Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Inside: News: 1-4, Lifestyle: 5-6, Features: 7-9, Humor: 10-11, Spotlight: 12-13, Opinions: 14-16, Wondering Warrior: 17, Entertainment: 18-20, Sports: 21-24
Warrior
Sherwood High School 300 Olney-Sandy Spring Road, Sandy Spring, MD 20860
The Warrior analyzes where our education system is headed by examining Curriculum 2.0, online learning and other innovations in education. pgs. 12-13
by Connor Martin 13
High school students today face crazy schedules filled with school, homework, extracurriculars, sports and family obligations. With such busy schedules, time for sleep is often the part of the day that gets cut short. However, parents in Montgomery County are currently working on a petition that asks for later start times to the school day so that teenagers can get the extra sleep they need. But is the push for later start times necessarily a smart move? There are a lot of benefits to [having later start times], noted psychology teacher Christine McKeldin. Since about the 1930s, students are getting on average about one hour less sleep than they did back then, and there are a whole bunch of things that seem to correlate with this lost hour. The Lost Hour refers to a chapter in
would be going to school slightly later than middle school students and earlier than elementary school students. Currently, buses transport high school students then go back for middle school students and again for the elementary school students. If high school students went to school at the same time as the younger ones, the county would need to have more buses and more bus drivers, which would cost a substantial amount of money. Alternatively, if middle or elementary schools switch start time with high schools, the younger kids would be waiting for buses in the dark. Id love to start my day later, but I think its impractical, stated science teacher Glenn Miller. He explains that starting the day later does not solve any of the problems that teenagers face with the regular start times because everything
Making the Grade Community Mourns Death of 2012 Graduate School looks to balance students
success with fairness.
by Robel Wondimu 13
For the fourth year in a row, MCPS graduated 87.6 percent of its students, which is the highest rate among large school districts in the country. Last year, of Sherwoods graduating class of 475, only four flunked out while seven dropped out, for a graduation rate above 97 percent. As impressive as that figure is, Principal Bill Gregory wants to reach MCPS goal of 100-percent graduation rate. [2012] was a low year, said Gregory. Some of these kids may not graduate in June, but they will graduate in August, or theyll graduate the following year, but most of our kids graduate. As part of the effort that nearly all students at the school eventually graduate, teachers focus on high-risk students who are in danger of failing. A last-ditch action that teachers may take is bumping a grade at the end of the marking period. There is no school policy on bumping and it is left to the discretion of teachers. The lack of a firm policy has raised questions about the objectivity of grading and created tension, particularly in instances when a teacher has felt pressured to pass a student who has a failing grade or a large number of unexcused absences. I do not feel it is equitable to all students if a student is allowed to not put in the requisite effort over the course of an entire marking period just to have exceptions or concessions made at the end of the
Olijawon Griffin
him. Police say there were around 12 people on the platform, including one wearing Griffins jacket. Griffin realized this and approached the teens to get his jacket back, which led to an attack on one of Griffins friends. One police officer testified to a surveillance camera showing the boys swarm the friend and kick him repeatedly. Initially, Griffin and the other friend ran to the station managers kiosk, but Griffin decided to go back and help his friend that was being beaten. While engaged in a fight with one of the teens, Griffin was stabbed in the chest by Chavez Tyrek Myers, who surprised him from behind. Myers, 17, is being charged as an adult for murder, and four of his companions also face armed robbery charges as adults. The search for three others continues as they can be seen in the footage yet have not been identified. Griffin was an active student, participating in Rock N Roll Revival and playing on the football team for all four of his years at Sherwood. Coach Mike Bonavia commented on the loss, I only had this one year with him as a senior. I thought from the time that I came from the time that we finished, [I] saw a young man matureas a person and a football player. Griffin was admired and known for his dedication to the football team. Bonavia concluded his statement by saying he knew [Griffin] was a passionate football player who wanted to make a difference on the field. Former teammate Patrick Karngbaye (12) described him as a passionate, faithful and hardworking young man who always strived to do his best.
www.thewarrioronline.com
The WarriorNews
December 13, 2012
12 20
Cruise Ship Capsizes near Italy
in review
January February March
The Costa Concordia, a cruise liner, runs into a coral reef near the Italian island Giglio, killing 30. The ships captain, Francesco Schettino, is charged with manslaughter for taking the ship off its intended course.
Whitney Houston, 48, is found dead the night before the Grammy awards. The singers fame peaked from the mid 1980s to 1990s.
A campaign is launched by Invisble Children, a non-profit which works to help children in Africa, to find Joesph Kony, leader of the Lords Resistance Army operating in Uganda. The campaign spread via social media sites, targeting youth to get involved in a major world conflict on a mass scale.
vention training, shelter in place training, and emergency procedures, said Patrick Rooney, security team leader at Sherwood. Several members of the Sherwood security staff have served in the county as police officers and have many years of experience in other MCPS schools, making them excellent assets to the school community. Our staffing here [at Sherwood] comes from a variety of backgrounds which are well suited to the schools population, said Rooney. Our strength has and continues to be the dedicated school security force who are committed to helping provide a safe learning and working environment for students and staff, added Hellmuth. Security in our schools has come a long ways ... I believe we have an exceptional program.
April
(Apr. 12): A United Nations (UN) backed cease-fire begins in Syria. (Apr. 13): Thousands of Syrians protest across the country. The demonstrations are seen as a test of the day-old cease-fire. (Apr. 18): While UN representatives attempt to reach an agreement with Syria on how to monitor the cease-fire, government forces attack the city of Homs. (Apr. 19): The UN notes that Syria has not implemented the cease-fire, and the war continues.
May
The Census Bureau releases data showing that for the first time, white births no longer compose the majority of births in the United States. Asians, blacks, Hispanics and mixed races make up 50.4 percent of all U.S. births.
June
The Supreme Court rules that the requirement in President Obamas health care law for nearly all Americans to secure insurance by 2014 or be fined is constitutional.
July
Bridget Cook 14
During a late-night screening of The Dark Knight Rises, James Holmes, 24, opens fire on the audience. Twelve people were killed and 38 others were wounded. Holmes is arrested and charged with 142 felony
Seniors line up in front of the registrars office to submit transcript requests and to check the status of their submissions. met. If the school does not make a deadline, Lee will contact the school and explain the situation. For the approximately 10 percent of schools that do not accept transcripts electronically, Family Connections indicates so and these transcripts will be sent by mail. If any school complained about not being able to read a transcript, a second version was faxed or mailed to the school. According to Hock, some of the problems that frequently arose included students not entering or entering incorrectly their Common Application username and password, forgetting to request transcripts and recommendations, and students putting different colleges on Family Connections than on their paper transcript request. Senior Cooper Weinberger, who applied to five schools, went to his counselor one or two times a week for the entire first quarter to ensure that the process had been completed correctly. However, one of his schools claimed to have never received his transcripts, which was not resolved for a few weeks. Hock notes that this new system assists in resolving situations like these because when each item is received by the school, except for those using the Common Application, Sherwood is given a verification code. The deadline for submitting the application and requesting the transcript created concern. Students had initially been told when submitting their paper transcript requests that the request would not be received unless applications were complete as it would help to avoid colleges misplacing materials. Lesia Dunkins, the head of the counseling department, indicated that colleges prefer students complete the application before receiving transcripts, but stated that Sherwood will still send the materials in time for a students first deadline. As it is an MCPS mandate, the system will continue to be in place next year. To improve the process, Hock and Dunkins are rewriting the directions given to seniors during their meetings with their counselors in the summer prior to senior year. They will also be training teachers to send their own letters of recommendation on the system, rather than just uploading them. They are also considering requiring students to make requests 20 business days in advance of the deadline.
August
Michael Phelps holds the record for being the most decorated Olympian ever, having received 22 medals, 18 of which are gold. Phelps also wins the most Olympic medals in the same event (200 meter Individual Medley) during the summer Olympics in London.
September
YouTube Film Sparks Protests and U.S. Deaths
Protests all over the Middle East break out in response to a controversial YouTube video made in California. The movie was interpreted as an insult towards Islam. U.S. Libyan Ambassador Chris Stevens loses his life in a planned terrorist attack around the same time.
October
Hurricane Sandy, a category four hurricane at its peak, starts in the Caribbean and then hits the Eastern U.S. The storm causes an estimated 60 billion dollars in damages, making it one of the costliest storms in U.S. history.
November
Petraeus Resigns from Post as CIA Director
David Petraeus, a retired four-star general, resigns from his post as director of the CIA, after admitting to an extra-marital affair with his biographer, Paula Broadwell. Petraeus had the job since September 2011.
December
The fiscal cliff is the term for the projected series of tax increases and automatic spending cuts that will take effect with the start of next year unless compromise negotiations succeed. While the plan will reduce the size of federal deficit, most experts and politicians worry that it will send the country back into a recession.
The WarriorNews
December 13, 2012
Jamie Langbein 13
Paint Branch students work in a new state-of-the-art library. The tower at the top of the library can be seen from afar, acting as a beacon for students and citizens alike to see.
Paint Branch are behind-the-scenes changes. The most significant change is the efficiency of the school. This includes infrastructure like heating, ventilation and window location. Efforts were made to ensure sufficient square footage for each classroom and enough classrooms and permanent spaces for teachers. Another factor taken into consideration is the location of administration, so they may best monitor visitor activity to increase safety. As for features that directly influence the students, new structures are determined by existing programs in the school. For example, at Paint Branch, they have installed a kitchen where students interested in the restaurant industry can get experience. This program was running before the modernization and was improved upon when the new school was built. Paint Branch isnt the only school in MCPS that will be modernized. There are multiple schools currently planning to entirely rebuild their school. The criteria for modernization are based off of rubric scores. Whichever schools score highest receive the money from the annual budget to start the process. These rubrics, called Facilities Assessment with Criteria and Testing (FACT), have Belmont Elementary School with the third highest score of all elementary schools. Greenwood Elementary school placed fourteenth, and Sherwood Elementary school placed thirty-fourth. No cluster middle schools were scored. As for the high schools, Gaithersburg is next to be modernized, with completion projected in 2014. Sherwood was not considered due to the K hall addition.
The WarriorNews
December 13, 2012
Joy Zhang 14
Teachers put up a clever sign to lighten the mood of a challenging situation regarding tempermental copiers that often do not work. to get things done but you end up spending all this time that you could be using to grade papers or write letters of recommendation fighting with the copy machines, said social studies teacher Christine McKeldin. She is also one of the two Elected Faculty Representatives (EFR) at Sherwood, and she shared the staffs frustration over the copiers with the schools Instructional Leadership Team (ILT). Teachers also wrote emails, pleading for the problem to be resolved. Principal Bill Gregory contacted MCPS. After many exchanged emails, MCPS attended to the problem. People from MCPS did come out and look at the machines. They made a fix to one of the machines. We have not seen the same type of issues. I feel confident the issues have been addressed and our voice heard, said Gregory. Following Keys lead, the school has placed a book by the main office copier to monitor issues if they arise. Gregory plans to send the record of problems to the MCPS central office, if any problems occur. Key remains unconvinced that the issue has been resolved. All the corners came out bent, which has been happening for a couple of months now and that has not been addressed. The last couple of days, the machine has been shut down. Today, people have been using the machine and its been jamming, said Key after attempting to use a copier on November 27.
would simply be pushed back. If you start later, then practice starts [and ends] later, and then youre still staying up later to do homework. Family obligations, more homework one night, practice or a game; you run into those problems, said Miller. According to an MCPS study, Changing Bell Times, issued in January 1998, these same problems caused the standardization of the 7:25 start time in all high schools in 1993. Since then, MCPS has conducted research on whether or not high schools should start later. In 1997, three MCPS high schools shifted to a later start time, but this shift created inconsistent results in academic achievement, and showed no absolute evidence that starting later benefitted classroom performance. The online petition for later start times needs 15,000 signatures before being sent to Superintendent Joshua Starr. There are 10,120 signatures as of December 10. Whether or not Starr will consider later start times is unknown. Things would have to change, and it would be a culture shock. MCPS is ginormous, [and if later start times change], thats a large amount of people that are being affected. I wouldnt see MCPS making a move until a smaller district did it and saw some proof, said McKeldin. The petition is online at signon.org/ sign/changing-montgomery-county.
The WarriorLifestyle
December 13, 2012
As the year comes to an end, The Warrior brings you what is out for 2012 and in for 2013.
by Katie Mercogliano 14
Television
OUT IN
Technology
IN
Reality Shows
Comedies
Adele
iPad
Windows Surface
New comedies like The New Normal and The Mindy Project are bringing witty humor back to late night television, and fortunately beating out pointless reality shows.
Movies
OUT IN
Throughout much of 2012, you couldnt turn on the radio without hearing an Adele song from her Grammy winning album, 21. But leading into 2013, Lana Del Rey has stolen the spotlight with her re-release of Born to Die: Paradise Edition, catching everyones attention with her haunting vocals and bold lyrics.
Windows has reinvented the tablet with Windows Surface, making it more versatile than the iPad ever was. Windows Surface is the best of both worlds, with a thin keyboard and a speedy, organized touchscreen.
OUT
IN OUT
Sports
IN
Vampires
Classics
Drake
Hollywood has been turning books into films for decades. With new films like The Hobbit and Les Miserables, works of classic literature are returning to the big screen in place of vampire fantasies like Twilight.
With what is considered one of the best rap albums of the year, good kid, m.A.A.d city, Kendrick Lamar is taking over the music industry with his fresh sound, whereas Drake has lost his originality. Kendrick Lamar is carrying out the legacy started by West Coast hip-hop king like Tupac Shakur.
ies and abusing all of those holiday sales can really take a toll on your wallet. Instead of heading to Rio or Rockville to eat dinner and catch a flick, head to the basement that youve been neglecting since school started. While leaving the house may be what youre aiming for, staying in has its advantages. You can invite many more friends over to your house than to the movies, so tell them all to bring a snack or money for Chinese food. Make sure everyone is wearing sweatpants (as this is the only acceptable time to wear them!). And since your mom is so happy you finally have friends over shell let you buy a movie or two On-Demand, and maybe spot you a few bucks the next time you do want to go out. **House of Fortune delivers! So you dont have to worry about leaving your house in sweatpants and Kung Pao Chicken is only $8.95. Win.
#1 Winter Break is the ultimate money pit. Eating out with friends, going to the mov-
the slopes! It may #2 Hit go snowboarding or be an obvious idea to skiing over Winter Break, but hey seniors, we can drive now remember? Make it a day trip and head on over to Whitetail Resort with a car full of friends. Dont know how to ski or snowboard? They offer snow tubing all day as well. Or you can learn! Take someone who knows how to teach you, both of you will have way more fun in the snowy mountains than here in Olney, thats for sure. **It only costs $56 for eight hours of skiing!
than in the off season. You may not want to bring a bathing suit this time, but its a perfect opportunity to get your winter shopping done at the outlets where everything costs less and youre not being taxed! Go for just a day if you dont have a place. A nice walk along the beach without all the annoying tourists will wipe all that school stress away. Plus, blasting those new albums during that long drive will really put you in a good mood while you get away from Olney for a few days. **Worried about gas? Dont be. Its cheaper in Delaware.
#3 Have a beach house? Theres actually no better time to go to Rehobeth or Dewey Beach
day. Wake up early and get to the gym to kickstart your day. Or go for a quick run and then try some of Cals Workouts (see page 6). Reward yourself for being awesome by making pancakes for breakfast (preferably of the chocolate chip variety). Now you have the whole day to do whatever you want and youre already in a great mood. **Bored with no ride? Search Pinterest for some DIY projects and delicious recipes to keep you occupied.
#4 Stuck in the house while the parents are at work? Its the perfect time to take a personal
meaning to read. You finally have countless hours to kick your feet up and enjoy a good book thats not written by William Shakespeare. **Try J.K. Rowlings new novel, The Casual Vacancy
The WarriorLifestyle
December 13, 2012
Try Turkey
The Oreo alone in the Inception Cookie has more sugar and carbs than the oatmeal cookie. Inception cookies are extremely high in fat, carbs and sugar. Tips: Add nuts and any extra treats to add flavor and protein. Dont be skimpy with the chocolate chips. Treating yourself with a controlled amount of chocolate will tend to the sweet cravings without the guilty feeling. Turkey is slightly higher in cholesterol yet has no carbs compared to hams four grams of carbs per slice. Ham has more fat than turkey. Tip: Avoid the skin on the turkey to lessen your fat intake.
The winter is when people sit inside, eat and begin developing that winter chub. Here is a workout compiled for fat burning that only takes 20 minutes. Just start at the first station and complete the exercise as many times as possible in a 30-second period, then take a 15-second break before beginning the next station. Continue this process until you have finished the sixth station, then take a two minute break before starting all over with the first station. Do this until you have completed all exercises three times.
* This exercise is all about explosion. Sprint as hard as you can as soon as you get back to the start point
1: Hold a push up position with hands shoulder width apart *Make sure to flex the buttocks and contract the abs to burn more calories and tighten the core
(3) Squats
For step-by-step pictures of all of the excersises, check out The Warrior Online (www.thewarrioronline.com).
The WarriorFeatures
December 13, 2012
of...
JOEY
BASCOMB
by Jessica Carrera 13
NOVEMBER 19
Were seniors, Jessica. Seniors, woohoo! Joey Bascomb is one of 495 seniors graduating in June 2013, but he will be the only one with his signature matching shoes and bangle bracelets. Every day, Bascomb comes to school wearing a principle color that the rest of his outfit revolves around. Today it was blue, specifically Warrior blue. Go Sherwood! he exclaimed gleefully. Theres no one with more school spirit than Bascomb and his enthusiasm shines through in everything that he does. As he walked around the tennis courts with his peers, a routine before the start of the modified general Physical Education (PE) class, everyone he spoke to was greeted with an exuberant good morning which was promptly followed by what are you doing for Thanksgiving? The educational day began with the introduction of the new unit: field hockey. The unit will move in a progression. We start with hitting [the ball] then go on to passing, then passing and moving, and finally shooting, said PE teacher Bonnie Gilchrist. Though every student in the class has a different ability level, the staff of the Special Education program handled all the different needs very well and expected nothing less than the students best effort.
On the way back into the gym, Bascomb was asked if it was safe to cross the street. After he determined it was, he said Okay, Jessica, time to cross, and proceeded to guide me safely across the small stretch of road. Besides his innate kind nature, Bascomb is extremely considerate of those around him, always mindful of their feelings. Once gym class ended, Bascomb joined a classmate and Vickie Fisher, a paraeducator, for his Skills Building block. During this time, he wheeled around a cart of hot beverages and delivered them to teachers who have pre-paid for the service (known as Sherbucks). Vocational Education serves as training for the students in the School-Community Based program so that they are able to obtain supported employment once they have gone through the seven-year program. [Skills Building] helps to improve vocational skills and helps them to be self-reliant. They learn to manage money as well as how to communicate with adults, said Special Educator teacher Rosanne Ferris. Bascomb enjoyed making his rounds and delightfully delivered the beverages, but he lit up when he went into Dr. Mary Bakers classroom. As soon as he walked in, Bascomb was greeted by the students calling his name and warmly saying hello; though he can be shy at first, Bascomb loves talking to others and jumps at
Jessica Carrera 13
the chance to make new friends. Fisher explained that Bascomb goes into the classroom to give them the coffee and say hello, as he finishes her sentence with and wave, wave, wave! After lunch in the cafeteria, the classes divided up and Bascomb headed to Skill Lines with Sumi and Nathanial, friends and peers of his that join him in the inclusion dance class taught by
PE teacher Sandi Williams. This is by far Bascombs favorite class. On this particular day, there was no music playing, but the class continued and Bascomb was adding his own flair to every move. [Bascomb] has a very bubbly, effervescent personality; I dont think Ive ever seen him upset. He has great people skills and he loves to talk to them about clothes and jewelry. Every-
body loves him, said Fisher. The day ended with a rousing game of Diner and cookies as a special treat. As Bascomb ate, he looked around, smiled and said Happy times. Specifically, happy times.
Every issue, The Warrior will follow A Day in the Life of another Sherwood student. Will the next one be you?
Alyssa Miller 13
Senior Melissa Basso-Luca waits to audition in the quickly crowding music hallway. Almost 300 people tried out for Rock n Roll Revival over the course of the two audition days. this year their faces somehow a part of Rock n Roll. I like seemed more friendly and less Rock n Roll because it comintimidating, said Basso-Luca. bines all my passions from lovAlthough auditions can be ing old songs to loving singing stressful, they are worth it to be and dancing, said Kovalsky.
The WarriorFeatures
December 13, 2012
know they dont go to church every Sunday, you see that they want people to view them as religious, holy or involved in society, said Carswell. Social networking is fun for that purpose: to see which people think they know what theyre saying. These identities that teens try to live by have gone as far as causing users like junior Dean Emerson to quit using Twitter altogether. Part of the reason I deleted my Twitter is because everybody tries to be someone else. At times Id fall into these wannabe categories of philosopher or comedian, and I didnt want people to think that was the real me, said Emerson. Ironically, there is a parody account about Emerson. Twitter causes so much unnecessary drama. Ill see people just going at it with each other. In reality, if you want to cause drama, which, frankly, you shouldnt, do it to their face, not behind a computer screen, said Emerson in regard to the commentators who use the Internet as a protected and sheltered medium for sounding their opinions. Generally, I see a lot of posts by teens that seem rather narcissistic, selfish or angry, added Emerson. People tend to get offended over the smallest things on Twitter. If people didnt take everything so seriously, it would actually be pretty funny. Twitter isnt necessarily a bad thing; its just misused by the people who use it.
Briana Applewhite 13
Briana Applewhite 13
Senior Emily Kupersanin has an afterschool internship at DMV Fashion News & Events, where she can pursue her passion for fashion. Kupersanin designed the dress pictured above.
The WarriorFeatures
December 13, 2012
No other writer peers as deeply into our souls as William Shakespeare. The literary scholar Harold Bloom notes that Shakespeare reads us more fully than we can read him. This mysterious playwright delves into the very essence of our humanity, poses questions about our life philosophies, and promises that our full attention will be generously rewarded. Reading Shakespeare is a life affirming experience.
If students dont like reading the plays, why would they want to see one?
Shakespeares Reviews
He was the man who of all modern, and perhaps ancient poets, had the largest and most comprehensive soul.
-John Dryden, English poet, playwright and literary critic
th
10
th
The remarkable thing about Shakespeare is that he is really very good - in spite of all the people who say he is very good.
-Robert Graves, English poet, scholar and novelist
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th
We shall never overestimate Shakespeare, because we can not. Some men and things lie beyond the danger of hyperbole.
-William A. Quayle, American Methodist bishop
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The WarriorHumor
December 13, 2012
senior Madeline Van Cott. MCPS administrators anticipated this potential problem, and came up with the perfect solution. On the new Bring Your Pet to School Day, students who have pet allergies will be locked into the auxiliary gym, which will permit them to spend the entire seven-hour school day safe from the animals. They will have absolutely no contact with the rest of the school for the entire day, including lunch. This also means those students will not have access to any of their teachers, classes or any of the bathrooms. Some of the pilot programs have already occurred, and the results are very promising, according to Cassandra Milton, a seventh grader from Rocky Hill Middle School, who was pleased with how the day went. The animals were so cute, and I loved seeing them all over the school. But the halls were pretty smelly, Ive never seen so much dog poop, she explained, That said, it was definitely worth it. Liam Carr, a freshman from Quince Orchard, was excited to bring his frog to school at first, but that later changed. It was terrible. Frogger jumped out of his box, and then went hopping across all the heavy hallway traffic! I never found him again. Sherwood is one of three schools in the pilot program that has not yet held the special day.
Name: Arthur Calloway School: Quince orchard Pet: Blendy the , chameleon I think I lost Blendy somewhere between math and English. I looked away for one second, and he was gone.
The holidays should be a time of appreciation and generosity, but girls our age seem to take advantage of this festive occasion to make outrageous demands. I admit Im one of those brats
Epic Doomsday
Americans optimism at all-time high for President Obamas term to lead to end of days and rapture.
by Alex Porter 13
My Wishlist
10) Lots and lots of nail polish 9) Ugg boots 8) Tiffanys jewelry 7) Northface jacket 6) iPhone 5 5) Phone cases for my new phone (in every color of the rainbow) 4) My own car... and a chauffeur 3)My servant to feed me, do my homework, scratch my back, fetch me things. 2)Tickets to an N SYNC concert (I know theyre separated but daddy has connections, right?) 1) A new sister (I hate my brother, I need someone to gossip and braid with)
by
Joy Zhang 14
constituents demand results, explained Lucius Gordon, fellow After a disappointing first at the American Conspiratorial term, Americans who anticipated Institute. Voters chose diabolan Armageddon to accompany ic values, and the presidents President Obamas time in office commitment to reality over asyare ready to give him another lum-worthy doomsday fantasies shot. Without the looming spec- over the first term has been greatter of reelection, the paranoid ly disheartening. who await the end of days hope Supporters cite increased chathat the president will bring the os in the Middle East, birthplace doomsday they were promised. of Judaism, Christianity and Is Americas first black, Mus- lam, as evidence of Obamas comlim, non-citizen, lizard antichrist pact with the devil. Also, while was elected four years ago, with fire does not rain from the skies a public eagerly anticipating the in America, Gods favorite coununearthly disasters he would de- try, Obama has brought it to many liver unto the Earth. Instead of others with unmanned bombings. rending this country apart, all hes No wonder his approval rating done is made healthcare manda- is higher overseas than it is at tory. Thats nice and controversial home, quipped Ulysses Wilson, or whatever, but I expected the a small business owner in Albastreets to run with blood, said ny who genuinely anticipates a one fearful Clint Paul of Kansas Biblical crisis to erupt in the next City, Missouri. four years. Wilson has never read I think the president has the Bible, and preferred drawing been given a mandate; that cra- in the holy book when he last atzies around the country expect tended church service at 11 years something big this term, a more old. active summoner of evil. Many Others believe politicians can Americans voted against Obama, only act within the plane of realbut retain hope that he will has- ity, but this is becoming increasten the raptures arrival. These ingly unpopular.
The WarriorHumor
December 13, 2012
11
In the Halls
Annoying Airwaves
by Brendan Cudd 14
Dont you just hate it when youre walking in the halls and somebody is blaring their music without headphones? Because the first thing I want to hear when I walk in the door is music bouncing off the walls. I cant stand it when students who forgot to bring their listening devices decide to blast music you dont want to hear. I despise it when someone is playing music loudly and you have to scream to the person walking next to you in the halls, then when they walk away it gets quiet suddenly, and you sound dumb because you are screaming at your friend sitting next to you. Even during the middle of class people think its cool to blast loud music throughout the halls: well its not. In fact, some people, including myself, loathe it. I think everyone would agree that people need to stop playing loud music so I can actually talk to and listen to my friends without putting tissues in my ears.
Students in this school need to learn that walking in a hallway is like driving on the road- there are rules to follow or crashes occur. No, walking on the wrong side of the hall does not give you swag or make you seem cool. Honestly, if you are one of the people that are walking on the wrong side of the hall youre just getting in peoples way. Some may say YOLO, lets go the wrong way. Let me just say that if you want to live once then you should walk on the correct side of the hall so that you can live, in general. If you walk around aimlessly in the morning, thats okay, and Im down with that. But if you are walking in between classes on the wrong side, theres one thing I have to say: either get a sense of direction or learn how to USE the one that you claim to have. It may save lives in the crowded halls of Sherwood.
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The average American student spends more than 4,000 hours in high school. Over 700 days of their adolescence are spent in classrooms. All that time is devoted to thought, enrichment and learning. Knowledge helps people process the world around us. It is a weapon, sharpened through years of schooling. Some educators, however, worry that traditional American education dulls the full potential of students by focusing on linear brain processes and logic at the expense of creativity and intuition. The human brain consists of two major masses the left hemisphere and the right hemisphere. The left brain deals with language, numbers, critical thinking and logical reasoning. Emotions, sensations and intuitions are associated with the right brain. It absorbs music and art, responds to visuals and sees things as a whole. Modern public schooling in America historically focuses on the intellectual benefits of the left hemisphere in all classes aside from art and music. A quote attributed to Albert Einstein says The intuitive mind is a sacred gift, and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift. As defined by Ron Miller, the founder of the journal Holistic Education Review, holistic education is based on the premise that each person finds his identity and purpose through connections to the community, the natural world, and humanitarian values such as compassion and peace. It is the weaving of new knowledge into everything students already understand, and the combining of all subjects into one instead of isolated paths. Students learn through relating instead of through repetition, and use both sides of the brain to absorb the information. The idea of holistic and whole-brain learning emerged in the 1980s as parents searched for a more fulfilling education for their children. Lucila Telles, a Graduate Rudge of The Ohio State University, which largely utilizes holistic teaching, describes a holistic education as, rooted in concepts of wholeness, integration and interconnectedness. This type of learning has sprouted in all levels of schooling and is widely used in both Canada and Europe, though scarcely in the United States. However, American school systems are increasingly embedding holistic learning into new curriculum and instruction. MCPS 2.0 curriculum aims to combine subjects and make connections to the real world that would utilize both brain hemispheres and develop students who can think creatively by using the information they learn in school in all parts of their lives.
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ers. Those students were found to be strong critical thinkers who were able to analyze information, were collaborative, and were persistent and didnt give up when working. Hazel says that the new curriculum is very different from the 2000 model curriculum MCPS was using previously. It is really about a lot of open-ended questions, its about explaining your thinking, showing that you understand [a topic] in two or three different ways, said Hazel. A major change in Curriculum 2.0 involves reshaping the basic report cards that have been used for decades. The new cards focus on how a given child is meeting grade-level standards for all subjects. Subjects are broken down into specific categories within each academic area, and students are awarded one of three lettersP, I or N, rather than the traditional A, B, C, D, E grades. P indicates that a child is proficient, while I means they are in progress and if a child recieves an N, it means they have not met standards. Additionally, students are graded based on Learning Skills, awarded a grade of DEM to indicate that they are properly demonstrating necessary skills, PRG to indicate that they are making progress, or an N for Not yet evident. The changes in learning, however,
arent expected to stop after the elementary school years. One of the goals of Curriculum 2.0 is to prepare students for more rigorous courses in high school. The new curriculum was designed to help high school students meet the goals of the Common Core standards, a set of shared goals and expectations for what students should understand and be able to do in order to be prepared for success in college and the workplace, according to marylandpublicschools.org. Hazel says The biggest change has been in [Common Core subjects] reading, writing and mathematics, making sure theres that depth and understanding. The new curriculum is largely based on teaching students to apply what they learn in school to the real world. Students will have a stronger understanding of mathematics of the skills and concepts, said Hazel. Weve completely aligned ourselves with Common Core where we can.
Public schooling also exists in online education with free classes students can take towards their graduation requirments. Insight Schools is a website that offers free programs just like any public school would and is fully accredited. These public institutions are funded by the state and put under the same state guidelines as offline high schools. When it comes to high school education, most students choose to go to traditional high schools but many educational institutions, like the websites that offer the classes, believe some students thrive with an online education. They think if these students are constantly moving locations or have trouble relating to a traditional school setting, these new online courses might be just what they need to graduate With the internet, endless possibilities exist for aspiring students of all ages around the world. With these new innovations, education is becoming more accessible to people of all needs through online support, providing opportunities for everyone, regardless of wealth, to gain knowledge which is a gift many consider priceless. *Hierholzer is currently enrolled in Journalism.
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The WarriorOpinions
December 13, 2012
Staff Editorial:
APs h should ow muc GPA? H our affect y Do you tak braggin e APs for g rights ?
In 2012, MCPS students took 32,974 AP exams, the most exams taken during any year in county history, and 75 percent of those exams were scored a three or higher. Superintendent Joshua Starr celebrated the countys success, stating, AP is a strong indicator of readiness for college-level work, and it is clear that MCPS is a leader across the state and the nation in AP participation and success. We must continue to provide all of our students with access to meaningful, relevant classes that prepare them for success in college and beyond. School systems, like MCPS, aim to have as many students as possible in the offered AP courses, but it has become less about taking meaningful, relevant classes and more about the AP designation. Overall, students have developed a mindset that makes them feel obliged to take AP classes. They are rewarded with a higher weighted GPA, as well as a sense of security that they are ensuring a college acceptance because of their course load. While AP classes are available for those who truly want to learn the skills and materials of a given subject, students have conflicted motivations with outward influences. High schools push students to take AP classes, which, in conjunction with pressure from peers, has students signing up for these classes for the wrong reasons. In many cases, it seems as though students are taking AP classes only for appearance sake because AP classes look better than on-level or even honors classes. Students also neglect the many elective choices available; filling their schedules with AP classes, some of which
In Our Opinion
Are AP cla all of th sses worth e work? ou s help y Will AP llege? co get into
they ultimately do not want to take. As this perspective developed, the real purpose of AP classesto build knowledge and go more in-depth on a topicwas lost in translation. Having more knowledge got replaced by taking more APs. Colleges and universities contribute to this state of mind, thrusting students into an arms race of who can have the most challenging academic schedule. They pressure students to take the most rigorous courses in order to beat out everyone they compete with for acceptance. As students reach the point in their high school career where they must begin to apply to college, the pressure to take harder classes increases. They become more motivated by being accepted into college than by their own academic interests. The point of school is to provide kids with an education. With three levels of classes offered in some courses, though not all, students should choose which one is right for them. One way to minimize the current attitude towards AP classes is to take away the extra point on the GPA scale by getting rid of the weighted GPA in MCPS. That way, students will challenge themselves because they want to, not because it will boost their GPA and give them a supposed leg-up for college applications. Without the extra point on the GPA scale, the value of the course is returned to the content, rather than the letter grade. Superintendent Starr should inspire this change. With it, we would hope that students will again be motivated to absorb and appreciate the education actually given to them, instead of worrying about how it will read off of their transcripts.
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ublished six times a year, The Warrior serves as Sherwood High Schools premier news source. Over the decades, it has collected numerous state and national honors in recognition of the publications superior content and design. With a staff of 31 students and one advisor, The Warrior works to keep the Sherwood community apprised of local and national events. All opinions articles represent the viewpoint of the writer. The unsigned staff editorials solely represent the opinions of the newspaper staff. These articles do not necessarily represent the views of Sherwood High School. The Warrior welcomes Letters to the editor of 250 words or less. They may be submitted to room C268 or emailed to thewarrioronline.shs@gmail.com. Letters must be signed, and all content received by the newspaper is subject to editing. The Warrior staff invites feedback and corrections to printed inaccuracies. The Warrior reserves the right to refuse advertisements.
Staff
Executive Editor .................................................. Leah Schroeder 13 Print Managing Editors ............................................ Diana McDermott 13 Robel Wondimu 13 News Editors ......................................................... Jessica Carrera 13 Mandy Stussman 14 Vicky Florian 14 Lifestyle Editor ........................................................... Features Editors ...................................................... Mary Macrae 14 Connor Martin 13 Humor Editors ...................................................... Andrew Wasik 13 Cal Wilson 14 Spotlight Editor ................................................ Sydney Morrison 13 Opinions Editors ................................................. Melissa Fajardo 13 Whitney Marie Halaby 14 Wondering Warrior Editor....................................... Jenni Kenel 14 Entertainment Editors ................................ Michaela ODonnell 13 Maria Claudia Garcia-Rada 13 Sports Editors ...................................................... Jamie Langbein 13 Joey Lavoie 14 Online Managing Content Editor .................................. Michael Natelli 14 Managing Technical Editor .................................... Shaan Verma 13 Page Editors ........................................................... Brendan Cudd 14 Joy Zhang 14 Content and Copy Managing Content Director ...................................... Alex Porter 13 Content and Copy Editors ............................. Briana Applewhite 13 Steffi Carrera 14 Alyssa Miller 13 Nick Mourtoupalas 13 Evan Schwartz 13 Managing Photographers ....................................... Bridget Cook 14 Taylor Fernandes 14 Pollster ............................................................. Katie Mercogliano 14 Advisor ............................................................................... Peter Huck
The WarriorOpinions
December 13, 2012
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TO THE POINT
Private Schools Not Worth Cost
by Ryan Deal 16
For many, there is a certain glamour about attending private schools, part of which is the notion that private schooling will increase ones chances for success. Although there is a common perception that private schools offer a better education than public schools, a new study disproves that. The study, conducted by the Center for Education Policy (CEP), showed that achievement scores on reading, math, science and history were the same, the likelihood of students attending college was the same, and the satisfaction of occupation was the same. Parents, whether well off or not, continue to spend thousands upon thousands for private schooling even when it seems that it does not really make a difference in the long run. With all of the money that parents must dish out on private-school tuition, they should consider if private schooling is really worth it. Although parents will send their children to private schools for other reasons (religion, special needs, sport scholarships), they should not be so quick as to put their child there for educational purposes, because public school is just as good of a way to go.
My Take
situation. Doing hours of fastpaced work has become a breeze, something that the cyclical 45 minute class periods will never teach you. Get a job. Its my only advice. Because sitting on your butt in school just doesnt allow you to experience what the real world actually demands.
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The WarriorOpinions
December 13, 2012
YOU
Edline promotes more teacher-student conversations because students can directly contact their teachers about their grades. -Omo Ikheloa 13
Its only effective if the teachers put in the assignments regularly. -Quinn Pettenati 13
Teachers should update Edline with Powerpoints in case people miss school.
-Shannon Berkheimer 14
I think it would be helpful if every homework and classwork assignment was on Edline. -Jordan Larsen 13
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Countdown to the
se yp al oc Ap
Run for President!! -Matthew Sardone 14
The Mayan Long Count calendar purportedly marked December 21, 2012 as the end of the era and stated that the world would reset to zero and end humanity.
.12 21 12.
8 days left...
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The WarriorEntertainment
December 13, 2012
Upcoming Concerts
The Killers : Patriot Center - December 18 Ellie Goulding : The Fillmore - January 20 Green Day : Patriot Center - January 21 Fun. : DAR Constitution Hall - January 31
Shows N Shindigs
Upcoming Albums
T.I. : Trouble Man: Heavy is the Head - December 18
Ashanti : Braveheart - January 29 Tim McGraw : Two Lanes of Freedom - February 5 50 Cent : Street King Immortal - February 26
by Vicky Florian 14
Junior Nick Cameron performing Today from last years Rock n Roll production at the Fillmore in May.
The WarriorEntertainment
December 13, 2012
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Score: 3.5 / 5
A game that is about exactly what the title says. The goal of Dont Starve is to survive as long as possible with dwindling materials and resources, while monsters attack at every corner. The art style is very distinct, like a dark, moody, hand-drawn sketch. The fact that the game is dark colored adds to the bleak feeling of knowing that there is an eventual end to the players life. The game takes its own unique view on surviving that is unlike other games in the genre: a player cannot survive an unlimited amount of time. This major difference is what draws players to in. Dont Starve offers an entirely different way to play. The game is a bit glitchy at times, but it is in pre-release mode and should be fixed relatively quickly.
by Evan Schwartz 13
Assassins Creed III, ends the tale of Desmond as he searches his ancestors memories to try to save the world from the 2012 apocalypse. The story is completely immersive as it effectively chronicles both Desmond and his Native American ancestor Connors adventures. The story, filled with gameplay of sneaking through Revolutionary America, battling ships on the high seas and aiding historic figures at key moments in the revolution, gives a fresh, new feel to the franchise while still maintaining the core essence and elements of Assassins Creed gameplay, such as free-running, combat and a fluid story that fans enjoy.
Score: 4 / 5
Score: 4 / 5
The Unfinished Swan is a radically different game than one would expect. The story follows a boy named Monroe after his mother died. He awakes one night to find the swan in one of his mothers unfinished paintings mysteriously missing. Curiosity getting the better of him, Monroe follows the swan through the painting into a completely white landscape. The player, as Monroe, must fling paint in order to find his way through the environment. The puzzles found throughout the landscape produce variety and flow which make the player think outside of the box while still staying within the confines of the games alluring story. In the end, The Unfinished Swan provides a much needed break from the mainstream, fast-paced shooters that come out every year, and gives the player an entirely new experience.
Score: 5 / 5
Set four years after Master Chief saved the universe from the death machine called the Halo Array, Halo 4 lives up to the legend of previous titles. The story finds Master Chief stranded in space and follows him on his new journey. The game is clearly different from its predecessors, but that is what makes it distinctly unique. There is an entirely new feel to the story because of the added interactivity and new challenges that players face. Apart from the story, the multiplayer is endlessly entertaining as a new ranking system has been implemented. This, along with new weapons, maps and character upgrades, enhances the flow of the gameplay while still maintaining the feel of Halo.
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The WarriorEntertainment
December 13, 2012
Maya Rudolph, Amy Poehler, Andy Samberg and Kristen Wiig, all of whom maintain steady and successful careers today. The current season began on September 15 with high energy and a mix of old skits as well as new refreshing material. Even without the return of Samberg and Wiig, the cast is able to deliver the humor the American people have been waiting for. However, some members seem to show no growth from the last season. Although Jay Pharoah and Vanessa Bayer are considered current repertory players on the cast, theres still something about them that doesnt quite fill the enormous shoes of their predecessors. Pharoah specializes in uncomfortably perfect impressions of Obama and Jay-Z, but what else can he do? It seems like the writers hand him the same role over and over again with the same lackluster material that does not allow viewers to connect with him. Bayer, on the other hand, is given many opportunities to show her range but she executes each role in the same manner for every skit: with a plastered look on her face and an irksome smile that appears at the wrong times. She seems overly rehearsed and lacks the natural pauses comedians genrally incorporate into their material. In general, the writing this season has been funny. However, its glaringly obvious when the quality of some skits isnt as good as others and the writers simply run out of ideas and hand them to rookie cast members. If members like Pharoah and Bayer are the future of Saturday Night Live, they need to start grooming them for when they become the leading members of the show.
R E V I E W S
managed to achieve such tremendous success. In the 1939 film The WizAnthony Hopkins portrayard of Oz, it is simultaneously al of Hitchcock is unbelievably exciting and disappointing to dis- realistic. He brings Hitchcock cover the man standing behind to life by capturing Hitchcocks the curtain. Walking into Sacha personality quirks, cadence and Gervasis Hitchcock, I feared mannerisms. Impatient, petty and that I would be experiencing 93 burning with intensity, Hitchcock minutes of the unsatisfying un- fills the audience with awe as they veiling of the man behind the watch him refuse to back down curtain that is Alfred Hitchcock, from pursuing Psycho, even but instead, Hitchcocks movies when the storys violence and and achievements became all the gore prevent him from getting fimore intriguing and mysterious. nancial support. From 1921 to 1976, HitchLittle known to the public, cock directed an astounding 54 Hitchcocks wife, Alma Reville, films and produced 10 seasons played by Helen Mirren, has a of his television show, Alfred major role in each of his films, Hitchcock Presents. Over time, editing the script, providing diHitchcock gained a reputation as rection and aiding in creating the the master of suspense, as a re- final cut. It is her opinion that ulsult of his pioneering many tech- timately mattered most to Hitchniques used in psychological and cock. Unsurprisingly, Mirren suspense thrillers. He was also delivers in this role, channeling known for his twist endings, sex- the persona of a passionate, orual undertones and careful com- ganized, detail-oriented woman bination of humor and suspense. who put her whole self into makHitchcocks brilliance was re- ing her husbands movies the abwarded with four of his films be- solute best they could be. In many ing placed on the American Film respects, Mirren steals the show. Institutes list of top 100 movies, Every scene with her is brilliant an amount second only to that of and highlighted just how vital ReSteven Spielberg. ville was to every aspect of HitchUnlike most directors, Hitch- cocks life. It was her suggestion cock used himself as branding for to add the famous score that is his films, making cameo appear- now so closely connected to the ances and using his silhouette in iconic shower scene in Psycho. profile as his trademark. I doubt that this movie will Gervasi uses the drama bring to Gervasi what was denied around the making of Psycho, to Hitchcock, a validation of his arguably Hitchcocks most fa- worth in the form of an Academous film, to give the audience my Award for Best Director. That insight on Hitchcock and what said, it gave me a deeper undercontributed to his being able to standing of the motivations and make iconic movies that so great- struggles of a man that directed ly changed the movie industry. some of my favorite movies. UltiGervasi, taking a cue from mately, he was a flawed, insecure the Hitchcockian style, keeps the but brilliant man, who gave us viewer wondering how this seem- some of the most fascinating and ingly doomed production ever provocative movies of all time.
The WarriorSports
December 13, 2012
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The Lady Warriors celebrate their third consecutive state championship after another 3-0 win over Arundel. around seemed to affect the Arundel girls and they were never able to recover, losing the next two sets 25-14 and 25-13. In the third set, the Arundel girls took a quick lead but senior Katie Russell stepped up and had two big kills to turn the momentum back in the Lady Warriors favor. I just wanted to do what I could to help my team, I just really wanted to win, said Russell. Arundel was a good team and I just wanted to step it up. The team had more pressure this season to win it all than they ever have before. They were picked early on as the season fa-
vorites and are known around the state as a powerhouse after having gone undefeated the past two seasons and winning states for what is now the third time in a row. We put a lot of pressure on our younger girls, telling them that we had done it the two years before and now its our mission to three-peat, said Holston. After losing a few starters from last year, the team needed other players to step up and they did so in a big way. Senior Christy Mempin, who had a few clutch serves in all the game, was a crucial part of the team all season. Last year I was happy to win, but this year it felt even better because now I could finally play with the starters. I was crying tears of joy at the end, said Mempin. The Lady Warriors suffered a loss when senior Dominique Parker injured her ankle towards the end of the season and was unable to play. Parker was a large part of the team this season, recording 41 kills, nine digs and five blocks. But Parker still celebrated on the court with her team after the win and was able to go out with the other captains to receive the trophy. It feels amazing, she said. Alex and I have been talking about it since the summer and we decided that we had to do it again or we couldnt show our faces around the school. There was no not-win option.
Connor Ganey 16
Coach Kenny Prather gives his team quick instruction and some feedback durinig a timeout. The Warriors fought hard but went on to lose to a talented Seneca Valley 36-22 on opening night.
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The WarriorSports
December 13, 2012
Tom Lee 14
Sherwood swimmers attend a Friday afternoon practice on December 7 to prepare for a meet the next day. Both the boys and the girls team swam and lost against BCC on December 8. swim three events per meet, the college recruits still have to turn to other teammates to rack up more points. With each new season, teams tend to struggle early on as key swimmers have left due to graduation. Sherwood has lost some seniors from last year, but at the same time has an incoming class of freshman talent this season. We lose some people, but its fine because it goes both ways. We have some good freshmen so its balanced, to say the least, said Kolanowski, who is a strong contender to be crowned the 200-yard freestyle champion at Metros. With freshman talent and strong seniors to rally around, the girls team is hungry to build on last years successes. Im excited this year; it should be a fun one with lots of ups and not so many downs hopefully. We will see how things go, said Sheapp, one of the teams captains.
Congratulations to the Sherwood Seniors that have commited to play a sport as of December 11, 2012:
Ernest Williams III
Anna Kolanowski
PICTURE
Megan McDonough
Chris Voorhees
Megan McDonough committed to Rider Sarah Lougran Sarah Loughran committed to Shippensburg University University
photo courtesy of Megan McDonough photo courtesy of Chris Voorhees
Alex Holston Alex Holston committed to University of Florida Kylie Sheapp committed to Towson University
Kylie Sheapp
Jamie Langbein 13
The WarriorSports
December 13, 2012
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by Joey Lavoie 14
photo courtesy of the Gazette
Coach Mike Bonavia, in his trademark cargo shorts, gives instructions to his players during their 62-28 loss to Westminster on November 16.
Joey Lavoie 14
Coach Mike Bonavia works at his desk, preparing for the 2013 off season as the Warriors look to improve on this years 9-3 season. bility to people, to the team. What are your final thoughts on the senior class of the 2013? I was very impressed with them. I thought that other than the way we ended our season [in a 62-28 loss against Westminster in the Divisional Semifinals], we got the most out of them. I thought they gave [it their all] and I thought that 9-3 overall was a really good record knowing that the opponents we lost to were [a combined] 35-2. Where does this set the standard for next season? Well were going to be a little bit younger. I dont want to say, rebuilding, because these guys know how to win. So lets see if we can continue to do what were doing. Rain or shine, 100 degrees or 30 degrees, you always seem to wear khaki shorts. Is that some sort of superstition? My lower body doesnt get cold. Youll notice that when its cold out my upper body is layered and prepared. But even then, youll see me in my shorts.
When you think of the United States of America, many things come to mind, among them being our cities, trucks, hotdogs and most importantly, our sports. The United States is second to none when it comes to athletics and sports. Since 1992, the United States has ended on top of the medal count every four years in the Summer Olympics. American athletes such as LeBron James, Landon Donovan and Kevin Durant are known around the world for their athleticism and skill. The motto in the United States not only for athletics but at anything, whether it be the arts, economy or military, is that we do not lose. We do not back down, and that is why the United States has the best athletes in the world. But when you look around the world, the United States has plenty of top-tier athletes ready to succeed, but lacks in fan support for all sports, in all sorts of games. After taking a recent trip to Europe and walking around amongst the fans and people of France for 11 days, I saw a whole new side of the sports world. France played Italy in a soccer match while I was there, and there was just a different buzz about it than one would not see in the United States for an international friendly (exhibition). I stayed in an Italian household in France and watched the game. It was incredible watching the enthusiasm and attention paid to the game by the family I lived with, and the fans at the stadium over in Italy
that we watched on TV. France did go on to win 2-1 but the fans in that Italian stadium were never quiet and cheered, chanted and yelled for all 90 minutes of that soccer game. The day after there was still a buzz in France about its soccer team beating a rival nation not that far away. Its not only France, though. You can sit down at home or at a sports bar during the World Cup, or even just a friendly in Brazil, Italy, England or Spain, and will see just as much and usually more enthusiasm as seen here in the United States for any sport. European soccer fans chant and cheer for all 90 minutes of a game too. The loudest recorded volume level at a sports event was in a soccer game in Turkey, a recorded 131.76 dbA. These fans care not only about the biggest moments, but also the smallest turns of momentum. Yes, America is second to none when it comes to athletics, but is it really the best in the world? I would have to go with no. Yes, there is the Super Bowl or The Final Four, but what about those early season NBA games when Miami plays Charlotte? I guarantee that the fans are crazy even when powerhouse Spain faced meek Puerto Rico in August. Yes, American fans are loud when there is a goal in the World Cup, but they just dont care enough from beginning to end to be crowned as the most enthusiastic sports fans on the face of this Earth.
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The WarriorSports
December 13, 2012
Alec Wheeler 13
Saint James has a top academic program and that as well as basketball was a lot of work. So my family and I decided to try my local high school for my senior year to spend some time at home, experience public school and be around my family for once.
Daryl Brown 13
Yes, there will be some bad blood because I transferred [from Watkins Mill], but its not only a personal game, I also just like winning.
Ellis Dozier 14
I am pretty much going to believe the whole season that we can win states. I know we have the capability to win.
WRESTLING:
The Warriors Wrestling team started the season 1-1 in their first Tri-meet. They had a close loss to Poolesville 40-36, and crushed Watkins Mill 64-15. The captains of the team this year are juniors Chris Minor, Michael Macheras and Adrian Arevalo. Minor went to the counties last year as a sophomore and is expected to go again and improve on last years campaign. The Warriors look forward to facing Magruder and Blake on December 15 at Magruder at 1 p.m. -covered by Brendan Cudd 14
This swimming season should be an exciting one. The boys team expects to finish fifth in Division Two while the girls expect to win the division. Swimmers to watch are seniors Anna Kolanowski with her 200-yard freestyle, Megan Conrad in the 100 back, and Andrew Braker in the 50 freestyle. Freshman Morgan Hill is also expected to score many points for the team. -covered by Tom Lee 14
BOYS BASKETBALL:
The Warriors are up to a 2-0 record after beating a tenancious Churchill team 48-41 on December 8.This game was much more of a test than the opening game against Seneca Valley when the Warriors blew out the Screaming Eagles 81-20. Senior Alec Wheeler led the team with 19 points against Churchill. -covered by Andrew Wasik 13
AS OF DECEMBER 10TH
P R R E E C V & A I P E S W S
TRACK:
After a successful cross country season for both the boys and girls teams, the Warriors look to carry their momentum into the indoor track season. The boys are led by seniors Robel Kebede, Vik Siberry and Alexander Shoop. The girls team is led by senior Lauren Paese, junior Ameerat Olatunde and sophomore twins Lauren and Tiffany Woods. The team will start the season competing at MCPS Meet #1 against other Montgomery County schools. The Warriors look forward to the Virginia Tech, Dickerson and Montgomery invitationals later in the season. Our goals are to drop good times and marks so our individuals will qualify for regionals and continue their success on to the state championship, said Siberry. -covered by Kyle Melnick 15
GIRLS BASKETBALL:
The girls varsity basketball team started off the season in a low-scoring loss to Seneca Valley. Unfortunately, one of the Lady Warriors starting guards, senior Maddie Doan, is out with an ankle injury. Her return will help the Warriors in future rival games against teams like Springbrook, Blake and Magruder. Sherwood also recently lost to Churchill by a score of 56-22 to start the season 0-2. -covered by Hunter Moore 14