September 2015

TJTODAY

10

RADIO

BIG THING IS HERE

ON FCPS BUDGET CUTS

12

EDITORIAL: BIG CHANGES AHEAD

THE NEW FACE OF tjTODAY

THE NEXT

IN-DEPTH 8

6

EXAMINING ACADEMIC PRESSURE

BLOGs

ONLINE NEWSMAGAZINE

SOCIAL MEDIA

BROADCAST

THE MAGAZINE

SEPT. 16, 2015 || VOL 1 ISSUE 1 || www.tjtoday.org

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Tech || Alexandria, VA

NEWS 4 2015-2016 Bell Schedule Renovation Update

IN-DEPTH 6 The Fearless Facade 8 COVER STORY Introducing the new changes and features of tjMEDIA 10 Cutting It Close

OPINION 12 EDITORIAL THE BIG CHANGE: The motivation behind tjTODAY’s transformation

SPORTS 13 Fall Sports Calendar

ENTERTAINMENT 14 Fall TV Preview- “Arrow,” “Code Black,” ”Doctor Who”

WHAT I'VE LEARNED 16 Freshman Debbie Dong EDITORS-IN-CHIEF

ANJALI KHANNA, ESTHER KIM

TEAM LEADERS

ANKIT AGRAWAL, KATE DENG, KATHERINE DU, ADITHI RAMAKRISHNAN, UZMA RENTIA

DESIGN EDITOR

BUSINESS MANAGER

KATE DENG

PATRICK TOULME

BROADCAST EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS MELANIE KURAPATTI, ALEXA NGUONLY

STAFF REPORTER

MADELINE OLD, AVNI SINGH

ADVISER

ERINN HARRIS

tjTODAY is the official newsmagazine of Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology published by the journalism staff. The staff is deeply committed to a code of journalistic ethics that demands the exercise of accuracy, good judgment and impartiality. The content of tjTODAY is determined by the editorial board. Unsigned editorials reflect the majority opinion of the staff of tjTODAY, but not necessarily the opinions of individual editors.

News

NewsMAKERS

CONTENTS

photo courtesy

photo courte

photo courtesy of

NEWS

3

SEPT 16 2015

NEWSWEEK RANKS JEFFERSON #1 Katherine Du || TEAM LEADER

BACKSTORY For the second year in a row, Newsweek has ranked Jefferson number one on its “America’s Top High Schools 2015” list.

The criteria for determining the high school ratings included college readiness, graduation rate and percentage of students in poverty. tjTODAY interviewed Principal Evan Glazer to get his opinion on Newsweek’s ranking system and Jefferson’s number one rank.

WHAT DO YOU THINK CONTRIBUTES TO TJ BEING RANKED AS THE TOP HIGH SCHOOL? Our ranking is influenced by Newsweek’s priorities in their criteria. Interestingly, when we were ranked a little lower in their system, it wasn’t because our performance changed by much; it was because they changed their criteria, which then launched us to the top.

Deep down, aside from Newsweek’s criteria, it is my belief that we are among the best public high schools in America as a result of our commitment to providing a learning environment that goes above and beyond testing standards.

NEWSWEEK REPORTED JEFFERSON’S POVERTY RATE AS 2.2 PERCENT. HOW HAS TJ BEEN SUPPORTIVE OF LOWER INCOME STUDENTS? In the latest grant we received from the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, our goal is to encourage students from economically disadvantaged households to apply to TJ. To that end, we will provide [students] with resources, such as enrichment, mentoring, and test prep, to give them a fighting chance in the application process versus those students already receiving similar services through their family’s support.

WHAT HAPPENED AT THE TEEN CHOICE AWARDS? On the awards day, I got to walk the red carpet shoulder-to-shoulder with many celebrities, including Rachel Platten herself.

I also got to talk to reporters from many famous media channels that were covering the event live. When Platten started singing her fight song on stage, it was a really exhilarating atmosphere.

how accessible all the celebrities were and also how open-minded they were for global causes.

of Ben Stephenson

SENIOR INVITED TO TEEN CHOICE AWARDS Kate Deng || DESIGN EDITOR

BACKSTORY Invited to the Teen Choice Awards as a “Rachel Platten Girl,” senior Kritika Singh received recognition on Aug. 16 for her accomplishments as the founder and chief executive officer of Malaria Free World, a non-profit organization. Founded in 2014, Malaria Free World has been advocating for malaria research through educational events WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY ABOUT and fundraisers.

THE TEEN CHOICE AWARDS? My favorite thing about the show was just

esy of Kritika Singh

SOPHOMORE COMES IN SECOND AT INTERNATIONAL BRAIN BEE

Soren Christensen

WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO COMPETE IN THE COMPETITION? Esther Kim || EDITOR-IN-CHIEF In seventh grade, I learned all about BACKSTORY different kinds of neurological disorPlacing second in the International ders; before that I didn’t really know Brain Bee, sophomore Soren much about neuroscience. When I Christensen competed against students learned more about the subject, I got from 24 nations, including China and interested with Brain Bee. Everybody Singapore, in Cairns, Australia from else was doing it, and it seemed like Aug. 20-26. Christensen won the such a cool competition.

National Brain Bee back in March, in which he was the D.C. region HOW DID IT FEEL TO MEET CONTESTANTS representative.

FROM AROUND THE WORLD? Everybody was really cool. I didn’t

WHAT DO YOU HOPE FOR MALARIA FREE WORLD IN FUTURE YEARS TO COME? I hope with more awareness, I will have more ambassadors -- “Malaria Masters.”

And I hope to get people to understand that malaria is something they should be aware of and care about, even if it does not directly affect them. I would like Malaria Free World to collaborate with people and organizations that are just as dedicated to defeating malaria as we are.

expect everybody to be so nice. I don’t know how to describe it, but it was really fun. Everybody became friends and we have a Facebook group. It was a really great experience.

WILL YOU BE CONTINUING BRAIN BEE THIS YEAR? I can’t compete in Brain Bee because I’ve already gone to the national level, but I really want to help students.

There is a neuroscience club, and it sort of focuses students on how to prepare for it.

4 NEWS Renovation Update

New boys and girls locker rooms are completed and open.

Gym One has been renovated and will be opening in early fall.

Renovated wrestling room is completed and open.

New art rooms have been expanded and are now in use.

New driver’s ed room will open later in early fall.

The Gandhi Commons is now open as a seating area between classes, in the mornings, and during lunch.

A more accessible temporary 8th period office is now open.

Renovated wrestling room will open in early fall.

2015-16

SCHEDULE CHANGES

ANCHOR

Period 1

8:40-9:30

Lunch/JLC

Period 2

9:40-10:25

Period 5

1:25-2:10

Period 3

10:35-11:20

Period 6

2:20-3:05

Period 4

11:30-12:15

Period 7

3:15-4:00

12:15-1:25

BLUE

Period 1

8:40-10:15

Period 3

12:40-2:15

Period 2

10:25-12:00

Period 4

2:25-4:00

Lunch

12:00-12:40

RED

Period 5

8:40-10:15

Period 7

12:40-2:15

Period 6

10:25-12:00

Break

2:15-2:30

Lunch

12:00-12:40

8A

2:30-3:10

8B

3:10-4:00

GRAPHIC // Kate Deng GRAPHIC // Anjali Khanna

ADS

5

SEPT. 16, 2015

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IN-DEPTH=

THE FEARLESS FACADE Ankit Agrawal, Kate Deng, Anjali Khanna, and Avni Singh || TEAM LEADER, DESIGN EDITOR, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, STAFF WRITER

Everything is not always as it seems The first in a series of articles in which tjTODAY will explore the causes and effects of academic pressure.

S

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION // Kate Deng

cores on standardized tests are valued more than anything else.”

“Competition among students is encouraged.”

“When I put in the effort I do well.”

These ideas, just a few of the 23 statements listed as a part of a nation-wide survey created by Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way” Foundation and the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, run through the heads of students daily. With its results to be released in October, the survey aims to find the difference between what true student emotions and what students want them to be.

Jefferson is known for its academic success and achievement. Students are told to strive for excellence, and much of the time, they do.

However, students also face an immense amount of academic pressure from intrinsic and extrinsic motivators, and

are often unwilling to share their internal, emotional struggle.

One component of this academic stress is competition and the fact that students compare themselves to others.

“There are times throughout the year where I feel confident in my extra-curriculars, projects I’m working on in my spare time, the classes I’m taking and the grades I’m getting in those classes,” sophomore Ajay Fewell said. “However, that confidence goes completely down the drain the moment I hear about that kid who seems to be doing so much more than I am.”

At times, competition can play a positive role, motivating students to work harder and in a healthy way.

“I think healthy competition helps individuals challenge themselves to achieve personal and academic growth,” senior Virginia Sun said. “Healthy compeition is one that respects boundaries of mental health and ethical considerations.”

Unfortunately, this is not always the case. The stress a student handles can take a negative toll, the effects hiding behind their seemingly extraordinary achievements.

When students compare themselves to others who seem to be doing more, this can be a source of self-doubt and feeling as if personal accomplishments are not as great as they truly are. Whether through extracurriculars, standardized testing, college applications or AP’s, competition is present in all aspects of Jefferson’s academic life.

“I think what brings the most competition at TJ is that everyone, or the general atmosphere,

IN-DEPTH

7

SEPT. 16, 2015 can be a support system, and that the community can recognize achievements, rather than trying to out-do one another.

“I think most students think of their peers as competitors rather than classmates, which puts a lot of pressure to succeed. I think when students are able to find their own community of like-minded people, that is when they really enjoy the Jefferson experience,” senior Andrew Howard said.

One step in the right direction may be less advertisement of grades.

“At Jefferson I have heard people comparing their numerical GPA values with each other and talking about how they’re

WHAT I THINK: Jennifer Lee Winston Churchill once said, “Success is a base school is really only average when the ability to go from one failure to another you attend Jefferson. While this fact has felt with no loss of enthusiasm.” I realized like a horrible curse during my time here, in this quote applies to me more and more hindsight, I realize that it has actually been a with each passing year. Many Jefferson hidden blessing all this time. students, the cream of the crop in middle Our environment simulates that of a school, begin to re-define college setting, where “success” as the ability to everyone is extremely move on from failure-tosmart and chasing after failure; big fish in a pond only a limited number become tiny fish when of A’s. For Jefferson they enter the ocean. students who have When you place 2,000 dealt with enormous of Northern Virginia’s competition since their brightest kids into a single freshmen year of high school, there is bound to school, the transition to be heartbreak and cutcollege suddenly becomes throat competition. much more manageable During my past than previously thought.

Jennifer Lee || GUEST WRITER three years at Jefferson, In fact, TJ alumni say I have had my fair share year-after-year that the of disappointing test study skills they gained grades and impossible teachers. But what from TJ have led to their success in college. remains in my memory the most is the In this light, we as TJ students should all nagging feeling of inadequacy as I attended take a break from lamenting about school, school with my classmates. My 800’s, my and instead take a moment to think about 5’s, and my A’s suddenly all lost value when how well TJ is preparing us for success in I looked at my Jefferson peers. I quickly college. We are simply facing the shock of realized that what is considered the best at college four years in advance.

‘never going to get into their top college choice,’” senior Asha Krishnakumar said.

Despite optimistic outlooks, there are some students who think there is no solution at all. Jefferson is a competitive school by nature, and it is easier said than done to avoid comparing yourself to others.

“I think students will always compare,” Howard said. “My hope is that if students work together to succeed, and everyone is improving, students will be happy for other people’s success, and be passionate to learn.”

% NUMBERS

BY THE

In a 2009 nationwide study, over

25%

of high schoolers worried about getting into a good college

of Jefferson students polled said that their academic motivation was intrinsic (self-motivated) rather than extrinsic (motivated externally)

65%

In 2011, 64% of Americans said that parents are NOT putting enough pressure on their children to do well in school What puts the MOST academic pressure on Jefferson students?

9% Desire to overacheive

22%

GPA 14% Other

14% School’s competitive nature Student Responses

(Extracurriculars, # of APs, Parents, Lack of Sleep) GRAPHIC // Ankit Agrawal Poll of 106 students

30% Tests andQuizzes 11% College Applications

Nationwide statistics courtesy of apa.org and liverscience.com

is very goal-oriented, and that ends up making grades the first priority, making people sacrifice certain things such as camaraderie and a sense a community,” senior Kaushik Venkatesh said.

Despite such comparisons, students believe that there are ways to lessen academic pressure, and create a positive environment that values learning over grades.

Some think that there can be a better sense of community, strengthened by the idea that everyone is in this together at such an academically challenging school.

These stakeholders believe that there

IN-DEPTH introducing REDIFINING THE NEW GENERATION OF COVER STORY

NEWS:

tjTODAY

Esther Kim, Katherine Du and Uzma Rentia || EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, TEAM LEADERS

B

ig changes: that is what you will get from the tjTODAY staff this year. The traditional newspaper format transitions to a fresh and modern look of a newsmagazine. The use of multimedia journalism becomes more important

and social media hopes to capture your candid moments. tjTODAY celebrates the launch of its first newsmagazine by embracing the old and the new, the past and the future, and tradition and change.

THE NEWSMAGAZINE LESS PLAY-BY-PLAY, MORE COLORS

[

1.IN-DEPTH STORIES

]

FEATURING THE SOCIAL & CULTURAL CHARACTER OF JEFFERSON

NEW PAGES

2. MODERNIZED 3. WE WANT

design

TO KNOW: WHAT’S ON YOUR MIND?

NEWSMAKERS

COVER STORY

Reporting interviews through Q/A

2+ pages, all for 1 “big idea”

STUDENT PROFILE

Featuring students on “What I’ve Learned”

IN-DEPTH

9

SEPT. 16, 2015

THE

ONLINE PUBLICATION WHAT IS ON

BLOG

TJTODAY ONLINE

Catch up with current events FRIDAY PODCASTS

Tune into TJTV Radio and listen to the news condensed into one-minute sound bites

Creative Commons photo courtesy of ClkerFreeVectorImages from www. pixabay.com

f

TjTODAY

SEND YOUR OPINIONS

[IN WITH THE NEWS ] OUT WITH THE OLD

HOW TO REACH tjTODAY FOLLOW ON

TJTV

TIPS ON COLLEGES STUDENT VOICES

@tjTODAY_news

1. VIisit WWW.TJTODAY.ORG 2. Look for “Get in Touch” category 3. Click “Submit a letter to the editor” and write a response to any of the articles you’ve read on tjTODAY or tjTODAY Online 4. Your letter may be published in future issues of tjTODAY or tjTODAY Online

tjtoday_news

tjtoday_news

JOIN tjTODAY INTEREST MEETING SEPT. 25 A & B-BLOCK TRAINING DATES SEPT. 28 A-BLOCK (Interviewing)

OCT.2 A-BLOCK (Photography) OCT. 5 A-BLOCK (News Writing) OCT. 7 A-BLOCK (Feature Writing)

CONTACT US

ESTHER KIM 2016skim2@tjhsst.edu ANJALI KHANNA 2016akhanna@tjhsst.edu

10 IN-DEPTH

Colonial sports face the potential risk of program cuts due to the newly-proposed FCPS budget for the 2016-2017 school year. Other potential cuts include stipends for teachers for school activites.

CUTTING IT CLOSE

Budget cuts may cause problems in 2016-2017 school year Uzma Rentia, Adithi Ramakrishnan, Ankit Agrawal, Katherine Du || TEAM LEADERS

“

T

he fiscal budget, which has already been trimmed 7.5 percent, may be cut an additional 8 percent before the year is over.”

eliminating student activities and athletics, could possibly have a crippling effect on the overall quality and nationwide ranking of FCPS.

This may seem like a statement from an article about the current FCPS budget crisis, but in reality, it was taken from an article in tjTODAY two decades ago. It seems history is repeating itself, with FCPS once again attempting to overcome an overwhelming deficit.

“I think it’s too early to speculate about what the impact of the budget cut would be without an opportunity to clear the picture of what the final budget will be for the school district and see some realistic [cuts] on the table,” principal Evan Glazer said.

Due to an increasing demand for teacher compensation and insurance costs, as well as more students entering school in Northern Virginia, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is facing a budget deficit of potentially more than $100 million. To deal with the issue, FCPS created a task force that proposed a list of cuts to take effect in the 2016-2017 school year. These cuts, ranging from expanding the use of online classes to

A few of the potential cuts are Jefferson-specific. Currently, teachers work eight-hour days, but the proposed budget cuts would reduce this amount to seven and a half hours.

Students and alumni have speculated that the half hour reduction may result in the removal of eighth period; however, Dr. Glazer believes that such a cut would be unrealistic and unlikely. “Rather than thinking about losing eighth period, it’s really

PHOTO // Alexa Nguonly DESIGN // Uzma Rentia

BY THE

NUMBERS

55

% of high

schoolers play a sport

students at TJ played at least one sport in 2014-2015

913 81%

of students feel playing sports is helpful for getting into college

75%

feel sports helps maintain mental health

nationwide survey courtesy of U.S. News and World Report Jefferson poll of 87 students

IN-DEPTH

11

SEPT 16 2015

about whether it’s legitimately possible to cut 30 minutes from the school day when revenue sources outside of Fairfax County are being used to supplement the additional amount given to TJ,” Glazer said However, as the option has been listed on the budget draft, certain students at Jefferson express that while taking away eighth period would not be the best option, it may be mandatory in the long run.

“Though 8th period is an excellent opportunity to participate in many interesting clubs, if FCPS is short on money, I would rather lose 8th period than many of the other opportunities that FCPS provides,” sophomore Sean Clancy said.

other cuts, such as the possible elimination of all high school-affiliated sports.

Student opinions on the matter lie on opposite ends of the spectrum.

Participating in sports strengthens work ethic, perseverance, and collaboration within and between students,” junior and three-sport athlete Laura Chu said. “Being a part of a team gives students a great sense belonging and friendship with their teammates, and teammates form relationships that are strong long after high school.”

“FCPS anticipates a significant budget shortfall for school year 2016-17 (FY 2017). To balance the budget, FCPS may have to cut, reduce, or redesign current programs.”

-A message from FCPS

Students also say that the removal of eighth period would not be beneficial to the school.

Conversely, students believe that removing sports may be necessary to ensure greater success in other aspects of the Jefferson community.

“A well-rounded person does better in school than those that just focus on academics,” junior Violet Felt said. “By having 8th periods as part of the school day, students feel like they have enough time to…[participate] in other hobbies besides math and biology.”

“I love school sports teams, but if we’re being practical and there really isn’t enough money to fund both sports programs and important resources for students, I wouldn’t be opposed to cutting sports to ensure students have the tools they need for success,” junior Swetha Prabakaran, a member of the swim and dive team, said.

Although Jefferson students are concerned about eighth period, it is not likely that it will be cut. Furthermore, the majority of the county is focused on

Students, faculty and FCPS board members are up in arms about what to cut, and all changes made will be implemented in the 2016-2017 school

ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK

from the FCPS Preliminary Menu of Potential Reducations and Fees

9.5

% of deficit

covered by

Eliminating Sports

8.3 mill

Cutting Teacher Contracts

1.2 mill

6.43 %

of deficit covered by

Charge AP Test Fees

4.5 mill

Charge Athletic Fees

1.8 mill

Charge PSAT Fees

100 k

Reduce Printing

25 k DESIGN // Uzma Rentia

year. No decisions have been made, and Dr. Glazer believes that, while these cuts to teacher contracts and sports may seem serious, more decision-making is required before they become legitimate.

“I don’t worry about the implications until I have a clear understanding of what realistically could be cut,” Glazer said.

“Some things on that list are realistic and some aren’t, and the things that grab our attention, such as athletics and eighth period, are the ones that rile us up.”

OPINION EDITORIAL

THE BIG CHANGE What are the motivations behind tjTODAY’s new look?

Anjali Khanna and Esther Kim || EDITORS-IN-CHIEF

F

act of life: change is difficult. When dealing with a 30-year tradition, the decision to make a change becomes even more challenging. tjTODAY, as a newspaper, has a legacy of excellence, not only in terms of its history, but also in terms of the stories that shared the many voices of Jefferson.

up-to-date, noteworthy events. We will incorporate more multimedia than ever done before, using TJTV and TJTV Radio to offer candid reactions of students.

In addition, we will be using Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat to engage our readers and close the gap between tjTODAY and the school community.

However, we realized that we needed to change. The print publication could no longer keep pace with online. While the newspaper, from the brainstorming to design process, took almost an entire month, we can update the online newspaper within seconds. While working with the two different publication types for the past four years, we have come to the conclusion that there were too many unnecessary overlaps between the two that only faded their distinctions.

The print publication will primarily focus on topics that require in-depth research before writing. We will take a significant local, international, social or cultural issue of the month and interpret the topic in multiple ways. We will incorporate more design elements, such as color, infographics and more dramatic photography.

Our goal for the newsmagazine is to create a publication that will not only adhere to journalistic ethics, but also Thus, we present a new beginning engage the readers in an informative and for tjTODAY, one that will adapt to 21st interesting manner on multiple levels. We century journalism. The primary purpose hope to utilize the new publication to of our new brand is convergence, making represent the student body, highlighting connections between the newsmagazine our collective strengths and bringing light and the online website. We will be to the issues we face as a community. delivering stories to both the print and We want to deliver consistent and quality online publications, but the methods in coverage on the issues that matter, while which they are delivered will be different. updating tjTODAY Online daily with Our website will become the primary news, events and happenings around the venue for news; we will report the most school.

That said, there are some traditions surrounding tjTODAY’s legacy that can never be broken. In the 2014-2015 school year, the National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA) awarded tjTODAY’s print publication its 10th All-American Award, the highest award possible through its ranking system. This qualified our publication for entry into the NSPA All-American Hall of Fame, a significant accomplishment in our history.

Because of this legacy of excellence and the impact we have had on the Jefferson community throughout the years, we chose to keep the name “tjTODAY,” and continue our publication’s mission to be a vehicle for student expression and an open forum of issues of interest and concern to the school community.

Although the newsmagazine will not be as news-oriented as our former print publication, we plan to continue daily coverage through our online site in order to maintain relevance.

So although change may be difficult, it is what drives innovation and discovery.

We vow to push ourselves further as journalists than we have ever before, pulling the publication we love so dearly into the modern age.

DESIGN // Esther Kim

SPORTS SEPT. 16, 2015

SEPTEMBER SPORTS SEPT. 16 5:00 pm vs. Lee, Edison, Wakefield @ Franconia Park Fr 5:00 pm @ TC Williams JV 6:00 pm @ TC Williams

SEPT. 17 4:00pm vs. Edison @ Pinecrest CC JV 5:45 pm @ Mount Vernon Fr 5:45 pm @ Mount Vernon JV 7:30 pm @ Mount Vernon SEPT. 18 V 7:00 pm vs. Mount Vernon @ TJ V 7:30 pm vs. Mount Vernon @ TJ V 7:30 pm @ Falls Church JV 6:15 pm @ Falls Church SEPT. 19 TBA @ Oatlands Plantation

SEPT. 21 Fr 5:45pm vs. Edison @ TJ JV 7:30pm vs. Edison @ TJ Fr 5:00pm vs. Woodson @ TJ JV 6:00pm vs. Woodson @ TJ V 7:15pm vs. Woodson @ TJ JV 6:15pm @ Edison V 7:30pm @ Edison SEPT. 23 4:00pm vs. Falls Church @ Jefferson District Park

SEPT. 24 JV 5:45pm vs. Edison @ TJ Fr 5:00pm vs. Yorktown @ TJ JV 6:00pm vs. Yorktown @ TJ V 7:15pm vs. Yorktown @ TJ SEPT. 25 JV -6:15pm vs. Herndon @ TJ V 7:30 pm vs. Herndon @ TJ V 7:00pm @ Edison V 7:30pm @ Edison Home Away

SEPT. 26 TBA (DCXC Invitational) @ Kenilworth Park, DC SEPT. 28 4:00pm (Capitol Conference Championship – Day 1) @ Pohick Bay GC SEPT. 29 JV 6:15pm vs. Lee @ TJ V 7:30pm vs. Lee @ TJ 4:00 pm (Capitol Conference Championship – Day 2) @ Pohick Bay GC Fr 5:00pm @ West Potomac JV 6:00pm @ West Potomac V 7:15pm @ West Potomac SEPT. 30 5:00pm vs. Stuart, Edison, Lee @ Mason District Park : Volleyball, : Golf, : Field Hockey, : Cross Country, : Football, : Cheer DESIGN // Melanie Kurapatti

SUMMER

Sports Practices

As the school year begins, so too do matches for the season. The amount of time each team spent practicing during the summer months can be crucial to success come competition time.

Cheer

Ho

ck e

y

Dance

100 HRS

S

HR

56 HRS

52

184 HRS

Fie ld

Volleyball

Football

Cross

109 HRS

Co 48 HR untry S DESIGN // Alexa Nguonly

entertainment

FALL SHOW PREVIEWS ‘DOCTOR WHO’

photo courtesy of www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho

‘CODE BLACK’

photo courtesy of www.cbs.com/shows/code-black

‘ARROW’

CreativeCommons photo courtesy of BagoGames on Flickr

Adithi Ramakrishnan || TEAM LEADER

Kate Deng || DESIGN EDITOR

Uzma Rentia || TEAM LEADER

With an otherworldly new set of aliens and a few familiar faces waiting in store, BBC America will air the ninth season of “Doctor Who” in the US on Sept. 19.

The legacy of “Doctor Who” spans over 50 years, 700 episodes and one timeless lead.

The show follows the Doctor, the last of his race of Time Lords, who travels through time and space in his time machine known as the TARDIS. Peter Capaldi reprises his role as the Twelfth Doctor in the new season. Although fans were initially reluctant to accept an older doctor, Capaldi brought a darker side of the centuries-old character to the light in season eight, instantly making him a fan-favorite.

A stellar set of adventures lined up makes for a season that is sure to expand the boundaries of “Doctor Who.”

Audiences can expect a dramatic thriller full of raw emotion this fall when CBS premieres “Code Black” on Sept. 30. Based on Dr. Ryan McGarry’s documentary, “Code Black” is a medical drama filmed in a real Emergency Room.

In a press release from CBS Studios Website, Luis Guzman explains a typical day in filming. “You’re showing up to do a real shift,” Guzman, who plays a trauma nurse, said. “You’re not showing up to do 10 hours as an actor. You’re showing up to do 12 hours as a doctor, as a nurse.”

Producer Michael Seitzman assures audiences that “Code Black” is like nothing we’ve ever seen before, and its seven minute introduction on the official website leaves audiences impatiently yearning for the premiere.

The CW’s “Arrow” is set to return for its fourth season on Oct. 7. “Arrow” chronicles billionaire Oliver Queen’s journey from a selfindulging playboy to crime-fighting vigilante intent on purging Starling city of villains.

Season three ended with Queen hanging up his bow and arrow in what seemed to be his chance to rekindle his romance with Felicity Smoak. However, the emergence of a new villain brings Smoak and Queen back to the corrupt city.

Despite the addition of a darker adversary, season four promises to introduce a lighter tone and more laid-back Queen. Creators are attempting to make the lead character get in touch with his comic book persona; this means less of the broody, no nonsense Queen to which fans have grown accustomed.

BINGE-WATCHING REVIEW: ‘TOP GEAR’ multiple National Television Awards and an Avni Singh || STAFF REPORTER

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: “Top Gear” is a British TV show that showcases motor vehicles, mostly cars, and aims to find out if they are as good as the manufacturers claim. The show has 22 seasons and has been running since 2002.

WHY YOU SHOULD WATCH IT: Top Gear has won a BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Award),

International Emmy Award.

It is a fun show to watch if you want to learn more about cars, watch the hosts race Ferraris and Lamborghinis on their custom Top Gear track, or find out how certain cars perform on the road.

Their specials are also interesting. My favorite episode is the India Special; since India is one of the world’s largest importers,

the show traveled to India to advertise British products. Their idea was to host a garden party, but it ended on a sour note when Jeremy Clarkson, the host of the show, decided to make a homemade firework that landed in a nearby house, causing damage.

Apart from how funny the show is, what makes “Top Gear” a great show is the enthusiasm the hosts have for the cars they showcase.

AD

15

SEPT. 16, 2015

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TRIPATHI LEARNING & ENRICHMENT CENTER

OUR SERVICES

THE NEW SAT: is not new for us. We have always focused on improving fundamental problem-solving skills and efficiency instead of trickery.

SUBJECT TUTORING: Yes, sometimes even the best students need help.

What’s wrong in mastering a subject and raising your GPA? INTEL STS: Mentoring in chemistry, biology, computer science, etc.

Several of our students have been semifinalists.

PSAT: Yes, YOU can help grow the # of semifinalists @TJ to >30%

WHAT DO OUR STUDENTS/PARENTS SAY? “You have built my world forever....” K.B. TJ ‘14, CALTECH ‘18 “Your help has been a game changer.” S.M., a dad of TJ ‘15 “Dr. Tripathi can’t be beat. He’s the best there is for TJ prep, SAT prep and general math/ science tutoring. Plus the kids absolutely love him.” N.M., a mom of TJ ‘09 & TJ ‘16 “Everything I learned in math, I learned from you.” C.S., Potomac & Stanford ‘03

DR. TRIPATHI, Ph.D./M.S. GEOCHEM/STAT, STANFORD HAS BEEN TEACHING SINCE 1983.

DR. TRIPATHI, A FATHER OF 2 TJ & STANFORD GRADS IS THE ONLY TEACHER @ TLEC. FOR HIM, BRINGING OUT THE BEST IN EACH OF HIS STUDENTS IS A PASSION, NOT A BUSINESS. LEARN@TRIPATHI.COM (703) 893-6222 HTTP://PLUS.GOOGLE.COM/+TRIPATHILEARNINGENRICHMENTCENTERMCLEAN/ABOUT HTTP://WWW.OPTIMALSATPREP.COM/

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PHOTO // Anjali Khanna REPORTING // Alexa Nguonly

I’M VERY GOOD at taking fast notes.

Cheer makes you more confident. We often do stuff solo or in little groups, and at first I would be that person in the back but now I

DON’T MIND BEING IN THE

FRONT ROW when we do cheers.

DEBATE TEAM TAUGHT ME TEAMWORK

and how to not get frustrated with your teammates and want to punch them. I bonded with a lot of people and I learned how to refute.

TRUST IS believing your teammates will always catch you.

I think the cheer team represents TJ really well. Everyone was actually really friendly, not awkward friendly. It was like “Hey! Be a part of our family!” at tryouts. I think that really represents TJ as being a welcoming school. We aren’t just a school for smart people. PEOPLE

CAN BOND THROUGH EDUCATION AS WELL AS SPORTS.

The TJ application process was very eye opening. While preparing for the test, I LEARNED HOW TO PRESENT MYSELF. It made me nervous for high school, but I think that’s a good thing, so I’ll be more prepared.

FRESHMAN

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DEBBIE DONG || WHAT I VE LEARNED