Valor Dictus Bravely Speaking to the Robinson Community
College Focus, Page 16
Advisor: Christopher Moore
Editor-in-Chief: Amelia Gulding Managing Editor: Emily Boland Business Manager: Courtney Williams Social Media Editor: Jessica Reid
you are up “ When against incredibly
Design Editor: Rachel Bloedorn Photo Editor: Khadeejat Lawal Entertainment Editor: Aidan O’Meara
Dorthe Gunderson, Page 12
Sports Editor: Matthew Lichtblau
falling short.
Opinions Editor: Connor Dunphy
Catie
Taphorn, 12
News Editor: Sam Davis Staff Writers: Andrew Lichtblau Andy Zhang Bridget Harold Maya Tegegn Nate Walker Nathaniel Robertson Front cover photo: Drum Major Makenna Robinson leads players during halftime show. Photo by: Khadeejat Lawal
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Info
talented scholars and D1 athletes, the struggle with applying is not so much the workload as it is the fear of
Silas Matthew, Page 12
”
Football Overview, Page 30
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News 4-5 6 7 8
Race Issues in America by Khadeejat Lawal Get Lit with IB English by CourtneyWilliams Gearing Up for a New Governor by Amelia Gulding Dr. Brabrand Takes the Helm as New FCPS Superintendent by Matthew Lichtblau
Features
9 From Norway to NOVA by Emily Boland 10-11 Laura Leydon Returns by Rachel Bloedorn 12 What Teachers Want You to Learn at Robinson
Opinion
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15 Butting Heads: Kneeling for the Anthem by Nate Walker and Peter Brukx 20 Should we have Veterans Day Off by Connor Dunphy 21 Nation Goals by Connor Dunphy 22 Confederate Statues: A Tortured Past by Aidan O’Meara
McGill University - Photo by Amelia Gulding
Focus 16-19 The College Craze by Sam Davis
From the application to acceptence, the process of heading to college is a time-consuming and stressful task for anyone who wishes to persue it. Refections on applying to colleges pg. 16
Entertainment
Horror Movies: A Shockingly Inventive Genre by Aidan O’Meara 24-25 Nelly Solares: Marching to the Beat of Her Own Drum by Jessica Reid Stranger Things Returns by Andy Zhang 26 23
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Sports 28-29 Banding Together for a New Season by CourtneyWilliams 30 Under the Lights by Thomas Redifer 31 Coach Arnsmeyer Spotlight by Maya Tegegn 32 Silas Matthew Althlete Spotlight by Bridget Harold Info
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Race Issues in America: A Khadeejat Lawal Photo Editor
Charlottesville, VA In recent months, the country has faced many issues regarding race and how minorities are treated in America. These issues have resulted in protests and race riots organized by people on both sides of the controversy. One of the most controversial events took place in Charlottesville, Virginia. There was a rally organized by white nationalist Jason Kessler to protest the plan to remove a Confederate statue from the city on August 12. Officials from organizations, such as the NAACP had called for it to be taken down as early as 2012. Many people were opposed to this request because they believed Confederate monuments are an important part of the South’s history. Supporters of that narrative marched down to the University of Virginia on August 11 carrying tiki torches and shouting phrases like “white lives matter” and “blood and
soil.” The latter was a reference to the official policy for non-Aryans to not be able to own land, set forth by the Nazi Party in 1933. Videos and coverage of the rally erupted all over social media and on multiple news channels within hours. Later that morning, after many conflicts and clashes between protesters and counter-protesters, a local state of emergency was called for by the City of Charlottesville. Further into the afternoon, after the protesters had stayed persistent, a car driven by James Alex Fields Jr. rammed into counter-protesters, killing 32-year-old Heather Heyer and injuring over a dozen others, as reported by the New York Times. The police made no effective action when the rally first began, but when Fields Jr. sped away in his car, the police located and stopped him. Events as severe as this one, in which someone is killed in the midst of protests, don not go unspoken about by America.
August 12, 2017
Washington, DC
On Saturday, September 16, the pro-Trump ‘Mother of All Rallies’ event was held in Washington, D.C. near the Washington Monument. Hawk Newsome, the president of Black Lives Matter (BLM) of Greater New York, and a few others from the organization marched in solidarity through the rally in support of the BLM movement. Many of the Trump supporters present boo’ed and shouted bitter remarks to the group or told other supporters to act as if the group didn’t exist. Despite all the negative comments, and to the surprise of all present, the organizer of the pro-Trump rally, Tommy Hodges, invited Newsome onto the stage for two minutes to share his message about BLM with the rest of the
Trump supporters. After some persuading from Hodges, the crowd decided to hear out the BLM group. Videos of this exchange between the two opposing sides erupted all over social media. The videos show footage of a few pro-Trump supporters yelling “white lives matter!” as Newsome begins his short speech about trying to gain awareness and justice for those African Americans killed by police officers. The goal of this pro-Black Lives Matter speech was to inform those who are unsupportive of the movement that African Americans are still oppressed in America. While some in the crowd refused to agree with what Newsome was trying to put forth, everyone present cheered at the conclusion of Newsome’s speech: “If we really want to make America great, we do it together.”
September 16, 2017
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News
Year’s Review NFL Stadiums, USA
Amidst all other protests regarding race and injustice in America, Colin Kaepernick’s kneeling during the National Anthem has been popular in news and media since mid-August of 2016. For the duration of the National Anthem, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick made the controversial decision to kneel in protest of the ongoing issues with police brutality. Other well known players in the NFL have joined him in this protest including Jeremy Lane, Eric Reid, and Marshawn Lynch. When these protests came to President Trump’s attention, during a rally in Alabama on Friday, September 22, he expressed his opinion about how it should be handled. He voiced that any NFL owners that see their players “disrespecting the flag” should “get that [player] off the field right now; he’s fired.” That Sunday, upon hearing the President’s remark on the topic, players and teams across the NFL kneeled, linked their arms together, and showed other acts of solidarity in response. The Pittsburgh Steelers went as far as staying in the locker room during the National Anthem. Even players not involved in the NFL had something to say to Trump. A recent example: in the NBA, championship teams typically visit the White House and meet the President. This past season, the Golden State Warriors were the team scheduled to meet the President. However, Stephen Curry, one of the Warriors’ more prominent players, stated that he wanted nothing to do with Trump and wouldn’t be attending the White House. In response, President Trump tweeted: “Going to the White House is considered a great honor for a championship team. Stephen Curry is hesitating, therefore invitation is withdrawn!” LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers, the rival team to the Warriors, responded, calling Trump a “bum” and pointed out that Curry already said he wasn’t coming so, “therefore ain’t no invite,” and that “going to the White House was a great honor until [Trump] showed up!” People across the country on social media claimed that Trump’s initial comment about firing football players for not standing during the National Anthem was a violation of their first amendment right of free speech. However, others believe what the President said was completely justified and players should not be given a platform if they are going to disrespect the flag by not standing.
August, 2016
Megan Garnett,
Combatting Intolerance Teacher
“At the beginning of every year I put up photos from certain events that made headlines in the summer and of course, Charlottesville was one of them. I had an image on the wall that reflected that event, and that was definitely one that struck [my students]. A number of comments centered around the President’s reactions, and his response to the incident.”
Josie George, 10th grade
“If [the football players] were protest ing the actual National Anthem, this would’ve been done on so many different instances. But, what has changed is the increase in police brutality, and it’s because of that that they’re protesting.”
Phillip Moxley, 10th grade
“I support Black Lives Matter and their message. I also support cops because I know their jobs are extremely hard, but I feel like there still is a big issue that needs to be addressed regarding police brutality.”
News
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IB English Gets Lang Lit Courtney Williams Business Manager
The 2017-2018 school year started off with a few changes to the English department, one of the biggest being the introduction of the new Language and Literature (Lanf. Lit.) class. The new class is replacing the English 12 Honors course and is a two-part class offered to Juniors to complete in their senior year with the exam. The reason for the change has been to limit the levels of classes. With English 12, English 12 Honors and IB English Literature I and II, there would be too many levels of IB English. Instead of only offering Lang. Lit, like some schools in the county, Lang. Lit is only open to juniors to allow them to fully complete the course. One course that hasn’t been changed is English 11 Honors. By only leaving the class open for juniors, administrators hoped to create a smooth transition for stu-
The content in Lang/Lit varies, as half of the course is in literary context and the other non-literary context, such as Kanye West rap lyrics, fashion advertisements, and political propaganda. 6
News
dents. Though students had to get used to a whole new curriculum, for some Lang. Lit a good alternative class. “I definitely feel like the change was worth it since it’s an interesting class to take and doesn’t pile on too much extra work,” said Rachana John, 11th, “There is also a unique kind of curriculum since we discuss fun topics such as pop culture and the current societal issues of today.” Though the Lang. Lit class is made to be equivalent to the old English 12 Honors in terms of coursework and difficulty, there are a few key differences. Unlike a regular IB class where a work is connected with the real world, students will receive a blog or an article. Students are then responsible for understanding why the ideas have real meaning and how that meaning is expressed.
The class teaches analytical and argumentative skills.
Lang/Lit studies both fiction and nonfiction works and focuses on cultivating an understanding of the circumstances in which the text was written.
An off election year does not tend to be a time when the American population is concerned with a change in political leaders. But Virginians, who are coming off of a controversial presidential election and reside in a prominent swing state, have poured millions into the Governor’s race, the highest state government position. Even though the vote won’t officially take place until November 7th, Virginians decided their party’s nominee on June 13th, and the race technically began back in 2015 when Republican nominee, Ed Gillespie announced his run. Gillespie has run on the typical conservative platform of limited government and growing the economy. Most of his released policies focus on cutting taxes and creating jobs, but, interestingly, they also include nonpartisan ideas such as limited lobbyists and making the government more transparent. “I think Ed is a really good candidate because he’s almost a regular guy,” said former Robinson student and Ed Gillespie canvasser, Sara Klein. “He’s really in touch with the people of Virginia. I think having someone who is in touch with the people makes a great Governor.” Even so, Gillespie is not free from critics, from eminent Trump supporters and liberals alike. Republicans who displayed their hatred for career politicians last November condemn him for being too close to the Republican National Committe (RNC), while Democrats believe that he is not far enough away from Trump. “You can’t win,” said Klein. “People say he’s too close to the establishment… [but] I think he’s kind of in the middle type of candidate. He does have the ties within the RNC and within the federal government, but at the same time I think that can help you.” Ralph Northam won the democrat nomination and has centered his campaign around a progressive social platform. He emphasizes gun control, expanding medicaid, women’s rights, and LGBT equality, popular issues among young voters and those who supported Hillary back in 2016. “I see Ralph Northam as a true Virginian,” said Matthew Ross, President of Robinson’s Young Democrats Club. “He has consistently stood up for e conomic inequality, women’s rights in, and all the things that in my opinion Republicans want to remove.” Although Northam has talked of policy on creating a school to work pipeline and balancing the budget, he has faced criticism for not providing enough detail, and completely ignoring issues such as the Opioid Epidemic and tax code. “Anyone who is interested in voting for Northam can look back at his voting record as consistently supporting all the ideologies that he stands for,” said Ross. “If he is more vague, it’s because he has 30 plus years of voting consistently for what he believes in and what his constituents believe in to back it up.” “This governor’s race… is going to be the first legitimate test after the 2016 presidential election of what the constituents ... have seen as a result of the election of Donald Trump” said Ross. “This is going to be an example of what we’re going to see going forwards after the 2016 election.”
Gearing Up For a New Governor Amelia Gulding Editor-In-Chief Governor candidate
Ralph
Northam has served as
Virginia’s Lieutenant Governor since 2013 under Governor Terri McAuliff. Prior to his election, he worked as a pediatric doctor and a State Senator from 2008-2013.
Lieutenant Governor candidate
Justine Fairfax is a
former assistant U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. Once elected, Fairfax plans to increase the minimum wage and lead SOL (Standards of Learning) reform. Governor candidate
Ed
Gillespie
is a former chair of the Republican National Committee. He has served as a counselor to former president George W. Bush and was an advisor for Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign.
Lieutenant Governor candidate
Jill Holtzman formerly served as the chief counsel for the Republican National Committee. In office she hopes to restore trust in government and grow the economy.
News
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1999
2009
+Founded Model UN program at Herndon +Assistant Principal at Herndon +Associate Principal at Lake Braddock
+ Cluster Assistant Superintendent, responsible for 29 schools
1990s 1994
+ Starts FCPS career at Herndon as a history teacher
2000s 2005
+ Principal of Fairfax + Improved SOL testing + Improved AP enrollment
Brabrand Takes the Helm as New Superintendent Matthew Lichtblau Sports Editor
Dr.
Scott Brabrand is officially the new Superintendent of FCPS. He was chosen by the school board on June 8 to take the seat formerly held by Superintendent Karen Garza. As Superintendent, Brabrand’s job description namely includes working with the School Board to develop the FCPS educational strategy moving forward, and ensuring that the goals/plans of the board and the school system in as well as itself are carried out properly. The Superintendent is the County’s chief school-based leadership role, meaning that Brabrand is taking over this year as the first in command in the chain of FCPS authority. Brabrand’s professional experience within the FCPS school system dates back to 1994, when he worked as a social studies teacher at Herndon High School. At Herndon, Brabrand remained very involved in the learning environment. He founded of the school’s Model UN program to overhaul FCPS curriculum standards for U.S. and Virginia gov-
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News
ernment. Eventually, after serving various posts within FCPS, he took over as principal at Fairfax High School in 2005 where he achieved success in budgetary expansion, SOL tests improvement, and student enrollment in more rigorous (namely AP) courses. Then, after serving as Cluster assistant Superintendent effective 2009, Brabrand most recently served as Superintendent of Lynchburg City Schools for five years where the Virginia Association of School Superintendents declared him the Region Superintendent of the Year for 2016-17. It is this multitude of factors that, as School Board Member-at-Large, Ilryong Moon stated in an interview via email, proves that FCPS’s new Superintendent “has a broad perspective and a wide range of experiences.” In an FCPS press release, school board chair Sandy Evans had high praise for Brabrand: “His collaborative leadership style and his knowledge of Fairfax County Schools will be strong assets for him as the new Superintendent.” Specifically, Evans exuded optimism for an improved future
for FCPS under Brabrand in areas including college and higher education preparation. As for Brabrand himself, he said that he is excited about “reconnecting in Fairfax County Public Schools, with the folks that [he’s] known for almost 25 years, and getting to know people [he’s] never met before to really embrace excellence, to embrace equity, to embrace a wonderful school system that aspires to be and will be the premier school system in this country.” As Moon explains, Brabrand’s comprehensive entry plan—which gives insight into his future aims as Superintendent—is “based on excellence, equity, effectiveness and expectations.” Moon added, “I know all of these goals are geared toward student excellence.” As for specifics, Moon believes that Brabrand will focus significantly on the budget process and management, as well as his top priority, competitive teachers’ compensation. Only time will tell how Brabrand fares in pursuing change in his new position.
BUTTING HEADS Should NFL Players Kneel For the National Anthem? Peter Brukx Guest Writer On January 22nd, President Donald Trump tweeted, “Peaceful protests are a hallmark of our democracy. Even if I don’t always agree, I recognize the rights of people to express their views.” But, exactly 8 months later, at a rally in Huntsville, Alabama, President Trump, shocking absolutely no one, managed to completely contradict himself. He called for NFL owners to fire their players who peacefully protest by kneeling during the National Anthem. Opponents of kneeling, such as President Trump, say that players are disrespecting the military, even though their protests don’t have anything to do with the military, the flag, or the national anthem itself. These mostly African American players are kneeling because they feel that their community has been systematically oppressed by the criminal justice system and is unfairly targeted as victims of police brutality. Because people want to avoid the much more difficult conversation about racial tensions in the US, we have managed to sidestep the issue entirely, and focus on the means of protest and misrepresent the purpose of the protests themselves. We have decided to label these players as disgusting traitors that hate our military instead of concerned citizens that want to improve the nation by using their Constitutional rights granted to them by the Founding Fathers and protected by the troops they love just as much as you and I do. When our troops enlist, they make an oath not to the flag, not to the National Anthem, and not even to the nation itself, but to the Constitution. For our President and millions of Americans to misconstrue the sole purpose of our troops is more disrespectful and harmful to our military and nation than anything, these NFL players have been accused of doing when they kneel for a better Union on game day.
YES
Nate Walker Staff Writer On August 26, 2016, Colin Kaepernick was first noticed protesting the National Anthem because of his perceptions of police brutality against minorities in America. Over one year later, Kaepernick is no longer with the NFL, yet more players are protesting than ever before. Today, players have no real motive to protest the National Anthem and the flag, other than to support anti-American and anti-Trump rhetoric. Protesting is blatantly disrespecting anyone who serves, has served, or will serve in the military; to them, the flag actually means something, and to see people who the military has protected, protesting the flag is extremely insulting. The NFL players, who claim that the flag represents a country of oppression, have not seen true oppression and racism. There was a time when NFL teams would not allow black players onto their teams because of their race. Today, a player gets offended, and they feel the need to act out. Every week, one NFL game is played in England, and each time, players have kneeled for America’s National Anthem on foreign soil. Whether these players are aware of it or not, they not only represent the NFL, but they are also representing America. Frankly, they are doing an atrocious job of illustrating our great country. While the First Amendment does protect players’ rights to protest, the NFL is perfectly able to prevent the protesting of the National Anthem, yet they refuse to do so in order to make a political statement. If an employee makes a controversial political statement at work, their employer has every right to fire them, and the same concept applies to the NFL. Until the NFL finally decides to act on players protesting, the NFL is continuing to allow the disrespecting of the National Anthem. As one of America’s biggest pastimes, football is loved all throughout the country. However, the NFL is yet another entity to make an unnecessary political stance to further their agenda. Many fans are fed up with the league, and are now disowning their favorite teams. Kneeling for the National Anthem has ruined the NFL, yet players continue to disrespect our great country and
NO
the brave men and women who defend it.
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Op-Ed
Laura Leydon Returns Photo by Khadeejat Lawal
The Founding Member Behind
I
One of the Most Popular Clubs Comes Back
Rachel Bloedorn Design Editor
f there’s one defining feature of the Partnership classroom, it’s the smiles. All the students milling around the brightly decorated classroom have obvious grins and apparent delight on their faces as they go about playing games and socializing. The Partnership program is comprised of special needs students and general education students. It’s a safe place where pupils can socialize, have fun, and participate in school activities. The program is a huge success story for students, but where did it start? 18 years ago, first year teacher Laura Leydon was approached by a student about sponsoring an after school club for kids with special needs. Leydon was a teacher in the high-functioning autism program with a passion for the underdogs, and immediately jumped at the idea of the club. “It was very low-budget, high love”, said Leydon, “It was low-key structured social time. I wasn’t bringing a curriculum, I was really bringing a camp social vibe to it”. Being a first year teacher, Leydon’s spare time was precious, and she made use of every second of it. She joined many after school clubs, knowing that special
involved with after school activities,” Leydon said with pride. Her ability to connect was shown through the speed with which she grew her group of students. The first meeting consisted of six kids and one sponsor, but word of mouth quickly traveled until the club was full of participants. Nowadays, the Partnership club has changed and expanded its horizons, and it’s not the only one. Leydon has returned to Robinson after a stint at Mountain View High School, and is teaching special education once again. She is also teaching geometry and English 11 honors, and her students are quite fond of her exuberance. “She makes the classroom really fun with her jokes; she does a British accent and it makes the class interesting” junior Walker Clark stated. Leydon shaped one of the most popular programs at Robinson with every intent on furthering the social life and happiness of the students involved. She was shocked to hear how a small after-school club became a county-wide program, and glad to see that
“What it has become is something I could not have even dreamed of.” needs students would feel comfortable attending those activities if she were there. In her work as a “max outreach” representative, she made allies in other clubs, which eventually led to the creation of her own club. “If I was the sponsor of a float, the kids with special needs and their parents would feel comfortable getting them
it is now a beloved part of the Rams community. “The fact that it’s on everybody’s mind and that it’s a part of the entire culture of this school is huge,” emphasized Leydon. “What it has become is something I could not have even dreamed of.”
FROM NORWAY TO NOVA Emily Boland Managing Editor
Senior Dorthe Gunderson, one of the newest international students, made the move to NOVA with her family in mid-July. She was born in Norway, but lived in Belgium, near Brussels, for the last four years. She went to a Scandinavian IB school with 400 students, “I’m not used to such a big school,” she said. Her average class had 24 kids in it, which maybe why French is her favorite class. “The class is very small,” she said. “I feel more comfortable… because of that,” and because in smaller classes, “you don’t have to worry about what others think of you.” Gunderson seemed to have no problem with what others think of her, however, “people are nice here...I feel welcome and I like it,” she said. Even with the unusually early date of homecoming this year, Gunderson easily found a group to go with, or rather not go: “I didn’t go to the dance,” she said, “I went to a trampoline park with some friends, and we also went out to eat dinner.” The leadup to homecoming was exciting as well. “I like how Americans make up all these events,” she said “because we have nothing like that in Norway.” Regardless of how much someone likes where they move, a little
homesickness is to be expected. “I miss Norwegian culture,” she said. “I miss people and how they behave, and our traditions.” To preserve their culture, Gunderson and her family speak Norwegian at home: “I don’t want to lose anything [from]… my Norwegian side,” she said. She found out she would be moving here at the end of December, and chose Robinson as her school in February, as it was the only school that offered all of her classes. She has been emailing IB coordinator Wendy Vu since then. “She speaks articulately and eloquently and then she shows up with her transcript and it’s all in Norwegian,” Vu said. “It just made me think about how much more experience she has and how vastly different it is with a different community and culture looking at that transcript and then looking at everybody else’s transcript that comes through the door,” she finished. Gunderson will be here for four more years. “I’ll maybe go to college here,” she said. “Maybe George Mason.” She’s considering studying psychology: “I like to find out stuff about people and their world,” she said.
Photos by Emily Boland
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Binh Tran World History One & IB World Topics
Discipline, dedication, and devotion to making a change in the world.
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Actively advocate for yourself. Ask for help before a conflict arises.
Will Crawford IB Geography, Government & IB Philosophy
Getting into college is not the hard part, it is having the skills to stay there.
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Who you are and what you want to do with what comes next. How you can be comfortable with yourself and your choices and what you’re striving for and the direction that you want to take.
Carol Wilt
Business
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What Teachers Want You to Learn in
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IB Theory of Knowledge & French One IB History of the Americas
A grade does not define who you are.
Develop a curiosity about the world you live in, especially cultures that are different from our own. Features
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A
s the year progresses, seniors find themselves in the final stretch of high school, and perhaps even the most demanding part of their high scholastic careers to date. Post-secondary school life can lead in many directions, from enrolling in the military to attending trade school to joining the workforce or, for most grads, pursuing higher education. College application season has reared its ugly head and the stress of college preparation must be tackled by those who wish to pursue it. The entire college process is filled with time-consuming aspects, from finding a roommate to applying for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). A long and exhausting process, each step presents a new, taxing demand. For many, high school is a very stressful time, and senior year is no exception. For those applying to college, the application process is one of the main factors of the anxiety come senior year. All of the school work, forms, essays, , college visits, and extracurriculars can be overwhelming. Juggling everything can be tough, especially at such a young age. Applying is not an easy process and each step has its own task to tackle.
THE APPLICATION
The first step on the crazy path towards college is the application. Each application is comprised of multiple, different, possibly frustrating, requirements. A popular resource for most students who need help is Eileen Doyle, the College and Career Center Director. “Students should first figure out what is most important to them,” said Doyle, “whether it be distance from home or their choice in major.” Counselors have also offered their help by running application labs where they assist students in completing their applications, which they understand can be a strenuous task. Additionally, some colleges utilize “universal” applications, such as The Common Application, or Coalition Application, which enable students to apply to multiple schools with a single set of forms and essays. The admission requirements vary from each college to the next, so, naturally, the application elements vary as well. Yet, one nearly universal aspect is the infamous college essays. Every year, students strain their brain for a unique, creative, and personal essay angle that will help them stand out to colleges. “My college essay is about my old car and how it has very squeaky brakes,” said senior Jeremy Hirsch. “I wrote about how it means a lot because I have a strong relationship with my family. The entire essay writing process was difficult, especially coming up with an idea.”
16
Focus
The College Craze Sam Davis News Editor
University of Mary Washington - Photo by Maya Tegegn Focus 17
F
INANCES
Many students also have to consider finances when applying to schools. Financial stress is troubling at any age, but it may seem especially large to newly legal 18 year olds, who must consider the monetary implications of their future plan. Over the years, the tuition charges have been increasing by 2.9% annually. This small percentage soon starts to add up. For example, a relatively small annual tuition of $20,000 increases to almost $35,500 in just 20 years. Students have a couple options to consider when seeking financial aid, such as student loans and scholarships. Scholarships can be hit-or-miss; they can cover entire tuition costs, barely scratch the surface, and make-or-break a student’s ability to enroll in the college of their choice. In regards to student loans, the average time it takes to pay off student debts is 21 years. Most universities also advise applying for some of the financial aid that they offer to their students, whether need or merit based. When it comes to tuition, Doyle said, “Talking to your parents before you apply will help you realize where your finances are at and where you can and can’t apply. I’ve seen in the past where students want to go someplace their family can’t afford.” Tuition is a struggle many individuals have to deal with when going to college, and without financial aid or scholarships, the weight of all the debt will bear down on the unprepared student.
CHOOSING THE COLLEGE When applying to colleges, there are varying degrees of prestige and difficulty to pay attention to. Some colleges have higher acceptance rates, while others accept fewer students. According to the Street, Cameron University and Brigham Young University (Idaho) have the highest acceptance races of 99.6%. The winner of the crown for toughest college to get into is Stanford University, with an acceptance rate of a whopping 4.7%. Stanford wears this crown with pride, as their alumni rank third in wealth behind only Harvard and University of Pennsylvania (UPenn). Students often experience acute stress when trying to keep their grades and scores up to standards; many all-nighters and immense amounts of studying are piled into the hopes of getting into ‘that one school.’ “Adding college applications to the already large to do list of students provides another stressor for seniors,” said Rebecca Lee, 12th. “Seeing as the college you go to determines the next four years of your life, we all want to go to whichever school is best for us and our circumstances. This requires extensive research into a school and even more time spent on perfecting the application to increase the likelihood of being accepted.” Important to keep in mind, however, is that an unhappy fit can always be remedied through transferring schools. As final as a college decision seems, it is not set in stone.
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Focus
Columbia University - Photo by Emily Boland
McGill University - Photo by Amelia Gulding
“
Adding college applications to the already large to-do list of students provides another stressor for seniors. [It] requires extensive research and even more time is spent on perfecting the application. Rebecca Lee, 12th
”
The College Board tests add event more concern for students. Studying for the SAT and the ACT may be a challenge because there isn’t just one subject to focus on, but studying for the tests is advised, as varying benchmark scores are required by most colleges. Choosing the universities to apply to is another obstacle in the application process all together. One of the most common strategies for applications is having a safety school or two that you know you’ll get into, and a reach school or two. This spreads your colleges out and helps you lock down the place you want to spend your next four years. Students are typically advised to narrow down their application pool to less than 8 schools, as many schools contain supplemental materials, such as essays, that students must complete, as well as application fees of $50-100. Community college is also a reliable option, as going to two-year colleges like NOVA helps save a lot of money and enables students to continue their education at a myriad of state schools.
ACCEPTANCE The famed and final step is solidified on May 1, often referred to as Decision Day. On this date, students submit their enrollement to the college they’ll be attending. This day is the one students worked towards with each essay and form, each test and study session, each all nighter and each library research session. At this point, the colleges have already passed judgment on the students, and it is finally the students’ turn. From here on out, it is up to the students to enjoy completing their senior year, to savor the memories they’ve made and all the ones yet to come. They have their future ahead of them to look forward to. Finally, the last step. Acceptance. Just like the five stages of grief, the end is the most satisfying part. Once you know which school you want to go to, and have already gotten in, you get to tackle the monster that is college. However, this monster may not be as scary as you once thought. College is a different experience for everyone, and some may not feel ready. Homesickness may hamper a college experience, but the family visits are a time for joy. College is a crazy place, and as much fear it may strike in your heart, you can turn it into four years that you’ll never forget. Focus
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National Capital Building. Photo by Emily Boland
Why do we have school off on Columbus Day but not Veterans Day? Article by Connor Dunphy Opinions Editor Columbus, while he did discover the Americas, also slaughtered the indigenous people, never stepped foot on what would be the United States of America, and committed horrible atrocities. In contrast, American service members have always been some of the most professional in the history of modern war. America is a militaristic and fiercely patriotic country. As of 2016, almost 1.4 million Americans served their country. Everyone in America knows a veteran, or knows someone who knows a veteran. Service members are vital to American society and should be honored as real life heros. That is why we have an entire day dedicated to their service. So why do students continue to go to school on Veterans Day? A better question to ask is why do teachers who were veterans still have to go to school on their day? Every Veterans Day, hundreds of thousands of service members still go to work in the morning. Robinson Secondary has a number of teachers who have previously served, don’t they deserve the day off for their sacrifices? Members of the military serve in some of the most stressful, dangerous, and underpaid positions around the world. For many soldiers, Marines, sailors,
airmen, and guardsmen, there are literally years spent away from their familes and loved ones. Yet, they don’t get their own day off. Additionally, Columbus Day does not sit well with many people of color. Senior Priscilla Vargas is a great example, saying, “I don’t think America should celebrate Christopher Columbus Day because it’s basically celebrating the genocide of Native Americans. Columbus and his crew raped and pillaged so many natives just for fun. Instead, I think we should celebrate indigenous day, to remember the beautiful and rich culture Columbus so ruthlessly murdered.” The United States military is one of the most used, overworked armed forces in the world. Careercast website has stated that when compared to the vast majority of other jobs in the world, the enlisted members of the armed services have the most stressful job . No set hours, ridiculously low pay, not to mention the potential of dying are some of the many factors that cause service members to be so stressed and hard worked. Why not honor their sacrifices, rather than that of a man who never laid eyes on what so many men and women have died protecting.
Commentary
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Op-Ed
Nation #Goals Bands Together to Rebuild Following Natural Disasters Connor Dunphy Opinions Editor The United States has been damaged. Years of political and racial divisions have pushed the country apart. The overwhelming feeling of ‘you’re with us or against us,’ has been the undertone mantra of our generation. Abraham Lincoln said over 150 years ago that, “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” That statement rings very true today. The rise of the Alt-Right, Antifa attacks, and general discord have been the recent headlines. One of the most dominating headlines, however, is mother nature. Hurricane Harvey fell upon Houston with a fury that is reminiscent of Katrina. And despite the horrendous damage to families, people, and property, a silver lining began to manifest itself. All across the nation, people put down their political differences and worked to the common goal of saving their fellow countrymen. Convoys of pickups loaded with supplies snaked their way into flooded Houston. Hundreds of thousands of pounds of food and supplies engulfed the stricken Texans. Millions upon millions of dollars funded the great charity machine. Derrik Lewis, an African American UFC heavyweight fighter, embodied the American spirit in these times by spending his time driving his truck to people who needed rescuing. People, including a man who insisted taking a Confederate battle flag with him. When asked about the incident, Lewis said, “ ..He just kept apologizing to me, because all he really had was his clothes, and he wanted to take his Confederate flag. He just apologized and said, ‘I’ll sit in the back of your truck.’ I don’t want to have my flag inside of your truck like this.’ I said, ‘, I’m not worried about that.’’’ Despite the recent political and racial divides, Hurricane Harvey has proven that when it comes down to brass tacks, America is still very much united. There have been arguments to what makes America great, but this recent tragedy has proven the answer: her incredible unity and ability to survive through anything. Like Lewis, we as Americans need to figure out a way to mend our differences. This country, this light and representative of democracy cannot go out. Despite our differences, despite our biases, we must look past these divisions. America can be great, but it won’t happen overnight. To fix these divides will be a grind. But, with Hurricane Harvey, some fixtures are already healing.
Photos: Senior Hallie Tucker pictured with the owners of the Houston Home she helped rebuild after Hurricaine Harvey. She and her grandfather flew down to aid in relief efforts in mid October. Photos courtesy of Hallie Tucker. Op-Ed
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Confederate Statues: Symbols of a Tortured Past
Aidan O’Meara Entertainment Editor There are currently more than 1,500 Confederate monuments in the United States. Of those, approximately 720 are statues, more than 200 of which are spread throughout Virginia. The belief that these statues should be taken down has become widely popular following the recent tragic events in Charlottesville. Others, however see them as important pieces of history and wish to see them remain standing. This deeply flawed point-of-view seemingly refuses to acknowledge the tortured, hateful past of the Confederacy. The argument for the continued idolization of Confederate leaders such as Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson generally boils down to a now infamous three-word phrase: “Heritage, not hate.” While this perspective is certainly understandable (many Southerners’ ancestors were themselves soldiers in the Civil War), it remains fatally flawed. Do the people of modern Germany fly the swastika-laden flags of the Third Reich on their cars or erect statues of Adolf Hitler and Heinrich Himmler? No, in fact it is an illegal act to publicly use anything symbolic of that government in Germany today. There, the evils of the past are recognized as acts of blind hatred, not as proud elements of heritage. Those resistant to the removal of the statues often label themselves patriots. The generals and political leaders of the Confederacy were traitors to the United States of America who fought, yes, for the concept of states’ rights, but also for the proliferation of slavery, undoubtedly the most heinous institution in American history, throughout the Southern states. The arrogance of these men lead to the bloodiest conflict this country has ever seen and an economic depression the South would need decades to recover from. Although the mindset that supports keeping these monuments is not necessarily always rooted in hate, it all too often comes from a point-of-view unfortunately ignorant to the historically loaded nature of the men they stand in memory of. Photo by Emily Boland
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Op-Ed
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Lurking in the Dark: .
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Indie films reinvent . the horror movie genre Aidan O’Meara Entertainment Editor
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What have horror movies become? It’s a complicated question, one with dozens of possible responses. While for years horror was strictly divided into the two sets of slow burn terror and slasher films, these films have become increasingly diverse in recent years, generally for the better. From the emergence of indie horror cinema to the vast variety of styles and topics explored by mid-tier studio BlumHouse and even a handful of major studios, the genre has rarely seen more exciting times. The independent sector of horror is thriving more than ever. From Jennifer Kent’s The Babadook, a hauntingly subdued film that values its metaphorical analysis of grief over cheap scares and ranks as arguably one of the best movies the genre has ever seen, to David Robert Mitchell’s It Follows, a delightful spin on the tropes of classic slasher films, there are countless gems in the indie horror scene. While one could easily, and frankly wisely, chalk this success up to the lack of studio intervention, the studios have also stepped up their game in recent years. The shining beacon of modern studio horror is far and away producer Jason Blum’s BlumHouse Productions. In a matter of just a few years, this mid-level production company has become one of the world’s most profitable, due in large part to both the fairly consistent quality of their films, as well as their increasingly brilliant marketing campaigns. Just in 2017, BlumHouse has had three major success stories: Jordan Peele’s Get Out (a masterful, socially conscious film that’s become a bona fide Oscar contender), M. Night Shyamalan’s Split, starring X-Men actor James McAvoy in a tour-de-force performance, and Christopher Landon’s surprisingly enter-
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taining Happy Death Day. In terms of top-tier studios’ horror output, Warner Bros. has been the clear frontrunner since 2013. That year, they released James Wan’s The Conjuring, an acclaimed throwback to the steadicam horror of films such as The Shining that spurred both an equally well-received sequel as well as two successful spin-offs (another is on the way next year). Their best recent performer, however, is by far Andy Muschietti’s adaptation of the iconic Stephen King novel, It. Receiving near universal praise from critics and audiences, the film has also become the highest grossing horror film of all time, although not when adjusted for inflation (William Friedkin’s 1973 classic The Exorcist reigns supreme in that case). This recent positive trend is a welcome one, as the genre seemed poised to wither and die following a decade marked by unbearably dull found footage horror (i.e. all six Paranormal Activity films) and the abhorrently disgusting sub-genre commonly referred to as “torture porn” (i.e. Saw, Hostel, etc.). That’s not to say there isn’t still the occasional misstep. While 2016 was certainly a banner year for horror cinema, Adam Wingard’s Blair Witch left essentially zero impact, especially when considering the franchise’s storied history. Likewise, 2017 has already seen the disastrous failures of Rings, Flatliners, and Leatherface. As a whole, however, horror has finally emerged once again as one of film’s most exciting and unique scenes. Here’s hoping that the wonderful inventiveness on display from this generation of filmmakers continues to boost the genre for years to come.
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Entertainment
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e N Jessica Reid Social Media Editor
The intense pounding of the bleachers, the ear piercing cheers of the crowd, and the bright light on the turf. That is a Friday night football game, and one of the most special parts is the energy from the drum line, of which senior Nelly Solares is in the thick of. Solares has been a part of Marching Band since her freshman year and started playing percussion instruments because of the influences of her older brother. “My older brother played percussion and had just enlisted in the Army,” she said. “So I wanted a connection with him. I thought it was really cool and my interest just built off of that every year.” It is no secret to anyone that has been to a football game that the student section is rowdy and heavily enthusiastic; the bleachers are packed shoulder-toshould of a dedicated fan base. Football is not the only thing that excites the fans; the marching band plays quite a significant role as well. Solares’ musical journey started when she began playing percussion in the fifth grade. From there, it has become an immense part of her life. This includes every fall football game, band competitions, and her position as one of the two section leaders for drums.
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So Marching to
“Our main section leader gives us a time to meet up and have our drums ready,” Solares explained. “We go up and everybody is getting hype and really excited and it’s so awesome because we see [students] getting so excited about what we’re playing. The bleachers bend, they look like they go a foot down, and we’re all just dancing and grooving while we’re playing. It’s really cool to see all your peers get so excited about something you put so much work into.” The Marching Band does more than just football
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Nelly leads the drumline during the football game against Lake Braddock. Marching Band heads onto the field for the halftime show. Photo by Khadeejat Lawal
lares:
the Beat of Her Own Drum games, they also have about four to six competitions a season. “Marching band has a lot of goals and aspirations, not only is it a family and a place where I feel like I belong, it is also a lot of hard work,” Solares remarked. They perform various routines. Most are more formal and rehearsed than the ones at the football games. “The football games are basically a dress rehearsal for competitions,” she said. Solares adds that the competitions are a very friendly environment, with obvious competition, but no heated rivalries (even if it’s Lake Brad-
dock). Solares holds a pivotal role as the only girl on the drum line. “I think it’s really awesome. They’re my boys. They all call me ‘Mom,’ and I like to be able to take care of them.” She has made some of her best friends through Marching Band and continues to enjoy playing percussion and being a part of the drumline. Solares plans on attending college in Canada to pursue an education in music.
Entertainment
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STRANGER THINGS RETURNS
Unresolved Cliffhangers from Season One
5.Jim is seen getting into a car which
presumably belongs to the government. Earlier, his co-workers allude to him having once been a “big city cop.” Is Jim going to return as a federal agent? What will the government ask him to do in season two?
4. Two notable characters are dead by
the end of season one: the Monster and Dr. Martin Brenner, the director of Hawkins National Laboratory. There is reason to doubt both of these, however; given the unusual mechanics of the Monster’s “death”, it’s entirely possible that Eleven simply dragged it into the Upside Down with her, Is it possible one of these two major antagonists survived?
3. Just what exactly is the Upside Down?
Image courtesy of MTV News
Andy Zhang Staff Writer Netflix’s Stranger Things won hearts and minds last year with its enthralling aesthetics and indelible charm. Now, it’s due for a second season on October 27th, and if the series creators, the Duffer brothers, are to be believed, a third and fourth season after that. Whether you’ve been a fan since the beginning or you’ve never even heard of the show until just now, this briefing has everything you need to get caught up to speed. The first season of Stranger Things takes place in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana (and until recently, we had no reason to believe the second season would be any different — but that’s another story). Hawkins is haunted by both its proximity to the shadowy Hawkins National Laboratory and the bloodthirsty, indestructible, interdimensional monstrosity that said laboratory releases into it at the start of the first episode. After the monstrosity — hereafter referred to as “the Monster” — attacks one twelveyear-old, named Will Byers, and drags him into the alternate dimension known in the series as “the Upside Down.” Several parties across Hawkins begin moving to find him, eventually converging on the government conspiracy at the root of the tragedy.
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Instrumental to unraveling the mystery is an enigmatic girl named “Eleven.” Eleven is armed with an array of potent psychokinetic powers as a result of government experimentation, and her escape is not taken kindly to by the director of the program that spawned her (Project MKUltra, which, as it happens, was a real program run by the CIA to train telepaths for espionage against the Soviet Union). Fortunately, she finds shelter with Will’s friends: Mike, Dustin, and Lucas. While the Monster continues to accrue a body count, the foursome plans to rescue Will using Eleven’s powers. Will’s mother, Joyce and the local police chief, Jim Hopper, perform their own investigation and Will’s older brother Jonathan teams up with Mike’s older sister, Nancy, to hunt and kill the Monster in revenge for Will and Nancy’s friend Barb. All of this culminates with a showdown at Hawkins Middle School, where government agents who have arrived to take Eleven into custody are slaughtered upon arrival by the Monster. Eleven sacrifices herself to finally kill the Monster, and everyone else lives happily ever after.
Mike, Dustin, and Lucas give the dimension its nickname after Eleven explains it by flipping a game board, comparing it to the Shadowfell from classical Dungeons & Dragons mythos, but one especially outlandish fan theory suggests that it could be a far-future version of Earth, after humanity has been wiped out by nuclear war or even the Monster itself.
2. Jim’s last scene showssees him leav-
ing a box of EggosTM —, known for being Eleven’s snack of choice,— in the forest. Common interpretation would suggest that this is some kind of a tribute to Eleven’s memory, but it’s also possible that Jim somehow knows that Eleven survived and is now leaving her food, whether she’s in the forest or trapped in the Upside Down.
1. Will’s last scene, has him cough up
a mysterious black slug into his bathroom sink, before the walls spasm briefly, transporting him back to the Upside Down for a moment. The same black slug is seen crawling out of the mouth of Barb’s corpse. Many fans think the slugs are some kind of Monster fetuses, which would have major implications for the seasons to come if they are allowed to roam free in Hawkins’ sewage system. Fans are also especially concerned about Will’s suspicious behavior — it is uncharacteristic of him to hide important information from his friends and family when he has previously been shown as highly pragmatic. Could Will be somehow possessed since returning from the Upside Down? In any case, we won’t know unless we watch Stranger Things season two.
NFL RECAP Andrew Lichtblau Staff Writer
As the NFL season approaches the pivotal mid-season mark, the Valor Dictus gives its predictions for how five contending teams to look out for within the American Football Conference (AFC) will fare going forward.
New England Patriots: After allowing the fewest points per game to opposing teams last season, the Patriots defense has been terrible. Some attribute this to Logan Ryan’s departure, but in his absence, the Patriots acquired Stephon Gilmore. The defensive struggles are seemingly unexplainable. On the offensive side, quarterback Tom Brady has been incredible, as can be expected. While Mike Gillislee began the year with four touchdowns in two games, he has yet to record one since, because of the four-headed monster of Rex Burkhead, Gillislee, Dion Lewis, and James White that is the Patriots’ run game. Projected Record: 6-10
Cincinnati Bengals: The Bengals struggled with injuries to star receiver AJ Green and tight end Tyler Eifert last seasons, en route to a 6-9-1 record. This year, the Bengals added John Ross to their receiving arsenal, and rookie Joe Mixon finally played well against the Steelers this week, rushing 7 times for 48 yards and a stellar 6.9 yards per carry. Once he begins to get the ball more often, the Bengals offensive will pick it up. The Bengals have an great defense, but the infamous Vontaze Burfict needs to control his temper and stay away from suspensions if he wants to take his team to the playoffs. Projected Record: 9-7
Pittsburgh Steelers:
Jacksonville Jaguars: Last year’s bust, this year’s breakout. The Jacksonville Jaguars’ defense could carry this team to the postseason, as they have been elite against the pass. As long as Blake Bortles doesn’t “Bortle” every game (meaning he plays with the skill of at least a third string quarterback), rookie sensation Leonard Fournette and this sizzling defense may be able to eek their way into the playoffs. Projected Record: 9-7
Kansas City Chiefs:
Kareem Hunt continues to consistently post 100 yards from scrimmage each week, and Alex Smith continues to complete difficult passes to Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill, seemingly proving the Chiefs wrong in their thought that they needed to replace Smith with Patrick Mahomes II. Projected Record: 10-6
Linebacker TJ Watt, wide receiver Antonio Brown have played well for the Steelers all year, but Ben Roethlisberger and Martavis Bryant have continually disappointed their team. Le’veon Bell has played exceptionally since his slow start, but if “Big Ben” can’t get the ball to receivers not named Antonio Brown, this offense will not live up to expectations. Projected Record: 10-6 Sports
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Banding Together for a New Season
Athena Moskal helps present the halftime show ‘Mirrors” at a home football game. This preformance is a result of hard work in remembering every step, every note and every beat. Photo by Khadeejat Lawal.
Article by Courtney Williams Business Manager
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uniform, we get in block [position], we warm up, we march our show. We watch other bands perform, then when it’s our division’s turn to get called for awards, we all stand up. No matter if we win or if we lose we get called to attention and we say ‘With Pride.’” This is a typical school week for the Marching Rams. However, to be able to perform a routine at the beginning of September means rehearsals start at the beginning of August and their summer ends a month early. They then move into band camp with practices lasting from 8am to 5pm, Monday through Friday for one week. Throughout August band groups also spend a lot of time practicing for their section. The time is spent memorizing routines and re-learning how to march. For those in leadership positions such as Drum Major Makena Robinson, members also attend Drum Major Academy (DMA). DMA helps prepare student leadership to manage the responsibility of band. “We learn everything we need to know to be a Drum Major, whether that be conducting, how to lead, and small minor things that could make a big difference in your band,” said Robinson. Most of the work that goes into creating and performing a routine goes on behind closed doors and is managed mostly by student leadership. The band has 160 members, making it one of the largest bands it has been. To keep such a large group on track, students follow “Loftisms:” sayings from Director Andrew Loft that always provide words of encouragement such as “pull together, not apart.” Though it may not be considered a sport, members must march for long periods of time, with some carrying a thirty or forty pound instrument. New members come in knowing how to play their instruments, but learn how to focus on staying on beat and keeping formation at the same time. For new members of Color Guard, most come in with no
Marching band is one of the best experiences of my life. It’s taught me so much responsibility.
On the court during pep rallies, on the field for the halftime show and under the Friday night lights, is the familiar sound of the Marching Rams. Their fifteen minute routine is just a tiny glimpse into the huge amount of work that goes into being part of the band. Their organization is the result of hard work in remembering every step, every note and every beat. A typical week in the life of a Marching Ram consists of long hours of rehearsal, a weekend competition or a football game. Monday starts off with regular season rehearsal from three thirty to six o’clock , Wednesday means more rehearsals, from six to eight thirty, and Thursday is the final rehearsal in preparation for a football game or competition. Friday games mean a performance of the theme, “Mirrors” during the halftime show with the band and color guard. Saturday competitions mean traveling and competing against other schools. “Competitions are probably the most fun thing we ever do,” said Executive Officer Haley Smith, “We get there, we get in our
Amanda Powell, 12
Brass instrument players perform during the halftime show. Practice for these shows occur Monday through Friday. Photo by Khadeejat Lawal.
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Woodwind and brass instrument players perform during the halftime show. Some memebrs carry thirty or forty pound instruments. Photo by Khadeejat Lawal.
experience and must learn to move their bodies in ways they have never done. “The first time I saw it, I thought it was easy because it was just people spinning flags,” said new member, Angelina Salinas, “I learned it was a lot more complex than I thought.” Many students have similar misconceptions about marching band. Like theatre students, marching band uses movement to tell a story. What may look like silly dancing is portrayal of art and a form of acting; acting that is not always taken seriously. “The most frustrating thing is when people come up to me and tell me either A, it’s stupid or B, it’s easy” says Color Guard Captain, Amanda Powell, “everyone works so hard at what they do and to discount it is terrible.” Despite some misconceptions from students and the intense rehearsal schedules, Powell also says it has been one of her
most rewarding experiences. “Honestly marching band is one of the best experiences of my life. It’s taught me so much responsibility, but not only responsibility, I’ve formed such close friendships. I feel like I spend more time with the band than I do with my family during marching band season,” said Powell, “It can be tough and very demanding, but because it’s so tough it’s so rewarding.” Marching band is truly more than what meets the eye. The short halftime shows are just one piece of the big final product. It is something that could only be understood by stepping in the mix of the music and the movement for yourself. Behind every performance are dedicated team members and student leaders that go above and beyond every day.
Sanjona Thoman performs during the halftime show. The Color Guard uses movements to tell a story. Photo by Khadeejat Lawal. Sports
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Varsity Football plays against Lake Braddock on October 6th. Asa Ballanger, Quarterback, rushes the ball past Bruins. Photo by Khadeejat Lawal.
Under the Lights
Varsity Football Season Overview Thomas Redifer Staff Writer Every Friday night, hundreds of students pack into the student section together to cheer on the Rams. The Homecoming game against the Annandale Atoms was a great way to lead into the dance the next night with a final score of 61-40. Not only did the Rams dominate the field, but every student present showed their school spirit, cheering and decked out in blue and gold. Week after week students come together at either Coffey Stadium or those of other schools around the district to support the Rams, win or lose. While the Homecoming game was a success for the team, it doesn’t always play out that cleanly. The Rams came across a team who bested them. C.D. Hylton High School came to play here at Robinson and showed their strength as a team. A loss for the Rams showed that they were not as prepared as they had once hoped. Since that loss, Coach Vossler
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and the team have been putting in hard work day in and day out to get better. “The team has been putting in a lot of work this season, but we also don’t want anyone to get hurt at this point in the season,” said Vossler. On September 1 versus the Chantilly Chargers, the varsity football team came back with an incredible 42-7 win and won the homecoming game the following week. These noticeable improvements in teamwork haven’t come from nowhere though. “Our defense is working a lot harder especially because of our game against Annandale. They [the coaching staff] told us that giving up 40 points in a game [is] unacceptable,” said Vossler. The defense has been worked to the brink of total exhaustion, but it’s been paying off. Despite a loss against TC William High School, improvement showed its face according to Matt Sebenick, starting running back for the varsity team “I think
that if we hadn’t worked the defense as hard as we did we would’ve gotten blown apart,” said Sebenick. A loss may not have been exactly what the coaching staff or team wanted, but sometimes finishing in defeat is the only
Running back Matt Sebenick stays in position during a football game. Photo by Khadeejat Lawal.
way to improve. These few losses have showed the Rams what needs to happen between now and the beginning of the post season this November.
Coach Arnsmeyer Takes The Hockey Field
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Photo Courtesy of Robinson Athletic Boosters
Coach Arnsmeyer directs her players
Maya Tegegn Staff Writer
ield hockey coach Lindsay Arnsmeyer has always been active and athletic. As a member of the Physical Education Department, she is able to channel her vast high school and collegiate experience in field hockey to coaching. Arnsmeyer first got involved in the sport in high school, and when she once fell sick and could not attend field hockey camp, she began assissting other campers. She would go on to coach club programs at Chantilly during college before she moved to Fairfax five years ago. Shortly after, she became a Robinson gym teacher and, later, the field hockey coach. Arnsmeyer has devoted a great deal of effort over the years to coaching, which she said requires a humongous time commitment. Even so, coaching the sport is a rewarding endeavor for her. She explained, “I don’t do this for the money but for the relationships, and being able to help these
younger girls find something that they are interested in or confident in.” Arnsmeyer is dedicated to the fundamentals of the sport. She said, “I care about [students’] skills, and if there is potential in them and if they are athletic, then they can easily make the team and we can teach them the basics.” She stressed that, for the most part, contrary to what many students may assume, the field hockey program has a relaxed tryout process and general atmosphere — though Arnsmeyer admits she is tough on players when it comes to running and being in shape. Individuals willing to work at the sport and grow athletically can become valuable assets to the team. Senior Sarah Bryer, a member of the field hockey team who’s known Arnsmeyer since the start of her tenure at the school, said that Arnsmeyer is supportive and “very helpful on and off the field.” Specifically, Bryer noted that Arnsmeyer has worked constantly with her on improving her footwork and defensive skills. Bryer sums up her high praise for her coach in saying that Arnsmeyer is likely the best coach she has ever played under, adding, “She’s overall a really great person.” Sports
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Silas Mathew Cross Country
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After a while, you begin to actually enjoy exercising and running; every day teaches you discipline.
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At first, I was going to be a sprinter, but then I was convinced to be a distance runner. I realized that I was actually really good at it and decided to do Cross Country.
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My daily goal is to outwork everybody else. I don’t care if they are faster than me, stronger, taller, quicker... I’m going to try and outwork and in proportion to what they are doing, I’m going to do better than what they did.
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Reporting by Bridget Harold Photo by Khadeejat Lawal