The Tide - December 2016

20News 2-4

Holiday Spotlight 5 Opinions 6-8 Common Grounds 9 International 10

Style 11 Center Spread 12-13 La Marea 14 Arts 16-17 Features 18-20 Sports 22-24

PHOTO BY MONA LEE

The annual Common Grounds assembly was put on by staff and students and held on Friday, Dec. 16. It showcased the dances, music and fashion of countries all over the world.

Have American holidays A celebration of become too materialistic? student diversity

by Tesia Shi Gifts have increasingly become the focal point of holidays, with the average American spending more than $1000 during the holiday season. The pressure to buy extravagant gifts may mar the original spirit of the holidays, and lessen the importance of being around family.

“The best part of Christmas, especially as I’ve gotten older,

is not opening the presents, but spending time with family and the warm fuzzies of going to church and sitting around the Christmas tree,” Spanish teacher Aaron Trovillion said.

Now, from cheap Halloween candy to Black Friday, the holiday spirit is accompanied by an onslaught of discounts and promotions.

Advertisements from retail stores constantly appear on television and radio stations, announcing special holiday bargains. A handmade

PHOTO COURTESY OF CHRIS SCHIFFNER

People hustle through busy malls as the holiday season approaches.

Inside The Tide...

meal or card for mom and dad are replaced with the latest iPhone or a store-bought greeting card.

Although these gifts can often be more practical than handmade ones, a handmade gift delivers a stronger sense of sincerity and warmth. “The best gifts are gifts made by you, not bought,” sophomore Russell Corbin said.

The issue of overcommercialization has not gone unnoticed. While some argue that the commercialization promotes economic growth, others abhor the materialism and the focus on “receiving” instead of “giving” during this time of year.

According to a poll conducted by the Pew Research Center, one-third of Americans cited the commercialization of Christmas as their least favorite part of the holiday.

In one extreme example of anti-commercialization, Anna Jarvis, who conceived Mother’s Day, campaigned for the holiday as a day to memorialize and honor mothers. However, floral companies and greeting card manufacturers quickly turned the holiday into a commercial enterprise.

HOLIDAYS, page 6

Style, 11 Center Spread, 12 Battle of TV subscriptions

Holidays around the world

by Victoria Priester Common Grounds is an annual assembly that is aptly named.

Each year, it gives students an opportunity to appreciate the wide range of cultures represented in RM’s student body, which is one of the most diverse student bodies in Montgomery County.

By learning about each other’s cultures, students can both appreciate each other’s unique backgrounds and remember that they are all part of the same school community.

“Common Grounds allows us to show off our school’s diversity, and makes RM feel like a safe place where we can embrace our ethnicities,” senior Reet Goraya said.

Goraya, along with fellow seniors Sofia Bhalwani, Sindhu Iyer and Shreya Sudhir, performed a traditional Indian dance with a hint of modern hip-hop. They broke out sunglasses halfway through the performance, inciting cheers from the audience.

The assembly also included a fashion show presenting attire representative of countries from across the globe, such as

Cameroon, Ireland, Pakistan and Ethiopia.

To ensure every student had a chance to attend, the event was broken down into three assemblies, each with a slightly different lineup of performers.

Students attended the assembly during their seventh-period class, but many students felt this was a worthwhile deviation from normal classroom instruction. “[This assembly] helps us appreciate one another’s cultures,” said junior Ryan Westphal. “Bringing students together creates a feeling of understanding.”

Students feel the holiday season is an ideal time to appreciate one another’s cultures through Common Grounds, because not all traditions are given equal attention during this time of year. “In such a diverse area, it’s important to recognize culture,” Westphal continued. “I’m sure many [holidays and cultures] get overlooked in the midst of the ‘Christmas spirit.’”

RM endeavors to make sure no culture is overlooked, and the Common Grounds assembly is an effective way of doing so.

PHOTO SPREAD, page 9

Arts, 16

Features, 18

Sports, 22

A year in review for the arts

Rich Talk: ‘Words that Hurt’

Lucky pre-game rituals

2

The Tide

December 2016

NEWS

State changes in instruction encourage diversity

by Michelle Ling Richard Montgomery High School is a melting pot of races and cultures, as shown by the variety of people in hallways, sports teams, extracurricular activities and classrooms. Although the student population is made up of a conglomeration of students from many backgrounds, diversity remains a significant issue in the state of Maryland.

On May 4, 2015, the ruling of the Supreme Court case Obergefell v. Hodges legalized gay marriage in all 50 states.

That, in addition to the increasingly fluid and expansive spectrum of gender identity, has prompted the Maryland State Board of Education to begin an effort to expand upon diversity in the Maryland school system.

The Maryland State Board of Education (BOE) was established in 1864 and is comprised of twelve members appointed by the governor: eleven members serving four-year terms and one student member serving a one-year term.

As the highest authority of education in the state, the BOE passes educational policy. Furthermore, the BOE works to ensure that schools meet the regulation standards. In the past year, the BOE has been focused on developing the diversity within schools, especially through a global curriculum.

“We have this regulation in Maryland called Multicultural Education. This is a very outdated regulation right and now we’re updating it; some of the big items we’re adding include gender identity and sexual orientation as markers of diversity,” senior David Edimo, Maryland BOE’s current State Student Member of the Board (SMOB), said.

“We have a definition of cultural proficiency, and we have expectations that schools have materials that teach

about racism, sexism, and discrimination in general. We’re trying now to portray positive role models in minorities as well,” Edimo continued.

The Board’s new regulation, named Education That is Multicultural, was submitted for public comment in October, and will be in its final stages by January 2017.

The regulation’s goal is to help students “demonstrate an understanding of and an appreciation for cultural groups in the United States as an integral part of education for a culturally pluralistic society” and “enable students to apply these skills to fully participate in the democratic process of their community, state, nation, and world,” according to a MCPS policy exhibit.

“I think it is to reflect the reality that Maryland is one of the most diverse states in our country,” Edimo added.

Many students expressed similar sentiments regarding the topic of diversity in schools. “I think it’s good that they want to make the school system more diverse, and I think we definitely need it. I think every school system should have it, so I would support that, getting a chance to be around all types of people,” junior Rachel Perry said.

Freshman Pranav Tadikonda also praised the Board for their recent actions.

“The Board is recognizing every single student’s rights. After all, everybody is normal, as we are all human beings, but we are also unique. By incorporating diversity into the curriculum, the Board is working towards giving all students an equal opportunity to excel and succeed in school,” he said.

“I think that Montgomery County does a pretty decent job already when it comes to providing modern curriculum but there are areas where that is not the case, so we’re going to make sure minorities, whether it’s ethnic minorities or gender identity, feel welcome and included in the classroom

environment. I definitely think that we’re in a good school climate and school culture here,” Edimo said.

However, others convey skepticism towards the execution of the Board’s plans. “I haven’t really seen that much improvement. I hope that they manage to actually improve this,” sophomore Brynne Schoen said.

“I think [the BOE is] moving in the right direction. We need to be focusing on closing the achievement gap and encouraging equal access to resources that students across the state receive in order to promote

GRAPHIC BY KATHERINE WANG

December/January

December 25

Christmas Feliz Navidad! Joyeux Noël!

Break Dec. 26-Jan. 2 Winter Celebrate the time off with a lot of zzz...

January 16

Martin Luther King Jr. Day I have a dream...

January 20

Inauguration Day Welcome to Washington, President Trump!

January 26

Second Marking Period Ends Just one more semester!

January 27

One Acts Plays Directed by the students, for the students.

diversity,” junior and Vice President of the Maryland Association of Student Councils Grace Wu said.

Unfortunately, students still believe that there is a prevalent disconnect in communication between the state BOE and the student body as a whole. “I think an issue in our school system is them, the Board, making changes without us having a voice, not being heard by them,” Perry remarked.

Other students agreed, acknowledging the presence of the State BOE but not knowing about their actual tasks and responsibilities.

Looking towards the future, the state BOE has decided to take on the Every Student Succeeds Act. “We are going to be developing a government accountability plan in the next few months. We are going to measure achievement and growth in our schools, how we’re going to turn around failing or underperforming schools. That’s our biggest priority and biggest responsibility right now. We will be working on that goal until we submit our plans to the federal Department of Education this spring,” Edimo said.

The RM community indicated their support for the Board’s next project.

“I think closing the achievement gap is a very important issue. Several students that fall under minorities are socioeconomically disadvantaged and therefore do not have an equal chance to academically succeed,” Tadikonda noted.

“I think it is really important that we distribute our resources fairly, so that everyone gets an equal opportunity to learn and to grow,” Schoen added.

“Ultimately, I think that our system has an obligation to ensure that students are going to go out into the world, and it’s not going to be homogenous. I believe it will foster good character, and show that everyone, no matter their identity, can succeed,” Edimo said.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Montgomery County schools dominate MD top ten list In the 2016 yearly school rankings for Maryland, Montgomery County schools took the majority of the rankings. This year, eight of the top ten schools in Maryland and seven of the top ten schools in the D.C district came from Montgomery County.

The rankings were made by niche.com and schools were graded on a number of categories: Sports, Academics, Diversity, Clubs, Teachers, Health and Safety, Resources and Parent and Student Reviews. The grades are measured from E to A+, and the lowest grades in the top 10 are B’s.

In the rankings, Poolesville High School was ranked 1st, followed by both Walter Johnson and Walt Whitman. B-CC was ranked 5th and Richard Montgomery was ranked 6th. The list closed off with Churchill, Blair and Wootton as 7th, 9th and 10th ranked schools respectively.

Richard Montgomery 6th place ranking came from a “B+” grade in Health and Safety with A’s in everything else. The parental review gave an average of 4.2 out of 5.

“Montgomery County has a really diverse culture and there are a lot extra-curricular opportunities around the county, so I think that’s why they get more schools on the ranking,” freshman Katie Kolodner said.

This increased diversity demonstrates the larger influence that people of color have exhibited in Montgomery County. The diversity scores of the majority of Montgomery County schools were significantly higher than those of other schools. Richard Montomery experiences this rich array of diversity through the variety of student cultures and ethnicities.

By Derek Yao

AWARDS

Congratulations to senior David Edimo for being selected to represent the state of Maryland as a delegate in the United States Senate Youth Program.

Congratulations to senior Camilo Gonzalez-Sol for being named the 2017 National YoungArts Foundation Merit winner in Classical Music and Composition.

Congratulations to senior Kenny Afolabi-Brown, member of the swim team, and senior Kamryn Umbel, member of the dive team, for committing to UConn and Penn State respectively.

NEWS

The Tide

December 2016

3

MCPS passes expansion budget Businesses fined for

by Melissa Thomas In the past few years, many MCPS schools have been bursting at the seams with overcrowded classes and have looking worse for wear. Fortunately, the Board of Education has found a solution to this problem: The Capital Improvements Program (CIP).

The program allocates money for proper maintenance of public schools in Montgomery County and outlines plans to install building systems, expand schools and construct new ones.

Many students share the idea that a definite positive relationship exists between school conditions and student achievement. “[The CIP budget] will make the facilities better which will make our learning environment better,” junior Ashley Weaver said.

Freshman Mehrene Ullah observed that it will not just be students who benefit from the budget.

“Some teachers have to share rooms and wheel around carts, so if this budget adds classrooms then it will really benefit them,” she said.

Besides making physical improvements to existing schools, the CIP will also have ways to deal with overpopulation of students.

Students throughout the county have been more and more aware of the influx of students in MCPS, so the new budget suggests additions to schools that have nearly reached their student capacity and creations of new schools. Students may eventually see less congested hallways and classrooms due to the CIP.

The staff and students of RM had specific hopes as to what will come out of the CIP budget. History teacher Angela Robinson noted the demand for better classroom equipment and instructional space. “I hope this budget will ensure that there are more science labs available for the science teachers,” she said.

GRAPHIC BY KERN LEE

Freshman Logan TurnerMannix hoped that this budget will be the first step in making the school more eco-friendly. “As the generation that’s trying to be more aware of the environment, it would be cool to see that implemented. Coming to school and seeing environmentally friendly lights would be great,” she said.

While students are excited to see this budget in action, there are questions as to how it will be implemented.

Spanish teacher Roxanne Hodges said, “I’m concerned about the equation for how they select which schools are going to get added on to or rebuilt. Many

schools in the county are run down, so the budget would have to target all of them and their individual needs.”

“If it is not a significant amount of money then only small portions will be going to each school, which wouldn’t have much of an impact,” Weaver added.

Mehrene Ullah, like many other students, feels optimistic, yet doubtful of the impact the CIP budget will have in MCPS. “Here, the computers are good and we have a lot of resources available to us. I think this budget will be good for schools that are run down but I’m not sure I would make it a top priority—at least, not here. RM maintains itself well,” she said.

There are also environmental concerns. Land must be obtained to make these promised additions and build more schools. The big question students have is how this land will be obtained. Will trees need to be cut? Will local wildlife be affected?

“At Richard Montgomery, we have a big mice and rodent problem because they built on top of grass originally. Since those animals had nowhere to go they just came back here and I think other schools have the same problem,” Mrs. Hodges said.

However, according to Mrs. Hodges, the pros in the CIP heavily outweigh any prospective cons.

“I don’t think there are many things that should be above the safety and comfort of the students,” she added.

Students can expect to see repairs and additions in the next few years.

failing to clear snow

by Alice Zhu With snow season nearing, the Montgomery County Council is considering a bill that would raise the snow fine for commercial properties from a class C misdemeanor of $50 a day to a more severe misdemeanor of $500 a day.

The bill would only apply to businesses that do not clear sidewalks and walkways of snow and ice within 24 hours after precipitation has ended; it would not alter the $50 daily fine for residential properties.

Council Member Hans Riemer hopes the bill will encourage citizens to shovel their snow and motivate the enforcement of the law.

In the last three winters, Montgomery County has received 2,053 complaints for unshoveled walkways. Only two fines for businesses and two fines for homeowners.

Riemer argues that while $50 may be adequate for residential properties, a $50 fine may not deter businesses.

However, others support a graduated scale because businesses are quite variable: some are non-chain or local stores while others boast large parking lots.

Some people still carry worries about the ramifications on small businesses. “Where I work, we make a lot of money so it probably wouldn’t affect us.

However, no matter what, you need to clear the sidewalk,” senior

Sandra Vordzorgbe said.

“If people can’t get in there, there’s no business. Also, snow needs to be cleared nicely, especially in RTC where there isn’t much space to put the snow, because you don’t want a car getting stuck in traffic, skidding everywhere,” she continued.

GRAPHIC BY ISABELLE ZHOU

Retired Bethesda firefighter Richard Hoye believes the government is not correctly solving the problem, noting that there were about 700 complaints were about uncleared snow on residential properties and only 150 complaints for commercial properties. Hoye adds that the government often does not clear snow within the 24 hour window and that it is unrealistic for store owners to clear their sidewalks under such circumstances.

Sophomore Isha Yardi agreed that the fine was fair for public property and argued that shoveling the snow is important for everyone. “I feel that it’s important that people respect their community because people depend on public property to get around in the neighborhood.

Even if it’s expensive, it’s also for the safety of others and yourself,” Yardi said.

Local elections recap: County Council term limits

by Ayesha Khawaja It has been a busy election year for Montgomery County.

Aside from the yearly House of Representative elections, the Montgomery County Council proposed three questions, which all passed by wide margins.

Question A involved allowing the County Council to hold a special election to fill a vacancy in the County Executive position. 90 percent of voters voted in favor of the bill, passing it by a landslide.

Question B, which passed by nearly a 40 percent margin, dealt with the pressing topic of limiting the County Executive and County Council to holding three consecutive terms of office. If someone had only done partial service of a full term, it would still count as a full term.

Lastly, Question C aimed to clarify the phrase “partial service of a full term” from Question B by asking voters to define it as serving two or more years of a term, and passed by a 57 percent margin.

On a larger scale, the elections for the House of Representatives in the three congressional districts of the county— District 3, District 6, and District 8—were held on November 8. Democrats John Sarbanes, John Delaney and Jamie Raskin won each district, respectively.

Incumbent John Sarbanes, who represents Gaithersburg, Rockville and other areas in central Montgomery County, has held the District 3 seat since 2007.

Among the acts he looks to pass is the Government By the People Act, which would counter the influence of campaign contributions from corporations and the wealthy.

“I am proud to be leading the charge in Congress to limit the influence of big money on politics and government and amplify

the voices of everyday Americans,” read a statement on Sarbanes’ website.

Sarbanes is also an ardent supporter of the No Child Left Inside Act, which promotes environmental education and places an emphasis on outdoor education programs. This legislation is supported by over 2,200 local and national organizations that encourage environmental literacy and hope to expand existing science education funding.

to close the achievement gap and prepare all students for success in their future secondary schooling.

Like Sarbanes, Delaney has proposed an act of his own. Since 2013, Delaney has been fighting for The Partnership to Build America Act, which would finance the rebuilding of the transportation, energy, communications, water and education infrastructure.

In the most expensive race in congressional history, Jamie Raskin defeated Republican Dan Cox by over 120,000 votes in District 8, which encompasses Olney and Sandy Spring.

Raskin is a strong advocate of gun control and hopes to drastically reduce gun violence. To achieve this goal, he looks to pass acts requiring universal background

GRAPHIC BY ISABELLE ZHOU

John Delaney, the incumbent representative for District 6, also emphasizes the importance of education, specifically with regards to early education. By improving the quality of preschools, Delaney hopes

checks, banning assault weapons and preventing those with criminal records from obtaining firearms.

As a past Maryland senator, Raskin has committed to improving education by passing acts which increase educational funds and improve school nutrition. He

hopes to carry that success over to his term in the House.

“We need this new generation of creative, culturally aware and technologically savvy young people to teach, to start businesses, to research, to work with seniors, to solve environmental problems and to confront the stubborn problems of our day after they graduate,” Raskin wrote on his campaign website.

The elected representatives will hold positions of power in which they can enact policy that will impact Richard Montgomery.

“If you’re a representative, as you’re crafting your position or your thoughts on a particular topic, it’s supposed to be done in terms of what you believe your constituents will want,” AP Government teacher William Vicari said.

The educational policies that Sarbanes, Delaney and Raskin vote for could have significant impact on Montgomery County in the coming years.

Also, the other issues they pursue, such as immigration, the economy and health care, may impact students’ families and the students themselves, particularly once they graduate.

The local elections have reaffirmed the idea that Montgomery County is heavily Democratic as all elections were won by Democratic candidates.

Elected officials will work towards Democratic policies, as has been the trend of Maryland representatives in recent history.

“As far as the representation, and the representatives of Rockville residents and of RM students, whether you live in the Sixth or Eighth District, or even in the Third, they’re all Democrats,” Mr. Vicari said.

“In terms of what representation that we’re getting, all of us, that isn’t changed.”

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NEWS

The Tide

December 2016

International Night production is a showstopper

by Angela Mu With the arrival of the holiday season at RM, students, families and staff gathered in the auditorium on December 9 for International Night, before they

in the performance clearly reflected the diversity of the student population at RM. Wearing a red traditional Bengali shirt, sophomore Syed Hussain Chishty sang a Bengali song and mimicked playing a Bengali instrument.

Audience members were intrigued by the song, which conveyed the importance

PHOTO COURTESY OF DAMON MONTELEONE

Students take a bow after the cultural showcase at RM’s annual international night. dispersed for Winter Break. Despite the of differences between one another and the below-freezing temperatures outside, the remembrance of one’s native land. auditorium was radiating with energy and The Bolivian cultural performance was warmth. marked by its loud, intense music, vibrant The multitude of cultures that compose traditional clothing and feathered hats. The the RM student body were showcased and dramatic dance movements along with brought together. The annual event not the fast-paced music closely resembled only served as an opportunity for students warriors at war. and their families to dance, sing and Some of the most popular performances perform on stage, but also as a chance for each year are those performed by RM’s them to share cultural food.

Dance Club and the Breakdance Club.

Although this year’s International This year, members of the Breakdance Night only consisted of ten performances, club approached International Night with a variety of cultures were showcased. a Chinese theme. Wearing traditional Ranging from Bolivia, China and Chinese shirts and face masks, they mixed Bangladesh, the countries represented Chinese culture with the breakdancing

New Rockville city manager

by Chloe Eoyang A new Rockville city manager has been appointed, replacing interim city manager Richard Simoneau.

The search for a new city manager had dragged on since February. Ultimately, Robert DiSpirito was selected out of three finalists.

Prior to this new position, DiSpirito was city manager of Oberlin, Ohio from April 1996 to January 2007 and the city manager of Dunedin, Florida from 2007 to January this year.

DiSpirito will fully assume his position as city manager of Rockville in January 2017.

The search for a new city manager came as a shock to many. Barbara Matthews, the former city manager of over three years, was unceremoniously fired in Febraury without a specific reason given to the public.

It is unclear what DiSpirito plans to do in the future with Rockville.

He previously stated his approach to city managing in his application for city manager of Cocoa Beach.

There, DiSpirito planned to redevelop vacant and under-used sites, protect neighborhoods and build new and better parks.

DiSpirito also made plans to feature festivals and special events and encourage smart land use and preservation of environmentally sensitive natural areas.

However, Dunedin, Florida is a coastal town and a growing tourist destination while Oberlin, Ohio is a “progressive, historic” city.

Both are a far cry from Rockville, located on the outskirts of Washington D.C. in one of the wealthiest counties in the country.

It is unclear as to whether he believes this approach can apply to Rockville as well. However, the Rockville City Council has high hopes for DiSpirito.

style. In a series of tumbles, spins and handstands, they displayed their agility and strength.

A wave of cheers erupted from the crowd when a breakdancer spun on the ground nearly ten times while still in a headstand position.

Senior Hugh Le said, “I’ve been dancing for 3 years with my friends. We all started the same, but after 3 years, we’ve found our individual styles. Dancing is just really fun in general and you can get your mind off of things and make a lot of friends and express yourself.”

Freshman Jonathan Cerda was very inspired by the Breakdance performance.

“International Night was absolutely amazing. This was my second time watching. Last year, when I was an 8th grader, I came here with my sister, who performed a Hispanic song,” Cerda said.

“I actually really want to join breakdancing now, even though I’m not very good at dancing.”

The RM Dance Club performed a series of hip-hop and Korean pop dances which expressed their appreciation for Korean culture.

“I had a dance teacher who sparked my interest in Korean dramas. My interest in Korean culture really impacted my life, since I spend a lot of time watching Korean dramas and listening to K-pop. I would probably perform another Korean dance next year too because there are just so many songs that each have their own choreography,” sophomore Amanda Crabill said.

Senior Rachel Mortalla, leader of the Main Dance Crew at RM, also described what inspired her to dance.

“In my culture, since I’m from El Salvador, there’s a lot of Latin American dancing, which my cousins do. I learned

from them and they inspired me to get better at dancing and learn more about different dance styles.” Moratalla said.

Freshmen Jessica Lee and Carolyn Lee put on a show with Chinese yo-yos.

Unlike American yo-yos, Chinese yoyos are much larger in size and are not attached to strings. The two spun the yoyos in the air, around their legs and even tossed them to each other multiple times.

Yet, the yo-yos never touched the ground.

Junior Chloe Eoyang, a member of the Chinese Honor Society, also displayed Chinese culture through a popular Chinese song. Lucy Ji wore a blue, flowery dress which resembled a flower and performed a Chinese Passionate Petals dance.

Other dances that further reflected the diverse culture of RM were a Zumba Latino dance, a Middle Eastern Egyptian dance,and a Latin partner dance.

The staff members who helped organize the night also expressed their views on International Night.

“It allows other people to understand and for students to say ‘This is who I am.

I’m more than just a student. These are the talents I have. This is the other side to me’.

The other nice thing about international night is that it also allows families to participate, like some people might have their brothers and sisters, or even parents involved,” Dr. Alexander, media specialist and International Night organizer said.

“International Night definitely brings RM together as a community, but in a more limited way. I just think that it has so much potential and such a rich, powerful foundation. It would be better if we could promote it and expose more people to it. I think we can also defy stereotypes sometimes, if we look at the hobbies and interests of our students on stage today,” Principal Damon Monteleone said.

Three new BOE members take office

by Ummara Khan This year, three out of the seven seats on the MCPS Board of Education (BOE) were vacant in the November general election. The three winners, Jeannette Dixon, Shebra Evans and incumbent Rebecca Smondrowski, were welcomed by the Board.

Dixon defeated long-time Board member Phil Kauffman and will be representing District 2 while Evans won against Anjali Rheed Phukan in order to secure the District 4 representative.

Throughout the campaign process all three members advocated for policies they believed would benefit MCPS. Dixon’s biggest priorities are to increase the aid given to special-need students and students who lack proficiency in math and English. She also wants to establish a strong and transparent relationship with the public so that communication and public input become the foundation for her constituents to have full confidence in her.

“At a time when trust in government institutions is low, the BOE members have a huge opportunity to demonstrate good governance,” senior David Edimo, Maryland State Student Member of the Board (SMOB), pointed out.

The prominent issues for Evans are helping to close the achievement gap and increasing opportunities for students to expand career options after high school.

By engaging with community partners such as local businesses and nonprofit groups, Evans hopes to increase options for students who will enter the job field directly after high school.

These two new members are both African American women, adding to the diversity on the BOE, and the people that the BOE represent.

“I think the election of new members Evans and Dixon is important because they increase the gender and racial diversity of the BOE, which allows the BOE to more accurately represent the student body they work for,” junior Hannah San Sebastian,

MCR Community Outreach director, said.

Smondroski, who ran for a second term, plans to continue advocating for students with special needs, and help expand opportunities through internships and project-based learning and vocational education.

All three members have said that they would like to increase funding for immersion and magnet programs.

The three members were sworn in on December 1, and the BOE quickly got to work during their first meeting on December 8. BOE members usually meet twice a month to discuss and vote on policies, hear appeals and help determine budgets and facilities.

issues, the voter turnout increased this year. Over three million people voted this election for who they wanted on the BOE. “It is important to vote for the board, so that they can properly allocate funds and create legislation that best line up with our own ideals,” San Sebastian said.

Sophomore Ananya Tadikonda, MCR treasurer, agreed that choosing the right BOE members is crucial. “If the qualifications of the BOE members are not adequate enough, then they will not be able to make the right decisions about the future of students.”

Because the BOE has such a large influence on a MCPS student’s educational career, increasing communication between

PHOTO COURTESY OF MCPS

Jeannette Dixon (left), Rebecca Smondrowski (middle) and Shebra Evans (right).

BOE members also have a students and the Board is something responsibility to preside over public several students want to see. hearings, communicate with the county’s “The Board of Education provides stakeholders and regularly review issues an opportunity in January for anyone to and policies brought up in committee. testify and advocate for what they want to Some of these committees include be implemented in the budget,” Tadikonda the Fiscal Management Committee, who said. “More direct communication with manages the Board’s finances, and the the Board and the students can be done Communications and Public Engagement through the implementation more town Committee, who communicates with halls.” diverse groups and stakeholders Although most students do not get to respectively. vote for the adult members of the BOE, This year’s BOE election was an middle and high school students will vote especially crucial one. The growing MCPS in April for the MCPS Student Member on population highlights pressing issues the Board. The SMOB will replace current concerning the achievement gap and the SMOB Eric Guerci and work with the BOE remodeling of schools. to ensure that MCPS continues to progress With the growing importance of these and meet the needs of all its students.

The Tide

December 2016

Holiday Spotlight

5

PHOTO BY MONA LEE

Above: Each winter, the turf quad in Rockville Town Center converts into an ice rink for patrons. A common tradition among RM students is to go to the ice rink after school on the last day before winter break begins and skate with their friends. The rink also offers seasonal employment to students.

PHOTO BY MONA LEE

Above: The Christmas tree in RTC is put up every year next to the ice rink; this year’s tree features lights that change to the beat of music.

PHOTO COURTESY OF KATHERINE WANG

PHOTO COURTESY OF BECCA LEVY

Above: Seniors Katherine Wang, Grace Sun and Maddie Liu dress up in reindeer antlers to get into their holiday spirit. Students wear holiday-themed clothing during the last week of school before break.

Left: RM families celebrate a variety of holidays that represent their diverse cultures and traditions.

PHOTO BY MONA LEE

Above: The main office is known for putting up decorations during different holidays. During the winter, they hang hand-made paper snowflakes on the ceiling.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ALISA YAN

Above: Pet sweaters have become popular during the holidays--senior Alisa Yan’s dog, Cody, sports a festive sweater as he sits next to the tree.

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The Tide

OPINIONS

December 2016

Materialism corrupts holidays HOLIDAYS, cont. from page 1

GRAPHIC BY KERN LEE

With the total sale of holiday greeting cards rising to seven billion, Mrs. Jarvis’ worst nightmare may be coming true.

Black Friday, a retail holiday known for having insane lines at the cash register and doorbuster deals, ironically takes place right after Thanksgiving, a day for thanks. The name refers to the practice of moving from “red to black,” back when store records were written in red ink for deficits and black ink for profit.

While Black Friday is widely accepted as a part of tradition, it seems to contradict the spirit of Thanksgiving. Long and tiring sales lines are a huge contrast to the joyful holiday mood.

Freshman Joy Shi said, “Black Friday could be moved to a little after Thanksgiving because it kind of takes away from the spirit of Thanksgiving.” As Black Friday intrudes on Thanksgiving, with stores such as Walmart opening on the afternoon of Thanksgiving, store employees are forced to leave their families

to attend to the hordes of shoppers waiting.

However, not everyone feels that the commercialization of holidays is necessarily affecting the holiday spirit. For some families, exchanging gifts is a staple of the holiday tradition.

“Gifts might take away the holiday spirit for other people, but not for my family. I think gifts add to the spirit of the holiday because you’re giving people close to you things that will make them happy,” senior Jeremy Lyons commented.

Lyons added, “I like Black Friday a lot. I don’t see a problem with it being right after Thanksgiving.”

With different interpretations and traditions, each family should celebrate the holidays in the way they feel most comfortable, regardless of whether or not they agree with the holidays’ overcommercialization. Whether you believe Black Friday is a sin or a blessing, we should focus on creating memories rather than buying gifts.

How reliable is online news?

by Emily Zhao As a result of the vastness and accessibility of the internet, online news—depending on the source—can contain extreme opinions and outright false information. A person with no background knowledge in an issue can write an article full of lies, and still garner an impressive amount of views and subscribers.

Internet news, particularly “alternative media” outlets in social media (Buzzfeed, Facebook News, etc.), has gained popularity as print news is on the decline.

Junior Roni Tamary said, “Social media news outlets might give a broader perspective, especially because they are geared towards younger people. It might want to have their news connect to more people.”

People should not trust the credibility of these news sources so easily. Buzzfeed, for example, has strong liberal leanings, evident even in their headlines.

Websites or TV channels that examine issues through highly filtered ideological lenses tend to be less trustworthy than those without political bias.

According to a Business Insider survey, Buzzfeed is viewed as the least trustworthy source of news by all political groups. Buzzfeed rarely cites its sources and allows registered users, who can be anyone, to write posts. Buzzfeed even published a false news article claiming that false news is viewed more on Facebook than real news. Ironically, that was later debunked by more credible sources such as The Washington Post.

Another source of “fake news” is Facebook, where anybody can post anything. A survey conducted by Pew Research Center in January 2016 shows that 66% of Facebook users get news from the site. According to Panmore Institute, Facebook’s mission is “to give people the

power to share and make the world more open and connected.”

However, the power to share with so many users can spread misinformation.

After the recent election, in which Donald Trump defied the polls, people began speculating whether fake news on social media had an impact on the election result.

Freshman Kaylen Pak said, “It seems like every single time you pull up the news, it’s something about Trump. And the fact that Trump popped up in the news

GRAPHIC BY KERN LEE

every day of the election process definitely influenced voters.”

In one instance, a Facebook “fake news” writer with no background in journalism, named Paul Horner, wrote several false news articles which were marked as trending on Facebook. In an interview with The Washington Post, Horner claimed that he may have even swayed the results of the election because his articles supported Trump as a presidential candidate.

To combat the spread of misinformation, Facebook has added a reporting function for fake news, which allows users to flag down a post as a “fake news story.” If enough people report the article, a small disclaimer above the post will warn you that “many Facebook users have reported that this story contains

false information.” However, this warning is not enough to combat the problem, as it depends wholly on the fact-checking of users.

Professional news sources are a much more reliable outlet to depend on. Established newspapers and magazines have the advantage of expert staff, social resources, and a tradition of honest journalism to uphold.

It also often takes much longer to publish an article in a newspaper, as the article must go through various rounds of meticulous editing and fact-checking. The chances that false information would slip through are much rarer.

Junior Edith Holt voiced, “I usually trust newspapers more than the internet because anybody can post things on the internet.”

Established television news stations, however, are often mixed in reliability. News channels survive off of ad revenue, and thus depend on wide viewerships best attracted by sensationalist news with muddled facts, inaccurate statistics, and soundbite interviews.

Even so, reporters for reputable news channels such as CNN and ABC news double-check their information, making TV news still more reliable than social media.

How can students ensure that the news they read is credible? A big suggestion is to fact-check. If multiple news sources have the same information, then the chances of the information being correct increase dramatically.

So ultimately, the most accurate and reliable way to get your news is to pick up that newspaper or magazine, rather than scrolling through Facebook or Buzzfeed. If you do end up reading something on the internet, fact-check the information by using a credible source on the internet. Credible sources can be determined by the experience of the writer, the news source’s reputation, and whether the writer has cited other legitimate references.

By doing this, students can avoid falling into the trap of false news.

How can school lunches be improved?

Please send a brief response to tide.opinions@gmail.com including your name and grade. Your submission may be edited for length and/or clarity.

NOVEMBER QOTM What classes should be mandatory for high school students?

More RM students should take Chinese as their language class.

With China as a growing world power, it is more important than ever to learn Chinese, a language that can prove very useful in the future. Although Chinese is a difficult language to learn, all the teachers are encouraging and supportive. In addition to the language, students also learn about China’s fascinating culture and history. The teacher lectures about global issues involving China, something that is vital to contextualizing the Chinese language, and a topic that is not as emphasized in other language or history courses taught at RM. -Anonymous There should be a food-tasting course available to students. The purpose of the course would be to learn about different foods, but more importantly, eat and analyze them. Some example class activities could include watching Tasty videos on Facebook, having "Foodie Fridays" (in which students bring dishes to class, pot-luck style), and visiting local restaurants. This class would also provide a brief respite for those waiting for lunch or an afterschool snack. Most importantly, it would provide an opportunity for students to have their fill of the culinary arts.

-Ami Wong, Grade 11

The Tide

250 Richard Montgomery Drive Rockville, Maryland 20852 www.thermtide.com 301-610-8000 The Tide is the student newspaper of Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville, Maryland. The Tide is dedicated to keeping the Richard Montgomery school community accurately informed and to providing a forum for student expression.

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The Tide

OPINIONS

Black & Gold

December 2016

Should teenagers be allowed to drive?

7

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Yes, they are old enough No, too many accidents

by Shevani Tewari Despite statistics on the number of vehicular-related accidents caused by teenage driving, we must recognize the advantages gained from driving and explore the validity of the case for teenagers getting behind the wheel.

First and foremost, driving is beneficial to a teenager’s growing sense of independence and responsibility, and it greatly improves the quality of their life. Before jumping to conclusions, it is important to analyze the facts and opinions of high school students, ranging from those

license, teenagers can never have any measurable alcohol on them, and cannot recreationally drive between midnight and five AM. Most teenage driving accidents happen under the influence of alcohol or late-night exhaustion. Simply enforcing these policies more strictly is the solution to combat ing potential irresponsibility, as compared to entirely revoking a teenager’s privilege to drive.

By the age of sixteen—the time when teenagers typically begin to get their permit and provisional license—teens are already being held responsible for their grades, scholarships, jobs, exams, and extracurriculars, all closely comparable to

PHOTO BY MONA LEE

Many students drive as their primary form of transportation to school, sports, or work.

already behind the wheel to those who are just beginning to learn the basics.

Many students at RM believe that the idea to revoke teenagers’ privilege to drive is simply insulting and blatantly unfair to capable teenagers. Freshman Grace Zhou pointed out, “There are already a lot of responsibilities that are passed on to teenagers, so why shouldn’t they be allowed driving privileges as well?”

The current system of obtaining a learner’s permit before the provisional license in Maryland is sufficient in itself, as almost all teen motor accidents have involved or been attributed to violations of license regulations. Instead of reworking the current regulations, officials should simply enforce them.

Those against teen driving may argue that because teenagers’ brains are not fully developed, they should not drive: an activity requiring high cognitive ability.

However, under this logic, people would not be allowed to obtain licenses until their mid-twenties, as the frontal lobe continually develops throughout the first two decades of our lives. Thus, some people would be unable to drive until graduating from college, which is a ridiculous and unreasonably restrictive notion.

While some might argue that a young adult is more mature and capable of making safe decisions on the road, the current licensing system already accounts for this. Junior Esika Savsani said, “There is already a provisional license for those under eighteen, and their freedoms are already limited.” Under this provisional

B

Black

responsibilities held by young adults.

As stated by Zhou, “We’re in that stage where they expect us to act like an adult, while we’re being treated like a child.”

Revoking all teenagers’ privileges to drive, including those who are clearly responsible enough, would simply perpetuate the hypocrisy wherein teenagers are unfairly given the responsibilities of adults but are still treated as children.

One of the main causes of accidents due to teen driving is not the teenagers themselves, but instead the inexperience they have in driving. However, by encouraging teenagers to begin driving under parental custody and restrictions, the chance of an accident can be greatly lowered. By practicing with an experienced driver, teens can prepare for driving alone in the future. “[Driving is] a fundamental part of life, especially where we live,” junior Grace Wang said. It is greatly beneficial for teenagers and their parents to be able to independently drive to school and extracurricular activities.

With individual licenses, teenagers are also given the freedom to pursue activities that fit with their schedules, as opposed to being forced to adapt to their parents’ schedules to ensure a ride. In addition, having another qualified driver in the household saves the parents an enormous amount of time and gas money because teenagers can drive themselves to a lesson or sports practice.

Overall, the idea that teenagers are too young or too immature to drive is an unjust generalization. Stripping capable teenagers of their right to drive would amount to treating them like a child and encouraging them to resent authority. It is simply unfair, especially considering that many have jobs and responsibilities like their adult counterparts.

Maintaining the current system with stricter enforcement of its rules will protect teenagers, make life easier for their families, and reduce the number of car accidents as a whole.

by Bhavesh Kemburu The average teenager goes about their day without a thought in their mind about car accidents. Yet, motor vehicle crashes remain the leading cause of death amongst US teens. According to a 2014 study by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, six teens between the age of 16 and 19 die everyday due to accidents on the road.

The 2,270 teens who became victims of teen-related car crashes in 2014 represent less than one percent of those who were injured as a result of teens being on the roads. These figures show a horrendous amount of disaster caused by a supposedly benign responsibility.

The argument that teens should not be able to drive does not rest solely on them being “too young” or “too immature” to drive. There is a combination of several different factors that account for the high rates of teen-related accidents, from underage driving to texting while driving.

And while some may argue that rather than restricting teen driving we should enforce stricter regulations regarding underage drinking, that will not solve the problem.

In fact, the majority of teen-related accidents are not due to underage drinking. According to American Public Transportation Association (APTA), only 24% of teen-related accidents are from alcohol consumption. Solving the problem of teen-driving is not as simple as focusing on a single issue.

In addition, the factors that cause teen-related fatal accidents have changed significantly. With the technological outburst of the 21st century, texting while driving has been a factor in 13% of teen accidents, and simply enforcing laws that are already in place is not going to solve the problem.

Overall, the public perception of teenrelated driving is certainly mixed between positivity and concern. English teacher Michael Oakes said, “We have come a long way from my situation in the 1990s, but we still have a long way to go.”

What many teenagers are not aware of is the potentially horrible consequences simple distractions while driving can have.

58% of teens have admitted that they talk while driving, 34% of teens admit that they text while driving, and only 55% consistently wear a seatbelt while driving.

34% of teens admit that they text while driving, and only 55% consistently wear a seatbelt while driving.

To most teens, these situations do not seem particularly reckless, but instead as insignificant actions that are done without a second thought. It is thus necessary for teenagers to learn the dangers of distracted driving and spend time developing a mindset centered around safety before getting behind the wheel.

The question of teen-related driving also revolves around the problem of inexperience. At age 16, drivers enter the road with a significant deficiency in skills.

They not only lack enough training to take care of themselves on their own, but also the time to practice and develop a familiarity with driving.

Why not encourage teens to build up more experience and hone their skills

Gold before driving on the road, instead of handing them a license while knowing that they are highly prone to making extremely dangerous mistakes?

The moral consequences of car accidents are too heavy a burden for anyone, much less young drivers, to carry for the rest of their lives. Members of innocent families have died from teen drivers’ inexperience and errors, and it is depressing that so many tragedies can arise from one simple mistake.

Case after case has resulted in pressed charges and ruined lives. Why should teens, who juggle education and personal life, have to hold the lives of others at stake?

Of course, many say that there are solutions to the factors that cause teenrelated incidents. For example, graduated drivers licensing programs have seen a

GRAPHIC BY KERN LEE

general reduction in teen-related accidents throughout the country.

However, to what extent is this really an effective method at reducing teenrelated accidents? Is drilling theoretical information into a teen’s head effective enough to reduce habitual actions?

Many teen drivers cite convenience as a necessary aspect of owning cars and driving to and from school everyday. The truth is, however, that in today’s world, cars are not the only nor the best way to get from point A to point B. Public transportation use has increased by 37% since 1995, according to the APTA. Public transportation is more suited to a teen’s needs. Filled with free Wi-Fi access and opportunities to multitask, public transportation is the best and safest method of travel for teens today.

The more we support teen-related driving, the more we fail to see a solution for the community as a whole rather than one for individual students.

There are students who are responsible and perfectly capable of driving a car safely through the streets. However, there is an undeniably significant portion of teenagers who will make mistakes that may negatively and permanently affect the lives of innocent people.

Should we act selfishly and think of only our own interests and conveniences, or should we promote the wellbeing of the entire community by restricting distracted and inexperienced drivers from getting on the roads?

8 The Tide

OPINIONS

December 2016

Student protests as an outlet for free expression

At the old District Court building, several students delivered passionate speeches as

by Laura Chang the crowd listened and a news helicopter captured the action overhead. The walkout The results of the recent presidential received significant media attention. The election have provoked heated reactions school administration also cooperated with across the nation. Students all over Rockville City Police in order to protect the the county have expressed their safety of the students and community. disapproval of President-elect Donald Though the protest generated a lot Trump by participating in walkouts and of positive feedback, some believe demonstrations. Just as the election results that student protests are disruptive. were met with mixed responses, so were “Personally, I support students exercising the subsequent student protests. their right to speech,” said social studies The First Amendment protects the right teacher Jonathan Taylor. “But I don’t to protest and peacefully assemble, thus support students leaving campus and allowing for peaceful student protests so leaving school. I don’t think that was the long as they do not infringe upon the rights most appropriate method.” of others. Many students use the First This has also been a concern regarding Amendment to argue that their protests are similar college campus protests which legitimate and legally justifiable. have been widespread over the past few On November 16th, 2016, some RM months. Many worry that these actions students chose to leave their classes at will cause disorder and possibly endanger 10 A.M. to join the protest. Although the students if students form into a mob. exact number of participants is disputable, Freshman Jasmine Pham also noted, “It more than 100 students marched through puts a strain on the teachers because they Rockville Town Center in protest of the have to deal with absences and having to election results. They carried colorful reteach.” posters and flyers with slogans while Nevertheless, protests can often unite chanting in unison. students with a common belief or goal.

For RM students, the protest was about having their voices heard by the public and exercising their rights. Since the majority of students who participated in the protest were less than 18 years old and were thus ineligible to vote, many consider protesting as an effective way to engage in the political conversation.

“I think that peaceful protests are a really important outlet for student expression because they’re the only real way that we get any attention and any real media coverage,” sophomore Ava Zakikhani explained. “They don’t happen very often, but when they do, people tend to listen.”

Those who participated in the walkout were also invigorated by the sense of community they felt as they marched down Fleet Street and Maryland Avenue PHOTO BY ALBERT ZHANG A student carried the LGBT flag in solidarity. and gathered around the old courthouse.

PHOTO BY ALBERT ZHANG

Students gather on the steps of the old courthouse, chanting slogans and giving speeches.

Junior class president Daniel Gelillo exclaimed, “Protests are empowering and give people who participate a sense of community. When we all chanted and walked together, our unity was extremely moving to me.”

The student protesters sought to spread love and embrace their diversity by chanting phrases like “Stronger together,” “Love trumps hate,” “Not my president,” and “Build bridges not walls.”

“It wasn’t about anti-Trump or trying to hate on other people. It’s all about love,” sophomore Russell Corbin said. “Of course, there’s some part of the community that disagrees, but accepting those disagreements is essential.”

However, Corbin’s opinion on protests in general was not shared by all students.

One student, who wished to remain anonymous, explained, “Protests basically rile up a bunch of anger against something, and it becomes an outlet where people can just vent. In this case, the walkout got violent, so it just spread more hate.”

Another common criticism of student protests is that they often do not result in tangible change. Sophomore Leo Bertholet said, “I think the walkout was useless in that everyone already knows a lot of people hate Trump, so skipping school

didn’t really teach anyone anything new.”

Nonetheless, Gelillo said, “It was not our intention for this protest to change the results of the election or anything radical like that. We simply wanted to be heard, and we definitely were.”

Although the student body was certainly heard, some protesters and those in support of the cause were disappointed by the negative press. The violent altercation during RM’s walkout garnered media attention and seemed to overshadow the students’ otherwise peaceful efforts, which was quite frustrating and dampening for many of its participants.

Although the handling of the postelection protests are up for debate, most would agree that student political involvement is incredibly important in fostering a better future. Discourse is the only way to address the issues at hand.

Senior Vivian Chiao felt very strongly that “we should be listening to students and building them up, not shutting them down. We should encourage them to get involved with politics.”

“People of our age are more involved than the people of one, two generations ago,” Corbin declared. “We are the ones who really matter because we’re going to be leading this country.”

How can we better SGA? A new type of scheduling

by Tadhg Larabee and Josh Levy All students deserve representation.

With only one student representative on the Board of Education, we rely on our county and school-wide SGA representatives to make our voices and opinions heard.

But while student government is a great concept in theory, it often splutters in reality. From the RM junior class t-shirt drama to the still-outstanding MCR-SGA audit, students have been deserted by their representatives.

Furthermore, while our SGA’s efforts to address MCPS’s growing achievement gap, expansion of standardized testing, and disappointing funding have been spirited, the results have been meager.

We, the student body, deserve more.

Many see our school-level structures as stagnant. Senior Francisco Mondragon said, “[SGA officials] come around once a year when you have to vote for them, but you never hear from them after that.”

These views are not limited to SGA outsiders. An SGA officer who wished to remain anonymous said, “Campaign promises within the SGA are some of the most blatant lies at RM.” The officer added that genuine student advocacy is “incredibly rare.”

But for most students, the SMOB elections are meaningful. With new SMOB voting rights, actual student representation on the Board of Education is closer than ever. Every year, candidates promise change, yet this change seldom materializes.

Last year, the race pitted incumbent Eric Guerci against RM junior Alex Abrosimov.

Guerci won, but Abrosimov remains optimistic for MCPS’s future.

“Losing to Eric was tough, but the fact of my nomination was proof that anyone can succeed in SGA if they listen to the students. The only way anything will get

done is if people start caring more about their fellow students than their own resumes,” Abrosimov said.

This year’s SMOB election is approaching quickly, and we have to get our priorities straight. We should take Abrosimov’s words to heart and ask ourselves: what do we really want from our SGA? The choice is simple: either vote for reforms that benefit us or for candidates and proposed policies that ultimately fail to reach the students.

GRAPHIC BY KERN LEE

As we bring in new leadership, we also need to hold existing institutions accountable.

The MCR-SGA reaps thousands of dollars in dues from schools across Montgomery County, yet delivers few results. The new MCR Grant Program is on hiatus as money goes towards parties and conference expenses.

Nevertheless, MCR has great potential.

Enforcing its audit is an important step towards reviving its history of advocacy.

If we sweep away the wreckage of failed policies and dawdling, SGA can be reformed. This year, with the SMOB election and MCR audit, can be a turning point. If we, as a student body, vote for change over stagnation and solutions over rhetoric, we can find the advocates we deserve.

by Ashley Ye Block schedules are an increasingly popular form of scheduling, where students attend four 90 minute period classes that meet every other day. In the traditional schedule, where students attend seven 45 minute periods daily.

According to Education World, over 50 percent of American schools are using, or considering using, a form of block scheduling. Though this scheduling has its benefits—more instruction time and time to do assignments—the traditional schedule is significantly more effective.

One of the most prominent concerns of the block schedule is that students will not be able to concentrate for the length of a 90-minute block.

The Washington Post noted that the main cause of students’ lack of concentration is lack of movement. The block schedule only provides a break between classes every 90 minutes, thus making it increasingly difficult to concentrate.

Moreover, under the block schedule, classes meet every other day. Without daily reinforcement, students are more susceptible to forgetting material. Also, if students are absent from school, they would be at a greater disadvantage because they would miss two days worth of material rather than one.

The block schedule also places excess burden on teachers and their lesson plans.

“I feel like it would be hard for students to focus and maintain their attention for 90 minutes,” government teacher William Vicari claimed.

Consequently, teachers may have to needlessly repeat a concept or attempt to cram two different topics into one block, resulting in a less thorough comprehension of the subject for students.

Another conflict that the block schedule generates is confusion over which classes are being held that day. At Montgomery Blair High School, the block schedule, which alternates between even and odd days, often creates confusion regarding what classes are taking place on what day.

“It’s easy to forget whether tomorrow is an even day or odd day or accidentally forget you have xyz class tomorrow,” Blair freshman Liang Lin said.

Though some may claim that the block schedule provides students with more time to complete homework, this also allows students to procrastinate more.

“I would often do the homework the day before it was due,” sophomore Sean Boyce, a student who has experienced the block schedule, reflected.

Though block scheduling may have temporary benefits, it fails in the long run. “I’ve gotten used to RM’s schedule,” sophomore Grace Andersen, another veteran of the block schedule, admitted.

We should keep the status quo of the seven period schedule in order to keep students concentrated and eliminate confusion.

PHOTO BY EMILY CHEN

The traditional schedule benefits both students and staff, while block schedules do not.

The Tide

Common Grounds

December 2016

9

A Celebration of Culture and Diversity

Top Left: Freshman Lucy Ji performed a traditional Chinese Dance in the spotlight to a popular Chinese song donning a traditional Chinese outfit.

Top Right: The Breakdancing Club, including seniors Marcus Suzuki, Thawng Thang, Sherman Lien, Hugh Le, Josh Chen and junior Henry Blackburn showed off their skills in the closing performance of the show.

ALL PHOTOS BY MONA LEE

Above: Junior Jack Liang performed freestyle dance to hip-hop/techno music.

Left: Freshman Jessica Lee displayed her skill with a Chinese Yo-yo routine.

Below: Seniors Shreya Sudhir and Sofia Bhalwani (pictured), along with Sindhu Iyer and Reet Goraya, showed their version of a Bollywood-style dance to popular Indian music.

Above: Senior Ornelle Fonkoua and junior Maureen Zeufack displayed traditional Cameronian clothes in the Common Grounds fashion show.

10 The Tide

INTERNATIONAL

December 2016

Exchange student journeys to the U.S. with a mission

by Robyn Fohouo Sophomore Shenaya Hardjopawiro is an RM student who has travelled over 2,700 miles to study in the United States. She was sponsored by the U.S. State Department through the American Field Service (AFS), a nonprofit that offers international exchange programs in more than 40 countries.

Hardjopawiro is selected to represent Suriname, a country in South America, in a diplomatic program called the KennedyLugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program. This program provides scholarships for secondary school students aged 15-17 from countries with a significant Muslim population to spend 10 months, or one academic year, abroad.

Hardjopawiro’s teacher back in Suriname was the one to introduce her to the YES program. “There were two boys from my school who went before me, so I thought that it would be a good experience,” Hardjopawiro recalled. Interested, she submitted an application and waited to see how far her academic credentials would take her.

The first round of the selection process consisted of a grade check. The grades in the Surinamese education system consist of numbers ranging from 0 to 10, with numbers 7-8 being the U.S. equivalent of a B, and numbers 9-10 being an A. In order to pass the first round, applicants had to have at least an 8 in their English class.

After the grade check, Hardjopawiro and others completed a listening and reading test, with an essay portion at the end, during which they had to write about themselves. The students with the best results were interviewed in English and later partake in a group discussion. The group discussion marked the end of the selection process, and Hardjopawiro was

chosen.

Speaking from experience, Hardjopawiro believes that students worldwide are selected to partake in the YES program because of their personality. While good grades matter, the interview is pivotal in making or breaking an applicant, because the administrators try to get a sense of

PHOTO COURTESY OF SHENAYA HARDJOPAWIRO

Hardjopawiro enjoys learning U.S. customs.

what type of person you are. Students who are shy and introverted will probably not get chosen, as they are perceived to lack the leadership and speaking skills that are coveted in this program.

Once chosen, Hardjopawiro had to proceed through a series of medical examinations. “I got a lot of shots, because of this program,” she said.

Upon arriving, Hardjopawiro found it surprising how often Americans say “please” and “thank you.” Learning how Americans greet and act towards one

another was an amusing and gradual process.

In addition to the cultural differences, Hardjopawiro also notes the differences in teaching styles between Suriname and the U.S. While American students move when changing classes, Surinamese students spend the whole school day sitting next to the same people every year, while the teachers shift from classroom to classroom.

“The way of teaching here, they interact more with the student. It’s more fun and easy because we exchange ideas and opinions,” Hardjopawiro elaborated.

But above all, Hardjopawiro appreciates the acceptance and variety of new people she’s been able to meet here at RM. “It’s really similar to my country, because my country is multicultural too. This school, for example, is really diverse.”

Hardjopawiro is currently living with host parents Jody Axinn and Joel Taubenblatt. She aims to maintain good grades in classes taught in English, her fifth language, and to successfully promote peace by educating people about Suriname.

In addition to English, she speaks Javanese, Sranan Tongo, Dutch and Spanish.

The week of November 14-18 was a busy week for Hardjopawiro, as it was International Education Week (IEW). IEW is a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of State that promotes global education programs.

In addition to spreading awareness about education, IEW hopes to attract future leaders from abroad to study, learn, and exchange experiences.

Hardjopawiro did eight presentations in total during IEW, seven here at RM and one at a Seven Locks ES. Each presentation focused on Surinamese culture, including food, traditional clothing, the celebration of holidays, and how people treat one another.

When giving her presentations,

Hardjopawiro found that students often did not know the geographic location of her homeland.

“People were really surprised that Suriname is in South America. Looking at me they thought I was Filipino, so they thought Suriname was in Asia,” she laughed.

While she is of Asian descent, Hardjopawiro identifies as Javanese Surinamese. The sophomore also notes that many students were surprised that she spoke Dutch, the national language of Suriname,because it was a Dutch colony until 1975.

She is also astounded by the way that Americans take pride in their heritage.

“People here are so proud to be what they are, and just by seeing that and telling people about my own culture, makes me really appreciate that feeling. It makes me feel kind of special,” Hardjopawiro explained.

Overall, Hardjopawiro feels as though she has been successful with her mission.

She is proud that she has been able to educate others while simultaneously learning about the U.S. By the end of the school year, she hopes to have earned 100 SSL hours, 77 more than she has right now. After returning home, Hardjopawiro plans to promote the YES program and tell others about how fun it was to educate others and make bonds that will last forever.

Education is the key to ensuring peace, and the YES program is a brilliant way to help the next generation. Hardjopawiro’s confidence, intelligence, and determination make her an ideal RM student, and she has proven herself a worthy member of the YES program.

In breaking down stereotypes regarding Muslim countries and breaking down barriers, Hardjopawiro is making the world a better place.

Model UN versus real UN Why do language students love international night?

by Sindhu Iyer

When dealing with issues from tourism to disease, one institution enacts concrete change and promotes international cooperation: the United Nations (UN).

Many RM students interested in foreign policy simulate the workings of the intergovernmental organization through Model United Nations (Model UN). Model UN is an international and competitive circuit sponsored by Sra. Roxanne Hodges that allows students to improve their speaking skills and learn about foreign policy.

As RM team members continue to participate in these conferences, they have noticed many similarities and differences between the Model UN and the real UN. For example, during Model UN conferences, delegates do not have to face the challenge of enacting their policy decisions.

“When you talk about funding in Model UN, it’s usually pretty ambiguous. It’s just like, ‘Oh we’ll get our money from the World Bank.’ But in reality, it is not that easy,” sophomore Rose Kelly explained.

Senior Faaiq Zarger, Secretary-General of Model UN, provided insight as to the functions of Model UN. “Crunching numbers is something that research committees would need to be involved in and thus is not conducive to the flow of Model UN,” Zarger elaborated.

But despite differences with the UN, Model UN integrates some aspects of the UN especially well. “They are equitable in some respects, especially with regards to evidence and amount of information and proverbial powers,” Zarger said.

In addition to the focus on diplomatic relations, there is also a large emphasis on accepting of different perspectives. “You have to really compromise and discuss, you have to acknowledge other people’s views and see the values in them. But you also still have to stick by yours,” freshman Emily Zhao affirmed.

While not an identical re-creation of the UN, Model UN and its policy offers the next generation’s leaders a window into the reality of debating solutions to the international community’s problems. After all, when changing the world for the better, there should be no limits for the good that can be achieved.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ROXANNE HODGES

Students pose before opening ceremonies at the annual VAMUN XXXVI Model UN conference.

“国际晚会很重要因 为我们应该学习其它 国家的文化。现在世 界很互联知道国家的 文化很有用。每个人 有自己的文化。每个 人的文化不同。 如果 我们了解世界的，我 们就可以积极地参与 国际社会。” -Stella Masucci, junior “Nous pourrons regarder, être stupéfiant et admirer toutes les choses subtiles auxquelles nous ne faisons pas beaucoup d’attention dans notre lycée—notre diversité. J’ai l’accès à un monde plein des patrimoines culturels qui s’assoient à côté de moi. Mais à la nuit internationale, je peux voir et vivre tous les choses incroyables que mes amis et copains font chez leur.”

-Daniela Moreira, sophomore “La Nuit Internationale est une célébration des cultures diverses. Ceci nous permet de voire l’unicité d’une variété de cultures. Elle encourage aussi l’acceptation culturelle dans une atmosphère internationale tendue.”

-Vivian Yeh, junior

“Il faut que nous communiquions à propos de notre culture. Toutes les cultures du monde sont intéressantes et importantes, et si nous les célébrons, nous apprendrons des choses qu’on ne peut pas lire.”

-Gillian Smith, sophomore “Richard Montgomery a plus des personnes qui savent les cultures différentes, mais normalement, ils ne peuvent pas partager ces cultures avec les autres étudiants. Pour vraiment être une “École du Monde,” comme les affiches BI disent, nous ne pouvons pas seulement avoir beaucoup des cultures, nous devons apprendre les autres cultures et ils doivent être célébrées dans notre communauté.”

-Keira DiGaetano, sophomore

“我喜欢国际晚会因 为很好玩。看起来是 一个很幼稚的理由、 但是其实不是。我爱 人类、所以对文化有 特别的兴趣。文化这 么重要。有的时候， 文化的意义被忘即。 所以国际晚会是特别 重要的。” -Chloe Eoyang, junior

The Tide

STYLE

December 2016

11

Snow day How to conquer the gift-giving season difficulties

by Hallie Kay

COMIC BY KATHERINE WANG

Stress can be brought on by a multitude of things—schoolwork, social pressures, getting caught in Hall Sweeps. The list goes on and on. During the holiday season, and even throughout the year, with birthdays, Mother’s Day and other holidays, the additional stress of gift-giving manifests itself. If you or someone you love celebrates a gift-giving holiday, then you know that getting the perfect present is an incredibly difficult task.

The art of gift-giving is not without its numerous obstacles. It is a subject upon which a miniscule amount of guidance has been given. And sometimes, no matter how hard we try, we cannot always give the ideal gift.

I have gained some wisdom in my long and tumultuous seventeen years in this world. Here are some of my gift-giving tips and tricks for this upcoming holiday season.

First and foremost, the size and price of the gift certainly should not be a top priority for anyone. Bigger does not necessarily mean better. Gifts are meant to be thoughtful and personal, not necessarily expensive and flashy.

Even the smallest of tokens can induce emotional and appreciative responses.

With that sentiment in mind, it would be criminal of us to forget books as potential gifts. Books can indeed be fun, and dare I say, even funny gifts.

So funny, that many stores nationwide dedicate corners and bookshelves to quirky and unconventional books. Check out the delightful novelty book selection at your local Urban Outfitters. You will not regret it, I promise.

Awkward family photo books or odd how-to books are some personal favorites.

I myself have spent a good 45 minutes browsing the goofy paperbacks and artfully crafted coloring books at various stores.

Moving on to my next point, it is imperative to address the notorious gift card. You should not be frightened of gift cards. I advise you to ignore those who

say that they are “impersonal” and “not creative enough” to give to close friends or family.

But what could be more personal and considerate than giving someone the power to choose what they want, as opposed to bumping into them at Westfield Montgomery Mall as they stand in line at Sephora, waiting to return the lipstick you got them? When in doubt, gift cards are always reliable. They will be, and should be, your best friends during the holiday season.

An important thing to remember is that you should give people what they want, not what you want. More often than not, I have witnessed people give others items on their own wishlist, projecting their wants onto others. Avoid this at all costs, as it goes against the entire purpose of giving gifts, that is: to make others happy.

Not everyone yearns for the same pair of red high-top Vans that you so desperately want. Instead, try to find a gift that matches the quirks and interests of the receiver.

And never, I repeat, never, forget the greeting card. If you’re anything like me, getting carried away in card and paper stores is a frequent issue. If the seasonal selection bores or simply disappoints you, my suggestion is to ditch the companymade classics, and go for a homemade card.

I like Hallmark cards as much as the next person, but do not let the Hallmarks of the world dictate how you should express your love and admiration for others. That, my friends, is for only you to decide. The time and effort that homemade cards require can add a personal touch to an otherwise bland gift.

There is nothing wrong with going DIY crazy in your kitchen with a cheap, pink hot glue gun and multi-colored glitter pens. I imagine some googly eyes would not hurt either. This is ultimately a “makeit-your-own” experience.

Last, but not least, we come upon the issue of receipts, buried deep in the dark and frightening backwoods of the giftgiving season. My advice to you all is to always ask for a receipt when buying gifts.

Make sure to nestle it comfortably and visibly inside the gift wrap or bag.

PHOTO COURTESY OF SHELBY STEVENS

From secret santas to siblings, finding gifts can be complicated and expensive.

If I find that I do not like a gift, the first thought I have is, “I hope the receipt is in here somewhere.” It is always reassuring for the receiver to have a receipt available.

The sad, but universal, truth is that sometimes the perfect gift is just not as perfect as you thought it would be.

But, we must not focus on those instances. Gift-giving, more than anything, should be a fun and perhaps transformative experience that allows people to express their love for others.

I hope that my advice gives you the courage and conviction necessary to survive this holiday season, surrounded by family and friends.

Netflix, Hulu, Amazon: battle of the subscriptions

by Kamryn Dillon Winter break is approaching, and students are anxious to spend their time away from their notes and textbooks.

Some of us might be passing time in a car or an airplane for several hours. Others will stay home to relax and binge-watch the episodes they missed of “The Flash” due to studying for quizzes.

But we are faced with a common issue: “Should I watch my favorite show on Hulu, Netflix, or Amazon?” Each online television platform has their fair share of successes and failures, but there can only be one platform that reigns supreme.

For students, price is a large factor in deciding which platform is the best.

Online streaming in general is more costeffective than regular cable or dish service providers. “TV costs a lot now and all of the information you can find on television can be found on the internet,” sophomore Isaiah Frederick said.

As for accessibility, Netflix is often preferred over its competitors because of the new functions it recently introduced.

“Netflix conveniently allows for offline viewing,” explained sophomore Chris Deriquito. This change allows subscribers to download films and shows to view at their leisure without having to rely on internet or data.

Instead of paying an average of $99 per

month for cable television, online television customers can take advantage of the $7.99 monthly fee for Netflix and Hulu Plus or the $8.25 monthly fee for Amazon Prime.

The online subscription is more efficient than network cable, as it avoids unwatched channels that come as a part of the package plan. Some families cancel their television provider altogether, replacing it with online platforms for their source of media entertainment.

“My family has already done that,” junior

presence of advertisements in between shows, up-to-date series, and original content. Ultimately, subscribers are left with one daunting question: Which network best fits all these expectations?

Netflix, hands down. For one thing, Netflix offers the most original content. If you like to binge-watch “Stranger Things,” “Orange is the New Black,“ and “Luke Cage,” Netflix is the way to go for popular a n d

Darlene Martinez said. “We have televisions, but we don’t use cable. Instead we use these online streaming services because they’re more affordable and we can select what we want to watch instead of channel surfing and paying for channels we don’t even use.”

Each network not only offers different prices, but also different features that make viewing more enjoyable, such as the

addicting original series.

“I do like how Netflix provides original series,” sophomore Chloe Weiss remarked.

“I think it’s really fun, and I think it almost forces you to get them just so you can see those shows.”

When it comes down to price, Netflix is cheaper than its competitor, Amazon Prime, but comparable with Hulu Plus.

Advertisements are not a problem

GRAPHIC BY KERN LEE

with Netflix or Amazon Prime, though the latter has short promotional videos before viewing a show or movie. Hulu Plus, unfortunately, has advertisements much like regular television with cable or dish companies, but they are much shorter.

For movies, Amazon Prime often buffers, but it ranks second in the number and variety of films featured in the platform.

Netflix has the most, from blockbuster films to indie productions.

Netflix’s greatest disadvantage is its lack of updated series, a feature its competitors have. This is where Hulu Plus shines, providing viewers with episodes from new or currently airing series as soon as a day after its released.

Amazon Prime releases new episodes five days after their airing, which can be a minor inconvenience for viewers. For Netflix, the shows can sometimes take a whooping nine months to a year to appear.

No matter the platform, it all comes down to personal preference. Commercials or no? Paying this much for this number of seasons or not? Watching online or offline?

Depending on what you want out of a service, go with whatever pleases you the most.

The upcoming winter break is a time to spend close with family and friends, and as far away from school work as possible.

What better way to do so than to cuddle up on a cozy couch with a loved one and a mug of hot chocolate to watch one of Netflix’s 84 holiday features?

12

CENTERSPREAD

The Tide

December 2016

CENTERSPREAD

The Tide

St. Lucia’s Day Christmas

BY DEREK YAO

NORTH POLE

Christmas, celebrated on December 25 every year, celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. This Christian holiday is a public holiday for many countries across the world. Celebrated since 354 C.E., the holiday gained popularity during the Middle Ages. In the weeks leading up to the celebration, families adorn Christmas trees with lights and ornaments and buy many presents. Gift-giving is a staple of Christmas traditions; each year over $465 billion is spent on holiday gifts in the United States. Other festivities include Christmas caroling, traditional family dinners and opening presents. Additionally, Christmas has left its mark on popular culture. Christmas songs like “Jingle Bell Rock” and “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” are commonly played during December to spread holiday cheer.

December 2016

13

WRITTEN BY EMILY CHEN, REBECCA HUANG, SHIRI KALAI, ALYTHIA VO, DEREK YAO GRAPHICS BY KERN LEE

BY EMILY CHEN

St. Lucia’s Day is celebrated as a festival of lights in Sweden, Norway and Finland. This holiday is dedicated to a young Christian girl who was killed for secretly bringing food to persecuted Christians in 304 C.E.. In the past, a young woman in each village would visit each farm at the crack of dawn, bringing baked goods to each house. Now, on December 13, people celebrate by dressing girls in white dresses with red sashes around their waists and crowns of candles on their heads. In some places, they elect a national Lucia. In households, families celebrate by having one of their daughters dress in white and serve coffee and baked goods to other members of the family to honor St. Lucia’s actions thousands of years ago.

Hanukkah

BY EMILY CHEN

Hanukkah (Chanukah), also known as the Festival of Lights, is a Jewish holiday celebrating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem to Judaism. The holiday honors the Jewish resistance of the Syrian-Greek religious oppression during the Maccabean Revolt. The Jewish people wanted to light Temple’s menorah in order to purify the Second Temple. However, they discovered only a day’s worth of oil to light the menorah. Miraculously, the small amount of oil lasted eight days. This is why the celebration lasts for eight days and eight nights, starting on the 25 of Kislev, the third month of the Hebrew calendar. Some Hanukkah traditions include lighting the hanukkiyah (a special menorah that has nine branches), spinning the dreidel and eating fried foods such as latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (donuts).

Omisoka is one of the most important holidays in the Japanese culture and is celebrated on December 31.

Symbolizing the transition between the previous and new year, Omisoka is filled with exciting festivities and meaningful traditions. During Omisoka, families enjoy large Japanese feasts filled with cultural foods such as the traditional noodle toshikoshi-soba. Nationally, Japan broadcasts the “Red vs. White Singing contest” which lasts throughout the entire day. At night, people visit different temples and shrines to participate in a religious tradition.

An hour before midnight, people begin to ring the Buddhist temple bells. They ring the bells 108 times to cleanse the people from their 108 earthly passions.

Omisoka

BY DEREK YAO

Celebrated in Mexico on December 9 and 12, the Fiesta of Our Lady of Guadalupe is a popular Catholic festival that commemorates the day Juan Diego, a young indigenous Indian, was believed to have met the Virgin Mary, Mexico’s patron saint. On this day, Catholics from all over the country make a pilgrimage to see the image of Mary in the Basilica of Guadalupe, located in Mexico City. At home, friends and family gather around the table for a traditional Mexican meal. Altars are set up throughout the house in dedication to the Virgin Mary. Typically, these altars consist of a picture of Mary surrounded by candles, flowers and statues. Children are decked out in traditional clothes and are blessed in the churches where thousands of people come to pray. The streets are crowded with festivities to celebrate the miracle of meeting the Lady of Guadalupe.

Fiesta of Our Lady Guadalupe

BY ALYTHIA VO

Saturnalia is a pagan holiday, originally celebrated in Rome, on December 17. The festivities usually stretch on for seven days, ending on December 23. In modern times, Saturnalia has grown obsolete, but its traditions have been used as models for how modern holidays like Christmas are celebrated.

Saturnalia celebrates the Roman god, Saturn. The celebration would start with a sacrifice at the Temple of Saturn and festivities would continue throughout the day with different events, gift exchanges and feasts. Saturnalia was the only day on which slaves were allowed to feast with their masters.

Saturnalia

BY DEREK YAO

Fifty years ago, Dr. Maulana Karenga created Kwanzaa to unite African Americans following the Watts riots in Los Angeles, California.

Kwanzaa, derived from the Swahili word for harvest (“first fruit”) combines aspects of different African cultures’ harvest traditions. It is celebrated over seven nights, with the lighting of one candle each night.

The Kinara, or candleholder, is a symbol of Kwanzaa, holding three red, three green and one black candle. On the first night, the center, singular black candle is lit to symbolize umoja (unity). The other six symbols include: Mazao (the crops), Mkeka (place mat), Vibunzi (ear of corn), Mishumaa Saba (the seven candles), Kikombe Cha Umoja (the Unity Cup) and Zawadi (the gifts). Karenga also created seven ideal principles to be celebrated throughout Kwanzaa, each one corresponding to one night: unity, self determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economy, purpose, creativity and faith.

Kwanzaa

BY SHIRI KALAI

RINGING IN THE HOLIDAY SEASON

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The Tide

LA MAREA

Diciembre del 2016

Pablo Neruda es inmortalizado en la gran pantalla por Daniela Moreira “¿Mediremos la vida por metros o kilómetros o meses? ¿Tanto desde que naces? ¿Cuánto debes andar hasta que como todos en vez de caminar la por encima descansemos, debajo de la tierra?”

-Oda a la Edad, Pablo Neruda Chileno, poeta, ganador del Premio Nobel de Literatura, romántico y comunista— Pablo Neruda lo vivió todo.

Aunque el mundo del siglo XX lo conoció por sus escrituras originales, los del siglo XXI lo van a conocer por la primera vez en la pantalla grande el 21 de diciembre de 2016.

El drama, titulado “Neruda” y dirigido por el chileno Pablo Larraín, se estrenó con un gran éxito hace solo unos meses en el Festival Internacional de Cine de Mar del Plata en Argentina. Siguiendo este mismo éxito, la película fue galardonada con un 100% en Metacritic y elegida como la entrada chilena para ‘La Mejor Película Extranjera’ en la edición 89 de los Academy Awards.

La película cuenta la historia del verdadero Pablo Neruda, nacido Neftalí Ricardo Reyes Basoalto en Parral, Chile, 1904, hijo de un trabajador ferroviario y una maestra. Tras publicar su afamado libro, “Veinte poemas de amor y una canción desesperada,” cuando solo tenía veinte

años, el seudónimo Neruda comenzó a tener un alto perfil en la literatura.

El éxito y buenas críticas del ‘drama biográfico’ dirigido por Larraín no han sido por nada, ya que el director revela un ángulo de Neruda nunca antes visto.

El drama se enfoca en la vida política del poeta izquierdista durante los años cuarenta en Chile.

En la película, Pablo Neruda (protagonizado por Luis Gnecco) huye del investigador (Gael García Bernal), quien persigue a líderes comunistas como parte de un programa anti-comunista. Este hecho está basado en las experiencias de Neruda durante la época en la cual él fue nombrado el cónsul chileno en Birmania en 1940 y senador en 1945.

Las palabras fueron para Neruda herramientas que lo ayudaron a dispensar su mensaje cívico a grandes audiencias.

Acorde con la Fundación Nobel, Neruda ganó su premio “por una poesía que con la acción de fuerza elemental, da vida a los sueños y destinos de un continente.”

Muchos de sus poemas coinciden con sus etapas emocionales, reflejando sus luchas contra gobiernos y persecuciones, cosas que se muestran en el drama de Larraín. La película lleva a los espectadores en un viaje sobre la vida de este gran icono, mezclando un poco de humor con un relato serio de dolor.

La voz poética de Neruda brilla especialmente en el mundo hispanohablante. Durante la dictadura

en Chile, él usó su poesía para criticar el Richard Montgomery, la señora Smith, maltrato de los trabajadores de admira la influencia que Neruda tuvo parte de la industria de en la gente y otros escritores. Ella dio el minería. ejemplo de la pieza sobre Pinochet, “Comprendí que “La casa de espíritus,” escrita por la también chilena Isabel Allende. si pisamos la misma Esta pieza trata con el dictador tierra hereditaria, hizo atrocidades en el país, crítica teníamos algo que inspirada por Neruda. ver con aquellos Tras la muerte del famoso poeta, la grandes esfuerzos gente salió galvanizada a lamentar el de la comunidad fin de alguien quien ellos consideraban americana, que un gran héroe. “Ni un tirano los pudo no podíamos parar,” Señora Smith dijo, “Neruda fue ignorarlo, que nuestro bien querido en ese país.” desconocimiento o La librería de RM tiene la silencio era no solo colección de poemas más grande un crimen, sino la comparada con cualquier otra continuación de una escuela en el estado. Al recibir miles derrota,” explicó Neruda en “Algo sobre mi de dólares en subsidios para libros poesía.”

GRÁFICO POR KERN LEE de poesía, las obras de Neruda están bien representadas en Richard En 1945, Neruda se declaró miembro del partido comunista Montgomery. “Siempre intento comprar las enfrente de una muchedumbre de versiones que tienen las poesías originales seguidores. Desde ese punto en adelante, y las traducciones porque todos sabemos sus obras tomaron un tono más político que la poesía se tiene que leer en su idioma y marxista, algo muy diferente a sus original,” agregó la señora Smith.

Aun sin tener en cuenta sus ideologías, primeros trabajos repletos de romance y belleza. Esta complejidad de Neruda como Neruda fue un revolucionario. En su un artista-activista es lo que Larraín trató plétora de versos y poemas, Neruda cautivó de capturar en su película. Pablo Larraín, el espíritu de la lucha hispana, una lente de uno de los cineastas contemporáneos más amor, belleza y más que todo fuerza. Con inventivos en Chile, fabrica una imagen una adaptación dinámica e cinematografía fantástica y a la vez crudamente honesta de ambiciosa, Larraín trata de capturar la esencia de un gran ícono hispano cuya este afamado chileno.

Profesora de escritura e inglés en fuerza es emblemática del carácter hispano.

Fútbol: un deporte que Muerte de Castro marca trasciende toda barrera el fin de una era cubana

en RM es un deporte muy querido ya que varia gente apoyó y siguió a los equipos de JV y varsity de hombres y mujeres este verano y otoño. Estos equipos tienen una La muerte de los miembros del Fútbol gran variedad de raza, aparte de latinos, ya Club Chapecoense este pasado 28 de que Richard Montgomery es una escuela Noviembre ha reunido a la comunidad muy diversa. del fútbol en un acto de lamento. Aunque La capitana del equipo femenino de muchos jugadores y aficionados futbolistas varsity, Hannah Greco, explicó cómo demostraron sus respetos a través de las usan esta diversidad en el equipo. ”En redes sociales, el acto más honrado fue la esta temporada fuimos afortunadas de despedida de los jugadores en el estadio haber tenido un grupo de muchachas muy donde debieron de haber jugado la final cercanas. Nuestra entrenadora recalca la de la Copa Sudamericana contra el Atlético importancia de convivir y comunicación Nacional. Este evento marcó la dentro y fuera del campo, y por esto historia del fútbol. nos entendíamos y colaboramos más Está claro que el fútbol puede eficazmente en el juego.” unir a personas de diferentes razas, Ella continuó, “Cuando jugamos fútbol, clases y edades. Y la comunidad estamos trabajando juntas en una de Richard Montgomery unidad para alcanzar una meta, es testigo de esto. Muchos y nuestros diferentes trasfondos estudiantes aficionados no afectan esto. Más que todo se sintieron afectados nosotras aceptamos y adherimos por este evento. a cada miembro del equipo y los Varias personas, talentos que ofrecen.” Greco es especialmente una capitana distinguible que latinas, estaban muy llevó al equipo a un buen récord familiarizadas con el en la temporada. Aunque el equipo equipo brasileño femenino no tiene muchas latinas, es y mostraron más GRÁFICO POR KERN LEE un equipo abierto y diverso para que simpatía. las latinas puedan entrar y mejorar Junior Carlos Sosa, puso en instagram atleticamente. una foto de símbolo del club con la leyenda, No obstante, en el equipo masculino hay “El mundo de fútbol está de luto, es muy una gran variedad de latinos. El entrenador triste levantarse con tal tragedia. Estaban en López es un guatemalteco quien recibe el camino de hacer historia. Mis oraciones todos los jugadores con brazos abiertos, y pensamientos van a aquellos afectados sin importar su etnicidad o raza. Justo el en el accidente aéreo. En nuestro corazón año pasado, el entrenador estaba tratando estos muchachos eran campeones.” de darle una oportunidad a un niño de Las palabras conmovedoras de Sosa son guatemala a jugar y estudiar en Richard similares a las de miles de personas. Sosa Montgomery. Aparte, tiene un gran es un hispano que jugó para RM Varsity corazón, siempre empuja a sus jugadores a Soccer este año y está muy familiarizado los límites, y busca abrirles oportunidades con el deporte, pero no es el único. ya que quiere utilizar el deporte como una En RM, el fútbol es el deporte preferido manera de crear una comunidad. de muchos hispanos. Los hispanos están El fútbol une a todas la comunidades a muy involucrados en esto desde la través de tragedias o éxitos. La tragedia actividad de Educación Física, hasta los del Club Chapecoense es una historia que equipos de JV y Varsity de la escuela. No trajo a todo el mundo junto como una gran es sorprendente teniendo en cuenta que comunidad, pero esto es solo una de la el fútbol es considerado el deporte de historias que hace esto. Equipos como los latinoamérica. de RM unen a nuestra escuela y permite De todos modos, en general el fútbol que gente de todas razas muestren unidad. por Jean Espinosa

planear una insurrección contra Batista.

El 2 de diciembre de 1956, Castro creó un pequeño ejército para destruir las fuerzas de Batista. Así Castro consiguió poder “¡Soy Fidel, soy Fidel!” esto fue lo que en Cuba y prometió al pueblo cubano, muchos cubanos gritaron cuando las abundancia, igualdad, prosperidad y cenizas de su comandante y presidente, esperanza por un futuro mejor. quien falleció a los 90 años de edad, fueron Cuba, bajo la administración de Castro llevadas en un carro hasta su tierra natal tomó acciones para difundir el comunismo de Birán, Cuba. Su muerte ha recibido por todo el mundo. También tomó acciones diversas reacciones por todo el mundo. drásticas para nacionalizar las compañías Algunos simpatizan con el líder, como de cuba, y pasó legislación con la cual se el presidente de Bolivia, Evo Morales, alejó del mercado extranjero, entre ellos, quien usando su cuenta de twitter declaró, los Estados Unidos. Este infame dictador “En nombre del pueblo boliviano expresó es a menudo acreditado por abrir 10.000 condolencias y solidaridad a la familia, colegios nuevos y por incrementar la tasa gobierno y pueblo cubano por la pérdida de alfabetización hasta el 98%. de un gigante de la historia.” Otros líderes A pesar de esto, Cuba bajo el control mundiales como el futuro presidente electo de Castro estaba plagada de control, de los Estados Unidos, Donald Trump, paranoia y sin libertad de expresión. Más manifestó brevemente en su cuenta de notablemente, él no toleró la emigración twitter, ”¡Fidel castro está muerto!” de cubanos hacia los Estados Unidos y La muerte de Fidel Castro ha sido un nacionalizó los negocios y terrenos para fenómeno de gran magnitud. Un hombre el gobierno. Castro se mostró duramente que gobernó Cuba por casi 6 décadas con firme y tomó medidas drásticas para ejercer una mano firme deja un legado. Muchos su autoridad, muchas veces al costo de lo categorizan como un tirano, otros como los derechos y la felicidad de sus propios héroe. Pero, en verdad ¿quién fue él? Para ciudadanos, esencialmente violando los esto es fundamental conocer sus deseos, derechos humanos. planes, dificultades, su historia.

Ahora que el poder está en manos del Fidel nació en 1926 y creció dentro de hermano de Fidel, Raúl Castro, Cuba una familia adinerada razón porque él parece estar más abierta al mundo. Al ser pudo asistir a los mejores colegios en Cuba. cuestionado sobre el rumbo que Cuba Después de terminar el colegio, ingresó en está tomando bajo Raúl Castro, la señora la “Universidad de Savana” y fue allí donde Solernou, profesora de español en Richard adquirió un nuevo sentimiento patriótico Montgomery, comentó, “Raúl quiere imitar y una oposición contra el imperialismo y el sistema económico de la China, lo cual los desastres del capitalismo, que según él sería beneficiosa para la economía, pero producían desigualdad, pobreza y la represión de la expresión personal y hambre. política y la falta de un voto democrático En 1952, una continúa.” guerrilla liderada A pesar de por el general esto, la señora F u l g e n c i o S o l e r n o u Batista destruyó expresó, “Tengo las fuerzas confianza que militares del Cuba cambiará gobierno cubano, para mejor.” nombrando a Sus palabras Batista como reflejan la GRÁFICO POR KERN LEE un dictador. Castro, muy esperanza de muchos cubanos preocupado por el futuro de Cuba, creó por un futuro más libre, por una nueva un grupo llamado “El Movimiento” para etapa en la historia cubana. por Angel Ramos

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December 2016

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The Tide

ARTS

BEYONCÉ’S ‘LEMONADE’ TOPS CHARTS

R&B singer and songwriter Beyoncé’s sixth album, “Lemonade,” smashed records and topped charts around the world. With its release, she became the first music artist to have their first six albums debut at number one on the Billboard 200. The album was both critically and commercially successful -- no easy feat.

“Beyoncé’s voice is gold,” freshman Denis Jordan said. “[The album is] well-made and really cohesive. It’s really the first album that has had a huge impact on society,” he remarked. The “Lemonade” album and accompanying HBO film spread awareness about relevant topics such as the Black Lives Matter movement.

Through political statements about racism and women’s rights, Beyoncé inspired women and minorities to celebrate their identities and follow in her footsteps as creators. “[The album] represented a wake-up call to a lot of women and minorities. It was an anthem for empowerment, she calls out her husband for past grievances and...embraces her culture,” junior Alex Scott said.

The music in the album is also incredibly diverse, referencing music from different time periods and settings. Its numerous genres of music––R&B, rock, soul, hip-hop, pop, and blues––are spun together to tell a story of infidelity and forgiveness.

“The album is put together so perfectly...there are no flaws,” Jordan said. “Queen Beyoncé,” as described by sophomore Tori Crenshaw, created a work both timely and timeless.

SUICIDE SQUAD’S ANTIHEROES

According to Box Office Mojo, half of the top ten highest grossing films of 2016 were superhero movies. Among them was DC Comics’s “Suicide Squad,” which experimented with the idea of antiheroes, portraying a team of villains as the protagonists.

The film’s unusual concept of villains as heros was met with praise from many, including freshman Grace Zhou: “It shows us that everyone has a weakness and, I guess, a good side,” she noted. “[A story featuring antiheroes is] definitely more creative and just as entertaining as a classic superhero film.”

Harley Quinn, a member of the “Squad,” was one of the most anticipated characters. “She isn’t supposed to be our role model,” Zhou acknowledged. “[But] she isn’t afraid to be herself, and she’s just so strong and feminine at the same time.” Some students believe these antiheroes can model conventionally positive qualities and inspire viewers.

Despite being an avid fan of Quinn, Zhou did not think the entire film was perfect: “The movie wasn’t as good as I had hoped it would be…They definitely could have pieced the movie together better,” she said.

Ultimately, Zhou remained a fan of the villains despite the suboptimal plot. “There probably are going to more movies featuring villains,” she predicted. “[Antiheroes] open your mind to the thoughts and lives of different people,” she said. Traditional movies made from opposite perspectives have been a recurring theme in 2016.

December 2016

‘STRANGER THINGS’ ON THE HORIZON

TV show “Stranger Things” hit streaming site Netflix in July, and viewers almost immediately proclaimed it insanely addictive. According to Variety, the sci-fi series about a missing boy, monsters, and mysterious powers has since then become the third most-watched Netflix original series.

Junior Sokhna Sall was one student who enjoyed the series. “[It’s] a good, developed storyline,” Sall praised. “I liked everything.

I liked the alternate alien universe, and I especially liked the end where they beat the alien.” Junior Deedee Yan however, fell asleep while watching the third episode: “I’m not really a fan of sci-fi... but this one in particular was just so childish. I understand that the main characters were children, [but] the way they acted was very awkward.”

Some viewers found one of the show’s most appealing aspects to be its young actors, such as Millie Bobby Brown, a 12-year-old actress who portrayed Eleven, a character with GRAPHICS BY KATHERINE telekinetic powers. “The actors, considering how young they WANG were, they were really good,” Spencer argued.

Despite being a fan of the show, Spencer is not sure if its popularity will continue. “It will stay popular the first few seasons if it continues, and then it will probably fade off,” he predicted. Sall believes adding new elements to the story that were not in the previous season will keep people watching. “[On] shows like American Horror Story, [the cast] changes every season.

If they add to the story, it will keep being good,” she explained.

The next season will debut on Netflix in 2017.

MOANA’S WAVES OF SUCCESS

Featuring stunning animation and a soundtrack by “Hamilton” composer Lin-Manuel Miranda, Disney’s “Moana” broke Walt Disney Animation Studios’ record for opening day earnings.

After much fanfare, Miranda did not disappoint with his work on the soundtrack. “He’s a lyrical genius; i t ’ s undeniable,” freshman Joy Shi said. Miranda added a stylistic twist to co-composer Opetaia Foa’i’s Polynesian songs. “[Through these songs,] you build a connection to the characters a n d music you hear,” freshman Laura Yao remarked.

In another twist, the film’s animators combined compputergenerated imagery (CGI) with traditional hand-drawn animation.

Demigod Maui’s intricate tattoos were hand-drawn by animators and served as an extension of the character’s conscience.

The final effect was reminiscent of the first Disney cartoons.

Despite this nostalgia, the titular main character, t h e first Disney princess without a romantic interest, w a s extremely modern. “Moana focused more on the development of a friendship than true love,” freshman Valerie Wang said. This adventurous, courageous heroine was generally considered a step forward for the studio.

Students also praised the film for its setting in a non-European country. “It represented another culture that I had not really known about,” Yan said.

Many elements in “Moana” can be seen as steps toward more representation of different groups in blockbuster movies.

Traditional holiday clothes provide windows to cultures

by Natalie Chartove One of the most important pieces of a person’s identity is their culture, and clothing can be a powerful and meaningful way to display cultural identity. The winter season from early December through Frebruary is when many cultures celebrate their respective holidays, and is an opportunity for students to reconnect with and display cultures in ways that they do not get to at school.

While students celebrate Christmas, each has their own unique way of doing so. For junior Heather Konan, Christmas is a time when she gets to wear traditional clothes from the Ivory Coast (Côte d’Ivoire): “In Ivoirian culture you wear traditional cloths that usually come from Ivory Coast, but we’re in America so we don’t make them,” Konan said. The holidays are an opportunity for Konan and her family to celebrate and reconnect with their culture from Côte d’Ivoire.

Konan said that she sometimes feels embarrassed wearing the traditional cloths, called pagnes. “It’s kind of hard to feel in touch with your culture when you’re surrounded by American things,” she explained. While some parts of America acknowledge and hold celebrations for multiple cultures during the holidays, the most prevalent decorations and momentos are still associated with Christmas.

Besides reminding them of another culture, holiday clothing can also bring

students closer to their immediate families.

“I am one of those families where - we don’t always exactly match - but yes we have matching pajama pants,” junior Erin Frey said. Students such as senior Tatiana

“It’s kind of hard to feel in touch with your culture when you’re surrounded

by American things.”

- Heather Konan

Davidson Bajandas like to get into the Christmas spirit at school: “The week before Christmas...I’ll usually wear really festive stuff like I’ll come in in ugly sweaters, reindeer headbands, all that kind of stuff,” she said. Students can be seen throughout the halls sporting red and green or santa hats to get into the holiday mood.

In addition to festive and casual clothing, formal clothing is worn for religious purposes, and varies based on the student’s background. Senior Cam Aaron dresses up for midnight mass on Christmas Eve. “We usually wear church clothes, so like typical western dress,” Aaron mentioned. After mass, Aaron’s family begins celebrations.

“I celebrate Christmas with my family,

we open gifts and then afterwards we have one that’s modest, but most like to wear a huge twelve hour party with a lot of a decorative one because it’s a holiday,” people in the community, family, friends, Traore explained. until the morning,” said Aaron.

While holidays such as Christmas and Aaron is Baha’i and celebrates Ayyam- Mawlid are celebrated with traditional i-Ha, a festival to show goodwill and dress, others, such as Hanukkah, are not. participate in humanitarian projects, but Junior Josh Levy and his family wear Christmas offers an opportunity to connect everyday clothes for their Hanukkah and celebrate with her friends and family celebrations, but find other ways to connect from the Dominica in the Caribbean. to their heritage. “My mom’s side of the Another holiday students celebrate is family has been using the same menorah the Muslim holiday Mawlid, which for a couple generations and it’s made junior Mina Traore observes. its way down to us,” Levy Traore typically wears said. The menorah is an eightabayas, a special type branched candle holder of Arabic clothing, that signifies the eight for the holiday. “My days that Hanukkah is family[is] from Mali celebrated. so my mom would Whether it is wear something Christmas, that’s from Hanukkah, our country,” Mawlid, or Traore said. another holiday, While Mawlid students at RM is not a holiday have a variety where presents are of cultural and given out, Traore and religious traditions. her family go to their Their clothes range mosque and celebrate from ugly sweaters the prophet Muhammad to pagnes, GRAPHIC BY CINDY SONG with their to abayas.

Ugly sweaters are a staple of many holiday celebrations. friends and Even without family. attire-related traditions, holidays offer an Traore explained that abayas themselves opportunity to recognize different cultures come in different levels of formality, and celebrate differences, but there is one ranging from more casual to exquisitely commonality in each celebration: it allows designed. “You can wear a special abaya for time to enjoy families, friends, and or a really nice one that’s decorative or communities in a variety of ways.

The Tide

ARTS

Lin: self-taught dancer

by Amalia Sulk

“My story is overcoming adversity. I have close to perfect pitch even though I have deaf parents, and English wasn’t even my first language. American Sign Language was.”

Alexander Lin is a senior with a passion for dance and music. He first discovered music in fifth grade after joining his school chorus. Ever since then, he has been exploring these media to the fullest extent.

Recently, he has been seen dancing in “Guys and Dolls” and choreographing the One Acts lights show.

Dance was not always a part of Lin’s life, partly because he grew up with deaf parents. So, he discovered music completely by himself. “I never learned to dance from classes... I mostly learned on my own from watching the professionals,” Lin explained.

Even without lessons, Lin has explored several styles of dance, and his favorite part of dancing is its creative freedom. “When dancing, I like to take from different styles of dance that I have seen throughout my life and even analyze how one’s history of dance affects their styles,” he said.

Lin’s ability to learn and explore dance has manifested itself in everything from a west-coast style to electronic dance. “I remember I went to a workshop once where I was pointed out for my popping, where I apparently had developed a ‘westcoast’ style pop... which is really strange because I never took any dance classes on the west-coast,” Lin recalled.

Along his journey of dance, Lin has

made many friends who have helped him through stressful times. Last year, he decided to continue with chorus in order to spend more time with his friends. “Being able to sing with my friends and make awesome memories daily is a blessing, and I don’t regret continuing chorus at all,” Lin said.

Despite the support of his friends, Lin is still his own worst critic. “Even when others told me they didn’t notice [a mistake] I would still be focused and get depressed

PHOTO COURTESY OF ALEXANDER LIN

Lin’s smile always exudes cheerfulness.

over it,” he admitted.

Lin’s inspirations include Nyle DiMarco, the first deaf winner of America’s Next Top Model, and AyaBambi, who performed with Madonna during her Vogue Tour.

“The stories of these artists who manage to shine even through oppression inspires me to shine even more,” Lin said.

Lin has made it far. He has grown a lot as a dancer over the years, and has developed a deep love for music entirely on his own.

December 2016

17

Seniors explore the MoMA

by Sara Reilly

Every winter, the IB senior class takes a trip to New York City’s world-renowned Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) as a part of their Theory of Knowledge (TOK) class.

TOK is a three semester course where students discuss truth and how people acquire knowledge. “In TOK 2 we go indepth in three areas— History, Ethics, and the Arts— and we try to determine how we know what we know in those areas.

But even before that, we try to figure out what those things actually are. What is history? What is art? Once we discuss that, we discuss where our knowledge in those areas comes from and how reliable it is,” TOK teacher Noah Grosfeld-Katz explained.

The visit to the museum coincides with the art unit of the course. “We’re covering art right now and discussing exactly what qualifies as art and how we can actually evaluate art,” said senior Noah Montemarano. “Since MoMA has such a variety of modern and controversial pieces, we visited and were asked to write extensively on one piece.” Seeing the vast array of pieces that MoMA has to offer gave students the opportunity to further understand what constitutes art.

Senior Jennifer Flores illustrated how the trip affected her personal perception of art: “I learned all the different forms and styles that modern art comes in. Just because I don’t initially understand a piece doesn’t mean I cannot relate to it and feel something,” she said. One of the most important lessons students brought

home was how art, occasionally seen as venerated and unreachable, can become more understandable with personal connections - much like knowledge itself.

PHOTO COURTESY OF HOLLY SHAN

Seniors sit savoring modern artworks.

Mr. Grosfeld-Katz considered the trip applicable to real life in many ways: “We all have our own perspectives and experiences, and therefore we create our own realities based on those. That’s very important to keep in mind. Students need to understand that the person they are talking to might have a very different sense of what’s ‘true’ or ‘real,’” he explained.

In line with that lesson, senior Claire Wilson remarked, “I learned that I have to shed all of my conceptions about art.

Just when I thought I had it figured out, I realized that I’m worse than clueless.

It’s worth it though, to see hundreds of paintings and photos and to identify so strongly with even one.” Such a diverse compilation of artwork can open students’ minds, increasing their ability to relate to people from all backgrounds.

Dedicated to Ms. Lovingfoss RM Idol bursts with talent

by Magali Ngouabou In one of RM’s halls, a bittersweet mural pays tribute to a long-beloved staff member. Butterfly wings encasing a pink breast cancer ribbon stand as a tribute to former special education department chair Diana Lovingfoss, who, just three years ago, lost her long fight with breast cancer.

Two RM alumni, Hannah Sierra and Jamal Middleton worked to paint the

through in her everyday behavior, but Ms. Lovingfoss also sported a tattoo of the pink ribbon, the trademark for breast cancer awareness. “She wanted to get it because at that point she was in remission, she was doing much better and she just wanted to get that mark,” Ms. Cular explained.

It was Middleton’s desire to pay tribute more than artistic talent that motivated him to paint this mural. “I never really had any art class experience until my junior and senior year of high school,” Middleton said.

PHOTO BY JESSICA JI

A pink breast cancer nestled in a pair of wings, the mural represents strength and freedom. tribute to the teacher whom they felt had Despite his background, Middleton has had a significant impact on their lives. loved drawing and painting ever since he “[Ms. Lovingfoss] was one of the special was a kid, creating art as frequently as he educators who helped me get back on the could. autism spectrum,” expressed Middleton, “I His partner in making the mural, did this mural for her to show how deeply Hannah Sierra, also conveyed her love I respect her and how other students for art through Ms. Lovingfoss’s tribute. remember her and have respect for her.”

“Hannah Sierra was a big help in the In her many years of teaching, Diana project,” Middleton said. “She is a very Lovingfoss sought to help her students in creative person with a lot of ideas and I any way she could, not only academically, think she was awesome in this project.” but other important aspects that contribute Each person at RM brings to light to adolescent well-being. “She supported different ways of thinking, different them greatly in their education and their cultures, and new experiences. This mural social and emotional well being, had great is one example of the love for one another relationships with their parents,” said prevalent in our community despite our school administrator John Garrick. “They differences. were very supported by Ms. Lovingfoss.”

Junior Sana Behdin sits by the special Not only did Ms. Lovingfoss show education office during lunch, placing her genuine care for her students, but she was directly under Ms. Lovingfoss’s mural strong, not letting her struggle with breast every day. After three years of seeing cancer visibly affect her mood at school. all of RM’s decorated halls, she rightly “She was always very positive, she summarized the significance of the murals didn’t like to talk about it too much, she’d at here: “[Each mural is] made to represent always say ‘I feel great today!” said special different aspects of RM, and I think this one education teacher Jackie Cular. shows what the RM values are all about.”

Not only did this positive attitude shine

by Christine Zhu Television shows such as “American Idol” and “The X Factor” all look for people with special singing talent. People of all ages audition for those shows before being selected to perform in front of a panel of judges, a live audience, and viewers all over the country. RM has its own version of this type of competition: RM Idol.

RM Idol is an annual event sponsored by Fine Lines, RM’s literary magazine. After a round of auditions, 18 singers were chosen to perform in the auditorium before a live audience. This year’s show took place on December 2, featuring vocalists from all grade levels.

The spectacle was filled with different genres and styles of music. Senior Gaby Philips performed “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” by Whitney Houston. “[She] was one of the best female singers of all time and is incredibly influential. I also love the song and think it’s so well written and super fun. I did an acoustic version of it to put my own twist on it,” Philips said.

Philips’ arrangement complemented her vocals and made her this year’s winner.

Sophomore Shannon Walker, another competitor in the show, sang “Stole the Show” by electronic dance music artist Kygo. “[Kygo’s] music has had such a huge effect on my life. This song has so many different emotions intertwined,” Walker explained. Profound emotions are usually associated with another genre, soul, which Junior Bianca Agung represented with “Hoops” by JONES: “[JONES is] totally underrated and amazing and her lyrics are relatable.” A common thread among singers was they all picked songs meaningful to them.

The amount of preparation for the auditions varied for each participant: “I chose my song and I practiced it a lot of times by myself and then in front of my family,” Philips said. Unlike her, Walker did not have as much time to practice: “I found out about it a day before I auditioned so it was a bit of a scramble, but I just sang something that I knew and loved and somehow it worked out,” she said.

Music is often said to be the universal language, bringing people of different cultures together. “I began singing because

it’s my favorite form of artistic expression,” Agung said. Walker added, “I’ve always been surrounded by music and the feeling singing gives me is indescribable.

I can express myself through singing and it’s a way to connect with people from all different backgrounds, which is incredible.”

Music’s accessibility also means it can have an impact on whoever is listening.

“Music is a beautiful thing that can connect people and it makes me really happy. I hope by singing and playing for other people that I can spread that same happiness I feel.

My favorite part is...how you can connect with anyone through music,” Philips said.

While the contestants love singing, performing was nervewracking for some.

“My least favorite part about performing live was how nervous I got,” Philips said.

Agung added, “My least favorite part was of waiting to perform. Watching people go before me gave me an insane case of stage fright because everyone is so great.”

Walker hoped to improve her nervousness by competing in RM Idol.

“I’m hoping to get over the severe stage fright I’ve developed,” Walker said. “[but] I’m excited to hear all of the other performers.” Agung mentioned the benefits of performing live: “My favorite

PHOTO BY MADDIE FRANKE

Senior Gaby Philips won this year’s RM Idol.

part of singing was the adrenaline rush I got when I got up on the stage.”

For these students, RM Idol was a more than suitable replacement for “American Idol”.

18

The Tide

FEATURES

December 2016

Staff and students speak out on ‘words that hurt’

by Valerie Wang Words that hurt. These three words provided the basis for RM’s second Rich Talk Forum on December 1. The discussions and stories sparked by this topic were not only deeply heartfelt and inspirational, but also tackled subjects that are not always discussed in the classroom, such as racism, discrimination and prejudice.

During the forum, students and staff of various races, genders, sexual orientations, and religions shared personal stories on their own experiences with hurtful words and spoke out against such injustice, attempting to demolish the hateful stereotypes of our society through their intimate stories.

English teacher Nancy Shay, the host of Rich Talks, cited the Ted Talks as inspiration for RM’s Rich Talks. “We decided to do our own, home grown talks here and call them Rich Talks,” she explained. “The name refers to the fact that the speeches will always inspire rich conversation. It’s also

a reference to our school name, Richard Montgomery.”

Five personal speeches were given, followed by an open mic session where members of the audience had the opportunity to provide their thoughts. The speakers included English teacher Sara Hashmen-Liles, junior Jisca Mivingou, social studies teacher Noah Grosfeld-Katz, junior Jose Paniagua, and seniors Samara Langsam and Lisa Hernandez.

Paniagua overcame his fear of public speaking to address his heritage. “Not all Hispanics are Mexican, but if you are, be proud of it,” he said. “I’m from El Salvador; it’s a beautiful country with blue oceans, active volcanoes, kind people and very few opportunities. That’s why I’m here.”

In his speech, he also discussed the problem of stereotypes. “[All of us] all the same and yet when people see me, here are the words that come to their mind: Mexican, rapist, stupid, lazy. It’s like judging a book by its cover,” Paniagua explained. “So the next time you see someone who looks like me, don’t look down on them, don’t make assumptions… help them find success.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF DAMON MONTELEONE

Mr. Grosfeld-Katz shared his own experiences with stereotypes as a Jewish-American.

Similarly, Mr. Grosfeld-Katz spoke about the blantant prejudice he has faced.

“I was waiting in a line [when] a young kid suddenly pointed at me and exclaimed ‘nerd’,” he recalled. “I came to understand that, in that context, ‘nerd’ means Jewish.

The more I thought about it, the more I was hurt by his comment. I’m proud to be a nerd, I’m proud to be Jewish.”

In his speech, Mr. Grosfeld-Katz discussed that while the RM community provides a relatively safe shelter from prejudice, this is not always the case in the real world. “That kid’s comment seemed to reflect some innate aspect of the human heart,” he said. “We are proof that people judge each other and notice each other’s differences instead of similarities, and that we let those judgements dictate how we treat each other.”

Ms. Hashmen-Liles described her experience as a member of the LGBTQ community and the long road of personal acceptance she took to get to where she is today. “There was always this underlying fear that I would be targeted, either physically or verbally,” she recounted.

“One time, [my wife and I] walked out to the street outside our townhouse and found that our cars, both of which displayed gay pride stickers, had been vandalized. Those actions spoke louder than any words.”

Despite all the prejudice she has faced, Mrs. Hashmen-Liles expressed her gratitude for the love and comfort she has received from the RM community. “The fear that I have described today has been quelled significantly by living and working [at RM],” she said. “I would’ve loved to go to a high school like this.”

During the open mic sessions, many students stood up and stated that while they had not planned on speaking at all, what they heard had motivated them to share their thoughts. A student shared a poem detailing how words can devastatingly impact someone but how such words

should not be kept down. Another student described a traumatic event and how it has not kept her quiet but instead inspired her to use her experience to encourage others.

However, participation in the Rich Talk Forums does not require standing up and speaking. Simply being a part of the audience can completely change your perspective on many issues, and encourage you to stand up and speak out for what you believe in.

“Each generation is in a unique position to address the world’s misunderstandings and problems.”

- Ms. Shay Ms. Shay aims to expand Rich Talks by having multiple talks this school year.

“It seems like we as a nation are at a crossroads—we experienced a lot of racial tension nationally over the summer and our own local unrest as a school during and after the election,” she described.

“Talking and listening are two great ways to understand different points of view and forge constructive relationships.”

As Ms. Shay put it, “If not now, when?

If not you, who? Each generation is in a unique position to address the world’s misunderstandings and problems and to celebrate the human experience with energy, grace, and insight. Hanging out with friends during lunch is a vital part of the high school experience; hanging out with friends during lunch and embracing others’ perspectives can change the world.”

Oh pushes for improved social relations in school

by Isabella Levine Through community forums, clubs, and activism, senior Summer Oh is dedicated to alleviating racial tensions and improving opportunities for minorities. With the belief that change stems from clear and honest discussion, she has attempted to provide platforms for different groups to share their perspectives and experiences.

Oh’s biggest goal is to promote in-school discussion of issues related to diversity.

“I’m trying to make our community aware of what’s going on because some people have no idea that racism or sexism is still an issue,” she explained. “There is a lot that still needs to be done.”

Oh recently participated in a task force of female students upset by what they deemed were inequitable requirements imposed by the school dress code. “The task force was a small group of girls who got together because we didn’t like the sexism implied by the original dress code,” she explained. The task force proposed getting rid of the formal dress code, among other parts of the dress code they found inequitable towards women. However, though their reforms were approved by principal Damon Monteleone, they ultimately were not put into the RM SPIN-books.

The group simultaneously worked on changing the atmosphere of homeroom by creating a platform for communication. “Students would meet in their homeroom classes to discuss social issues,” Oh explained. “This would bridge the gap between different students and between students and staff. It would also better [the] community by giving us overall more

awareness of issues that affect different students.” The proposed Community Meetings were amended to become the Rich Talks that take place once a month in the auditorium.

Oh is also co-president and co-founder of Diverse Voices, one of RM’s leading diversity clubs. Diverse Voices hopes to create understanding about the complexity of minority issues in order to effectively approach solutions. “I see a lot of segregation

videos were used over the summer to educate our staff on how students are feeling in the environment and what their experiences are like as students of color,” Oh described. “So far we’ve done black, Asian American, and Latino students but we hope this year to expand it to women and the LGBT community.”

The club has also participated in numerous fundraising and awareness-raising activities, including recent presentations

PHOTO COURTESY OF SUMMER OH

After Trump’s election, Oh (right) and her friends held a peaceful protest on Main Street. in friend groups and I think the bubbling of about Native American history in varisocio-economic status and race can clearly ous social studies classes. “We do a lot of be seen,” co-president and co-founder Cam events related to current events going on,” Aaron said. “[If] you hang out with people Oh commented. “We’re trying to raise you’re familiar with and you grow up in awareness for events that affect minorcertain environments, [there tends] to be ity groups.” The presentations are both in people who look like you. It’s hard to break honor of Native American history month that.” and relevant to the club’s current focus on Their video series “What It Means to be a the Dakota Access Pipeline. {blank} Student” discusses individual stuHowever, both Oh and Aaron acknowldent experiences and perspectives. “These edge that in order to create change, their

efforts must reach members of both majority and minority groups. The club aims to establish fellowship across divides in order to shift students’ perspectives in a more impactful way. “You still have staff members who are hesitant to talk about racial issues with their students [or] don’t know how to,” Oh commented. “I think that’s the biggest problem we have right now- the disconnect between the staff at our school and the disconnect between students.”

Oh’s passion for diversity was heavily influenced by her mother, who founded the organization We Need Diverse Books. “My mom has been a big influence on me personally because she’s so passionate about diversity issues and she’s always been since I was little,” she commented. “[When] interning with her organization, I saw that many people wanted to help people of color, the LGBT community, women, and people of different religions, but they just didn’t have an outlet yet.”

Over the past two years, Aaron has learned that the results of her efforts are small but worthwhile. “We move forward in little ways everyday,” she said. “We try to raise awareness through action. It’s about attending meetings, listening, then bringing that awareness into your life outside of the club. “Stand up for yourself or for other people. It’s not easy but important things never are.”

Oh’s drive to improve awareness of minority issues stems from the knowledge that she will never be alone in her efforts.

“RM is so supportive and this community has really given me a voice,” she said.

“Whenever I start a movement I have so many people backing me up that I’m not afraid to voice my opinion anymore. I’ve never been one to stay quiet.”

The Tide

FEATURES

December 2016

19

Checking out the stories of the Media Center staff

by Vivian Yeh

From checking out books to sharing online resources to recommending new books to read, the media center staff are an integral part of the RM community. Many of us recognize them as the hardworking individuals we see behind the counter every day. But who are they beyond their friendly hellos and helpful advice?

Dr. Michelle Alexander A former attorney, middle school science teacher and owner of several businesses, media specialist Michelle Alexander has had 20 years of experience in her position, five of which were spent at RM. She helps students with research and works with teachers to plan lessons involving media center materials. “If you learn how to access the right information, it really gives you a lot of power,” she explained.

In addition to her role in the media center, Dr. Alexander also works as the advisor for DECA, RM’s business and entrepreneurship club. “One thing that’s really amazing is that it is almost entirely student-driven—almost all the other schools have a business education department and those teachers generally sponsor the DECA clubs,” she pointed out.

“We don’t have that here, and I think it’s a testament to how talented our students are that we are the number one chapter in the state.”

Dr. Alexander has earned a reputation for dressing up during Spirit Week, as shown by her portrayal of Cruella de Vil chasing puppies across RMBC. “I do think that my students think I’m crazy…and I think they’re right,” she said.

Outside of her life at RM, Dr. Alexander enjoys various activities including traveling, belly dancing, sewing and shopping. “I’m a licensed image consultant, so I really

like taking people shopping and dressing them,” she revealed. “I love helping people dress and look nice.”

Beyond that, Dr. Alexander stresses her love for helping students become lifelong readers, learners, and researchers. “I wish students would ask me for help to find something before they go to Google and the evil Wikipedia,” she said. “I have friends who are microbiologists, lawyers, judges, dancers, business-owners and all kinds

club. “It’s generally the best part of the day for me,” he said.

Like his colleagues, Mr. Rodney loves interacting with the students of RM. “I could be in an office with a bunch of fiftyyear-old people getting old, but I’m not,” he said. “You’re smart, generally speaking, and full of life, and that’s so much better than sitting around with a bunch of curmudgeonly old people,” he added jokingly.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MICHELLE ALEXANDER

Mrs. Olayemi Onaghise, Mrs. Meryl Bernstein and Ms. Ozmara Hernandez help students.

of creative people—there could very well be someone I already know who would be happy to talk to and work with young people.”

Mr. Eric Rodney Media services technician Eric Rodney has worked at RM for 20 years— longer than anyone else in the media center— taking care of the educational technology, auditorium, sound systems and RMBC. He also enjoys his role as the technical supervisor for RM’s Black Maskers drama

Mr. Rodney pursues challenging activities such as riding motorcycles and skydiving, as well as ones closer to home like reading and remodeling. “There’s not a room in any of the houses I’ve ever lived in that I haven’t done something to,” he explained.

Ms. Judith Arbacher Media assistant Judith Arbacher managed international student programs before she became a stay-at-home mother and found a part-time job at RM. Now,

she has worked as a media assistant for 12 years and continues to enjoy working with students and sharing her love for reading books.

“I love it when students ask me about good books to read, because we’ve got a great collection of fiction,” she revealed.

“I try to highlight a different book every month that I’ve read and I like (I don’t think anyone notices).”

Setting a good precedent for students, Ms. Arbacher finds time in her own schedule to read for pleasure. Her favorite book, Abraham Verghese’s “Cutting for Stone,” currently sits on her desk. “It combines my interest in travel and people with a really good story,” she explained.

In her free time, Ms. Arbacher enjoys hiking with her dog, watching documentaries and, of course, reading.

Her love of travel has rewarded her with quite a few memorable experiences, such as driving on the left side of road for two and a half weeks in Ireland. “It was really challenging, but really fun,” she reflected.

Another time, she stumbled upon a unique critter while visiting a park in Mexico. “We saw this giant thing that wasn’t a goat or a dog, and it turned out to be a capybara, which is the world’s largest rodent—just walking around in the park,” she recalled. “We kind of avoided it.”

All of the professionals who supervise RM’s media center enjoy a good balance of work and life. “Generally speaking, the people who come here stay here until they retire,” said Mr. Rodney. “We have very few people who transfer out because they don’t like it, so there’s a very good feeling of camaraderie.”

Next time you find yourself in the media center, be sure to stop by and have a quick chat with one of the staff members. Ask for a book recommendation, a helpful professional contact or maybe even some cool new hobbies to check out.

Twins: lifelong competition and companionship

by Ami Thaivalappil What is it like to have a twin— someone who has been there for every moment of your life and knows exactly what you are going through?

Here at RM, there are many pairs of twins, identical and fraternal. For juniors Rym and Selma Benhassine, being identical can be hard. “In high school we forgot to tell people that we had a twin. And since Selma has a lot of friends that I’ve never met in drama and stuff, they think I’m Selma,” Rym said. “They usually just say ‘Hi Selma’ and look angry when I don’t respond. But sometimes a random person will hug me out of nowhere. That was a particularly traumatic experience.”

With identical twins, you have a 50% chance of getting the twin’s name right, but if you are wrong, it can get really awkward.

Juniors Semret and Kidest Hailie constantly find themselves in this situation. “It’s super annoying sometimes because people will have me in first period and [then] in seventh period they’ll ask ‘Which one are you?’” Semret said. “It would be May! Over the course of the whole year they couldn’t

learn who was who?”

However, having someone who looks exactly like you can be useful at times.

Rym and Selma have swapped places on occasion, but only to mess with their family. “When we were younger, we did try to confuse our parents, but it only worked for a little bit. They just looked us in the face and knew who was who.” Selma said. “Generally it’s harder to tell when you are only looking at one twin,” Rym added.

Semret and Kidest have actually taken it a step further, swapping places for classes.

“It was once in middle school, while there was a substitute teacher in English.

We were working on a book, but I didn’t do the reading and Kidest did,” Semret explained. “There was only one thing to do, and we switched classes. She went to my English class. It was super chill, and no one noticed.”

For some people, twins are absolutely fascinating. Seniors Jerry and Bobby Garvey know just how weird it can get when random people gawk at them. “One time me and my brother were walking through New York City, just me and him.

We both had bowl cuts, we looked exactly the same, and we were wearing college shirts so you couldn’t even distinguish

PHOTO COURTESY OF SAREET NAYAK

Fraternal twins Samarth (left) and Sareet (right) Nayak have always been there for each other.

PHOTO COURTESY OF SELMA BENHASSINE

Twins Rym (left) and Selma (right) Benhassine are often mistaken for one another at school.

between us,” Jerry recalled. “Then this lady walking by comes up to us and asks ‘Oh my gosh are you guys clones?’ and we were just like ‘No.’ Then she asked, ‘Well, if I pinch you honey, will he feel it?’ And then she pinched my brother extremely hard on the arm. We ran away since we were eight and it was horrifying.”

So how do you tell twins apart? Rym recommends looking for the small details.

“Selma is actually taller than me,” she explained. “Also, our older sister says our noses are different, and our eyes too.

Selma’s are more doe shaped and mine are actually two different colors.”

Even if their physical features are not different enough, you can always take matters into your own hands, as Rym and Selma have done. “Our hair is different.

Mine used to be slightly longer than [Selma’s], but then I chopped it all off to clear up the confusion,” Rym added. “Plus back in first grade, Selma actually pushed me and I broke my tooth. Definitely her fault, but now when you ask me to smile you can tell the difference.”

Despite being constantly mistaken for each other, all of these twins can agree that you always have someone there at every moment in your life to motivate you— or at least compare yourself against. Freshman Samarth Nayak noted the dynamic with his twin sister Sareet: “I always have to compete with her. I always win, but you know, it’s a constant thing between us as twins,” he said. “[In] math class a few years ago, we always competed on tests, and there was this one test she beat me in, so she was really excited over that.”

Yet, Samarth admitted that, in the end, he enjoyed having his sister around. “You have someone there when you need them,” he explained. “Plus, since we go to the same school, she has the same work as me, so if I need help on homework or something I just ask her.”

Siblings can be a handful, but in the best possible way. It hardly matters if they are younger, older or identical; you can always count on your siblings to have a great time.

But for all the only children out there, at least you know that you’re the favorite.

20 The Tide

FEATURES

December 2016

Veteran teachers reflect on impact of military service

by Mikhaila Estwick

With the holiday season fast approaching, many of us look forward to reuniting with family. However, it is important to remember those who do not necessarily have this luxury—soldiers serving in the military.

RM’s faculty includes staff members who have served. Whether they served by choice or were drafted, military service has left a lasting impression on our veterans.

When he was younger, French teacher Gerard Giblin was required to serve in the French Marines for a year. “Because I already had an education, [my job] was commander of a platoon,” he explained.

Media service technician Eric Rodney also served in the US Air Force branch.

“Life at the time wasn’t going all that well, and I decided to go to the Air Force,” he said. “My father served in World War II and both of my brothers served in the Navy.”

According to the Naval Research Center, youth with parents who are veterans are most likely to volunteer for military service. Further, a study conducted in the 1970s to 80s found that children of veterans were two to six times more likely to join the military than their peers.

Unlike Mr. Giblin, Mr. Rodney was not in command of his own platoon, but his

from friends and family for long periods of time. When deployed, members of the armed forces have to move across states or even countries. “It was a bit difficult,” Mr. Giblin explained about his deployment in the French Caribbean. “It was far from my home in Martinique…I didn’t know anybody there.”

These times of separation and/or social isolation can become even more difficult to bear over the holidays for some service members. When away from home on the holidays, however, Mr. Rodney was able to connect with other members in the same situation. “I actually have some really good memories and polaroids of being with some other people [who served with me] or married couples,” he said. “I haven’t talked to them in a hundred years [though].”

Mr. Giblin, on the other hand, did not communicate as much with other members of the platoon even during his service.

“The other men I served with didn’t have the same level of education. I served with people where not one kid had a high school degree, so short of talking about soccer, I didn’t have much to communicate with them,” he said.

While serving had both its ups and downs, Mr. Rodney believes that being in the Air Force ultimately influenced his life. “It gave me a newfound respect for discipline,” he reflected. “When you realize that someone can tell you what to do, and

you will do it, it will do a lot of good for a lot of people to accept that.”

been rooted in music almost his entire life.

“My dad is a musician—he plays Latin jazz—so music was always part of my life,” he explained. Gonzalez-Sol began taking classical piano classes at age six and joined the Maryland Boys Choir for a few years. Today, he plays the contrabass in RM’s Symphonic Orchestra. He has been a part of pit orchestra for all four years of high school and was pit chief this year.

In addition to his immense talent, Gonzalez-Sol is praised for his great character. “His musicianship is only matched by how nice of a person he is,” instrumental music director Dr. Peter Perry commented.

“I think he will do very, very well.

His compositions are very mature for a high school student [and] continue to get

better as he writes more.”

In the future, Gonzalez-Sol hopes to start his own ensemble and find a career in music. “I want to lead a career that combines the different arts, bringing together music and film or dance/ choreography, or composing music and working with poets and visual designers,” he explained. “[I want to create] art that is newer and more original, and [look] at music in the broader context of how we can make an impact on society.”

For Gonzalez-Sol, composing is something that he loves and finds comfort in.

“The reason I do it, the reason I’m in love with it is the way it combines the head and the heart. It’s one of the only things I found where you’re feeling and you’re thinking as much, as strongly.”

of the horse, and there’s judging horses, how they look and how the person rides,” Harouna explained.

GRAPHIC BY ISABELLE ZHOU Over the past few years, Harouna horses since she was four,” she has developed a love for competirecalled. “She got to ride her tion. “It’s healthy competition first horse [there] and as her and if you do well in shows, you birthday present, she could can travel the world which is start taking horseback lesreally what I want to do,” she sons when we got back [to said. “Many people think America]. When she started, it’s scary, or that it’s not a I told my mom ‘this looks sport. [But] for me it is a kind of cool’ so I asked her sport, and the sport is acif I could try.” tually how much work When she was around and dedication it renine or ten, she joined quires.” the 4-H club, an orShe has also develganization that oped a strong bond holds fundraisers with her horse, to support various whose registered causes, including name is “Authenanimals, scitically Good” ence, cooking, but is known and reading. as Dan. “We “There’s even have a strong a horse bowl bond because team where I’ve been workyou have to ing with him almost know everything every day through the about the biology PHOTO COURTESY OF LYDIA HAROUNA summer,” Harouna said.

“We are more like a team than just a horse and a person.”

Harouna cites her mother as a huge support system in her horseback riding career.

“She’s most important to me because she’s the one that’s been training me for a long time because my trainer had an accident,” she said. “It’s important to realize that your parents are really a huge part in this.”

As for the future, Harouna already has a plan in mind. “I want to graduate from high school, and it’s always been [my] dream to go to college in France,” she explained.

“After I graduate, I plan on coming back here and finding a job as an architect or an equine vet. But I really enjoy traveling, so if it works out, I want to go far—to Worlds [for horseback riding].”

For Harouna, the competing experience is invaluable. “I think it’s amazing because I’ve created so many connections for myself,” she said. “I love to travel and when I’m 4-H they give me that opportunity to go around the world and see new things.”

high level of education helped him obtain a position as an Intelligence Operations Specialist, where he sorted charts.

According to the Military Spot website, “It is very difficult to be considered a serious candidate without either a high school diploma or accepted alternative credential.”

However, being in the armed forces presents the challenge of being away

GRAPHIC BY KERN LEE

GRAPHIC BY KERN LEE

by Julie Yeo Across the nation, there are thousands of talented and hardworking student artists of every discipline, from dance to visual arts to poetry. Out of these artists, fewer than 700 students are chosen to be recognized as National YoungArts Foundation Winners.

These artists are the best of the best, and one of them is senior Camilo GonzalezSol,. Gonzalez-Sol was recently named a National YoungArts Foundation Merit Award winner for his submission in classical music composition.

While studying at the Tanglewood Institute for composition over the summer, Gonzalez-Sol was encouraged to compete in the YoungArts program. “They have lots of federal funding, they have lots of resources, and they’re really committed to giving you connections and helping you start your career on a really powerful foot,”

by Maureen Zeufack Sophomore Lydia Harouna spends more time with horses than the average person.

As a horseback rider, she trains about four times a week. This year, Harouna was part of the Maryland team that won seventh place at the Eastern Nationals 4-H Horse Roundup in Louisville, Ky. While Harouna makes horseback riding seem effortless, it is actually a lot harder than it looks. “There are many things you have to keep in mind: your legs, your arms, where you’re looking, where you’re sitting, how you’re sitting, if your heels are down, if you’re seat is right, if the girth is tight,” she explained. “The goal [of horseback riding] is to make it look easier than it is and when I ride, I have to make myself look like nothing is happening when everything is happening.”

Harouna first got involved with horseback riding after visiting a horse barn on a family trip to Niger, Africa. “It was my sister’s birthday. She’s been in love with

he explained.

He ended up submitting a portfolio of two original scores in October of this year: one large piece for an orchestra or a choir that was over 10 minutes long, as well as a shorter piece written for a couple musicians. Judges were impressed by Gonzalez-Sol’s submissions and contacted him about a month later to notify him of his win.

However, this was not Gonzalez-Sol’s first big accomplishment. Last year, he won several music competitions for his compositions, including the National PTA Reflections Competition, which culminated in an 800-dollar prize for Gonzalez-Sol, 200 dollars for the school, and a performance in Orlando, Fl. at the National PTA Convention. Through his music, Gonzalez-Sol has achieved what many high schoolers can only imagine.

Although his passion for composing was realized later on, Gonzalez-Sol has

“[Being in the Air Force] gave me a newfound respect for discipline.”

- Mr. Rodney However, he chose not to serve after his service commitment expired. “It was a four year commitment…and I was done,” Mr. Rodney said. Likewise, Mr. Giblin decided that he did not want to continue into the professional army.

Although their military service has officially ended, Mr. Giblin and Mr. Rodney still continue some traditions from their time in the military. “The only tradition I kept from the army is how they kept us in shape,” Mr. Giblin said. “So I do push-ups and sit-ups every morning like I did in the army.” Mr. Rodney also tries to stay in shape: “I get up early and exercise,” he said.

Thank you to Mr. Giblin, Mr. Rodney, and other veterans for their service.

PHOTO BY JESSICA JI

Have any nominations for our next student of the issue? Email us the name of your nominee and a brief explanation of why they should be featured at thefeatureseditors@gmail.com.

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The Tide

SPORTS

December 2016

Sports luck comes from more than a 4-leaf clover

by Katie Spencer With the winter sports season in full force, athletes are constantly working hard to bring glory to RM. But before they can duke it out on the court, they have to prepare mentally.

To some, lucky charms may seem to be nothing more than trivial superstition. But for some athletes, establishing a consistent pre-game routine is crucial to doing well. Whether it be wearing the same clothes, eating the same foods or engaging in unique team rituals, athletes do anything they can to make sure everything is in their favor.

With any sport, the preparation begins early. Be it the night before or the morning of a big game, an athlete’s plate is always full of energy-packed carbohydrates. “I like to have some Asian grain,” sophomore swimmer Lauren Zhou said.

Others indulge in heaping amounts of spaghetti, pasta and bread.

However, as the time before the game dwindles, players resort to simpler sugars like cookies and sports drinks for a final spike in their energy. “I always bring a chocolate with me to school,”

sophomore Maura Peang-Meth, girls junior varsity basketball player, stated.

Lucky socks are also a popular choice among winter athletes. “I have two lucky pair[s] of basketball socks... one’s for when they’re away, and they’re black. And one is for home when we wear white,” junior girls basketball guard Melanie Osborne explained. “I just wear them every time because I feel like it makes me really lucky and I feel like my shot will be on.”

While Osborne switches between two pairs of different colors, others pledge loyalty to a single color. As junior boys basketball forward Mesagh Khalilzadeh described, “I always wear my white socks. I just feel more lucky with that color.”

The most prominent challenge of maintaining such a routine is keeping up with the laundry, especially when athletes stick to one particular outfit. “I always have to wear the same exact clothes for every meet,” junior Rosa Boehler, indoor track hurdler, said. “It makes me really uncomfortable if I don’t.” And with multiple competitions every week, the laundry piles up.

Some rituals tend to be more labor-intensive than others.

Junior Ian McBain, diver, has

an elaborate agenda to ensure victory for each dive. “I do the same ritual every time before each dive… If I high five someone [for my first dive], that means I have to high five them for the rest of the dives. I do it until it works.”

Other athletes look to gain support from their religion to assist them through their events. “I try to pray before every game,” sophomore Gideon Wikina, boys junior varsity basketball player, shared.

Certain visual aids are also useful to athletes who are looking to ease their nerves and relax before their big performance. “I like watching hurdling fail videos on YouTube,” Boehler said.

Others, like Peang-Meth, watch movies to get them in the right zone.

“I watch basketball movies such as “Linsanity”… he’s such an inspirational human. I see him dunk and everything, and I’m like, ‘I could do that!’” she explained.

However, pre-game rituals are not confined to individual efforts. Teams partake in many traditions to ensure they are

ready and excited to play.

“People will bring in speakers to have some pump-up music in the locker room,” junior Ryan Grossman, ice hockey player, recalled. Other sports teams prefer to create their own music.

“We’ll start rapping on the bus on the way to meets,” senior Amit Koppel, indoor track runner, mentioned.

These rituals have a greater benefit than just luck. They also play a vital role in

GRAPHIC BY KERN LEE

establishing quality chemistry between teammates. Since welcoming many new players to their roster, the boys varsity basketball team has taken the extra step to encourage rapport among unfamiliar faces and returning athletes. “Since a lot of us don’t

know each other fully, we’re working on handshakes for each of us,” Khalilzadeh said.

Boys on the swim team participate in a ritual in which they huddle together and pound their chests prior to their races. “We like to slap our bodies,” sophomore Connor Din, swimmer, explained. “It gets the blood rushing.” This choreography, coined “The Pec Slap,” is a large part of building the team’s energy and intimidating the opponent.

An age-old tradition among teams is the ostentatious display of spirit through attire on the day of the event. This custom consists of athletes wearing pajamas, mismatched colors or other themed outfits in accordance with the orders of the team’s captains. Not only does this make for excellent picture-taking opportunities, but it also unifies the team members as they gain support from their classmates throughout the school day.

With the diligent time and toil that players dedicate to replicating such specific routines, one cannot help but wonder if these pre-game rituals and superstitions just might be key to understanding why Richard Montgomery athletes are so successful.

Marathons, half marathons Fierce competition and triathlons push students in fantasy football

by Michael Pan Marathons, half marathons and triathlons are all grueling competitions that push people to the extent of their physical capabilities.

A marathon is a 26.2 mile race, a half marathon is 13.1 miles and a triathlon, which consists of swimming, running and cycling, can be a variety of distances.

Although to many these events may seem impossible, there are many students and staff at RM who have risen to meet these formidable challenges.

These students include senior Xochi Cartland, who has run both a half marathon and a marathon, freshman Deeksha Sesha, who has run a half marathon, and junior Nick Vafa, who has competed in a triathlon.

As a sophomore, Cartland ran a marathon with her dad.

“There’s something very cool about being able to say I ran a marathon,” she explained.

An avid cross-country and track runner, she believes that humans were built to run. “Even if you’re not a runner yet, in less than a year you could be running a marathon. Anyone can do it, as long as they train hard and think they can,” Cartland said.

Sesha completed her first half marathon this year and now aspires to run a full, 26.2 mile marathon.

Like Cartland, Sesha’s main source of inspiration is her dad.

“He has run many marathons and inspired me to train for and run a half marathon this March,” she said.

Sesha was an active crosscountry runner for RM this past fall and is now participating in indoor track. In addition to running a half marathon, Sesha has also run in 5k, 10k and 10 mile races.

Although she already has extensive running experience in various events, Sesha knows that she will still have to train tirelessly to fulfill the daunting task of running a full one.

PHOTO COURTESY OF NICK VAFA

Nick Vafa poses after participating in a Virginia-Maryland Triathlon.

She plans to seriously train for one either in her junior or senior year. She explained, “[I would] probably join a training program with one of my friends.”

Vafa’s story is slightly different. Before his sophomore year, he had never really thought about competing in a triathlon.

Vafa first started cycling in eighth grade. “I fell in love with the sport,” he explained.

Soon after this discovery, Vafa started running and swimming.

Finally, the summer before his sophomore year, he decided to combine all three sports and participate in one of the Virginia-Maryland Triathlons.

Vafa explained, “The fact that to everyone it seemed so hard [motivated me]... I wanted to prove to both myself and to everyone that I could accomplish such a thing.”

This motivation drove him to run four or five miles every day in the summer and to swim early in the morning to build his endurance.

When the day of the triathlon arrived, Vafa was extremely nervous. Despite his nerves, he finished with a strong run.

“I couldn’t have been happier crossing the finish line and overall, it was one of the best experiences in my life,” he explained.

No matter which event these athletes participate in, they all put in an enormous amount of effort to accomplish their goals.

Their success stories show that no matter how intimidating or anxiety-inducing the task is, as long as you are motivated and willing to work hard enough, anything is possible.

by Andy Zabinski Each year before the start of the NFL season, people bring together their group of friends to begin their fantasy football leagues. Participants get to draft their own team of players from any of the teams in the league and compete against their friends.

People are drawn to fantasy sports for many reasons: it is a great way to connect with friends, it allows you to be competitive and it is easy to pick up and learn.

To start, players use apps such as ESPN Fantasy or Yahoo Fantasy to make a “league” in which they face off against friends. The accessibility of the apps make it very easy for a variety of people, even sports amateurs, to join in.

After all players have joined, the designated league manager then creates the order in which each team drafts players.

The draft is held at a specified time and date, and each player drafts one player per round. Each team must have certain players, such a quarterback, running backs and wide receivers.

Throughout the season, teams can trade players with other teams and can even pick up new players that were not chosen in the original draft.

After the draft, the season starts. Each team plays another team, once per week. To win, a team must score more points than their opponent.

The points are based on statistics that each player on a team produces. If a running back rushes 10 yards, he scores one

point for his fantasy team.

After the regular season is over, playoffs begin. The playoffs are done in a bracket-style format where the team with the best record plays the team with the worst record; the team with the second best record plays the team with the second-worst record; and so on. The winner of the playoffs is the league champion.

While fantasy football may seem complicated, it is a great way to pass time with friends and family.

“There are few things that are as fun as hanging out with my friends on Sunday, watching games and talking football,” junior Evan Scheinberg explained.

In addition, fantasy football serves as a unique social platform where people can interact differently from how they would on Facebook or Snapchat. “It allows a person to connect with others in a way different than typical social media,” sophomore Cole Keimig said.

In addition, lots of people get a rush out of the competitive nature of the game. “Personally, I like competing with and beating my friends,” sophomore Hassim Diallo said. “It’s enjoyable, especially for sports fans, because they get to compete with other friends’ teams,” agreed Keimig.

However, even people new to the sport can enjoy competing against their friends in a friendly manner.

Fantasy football is a great way for people to connect with their friends and interact with their favorite sports teams in a whole new way. And as seasons pick up, more fantasy leagues will pop up all over the school.

SPORTS

The Tide

Oakes shows dedication to English students and sports by the Sports staff Poetry and three-pointers seem like an unlikely combination. One represents the artful manipulation of language, while the other embodies the thrill of a basketball game. Yet as a successful girls varsity basketball coach and RM English teacher, Michael Oakes manages to bring out the best of both worlds.

For Mr. Oakes, coaching is not only a part-time job; the countless hours and time he spends teaching, nurturing and helping the team grow all demonstrate his extreme dedication as a coach.

“I’ve never seen a coach put in more work after hours than he does,” junior Chloe Sherman explained. “He’s very committed to the program and he does a very good job making sure we’re having fun.”

After coaching both boys and girls basketball at other schools, Mr. Oakes was not planning to coach at RM, but when he was presented the opportunity to coach the JV girls basketball team five years ago, he couldn’t resist.

“Once I started, my commitment and love for the game and program just increased with every season,” coach Oakes described.

The bond between coach Oakes and the basketball team is truly unique. In addition to the regular winter season, coach Oakes and the team also take part in fall leagues, summer leagues, and team camps.

The extensive amount of time that coach Oakes and the team spend together allows them to develop to a close relationship that is hard to find elsewhere.

“He’s definitely really passionate about basketball. He’ll always be asking us to watch film on Saturdays and he puts in a lot of time and cares about everyone on the team a lot,” junior Melanie Osborne said.

More than anything, coach Oakes tries to pass on his values to his students and players, whether it be on the sidelines or in the classroom. “I hope that I can be a role model to them in terms of helping to teach them some life lessons,” coach Oakes explained.

“If you commit to something, your hard work will pay off.”

Being both a coach and a

PHOTO BY CALEB SCHAUER

Coach Oakes plans engaging activities for both his students and athletes.

teacher, Mr. Oakes finds himself in the position to impact both his students and athletes, spreading these principles throughout the RM community.

For his countless hours put in, the growth and maturation of his players are the only reward he needs. “It’s really great to see them recognize that they can use this hard work to improve their skills, which is a lesson the players are able to apply to other aspects of their life,” coach Oakes said.

“He’s helped me understand that there are hard times in the season and there’s bumps you’ve got to get through and you’ve got to overcome those bumps and you can’t let anyone hold you back from doing you,” junior Karon Williams said.

Coach Oakes hopes that his time-management skills will inspire his players to work on balancing their busy lives. “I just have a lot of admiration and respect for them knowing that they have a lot of responsibilities,” coach Oakes said. “I want to make sure that I’m dedicated and giving what I can as a coach to the team as well, and I hope that the players can see that example.”

And his hard work and dedication is admired by his players and students alike.

“Oakes is very dedicated and organized. Even if he has to put in extra hours, he’s willing to work hard so that he can attend practices and games six days a week,” sophomore Gillian Smith said.

Whether it’s teaching his students the nuances of analytical writing, or helping a player perfect their shot before a game, coach Oakes gives everything he has to ensuring that his students and players succeed.

December 2016

23

Date

Game

12/26

Boys Varsity Basketball @ Bladensburg: 1:00 p.m.

12/28

Girls Varsity Basketball vs. Quince Orchard: 4:00 p.m.

12/29

Girls Varsity Basketball vs. TBA: 6:00 p.m.

1/3

Girls Varsity Basketball @ Wootton: 5:30 p.m.

1/3

Boys Varsity Basketball @ Wootton: 7:15 p.m.

1/4

Varsity Wrestling @ Blake: 6:15 p.m.

1/6

Girls Varsity Basketball @ Wheaton: 5:30 p.m.

1/6

Boys Varsity Basketball @ Wheaton: 7:15 p.m.

1/6

Varsity Ice Hockey vs. Churchill: 9:45 p.m.

1/7

Swimming & Diving vs. B-CC: 11:30 a.m.

1/10

Girls Varsity Basketball vs. Whitman: 5:30 p.m.

1/10

Boys Varsity Basketball vs. Whitman: 7:15 p.m.

1/11

Varsity Wrestling vs. Seneca Valley: 6:15 p.m.

1/13

Boys Varsity Basketball @ B-CC: 7:15 p.m.

1/13

Girls Varsity Basketball vs. B-CC: 7:15 p.m.

Winter Sports Schedule

Poms is filled with hidden intensity and spirit

by Sierra Longest Poms is the only sport in the county that continues through the fall and winter sport seasons.

Being a pom involves countless hours of rigorous practice and performance, and requires complete dedication.

Officially called ‘Pompoms,’ this elite squad consists of 18 girls, most of whom have been dancing for a majority of their lives.

They are coached by RM social studies teacher Andrea Lyons, and captained by senior Ashley Bakhadj and junior Kisa Sow. The captains also choreograph all the team’s dances, working hard to make them high-tempo and original.

The team competes in three invitationals each season, preparing them for their final competition: the county championship. During invitationals, the team receives constructive comments meant to prepare them for counties. To help them get a sense of where they stand, they are ranked among the seven other Division 1 schools.

In February, the county championship takes place and all of the hard work each team

has put in since May comes together. Last year, Damascus High School took first place. This year, anything could happen— especially in light of a recent decision made by Montgomery County.

In the beginning of this school year, MCPS made a seasonaltering announcement: the two lowest scoring Division 1 Poms teams at counties would be moved down to compete in Division

2 next year. “Every school is bringing their A-game and really going hardcore,” Sow explained.

“We’re not an exception.”

Foreseeing the heightened competition, the Rockets have upped their game in preparation for counties. Sow and Bakhadj have made major changes to the way the team practices to be sure they make an efficient use of their time.

One notable change is the

PHOTO BY MALIKA SAMAT

Poms pose and enjoy each others’ company before a football game.

introduction of ‘silent practices,’ which are exactly what they sound like: when the team practices without speaking for two hours straight. These practices are meant for the captains to be able to assess how each dancer is doing individually. In turn, this makes it easier for the captains to make corrections.

The captains have also begun a system where they get their teammates to send in videos of themselves practicing the dances at home. This forces them to learn the choreography on their own, allowing the team to spend more of practice refining the moves rather than learning them.

“We practice a lot,” sophomore Alessandra Marchand said. “It’s a little hard to balance it with schoolwork, but in the end we’re always learning and having a great time.”

Sow and Bakhadj, along with coach Lyons, work hard to improve the team’s dancing skills and bring the girls closer together through team bonding activities outside of performances and practice.

“We had a Poms Thanksgiving, and we’re doing Secret Santa, too,” Sow said. “You go to practice and, even though it’s serious, it’s fun because we’re

all friends…we all like each other and want to spend time with each other.”

The team has established incredibly strong roots by spending every afternoon together and working and pushing themselves to their limit.

The harder the team works, the closer they become.

“We’re just like one big happy family,” Marchand added.

“They’re the people I always look forward to seeing at the end of the day.”

The team has drawn up a list of group goals and individual goals. A poster displaying these goals hangs in their practice space, the dance studio.

“We have [gotten] a lot of comments saying that this has been our best season, which motivates us to work harder to try and achieve those goals,” Marchand explained.

The team does not let this pressure get to them; instead, they use it as a source of motivation to continue to improve.

“We have to keep in mind that just because the team is better doesn’t mean we should settle,” Sow said. “We need to strive to exceed people’s expectations... and keep pushing ourselves to become the best we can be.”

24

The Tide

SPORTS

Athlete of the Issue

December 2016

Umbel dives into D1 competition at Penn State

by Grace Zhou Diving is a challenging and time-consuming sport that requires mental toughness and strength. Senior Kamryn Umbel embodies these qualities and excels in diving, both physically and mentally.

Before dedicating herself solely to diving, Umbel participated in many sports, including basketball, soccer, gymnastics and trampolining. She also played volleyball at RM both her freshman and sophomore years.

However, in junior year, things changed. Umbel declared this her most critical year of diving ,as it was the turning point in her diving career. “[It was] such a big commitment that I actually had to quit all of the other sports I was doing,” she explained.

Umbel has also sacrificed some family and school time to keep up with her diving. While school and diving are her biggest priorities, she still takes the time to eat dinner with her family every night.

However, due to her busy schedule, that’s usually the only time she can actually sit down and talk with them. The rest of the time she reserves for her grueling practices and academics.

It comes at no surprise that time management is a crucial skill that all devoted athletes need. For as long as she can remember, Umbel

has been working to maintain her balance of sports and academics.

She has had to adjust to the tight schedule of all her activities, especially during her busy junior year.

This year Umbel has an

incredibly intense: three hours of strict practice and coaching where the entire team focuses on improving. During the winter, an additional hour of practice with the RM team is added to her schedule.

the skills their coach specifically writes up and directs. They end the practice with a half hour strength workout.

Umbel displays her hard work at dive meets and competitions.

These often take up the entire

PHOTO BY LEIA COHEN

Kamryn Umbel springs off the one-meter board to deliver a stellar dive and performance at a RM dive meet.

abbreviated schedule that gives her more time for diving. Even with her additional class at Montgomery College, she now has sufficient time to finish all of her homework.

With her social and academic life taken care of, Umbel can focus on diving. She attends five or six practices each week for her diving club. These practices are

Contrary to popular belief, divers do not spend all of their time in the water. Umbel begins each practice with drylands to warm up. During this time, the divers use trampolines and dry boards— practice diving boards with a crash mat in the facility outside their center.

After an hour of drylands, they enter the water to work on

weekend, and come with immense pressure during their solo performances.

Because of this pressure, diving requires more than physical strength; it requires an equally strong mentality.

“Everyday you go into practice knowing there is a huge possibility you are going to smack... [land flat on the water],”

Umbel explained. “And that really hurts.”

Divers also have to deal with the concern of severely injuring themselves by hitting the board or platform. But despite all the risks, divers believe in themselves and their training and compete with confidence.

Divers only have a few short moments to display their talent before getting judged on a ten point scale. As a result, each dive must be perfectly executed from start to finish. It is extremely difficult for them to change the outcome of their dive midair.

In addition, performing one below average dive can have a drastic impact on a diver’s final score, potentially ruining their chances for victory. A failed dive can also inspire great shame: failing to perform in front of a huge crowd of people is often embarrassing.

“We have to come in each day with this in our heads and still push ourselves to work on the harder dives and not let the fear stop us,” Umbel said.

With such a strong mentality, talent for diving and her hours and hours of practice, it is no surprise that Umbel has a bright future ahead of her.

“I committed to Penn State.

I will be diving there for the next four years,” she explained.

Although she is not sure of her plans after college, Umbel’s main goal is to reach her full potential, and her commitment to diving is a step in this direction.

No pain, no gains: students hit the weight room

by Jacob Lodgson The weight room is not just for those rocking 20-inch biceps or thunderously strong thighs. Weightlifting is a simple accessible workout for anybody willing to try.

Weightlifting is a way for people of all ages to stay healthy.

When done properly, hitting the weight room can be an effective way to cut down stomach fat, reduce stress and decrease risk of heart disease while also building muscle mass.

To some, the weight room is a second home; to others, it is just a casual place to work out.

Regardless of how seriously one takes weight training, everyone can benefit from hitting the gym once in a while.

“It has real world applications, making [students] healthier, [and] learning a healthy lifestyle,” varsity football coach and English teacher Joshua Klotz explained.

“It just realistically prepares students for their individual sport seasons.”

In addition to teaching healthier lifestyles, weight training can play a large part in building a sense of

PHOTO BY TAYLOR BALFOUR

Weightlifting classes are helpful in keeping student-athletes in shape.

responsibility in students.

When students are not responsible in the weight room, injuries can, and will, occur. “[The] big dangers happen when somebody’s not using proper technique or is attempting a weight that they shouldn’t when not being spotted,” Klotz warned.

While this may seem like common sense, it is unfortunately a common occurrence in many weight training classes. “With every class there’s a bunch of people who just like to screw around, and the weight room isn’t a place to screw around.

Having them do that in there is a big danger to us all,” sophomore Abubakar Audu, varsity football player, explained.

Even when acting responsibly and maturely in the weight room, it is impossible to totally prevent injuries. Inexperience plays a large role in injuring first-time lifters. “You could overuse your body with some of the lifts, or you could do things improperly,” sophomore Miles Gally said.

Though these risks will always be present, many can be avoided by practicing proper weightlifting etiquette. Having a reliable spotter is the one of the best ways to avoid harming yourself.

“Always, always, always have a spotter,” junior Dmitry Bilous said. “If you are lifting too much or something happens in your muscles and you need to let go of the weight, your spotter will help you so you [don’t] seriously injure yourself.”

More ways to reduce the risks of weight training are to understand

limits and to set achievable goals. Progress does not happen overnight; it is the result of consistent and safe workouts in the weight room. “[You need to] know what you are lifting and make it reasonably hard, but not impossible,” freshman Lukas Domorad, ice hockey player, explained.

“Set a realistic goal for yourself, and try to reach it with the help of your classmates and peers,” Klotz agreed.

“It has real world applications... it just realistically prepares students.”

- Joshua Klotz An easy way to take advantage of these benefits is by enrolling in a weightlifting class offered at RM. “A big benefit from [the] weight training [class], especially being a football player, is you can get bigger, faster and stronger without having to put in time after school or wake up at 5 in the morning like most people have to do,” Audu explained.

Gally added, “You help yourself get stronger and it gives you time to lift if you don’t have time after school because of homework.”

Weightlifting itself can also be

a great educational experience.

The weight room serves as a classroom in which students can learn more about their body and ways to push themselves.

“It’s a good diversion from sitting around all day. It’s just another type of learning... kinesthetic learning,” Klotz said.

Weightlifting at school has helped many athletes build strength and hone their skills.

“Weight training improved my strength in almost every area of my body, which helps me hit harder and take hits with less pain during hockey games. It also improved my shot, allowing me to get more power,” Bilous said.

“Some specific workouts help me with my shot, while other workouts help me push through the other teams players and sticks guarding the net,” Domorad added.

For others, weightlifting serves as a suitable warm up to get their blood moving. “This class helps me by getting me in shape and ready for football every day. It’s almost like my daily warm-up,” Audu explained.

Despite all of the risks and injuries associated with weight training, when an athlete takes the adequate precautions, the benefits often outweigh the risks.

Weight training is for anyone who is willing to work hard, put in the time and has the desire to improve. Klotz concluded, “If they have the right mindset and are willing to try new things and be teachable and coachable, anyone can achieve great things.”