The Tide - June 2023

Coach Urioste’s efforts pay off

as Robert Boychen and Khalid Aljarafi secured the win. Rockets

by Julia Fine SPORTS WRITER

Everyone was talking about it. After a disappointing season for many of RM’s fall sports teams, one team had defied the odds and brought home a regional championship. Despite being 3-4-1 just weeks before and their hopes of making a deep run in the playoffs almost crushed, the boy’s soccer team persevered to pull off an amazing upset win. After beating the number one seed, Churchill, in the semifinal in overtime, the team was set up to face Whitman for the regional title. RM and Whitman fans packed the stands and were loud supporters. In an exciting game, RM defeated Whitman 4-3 in penalties. As the game came down to an intense penalty shootout, JV goalie call-up Solomon Snowdy was a saving grace for the team, and shooters such

fans raced onto the field, and the screams “Vamos Rockets” could be heard all around. While the players are one part of the success, the coaching behind them is just as important. Coaching close games like those do not come easy and takes a lot of focus and knowledge of the game.

RM was lucky to have a coach who could handle this type of

COACH cont. page 15

Coach of the Year: Brian Urioste

Survey shows factors in college decisions

by Max Belyantsev, Annie Guo and Raha Murtuza ASSISTANT OPINIONS EDITOR, CROSSWORD EDITOR AND ASSISTANT ARTS EDITOR

The last day for seniors was Friday, May 26, and almost all of those who are headed to college have finally decided on a destination for the next four years.

According to a survey of RM seniors, the University of Maryland is the most popular school, with around 25 percent of those surveyed choosing to commit. Most are remaining on the East coast, with only a small minority moving west or going international.

The graduating class of 2023 claims a wide range of majors, including Economics, Musical Theatre, Forensic Science, and Philosophy, among many others. The survey’s most popular majors include Business, Engineering, Biology and Computer Science.

Promgoers celebrate end of year

by Deeta Gupta NEWS WRITER

RM held its prom on May 19, where juniors and seniors were able to celebrate the end of the school year on the dance floor. This year’s theme was “fire and ice.”

Seniors were happy with the way prom was organized. “It was a lot of fun to dance with my friends and spend time at prom night, kind of engaging in these school com munity building activities,” senior Samantha Wu said.

trada, Annyee Foo, Hannah Joya, Ella Koenig, Jake Lee, Hrishita Mareddy, Pacifico Murphy, Citlali Pelaez and Samantha Wu.

The members of prom court are announced during prom and attendees vote at the beginning of the event. The winners, or “prom royalty,” are announced later on in the event. This year, Wu and Asa

selected as prom royalty.

“I was kind of over the moon and really happy to be voted for and it felt really nice,” Asafu-Adjaye said.

“I was really surprised to be honest,” Wu said. “I was super excited because me and my best friend were both on it together and I just did not think that either of us was going to win. Honestly, asking people, I don’t even know who voted.”

Multiple student-athletes received offers from colleges, including Mackenzie Caldwell-Degnon, who committed to Wilson College to play basketball. “It’s a long process when deciding where you want to attend college,” she said. “My advice to juniors now is to not rush your decision and to commit to [the] school that feels right.”

Many students face pressure to attend the most prestigious school possible. It’s important to consider many other relevant factors aside from school ranking, including incoming class size, student-to-faculty ratio, campus location, dormitory conditions and availability of majors, minors and certificate programs that cater to one’s career goals. Ultimately, any combination of these factors may be more significant than a difference in ranking in determining the quality of your college experience.

This year, grade 12 Assis tant Principal Robin Wheeler was responsible for overseeing prom. Planning for this event generally starts around Jan uary with a group of juniors who pick a list of themes. This information is then set to the prom decorators who ad vise the planning team about what the best next steps are.

Prom is generally scheduled to last from 8 - 11:30 p.m. The venue for prom has consistent ly been at the Rockville Hilton for many years, mainly due to its proximity to students’ homes and the post prom event. “The venue has separate rooms to break things up. One with the dance floor and one where people can get away if needed and sit down and grab some food,” Ms. Wheeler said.

One highlight of prom is crowning the prom court and prom royalty. The 10 seniors on prom court for this year are: Kobina Asafu-Adjaye, Nadia Es

“Prom court was really fun. I just got to have a really great time with all of the other nominees and I think it was just a really good end to my senior year that I couldn’t have asked for,” Asafu-Adjaye said. However, the traditional concept of prom court has been scrutinized in recent years due to its gender norms and discriminatory titles. According to an article from Love to Know, “there’s very little room in the tradition and language of Prom King and Prom Queen to include individuals who fall outside the binary (transgender, nonbinary, etc.).”

While this may seem like a concern to many, seniors concluded that the selection of RM’s prom royalty was seemingly more inclusive. “I also appreciate the way RM does their best to make it more gender-in-

“He played an instrumental role in our success this season.”

- Jordy Villanueva

clusive for everyone and tries to not have titles as ‘Prom King’ or ‘Prom Queen,’ but just as ‘Prom Royalty’,” Asafu-Adjaye said.

GRAPHIC BY CHLOE CHOI

TOP LEFT Students celebrate on the dance floor; TOP MIDDLE Friends take photos at the Lincoln Memorial; TOP RIGHT Promgoers crowd at the Rockville Hilton; BOTTOM RIGHT Seniors pose at the photo booth; BOTTOM MIDDLE Prom king Kobina Asafu-Adjaye and prom queen Samantha Wu are crowned; BOTTOM LEFT Students head to D.C. to take Instagram pictures for their final prom.

PHOTOS BY TARA AMIN, MICHAELA BOEDER, BALMORE RUIZ GUARDADO AND EVELYN SHUE

MoCo Medicaid recipients may no longer have benefits

by Akshya Mahadevan NEWS WRITER

MCPS releases new plan to address antiracist audit findings

by Aisosa Ojo-Odiase NEWS WRITER

In May, Montgomery County Public Schools released the Antiracist System Action Plan, a proposal to amend inequitable MCPS policies and practices that address the needs of students of color differently from their White peers.

MCPS wrote on its website that “racial disparities can be found in almost every area of MCPS including reading levels, participation in higher-level classes, graduation rates, suspension and discipline rates, and staffing.” The initial audit, conducted by the Mid-Atlantic Equity Consortium, also found that students, families and staff of color reported having a less satisfactory experience with MCPS than other members of the community.

The audit’s individual school report for RM showed that about 23.4 percent of RM students who responded to the surveys said that they felt they had been treated differently due to their race, skin color, ethnicity or culture. The audit also reported that 21.3 percent of RM students said staff made assumptions about their intelligence or behavior based on their racial identity.

Some RM students can attest to this being accurate. “Most teachers have a different set of standards and expectations for Black students than their non-Black counterparts. There have been so many instances where my teachers will act shocked that I re-

GRAPHIC BY JULIANNE CRUZ

ceived a certain score in their class but not have that same reaction to other students. It just gives me the impression that they think it’s not possible for a minority student to do well academically,” sophomore Gabriella Elias, a Black student of Ethiopian descent, said.

“I myself have experienced racism within the classroom by repeatedly being mistaken for the other Black girl in my class when we look nothing alike,” sophomore Madison Carter, a Black student, said.

MCPS also released a threeyear action plan, which according to their website, is designed to address the findings and recommendations from their anti-racist system audit. The action plan contains three levels: system-level actions, domain-specific actions and school-level actions. It intends to target racism by first providing system-wide training for all staff, teaching students and teachers about racism to target school culture and having each school tailor their responses and goals based on their individual school reports.

Some students are skeptical about whether advisory lessons are an effective way to mitigate the issue. “[The lessons] have been the same for so long that we don’t learn anything new,” junior Madeline Watson, a White student of Polish and German descent, said.

“People are on their phones, talking to their friends or making fun of the material presented which just creates an uncomfortable environment for students of color like myself,” Elias said.

Medicaid, a joint federal and state program, provides healthcare coverage to low-income individuals and families. Montgomery County soon will be affected by the withdrawal of Medicaid benefits for numerous residents.

At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government declared a public health emergency, which facilitated expanded access to Medic aid coverage and ensured essential healthcare services for many vulnerable populations. However, with the recent termination of this emergency declaration, the future of Medicaid coverage for numerous residents in the county is still unclear.

During the pandemic, Med icaid automatically renewed for the 210,000 Montgomery County residents who were using the pro gram. But with the end of the fed eral declaration of a public health emergency COVID-19, eligibility checks for the healthcare ser vice have been reintroduced.

“All Medicaid recipients are going to have to go through

prompted by a combination of factors, including a significant re duction in federal funding due to the cut of enhanced funding during the pandemic and mounting bud get constraints. As icaid expenses to rise, Mont County found to sustain the burden of sup the program equately. “While understand the rea soning behind this reevaluation for eligi bility, it is definitely scary for families who have been relying on Medicaid heavily these past few years,” senior Jessica Sun said. The limitation of Medic aid support will have severe consequences for the county’s most vulnera ble residents, including low-income families, indi viduals with disabilities and the elderly. These populations heav ily rely on Medicaid to access vital medical services, including doctor visits, prescription medications and hospital care.

Students at RM have expressed deep concerns about the impact of this decision. “This could have terrible effects on the future of Montgomery County. These entities often lack the resources to fill the widening healthcare gap, leaving vulnerable residents with limited al-

ternatives for affordable healthcare,” junior Joy Jiang said.

However, there are secondary options for residents. “That’s not to say that they cannot transition into a ified health plan county safety-net program,” Yvonne Iscandari, a senior administrator with the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, told WTOP. Those who are no longer eligible for Medicaid coverage may still qualify for private or county insurance safety net programs. Many Montgomery County community members, including RM students, hope to seek solutions to mitigate possible adverse effects on residents.

“Our ultimate goal should be ensuring that every individual, regardless of their income level, has access to the healthcare services they need to lead healthy and productive lives,” Jiang said.

In the coming months, the impact of the limitation of Medicaid support in Montgomery County will become more apparent. “It is crucial that all policymakers collaborate to address the immediate healthcare needs of the affected population and to advocate for sustainable, long-term solutions to bridge the healthcare gap,” Sun said.

- Joy Jiang

a redetermination process,” Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich said during his weekly briefing. According to WTOP, even though 50 percent of Montgomery County residents have had their healthcare automatically renewed, 17,000 may lose their Medicaid benefits. The county’s decision was

June

GRAPHICS BY EVELYN SHUE AND CAROLINE DINH

“This could have terrible effects on the future of Montgomery County.”

Lead still found in MD public schools’ water

by Cindy Jin NEWS WRITER

Lead found in Maryland schools’ water has been an ongoing concern for years, and data collected by the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) and other sources provides evidence that the issue is still prevalent. According to Maryland Law (Chapter 386, 2017), all occupied schools, regardless of public, private or charter, are required to test once every three years for the presence of lead in all drinking water outlets.

Results from these tests administered by the MDE in coordination with the Maryland State Department of Education

question of what districts are doing to address the problem.

In a feature by WBAL-TV, chief operating

dents because those are the newest buildings that can afford to have modern pipes and other fixtures. Washington told the news source that the lead tests are primarily being conducted in those aforementioned schools, and that families should not be concerned because if any school water systems are detected to contain lead, they can simply be turned off.

“I think they should have to test all schools, not just the newer ones [in order] to see which schools [need reconstruction so they can] rank the replacement needs. A school that’s built in like

MoCo Council approves final FY 2024 budget

by Samantha Cutler NEWS WRITER

The final vote to approve the fiscal year (FY) 2024 Montgomery County budget took place on May 25, with an informal straw vote occuring May 18. The budget passed, allocating $6.7 billion, with $3.1 billion going to education and the rest supporting infrastructure, facilities and other county-wide programs.

The initially proposed budget included a 10 percent property tax increase, but after community and council efforts, that increase was reduced to 4.7 percent. “We achieved these goals by reducing the proposed property tax, finding efficiencies in government operations and making strategic investments to keep Montgomery County moving forward,” Council President Evan Glass said in a press statement.

“We fully funded teacher

contracts and met salary and benefit agreements for our hardworking first responders, police and healthcare workers,” Glass said. “At the same time, we cut the County Executive’s proposed 10 percent proper ty tax hike by more than half.” some from real estate recordation, will be used for school facili ties. This would allow for heat ing, ven tilation and air conditioning replacements and largerenovations, as well as a great er focus on student resourc es like wellness centers, more school nurses and psychologists, and modernized technology.

The budget allocates near-

ly half of its share to MCPS, an increase of 8.4 percent fromcil additionally supportedly fund Montgomery College.

To implement the proposed changes to the FY 2024 MCPS budget, County Executive Marc Elriched thecrease ines, which would givelic school system, eventually settling for the lowered result.

MCPS superintendent Dr.-

crease. “Our employees are the backbone of our school

community,” McKnight said.

The new county budget consists of several significant changes from previous years, and showcases the council’s current priorities.

Notably, the new Fire Services budget is $266 million, an increase by 14 million from the previous year. $100,000 was given in grants to organizations at risk of hate crimes and violence, through the Office of Homeland Security. The Working Families Income Supplement was given $27.5 million, to help working families with low incomes.

Several groups, like realtors who would face taxes on their sales and other political organizations across the county, opposed these changes. There were also some complaints from council members about the voting process, which kept voting anonymous. This led to council member Kristin Mink abstaining from the vote.

1920 [would need] newer pipes, rather than one building from 2015,” junior Grace Diaz said.

BCPS focuses their efforts on addressing the symptoms of the problem, rather than the root cause. So far, they have prevented the adverse effects of contaminated water by shutting off supply, offering bottled water, using filtration systems in kitchens and advising students to not consume the water. When asked about this practice, RM students had concerns.

“It’s important [that students] have access to water because sometimes they may run out of water bottles, and also [students need water for] washing their hands too,” Diaz said. Furthermore, school districts are unwilling to spend federal funding on infrastructure unless it’s required (i.e. A.C. and boiler repairs) due to prioritization of academic spending.

“We most definitely need to be spending more money on water because it is a basic human right that we should all have complete access to,” freshman Malena Martin said.

MAY CORRECTIONS

On page 1, Hannah Lee, Claire Yu and Avery Wang wrote the article about installing vape detectors.

On page 1, the author of the article about virtual AP exams, Samantha Cutler, is a news writer.

On page 1, Sophia Fang wrote the article on Barbie.

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Chromebooks’ short lifespan poses issue for students

by Nirav Akkanapragada NEWS WRITER

On the heels of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ushering of a virtual school year, students across Montgomery County have been accelerated into a more digital learning setting. The county has already taken a step into this digital age, distributing 40,000 Chromebooks to those who are not able to obtain one on their own.

Many students feel that this change has made them rely more on their Chromebooks. “Introducing online learning has definitely increased the usage of Chromebooks, and now they are used for many assignments and myMCPS Classroom is more popular than ever,” sophomore Heather Feuerstein said.

In addition, students have expressed positive views about Chromebook usage. “I personally believe the increased Chromebook usage has had a positive change, especially when writing essays and doing projects. It is

much easier for me to type than write, and my hand doesn’t hurt when I’m done. It is also more efficient as I can type much faster than I can write,” Feuerstein said.

With an increased reliance on Chromebooks, however, comes several flaws that have been popping up locally and across the nation. A 2023 report from the U.S. Public Interest Research Group Education Fund found that the short lifespan of Chromebooks, compounded by a lack of support repair and a built-in end for software support, often leaves schools with failing devices that saddle districts with additional costs.

Faltering Chromebooks have been a recurring issue for students at RM as well. “My old Chromebook had a bad battery life but I swapped it out. That Chromebook

had heating issues and some of the keys and the chassis began to warp and it got hot enough to burn me,” sophomore Dinh Cao said.

“It annoys me that Chrome-

books continue to be produced with these malfunctions and that these issues are not generally addressed by Google,” Feuerstein said.

While many school districts are starting to face the costs of these faltering Chromebooks, such as Virginia’s Fauquier County Public Schools having to pay around $80,000 a year to sustain Chromebooks, districts nationwide are also pushing for changes to combat these issues.

Some districts work with multiple parties to ensure no delay in receiving spare parts, according to EdWeek. Other districts, including MCPS, have revamped their county website to include sections dedicated to technological support. The MCPS web page serves as a section for the Office of Strategic Initiatives technology team.

However, RM students see more improvements that can be made. “[Some ideas include] investing in newer technology, and spending more of the budget on newer Chromebooks,” Cao said.

PHOTO BY CLAIRE YU

“My old Chromebook had a bad battery life.”

- Dinh Cao

“[Water] is a basic human right that we should all have complete access to.”

- Malena Martin

“They should have to test all schools, not just the newer ones.”

-

Grace Diaz

GRAPHIC BY CLAIRE YU

Many students across MCPS rely on using county-issued chromebooks to complete schoolwork.

GRAPHIC BY JULIANNE CRUZ

OPINIONS

How block schedules block out stress

by Ria Maheshwary

Block schedules have often been deemed as an approach that would increase time management skills for students while simultaneously decreasing daily stress. Although critics claim that block schedules will simply become long lecturing periods, with the instructional limitations of traditional scheduling, block scheduling appears to be an appealing alternative.

A/B block scheduling is a method that allows for fewer classes to meet per day for a longer time, typically around 90 minutes. Those classes would then alternate every other day. Compared to a traditional seven-period schedule, which senior Amy Schneider said, “contributes to a lot of workload for one night,” block scheduling would allow students to prepare for fewer classes at a time. The current system is particularly difficult for those with busy schedules, as senior Rinna Mamboleo said, it can be “conflicting for people who have…outside activities as well.”

Fewer classes each day will not only lessen the workload

for students, but for teachers as well. For teachers who currently have to prepare for up to five classes per day, providing the best quality instruction is not always possible. This places more pressure on students who may have to devote even more time outside of class to catch up on concepts that were not covered.

-

For upperclassmen who are still deciding their future pathway, the way in which class time is spent can have a major impact.

“A lab might not just be conducive to being done in 45 minutes… so being able to have more time and more flexibility [in class], I think could be helpful,” Mr. Michael

Oakes said. Not only can block schedules influence interests, but they can be vital in preparing students for the college experience. University classes are “usually in a lecture hall with a lot of people and for longer periods of time, just like taking notes,” junior Emma Karlin said. With the A/B block schedule, students will have an easier time tran sitioning from high school to college, when “you may have an hour and 15 minute class twice a week, or you might have a two and a half hour class once a week,” Mr. Oakes said. While longer class periods might seem boring, it is clear that stu dents need to be able to adapt to this in order to achieve success in their future academic careers.

MCPS has used systemwide block scheduling in the past as well. During the COVID-19 pandemic, this system was implemented for virtual school. “[I]t’s kind of hard to give a good example since COVID was such a mess,

but I feel like if we did have all seven classes during COVID, that would have been like 10 times worse. So if there was anything that made online school better, I guess it was the block sched-

continue to be the attention span ... if you’re in the same class for 90 minutes, and that’s not like your most exciting or favorite class, that can be a long time,” Mr. Oakes said. “ It allowed [me] to kind of manage [his] time more so with homework… knowing that [he] only had certain classes certain days.” With benefits such as these, block scheduling may outweigh the slight drawbacks

“[Virtual school] was less engaging, because a lot of it was lecturing for like a full hour. And it just wasn’t that interesting,” Karlin said. Especially for students with learning disabilities, “the biggest challenge of course, is and would

On the other hand, longer periods can foster a stronger relationship between students and teachers, which would allow for more personalized aid. While it would depend on how the schedule is implemented, Mr. Oakes shares that individualized attention would be far more feasible “if [teachers] had fewer students and [we] were seeing them in like a more concentrated period of time,” which block schedules encourage. Given the experience and feedback from students, parents, and faculty, schools in MCPS have the capability and potential to make block scheduling a successful reality for in-person classes. Block scheduling simply provides more educational and life skill benefits that encourage long-term success.

Hustle, hustle, hustle: The dark side of workaholism

by Alessandro Lisa

Hustle culture is a subtle yet integral part of American society. In short, it is the glorification and encouragement of always being productive and “on the grind.” Pulling all-nighters or overwork

enhances the social pressure to succeed at all costs, planting an unhealthy obsession in many.

In addition, American culture is profoundly results-driven. Freshman Andrew Zhang says, “American culture is very focused on results as opposed to how you got there.” Due to this

Hustle culture does have its benefits, however. The motivation to be productive that the culture inspires does lead to more productivity which has many benefits.

the GDP. This is one reason the United States is the world’s largest economy by nominal GDP.

The real issue with hustle culture is how easily it can get out of hand. Even in the halls of RM, it’s common to hear students talking or even boasting about how little sleep they got last night, or how busy they are. When unhealthy habits such as these are promoted, they are perpetuated.

Overworking oneself and sacrificing sleep and mental health are detrimental. Overworking oneself can cause burnout, anxiety, or depression, all of which not only affect performance but are de-

structive to one’s life. Also, teenagers especially need more sleep as they are in a period of rapid physical and mental growth, and in general, sleep affects performance and mental health. While some may argue that hustle culture helps keep our society efficient and productive, they are either blatantly ignoring or unaware of all its downsides. The reality of hustle culture is that it promotes unhealthy behavior and prioritizes work and efficiency over mental health. If hustle culture is to be kept in American society, the toxic and dangerous side of it needs to be eliminated.

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When one sees everyone around them always working, this subtly pressures them to do the same. As Wang continues, “At its core, hustle culture is a beneficial idea, and it encourages people to work harder and better their lives.”

This culture of high productivity is entirely beneficial at a surface level. This motivation leads to people bettering their lives, work towards success and achieve the American dream. Getting good grades, trying to get a good job or make money, or bettering oneself are all worthy and positive undertakings. In addition, hustle culture at work benefits nationwide productivity and the economy by boosting

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Editors-in-Chief.......................................................Samantha Wu, Avery Wang, Davi Jacobs

News.....................................................................Claire Yu, Hannah Lee, Avani Ambardekar

Opinions................................................................Maria Alba, Riona Sheikh, Max Belyantsev

Centerspread...........................................................Tara Amin, Shuxin Dai, Mayah Nachman

Features.............................................................................Ellie Noh, Niki Esmaili, Elena Parisi

Arts................................................................................Claire Xu, Raha Murtuza, Claire Chen

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Social Justice.........................................Helina Tamiru, Samiksha Mahashetty, Charlyn Chu

Photo....................................................................................Ella Koenig, Kobina Asafu-Adjaye

Graphics...........................................................................................Julianne Cruz, Evelyn Shue

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Crossword....................................................................................................................Annie Guo

Sponsors..........................................................................Ms. Jennifer Kidd, Ms. Bonnie Peyer

OPINIONS WRITER

“Social media is especially steeped in hustle culture, with many influencers detailing their highly busy and productive days. ”

- Derek Wang

“[The traditional schedule] contributes to a lot of workload for one night...”

Amy Schneider

GRAPHIC BY RIONA SHEIKH

Why people should never give up ‘one-hit wonders’

by Ellie Noh and FEATURES EDITOR AND WRITIER Michaela Boeder

The music industry is notoriously double-sided, filled with money, fame and glory along with overwhelming pressure and criticism. One-hit wonders, a prime example of the more difficult aspects of the industry, are a phenomenon in which an artist generates one song that attains widespread popularity but fails to gain recognition as an overall musician. There are many explanations for this occurrence, including poor timing, the release of a song associated with the public’s latest infatuation or even pure luck.

From The Five Stairsteps’ “O-o-h Child” in the 1970s to the 1990 “Ice Ice Baby” by Vanilla Ice, one-hit wonders have circulated through the media for decades now. “Chasing Cars” by Snow Patrol and “Beautiful Girls” by Sean Kingston are considered two of the most recognizable onehit wonders of the 2000s, thus raising the question: will artists who currently hold songs on the Billboard Top 100 evolve into future stars, or are they merely our generation’s one-hit wonders?

Students reference singer-songwriter Grace Vanderwaal as a present-day one-hit-wonder artist. Vanderwaal rose to fame through her participation in the 11th season of NBC’s hit show, America’s Got Talent, ending as the season’s winner. She was widely recognized for her unique voice, ukelele and original song, “I Don’t Know My Name” released in 2017. This widely-cherished song examined her individuality as a teenager and has reached 45 million views on Vanderwaal’s YouTube. While she seems to have

established herself in both the music and film industries, some students are unaware of these accomplishments. “A lot of people initially found her voice intriguing during AGT, but I completely forgot she existed ever since,” junior Devin Cammack said.

Beliebers and ARMYs (BTS fandom)—are primary contributors to this catastrophe. “Large fan bases affect metadata that streaming and recording companies use to quantify the success of a musician. Lots of clicks equals lots of cash,” instrumental mu sic director Dr. Peter Perry said. “Streaming royalties especially are bad about these, giving most money to the most listened tracks. This is why these same individuals can trans late to selling perfume and clothing lines so easily.”

song circulates on TikTok’s “For You” page for a few weeks and then promptly fades out of the algorithm when the trend dies.

try to set trends rather than follow them,” Norris said.

“Somebody That I Used To Know,” a best-selling song of 2012 and number one on the Billboard Hot 100, was a substantial success for breakout artist Gotye. In 2013, the hit song won a Grammy, but a year later Gotye announced he would not release additional music under his stage name. Prior to this announcement, he released other songs including “Eyes Wide Open,” “Hearts a Mess,” and “Bronte,” none of which reached the popular heights of his hit song. Gotye’s lyrics of the hit song, “You didn’t have to cut me off,” serve as a tuneful analogy of what occurs when fans obsess over overplayed songs on the radio without investing in the voice behind them.

The concept of one-hit wonders is not only devastating to the artists that believe their hits lead to widespread platform growth but detrimental to the music industry as a whole. Mainstream artists with massive fanbases—Swifties,

A seemingly conventional task of solely listening to the radio or “Today’s Top Hits” also contributes to one-hit wonders. Radio music consists of the same high-rotation songs and artists strategically selected to be recognizable to listeners. This limits exposure to diverse genres and artists. “Smaller artists definitely get drowned out by larger ones [on the radio],” junior Naomi Peter said.

Dr. Perry has advice to expand one’s exposure to the music industry. “Explore the large streaming platforms. There are thousands of musicians who are not only more creative and talented than some of the major names [like] Taylor Swift,” he said. “[They] need to be listened to and [could even] have a better relevance and connection to you.”

Likewise, the overall success of an artist has become increasingly dependent on the current digital world, which is built on trends and viewership. “TikTok has taken over the music industry. Melodies often break into TikTok fame, but there is no lasting effect,” freshman Ava Norris said. One exceedingly common occurrence is when one verse of a

The dominance of a few artists’ on the whole industry is an issue for more than just the development of one-hit wonders; it is an issue of inclusivity, diversity and the well-being of the artist as an individual rather than as a commodity. “[The music industry] has trouble with seeing artists as more than just money and profits,” Norris said. This mindset meets smaller-scale and contemporary artists with immense difficulty in establishing a name for themselves.

The music industry depicts a capitalistic situation through the disregard of smaller-scale artists to gain cash through marketing.

Promoting artists who are already popular allows the same artists to dominate the industry for extended periods of time.

Despite the elements of luck or chance that can play a role in the emergence of a one-hit wonder, artists can take certain measures

Moreover, our generation can take steps to ensure talented artists remain in the spotlight after one hit by diversifying music tastes. Peters recommends listening to the rock band known as Sleeping With Sirens. “They’re a group that’s not as mainstream but deserve the popularity. They have meaningful lyrics, follow an interesting genre and the members of the band are great,” she said. Norris recommends additional artists she believes deserve a larger listening audience. “The Crane Wives are starting to get more popular, but they’re mostly in niche internet spaces,” she said. “Black Polish is a good one too,” she said. Students should explore and make the effort to explore artists, especially from marginalized communities with the least endorsement by the industry. Perhaps a potential one-hit wonder could become the next Michael Jackson if we stopped relying on the radio. Billboard Charts shouldn’t tell our generation what music to listen to; instead, listeners should explore the vast

blowing up. [They] should

GRAPHIC BY CHRISTIANA VUCEA

Toxic TikTok: Unrestricted social media usage must stop

by Ashna Uprety

OPINIONS WRITER

It is no secret that the popularity of social media has skyrocketed among teens and children. With the seemingly never-ending studies linking social media to mental health issues, concern for the health of our nation’s youngest generations is only growing. With numerous applications like TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter and Discord accessible to the most impressionable members of society, questions about the effects of social media addictions have come to the forefront of public attention.

According to a study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, researchers found a strong association between social media use and increased levels of anxiety, depression and loneliness among adolescents. The constant exposure to idealized versions of others’ lives, coupled with the pressure to maintain an online presence, can lead to feelings of inadequacy. This emphasis on the perfect, aesthetic life shows that social media is “Identifying what we should look like, or how we should act, or what we should do without figuring things out for ourselves,” history teacher Kerri Fry said. Those who are older understand that social media only shows the best of people’s lives, but naive teens and children may not truly grasp it. Many fall victim to the destructive impacts of social media, unable to

stop themselves from engaging in unhealthy comparisons.

“Age is definitely a factor in determining when to get social media. But, restricting social media at too old of an age could inhibit social growth online, especially in our more internet-based social communities,” said junior Nicholas George. Social media can help children learn how to

and interact with diverse individuals, allowing for the growth of more conscientious people. Many recently developed social media applications like TikTok have a target audience consisting of teens and children, who are the most susceptible to its harmful impacts. “I think I got social media too young,” sophomore Sara Mendelsohn said. “I think

sedentary behaviors and a decline in physical activity among young people. Having these habits at an early age will no doubt affect one’s well-being through adulthood.

Restricting access to screens is also recommended by medical professionals younger for children younger than 18 months. According to the Mayo Clinic, young children benefit more from unstructured activities rather than electronic use. Activities like interacting with other people like parents and siblings vastly contribute to a child’s developing brain.

Social media corporations claim to acknowledge the risk factor of children gaining access to these apps. Most of them require users to enter their age and have a minimum age requirement. For example, popular forms of social media like TikTok, Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat have a minimum age requirement of 13 years. Despite the measures, there are easy ways to get around it. Enter a fake age successfully allows a child to gain access to any app like Instagram. These attempts to minimize access have proven to be futile, yet they allow the corporations to absolve themselves of any guilt.

intentions, but there are some that blatantly spread misinformation, knowing that young children and teens readily consume the content.

communicate and interact with others. In fact, many use social media as a way to keep up with friends and family. Because social media has national, as well as global users, it removes the boundaries that previously prevented people from meeting each other and establishing relationships. This allows younger generations to gain access to

I should have waited until I was more aware of the risks.” While many come to similar realizations when they get older, the popularity of social media and the ensuing pressure to participate make it difficult for this audience to resist.

The American Academy of Pediatrics warns that excessive screen time, predominantly associated with social media use, leads to

Though another benefit of social media must be acknowledged; it fosters community. Different niches, like “BookTok” on TikTok, have been created where like-minded individuals can connect and share ideas. These communities can help kids feel a sense of belonging, which is beneficial to their mental health. Most of these communities have lighthearted

For example: Andrew Tate, a popular influencer, has developed nothing short of a cult following consisting largely of teenage boys. He spreads misogynistic viewpoints that his impressionable fanbase absorbs as their own. He has largely contributed to the increase in this misogynistic mentality that many teen boys on social media share. Though the long-term effects of social media have not been studied due to the newfound nature of these platforms, the undeniable short-term drawbacks are apparent. There are benefits to social media, but when it comes to such a young, pliable audience, the risks are far too great. The continuous use of unrestricted social media will only harm the way future generations socialize and develop as human beings.

“[The music industry] has trouble with seeing artists as more than just money and profits.”

- Ava Norris

PHOTO BY RIA MAHESHWARY GRAPHIC BY RIONA SHEIKH

“I think I got social media too young... I should have waited until I was more aware of the risks.”

- Sara Mendelsohn

Social media is often damaging to youth mental health.

Undocumented migrants bear the burden of America

by Balmore Ruiz

Women should trade, invest in stocks more

by Gabrielle Orringer OPINIONS WRITER

The rise of investment platforms such as Robinhood now allows everyday people to invest in various publicly-traded companies. These tools allow people to purchase shares in various firms, earn dividends—a sum paid back to shareholders—and even gain the right to vote for a company’s board of directors. Companies publicly trade their stock on the stock market to gain working capital they can use to fund their operations, in return for a very small piece of their business. As a result, people are able to invest in companies that interest them and take a shot at building generational wealth.

plethora of equity concerns in finance. The people in America who hold stocks are not diverse. 84.5% of stockholders are men and 66.7% of stockholders are white. Even more, the average salary of stockholders is much more than the national average. Stockholders, who control all of the biggest corporations that sell goods and services to all people, are not representative of the people their companies serve. This causes minority voices to be pushed down in the workforce and at large corporations. More diverse investors should enter the stock market to ensure equity.

Although it’s upsetting, the culture of the financial world makes it so that it is not entirely surprising that there aren’t a lot of women in stocks. “I feel like [one] of the stereotypes that come with finances [is] the ‘finance bro,’” freshman Kat Xue said. A “finance bro” is the sexist stereotype of an unpleasant man who works in finance, wears a Patagonia sweater vest and is constantly busy trying to get rich through the stock market. This portrayal of the typical stockholder is extremely problematic and certainly discourages women from investing.

It is a stereotype of men that they are overconfident, one that likely discourages women from investing in the stock market.

While some may argue that women don’t deserve a spot in the financial sector, portraying them as incompetent, this has been proven to be false. Women do not make poor financial decisions when they invest; in fact, their returns are typically 0.4% higher than those of men. While that may seem like a small amount, it proves that women deserve to play an equitable role in the stock market and shouldn’t be afraid to invest. While the world of investment and stocks is largely male-dominated, it is time for that to change.

On top of their financial success when it comes to investing, women are also more likely to invest in companies that help humanity. In fact, if they invested at the same rate as men, over $1.5 trillion would go to help

The U.S. is a well-praised country due to its freedoms and liberties. It is recognized as the “land of the free” as a result of its contributions to the global modern society. However, the country still has its own problems that lurk beneath the surface. Unfortunately, many of these problems include human rights issues such as how certain people are treated. Such problems include the issue of immigration, a widely discussed topic in the U.S. In this day and age, given how advanced we have become as a civilization, the basic humane treatment of people should not even have to be a topic of discussion.

our country thinks that it’s okay to play games with people’s lives and to use them as pawns in political battles. I think it’s wrong, and immigrants, whether they’re documented or not, are just like my ancestors and the ancestors of every single American. We are an immigrant country.” American society is one that strives to ensure the rights and safety of an individual. The background or status from where one is from should not make any alteration to these same principles.

For new investors, the prospect of the stock market is exciting. There are a plethora of opportunities. “Stocks are so fun to invest in and, like, everyone should do it,” freshman Cory Breychak, who is a Microsoft stockholder, said. However, the stock market should be a tool that everyone is encouraged to use. With respect to finances, women have typically been been marginalized. For example, as of a year ago, women make only 83 cents for each dollar men make. In addition, about 54,000 women lose their jobs a year because of their maternity leave. The cruel way women are treated is completely awful and often ignored. Negative stigmas, combined with current issues related to women in the workforce, contribute to women investing in stocks notably less than men. Unfortunately, there are a

In the media, this is how stocks are typically portrayed. Arguably, the most popular movie revolving around the idea of stock trading is “The Wolf of Wall Street,” a film about a white man who cheats his way into performing very well in the stock market, exemplifying the “finance bro” stereotype. Leonardo DiCaprio stars as Jordan Belfort, a broker who scams investors while making millions of dollars. In the movie, the main female character, Naomi (played by Margot Robbie), is seen merely as a pretty blonde. The film perpetuates the idea of Wall Street belonging to white men, which sets a terrible precedent for the diversity of the stock market and has lasting ramifications.

Many news outlets, such as The New York Times, have argued that the reason there are so few women in stocks is because men are “overconfident.” This stereotype may reflect the idea that 49% of men are comfortable making their own financial decisions, compared to only 34% of women, according to Forbes.

these issues. Rather than investing solely for personal gain, most women seek to help the world around them, showing all the more need for a greater female presence in the stock market. Investing is seen as one of the quickest ways to get rich. It’s also seen as a game, one that women are discouraged from joining. Men typically invest more than women in the stock market; women should be similarly encouraged to work toward financial independence, stability and growth. To make this happen, women should seek employment in all sectors and professions and invest in the stock market.

Recently, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed into law a bill that will aim to reduce and remove any undocumented immigrants from the workforce. This has caused many immigrants to worry about their futures or even leave the state. It truly is an unwise decision to take such a radical approach: a decision such as this one will have detrimental effects and impactful consequences. Specifically, jobs that are involved in the construction or agriculture field will suffer as it is primarily undocumented immigrants who operate those. Some RM teachers believe that this will create a slow, steady negative effect. “I think it will take a while, like it won’t be a quick thing…I think the more DeSantis does DeSantis, it will have that kind of impact on the state economically,” English teacher Robin Strickler said. However, financial consequences are merely secondary concerns. The important issue at hand is the wrongful eviction of these innocent people who have a right to find work so that they can help support their families. It is important to give people fair opportunities and treatment simply because they are human. Many in the RM community have demonstrated discomfort with the decisions made in Florida. English teacher Eva Sullivan said, “It does worry me that part of

In general, many people have mixed feelings about immigration. Many times, one’s opinion of immigrants may fall more on the status of a person than the actual individual. Some RM students believe that people should be given the opportunity to flourish in this free country, as they are already doing their part for it, but legal order should be established. Senior Saahil Rao said, “It’s always going to be a tough balance because undocumented immigrants who are living here…are contributing to the community. You know at some point, they are Americans and you can’t discount that…I understand that immigrants are what made this country, they are the hardest-working people here. And I think we should expand legal immigration, a lot more, but at the same time, this country has an illegal immigration problem.” In circumstances like these, if the ideal solution is to just “legalize” immigration, then it is important for them to receive documentation. We should not be hindering these immigrants from establishing a status for themselves in this country. Even when these people would like to receive citizenship, many times there isn’t much opportunity for them to do so as many obstacles obscure their path.

It is important for the United States to learn that excluding people from having the same opportunities and equity will weaken the country. A move such as the one done by Florida will only cause harm since most of the work done in the construction and agriculture fields is done by immigrants. They play a vital role in sustaining this country from its base, and they deserve equitable treatment for their difficult and effortful contributions to this country. Moreover, this country may not thrive without the additional necessary work of immigrants, which is why it is crucial for them to receive the same opportunities and be recognized for all that they do. After all, America was founded by foreign immigrants seeking to create a better life for themselves and their families, and it is important that immigrants today are treated with the respect they deserve.

“Stocks are so fun to invest in and, like, everyone should do it.”

- Cory Breychak

“It’s always going to be a tough balance because undocumented immigrants who are living here…are contributing to the community.”

- Saahil Rao

“I feel like [one] of the stereotypes that come with finances [is] the ‘finance bro.’”

-

Kat Xue

GRAPHIC BY MAX BELYANTSEV

Immigrants are the backbone of America, and as such, they deserve respect. PHOTO BY MAX BELYANTSEV

North Carolina imposes stricter abortion laws

by Rebecca Morrisson SOCIAL JUSTICE WRITER

State legislatures have been passing laws to severely limit or ban abortions since the Supreme Court ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. Thirteen states already had trigger laws enacted—laws already passed by the legislature which would automatically become law once banning abortion became constitutional—and many other states successful-

the decision in Roe, many cases were brought before the Supreme Court that addressed attempts to limit the right to an abortion. However only recently, in June 2022, was the decision completely overturned by the Court.

“It’s very important for women to…be able to choose what they do with their bodies for their own safety and freedom,” freshman Charlotte Cornman said.

Many state legislatures have decided not to completely ban abortions, but to severely limit them, with the North Carolina General Assembly being the most recent. Last month in May, North Carolina passed a law making abortion illegal after twelve weeks. This law was originally vetoed by North Carolina’s democratic governor, but it was sent back to the state legislature where the veto was overruled with the required supermajority. Although abortion is not banned in this state, many find the restriction to be overly limiting.

ly passed bans afterwards.

Originally, Roe v Wade was celebrated as a landmark decision for the feminist movement, as it protected a woman’s right to an abortion, derived from the Constitutional right to privacy. Abortion has long been a controversial issue in the US. Over the 50 years after

“You find out you’re pregnant around five weeks and then you have to plan for it. So if you wanted to get an abortion, you have almost no time to do so. It’s kind of like banning abortions without specifically banning abortions,” freshman Shailey Vadgama said.

However, not all states are banning or heavily limiting abortions, and many are moving to add

more protections to the right. The only restrictions on abortions in Maryland are as simple as a parent or guardian of a minor must be notified and safe procedures must be followed. Protections for abortion are even expressly stated in Maryland law, and public medical insurance is required to cover abortion costs. Although some states do allow abortions, even traveling to

those states is becoming increasingly difficult. In April, Idaho enacted a law that criminalizes those who choose to leave the state to get an abortion.

“Giving them [minors] money, giving them a ride, helping them organize the visit to a doctor out of state — all of the activity that’s required to help a young person leave the state — any of that would be punishable,” Elisabeth

Smith, the director of U.S. state policy and advocacy at the Center for Reproductive Rights, said. Abortion has always been a controversial subject that has social, religious and societal implications. The debate over the right to get an abortion is likely to continue to be debated in public forums, political elections and legislatures for years to come.

Hollywood writers on strike for equity in film industry

by Anshi Purohit SOCIAL JUSTICE WRITER

“Fists up, pencils down, L.A. is a union town!”

lywood writers went on strike. These members of the Writers’ Guild of America (WGA) took to the picket lines bearing witty signs such as “Pay your writ ers, or we’ll spoil Succession,” and “Here’s a pitch: pay us!”

out after over fifteen years, about 98% of guild members voted to go on strike when the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), represent

ing major Hollywood film and television studios, failed to reach a compromise with the writers to renew a new three-year TV film contract.

These writers are striking to receive just compensation for their work, which

the series. Residual checks, the royalties given to writers when their created shows are re-aired, are written for amounts such as eight or three cents, values writers claim are ridiculous and impractical. Another fear writers share is the evolution of AI and how it

Govind said. Writers also cannot engage with the studios in any formal processes without extensive evaluation or make minor changes to dialogue.

“There’s so much creativity that humans have that isn’t often rewarded financially… there’s always going to be this tension between the need to make a living and capitalism and businesses wanting to make money versus the creative impulse and human expression,” English and journalism teacher Ms. Jennifer Kidd said. “But that’s such a huge part of our culture.”

Late-night and live television shows such as Saturday Night Live stopped streaming as an immediate effect of the strike, and a few scripted television shows are struggling to stay afloat. However, many of these talk show hosts and other Hollywood actors support the striking writers. Some have joined them on the picket lines.

“People put an undue amount of blame on the writers’ strike but they should be looking to the studios and pressuring them to compromise with the writers,” senior Paris Ye said. “To me, the strike represents workers recognizing their own value in the workplace.”

Even so, some believe the strike will have a lasting impact on the future of the industry. “Popular

shows like Stranger Things and Wednesday have been put on hold… and depending on how long the strike lasts, without writers the quality could significantly decrease,” Govind said.

For now, onlookers debate whether or not the strike will end in the foreseeable future. “I think the only thing that’s guaranteed is that the industry is going to continue to change. And so I think this is going to be something that’s going to have to continue to be negotiated in the future,” Kidd said.

Though it is unclear as to how long it will take for the studios and the WGA to reach a suitable contract for both sides, one fact is for sure; these writers will continue advocating as the strike enters its fourth week.

Members of NOWCAN RM, a club dedicated to educating and supporting women’s rights, show off their posters at the pro-choice abortion rally in Washington, D.C.

PHOTO BY LILIANA KATZ-HOLLANDER

“It’s very important for women to be able to choose.”

- Charlotte Cornman

“They help carry a bulk of the show and don’t get as much freedom.”

-Ananya Govind

Where Are The Rockets Blasting Off?

Maya

Akmal Rupasingha

Leah Barash

Connor Brand

Silva

Teona Chereyskiy

Cleopha Costa

Christina D’Albora

Alexandra Doncheva Elisabeth Durso

Basmah Elradi

Nadia Estrada

Alexa Giantelli

Gildersleeve

Ivana Haynes

Lorelai Merritt

Pacifico Murphy

Papagiannopoulos Plowman

Angelina Tran

Alexis Tungcod

Sophia Ubiera

Donovan Wayman

Shairee Arora Arush Arora Emily Duan

Rachel Wang

Paris Ye

Therese Dang

Sophia Wu

Avery Wang

Nathnael Tesfaw

Sety Tekeu

Ruth Taddesse

Ramamurthi

Christian Testa

Evelyn Shue

Fisher Mallon

Maria Alba-Herrera

Lydia Yeh

Michelle Wong

Catherine Sanchez

Sophia Burton

Edwin Jiang

Phoebe Freeman

Juliette Bolte Gayathri Aravindan

FEATURES Students consider non-traditional career paths following graduation

by Michaela Boeder SENIOR FEATURES WRITER

On June 14, seniors will be walking across the stage to receive their diplomas and continue their education, career path and life in a new environment. For many, this new atmosphere will be a four-year university, but that is not the only possible road.

According to an article published by PBS, the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center found that there was an eight percent decrease from 2019 to 2022 in undergraduate college enrollment. This is a direct result of the pandemic, PBS explained, as well as other factors including financial stability and

expedited sign-on bonuses. These have contributed to the decreased interest in the traditional fouryear undergraduate pathway. Some students will be venturing straight into field experience. “I’m planning to go to the Air Force,” senior Ryan Heidarpour said.

Heidarpour, who is graduating early, was encouraged to join the military by his friends. “‘You might like it,’ they said, and I did some research and I thought ‘yeah that is interesting,’” he said.

Heidarpour plans to attend Montgomery College in Jan. 2024 after serving in the Air Force Reserves.

“A goal that is more than three years is a dream, it’s not a goal,” Heidarpour said.

According to Advanced Engineering and Foundations of

Technology teacher Mr. Shawn Ackley, student-driven re search into paths that do not follow the “tradition al” post-graduation path for high schoolers is crucial.

“People don’t really ask what is out there,” Mr. Ackley said. While going into the military may not be for all, there are jobs available that do not require a college education first such as careers in construction, elec trical or industrial services. Often, education in these fields is gained through apprenships, internships hands-on expe-

“There is [a program] that is part of a Pittsburgh-based trade school. [The trade school] has a satellite in Hagerstown, where you can learn to build and repair airplanes,” Mr. Ackley said.

Programs like this are a way to gain skills and expand your experience to become a desirable applicant.

“Once you’re done with the 18 months [of the program], you’re incredibly hirable. If you can work on planes that are flying, you can do basically anything in construction,” Mr. Ackley said. “It’s reasonably priced, it is an 18-month-long commitment and you graduate at 19 and have a job.”

cation specific to particular career goals and industries.

The Thomas Edison High School of Technology is a vocational high school with various programs such as carpentry, automotive technology and cosmetology. Similarly, programs like JROTC provide a foundation for pursuing a military pathway and career after graduation. JROTC is the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, which gives high school students a chance to explore military service.

Sophomore Juliana Wong serves as the captain of the Raiders

program“My dad told me about it since I was interested in going into the military. When I graduate, it looks good on a resume,” she said. Oftentimes, participating in the military can help combat financial concerns.

“I want the military to pay for my law college.

If you go into the military, you get benefits and it’s a really good community,” Wong said. In determining whether to pursue the undergraduate route or apprenticeships and internships, Mr. Ackley argues that an individualistic approach is necessary.

“There is a lot more out there than people know of,” Mr. Ackley said. “Keep an open mind, look around and think about what you love and hate. Get rid of the stuff you hate, but the stuff that you love may end up being your calling.”

Although attending a fouryear university is still considered the traditional pathway for many following high school, some students argue that future success is not determined by whether or not a person attends college but by other factors.

“You can be successful without college. You just need to work hard and keep working toward your goals,” Wong said.

Freshmen compare expectations vs. reality

by Jocelyn Yuan SENIOR FEATURES WRITER

As the school year draws to a close, more students are contemplating the future that lies ahead of them. Yet others are looking back and reflecting on both their personal growth and their former expectations.

Freshmen in particular had many expectations going into

their first year of high school, though most were debunked through their experiences.

“Looking back, no one knew what to expect,” freshman Sophia Li said. “Our middle school teachers made high school sound like the most terrifying thing ever, but now I know it’s really not.”

She also expressed her views on community and how they helped the transition from middle to high school easier.

“Everyone was nice and supportive, especially the teachers,” Li said. “They made everyone feel welcome and eased the transition.”

Others felt similarly about RM’s community, believing it greatly contributed to their positive high school experience.

“I originally thought some people would be jerks, but everyone is pretty chill,” freshman Andrew Zhang said.

RM is known for its intense academic rigor, especially considering its IB program. Many freshmen had varying expectations regarding the academic difficulty, many of which were influenced by advice or rumors from upperclassmen.

“We have more free time than I expected,” freshman Charlotte Cornman said. “I thought we would be at home all day doing homework, but we actually have time to hang out at Town Center.”

She shared how she took advantage of that free time to join the varsity softball team.

“I didn’t think I would be able to manage softball and homework at the same time, but it was doable and an amazing experience,” Cornman said.

On the contrary, others believe that the amount of schoolwork is more than they expected, proving their expectations

about students getting no sleep to be true. Freshman Katie Hu specifically referred to English as one of her most stressful classes.

“I expected it to be like middle school, where we barely had homework,” Hu said. “Now, I stay up doing assignments and definitely don’t get enough sleep.”

Another unique aspect of RM is open lunch, which grants freedom to students to go practically anywhere. Many students go nearby such as Rockville Town Center and Ritchie Center. Freshmen were especially

tions varied, such as regarding the quality of bathrooms.

“The bathrooms here are way worse than I expected,” Zhang said. “Lots of people don’t go at all during the day because of their quality, and I hope the SGA does something to improve them.”

excited about open lunch in the beginning of the school year, given that almost all middle schools didn’t have this freedom.

“It’s fun going out during lunch with friends,” freshman Akhil Vadivel said. “I was excited before I came, and it definitely lived up to my expectations.”

Other freshmens’ expecta-

Overall, most students had a positive impression of RM and are excited for the future. Some freshmen shared the lasting impact that their first year here had.

“RM is one of those schools where it exceeds your expectations in every way possible,” Li said. “Coming to RM was a life changing experience, and I can’t wait for what sophomore year holds.”

PHOTOS COURTESY OF JULIANA WONG

Above: The JROTC Raiders participate in tug-of-war during a competition at Fairmont Heights High School. Right: The JROTC Raiders pose with their third place trophies won during the DMV’s Joint Raider Meet.

“Coming to RM was a life changing experience.”

- Sophia Li

PHOTO BY KATHERINE SUNDSTROM Freshmen Gabriella Villegas, Keerthi Thentu, Isabella Langlee, Anthony Lau, and Selena Li talk to seniors Michelle Wong and Sophia Wu at the first IB Big Sibs meeting during 7th period on Main Street.

PHOTO BY AMANDA GERSHONI Freshman Hannah Klun studies for her math test with her calculator for the following period.

Phone policy reflections

by Ellen Bu FEATUfRES WRITER

You sit in class, but your hands are busy playing the new game on your phone. All of a sudden, you hear the word “test!” But how do you prepare for it, if all you learned in class today was how to beat the new level in your game?

The purpose of RM’s phone policy that was enacted at the start of this school year is to prevent these situations—students are expected to keep their phones in their bags during instructional time, and a failure to do so results in progressive consequences.

However, many students don’t follow this policy, and some teachers don’t enforce it either.

“I feel like students are not following the phone policy, and teachers are also starting to not care when the school year continues to goes by,” freshman Jessica Yao said. “If you don’t under-

stand what is being taught and you still use your phone during class, then that’s your problem.”

Many students believe that the phone policy is too strict, while others just do not care have an opinion about it at all.

“I didn’t expect the teachers to care about it so much,” freshman Annette Ryu said. Though phones may pose as a distraction, they may also be beneficial to use it in class.

“If you understand the material, you could use your phone to learn something new. It also depends on the situation: if it’s during science, sometimes I need a timer, so it is very convenient to use my phone,” Yao said.

Though the phone policy may seem annoying to some, some believe it is still a big improvement from middle school.

“In my middle school, teachers were really strict about it. At least it is a tiny bit looser here in high school,” freshman Chloe Kennedy said.

Starbucks’ rumored ice charge creates conflict

by Ava Smith FEATURES WRITER

Starbucks has long been criticized for adding minimal proportions of coffee in comparison to the enormous amounts of ice in their products. This leads a substantial number of customers to request “light ice.”

Press that these rumors were, in fact, false. The employee’s video, which was not posted by any official accounts, only alleged that Starbucks had started charging for “no water” in Refreshers. That did not stop them from reaching students, who were upset. Despite these frustrations, however, many adore the drinks too much to boycott the restaurant entirely.

ed to Starbucks as well, as locations are consistently flooded with students during lunch time.

However, some worry the days of changing the ice composition may be long gone. Rumors that Starbucks is charging extra for “light ice” or “no ice” drinks enraged consumers. The rumors, spread on TikTok and Twitter, following a Starbuck’s employee TikTok post. A spokesperson for the company confirmed to the Associated

Coffee products, especially those generated by Starbucks, are highly addictive. “Most Starbucks drinks are high in caffeine. Your brain craves caffeine when you are feeling tired,” according to CoffeeLevels.com. “Starbucks is also addictive because of the high sugar content in their popular drinks like venti frappuccinos.”

Starbucks has an abundance of popular drinks that the public continues to order. “[The most popular drink at our location] is definitely the caramel macchiato,” Starbucks Barista at Wintergreen Plaza Ashli Gomez said. The Grande Caramel Macchiato has 150 mg of caffeine and 33g of sugar, according to their nutrition facts.

Many RM students are addict-

“I get a caffeine headache at the end of fourth period, and my Starbucks order always makes me feel better,” junior Alexandra Michalopoulos said. “If I don’t get my coffee, I won’t be able to focus,” Other students rely on coffee to get them through stressful school days. “During AP testing week, I had a ritual where I would drink my coffee every morning to wake myself up,” junior Jordyn Kolchins said.

Significance of Juneteenth is not discussed in full

by Madeline Springer FEATURES WRITER

When people think of a holiday dedicated to free dom, the Fourth of July typically comes to mind. However, Independence day is not the only holiday that celebrates liberty. Juneteenth is a holiday that is observed on June 19 each year. According to PBS, Juneteenth was made a fed eral holiday in 2021 by President Joe Biden. The bill was approved by the Senate unanimously and rejected by only a portion of representatives in the House. It can also be referred to as

the United States following the Civ il War. This reflects the enactment of the Thirteenth Amend ment, which states that “neither slavery nor involuntary ser vitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convict ed, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.” Accord ing to PBS, on June 19 of 1865, slaves learned of their emancipation.

While slavery was a practice that had stopped legally prior to that, many masters kept their slaves in the dark and kept them working. However, even though many slaves were freed on Juneteenth, slav ery still did not end.

“In the books, they say slavery ended in the 1800s, but it didn’t really. Slav ery continued far past that date and some forms of slavery still ex ist today,” soph omore Naomi Kiawu said.

don’t recall ever hearing about it in my

class,” Kiawu said. While the MCPS curriculum has shifted over the years to cover more on civil rights and the United States’ history of slavery, some students still remain clueless about major events.

“Honestly, I can’t remember when slavery ended or how, maybe it’s just because I’m bad with dates, but I don’t know,” junior Anya Precil said. In order to gain a better understanding of both their country and the world, many students believe that they need to be better educated by both the school system and through external sources on these issues.

school curriculum,” Precil said. Some students believe that other federal holidays that are more well-recognized have a more prevalent role in the media and school system.

“I never hear about Juneteenth. I feel like if schools put more interest into this holiday, maybe more people would recognize it,” freshman Erica Heredia-Guerrero said.

“Most people don’t care just because it doesn’t affect them, but they should.”

APUSH and I

“It’s important for everyone to know about this part of history, whether you’re black or not. We can spread information about it on social media since most teenagers are on that, and should incorporate it more into the PHOTO BY MADELINE

PHOTO BY ELLIE NOH

Junior Damary Cabrera talks on the phone during a class period.

PHOTO BY AVA SMITH

The Wintergreen Starbucks displays their reusable cups for sale.

“[The most popular drink at our location] is definitely the caramel macchiato.”

- Ashli Gomez

“If I don’t get my coffee, I won’t be able to focus.”

- Alexandra Michalopoulos

PHOTO BY AVA SMITH Junior Hailey Welter poses with her caramel macchiato.

“Slavery continued far past [the 1800s] and some forms of slavery still exist today,”

- Naomi Kiawu

“If schools put more interest into [Juneteenth], maybe more people would recognize it.”

- Erica Heredia-Guerrero

SPRINGER

Art to check out in D.C.

by Michaela Boeder SENIOR

This summer, take time to explore new art exhibitions in D.C.

The National Gallery of Art is the most well-known and commonly toured art exhibit in the US. Catch relevant and impactful exhibits this summer centered around prevalent topics such as ‘Called to Create: Black Artists of the American South,’ which will be closing June 7.

For those interested in contemporary art, the Artechouse offers unique experiences that challenge the traditional meaning of artwork. Dynamic and ultramodern exhibits like ‘Timeless Butterflies’ take visitors on a virtual journey around cherry blossoms through the eyes of a butterfly.

The Kreeger Museum combines art, architecture and music focusing on social justice and mental health. This summer, the museum will hold the ‘Doing The Work’ exhibit, a physical response to the thought-provoking question: What does doing the work look like? While that question takes reflection, the question of whether or not this museum should have a spot on your summer bucket list is quite simple–it should.

‘The Little Mermaid’ makes a splash out of controversy

by Marcela Ferrufino SENIOR ARTS CONTRIBUTOR

The long-anticipated live-action 3-D remake of one of the most loved Disney movies, The Little Mermaid, finally hit theaters on May 26th. This movie was directed by Rob Marshall, written by David Magee, and starred Halle Bailey (Ariel) alongside others such as Jonah Hauer-King (Prince Eric) and Melissa McCarthy (Ursula). Disney is constantly producing remakes of classic childhood movies, usually deciding to preserve major aspects. However, this remake brings a new and distinct change. Ariel is now dark-skinned, which struck up a controversial discussion in the black community about whether or not this change was groundbreaking or a lazy attempt to create a princess of color using the existing character of Ariel.

When trailers for this movie were first released, there was a lot of controversy surrounding the Little Mermaid being darkskinned. Disney’s change was supposed to be seen as a power move for equal representation in film, but the modern twist disappoints many rather than inspiring them. Many feel that if Disney wanted to create a film with a dark-skinned character, they should have done it with an entirely new character made from scratch, rather than using already existing characters whose original character designs are memorable for many who grew up with Disney classics.

That said, others in the black community say they feel represented by the Little Mermaid being dark-skinned and honored by

having Halle Bailey portray her. I enjoyed her performance greatly and thought she did a spectacular job. Her singing gave me chills every time, especially when she added her own original high notes.

Alongside Halle Bailey playing Ariel, another aspect I loved about this movie was the people behind the other characters. It was a fun surprise to see Mellissa McCarthy, who I know from the TV show ‘Gilmore Girls,’ playing Ursula. I thought her nonchalant but wicked attitude was very entertaining. Daveed Digs, who I know from the musical ‘Hamilton,’ voiced Sebastian’s iconic Jamaican accent with such accuracy

ed me as we never got to see her iconic dresses from the 1989 animated film—including her pink dress with puffy sleeves, the sparkly one she wore when she got her legs back, or her wedding dress. Instead, we were stuck with the same blue dress from the town outing, and even though it was pretty, it got bland over time when it was the only dress being used for every scene. Disney’s limited wardrobe budget made me feel bored and frustrated.

Another aspect I did not like about this movie was the new and added plot point of Ariel not remembering she must kiss Eric to remain human and

remember all that he means to her. I understand that perhaps the creators wanted to make some power move where Ariel’s only purpose as a human is to enjoy and not focus on kissing a guy, but it just comes off as rather unnecessary when it is an essential part of the story.

Going back to the positives, something that I especially loved about this movie was Prince Eric’s increased character depth. In the original, almost all the information we knew about Eric was that he was handsome and determined to find the girl that saved him. Here, we learn that Eric was found by his parents and, similar to Ariel, has a secret room full of contraband stuff from mermaids. We witness how big of a romantic he is when he sings about Ariel and how he will not get over her until he finds her. It is quite beautiful and makes his character even more of a heartthrob. Overall, I enjoyed this movie a lot. It was not perfect, and perhaps not the best Disney remake there is, but it definitely is not the worst. From the nostalgic yet new music to the amazing underwater visuals, this movie, despite its controversy, is worth giving a shot.

GRAPHIC BY CHRISTIANA VUCEA

ChatGPT is a threat to the writing industry

by Emil Fang ARTS WRITER

Writing has long been thought to be a strictly human activity. It has been around for centuries and has expanded from novels to newspapers, creating industries that employ millions of workers. However, these industries are now seemingly under threat by AI programs which can write at speeds no human can ever keep up with.

AI being used in writing is not a new concept. It is used all the time for tasks like compiling score reports. But now, AI has evolved to the point of writing whole novels in minutes, a development that has sinister implications for writers. AI programs like ChatGPT have made staggering advancements in only a couple of months because of their ability to process information 24/7. Now, AI can write whole books in a matter of minutes, even if these books are often crude. With AI’s capacity to learn by itself, it seems almost inevita ble that writers will lose their jobs in a few decades much like the chimney sweeper and wagon driver did.

After all, AI books can already be found on sites like Amazon. For instance, “The Wise Little Squirrel: a Tale of Investing and Saving” is a 30 page chil-

dren’s book entirely written and illustrated by AI. According to Reuters, its creator, Brett Schickler, made a profit of $100, which may not seem like a lot, but keep in mind that the book took only minutes to produce with no editors or an illustrator. While its reviews were mostly negative, with people upset that an AI had written it, it’s likely that such opinions will change in the near future. Currently, many people argue

se, what it makes is just what is interesting. But it’s other text reprocessed. There’s sorta a human spirit you just don’t get with ChatGPT,” junior Liam Bodner said.

The writing industry also encompasses journalism and online blogs along with physical books. With the rise in popularity of online journalism, could the next step be AI journalism? AI’s capacity to compile information and search the internet for sources makes it an appealing option for newspaper organizations. Of course, AI has its flaws in this area as well, as it can not verify sources and relies heavily on the internet. If online news sources start using AI, the AI for each news organization could source info from each other, meaning that news could end up all rough-

ly sounding the same with little room for discourse or discussion. However, this is assuming that AI will not advance enough to be able to detect other AI-written works and that consumers would accept AI written newspapers instead of human written newspapers.

Writing’s future seems to be tied to AI. It has grown to a point where it cannot be ignored, but has not yet reached the point where large scale news organizations would consider using AI writers. Books written by AI are crude now but could improve in the near future. But ultimately, the future of AI is up to us, the consumer. “The consumer drives things. And so if we lower our bar for what we expect from journalism, I think we increase the risk that the people with power will think AI can replace journalists. And I think the Washington Post is right, democracy dies in darkness. So that will be a very devastating blow to our overall societal needs,” English teacher Ms. Simpson said.

“The people with power will think AI can replace journalists.”

-Ms. Simpson

This movie, despite its controversy, is worth giving a shot.

GRAPHIC BY CHRISTIANA VUCEA

FEATURES CONRIBUTOR

PHOTO COURTESY OF CREATIVE COMMONS The Kreeger Museum.

Mugler x H&M fuses high and fast fashion

by Sophia Fang SENIOR ARTS CONTRIBUTOR

‘Queen Charlotte’ is short but sweet

by Marlene Orantes ARTS WRITER

Released in the beginning of May, Shonda Rhimes’ ‘Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story’ has taken over the internet as the new favorite ‘Bridgerton’ love story. Since season one of ‘Bridgerton,’ the show’s success has generated lots of interest in period romances, which led to this spin-off love story of the Queen. The story of ‘Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story’ shows the Queen as a strong, independent woman who breaks and makes rules, and gives the audience insight into her own passionate, yet heart-wrenching love story.

Like every ‘Bridgerton’ story, Queen Charlotte follows a love trope, and this new one is the marriage of convenience. At the start of the show, Charlotte is sent by her brother from a small province in Germany to marry the king of England. She is strongly opposed, but is forced to go and marry the King, yet by the end, Charlotte and King George

love each other passionately.

Charlotte, after the wedding, was left alone at a different palace from George and she was left confused because she thought they would spend the night together, but didn’t exactly know what for. It is later revealed that George distanced himself because of his illness.

Just like in real life, the series shows the mental illness that King George suffered, and demonstrated the violent and brutal methods that were used back then to treat his illness to try and get better for Charlotte, as well as for the country. Their love persevered as George went through the ‘treatments,’ along with the help of both of their right hand men, Brimsely and Reynolds, who also had a love story of their own.

The show illustrates a lot of difficulty in the beginning of Charlotte’s story but she was able to continue and live her great life as Queen. Though a limited series, Queen Charlotte’s success leaves many audiences wanting more and excitingly waiting for season three of Bridgerton.

What happens when a luxury brand from Paris meets a high street brand from Sweden? This year’s Mugler x H&M collaboration provides the answer. Released in early May, Mugler’s iconic monochromatic form fitting designs are now available ready-to-wear at H&M.

Mugler x H&M is not H&M’s first luxury brand collaboration. The fast fashion clothing company first collaborated with Karl Lagerfeld, previous creative director at Chanel, in 2004, and the collection sold out almost instantly. It then went on to collaborate with other luxury fashion houses such as Versace, Alexander Wang, Balmain, Lanvin, and more.

Mugler continued its tradition of supplementing their designs with music to celebrate the release of its new collaboration, releasing their own cover of Stardust’s 1998 hit “Music Sounds Better with You” sung by Eartheater, Shygirl, Amaarae, and Arca. The music video features models such as Sora Choi, Yilan Hua, Imaan Ham mam, and Mariacarla Boscono.

a music video or high fashion.”

Junior Emma Kim offers an alternate perspective. “I was watching videos about it, and a bunch of the people said the quality of the Mugler x H&M collab is lower than real Mugler,” she says. “I don’t really like it that much... I feel like it’s just like a cash grab for H&M, for them to be like, oh, look at us.”

With key messages of freedom, transformation,

Mugler is a luxury clothing and perfume brand founded in the 1970s by designer Thierry Mugler, centered around emphasizing the body shape and dramatic figures. Broad shoulders, mesh tops, and cut-outs are features central to the Mugler design. Iconic looks include Kim Kardashian’s Wet Dress worn at the 2019 Met Gala and Cardi B’s “Birth of Venus” dress at the 2019 Grammy Awards.

At the other end of the fashion spectrum is Hennes & Mauritz, better known as H&M. As a fast fashion brand selling everyday pieces such as t-shirts, jeans, sportswear, jewelry and more, H&M keeps up with the newest trends, making it especially popular among youth.

Despite its core style of form-fitting pieces, Mugler has embraced more modern styles by including pieces such as baggy jeans and denim jackets.

However, the collection as a whole still reflects Mugler’s signa ture styles. The lookbook includes an iconic Mugler catsuit, the Mugler H&M Spiral-panel Catsuit (priced $199), paired with a silver Chunky Metal Necklace (priced $129), both of which are current ly sold out on the H&M website.

“Personally, I think the outfits are kind of cute. I think it’s … kinda k-pop, kinda futuris tic, kinda tech no-style,” says sophomore Fadekemi yonu. “I could definitely see it in

Ms. Clarke reflects on first year teaching at RM

by Liliana Katz-Hollander SENIOR ARTS CONTRIBUTOR

Despite it being her first year teaching at RM, chorus teacher Sidney Clarke-Lequerique is already very involved in many different areas of the school. In addition to teaching chorus, Ms. Clarke also teaches guitar and piano, and will be teaching Music Theory next year, which is offered every other year at RM. Outside of teaching, she is the staff sponsor for Color Guard and Tri-M, the music honors society. She is also the musical director for Black Masker’s annual musical.

her family. “My family is pretty musical. My grandma was a voice teacher. My grandma was a voice and piano teacher. She taught private lessons all while I was growing up and my dad’s a percussionist, so I was always kind of geared towards music,” she said.

ton, DC afterwards, and said “I wanted to live somewhere where there was four seasons.” She has taught for six years in Montgomery County Public Schools, starting at Richard Montgomery this school year after four years teaching at Gaithersburg High School, along with a year teaching elementary school.

a lot of time to practice.” Li has had the added experience of also playing piano accompaniment in the chorus concerts, including some technically difficult pieces.

really like going to Nats games and Caps games, and I like to watch Old Glory rugby. But one of my favorite things is trying new food and new restaurants.”

Ms. Clarke was inspired early on to pursue a career in music by

Although Ms. Clarke now focuses primarily on vocal music, she was also involved in instrumental music from high school through college. While in college, she was the captain of the Color Guard and also played trumpet in the pep band. However, she eventually decided to pursue teaching choral music. “[Chorus was] where I felt a bit more confident in the classroom and at home,” she said.

Ms. Clarke grew up in Florida and attended Florida State University in Tallahassee, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in music education with a focus on secondary choral music education. She moved to Washing-

She currently teaches guitar, piano and chorus, which include Madrigals, the audition-only chamber choir that performs at events inside and outside of RM. They sing around the school for events like Singing Valentines, and this year got the opportunity to carol at the White House. Ms. Clarke said that this has been one of her favorite experiences at Richard Montgomery so far. “I really loved getting to bring the Madrigals to the White House. That was a really big career moment for me to be with my students… to say that we sang in those halls was absolutely magical.”

Ms. Clarke has had an immediate effect on the RM community— from expanding the Color Guard and introducing new theater traditions to directly impacting students. Senior Allison Howlett said, “Ms. Clarke has really inspired me…I’m pursuing musical theater in college next year, she’s helped inspire my love of music theory and exploring different cultures in music.” Sophomore Patrick Li said that Ms. Clarke’s piano class was a “great experience. I’ve already taken piano for nine years, and she gave me

Ms. Clarke says that the students are one of her favorite parts about teaching. “ I get to see students for four years in a row many times. And it is just phenomenal to watch someone over four years grow as a human being, grow as a musician. It is my absolute favorite thing about being in this role is that I get to work with students every single year of high school.”

Outside of teaching, Ms. Clarke has many interests and hobbies.

“I actually sing and conduct with a choir in DC, the 18th Street Singers,” she said. She also likes to watch live sports, saying “I

Ms. Clarke encourages any interested student to audition for chorus, saying “Do it. There’s no question about it, it is so much fun. We want you here. This is a home for everybody. If you’ve sung forever, if you’ve never sung before, we would love to have you a part of our family.”

Howlett, who has been in chorus all four years of high school, said, “I think everyone who is interested should totally take chorus, it’s a super super fun class. Music is sometimes seen as a throwaway class, but it’s never seen like that in Ms. Clarke’s classroom.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF MS. CLARKE

PHOTO COURTESY OF LILIANA KATZ-HOLLANDER

The Madrigals at the White House on Dec. 18, 2022.

“It is just phenomenal to watch someone over four years grow.”

-Ms. Clarke

Ms. Clarke teaches chorus and is the musical director for the Black Masker’s annual musical.

PHOTO COURTESY OF NETFLIX

India Amarteifio stars as Charlotte in the new ‘Bridgerton’ love story between Queen Charlotte and King George.

“I feel like it’s just a cash grab.”

-Emma Kim

‘Suzume’ is an immersive, fantastical journey

by Adi Bala SENIOR ARTS CONTRIBUTOR

When I first the trailers for director Makoto Shinkai’s “Suzume,” “sur prised” was the word that came to mind. As someone who never truly involved them selves in animation at the theater, the cryptic story and general mood of the scenes were enough to in terest, espe cially when considering the gorgeous animation that accompanied them and the complete lack of subtitles translating its Japanese lan guage. Thus, on April 14— opening day—I sat down to stare at that silver screen (which, thank fully, included subtitles) with almost zero expectation; and wow, was I blown away. With a 96% on Rotten Tomatoes and a 98% Audience Score,

this movie is not to be trifled with.

“Suzume” is nothing like the anime films one would expect to make an impact in the Western world; it seeks to separate itself

various moments can be relatable and immersive. Rather than the setting being this eclectic place of wonder, Suzume postulates a merging of magic and legend with reality, exploring strange interactions between the normal and otherworldly. That being said, let’s talk specifics.

ally connected to, the opening of these doors as she meets many helpful cast members along the way. Though the repeated plot point of closing doors that open in these lonely locations can bog down the story, if slightly, I found that this retrospective criticism did not particularly sway my level of downright immersion while watching this film - a memorable experience to say the least.

with a cliche, purehearted heroine - she meets Souta (a professional “closer” of these portals) on the street and develops a crush on him. Of course, this leads to her following him around and eventually finding one of the aforementioned and sought-after doors.

whatsoever. With a grit and realistic edge to the conflicts, along with extreme humanity in the characters’ interactions,

“Suzume” follows the titular character: a young, inquisitive girl. As fate would have it, she meets the eventual deuteragonist, Souta (a man/chair hybrid), and joins him on a quest to shut seemingly random, floating doors that are appearing all over Japan - hence the movie’s cover. When they naturally open, these portals release a giant worm-thing that causes devastating earthquakes, combining Japan’s real-life tectonic struggle with traditional legend. Put spoiler-free, Suzume’s traumatic backstory is masterfully intertwined with, and eventu-

Another point in “Suzume”’s favor is its characters. Throughout the course of this trans-Japan journey, the young Suzume meets many a helpful soul serving to advance her goals or provide depth to the massive world. These characters are unapologetically positive, going far out of their own ways to develop cohesion with Suzume herself and providing that sense of innocent positivity that can be counted as a similarity with Ghibli films. And though this might render them fake and unrealistic, it seems to be exactly the opposite; the time we spend with each character Suzume befriends seems real - not the barebones kindness of random redshirts that make a single appearance. They seem like deep, powerful individuals that represent what the ideal of interaction can be, and a quick look at their varying qualities of life provides insight as to their fleshed-out backstories.

Suzume herself also feels real. Her main motivation doesn’t start

However, as the film progresses, her intentions become more driven; the space of the doors presents a sort of déjà-vu for her, and as she slowly uncovers what that truly means, so does the viewer.

“Suzume” is a joyride: an adventure of Homeric proportions packed into a two hour film, and filled with so many elements that contribute to the quality of a greater whole. As a movie that separates itself from expectation, a narrative that serves to build up something you can become attached to, and with wondrous animation that drops you into another place, I truly believe this experience can be for everyone. 9/10, would recommend.

GRAPHIC BY JASMINE CHEN

THE TIDE CROSSWORD: SENIOR SENDOFF

ACROSS

1 Sami Saeed, starting July 1, 2023

5 Verdi opera

9 “Between a rock and ___ place”

14 Walk through water

15 Single-stranded genetic molecules, for short

16 Title girl in a 1990s-2000s MTV cartoon

17 Our annual singing competition, “RM ___”

18 Stalactite site

19 Blink of an eye

20 Who 36-Across will need to take care of them

23 Biblical twin of Jacob

24 Neither Rep. nor Dem.

25 What 36-Across will need to manage their finances

32 Otherwise 33 Russian “no”

34 “Uno reverse!” in slang

35 Notes after Res

36 The class of 2023, or people who will need 20-, 25-, 43-, and 50-Across

39 “Slim ___”

40 Karma (ft. ___ Spice)

41 Trudge

42 Voice below tenor

43 Where 36-Across will need to stay

48 Mum’s mum

49 Shakespeare’s foot

50 What 36-Across can be expecting to receive

57 Captain of industry

58 ___ puppet

59 Gumbo ingredient

60 “Pokémon” or “Yuri on Ice” genre

61 Biblical brother of Cain

62 ___ of approval

63 Barely beat out

64 Zap with a stun gun

65 Identical

Note from the Editor:

Chloe Choi and I had fun putting together this crossword to honor the class of 2023, and wanted to show our love for the seniors. Hey wait, Chloe, you know what I meant by seniors, right...?

~ Annie Guo, Crossword Editor

‘Suzume’ postulates a merging of magic and legend with reality.

This movie is not to be trifled with.

Diao, Cooper dominate first season

by Emma Tyser SPORTS WRITER

As the year wraps up, many student athletes find themselves reflecting on their seasons; looking back at who or what stands out the most. This year, the Tide has decided to start a new tradition, one that honors the new and outstanding athletes that RM has to offer. The Freshmen of the Year are athletes who display top tier performance and sportsmanship throughout their respective seasons. Those who create an impact within the community and make us excited for what the future will look like. With their many wins and successes this year, RM’s first Freshmen of the Year are girls varsity basketball player Katie Diao and boys varsity player Tavares “Boogie” Vaughn-Cooper. Both are the only freshmen on their respective teams.

Freshman Boogie Cooper has been playing basketball for almost his entire life, taking after his dad and RM security guard Tavares Cooper who played basketball during his time as a Rocket. Growing up, Boogie was known to be dedicated, humble, and diligent when it came to basketball. Now, he still exhibits the same qualities but has

been described to be incredibly outgoing, understanding, and an amazing friend. “A lot of freshmen are intimidated by the fact that they are new. But Boogie

was so outgoing and nice that he was accepted immediately,” freshman Kamari Peoples said. After countless hours of practicing and hard work, Boogie was

RM student-athletes use summer time to train, prepare for upcoming season

by Amanda Gershoni SPORTS WRITER

The path to high school sports seems to be all fun and games. Yet Richard Montgomery prides itself on being a school of many student-athletes who have earned many victories. When debating to play a school sport, the competitive aspect comes into play. To gain an edge on the upcoming seasons, many students spend their summer and free time in their specific sport training, club teams or even just going on a run.

It is a well known fact that in high school, just because you have made the team doesn’t mean you play. You need the drive, persistence and mobility to step on on that court, field, track or gym.

Varsity baseball catcher sophomore Aitan Yachin claims that his way to fame is putting in the work over the summer. “There’s a lot of baseball tournaments. I have one basically every weekend, and a good amount of practice in between,” Yachin said. “On my off weekends, I make sure to stay active by going to the gym and working on cardio rather than strength. The most important thing during the summer is to maintain a schedule.” As Yachin is only a sophomore, he is more dedicated than ever to reach his goals. “It’s crazy what a sport can make you do,” Yachin said.

Sophomore girls varsity basketball center Corinne Howard plans to leave her mark this summer on the basketball and volleyball court. “Over the summer

I’m going to team and individual camps to get college recruitment exposure and to stay in shape,” Howard said. Not only must Howard improve her skill, she also wants to take her skill to the next level. Summer is a great time to grow a person’s skill.

On the other hand, junior Maddie Walsh plans to focus on soccer this summer. “I really want to make my senior season the best it can be, I want to prove to my team that I am a trustworthy player and ready for a great season,” Walsh said. “Therefore, over the summer I plan to attend soccer camps, and work on my skills with my teammates.” Many student athletes look forward to their senior season when they can be someone that is relied on and possibly a captain.

Meanwhile sophomore Danielle Conklin is focused and ready for the fall and spring sports seasons. “I’m going to play soccer at the park as much as possible and participate in summer league which will definitely help improve my skill,” Conklin said. “Private training is something I do to train over the summer as well for soccer and lacrosse.” As Conklin is only an upcoming junior, she must prove to her teams that she can be an amazing player in order to receive the play-time she strives for. Just because a season may be in the spring or even winter, high school coaches love to see participation all year long, to show the commitment and drive of all their players which could be considered the “it” factor. Summer is a great way for athletes to improve their skill and become a starter on their team. “Make a schedule and stay consistent, and you will see success once your school season starts,” Yachin said.

able to secure a spot on the varsity team in his first year in highschool. At first this was a shock to many returning players as they feared for their positions on the team. But as the season went on, many found that Boogie was a friend, and most importantly a very valuable asset to the team. In school he exhibits top performance, keeping straight A’s while juggling club basketball during his off seasons. “He’s always at practice working hard to prove that he’s not some little kid. He really does have amazing skills that are really impressive for someone his age,” junior boys varsity player Max Meringoff said. With the girls, a lot of fresh talent came this year, but freshman Katie Diao really made an impact. Amidst the fierce competition and immense talent that new faces brought to the court, Diao showed her potential early in the tryouts process. During her time as a freshman, she earned a spot on the MCPS 4a South First Team All-Division, earned the MoCo WBCA Newcomer of the Year award, and was one of the girl’s top point scorers with over 300 total points scored, breaking the freshman varsity scoring record. Along with these statistics, Diao was also one of the All-Met Honorable mentions in a Washington

pressure. A now honored coach for his success, Coach Brian Urisote was the man behind these wins.

Urioste grew up in Bethesda and played Division 1 soccer at Campbell University before becoming a teacher and high school coach. The players on the team have great appreciation and respect for Coach Urioste, and are grateful for what he helped them accomplish this year. Players described him as magnificent, determined and focused. Many of the players have a close relationship with Coach Ursiote, which helped them be successful as a team. “Coach [Urioste] really created a family atmosphere this year. We were a team and fought for each other as brothers on the field,” senior defenseman Robert Boychyn said. He feels this aspect separates them from other teams. Down the stretch, Urisote continued to motivate his players and keep them calm and focused before the big games. “He looked at me straight in the face telling me that there was more to it than to be anxious, than to be free and play my game, no one else’s,” sophomore D’angelo Reyes said about Urisote’s words ahead of the important moments. Keeping the team focused was a crucial part in winning the games. “Coach also reminded us what was on the line and the fact that we had the ability to make RM history.” Boychyn said. The regional title was the first for boys soccer at RM, adding even more importance and pressure to the games.

Winning these games was not luck, as it took a lot of decision making and strategy by Coach Urioste for his team. Key points such as deciding who should shoot the penalty shots or how they would attack the other team were crucial moments in the team’s success. “He played an instrumental role in our success

Post article which highlighted RM’s win against their rival, Whitman. She was mentioned to be a “really smart and intuitive player,” a quote from coach Michael Oakes said in the article. Both on and off the court Katie shows great spirit and ability. Whether it is in school, taking part in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, or at home practicing flute, Katie holds a lot of talent close to her. “She is an amazing teammate and a really hard worker, and our team would not be the same without her,” junior girls varsity player Emma Karlin said.

this season. His tactical expertise allowed us to defeat high level teams,” junior Jordy Villanueva said. As a lower-ranked team, RM needed a specific game plan for each match to succeed. “He knew how to balance whole team tactics with letting those especially talented shine,” sophomore goalie Max Sobel said. Many students around RM feel that Coach Urioste deserves to be chosen as coach of the year for 2022-2023. His players saw first hand the dedication and effort that he put into his team. “He has given his all to this program and even this year he stuck with it through difficulties including switching jobs and raising his kid,” Boychyn said. Coach Urisote achieved something that seemed near impossible at one point and created a sense of pride for RM that the school had lacked all fall season. “I think the results speak for themselves, out of every sports team we were able to win region-

Freshman guard Tavares “Boogie” Vaughn-Cooper takes a three-pointer during a regular season game against Poolesville HS.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF PATRICK AGUSTIN

Freshman guard Katie Diao looks to push the ball upcourt.

Sophomore catcher Aitan Yachin prepares for a pitch from a Rocket teammate.

PHOTO BY DANNY MARTELLA

COACH, cont. from page 1

The varsity boys soccer team huddles before their game against WJ. The Rockets won win 4-1, advancing to the regional semifinals.

PHOTO BY DANNY MARTELLA

als without the “most” talented group of kids.” Villanueva said. Urisote took an underdog team and led them to a title, capping off a season that will be remembered forever.

Athletes of the Year

This year, The Tide’s Sports section is introducing four new awards: Boys Athlete of the Year, Girls Athlete of the Year, Coach of the Year and Freshmen of the Year. The athlete and coach awards were voted on by students and athletes at RM, while the freshmen awards were decided by The Tide staff. Over 130 Rockets nominated 20 different male athletes, 15 different female athletes, and 18 different coaches, but in the end, only a few winners could prevail.

Davanee McNairy named Girls Athlete of the Year

by Shelby Roth SPORTS EDITOR

In her final season wearing black and gold, senior Davanee McNairy embodied what it means to be a Rocket athlete. Commonly recognized by her signature space buns and loud voice on the field, number 5 made an impact during her time on both the varsity field hockey and lacrosse teams. Her athleticism and leadership skills were highlighted during her senior season. Through a season of highs and lows, the dual sport varsity captain kept her composure on and off the field as she focused on inspiring the younger players to improve their skills. McNairy’s time playing for RM will be remembered by her spirited leadership and determined play.

“She leads by example, using

her skills and abilities to score goals, play defense and rally the team,” varsity girls lacrosse coach Sid Caesar said. “She has helped with the development of the girls lacrosse team providing positive influence to the varsity and junior varsity teams. She led the fight on the field until the final horn sounded.”

RM girls varsity lacrosse had a tough season as their schedule consisted of talented competition, such as the reigning state champions BCC. The losses and injuries did not hinder McNairy’s love and persistence for the game. The tenacity she demonstrated throughout the season did not go unnoticed as she helped to inspire her teammate to keep going forward.

“The energy she brings to the team makes playing sports so much more fun. Before every game she would lead the team cheer with a loud, uplifting voice,” sophomore girls varsity lacrosse and field hockey player Catherine Nguyen said.

“She was the heart of the team spirit. Dave has had a huge impact both on and off the field.”

McNairy worked relentlessly throughout the season to keep spirits high. She even bought everyone warm up shirts that read encouraging messages such as “work.” These served as reminders to keep working hard and stay confident in the team’s abilities. Throughout the season she made sure to encourage and cheer on her teammates no matter the score or outcome.

“My most memorable moment with Dave was during the Da-

mascus game when she screamed ‘Meredith showed up tonight’,” sophomore girls varsity lacrosse and field hockey goalie Meredith Kearns said. “When Dave is on the field she is a force. She doesn’t allow the score to impact the effort she puts into the game.”

Off the field, McNairy dedicates her time in the gym working to better her game through strength and speed training. During the fall field hockey season she would have strength training before most practices. Even though field hockey was never her main sport she always showed up to practice ready to work hard and have fun.

“The most memorable part of playing with her is her work ethic, she is constantly getting better and striving to work hard no matter what,” senior girls varsity field hockey player Reese West said. “She has such an incredible drive to be great and she really is.”

McNairy’s admirable persistance and constant drive to get better and help her team off and on the field were main factors in naming her Athlete of the Year. She used her wealth of experience to step into a leadership role that was dedicated to setting her teams up for success in the future.

In a culmination of her talent

and dedication to lacrosse, McNairy will be playing Division 1 lacrosse at Kent State University on an athletic scholarship. Next year she will help the Golden Flashes as they compete in the Middle Athletic Conference (MAC) and look to defend their regular season MAC championship. Her Rocket family will be cheering her on as moves on to the chapter in her academic and athletic career.

“Davanee has a love for lacrosse that is unmatched on our team. I am really looking forward to seeing her progress at the next level, both in the classroom and on the lacrosse field,” Coach Caesar said.

Khalid Aljirafi recognized as Boys Athlete of the Year

by Ari Fine SPORTS EDITOR

When the lights shine the brightest, the real stars come out to play.

After an inconsistent regular season, senior Khalid Aljirafi played his best soccer of the season when the Rockets needed him the most. RM finished their division play on a four-game winning streak but only managed to secure the fourth seed in the regional playoffs. Ahead of them in the bracket, were three teams who had beaten them in the regular season. When the goals had been put away for the season, the Rockets stood alone, winning their first regional soccer championship-thanks in large part to the performance and perseverance of Aljirafi. For these reasons, the ability to show up when his performance was vital to the team’s success, and his high character on and off the turf, Aljirafi truly deserves the honor of RM’s Boys Athlete of the Year. Aljirafi, a senior midfielder, had some struggles at the beginning of the season, missing a few games due to time away from the team playing internationally. However, after a loss to Churchill midway through the season, they began a seven-game winning streak with a 4-3 victory against

Blake, then rattled off three more against Wootton, Springbrook, and Rockville, setting up a first-round matchup versus WJ.

Aljirafi came prepared, netting his first varsity hat trick in a black and gold jersey, propelling RM to a 4-1 first-round victory. He scored three straight unanswered goals in the second half to secure the win, as the Rockets would advance to their second straight regional semifinals, this time against the top-seeded Bulldogs.

“Khalid was a very important piece and a very big reason for

our success in the playoffs,” senior attackman Cody Da said. “He may not have put up the best stats early in the season but come playoffs he just went crazy, he was scoring left and right in almost every game. He turned up when it really mattered.”

Aljrafi arrived again for RM against the county champions, playing hero with yet another multi-goal game, scoring two pivotal goals in the Rocket’s 3-2 overtime win over Churchill.

Trailing 1-0 for most of the game, Aljirafi struck first 15 minutes

into the second half connecting with a cross from Hassan Elsayed and scoring again just minutes later after an errant pass.

Four days later, the Rockets played in the regional championship against Whitman HS. As the pressure mounted on RM, some doubted if they could continue their hot streak against a team they had already lost to this season. Aljirafi scored early in the game, his sixth of the postseason, putting RM up early, a lead the team would hold for almost another 60 minutes. He fought through a cramp late in the game but continued to impact the game in almost every aspect.

“Khalid just wanted to win more than anyone else, and that really showed on the field,” sophomore goalie Max Sobel said. When Whitman tied the game in the waning seconds of regulation, and neither team could score in extra time, Aljirafi had an important penalty to extend RM’s advantage to 2-1, before sophomore goalie Solomon Snowdy would make the game-winning save minutes later.

Aljirafi capped off his senior season with a trophy, but made an even bigger impact on his team through his encouragement and support. As a captain, he portrayed what it meant to be both a dynamic player and an effi-

cient leader. Aljirafi impressed both his teammates on varsity and his coaches who pushed him to be more than a goal-scorer.

“His leadership and belief in our success were crucial in our journey to a historical regional championship. Khalid exemplifies what it means to be a Rocket,” senior defenseman Kevin Baer said.

While Khalid deserves accolades for his play last fall, it is his leadership on and off the pitch that earned him this inaugural award. Head Coach Brian Urioste challenged him to a bigger role on the team, using his skill and understanding of the game to teach and encourage his teammates. Coach Urioste believed the team had the talent to go far, but questioned the mental strength of his squad when pressure built and tensions grew. Aljirafi answered those questions.

“He made sure his teammates were always thinking positively throughout the game, through the good and the bad, and always supported anyone that came on or off the field,” Coach Urioste said. “More importantly, he celebrated everyone’s goals or saves as if it was one of his. This helped our team become a family, and with that bond that Khalid and our captains created, it set us off for a wonderful playoff run.”

Senior attackman Khalid Aljirafi points to the camera after a playoff goal against Walter Johnson.

PHOTO BY DANNY MARTELLA

PHOTO COURTESY OF EMILY CAPLAN

Senior field hockey and lacrosse captain Davanee McNairy celebrates the varsity field hockey teams 2-0 win against Magruder High School on Sept. 24.

Senior lacrosse captain Davanee McNairy takes a picture during a visit to Kent State University.

PHOTO COURTESY OF DAVANEE MCNAIRY