The Tide - October 2022

BeReal takes RM by storm

by Max Belyantsev and Samantha Wu ASSISTANT OPINIONS EDITOR, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

In the digital era, when friends and family are only a click or swipe away, networking has never been so multifaceted. Social media apps tie communication to a wide stream of content—an addictive and time consuming combination. New social media app BeReal has taken the RM community by storm, and proponents claim that it solves this issue once and for all.

Looking for a video feed? Filters? Followers? Likes? They won’t be found here. Every day, during a random two-minute interval, students pause to snap and upload their BeReal: an impromptu front-and-back picture.

Originally launched in December 2019, the app gained traction this year through widespread TikTok and Twitter fads. “I think it’s so popular here at RM and around the country because it’s a trend. So if everyone else does it, then everyone wants to keep up,” senior Catherine Sanchez said. “But I guess it’s fun, it’s two minutes and in a hurry.”

Following RM’s new policy against phones in the classroom, the app’s spontaneous nature has become a nuisance for educators in the building. “Oh yes, more students use [social media] than I’d prefer,” library media specialist Michelle Alexander said. “Is it a distraction? Absolutely, it’s a distraction.”

If students are

caught up in an activity and can’t use their phones during the two minute period, the app gives them leeway through late BeReals, which lets them post a delayed photo with a timestamp.

By the next day’s notification, the BeReal will vanish from everyone’s device but their own, where it is stored in a time capsule-esque “Memories” tab.

“If I got a notification in class I’d probably wait [until later], it depends on if we’re actually doing anything in class or not,” senior Ada Fiala said.

Teachers feel that even sporadic phone usage can disrupt a learning environment. “I think there’s here and there, students on their

phone,” math teacher Matt Davis said, “If you’re in class and distracted by Facebook and Twitter or whatever else, that would definitely be a detriment to following whatever’s going on in school.”

The BeReal discovery page differs from Instagram reels or TikToks by design; it does not offer personalized content. “Honestly, I never go on to the Discovery page. I have no interest in what [...] random people in the world are doing,” junior Rushi Jain said. Rather than guiding its content through an algorithm, the app shows a random assortment of images from global users.

“Every time I look at it, it’s a lot of people that look like they live in LA and are doing fun things all day. On Instagram and TikTok, I learn about things that are related to my family or things that I like, [but] on BeReal, it’s not worth it,” junior Kayden Siegal said.

BeReal is unique in its approach to privacy and engagement. Unlike posts, photos are not preserved on users’ profiles, which can show as little as a name and mutual friends. Users can add and remove contacts at their discretion, controlling who gets to see what they share. They can only access other people’s photos after posting their own BeReal, encouraging participation and equality in online interactions.

Who’s got spirit?

by Samantha Wu and Danny Martella EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHER

As bleachers fill and fall sports wind up, The Tide randomly polled 67 students about their home game attendance, to gauge school spirit at each grade level.

Between the three years, the class of 2024 students were by far the most committed, showing up and out with an average attendance rate of 5.2 games per year. Sophomores and seniors were similarly spirited, with means of 3.3 and 3.4 games respectively. The most common number of games attended by stu-

dents from each grade level, somewhat reflected this spread. The juniors led at five games, the seniors following with one, and then the sophomores at zero. There was a wide range of responses, but the biggest sports fans, reporting 25, 20 and 15 games in the classes of 2025, 2024 and 2023, were cheerleaders.

Many class officers, tasked with choosing football home-crowd themes and crafting a cohesive school-wide culture, feel that COVID has been detrimental to the sense of community that characterizes RM. “School spirit really decreased during COVID, but being a Rocket, we will always bounce back,” junior class treasurer Angelina Xu said.

Senior and schoolwide treasurer Paris Ye feels that the senior class, even as the oldest, is still learning to show up and display their spirit at games. “It makes me sad to see people not standing and cheering, and that’s something the SGA is trying to change,” Ye said. SPIRIT cont. page 2

RM football lineup includes first female player in 17 years

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, SPORTS WRITERS

room during her freshman year, she became close with the varsity football players who were working out beside her. Her consistent participation in the team’s training caught the attention of the JV football coach, Samuel Heckman, who suggested that she try out for the JV football team. Although she was hesitant at first, she decided to go for it.

During the summer, Campos continued to train in the JV

Football Mini Camp to stay in shape. When the fall season began, the focus turned to developing the skills needed for the playing field, like working on defensive and offensive formations, every day of the week.

From the warmup drills starting at 3:45 pm to the end of the day at around 7 pm, the team puts in the work to ensure they’re well prepared for their games.

BEREAL cont. page 10

PHOTO BY JAKE McKEON

#30 on the Junior Varsity (JV) Football team belongs to sophomore Natasha Hernandez Campos, the only girl to play on RM’s football team after almost two decades. While Campos was training for the track team in the weight

by Davi Jacobs, Ifrah Reyal, and Jake McKeon

FOOTBALL cont. page 16

Sophomore Natasha Hernandez Campos catches a ball during practice

Bill 13-22: MoCo may go all-electric in 2024

By Erica Saulsbury NEWS WRITER

are from building structures and electricity usage in them. Therefore, I think that requiring newly constructed buildings to be sustainable will be very helpful.”

GRAPHIC BY EVELYN SHUE

Sicknesses at RM: COVID or just cold?

By Crystal Li SCIENCE WRITER

Throughout September, RM saw many student absences due to illness. Many students have reported catching colds, strep throat or stomach bugs, which suggests an increase in nonCOVID infections compared to last year. As of Oct. 9, only 91 COVID cases have been self-reported at RM since Aug. 22, averaging around 15 cases per week across the entire school. This

and loss of smell are all possible symptoms of a cold, they are more common in COVID infections and should be noted during diagnosis. On the other hand, a sore throat and runny nose are equally indicative of COVID and a cold, and a fever is a typical symptom of both COVID and influenza.

COVID mutations are bearing a greater and greater resemblance to the common cold—and people are beginning to treat it that way. “I didn’t test it,” junior Zach Zhou said of his recent headache and sore throat. “I already had COVID over the summer.”

The general acceptance of COVID as endemic is reflected in the dismissive attitudes toward the virus. “Honestly, I’m kind of over it,” RM nurse Jean Gambo said. “You’re going to get it.”

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means many who were out sick did not report cases of COVID.

The symptoms associated with COVID and the common cold are so similar that testing is the only legitimate way to distinguish the two. Even so, given the high false negative rate of rapid COVID tests, checking for subtle differences in symptoms may still be informative.

According to the National Institutes of Health, while headaches, fatigue and weakness, general body aches and pains,

“The next step for the county could be to slowly make all public schools run on green energy .”

“I think that this bill is a really great step in working to reach Montgomery County’s goal of reducing its carbon emissions,” sophomore Niya Bansal, who is knowledgeable about the bill, said. “I read somewhere that about 50 percent of the county’s emissions

RM teachers, such as IB Biology teacher Bessy Albaugh, have positive thoughts about the bill. “I think it’s the route we want to go through. Even in California now they’re allowing cars to at some point turn all electric, and I think in New York they’re mandating the same thing,” Mrs. Albaugh said.

For now, school buildings like RM would be largely unaf fected, as most of the focus is on residential and commercial build ing sectors in the county. How ever, schools still in their design phase—such as Crown High School, which is planned to relieve overcrowding in Quince Orchard High School and RM by 2027— will apply to the bill.

As climate change has accelerated within the past decade, many communities, in cluding Montgom ery County, have been slow to phase out carbon-releasing fossil fu els. According to a joint mem orandum written by Elrich and Reimer, the building sector makes up 50 percent of the Coun ty’s emissions. By passing this bill, not only would Montgomery County be the third county on the

Atlantic seaboard to adopt such a law, but it would also jumpstart the county’s existing decarbonization initiatives, such as the Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS) program and the Commercial Property-Assessed Clean Energy (CPACE) program. Still, Bansal believes that there is room for improvement.

“The next step for the county could be to slowly make all public

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However, health-conscious habits learned from the past two years are now a hallmark of what is becoming the post-pandemic “normal.”

“[Before the pandemic], if I got a cold I would kind of neglect it and come to school anyway,” senior Eddie Fang said. “But now I take proper procedures, like making sure I don’t have a fever, taking cold medicine, and [...] wearing a mask.”

These high rates of cold and strep throat may be an indication that things are returning to normal. “I’m fine with the current number of people getting sick and I’d say it’s expected,” Zhou said.

October

RM Homecoming Dance Find a date yet? Yeah, me neither.

Mole Day

Some guacamole in honor of chemist Amadeo Avogadro?

FAFSA Completion Night

Seniors, confused about FAFSA? Come with your parents or guardians to RM, 6-8 p.m. in the cafeteria!

Halloween Boo!

up for football games, with a nearly 80 percent preference rate. The energy of the student section, combined with the cross-coun-

Arora said.

RTC sold for $33 million

By Hannah Lee NEWS EDITOR

The Canadian retail firm Morguard announced on Sept. 27 that it purchased the retail section of Rockville Town Square for $33 million from Federal Realty.

“Morguard is pleased to expand our investment in Rockville, Maryland by acquiring the retail space,” Morguard North American Residential Chairman K. Rai Sahi said in a press release, according to The MoCo Show.

The Town Square is frequently visited by RM students, usually for food.

“I’ll go out to Rockville Town Center like once or twice a week,” sophomore Sam Needle said. “I usually just go with my friends out for lunch or something, and then we walk

around, and go back to school.”

“I go out like two times in a week,” senior Mariana Alonso said. “Sometimes I go there to have lunch, and go to Starbucks.”

According to Store Reporter, a local guide on retail developments in the Rockville and Potomac areas, Morguard intends to expand non-restaurant features. “We need to have true retail with different services,” Asset Management Director John Nolan said. “The restaurants are great, but it can’t all be restaurants.”

PHOTO BY FAITH CHEUNG

“Now I take proper procedures, like [...] wearing a mask”

Eddie Fang

PHOTO BY DANNY MARTELLA Students cheer in the stands at a pinkout football game against Quince Orchard High School.

regarding interest in sporting

events overall. “I just want people to show up for the games, all sports games,”

Bill 13-22, sponsored by Councilmember Hans Riemer and co-sponsored by Councilmember Will Jawando, is a piece of environmental legislation currently under debate in the Montgomery County Council. If passed, it would issue all-electric building standards for all new construction and major renovations or additions by Jan. 1, 2024. It would not affect current buildings and would grant extended deadlines for schools and “income-restricted” housing.

GRAPHICS BY CLAIRE YU

MCPS holds high school gun assemblies

more public demonstration of our awareness will foster better gun safety legislation.”

“Gun violence has been a huge issue in the U.S., and here in Maryland for years,” sophomore Aaron Logsdon said. “I’m glad MCPS is starting to educate people on guns and raise awareness of the issue as much as they can, because even though it won’t stop it, it’s a step in the right direction.”

sooner,” Evans-Gibson said.

Gun safety remains a current issue for MCPS. As of Aug. 14, 790 illegal guns, including untraceable 139 ‘ghost’ guns, have been seized this year in Montgomery County. According to Bethesda Beat, this number has gone up by 75 percent since 2020, which has concerned authorities.

There have also been various incidents of threats and shootings in the county, such as the January shooting at Magruder High School. “[School shootings were] a big fear of mine in middle school, but the thought of a school shooting affected my parents more than myself,“ Evans-Gibson said.

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Natalia

By Akshya Mahadevan

On Sept. 13, MCPS announced that it will hold gun education assemblies in all 26 high schools in collaboration with the county police. The goal is to teach stu-

dents how to resolve conflicts without violence, use the “see something say something” technique and identify signs of violent ideation in other people.

Some students regard it as a step forward in gun safety. “The assemblies help show the government that students care,”

junior Natalia Evans-Gibson said. “We can only hope that

However, not all students seem to be aware of these assemblies, which have been held at various schools in the county over the past few weeks, starting with Winston Churchill High School on Sept. 15. “I wish I knew [of them]

MCPS’s other high school assemblies have spread awareness about other topics in past years. Examples include the anti-domestic violence “Choose Respect” campaign and the anti-opioid addiction “Speak Up, Save a Life” presentation. County officials thus believe that the gun assemblies will be a success

“I hope to see more students encouraged to act [against gun violence],” Evans-Gibson said.

RM reacts to DART mission success

By Matthew Miller NEWS WRITER

After 10 months of flight in deep space, NASA’s Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) successfully impacted its target asteroid on Sept. 26. This is the first time humanity has altered the course of an asteroid, and a potential step toward the development of a global planetary defense system.

DART, a joint venture between NASA and the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, was intended to test NASA’s ability to intentionally collide a spacecraft with an asteroid to deflect it—a technique known as kinetic impact that could eventually be used to deflect Earth-bound asteroids. According to NASA’s website, DART’s target was Dimorphos, a small asteroid about 170 meters in diameter that currently orbits a larger asteroid—Didymos—approximately 7 million miles away from Earth.

“I loved seeing the footage of the spacecraft as it was approaching

its impact with the asteroid,” science teacher Stuart Albaugh said. “I had always wondered what we would do if an asteroid that was large enough to cause harm was approaching the Earth, so it was cool to see how NASA was collecting data and doing missions to observe how specific collisions could alter the object’s course.”

Now that DART has successfully impacted Dimorphos, NASA plans to use ground-based telescopes to measure the extent to which DART shortened the asteroid’s orbit around Didymos—one of many objectives highlighting the project. The DART Investigation Team will also compare the results of the kinetic impact with existing computer simulations of kinetic impacts on asteroids. This may evaluate the effectiveness of kinetic impact as a method to deflect Earth-bound asteroids, as well as evaluate how accurately current computer models reflect the behavior of real asteroids.

According to the DART mission website, the DART mission boasted numerous advanced systems, such as DRACO, a narrow-angle

#FridaysforFuture protests come to RM

By Isabel Skinner NEWS WRITER

Freshman Rosie Clemans-Cope plans on starting Fridays for Future, an international youth climate change movement founded by Greta Thunberg in 2018, at RM.

“[Fridays for Future protests] are to engage students in education about climate change, because we only have about eight years left to get our lawmakers to pass legislation to get us to net zero emissions by 2050,” Clemans-Cope said.

Clemans-Cope has been running weekly Fridays for Future functions since fifth grade. She has also been running it weekly at Julius West.

“This is a fight for the future generations and this is a fight

for people experi encing the deadly effects of climate change today,” she said. “The ca tastrophes that are happening because of human caused climate change are only going to get worse.”

Starting Nov. 1, Fridays for Future will be taking place during lunch. There is no set location yet, and all are encouraged to attend.

“It’s so important that youth get educated on the science of climate change, and then join movements that are protesting in the streets [and] that are fighting for political change,”Clemans-Cope said. “The basis of any great movement is people power.”

BY KENNETH SHUE

telescope with a sophisticated on board image processor that streamed images of its target to Earth in live time. Moreover, SMART Nav, an autonomous optical navigation system, successfully identified and distinguished between Didymos and Dimorphos, and directed the spacecraft toward its target. LICIACube, a cubesat provided by the Italian Space Agency, deployed from the DART craft 15 days before impact

to gather footage of the collision and the resulting ejecta cloud.

“Talk about a bullseye. That responsive guidance system seems really intelligent and was obviously quite accurate,” science teacher Karl Kovacs said.

“Thinking about those clear, digital pictures being sent back to Earth and then through the internet ...wow. I watched a front end collision 7 million miles away.”

GLOBAL EVENTS: Women in Iran protest for their rights

The death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini while under custody of the Iranian morality police for not wearing a hijab is causing historic levels of civil unrest.

• The reporter who broke the story of Amini’s death was arrested on Sept. 22, according to her lawyer’s statements.

• Social media movements advocating for wearing a veil to be personal choice among Iranian women have been circulating since 2014.

• According to the Associated Press, Iranian women are burning hijabs and cutting hair to protest for their rights.

• The Iranian government blocked social media platforms.

• Amnesty International declared “Bloody Friday” after over 66 deaths in Zahedan protest on Sept. 30.

• In the Kurdish province, at least 600 people have been arrested, and 733 injured, according to state reports.

“[This] has shown... what the women of Iran have known for years: that they are being controlled and oppressed to an outrageous extent... it is our responsibility to support them any way we can,” sophomore Lilliana Katz-Hollander, founder of RM’s NOW CAN, a women’s rights club, said.

Club leadership suggests that students support these organizations:

• Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI)

• United for Iran

• Amnesty International

• Human Rights Watch

County festivals begin

By Elena Morell NEWS WRITER

The Montgomery County fall Festivities this year feature a variety of activities, including rides, games, carnival food, arts and crafts, pumpkin races and more. The festivals occur on various dates throughout October and November.

The Westfield Wheaton Mall Fall Carnival incorporated a variety of games, kiddie rides, intense rides and carnival food. The wait times for eating and going on rides were relatively short. The carnival ran from Oct. 5 to Oct. 16 in the evening.

Some of the rides at the Westfield Wheaton Mall Fall Carnival included Samurai, an intense ride with loops; the Casino, a standard tilt-a-whirl with steep spinning angles as it spins; the Zipper,

which made younger visitors cry; and UFO Area 51, which is similar to the Casino but spins faster without an angle in an enclosed space.

“[The Casino ride] was really fun. It was a lot less scary than I thought it would be,” Alex, an 8-year-old visitor at the Westfield Carnival, said. Another visitor, 7-year-old Tyson, said that UFO Area 51 was his favorite ride there.

Freshman Arisa Collins goes to Oktoberfest, another annual county festivity, every year.

“It’s good I guess, I go there with my family,” she said.

Not many RM students attend fall festivals, but some are open to the idea. “Maybe,” freshman Mary Eliason said. “I don’t think I have [gone] yet.”

Other upcoming festivals, such as PIKEtoberfest, can be found on local news sites.

Upcoming RM college visits: register on Naviance.com

Oct. 25: ty, Salisbury University, University of Florida, Reichman University, The New School

Oct. 26: St. John’s University-New York, Penn State University - Main Campus

Oct. 27: Saint Joseph’s University, Penn State University

Oct. 28: University of South Carolina-Columbia, University of Louisville

Oct. 31: University of Delaware

“The assemblies help show the government that students care.”

Evans-Gibson

and Samantha Cutler

NEWS WRITERS

PHOTO BY HANNAH LEE

Classrooms are equipped with emergency instructions.

GRAPHIC BY JOANNA LI

GRAPHIC BY HANNAH LEE

GRAPHIC

OPINIONS

Racism evident in refugee treatment

by Balmore Ruiz Guardado

OPINIONS WRITER

A group of about 48 Venezuelan immigrants were dumped in Martha’s Vineyard, an island located on the east coast of Massachusetts, on Sept. 14. The man behind this operation, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, deliberately deceived them into boarding two planes, promising aid and sanctuary. Thankfully, Martha’s Vineyard locals welcomed these immigrants with open arms, providing food and shelter for the people, exhibiting the true meaning behind this foundation of this country as a beacon of hope to the world.

DeSantis’ action reveals the appalling anti-Latino and anti-immigrant sentiment in the United States. DeSantis intentionally used these immigrants as pawns to further his political agenda, which sparked national outrage. Governors are supposed to lead and represent their constituents; DeSantis, on the other hand, took advantage of his position and acted poorly.

English teacher Ms. Marcy Fine said, “I think that in our country, in theory, no one is above the

law. In practice, we see that the law is applied differently to different people... If lawmakers are breaking the law ... they absolutely should be held accountable.”

Governor DeSantis has openly admitted his motives for his inhumane act. Essentially, he wished to protest the Biden administration’s immigration policies. In an open speech, DeSantis portrayed immigration as a strain on the country, declaring how “Every community in America should be sharing in the burden, it shouldn’t all fall on a handful of red states.” In-

BY JULIANNE CRUZ

stead of viewing immigrants as a “burden,” we should provide them with the equal benefits and rights. They can be an asset and contribute to our society.

“I’m not surprised that there has been a long history of America not treating immigrants correctly... Immigrants are humans too and they deserve the same rights as anybody else, so honestly I think I’d stand with them, with accusing the government,” senior Glennis Sanchez said.

Furthermore, this political tactic has not been exclusively experienced in Florida. The gov-

ernors of other southern states like Texas and Arizona have also participated in this decision of scattering immigrants to all parts of the country to spread their “message.” Texas governor Greg Abbott was behind the arrival of two buses full of immigrants to the residency of Vice President Kamala Harris. He is also responsible for the distribution of immigrants to New York, Washington D.C. and Chicago.

Republican governors have started to get overly comfortable in their all-too-common occurrences of advancing their own political goals at the expense of innocent people.

Many teachers feel the same. Law teacher Mr. Jonathan Taylor said, “You know, millions of people have left everything, in their country of origin, to come here, to fulfill the American dream, to build a better life. In many instances to build a better life for their children... You hear stories about these immigrants, you know working two and three jobs, making the ultimate sacrifice. In many instances making the ultimate sacrifice for their children and how can you not respect that”

DeSantis and other governors need to be held accountable for

their abhorrent actions. They have demonstrated an ethical violation of human decency and taken advantage of innocent people coming to our country to seek help. We are a free democratic country, and allowing such inhumane acts upon immigrants is unacceptable, regardless of whether

or not they are documented. A country with these principles at its heart needs to ensure that people responsible for these awful actions face adequate consequences and take proper measures to prevent these things in the future. If not, these principles will not have any validity or significance. Many people are unsupportive of the abuse to these innocent hard workers.

History of oppression, racism should not be erased

by Meilani Wilson OPINIONS WRITER

It is vital for all students to be taught about slavery and colonialism. However, Oklahoma, Texas, and several other states are currently introducing new bills to limit how slavery is taught in schools. Their primary purpose is to prohibit teaching students about U.S. history in a way that portrays white people as the enemy, or demonizing colonists and proponents of slavery. It also aims to limit teacher-led discussions on current issues relating to controversial political and racial topics. American history is a vital part of people’s understanding of American political systems. Taking away a vital source of knowledge would unjustly skew future generations’ perception of American history, culture and politics. These bills harm students because the bills would rob students of the knowledge that is necessary for them to truly understand the framework of present day American society, both politically and culturally. Stopping students from learn-

ing about historical oppression negates the struggles of people of color (POC) in the U.S. The teaching of colonialism and slavery is not meant to demonize the entire white race; it is meant to increase the knowledge of future generations. “I think it’s just like another move that’s trying to fuel white fragility because, I’ve noticed that when it comes to critical race theory, white people tend to think that just because they’re learning about what their past ancestors did, it makes them inherently bad, inherently evil which is false,” junior Udy Mbanaso said.

Even though Montgomery County schools are currently unaffected, it is important to consider the impacts of manipulating education to achieve political goals. These bills will not just impact POC. Rather, they will hinder everyone’s right to a comprehensive education. “I think it sucks because slavery is important to history. It’s important to how everything got to where we are now and it just seems like they’re trying to brush it under the rug,” senior Michelle Yuen said. The elimination of education about prominent historical events that are still impacting society to this day is potentially disastrous. “It could affect the way we learn because if [children] are taught that nothing happened and…taught something incorrectly and…taught a skewed idea, then they’ll be blind to the truth,” Mbanaso said.

This is also vital to educators at these schools because they have to limit what they can teach, fundamentally altering students’ understanding of reality and impacts of prominent historical events.

History teacher Angela Robinson said, “It saddens me because students, in my experience, have

always had questions about the institution of slavery…preventing students from learning about slavery… will just leave students with… so many questions. One of the purposes of education is to inspire students to explore the truth for themselves. I’m not sure

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that if we try to hide information from students that they will find it.” Many students also fear the impacts of not learning about prominent historical issues. Yuen said, “...if we learn less about this kind of stuff, then there’s gonna be a lot more hate because more people won’t understand why things are the way they are.”

These bills highlight the dismal reality of our current political climate, presenting the need for RM students to appreciate the diversity of the curriculum offered in Montgomery County. Without a diverse curriculum and the teaching of slavery and colonialism, students’ perception of the world will become jaded and based upon fragmented narratives rather than historical facts and events. Students won’t understand the community they belong to and will be missing chunks of their history. These bills highlight a failing education system.

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

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

Video......................................................................................Jessica Wang, Carter Zembrzuski

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

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

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“It’s important to how everything got to where we are now and it just seems like they’re trying to brush it under the rug.”

- Michelle Yuen

“In our country, in theory, no one is above the law. In practice, we see that the law is applied differently to different people.”

- Marcy Fine

“If [children] are taught that nothing happened... then they’ll be blind to the truth.”

- Udy Mbanaso

PHOTO BY SAMANTHA WU

RM community members protest for racial justice on June 5, 2020.

Virginia students walk out over Gov. Youngkin’s policies

by Gabrielle Orringer OPINIONS WRITER

Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) of Virginia recently released a pollicy draft that harms transgender and gender non-comforming students of his state. This policy directly targets their rights by requiring their educators to out them and making it hard for them to change their names and pronouns, or to play with the sports team of their assigned gender at birth. This bill will set U.S. LGBTQ+ rights backwards and endanger the wellbeing of Virginian students.

The worst part of this new policy is the forced outing of trans students. Many students use school as a safe space to get away from unsupportive families and be who they truly are. It has been proven that people who identify as transgender are more likely to feel unaccepted at home than other LGBTQIA+ groups, making schools an important environ-

outlaw groups such as SAGAs or GSAs, it makes it hard to actually protect members. “Richard Montgomery has done a very good job of making accommodations and safe spaces for LGBTQ+ people in a way that’s kind of unobtrusive and doesn’t feel like they’re going out of their way,” freshman Maia Inati said. “Having clubs like SAGA and stressing that you’re not supposed to out anyone, which I mean goes without saying, but it’s nice to have it laid out that this is a safe space for us to be ourselves with no expectations and there’s no danger.”

Youngkin’s policy doesn’t allow transgender students to be referred to with their chosen name and pronouns without filling out legal documents. When a non-cisgender person is called by their chosen names and correct pronouns, it gives them validation. Inati said, “[People calling me by the wrong pronouns] makes me feel like I have to hide something from them. [When someone uses the correct pronouns] I feel like I’m being genuinely myself in a way that I can’t be if they don’t know this.” It is basic human decency to call others by their preferred name and pronouns, and Virginia’s refusal to do so is incredibly disrespectful. It should not be so difficult for students to be called by their preferred names and pronouns as they have the same inherent rights as cisgender students.

The impact of these heart-breaking guidelines is sure to be felt.

of Virginia’s attitude towards the LGBTQIA+ community, she said, “It’ll probably get worse.”

On September 27th, students stood up to protest against Gov.

schools, such as McLean High School, supported students in their decision to walk out. The inspiring support of these schools reflects the rightful opposition the policy is receiving, showing the immense harm that will result from its implementation.

- Sr.

Youngkin’s discriminatory policy. Over a thousand Virginia students from over a hundred schools walked out of school in protest with the help of the Pride Liberation Project. Some

Spanish teacher Jason Colchao said, “[The walkout] is amazing. It means that youth in Virginia [are] active just like here in Maryland and that they are fighting for their rights.” He also said the policy is “not something that Gen Z or Millenials will stand for.”

Students have shown that they do not stand for this policy, both in Virginia and Maryland. Morrison said, “It’s a horrible thing to do,” calling the policy “very transphobic and just genuinely uncaring and unloving.” In response to the walkout, Morrison

said, “It’s really good that they did that.” Virginian schools standing together is a ray of light in this dark time and it shows how even in this time of conflict, the Virginian students will stand together for what they believe is right. It’s heartening how the Virginian students are willing to stand up for their rights no matter what. Virginia’s draconian new bill will be detrimental to the kids Virginia claims to protect. This bill and similar bills across the country will create an unsafe learning environment for non-cisgender kids, strip them of their freedoms, and discourage them from participating in activities. It is important that Maryland and MCPS continue to protect their students’ rights. Feeling safe and comfortable in school is a fundamental right and one that should be protected.

ment for transgender students that helps them feel safe. School provides students the opportunity to join pride clubs and tell teachers what they’d like to be called. To take away that space is cruel. While the policy does not

Freshman Taylor Morrison said, “[T]he fact that you literally have to out your own child and make them feel uncomfortable and unsafe in a place that’s supposed to be welcoming is horrible.” In regards to the future

RM students must diligently tackle back-to-school stresses

by Adam Yachin

OPINIONS WRITER

The increased stress caused by coming back to school after summer is almost a guaranteed issue for all students. Summer can make students forget about the difficult school year on the horizon, but before they know it, the school year takes them by surprise, and with that, their blissful lives too. While all students have a new amount of stress coming now that the school year started, many don’t know how to manage it. If students know how to take care of the intense amount of new work, their mental health and quality of life during the school year would be a lot better.

2022-23 school year is more difficult than others is senior Oree Yachin, who said, “This school year is definitely more stressful because I have to juggle college applications and I’ve been having

we were virtual when there was a terrible apathy, and then last year, and I think now we’re on an upward trajectory.” It is clear that students are readjusting to in person learning and greatly benefit-

get work done, Yachin looked at it from a perspective of prioritizing. He said, “Choose assignments

a slight drop in their grade. Yachin’s point emphasizes the notion that grades aren’t everything, pushing the narrative that students should not subject themselves to insane levels of stress for a letter on a sheet of paper.

Along with this, teachers can help too. By lowering the Everyone can have a different way to organize and balance their daily lives, but the most important part is to not feel like school is completely taking over your life. That is when it is best to step back and prioritize. Through the different tips and types of advice given, hopefully students can start to feel a little better about the school year and start to adapt more easily to the habit of homework and a daily schedule in order to facilitate their ac

BY JULIANNE CRUZ

coming back this year just from summer...Being a freshman was a lot more of a new experience than a sophomore.”

For some, the level of mental strain depends on the year; freshman year cannot compare to the stress of junior and senior year. Someone who believes that the

AP Art History and art teacher Michael McDermott noticed a change in the behavior of students between this year and last year. “In reaction to the pandemic, I think [work being turned in is] getting better, absolutely...I think it’s a major jump from when

... the idea of balancing work and play is important. ... That might mean a little less technology too. To get away from that a little bit, and physically be more of an ... athlete or focus on a hobby... I feel like that’ll contribute to your mental health.” Mr. McDermott’s advice can be very helpful for students who are overwhelmed with schoolwork and constantly feel like they’re working. In terms of how to efficiently

that you need to do and under stand that some assignments aren’t going to get done, and that’s okay. [...] You got to play the game. If you have an assignment that’s worth two points and would take two hours to do, don’t do it and focus on your big project instead.” This is helpful if there is simply an un doable amount of homework, and can help students relax a little, even if it means

“If you have an assignment that’s worth two points and would take two hours to do, don’t do it and focus on your big project instead.”

- Mr. McDermott

“[When someone uses the correct pronouns] I feel like I’m being genuinely myself.”

- Maia Inati

PHOTO BY SAMANTHA WU

“This school year is definitely more stressful because I have to juggle college applications and I’ve been having to make up a lot of work....”

- Oree Yachin

“[The walkout] is amazing. It means that youth in Virginia [are] active just like here in Maryland.”

Colchao

As part of safeguarding LGBTQIA+ rights, students are also lobbying for gender-neutral bathrooms.

Halloween spirit has no age limit

by Livia Venditti

OPINIONS WRITER

Parents should not opt students out of sex ed

by Brenna Halper OPINIONS WRITER

Sex education has been a controversial topic for a long while. But the controversy strikes many teens strangely. What makes parents think they have control over their children’s autonomy? Making these kinds of decisions for them is unfair and only perpetuates harmful ideas. As society advances in acceptance the content taught in mandatory sex ed should reflect that. As states began mandating their sex ed courses, parents pushed to opt their children out.

Many parents find it important to encourage education upon acceptance. This includes teaching children of all ages about what different families look like starting young. “I’m coming from some people might say a biased place because I am a lesbian and so I would prefer that people learn about what different kinds of families look like. Because not all parents are going to educate their kids about that,” said English, theater, and LGBT+ Studies teacher Ms. Sara Hashem Liles.

Along with teaching what families look like, inclusive sex ed courses teach about gender identity and sexuality, with a more detailed look into safe sex for older children, which is key for children to understand their bodies and how they change. It also normalizes conversations about sexuality so kids aren’t embarrassed or scared to explore.

Sophomore Valerie Badger said, “If parents opt their kids out of learning it in school, they should be teaching their kids it anyway.”

come as a module provided by the school that shows progress or even just having a check for understanding at the end of the course.

Sex ed is proven to help reduce bullying and make schools a more inclusive space which is why many states are starting to make it a required course. According to the Harvard Medical School Primary Care Review, “Sex education guides students in identity development, healthy self-esteem, and body confidence, all of which influence one’s sense of self, thereby decreasing risk for students to bully or be bullied.” By teaching inclusivity through sex ed, students are more open-minded, ensuring the safety and happiness of their students.

Schools preach that student safety is their top priority, but when it really comes down to it, they rarely do anything about bullying. Teaching sex ed is vital in ensuring the safety of students. Some parents choose to ignore that. All they consider is their values rather than the positive impacts sex ed will have on the community. They are so worried about pushing their beliefs onto their kids they forget to consider that their kids should be learning how to be kind. “I think it should be less [like] don’t have sex and more like how to have safe sex,” Badger said.

Currently the sex ed curriculum here in Montgomery County is optional in 5th and 8th grades, but many students think that, at our age, it should be up to the student rather than the parent to make that decision. “I also think that if teenagers are not getting properly educated about sex, it is more likely that they might end up with a teenage pregnancy and/or an unwanted STD,” said Ms. Liles.

sexual and reproductive health benefits of comprehensive sex education, it is a powerful tool for violence prevention.” So many parents are opposed to teaching consent for reasons many cannot fathom. It is this ignorance that leads to the extremely high rates of sexual assault and harassment. Making this conversation taboo only leads to more uncomfortable conversations in -

As we approach the Halloween season, there is always one question that arises. At what age should one stop celebrating Halloween? While Halloween traditions vary widely based on each individual, the ideas of creative self expression and eternal youth that Halloween represents remains solid. Halloween is a valuable holiday not only for its fun festivities, bright costumes and delicious treats, but because it’s an opportunity for peo ple to become some one or something that they love.

Halloween is about expression. Even though people dress up as something other than them selves, costumes are a projection of someone’s interests and creativity, in turn letting people be themselves in a fun and stress-free way. Junior Udy Mbanaso said, “It can be seen as freedom.” Choosing what costume to wear is also a part of Halloween that actually becomes more special as celebrators become older. Costumes can become more complicated, humorous, distinctive or even reflect political views, all ideas that are difficult to express as a young child whose costume choice was probably influenced by a parent. Whether it’s a character from a movie, a practical joke amongst friends or a Halloween classic, a costume can symbolize more than what appears on the surface level. A break from school or work can truly liberate a per-

- Valerie Badger

If parents don’t want their kids to learn sex ed at school, they should teach the content at home. It is important for these kids to learn the material, but the only question is how. For some it may

By not requiring sex ed courses, schools and counties aren’t prioritizing the safety of their students. These courses provide a safe space for important conversations to teach kids about things they might know are wrong. While safety is a priority to many schools, some students aren’t given the attention they need to be safe because of the lack of knowledge that what’s occurring is wrong. This could physical, sexual, or emotional abuse.

Something else that comes with the conversation of sex ed is consent. According the Harvard Medical School Primary Care Review, “In addition to the

This stigma is why so many assaults go unreported. Furthermore, teaching kids what to do if they or someone they know is assaulted is key. Not only that, teaching how to make sure consent is given is what prevents these attacks. Making consent and sex a normal part of societal conversations is how we ensure that students are properly educated. Then, at least, they will know how to be safe. Living in Montgomery County, a very liberal area, the deliberate prevention of inclusivity for minorities and the teaching of sexual education is not an overwhelming issue here. However, it is still an issue that can be improved. Children will only feel safe if they feel seen, heard, and accepted. That includes in sex ed courses, where teaching kids about their bodies is necessary to keep them safe. Schools should not prohibit the positive education surrounding education and self love. In addition, children need to be taught about how to keep themselves and others safe, as schools have a duty to prepare students for the real world, both in an academic and personal sense.

son’s soul and give overworked and burdened people a chance to let loose. Young or old, costumes are the embodiment of the ageless traditions that Halloween entails. “I don’t think there’s an age limit and I could definitely see myself dressing up for the next couple of years,” said junior Jillian Hilwig. An important factor in some people’s decision to celebrate the scariest night of the year is not the fear of monsters and ghouls but the fear of societal judgment. However, if you simply ask, most people would find that very rarely do others care. “I probably would not dress up for Halloween but I respect it if people do,” said junior Raj Bhansali. In addition, there are many other options besides trick-or-treating that older people can opt for, even if they believe they are too mature compared to the average trick-or-treater. “I feel like people love Hallowen because it’s a good reason to get together with people and watch scary movies or dress up,” said Hilwig. Handing out candy, organizing community events, costume contests, Halloween parties and watching late-night horror movies are just some of the ways that people can both enjoy Halloween and participate in activities more socially age-appropriate. The spirit of Halloween spreads through the community. By escorting younger siblings who are trick-or-treating or handing out candy to children in the neighborhood, Oct. 31 offers plenty of positive community-building.

“If parents opt their kids out of learning [sex ed] in school, they should be teaching their kids it anyway.”

- Valerie Badger

“ I also think that if teenagers are not getting properly educated about sex, it is more likely that they might end up with a teenage pregnancy or an unwanted STD.”

GRAPHIC BY JULIANNE CRUZ

Lack of queer media representation promotes exclusivity

by Charlyn Chu and Rebecca Morrison ASSISTANT SOCIAL JUSTICE EDITOR, SOCIAL JUSTICE WRITER

From TV shows to movies to magazines to this newspaper, media is perhaps one of the greatest and most influential forms of communication. By having the ability to advertise certain products and express ideas to mass audiences, the media sets standards for society.

As the nation diversifies, it is increasingly important that the media’s widespread impact is used to give voice to those that are otherwise underrepresented. One example of this is the queer community.

The term “queer” was originally used perjoratively for gay people, but has now been reclaimed as an inclusive umbrella term for those across a spectrum of sexual orientations and gender identities other than heterosexual and cisgender.

Currently, there is a lack of queer representation in media.

“It honestly makes me feel a little bit isolated, because it’s like, a very lonesome experience to go through something like this on your own,” freshman Ananya Govind said. Govind identifies as non-binary and is bisexual.

Luckily, there are signs of hope

for these struggles. According to GLAAD’S “Where We Are on TV” Report, LGBTQIA+ representation has reached an alltime high, with 11.9 percent of characters on scripted primetime shows identifying as LGBTQ. This inclusivity will have a massive positive impact on youth. Just seeing other queer people will reassure them that they are human and are valid.

While it is crucial that there is representation in the first place, it is just as crucial that this representation is an accurate depiction of what being in the LGBTQIA+ community is like. When it isn’t authentic, it simply reinforces false ideas and stereotypes.

In the musical comedy “The Prom,” James Corden’s perfor mance of gay actor Barry Glickman angered many. Described as “aggresively flamboyant” and “homopho bic,” Corden’s portrayal had reinforced many of the stereotypes that were offensive to the LGBTQ community. Some also argued that Corden had “stolen” the role from actors who

do identify as gay, for example, Tituss Burgess.

Insulting performances are less likely when directors prioritize casting of LGBTQ actors when it comes to LGBTQ roles, since they are able to bring greater authenticity to the role. Having inclusive characters is a wonderful first step, but hiring queer actors, producers, and screenwriters is even better.

Some shows are doing it just right.

“I think Heartstopper is a really good example of wholesome queer representation of a healthy relationship,” Govind said.

So, what exactly does Heart-

Heartstopper represents authentic queer relationships, without exaggeration or stereotyping. Specifically, Heartstopper leaves no room for queerbaiting. This is when a character appears to be part of the LGBTQIA+ community, but it is never outright confirmed. This is a way of letting queer people feel somewhat represented without angering people who do not support queer rights. However, this is not actual representation as queer-baiting suggests that the LGBTQIA+ community should still be hidden to avoid sparking controversy.

In Heartstopper, every queer relationship is clear, genuine, and openly addressed. It also depicts the coming-out experience without being

picts the queer experience without making ic or too dark, like most other

Finally, the casting process in Heartstopper was carefully done in order to ensure both off-screen and on-screen representation.

GRAPHIC BY

NOW CAN club advocates for women’s rights

by Anshi Purohit SOCIAL JUSTICE WRITER

RM has a new activism club. Sophomore Liliana Katz-Hollander is opening a chapter of the National Organization for Women’s Campus Action Network (NOW CAN), a club aimed towards promoting feminism and fighting for women’s rights.

The National Organization for Women (NOW) is the largest organization of feminist grassroots activists in the United States. Since their founding in 1966, they have taken a holistic approach to women’s rights by tackling core issues such as reproductive rights, racial and economic justice, constitutional equality, and ending violence against women.

With hundreds of chapters across the country and hundreds of thousands of members, NOW is dedicated to protecting the economic, social, and political rights of all women and girls.

After reading about NOW in her AP Government textbook, Katz-Hollander was inspired to start her own club chapter of the organization. “There was not a group that focused on feminism specifically, although there are a lot of great groups related to social justice,” Katz-Hollander said. “So I wanted to create a space where feminism could really be something we focused on because I know it’s something a lot of students are really passionate about.”

The NOW CAN club anticipates holding a variety of meetings to address topics like the importance of advocacy. “As a community and as a club, we work to find solutions to prob-

female activists, like Malala Yousafzai and Greta Thunberg.

To top it all off, Katz-Hollander hopes to have local lawmakers and activists come in to speak to club members.

supportive and friendly environment between everyone because in my experience, activism really creates special bonds between people,” Katz-Hollander said.

Freshman Babitha Karre will be among the first to join RM’s NOW CAN club chapter.

“I want to make sure that women receive the equity that we deserve,” Karre said. “It’s just outrageous that even after so much social change and everything, we’re still fighting for equal rights.”

Actor Joe Locke, who plays Charlie in the show, has shared in interviews that he relates to the experience of his character’s coming out story. Yasmin Finney, who has spoken out about her struggles as a young trans actor, is also part of the supporting cast.

However, progress is not always linear. Despite recent increases in films with queer characters, students believe that the push for greater representation must continue in order to ensure queer stories are told and remembered.

“It’s so important to be fully represented and see people who are like you,” a sophomore who identifies as bisexual said. “Queer representation has improved a lot over the years, but it’s nowhere where it should be.”

SOCIAL JUSTICE IN BRIEF

SGA runs clothing drive for local homeless shelter

To kick off the school year, the RM SGA held a clothing drive for Stepping Stones, a local Rockville homeless shelter.

“I know a lot of people have a lot of clothes sitting at the bottom of their closet that they don’t use. There are many people who aren’t as fortunate to have the clothes that we do,” senior Paulyn Baringinare said.

With temperatures dropping, the donations are in high demand. “We reached out to the shelter and they gave us a list of items that they need the most,” senior Lorelai Merritt said.

lems that we noticed in RM and in the surrounding community,” Katz-Hollander said.

NOW CAN will also hold different types of workshops, aiming to teach members about everything activism-related, from letter writing to testifying in front of committees. “Those are things that can be really intimidating when you don’t know how to do them,” Katz-Hollander said.

Katz-Hollander also plans to hold educational meetings to explore the history of feminism and highlight influential

Club meetings will be held every other Monday during lunch in room 216.

“This club can be whatever you want it to be,” Katz-Hollander said. “It can just be a place for support to find other people who are passionate about feminism. It can be a place to learn; it can be a place to grow. It can be a place to go on a long rant about how women have been oppressed for centuries.”

In addition to promoting change, a vital aspect of the NOW CAN club is building a community. “I really want to create just a

Currently, Karre is a member of MoCo EmpowHER, a feminist leadership organization focused on building a strong community of middle and high school girls and creating a safe space to discuss topics such as sexism.

“My favorite thing about activism is that we can make a difference. And that gives us a lot of power,” Karre said.

The events are run by the community service committee, a branch of the SGA dedicated to organizing charity events and drives. The committee works to promote the drive and get people to donate.

“We have an incentive of donuts, so whichever grade donates the clothes will receive them,” Baringinare said.

As the year goes on, the SGA anticipates holding even more charity events.

Some upcoming events that students can look out for include the annual canned food drive for the Manna

By Gabriela Cabrera SOCIAL JUSTICE WRITER

Sophomores Samiksha Mahashetty (left) and Liliana Katz-Hollander (right) lead a NOW CAN club meeting. Some core issues the club discussed include constitutional equality and reporoductive rights.

“It honestly makes me feel a little bit isolated.”

- Ananya Govind

JULLIANNE CRUZ

“I want to make sure that women recieve the equity that we deserve.”

- Babitha Karre

PHOTO BY SAMIKSHA

MAHASHETTY

The clubs at RM are an essential component of the school’s culture. The variety of options caters to the interests of people from different backgrounds and interests to celebrate and promote these individualities.

Many students agree that joining clubs has beneficially impacted their social lives and everyday interactions. “I definitely made so many of my friends...so many connections, through clubs. Especially friends with people I wouldn’t have classes with, or know otherwise,” junior Victoria Dziasek said.

If a student cannot find a club that suits their passions, they can always create one. RM has over 150 student-led and founded clubs, many of which were started because there wasn’t a club that applied to their interest. “In freshman year, I saw that there was no craft club at RM, so I decided to start one,” junior and Crafty Corner founder Daniel Chernyak said.

Students should try to join clubs that they genuinely like or find interesting. “Sometimes you’ll hear...‘Join as many clubs as possible [or] as you can.’ Don’t do that. Just find...clubs that you think you can connect with, that’ll have groups of people that you’ll connect with,” Dziasek said.

Written by Chaiwey Chen and Maria Yu

What makes a successful student?

School’s back in session, which means it’s time for students to switch back into academic gear. RM’s teachers are here to advise students on ways to be successful this year.

AP Psychology teacher Sharon Vires recommends having multiple short study sessions instead of cramming the night before a test. She also suggests going with your first instinct when it comes to taking multiple choice tests and not overthinking your answer.

Mrs. Vires recommends that students communicate with their teachers and tell them they’re having trouble completing the assignment before it’s turned in late. “I think students will find that most teachers are incredibly flexible if they know what’s going on,” Mrs. Vires said.

by Natalie Pamboukian and Dorothy Dang

At sports games, RM’s school spirit takes the form of themes, loud chants, the banging pots and pans of Hell’s Kitchen and the passion on the field, but the majority of the spirit that fills the stands is led by seniors. Spirit groups, such as Hell’s Kitchen and Juice Crew, encourage crowd participation and chants to motivate the players on the field at sports games.

At the beginning of the year, led by the rhythm of the Marching Band’s drumline, the Poms and Cheerleading team welcome old and new students alike back into the building.

Since COVID-19, the upperclassmen have been persistently rebuilding RM’s spirit in the community. Despite any setbacks from the pandemic, RM has still been able to have a spirited student section with the help and participation of all grades. They show up in high numbers to the football games, and make sure to make noise.

¨I think RM has more spirit than a lot of other schools; we are always all decked out in the theme,” sophomore James Cooke said.

Written by Jordan Alpay

Launching Into The School Year

At RM, students have the privilege of an open lunch. Luckily, for students who can’t drive, there are many restaurants within walking distance of RM.

Ranging from Asian food to Hispanic food, and much more, students can easily find something to their taste. Some of the options around school include Ding Tea, Panera Bread, Potbelly, California Tortilla and Om’s. “I think it’s very diverse,” junior Marlene Orantes said. Students enjoy being able to leave campus for many reasons. “It’s a mental refresh,” freshman Nimrita Bawa said. Being able to walk around outside with friends gives students the break they need to productively continue their school day.

Despite the fun of going off campus for lunch, students must consider the time it takes to get back to school. “You have to rush to get back because teachers and admin are pressing on getting [to school] on time.” Orantes said. As long as you plan in advance, going off campus for lunch can be a fun and exciting experience!

Written by Sayeda Hasni

Finding balance and seeking help

Spanish Teacher Jason Colchao recommends that foreign language students fully immerse themselves in the language they are studying. “Get completely involved with the language, start hanging out with Spanish speakers, make friends that are Spanish speakers, and if your parents have the money to, travel to those Spanish-speaking countries,” Sr. Colchao said.

AP U.S. History teacher Peter Beach emphasizes the value of working hard while also having fun. “Join some clubs. You will remember your experiences and everything outside of school more than your classes,” Mr. Beach said. He also thinks it is important to find a balance in your schoolwork and avoid becoming overwhelmed, which is why he advises against taking too many AP classes.

Spanish teacher Rachel Carter recommends that students exchange contact information with their classmates when they are having trouble in class. “Come in during lunch if you feel you’re falling behind. When you’re having trouble, talk to your teachers instead of dropping a class right away,” Mrs. Carter said.

by Natalie Pamboukian and Dorothy Dang

Graphics by Julianne Cruz and Christiana Vucea

The haunting history of All-Hallows Eve

by Elli Jacobs

FEATURES WRITER

Halloween was not always about giving away sweet treats.

Actually, parents went house to house asking for everything but candy.

Around 2,000 years ago on Oct. 31, the boundary between the worlds of the living and dead became blurred. Ghosts entered the world to acknowledge their beloved family members and spook the rest of the world.

The Celts, who originally in habited a region of the United Kingdom and northern France, prepared for the returning of the ghosts by holding sa cred rituals around a lit bonfire. They called this Samhain.

During the celebration, the Celts would burn animals and crops as a way of professing their sacrifices to the Celtic gods. Costumes consisting of animal heads and skin would also be worn to predict each other’s fate in the harsh winter to come.

By 43 A.D., the Roman Empire merged with the Celts after conquering their territory. They combined Samhain with Roman festivals such as Feralia, a day in late October when

the Romans celebrated the passing of the dead and the honoring of Pomona. As the Roman goddess of fruit and trees, Pomona might have influenced the tradition of bobbing for apples, since her symbol was the apple.

In the ninth century, Chris tianity had reached the Celti lands. The church had attempted to replace the Samhain festival with a more church-appropri ate holiday to honor the dead.

On Nov. 2, 1000 A.D., the church declared this day as All Souls’ Day. It was celebrated similar to Samhain, with large bonfires surround ed by people dressed up as saints, angels and devils.

A common tradition on All Souls’ Day was the giving away of “soul cakes” from wealthy families to poor families. These cakes held a promise that the poor would pray for the souls of the homeowner’s dead relatives. This practice was later taken up by children, who would go house to house asking for gifts such as food, money and ale.

All Souls’ Day was also re ferred to as All-hallowmas. The

night before All- hallowmas was the Samhain celebration in the Celtic region. This holiday was given an alternate name of All-Hallows Eve, which was soon changed to Halloween.

When the Europeans arrived in America, their customs and beliefs combined with those of the Native Americans, leading to the current version of Halloween. One of the first American Hal-

ties”. Neighbors would come together to celebrate the great harvest, share sto - ries of the

ularized throughout the nation among new immigrants.

Similarly to the practice of “Souling” during All Souls’ Day, Amer icans would dress up and go to each house asking for food and money.

By the beginning of the 20th century, Halloween was not viewed as a superstitious holiday anywmore. Schools began accommodating kid-friendly parties and trick or treating became a common practice throughout communities. Residents were scared of being pranked by kids, so they started providing candy to lower the risk.

There are many Halloween fanatics, but not all of them particularly like the spooky aspects of Halloween.

“I know that it’s supposed to be for kids and all, but it’s really scary. Trick or treating in the dark with a crowd, and easily being kidnapped or getting followed back home?” sophomore Kevin Ly said.

dead, dance and sing. Halloween was really only celebrated throughout Maryland and the southern colonies up until the second half of the 19th century when the celebration of Halloween became pop-

Marching Band: Keeping the beat

by Ifrah Reyal FEATURES WRITER

The RM Marching Band has always been a popular feature of the halftime shows at Football Games, as well as during the two Pep Rallies throughout the school year. Many students look forward to their energetic performances and their upbeat songs, and a lot of work goes into preparing for these performances behind the scenes.

The players of the Marching Band dedicate a considerable amount of time to practicing outside of school.

“I’ve engineered our schedule to work within the really dense scheduling that RM has with all the clubs, all the homework, all the everything else that you folks do outside of school,” Instrumental Music Director Dr. Peter Perry said.

During football season, the band practices every Thursday after school. On days when there’s a home football game, they stay after school to practice all the way up to the game. In addition, they have preseason training before school starts. When everyone returns to school, they’ve already been practicing for the busy year ahead of them.

When they’re not performing at football halftimes, the Marching Band is in high demand. Not only do they perform for the football team, but many other sports teams request their performance at home games as well.

However, they are unable to play for all sports teams due to their busy schedule. They also assisted in opening the Safeway down Rockville Pike, along with other City of Rockville events.

In order to create vibrant music, the Marching Band features a variety of instruments. These instruments consist of flutes, clarinets, alto and tenor saxophones, trumpets, mellophones, trombones, a euphonium and a sousaphone (a marching tuba.) These instruments are then further divided into different sections, such as the marching percussion and the trombones. The Marching Band also consists of the Color Guard, which supports the music played through synchronized movement of their flags.

The trombones section play a popular feature in their performances. The players move their trombones up, down and sideways while playing blindfolded. Despite not having an official name for the blindfolded act, it quickly became an integral part of their performance.

“The trombones had seen that, I guess on YouTube, and started practicing it last year, and then they started adding their own spin and flavor to it, and it has become its own creation,” Dr. Perry said.

It took the trombone players about three weeks of lunch practices to master it.

“You have a set of motions on the beat, because there’s a beat going, and then

there’s alternating motions,” junior James Galmeijer said.

Dr. Perry says that the Marching Band is a place for kids to put their creativity and instrumental knowledge to use and contribute to the diversity of the RM culture.

The kids are free to rehearse whenever they want, often going to the Band room during lunch to practice with other people in their sections and learn new skills, if possible.

“We try to learn new things, but sometimes it ends up being the same thing,” Galmeijer said.

In order to join the Marching Band, all that is required is a basic background of instrumental knowledge, and the dedication to the five home football games and demanding rehearsal schedule. Students that don’t have any instrumental knowledge and want to join the Marching Band can join the Color Guard.

“I’ve met a lot of really cool people through the marching band, and it’s given me a nice community to interact with,” said junior Evan Wong.

Halloween is considered now one of the most popular holidays in America. People of all ages still dress up and get candy from neighbors. Even pets are dressed in spooky costumes.

“I like dressing up. I like eating lots of candy, but this time I get to do it with my daughter and my dog,” science teacher Allison Adams said.

BE REAL, cont. from page 1

“It’s kinda fun and silly and I can see what my friends are doing at random times of the day. I feel solidarity,” junior Daniel Chernyak said. The sense of community fostered by the platform may be rooted in its face-to-face nature.

“On a social level it’s good to interact with other people using social media, but sometimes it can cause mental health problems because you’re constantly comparing yourself to other people, and I think that affects who you are and what you post,” Sanchez said.

Some find BeReal’s streamlined take a refreshing spin on social media. “It takes two minutes for each post, [and] another like three minutes to look at people’s BeReals,” Siegal said. They find that the app’s focus on smaller, real-life groups contributes to its popularity. “On Instagram, I’m much more like stressed

An assortment of Halloween movies have also been created to really get the spooky aura going. The “Halloween” franchise has always been a classic for halloween-lovers. A young boy, Michael Myers, murders his 17-year old sister and is placed in jail. But on the night of Halloween, he escapes and begins a historic killing spree. During Halloween, our superfullest. We ing paths with black cats, with the fear that these cats are witches who are avoiding detection. We also try to avoid breaking mirrors and walking on cracks, with the fear of dishonoring our mothers.

Real attempts to sidestep these concerns by removing them altogether. But like any social media platform, it is a two way street of consumption and production of social capital, which fosters the same communities and conflicts. “As a restorative justice coach, the majority of the mediations

about like what I’m posting because it’s also a much wider audience. BeReal, it’s like, I have maybe like 20 people on my friends list,” Jain said. “It doesn’t have that same like intensity.”

According to a study by The University of Rochester, teenagers who receive fewer likes on posts feel “more strongly rejected, and reported more negative thoughts about themselves.”

Follower counts can affect teenagers in analogous ways; Be-

I’ve had to do have been around what I think is really inappropriate use of social media,” Dr. Alexander said. “People who intentionally put things online to antagonize [or] students who mislead their friends with what they post or things people say, which is really problematic.” The app has already led to small instances of social strife, even among friends. “I was skeptical of it being different than any other social media, and then I did a BeReal with [my friend] and it was really fun,” senior Saahil Rao said. He downloaded the app, but deleted it 45 minutes later, following criticism from a classmate. “I felt self conscious… Now I’m not on it anymore. I would say that social pressures definitely made me delete the app.” “I think most social medias have some really good advantages, but when you mix immaturity and manipulation, it can be really problematic,” Dr. Alexander said. But BeReal joins apps like Locket, Ekko and Magnet in a growing movement of platforms that strive to test the boundaries of what is considered social media, eliminating many traditional features and reducing the interactional ether to a single image.

“It’s fun, silly and I can see what my friends are doing at random times of the day.”

- Daniel Chernyak

PHOTO COURTESY OF JAMES GALMEIJER Marching band prepares

PHOTO COURTESY OF JAMES GALMEIJER

The marching band performs a fan favorite blindfolded act at halftime.

GRAPHIC BY CHLOE CHOI

GRAPHIC BY JULIANNE CRUZ

GRAPHICS BY CAS NGUYEN

Seniors take on early college applications and deadlines

By Michaela Boeder FEATURES WRITER

As seniors begin their last year of high school, many are taking advantage of early college applications and racing to meet the first deadline on Nov. 1.

Most colleges require a high school transcript, letters of recommendation and a personal essay. Seniors are able to showcase their personalities in a wide variety of essay prompts.

“I feel like the numerical thing that we all have great [test scores] is cool. But when I was doing my college apps, I wanted it to cater to me. So for my essay, I wanted to focus it on my identity,” senior Anya Tahi said.

Early decision, early action and rolling admissions offer students an opportunity to apply to colleges prior to the standard

application deadlines of Dec. 1, Jan. 1, Jan. 15 and Feb. 1.

“I was surprised that a lot of people are doing early decision because it doesn’t seem like a good deal to me. You have to commit once you apply, and I don’t like that,” senior Anna Lee said.

October 2022

Unlike early decisions, early action applicants are not required to commit if accepted, and do not have to make a decision until May 1, 2023.

Tahi is taking advantage of early action, which opened on Aug. 1, and is applying to five schools. “I heard everybody talking about it. They were doing it over the summer, but I didn’t do anything. I really started to get things done in September,” Tahi said.

Other seniors started their application process in the summer, hoping to make the fall less stressful.

“I started doing them when the applications started to open up, so early August,” senior Genevieve Cowl said.

Similarly to Cowl, Lee also began her applications over the summer.

“I’ve heard from seniors last year that I should start writing my Common App in the summer. I did that and I highly recommend it because I can’t imagine it right now.”

The Common App is a

program in which seniors can apply to the over 1,000 Common App member colleges with a single application by completing college-specific supplements and mass sharing their personal essay, test scores, transcripts and academic achievements.

Many students believe the Common App program to be resourceful in holding all their essential college components, but not all students think mass applying is the best idea.

“My biggest tip is to not apply to an obscure number [of schools],” Tahi said. “College is a big step. It’s a big step to our futures, so apply to schools that you actually want to go toschools that’ll make you happy.”

The RM College and Career center provides resources to help seniors during this process.

“There are evening trainings to support students when completing the FAFSA and financial aid. The college/ career website is a great source of information. [College and Career Information Coordinator]

Ms. Jeanpierre has done an awesome job keeping it updated with college visits,” counselor Ms. Rachel Greene said.

For the seniors currently struggling with the process, Lee advises students to talk to their counselor. “Your counselor is your best friend right now ,” Lee said.

A guide to acing

impossible courses

By Madeline Springer FEATURES WRITER

With the quarter’s end approaching, many students are beginning to panic over their grades. From AP Calculus to IB Physics to Honors Spanish, some classes just seem too hard. It may be the challenging content or the fast pace, but if you are feeling lost, you are not alone.

Many students struggle with their difficult classes. However, with access to the right resources, success is possible.

RM offers various high-level courses in every subject. Some classes are well known, like AP World History and AP Literature, but some, such as Linear Algebra and IB Film, are often overlooked.

Students are often hesitant

to enroll in advanced classes due to comments they hear from friends and classmates.

“I got scared because I opened an AP study book [for AP Physics C] and it said ‘If you have not taken Physics 1 or 2, you should not be taking AP Physics C,’” junior Grace Wade said. Regardless of the warnings, anyone can pass these difficult classes if they put forth the proper effort.

“I showed up to class and it’s been fine because you learn as you go. As long as you pay attention and

ask

questions, you’ll be okay,” Wade said.

IB Calculus Applications teacher Jeffrey Sanders has a few strategies for students seeking to excel in tough courses.

“I recommend practicing by yourself with the practice problems teachers give out in class and then checking the key. Then, when you run into a challenge, focus on problems similar to it,” Mr. Sanders said.

Mr. Sanders also emphasized that teachers do not know that students are stuck unless they communicate, and the material will only keep adding up as time goes by.

The Homework Club, which meets in room 216 on Thursday afternoons, is a great resource for students looking for support while studying.

“I work with the Homework Club once a week. We’re always happy to help people get ready for tests,” Mr. Sanders said.

In addition to the Homework Club, there is a plethora of honor societies and clubs that offer tutoring such as the Math Honor Society (during lunch in Room 314), the Writing Lab (during lunch in Room 37) and the Science Honor Society (with Mr. Ashmead in room 341).

RM’s International Baccalaureate Programme contains some of the school’s most

rigorous classes. Many students ask if IB or AP courses are harder, but there is no straight answer. They simply approach their coursework differently.

According to BeMo Academic Consulting, “the IB Programme focuses on building students’ reading, writing, and critical thinking skills,” while “AP courses focus on building students’ core competencies… and getting them ready to tackle college-level coursework.”

Any student questioning which is best for them should reflect on what they want to get out of the class and how they learn best.

RM students gain military experience through JROTC

By Ellen Bu FEATURES WRITER

Juliana Wong is a sophomore at RM– but her school day is unlike many others. Every morning, her mother drives her to Magruder High School so she can participate in a special program.

Wong is a sergeant in the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) Program, a high school preparation program to equip students with the skills needed to join the military. Although it is not a recruitment program, JROTC informs students about the opportunities available in the military.

intelligence, health and wellness and communications. Wong also does pushups and situps in class as part of her training. After school on Tuesdays and Thursdays, the JROTC Cadets attend practice, which cumulates in a competition each month. The competitions include military drill, air rifle, Raider Challenge and physical fitness competitions. Virginia and other neighboring states attend these competitions in buses full of 60 kids.

Junior Grace Andrianjafitrimo, an IB Diploma Programme student, explained her experiences with IB History.

“IB History goes into subjects in depth… You really need to pay attention to not only the big picture but also the little details. For me, the best way to study is to read [the textbook] and take notes so I can review them throughout the day.”

According to the US Army Junior ROTC, the goal of the program is to “instill in students in United States secondary educational institutions the values of citizenship, service to the United States and personal responsibility and a sense of accomplishment.”

The JROTC curriculum contains lessons on physical fitness, leadership, American history and government, geography, emotional

According to Wong, competitions are fun and exhilarating but don’t always go as planned. “Recently we were in a competition where the host team cheated and changed the running path,” Wong said. “We eventually ran through some random person’s backyard.”

Outside of their JROTC class, the program also provides students with many opportunities to help out the community. “There was a volunteering opportunity at the Strawberry Festival near Sherwood HS,” Wong said. “We helped direct traffic in order to help the elderly, and got fresh strawberries for free.”

PHOTO BY NATHAN RAMIREZ

Senior Monty Mulugeta works on his college applications in the RM media center.

GRAPHIC BY GLORIA LIANG

PHOTO COURTESY OF JULIANA WONG

Wong and fellow Cadets show off their uniform following a Raiders Competition at Century High School.

ARTS Barbara Rivera paints her culture

was in grade school and continued throughout the years.

With a full time job as a high school secretary, but also as a mother, Rivera persisted in painting everyday after work, but it was not until her three sons went to college that she began dedicating more time to her career as an artist. Being self-taught never hindered Rivera nor her art. In fact, Rivera has nearly 5,000 followers on social media and manages multiple stores for her art. She also has showcases at arts festivals, most recently appearing at the Latino Arts Festival in Park City, Utah. Finding inspiration is a challenge for some artists. This does not apply to Rivera, who aims to paint something new every week. Luckily for her, inspiration comes easily. “I try to focus on the beauty that the Latino culture has to offer,” Rivera said in a statement. “I love my culture and always try to highlight my Mexican and Cuban heritage.”

different subjects, some dancers, others mothers, but they all showcase Latino culture. “[A] huge impact of the whole body of my work is cultural. I love to bring forth and showcase Mexico in all its grandeur,” said Rivera. Her models are people from a variety of backgrounds, from family and friends to performers she met at events and festivals. Perhaps this is why her paintings are so realistic and animated. Whether it’s childhood innocence or motherly love, Rivera is able to capture the emotion wonderfully.

Her painting, “Vanessa in Orange,” showcases a woman in a beautiful Mexican dress with la calavera. Likewise, many of her other paintings feature women models clad in vibrantly colored Mexican dresses. In addition, she has also created works inspired by the famous Mexican artist Frida Kahlo.

painting, the style she paints in, takes relatively long to dry.

Her devotion to and passion for painting can be seen in the emotion and energy in every painting she produces. “It’s an innate part of who I am as a human being. I can not separate myself from my painting,” Rivera said. “Every painting is a huge part of myself.”

Aside from painting, Rivera enjoys making jewelry, cooking, and gardening. She especially loves wearing beaded jewelry of the Cora Indians of Nayarit, Mexico, her mother’s home state. In addition, Rivera enjoys spending time with her dog, a hairless Mexican Xoloitzcuintli.

Currently, Rivera is working on some paintings of children in cultural dress. She is also preparing for her upcoming solo show in January 2023, Viva La Vida, at the Borrego Springs Art Institute in California.

by Sophia Fang ARTS WRITER

life in her artwork is undeniable, as is the strong presence of her Mexican and Cuban roots.

Growing up in a Mexican and Cuban household, she was constantly surrounded by two cultures and developed a strong admiration for both. Her interest in art began when she

She often attends cultural events to find inspiration from folkloric dancers or mariachis, which are small Mexican bands usually including a trumpeter, guitarist, and violinist. Day of the Dead altars are also a significant source of inspiration for her; many of her paintings include the iconic “la calavera,” a skull face paint commonly seen on the Day of the Dead. Her paintings have many

How the Queen’s style and image evolved over time

by Annisa Raisa ARTS WRITER

Queen Elizabeth II passed away on Sept. 8. She was England’s longest-reigning monarch, acceding to the throne in 1952 and remaining the queen regnant for 70 years.

Throughout her years from being next in line to the throne to being the face of royalty, her portrayal has evolved to best fit an image that showcased the poise and polish possessed by the royal family.

Norman Hartnell was a designer for Queen Elizabeth during her time as a princess, having designed her dresses for several important occasions, one of which was her wedding on Nov. 20, 1947. The dress featured thousands of seed pearls imported from America, an extensive dramatic train, and intricate floral designs on the dress and train. These were inspired by Sandro Botticelli’s Renaissance painting, “La Primavera.”

The Queen wore another Hartnell dress to her coronation, which solidified the designer’s association with the royal family. Her dress was a full-length A-line gown with a sweetheart neckline and short sleeves, featuring heavily embroidered symbols from many countries of the Commonwealth, like Ireland’s shamrocks and Scotland’s thistles.

On her coronation day, the Queen wore the Imperial State

Crown, which alone showed power, grace, and legacy combined with her iconic dress and royal robes. Her coronation day look was the first look the world had of their new Queen and it did not disappoint. The coronation was watched by over 20 million people in the United Kingdom alone, showing her influence and the beginning of a new era of monarchy across the world.

Throughout the 1950s, as a new monarch, the Queen wore outfits that resembled fashion trends of the decade, including floral prints, full skirts, and fitted tops. Her style did not change significantly in the next decade, even though the fashion trends had moved on.

She continued to wear coats

and skirts with blazers, but they were altered a little to flow better with the trends of the decade, such as having the skirts slightly shorter while mini-skirts were in trend. Her bobbed hair gave her a more powerful and elegant look with her outfits and worked especially well with the more formal A-line gowns she wore to important events.

In the 70s, the world began to see the Queen’s iconic silhouette develop with long coats, heels, monochromatic colors, hats, handbags and subtle accessories, such as a brooch or necklace.

She maintained this look throughout the following decade with subtle changes, which portrayed her as a put-together, gracious, modest and diplomatic queen. Longer evening gowns with extravagant details on the bodice paired with matching jewelry sets replaced her A-line formal gowns, a silhouette the Queen donned often.

In the 1980s and the 1990s, the Queen was portrayed in a more modest, pious style. Her heels became lower and her outfits became less form-fitting to fit the image of sophisticated women progressing in age. In contrast, her choice of patterns branched out to include more vibrant floral prints rather than just embroidery and a unique variety of patterns such as polka dots and stripes.

These decades were when the world gained an even larger interest in the royal family, and the

While she enjoys showcasing the beauty of her culture and does so often, Rivera also has painted pieces that bring attention to social issues, such as her painting “Summer Camp,” showing the cruel reality of the 2018 “zero-tolerance” policy of the Trump administration.

Once she has an idea of what to paint, Rivera starts with a strong drawing, which she says helps make the painting process much easier. She often works on multiple pieces at once as oil

Rivera continues to share her story and culture through her paintings and hopes that they will inspire others to share theirs as well. Her art can be found on her website (barbarariveraart.com) and social media (@barbarariveraart on Instagram and Facebook).

As for students interested in picking up painting, Rivera offers some sincere advice. “Let your heart lead you. Paint the things that bring joy to your heart. Create because you want to create!”

Queen was portrayed as a posh, polite and considerate woman.

In the 2000s, the Queen’s image began to change into what it is to-

bag which she famously used to give out signals to her assistants. Her way of using her handbag and keeping her looks consistent but interesting, by changing colors and accessories upheld her image as a sophisticated, refined and diplomatic lady. Her Majesty kept this silhouette and style and wore it until this year.

Increasing the vibrancy of the colors she wore and beginning to wear glasses showed that the Queen had aged and her image had evolved yet again. Her last photo was taken when she met the new prime minister of England. In her final portrayal, taken at home, she was not dressed in her usual elegant and diplomatic style.

day. She had already established her general silhouette and she began wearing more monochromatic looks with statement hats, pearl necklaces, broaches and her hand-

Instead, she went for a more inviting and relaxed look with her cardigan, plaid skirt and neutral tones, which was the complete opposite of her usual vibrant, strong looks.

Painted in vibrant colors, dancers in cultural dress are often the subject of Barbara Rivera’s paintings. The energy of

PHOTO COURTESY OF SEBASTIAN RIVERA Rivera’s paintings, filled with vibrant colors, reflect her journey and the people, places and cultures that she loves.

She became a person the world felt they would always have: a diplomatic, elegant and sophisticated ruler.

by Adi Bala ARTS WRITER

Not even three minutes after the final bell rings and a mass of students flood Main Street, sophomore Fredy Gonzalez is well on his way home. In his head, he is already drumming up a day’s worth of drawing, painting and posting finished products.

What is now Gonzalez’s rising claim to fame was initially a simple pastime; the beginning was a typical one, drawing out of sheer boredom. “I was just in class and would doodle on

Fredy Gonzalez is crafting a new world

and modern art worlds. Murakami has collaborated with many high fashion brands, ranging from Louis Vuitton to Supreme to Virgil Abloh. Many of his colorful, bright elements are reflected in Gonzalez’s self-judged best piece, “Variant Project?!”

Despite this, he is determined to stay original. “I’ve gone a little away from that, started experimenting more with my work,” Gonzalez said.

my paper constantly,” Gonzalez said. “I think many would.”

Eventually, art evolved into something much deeper for him, the marks made on a paper carrying more weight than his words whenever he deems necessary. “It just helps me with a lot of personal problems,” Gonzalez said. “Aside from that - and let’s just be honest - getting up and talking in front of people is scary. I’d rather do the same thing except with a canvas.”

At home, Gonzalez begins with an idea that he would like to express and turns it into a rough sketch. “I believe that sketching is probably the hardest part about a piece,” Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez previously made an effort to pursue formal schooling in the arts, though ultimately reconsidered. “I recently joined, and quit, the VAC at Einstein for better painting lessons,” Gonzalez said. “[One of the reasons] was that it wasn’t enough for me.” The Visual Arts Center (VAC) program is a magnet discipline within Albert Einstein HS focused on building the skills and portfolio of young artists. He attended Einstein for the entire first semester of freshman year.

Now, in his second semester as a RM student, Gonzalez’s work can be seen on his public art Instagram account (@fredyg. projects) as well as in the school art gallery from time to time.

Outside of the school environment, another piece of his is the featured album cover for “the extras” by local singer RYIN. As for the next step, he is keeping all doors open. Considering possibilities in graphic design or video game illustration, Gonzalez makes it a point to convey that his endpoint is not the priority. “I just want to explore my options for now and see what I can achieve as of this moment,” Gonzalez said. “We can worry about the future later.”

disrespectful and unpleasant to watch

by Susanna Hubacker ARTS WRITER

“Blonde,” based on the fictional biographical novel by Joyce Carol Oates, was released on Netflix Sept. 28. The film, written and directed by Andrew Dominik and starring “Knives Out” veteran Ana de Armas, advertised itself as the story of the real Marylin Monroe, the story that had yet to be told. At an astonishing three hours long, the film jumps around Monroe’s life to tell a disturbing story.

Once released to the public, it received incredibly mixed reviews, with the New York Times saying “it is a relief that [Monroe] didn’t have to suffer through the vulgarities of ‘Blonde,’ the latest necrophiliac entertainment to exploit her”, and Vulture describing it as “filled with beautiful sequences followed by images that cause actual pain to watch.” Going into this movie, I aimed to merely review it fairly, and not as a tell all story about Monroe. I still hated it.

There is one quote in the movie that accurately reflects how I felt while watching it: “F*** this! And f*** this movie.” There were very few things I enjoyed about this movie, which, coupled with a better script and a different director, could have made the movie better.

The score, crafted by Nick Caves and Warren Ellis, is outstanding. From the very opening of the film, when a haunting piano began playing in the background, I immediately took note of how well done it was. This piano theme returns every time Monroe meets a new man who will exploit her in some way. The score truly sets the scene and creates the perfect atmosphere for each part of the movie. When the movie uses songs from Monroe’s career, it is always used to further a theme or motif.

The cinematography, credited

to Chayse Irvin, is another highlight. While I could never quite get behind the changing color to black and white or size of frame (more on that later,) the rest of the techniques used to create this film are what modern filmmaking has been building up to be. The movie gets more and more loopy as Monroe turns to drugs, which will eventually kill her.

The one directional choice in this movie I enjoyed was the use of light and dark as a motif. Mon-

wears a white dress with her signature platinum blonde curls. The flash of cameras blinds Monroe, and makes everything around her impossible to make out.

The first thing that stood out to me that I disliked was how awful the audio mixing and the volume was. I was constantly distracted by the background noise and how it changed in volume between shots. In the beginning, Monroe’s childhood home is burning. The sound of the

(who in real life was her third husband) Arthur Miller, played by Adrien Brody, all of the characters popped out of nowhere and left as randomly as they came, and most are never named. I had to step away from the movie and come back a few days later because it caused me so much frustration. The movie uses the constant oversexualization of Monroe during her own life as an excuse to oversexualize her yet again. For example, many scenes in the

ing way, just in a way that makes the watcher furrow their brow.

The movie constantly switches ratio and color scheme. Between scenes or even in the middle of one, the size of the camera changes suddenly, whether the images are in color or black and white. This choice made the timeline of the movie really difficult to follow and interpret. I tried to figure out the connection between scenes in color or black and white, but as much as I tried I was unable to find it.

Most reviews online are praising de Armas’ performance in the movie. I guess if being able to cry and willingness to go nude is good acting, then she ticks all the boxes. Her performance felt inauthentic as I watched her play Monroe as a clueless bimbo who could not figure how pasta could be made at home. Time and time again as she gets taken advantage of, all she does is bat her eyelashes and cry, wallowing in her own self-pity.

I found myself begging for the movie to be over. As I watched what I knew was going to be her death, I was too disgusted by the rest of the movie to think about the tastelessness of the scene. As the camera panned to her foot, I was praying for the screen to go white, or black, or anything that meant I could close the tab and do anything else.

GRAPHIC BY CHRISTIANA VUCEA

roe often repeats to herself something said to her at the beginning of the film, “The circle of light is yours.” Often when the movie goes to a premiere or on a film set, Monroe stands out. Everyone else is wearing dark clothes, while she

flames was so falsely loud, I was yelling at my computer screen.

“Blonde” was beyond confusing, forcing me to stop and look up the synopsis and Monroe’s biography on wikipedia. Besides Monroe and her second husband

movie have de Armas topless for no reason. The most infuriating part is when she starts calling her husbands “Daddy.” The sexual nature of this nickname makes the watcher uncomfortable, but not in a thought provok-

By far, I found to be the worst part of this movie how overtly pro-life it is. Everytime Monroe is pregnant, the movie shows a CGI, fully formed fetus in the first trimester. In her first and third pregnancy, she is forced to have an abortion. During her second pregnancy, there is a scene where the fetus talks to Monroe, begging her not to “kill” it like she “killed” her first. This truly disgusted me and forced me to disregard anything else the movie had to

PHOTOS COURTESY OF FREDY GONZALEZ

Fredy’s work is featured on his Instagram, @fredyg.projects

say.

“Blonde” explores the mental health struggles Monroe faced while constantly in front of the cameras.

“Blonde” is

“Variant Project?!” May 2022

“Getting up and talking in front of people is scary. I’d rather do the same thing except with a canvas.”

-Fredy Gonzalez

To mask or not to mask? Students make choices

by Heather Wang ARTS WRITER

On March 8, 2022, the Board of Education voted to make masks optional in Montgomery County Public Schools. Since then, the number of students at Richard Montgomery who choose to wear masks has steadily fallen.

The start of the 2022-2023 school year allowed many students to feel comfortable without a mask, including those who continued wearing them after the mandate was initially lifted.

“Right after the mandate [was] lifted, I feel that a lot of people still wore a mask, myself included,” said junior Anastasia Kutselik via text. “But this school year, many people have decided to go mask-off, which is different from [the] early no-mask mandate.”

Today, student opinions encompass a wide range of beliefs regarding masks. Some view them as an accessory added each morning for familiarity’s sake, while others still see them as an essential asset for protection.

But where is the boundary between accessory and necessity?

One common reason for continued use of face masks, separate from its protective abilities, is that face masks are able to hide half of the wearer’s face.

The idea of “mask fishing” was popularized by COVID-19

and the addition of masks into daily life. According to the New York Times, mask fishing is when a person appears different without their mask.

In fear of appearing very different without a mask, some RM students feel uncomfortable attending school without one.

The importance of this belief to some students makes masks an accessory that is a necessity; it blurs the lines between the seemingly separate categories.

Some students at RM truly treat masks as an accessory—added or removed at a whim. Today, more than two years into the pandemic, masks are available in all colors, shapes and styles. Students can choose statement masks to express themselves or add to their outfit. Sports teams, famous sayings and favorite franchises can be represented with a mask. The look of a mask without any of its function can also be emulated with a mesh face covering, which is the choice for some students.

At times, masks can also be a necessity to students who wear them to protect peers and staff.

“I personally don’t wear a mask unless I was to be sick,” Kutselik said. This is a common thread among students this year—experiencing COVID-19 has taught many that masks are a simple yet effective way to prevent the spread of viral illnesses such as the flu or a common cold.

THE TIDE

ACROSS

This case-by-case method of freedom and unrealistic to wear,

mandate was lifted, they made up the minority that removed masks immediately. To them, masks were neither categorized as an accessory nor a necessity. RM’s diverse student body is responsible for the large number oftions of its students.sory, necessity, both,ing on each student;ant is that students should feel comfortable with their choice and not feel pressured by others. MCPS’s PSA from the lifting of the masktion well: “On or Off, It’s Just Me.”perience in the last few years truly tested the flexibility of peoples’ lifestyles. While COVID-19 polarized some aspects of life both inside anded a chance to learn and grow–whether it be on how to better protect yourself from sickness or ways to adapt in challenging circumstances.

Note from the Editor:

“I’m so excited to bring you the first crossword of this year by Shuchi Tyagi! This is the first puzzle Shuchi has written for the Tide and it’s a super fun one! Happy spooky season and have fun solving!”

~ Annie Guo, Crossword Editor

GRAPHIC BY CHRISTIANA VUCEA

RM golf ‘putts’ in the work this season

by Emma Tyser SPORTS WRITER

For most people, golf is part of a relaxing day spent with friends. But for the RM golf team, the competition never ends. Whether the team is on the course or in school, they are always figuring out new strategies and ways to beat their opponents.

Golf is one of RM’s smallest sport teams with the shortest season, composed of only 10 members who compete in 10 matches from September to October. With the fall sports season coming to an end, the RM golf team dominated the season, finishing with a 6-4 record.

At each match, the team plays three other schools, but the winner is determined by the overall results. “If you beat 2 schools but lose to the other, you go 2-1 for that match,” senior golfer Carson Smith said. Coach’s Farhner and Kellinger are very dedicated to the growth and development of their team.

During practices, the coaches are typically seen playing with the athletes. The team notes that their relationship with the coaches has helped the team bond together.

It’s the team’s personal goal to become genuine friends rather than simply teammates through bonding activities outside of practices. Whether it is walking in the hallways together or having team lunches, they make an effort to spend time together.

“The benefit of being a smaller group is that we know each other better… we have this little inside group rather than sub-groups in one big team,” Smith said. Given their close knit bond and team spirit, Kellinger finds it odd how little attention they receive. Kellinger suspects that there are other reasons besides the team’s size.

“We don’t practice at RM, and the season is only about six to seven weeks,” Kellinger said.

The top six coed team, composed

of Cabell Faulkner, Zack Lam, Caroline Zhou, Shuxin Dai, Joelle Lee and Carson Smith are ranked sixth in the district for average strokes per match. This is the second year in a row the coed team has qualified for the state championship. RM’s team for the state championship the past two years has been composed of a majority of girls on the team. This year’s state team, made up of the team’s strongest four golfers, has three girls on it- Zhou, Shuxin and Lee.

The team is managed by MCPS, meaning all of their schedules, practices and games are at public courses around Montgomery County. There tends to be a small group of spectators at matches as the amount of match advertising is minimal. Much like track and field, golf distinguishes its

players. Each player is individualized and focused on to enhance their performance. Put together, their skills contribute to their performance as a team. When on the course the players take on their own games, separate from the others. Smith credits junior teammate Faulkner as the team’s

most valued player.

“There’s not really a record to go off of that tells people I’m a good player. It’s my hard work and determination that sets me apart. Golf has always been something that brings me joy; it represents the happiness in my life,” Faulkner said.

RM’s new XC coaches step up to the starting line

by Mathew Pina SPORTS

In hopes to continue the long lasting traditions of great student athletes and athletic programs at Richard Montgomery High School, new cross country coaches Kenneth Sonner and Steven Andrews have a positive outlook for the team. The coaches speak positively of the team’s high morale during the competitive season, and have brought exciting new energy to the team.

Coach Sonner was both an indoor and outdoor track athlete for RM, graduating in the class of 1983. His time at RM has taught him what it means to be part of

the Rockets cross country team.

“Taking the lead with the program has been a huge undertaking for the both of us and continuing the tradition of success has been the goal,” Sonner said. “And providing the children with consistency because we’ve been talking about consistently building success, so we’ve been continually adapting the program to fit their needs.”

Like his counterpart, Coach Andrews is a RM alumni, graduating in 1999. He was an indoor track athlete as well as a writer for the Tide. In ways to help his runner develop, he has run them through a new course at Red Gate Park.

“I personally love running, and I love running away from the roads and away from traffic so we have been able to have our kids run regularly at our new course at Red Gate Park…There’s a great hill, great scenery, and I think it’s mentally refreshing,” Andrews said.

Both coaches not only see themselves as playing a key role in the development of their student athletes as runners but also as students and individuals.

“I personally believe and I think scientific research backs it up that exercise and in particular exercise in nature really could help kids academically,” Andrews said. “I love to give them a

physical challenge but then also hopefully help all of them as students.”

Being former RM athletes themselves, both coaches understand the time and dedication that it takes in order to become a successful runner. They see great potential in their athletes, and see potential for county and state champions.

“XC skills develop over a period of time, it’s not immediate, it’s something that accumulated over a period of time and it’s not just days, or weeks, or months it’s actually years,” Sonner said. “And it’s through dedication with training, a little bit of experimenting as it relates to pace and race strategy and just sticking with it.”

“It takes a lot of effort and hardwork so I love that we have a great bunch of freshmen on the team and we’re hoping that they continue to get better, you know, next year, the following year. And then there are really some at the top of the state in their senior year too,” Andrews said.

There is excitement and anticipation for the state championship on Nov. 12, as the coaches see their program challenging the top in the state.

“I think boys and girls have a shot at [states] this year and they are competitive with the best programs in the state. So we are looking forward to Nov. 12 and hoping for good things for our team and all our runners,” Andrews said.

WRITER

“Continuing the tradition of success has been the goal.”

- Coach Sonner

“I think boys and girls have a shot at [states] this year and they are competitive with the best programs in the state.”

-Coach Andrews

PHOTO COURTEST OF NOAH STEPHENSON

GRAPHIC COURTESTY OF JULIANNE CRUZ

Coach Andrews(far left) and Coach Sonner(far right) pose with the team after a win at Bull Run Invitational.

PHOTO COURTESTY OF ARI FINE

Coach Steven Andrews (left), coach Mary Rzegocki (middle), Coach Ken Sonner (right) lineup for a coaches photo.

PHOTO COURTESTY OF SHUXIN DAI

Coach Kellinger (left), Caroline Zhou, Shuxin Dai, Joelle Lee, Cabell Faulkner, Zack Lam (right) lineup for a photo after a sucessful match.

PHOTO COURTESTY OF MATHEW PINA

“Golf has always been something that brings me joy; it represents the happiness in my life.”

- Cabell Faulkner

RM Football: Flipping the script

Athlete of the Issue RM football takes off with Dixon

by Amanda Gershoni SPORTS WRITER

Throughout the past two years, junior Anthony Dixon Jr. has proven to be a key member on RM’s Varsity football team. As captain and starting quarterback, Dixon has demonstrated not only his skills on the field but also the ability to lead his team. His determination and passion for the sport has not gone unnoticed. He was named to Montgomery County High School Football

Top 50 players to watch ahead of the season and was also named WTOP’s player of the week last Oct.

Dixon works on his game year round. Over the past summer, Dixon attended Shepherd University’s football ID camp where he was able to display his drive and abilities to college scouts and coaches. This commitment to the field continued when he returned home, where he worked on building chemistry with the receivers.

Midway through the season, while persevering through a tough football schedule, Dixon has helped bring the team together and bounce back from losses.

Beginning the season with a 0-38 loss against Urbana HS lowered the morale of the team, but

Dixon led the team to victory the following week against B-CC. He finished the game 21/27 while throwing for 319 yards and four touchdowns, helping lead the team to a 49-35 win.

Besides ensuring that his teammates develop their skills on the field, Dixon also works hard to strengthen the team’s bond during the season.“AJ has a ton

of confidence in himself and has the ability to make others around him just as confident,” Varsity Football Coach Randy Thompson said.

Dixon is aware that rough patches and adversity can make or break a team, so creating a close-knit relationship between players is important to him. Yet through those hardships, he un-

Campos tackles gender norms

FOOTBALL cont. from front

“Those practices are really intense on your body,” Campos said. “You have to push through it mentally and tell yourself you can make it through.”

In addition to self-motivation, she also finds strength to move on from her teammates.

“They always lift me up and the coaches are always looking out for us,” Campos said. “We’ve gone through a lot and being around each other for such a long time makes me consider everyone to be like family.”

Campos feels lucky to have a team that includes her the way they do.

Coach Heckman did whatever he could to make her feel comfortable while adjusting to the football program. “She was a little hesitant, but now she’s a regular member of the team,” he said. “She’s just another teammate in the most positive and inclusive way I can mean.”

Back in 2012, Coach Heckman coached a professional female football team. That position made a lasting impact on him.

“Those women were an inspiration in a lot of ways because they came to practice and they busted their butt while having careers and families,” he said. “The women actually intensified my

desire to coach and that experience showed me that football is football because gender is not important to the game when you’re out there playing and hoping to win.”

Although girls are allowed to try out for the football team, there has not been a female player at RM since 2005, when Mina Ebrahimi played on the varsity team.

Coach Heckman believes that it is purely a social norm that stops girls who are interested from pursuing football and encourages them to absolutely try it out. “ I have noticed zero gender issue with Natasha being on the team,” he said. “So long as whoever joins the team upholds the team standards, they’ll be welcomed.”

Campos noticed that the spectators at games, for the most part, are also very accepting. “The support I’ve come across is amazing. I’ve had parents and other coaches come up and wish me a good season,” she said.

Since Campos plays safety and receiver, she tackles a lot of players, some of whom are much bigger than her.

“I think the best thing I do is hitting into people,” she said. “’But I’m always a little nervous because I’m hitting into a bunch of guys who are naturally supposed to be stronger than me.”

Although every day is a challenge for Campos and her team, they overcome it with hard work, dedication and perseverance. While Campos’ gender may have set her apart from her teammates at the start, football is like any other sport and a player should not be defined by who they are but rather what they bring to the community.

“Sports in general can always be a great equalizer for just bringing people together no matter what, no matter what they got going on,” Coach Heckman said. “If you’re a member of the team, and you’re doing what you’re supposed to do, we love you.”

To any person who is considering trying out for either the JV

derstands the importance of leadership and hardwork.

“Everyone always listens to him and he is extremely respected throughout the team,” junior teammate and starting linebacker Lamine Kaba said,“We all love what AJ does for the team, but he is also super social, humbled and kind,” Kaba said.

Dixon encourages the players

to be optimistic, no matter who they are lining up against that week. He believes that accepting the title as an underdog coming into this season encourages the players to compete with a chip on their shoulder. “I expect my team to work hard and go into every game with the mindset that we will win,” Dixon said. “I want everyone to leave everything out onto the field so when we step off the field, we have no regrets.”

With just about two weeks until the playoffs start, Dixon has high expectations for the effort he and his team will display on the field. His coach and teammates believe that he will lead the team to success this season.

“Every time he has the ball in his hands, I believe something special will happen,” Coach Thompson said.

or Varsity football team, Campos encourages them to not shy away.

“It’s a new experience and like nothing you’ve ever done before,” she said.

Junior Anthony Dixon Jr. scrambles out of the pocket looking for a RM receiver downfield.

PHOTO COURTESY OF DANNY MARTELLA

“I’ve had parents and other coaches come up and wish me a good season.”

- Natasha Hernandez Campos

Natasha Hernandez Campos(0) takes a break during JV practice.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JAKE MCKEON