Valor Dictus
Bravely Speaking to the Robinson Community
Sexual Harassment pg. 16-19 Mod Squad pg. 10-11
DECA pg. 14-15
Daniel Williams pg. 22-23 Vol. 3 Iss. 2 Feb. 2018
Advisor: Christopher Moore
Senior Taylor Lingar poses during her scene of the DECA fashion show. Photo by Khadeejat Lawal.
Editor-in-Chief: Amelia Gulding Managing Editor: Emily Boland Business Manager: Courtney Williams Social Media Editor: Jessica Reid Design Editor: Rachel Bloedorn Photo Editor: Khadeejat Lawal Entertainment Editor: Aidan O’Meara
“Men can be sexually abused in the same way as females, and even though females are more likely to get sexually abused, there is a major growth in men getting sexually abused, which is incredibly scary.” -Robinson Student Sexual Harassment Focus, pg 20
Senior Bryan Chen-Asifuina practices and orchestral piece with his class. Photo by Khadeejat Lawal.
Sports Editor: Matthew Lichtblau Opinions Editor: Connor Dunphy News Editor: Sam Davis Staff Writers: Andrew Lichtblau Andy Zhang Bridget Harold Haroon Nawaz Maya Tegegn Nate Walker Nathaniel Robertson 2
Info
Senior Anthony Douglas leaps towards the net during a game against Lake Broaddock on Jan 23. Photo courtesy of Ram Snaps.
Valor Dictus Patrons: Amy Pfalzgraf and Jeffery Mitchell James & Shirley Krein Mike & Tami Boland Leah Reid
To become a patron email us at courtney.valordictus@gmail.com
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5 The Hidden Gang Problem by Sam Davis 6 Teachers Paying Out of Pocket by Courtney Williams 7 Before Baccalaureate by Rachel Bloedorn
Opinion 4 25 26 27 28 29
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10-11 Meet the Mod Squad by Bridget Harold 12 We’re Going on a Trip by Jessica Reid Faking it ‘til They Make it (Tabloid 13 Times) by Connor Dunphy 14-15 DECA Dimes and Dudes by Sam Davis
Decriminalization of Drugs by Staff Picking the Pocket of Public Education by Amelia Gulding The Counselor Crisis by Emily Boland A Student Stress Surplus by Khadeejat Lawal The Magic of Music by Connor Dunphy Perspective: We’ve Forgotten What Community Service Means by Emily Boland
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The Development of DC Comics by Aidan O’Meara Bridget’s Book Corner by 21 Bridget Harold 22-23 Beats by Daniel Williams by Emily Boland
Sports
30 New Coach on the Court (Basketball) by NateWalker and Nate Robertson 31 Rifle Shoots Past Expectations by Andrew Litchblau 32 Aaron Howell: Althlete Spotlight by Maya Tegegn Info
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STAFF EDITORIAL: The Decriminalization of Drugs
The Nancy Reagan “just say no” approach to drugs neatly symbolizes the negligent attitude towards drugs held by the current policy of criminalization. If someone is addicted to drugs, they will not be able to “just say no” without help. Yet, criminalization offers none of this help. Rather, it puts billions of taxpayer dollars to poor use in a system that yields embarrassingly high recidivism rates and prohibits about 1.5 million people a year, according to the FBI, from contributing to society. As of November 2017, nearly half of America’s prison inmates were charged with nonviolent drug offenses, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons. These incarcerations amount to roughly 2.5 billion taxpayer dollars annually. Yet, the price tag of prisoners charged with drug offenses is not the most frightening aspect of this system. Of greater concern is how ineffective the policy is. According to the National Association of Drug Court Professionals, 60 to 80 percent of drug abusers commit a new crime (typically a drug-driven crime) after release from prison, and approximately 95 percent return to drug abuse after release from prison. Locking someone up for several years does nothing to deter, combat, or prevent drug addiction. Continued drug abuse is not the current policy’s only drawback. With the criminalization of drug users in the United States, the fact that addiction is a mental illness seems to get lost in the shuffle. Drug use is illegal, but drug addiction is an illness. In order for any illness to be treated, the inflicted must be able to step forward and freely ask for help. Yet, when asking for help puts them visibly on the wrong side of the law, many people refuse to do so, regardless of the consequences continued drug abuse may bring. Hence the criminalization of drugs has become a self-fulfilling prophecy; individuals who broke the law by using drugs are unlikely to seek help for their addiction from within the law, for fear of prosecution. Yet, the legality is not the only force barring addicts from seeking help, the term criminal can come across as one of condemnation and inferiority, reducing a complex individual whose illness has impacted them to a ‘bad person.’ Those who have been incarcerated, for any crime, face additional obstacles once
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released. Things like applying for a job or a mortgage can be exponentially more difficult. Employers simply do not want to take the risk of hiring someone with a criminal record no matter what the actual crime is. What can’t be bought, though, is time. In 2004, merely having drugs on one’s person could land them in prison for an average of more than three years. Three years without a job, education, or any proper sense of happenings in the outside world takes a toll on those who are incarcerated, and may potentially bar them from positive contribution to society upon release, not to mention their inability to contribute from behind bars. A more effective, alternative method to the sustained criminalization of drugs would be treatment for such drug-related violations through decriminalization. Such an action would be a monumental step in the right direction in our nation’s collective search to cure—rather than simply penalize and incarcerate—addicts. By encouraging addicts to seek treatment via court-mandated rehabilitation, supervised drug courts, or through other enforced means, our country can more effectively address the increasingly rampant problem of drug addiction. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, “Legal pressure can increase treatment attendance and improve retention.” So, clearly, decriminalization and pressure from legal channels encouraging addicts to enter treatment can serve as a powerful tool in the fight against addiction. Decriminalization does not mean legalization. Rather it means that people should not be punished for drug use. The American public should not shell out billions of dollars a year to incarcerate someone for possessing drugs; it does not help the state financially, nor does it help the affected when it comes to the mental issue of addiction. Simply locking someone up for years on end will not discourage them for using again. Teenagers who are caught using should not be relegated to one school with all the other students caught using. Placing addicts with other addicts does not make for a good way to rehabilitate. It’s time for people to understand that there are no benefits from criminalizing narcotics. Drugs are not the problem. The way the U.S. court system handles it is.
The Hidden Problem: Gang Gang membership membership on on the the rise rise
BY SAM DAVIS News Editor
“Out of control.” That is what the Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) chief Ed Roessler said in an interview with the Washington Times about the gang problem in Northern Virginia. MS-13 is the most prominent gang in the Fairfax County area, and this past March, they were the cause of two murders in a nearby park. This account was a topic of discussion in the governor’s race that occurred between Ed Gillespie and Ralph Northam. The Mara Salvatrucha gang, otherwise none as MS-13, is considered one of the most violent gangs in the Western Hemisphere. In an interview with Ed Gillespie published by the Washington Post, he stated that there are “...more than 2,000 MS-13 gang members in Fairfax County alone.” In 2009, a report was released saying that MS-13 had more than 3,000 gang members in the Northern Virginia area alone. In addition, according to the Washington Post, gang recruitment is on the rise especially in FCPS. In Springfield, MS-13 graffiti was found near the crime scene where the body of 15-year-old Damaris Alexandra Reyes Rivas was discovered. “High school students should understand that gangs are present in their communities and up their IQ on the signs and symptoms of gang members,” said Stanley Leigh, Probation Officer and gang specialist. Gang members are harder to spot than one may think. They “ have changed the ways they represent their group,” said Leigh, and the uninformed
“The main worry is that gangs would trickle down from a neighboring school to our school. Once a school has a few gang members, [they’re] hard to eliminate.” Linda Mirro English Teacher
might not be able to spot them. When Robinson English teacher Linda Mirro taught in Florida, she had to take a course that revolved around spotting gang activity. Mirro had a known gang leader in her class but she “had no trouble with him as a student.” “He did everything I would say, had good grades, and seemed just like a normal kid,” said Mirro. In late 2016, three teens were arrested at Manassas High School for attempting to recruit members for MS-13. A following incident also occurred at Osbourn Park High School, but no arrests were made. In an interview, Northern Virginia Regional Gang Task Force director, Jay Lanham, stated that MS-13 members are even starting to recruit children who are in elementary school. “The main worry is that gangs would trickle down from a neighboring school to our school. Once a school has a few gang members, [they’re] hard to eliminate,” said Mirro. “Recruitment is a key factor as older members are always searching for newbies to do various crimes and pay member dues,” says Leigh. Gang members will recruit almost anyone no matter what the age. Leigh believes the best way for students to stay safe is to stay in touch with common signs and to be aware of anything that is happening in their vicinity. Students should be aware so that they are never in risk of being caught in something dangerous.
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Teachers Paying Out Of Pocket BY COURTNEY WILLIAMS Business Editor Teachers require many materials for their classes. However, teachers have to spend money out of their pocket. To start off the year, they receive basic materials such as printer paper and Smart Boards. These initial materials usually do not cover all of the projects and lesson plans teachers prepare for their students throughout the year. Extra materials such as dry erase markers, colored pencils, colored paper, and tissues are just as necessary for everyday classroom functions, yet teachers often purchase these materials with their own money, and unfortunately, there is no way for them to get this money back. A survey of Robinson’s departments revealed teachers spend approximately $171 dollars per year on extra supplies. Many try to save money at the end of a school year to use for the next. According to Assistant Principal Dr. Scot Turner, teachers can request larger items such as Smart Boards or white boards that will be bought for them, but the school has no system in place to track how much money individual teachers are spending. Assistant Principal Tracey Phillips said that if teachers request an order, it is almost always fulfilled. She said if teachers need the materials quickly, they will often order it themselves. “If we’re seeing that it is a concern, Mr. Eline and I need to work with specific departments to make sure all teachers know how to access those resources,” said Phillips. Fairfax County has a ‘Per pupil’ system where each school receives money based off of enrollment. Once the school receives that money, the departments then decide if the “Per pupil” system needs to be altered to better fit the needs of teachers and students. The finance administrators then decide what areas need more or less money than the county recommends. Not all of this money is used directly for student learning, and the amount also between departments. For example, the English Department may need paper, pencils, and other basic materials, while teachers in the Language Department decorate their rooms with cultural items that represents their respective languages’ cultures. If part of the lesson is to complete a project, more supplies, such as paper and glue, would be needed. Teachers sometimes ask their students to share the responsibility of collecting supplies. Teachers used to encourage students to pick up items such as tissues, or candy for extra credit. However, a new policy stopped teachers from giving non-academic extra credit
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Infographic By Amelia Gulding Information provided by Time Money
points due to them not being a reflection of a student’s academic achievement. The teachers in the Language Department have created a way to encourage learning while collecting tissues for the class. The project includes attaching pictures, charts and other information about a specific country on a tissue box. Sophomore Amy Torrico said that the project helped expand her and was an interesting way for teachers to make sure they have enough tissues. “I actually thought it was very creative, I thought it was a good idea.”
Before Baccalaureate Underclassmen gain new IB opportunities BY RACHEL BLOEDORN Design Editor
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of the newest additions to the school is the prestigious international program for 11-16 year olds: the Middle Years Program (MYP). MYP includes eight advanced academic courses to balance and challenge students with global standards. Robinson is introducing the program slowly, so the official classes are not yet fully established. Instead, students are offered the opportunity to participate in the MYP project, an individual activity to allow students to independently learn about their prefered topics with the guidance of an advising teacher. Participation in the project is optional for students this year, to afford teachers an adjustment period while implementing the new educational program. However, quite a few students have opted to participate for various reasons, including serving as an impres-
sive project for college applications and gaining experience with a fun, open-ended project. Students can make a YouTube channel, build a computer, or learn to do a backflip, as long as the project involves some form of research. Sophomore Kieran O’Dell decided to create a song for his project, complete with guitar chords, piano melodies, and vocal harmonies. His decision to participate in the project is mainly based on how the project is perceived by colleges, but he also wanted to take advantage of the relaxed guidelines that allowed students to research anything they are interested in. “You can do whatever you want as long as it involves research,” stated O’Dell. “I wanted to try something really fun, and I thought that I would be more motivated if a deadline was put on it.”
Sophomore Claire Burton agreed, but also confessed that her reason for participating in the project lies with the influence of her peers. “A lot of my friends were doing it and they convinced me to do it” said Burton, “But I also thought it would be a good way to bridge the way to the extended essay for IB.” Indeed, the MYP project is an open-ended research project that allows students to participate in activities they enjoy, while simultaneously learning important life skills like organization and independence. As Burton put it, “I think [the project] is really great preparation for IB, any class in general, or adulthood because you are going to need to have some self discipline and organizational skills for later on in life and career.”
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PROM IS COMING, GET FIT!
Come Dine with Us!
Family-Style Mediterranean Food 9542 Burke Rd, Burke, VA 22015
Meet The
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Mod Squad BY BRIDGET HAROLD Entertainment Editor
Photos Courtesy of Jodie McCabe
With over 4,000 students, Robinson is packed daily and each classroom is filled with at least thirty students. The Modular building (mods) were implemented in 2006 for occupational use. Some students might be unhappy to have to walk outside to get to their class, especially in winter or because of the risk being late. “I used to have a class in the Mods at the end of day, and I always feared being late to the bus.” says junior Dylan Clark. The “Mod Squad” has decided to come together in order for kids to get excited to come out to class. “The ‘Mod Squad’ refers to the group of classrooms in the mods or the trailers out behind the mods in ram village” says Ms.Yielsey, a teacher who was moved to the Mods from the main building three years ago. The Mod Squad was created five years ago by the teachers deciding to embrace being outside the main building and come together to build their community. “I love what the Mod Squad does,” says, junior Emily Nguyen. “It’s like they have their own little family and each other’s backs.”
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1. Mod “superheros” pose dramatically. 2. Group picture of Mod Squad superheros. 3. The team of teachers dressed up as a group for spirit week. 4. The teachers show their spirit by dressing up as characters f 5. Some teachers dressed up as characters from Up to represen
Over the past three years, The Mod Squad has come to be apart of the school’s daily life. This includes the Homecoming pep rally, where the teachers participated in the infamous blindfolded musical chairs, and their annual Halloween group costume. For Halloween this past year, they decided to all dress up as characters from Jurassic Park. “We wanted our past Halloween costumes to tie in with the Dude Be Nice week” says Jody McCabe, a teacher who teaches IB/regular Film study, been in the
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week. ters from 101 Dalmations. present their favorite animated movie.
mods for nine years, “We decided to do a Jurassic Park theme based on Kate’s Cause, since she loved dinosaurs so much.” Kate’s Cause was launched in order to “bring awareness to pediatric cancer, raise funds for research, and to give back to the cancer community,” according to Mrs. McCabe “Kate’s Cause slogan is ‘until childhood cancer is extinct,’ so it all came together.” McCabe adds, “It fit nicely because it was something to pull us teachers together out in the mods, but also do something for our
5 students in our classes. It was great way for our kids to start thinking outside of themselves and to give back.” The mods previously did “Ellie’s Hat,” which also raised childhood cancer awareness. They received over 180 hats within the week they were collecting. “I feel as though The Mod Squad has let some other teachers here come out of their shells and it’s been really fun.” added Mrs.Neun, “We built this community of trust, and we really care about one another. It’s just one big family.” Features
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We’re Going on a Trip: A peek at school field trips
Open-heart Surgery (Anatomy)
Amish Country
(Anthropology)
Hershey Park (DECA)
What field trip could be more perfect for Human Anatomy students than a real-life open-heart surgery? Here at Robinson, it is an option for those students showing interest in the medical field to visit INOVA Fairfax to watch a real surgery. The trip helps students see actual surgeries, matching their interests in the way the body works.
Seniors Jordan Cherry & Emma Shimp interned at Children’s National Medical Center. Photo courtesy of Emma Shimp.
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BY JESSICA REID Social Media Editor
Once a year, George O’ Brien, DECA sponsor, takes students to Hershey Park. The trip is one to remember, where students mix learning new marketing techniques with fun at an amusement park. Giving DECA students the opportunity to observe and enjoy fun and successful places such as Hershey Park gives them real world ideas about how to pursue their interests in marketing. Senior Abby Vargas went on the trip last year and her favorite part was “making our personal chocolates and riding almost every roller coaster.”
Baltimore Aquarium (Oceanography)
Typically at some point in the beginning of the school year, Social and Cultural Anthropology students are given the chance to go on a trip to go to Amish Country in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. In the class, they study many different civilizations and groups of people, and the trip enables them to see how people live in a setting completely separate from here in Fairfax County. Senior Erin Cochrane said, “We went to Lancaster to see the Amish and ask them questions because we learned about them and their lifestyle in class.” Seniors Aislinn Kane & Meredith Horan posing with a cow in Lancaster, PA. Photo courtesy of Aislinn Kane.
Oceanography, taught by Mr. Erik Misencik and Ms. Megan Dygve, is a popular elective science class taken by mainly juniors and seniors. Students get to partake in caring for aquatic animals in aquariums. The Baltimore Aquarium is a sought after trip to admire and learn more about the ocean and marine life in an interactive setting out of the classroom.
TT Faking it ‘til They Make it
Student-run satire news site gains attention
BY CONNOR DUNPHY Opinion Editor
Deep within the recesses of the internet and Robinson underculture sits a satirical gem that has gone unnoticed. However, once this treasure is found, it is hard to get away from it. This treasure is, of course, the Tabloid Times. “It was a thing we made to mock friends who believed the stories we would tell them,” said junior Matthew Hauser, who is also one of the authors. “We try to make non-political satire.” In addition to Matthew Hauser, the Tabloid Times is created by juniors Mason Cook, Lucas Hauser, and Anton Sheridan-Kuchmek. Using the website, TabloidTimes.weebly.com, they write articles, record podcasts, and present shows that can be found on YouTube. Their website is broken up into six different sections with eighteen subsections. The topics range anywhere from proving that North Dakota isn’t real to aliens attacking Fort Sumter. The vault
is where one will find some of the best content. The article on how to avoid traffic was eye opening. Who knew that not carpooling will reduce the weight in your car, making it faster? In addition to writing, the authors of the the Tabloid Times dabble in podcasting. Uploaded to YouTube, the first podcast, aptly named “World’s Only Hope,” was put up on YouTube a mere seven months ago. The podcasts talk about everything and anything from healthcare to conspiracy theories. They tackle hard topics like healthcare without making it seem as though one is listening to yet another long winded podcast. Robinson is the primary audience. Matt Hauser’s favorite part of the Tabloid Times is “seeing people’s reactions to our editions, news show, and podcasts. We’ll laugh at our own words.’’
Another subsection that is quite humorous is the “Dear Doctor” section. Asking barrier-breaking questions such as, “What is love?” and “How do I get good at video games?” The self-proclaimed doctors answer back, solving the world’s problems. Tabloid Times’ newest edition (at the time of this writing), number 38, was released as their ‘Holiday Edition,’ on December 23. It details compelling stories such as the real reason Santa comes to town. Hidden among the maze of Robinson, the base of operations for the Tabloid Times lies deep in the high school journalism room. Their workspace lies all the way to the back of the room and to the left. A door, adorned by satirical video game posters, marks the way into the writers’ habitat. Written, created, and designed by Robinson students, the Tabloid Times is a staple of comedy in the Ram community. While the authors may not be at Robinson forever, Matthew Hauser said he’ll “spread it wherever he goes.” Features
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DECA Dimes & Dudes
BY SAM DAVIS News Editor
National awards and state champions are just a few of the honors that DECA holds at Robinson. Aside from putting on its annual fashion show, which took place on Jan. 10, DECA competes in various marketing oriented events. Every year, there is a statewide marketing competition for DECA teams and individuals to compete against one another. During the 2016-2017 school year, seniors Jackson MacInnis and Jacob Spindell got first in the state for their categories. “Our product was where you replace the backlight of the computer with a vitamin D producing backlight. So by using your computer you can get vitamin D,” said senior Spindell. Their idea beat out those of the 69 other teams. According to DECA’s official website, as of right now, there are over 215,000 members across 3,500 high schools. Their online statement says that DECA focuses on “preparing emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for college and careers.” The competitions have many different events under four umbrella topics: hospitality and tourism, marketing, business
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management, and finance. The events are split into written events, roleplay events, and online. Some of the popular ones are innovation planning, sports and entertainment, principles of marketing, and entrepreneurship. The Innovation Planning Event focuses on brainstorming products or business ideas and pitching said ideas. Participants, either alone or in groups of up to three, must have up to 11 written pages, and present their idea for an allotted 15 minutes. The Sports and Entertainment event has four different styles attached to it. There’s promotion plan, operations research, series, and team decision making. Sports and Entertainment is self-explanatory in that it focuses mainly on ideas for sports and entertainment-focused marketing. In this subdivision of events, there are events with exams instead of written statements. The diversity of events allows everyone to get involved. Principles of Marketing is a category for those that are pursuing anything that has to do with market-
ing. One of the styles for this event is roleplaying. In the roleplaying event, an individual or team is given a scenario where they must use their marketing skills to help them along the way. The individual has only 10 minutes to prepare a presentation in front of a judge, while a team has 30 minutes. The contestant then has up to 10 minutes to pitch their idea and they will be scored on their knowledge and overall presentation. Lastly, the entrepreneurship sub-division has many events that students can be part of. These events are mainly focused on helping students learn the vital 1
tools of starting their own business. Being a business owner is not an easy task, and DECA’s goal is to help future business leaders becoming accustomed to what they will experience. In this way, it is comparable to FBLA, but DECA’s focus is a lot more broad, as they take marketing and other contributors into consideration. This year, the Robinson DECA chapter will be sending 40 students to their state tournament from March 2 to 4.
Photos by Khadeejat Lawal of the annual DECA Fashion Show in 2018 1. Senior Virginia Blaz 2. Senior Sarah Rheul 3. Senior Livi Schmid 4. Senior Andrea Machuca 5. Seniors Becca Mendoza and Kyla Epps 6. Seniors Dana Krauss and Holden Patterson
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“Sexual harassment is a problem at
every school & every workplace.” BY MATTHEW LICHTBLAU Sports Editor Reporting by Emily Boland and Khadeejat Lawal
This assertion, as Principal Eline put it, is affirmatory of the pervasiveness of sexual harassment in modern society and the reporting of such instances, a phenomenon that has become increasingly rampant in recent months and that has leapt to the forefront of national discourse.
WHAT IS SEXUAL HARASSMENT? FCPS regulations expressly deal with the issue of sexual harassment, defining the term in the Student Rights and Responsibilities glossary: “Harassment that includes unwelcome sexual advances, regardless of sexual orientation; requests for sexual favors; and other inappropriate verbal, electronic, or physical conduct of a sexual nature that creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment.” FCPS Regulation 4950 pertains to filing sexual harassment complaints that fit the above definition, a process than can be accomplished upon the completion of a Human Resources Office of Equity and Employee Relations form. According to Eline, administrators are trained to follow these SR&R procedures in dealing with accusations of sexual harassment. Just how relevant has the issue of sexual harassment become throughout the county? Well, according to the 2016-17 Fairfax County Youth Survey conducted by FCPS, roughly one in eight—13.2%, to be precise—of the eighth, tenth, and twelfth graders surveyed reported having been sexually harassed in the past year. In addition, “Rates of experiencing sexual harassment rose with grade level, ranging from 10.2% of eighth-grade students to 15.8% of twelfth-grade students.” As this data suggests, FCPS is certainly not exempt from the worrisome problem that is sexual harassment. The problem of sexual harassment within Fairfax County or any
“I talked with friends to move past it and I would suggest the same for others. Use the people close in your life to move past the uncomfortable nature of the incident and try to move forward.” -Anonymous Robinson Student
jurisdiction, for that matter, is a rather complex one. As the Fairfax County Police Department Public Information Office (PIO) explains in a direct correspondence with the Valor Dictus, “If someone wants to report sexual harassment, we would take the report, but no criminal charges would be filed, as there are no criminal codes for sexual harassment.” Only if and when sexual harassment escalates to sexual assault can criminal charges be brought. However, while sexual harassment doesn’t generally entail criminal, legal punishment, this type of harassment can lead to punitive measures on the part of school personnel for students or job loss among such instances in the workplace.
Milano, went viral and recorded 1.7 million Tweets by Oct. 24, just nine days after the movement began. The hashtag also extended to over 85 different countries. In the wake of Weinstein and #MeToo, many members of the Hollywood elite have been exposed and accused of sexual harassment, from actors Kevin Spacey and Jeffrey Tambor to comedian Louis C.K. and famed Today Show host Matt Lauer. The professional consequences have been severe, with cancellation of upcoming projects and ostracism from the Hollywood network. These accusations go beyond the celebrities of Hollywood. Several American politicians have been implicated in the movement, including former Alabama judge and recently defeated U.S. Senate candidate Roy Moore as well as resigned U.S. Senator of Minnesota (and former Saturday Night Live comedian) Al Franken. President Donald Trump and the White House itself have also faced renewed criticism for failing to address the multitude of sexual misconduct allegations from women against him. In fact, the New York Times and other publications have running tallies of dozens of powerful individuals across various industries facing these categorical allegations. As counselor Jim Carter saw it, this seemingly ineluctable movement has spurred a national awakening of sorts, marking “a very positive cultural shift where we’re saying, ‘This is a problem. This
“I definitely think that the victim should speak up, because if someone is doing something to someone, they’re going to do it to someone else... I’m not necessarily saying that they should have their whole life ruined for it, but they definitely need to learn that is something that is wrong to do.” -Kat Nastea, 12
THE PREDATORS OF HOLLYWOOD What, exactly, has sparked the renewed wave of uproar surrounding sexual harassment in the United States? This large-scale, revived movement can be traced back to Oct. 5 of 2017, when revelations surrounding influential film producer and mogul Harvey Weinstein linked him to allegations of dozens of sexual harassment accounts, including several rape accusations. The Weinstein Company, which Weinstein was promptly fired from after the allegations surfaced, has produced well over 100 films—many garnering high critical acclaim—dating back to 2005. Weinstein’s storied film legacy made his sudden fall from grace after sexual harassment charges particularly shocking to the Hollywood community. The fall of Weinstein prompted other individuals to speak out against sexual harassment, fueling the #MeToo movement on Twitter that encouraged individuals to share their stories of harassment. The hashtag, sparked by actress Alyssa
really is a problem!’, as opposed to, ‘Boys will be boys.’” In his eyes, the movement—which has been overwhelmingly dominated by cases of male-onfemale sexual harassment—is an important step towards female empowerment and gender equality. Principal Eline added that the increased reportage of sexual assault (especially within Hollywood or among men of presumed power) is “absolutely” an important step in the right direction towards empowering women and limiting sexual predation.
“Men can be sexually abused in the same way as females, and even though females are more likely to get sexually abused, there is a major growth in men getting sexually abused, which is incredibly scary.” -Anonymous Robinson Student Focus
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“To be in a relationship with someone, and to say, ‘No, I don’t want to do it right now, because I’m having a bad day,’ and that person to guilt you, to say, ‘You haven’t done anything to me in a long time, and I want it now,’ is really heartbreaking.” -Anonymous Robinson Student tree by this guy that she knew.” Nastea added that the student was aware of the situation but that “she couldn’t prevent anything; she didn’t have enough strength to get him to stop.” However, the student ultimately decided not to alert her parents or authorities regarding the rape, as the student feared her parents would punish her for underage drinking. Nastea said, “Because of underage drinking, it gives a chance for predators to really use people, and she’s probably always going to remember it.” With that being said, Nastea noted that the student—who is in a happy college relationship—found the strength to recover from the incident. A separate instance involved a student who wishes to remain anonymous. The student was assaulted by her own boyfriend, who coerced her into engaging in unwanted oral sex with him. The student said, “To be in a relationship with someone, and to say, ‘No, I don’t want to do it right now, because I’m having a bad day,’ and that person to guilt you, to say, ‘You haven’t done anything to me in a long time, and I want it now,’ is really heartbreaking.”
One in six men are sexually assaulted.
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Men experience attempted or completed rape.
1/ 4 1/ 7 victims of sexual assault under the age of twelve is a boy.
victims of sexual assault is under six years old.
Only
SCHOOL-WIDE SEXUAL HARASSMENT How might the effects of this increasingly pertinent movement reverberate or resonate with the school community specifically? Carter noted that, while, to his knowledge, sexual harassment isn’t a systemic problem at Robinson, “A lot of student communication has been via social media. So, is it occurring? Yes. But do we know about it? No, not as much as we would if it was overt.” Carter added that he suspects any potential sexual harassment among students has been driven “underground” with the advent of social media, making it particularly difficult for faculty to monitor and track instances of harassment. While physical sexual harassment may not necessarily be as pertinent within Robinson as other institutions, it still is a problem. Senior Kat Nastea had a friend a grade above herself who, in the summer following Nastea’s freshman year, was raped by a student from a different school: “She was at a party, and she was drinking, and she was in a forest… and she ended up getting raped underneath a random
28%
of all sexual assault victims report their sexual assault to the police.
Making it the violent crime least often reported to law enforcement.
8/10 Infographic by Emily Boland
rapes are perperated by someone who knows the victim.
One in four women are sexually assaulted.
Women become pregnant due to sexual violence annually in America alone
25,000
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Women experience attempted or completed rape.
13.3% Of College women indicate that they have been forced to have sex in a dating situation.
In
29%
of rapes, the offender used a weapon.
Information courtesty of Connecticut Alliance to End Sexual Violence
The student herself communicated beforehand that she didn’t want to participate in the sexual actions her boyfriend pressed her to engage in, but he guilted her until she gave in, and “started crying in the middle of it.” Even worse, she continued, “After I finished crying, he made me do it again.” She was emotionally damaged by the incident, even blaming herself and feeling like she did something wrong as the male student’s girlfriend in the time following the assault. In another instance, a current student who also wishes to remain anonymous recalled being inappropriately touched by a male in the grade above her towards the end of last school year. She stresses that, as was the case with her experience, sexual harassment doesn’t necessarily have to be especially extreme: “I think that people need to know that it’s just anything that you don’t like… being touched in a certain way that can make it sexual.” The student went to a Robinson administrator, who called and emailed the harasser’s parents. The student
“If someone does touch you, or say something to you in an inappropriate manner that you really don’t like, then you should speak up for yourself at the time, and let them know that it’s not okay.” -Anonymous Robinson Student
wasn’t particularly satisfied with the response, saying, “Personally, I feel like that’s not enough, because he doesn’t really learn his lesson and if his parents aren’t enforcing it, then it’s kind of useless to report it.” She acknowledges feeling fearful and nervous, both for herself and for other girls, whenever she sees her harasser around the school. Even despite what was, in her opinion, an inadequate response to her grave sexual harassment allegation, she advises other students in a similar position as her to still report harassment to administrators in the hopes of potentially making Robinson a better place, one step at a time. The student’s advice for other individuals facing similar dilemmas as hers? In addition to properly reporting such incidents after the fact, she recommends being bold, brave, and deliberate in the moment: “If someone does touch you or say something to you in an inappropriate manner that you really don’t like, then you should speak up for yourself at the time, and let them know that it’s not okay.” Focus
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The Development of DC Comics Conflicting branding may be DC’s downfall BY AIDAN O’MEARA Guest Writer
The path of Warner Bros’ DC Comics franchise seems to constantly be in flux. Following the, at best, divisive reactions of their first three releases: Man of Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, and Suicide Squad, the franchise finally found success in June’s Wonder Woman, a massive financial hit and one of the year’s best reviewed blockbusters. Sadly, Warner faces another stumble with Justice League, which will likely lose the studio upwards of $50 million (the production cost alone is reported to have exceeded $300 million) and is a critical dud. This loss calls the fates of upcoming standalone films in the series into question. As of this article’s writing, Warner Bros. reportedly has more than 20 DC films in some stage of development. These projects range from a solo Batman film directed by War for the Planet of the Apes director Matt Reeves to more than a few sequels (Suicide Squad 2, Wonder Woman 2, etc.) and even an origin story for The Joker from Todd Phillips (The Hangover). However, the studio’s messaging in regards to what films are actively being developed, or frankly even exist, has been dodgy to say the least. That seems to be Warner’s central problem: they simply have no idea how to communicate a cohesive vision for this franchise. From a constantly shifting tone, both between and within films, to failing to craft amicable relationships with filmmakers and actors. Joss
Whedon and David Ayer’s directorial clashes with the studio have been widely reported, and Ben Affleck is already positioning his exit from the Batman role. Press has not favored them at almost any turn. Whether the result of studio infighting, which seems likely given how consistently information leaks out of WB, or pure incompetence, this is an issue that needs to be addressed rapidly if this franchise is to have any kind of success in its future. There are a few paths Warner could take from here. The first and most likely option is to continue the franchise as it is, save for the departure of Affleck, which is all but inevitable, and embrace the tone employed by Wonder Woman, rather than the confused dreariness of the other three films. This solution would have obvious growing pains but is easily the studio’s safest choice. The second is to essentially reboot the series timeline via the Flash solo film, which is rumored to follow the iconic Flashpoint comic saga (this miniseries is set almost entirely in a universe parallel from the mainline DC realm). The third and least plausible possibility is for Warner Bros. to cancel the DC Extended Universe and hold off for the next few years while they prepare a new take on these titanic characters. In today’s constantly evolving studio system, this would essentially be fiscal suicide for Warner, particularly given the deteriorating success of the majority of their other projects.
MosquitoLand
By David Arnold
“I am a collection of oddities, a circus of neurons and electrons: my heart is the ringmaster, my soul is the trapeze artist, and the world is my audience. It sounds strange because it is, and it is, because I am strange.” MosquitoLand is about Mim Malone, who is dragged from her home in northern Ohio to the “wastelands” of Mississippi after her family collapses. She lives in a medicated milieu with her dad and new stepmom. Before she finally settles in, she learns her mother is sick back in Cleveland. Mim, finally making a decision on her own, ditches her life in Mississippi
and hops aboard a northbound Greyhound bus to her real mother. Along the way, she meets fellow quirky travelers. But when her journey takes a turn she could never see coming, Mim must confront her own demons, redefine her notions of love, loyalty, and what it means to be sane. I gave Mosquitoland five stars because it gives the reader insight into a mental illness that isn’t heavily discussed in the YA genre. I also connected with Mim in the way she feels about herself, and she is definitely one of my favorite heroines. It’s a heartwarming novel that will also break your heart.
The Name Of The Star
By Maureen Johnson
“Jack the Ripper is back, and he’s coming for Rory next....” Louisiana teenager Rory Deveaux arrives in London to start a new life at boarding school. She arrives just as a series of brutal murders mimicking the horrific Jack the Ripper has broken out across the city. The police are left with few leads, but no witnesses. However, Rory has spotted the man believed to be the prime suspect. But she is the only one who saw him - the only one who can see him. Now Rory has become his next target...unless she can tap her previously unknown abilities to turn the tables on him. This book, along with the rest of the series, is highly addictive and I read them all in one weekend. It’s a hilarious, fun read that I recommend to everyone that likes a little mystery and paranormal.
How Not to Disappear By Clare Furniss “Our memories are what make us who we are. Some are real. Some are made up. But they are the stories that tell us who we are. Without them we are nobody.” How Not to Disappear is about Hattie and her summer that is not quite going as planned. Her two best friends, Reuben and Kat, have abandoned her: Reuben has run off to Europe to “find himself” and Kat is traveling with her new girlfriend. Meanwhile, Hattie is stuck babysitting her twin siblings and dealing with the endless drama surrounding her mother’s wedding.While dealing with her home life, she discovers that
she’s pregnant with Reuben’s baby. Then, Gloria—Hattie’s great-aunt who no one even knew existed— comes crashing into her life. Gloria is fiercely independent, rather too fond of gin, and is in the early stages of dementia. Together the two of them set out on a road trip of self-discovery. Gloria is trying to finally confront the secrets of her past before they are erased from her memory and Hattie is trying to face the hard choices that will determine her future. How Not to Disappear is a great self-discovery book and, no matter what, you can relate to Gloria and Hattie in some way.
B O O K
BY B R I D G E T H A R O L D
C O R N E R Entertainment
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Daniel Williams poses for art promoting his single “My Life� featuring Jack K-F. Photo courtesy Sam Sikora.
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Entertainment
BE AT S
BY DANIEL WILLIAMS
BY EMILY BOLAND Managing Editor
A self-proclaimed “musical baby,” senior Daniel Williams spends his time making music he describes as “gospel hip hop, jazzy gospel hip hop.” His Soundcloud account, under the name SON., features seven tracks: some remixes, some mash-ups, some original songs. The most popular of which, “Crush on You (Remix/Mash-Up),” has upwards of 2,500 plays. The newest, “The Wave (feat. vxctoria & Jack K-F),” was released at midnight on Jan 9, 2018, and accumulated nearly 500 plays in its first two weeks. These songs feature piano melodies and keyboard chords underneath rolling spoken vocals. Unlike many high school Soundcloud rappers, the beats composed by Williams’ change with the music, to match the tone and cadence of his words. His lyrics rhyme effortlessly, and his music avoids the breathless edge often accompanying amatuer rappers’ efforts. His deep and resonant voice carries a rhythm well, and it’s easy to draw parallels to the gospel music which he references. His music often sounds reminiscent of a ‘70s album, something that you might expect to hear play during
the credits of a Guardians of the Galaxy movie. His particular sound is strongly influenced by his parents, who “actually got married because of music...My dad is a keyboardist, my mom was a music major… They met at a church and realized, ‘hey, we both do music,’ and it just kind of snowballed from there,” he said. The theme of religion permeates much of Williams’ life, and that of his family. His family is “devout[ly]” christian, and as such, he says, “gospel music is probably the most influential music [to me], which is weird, because I mainly do hip hop.” He gains inspiration from hip hop artists as well, citing Snarky Puppy and Chance the Rapper as two of his favorite artists. This mix of muses, from a keyboardist, to gospel music, to Chance the Rapper, results in a unique sound that Williams would like to continue to nurture. He sees music taking him “many places,” he said. “I’d like to go somewhere professionally, like recording, or producing,” Yet, he says that if that does not pan out, “I’d be cool with being a music minister at a church, maybe for a youth group.”
Entertainment
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Picking the Pocket of Public Schools The Problem with the ever-decreasing education budget
BY AMELIA GULDING Editor-In-Chief
“An investment in education pays the best interest.” – Benjamin Franklin Education is the most fundamental aspect of success in life. A good primary education is needed to get into college, and a college education is more or less agreed upon to be necessary to attain the financial stability that comes with the classic, idyllic American lifestyle. Yet, even though there is a consensus on the invaluable importance of education within our society, cuts have been made to government funding on the national, state, and, more recently, local level that have crippled education institutions’ ability to succeed. The Fairfax County School Board has passed a requirement that all students who take more than six AP or IB tests must pay the associated fee, as a part of the 2018 fiscal budget. This new price tag is one example of the lack of funding for public schools that creates a stark opportunity divide between students that come from lower and middle-to-upper class families, a divide that is apparent in Vir-
ginia, and across the United States. According to the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, gaps between lower and higher income backgrounds in reading achievement, college-completion rate, and enrollment in selective colleges and universities have been increasing significantly since the 1950s. When a family does not have $90 (AP) or $110 (IB) lying around, their students are barred from the educational opportunities that more well-off families have. This decrease in public funds is not a new phenomena, neither for FCPS nor on a national level. Yet, these additional costs burdened onto students is the first major incident in which FCPS students and their families will have to pay. Back in 2015, the hashtag ‘#saveFCPS’ went viral amongst faculty and students when a proposed budget made major cuts to arts programs. Additionally, even as FCPS attendance has increased since 2008, the school budget has been reduced by nearly half a billion dollars for fiscal year 2017. On the federal level, President Donald Trump’s recent budget proposal has called for a 13.6 percent cut in the Department of Education from the 2017 fiscal year, terminating at least 22 programs, as reported by the National Education Association. Yet Trump was not the first, and in all likelihood he will not be the last,
president to make major cuts to education. The privatization of schools nationally has plagued the country over the past several decades, and particularly took a turn after the Great Recession. According to First Focus’ 2015 Children’s Budget, from 2011 to 2015, Congress cut spending for K-12 education by nearly 20 percent, and according to the Centre on Budget and Policy Priorities, for the majority of states, funding for K-12 education has decreased since 2008. America was founded on the concept that, when given the same opportunities, people have the choice to work hard, pursue higher education, and obtain a job that can sustain them and their family. This is the fundamental aspect of the ‘American Dream’ - a dream that, at one point, was alive and well in this country. Mass public education was once one of the greatest achievements of the United States. But now all levels of government pose a threat to that ideal and the success of students of all ages. Public funding for education is based on the idea that we should care if other people achieve an education, and a quality one at that. It is a recognition that when younger generations have opportunities, the entire nation has a chance to be lifted up. This notion has been under attack, and now is the time for Fairfax County to be at the frontline of its preservation. Op-Ed
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Counselor Crisis counselors forced to cut time with students
EMILY BOLAND Managing Editor
What’s happening?
Why does this matter?
Counselors are assigned between 275 and 300 students. With Fairfax County students have a reputation for extreme stress and poor the school year set for 180 days, that gives about half a school coping mechanisms. According to the 2017 Fairfax County Youth Surday for each student to discuss anything of importance that vey, 45.7 percent of Fairfax County seniors report having high levels of may arise with their counselor. Factoring in that counselors are stress, being a level eight or higher out of ten. 31.6 percent of seniors feel only available about half of the time (the rest of their time being sad or helpless, and over 16 percent have seriously considered suicide. spent on meetings and “administrivia,” as counselor Jim Carter As Gomperts said, “The society around here drives a lot of the mental phrased it), the allotted time is health issues. I think that’s part of narrowed down to a quarter of the problem… the need to have good a school day, or one class period grades and take classes that maybe per student per year. In realisome kids aren’t prepared to take, ty, however, counselors spend or don’t have the time to take, or a most of their time with kids at subject that they don’t like, but the high risk, either academically need to take classes they’re not preor personally. Others can go pared for.” through the entire year with With emotions this high, students only one counselor interaction. need access to trusted adults in “Each student I talk to at least school for more than ninety minonce a year,” said counselor utes throughout the year. They need someone to talk to. Mark Gomperts. “Some students I talk to a lot, some students I see during academic and college advising.” This disparity in face-toface student interactions is not by choice. In interviews with a sampling of Robinson’s ten counselors, all reported that they do not feel they have Counselors need more time. Over enough time to talk to every the past few years, their workload student as they’d like to. has continued to grow, and their pri“When you say, ‘do I have mary function has been lost. “Right enough time to talk to everynow, the role of a counselor is very one?’ No,” said counselor Jim different than when I started,” said Carter. “Do I wish I had more Carter. “When I started, we were time to talk to them instead of focused on individual students, now Counselor Anthony Purpurpa files paperwork and adjusts doing administrative work? Yes, we’re focused on programs to help as documents in his office. Photo by Emily Boland. of course, that’s what I’m here many students as we can, and that’s for, but I will talk to any stunot a bad thing necessarily, but there dent who comes by to see me, I will make time for that.” has to be a balance, because students will always have individual needs These meetings cannot replace the other work required of which a program is not necessarily going to meet.” counselors, however. “The more time I spend with students, the If counselors spend all their time in meetings and filing paper work, the later I’m going to be working on [administrative work], which students suffer. No one becomes a counselor for the paperwork. They do it has little if anything to do with students, it has more to do with for the kids. If the school were to hire one or two more administrative staff administrative requirements,” said Carter. These requirements members who would handle the administrative paperwork; and oversee include meetings, talking to teachers or other counselors, and the implementation of programs, counselors would be able to return focus attending trainings. to the students, and maybe the students could spend a little more time as kids.
How can it be fixed?
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Op-Ed
a student stress surplus
T
BY KHADEEJAT LAWAL Photo Editor
he overworking of students from a young age has been a popular complaint across many high schoolers. Students participate in different extracurriculars and take challenging classes throughout their four years of high school such as IB, AP, and honors classes. Along with these more challenging courses, students are more likely to spend longer amounts of time at their extracurriculars. In 2016, 19.8 percent of sophomores and 15.9 percent of seniors in Fairfax County spent two or more hours per day participating in extracurricular activities away from school. As students get older, they are increasingly less likely to get at least eight hours of sleep per night. The Fairfax County Youth Survey shows that while nearly half of the eighth-grade students (48.5 percent) reported eight or more hours per night, only one in six twelfth-grade students (16.1 percent) did. Students shouldn’t be losing sleep as they get older, but because of the increasing workload they receive from middle through high school, they do. Several studies over the years have shown that young students in kindergarten to first grade are receiving increasing amounts of homework every night, almost training students to become workaholics. A recent study from Jan 2017 shows that kindergarteners and first graders are bringing home at least 30 minutes of homework every night. Although this much homework can help young kids learn time management skills from an early age, it can also be a source of stress for some students as they move onto middle and high school. However, senior Danielle Choi believes that
Photo by Emily Boland
the amount of work she receives from her classes is fair. “I believe [the amount of work] I receive from my classes is reasonable. I do two sports, and I’ve still maintained a good GPA. It’s good practice for my time management skills,” she says. However, there have still been times when Choi, and many other students alike, have lost hours of rest to schoolwork: “There will be work that I can’t get done without sacrificing sleep, which then negatively impacts my performance in school,” she explains. This sacrifice is the reality for many IB students and even non-IB students at Robinson. As for other students, sophomore Sophia Pak is planning to graduate with the IB diploma and said, “Sometimes [the work we receive] in classes is a bit overwhelming, but it is also something we, the students, signed up for.” Pak explains that while the work and projects she receives sometimes do require some loss of sleep, like Choi, it is training students to start managing their time better so it won’t be so difficult in college. However, some students, including sophomore Sneha John, believe that it isn’t necessary to give large amounts of work to students in order to teach them time management: “There’s plenty of other ways to work on time management within your set eight hours of school day. Taking a break and relaxing is just as important in learning how to handle stress and you can’t do that if you’re constantly worried about working until you feel worn out,” she explains. Although high schools may be trying to teach time management through rigorous amounts of work to take home, it is unhealthy for those students who lose sleep because of it.
Op-Ed
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The Magic of Music Why every student should take a music class BY CONNOR DUNPHY Opinion Editor Chords, sounds, and beats fill the lower halls. Placed on the outskirts of the school, well away from the core classes, the more musically inclined students practice their craft. There, the school has provided musical instruments and the students are learning how to use them. Music classes can serve as a proverbial gym for your brain. Focusing on the music, rhythm, and finger position all the while making minute changes will force the brain to become better. The school has a plethora of music classes and thousands of dollars worth of funding. But there are some students who haven’t taken a music class. There are a host of reasons to take up music in addition to your normal class load. For example, a music class may help raise test scores. The Music Educators Journal reported that people who took a music class scored an average of “...61 points higher on the verbal portion and 42 points higher on the math portion of the [SAT] exam.” In addition to a higher SAT score, music classes have also been proven to reduce stress. With Robinson’s enormous IB program, students could definitely benefit from a reduction in stress. Dr. Scott Seifried, an award winning guitar teacher here known for his “chill” vibes and easy going nature, is a staple of the musical community. He heavily supports people taking music classes saying, “There are countless reasons why music programs are important, and should be an essential aspect of EVERYONE’s education. There are no easy answers in music; we never really ‘get it right’ once and for all- so musicians are, by nature, process oriented and must learn to live with uncertainty. Music engages our creative selves, and offers us a clear path to self-reflection and self-awareness. Music is difficult- playing an instrument involves simultaneous engagement of kinesthetic awareness, reading skills, listening, self-correction, and expression. Music study supports cognitive development across many
areas.” In addition to teaching guitar, he also teaches in IB Theory of Knowledge. He had some words about the IB program and how music can help regulate the stress: “IB is stressful, especially for those pursuing the full IB diploma. Students are also very worried about getting into college, and maintaining a high GPA. While these things are important, and students should be thinking about them, I am concerned that too many have difficulty keeping things in perspective. We pursue these advanced studies because we think they are critical for our ‘next step;’ and, too often, we lose sight
“ Music engages our cre-
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Op-Ed
ative selves, and offers us a clear path to self-reflection and self-awareness. Dr. Scott Seifried, Guitar Teacher
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o f the process. Music is all about process. It is about the here and now; it is about exploration and discovery. As a music teacher, I am not locked into a prescribed curriculum, and I am free to indulge the interests of my students, and adjust the materials I use to ensure they align with their abilities. Further, I think that most students take my class because they are genuinely interested. It is a class ‘for them;’ this enhances the experience.” While music class may not be on the traditional path to a higher education, it may be worth the risk.
Perspective: We’ve Forgotten What Community Service Means Community service is meant to be an honest effort at community betterment, a way to improve the daily lives of those around us. Yet, in a once pure effort to ensure that volunteers are rewarded for the altruistic work they have performed, we have restricted the acts deemed worthy of the title ‘community service.’ However noble the origin of these restrictions may be, stemming from a desire to spur accountability, the current status has become perverted. The inciting incident for my agenda against the current definition of community service is owed to the National Math Honor Society (MHS). Hours for MHS must be earned by either tutoring others in math or aiding in society events such as ‘pi week.’ Such standards are perfectly logical and reasonable, and I commend the society for an honest effort at topic focused community improvement. My bone to pick lies with the restrictions surrounding tutoring: All tutoring must occur in a Robinson math classroom, under supervision of a math teacher, and the teacher’s signature must be obtained on a specific sheet for verification. Offering academic aid to a fellow student is the goal of tutoring. By restricting where, when, who, and how servants may offer this aid, you replace this noble purpose with a new one: to gain credit. More recently, the National Honor Society (NHS), has fallen into the same dangerous, restrictive habit. An email distributed in January informed students of a list of activities that do NOT count as community service. Among these items was work on the school newspaper. The problem with this distinction, in my mind, is that certain aspects of my work for the Valor Dictus are nothing more than an endeavor to spur positive effects. Of course, certain things like writing articles and contacting potential advertisers fall under my responsibility in the class, but that is just a portion of what I do. I was not compelled by any incentive to stay up past midnight writing a eulogy to the beloved Pam Hickenbotham (Mama H) upon hearing of her death. Nor to man a booth at back-toschool-night and discuss this paper with parents. Nor to drive around Fairfax City in a panic to pick up donuts for a fundraiser after Duck Donuts lost our order. No, these are things I chose to spend my time on, because I believe this community benefits from a student written, designed, edited, managed, and produced paper. This work is my pursuit of improvement. Perhaps my effort to better the community does not align with the views of others. Perhaps this means that I will not be granted credit by the societies who track this ‘service.’ Perhaps there are other kids, like me, acting outside of the current view. And perhaps, unlike me, they will discontinue acting for betterment, because you told them they were not doing any good. -Emily Boland Managing Editor
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Sports
New Coach On the Court Boys varsity basketball gains new leadership BY NATE WALKER & NATE ROBERTSON Staff Writers
For the 2018 season, the Boys Varsity Basketball Team has found itself a new head coach: Ben Gildea. With seven years of high school coaching experience under his belt, Gildea hopes to incorporate both his knowledge and enthusiasm of the game into his coaching. “I think that basketball is a great teacher and developer of characteristics that help kids become successful adults someday,” said Gildea. “I have learned through playing the game, and I hope to pass [that] down to my players here at Robinson.” Gildea began coaching in the Fairfax County Youth Basketball League with a team in Falls Church. After that, he worked at Bishop O’Connell, in Arlington with Joe Wooten, an acclaimed high school basketball coach in the area. Gildea then coached at South County for two years, before moving on to Lake Braddock for a single season. Entering an already established program, Gildea is excited to build off of a community filled with enthusiasm about athletics as well as athletes and coaches that love basketball. “Robinson has a storied and established program with players who are coachable and love the game… I hope my personality and coaching style will be seen in the way our players work, compete, and conduct themselves,” said Gildea.
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Sports
Photo Courtesy of Ram Snaps
Basketball can be a great teacher, and builds characteristics useful in all aspects of life. All of these may help young men become successful adults later in life. These are reasons for why Gildea loves coaching so much. Gildea, himself has learned a lot from basketball, and intends to pass down those lessons to his own players. “Our goal is to improve every day. If we can do that, then I project we’ll be in great shape come playoff time,” said Gildea. “We have a young team overall, but they are eager to prove themselves. I’m excited to see where we’ll be in February.” Gildea loves seeing his high school athletes learn and grow into successful young men, both on and off the basketball court. Settling in to his new coaching job, Gildea has high hopes for the future of the team. For Gildea, the goal is to improve every day. By doing that, he projects the team will be ready to go, once playoffs start. Overall, the team is full of potential and Gildea looks forward to seeing how the team progresses throughout the season. As Gildea puts it, he is “looking forward to being a part of a school community that has great spirit and loves to see high school student athletes learn and grow into successful young men on and off the court.”
RIFLE
SHOOTS PAST EXPECTATIONS BY ANDREW LICHTBLAU & HAROON NAWAZ Staff Writers
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esides the large banner dedicated to the team hanging in the gym, most students don’t know or see much about the Robinson Rifle Team. Don’t underestimate the team, though, as it is comprised of 78 shooters, and an impressive 38 freshmen. Each Wednesday, shooters take turns at the Izaak Walton Park. In speaking to Grace Cason and Jack Curry, both stated that they came into freshman year with very little experience in rifle team, but Curry is now a captain of the team for the second consecutive year and Cason is preparing to be a captain next year when she enters her Junior year of high school. Cason took an interest in Rifle team because her brother had quit the team before her and she decided that with all the money invested into supplies for Rifle team, she might as well join. Curry heard about the team from a friend. Shots are scored by measuring the distance from the bullet to the center. Robinson “does extremely well” in these competitions, Curry said. Cason added that “we go to nationals very often” and that they were recently close to being undefeated for the season. At the shooting range, it was abundantly clear that safety was a top priority, as Curry inexplained that a mandatory safety training course took place at the National Rifle Association. According to Jackson Tomasco, rifle is a team sport in-
Photo by Andrew Lichtblau
volving marksmanship and precision. “It involves a lot of patience and stability. Rifle involves three positions of shooting, standing; kneeling; and prone.” When asked about training regimen, Jackson said that “We are not allowed to have anything with sugar or caffeine as they could keep us off focus and not perform well.” Emily Fisher is regarded by many of her teammates as the best shooter on the team. Fisher built herself up to a level at which she doesn’t feel good about when she hits her target, but rather upset when she doesn’t. She’s been a captain for two years, and she’s been on the team for four years, since she was spammed with flyers on her locker in her freshman year. These four years have built her up to commit to purchasing an expensive rifle range in her house, dedicating 10 hours of her week to the sport. Emily additionally purchased an expensive Olympic rifle uniform to go with her personal rifles. She hopes to advance to the National Collegiate Athletic Association someday, and she’s practiced across the country- in Ohio, Colorado, and several other locations. Robinson’s Rifle team practices year-round, though it is technically only a winter sport. During the main season, winter, Robinson competes in several competitions. Cason described the scoring method, saying that the coaches choose a group of shooters prior to the match whom they feel will perform well, and those shooters will be counted for Robinson’s score against the top shooters of the other competing schools. However, Cason says that, while if asked, the coaches will tell a shooter if they are “counting”, the coaches do not always say who is counting on a specific day, because it is important not to make the nerves of a shooter get in the way of them performing up to their own standards. Sports
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Aaron Howell Wrestler
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You get passed the struggle and see the outcomes.
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You got to take your leap of faith because once you try you’re really going to start loving it.
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Since you have real tight knit groups while you work together you make a strong bond.
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If you’re dedicated with anything, I believe you got to make these commitments
and sacrifices.
Reporting by Maya Tegen Photo courtesy of Gary Aspesi
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I love wrestling because it’s fun to challenge yourself and get better and better everyday.
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