inside spotlightTake a look back at your favorite acts from this year’s Cultural Festival

touchdownAs outdoor fields are drenched by rain, spring sports must adapt

Outlookvol. 51 | issue 7 | 4.24.13

oakton

Beyond the public eye

Dedicated groups of backstage workers and event organizers take their turn in the spotlight by sharing the tricks of their trade

2snailmail4.24.13

snailmailfrom the editors

misa mori

Editorial Policy The Outlook is an open forum for student expression. Unsigned editorials reflect the collective opinion of the Outlook staff. Signed editorials represent the opinion of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Outlook or Oakton High School. Reader opinions are important to the Outlook and contributions are welcome. Make your voice heard by sending us a line about what’s on your mind. Letters to the editor may be sent via email to marilyn.yang@oaktonoutlook.com or dropped off in Mrs. Luna’s box in the main office or in room 135. The Outlook reserves the right to edit submissions for grammar and content provided the meaning remains unchanged.

outlook staff adviserlauren luna

gabriela driscollmichelle lorussomadlin mekelburgmarilyn yang

touchdown editor

copy editor

business manager

showtime editor

newsworthy editor erin bennett

spotlight editor

indepth editor

viewpoint editors

online editor

editors in chief

jennifer prosser

ria bhatia

photo editor

oliver lopez-gomez

melanie aguilar

sofia crutchfieldkim gibbons

karli gillespie

reina datta

alana peters

carly stonehouse

jacque groskaufmanis

sunni beanabbey boninalex driscollnatalie eberhartlauren embroskikenneth hippe

staff writerstorri marquisramya mukallalaura murphyanee nguyenerin preaskornalex xenos

regards,Gabriela DriscollMichelle LoRusso

cover photo by alana petersstudent body: 2138circulation: 1300

Madlin MekelburgMarilyn Yang

Behind the scenes of the Oakton Outlook, an unseen world exists: the world of business. The Outlook is supported by student-run fundraisers and advertisements, and the young lady behind

these imperative operations is the lovely, the magnificent, the frugal Ria Bhatia. You might have caught a glimpse of her selling rather large donuts during Cougar Times. From bake sales to formalizing contracts with advertisers, Ria takes care of everything financial and business-related. “I like trying to figure out what the advertisers want and that I

control my own section,” Ria said. “It’s nice to know that the money that I make is actually making a difference for the Outlook.”Ria isn’t the only behind the scenes star of the Outlook. Our very

own Oliver Lopez-Gomez manages the Outlook’s online edition (oaktonoutlook.com), surging through any technical difficulties in order to constantly update cyberspace with the goingson at Oakton “It’s a lot of fun to run something that’s separate from the rest of the

newspaper,” Oliver said. “It adds a sense of accomplishment when you build something up, especially after working on it for two years and watching the transformation of the website.”So remember the efforst of Oliver and Ria as you enjoy the pages to

come. Their names may not be printed next to a story, but without them, the Outlook would not exist. Thanks guys, thanks again.

carly

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ehou

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touchdown indepthnewsworthy

3contents4.24.13

vol. 51| issue 7 | 4.24.13in this issue

Okinawa Cultural

Performance showcases centuries of tradition: A world-renowned drum and dance group performed for Oakton students

7 What will you run

for? Support a cause by running as marathon fever takes over the region

25 Standing from

the catwalk: The backstage crew of the Cultural Festival worked hard to make sure the show flowed smoothly

27spotlight

Lights, camera,

action: The cast of “Grease” held a promotional photo shoot, an Oakton first

11showtime

“April showers

bring May flowers”: Take advantage of the spring weather by starting your own garden

17

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tesy

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4recurring4.24.13

I’ve had to wear long pants because I

can’t find my box of summer clothes.

Mem

orab

le Moments

“

”I swallowed a large rock this morning. I’m a little

concerned about what is going to happen to me.blair kilner | 11

“

”

My Spanish teacher tripped and fell during class.

“ ”

When Lo-Go revamped his style, that

was really exciting.

matt livingston | 11

“

”

I dressed varisty lacrosse, it was fun because I got

to cheer them on from

the sideline.

jay leonard | 9

“ ”

katie xenos | 9At hom

e, my brother just talks about politics all the tim

e.“

”

The Capitols beat Montral Canadians on their

home ice. I love hockey and the Capitols.

alyssa akoev | 10

“

”

Follow us on Twitter @Oakton_Outlook

Stud

ents

dis

cuss

thei

r most

memorable experiences of the past few m

onths

nick strauss | 12

amy carboza| 9

5newsworthy4.24.13

newsbriefsBest Buddies artists shines in the art gallery

On April 24, Oakton DECA will bring 12 students to DECA Nationals, a four-day conference in Anaheim, California that draws students from all around the country and world to compete in categories such as sports

marketing and sales roleplay.“Depending on the event, the students had to [first] compete at the district level,”

said Annie Fiehrer, DECA sponsor. “They [then] all had to compete at the state level, and if they qualify, meaning they place top seven in the state, then they qualify to compete at the international level.”Senior Ryan Lucas is headed to DECA Nationals for the first time through his

Marshall Academy class. “I’m doing travel and tourism team decision-making,” Lucas said, “which is an event

where you and a partner are given a scenario in which you have to play a role. The scenarios vary, but they tend to be something like you are person x, and you’re trying to sell or promote y to person z.”DECA sponsors Michael Greene and Annie Fiehrer have put in extra effort to

ensure that their students are ready for competition.“Ms. Fiehrer and I have mock run-throughs where, for instance, [we’ll] play the

judge and then [the students] go through their presentation or their roleplay,” Greene said. “We’ll ask them questions and different things so they can sort of get a taste to help themselves prepare for what to expect.”Oakton DECA hopes to be successful in Anaheim this year and to bring even more

students to next year’s competition.

2A quick overview of the past month and a brief look at upcoming school events. Be sure to check out oaktonoutlook.com for more newsworthy stories.

1 Oakton DECA heads to Nationals

The Oakton Art Gallery is filled with the work of Best Buddies student, Sean Minnick. The gallery currently holds forty-four of Sean’s pieces; which vary from detailed drawings of pirate ships to abstract sculptures of monsters. “I am inspired by pirate ships because

I like the story of Treasure Island.” said Minnick. Sean displayed all different styles of

art including pencil drawings, canvas paintings and clay sculptures.“I draw with sharpies, pencils and

I paint with oil on canvas,” Minnick said.Sean won the 2013 Art Calendar

Contest with his drawing “Shark Tank”. His picture is featured in the month of August in the calendar. Another one of Sean’s accomplishments is the award of “Creepiest” in the 2011 Senior Art Pumpkin Carving contest.Art is one of Sean’s greatest

passions.“I spend hours drawing each day”

Minnick said. Minnick plans to continue art after

he graduates from Oakton in June.

courtesy of sean minnick torri marquis

On April 6, Best Buddies held its annual Best Buddies Basketball Tournament, inviting schools from all around the county to participate.“The tournament was played with the buddies and their peer buddies at Oakton,” said

Haley Platt, sophomore and Best Buddies Treasurer. “It was a lot of fun, and they all did really well.”On April 19, Best Buddies hung up its “Spread the Word to End the Word” posters

that members created at the March chapter meeting. “For our chapter meeting we made posters promoting respect at our school,” Platt

said. “We’re going to have them up for a week or so in April so that everyone can see how we choose to respect our friends.”

Best Buddies hosts annual basketball tournament3

courtesy of michael greene

1 2 3

6newsworthy4.24.13

After 27 years, AP Psychology teacher Sue Anna Clark is planning to retire from teaching after the end of the school year. Upon completing her degree in education, she taught at Hayfield Secondary School for about seven years before becoming a peer evaluator and then an Assistant Principal. “Along with Psychology, I have also

taught Government, World Religions and Sociology,” Clark said. Clark transferred to Oakton 15 years

ago, and she has taught here ever since. “My favorite part about teaching is

seeing students making connections with the textbook and life experiences,” Clark said. Clark’s students know her well for

being a great teacher and keeping lessons and learning fun. “One of my fondest memories

of Oakton was a combined Social Studies field trip on Veteran’s Day to the National Mall when we went to the different war memorials,” Clark said. “Some of our stops were at the Arlington Cemetery, Vietnam War memorial, Korean War memorial and the WWI memorial. Teaching has been a great part of life, and it keeps me smart and makes my life rich.”

AP Biology students study ecology while at Wallop’s Island

Ms. Clark plans to retire after the end of the school year

54

4

kenneth hippe

On Wednesday April 17, Oakton advanced placement biology students and teachers embarked on a school organized field trip to Wallop’s Island, a six square mile island off the coast of Virginia. At the island, the students were immersed in three days of biology that were jam-packed with fun activities and biological connections to the environment and the student’s course work. Senior Shreya Dahl, was among many who attended the trip and found her experience there to be more than she expected. “It was a lot of hands-on learning which was totally different than being in

class,” said Dahl, “There was a lot of biology and being out there made it a lot easier to make connections to what we do in class. Recently, we just finished studying our ecology unit, so the trip to Wallop’s was really good clarification and helped me a lot with better understanding the material.” Also on the field trip was senior Shannon Carney who found her experiences on

the island to be unforgettable.“I had a lot of fun because I felt I was actually learning something truly in a

hands-on way,” said Carney. Upon arrival, students were given a tight schedule outlining all the activities

they would take part in during the course of the next three days. “We were given a schedule for every day. Everything was already planned out for

us. We had a set time for meals and everything,” Dahl said. The three days consisted of many exciting and educational activities that related

to biology and educated the students at a hands-on level. “We would wake up, eat, and go to our first activity. My group went on the boat

first where we measured pH. Then we would come back, have lunch, and go back to do another activity,” Dahl said.There were numerous activities for the students to take part in over the stay. “We went out on a boat in the bay, to the intertidal zone, a marsh, and the beach

to catch, identify, and learn about organisms as well as the ecology of each area,” Carney said, “I had a lot of fun and I really liked learning something interesting and involved.”However, while a majority of the trip was spent learning about biology and the

environment there was still time for fun. “Going out into the marsh mud was a blast. Everyone got stuck in the mud

because it feels like quicksand and you can’t move unless you lay out. There was a lot of screaming and falling while we were in the mud,” Carney said.

5

courtesy of jackie fernandez

7newsworthy4.24.13

Okinawa Cultural Performance showcases centuries of tradition

On April 1, the Okinawa Cultural Performance group came to Oakton to display traditional Okinawan and Japanese dances and traditions. The performance was held during Cougar Time for mainly for students taking Japanese, but it was open to any other interested students as well.

“We had a Japanese drum group come in from Okinawa, Japan, and they were here to perform at the Cherry Blossom Festival and also perform at this other act at the NOVA Ernst Cultural Center, but we also decided for them to perform at Oakton so they could expose [the students] to the Japanese culture and Okinawa culture because no one really knows that much about Okinawa because it is an island of Japan,”

said senior Naomi Folta.The performance highlighted the unique and distinct Okinawa culture.

“The Okinawan culture is more about unifying. Their culture hasn’t changed really at all since the country modernized. Okinawa’s culture is about unifying and more about brotherhood, sisterhood and being a family,” Naomi said. “I thought it was interesting

how the Okinawan culture is all about unifying, and the performances really unified the crowds because [the students] went on stage. I thought that was really cool because that

doesn’t happen every day. Everyone was on stage and having fun.”The Okinawan culture is quite different from that of the island’s mainland, Japan. “Most people don’t know that the Okinawan culture is more of a mix of Japanese and Chinese culture because they used to be occupied by the Chinese. Since it is like an island, it is the same thing that Hawaii is to America, so things are a lot different there. Most of the fashion trends, especially, don’t get to Okinawa as fast as they do to Japan,” said senior Nestor Folta. The performance was primarily to teach students taking a Japanese class more about

culture.“It was really awesome to watch [the performers] because we don’t get very many opportunities to see anything technically ethnic here. Probably one of the coolest parts

was when they were training with their weapons. They didn’t actually get to do all the presentations that they planned, but what we did get to see was very cool,” said

sophomore Alyssa Marcelino. The Okinawa performance group showcased many different types of traditional dances. “I liked all the performances because they are all dynamic, and they all have weapons and drumming. I liked the ShiShi doll the best, when there are two people under a dog [costume]. I wanted to do it, but I never got the chance to learn,” Nestor said.

World champion drum group and dancers travel from Japan in order to share their culture with students

CUTOUT: Kobudo refers to the traditional Okinawan martial arts that incorporates the use of weapons, such as the staff in the performer pictured above. The man is using a bō, which is a six foot long staff that is tapered at each end. LEFT AND RIGHT: Taiko, which means drum in Japanese, is a traditional style of Okinawa percussion that combines music and dance to create an entertaining experience. The wooden Taiko drums are struck with a bachi, which resembles a modern day drum stick.

LEFT: The performance as a whole is known as eisa; a traditional folk dance that originated hundreds of years ago and incorporates different types of drumming and dancing. The women’s rhythmic dance is notable for its intricate hand movements.

all photos by gianna sheffield

erin bennettnewsworthy editor

9spotlight4.24.138spotlight

4.24.13

Celebrate cultureRIGHT: Linden Farrell, sophomore, composed and performed a Chinese ribbon dance for the second year in a row. “I choreographed it myself,” Ferrell said. “The moves are all real, but I put it all together, and I chose the song.” After danc-ing for 10 years, Farrell found the performance less nerve-racking this year and enjoyed being on stage. “[My favorite part was] just being able to see my friends in the crowd, hearing them a little bit, like ‘Oh I know that person.’”

LEFT: Saeed Speede, junior, performed a rendition of “Flashing Lights” originally by Kanye West. “I’d always gotten a lot of pressure from my friends over the past few years to perform,” Speede said. “Apparently no one knew I could rap.” Speede was not daunted by lack of recognition and decided to showcase his talents anyway. “I decided that I wanted to do some-thing no one knew I could do, sort of as a personal boundary. I was pretty nervous when I was up on stage, but I was able to pump myself up.”

RIGHT: Nirali Munshi, senior, performed for the third consecutive year in the Cul-tural Festival. This year, she performed by doing a modernized style of Punjabi dancing. “I started [choreographing] in December,” Munshi said. “Starting that early gave me time to tweak things, because I realized that there were some parts I didn’t like.” Performing solo can be a daunting task, but Munshi found it gave her an opportunity to express her own creativity. “I was able to do things

that I wanted to do,” Munshi said. “I didn’t have to worry about synchro-

nizing or anything like that, so it was a good experience.”

LEFT: Vien Nguyen, senior, preformed Frank Ocean’s “Think-ing of You” while asking Noor Mufti, junior, to prom. “I had planned it for a few weeks,” Nguyen said. “She had heard rumors about it, but, you know, it all worked out.” Mufti, however, wasnt as prepared. “I was really surprised, because everyone was talking about it beforehand, but I didn’t know it was going to happen,” Mufti said. “So going up there was kind of scary because I didn’t know what was going on at first.” When Mufti had been asked however, it was Nguyen’s second preformance of the afternoon. “The first show was the worst part,” Nguyen said, “because the mike was messed up and the crowd wasn’t cheerful, but it got better.” Despite the grievances about the first show, the second show had a better atmosphere when the MC called Mufti up to the stage in front of the crowd. “The announcer said, ‘We need Noor Mufti to come on stage,’ and I was kind of confused, but they sat me down on a chair, and he sang to me,” Mufti said. “I knew he was singing, but I thought he was just going to ask me at the end. Instead he sang to me and brought me flowers and stuff.”

LEFT: Nathan Chen, senior, performed in a Wushu act, a

traditional Chinese martial art. Chen has

been looking forward to performing in this year’s festival since last year, but started preparing only a few short months before the Cultural Festival. “I was really

nervous, but also pretty excited,” Chen said. “It

was really fun performing in front of so many people in

the audience.”

LEFT: Shreya Dahal, senior, danced and choreographed two of the three MESA dances this year. Dahal is co-president of MESA, or Middle-East South Asian club, and with this, Dahal took on the respon-sibility of putting the MESA prefor-mance pieces of the show together. “I choreographed the dance, and I got the outfits and all,” said Dahal. After preforming all four years of high school, she introduced a team that involved some girls from outside of Oakton for one of the dances. ”The Nepali [dance] that I did was just my team,” Dahal said. Dahal enjoyed be-ing able to break away from the rou-tine this year by getting new people involved. “Definitely Bollywood [was my favorite part], because we had lots of freshmen and new people,” Dahal said.

ABOVE: Malcolm Lee, math teacher and organizer of the Cultural Festival, found that the students who auditioned came from a wide variety of cultural backgrounds. “When it comes to the acts, the sky is the limit,” Lee said. “I look at the acts and just see where we can go with them. [The Cultural Festival] gives students the opportunity to show their acts, their talent and their culture as well as being a lot of fun.”

LEFT: Nestor Folta, senior,

showcased his talents in several different acts

including the fashion show, Japanese drumming, karate and

breakdancing. Despite the seemingly ma-jor time commitment, Folta began rehersing

only two weeks before the festival, “I was really excited, so I wasn’t too nervous,” Folta said. “It was just really great to get out there.” Although his impressive participation this year may suggest otherwise, Folta has never performed at the Cultural Festival before.“I’m happy I did it because it’s my senior year, and I’ve always wanted to try it,” Folta said. “I never actually had the courage to go for it

until this year, and it was a blast.”

alana peters

all photos by gianna sheffield

sunni bean staff writer

madlin mekelburgeditor in chief

Want more culture? Visit us at oaktonoutlook.com

10spotlight4.24.13

“It was only 99 cents”School by the numbers

It feels like a lifetime before the school year will be over, but free-dom is here. This data proves that high school truly has earned its title of our “home away from home.”

1,472class periods5,888 in four years

Savannah Hard, 10“I don’t work, so thrift stores

let me get some cute, cheap clothes. In the

store you run across a lot of different styles that are less expen-sive [than a department store]. Since

there are a wide variety of clothes, it makes it really fun to

shop. I bought this multi-colored hippie dress, and I wear it all the time.”

Thanks to the recent hit song by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, an old trend has emerged once again: thrift shopping. Thrift shopping is buying something from a store that sells second-hand clothes and other household items. With

the appeal of cheaper, gently-used items and unique clothes, it’s no wonder thrift stores are a popular destination for students in need of a new look. Oakton thrift shoppers share why they choose to thrift shop and the things they find at these stores.

184736 in four years

days in school

1,281hours in school

5,124 hours in four years

557,152steps you will take

2,228,608 steps in four years

9Outlook issues

36 issues in four years

alex driscollstaff writer

“I’ve been to some [thrift stores] a couple of times, and I got these really cool, retro

sweaters. I like thrift shopping because every-thing is cheap. The

stores are exciting, and you find great deals. Although it’s hard sometimes, you can find

some pretty good stuff. I usually just get sweaters, but I

bought a floral blazer before.”

Nicasio Reid, 12

“It’s cheap; I work really hard to earn my money and don’t want

to spend it all on the clothes I buy. Thrift

stores give people the chance to get rid of clothes and for people to get new, cheaper

ones. It’s a win-win.”

Grace Shamlian, 10

“Thrift stores have a lot of cheap clothes that are all really dif- ferent and fun.

Every piece is

unique, nothing

on the racks is the same and no one else has it. One time I got this really nice Ralph Lauren button-up polo that no one would have guessed was from a thrift store.”

Lauren Frautschi, 11

photos by alex driscoll, reina datta and karli gillespie

7home football games

28 games in four years

11spotlight4.24.13

karli gillespiespotlight editor

lauren embroskistaff writer

Lights, camera, actionGREASE

all photos courtesy of dylan staniszewski and ellie hughes

Opening day is just weeks away for the Fine Arts Department’s annual musical. This year the department is performing the world renowned show “Grease,” and to build the anticipation for their show, the department heightened their marketing skills with

a photo shoot. “We did the photo shoot to try and get the word out a month in advance [about the show] rather than a week in advance so we could start to get some excitement about it,” said Vanessa Gelinas, theatre teacher. “Since we had all the [characters’] costumes ready,

and we figured out that Mr. Richards [the building supervisor] had [a 1955 Thunderbird] we could use, the opportunity just kind of came together.”

The photo shoot brought together the Theatre, Choral and Art Departments of Oakton. Photographers Dylan Staniszewski, Ellie Hughes, Kelsey McClelland and

Suzanne Ramirez from Susan Silva’s AP Photography class volunteered to take the photographs. Although this is the first time they have advertised a musical in

such a way, this will certainly not be the last. “We’ve never done something this organized so it was a really good thing it all came together,” Gelinas said. “I’d

like to continue [doing the photo shoot], I think it’s a good way to get things out and also through social media so that people know about it and get it on

their calendar earlier.”So- cial media has helped them greatly in spreading word about all of their

per- formances. “Every year [our advertising] has gotten a little bit better,” Gelinas said. “The last year to two years I’ve tried to use social media

a little bit more. Facebook has helped a lot to get information out to people. I don’t have a twitter yet, so maybe that’s my next step. Prior to that we did posters in the community advertising at the middle schools depending on the show and if it was a show the elementary schools would like we would try to get advertising done there. We always [rely] on the community that feeds through our school.”

Another benefit of the photo shoot was that it provided the cast and crew more than just the opportunity for their work to be publicized. “I think that for the cast it was a great chance for them to get in costume and begin to get the vibe for the show,” Gelinas said. “It gets people excited about the fact that it’s real. It gave the kids energy and faith in the show.”

Advertisements that come from the photo shoot and the support of Oakton students will surely draw a large crowd for the show. Leave behind John Travolta and Olivia Newton John’s Danny and Sandy for a night, and see Oakton’s rising stars for yourself.

Grease the musical opens May 16, 17 and 18

Save the date!

Oakton’s Fine Arts De-partment held their first annual photo shoot as a way to advertise for their spring musical “Grease.”

Never skip and tell

AQ

AQ

AQ

AQ

AQ

AQ

AQ

AQ

What are your thoughts on students who skip school or cut class?

It’s not a good idea. I think it’s such a bad habit. It’s easy to develop a habit, but it’s really hard to break it. You have this attitude of there’s something I don’t want to face, and there’s something a lot more fun out there. You might do that when you get to college, or you might do that when you get to trade school, or you might do that when you get to work.

The Enforcer Ron “Hutch” Hutchison has had experience with students who skip

The Perpetrator Ferris Bueller* is a chronic school skipper

How often do catch students skipping school or cutting class?

gabriela driscoll editor in chief

It depends on when I can get out there. I think we’re a lot better at it now because of the cameras. If you’re 200 yards away from somebody, and they go off campus, how do you catch up with them? But we can use the cameras, we can identify them. You can find out whether they were legitimately leaving cam-pus. But, there are four of us and so many students.

Have you every chased anybody down in your golf cart?

Yeah, I’ve slipped up next to people and said, “Hey, what’s going on? Where are you supposed to be?” Some [students] will try and con me. I think it goes a lot better if they say, “OK, I got caught. I broke a rule.” [Cutting class is] not a big thing, but it’s a bad habit. We have a responsibility to try and keep kids here because we have a legal liability issue.

*student names changed to protect anonymity

They’ll try to use an old pass. [They ] lie. I think lying, and not very creatively lying, is the worst way to go. I don’t see much creativity, [students] just go for it. Coming back on campus, I’ve seen people do things like pull in, see me, [drive] all the way out, then swing around, and then come back around the other side.

How do students try to escape getting caught?

percent of students polled

have skipped a full day of school or cut class in high school

School is basically glori-fied baby-sitting at this point. I have good grades,

I’m going to college, so why should I be here?

“”- senior skipper

I have never skipped before, and I do not

plan to, because I enjoy my teachers and they

enjoy me.

“”- law-abiding freshman

73

Most of the classes do not matter, so skipping is fine. Depending on the teacher and the class, there is nothing we can learn in class that we cannot learn

outside of class on our own.“

”- independent senior

Gym is pointless; I skipped it freshman

year.

“”- junior

percent of students polled skip

at least every week

26

39 21percent of students polled

have skipped a full day of school or cut class due to bore-dom in high school

Skipping is fine.

You have the right to fail.

“”- sophomore

percent of stu-dents poled have skipped a full

day of school or cut class to hang out with friends

Why do you think you should be able to skip school or cut class?

Being 18, I feel like I’m old enough to make decisions on when to go to class as a legal adult. School is a prison that [limits] free thinking. I followed the rules for long enough, and now I don’t have to, because I have enough of a buffer for my grades. I don’t care about my grades any-more. I wouldn’t skip this much if it was junior year, but now that I got into college, I don’t care anymore.

How do you get out of school and what do you do?

I go to the “clinic” or I just leave. I just go to friends’ houses to watch movies and eat food. I skip alone and with people. You can compare me to the James Bond of skipping; I’m usually the get-away driver.

Have you ever been caught or had any close shaves?

I’ve had a few break out runs from Hutch. Usu-ally I find the closest girls’ bathroom, because he can’t go in there. But I got Saturday school once, because I was at IHOP and the cop came. I’ve only been caught once and I’ve skipped multiple times, so I don’t regret it. I usually get away with [skipping].

How often do you skip school or cut class?It depends on the day. I don’t go to school at all some days. I usually leave during the day, so I rarely spend the whole day at school. I skip every day. My friends are the people I usually skip with.

A look into the debate over student attendance

152 students of all grades were polled

13viewpoint4.24.13

“Lights, camera and action!” This iconic Hollywood catchphrase is practically synonymous with the entertainment industry. Car chases and sirens

come rushing to mind, perhaps even a dramatic soliloquy or a proposal scene. Yet aside from the critical press or those directly involved with movie sets and production offices, rarely would an audience consider the camera, much less the lights. However, Hollywood would be nothing without production teams, lighting assistants or CGI techs. After all, these diligent workers beyond the silver screen are the true magicians behind fire-breathing dragons and expansive, fantasy-like sets.It may be the nature of the industry, but it is a shame

that Hollywood’s behind-the-scenes workers are generally overlooked, particularly in contrast to the A-list actors that headline movie posters. Those names listed in the end credits provide a significant portion of the overall effort to create and polish the final product, whether it is a movie, play or musical. Of course, many of them chose their careers for the very reason that they would be outside of the limelight and most importantly, away from the privacy-intruding paparazzi. Nevertheless, a smidge of additional audience appreciation is undoubtedly warranted, especially in the wake of digital production’s recent rise in demand and thus the growing importance of post-production editing and creation.In fact, some of the most important processes of modern

movie production occur out of the general audience’s sight. Advancements in digital technology has transformed both the filmmaking process and the viewing experience,

as demonstrated by director James Cameron’s Oscar-winning “Avatar” and the subsequent boom in IMAX and 3D. Meanwhile, Peter Jackson, the producer of the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy and the recent movie “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey,” has become well-known in the filmmaking industry for his extensive use of computer graphics to bring author J. J. Tolkien’s legendary Middle Earth to life. In addition, while technological progress has shifted

moviemaking increasingly toward post-production digital editing, makeup and costume design have remained Hollywood mainstays, even in CGI-heavy movies like “The Hobbit.” Tami Lane, the prosthetics supervisor of the “Lord of the Rings” and now “The Hobbit,” has made her own mark on the industry

and has since won an Oscar for her work as well as received several other nominations. Makeup artistry not only enhances the final product, but it also aids actors during filming. Actor Richard Armitage, who plays dwarf leader Thorin Oakenshield in “The Hobbit,” credits much

of his character transformation to his daily two-hour-long prosthetics application process in the makeup chair. Robert Downey Jr. has similarly credited the makeup process for his own starring role in the “Iron Man” movies.Actors often spend 14-hour days on set while filming and

generally deserve their accolades and renown. However, the next time you go to the movies, a play, a musical or even a school dance, remember the cameraman, the director, the lighting assistant and the sound manager. Ultimately, almost any large-scale project is a team effort.

viewpoint Oakton students share their opinions on controversial topics at Oakton and in our community

The Staff Editorial is the official opinion of the Oakton Outlook

More than meets the eye

marilyn yang

The stars behind the curtain also deserve appreciation

14 viewpoint4.24.13

When people think of those who support animal rights and fight animal cruelty, one of the first things they think of is PETA, or People for the Ethical Treat-

ment of Animals. PETA has long been known as the forefront group fighting to save animals, but in reality they are something quite different. According to the data disclosed by the Virginia Department

of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS), PETA has killed 92.4 percent of the dogs and cats that they have received through their shelters in the state of Virginia. This is no hoax; in fact, the Commonwealth of Virginia opened up an investiga-tion into the matter, and after reviewing two months worth of records, they found that 84 percent of the animals obtained by PETA were killed within 24 hours. PETA claims that they are only putting down dogs that are

injured or sick, but in 2007, two PETA employees were tried for animal abuse after being caught dumping dead cats and dogs into dumpsters. Evidence in the trial showed that the animals killed were not unadoptable as PETA claims. Veterinarian Dr. Patrick Proctor told reporters that he gave three cats to PETA. “This cat and two kittens I gave them last week were in good health and were very adoptable, especially the kittens,” Proctor told “The Virginia-Pilot.” “These were just kittens we were try-ing to find homes for. PETA said they would do that, but these cats never made it out of the county.” North Carolina’s WNCT-TV News was informed by authorities that they had found more than 70 additional dead animals that may be connected to PETA. One of the defendants in this case stated that they were sys-tematically euthanizing animals one at a time the day the crimes

were committed. The slaughter of animals is not the only reason why people should stay away from PETA. The organization is a radical

on that is filled with fanatics. PETA’s president Ingrid Newkirk has openly supported the Animal Liberation Front, which is involved in the destruction of property and arson. Newkirk herself was accused of participating in the arson of a Michi-gan State University lab. PETA has a long history of support-ing radicals and criminals. Rodney Coronado, a man who has boasted about acts of arson and once fled an arrest warrant, has received grants from PETA. PETA has even paid for the defense of criminals like Roger Troen who was arrested for burglary and arson. Basic research reveals that PETA is a radical orga-nization that does not actually use its money to help animals in need. In 2003, the organization launched a campaign called “Your

Mommy Kills Animals” aimed at disturbing the minds of children by showing them graphic images of dead animals. The hypocrisy is almost too great to bear. The organization that murders 90 percent of their animals wants to lecture the population about how mothers are killing animals by buying fur coats. To put the irrationality of PETA in perspective, read what Newkirk told Vogue: “Even if animal tests produced a cure for AIDS, we’d be against it.” They even compared the use of animals as livestock to slavery and the Holocaust.There are plenty of local alternatives to PETA. The Lost

Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation (LDRF) is a non-profit animal rescue organization that works to save cats and dogs through-out Northern Virginia and tries to find loving homes for them. They do not euthanize and are willing to take care of abused and injured animals. Unlike PETA, all of LDRF’s contributions go directly to helping the animals in their care. These types of organizations do far more to help save animals than PETA does. People should think twice before supporting an organization like PETA and start thinking more about supporting foundations and organizations that are serious about tak-ing care of animals.

People for the Euthanization of Tons of AnimalsPETA’s reckless euthanizing of animals does not fit the organization’s image

alex xenosstaff writer

15viewpoint4.24.13

The Midas touch?

It’s not uncommon to hear the term “healthy glow” when talking about tanned skin, but when it comes to tanning and excessive sunlight without adequate protection, there’s

nothing “healthy” about it. Doctors and scientists are starting to refer to our generation’s obsession with tanning as an “epidem-ic.” To break it down into basic terms, tanning is your body’s protective mechanism against harmful UV rays. When you’re subject to sun exposure, your body produces a pigment called melanin, which acts as a shield to protect your skin cells and DNA. This increase in melanin is what gives your skin a darker color or a “tan.” However, melanin production can’t physically keep up with excessive UV exposure, and as a result your DNA goes unprotected and your cells could potentially go into overproduction, otherwise known as cancer. Health teachers lecture us about the dangers of tanning

and cancerous threats, our parents constantly nag us about wearing sunscreen and trendy magazines such as Vogue have even joined the effort, endorsing expensive products with high levels of UV protec-tion. The problem is, people already know the risks and still continue to ignore the scientific proof that tanning could literally kill you. Skin cancer is the lead-ing cancer in the U.S., with more than 2 million people diagnosed each year. One in every five Americans is di-agnosed in their lifetime, according to the National Skin

Cancer Foundation. With today’s technology, there’s no longer any question about whether unprotected tanning is bad for you; it’s simply a well known, proven fact. Is our generation so infatuated with self-image and a desire to

be attractive that we risk our lives to be just a few shades tan-ner? How can people condone prioritizing beauty over health in such a drastic way? Granted, the harmful effects of tanning don’t ensue immediately, so it’s hard to grasp the severity of the consequences. Teenagers often have a sense of invincibility, but it’s important to understand that the tanning you do now could be a cause of skin cancer when you’re 50.A nice tan is admittedly attractive, but cancerous growths and

chemo radiation treatments are not. In the end, the choice is yours, and it all comes down to where your priorities lie: long-

term health or a temporary bronze. Do your future self a favor and replace tanning oil with SPF sun-tan

lotion. Seasons

come and go and tans eventually fade,

but the irreversible damage you’re doing to your skin is per-

manent and superficial.

jacque groskaufmanisstaff writer

Our generation faces a tanning-related skin cancer epidemic; people must assess their priorities

Health is wealth

All students have the luxury of being able to skip school because of sickness. Since they don’t have regular sala-ries, it does not affect anybody but themselves if they do

not show up to school. Even though there will most likely be a lot of make-up work

to do, it is completely worth it to stay home and take the day off. To begin with, it’s important to realize that being sick makes it

difficult to concentrate, so there is no point in coming to school. Also, if you have a contagious sickness, the responsible thing to do is stay home. Going to school when you are sick will decrease your productivity, stress you out, and get others sick as well.With all this said and done, the most important thing to know

is that skipping school sets you back with days worth of make-up work, so if you are really not sick, you should go to school.

To improve productivity and avoid unnecessary stress, go ahead and take a sick day

Catch up on your favor-ite music: Listening to music doesn’t tire you out, and it will also help you rest

De-stress: Drink some herbal tea and rejuvenate

Take care of yourself: The first step to recov-ery is being healthy and rested, not stressed out and hunched over a desk

Eat all the food that you could possibly want: There’s nothing more to add to that

Slip into some comfort-able clothing: No need to look nice if you’re sick, right?

Catch up on your favorite shows: With websites like Netf-lix and Hulu, you can take some time off and relax

ramya mukallastaff writer

So why is it good to take a sick day?

all photos by ramya mukalla and official websites

Hungry?

Grab a donut for 1$Wednesday, May 1st

During Cougar Time in room 135

#donutday@oakton_outlook

17showtime4.24.13

april GARDENING tips

“APRIL showersbring may flowers”

With April coming to a close, nature enthusiasts be-gin to prepare for the prime gardening months. Use this guide to mark the arrival of spring in your own personal garden

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2 Top Gardening Center in our area

annuals Flowers specifically planted in the spring or summertime. The best time to start planting these beauties is in the early part of May.

6 Dianthus: Requires full sun (6+ hours) and semi-moist soil. Bloom time is in spring, summer and winter

8 Snapdragon: Requires full sun (6+ hours) and a low amount of water once established. Tolerates frost. Bloom time is in spring, fall and winter

4 Magdai Lobelia: Requires full sun (6+ hours) and semi-moist soil. Bloom time is in spring and summer

7 Margarita African Daisy:Requires full sun (6+ hours) and semi-moist soil. Bloom time is in the spring

3 Astra African Daisy: Requires full sun (6+ hours) and semi-moist soil. Bloom time is in the spring

9 Red Petunia: Requires full sun (6+ hours) and semi-moist soil. Bloom time is in spring, summer and winter

2 MiniFamous Calibrachoa: Requires full sun (6+ hours) and semi-moist soil. Bloom time is spring, summer and fall

5 Viola: Requires full sun (6+ hours) and semi-moist soil. Bloom time is in fall, winter and spring

1 White Petunia: Requires full sun (6+ hours) and semi-moist soil. Bloom time is in spring, summer and fall

Gardening do’s and don’ts

carly stonehouseshowtime editor

DON’T: Place fertil-izers and sprays directly on the plant or seeds

DO: Thin your plants when they are at least finger height

DON’T: Work on your garden when plants or soil are wet

Merrifield Garden CenterLocated: 12101 Lee Hwy, Fairfax, VA 22030Hours: Mon-Sat 8 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sunday 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.Learn more: Watch Mer-rifield Garden’s show, Merrifield Gardening Advi-sor. The show airs on Chan-nel 8 every Saturday morn-ing at 8 a.m.

DO: Test and prepare your soil before planting your flowers

18 showtime4.24.13

Cherry blossoms celebrate Spring laura murphystaff writer

All photos taken by Laura Murphy

Tours:The throngs of tourists at the capital had plenty of opportuni-ties to see the cherry blossoms. A variety of tours were avail-able, ranging from self-guided garden tours to boat tours to rickshaws alongside the Potomac River. Throughout the city the cherry blossoms were the front and center of all festivities.

A variety of Japanese cuisine was available through the Cherry Picks Restaurant program. From freshly prepared sushi to deep fried Japanese street foods, there were many different options to en-joy. An especially popular snack at the Sakura Matsuri was ice cream served inside of a pineapple. Sev-eral vendors branched outside of Japan and into other Eastern and South Eastern Asian cuisine; the result was an eclectic mix of deli-cious flavors.

Food:

This year, the Cherry Blossom Festival was from March 20 to April 14. The annual event is one of the nation’s largest spring festivals, and people from all over the country flocked to see the pink blooms. The three-and-a-half week celebration offered a host of interesting Japanese activities alongside the beautiful display of the cherry blossoms.

During the festival, several traditional forms of Japanese music were performed. The lively Japanese “taiko” drums attracted several hundred people at a time. Many dancers were also present at the festival, engaging in traditional forms of Japanese dances to celebrate the coming of spring.

Performances:Art: In the spirit of cherry blos-soms, numerous art galleries offered free admission dur-ing the festival. Galleries dis-played traditional Japanese artwork from the Edo period as well as modern art and an-ime. In addition, several chil-dren’s workshops were held, including a lantern building activity and a balloon animal event.

Frozen yogurt has become the newest dessert trend among people of all ages. It is a cost-effective, delicious and healthy alternative to ice cream.

There are endless options to choose from, and it seems like there is a frozen yogurt shop on every corner.Sweet Frog was voted the best frozen yogurt shop in

Northern Virginia by Oakton students. Sweet Frog has endless flavors, including cake batter and cookies and cream. Although the yogurt is their main component, Sweet Frog takes the cake, or yogurt, with its array of toppings spanning from fruit to gummy worms and cookies.

19showtime4.24.13

Froyo Faceoff The top frozen yogurt shops in Northern Virginia are put to the test on our search to find the ultimate go-to frozen yogurt shop for the summer.

courtesy of Sweet Frog

More than just subtitles If you are tired of the mainstream movie scene, foreign films can add some vari-ety to your repertoire.

natalie eberhartstaff writer

“Sen to Chihiro no kamikakushi” is a 2001 Japanese animated fantasy film written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki. The movie is better known by western audiences as “Spirited Away”, which is an English transla-tion of the movie produced by Walt Disney Pictures.The film follows the story of 10-year-old Chihiro Ogino who finds herself trapped in a disturbing alter-

nate world full of spirits after she and her parents explore an abandoned amusement park. After a witch turns Chihiro’s parents into pigs, she begins working in the witch’s bathhouse while she tries to figure out a way to save her parents and escape to the human world. Regardless of which version of the film you watch, you will be equally enticed by Chihiro’s bizarre journey. Although the film is 125 minutes long, the plot and animations are so peculiar that you won’t be able to stop watching.

Sen to Chihiro no kamikakushi

“Downfall”, or “Der Untergang”, is a German dramatic film written by Bernd Eichinger and based upon the books “Inside Hitler’s Bunker” by historian Joachim Fest, and “Until the Final Hour” by Traudl Junge and Melissa Müller. The film depicts the final ten days of Adolf Hitler (Bruno Ganz) and his Nazi regime in 1945 through

the eyes of Traudl Junge (Alexandra Maria Lara), the young personal secretary of Adolf Hitler. Nomi-nated for the 2005 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, “Downfall” gives a different perspec-tive on Adolf Hitler and the fall of Berlin than most western films permit. The film is rated R for strong violence and disturbing images, which isn’t surprising for a film centered on Germany in 1945. Although two hours and 30 minutes long, the film goes by quickly; furthermore, the fact that the story is histori-cally accurate heightens the film’s allure.

Der Untergang

“Maria Full of Grace”, or “María llena eres de gracia”, is a joint Colombian-American dramatic film released in 2004 and written and directed by Joshua Marston. The film takes place in Bogotá, Columbia and follows the life of pregnant teenager Maria Alvarez (Catalina Sandino Moreno). After quitting her job in a flower plantation, Maria becomes a drug mule to make money to support her family; therefore, she swallows 62 wrapped pellets of heroine and flies to New York.This movie will not fail to move you, even if you need the subtitles to understand the dialogue. Rated R,

the film sugarcoats nothing. Also, it does not try to further dramatize the story. For example, the drug dealers are not glamorized, as they sometimes are in mainstream films, and Maria becomes an enticing character solely through her normality. Overall, it’s a must see.

Based on a survey of 50 students

courtesy of Zingacourtesy of Pinkberry

María llena eres de gracia

Photo courtesy of imbd

Photo courtesy of imbd

Photo courtesy of imbd

Fairfax’s very own Patriot Center was blessed on April 4 by the presence of international pop-punk champions Green Day. After postponing the tour for lead singer

Billie Joe Armstrong’s stint in rehab, the band is touring mostly around the northern U.S. The Patriot Center has a lower capac-ity than Green Day’s previous D.C. conquests such as the Veri-zon Center and Jiffy Lube Live, but Green Day had no trouble amping up the crowd.The opening act, Best Coast, had a decent sound but a pitiful

stage presence. I might never experience anything so awkward as a band singing primarily about the glories of California life to a room full of unamused east coasters. The awkwardness was promptly diffused at the end of the set change, when Queen’s classic Bohemian Rhapsody played over the speakers, accompanied by the entire Patriot Center. It was then replaced by the Ramones’ Blitzkrieg Bop, and Green Day’s mascot, the giant, pink, drunk bunny, waddled on stage and chugged beer to the crowd’s cheers of “Hey, ho, let’s go!”With the lights low and the energy high

already, Green Day and their supporting band ran on stage to raucous cheering. They kicked off with “99 Revolutions,” an upbeat track off of their 2012 album trilogy “Uno...Dos...Tre!” and namesake of the tour. Most of the beginning of the show was dedicated to their newer songs, which were fun enough even though most people didn’t know the words, as the trilogy was a bit of a flop.But there was a major shift in the show after the docile “Oh

Love” petered out and the grinding riff-of-a-generation that is the opening of “Holiday” drew goosebumps and incomparable

vigor from the stage and the crowd. “VIRGINIAAAAAAA,”

lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong roared, and that is where the show really began. The rest of the show was a blend of Ameri-can Idiot-era hits like “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” and old-school classics like “Who Wrote Holden Caulfield?” and “Basket Case.”The most memorable moment of the evening was probably the

one Grammy-winning-international-rock-star Armstrong him-self described as “the most memorable moment of [his] life.” During one of the band’s signature stoner anthems, “Longview,” they decided to pull up a member of the audience to help sing along. Armstrong chose a 12-year-old boy standing right next to me, whose father was lifting him up towards the stage Lion King style. He was a cute kid, and no one was quite sure if he

would be able to sing in front of everyone. But he belted every word, most of which were highly inappro-priate, perfectly. Billie Joe sent him home with one of his guitars, and he was welcomed back into the pit with

lots of hair ruffling.Throughout everything, the stamina of

drummer Tre Cool, bassist Mike Dirnt, guitarist Jason White and Armstrong was extraordinary, and it kept the audience going at similar heights. In reviews of Green Day shows, the word “energy” is often overused, but there is simply no other way to describe the raw enthusiasm and physical effort extracted from every person in the building, from we the megafans in the third row to the chumps in the very back and very top of the nosebleed section. Armstrong is the definition of a showman; he demands noise and activity from the crowd, he goads them until he gets an uproarious enough response. He sprayed the pit mer-cilessly with a hose. The result is a unique and incredible experience of a show.20 showtime

4.24.13sofia crutchfieldviewpoint editor

sofia crutchfield

That was the most memorable moment of my life.billie joe armstrong ”“

21showtime4.24.13

satire

the beginner’s guide to proper backpack healthDIY Ergonomics:

April is widely regarded among students as the single most important month of the year, as it is officially National Backpack Safety Month. Did you celebrate the right way? Check yourself before you wreck your-self with this handy guide to personal backpack health.

Proper backpack posture requires the use of both shoulder straps. Don’t just shoulder the weight: double shoulder it. Remember, your back loves you, so love your back back.

1. One-strapping is so 1998

2. Don’t hideWearing your backpack so low that it covers your butt should be an emer-gency move reserved for those who’ve had an accident. Adjust your shoulder straps so the weight of the pack is evenly distributed on your back and proves your cleanliness. It’s a twofer!

3.Pop it and lock itDoes your backpack have a waist strap? This in-gredient is of utmost importance, so while you’re waiting for the new ergonomically acceptable backpack that you ordered two paragraphs ago to come in the mail, you can fashion a makeshift waist strap out of a bungee cord or an old sock. Don’t worry about it, you look fine.

Pro-tip:The best thing you can do for your back is avoid putting anything on it at all. The world’s most renowned chiropractors and back-packologists recommend a Vehicular Apparatus, otherwise known as a “rolling backpack.” Certain models have the optional feature of light-up wheels for added swag.

22 touchdown4.24.13

touchdown April highlights of cougars on the prowl

Softball stays focused on states

1 Boys lacrosse enters district tournament

2 Boys soccer is number one in the All-Met

3Despite the installment of new

coach, Sam Newman, during the sec-ond week of the season, the softball team has stayed focused on winning and refuses to let the recent events shape the rest of their season. “When our coaching staff was re-

placed, we basically started an entirely new season,” said senior captain Mary Kate Mehegan. “We have put the recent coaching [change] behind us because we are here to play softball and here to win.” For the past two years the team has

remained largely the same, so with new additions this year the team is adjusting to a different style of play. The cougars started the season 4-4 with a recent 12-3 victory over district rival Chantilly. Currently 2-0 in the district, softball is looking towards a district title and another dominant regional performance, hopefully with another state berth.“My expectations for this season

haven’t changed.” Mehegan said. “If we put in the effort I think we can return to states again this year.”

Boys lacrosse enters the district tournament this week at 7-3 overall and 1-3 in the Concorde District. The boys started the season strong going 7-0 before district play began where they dropped three straight to Centreville, Robinson and Chantilly. The loss to Centreville came in a 5-6

nail biter where Oakton stayed in front until Centreville scored the winning goal with 20 seconds left on the clock. “Our season had been going pretty

well until Centreville,” said junior de-fender Miles Lindsey, “but we used it as motivation for going forward and doing well in the rest of the district.”The team has one more regular season

game against Lake Braddock before moving into the district tournament on May 3 against Herndon at home. The Cougars will look to defend their dis-trict title and have a positive showing in regions and states.“Our first goal would be to go into the

state and district play for full poten-tial,” Lindsey said. “I know that we are capable.”

1 3

When the recent Washington Post All-Met rankings came out, the boys varsity soccer team was happy to see themselves on top. With a 8-0-1 re-cord, and outscoring their opponents 26 to 8, they look to continue their winning streak going into the district tournament.The lone tie was a 3-3 overtime draw

against Lake Braddock, who knocked out Oakton in the Northern Regional semifinals last year and is currently the number two team in the region. Being ranked first in the region puts

more pressure on the team to keep winning and live up to their ranking. However, all the boys have stepped up, with everyone contributing to the team’s success.Oakton will go into the district

tournament as the first seed and begin tournament play at home on May 23. The boys will look to recapture the district title and are poised to claim Oakton boys soccer’s first ever region title and ultimately, state champion-ship.

courtesy of jane davis gianna sheffield

“The only weather conditions that generally cause unsafe conditions are lighting, thunder or standing water from rain. The center referee has the ultimate discretion as to whether the field is playable or not. He may terminate a match if he finds that any weather conditions endanger the players. If a grass field is too wet, we play on a turf field because it is still playable in the rain. We play in the rain very often.

Most lads find it refreshing. Some even play in the snow.” Zomorodi joked that Shamwow is a useful tool to “quickly and effectively dry up the wettest parts of the field.”

23touchdown4.24.13

April showers bring muddy fields

jean counts | lacrosse coach

justin janis | baseball coach

lauren patrizi | tennis coach

“For the baseball team, the playing surface is very important. We need to make sure our field is in good shape, so we will play in rain or light rain, but there comes a point

that if it’s too wet, we need to stop. We are able to speed up the drying process in our ‘cut-outs’ or the dirt areas by using Turface. It’s a soil conditioner that dries dirt out. The baseball team has several options depending on weather during our practice time. If it’s not raining we go over to Nottoway, if it’s raining while we’re supposed to practice then we use the gym time we are allotted or go to an indoor batting facility.”

“To keep the field in good condition it needs to be repaired and dragged every day. Holes from the batters, catchers and pitchers need to be filled and pounded each day. It is not enough

to just replace the dirt. It must be repacked to prevent the holes from getting deeper. Dragging the field each day helps to keep the top layer of the field smooth and loose. A smooth field minimizes bad hops by a hard hit ball as does loose dirt. When it does rain, using a nail drag or an iron rake (if the field is so wet it will not support the tractor) on the dirt helps tremendously. More often than not, it is the infield that is the prob-lem when it rains. Generally the field crew will know if they can get a wet field up and running by game time, but the umpires have the final say on the matter.”

“In the event of inclement weather, we typical-ly try to acquire space in the high school to do conditioning workouts. Playing on a wet court puts players at risk of slip and fall injuries.

Matches are not played in wet conditions, however; sometimes, if there is merely a light drizzle, practice will continue. We have rollers to aid in drying the court surface when there is puddling occurring, but a completely soaking wet court is an unusable court, and only time and improved weather conditions can fix that problem. Wet courts typically require a resched-uling of the match, which is a cooperative effort on the part of both schools involved in the match.”

jane davis | softball parent

sepehr zomorodi | soccer captain

“We play in the rain if the fields are not soaked with puddles. That is where the dan-ger comes in: lots of water where people will fall. If there has been a lot of rain, we

look for wind and sun to dry it out. Sometimes on spots on the field they may put kitty litter to soak up one specific area. With bad weather, we usu-ally practice indoors. Sometimes a turf field might open up, but it’s usually the aux gym for us. It’s a really small space for a whole team that is used to playing on a large field, but we make it work. I design different drills, and we use our time indoors well. We practice around 5 or 6 p.m., both indoors and out.”

alana peters photo editor

When the sky grows dark and the clouds open up, Oakton’s sports run for cover and practice in the safety of the gym. Tarp-ing fields or raking the dirt can only do so much to prevent an unusable field, and practicing indoors forces

athletes to change their schedules and accommodate their work out to fit in one of the gyms. So how do these different sports handle unfortunate weather conditions?

25touchdown4.24.13

What will you run for?As spring moves into full swing, local races are popping up everywhere. From one-mile fun runs to hardcore half-marathons, there is something for everyone. So strap on your running shoes and ask yourself: what will you run for?

jennifer prossertouchdown editor

all photos are courtesy of official race websites

or plan ahead...

prideComing to Mechanicsville, MD on May 18 and 19, the “world’s largest obstacle race” will challenge even the most confident runner. The 5k includes twelve obstacle stations involving heights, fire, water and, of course, mud.www.warriordash.com

Run For Your Lives is a zombie-infested 5k obstacle course coming to Baltimore Oct. 5 and selling out fast.

Ragnar Relay is an intense, 24-hour, 12-man relay race through 200 miles of the D.C. metro area Oct. 4 and 5.

funHeld on May 19 along three miles of the National Harbor, the “happiest race on the planet” is for runners, walkers, joggers, skip-pers and everything in between.thecolorrun.com/washington-dc

The Color Run 5k

The Splatter Run 5kHeld on May 11 at Lake Fairfax, The Splat-ter Run is a local spinoff of the Color Run, promising fun for the whole family.

a causeSprint to the Line for LLSRun through the rolling hills of Prince William Forest Park on May 26 to support the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in either a half-marathon or a 5k race.

Stand Up for Our Warriors 5kOn May 11 Robinson High School will host the second annual 5k and one-mile fun run on campus and in surrounding neigh-borhoods to raise money for the Wounded Warrior Project.

your mom

Coming to D.C. on May 11, the 5k race is committed to celebrating women and find-ing a cure for breast cancer.

This local race on May 12 through Baron Cameron Park in Herndon is the perfect way to spend Mother’s Day. Not up for four miles? There is a one-mile fun run at the same time. Added bonus for both races: participating moms get free flowers.www.prraces.com/devotion

Mother’s Day 4-Miler

Komen Race for the Cure

Warrior Dash

26touchdown4.24.13

New to the school and new to the teamA freshman finds his place on varsity soccer

The boys’ varsity soccer team has started off its season strong, winning its first five games and rising to the very top of the All-Met rankings. The team welcomed ten new members, but only one of these newcomers

is a freshman: starting center defender Trey Lodge.“It’s an honor to be in the program,” Lodge said. “The guys have been very

welcoming and cool about incorporating me into the games.” Lodge’s teammates have been happy to have him on the team because of how

much he has contributed to their successful season. “He’s done great so far,” said senior captain Jay Bundren. “He stepped in at a

tough position and has pretty much started the whole year. Even though he’s a freshman, he’s comfortable and confident.”Lodge is a serious player not only for Oakton, but also for other teams outside

of school. His club team, Arlington Impact, won the State Cup this year. He also plays for the Olympic Development Program.Although Lodge has plans to play soccer after high school, right now he is only

focused on his current season. “I would like to play in college, but hopefully this year we will win the district

and the region,” Lodge said.Lodge, according to Bundren, has made a very positive impact on the team. “He’s been really useful for us,” Bundren said. “He stays calm and collected and

is a good leader for us in the back.”Lodge and his team have their next game on April 25 at Robinson High School.

“[Lodge] is playing center defense, which is usually a position for bigger and older guys, so it’s been really impressive that he’s been able to step in there and play really well for us,” Bundren said.

gianna sheffield

torri marquisstaff writer

Sports are a part of the everyday lives of nearly 1,000 Oakton student-athletes. With prac-

tices, workouts and games, a lot of time is dedicated to improving per-formance on the field, in the gym and on the track. But at what cost does participating for all the years have on the body and the mind? The obvious benefit of partici-pating in a sport is the health and fitness aspect. By training ten to twenty hours a week, most athletes are in the best shape of their lives. But athletes also form life-long friendships with many of their teammates. Nothing pushes people together more than doing a work-out together on a 90-degree day. In addition, sports require essential life-skills such as leadership, dedication and persistence. However, downsides of intensive training can be both short and long- term. Practicing at a competitive level takes a lot of work and dedica-

tion, meaning most athletes do not get home until the late evening. Furthermore, injuries can plague an athlete for the rest of their lives. The growing concussion epidemic also begs awareness that athletes are putting their brains and future at risk, with the immediate possibility of falling behind in school. Despite the pros and cons, studies indicate that sports a generally posi-tive. A study conducted by the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union found that both mental and physical health was better in those who par-ticipated in a sport rather than those who did not. Other areas such as life satisfaction, civic engagement and even employment and finances were found to be higher for those who did participate versus those who did not, even 20 years down the line. In the end though, it is all up to the

athlete to know whether or not it is worth it to participate and to push him or herself to the line.

oliver lopez-gomez online editor

The pay-off of trainingWhether or not it is worth it to play

paul rupp | athletic trainer

Doing a sport is a positive as it starts lifelong learning [and]

the desire to be healthy, fit and become leaders.

“ ”

what oakton athletes think

Positive 88% Negative 12%

eric goins | college athlete

Playing sports helps you develop a mental toughness that can not only be applied

to athletics but also any [other] part of your life.

“ ”

what the experts think

27indepth4.24.13

indepth Go behind the scenes and see who really runs the school

Prom is not just a party. It’s an event, or more sentimentally called, a ritual, where students

come together to celebrate each other and appreciate the big, happy family that has been created at Oakton. Prom is made for the students, by the students. This is the slogan of the Prom Com-

mittee, the group of students that fashion the entire event from start to finish. Their main goal is to make every stu-

dent feel joy and assurance about their place at Oakton during Prom, because students are what make Oakton the diverse yet close, special and tight-knit community that it is. The president of the committee, junior Ellis Heijst, is in charge of everything that goes into mak-ing Prom an enjoyable experience. “I want students to feel excitement and

like they are involved in their school,” Heijst said. Along with attempting to make the stu-

dents happy, the committee also needs to consider how to make Prom a memorable experience. The committee gets most of its ideas

and themes from students. They plan to poll students on popular music and other trends. Music sets the scene for the whole event.“It is incredibly important that the right

kind of music is there and plays in the right kind of order, which then calls for a D.J. with a decent reputation,” Heijst said. The students also get the opportunity to

elect their Prom court. “I like having the students choose

because they nominate people that represent the student body in their own unique, special way,” Heijst said. “Also

no one wants to go to their special Prom and have the whole night dictated. People want to see what they dream Prom to be.” At the end of the night and year, people

won’t remember what dresses were worn, who went with who or the trivial gossip, but they will remember the memories that are made with friends that define the Oakton experience. Enjoy the magic of Prom.

Standing from the catwalk

The Cultural Festival is where students can celebrate their own heri-

tage. On stage, there are vibrant colors from different dances and acts that Oakton students put on for their peers. However, backstage offers a whole different angle to the show. “What people don’t see is[that]

it is pretty chaotic backstage because we have to keep the show going,” said Malcolm Lee, math teacher. Lee, as this year’s cultural fes-

tival organizer, worked with the backstage crew to make sure the show ran as planned. This year’s backstage crew consisted of nine people with separate responsi-bilities, such as setting up and taking down the stage, lighting, sound control and management of the acts.“They’re like the production

team, and I’m more like the director,” Lee said. In addition to a director, the

backstage crew also had a stage manager, who helped organize the show.“I make sure everyone is calm

and ready to go,” said Grace Yoder, junior. “I also do all the cues for lights and sound, as well as raise the curtain.”The stage manager is also in

charge of directing the perform-ers into their designated places and helping with the general flow of the show.“My favorite part is working

with everyone and seeing all the cultures on stage,” Yoder said.While the cultural festival plays

out on the stage, the crew mem-bers work tirelessly to ensure the best possible performance behind the curtain.“I think without the [back-

stage] cast, we wouldn’t be able to have a show,” Lee said.

anee nguyenstaff writer

abbey boninstaff writer

Behind the curtains, the backstage crew of the Cultural Festival works to keep the show on the moveall photos by alana peters

“[My favorite part], other than being able to skip class, is seeing the shows,” said Danny Nguyen, senior, at left. This is Nguyen’s second year working the lights for the Cultural Festival.

A view of the empty catwalk that runs over the stage. “The Cultural Festival cel-ebrates students’ heritages,” said Malcolm Lee, math teacher.

Grace Yoder, junior, high fives Jon Wright, sophomore, after the end of the show in the Lecture Hall, which was used as a room to rehearse and change costumes during the show. “It’s really a team effort,” Yoder said. “We all work together.”

Take an exclusive look at the masterminds behind Prom

“When planning Prom we have to consider the budget, aesthetics, quality, venue and the reputation of suppliers,” Heijst said.

carly stonehouse

28 indepth4.24.13 29indepth

4.24.13

Take a behind-the-scenes look at the production of Grease

Whose car is it anyway?

A car from the 50s isn’t always easy to find. Luckily for the theater department, building supervisor, Jeff Rich-ards, generously offered to let them borrow his 1955

Ford Thunderbird.“Mrs. Gelinas sent out an email asking if anyone had a 50s

car,” Richards said. “After a while [when] no one had replied, I wanted to help, so I volunteered mine.” Richards inherited the vehicle from his father.“I just remember Mom and Dad taking the

car out,” Richards said. “Mom would wear a scarf, kind of similar to the

ones in the musical. My brother and I would go too, and we’d just drive around.”Richards still uses his car regularly. “We take [the Thunderbird] to antique shows, parades and

just out driving on the weekends,” Richard said. “We’ve always had a great time with it.”The Ford Thunderbird isn’t the only antique car he has. Rich-

ards is also the proud owner of a 1939 Ford Coupe. “Collecting antique cars is a neat hobby,” Richards

said. “[It’s] expensive, but neat.”

melanie aguilarindepth editor

erin preaskornstaff writer

“We spend a lot of time preparing, especially for musicals, mostly in class and after school,” said Theatre Arts teacher Vanessa Gelinas. “We also do Cougar Times and sometimes teacher work days.”

erin preaskorn

erin preaskorn

“We do a lot of research and look for anything to influence the set, lights, cos-tumes, makeup [and] anything [else],” said Caroline Werenskjold, senior. “Once we read the script, we go scene by scene to see what we will need to do, what to build, what props to get and how we’re going to do scene change.”

erin preaskorn

“In props, we basically make sure the actors have what they need, and the sets have every-thing they need,” said Ann Sperow, junior.

“In the costume department, we will pull works for produc-tions. Sometimes costumes are picked by students and

sometimes by teachers,” said Molly Walker, junior. “Mrs. Baker, a parent volunteer, sews most of the costumes.”

“My job is to take care of lighting equipment,” said Hyun Ho Lee., senior “There’s a board in the booth where I program and design everything. Lights are pretty important: no lights, no show.”

From left to right: Eric Hynes, Ann Sperow, Jess Farhan, Grace Yoder, Pauline Henenlotter, Sheridan Johnson, Valerie Daniels, Hyun Ho Lee, Danny Nguyen, Christian Wells, N’alex Ingalls

madlin mekelburg

erin preaskorn

When: May 16, 17, 18Time: 7 p.m.Tickets: $8.00 pre-sale$10.00 at the doorWhere: Auditorium

erin preaskorn

“You have to have done pretty well in the class.”

Make sure you like the

teacher you will be helping.

30 indepth4.24.13

10 things you need to know before you TAOakton seniors get a glimpse of what it takes to be a teacher

1 5

462

3

8

“I help out when needed.”

“You definitely get more of an inside look into what teachers are doing.”

“Being a TA is really fun because you get to be in a class where you don’t actually have to learn.”

“I loved Psychology so much that I kind of wanted to relive

the class.”“It doesn’t count as course credit.”

“You have to show that you’re a deter-mined, confident student that can be re-

lied on.”

“Often-times I am grading or filling

out things or reading FRQs.”

If you have a lot of home-work, and you tell your teacher in advance, they might let you take a break.

Cole Testoni TA for Sue Anna Clark

AP Psychology 7th Period

Lyndy Quast TA for Brandon McCullaWorld Civilizations 1 HN

1st Period

7

melanie aguilar indepth editor

Student Elections 2013: Planning for next school year is in full swing

Dates to know:

Wednesday, May 1: Election Day! (Leadership room- Room 174)

Friday, May 3: Winners announced

kim gibbons viewpoint editor

While fourth quarter has just begun, students are already preparing for the next

school year, beginning with the election of next year’s class and SGA officers. In May, students will have the

opportunity to elect the President, Vice President and Executive Council for each class, as well as a school-wide student government composed of a President, Vice President, Executive Council and Advisory Council. However, much planning goes into these elections before most students even know who is running.“The students will submit an

application with their letter of intent to run for a particular position,” said John Masters, SGA Sponsor. “Once they go through and submit their letter of intent, they will then submit

a three-paragraph essay as to why they would be a good candidate for [the position].” After the preliminary steps of

declaring their intent to run for class office, students must also get teacher recommendations confirming that they would be good representatives of the school. Finally, the campaigns officially kick off about two weeks before the actual election.“The kids put a lot of hard work

into [the election], and some of them are really passionate about it, so we encourage everybody to get out and vote,” Masters said. “[The officers] do come up with some really good ideas, and I think the student body is pretty appreciative of some of the things that they do institute.”

carly stonehouse

carly stonehouse

31map4.24.13

What in the world? Do current events make you yawn? Does the thought of reading one more article about the economy bring you to tears? Fear no more! Featured below are a handful of truly bizarre news stories from around the world that are sure to strike your fancy.

BERLIN: On Monday, April 8, thieves made off with five tons of Nutella, with an estimated value of $20,700 (HuffPost).

BUENOS AIRES: Salesmen have been accused of passing off fer-rets, given steroids since birth, as toy poodles. They have been sold for upwards of $150 (HuffPost).

PHILADELPHIA: On Friday, April 5, a man attempted to pay his $8 taxi-fare with marijuana. He was charged with possession by the officers standing a few feet away from the cab (HuffPost).VERO BEACH:

A woman was arrested for attacking her ex-boyfriend with papayas and repeatedly baring her buttocks, instructing him to, “Kiss my butt” (Huff Post).

madlin mekelburgeditor in chief

BUY YOUR YEARBOOK NOW! The price will increase to $100 cash on May 5!

Buy your yearbook at:yearbookordercenter.com

Order Code: 4770Beginning May 5, you cannot order online.

Follow us on Twitter @oaktonyearbook