NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION

U.S. POSTAGE PAID OAKTON, VA

PERMIT No. 337

OAKTON HIGH SCHOOL 2900 SUTTON ROAD

VIENNA, VA 22181

School board approves Fairgrade proposal; changes

grade scale and course weights

academics

page 09

Pro/Con: Should Mixed Martial

Arts be available to high school

students?

opinions

page 19

Oakton Wrestling places first at

“Pinner’s Dime” tournament in the

gymnasium

sports

page 20

out lo

ok02.04.09

oakton

10-pound Tongue

Hypnotist amazes crowd with mind tricks

AA Driving

The girls basketball team is taking an active stance in the community. The

team participated in a coat drive to help the less fortunate. The coat drive was held by the Reston Interfaith Relief program. The drive began two weeks before the holiday break and ended Jan. 3 when the coats were distributed.

“We asked neighbors, friends and family for old coats, jackets, anything they had,” said freshman forward and co-captain Amanda Krage.

The team was able to collect more than just coats for the drive. It collected hats, mittens, gloves and any other clothing used in winter. The team used various sources to gather the clothing.

“For about a month, they collected coats, gloves, hats, mittens and then [on the day of the drive] they grabbed everything that was donated, bagged it up and delivered it to the Reston Police Station,” said assistant coach Bethany Speed. “At the drive, they then hung up, separated and distributed the items.”

The project didn’t end after the coats had been collected; the team was able to see its results at distribution.

“Some of the girls went to the actual coat drive where they were hanging up coats and

getting to talk to people,” said Coach Maurie Calloway. “They saw that people were very appreciative, and they got to see some people that are less fortunate than themselves.”

The team chose this service project to fa-cilitate the growing population of people with insufficient money to afford winter clothing.

“There are plenty of people, some that I know personally, that are unable to afford things,” Calloway said.

The team used a number of tactics to collect the clothing to insure that they collected as many articles as possible.

“All the girls on all three teams got together and went out [around neigh-borhoods] as well as here

at school, sent out flyers. Some of the neigh-borhoods had a contest on how many people could bring in coats, hats [and other winter clothing,]” Calloway said.

This coat drive was meant to benefit those less fortunate. However, the team gained more than the good feeling of helping the commu-nity.

“It helped us get together in order to help others,” said guard captain Kate Dawson. “It unified us as a team.”

Even though the team does a community service project each year, this was the first

time it participated in this drive. “It’s a way to give back to the community

and help those less fortunate. Especially dur-ing this time of the year when it’s really cold and around the holidays you want to remem-ber the importance of giving to others,” Speed said. “We have a fabulous group of girls who were really interested in doing their part and being part of something that gave back.”

page 03

02.04.09

featurePlungeapalooza 2009: Jump In!Special Olympics- Maryland hosts

an annual Plungeapalooza in the winter to raise money. Govern-ment teacher Jeff Dunson and eight of his students took the plunge into the Chesapeake Bay to support this cause.

-jessica klaber, staff writer, can be reached at jessica.klaber@oaktonmedia.net

Girls basketball donates to give back, bonds

Freshman guard Alex Weaver assists a woman in selecting coats for her family. The team not only col-lected the winter clothing, but helped pass out the donations to needy families.

fast

fact

s

— Over $2,000,000 were raised Jan. 24 at the 13th annual Plungapalooza to benefit Special Olympics-Maryland— The Special Olympics were founded in 1968— Learn how to contribute at http://www.specialolympics.org

Taking the Plunge

Oakton Team

1. Daniel Braun, sr.

2. Jeff Dunson, government teacher

3. Matt Miller, sr.

4. Sajan Moktan, sr.

5. Alena Schwarz, sr.

6. Jaime Tejada, sr.

7. Jenna Tinger, sr.

8.Kathryn Wherry, sr.

9. Bree Yurewicz, sr.

Outside TemperatureTime of Jump- 1:00 P.M.

40 Fo

Seniors Jaime Tejada, Daniel Braun and Jenna Tinger run out of the frigid Chesa-peake Bay. The water temperature was just above freezing in Sandy Point, Md.

Government teacher Jeff Dun-son gets ready to splash one of his students during the plunge.

Senior Sajan Moktan shivers after getting out of the Chesapeake Bay. Even though it was so cold, Moktan thoroughly enjoyed the event. “The water was extremely cold. My legs went numb in 10 seconds,” Moktan said. “It was an awesome experience, though; I would do it again.”

alena schwarz

alen

a sc

hwar

z

Seniors Daniel Braun and Jaime Tejada towel off and try to get warm after running out of the water.

-amanda herman, staff writer, can be reached at amanda.herman@oaktonmedia.net

alen

a sc

hwar

z

alen

a sc

hwar

z

beth

any s

peed

Cover: After being hypnotized by Jimi Gibson, junior Nikki Jenkins, sophomore Kevin McGartland and junior Eric Sharer stick out their tongues on command. This was the second time Gibson has performed at Oakton.Photo by: Gladys Manzur

It’s a way to give back to the commu-nity and help those less fortunate.

- coach bethany speed

Handing out jerseys is the culmination of hours of hard work. It is the first step on the journey towards a winning

season or a varsity letter. But for the Special Olympics basketball team, jersey day meant the first step towards being a Cougar.

“When we issued them their jerseys, some of them said ‘We are finally Oakton Cougars,’ and that was really exciting. Some of them wore their jerseys to school the whole week,” said senior girls’ basketball player Sasha Borijeni, who helps the Special Olympics team practice every Monday. “People don’t realize that these kids are just like us, and they just want to be a part of something here.”

The Special Olympics basketball team is a club sport aimed at providing special education students with an avenue to participate in athletics through the school. They play as part of the Northern Virginia Special Olympics Association in tournaments around the county. Basketball coach and guidance counselor Fred Preister started the program earlier this year.

“This year we finally reached a level of [special education] students where we could support a program, and I thought it would be a great opportunity,” Preister explained. “It is important

to provide these students [with] a way to feel more connected during their high school experience.”

The team, which is composed of 10 members of the Best Buddies program and coached by Preister and members of the varsity girls’ basketball team, has seen competition twice already. They competed at Loudon County High

School on Jan. 10 and at Hoop Magic on Jan. 25, with a current record of 4-2. Although the team has seen success in competition, the experience is more important to the players than their results.

“I just like working with the whole team and the other kids,” Cogswell said. “It makes all of us better, which is really the point.”

While coaching the team, girls on the varsity team learn equally important lessons on the court. Borijeni has spent hours of her time after school and on Saturdays encouraging the athletes at practice and in competition.

“Seeing them at their tournament was a great experience for me. They were so happy and appreciative of us being there,” Borijeni recalled. “I never realized how much it meant to them or how much it means to me to have people there until I watched them play for the first time.”

Preister also sees more than competition in the team. Instead of winning, he stresses the basics of the game in hopes that the athletes learn what it is like to be a part of a team and the school.

“These kids go through our school as a very small group in a very large school, and many kids walk by them and don’t think anything about them. But they are here for the same reasons as anyone else is: to get an education, to have some fun and to be a part of the school any way they can,” Preister said. “And this [team] is just another opportunity for these kids to [be involved]. At the end of the day, they are happy just to be Cougars.”

team

resu

lts — Loudon Co.

Jan 10, 2-2— Hoop Magic, Jan 25, 2-0— upcoming state qualifier at Hoop Magic, Feb 21

Helping a player set up a jumpshot, coach and counselor Fred Preister provides some individual attention while coaching dur-ing practice. The team has seen success at two competitions, establishing a 4-2 record.

featurepage 04 02.04.09

- ethan doyle and owen chesser, can be reached at editors@oaktonmedia.net

The Special Olympics Basketball Team finishes practice with a cougar cheer to show their spirit.

“Feeling like part of a group is something I

like to stress in my coaching of these

kids,” Priester said. “And that

can make a big dif-ference in

someone’s life.”

gladys manzur

gladys manzur

glad

ys m

anzu

r

Building the dream team...Special Olympics Basketball Team succeeds with help of girls basketball team

page 0502.04.09 feature

When you meet someone for the first time, there are several ways to ‘break the

ice’ in order to start a conversation. For sophomore Jeffrey Abed, one introduction he makes is “Hi, I’m Jeffrey, and I have one eye.”

Reactions to this vary from “Whoa that’s so cool” to “Put it back in!”

“Most people don’t know many others who just have one eye,” Abed said. “I think Mrs. Layman [Spanish teacher] had one of the most extreme reactions. She kept saying ‘Jeffrey I taught you for a whole year and now you have one eye.’ It was pretty funny, and I kept trying to put my eye in her field of vision.”

A notable reaction occurred with a substitute last year.

“At lunch Jeff had taken out his eye and put ketchup on it, telling the sub that he had lost his eye,” Layman said. “The class told me that the sub freaked out.”

Pranks like this come easily for Abed.

“Jeffrey has pulled so many pranks with his eye; I can’t even count the number of times he’s scared a teacher just by popping it out or grossing out a groups of kids,” said sophomore Allen Luethke. “It’s all in good fun though, and he never does anything with it that crosses any lines.”

Abed lost his eye when he was three to Retinoblastoma, a common children’s cancer that can affect one or both eyes; for Abed, it only affected his right eye.

“My dad found out when he woke me up one morning. I looked at him, but one of my eyes had rolled back, straight white,” Abed said. “So [my parents] took me to the hospital and

they found that I had cancer, and that in three weeks it would have spread far enough into my brain that I would have died.”

He was then taken to a specialist in San Francisco who removed his eye in a procedure called Enucleation. In this treatment, which can only occur if the cancer is big enough, the eye and part of the optic nerves are removed.

“I don’t remember the surgery, but over the next few years I would have to go back every few months for check-ups,” Abed said. “They would put me down and look back into my eye to make sure everything was okay. I do remember this; the check-ups were really fun.”

Aside from looking forward to the doctor’s visits because he could miss school, Abed was also excited for the laughing gas.

“They used to have these different flavors of laughing gas they’d give me,” Abed explained. “My favorite was strawberry. In the beginning I think they started out with just cherry. I wasn’t a big fan of cherry.”

Since Abed had his eye removed, he has an artificial eye made out of glass.

“It’s pretty strong,” Abed said, “I’ve dropped it before, and it just kind of ‘tink, tink, tinked’ on the ground. Then I picked it up and washed it off.”

He received his first artificial eye when he was four.

“My head was kind of small. It was a temporary eye so when I moved forward sometimes my eye would fall out,” Abed said. “When I was in preschool one time, it fell into the lego bin and I was looking through the legos trying to find my eye.”

When he was seven, Abed moved from California to Virginia, at

which time he received his current eye. This one will fit until he is 18, which is when he will be offered the option to have the eye tacked onto the nerve growing in the back so that it will move with his left creating no difference between the two appearance-wise.

When it comes to artificial eyes, people may ask if you can only see black with the eye.

“It’s not like that at all,” Abed explained. “I just don’t see out of my right eye. It’s like if you cut your head down the middle and cover up one half of it; you only see out of the uncovered half. So, my peripheral vision is a little bit limited. For the most part it doesn’t affect me, like for instance, I can drive and have my permit now. I can’t become a Navy fighter pilot, but I can become a regular pilot.”

When wearing the eye, it becomes a part of Abed’s body as if it were real.

“I don’t feel it at all,” Abed said. “It’s just like you don’t feel your nose, it’s just there. But if I take it out, the wind will blow into my head which is a really uncomfortable feeling that makes me wince sometimes.”

In his everyday life, Abed can do almost everything. However, there is a draw back to having one eye.

“The biggest draw back is I can’t see 3D, so when they have those special movies like Shrek 3D, the glasses won’t work for me. I can see color fine, and my depth perception is fine, but I don’t have stereoscopic vision. That’s like when your eyes have to look at an angle to determine stuff.”

INTERESTS...

ART

FAMILY

BUSINESS

Along with basketball and other activities, Abed enjoys drawing and art.

“Yeah, I like drawing sutff,” Abed said. “It’s kind of nice because I’ve always liked doodling and drawing since I was little, and I got pretty good at sketching free-hand.”

Even with one eye, Abed is able to draw as accurately as anyone else.

“When you draw something you’re kind of recreating how you perceive it, so I guess my perception is really no different than looking at it with two eyes. I like drawing people, I’ll sketch faces on the sides of my papers just for fun,” Abed said.

For Abed, family is a very important factor in life.

“Out of school I spend a lot of time with my nephew,” Abed said.

Abed’s nephew, who is two years old, has had a constant companion in Jeff.

“I’ve been there with him a lot, so I helped him learn how to walk, and potty-train,” Abed said. “It’s tough, but it’s fun. I spend a lot of time with him on the weekends. I go over to my sister and brother-in-law’s house and I babysit him so they can go out. He’s actually a really big part of my life . It’s taught me a lot of responsibility.”

Academically, Abed enjoys learning about business and investment.

“I like business cours-es, and I invest in stuff,” Abed said. “Its kind of weird, but over the sum-mer I went to Cambridge University and I studied global business and phi-losophy. I definitely want to major in business when I go to college.”

One way he is learning about business is through invesment.

“I set up an Etrade account with my dad, so I have my own investment portfolio,” Abed said. I invested in some different companies. I started with overall about $4000 and then I turned that into about $9000, then I bought about 30000 shares, then the stock market crashed. Once the economy starts coming back up though in the coming years, I could make a lot of money. Every point my company goes up over the next year I make 30000 dollars. And it’s been up to 70 points before. So if it goes up five points I make $150000.”

Student tells what life is like when you only have one eye

An Eye for an Eye

- drew harrington and elise werner, staff writers, can be reached at drew.harrington@oaktonmedia.net and elise.werneroaktonmedia.net

elise werner

courtesy of jeffery abed

courtesy of jeffery abed

courtesy of jeffery abed

page 06 feature 02.04.09

Slamming the door behind him, Jake walks in quickly, happy that the school day is over. He drops

his books and makes a face at Dakota, his favorite dog. Given a couple minutes, Jake Marsden will be out again. He’ll be with

friends. He’ll be making jokes and cheering on the Colts. He’ll be living in the moment and not worrying about the

future. But Jake doesn’t

especially want to live like this

forever. His future lies elsewhere: overseas in a uniform. Refusing to reconcile with an educational system he

dislikes, he chose to forgo the

traditional four-year college path to enter

the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) division of the closest Police Academy.

“I want to be a SWAT officer – a

security officer dealing with special weapons

and tactics,” Jake said. “It’s a different kind of path, definitely. Instead of math

class, we have a weapons class. It’s a lot more exciting.”

He’s bored with high

school, and ready to move on. His class notebooks are filled more with sketches and doodles than notes. To Jake, a well-known comedian who promises he has “no secrets” because “everybody pretty much knows me,” any further planning seems a waste, when he already knows he “doesn’t really like school” and has decided on a path that will lay out a predetermined agenda for the next couple years.

“I’m a really cool guy,” he explains with a straight face, before smiling and adding, “And ‘course, I’m pretty funny. I’m doing this because it’s pretty exciting. Everything else is kind of boring to me. My friends are all going to college, doing the regular school-thing. I’m done with that for now; I’m not going to college immediately.”

His decision was also influenced by a looming legacy that links his future career to his more immediate emotions and family. Although he said his choice was not affected by Oakton or his parents, Jake’s grandfather did have an impact on his decision. He served in the Vietnam and Korean Wars and suggested the military as the most sensible course of action for Jake.

“My family was happy with this decision. They were proud of me, because we’ve had a lot of generations in the military, so I’m keeping the line going,” Jake said.

After eight weeks in basic training, learning to follow the routine of a regular police officer, and then a few more months in specialized training, Jake will likely travel to a military base to serve as a police officer and security guard protecting the military compounds.

“My job would involve being a sort of military police,” Jake explained. “I would be a police officer for the troops in Afghanistan. The security people around the base – I’ll be them.”

Still, Jake refuses to worry too much about anything that ”far off,” and he claims his only major fear is “spiders.” His friends laughed at that, and some of them explained how things tend not to bother him until they’re right in front of him.

“I don’t really think too far ahead, so I don’t worry about the future and things,” Jake said, “Maybe I’m a little worried for boot camp – that’s the farthest I can look ahead. Yeah, that makes me a little nervous, but that’s a ways away, so it’s not a big deal. Eight weeks of getting in shape and training. Once you pass a few physical tests,

you go to an air force camp. I’m probably going to end up going to Afghanistan pretty soon.”

After two years of service, Jake will be thrown into another lifestyle change, and he will have a couple more big decisions to make.

“After I go through the military, they pay for college,” Jake said. “You automatically get into 30 selected colleges. And they pay for that college. I get college credit while I’m in the military. Afterwards, I might go into the Army or the Air Force. I would probably want a job with the Air Force where I would get some action, something that involves more things to do.”

His exact future is unclear to him, but that’s how it’s always been. He cares only about a few select things, and is aggressive and determined when it comes to those. That aggression, currently spent in outlets like Mixed Martial Arts, should contribute to making him an effective member of the military. But for now, he’s considered a comedian, and it’s often difficult to take him seriously.

“I don’t think it separates me from everyone else in any specific way. I’m not so different in anything aside from this separate path. I’m pretty boring and normal,” Jake laughed.

According to the people who love Jake, he’s more exciting than he lets on. The discipline the military

will provide will probably do him good, his friends jokingly assessed.

“I didn’t do very well in high school. And we didn’t really have the money for college, either, so in a way, it also makes things a little bit easier. When you go to work for the military, you don’t come out of it with a pile of debt like kids who get out from college, you come out with a real experience.”

This is Jake’s future, and it’s laid out tentatively. But that just

makes it better for him, giving him “a lot of options [and] different jobs and paths I can take.” To him, it seems “so much simpler.” For Jake, it’s the only thing that makes sense. kirin gupta, staff writer, can be reached at kirin.gupta@oaktonmedia.net

the next step...Jake Marsden

Law EnforcementStudents pursue futures outside the boundaries of a four-year college

1950s, 1960s: Jake’s grandfather serves during the Korean and Vietnam wars.

2009 onwards: After boot camp and training, transfer to an overseas military base.

next

ste

p

Immediate path of a SWAT officer: eight weeks of basic training, additional months for advanced, and rigorous physical tests before being deployed to Afghanistan.

editors’ note: this story is the third of a three-part exploration into students who are looking at other op-portunities outside the

traditional four-year college for the next step.

Early 1990s: Jake grows up with army games and police costumes.

Late 1990s: Jake is impressed with his grandfather’s heroism and past.

Dreams: To live in the moment and do something exciting in the forces.

2005-2009: High school prompts his decision to pursue ‘law enforcement.’

drew

gunt

her

page 0702.04.09 feature

“Count your fingers for us,” said hypnotist Jimi Gibson to dazed junior Marcus Dos Santos.

“10, 9, 8, 7, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1…” Dos Santos paused for a moment, dumbfounded and staring worriedly at the extra finger.

“0,” he finally answered.“0?” Gibson asked.“Yeah, that’s the pinkie,” Dos Santos said, who had been

hypnotized to forget the number six. Dos Santos was one of the several students who were

called up on stage and hypnotized on Saturday, Jan. 30 for the Hypnosis Show, which had the audience wriggling in their seats with laughter. Volunteers were tricked into do-ing a wide variety of stints from shallow-boxing as world heavy-weight champs to wildly flailing their limbs trying to convince the audience that they were washing machines.

“What’s your name?” Gibson asked, holding the mic to Eric Goins, freshman.

“Tay-Tay,” answered Goins swiveling his hips from side to side, convinced he was a world-famous Victoria’s Secret model.

“Being hypnotized was kind of scary at first,” said Goins after the show, “but then I got more comfortable as the show went on and fell even deeper into sleep.”

In another act, Dos Santos was tricked into believing that he was an alien while another girl on stage was tricked into believing that she was the “alien-translator.”

“What are you doing here on earth?” Gibson asked the hypnotized Dos Santos.

“Mekah-wukahlechmeck-weee!” he replied in his martian tongue.

“He says he comes in peace and he wants to see Hannah

Montana,” the alien-translator explained.“I felt really comfy-like [while being hypnotized],” Dos

Santos said. “It’s crazy, now I feel so energetic and well-rested.”

The show left many students in awe and wonder, their minds completely re-shaped on the subject of hypnosis.

“I thought that hypnosis was completely fake and wouldn’t work on me,” said junior Steve Bezick who was hypnotized into doing some pretty outrageous things during the show. “It was weird, I felt like I couldn’t do something, but then I did it anyways.”

Hypnosis can also be used for purposes other than mak-ing people look ridiculous. After the show, a variety of CDs were available for purchase. Gibson claimed these CDs help the listener do things like lose weight and become more studious through hypnosis.

“The way hypnosis works is that it sends a theta brain wave on a direct feed to the subconscious mind where the brain stores its emotions and memories.” Gibson said. “It’s effective because if you believe and concentrate on what you are doing, the body will respond. Basically, your mind is tricking your body into doing something.”

The CDs help reiterate these goals into the listener’s brain.“The post-hypnotic suggestion can last over a long period

of time, as long as it’s reinforced,” Gibson said. A common misconception about hypnosis is that one can

hypnotize another person into killing someone, stealing for them or revealing their darkest secrets.

“A hypnotized person cannot go against their personal moral standards. They won’t do anything they wouldn’t do in real life.” Gibson said

Being such a mysterious subject, many people are quick to

dismiss hypnosis as some kind of story-book nonsense like voo-doo or magic.

“The show completely changed my mind,” Bezick said. “I couldn’t believe it was actually working.”

Even Gibson, a professionally-trained hypnotist, was once a skeptic on the very-real power of hypnosis.

“I was a volunteer myself on a show a lot like this one,” Gibson said. “I didn’t believe that [hypnosis] would work on me. When it did work, I became fascinated by it.”

Years later, Gibson is still astonishing crowds with the craft he once believed was a hoax.

“The best part of my job is introducing people to hypnosis and educating them that it’s not just this fantastical mumbo-jumbo.” Gibson said. “Hopefully those who don’t believe will come see for themselves.”

Attending every school board meeting, trying to convince school officials to change the school start time, the group SLEEP or Start Later for Excellence

in Education Proposal, is one the recent groups in protest of the current school start times that stresses the idea of giving students more time to sleep because they believe that it will help students in school and with their overall health. SLEEP’s main goal is to work with teachers, principles, par-ents, and students to set a school start time that works better the students of FCPS.

The Fairfax County school start times may be adjusted next year to allow students to get extra sleep and have a later start to the school day.

This change has people divided. While on one hand, it may give students more time to sleep and get a better start to the day. On the other hand, it can also cause problems with scheduling for parents like Mrs. Samuels and students who have after school activities.

This time change will affect everyone.“If we start early it would affect students with jobs and

who play sports. It will also affect teachers who live far from

the school.” Said Assistant Principle Mrs.Riley.Mr. Waxman, a government teacher here at Oakton is one

of those teachers who would be significantly affected by the time change.

“I am personally against the time change because I live in Maryland. It will impact my commute and It may force me to teach elsewhere,” said Mr. Waxman.

Teachers like Waxman that love working at Oak-ton will be forced to leave mostly due to commutes.

“My children would get out of school at 2:30 when high school would get out at 3:20. I may have to enroll my children in an after school program such as SACC, which costs money,” said P.E. teacher Mrs. Samuels.

“I do not want school start times changed because it will affect people who have stuff after to do after school, we will want to change it back because we will have to stay later in the day,” Said Junior Jamie Jovene.

The idea of delaying start times was proposed once before but school officials assumed that the cost to do so would be far too high due to bus schedules, rush hour, bus stops, and changes to bus routes. The idea is that this would have costs ranging in the millions.

Most schools in Fairfax County start before 8:00 a.m. This means that most students who take the bus to school have to get up before 6:00 a.m. to get ready for school. Some of these students have to be out at the bus stop as early as 6:10 a.m. This can be a tiring hassle for some students.

“I wake up around 5:20 a.m. to get ready to catch my bus at 6:23,” said Freshman Daoude Lampart.

Some students don’t have to get up until around 6:30 a.m. or even 7 a.m. because they either drive to school on their own or they live close enough walk.

There is no definite decision to change the school start time as of now, but everything is on the table and being reviewed. It is possible that next year, school for Oakton students may start as late as 8:30 a.m. which could

be both a relief and a burden. Many teachers have speculated that the start time will not

be changed. In recent weeks, many groups have stepped forward in protest against the potential change.

“My sense is that there is a 50 percent chance that it will be changed. All principles in the county are against the change because it will badly affect school sports.” Said Wax-man.

Hypnosis show leaves audience and volunteers in awe

A new start in the future for Fairfax County Schools

— Oakton High School-8:30 a.m.— Carson Middle School-9:40a.m.— Crossfield Elementary School-9:20a.m.— Fox Mill Elementary School-8:40a.m.— Mosby Woods Elementary School-9:20a.m.— Oakton Elementary School-9:40a.m.

star

t tim

es

- erik gunther, staff writer, can be reached at erik.gunther@oaktonmedia.net

gladys manzur

As he poses a question to sr. Daley Michael, hypnotist Jimi Gibson entertains both the audience and the student volunteers.

- alex buscemi, staff writer, can be reached at alex.buscemi@oaktonmedia.net

Bringing students and tutors together since 1993!

1-800-64-TUTORwww.tutorfind.com

All academic SubjectsSpecial Ed~ADD/ADHDTest Preparation~K-12

College, AdultRESORT HOTEL & SUITES

Visit www.springbreakmax.comemail di900@desertinnresort.comFacebook Page Keyword Desertinnresort

OVER 1,000,000 STUDENTS CAN’T BE WRONG!SPRING BREAK 2009

www.springbreakmax.comHot Tropical Beaches | Largest Pool Deck Parties | Live DJ | Night Club District

PARTY ALL DAY & NIGHTONLY

$20PER STUDENT WILL

RESERVE YOURSPRING BREAK TRIP

1-877-257-5431SAVE UP TO 50% OFF

FLORIDA SPRING BREAK ROOM PACKAGES 4 DAY/3 NITE 6 DAY/5 NITE 8 DAY/7 NITE

Deluxe Courtyard Rooms $89* $119* $159*Deluxe Sunset Rooms $99* $129* $169*Deluxe Oceanfront Rooms $119* $179* $219*Deluxe Jacuzzi Suites $129* $189* $229*Deluxe Oceanfront Suites $129* $189* $229*

*Above prices are per student (up to 5 students per room) – Surcharge during Spring Break peak weeks

All Spring Break Packages Include $1000 Internet Shopping Spree $300 Fuel Rebate Certificate Admission to Local Night ClubsFREE

900 N. ATLANTIC AVENUEDAYTONA BEACH, FL 32118

TOLL FREE877-257-5431

Stay at the LuxuriousOceanfront

World Famous

Stay at the LuxuriousOceanfront

World Famous

SAVE UP TO 50% SPRING BREAK ROOM PACKAGESBOOK EARLY BY 3/10 - OVER $1300 BONUS GIFTS FREE

EXTRA BONUS

FLORIDA’S SPRING BREAK HOTELFOR 20 YEARS

#1

from

from

from

from

from

from

from

from

from

from

from

from

from

from

from

GROUPRESERVATIONSACCEPTED

page 09

02.04.09

academics

After a year of relentless effort, the white-garbed Fairgrade supporters attending the Jan. 22 school board hearing at Luther Jackson Middle School errupted in applause as their hopes were affirmed.

At approximately 11:15 p.m., after two hours of deliberation, the Fairfax County School Board voted unanimously to adopt some form of a 10-point grading scale with pluses and minuses and to increase AP and IB weights to 1.0 and honors course weights to 0.5.

The increased 1.0 weight for AP and IB courses will be implemented retroactively effective January 2009, allowing seniors to reap the benefits of at least part of this motion. The increased 0.5 boost for honors courses, however, will not take effect until next year, after FCPS has had some time to determine the feasibility of a retroactive honors course increase.

The second amendment to the motion dictated that the development of the new grading scale is to be left up to Superintendent Jack Dale, who will present his proposition to the school board for a vote by the end of March 2009.

For Catherine Lorenze, the Fairgrade Campaign Manager & Communications Strategist, this ruling was a major victory in Fairgrade’s war on the current FCPS grading scale.

“We are very pleased with how [the hearing] went,” Lorenze said. “The school board was able to dictate that some form of a 10-point scale will be the new grading scale. It still gives some latitude for Dr. Dale to put his spin on it. While it is not a done deal yet, we do remain optimistic that the school board and Dr. Dale will carry out the will of the people.”

While the final decision to adopt the superintendent’s recommendation elicited a unanimous vote, the majority of the board’s deliberation revolved around the first amendment proposed by Jane Strauss of the Dranesville District to explicitly call for at least some variant of a 10-point grading scale.

“I believe that times have changed,” Strauss said. “This year we have the largest graduating class ever in American history, and also the highest achievement. We want all of our kids to go to college. In the last few years, we have doubled the percentage of kids going to college.

“Consequently, under increasing competition, we have become aware that there appears to be software used by some universities that actually does a first cut. This isn’t all schools, but it appears that about 55 percent of colleges do not seem to be recalculating [FCPS] GPAs.”

Echoing his dissent, Stuart Gibson of the Hunter Mill district was not as optimistic about Strauss’ amendment.

“My concern is that with a large increase in GPA, it’s not a fair grade; it’s an air grade,” Gibson said. “If the amount of students who receive A’s is increased, the value of an A is discounted.”

Gibson’s second talking point spoke to the minimal passing grade, which, at the moment, is a 64 percent.

“I respectfully disagree with the speaker tonight who said we would be helping students by allowing more of them to pass if we made it possible for them to pass with 60 percent,” Gibson said. “I think the real test is whether or not the student has mastered the material. In the motion it says ‘the purpose of the grading scale is to accurately measure and communicate the level of student achievement.’ If a student has not mastered the material, they should not receive a passing grade in whatever scale we use.”

Furthermore, while Gibson ended up voting for the amended motion, he was quoted recently in Time Magazine as expressing his concern that anything lower that a 64 percent passing grade will constitute a reduction in FCPS standards. Lorenze and her colleagues at Fairgrade, however, disagree.

“[Gibson] is confusing ‘scale’ and ‘standards.’ This grading scale doesn’t lower standards,” Lorenze said. “Our standards are dictated by the rigor of our curriculum, the quality of our teachers and the quality of our students. We continue to be one of the top school districts because of our SAT scores, the number of our students taking AP and IB courses, and the number of our students moving on to first rate universities.”

Leaving the minimal passing grade at 64 percent is a concession that Fairgrade seems, for the most part, to be willing to make.

“We understand their concern regarding the pass-fail range at 64 percent,” Lorenze said. “It may not be a strictly ten point scale. It may be a 10-10-10-6 scale, [with the] D range from 64 to 69 percent. That is up to Dale, and then to the school board’s vote.”

Liz Bradsher, school board member from the Springfield district, affirmed both Strauss’ and Fairgrade’s confidence in the newly adopted grading scale.

“This will not diminish the quality of the education received here in Fairfax County,” Bradsher said. “The level of difficulty for obtaining an A will be the same. Based on the staff report, a grade disparity was demonstrated, and we need to fix it. I am hopeful we will do so.”

While the decision has been made, Fairgrade will remain active in ensuring the implementation of the new grading scale following the school board vote at the end of March. After that, Fairgrade’s future as an organization remains unclear.

“We have been asked by the community to continue advocating public issues in front of the school board in the future,” Lorenze said, “but that hasn’t been decided yet.”

In reality, the parents and students of FCPS might have “set their expectations too high,” as School Board Vice Chairwoman Tessie Wilson asserted after reading a long list of emails from concerned parents and students. While the new grading scale will by no means pull underachieving students out of the hole, it will as least help to create what Strauss calls “an even playing field.”

“Parents want their kids’ [transcripts written] in a common language, “Strauss said, “and by adopting this common language the kids are at least on the table for consideration, whether or not the schools are recalculating GPA’s.”

After the school board voted unanimously to pass the amended motion regarding a revised grading scale and increased weights for advanced courses, the 500 Fairgrade supporters present in the Luther Jackson Middle School auditorium, all dressed in white, stood in standing ovation as their year’s worth of work was affirmed. The new grading scale will go into effect for the 2009-2010 school year.

- chris weil, feature editor, can be reached at chris.weil@oaktonmedia.net

chris weil

chris weil

School board votes in favor of new grading scale based on 10-point model

Hotel Marketing (1 or 2 credits)

Introduction to Hotel Marketing* 9th-11th grades

*Brand new course 1-credit

Fans of Iron Chef, Hell’s Kitchen, and Top Chef… Come get a taste of real life experience

at Marshall Culinary Arts.

Learn to prepare and appreciate gourmet foods, visit area hotels and restau-rants, prepare and serve “Five Star Menus” to school and area professionals

and go on fascinating field trips!

See your counselor and visit a class!703-714-5582

• Internships• Coop Credit• Field Trips• Marshall Academy• DECA• 2-credit consecutive elective credit• Visit us by contacting your counselor• www.fcps.edu/marshallacademy• 703-714-5582

If you need a way to pay for college

try the

National

Guard College

first Program

The Army National Guard's college first Program provides:

Up to two years of non-deployment following • completion of initial Active Duty.

Up to a $20,000 Enlistment Bonus.•

Basic Educational assistance of $317 per • month Montgomery G.I. Bill Selective Reserve (MGIB-SR)

Additional Educational assistance of $350 • per month - MGIB Kicker 9 (in addition to the GIB - SR and is available to those enlisting in a critical MOS and assigned to a qualified unit)

100% College Tuition Assistance, up to $4,500 • per year

State tuition assistance •

To find out more and to see if you may qualify for this or any of the other Great programs that the Army National Guard has to offer Contact: SSG Jeffery Palmer 540-810-3784

page 11 academics 02.04.09

“We’d like to invite you to come this way. For an evening of song, it’s Cougar Cabaret,” the chorus seniors sang as they swayed to the music. “It’s Cou-gar Cabaret. We’re ready to hit the stage with something for everyone.”

On the Friday and Saturday nights of January 9th and 10th, Oakton’s cafeteria was trans-formed into an arena of entertainment. Chorus’ annual production of Cougar Cabaret allowed students and families to observe the talents of others while eating dinner.

This was their last Cougar Cabaret. The lights dim as the seniors exit. Senior Danielle Scarcella remains on stage and takes a seat on a lone chair.

As one of the Masters of the Ceremonies, her introduction to the audience came in the form of song. The catchy chorus ended

her performance. “Life is a Cabaret old chum, and I love a Cabaret,” she

sang, her voice resonating through the audience. Like many fundraisers, the two-day event required ex-

tensive effort and preparation. “Cougar Cabaret is one of our biggest fundraisers of

the year,” said junior Ava Driscoll. “It gives students the chance to perform their own style of music versus the choral music we sing the rest of the year. This year we raised around $4000. The money goes to buying music for concerts and other general needs. With last

year’s money we bought new leather folders for our music.”

The Friday and Saturday night performances were marked with humor. Masters of the

Ceremonies, students selected to present the concert, introduced each performer

and song. Saturday night’s Masters of the Ceremonies, seniors Kyle Burris and Scarcella, began the event.

“We’d like to ask that everyone please turn off all cell-phones, pag-ers, blackberries, cranberries or whatever else,” Burris joked.

For senior Jamie Jovene, Cougar Cabaret was a time to watch others and perform herself.

“I sang ‘Its Raining Men’ with the Select Women’s group I’m a part of,” Jovene said. “We spent about a week preparing. We had just finished another concert, so we didn’t have

much time.”The concert combined solo songs with group performances. Guys Group, Treble En-

semble, Show Girls, Madrigals, Select Women, Jazz Choir, Concert Choir and Girls Group made up the performing groups. Sophomore Kimberly Hall sang “Michiyuki” in Japanese, and several performers sang with their parents. The wide range of talents sought to make the show appealing and bring in a large audience.

“We auditioned in November,” Driscoll said, “Some people had even started preparing their pieces before then. The parents who run Cougar Cabaret have been planning this since the summer. It was a long time in the making.”

Chip Comstock also performed. “I sang four songs and they’re all original,” Comstock said. “It’s therapeutic. One [song]

was written when I turned 40. I’ve done [Cougar Cabaret] for four or five years.” In the end, Cougar Cabaret brought mixed feelings to many seniors. Some will continue

to sing in college; however, for many students Cougar Cabaret marks an ending to their high school careers.

“It’s weird to think that next year I’ll be the one sitting in the audience rather than on stage performing,” senior Lihi Tzur said. “I will miss the butterflies and the excitement of knowing that I worked so hard and that everyone enjoyed it.”

“Life Is A Cabaret, Old Chum”From Love Story to the PB & J Song, Chorus hits new notes at Cougar Cabaret

Comstock performs his songs at the Friday & Saturday night performances of Cougar Cabaret. The assistant principal sang four selections he had created over the years.

drew gunther

gladys manzur

glad

ys m

anzu

r

- daphne martschenko, staff writer, can be reached at daphne.martschenko@oaktonmedia.net

There’s no room for emotion in a heated debate for junior Katie Smith.

“A debate is emotionless,” Smith said. “All your energy gets put into [trying to figure out] ‘what [the opponents] are talking about’ and ‘what evidence do I have to counter what they’re talking about’. I don’t know how normal people think, but one thing is for certain, debaters think in seconds because a few seconds is all it takes to win or lose.”

Smith and her teammate, junior Merrite Johnson, won four of the six debates they competed in at the debate team competition held at George Mason University on the weekend of Jan. 16-17.

“We were happy with going 4-2, it was our first time competing,” Smith said. “We lost twice to kids from the same school, though, so that’s fueling our desire to whip them next time we go up against them. In the friendly competitive spirit, of course.”

Debaters are given points individually based on their skills at speaking during the debate and Junior Alexandra Kralick, took home Oakton’s one award of the weekend.“Your’e looking for speed

(because people [talk] very fast because there are time limits) persuasiveness, poise and clarity on a topic,” said Maria Cruz, one of the debate club sponsors. “You’re looking to see whether they get straight to the point or stumble around. In JV most students fumble their words around, but a good speaker can get straight to the point.”

Kralick’s speaking improved dramatically from the previous competition, but she did not expect to receive such a high award.“Each debate I competed in, I ranked first based

on articulation and how well I speak,” Kralick said. “I was surprised because the last time I only was 28

[place] out of 50 [people], and I was not expecting

first. [This time] I was not even listening for my name when I heard it.”

During this year’s competition teams of two debate the affirmative and negative sides of the resolution ‘If the Federal Government should significantly increase alternative energy subsidies in the United States.’

“There are different types of debate. Oakton only has policy debate,” Cruz said. “One topic is given at the beginning of the year, and the same policy topic used at every competition so your can refine your skills until you can answer any question or comeback that comes at you.”

When considering a resolution students need to understand all viewpoints that could be taken

when preparing for a debate. “We have learned a lot of

different sides of argument,” said junior Mira Mehta, co-president. “There isn’t just good or bad but will it benefit the military or civilians, better for airplanes and not everyone.”

This debate competition allowed for feedback from judges and rival debaters.

“Although we’re all very competitive everyone was there not just to win, but to help others

learn,” Mehta said. “There was also support from judges. It is unique because people don’t just want to beat you, but want you to become better so that next time maybe you can win.”

The competition was a chance to compete against schools from the region, and the country.

“It was a unique competition because it wasn’t just Virginia high schools,” Mehta said. “It was actually a majority of Virginia [schools] and a few other states’ [schools] that came also. [There were some] very intense schools we never competed with before, many of whom have debate as a class, so it’s their grade, but we faired very well.”

All the teams were competing at the JV level at

the competition.“We’re all novice debaters, but we went to higher

levels of competition, JV,” Mehta said. “We were competing against new schools at a level we’ve never done, and we did well.”

Preparing for a large competition requires a lot of time and research to be completely informed on the topic.

“We all have bins of research that might be interesting.” Smith said. “Serious teams have three to four boxes of research cards. Debate team kills a lot of trees, and ink cartridges. My draft case was seventy some pages and I printed it three times. My dad nearly had a hernia.”

The debate team meets on Thursdays with their coach Ash Ream, a lawyer and a previous college debater.

“He’s the only one with experience and really coached them from nothing,” Cruz said. “A lot of procedure and technique goes into debating.”

The size and lack of experience of Oakton’s team leads some students to feel disadvantaged compared to other schools, many of whom have consistently ran active debate programs for many years.

“[I feel we are] very disadvantaged because a lot of teams had tons and tons of people. By the end, within our team, one person was sick, two couldn’t come, and we had only three teams competing on the second day,” Kralick said. “Also, being really small there is not a force of people doing research, or as much experience among the debaters.”

Debate teams next competition is on February 11, where students will compete for VHSL district debate competition and then if they advance they will move onto regional’s, and then continue on to states.

“For a team to win anything their first year is impressive. And we’ve won two things,” said Cruz. “Alexandra Kralick’s speaker award, and Morgan Harwood and Kirin Gupta [both sophomores] won third place at Westfield’s [competition]. They need to continue to grow, and need more people to join.”

- zoe mitchell, staff writer, can be reached at zoe.mitchell @oaktonmedia.net

At the January competition at George Mason Univer-sity, juniors Merrite Johnson, Katie Smith and fresh-man Gabrielle Tate review their research between de-bates. Smith and Johnson won four of the six debates they competed in. “We were happy with going 4-2, it was our first time competing,” Smith said.

Debate competes at GMU, gains experience, and wins speaker award

After their first debate, sponsor Maria Cruz encourages the team at the first debate competition of the year. This competition at Westfield High School allowed the team to practice putting the many skills and strategies they had learned. “The same policy topic used at every competition so your can refine your skills until you can answer any question or comeback that comes at you.”

fast

fact

s— Team founded last year after being inactive for four years— This year’s debate topic was alternative energy incentives in the USA— Prepare in advance both affirmative and negative arguments

GreatDebaters

clubs

page 12

02.04.09

Being on TV is a dream for some students, but not one many get to fulfill. Oakton’s It’s Academ-ic team had its yearly TV competition on Jan 10.

Oakton’s competition can be seen on NBC-4 on Mar 14 at 10:30 a.m.

The team competes once a year with two other schools on the NBC high school quiz-show, “It’s Academic.” The show, now in its 48th consecutive year, asks students questions from a variety of topics.

The show consists of five rounds, and the team’s perfor-mance determines whether or not they move on to the final rounds, including ‘Super Bowl Champions.’

“It’s nerve-racking and fast,” said Tim Henne, senior. “When you watch the show you think you have a lot of time [to answer], but you really have only five seconds once the question is finished. As the game progressed, I got used to the speed and was able to adapt to it and get in a few answers.”

The team’s long run at Oakton was joined by a new sponsor four years ago, George Hubac, a math teacher.

“It gives me the opportunity to interact with students who have a large knowledge base. There is much I can learn from them,” Hubac said.

The sponsor helps prepare the team for competition and keeps them upbeat and positive.

“[Hubac] has a lot of knowledge and life experiences that help with the nature of the club,” Henne said.

The current team has six members, and the three that are chosen to compete on TV are chosen based upon seniority. Matt Ellis, Tim Henne and Danny Met-calf competed on the televised broadcast.

“Danny, Matt and I were chosen because we balance each other out very well. No single one of us is the team’s juggernaut or all-star, but together we have very good synergy,” Henne said.

To prepare for competition, the club meets on Wednesdays and goes over practice questions that are sent to them weekly in a newsletter.

“We have a buzzer system that we set up,” Hubac

said. “While one of us reads the questions, the others on the team try to buzz in first to answer the questions.”

The questions range from current events to literature, art, sports, history and more.

“Most of the stuff we get questioned on is stuff I’ve learned before,” said Pasquale Prezioso, who was chosen as an alternate for the competition. “The only

things that I have problems with are trigonometry and Russian ballet. Everything else I’ve heard in school or some-where else.”

Many of the members have been in the club for most

of their high school career. The members learn each other’s strengths and weaknesses.

“We do have a bit of a connection with each other,” Prezioso said. “For example, Thomas Jefferson High School has always beaten us whenever we [compete] against them, so we have a pact to beat them one day.”

Senior Matt Ellis has been on the team since sopho-more year, and is now the captain.

“This was my second time being on the TV competi-tion and it was definitely easier the second time. Once you relax, it’s not that big of a deal,” Ellis said.

Oakton placed second in their heat, losing to St. Anselm’s, an all-boys Catholic school in DC.

“We should’ve won, but we buzzed in too late and St. Anselm’s beat us to it,” Ellis said.

In addition to the yearly TV competition, the team also competes in local tournaments as a tune-up for the important District and Region competitions held at Edison High School. The District competition is a round-robin tournament against all the other schools in the Concorde District. The top two teams in each district advance to the region tournament and follow a double-elimination format.

“It’s an academic death match. I’ll let you interpret that,” said Danny Metcalf.

It’s Academic places second at annual televised competition

It’s an academic death match. - danny metcalf, sr.

As I’m entering the studio, I notice that Annandale’s cheerleaders are already in the hall. They must have been excited for this because all their other teams don’t

give them much to cheer about. I meet up with Dan Metcalf and Matt Ellis, two of the three teammates of mine that will be playing today. “Where’s Tim Henne?” I ask, referring to the third guy who’s supposed to be here today. “He’s on his way. Hubert Shang’s coming, too,” Dan replies. About five minutes later, Tim shows up at the lunch room where we and the other two teams are crammed into.

After a few minutes, Patricia Radisch, the other junior on the team, walks into the lunch room. Just as she gives a hello, one of the producers asks if we would like to view the match taking place before us. I decide to stay behind, wanting to talk to my family and wait for Mr. Hubac and Hubert, as well as the varsity cheerleaders. That’s right, cheerleaders. We have the cheerleaders for these meets. Ken Jennings would be proud.

About a few minutes after Mr. Hubac arrives, I find Hubert in the hall. “Who else is here?” he asks. “Matt, Dan, Patricia, and Tim,” I say. “Tim Henne, not that Tim,” I point to the pic-ture of Tim Russert draped in black. “That Tim’s dead.”

The cheerleaders show up at about 3:00 p.m. We should’ve al-ready started by then, but the host of the show since 1961, Mac McGarry, has to be frozen and unfrozen between each episode.

”The other team is from an all boys school, so they don’t have cheerleaders, as you may presume,” I tell them. “This may be the first time they’ve seen girls like you in a while, so if they’re drooling while you perform, it’s perfectly normal,” I joke.

The “other team” is St. Anslem’s, a Catholic school in North-east D.C. I’m not really a fan of facing schools with religious af-filiations because if there’s going to be any divine intervention, it’s probably not going to be in our favor.

As the game starts, I wonder about our chances of winning. But when we take the first two toss-ups, all doubts melt away.

St. Anslem’s beat us on a last-second question (see why I hate playing religious schools?), but the comeback we made was just as good as any Hail Mary or buzzer-beater I’ve ever seen. I can’t say I have ever been prouder of my teammates.

I also can’t wait until next year. As it stands, I’m going to make my television debut then. High schools in the Washing-ton metro area, you’re on notice.

Sitting calmly in front of the camera, senior team members Danny Metcalf, Matt Ellis and Tim Henne prepare to respond to their next question at the televised competition on Jan 10. “We should’ve won, but we buzzed in too late and [our competitor] St. Anselm’s beat us to it,” Ellis said.

clubs page 1302 .04.09

Guest Column: An in-side look at It’s Academic

- daniel chait, staff writer, can be reached at daniel.chait@oaktonmedia.net

- pasquale prezioso, special to the oakton outlook

daniel chait

page 14 clubs

DECA dominates at districtsGroups of students brainstorm ideas to write a mar-

keting plan, using their 15 minutes before judges question and analyze their final skits. DECA is an

association of marketing students from either classes of business or fashion. This year’s DECA competition was held at Lake Braddock High School on Jan. 27 from 8-12 p.m.

“DECA has taught me the fundamentals of marketing and how I should conduct myself in the business world,” said senior Evan Hyer, first-place winner in Quick Serve Restau-rant Management.

There were two jobs that DECA participants were permit-ted to complete during the competition. They could act out role plays on events that gave real-life experiences, or they could have made a 30-page manual.

“The role plays involved anything from dealing with angry customers to creating a marketing plan for a sports team,” said Sports Marketing Teacher Rachael Malenich. “The manuals focus on a specific part of marketing, any-where from research of a company to creating a business.”

DECA students worked with one another to put together the manuals or practice for role-play scenarios. They submitted their final products to the judges for scoring at Districts and possibly at States.

“This is my first year in DECA, and I put together a manual about hospitality and recreation marketing to help improve Whitetail’s [a business corporation] status and increase profit,” said Mary Poznyakova, sophomore.

There were four people in each of the 10 categories, not including the 21 manuals that went to States automatically.

“Oakton is full of smart and talented DECA members. I placed first at a state level and then ranked in the top 20,” said senior Taylor Thomas, first-place winner in Retail Merchandising. “Even if I failed to place, I’m sure the other members from my chapter did very well.”

Every school in the Fairfax County system has a DECA program, with the exception of Thomas Jefferson. Oakton competed against every one of those schools at Districts.

“I think we did better than last year, considering that last year we sent four manuals to states, and this year we sent 21,” Malenich said. “We have just as a good of a chance com-peting against any other school.”

Students come back every year because of the thrill they get from competing against other teams as well as their own teammates.

“I know I did well in my event because it was my second year competing, and if I had placed in the top three, then I would have automatically qualified for states,” Hyer said. “I also competed against Mannie Grant. We are both really competitive so I needed to beat him at Districts so I could have the bragging rights.”

DECA participants all encourage each other to do their best and to help the club grow as a whole. They all put in effort to make one another feel welcome into the group.

“The atmosphere at all the DECA events is great,” Hyer said. “It’s like we are all one big happy DECA family.” Getting in some last minute practicing before their time is up,

juniors Hanna Choi and Sarah Lim read out their role-plays before competing. They helped each other prepare for their 10-minute timing in front of the judges at Lake Braddock High School for DECA Districts on Jan. 27.

NO PLAC E LIKE

HOMEVIRGINIA COLLEGE OPTIONS

WILLIAM AND MARY

historical location“In Williamsburg, the ghost tours are scary and hilarious to look at other people who are terrified.”

for runners“I’m on team Blitz; it’s a club running team. You don’t have to go to practice, and there’s no coach. I ran a 10K.”

drama interest“I was in a musical, ‘Damn Yankees.’ There was a big cast, and they’re more efficient at rehearsal. The auditions are open; you don’t have to be in the class or be a theater major.”

Paul TuckerOHS class of ‘08

VIRGINIA TECH

blacksburg“There are a lot of cool shops and nice restaurants close to campus. Everyone is definitely pro-Tech.”

engineering“People are involved in a lot of engineer-ing societies. The people I hang out and socialize with all take engineering.”

football fans“The stadium [for football] is huge; it holds over 60,000 people. Football games are a great way to demonstrate school spirit, especialy at big events like the Orange Bowl.”

Clarissa JakstasOHS class of ‘08

VCU

city life“One of my favorite things is the urban environment, being in the middle of Richmond, which results in diversity.”

high school comfort“Being close to family is a great part of staying in-state. There are a lot of famil-iar faces and people from Oakton.”

class sizes“The size of classes is a lot different than in high school; some are huge lectures. Some are high school sized. The classes in college are a lot shorter than they are at Oakton.”

Lauren SampsonOHS class of ‘08

UVA

in the town“In my free time, I watch movies and go to the corner for Archie’s Ice Cream, [as well as] play scattegories.”

dance“I wasn’t on the dance team at Oakton, but at UVA one of my activities is the ball room dance club.”

school spirit“My favorite thing about UVA is the community spirit, the school pride and good nature of the students. In college, there’s a more positive atmosphere than in high school.”

Valerie McdonaldOHS class of ‘08

Oakton graduates have options for both in-state and out-of-state college programs. Besides being financially beneficial, in-state schools also host a variety of activities and organizations that poten-tially rival an out-of-state experience.- alex straton and vipin reddy, copy editor, can be reached at alex.straton@oaktonmedia.net and staff writer, vipin.reddy@oaktonmedia.net

02.04.09

- shayda shahbazi, staff writer, can be reached at shayda.shahbazi@oaktonmedia.net

milan moffat

The bare stage of the auditorium reflects the dazzling spot-

light shining down from the ceiling. The audience

silently waits for the next thrilling performance to begin. Backstage their hearts thump with adrenaline, and

their minds race with pre-performance jitters. The beat

starts bumping, and the curtain rises. One last deep breath, and she begins.

Sophomore Nicole Quiroz has been dedicated to dancing

forthe past three years and is currently the step team’s only captain.

“I love step, its like a passion to me,” Quiroz said. “When I get on stage,

it’s like I’m entering a dif-ferent world.”

As the only step team captain, Quiroz is currently preparing her

teammates for one of the biggest highlights and most important events of their school year, the

Cultural Festival on Feb. 5 and 6. They are all working and practicing extremely hard to create a per-formance the school won’t soon

forget.“I’m really nervous for the Cultural Festival; the routines

are different from last year because there are many different club members who didn’t perform in the festival last year,” Quiroz said. “But I’m sure we’re ready because we’ve been rehearsing hard and a lot.”

With practices every Monday and Wednesday as well as after school on other days of the week and on week-ends, the team is gearing up to give their fellow students a rocking performance.

“We’re definitely going to do better than last year because we have new members, and we’re more committed,” said Maggie Purevdorj, sophomore step member. “We’re really excited and have been practicing all the time.”

The team worked hard and practiced for hours on end to prepare for the Cultural Festival tryouts, which were on Jan. 12 and 14. Now they are practicing with even more dedica-tion and drive as the dates of their two performances draw nearer: one after school on Feb. 5 at 7 p.m., the other during first block in school Feb. 6.

“We’ve been practicing 24/7, and it’s been a lot of work,” said Ilayda Kocak, sophomore. “We started practicing again after winter break was over because it’s hard to remember the steps after the long break, and we only had a short time to get it together.”

Severe and minor injuries to the team members and herself have added to Quiroz’s stress level and her anxieties about their overall performance ability.

“I busted my knee, and Ilayda [Kocak] busted her neck, but we’re still going to try to perform as best as we can,” Quiroz said. “I broke my finger earlier this school year, and I was still stepping. So I’m definitely going to do my best to make sure I am able to perform in the Cultural Festival.”

However, Quiroz has a quick and easy back up plan in mind in case she will not be able to perform with the team due to her recent and painful knee injury.

“We’ll make the steps easier, and we’ll spread out more in the routine if I can’t perform with the group,” Quiroz said.

Although the team is preparing and practicing hard for the festival almost everyday, the members didn’t always show as high a level of commitment and dedication to the team.

“[In] the beginning of the year, [the members] weren’t that dedicated to the team,” Quiroz said. “But now everyone is truly devoted; everyone is doing their part, and everyone cooperates and brainstorms ideas.”

With the newfound dedication to the club from all the members, Quiroz hopes to lead her group into giving the school the most memorable performance the ladies can possibly give. The team hopes the audience will greatly enjoy what it has worked so diligently to produce.

“We’re trying to come up with a really original entrance and exit, and we hope the teachers will let us do it,” Quiroz said. “I just hope that people will like it and all our hard-work will be worth it.”

Quiroz is looking forward to the performance that is drawing nearer so that she and the rest of the girls on the team can show off their amazing step skills and show the school that they are a force to be reckoned with.

“I love the feeling of performing in front of others,” Quiroz said. “Step is such a fun activity for me, and I love being a part of it at Oakton. It’s like a sisterhood.”

Quiroz hopes to join a high-energy step sorority when she is in college to keep that feeling of step sisterhood that she loves so much with

her long after high school has ended.“It’s like a normal sorority where you pledge to the sister-

hood, except you step for fun and for competitions as well,” Quiroz explained.

Meanwhile, as the team is preparing hard for its perfor-mance, it cant help but to be curious of the other groups that will be performing in the festival. The ladies are all very excited to see what other groups will bring to the fes-tival and to show off what they have been working so long and hard on.

“I’m excited to see other performances because it’s inter-esting to see other cultures and their performance styles,” Purevdorj said.

Other interesting performances that will be performing at the Cultural Festival this year include the MESA Bollywood and Bhangra performances and Korean Club’s break dance performance. However, throughout all the excitement, sus-pense and difficult practice schedules surrounding the step team members in order to prepare for the Cultural Festival,

Shante Bowman, freshman, is still confident in their own performance skills and has complete faith in her captain.

“We’re going to step over the speed limit, and we’re going to bring it to the stage,” Bowman said.

clubs page 1502.04.09

Club prepares for theCultural Festival on Feb. 5 and 6Team

Members of the step team practice their routine in anticipation for the cultural festival, which is on Feb. 5 and 6. “We’ve been practicing twice a week and after school and during weekends at everyone’s houses,” said sophomore and captain Nicole Quiroz. “We want to do our best, and if that means we have to practice a lot, we will. We’re willing to do what it takes to give the school a performance they’ll love.”

- tesla jensen, clubs editor, can be reached at tesla.jensen@oaktonmedia.net and mayura iyer, staff writer, can be reached at mayura.iyer@oaktonmedia.net

S t e p m

ayura iyer

mayura iyer

I love to step, its like a passion to me. When I get on stage, it’s like I’m entering another world.

- nicole quiroz, soph.

Step team member Ilayda Kocak, sophomore, practices one of the many difficult steps in the step team’s high-energy routine. The team has been practicing non-stop to prepare for this year’s cultural festival. They are hoping to make this performance their best one yet.

mayura iyer

seniors

Excited about second semester?

Stay that way & keep up the hard work.

- Mr. Hopkins

page 17

02.04.09

outlo

okst

aff

StaffersAlex BuscemiDaniel ChaitMichelle ChuVictoria DoxeyErik GuntherAmanda HermanKyle Hughes

Business ManagerNyssa Wratschko Yenni Tan (Asst.)

Editors in Chief

Ethan DoyleDanielle HolstromMatt Johnson

Feature Editor

Chris Weil

Opinions Editor

Nia RobersonZoe Mitchell (Asst.)

Clubs Editor

Tesla JensenKirin Gupta (Asst.)

Academics Editor

Elena Kaufman

Insight Editor

Erica Wohlleben

Sports Editor

Alena Schwarz

Copy Editor

Alex Straton

Photo EditorDrew GuntherGladys Manzur

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 may be sent via email to editors@oaktonoutlook.com or dropped off in Chad Rummel’s box in the main office or in room 196. The Outlook reserves the right to edit submissions for grammar and content provided the meaning remains unchanged.

Mayura IyerSarah KashanianDaphne MartschenkoEmily MillsAlex PerryVipin ReddyRachel SaponeShayda ShahbaziSarah KashanianOwen ChesserDrew HarringtonJessica KlaberElise WernerAlex Zanin

AdvisersChad RummelMary Clare McKesson

Online Editors

Koorosh MassoudiRyan O’Gorman

Rearranging schedules is rearranging students’ livesThe proposal to start the school day later in

Fairfax County, claimed to help students and the county budget, may have some

weightier drawbacks that many students and even teachers cannot afford.

Under the “improved” schedule, high school, middle school and elementary school students would start classes 60 to 90 minutes later than the current schedule in which all schools are well underway before 8 a.m. The resultant bus route changes could benefit the county budget past six figures with the added bonus of benefiting students’ health.

The proposed schedule would give high school students about another hour of sleep, and middle schoolers about an hour and a half, leaving elementary students to cope with the early mornings. Perhaps they can make up for that with a nap, something that high school workloads and extracurriculars seldom allow for teens, but there are further logistical considerations like new busing schedules, a later start for athletic programs and child care for younger students.

So here are the facts: since 1996, the Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvement has researched the potential impacts of later start times for high school students, especially in scholastic achievement.

Current medical research determined that adolescents have a biochemical sleep pattern that, paired with present school schedules create a late-to-bed, early-to-rise cycle. For teens, the chemical responsible for sleepiness, melatonin, is secreted from around11 p.m. to about 8 a.m., nine full hours of the biochemical version of a computer’s

sleep mode: the hard drive continues whirring while the monitor goes dark. In other words, these fixed circadian rhythms generally prevent youths from falling asleep until later at night, and maintain this sleep mode through 8 a.m., without regard for the amount of sleep received the previous night.

Now, seeing that Fairfax County schools start at 7:20 a.m., these sleep patterns can have heavy consequences for education. Students who take the bus generally rise between 5:45 and 6 in the morning, while drivers or walkers waking a little later. No wonder why offended teachers must wake and/or punish sleepers dozing off during the first couple hours of school? Students’ are still caught up in a biological sleep mode.

Studies show that some schools that have employed the new start times have seen increases in attendance and alertness, and a significant decrease in tardiness. On the flipside, later starts force some students to cut back on extracurricular activities and impacted students’ availability for after school jobs.

Many parents are concerned for the safety of their younger students who would be waiting for a bus as early as 6:30 in the morning. After school care plans would need to change in the absence of older siblings who would usually be looking after them until parents arrive home. Having elementary students released from school before high school and middle school students presents a problem for parents who cannot afford childcare.

Despite lack of sleep due to early school hours students may find that their schedules will not improve, and may actually make things much

worse. Knowing that they can get up at 8 a.m. rather than 6 a.m. will allow students to spend the extra time trying to finish homework that went undone because sports and other activities get pushed back with the school schedule.

Already sports and clubs keep students until 6 or 7 p.m., leaving sleepless nights or unfinished work on the docket for most teens; pushing these activities back is impractical Then not only will high school students be unavailable to their families but they will be forced to choose between extracurriculars and their educational performance. Continuing to encourage poor sleeping habits in teens is counterproductive and counterintuitive.

Teachers are perhaps more disadvantaged in this deal than the students. Where some teachers who can’t afford to live in the county commute more easily before rush hour traffic hits, they may not be able to make it to work without hours in transit which makes them unavailable afterschool for help or for coaching. High school teachers with younger children will have to arrange for childcare if they can, but the costs of such care are much too high.

On balance, the proposal to rearrange school start times to cater to the fluctuations of adolescent sleep patterns, while an admirable effort to improve educational performance, is impractical in practice and would act more to the detriment than benefit of students and teachers alike. Despite its inconveniences, the current schedules are the one’s that truly work.

this staff editorial is the official opinion of the Oakton Outlook

page 18 opinions 02.04.09

Letter to the Editor:

I was pleased to encounter your article supporting the recent interdisciplinary project in AP Environ-mental Science and AP Government. I have long

advocated interdisciplinary education in its real-world, common-sense integration of content and skills. While meaningful learning certainly occurs in more traditional classrooms, the integration of coursework offers a holis-tic worldview that renders globally-minded students.

These sentiments motivate me to teach a rich and rigorous interdisciplinary course called World Civiliza-tions II, the combination of Pre-AP English 10 and AP World History. To my chagrin, the Oakton Outlook dismissed this course as one that “means little more than coordination of test dates and larger class sizes.” While I recognize the author’s desire to insert an objection to possible counter-arguments within the traditional formula for persuasive writing, I do not appreciate such a cavalier slight to a course I cherish. You were right in asserting that collaborative, interdisciplinary instruction demands “effort, innovation and will to take learning outside of the box” on the part of teachers; these are the very contributions that I, along with my colleagues, am delighted to devote to my students.

And based on feedback from students, parents, and colleagues, I believe that World Civilizations II facilitates the real-world learning that you have described. Former student and Outlook staff member, Daphne Martschen-ko describes her experience as follows: “World Civiliza-tions has introduced me to the real world, to the mis-takes of past generations, to the mistakes we are making now, but also to the successes, to the accomplishments of mankind that allow me, a mixed-race girl, to sit in a school with diversity and write this. I have so much thanks to give for this experience.” Other students have described the course as the “most in-depth and engross-ing class that I have ever tak-en,” one that “taught me that I need to grow up and become the adult the world expects me to become: responsible, intelli-gent, charitable, life-changing.” The pairing of English and history makes sense to kids: “History taught me there’s a world outside the one I live in, and English taught me how to express myself in order to make change and better the lives of everyone. I can make a difference in the world, and I will take this new confidence in order to make something of myself in the future.” While I realize that not all students garner the same experiences, I do believe that our interdisciplinary class (among others) provides the integrated experience that you supported in your editorial.

Fairgrade may not be quite so “fair”Fairfax County is known by

colleges across the nation for its rigorous academics and

6-point grading scale. If we inflate GPAs by adding extra fluff to the weights, suddenly we are equated with the rest of the country. Tech-nically, this is what Fairgrade was striving for: assurance that the same

opportunities open to students with a 10-point grading scale are open to FCPS students as well.

On Jan. 22, they achieved it. The amendment was passed and students will now receive an extra 1.0 for AP classes and 0.5 for honors classes as part of the new 10-point scale. But by “equating” us, the new system cheapens us.

Colleges know FCPS and how hard the grading system is; admissions officers recognize that a B here is typically better than an A elsewhere in the country. It amazes me that by a unanimous vote, the school board eliminated this advantage.

Fairgrade claims to have the students’ best interests at heart, but the school board should have left the system as it is. Yes, students who are not getting a perfect 4.0 will benefit from the boost a 10-point scale will provide, but students who have been working hard to excel will no lon-ger stand out. And if they do, it will be because they have a ridiculously high GPA as opposed to a strong, commend-

able one. Giving students more breathing room by lowering the

standards condones a weak work ethic. By adding more points to a single grade, we are conditioning students to settle for less. If students accept a B as being OK, with the new grading scale, that B is really an 80 percent, not an 84. Teachers will most likely compensate for the new scale by making classes harder and coursework more time-consum-ing.

Percentages could decline even though GPAs and “letter grades” would increase, thus devaluing the grade. On the whole, students might end up less prepared for the future because they would be getting good grades by just “getting by.”

When we changed this system, something that sets FCPS apart from schools all around the country, we told our youth that it is OK if they fall short because they have a couple of extra points for padding. The only people who fought for this change were the parents whose children do not have a pristine 4.0. Sorry, moms and dads, your baby should have worked a little bit harder.

It’s too late now. The methods have been changed and we can only wait to see what kind of effect the new ones will have. For all we know, this new system may not affect the college application process at all; or if it does, it could backfire, making it harder for students to be accepted. I’d hate to be the one to say I told you so.

- colleen eddy, english teacher, can be contacted at editors@oaktonoutlook.com

Dear Dr. Dale,I don’t want Eliot Wax-

man to have to search for a new teaching job next year. How-ever, if school start times are pushed back, the time added to his commute would force him to leave Oakton.

Teens have always valued sleep. When the county announced recent-

ly a no-cost proposal for delaying high school start times, after countless hours of lobbying by both parents and organiza-tions, many in the community reacted with excitement. The prospect of sleeping in later is certainly tempting, particular-ly to sleep-deprived teens who only make it through class on a mixture of Starbucks and Red Bull. Several fatal flaws, however, doom this proposal to failure.

First, the Washing-ton, D.C. metropolitan area is one of the most congested re-gions in the nation. Given the high cost of living in Fairfax, many teachers opt to commute long distances to get to and from school. This is made possible given the early time school begins and students are released. Bump start times back just a few minutes, though, and suddenly the com-mute to school transforms from a nuisance to a nightmare.

Second, later start times would impact the amount of time teachers would be able to devote to students after

school. We are fortunate to have a dedicated faculty that spends numerous hours after school assisting students in need. That time after school could be precipitously short-ened when teachers are suddenly leaving early to beat the rush hour traffic home.

The third and most surprising factor is the overall resis-tance to the program from students. Before writing this edi-torial, I informally polled various underclassmen (forgive me, Mrs. Reiners) in an attempt to gauge the reaction to the proposal, and I was met with overwhelming resistance.

Every student I encoun-tered who participates in a sport was opposed to motion, and with over 920 athletes in the school, that is a sizable demographic. By delaying school, sports practices would be pushed even later into the night, forcing teens to stay up later to complete homework. Worse yet, some sports such as Swim and Dive have already declared they may discontinue if school starts later given

they have only a finite time to practice at Oak Marr.As a sleep deprived student myself, I appreciate the

gesture by the county to propose giving us more sleep. The fact of the matter is all that is being done is the day is being shifted back one hour. Teens will still have just as much homework, just as many extracurricular commitments, and just as little time to complete them. We cannot afford to lose high caliber teachers such as Waxman simply for a few minutes of shut-eye.

Later start times will ruin schedulesTeam-teaching facilitates real world experience

The editorial staff of the outlook apologizes for last issue’s editorial’s claims against AP World History and AP Seminar on the grounds that they were unfounded and unneccessary.

danielle holstrom

editor in chief

matt johnson

editor in chief

danielle holstrom

Pro Con

opinions page 1902.04.09

As one of the fastest growing sports in the nation, Mixed Martial Arts has spread its influence to the high

school level. While most high schools do not endorse the sport with certified teams, students should be allowed to engage in MMA regardless of age. Students who do participate often do so through outside organizations such as gyms that teach classes.

Though many people characterize Mixed Martial Arts as violent and aggressive, practicing the sport itself is relatively safe. While there is substantial opposition to it, the sport isn’t any more dangerous than a full contact sport such as football. Students who practice MMA are equipped with padding and gloves similar to those of boxing, minimizing risk and injury.

MMA also gives opportunities to students who do not excel in traditional sports that are focused on in high school. For many, it is a source of exercise as well as training that does not always result in fighting. Numerous participants engage in the sport for many months or even years before taking part in an official fight.

Since there are many students who already engage in boxing and kickboxing as well as wrestling, the transition to the sport is relatively simple. Being that participants practice a variety of fighting styles, a broad base of people is incorporated in the sport. This attracts many to MMA as there is not a narrow focus on those who can engage in the sport.

Therefore, MMA should be an acceptable practice for students despite their age. As far as a form of exercise, it is a great form of cardio and a way to stay in shape. Risk has been minimized with capable equipment, and students are trained by well-versed instructors.

Locally, MMA can even be seen in a chain of gyms owned by LA Boxing, where it is open to participants in high school. Additionally, it has been favored by students who play other sports and are searching for ways to stay in shape during an offseason. While there remains risk for injury, it is no more dangerous than any other full contact sport.

For those students who hope to professionally pursue the sport, it is most likely necessary to begin at an early age. Being that it is acceptable for students to practice it in high school, this allows them to excel at an early age and establish a foundation which they can develop as they become older. Not only does it physically benefit them, but it holds potential for a career as well.

alex perry

staff writer

At the conclusion of renowned Ultimate Fighting Championship bouts, there are gruesome scenes of black, swollen

eyes and copious amounts of blood flowing down the faces of the participants resulting in a red,

blood-stained canvas. Some may see these fights as entertainment, but others see them as a thoughtless

display of bestial actions. Viewed as a savage fight between modern day

gladiators, Mixed Martial Arts is looked down upon by many parties for its brutality. The sport is practically the human version of dog fighting, an activity punishable by law. So what makes MMA any more lawful than dog fighting?

The object of each match is to have one fighter beat his opponent senseless or damage his opponent’s body in some way until he submits. Fights often result in one man lying motionless in the ring, appearing lifeless and struggling for survival. Although both

participants always end up seeming fine before moving on to the next match, who knows what happens physically to these men behind the scenes just hours or days afterwards. It should be illegal to allow a man, let alone a child, to fight like an uncivilized animal in a battle to near death.

It is completely irresponsible to let adolescents participate in an activity that can potentially cripple grown men. Teenagers shouldn’t be competing in a sport that contains more impact than football and is exponentially more violent than boxing. At the

age of 18, your brain is still growing and the head trauma resulting from MMA matches will be detrimental to future brain functions and learning ability.

Martial Arts, an activity that is supposed to be taught on the basis of self defense, is now being exploited to the

highest degree by MMA fighters. Abusing their skills in order to inflict pain on another human being, these barbaric men are setting a

terrible example for our youth. With grievances already placed on violence in movies and video games by parents around the nation, allowing children to not only watch, but participate in, Mixed Martial Arts would be a major oversight in their efforts to reduce the growing passion for unadulterated brutality in adolescents today. Allowing this sport to continue, especially for kids under the age of 18, will only support their ideas on violence being acceptable in society.

anthony barba

staff writer

As I entered the lecture hall, I noticed a half full crowd of people; the realization

of volunteering myself to get hypnotized for a newspaper article finally sank in. I could already feel the embarrassment as I recognized the fact that I would be on stage with many of my classmates watching.

Jimi Gibson, the renowned hypnotist, then took the stage and tried to remove all doubt about hypnotism.

When Gibson asked for volunteers, over three quarters of the audience raised their hands. Having already talked to Gibson before the show, I had no doubts of being chosen.

My memory is at loss for exactly how I was hypnotized. Though I was trying my best to resist what I had thought

to be a ‘sham,’ I cannot remember its process. I recall how I felt before taking the stage; I could control what I did with my body; but while the hypnotism was taking place I was neither unconscious nor fully in control, I felt spaced out.

We were given commands from Gibson as a way of assuring the audience that the volunteers were in fact hypnotized.

The hypnotist then made us perform seemingly random tasks. It felt as if I had no choice but to comply with what he asked. I neither wanted nor did not want to do what he requested; my body spoke for me.

I recall that one minute I was playing the banjo as if I were in a famous bluegrass band, and the next I was talking on my shoe to an old friend about how badly I miss him.

Looking back on it, the things I did while being hypnotized were some of the most awkward things I have

ever done and have completely thwarted my efforts of just blending in but hypnosis also has its perks.

One hour of hypnosis is the equivalent of eight hours of sleep. As a teenager, this is tempting. Ironically, while being hypnotized, the prospect of time slipped out of my grasp. If someone were to ask me if I had been on stage for five minutes or five hours, I would not know which to choose.

That night, I became a tight rope walker, a lion, a civilian telling the accounts of a Martian landing, a person lucky enough to smell an odor so satisfying that it cannot even be described in words and among much else, a mathematician unable to count to ten. Hypnosis opens new layers of the imagination never deemed possible; it was a worthwhile experience.

Mixed Martial Arts should be open to all

MMA is too dangerous and risky for students

sarah kashanian

staff writer

Being hypnotized is awkward for participants, fun to watch

see story on page 4

ryan

o’go

rman

- anthony barba, staff writer, can be reached at anthony.barba@oaktonmedia.net- alex perry, staff writer, can be reached at alex.perry@oaktonmedia.net

- sarah kashanian, staff writer, can be reached at sarah.kashanian@oaktonmedia.net

Oakton Wrestling places first at Pinner’s Dime TournamentWalking out onto the mat, they take a

look at the audience and, at first, they feel a little scared, but mostly excited.

Then as they take a look at their opponents, ev-erything fades away. Focused only on the match, their training kicks in. They don’t feel any more emotion; they just wrestle.

This is what goes on in the mind of a wrestler, like junior Daniel Millogo, weight class 215, before he starts his match. He loses all sense of everything else and focuses just on wrestling.

“I get extremely focused, everything else just disappears,” Millogo said. “I don’t feel any emo-tions when I’m wrestling, I just do it.”

On Jan.17, Oakton held the second annual Pinner’s Dime Tournament, taking first place with 180.5 points and defeating last year’s winning team, W.T. Woodson.

“It was pretty exciting and really hectic because we had to get a lot of matches in. But it was good because we won, so Oakton was really happy,” said sophmore Zack Bartee, weight class 119. “It was the first time we won in a while, so it was an excit-ing day.”

The all-day wrestling tournament held in the gymnasium was a competition between eight different high school teams. The wrestlers were divided into weight classes and scored on how well they did in their specific weight class.

“It’s only the second year of the tournament,” Millogo said. “The main difference from last year was that this was a one-day tournament while last year was a two-day tournament.”

Oakton boasted 10 wrestlers who placed in the top three for their specific weight class, with four wrestlers earning first place: senior Ethan Doyle, weight class 140; senior Chris Butters, weight class 125; senior Matt Patinos, weight class 160; and Millogo.

“It was a difficult, but it felt great to win [the tournament],” Millogo said.

Doyle also won MVP of the tournament, most-likely based on the fact that he not only won his weight class, but also competed in the tournament while he was sick.

The first place finish in this years Pinner’s Dime Tournament epitomizes the vast improvement that has been achieved by the wrestling team this year.

“Yeah, we have definitely improved a lot this year,” Bartee said. “The team is a lot more focused this year.”

The improvement from last year is, according to some members of the team, contributed to the new coaching staff and method of practicing that was put in place this year.

“All the coaches are new and we have about seven coaches,” Bartee said. “Generally about five of them are there at any given time.”

The new practicing method focuses more on the learning and developing of wrestling techniques rather than conditioning, which is what the prac-tices last year centered around.

“We have less conditioning then last year, this year it’s more technical stuff,” Bartee said. “We’re working on moves and techniques more then con-ditioning. I think it’s helped.”

Scooting out of his opponent’s grasp, junior Tommy Loper looks to escape from the bottom position. (1)In order to set up a takedown, Daniel Milogo, junior, fights for control of his opponent’s hands. Milogo won the tournament with a last-second takedown in his final match. (2)Sophomore Geoff McLaughlin pulls his legs back in order to stop his opponent from scoring a takedown. After a tough loss McLaughlin battled on to place 5th in the Pinner’s Dime. (3)- alex zanin, staff writer, can be reached at alex.

zanin@oaktonmedia.net

page 20

02.04.09

erica stein

drew gunther

drew gunther

1

2

3

Over the last weekend of winter break, Jan. 3 and 4, the girls soccer team ended a successful indoor season with a championship trophy, the first time

the team had ever won a final competition.“After the final whistle, I just freaked out,” said senior

Erica Stein. “I got way too excited.”Accustomed to playing with the other Oakton varsity

girls, Stein was not used to winning. Alex Meyers, a new-bie to the Oakton soccer scene, shared in the victory even though she is just a freshman.

“It was the first thing Oakton soccer has ever won. It didn’t seem like a big moment, but it was big for those who were playing,” Meyers said, referring to Stein’s outburst.

Going 6-0 in the regular and postseasons, the girls scored a total of 56 goals, allowing only 25 to be scored on them. Losing the championship game in 2007, the team was de-termined to go all the way this time around. It proved to be harder than they initially expected.

“At first [the game] was really close,” Meyers said. “The other team was the first to score, but we came back and won 8-4. We started the second half strong and just kept going.”

It is that strength and commitment that continually char-acterizes Oakton soccer.

“I like the teamwork, how we can work together for a common goal,” said senior Pilar Lopez-Gomez.

The team has been hard at work everyday during con-ditioning, months before they are allowed to even touch a soccer ball.

“In 2008, we lifted twice a week,” Lopez-Gomez said.

“Now we have conditioning until tryouts. We do circuits, sprints and long distance running. In partners, one per-son runs up and down the bleachers, while the other runs around the track, then we switch. I’ve been playing indoor soccer since I was 10. I always joined other teams to stay in shape.”

For Meyers, getting in shape meant practicing with the players who might become her teammates in the upcoming season.

“I was really glad I got the chance to get to know the girls I will be playing with in the spring,” she said. “With varsity, [the playing style] was kind of different, but after a few games, it felt normal.”

Having played soccer since she was four, Stein has had a lot of experience sizing up her opposition, or in this case, her teammates.

“I like [the indoor season] because you get to know the younger players,” Stein said. “It’s a good way to practice. There were a lot of freshmen. And I have to say, they were good.”

The team has high hopes for the spring season and if this undefeated winter record means anything, it is a look at where the girls are headed. But the girls still know that in the end, the game is just a game.

“Even if you’re not the best team out there, you’re always having fun,” Meyers said. “Winning is just a bonus.”

page 2102.04.09 sports

Girls soccer prepares for outdoors indoors

- danielle holstrom, editor in chief, can be reached at danielle.holstrom@oaktonmedia.net

Girls Basketball

Jan. 30 v. Chantilly W (43-31)Jan. 23 at Robinson W (70-36)Jan. 21 at Centreville W (63-50)record: 19-0upcoming games: Feb. 6 at Fairfax

Hockey

Jan. 23 at McLean W (4-1)Jan. 16 v. Westfield L (6-7)Jan. 4 at Potomac F. W (7-3)record: 3-4upcoming games: Feb. 6 v. Briar Woods

Indoor Track

Jan. 30 Districts (Boys 2nd, Girls 3rd)

upcoming games: Feb. 5 District final at P. G. C.

Boys Basketball

Jan. 31 at Westfield L (46-58)Jan. 30 at Chantilly L (32-53)Jan. 23 v. Robinson W (49-40)record: 2-15upcoming games: Feb. 6 v. Fairfax

Swim/Dive

Jan. 23 v. Centreville GW-BWJan. 16 v. Westfield GW-BWJan. 9 v. Robinson GL-BWupcoming games: Feb. 5 District Dive

Sports Briefs

Oakton GatorballFeb. 14, 2:30 p.m.

in Main Gym

Wrestling

Jan. 31 at Riverbend (1st, 4th, 5th)Jan. 17 Pinner’s Dime W (1st 181)

upcoming games: Feb. 7 Districts at Chantilly

Gymnastics

Jan. 29 at Herndon L (99.85)Jan. 22 at Robinson L (101.75)Jan. 8 at Freedom L (99.8)high score: 105.45upcoming games: Feb. 5 Districts at Centreville

on th

eboo

ks

Heading for the goal, freshman Alex Weaver plays during the championship indoor soccer game; Oakton won, 8-4. Weaver’s first time playing with the varsity girls, the indoor soccer season was a good way for her to meet future teammates.

eric

a st

ein

2009 UDA NationalDance Team Championship

Orlando, Fla.

Varsity High Kick:Finals - 10th place

Large Varsity Pom:Semi-Finals

courtesy of yenni tan

How much do you know about yourself until you’ve been in a fight? About a year ago, this was a linger-ing question in the mind of senior Taylor Creigh-

ton. After being involved in various high school sports, he was convinced he had to find another outlet in which he could channel his energy. This outlet became the rapidly-emerging sport of mixed martial arts, sponsored by a grow-ing gym in Chantilly.

“I finally decided to look into the sport of mixed martial arts,” Creighton said. “I heard about this place called LA Boxing and a friend of mine got me hooked, literally.”

Mixed martial arts (MMA) has quickly attracted the attention of many athletes across the nation. The sport is a hybrid of wrestling and boxing, in which striking and grappling are the prominent features. MMA is full contact, but the participants wear gloves that resemble, but are thinner than, those worn in boxing.

Fights take place between two par-ticipants in a ring, and they can end in a number of ways. A fight will end when there is a knockout, technical knockout, submission or judges decide in the favor of one fighter after the conclusion of the bout. In a knock-out, one of the fighters is knocked unconscious or is unable to continue the fight due to injury. In a technical knock-out, the referee determines that it is unsafe for a fighter to continue the fight. As for a submission, a fighter is forced to end a match when he enters a hold or lock in which he is experiencing pain or injury. Finally, if the fight ends and there is no clear victor, judges score the bout and decide who the winner is.

As for its evolution into the high school and collegiate levels, many local gyms act as a sponsor. A prominent one in the area has been LA Boxing where many participants from local high schools engage in training, whether it is for fighting or just for working out.

“At LA Boxing, the MMA class is incorporated with the Brazilian JuJitsu so the training is mixed around a lot,” Creighton said. “We do a series of warm ups and lock practices at the beginning of the BJJ, but after everybody is ready, we move on to the rolling part. Rolling is like sparring without strikes. The training can be as hard as you make it, which can get very intense, but overall it’s definitely a hard workout.”

At this gym, all ages of people participate in a variety of different classes. As for allowing it in high school, it doesn’t seem to be an issue of major concern.

“You get to fight people and it gives you really solid workouts,” said senior Jake Marsden. “It should definitely be allowed in high school because a lot of students are weak and out of shape so it is a great way to get back in shape and build some confidence as well.”

Trained instructors coach these classes and are well-versed in the sport as well as safety.

“The instructor went pro and became the Light Heavy-weight Champion in a world tournament over the summer,” Creighton said. “So as you can imagine, the training with him felt like an official fight.”

Participation in mixed martial arts is not limited to this gym. Senior Adam Willhite has a different background as far as getting involved in the sport.

“The place that I go to is called One Spirit Martial Arts which is in Reston, Va.,” Willhite said. “Before, I took Tae Kwon Doe for four years, and then after that I trained myself and recently joined a gym that is more about fight-ing against other people. So for about eights years I’ve been studying martial arts, and this is appealing because I enjoyed sparring.”

Part of the appeal to the sport has been largely attributed to its vigorous workouts and training. It has been acclaimed because it is not only physically challenging, but mentally as well.

“During summer I went almost every day for two hours of training,” Willhite said. “The workouts are really tough be-cause it pushes your endurance and strength. It’s a complete workout, and there is a lot of demand on your body. They are all really tough exercises since you do everything from weight lifting to calisthenics like push-ups, pull-ups and body weight-type exercises.”

Looking towards the future, some students speculate at the type of career MMA would make. Since professionals of the sport usually retire in their middle to late thirties, a separate career would be a viable option. Often, many older par-ticipants who engage in mixed mar-tial arts have a separate

occupation. “Possibly, [I will look into the

sport as a career]. I don’t know; I am going to have to get older and finish high school first,” Willhite said. “Then maybe in college I will do it as a club or get into something that will allow me to go further. Maybe I will win a couple of tournaments and get a sponsorship of some type.”

The sport can definitely provide the discipline necessary for another occupation. It teaches skills and a focused mindset that is a founda-tion for future success.

“I definitely plan on continu-ing through college, but I do have other plans for my career,” Creigh-ton said. “I have no doubt in my mind the fighting will come hand in hand with my career though.”

As far as discovering an outlet for energy, this fast-paced sport has met the challenge. With a growing number of high school students participating, it looks to be main-streamed in the years to come.

“Another thing about MMA is the fact that after fighting, everything else in life has got the volume turned down,” Creighton said. “Without MMA I wouldn’t be as calm yet fearless as I am now.”

02.04.09page 22 sports

MMA Strikes High School

sarah kashanian

- alex perry and anthony barba, staff writers, can be reached at alex.perry@oaktonmedia.net and anthony.barba@oaktonmedia.net

Mixed martial arts quickly becomes popular at local level

fast

fact

s — MMA is sanctioned in 40 different countries— Senator John McCain has denounced the sport for its violence— It debuted in the organizations of UFC and Pride in Japan and the U.S.

Attempting to free himself from an arm bar submission, senior Taylor Creighton (right) trains at LA Boxing. At the gym, instructors interactively teach members how to perform certain techniques and defend from them as well.

page 2302.04.09 sports

Head Coach Chuck McDaniel is building a base with the Oakton boy’s varsity basketball team, returning this year for

a second season. He brings a more formal work ethic and a steady, creative dedication to the court.

“This year, the coaching is stricter,” said junior Andrew Daniels. “If you mess up, the coaches react sternly. This is good because it makes you want to win. We are trying to get away from fooling around at practices and games.”

McDaniel has been coaching both high school basketball leagues and private travel leagues since his college years. He began coaching Lee High School’s freshman team for two years while attending college.

When McDaniel landed an open coaching position here at Oakton, he came with the familiarity of different skill levels of players and a variety of playing techniques. He has the experience necessary to properly assess’ individual players. McDaniel is focusing on bringing these elements together to help his team grow while getting to know each player.

“Last year was my first year; I did not know the players very well when we were deciding on a new team,” McDaniel said. “I had to trust the judgment of others in recommendations on a player’s strengths and weaknesses. This year, I got to form my own conclusions about each individual. This knowledge helps me in pressuring players in ways specific to their needs on how to make basketball not just another sport, but a priority.”

As the third coach to come through the program in the past four years, McDaniel is the only one who has stayed for more than one season. The team is taking advantage of having an experienced coach who enjoys his job.

“Because the team is so young, we’re still learning,” said sophomore Steele Shemeld. “In the next two years, we should be able to build off what we have.”

This new change in culture cannot happen over night. The team is made up of mostly junior and sophomore players with only three seniors on the team. Although this is a disadvantage, there has still been a noticeable change from the coaching technique in the players and might prove to be helpful in later years.

“The team as a whole needs to buy more

into what the coach is saying,” said senior Thomas Vitale. “We should put more trust in the coaches and other players. Then there’ll be more victories.”

This communication gap, however, is not the only cause of the team’s 2-13 record.

“We need to start taking better shots,” Daniels said. “Also, we only play three good quarters when we have the potential to play all four just as well.”

Senior captain Chris Coyer said that the coaches attend opponent team’s games on a regular

basis. From this, they compile scouting reports. These reports include opponent’s strengths and weaknesses as well as plays. By knowing the plays ahead of time, the coaches can formulate counteracting ones.

“I see a difference with McDaniel’s coaching in comparison to the coaches of the past,” said Coyer. “He goes beyond what the other coaches in the past have done. Right now, it’s more up to the players because McDaniel’s plays work.”

Stable coach brings new insight

- sarah kashanian, staff writer, can be reached at sarah.kashanian@oaktonmedia.net

sarah kashanian

sarah kashanian

As sophomore Adi Hajrovic goes in for the shot past the arms of a defender, parents and fans cheer from the sidelines. Although this team is relatively young, Hajrovic values his team-mates’ dedication. “We have to work harder than the other teams because they have been playing longer,” he said.

Developing team learns from a trying season

Ball in hand, senior Thomas Vitale drives towards the basket, making the most of every second

left on the clock.

top

scor

ers 1. McNeil #24, 9.73 points

2. Daniels #13, 9.18 points3. Shemeld #12, 8.67 points4. Hajrovic #45, 7.5 points5. Larson #5, 5.8 points

The sound of the puck connecting with a teammate’s stick; the slicing sound of sharpened blades cutting through fresh ice; the calls from one teammate to

another, setting up plays. It seems as if this is just a normal game for the hockey team, but it’s much different because this time it’s current Oakton students versus graduated alumni.

The alumni game took place on Jan. 4 with 17 players on each team. The Oakton team consisted of players from both Varsity and JV teams, including Varsity Head Coach John Alexa and JV Head Coach Evan McMillan. The score ended in the alumni winning 4-3. The Oakton goals were scored by junior defenseman Austin Teel, sophomore forward Chris Peterkin and Coach John Alexa.

The game itself was not quite as competitive as a real Northern Virginia Scholastic Hockey League game par-tially due to the fact that both the Oakton Varsity and JV team had real games afterward, and because it didn’t count towards the season.

“No one tried to hurt each other because the game was just for fun,” said junior defenseman Matt Hirsch. “It was more like a scrimmage.”

For the alumni, the game proved to be a good chance to catch up with old friends.

“It was a good opportunity to get to see some my old team mates, both those who have graduated and the guys who are still on the team,” said alumnus and current West Virginia University student Tyler Herrinton. “A lot of us haven’t seen each other since graduation, so it was nice to catch up. Also, it was cool to see some guys who played with my graduating class way back when we were freshmen.”

As for the current season, the team is still playing hard and trying to reach a post-season spot.

“We need to play more as a team,” Hirsch said. “We still have a chance, but we have to win all [the games.]”

While the team has reached an all-time high in terms of players, with 31, the stands are still mostly empty.

“We really need people to come to the games,” Hirsch said.

One other concern the team is having is that they are considered a club sport and are therefore not technically allowed at the Varsity banquets.

“We are actively trying to get ice hockey recognized as a sport so the Varsity players can attend the Banquet,” said team manager Diane Hirsch.

While the season isn’t going quite as they might have liked, the team is 3-4 with two games left and has moved up to fourth in its division. The team has improved after start-ing the season 0-3 and is looking strong going 3-1 in the last

four games.“[It’s] a young team this year, and I see great potential.

They remind me of the team when my graduating class was freshmen,” Herrinton said. “Down the road I can see Oakton being a good team again. I would [also] tell them to appreciate the opportunity they have to play high school hockey, and not take it for granted.”

page 24 02.04.09sports

Alumni game improves team’s play

Making a quick glove save, sophomore goaltender Jack Owens (above) makes sure that McLean doesn’t score any more than their previous goal against him. The team ended up winning 4-1. Rejoining each other once again, the current and alumni players (below) gather together for a photo to mark their reunion Alumni game that took place Jan. 4. Oakton Hockey alumni and current players came together for one game to play against each other. The team of alumni won the game 4-3.

alena schwarz

photo courtesy of pat thomas

- alena schwarz, sports editor, can be reached at alena.schwarz@oaktonmedia.net

Weddings • Birthdays Special Occasions •Custom Cakes

167 Glyndon St. SEVienna, VA 22180T. 703.255.6800www.silvaspastry.com

Your alarm clock goes off and you look out the window and see snow falling on the ground, covering the

world around you. You turn on the radio and hear, “Fairfax County Public Schools are closed.” You smile and pull the covers back over your head as you sink back into your warm bed to steal a few extra hours of sleep.

Meanwhile, less than a few miles away, women and children wake up to a world coated with abuse and hunger. Not even the dark rims of the sunglasses they use to hide their bruises are enough to camouflage the destitute state of their emotions.

Their lowering self esteem and monoto-nous lifestyle force them out of their houses and into the cold with no other choice than to run away and protect themselves. They are desperate for guidance, but where do they go to start a new life? The Alternative House in Dunn Loring, VA has existed and acted as a shelter for families in these hor-rible situations since 1972.

The shelter began as a temporary hous-ing facility for runaway teenagers living in Northern Virginia. A group of churches in the nearby McLean neighborhood observed the large turnout of teenag-ers seeking help from the shelter, and decided to open their own doors during the evening to these troubled teens. The high demand grew and over a period of time and the churches realized that they could not meet the demands alone, and therefore supported the incorporation of the Alterna-tive House as a non-profit organization.

At the end of each year, the Oakton cheerleading team chooses a fundraiser or a community service activity to participate in during the upcoming year. This year, the team chose to donate money and collect

donations for the Alternative House. “Last season I was talking to the girls

about what they wanted to do and everyone was just throwing their ideas around, but it seemed as if most girls wanted to help peers their age, so I found the Alternative House organiza-tion and thought it would be the best way for the girls to get involved,” said head coach Katie Shanahan. “It’s great because it helps anybody. It could be a teen-ager, a family, a person who needs a place to get away from abuse, or a person whose family is incarcerated. You name it, it’s safe and it’s available.”

Last year, the team participated in a fund-raising event hosted by FedEx where they pulled a plane to raise money to benefit the Special Olympics. They decided to put their

efforts towards the Alternative House this year in an effort to get in tune with the surrounding neighborhood and make a more visible difference in the community.

“The team wanted change this year.

We wanted to make it an actual commu-nity service project that would make us feel good about the community instead of just pulling a plane and then not seeing the benefits of it,” Shanahan said. “I also wanted the cheerleaders to take the initiative of the activity and really make it their own. I’m an elementary school teacher so I could easily just hand them the bags and tell them exactly what to do, but that doesn’t build a team, and it turns into more of a project than a beneficial act of service.”

The team is working with the shelter to provide items from the community that it are impossible for them to continuously provide themselves. These items range from common household items to cars.

“The booster representative sent out a let-ter and said print this out on your own and get a bag and collect the items from your neighbors and people you know. Our coaches kept it simple because they didn’t want

to send us out door-to-door to people we didn’t know asking for soap and vacuum cleaners,” said junior cheerleader Analisa Meyers.

Joining the team in helping this cause is simple and easy. Just bring any item off of the Alternative House “wish list,” and hand it to a cheerleader, who will bag it for you to send off to the shelter. The only restriction is no canned food.

“When the team contacted the Alternative House, they gave us a list of things that they needed and, of course, food was among the list, but we eliminated food off of [Oakton’s] wish list because the shelter said a lot of the times people donate old food, and they end up sorting through canned food that has dust all over it. We just thought it would mean a lot more if we could guarantee the shelter quality products and not have to donate old food.” Meyers said.

The project’s closing date was originally set to Jan. 31, but due to weather conditions, will be moved to Feb. 7. On that date, the team will meet in the main lobby to sort the items donated. Once they’ve finished, a parent will drive all donations to the Alternative House. They will not be allowed to come to the shelter or help beyond that point. This is not an Oakton rule; it’s the shelter’s.

“The Alternative House said that it does not want the cheerleaders to deliver the [items] themselves because a member seek-ing help from the shelter could also be a friend or family member of a cheerleader, and that would invade the members’ pri-vacy, and the organization is a confidential one,” Shanahan said.

Cheer gives to ‘Alternative’ association

We eliminated food off of our wish list... We just thought it would mean a lot more if we could guarantee the shelter quality products and not have to donate old food.

analisa meyers, jr.

wis

h lis

t — School Supplies— Recreational Activities — Clothing (child & teen)— Household supplies— Kitchen Supplies — Gift Cards — Transportation

It’s great because it helps anybody. It could be a teenager, a family, a person who needs a place to get away from abuse, or a person whose family is incarcerated. You name it, it’s safe and it’s available.

- katie shanahan, head coach

Head coach Katie Shanahan (right) demon-strates moves from a routine to a member of the team. The cheerleaders are doing this act of community service not only to benefit the community, but also to form a closer connec-tion to fellow teammates, which should make their performances better during the season.

- roya crider, staff writer, can be reached at roya.crider@oaktonmedia.net

taylor soldner

page 2502.04.09 sports

As winter sports come to a close, some sports are being considered to be cut for the 2009-2010 school year. The gymnastics team was selected as

one of the sports to be cut for budget reasons in Fairfax County and will not be a school-sponsored sport next year.

Although the girls disagree with the decision, they find it grudgingly understandable.

“It is sad that my sport is dying, but I understand the budget cuts,” said senior Amelia Marple.

Gymnastics didn’t have much of a chance to survive the school budget cuts due to the expensive cost of the equip-ment. In addition, the lack of student participation in gym-nastics hurt its chances; only five girls are on the team and 120 total from around the county.

“We’re doing well for how many people we have, but we don’t have enough people to do every event,” Amelia said.

The team has struggled throughout the season, unable to win competitions due to its lack of athletes to be truly competitive with the other schools. However, sophomore Hanna Marple was proud to say the girls did very well indi-vidually at their most recent competition.

“Everyone is committed to doing well and making Oakton look good,” Hanna said. “[At our last competition,] I finished second on beam, fourth on bars, and second all-around, while Amelia finished fourth on floor and vault out of 53 people. We placed individually [even though] we’re not big enough to be a team.”

Personal instructors and school coaches have made improving difficult on some of the girls due to varying teaching techniques. After a season of instruction from one coach, they are forced to abide by another coach’s standards.

“Different teaching styles make it hard to progress,” said sophomore Jennifer Markin. “The change in coaches’ expec-tations for girls are more based on perfection than fun, but [she wants us] to be the best we can be.”

One advantage to the shortage of participants in gymnas-tics is the unity it creates among team members.

“Three of us are the same age so it helps [with team bonding],” Markin said. “We have the same classes and are friends outside of school so it has helped us become better friends.”

With the season ending, some of the gymnasts have looked to other options to continue with the sport. However, there are difficulties in finding another way.

“If gymnastics is cut, we could [become] a club,” Amelia said, “but that’s a lot more expensive and time-consuming so it’s not a great alternative.”

For the girls who have been participating in gymnastics for a majority of their lives, it is upset-ting to see their sport disappear from high school.

page 26 02.04.09sportsSmall team puts forth large effort in competition

- anthony barba, staff writer, can be reached at anthony.barba@oaktonmedia.net

DELTA DRIVING SCHOOLOFFERS

DRIVER’S EDUCATION AND BEHIND THE WHEEL.

PLEASE CALL

703-573-1231 OR 703-593-4897OR VISIT

www.deltadrivingschool.netTO GET A FREE COUPON VISIT

www.deltacoupon.net

703.938.7301 harmoniaschool.org2942 Hunter Mill Road, Oakton, VA

Music Lessons for all levels:Classical, Jazz, popPiano, Violin, Viola, Flute, Saxophone, Clarinet, Trumpet, Guitar, and Voice.

(703) 323-4671

MR. GUTTERCleaning • Screening • Repairing

Roof Repairs

Richard SummerOwner

Burke, VALicensed/Insured

erica stein

Performing her bal-ance beam routine, senior

Amelia Marple begins a back walkover. With only five mem-

bers, each gymnast had more attention from the head coach to perfect her routine.

Dismounting from the uneven bars, sophomore Hanna Marple spots her mark before flipping over to land. She placed fourth on the bars, second on beam and second all-around.

sarah kashanian

Spirits were high as the indoor track and field team left for Maryland on their mission to bring home a district title.

“We ended cross coun-try short this year to get training in for track and it’s gonna be tough but we think we can win the district for both girls and boys,” said senior Neal Hendricks.

Training extra hard over the off season to im-prove, some players have taken additional steps to enhances their abilities.

“To get ready for the season I started going to the pool and aqua jog-ging or biking every day for three months plus leg exercises,” said senior Brian Hendricks.

Phillip Tiller has high expectations this year for both the boys and girls teams. Although they have struggled in the past, he feels this year will be different.

“I expect nothing less than first or second place,” he said. “Unlike past years, we have people that can score in every

event.” Hopes are high for the athletes as well. They feel their in-

tense training will help them over-come their opponents throughout the districts.

“We’ve won a few events and overall as a team we are capable of earning more points than last year,” said senior Sajan Moktan.

Two first year track athletes have already excelled past what their expectations for the season were. Junior Alex Straton and Senior Jay Young both did well in the long jump. Straton got first place in the long jump. beating a personal record by three feet and second place in the 55 meter dash. Jay Young placed second for boy’s long jump.

“This was my first district track meet because I just started this

year,” Young said. “I got the team eight points, which really helped us.”

Many personal records were set in the race. This is giv-ing the team high spirits for the remaining district events. However, some feel that a few events could have gone better.

“We could have done better in the 55 meter dash, the 320

meter, and the 4 x 800 relay,” said senior Cornelius Bentley. “[For Thursday], we have to focus on the 300 meter dash, the triple jump, and the 4 x 200 relay.”

The athletes believe districts will be a task that they are capable of accomplishing.

“If we eat right, sleep right, and get our minds right, we’ll be set to win districts,” Johnson said. “It’s all mental.”

page 2702.04.09 sports

The scent of chlorine is thick in the air, and stillness dominates the atmosphere. The audience is dead si-lent, leaning forward in anticipation. A solitary beep

breaks the silence, and the spectators erupt into a deafening roar as the swimmers dive into the pool.

“The best part of being part of the swim team is that feeling you get when you’re in the pool swimming, and you look to the side to take a breath, and you see your class-mates screaming your name and cheering you on,” said juniorswimmer KJ Park. “You have so many people sup-porting you on your team. It makes you go even faster.”

Swimmers and divers participated in a competition with Robinson High School on Jan. 9. The meet resulted in a split victory. Oakton boys beat Robinson with a one point lead while the girls were not as fortunate, losing to Robinson by approximatley 50 points.

“We’re obviously disappointed with our loss, but I think [the swim and dive teams] really put forth their best efforts,” said sophomore diver, Alicia LeBerre. “The guys managed to beat Robinson for the first time in several years, and that in itself is a huge success.”

This meet against Robinson was one of the more signifi-cant events that the swim and dive teams participated in. The rivalry between the two schools escalated during this meet.

“Robinson is our biggest rival, and we’ve come second to them in States, Districts and Regionals for the past few years,” LeBerre said. “We definitely want to beat them this year, and I think we actually have a good chance of winning. We have a lot of really strong swimmers and divers, and with the new swim coach I think we’re really prepared for this.”

One reason that the swim team may have performed better this year as compared to previous years is because it welcomed a new coach, Scott Tsuchitani, to help it prepare for the upcoming season and meets.

“[Tsuchitani] takes his job seriously and is really dedicat-ed to training us,” said sophomore swimmer Jonathon Hsu. “Practices are a lot harder and longer than last year and everyone is stepping up their game and getting in shape. His workouts are really effective, and he’s pushing us to our full potential.”

The tough rivalry between Robinson and Oakton has prompted swimmers and divers to train vigorously to stay in shape.

“I personally practice from 2:30 to 6:00 p.m. each day to stay in shape for swim competitions and the school even offers practices from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. everyday at Oak Marr [Recreational] Center,” Park said. “Working out and swimming daily is really important if we want to remain competitive at swim meets and defeat Robinson this year. The coach even requires that we go to practice a minimum of four times a week, unless we train separately.”

Although the team members take part in strenuous exercises and activities, they also have time to socialize and bond with others.

“Every Thursday we go out to someone’s house and have these things called pasta dinners,” said sophomore swimmer Alex Le. “It’s only for swimmers and divers, and it’s usually after practice. We pretty much go there and eat really good food like pasta because noodles have a lot of carbs and give us a lot of energy for upcoming meets.”

In addition to the pasta dinners, the swim and dive mem-bers have time to bond at the annual lock-ins.

“The lock-ins are my favorite part of being on this team,” Park said. “We sleep over at the school and play sports like dodgeball or musical chairs. Almost everyone on the team comes. The team is very close knit, I actually think of it as more of a family than a team. The guys on the team have like a brotherhood bond between them, and the girls are so supportive of each other. Everyone understands each other since we’re all working towards the same goal.”

Oakton breaks Robinson’s win-ning streak in split victory

Gasping for a a breath of air, junior Milan Moffatt slices through the water. The Robinson vs. Oakton meet took place on Jan. 9 and resulted in a split victory. The boys beat Robinson with a one point lead, while the girls were not as fortunate.

- michelle chu, staff writer, can be reached at michelle.chu@oaktonmedia.net

Alena Schwartz

erica stein

Sprinting towards the finish line, senior Cornelius Bentley finishes fourth in the 55 meter dash. The race occured on Friday, January 30 at the Prince George’s Sports and Learning Complex.

- jessica klaber and anthony barba, staff writers, can be reached at jessica.klaber@oaktonmedia.net or anthony.barba@oaktonmedia.net

Pacing herself, senior captain Becca Kassabian runs the 3200 meter race. Kassabian completed the two mile run, placing second in the competition. courtesy of charles fulghum

courtesy of charles fulghum.

Indoor track holds its own at first districts

Basic knowledge, Know your car

Parking Lot DrivingRegular/ Angle/ Parallel

Turns, Right, Left, Curves

Intersections

Lane Change / MergingResidence / Business / Backroads

Highway / Beltway

$75 / 2-hour drivers (all ages)Including Free DVD of Recorded Training Sessions

$245 for 14 hours of teen behind-the-wheel trainingIncluding Free DVD of Recorded Training Sessions

Instructing since 1998Licensed*Bonded*Insured

www.safedrivingacademy.net Call us at 703.350.4800

We Record Your Training Sessions We provide the Recorded Training Sessions on DVD, to improve your driving skills

We provide complete training of using Modern Technologies for safe driving

*Flexible Timings*Available 7 Days a Week*Pick Up and Drop off from Home, School , and Work*Teens and Adults

Our Teen Behind-the-Wheel is the

SAME PRICEas FCPS

Behind-the-Wheel