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Inside: News: 1-5, BSW: 6-7, Features: 8-11, Humor: 12-13, Spotlight: 14-15 Opinions: 16-19, Wondering Warrior: 20, Entertainment: 21-23, Sports: 24-28

Warrior
Sherwood High School 300 Olney-Sandy Spring Road, Sandy Spring, MD 20860

34th Year, Issue No.4

April 19, 2012

Spotlight

Sports

Get the low down on the high school party scene

Three Warrior Women excel in their sport

pg 14-15

pg 26

Racing and Raising Funds Students Consider

Local Job Options
by Jacob Bogage 12

Eshan Nanda 13

Orange teammates Gerad Sherman (left) and junior Anthony Justus race to the first clue from the starting line ahead of gray team member junior Megan Lim.

See the full story about the Incredible Race on page 4.

Warrior survey conducted in late March found the unemployment rate of students at Sherwood to be 47 percent, a full 38.3 percent higher than the nations 8.2 percent rate. The survey of 155 respondents defined unemployment as those who wish to have a job outside their school work but do not. The study also found 30.9 percent of students are employed. A majority of those earn around minimum wage and work locally, commuting from five to 15 minutes to their places of employment. Senior Rewa Kumar searched for over a year before finally landing a job in February at Kumon, a math and reading center in Olney. Over the summer I applied to basically every place in Olney, said Kumar. I applied to Olney Toys, Panera, Rite Aid, all these places and I couldnt find anything because no one was hiring. It was really bad. I was thinking why

dont I have a job? Everyone in school seems to have a job. Am I just under-qualified? What is it? Those unemployed blame child labor laws, lack of work experience and a poor economy as reasons why local businesses are not hiring or refuse to hire teens. 32 percent of students felt the economy was headed in the wrong direction, while only 20.7 percent thought the economy was rebounding. About 47 percent had no opinion on the matter. Most of the jobs available in this area are already occupied by high school students, said junior Devi Srinivasan. Because of this, it seems difficult to find a job with so much competition. Many students also have to deal with schoolwork and often sports and extracurriculars. Looking for a job in a tight market scared off Srinivasan, who is not currently employed and is not looking for a job during the school year. She says her

see TEEN JOBS, pg. 3

Warriors Travel the World over Spring Break

1. A group of mostly seniors 1. Myrtle Beach, SC 5. Virginia 2B. England went to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Photo courtesy of senior Elizabeth Jenkins. 2. 47 students traveled across the Atlantic to France (A) and England (B). Photos courtesy of senior Holly Cuozzo. 3. A Sherwood-sponsored trip 4. Colorado went to Greece. Photo cour2A. France tesy of junior Sydney Morrison. 3. Greece 4. Seniors Hannah Chertock and Marisa Dreher traveled to Colorado. Photo courtesy of senior Marisa Dreher. 6. Caribbean 5. Senior Timothy Spillman went to Virginia for the Goodys Fast Relief 500 NASCAR race. Photo courtesy of senior Timothy Spillman. 6. The families of seniors Matt Abrams, Scott Bolen and Kelly Kendall went to the Caribbean. Photo courtesy of senior Matt Abrams. Graphic by Hannah Chertock 12, Holly Cuozzo 12, and Sydney Morrison 13

www.thewarrioronline.com

The WarriorNews
April 19, 2012
School Adopts New Role for TCCI: Family Connection in College Application Process
by Darby Whitehair 12
In the 2012-2013 school year, all MCPS schools will be required to complete the college application process through TCCI: Family Connection. Over the course of high school, each student sets up a Family Connection account in order to create profiles, take personality tests, and track transcripts sent to colleges. Next year, Family Connection will be the only source to complete the school-involved documents of college applications for counselors, teachers and students. Juniors were trained in this new application process during their social studies classes on March 21 and 22 as well as on April 10 and 11. Students were also taught how to use barcoding for college fairs, which allows students to scan barcodes at fairs to give out their information without having to continuously write down their name, address and phone number on the booths cards. The application process will continue to follow the same steps as in previous years, except documents will now be completed electronically. Counselors and teachers will write letters of recommendation, but students will have to send a request for recommendations through Family Connection. After writing the letter on Word, the teachers and counselors will upload the recommendation to the students profiles on Family Connection. Career Information Coordinator Joe Hock will set Family Connection settings so students and other teachers cannot view the letters of recommendations. Teachers and counselors will be trained in the electronic process before the beginning of the next school year. The registrar office will, however, still require the use of paper from students. We will still use the [paper] transcript request form and the reason why is because we have heard from other schools that they have had some glitches because this is still new, said resource counselor Lesia Dunkins. We dont want to mess up and take away the transcript request form because then we wont have any hard copies of what schools you are applying to. We want a hard copy so we can make sure that all the information went out and went out on time, in case the computers crash. Hopefully we will eliminate this in the future, but for right now, first year out we are just trying to cover all bases. Once the teacher recommendation and counselor recommendation are uploaded, the registrar office will make sure the transcript and school profile are ready to send. The registrar will then send the students file to the colleges electronically. Before the files can be sent, students must waive their right to see their file and correctly input their common app password and ID in order to ensure all files will be connected to their application. All this will be completed on Family Connection. August 15 will be the official date that students, teachers and counselors can begin uploading and requesting recommendations through Family Connection.

IEF BR IN
Test Shows That College Students Are Not Much Smarter As Seniors Than As Freshman
A study, published by sociologists Richard Arum and Josipa Roksa, found that 36 percent of students made no progress on the Collegiate Learning Assessment (CLA) as seniors than as freshman. Colleges, like the University of Texas, wanted to know just how much their students learn before graduation, but the results were a bit unsettling. These findings are based off of a 90-minute essay given to both freshmen and seniors to determine possible gains in critical thinking and communication skills. The CLA, as well as others like it, is the first to attempt to measure collegiate learning on a large scale. According to an article in the March 14 issue of the Washington Post, colleges are now getting a small taste of the No Child Left Behind law that has been affecting elementary as well as secondary schools throughout the nation. Some colleges with students who have done poorly contend that their students arrive as freshmen with such strong skills that it is hard for them to improve on the test from freshman to senior year. The test is aimed a bit low for the kind of students we get, said Paul Woodruff, dean of undergraduate studies at University of Texas, in the Washington Post. Many college leaders believe the CLA is a rough gauge of the students and an unfair representation of the institution. College presidents also fear the scores may affect the collegiate ranking industry, while authors of the test claim students elsewhere show considerable growth on the CLA over the years.

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Goodwin To Retire after 25 Years

by Devin Cornelius 12
Sherwood is not a monotonous cycle of classrooms, Promethean Boards and paper grading for every student. Some teachers get to teach outside of the classroom in real-life situations where their instruction affects the livelihood of others. After 25 years of teaching at Sherwood, medical careers teacher Maureen Goodwin is retiring to spend more time with her family and travel. The most outstanding quality of medical careers is that its entire curriculum is based on industry practice. Its real. Students are in a classroom first semester but then in second semester, they are actually in a health care setting. They get to participate in handson activities, said Goodwin. Students put their knowledge to the test, practicing as Nursing Assistants at either Friends Retirement Community tending to the elderly or Montgomery General Hospital shadowing different medical professionals in hopes of finding their passion. Studying anatomy and physiology and disease processes is one thing, but actually interacting with a patient who has a disease that is interfering with their anatomy and physiology is quite another thing, said Goodwin. For students, medical careers can be a life-altering class as they care for patients who depend on them for the simplest of tasks. 70 to 80 percent of my former students are working in the health care field, Goodwin estimated. From therapists to surgeons, former Sherwood medical careers students have graduated to move further into the medical field with

- Victoria Florian 14 Recent Non-Smoking Percentages Plateau

According to a recent report on underage tobacco usage by the U.S. Surgeon General, teenage smoking had decreased significantly over a 35-year time period from 1976-2007, during which time the percentages of female teen smokers decreased by 12 percent and male teen smokers by 11 percent. However, the number of teen smokers over the past five years has remained steady at around 20 percent. Many anti-smoking campaigns and organizations have attempted to get through to teens by illustrating the extensive health problems that smoking can cause, and the latest issued report by the Surgeon General highlights even more health risks. Some of these alarming health concerns include lung cancer, which teens especially feel they are immune to because of their age. A lesser known consequence of smoking is that it damages blood vessels, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes before the age of 50 in consistent heavy smokers. In addition, the report shows that teen smokers have been proven to inhale up to eight-percent less air per second than non-smokers, and the lung capacity of teenage smokers prematurely stops growing.

Hannah Chertock 12

Medical careers teacher Maureen Goodwin reviews for an upcoming quiz with her third period class.
hands-on experience that others could not dream of possessing at such a tender age. The possibilities that the medical field can offer are endless. Almost every day as a nurse a little miracle does happen. It is an absolutely fantastic career. You have the privilege of touching someones life every day you are at work. Clearly, it takes a knowledgeable individual to teach such a diverse class. To be a medical careers teacher, one must be a nurse with at least five years nursing experience along with a teaching certification. With requirements so outside of the norm, the school administration has had difficulty finding a suitable replacement. Goodwin has nominated and supported a candidate who she thinks will be able to continue the good name of medical careers, though the decision ultimately is not hers. The administration has yet to formally hire anyone. Goodwin herself was a fulltime nurse at various hospitals in New York, followed by a 25year stint at Montgomery General before and while teaching which she began doing in 1987. Though Goodwin enjoyed nursing very much, she has never regretted the switch. In fact, Id be jealous of me if I didnt have this job. Ive really enjoyed it.

- Bridget Cook 14 Southern States Still Teaching Creationism

On April 10 Tennessee governor Bill Haslam signed a bill that would protect teachers who criticize evolution in the classroom. Haslam defended the bill saying it will help students better understand the strengths and weaknesses of scientific theories. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has said that the bill is really a source of protection for teachers who wish to teach creationism. In the past year, seven states, including Missouri, Florida and New Mexico, have passed bills allowing creationism to be taught in public schools. The 1925 Scopes Monkey Trial put this issue in the news and stirred opinions all over the country. Haslam, however, hopes the bill will not cause the same sort of backlash this time around.

- Katie Nolan 12

The WarriorNews
April 19, 2012
The job market is competitive, but with seniors on the eve of leaving, many employers are open to new workers and are starting to do new interviews. The economy is in need of workers, but with cutbacks, companies are trying to get back with as little staff as possible. -Anonymous survey respondent

By the Numbers

Despite Unemployment, Teens Still Economically Optimistic

from TEEN JOBS, pg. 1
academic schedule (with four AP classes and three honors classes) does not allow her enough time to pursue a job. Right now my focus is school and I really dont have the time right now to do a job on top of school. I really want to get into a good college and if I do well there, I can think about a job, she said. Among those who are employed or were previously employed over the past year, economic optimism is much higher. There are plenty of jobs in Olney, said senior Connor Welch. Look at all the new stores that came into the area in the past year. Olney is probably one of the best places for high school students to get a job in the county. Over 70 percent of student workers held their jobs for at least three months, and 72.9 percent found work with a commute of only 15 minutes at most, the study found. Two-thirds of them make between $6 and $10 per hour and 16.6 percent make between $11 and $15. Welch worked at GrillMarx in Olney before lacrosse season began. After the season ends, he will try to return to the restaurant in hopes of becoming a waiter. Overall, he says, Olney is a terrific place to find work. Junior Carol Haddad is leaving her job at Giant to take an internship at Montgomery General Hospital over the summer. She became a certified nursing assistant after taking medical careers this year and is excited to bring that knowledge into a real-world setting. But Haddad is still wary of the tough economic landscape, citing the rising gasoline prices as very problematic. I think the economy now is headed in a bad direction because prices are getting really high, but the pay is not changing so its hard to afford things, she said. Gas is extremely high, so for now I think were headed in the wrong direction. Hopefully that will change.

. .

155 surveyed students

Looking at Discipline: Is Expulsion a Myth?

by Becca Stussman 12
In Montgomery County, students who are recommended for expulsion by their school administrators go through two county appeals processes before facing the rare conviction of expulsion, usually reserved for crimes of alcohol/drug distribution or severe fighting. At Sherwood, less than five students are recommended for expulsion each year and efforts are made by administrators to keep students in school. Yet even for students who go through the process and are expelled first suspended and recommended for expulsion by their school, later charged again by the Disciplinary Review Board, and then finally expelled by the Expulsionary Review Boardexpulsion is not as permanent as it may seem. At the end of that semester, the expelled student will go before the expulsionary review board a second time and plead his/her case to have the expulsion rescinded and be readmitted into the classroom. Very rarely, according to Principal Bill Gregory, the board may mandate the students expulsion continue for another semester, however the vast majority of students who are expelled sit out of the classroom for only a semester before being let back into the school system. This policy of temporary expulsions reflects the state and countys efforts to limit disciplinary measures that force students out of the classroom. Last February, the Maryland school board moved to limit student suspensions and expulsions, citing lost class time and achievement gaps as motives for shrinking the number of offenses for which suspensions and expulsions can be prompted. The board mentioned that suspensions and expulsions disproportionately affect minorities and special education students and are too often used for nonviolent offenses. Because of the new measure, the vocabulary of suspendable offenses was rewritten to warrant the consequence only in instances when safety is a concern. The objective is to have fewer suspensions and expulsions, always, and to keep kids in school, said Gregory. I dont want kids out of school; however, there are times when suspension is warranted, for example, drinking [during a schoolsponsored event], or anything that is considered both dangerous and disruptive to the school. In lieu of using disciplinary actions that take students out of the classroom, administrators at Sherwood favor authoritative measures such as in-school interventions and detentions. This increase in disciplinary leniency comes as an almost necessary shift amidst generational increases in recorded educational offenses. There was a time when, with very few exceptions, students were not expelled, said Mary Dempsey, Appeals and Transfers Coordinator, who has worked in MCPS for 30 years. Certainly, the prevalence of drugs in schools and increased incidences of extreme violence, including the possession and use of weapons, happen more frequently now than in the past. Efforts are taken to maintain equality of disciplinary action by measures such as an extensive appeals process and the consideration of input from many school officials. The county regulates suspensions and expulsions among schools by looking over numbers of suspended and expelled students at each school and speaking with principals of schools with unusually high amounts. I have had conversations with my community superintendent about suspensions numbers, and its not that they tell me to lower the suspensions, [but] they want to know why I suspended. And I explain, and then thats the end of that, said Gregory.

The WarriorNews
April 19, 2012

With the rapid development of new technologies in the past decade, like social networking sites and smart phones, thoughtless photos of underage drinking, drug use and sext messages are put online for the whole world to see, despite the risk of serious consequences.

Sexting Comes with Severe Consequences

by Mandy Stussman 14
The recent rise in technology and information, along with its many positives for most aspects of life, comes with some potentially severe consequences. Amidst repercussions such as shortened attention span or lack of physical activity arises arguably one of the most serious consequence of all. Sexting, the act of sending or receiving sexually explicit photographs or videos via mobile phones or email, has become a distressing problem around the country. Underage sexting is illegal, plain and simple, and laws against sending sexually explicit messages are severe and unyielding. The aftermath can be disastrous for anyone involved in a sexting scandal, even those who believe they have done nothing wrong. The state of Maryland enforces many different types of repercussions for sexting, which by law is categorized as a form of child pornography. For a first

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violation, imprisonment not exceeding 10 years or a fine not exceeding $ 25,000, or both, can be issued. For each subsequent violation, imprisonment not exceeding 20 years or a fine not exceeding $50,000 or both can be imposed on the guilty parties. A second

offense, however, is defined by the state as having more than one picture or graphic. So if the guilty party has more than one picture, he/she will be charged as a second time offender. State laws also target anyone who has controlled or owned any sexually explicit images. Therefore even if a person receives a photo of someone he/she does not know and it winds up in the phone by chance, the photo must be deleted immediately or the recipient can be charged with child pornography and face fines up to $5,000, without ever actually participating in the sexting directly. Even the most minor involvement in child pornography in any way, shape or form can get a person into major trouble with the law.

The Definition of Sexting Unclear

by Whitney Marie Halaby 14
Many institutions have conducted studies on sexting, with inconclusive results. One study concluded that only one percent of kids under the age of 17 have sent sexually explicit images. However, what is considered sexually explicit varies from person to person, and this is where things get complicated. Another study showed that when teens were asked if they sent sexually suggestive images, 9.6 percent said they did. A big problem with sexting is that people have different definitions and interpretations of what it is. What one person might consider sexually suggestive, another might consider graphically pornographic. This is where young people run into problems. If a young woman thinks she is sending suggestive pictures to her boyfriend, but her mom sees them and thinks she is engaging in child pornography, a huge predicament could erupt. These dilemmas lead back to there being no universally accepted definition of sexting. speculating on why girls seem to post about parties more than guys. Statuses and tweets about being drunk and partying are particularly in as the latest trend. Common sense obviously dictates that putting up information about illegal party activities is a risk, especially when it comes to colleges and parents. But in a society dominated by social media, common sense really isnt so common after all.

Social Networking: How Parties Go Viral

by Katie Mercogliano 14
What happens at the party stays at the party well, that is until the morning after when pictures, videos and tweets are up for everybody else to access by clicking their mouse or scrolling on their smartphone. Teens have grown up surrounded by devices such as cell phones and computers with the ability to take and post pictures on Facebook and Twitter. By now they know the benefits and dangers of these technologies and yet plenty of them do not seem to hesitate to let others on the Internet know about their party lives. I dont really mind if [the people looking at my posts judge me] because then they arent my friends. Ill just delete my Facebook and Twitter when I go to college so they dont look at it, said a sophomore girl about being judged on her party posts. As parents increasingly have been joining social networking sites, mainly Facebook, teens are getting more concerned about posting inappropriate pictures because the chance of getting caught is too great. Fewer are concerned about colleges seeing pictures and getting in trouble with the law. [Im mostly concerned about my parents seeing my posts], but everything else not really. says an anonymous junior girl. In the teenage generation, Facebook and Twitter contribute to a persons reputation just as much as their social life in reality. For the most part, this trend is followed by girls because they are most concerned about how others perceive them. [Posting about partying] is just their way of showing off that they drink and party, like bragging about it, said an anonymous sophomore boy

Amazing Turnout for Incredible Race

by Taylor Fernandes 14
The Olney area is teeming with dozens of charity events each year, but the Incredible Race is something out of the ordinary that really hasnt been done before, said junior Emma Kennedy, a participant in The Incredible Race, a newly formed charity event that took place on April 14 and 15 all around the Olney community. The Incredible Race is similar to the TV show, The Amazing Race, with the exception that the cash prize was $150 and all of the other money raised benefitted the American Cancer Society through a Relay for Life team called The Amazing Racers. During the race, each team traveled throughout the community and completed different tasks along the way, all aiming for the finish line. Were raising the money mostly through the teams. Each team has a sponsor, and their sponsor pays a certain amount of money for each leg of the race the team continues onto, said Kennedy, Weve tried to stay true to what the actual race [on the TV show] is like experience-wise. Most of the preparation for the event was done by Sherwood students, which included calling businesses,coordinating tasks, and preparing the event. The race as a whole was organized and led by the President and Vice President of the Amazing Race Club, juniors Connor Martin and Madeline Van Cott. The race consisted of eight teams with two people per team; ten Sherwood students competed along with two Blake students and four other participants that are not in high school. The competing Sherwood students were juniors Anthony Justus, Alex Lindsay, Leah Kim, Connor Hardy, Avery Tucker, Megan Lim and Alexa Bent and seniors Max Fader, Rikki Sargent and Connor Black. Two additional students, juniors Matt Johnson and Stephanie Maines, participated in one of the many twists that occurred on the race. Outside of the actual racers, the event consisted of over 40 other volunteers such as task judges, camera crew members, parents, teachers and other outsiders that assisted the overall production of the race. It brings a lot of people who wouldnt hang out together, together for a really great cause, said Van Cott. This experience made me realize that we can do things on our own, said Kennedy. It doesnt matter if youre a student. If you want to do something, you can do it yourself and make it happen.

The WarriorNews
April 19, 2012

A Lifestyle Two-Step
by Abby Isaacs 12
There are two healthy fixes to your daily routine that can drastically affect your success in losing weight and becoming healthier. Step 1: Change your diet. Eat a balanced and healthy breakfast to better help kick start your metabolism and prepare for your day. Include more fruits and vegetables in your daily diet to get all of the necessary nutrients that your body needs. Cut back on sugary desserts that are high in calories and provide little, if any, nutritional value to your diet. Drink a lot of water. Your body is made mostly of water, and hydration is a key part of any healthy diet. Dont eat out a lot. Restaurants usually dont have all of the nutritional information right on the menu. Look at the fat content in your foods and avoid really fatty foods. For more tips on your diet, visit www.caloriesperhour.com Step 2: Do more simple exercises each day For abs: crunches, air bicycles, leg raises, and planks can really make you feel the burn. For legs: leg lifts, wall sits, squats, and lunges can give you toned and great-looking legs for you to show off. For arms: push ups, chin ups, weightlifting and arm circles can really help kill the flab. For more information and exercise ideas, visit www.fitnessmagazine.com. If you follow these simple guidelines with success, you are sure to notice a healthier you and a better, toned body before you know it.

Hannah Chertock 12

Senior Alex Mazzeo now works out on a more regular basis and enjoys all the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.

Girls Feel the Pressure to Become Healthier

by Abby Isaacs 12
Girls can experience many pressures in high schoolfrom parents, teachers, peers and themselves: the pressures to get good grades, live up to expectations, fit in with peers, have a lot of friends and look a certain way. As summertime quickly approaches, girls feel the pressure to get in tip-top shape to attain a better beach bod. Whether self-motivated to get in shape, or feeling the pressure from other girls who are getting ready for the summer, the end result of leading a healthier life is beneficial. I really started working out a lot and eating healthier to get in shape for Rock n Roll and spring break, but I have now decided to start being healthier in general. I feel better after a good work out and I plan to continue this, said senior Alex Mazzeo. Many girls are finding that are starting to use their gym exercising is not as bad as it may memberships are seniors Lizzy first seem. For instance, senior Jenkins, Zebe Jacobson, CourtStephanie Feigenbaum goes to the ney Martin and Sara Sabry. These g y m girls go f o u r to the to five After seeing one of my best g y m times a two to week and friends start a diet, I decided I five times is work- would give it a try. Im trying to a week. ing out They are cut out junk food and eat more also eating not only to get a organic foods. So far, its been healthier. b e a c h very successful and I already feel I learned body, but its not because healthier. bad to she eneat when - Junior Gracie Lunden j o y s youre how she hungry feels afso inter working out. I really ex- stead of sitting down with chips, ercise a lot mostly because it Ill sit down and watch TV with relieves stress for me, and Im carrots or celery, said Sabry. really confident with my body My diet is really inspired by when I do, said Feigenbaum. Weight Watchers. Since fruits Among the many girls that and vegetables are 0 points, I try to fill myself up with those. Junior Gracie Lunden also recently started a diet to look and feel better before summer break. After seeing one of my best friends start a diet, I decided I would give it a try, said Lunden. Im trying to cut out junk food and eat more organic foods. So far, its been very successful and I already feel healthier. This quest to get in better shape and to become healthier for the summer season has spread. With motivation from their peers, many girls now are trying to eat healthier and work out more. Seniors Isabel Berger and Meleny Weber are working out more together because they were motivated by their friends who started getting in shape. The positive motivation from our friends pushed us to start getting into shape and being healthier, said Berger.

The Warrior thanks its many wonderful patrons:

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

If you are interested in becoming a patron for the 2012-2013 school year, please contact Peter_J_Huck@mcpsmd.org

The WarriorBeyond School Walls

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April 19, 2012

Tech Net
dot

A Closer Look at Windows 8

by Christopher Jou 12
Just over a month ago, Microsoft finally released the Windows 8 Consumer Preview, causing as much joy as chagrin throughout the tech world. Numerous features have been added, but the most important innovation to note is the functionality difference because of the design change. The new graphical user interface (GUI) has been drastically overhauled in this latest version. The new style, dubbed Metro, departs from the traditional format of having windows and runs with a more space-filling tiled design, like a mosaic composed only of rectangles. In addition, the general explorer to find files will include a ribbon, a feature seen first in Word 2007. If you remember the Windows Phone, picture that but on a much larger screen. As this new style starts to seep into the PC world, the line between PC and mobile devices starts to crumble. It is clear that Microsoft is attempting to work towards some happy medium that will suit their future personal computing devices and stay user-friendly for the desktop users. Personally, I am not used to touchscreen devices and perhaps the style threw me off. I used the operating system more;

Get the hook-up on the recent technological updates, innovations and news in the world

AnonymousNo Longer So Anonymous Anymore

by Shaan Verma 13
One of the leaders of the world famous hacker organization, Anonymous, has been taken out of the shadows and dropped into jail. The FBI recently arrested Hector Monsegur, the leader of another hacking group known as LulzSec, which makes up a prominent portion of Anonymous. LulzSec is most commonly known for its hacking on software company Bethesda Softworks. They are also responsible for the attack on the Vatican website. Monsegur, facing a life sentence, reportedly worked with the FBI to track down and capture other members of LulzSec. The remaining members have been arrested and face a variety of charges. Anonymous became infamous through the numerous attacks on private companies as well as governments. These attacks range from security breaches to removal of entire websites in the networks of major private organizations such as Global Intelligence Company, Stratfor, Fox and Sony as well as government agencies like the FBI and CIA. The recent attacks have not been taken lightly as Interpol, the United States and several other foreign governments have taken an active position in trying to dismantle Anonymous and everything it has done. Interpol recently reported that it has arrested over 25 suspects from all over the world, while the United States brought down Monsegur. Anonymous is often described as a philosophy rather than an organization. Anonymous acts as a personification of the anarchy and freedom of the Internet. This has been taken in many different directions by the many members that exist across the globe. The philosophy of Anonymous is to act as the protectors of all that remains free on the Internet and to emphasize their point, the group has made attacks on numerous corporations and government agencies. This may have come in the form of malicious hacking, which forced the United States government to pursue the group, but Anonymous claims that they stand for freedom. A recent tweet from an account that claims to be linked to Anonymous affirms this statement by saying, You cant take Anonymous. It is an idea.

Threats to Global Security Persist

In his 2002 State of the Union Address, President George W. Bush coined the term axis of evil to describe governments that sought weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) and aided terrorism; he declared Iran, North Korea and Iraq on this list. As we now know, Iraq did not possess any WMDs and was no real threat to U.S. national security. That same year, Bushs Undersecretary of State, John Bolton, listed Syria as another rouge state, like the nations in the axis of evil. Many of the circumstances and events in these countries are lost in the rhetoric currently surrounding them like threats of war between them and the United States and its allies. Iran, North Korea and Syria have made their way into headlines by posing some threat to U.S. national security, but at varying levels.

it becomes increasingly evident that Windows 8 is not meant for touchpad or mouse. A gripe I have is most pages open full screen by default with the exception of a few programs: a large departure from the traditional display. This makes it difficult to multi-task as I have done traditionally, having several windows open at the same time. However, if you prefer to go old school, Microsoft has left in that option of reverting to windows mode, even if it ruins the point. The best part might be the boot times. There will be no more waiting around watching a loading bar. When I measured the boot time, it was a mere six seconds. As for the ribbon design, it unnecessarily cluttered the page when I could navigate the explorer just fine before. The Windows Consumer Preview is currently free and can be found through the Microsoft site. I would not recommend installing it on top of your current operating system but for those who truly care to preview it, Id suggest searching for a tutorial online. You can download it at windows.microsoft.com/en-US/ windows-8/download and windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/iso, depending on the type of installation you want to receive.

by Alex Porter 13 and Robel Wondimu 13

Ever since the end of the Korean War in 1953, North Korea has been testing nuclear weapons and it completed its first successful test in 2006 under the rule of Kim Jong-il, who was a mentally unstable dictator who was viewed as a God there. The United States became concerned with its national security being affected by this threat. Before his death late last year, Kim Jong-il implemented a program to exchange badly needed humanitarian aid from the United States in exchange for disarmament. The country is so desperate that it is trading nukes for food, so it is arguably not a major threat to the United States national security anymore. However, North Korea launched a rocket April 12 which broke United Nations Security Council rules and went against the objections of President Obama. This will likely deteriorate relations between the West and North Korea, lead to more sanctions, and force the country on the fasttrack towards self destruction.

North Korea

Tensions with Iran over its nuclear program are peaking with continued war rhetoric from both sides. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is known for denouncing American ally Israels right to exist, despite having little power over foreign policy. Even without Ahmadinejad, opposition to Americans, Israel and the West are prevalent in Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khameneis theocracy. Iran asserts that its program is solely for peaceful purposes. Sanctions against Iran have been the main diplomatic tool from the United States, but are not stopping Irans nuclear ambitions. Israel considers the Iranian nuclear program a more imminent threat than the United States does. Israel threatens military strikes, while Iran moniters American warships in the area and threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz, which holds much of the worlds oil. Some American politicians are pushing for war, despite concerns from the intelligence agencies and military, with the top American general calling Iran a rational actor that does not want to start war with superior U.S. forces.

Iran

Syrias dictator, President Bashar al-Assad, has continued his attacks on civilians in the country. The United Nations estimates at least 9,000 deaths. These murders began last year when al-Assad responded to the Arab Spring protests in Syria with military force. An opposition movement including military defectors is fighting back against the government forces. While many American officials have argued for a no-fly zone like last years Libyan operation, NATO has decided against it, as it would destabilize the region too heavily. Syria has close relations with Iran and Russia, and also differs from Libya in the complexity of a military operation. While Libyan targets were often easily dealt with because of the countrys poor military equipment and openness, Syria has much more advanced weapons and forces in urban cities, which would lead to more civilian deaths. The United States and allies have done little but condemn al-Assads brutal actions, and he has continued to kill civilians despite ceasefire agreements, with isolation the only threat.

Syria

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (top left). Syrian President Bashar al-Assad (top right). Former North Korean Dictator, Kim Jong-il (bottom right), with his son and successor Kim Jong-un (bottom left).

The WarriorBeyond School Walls

April 19, 2012

MD Prepares To Dump HSA for New Test

by Mary Macrae 14
about a month, from May 21-23, approximately half of Sherwoods student body will be taking at least one of the required HSAs. Since 2005, High School Assessments (HSAs) have been graduation requirements for students in Maryland. In this high stakes learning environment, mandated by Congresss 2001 No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), schools themselves also are judged by these tests to see if they make Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) for each student population group. In the 2009-10 and 2012-11 school years, Sherwood came up short and did not meet AYP. According to the NCLB, one-third of all Maryland schools are considered High School Assessments (HSAs): They are tests for Maryland students that are supposed to measure a students understanding in Algebra/Data Analysis, Biology and English. A student must pass these HSAs in order to graduate from high school. In
failing. The NCLB Act has been heavily criticized since its adoption and continues to be extremely controversial today. Many school teachers and administrators believe that the act has its advantages and disadvantages. NCLBs intention was to ensure that all students had the opportunity to learn and be successful in school. The tests were put in place to monitor student progress in certain subject areas. The ideals behind the legislation were good. However, the result of teaching-to-the-test was not a good development for education, said math resource teacher Deborah Hiltner. It seems the ill-effects outweighed the benefits of the Act, because Maryland schools along with many other states have requested waivers from the NCLB Act requirements within the past year. These waivers would eliminate the HSA requirement for Maryland schools and other states tests. Although the fate of the HSAs is still not known for next year, according to Hiltner, new assessments are being written by the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) for approximately 26 states. These new assessments will evaluate students according to a new set of standards referred to as the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). These fairly new standards have started to impact Sherwood, according to Assistant Principal George Awkard slowly through instruction and how information is being presented to students I think CCSS is a positive thing for Sherwood because it will get students more involved into how and what they are being taught. English resource teacher Shelley Jackson also believes there should be positive effects on student learning because of CCSS. We havent had them long enough to measure anything yet but Im guessing they will place more emphasis on critical reading, more emphasis on writing and revision My gut instinct says that they will be good for schools, she said. Although the implementation of the CCSS will take multiple years, the process already has begun at Sherwood. The English & Social Studies Departments have implemented some things, said Hiltner. The Math Department has been working on implementing the Standards for Mathematical Practice. The new Common Core Standards are positive for schools. It will take a number of years before high schools will see the true impact of the CCSS.

Keep Up With Your Educational Jargon

Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC): A cluster of states working together to create a common set of K-12 assessments in English and math filled with what it takes to be prepared for college and careers.

Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP): A measurement dictated by NCLB that allows the U.S. Department of Education to assess how every public school and school district is performing based on the results of standardized tests.

No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB): NCLB is the controversial act of 2001 under the George W. Bush administration that enacts the theories of standards-based education reform which requires states to create assessments in basic skills in order for them to receive federal school funding.

Common Core State Standards (CCSC): The national education standards for grades K-12 in English Language Arts and Mathematics. These standards provide the framework for Marylands new state curriculum.

by Olivia Snyder 12

The Infamous Pink Slime Returns

Pink slime may indeed be coming to a lunch tray near you. It sounds more like a movie villain than a lunch item. This mixture known more technically as lean finely textured beef trimmings, was initially made famous in Food, Inc., a controversial food documentary released in 2008, which exposed McDonalds (as well as other food chains) use of this product. Supplied by South Dakota-based Beef Products Inc., this slime mixture is made up of the fatty pieces of meat left over from other cuts which are heated at a high temperature to remove most of the fat, compressed into ground beef blocks and then exposed to a puff of ammonium hydroxide gas in an attempt to kill bacteria, such as E. coli and salmonella. In January 2012, McDonalds officially announced it would stop using the additive to fill its beef products. However, McDonalds is being replaced by a new big buyer. The USDA signed on to buy 7 million pounds of the lean beef product with the intention of supplying it to school districts across the country. Immediately after the USDAs plan to purchase this product for schools was announced, there was outrage from thousands of concerned parents and citizens. Due to the negative reaction, the USDA recently decided to tweak its policy regarding the distribution of pink slime to public schools. On March 15, the USDA announced it would now offer school districts the option of purchasing either the 95 percent lean beef patties made with the slime or the bulk ground beef made without it. There is, however, an incentive for schools to choose the pink slime. Meat made with the product is about .03 cents cheaper. For schools that participate in the National School Lunch Program there are also attractive cash subsidies paid out when they provide meals that are in compliance with the USDAs recommendations. Whether the product is harmful remains a topic of much debate. A Journal of Food Science report in 1996 revealed that soluble protein (the protein most easily digestible by children) made up only 22.8 percent of pink slime beef but was in 69.2 percent of non-pink slime beef. Additionally, collagen, an incomplete protein and therefore not as beneficial to childrens growth, was found to be about 36.8 percent in beef using the pink slime and only about 18.3 percent in non pink slime beef. Concerning the ammonia, according to a 1980 University of California study, there is concern that ammonia might change the composition of the amino acids in proteins and consequently affect the nutritional content of the food sprayed. And the New York Times reported that despite the added ammonia, tests of lean beef mix in schools across the country still revealed dozens of instances of E. coli and salmonella including two contaminated batches of 27,000 pounds of meat. In just recent weeks, due to the public outcry regarding the possibility of the chemically treated filler being served in school lunches, many Maryland school districts, including MCPS, have banned the filler from their future menus. The districts that depend on the USDA to provide some or all of their food supply have promised to order the beef without the controversial additive; many of the schools which do not rely on the USDA have also promised not to order it. The plan for many school districts is to finish out the supply of meat they have (which may contain the lean textured beef product), but to refrain from purchasing the pink slime once their beef supply runs out. Some Maryland schools still have not announced whether or not they plan to use the beef product, but due to the extreme parent protest, the chances of seeing pink slime on the lunch tray have dramatically decreased.

The WarriorFeatures
April 19, 2012

The Dangers of Driving

With Freedom Comes Responsibility.

Illustration by Sydney Morrison 13

Realistic Dramatization Aims To Intimidate Drunk Drivers

by Allie Strosnider 12
I chose to participate in [Every 15 Minutes] because I think it is a much needed wake up call for the Sherwood community. It has a powerful message that can really impact all Sherwood students and positively influence those who participate, explained the student program coordinator of Every 15 Minutes, a national program aimed at reducing DUI car accidents among high school students that will take place at Sherwood on April 26 and 27. Students participating in Every 15 Minutes will remain anonymous because some activities of the program intentionally are supposed to surprise, and even shock, other students in the school. The students participating in the Every 15 Minutes program will stage a fake drunk driving accident in the parking lot at lunch on April 26. The crash will be as realistic as possible with the victim being pulled out with the Jaws of Life by the real firefighters on scene. The drunk driver will be put in handcuffs and arrested and then taken to a real court room to be sentenced. The victim, on the other hand, will be rushed to Montgomery General Hospital in an ambulance. At the hospital the staff will act out efforts to save the victim but ultimately fail. The 50 participating students in Every 15 Minutes will pick out their caskets and hear their parents read their obituary at their funeral. All fifty students will participate in this funeral, not just the victim of the staged car crash. I think whats going to affect me most is the video, said another senior participating in Every 15 Minutes. The video will be taken during all of the events in the program and later posted on Facebook along with the video from two years ago which is already up on the Every 15 Minutes Sherwood page. Every 15 Minutes aims at giving students real-life experience without real-life risks, according to its website. Each event in the program is made as real as possible in order to create a real reaction to what is going on. We want it to be intense because we want [the students] to really experience the reality of it all, said Assistant Principal Terry Heintze, the staff program coordinator. After the crash and its aftermath, all of the students will take a bus to a secret location where they will spend the night. They will first be given a few hours to decompress and then will hear a few speakers who will speak to them about drunk driving. While there the students will write a reflection on their experiences in the form of a letter addressed to their parents. It is crucial that this program is intense and makes you uncomfortable, said Sharon St. Pierre, the parent program coordinator of Every 15 Minutes for Sherwood. I want to take students and parents out of our invincibility bubble where we hear about bad things happening but dont believe it will happen to us. I want to make them stop and think about how one bad decision to drink and drive or be in a car with someone who is drunk could cost them everything, including their life. The participants will then come back to Sherwood for breakfast and speak to the entire school at an assembly on Every 15 Minutes on April 27. The freshmen and sophomores will only be permitted to stay for the first half of the assembly and the second half will be aimed solely at seniors and juniors. This is not the only way Every 15 Minutes will engage the school as a whole. On the 26, every 15 minutes a random student from the 50 involved students will be pulled from their class by the grim reaper. The students do not know ahead of time that they will be pulled. While the grim reaper reads their obituary to the class the student is taken and made up to look like the living dead. They will wear white face paint with black around the eyes and mouth to look like a skull. Once a student is marked as the living dead they are unable to interact with anyone for the rest of the day, as if they are really dead.

Student Speaks Regarding DUI

by Ellen Kirkness 12

Q: What were the legal

consequences and how does this affect you going forward?

A:

An anonymous student remarks about his DUI arrest, putting into perspective the severity of driving while intoxicated.

I had to get my license suspended for either a year or I had to get a breathalyzer in my truck for six months. I chose the year suspension. Its going to be a problem getting around, to a job and stuff, but Ill figure it out when I cross that bridge.

Q: A:

What events occurred the night of your DUI and what was your immediate reaction? I was coming from the Sherwood/Churchill football game. I was coming home and then we were going to go to some more parties. It was so cold outside. That was the only thing I could think of. Then I thought about my parents and how pissed off they were going to be.

Q: Do you think the exA:

perience changed your habits for the better? Yeah definitely, I know not to do it anymore. I know that its not worth everything that happened because of it.

Q: A:

Long-term what are your reactions? Its not worth it. People think that they are cool when doing it but its not cool at all.

The WarriorFeatures
April 19, 2012

9
usually are minor. However, students agree it is only a matter of time before someone is more seriously harmed. I think with the rate of accidents occurring more students should consider that they could easily injure other students with their reckless driving; getting home first is not worth it, said senior Lauren Whitten. In an effort to make the parking lot safer, some feel that having a security guard in the parking lot, not just by the light, would be helpful. Villanueva suggested, that students should start paying more attention to what they are doing while in the parking lot and put the cell phones and other distractions away. Also, there needs to be more than one exit out from school so that traffic can be funneled out of two exits instead of just one. Others have suggested ways to teach students to be better drivers before an accident can occur. We need more driver awareness and designated drop-off zones, Pettenati said. Feigenbaum, however, feels there is no way to teach safety. I think you have to be in an accident in order to drive better. It makes you more cautious; at least I know I am. Drivers Education teaches students how to be safe on the road, but students are facing dangerous conditions before even leaving the school parking lot.

Parking Lot Poses Problems as Students Rush Out

by Katie Nolan 12
At 2:10 pm, when the final bell has rung, students speed out of the parking lot determined to get home as quickly as they possibly can. Often students drive dangerously close to each other, cutting in front of cars in an attempt to get home. Cars line up merely inches away from each other, anxiously trying to avoid allowing other cars to get in front of them. Then there are the number of cars parked in the middle of the parking lot waiting for one of their passengers to come out of the building, forcing cars to swerve around them in the already hectic parking lot. Security does their best to control the traffic and ensure safety. However, many of them are often busy by the front of the school managing the bus departures. Security is not in charge of the traffic flow, said security guard Jeff Pettenati. But we should have more input in the traffic flow because students dont realize how well cars are built these days, so they cant feel how fast theyre going. Its safe to say no one obeys the stop sign by the greenhouse. In the morning with minutes until the bell, who has time? Unfortunately, students and teachers alike often have to cross the street in the morning, putting

Taylor Fernandez 14

Students, wanting to leave school as quickly as possible, cause loads of traffic and backup in the school parking lot. Collision and crashes are inevitable and occur often due to the dangerous conditions of the lot.
them in harms way. Paraeducator Joan Chongpinitchai has arthritis, and it takes her more time to get across the crosswalk. One particular day, Chongpinitchai stood on the crosswalk for several minutes waiting for a driver to allow her to pass, but no one did. The next day I stood on the sidewalk by the crosswalk and watched every car go through the stop signs, even parents, recounted Chongpinitchai. A week barely passes by without some sort of an accident occurring after school between students. The rush to get out of school causes bumper-to-bumper traffic that usually leads to impatient or aggressive driving. Most commonly, an aggressive driver will hit the car in front of him or her; sometimes that car may even be forced into the car in front of them in a chain reaction. Senior Michael Villanueva got in his second accident leaving the school parking lot a few months ago. Traffic suddenly stopped out on 108, and I hit the back end of another car due to the fact there was no time to stop. Senior Stephanie Feigenbaum, whose car he hit, suffered minor pain and her car was totaled. As consequence, Villanueva had to pay for the insurance of her car, as well as his own. Fortunately, the injuries to drivers and passengers and the damage to vehicles that result from these after-school accidents

Inside Look into Drivers Ed Experience

by Diana McDermott 13
Gregs Driving School is not in the most affluent part of the county with its location in a strip mall on Rockville Pike, but appearance aside, inside lie many valuable lessons. Sure, the railing to the upstairs is on the floor, and the rooms brightest colors are the overhead projector that sits on a Styrofoam box and projects onto a white board, but the white washed room has character. The main instructor, Lou, with his British accent and charming idiomatic expressions such as Really gets up my wick, may seem at first impression to be a gentlemanly old man. However, his message and his experience speaks volumes about the kinds of hazards new drivers can face if they are not careful. From the first day the staggering statistics automatically grab ones attention and leave a large impression. Lous famous quote, which he reiterates over and over again in his British accent, is that the chance of getting into a collision by the time a driver retires from driving, is 100 percent. The question then becomes not if you will get into an accident, but whether or not you will walk away from it. He continues to say that talking on the cell phone makes a driver four times more likely to get into an accident, and that texting makes a driver 25 times more likely to get into an accident. My only regret about taking Drivers Education was the timing of it. I already had more than 60 hours of driving time when I took the course, and if I could do it again, I would have probably taken Drivers Education before I had received my permit. Drivers Education helps prepare young drivers for the permit exam and it also provides you with some tips on how to approach driving in the beginning. For example, when I first started driving I used to swerve back and forth in the lane and struggled with staying in the middle. Drivers Education taught me that if you focus on a point that is far in front of you in the road, you are able to control your car and keep it in the center of the lane. Just remember, new drivers should choose their Drivers Education company wisely (cost, quality, location), and make sure you focus in class, because its not just a matter of getting your license, or having the ability to drive, this education could mean the difference between life and death for you and the people around you on the road.

washingtonpost.com

10
by Hannah Chertock 12
One of the tragic turning points for many families is the breakup of a marriage. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention last reported the divorce rate in America in 2002 at 20 percent after five years of marriage and 33 percent after 10 years. The aftermath of a divorce can put families through years of struggles. However, one outcome often overlooked is the number of successful remarriages. In the United States, the percentage of remarriages is 54 percent five years after divorce. Although a blended family is not the traditional picture of a family, it is the reality for many Sherwood students. Adjusting to a new family structure can be difficult, especially for a teenager who faces so many other changes. However, teenagers adaptivity can prove an asset when a family changes. At first, meeting somebody is a bit awkward, but my stepmom was really friendly, explained senior Emily Luke. We really latched onto each other quickly. Trish was pregnant when she married my dad. Having the baby sped up the family processyoure excited to see a baby sister and its

The WarriorFeatures
April 19, 2012
that you are both interested in. Once you find friendship its easier to talk to them and make a good relationship with them, said Hale. Senior Juliana McClurkin grew up living with her stepfather, Robert Hanson. I didnt have a struggle building a relationship with him because I met him when I was really young. I never had a father figure in my life so it was pretty easy to get along and make a relationship, said McClurkin. Hanson disregards the label step in relation to their family dynamic. I am her Dad because thats my role with her. Her father is the person that was involved with her birth, said Hanson. Our relationship is not particularly affected by virtue of being a step relationship. Creating a new family from a preexisting family can be rewarding but the structure will not stand on its own. You need to accept what there already is, so the stepparent has to be open to the other children in their life, said Luke. But you also have to know that theyre starting a new chapter in their life and they should have time to start their family; they need some time to get used to the fact that theyre in a brand new marriage. It shouldnt be all about us stepchildren.

Blended Families Yield Diverse Dynamics

Courtesy of Emily Luke

The Luke family gathers together to celebrate the marriage of their parents, embracing the change and the new lifestyle that comes through living in a blended family.
already starting off as a family. Lukes family consists of a mother, father, two brothers, a step mother, a step sister and another baby step sibling on its way. Lukes family dynamic has gone through many changes. This family is a lot different than the family I grew up in. Its a lot more family oriented. Growing up, we lived on a farm in the middle of nowhere. The only family activities involved farm work, building fences and feeding animals. Now its totally different; it finally feels like a family, said Luke. However, building a new family with an existing family can have its difficulties. It becomes even more challenging when the step children only see the stepparents every other weekend. Nancianne Houston, stepmother of freshman Andrew Houston, faced uncertainties when first entering the Houston family and she worried, how would I fit into the equation not just with the kids but with their mother? Houston remedied her worries by finding things to do in the area that touch on the kids personal interests, said Houston. In a blended family, the role of a stepparent can be blurry. It is important to remember you are a stepparent. I try to make sure I add something to their life. Support, help and encourage them. The hard decisions are made by their birth parents; Im more involved in the day-to-day things, said Michael Kelly, stepfather of freshman Ryan Hale. Hale lives with his stepfather who takes the role of a father at times. Its good to find things

Donald Hong
After seeing how his peers, as well as himself, fared in the admissions offices of colleges, Hong realized that SAT scores are weightier than one may think, saying that even if ones GPA is high, his or her chances are quickly diminished in the eyes of many schools if that transcript accompanies a comparatively unsatisfactory SAT score.

Leigh warns rising seniors that the admissions process is much longer and arduous than most would imagine. Wishing she participated in more extracurriculars that fit her interests, Lindsey also recommends starting applications early to avoid sending them right before the deadline.

Bo lake

nita

Lindsey Leigh

After acquiring two academic scholarships, Bonita says that a students success in the eyes of admissions officers is based on ones academic career as a whole rather than a single aspect. He also recommends tailoring applications specifically towards certain colleges.

Seniors Give Insight To Underclassmen

by Nick Mourtoupalas 13

Sara

Grant

ham

The college admissions process has been over-analyzed by so many fixated students that dozens of myths and rumors have been passed down over the years. Now that the admissions process is over for most graduating seniors, many of these students know what truly makes up a strong and unique application.
While there certainly are vital qualities in applicants that colleges are attracted to during the admissions process, most students would agree that selecting courses irrelevant to ones interests and having unfocused extracurriculars will not secure acceptance into colleges. Reporter Jenna Johnson and blogger Valerie Strauss outlined several reoccurring admission myths in October for The Washington Post, stating that admissions personnel are not impressed by long lists of extracurriculars that fill in every single line on the application and prefer to hear about your interests, passions and leadership through your activities. Jay Mathews, also from The Washington Post, acknowledges that students who dont take as many APs or IBs as their high school classmates may be at a disadvantage when applying to big state universities. Although admissions staffers will most likely view an application with eight APs as a great sign of college readiness, Mathews still finds that the secret to surviving this competition is to take only college-level courses that match your academic strengths. Furthermore, Mathewss view of an ideal application reinforces the need for applicants to reveal nonacademic passions. If a student does not allot time to pursue a nonacademic activity, admissions personnel will fail to see what strengths he or she wields outside of the classroom. Another commonly mistaken belief is that straight As in generally easy courses looks better than Cs in more difficult courses. In fact, The Huffington Post confirms that colleges know the most difficult classes your high school offers and they factor that in when reviewing your application. Based on the conclusions drawn from your graduating classmates as well as experts, one can clearly recognize that fattening an application with numerous irrelevant clubs and AP courses does not attract the eyes of admissions personnel. It shows the student is uncertain of his or her passions and will most likely change his or her major several times out of inexperienced experimentation in the coming years.

Grantham, like Leigh, believes that starting application season early pays off in the long run. Having only applied to Salisbury University, she wishes she visited more campuses to get a better idea of her opportunities. Granthams advice to upcoming seniors is to consider all the options by applying for scholarships and exploring campuses.

Matt Fertig
Having only applied to Towson University, Fertig regrets not applying earlier and feels this fact ended up harming his application. Although he scored roughly 300 points higher on the SAT than the average student accepted to Towson, his plan did not pan out in his favor. Fertig plans on attending Montgomery College and then transferring.

The WarriorFeatures
April 19, 2012

11

Did You Know?

Uncovering Teachers Pasts

For many it is hard to imagine their teachers outside of the classroom. However, the teachers of our school have proven that they have interesting, though often unknown, pasts. A closer look into the lives of a few teachers reveals that there is more to their stories.

Ms. Ana Hernandez-Vasquez

by Maria Claudia Garcia-Rada 13
As if moving as a child isnt hard enough, imagine going to a different continent. Spanish teacher Ana Hernandez-Vasquez was born in El Salvador and moved to the Unites States at age eight. She had to get used to many new things, starting with the English language. As she explains it, life in El Salvador is like a different world. Some students back home and even myself would leave school and would have to attend to the chickens or the cows My family had a farm so we would have to attend to those things in the morning even before going to school. When she first moved to the United States, it was difficult for her to adapt. I remember being embarrassed on field trips to take platanos con huevos y frijoles as my lunch because everyone else was bringing a bag lunch I didnt want to be seen with my plastic bag, said Hernandez-Vasquez. When something is not the norm, then you feel like youre singled out. Although she still misses El Salvadors unique smells and cultural practices, she is glad that United States provided her the exposure of cultures, which is rich, said Hernandez-Vasquez.

Dr. Mary Cross

by Cal Wilson 14
Mary Cross is so much more than just your average science teacher. Long before she ever received her doctorate degree and went on to become a chemistry teacher, the pre-med major enlisted in the Peace Corps to take time off her studies to decide what she wanted to do with her life. For two years, between 1983 and 1985, Cross traveled to Malawi, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Lesotho and Botswana where she taught Biology and Physical Science to 175 high school freshmen. The most important thing I learned was the self-confidence to tackle really tough jobs, Cross recalled. I learned what it felt like to be a racial minority. I also learned to not ever judge someones actions by my own view of the world. Cross helped open a school in Botswana in 1984, where she was also the first science teacher. Because the school was brand new, she had to set up all the labs and experiments for the students with what simple and basic science tools they had. Along with being the first chemistry teacher at the high school, she also started the science fair and was the schools volleyball coach.

Mr. Harry Laughner

by Devin Cornelius 12
Math teacher Harry Laughner has been helping students reach success both in and out of the classroom for 40 years. I was a fairly successful boys basketball coach here at Sherwood. I was the head coach for 29 seasons starting way back in the 72-73 school year. I believe that my record was 388 and 268. We won the state championship in 1979. It was one of the happiest days of my life without question, said Laughner. Laughner, a high school athlete himself, enjoyed coaching very much; particularly watching a team reach its full potential throughout the course of the season. But after so many years, Laughner needed a break from the extra stress that comes with the responsibilities that come with being a head coach.I wanted to see what other teachers experienced by actually having a Thanksgiving and Christmas break without focusing on basketball. Also, my daughter was starting to play sports and I wanted the opportunity to coach her and watch her play. I am glad that I am a math teacher ... There are many things that are important in both teaching and coaching coaching IS teaching, said Laughner.

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The WarriorHumor
April 19, 2012
I skip every day that ends with y, even Saturdays. - Victor Mercogliano 12 I havent gone to a full day of school since Freshman Year, and I didnt even go here. - Price Peters 12

Its That Time of Year Again ... Senioritis 2012

Laziness in its Finest Form
by Sam Farrell 12
I wake up at about 6:45 a.m. Bathroom time and eating breakfast and all that jazz makes my departure for school around 7:05 a.m. I arrive late sometimes. Well, most of the time. I pace myself through four periods as I unconsciously jot down notes that Ill never read and meander in and out of daydreams. Lunch rolls around. If I have money Ill leave and treat myself to a taquito and tea. The following three periods are the same as the first four, coupled with my mind rambling into thoughts of what my afternoon is going to look like. Ill go home and scroll through my People I hit up list to see if any exciting things are happening. There are usually none. Then Ill eat, go to sleep, and start it all over again. You could say I havent been exactly inspired to give school my 100-percent effort. Dont get me wrong, Im not bragging about this. If youre getting that idea, then stop reading this and go study or something. Im not part of the screw school group, nor am I a member of the I need an A on this test to get an A in the class. Im just a legitimate senior. What I mean by that is I exemplify what Senioritis is. I skip class, miss assignments, leave early, etc. Its not because Im a bad kid, its just because I dont care. And thats what Senioritis is all about. Negligence is in full bloom and isnt it beautiful? I think I can safely say that I speak for the majority of my grade. Were lost in the median of school, the middle ground. None of us want to actually be in school, but were also afraid to abandon this place and fail out altogether. Even still, not many of us will strive to excel in something we dont care about anymore. Well wander aimlessly waiting until 2:10, or the weekend, or even graduation, with thoughts of Beach Week and summer nights probing our mind, teasing us. Until those days come, well coast through assignments and tests, just waiting to be released. I am a senior, with Senioritis. I strive to do nothing and am proud of it. I look forward to the impending day where I can cash in my laziness for that diploma at graduation and take the next step after high school where, in another four years, Ill be going down the same path. But if given the chance to go back and do things differently, I wouldnt change a single thing.

250

Number of Seniors

200 150 100 50

1 class

2 classes 3 classes 4 classes 5 classes 6 classes 7 classes

Number of Classes
* Authors note: this entire bar graph is completely fictional and probably inaccurately represents the actual skipping of classes of the Senior Class. We just felt this is exactly what everyone wouldve said, so we put it down anyways. * Another side note: we, the Humor section editors, also belong to this demographic and only spawned this fictitious graph instead of a real one because were lazy.

by Michael Wagner 12

The WarriorHumor
April 19, 2012

13

Dinermans Doomsday Predictions: Canada Requests/Demands

Prioritize Water or Else

by Jessica Carerra 13
This Earth Day should not be the start of an environmentally friendly day, but of an environmentally friendly future. Actually, go a little past friendly and open your eyes to the fact that humans are at the mercy of the earth, so take care of it. But then the question becomes, how will this happen? As good as it would be to make everyone eat at a lower trophic level, move into solarpowered condominiums and drive electric cars, it is just not a realistic solution (not yet anyway). The reality is that little things like conserving energy by turning off those fluorescent light bulbs that you should have in your house and saving as much clean water as possible is the easiest way to start out a loving relationship with the planet. Think of all of the future generations who will not get to experience fresh air and clean water if steps to restore the planet are not taken. To understand the stakes if we do not all do more to protect our planet, The Warrior turned to esteemed AP Environmental Science teacher Laura Dinerman, who explains how just something like water could impact the future of the human race. In a gallon of tap water from a home in Montgomery County you can find the following: a little cloudiness, trace amounts of copper and barium, chlorine and fluoride, some nitrates, tiny amounts of some herbicide and some trace amounts of ibuprofen, caffeine, an antibiotic for cows, some antiseizure medication and some endocrine disrupters. But, we arent really sure the endocrine disrupters will affect you in such small amounts so why worry? Check out the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commissions webpage and see for yourself. Dont worry, you can drink it. Your tap-water is tested more frequently than most of the bottled water you buy. Whatever else is in the water you drink, at least you can be comforted by the fact that there is no poop in it. Here in the United States, the Safe Drinking Water Act makes it possible for you to drink water that has no human or animal waste in it. That is a good thing. Sewage in the water kills people. Life is a risky venture. There are no guarantees that the earth suddenly wont fall out from beneath your feet (it happens). Or that your power plant wont get swamped by a tsunami (that happens, too). Heck, if you stand in the wrong place at Yellowstone National Park for too long you may keel over from fumes, or get eaten by a bear, or gored by a buffalo (read Death in Yellowstone, I dont make this stuff up). But shouldnt everyone get clean water? Five thousand children die every day because they dont get the gallon of clean drinking water needed to ensure life and prevent disease. It takes 3,500 gallons of water to produce one hamburger, but we dont have clean water for everyone? The climate is changing, the aquifers are emptying, deserts are forming. But we still have the ability to get a gallon of clean water to everyone every day if we decide that it is important to us. So, for today, dont worry about how the super-warm win-

Stanley Cup Return Home

by Sam Farrell 12
VANCOUVER, CANADA After 19 years of frustration and multiple riots last spring in the province of British Columbia, the Vancouver Canucks General Manager Mike Gillis took to the podium at a press conference to address an issue he believes regards Canada as a whole. With Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper standing by his side, Gillis emotionally pleaded for Canada to reclaim its national sport of hockey. Let me pose a question for the NHL: what did Canada do wrong? Nothing. We sit atop the U.S. and respectfully keep to ourselves. Why must the remainder of the NHL strip us of what we care for most? All we want is the Stanley Cup. Look, we cant stand another riot. We just want the cup back. Gillis then proceeded to sob quietly as he was escorted away from the podium, with Harper gently comforting him and rubbing his back. The sentiment for a Canadian team to win the NHL championship this season is also motivating players. Canucks left winger Alexandre Burrows has already made plans if Canada doesnt win the championship. I dont even care if Vancouver doesnt win. If a Canadian team doesnt drink Molsons out of the Stanley Cup, Seattles going down. Were going Medieval on them. He later

photo by Paul Szewczyk 12 ter we just had will lead to excess numbers of mosquitoes and ticks this summer. Dont obsess over the steroids in your not-quiteorganic chicken nuggets. And please dont stay indoors because you are afraid of the extra UV rays let in by the hole in the ozone (but do wear your sunblock). Instead, get behind the effort to provide clean, safe, sustainable water to the world. Water is our most precious resource. We could live without oil or coal. We can survive without electricity entirely, actually. We cant live without water. So, if you want to do one thing to help the earth, start with water. Learn all you can and start here: unwater.org.

tweeted that after the Canadian flag is flying over the Space Needle, the Canadian regime could advance down the West Coast and take over cities such as Anaheim, San Jose and Sacramento, to eventually add more teams to the nation of Canada and thus increase the odds of winning the cup. The Mounties dont take no prisoners, Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo later added. A study recently conducted in Canada revealed that 77 percent of people born after 1993 could not identify the Stanley Cup in a three picture-comparison of the trophies for the Stanley Cup, the World Cup and The Grey Cup, Canadas own football leagues championship trophy. Its pathetic. I mean, how can we rally support when the current generation cant even identify our holy grail? said British Columbia super actor Ryan Reynolds. I promise my brethren I will do everything a huge cool movie star can do to make sure Canada wins the Stanley Cup back. Reporters then state that Reynolds went off on a flexing tangent, terrifying all in his path. Canadian native and actor Jim Carrey has also aligned with Reynolds and the Canucks, promising on his website that if Canada doesnt reclaim the championship, You can forget about a sequel to Mr. Poppers Penguins or The Number 23.

A young writer-on-the-rise proposes a new show for MTV that should revolutionize television. week. thing. It will make MTV the talk by Holly Cuozzo 12

Pitching the Perfect TV Show

reetings fellow writers of MTV. The reason that I have called you all to this meeting is because, lets be honest with ourselves, our ratings are below absolute zero. We need a brand new show to put us back on the map, and I have just the idea to help us do that. Lets think about what people are really watching today: reality shows and anything with copious amounts of unnecessary drama. Jersey Shore, Glee, Skins, Secret Life of the American Teenager, The Bachelor, Real Housewives of wherever those broads now reside. We just need to tap into the minds of the geniuses that created these shows and create something new, something fresh, something that will get everyone tuning in every I am proposing to you all today a brand new show, the likes of which the world has never seen. What we will do is take a group of people who most likely failed high school, put them in a house together, give them a few weeks for a few to get pregnant, create a consistent flow of drama between themperhaps one man getting two women pregnant, but well save that for Season 5and then put them through disgusting and perhaps deadly challenges to eliminate people every week until the last man and the last woman left are arranged to be married. Oh, and they will do hard drugs at high school parties and constantly burst into song, because what else can they use to convey their thoughts? Words? Puhlease, those are so last year. We will have plenty of girl fights, guy fights and entertainment on this show, and it will be the next big

of all social networks for sure. Sounds good so far, right? Okay, so since you all seem so excited that you just cant convey your excitement, allow me to present my pre-brainstormed list of characters. We would need an even ratio of guys to girls to ensure that everybody in the house can find someone to lust after. And because this is, after all, a reality show, we need to scout actors with amazing voices, ask them just how ridiculously dumb they can act and see how much they want to win $10,000. These folks will become rich and famous beyond their wildest dreams and all because of this show. 21 and Trying to Remain Abstinent will be the next trending topic on Twitter, the most-watched show in the U.S. within weeks, and it will be so good that it will blow all of these completely different shows out of the water.

by Andi Hopkins 14

14

Behind the
The 5 Ws of Partying
by: Daniel Frank 12

ar (P

y) t

15

Scene
*Number of respondents varies slightly per question. For full results, go to www.thewarrioronline.com

In a survey of 201* 9-12th grade students, 46% drink.

Ive been in high school for four years, and the issue of the party scene is one that has always somewhat confused me. Sometimes it seems like everyone is getting wasted on the weekends, and sometimes it seems like everyones playing it cool. So to shed some light on the actual trends of partying and drinking, I offer you the insider perspective of Sherwood students who attend parties. Who parties? It can be anyone, but people tend to go to parties mostly with close friends, my sources tell me. One source, a female senior, said, We all know each other, and if we dont know someone by the start of the night, then we do by the end. What happens at parties? Drinking games such as beer/vodka pong and quarters, smoking marijuana, socialization, teenage romance and, above all, drunken shenanigans. Hard drugs and hard feelings are not common nor very welcome at the parties my sources attend. When do parties go down? Mostly weekends in the evening or at night, because theres no school was the common response to this question. People that drink generally stay over or find a sober driver; all respondents expressed a concern for avoiding driving drunk. Where do parties happen? The backdrop for partying is most often the house of a friend. Respondents remarked that partiers have a peculiar affinity for basements. Ideally, parents are away but they dont have to be if youre careful not to be too loud or stupid, a male senior noted. Finally, why? For some people it is a form of escapism, others contend that its all in fun. Generally it is seen as part of regular socialization, even by some parents, who assume that their kids will take part in this sort of thing. The senior girl remarked, My parents expected it. My older brother partied and drank. I had my first beer with my dad, she continued. They do care, but as long as I dont get caught and dont mess up the house or myself, they wont kill me.

How many drinks do you usually have in one night? 1: 8.4% 2-3: 20.3% 4-6: 8.4% 7-9: 3.4% Over 10: 11.4% I dont drink: 47.7% At what grade did you first party with alcohol? 8th or younger: 16.9% 11th: 4.4% 9th: 27.8% 12th: .04% 10th: 15.9% Never: 34.3%

Choosing to Stay Sober

Kids Will Be Kids

by: Arjun Singh 12

by: Sydney Morrison 13

Are you crazy? What were you thinking? Parents too regularly exclaim phrases like these to teens while berating them for their reckless, risky and stupid behavior. Whether it be partying, drinking, injuring themselves or some other frowned upon behavior, parents do not understand what, if anything, is going on in their teens mind. While parents have every right to be irate and furious, they may not have the full story on their thoughtless sons and daughters. Research from the ACT for Youth Upstate Center of Excellence found that the part of the brain responsible for judgment, emotions, self-control and organization has not fully matured when teens reach adolescence. Not to give teenagers an excuse to perform thoughtless behaviors, but this may explain why many teens display poor decision-making and reckless behavior. The organization also found that alcohol has a much more profound effect on teenagers compared to adults. So the judgmentimpairing beverage may degrade the poor decision-making skills already exhibited by teens. Teens are more likely to operate off of emotion rather than using higher order thinking skills, said AP Psychology teacher Christine McKeldin. Teens have trouble with long term goals and planning. Their brains make them more concerned with the here and now. A separate article in National Geographic from October 2011 explored the teenage brain and came to some conclusions that explain adolescents risky behavior. It asserts that teens value rewards more than the consequences of risks. Therefore, they are more likely to take chances in order to receive a payoff regardless of seemingly obvious and daunting ramifications for their behavior so as to gain what they see as a much greater reward such as social acceptance. The article, by David Dobbs, also explained that throughout adolescence, the brain goes through a process called pruning in which unused connections among neurons in the brain wither away while used connections are maintained and strengthened to increase efficiency. In the beginning of this stage, the brain is still developing and thus the thinking and reasoning skills numerous adults have already developed are not fully mature in teens. Teens are called young adults and thats exactly what they are: young adults. Not the fully mature, experienced adults to whom they are compared, but young, impressionable and learning adults. They are bound, even meant, to make mistakes and do stupid, risky things, because that is how they learn and grow into full adulthood.

At some point in high school, many kids will be faced with the decision of whether or not they want to drink. When friends start throwing parties or hanging out with college students, alcohol may come into the picture. And when it does, and people start filling up their red solo cups, taking shots and offering them to one another, a very personal choice has to be made. While most kids who attend parties do quench their thirsts, there are still those who choose to stay sober. I made a personal decision not to [drink], says a junior girl who asked to remain anonymous so she could talk freely about the decisions she makes. Although she doesnt drink, it doesnt stop her from enjoying a few parties and hanging out with her friends. I still enjoy to go out and be social I just dont think you need to drink to have fun. Another junior girl decided to stay away from alcohol after she experienced what drinking it was like. I tried it once, and wanting to be in control but feeling like you cant fully grasp yourself is not for me, she said. And I feel like I can have fun sober because I always do. Not drinking doesnt stop her from going to parties either. All of my friends drink, theres only a couple of us that dont. And I mean, you want to hang out with your friends, so if thats where theyre going to be then so be it. When her friends joke about her sobriety, she cant help but admit to the strain their different values sometimes put on their friendship. Getting called a buzz kill and a mom is fine, but I dont call anyone a drunk or a party animal because Im not thinking that, she said. I dont judge you for what you do so why judge me for what I dont do? Temptation and parties do go hand in hand, but these girls have mastered their tricks to staying away. Because one girl experienced drinking before, she just thinks to herself, how will you feel about yourself later? If I know I wont be happy with myself in the morning then I just stay away. As the other girl points out. Ive been tempted [to drink] before, but I just remember thats not me and thats not who I want to be. Saying no isnt really as hard as they make it out to be.

How often do you drink alcohol? Once/month: 14.4% Not at all: 47.2% 1-2 times/week: 7.4% Twice/year: 20.3% Over 1-2 times/week: 8.9%

16

The WarriorOpinions
April 19, 2012
The Warrior Staff
Executive Editor Jacob Bogage 12 Managing Editors Ellen Kirkness 12 Darby Whitehair 12 Content Directors Jessica Carrera 13 Devin Cornelius 12 Rebecca Stussman 12 Copy Editor Alex Porter 13 Managing Photo Editors Brett Melnick 12 Paul Szewczyk 12 Section Editors News Editors Connor Martin 13 Robel Wondimu 13 BSW Editor Nathan St.Pierre 12 Features Editors Katie Nolan 12 Mandy Stussman 14 Humor Editors Ryan Coulter 12 Sam Farrell 12 Spotlight Editor Olivia Snyder 12 Wondering Warrior Editor Isabel Paterson 12 Opinions Editors Diana McDermott 13 Michaela ODonnell 13 Entertainment Editors Holly Cuozzo 12 Will Gavett 12 Sports Editors Jamie Langbein 13 Michael Natelli 14

In OUr OPINION ...

All Teenagers Are Not on Drugs or Taking Part in Risky Behavior as the News Makes It Seem
Parental Quandary: A Daughters Pregnant Teenage Friend. Teenager jailed for refusing to give police his computer password. Driver who fled fatal Olney crash gets 20-year sentence. Most alcohol, drug abuse starts in teen years. These are just a few of the headlines that muddy the reputation of teenagers. Think about it: when was the last time you heard something positive about what a teen has done in the news? Maybe it is just that the newspapers, magazines and local news broadcasts are always searching for the juicy story that will catch the readers or viewers eye, but it seems like the media is blind to the positive aspects of teenage life. The National Institute of Drug Abuse found that among 12th graders, 6.1 percent use marijuana on a daily basis. That means that 93.9 percent of teens are not abusing marijuana every day. The institute also found that alcohol use among high school seniors is 41.2 percent in the past month the survey was taken, and that alcohol binge drinking (defined as five or more drinks in a row in the past two weeks) is 23.2 percent. Turn that statistic around and well over half of teenagers had not had an alcoholic beverage in the past month of the survey. Teenhelp.com found that 34 percent of teenage girls have at least one pregnancy before they turn 20, aborted or birthed. This is still 64 percent of girls who will not get pregnant before they turn 20. The amount of coverage on these topics may suggest otherwise but statistics on teen drug and alcohol use and teen sex are in a downward trend, as opposed to the past generations (1960s1980). This may account for some of the assumptions in the media because older generations think just because they did it means younger generations are doing it too. It is true that our brains are not fully matured until we are 25, but that doesnt mean that every teenager is running around like a chicken without a head doing reckless behaviors. Most teenagers understand that their actions affect others around us and some of these reckless behaviors can have serious, sometimes legal consequences. With this Warrior spotlight on partying, along with such articles as a news brief about smoking, and a Q&A on teen drinking and driving, you may be asking yourself if The Warrior contributes to this narrow-mindedness about teen life. Well, its a balance between offering the interesting stories that attract readers attention while still being mindful to depict teen culture in its entirety accurately. There is no denying that partying, for example, is an aspect of teen life, but its unfair of the news to solely focus on the flaws in teen culture and not the achievements. The Warrior does address the dangerous activities that teens participate in and that they are stereotyped as, but at the same time we write more stories that show the achievements of teens. In News and Features, we report on students who participate in activities to raise awareness or money for good causes. In Entertainment, we showcase a student who wrote a novel. In the Sports section we honor the athletic ability of many athletes in lacrosse, track and field, baseball and tennis. The Warrior is committed to further tackling the tough issues, but at the same time portraying teens as the majority of them are: as good kids who stay out of the headlines and are not among the statistics.

The Warrior Online Staff

Managing Editor Leah Schroeder 13 Content Director Rachel Zemel 13

The Invisible Children Campaign Under Scrutiny

by Alyssa Miller 13
As someone who spends much of her time on the internet, I was as interested as anyone when I first heard of Kony 2012, the Invisible Children campaign to stop Ugandan warlord Joseph Kony. The campaign featured a 30-minute video and a call for action in the form of posters, stickers and social networking to share information. Apparently I wasnt the only one interested, if the 85 million person view count on YouTube is any indication. However, the campaign had scarcely begun when critics began voicing concerns, claiming that Invisible Children is a corrupt organization, Ugandan citizens do not approve of the campaign, and even that Kony is no longer a threat. Like most Sherwood students, I remember the visit from Invisible Children to our school last year. The assembly was inspiring and informative, teaching students about the terrors of the war in Uganda and encouraging us to buy products in support of the organization. So when I read the claims that Invisible Children uses only a small amount of funds to actually help Ugandans, I was concerned. I was even more shocked to find that Invisible Children has been reported to use its funds in support of the Ugandan military when they supKony 2012, I am still hesitant to form an opinion. Of course, I believe that violence must be stopped and that Joseph Kony is a terrible man, but is this campaign really the answer? If the people of Uganda do not wish for Western interference in this matter, then who are we to intervene? And Invisible Children has barely addressed the claims made against them from all sides, leading me to wonder if there is more to the story than theyd like us to know about. I eventually decided that I dont believe that we are ready for a campaign as widely publicized as Kony 2012. If it was definitely a good plan, there would not be so much criticism. While some skepticism is to be expected, it seems as though the negatives often outweigh the positives when it comes to the campaign if the media is to be believed. The recent arrest of creator Jason Russell for running naked through the streets certainly hasnt helped Invisible Childrens credibility. While some articles concerning Kony 2012 may be largely opinion-based, I still find it difficult to swallow Invisible Childrens shallow excuses for their poor rating and I believe that until the charity is willing to present a completely unbiased report of the facts surrounding the campaign, we should reconsider our support of Invisible Children.

Copy Editors Christopher Jou 12 Arjun Singh 12 Managing Photo Editors Hannah Chertock 12 Allie Strosnider 12 Section Editors NewsCal Wilson 14 Sports Joe Lavoie 14 EntertainmentBriana Applewhite 13 Blogs & Opinions Evan Schwartz 13 FeaturesVicky Florian 14 In-DepthMatt Diogo 14 HumorMelissa Fajardo 13 Pollster Amanda Harrington 12 Cartoonists Andi Hopkins 14 Mike Wagner 12 Photographers Bridget Cook 14 Taylor Fernandes 14 Morning Announcements Editor Abby Isaacs 12 Morning News Editor Daniel Frank 12 Staff Reporters Brendan Cudd 14 Maria Claudia Garcia-Rada 13 Mary Macrae 14 Katie Mercogliano 14 Alyssa Miller 13 Sydney Morrison 13 Nick Mourtoupalas 13 Andrew Wasik 13 Bethany Van Waes 12 Shaan Verma 13 Executive Business Directors Whitney Marie Halaby 14 Jenni Kenel 14
Circulation/Publicity Director

posedly wanted to stop the war and promote peace. As if this wasnt enough, Charity Navigator, a website that rates charities using an extensive evaluation system, gave the organization a very low rating for accountability and transparency, indicating that it has no independent voting board members and a shady donor privacy policy. On top of all this, many websites have cited quotes from high-ranking Ugandan officials (and even some from everyday citizens) claiming that they do not agree with our white

savior complex a term used to describe the need wealthier countries have to interfere in the politics of other countries. I was even more confused after investigating Invisible Childrens own website the site claimed that it was widely supported by Ugandans (Their testimonies on other websites have suggested otherwise), and that problems such as their low rating on Charity Navigator can be explained by the fact that they were simply short a board member. With all the controversy over

Scott Bolen 12

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

The WarriorOpinions
April 19, 2012

17

To The Point
The Third Red Scare
by Robel Wondimu 13
America, the land of the free, where anyone has the right to say what they want as long as they dont infringe on others rights, right? Wrong. On April 10 the Miami Marlins suspended manager Ozzie Guillen five games because he said, I love Fidel Castro. I respect Fidel Castro. A Venezuelan native, he also supported Hugo Chavez for which he faced public backlash. Guillen has come out and publicly retracted both statements, as well as made public apologies, not because, I believe, he is actually sorry, but because he faces more serious consequences, like fines from the MLB, if he does not. It makes no sense that in a country founded on creeds like freedom of speech and expression, no matter how unpopular, a man can be threatened with his job security. This scenario seems like something written by Joseph McCarthy himself, torn right from the pages of the Second Red Scare. To maintain liberty, citizens must unite and stand up for Guillens right to express himself without being threatened with his livelihood.

Celebrities Should Stay on the Big Screen and Out of My Every Day
twins and babies and all of these different private details about their lives. As I looked at them, I realized that I really should not care about any of this. I have never met Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. I cannot say I have ever been introduced to Sandra Bullock. I have never seen Jennifer Aniston in person. And yet, by just reading the cover of these magazines, I realized that I already had at least an inkling about all of these different private details in their lives. It has become virtually impossible to avoid the constant news flashes and paparazzi pictures that plague the normal population during their every day lives. How did I already know Brangelina will wait to get married? How did I know Sandra Bullock was with a new guy? I know so much more about the pop culture world than I anticipated. In the pop culture world, if its not good, its bad. Theres no in between. And sometimes it feels like the public relishes the idea of a celebrity screwing up. There is a TV show solely devoted to documenting celebrities stays in a rehabilitation center as they recover from serious drug addictions and/or alcoholism. When celebrities die, I find myself readily assuming that it was a drug overdose. Its sad, that we, as a society, are so bored and discontented with whats going on in our own lives that we worry about what people are doing thousands of miles away from us. There are so many better things that we could be doing with our time other than watching TMZ to see which celebrities went to a nightclub over the weekend. Maybe the reason we obsess about these otherwise insignificant people in our lives is because they light up the big screen. They portray the leaders of yesterday, the perfection of today and the hope for the future in the movies that we pay money to see. They sing the songs about love and happiness while theyre dressed up in just the right clothing up on stage. They are the ones that we strive to look like. They are the ones we wish we could be around, and why? Because the characters that they exude on screen or in song, no matter how the celebrities act in real life, seem so interesting and so close to reality but just tantalizingly out of reach for the everyday person. Celebrities, in fact, may be nothing like the characters they portray or sing about. And yet, because they are always the ones we pay to see and hear, they are always the ones we obsess over and follow blindly. If we keep celebrities on the big screen, and separate them from our own lives, we might just think that we are interesting enough to entertain ourselves.

by Connor Martin 13
I went to the grocery store to get some fruit, some eggs just the daily trip. I had no idea the trip would be so culturally educational. As I waited in line at the check-out, I discovered so many different facts about people that I have never met. There were nine magazines on the racks along the conveyor belt that were all about celebrities. On just the covers of all these magazines combined, there were more than 20 different stories about a plethora of events that have absolutely no relevance to mine or any other regular persons lives. There were stories about celebrities marriages and

YOLOs Gotta Go
by Sydney Morrison 13
Within the past month or so, the new term YOLO (pronounced yo-low) has become entirely too popular in the Sherwood halls. YOLO is an abbreviation for you only live once, and is supposed to be used at times where people should live life to the fullest and take a chance. Sherwood students, however, dont seem to use this term at appropriate times. Tweeting, Im allergic to peanuts, but Im still going to eat them. #YOLO is not okay. The person who coined YOLO probably invented it while making the decision of whether or not to parachute out of an airplane and wont be happy when he/she finds out you used it in such an insulting way. YOLO should be saved for super exciting moments in ones life, yet kids use it to describe the boring, significantly unimportant decisions they make - to the point where saying drinking a glass of whole milk! YOLO! would be totally acceptable. YOLO had promise; it couldve been the cherry on top of a good time, but has been torn down by high school students everywhere. Its time to let the phrase YOLO go.

Blending In Instead of Standing Out

by Isabel Paterson 12
On March 1, Maryland lawmakers passed a bill to allow same-sex marriage in the state, starting January 1, 2013. Though the fight is not completely over, as opponents will almost definitely call for a referendum for the public to vote upon the acts legitimacy, this is a great achievement for equality. Equality. A principle on which our nation was built. A principle that appears throughout history again and again. A common approach to gaining equality is to loudly and fervently express pride in ones identity. The belief is that such pride in who you are is necessary to level out the playing field, to give minorities a fighting chance. The belief is that trying to blend in, trying to act as though there are no differences between everyone, creates a more fertile environment for prejudice and discrimination. Yet the truth is that, in practice, blending in, acting like an equal instead of going over the top with pride, may work best. However, the first instinct towards gaining equality is not to attempt to just be equal. Most of the time throughout history, the fight for equality often becomes a fight for recognition of the ways of being different. Racism or riots, homophobia or protests. Both sides of the spectrum, although complete opposites, have a major common problem. They are, ironically, both a continuous reminder that we are, in fact, not all the same. By African Americans fighting for only African American rights, by mentally disabled supporters fighting for only mentally disabled rights, by LGBT people fighting only for LGBT rights, by fighting for freedom only for people that are struggling with the same oppressions, we will never be equal. We will never be equal if our approach is to fight for equality separately. We will never be treated the same if the primary goal is to make sure people are aware of one minor aspect of ourselves that makes us different. It sounds crazy but some aspects of the Dont Ask Dont Tell policy make sense. The Army, the Marines, the Navy, a job, a work place, at school; it is not the place to focus on making sure everyone knows you like the same sex. Of course, losing a job or being harassed for who you are is not acceptable, but unnecessarily displaying a private aspect of yourself just feeds the fire. Usually, someones sex life and who he or she is involved with, a private matter, unless you are a gossipy teenage-girl. The same should be true of sexual orientation. Why is it necessary to flaunt it? Not only does this somewhat force your ideals upon people who may already have apprehension about it, it also opens up the opportunity for sexual preference to become a fad, something that is a cool thing to do for a while to stand out instead liking how you are and who you like. We need to move away from labels rather than self-identifying by them. No gay, no bisexual, no lesbian, no straight, nothing. Acting like we are all equal does not require marches, parades, strikes or riots. In fact, maybe that is a reason we are not. Coming from a person, a girl, who has spent a very happy and loving year with another person, a girl, pride can be an amazing thing. But if we want equality, we must be careful how we fight for it.

Like Privacy
by Mary Macrae 14
This week Maryland became the first state in the country to pass a bill that prohibits employers from requesting employees for social media passwords and login information. This is huge victory for privacy rights. Whats the difference between an employer taking your social media passwords and checking your financial, phone, and health records? These are extremely personal aspects of ones life that should not be a factor in employment. Its very important that ones personal and work life be separated. If employers had access to your social media passwords that separation would be compromised. Even though this new law is a champion for privacy rights, people still must be very cautious when deciding what they put online. Even if employers do not have access to passwords, they still have means to see what people put on social media networks. When you apply for a job it should be based on your education, references and experience. It should not be what you did last Friday night with your friends.

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The WarriorOpinions
April 19, 2012

Students Suffer in School Without Medication

by Sydney Morrison 13
With a classroom full of 30 silent students hardly eager to participate, teachers may just come to the conclusion that theyre teaching a bunch of lazy teenagers who dont get enough sleep at night. But is that really what those lolling heads and half closed eye lids are saying? Its undeniable that students do suffer from homework overload and spring fever, but what about regular fevers? Or even headaches, colds, migraines and stomach problems? In such a crowded, stressful environment, its impossible to avoid all of those things, and unfortunately, they do keep students from performing at their best. As someone who suffers from chronic migraines, I can tell you that they never fail to put a damper on my day, not to mention completely wipe out all sort of motivation to participate in class. Theyre easily subdued, however, as long as I take my Excedrin when I feel one coming on. But in school, I cant do that. MCPS policy prohibits any student from carrying medication to school (unless its an inhaler). The only way students could take medication during school hours is if they obtain a medication form from the health room, have a parent and a doctor fill it out, and then bring the form to school with a prescription bottle of medicine or an unopened over-the-counter one. And thats only the procedure to get the medicine into the

A Less Expensive Prom

by Evan Schwartz 13
As most students know, this will be the first year that Sherwood celebrates a Seniors Only prom. When first announced, many students, especially juniors, were up in arms about the major change to Sherwood tradition. But please, critics, read on. Last spring, a committee of students was organized to vote upon the fate of prom. The change was proposed by the Student Government Association, which argued that most schools have long held prom for only their seniors. Another argument for the change is that a senior-only prom makes the event more special and less expensive. Furthermore, by switching to a senior-only prom, students get to enjoy dinner with their dance and have the opportunity to celebrate at new event venues because there are fewer students to accommodate. By the numbers: seniors graduating in 2012 paid $55 for their prom ticket last year (not including dinner) as juniors. Next month, they will be paying $75 to $85 on 2012s prom, for the total cost of $125-$135 for both years. However, for next years prom, the Junior Class Officers and I are excited to announce that we have already reserved a venue and date for our Senior Prom at a lower total cost. After surveying a range of student opinions, we have come up with a prom that will change the course of promhistory at Sherwood. Another benefit to having prom only for seniors is that students know a year in advance what the maximum ticket price will be, giving

school building. If they need to take the medicine, they have to interrupt their class time and go to the health room. The schools caution is understandable; if students could freely carry around medicine there might be some people who would start to sell it illegally. But does that mean every student has to suffer from bothersome illnesses that could easily be fixed? It just doesnt seem fair. The number of problems students face daily significantly overrides the possibility of a high school student selling mass amounts of Sudafed, especially when it and many other products are carefully monitored in local pharmacies. The school can still maintain control over the situation while allowing students the ability to

alleviate burdensome colds and headaches. Sherwood could create a list of allowed medications students can carry in school: certain headache medicines like Advil, non-drowsy Tylenol, desperately needed allergy medication, and ladies lets not forget about our Midol. Taking one dose of Excedrin for a migraine is all it takes to relieve that painful aching feeling in your skull, and makes all the difference in how you perform in school that day. These common ailments pop up unexpectedly congestion, headaches, allergies and make paying attention in class more difficult. School is stressful enough, and is in fact sometimes the cause of students problems. So why should students suffer more than they need to?

students more than ample time to plan appropriately for the event. Currently, the projected ticket price is only $100, which is $25$35 less than the Class of 2012 will pay in total, and we wont have to be at the Bethesda Hyatt. A hundred dollars is not too shabby, especially since we are only having one prom in high school. The price covers unlimited food, drinks, two DJs and decorations in addition to the venue space, commented Junior Class President Nikki Steiner. In response to the widespread concern surrounding a culminating event for the Junior Class, we are excited to announce the First Annual Senior Class Welcome-Back BBQ fundraiser to raise money for next years prom, to be held the Friday of Labor Day weekend. The barbeque will be a great way to usher in senior year for the Class of 2013. We are really hoping to have everyone out to support and have a fun time! We will be having a DJ, barbeque dinner and dessert, and be giving out prizes along with other exciting spirit events. Even more exciting is that if enough students attend, we will be able to lower the price even further for prom, explained Steiner. On behalf of the Junior Class Officers, I hope this has cleared up some confusion, and we are excited to share with everyone the 2013 Prom location on display in front of the main office. More details about the BBQ and next years prom to come. Stay tuned! Schwartz is currently the Junior Class Treasurer

by Andi Hopkins 14

The WarriorOpinions
April 19, 2012

19

Should Affirmative Action Be Used To Determine College Acceptance?

Affirmative action is a systematic attempt in higher education to advance demographic groups that have continually faced social and economic roadblocks. It is a highly controversial topic, and its legality has been altered multiple times by the Supreme Court in the past. In an important 1978 case, Bakke v. Reagents of University of California, the Court deemed affirmative action legal, but outlawed the use of racial quotas. Then, in the 2003 Gratz v. Bollinger case, the Court determined that the use of a point system that elevates the college applications of members of minority groups is not consistent with the Constitutions Equal Protection clause and is not allowed; however, the case upheld the legitimacy of affirmative action by deciding that universities can consider race in the college application process. Despite the consistent support for affirmative action by the Supreme Court, the recent Supreme Court, with conservative justices outnumbering liberal justices, may change the constitutionality of affirmative action in higher education in the upcoming case Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin.

Affirmative Action is Necessary for Social Equality

by Robel Wondimu 13
Affirmative action is becoming a more and more unpopular remedy as Americans fall victim to the misconception that race is no longer an issue in society. The reality is that now is the most pressing time in history for the public to act on the sacrifice of those who have fought for progress and equality in years past. Ignorance is bliss, but it is unfortunate that some people are under the impression that there is racial equality socially, economically or educationally. While the truth is hard to swallow, there really is no equality in opportunity, and affirmative action is the best step towards any sort of justice. Since the civil rights era, affirmative action programs have been put in place to level the playing field for disadvantaged minorities like African Americans who have suffered through hundreds of years of travesties. Even today, statistics make it apparent that African Americans are still recovering from ill repercussions throughout history. For example, the Federal Bureau of Prisons records show that African Americans make up an exponentially disproportionate 37.5 percent of the prison population, while they are only 12.6 percent of the nations total citizenry. The U.S. Census Bureau shows that whites make on average 37.8 percent more money than African Americans, and the Social Security Administration revealed that only 10.7 percent of African-Americans have a college education. The data reveals damning social injustice in huge disparities among races and a gap that must be bridged, the first step being through affirmative action in higher education. While these statistics are alarming, they are also a reality-check on racial division in this country: a topic that some try to sweep under the rug. The Supreme Court recently suggested it will take a case this year regarding the constitutionality of affirmative action. In a previous case, the Court prohibited students being moved to achieve racial integration, and Chief Justice Roberts concluded, The way to stop discrimination on the basis of race is to stop discriminating on the basis of race. The conservative majority of the Court absurdly will likely equate affirmative action, a systematic way of ensuring equality and opportunity for disparaged minority groups, to discrimination, the prejudiced exclusion of a demographic of people to prevent them from achieving. While whites have had centuries to progress and accumulate wealth, other races have only had these equal rights and opportunities for the last 50 years. These minorities had no chance to own anything, were legally unable to gain an education, and were systematically oppressed for generations. Native Americans were raped, pillaged and displaced into reservations, African Americans were enslaved for hundreds of years, and Hispanic-Americans today face economic and social roadblocks like anti-immigration sentiment and inhibitory laws restricting their ability to work. As a civil society, it only makes sense to make right these wrongs in some manner, and this can begin with some preference in college admissions to make up for many generations of undue burden and hardship.

The Injustices of Affirmative Action

by Rachel Zemel 13
According to a Pew Research Center survey released May 21, 2009, just 31 percent of the American public believes that there should be affirmative action policies for minorities, while two-thirds of Americans disagree with the concept of affirmative action. This poll demonstrates that the American public rightfully disagrees with the unfair practice, which is especially wrong when applied to college admissions. Although affirmative action is supposed to rectify past injustices and alleviate racial tensions, it actually creates divisions within the United States, including in the educational system. Preferential treatment of some peoples over others based on minority characteristics unrelated to effort and achievement creates feelings of antagonism among different ethnicities. Instead, educational policy should promote cooperation among the population to encourage overall development of American society and excellence in academic achievement. Students should enjoy the diversity among their population and not resent the differences among the student body. Affirmative action is also demeaning to members of minority groups because it implies that minorities can only be successful in American society, including in the higher educational system, if they receive artificial boosts. As Tennessee Congressional Representative Steve Cohen said in 2008, affirmative action is the soft bigotry of low expectations. Minorities in the United States in the 21st century can be competitive on their own merits. Students should be confident in and proud of their own accomplishments and the achievements of their fellow students, regardless of their racial backgrounds. Those who are not members of minority groups also suffer from affirmative action. Affirmative action limits college and career opportunities for non-minorities, even if they are just as or more than qualified, based on their achievement, than members of minority groups. Its not fair to punish non-minorities for past injustices against minority groups that they themselves did not perpetrate. Promoting preferential treatment in college admissions penalizes hardworking, high-achieving students who are not members of minority groups. Students should be evaluated for college admissions based on their own merits. Also, affirmative action emphasizes preferential treatment over actual accomplishment, which is disadvantageous because college and career success is based on achievement and merit. Instead of affirmative action, Headstart and other similar programs that promote educational achievement for young students can help equalize any perceived lack of opportunities for disadvantaged youth in college admissions. The United States is supposed to be a great nation that offers equality of opportunities for all. Anyone who works diligently and achieves is entitled to reap the rewards of his or her own hard work, regardless of membership in minority groups. When you are applying to college, in all fairness, its only your achievements and accomplishments that should propel you towards success.

The WarriorWondering Warrior

20
April 19, 2012

Subject for today: Teachers

If you could follow a teacher around for one day, who would it be and why?
Mr. Miehl, aka Miehls-OnWheels, because he has cool ties and likes Elmo. -Brian Hughes 15

tein so Rubins ood . low Mr tg uld fol fe could ea wo I his wi pregnant. e and m hes since s s 13 food What William -BreA

is your biggest pet peeve when it comes to teachers?

Ms. Gonzales because shes so funny. It would be cool to see how she is when she isnt at school. -Maddie Valenzuela 13

le orab m t me why? s r mo t and you men t is o Wha cher m t tea

u lled o be pu ddle of cCa i Mr. M r in the m When fie M a paci up as W rs. Walker ss. 3 d cla atz 1 -Ali Je endy Willia ressed aron K ms nkins -A 12 Walking into Chemistry to find on the rapping ments ... y Mr. Charles Mr. Ke announce g listening and mornin er time. dancing to Jamaican or any oth le 12 Barksda music. -Tiana -Carson Irick 13

When they dont have at work least marginal control of e your ey grad their class. hen th eir opinions. W on th -Matt ONeill 15 based olo 13 ex Bosc When the -Al teacher ha s favorites and least f avorites. -Rosalie Fr iedman 15 When teachers act like students have only one class and its theirs. -Michael Pellegrino 13

Who is your favorite teacher and why?

Ms. Russell, she helped me through my work load and gave me motivation to do better. Brian Leifer 15 Ms. Meushaw because she is pretty dank. -Michael Zerafa 13 Ms. Condelli, because we share an interest in music. -David Blankenship 13 Mr. Evans, he has followed me throughout my four years here. -Josh Milstein 12

enyon bec Ms. ause of th e special bond we h ave; I hop None, because if you e we dont lose touch . se he is friend them, then you have -Leah Mar n, becau bably to be careful what you say. quis 14 odma Mr. Go y and will pro -Dani Cohen 14 nn Ms. Games because were really fu ome posts. es going to discuss history make aw cDermott 15 M everyday. compiled by Amanda Harrington 12 -William -Matt Flamand 12

Which teacher are you looking forward to adding on Facebook when you I look for ward to ad graduate and why? ding K

l t fee i does How TO GO A WEEK WITHOUT TECHNOLOGY?

DAY 1
3:24pm- First day without internet. Logged off all my social networks this morning, deleted all my apps well see how this goes. 10:01pm- Havent even noticed Ive committed social suicide yet. On the homework side, I didnt have to go on the computer for any assignments today, which is great. Its what usually gets me sidetracked anyway. Im a little bored because I cant play Words with Friends, Scramble with Friends or Hanging with Friends on my phone, but I think the next four episodes of Big Bang Theory will suffice.

The WarriorEntertainment ...

April 19, 2012

21

A Week Without Internet

VS.

A Week Without Facebook

DAY 3
My urge to check has grown weaker. I find myself reading more of whats happening on Twitter. I still have to remind myself to not use Facebook because its just a habit to look at it every day to see whats going on with my friends. The red circles that alert me that I have a message on facebook continue to grow. Now I have seven messages posted, waiting for me to read. Its a little stressful not checking, especially since I wonder what Ive missed. Im just glad its almost over.

it comes to certain things, like scheduling a drivers test. Im getting really anxious about that email.

DAY 4

DAY 2

5:45pm- I got all of my homework done before four so I could go on a run because its an awesome day out. Now Im done my homework, finished with my run, all showered up and its only five o clock. Because I am so clever, however, in preparation for this week I ordered a new book. That should keep me busy for a good long while. 9:47pm- I finished my book.

DAY 3

Young Author Publishes Her First Novel

by Michaela ODonnell 13
Since the seventh grade, senior Alyssa Lesho has enjoyed the art of writing. She discovered her commitment early on, writing two amateur novels. Just this year, Lesho has copyrighted and self-published her new book The Junior Intelligence Agency: Book 1. Part of Leshos motivation was the numerous juvenile novels hoarding bookshelves. After being scarred by the Twilight series, I wanted something less YA [young adult] and more mature, said Lesho. Leshos novel, which has a mature Spy Kids feel mixed in with some romance and surprisingly descriptive and detailed action sequences, is about a teenager, Alex, who is part of The Junior Intelligence Agency. The agency takes in orphaned children and provides them a home as well as trains them to save the world. The plot consists of Alex, her best friend and accomplice, Skylar, and a tall, dark and handsome new acquaintance, Blake. Together, they travel around the world to secret islands and creepy laboratories, outwit the mentally insane director and become better friends along the way. The whole process of writing The Junior Intelligence Agency took Lesho around three years in total, but although the process seems long and frustrating, Lesho is encouraging and sets an example to aspiring young writers. There is absolutely no reason people cant be writers, but it is the determination and persistence that sets apart the authors, said Lesho. Some of Leshos inspirations were teachers, the experience of changing schools and traveling, and most importantly, music. One song in particular, Surrender by Angel and Airwaves is a major inspiration for Leshos tone in her book. It was such an inspiration to Lesho that it is alluded to in the last chapter of the book. Lesho whole-heartedly agrees that she has progressed and improved as a writer since first starting on the novel. She has made constant adjustments and has even fully re-written chapters. Lesho also has taken writing classes at Sherwood and even Columbia University in the summer of 2010, which have been a huge help. Those along with the help of her parents, the main supporters and editors of her book, created an all-around solid foundation to start a book. I got to talk with some amazing people and professors that encouraged me to branch out with my writing. The experience of being in NYC also sparked endless inspiration. The classes were incredible and I was introduced to so many poets, novelists, and other writers that show me what kind of writer I want to be By this summer, Lesho hopes to have book 2 of the soon-to-be trilogy published.

11:23am- Its currently lunchtime and Im super bored. Ive noticed that while my iPhone is on my person, I constantly turn it on, swipe the unlock bar, and just stare at my screen because I cant check Facebook or Tumblr or play any games. Checking my phone for any update at all has become a twitch; something to do whenever there is a pause in conversation or my hands have nothing to do. I also am upset that I cant answer the SAT Question of the Day. I like those. 4:13pm- I really, really need to check my email. I sent in my iDrive Smart forms four days ago and now Im waiting for a confirmation email. Thats the thing. I enjoy checking websites, but dont need Facebook or Twitter to live my lifealthough I am horrifically aware that Im shut off from the technological gossip-filled world that is high school. I have realized, however, that having an email is rather important when

2:25pm- Dear freaking lord. I miss the internet. Do you know how incredibly impossible it is to search through stacks of books, magazines and newspapers to gather information these days? Were all so accustomed to pulling up Google and typing in exactly what it is we are looking for and being given five million results in return. So today, when I was handed the assignment to find interesting topics for my own synthesis essay, I was forced to grudgingly drag my feet out of the computer lab and into the library. Well, where do I start? I walked over to the magazine section, hoping for some current events or interesting opinion articles. And after about I dont know, three Discover magazines, two Psychology Todays, every last Time on the shelf, one issue of Money magazine and a National Geographic, not to mention my pitiful attempt at the stack of Washington Posts, I was about to lose my mind. It was a nightmare. Now if I had the assistance of a couple Excedrin to ease my elevating migraine, I would have loved to stay in the library for a few more hours researching nothing, but then the bell rang and I hauled my backpack out of that place and never looked back.

~ Senora Peterson is an avid Facebook user. One could say that she is addicted to the social networking site. The Warrior staff challenged her to stop her Facebook use for five days to see how she copes withour using her daily source of information.

DAY 1

My first day was good. Today was different because normally when I wake up, I use my phone as an alarm clock. This makes it easy to check the weather and news as soon as I wake up. Today I see the annoying red symbol next to Facebook, meaning that I have a message. I overslept today so I didnt really have the chance to check it, so I havent missed it yet. It just bothers me to see this little red symbol as a constant reminder of the things I have to check on Facebook. I should be okay not doing it, but I will probably end up replacing it with something else. Fingers crossed that this works out!

DAY 4

DAY 2

DAY 5

11:35pm- Well, readers, I have done it. Five days without going online, surfing the web, checking my email or downloading music. Next time Im just going to live in a cave for five days. No, it wasnt really that bad, because when I think about it now, I dont really feel the urge to go on Facebook to stalk people who have mutual friends with me, or Tweet that Im now drinking a glass of homemade juice. I am going to check for that confirmation email about my driving test, though. And play a rousing game of Chess with Friends.

by Sydney Morrison 13

Someone sent me a text that there was a fight in school and I wanted to know what it was about, but I couldnt check Facebook! Im itching to know what happened. I feel out of the loop because that is my way of getting the 411 of what is happening with my friends, so I have been going more towards Twitter to stay up to date. Facebook is like a one-stop shop. You see pictures, news and whatever is happening with your friends, but with Twitter you only see updates of what people are doing. I posted on Sunday night that I was taking a break from Facebook for a week, but Im very anxious to see if Im missing anything important. Im currently completing my National Board Certification, and there is a group on Facebook that I actually need to check. Its crunch time because our certifications are due in two weeks so loads of people are posting their questions last minute, and I cant see them. I hope they arent posting things that I need to know. Im going to have to catch up on so much when I get back!

Im now heavily relying on Twitter to cope with not using my Facebook. Its very nerve-racking not checking the National Boards message board. Ive just been doing other things. Im now playing Draw Something with some of my students, so that is definitely making the time fly without Facebook. Im now questioning whether I need to use Facebook as much as I once did. One more day to go!

DAY 5

The last day is finally here! Ive definitely learned that Facebook is something that is not truly needed. Before Facebook, I got my news from other sources and stayed connected to my friends via e-mail or telephone (gee, what a concept). Twitter has now become my go to source of news and information. But Im definitely excited to pick up where I left off on Facebook. Now I need to go back five days and see what I missed. Staying away from it gave me a chance to focus on other things. Sometimes I procrastinate on Facebook when I need to do school work. But I feel it was a good lesson to learn doing this experiment. Before Facebook existed people got through the day just fine, and Ive learned that it is possible. P.S. can I check now?

Compiled by Briana Applewhite 13

In the future, Lesho wishes to study computer science in college, but looks forward to making writing a hobby that she sticks with. Her novel is available at lulu.com, smashwords.com and the iBookstore. It will soon be available for Nook e-readers electronically and amazon.com for physical copies.

Holly Cuozzo 12

Senior Alyssa Lesho smiles, holding a copy of her new novel, The Junior Intelligence Agency: Book 1.

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The WarriorEntertainment
April 19, 2012

Students Become Local

by Holly Cuozzo 12
Today, social networking is a way for teens to stay connected with friends, express their ideas and keep track of their lives in many ways. While some teens will express this by posting status updates and photos on Facebook, Twitter or Tumblr, other students have gone even farther by putting up videos on YouTube. You get to show off your creativity to a really wide audience and you get to display your personality, said junior Lauren Corlett. Corlett partnered with senior Amanda Marcus to create Marlett561, a YouTube channel and blog on which Corlett and Marcus post music parodies, rants and other videos. The girls have 37 videos up, but online they use false names because of people we dont know, said Corlett. The girls are careful about giving out personal information in order to protect themselves. Senior John Van Etten also posted a video on YouTube under the name Iwantjazznow. The video is of himself and classmates Nicolas Johnson and Aiden Joaquim spoofing the Sarah McLachlan Save the Children commercials. Posting the video was a joke, Van Etten said, filmed as part of a current events Fridays project in his Global Issues class. You get to look at the views and see that a lot of people are looking at it, which is cool, said Van Etten. However, he also stated that his posting future videos depends on if Ms. Menchetti goes out of her boundaries and changes our seats again; then I may need to protest. Senior Kelly Kendall also posts some videos on YouTube. While most are school projects, Kendall, known online as KellyCat0624, also has written some joke raps. She originally made the videos for a small audience, but later decided to post them to a more public place. Kendall knows that the main consequence of having videos on YouTube is that [they are] there forever, but she does not concern herself with this because I laugh about the videos now and Ill laugh about them later, she said. Other students, such as senior David Goldberg, have been posting videos online for a longer period of time and have reasons to post beyond kicks and giggles. It could help me out [with] getting into film school because its good to have a portfolio, said Goldberg. He plans to attend Montgomery College for the next two years, but hopes to later go to New York University with his portfolio of nearly 80 videos. Goldberg takes videos of himself and his friends skateboarding, then edits them to put online under the name Verdodragon. He is hesitant to post online, knowing that you might post something that you regret, but overall, Goldberg simply puts up videos for the fun of filming, editing and posting.

Celebrities

by Leah Schroeder 13

Rediscover the Magic

shows, Once Upon a Time and Grimm. While these adaptations change many plotlines, they ultimately give us a second chance at enjoying the characters of the past. While some of us might

Every Friday, I spend two hours teaching girls, ages four to seven, the fundamentals of dance. Each week, I ask them to become ballet princesses, and I hear them gleefully declare that Belle is my favorite or I slept in my Ariel dress last night. The excitement on their faces when they talk about these beloved characters warms my heart, not just because they are happy, but because, like many girls my age, I remember how it felt to watch those movies and idolize the same princesses. I used to find these movies magical and inspiring, but now, the magic isnt as easy to find. Sure, we can pop in a DVD, or more likely a VHS, and watch the Disney films, but we know how the stories end. We know the quirks of each character. There is no more mystery, no more suspense. Recently, however, fairy tales are making a comeback, including last years Beastly, and last months Mirror, Mirror, as well as ABCs and NBCs new

b e hesitant to embrace these versions, the tales are, quite literally, as old as time, and each generation has adapted them to suit their own needs and desires. The Grimm Brothers, writing back in the nineteenth century, were asked to revise some of their stories to make them more kid-friendly. Disney took it one step further to make them chockfull of optimism and positivity. And now, these stories are being changed again. For example, in the original version of Beauty and the Beast, Belle has two sisters and is the daughter of a merchant. Before one of his trips, her father asks her and her sisters what they would like for him to bring back. The sisters ask for finery, but Belle

only asks for a rose, displaying her lack of greed and her appreciation for the beauty in life. The Disney version adds Gaston, Belles pompous, though handsome suitor. Belles rejection of him in favor of the Beast s h o w s her purity of heart and her value of character. In Beastly, the Beast sends Belle away, and never allows her to come back despite her many attempts, illuminating her loyalty and her value of friendship. At first, the new versions seem wrong because they arent what we remember. As a result, all too many of us shy away from them, fearing that the characters we loved will be forever ruined. However, these adaptations provide us the opportunity to learn more about these characters and develop new relationships with them. I will always love the Disney versions, but I

have a blast watching Once Upon a Time each week and discussing it with my sister. I counted down the days to the release of Mirror, Mirror, and it did not disappoint me. I even watched Beastly seven times one Sunday. These new adaptations arent perfect, but they reignited my passion for the stories and characters. The real magic of fairy tales is in their adaptability, and true fans should embrace these new versions that give us insight on the characters we have always loved, even after we have grown up.

The WarriorEntertainment
April 19, 2012

23

Stooges Is Slapstick at Its Best

maintain the spirit of the vaudeville comedy routine from the mid-twentieth century and its slapstick wackiness thanks to excellent acting and clever directing decisions on the part of the Farrelly brothers. However, a predictable story that goes nowhere is cause for a lot of jokes falling flat and leaves a lot to be desired. The film centers around three best friends, Moe (Chris Diamantopoulos), Larry (Sean Hayes) and Curly (Will Sasso) as they try to save the orphanage they have grown up in by raising $830,000. Along the way, the three protagonists find themselves in a variety of odd misadventures full of celebrity cameos, including a surprisingly hilarious one from the cast of The Jersey Shore. This movie is full of excellent performances, especially from the three main actors. Diamantopoulos, Hayes and Sasso manage to maintain very respectable portrayals of the legendary comedians. Their acting is both an effective homage to the original material and a testament to their own talents, managing to capture the voices and mannerisms of the previous stooges while at the same time inserting some of their own comedic styles into the characters. From the feisty Sofia Vergara to the well disguised, yet over the top Larry Da-

John Greens Newest Novel Jerks Tears

have you thankful simply for the sun being out. Green also makes his characters relatable and keeps them real. Hazel, for example, encounters realistic problems that cancer patients would face and her problems do not seem forced into the plot. Green also accurately manages to embody the mind-set of most teenage girls and makes Hazels struggles seem realistic to the reader. Green makes sure to connect to his audience by also putting Hazel through problems that average teens would face, such as dealing with her parents telling her what to do. Although the books heavy subject matter will lead to tears, it also offers the reader a laugh at times. The character of Augustus Waters manages to inject humor into even his and Hazels desperate situations. He helps Hazel see the world from a completely different perspective. Green has a way of inviting his audience into this novel. When reading the novel, the reader becomes attached to the main characters; he or she will emphasize with and wish to confront them at times. The end of The Fault in Our Stars will leave you wondering what happens to each of these characters because Green has created such a tender attraction towards them.

The Fault in Our Stars draws readers in with a realistic and relatable plot. by Will Gavett 12 vid, the various supporting actors in this by Maria Claudia eyes of his readers, teaching them to appreciate the little moments in lifehe will The Three Stooges manages to movie are hilarious and portray their roles Garcia-Rada 13
expertly. However, where the movie fails is its story. The plotline is very basic, which isnt necessarily a bad thing; however, anyone who has seen the typical idiots out in the world film will be able to figure out what will happen before it actually happens. Another fault with the story is that a few major events in the story seem to come out of nowhere and have little to no lead up to them. The story does nothing to add to the comedy and mostly just acts as a vehicle for the stooges to find themselves in situations that would have the most objects to hit each other with. With movies like Dumb and Dumber and Theres Something About Mary under their belt, the Farrelly brothers have a lot of experience with slapstick comedy. This shows in The Three Stooges as they obviously treated the material with an immense amount of respect, as evidenced by the small touches such as the goofy sound effects and the title sequences that are very reminiscent of classic Three Stooges. The Three Stooges is not a movie for people desiring comedy that is on the intellectual side. However, for people who just want to sit back and watch as three best friends hilariously smack each other into submission, this is the perfect fit. Just when I thought that no book could top any gooey, romantic Nicholas Spark book, my friend suggested that I read John Greens new novel, The Fault in Our Stars. I was skeptical about reading it at first because I didnt believe that any book could compete with the classic page-turning qualitiy of The Notebook, but after reading just a few chapters, I had found myself a new favorite author. The Fault in Our Stars is about Hazel Grace Lancaster, a 16-year-old girl who is diagnosed with stage four thyroid cancer that has traveled to her lungs. She doesnt enjoy her life because all that she does in her spare time is sit in her room, and she doesnt have many friends because she doesnt go to school. Because of this, her mother forces her go to a cancer support group, where she meets Augustus Waters, the boy who changes her entire view of life. Green did a brilliant job connecting with his audience. Unlike most novelists who target young adult readers, Green doesnt talk down to his readers. He discusses his ideas throughout the book through the voices of Hazel and Augustus, and manages to keep the dialogue both interesting and enlightening. He opens the

Sojourning the County, Seeking the Greatest Food Truck

by Jacob Bogage 12
Curleys Q owner and chef David Curley Cornblatt has a special way to eat from his truck. Take a bite of your oversized sandwich after covering the meat with coleslaw, then nosh on a jalapeno pepper and repeat. I love some nice spice in my food, but I was a bit scared by the thought of eating one of those peppers sans protection. Curleys strategy, however, is genius. Cornblatt deals in sauce-less BBQ so the vinegary slaw atop my brisket (Qs top seller and best meat. Trust me, I tried them all) is essential to the sandwich and the jalapeno clears the palate and readies you for another bite of sweet, succulent BBQ. Each huge sandwich is served with slaw and hearty baked beans. For only $9, the plate is a steal.
Jacob Bogage 12

This truck might be famous for its Ruebens, but to me, the best sandwich on the menu is the Angry Turkey Rachel. With thick-cut turkey, coleslaw, Swiss cheese and angry (spicy) Russian dressing on rye toast, it would do Rachel proud. The Russian dressing folds into the slaw and kicks up the flavor a notch or two, and the turkey is on point. At $10.59, it is a little pricey, but if you crave a quality sandwich, it
courtesy of Becca Levine 12

might be worth it. Oh, and the Ruebensthey are legendary. Piled high with corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese and Russian dressing on rye bread, it is one of the better Ruebens I have had. Each sandwich is made to order and the fat and cholesterol might take a year off your life, but will make you a royal subject in no time.

If you desire the best deal, but not necessarily meal, you may want some Sub-Urban Bros. Their signature Fuh-get About it competes for the title of best Italian-sub to me, but if you want similar results, you have to get the sandwich loaded. That means all the toppings, folks (save guacamole)bring napkins. The Cuban (ham, pulled pork, mustard and pickles on white or wheat

roll) is acceptable, but not the best Ive ever had. The roll gets bogged down by the mustard and gets gummy, soggy and chewy. I got too much roll and not enough pulled pork. Both these sandwiches cost only $7, but tack on another $2.50 for chips and a drink. Its certainly a great deal, but choose your sandwich carefully.
Jacob Bogage 12

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Spring Sports Roundup

All 4A North Stats and Standings Last Updated: April 17

Boys Lacrosse
Covered by Joe Lavoie 14
Next Game: April 19; Sherwood at Blair- 7 PM Record: Varsity: 7-2 JV: 5-2
Lacrosse is now 7-2 after coming off of double header wins against South Carroll and Walter Johnson at Quince Orchards Spring Break Tournament. Seniors Griffin Paquin and Blake Bonita lead the team in goals at 10 goals each, followed by sophomore Mike Crooks with nine goals. All three will need to be firing on all cylinders if they are to defeat powerhouse Walter Johnson on May 2.

Baseball
Covered by Matt Diogo 14
Next Game: April 21; Springbrook at Sherwood - 1:30 PM Record: Varsity: 4-3 JV: 4-3
The team has been fantastic, but only when their bats come alive. Their defense has settled in fine after an error-filled game against Walter Johnson, and the no-hit combination against Kennedy mustve boosted the clubs confidence after getting no-hit by Whitman pitcher Michael Flack. New coach Sean Davis must be proud of his squad and their 4-3 record, as it appears that they can get even better.

One Mans Wish

by Jacob Bogage 12
Ive wished for many, many After graduating Sherwood, things in my life. then University of Maryland, I wished my beloved Orioles SVP bounced around at a few would win the pennant while I local television stations until his was a kid. I wished my pathetic charm and good looks landed him Redskins wouldnt have chased at the Golf Channel, then ESPN, Dion Sanders (he was a Cowboy the network of networks. at heart, anyway). I wish GeofId love to chronicle Van frey Lupul tripped and fell on Pelts story further and offer perhis face before ending my Caps sonal anecdotes about his whirlplayoff run in 2008. wind journey that eventually got The common thread among him the best job ever created, but the above three wishesnone of theres one problemIve never them came true. As a child and met you, Scott. Weve never had a loyal hometown fan, I didnt this discussion. And though Math think they were unreasonable. teacher Mel Laughner has your As Cal Ripken Jr. aged, the Os cell number (and Mr. Laughner decided to and I have stop builda friendly ing around Id love to chronicle Van r e l a t i o n him even Pelts story further and offer ship), Im as he went not one to personal anecdotes about cold call to All-Star game after his whirlwind journey that you out of All-Star the blue eventually got him the best like that. game. The Skins But, job ever created, but theres could have Scott (I one problemIve never can call gone after met you, Scott. draft picks you Scott, instead of right?), its a washed my wish. up Prime Does that Time. If Tom Poti doesnt take a mean anything? We grew up with tripping penalty in overtime, Lu- almost the same existence. We pul never gets open. rooted for the same teams, lived Sigh (and cry) as I might, my in the same area, went to the same wishes went ungranted and even- high school. You could get Bram tually I moved on, wishing only Weinstein (Springbrook alumn) that Roy Helu carries up the mid- in on the fun too if youd like. dle so Graham Gano doesnt have Only thing is, my wishes to kick from a hash or that the came true for you. The Os were Wizards John Wall gets fouled competitive when you were a as he throws up a desperation, young lad and there were no Nano-look layup. The major wishes tionals to siphon fans from Oldidnt work for me, so Ive put neys true team. The Skins were my luck (or lack thereof) on cer- in the playoff hunt and winning tain small, inconsequential plays. Super Bowls. Joe Theismann was Ive grown too old for the childs under center at the time. And the wishing game, but Ive upped Caps, oh the Caps! In 1987, they the ante in a last-ditch attempt to beat Philadelphia in a game seven believe in sporting superstitions, overtime thriller. the tooth fairy and all other things For someone who idolizes well and good. I have one last you enough to spend his last wish. sports column ever, his last sports Scott Van Pelt, can I meet wish ever, devoting it to the best you? SportsCenter anchor (and you For those of you who do not can show that to Linda Cohn and know who Van Pelt is, allow me the rest of the gang if you want), to educate you. Scott (can I call would it kill you to grab a cup you Scott?) is Sherwoods great- of coffee with me next time you est alumni and is an anchor for come home from Bristol? the emmy-winning ESPN show You drive, Ill pay. Starbucks SportsCenter. is on the left.

Girls Lacrosse
Covered by Brett Melnick 12
Next Game: April 20; Blair at Sherwood - 7 PM Record: Varsity: 4-1 JV: 1-4
The girls varsity lacrosse team, led by seniors Kelly Kendall, Meggie Lauda, junior Maddie Doan and sophomore Emily Kenul is now 4-1. After a very difficult first game of the season against Wootton, the team won by a single goal in overtime to assert themselves as a playoff-caliber team as they were last season. With the season looking bright for the team so far, they will face a challenge when they visit Walter Johnson on May 2.

Volleyball
Covered by Holly Cuozzo 12
Next Game: April 20; Sherwood at Einstein - Boys: 7 PM CoEd: 5:15 PM Record: Boys: 5-1 CoEd: 6-0
With a team composed of mostly first-time players, the coed volleyball team is exceeding expectations with a 6-0 record. The team reached and/or won the county finals each year since Bonnie Gilchrist began the program, and they expect to keep that tradition going this year under coach Pete Siarkas. However, the bar is set much higher now, which puts pressure on the team for the game versus Damascus on April 25.

Track & Field

Covered by Michael Natelli 14
Next Meet: April 21; Viking Invitational at Whitman - 8:30 AM Record: Boys: 1-3 Girls: 3-1
At 1-3 and 3-1, respectively, the boys and girls teams have had very different seasons thus far. The boys have been led by distance runners seniors Matt Stitzlein, Nick Johnson and Will Gavett, and the girls have been led by hurdlers Hope Fetty, Lauren Paese and Casey Anderson. With only a month remaining in the season, every meet counts for final standings, which makes the upcoming Viking Invitational at Whitman that much more important.

Boys Tennis
Covered by Scott Bolen 12
Next Match: April 20; Northwest at Sherwood - 3:30 PM Record: 3-3
The Warriors boys tennis team has gotten off to a slow start this year with a record of 3-3, their first two coming against division rival Blake and Division 3 opponent Einstein. The losses have come at the hands of nationally ranked Wootton, and Division 2 schools Rockville and QO. Despite the losing record, the Warriors will have a chance to right the ship tomorrow at home against Northwest.

Gymnastics
Covered by Jenni Kennel 14
Next Meet: April 19; Sherwood and Springbrook at Blair - 5:30 PM Record: 2-1
Over the duration of the season the gymnastics team has performed like true champions with big wins over Blake and Springbrook. The Sherwood gymnasts defeated Blake 130.6 to 125.8, while defeating Springbrook as well, who only scored 67 points. The next game is with Springbrook tonight and Blair will host.

Softball
Covered by Brendan Cudd 14
Next Game: April 20; Springbrook at Sherwood - 3:30 PM Record: Varsity: 7-0 JV: 5-1
Softball has an outstanding record of 7-0. They defeated a strong Blair team 8-3 on April 16. Sophmore Meggie Dejter led the way on the mound, striking out seven over six strong innings. Every person on our team has high skill and the team has a great variety of skill, said sophomore Kasey Rosen.

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Flying Far Over The Bar

by Joey Lavoie 14

Its A Girl Thing

Taking A Shot At Success Em ily K enu l

Sticking It To The Competition

by Jenni Kenel 14

Can you imagine playing a sport and balancing school and your social life? Many Sherwood students do, but junior Lauren Paese plays two varsity sports. In addition to varsity cheerleading in the fall and winter, Paese runs track and field in the winter and spring sports seasons. This year I wanted to do cheer and track, and luckily cheerleaders and poms can compete in another sport at the same time. But doing winter cheerleading and indoor track was really intense, explained Paese. I had to miss a few basketball games for track meets, so I felt bad for letting my team down. But both teams were very supportive of me, and understood when I had to miss practices. Although a combination of track and cheerleading creates more obligations, Paese still managed to succeed in the classroom where she has maintained honor roll so far this school year. During both indoor and outdoor track, Paese competes in high jump, hurdles and sprints/relays, spending half of the teams practices running and the other half practicing in her best event, the high jump. During this past indoor season, Paese placed second in the 4A West Regional final and qualified for the Maryland 4A/3A state championships on February 21, where she competed in the high jump. Qualifying for states was really exciting! I did not think I would make it that far, because it was my first time running indoor track, said Paese. Paese started to compete in track and field freshman year when fellow classmate Hope Fetty asked Paese to run track with her. She did not consider the possibilty of high jumping until the end of sophomore year. However, she now excels at high jumping, with a personal best jump of 50 recorded during this years indoor season. Paeses personal goal for her high school career is to at one point jump a 54. When running, Paese always needs something to motivate herself. When her own personal motivation isnt enough, she uses a quote that anyone in Olney would know, A saying that motivates me is never back down, said Paese. Running with Alex Popeck was an honor. He continues to inspire our team every day. Another saying that was adopted by the track team this year is #TFOD, or Track And Field Or Die, which will always push the team no matter how tired they are. Paese created this saying during the indoor track season. As for her final year at Sherwood next year, she hopes to bring back a medal for placing at states. Paese also hopes to have a successful season running, where she will compete in multiple relay events. As Paese looks to her senior year and beyond she hopes to run track for a club team while in college.

Paul Szewczyk 12

by Brendan Cudd 14
Last year Emily Kenul proved a nice surprise for Sherwood athletics with her elite lacrosse skills. Making varsity as a freshman, she was one of the best players on the team and was named first team All-Gazette. Currently a star midfielder on one of the stronger teams in the county, Kenul is following a path to become one of the best lacrosse players in the region. She may even already be one. Last year when she was a freshman, we were able to surprise some teams with her presence on the field. I think other coaches and players werent prepared to have to defend a player like her, said coach Kelly Hughes. Kenul started lacrosse when she was seven years old. My mom played in college, so she suggested it. Lacrosse is so popular in Maryland that I was able to join a team, said Kenul. An experienced player, Kenul has played a wide variety of positions. Ive played pretty much every position, but mostly midfield and attack. Midfield is my favorite, said Kenul. Despite her potential to be a star at multiple private schools with powerhouse lacrosse programs, Kenul came to Sherwood. There are so many amazing players from private schools, specifically Good Counsel, but I think I stood out because I try to be a part of every play. I get a decent amount of ground balls, goals and assists, and I have strong stick work, said Kenul. Whatever the competition, Kenul has tenacity for being around the action on the field. I guess Im just really competitive. I hate losing or being bad at something, so I make sure I get better, said Kenul. As a coach, you always hope to have a player like Emily Kenul. Not just because she is an incredible athlete and skilled in her sport, but she is also a great team player. Shes also a very kind person and a hard worker; she doesnt take her talents for granted and is always working as hard as everyone else, said Hughes. As a sign of her commitment, Kenul sometimes stays after practice to work on her shooting. Hughes notes that Kenul will only get better as she physically matures to compete against girls who are mostly a year or even two older than she is. She is a small person, but has gotten used to going against physically stronger defenders every day, and in turn, has made our defenders have to work harder. Its been really nice to see the team step up and take her on everyday as a challenge. Playing against bigger girls will prepare her for her college career as a lacrosse player, said Hughes.

As sophomore Robyn Bernard steps onto the mat to perform her floor routine, she looks forward to the tumbling lines and dance moves she is about to perform. While most people would let the pressure get to them, Bernard feels most comfortable on the mat and is confident in the routine she is about to perform. Bernards passion for gymnastics stems from her actions at just three years old, when her performance of continuous cartwheels and rolls around her house prompted her mother to ask her if she wanted to start gymnastics. My mom influenced me the most to start. She kept telling me how much fun it would be, and how there would be other kids learning also, said Bernard. Bernard practices at Hills Gymnastics Training Center in Gaithersburg. She looks up to Olympian Dominique Dawes who started out at Hills and older teammate Lexi Carroll who now has a full gymnastics scholarship to Penn State. They give her the confidence and inspiration that she needs to train even harder. She hopes to follow in the footsteps of her teammates and compete at a Division 1 school after graduating high school. Bernard travels very often and has practice five days a week, for a total of 24 hours. My coach doesnt really understand how hard school is nowadays, especially with Honors and AP classes. My teachers mostly understand, but not entirely. There arent many competitive gymnasts at Sherwood; they sometimes give me an extra day on assignments, said Bernard. Since the start of her career at Hills, Bernard has won states in 2010, the regional qualifiers five times and regionals in 2010. She has also qualified for the Junior Olympics and for Nationals three times. This past year she received most improved at her gym and in 2010 she received the most outstanding. In 2012 she won best allaround gymnast at events in Puerto Rico and New Orleans. She looks for support from her parents and takes pride in how far she has come. My parents [support me], but especially my mom because she always reminds me of how far Ive come and that in the end, it will be worth it. My dad always keeps me positive and reminds me how Im special, said Bernard. Even though Bernard is not on the Sherwood team this upcoming season because of conflicts with Hills, she was a huge asset to the team as a freshman. She practiced as much as possible with the Sherwood team, and came in the top four in the MCPS championship meet. Doing Sherwood gymnastics would require me to miss my club practices Ive been really busy with school work and college recruits, but I plan on helping the team when I can, said Bernard.

uren Paese La
Brett Melnick 12

Bernard Robyn
Jenni Kenel 14

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Boys Tennis Excels Despite Lack of Support

Growing sport able to keep a spot in tough competition.
ing to bounce back for another exceptional season behind senior Sherwood is known for its leadership. This years team is crazy and faithful crowds. Wheth- headed by senior captains Beater its students wearing American tie, Chris Damion, Nathan St. flag morph suits at basketball Pierre and Jeremy Parel. Parel games or students with paint on and Beattie anchor the team as almost every square inch of their the #1 and #2 players, respectiveface and stomach at football ly. However, the team is comgames, it is clear that the students prised of mostly sophomores and at Sherwood love their sports freshmen. It is interesting to see teams. This amazing fan support how these young and promising is also due in part to the outstand- athletes mature over this season ing performance of these teams with tough matches against great because, lets be honest, not many competition. Some players think people cheer for a losing team. It it is the sport that is causing such seems that all of the successful low turnouts. sports teams get a large amount I think so few fans come of fan support. However, one due to the lack of contact between bright spot p l a y in the athers that letics pro- I know its not the most popu- m o s t gram at sports Sherwood lar, but I enjoy it so much that I fans are s e v e r e l y dont mind the lack of fans. Ten- used to lacks the seeing in nis hopefully will one day be apfan supfootball or port and preciated as the great sport that lacrosse, credit it it is. said Dadeserves. m i o n . ~Senior Chris Damion However, Boys tennis has tennis has thrived in unique Montgomqualiery County, amassing a record ties that make it different from of 24-11 over the last two years. other sports, but equally enjoyLast year they were moved up to able. Tennis is a sport of quiet Division 2, after success for mul- appreciation in which fans enjoy tiple years in Division 3. Division the players concentration and 2 comes with a tougher schedule intensity rather than brutish hits and more depth than Division 3. and tackles. Its a sport which is Even with the change to tougher passionately played, yet leisurely competition, the Warriors still watched. continue to grind out wins. Yet Tennis may not be recogmany players still have to fight nized as it should; however, through tough matches with little players are able to find self-moto no crowd support. Includ- tivation through sheer love of the ing my parents, relatives and sport. I know its not the most all of my best friends I average popular, but I enjoy it so much two fans per match, said senior that I dont mind the lack of fans. captain Jess Beattie. He blames Tennis hopefully will one day this on a lack of advertisement, be appreciated as the great sport seating and understanding of the that it is, said Damion. As one sport. of Sherwoods only free sports This season the Warriors for students to attend, combined continue to attract the same size with a display of talent and abilfan base. The team currently has ity, sports fans should give boys a 3-3 record, but they are expect- tennis a look.

by Scott Bolen 12

Paul Szewczyk 12

From top, Chris Damion (12), Nicholas Ricciardella (10), and Jess Beattie (12) demonstrate different hits while warming up for a match.

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Jamie Langbein 13 and Michael Natelli 14

Baseball Breaks Rules For Traditions Sake

Chewing tobacco has been a long-standing tradition in baseball and despite its harmful effects, is still being used at all levels of the game.
by Ellen Kirkness 12
At the end of the 19th century, when the rules for baseball were established and America celebrated a new means by which to unify, the health risks of chewing tobacco were unidentified. Chewing tobacco became a popular habit for both players and coaches because the dip provided a source of dampness on a dry, dusty field. Throughout the 1900s, the use of dip, during major and minor league baseball grew massively. Yet, when the serious health consequences of chewing became known in the mid-20th century, the use began to decline. That is not to say, however, that chewing tobacco had not already weaved its way into the culture of baseball and players at all levels of competition. According to MCPS policy, The possession, use, and/or distribution of alcohol, tobacco and/ or tobacco products and other drugs on school grounds, on school buses, or during school activities, on or off school property, is prohibited. A violation of this code may result in a recommendation for a long term suspension or expulsion, or the division superintendent may impose a ten day suspension for first-time offenders or cases with special circumstances. Also the MCPS Code of Conduct notes the Coach and Sponsor responsibility, to notify parents and students, in writing, that the Student Code of Conduct is in force during all school-sponsored activities, including field trips; and to enforce the rules and regulations of the school and the Student Code of Conduct. While Sherwood officials consistently enforce the portion of this code which addresses alcohol, they take a more lenient view of the prohibition of tobacco and tobacco products on school grounds during school activities. Members of the Sherwood varsity baseball team use chewing tobacco during practice. I really have not heard the coaches address chewing tobacco much at all. At practice, I dont think they particularly care, but it seems like unwritten agreement not to use it while at a game, said one varsity baseball player. According to sources, a handful of the players use chewing tobacco at practice. This is a statistic which has vastly decreased since last year due to the healthy choices of players themselves. I have never chewed before. I have always viewed it as something which has way too much of a negative consequence. Personally, I see all tobacco products as something that will cause harm to an individual in the long run; I think it is their loss if they do it. However, the rules or regulations about stopping the use are not too effective, said the player. While chewing tobacco is declining at the professional level since major league players who dip lose sponsorship opportunities to appeal to kids, it is still prevalent in high school baseball. Though many players declined to talk about their use to The Warrior, there is little other effort made to deny the habit.

Youthful Warriors Tread Water May Proves To Be Crucial Month

by Matt Diogo 14
Flash back to last year. The Sherwood varsity baseball team has gone undefeated in the regular season and is playing in the state semifinals against the Churchill Bulldogs. Eight of the nine starters are seniors, so the team is all in on this one. They fall to the underdog Bulldogs 2-1 on a suicide squeeze, and shortly after, long-time coach Bill Goodman announces his retirement. Fast forward to now. Assistant c o a c h Sean Davis h a s stepped up as the new skipper, and well, just asking him how its going: Were getting better every day. I told [the team] that nobody played an opening threegame stretch like we did. Yorktown, Whitman and then [Walter Johnson], said the rookie coach. After an opening loss against the outof-state Yorktown Patriots and then a commanding win over the Northwood Gladiators, the Warriors traveled to Walter Johnson to take on the talented Wildcats, coming out with a slim 7-6 victory. The hitting was much improved and the Warriors scored seven runs courtesy of big days at the plate by sophomores Brady Adam and Matt Chanin and junior Daniel Johnson, who combined for five hits, three runs and four runs batted in over nine atbats. The only problem with this game was defense. A season-high seven errors were committed, leading to six unearned runs. The game against the Whitman Vikings was rough, as the Warriors were shut out and even no-hit by Vikings pitcher Michael Flack. This was the Warriors first home game, an effort in which they lost 2-0 in a depressing game at Jack Bentley Memorial Field. The latest game was against the Blair Blazers; a strong 9-6 win that featured a stellar start on the mound by junior Grant Dickey. A late-game comeback was stifled by Chanin who picked u p the two-out save. E d lier Pegueros seventhinning double p l a t e d three runs for the Warr i o r s and put the game out of reach for the Blazers. Sophomore Matt Chanin

Swinging For The Fences

by Michael Natelli 14
After a 4-3 start, including a nailbiting 7-6 win over juggernaut Walter Johnson and a staff nohitter against Kennedy, the Warriors look like t h e y have what it takes t o make some noise in t h e playoffs. And, if everything goes right, compete for its third state championship since 2008. But again, thats if everything goes right. Consistency has been perhaps the most glaring issue for this promising young Warrior squad, as demonstrated by the fact that they got nohit by Whitman pitcher Michael Flack before Spring Break and then threw a staff no-hitter against Kennedy the following game. So the Warriors have displayed the good, bad and ugly, the question being which team will come out when its playoff time. All signs point to the month of May deciding whether playoff seeding will be friend or foe to the Warriors. Though Springbrook and Paint Branch (April 21 and

23) both present their own sets of challenges, May will decide where the Warriors stand. The team will face Quince Orchard (7-1) on May 3 and Churchill (2-6) on May 7, and then close out the season with Gaithersburg (6-2) on May 8. Quince Orchard and Gaithersburg are both powerhouses, but if the Warriors beat Walter Johnson already, theyre capable of pulling off the upsets. Getting the W against Churchill will be a nice day off for the Warriors in between difficult matchups, as it gives starting pitchers a day off, and gives coach Sean Davis the flexibility to have a staff day. However, the game is certainly a must-win if the Warriors are in position at that point to land a high playoff spot, and should be treated as such. Having those three upset wins along with a staff day in the middle will give as much momentum as anything heading into the playoffs, and would certainly contribute to the cause of landing a top four seed. With senior catcher Colin McMahon the only returning starter this season, a young Warrior team is looking to maintain the powerhouse reputation that Sherwood baseball has established over the last four seasons, including state titles in 2008 and 2010. Its a different makeup. Were a different type of team, said Davis. But, weve been in every ballgame. Weve played some teams that are probably going to compete for the state [title], and weve been there with them. So if we get better every day, the skys the limit for this group. Senior Daniel Bower