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Photo Spread 5
Opinions 6-8
International 10-11
Center Spread 12-13
La Marea 14
Arts 16-17
Features 18-20
Sports 22-24
Musical “Sweeney Todd” cooks up controversy by Christina Xu The original Sweeney Todd covers topics that would likely be considered too grisly or offensive for most high school classrooms: rape, murder, and cannibalism in particular. The themes are reinforced through gory imagery and a bizarre plot—Sweeney Todd slits the throats of his unsuspecting clients while Mrs. Lovett bakes the chopped human remnants into meat pies. Sweeney Todd is certainly different from other Black Maskers productions in its concept and tone. Said artistic director Denise Saladyga, “…we try to pick shows that allow involved students to experience a lot of variety in the style and type of show we do…It’s hard to argue that the themes of the show are the stuff of the usual musical. Compared to The Music Man or The Secret Garden, it is far more macabre and visceral.” In order to make the musical more appropriate for a high school audience, certain elements of the musical had to be changed. The Blackmaskers are performing a PG-13 “school edition” of Sweeney Todd that is licensed by the company Musical Theatre International (MTI). According to MTI’s website, “MTI’s School Edition™ musicals embody a bold new idea in creating and licensing adaptations of grand scale, symphonic musicals in versions
PHOTO BY RACHIT AGARWAL
Singing “No Place in London,” senior Noah Beye plays the murderous Sweeney Tood who returns home to London after 15 years. adapted for performance by high school students. These adaptations….. retain all of the scope and glory of the originals.” MTI’s school edition of Sweeney Todd
significantly reduces profanity, shortens a few songs, and removes extraneous dialogue. According to Mrs. Saldyaga, MTI works directly with the show’s authors
Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler to ensure that the original vision of the play is not lost. MUSICAL, cont. on page 12
Beach week teen drinking scandal by Nikita Sardana
PHOTO BY RACHIT AGARWAL
Rockville introduces Capital Bikeshare program by Sarah Krosnick Drivers beware, there are hoards of new bikers in the Rockville area! The Capital Bikeshare program, established in the D.C. metropolitan area in 2008, is a program that offers bike rentals located at various bikesharing stations. The success of the 10 original stations and 120 bikes in D.C. has led to the introduction of 200 stations and 1800 bikes in the past four years. Montgomery County joined the movement in May and Rockville is the latest location to
feature bikesharing stations. The program allows participants to use credit cards to purchase daily, monthly, or annual rental passes. However, bikes must be returned after 24 hours of use. Bikes do not come with helmets, but are equipped with other safety features, such as reflectors and lights. Although the bikesharing stations are located near RM, students are split over the effectiveness of the bikes due to small caveats. This month’s four-person debate discusses the merits of the Capital Bikeshare program. BIKES, cont. on page 8
Underage drinking is an issue that has been prevalent for decades, although clear preventative measures have yet to be discovered. The recent scandal surrounding Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler has stirred debates regarding the responsibility of parents in preventing or stopping teen drinking. Gansler, who recently launched his campaign for Maryland governor, was found to appear in a photograph of a high school graduation party at a beach house in Delaware, in which teenagers appeared to possess alcoholic beverages. Gansler admitted during a press conference that he “probably should have assumed there was drinking and talked to the chaperones about what they thought was appropriate,” according to the Washington Post. As his story unfolded, the role of parents in stopping and preventing teen drinking came into question. “[Parents’] responsibility is to make their children aware of how much they’re jeopardizing their future,” said sophomore Emma Rogers. “But ultimately it’s the teens’ responsibility to come to the conclusion themselves and not make bad decisions, regardless of even how their parents would
react,” she added. 10,000,000 young adults in the United States, ranging from ages 12 to 20, have consumed an alcoholic substance within the past month, according to the Century Council. While some parents and students see it as something everyone will partake in during their high school and college careers, others see it as a mark of irresponsibility and rebellion. Health teacher John Fahrner suggested that parents should “give [teenagers] consequences for their actions, both positive and negative.” RM students have different opinions on the ethics of teen drinking. While Rogers said that “drinking is wrong and should be avoided because it puts [teenagers] in a potentially dangerous situation,” senior Kayla Sukri stated that “it’s fine as long as they’re responsible. They should know that they shouldn’t drive drunk or get in a car with a drunk driver.” While the issue is prominent in all grade levels, upperclassmen typically face such situations the most. It has especially been an issue lately with the seniors’ Beach Week, which has become infamous for widespread underage drinking, such as with the Gansler scandal. “If you’re a teen and you do drink, you DRINKING, cont. on page 2
Opinions, 6
International, 10
La Marea, 14
Arts, 16
Features, 19
Sports, 22
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