20
News 2-4
Football Mania 5
Opinions 6-8
International 10
Style 11
Center Spread 12-13
La Marea 14
Arts 16-17
Features 18-20
Sports 22-24
‘A Hollywood Homecoming’ deserves an Oscar by Victoria Priester When students entered the school on the night of October 15, there was a red carpet waiting. Attired in formal dresses and suits, students walked down the red carpet before being photographed with their friends, emulating a star-studded event in Hollywood. On the doors to the gym, golden stars displayed the names of each member of the Homecoming Court. This year’s homecoming theme was ‘A Hollywood Homecoming,’ and Hollywood-inspired decorations and activities were prominent during the week leading up to the dance. During spirit week, each grade dressed up and decorated
a hallway in the building to go along with different genres of movies produced in Hollywood: freshmen decorated their hallway in a Western theme, sophomores had sci-fi, juniors were spotted wearing fairy wings and toting wands for their fairy tale theme, and seniors wore capes, tights and tutus to emulate the superheroes in Marvel and other action movies. Whether because of the high amounts of school spirit from spirit week or the excitement surrounding the theme, this year’s homecoming dance was one of the few dances in school history that has sold out of tickets. For more Homecoming coverage, see the article on page two, photo spread on page five, and interviews with the Homecoming Court on page eighteen.
Top left: Principal Damon Monteleone poses with students in front of the Rocket Wall. Far left: Homecoming Queen Vanessa Barnes and King Tylen Hebron prepare to walk the red carpet. Near left: Students give a smile on their way to the decorated gym. Below: The types of dresses and suits worn by students showcase their personal style. PHOTOS COURTESY OF TOM MOORE
Elections in different Students bond at Unity Days countries spark interest by Derek Yao and Meghna Pandey
by Robyn Fohouo Elections are currently at the forefront of the political stratosphere in the United States and the rest of the world. While countries like Morocco, Haiti, and Russia have electoral p r o c e s s e s that differ enormously from that of the U.S, there is still much to be learned from the challenges these nations face. The Moroccan government is home to a legislative branch that parallels the U.S government’s in that it is bicameral, with a Chamber of Counselors and Representatives. Every five years the chambers reallocate seats, and
this October 7, 395 spots in the Chamber of Representatives will open. 305 of these members will be directly elected by proportional representation vote in multi-seat constituencies. Of the 90 other openings, 60 spots will be reserved for women, and 30 more for those under 40 years of age. While Morocco’s actions are applauded by some, junior Ray Valentine does not support these quotas. “I think that what they’re trying to do with this system is really good, like the intention is really good, I just don’t think that it will work in practice. I feel like it’s a little bit questionable,” GRAPHIC BY KERN LEE
ELECTIONS, cont. page 10
On September 27, seniors were excused from their classes to socialize and strengthen their class bonds at Smokey Glen Farm for the second annual Senior Unity Day. Although the class of 2016 has already spent three years together, there still remain divisions within the class, especially amongst the IB and non-IB students. One purpose of Senior Unity Day is to unite the two groups who are usually separated by different classes and programs. Senior Mallory Simcox noted, “I’ve been to school with IB students for 4 years but I haven’t really met many of them yet. It was nice to meet people that were outside my usual friend group.” At the farm, the seniors could participate in a variety of events and games that allowed them to escape the stress of school and college applications. “We played a lot of games like volleyball, tug-of-war, and mini golf,” Simcox said. Among those were others like basketball, tetherball, water pong, and an organized
water balloon toss. Senior class officers also created a relaxed environment by playing popular songs on the speaker throughout the day. Students could be seen chatting away with their friends, taking pictures, tie-dyeing their blue shirts, dancing to the music, or participating in the myriad of activities that were available to them. Senior Unity Day offered new experiences to many people. “I think it was a great day for all the seniors to get together, even if we may have not known anyone in the past, it made a long way for the better,” senior Jordan Mwebaze said. These new experiences brought both new friendships and great memories for the senior class. Senior Gabi Scott especially noticed this unity as she went around taking pictures of seniors throughout the day. “I really enjoyed senior unity day because as a photographer, I got to take pictures of not only my friends, but other seniors I had never met before. Everyone seemed to be bonding and it was amazing,” she explained. UNITY, cont. page 3
News, 3
Opinions, 7
La Marea, 14
Arts, 16
Features, 20
Sports, 24
National anthem debate
B&G: Voting Age
Mes de Herencia Hispana
Behind the hair dye
Archaeology Club
Cross country talent
2
NEWS
The Tide
Rockets shine at Homecoming by Ummara Khan With the halls filled with black and gold, proposals found at every turn, and students showing their school pride with spirit wear, Richard Montgomery’s preparation for Homecoming 2016 was obvious. Spirit week and the football game preceded the Homecoming dance. All week, students flooded the halls with their class colors, tiedye, and costumes of characters from their assigned class genre. Seniors continued the tradition of Toga Tuesday, fashioning their bedsheets into classic Roman garb. Sophomore Clarissa Halpern expressed her feelings about the spirit week leading up to Homecoming. “Everyone’s dressed up, and everyone’s excited,” Halpern
High School. “Black and gold day… everyone is wearing the same thing, so it makes everyone united,” junior and SGA member Kate Schuck said. At the end of the school day, students attended the Fall Pep Rally, watching as varsity captains and members of the homecoming court participated in small competitions. The pep rally also featured coach John Fahrner’s legendary cheers, as well as a Poms squad routine and the Boms squad’s first performance of the year. “The football game has always been, I think, something fun that leads up to Homecoming,” Gersten said. “It’s all about supporting your school. It’s... about one student body.” “I always go to all the football games, and [the Homecoming game] is always the most spirited,” Schuck added.
PHOTO COURTESY OF TOM MOORE
Students packed the decorated floor and danced to the latest hits all night. commented. Displays of school spirit are accompanied by a variety of homecoming proposals, as some students search for a date to accompany them to the dance. “I love Homecoming proposals,” junior Amy Gersten explained. “I love seeing them! They are so much fun. Not even to be a part of, just to watch from the edge.” Students came to school on Friday donning their black and gold, hyped for the Homecoming football game against Poolesville
The theme of this year’s Homecoming dance was “Welcome to Hollywood.” Schuck described the process of planning and organizing the Homecoming dance. “You have to pick a theme,” she explained. “Then figure out how you want to decorate the gym, and then figure out the budget.” Senior and SGA president Sofia Bhalwani explained, “We had a list of possible themes, like Hollywood and Wizard of Oz. Then we surveyed a random population of the school, and
everyone picked Hollywood.” This year’s Homecoming dance included improvements based on feedback from previous dances, as well as new features improve the dance. “We [got] a new photo booth with more backgrounds, and those lights that blink left and right, and more things to get the classes hyped,” Bhalwani detailed. Students lined up for ticket sales as early as two weeks before the dance, and tickets sold out on the last day with a total of 990 sold. Some students were even left without tickets. On the night of the dance, students piled in wearing formal dresses and sharp suits. They walked the “red carpet” and had pictures taken by professional photographer Tom Moore. The dance floor was absolutely packed with students, as they danced to popular hits like “Juju on that Beat,” “Soulja Boy,” and “No Problem.” The crowd sang along and did their best versions of dances from pop culture. The DJ booth also featured a screen that live streamed pictures taken at the dance. Right next to the dance floor was a VIP lounge, where students could relax in style. The area was lit up with LED lights with sleek sitting areas. The photo booth in the adjacent room was also a big hit, with a constant swarm of students around it throughout the night, all eager to pick up the props and get a group picture. The rest of the room served as a place for students to relax after a heated dance session in the middle of the crowd. Refreshments were available in the lobby, as a dedicated team of parent volunteers kept students supplied with water and soda. Near the end of the dance, students were ushered into two lines, creating an aisle for the Homecoming Court to walk down. They were met with welcoming cheers as they posed for a quick picture. The packed dance floor made for a memorable Homecoming worthy of a Walk of Fame.
October/November
October 31
Halloween Beware of the clowns!
November 4
First Marking Period Ends You’re a quarter of the way there!
November 6
Daylight Savings Ends One more hour of pure bliss (zzz...)
November 8
Election Day Clinton vs. Trump. Who will win?
November 11
Opening Night of Fall Musical Have a ball with “Guys and Dolls.”
November 17
Powderpuff Football Game Support the ladies of your class.
October 2016
NEWS IN BRIEF
Richard Montgomery is bursting at the seams with students This year, Richard Montgomery is filled to the brim—and then some—with students. According to the counseling office, there are 2,393 students—an eight percent increase from the numbers two years ago. This year’s class sizes corroborate the fact that more students are enrolling each year. According to the counseling office, the current freshman class has 671 students, a number that dwarfs the 543 students of the senior class. “I think it’s great that we’re having more and more kids coming to RM,” sophomore Ally Ratkowski-Howe said. “Not only does it increase the diversity at RM, but it also introduces us to more perspectives.” The increase in student population also bodes well for the school’s desirability.“I think people actually moved to the area so they could go to RM,” math teacher Leslie McDonald said. However, the school’s capacity only allows for 2,236 students—a number RM has long surpassed. The influx of students has had some negative impacts on student opportunities since class sizes have increased and some students can no longer take certain popular classes. Teachers are negatively affected as well. “Teachers float around all the different classrooms [and] it affects you when you’re trying to set up a lesson,” Mrs. McDonald said. MCPS is acting to manage RM’s overpopulation. A feasibility study for an addition to the school is scheduled to be discussed on October 13. According to Mrs. McDonald, the overall level of education at RM hasn’t suffered from the overpopulation. “We are still giving you a quality education,” she said. “We’re still making things work.” By Ayesha Khawaja
RM has power outage and fire evacuation on the same day Richard Montgomery experienced a both power outage and a fire emergency on Friday, September 23. The power outage occurred at 9:17 a.m., and the security team members informed classrooms and provided assistance to the teachers. At about 9:30 a.m., Pepco restored the power and classes went on as usual. During lunch, smoke was observed in a music classroom and the fire alarm was pulled. “At first, it mainly seemed like a routine fire drill until people actually realized that there may be a real problem in the school,” freshman Samarth Nayak said. Luckily, the staff members ensured the safety of the students. “Same as we always do, security goes from the top floor all the way down to the bottom and makes sure that everyone exits the building,” assistant principal Mark Brown said. “We sat there for about 20 minutes and we saw the fire trucks come,” freshman Ashley Ye said. Firefighters from the Montgomery County Fire Department reported that a belt in the air handler above the classroom burned up due to friction. Students and staff waited outside for around 30 minutes before they were permitted to reenter the building. Lunch was extended by 10 minutes to ensure that students had time to eat. “I think we could’ve done better by moving a lot faster. When an alarm goes off, students tend to think that it’s just another drill [and] during lunch, it is a little more challenging because students are spread out throughout the building,” Mr. Brown said. The administration hopes to conduct more fire drills during non-instructional time to help students exit the building faster and ensure safety during these unexpected occurrences. By Angela Mu
Ride On bus service modifies their routes and schedules The Department of Transportation implemented minor changes to adjust to traffic times and provide more reliable transportation. These service improvements will be made to 19 routes. The Ride On has been a sensible alternative to school buses for its accessibility and discounts for students. MCPS students who are 18 years or younger can ride for free with a student ID or Youth Cruiser SmarTrip card. Sophomore Emmanuel Corporal noted, “Sometimes my school bus used to come a little earlier or later. Also, on some days the bus doesn’t go close enough to my house. Ride On is overall more flexible and cheap.” Though the modifications have certainly improved the bus service, several students still believe MC’s Ride On could further improve their reliability. “Hopefully, they can change this, but I want them to be there on time, and possibly make the waiting booths more spacious, so when it’s raining, people won’t be as wet,” freshman Erin Kim said. MC’s Ride On Real Time Traveler Information System uses GPS technology to track buses and give estimates for the next five arrival times. With the recent changes, Ride On Real Time is especially important in relaying information to student riders. “Real Time is much more convenient than looking up Ride On times on Google Maps, which has made me miss three buses within the last three weeks,” Corporal said. By Alice Zhu
AWARDS
Congratulations to sophomore Reyna Choi for winning 1st place in the Biology category of the Montgomery County Science Fair and receiving a gold medal in the science category of the international GENIUS Olympiad competition. Congratulations to senior Ingrid Winkler for being featured as a musician on the TV show Jazz Encounters!
NEWS
The Tide
October 2016
3
Kneeling during anthem causes clash of opinions by Rebecca Huang and Michelle Ling America is a country of liberty, opportunity, and patriotism. By standing for the national anthem or reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, millions of Americans support and demonstrate their love for the country every day. The American flag and what it represents has attracted hundreds of millions of immigrants since the coutry’s founding, earning the U.S. its famous nickname the “melting pot.” However, 240 years after the formation of this “melting pot” country, there are still many Americans who do not feel equal. Created in 2012, after George Zimmerman was acquitted for the murder of Trayvon Martin, Black Lives Matter (BLM) is a national organization that advocates against police brutality and inequality. According to the campaign’s official website, their main goal is to “work for the validity of black life and to [re]build the Black liberation movement.” The movement has grown exponentially since then, and has produced many public demonstrations, including the Ferguson protests of Michael Brown’s death, Eric Garner’s in New York City, and Freddie Gray’s in Baltimore. Recently, members of the sports world have publicly embraced this movement, including Colin Kaepernick of the San Francisco 49ers who kneeled during the national anthem to express his support of the movement. Kaepernick stated in interview with the NFL and Rolling Stones, “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people. When...this country is representing people the way it’s supposed to, I’ll stand.”
His words echo the sentiments of many around the country, who, like him, see the flag as a symbol of oppression rather than freedom. His actions have raised awareness for the movement and have even influenced our local community. In their recent game against Damascus,
opinions about the protests. “I have a lot of peers who have racial prejudices, just because they live in a sheltered area, and that’s a problem,” sophomore Isabella Levine said. That’s why I think the movement is important, because it raises awareness to
Watkins Mill is home to the players that supported the BLM movement by kneeling. the entire Watkins Mill varsity football people that aren’t affected by it,” Levine team, excluding the coach, kneeled continued. during the national anthem. Their actions English teacher Jeremy Koenig agrees garnered a large response of both outrage with Levine, noting his own background and support. and upbringing as an important factor that Many students at Richard Montgomery must be considered with prejudice. support Kaepernick’s actions. “I recognize my own upbringing Sophomore Addele Hargenrader has as being very carefree, in a way that a expressed similar thoughts to Kaepernick’s minority would not have that experience. original intent. My race is not something that I thought “I think that people protest with a lot about at all growing up in not a very of meaning. It demands a solution and racially diverse neighborhood.” immediate action and they’re not going to However, he also acknowledged the stop until there is a solution,” she said. experience and exposure that he has Students have also expressed their own gained. “Being older and more aware now,
I see gross injustice on a daily basis.” As for the true meaning behind the kneeling, Levine explained, “I feel like they don’t want to honor the national anthem, because for them, as a community, it has a different meaning for them. While America has this message of liberty and equality for all, and that everybody has unalienable rights, they feel like those rights are not being observed, and kneeling communicates that.” Others have taken a different stance on the issue. Senior Erica Abshire said, “You don’t have to put your hand over your heart, but be respectful to the people who are fighting for your country.” Many people agree with Abshire, outraged by this sign of disrespect. Abshire added, “We’ve got a lot of things going on in our country that we need to work on, and racism is still a huge issue, but if you’re up there and you have your hand on your heart, then you’re still proud of the country you live in.” RM’s own varsity football team recognized the motion, as some players did the black power salute and kneeled during the anthem during their away game against Wootton. Their actions reflect the deep rooted impact that Kaepernick’s actions have had on our local community. As a school so close to the current controversy, RM will have to decide how to approach this sensitive topic. However, the students and staff are united in their thoughts about RM’s involvement in the issue. “I think it’s good to give people a voice for something larger and tap into something larger than themselves and that’s more often than not a good thing,” Mr. Koenig said. Kaepernick’s act of protest continues to raise awareness of the ongoing struggle for racial equality in the United States.
Freshman Unity Day. A new event, inspired by the great success of last year’s first annual Senior Unity Day, Freshman Unity Day hoped to achieve a similar goal and bring the freshmen together to welcome them to their first year of high school, as well as give them a chance to get familiar with the people that they will be spending the next four years with. There were a variety of opinions based on how freshmen found the entire experience. The freshmen had the opportunity to meet both MYP and IB students and interact with old friends. Freshman Kevin Morales took great pleasure in spending quality time with his classmates during Freshman Unity Day. “It was enjoyable because we had a lot of time to enjoy with our fellow chums,” he said. “It was indeed a wonderful break from all the work at school,” Morales explained. The students were also well fed as the school provided a lunch of unlimited hot dogs and chips. On the other hand, some freshmen felt excluded by the food offered at Freshman Unity Day. “There were limited food choices, especially for vegetarians,” freshman Dina Garmroudi said. Neither Freshman Unity Day nor Senior Unity Day offered menu options or listed vegetarian options on the permission slips for the trip. The freshman were divided as to whether or not the trip actually unified the class as a whole. Many freshmen believed that the majority of students stayed in groups with those they were already familiar with and didn’t take the chance to meet new classmates. “I would suggest having more group activities instead of letting everyone roam around, because in general people stay inside their own circles. Also, having a greater emphasis on group activities would bring the grade closer as a whole,” freshman Beibei Fu noted.
to make Freshman Unity Day more interesting and successful for future classes of freshmen. Some students suggested that they include more activities during the trip that aren’t reliant on perfect weather, as it began to rain in the middle of the day, interrupting a number of the outside activities. “In the beginning, everyone was really excited but once it started raining, people got bored and just played cards inside,” Garmroudi said. Additionally, some students thought the price of attendance was too high and unnecessary. “I think it [Freshman Unity Day] was worth the time for sure, but it was too expensive considering they didn’t have a lot of activities,” Ruano said. Still, the two trips served as a warm welcome back to school for the freshmen and seniors, as they returned from a long summer break. With the success of both Senior Unity Day and Freshman Unity Day, the administration is possibly looking to continue having the two events in the future.
COURTESY OF TONI L. SANDYS
Students take part in freshman and senior unity days UNITY, cont. from page 1 Still, some seniors had a few complaints and suggestions as well, primarily regarding how Senior Unity Day was organized. Seniors were not required to go, and had to pay a sizable fee to attend, which some people thought was contradictory to the idea of bringing the grade together in the first place. Students that did not turn in the permission slip or the cost of the trip did not attend, electing to stay at school instead.
“I think it was a great day for all the seniors to get together. Even if we may not have known anyone in the past, Unity Day made it a long way better...” -Jordan Mwebaze Others felt that the area was too crowded, as the alloted area had only two volleyball courts, one basketball hoop, and one baseball field. Most students mingled about near the eating area and on the grassy fields around the farm. Still, some seniors found the experience to be quite valuable. “It was probably one of the best days I’ve had since senior year started,” senior Parmida Faraji said. Other seniors commented on how, overall, it was enjoyable and succeeded in bringing the grade closer. The next day, freshmen gathered for
PHOTO COURTESY OF BOARD OF EDUCATION GRAPHIC BY KERN LEE
Seniors enjoyed the day engaging in the myriad of activities, including volleyball. On the other hand, other students established new friendships and felt unified with their fellow freshmen.
“Freshman Unity Day definitely opened the door to get to know the rest of the class of 2020 in a fun way. I feel closer with the class as a whole.” -Beibei Fu Freshman Natalie Ruano voiced, “Freshman Unity Day definitely opened the door to get to know the rest of the class of 2020 in a fun way. I feel closer with the class as a whole.” The freshmen had a few ideas to try
4
The Tide
NEWS
October 2016
Gov. Hogan issues mandate to start school later by Cathy Yung and Jennifer Li In a news conference on August 31, 2016 on Ocean City’s Boardwalk, to the surprise of many in attendance, Maryland governor Larry Hogan announced his decision to push the start of school until after Labor Day. Radio and news websites across Maryland broadcast this new mandate immediately. This executive order by Hogan would require schools to start after Labor Day, complete 180 school days, and still end by June 15, a plan that would most likely cut down on winter and spring breaks as well as holidays in between. The school holidays have always been a controversial issue. Since schools close on Jewish holidays, many want students to be given days off for other religious celebrations as well. By cutting down the school holidays, Hogan raised attention to this issue. Since the release of his executive order, there have been many voices speaking
“A later start date would worsen summer brain drain among students from poor socioeconomic backgrounds.” -Sean Johnson, spokesman out for and against Hogan’s law. A strong supporter of the mandate is Comptroller Peter Franchot, who joined Hogan during his unveiling speech in August. On Hogan’s website, he and Franchot wrote: “Starting Maryland public schools
after Labor Day is not just a family issue – it’s an economic and public safety issue that draws clear, strong, bipartisan support among an overwhelming majority of Marylanders.” Their supporters believe that this mandate will allow Ocean City to get more tourism during the Labor Day long weekend, effectively raising the amount of money the Ocean City tourism industry would make. The plan has also garnered a lot of support from many parents, who believe that students should get a longer summer break. A parent from Annapolis told the Washington Post, “I’d much rather be more comfortable and have more time with friends than be tied to school.” However, on the other side of the argument stands many school officials. Sean Johnson, a spokesman for the Maryland State Education Association, expressed concern that there would be a longer time period in which students receive absolutely no education. “A later start date would worsen summer brain drain among students from poor socioeconomic backgrounds,” he said. Johnson also stated that moving school to after Labor Day adds to the financial burden for families as they have to pay for more day care services during the summer. Montgomery County Board of Education President Michael Durso had spoken out in strong opposition of this executive order. Durso argued that through prior experience, MCPS has determined that starting school before Labor Day is in the best interests of the students. “Long summer breaks hurt students who struggle academically, especially poorer children who lack access to enriching summer camps and programs. Some high-poverty schools have attributed gains in classroom achievement
in part to their decision to shorten summer recess,” he told the Washington Post. Durso added that the mandate pointedly ignores critical issues faced by schools and the potential negative instructional impact on students. Other opponents address the issue of poorer households that would be worse off if school started after Labor Day. The free and reduced m e a l s guaranteed to students who can’t afford food at home are an important source of nutrition. By starting s c h o o l later, these students will not have access to food that they would otherwise be able to get when schools opened before Labor Day. Another issue that Durso addressed was that problems concerning education should be left for local governments to solve, not the state systems. “Debates around when schools should start must occur and remain at the local level where there is a need for flexibility following community feedback and engagement,” Durso said. Many teachers have dissenting opinions as well. Math teacher John Chase stated that his main concern with the new mandate is with the AP students. “Teachers
would have less time before AP testing to prepare students, so if anything, Maryland should start the school year earlier.” As a result, MCPS has already applied for a waiver to be exempt from Hogan’s mandate. Like Durso, many students throughout RM opposed this new mandate. “I don’t want my spring break to be shortened,”
park,” sophomore Addie Carr said. The chances that students will even get a spot have been greatly diminished. Senior Nya Hansberry said, “Some of the teachers don’t even use their parking spaces.” Therefore, many students hope that seniors could take the vacant spaces that teachers don’t use for themselves. Staff and administration have also been closely following the issue. “The challenge we face is that the staff need parking, and we have a growing staff. We have many visitors, too. And although they can park in the bus loop during the school day, there really aren’t any more [parking] spaces,” Magnet Coordinator Jennifer Hoover observed. Some students are resistant towards the process of getting a parking space. “I see students parking on campus without an authorized pass or who have parking passes but still deciding to park in the staff parking spaces. This defeats the purpose of the application in the first place,” administrator Mark Brown said. However, many students ignore school rules because they find no other available parking options. “People after number 60 on the waiting list [do] not receive parking spots, so many [are forced to] park on the street,” Carr noted.” In addition, as spots along the street are filled up, many seniors are forced to park several blocks away, and must walk long distances to get to their cars in the neighborhood. Senior Steve Chai said, “I did not manage to get a spot in the school parking spaces so I have to park a substantial distance away. The problem of student parking has raised safety issues that worry the administrators. “Parking across the street becomes a safety hazard since people must walk across streets to get to school,” Mr. Brown said. “I have seen students pile up in cars without seat belts.” Students have seen many safety issues with student parking. They have voiced
their opinions and suggested plans for improvement of the parking lot and general safety overall. Senior Jonathan Brady said, “The actual parking lot itself isn’t very safe because there are limited fields of view and there are constantly people walking around. I think the school could maybe inform students about where to park to be safer, also maybe get an extension to the parking lot- while not feasible in the short term maybe in the future.” Even after recent renovations to extend the school, RM has already been filling to maximum capacity. Thus, the county must look for ways to continue expanding the school beyond the current dimensions.
GRAPHIC BY KERN LEE
freshman Camber Vincent said. Students are also concerned about the shortened time they have to prepare for their AP Exams in May. If Montgomery County’s waiver is not approved, RM students will definitely experience a significantly different school year next year. As for whether the change in schedule will be good or not, only time will tell.
Seniors call to attention the limited parking spots by Dina Ghamroudi and Haihai Yu The new school year brings in a new senior class that is eager to take advantage of all the perks that come with having seniority. As many seniors have recently obtained their driver’s license either in the year before or over the summer, they hope to enjoy the convenience of driving to and from school, as well as to restaurants during lunch.
and eligible students must fill out the form in time to get a spot on the waiting list. Because parking permits are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, it is vital to turn in applications early. Students are only pulled from the waiting list. As a word of advice to this year’s juniors, senior Jonathan Brady said, “Submit [your] application as soon as possible so you can be guaranteed a spot on school campus.”
PHOTO BY KEIRY GARCIA
The majority of student parking slots available to seniors are a part of this parking area. However, for all the 550 seniors in the school, there are only 60 spaces available, resulting in a scarcity of parking spaces, which leads to an application process that decides who can have the privilege of parking on the school campus. The application process begins during the summer after junior year and interested
Unfortunately, during the summer, many seniors forget about turning in the application. This year, the competition for a parking space grew with the increased number of staff and the growing student population. “A little less than half of parking was taken away so that the teachers could
“Parking across the street becomes a safety hazard since people must walk across the streets to get to school.” -Mr. Brown The county has begun their investigations into pedestrian and traffic flow near the school and such studies will help find a solution to the student parking problem. If there is an expansion to the school, there would most likely be revisions to the parking, which might fix the parking problems. However, the expansion is still under consideration. With an even larger junior class looking to claim parking spaces when the new school year comes, the school will continue to address the issues as students make their opinions clear and continue to express their challenges.
The Tide
October 2016
Fall Football Fever
5
PHOTO BY FATMA ELSAYED
Above: The Richard Montgomery varsity football team watches their teammates play during the rival match with the School by the Woods before a 28-20 win over the other team.
PHOTO BY FATMA ELSAYED
Above: The Richard Montgomery marching band performs in formation on the field during halftime at the game between RM and the School by the Woods.
PHOTO BY TANYA SYARNUBI
Above: Seniors show off their school spirit by donning Richard Montgomery spirit wear and face paint while excitedly cheering on the Richard Montgomery football team from the stands.
PHOTO BY TANYA SYARNUBI
Above: The Richard Montgomery cheerleaders work together in order to support each other as they execute their routine perfectly during an RM football game.
PHOTO BY TANYA SYARNUBI
Above: Richard Montgomery’s varsity football team storms the field admist the thunderous cheers of the RM cheerleading squad at the game between RM and the School by the Woods.
PHOTO BY TANYA SYARNUBI
Above: The chefs of Hell’s Kitchen show their school pride at the front of the stands, wielding pots and pans while supporting their Richard Montgomery varsity football team.
PHOTO BY GABI SCOTT
Above: School-wide president Sofia Bhalwani and senior Valeria Parra show their school pride as they pose for a photo with Richie the Rocket at the pre-game picnic.
6 The Tide
OPINIONS
Editorial: club efficiency, please by Angela Sun Every coming school year ushers in a wave of new clubs started by enterprising sophomores, juniors, and even seniors. This year is no exception. Squeezing through the crowds at the club fair, I inched my way forward to get a better glimpse at the seemingly endless procession of tri-fold boards . Every hobby, interest, and cause was presented. To incoming freshmen, this may seem as wonderfully exciting as it is overwhelming. Yet last year, as a freshman, after going table to table copying my email address onto nearly every other club’s sign-up sheet, I became increasingly disappointed by what some clubs amounted to as the year dragged on. While most clubs continued to hold meetings throughout the years, many faded into the background by the time the second semester, or even second quarter, rolled around. With schoolwork and other extracurriculars, it is understandable when club leaders do not have much time to devote to the management of their clubs. However, the very small percentage of clubs that I was still getting emails from around February to March calls into question the reasons behind starting clubs. The benefits of starting a club are plentiful. It promotes leadership experience, improves public speaking, and shows initiative, all things that stand out on college applications. If you do find a cause that you truly love or are devoted to, by all means start a club for people who may enjoy and care about the same topics you do. It is a great way to meet new people and, as noted before, build your niche in the RM community. But while starting a club is one task, maintaining it is an entirely
October 2016
different, and admittedly harder, task. First, let us see what it takes to start a club. You obtain a form either online or from the main office, fill it out (write a description of your club that is 3-4 sentences maximum), check a couple of boxes, and list a student contact and teacher sponsor. Send the form to Ms. Stec, the school secretary. That is all it takes to make the club official. After that,
succeed, they have to have the initiative and time to make it succeed. Sophomore Emmanuel Corporal said, “Leaders shouldn’t be afraid to pass off the club to those who have more time and dedication.” If students do not have the time to keep the club running, it is better to pass on the legacy than let it die. There have been student-started clubs with tremendous success, and there have been ones that never
Question of the Issue: Should schools give days off for religious holidays? Please send a brief response to tide.opinions@gmail.com, including your name and grade. Your submission may be printed in the next Tide issue (possibly edited for length and/or clarity).
PHOTO COURTESY OF EMILY PAN
Students crowding on Main Street to view the numerous club displays.
you have to send out emails, make the seemingly ubiquitous trifold, designate officers, and more. But even that’s simple; it is what the club will do that is the hard part. Three to four sentences hardly capture what you plan to do as a club for an entire school year. This results in students eagerly starting clubs, sending out their first emails, having their first meetings, then realizing that they have a fantastic goal but no plan regarding how to go about achieving it. I in no way mean to suggest that starting a club is wrong, but hope to express a problem that I feel is beginning to have a presence in RM and perhaps, among high schools in general. Starting a club sounds good on paper and through email, but before students do, they should evaluate the reason for starting the club and whether or not they have the adequate time and resources that your club deserves. If students want the club to
made it past the first meeting. 26 pages of approved clubs at RM, yet how many do you hear about after the club fair hype has died down? I don’t mean to discourage potential go-getters from starting their clubs and doing a tremendously successful job of it. What I hope is that before students embark on the conquest that is starting and running a club, they consider a couple of things: how much time do they have this year? Are they doing it because they love the subject of the club, or because they want it for their college apps? And ultimately: are they devoted? How devoted? In the end, the power of clubs is vested in the students. The activities, rewards, and fun associated with clubs are great, but if club leaders are not constantly and actively engaging the club’s cause, then they are not fully utilizing its potential. Clubs are ultimately an outlet for change, self-expression, and growth, not merely a gathering of food and friends.
The Tide
250 Richard Montgomery Drive Rockville, Maryland 20852 www.thermtide.com 301-610-8000 The Tide is the student newspaper of Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville, Maryland. The Tide is dedicated to keeping the Richard Montgomery school community accurately informed and to providing a forum for student expression. 1,000 copies of the newspaper are printed and distributed among students. Any corrections are printed in the following issue on page 2. The opinions presented in The Tide do not necessarily reflect the views of the staff and administration at Richard Montgomery. The Tide is affliated with ASPA, CSPA, and NSPA. Questions, concerns, and suggestions on articles, advertisements, and photos can be submitted to thetideeditors@gmail.com. Editors-in-Chief............................Jenny Chen, Daisy Grant, Victoria Priester, Phil Zhang News................................................................Jisue Gonzales, Christina You, Isabelle Zhou Opinions........................................................................... Alex Hu, Cindy Song, Angela Sun International...........................................................................Vlady Guttenberg, Sindhu Iyer Center Spread............................................................................Proma Rahman, Grace Wang La Marea............................................................................................................Lisa Hernandez Features.........................................................................Hannah Greco, Rachel Li, Irene Park Arts.......................................................................................................Stella Ho, Albert Zhang Sports..............................................................Madeleine Cheng, Kevin Hu, Julia Kochman Photo....................................................Taylor Balfour, Fatma Elsayed, Jessica Ji, Mona Lee Graphics..........................................................................................Kern Lee, Katherine Wang Online...........................................................................Michelle Dubovitsky, Maddie Franke Sponsors......................................................................Ms. Laurie Brown, Mrs. Bonnie Peyer
Changes to dress code spark discussion among students by Daniel Yeh Passionate students breed change, and this year, the evidence lies in the new dress code. Due to unrest over the former policy, Principal Damon Monteleone and a panel of students collaborated to present a new and improved one. At the sophomore and junior assembly that took place during the first week of school, Principal Damon Monteleone introduced the revised dress code, which was finalized at the end of last year. One of the major changes to the policy was the removal of the statement that students must dress “casual-professional”: essentially what one would wear to a job. This modification seems to make little difference considering its lack of enforcement last year. So perhaps, simply tweaking the wording is not enough for substantative change. Last year, the main complaint about the dress code was not rooted in
what was permissible or not. Rather, the students believed the dress code did not take into consideration how certain teachers may have enforced the rules. The changes to the dress code did not solidly address the real issues of discrimination and sexism. As freshman Kimberly Liu pointed out, “There are many double standards. Many of the parts of the dress code are disadvantageous to females.” This seemed to cause a disparity between the interests of the student body and the actions taken by administration. While Liu noted that the changes were positive, she felt that more had to be done in order to truly address the problems surrounding the dress code. While the change has no negative consequences, it really should not be considered as a solution. But in the midst of all the discontent among students, is there a definite solution? The dress code, in principle, is a good idea. However, among the limited
staff and over 2000 students, enforcing it can be tricky. There has always been a gray area on what is considered appropriate for school. A “new” dress code, despite acting as a step in the right direction, will
the dress code are constantly reflected, but the change should not occur in something as superficial as the wording. The new dress code mentions a change in the fact that students
probably not change that. Like many issues, this one is not set in stone. There is always room for improvement and progress as more discussion is generated. Change was created in the course of a year and can continue under the active participation of students. The attitudes of the students about
should not be harassed for their clothing. Students, in general, believe that this is a positive change. Freshman Kevin Morales said, “Overall, the new school policy will help with not offending many of the students and will lead to fewer arguments
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at school that occur because of careless words or symbols on clothing.” Other students, however, believe the dress code should be enforced further by the administration. “I personally believe that the dress codes are okay, it’s just that the school does not enforce it much and therefore, no one heeds these rules,” said freshman Joyce Milandu. Although these past changes represent an important step, it is necessary to continue this discussion among both students and administration. “It’s very important that this problem is being addressed and administration is trying to fix it. That, in my opinion, is a step in the right direction,” said senior Jenny Zuhl. Only once students and administration commit to addressing the deeper issues behind the dress code will there be any substantial changes. As of now, administration is taking a step in the right direction, and students can hopefully soon have their freedom of expression.
OPINIONS
The Tide
Black & Gold
October 2016 7
Should we lower the legal voting age in the United States? Youth voting expands democracy by Ashley Ye In 1971, the 26th Amendment was added to the Constitution, granting the right to vote to all U.S. citizens ages 18 and above. It was a significant achievement for thousands of young Americans, for their voices could finally be heard. As this November quickly approaches, citizens from all across the 50 states are registering to cast their ballots in the upcoming presidential election. Unfortunately, a significant portion of the population is still denied this basic right: the 16 and 17-year-old citizens of the United States. Many high schoolers are frustrated with their lack of representation because although they are treated as adults in some senses—what with jobs, chores, driving, taxes—their interests and political opinions are not represented by the national government. Unlike their adult counterparts, teenagers’ voices are not being heard at all. Adding a younger demographic will increase the extremely low voter turnout rate for young adults, which was a mere 19 percent of the entire electorate in the 2012 election. Numerous issues, such as those surrounding education and minimum wages, affect the daily lives of high schoolers. Without the high schoolers’ vote in these issues, politicians will not be able to fully represent specific views and concerns of the entire population. As freshman Pranav Tadikonda put it, “If the children that are being affected by this do not have a voice, then how do we expect this country to be a democratic republic?” Politicians should focus on the concerns of all demographics of voters which policies could potentially affect. Hence, 16 year olds who may be heavily impacted by some of these issues should certainly have a say. “The voting age should be lowered to 16 so that as younger citizens, we are exposed to political matters,” freshman Joy Anyanwu said. In addition, allowing 16 and 17-yearolds to participate and vote in the election will teach them about the political process and instill the habit of voting at an earlier age. Developing this habit will allow the next generation of voters to be more politically active. “Teens our age face many of the same responsibilities as adults. Lowering the voting age would encourage voter participation,” said junior Andrew Mao. In fact, Kids Voting, a mock votng program for children that takes place on election day, has been a proven cause of higher voter participation. Polls show that five to ten percent of adults listed Kids Voting a motive for voting. Allowing teenagers to vote will increase political discussion between parents and children, thus boosting voter participation for the whole family. Another matter to consider is that most 18-year-olds are preparing to leave their hometown to find jobs or to attend university. This change marks a huge turning point in their lives. After going
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through these significant changes, voting may not be one of these teens’ top priorities. Allowing teens to vote at 16 will allow them to experience the voting process within the comfort of their home community. Opponents of lowering the voting age may argue that teenagers will elect a nonserious candidate or vote for whoever their parents vote for. However, as with the current electoral system, only the most passionate and politically active teenagers will vote because they have an interest in affecting the political process. These youth have enough political knowledge to make an educated and unbiased decision. As freshman Michael Xie points out, “There are people who have political views that starkly contrast with their parents’ views.” Not all teenagers automatically
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take on the values of their parents. Critics also complain that 16 and 17 year olds lack the necessary life experiences to make informed decisions. However, political awareness is instilled in students from a young age through school, parents, media, and society at large. Age is not equivalent to intelligence or experience. All adults, regardless of their intelligence level, are freely given their right to vote simply because of their age. Why shouldn’t teenagers of equal or possibly even higher degrees of political awareness be denied this fundamental right? In addition, most students are required to take a government class in high school. Allowing students to vote would give more relevance and real world application to the class, which would in turn increase interest and participation. Plus, their understanding of the process would be more recent than adults, most of whom have finished their formal education decades ago and may not remember the intricacies of the process. At age 16, teenagers fall short of the voting age by a mere two years. What is it about these two years that affect the youth so profoundly that makes them eligible to vote? “I personally was born in January and since the elections are in November, I literally miss this general election by two months,” said senior Stuti Ganatra, only one of many American citizens that unfortunately miss the voting age by a few months. After all, teenagers are voting for their own futures. In comparison, a considerable fraction of the senior population will likely not see their vote have any considerable consequences. The younger the voting age, the earlier citizens can influence their future as well as the future of America as a whole. Our country prides itself as being a democratic society. As a result, voting rights in America have dramatically expanded over the past 250 years to include all demographics except citizens under age 18. If the United States wants to attain a more democratic system, the government should allow 16 and 17-year-olds to vote,
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Teenagers not responsible enough by Emily Tian This coming November, scores of American citizens 18 and above will cast their ballots in the general election to determine their country’s next political leaders. In addition to these voters, 16-year-olds may soon be joining them in the polls as a result of a gaining movement to lower the voting age. However, this effort is irrefutably short-sighted and impractical; lowering the voting age to less than 18 years would only cripple the voting system. The right to vote is a weighty responsibility that should be claimed solely by citizens at or above the age of 18. Sophomore Luke Xia said, “As people grow up and change throughout high school and into their lives, their ideas are going to fluctuate.” A fundamental characteristic of responsible voting is the ability to form independent political opinions. Adolescents tend to base their opinions off of their family rather than shaping their own individual values. According to a Gallup Youth Survey, 71% of teenagers of ages 13 through 17 share about the same political affiliations with their parents. Young adults depart from the cloistered atmosphere of the home and are weaned into different ideologies through education and social interactions. The majority of advocates of lowering the voting age agree that the minimum age should be 16. Junior Max Tiefer stated, “Younger voters are more susceptible to ad campaigns and are less politically responsible.” At age 16, students’ political affiliations are often molded by social pressures like advertising rather than personal beliefs. Lowering the voting age will introduce a high degree of volatility in a political landscape already plagued by groundless candidate attacks and media
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distortions. Freshman Isabelle Young said, “A lot of the students here seem like they would be responsible voters.” Although this may be true, it is also essential to holistically examine the characteristics of the adolescent population. Proponents of lowering the voting age may argue that high schoolers are already politically engaged, but less than a quarter of high school seniors nationwide scored at the “proficient level” in the National Assessment of Educational Progress in civics, a standardized test on the subject of government. Teenagers cannot be trusted to make informed and responsible political decisions. Sophomore Leopold Bertholet stated, “Young people give into more whimsical pressures.” Although some teenagers are well-read and politically informed, teenagers generally reflect a
Gold lower degree of social responsibility than adults. Adolescents are not only disposed to making rash political choices but also express less involvement in the government than adults. Junior Tadhg Larabee asserted, “The vast majority of people under the age of 18 don’t pay any taxes and therefore they don’t have that legitimate of a stake in the government.” Most adolescents do not contribute to the government’s revenue, so government policies lack relevance to them. The responsibilities of a 16 year old pale in comparison to those of adults. IB Magnet Coordinator Jennifer Hoover remarked, “At 18, you’re at the cusp of adulthood, into which choices and decisions made may more impact your emergence to adulthood than at 16.” Adults drive America’s economy and policy through their personal and financial decisions, something that teenagers do not yet have the power to do. Also, adults are the targeted subjects of most policies, such as those surrounding marriage or childrearing regulations. Sophomore Eric Kim stated, “When presidential candidates campaign and make their platforms, they are gearing their policies towards adults.” Without a strong statutory interest in government policy, minors should not be included within the ranks of voters. Moreover, arguments made by advocates of lowering the voting age are unjustified. The 26th Amendment was passed largely due to the efforts of advocates protesting the double-standard in which 18-year-olds were drafted into the military but could not vote. However, no clear double standard exists today. 18 remains the distinct division between childhood and adulthood, and 16 generally marks a time of minimal political burdens. The recent trends among states have been to increase, rather than lower, legal age thresholds for activities such as driving. Two cities in Maryland, Takoma Park and Hyattsville, have reduced the voting age to 16 for municipal elections only. In Takoma Park, the first city in the nation to lower the voting age to 16 for local elections, there has hardly been an increase in voter turnout despite the novelty of the situation. Lowering the voting age has not created any foreseeable impact in the Takoma Park community. Though critics argue that lowering the voting age will increase the number of voters at the polls, this may not be the case, as can be seen in the Maryland municipal elections. The core problems of low political efficacy and enthusiasm remain unsolved. Political malaise and low voter turnouts are complex problems that cannot be solved simply through introducing a new class of voters. Voter turnout should be addressed by simplifying voter registration and streamlining the voting process rather than reducing the age to vote. Political participation is not limited to just voting—scan the halls of RM and find students engaging in lively discourse or wearing political party accoutrements. Even without the right to vote, 16-yearolds can still be politically informed and involved. Voting, however, is an enormous political responsibility that should only be reserved to citizens at or above age 18.
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The Tide
OPINIONS
October 2016
Technology revamps traditional learning methods by Bhavesh Kemburu In today’s fast-paced society, we are beginning to incorporate technology into almost every aspect of the modern world. Although more recent generations have kept up with technological trends, there still exists a wide range of perspectives on technology when it is applied to education. One instance of this trend is the increasing use of online textbooks and resources in the modern classroom. Whether print or online textbooks are more advantageous to learning is an issue that has generated considerable discussion. Despite the development of technology, many advocate for the continued use of print material. Regarding public schools, the belief is still present that print textbooks, despite the burden of having to carry them to school every morning, are superior at conveying information. “Print textbooks have worked better for me in helping with future understanding,” junior Jack Masterson claimed. For many, just having a physical copy of a textbook seems to help them learn better. Why do people feel this way? The main reason is engagement. Print textbooks allow students to more actively read, visualize, and grapple with whatever it is that they are learning. Whether it is a trigonometric identity in a math textbook or a literary term in an English book, having a print textbook creates a bridge between the student and the concept that online textbooks cannot replicate for many students. Another point in support of print textbooks is their long-standing establishment within the school system.
While many students do complain about the heavy load of textbooks, both teachers and students claim that a sudden change could have more detrimental results. “Most kids aren’t used to a change from print to online,” history teacher Peter Beach said. However, the switch from print to online has been pushed along in many classrooms already. Mr. Beach has long used the AMSCO U.S. History textbook for his U.S.
is much more convenient to use prior to tests,” remarked sophomore Emmanuel Corporal. Many students would agree with Corporal, as convenience is an important benefit of online textbooks. Since most teenagers own a smartphone or laptop, online textbooks can be accessed in school for important assignments and prior to major assessments or projects.
history classes, but this year, the textbook is also available online. Since many of the print textbooks have gotten old and worn out, Mr. Beach decided not to hand out books at the beginning of the year, but rather to just offer the option of print if anyone needed it. Despite the quality of the print textbooks, “fifty percent of the students requested a print copy,” said Mr. Beach. On the other side of the spectrum are those who push for the transition to online textbooks. “Since I have consistent access to Wi-Fi because of a laptop that I carry around, I think that the online version
Both Corporal and senior Christiana Damiani are currently in Mr. MacDonald’s AP Economics class, which offers an online version of the textbook. Unlike the relatively small AMSCO book that history classes use, the paper copy of the economics textbook is not as easy to carry around and read. “I definitely enjoy the convenience of having my AP Economics textbook online,” Damiani said. There also lies a middle ground between these two approaches, for students and teachers who see both the pros and cons of each perspective. While online materials can be convenient, not all students have
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equal access to devices, and many find themselves easily distracted. These setbacks may be just part of the reason why online textbooks have not become widespread throughout classrooms. Even so, online textbooks can benefit certain class settings. “For English classes, e-books make finding phrases in novels much quicker, which is helpful,” said Junior Noah Montemarano. The vast number of utilities found on the internet, ranging from online dictionaries to graphing calculator programs, streamline the learning process. “In a perfect world, we should have both types,” Mr. Beach said. No matter which option is preferred, in our world both will be present. Some textbooks are exclusively available in print, and that is an option that will have to be put up with. Besides, reading a 700 page textbook on the Internet could certainly cause some headaches. The matter at hand clearly goes beyond this narrow discussion on textbooks to the general effects of integrating technology into the classroom. Many are concerned that technology may interfere with traditional learning styles and quality of education of students, while others are quick to the change and eager to accept the new trend. As students open Google Classroom to turn in a lab, or submit essays through Turnitin, it is undeniable that technology will continue to play a major role in the classroom setting. Regardless of whether students prefer this trend or not, the increasing presence of technology is undeniable. While the choice is ultimately up to the students, they may ultimately find it in their best interest to adapt to the trend in order to keep up with the changing educational environment.
Controversy over value of arts in public education by Alex Hu Since the Great Recession in 2008, over 80% of American school districts have been forced to reduce their operating budgets, according to US News. Although some students in Montgomery County grumble about needing an art credit to graduate, many students elsewhere face the prospect of both reduced funding and outright cancellation of their schools’ fine arts programs. The issue at the very heart of the problem is the idea that an arts education is superfluous, meaning that it is less important than core subjects like English and math. From an administrative perspective, this notion is closely tied with recent nationwide actions to implement Common Core standards and improve
Operation and Development (OECD) that compares the scholastic performance of fifteen year old students, as a source of serious concern. Politically speaking, the fear of waning American competitiveness (and therefore global power) is giving added impetus for budget restructuring in addition to the post-recession economy. President Obama himself said that American students must “move from the middle to the top of the pack in science and math” within the decade, and schools across the country are responding to his call. Many parents agree that efforts should be taken to train students in skills that will make them more competitive in global markets. It is, after all, only natural for parents to want their children to succeed. However, English teacher Nancy Shay disagrees with the prevailing view of success: “The thing that is most
PHOTO BY MONA LEE
Students express their creativity through a variety of different art forms within classrooms.
science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education. Policymakers spearheading these efforts point towards mediocre performance on studies like the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), a worldwide study conducted by the Organization for Economic and Co-
important of all and that is job satisfaction and personal happiness, and I think a lot of students are pursuing fields to the exclusion of their own personal happiness ,which is a dead end.” To be fair, the fact that we live in an increasingly interconnected and technology-driven world is certainly
undeniable. Day after day, the unending expansion of Silicon Valley’s wide-ranging industries attests to the ever-increasing demand for high-tech innovation. But even so, does spending more money on art necessarily harm students’ prospects of pursuing lucrative careers? Ms. Shay said to this: “a lot of the research suggests that people that are wellrounded who have a strong background in the arts and the humanities who have done a lot of creative problem solving outside of the ‘STEM box’ with experience in critical thinking and writing, are actually more prepared to pursue STEM careers.” After all, the arts foster creativity, an essential prerequisite to innovation. This brings us to the argument that artistic training, apart from imparting technical wisdom, also helps to teach universal life skills like focus and selfexpression. Advocates also point out that making students do art with the discipline of a class setting forces students to think in ways that they otherwise might not explore, thus strengthening brainpower and mental flexibility. This is similar to the current justification for much of post-middle school math. “A lot of times, the stuff you learn in the ‘core’ classes aren’t even that useful. Yes, you always use English to communicate, and yes, you use basic math to do calculations. But if you’re not working in design, when are you ever going to need to use what we learn in geometry?” freshman Emma Sprague said. Although it is true that most of us will never to need manipulate polar coordinates or find the slant asymptote of a hyperbola later on in our lives, math teachers insist that these exercises foster problem-solving skills and promote better mental function, which are necessary in all career paths. In order to be logically consistent, if we accept this defense for math, we ought to accept this same rhetoric in defense of the arts. Finally, the argument stands that fine arts programs ought to be preserved simply because many students haven an interest in them. Senior Maddie Liu noted: “When I think about it, everyone is passionate and
talented in different things, so it’s kind of unfair to allocate much more funding to classes like math and science when there are so many people who find their passions in the fine arts.” Providing students with classes they find interesting is also shown to improve general attendance rates and academic engagement. Research also seems to indicate that art programs can provide at-
Artistic training fosters focus, creativity, and communication skills-universal life skills that can be used in any career. risk youth a creative outlet that can help keep them out of correctional institutions. Furthermore, the benefit of offering arts classes in school are particularly important for promoting the well-being are lowincome students. While affluent students are able to access enrichment opportunities outside of school, those less fortunate are unable to reap the numerous benefits offered by the arts. “Art, for me, is one way to express my thoughts in a way I don’t get to in other classes, and if we’re going to look at it from the pragmatic perspective, art classes are useful. The US gets lots of money from designers, architects, television, movies, video games, art galleries and museums, and lots more - all of these are founded in art,” junior Mady Corrigan said. At the end of the day, it is clear that there is serious merit behind the claim that students perform best with a well-rounded education that includes the arts. The fundamental question remains whether schools should be primarily aimed at building a workforce suited towards success in changing economic conditions, and whether providing students with more expressive outlets is necessarily antithetical to that goal.
The Tide
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October 2016
*Publications of advertisements are not political endorsements of any candidate by The Tide or the administration of RMHS.
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INTERNATIONAL
October 2016
Scandal reaches climax Robyn Fohouo, cont. from page 1 Valenentine observed. Many RM Students would agree, however, that all politicians, regardless of sex and age, should achieve their office legitimately. History has shown that corruption is the bane of any government, and Haiti fell prey to it during their last presidential election on October 15. 2016. After an independent commission discovered the stuffing of ballots and evidence of fraud, the Haitian government annulled the results of the 2015 election, and has since staged a presidential re-run to take place October 2016 and January 2017, as part of their two-round voting system. “I think, we don’t get enough support. The student body isn’t really heard, and the presidents themselves aren’t really much of an influence on anything. It just seems like it’s a façade for something that’s not really effective at all,” Junior Anna Barror said. On a wider scope, many Americans share the sentiment of senior Veeraj Majethia, who expressed his disdain with the American legislative system. “The US is corrupt in every definition of the word. I think when lobbyists determine policy and we live in a corporate oligarchy, corruption is all you can expect,” maintained Majethia. A Gallup poll conducted in September 2015 revealed that 75% of Americans see widespread corruption in the U.S government. The 2013 NSA scandal, Wall Street’s rising importance on the political field, and the growing recognition that politicians are being influenced by the elites have all contributed to this negative view of the country. Due to increasing prevalence on the world stage, the U.S. has many strained relationships with other countries in the world, one of the most prominent being Russia. Russia’s legislative branch is known as the Bicameral Federal Assembly, and it is composed of the Federation Council and the State Duma. The State Duma is composed of 450 seats, half of the members being directly elected by simple majority vote, and the rest being elected through proportional representation vote. Members of the State Duma serve five years, and during this year’s election on September 18, Vladimir Putin’s party, The United Russia Party, won more than three quarters of the 450 seats available. The results of this election never seemed to be much of a question, with many Russians expressing displeasure with Russia’s corruption, rising prices, and confrontation with the West, yet more afraid of change than anything else. Unfortunately, both the U.S and Russia share a low voter turnout.
Refugees go for the gold by Kaylen Pak
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In total, only 48% of Russians voted in this year’s State Duma election, with less than 35% of them being Muscovites, or residents in Moscow. This is the lowest number of voters since the fall of the Soviet Union. The low U.S voter turnout of the 2012 presidential election was 53.6%, which trails that of other developed nations such as Belgium, where they had an 87.2% voter turnout in their 2014 election. Although it is on a smaller scale, RM’s Student Government Association (SGA) faces many of the same issues that plague national governments, except for voter turnout. All students are obliged to vote for their representatives during a certain class period. With this though, students still do not feel as if they are properly represented by those who they elect. Despite the lengths RM goes through to ensure a fair voting system during SGA elections, many students feel as though the elected SGA leaders do not accurately represent them and their interests. There is no easy way to solve the issues of corruption in any form of government. Reforming the SGA, however, is a start. Allowing students to have a greater say in their electors, and requiring those who are running to debate on certain issues will resolve the problem of underrepresentation. The administration can also create monthly town halls so students can talk directly with class officers. Electing students who are driven, responsible, and effective will increase faith in the SGA, allaying the fears of those who say that electors are ineffectual and fruitless. Actively holding officeholders accountable for their actions and voicing our opinions are the first of many steps we can take as a student body for the betterment of our school community.
With the RMHS football, tennis, and volleyball teams at the end of their seasons, the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics seems like nothing more than old news. However, there was a change in those recent games that is still highly relevant today. For the first time since its origin in 1896, there was a team of refugees for those without a country: the Refugee Olympic Team (ROT). In March 2016, the International Olympic Committee President, Thomas Bach, announced the addition of the ROT in the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. “This will be a symbol of hope for all refugees in the world, and will make the world better aware of this crisis,” Bach said. Currently, the number of refugees all over the world is at over 65 million, higher than the number at the end of World War II. The athletes on this year’s team have come from countries such as South Sudan, Ethiopia, Syria, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. From the original pool of 43 candidates, the final team was composed of six males and four females, who made their debut in the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. Criteria used included athletic ability, refugee status, and personal situation and background. The team competed in three sports: judo, track and field, and swimming. Syrian refugee Yusra Mardini was only 17 years old when she and her sister, along with another woman, swam and pushed their overcrowded, capsizing raft of refugees to the shore of Lesbos, a journey that lasted for three and a half hours. However, it was only until they arrived in Germany, 1000 miles away, that Mardini would find a swimming center to practice her talent in. These stories were recognized by people and significant figures all over the world, most notably Pope Francis, who sent each of them a letter of welcome and good luck for their performance in the games. The team did not win any medals in the recent games. However, their message and purpose was still acknowledged. “I think that it’s a good idea to represent what happened to their countries, because some people need to know what happened to them,” senior Jaison Choe remarked. After learning about the refugees on the team, many RM students were shocked to hear how many refugees there are around the world. “Providing representation to these people is necessary and it brings awareness to the issue as a whole,” sophomore Piper Feldman said. However, in the end, each of these refugees are just like everyone else. “They’re just looking for a place to call home like normal people,”
freshman Ashley Ye said. In regards to the Olympic refugee team, junior Michael Paige said that he saw them as a symbol for “bringing people to see past boundaries.” The youngest member of the team, Yusra Mardini, is young enough to be a junior at RM. “It’s crazy that she’s so young and it’s hard for me to imagine that she went through all of that already,” freshman Emily Chen remarked, “She’s only two years older than me and she had to ride on an overcrowded raft to flee her
GRAPHIC BY KERN LEE
country, and then swim for three hours to not only get herself to shore, but all these other people as well.” This team will continue to compete in the future games as well. Looking towards the growth of the team, freshman Megan Ying said, “At this point, [the refugees] don’t have much time to dream. So maybe as time goes on, they will have opportunities to train more, and more people will have chances to go and compete.” Although their performance has ended, their purpose and representation still resonates throughout the world. “When you’re competing for your country, you’re showing that your country has a place in the world community,” senior Ornelle Faitquoi passionately said, “So having the refugees make their own team says, ‘We are not forgotten, we are still part of the
Student body demographics evolve over the years by Clare Zhang Walking through the halls of RM, we can see students of all different backgrounds with various life experiences. Every year since the opening of the school, the RM student body has continually grown in both population and diversity. Montgomery County has even declared that RM “has a population representing the cultures of seventy countries.” But exactly how diverse is Richard Montgomery? In terms of biological sex, Richard Montgomery seems to be split quite evenly, with females forming a very slight majority. In the 2015-2016 school year, 50.5 percent of students were female and 49.5 percent were male. “It’s great that schools are slowly leaving behind their sexist ideals and that girls in school are slowly getting more of a voice,” said freshman Shevani Tewari. Ethnic and racial statistics are somewhat more complicated. Montgomery County sorts its students into seven categories for these demographics: American Indian/ Alaskan Native, Asian, Black/African
American, non-white Hispanic/Latino, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, White, and Multiracial. For the 2015-2016 school year, the countywide percentages were 22 percent African American, 14.4 percent Asian, and 32 percent white, with a total minority enrollment of 68 percent. For the same school year, RM had very similar statistics, with 25.5 percent Asian, 15.2 percent African American, and 30.5 percent white, with a total minority enrollment of 70 percent. The more notable differences were 11.1 percent more Asian, 6.8 percent fewer Black/African American, and 3.8 percent fewer non-white Hispanic/ Latino students, while other differences in demographics were within a range of 2 percent. The 2013-2014 RM student body yielded similar results, with a total minority enrollment of 70 percent. Freshman Katie Zhang found these statistics interesting. “I’m surprised that the percentages for Asian and White enrollment are so close,” she exclaimed. “Apparently the percentages of African Americans and Hispanic/Latino Americans are almost the same in RM and all over the county.” It is fascinating to note the increase in RM’s smaller ethnic and racial groups from
2013-2014 to 2015-2016. For instance, the Native American/Alaskan demographic increased from 0.1 percent to 0.3 percent, while appearing insignificant, is actually a triple in the number of students. The majority white student population also increased by 0.5 percent. Though the trends vary slightly from year to year, RM is showing a clear increase in minority and decrease in majority groups.
Every year since the opening of the school, the RM student body has continually grown in both population and diversity. Government teacher Jonathan Taylor also describes the change in the student population over the years. “There was just barely a majority-minority within Montgomery County Public Schools--I think it was 49.9 percent White, 50.1 percent minorities,” he said, referencing a point in the early 2000s. In about 15 years, the total
minority enrollment has increased over 17 percent, and will continue to grow as the overall population becomes more diverse. Besides categories such as sex, race, and ethnicity, Richard Montgomery has an array of students in programs such as ESOL and FARMS. According to the “At A Glance Information“ on RM’s webpage, 11.1 percent of RM students are ESOL students, and 18.4 percent are eligible for the Free and Reduced Meal Students Program, or FARMS. These statistics are slightly lower than the county totals, which are 14.2 percent and 34.8 percent for ESOL and FARMS respectively. It may be an afterthought for students as they go about their daily lives, but their peers and friends during their high school years can determine and cultivate openmindedness and social skills that are just as crucial as the academic knowledge gained. High school is meant to prepare you for the real world where interacting with all kinds of people is inevitable. Whether it’s someone of a different race, gender identity, religion, or political view, the diversity of our school contributes to an openminded approach in the way we learn, communicate, and contribute.
The Tide
Guess who?
STYLE
October 2016
11
Come one, come all, come try this test Do you know RM’s teachers best? Can you follow these few clues? Or will you just become confused? This great teacher is known by most As many clubs he often hosts. The sound of a bee reminds of friends. Debate is more than means to an end. A cultural epicenter is he, Who speaks most tongues so terribly, Who’ll eat Chinese until he’s full, And él no habla español.
The facts have all been laid thus, So when you know- please email us! But make your guesses very wise As just the first receives the prize.
COMIC BY KAYLEN PAK
Six quick tips for surviving high school by Tesia Shi Join clubs. You’ll regret it if you don’t.
Trends
What started as isolated clown sightings has turned into a nation-wide trend as pranksters don clown suits and face paint to wreak havoc on the gullible and paranoid.
From our very own Poms team to Twitter, “Juju on that beat” has become the newest dance trend following the whip. Harambe, the adored gorilla killed at the Cincinnati Zoo, has been immortalized and honored by millions. Students have even created t-shirts to remember him. GRAPHICS BY KERN LEE
As you go through high school, life will only get busier with added homework and more difficult classes. Joining clubs in your freshman or sophomore years helps you build a group of friends who share a similar interest, and pursue somehting you’re passionate about . So pick a club, any club. And if nothing interests you, make one yourself. Establish time management skills. Do not go to sleep at a crazy time like 4 am. Your brain and teachers will thank you. Stopping procrastination should not become that one item on your New Year’s resolutions list that’s never accomplished. It’s easy to hear someone say it, but difficult to actually do. So start your next day’s homework as early as possible. Set a specific time to stop doing homework and go to sleep so you won’t be up too late. Don’t overload yourself with many timeconsuming clubs. It’s understandable that clubs might interfere with your academics, but that shouldn’t be causing you to put off your school work too much.
If you really have no time, set priorities. Let’s just say you have some activity or event that went until eight, and by the time you get home it’s nine at night. You feel panic slowly settling in as you think about all the homework you have to do. So set priorities. What matters more? That one math homework out of 20 or studying for that test you can’t retake? If the class is after lunch and the homework is doable, save that homework for tomorrow’s lunch instead of depriving yourself of sleep. It’s not the best solution, but on days when you’re really in a crunch for time, it’s the lesser of two evils. Take responsibility for yourself and your grades. While the occasional bad grade may be due to illness or an especially difficult test, you’re responsible for your grades. What may have seemed easy in middle school will most likely be difficult and important in high school. Getting the occasional bad grade isn’t terrible, as long as you’ve put in as much effort as you can, but multiple bad grades will bring unwelcome stress and pressure. In situations like these, go to your teachers for help, or even to your friends to see if they understand what you do not.
Kahoot!, crash courses, and Quizlet are your friends. We have some of the most amazing teachers in the county at RM, but there are times when the foundation of a class is raw memorization, something that teachers can’t help you with. It’s at times like these that Quizlet, crash courses, and Kahoot! become your best friend. Using Sparknotes to refresh your memory the night before a reading check is helpful too, but only if you’ve actually read the book. Otherwise, you might miss an important detail that may come in handy for a pop quiz. Bring a watch. And a water bottle. It will save you unnecessary pain. What teachers sometimes fail to tell you is whether the clocks in their room are actually accurate or not. Some clocks don’t work at all, and some rooms don’t even have clocks. So do yourself a favor and wear a watch. Having a water bottle is also very helpful. While there are water fountains, it’s always helpful to have water at hand during a test or quiz, and espeically if you’re sick. And with the environmentally friendly water fountains that have been installed, filling a water bottle has never been easier.
iPhone 7: Waterproof wonder or a waste? by Hallie Kay The iPhone 7 is the latest, and perhaps greatest installment in Apple’s iPhone series. The anxiously awaited arrival of the new model has been in the minds of many as it promised groundbreaking features, including water-resistance, improved camera functionality and a yet-to-bereleased wireless headphones set. Due to the innovative and original reputation that Apple has achieved over its decades-long career, there is always much excitement over the release of new iPhone models. The new and improved battery life is one feature of the iPhone 7 that was not mentioned quite as much as the other features. The water resistance features and enhanced camera functionality have been the stars of the show. Senior Neb Esayas specifically noted one quality that stood out above all else on the new phone. “To me, the best thing about the iPhone 7 is the improved battery life and the new camera,” noted Esayas. In response to widespread complaints, Apple has increased the battery capacity for the iPhone 7, allowing the phone to run on less battery power for longer, saving time. Now, owners will not have to spend an hour or two anxiously awaiting that alltoo-familiar green battery color change in the top-right hand corner of the screen. “I don’t even have to charge it at night. Now I only charge it once every day and a half or so,” Esayas elaborated.
But this new model is not just for techies, as improvements in image quality and additional support features have spiked the interest of aspiring photographers as well. “The camera has been improved greatly,” Esayas praised. “It can capture images much more clearly and quickly. Force touch is helpful in getting to the camera quickly if you want to capture something that is going by really fast.” Water resistance was another other feature that seemed to get the consumerist public really enthusiastic about the new model. However, this does not mean the iPhone can effectively survive submergence in a tub of water, because “water resistance” does not necessarily mean “waterproof.” Esayas actually tested the model’s performance in this area “I have in fact tested how well it works with a little water in the microphone port,” he said, laughing, “as well as in the lightning charger port. It happens to work perfectly fine.” But with every new gadget that comes along in our ever-changing, technologically dominated society, there are inevitable failings. To this regard, Esayas expressed his disappointment in the new software and speed of the iPhone. “The apps seem to run somewhat slower in comparison to previous models,” he said. “You’d think that they become faster, but I’ve found it’s the opposite.” So this raises a question: Is the acquisition of the effortlessly beautiful iPhone 7 worth this seemingly inexorable trade-off? It has been debated whether or not the
PHOTO BY MONA LEE
The iPhone 7 features a sleek new design.
iPhone 7 is truly that much of a step up from its predecessor, the iPhone 6s. “I like it overall, but the new features aren’t very different from the other models. Compared to some of the other models, it’s not much different than the iPhone 6s,” Wagner said. There are also a few significant details that seem to set all of them on an almost level playing field. “The shell and software of the iPhone 7 isn’t any different from the iPhone 6 or that of the iPhone 6S. Also, all iPhones from the iPhone 5 and on are eligible to get iOS10.” This could mean that software updates,
and the entire casing of the phone are not as special as they once were. The widely controversial wireless headphones set has become almost a separate entity unto itself. With an extremely high price tag, whether or not the wireless function is actually necessary has been a point of contention for many. Nonetheless, the current iPhone 7 does not even come with the wireless headphones. An official release date has not been set for the headphones. On a more personal note, I myself will be receiving an iPhone 7 in the coming weeks. I have done my research on the model (in part by writing this article you are now reading), and can honestly say that I have, well, mixed feelings. I find the new features to be enticing, reeling me in and getting me excited for its arrival. However, I do feel that the slower system and the seemingly invisible updates have proven to be the chief points of concern for me. I have, however, chosen to be more optimistic in the waiting period that I have found myself in. Hopefully this optimism will pay off, and I will adore my iPhone 7 just as I have my iPhone 5S for the past few years. In the end, Apple never really disappoints anyone, right? From wireless headphones to water resistance, it appears that the iPhone 7 has lived up to its presumed success. But just as Apple designed the “7” to triumph more outdated models, the company is likely already working on the next big thing, forever upping the ante.
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The Tide
CENTERSPREAD
It may come as a shock, but RM was once the infamous “school by the woods.” As the oldest high school in the county, Richard Montgomery was first named Rockville High School in 1892. The name was later changed to Montgomery County High School, before finally being renamed Richard Montgomery in 1935. Three buildings, one fire, and half a century later, students first walked through the recognizable halls of RM as we know them today. However, beyond just names and buildings, RM has experienced internal changes as well. “The IB and AP programs changed the academic focus of the school, students [soon] had more options for clubs, [and] the reputation of the school rose to become one of the best schools in the country,” history teacher Mr. Hines recalled. Standing witness to over a century of progress, Richard Montgomery is also celebrated by the local residents for connecting the community to defining events for both Montgomery County and U.S. history. In fact, much of RM’s identity pays tribute to our culture. Perhaps the most obvious example of this can be seen in its name— Richard Montgomery. Richard Montgomery was an American general who died fighting for our freedom during the Revolutionary War. Even our treasured rocket mascot is a relic of the past— a memory of Montgomery County’s part in protecting the nation’s capital during the Cold War. Today, RM continues to move toward a future of excellence, just as compelling as its history, soaring to greater heights just like the Rockets we are.
October 2016
Back then...
“The RM student body and community represent everything our society should strive to be— diverse, tolerant, kind, curious, and driven.” - Mr. Monteleone, Principal
October 2016
13
“I have the impression that all of us really like being here, for the teaching [and] the interacting with the students. I think that’s a part of why I’ve been here. I started in fall of ‘96, straight out of college, and this is the first place that I’ve got to work. I really never thought that maybe I should go teach at another school. I’ve felt right from the beginning that the people I was working with were people I enjoy[ed] being around and I have for over 20 years now.” -Mr. Matthew Davis, math teacher
“Richard Montgomery means a lot to me, all my kids have gone here. There was never really a time where I have wanted to change schools because I thought this was pretty ideal. [RM] is a very mixed population, racially, religion wise, economic wise. I thought it was really a melting pot of this area, which is one of the big things that I like about D.C., so I never wanted to leave. I actually kept moving closer and closer, so now I only live about 5 minutes away.”
Courtesy of Lewis Reed
Mr. Fahrner has been at RM since 1956, when his father took a basketball job at the school. He recalled that he was only three years old and already running around the gym, stating, “That’s when the RM experience for me began.” From 1968 to 1971, Fahrner was a student at Richard Montgomery himself. He remembers a time when RM football was ranked third in the United States, and the school building looked a lot different than it does now. But according to Fahrner, RM’s core values have remained constant: “Here I was with my brothers,” he described. “White, black, at that time, for us as students— no difference.” Technology is the one thing that confounds him. The addition of computer labs, Promethean boards, and Chromebooks is the biggest change he has seen over the years, and he will admit operating them is not his strong suit. When he was in high school, digital technology was not nearly as much an integral part of education as it is now. Still, he stands firms on his stance that over the years, in spite of all the physical differences, “Nothing’s changed. Nothing’s changed. Same things we had in ‘71 for those goals, and those dreams, are the same goals and dreams we have today at Richard Montgomery. That’s why the black and gold legacy continues. Goodness and greatness is Richard “Throughout my four years here, I can owe a lot Montgomery. of the good things that I have in my life to Richard The black and gold forever.” Montgomery, its culture, the people, the teachers, and almost everything about it.” - Ashish Patel, senior Writers: Aral Markert, Helen Qian, Alythia Vo
CENTERSPREAD
The Tide
...and now.
-Mr. Jon Goetz, math and science teacher
An interview with history teacher Mr. Robert Hines: When did you start working at RM? In the school year of 1986-87, I came to RM from Magruder High school with four other teachers to start the RMIB program. I had heard that this was a bad school. There were fights every day. People didn’t get along. But I thought the exact opposite when I came here on the first day with a pile of books in my arms and a student held the door open for me. How has the school changed since you started working here? When I first came here, the school was about to close down. But this was the oldest high school in the county and the city of Rockville wanted to save it so they started the IB program. The only problem was that no one wanted to come here. They thought it was a French immersion program.
“Richard Montgomery is my second home. I consider everyone my friend, no matter who they are— the students, the teachers, the administrators, even the awesome custodians. These past four years have been the best years of my life. Richard Montgomery has made a special place in my heart: I’ve made lifelong friendships, the best experiences, and the most unforgettable memories.” -Sofia Bhalwani, senior
What is a funny story from all your years of teaching at RM? I’m a man of stories, but one funny story was when a group of students reenacted Mussolini’s march on Rome. They dressed in their black senior shirts and marched down the main hallway during lunch with umbrellas and started pouring into classrooms, imitating the army. One student even played the role of Mussolini and gave a speech in Italian and then English. Believe me, it was funny. What would you tell the new freshmen class? You’re at one of the best places you could ever go to school for a public school.
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The Tide
LA MAREA
El arte brilla más que nunca de cara al Mes de la Herencia Hispana 2016 por Jean Espinosa Han existido muchos artistas latinoamericanos que han tenido gran influencia a nivel mundial, tales como la mexicana Frida Kahlo, la cual marcó tendencia tanto con sus pinturas como con sus poemas y hasta su matrimonio con el también artista, Diego Rivera, el cual dejó una marca dentro de su arte el cual refleja la idiosincracia del mexicano. Octavio Paz, sin duda uno de los artistas de mayor prestigio, reflejó en varios de sus textos exactamente la ideología de los latinos y mexicanos, tanto así que gracias a su literatura fue galardonado con el premio Nobel. Gabriel García Márquez, un gran novelista colombiano cuyos libros han dejado huella en diversas generaciones, es también parte de este grupo de artistas hispanos quienes han cambiado el mundo vía su arte y palabras. Otro de estos artistas, el chileno Pablo Neruda, llenó las almas del mundo con su “20 Poemas de Amor y una Canción Desesperada”. Ambas obras marcaron profundamente la literatura mundial y de América Latina. Los artistas latinoamericanos no solo han marcado la historia por sus grandes obras, sino que también por su influencia política. La obra e ideas políticas de José Martí resultaron en la base ideológica de las revoluciones cubanas en el siglo XIX. Las obras del peruano Mario Vargas Llosa. Mario Benedetti, cuyos ensayos y poemas demuestran el gran malestar de los
escritores contra la corrupción política y a cada pieza, es así como logra pintar social que impedía el bienestar de una piezas que reflejan su pasado los pueblos latinoamericanos. también como su presente. En Como se puede observar, una de estas tales piezas, los artistas latinoamericanos hasta ahorita no titulada, siempre han tenido una ella establece una conexión gran participación en la familiar al tomar como vida cultural y en el mundo referencia una foto donde de político. Su movimiento ella y su familia tomada en El demuestra como engloban Salvador. los diferentes sentimientos Moratalla se siente inspirada del pueblo latinoamericano, por su pasado, pero también razón por la cual han adquirido por sus artistas latinos favoritos importancia mundial. como Frida Kahlo. Ella Igualmente los artistas considera la famosa artista latinoamericanos de Richard como su modelo a seguir. Montgomery High School Explicó, “amo su estilo tienen un gran impacto en impresionista y su fuerza la sociedad estudiantil. Sus como mujer.” piezas de arte son inspiradas Según esta talentosa artista por sus raíces, culturas, de RM, el artista hispano tradiciones e idiosincrasia de de más de notoriedad es el su ancestros; estas son colgadas GRÁFICO POR KERN LEE famoso Salvador Dalí. El arte alrededor de la escuela y vistas de Salvador es tan único e por la comunidad estudiantil. influyente que, como ella dijo, “puede ser Una de las más sobresalientes artistas reconocido por todas partes.” latinoamericanas en Richard Montgomery La meta máxima de Moratalla es es Rachel Moratalla una estudiante del simplemente “motivar no solamente duodécimo grado quien es parte de la clase los estudiantes de RM pero también de Advanced Placement Art. ellos estudiantes latinos quienes están Moratalla es una estudiante con raíces interesados en el arte.” Moratalla concluyó salvadoreñas. Ella explicó, “mis padres con una palabras que presagian las son de un pueblo llamado Cojutepeque en grandes alturas que ella alcanzará, “quiero El Salvador.” Luego agregó, “mis padres hacer un impacto; quiero aumentar la siempre me han enseñado a valorar y conciencia sobre las culturas y tradiciones preservar las culturas y tradiciones de mis latinoamericanas.” orígenes.” Con sus grandes metas, Moratalla refleja Ella incorpora estas raíces hispanas en el espíritu hispano, uno de tenacidad que su arte al agregar una parte de su pasado seguirá sacando adelante a nuestra cultura.
Olimpiadas en Río: los brasileños se dividen entre celebraciones y lágrimas
valores morales.” por Lisa Hernandez Muchos habitantes de las favelas sienten y Angel Ramos que han sido injustamente desplazados de sus hogares gracias a la necesidad de Este pasado verano, todo el mundo fijó espacio para la construcción de nuevos su atención hacia Brasil mientras que el edificios olímpicos. En su libro “SMH país dedicaba todos sus recursos hacia la 2016: Evictions in Olympic Río de Janeiro,” ejecución de las Olimpiadas del 2016. Su publicado en el 2015, la periodista Lena ceremonia de apertura contó la historia Azeveda y el arquitecto Lucas Faulhaber del gran país-- una de lucha y esperanza, estiman que de 2009 al 2013, más de 60,000 pero también una plagada por opresión e personas fueron desplazados de las favelas. inestabilidad política así como económica. Al ser entrevistado sobre estos conflictos Esta gran dicotomía se entre el poder político y los reflejó claramente en ciudadanos, el estudiante los conflictos y las brasileño del controversias que duodécimo grado, rodearon los Juegos Marcelo Amorelli, Olímpicos en Río dijo lo siguiente, de Janeiro. “es un asunto muy En la ciudad controversial. La de Río, la tensión tierra en la que entre el construyeron gobierno y los las favelas ciudadanos legalmente que habitan pertenecía al las favelas gobierno.” El no es nada continuó, “cuando reciente. A pesar ellos dicen que el gobierno GRÁFICO POR KERN LEE de que 1 de cada 7 residentes los desplazó a la fuerza de la ciudad vive en estos para construir instalaciones hogares y que estas comunidades fueron olímpicas, no se dan cuenta que ellos establecidas al final del siglo diecinueve, ocupan la tierra ilegalmente, no todos pero las favelas no fueron incluidas en mapas si la mayoría.” hastas los años ochenta. De acuerdo a Amorelli explicó, “el gobierno les ofreció la organisation Catalytic Communities, compensación monetaria y otras formas de hoy en día alrededor de 1.5 millones de ayuda. Hay un claro esfuerzo de parte del personas viven en favelas construidas en gobierno para reubicar a las personas que esta ciudad. perdieron sus hogares.” Es importante no sólo pensar de las Amorelli aclara que sin embargo, “el uso brillantes medallas, los famosos atletas, excesivo de la fuerza por parte del gobierno y la emocionante moci competición pero fue algo muy malo. Muchos ciudadanos también en los muchos asuntos que fueron heridos al ser desplazados. La plagan a los ciudadanos del país. Thiago brutalidad policiaca es un gran problema Silva, estudiante brasileño de Richard en Brasil.” Montgomery dijo lo siguiente, “Brasil La fotografía de una mujer sin hogar está pasando por muchos problemas. durmiendo al lado de la calle y bajo un La corrupción es muy aparente allá… el rótulo de las Olimpiadas anunciándolas dinero es desaprovechado por políticos sin como el principio de “un nuevo mundo”
se convirtió en sensación de Internet durante las Olimpiadas. El fotógrafo Felipe Barcellos, dijo que compartió esta foto para criticar la manera en que el gobierno prioriza los Juegos sobre el bienestar de sus ciudadanos. Durante el relevo de la antorcha olímpica, la ruta escogida omitió muchas grandes ciudades con un gran número de habitantes y en cambio incluyó ciudades más pequeñas pero con un ingreso per cápita elevado. De las 329 ciudades incluidas en la ruta, 198 (60.2%) tienen un índice de desarrollo humano considerado “alto” para los estándares internacionales, mientras que 33 (10%) ciudades en la ruta tienen una calificación de “muy alta” de acuerdo con datos estadísticos del Programa de las Naciones Unidas para el Desarrollo. Muchos brasileños han criticado no sólo al gobierno, pero también a periodistas y periódicos. Hay ciudadanos que insisten que los medios de comunicación han sido cómplices del maltrato miento de los habitantes de las favelas. Al ser cuestionado sobre esto, Amorelli declaró, “honestamente yo no puedo hablar sobre esto con certitud porque no siento que sé lo suficiente para poder dar mi opinión. Todas las noticias que leí sobre las olímpicas fueron de parte de medios de comunicación brasileños y aun así reportaron un asombroso número de cosas desfavorables. Pero porque el gobierno es tan corrupto también pienso, ‘si esto es lo que nos dicen, piensa en lo que no nos dicen’ aunque eso es sólo una especulación.” Es verdad que lo que Brasil logró como anfitrión es una hazaña de la cual muchos latinos están orgullosos. Brasil logró mostrarle al mundo que el pueblo latino es capaz de la grandeza, pero a pesar de todo esto es importante ser crítico de las transgresiones gubernamentales para asegurar un futuro más democrático y próspero para todos.
Octubre del 2016
“Estoy orgulloso de ser latino/hispano...” entrevistas por Daniela Moreira
“... porque mi cultura me enseñó cómo ser hospitable. He aprendido cómo tratar bien a la gente cuando van a tu casa porque cada latina o latino que yo conozco dan la bienvenida cuando yo voy a su casa.” -Alex Turner, 11
“... por la música de Latinoamérica. Creo que es mucho mejor que mucha de la música que viene de otras partes. También me gusta la cultura porque es bien bonita.” -David Arrazola, 11
“... porque yo amo nuestra comida” -Elva Joya, 11
“... por nuestras tradiciones, culturas, y comidas típicas. También porque mi cultura me ha permitido aprender a hablar dos idiomas que son bien útiles acá en los Estados Unidos.” -Juan Sosa, 11
“... porque tenemos una buena cultura y buena comida. Nosotros los guatemaltecos, tenemos un diferente estilo y ropa lleno de color. Nuestros países son bien unicos y diversos.” -Aaron Aranda, 10
“... porque soy único mi manera y nada se puede comparar a mi estilo.” -Richard Prudencio, 12
“... porque es parte de quien yo soy. Es gracias a mi cultura que yo puedo conectarme con mi cultura y familia.” -David Farieta, 12
“... porque me gusta la gran variedad de bailes entre todos nuestros países y culturas. Mis favoritos tipos de música son la salsa, merengue y bachata.” -Katie Marin, 10
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October 2016
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The Tide
October 2016
ARTS
Students dye their hair as a form of self-expression by Magali Ngouabou and Amalia Sulk From dark blonde tips to radiant blue streaks, there is a wide range of color options when it comes to dyeing hair. With this variety, and our diverse human identities, hair dye can have many implications. For senior Kat Osborne, hair dye is a way of establishing her presence. “I ended up starting to do dye because nobody will ever let me slip through the cracks again,” explained Osborne. “I will be the brightest person in the classroom.” Osborne’s orangey-red ends stand as a symbol of her individuality, but sophomore Rose Kelly opted for nearplatinum blonde hair. “I chose the [color] that I have currently because I had it last year for a while and I really liked it,” she elaborated.
“Nobody will ever let me slip through the cracks again, because I will be the brightest person in the classroom.” - Kat Osborne In some cases, as with freshman Kayla Guevara, it is imperative to separate the message behind hair dye from identity. “Hair dye is important to who I am,” Guevara said, “But it doesn’t make up who I am.” Others, like junior Theo Chen, haven’t quite figured out their message behind dyeing. “It kind of is a message, but I don’t even know what I’m trying to say,” Chen
said. Despite the significance to every individual’s message, people who dye their hair are often stereotyped. “There’s always been this sense of ‘people who dye their hair, dye their hair because they’re rebels,’” said Osborne. “Sometimes I’ll get weird looks from people waiting at the bus stop.” Kelly has experienced not just odd looks from strangers, but also assumptions about her personality. “People definitely assume that I am edgier, willing to take more risks,” Kelly said, explaining that this is not her real character. “In fact, I’m a pretty cautious person.” This is not to say that people with dyed hair only receive negative attention. Sometimes, dyed hair is celebrated. In Chen’s experience, he often receives compliments. “People tell me, ‘Oh it’s such a pretty color,’” he said. The positive feedback is very welcome when you have mustered the courage to go through an often expensive process, or, in the case of senior Natalie NealeLorello, one where you find yourself in an uncomfortable situation. “I had my head over a pot for ten minutes straight,” she explained, “It was not fun.” When you go to such an extent to express yourself, naturally you want positive feedback -- but support for hair dye is not quite as present in other aspects of life. In fact, societal stereotypes about people with dyed hair have made taken root within familial relations and even professional life. Kelly, who has dyed her hair many different shades in the past, does not think she would go to a job interview with a brighter color than the one she has in her hair now. “I would go to a job interview with the color I have in right now... I feel like it’s more professional than purple, just because of the societal norms that we’ve imposed, what’s professional versus what isn’t.” Chen has personally witnessed these restrictive occupational practices. He talked about the reaction of a woman sitting next to him while he went to get his hair dyed. “She was like, ‘I wish I could do purple,
PHOTO COURTESY OF SYDNEY HARTMAN
Hartman dyed her hair shades of purple. but my job wouldn’t let me,’” he explained. After hearing that comment, Chen turned to his mom and said “‘See? In the future I won’t have these opportunities.’” Chen decided this was all the more reason to dye his hair now. However, there are many who feel these
perceptions and confusion about dyed hair should have no influence on everyday life. “If you can do the work and meet the expectations that they want from you, it shouldn’t matter what you look like at all,” said freshman Kayla Guevara. Neale-Lorello agreed. “It depends on your priorities. If your priorities are to be who you want to be, then do what you want,” she said. “If your priority is to be what the college or job wants you to be, then do that.” Societal reactions aside, hair dyeing is still a prevalent, personal form of expression for those who do it. “It’s become a part of my identity and I honestly want to keep my hair [bright blue] a very long time,” explained Neale-Lorello. Kelly felt the same way. “As much as I like the hair I have now, I definitely miss having brighter-colored hair.” Want to try dyeing? The most important step is deciding to get started. “Do it!” Kelly advised enthusiastically. However, make sure you set aside plenty of time to color your hair correctly -- it is not a good last-minute activity. “You need to set aside about eight hours to do it well,” Osborne advised. Hair dyeing is only one way to express yourself -- make yours uniquely you.
PHOTO COURTESY OF ROSE KELLY
Rose Kelly poses for a fashion photoshoot as she proudly shows off her blonde hair.
Flake passes on his love of classic film to his students by Sara Reilly IB Film is one of the most popular elective classes, soliciting interest from both IB and MYP upperclassmen. The class is a combination of film analysis and film production with the intent of replicating techniques of popular directors. It is taught by IB Film teacher Dustin Flake, in the classroom adjacent to where RMBC is filmed. This two-year course is available for juniors, seniors, and some IB sophomores, allowing students to gain a well-rounded knowledge of different genres of film. “Essentially, the first year of IB Film is mostly geared towards production and watching films with the intent to emulate the director’s techniques from their own film,” explained Mr. Flake. The class exposes students to several critically-renowned films such as “Inglourious Basterds.” “All of the picks he made for the films we watched were incredible, I’ve watched so many films that I had never seen… and I probably would never have made myself watch them if it weren’t for Mr. Flake and film class,” remarked senior Gabi Scott, who took the class her sophomore and junior years. The course culminates in a project where its students get to teach their peers. “One
of the most interesting things we did at the end of the second year was [when] he split us up and we had to teach ourselves,” Scott recalled. “In pairs you had to pick a film and then teach a certain aspect of that film to the class. It was really interesting and a great way to end the course.” Mr. Flake’s background is in English, although he tried to incorporate his love of film into his college work. “I was an English major but I took some film classes, and it
PHOTO BY KAITLYN WANG
Film students can access high-quality cameras.
was always in the analysis type of section,” he said. “Even some of the history classes that I took also had to do with film, like one of classes was Russia in the 20th century and for my big final paper I compared Cold War cinema in Britain and Russia.” Mr. Flake credits his parents for introducing him to acclaimed films at a young age, reminiscing about watching movies such as “The Shining” with his family on Mother’s Day when he was around five years old. “There’s a scene in the film where a nude woman is coming out of a bathtub and my parents were like ‘We don’t remember this part, okay? Close your eyes,’” he recalled. His early exposure to mature films instilled an interest in watching and critiquing films that most five or six year olds would not have had yet. Despite Mr. Flake’s passion for viewing films, he does not pursue filmmaking in his freetime. “My students find that out relatively quickly; it kind of comes back to something that I learned during my internship year where I took Drama and my teacher there was always saying ‘I can’t act, I can’t act, but I can tell you when you aren’t acting well and the ways you can fix it,’” Mr. Flake explained. “I sometimes tell that story in my class -- don’t ask me to turn on a camera or to edit anything, but I can tell you if it doesn’t look right and methods to use to make it look better.” His classroom is known for being one of
PHOTO BY KAITLIN WANG
Mr. Flake seen just “chilling “ at his desk. the more laid-back in the school despite the amount of work involved in producing and analyzing films. “He did a really good job of whilst giving us enough freedom, also bringing us back and making sure we were getting the things we needed to get done, done all in a timely fashion while all having a good time,” said Scott. “We were all super sad to see everyone leave and there were so many ‘Flake-isms’ and things so unique to him and he really made it such a special class,” reflected Scott.
The Tide
ARTS
October 2016
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Liang dances into spotlight A galaxy in the science hall by Natalie Chartove Even if you have never met him, you probably know that junior Jack Liang is a dancer. You may have seen him dancing in the halls, in the bathroom, and even during class. And when he is not in school, he is almost certainly off somewhere dancing. Liang became interested in dance in middle school at a summer camp. His brother noticed he was fascinated by the dance classes there, and pushed him to sign up. All it took were a few basic lessons, and Liang was hooked. In only a few years he has become a master dancer, learning hip hop, popping, and even choreography. Last year,
people from all over North America. Just last year, Liang and his team attended the Culture Shock International Showcase in Las Vegas where they competed against dancers from Chicago, Toronto, Oakland, and more. However, being on a team requires more than just attending competitions. Liang begins his week with six hour rehearsals every Sunday. On Wednesdays he attends classes at Urban Artistry, a studio in Silver Spring. His Saturdays are usually filled with other dance-related activities, ranging from dance battles to workshops. In addition to professional instruction, Liang has personal plans for his growth as a dancer. “One of my goals for the end of junior year is to do a workshop myself,”
by Christine Zhu
PHOTO BY JESSICA JI
Murals beautify otherwise plain school halls.
PHOTO COURTESY OF JACK LIANG
Liang showcases his impressive dance moves at a festival, dazzling those around him. Liang joined Future Shock DC, a dance team which pulls teens from all over the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. But being so far from his fellow dancers poses some challenges. “It’s hard because with school sports you have your friends, you see them every day, you see them in the hallways, but with dance it’s people from all over,” Liang said. “[Despite the long distance], it’s definitely a family.” Future Shock DC is part of Culture Shock, a nonprofit organization that spreads dance and teaches hip hop as a way to improve communities. As a member of Future Shock DC, Liang has gotten the opportunity to compete with
he declared. He also hopes to write his IB Extended Essay on hip hop. His ultimate goal, though, is to move to Los Angeles: “I want to spread what I learn from the East Coast to the West Coast,” Liang said. With its large dance community, Los Angeles will offer him more opportunities to dance even if he does not make a career out of it. While events and competitions are fun, the dance world is much more than that for Liang. Liang said that dance has changed his life for the better: “It gave me confidence,” he explained. Dance has become his passion, and though he does not know what the future holds for him, he is sure that dance will fit somewhere in it.
When people think of school hallways, they tend to picture bland walls, lockers, and the occasional malfunctioning water fountain. Fortunately, art students at RM are allowed to decorate the walls with murals. Subjects of these murals range from “Harry Potter” to pi to cartoon characters. IB Physics teacher Jon Goetz has been in charge of many of the murals in the science hallway, most of which depict scenes related to astronomy or other branches of science. One was painted in 2013 by Andrew Yan, a former RM student. Yan’s mural is based on a notable photo of the Eagle Nebula, the “Pillars of Creation,” taken by the Hubble Space Telescope. It displays three columns that contain material essential to creating new stars. The mural and the photo bear a striking resemblance. Yan added his own spin by including
Carl Sagan’s quote, “If you wish to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first invent the universe.” The relation between the quote and the mural is rather obvious at first since they both involve the universe, but Mr. Goetz elaborated on the connection between the two: “Electrons and neutrons make up the universe. Making apple pie from scratch is starting from the basics,” he explained. Additionally, Yan replicated the details of the original photo well. The contrast of colors makes the mural intriguing to the eye, and the blue background is calming. Some parts are darker than others, resulting in a three dimensional effect. The work also includes spots of pink and white, representing stars twinkling in the distance. Just like everything else, visual art has its critics. Sophomore Lauren Zhou critiqued, “It’s spaced funny on the side... It’s like they were painting and they ran out of space and had to squeeze ‘scratch’ in.” “It’s a nice picture,” Zhou added: “If it were in the English hallway, I’d think it had a deeper meaning, but it’s in the science hallway so it’s probably pretty straightforward.” The location of the mural has a large impact on how it is perceived by viewers. Yan’s painting is remarkable, but it is not the only masterpiece in the school. Each mural in the school has artistic intent behind it that should be considered by viewers, and new meaning can be found in each mural. School murals are painted to beautify spaces, but also to provoke thought and conversation.
PHOTO COURTESY OF NASA AND STSCL
The “Pillars of Creation” inspired Yan’s mural.
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The Tide
FEATURES
October 2016
Rolling out the red carpet for Homecoming Court by Valerie Wang and Maureen Zeufack This fall, seniors chose eleven guys and eleven girls to be on Homecoming Court. At the homecoming football game, each court member walked down the football field with their chosen escort, while the announcer read their favorite memories from high school and aspirations for the future. The king and queen were crowned by last year’s king and queen, Mfundo Kaendera and Kimberly Stamets. Meet this diverse bunch of seniors with a variety of interests, backgrounds, and passions.
PHOTO COURTESY OF TOM MOORE
Matthew Chazin and Halle and Gaby Phillips with friends.
PHOTO COURTESY OF RM SGA
Noah Montemarano and his escort, Gabrielle Scott, on the field.
THE GENTS
THE LADIES
HOMECOMING KING TYLEN HEBRON
HOMECOMING QUEEN VANESSA BARNES
“Wealth isn’t everything without a family to share it with.”
“No pressure, no diamonds.”
PHOTO COURTESY OF RM SGA
Sofia Bhalwani and her father smile for the camera before a win over Poolesville.
PHOTO COURTESY OF TOM MOORE
PHOTO COURTESY OF TOM MOORE
DARA SONTAN
MATTHEW CHAZIN
“I am absolutely in love with writing poetry. A lot of it is like my diary so it’s very personal. I really think it’s my spontaneity and my free spirit.”
“I admire my girlfriend Halle the most. Halle has taught me how to think positively about life and has made me happier than I ever could have imagined.”
SOFIA BHALWANI
THOMAS HUGHES
“I’m super loud.”
“[The person I admire the most is] my mom. She’s the first member of my family to go to college. She manages to take care of 3 kids who aren’t that easy to handle and she’s really composed.”
HALLE PHILLIPS
“I’ve always wanted to buy a boat and travel the world by myself.” PHOTO COURTESY OF TOM MOORE
Barnes and Hebron take on the red carpet.
PHOTO COURTESY OF TOM MOORE
Gonzales-Sol and Hollingsworth enter.
CAM AARON
“Get lit.”
“Anytime there’s a situation where you think there’s an injustice in the world, you’re supposed to make your voice heard.”
ASHISH PATEL
BRYONY HOLLINGSWORTH
JOSIAH BELFONVALENTINE
“I admire Taylor Swift the most because even snakes can put me in my feels.”
“Skittles are my obsession and everyone who knows me knows that I love Skittles.”
ASHLEY BAKHADJ
NON NONCEEYA
“If I had a million dollars, I would first give $1,000 to every homeless person I see on the side of the road.”
“I want to become at least half the man my father grew up to be.”
SAMANTHA QUIROS
DAVID EDIMO
“I think we all have a responsibility to speak up about the things that we think need to change, and speak up about the things we like.”
PHOTO COURTESY OF RM SGA
Josiah Belfon-Valentine and his escort strike a pose before the homecoming game.
“I like being the villain because you don’t have to worry about being liked.”
GABY PHILLIPS
“Music brings me happiness and joy and one of my favorite things to do is just hangout and listen to good music. Nothing makes me happier than that.”
CAMILO GONZALES-SOL “I’m a composer writing what I hear, not what I think will impress people.”
DREW BYRD
KAILA WALLACE
“I’m always striving to remain positive in all situations and moments in my life.”
NOAH MONTEMARANO
“NBA 2k17. It is my entire life.”
“Ever since I was little, I wanted to become some[one who] could help others, and I’ve always had a passion for animals.”
AUTUMN BARBER
PHOTO COURTESY OF RM SGA
Barnes was crowned by last year’s queen.
PHOTO COURTESY OF RM SGA
David Edimo and his date, Becca Levy.
“No one has to push me. I’m self-motivated. What’s most important to me is being successful as a student and as a person in life.”
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FEATURES
October 2016
Giblin: French teacher by day, politician by night by Ami Thaivalappil Gerard Giblin is virtually iconic in the world of RM languages. He is known for his signature box covered in stickers, his fluency in multiple languages, and, of course, his motorcycle. But what most students and staff do not know is that Mr. Giblin has been a wellknown politician outside of RM as well. Mr. Giblin originally joined the Socialist Party in France, but soon became disillusioned with the lack of focus on environmental issues. After Green Parties began forming across Europe, he immediately joined around 1998. The Green Party was an eco-socialist party that stood on a platform of social justice and environmental awareness. “I think the environment and social justice go together,” he said. “People don’t put nuclear plants and disposable waste in the rich areas; they put [them] in the poor areas, where people are desperate for jobs or aren’t educated.” After around a decade in the Green Party, Mr. Giblin decided that he wanted to do something more than just be a member. So, in 2006, he ran for a seat in the House of Representatives against Chris Van Hollen. “I didn’t want to run, but no one else in the party was willing to do it,” Mr. Giblin admitted. “So I decided that I was going to walk.” Typically, to run for political office, candidates take a year off from their regular jobs to campaign and focus on the election. “I couldn’t afford that,’ Mr. Giblin
said. “But I did both. I came into work, and I actually ran,” Mr. Giblin said. He mostly campaigned in newspapers and on community TV. However, due to lack of funding and name recognition, Giblin was not able to do everything he wished. “I didn’t do all the meetings I could have done if I had the money and the resources,” he recalled. Mr. Giblin’s campaign was in response to the changing ideology of the Democratic Party. “We needed to have somebody put a bit of pressure on Mr. Van Hollen,” Mr. Giblin explained. The Green Party had believed Van Hollen was becoming less progressive and more moderate, especially on the issues of global warming and climate change. Mr. Giblin knew the election would be difficult. The current two-party system rarely leaves any room for a third party to run, let alone win a spot in office. “Every time, [the Republicans and Democrats] come and tell us during the election, ‘you’re going to be a spoiler...you’re taking votes away,’” he explained. However, Mr. Giblin is not satisfied with the two-party system, and therefore wholeheartedly endorces his party. “There are many other systems, [for example,] a proportional system where you get the votes in percentages to the people who vote for you,” Mr. Giblin said. Although that method would lead to more fragmented parties, it would better represent the views of the people, while at the same time allowing new faces to enter the political scene. The Green Party exists partly to change the current electoral system, which many
PHOTO BY EMILY PAN
Giblin, a member of the Green Party, advocates for change in the current electoral system. people including Mr. Giblin view as too limiting, and partly to raise awareness about the environment. “That’s why Green Party people run; that’s why Jill Stein is running [for president],” he explained. Although the Green Party is still active today with a relatively large number of supporters and a presidential candidate, Mr. Giblin isn’t as involved in the party as before. “Unfortunately I don’t have time to go to meetings and all that, so I follow what happens in the news, read internal memos, and give my money to the Party,”
he explained. “I protest, here and in France. I haven’t been arrested yet.” For students here at RM who want to be involved in politics in the future, Mr. Giblin has a few words of advice: “Get involved with local parties and local organizations... get to know how politics work.” According to Mr. Giblin, it is our duty to change the things we dislike about the system and to always attempt to make it better. Anyone can be the first person to initiate growth. “If we don’t do something, it’s never going to change,” he said.
Bucket list: Top things History Makers commit to do before graduation to inspiring RM students by Emily Chen
by Shiri Kalai
Whether you are a freshman just beginning your high school experience or a senior looking to make the last of your final school year, here is a list of activities to make your RM experience unforgettable.
Commit. Commit to your education; commit to being successful. Commitment was this year’s theme at the seventh annual “Back to School with the History Makers” event, held Thursday, September 29, in the Richard Montgomery auditorium. “[The History Makers] bring prominent African American figures into various schools throughout the country to share their personal stories of perseverance and success and how they’ve overcome various obstacles in their lives,” administrator and coordinator of the event, Mark Brown, said. Working toward the goal of closing the achievement gap, the event serves as a special salute to traditionally underrepresented minorities who succeed in their respective fields. “I think it’s really inspiring to look across the table, or on stage, and see some successful African American individuals, some people who look like them or may have the same struggles as them,” Mr. Brown commented. While wthe event is typically targeted towards African American students, all U.S. history, government, and modern world classes attended this event in the belief that the stories shared can inspire anyone, regardless of race. During the assembly, local ABC7 news anchor Maureen Bunyan spoke about the lack of opportunities afforded to her father, who had immigrated from Aruba and suffered from malaria. His misfortunes were extended to Ms. Bunyan herself. But in spite of her situation, she has been able to advance in her career. With just as powerful a story, Jacques Cook, a retired lawyer for the International Development Bank, spoke about his grandfather, a musician who had kept company with world-renowned figures like W.E.B Dubois and Frederick Douglass. Despite his musical success, Mr. Cook’s grandfather faced severe racial prejudices. After being told he was the “best negro violinist in the world,” his grandfather never played again, not wanting to be labeled by his race.
Buy a pizza from Hungry Howie’s During the month of October, the pizzas come in pink boxes, and part of all of the proceeds go towards breast cancer research. Run through the fountain in Rockville Town Center (RTC) Go to the RM vs. Rockville football game Football games are some of the most fun ways to show your rocket pride, as well as support the RM football teams. In particular, be sure to attend one of the most anticipated and exciting games of the season: RM vs. Rockville.
GRAPHIC BY KERN LEE
Be part of Hell’s Kitchen See next page. Go to Homecoming and Prom Dress up, take pictures with your friends, and go all out on the dance floor. Go to a coffeehouse Four to six times a year, Fine Lines hosts a coffeehouse in the chorus room where students can sign up to perform covers or original songs to an intimate audience. Go ice skating in RTC Once it gets chilly, ice skating is a great way to have fun with your friends. Don’t miss out on this bonding experience and the beautiful RTC night lights.
GRAPHIC BY KERN LEE
Go to RM Idol and Mr. RM RM Idol is our school’s own version of American Idol, where students compete in song to be named ‘RM Idol’ by a panel of judges. Mr. RM is an annual pageant where senior boys compete in talent, dance moves, and different attire. Paint a mural in the school National Art Honor Society is always recruiting students to design new murals or work on existing ones that beautify our school. Go to a Black Maskers production Black Maskers puts on one musical and one spring play each year. Be sure to check out Guys and Dolls on November 11, 12, 18, or 19. Have a Goetz as a teacher The Goetzes always have something new up their sleeves, whether it’s wearing wacky costumes, doing handstands, or jumping over students. Go all out for Spirit Week Rather than your average black and gold necklaces, deck out in face paint, tutus, and striped socks. Participate in the annual dodgeball tournament Form a team, design your own costumes, and compete against other teams in the school. Talk to the Fahrners Mr. Fahrner is an RM icon full of inspirational stories and Rocket pride, and his daughter Julie Fahrner-Swenson in the main office is always ready to help students.
RM has committed to forging an ongoing relationship with the History Makers. In fact, Ms. Bunyan’s last words before leaving were: “I expect to hear from you all, and I will be back.” The History Makers have also gifted RM with a free one-year subscription to their digital archives, which contain over 600 interviews with prominent African Americans. The archives typically cost $10,000.
PHOTO COURTESY OF MR. BROWN
Maureen Bunyan, an ABC7 news anchor, was one of this year’s two History Makers. Through the future visits and the archive subscription, Mr. Brown hopes that the speeches made at the event will stick with students and leave a lasting impression on them. “From my personal experience, in the African American community, many people believe [that] when you make it to where you’ve aspired to be...you always reach a hand out to someone else and help pull them up,” Mr. Brown said. And inspire the students they did. Sophomore Naomi Kebede was fascinated by Ms. Bunyan and Mr. Cook’s experiences: “I thought it was interesting to see [...] how [people] face discrimination in their fields but still accomplish great things. It was inspiring.”
20 The Tide
FEATURES
October 2016
Archaeology Club digs up Maryland’s rich history by Isabella Levine and Vivian Yeh
For 32 years, students of RM’s Archaeology Club have been traveling back to the past, by visiting historic sites and engaging in hands-on excavations. Not only do members unearth relics of Maryland’s history, but they also piece them together to formulate conclusions that enrich our understanding of the past and create new puzzles for future students to unravel. For two summers, the club has worked at excavating the Riggs House, a 500-acre farm plantation in Brookeville, Maryland. Members have uncovered porcelain, glass, china, and metal artifacts dating from the 1750s to the 1920s and even prehistoric eras. The club will likely spend several more years at the site, unearthing more clues about how our the people lived. “The house was built in 1758, so there are only two other houses older than that,” social studies teacher and club sponsor Mr. Robert Hines said. “No archaeology has ever been done, so this was a great opportunity to work at a place from the French and Indian War period.”
“The club digs the past to save it for the future.” -Mr. Hines Mr. Hines explained the simple yet timeconsuming process that the club uses to excavate: after conducting shovel tests, members lay out a Cartesian coordinate grid and sample different areas in order to pinpoint a digging location. “If we find something significant, we go wider in that
area so we start big, go small, get big again. It’s all about time and volunteers,” Mr. Hines explained. The club partners with the local Park Service, who occasionally supplies trained volunteers to help the club. The Park Service works alongside the club to avoid disturbing excavation sites when installing new bike paths and parking lots. In the past, it has diverted the route of a path that would have destroyed a historic site and delayed construction for a year to allow the club time to excavate. Archaeology Club is about more than just finding and collecting artifacts; along the way, members piece together their findings to construct a narrative of what happened at a certain time and place in history. While assembling this narrative, club members have to dig carefully in order to keep remnants of different time periods separate. “Archaeology is about trying to learn more about history through the artifacts and specific time periods,” sophomore Rohil Bajaj said. “You have to be mindful not to mix the time periods together.” In one of the club’s significant finds on the property, members were puzzled to discover expensive porcelain in and around centuries-old slave quarters. After consistently discovering chips or cracks in the porcelain, they constructed their current theory: “We hypothesized that when anything broke in the main house, they would give it to the slaves,” Bajaj explained. Beyond learning about the Riggs House as a plantation in the era of slavery, the club discovered more modern artifacts that extended their knowledge of the house’s timeline. “The artifacts let you date human activity,” Mr. Hines stated. “[We found this fireback] on the east side of the house, from between 1775 and 1780; that’s how helpful artifacts are—it dates the whole wing of the house, possibly.” The fireback was one of the biggest finds over the summer. When the club members
PHOTO BY TAYLOR BALFOUR
Archaeology Club spent this summer excavating the Riggs House in Brookeville, Md. uncovered it, the fireback was fully intact and still contained the manufacturer’s seal. “Its purpose was to reflect heat back into the home from the fireplace,” Bajaj said. The club is currently raising money to conserve the fireback at a state lab. Afterwards, it will eventually be sent to a museum. Once they are found, the artifacts are washed and dried, then entered into a database. Due to their deteriorated condition, they are often difficult to identify. “And if you’ve got three or four thousand artifacts, it’s a many-days process to enter all that and analyze the areas of concentration, date, and time period,” Mr. Hines added. Although the Archaeology Club is a significant time commitment that involves work during school days as well as weekends, members have found that their efforts are rewarded by the opportunity to do what they love. “I’ve had a passion for archaeology since I was in middle school, but I never really had the opportunity to
experience it before I came to RM,” said Isobel Coats, senior and president of the club. “It gets people outside, it brings people together, and it’s a lot of fun.” With three years of experience in the club, Coats has seen many artifacts come and go, but the club perpetually has new adventures to offer. “Every time you go out, you find something new and interesting,” she said. “The coolest artifact I’ve ever found was a semi-conserved plate, and we were able to trace it back to the factory where it was made in Sebring, Ohio in the 1920s.” As Mr. Hines put it, “The club digs the past to save it for the future.” Not only does Archaeology Club offer dedicated students the opportunity to experience archaeology in the field, but its members also get the chance to contribute to the Maryland’s ever-growing historical record. By searching for relics of the past, students of the club forge memories together that will endure far into the future.
Cooking up spirit with Hell’s Kitchen’s head chefs by Semret Hailie The bright stadium light pierces the darkness of the night, the packed student section screams their hearts out, the football players fight tirelessly on the field, and five upperclassmen stand in the front of the crowd banging pots and pans, wearing chef hats. This is the scene of Friday night football games. The five upperclassmen are the chefs of Hell’s Kitchen, and the enthuastic student section is their kitchen. The head chefs of Hell’s Kitchen are a select few of the most spirited people in the school. Each year’s head chefs are specially selected by the previous year’s head chefs so they can spread their infectious spirit and energy across the school. This year’s head chefs are seniors Kristina Murphy, Bryony Hollingsworth, Drew Byrd, and Kyle Wilson, and junior Chloe Sherman. “It’s different [than standing in the
bleachers] because you definitely feel like you have an impact. A lot of the players we cheer for are always thankful for us… It’s really nice to hear that we are positively affecting the game,” said Hollingsworth. Members of Hell’s Kitchen are delineated by their rank: Hollingsworth is the head chef, Sherman is the sous chef, and Wilson, Murphy, and Byrd are the assistant chefs. Their job is to get the crowd hyped up at football games by banging pots and pans and leading the crowd in spirited cheers. The chefs of Hell’s Kitchen help to make sure that the student section is exciting for everyone. Not only do they initiate chants, but they also generate hype by throwing pizza rolls and candy into the crowd. In fact, many of the phrases and references that you hear in the hallways and on the morning announcements are made popular throughout RM because of Hell’s Kitchen, including “bring the juice.” “This year we tried to work together to make new [chants], and since football uses “bring the
GRAPHIC BY KERN LEE
juice”, we decided that was going to be a big thing,” Sherman explained. The chefs look like naturals when it comes to getting the whole school involved in cheers, but in reality, they are just as surprised as the rest of us by what they are capable of. “Sometimes we need to tell the crowd something, like to quiet down, and then they all quiet down and you just feel so powerful. I didn’t know all these kids would listen to me,” Sherman said. For Hollingsworth, the energy from the crowd is contagious: “I get really happy and overexcited. There is just so much energy and enthusiasm, and everyone starts going crazy.” Possibly the greatest reason for Hell’s Kitchen’s success is the camaraderie between its chefs. “We’re actually really close. Even though we hang out with different friends, when it’s Hell’s Kitchen time we are inseparable,” Hollingsworth explained. Their close bond helps unite not only the chefs, but also the members of the crowd as they join together in support of the playPHOTO COURTESY OF RM SGA The five head chefs of Hell’s Kitchen take school spirit to a whole new level on Fridays. ers on the field. “It is a unification factor.
Everyone wants to have a good year, everyone wants to have a memorable experience. It’s all just a unified effort to make the games good,” Byrd said. Though Hell’s Kitchen puts a great responsibility on its chefs to unite all of RM, the five chefs consistently express their passion for school spirit. “I love RM, I love the community, I love [football],” Hollingsworth said. “I think there is a really positive attitude that goes on in [the] RM community at sporting events.” The efforts of Hell’s Kitchen are also appreciated by the athletes on the field. “I have been told by the football players that they do hear us chant, and hearing us cheer makes them so happy that they have such a loud, enthusiastic crowd,” Murphy explained. “It makes them all know that we care, [that] ‘we’re here for you.’ So it’s really cool knowing that even with their helmets and them playing on the field, they can still hear us screaming for them.” Not only does Hell’s Kitchen drum up hype for the football games, but they also try their best to attend other sporting events if requested. However, they don’t want their status as head chefs during games to make them seem above everyone else. “Just because there are a few of us leading the cheers doesn’t mean that everybody else can’t be included so I think it’s really important for everyone to come out to the games,” Hollingsworth explained. “When there are more people that’s when it gets the loudest, and the players play the best because they feel supported.” Hell’s Kitchen brings their infectious spirit and energy wherever they go, touching the lives of both students and athletes. As the stadium lights flood the field, Hell’s Kitchen will be banging their pots and pans, cooking up another Friday night to remember.
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October 2016
Paralympians pursue dreams NHL season begins by Grace Zhou For athletes with disabilities ranging from a limb deficiency to visual impairment, the Paralympics offer them the ability to pursue their dreams. The Paralympic games are an intense series of rigorous international multi-sport events specially designed for physically disabled people. Athletes from a range of ten disability categories can be a part of these competitions, which were held this past summer from Septemer 7-18. Founded in 1948 by Sir Ludwig Guttmann, the games were designed to give those with disabilities the opportunity to display their athletic skill. The goal of the event is to emphasize ability not disability and to stop discrimination against the disabled in the sports world. Twelve years later, in 1960, these games became known as the Paralympics, featuring 400 athletes from 23 different countries. Takoma Park Middle School teacher Brian Goehring volunteered for the Paralympics in 1984. “It’s a wonderful event because it demonstrates the strength of a human spirit… As I recall, many athletes were as good as the pros,” he said. With twenty-two sports in the summer program and five during the winter, there is a variety of events that athletes are able to participate in. Sports from the Olympics are modified to fit the needs of the individuals participating. For example, there is sledge hockey, wheelchair basketball, and wheelchair tennis. According to the Paralympic
Comittee, to participate in the Games, athletes are evaluated to determine the extent to which they are limited by their impairment. Then, they are grouped into different classes by their ability to perform a certain activity. Some sports have more classes than others, meaning they accept athletes with more minor impairments. This classification process is done in order to give all the athletes an equal playing
the 2016 games. Another 2016 Paralympian is swimmer Brad Snyder, who lost both his eyes while serving in the military. In an interview with the Bismarck Tribune, he described how difficult it was to do everyday tasks, such as walking, dressing, and even putting toothpaste on a toothbrush. “Many of us think we have obstacles in life,” Goehring explained. “[But] these athletes
field to compete. This year in Rio, the Female Athlete of the Paralympics was Tatyana McFadden, who excelled in all wheelchair racing events. Born with severe spina bifida, a birth defect where the spinal cord fails to develop properly, McFadden learned to walk on her hands before using a wheelchair. Now, she is known as one of the best wheelchair racers of alltime, recently winning four gold medals along with two silver in
have challenges we could never imagine, yet [they] have the fortitude to overcome [them].” The Paralympics are an opportunity and a reminder that anyone can achieve their goals as long as they make the decision and work towards it. “It shows that every person can achieve excellence no matter what their disability or circumstances may be… and it’s very influential for everyone to aspire to,” junior Angel Ramos concluded.
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by Jacob Logsdon and Andy Zabinski The National Hockey League (NHL) started the 2016-2017 season on October 12. All thirty professional teams have prepared for the long haul of the season in hopes of winning the Stanley Cup -- the trophy awarded annually to the winner of the playoffs. From October to April, every team in the league plays 82 brutal and demanding games. Come April, when the regular season comes to a close, teams increase their intensity even more for the Stanley Cup playoffs. This season, the hometown Washington Capitals and the Chicago Blackhawks are both projected to be strong contenders to win the Stanley Cup. “I think that the Capitals will probably win the Stanley Cup because they have a good mix of veterans and rookies, and have [starting] goalie Braden Holtby back this year, who is definitely a top three goalie,” sophomore Ryan Migler explained. “The [Blackhawks] could [also] win the Stanley Cup because they have the most experience in the playoffs and had a very good record last year.” Sophomore Abubakar Audu agreed: “[The Capitals} have one of the best goaltenders in the league, and coming off of a very strong season last year, I expect the Capitals to be at the front of the division throughout the whole season.” The top eight teams from both the Eastern and Western conferences with the highest amount of points make it to the playoffs. Points are allocated
by wins, ties, and losses, and in the playoffs, a bracket style tournament is held in each conference. Teams compete in a best of seven tournament to detemine who moves on to the next round. The winner of each conference plays in the final series, known as the Stanley Cup Finals. Despite being a very strong team, the Capitals have never won the Cup. This season, however, RM students think they have everything it takes to win a championship. “For the last ten years, [the Capitals] have been good, but now they have everything they need to win the Stanley Cup, like a strong first line and a great goalie,” Audu said. Audu also believes the Tampa Bay Lightning of the Atlantic Division may find success this year; “They have made it to the finals [for] two years now. With their captain back in the lineup and a team with great chemistry, they might be fighting for the lead in the division.” Even though the Toronto Maple Leafs finished in last place last year, some think they have hope in the upcoming season. “They had the first pick in the draft last year, and they also have a team full of young players with a lot of potential,” Audu said. “They just need to find a way to unlock that potential.” The upcoming season looks promising for many players and teams. The Blackhawks, Capitals, and even the underdog Maple Leaves could come out on top. It is up to the teams to go out on the ice and prove what their skill, but no matter who wins in the end, RM students will be eagerly watching the games.
Boms give a blow-out performance for pep rally by Charlotte Beckford While the fall season is typically dominated by pumpkin spice, football games, and the Homecoming dance, there is one event that everyone looks forward to: the annual showcase of the Boms squad. Boms is similar to the Poms squad, except it is made up of male seniors who decide to put their dancing to the test. This year about thirty enthusiastic seniors joined Boms with the goal of raising school spirit. The Boms squad met every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday at lunch in the weeks leading up to the pep rally to practice their routines. “The boys are very
enthusiastic and there is definitely lots of bonding in the very spirited atmosphere,” senior Chris Park said. “I [had] a great time at every practice, and I loved performing at the fall pep rally where we can show off our moves.” “We usually learn our routines in an I do - we do - you do way,” Ben Fishman recalled. “First the coaches show us, then we do it with the coach, then we do it without the coach.” The Boms have built a positive reputation by consistently producing fun performances. “I’m excited to see them perform,” freshman Katie Kolodner said. “I want to see not only their creativity, but also their performance in contrast with the Poms.” “The Boms are frequently mentioned by [the freshmen],
PHOTO BY MONA LEE
Boms debuts their newfound talents at the homecoming pep rally.
especially by the guys,” Kolodner continued. “It was really easy to learn what they were.” During the pep rally, the Boms made use of quirky clothes, comical dance moves, and spirit to entertain their audiences. Eliciting cheer after cheer, the energetic dancing of the Boms is what often causes them to shine. “The lively energy they give the crowd is really amazing,” junior Paul Baringanire commented, “They don’t just dance, they dance to good songs with funny dance moves.” Despite the short time period the boys have to practice and perfect their routine, they still draw consistent positive feedback from the school. “I think they demonstrate to the school that it’s okay to be weird, different, and not be perfect,” sophomore Genesis Henriquez remarked. “It’s like a different type of cheer, almost more relatable and funny.” “Personally, I love their performances. They’re so fun and entertaining to watch,” Henriquez added. Their comical nature not only draws fans from the audience, but also from aspiring Boms members. At the beginning of the year, flocks of new seniors come to lunch time meetings in the hopes of joining Boms. “I want to make myself known around the school
PHOTO BY MONA LEE
Boms debuts their newfound talents at the Homecoming pep rally. for being funny,” Baringanire legacy in senior year only further said. “I want to be performing adds to the already tremendous with them.” appeal of joining Boms. Many of the current seniors Short and tall, scholastic and also felt this impulse and athletic, all types of students can gained their passion for Boms be found on the Boms squad, as spectators in the stands. With united by their desire to make each passing year, their desire people laugh. Every year the to join steadily grew as they Boms are composed of a different watched Boms show their spirit at group of seniors, yet one thing pep rallies. ties them together: their spirit. “I’ve seen three other groups Senior Marcus Suzuki of senior boys go through, so I explained, “To me, being a Bom really could not wait to experience is to enjoy everything. It’s not like this myself,” Park explained. we get a certificate or anything, Along with this passion for we just do it for pure fun.” spirit, they also seek to have fun The Bom members’ enthusiam amongst themselves. “I joined the can clearly be seen by everyone Boms to have a good time and to who watches them perform. get to know some of the seniors Through their hard work, they better,” Fishman said. This deliver confidence, enthusiasm opportunity to create a lasting and spirit.
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October 2016
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RM football team bowls through their opponents by Michael Pan RM’s football season has gotten off to a tremendous start. Having beaten Einstein, Kennedy, Rockville, Wootton, and Walter Johnson, things are looking promising for the Rockets going into the rest of the season. Coach Klotz attributes their success to what he calls the team’s “will to win.” “The team has had the will to win since January,” Klotz explained. The team started preparing for their season almost immediately after their season ended last year. Their will has certainly shined brightly in their past few games, and has resulted in their current 7-1 record. The team began the season with a win against the Einstein Titans. The first score of the game was a pass from junior Spencer Silverstein to junior Daryn Alexander that resulted in a touchdown. The Rockets scored once more in the first quarter and the quarter ended with the rockets leading 13-7. The second quarter was close, ending with both teams scoring 7 points and the Rockets extending their lead to 20-14. The Rockets dominated the third quarter scoring 20 points. From there on out the Rockets scored one more touchdown and the score ended in a win for the Rockets 47-36. The team followed up their win over Einstein with a dominating victory over Kennedy High School. The team started out strong in the first two quarters scoring 40 points, giving the team a lead of 40-0. However, the Cavaliers fought back in the
second half and the third quarter ended with no points gained. In the fourth quarter the Cavaliers scored twice bringing the score to 40-12. The Rockets ran out the clock and the game ended with another win for the Rockets. The team continued their winning streak against their rival the Rockville Rams. Although the game started off a bit shaky for the Rockets, with a RHS touchdown in the first three minutes, the team recovered quickly. A few plays later, star running back and senior Tylen Hebron ran the ball into the end zone to tie the score at 6-6. The Rockets finished the quarter with a small lead of 7-6. The Rockets increased their lead in the second quarter with two touchdowns, bringing them to a 28-20 victory. Gaining momentum game after game, the Rockets’ record from 3-0 to 5-0 with victories over Wootton HS and Walter Johnson HS. Unfortunately, the team lost their winning streak in their match against Northwest HS, finishing with a 46-13 loss. The Rockets beat Poolesville HS in an exciting Homecoming game, defeating the Falcons 35-0. In their match against Clarksburg, the Rockets came out victorious again, narrowly beating the Coyotes by one point, 28-27. With these wins bolstering school spirit, the team is looking forward to their upcoming games. When asked about his predictions about the playoffs, Coach Klotz explained, “[We are] taking it one game at a time... not trying to think ahead to other games.” The strategy behind their mindset is that it is beneficial to focus on the task at hand instead
PHOTO COURTESY OF RM SGA
The football team huddles together to decide on their next play during one of the first games this year. of getting ahead of oneself. To prepare for a game, the coaches make a game plan specific to the opposing school. Then all of the players study the plays and the general plan. There are many players on the team that have been instrumental to the team’s success. According to Coach Klotz, this category of key players includes running back Hebron, quarterback Spencer Silverstein, and senior safety George Bryan. He cited the entire offensive line as a critical piece of their team. Sophomore Todd Thoman, another member of the team, adde that the defensive line has also made a huge contribution. Hebron has had a great season and has contributed in each and every game. He has had a total of 13 touchdowns this year and has accumulated a total of 1020 yards.
Hebron has scored a minimum of two touchdowns in each game thus far. His teammates agree with Klotz’s evaluation. Todd stated, “Tyler has had a great year, and has been a very important player.” Another key player has been quarterback Silverstein. In the first five games, he completed 40 passes out of his 61 attempted, and has only had two interceptions. He also passed a total of 623 yards in the beginning of the season. As the team has experienced more and more success, more people are becoming passionate about football. Coach Klotz feels that this shift is a positive thing and is very excited about it. “When we started off the season there were only around 20 people that went to the games, now there are easily hundreds of people watching,” he explained.
He feels that the football games help create a sense of community within the school and he is very excited about the rekindled Rocket pride. When you see all the success the football team has had there are inevitably some stereotypes that automatically associated with the team. Coach Klotz thinks that one of the biggest stereotypes there is, is that the athletes won’t be able to balance sports with academics and will do poorly in school. However, Coach Klotz believes that his football them is the epitome of how you can balance the two. Coach Klotz explained, “We have a paper that lists all the students with 3.0 GPAs or higher and we have almost run out of space.” This proves that the RM Football team not only has great athletes but great students as well.
RM welcomes new cross country coach Dave Warren by Aneeta Ashton “We are the Rockets, couldn’t be prouder. If you can’t hear us, we’ll get a little louder.” Familiar chants like these at games, a signal of the sense of school community and pride, is what brought new cross country assistant coach David Warren to Richard Montgomery. After coming from crosscounty rival Winston Churchill HS, the current fall season is Warren’s first with the Rockets. “I was looking for a breath of fresh air. It was a chance to get into a new environment and an opportunity to work with a really good coach. I haven’t been disappointed,” Warren explained. From an outside perspective, Warren might seem like an average high school coach, but dig a little deeper, and Warren’s
“If coaching interests you, never calculate your hourly wage.” -Dave Warren
PHOTO BY TAYLOR BALFOUR
Coach Warren oversees warm-ups on the RM track before a meet. true colors shine. During his time at UMBC, he double-majored in history and education. As a college student, his priority was mainly track and field, focusing on hurdles, but he also loved cross country. “I always liked the family atmosphere and the communal suffering. When I was younger I played almost every sport,” Warren said. But towards the end of his college career, Warren realized that his true passion lay in some form of coaching or teaching; “I was lucky enough to have some really good coaches along
the way. Both of my coaches in college were really smart and made sure you were always in a good position to succeed. I think they did a good job of transferring their knowledge to me; my job is to pass it on to the next generation,” Warren continued. “[If coaching interests you, never calculate your hourly wage. The best thing about being a coach is being around enthusiastic kids every day. When people want to be involved good things happen,” he emphasized. Warren enjoys going to practice because he loves seeing the kids work hard toward their
goals. It’s for this reason that he never misses a practice. “Obviously everyone likes to win, so any time a kid that you work with wins it is pretty awesome. They put in the work to achieve that goal... I have been fortunate to work with a few kids who have gone on to win some big meets,” Warren reflected. His impact on the student runners is obvious. Freshman Anagha Shastry said, “He always gives us tips to help us go faster... He is half the reason I do well in races and I am very grateful to him.” For Warren, there’s nothing more inspiring than watching some of the top runners in the world do what they do best: race. “I’ve seen… Usain Bolt and Allyson Felix compete at really big meets. When you see them compete, you are speechless,” he explained. Outside of coaching and running, Warren is a radio broadcaster. He works at the Metropolitan Washington Ear, a radio reading service for the blind and visually impaired. He and his colleagues read newspapers and other print text on air. Their goal is to keep people who can’t effectively read print text up to date. Warren explained, “I do a lot of tech work, hardware, software, networking... It’s a fun job and we have a good mission.”
Warren has high hopes for the his time at RM: “The goals are always to have fun, be healthy, learn about yourself and your sport, reach your own goals and hopefully win [a meet].” He has high regard for senior
“I always liked the family atmosphere and the communal suffering.” -Dave Warren Rohann Asfaw, admiring his work ethic and dedication. But he is also convinced that anyone on the team can do what Asfaw has done- it is just a matter if they want to go after it or not. “I think [Coach Rogers and I] want to have a team of Rohanns, Philips, Chengs and Nefrets every single year,“ Warren reflected, referencing a few of RM’s most accomplished cross country runners from this season. Warren hopes to help every runner on the squad to find their potential: “Every single kid has that potential. If you want it, you need to break out of your routine.”
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Athlete of the Issue
October 2016
Hollingsworth keeps spirits high through injuries by Sierra Longest “There’s nothing I love more than sports,” senior Bryony Hollingsworth began, a grin stretched across her face as she recalled the memories from her past four years. Her journey as a soccer player actually started as a football player, when she first moved from her hometown, of Nottingham to Reading, UK in 2007. The change in schools left Hollingsworth friendless. She took to kicking a ball against a wall at recess to pass time, before finally deciding to join the soccer games that the other kids played. “This girl… saw me playing and asked me to come out and join her team, so I did,” she explained.
When Hollingsworth moved to Maryland, she found that the biggest difference was the weather. “I was so used to playing in the rain and cold and sliding around in the mud,” she said. “Then I came [to Maryland] and I played my first game [on turf] in the summer heat and humidity. Getting used to that heat was incredibly hard.” After her freshman soccer seeason ended, track coach Davy Rogers, tried to recruit her for the indoor track team. She ended up joining the swimming team instead, but tried out for outdoor track in the spring. That was when she fell in love with track, and she’s done it every year since. Over the years, Hollingsworth has discovered different aspects of both sports that she loves. “I like soccer for the team, the heart, and the intelligence behind the game,”
PHOTO COURTESY OF MOCO RUNNING
Hollingsworth hurdles through a race against B-CC high school.
she explained. “But I love track because it’s so competitive, and everything you work for is really shown in your performance.” What mainly draws her to these sports is her competitiveness and the high energy that comes with it. Hollingsworth’s natural athleticism gives her a clear advantage over others, but it’s also largely due to her work ethic, something that automatically comes to mind when her coaches and friends are asked to describe her. “She’s always participating and giving 110% to the workouts,” senior track teammate Halle Phillips recalled. Coach Rogers believes her motivation really inspires those around her to adopt the same positive attitude towards working hard during practice. “I know she works as hard as she can,” Rogers said. “She’s usually one of the first ones out there and she’s almost always the last to leave.” An on-and-off back condition has restricted Hollingsworth’s performance over the past five years. “It’s something I was born with,” she explained. “I’m really inflexible, which has caused a lot of problems that wouldn’t normally come up.” Her coaches and teammates have only gained respect for Hollingsworth as they have watched her battle with her condition. “Bryony is always there and comes out and supports
PHOTO BY PAT RATOWSKI
Hollingsworth makes huge strides past the Blair Blazers’ defense. her team… she’s a great example After graduating, she hopes for the younger kids of how you to keep participating in sports need to work,” Rogers continued. throughout college. Though hurt, she consistently “Last year I actually got a manages to put on a brave face for couple of college offers to play her team. Her spirit is infectious, soccer. But, unfortunately, I’ve and it’s something most students had to leave behind the idea of can see at Roy Lester Stadium playing at that high of a level during football games;. because of my back,” she said. Hollingsworth is one of the Her main goal is just to keep chefs of Hell’s Kitchen, where she doing what she loves and spreads school spirit. “I honestly competing against others. didn’t think I’d be chosen... It’s Hollingsworth will never so fun and exciting and I look forget the experience she’s had forward to every game,” she said. at RM. “The track coaches are Hollingsworth also uses her some of the best coaches I’ve ever high energy to support her had,” she said. “Especially Coach teammates. “She’s always happy, Rogers and Coach Wheeler. They and it spreads through the rest have always believed in me and of the team,” soccer teammate inspired me. They have always sophomore Delaney Goetz been there for me throughout said. “It really helps pick us up all of my injury problems and when we’re feeling down about I couldn’t be more thankful for ourselves during a game.” them.”
Cross country’s talent exceeds coachs’ expectations by Katie Spencer and Giulia Testa Their alarms clocks sound long before the first tint of sun creeps over the horizon. It’s early on a Saturday morning, and each of RM’s finest cross country runners have a long day ahead of them. They meet at school first, where they collect and crowd onto two school buses. The buses then take them as far north as Pennsylvania, or as far west as Virginia. Hundreds of runners from all over the DMV compete side by side at high schools, regional parks, or plantations. Completing the five kilometer race is never easy, whether through the daunting heat and dampening humidity of late August, or the crisp and biting breeze of early November. Weekend invitationals are very common in addition to several scattered weekday meets against other Montgomery County schools, making it difficult for runners to balance other activities. However, nothing beats the sense of school pride that is generated as they represent RM far from home. Spirits are high as both teams surge past the halfway point in the season. Senior captain Rohann Asfaw is optimistic about the condition of his fellow runners. “This year’s team has been a lot more promising than the last few years, and I think we can go really far this year,” Asfaw said. Asfaw expressed his sadness of running his last high school cross country season, but he’s not
letting it impact his performance: “It’s kind of sad but I don’t let it get me too much. I’m going to run in college, and I’ll definitely be back to visit often.” Junior captain Joachim El-Masry expressed his feelings on Asfaw’s impending absence saying, “He’s my best friend and we always run together, so it’ll be weird not
It’s early on a Saturday morning, and each of RM’s finest cross country runners have a long day ahead of them. having him around.” “I think we are well ahead of where we’ve been,” head coach Davy Rogers explined. Rogers has been a driving force in the team’s early success, creating training schedules that strategically plan for certain peaks in the season. The team completed rigorous workouts, like conquering the steep hill at Robert Frost Middle School. Rogers saves these daunting tasks only for teams he deems “ready for it.” With lots of great talent comes a need for great leadership from the upperclassmen. Asfaw and
El-Masry are joined by senior cocaptains Philip Miljanic and Amit Koppel. “I noticed that I’m very influential and I plan to use it for good, and show the kids the right things to do,” Asfaw explained. On the girls side, junior Nefret El-Masry also leads the team alongside senior co-captains Xochi Cartland, Carrie Smith, and Madeleine Cheng. Both girls and boys teams lost many great runners since last year, and have been working to adjust to the changes. Despite this, sophomore Marlee San Sebastian remains confident in the team and says “I think the team is looking really good this year.” This loss has allowed younger runners to step up and display their talents. Coach Rogers was very pleased with the new freshmen who have produced impressive results in such little time. “We do have some very good freshmen on the boys side. We have Garrett Suhr and Nick Olano, who’ve pretty much put themselves in the top 5 right away. And on the girls side, Michelle Campano and Natalie Caldaro have both put themselves in the top 7 immediately.” Suhr is excited to represent the varsity team his freshman year, saying “It feels good that I am able to represent RM, the varsity team, as a young boy.” A very important aspect of the team is their ability to create and achieve goals, by pushing themselves and each other. Asfaw hopes to run a time under 15 minutes for his five kilometer
run, which would significantly boost his chances for qualifying for the nationwide meet held in Portland, Oregon. Suhr shared his ambitious goal: “Be the top freshman in the county.” Nefret El-Masry has directed her ambitions towards the benefit of her team: “I hope that I can help the girls team qualify to states for the third year in a row,” she explained. Both cross country teams are very tightly knit, sharing in the tradition of hosting spaghetti dinners the night before a large invitational. Joachim El-Masry explained, “[We] always have spaghetti dinners, where we all get together and have fun and eat.” The girls team also does extra team bonding on their own. San Sebastian mentioned some things the girls team has done to bond:
“We’ve had hair bands made for each other, and we have a sleepover that’s going to happen.” Runners have already participated in several notable invitationals and meets, including a fundraiser hosted at Lake Needwood in northeastern Rockville. The “Runathon” consisted of a two-mile loop through the wooded lakeshore. Runners were sponsored by friends and family to raise money. The money will be passed off to the Booster Club, which will provide for the rest of the team’s needs throughout the season. The girls and boys cross country teams have worked extremely hard this season and are hoping to make it to states this year. Both teams are looking strong and are continuing to improve and run faster each week.
PHOTO BY MADDIE FRANKE
The boys and girls cross country teams pose for a picture after a race.