The Highlander Issue 1 by The Highlander

The

Highlander Volume LX • Issue 1 • October 2015 • McLean High School thehighlandernews.com• @MHSHighlander

CONTENTS

40-41

NEWS 3 4

7 8 9 11

Nova Firearms store opens in McLean Students dissatisfied with new bell schedule McLean Theatre Company welcoms new directors SIS reinvents grade reporting Astronomy club reopens observatory McLean celebrates its 60th anniversary New Iran deal survives Congress

FEATURES 13 14 15 16 17

Teachers celebrate McLean’s 60th anniversary Highlander of the Issue: Josh Leong Student recounts aftermath of Nepal earthquake Get to know Maria Purcell Transfer students adjust to McLean

Three steps to a happy Halloween

10 Qs with Kathleen Otal

Handle stress from freshman through senior year

IN-DEPTH 28-31

Falling Short: a look into FCPS’s budget shortfall

OPINIONS

A&E 21

Fall Playlists

Movie review: The Scorch Trials

23 24

Fall fashion sweeps the halls

YouTube musicians make it big

Students seek dress code reform Crossfire:

34-35block

New late night talk show hosts shake things up Movies to put you in the Halloween spirit

Editorial: FCPS drops ball on SIS program

scheduling

SPORTS 38 39

Field hockey to build regular season Boys volleyball team seeks support Preview

40-41 of football

AP U.S. Government disadventageous for students

Student’s Rights and Responsibilities (satire)

season

Later start times affecting athletes

Athlete of the Issue: Autumn Brenner

The Finish Line

Dear McLean, Welcome back! On behalf of the staff of The Highlander, we would like to welcome all freshmen and transfer students to McLean. We hope to continue the tradition of excellence left for us by the senior editorial staff that graduated last year, who led us to an NSPA Pacemaker Finalist selection. We would be nothing without you, our readers and peers, so thank you for the support. This issue, make sure to check out our news section for coverage of the opening of NOVA Firearms in downtown McLean and the new theatre teachers. Turn to our A&E section for a selection of playlists for the fall curated by each one of us. Every issue look for our recurring pages: Highlander of the Issue, the Crossfire, the editorial, Athlete of the Issue and The Finish Line. Our In-Depth article this issue covers FCPS’s budget crisis, including analysis of the projected shortfall and the struggling Capital Improvement Program. Throughout the year, feel free to share any comments, critiques or suggestions you have for us by stopping by the Journalism Room, R133, or contacting us at thehighlanderstaff@gmail.com. Until next issue, use thehighlandernews.com to stay informed on everything McLean. Go Highlanders!

Sincerely, Liam Zeya, Melanie Pincus, Ashwin Dasgupta & Jake Barnett

Highlander

The

Letter from the Editors

Volume LX • Issue 1 • October 2015 • McLean High School thehighlandernews.com• @MHSHighlander 1633 Davidson Road. McLean, Virginia 22101 Editors-in-Chief

Jake Barnett, Ashwin Dasgupta, Melanie Pincus & Liam Zeya

Managing Editors

Sabrein Gharad, Lucy Hopkins & David Kagan

Design Editor

Bryan Chung

Photography Editor

Tanya Ajalli

Advertising Manager

Esme Tabra

Section Editors News Editors

Carlyn Kranking & Eleanor Patrick

Opinions Editors

Veronica Kim & Bora Zaloshnja

Features Editors

Ingrid Morse & Young In Seo

A&E Editors

Christine Cheon & Leena Raza

Sports Editors

Ethan Cherry & John Corvari

Website Editors Editors-in-Chief

Sanskriti Neupane & Aisha Singh

Opinions Editor

Rustin Abedi

Sports Editor

Jackson Payne

A&E & Features Editor

Helen Bloom

Reporters Eva Bhandary Anjalie Chauhan Debbie Daniel Jatin Dasgupta Helena Doms Lila Duvall Colin Edson Monique Ford Graham Gibson Nora Hashem Henry Howe David Kagan Anurag Kandukuri

Adviser Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Haru Kato Kyuree Kim Anjali Kumar Zoe Le Menestrel Annie Lu Brooke Lyons Sophie Mariam Robert Martine Amir McCormick Sri Medicherla Olivia Mooney Peter Morell John Roth

Siddarth Shankar Nicole Sheehan Alisha Smith Khaled Soubra Jonathan Sperling Ali Tanju Sarah Therriault Danielle Walker Ed Walters Caroline Watkins Matthew Zwirb Catherine Zysk

Lindsay B. Benedict The Highlander is a public forum in which members of the school community can express themselves, discuss issues and exchange ideas. Printed by aPrintis. Advertising Policy: The Highlander sells ad space on each page of the paper except on the front cover, Opinions section and InDepth report. The staff reserves the right to reject any ads it deems libelous, obscene, disruptive or otherwise inappropriate.

To Submit a Letter to the Editors: Please e-mail it to thehighlanderstaff@gmail.com or bring it to room R133. The staff reserves the right to edit letters for grammar and clarity, and all letters are subject to laws concerning obscenity, libel, privacy and disruption of the school process. ‘15 Pacemaker Finalist; ‘15 All-American; ‘12, ‘13, ‘14 First Class; Hall of Fame

‘15 Crown Finalist; ‘05, ‘07, ‘12, ‘13, ‘14 CSPA Gold Medalist

‘14 George H. Gallup Award

Cover by Ashwin Dasgupta

‘14, ‘15 VHSL Trophy Class; ‘11, ‘12 1st Place Winner; VHSL Savedge Award

Gun store draws protests

NEWS

Newly opened gun store in downtown McLean sparks ire of community

Jake Barnett & Melanie Pincus Editors-in-Chief he sounds of car horns fill downtown McLean, piercing the quiet, fall Saturday as protesters stand outside the newly opened NOVA Firearms gun store. They hold signs enticing passersby to honk as a show of support against the store’s opening. Throughout the country, gun control is a controversial issue, and Sept. 27 served as an example of the strong positions people on both sides hold. Sergeant Gordon Sloan, a police offer who was on duty to ensure safety at the protest, estimated that up to 300 protestors were lined up down Chain Bridge Road at the event’s peak. Laden Eshkevari, mother of two, said she is against the store because of its location. “We’re not generally against guns,” Eshkevari said. “What we’re saying is it doesn’t make sense in downtown McLean near schools, shops, toy stores and a bank. It just doesn’t make sense.” The store is located near Franklin Sherman Elementary School, prompting Abby Spangler, protestor and founder of the national organization Protest Easy Guns, to question whether its location violates the Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990.

“It’s a federal law that firearms cannot be within 1,000 feet of school property, and looking at that gun store and looking at that Franklin Sherman Elementary School right there...that’s less than 1,000 feet,” Spangler said. However, the Gun-Free School Zones Act provides exceptions for commercial storefronts, as long as any firearms sold leave unloaded and in a locked container. Additionally, the store’s owner, former marine and McLean resident James Gates, said he attained all of the required permits and permissions to open. “We noticed the school was behind [the store] so we called the county and talked to them and they said as long as we follow the [U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms]’s laws it is fine,” Gates said. “We called the ATF. They said it was okay.” Gates acknowledged that the location of the store is likely what sparked the protest. “I think the reason we are getting the reaction now because we are prominent, we have a sign on the road, [so] people know we have a gun store here,” Gates said. Former Franklin Sherman PTA president and current FCPS School Board Dranesville District Representative Jane Strauss attended the protest along with

Honk for gun control—Protesters hold signs outside of NOVA Firearms on Sept. 27. Protesters were upset over the location of the newly opened gun store. (Photo by Helena Doms)

NEWS

other school board members to protest the location’s proximity to the elementary school. “The problem [is that] under Virginia law he legally...can be here,” Strauss said. “Under the laws of Virginia, the local Board of Supervisors may not regulate gun ownership or the location of this shop, which is really too bad.” Strauss said she is concerned about the store’s potential impact on the school. “Children learn best in a safe and calm environment,” she said. “I think having a gun store that is visible from their school and their playground does not promote safety and a calm learning environment.” Not all of the protesters were aware of the protest until seeing it in action. “I saw some people were here so I wanted to come and help out just because I completely agree there shouldn’t be a gun store right behind a school,” senior Shivani Saboo said. Nick Perez, a father of two who attended the protest, said he is not opposed to guns themselves, but only the location of the store. “I think the most important thing is that I’m not out here to protest gun ownership,” Perez said. “We just don’t want it near our schools, near a bank, near a toy store—you know, [we want] smart regulations.” Gates said he does not think the protest had a significant negative impact on business. “I think [the protesters] will be drawing more customers than [they are] scaring away,” he said. “Most of our customers don’t care about anyone else’s opinions, to be honest with you. If they want to buy a gun, they are going to buy a gun [and] they won’t let anyone stop them.” Still, protestors said they hope their efforts will ultimately end in Gates deciding to move the store. “We would love to have this shop owner decide to use commercial property somewhere other than next to the school,” Strauss said.

Page design by Jake Barnett & Melanie Pincus

Option A

Option B

Schedule

Time

Warning Bell

8:05

1st and 2nd Period

8:10-9:35

Break

9:35-9:45

Highlander Time

9:45-10:15

3rd Period

10:20-11:10

4th and 5th Period (Lunch)

11:10-1:15

Break

1:15-1:25

6th and 7th Period (Announcements)

1:25-2:55

57%

of students voted for Option A

43%

of students voted for Option B

Based on a survey released by the administration on Naviance, to which 716 students responded.

Schedule

Time

Warning Bell

8:05

1st and 2nd Period (Announcements)

8:10-9:40

Break

9:40-9:50

3rd and 4th Period

9:55-11:20

5th and 6th Period (Lunch)

11:20-1:25

Highlander Time

1:30-2:00

7th Period

1:25-2:55 2:05-2:55

Administration rationalizes new schedule Despite increased dissent, administration stands by decision Leena Raza & Zoe Le Menestrel A&E Editor & Reporter

f all the changes returning students may notice, none has had a greater impact than the new schedule. In addition to later start times, students now have a shorter third period that falls every day and a 10-minute break before the last block. Some students, like sophomore Zoe Lachow, see benefits from these changes. “I like that our breaks are more evenly spaced out. In first period I can look forward to Highlander Time, after third period there’s lunch, and then we have a break before seventh,” Lachow said. Other students, however, see downsides with the plan. “I think my performance in classes after lunch is compromised. I have A lunch, so there’s three hours of class afterwards, and it’s really hard to focus for that long,” senior Maya Falicov said. The administration started to look at other options for McLean’s bell schedule last April. “We started reevaluating our schedule after the School Board asked schools to, once they decided on the new start times,” Director of Student Services Paul Stansbery said. “We realized using the same schedule as

last year would mean some students would be eating lunch at 2 o’clock, so we started looking at other options,” he said. Stansbery was a part of the committee that critically evaluated the pros and cons of every schedule option. The team reviewed student and faculty survey data. Both the students and faculty’s top vote was for a bell schedule similar to the current one, but the schedule presented in the vote had an extra break built in before Highlander Time. Principal Ellen Reilly, who had final jurisdiction over the new schedule, said removing this break was necessary.

“All change is hard... Eventually, everybody will work it out.” -U.S. History teacher Barbara Ruff

“FCPS standards mandate students have 140 hours of instruction for each course. With the extra break, the timing just didn’t work out,” Reilly said. Stansbery explained the other factors the committee took into account. “Academy classes had to be given due consideration. About 10 percent of

McLean students are in Academy classes,” Stansbery said. “And most Fairfax County high schools were going to have third period every day, so it made sense to follow suit.” However, the new schedule is not necessarily permanent. “I’m going to talk to students in the upcoming weeks to hear their feedback. We want to do what’s best for the students,” Reilly said. If feedback is overwhelmingly negative, the administration will reconvene to discuss other options for coming school year. Students say the way the vote was administered was misleading. “I think it’s terrible, because they didn’t really use the schedule we chose,” sophomore Havi Carrillo-Klein said. “I think that’s false advertising, because we think we’re getting heard and we’re actually not. I just don’t think it’s morally right.” The new bell schedule is a contentious topic of discussion for many, but U.S. History teacher Barbara Ruff has a calmer perspective on the matter. “What’s done is done,” Ruff said. “All change is hard. It takes time for people to get used to it. Eventually, everybody will work it out.”

Page design by Zoe Le Menestrel & Leena Raza

OCTOBER

New theatre teachers reinvent department

Reid and Rome lead company towards a fresh start Helena Doms & Nicole Sheehan Reporters

hen McLean Theatre Company’s director Amy Poe resigned in June, her students had many questions. Who would fill her shoes? What would happen to the theatre department? Could the new teachers hold up the company’s reputation? Two experienced directors greeted the students with confidence about the company’s future. Directors “Chip” Rome and Phil Reid said they are ready to take the newly named theatre department— TheatreMcLean—forward. “I think it has been somewhat helpful that I come to McLean not as a total unknown but through the Cappies and the Kennedy Center,” Rome said. “There is some familiarity with my work and I hope that translates to a level of trust, which can be very difficult for a person following a popular director to achieve.” Rome worked as the theatre director at Robinson High School for 33 years, and theatre students said they are well aware of his accomplishments and esteem him as an experienced director. The two did not end up at McLean by chance, either. Both teachers were invited to work at McLean and were interested in its potential. “McLean has a reputation as having really good students. I’ve seen some of

the McLean shows, so I was aware of the quality of the artistic work that’s been done here,” Rome said. Reid said he is excited to bring his experiences to McLean.

“We’ll miss Miss Poe, but she has prepared us for this challenge. She has given us the skills to handle this kind of situation, and now it’s our turn to prove ourselves.” -Senior Thomas Kelty, National Honor Thespian

“I’ve been in FCPS as a long-term sub for a couple of years and now really want to take what I’ve been doing professionally and bring it to McLean High School,” Reid said. Rome said he understands that working with a new teacher can be tough. “I get the comradery that gets developed and how high the bar can be set and students still meet it,” Rome said. “We plan to help the students produce work of quality just as high as they have always done and as high as my other students have always done.” Reid said he believes the biggest

Former McLean Theatre Company director Amy Poe, parent volunteer Kim Johnson and musical director Walter McCoy hold their awards at the 2015 Cappie Gala. (Photo courtesy of Amy Poe)

NEWS

challenge the department will face this year is adjusting to change. “Whenever you transition, there is a process you have to go through, and that’s what we’re striving to do this year,” Reid said. Senior Thomas Kelty, a department member since his freshman year, said the company is equipped to handle the transition. “We’ll miss Miss Poe, but she has prepared us for this challenge,” Kelty said. “She has given us the skills to handle this kind of situation, and now it’s our turn to prove ourselves. It’s important to work with different directors.” Freshman James Clardy said he hopes the transition will have a positive outcome. “My view on the transition is one of general hope,” Clardy said. “Once we have more time to get everything together, we can move forward.” Rome and Reid recently cast Kelty and Clardy in TheatreMcLean’s upcoming fall show, She Kills Monsters, written by Qui Nguyen. She Kills Monsters is a comedic fantasy romp about geeky role-playing games, ‘90s pop culture and sisters making amends after years of silence. The show, opening Dec. 3, will be TheatreMcLean’s debut, and a new beginning for the McLean theatre community.

New directors Chip Rome and Philip Reid cast She Kills Monsters. (Photo by Helena Doms)

Page design by Helena Doms & Nicole Sheehan

Zee Tutoring, LLC Individual SAT/ACT Prep For over , Landon Zee has been successfully helping high school students improve their SAT, ACT, and PSAT Prep test scores. At the core of his proven tutoring method is . Recognizing that students learn differently, as well as start with core strengths and weaknesses, each student is personally evaluated by Landon and a custom individual tutoring plan is developed that will enable the student to master the test.

Email: Landon@zeetutoring.com Office phone number: 703-288-3360 Website: www.zeetutoring.com Address: 6663 Old Dominion Drive Room B, McLean 22101

g i H

l h

n a

e d

! s r

SIS allows parents to see grades in real time New program requires teachers to upload grades to an online system Jatin Dasgupta Reporter orget Big Brother—the new frontier in monitoring technology goes by the name of SIS. This year, FCPS has implemented a system that allows parents to view their child’s grades and track their progress 24/7. Student Information System (SIS) actually refers to a large, comprehensive program including information about SASI went out of business, the county classes,” Stansbery said. the health and attendance of students, needed something to replace it. SIS filled With more frequent updates on their but what draws the most attention that void, and its different format and grades, students now can identify classes from students and faculty is the in which they have problems gradebook function, announced and seek to address them before last year and implemented during their interims surprise them with the beginning of this year. The distressing grades that might not system provides weekly grade be fixable halfway into the academic reports, digitally accessible to quarter. parents through their accounts. “As a student, this will help me Fairfax County has actually the most,” senior Billy Meara said. -Director of Student Services Paul Stansbery been using SIS for a few years, but “I can check my grades without it was only recently implemented having to go to my teachers now... throughout the county’s high Allowing me to see where I need schools. capabilities bring changes to the academic to improve my grades will hopefully lead “We’ve had (SIS) in the county for landscape of FCPS schools. to me having a higher overall GPA this a couple of years,” Director of Student “Now, in SIS, you can see your grades semester.” Services Paul Stansbery said. “[FCPS] in real time. That’s a capability SIS has Despite these benefits, the system has started with it at the elementary school that SASI did not have; SIS is a web based drawn criticism from students who feel level and worked up from there.” program, SASI was not, and because it is a that accessibility for students is lacking, The implementation of the program and web-based program, it allows more people and too heavily caters to parents. distribution of accounts demonstrates a to access it in different ways,” Stansbery “It seems like they tried to make it change in how FCPS is holding its teachers said. for parents to view grades... [but] I think accountable for keeping track of student Rather than a new direction in students will use it more,” Meara said. performance. educational policy, the grade-viewing Time will tell whether or not the In previous years, teachers were only applications of this program are merely constant access to grades will have a visible required to provide information regarding another step in the direction the world has impact on the academic performance of grades to parents and students at the been moving in for a while. students across the county’s high schools. middle and end of each academic quarter. Student opinions regarding the The new system’s implementation However, many teachers voluntarily implementation of the new system represents a big step forward in the provided students with more up-to-date remain divided. While some students with increasingly fast-paced integration of grade reports. helicopter parents might be concerned education and technology into the school While this change may seem dramatic, about the live viewing of grades, the and the home. Information technology SIS, and the system of live grade viewing, system is generally considered beneficial continues to revolutionize nearly every was not implemented with any change of to teachers, parents and students. aspect of modern life, but with SIS, as with policy in mind, but for purely practical “I think it probably benefits students all new things, it’s not yet clear whether a purposes. the most because... it gives them the new program will be a game changer or Originally, FCPS used a system called opportunity to have more frequent just another game. SASI, but since the company that provided feedback about where they stand in their

“Because [SIS] is a web-based program, it allows more people to access it in different ways.”

Page design by Jatin Dasgupta

NEWS

New club looks to the stars School observatory opens to students for the first time in decades

No Cheese—A student took this picture through one of the new telescopes, which afforded numerous telescopes students an amazing view of the moon. (Photo Sarah Therriault of varying sizes sitting courtesy of Bella Marku) Reporter alongside the tables. rag-tag bunch of students gathered Despite all the equipment, the main Although it was still light out, students in the courtyard across from the attraction was the large observatory that had a chance to look at the moon. Once cafeteria for the first meeting of the brand sits in the middle of the courtyard. the sun faded away they caught a glimpse new Astronomy Club on Sept. 16. “Turn the sun off and we’re ready to of Saturn and its rings. Finally, at the end “[There are] so many fancy things here” go,” physics teacher and club sponsor of the evening, students looked at several junior Andrew Visocan said, referring to the Dean Howarth joked. distant stars. The repair of the facility was headed by Juergun Clenk, a parent of a McLean student, and Howarth, who started making repairs this summer. The observatory needed extensive mending to be usable. “It used to be used a lot in the ‘50s and ‘60s, but then it fell into disrepair,” Howarth said. The lower level had to be cleaned out and checked for dust, the dome had to be repainted and many parts of the telescope itself, including the lens, had to be removed for repairs, cleaned or replaced. Howarth hopes use of the observatory won’t be limited to just McLean students, but that it will include the whole community, allowing people from all over to join the club. That way, the technology isn’t just limited to McLean, and the whole area can benefit. “I’m glad we’re making a space in the school dedicated to astronomy,” junior Bella Marku said. Students have already begun brainstorming ways to improve the observatory, such as buying a camera and new television to allow several people to look through the telescope at once, as well Seeing stars—Dean Howarth explains telescope tracking to as to take long exposure photos. excited young astronomers on Sept. 16. (Photo by Sarah Therriault)

Page design by Sarah Therriault

OCTOBER

60th anniversary brings alumni together Highlanders of the past celebrate McLean’s diamond anniversary

Then and now—McLean’s original entrance compared to its current facade. (Left photo obtained from 1957 MHS yearbook, right photo by Jackson Payne)

Jackson Payne Web Sports Editor

hen McLean High School opened its doors in the fall of 1955, there were 48 stars on the American flag and Dwight D. Eisenhower was serving as president. Six decades, 11 presidents, two new states, dozens of renovations, four Virginia state championships and thousands of students and teachers later, McLean’s hallowed halls continue to serve as the setting for academic excellence along with priceless high school memories. In celebration of McLean’s 60th anniversary this year, Highlander alumni were recognized at the varsity football home game against James Madison High School on Sept. 18, and despite McLean’s loss, the alumni enjoyed a post-game allclass reunion party at Art’s Tavern in Falls Church with live music and dancing. The following night, the reunion continued with a dinner and dance gala at the Fairview Park Marriott hotel. The former McLean students, roughly 500 in all, used the weekend events to catch up with old classmates and reminisce about old times. “McLean was a great high school, and it was a great place to live and grow up,” said Eric Myren, a class of 1981 graduate and member of McLean’s Athletic Hall of Fame for his achievements on the soccer field.

While the strong attendance of alumni made the event a night to remember, it was solid leadership and organization that guaranteed the anniversary wouldn’t go uncelebrated. “I became involved in planning the 60th anniversary celebration because Dr. Reilly asked me to, and I still keep in touch with a lot of people that went to McLean,” said Loretta D’ermes, another 1981 graduate and the driving force behind

the festivities. “I was very involved as a student, [and] I have planned reunions for my class since we graduated. Some of my favorite memories are of Homecoming parades through downtown McLean and of [dances] after home football games. It will always be a special place to me.” Attendees of the event ranged from recent graduates all the way back to members of McLean’s early graduating classes, allowing for different generations of alumni to interact and reflect on their varying high school experiences. “I went to McLean and spent six of my best years there, and it was really fun,” said Sam Stalcup, a 1966 graduate. “It’s really good to see everybody around here, [and] I’m really excited for the rest of this event.” Even years after their time at McLean, these alumni still show their Highlander pride and recognize how fortunate they were to have such memorable experiences during their high school years. “The more years that go by, you realize what a special place [McLean] was,” Myren said. “I’m thrilled that I’ll always have the memories here.”

Blast from the past—Peter Tellman (class of ‘74), Brian Cassidy (‘75), Laurie DeMaris (‘74) and Jack Ayoub (‘74) catch up with each other at the 60th anniversary celebration on Sept. 19. These are just a few of the many Highlander alumni who attended the reunion events. (Photo courtesy of Rusty Payne)

Page design by Jackson Payne

NEWS

First Baptist Church of Vienna 450 Orchard St. NW Vienna, VA 22180 (703) 938-8525

Iran Deal survives Congress Iran Deal will be put into effect after resolution to kill agreement falls short in Congress

John Roth Reporter resident Obama’s controversial Iran nuclear deal survived as Democrats blocked a resolution of disapproval from Republicans in the Senate. Iran currently has 20,000 centrifuges, which are machines designed to enrich uranium and play a key role in a nuclear development. Under the deal, the country will be limited to using only 5,060 of the centrifuges, and they must be the oldest and least effective of the Iranian stockpile. Additionally, inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Association (IAEA), an organization that acts as the global nuclear watchdog, will continuously monitor Iran’s declared sites and verify that no fissile material is moved covertly to a secret location to construct a bomb. The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was agreed upon in the United Nations Security Council on July 20 by major world leaders in the global community; Iran, the U.S., Germany, Great Britain, China, Russia and France all agreed on the final resolution. However, Republicans in Congress recently suggested a resolution to destroy the agreed upon plan. Most Republicans want tougher provisions, but a majority of Democrats believe that the current deal’s provisions are sufficient. To bring the Republican resolution to the floor, 60 votes were necessary. In the Senate, only 58 Senators opposed the deal (54 Republicans and four Democrats), 42 supported the deal (42 Democrats) and four statesmen were undecided.

The American public stands split as well. According to an ABC News and Washington Post poll released on Sept. 16, 45 percent of Americans support the deal and 44 percent oppose it. The Iran Deal includes a clause that requires western nations to wait 24 days to act after they declare that they want to search an Iranian location for covert nuclear weapon development. Most critics point out that the 24-day period is not acceptable for the nuclear agreement, but that provision has the support of Obama and his trusted aides. “[I am] confident that activities involving nuclear materials will be detectable,” said Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz, who played a major part in crafting of the JCPOA, in regards to the 24-day clause. Additionally, inspection groups from the IAEA don’t have to request permission from Iran to search the country’s two declared nuclear facilities, Natanz and Fordo. Critics of the agreement are concerned about Iran’s ties to the Islamic extremist groups Hezbollah and Hamas. Both of these organizations are in conflict with Israel, and they also support the Assad Regime in war-torn Syria and the Houthi rebels in Yemen. Despite the risks associated with this deal, U.S. representatives were motivated to push the deal through. With its passage, Iran stands to get back over $100 billion worth of frozen assets overseas, the ability to sell oil in international markets and regain access to the global financial system

3.67%

IRAN

CAPABLE OF CREATING 10 BOMBS

IRAN currently has

level of uranium enrichment

=1,000 Centrifuges

Infographic by Bryan Chung

for trade. Iran will not see sanctions lifted until the IAEA confirms that it has followed through with its end of the JCPOA. Should Iran violate any aspect of the deal, the UN sanctions will automatically “snap back” into place for 10 years, with the possibility of a five year extension. Iran has progressed as a nation despite sanctions that have lasted 34 years. Because they grew at a rate similar to other countries while they were in a restricted state, it is safe to assume that these snap backs will not significantly hinder Iran’s growth.

“It would be upsetting [if the deal was rejected] because I have family in Iran. It would be really unfortunate to see the countries I’m from possibly [being] at war.” -Sophomore Sina Naeemi “Iran has been stable despite decades of sanctions,” said Ian Howell, a U.S. Government and Comparative Government teacher. However, if most of the centrifuges and uranium are confiscated before Iran breaks the terms of the agreement, the breakout time for Iran’s current nuclear program will be much longer than the three months currently projected by the BBC. In addition, Iranian president Hassan Rouhani stated that opposition in the U.S. to the agreement was ill-advised and showed that those expressing disapproval knew nothing of Iran. “Some of [the deal’s critics] wouldn’t even know where Tehran was in relation to Iran,” Rouhani said. “Some of them didn’t know where Iran was geographically, not distinguishing that one is the capital of the other.” So far, the Obama administration and the U.N. have taken diplomatic steps to ensure the potential nuclear ability of Iran is in check. Whether the actions are successful long term remain to be seen.

Page design by John Roth

NEWS

Then and now: McLean’s first 60 years

FEATURES

Veteran teachers share stories of McLean over the years Sri Medicherla Reporter

Crissie Ricketts Math teacher 14 years teaching at McLean McLean alumna, class of ‘88

Anna Caponetti English teacher 9 years teaching at McLean McLean alumna, class of ‘02

What has changed between 1988 and 2015 at McLean? It’s far more diverse. Let’s put it this way: when I got to my freshman year of college, I learned what Jewish was. It was really not diverse here at all. It’s definitely a positive change though. What brought you back to this area to teach at McLean? I met my husband when I was working in DC and we moved to Pittsburgh for a year. We realized we never wanted to go home there, so while I was in Bangkok, he moved us to Virginia. Since you came to McLean to teach, what have you seen change? Technology driving pretty much everything we do. It is what it is. I mean, I love the information that comes out of it but it is a bit of a distraction. What’s your favorite part about teaching at McLean? The kids. Definitely the kids. I mean, the math is great, but the kids are why you do the job.

Which teachers did you have that still teach at McLean? Ms. Bott, Ms. Schultz, Frau Wolpert, Mr. Howell, Mr. Howarth, Mr. Behm, Ms. Truesdell. And a lot of these teachers have stayed at McLean for 20 or more years, which told me when I was looking to apply that I really wanted to be here, and I knew people, and there was a comfort there. What else attracted you to McLean? I really liked my time at McLean, and I understand the community and the rigor and the high standards, and I enjoy that. What is the biggest change you’ve seen? Technology. Is that a positive change or a negative change? Both. It’s a lot easier to figure out why you have the grade you do. But there is also less responsibility to take notes in class, because they’re like, “Oh, I’ll just check Blackboard.” And if the teacher doesn’t post it on Blackboard, it’s an excuse.

Highlander relic—Crissie Ricketts’

softball jacket. (Photo courtesy of Crissie

Glory days—Physics teacher Dean Howarth teaches in the early 90s. (Photo courtesy of Dean Howarth)

Dean Howarth Physics teacher 28 years teaching at McLean What has changed and stayed the same in the last 28 years? It’s still a great school to teach at, and that’s the reason why I stayed here my whole career. I can’t imagine teaching any other place. Highlander pride through and through. As for the changes, over time, students have gotten more into being students, and less into being learners. What makes McLean special? Show me a school where kids can take AP classes yet still be an artist or a dancer or be good at comparative religions as well as computer science. That kind of diversity and creative spirit, that’s what makes us a good school. What do you think about recent scheduling changes at McLean? I’m happier because I’m more energetic, but I know for a fact none of the students are. If you’re worried that students are being burned out, and I think they are, what we need to do is not start school later. They should have less homework, and not take seven APs.

It’s been a while—Anna Caponetti in her freshman year. (Photo obtained from MHS yearbook)

Ricketts)

Page design by Sri Medicherla

FEATURES

Highlander of the Issue

Sophomore stars as cinematographer

Josh Leong creates films, wins recognition at national festivals Ed Walters Reporter ew students receive the opportunity to meet the President of the United States, and sophomore Josh Leong is one of them. Leong’s love of filmmaking has gained him both national and international recognition. “I’ve been to the White House, received awards from Virginia Tech and Pikeville University, and additionally received international screenings in India, Greece and Spain,” Leong said. Leong’s fascination with filmmaking sprouted at a summer camp in 2011, but he said finishing his first short film solidified his interest. “It wasn’t until after I produced my first short film that I developed a passion for filmmaking,” Leong said. Leong released his first short film,

An artist at work—Josh Leong’s films

have been featured in 21 film festivals in four countries around the world. (Photo courtesy of Josh Leong)

Into the Wild—Sophomore Sam Gollob acts in Josh Leong’s latest film, “My

Tiger and I.” The film received recognition at three film festivals. (Photo courtesy of Josh Leong)

“Double Time,” in 2014 and received recognition as a finalist in the White House Film Festival for it. Josh’s mother, May Leong, said her son’s interest in filmmaking has developed over time. “It started as a simple hobby, playing with stop motion videos with Lego figurines in elementary school,” May Leong said. “[Josh] has now progressed to much more ambitious and thoughtful short films that are featured in national film competitions.” Leong said his parents are always supportive of his work and plan to be there for him no matter where his career takes him. “We recognize his talent and interest in this field and are excited to see where it could lead him,” May Leong said. Sophomore Ben Weinstein has worked with Leong in the past. “It was a great experience working with Josh—he was very organized going into the project,” Weinstein said. “He had already written a script and prepared certain shots for the movie.” In college, Leong would like to study cinema production. Leong said he hopes to attend NYU Tisch School of the Arts,

which has produced several Academy Award-winning filmmakers. “My dream is to one day direct a Hollywood feature film...whether that means starting out as a gaffer, a cinematographer, editor, writer, whatever,” Leong said. Although there are countless resources avaiable online to learn filmmaking, Leong said that nothing can replace real life experience. “I’ve been kicked out of the metro and mall a number times for filming, and as a result had to re-shoot and re-script on the fly, all while I was juggling limited time and resources,” Leong said Leong said his time in making films has taught him lessons that will serve him well on any path he takes in life, including the value of forming connections and putting himself out there. “It’s easy for our human hearts to glorify a carnal thing. At the end of the day, that’s not what matters… I should ultimately create work that resonates with me.” Leong said. “Work that feels honest, authentic, and meaningful to my life experiences—and if people just happen to like my movies too, well, awesome.” Page design by Ed Walters

OCTOBER

Standing in the aftermath

A student’s personal experience after the earthquake in Nepal Sanskriti Neupane Web Editor-in-Chief

hen I was little, many of my family’s conversations were about earthquakes. My great-grandparents would talk about “the big one,” a deadly earthquake which occurred in 1934. It was no secret to the people of Nepal that there would be another earthquake. Nepal lies between two large tectonic plates, so it was just a matter of when. When I realized we would be visiting in July, a couple months after the earthquake, I was terrified. I didn’t want to go, but my parents insisted they had to see our relatives who live there. A lot of tourists do not see the real Nepal; they only see the beautiful mountains and gorgeous scenery. Kathmandu, the capital city, is a jumble of buildings on top of each other with narrow streets. There is no place to run during an earthquake. The houses aren’t well-built and there is no space in the streets. Luckily, some of the main streets had been widened before the earthquake. Many people survived because of the new streets, while others were trapped in the older, narrower streets. The people who lost their homes live in tents set up in different areas. One of the refugee zones is near a “danger zone” where buildings have already fallen or are held up by support beams. Police casually

The Rubble—Bricks that fell during the earthquake remain in sections of the capital, Kathmandu. This is not classified as a danger zone, and residents remain in the houses. (Photo by Sanskriti Neupane)

lean on beams and people live alongside fallen buildings. Everyone is scared there will be another earthquake, and aftershocks add to the terror. While I was in Nepal multiple aftershocks occurred daily, but most were just jolts. The day before our flight back to the U.S. in July, I jerked awake as the ground shook beneath me. It was a relatively small aftershock but its epicenter was near where we were staying When the aftershock occurred it

Danger Zone—Sections of the country have been marked off with

danger zone signs where people are prohibited from entering. Some of these zones are close to a refugee zone where tents have been placed. (Photo by Sanskriti Neupane)

was not just the ground shaking. There were deafening sounds. In a matter of seconds the whole house was awake as my aunts and uncles scrambled to pick up my little cousins and head out the door. I have never been so scared in my life. There was nowhere to go, the ground was shaking and it felt like the buildings were moving in closer to each other. Even after it ended and we realized everyone was safe, my legs kept shaking and it felt like the ground would never be steady any longer. If our flight had not been the next day, I would have begged my parents to take us home. It was at that moment that I realized why everyone was so scared—the aftershock shook me to my core. I cannot begin to imagine how the earthquake on April 25 must have felt. Just months after the earthquake, tensions among ethnic groups began to rise in Nepal, before the new constitution was approved. Eventually a group revolted and killed multiple police officers in a fight that is still ongoing. In the aftermath of the earthquake, it is vital that the people of Nepal remember that the nation can only be re-built if everyone joins together. Page design by Sanskriti Neupane

FEATURES

Every Highlander has a story Get to know freshman Maria Purcell

Writer

in action—Maria Purcell enjoys writing in her free time. Her favorite works are of the dark and mysterious variety. (Photo by Tanya Ajalli)

Eva Bhandary News Reporter What’s your story? My dad’s a veteran and has served for 24 years. I’ve moved eight times. I’ve lived in Russia, Germany, Oklahoma, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and 29 Palms and Monterey, California. Being a military kid I think you’re exposed to a lot and you learn to appreciate what you have. It has made me passionate about the veteran society and I definitely want to contribute to it. The bad is just having to move all the time right when you get adjusted. The best country I’ve lived in was Germany. Everyone was easygoing and my school had a pet goat. We had knitting classes and it was really safe. My least favorite place was Russia. It was a beautiful place, but I remember it being really cold. School was really restrictive and the teachers were uptight. As a freshman, how do you feel about high school? I went to a private school before this... I don’t even want to talk about that. It’s been a big change going from a small school to a bigger school. The older kids have been nice and it’s nice to find your community within school. What activities are you involved in? I play soccer on ODP [Olympic Development Program] and play for Arlington. I’ve been playing for 12 years. I plan to try out for the school team in the spring. What is the most exciting thing you’ve ever done? Skiing in the Alps was probably the most exciting thing. There are no gates on the sides so it’s kind of like you’re free falling. It just has a sign that says ‘don’t fall off.’

What makes you unique? The fact that I am a military child and like to write. I like poetry— it’s usually on the darker side. I’m a happy person, but in-depth, mysterious writing is interesting. Soccer is probably the biggest thing. Do you speak more than one language? Yes, I speak German and French. I used to be able to speak Russian as well. Since you have moved around a lot, where do you see yourself living in the future? I see myself in Germany because I loved it when I lived there. It’s a very active environment. There is always something to do or somewhere to go. Germany is surrounded in nature and German people tend to be very outdoorsy. Birthday: Feb.16, 2001 Favorite movie: Insidious Dream job: Psychologist Man Crush Monday: Channing Tatum Favorite song: “Weightless” by All Time Low Go-to Friday night activity: Hanging out with friends Pet Peeve: When people say “I could care less,” it should be “I couldn’t care less.” Page design by Eva Bhandary

OCTOBER

New Highlanders adjust to McLean

Diverse transfer students experience a variety of ways to ease transition Kyuree Kim & Veronica Kim Reporter & Opinions Editor

oving away from home to a new place is not easy. It requires overcoming several challenges in order to successfully blend into the new environment. Among the various challenges, adjusting to a new school can be the most difficult. “I was freaked out when I first came to McLean High School. The school was huge which made it hard for me to get to my classes on time. I also did not know anyone at school, so I felt a little overwhelmed,” junior Sarah Shin said. Kim moved here from South Korea about a year ago. This is the majority of new Highlanders’ reaction on their first few days at McLean. The transition is even more stressful for new students who come from non-English speaking countries compared to those who come from English-speaking countries or other parts of the U.S. There are, however, several programs that assist new students in getting used to McLean quickly and effectively. For students who are not fluent in English, McLean offers an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) curriculum to help them learn in a comfortable environment, assist them with academics and provide them with a sense of belonging. “The two most difficult things for new students are succeeding in academics and establishing friendships,” ESOL teacher Zamir Seyfulla said. “This is even harder when a new student cannot speak English well, so our ESOL program tries to create an encouraging and comfortable atmosphere.” The ESOL program is not the only way new students can get assistance. New students are strongly encouraged to visit their counselors, who are always ready to offer help and give helpful advice to students during times of struggle.

Freshmen share first

Another program that McLean provides for new students is an event impressions called the freshman/transfer student Carlyn Kranking orientation. It prepares all the new News Editor students for the upcoming school year ith bigger halls, harder classes, more at McLean. It also offers an opportunity people and tons of new opportunities, for new Highlanders to get to know entering high school can be an intimidating each other and to feel a sense of kinship experience. As this year’s incoming class of among new students. freshmen get accustomed to finding their way McLean continuously tries to create around and finding their places in the new more programs for new Highlanders environment, they do so with mixed feelings to facilitate their adjustment to a new of worry and excitement. environment. Currently, McLean has a This year, McLean saw 540 new freshmen McWelcomer program which matches enter into its total of 2,090 students. every single new student to a current “It’s a lot different from middle school, McLean student who shares a similar [now that] you’re at the bottom of the age cultural background, hobby, or interest. bracket,” freshman Jordan Prather said. But Moreover, the counselors have lunch this is only one of the many changes that with the new students and introduce freshmen have to face. other students to them during their first two weeks so that they do not feel alone What are freshmen most worried in the large cafeteria. about? Every single student at McLean was Survey of 45 students new at some point. New Highlanders Upperclassmen 7% should always remember that the entire McLean community is happy to help them with any troubles they confront.

11%

Fitting in

What are new Highlanders’ biggest difficulties at McLean?

Homework

31%

Survey of 36 students Getting lost

6% Different school system 14%

Homesickness

19%

What are freshmen most excited for?

Language

25% 36%

42%

Sports

Academics (grades)

52% New experience

19%

New friends Making new friends

Survey of 21 students

More freedom

Page design by Carlyn Kranking, Kyuree Kim & Veronica Kim

OCTOBER

The ABCs of a happy Halloween Last minute saves for a great Halloween Ingrid Morse & Sophie Mariam Features Editor & Reporter

alloween is a time for fun, food and friends. To keep the festivities going and ward off the last-minute stress that comes with Halloween every year, here are a few tried-and-true tricks to keep the night going smoothly.

ll the activities you need:

Trick-or-treating is not for everyone, especially after a certain age, but fear not— there are a quite a few alternatives.

Halloween Haunt: This Kings Dominion special event is the perfect treat for thrill lovers. It features ghastly creatures emerging from the darkness, bone-chilling attractions and rollercoaster rides. It is open until midnight on Halloween and other weekends throughout October. Haunted maze: The Field of Screams in Laytonsville, Maryland, has been rated the #1 “Scream Park.” It offers several activities including haunted trails, hayrides, paintball and haunted houses. “It was better than any other haunted Halloween [activity] that I have been to before,” senior Rachel Short said. Apple picking : Northern Virginia has many apple orchards where you can pick them fresh. Crooked Run Orchard in Loudoun County is one of many orchards in the area.

lever backup costume to save your night: It is one of the worst

feelings to be standing in front of your closet an hour before a party with nothing to wear. It is an added anxiety that it is Halloween and you are expected to show just how witty you are. In a pinch, here are a couple more original and creative last minute solutions than a typical cat or cowboy.

Fork in the road: For this quick fix, wear a plain black T-shirt, make dashes with white duct tape and tape a fork to your shirt. Pumpkin pie: Wear an orange shirt and tape on a “pi“ symbol. This is a quick and clever costume that you can throw together in minutes.

ecause your pumpkin is everything: Who actually has time

to carve all their pumpkins?

“It gets so messy and sticky and it can never come out how I had wanted,” junior Nael Rehman said. However, pumpkins are still a staple of the holiday, and traditions must be upheld. To try something a little different, you can always take an alternative approach. To make your pumpkin special, you can buy or make your own stencils and then use glow-in-the-dark spray paint, spraying directly onto the pumpkin. This will save you the mess but will still impress trick-ortreaters.

Graphics by Bryan Chung & Ingrid Morse Page design by Ingrid Morse

OCTOBER

1 Where did you work before coming here? I worked in Brookfield Elementary School for 15 years, so I was an elementary school counselor. [My job] involved way younger kids and lots of puppets.

Why did you come to MHS?

I’ve been working for so long hoping the kids [I helped] would one day go to college, but I never actually got to see them do it. Now I’ll actually get to see them go off to college and I think it will be a really rewarding experience for me.

If you could go back and live in any time period, where would you live?

I would say the ‘60s or ‘70s, when women were starting to get more choices and rights, so I could be a part of that.

10 Qs with

Kathleen Otal (School Counselor)

Interview by Esme Tabra & photos by Tanya Ajalli

4 What’s your favorite holiday? Christmas, because I love all the decorations and the trees. And...because the food is delicious.

5 Do you have any hobbies? I run a lot and I try to exercise every day before I get to work in the morning, because it helps me have some energy during the day. I’m also really into cooking and eating! Also, napping.

6 What do you like to cook? I like to cook a lot of pastas and 6 cheese dips. [I also cook] a lot of healthy foods and always use fresh veggies.

8 Advice for seniors? Get all of your college stuff done! I think seniors just need to relax a bit more and try not to stress out as much about the college application process. If they just take one step at a time, it’ll all work out.

FEATURES

7 What will you be for Halloween this year? 7 I haven’t really thought about it yet, but last year I was a cheerleader, and the year before that I was someone from the medieval times.

9 What’s your favorite Starbucks drink?

10 What shows do you watch on TV or on Netflix?

I get the Mocha Frappuccino because I really like chocolate.

I just recently started getting into How I Met Your Mother. My daughter is in 8th grade and she loves that show, so we watch it together.

How to not stress about your stress Ways for each grade level to learn time management

Helen Bloom & Olivia Mooney Web A&E Editor & Reporter

Freshmen:

Sophomores:

Juniors:

Find a quiet study space that keeps you on task and free of distractions. Don’t be afraid to ask your teachers questions during and after class. Use the SQ3R method to study: survey the material, question the topics of the chapter, then read, rehearse and review. Try to do your work as soon as it is assigned, or, if you know it will take you a couple of hours, break it up over a few days. Develop study skills to establish a good balance between academics and a personal life. Keep a journal to write in when you feel stressed.

Read and review all materials for class by annotating and taking notes on major themes. Look for videos or review books to help in your understanding of general and broad topics and assist in your preparation for tests. Evaluate your study methods, and be honest about what works for you. Don’t overload yourself with hard classes that you aren’t interested in taking. Don’t assume that an advanced course in a particular subject will be easy for you just because you had no trouble with the subject freshman year.

Do whatever you can to make the year manageable—don’t worry about dropping down to a lower level of a class. Break up homework and reading assignments over the course of a few days so that you don’t feel overwhelmed as the due date approaches. Start preparing for the SAT and ACT, whether that entails watching videos, doing practice tests, reading review books, going to prep classes or getting a tutor. Try setting aside time to do some yoga or stretching—devote time to caring solely for your body and mind.

Seniors: Continue to make an effort to go to class—although you may think you’ve figured out high school, there’s still more to learn. Maintain a dialogue with your teachers. Stay after school to do homework so you can focus in a quiet environment with fewer distractions. Ask for recommendations as soon as possible and plan ahead so that you don’t turn in forms at the last minute. Don’t apply to too many colleges. Pick schools of different tiers: reach schools, likely schools and safety schools.

Students at work—Juniors Sri Medicherla, Anna Duval and Paige Harper

meet in an after-school study group to relieve stress. This studying technique allows students to clarify confusion about concepts and teach one another. (Photo by Annie Lu)

Photo illustration of Anjali Kumar by Annie Lu Page design by Helen Bloom & Olivia Mooney

OCTOBER

A&E Melanie Pincus

Ashwin Dasgupta

The arrival of fall brings with it a multitude of changes, from the colors of the leaves to the courses each student is taking. Whether I’m finding it hard to cope with life’s rapid changes or feel like change can’t come fast enough, these songs help me through the unpredictable autumn.

This year, fall means staying up late grinding out homework assignments and my college applications. I listen to these songs when I want to get through the seemingly insurmountable amount of work in front of me without losing concentration. This playlist includes electronic and ambient tracks that work to help me achieve my goals.

1. One Foot - fun. 2. Settle - Two Door Cinema Club 3. Marching Bands of Manhattan - Death Cab for Cutie 4. Strange Town - The Moderates 5. An Atlas to Follow - Wild Sweet Orange 6. It All Starts Here - Magic Man 7. Slowtown - twenty one pilots 8. Aquaman - Walk the Moon 9. Read My Mind - The Killers 10. Change - Taylor Swift

1. All I Ever Need - Caribou 2. Lazuli - Beach House 3. Joga - Bjork 4. Wall Street - Battles 5. Murderers - John Frusciante 6. 1983 - Flying Lotus 7. Minipops 67 (Source Field Mix) - Aphex Twin 8. My Girls - Animal Collective 9. Let it Happen - Tame Impala 10. Beat Laments The World - Nujabes

Fall Playlists Highlander editors share their favorite tracks for autumn

1. Big Girls Don’t Cry - Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons 2. She Knows - J. Cole 3. All Day Sucker - Stevie Wonder 4. Cello Suite No.1 - Bach (performed by Mischa Maisky) 5. El Scorcho - Weezer 6. Blessings - Big Sean 7. They Know [Dey Know] - Shawty Lo 8. Arrabal (Haaksman & Haaksman) - Gotan Project 9. Super Rich Kids - Frank Ocean 10. Fire - Ohio Players Senior year at McLean is a phenomenon of duality. Culture says we’re supposed to be the top dogs, kicking back and living the good life, but I’ve found my time at school to be pretty busy so far. Here’s a list of tracks I’ve been tasting to help combat the many challenges of these onerous times.

Liam Zeya A&E

1. New Americana - Halsey 2. Some Minds feat. Andrew Wyatt - Flume 3. Mr. Rager - Kid Cudi 4. Supposed to Do feat. Skepta - Ace Hood 5. Dirty - Calo 6. Vacant Space - George Maple 7. Don’t @ Me feat. Skepta, Shorty, Frisco, J.M.E 8. Love Again feat. JMSN & Sango - Ta-ku 9. Tied Up feat. Dej Loaf - Casey Veggies 10. Able to See Me - Hippie Sabotage 11. No Diggity - Chet Faker 12. My Story - Krept & Konan 13. Shutdown - Skepta I begin every fall day with a mile-long trek to school. Like most Highlanders, I feel groggy in the mornings and need something to wake me up; a majority of my songs are upbeat because they get my blood pumping and help prepare me to face the day.

Check out thehighlandernews.com for links to each Editor-in-Chief’s Spotify playlist.

Jake Barnett Page design by Ashwin Dasgupta

The Scorch Trials The film doesn’t burn as brightly as expected Young In Seo & Aisha Singh Features Editor & Web Editor-in-Chief

he second movie installment of The Maze Runner series, The Scorch Trials, came out on Sept 18. The film continues from the Gladers’ rescue from the horrifying maze trials, run by the organization WICKED, in the first movie. However, Thomas, Minho, Teresa and the rest of the group are on the run and must escape to the Scorch, as WICKED follows in close pursuit.

QUICK FACTS

Genre: Action, Science-Fiction Rating: PG-13 Director: Wes Ball Running Time: 142 min. Cast: Dylan O’Brien, Kaya Scodelario, Ki-Hong Lee, Thomas Brodie Sangster

The setting of the book was portrayed realistically by Wes Ball, the director of the movie series. For example, the Scorch was depicted just like it is described in the book—a desert wasteland scattered with city ruins. The excellent film production allowed the bright, beautiful scenes of the Scorch above the ground to contrast the dark, disquieting atmosphere of the Crank-filled tunnels below ground. The fierce sandstorms, as well as the sudden lightning, perfectly depicted the Scorch as a less-than-ideal place to live. The movie also skillfully evoked the uncertainty the characters felt at the beginning of the film through its cinematography and actors. As the group learns that the facility is teeming with secrets, the movie becomes more and more ominous. The Cranks in the movie were also portrayed with accuracy. Their Flare-infected faces and eerie screams bouncing off the walls of the dark tunnels unsettle the audience in an extremely satisfying manner. This depiction of the Cranks was a highlight of the film, as we pictured the Cranks from the books with exactly the same level of horror.

The movie, however, does not mention this mission, and simply begins with the Gladers running away from WICKED and to the Right Arm, an organization fighting against WICKED. This made the movie seem directionless at some points and removed the sense of urgency within the journey of the Gladers across the Scorch. In addition, the first Maze Runner book mentions that the Gladers are about to go into Phase 2—implied to be the Scorch Trials. The second movie, however, failed to connect to the first book plot-wise and veered far off-course. Another flaw we uncovered was the lack of character development with the characters, especially Thomas. One of the main reasons for this was the lack of flashbacks to delve further into Thomas’ unknown past, compared to the book’s frequent usage of memories infiltrating his mind. Some contradictions of the science behind the plot arose. The film, in an effort to keep the mystery of the Flare and the Scorch, did not delve into these important topics at all. Moviegoers were left confused, rather than intrigued, by the history of the Flare and the specifications of the disease. It also had faulty reasoning for why normal people were living in an isolated desert city without showing any signs of being infected by the epidemic.

THE BAD

FINAL VERDICT

THE GOOD

The first and biggest fault that we found with the movie is its blatant failure to follow the plot of the book. Within five minutes of the film, the movie deviated from the plot of the book. In the book, the Gladers are given a mission by WICKED: to traverse the Scorch, go over a mountain to go to a safe haven where they will be given a cure for the Flare virus, which they have all been infected with —all within two weeks. This mission gives the Gladers a sense of purpose and direction for their every move, and reveals WICKED’s sinister motives.

Compared to the first Maze Runner film, The Scorch Trials is just as action-packed and tension-filled. However, the second movie’s failure to depict the same level of urgency was detrimental to the film’s overall performance. Wes Ball’s filming is the saving grace of the film with little character and plot development. This movie would have been fine as a stand-alone, but unfortunately, as fans of the book, our thirst for a great movie was not satiated, and we left the theater feeling like the movie hadn’t lived up to its potential.

OCTOBER

Suit up for fall fashion

Highlanders embrace autumn weather by stepping up their fashion game Alisha Smith & Caroline Watkins Reporters

ut with the old, in with the new. The most innovative designers of this season’s new collections have redefined what it means to be fashionable. Fashion enthusiasts everywhere should look out for these upcoming fall trends crafted by style gurus such as Jeremy Scott and Tory Burch as they make their way off the runway and onto the streets.

Female Trends

• • • • • • • • •

Tapestry print Pale pinks Fur accents Patched items Velvet Suede Crop tops High necklines Bold plaid prints

Junior Diana Suk wears a grey dress and denim jacket complete with fur accents.

Male Trends

Sophomore Victoria Gralla rocks the trendy denim-on-denim look. The trend was showcased on the runway at this year’s New York Fashion Week by designers such as Saint Laurent and Michael Kors.

OCTOBER

• Grey, grey and more grey • Knit sweaters • Ankle-baring pants • Statement denim • Layered coats • Baggy pants

Senior Chris Stolze sports a knit sweater with a contrasting plaid shirt underneath. His look is completed with beige pants and tan oxfords. Photos by Caroline Watkins Page design by Alisha Smith & Caroline Watkins Background obtained via MaxiuB on Flickr under a Creative Commons license

New hosts hit late-night stage Stephen Colbert and Trevor Noah now host old favorites Henry Howe Reporter

teven Colbert is back on late night television, this time on CBS hosting a show on network television for the first time. He has retained his witty and sarcastic style, much to the enjoyment of his fans. In his Sept. 21 monologue, Colbert declared that he was offering fake degrees from fake colleges on his website. (They’re still there, for those wishing to skip the stress of the college application process.) “The comedy seems the same to me,” senior Joshua Abbott said. In addition to holding on to his old techniques, Colbert has also adopted elements of a Jimmy Fallon-esque interview style, as evidenced by his Sept. 15 interview with Emily Blunt. That is, he plays good-natured, humorous games with his interviewees. “Steven Colbert, he’s your regular sort of talk show host. But he’s also doing what’s kind of common nowadays—he’s combining comedy with journalism in an effort to create something that’s appealing to the masses,” senior Daniel Glover said. Colbert replaced David Letterman as the host of The Late Show after signing off of his show on Comedy Central last winter. Colbert was replaced by Larry Wilmore, who now hosts The Nightly Show, The Colbert Report’s replacement. Does it matter whether Colbert is on Comedy Central or CBS? “It makes no difference to me because I mostly just watch isolated clips on the Internet,” senior Richard Ohr said. Guess not. The long tradition of late-night television hosts was started in the 1950s by the likes of Steve Allen and Jack Paar and matured under Johnny Carson’s 30-year run on The Tonight Show. Colbert steps up to a well-worn plate.

LATE NIGHT TV GUIDE The Daily Show with Trevor Noah — @ 11 p.m. Mon-Thurs The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore — @ 11:31 p.m. Mon-Thurs

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert — @ 11:35 p.m. Weeknights The Late Late Show with James Corden — @ 12:37 p.m. Weeknights

The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon — @ 11:35 p.m. Weeknights Late Night with Seth Myers — @ 12:35 a.m. Weeknights

Jimmy Kimmel Live — @ 11:35 p.m. Weeknights

Conan — @ 11 p.m. Mon-Thurs

“Colbert feels like the direct inheritor for Carson,” said English Teacher John Behm, who worked in the advertising business for 15 years. Carson set the standard for latenight television and developed the format that most programs follow. “Why change the format? As a comparison, look at a sitcom. Look at I Love Lucy, Friends, Seinfeld and then something that was on last week— not a whole lot of difference,” Behm said. “In terms of the nature of the program, how [it’s] structured and how [late-night hosts] present it, I don’t see a lot of structural changes, and the personalities are a little different, but it’s the same kind of television.” In other words, Colbert fits in

nicely. He is also part of a large field of contenders for people’s attention—not just on network television. His show airs at the same time as his replacement Wilmore, in addition to giants like Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel and Conan O’Brien. Another new host for an old favorite is Trevor Noah for The Daily Show. Jon Stewart, the show’s host for 16 years and one of Colbert’s current producers, aired his last episode back in August. Noah’s first show was on Sept. 28. May he head the ship of The Daily Show well. Perhaps his hosting will help other comedians kickstart their own careers, like Stewart’s stewardship helped Colbert launch his own. Only time will tell. Page design by Henry Howe

OCTOBER

Movies to watch this Halloween Sit back and chill your bones with these films Anurag Kandukuri Reporter

The Exorcist (1973)

“scare your pants off” The Exorcist, based on William Peter Blatty’s novel of the same name, tells the tale of a teenage girl who is possessed by a strange demon. In order to save her daughter, the girl’s mother seeks the help of two priests who struggle to perform an exorcism. This movie paved the way for numerous horror movies, and it is filled with suspense that will leave viewers at the edge of their seats. It’s universally recognized as one of the scariest movies and is worth watching this Halloween.

Director: William Friedkin Cast: Ellen Burstyn Jason Miller Linda Blair Rated: R Hoya Productions

Director:

The Ring (2002)

Gore Verbinski Cast: Naomi Watts Martin Henderson David Dorfman Rated: PG-13

“2spooky4me”

The Ring is a remake of the Japanese film Ringu, which was based on Koji Suzuki’s novel bearing the same title. The movie is about a journalist who investigates a videotape that causes the viewer to die seven days after watching it. It is one of the first American remakes of a Japanese horror movie, and its success led to many more American remakes. This is a great movie to sit through and enjoy on a chilly night—just don’t watch it on videotape!

DreamWorks Pictures

The Conjuring (2013)

“cr33py” The Conjuring is about paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, who help a family dealing with hauntings in their farmhouse. This film is based on real life events, and the director uses a range of emotions to make the viewer connect with the characters. This movie has all the necessary ingredients for a horror film, including jump scares and creepy effects. Be sure to catch its sequel, The Conjuring 2: The Enfield Poltergeist, in theaters June 2016.

Director: James Wan Cast: Vera Farmiga Patrick Wilson Lili Taylor Rated: R New Line Cinema

Director: Sam Fell Cast: Kodi Smit-McPhee Jodelle Ferland Tucker Albrizzi Rated: PG Laika Entertainment

A&E

ParaNorman (2012)

“anything but normal” ParaNorman is an animated stop-motion movie about a boy named Norman who talks to ghosts. Norman and his group of unusual associates band together to save his town from a witch’s curse. This film is the first stop-motion movie to design the characters’ faces using a 3D printer and treats the audience with new and interesting visuals. For those looking for a movie full of fun, family-friendly entertainment, ParaNorman is the movie to watch on Halloween. Page design by Anurag Kandukuri

Artists on the rise

Internet stars transition to real-world stardom Christine Cheon Arts & Entertainment Editor

ver the past few years, YouTube has transformed from an outlet for people and organizations to stream videos through to a platform from which people can launch their careers. Some YouTube stars have attained widespread recognition through the content they’ve posted on their YouTube channels; numerous creators have been offered book deals, record deals, and opportunities to appear on television. After years of being uploaded onto YouTube, the music made by these artists has moved from the internet to the airwaves and is rapidly gaining popularity.

Troye Sivan

Genre: Indie pop, EDM, electropop Troye Sivan initially started uploading covers on his personal YouTube channel in 2007. His first EP, TRYXE, peaked at Number 5 on the Billboard 200. Now a prominent EDM artist, Sivan’s music incorporates electronic beats to contrast his soulful voice. In “Happy Little Pill”, Sivan showcases his ability to convey emotion and a unique mindset through powerful lyrics. “I like [that] his individuality... really comes through in his music. He is able to capture the heart behind the really big issues he discusses within his lyrics, like the abuse many gay teens suffer through,” junior Calen Chung said.

Pentatonix

Genre: A Capella, pop Pentatonix is a five person, Grammy-award winning a capella group that gained fame for posting covers of popular songs on YouTube. The group’s anthology displays their impressive collection of musical skills, ranging from beatboxing to scatting. Because the group covers songs in a multitude of genres, each member is able to showcase their individual talents.

Halsey

Genre: Indie pop Through her personal YouTube channel and SoundCloud account, Halsey gained recognition rapidly; in early 2014, she signed a record deal with Astralwerks. Although it mostly incorporates elements of hip hop and alternative rock, Halsey’s music is influenced by a wide variety of genres and artists, including the Notorious B.I.G. and Nirvana. Her smooth, consistent voice, catchy melodies and descriptive lyrics have captured the attention of audiences worldwide and are sure to convert more listeners to fans in the future. Photos obtained from Google Images via a Creative Commons license

Page design by Christine Cheon

OCTOBER

Highlander Patrons As a student-run program, The Highlander would like to thank all of our generous supporters who make it possible to print our newsmagazine. Listed below are this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s contributors. We would also like to thank all of our anonymous supporters.

GOLD ($200+)

SILVER ($100+)

The Barnett Family

The Mooney Family

The Zeya/Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Grady Family

BRONZE ($50+) The French Family

If you would like to become a patron of The Highlander, please send a check addressed to: The Highlander McLean High School 1633 Davidson Road

Sabrein Gharad, Lucy Hopkins & Melanie Pincus Managing Editors & Editor-in-Chief

Fall

in g

he Fairfax County Public School system is enormous: it educates more than 187,000 students in 196 schools and employs 24,612 people fulltime, making it the 10th largest school system in the nation. In recent years, FCPS’s expenses have skyrocketed as a result of enrollment growth, required contributions to the Virginia Retirement Fund, the rising cost of health care, and the implementation of reforms such as full-day kindergarten and later high school start times. According to FCPS Superintendent Dr. Karen Garza, county funding has not kept pace with growing costs. As a result, the school board predicts a budget shortfall between $50 and $100 million for fiscal year (FY) 2017. In response, the board assembled a budget task force comprised of 36 citizens to propose cuts. The task force’s list of potential cuts, published in early August,

short

includes suggestions ranging from reducing athletics to eliminating seventh period classes. This is not the beginning of FCPS’s budget challenges. “Since 2008, we’ve cut almost a half a billion dollars out of our operating cost, so we’ve cut everything we possibly could,” Garza said in a press conference with FCPS student journalists on Sept. 23. Students, teachers and community members have expressed concern and surprise at the magnitude of the board’s budget shortfall prediction in a county that Forbes Magazine ranked the fifth wealthiest in the U.S. by median income in 2014. How could one of the largest and wealthiest school systems in the country be facing a budget crisis of this size and severity, and how will FCPS’s budget crisis impact the quality of education for the nearly 200,000 students enrolled in FCPS?

OCTOBER

EXCELLENCE AT RISK? In April of last year, 21 of McLean’s teachers and faculty members attended the Board of Supervisors’ (BOS) Public Budget Hearing to express their concerns over FCPS’s inability to maintain competitive teacher salaries. According to the Virginia Department of Education, FCPS teachers earned an average of $64,580 per year in FY 2014, an amount that is $13,868 more than the state average but $9,266 less than the average salary for teachers in neighboring Arlington County. The McLean teachers present at the hearing said their current salaries are insufficient to match the area’s high cost of living. “To survive in the county, I had to find other sources of income than my salary, which is in no way keeping up with inflation, or the salaries of neighboring counties,” French teacher Isabelle Brazell said in her speech at the BOS hearing. “I tutor nights and weekends, [and] now, in my 50s, I even have to take roommates.” English teacher Lori Wagoner left Fairfax County at the end of last school after 11 years here, saying she could no longer afford to live in the area because of

IN-DEPTH

the county’s failure to follow through on step increases. “My students have scored well above [the] national average on AP exams, [and] I have never had a student fail an SOL. I succeeded, but you have failed to honor your obligation,” Wagoner said at the BOS hearing. “You promised me security with which I could plan my life, but now you have breached that trust, and I have no trust fund.” At a meeting with parents in March about the future of McLean High School, Principal Dr. Ellen Reilly said the budget crisis’s impact on teacher salaries is causing teachers to leave the school. “I’ve never had this [many teachers] leave,” she said. “They’re just saying that they can’t do this anymore, and it’s impacting us—it’s a huge impact.” At Haycock Elementary School, former principal Dr. Kelly Sheers, currently the principal of Westfield Elementary School, said inaccurate enrollment projections have also impacted teachers. “We’ve always been under-projected,” Sheers said. “When they staff me and say you’re going to have 850 students and I

end up having to de-staff teachers, when I know for a fact that we’re going to be over, it’s frustrating.” Haycock is not alone in suffering from overcrowding. More than 43 percent, upwards of 84 of all schools in FCPS face overcrowding. Fifty-two percent of high schools, 31 percent of middle schools and 44 percent of elementary schools are currently facing overcrowding. Since 2008, Haycock’s actual student enrollment has exceeded county projections by as many as 107 students. Overcrowding pressures have strained Haycock to its fullest possible capacity. “I had a class in the staff lounge...I literally put my psychologist in the closet, in our math closet. She’s still there, in a closet, essentially. And then, of course, we had the eight-room modular, quads, trailers,” Sheers said. “We had everything.” Since its opening in 1954, Haycock has undergone just two renovations, both minor. Sheers said Haycock was pushed back on the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) schedule because of a minor change in the library. Photo by Ashwin Dasgupta

“The project was delayed,” Sheers said. “All in all, they just kind of ended up doing the work remarkably fast, so I think, to that extent, they’re on target for where they hoped they had finished, but it was delayed.” Even after renovation, Haycock will still be over capacity. The new school will be able to accommodate 877 students, and Haycock’s current enrollment is 920. “That was the other really frustrating part,” Sheers said. “Haycock is zoned to only have a certain total square footage of building—they are building it as large as they can according to the zoning.” Haycock is affected by the county’s struggling CIP, which maps out the renovation cycle for the county’s schools and centers. The CIP fund is capped at $155 million per year, and is not connected to next year’s shortfall, which concerns the operating fund. Garza said FCPS’s limited capital funds impede the renovation cycle. “I will tell you that our capital needs are great, and we’re way behind. In fact, our policy and kind of the best practice standard around renovating and investing in a building is around [a] 25year [renovation cycle]—we’re around 35 years now, 32-35 years,” Garza said. “And

probably within the next few years, we’ll be at 42.” According to a study conducted by the Miami-Dade Public School District, there is a correlation between the quality of facilities (schools) and the performance of the students in those schools. Although it is well-known that teachers and parents have a tremendous and undeniable impact on students’ academic performance, the study found having a well-designed or poorly designed school can significantly improve or diminish the effects of their efforts. Other studies conducted by the Economic Policy Institute analyzing the impact of facility conditions— from locker quality to the frequency of classroom cleaning—on students’ academic performance in Los Angeles and Milwaukee further support the claims made by the Miami-Dade Public School District. They found “higher reading scores among elementary and high school students in better-maintained schools, after accounting for the other influences.” Not only is FCPS’s renovation cycle lagging almost 10 years behind industry standards, but its construction fund budget is well below that of neighboring

FCPS Budget Overview $525.5 million in highschool funding

$155.2 million

Though FCPS faces real challenges with its budget, issues with funding are not uncommon. “My old school system… was Nottoway County [in Virginia]. A lot of teachers got laid off and they were all complaining about how much they got paid,” freshman Anna-Grace Hopkins said. “We had like five trailers out behind our school, and the inside of the building hadn’t been worked on in a long time.” Hopkins’ experience is not unique— across the nation, thousands of students are forced to deal with the consequences of living in counties facing budget problems. “In Florida, [my school] had a lot less,” junior Anna Duval said. “We had whiteboards instead of SMART Boards, ...[fewer] computers, and… schools were just of poorer quality. They weren’t clean, and we had really old devices and old lockers.” Montgomery County

Capital Improvent Program

Renovation Cycle

$251.6M

$ $

$155 M

Standard Current Projected

Fairfax County

Construction fund Budget

45YRS 34YRS

in funding

NATIONAL CONTEXT

25YRS

$2.6 billion (FY 2016)

Loudoun and Montgomery counties. For FY 2015, FCPS had a construction fund budget of $872 per student, while Loudoun County’s and Montgomery County’s are $1,568 and $1,513 per student, respectively.

in transportation in funding

86% 30

of op funding goes to instructional programming

$872 $1513 Per student OCTOBER

Under Construction—Haycock Elementary School has undergone just two minor renovations since opening in 1954. FCPS’s capital improvement fund, capped at $155 million per year, sets schools’ renovation cycles many years behind industry standards. (Photo by Melanie Pincus) Last year, FCPS ended its five-year Educational Technology Plan, through which the county spent over $68 million in an effort to provide students with the resources they say are necessary to succeed, including equipment, training and repairs. FCPS’s commitment to providing its students and employees with adequate technology and an understanding of how to use it contributes to its success as a system, but is also a reason that it’s facing so many problems in creating a balanced budget. “[Budget problems are] not singular to Fairfax County,” math teacher Caroline Cochrane-Braswell said. “I know that… my second-cousin, [who] was superintendent in Eli, Nevada, [was] having a bunch of [money] problems, as well, but the other problem they have is that they can’t keep teachers there.” At the conference, Garza noted that the salaries FCPS offers teachers are not high enough to keep the county competitive. “The employees of FCPS—we’ve got to do better by them, but we’ve also got to have more revenue to make sure we’re competitive with salaries,” Garza said.

IN-DEPTH

Although many good teachers have left the county in search of higher paying jobs, many remain, at least for now; consequently, FCPS students have maintained high success rates. In 2014, the average math/verbal composite SAT score of FCPS students, 1126, was markedly higher than the state average of 1027 and the national average of 993. The graduation rate in FCPS, 92.9 percent, which is 11.9 percent higher than the national average and 3 percent above the state average. FCPS students AP exam scores, are well above the national average. In 2014, the county’s average score was a 3.29, which is roughly 130 percent greater than the national average of 2.87. This exceptional academic performance follows students beyond high school. The New York Times reports that a child living below the poverty line in Fairfax County will earn 20 percent more income as a young adult than a child raised and educated in the average county. If the county’s test scores and graduation rates are any indication, the problem in the FCPS system lies in neither the quality of the students, nor the quality of teachersthe problem that FCPS faces is

retaining and nurturing that high quality.

LOOKING AHEAD

Despite the task force’s dramatic suggestions, Garza said it is far too soon to predict what the county will need to cut to balance its FY 2017 budget. “I think it’s too early to know what potentially would be cut moving forward,” Garza said. “Right now I think it’s just an opportunity for community members to weigh in.” Garza said the force’s “menu of potential reductions” does not reflect any concrete plan for cuts that would impact students next school year. “The extent to which some of these programs will potentially be affected is way too early to know,” she said. “It’s my hope that we don’t affect a lot of those programs if we can help it, but we’ll see what happens moving forward.” In the near future, then, the major impacts of underfunding will likely remain the same: teachers will not receive competitive salaries, and the Capital Improvement Program will be restricted by bond caps. The shortfall’s potential impact on sports, seventh period and support programs remains to be seen.

OPINIONS

FCPS doesn’t make the grade on SIS rollout

Decision to award SIS access exclusively to parents is an affront to all students The staff editorial represents the opinion of the majority of The Highlander editorial board

his fall, FCPS rolled out Student Information System (SIS) across the county. This new program allows parents to have 24/7 online access to their student’s grades, attendance and disciplinary history. Despite the fact that the program displays student grades, FCPS did not officially give students a way to access their accounts. This disparity has resulted in a slew of unintended problems, and FCPS should give students access to SIS as soon as possible to rectify the situation. According to Matt Guilfoyle, Executive Director of Communications and Community Relations for FCPS, “Student accounts in SIS are on the project road map...parent accounts were the top priority.” While we acknowledge that the county will be giving students access eventually, the ramifications of rolling out an incomplete system have been felt by students and teachers alike. The fact that parents can view grade

updates before their children has led to awkward confrontations in which students don’t have the resources to explain themselves. “I really like that grades are always accessible, but I just don’t like that my

“Parent accounts were the top priority.” -Matt Guilfoyle, Executive Director of Communications and Community Relations for FCPS

parents can see my grades before I can,” freshman DJ Choi said. This situation is worsened by the large number of “helicopter parents” in this area who are unaware that their child’s grade could be temporarily skewed by things like absences or ungraded assignments. Teachers, who are aware of this problem, have also been inconvenienced by these effects. Many teachers would prefer to discuss a contentious grade with a student first without getting parents involved.

However, under the current system, parents may try to interrogate the teacher over email before even conferring with the student. Consequently, teachers are faced with a choice between updating the gradebook frequently or withholding grades. Both options risk giving a false portrayal of how well or poorly a student is doing in a class. At the very least, teachers should not be allowed to post a grade in the SIS gradebook until they have shown the score to the student. On the same note, not all students have access to what teachers decide to put in SIS. If a parent is not aware of SIS, or has chosen not to create an account, they are inadvertently putting their child at a significant disadvantage. Teachers have for the most part no need to send home progress reports, thus the students who have no access to SIS will have no way to track their progress. Students should have the right to see their grades whenever they want, and SIS is a step in the right direction. However, considering SIS’s current level of implementation, not all students have that right.

Page design & reporting by Jake Barnett & Liam Zeya

OCTOBER

Erode the dress code It’s time for FCPS to revise vague clothing rules Nora Hashem & Peter Morell Reporters cross the country, debate has erupted over a controversial issue: high school dress codes. Viral news stories have spread, detailing girls being forced to change for wearing clothes that would be perceived as appropriate to our generation. These stories have become part of a national trend, as the issue has spread from coast to coast and now into the halls of McLean High School. In recent years McLean’s dress code has been loosely enforced. In obvious cases, when a student was demonstrating intentional indecency, a student would be asked to change, but generally students were allowed to wear what they wanted. This year, however, has been different. On the first day of school, senior Sally Adams* was dress coded for wearing a pair of “short” shorts. She was forced to call her mother, who had to leave work to come drop off another pair of shorts. On the second day of school, Adams again wore clothes that the administration deemed distracting to a learning environment. She was brought into the office and lectured by the administration for her indecency, who asked if she would wear the outfit in question to church or to visit her grandmother. “[I was] basically bashed the whole time and shamed for wearing clothes I feel confident in,” Adams said. It is not okay for any student to feel shamed by the administration that they are supposed to trust, especially about their bodies. McLean’s strict enforcement of this dress code and dress codes like it specifically harm young girls. “Girls definitely get dress coded more than boys do. I wore a shirt with nudity on it once and didn’t get dress coded. Nobody dress codes boys,” senior Nadim Najjar said. Because girls are disproportionately targeted for these violations, it means they have to bear the brunt of the

*Name has been changed to protect anonymity

OPINIONS

consequences. In this case, that means loss of class time. According to a study by the National Educational Policy Center, “Dress code referrals are especially time-consuming because they often involve students changing clothes or waiting for parents to bring them new clothes. It can sometimes take more than two hours for a parent to leave work, stop by their house, grab clothes and bring them to school. This is valuable class time that is lost for the student.” A dress code that takes time out of a girl’s school day in order to discipline her and possibly send her home sends a message to students that a male’s education is more valuable than a female’s. Although this is not the intent of the administration, focus is placed on a girl’s body at school when it should be placed on learning. This attitude towards girls singles them out and shames them. When a boy gets dress coded, it is his clothing that is

offensive. But when a girl gets dress coded, it is her body that is offensive. The SR&R says that “clothing that exposes cleavage, private parts, the midriff, or undergarments, or that is otherwise sexually provocative, is prohibited.” The term “sexually provocative” is both unnecessary and problematic. The SR&R has already stated what is not allowed. By including this statement, there is room for interpretation that can easily spiral out of control. This vague wording of a countywide policy creates an environment where girls are unable to follow the rules because they are not clearly defined. How one person defines sexually provocative can be completely different to another. The current policy in and of itself sexualizes female students. This problem contributes to a growing, nationwide idea that it is a girl’s fault when she is sexualized. Instead of teaching girls to embrace who they are, they’re being taught their very bodies are inappropriate.

Comic by Anna Marie Garland Page design by Nora Hashem

CROSSFIRE: Block scheduling blocks education Classes are too long for high school students

crucial part of learning in high-school is allowing students the chance to get excited about different subjects. In order to retain their zest for academics, a student must be healthy, focused and happy. McLean’s block schedule layout— which currently allows for three 90-minute classes and one shorter class every day— prevents students from reaching their full academic potential. Daily classes would benefit pupils immensely on a variety of physical and mental levels. According to a Washington Post report, sitting for long periods a day every day creates a higher risk for heart disease, an over-productive pancreas, soft bones and sore backs. Additionally, without regular movement, our bodies pump blood and oxygen at a lower rate, slowing brain function. Although some block schedule

An hour and a half is a long time for naturally active teenagers to sit. A recent study by the American College of Physicians found that long periods of sitting is correlated to detrimental health outcomes, regardless of exercise. A traditional schedule, consisting of seven 45-minute class periods per day, is overall better for our health and education. The upside to this health concern is that it can be feasibly remedied. The solution is to simply get up and be more active during the day. The traditional schedule enables students to get more breaks in between classes, during which they can stretch and

“Kids being able to get information everyday instead of every other day is better for their education.” -Math teacher Michael O’Brien proponents argue that 90-minute periods allow for immersion in a topic, in reality, they actually reduce student attention spans and creativity. “I have a short attention span, so it’s hard to stay focused for an hour and a half,” senior Abraham Haji said. This attitude isn’t uncommon among the McLean student population. Marathon 90-minute classes create a less enjoyable learning environment for the teacher and the student. As students slump farther and farther into their chairs, teachers lose more and more ground in the battle for their attention.

be more active than the block schedule allows. Although they may not seem significant, small breaks like these add up, and they can energize students and get their blood circulating, improving brain function overall. Along with this effect, daily classes promote topic-immersion. When it comes to conceptually difficult classes, such as languages or mathematics, going to class every day allows for the repetition that helps students solidify their skills. A seven period schedule would force students to be exposed to their material everyday.

Eleanor Patrick News Editor “Kids being able to get information every day instead of every other day is better for their education…and would make the learning process go a little smoother,” math teacher Michael O’Brien said. The notion that 45-minute classes leave less time for learning is absurd. Proponents of the every-periodevery-day schedule aren’t arguing for less instruction time; rather, they are proposing a reallotment of time in the school day. This schedule will not allow for a lot of continuous class time, but because students lose their focus in long classes, the last 30 to 45 minutes in blockscheduled classes are without merit, anyway. Being exposed to the same topics every day would leave both teacher and student more knowledgeable and more interested in the material being discussed. All in all, block schedules block learning. High school should be designed to benefit students; to successfully do that, McLean needs to change the schedule to a sevenperiod day.

OCTOBER

Is block scheduling beneficial to students? Four classes a day keeps the stress away Ninety-minute classes prepare students for life

Bora Zaloshnja Opinions Editor

he fundamental purpose of school is to prepare students for their futures. The progression from a seven class day in middle school to block scheduling in high school helps students smoothly transition to the real world. Students have to learn to focus for long periods of time to adequately prepare themselves for adult life. In college, most classes run about 90 minutes, and 98 percent of 2015 McLean graduates went off to two- or four-year colleges. Failing to prepare students for a typical collegiate schedule would put them at a disadvantage in relation to their college peers. Outside of school, there are things that require even more focus and discipline over long periods of time: jobs. Longer classes help prepare students to focus on tasks for long periods of time, sharpening a skill they will need in almost any profession they choose. Moreover, the benefits of 90-minute classes are not limited to the future, but can also be reaped while in high school. As an academically competitive school,

OPINIONS

McLean offers a lot of AP classes, and many students choose to take them. Most AP exams are comprised of a multiple choice section and a writing section. With 90-minute periods teachers can better simulate the AP test by giving out both sections in one class period. Humanities courses are often heavy in discussion, and 90-minute classes allow discussions to be much more comprehensive. “A 90-minute period gives you more opportunity to delve into the depths of meaning in a literary text,” English teacher Ken Kraner said. Students are able to spend more time on topics and don’t have to pick up discussions where they left off the previous day. “With block scheduling, instructional time is not fragmented by frequent transitions between classes. Fewer distinct classes means less time spent on classroom management activities, such as calling attendance and organizing and focusing the class,” University of Virginia professor Robert Canady said. Most classes simply benefit from 90-minute periods, but science classes require them. Labs can be timeconsuming. If teachers were given shorter class periods, they would be forced to redesign their labs, likely making them less educational. Having seven classes a day is also simply too grueling for students and teachers. Shuffling through seven classes a day leaves a student tired and burned out. Additionally, teaching four or five classes a day is less than ideal for teachers. When teachers have 90 minutes for class, they can lecture and still have time

for interactive activities like discussions, labs and written assessments. “With block scheduling, you have the opportunity to really understand the topic you are learning and ask as many questions as you want,” said former McLean student Tess Brookes, who is now a senior at Robinson High School in Tampa. Brookes, who has moved around the country, has attended schools that utilized both types of schedules. Opponents of block scheduling argue that 90 minutes is too long for high school students to pay attention to a lecture, but making classes shorter is the wrong way to address the problems students have with paying attention. Rather, teachers should focus on keeping students on task through offering short breaks or requiring participation in classroom activities. Instituting breaks and activities in 90-minute classes will better ease students into higher levels of education and the workforce than reducing the class length to 45 minutes will. In a Virginia Department of Education survey, Virginia high school teachers and principals at schools that had recently implemented block scheduling reported a more relaxed environment, a reduction in unsupervised student movement, fewer discipline referrals, fewer student fights, better rates of teacher and student attendance, and a positive impact on atrisk youth. When looking at the myriad benefits of block scheduling, it is clear that the high schools who implemented block scheduling in the late 1990s and early 2000s made the correct choice. Block scheduling maximizes the benefits a student receives from their school day and prepares them for life after graduation. Photo illustrations by Tanya Ajalli Page design by Bora Zaloshnja

Comparative disadvantage

AP US Government creates incentives that threaten American ideals Peter Morell Reporter

his country was founded on the pillars of truth and justice, of fairness and equality under the law. Yet the options offered to students for the very course in which they are meant to examine these principles undermines them all. The options for a senior year government course are as follows: United States & Virginia Government, Honors U.S. & Virginia Government, AP U.S. Government and AP U.S. and Comparative Government. These choices present one obvious issue. A student may choose AP U.S. Government, a one-semester course taught over a whole year covering just one country, take a single AP exam, and walk away with one full credit, along with a one point GPA boost. Alternatively, a student who takes AP U.S. & Comparative Government, two one-semester courses taught over a year covering seven countries, with two AP exams, receives the same one credit and one-point GPA boost. It is abundantly clear which course more adequately prepares students for college, but the system incentivizes students to take the cheap way out and settle for regular AP U.S. Gov. It makes sense. Why would anyone take a course with nearly twice as much work if the payoff is the same? “It’s not fair. There’s no proper compensation. We should receive more, or they should receive less. Something needs to give,” said senior Sulaiman Behsudi, a student in AP U.S. & Comparative Gov. We live in a global world, a world where our clothes, our food and dozens upon dozens of other essential things are created in other countries. We live in a world where events that happen thousands of miles away can significantly impact how we live our lives. By failing to study the way

AP US Gov

AP US & Comp Gov

1 Credit

+1 GPA Boost

1 AP Exams

2 AP Exams

1 Country

7 Countries

governments function in China, Russia, Nigeria, Mexico, Iran and the United Kingdom, students are ignoring the interconnectedness and interdependence of the 21st century and limiting their understanding of the real world. “People find [Comparative Gov] satisfying, because it reflects the real world, which is this multi-national, integrated, interdependent thing. People who get focused on the U.S. as the beall end-all are depriving themselves of a clear perception of reality,” said Ian Howell, who currently teaches AP U.S. & Comparative Gov and Honors Gov, and formerly taught AP U.S. Gov. This system shortchanges the students in AP U.S. & Comparative Gov by putting them at a short-term competitive disadvantage, but it also shortchanges the AP U.S. Gov students in the long-term by inadequately preparing them for their futures, and by failing to educate them on the way the world really works.

“I’m interested in politics, and I knew that taking AP U.S. Gov would fail to broaden my worldview in a meaningful way. I didn’t want to sit through 8th grade civics class again,” senior Jordan Blum said. This system is not just broken—it is downright un-American. Students should be given benefits proportional to the work they put in. That’s fair. That’s justice. Students also need to be able to understand America’s role in the world, which can not be done by looking exclusively inwards. It’s time to fix the system. It’s time to create incentives that push bright minds towards success. It’s time to do away with AP U.S. Government, or at the very least, it is time to lessen the benefits a student receives from taking it, so as to create a more just, more equitable and more productive tomorrow.

Page design by Peter Morell

OCTOBER

Payne-ful thinking

SATIRE

Opinions on hard-hitting topics and issues around school straight from the mind of self-proclaimed comedian Jackson Payne

My SR&R Reforms: • Teachers not only reserve the right to confiscate cell phones from students, but they are also allowed to send or post whatever they please from the student’s phone. • Rather than serve detention, students will be blindfolded, driven to a random location and dropped off with no supplies and be forced to find a way back to school. • Students who would normally get a records review or possible expulsion from the county will now be used as cover models for future SR&R booklets. • Those who don’t learn their lesson after posing for the cover will be forced to star in upcoming SR&R videos for the county. • Students who are caught cheating or plagiarizing will be forced to write a handwritten letter to each individual student in the school, apologizing for their actions and begging for forgiveness. • And of course, students who consistently follow the rules and regulations of the county always reserve the right to point and laugh at those who are serving punishments.

he beginning of a new school year is always exciting, with new students, new teachers and, most importantly, a new Student Rights and Responsibilities booklet. This crisp yellow document, straight from the imagination of Twitter legend Ryan McElveen and his school board squad, is the board’s way of reminding us that summer is over and that they are in control once again. And I won’t even mention the video they make us watch. At least there’s no SR&R song that we have to sing. The SR&R may claim to be our “rights and responsibilities,” but it’s much less of that and more of “restrictions and roadblocks.” Just think of it as “the Fairfax County 34-pages of commandments.” Thirty-four pages per student, for every

student in the county. So much for saving paper. Thanks again, FCPS. Like most legal documents, the SR&R is full of boring, long-winded sections that the majority of students, including myself, are too lazy to read. Heck, for all I know, I could be giving away my kidney without knowing it. That’s how they get you. The above-mentioned ignorance about the SR&R among FCPS students could be a reason the SR&R is rarely taken seriously, but it could also be because the county’s methods of disciplinary procedures are far from adequate. For example, a student could bring fireworks to school and expect to receive a warning, seat change or, even worse, a loss of bus privileges! What’s next, a time-out? One of the bigger punishments offered by FCPS is a “referral to the division

supervisor,” which is just a sick joke. Unless the division supervisor is a professional wrestler or retired Navy SEAL, I don’t think there would be any reason to be afraid of this guy. Students don’t check under their beds at night for the division supervisor, and neither should you. For example, could a division supervisor break up a dangerous, influential hip-hop gang disrupting the learning environment? Of course not. I never saw Straight Outta Compton, but those guys looked pretty tough. That supervisor would get roasted. If the county really wanted to start cracking down on criminal activity around school, they should use some of my own punishment ideas that are guaranteed to scare students straight thanks to some good old-fashioned public humiliation (see above chart). Photo by Ed Walters Page design by Jackson Payne

OPINIONS

SPORTS

Field hockey looks to build on regular season New coaches hope to lead Highlanders on deep playoff run

John Corvari Reporter

Part of the reason for the team’s recent success has been a smooth arsity field hockey has a new coaching transition between coaches. staff, and with a 7-6 record as of Oct. “They really put all of their effort 1, the team is looking like a serious threat into us,” senior and team captain with the playoffs ahead. Karynne Baker said. “They care about Last season’s head coach Summer us and they want us to succeed.” Vanni led the Highlanders to a 6-8 record, Strong leadership from the but Vanni vacated her position before the captains has eased the transition as start of the 2015 season, leaving the job well. to new co-head coaches Kieran Sweeney “Summer Vanni was the coach and Brooke Edwards. last year, we’ve talked to her and I Even though having new coaches think we’ve taken what she’s had, is always an adjustment, everyone and we’re trying to improve the involved said they are happy about their program,” Sweeney said. performance thus far. Captains Karynne Baker, Hope Up high—Coaches Kieran Sweeney “We’ve had our ups and downs, but Sullivan and Alessandra Pelliccia and Brooke Edwards praise senior I think we’ve really come together as a have made the job of the coaches Hope Sullivan Aug 26 during their team,” Sweeney said. “We’ve been playing easier through their leadership. game against Chantilly. Sweeney really well together.” “Those three have done a and Edwards have found success this The Highlanders have maintained a really good job leading the team,” year despite it being their first year record above .500 for the majority of the Sweeney said. “They all bring as McLean’s head coaches. (Photo season, and their 7-6 record places them in different things to the table.” courtesy of Kent Arnold) a strong position as the season continues. “When they put in one hundred “I think we’re in a good spot going into percent and make a great play, it the end of the season and going into the motivates the rest of us to do the same,” The Highlanders have also seen rapid playoffs,” Sweeney said. junior midfielder Caroline Lewis said. development from sophomore goalie Laura Musikanth. Musikanth stepped in when the team had no goalie, playing varsity with no prior experience in the sport. “Laura definitely stepped up,” Baker said. “She plays like she has been playing for years.” “Since I used to be a goalie, I have a lot of respect for coming into a varsity sport having never played it before,” Sweeney said. However, no individual player will be enough for a deep playoff run. Playing together, rather than as individuals, will be vital as the playoffs begin. “Our individual skill level is so high,” Baker said. “We have the individual components, we just have to play as a team.” “Our main goal for the season is to win the conference title,” Lewis said, “we Triple threat—From left, junior Caroline Lewis, senior Karynne Baker are capable of beating every team in the and senior Rachel Ho line up during their game on Aug. 31. The Highlanders won 2-1, improving their record to 3-3. (Photo courtesy of conference if we go into it with the right Kent Arnold) mindset.”

Page design by John Corvari

OCTOBER

Boys volleyball team strives to gain support Little-known team optimistic about future Lila Duvall & Danielle Walker Reporters

very Tuesday and Thursday night, the boys volleyball team can be found running through drills in the gym. Bumping and setting the ball to each other, the boys seem like they have been playing together for years. Although they use McLean’s facilities and bear the school’s name, the team has yet to achieve club sport status. Players and coaches of the league have been trying to increase participation from around the county in order to be recognized as a club sport. “Fairfax County told us that if we get 13 schools to have teams, they will grant us club status. And depending on how competitive we [become] and how many schools we [get to participate], we could become a varsity sport,” said Mike Markovic, the coach of McLean’s boys volleyball team and lead commissioner of

SPORTS

the Northern Virginia High School Boys Volleyball League. Right now, four more teams are needed to recognized as a club sport. Nine teams in Fairfax and Loudoun Counties have boys volleyball teams, including McLean, Falls Church, South Lakes, Chantilly, Mount Vernon, Woodson, Stone Bridge, Heritage and Briar Woods. “We don’t require that [the boys on the McLean team] go to McLean because not every school has a team,” Markovic said. “I would say 90 percent of the boys [on our team] go to McLean.” Even though the team consists of players from various schools, the players work together and cooperate with each other, regardless of school rivalries. “Honestly, even though [we practice] only twice a week, it feels like I’ve been playing with these guys every day for years,” senior Kiel Posner said. “It’s just a really supportive team environment and

an all-around good time.” The McLean boys volleyball team hopes for a successful season and continues to practice hard. “I think we’ll do pretty well, but the thing is, the Loudoun teams are really strong this year. All of our boys started to play somewhat seriously when they were freshmen in high school. Out in Loudoun, they learn to play when they’re about 10 years old,” Markovic said. The Highlanders fell to the Stone Bridge boys volleyball team in their first game on Sept. 26. Despite starting with a loss, the boys remain optimistic about the rest of their season. “It was our first match, and we were still learning our rotations,” Naeemi said. “It was a great game and we have so much room to improve—we can only go up from here.” Photo courtesy of Sina Naeemi Page design by Danielle Walker & Lila Duvall

A snap of September

Capturing the month’s best moments on the gridiron

Govan go—Senior running back Harrison Govan breaks free and runs down the middle of the field as Madison defenders chase him on Sept. 18. (Photo by Amir McCormick)

Catch and run—Senior wide receiver Patrick Dolan snags the ball for a first down. Down 14-0 in the second quarter, the Highlanders needed a spark. (Photo by Amir McCormick)

Fighting for every yard—Senior wide receiver Patrick Dolan finds a hole and drags defenders with him for a few tough yards. Despite the team’s struggles, Dolan continues to succeed. (Photo by Amir McCormick)

OCTOBER

Support on and off the field—The student section cheers while PJ Campion tackles a Madison receiver. The Highlander defense had its share of ups and downs through its first six games. (Photo by Amir McCormick)

Graham Gibson & Amir McCormick Reporters he varsity football team’s season has been hindered with a 0-5 (0-3 in regional play)* start. While the Highlanders have not managed to win a game as of press time, they are an improving team dealing with a slew of injuries. In their first four games McLean averaged six points a game in losses to Stone Bridge, Marshall, James Madison, and South Lakes. In the game against Hayfield, the Highlanders managed to put up a season high 28 points, which brings their average for the first five games to 10 points a game, an improvement from six points a game. The Highlander offense struggled to move the ball during the first month of the season, and penalties have not helped. The offense showed improvement in the 42-28 loss at Hayfield and should be even better when they get star middle linebacker and running back Tom Shue and quarterback Jonathan Pilsch back from injuries. “I have faith in our team. I’ve been trying my best to help out in anyway I can as a player coach on the sidelines,” Shue said. Missing their middle linebacker, the McLean defense has been underachieving, allowing an average of 37 points a game

*At press time (Oct. 9)

SPORTS

with most of those points coming in the second half. McLean allows an average seven points in the first quarter and is usually down by multiple touchdowns at the half. The second half is where the Highlander defense runs out of energy and starts to allow big plays. Along with fixing the offensive struggles, this will be a major point that the coaches will emphasize throughout the rest of the season. Overall, it has been a slow start for the Highlanders. They do have some things to look forward to in October. While their next opponent, Chantilly, will likely prove to be a tough road opponent, McLean can look forward to a chance to get their first win of the season against Yorktown, their first home game in three weeks. The Highlanders can also look forward to having both Shue and Pilsch back, two players who should help McLean compete for the remainder of the season. “It’s been tough. You can’t be on the field competing with your teammates but there has been of plenty of support and I’ll be back on the field soon,” Shue said. While September was defined by a slow start, expect McLean to look more like a complete team as the season progresses. October is when teams start to hit their stride and McLean will look to do just that as fall rolls on.

Take it home—Senior Harrison Govan evades defenders to get McLean into the red zone. Govan and the offense have struggled to keep up in high scoring games. (Photo by Amir McCormick)

Page design by Ethan Cherry & John Corvari

New start time sends athletes into darkness

Late start causes problems for student athletes

Haru Kato Reporter

s the sun is setting, football practice comes to an end and Tem Bullock makes his way home. “I usually get home by 7:30 p.m. [Because of that,] I... have to...stay up all night doing homework some days because of the new start time,” Bullock said. While all students and staff are affected by the new start time, student athletes face another dilemna: they are forced to adjust their practices in order to accomodate for the new start time; now, more than years past, handling both Consumed by darkness—The pictures show that as time progresses, the sports and studies is proving difficult. practices start to play in darker conditions. (Photos by Colin Edson and Haru “If I get a large assignment on Kato) Wednesday and it’s due Friday, I’m basically screwed, because on Thursdays I won’t be able to do anything until 10:30 homework can be done earlier in the practice, later bedtimes and less daylight. p.m. because of games,” Bullock said. morning. “Some students do like this new later In order to stay on top of their “I think it’s more efficient for students school start but for me as an athlete it’s homework, students spend hours at their to do homework later at night than pretty tough,” Bullock said,” If I could desk fighting both sleep and temptations morning,” Ng said. change the school start time, I would only to slack off. Many students complain that Because of the later start time, football push it back 20-25 minutes [from last they are staying up later on average than practices start just 20 minutes after school year’s start time].” they did last year, therefore nullifying the ends, very different from previous years benefits of a later start. where practices started at 3p.m., 55 minutes is the time between “I spend an average of three hours a day minutes after school ended. Having less the start of practice and end doing homework, not adding those several than half the time as in the past makes it of school that the marching other hours that I’m not concentrated,” difficult to get prepared. band lost sophomore varsity volleyball player Leona “Not only does it take some time to Ng said. get to the locker room, but it takes a good minutes is the time that A common misconception is that 10 minutes getting pads on if I change as the cross country team the coaches of school sports are able to fast as I can. Having only 20 minutes to lost between the start of apply their undivided attention towards change is really difficult, especially when practice and end of school the team. However, coaches have other you need to go to the trainer’s room,” responsibilities outside of sports, dealing Bullock said. minutes is the time that the with their jobs and families. Some coaches Many other sports lost time between football team lost between must now drive in the darkness or through the end of school to start of practice. the end of school and the rush hour which they were able to avoid Cross country lost 45 minutes, field start of practice last year. hockey practices start 30 minutes later, “I fortunately live near McLean High volleyball practices were pushed back 60 minutes is the time the field School so I don’t run into too much traffic, minutes and cheerleading practices were hockey team lost between but other teachers and coaches who live pushed back 90 minutes. the end of school and start farther get stuck in traffic often. On game “On some days I look at the sky at the of practice days I can’t help out my students like last end of practice and can’t see the sun.” year because of the 50 minutes lost,” JV Bullock said. minutes more sleep is the field hockey coach Caroline CochraneThe new school start time may be amount of time the average Braswell said. sweet to some students, but for student student is getting compared Some students or teachers may say athletes it can be bitter. It gives student to previous years that, instead of working late at night, athletes less time to do homework before

50 35 30 20 25

Infographic & page design by Haru Kato

OCTOBER

Autumn Brenner

Athlete of the Issue

John Corvari Sports Editor How long have you been playing volleyball? About seven years.

How did you get into the sport? When I was in 5th grade, my mom played pro for a while, so she told me that I should try it out and get into it. I went to a couple of McLean Youth Volleyball clinics and I really liked it, so I joined a club team and I’ve been doing that ever since. What is your season like? During the high school season, every day we have two-hour practice, and usually one or two games per week. As soon as high school season ends I start off club season, and that goes all the way through the rest of the school year. So I have about six hours of practices a week, plus tournaments every other weekend. What do you do to stay in shape for the season? I do a lot of training outside of volleyball. I do weight training and jump training in Reston with a trainer.

SPORTS

What is your pregame routine? How do you prepare for games? I usually have a pump-up playlist that I listen to. What motivates you to play? What are your goals? My motivation was to try to get into a good program in college and play Division I, and now that I’ve achieved that, my motivation is really to play to get better so that when I get there I can start and have a good experience. It would be great to start as a freshman, maybe sophomore, maybe just get a chance to play all the way around six rotations. What is your message to people who may be interested in playing volleyball? It’s a really fun sport. It’s a really fast-paced sport, so it’s a lot more fun to watch and play. It’s a team sport—you really rely on your teammates. You need every position—you need passers and setters and hitters. It’s really fun in the sense that it’s really about the team.

Facts

Grade: Senior Sport: Varsity volleyball Age: 17 College: Playing volleyball for College of William and Mary

Season Stats

Aces: 23 (team rank: 1) Solo Blocks: 10 (team rank: 1) Assists: 276 (team rank: 1) Digs: 12 (team rank: 3) Stats current as of 10/7/15

Photo courtesy of Alec Brenner Page design by John Corvari

Finish Line Cherry Chun Freshman Cheerleading

Duncan Green Sophomore Golf

Sammie Ferris Junior Field Hockey

Who is your favorite athlete?

CC DG SF TL

Kyoko

ex My brother, Luke Ferris

What is your favorite candy?

Kevin McCarthy

Chocolate Kit-Kats

t Door

Michael Robbins

DG SF TL 44

Cat

My dog

Butterfly

Baby white snowy owl

What are sh

My Little

SF TL

Lollipop

Almond Joys

What is your spirit animal?

day ay

Tristan Liu Senior Cross Country

One word describing your summer

CC DG SF TL

Cat

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s summer?

Fockey

Conch Page design by Bryan Chung

OCTOBER

McLean Youth Basketball House Leagues Grade 11/12 Boys League

High School Girls League

• • • •

• • • • •

Competitve Play Player coached Games only – no practices Weeknight & weekend games

Girls in grades 9 thru 12 Everyone plays! Competitive & fun One team practice per week One game per week on Sunday afternoons

Don’t miss the fun! Register online before Nov. 15th www.mcleanbasketball.com For additional information, email admin@mcleanbasketball.com Follow us on Twitter @MclBasketball

Coaches & Referees Needed! Coaches Needed!

We have opportunities for coaches in most age groups: grades 4 thru 10 – boys & girls leagues.

Experienced Referees Needed! Competitive pay for referees Games played on weekends in local gyms

Coaches & Referees can register online at: www.mcleanbasketball.com Email admin@mcleanbasketball.com for more information