the

Inside: News: 1-3, BSW: 4-5, Features: 6-7, Spotlight: 8-9, Opinions: 10-11, Wondering Warrior: 12, Entertainment: 13, Sports: 14-16
Our New Teachers
The scoop on Sherwoods newest additions,

Warrior
300 Olney-Sandy Spring Road, Sandy Spring, MD 20860 www.thewarrioronline.com

34rd Year, Issue No.1

September 30, 2011

Features

Entertainment
#JakeEdwards,

pg. 6

pg. 13

Senior Anxiety Builds Stricter Attendance Policy Set To Finish Applications by Alex Porter 13
by Vicky Florian 14
Where a student goes to college is how many people are defining success these days. And before seniors can get into their dream school, they must apply. This application process generates a tremendous amount of stress for many seniors through the months of September and October, especially for those applying for Early Decision. The extra anxiety during the college application process can affect seniors mental and physical health. Students may complain of not enough sleep or headaches caused by the stress, and some experts warn that the pressures even can lead to depression. Other than the applications that students finish themselves, they must also get teacher recommendations for their colleges. Choosing the teacher and making sure they will complete the recommendation is yet another task to worry about for seniors trying to meet strict application deadlines. The University of Maryland at College Park (UMD), along with a number of other colleges, has a priority deadline of November 1. This does not give seniors much time to complete their applications, especially when theyre trying to get good grades during first semester as a final way to impress colleges. Senior Sushmita Malik, who is applying to Boston University and UMD, went to Germany last year as an exchange student and feels that there is more of a timecrunch in the American system. I didnt do that much work in Germany. I didnt have five things going on at once, so I am adapting to the American school system. Here, there is a lot of busy MCPS has changed its attendance policy to fight the high absence and tardy rates caused by last years removal of the Loss of Credit policy that was in place in MCPS for numerous years. After five unexcused absences, students will have to either appeal absences that were incorrectly recorded or complete an attendance intervention plan created with approval of a counselor, assistant principal and the teachers of affected courses. If the student does not meet the requirements of the intervention plan or continues to have unexcused absences, the consequence is now failure of the course. Three unexcused tardies equal one unexcused absence. According to attendance secretary Janet Murphy, after three unexcused absences, students and parents are to be notified, followed by a meeting with counselors and administrators for students. Another notice will be given at five absences to inform parents that an appeal or intervention plan must be completed, which is ultimately signed by the principal or an assistant principal. Murphy will notify administrators when teachers are not taking attendance. Problems with last years policy were particularly prevalent among seniors toward the end of the year, though they were seen in students at all grade levels and courses. Assistant Principal George Awkard, the 12th grade administrator this year, believes this was due to uncertainties over whether there were definite repercussions. We saw an increased number of students being late or tardy [because] students felt there were a lack of consequences, said Awkard. In prior years, students had the threat of loss of credit to discourage absences. Last years policy was removed after problems with consistent implementation. He also described the amount of work for one or

two people to monitor the entire building as overwhelming. To address students skipping her class last year, English teacher Brianna Russell took it upon herself to diligently track attendance of her students and implemented her own consequences. Students could not make up work missed on days they were absent unlawfully in her class. Russell says students were only discouraged if the teacher made a consequence. Awkard says that giving E grades this year will be a stronger deterrent than just a loss of credit, which did not impact a students overall GPA. He added that while the school year has just started, there is already a feeling among students that things are back to normal after the leniency they felt they had last year. Murphy says there has already been some improvement within the first month of school. Awkard acknowledged that

see SENIORS, pg. 3

see ATTENDANCE, pg. 3

Gregory Explains Current Plans for School Year

The Warrior sat down with Principal Bill Gregory in the first few weeks of school to see what the plans for the year are and how they evolved.
by Darby Whitehair 12
Where did the idea for the emphasis on what we teach, how we teach, and purposeful reading, writing and speaking spark from? Last spring I started reading a book called Focus [Focus: Elevating the Essentials to Radically Improve Student Learning by Michael Schmoker] he kept repeating over and over again that to help students succeed, we really dont have to focus on this skill, that skill or focus on this test, that test. If we focus on a strong, rich curriculum, if we focus on engaging students in the class and if we focus on helping kids read, write and speak, those are the skills they need for life in the 21st century, not just in school but life beyond. If we focus on those, the other things fall into place. If we focus on these three things then magic happens for students in the classroom and that is what we are all aboutthe magic that happens for the students in the classroom. So we changed our school improvement plan and our school improvement plan is basically: we are going to improve student achievement by focusing on a strong, rich curriculum, engaging students in excellent lessons and working with students in terms of purposeful reading, writing and speaking. As part of the focus on teaching, you plan for yourself, other administrators and resource teachers to observe teachers more regularly. What is the purpose of the observations? If our challenge is focusing on what we teach, how we teach and purposeful literacy skills, we need to be able to give people feedback. The purpose of going into a class is to give feedback to a teacher on how something is working; so that we know what it is we need to focus on. Its like a teacher in a classroom; a teacher has an objective that students need to learn, the teacher needs to assess along the way if students are learning that objective because if not, a teacher has to take a different route to help students. As a principal I have to do the same thing. So the purpose of going in and seeing what is going on is to help steer the direction of the school. What were the reasons last years attendance policy was not successful? What about this years attendance policy is going to make it better than last years and the old LC policy before that? I didnt see the issue that other schools saw until the end of the year ... It was worse in other schools. So what MCPS decided was that all high schools would change it. It wouldnt be loss of credit because sometimes if students were at five unexcused absences by October they knew they lost credit What changes is, we are focused on getting a students grade back instead of losing credit. My goal is to get students here to learn. I dont want to just do LC and have it be punitive and

Paul Szewczyk 12

Gregory meets with SGA representatives Alexandra Stephanos, Nicole Jakobowski and Samantha Cruz.
say I am done with the student. Id rather put a contract together If I just let a student LC, the message is I dont care. In your years as the principal of Sherwood, what have been your greatest achievements? What about disappointments in the past and aspirations for this school year? I guess if I looked at greatest, I dont know. I hope that its working with staff and students to make lives better for students when they leave Sherwood. I think my biggest disappointment, and I am working on that, is being locked behind this door [his office] or outside of the building and not being in the classroom as often as I want to be. I would love Newsweek magazine to say we are one of the top 500 schools again and move higher in the ranking Id love to see us get closer to our goal in our school improvement plan. I know it is work It is a growth and so I want to see growth because I know that has benefits for students.

The WarriorNews
September 30, 2011

Way Returns To Fill Thomas Absence

IEF N BR I
Warrior Continues Tradition of Excellence
The Warrior continued its long-standing tradition of excellence over the summer. For the first time in 12 years, The Warrior was named an All-American publication by the National Scholastic Press Association, the highest available rating doled out by North Americas premier publication accreditor. The Warrior received marks of distinction in four of five categories including Coverage and Content, Writing and Editing, Layout and Design, and Leadership. The judge commented that The Warrior has an amazing variety of well written news articles and that photos are very good. Action shots dominate [the pages]. Warrior alums also fared well in individual writing contests. Former Editor-in-Chief Adam Kopp (11) won second place for Best News Story and former Sports Editor Jessica Golding (11) won third place for Best Sports Story at Towson Universitys Maryland Scholastic Journalism Awards. The Warrior will also enter for Best Overall Newspaper and Best Online Newspaper at Towson Universitys journalism day on October 7.

ws Ne

by Rebecca Stussman 12
The computer science department lost a great educator and advisor on September 9 when teacher Donna Thomas prematurely left during her third year at Sherwood for work in the digital marketing industry. Fortunately, she has been replaced with a teacher who knows Sherwood and has vast experience with technology education. John Way, who taught computer science at Sherwood for 14 years before retiring in 2009, returned the Monday following Thomas departure to his original role as a teacher and sponsor of the anime club. I thought I would enjoy teaching again, said Way of his decision to rejoin Sherwood. Im learning as I go, but Ill get the hang of it. Everybodys been very helpful, loaning me resources that I need to transition back I think the year is going to go pretty well. Thomas taught six different courses and led five computeroriented clubs such as game design, computer programming and women in technology. Way has taken over five classes, including Computer Programming one through three, Game Design and Web Design, and has also taken sponsorship of the computer programming club, game club and the anime club, which he oversaw before his break. He returns to a chaotic cluster of eager students to fill the void left by the loss of a well-respected teacher.

Paul Szewczyk 12

Returning teacher John Way helps junior Phoebe Kuwornu in Donna Thomas computer science class.
She was the one who always pushed me to do [computer science] things. Shes one of the most dynamic teachers Ive ever had, said senior Vicky Wong of Thomas. Wong took AP Computer Programming Two, Web Design, and Game Design with Thomas and now with Way. Adjusting to the new teacher [is manageable]. I liked [Way] freshman year, so I was actually really happy that he came back. I think we were all kind of hoping it would be Mr. Way. Way left his teaching position at Sherwood three years ago due to the understandable exhaustion that accompanies 14 years as a high school teacher. I was experiencing burnout, said Way. [Now] Im just more rested and ready to go again. Because of Ways substantial experience and the early nature of the switch, which occurred just three weeks into the year, the transition has been relatively smooth. Most students are passionate about computer programming and enthusiastic to learn from a teacher with Ways experience and skills. Though Thomas will be missed, her classes and her anime club are in capable hands. Way has once again become a full Sherwood teacher and anticipates a successful year ahead.

-Jacob Bogage 12

Prom Becomes an Exclusively Senior Event

Due to a lack of ticket sales last year to adequately cover costs for a large venue, this years prom will be strictly for seniors only. According to social studies teacher Katie Jaffe, a senior class sponsor, permitting juniors to also buy tickets to prom limited location options. In the future, fewer prom attendees should allow for a more creative venue. Since the majority of prom-goers are seniors, Principal Bill Gregory, after receiving input from the student body, thought it was for the best to have a senior-only prom. After surveying students last year, it was clear that the student body wanted to move to senior-only prom, said Jaffe. In previous years the cost of prom was to cover the rental of the ballroom, but this year it will also cover a dinner for an additional $20 per student. With a more intimate setting and only the graduating class in attendance, the senior banquet will now be fully incorporated into prom. A slideshow will be viewed and senior superlatives will be announced.

New Dress Code, Same Old Confusion

by Devin Cornelius 12
Students entered this school year donning their favorite summer outfits, all of which were picked out with last years dress code in mind; meaning no shirts with spaghetti straps or expressing profanity and no skirts and shorts shorter than finger tip length. Unbeknownst to students, the schools Instructional Leadership Team, social studies teacher Christine McKeldin, a staff liaison, and the SGA were busy developing a new dress code during the summer. Upon opening their agenda books on the first day, students found a briefer policy generally stating that pants are to be worn around the waist and offensive, strapless or midriff-revealing shirts are not allowed. To replace a variety of more specific violations, the policy more broadly says that clothing must not be distracting. The new policy aims, to be more realistic about the choices available to students, said Assistant Principal Rene Brimfield. The policy was also modified to retire certain rules and practices which seemed unfair. The finger-tip-length rule, for instance, was unfair towards girls with longer arms. Rather than demanding a specific length, the new policy asks students to look appropriate clarified Brimfield. Although the policy was intended to expand and permit students freedom of expression, there seem to be more violations and complaints from students than usual. Students are even feeling more limited than in previous years. The policy is so vague now that Im not sure whats allowed. Every staff member has a different view of whats distracting and whats a violation, said senior Amanda Lin, who wore shorts that were judged to be too short and feels her dress code violation was unjust. Principal Bill Gregory, in his remarks at the Senior Class meeting in the cafeteria earlier this month, said that he wants to see students sporting business casual. The term, commonly used in the professional workplace, refers to attire deemed informal and comfortable while still being dignified and conservative. Although such phrases as not distracting, and business casual were intended to give students parameters for acceptable wear rather than rigid rules, some students and school staff are worried about consistency in enforcement. One teacher might view an outfit as distracting when another does not. At the start of the year, I was

-Michaela ODonnell 13

Sherwood Ranks in the Top 500 Schools

Through school-wide announcements and at class assemblies, the schools administration has been proudly boasting how Sherwood has received the honor of joining the elite list of Newsweek magazines Top 500 public high schools of 2010. This past June, Newsweek published its annual list of Americas top ranking public high schools, drawing from Poway High School in San Diego, California, to Poolesville High School in Poolesville, Maryland. For the first time, Sherwood has joined the exclusive ranks of the top 500. Ranking at 468th overall, Sherwood was one of the eight MCPS high schools, and one of 19 Maryland schools, to make the top 500. The list is confusing to follow, due to the fact that all of the schools are ranked by a series of calculations and percentages based on the categories On-time graduation rate, Percent of graduates to enter directly into college, AP/IB tests per graduate, and score, and Average SAT and/or ACT score. Sherwoods spot on the list was secured by such statistics as a 12.9-percent student-teacher ratio, 95-percent graduation rate, 79-percent college-bound seniors, and an average SAT score of 1616 for the 2009-2010 school year.

-Evan Schwartz 13

a little unsure of some aspects of the new policy, said math teacher Michelle Harriger who met with Gregory for further clarification and now feels fully informed. With a more interpretational dress policy, students are given more choices for attire. However, staff members also have more flexibility to deem an outfit as inappropriate. My clothes were within policy I think. My teachers didnt say anything to me, except for a staff member I didnt know. I feel like Im getting in trouble for opinion rather than a written rule, said senior Courtney Brown, who wore a shirt viewed by a staff member as distracting and was made to wear a t-shirt over top of it. Brimfield acknowledges the leeway implied in the new dress policy but feels that staff members are indeed implementing it accurately. Furthermore, there may be instances where an outfits appropriateness changes throughout the day, causing one teacher to notice a violation while another may not. Outfits often shift as students walk, throw book bags over their shoulders, etc. Consequently, it may seem to students as though an outfit which was overlooked by one teacher is considered inappropriate by another, said Harriger.

The WarriorNews
September 30, 2011

Sophomores Successfully Handle the Pressures of AP U.S. History

by Nathan St. Pierre 12
AP U.S. History is notorious for being one of the toughest AP classes in the social studies department. This year 25 students are taking this difficult class as early as their sophomore year. These sophomores are separated from the seniors taking AP U.S. History into a single class period taught by social studies resource teacher Joe Sangillo for the sake of keeping the class as a senior elective. The current crop of sophomores are the first ones to take AP U.S. History this early due to new policy change in Sherwood, which took place last year, allowing freshmen to take AP NSL. The sophomores in AP U.S. History are a small group of exceptional students, said Sangillo. [As freshmen in AP NSL], they outperformed their sophomore counterparts last year in AP NSL. This previous past performance may explain why none of these sophomores have dropped out of AP U.S. History. The AP NSL teachers aim to give students a good push in the direction of independent, strategic learning, strong background knowledge on the U.S., and boosted literacy skillsthree keys to continued success in advanced placement classes, said AP NSL teacher Aileen Woolley. AP NSL, while not being as difficult as AP U.S. History, is still more rigorous than the traditional 9th grade U.S. History that freshmen usually take. Some of the major challenges [in AP NSL] are the amount of independent reading students are required to do, the elaboration and specificity required when writing, and the accelerated pace of concept presentation, explained Woolley. Besides the obvious upside of padding their college applications with rigorous classes, the sophomores also gain essential skills for their future in college by taking a college-level class so early in their high school career. Their literacy and study skills become significantly enhanced in an AP classroom and moreover, the great college obstacles of poor time management and lack of organization are tackled and dealt with in a supportive environment, explained Woolley. However, there are still potential downsides such as students losing steam after realizing the work load and hard effort needed to take AP U.S. History. As it stands now, any sophomores who drop out of AP U.S. or decline to take AP U.S. will have to be placed in Honors U.S. History with the 9th graders, essentially gaining nothing from taking AP NSL their freshmen year. The pressure has not yet gotten to sophomore Sammi Rosenburg who finds the class not to be too strenuous right now. I thought that AP U.S. would be really hard, but its actually not really that hard at all, said Rosenburg. The workload is still there, but its not too overwhelming so far.

Bridget Cook 14

A Towson University representative talks to seniors in the cafeteria regarding college on September 16.

Seniors Scramble To Please Colleges

University, Columbia University and MIT. work, and in Germany I had more Although McCue has not yet productive work, said Malik. It found her homework too timetakes a lot of getting used to, but I consuming, she is struggling to can multi-task easier now, which get her applications completed is pretty useful. at the same time that she is heavOther seniors are fortunate ily involved in her extracurricuthat the school work thus far lars. [Extracurricular activities] hasnt been overwhelming, but definitely help [in the applicathey still tion process], have other Here, there is a lot of busy since schools responsibiliwant to see ties that get work, and in Germany I what you are in the way of had more productive work involved in completing outside of just college appli- ... it takes a lot of getting a c a d e m i c s . cations. So used to. But this year I far my class~Senior Sushmita Malik have been rees arent too ally busy with stressful; I many more think because leadership poI havent gotten much busy work sitions and more commitments to this year, which is nice I would my activities that it doesnt leave definitely say my extracurricular me much extra time for working activities are taking up much on applications. I think staying more of my time than my school busy with my own interests and work, said senior Caroline Mc- activities keep me from falling Cue, who is applying to colleges into the college application crazisuch as UMD, Carnegie Mellon ness, though, said McCue.

from SENIORS, pg. 1

Zero Leniency on Poor Attendance

from ATTENDANCE, pg. 1
teachers were frustrated by last years policy, but is confident that teachers will be happier this year. Russell says it is good to have everyone working for students to be successful. If we arent all working together, it really is a lot more difficult. She hopes that consequences stick for students. Murphy also supports the change, saying it was common for students to reach the five unexcused absences last year and she believes this will make them care about attendance more. While staff members are optimistic about this policy, there already has been a potential difficulty. An automatically generated letter is supposed to be sent after three unexcused absences as a warning, but the system will not be operational until October 17. For now, it is up to teachers

Pinnacle Database

Attendance is now kept in the Pinnacle system, and it provides teachers with a more accessible means to see excused and unexcused absences.
to report to administrators when students have three or five unexcused absences. Even when the system begins to work, there are worries that students can exploit it with a new option to email in notes excusing abscences. Staff members are aware that there will always be some skipping, but Murphy stressed that all notes will be checked and verified. Awkard promises that for students not to fail after five unexcused absences, an actual plan will be developed and administrators will not just sign off on forms to let students get by with a passing grade.

Aiken family, Stacie Anderson, Armstrong family, John Fetty and Associates Architect, Aud family, Barbara Baldoni, Becker family, Bloom family, Bolen family, Boudhraa family, Perry and Stephanie Buckberg, Joey Byrd, Cameron family, Carr family, Colliton family, Bill and Theresa Coulter, Crider family, Cudd family, DAmato family, Downey family, Chuck and Cindy Dowrick, M and M Drumheller, Mike and Anna Eastwood, Farrell family, Rosanne Ferris, Florian family, Freile family, Gallagher family, Gancy family, Gary and Sherry Graves, Gavett family, Graf family, Gregory family, Greseth family, Guillie family, Hahns family, Rob and Lynette Hall, Dick and Vivian Harris, Harris family, Hierholzer family, Hubbard family, Hughes family, Joe and Kathy Hughes, Kim and Cody Hysell, Justus family, Keilsohni family, Kelly family, Kendall family, Kimmel family, Koehler family, Konefal family, Kovalsky family, Kozlowski family, Steve and Cathy Kress, Kyber/ Loughran family, Lyn and Stuart Langbein, Cheryl Willams Levey, Levy family, Lunking family, Paul and Pat Mangus, Martin family, Masters family, Lisa McCarthy, Melnick family, Mezebish family, Jerry and BJ Mills, Milstein family, Joe and Denise Moyer, Murphy family, E. Muslimova, Michael and Jessica Natelli, Cecil family, Newmark family, Nimrat family, Orenstein family, Panzer family, Pettenati family, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Porter, Rajotte family, Kara and Chuck Rogers, Roy family, Ryczek family, Salzwedel and Moratz family, Sanechez- Copeland family, Sarecky family, Septoff family, Schmuckler family, Schroeder family, Siberry family, Bob and Suzanne Simala, Josey and Chris Simpson, Snyder family, Sousane family, Ralph and Linda Stewart, Ryan Strong, Stussman family, Thanos family, Violeta and Peter Wagner, Walsh family, Shawn and Tobie Watkins, Weiss family, Wetizner family, Tom and Susan Wells, Darby Whitehair, Widmaier family, Nancy and Chuck Wight, Winter family, Witkin family, Woods family, Young family

The Warrior thanks its many wonderful patrons:

If you are interested in becoming a patron for the 2011-2012 school year, please contact Peter_J_Huck@mcpsmd.org

The WarriorBeyond School Walls

4
September 30, 2011

National Events
eurasia review

Stocks plummet immediately following attack on 9/11

President Bush is elected for a second term

President Barack Obama is elected

Nov. 2008

Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab is arrested for attempting to sneak a bomb in his underwear onboard a plane

Dec. 2009

Faisal Shahzad is arrested for attempting to detonate a car bomb in Times Square

www.topnews.in

Nov. 2004

May 2010

Sept. 2001

The Patriot Act is passed

Oct. 2001

Liquids over 3 ounces are no longer allowed on planes

2006

Nidal Hasan shoots and kills 13 people at Fort Hood

Nov. 2009

Package bombs from Yemen discovered aboard a UPS cargo plane.

South Park creators threatened by Muslim extremists after attempting to depict Mohammad on their show

April 2010

Oct. 2010
A Muslim community center being built near ground zero causes an uproar

August 2010

Nov. 2010
TSA unveils new security procedure, including the controversial body check procedure

9/11/01

A decade of Terror
compiled by Will Gavett 12

9/11/11

U.S. launches military operation in Afghanistan

Oct. 2001

Osama Bin Laden is found and killed in an operation

May 2011

March 2003
U.S. & NATO commence the war on terror

U.S. Troops invade Iraq

Saddam Hussein is captured

Saddam Hussein is executed

Oct. 2001

Dec. 2003

Dec. 2006

U.S. troops deployed in Iraq

nocere.com

New Cal. LGBT Bill Promotes Honesty in History

by Hannah Chertock 12
This July, California Governor Jerry Brown signed a new bill requiring California schools to include Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) content in public schools curriculum. The new law, SB 48, is an expansion on Californias previous law which requires content in public schools on women, African Americans, Mexican Americans, Asian Americans, Native Americans, European Americans and the Labor Movement. The law will take effect by January of the 2011-2012 school year. History should be honest, Brown stated in an interview with the Huffington Post. This bill revises existing laws that prohibit discrimination in education and ensures that the important contributions of Americans from all backgrounds and walks of life are included in our history books. Though Californias new law is a step towards LGBT education in America. No such law exists for MCPS curriculum. MCPS has indicators and standards that we need to teach and assess, said Joe Sangillo, head of the social studies department and sponsor of Stand Proud club, Sherwoods gay-straight alliance. Theres nothing specifically that mandates us to teach anything related to gay history. Sangillo teaches AP U.S. History and briefly touches on an important turning point in American gay history though it is not highlighted in the curriculum. Sociology and Philosophy classes brush upon gay history from a social science perspective rather than highlighting gay historical figures. My personal opinion is it would be wonderful to teach more specific gay history in [MCPS] history classes, Sangillo said. I think that it would help gay people and straight people it would be great for a kid to be like Oh, Walt Whitman was gay. Controversy in California has arisen over this recently signed bill with some organizations attempting to repeal the bill through petition and protest. Its ridiculous that Jerry Brown says hes making history honest, wrote Randy Thomasson, president and founder of SaveCalifornia.com, an organization that identifies itself as a profamily organization. The bill he signed prohibits teachers and textbooks from telling children the facts that homosexuality has the highest rate of HIV/AIDS and other STDs, higher cancer rates, and earlier deaths. These important facts about lifestyles children will [be] forced to admire will be omitted. And Brown calls this honest? Californias passage of SB 48 has thus far sparked controversy. I think its a very polarizing issue, Sangillo commented. A fundamental point that I think is misunderstood by a lot of people [is that] theres a difference between identity and behavior. It sort of spun in this way that people think were teaching sex to second graders. It has nothing to do with sex. Sex is a behavior. Being gay is an identity There would be a mixed reaction [if Sherwood added LGBT content in its curriculum.] Some people would support it, some people would be against it. I think generally Sherwood is a pretty tolerant place.

International Events

waleg.com

Protests in the Middle East

Bush gives his mission accomplished speech

May 2003

The C.I.A. starts to covertly attack suspected terrorists in Pakistan

June 2004

Protests begin in Middle-Eastern countries like Egypt

Dec. 2010

Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab

Nidal Hasan

The WarriorBeyond School Walls

September 30, 2011

The WarriorFeatures
September 30, 2011
New teachers transfer from school to school each year. However, this year, Sherwood welcomes five teachers who are brand new to the profession. Christiane Lock in the English department, Ana Hernandez of the foreign language department, Allison Shafer in the art department, Marquis Bell in the technology education department, and Steven Bak in the special education department. At the beginning of the year the focus is usually on the new students who may feel nervous and overwhelmed. However, this is a chance to learn more about this years new teachers and better welcome them to the school!
This year, the special education department welcomed its newest teacher, Steven Bak, who graduated from George Washington University and decided to be a teacher. Ive always been around high school and middle school students. I see it as an opportunity to help the students of this area, said Bak. During the day, Bak splits his time between Lee Middle School in Silver Spring and Sherwood in the afternoons. It is extremely hard, but I think Im making adjustments, said Bak. Its just like school still, learning to do the best you can. Being a new teacher in two schools can be very nerve-wracking; Bak was most nervous about the first day. Its like you just cant wait; theres a lot of anticipation, said Bak. Though he has not spent much time here, Bak has been enjoying himself. The hardest part is watching students who dont take advantage of a teacher. They dont come in for help, but its a great school, said Bak.

To me lco We D

SH

oo RW e

by Katie Nolan 12 Mandy Stussman 14 and Paul Szewczyk 12

Christiane Lock is the newest teacher to join the English department this year. She graduated from John Carroll University in Cleveland. While there, she decided to study teaching because I like kids and I like reading books. She decided on being a high school teacher because she feels that high school students better understand why work is assigned to them. While teaching is undoubtedly a difficult job, Lock has found a way to make her first year a bit easier. I dont work full-time so it means I have extra time to grade, said Lock. Also, the other teachers in this department are very helpful, and the kids are polite. Leading up to the school year, Lock was most nervous about how to make each class period interesting. So far she has found many unique ways to capture students attention. I get ideas from other teachers and I try various things, like allowing individual work, class work and group work, said Lock.

Allison Shafer is a graduate from Towson University and the newest addition to the art department. I love art and I feel that art is essential in a childs life. It allows people to learn about the world in a creative way and express themselves in a way that cant be done in other classes, said Shafer. Her love of kids and her passion for art was a perfect mix for becoming a high school art teacher. For her, grading is the only aspect to the job that she finds difficult. I can honestly say that grading is the hardest part, especially for art. Practice makes perfect I guess, so the more I do it the easier it should be. Shafer splits her time between two schools. In the afternoons she teaches at Rock Terrace School with middle school-aged students who have special needs. I thought that working at both schools would be a great balance. I love teaching ceramics, said Shafer. Also, I do enjoy working with children of all ages, but working with high school is very rewarding because you can have in-depth discussions, work through problems, and I really can see the students grow.

Ana Hernandez-Vasquez, the newest Spanish teacher, is a graduate from the University of Maryland. In ninth grade Hernandez had a great relationship with her government teacher and years later, this teacher approached her and offered her a job as a Spanish teacher at a performing arts school where the teacher was the new principal. Hernandez enthusiastically agreed to become a certified teacher. I like being a teacher; it is something different each day, said Hernandez. There is different energy, responses and skill level for every class. For Hernandez, it is sometimes difficult for her because she is also juggling graduate school. During her short time here, Hernandez has already realized that high school students are more independent,

Marquis Bell joined the technology education department this year after graduating from the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore. He assists in coaching the boys varsity football team, already integrating into the schools mix. Bell has been a terrific addition to the staff and greatly enjoys being part of the Sherwood community. Bell has adapted well to his teaching role. He finds the work stimulating and intriguing rather than stressful. For Bell, teaching is simply about the students, who he has made great connections with this past month. I love Sherwood. I love the kids here, said Bell. I love seeing students being pushed to their full potential. Thats why Im here.

Christiane Lock

Ana Hernandez-Vasquez

Allison Shafer

Marquis Bell

Steven Bak

The WarriorFeatures
September 30, 2011

County in Conflict over Suggested Teen Curfew

by Jacob Bogage 12 and Sam Farrell 12
As teen gangs gathered in downtown Silver Spring July 1, police could do nothing but stand around and watch. They questioned gang members to slow them down and divert them, but officers had to stand by helplessly until the brawl they anticipated ensued and a young girl was stabbed. The incident prompted County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) to propose an 11pm curfew on weeknights and a midnight curfew on weekends. County Council President Valerie Ervin (DDist. 5) expedited the bill shortly after its introduction. A curfew, Leggett asserts, would let officers preempt gang fights and teen violence and arrest juveniles before violence begins. The proposed bill is intended to provide the Montgomery County Police Department with another tool to ensure public safety in the county, as well as provide a regional approach to a curfew, since curfews currently exist in Prince Georges County and the District of Columbia, Ervin told The Warrior. Kids tend to go where they have the area of least resistance, Leggett told the Washington Post about the countys lack of a curfew. We sort of stand alone. As a result, you get the residual effect of people going where the opportunities are. Montgomery County Police Chief J. Thomas Manger agrees and claims Prince Georges gangs often congregate in Silver Spring and other down-county areas. A curfew, he, Leggett and Ervin contend, would help officers halt violence and gang activity before it begins. Under the bills current language, teens in violation of curfew would receive a citation (similar to an alcohol citation) and be taken to the nearest police substation to be held until their parent or guardian could pick them up, or would be released at 5 am the next morning. Parents would also have to attend parenting classes. However, teens around the county are not enthused by Leggetts proposal and view it as an invasion of their freedoms. Facebook groups opposing the statute racked up thousands of members and SMOB Alan Xie came out strongly against it. Junior Sean Prin believes he shares the same ideology as many his age around the county. Theres felt safe outside at night, she said. I always feel like someone is around the corner stalking me. Teens have found an elected leader to fight Leggetts proposed policy. County Council member Phil Andrews (D- Dist. 3) serves as a Chairman of the Councils Public Safety Committee and opposes the statute. Making it illegal for an entire group of people to be out in public during certain hours is unwarranted except during a public emergency, Andrews wrote in a September 7 Gazette editorial, and the County Executive already has the authority to order a general or limited curfew for up to three days without County Council approval. Andrews recently scheduled additional committee work sessions for the bill which further delays a possible vote until November at the earliest, drawing a sharp rebuke from Leggett. You dont need two work sessions. Just extend the one you have, Leggett told the Post September 13. It just seems like, from [Andrews] perspective, to be an obvious delay. However, Ervin sees no problems with the extra work sessions. I look forward to further discussion on the bill, as well as gathering more information on the experiences from Prince Georges County and the District of Columbia on the implementation of their laws, she said. Councilmember Craig Rice (D- Dist. 2) serves Sherwoods district and supports the curfew. Rice, who was elected last year after Mike Knapp did not seek re-election, told WTOP radio he had a stark message for teens: we dont want you out on the streets.

Brett Melnick 12

Junior Gracie Lunden, here taking notes in her math class, adjusted well to her classes this year after she transferred from Good Counsel High School.

Former Private School Students Adjust to MCPS

by Rebecca Stussman 12
This year Sherwood took in 67 non-freshmen transfer students from private schools, an increase from previous years and an anomaly, according to the counseling department. With nine new students, Good Counsel provided the most transfers, primarily due to students dislike of its stricter policies I transferred because ... I wasnt really happy with much at Good Counsel, said junior Gracie Lunden, who transferred to Sherwood this year. I like the other students here better in general, and I think the attitude is a lot less uptight, which I like. Good Counsel disallows technology throughout the school day, enforces a strict dress policy in addition to mandated uniforms and operates under a two-hour block schedule, meaning students alternate between sets of four classes each day. Like Lunden, sophomore Brooke Thron transferred from Good Counsel this year and was drawn by Sherwoods more relaxed atmosphere and regulations. The freedom of having cell phones allowed and sitting in seats that are not assigned and eating lunch where you want is nice. So far Im happy with my decision [to enroll at Sherwood], said Thron. The students are adjusting smoothly, though both struggled initially to find their classes in Sherwoods maze-like halls and still have some difficulty getting from place to place. While transferring can at times seem overwhelming, Sherwoods wide range of ways to be involved helped these girls and many other transfer students settle in. Senior Lauren Gambrill also

transitioned relatively painlessly into Sherwood, though she left Good Counsel not in an effort to seek out freedom but because an illness left her with little choice. Previously enrolled in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program at Good Counsel, a rigorous academic experience that resembles the educational atmosphere of a college, Gambrill faced delayed graduation after a struggle with meningitis caused her to miss months of school last year. Rather than stay in Good Counsels IB program, where the increased credit requirements and intense curriculum would force her to graduate a year late, Gambrill chose to become a Warrior. Like Lunden and Thron, she found the school environment accepting and received the resources she needed to become part of the community. Orientation was interesting. People all seem friendly and everythings been explained very nicely, said Gambrill. Its a little weird not being in uniform at times and having 45 minute classes and getting used to having cell phones, but I think I will be totally adjusted within a month or so. With such a large number of transfer students from private schools, no doubt due in part to the ailing economy, Sherwoods halls and classes are accommodating a wider range of diverse students. All three students, like many of the 64 other new Warriors roaming the crowded halls, anticipate a good year ahead and are satisfied with their switch to Sherwood. My overall impressions of Sherwood are that its a pretty positive place and I think Im going to have a lot of fun here over the next two years, said Lunden.

More restrictions lead to more rebellions and hooligans ready to ransack the whole town. ~ Senior Matt Na
never really any big trouble or real crime, he said. Teen crime is just kids acting up. Senior Matt Na goes so far as to say a curfew would encourage teen crime in the area. Having a curfew indicating that certain hours are forbidden or illegal applies a connotative sense to the midnight hours, he said. More restrictions lead to more rebellions and hooligans ready to ransack the whole town. Some do see the proposed curfews merits. Though she generally sides with opponents of the bill, junior Amelia Naik admits she has never felt secure during proposed curfew hours. I never

8
The unpredictable and, at times, scary weather these past few months have been the topic on many citizens mind. So heres a spread to spotlight those many weather-related issues of which we know you have been dying to hear.

o r r i s om e W e at he r W

Dinerman Blows through Causes of Unusual Weather Just days before

by Rachel Zemel 13
students swarmed into Sherwood for the first day of school, Hurricane Irene, a category three hurricane, attacked the local area, escalating teens interests in the various factors that result in different weather patterns. The AP Environmental Science curriculum provides an in-depth look into the causes of climatic patterns, including the causes of more or less active hurricane seasons. I open the year with a hurricane project. We track all the hurricanes for the entire season. We talk about why some hurricane seasons have more than others, explained AP Environmental Science teacher Laura Dinerman. Dinerman created her own syllabus and had it approved by College Board through a course audit. College Boards required topics for an AP Environmental Science class include earth systems and resources, the living world, population, land and water use, energy resources and consumption, pollution and global change. The topic of global change, when the students study the ozone layer, greenhouse gasses, endangered species and climate change, addresses the students interest in the factors that cause different meteorological patterns, including hurricane seasons. Global change is also extremely important because it relates to the other topics studied in the class. It impacts every other thing we talk about. It impacts weather. We talk about organisms and the environment. Clearly climate impacts which organisms can live where We talk about disease, and climate impacts vectors of disease, said Dinerman. In the global change unit, the AP Environmental Science class also learns about how global warming influences ecosystems locally. The class studies the Chesapeake Bay, as it is a major example of a warmer climates influence on ecology. Dinerman cited heightening water levels in the Chesapeake Bay and flooding of the low islands in the bay as examples of a warmer climates impact on the area. During class, Dinerman discusses different political positions impacting the environment, quotes politicians, and addresses the politics and economics of global warming. I consistently tell the students that you cant understand the full picture of global issues [with just AP Environmental Science]. You have to have economics. If you dont [think about economics], you cant politically know why there is any disagreement in any environmental issues, clarified Dinerman. In AP Environmental Science, the class does not avoid controversial environmental issues. I will not direct student thinking politically, noted Dinerman. I will not direct any student decisions. If its controversial everyone can express opinions and back it up. I validate each students opinion, ask others to listen with an open mind, and ask them to make decisions on what theyve learned. However, Dinerman is clear that she herself does believe that the record heats, the Texas drought, violent hurricanes and other extreme weather that have been happening lately are not just flukes. Dinerman has concluded that there is a correlation between the extreme weather and a larger climate change. She has observed that the climate has been getting warmer, and the weather has been changing, too. Yes, humans have impacted global warming. Science supports it, said Dinerman.

The by 2012 presCo nn idential election is or Ma just 13 months away, and the rtin battle for the Republican nomina 13 tion is in full swing. Republicans are not only looking for the person who represents the Republican Party to the core, but also for the nominee that has electability. In other words, Republicans want the person who can rally the nation and receive enough of the independent vote to beat out President Obama in a general election. One of the factors that independent voters often consider in their decision making process is the candidates stand on climate change and the environment. Candidates who took a green position gained votes, and candidates who took not-green positions lost votes, reported by Stanford Universitys Woods Institute for the Environment. People who hold the green position believe that global warming does indeed exist and is being made worse by human activity. They also believe that the government has the responsibility to take action against this progressing problem and come up with solutions and regulations to ensure the reduction of human-caused pollution. However, this Stanford study does not change the views that the current Republican candidates have on the environment. Most of those candidates running for office do not believe the scientists who say that humans are one of the main reasons for the rising temperatures of the planet. Current Republican frontrunners Mitt Romney and Rick Perry have two different opinions on this issue but neither candidate is fully convinced that global warming is something that definitely exists. Romney has flipflopped on the issue, saying that maybe the world is getting hotter, and maybe humans contribute to climate change. Perry is much more sure about his beliefs that global warming is just an unproven theory. As for the other candidates, Rick Santorum and Ron Paul agree completely with Perry and his opinion. Newt Gingrich and Michele Bachmann are similar to Romney, and do not have a definite stance. Jon Huntsman is one of the only major Republican candidates who has said that human activity contributes to global warming. Huntsman has the same view as President Obama, who believes that global warming does in fact exist. However, Obama has not thus far placed the issue high on his list of priorities. In fact, Obama recently turned on his own proposed smog standards that would have forced states to reduce air pollution.

Env Pri ironm ori ty L ent ists Plac es

Low o

n C and

ida

tes

Small changes in the a verages of many key cl imate variables can correspond to large chang es in weather. Climate Communicati on report on Septemb er 9
by Leah Schroeder 13

Locally

lly Nationa

Maryland had its fifth-wettest August on record. Baltimore had its hottest July on a record with an average of 81.7 degrees Fahrenheit. Washington, DC had its hottest July on record since 1871: average of 84.5 degrees Fahrenheit. Washington, DC had its All-Time record high temperature since 1962 with a temperature of 105 degrees Fahrenheit on July 22.

The summer of 2011 marks the second warmest on record, with an average temperature of 74.5 degrees Fahrenheit. This is only 0.1 degrees lower than the actual hottest summer, that of 1936, which averaged 74.6 degrees Fahrenheit. Texas was plagued by record-breaking drought-fueled wild fires. Analysis of tree-ring records indicates that this summers drought was matched only by the summer of 1789. April had the most monthly tornadoes on record. Weather played a part in thirteen deaths across the Midwest in August. During the latter half of July, 132 million Americans were under a Heat Alert. In the month of July, 1,966 record daily high temperatures were set across the country.

10

The WarriorOpinions
September 30, 2011
In September 2010, Rutgers University student Tyler Clementi committed suicide after his roommate secretly recorded a video of him having a sexual encounter with another male student and uploaded it onto the Internet. In September 2011, a year after the incident, New Jersey passed the strictest anti-bullying law in the country. This law requires that schools train their staff to recognize bullying and form safety teams to respond to complaints.

Pro
by Alyssa Miller 13

Con

Strict Bullying Law Necessary

The New Jersey Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights is a terrific first step toward eradicating bullying in public schools. Not only does it discourage bullying among students, it also teaches administrators about bullying, how to recognize it, and what to do about it. Before the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights, teenagers who witnessed bullying had to struggle with whether or not they should report it. New Jerseys new bill increases the likelihood of a teacher noticing the bullying, saving adolescent witnesses from having to make such a difficult decision. Additionally, prior to the passage of this bill, any staff members that came across an instance of bullying were free to handle the situation however they saw fit. Now, however, teachers who do not report bullying risk being disciplined. The threat of punishment encourages teachers to report any suspicious activity they notice, creating an overall safer environment for the students. The new bill does not place the burden solely on school administrators; the punishment for bullying has become much more effective than in previous years. Rather than just the threat of detention, bullies who are reported now face suspension or even expulsion. Punishments this severe go on a students permanent record, which will be seen by colleges and potential employers. In the past, bullying could go on for months before being reported, if ever. With the new bill, bullying is required to be reported immediately, and action is taken on the first offense. Students are less likely to risk bullying if they know that they will almost definitely be punished. This new bill is much more detailed than previous anti-bullying laws; not only does it address bullying in schools, but cyber bullying as well. In todays technological age, cyber bullying is at least as big of a problem as bullying in person, if not more so. Teachers who see bullying online, on school buses, or anywhere else beyond school grounds are still expected to report the incident. Students are protected by this bill wherever they go, not just on campus. With its tougher punishments, tighter rules and educational programs, the New Jersey Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights is certainly an improvement over previous antibullying laws. Several states have adopted similar bills, though none quite as strict as that of New Jersey. Too many schools have lenient rules that discourage bullying, but do not actually stop the behavior. New Jersey should be applauded for its innovative approach to anti-bullying laws, and more states should definitely follow suit.

New Jersey Overreacts to Bullying

by Maria Claudia Garcia-Rada 13
Mostly everyone would agree that bullying should not be tolerated. However, the way New Jerseys new law is responding to bullying is an overreach. Desperate to stop bullying, the New Jersey legislature did not carefully consider the flaws of such a strict anti-bullying law. One of the consequences of the law is that students can easily take advantage of the system. It allows students to alert their school that they are being bullied, mandating that all bullying complaints be taken seriously. This is unreasonable because kids can claim that they are being bullied, and the bully immediately faces suspension and possibly expulsion. Likewise, some students can misinterpret other students behavior as bullying them, but what if they were just playfully messing around with them with no intention of offending the other student? For instance, when a student calls a friend by a nickname it potentially could be viewed as offensive bullying by a teacher who then must report the incident. In this age of social networking, cyber bullying is more likely an issue than faceto-face bullying. Students are able to send anonymous, hurtful messages through the web. The New Jersey law attempted to address cyber bullying but only in a very vague manner. School staff is expected to report cyber bullying, but that expectation is unrealistic because students easily can block staff members from seeing their online activity. Another concern is that New Jerseys anti-bullying law requires school counselors to file a report if a student comes to them and says that they are being bullied. The purpose of a school counselor is for students to be able to confidentially talk to a student and give them advice. Some students do not want their bullying issues to be reported because they do not necessarily feel conformable doing so. Therefore, many students would lose trust in counselors because they would feel as if everything they said would have to be reported. Not only does the New Jersey law not make sense for school staff and students, but it also doesnt figure for a state struggling with an economic recession. More than 200 schools across the state of New Jersey have spent a total of $25,000 for a DVD and a 100-page manual to train employees. Each district also has to spend $3,000 to train substitute teachers, coaches, custodians and cafeteria aides on how to handle bullying situations. Schools already have to lay off teachers and cut classes due to the budget crisis, and this well-intentioned but impractical anti-bullying law will put even more stress upon them.

The Warrior enters the boxing ring

1st Punch
Glorification of Oppression
by Steffi Carrera 14
Columbus Day is celebrated each year on October 12, not only in America but also in many Latin American countries. People from various nations celebrate the day Christopher Columbus arrived to what is now known as North America, but at the time was deemed to be new, unused land. However, this land was far from uninhabited. Several Native American tribes had already discovered this territory, and how to sustain life on it. They had thrived here for hundreds of years, raising families and increasing their population, before Europeans invaded their land. For this reason, groups like the International Indian Treaty Council and the American Indian Movement of Colorado are in opposition of a holiday that celebrates a man who, in their opinion, promoted the oppression of the native people. European colonists forced their religion on the indigenous and slaughtered their population, operating under the belief that their actions benefited these helpless barbarians. Certain groups, like the ones listed above, and individuals like me, just do not think this is something to be easily forgotten, nor forgiven.

2nd Punch Knockout

Olney Is Still Safe
by Melissa Fajardo 13
Within the past year, our quiet town made the news for incidents of crime. A phrase I heard a lot from fellow students during our not-a-drill Shelter situation on September 16 was, Olney isnt safe anymore. What surprises me most is that students actually believe that Olney is no longer a secure and protected community. Newsflash: we still live in one of the 25 highest income counties in the nation. Families are still able to sleep with their front doors unlocked. Teenagers who cant drive yet are still able to safely walk down 108 and get something to eat. Eighth graders can still hang out in shopping centers on Friday nights. We dont live in a city, let alone have the same crime rate as a city. We live in the suburbs where one can drive down a residential street and see stay-at-home moms running with their strollers, babies strapped in. When you imagine where you will be living when you raise a family of your own, Im sure a few images of Olney will pop into your head.

Filled to the Brim

by Sydney Morrison 13
My World History class has 30 students, as does AP Lang. My AP Environmental class has 32 students. Way too many. Due to recent budget cuts, however, many schools including Sherwood have been forced to let go of numerous teachers. Fewer teachers mean fewer classes, which mean more students per classroom. Remember when classes used to have 25 kids? Now many classes regularly surpass 30 students, giving students less individual attention and much less leg room. To make matters worse, Sherwood has had to let go of a few amazing teachers in the past couple years as a result of staffing cuts. One such teacher was English teacher Grant Goodman. He was here for one year, during which time his old students from Hoover Middle School sent angry Facebook messages saying Sherwood stole him away. Unfortunately, Sherwood didnt have the staffing to keep him, and the school had to hand him right back to Hoover. Interesting how schools like Farquhar Middle School can get a complete renovation while Sherwood doesnt have the funding to retain enough staff. Because who needs teachers when you can have shiny new floors instead.

The WarriorOpinions
September 30, 2011

11
The Warrior Staff
Executive Editor Jacob Bogage 12 Managing Editors Ellen Kirkness 12 Darby Whitehair 12 Content Directors Jessica Carrera 13 Devin Cornelius 12 Rebecca Stussman 12 Fact Check Editors Abby Inwood 13 Alex Porter 13 Managing Photo Editors Brett Melnick 12 Paul Szewczyk 12 Section Editors News Editors Connor Martin 13 Robel Wondimu 13 BSW Editor Nathan St. Pierre 12 Features Editors Katie Nolan 12 Mandy Stussman 14 Humor Editors Ryan Coulter 12 Sam Farrell 12 Spotlight Editor Olivia Snyder 12 Wondering Warrior Editor Isabel Paterson 12 Opinions Editors Diana McDermott 13 Michaela ODonnell 13 Entertainment Editors Holly Cuozzo 12 Will Gavett 12 Sports Editors Jamie Langbein 13 Michael Natelli 14

In Our Opinion...
Too Little Too Late: Common Core Standards
On September 22, 2011 President Obama unveiled a plan that would allow states to opt out of key provisions of the highly unsuccessful No Child Left Behind federal mandate. This has left an opening for something to more effectively unify the nations approach to educating its children and adolescents. The Common Core Standards for College and Career Readiness are a new set of guidelines and expectations to guide instruction towards cumulatively teaching students skills they need to master by the end of high school so they can succeed in college and in their careers. The push for national standards of what students should learn is being funded by the federal Race to the Top grants program, using money as an incentive for states to adopt the criteria. Because of these new requirements, it will be mandatory to take three course assessments after certain durations of instructional time and an end-of-year assessment administered online. Students will be also required to take revised HSAs reflecting the common core standards.These provisions mainly focus on revising current instruction to be much more in depth instead of so broad. Essentially, the specifications are intended to give students a much better understanding of material to use as a foundation for more rigorous courses to come. In high school mathematics, for example, the standards will pinpoint instruction on applying mathematical ways of thinking to real world issues and challenges, instead of teaching to the test as was the norm for the last decade under No Child Left Behind. Math teachers here see the potential in this new program. For years, MCPS students have been entering advanced math classes lacking the fundamentals necessary to succeed in that class, resulting in the teacher having to spend class time re-teaching what students should already know. Now, the hope is that the common core standards will not limit but expand the freedom of teachers to choose how and what they teach and not force them to waste time re-teaching. At Sherwood, the overall approach to curriculum and instruction is already being altered to reflect common core standards and the priority is improving student achievement through a strong, rich curriculum that will center on engaging students in the class based on reading, writing and language skills necessary for the twenty-first century. Despite the benefits of national common core standards, many questions have risen regarding it. For one, how long can it last? The federal governments Race to the Top grants could be stopped if President Obama is out of office in 2012. Many believe that states are only implementing the program due to monetary incentives and that many states and school districts will curtail their efforts if funding is cut by a new Republican President. At the classroom level, students are also worried about the implications regarding their own education. If instruction is being slowed down, where does it leave the few students who are academically ahead of their peers and where does this leave students who learn more slowly than others? The fear is this educational communism may ultimately fail by trying to get everyone, at every school in the nation, to learn at the same pace. The common core standards also might make students who do not plan on attending college uneasy, because the entire purpose of this program is to prepare students for college and their careers afterwards. Now these students are left wondering if they will be ironically left behind by this new program. So will these new standards work or are they just a series of educational talking points and buzz words that wont actually affect anything? Will they jumpstart U.S. education on a path towards success and make a long-lasting impact on American education or will this fail like No Child Left Behind? For now nobody knows and only time will tell. We must wait for the problems to show themselves so they can be corrected and for the positives to emerge so they can be repeated.

The Warrior Online Staff

Managing Editor Leah Schroeder 13 Content Director Rachel Zemel 13 Copy Editor Christopher Jou 12 Arjun Singh 12 Managing Photo Editors Hannah Chertock 12 Allie Strosnider 12 Section Editors BlogsEvan Schwartz 13 NewsCal Wilson 14 SportsHope Gouterman 13 EntertainmentBriana Applewhite 13 OpinionsCameron Graf 13 FeaturesVicki Florian 14 In-DepthMatt Diogo 14 HumorMelissa Fajardo 13 Pollster Amanda Harrington 12 Cartoonist Mike Wagner 12 Photographers Bridget Cook 14 Taylor Fernandes 14 Staff Reporters Steffi Carrera 14 Brendan Cudd 14 Maria Claudia Garcia-Rada 13 Andi Hopkins 14 Abby Isaacs 12 Joey Lavoie 14 Mary Macrae 14 Esteban Melendez 12 Alyssa Miller 13 Sydney Morrison 13 Nick Mourtoupalas 13 Jack Silliman 13 Austin Tucker 14 Andrew Wasik 13 Bethany Van Waes 12 Shaan Verma 14 Ashley Yen 14 Joy Zhang 14 Executive Business Directors Whitney Marie Halaby 14 Jenni Kenel 14
Circulation/Publicity Director Maya Lennon 14

Cartton by:

Cartoon by Michael Wagner 12

Advisor............................Peter Huck

12

The WarriorWondering Warrior

September 30, 2011

Whats the best way to keep occupied/entertained during power outages?

Hows the weather?

What should be the name for the next hurricane and why?

compiled by Amanda Harrington 12

Whats scarier -a hurricane or earthquake- and why?

Staring at the wall. -Malik Milton 13

ries ry sto by

sca elling ht. T 13 dlelig asso-Luca can B elissa -M

Shar in with M g a drink s the m . McKeldin o i would onlight. Th n at b way t e the idea o l time. spend my -Dani el Ala rcon 12

Jeff because it will come unexpectedly and catch you offguard. Just like Jeff. -Rachael Ginsburg 12

Im no scient t a is dont t, I kn -Yean ow. Ja Kim 1 e 4

Voldemort because its much more scarysounding than Irene. -Gyyoung Oh 12

I was uake. q Earth y when it er in surg d. ne happe er 12 ax Fad -M

My mother. -Matt Stitzlein 12

What is your prediction for the number of snow days this school year?
0 1-3 4-6 7 or more

Text friends about how boring it is when the power goes out. -Ainsley Metayer 14

cy en e g st si nc in n a d e co nd lea nc a d te , l an at ved end ty ls ro tt a ri o p la cho im all c s e as er Th the y h ov . of lic tter nts po be de to stu by

40%

12%

33%

15%

The n e the w w dress cod ay stu dents e has affec them t dress now f as mo ed ollow re of policy to pre comp vious ared years .

The new clean-up bell creates motivation for students to clean up after lunch.

172 students surveyed

The WarriorEntertainment
September 30, 2011
Twitter has since discovered that Edwards is, in fact, just a teenager from Olney, Maryland with no claim to fame. I have never been called a superstar. I am just an average guy, said Edwards. Still, the lack of real-world renown surely does not stop the endless number of teenage girls from making videos for him on YouTube for his birthday. The mystery lies in social networkings ability to boost one from average status to nearly celebrity persona. Edwards story begins in 2008 when a friend introduces him to an internet chat service called Tinychat. Tinychat is a service that allows individuals to communicate with strangers through video chat. However, the aspect of this website which separates it from other video chatting services is that chat rooms are separated by category or topic. The vital moment occurs with an accidental click. Intending on entering a chat room for

13

#Verified: Jake Edwardss Rise to Fame

by Ellen Kirkness 12
Lady GaGa has 13,515,266, Barack Obama has 10,080,687, Daniel Tosh has 3,392,389 and Wiz Khalifa has 2,950,588. Followers on Twitter, that is. Next to each of their names, a small blue check appears. This check verifies, for the sake of the follower, that the tweeting celebrity that a follower wishes to monitor is indeed that person rather than an imposter. However, when someone who is not internationally recognized for artistic, athletic or political fame, has almost 9,000 followers, should Twitter verify that too? Sophomore Jake Edwards has 8,451 followers, a number which seems slight next to that of the president of the United States of America, yet huge compared to an average Sherwood student who has anywhere from five to 400 followers . He was once verified due to the unreal number of fake accounts that were made by frauds under his name. However,

Twitter.com

Edwards poses for his numerous Twitter followers, who are smitten by his Justin Bieber-like good looks.
sports fanatics, Edwards clicks on a link which he assumes will get him there. Right then and there a teen superstar is born. The link that Edwards, only a nave seventh grader at the time, actually clicked on brought him to a chat room full of young girls, ages 10-14. Resulting from his perfectly combed chestnut hair and his winning smile, Edwards was immediately mistaken for a Justin Bieber look-alike and the result was unprecedented. Immediately girls from all over the world were encouraging him to start Tweeting and friend requests on Facebook began rolling in. Heeding to his new friends, Edwards made an account on Twitter. That night, he had gained almost one thousand followers. Coming to terms with his new image, Edwards decided to create

his own Ustream account. This website is used primarily by celebrities and political candidates to answer the questions of their supporters and promote a positive public image. Since the creation of the Ustream account, Edwards has attained the kind of fame that could never have been achieved ten years ago. Today, he receives around 130 friend requests a day on Facebook, and in addition, a fan page exists on Facebook, created by an unknown enthusiast, with over 2,000 likes. The internet has allowed Edwards to gain an international fan base, stretching from Texas to Germany. I was in sixth grade and he had a fan page with like 6,000 likes. Everyone thinks he is great, said freshman follower Emma Nichols. Hes just a teen superstar. Hes handsome, smooth, and the guilty pleasure of every teenage girl all over the world, said bigtime fan, senior Alexandra Stephanos.

SuperHeavys New Album is Superbly Put Together

SuperHeavys debut album generates the return of the supergroup with an unconventional but winning mixture of Bollywood, Rock, and Reggae. by Christopher Jou 12
Given the abundance of album releases this autumn, it is difficult for any band to stand out in the crowd, but when such high-profile celebrities release an album, it is almost impossible to fade into the background. And when A-List celebrities join forces, the band SuperHeavy releases the debut album SuperHeavy. So far, so good. SuperHeavy is composed of Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones; Joss Stone, a soul singer and song-writer; Dave Stewart of Eurythmics; Damian Jr. Gong Marley, the son of Bob Marley; and A.R. Rahman, the composer of Slumdog Millionaire. Stewart describes the band on the SuperHeavy website as, a mad alchemist type experiment, which pretty accurately describes the music they have wrought on this album as well. When trying to find a name for the project, Marley had been inspired by super heavyweight champion Muhammed Ali, to which Jagger said, Why dont we call it SuperHeavy? And thus, the bands name was born. The music is extremely interesting in that it mixes different genres in an unexpected way. The albums title song SuperHeavy starts with an ambient violin chorus. After the short intro, the brilliant composition of Marleys toasting (or alternatively chanting or deejaying) comes in, layered with that of Stone and Jagger, with the two occasionally coming in for solos. Towards the end of the song, Rahman starts singing in Hindi just before the conclusion of everyone coming together in a chorus. While the chord progressions and general complexity are not extremely deep, the combination of the instruments and vocals is almost perfect. Because this album is an alchemist type experiment, however, the title song is just the beginning of what the album has to offer. The song Energy, for example, starts out with an electro-synth

screenrant.com

Straw Dogs disappoints audiences with an unrealistic, crude plot.

Who Let the Dogs Out?

by Briana Applewhite 13
There is a thin yet important line between meaningful violence and violence that is simply unnecessary. Straw Dogs falls into the latter distinction. Intended to be a suspenseful thriller that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats, the movie instead repels viewers with clich scare tactics and a ridiculous plot. Set in Blackwater, Mississippi, the movie follows Hollywood screenwriter David Sumner (James Marsden) and wife/ actress Amy Sumner (Kate Bosworth) who have moved for a change of scenery to help David write the next big Hollywood blockbuster. While this may seem like an unusual place to find inspiration, for David, Amys hometown is the perfect place to inspire his new film. The movie takes flight when viewers are introduced to Amys ex- boyfriend, Charlie (Alexander Skarsgard). Amys marital status has little effect on Charlies renewed romantic interest, which leaves David very suspicious of both. Charlie always has this intense look in his eye that leaves David unsettled, yet he inexplicably hires Charlie and friends to work on some repairs in his house. While David types away at his script, Charlie and his boys from high school constantly distract David as they play loud country music, raid the fridge for beer, and hang David and Amys cat in the closet. Its hard to imagine that their tactics could be any more ridiculous. Any self-respecting human being, and believable character, would have fired them on the spot when he discovered a dead cat in his closet, but not David. He allows the boys to stay on the job and even agrees to go hunting with them. Unbeknownst to David, the boys plan to take shots at him, ditch his body in the woods and sexually assault his wife. The delayed climax of the story arrives 20 minutes later when David survives the earlier shooting and seeks revenge on Charlie and all of his friends. Viewers cheer for David to rise to the occasion and, with murderous intent, give the villains what they desperately deserve. Even so, the gore and violence is so irrelevant in this film that it makes Straw Dogs appear comical. Poor plot development makes the last hour and a half a sluggish and mostly pointless one, which makes the final fifteen minutes, during which David reaches his psychological breaking point, all the more abrupt. Due to his waste of valuable movie time, director Rob Lurie had no reason to so hastily wrap up the already unremarkable film. Straw Dogs is a disturbing, violent and long two-hour melodrama with an anti-climactic ending that has the audience rushing to the nearest exits.

reggaeville.com

Superheavy released its debut album project on September 19.

riff and flows into Stones and Jaggers amazing vocals once again. Other songs are distinctly Bollywood, like Satyaneva Jayathe, with the lyrics almost entirely in Hindi, with the surprising addition of a rock beat, a violin and synth solo, and the remainder of the album only gets better. While the song can get repetitive, it combines these genres and more in such a way that it is a pleasure just focusing on the instrumentals than the vocals at times. Also included on SuperHeavy is a tasteful 70s song, some clearly soul-influenced songs, reggae and so on. The supergroup has also already done a music video for one of the songs on the album. The Miracle Worker video is set in what appears to be a ridiculously diverse neighborhood, but it is most amusing for Mick Jaggers hot pink pant suit. While this album may not be for everyone, the combination of voices and styles in this work blends well and there is a bit of everything for adventurous listeners. The union of reggae, rock, soul and Indian could have easily been a failed experiment, but instead alters what were already precious metals into even more precious gems.

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The WarriorSports
September 30, 2011

Freshmen Twins Shake Up Girls Varsity Soccer

by Jessica Carrera 13
When passing by freshmen Tiffany and Lauren Woods in the hallway, one could easily get them confused. This is not the case, however, after attending one of the varsity girls soccer games. Besides their difference in hairstyles (Tiffany wears hers down while Laurens is up in a ponytail) and the different numbers on their jerseys, their talent and passion for the sport will make their names and faces hard to forget. The identical twins have been playing soccer for most of their lives, starting at the early age of three. They began playing in Prince Georges County with their first team, the Tigers. The Washington Area Girls Soccer (WAGS) League is a very competitive league in the metropolitan area. The Woods sisters play in the first division of the U-15 age group, with their team, Thunder Extreme. We started playing WAGS in sixth grade. Yeah, sixth grade, said Tiffany. Making the transition from WAGS to Sherwood was not that difficult, according to the sisters. [Were] learning different things. [John Vukovich, the varsity girls soccer coach] has a different coaching style than my WAGS coach. Its mostly the same formation, just the girls that play [at SHS] are bigger, said Tiffany. Playing with older girls must not pose much of a problem to the twins as they have already managed to get starting forward wing positions as freshmen. Not only that, but they are piling up impressive statistics while they help their team advance to a 2-1 record. In the season opener against Wootton, Tiffany had one goal during regulation and Lauren scored the game winning goal in overtime. In the game against Rockville on September 12 , Tif-

Dear NBA: Youre Already Rich. Stop Complaining

by Andrew Wasik 13
With 15.1 percent of the United States population living in poverty and the average Maryland teacher making around $54,300, why are NBA players and owners arguing over the lockout? With the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) expired, the players and owners of the NBA are now fighting over what to do with $170 million dollars that goes toward player salaries and $3 billion dollars that goes to the new CBA that will last the next six years. Before the lockout NBA players were making on average $4.79 million dollars a year. Thats $92,199 per week. With teachers making less than an NBA players weekly salary in a year for doing an actual job as opposed to putting a ball in a hoop, my question is: why are athletes being paid so much? Is it because they really do need the fleet of luxury cars in the garage of a mega mansion? Basketball is my favorite sport and I avidly follow the entire NBA, but as entertaining as it is I cant help but feel that players extreme salaries could be put towards raising the salaries of policemen or firemen since they protect our community and keep us all safe. The difference between a fireman who risks his life on daily occasions to protect strangers, and a person who gets paid to make two or three points with a ball and a hoop should not be a couple million. The NBA currently has a league minimum salary. If it is a players first year or if the player spends the entire season sitting on the bench or is injured, he will still be making at least $473,604 dollars, all for watching basketball with great floor seats for 82 games. There are countless more mediocre NBA players making more in one season than average working Americans make in a lifetime. While professional teams do provide entertainment to the community, the prices owners charge are getting outrageous. Floor seat tickets at a Miami Heat game can cost from $900 through $9,000 dollars during the regular season. Sports teams should transition into becoming instruments of the community, for the community. Right now, not just basketball, but all professional sports teams are money-making machines that charge incredibly high prices to earn outrageous salaries. Some athletes do give back. NBA legend Michael Jordan donated $5 million to the Hales Franciscan High School, a historically black all boys school in Chicago. In one game, Derrick Rose, a current Chicago Bull, donated $1,000 dollars for every point he scored in one game towards relief funds for the Japanese earthquake. He ended up contributing $24,000 at the end of the night. The NBA itself has enacted programs such as NBA Cares, an organization that will help 10,000 schools and more than 15 million fans by addressing education, health and wellness. To date, the organization has raised more than $160 million dollars and over 1.7 million hours of community service. Organizations like NBA Cares and NFL Play 60 are a start, but with such incredible amounts of money coming in, the money going out to charities is nothing compared to the amount being spent on ridiculous purchases. Chad Ochocinco, New England Patriots wide receiver, purchased a $100,000 semi-truck as a birthday present to himself. He parks it right next to his tiger cage. Orlando Magic guard Gilbert Arenas spends approximately $6,500 a month to keep his own private tank of sharks. With poverty in the United States and starvation all over the world, do you really need that eighth car or that solid gold necklace modeled after your own head? Im talking to you Marquis Daniels of the Sacramento Kings. With all this arguing over such an extreme amount of money, I personally say stop whining. Youll still get paid more than most Americans will ever make in a lifetime by the time next years CBA expires, and this process will happen all over again. Stop making ridiculous and unnecessary purchases and start donating more to charity. The community gives to you, and now its time to give back.

Jamie Langbein 13

From left, freshmen Lauren and Tiffany Woods work on their ball skills before the start of practice.
fany found the back of the net once again and contributed to their 5-0 win. Their teammate, junior Becca Dunwoody, said that since Tiffany and Lauren have been on the team, the front line puts a lot more pressure up top and we have much more fire. We are so amazingly fast and [the Woods sisters] can get any ball. Not only do they contribute immense talent, but their presence also had a very positive effect on the rest of the team. I think everybody stepped up because of the level of play that theyre at, said Vukovich. Their presence on and off the field is definitely different. Theyre young, but theyre playing as if theyve been part of the high school program for a while. The differences in the Woods sisters personalities are one reason that they stand out so much. They are perfect complements to one another, each bringing out the best in the other as well as the people around them. Laurens really good and fast. Shes always happy and she makes me smile a lot, said Tiffany. If you get on Tiffanys bad side, thats not something you want to see, Lauren joked, I guess shes pretty good at soccer. Playing soccer at the college level is in both Lauren and Tiffanys future plans, and surprisingly enough, they both aspire to see that possibly happening at the University of North Carolina. Of course, they also have future plans for themselves that do go beyond playing soccer. Without the slightest hesitation, Tiffany says she would like to be an astrophysicist, while Lauren said she would like to pursue a career in legal criminology. For now, the twin sisters want to focus on improving their skills; Tiffany wants to work on her left foot and Lauren on finishing plays with goals. They seem to be content with where they are both on and off the field. You got Lauren on the left, said Tiffany, and me on the right. There you go.

The WarriorSports
September 30, 2011

15

Fall Sports Roundup

4A East Division Standings Last Updated: September 27

Boys Soccer

by Soccer Insider Taylor Fernandes 14 Record: 2-3 Up Next: Monday at Seneca Valley, 3:30 PM

by Football Insider Michael Natelli 14 Record: 2-2 Up Next: Tonight at Damascus, 6:30 PM

Football

The team is working extremely hard. I dont feel that weve been out played or out worked this season. Im excited for the rest of the season. Were growing as a team every session and match. The younger players are becoming more confident with the ball at their feet and in their decision making and my upperclassmen are starting to show more leadership on the field. -Coach Hector Morales

The team always runs and thinks about Alex [Popeck]; he is always with us and he is always the first person we talk about when we motivate each other. Never Back Down will also be on the team t-shirts so the team remembers that they are running for something more than just themselves. - Senior Matt Stitzlein

by XC Insider Melissa Fajardo 13 Up Next: Great American Record: CC Festival at Cary, NC Girls: 1-1 Wake-Med Soccerplex, Boys: 0-2 9:30 AM tomorrow

Cross Country Girls Volleyball

by Volleyball Insider Hope Gouterman 13 Up Next: Sunday v. Springbrook, 6:30 PM Record: 5-0
Were very excited to start the year off with tough victories over top competition. I cant pick out any individuals who have really stood out so far, it has been such a team effort. We worked really hard through two-a-days and the first three weeks of the season to prepare for those tough matches. As a team, I was impressed with the way we brought a lot of preparation, energy and intensity to the matches - Coach Brian McCarty

see preview on pg. 16 This year has been about getting to know Coach Bonavia and the new system. This season has been about a couple errors, and its been very frustrating to put in the effort in practice and still not be ready for games. We have to work harder, and make fewer errors so we can actually win games. Despite our 2-2 record I think we should be 4-0. Our upcoming game vs. Damascus is my personal game of the year ... I just want to have a positive game. - Junior Jordan Larsen

We did a decent job with only ten playing total but our rhythm and energy was taken away due to the inconsistent calls made through the game. Its a non-division game so we can forget about it now and move on. We have a strong squad but are still working out early season issues. - Coach John Vukovich on the teams 4-0 loss to Damascus

by Soccer Insider Jessica Carrera 13 Record: 2-1 Up Next: Monday v. Seneca Valley, 3:30 PM

Girls Soccer

Girls Tennis

by Tennis Insider Jamie Langbein 13 Up Next: Today at Record: 4-3 Quince Orchard, 3:30 PM
Tennis is a very unique sport because youre on a team, but at the end of the day its all on you [to win the court]. I dont mean to be harsh, but really theres no better feeling than smashing a volley onto the court and watching your opponents faces in awe of the devastation you brought upon them. - Junior Jordan Kramer

Field Hockey

by Field Hockey Insider Brendan Cudd 14 Up Next: Tonight at home Record: 2-3 vs. Northwest at 7 PM
In the last few games the team has given incredible heart and determination. Our team never stops and never gives up. Our goal set in mind is to dominate in playoffs. In our upcoming games we are playing some of the best throughout Montgomery County. We need to have solid aggression throughout the entire game and remain united as a team. We need to physically mentally and emotionally think hockey - Senior Alex Mazzeo

Sherwoods online news source just got better.

The Warrior Online

New to The Warrior Online:

Warrior insiders give weekly team and player updates. Photo galleries and video interviews. Reviews on Olneys new hotspots.
www.thewarrioronline.com

We have been playing very well. With senior Tommy Nakamura leading the team, we are going in the right direction. With districts coming up, we are really starting to concentrate on that. I think we have a chance at districts. - Sophomore Cameron Aud

by Golf Insider Joe Lavoie 14 Record: 9-4 Up Next: MCPS District Championships at Rattlewood GC on October 17

Golf

Traditionalists Face New Age of Turf

by Ryan Coulter 12
With dismal weather affecting the region over the past couple of months, the debate over how to schedule high school sporting events became a prominent concern for local athletic directors. While many MCPS high school athletes, including Sherwoods, are benched when heavy rain turns fields to mud pits, three teams around the county have absolutely no worries: Blair, Richard Montgomery and Walter Johnson. From lower maintenance costs to not having to reschedule a game due to wet weather conditions, artificial turf enables schools to cycle more money toward other needed materials. While many high schools in the area, including Sherwood, would be thrilled to get the chance to have an artificial turf stadium, the current plan for MCPS is to install artificially surfaced fields only when schools are scheduled for modernization or renovation. MCPS Director of Systemwide Athletics, William (Duke) Beattie is an advocate of the use of artificial turf fields. They provide many important advantages over natural turf, especially considering that a typical MCPS high school will conduct approximately 100 games on its stadium field each year, accommodating twelve teams that share the field at most high schools, said Beattie. While the initial cost of installation for an artificial turf stadium is $1.2 million, maintenance of a traditional grass field can cost up to $40 thousand in a single year. Therefore in thirty years, an artificial turf stadium would be able to pay for itself entirely. I think that turf is amazing. Its my favorite surface to play on for lacrosse and other sports because you always know how hard the ball is going to bounce and exactly where the bounce will go, said junior lacrosse goalie Dalton Thomas. One important advantage that artificial turf provides is its safety aspects that natural grass does not. Artificial turf offers a flat, consistent playing surface that is unaltered even when soaked with rain. Another advantage of a turf field is its ability to be used as a practice facility. Beattie pointed out that if more teams can practice on the turf without having to worry about altering its condition, then fewer teams would have to drive off-campus to practice fields, meaning less chance of accidents during commute. We already do not have enough practice fields for all the sports teams in the spring and fall. [Having an artificial field would] allow teams to practice on the turf, which means lacrosse doesnt have to have half a field for practice and soccer doesnt have to go to Farquhar Middle School to practice, said senior Kelly Kendall who plays girls varsity lacrosse. While the advantages of artificial turf are apparent, some athletes like grass. Personally I dont like to play on turf fields, said senior Victor Mercogliano, who plays tight end and linebacker on varsity football. After a game on a regular field someone can walk off with mud and dirt all over their pants and jersey and its a great feeling to know that you played your heart out on your field that shows it. Also I like natural things in general and I believe that football should be played on grass, not artificial blades of turf six inches above a layer of concrete. Which, by the way, if you come down with enough force you can definitely feel the concrete beneath while getting a great deal of turf burn all over your arms and legs. I feel like with a traditional field, if a team can overcome adversity, whether it be a soaked field or a muddy field, then that sense of accomplishment is unchallenged.

The WarriorSports
16
September 30, 2011
The Warriors Football Insider previews Montgomery Countys premier match up as Sherwood attempts to spoil the Hornets homecoming game.
by Michael Natelli 14
Before last week, one reasonably could predict Damascus to dominate Sherwood tonight in a blowout. Damascus, Sherwoods opponent tonight, had taken the 3A Conference by storm through three games, posting a perfect record while allowing a combined 30 points in their first three games. They pulled out a huge overtime win in week one, defeating a solid Clarksburg team 19-18. They followed that up shutting out Watkins Mill 7-0, and then lit up the scoreboard in a 49-12 win against Wootton the following week. Sherwood, on the other hand, had a much more uneven opening three weeks. They opened the year at No. 2 Quince Orchard and penalties sealed their fate as they suffered a difficult but expected loss by a score of 23-6. The Warriors managed to follow that up with an exciting win over Blake, taking the game 17-10. Penalties significantly decreased in that game and junior quarterback Jordan Larsen looked much more in-sync with his offense. The running game was also much-improved, led by junior running back Fitz Mofors two rushing touchdowns. The next week against Gaithersburg, questionable fumble calls, poor defense and an unexpected onside kick led to a 29-21 loss. However, after last Fridays games tonights match up looks a bit more of a toss up. Damascus struggled against 2-2 Einstein, needing a late rally to finally take a 33-27 win. That same night,

Warriors Look to Knock Off Rival Hornets

Warriors after the 2009 season, but came out of retirement this year to return to Damascus, where he led the Hornets to two State Championships prior to his tenure at Sherwood. Thomas was also a legendary head coach at Seneca Valley, leading the Screaming Eagles to five State Championships. After absolutely demolishing Blair, the Warriors are confident about their chances against the Hornets tonight. Right now, I feel like I can run over anybody, said senior running back Fernando Smith, who had two rushing touchdowns in last weeks win. The defense is also feeling confident after blocking a kick and scoring two touchdowns on fumble recoveries. One of the recoveries was probably the turning point of the game. Junior safety Richie DiPietro took it back 65 yards, putting the Warriors up 21-0 and setting the tone for the ensuing blowout. Sherman put the initial hit on the ball-carrier and DiPietro executed the rest of the scoop and score. It was an expected win, but a wins a win. [The shutout] was what we were aiming for]. A goose egg, and we got it; Im excited, said DiPietro Despite all the confidence, the Warriors knew that Damascus would be no easy task from the moment they beat Blair. This is going to be a short week of practice, said first year head coach Mike Bonavia after the win over Blair. Damascus is a top notch program.

Hannah Chertock 12

Junior quarterback Jordan Larsen looks down field while Gaithersburgs D.J. Johnson gives chase and junior Mark Sherman throws a block.
Sherwood put a big hurt on Blair, 35-0. Sherwood has the ability to defeat Damascus, but they must play their best. Damascus star wide out Zach Bradshaw will be lining up against the injury-depleted corps of Sherwood defensive backs and the Warriors cannot afford to let Bradshaw snag balls up and down the field if they have hopes of coming away with a win. Damascus quarterback Chase Williams looks suspect as he takes over for All-Met Connor Frazier now at Towson University. Williams will be tasked with getting the ball to Bradshaw and running back Trevor Patton in the open field. Injuries to pivotal players, such as starting center Dean Emerson, cornerback Braelin Howard and defensive end Monroe Sherman might most hurt the Warriors chances tonight. Without Emerson, the snap-count seemed off last week at Blair and that can lead to the occasional fumble; Sherwood cannot afford to give up turnovers. And, with a player like Zach Bradshaw lining up against the Warriors, missing a starting cornerback will hurt the Warriors chances. Sherman made a big tackle last week, knocking the ball loose and setting up a big fumble recovery for a touchdown. Another critical point where Sherwood must thrive is the passing game. The Warriors have already proven that their running game can hang with the best, but to create big rushing opportunities, it is absolutely crucial that Larsen and senior receiver Abdoulie Jallow stretch the field to loosen up the run defense. Senior Eric Williams should provide sure hands in the slot. The Warriors and Hornets have been rivals for the last decade because of the success that they have both had, but this game has extra significance because Al Thomas, the coach of the 2008 undefeated State Champion Warriors, will be calling the defense for Damascus and head coach Eric Wallich. Thomas left the

Girls Volleyball Seeks Back-to-Back Titles

by Arjun Singh 12
The girls volleyball team comes into the season with confidence, enthusiasm and high expectations. They ended last years undefeated season by winning the Maryland 4A State Championship and look to continue their success this season. The Lady Warriors are ranked 2nd All-Met and are the top ranked team in the Maryland 4A Division and the consensus favorite to win another championship. The other teams know this as well, and facing Sherwood likely is the biggest game on their schedules. By winning states last year we have [put] our name out there, said junior setter Maddie Moyer. So everyone knows who we are and their expectations for us are higher than ever. Coach Brian McCarty aims to prepare his team to work hard and improve in all phases of their game. He expects each player to perform well and work hard to improve their individual skills as well as their team skills. Throughout the season, the team will rigorously practice and prepare for each game and also learn about their strengths and weaknesses from each game. The beginning of every season has new expectations and team goals. A lot of players are expected to step into new roles, especially those moving into a captain/leadership position, said McCarty. There are always aspects of the game we can improve on and we just have to continue playing hard in practice to get better. The team has started out strong with two hard-earned victories against Good Counsel, 25-16, 25-13, 25-19, ranked 6th All-Met and Broadneck, 25-18, 25-15, 25-22, ranked 8th All-Met. Sherwood currently has a 5-0 record thus far. With returning players, including the Gazettes reigning Player of the Year, junior Alex Holston, as well as Moyer, and seniors Megan Hewitt and Sydney West, Sherwood continues to improve from last year. Because most of the starters played with each other all of last season, they have developed a chemistry that will give Sherwood a chance to greatly improve their teamwork. The team looks to get all of their players involved on offense in order to make it better and more dynamic. Each person has come back to the team with more experience on the court. This year we can run a more complex offense, said outside hitter Hewitt. Were running more plays with quicker sets, and were spreading the ball around so that every one of our hitters is a threat. The team cannot afford to get ahead of themselves and drop winnable games. They must concentrate on moving on from each game and preparing for the next one. As of right now we are not even looking at [the state championship], said outside hitter Holston. Were just looking at the next upcoming game and looking forward to it. The girls volleyball team has the skill and talent to make it back to the championship game, but they need to take the season one game at a time and focus on the upcoming games against Walter

Brett Melnick 12

Sophomore Makayla Roy spikes a ball September 18 in a match against Einstein.

Johnson on October 18 and undefeated Damascus on October 28. To get back to the state final we need to continue getting better in practice every day. We cant control what all the other teams in the state are doing, we can only control us, said McCarty. So, we want to make sure we are giving it all weve got to be our best prepared for whoever we face along the way.