The Tide - March 2023

Antisemitism on the rise

Reports of the incidents came from four schools, from ele-

UMD rejections up due to Common Application

by Elli Jacobs FEATURES WRITER

The University of Maryland, located in College Park, attracts tens of thousands of students each year. It is ranked as the second best school in Maryland.

UMD currently holds 30,922 undergraduate students, over 122 sports teams and has a 47 percent minority enrollment in its diverse student population.

Senior Michelle Yuen completed all her credits with the help of her counselor and thus had the ability to graduate a year early

by Anshi Purohit SOCIAL JUSTICE WRITER

Over the past two months, there has been a rise in antisemitic acts in MCPS. Two weeks ago, nine incidents were reported in the days following school Superintendent Dr. Monifa McKnight’s community address about stopping a culture of hate. Students and educators alike are deeply concerned about the trend in both in the country and county. “I mean, it’s been all over other schools as well, such as Nazi symbols carved into desks, literally government property, and it’s been spread around because I hear the jokes at school,” freshman Taylor Morrison said.

Upcoming spring sports games

Lacrosse

4/11 vs Churchill 4/14 vs. Whitman

Baseball

4/12 vs. Wootton

4/14 vs. Churchill

Softball

4/13 vs. Wootton

4/15 vs. Churchill

Track and Field

3/29 vs. Wootton and Whitman

4/12 @ Churchill 4/15 @ Bullis

Invitational 4/18 @ B-CC

mentary to high schools. Swastikas were found carved into desks at three MCPS schools,

including Silver Creek Middle School. In Bethesda, antisemitic graffiti was found in several areas, including on Walt Whitman High School’s signboard.

“As a Jewish person, it’s just really scary to see the world around me transforming into a place that somehow hates me when even a year ago, I didn’t think antisemitism was that alive,” freshman Gabrielle Orringer said. “You hear that happens in the south when you’re Jewish, and you hear about things that happen in Israel, but you don’t really think that it’s going to happen in Montgomery County, a place that has a very high percentage of people that are Jewish.”

HATE cont. page 7

“Maryland was definitely my top choice of the schools I applied to,” Yuen said.

During the 2019-2020 cycle, the university transitioned to the Common App as a new way to oversee applications. This led to an increase of 56% in applications, creating a record-high number for the school. In the fall of 2021, UMD accepted over 20,000 students, which was about 4,000

Crosswords: a brain break

by Heather Wang SENIOR ARTS WRITER

Crossword puzzles are a beloved pastime for millions of people around the world. Found in most newspapers and more recently, in mobile apps and websites, crosswords have certainly endured the test of time. There is something captivating about filling out boxes one square at a time, using straightforward or unnecessarily obscure clues, until a perfectly interconnected web of words presents itself on the page.

Although loved for a variety of reasons, arguably the most enticing is the sense of accomplishment when completing a puzzle or figuring out a clue.

Crosswords feature many opportunities for small successes, which can lead to sudden revelations. It is a feeling of triumph, of having outsmarted the puzzle’s creator and found the way out of the maze of clues.

“I love crosswords, they don’t love me,” junior Zaida Bowsher said. “I like something that is difficult, that

requires some energy on my part. So there’s definitely a sense of achievement when you get better [at solving them].”

Often, because of this, crosswords are ideal to add to one’s daily routine. Starting the day with an activity that gets the mental gears whirling and provides a feeling of having done something productive is not a bad idea. Ending the day with this small victory is not a bad one either. Crosswords, in short, can be a form of escapism for many.

CROSSWORDS cont. page 13

more than in 2020.

The usage of the Common App extended the university’s reach nationwide and altered the application rates between in-state and out-of-state students.

UMD is the top destination for many graduating seniors at RM. In 2011, 60% of RM applicants were accepted. But in the past five years, the number of applicants has steadily increased from 220 to 361 applicants while the acceptance rate has remained largely static.

Out-of-state tuition at $38,636 is almost three times the in-state tuition, $10,955.

UMD cont. page 11

“I know tons of really qualified people who didn’t get in.”

- Genevieve Cowl

“It’s just really scary to see the world around me transforming into a place that somehow hates me.”

- Gabrielle Orringer

PHOTOS COURTESY OF AVERY WANG, JUDE LWIN, SOPHIA WU, RAHA MURTUZA

Ukraine War reveals psychological bases of international conflicts

By Crystal Li PSYCHOLOGY COLUMNIST

County proposes FY 2024 budget

By Samantha Cutler

NEWS WRITER

On Feb. 23, MCPS superintendent Dr. Monifa McKnight submitted her tentative proposal for the MCPS Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Operating Budget to the Board of Education (BoE). It proposes $3.2 billion, a 10% increase from the FY 2023 budget. Public hearings will be held in April and the final budget will be passed in May.

The operating budget proposal con tains many items of interest to students and teachers, including a higher minimum salary for teachers, covering AP/IB fees and dual enrollment costs for students, bonuses for National Board Certified teachers and countywide pre-kindergarten. These ideas have been proposed in previous years but were only included into the budget this year.

Dr. McKnight had held a town hall at Walter Johnson High School in January, where she asked students and staff about the barriers they face in MCPS. They discussed the financial difficulties of the AP/IB testing process.

“MCPS should make sure that everyone has the opportunity to

take these exams and get credit for college. We should do as much as possible to prevent it from being a pay-to-win system,” sophomore Aaron Logsdon said. “Students shouldn’t have to be limited in their educational opportunities past high school due to finances.”

While drafting the budget, the BoE had four main goals: increasing math and reading competency rates, increasing retention and recruitment of diverse and qualified staff, improving communication with families and promoting safe buildings.

“This budget continues to be centered on our core purpose of preparing all students to thrive in their future and graduate with deep academic knowledge and preparation for the complex world and workplace of tomorrow,” Dr. McKnight said in the budget proposal.

Sophomore Norman Meyer believes that more money should go towards students’ mental health. “Hands-on activies, such as the therapy dogs that came last year, would be more beneficial,” Meyer said.

During the past two years as The Tide’s Science Writer, I have covered current developments in health, environment and technology, aiming to make technical issues more accessible to the public. This article is the first in a column called “The Psychology Of,” where I’ll explain the relevant psychology behind a salient topic in order to make better sense of it.

In late February, as protesters around the world rallied in support of Ukraine on the anniversary of Russia’s invasion, the two adversaries continued to sustain heavy casualties. Although there is little progress on the battlefield, social scientists have taken away several key insights in the past year about the psychological roots of the war.

The conflict can be traced back to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s bitterness following the collapse of the Soviet Union.

“He clearly feels that that was not the way things should have played out,” IB Global Politics teacher Brian Donlon said. As a result, Putin has clung to his imperialistic ambitions, and marketed to his people a collective national identity and a restoration of Russia’s glory.

“Russia faces the real danger that it could be relegated to the

second, or even the third tier of global powers,” Putin warned in 1999, several years after the breakup of the Soviet Union.

“Our place in the modern world will be defined only by how successful and strong we are.”

Leveraging the human propensity to view the world in terms of ingroups and outgroups, Putin has united Russians around both a common enemy—the West—and the vision of a Russian nation cheated out of its rightful “first-tier” global status.

2022. At the same time, NATO perceived its own expansion as a necessary step to protect against the threat of Russia.

This mentality shows how humans have the self-serving tendency to attribute their own actions to external variables (“we arm ourselves in response to other nations’ aggression”) while attributing others’ actions to disposition (“they arm themselves because they are aggressive”).

Mirror-image misperceptions often become self-fulfilling prophecies. By invading Ukraine in response to NATO’s expansion, Putin confirmed the very perception that Russia is aggressive. “When Russia does that, they essentially legitimize NATO’s position,” sophomore Vihaan Rathi said.

March 21

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World Poetry Day Happy Anni-Verse-ry!

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According to scientists, Putin has used this narrative of Russia as the victim of NATO’s belligerence to control public opinion.

“The Ukrainians are fighting a 21st-century war, which is half on the internet,” said Stephan Lewandowsky, a professor of psychology at the University of Bristol.

Putin’s appeal to group affiliation offers Russians a sense of personal significance from being part of a larger, superior group— Russia. “Human beings, ineluctably, want meaning and purpose in life,” Martin Seligman, professor of positive psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, wrote in his book on well-being.

Russia interpreted NATO’s attempted expansion into Ukraine in 2008 as Western aggression.

“If Ukraine was to join NATO it would serve as a direct threat to the security of Russia,” Putin said in a speech on Feb. 21,

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s maintenance of morale through videos—often up close and unpolished—is likely in part why Ukraine has been able to hold Russia at bay for over a year, despite the military might of the latter. “He’s really held his country together when nobody thought it was possible,” Mr. Donlon said.

The actions of Russian leaders, Ukraine and Western countries show that the causes and outcomes of international conflicts can be understood through the lens of human cognition. “All the biases uncovered in 40 years of psychological research are conducive to war,” psy chologists Daniel Kahneman and Jona than Ren shon wrote in a 2007 research report.

News

clippings

March County distributes 10,000 free laptops

By Isabel Skinner NEWS WRITER

Through the FCC-funded digital equity and inclusion program called “Montgomery Connects,” Montgomery County is distributing 10,000 free computers to eligible low-income residents through February, March and April.

Its objective is to close the digital gap in the county by providing access to a home computer, and low-cost internet.

To receive a computer, one must be a county resident and at least age 7, possess a Montgomery County Public Library card number and attend a scheduled in-person appointment with a photo ID

at scheduled distribution events. The tentative schedule for computer distribution events start Thursday, Feb. 16 and end Saturday, April 29. Other frequently asked questions can be found on the Montgomery County website. MoCo also provides programs that offer online and in-person classes for adults 60 and older on how to learn online skills. Free and low-cost internet is also available to eligible MoCo residents. The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a federal and state program that provides a discount of up to $45 per month for home broadband or mobile device plans for low-income households.

“Ukrainians are fighting a 21st century war, which is half on the internet.”

- Stephen Lewandowsky

GRAPHICS BY JULIANNE CRUZ AND EVELYN SHUE

GRAPHIC BY EVELYN SHUE

PHOTO BY CLAIRE YU

The proposal requests the use of at least $3.4 million to pay for MCPS high school students’ AP and IB exams.

MD bill may require advance notice of shooting drills

By Deeta Gupta NEWS WRITER

A new proposed bill may bring new changes to the way MCPS handles active assailant drills. Maryland delegate Jared Solo mon, along with other lawmak ers, is proposing the addition of better communication among parents, teachers and students before active shooter drills.

Currently, MCPS requires the simulation of six different drills, in accordance with the Safe to Learn Act of 2018, and strongly recom mends doing an active assailant drill, or a lockdown with options.

Solomon and his sponsors have presented this bill in order for the county and the Board of Educa tion to understand the effects of such drills on the mental health of students and act accordingly. The bill would ensure that MCPS is analyzing the potential consequences of participating in active assailant drills, assessing the necessity for such drills and communicating with key parties before the drill takes place.

“I think the law being passed is definitely a good thing because if

simulations that include gunfire and blood because of the trauma it causes for participants.

article by WBAL-TV, Solomon said,”There is a way [for par ents] to have that conversation in an age-appropriate way to say we are going to make sure that we can all be safe today.”

Solomon’s proposition would also include prohibiting live

Freshman Samriddhi Agrawal had unpleasant experiences with MCPS procedures during such drills. “In drills [at RM] they bang the doors shut, start screaming and put torchlights in the windows,” Agrawal said. Additionally, many MCPS students rallied and protested with Solomon in Annapolis to support the enactment of several gun safety laws. “You have to be prepared for [active assailant situations], but it’s also not [okay] that our nation is so plagued by gun violence that we have to train for that,” student Ava Ginsberg told WBAL-TV.

Parents in the community have also spoken out in support of the bill. Jan Donahoe McNamara, a mother of MCPS students and volunteer with Moms Demand

Action, experienced the death of a family member due to a mass shooting. “I’m grateful that the administration gave my husband and me the chance to decide how to proceed,” McNamara said to a legislative board.

RM students overall favor the passing of Solomon’s legislation, and think that the drills are necessary but should be conducted in a better way.

“I think having actual drills and practicing that kind of behavior and patterns is really important because you would rather have [students] practice drills than have an actual active assailant come in and they have no idea what to do,” Murphy said.

“[The law is] also necessary because some people aren’t taking [the issue] seriously,” Agrawal said.

The bill has currently passed its first reading and is awaiting a referral to a committee. If passed, the law is set to go into effect on July 1 this year.

MCPS will launch Unified PE course

By Nirav Akkanapragada NEWS WRITER

Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) is launching an inclusive class for both general and special education students as a physical education elective starting next school year, in all of the county’s high schools. This course, known as Unified PE, is an opportunity for students of all ability levels to participate in a physical education class that pairs fitness with leadership and social-emotional growth.

These courses provide students with a balanced physical education course that extends beyond the gym. The main objective of these classes is to empower and develop the leadership skills of students and thereby foster an inclusive environment.

Many RM students see benefits in Unified PE. “There are

more options for students and you can make new friends. It allows those who don’t have the opportunity to participate in a normal PE setting to be able to participate fully and have as good of an experience as possible,” sophomore Wesley Leroy said.

spread awareness and become more involved with the course.

“This can involve educating school administrators, teachers, parents and students about the importance of inclusive physical education, and the positive impact it can have on students with and without disabilities,” sophomore Takumi Gerhartz said.

The Unified PE course is an example of steps MCPS has taken in recent years towards promoting inclu sivity. It will allow high schools across the county to provide a comprehensive physical education course to students that might not be able to succeed in regular physical education courses.

into the already existing general PE programs so that students aren’t overwhelmed or skim over the course,” Gerhartz said.

GRAPHICS BY EVELYN SHUE

INT’L NEWS: CHINATAIWAN TENSIONS GROW

China has recently increased its pressure on Taiwan by sending aircraft and ships across the median line of the Taiwan Strait, a border that had been generally respected for decades. This changed after former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited the island nation in August 2022 in solidarity with independent democracy: Beijing responded by drastically increasing its military drills.

On March 13, a missing Taiwanese soldier was found in China, which raised suspicions of defection. Additional tensions flared when Honduras declared support for China on March 16, making a total of 181 countries formally on China’s side, in comparison to just 13 for Taiwan. Historically reliant on the U.S., Taiwan aims for military self-sufficiency.

On March 14, the National Chung-shan Institute of Science and Technology revealed eight models of natively developed unmanned aerial vehicles. The Taiwanese military has also announced plans to produce 3,000 drones next year.

On page 1, in the article about Rockville’s voting one of the authors’ names should be spelled as “Aisosa Ojo-Odiase.”

On pages 8 and 9, in Centerspread, the month should be spelled as “February.”

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While the initial rollout is slated for the upcoming school year, there are several things that RM students can do to be able to

“I think that the inclusion is long overdue, and a good step forward for the PE curriculum. It is also important to implement it smoothly

All full and non-print articles, as well as video and photo stories, are published on thermtide.com. Check out recent episodes from The Tide’s podcast, The TidePod, on Spotify.

RM heightens bathroom security with new policy

By Katherine Sundstrom and Hannah Lee

NEWS WRITER AND NEWS EDITOR

MCPS announced a student restroom monitoring plan to make staff check restrooms more frequently, install latches on exterior doors to keep them open, and limit access to bathrooms during non-instructional times.

MCPS detailed this policy in their community message originally released on Monday, Feb. 13 regarding safety and security measure updates in schools. School bathrooms have recently become a controversial issue, as they provide a private space for students to engage in harmful activities like bullying, vaping, drug use and skipping class. Accordingly, parents and students in MCPS have recently expressed concerns about bathroom safety after recent incidents like last year’s shooting at Magruder High School and reports of students at Bethesda Chevy-Chase

High School being found intoxicated and unconscious, both of which occurred in a bathroom.

Schools across the country have enforced harsher policies, like allowing only one student to use the restroom at a time, setting a limit on bathroom breaks in a semester and, in some middle schools, banning bathroom usage in the first and last 10 minutes of class.

Principal Alicia Deeny believes that the plan is working at RM. “I think it’s prevented students from hanging out in the bathrooms,” she said. “Ultimately we want the bathrooms to be a place where students can just go and take care of a basic need, and I do think it has helped.”

Although school policies aim to discourage students from using the bathroom to skip class, some students may still attempt to do so with alternative methods.

Freshman Olivia Negro said, “The rest of the time [the bathroom] is still a place people can go, and they can still walk around the hall.”

Many RM students express

Before

skepticism over the plan’s efficacy and potential encroachment of student privacy. Freshman Hailee Joya said, “It’s probably not a good

idea to have the door open just because you know, there’s mirrors, girls want to fix themselves up, and now there’s no privacy.”

RM students also believe that closing off many of the bathrooms is going to make things worse for both teachers trying to teach and students trying to learn by keeping students out of class for prolonged periods of time.

“I think it’s not good to have some of the doors locked just because you’re out of class more to walk to the nearest open bathroom,” Joya said.

Recently, the second and third floors’ restrooms have been frequently closed, causing long lines between classes. Students suspect it is because of the new policy. However, Ms. Deeny says that it is mostly due to students intentionally clogging the toilets.

“In the last few days, there have been some toilets that have been stopped up, because students put items in there that were not flushable,” Ms. Deeny said. “Then the toilet overflowed and then there was water on the floor. So the toilet would have to be cleared out, and then that bathroom completely cleaned. So, bathrooms are closed for maintenance reasons.”

“I think that the inclusion is long overdue, and a good step forward for the PE curriculum.”

- Takumi Gerhartz

PHOTO BY HANNAH LEE

MCPS implemented the new bathroom policy, students often huddled in the large stall and vaped.

GRAPHICS BY KENNETH SHUE

OPINIONS

AP, IB classes both have their merits

by Paavani Lal Das

OPINIONS WRITER

Richard Montgomery High School is host to a fairly unique student dilemma—AP or IB?

Many students at RM choose the IB program as eighth graders, aware of its long-term importance, yet scared of the impending workload. As they begin high school, many students are left questioning their decisions regarding whether or not they should’ve joined IB as freshman, and whether or not they should join as juniors. It seems like it all comes down to one question— is IB a better alternative to AP?

Students must first learn about the basic aspects of each program—what are AP and IB, anyway? International Baccalaureate (IB) students complete a holistic program that requires them to explore six subject groups containing studies in five core areas. Its U.S. presence, while significant (approximately 1000 schools), pales in comparison with AP, which is offered in over 20,000 U.S. schools. AP is unsurprisingly better known among U.S. students and serves as the default for college level courses avail-

able to American high schoolers, offering a plethora of courses in seven main subject areas.

As is obvious to those who’ve participated in them, both programs are incredibly academically challenging. So how should one choose? To reach a conclusion—which is different for every individual—students must analyze the fundamental differences between the two programs and decide which best fits their learning style and allows them to pursue their academic interests.

to focus on subjects they are best at and have a more flexible opportunity to craft their schedule to better reflect their college and career interests. AP students may even take cours es not offered by their schools through the self-study options offered by the College Board.

component of IB is the class Theory of Knowledge (TOK), in which students spend a year and a half analyzing various theories behind learning and information. IB also requires students to write a 4,000

ing college level classes,” said Michael Oakes, IB and AP English teacher. IB coordinator Joseph Jelen, said that he even “[walked] into college as a sophomore with credits, because of the work I had done in high school.”

In its quest to produce well-rounded students, the IB program offers a structured and vast curriculum. However, it requires students to take courses that may not play to their strengths. While some enjoy the challenge, it’s not for everyone. On the contrary, students taking AP classes can choose

AP courses are highly ex am-oriented; a test at the end of the year determines whether or not they will receive college cred it, thus AP curriculums are entire ly focused on learning con tent. However, IB students are graded based on a com bination of research papers, field and lab assignments, and final exams, with a special focus on developing writing ability. The classes are either one or two years long, based on the difficul ty level. This means the exams are spaced out - most IB stu dents take two exams their junior year, and four their senior year.

AP courses are highly com partmentalized and test deep, objective knowledge within the subject area. IB courses are in ter-connected and encourage thinking, exploration, and analysis leaving room for student creativity and discussions. A key

nity to gain college credit, saving students time and money.

“But even if you don’t, it’s good to have that experience of tak-

Ultimately, the biggest difference is that IB students are encouraged to think about material more holistically. The curriculum poses thoughtful question s about what they learn, promoting student growth. Not only does it look good on college applications, but it has useful skills in all subject areas. AP and IB French teacher Derek Letourneau said, “[IB] wants students to think globally… think of it as making a whole student.”

Most IB students do, in fact. What it comes down to it, in a sea of questions, is whether or not an individual will be able to look past the workload, and stay motivated to learn and truly relish the benefits of the program in order to truly get something out of it. As Mr. Jelen himself said, “The question is, how much IB is right for you?”

Carbon offsets discourage important climate action

by Gabrielle Orringer OPINIONS WRITER

Far too often, good intentions yield bad results. Such is the case with carbon offsets. Carbon offsets are a type of token or credit companies can buy in order to “offset” the amount of carbon they produce. Each credit is supposed to represent one metric ton of CO2 removed from the atmosphere.

Unfortunately, carbon offsets don’t actually help the environment. “The point with carbon offsets is to reduce emissions in order to justify creating carbon emissions in another place,” said Freshman Rosie Clemans-Cope. Carbon offsets overall fail to resolve the issue. Since climate change will most likely be irreversible by only 2030, stopping all emissions possible is extremely important. Freshman Esha Sharma said, “It’s a band-aid on a bigger issue… we’re not making any real change.” Carbon offsets are an excuse for companies who continuously hurt the environment to pretend they care, feigning change in order to make money off of the destruction of our planet. In fact, carbon offsets cause many problems. According to The Guardian, over 90 percent of carbon offsets don’t do or help anything.

Carbon offsets represent a 2 bil-

lion dollar industry - billions of dollars are being wasted on these useless measures despite the plethora of other places desperate for funding. Some websites like Vox have even compiled helpful lists. Biology teacher Bessy Albaugh said, “Our planet isn’t going to get any better if we keep doing things that are going to be ineffective in the long run.” Proponents of carbon offsets are throwing money at the problem, hoping nobody will notice they’re useless. There are a variety of more effective ways to fight climate change. Clemans-Cope said, “We need to meet emissions goals… stop using fossil fuels, decarbonize all over the world. That starts with our community and our national government.” For example, companies can switch to more planet-conscious methods for businesses like clothing, food, and more. These more sustainable and effective methods deserve more funding and support than vague and useless measures like carbon offsets.

For these multi-million dollar companies, our environment is not the priority. Recently, according to their website, the company JP Morgan, a financial services company, bought up 250,000 acres of land to sell as carbon offsets. Their motivations only involve their profits; they’re using carbon

offsets to try to convince people that they’re “environmentally conscious” so that people keep employing their services and putting money into their already overflowing pockets. They want people to focus on their mislead-

environment when the reality is that they are not doing anything.

JP Morgan isn’t even the first company to use carbon offsets. Oak Hill Advisors LP, a corporate-debt investor, bought 1.7 million acres for $1.8 billion in order to sell for carbon offsets. Many companies specializing in air travel will include fees in order to use carbon offsets. What these companies fail to understand is that climate change is not a business, it’s a humanitarian movement. Saving our planet should not require a monetary incentive—people, and corporations, should join the fight against climate change

with the desire to help the greater good even if they don’t directly receive anything in return. It’s glaringly obvious that climate change needs much more attention from the corporations that are its main cause. Company policy should focus on saving our planet and thus our people, rather than human greed. As the irreversible destruction of our earth’s creeps closer and closer, companies and our government need to develop stronger and more effective methods that truly focus on eradicating climate change and not filling the pockets of greedy corporations.

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ing attempts to “go green,” and not on how shamelessly they’re destroying our planet. Sharma said, “They want to look really good, but they’re not actually wanting to fix anything or try to make a substantial change within [their] company.” Companies using carbon offsets want to act like they care about the

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. 700 copies of the newspaper are printed and distributed among students. Any corrections are printed in the following issue on page 2.

The opinions presented in The Tide do not necessarily reflect the views of the staff and administration at Richard Montgomery.

The Tide is affliated with ASPA, CSPA, and NSPA.

Questions, concerns, and suggestions on articles, advertisements, and photos can be submitted to thetideeditors@gmail.com.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sports...............................................................................Ari Fine, Shelby Roth, Maggie Orcev

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

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

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

Multimedia...................................................Uma Patnaik, Jessica Wang, Carter Zembrzuski

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

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

“We need to meet emissions goals… stop using fossil fuels, decarbonize all over the world. That starts with our community and our national government.”

- Rosie Clemans-Cope

“In IB we focus on learning and comprehension more, and theory.”

-

Naima Aubry

GRAPHIC BY JULIANNE CRUZ

The Tide’s View: ID cards should be properly checked or not required at all

The Tide Editorial Board

Beginning Monday, Feb. 13, a new security measure requiring all RM students to show student ID cards when entering the school building was implemented. The ID card system is intended to heighten RM security in response to the gun-related incidents that took place in January. On Jan. 13, there was a report of an individual with a handgun on RM grounds, and on Jan. 24, a former RM student was found trespassing in the school building and later arrested for possession of a gun.

schools is is much larger than RM.

Schools are not equipped to deal with this problem, and it shouldn’t be their responsibility alone. Society as a whole must grow and adjust its attitudes in order to dismantle the normalcy surrounding school shootings.

Children don’t just grow into teenagers who believe it is permissible to bring a gun into a place of learning, they adopt these attitudes and ideas from the media they consume, the headlines they read, and the world they live in.

or to the alarming incidents that took place this January. These measures restrict outside persons’ access to the school, and could potentially discourage people who have the intent to cause harm by establishing an observable security presence.

To many students, implementing an ID card system feels performative. The policy addresses the issues of outsider students, not guns. In the second incident, the trespasser was a former RM student, and likely would have had an RM ID card. This problem warrants a solution that prevents firearms from entering the building at all. However, the scope of the issue of gun violence in

It’s easy to point the finger at society and diffuse responsibility; one effective way to create meaningful change is at the legislative level by pushing for more comprehensive and restrictive gun controls. Last year, a student was shot by a classmate in a bathroom at Magruder High School. The weapon involved was a “ghost gun,” an unserialized firearm that can be purchased without a license as components, and then assembled independently. The victim’s mother led members of the community to push for action, and the Md. General Assembly passed HB425 and SB387, bills that criminalized the possession of ghost guns starting this March.

In some ways, it can be argued that the implementation of the ID card system at RM has increased the school’s security. Heightened awareness surrounding the issue of school security is one example of this. The security personnel standing at school entrances and checking cameras are definitely an improvement to the previous systems that were in place pri-

Currently, the ID system is too loosely regulated. It’s not hard to enter without an ID - students have reported entering the building with empty lanyards, driver’s licenses, and even index cards. It seems impractical that a few security guards could even check the IDs of all the students entering the building; it isn’t hard to just slip through the entrance by blending into the large crowd of students entering. Not to mention, the ID card system is only implemented at the main entrances. Alternative entrances, such as those by the portables, would still be left unprotected in the event of an assailant.

The incidents that took place at

RM served as a jarring wake-up call to what is the dismal reality of America today. The dire circumstances under which the ID card system was implemented actively demonstrate why new security measures must be taken seriously. More guards should be stationed at the school’s main entrances and each student’s ID should be checked properly. If RM enforced the ID card policy more strictly, it would send the message that RM genuinely cares for students’ well-being, and it would help the community heal from the trauma that comes with gun violence. However, if the ID card policy can’t be treated with the seriousness it deserves, then it serves no purpose and shouldn’t be in place at all. Students and staff deserve better than to experience two traumatic events, then be comforted by a half-baked policy that isn’t keeping anyone safe.

Overall, this is a difficult prob-

lem that schools cannot address on their own, though they are facing the most direct pressure from students and their families. Even if monetary and personnel resources were reallocated so that each school could have metal detectors, ID scanning, and more qualified, well-paid staff, measures must be implemented carefully so that our schools don’t feel like prisons.

To ensure a comfortable learning environment, students must not feel intimidated, discouraged, or scared. It is up to students and parents to advocate for necessary change and work with school administrations, Board of Education members, and state and local politicians to come up with a long-term solution to school safety that is substantive and effective. In the meantime, the new security measures implemented by RM’s administration begin to scratch the surface of what is, in reality, a very complicated issue.

Ozempic obsession reveals TikTok’s toxic beauty standards

by Lydia Seo

OPINIONS WRITER

“Diet TikTok” has gained a newfound obsession with Ozempic, a drug intended to be used by the 462 million individuals living with type 2 diabetes. These Tiktok dieters have touted the diabetes medication for its off-label use as a weight-loss drug, and videos under hashtag “Ozempic” and “Ozempic weight-loss” within the platform have garnered hundreds of millions of views. With this sudden uptick in interest surrounding Ozempic, prescriptions and purchases of the drug have soared, while supply has continued to dwindle. In the process, the Ozempic craze has left many type 2 diabetic pa tients unable to access the medi cation they need, even though the American Diabetes Association has asked for them to be priori tized. It is entirely irresponsible and negligent for “influencers” with no medical background to market medicine to millions of people at the expense of those who actually need it to survive.

In the countless TikToks displaying the results users have gotten through Ozempic, this medication is described as a “miracle drug,” an easy and effective way to lose weight. Many of those documenting their “Ozempic journeys” rely solely on the medication in order to lose weight, and neglect enactment of beneficial

lifestyle changes. “Typically people think, ‘Oh, if I just took this one drug, you know, I can lose weight,’” said freshman Kimberly Lee. However, weight-loss through Ozempic is not that simple. As stated in an article from Forbes, those who use Ozempic as their sole method of weight loss typically gain the weight back almost immediately after they stop taking the drug. Thus, people that abuse the drug do not gain anything after using it.

In accordance with its intended use as a drug to help regulate blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes, Ozempic decreases one’s appetite, thereby causing weight-loss. This means that without major lifestyle changes alongside usage of the medication, in order to maintain the

- Jessica Yao

This unsustainable over-reliance on Ozempic that so many have readily embraced has caused massive shortages, leaving those suffering from type 2 diabetes at risk. Diabetes medication is also commonly associated with health

by those without diabetes. According to an article from Time Magazine, common side effects of Ozempic include nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Other potential effects even go as far as thyroid tumors, pancreatitis and gallbladder disease.

“I don’t think it’s a healthy option if people just want to look a certain way, and it’s more useful to people who actually need it,” freshman Jessica Yao said. Medications such as Ozempic have serious, potentially dangerous side effects, and should be used with caution. However, people continue to ignore these side effects in favor of an attempt to conform to unrealistic beauty standards, further solidified by platforms such as TikTok. As Lee put it, “They’ll go through side effects… as long as it guarantees them what they think is ‘beauty.’” It is clear that weight loss through Ozempic does not promote healthier lifestyles. Rather, it perpetuates the

prioritization of skinniness and unrealistic beauty standards over a genuine interest in one’s health.

It is important to recognize, however, that obesity is a medical illness, and that there are people who are physically unable to lose weight, no matter how much they change their lives in order to do so. For these patients, weight-loss inducing drugs can and should be prescribed. However, these circumstances clearly do not apply to all users, and for these individuals, Ozempic and other similar medications are not permanent solutions by any means. Rather than promote a world in which people seek the easy way out, social media influencers should focus on helping people embrace healthy lifestyles that will benefit their health in the long run.

The Ozempic obsession highlights a wider issue surrounding beauty standards and the prioritization of skinniness perpetuated on social media. “We know social media has an impact and I feel like people from a young age are exposed to all of these standards. They’re really unhealthy because you’re comparing yourself to other people,” Yao said. People have become so focused on conforming to unrealistic standards that they readily jeopardize their own health and the health of millions of type 2 diabetic patients. Rather than fall for weight loss scams on social media, people need to seek out medical experts and professional advice in order to ensure their safety and health.

“I don’t think it’s a healthy option if people just want to look a certain way, and it’s more useful to people who actually need it.”

Society as a whole must grow and adjust its attitudes in order to dismantle the normalcy surrounding school shootings.

It’s not hard to enter without an ID... students have reported entering the building with empty lanyards, driver’s licenses, and even index cards.

GRAPHIC BY JULIANNE CRUZ

PHOTO BY MAX BELYANTSEV RM’s side entrance is open during lunch, with IDs checked inside.

The Salem Witch Trials: why right to counsel is crucial

by Ria Maheshwary

Child labor is unsafe and it must stop now

by Balmore Ruiz OPINIONS WRITER

The United States has always claimed to be a country representative of freedom and equal rights for all. Packers Sanitation Services Inc., a company that provides sanitation services for food processing facilities, was found to be abusing underage workers. With all the praise and glory the U.S. claims, it is critical for the country to firmly maintain this position by right-

am surprised, I feel like I usually think of child labor as a problem that isn’t present in the United States, but at the same time, this just shows that there’s so much going on that people don’t know about,” senior Daniel Coxson said. Fortunately, after the incident, the company was forced to pay about $1.5 million in damages for all the children combined. This is a great demonstration of how the government and its agencies try to eliminate any form of misconduct. Such human rights violations are not tolerated and government agencies have made it clear that there are severe consequences. These actions thus highlight the progress our country has made from early industry’s exploitative practices in regard to child labor in the workforce.

ing these unimaginable wrongs.

In a horrendous circumstance, the Department of Labor found more than 100 minors illegally working under dreadful conditions in over 13 different facilities throughout eight states. Many of these children were found to be working in slaughterhouses, oftentimes handling hazardous chemicals. Children as young as 13 were put to clean razor-sharp saws with these chemicals, violating a plethora of child safety laws. It is incredibly concerning to see that this issue was swept under the rug and ignored for so long in a country that prides itself on human rights and a high quality of life.

This kind of unacceptable behavior should not be tolerated under any circumstance. These inhumane events have stunned many students and staff in the RM community. “I would say I

After the company’s scheme was brought to light, they flimsily tried to exempt themselves from any blame or responsibility. In an attempt to feign morality, the company stated that they do not tolerate hiring anyone under the age of 18, despite it being glaringly obvious that they had continuously violated this statement. Despite their having expressed a desire to work with the Department of Labor to prevent similar events in the future, many feel extremely disappointed with the company’s lackluster response. Math teacher Patrick Wainwright said, “I think it was one of those don’t ask, don’t tell things, where we’ll look the other way and we’ll be perfectly obtuse about this…They were willing to continue even though there were things going through the cracks.”

It is also important to mention that many of the children that were found working in these factories were unaccompanied minors who had come through the southern borders of the U.S.. This raises the question of where the parents of these children are, and most importantly, how they managed to be “recruited” by the company. While at the moment not much is known about the recruitment process, it’s a clear indication of the company’s negligence and complete lack of humanity.

Although the company has al-

ready been forced to pay $1.5 million in fines from lawsuits, this is not enough. There must be more powerful consequences for companies that commit such atrocious violations of human rights. “...I think we should make it so that this isn’t forgotten, where people just move on after,” said Coxson. This sort of punishment does not only account for Packers Sanitation Services Inc., but for all major companies and corporations that trample human rights. This is especially important when considering the fact that most multi-billion dollar companies wouldn’t bat an eye at $1.5 million. While the United States is a prosperous country full of growth and opportunities, we can not fail to ignore the negative things that torment the country from within. There will always be flaws and errors made, but what’s important is how we move forward. Our government has a responsibility to act against these atrocities and fix the regulatory flaws that allowed them to happen in the first place. It is also necessary that they

Federal prosecutors overseeing the investigations of former Pres ident Donald Trump’s handling of classified documents recently demanded testimony from some of his lawyers. Unsurprisingly, Trump vehemently objected (ac cording to the New York Times), arguing prosecutors were vio lating his “right to consult with counsel” and therefore “jeop ardize[d] American rights and values.” Paradoxically, Trump also argues denying this “Amer ican right” to citizens accused of particular crimes is completely justi fied. He went as far as declaring, “more due process was afford ed to those accused in the Salem Witch Trials” than he was given during his multiple impeachments.

Coincidentally, this month marks the 331st anniversary of the Salem Witch Trials. An analysis of the trials, however, demonstrates that Trump

“The 6th Amendment was also passed, which federally established the right to counsel. This was completely nonexistent during the witch trials.”

- Michelle Yuen

is drawing a false equivalence. To truly understand, one must take a trip down memory lane to where it all began: Salem Village, 1692. Rampant fear from attacks by Native Americans, hunger, and disease created a perfect witch’s brew. One day, when some children began behaving strangely and doctors could not diagnose their illness, paranoid colonists concluded that the children had been bewitched.

powers to lie,’” sophomore Suchi Tyagi said. After being denied the right to counsel, 19

punish these bad actors to emphasize the fact that this behavior is intolerable. While human society has displayed an incredible ability to evolve, the recurrence of incidents like these shows that a large part of our world has blatantly refused to move away from this country’s dark history of corruption and abuse.

A special court—the Court of Oyer and Terminer—was established to try the suspects. At this time, defendants had no intrinsic right to a lawyer. Instead, biased judges, convinced of the accused’s guilt, conducted the trials. Their goal was to prove— not determine—guilt. “No matter what proof [the victims] had, [it] was just, ‘You’re making [this] up, or you’re using your witch

stones. But what came of these heinous acts? In an interview, attorney Michael Levin stated, “very soon after the trials ended … [the Court of Oyer and Terminer] got dissolved and a new court was in its place. The court addressed many of the injustices, criminal procedure and evidentiary deficiencies of the Salem Witch Trials.” In fact, Levin added, “about 70 years later during the trials for the Boston Massacre, [it]…looked nothing like the Salem Witch Trial Court…it was very dramatically shifting towards innocent until proven guilty.” Salem’s legacy lives on in the present day constitutionally-protected right to be represented by counsel, regardless of the accused’s crimes or socioeconomic status.

“The 6th Amendment was also passed, which federally established the right to counsel. This was non-existent during the witch trials,” senior Michelle Yuen said.

Contrary to Trump’s assertion that the right to counsel must be applied selectively, and that he was treated worse than the victims of Salem, he has been fully represented—a luxury the victims of the Salem Witch Trials never had. Trump has used the phrase “witch hunt” more than 300 times in order to demonize legitimate investigations and impeachment trials against him. But when we analyze the facts and the history, it’s clear the right to counsel is fundamental and should be given equally and unconditionally.

GRAPHIC BY JULIANNE CRUZ

“I usually think of child labor as a problem that isn’t present in the United States, but at the same time, this just shows that there’s so much going on that people don’t know about.”

- Daniel Coxson

“[Packers’ Sanitation Services] were willing to continue even though there were things going through the cracks.”

-

Mr. Wainwright

SOCIAL JUSTICE

After noticing these issues, some support a form of grassroot-level change. “My opinion on this is that anyone or any group engaging in such activities should think about using that energy for positive gains and influence instead of trying to tear others down,” counselor Paul Craft said.

Some students admitted that persistent hate speech is hard to combat.

“It’s been around pretty much since humans created religion,” Morrison said. “It’s a difficult thing to counteract. So I think just continuously being in the point that we really need to not do this is a very important thing and really setting the standard that it’s not okay.”

However, there are avenues through which the county can prevent additional acts from oc-

curring. Some ways include increasing awareness about the Holocaust and providing additional education about the severity of these issues to MCPS students.

“I think it’d be a really great thing if they could introduce more things about other cultures,” Orringer said. “Education leads to less ignorance.”

Schools across the county have tried many different methods in combating these incidents, some of which are more focused on safety measures.

“The first issue here is that the perpetrators need to be caught or discovered so that they can receive the proper discipline as well as education,” Craft said. “In many of the cases the hate speech was outside on the school building or property, which means it could easily be anyone, not just MCPS students. At one school, they have opted to close down the school grounds to any visitors who are not checked in at the school through the normal means.”

Students have taken action advocating for change, urging the county to take matters more seriously.

“The county is supposedly trying to make a presentation that’s required at our schools to be shared during advisory lessons. They’re asking for Jewish Student Union participation but the thing is, they haven’t been getting back to anyone who’s trying to participate,” Morrison said.

As a response to the graffiti at Whitman High School, students rallied in solidarity on Dec. 22.

“The diversity in MoCo is one of its biggest pluses. It helps us as parents and staff to raise awesome citizens who do not believe or engage in racist thoughts or activities. There is no place for that in anyone’s life,” Craft said.

Students seeking support can go to a school club or counseling. “Something that’s really great for young people is to get involved at clubs that represent them because it can feel like you’re alone until you join a club like SAGA

or the JSU,” Orringer said. “I also think it’s important that we advocate for ourselves.”

RM counselors are available to talk with students about their feelings pertaining to these events.

“Just like darkness is repelled by even a small bit of light, negative things like racism are turned back by positive and uplifting acts and words. The root issue is hate, and that is countered by love,” Craft said. “So, for students who are impacted, I just show them I care by listening and if need be, advocating for them.”

‘Till’ Oscars nomination snub raises accusations of racism

by Samiksha Mahashetty SOCIAL JUSTICE ASSITANT EDITOR

The 95th Academy Awards ceremony may have come and gone, but some of the controversy surrounding the event continues to simmer. One of the most talked about issues with the Oscars this year is the lack of Black nominees, once again highlighting the long-standing issue of racial inequality in the industry.

Till, a movie directed by Chinonye Chukwu, tells the story of Emmett Louis Till, a 14-yearold African American boy who was brutally lynched in 1955.

The movie focused on Till’s mother, Mamie Till-Mobley, who fought relentlessly for justice for her son’s death.

The film featured an ensemble cast that included Danielle Deadwyler as Mamie Till-Mobley, Adrian Holmes as

Till’s father and Whoopi Goldberg as Till’s grandmother.

Having won a BAFTA, a Screen Actors Guild Award and countless other awards, the movie has made a prominent mark on the film industry. However, the film was not nominated for any Oscars, raising controversy.

When Till, a movie about an icon in both the civil rights movement and the feminist movement, was snubbed from an Oscar nomination, even though it has won numerous other prestigious awards, many people called out the Academy for its racism and misogyny.

“I thought it was so powerful. It deserved to be recognized,” senior Paulyn Baringanire said.

The director of the film took to Instagram to express her discontent regarding the lack of appreciation for important black women. “We live in a world and work in industries that are so

aggressively committed to upholding whiteness and perpetuating an unabashed misogyny towards Black women. And yet, I am forever in gratitude for the

ue to be one of my greatest forms of resistance,” Chukwu said.

Racism has been a long-standing issue at the Oscars, with many people pointing out the lack of recognition for people of color in major categories. The #OscarsSoWhite campaign gained traction in 2016 when no actors of color were nominated in any of the four major categories. This sparked a wider conversation about the lack of diversity and representation at the Academy Awards.

“Also, just like not many diverse directors are given enough opportunities to even get to, like, the point of being Oscars nominated. The, like, systemic racism and like just not being able to compete in things against like, white directors who have like all that privilege or who have nepotism, like, it’s just really hard to go up against,”

There have also been some notable wins for people of color, including the awards for Best Actress and Best Supporting Actor being awarded to Michelle Yeoh and Ke Huy Quan for Everything Everywhere All at Once, and Best Score being awarded to “Naatu Naatu” from RRR. However, some argue that progress has been slow and that there is still a long way to go to ensure that the Oscars are truly inclusive and representative of all voices in the industry.

“I feel like this might have some political, like, motives behind the determining of the award. So if that is the case, then I think there might be some prejudice behind this thing,” senior Claire Chen said.

greatest lesson of my life – regardless of any challenges or obstacles, I will always have the power to cultivate my own joy, and it is this joy that will contin-

sophomore Shuchi Tyagi said.

In recent years, there have been some efforts to address this issue. The Academy has invited more diverse members to join.

“I thought it was so powerful. It deserved to be recognized.”

- Paulyn Baringanire

GRAPHIC BY KENNETH SHUE

“You don’t really think that it’s going to happen in Montgomery County.”

- Gabrielle Orringer

PHOTO BY HELINA TAMIRU

In recent months, many incidents of antisemitic hate speech and graffiti have occurred across Montgomery County Public Schools. These acts of hate speech has spurred fear and outrage in the community.

GRAPHIC COURTESY OF @RMHSJSU

MCPS ANTISEMITISM, cont. from page 1

“My advice for young women at RM is to not underestimate yourself and the talents that you

InterviewbySayedaHasni

PhotobyTaraAmin

“Don’t worry about the labels people try to give you. Instead of wasting energy trying to undo labels that somebody really wants to put on you, don’t pay attention to them. When I first started teaching (still now, though not as much), [people] used to be like, ‘what woman could teach serious math?’ I don’t care what my age is, what my gender is, it just doesn’t matter. I’m just going to be me, and just do me, and if you want to put labels on me, have fun. Because I’m not paying attention to you.”

InterviewbyMariaYu PhotobyMayahNachman

“I would tell young women at RM to pick something you like; go and get it! Don’t ever depend on anyone else---I mean even your parents! There is nothing better than when you sacrifice your time studying and working and taking control of your life, and knowing that your life is only yours!”

“The first thing I will say is to always put yourself first in everything that you do in life. Fully apply yourself in anything that you put your mind to, you'll never know what you're capable of until you give it your all. Start setting up your future life, but also enjoy the time you have left to be a kid---you will miss it one day. Be realistic with yourself and set goals. Check them off as you achieve them to remind yourself how you get things done. It doesn't get any easier as you grow into an adult. However, the relationship you have within yourself and the people around you sure do make a difference in the way you live your life. Do it all for you!”

“Identifying as a girl can mean different things to different people. That said, this is what I would advise any girl at RM: believe in your own dignity and value as a human being, which has nothing to do with grades, test scores, appearances or social media. You are more than enough, exactly as you are!”

InterviewbyTaraAmin

PhotobyMayahNachman

“I think my best advice would be to get involved in the school community! Find something you're actually passionate about and join a club or organization. If it doesn't exist, start one! The most formative moments from my high school career was when I joined different clubs and communities.”

“I think often as females we feel like we don’t have space at the table in different places, so understanding that we are strong and we deserve an equal amount of space in a conversation is important.”

“My advice is to look for fulfillment in yourself, not admiration from others. I often see young women focus on their appearance, what they're buying and how many likes they have on social media to justify themselves. These things might make you happy temporarily, but they are not going to bring long -term happiness, and that is what you deserve! Don't let these things or anyone else define who you are. Surround yourself with positive role models, explore your passions and engage in meaningful endeavors. And never forget: reach out for help when you need it!”

Mrs. Rachel Carter Spanish Teacher

InterviewbyNataliePamboukian PhotobyTaraAmin

Mrs. Laura Goetz Math Teacher

Mrs. Erica LeBright Counselor

InterviewandPhotobyTaraAmin

Mrs. Bonnie Peyer English Teacher

Mrs. Alicia Deeny Principal

have and what you are capable of contributing.”

Mrs. Tajane White Security Guard

InterviewandPhotobyTaraAmin

Mrs. Carmen Gonzalez Pescador Spanish Teaccher

InterviewbyShuxinDai PhotobyTaraAmin

Mrs. Bessy Albaugh Science Teacher

InterviewandPhotoby MayahNachman

Determining your SAT, ACT or test-optional route

by Michaela Boeder SENIOR FEATURES WRITER

On March 22, a free SAT will be administered to RM juniors who registered. This raises concerns amongst students who are deciding whether the ACT or SAT would be a better fit for them, or even if these tests should be prioritized at all.

The main difference between the two tests lies in the quantity of questions. The ACT takers answer 215 questions in two hours and 55 minutes, not including breaks. However, SAT takers have three hours to answer 154 questions. Neither test penalizes the test-taker for guessing.

The tests consist of sim-

ilar overall content.

“Many colleges are going test-optional or not requiring tests at all, and in any event, the two tests are highly intercorrelated,” David Conley, Professor Emeritus of Educational Policy and Leadership at the University of Oregon said.

While some students consider time as a factor when deciding to take the SAT or ACT, junior Hana Mahdood considered the actual content of the test.

“I’m more humanities-based and from talking to people who’ve taken the tests, they said the ACT is more for humanity based fields [and] the SAT is more scientific,” Mahdood said.

For another student, the test’s reputation was a distinction that played a role in their decision.

“I took the SAT because it’s been more traditional,” senior Raya Arora said. “Growing up all I heard about was the SAT. Also, [colleges] just started taking the ACT fairly recently. I worried that maybe they would go back on it.” Arora was satis-

fied with her score out of the 1600 SAT scoring scale. Her preparation included an in-person tutoring service called C2 Education.

instead,” Mahdood said.

Over 1,800 accredited, four year colleges have gone test-optional for fall 2023 admissions. Recent ly, Co lumbia Univer sity an nounced it will go test optional indefi nitely, making it the first Ivy League school to do so.

very discriminatory towards minorities, I don’t agree with standardized testing.” Mahdood said.

“I studied for the SAT for over a year. At first, I was going in once a week and then twice; eventually my entire life was dedicated to the SAT,” Arora said.

In-person tutoring is not the only way RM students prepare. Senior Kimia Shokouhi took virtual preparation classes online through KaPlan.

Tutoring may not be an option for all students, as the average tutoring rates for test prep can range from $21/hr to $100/ hr according to Care.com. Additionally, tutoring can be hard to balance with other activities.

“I can’t get tutors because that takes a lot of time. Also, I’m just better paced on my own, so I got practice books

For Arora, this is a positive change in college admissions. “More focus should be put on the well-roundedness of a student rather than the ability in a certain subject,” she said. “In order to succeed in the real world, you’re going to have to take intelligence from different aspects of life and not just [one] specific thing.”

Some students question the relevance and disparity between what students learn in class and what appears on the test. “A lot of times it’s stuff that was taught years ago, so it is kind of pointless. [The ACT] almost tries to sabotage you into not doing well,” Shokouhi said.

Additionally, some believe the test may not be fair to all groups of students because of socioeconomic status and unequal access.

“Due to their history of being

With the in- creasing number of colleges going test-optional, college entrance exams have lost significant value as a determinate in admissions. “I don’t think the SAT is fair at all. It’s completely ridiculous,” Arora said. “It’s a measure of how well you can take the test.

- Kimia Shokouhi

Even my tutor said that the SAT is all strategy. It’s not intelligence.”

Black Maskers conclude year with Disney musical ‘Anastasia’

by Kobina Asafu Adjaye ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR

The Black Maskers Drama Club is preparing to put on their spring production of Anastasia, a musical based on the animated movie of the same name. Both follow the theory that Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna was the sole survivor of the Romanov Massacre, an event led by Bolshevik revolutionaries during the Russian Civil War. Anastasia was the last remaining re-

storyline, except with slight differences. The musical soundtrack has 17 songs; only six were retained for the original movie.

As opposed to having mystical and fantasy elements, the musical sticks more to the historical events of the time. For instance, the notable villain and dark sorcerer Rasputin in the film is replaced by the character Gleb Vaganov, an extreme revolutionary devoted to achieving a communist Russia, in the musical. Both characters’ goals are to kill Anastasia.

Production for the Black Maskers’ musical began at the end of

six principal roles, a plethora of supporting characters and a large ensemble cast. Actors playing supporting characters also appear in the ensemble, allowing for a wide range of participation for students interested in acting.

member of the Romanov family.

The musical was first produced on Broadway nearly 20 years after the release of the Disney movie following the same main

January, with open auditions taking place on Jan. 23 and 24, and callbacks for potential actors happening on January 26. The cast of the show is composed of

Cast members have daily rehearsals after school where they engage in music run-throughs to practice and memorize songs, lines and movements on stage.

Anastasia is senior Alex Dugan’s second time acting in a Black Maskers production.

“I’m in the ensemble playing a male Russian townsperson, the smoker, a government official [and various other characters]... I can easily bring people together and have a fun time with anyone,” Dugan said.

Those who are not participating in an acting role still have various opportunities to engage in the show by joining any of 11 crews the club has to of-

fer. Freshman Cal Murphy is on Set Construction (Set Con) and Sound, which are both heavy time commitment crews.

“For Set Con there’s a lot of drilling and heavy lifting, especially when we make the platform and windows. For sound, we have mic actors, do mic changes and fix anything that breaks or dies,” Murphy said.

Other crews include Running, which involve moving larger set pieces on and off stage during blackouts in preparation for the next scene.

Senior Parker Rock is a member of the crew and is most thrilled to see the attire the characters wear in the show. “I’m so excited for the costumes! They were described really detailed at the design meeting and seemed so cool,” Rock said.

Outside of acting, and crews, students also had the opportunity

to be in the Pit Orchestra, which is conducted and under the direction of Instrumental Music teacher Dr. Peter Perry. Auditions to be in the ensemble began on March 1, with the list of members being finalized a week later.

For those interested in seeing Anastasia at RM, there will be four show nights on April 14, 15, 21 and 22. Tickets will be sold both online for a price of seven dollars for students, and 15 dollars for adults.“So many people have worked so hard on it! It’s a really interesting story and there’s so much talent. It’s such a fun show,” she said.

Murphy shares similar sentiments.“We have so many talented actors and such a beautiful set, and it’s going to be an amazing show. Anastasia is underrated as a musical, and I think everyone should get to experience it in person,” she said.

PHOTO BY SANNIDHI KORISEPATI Assistant directors Paris Ye (left) and Diya Britto (right) pose for a picture.

PHOTO BY ANNYEE FOO

“[The SAT] is completely ridiculous. It’s a measure of how well you can take the test, not intelligence.”

- Raya Arora

GRAPHIC BY CAROLINE

DINH

GRAPHIC BY CHRISTIANA

VUCEA

“It’s kind of pointless... [The ACT] almost tries to sabotage you into not doing well.”

Junior Rushi Jain paints the set of Anastasia.

“We have so many talented actors and a beautiful set... everyone should experience it in person.”

- Cal Murphy

Exploring the reality behind leprechauns

by Madeline Springer FEATURES WRITER

gotten to you, are in luck because St. Patrick’s Day is right around the cor ner. Few people know the story of how the came to be or sociated with the color green. Al though chocolate coins and leprechaun traps are exciting, they do not exactly represent what the holiday originally celebrated.

Many students are unaware of the true origins of St. Patrick’s Day.

“When I think of St. Patrick’s Day, I just think of green and lep rechauns,” sophomore Char lie West said. “I know nothing about the histo ry, but I do wear green so I don’t get pinched.”

St. Patrick’s Day celebrates none oth

years old and aided in bringing Christianity to Ireland’s people. St. Patrick lived during the fifth century, with the holiday

of Irish bacon and cabbage. Some students who don’t partake in the holiday see it as pointless.

“St. Patrick’s Day is stupid. Nobody does anything. As little kids we’d get gifts or candy, but nobody’s giving us anything now so it’s pointless,” freshman Josie Nguyen said.

UMD, cont. from page 1

Therefore, admissions officers shift gears towards non-Marylanders as a way of increasing profit and welcoming new student populations.

Due to the growing numbers of applicants, the university has reduced its acceptance rate. In 2022, the university lowered its acceptance by 23.8%, making it difficult for in-state students to get admitted.

marking his

However, America is home to millions of Irish immigrants who celebrate the holiday, many of whom have developed distinct traditions.

One tradition consists of dying the Chicago River green. In 1962, city pollution-control workers used dyes to trace illegal sewage discharges. They realized the green dye was a unique method of celebrating the holiday. Each year, 40 pounds of dye are poured into the river, painting it green for several hours.

Some colleges practice “yield protection” by not admitting qualified candidates that are unlikely to attend their institution. This technique of lowering acceptance rates in order to increase yield rates boosts schools in the national college rankings, and can attract funding and faculty members.

“I get that they’re trying to not accept tons of in-state kids but I know tons of really qualified people who didn’t get in,” senior Genevieve Cowl said.

This poses a threat to high school seniors. The higher rejection rate dissuades students from applying and creates additional anxiety around the application process.

This year, UMD rejected a large number of in-state students.

seemed random… I know people who didn’t get in,” Cowl said. Despite the increasing rejection rates, students can always take advantage of different opportunities throughout their high school careers to increase their own chances of getting admitted.

Leadership positions, community service and commitment to activities can help boost an application. Although test scores and grades are still required on

- Charlie West

er than St. Patrick himself. According to History.com, he arrived in Ireland as a slave at 16

Patrick’s unless they have Irish heritage. Wearing a shirt that reads “Kiss me, I’m Irish” does not truly represent the cel ebration of St. Patrick’s Day. The holiday is a break day during Lent, in which Christians replicate Jesus’ fast ing when he resisted the devil’s temptations for 40 days. On St. Pat rick’s Day, those who cel ebrate consume meat, dance and feast on the traditional meal

As a result, Chicagoans’ childhood memories have been tainted green.

“I used to live in Chicago, and I would see the river turn green when I was a kid,” freshman Jake Petralski said.

“My dad told me that the leprechauns poisoned it while we were sleeping, so I used to be scared of it.”

BY KENNETH SHUE

applications, “test optional” has become a new factor spreading through institutions. This allows students to focus more on talents and hobbies.

Many found the selection process significantly more selective in comparison to previous years.

“The admissions process

There are dozens of clubs and sports teams within RM itself for students to expand their interests. For the environmentally-conscious, the climate club organizes tree planting fundraisers. For the civic minded, mock trial and model UN offer diplomatic discussion. Athletes can work hard and play hard year round through seasonal sports.

GRAPHIC BY EVELYN SHUE

Commemorating Women’s History Month

by Jocelyn Yuan SENIOR FEATURES WRITER

March of this year marks the thirty-seventh Women’s History Month in the U.S., which celebrates the significant achievements and contributions of women to society and culture. Originally created in 1987 to support feminist movements, it has evolved into a platform for women around the world to connect with and uplift each other.

Women’s History Month started out as a single day in 1909, honoring the anniversary of garment workers’ strikes in Manhattan.

Over the next few decades, due to countless campaigns by suffrage groups, the holiday evolved into a week and eventually a month.

“My domain has always been STEM, and I see that there is this huge gap,” Girls Who Code president and senior Gayathri Aravindan said. “I’ve actually experienced things before where I’ll be in a group with only guys and they just won’t acknowledge me. I remember one time I was at a coding competition and I was the only girl there.”

Many girls have found role models in the women featured during Women’s History Month.

“I think that Women’s History Month is a time to recognize the many incredible women throughout history, especially the ones who don’t receive recognition,” junior and WiSTEM secretary Alanna Yang said. “They’re often overlooked, or the credit goes to men instead.”

Today, learning about them serves as both an inspiration and an encouragement to young girls.

“Knowing that all these women in the past were capable of doing such great things expands their horizons, and makes them realize that they can do it too,” Yang said.

Others connect with Women’s History Month on a more personal level.

“Marie Curie has been my idol since I was young. I always admired her [determination],” Aravindan said. “Since I got into computer science, Margaret Hamilton has also been a huge inspiration to me. She did this software that was behind NASA’s Apollo program, which really motivated me.”

RM hosts events promoting female empowerment, which offers a convenient resource for people seeking guidance.

“[WiSTEM] recently held a speaker event at RM with Lt. Gen. Nina Armagno, who is the Director of Staff and the highest ranked woman in the [U.S.] Space Force,” Yang said.

“It was really cool to hear her speak in person since it’s not everyday that you get to meet such an amazing person, and it was especially inspir-

ing to

in

makers and politicians such as those on the county and state level, and there will be [opportunities] to ask questions and for advice,” sophomore and NOW CAN president Liliana Katz-Hollander said.

Women’s History Month is generally celebrated through shout-outs to women or women-owned businesses, promoting spaces for women and teaching about its historical aspect. Apart from promoting accomplished women throughout history, Women’s History Month has lasting positive impacts on youth.

NOW CAN RM, an organization dedicated to promoting feminism and activism, will also be hosting a panel at the end of the month about Women in Politics.

“We hope to feature local law-

“Learning about all these amazing women made me more self-assured,” freshman Chloe D’Arpino said. “I’m on top of the world. And my friends are too— it’s important to spread positivity and girl power wherever you go.”

GRAPHICS

“I know nothing about the history, but I do wear green so I don’t get pinched.”

“The application process seemed random...I know tons of qualified people who didn’t get in.”

- Genevieve Cowl

“[Women] are often overlooked, or the credit goes to men instead.”

- Alanna Yang

“It’s important to spread girl power wherever you go.”

- Chloe D’Arpino

GRAPHIC

BY

EVELYN

SHUE

girls who are interested

STEM but are afraid due to it being dominated by males.”

“My dad told me the leprechauns poisoned [the Chicago River] while we were sleeping.”

- Jake Petralski

“Don’t consider UMD as your absolute fallback plan.”

- Michelle Yuen

ARTS

Stars emerge from this year’s awards

by Marlene Orantes ARTS WRITER

Award season, with its flash ing cameras, red carpets, glamor, and A-List celebrities, has ended, so here’s the cap! The beginning of a series of well-known award ceremonies starts in September with the Primetime Emmys, which awards TV shows, and continues on to the beginning of the new year in January with the Golden Globes, which go to both TV and film. It continues in February with the Grammys, which awards music, then the SAG (Screen Actors Guild), and last but not least, the Oscars, which are considered the most distinguished awards for film, are held in mid-March.

The movie, cast, and crew that found the most success this year was “Everything Everywhere All At Once.” This movie was full of Asian representation, and showcased struggles of immigrants and their children. This was by far the most popular and best-rated film of 2022.

“Everything Everywhere All At Once” won seven Oscars out of its 11 nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director for the the “Daniels,” the direct ing duo behind the mov ie, both Best Supporting Actor and Actress for Ke Huy Quan and Ja mie Lee Curtis respec tively, and Best Actress for Michelle Yeoh.

Though they won numerous awards, there was controversy whether or not Jamie Lee Curtis deserved the Best Support ing Actress Award more than the film’s breakout star, Stephanie Hsu. Hsu is said to have played

a more major role than Curtis in the film, being the daughter of Michelle Yeoh’s protagonist.

Though there was controversy, this movie swept both the Golden Globes and the Oscars, as well as a number of other awards. According to Variety, this movie “became the most-awarded best picture winner since 2008’s “Slumdog Millionaire.””

Another accomplished cast and crew this year in TV was ABC’s comedy “Abbott Elementary.” This show is a mockumentary—fictional events presented as a documentary—that illustrates the struggles of Philadelphia’s public school system through the perspectives of Black women.

Abbott Elementary won almost 20 awards this season, in cluding three Golden Globes, one Prime time Emmy for Out standing Supporting Actress, and five NAACP Image Awards. This show was awarded for their debut season, and is currently air ing their second season. An upcoming third season is in the works.

Shifting to the mu sic industry, history was made with Beyon cé. She made history on Feb. 5 by having the most Grammy wins with the “Best Dance/Electronic Album” for her ‘RENAISSANCE’ album that was released in summer 2022. In total, according to the Grammys, she has won 32 awards. The 2022-23 awards season was a history-making experience for varying groups of people. This award season gave hope to everyone, especially minorities, who dream to be in the entertainment industry. In Ke Huy Quan’s words from his Oscar’s acceptance speech, “ […] dreams are something you have to believe in.”

‘The Last of Us’ tells a unique zombie tale

by Emil Fang

“The Last of Us” is a TV show created by Craig Mazin and Neil Drunkman for HBO. It premiered in January 2023 on the network’s streaming service, HBO Max. It is a film adaptation of the critically acclaimed “The Last of Us” video game that was created by the game studio Naughty Dog in 2013. The main cast consists of Pedro Pascal as Joel, a man hardened from 20 years of living in a wasteland, and Bella Ramsey as Ellie, a teenager born during the apocalypse, as they struggle to survive in a world overrun by a fungus that transforms its host into zombie-like creatures.

“The Last of Us” is a new step for video game adaptations. Directors Mazin and Drunkman captivate viewers with the first scene of the first episode. Mimicking a late night talk show, we watch an interview with a mycologist (fungi researcher). The host jokes until the mycologist makes an offthe-cuff comment of fungus being able to evolve to control humans. As the host’s smile fades and the camera zooms in, the music low-

ers. It’s a quirky and risky way to build tension, but it succeeds. The show also succeeds with its characters, all of which are carefully crafted. The main characters, Joel and Ellie, feel unique despite many zombie shows having come and gone since the original “Last of Us.” Joel and Ellie do not have the edgy dark personality that many zombie show protagonists have. The show provides some genuine light-hearted moments from the duo.

A scene that sticks with me is when Ellie gets her hands on a joke book of puns and begins to annoy Joel with it. Instead of getting angry at her, Joel plays along and one of the jokes even manages to make him laugh. This stuck with me because it showed a

deep level of characterization that I have never seen similar shows This isn’t to say that the show doesn’t have its moments: it contains some of the most well-crafted dark scenes out of any zombie show. My favorite part about these scenes is that they can come out of nowhere and completely shift the mood of the scene. This review would not be complete without talking about the side characters. The side characters are just as nuanced as the protagonists, with their own dreams and motivations. Two side characters that stick out for me are the lovers, Bill and Frank, who had an entire episode dedicated to them. When they were introduced, I found myself getting impatient and wanting to get back to the main story. What I did not expect was that in this filler episode, Mazin and Drunkman are able to tell the most compelling romance I’ve ever seen in a short 40 minutes. It was a beautiful, well thought-out story that left my eyes watering by the end of it.

“The Last of Us” offers a unique post-apocalyptic zombie story that will leave you crying, laughing and contemplating and leave you impatient for each new episode release due to its sheer quality.

How the depiction of women in art has evolved

by Liliana Katz-Hollander SENIOR ARTS CONTRIBUTOR

Art has been around for as long as the human race. From cave paintings to AI compositions, art is a part of every era of our history across the globe. However, as in all other areas of human civilization, women have long been kept out of and neglected in the field of art.

For hundreds of years, art techniques were passed down and taught to a select few in guild systems and academies. This made it very hard for women to receive formal training and break into the art world, unlike other areas like literature where less dependence on others was required. “The women who have risen to the top in the art world were fighters. They were so skilled they couldn’t be excluded,” sophomore Caroline Kaye, an art history student, said.

Artemisia Gentileschi is one of the earliest known examples of female artists that achieved major

success in the seventeenth century. She is well-known for her unique Baroque-era interpretations of oft-painted biblical scenes, including “Madonna and the Child,” “Bathsheba,” and perhaps most notably, “Judith Slaying Holofernes.” Gentileschi painted many other scenes that portrayed female emotion and experiences, and eventually she became the first woman to enter the Academy of Art and Design in Florence.

well-known, but still incredible is Harriet Powers. Powers was born a slave in Georgia in 1837, but was emancipated with her family after the Civil War. She was known for her quilting, which she exhibited at state fairs. These quilts told Bible and folk stories that had been passed down for generations, as well as astrological events. Newspapers at the time labeled her as “ignorant” and “illiterate.” She was, in fact, literate, and turned the stories she read into works of art. Other impactful representations of women in art can be viewed throughout history. Botticelli’s “Venus,” which was painted in 1485, has come to represent female beauty and ethereality, and is recognizably by many. It is also very representative of early portrayals of women in art. Many early works of art such as paintings and sculptures portrayed women in the nude as objects of desire. Attention was drawn to this in 1989, when the Guerrilla Girls, an anonymous group of female artists and art-world pro-

fessionals, distributed posters in New York entitled “Do Women Have to be Naked to get into the Met?” These posters shared the statistic that less than 5% of the artists in the Modern Art section of the MET were female, but

tion of the works we look at were made by female artists.” According to the Smithsonian, works by women represent only 14% of exhibitions in 26 major American museums. Anjana Tangirala, another sophomore enrolled in art history, said, “In class, barely any of the artists we’ve looked at so far were female, even going closer to the modern day, and anytime we do see a female artist it’s kind of treated as a novelty just because it’s so rare to see actual diversity.”

85% of the nudes were female. Although these posters were made over 30 years ago, the sentiment still rings true. Julia Chang, a sophomore currently taking art history, said, “[only] a small por-

However, the rise of the internet as a means of sharing art has also led to significantly more inclusivity. There are many spaces available online for artists who identify as members of different minority groups, and these spaces provide role models, mentors, and teachers for many young female artists. The internet also makes it much easier to find work made by artists of diverse backgrounds and learn art techniques previously only obtainable to the elite few, through resources like YouTube videos or blogs that are accessible all over the globe.

PHOTO COURTESY OF HBO

A female artist who is less

GRAPHIC BY JULIANNE CRUZ

ARTS WRITER

Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey star as an unlikely duo who must work together to survive the apocalypse.

“The Last of Us” is a new step for video game adaptations.

Many early works of art portrayed women in the nude as subjects of desire.

GRAPHICS BY JULIANNE CRUZ

Athleisure takes on RM’s halls

by Sophia Fang SENIOR ARTS CONTRIBUTOR

Having been around for more than 60 years, athleisure is no foreign concept to the fashion world. Its long-lasting popularity has fuelled its recent revival and helped it become a staple in almost everyone’s wardrobe.

Cute hoodies, classic yoga pants, and comfy sweats are all representative of this trendy style. Its appeal lies beyond simply looking nice; a combination of the words “athletic” and “leisurewear,” athleisure creates effortlessly stylish, comfortable and versatile looks. Many popular brands such as Lululemon, Adidas, and Athleta either offer or exclusively sell athleisure.

The hip-hop era in the nineties also served as an inspiration for today’s style. Hoodies, baseball caps, white sneakers, all made popular during this era, are a part of athleisure today.

Lululemon is accredited with its recent popularity. When founder Chip Wilson had back problems, he decided to attend a yoga class and promptly fell in love… with the yoga pants the instructor was wearing, leading to the creation of the revolutionary fashion brand.

This style of fashion experienced an extreme burst in popularity after the pandemic, when everyone constantly lounged at home in hoodies and sweats.

While the rest of the fashion industry struggled, this particular style thrived, staying popular even after the pandemic lockdown.

just finished a workout at home. Athleisure is not just reserved for exercise—many students enjoy wearing this style, with lots of RM merch being a type of athleisure. Walking through the halls, there are always students in sight wearing this style. The cause for its popularity? “I feel like it’s comfortable,” freshman Sherry Lin said. Junior Cornell Jones agrees. “I like that it’s comfortable and that depending on what you wear, you can also display a sense of professionalism in a way,” he said If you are not on the athleisure trend yet, look to these stores, recommended by students. “I like Nike [and] New Balance,” Jones says. “[and] H&M for sweatpants. ” Lin, meanwhile, recommends Aerie.

Crosswords

Doing these puzzles also has hidden cognitive benefits–the University Of Pittsburgh Medical Center cites a study conducted in 2013 where researchers found that crosswords are among some of the most effective ways to preserve brain function and cognitive ability.

For avid solvers, crosswords can also build analyti cal and critical thinking skills.

“Crosswords…want you to think outside of the box, but they want you to think inside their specific box, quite literal ly for cross words,” Bow sher said. “But it does get you think ing in a slight ly more creative way.”

They can also, unsurprising ly, build peoples’ vocabulary through the introduction of new words. “There’s also a lot of word play, which is kind of my favorite, because it’s usu ally difficult to suss out what’s going on. So you’ve got to kind of look at, look at words from a different perspective,” English teacher Jeremy Koenig said.

share tips and strategies with other enthusiasts. Mr. Koenig is one of these players. “The online community for crosswording is great. It’s not huge, but it’s a real tight community,” he said. More recently, crossword puzzles and other word games have entered the online world. Many newspapers, magazines, and puz-

Freshman Sherry Lin.

So where did it come from, and how did it get so popular?

Contrary to the modern popularity it boasts now, the term “athleisure” was actually first used back in 1979, where it was used to describe clothes for people who wanted to look athletic.

The rise in self-care and at-home workouts, stemming also from the pandemic, have contributed to its popularity as well. Many have opted for athleisure’s comfort and multifunctionality. Its multifunctionality has also made it a more cost efficient option. In addition, with the rise of home workouts, some people wearing athleisure may have literally

The inclusivity of athleisure has accommodated a wider variety of body shapes and sizes. In addition to its comfort and versatility, it is no wonder athleisure was able to become so popular. And the market continues to grow as well, with many luxury brands like Gucci entering the market. This is one fashion trend that is sure to last a while, if not forever.

PHOTOS BY SOPHIA FANG

Many puzzles contain a wid er theme and subtle witticisms. “Definitely you learn some syn onyms. And sometimes there’s some fun puns and word plays that are engaging,” Bowsher said. Though some answers to a crossword’s clue can be obvious, others require knowledge of a newly introduced word, adding to a person’s vocabulary and increasing their linguistic abilities. There is a social aspect to crosswords as well. They can be a fun activity with friends and family, or even a conversation starter with a stranger.

Competitive players can even compete in tournaments, and

dents to enjoy and complete. These puzzles have lasted countless generations, and don’t appear to be leaving anytime soon. Whether done in a ritualistic manner or only every so often, crosswords are a great way to unwind after a long day, pass the time during lines or commute, or exercise your mind. “I do the Tide’s crossword every Tide [issue], and it’s great,” Mr. Koenig said.

‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’ falls flat

by Adi Bala SENIOR ARTS CONTRIBUTOR

Ant-Man. A name that does a disservice in describing the sheer enormity of this character, from physical size to iconic personality. Every Marvel movie thus far has served to deepen the collective love of Paul Rudd’s hero, namely through his comedic antics, and while Ant-Man’s performance was never a lackluster element of “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania,” other parts of it—alluded to by its 47% on Rotten Tomatoes—surely were. The film opens up with one of the most creative intros of any Marvel movie thus far: Scott Lang (Rudd), the titular character, strutting downtown and regaling the situation of his life as a middle-aged man (and former hero) directly to the audience. We later realize that this is all part of the closing paragraphs of his self-published memoir, a central point of comedic value to the characters. This set the tone for the rest of the film—as the viewer has come to expect with any installment of “Ant-Man”—as one filled with trashy fun; at this point, I was extremely excited. Another aspect set up by the introduction was Lang’s relationship with his daughter, Cassie. For those behind on the Marvel timeline, Ant-Man had been M.I.A. for five years in the Quantum Realm, not having any opportunity to watch his child grow. Five

years later, a lot has changed, and this dynamic of slight unfamiliarity is covered and iterated upon as the two acclimate and their relationship deepens.

plot crutch, of sorts) and before you know it, she’s right back where she started—along with the rest of the cast. This “scientific mishap” is an inciting

ducing himself as a stranded and benevolent man with access to unprecedented levels of (broken) technology. This visage is, quite clearly, a part of his true charac-

Disappointingly, the movie experiences an aforementioned decline in quality. Janet (Hayley Lovitt), the Wasp’s mother, seems to spring out of nowhere as a character with immense amounts of knowledge. “I’m a pretty big Marvel fan myself, and I had no idea who she was before this movie,” sophomore Aaron Logsdon said. She had been stuck in the deep Quantum Realm for a very extended period of time (a

incident all too relied upon in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, prompted in this film by Cassie.

“Of course the kid had to do it,” sophomore Saif Salchak said.

It is then that we are introduced to the monstrous antagonist, Kang the Conqueror (Jonathan Majors): one of the two saving graces of this film along with the Ant-Man himself. It is revealed that he had a friendship with Janet in the Quantum Realm, intro-

ter. His other half is sinister, cold, and calculating, unleashing bouts of unadulterated rage whilst murdering entire populations in his conquest, then strategically torturing Cassie in front of Lang in order to cement his cooperation.

Since his time as a castaway with Janet, he has built up an empire and taken full control of the quantum realm, hoping to mobilize this empire around the multiverse once his technology has

been successfully repaired. Naturally, for our protagonists to leave, they must interact with this ruler of the domain. Kang’s character is deep and powerful—being an emotional, stereoscopic figure in an alien world. He possesses uncontrollable motivations, masked by a veil of genuinity, and Majors brings about his villain’s reality with flawless execution. Despite Kang’s presence, the positives stop there with the amount of unnecessary theatrics this production contained. A giant floating head named MODOK, who turned out to be some long-lost villain from the original “Ant-Man,” seemed to be a horrendous attempt at recreating Paul Rudd’s personality—especially considering this character was very different in his appearance in the previous film. A lackluster ending, combined with a large plothole: “If Ant-Man was stuck in the quantum realm for five years, how had he never discovered any of this in the first place?” asks Salchak. “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” seems to necessitate low quality in its aims to live up to the prior feature films, and is sorely beaten by Marvel’s last film, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” With Ant-Man, the protagonist, and Kang, the antagonist, serving to provide a quality dipole in terms of depth and role, the rest of the story revolves around these three-dimensional characters as a two-dimensional plane. Rating: 4/10.

PHOTO COURTESY OF DISNEY

“Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” kicks off Phase 5 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and introduces a new major villain, Kang.

CROSSWORDS cont. from pg. 1

Junior Cornell Jones.

Athleisure creates effortlessly stylish, comfortable and versatile looks.

GRAPHIC BY SELENA LI

by Naomi Scissors ARTS COLUMNIST

In “Cocaine Bear,” a bear gets high on cocaine and goes on a violent rampage. If you are expecting anything else from the film’s oneand-a-half hour run-

thing compelling out of a weird 80s news story, but the resulting film exists for the purpose of its name and premise rather than for any merit it might (not) offer.

Along with the titular bear, there are a variety of human characters who appear in the film. Two kids skipping school, a worried mother searching for them, a gang of no-good teens wreaking havoc, and a grumpy park ranger are just some of the many colorful characters roaming through the park. The most interesting

Bear’ is just pointless

out of the many subplots features Ray Liotta of Goodfellas and O’Shea Jackson Jr. of Straight Out ta Compton as the intend ed recipients of the cocaine shipment, but even their de termined quest to recover the lost goods before their clients get angry quickly grows old as the au dience is constantly reminded that there is only so much to say here. There is a bear high on cocaine. That’s about it. Another is sue posed by the presence of park rangers and drug lords in the film is that these characters are inev itably carrying weapons. When police also enter the park in age to shoot and kill the bear. Of

course, killing the bear would prematurely end the film, so this leaves the writers to think up increasingly frustrating reasons for why they do not shoot the bear. Bear enthusiasts in the audience may argue that shooting a bear is not always enough to stop it from attacking you, but surely it is worth a try? The presence of so many unused guns makes the whole thing feel like a pointless endeavor that should have ended an hour earlier. Cocaine Bear must be commended for delivering on everything the title promises. A bear certainly does cocaine in the film, and that alone is probably enough to draw people to the theaters. Maybe it is unfair to expect comedy or logic from a film that is just trying to show people what happens when a bear does cocaine. In fact, it is probably the best film in existence on the topic. The film currently has a 73% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes and is far outperforming expectations at the box office. Fortunately, there has only been one recorded instance of a bear getting high on cocaine, so if they decide to make a sequel they will need to be a little more creative next time.

GRAPHIC BY CHRISTIAN VUCEA

THE TIDE CROSSWORD: SPRING HAS SPRUNG

Note

1 Shenanigan, tomfoolery 6 Hotel roll-ins

green. Happy spring and happy puzzling!

~ Annie Guo, Crossword Editor

‘Cocaine

Naomi Scissors.

New spring coaches refuel teams

by Julia Fine SPORTS WRITER

The swinging of baseball bats, the bouncing of tennis balls, the screams of lacrosse players and the cheering of track runners can be heard around the school. Spring sports officially began on Mar. 1, marking the start of another Rocket athletic season. This year, RM has welcomed multiple new coaches into the athletics department for spring sports.

Both JV and Varsity baseball have new head coaches this season. For varsity, Andrew Gottli eb has taken over as head coach. Gottlieb grew up in Gaithers burg and played baseball at Oberlin College. He was previously an as sistant coach at Wat kins Mill and Gaith ersburg High School. Gottlieb is already close friends with athletic direc tor Daniel Whitlow, having worked with him in the past at Gaithersburg, so he knew it would be a smooth and easy transition.

“When I saw that the RM posi -tion was available, I knew that I needed to apply,” Gottlieb said.

This year, Gottlieb implemented a new off-season conditioning workout program from January leading up to tryouts to help pre pare the team for the upcoming season. The program included workouts three tmies a week and batting cage sessions once a week.

Richard Montgomery is in one of the most competitive baseball divisions, including last year’s state finalist Churchill, so a strong varsity team is needed to win games. “This season will be a

“student-athlete” and to main tain good grades. Kearney also wants to implement the idea of the “Total Team Concept,” having his players believe that no individual is bigger than the team.

“Win or lose, we pick each other up both on and off the field,” Kearney said. He hopes this will bring them closer together and stronger as a team. Both baseball teams have a tough schedule, which will

be a test for the first-year coaches.

At the tennis courts, a new coach has taken over the girls program. RM only has a single varsity team, so the tryout pro cess is even more critical. Andres Rodriguez has filled the position of head coach for this season after Coach Fahrner retired at the end of last year. Rodriguez has played tennis for most of his life and played competi tively at Montgomery College.

“Tennis has always been a big part of my life and I wanted to share the love of tennis with a new generation of players,” Rodriguez said. A lot of

Rodriguez feels has found group for this year. One main goals for the season is for the team to have fun which will help the team be successful. Pri oritizing and strengthening his players’ mental game is also something Rodriguez wants to focus on. “I want to emphasize

helping my team not just be stronger players physically but also mentally,” Rodriguez said. Down at the lacrosse fields, the girl’s teams have added four new coaches into the program. For varsity, Jackie Page, RM alumna mer Syracuse en’s laplayer, stepped as assistant coach. There are three new coaches for the JV team, after last year’s coach had to leave due to school. Head coach Rieley Auger, who played club lacrosse at UMD and two assistant coaches, Clare Hemmig and Elizabeth Conway, both RM alumni, are also helping coach the team this year. RM is also in a very tough division for lacrosse, so this season ahead will be a challenge, but the new coaches are excited to get started.

Coach Coates named RM head football coach

by Amanda Gershoni SPORTS WRITER

Former Richard Montgomery defensive coordinator and special education teacher Nichalos

Coates has been named the new head coach for the RM football team. He helped lead the team last year and shared his knowledge of the game which resonated within players and other coaches.

The game of football is precise and requires a driven coaching staff to succeed. Talk to any football player on the 2022-23 team, they will agree that Coates is the man. Even though he was only in charge of the defense, his awareness and knowledge of the game is spread around both sides of the ball. His persistence, ability and mentality seals the deal. As he heads into his new position of head coach, players are ramped up for a new start and

hopeful for a successful season.

Around the hallways, the buzz around finding a head coach for the football team was exciting yet people had their eyes set on one man in particular: Coates. There must be something so special about him. “Coates is a great coach who understands the game very well,” sophomore receiver Khalil Wilson said. “I think it is a step forward for the foot ball program at RM.”

From the beginning, Coates’s love for the game was truly unmatched. “I love all the life lessons and growth that football can provide young athletes. I have gained so many things from playing football in my lifetime and I value giving back those similar experiences to the best of my ability,” Coates said.

“I think he is a very good fit to be the new head coach,” sophomore cornerback Damarien Frazier said. “The team has a lot of

trust in his abilities to get the win.” Impacting a program is not as easy as it seems. Fanbases, ability, skill and the players performing to the best of their ability, there is a lot riding on this program, especially a program looking to rebuild after two seasons with losing records. Yet Coates has been brought to the table to

show his love for the game and what he’s all about. “I can impact this program with empathy

and consistency. I understand the day-to-day grind and the ups and downs that come with being a part of the football program,” Coates said. “As a player and a coach, the most important thing is to be consistent in your approach and the standards you uphold.”

Coates’s players have confidence in him that he can get the job done as well. “I believe it will be the turn around that this program has needed,” Wilson said. “I am super excited that Coates is the new head coach and am excited to see what he can bring to this team.”

As the school year comes to a close and summer football preparations begin, Coates is determined to implement new training programs and cultivate a positive environment for RM’s football team. “I am most excited to see the growth of the young players from last season on and off the field,” Coates said.

RM softball slides into a promising pre-season

by Kenichi Takato SPORTS WRITER

In the past year, the RM Softball team has struggled with its small roster and lack of interest. They have not had enough players to have both a JV and Varsity team, so last year they only had a varsity team that represented RM. Even though their roster has severely been condensed, it hasn’t stopped them from having an amazing year, finishing with a 12-5 record.

Unfortunately, the problem of not having enough players for a JV team wasn’t only for RM. “Last year, ten schools across the county were unable to field a JV team, so it is not just a school problem,” Varsity Softball Coach Kelly Callan said.

“There are nine positions on the field and given the number of inju-

ries in the past, it just didn’t make sense to have two small rosters.”

This lack of attention to the sport has brought down the spirits of the players and coaches. Softball barely receives any school-wide notices or announcements which results in a disinterest and unfamiliarity among the student-body.

The coaches encourage the team to reach out and be ambitious for this year. Players have different opinions on how to expand their interest in softball to other students at school. Sophomore Johnell McConnell said, “More school involvement with the team like announcements when games are, putting up fliers, and having the SGA talk more about the sport [would increase interest].”

The team has done well offensively and defensively to help get RM into the playoffs. They haven’t had a losing record since 2017 and have significantly had an impact on the Maryland 4A Division. Unfortunately last year, they fell short of a win in the playoffs, losing to Churchill 3-9. Even through tough times in these past couple of years due to COVID, this team has continued to show im-

provement and refinement, as well as grown as a family. This year the team hopes to improve significantly and have a major impact in the play offs.McConnell said, “The team is already really close-knit and basically family so this year we are going to fo cus on taking each game one at a time.”

To Coach Callan, they have a strong foundation for this year’s season both of fensively and defensively.

“[Offensively], we have some really strong bats in our line-up that can only continue to get bet ter with experience facing strong pitch ers,” Coach Cal lan said. “This season, we lined up

five scrimmages against teams that have strong pitching to help challenge ourselves and get better.” With the softball season kicking off on Mar. 21, the players and coaches are very enthusiastic and have high expectations. They are more of a family than a team, which has a huge influence on the team as a whole and how they play.

GRAPHICS COURTESY OF KENNETH

PHOTO COURTESY OF RM ATHLETICS

GRAPHIC COURTESY OF CHRISTIANA VUCEA

“This year, we are going to focus on taking each game one at a time.”

- Johnell McConnell

Agnew’s announcing brings energy, information

by Ari Fine SPORTS WRITER

Two laptops sit on a small white folding table at halfcourt. One displays a spreadsheet of each team’s roster, listing jersey numbers and name pronunciation; the other controls the sound and special effect system. Resting on the table is the microphone, and in front of that, a large water bottle. The eyes of James Agnew, behind the table, constantly scan the court. His hand stays close to the microphone, anticipating the blow of a whistle, or the splash of a deep three from junior guard Dante Mayo or senior guard Mackenzie Caldwell-Degnon. For 14 years, Mr. Agnew has been announcing basketball games at RM. His voice is recognized by all Rocket basketball fans, however, what’s not, is the man behind it.

Mr. Agnew teaches both Honors English 9 and 12 at RM. Since his transfer from Winston Churchill High School in 2009, he has been an integral part of the RM basketball community as the announcer at every home game. His announcing career did not start at RM, but as a teacher at Southern High School in Anne Arundel County.

“[Southern HS] made an announcement over the PA system that if any students are interested in announcing for our foot ball games, please see the athletic director,” Mr. Agnew said. “Something about it just seemed like a lot of fun. I like sports a lot, and I have a background in theater and acting a little bit, so it’s sort of a perfor-

James Agnew picks up the mic while announcing a RM playoff game. mance for me. So I ran down there and said I’ll announce football.”

Along with football, Mr. Agnew announced most sports at Southern during his four years teaching there. When he moved to Montgomery County and started to work at Churchill, there were no opportunities available for him to announce. A year later after his relocation to RM, the basketball game announcer position

Rockets finish season with hardfought loss, high hopes for future

by Noah Stephenson SPORTS WRITER

The boys basketball season came to an end on Tuesday, Feb. 28, with a tough loss to the Churchill Bulldogs in the semifinals of 2023 MPSSAA Boys Basketball 4A West tournament. The final score of the game was 64-57, and while the Rockets put up a valiant effort, it was simply not enough to secure a victory.

Despite the loss, the Rockets had an impressive season, finishing with a record of 13-10. The team had an up and down start to the season, winning five of their first six convincingly but followed those games up with three straight losses. However, they bounced back and eventually ended the season with four straight wins before the season-ending loss against Churchill in the second round of the playoffs.

One of the highlights of the Rockets’ season was a thrilling 59-53 victory over rival B-CC High School in the first round of the playoffs. In that game, the Rockets were down early in the first half, but continued to fight back and eventually closed the game, making clutch free throws and defensive stops to put the score out of reach for B-CC.

The Rockets’ season had its highs and lows, but they showed resilience and determination throughout. Head Coach David Breslaw made sure the team was always ready to compete and instilled a strong work ethic in his players.

While the Rockets may be disappointed with their early exit

from the playoffs, they should be proud of what they accomplished this season. They fought hard in every game and played with heart and passion. This season may be over, but the future looks bright for the Rockets, with several key players returning next year.

Throughout the season, the team kept a strong mentality realizing there was always another opportunity to make a play. “[The team] focused on one game at a time and continued to play the games at a high tempo,” senior Fin Shiddiq said. Although Shiddiq is a senior and won’t be returning to the team next season, he believes that they ‘built something special this year.’

“I hope the returning players continue to build on what they started this year,” Shiddiq said.

was vacant, so Mr. Agnew took the opportunity and ran with it. Yet, it wasn’t easy at first for Mr. Agnew. Some things came easy as a basketball fan, but other things like balancing when to talk, and what to say, took some time, and much practice, to learn.

“It’s gotten easier to know when to look for what’s happening, to know what signals are going to happen when, and knowing where to look when a foul has

been called,” Mr. Agnew said. “But when I first started, I’d heard announcers do it before, and I thought I could do it and it took some years of adjustment.”

Mr. Agnew believes his job as an announcer is to make it easier for fans to watch the game and understand what is playing out on the hardwood. “My job is primarily just to help make sure that I can do whatever I can to make sure that the crowd is engaged with the game,” Mr. Agnew said. At the start, he just did simple tasks, such as announcing who scored or committed a foul. Over time, he has added more to his repertoire, finding ways to better inform the team and the crowd.

“Now, it’s how many fouls they have, how many team fouls they have, and then I started getting into the peo ple coming into the game, people going out of the game, and know ing what to look for when players are going to come in and who they are before they even get to the game,” Mr. Agnew said,

After almost 20 years as an announcer, Mr. Agnew has slowly been improving his craft. From listening to fellow announcers at professional games and substitute announcing for other schools, he is consistently looking for ways to make the viewing more enjoyable. “Mr. Agnew is the best basketball announcer in Montgomery County--and it’s not even close,” varsity girls basketball Coach Michael Oakes said. “His voice and energy level from

behind the microphone have been crucial to our success as a team.”

Armed with a new sound system this year, Mr. Agnew has explored unique ways to be creative as an announcer. When substitute announcing at a Howard University basketball game, Mr. Agnew heard a member of the announcing team using sound effects and thought it was an interesting idea. When he discovered the new system at RM, he was excited to integrate new sounds during games such as coin noise after an RM three-pointer, or the Jeopardy music during a long break in play. Calling fouls, substitutions, and scores are important to Mr. Agnew, but he also contributes to the energy and atmosphere within the gym. He starts every game the same way, pumping up the crowd and players with his classic “and the starting lineup, for your Richard Montgomery Rockets.” Whether he means to or not, Mr. Agnew is always more energetic when RM scores, furthering his importance to the school.

“I feel he brings energy to our team in multiple ways. His enthusiasm while he calls each person’s name [during starter introductions] and during the game I feel gets the crowd hype which also gives us more energy during the game,” sophomore varsity guard Khalil Wilson said.

Girls basketball loses semifinal

by Danny Martella SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER

The girls varsity basketball team blasted off into the playoffs and won their last 10 games of the regular season to close out their dominant 16-5 season. They started the season with a blowout win over Rockville 71-23, then a close win against Quince Orchard 4431, before holding Watkins Mill to just nine points in their third win in a row. The girls then took close losses to Wootton, BCC and then an 18 point loss to Whitman.

The Rockets kept their win rate just above 50 percent for the next five games, taking off with a win against Blair that would start their 10 game winning streak to carry them into playoffs. In those 10 games the girls won by an average of 22 points, outscored their opponents a total of 533 to 316, and averaged 53 points as a team per game.

Along with the team’s success, Rockets Head Coach Michael Oakes hit the milestone of 100 career wins this season.

“[It] was a great opportunity to reflect on all of the incredible athletes I’ve been able to coach during my time at RM,” Oakes said. His success continued as the season went on and the girls won their last nine regular season games and one playoff game. “Our 10 game winning streak reflects the growth of the team throughout the season. We never stopped improving individually or collectively, and that paid off during the second half of the season,” Oakes said.

Before each game, Coach Oakes reminded his players to play hard and to try to control the game and for 16 games, the girls did just that.

ketball since the first or second grade, so she has brought a lot of experience to the team. However, being a freshman on varsity is no easy task, but Diao says the other girls made it easier for her.

“Being a freshman on the team was a little intimidating at first but the team was really welcoming, and I’m really grateful for that,” she said.

Diao had to get used to the playstyle of the team because it was different from what she was used to on her club team, but clearly she was able to adapt, breaking the freshman scoring record this season, dropping 300 points.

Just like her coach, Diao’s favorite moment from the season was the playoff win over Whitman. “We lost to them the first time, so it was awesome to see the growth of our team,” Diao said.

He capped off the season with his favorite memory from this year, the 40-30 playoff win against Whitman on Friday, Feb. 25. “The team played with so much resilience and determination,” Oakes said. “We just refused to lose.”

This year’s girls team had a younger core than typical for varsity teams. With just two seniors on the squad, it’s safe to say that the team is being left in good hands.

One of the young stars on the team is freshman Katie Diao. With her smooth handles, Diao was able to dribble hard to the basket for big points or create space and make a pass to a teammate.

Diao has been playing bas-

PHOTO COURTESY OF DANNY MARTELLA

The boys varsity basketball team huddles around Coach Breslaw during a timeout.

PHOTO COURTESY OF DANNY MARTELLA

Freshmen guard Katie Diao (30) knocks down a three in a regular season game versus Gaithersburg HS.

PHOTO COURTESY OF PICSBYPAT

PHOTO COURTESY OF DANNY MARTELLA Senior forward Liza Domorad looks to pass the ball to a teammate in a regular season game against Rockville. Domorad is one of two seniors graduating, leaving room for the underclassmen on the team to step up next year.

GRAPHIC COURTESY OF KENNETH SHUE

BASKETBALL GRAPHIC COURTESY OF TIDE GRAPHIC DEPARTMENT