instituting a policy of this magnitude without first pausing for student input was out of line. Most students are not habitually late to class and this policy only incites more stress and imposes harm on well intending students. The administration should put themselves in the position of the students, so that it can be made apparent to them that this policy must be amended.

—Shunell Hall junior

“He’s doing the appropriate thing. He’s not rushing in like I thought he was going to at first.”

—Paul Pickett School Resource Officer

Its time to rethink a stained foreign policy Our foreign policy has seen “foreign aid as a political and economic tool” at the expense of others

by Katie Clark Editorials Editor

The events of Sept. 11th undoubtedly shook the American people. The extent and magnitude of the attacks have changed nearly all of us.

However, the world did not become a dangerous and unjust place on that Tuesday morning. It has been since as long as we can remember.

In what has been, for the most part, a remarkably honorable reaction to such a horrible act, the American people have missed something. We have declined to answer for ourselves a most invaluable question. Were the attacks really unprovoked?

Though there is absolutely no way to justify the murder of over 6,000 civilians, the attacks were only a symptom of a complex, worldwide conflict. Within that conflict, the United States has certainly not been an innocent bystander. Our government’s foreign policy is stained with countless acts of murder and terrorism on foreign peoples.

In 1993, the Air Force was ordered to attack an intelligence headquarters in Baghdad. At least six people were killed in a suburban

neighborhood and there wasn’t even significant damage to the Iraqi intelligence buildings. The order to bomb came after news of an alleged assassination attempt of former president George Bush. The evidence supporting the alleged assassination attempt was very weak and the bombing took place before the accused were put on trial. Columnist Molly Ivins, explaining that the bombing was done in order to send a “powerful message,” said it “[fit the definition of terrorism]”.

On another occasion, what looked like a humanitarian effort was support of an absolute atrocity. In order to promote profitable trade arrangements, the Clinton administration provided aid to Indonesia, ignoring that country’s mass murder of nearly 200,000 people in the foray and invasion of East Timor. Once again, the financial benefits of the American people weighed precedence over the protection of foreign peoples.

As Howard Zinn stated in his People’s History of the United States, our foreign policy has seen “foreign aid as a political and economic tool more than as a humanitarian act.”

After the Tiananmen Square

M akin’the Gr ade Justice for all

A A C F

President Bush has handled the enormous pressure of the terrorists attacks with impressive resolve and patience. He spoke well on Sept. 20th, saying, “we’ll meet violence with patient justice.” Bush’s willingness to use caution will no doubt help keep the international civilian death toll from increasing.

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ditorials

P.E. department tough on theft The P.E. department should be applauded for its ongoing committment to keeping students’ valuables safe. Many of the teachers pride themselves on keeping their locker rooms in check. Students can now rest assured that their belongings will be safe as they play dodgeball.

Much ado in D.C. The decision to replace the IMF-World Bank protests with an antiviolence/antiracist theme was a good one, but it’s a shame that even a small minority used methods such as flag burning to make their point. Likewise, it’s unfortunate that the peaceful majority of these protesters had to face accusations of being Anti-American.

Taliban causes further suffering In addition to hindering the U.S.’s attempts to detain Osama Bin Laden, the Taliban continues to cause suffering within its own borders. The Taliban has closed its borders and has prevented relief workers from supplying starving villages with food.

massacre, for example, the U.S. continued to supply that communist country with aid and trade privileges.

The People of Cuba, though, whose government had not demonstrated the kind of “bloody suppression” seen in China, suffered a blockade we imposed which kept food and medicine out of the hands that needed it.

While we’ve employed military actions for economic benefits, other acts of violence have been motivated by even less honorable intentions. In the early 1990s, polls showed that George H. Bush was loosing favor with the American public. When Kuwait was invaded by Iraq a decision was made to strike back in favor of the oil-rich country. A New Yorker writer reported that a Bush aid “was telling people that a short, successful war would be pure political gold for the president and would guarantee his reelection.” Not to mention, with Kuwait in the hands of Saddam Hussein, our oil supply might be in jeopardy.

While we have, so far, failed to rethink our foreign policy after this month’s tragedy. We have missed the opportunity many times before.

aBlast

the Annandale High School 4700 Medford Dr. Annandale, Virginia 22003

Editors in Chief Managing Editor News Editors Academics Editors Editorials Editors In-Depth Editors Features Editors Atomic Articles Editor Profiles Editors Cultures Editors Sports Editors Entertainment Editors

Gallup Award Quill and Scroll International Honor Society 2000-2001

Wednesday, October 3, 2001

David Covucci Shant Shahrigian Chris Hogeboom Reid Edwards Phillipe Podhorecki Hayley Fletcher Hana Ngyuen Katie Clark Andrew Satten Heather Downen Rebecca Sample Young-Zi Byun Sarah Kelman Chae-Wha Park Denice Miller Richie McCormack Martha Amoaka Cameron Kynes Chris Bagot Ryan Croft Jessica Reyes Mike Mahn

Ramzi Yousef, a follower of bin Laden who was charged with the World Trade Center bombing in 1993, used his trial to bring attention to America’s own use of terrorism. He named the atomic bombs of World War II, the use of Agent Orange against civilians in Vietnam, and the economic embargoes, which have been blamed for the starving deaths of thousands of foreign peoples.

Yes, there is danger in responding to terrorism; but, we chose to ignore these valid complaints even years after. As terrorism is wrong when it is practiced on Americans, it is wrong when practiced on non-Americans.

What sort of double standard explains otherwise? If we can blame, as many have, the nearly enslaved Afghan people for the actions of their rulers, we should certainly pay more attention to the actions of our own government.

We have deliberated over what this war is all about. More and more, the conflict ahead is named a war over ideologies, a war for freedom and American values. Wonderful.

Now, let’s make sure we’re on the right side.

(703) 642-4229 email: ahsablast@aol.com website: www.fpcs.k12.va.us/ AnnandaleHS/ABlast/2001 fax: 642-4197

Kristie Moore Rebecca Kraushaar Abby Segall Weekend Editors John Bernhardt Caroline Friedman On-line Editors Monica Price Leah Selim Business Ryan Teichler Advertising Manager Crystan Blanco Copy Editor Katie Stanton Photography Editor Jenny Beam Photographers: Sean Sullivan, Andrew Menegat, Sarah Sherman, Linda Fairall Staff Writers: Junaid Shams, Paul Gleason, Saman Hussain, Rachel Jones, Maggie Owner, Evan Ashe, Sam Molavi, Annette Bouadi, Rob Payne, Walaa Elbarasse, Aminah Kakeh, Shin-Hyung Ahn, Kyle Smeallie, Lauren Sterlacci, Morgan McEvilly, Mohammad Edris Qarghah, Laura Hollowell, Sara Bizer, Jared Smith Principal Don Clausen Adviser Alan Weintraut Atomic Athletics Editors Arts Editors

Trophy Class Virginia High School League 1999-2000

All American National Scholastic Press Association 2000-2001

Published every three weeks, The A-Blast is an award winning, tri-weekly newspaper that strives to inform, educate, and entertain the student body and community. The A-Blast will not print any material that is obscene or libelous; or that which substantially disrupts the school day or invades an individual’s right to privacy. Unsigned editorials represent the staff opinions which solely represent the opinion of the newspaper staff. The A-Blast is an independent, open forum for discussion which is printed at the Springfield Plant of The Washington Post. Signed letters to the editor of 250 words or less may be submitted to room 225 or mailed to the school. The A-Blast reserves the right to refuse advertisements. All submissions become property of The A-Blast Copyright, 2001.

editorials

National must open now

Fairfax County Public Schools should be commended for the actions it has taken in light of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11. The best possible decision was made, considering the number of federal employees who are parents of students, when FCPS canceled school on Sept. 12. The latest decision, put into effect on Sept. 26, stipulates that no field trips 250 miles or further from the county are to take place, including trips to New York and to theme parks such as Disneyworld. In addition, no trips to any foreign country, except Canada, or that utilize air transportation are to take place. This policy is to be reevaluated on Jan. 1, by which point it is hoped that the national airline situation will have changed for the better.

These measures have been made in order to ensure student safety, a priority that indicates that FCPS is doing what taxpayers expect of it.

Cancellation of school the day after the attacks was appropriate because many students within FCPS have parents who work for the federal government, including the Pentagon. Although most students probably did not experience personal tragedy, many, especially those in elementary school, could have been traumatized it. A day off after an emotional experience was necessary.

In spite of criticism that will no doubt arise from school groups which must cancel planned field trips, the other decision is backed by sound reasoning. The decision to cancel long-distance field trips is backed by three points:

Students should be grateful that their school system is this careful to ensure their safety.

Shantsense

Shant Shahrigian Co-Editor in Chief

• If another terrorist attack or other national incident occurs in the coming months, parents should be able to get in touch with their students immediately. “We felt that it [possible inability to contact traveling students] would be an enormous stress on families,” said FCPS Director of Community Relations Kitty Porterfield.

Fear of another attack after the most recent calamity is not unreasonable. If a student is out of town on a field trip while such an incident occurs, contacting that student would become far more difficult.

• The locations specifically prohibited from being field trip destinations are sites where there is a strong possibility that terrorism could occur. In the case of Disneyworld, that theme park was shut down moments after the World Trade Center had been attacked because it is a prominent landmark that is susceptible to attack. Sports Marketing has taken field trips there for the last several years. Field trips to New York are restricted “not because it’s unsafe,” said Porterfield, but because the current atmosphere in the city would not provide a productive learning environment.

• Not only did the terrorist attacks bring to light previously unattended to airline security problems, but it worsened them as well. The success of those attacks could inspire other terrorists or increase the frequency of future attacks; airlines as they are are still not safe. Students are just as vulnerable to terrorism as other Americans are, and should not be

subjected to apparently inferior security standards.

For several years, the Model U.N. has taken part in one of three national conferences in which involved students travelled to a certain location—last year’s was in Boston, Massachusetts—to hold mock U.N. meetings. Journalism students who participate on the newspaper or yearbook were considering attending a conference in New York but must now reconsider their plans as well. Other groups within AHS will also probably have to change field trip plans. However, this should be done keeping in mind that it is for their own safety.

There is a small number of groups within FCPS which have purchased plane tickets for a field trip this early into the school year. There are only two such groups of which county representatives are aware. Given that American airline industries set Sept. 25 as the final date for customers to get refunds for their tickets, Superintendent Daniel Domenech is to write a request to airline companies from whom students have purchased tickets to persuade them to grant refunds to those students.

FCPS set the Jan. 1 deadline, because the Federal Aviation Administration will have revised safety standards before then.

Unfortunately, there is of yet no plan to do the reevaluation earlier in the unlikely event that new safety regulations are put into effect before the New Year.

Students, faculty and members of school communities should be grateful that their school system is this careful to ensure their safety. Although it may be an inconvenience to cancel or postpone (usually not-strictly educational, anyway) longdistance field trips, the possible alternative is far worse.

Letters America: stand tall The week before the attack I was laughing and joking with my friends, convinced that life was good. However, the day after the tragedy I was solemn and devastated.

What seemed like a peaceful, controlled America was instantly changed into a country that houses turmoil, pain and fear.

The attacks on America have been called the worst attacks our homeland has ever suffered. There is no doubt in my mind that this statement is correct. The assaults on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon have touched and devastated all of us, though some more than others.

I do not know the pain or the heartache that comes with the loss of a family member to this great evil. Yet in the face of this, America has remained strong. An American flag now flies over the scar on the Pentagon as a symbol of our endurance. We still stand united. We still have our freedom. We still have the American Spirit.

The terrorists expected America to cower before the enormity of their treachery, as they would. In doing so, they have merely stripped away our veil of pretense and exposed the strength beneath. I believe Winston Churchill said it best during his country’s darkest hour, “Never, ever, ever give up.” Having met America’s darkest day, we stand taller, walk straighter, and hold our heads high. We are Americans.

Courtney Hand sophomore

Cheers for FCPS I would like to commend Fairfax County Schools Superintendent Dr. Domenech on the decision he made to cancel all activities the week of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the United States. Many counties across the state did not take this action, and I am pleased to be a part of a County that took the lead in observing this tragedy as a time of mourning and respect for our fellow

to the

S at t

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A job well done during a time of crisis

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By Chae-Wha Park and Andrew Satten

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In response to concerns about the proximity of Ronald Reagan National Airport to terrorist targets such as the White House and the Capitol building, the facility has been indefinitely closed. This is a problematic situation that must be meticulously evaluated with safety being the foremost concern. However, Reagan National must be reopened in a timely fashion, because by remaining closed the negative ramifications of these attacks will continue to plague our way of life.

The longer the airport remains closed, the sweeter the victory becomes for the terrorists. Their primary aim in these attacks was to alter our way of life, and by shutting down the airport they have accomplished this goal. Our nation has been attempting to project the persona that even though our way life has changed forever, our country is strong and will not submit to terrorist attacks. Until Reagan National is reopened, the terrorists are one up on us.

Though Reagan National is close to key government buildings, its proximity is not the biggest problem facing security officials. The issue of securing the cockpit from terrorist in the midst of a hijacking is of greater Andrew Satten importance. If terrorists assume control of the plane, Editorials Editor the proximity of Reagan National will not matter. Furthermore, the flight that did strike the Pentagon was from Dulles. Some experts believe that the location of Dulles is more problematic, as flights are still only two-three minutes from downtown D.C.. Reagan National is so close to D.C., that the short distance between the two sights makes crashing a plane into a target a more arduous task.

Further, all New York airports have addressed their security issues and already have reopened.

Reagan National is symbolic in many respects, and it is through symbols that our enemy projects its views. Our nation’s capital must be capable of transporting a large volume of people into and out the city, especially all of the politicians, government workers and businessmen who are responsible for making our nation run. The symbolic shuttle service that connected Washington, D.C., our nation’s government center, to New York City, our nation’s financial center, has been disrupted due to the closure.

The economy has already been devastated, and Reagan National remaining closed puts a great financial strain on the D.C. area.

The airport annually generates over $100 million in tax revenue alone, and this number will continue to shrink with every day that it is closed. Reagan National’s closure also negatively impacts D.C’s commercial businesses. Our nation’s capital depends on a large volume of tourism, and without the service of Reagan National, restaurants, hotels and other businesses are hurt. The airport’s closure only continues to hinder the recovery of the lagging airline industry.

Security measures ensuring safety must be instituted and Reagan National must be reopened, as it is time for our nation to forge forward in the wake of this tragedy.

The longer the airport remains closed, the sweeter the victory becomes for the terrorists.

President Bush’s national-wide airport security plan: THE NATIONAL GUARD

Will be called in to implement additional security measures

AIR MARSHALLS

There will be an increase in the number aboard domestic flights

COCKPIT PROTECTION

$500 million dollars will be allocated to strengthen cockpits and keep pilots in control of the plane

GOVERNMENT INVOLVEMENT

Intensive security training will be provided by government officials

NEW TECHNOLOGY

Air traffic technology is being developed that will give advanced notice when a plane veers of its course

Editor

Americans who lost their lives in this attack on our great country.

Since that time, the Northern Virginia Football Coaches Association met to discuss what options, if any, would be available to give the students an opportunity to make up the game that was missed because of the aforementioned events. The teams that did not get an opportunity to play the week of the terrorist attacks in any sport, not just football, could make up the game at the end of the season and the proceeds could go to the relief fund. This solution could be a win, win for everyone. The students will have an opportunity to complete their season, the families could benefit from the financial support, Fairfax County could reap the benefits from the positive public relations and support of those devastated, and the communities from each school can get the satisfaction of supporting their fellow Americans who were effected by the Pentagon attack. What better way to bring a community together and involve them in a school related function then over a devastating tragedy such as this one? What a wonderful lesson it would be for the students involved in the activities, not to just play out their season in the face of this tragedy, but doing it in a way that supports those in need. On this one night the focus will not be on touchdowns, goals, or points, but on a grander scale, the helping of humanity.

James Carayiannis Physical Education Teacher

Jumper deserves no sympathy I am writing to comment on your “Making the Grade” section in which you brought up the jumper in Seattle.

She held up traffic for some four hours, during which drivers were shouting profanities and encouraging her to jump. People who commit suicide in public do not deserve to get positive or sympathetic attention. This act of threatening society with guilt is demonstrating a lack of gray matter. For four hours, she obstructed people’s ability to go to work so that they could fee their families.

She was being selfish and deserved the public’s disapproval. These incidents also endanger the lives of thousands of people in the metropolitan area. The traffic jams caused a halt and disabled any emergency vehicles from reaching the real emergencies. Do people like having “quitter” on their tombstones?

Bob Hand junior

Must it be an eye for an eye?

Does anyone remember the age-old saying, “Two wrongs don’t make a right?” It seems to me that everyone has forgotten this lesson in the wake of this tragedy. Why can’t that same saying, a phrase that has rung in our ears since the early years of childhood, be applied to this situation? Yes, everything is on a bigger scale, and yes, it is an adult situation which should be taken care of with adult-like actions. People may disagree, but fighting back seems to be the most childish action to take. Is there anything adult-like in thinking “they started it first?”

I was watching TV the other day and I took note of the newscaster talking about a poll that was recently taken.

They said that 88% of the people who commented are in favor of retaliating. I would think that our citizens would be more educated now, having learned from past conflicts.

Everyone knows that too many innocent people were killed, yet no one shudders to think about it because all they are concerned with is getting back at them.

Retribution will never solve the problem. It cannot compensate for the dignity taken away from us, but only diminishes it more. It cannot and will not make up for the lives lost, but will only add more turmoil to the already violent world. When so many people are concerned about searching for the best solution, perhaps the only right solution is to let go. My voice is one out of many. No matter who wins the battle, ultimately both parties go down.

Dianne Eclar junior

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SAT scores increase for area schools

By Evan Ashe Staff Writer

The results from this years senior’s SAT scores have been released by Superintendent Daniel Domenech and given to schools. Out of 23 the schools in Fairfax County, Annandale finished with scores ranking 21st in the county for verbal, and 19th in the county for math.

Fairfax County released the SAT data to analyze results more accurately.

While AHS’s scores did not fair well among other schools in the county, they were an improvement from last year’s scores. Guidance

Director Steve Sengstack attributes the improvement to the more the challenging courses being taken, the introduction of the PSATs to Annandale. “The introduction of IGSCE and IB courses help the scores, and more students were encouraged to take them last year, so I expected the scores to rise,” said Sengstack.

AHS’s verbal scores posted the biggest improvement going from a score of 490 in 2000, to 505 this year, only one point behind the national average of 506. The math scores also had a large improvement going from 506 to 520, well above the national average of 514.

This year’s score improvements are easily explained. IB and IGCSE courses have created more of a challenge for students.

The SAT prep club is another reason why scores have gone up.

Club sponsor Vince Randazzo said it has a great effect on students’ scores.

“I took an informal survey and found that the student with the lowest improvement went up 90 points,” said Randazzo.

SATs are tests designed to measure students on their math and verbal abilities. Scores are given on a 200 to 800 point scale. The test is meant to measure ability, rather than how well facts are remembered.

Last year, the PSATs were given to all students at AHS for the first time. This is expected to make an immediate impact on scores next year and in future years.

In all of Fairfax County, the verbal average fell two points, and the math score fell three points.

Statewide math and verbal scores increased by one point. The national math score was the same as in 2000, while the verbal score increased by one point.

All Fairfax County ethnic groups were above natinal standards. Asian students exceeded their standard by 22 points in the verbal section and 16 points in the math section. Black students exceeded their standard by 40 points in the verbal section, and 42 points in the math section.

Hispanic students were above national average by 36 points in the verbal section and 37 points in math.

And white students exceeded the national average by 45 points in both math and verbal.

In Fairfax County the top two schools for all-around schools were Langley and TJHSST.

news

SAT scores on the rise again; PSATs mandatory for all

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Wednesday, October 3, 2001

SOLs improving after hard work “SOL’s” from pg. 1 principals is paying off,” said superintendent Daniel Domenech.

Math teacher Judy Fisher attributes the results to more practice in class, “We spend an awful lot of time practicing.”

The number of minorities taking AP tests has also risen. Not only has the number of test-takers risen, but scores of minority groups have also improved.

However as a county, the percent of people with a three or higher (passing) went down to 62% (the

REID EDWARDS

Ticket takers at the football game held on September 28th, football prices have risen both for prior ticket purchases as well as tickets sold at the game.

More money for better games “Tickets” from pg. 1 bring in a couple thousand dollars more,” said Hilios.

Although the main income from the football games comes from varsity games, the JV team and the Freshman games also bring in a portion of the seasons income. Although the prices are a dollar cheaper, and the crowds are no where nearly as large as the Varsity games, the JV and Freshman teams will help add that extra thousand dollars.

“The prices are not too high to get in, if you compare it too a movie the cost for admission into the

games is a good price,” said Junior Enrique Mejia Annandale is not the only School hit by the inflated prices for football games. The Northern Regional Counsels policy effects all schools in the northern region, so if you expect to get out of paying as much as anyone else by going to away games, you may want to bring along that extra buck or two.

After the 5 sudden death rounds, and an extra point block barely winning the game against West Field the price doesn’t seem to be that high if you consider the entertainment that Annandale gave, so if you ever get to experience a game like that paying that extra dollar may not seem to be such a rip off anymore.

w

e’re really pleased because we had dramatic improvment, bu twe also realize we need ot get better. We can’t relax until everybody passes, thats the bottom line.

Judy Fisher Math

country’s passing rate is also at 62%).

This year 330 students took AP tests. This number is high because of a new policy that requires all students taking AP courses to take the AP exam.

Each test is given a score from 1 to 5, 1 being the lowest and 5 the highest. The subject with the most perfect scores was Spanish language exam, which had 9 scores of 5. U.S. history had five perfect tests this year. This year, U.S. History was replaced by Government and Politics: United States as the test taken most frequently. As a school, seven percent of the students who took the test scored a five.

“These results continue an encouraging trend,” said Domenech. In Fairfax County, Spanish language and literature had the highest percent passing: 85 percent.

The county’s average passing rate went down in English, but went up in math.

Class Acts students strive to practice Buy A Yearfor their plays and make the part “Acts” from pg. 1 friends who attend their High School reunion discuss the good old days of their childhood life which was carefree. They look back at their young adolescent life and realize that all their games were a little more treacherous than they had ever imagined.

To prepare for their event on October 10th the cast will get a chance to rehearse for a great deal of time on October 9th from 2-7 p.m. On the final night there will be five awards given which include, Best

KATHARINE KISHIYAMA

The Junior Class Acts actors practice for their performance of Rome is Where the Heart is. Practice was held after school frequently since the latter part of September.

i

’ve had a lot of fun this play and it will be nice to let everyone see what we’ve been doing these past few weeks.

Meg Stoltz

junior

Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress and Best Director. Joining in the Class Acts gives students a chance to express themselves in a whole new light.

“I’m a little nervous but I’m more excited to see the audiences response KATHARINE KISHIYAMA

Senior Class Actors practice for their upcoming performance of Games.

Man ‘approaches’ AHS student Student safety is reexamined after student is attacked on school grounds “Ossian” from pg. 1 handle myself in that situation.”

But others feel differently, “It makes me nervous, because I park near Ossian, but as long as I’m walking with a friend and leaving before dark I feel safe,” said senior Emily Useem. “I always take precautions, if I’m here after dark I’ll move my car closer to the school. If

you’re smart you will have a better chance of not being attacked.”

-Anyone with information on this incident should contact Cornwell in the security office at (703) 642-4240 or call the Tip Line at (703) 658-3636, toll-free 1-877-4SAFE-VA, or online at www.4safeva.org

The AHS Booster Club remains a CFC of the United Way. This means that they are eligible to receive money from that which is donated to the United Way. The CFC number, used to direct donations for the Booster Club, is 8143.

book!

Go to room 229 to order your copy today! $55 for the new Yearbook, the Filament, and the Signal all for one low price. Don’t forget to order your copy today!

Class of ‘76 a key to the past Back in 1976 two English classes planted a time capsule in the library courtyard.

The capsule will be dug up soon, 25 years after the burying. Coach Terry Brown, a member of the class, said, “I hope that we get a kick out of what we see and I hope the kids do.” Brown is looking for volunteers to help dig up the capsule.

If anyone is interested than contact Brown in the Athletics Office.

Among the items buried are an old copy of the The ABlast and a string bikini.

Tip Line The FCPS tip line for any information pertaining happenings at AHS. People with information are asked to call the toll-free anonymous line at 1-8774-SAFE-VA or online at www.4safeva.org.

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What do you think of the new look of the planner?

[The planner] is not as organized as last year and it’s not as pleasant to look at.

The Unknown Facts of IB Courses

by Kathy Saupp Staff Writer

When it came time for students at Annandale to chose courses for this school year, there were many choices made.

For many of us, it was the choice between taking standard, IGCSE, pre-International Baccalaureate , Advance Placement (AP), or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses.

For those who choose IB, there were more decisions.

Whether or not to pile on the courses and go for that elusive IB diploma, or just earn certificates for individual classes.

Whichever, all students are interested in one goal: getting into college. However, the focus of the IB program is not only university acceptance, but gaining an enhanced perspective of the world and society through alternative learning.

The IB program was started in 1965 internationally as a way for students around the world to receive the same recognition in any country for their academic works.

Currently, the IB program has 1,182 authorized IB schools

t

he IB classes are a lot more work, but I’m usually more interested in class —Gina Sobel junior

in 101 countries worldwide.

“The program was first introduced to the area in 1994 when it was adopted by Mount Vernon and Jeb Stuart high schools. Since then, Marshall, Edison, Robinson, South Lakes, and most recently, Annandale and Lee, have included the classes in their curriculum,” says Annandale IB coordinator Erin Albright. Albright assisted many students in choosing their IB course of studies for this year.

An important aspect in the IB program is getting accepted and succeeding in college. However, the IB

program of studies also focuses on life beyond college in its teachings to shape the adults of tomorrow. “A goal of the IB program is for the students to develop skills to contribute back, to teach what they have learned,” says Albright.

In other words, an IB student is expected to have a worldly frame of mind, to be able to look beyond what is going on around them and apply their knowledge. This common link between all IB students around the world can unite them for the future.

Here at Annandale, there are IB courses in six groups of study. Language, second language, individuals and societies, experimental sciences, mathematics, as well as art and electives are the six areas of study. To get the diploma, IB students must gain credits in all of these groups.

However, the pressure isn’t only on the students. In order to teach these classes in the 2001-2002 school year, teachers in all subjects had to undergo rigorous training, anywhere from 3 days to one week long. During this training, the prospective IB teachers had to learn the IB curriculum and assessments, as well as the in-class grading procedures. These grade standards are implemented so all students are graded on the same level.

Teachers had to learn to grade “the IB way.”

The culmination of an IB student’s high school career is the essay; a massive 4000 word research paper that is supposed to display all of the skills learned in your 4 years of pre-IB and IB classes. The essay is supposed to be a personal researched account, no prompts or assignments. It can be about whatever you want and under the subject of your choosing.

“I’m doing field research at my stable, watching the social structures in the herd of horses there. It’s kind of a horse psychology thing,” says junior Gina Sobel, an IB student with an interest in biology.

Gina is taking IB English, IB Math Methods, IB History, IB Spanish, IB Music, and IB Biology this year. To prepare for this heavy class load, she took all IGCSE and pre-IB courses her freshman and sophomore years here at AHS. In

Featured IB Student Owen Beste IB Classes: Higher Level Math, HIstory of the Americas, English, Spanish, Physics Other Classes: Annandale Singers, Theater Tech Activities/ Hobbies: Drama, Chorus, Model UN How is your homework load?: “A lot, especially History and English, there is a lot of reading” Why did you go for the IB diploma?: “I was willing to accept [the challenges], my parents encouraged me but didn’t force me.”

Who would you recommend the IB diploma to?: “[To anyone] who is hard working and serious about academics. If you don’t enjoy taking hard classes, [the IB diploma] won’t be worth it.”

addition to that, she worked closely with Ms. Albright when choosing her courses and balancing her schedule.

When writing their essay, each student must choose a teacher to help guide them through their study. “I chose Ms. McCullum (IB Biology) as my sponsor. I spoke to her recently, she’ll help guide me through my research, and show me helpful field methods,” says Sobel.

International Baccalaureate is an intense program of studies that can stretch through an entire high school career. The life of an IB student isn’t always one of fun and games, but its not so terrible.

“The IB classes are a lot more work . . . but I’m usually more interested in class,” says Sobel.

Many students of all ages are enrolled in pre-IB and IB classes at Annandale High School. At the same time all around the world, students the same age are learning the same exact material. This is the philosophy of the IB program worldwide.

Male to Female Ratio in IB Courses

Chris Lusby junior

by Hayley Fletcher Academics Editor

This school year is the first for the full IB program. The amount of males in IB courses at times differs from the amount of females.

This could be from the lack of information known by all students about the program, or just the more interest from one sex to the other.

In IB Physics there are more males than females. This displays a common stereotype that males are more interested in science. Contradicting this myth, the only IB Biology students are two girls. They are combined with the with the AP Biology class, although having a different curriculums.

The IB program will learn the information over two years, compared to the one-year program of AP. Since this is the first year, Paula McCallum, biology teacher, hopes to increase the IB Biology program. “I think the IB program is wonderful for kids, [they] get ethics and a compound of information,” said McCallum.

IB English teacher Nikki Holmes did not realize the multiple females

Are females more interested in taking challenging courses?

I don’t like the way the planner isn’t separated into sections for each class.

Michael Scott junior

I don’t like how [the planner] organized the sports schedules.

However, the calenders before every month are useful.

Matthew Acker sophomore

by Hana Nguyen Academics Editor

As many students are about to embark on their fourth week of school, some must start some classes all over. A process known as leveling causes these changes in students schedules.

Leveling classes is a routine part of high school. During the first hectic weeks of school many students are trying to change their schedules to fit their needs. Because of all of these changes, some teachers end up having too many pupils while others end up not having enough.

In addition to all of the schedule changes, AHS loses about 150 students over the summer and gains 150 students over the same time period as well. This creates a swing of about 300 students. To accommodate everyone, the guidance department has to create and dissolve classes to fit the enrollment patterns of the year.

This year AP Government had five classes with 90 students enrolled in the course. Because Mary Richardsons

a

cademics

Gabriel Ramano Health / P.E. teacher

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think the IB program iswonderful for kids, [they] get ethics and a compound of information —Paula McCallum Boiology Teacher

[having more of one sex than the other] doesn’t make a difference.”

With more females in a class, it could be assumed that there might be an imbalance in social participation.

However, Holmes said, “Traditionally, stereotypic views, guys speak more [than girls], but women are speaking more and there is an overall participation [in class]. It’s great.”

For IB student, Katie Burton, her IB English class is mostly girls as well as her IB Latin class. She is unsure of why that is but said, “I don’t think [having more females than males] is either good or bad, I don’t really find a difference [in class style].”

IB Courses Male- Female Ratios IB French IB Music IB Physics IB ITGS IB Latin IB Visual Arts IB Spanish 1 IB Spanish Fluent Speakers A1, A2 IB Math Methods IB Math Studies IB History of the Americas

There are three different IB Math courses. The Higher Level courses have more females but have a moderate overall population. The majority of the IB Math students are in Math Methods. IB Math Studies has the least, however equal numbers of females and males.

Erin Albright, IB Coordinator, with her IB expirience at Falls Church, expects an increase of the numbers of kids enrolled in the program. “Typically, kids don’t think of themselves as IB capable or they don’t realize the advantages,” said Albright. “Initially people try the [IB courses on subjects] in which their are good at.”

Dee Jack Elgin John Hrubec Jennifer Stansbury Paul Weiss Joyce Weinstein Felicidad Hunt-Branch Felicidad Hunt-Branch Martha Trigeiro Carol Richlik Kathlyn Berry

6 to 7 1 to 5 29 to 15 18 to 34 6 to 4 5 to 16 8 to 13 9 to 8 32 to 47 6 to 7 18 to 34

Albright said, “ I think the IB program is fabulous, in terms of numbers. It takes a while [to increase], but we have a great basis. I’m not worried about the discrepancies, but we’re not near where it needs to be.”

There are different opinions about the male and female proportions in the school setting. Some feel it is important while others do not even realize.

There will be constant encouragement for both males and females to take part in the IB program. Tis is the first year and Albright said, “It’s not until people take the courses, that people realize the advantages and encourage others. ”

Classes level off while guidance tries to accomadate all Guidance tries to correct uneven balance of classes

I liked the old ones better. I miss the hall passes in the back of the book because they were really convenient.

compared to the males in the entire IB English program. Pam Feil says there are more males in the IB program compared to last year’s program Honors/IGSCE. Although Feil said, “For the 20 years that I’ve worked,

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eveling classes is a part of high school and we at the guidance department are aware of the impact and try to minimize the impact as much as possible —Steve Sengstack guidance depaartment administrator

W6 class only had ten students, that class was dissolved.

Those who were in the dissolved class were dispersed among the other AP Government classes. This meant that five AP Government classes were brought down to four. The leveling of this class brought average number of students per class to about 24.

Another class that was dissolved was Judy Fisher’s Geometry class. Because of the increased enrollment of Algebra 1 students, Fisher’s Geometry class was leveled and another Algebra 1 class was created. Fisher will teach the

Shumaker’s Class visits Gunston Hall

new Algebra 1 class.

Some students were pleased with the leveling of classes, but others were not. Because students have been able to get situated with their schedules for three weeks, a change in their routines were difficult.

However, the guidance department tries to make the shift in schedules as painless as possible.

“If there were conflicts for anyone, we wouldnt have changed their schedules,” said Steve Sengstack, head of the guidance department. “Leveling classes is a part of high school and we at the guidance department are aware of the impact and try to minimize the impact as much as possible.”

There are three different ways to level classes. The first is a change involving two classes but the student would remain with the same teachers. The second is a change involving two classes but the student would not remain with the same teachers. The third is a change involving three classes and the student would not have the same teachers. This year, no students had to take the third option for leveling classes.

Academic Events Stanford 9-freshman only October 1: A-K (Part I) October 3: A-K (Part II) October 5: L-Z (Part I) October 9: L-Z (Part II) Virginia Literacy Test - Graduating requirment for 11th and 12th graders October 2 and 4 - Math October 10 - Writing October 11 - Reading

Virginia US History taught by Eleanor Shumaker, visited Gunston Hall on September 28, 2001. Located on the Potomac River, near Mount Vernon, Gunston Hall was George Mason’s plantation. The class traveled there to study plantation life and George Mason’s role in the Constitution as well as the Bill of Rights.

“The trip to Gunston Hall was pretty cool. The view of the Patomac River from [George Mason’s] mansion was nice,” said junior Zhiela Ashtianipour.

“I had a blast,” said junior Robert Davis. “The picnic was fun and when I toured the mansion, I learned that George Mason valued symmetry in his home.”

PSAT- 9th, 10th, 11th during W2 October 16 - Test September 26 through October 10 - Registration for results SAT December 1, 2001 - Test October 27, 2001 - Registration deadline January 26, 2002 - Test December 21, 2001 - Registration deadline College Representatives to Career Center October 5- 9am VA Western, 10am JMU

‘Tweens’ take fashion cues from pop stars

by Young-Zi Byun and Sarah Kelman Features Editors

What comes to mind when you think of Britney Spears? Her talent?

Her fame? Maybe. Her bellybuttonbearing attire? Definitely. In fact, the fashion influences of Britney and her fellow popular celebrities have precipitated the emergence of a new sub-category of society: “Tweens.”

Tweens are kids between 8 to 14, midway between childhood and adolescence. There used to be a middle stage there, but unfortunately most Tweens are acting like teens.

Society’s main concern with the Tween group is that they are a target audience for today’s pop music and fashion industries. As a result of this influence, they are dressing more provocatively than ever.

Images of pop megastars like Britney and Christina Aguilera are plastered onto every marketable media surface. In some ways, Tweens simply can’t help but be inundated by the hiphugging, navel-baring outfits that

i

t’s hard to tell them not to dress otherwise when they see people like Jennifer Lopez showing off too much of her body whenever they look on TV. Shirley McNiff

Poe MS Administrator

their pop idols wear.

Television channels like MTV, Nickelodeon and the Disney Channel are visibly tapping into the Tween market by aiming Tween-themed programs and music videos toward them. One of MTV’s most popular shows, Total Request Live, features a pack of screaming fans and the nation’s top ten most requested music videos.

TRL presents the ultimate package for the fashion-conscious Tween: fashionable older audience members and provocatively dressed pop stars all in one. It can hardly be a coincidence that the show airs at prime Tween time, when most students come home from school.

Some pop idols seem to have a virtual monopoly on TRL airtime.

Sophomore Katie Wipf said, “As

soon one *NSYNC video is off the TRL countdown, another one comes on.

There are very few videos of non-pop artists.”

The Disney Channel and Nickelodeon play into the Tween scene by keeping music videos by pop stars on heavy rotation. In between a regularly scheduled program, one might find anything from pop sensation *NSYNC’s newest video to the debut of more up-and-coming pop starwannabes like Dream.

Teen-oriented magazines like YM and Seventeen are becoming increasingly marketed toward a younger crowd, with most of them ironically under the age of seventeen. In fact, most older teenagers read magazines traditionally targeted toward an older audience like Cosmopolitan and Vogue.

But a huge market is springing up in the wake of the Tween explosion.

Magazine stands are now covered with glossy, colorful spinoffs of already established publications. CosmoGirl, a little-sister version of Cosmopolitan, features trendy outfits, sexy celebrities and makeup tips for pint-size fans of the more adult magazine.

Teen People Magazine, spawn of the quasi-tabloid weekly, People Magazine, has joined in the effort to rake in more money by marketing directly to the Tween readership.

“Today’s magazines are geared toward smaller kids because they’re focused more on middle school and preteen problems. They show articles of younger teen idols like Aaron Carter,” said Wipf.

Even mail-order clothing catalogs like Alloy and Girlfriends L.A. now carry smaller sizes so Tween can dress like thier older sisters.

Retailers like Abercrombie Kids and Limited Too cater expressly to the Tween population by stocking their shelves with items like rhinestone jeans, halter tops and sparkly tee-shirts with coyly provocative phrases emblazoned on them—all in kiddie sizes.

Senior Holly Popal works at a local Gap store and has noticed that the children’s clothes are looking more similar to the adult’s clothes.

“Younger kids are more into tight and low jeans and little shirts,” said Popal. For Tweens, “everything tight or small is good.”

She also noticed how the general age group of store patrons has changed. “There used to be a lot of older people looking

for basics like denim. We have more trendy stuff now, which makes younger kids want to shop here.”

Fashion and popular music are being marketed at the same time, in the same way and by the same modes of media. Pop stars are all about appearance. While the basic content of Destiny’s Child’s music doesn’t differ that much from that of Eden’s Crush, the only differentiating factors about the two pop acts are image and style.

This is what Tweens perceive and what they retain. As far as they are concerned, fashion and popular music go hand in hand. It’s like that horrible Married With Children theme song: “You can’t have one without the other.”

Most middle schools recognize that today’s Tweens are dressed to emulate their pop idols Shirley McNiff, who is the sixthgrade administrator and Vice Principal at Poe Middle School in Annandale, has noticed some popular breaches of the current dress code.

“I see shorts that are too short, but I understand it’s hard to find regular shorts these days. There’s also people wearing shirts that are too short so there’s a space between their shirts and pants, showing their midriffs,” said McNiff.

Although McNiff thinks “most kids dress just fine,” she said, “it’s hard to tell them not to dress otherwise when they see people like Jennifer Lopez showing off to much of her body whenever they look on TV.” AHS Assistant Principal Dr. Barbara Fugate felt that the way the pop stars dress has a negative effect on the mindset of the Tweens.

“Younger people see these stars on TV and they think that whatever they’re wearing is the latest style,” said Fugate.

“They’re not really giving these kids a chance to think for themselves.”

But who are we to criticize the way younger people dress? After all, it was only a few years ago that the grunge look was all the rage. As far as fashion goes, certain styles can be popular for as short as a day or as long as a decade.

features

Younger& Racier

‘Tween’ Stars

Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen Also referred to as the “Olsen Twins,” these girls are best known through their TV hit comedy series, Full House, where they shared the role of Michelle Tanner from when they were nine-months old. Now at the ages of 15, they have moved on from sitcoms to the music industry, releasing four albums.

Lil’ Bow Wow Shad Moss, better known as Lil’ Bow Wow, is one of the youngest rap artists out there; he made his recording debut at the age of six, with a guest appearance on Snoop Doggy Dogg’s 1993 multi-platinum album. He has gained much popularity through his hit track “Bounce With Me” from his recent album Beware of Dog.

Aaron Carter Look familiar? Aaron Carter is the younger brother of Nick Carter, the hottie from the Backstreet Boys.

Aaron, who began his career in show business at the age of 7, was the youngest male solo artist to have four Top 40 singles.

Fashion Influences Yes, it looks menacing, especially if you’re walking down the hallway with your toes showing. Watch out for a pair of these—they can really hurt.

Michelle, Beyounce, and Kelly. Can you handle them? This super trio, Destiny’s Child has made a big influence on the way girls express themselves, encouraging them to be independent and feel confident women.

3LW Why not change to Thirteen’instead? Today’s teen magazines seem to be convoluted with too much information targeted toward a much younger group of girls.

Basic denim is so out. Today, a perfect pair of jeans depends on its length, tightnes and distance from your bellybutton.

These girls are rookies; they haven’t been around long enough to influence anyone.

Yet, they are trying really hard to follow the footsteps of Destiny’s Child with their flash outfit and sexy images.

This young group of divas has been inspired by TLC, Blaque, and Destiny’s Child to become an ultimate R&B trio.

Their hit singles include “No More” and “Plays Gon’ Play.”

Jessica Simpson might not be as scandalous as other female pop celebrities, but she sure did go through a lot of change. What happened to those overalls she used to wear?

Dream Ashley, Haly, Melissa and Diana — these four girls of Dream gained instant celebrity, as the group had been signed by Puff Daddy to his Bad Boy Records label.

The girls have since drawn significant attention through their tours with *NSYNC and appearances in teen magazines.

Halter tops can be cute and sexy at the same time, which is exactly the kind of image that today’s Tweens wish to project. Due to their immense popularity, halter tops threaten the existence of the short-sleeved shirt.

What kind of effect do you think today’s pop stars have on the way younger kids dress?

aBlast

the “I wish the pop stars would try to dress more reasonably since they’re role models for students.”

—Patricia Heninge, French teacher

“If all they see on TV is Britney Spears wearing skimpy clothes, the kids will think that it’s okay to dress like her.”

—Hae-Sung Lee, senior

“The pop stars don’t affect the kids directly because they don’t think about influencing the way youger people dress.”

—Michael Cormier, junior

“Because so many people give respect and attention to pop stars, kids might want to get the same kinds of attention by looking like them.–” —Defun Mokonnen, sophomore

“[Kids] seem to think that if they dress in a certain way it’ll get them to look like one of the stars they see on TV.” —Tina Douroudian, freshman

Wednesday, October 3, 2001

7

10 President shares her goals Shin Ahn Staff Writer

SNAPSHOTS

When interviewed on September 14, Maame Boateng, SGA President for the 2001-2002 school year, talked excitedly about how she feels about the school and her plans for the year.

Q: Could you describe your

Name: Marisa Menzes Grade: 10 Hobbies: Softball and Orchestra (Cello) Special deed: Hosts foreign exchange student, junior Irene ?, for the school year.

Quote: She helps me with German and I teach her slang. It’s really fun because we share things about each of our cultures with each other.

Um..., there’s nothing really that I could do different because my work is basically cut out for me, more or less, but right now, we’re trying to build spirit. We started putting posters around and weíre proposing a couple of things to the school to see if we can have it initiated. If it’s initiated it would be a good thing, I know, for the school.”

role as president of the SGA?

Q: What issues will the SGA have to deal with?

A: “Well right now, my role as president is to create more school spirit in this whole environment and this whole community. I think it’s very important because we’re for the students also and if the students can’t be comfortable where they are, then they can’t be comfortable when they go home. I mean, if I see that they come here and they have a good mixture of academics and social life as well, then it’s the best experience ever and they could learn from that. So I assume that I’m just a spirit builder, a motivational person.”

A: “Right now, I can say that the

Q: What do you hope to do

most important issue that we can deal with right now is what just happened just three days ago because in one way or another, all of us are affected. If SGA is just going to sit there and not try to make people happy that they’re in a safe place and make people realize that thereís nothing that’s going to change our spirit then it’s good. Homecoming coming up is such a big thing and right now we have committees that are taking care of certain things. We are very organized, I would say. We will just take things as they come, one at a time.”

differently than last year’s SGA?

Q: How would you like

A: “First of all, I really think

other people to see Annandale?

school spirit, to me, is really important because last year, hardly A: “Well right now, it stands out in anybody was really enthused about itself. It’s just going, to an emblem of Homecoming or diversity. It’s doing little irst of all, I really think school just great how, things for school spirit, to me, is really important you know, we and just apprecican just get because last year, hardly ating the work along and that the teachers anybody was really enthused about nothing bad and the faculty going, to Homecoming or doing hardly comes put into making up. We’re just little things for school this place a good so used to... it’s place for all of us.

—Maame Boateng like we have So, you know, Senior learned to come appreciation is a to gather as one good thing.

f

Nicole Murphy Grade: 12 Hobbies: Singers, Symphonic Band, drama and horse riding.

Special deed: On the night of Sept.

11, Murphy stayed up until 3am making 250 little flag pins with the help of her friend, senior Carol Dwan.

She then proceeded to pass them out to students and faculty.

Quote: I had gone to a prayer vigil and I wanted to take their ideas of how to show pride a step further. I wanted to add other people, not just myself... I just wanted to do anything and everything I could possibly do to help.

I’m surprised at how many people were pleased with them. Some of my teachers and classmates still wear them everyday!”

DENICE MILLER

SGA President Maame Boateng speaks in fron of an ESL class about Homecoming. One of her goals is to reach out to the students and find out why they don’t attend school functions.

and just work towards a common goal as being academically, socially, or athletically whatever it is, weíre just trying to work towards one goal. I really want people to look at Annandale and be like, ‘Wow, we want our school to be this diverse and have this unity in it.’ I don’t want it to be different; this is how I want it to be. I want other schools around this area, around the whole world, or the U.S. alone, for that matter, to look at our school and say, ‘Wow this is what we’re trying to be like, we’re trying to be like Annandale.’”

Q: How do you feel about the other members of the SGA?

A: They are... phenomenal. We work so great together that it’s just a joy to be part of such a great program. ëCause if you have good people that work with, you know

that nothing can go wrong. Not just that nothing can go wrong but if you know that when something goes wrong, there’s always somebody there thatís always willing to make the correction. And if you work with people like that, then you just feel more motivated to do what you’re supposed to and just to initiate other things that you think will benefit us in some way or another. So, I love the people that I work with. you know, I wouldn’t ask for any better. I mean, there have been one or two trials but weíve gone through them all and it’s just a joy to work with Renato, Kelly, David the whole leadership class. Weíre working really hard and we all understand that we have a thick task in front of us so weíre just putting our brains together and working towards it. And I just love how they are about doing stuff and how they’re really motivated to help out and that’s just beautiful.”

Senior just waiting for boot camp

By Denice Miller Profiles Editor

Senior Paul Kehrer is like most seniors, just counting the days until graduation. Well, almost like other seniors, except Kehrer spends his Saturdays training in the Delayed Entry program for the Marines and after he graduates, Kehrerís heading toward Parris Island for boot camp.

“I enlisted in the Marine Corps because I donít want to go to college. I like the work ethic, I like the people, dependable people,” said Kehrer.

Kehrer has been in the Delayed Entry program since the beginning of last summer. This is suppose to prepare the young people for boot camp and they get together the first Saturday of every month for what’s called a “pool function.” It’s a pool of people and the enlisted are called “poolees.” The main purpose is to

Paul Kehrer enlisted in delayed program to prepare for Parris Island

Paul Kehrer

get ready for the Marine Corps.

Recruit training.

An average Saturday will start when Kehrer’s alarm clock rings at 6:45am. By 7:45, he will have been picked up by his recruiter in a government vehicle. They head over to the recruiting station in Alexandria, where the poolees always sign in with their name, social security number and recruiter’s name. After that, they do height and weight check, crank

out as many pull ups as they can and induct any new members. The training is supervised by one staff sergeant and sergeants.

“You have to respect the marines that are there,” said Kehrer.

By that time itís near 9am and they drive over to Fort Belvoir.

While they occasionally play combat soccer (like rugby), football and other sports, they usually run in formation for three miles. If everyone works hard and no one slacks off, they quit after that and gather up to ask and answer any questions. Kehrer is usually home by 3pm.

“After I get home, I am proud to be a part of the Marine Corps and cannot wait to get to boot camp,” said Kehrer.

Among the awards and benefits that the poolees can receive, promotions are possible before even officially becoming a Marine. The future Marines are to recommend people to the Marines and after a quorum of people sign up, the enlistee can receive a promotion.

However, the promotion cannot be instated until the fledgling becomes

an actual Marine. Other awards include knives and plaques.

“The promotion would be great in rank and pay,” said Kehrer.

Poolees do other things besides play sports and run. The pool function for October will have the poolees facing the obstacle course.

One time, the group was taken to the sniper school. In order to become one, the Marine must have excellent markmanship and perfect eyesight. The poolees will be facing the obstacle course during the October pool function.

“Just do it,” Kehrer said.

The Marines take good care of the enlistees, especially the ones not in fit yet. A van follows the poolees on their run and picks up anyone who becomes ill. They emphasize the risk of dehydration and makes sure everyone has water. If someone is very badly off, their recruiter schedules time after school to start physical training until the poolee can finish a pool funciton on his or her own.

“The Marines care about the men and women who are enlisted,” said Kehrer.

Uniquely dressed student speaks out Freshman Victor Groebner catches students’ I think my clothes are fun, eyes with his clothes clothing doesn’t need to be boring. I like what I wear to have pizzazz, spice it up a little bit, you know.... stand out.... have people saying, “Hey, who’s that guy?” I don’t want to look at my shirt and then look up to see it on thirteen other people. I like to be original. No, not all my clothes are completely original, I know that. I do get some ideas from the music that I like, my peers, magazines. But then I put my own twist on those clothes, make them into a style that is my own. Also my “type” of clothes are the “type” that don’t have to be neat all the time, so that’s a good thing. I wouldn’t last two seconds as a perfectionist.

My pants cans be torn, my shirt not tucked in, my shoes may be dirty or shoelaces untied, hair messed upas long as my clothes are comfortable it’s okay, I guess that’s me. I like to have fun and putting together something really original to wear can be lots of fun.

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DENICE MILLER

Freshman Victor Groebner looks out over the field while reflecting on the day.

Although his clothes aren’t neat and don’t match “fashion standrards,” Groebner enjoys his style.

My family’s reactions are better than that and I’m glad that they are better. My dad, Steven, has started to accept my sense By of style. It has taken him some VICTOR GROEBNER time, but he’s starting to cope better with my need for individuality.

Teacher, student and stranger My step-mom Barbara has reactions are really based on how accepted it completely. She even open they are. Some accept me as helps me pick out some clothes and someone that is a fun person, and made me two pairs of pants when I may want to get to know me. I like couldn’t find enough things that I open people a lot, I like them really wanted to wear. She says because I try to be as open as I can. that she usually doesn’t like to But then there are the bad make men’s clothes because they reactions, the ones that I don’t like are often really conservative, but at all, the people who think that I mine are fun to make. My sister am a bad person, the person in a Yva loves my clothes, she says that dark alley breathing down their my clothes are me, my thing. She necks about to snatch their purses, thinks that everyone has their own and planning to use that money to thing so I should have mine. My buy my crack. These are the people brother Austin wishes that he had who can’t accept anyone who is the nerve to wear the clothes that I different. wear.

T

TALKING BOU ME

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cultures

Islam: myth versus reality

the prophet is understandable when trying to follow in the footsteps of the prophet as much as possible. “Just like other religions, Islam requires its followers to actually practice the religion. Islam teaches freedom, such as freedom from oppression. Islam encourages knowledge and personal enterprise, as long as these ambitions do not get in the way of the teachings of Islam,” said Muslim student Hanna Sarsour Many misconceptions come with the Islamic faith. The American people have been urgend by the president not to hold anything against the Islamic people of our nation. The people who commited these horrific crimes believed they were acting in accoradence with their faith, but in reality they were going against everything that the Islamic faith stands for.

by Edris Qarghah Staff Writer

Muslim students struggle to share truth about Islam with the rest of the student body

In light of the recent tragedy of Sept. 11, and the alleged religious beliefs of the perpetrators, Islam, the world’s second largest religion, has been put in the forefront of public attention. Many Muslim students believe that Islam has been misrepresented or that non-Muslims are ill informed as to the nature of Islam. A few even pointed out some common myths about the religion, which though widespread may have questionable religious backing.

So, what is Islam?

Islam is a religion based on the teachings of the prophet Mohammad, a merchant of seventh century Saudi Arabia who is said to have received revelations from God. These revelations are recorded in the Islamic religious text, the Quran. The prophet Mohammad taught that there were five principle requirements of Islam.

“The first requirement [of Islam] is to recognize that there is one God,” said Abdulaziz Sachedina, a professor of Islamic Studies at the University of Virginia. [The other requirements of Islam are that every able-bodied adult Muslim must pray five times a day, fast during the month of Ramadan, pay a percentage of their earnings to those less fortunate then themselves, and go on a pilgrimage to Mecca.]

These are referred to as the “Five Pillars” of the Islamic faith.

MYTH: Islam developed as a monotheistic religion entirely separate from the major religions that had preceded it.

FACT: Islam is an Abrahamic religion, a sister religion to Christianity and Judaism. The three share much in common regarding morals; for example, they all believe in the Ten Commandments. They also share many of the same prophets: Moses, Abraham, Adam and David, to name a few. Furthermore, they refer to the same stories for religious reference (though not always with the same focus). Muslims believe in the story of Adam and Eve (Muslims do not believe in original sin), of Noah and the Ark and even the story of Abraham’s utmost devotion, demonstrated in his willingness to sacrafice his own son for God (though Islam maintains that he was to sacrifice his Arab son, Ishmael).

MYTH: Islam is intolerant of other religions.

FACT: Islam requires openmindedness on the part of its followers towards other religions. Sachedina said, “All men are equal in their humanity... Islam has an inbuilt, tolerant system of coexistence.” Islam has had a history of benevolent rulers who have accepted religious diversity, such as Saladin and the Ottoman Empire. In fact, Islam encourages Muslims to learn about other religions, for in their teachings one may find

What do you think motivated the terriorists in the attacks on September 11.

ISLAMIC FACTS

Annandale Muslim students and teacher devoutly praying at the weekly Friday prayer held by the Muslim Student Association. Prayer is very important to Muslims; they are encouraged to pray at least five times a day.

MYTH: Islam promotes suicide.

FACT: Islam strongly prohibits suicide for any purpose, and allows one to kill others only in the most extreme circumstances. “In Islam, human life is sacred,” said Sachedina. The first and greatest priority of Islam is selfpreservation and the preservation of life in general. Thus Muslims are not allowed to have tattoos or otherwise harm themselves, much less kill themselves. In Islam, it is a grievous sin to kill oneself and more so to kill another. [“...Nor take life, which Allah has made sacred except for just cause.”] (Quran, 17.32) The killing of another is only tolerated in Islam if it is done unintentionally (in which case some sort of compensation to the victim’s family is required), through self-defense, or in defense of another.

Even in times of war, according to Islam, one should not kill women, children, the elderly, religious figures (of any religion), noncombatants, or even damage the surrounding environment.

This does not necessarily mean that Islam recommends that Muslims tolerate oppression or violence towards themselves or others they know. “Islam teaches Muslims the right to defend themselves,” said Sachedina. This only applies within the boundaries of reason. If a Muslim is oppressed he/ she may speak out, protest, and, if worse comes to worse, retaliate with whatever force is necessary. However, according to Islam a person cannot purposely commit suicide for any reasons.

If, however, a Muslim should die in just combat, he shall be forgiven for his previous transgressions. This does not apply to those who put themselves in life threatening situations with hopes of achieving salvation.

MYTH: Islam debases women.

◆

FACT: Women are considered equal to men in their capability, and are in no way debased. Sachedina said, “Religion is a social phenomenon...

[Lowering the status of women] has more to do with the culture of the region then it does with the religion.”

Due to the differences in the biology and psyche of the genders, there are slight differences in how Islam deals with them in particular situations.

This does not mean that one gender is in any way superior to the other.

“I feel angered when people accuse Islam of keeping women subserviant to men. As a Muslim woman, I feel very secure in my religion. We are able to express our opinions and become educated. Islam is not a religion that suppresses anyone. It is way of life. It promotes the equality of all people no matter their gender or race,” said Muslim student Fanta Sesay.

◆

PROPHETS: They are men who receive God’s messages. Muslims share many prophet with Jews and Christians, but unlike Christians, they regard Jesus as a prophet, not as a divine being.

◆

BOOKS: Their holy book is the Koran. Muslims also recognize many books of the Bible as God’s revelation.

◆

JUDGMENT DAY: Islam teaches that on Judgment Day people will be raised from the dead and will be held accountable for their sins and good deeds. The good will be rewarded with paradise and the evil will be cast into a fiery hell.

◆

PRAYER: Muslims are encouraged to pray five times a day while facing in the direction of Mecca, their holy city. They attend mosque on Fridays to pray and listen to a sermon.

MYTH: Islam is a strict religion that does not allow personal freedoms.

FACT: Many so-called requirements of Islam that are considered to be restrictions of a Muslim’s personal freedoms are in fact not required. A great deal of Islam revolves around being the best person one can be.

Islam’s model for how a Muslim should behave is the prophet Mohammad, whose practices, as well as his teachings, were closely recorded. To heed the example of the prophet in core issues is required.

However, when dealing with a majority of what are considered secular practices, following the prophet’s example is believed by many to be “extra credit,” something that, though not required, is good to do. An example of such a practice is that the prophet Mohammad grew a certain length of beard and often wore a turban. These are in no way required religious practices, but dressing like

GOD: Muslims believe that Allah [the God of Abraham] is the one true God.

◆

FAITH: Muslims follow the “shahada” or testimony - There is no God but God and Mohammed is the Prophet of God”

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FASTING: Muslims must fast during Ramadan, the ninth month of the lunar year; they must abstain from eating, drinking, smoking, and sexual relations from sunrise to sunse.

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NATIONAL SPANISH HERITAGE MONTH

DURING SPANISH HERITAGE MONTH, AMERICA CELEBRATES HISPANIC CULTURES, ACHIEVEMENTS, AND HERITAGE. THE FOLLOWING HISTORICAL EVENTS ARE COMMEMORATED DURING THE MOTH:

SEP. 15 INDEPENDENCE DAY FOR COSTA RICA, EL SALVADOR, GUATEMALA, HONDURAS, AND NICARAGUA

SEP. 16 INDEPENCE DAY FOR MEXICO

ALMS GIVING: One-fourth of a believer’s yearly income must be used to help the poor and help spread the Islamic faith.

OCTOBER 12 MHGFHMGFHGJFJHGF EL DIA DE LA RAZA. MHGFHMGFHGJFJHGF

“A pure hatred of the United States and every facet of our culture.”

—John Nemeth History ITeacher

“I think it was hatred. I think that they were using their religion as an excuse. Islam is not about violence.”

—Fanta Sesay Junior

“They were trying to show that America was very vulnerable. They wanted to be heard. They were just trying to show that America was really easy to hit.

“I think that they were motivated by the jealousy of our country and our freedoms.”

“I think it was their hatred of our country and our customs. They wanted to get their point across.

—Courtney Thieberger Junior

—Danille Briggs Junior

—Danny Hadda Junior

‘L’shana Tovah’ Jewish high holy days celebrated

by David Marin Staff Writer

September is a new beginning for the Jewish people. During this month, the holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are celebrated. These are two of the most holiest and important holidays in Judaism.

Rosh Hashanah celebrates the creation of the world and is also the Jewish New Year. This day is the beginning of the year 5962 on the Jewish calender. It symbolizes a new beginning and a chance to start over.

It is a time for reflection and self evalution for Jews. At Rosh Hashanah services, an instrument called a Shofar is played. The Shofar is made of a ram’s horn, and is played three times during the service. The blasts of the Shofar is meant to revitalize the soul and intelligence of every Jew. Each Jew receives a new soul and a new level of understanding of the religion.

Jews recite Psalm 24, which includes the line, “Who may climb the mountain of God, and who may stand in the place of His holiness”

during the holiday.

Yom Kippur is the day where Jews atone for the sins the have committed in the past year. The first Yom kippur was after Moses returned from his second trip to Mt. Sinai with the replacement set of tablets containing the Ten Commandents. Yom Kippur atones only for sins between God and man, not for sins against another person.

To receive forgiveness for sins against another person, you must first seek reconcilation with that person before the holiday. All Jewish adults, ages 13 and up, have to fast from Kol Nidre, the night before, till sundown the next day. This is the aspect of the holidays that students dread the most. They must have the willpower not to eat or drink anything all day. “Fasting wouldn’t be so bad if you weren’t sitting in services all day, where people can hear your stomach growl,” said senior Sarah Kelman, an officer of the Jewish Cultural Awareness Club.

There are many traditions involving the holidays. Jews are not suppose to attend work or school.

However, these days are not just free days for the Jewish students and teachers. They must attend services at their synagogue, the Jewish place of worship. After returning home from services, time is supposed to be spent thinking and reflecting on the past year. “This time is usually spent with family,” said physical education teacher Gabe Romano.

In school there is not much mention of these holidays. Teachers, such as Gabe Romano and history teacher Eleanor Shumaker, did not plan on bringing the subject up in class unless a student asked specifically. Absences for students are excused, as with all religious holidays.

The only in-school trouble students have is making up the work that they missed. “Since this is a very diverse school, teachers cooperate with the students for opportunities to make up work,” said Romano. Jewish teachers also receive two days of religious leave.

Their missing class does not have much of an effect on classes either. “I find good substitutes who won’t effect the flow of learning,” said Shumaker.

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Atoms fall to Hawks, bigger challenge awaits at Robinson

by Kristie Moore Atomic Athletics Editor

Wednesday, October 3, 2001

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Adam AHS Cross Country Team Dinner Menu

The 2-1 Atoms look to bounce back from their loss last week as they face the undefeated Robinson Rams this Friday.

The Rams, who are ranked number five in The Washington Post’s Top 20 High School football teams, will provide a tough competition for the Atoms. “Robinson is a ays very good team and tough to stop,” said coach Dick Adams. “We just have to find the best positions for our players in order to slow them down on defense.”

The Atoms set a new Virginia State High School League record for the highest scoring game when they defeated the Westfield Bulldogs on Sept. 21 with a score of 68-65 and a combined total of 135.

The previous record was set in 1967 when West Side defeated South Side 124-7.

Coming off their record-breaking win over the Bulldogs, it was time to put their focus to the Hayfield Hawks on Sept. 28.

During practice they worked on new plays to try to prepare themselves for the battle against Hayfield. When game time approached, the Atoms decided to get away from what they normally had been doing and try something else. Travis Johnson tried to do too many things at once. “It was hard coming off such a great win,” said junior quarter back Travis Johnson. “We came out flat and never connected.”

The Atoms lost 21-3, with the only points scored was a field goal scored by Johnson. The lost game can’t be blamed on any certain play or player. “We’re all at fault, starting with me,” said Coach Dick Adams. “I feel that if we were to play them again, we would defeat them.”

Coming off the injured list either this week or next are seniors David Eliff and Jake

“We’re all at fault, starting with me. I feel that if we were to play them again, we would defeat them”

JENNY BEAM

Tackle those Hawks The Atoms varsity, seen above, are preparing to face one of the region’s top team Friday night at Robinson.

Edwards. Senior Jonathan Caicedo will be out for another month with a sprained knee and a torn MCL. “It’s hard, as a senior, to stand on the sidelines cheering my team on as I watch them play,” said Caicedo.

The key to playing well against the Rams is take what went wrong against the Hawks and learn from those mistakes. In order to improve from last week’s game on offense, the team needs to get a good running game going and a

simpler passing game. Defensively, the Rams’s running back Mike Imoh will be hard to stop.

“All we need to do is slow down their running game and keep our offense on the field,” said senior David Blau. “I’m confident we can stop their passing game.”

“We have to forget about last Friday’s loss against Hayfield and prepare ourselves for this Friday’s game against Robinson,” said senior Carlos Varela.

Tennis competes at districts, completes season opponent.”

Kishiyama, seated 4, had better luck in her first round crushing Hayfields With the regular season behind them 13 seated Carla Berrios, 10-0. the atoms kicked off their district For the second round of the playoffs tournament yesterday at nearby Wakefield Recreation Center. Juniors Kishiyama is paired with 9 seated Kary Keith of West Potomac Rachel Jones and Katharine Fisher felt that having a stronger Kishiyama represented the Atoms in first round match might have helped the first two rounds of the Patriot her second District match. “Her first Championships. match was not 14 seated Jones, t was actually really surprising good to warm in a hard fought because we are usually behind up. She was soft match against 3 with no pace.” in our matches.

It was surprisseated Jody This afternoon ing we didn’t get bagled.

Wicks of West the districts Potomac lost double begins.

—Julie Lazo 10-3. With an junior Senior Jillian 11 seat Wahl and difference Jones Kishiyama are was playing someone out of her seated highly in the tournament. league.

“This is my last tournament and I am “She was a lot better and stronger really looking forward to doing well,” than me. She pretty much beat me.” said Wahl. “Katharine is a good “Rachel played a really hard good player and we should be able to put match,” said Head Coach Judy up some good points.”

Fisher. “She had a very hard Also in the tournament are sophoby Chris Hogeboom Managing Editor

i

more Stephanie Lugar and junior Rachel Jones.

“We have a good chance today. Steph and I have a good record. I am looking forward to my doubles much more than I was to yesterdays tournament.”

The Atoms closed out their regular season with a 1-8 loss to West Potomac. The number 3 doubles team was the only one to come away with a win. The winning doubles team is comprised of juniors Julie Lazo and Chae-Wha Park.

“It was actually really surprising because we are usually behind in our matches,” said Lazo. “It was surprising we didn’t get bagled.”

Getting bagled is when one team scores 0 points and the other 9.

Lazo is already looking forward to next years team and being one of the top players.

“This year was my first time on the top 6 and I am excited about doing it again next year. We will have a pretty good team next year and I am excited about playing with them.”

ANDREW MENEGAT

Freshman Laura Johnson prepares for her District match.

Cross Country heads to William and Mary

by Chris Bagot Co-Sports Editor

The Atoms cross country team has been hard at work trying to improve their times at the 3.1 mile course. After a strong performance at the Brentsville Relays in Fredericksburg the Atoms attention turns to the William and Mary Invitational on Sat. October 6. Freshman Dawit Legesse led the guys team with the best split of 8:27 in the Brentsville Relays. Lauren Edwards lead the girls team with a 9:31.

“We’ve made very good progress,” said coach Robert Christie. “Two meets being canceled has been a disadvantage to gain experience.”

The Brentsville relays had five members per relay running 1.5 miles. The Atoms entered three teams for both the girls and the boys races. The boys top team placed 26 out of the 35 total teams. The boys B-team placed 15 out of 33. The girls top team placed 25 out of 35. District rival West Springfield won the boys and girls relays.

“The William and Mary Invitational is a big meet,”

said sophomore Lauren Edwards. “It’s a fast course so we should have some good times.”

Districts are October 24 at Burke Lake. The young Atoms hope to make an impact at the district meet going up against powerhouses like West Springfield and Robinson. West Springfield is a contender for the state championship for both boys and girls.

“We hope to peak at districts,” said Christie about the young Atoms.

The Atoms that make it past districts will move on to regionals at Burke Lake on November 1.

I figure, to start my first sports column of the year, I better report on the most pressing, current sports story this week. So I say, “down with Minute Maid and more funding for public school teachers!” Those people have the nerve, the nerve I tell you, to offer “Minute Maid Lemonade” containing “0% Juice”. So, what exactly are we drinking? Does anyone else find that utterly repulsive? Maybe not, but I bet the next time you reach for a fountain drink you will think twice about your selection. So it goes . . .

Season after season, year after year. The Athletic Director gets a workout on his hearing aid thanks to the AHS coaches in search of better equipment, uniforms and resources for their respective teams. In midSeptember, the AHS Athletic Boosters held a dinner to greet all the coaches in every sport and, get this, only about half of all the coaches were in attendance! These coaches rag on the Boosters to support their sports and enjoy the benefits of their donations throughout the entire year, but they can’t show up for an hour to meet these people? (And hey, let’s be realistic, their gravest error was missing the free food!) However, before we jump to any conclusions, some of these coaches are busy people. When asked the reason why he did not attend, Football and Track Coach Jamie Caryiannis said it was because he “spent time

The buzz around most all varsity coaches in Annandale recently is the lack of success.

One of the most vocal people regarding the topic has been Head Varsity Football Coach Dick Adams

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The state of Annandale athletics with [his] family.” With his rigorous practice schedule, restricting his time to his family, maybe the dinnerwas asking too much. In the future, the AHS Sports Boosters might want to

roft’s olor ommentary

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with Ryan Croft plan to have the dinner before school starts to ensure attendance. So it goes . . .

The buzz around most all varsity coaches in Annandale recently (since the Back-to-Back State Championships years in football) is the lack of success. One of the most vocal people regarding the topic has been Head Varsity Football Coach Dick Adams. Adams, an Annandale grad with over 10 years of head coaching experience, attributes some our lack of success to a dearth of high-level athletic experience for many of our athletes. Also, AHS does not neccessarily have the ethnic make-up which renders athletes comparable to the “western communities”, like where he lives in the Centreville area. He also feels the schools further west in the county (like the Centrevilles, Robinsons and Westfields) have a greater concentration of parental support who

provide their children with more athletic resources (like sending away to camps). Coach Adams feels our lack of consistent parental support for many athletes and a lesser amount of youth clubs contributes to our problem. Other schools have youth leagues (like Robinson’s BRYC and West Springfield’s SYC) available for developing players at a younger age.

Though Annandale has quality athletes, they seem to lack some experience which can only be gained from years of experience. To me, while it might seem that we are depreciating in athletic talent, could it be that we are not necessarily getting worse, or it is that other people are getting better? We are surrounded by Titans (literally). Since the creation of the Patriot District in 1995, the other 6 teams in the Patriot District have accounted for state championships in sports across the board, dwarfing the Atoms mere one in Boys Lacrosse in 1997. What we’ve got to remember, these giants that we have surrounded ourselves with have a better opportunity to groom good athletes. Cross town rivals Lake Braddock, Robinson and Hayfield have secondary schools (right under the high schools’ nose I might add) where they can help along young, future varsity athletes. Though we should still strive towards the common goal of success, in the back of our minds we must, in the same breath, feel proud that we are competing in arguably the most distinguished district in the state of Virginia.

And, we must commend our ever supportive community for faithfully supporting us through the years. So it goes . . .

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In remembrance of Aaliyah

by Alejandro Salinas Staff Writer

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T.V SHOW LISTINGS Interesting shows on UPN * 20 Monday’s: * “One on One” at 8:30 p.m * “Parkers” at 9:00 p.m * “Girlfriends” at 9:30 p.m Tuesday’s * “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” at 8:00 p.m * “Rosewell” at 9:00 p.m Thursday’s * “Smackdown” at 8:0010:00 p.m On FOX 5 Tuesday’s * “That 70’s Show” at 8:00 p.m * “Undeclared” at 8:30 p.m * “Love Cruise: The Maiden Voyage Wednesday’s * “The Simpsons” at 8:00 p.m * “Grounded for Life” at 8:00 p.m Friday’s * “Dark Angel” at 8:00 p.m * “Pasadena” at 9:00 p.m On NBC 4 Sunday’s * “Weakest Link” at 8:00 p.m Monday’s * “Third Watch” at 9:00 p.m * “Crossing Jordan” at 10:00 p.m Tuesday’s * “Emeril” at 8:00 p.m * “There Sisters” at 8:30 p.m Wednesday’s * “Lost” at 8:00 p.m * “West Wing” at 9:00 p.m Thursday’s * “Friends” at 8:00 p.m * “Inside Schwartz” at 8:30 p.m

cloyed by the repetitive and monotonous music melodies and lyrics. Her music style, a mix between hip hop and R&B proved to be just what teens were looking for at the It’s been over a month since Aaliyah was killed along time. with seven members of her crew when a plane taking In 1996, her career gained critical and popular success them to the U.S. crashed after takeoff from the Abaco Island. To many students at AHS, the news was shocking. with her songs “Are You that Somebody” and “Journey to the Past.” These songs earned her both Grammy and “When I heard the news I couldn’t believe it; she was Oscar nominations respectively. so young!” said sophomore Julie Sanchez.

“I felt terrible, I loved her music and she At the time of her death, was a great role model,” said freshman Aaliyah was 22 and was beginning Sharie Baldoz. to enjoy her status international aliyah is already an Aalyiah made her film debut co-starring superstar. She had just finished Jet-Li in the hip hop martial arts movie filming the movie “Queen of the icon for me and Romeo Must Die. The film was a box-office Damned,” and had released her many people, longevity success and Aaliyah’s track for the film “Try third self-titled album. has nothing to do with it Again” became her most popular song to “She was a talented singer, date. The success of this movie opened many . . . and in 22 years she actress, producer and all around a doors for her in the acting business. She was good person,” said sophomore did more than most set to participate in the Matrix II and III, Austin Willis. people do in a life time. which will begin shooting this month.

Aaliyah’s artistic career began —Darrin Burrell It is one of the most tragic incidents that with the release of her first album freshman could have happened to one of the most “Age Ain’t Nothing but a Number,” admired young stars of today. Due to the fact which became an instant success, that she was young and was an incredible selling millions of copies. Her second album, “One in a Million” produced by Timbaland influence on many, some have considered that she has become the icon of our generation, despite the fact that her and Missy Elliot, made her an international star. career was short.

“She was so unique, the way she dressed and her “Aaliyah is already an icon for me and many people, musical style were so original,” said sophomore Lady longevity has nothing to do with it. The way that she Alvarez. influenced and inspired people is what really matters, and Aaliyah was known for the themes her songs in 22 years she did more for others than most do in a discussed, such as independence, forgiveness, betrayal lifetime,” said freshman Darrin Burrell. and of course love but not in the typical “pop” manner.

She was like fresh air for many adolescents who had been

Popular celebrity Aaliyah passed away on at age 22. “She was a talented singer, actress, producer and an all around good person,” said sophomore fan Austin Willis.

“It’s really devastating and sad when a young singer dies like that. I was in denial because I didn’t want to believe.

—Jenny Pereira She was so freshman honest . . .”

How do you feel about the death of Aaliyah?

“I was shocked and surprised . . . I was disappointed . . . . it wasn’t fair for her since she had her future ahead.”

—Pati Mohamed sophomore

—Isata Kamara junior

Jay-Z releases a ‘Blueprint’ for success

by Annette Bouadi Staff Writer

As you turn up the volume you can already sense that this is high quality music. Shawn “Jay Z” Carter, the 30 year-old rapper has had two consecutive #1 albums in less than a year.

His latest “The Blueprint” was released before Sept.

11 and it’s already a hit. The album discusses his life’s personal experiences.

According to Jay Z every album or song has to have a meaning or a foundation.

Therefore, through out his album, he contains a concept. The concept in “The Blueprint” is the blueprint of his life, which includes his struggles, beliefs and ideas. He is also giving an example to other rappers who are beginning in the business.

For this album he chose a combination of soul samples, relating it to the music that he grew up listening to. The music is profound because it speaks to the listener and is about real issues that happen in life. Every song

“H to the Izzo V to the Izzay That’s the anthem, get your damn hands up”

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ntertainment

Libra

Sept. 24-Oct. 23

H o r o Scorpio s c o p Sagittarius e s

So far school has you overwhelmed.

Take time out for yourself; you’ll feel much better afterwards. You tend to take care of others before yourself. This month try focusing on you. It is not being conceited it’s just being careful. Look out for signs around you and trust your first instincts. Do not allow the little things get to you.

Oct.24-Nov. 22

This is your time to shine. A new look will make heads turn and perhaps you might get the attention of that special someone. Throughout focus on reality and don’t let your looks over power you. Don’t let yourself dwell into notions of the past; move forward. The past is only a small portion of your life, the most important part is to come

Nov. 23-Dec.22

Your time revolves around friends and family. The most memorable moments will be made this month.

Take care of what is most important to you, for it might be lost. This month go out and have fun. Try new things: for you never know until you try. Allow yourself to be free and “keep the channel open . . .”

contains its own beat and are easy to relate to.

Unlike many other rappers, Jay Z does not use profanity. Instead, he uses what he calls “vast vocabulary.”

One of the songs “”Reasonable Doubt” refers to the way people deal with issues coming off the streets. Another of his songs, “Izzo” speaks to his fans that he is still number one. These were some of my favorite songs on the album because Jay Z’s personality was clearly emphasized.

“I just want to let them know that I’m still here; I’m right here at the top,” he said in his thank you’s.

In this album it is shown that he’s still here.

It is considered to be the most personal, due to the fact that most of his themes reflect his early life.

I liked best that I could relate to his lyrics; it made me feel like there was people out there that understood what I was going through. This album has everything that you’re looking for. It ranges from high to low beats.

It is in this album that Jay Z has excelled to the top. Many have and will continue to admire him for he has proven his talent once again. I recommend that people go out and buy this for in every lyric you learn a lesson and become inspired. He will be working on another album, soon.

Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 20 Life seems to be treating you fairly. Continue making most of your days.

Perhaps you should try talking to someone with whom you’ve lost touch.

Deal with your past before it takes control of you. Don’t avoid situations and expect them to go away on their own. Keep your eyes open for there are many opportunities before you.

Aquarius Jan. 21-Feb. 19 Lately, you’ve been frustrated trying to find solutions to your problems. The answers have been within you all along. Look underneath the surface and don’t lose hope. Unexpected things good and bad will continue to happen. Don’t allow yourself to get too paranoid; live life as casually as possible.

Pisces Feb. 20-March 20 Now is the time to speak up. If you’ve been keeping something hidden, let it out.

You will feel much better when you’ve said your part. Many will try contacting you to keep in touch. If you are confused about a situation, ask for help. Your good intentions will hopefully be noticed and you will get rewarded.

“I think it’s tragic . . . I’m a fan of hers. I’m not over it because she was my hero. Part of me thinks she’s alive.”

Cooch and Croft’s Top 10 Reasons why SOL scores have risen at AHS 10. Dumb students were told to stay home.

9. Guidance swapped our tests with T.J. 8. Varsity football had practice during SOL testing.

7. Ritalin in the water fountains.

6. Yearbook is no longer an SOL subject.

5. Cash money reward offered to those who passed.

4. Dismissal of science teachers to remain anonymous.

3. Principal Clausen took all the test for all the students.

2. All A-Blast editors test were mysteriously thrown into Lake Accotink.

1. Teachers realized they would be SOL if they didn’t review for the SOL.

Aries March 21-Apr. 20 Follow your heart; it tends to be right.

Allow yourself to let loose and open yourself up to people.

Soon you will come to realize that people like you best when you are yourself. If you are having conflicts at home, get a way for a while or talk things out with your parents. Talking things out is more beneficial than you think.

Taurus April 21-May 21 There is no need to continue allowing people to play with your heart and mind.

Show them that they are dealing with their toughest competitor.

No one can control your life except those that you let. If you are in the middle of a situation, get out before its too late. There is no telling how things will turn out.

Gemini May 22-June 21 With the work that you have completed thus far you have “wowed” many. Congratulations on a job well done. Reward yourself and party with friends.

Remind yourself as well as those around you that you can make a difference. The smallest things through out your day are what should count the most.

Cancer June 22-July 23 If life seems to be going wrong, soon you will begin to see positive responds. Say what you feel, people can’t read your mind.

Think before you act or you might regret the results. Work hard to show people your good intentions. The people who surround you might be getting mixed signals, so prepare to explain yourself.

Leo

July 24-Aug. 24

During this time you continue finding yourself in sticky situations.

The only way to get out is to realize the consequences of every action you take. Look beyond what you see, because it’s all in the eye of the beholder. Stop hiding behind your shell. Speak to at least one new person and you will see positive results.

Virgo Aug. 24-Sept. 23 Lately you find yourself confused.

If this is the case then here are a couple of options for your solution: Talk, write, or contemplate about it.

Your best bet is to talk about it. Once you let out your feelings, you will feel a great burden has been released. Do it soon. Don’t wait until the last minute, for it might be too late.

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Fall TV series premiere, should you watch?

On the four networks, new shows make their debut.

These shows include Thieves, The Amazing Race, Pasadena, and Scrubs.

These shows can all be seen during primetime.

This year there is a large variety between networks.

By Kathy Saupp Staff Writer

There are many new shows premiering on the networks this fall season, and these are best of the top four networks.

New On NBC This season has a new half-hour comedy series Scrubs. Which is starring Zach Braff and Donald Faison (“Remember the Titans”), this show follows new medical interns and their strange and sometimes humorous experiences while working at the hospital.

Described by creator/executive producer Bill Lawrence as M.A.S.H. meets The Wonder Years, Scrubs lets the viewers observe medical interns JD (Braff) and his college buddy Chris (Faison) as they learn the ropes in the real world of medicine. Tagging along in the excitement are dedicated intern Elliott Reid (played by Sarah Chalke), as well as the doting but peculiar nurse Carla Espinoza (Judy Reyes).

Keeping them all under control in this

Two Stars of Thieves, stuck in jail.

bizarre hospital setting is the benevolent chief of medicine Dr. Kelso (Ken Jenkins).

Finally, a unique new show that is different from all the hour-long dramas about doctors, cops and lawyers, Scrubs, from the co-creator/ executive producer of Spin City, is an unpredictable and comedic show full of unusual characters. Scrubs premieres October 2nd.

New On Fox Pasadena is a show full of mystery and secrets. Despite FOX network’s luck with creepy shows like this one (think the short-lived Freakylinks) in

the same time slot, they give it another go with this drama starring Alison Lohman as Lily McAllister, the 15yearold main character.

Directed by academy award winner Diane Keaton, Pasadena is the story of Lily, who has lived a lavish life as a member of the most affluent family in Southern California. She lives in a mansion, along with her large gathering of family members (made up of a large supporting cast).

Then Lily’s previous assumptions about her family are put into question when a murder and cover-up take place in her own home (cue scary music...). This leads Lily into a search to unlock all of the secrets hidden from her for so long.

Pasadena, a network show with a plot to be desired, put into the classification of ensemble family drama (no doubt causing comparison to The Sopranos), as well as a tough time slot will have a lot working against it this season. So turn off the lights, lock the doors, and give it a chance Fridays at 9 p.m.

New on ABC Thieves a fast-paced drama premiering on ABC this season, and it differs from other networks’ shows because these main characters do not work for the good of humanity and fight crime; these people commit crimes for a living. Thieves is about the adventures of Johnny and Rita, (John Stamos and Melissa George) two professional thieves whose jobs begin to differ slightly when they encounter a bit of a problem.

Johnny and Rita are quick: break in, get the valuables, and get out clean-at least up until now. About to make off with the biggest burglary they have ever executed, Johnny and Rita get caught. No, not breaking in, not taking the diamonds, but when they realize that they have locked the keys in the getaway car. Now that’s smooth. So it seems like Johnny and Rita’s days of freedom are through.

But in a surprising turn of events, the FBI offers them a deal-to work alongside the feds in recovering stolen government property. These are serious artifacts; nuclear codes, art and historical treasures. This is Johnny and Rita’s life sentence, and the romantic and humorous tension between the two only adds to the

The doctors and nurses of Scrubs play bumbling emergency workers in a hospital’s ER.

teams of 2 against each other in a 25,000 mile race around the world.

The catch is, these aren’t teams of strangers. These people are fraternity brothers, working moms, lawyers, grandparents, separated parents, life partners, teachers, dating couples, married couples, mother and daughter, and engaged to be married (at least when the race begins). In order to win The Amazing Race and its grand prize of 1 million dollars, these teams of all sorts will have to work together among different traps and challenges at different stopping points.

They will undergo a strict budget, using any sort of transportation (except airlines), which means buses, trains, bicycles, and even camels. The whole trip takes 30-40 days, and the first one to complete the race collects the reward.

(Impressively) produced by Jerry Bruckheimer (Pearl Two Racers in the game show reality series, The Harbor), The Amazing Race is Amazing Race. a show that makes everyone groan. Just one more to add to the long list of reality shows like choose) on ABC. Survivor and Big Brother. But these New on CBS The Amazing Race, another reality shows are addictive, and no one who sees an episode of The Amazing Race adventure show, conveniently followor its many counterparts will be able ing Lost (8 p.m. on NBC) in the 9 p.m. to keep themselves from tuning in time slot. The two around-the-world again, and again, and again... adventure shows are similar in many ways. However, on The Amazing Race, the distance is longer, the restrictions greater, and the teams already acquainted.

CBS’s new reality series pits 11 excitement.

Action, excitement, comedy, a little bit of romance; this show seems to offer it all. Hopefully, the action on the show can be displayed realistically, and the comedy won’t be too corny or out of place. Other than that, Thieves can add that touch of secret agent style when it comes on Fridays at 9:00 PM (opposite Pasadena, you have to

The problem is that Akklaim wanted to add longevity to an extremely short game. But instead of making the game fun, it simply is frustrating.

Fast. Furious. Unreal—all words that best The courses have terrible turns where, unlike describe the newest rendition of racing in Akklaim’s normal games, practice doesn’t help. When boost is odd racing series. used it is nearly impossible to navigate through the The premise of the game is simple. Race at the tracks. These problems don’t even include the poor character speed of sound and blow people out of your way to get control & design, weapons portion of the game. Trying to select the first place. This third edition, the first on the fair graphics right weapon by looking at the strange symbols at Playstation 2, is really different from the past two on the bottom of the screen just distract and force you the N64 and is very reminiscent of Wipeout and Fto hit a wall.

Zero.

The gameplay is simple and easy to pick up, but nearly You play as a racer in the 22nd century in the Extreme-G impossible to master. First off, the poor design of the menus is Racing League. The story line in this game, as with most other frustrating. There is no arcade mode, which means that you racers is insignificant. This explains how the futuristic, Tronmust start a career in order to play, nothing too terrible but, looking bikes can go at the speed of sound. still that was just poor on the part of the developers. Also, in The graphics are good, not great. No better than most career mode, you can’t replay tracks for money, only for games out on the PS2 currently, but nothing bad. The textures, practice. A nice addition to the game is the XG Mall. Players however, are horrible. The tracks all look basically the same on can buy upgrades to their bikes, which range from weapons to the ground. All very smooth and without change. But this is better shields. most likely due to the speeds in which the player travels. The Which leads me to my next point, the poor design of the bikes do look cool but other than more polygons, seem the exact shields makes the game even less fun to play. This doesn’t pose same as before. But when you activate the weapons on the bike, a problem until well into the game, about the same time little sections of the bike move around for a nice effect. everything else becomes bad. The difficulty change in the game The controls are the weakest part of the game. The game is not even at all, and near as you progress it becomes annoying play suffers severely from it. When the game initially starts off to try and beat the computer opponents. on the slowest mode, the controls are fairly easy to use. Once Overall this game is okay, but by no means great or even you get past the second level of speed in the game, though, good.

The game has very hard controls and should be rented steering is near impossible. not bought.

SEPT. 25 ALONG CAME A SPIDER A thriller starring Morgan Freeman and a prequel to Kiss the Girls. (rated R) A KNIGHT’S TALE A medieval Jousting movie with ’90s style starring Heath Ledger (rated PG13).

OCT. 2 HEART BREAKERS A comedy starring Sigourney Weaver and Jennifer Love Hewitt involving mother and daughter team who con old rich men out of their money using love (rated PG-13).

PS2: XG3 falls pretty short of Xtreme

By Philippe Podorecki News Editor

New releases on video and DVD:

VIDEO GAME RATING

C+

THE MUMMY RETURNS An action adventure sequel to the Mummy.

Stars Brendan Frasier and The Rock(rated PG-13).

BRIDGET JONES’ DIARY A movie about a girl named Bridget Jones and her diary, starring Renee Zellwegger and Hugh Grant (rated R).

Playstation 2’s newest Motorcycle racing/fighting game.

OCT. 9 ONE NIGHT AT MCCOOLS A comedy about multiple men in love with a girl played by Liv Tyler (rated R).

Entertainment industry impacted greatly In light of the recent national tragedy movie releases are delayed and concerts are cancelled.

by Mike Mahn Entertainment Editor

In the wake of the tragedy that occurred on September 11th, the entertainment industry has been slowed in some sectors and halted in other sectors. Film, television, and music have greatly been effected by these events.

The film industry has been forced to change its style of movies, graphics, and storylines. Multiple films slated for September or early October releases have been postponed and are to be reedited to honor and respect the victims and mourners of the tragedy. The film “Big Trouble” starring Tim Allen, meant for a September 21st debut has been postponed till some time 2002 because of

air plane scenes involving terrorists. with a web between the twin towers.

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s new action Terrorism was a key story line in flick “Collateral Hollywood over the past ten years, and Damage” once slated these graphic images have for an October 5th brought great revenue for release has been some of the premiere films of postpone to a later date this genre. Such films for reediting and a include Die Hard, in which possible title change. It terrorists take over a dealt with terrorists building and it results with killing Arnold’s family. mass death and explosions.

Other films have Another key point of the minor problems story was the exposure of Big Trouble, a movie that relating to the 11ths how the FBI deals with got delayed till next year. events. The movie modern terrorists. Films that “Spider-Man” has been would probably have been postponed and its ad campaign has been released in the following years similar to halted. One poster depicted spider man “Die Hard” will be reconsidered.

Collateral Damage, a new movie involving terrorists may not be released for some time

Zoo preferred over mind numbing humor of Zoolander Ben Stiller plays a male supermodel lacking intelligence.

He will make you laugh, and possibly cry.

by Mike Mahn Entertainment Editor

just were not funny and were real stupid.

The plot is ludicrous. The theory is that the Caution: This film may make you dumber. fashion industry has been behind every big Ben Stiller plays Derek Zoolander, the most assassination of the past 200 years. Because famous male model of current times but has the they are in peak physical condition and can IQ of a below average bear. Zoolanders career easily be brainwashed and pushed over. starts to slip when he is beaten out by a rival Zoolander is the next male model to be brainReally funny male model for Best Male Model of the Year moments with a washed into wanting to kill the Malaysian horrible plot award and contemplates retirement. However he Prime Minister, which is why blank (Christine decides to make a comeback by modeling for Taylor), a Time news reporter, helps zoolander world renowned designer Mugatu (Will Ferrell, stop the evil fashion crime syndicate.

Austin Powers) who has evil plans for his dim-witted model; The cameo’s and minor roles by well known celebrities Killing the Malaysian prime minister who is threatening to may have saved parts of this movie. David Ducovony, raise minimum wages where most of fashion’s hottest David Bowie, Will Ferell and Ben’s Dad, Jerry Stiller had clothes are made. some of the best parts in this film. They provided a nice Ben stiller for one of the first times in his movie career balance of humor to counter Ben Stiller’s character. took on a role other than his better known shy type role Zoolander attempts to be funny and at times it is really such as in There’s Something About Mary or Meet the enjoyable but by no means would have it been able to Parents. But that is not necessarily a good switch for him. I compete with the other blockbuster comedies of the admit some parts of Stiller’s stupid humor made me laugh summer. hysterically but that was overwhelmed by other parts that MOVIE RATING

B

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Wednesday, October 3, 2001

Ben Stiller plays stupid male model in his movie Zoolander

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October 3, 2001

Day-long fun at Renaissance Fair

by Morgan McEvilly Staff Writer

Sophomores Rebecca Kraushaar, Abby Segall and I headed out for a fun filled day on Sunday, September 8, 2001. We went back in time to the Renaissance era. When we arrived at the festival, the first thing that hit me was the unique smell. There was a sweetness coming from a mix of different foods and spices. There was so much to do at the fair that I did not know where to start. First, we went into

UPCOMING EVENTS

A map of the grounds at the Renaissance Fair. The fair is located in Annapolis, Maryland.

AT THE 9:30 CLUB: OCT. 3—LONG BEACH DUB ALLSTARS OCT. 9—COLD OCT. 10—CLUTCH OCT. 12—SUM 41 OCT. 21-22—GOOD CHAROLOTTE OCT. 25—PUDDLE OF MUDD

MORGAN MCEVILLY

Sophomores Morgan McEvilly, Abby Seagall and Rebecca Kraushaar enjoy a day at the Renaissance Fair in Annapolis, Maryland. There are many activities at the fair such as jousting, zip lines and shopping.

some of the craft shops, that were located on the medieval boardwalk. This was a long strip of craft shops, food stands eing at the fair, one can susand medieval attractions.

Some of the events at the festival included a jousting pend disbelief. Being at the show, a museum of creepy creatures and a slapstick comedy fair can take your mind off the show. At the jousting show the men wore real armor, rode on horses and fought each other using long javelins. At the regular life style.

Museum of Unnatural History there were fake gremlins, fairies and other creatures in addition to creatures in jars —Hans Drerkugel Fair Employee with captions telling of their evil pasts.

Next, Rebecca and I went on a long, bumpy slide. It was a short two-second thrill. There were bigger thrills available if you wanted to climb up a castle tower ( a climbing wall) or pick from apple dumplings, turkey legs, fried ice cream, go down a big hill on a zip wire.

Another source of amusement were free juggling lessons. corn on the cob, or fried cheese, just to name a few. While We all attempted it, but in the end, only Rebecca was at all we were sipping our raspberry smoothies we went to a stand that sold dragon puppets. This is where we met a guy successful. We decided it was time to eat. named Ash. He said that this was the best place to work There was a huge variety of foods available. We could

b

and be because of the atmosphere.

Everyone that we talked to had something good to say about the festival. Such as a man named Hans Drerkugel who said, “Being at the festival, one can suspend disbelief. Being at the fair can take your mind off the regular life style.”

The festival has been running for 25 years. It will run for nine more weeks from August to October.

We talked to one woman, Joy Evans, who had been working at the festival for 20 years. Evans played the character of Queen Katherine of Aragon. This is an adventure, said Evans, all people can find something they like. The Renaissance Festival renews your childhood spirit.

If you wish to visit the Renaissance Fair or find out information about it go to www.rennfest.com/mrf.

They have dates, times, and directions for the fair.

OTHER UPCOMING SHOWS: OCT.2-NATION— JIMMY’S CHICKEN SHACK AND AFRO MAN OCT.12-NATION—311 OCT. 19-BALTIMORE ARENA—U2

Click2Me is new, local PC bang

What did you do last weekend?

Local cafe attracts computer gamers and Internet fanatics from area. People find fun and technology together at Click2Me. play it against those who connect from home, like Vigneault sometimes does. “[I go to Click2me] because it has a fast Internet When you walk into Click2Me, a new comconnection and you can play right next to your puter cafe near Hollywood Videos, you have to let friends,” said Vigneault. your eyes adjust to the dark lighting, your lungs Players can play by themselves or in teams, to the smoke-filled air and your ears to the which are known as “clans.” Customers begin to moderately low noise level except when someone know each other not by their real names, but by is yelling in anger or in triumph. At first glance, screen names that they go by in the game. There are you take in all 30 computers, which are set up like six people to a team and keyboard commands send a computer lab, the little refrigerator and rack of certain orders to the other clan members. The game food in the corner and has been recently updated the people, who are and now commands can be mostly of high school given through headphones and college age. also.

“We always go to ost often, I play Counterstrike “This is where it gets the pizza place next interesting.

People call out in with everyone else in the door and buy all our frustration or excitement food there because it’s room. It’s the game of choice for the intravenously.

One might cheaper,” said sophoeven call it a mildly social frequent ‘PCBang’ customer more Adrian Vigneault. atmosphere,” said Akridge.

After the clerk -Will Akridge When you’re ready to assigns you a computer Sophomore leave, you go back to the and you sit down, you counter and pay for however have several options. many hours you’ve spent on “From here, you can do a few things. You can the computer.

It’s three dollars for members and six take advantage of the T1 connection and check for nonmembers.

On your way out, a flyer might the Internet, play a game over the Internet, write catch your eye.

It’s a Counterstrike tournament held e-mails or compete with other users in the room,” in late October.

The grand prize is $1000.

Maybe said Will Akridge, sophomore. Akridge, along with your first time has overwhelmed you and you brush Vu Nguyen, Andrew Beckler and Braxton off the thought of entering the contest.

Most likely, Koppelman, frequently hangs out at Click2Me. you can’t wait to come back. You’ll get used to the “Most often, I play Counterstrike with atmosphere and become drawn to the place like a everyone else in the room. It’s the game of choice moth to a light bulb. Welcome to Click2Me. for the frequent ‘PCBang’ customer,” said Akridge.

“I went to an all-day cross country meet in Fredericksburg..”

—Enwei L iber Freshman

by Denice Miller Profiles Editor

m

“I played lacrosse and basketball. I also watched a movie one night.”

—Oscar Ycaza Sophomore

“I went to the Renaissance Fair and enjoyed myself thoroughly.”

—Chris Rauer Junior

“I went to the Skin’s game on Sunday, and worked on my house.”

—Pat Hughes Physical Education teacher

Counterstrike is a strategic game involving terrorists against counter-terrorists. Not only can you play it against other customers, but you can

AHS boyscouts take week out of summer to learn more about life on a navy warship.

by Robert Payne Staff Writer

Anchors away! While most of us this summer were going to the pool and beach, some students at AHS, including myself had the privilege of spending a week on the US Navy Destroyer, the USS Radford. The week was spent on the USS Radford conducting fleet maneuvers with the rest of the destroyer squadron, Deseron 26. I and three other AHS students, Billy Brackney, Josh Buzzel and Owen Griffing, were able to get the ride-along through connections that our Boy Scout Troop has with the Navy.

The trip started off with a four hour Sunday car ride down to the Naval Station in Norfolk, Virginia.

Once there we loaded our gear on the destroyer and got a tour of the ship.

The first night we were instructed in a number of critical survival drills, such as what to do if you wake up at night and your birthing area is smoke

w

eekend

Students take ride on a destroyer filled and how to get out of the compartments to the main deck. The first night we spent on the USS Radford we were still moored in port.

However, the next morning at 0800 we scheduled to ship out with the rest of the destroyer squadron.

While on board ship we went out to sea about 150-200 miles. It was to be a week of interesting week of exploration and demonstrations.

After pulling out of port, we were scheduled to complete more of our training. Since there are no fire stations on the ship, everyone on

PHOTO BY ROB PAYNE

A carrier performs training exercises off the Atlantic coast.

board is trained in fire fighting. So, we got to put on the fire fighting gear, and march to back aft to complete our fire fighting training. We were taught how to use the hoses and work as one unit when combating a real fire.

Later on in the week, we had the

privilege of witnessing a weapons system test. The weapons system that was tested was the Phalanx 20mm. cannon. The cannon stands about ten feet tall and is used as a last defense weapon against incoming missiles.

Afterwards, we were given three Phalanx shells each by the captain.

While on board ship we experience every aspect of Navy life. We worked in the mess decks one, which was a fun experience. We saw life in the Navy from an enlisted man’s point of view as well as an officers. While on board we had the great privilege of meeting with the destroyer squadron commander, Commodore Scott Jones.

Commodore Jones took time out of his very busy schedule to meet and talk with us. One of the exciting sights that we observed on the cruise was while the ship was conducting speed maneuvers, a group of dolphins came alongside the ship and started racing the ship and riding the bow waves. It was spectacular sight.

One thing I noticed while on board the USS Radford was that the men and women who served on the Radford were some of the finest individuals I have ever met.

Overall my experience on board the USS Radford was a unique and exciting one.

ROB PAYNE

ABOVE: Boy scouts take part in a fire drill. Scouts aboard the ship had to have training in case of an emergency on the open sea. The scouts were trained in case of a fire, a leak, or an attack.

RIGHT: This ship is similar to the one students got to ride on. The fleet of ships were stationed in Norfolk, Virginia.

Some ships that were stationed at Norfolk have been sent to the Middle East because of the recent attacks on the U.S. PHOTO BY ROB PAYNE