Valor Dictus
Student Activism P16
Bravely Speaking to the Robinson Community
Advisor: Chirstopher Moore
Editor-in-Chief: Leslie Davis Online Editor: Amelia Gulding Design Editor: Rachel Bloedorn Business Manager: Emily Boland Photo Editor: Cathleen Ridder Entertainment Editor: Aidan O’Meara Sports Editor: Matthew Lichtblau Opinion Editor: Connor Dunphy News Editor: Louie Lewandowski Staff Writers: Sam Davis Savannah Evans Jessica Reid Nathaniel Robertson Nate Walker Courtney Williams Tatyana Green Bridget Harold Maya Tegegn Isabel Galago Khadeejat Lawal Katie Irving Laurel Meyer 2
Info
A look back at our past: Valor Dictus Editorial Staff poses for their yearbook photo from 1972.
There are over 100 cameras in the building, according to Safety and Security Specialist Sandy Corbin. page 21
Every sports team is now guaranteed to play Lake Braddock annually. page 30
“I like how you can make almost anything out of clay. There’s almost no limits to what you can make.” -Sophia Economon, 12 page 10
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News 4-5 6-7 8-9
Sobering Salary Statistics by Emily Boland Me, My Self-Image, and I by CourtneyWilliams and Tatyana Green April Showers Bring May AP and IB Testing by Bridget Harold and Maya Tegegn
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Opinion 20 21 22
Are the Digital Citizen Lessons Promoting a Good Message by Aidan O’Meara Security Cameras Keep Students Safe by Amelia Gulding What’s for Lunch by Isabel Gallago
Features
Entertainment
Focus
Sports
10-11 A Ceramics Story by Emily Boland 12-13 From Congress to the Classroom by Courtney Williams 14-15 Governing the Summer by Louie Lewandowski
16-19 When the Rams Come Marching In by Amelia Gulding
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What Happened to Action Movies by Aidan O’Meara and Nathaniel Robertson That’s So Revived by Khadejaat Lawal, Bridget Harold, and Katie Irving
28-29 Special Olympics at Robinson by Jessica Reid 30 Redistricting Sports by NateWalker
Contents
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List of Odd Jobs Teachers Do
• Bartender at Fedex Field for Redskins games • Tutor •Dance/ Pilates Instructor •Personal Trainer •Restaurants servers/ hostess •Coach •Veterinary office employee
•Teaching online/ night school/ college and Graduate courses •Music Director/ Teacher •Proctor for SATs and ACTs •Wrestling Official •Truck Driver •Teaching artist at Shakespeare Theatre •Cosmetic and skin care consultant •Travel Agent •Pressure washing siding and deck •Wedding coordinator •Babysitter Information collected via Valor Dictus survey of seventy teachers.
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Newark, NJ
Sobering Salary Statistics
Emily Boland Business Manager The starting salary of an FCPS teacher with a Bachelor’s degree is less than 42 percent of the county’s average household income, a statistic that is particularly concerning seeing as the DC-VA metropolitan area has the highest cost-of-living of any region in America, according to CareerTrends by GRAPHIQ. For a single adult with no children, the cost of living in Fairfax County is $42,119 a year, a number that is 62 percent above the national average. With a starting salary of $47,516 a year and average annual student loan payments, only $1,161 remain to be put into savings. This means that many FCPS teachers have to face financial struggles in order to pursue educational careers. In order to make ends meet, many teachers hold additional jobs outside of school. In a survey conducted by the Valor Dictus of 70 teachers, 82 percent said that they either currently hold or have previously held such a job. Of the other 18 percent, the majority stated that they either live with a roommate or that their significant other provides an additional source of
Fairfax, VA
Arlington, VA
income. While teaching may be a notoriously underpaid profession, the degree of income disparity seen in Northern Virginia is somewhat of an anomaly. The national average salary for teachers is on par with the national annual income, in fact even a few hundred dollars above, and about double the average cost of living. This means that teachers across the nation as a whole do not typically face extreme financial burdens. Yet, this doesn’t translate to FCPS, as teacher salaries across the country are fairly similar, regardless of the economic status of the area. In Newark, NJ, a suburb of New York City where the annual cost-of-living outweighs the median household income by $6,000, teacher salaries are some of the highest in the country, thanks to Mark Zuckerberg’s $100 million donation in 2010. Their, starting salaries are nearly even with FCPS, yet the salary ceilings (the highest point a salary can reach) is significantly higher, by more than $20,000. In Macon, TN, the area with the lowest cost-of-living in America, starting salaries are a little less than Macon, TN
Information provided by Career Trends by GRAPHIC, US Census Bureau, Fairfax County government, Newark Public Schools, Fairfax County Public Schools, Arlington Public Schools, Macon County Schools, National Center for Educations Statistics, and debt.org.
Thousands of Dollars
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Ann. Household Income
Starting Teacher Salary (BA)
Average Teacher Salary
Teacher Salary Ceiling (PHD)
Cost-of-Living (Single Adult with No Kids) Graphic and data by Emily Boland
“
I feel really
rewarded
from teaching my students things they need to know for life. It’s true, it’s not necessarily about not wanting to be here because I don’t get paid enough...
I love my job
”
and I think that it is super important.
Madelyn Stephens English teacher
Photo by Emily Boland
English teacher Madelyn Stephens utilizes quiet class time to organize lesson plans and check emails.
$10,000 dollars below those in FCPS, while the ceiling for teachers with PhDs is practically equivalent to that in FCPS. This is despite Macon having an average household income less than a third of that in our area. After examining all this data, it seems only logical to examine exactly what a teacher’s job entails. The overwhelming consensus of interviewed teachers is their work that stretches far beyond the contract hours for which they are paid. Yet most say they spend over nine hours working daily. When asked about her workload, English teacher Linda Mirro said, “I don’t think you know the total number of students I have… That generates a lot of paper to be graded. I am only allotted an hour and a half day, but we all know kids are here early before school and asking questions… A lot of times the kids stay after to make up work, so when am I going to grade papers?” This is a common dilemma that educators face. All interviewed teachers stated that they utilize their own time on the weekends and in the afternoon to complete all their extra work. As Technology Education teacher Steve Snyder pointed out, teaching is one of the only lines of work where professionals are expect-
ed to work beyond the hours they are paid. Other professions would provide overtime compensation or charge hourly fees. English teacher Madelyn Stephens said that “It’s hard to stay motivated outside of school when you don’t even get paid for your time in school sometimes.” Grading papers is just a small section of the job description. Teachers also teach and plan lessons, attend staff and parent meetings, proctor standardized tests, stay after school for remediation and to offer retake assessments, write letters of recommendation, copy papers, and respond to emails. When speaking about the extended hours, physics teacher Christopher Bird said, “Even though I’m not required to, I often check emails at night and respond. I often check emails on weekends and respond.” He explained that “a lot of the reason for that is that unlike a nine-to-five job, we’re emotionally connected… It’s not a job I turn off at 4:00 or on Friday afternoons, I’m always a teacher.” Although not all teachers feel this way, many share the belief of the saying that “teachers aren’t in it for the income, they’re in it for the outcome.”
Photo by Emily Boland
Technology Education teacher Steve Snyder works with a student.
“
Students are the ones at the disadvantage because you’ll have
good teachers who can’t make ends meet outside of work, or you’ll have people who make ends meet outside of work by
cutting corners
as teachers. There... is no middle ground in my opinion.
”
Kristen Marker Geosystems teacher
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Photo by Cathleen Ridder 6
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Me, My Self-Image, and I By Courtney Williams and Tatyana Green Staff Writers
ody positivity. It can be a touchy discussion that is easier for some than it is for others. “Am I too short? Am I too tall? Am I too skinny? Am I too fat?” There are millions of images out there displaying what society may define as the “perfect body.” It may lead many to ask themselves how they compare to an Instagram photo or what’s glorified on the front page of a magazine. What defines beauty and how do teenagers, both males and females, cope with the pressures to be perfect and how do our own students see body positivity? Social media has one of the biggest influences on teenagers. Social media also offers many opportunities for students to compare themselves to the images on screens. For example, if a student were to look on Instagram, they may see an image of Kylie Jenner. She is close to the age of some high schoolers, yet there are some clear differences in Jenner and the average teenager. There are other trends on social media such as posting revealing pictures and inviting other people to leave comments. Social media can be a brilliant form of communication, but can also prompt others to take note on a person’s “imperfections”. Hurtful comments can send students to seek perfection, something that is impossible to achieve. In a recent Valor Dictus poll, out of 29 students surveyed, 21 admitted that posts on social media make them feel self-conscious about their appearance. Another 26 out of 28 students said they have thought about changes they would make to their bodies. When asked if they feel judged for their bodies, 17 out of 23 students felt they were. Overall, students feel that certain posts or tweets can affect the way teenagers view themselves, yet 19 out of 28 believe that schools do not educate their students enough on self-image. Another group of students were asked the following questions: “how do you think your friends would describe your appearance if asked?” Marcy
Jumper, 10, said that she believes they would describe her as “small and skinny”. Isabelle Marshall,10, said that she sees her friends calling her “skinny, tall, and the body of a model”. Joel Chandler, 10, said, when considering what his friends would say about him: “I wouldn’t change myself on the opinion of my friends because I feel like I still would not feel perfect.” With that being said it is natural for teenagers to feel self conscious. Despite influences from social media and pressure from peers, there are students who dare to challenge body standards. The Body Peace Club was started to not only encourage positive body image but also positive mental, physical, and emotional health. The club founders were two former students who wanted to not only appeal to girls but to address potential issues that all teenagers can relate to. Shreya Menon, 11, member of the Body Peace Club, said that the it is about seeing all sides of body image and promoting the fact that there are things about yourself that make you unique. “Media always changes. There’s always going to be something new or something better and the general public is so fickle that you really shouldn’t fight for anyone’s approval but your own,” said Menon. “What Body Peace Club is about is seeing all sides of it and promoting the fact that there are things about yourself that make you unique and make you who you are.” No one in the world is exactly alike. No matter what size, height, or color, everyone has a unique body. These unique differences make us who we are. With a wide variety of influences that can make it seem impossible for students to meet the standards of an ideal body, it makes sense that students can at times feel self conscience about their appearance.
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April Showers Bring Bridget Harold Staff Writer
As the end of the year approaches, Robinson is buzzing with anticipation for the IB and AP tests and many students are already preparing themselves to take the extensive tests in May. For the past few years, over 81 percent of students who take the IB test pass and only 46 percent who participate in the AP tests pass. Do the comprehensive IB and AP tests in May affect the way that teachers select the materials throughout the school year? As the tenth largest school division in the U.S., there are eight schools that offer the IB Diploma program in FCPS and 33 AP courses in all of their AP schools. Students may choose to pursue the IB diploma or individual certificates in IB courses. The IB programs provides an extensive and rigorous education that includes critical thinking and reading and writing skills with a global perspective on the subject they are learning about. The program was developed to help students in high school create a better learning environment where they can learn and understand different cultures “I love the subject I teach and I like to impart my love for German onto [students],” said Carolyn Ostermann Healey, who has been working as a IB German teacher since 2002. “Frau 8
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School Fairfax County Ranking School Name
2011 Challenge Index® Score
IB vs AP
#* # ** #1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 #7 #8 #9 # 10 # 11 # 12 # 13 # 14 # 15 # 16 # 17 # 18 # 19 # 20 # 21 # 22 # 23 # 24
7.307 (2010) 5.271 4.754 4.390 4.351 4.344 4.317 3.774 3.768 3.728 3.698 3.676 3.593 3.278 3.232 3.202 3.192 2.948 2.869 2.820 2.121 2.037 1.779 1.699 1.685 0.985
AP IB AP AP AP AP AP AP AP AP AP AP IB IB AP AP AP AP IB IB AP AP IB IB IB IB
Thomas Jefferson * George Mason ** Oakton Mclean Madison Langley Woodson Lake Braddock Chantilly Fairfax West Potomac Herndon Robinson South Lakes Centreville Westfield West Springfield South County Marshall Stuart Falls Church Hayfield Edison Lee Annandale Mount Vernon
School ranking from 2011. From USNEWS.com Massey, the other IB German teacher at Robinson, and I make the materials for the students to make sure that they are learning the correct materials for the test in May,” said Ostermann Healey
about the end of the year test. Lauren Briscoe, 11, said she thinks teachers definitely prepare students for long term knowledge and not just for tests. “While they do a wonderful job
May AP and IB Testing at preparing us for it, it’s not the that they have strength and conmain focus in the classroom. Mr. fidence in. The AP program inVan, my IB history teacher, does troduce students to college-like a great job classes, in at assigning order to us classwork prepare that will help and motius at the end vate them of the year.” for colMany college. leges don’t “I like accept certo have tain IB credrepetitive its. The main exposure to difference berigorous test tween the IB questions curriculum in order to and AP proshow the AP Gov Teacher kids that grams is that AP courses they can do are individual courses. Students well on the on the test if they may choose different AP courses have repeated practice and are
“
It’s rewarding to see students grow little by little throughout the year
”
Scott Wilson
German teacher Carolyn Ostermann (left).
familiar with the testing format.” said Scott Wilson, an AP comparative government teacher. “I also try to build confidence in my students on a daily [basis] so that they have the ability to succeed if they work hard.” Ethan Weak, 10 said, “My AP Gov[ernment] teacher always goes over the information to make sure we understand it completely.” Ultimately, teachers care more about teaching their students content for the long run. While doing this, teachers not only educate their students on the necessary materials provided by FCPS, but they also improve the IB and AP students chances of them doing well on the end of the year tests.
Photo by Cathleen Ridder News
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A Ceramics Story Emily Boland Business Manager
Economon practices thawing clay cylinders on the wheel during fifth period ceramics.
In the very back left corner of the lower E wing, past the SGA room and bathrooms, is the dusty and bright ceramics room. It is here that award winning artist, senior Sophia Economon, has spent her time since freshman year, honing her ceramics skills, and now passing them on to less experienced students as a teacher’s assistant. Economon first became involved in ceramics when she signed up for the class freshman year and quickly found a connection to the craft. “I really like free art because I think that’s just how my brain works,” she said. “I like how you can make almost anything out of clay. There’s almost no limits to what you can make.” She is currently working on a series of candle holders for her IB arts exhibition at the end of the year, three of which earned awards at the 2016 Scholastic Arts Competition. “The candle holder that won the gold key was my favorite, and probably best, piece of art I’ve ever made,” she said. “It was based on Buddhist art and design, so there were a lot of elements and aspects that reflect that.”
In total, She was awarded a gold key, two silver keys, and an honorable mention for her submissions of three clay candle sticks and a thrown teapot. In addition to the candle holders, Economon is working on mugs that she plans to sell at the Robinson art show, where she will have a booth. She began selling pieces during her first art show in tenth grade. “I wasn’t intending to sell anything but people wanted to buy my stuff, so I put prices on them and they started to sell,” she said. “Since then, I’ve started to produce art to sell.” Her work goes for $30-45 depending on the complexity of the piece, but those close to her get it as gifts instead. “Every year for Christmas, I try to make my close friends and family members clay gifts,” she said. “It’s really fun because it’s a free gift that comes across as really personal.” However, some pieces are almost too personal to part with. “I have a shelf in my room that’s filled with all sorts of candle holders, and incense burners, and mugs I use for myself,” Economon said. “I don’t want to sell them because I like how they turned out so much.”
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Photo by Emily Boland
Economon works on a handmade incense burner at her booth at the 2016 art show. Seeing the final look of her pieces revealed is her something associated with clay. When I think of clay favorite part of the process: “I really love glazing I think of something sturdy and functional.” because you can never tell what it’s going to come out These pieces are the and look like,” she said. “You can’t product of a student who is ever guess what piece you’ll get,” “really dedicated and pasbut she can worry about it. “It’s sionate about her work,” actorture to wait,” Economon said. cording to ceramics teacher “It’s also really nerve-wracking Michael because things can explode or the Corigliano. “She doesn’t stop glaze can melt off your piece.” when the bell rings.” She does a great deal of She doesn’t plan to stop in waiting because working with the fall, either, when she will clay is a time-consuming begin classes at the Florida process. Although she can make Institute of Technology as a five mugs in one class, if she physics and astrology mareally focuses, the clay takes time jor, “I’m currently going to a to dry and must be fired twice in school that doesn’t have a lot Elizabeth the kiln. of arts All this waiting is just part of programs, but it’s in a town Cambell the process that leads to Econothat has a few cute ceramics mon’s work, which Latin and TOK teacher Elizabeth studios and I really want to get a job there and conCampbell describes as “always impressive. It’s delitinue.” cate, and beautiful, and not
“
Her work is always impressive. It’s delicate ,
and
beautiful
”
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From Congress t Courtney Williams Staff Writer
Mr. Sherry leads a class discusion in his IB Theory of Knowledge class.
Mr. Sherry aides students with an assignment.
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Features
Photos by Cathleen Ridder
The teacher often sets the tone for any class. They provide the energy brought to the class and the drive for student success that makes teachers, like John Sherry, a prime example of the importance of educators. Sherry has been teaching Theory of Knowledge (TOK) and History of the Americas (HOTA) since he first came to Robinson in 2011. “I admire his willingness to try new things and share his perspective with his colleagues. I would also say his level-headedness, professionalism and intellect,� said fellow educator Michael Van Wambeke. Van Wambeke has worked with Sherry since 2011 when he joined the HOTA team and informally with the TOK team. Before starting his career as a teacher, Sherry worked for congresswoman Allyson Schwartz in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for six years. He said he first thought of becoming a teacher in his high school years, however, developed interests
to the Classroom
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in journalism and politics, which he decided to pursue while attending American University. While working for Schwartz, Sherry had the role of legislative director, advising her on all policy issues and advancing her legislative initiatives. “I did everything that she needed me to do to make her an effective representative for the people of Philadelphia,” said Sherry. When Sherry left his job, he saw teaching as a new opportunity. “I think teaching is very meaningful work. I think its important work and is one of the foundations that our society is built upon. Every single day that I come here, I feel like I’m making a difference for Northern Virginia and myself. I can go home feeling that I did good by somebody today. I can say that I’ve made the world a better place today, and that’s a great feeling. It’s worth far more than any paycheck and it’s worth far more than having a seat at the table of power in Congress.” Sherry’s methods of teaching are often interactive to help his class and individual students. “Each class is a different set of learners and each person is different in the way that they best learn information. It’s always
different every day that you walk into the classroom because you know that you have people who may not engage with a particular lesson, but you need to get them to learn it and it’s a challenge to try and make that happen and I like that challenge.” Sherry’s approach to this challenge is coming up with ways to make his class lessons memorable. He compares his teaching to performing by adding emotion and asking questions that make students dig deeper to find the answers. “He’s obviously very passionate about the subject matter, so it’s easy to become interested as well,” said junior, Jenna Smith. With a teacher so dedicated to the success of his classes, students like the atmosphere Sherry creates in his classroom. “I think he’s a great teacher; he’s very enthusiastic about history. He tries to include everyone in the class so that everyone gets in on the fun. Even if you are just a quiet person in general, he’s always going to make you feel welcomed to contribute,” said junior, Asif Shameem. Shameem, along with many students and faculty, fully appreciate Sherry’s enthusiasm.
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highly prodigious program for students in the Virginia area, Governor’s School is an option for those students in pursuit of a challenging academic program specific to a certain area of expertise. Headed by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE), students interested in attending Governor’s School have the option to attend either an Academic Year Governor’s School or a Summer Residential Governor’s School. Both are extremely difficult to recieve entrance into. There are currently 19 Academic Year Schools in Virginia. VDOE hand picks schools with academically motivated students to, “provide...acceleration and exploration in areas ranging from the arts, to government and international studies, and to mathematics, science, and technology,” according to their website. The most popular program among Robinson students is the Summer Residential Governor’s School. With a wide variety of topics to chose to study, ranging from agriculture to the performing arts, it’s an opportunity to allow students to further their interest in a possible future career. Limited to upperclassmen only, juniors and seniors are able to spend up to four weeks studying a desired program on a Virginia college campus. Previous manager of the Governor’s School application process, high school counselor Enrique Fernandez, noted that the application process is “highly competitive...The students that are selected are generally the top ten percent of [their] class.” The application process consists of two recommendations, an essay answering a prearranged prompt, and a look at a student’s test scores.
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Governing th Louie Lewandowski News Editor
Photo courtesy of Rachana Krishnan Rachana Krishnan, 12, pictured rebuilding a computer while studying at the Math, Science and Technology program at goveners school at Lynchburg College in 2016.
the Summer
Photo by Cathleen Ridder Mr. Fernandez (pictured above) was the previous manager for the Governor’s School application process.
Along with academic studies, performing arts is an option for students to pursue at one of the Governor’s Schools. artists, dancers, actors, singers, and musicians are able to apply. In addition to undergoing an academic overview, the artist must audition in order to be considered for a spot within Governor’s School. Based off the student’s audition, the council of FCPS, and later the state of Virginia will determine their admittance. According to the FCPS website, in the middle of March, students who applied will be determined by the county to move on to the county level, then, in the middle of April, students will be notified from the VDOE if they were accepted into Governor’s School. The benefits of attending Governor’s School is that it is a “highly selective program” which is something good for a resume when applying to colleges. If, in the whole state, only 300 students are doing it, that tells you a lot about [a student],” said Fernandez. Students would also be able to have the experience of living on a college campus, attending classes, and living alone. The Governor’s school provides students not only with an education in particular subject of interest, but also a college experience a student will value when deciding where to attend college in the future. “I had a strong interest in STEM fields.” said Rachana Krishnan, 12. “The previous year I tried for the medical program and decided that I wanted to broaden my horizons by applying to the Math, Science, Technology (MST) program instead. I wanted an enriched summer where I knew I could be exposed to facets of MST I had never experienced before, such as the computer science and astrophysics class that I took.”
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1) Junior Neha Sam (left) and Morgan Olympia-James (right) debate the ethics behind the death penalty in Virginia at a Young Democrats Club meeting. (photo by: Amelia Gulding) 2) Protesters unite at the Women’s March on D.C. following the inauguration of President Trump. (Photo by Eva Mcintyre) 3) March for Life protesters gather and march in Washington D.C. (Photo by Sarah DiLuccio) 4) 1996 DECA president Carole Martell gave a speech on Capitol Hill advocating for a bill that supported hemophiliacs following the death of Ricky Ray. 5) The Eco-action Club, pictured in 1972, “hope[d] to achieve a better balance between man and his environment.”
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The Rams Marching In
How student activism has developed from 1972 to today
Student activism has had a long and strong history at Robinson. From the AIDS epidemic crisis, presidential elections, and international war crimes, Robinson students have not sat idly by in the wake of monumental moments. Rather, they actively engaged in the political and social movements around them. At Robinson’s conception in 1971, a multitude of student organizations got a foothold in the community. The Eco-action Club was a group of students “hoping to achieve a better balance between man and his environment”, according to the Above and Beyond Yearbook from 1972. The environmental activism surrounded pollution prevention and the preservation of natural resources. Protecting the environment continues to be a hot topic over 35 year later, now more focused on the issue of global warming.
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Students of the 70’s “recognize[d] that the crisis is now, now is the time for action,” a sentiment that rings true for the modern day advocate. Similarities between past and present political activism seems to be a running theme, with a 1990s Above and Beyond yearbook having captions such as “health care reform continued to be one of the nation’s most pressing problems” and “refugees fleeing their homes and continued fighting going on in much of the world.” Robinson has also seen the rise and fall of groups such as an International Affairs club, Teenage Republicans, and Cultural Alliance. Students have historically attempted to make their imprint both in and outside the school. In 1995, DECA president Jenn Kline spoke on the steps of the Capitol advocating for the General
By Amelia Gulding Online Editor
Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) bill. In 1996, DECA president Carole Martell gave a speech in a similar position, advocating for a bill supporting hemophiliacs following the death of Ricky Ray. Today, activism at Robinson is just as zealous, if not more so. With weekly protests and a politically motivated hashtag trending at all times, it’s hard for students to ignore what’s going on, especially when those things have a direct impact on day-to-day life. No one is without an opinion, and national activity has made it easy for young people across the country to get involved. Robinson is chalk-full of student led organizations looking to spread their ideas to their peers. In the 2015-2016 school year, the school saw the addition of two notable
6) Rams for Life president Anthony Jones speaks to the pro-life group about listening first and speaking second (Photo by Amelia Gulding) 7) Robinson Students protest on the Capitol in 1996. 8) Robinson Rams learn more about Young Democrats in the 90s from their newsletter. 9) Robinson students march alongside thosuands at The 2017 March for Life 10) Thousands gather in Washington D.C. for The Women’s March on Jan. 21
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Photo by Eva Mcintyre Women decked out in pink participate in 2017 Women’s March on Washington protesting the Trump Administration and advocating for their rights.
advocacy clubs: Robinson Young Democrats and Rams for Life. The Young Democrats Club has had a past at Robinson. Initially started in 20th century, the club was restarted 2015 by seniors Chris Hopkins and Josie Bulova. The main objective of the club is to provide a space for people on the left of the political spectrum to talk about issues they care about. “Within the Robinson community, we look to inform people,” said Hopkins. “We look to get people involved.” Young Democrats Club attempts to bring the inclusion that their party is known for into the Robinson community. “We’re inclusive and everyone is there for you,” said Bulova. “The topics that we talk about within Young Dems are always kind of controversial, but it think it draws attention to the fact that we are here for everyone and we are [a] very supportive club.”
The Young Democrats are trying to build a connection between student’s opinions and ways to create real change. The larger institution of Virginia Young Democrats created opportunities for teens to volunteer with campaigns this past election and to host an event called Lobby Day, where students from all over the state meet with senators to lobby certain bills. Being young people, it’s easy to feel disconnected from national news, or even local activity. “I think a lot of people here at Robinson are really interested in politics and are very passionate about it and we’re just kind of trying to provide a framework for them to express that in a meaningful way,” said junior Matthew Ross, vice president of Robinson Young Democrats.
here at “ People Robinson are really interested in politics ...we’re just kind of trying to provide a framework for them to express that. Matthew Ross, 11th
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The Pro Life Club, however, was a whole new experience for the Robinson Community. “Before we existed, there was nothing like this at Robinson,” said Anthony Jones, president of Rams for Life.
The club’s goal is to share a perspective that they feel is often misunderstood by society, and possibly in the Robinson community. Jones explains “what we want to do [is] to help women. I think a lot of people think that as pro-lifers we want to suppress women or deny them rights, but what we want to do is empower women to be able to chose life and to live out their lives with their children more freely.” Members participate in annual conferences at the regional and national level that surround bringing the pro-life message to high schools. The club also hosts quarterly events in order to make themselves more visible within the school, as well as teaming up with pro-life clubs in surrounding high schools to peacefully protest outside abortion clinics. “Being in a public school and living in a very liberal area, it’s hard to find many people with my same beliefs on this subject,” said senior Aly Waniel. Other clubs, such as the Gay Straight Alliance (GSA), have been a staple within the school for several years. “[GSA] definitely brings a safe space for LGBT kids and any allies,” said Kat McGrail, president of GSA. “GSA provides that safe space that some of us need.” In the club, meetings not only consist of political conversations, but also can simply serve as a place for LGBT teens to find a community.
“It’s pretty open to anyone for whatever they want to do,” said McGrail. As shown, student activism didn’t begin in Trump’s America, but the 2016 election has undoubtedly sparked an advocacy flame in the hearts of many people. The Trump presidency almost immediately kicked off a string of protests and marches, most notably the Women’s March on Washington. “I never really had a chance to get involved politically with anything… when I found out that there was an event near where I live, I thought it was a great way to get involved,” said Karenna Oner, 12. Oner, alongside her peers, participated in the Women’s March, along with the protests held at Dulles Airport following President Trump’s Travel Ban. On January 27, 2017, thousands of Americans met in D.C. for the 44th annual March for Life, including several Robinson Students. “This was my first March for Life and really my first time getting involved in any pro-life activities!” said Sarah DiLuccio, 12. Although an annual event, the March for Life provides reassurance for those who share its message, and speaks to the persistence of Photo by Daily Wire movements throughout time. “Just seeing the amount of people who came to peacefully protest something that they were so passionate about was awesome,” said DiLuccio. “The Rams for Life club at Robinson really encouraged me to go and support something that I believe in and want to learn more about… I’m excited to continue learning about the pro-life cause and how to get more involved through Rams for Life.” Naturally, alongside the peaceful, organized marches, there are violent break-outs that stand out from the crowd. “Violence under no circumstance is okay,” said McGrail. “[It] makes your protest less respectable and people take you less seriously and more as a threat.” With such high political tensions, violent outbursts have become more and more frequent within movements, and might be adding to lack of conversation between the different sides of an issue. “I think it’s important now more than ever to be able to talk with people about this issue with gentleness, respectfulness, and understanding, even if they don’t Photo by Sarah DiLuccio agree with you.” said DiLuccio. Movements always have their next goal and activism always has room to grow. Although there are strong communities, clubs here at Robinson are always looking for more people to be more persistent. “From what I’ve seen, a lot of people are happy to go to protests [or] go tweet something… but they don’t want to do necessary less attractive parts of it,” said Hopkins. “A lot of people here have very strong political opinions on both sides of the aisle and a lot of people on both sides have very intelligent opinions about those things, but very few people are actually willing to put in the work that it takes to make those opinions and ideas more popular or get elected to office.” It’s hard for student voices to truly change their surroundings without them explicitly putting them out there, which is something that Robinson students are trying to help their peers with. “We all know [protests alone are] not going to necessarily change the government, but it’s going to let people know that we want change. It might inspire change, not necessarily in Photo by CNN.com our political leaders, but within the people in our community,” said McGrail. Millions of Americans gather in Washington, D.C. for the annual March for Life Focus
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BUTTING HEADS Are the Digital Citizen Lessons Promoting a Good Message?
Sam Davis Staff Writer
Aidan O’Meara Entertainment Editor
YES
Something new has now been added to the routine of things in Learning Seminar. Some days we have RAMS Read and now we have our digital citizenship lessons. When the teacher tells the class they must do this required FCPS lesson, it’s mostly followed by a bunch of groans. While the digital citizenship program is spreading a good message, it’s not doing it in the right way. The lesson they’re trying to teach is one that really should be taught in schools. There have been multiple reports of people being fired, or not chosen for a job because of their social media. While what you post on the internet may stay there forever, but some people don’t believe that they could not get a job because of something they posted. However, the way that Robinson is teaching this to everyone is just all wrong. Whenever we have to do the digital citizen lessons, everyone just groans because nobody wants to do it. The problem with the school’s way of going about this isn’t too great. The main problem with Digital Citizenship lessons would have to be how outdated they are. When the videos are played some students can’t help but laugh that they’re using Myspace as an example for internet safety. It’s hard to go about this without annoying the students. Trying to teach something to the students during Learning Seminar is never an easy task. Instead of “Drunk Pirate” and other oddly cringe worthy examples, there should just be a brief video every two weeks made by Robinson students that comes on right after GMR. Even though it may not be the best answer, anything will be better than the three question quizzes we have to do.
NO
Once Learning Seminar was a time for added learning or an opportunity to work on incomplete homework. It is now occasionally interrupted by an unwelcome guest: Fairfax County’s Digital Citizenship activities. Focused on educating students about the dangers of social media and general internet use, it’s unfortunately an obsolete and genuinely pointless program that has outlived its usefulness. From the social media sites used in the early 2000s (no one’s on MySpace anymore, guys) to unintentionally hilarious examples of online misconduct, the system is clunky from top to bottom. If the lack of interest in the topic wasn’t already enough to turn students’ attention away from the program, these antiquated activities certainly are. Much has been said of the possibility of losing job opportunities due to past online posts. While this is certainly a danger, it’s also one that has been discussed for years, with precautions becoming essentially ingrained within students’ minds (common sense also plays a large role in our internet-based decisions). This near-uniform understanding of the ideas proposed by the Digital Citizenship program eliminates its entire reason for existing in the first place. Perhaps even more egregious is the system’s complete and utter lack of entertainment. Students view the assignments (multiple quizzes have been assigned) as tedious and ridiculously outdated. Digital citizenship is absolutely unnecessary in this day and age. Yes, online footprints, posts, and tweets have caught up with several people, but the lessons of the wide reporting of these past events have seeped into the minds of the vast majority of students. We, as students, already understand that we must regulate what we do online and with various apps.
Kids in the Hall: Digital Citizenship “I think [Digital Citizenship] a good idea, but it doesn’t really work because it isn’t fun. I don’t learn anything from it at all because it’s obvious stuff people already know, or should already know.”
-Carlee Gaboury, 9 20
Op-Ed
“I think it’s dumb. It’s just that nobody really listens to it or anything. I feel like nobody at Robinson is actually going to think about that sort of stuff before posting something on Instagram, Twitter or Snapchat. It feels like a waste of time.”
-Elisia Barber, 9
Security Cameras Keep Students Safe Savannah Evans Staff Writer
“
I do think that security cameras are useful, because they can protect against a lot of harm and provide proof of crimes. Hannah Papich, 12
”
There are over 100 cameras in the Robinson facility, according to safety and security specialist Sandy Corbin. There are not a lot of problems pertaining to security of the building, but when there is an issue, it’s helpful to know that administrators have cameras to look back at footage.There were a couple of incidents where cameras were involved to clear up incidents this school year, said Corbin. This shows that the installation of cameras was effective and useful. “I do think that security cameras are useful, because they can protect against a lot of harm and provide proof of crimes. Although, it can be an invasion of privacy as in we’re pretty much always being watched,” said senior Hannah Papich. Even though the administrators that have access to cameras don’t monitor them every day and don’t look for problems or incidents, they can be used to clarify or confirm anything. Only seven administrators have access to the security camera footage. Most of the cameras are located in the main areas, such as hallways (e.g. Recital Hall) and locker bays. 85 percent of schools lock or monitor their entrances during school hours, according to the U.S. Department of Education. The security cameras also help to monitor who comes in and out of the building, since the administrators in the main office have to identify who the person is before unlocking the door. Even though it takes a minute for them to open the doors, it’s worth it and beneficial in the long run. “We do a visual check on the monitor
and if they are obviously students, we are supposed to let them in. If they are not, we asks questions. If we can’t see you, then we can’t let you in,” said Erin Silkes, Office Assistant. The Office Assistants monitor the cameras when security is doing other activities around the school. Although some people like security cameras because it makes them feel safe, some think that it’s a waste of time, money, and effort. “Who watches them anyways? It is not like they can catch fights before they happen,” said senior Emily Gross. Even though cameras cannot prevent fights, we can hold those who fight accountable for their actions. The security cameras are effective, as they allow for the safety of everyone in the building. They can assist in obtaining the truth, monitoring kids, and checking to see who comes in and out of the building. Although there is substantial security camera use during the weekdays, they should do a better job during the weekends. Many people come into Robinson and, most of the time, the doors are unlocked for various events. Although there are concerts, drama productions, and sports teams coming and going from Robinson, someone should monitor who comes in and out of the buildings. They should check the cameras to ensure that no damage is done to the property. More and more schools are installing security cameras in various places, such as in the halls, classrooms, and buses. “You’re in a public area. We didn’t put them in the bathroom, or the locker rooms, or where you expect to have privacy. We didn’t even put them in the classroom. We kept them in the public areas.” said Corbin.
Op-Ed
21
What’s for Lunch?
Isabel Gallego Staff Writer
The two cafeterias that sit inside the school are where thousands of students eat lunch, many of them buying from the counters. With the large amount of students that spend their money for lunch, it’s disappointing that the school has overlooked the students with dietary restrictions. There are people who can’t eat common foods such as soy, milk, wheat, tree nuts, and meats. Yet the cafeteria does not offer many surrogate choices that take these limitations into account. Managers also don’t have specific records regarding food allergies, such as gluten, so it’s impossible to known just how many students are affected. A public school as big as Robinson should have factored in food restrictions by now. The majority of the foods provided by the school contain flour, which is inedible for those who are gluten free. All that is available is a scoop of vegetables or a piece of fruit, which is not an acceptable lunch. Lactose intolerant students aren’t able to eat the available pizzas, tortillas, milk, the list goes on. However, this isn’t a problem for just these select few. A lack of choice is an everyday problem that is faced by these students here at school. There is a wide variety of meals
that students without any restrictions can choose from, and there are meal plan options for those who can’t always pay for their food such as the free or reduced lunches. Yet Robinson has seemed to completely blank out when it comes to alternate dietary options. It’s unfair how some students don’t have the option of eating from the school cafeteria because of the risk that there are ingredients that they aren’t supposed to consume. “I think that it would be good for students who have dietary restrictions to have the option just in case they can’t bring their own stuff. I think maybe if money was an issue for them and they couldn’t always do that, couldn’t provide the things they needed, it would benefit all those students,” said senior Hayley Birnbaum. It could be argued that kids with dietary restrictions should simply pack their own lunch, but it’s not that simple or easy. “I think there’s a problem where people come to lunch without enough food. Like some of my friends, they’ll get like a cookie for lunch and that’s not enough to eat.” said sophomore Emma Ruffing. “I also think convenience is part of the reason why kids don’t bring their lunch and a lot of us have
a good bit of homework. So it’s not like we can get stuff done. Packing lunch would mean running around six in the morning, trying to get food.” It shouldn’t be assumed that someone has the time or resources to pack their own lunch just because they can’t eat certain foods for health or religious reasons. The finances should be taken into account. “It might be costly, it might not be. I would say no because I prioritize what the kids want and the foods they like. My manager was explaining the food schedule, she was telling me about the food choices through the county, through the nutrition services, there are many choices.” said Sonia Saucedo, the cafeteria manager. It wouldn’t be impossible to add these choices to the menu. At the end of each school year, the food management takes into account what foods were favored over the rest and what foods could possibly be taken off the menu due to being unpopular. If Robinson agreed to expand their menu, many students would have less to stress about in the morning and wouldn’t have to be forced to bring their own lunch or skip out on it entirely and overall lunchtime would be more pleasant.
The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 requires USDA to create nutrition standards for “competitive foods” sold in vending machines, snack bars and a la carte lines.
The majority of the foods provided by the school contain flour, which is inedible for those who are gluten free.
(According to schoolnutrition.org)
The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 requires cafeterias to offer more fruit, vegetables and whole grains and limit sodium, calories and unhealthy fat in every school meal. (According to schoolnutrition. org)
22
Op-Ed
Photo by Cathleen Ridder
At the end of each school year, the food management takes into account what foods were favored over the rest and what foods could possibly be taken off the menu due to being unpopular.
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THAT’S SO REVIVED
Bridget Harold Staff Writer
Khadeejat Lawal Staff Writer
Katie Irving Staff Writer
That’s So Raven Raven-Symoné, the star of “That’s So Raven,” announced on ABC talk show “The View” that the Disney Channel hit show is coming back. She went on to comment that the show will follow her character as a single mom of two kids. Symoné released that one of her kids will make an exciting discovery: that they have the same psychic abilities as their mother. However, many viewers were disappointed to learn that star Orlando Brown, who played Eddie, will not be returning alongside Symoné. At print time, the show currently has no name or air date confirmation.
My Super Sweet 16 “My Super Sweet 16” first aired Jan. 18, 2005. It was a reality show that featured wealthy teenagers going through the frantic process of preparing for their coming of age celebrations. The show, which ended on Jun. 15, 2008, was loved by many because of the classic and infamous characters it brought to the viewers. Celebrities such as Bow Wow, Sean Kingston, Aly and AJ, Chris Brown, Soulja Boy, and Teyana Taylor have all had their coming of age parties featured on “My Super Sweet 16.” Its return, the date for which has not yet been set, is anticipated by many former fans of the show.
26
Entertainment
Bill Nye “Bill Nye the Science Guy” is back! After nearly twenty years off television, Bill Nye is coming back to Netflix in spring of 2017. The talk show is called “Bill Nye Saves the World,” and each episode will focus on Nye busting different myths and refuting scientific claims. The original program, “Bill Nye The Science Guy,” ran on PBS for five years with 100 episodes in total.
Prison Break Fox announced at the 2016 Winter Press Tour that Wentworth Miller and Dominic Purcell will return for a new event series. Fox also said that there will be a few more surprises for their viewers. The reboot of this show is set to launch on April 4, 2017.
Food with the Fam: Underrated Places Connor Dunphy Opinions Editor
Price: Around $12
Sam Davis Staff Writer
B+ B
Location: 5624 Ox Rd, Fairfax Station, VA 22039 Tastiness:
The food is amazing, especially the cheesesteak and fries. The other options on the menu can be questionable, but there are really good hidden gems that will surely satisfy your palate! The food is always freshly made and the warmth of the food is just perfect.
Jessica Reid Staff Writer
Price: Around $15
Location: Stryker Square, 3242 Old Pickett Rd, Fairfax, VA 22031 Tastiness:
How do you make fried chicken better? You fry it again! That’s just one of the many specialties of Bonchon. Tasty, delicious, and crunchy, this fried chicken wallops giants like KFC and Popeyes.
Amount of Food Received: Amount of Food Received:
Only visit George’s Steak n’ Things if you are very hungry. You get A LOT of food! A large sandwich will make you want to burst, but, with the burgers, the large seems to be almost the same size as a regular.
X-Factor -1 deduction for limiting you on burger toppings
+2 bonus
+1 bonus because
Once you go enough, you’ll be greeted like an old friend. Also, they deliver.
the employees are extremely friendly and you can get free baklava if it is your first time there.
Although Bonchon is a tad pricy, you most definitely get enough for what you paid for. The chicken is filling and you can even add a side if you would like.
Entertainment
27
What Happened To Action Movies? Aidan O’Meara Entertainment Editor
F
rom First Blood to The Terminator and The Bourne Identity, the action genre has not only delivered consistent entertainment for the past 50 odd years, but also provided audiences with some of the most iconic characters in film. However, not much can be grasped from films of that ilk today, the memorability of entries in the genre are growing increasingly slim. Much of this is due to the noticeable decline in the effort put into these films. While exceptions like George Miller’s Oscar-winning masterpiece Mad Max: Fury Road certainly pop up occasionally, they often find themselves drowned in a sea of soulless mediocrity. Whether it’s the unbearable shaky-cam of the Taken sequels or the limp writing of Michael Bay’s Transformers series, it’s becoming more and more difficult to discover the greats, particularly when moviegoers consistently support these lesser films. For example, Doug Liman’s fantastic Tom Cruise vehicle, Edge of Tomorrow, failed to play to audiences, while Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, the lifeless fourth entry in that decaying franchise, managed to crack a billion dollars in worldwide box office gross. The primary reason that the quality of action films has deteriorated so sharply and
quickly is due to the aforementioned use of the shaky-cam technique. Shaky-cam is the method of moving a camera very rapidly to create a disorienting feeling for audiences. However, many directors instead employ it to mask poor choreography and action sequences. The upward trend of shaky-cam is accompanied by the increasing use of quick and frequent cuts. The most notorious example of this is in 2015’s Taken 3. The
Old
New
•Less streamlined •More focused on universe-building •Less violent (lack of R-rated films) •Has gone from westerns to action stars (Stallone, Schwarzenegger, Norris, etc.) to superheros
• Lack of care/ bad techniques (steady cam) • Too bent on crafting universes, not individual films • Continue to be not enough R-rated films • There are exceptions (Mad Max, John Wick, Edge of Tomorrow)
cuts used are to hide poor stunt work and to add suspense to something that should not be suspenseful. Another reason that the quality of the action genre has fallen is due to the shift in focus on writing. With films such as Die Hard, or The Terminator centrally focusing on characters over plot, the audience is able to be emotionally invested. Nowadays, however, the writing is focused on weaving a complex plot, leaving all character development by the wayside. This results in the viewers not caring about the story, and no characters to emotionally latch onto. Throughout the past few years there have been a few gems that have attempted to bring the action genre to its former glory. For example, 2014’s John Wick decided to not use shaky-cam and instead opted to keep the camera still. They also kept the plot remarkably simple and instead chose to develop Wick and the world around him. Also, 2015’s Mad Max: Fury Road used practical effects instead of the easier option, Computer-generated imagery (CGI). This made the film seem much more realistic and received rave reviews on the way to seven Oscar wins. Many action film lovers are hoping that these gems will become more frequent and the action genre will return to its former glory. Entertainment
25
Robinson’s unified Special Olympics team poses for a group photo.
Special Olympics at Robinson Matthew Lichtblau || Sports Editor Jessica Reid || Staff Writer
In 169 countries across the globe, Special Olympics has established itself as a premier program geared towards the integration of individuals with of disabilities through participation in athletic events. At Robinson, especially, the Special Olympics program has proven to be a significant athletic presence, namely through events like FanQuest. 28
Sports
t
FanQuest, the doubleheader basketball game, took place Special Olympics to Robinson, having coached the on Feb. 4 at Robinson, boasting a large student turnout program’s basketball team and two unified teams at the from Robinson, Lake Braddock, and Robert E. Lee High school. Yatsko added, “The peer buddies who play on the School. Robinson’s special education and unified teams unified team gain just as much from their experience as both competed. The teams consisted of Category B kids— the athletes do.” who are kids with either The general education mental, intellectual, or students are heavily physical handicaps— involved in Special and general education Olympics and preparing students. The difference for events. Senior Amanda between respective, Delacruz was one of the competing teams is that coaches for the Special the special education Olympics basketball team. team is comprised of She noted, “The most solely Category B kids, rewarding thing about while the unified team helping coach a Special incorporates both Olympics sport is seeing Category B and general the happiness on the education students. players’ faces, win or lose.” The event provides an General education annual, unique experience Caroline Carbaugh takes a shot at FanQuest as junior Jordan Cherry looks on. students can also be and tradition for these directly involved in students. Junior Ronnie Torres, a Category B student at Category B students’ lives through the Partnership class Robinson, noted, “My favorite part of FanQuest is all the and Partner’s Club. The Partnership class is an elective cheering.” that requires an application. Partner’s Club is an after Robinson takes part in school club including more than just basketball; events like movie nights, the Special Olympics dances, and karaoke teams also participate nights, which students like in soccer and track. The Torres particularly enjoy. events make an impact on Robinson counselor Category B and general Jim Carter is a prominent education students. supporter of the Special Maggie Larkin, 12, said, Olympics program as “Special Olympics is one a whole. He focuses on of the best events of the officiating and assisting whole year. Being able to with soccer, basketball, see the kids achieve their and other Special Olympics goals and watch them activities—including those play is so rewarding.” outside of the school— Torres and fellow that his daughter, who Category B students has down syndrome, Jeyoon Cho and Justin participates in. Regarding Ischinger, both seniors, his daughter, Carter Nick Ortega (back) hugs Dylan Foncha (front) during FanQuest, with Ronnie Torres in the background. participate in all three sums up the importance of Robinson’s Special of Special Olympics for Olympics sports—basketball, soccer, and track. Ischinger her and many disabled students who weren’t welcomed and Cho both enjoy playing basketball the most. Ischinger and accepted by society not long ago, saying, “Special said, “My favorite part about Special Olympics is how to Olympics has been a great way to give her things to do dribble the ball and score.” On the other hand, Torres’ that other kids have had the opportunity to do.” favorite sport is soccer, which he enjoys because “you can This sense of equal opportunity that Carter alluded to is play and do some scoring and shooting.” the primary focus of the program, and largely why it has “The unified model is of the utmost importance because attained so much success throughout student and staff it stresses the inclusion piece,” said Abby Yatsko, a special culture. education teacher who was responsible for bringing Sports
29
Leaving Concorde for Competition Athletics redistrict for 2017-18 school year Nate Walker Staff Writer The Rams are in for a major change starting next school year, as the school will join a new district, 6A Region 3 District 4, for all sports. The schools in the new district will include Fairfax, Woodson, West Springfield, South County, and Lake Braddock, which means every sports team at Robinson will play these teams every year for the upcoming years. Redistricting creates less travel time for the student athletes and the fans. The adjustment aims to makes sporting events more convenient and will encourage more fans to travel to opposing schools in support of their own school, because they will be in a closer vicinity. As the schools will be much closer to each other, the already intense rivalries will escalate. Students have grown up competing against each other, which makes these more than just athletic events. Replacing Robinson in the Concorde District will be Madison High School. There will be much to miss from the old conference, but also much to look forward to in the new districting. Every sports team at Robinson is now guaranteed to compete against Lake Braddock annually, a very big rivalry game in any sport between the two schools. “RSD [Robinson Swim & Dive] is really looking forward
30
Sports
to swimming against Lake Braddock in a dual meet,” said junior, RSD captain, Peter Brukx. “We haven’t had the opportunity to actually compete with them in a 1-on-1 dual meet in my time with RSD, and I’m sure the atmosphere of that meet would be electric.” According to Brukx, the competitiveness in the new Photo courtesy of Reid Scarborough district is on par with the Reid Scarborough, 11, dodges defenders to score one of four goals in the game. old conference, since RSD has been dominant for many against teams like Lake Bradplaying tougher competition in years. The boys team has won dock. the new district. states 10 times in the previous “The competition will always “We play better teams after 15 years, and girls have won be hard, but we will always the district realignment,” said states 3 times in the previous be up for the challenge. And Varsity lacrosse player, junior 9 years, so a change in district we will always compete,” said Reid Scarborough. “We are hardly matters to this swimJacob Kaminsky, junior, who excited to play Woodson and ming powerhouse. RSD will plays varSouth County more where the miss playsity soccer. games actually matter. Wooding against “Each disson gave us a run for our monrivals like trict has ey in the Regional ChampionOakton, their own ship last year, so maybe we’ll arguably challenges. see more thrillers in the next RSD’s I will for few years. We will miss playtoughest sure miss ing Chantilly because we like competiplaying to make them look ‘Chan-silly’. tion. OakAlso Centreville, Westfield, The socton and Oakton, and Herndon, because cer team Herndon. they are all easy wins.” is also My best Any competitive team will be looking memories up for the challenge of a new forward to are against division regardless of the sport. the new those Whether teams have easier or district. Photo courtesy of Peter Brukx teams, but harder competition will not They play affect the competitiveness that Peter Brukx, 11, swims the 100 yard fly as he I’m looking teams in forward students have and their drive races against Oakton. their district to playing to be the best. Teams may still twice in the regular season. Lake Braddock twice.” compete against schools from No longer will they face their Another historically great the old Concorde District rivals, Herndon and Oakton, sports program ready for the during the regular season, and in their district, but instead, new districting is Lacrosse. at Regionals and States, if they will have new exciting rivalries They are looking forward to qualify.
Scott Trump Dive and Weight Training “
[My greatest achievement is] taking the skills I have learned throughout my experience with Robinson’s Swim & Dive to teach younger kids.
“
The team; it’s not just a sports team it’s more like a big family.
”
”
“
Divers as a group of people are one of the nicest groups of people you’ll ever meet and have encouraged me to do my best.
”
dive coach, Coach “ My Koehler, has pushed me in very positive ways and it makes me want to become someone just like her.
”
Trump started diving when he was 10 years old. He started weight training last year.
Reporting by Tatyana Green Photo courtesy of Robinson Swim and Dive