The Newsstreak
April 9, 2010
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Want to learn how to play basketball the right way? Try watching the women
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Shane McMahan Staff Reporter
am the perfect example. I never in a million years thought that I could sit through a womens basketball game. I guess I judged a book by its cover. I did not really give the sport a chance. I thought, “Well, they play with a smaller ball, and their physical composition is not that of men, so what is the point of watching it?” I will be the first to admit, I was wrong. Not wrong about the fact they play with a smaller ball; wrong in judging it before I watched it. I have come to enjoy watching womens basketball just as much as watching mens. I have been to hundreds of college basketball games. Growing up, I only watched and attended mens basketball games. I was born into it. My dad attended JMU mens basketball games way before I was even thought of being born. So, as I grew up, we went to games. I remember my first JMU womens basketball game. As part of the Duke Dog Reading Day promotion at the Convocation Center, my dad took my sister and I to watch the game. I did not really know what to expect. I remember the crowd packed in down near the court, the hostility in the air, and just the overall excitement I felt. This game set the tone for the next few years. I started attending JMU Womens basketball games, home and away. I have traveled anywhere from Norfolk, to College Park, to the University of Kentucky. In 68 games the past two years, I have attended 56 of them. I have come to see many things that one will find in a womens game that are not in a mens game. They play fundamentally sound basketball. They take the concepts of teamwork and communication and apply them more so than in any other sport. While there are many differences between the mens and womens game, you can still find similarities. For example, in mens you have your scoring point guard (Greivis Vazquez, Maryland), your all-around point guard (Evan Turner, Ohio State), and your pass first point guard (Ronald Moore, Siena). You also find this in the womens game with your scoring point guard (Dawn Evans, JMU), your all around point guard (Danielle Robinson, Oklahoma), and your pass first point guard (Courtney Vandersloot, Gonzaga). You have your dominating center (Cole Aldrich, Kansas), (Tina Charles, UConn), your smoothshooter (Jon Scheyer, Duke), (Angie Bjorklund, Tennessee), and your allaround dominating player (John Wall, Kentucky), (Maya Moore, UCONN). When it all comes down to it, they all play the game of basketball. It is just how they play it. I will admit, I love to see a LeBron James or Rudy Gay just as much as the next guy, but that is not all it is about. Being that only six women have ever dunked in a womens game, they play below the rim basketball. For any youngster looking how to play the game, and play the game right, do not watch high school, college, and definitely not the NBA. Watch a womens game.
OP/ED A4
First Amendment rights mean tough decisions Staff Editorial
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uring our weekly staff meetings we take time to plan out this editorial and determine the position we plan to take on an issue. Back on February 26, a California federal court ruled that math teacher, Bradley Johnson must be allowed to hang his religious banners in his classroom under the First Amendment. When discussing the stance to take on this ruling and the First Amendment, we were a staff divided. Instead of the typical editorial, several of our editors condensed their opinions, which we compiled into the editorial. Jessica Strickler I think teachers should be allowed to display pictures of their families and personal interest, so long as these interests do not have religious or political implications. I believe students are able to learn better if they can make a connection with the teacher. My experience has taught me that I am a better learner if the classroom has posters and decorations on the walls. In the sterile classrooms, staying focused and attentive is challenging. If the first amendment is going to turn my classrooms into hospital rooms, then the quality of education I receive will change for the worse. And as it is, coming to school is hard enough. Why should the First Amendment make it more painful? Savanah Cary My first reaction to
the recent California the Constitution grants we learn this in our Court case was that us. However, religion history classes but the posters should in public schools when walk the halls absolutely not be makes me downright of HHS, evidence allowed. However, uncomfortable and of ignorance and as I thought about it, more than a little hypocrisy surround I realized that I was stubborn. Bradley us. For example, only considering my Johnson, the calculus we can no longer own initial feelings. teacher who sparked wear hats or carry In the big scheme of the debate this staff backpacks. Heaven my life, a poster in a editorial is centered forbid I’m having a classroom is not going around, hung bad hair day or can’t to affect the way I Christian posters manage to lung a learn, or change my in his classroom in thousand textbooks beliefs in any way. It an attempt to flaunt in my toothpick thin may initially shock me his religious beliefs arms…. Doesn’t when I see it because in the faces of his the clothing I wear I am not accustomed students. How can our fall under my first to religious references government support amendment rights? in classrooms, but his actions? I know, Then there’s once the initial shock in the bottom of my religion – the elephant wears off, it will not heart, that it does, in in the room. Congress bother me. The fact of fact, grant Johnson the may not pass a the matter is, teachers, right to take advantage law “respecting an and all other American of his free speech establishment of citizens are religion, or guaranteed the prohibiting the right to freedom free exercise I would rather be thereof”. of speech. The So ruling of the surrounded by Jesus, when schools case stated that if they can Buddha, Vishnu and ask students need to post the Ten the Flying Spaghetti Commandments be exposed to all types of belief reference Monster, than be told I or systems and still God at all, the must stifle my speech.” government is be able to think for themselves. trapped. Emily Knapp Although there How are we may have been expected to be a way for the teacher rights despite the tolerant in some ways to display his beliefs public school setting. while blindly accepting in a less imposing The conclusion I have censorship in others? way, it is important come to, after more The thought of having for students to think than a little internal another person’s for themselves. Many deliberation, is that beliefs shoved down people, including free speech in public my throat makes me myself, do not agree schools—and in all sick. However, we as with him, but that does other settings—should Americans have a right not give us the right to always be supported, to express ourselves. tell him to take them but that I can disagree I would rather be down. Everyone must with the opinions surrounded by Jesus, be treated equally; if in said speech on a Buddha, Vishnu and I do not want my first personal level. To say the Flying Spaghetti amendment rights that I believe Johnson, Monster, than be told I infringed upon, then or others who say must stifle my speech. I cannot forget the things I do not agree rights of other people. with, should have his In closing, there is freedom of speech no clear answer on Emma DiNapoli stripped away would what should or should Before I can really be, quite simply, un- not be allowed in a address my beliefs on American. public school. The staff the First Amendment, encourages everyone I have to admit that I Emily Knapp to consider all sides of am a little hypocritical. Voltaire once said, “I the argument before There are few issues disapprove of what taking a stance on I am more liberal on you say, but I will the rights of the First than freedom of speech defend to the death Amendment in public and the freedom of your right to say it.” schools. choice that I believe It’s funny how
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The Harrisonburg High School Newsstreak The Policy The Newsstreak is published by the students of Harrisonburg High School every three weeks. Reproduction of any material from the newspaper is prohibited without the written permission from the editors. Advertising rates are available upon request. It is the policy of the Harrisonburg City Public School Board to comply with all applicable state and federal laws regarding non-discrimination in employment and educational programs and services. The Harrisonburg High School City Public Schools will not discriminate illegally on the basis of sex, race, religion, national origin, disability or age as to employment or educational programs and activities. Editorials appearing without a byline represent the majority opinion of the staff, but not necessarily the opinion of the adviser, school administration, or the school system. Signed editorials are accepted from people on the staff, but are subject to editing according to published guidelines and policies. Editorials may be edited for special reasons. Letters to the editor are encouraged and must be signed and a telephone number must be given. Names may be withheld if the editorial staff feels there is a just cause. The Newsstreak reserves the right to edit and may refuse to publish ads or letters deemed inappropriate, libelous, or obscene. Please drop your letter by room 444 or give them to any staff member. Letters may also be sent to the high school. The editors and staff : Editors in Chief: Emma DiNapoli, Tricia Comfort Managing Editors: Kim Antonio, Claire Sudol Section Editors: News - David Proctor Opinion - Jessica Strickler Style - Emily Knapp Feature - Alison Domonoske Sports - Claire Sudol Fun Director: Meagan Kelley Business/Advertising Managers: Lauren Martin, Molly Denman Photographers: Emily Jamieson, Rafiqa Haji, Maria Rose, Paulina Rendon, Olivia McCarty, Phillip Bannister Cartoonist: Vivian Tejeda
Many people feel at home on stage Mia Karr Staff Reporter
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nce, when I was little, I belted out “The Sun’ll Come Out Tomorrow” from the musical “Annie” in the middle of downtown Harrisonburg. I guess it is no wonder I enjoy being in my school musical “Honk, Jr.” today. When I talk about why I love being in musicals I do not have anything non-generic to say. I love being on stage, it is a fun way to hang out with my friends, and a million other things I am sure you have heard before. When I force myself to think about it (like right now
for instance), I do not really know why I am drawn to theater. I am not particularly outgoing or dramatic, and I am uncomfortable having a lot of attention drawn to myself. However, I have no problem being under the stage lights. I guess being in the musical is a way to get involved at school. My athletic experience consists of a few summer tennis lessons, so you will not see me trying out for sports teams any time soon. Almost all my friends are involved with the musical in some way, which is lots of fun. I also have enjoyed getting to know people in grades other than my own. This may be great, but liking the people I am on stage with is just an added bonus, not really a reason that
Cartoon by Eric King
I try out for every play THMS does. I am a person who likes to know exactly what’s going to happen and when, so being in live theater completely goes against my nature, which may be why I like it so much. Every rehearsal and every day brings something new and exciting. For me, it is really the little things that count, like getting to talk in a British accent and wearing fun costumes. I love everything about the experience, from coming in on Monday morning and seeing how the set developed over the weekend to laughing backstage with my friends. I may not be singing on street corners anymore, but I am still performing with just as much excitement on stage.
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