ALSO IN THE EDITION: 2016 A Year in Review - page 4 Female Athletes’ Perspective of Wrestling - page 9 A Look at Mental Illness - page 11 BYOT at THS - page 12
A LOOK AT THE FINE ARTS AT TUSCARORA IN AND OUT OF THE CLASSROOM AS AWARDS SEASON APPROACHES PAGES 6& 7
THETUSCARORA HUSKY HEADLINE HIGH SCHOOL, LEESBURG, VA JANUARY 2017 VOLUME 7 EDITION 2
INSIDE
pages 4&5
Letter from the Staff
page 8&9
OP ED/COMMENTARY
Are awards the only measure of success?
page 6&7
page 3
3
Letter from the Staff: AWARDS
by The Husky Headline Staff A Cappies Review of the Recent Performance of a Christmas Carol by Guest Writer
4 T& 5
page 10&12
8 & 9 H C
6 & 7G B D
Winter raditions at est esign oes Tuscarora to... by Brady Bullington by Lydia Stonerook 2016 in Review Best Performance by Sully Carr Goes to... by Emily Riley Family Holiday Best Traditons Choreography by Brady Bullington Goes to... by Sara Koochagian Best Music Goes to... by Katie Johnson
usky ommit by Tucker Stuntz Spring Sports Preview by Tucker Stuntz Winter Sports Tweets by Abby Fletcher
Coach’s Corner
1C 0U& 1 2:
by Sara Koochagian FEMALE ATHLETES SHARE THEIR PERSPECTIVE OF WRESTLING by Abby Fletcher
lubs ncovered Coloring Club by Anya Sczerzenie Technology in School Today by Nick Matta Mr. Tuscarora by Lucy Blue Mental Health by Tori Custer
Photos Courtesy of Robert Johnson, Lifetouch, @THSTuskyTerror
Editors-in-Chief Sara Koochagian
Emily Riley Online Editor Anya Sczerzenie Staff Writers Lucy Blue Brady Bullington Sully Carr Tori Custer Abby Fletcher Katie Johnson Becker Kauffman Nick Matta Lydia Stonerook Tucker Stuntz
The Husky Headline is written, edited, and designed by students from Tuscarora High School. All opinions expressed in this publication are those of the individual writer. The views published in this newspaper are not necessarily those of the Tuscarora High School administration, faculty, staff, or the student body. We are committed to delivering relevant, accurate news - which means we want to hear from you! Opinions may be expressed in letters to the editor an can be sent to the staff at TheHuskyHeadline@gmail.com. Please include your name and class standing in all letters to the editor.
There’s even more on TheHuskyHeadline.com
Scan the QR code for more exclusive photo galleries and interviews
The Husky Headline
would like to thank its generous patrons: royal blue Donna and Ed Gleason
Frank Dobscha James and Deborah Wishmyer Catherine DiFilippo-Perry and Thomas DiFilippo James and Sean Cassar
AWARDS & ASSOCIATIONS
Our student journalists are members of VHSL Activities (Publications), the National Scholastic Press Association, and the Columbia Scholastic Press Association. The Husky Headline has won various awards since its establishment in 2011.
CSPA Silver Medalist Critique 2016 2016 Second Class Virginia High School League Member of National Scholastic Press Association Tuscarora High School Chapter Quill and Scroll Society
2 January 2017
bronze
husky
Pat & Wayne Dellinger Hope Stonerook Marion DiFilippo Alf and Debbie Peterson Margret and Jeff Clair Kevin & Lisa Carr
@HUSKYHEADLINE
Awards are what we all strive towards. From athletic to academic excellence, from the stage to the art studio, winning an award is often the ultimate signal that your hard work and dedication to your talent has paid off. Because people are competitive by nature, we are always reaching for the next prize. A silver medalist wants a gold medal, a football team that gets to the semifinals wants to go to the finals, a drama department that gets four Cappies nominations wants five or six next time. Awards can be a measure of progress, they can show us and others that we have succeeded and that we are still reaching new heights. But if awards are the only thing we reach for, we can lose sight of why we began doing something in the first place. Our vision of what success means can become so narrow that no matter how hard we worked, it’s nothing if
we don’t win a medal. All the experience we gained, skills we learned, fun we had, and personal growth we achieved along the way may mean nothing for us if all we care about is the award at the end. When an award becomes more of a motivator for us than passion for what we do, it’s time to step back and examine how we think. Success is too often defined for us by other people, by their numbers, levels, and grades, when we really need to define it for ourselves. An award is a measure of success, but it is not the only measure. If anything, an award is a symbol of what you should already know about your success, no matter how many prizes you win. If winning an award shows that you had fun, improved your skills in what you love, and gained something that can’t be put on a shelf, then by all means, go out and win it.
A Cappies Review of A Christmas Carol BY GUEST WRITER DIANA WITT, WESTFIELD HIGH SCHOOL
“God bless us everyone,” chimes Tiny Tim, as the Cratchit family toasts to prosperity in the New Year, even for Bob Cratchit’s bitter boss, Ebenezer Scrooge. This gesture of generosity from the ailing, young Tiny Tim shows the true meaning of Christmas. The cast and crew of Tuscarora High School’s A Christmas Carol revealed poignant messages about family, generosity, and selflessness in their timelessly thoughtful production. A Christmas Carol is a play based on the novella by Charles Dickens. The story was first published in London in 1843. Christmas in 1840s London is an enchanting season of harmonious carolers and decadent feasts, but Ebenezer Scrooge does not view it that way. The irritable and cynical man cares about only one thing over the holiday season – making money. He does not give his employees the day off, not even Bob Cratchit, a destitute father of a sickly little boy. On midnight of Christmas Eve, Scrooge receives a visit from three ghosts: Ghost
of Christmas Past, Ghost of Christmas Present, and Ghost of Christmas Future. The ghosts take him on magical journeys to show him details about his life he never realized and inspire him to change his ways.
“Tate embodied the aging man, taking on hunched shoulders and a shuffled gait.”
Jordan Tate portrayed the resentful Ebenezer Scrooge. Tate embodied the aging man, taking on hunched shoulders and a shuffled gait. His distinct vocal tone resonated through the theater, as he blurted out Scrooge’s classic catchphrase, “Bahumbug!” Tate showed the arc in Scrooge’s character, transforming from a crotchety old man to a charitable friend. Katie O’Sullivan played the Ghost of Christmas Past. She exuded a sprite-like persona, equipping herself with a
light, swift stride and girlish vocal quality. Her vivacity in her movements and facial expressions sparkled on the stage. The Ghost of Christmas Present was portrayed by Kendall Guntner. Guntner radiated confidence and sass as she paraded around to the different settings in Scrooge’s present. Natalie Ah Nee played the Ghost of Christmas Future. Ah Nee’s dark characterization contrasted with the first two ghosts. Cloaked in a black cape, Ah Nee slinked across the stage, speaking with a deep eerie tone. Commendable technical aspects ignited the childlike magic of the holidays in the hearts of the audience. Vibrant costumes fit the status of each character. The penniless Cratchit family’s drab rags juxtaposed with the elegant hoop skirts at the ball. The ghosts’ whimsical costumes and makeup added a fantasy element to the production. Ghost of Christmas Past’s simple, flowy white dress twinkled with tiny string lights. Ghost of Christmas Present wore a sophisticated
green gown, while Ghost of Christmas Future wore a long black cloak and ghastly makeup. An extensive range of set pieces decorated the stage, from the masonry exterior of Scrooge’s office to the grand dining room, adorned with a mouthwatering Christmas feast.
“Dainty carols and poignant family moments warmed hearts in the classic tale of a changed man”
As Christmas snow falls on the quiet London town, a family rejoices over the generosity of Ebenezer Scrooge. Dainty carols and poignant family moments warmed hearts in the classic tale of a changed man. The cast and crew of Tuscarora High School’s A Christmas Carol delighted audiences with their merry production.
JANUARY 2017
3
FEATURES February: 2, Punxsutawney Phil predicts an early spring 7, Denver Broncos win 50th Super Bowl 28, Leonardo DiCaprio wins his first Oscar
January: 13, Record Powerball ticket in America at $1.6 BILLION 20, Zika Virus spreads into United States
December: 1, First night of A Christmas Carol performed by the Tuscarora Theatre Department 7, 75 year anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor
November: 2, Chicago Cubs win World Series 8, Donald Trump is elected president
2, Tuscarora Varsity Football wins first game of season against Loudoun County 55-21 7, Apple announces iPhone 7 16, Raul Magdaleno gives motivational speech at Tuscarora
JAN 20, 2009 Obama is inaugurated in Washington DC, marking the commencement of the first four-year term of Barack Obama as President and Joe Biden as Vice President. It becomes the most watched inauguration in US history. SEP 17, 2009 The Affordable Care Act, which will become known as Obamacare, is introduced in the House of Representatives.
AUG 31, 2010 Obama announces the end of combat operations in Iraq.
4 JANUARY 2017
July: 6, Pokemon Go releases on iOS and Android
August: 5-21, Olympic games held in Rio de Janeiro 20, Frank Ocean’s long awaited album Blond is officially released 29, First Day of School for LCPS
As Inaguration Day Nears, A Look Back at Obama’s Presidency
NOV 4, 2008 Illinois Senator Barack Obama was elected president of the United States over Senator John McCain of Arizona. Obama became the 44th president, and the first African American to be elected to that office.
May: 2, Leicester City wins the English Premier League after starting the season with 5000-1 odds 28, Death of Harambe
BY SULLY CARR
APR 4, 2011 Obama announces he will run for a second term, along with his Vice President Joe Biden.
MAY 2, 2011 SEAL Team Six captures and kills Osama bin Laden, raiding his secret compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, while President Obama, as well as his cabinet and top advisors, watch a live feed of the mission from the White House Situation Room.
SEPT 11, 2012 Militants attack American compounds in Benghazi, Libya, killing U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans. There will eventually be eight congressional probes into the incident. NOV 6, 2012 Obama defeats Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney in the 2012 Presidential election, winning a 2nd term in office.
DEC 28, 2014 Obama announces the US will end its combat mission in Afghanistan.
JUN 26, 2015 The Supreme Court rules in favor of marriage equality for same-sex couples throughout the country, ensuring same sex-couples the right to marry.
June: 12, Broadway show Hamilton wins a total of 12 Tony Awards 14, Last day of the 2015-2016 school year 19, Cleveland Cavaliers win NBA Finals
Family Holiday Traditions: BY BRADY BULLINGTON
As the holiday season begins and ends, Tuscarora students have created traditions with family and friends, no matter what holiday they celebrate. Whether it be seeing a play or going to church, students find a way to make their season special!
27%
36%
45%
54%
54%
The Brain Game: A Look At Mental Illness
April: 7, Last American Idol episode airs on television 21, Famous singer Prince passes away 23, Beyonce’s sixth studio album Lemonade is released
2016: A Year In Review
October: 7, Tuscarora Varsity Football upsets Potomac Falls 24-17 September:
BY BECKER KAUFFMAN As President Obama Prepares to leave office, Tuscarora will say goodbye to the only president who has served during the school’s 7-year existence since it’s opening in 2010. Here is a look back at President Obama’s 8 years in office as he prepares to say goodbye prior to Inauguration Day on January 20, 2017.
March: 6, First lady of the United States, Nancy Reagan, passes away at the age of 94 16, President Barack Obama nominates Merrick Garland for US Supreme Court
Seeing a play
Setting up the nativity scene Going to see Christmas lights Decorating the tree together Going to church
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
@HUSKYHEADLINE
BY TORI CUSTER The rising expectations of colleges, parents, and peers can cause teenagers to feel pressure that can lead to overwhelming feelings of stress and helplessness. Students want to do their best, but sometimes it can cause them to forget about what really matters, such as their health and relationships. According to Live Science, more than one in every five teens in the United States experiences the effects of a mental illness in their life. “Colleges have become way more competitive, and kids really want to do their best. So they succeed and it feels like everybody is kind of raising that bar. I think as our society has gotten more technologically advanced, things are going at a faster pace. Things are way more competitive than they were before,” said Tuscarora’s social worker Michelle Toland, who has been in education for over eighteen years. “A lot of emphasis is put on learning and how you have to have good grades. Like a C is passing but for a lot of people, a C is like failing,” said Tuscarora junior Shea Wenzler, a member of the PEER program. As reported by Boston.com, a study conducted in 2010 showed that five times as many students in high school and college are experiencing similar levels of mental illnesses when compared to students during the time of the Great Depression. The research for the study was gathered from 77,576 students who
took the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, also known as MMPI. This survey included students from 1938 to the year 2007. It revealed that hypomania, a type of anxiety, has seen a five percent increase. Depression, one of the most common and well-known mental illness, saw an increase from one to six percent. Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses amongst teenagers, and only thirty percent of them receive care for it. Depression will be seen in twenty percent of teenage students before they become adults. People who commit suicide are often found to have mental disorder, with over ninety percent of people who have taken their lives diagnosed with a mental illness. So if mental illnesses are so common and harmful, what can we do to identify and stop them before they become hurtful? One of the first steps should be to know what to look for in someone you think might be experiencing difficulties. Many common signs of mental illnesses are change of sleeping habits, change of eating habits, change in personality and actions, loss of confidence, loss of desire to participate in hobbies, and unusual decrease in school grades. Also depending on your family and lifestyle, a person may be more likely to develop a mental disorder. Keep in mind that a genetic predisposition for a mental illness doesn’t
guarantee someone will develop one. Typically teenagers who have bad relationships with family members or undergo trauma are more at risk for mental illnesses. “It kind of depends on that person’s situation or circumstances, the things that happen in their life, how much attention they’re paying to their own self care. So I guess for prevention, we need to have more education about it. We need to be able to talk about these things and point out that there should be no stigma attached to mental health,” said Toland. A part of being educated is knowing what to do when you come across someone who might be experiencing a mental illness. Loudoun County has an acronym that will help students remember what to do if they find themselves in a situation where a student may be experiencing morbid thoughts. The acronym is ACT and stands for Acknowledge, Care, and Tell. By acknowledging that your friend is going through difficulties, you will be able to recognize and help them through the problem. This leads us to the next step, which is Care. Make it evident to your friend that you care about what they are going through. Then our next step is Tell, where you tell an adult so your friend can get the help they need. In addition to this, Loudoun County also has 24 hour help lines. The Loudoun County Mental Health Emergency number is 703-7770320, and the SAMHSA National Helpline is 800-662-4357. The last one is PRS CrisisLink, and the number is 703-527-4077. If you are interested, there are cards with the acronym and helpline numbers in the counselor’s office. So why are the amount of mental illnesses increasing? Many blame technology and the increasing expectations of those around us. “Society doesn’t allow for students to be themselves. It’s pressuring
them to be someone they’re not, which leads to insecurities about themselves,” said senior PEER member Ashley Clancy. Also, the increasing demand for students is also being blamed. The modern world is one where people are constantly working and competing to make it and themselves better. Colleges expect more from incoming students, and that means high schools will expect more from teenagers. Lastly, teenagers put a lot of pressure on themselves in the present. They have a plan for what they want in life, so if they get a bad grade on their report card, they may not get into the college they want to go to. “There’s ten million ways to do life. You have no idea and when you get past high school and you get past college life just gets better and better and better. But until you’ve been there and lived it you don’t know that, so I think that’s difficult too,” said Toland. It’s awful that mental illnesses have become so common in the United States, but together we can raise awareness and bring the numbers down. “It’s a lot of pressure, and I think one thing to keep in mind is you need to take care of yourself. You need to make sure that you have a balance of activities. Academics are definitely important, but so are your social relationships, so is your mental health, so is your physical, and your nutrition too,” said Toland. Do little things like including someone who is alone at lunch or connecting with others. Creating strong relationships with others is key to staying healthy and happy. People are meant to interact with people. That’s why when we come together, we are strong and can do whatever we put our minds to.
Top Holiday Gifts Throughout the Years BY SULLY CARR
1932
Sock Monkey
1943 Slinky
20 years ago, the most wanted gift was a Transformer, now it is a Hoverboard. As technology becomes the most wanted gift around the holiday season, what do you remember getting when you were a child?
1952
Mr. Potato Head
1964 G.I. Joe
1970
Nerf Ball
1985
Transformers
1991
GameBoy
2000
Teksta Robotic Puppy
2008 Wii
2016
Hoverboard
JANUARY 2017
5
ENTERTAINMENT
AND THE AWARD GOES TO...
6 JANUARY 2017
When most people think of a high school artist, they imagine a mediocre, artsy fartsy, Picasso wannabe that spends most of their time in the art room. Based on this stereotype, if you were to pass by senior Julia Hudack in the halls, you would have no idea she stayed up until 3 o’clock in the morning working on her latest
AP Art piece. Julia is a reserved, dedicated student who has discovered an amazing artistic ability. “My family always jokes about it; my mom says I got it from her but we really don’t know where it came from,” she said. Hudack began her love of art in elementary school when she went to art class. “It’s
really rewarding to watch your piece evolve into the final product,” said Hudack. Currently, Julia is working towards the AP Art exam in May, when she is required to send twenty-four pieces of artwork to be judged on several categories, including quality. “Twelve of [the pieces] are anything
you want, and the second twelve is a series. All of mine are going to be in graphite,” said Hudack. Although Julia doesn’t plan on pursuing a career in art, she continues to create new pieces to be featured in local and school run showcases.
It’s now January, and the winter play, A Christmas Carol, was a big success. Even though it was performed over a month ago, the cast and crew are still buzzing with anticipation for the arrival of Cappie nominations. The Cappies are an annual student led review and award ceremony recognizing the fabulous aspects of the productions put on by high schools in the area. “Cappies is a whirlwind of a time. It’s just an honor to be nominated and to be around other creative, talented people, and to get to see the
best of NOVA theatre is really just a memorable experience that I would never pass up.” said Shelby Haley, stage director of A Christmas Carol. Every year, student critics from around the Northern Virginia area attend local high school productions and then write reviews highlighting that school’s performance, in which they receive points. They can then use those points to award each school for their outstanding content, whether it be for a specific actor/ actress, or for the makeup crew. Tuscarora has been nominated 17 times,
and has won four times, three for the spring of 2015 musical Cats, and once for the fall of 2013 production of Noises Off. Even though winning a Cappie is an honor to the drama department, that’s not their main goal. “Cappies doesn’t define what we are, our focus is actually on building a love for theatre and a strong inclusive family so everyone who participates in theatre feels like they belong and have a place.” said Justin Daniels, head of the drama department.
Even so, being nominated 17 times and winning four times is no small feat. Every person who helps to put together each production, whether they be a freshman, or someone who graduated years ago, worked hard to get the drama department to where it is now.
Even though we are living in the 21st century, the spirit of ballroom and swing dancing is still alive in the halls of Tuscarora High School. Run by math teacher Mr. Samuel Anderson and German teacher Frau Angela Deady, the Ballroom Dance Club meets every Friday in Mr. Anderson’s room. This club is fairly new to the list of Tuscarora clubs and was started by Anderson. “The club used to be called “Swing Dance Club”, and was started and taught by my wife and I in 2013. At that time, not many people came to the lessons,” said Anderson. Even though Mrs. Anderson doesn’t go to the club meetings anymore, Deady
has taken the role. With her, she brought the ballroom dancing; the most common one being waltz. By adding the ballroom style dancing, the number of students increased. “This year [Deady] approached me about remaking the Swing Club into the “Ballroom Dance Club” to teach more dances besides swing, and now we both teach on Fridays after school with a much larger group then there was in previous years,” said Anderson. The club consists of learning dances that aren’t timely, but with a mix of swing dance gives it an upbeat vibe. They do dances that are classic like waltzing, but then
do things more upbeat like swing, salsa, charleston, polka, and cha-cha. Deady and Anderson pick the dances that they do each week, and based from the student’s reaction to the dance they will determine if they will continue the dance and learn new moves to bring it together. They will usually spend more than one Friday learning a dance based on the difficulty for the ‘leads’ and ‘follows’ of the dances. These roles are different for each dance, and are very important in what they do. “My favorite part is meeting new people,” said junior Rosie Hackman, “as well as going through the process of learning new things with my
friends every time we meet.” The Ballroom Dance Club is continuing to grow, providing a great time for students who join them in room L601. “My motto when I was learning was “If you’re having fun, then you’re doing it right”. To me, dancing is about having fun while looking good to music,” said Anderson.
Music, a vocal or instrumental combination of sounds that create a beauty, harmony, and expression of emotion. Tuscarora is full of beauty and harmony in our fine arts department including Choir, Band, Jazz Band, Guitar, and Orchestra. This winter and fall, each group performed many pieces for the students and families at Tuscarora High
School. All the students in the music department connect with the sounds and elements creating a musical atmosphere. Every other day students practice to achieve their best, and come together for performances that are unforgettable. In the spring, they perform for judges to be assessed and graded on their performance hoping to get the highest rating of superior.
“Its around the clock work for those 90 minutes and we tend to break down our blending, breathing, facial expressions, and dynamics to achieve a superior rating,” said 10th grader Sara Linhart, a member of the Select Women’s Choir. Practice always makes perfect and for one student it changed the game with listening to music. “Band has really affected my ears.
I’m a low instrument, and I tend to focus on the low instruments in songs,” said 10th grader, Cole Francisco, a member of the Symphonic Band and Marching Band.
BY LYDIA STONEROOK
BY EMILY RILEY
BY SARA KOOCHAGIAN
BY KATIE JOHNSON
JANUARY 2017
7
This Seasons’
SPORTS
Sports Tweets
Husky Commit
Female Athletes Share Their Perspective of Wrestling
A look at one of Tuscarora’s lineman’s decision
BY ABBY FLETCHER
INTERVIEW BY ABBY FLETCHER AND TUCKER STUNTZ
Committing to compete in division one athletics is one of the biggest milestones an athlete can achieve while in high school. This past fall, Senior Chris Caylor, one of Tuscarora’s starting linemen committed to play division one football at Georgetown University.
“I’m beyond excited to attend Georgetown. Like as soon as I stepped on campus it felt like home. The coaches are awesome, the location is amazing, and it’ll just be so much fun!” said Caylor.
Chris had been attending various football camps trying to get looks from many schools and was rather interested in Georgetown’s program.
Bucknell. “All of those schools have viable programs for me but they just didn’t feel right.” Caylor stated. During his last high school season, he suffered a broken wrist injury. Chris remained positive while sitting out of various games and did not give up the desire to play at the next level.
Photos courtesty of Lifetouch and Anna Klevenhaagen
Sydney Bowman
“My most memorable moments on
the team were just all the fun time we had. The game that we beat Centreville, the crazy bus rides, the cookouts, and the water balloon wars were some of the best.” said Caylor.
What attracted you to the sport of wrestling?
What attracted you to the sport of wrestling?
S- “I did taekwondo for awhile as a kid, so i like contact sports already. I liked the grappling aspect of the sport and how size doesn’t matter. I was short and not a fast runner, which did not make me a perfect candidate for a sport like soccer.”
C-“My main sport is Brazilian jiu jitsu, and I started to wrestle this year because I believe the skills involved in wrestling would help round out my jiu jitsu game. Other attracting factors including meeting my peers with similar interests and it’s a new experience.”
A- “I watched my brother Alec wrestle through high school, and he placed in states two years in a row. I am also very strong and like challenging things.”
S- “There are a definitely
differences. Boys develope more strength in proportion to their body mass, so a boy my size more likely is stronger than I am, so I have a rely on more technique.”
Photo courtesy of Chris Caylor
Spring Sports Preview
Anna Klevenhagen
What attracted you to the sport of wrestling?
What aspects are different than the boys?
“I had a handful of schools giving me some major interest but nothing that could topple my love for Georgetown. The major schools that drew any interest from me were Holy Cross, The Naval Academy, William & Mary, Richmond, Columbia, Dartmouth, Yale, and
Cokie Parker
What is the most difficult part of the team? C- “The social aspect of wrestling along with the conditioning is very difficult. I find focusing on the task at hand is the best to do during conditioning.”
What is your favorite aspect about Coach Bango? A- “He accepts girl wrestlers and will gladly help you achieve your goals.”
Come see Sydney, Anna, and Cokie in action against Stone Bridge on January 18th
Coach’s Corner The Gallow Edition
Photos courtesy of Lifetouch BY TUCKER STUNTZ
Boys Soccer • • •
Looking to bounce back after tough 2016 season 8 returning seniors Team working to prove that last year was just a bump in the road.
Girls Soccer • • •
Lost State Championship Region & Conference Champions Loss of stars Kelly Reilly & Courtenay Kaplan
Baseball •
Coming off of most successful season in history
8 JANUARY 2017
• •
New Head Coach Cole Shane Looking to begin proving themselves as a baseball powerhouse
Softball • •
Looking to improve on last years 10-11 record Want to win Conference Championship
Boys & Girls Tennis • • •
Second year Head Coach Matthew Crisp Girls wanting to improve on last years 7-7 record Boys ready to bounce back after 0-12 season
Boys Lacrosse •
One returning senior Patrick
• •
Cline (Committed to play at Roanoke College next year) Last year 6-10 record Big win over Falls Church on last year’s senior night 18-4
Photos courtesy of Lifetouch BY SARA KOOCHAGIAN What is it like to be a coach of a Tuscarora team? Coaching at THS is a lot of fun. The kids work hard and want to get better every day. That is all you can ask for as a coach. The support we get from the other students, faculty and fans is what makes the Tuscarora teams so special
Girls Lacrosse • • •
Regular season record 8-5 last spring Pre-season workouts/ conditionings will take place Lost 9 seniors
Track • • •
Boys win Conference & Region Titles Loss of star Fitsum Seyoum to Virginia Tech Multiple All-State Athletes
@TUSKYSPORTS
Compared to college swimming, what is it like to coach a high school team? Coaching a college team compared to a high school team is pretty
different. The biggest difference is the time commitment. When you are swimming in college, it is almost like a full time job. You have multiple practices a day along with weights and meetings, and also have to balance that with studying. In high school we can only have swim practice 3 times a week, so I have to be creative and find ways to help the kids get better outside of the water. What goals do you have for the swim season this year? I have several goals for this season. First, I want every kid to drop time and have fun in the event that they swim. Second, I want to qualify several kids for the regional and state meets. Last goal I have is that we finish top 4 in the conference meet this season on either the girls or boys side.
Since this is your second year coaching Tuscarora, are there things that you are going to do differently when it comes to coaching? Anything you are going
Coach Gallow gives Freshman Shelby Grevings advice before race. to do the same? As a coach you always have to adapt to your team. There will be things that we will change this year since it is a younger newer team. I have been coaching for 20 years, and over time you learn what works and what doesn't. In terms of training we will do some of the same things such as the practice times,intensity, and some of the same sets, but as a coach you have to adjust to your athletes and know what they need year by year to help them improve and get better. How different is it for you this year now that you are not teaching at Tuscarora this year? It is definitely different. I miss the day to day interactions with the kids and the staff. Working at an elementary school is fun, but it doesn't have the same school spirit.
Buzzer Beater
BY TUCKER STUNTZ Last Friday night marked the opening game for Tuscarora Varsity Basketball. Tuscarora opened up against Freedom and in a away game thriller, proved to be victorious with a last second layup from Junior Alex Bailey. Bailey has started of the season strong being the leading scorer for the Huskies. Bailey is excited for his junior season as he believes he is getting better and better every time he steps on the court. Alex spoke on behalf of that outstanding last shot.
Tucker- What was going through your mind last Friday when you made that game winning shot and what was the entire game like before that moment?
Alex- The first three quarters went relatively smooth as we were leading but going into the fourth quarter they began to close the gap and eventually took a one point lead which made the game very intense. In the last five seconds, Coach Smith called a timeout and went over a the play we were going to do. I knew when I walked back out on the court I had to find a way to deliver the shot for our team. When they threw the inbounds pass to me I knew I had the power to go strong at the basket and just got it done.
Photo Courtesy of Lifetouch
JANUARY 2017
9
STUDENT LIFE Clubs Uncovered: Coloring Club BY ANYA SCZERZENIE
Early on Wednesday mornings, when the school is still hushed, the Career Center hums with music and the quiet scratching of crayons and colored pencils. It’s the home of the Coloring Club, a fairly new club at Tuscarora. The Coloring Club was founded last school year by the guidance department. It is held at 8 A.M. every Wednesday, so that students can use it as a time to de-stress before classes. “Kids can just utilize it as down time before school,” said Mrs. Amado, a member of the counseling department and one of the club’s sponsors. “They can sit down, color a picture, and just start the day in a calm and creative mood.” “You sit there, color, listen to music,” said Amado’s daughter, sophomore Annabelle Amado. “It’s calmed me down many times.” Although coloring books are traditionally meant for young kids, adult coloring has seen a rise in popularity lately; with coloring books featuring quotes, natural scenes, and intricate designs sold in many stores. Adult coloring is often advertised as a relaxation technique, which is what the Coloring Club strives to use it for. “A lot of people say it’s good to color, or do anything art-related, to relieve stress,” said senior Callista Groves, an occasional club attendee. As the Coloring Club has few members and is more casual than many other clubs, students generally drop in whenever they’re able to. It doesn’t require that students bring their own coloring materials-- the counseling department provides the books along with themed print-out pages, colored pencils, and crayons. Occasionally they provide breakfast for club attendees. “I’ve been known to bake some muffins,” said Mrs. Amado.
10 J ANUARY 2017
Technology In School BY NICK MATTA
Technology over the ages has changed and evolved in many ways. A huge change to our school system as of the last few years has been the introduction of Bring Your Own Technology, or BYOT. BYOT in Tuscarora has blown up since it was introduced, and now many students use their technology in school every day. A huge question among many though, is whether the change in allowing technology in school was a good choice or possibly a bad choice leading to distraction. Tuscarora teachers and students speak out with their opinions on BYOT and its uses as another educational tool in the school, and the technological advances schools have seen with technology. Mr. Kevin Menard, a history teacher at Tuscarora, has been teaching in the Loudoun County school system since 1999. Menard explains his thoughts on the evolution of technology in schools over the years and what he thinks of this evolution. “I would say for teachers, [this evolution has been] really good in many ways. For example, when I first started we had overhead projectors, and when I used to show kids maps and pieces of art, obviously you lose a lot when you just show a black and white image. Now for you guys, when I’m showing you videos of past debates, it’s so cool to be able to show you, okay this is what happened, let’s take you back to this time, as oppose to me just talking about it. That I have enjoyed,” said Menard. Technology isn’t always everything, though. “The one thing I haven’t enjoyed is sometimes I feel we become so dependent on the technology that when it breaks down we forget about being a teacher.” Menard explains that being a teacher isn’t just about clicking things, but more so about getting kids interested and having discussions. “I don’t want us to get to the point that we rely so heavily on technology, that we forget about just talking to each other.” So the age of technology is upon us, and as entertaining as our phones and tablets can be, is BYOT actually beneficial to students academically?
“Technology allows me to check my grades at school immediately, and find out if I am missing an assignment. Being able to use my phone in school is very helpful”, said junior Logan McAllister. Senior Stephanie Castillo shares similar thoughts. “Technology in school has been so helpful. I can get certain papers and assignments done and turned in because I have access to the documents from my devices. I don’t have to wait to see if a laptop at school is available for me to use.” So technology has proven to be beneficial to students in checking grades, and getting certain assignments done, but how do our fellow THS teachers feel about its use in their classes? Felisa Cupps, an English teacher here at Tuscarora, has been teaching in Loudoun County since 2001. Cupps discussed how technology has affected her class specifically. “[I think it’s good that] my students are able to write in class on their devices [as well as] look up information. I can easily access information, via the Internet, to share with students which [they] may find interesting and engaging,” said Cupps. When asked about some of the negative ways technology has affected the classroom, Cupps said, “Students use devices to cheat and they rely on the technology to do their work. They [get] distracted and cannot disconnect.”
“Sometimes I feel we become so dependent on the technology that when it breaks down, we forget about being a teacher.”
Menard also responded to the benefits of BYOT, and explained how technology in the classroom allows students to access information that may not be known by himself. “I do not know everything, I do not confess I know everything, so sometimes it’s really good for [students to look things
up].” Menard also enjoys playing review games such as Kahoot in his class, because it allows all of his students to interact and have a voice in the current subject.
“I do not know everything, I do not confess I know everything, so sometimes it’s really good for students to look things up.”
“
The obvious [con of technology in class is the use of] the phone. I sometimes think that teenagers need to separate themselves from social media. When teenagers focus on social media, a lot can be misinterpreted, also I’ve noticed people don’t talk to each other anymore. There could be somebody right beside you who shares the same interest, but you don’t talk you just text, and you never realize that the person next to you may have a similar opinion as you,” said Cupps. Technology has come a long way in the last few years within schools. Although it can be used for purposes that may not be totally educational, it certainly seems to have made a large impact on many students and teachers inside of the classroom. As technology evolves, it will be exciting to see how we use it in school and how we continue to use BYOT for a better, more engaging educational experience.
Tech in School Today
89%
of high school students in the U.S. have access to an internet connected smartphone, and...
50% of students in grades 3-5 have smartphone access.
The current Loudoun County Public Schools technology budget is...
$31, 565, 271
@HUSKYHEADLINE
1015 Edwards Ferry Rd NE, Leesburg, VA 20176 Go on our website: www.whichwich.com Call Which Wich: (703) 687-4345
“For every Project PB&J sandwich you buy, Which Wich gives one locally and one globally. #SPREADTHELOVE”
“Order Which Wich catering for your next meeting, party or school event.” PAID ADVERTISEMENT
Hours: Friday Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday
11AM–9PM 11AM–9PM 11AM–9PM 11AM–9PM 11AM–9PM 11AM–9PM 11AM–9PM
STUDENT LIFE
Competing for the Husky Crown BY LUCY BLUE The Mr. Tuscarora competition was hosted in the auditorium December 14, starting at 7PM. Preparation for the event consisted of meeting during every Flex since the beginning of November to rehearse a dance number choreographed by senior Abby Fletcher and pull together their talents and costumes. The event was judged by selected students and staff members, including Mr. Kim, Mr. Crisp, Ms. Vanzego, senior Maddie Evans and junior Robert Johnson. The event opened with the dance number, and then the participants shared their unique talents with the audience. Mr. Tuscarora concluded
The Mr. Tuscarora contestants included three seniors and four juniors. Left to right: Tyler Kijak, Carder Saul, Tucker Stuntz, Max Gohn, Yassin Elmellouki, Garrett Kaplan, and Brandon Meyer. PHOTOS BY LUCY BLUE AND COURTESY OF JOHYUN KIM 1 2
4
“It didn’t really matter who won because we had so much fun during the entire thing.”
3
with a question-answer portion of the night, where contestants were dressed as their dream profession while giving unexpected and quirky responses to questions such as, “If you were a flavor of ice cream, which flavor would you be?” The winner of this year’s competition was senior Tucker Stuntz. Stuntz won over the judges with his quick and easy humor. His dream career being a professional snuggler, and his undeniable talent with cup stacking led him to the victory, awarding Stuntz with a 50 dollar Chick-fil-A gift card, a “sick crown and some ‘street cred’.” “[Participating in Mr. Tuscarora] was so much fun; it didn’t really matter who won because we had so much fun during the entire thing,” said Stuntz. All of the contestants took a comedic spin on the average pageant. From the stage names, (Mr. Goldilocks being the stage name for Tucker Stuntz), to the comedic professions imitated during the questions portion, (Batman, and a forty-year-old football dad, for example), the event was filled with laughs. Mr. Tuscarora is an annual event that showcases the various talents and charisma of male students while raising funds for prom. “If you want to go to prom and have fun, come to Mr. Tuscarora,” said senior Yassine Elmellouki.
5
PAID ADVERTISEMENT
6
1. The contestants had to perform a unique talent as part of the show. They also had to demonstrate their future dream career and participate in a question & answer portion of the show before the winner was crowned. 2. Stuntz, Kaplan, and Elmellouki show off their dance moves during practice. The participants began learning and practicing a choreographed routine from seniors Abby Fletcher and Katherine Stuntz about a month before the show. 3. Senior Carder Saul used his cowboy hat and wooden horse as props during the talent portion. 4. The guys practiced in the gym, sometimes in front of a small audience who wasn’t allowed to videotape or post anything to preserve the surprises for show night. 5. Meyer wowed the crowd with his singing talents. 6. Senior Tucker Stuntz was crowned Mr. Tuscarora 2016, while Max Gohn won 3rd place and Brandon Meyer took 2nd.
12 J ANUARY 2017
General Services Administration Expert Consulting Services Since 1999 mercuryci.com
•
703-777-9858
@HUSKYHEADLINE