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Volume12 Number 2 James Hubert Blake HS 300 Norwood Rd Silver Spring MD 20905 Online http://www.blakebeat.net November 12, 2010

Satire supporters converge in DC to promote sanity, fear

Teens topple
treacherous
trouble on
Capital Hill
by Delilah Gates
x& Lily Hua
Comedy Central come-
dians Jon Stewart and Stephen
Colbert co-hosted a three-hour
rally on the Washington Na-
tional Mall Saturday October
30 known as the Rally to Re-
store Sanity and/or Fear.
The rally brought to-
gether over 200,000 people
from all over the country to
witness a comical, yet serious
message about the partisan
issues facing the nation’s
government. “I definitely ap-
preciated the comedy and the
interwoven truth,” says senior
Jalen Marshall. “The truth
never gets old.”
The message of the rally
was non-partisan, voicing the
belief that those in the govern-
ment should work together,
not against one another, to
solve issues. “I supported
what [the rally] stood for, not
restoring sanity,” says senior
Julia Baker, “but the promo-
tion of news awareness among
the American citizens and
how ridiculous the separation
our country has [become] be- Junior Karen Vanegas and senior Zakaria Kronemer enjoy a lively or Fear. They joined a cheerful crowd of 200,000 while musical
cause of political parties.” political atmosphere at the October 30 Rally to Restore Sanity and/ guests and celebrities performed. --photo by Cecilia Girolami
Whereas Colbert pro- the same message in completely them if they learned to stop their agreement to Stewart’s comedians, the rally featured
vided a humorous satirical opposite ways.” generalizing about people. message. performances from musicians
perspective, Stewart took on Stewart criticized how “If we continue to per- Though it conveyed a Sheryl Crow, The Roots, Yusuf
a more literal role denouncing the media gave Americans fake petuate fear, if we…let [the] serious message, the rally was Islam, Ozzy Osbourne, The
Americans on their unhealthy connotations and called the media feed us their overwhelm- not without some serious en- O’Jays, John Legend, Kid Rock
tendency to stereotype and media the “country’s 24-hour ingly negative messages,” says tertainment and fans. Junior and Tony Bennett. Mythbusters
blow things out of propor- politico pundit perpetual panic Kronemer, “our problems as a Eugene Litman says, “My hosts Adam Savage and Jamie
tion. Says senior Zakaria conflictator.” For issues that our country will never be solved.” favorite part of the rally was Hyneman, and basketball star
Kronemer, “I loved that both country faces, Stewart believes Other students voiced similar just seeing Jon Stewart and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar were
comedians were able to emit that Americans can overcome opinions when asked about Colbert.” In addition to the also present.

Community x by Somala Diby & Blaire Hoffman

Friends and family continue to
the party. Once on U.S. 29, Lancon drove
northbound into the southbound lanes of
U.S. 29 and struck another driver.
the influence of alcohol on the morning
of his accident, Kyle’s drinking habits
were not unlike many other teenagers.

grieves over grieve after alumnus Kyle Lancon was

pronounced dead October 10, follow-
ing a fatal car accident early morning
From the site of the accident, Lan-
con was taken to Maryland Shock Trauma
Center in Baltimore. After numerous tests
Says senior Cameron Lancon, brother to
Kyle, “He [partied] as much as any other
kid in our area...it could’ve happened to
loss of alumnus October 9.
Lancon, who was driving from a
and operations had been done, Lancon’s
critical condition did not improve; his
anyone.”
The loss of an alumnus has served

Car crash tragedy

College Park party, was on his way to
visit girlfriend and alumna Camille Hart
at the University of Maryland Baltimore
affects Lancons, County (UMBC). After multiple attempts
by his friends and Hart to prevent him
parents then decided that it was best to
let him go. Sunday afternoon Lancon was
pronounced dead.
Before the accident, Kyle was at-
tending Montgomery College and had
as a wake-up call prompting many stu-
dents to think twice about drinking and
driving, or drinking at all. “I’m not drink-
ing until I’m 21. I probably won’t even
drink after that,” says Cameron. “Alcohol

friends forever from driving, Lancon, under the influence

of alcohol, got a hold of his keys and left
planned on joining the Army National
Guard Reserves. Though he was under
is a poison.”
Continued on A2

IN THIS ISSUE:
Blood drive Fans excited for Bengals live un-
surpasses goal, latest Harry Potter usual farm life-
page A3 film, page E1 style, page C7
Senior gives her own interpretation of the steps teens take before dating: “talking,” p. B1
A2 November 12, 2010 The Blake Beat

Messy hallways, lazy attitudes trouble entire school

Trash cans neglected as clutter climbs; faculty promotes cleanliness
x by Kemi Olowoofayoku
Since the beginning of the 2010 school year,
students and teachers alike have observed the messy
behavior exhibited in hallways during lunch. As a result,
swift actions have been taken to prevent further trashing
of the school.
“The hallways after lunch are gross to say the
least,” says junior Amanie Musa. She, along with other
students, constantly finds herself weaving and dodging to
It’s not that hard to find
a trash can, they’re
everywhere.
Amanie Musa
avoid slipping on food left in the hallways. “It’s not that
hard to find a trashcan, they’re everywhere,” adds Musa.
“The problem is people are just plain lazy.”
This laziness has been a trend at Blake throughout
the years. Special Education Resource Teacher Antoi-
nette Jurado-Hilton has noticed a common factor when
it comes to hallway slobs. Says Mrs. Jurado-Hilton,
“Each year, it seems like the ninth grade students have
a tendency to leave their trash expecting someone else
to pick [it] up.”
Whether it is the freshmen or other students, one
thing is clear; dirty hallways are not something teachers
are willing to deal with. As a result, several hallways have
been covered with signs explaining that food is prohibited
in the posted area. Building Services has also added more
trashcans throughout the school to make throwing away
food more convenient.
“A lot of people expect to be cleaned up after,”
says senior Joyce Bartlett, “But there are no maids or
There are no maids or fairy
godmothers to magically
make the trash disappear.
Joyce Bartlett
fairy godmothers to magically make the trash disappear.”
Bartlett, along with some of her peers, makes it a habit
to constantly clean up after lunch is finished. “How can
you not feel bad about being a slob and expect someone
to pick up after you?” adds Bartlett. “It’s just bratty.”
Having dirty hallways produces fire hazards,
increases the chances of accidents and diminishes the
appearance of the school. It is important that every stu-
dent is accountable for his or her own mess. Adds Mrs.
Jurado-Hilton, “I would like to think students would leave
the hallway the way they find it before lunch: clean.”

Yearbook staffers visit

Jostens publishing factory
Students see printing process
x by Somala Diby
Yearbook staff and Tempo
creators explored the production
process of high school year-
books through a guided tour
of the Jostens publishing plant
in State College, Pennsylvania
November 4.
After a four-hour bus ride,
the yearbook staff arrived at the
plant and was greeted by Cus-
tomer Service Consultant Brenda
Sovino, who led them into a room
filled with archived Jostens year-
books from the last 30 years.
While at the plant, Tempo’s
staff was guided through the fac-
tory, visiting customer service
consultants stationed at different
areas along the way. For Tempo
sponsor and English teacher
Allison Finn the trip was her
second visit to the factory since
she attended middle school. Says
Ms. Finn, “I [was] excited for
[the staff] to see how books are
printed.”
Planning pages and placing
pictures in yearbooks can be very
exciting; however the process of
producing one is long and gru-
eling. Jostens first receives the
yearbook in 16-page groupings
called signatures; customer ser-
vice consultants then soft-proof
pages and put them into high-
resolution PDFs. “I learned that
it’s quite a rigorous process and
that one small mistake could cost
the whole book,” says Coverage
Editor and senior Lucas Frangou,
“so we have to be on time, and
they have to be on time.”
Signatures are proofread
and made printer-ready through
Prinergy, an electronic page file-
placer. Pages are then etched into
an emulsion, which is washed off
inside a trendsetter, and mounted
onto metal plates. From there,
the book is printed, the pages
are sewn together and the cover
is placed.
The trip was made possible
by Jostens Sales Representative
Jen Massey, who is Tempo’s liai-
son. Along with selecting Blake
as a launch for the Yearbook
Yourself option to students, Ms.
Massey chose Tempo’s staff to
visit the publishing plant. “The
staff [is] fully engaged...excited,
and ready to try new things,” says
Ms. Massey. “I knew they would
embrace it.”
Jostens prides itself in its
environmental awareness: from
printing with recyclable vegeta-
ble-based inks to the option of
printing on 100% recycled paper.
Jostens strives to reduce its land-
fill contribution to zero tons.
Tempo’s staff was able to
repose and discuss the trip at a
creamery at Pennsylvania State
University before the four-hour
bus ride home. Many members
of the staff found the trip to be
exciting and enlightening. Says
Ms. Finn, “We’re...on the cutting
edge of yearbooks and I want Tempo staff pose with Customer Service Consultant Camp, Senior Joyce Bartlett, Junior Courtney
[the staff] to know that and be Alyssa Marsh in front of sewing and binding Cristaldi, and Senior and Tempo Coverage Editor
proud of it.” machines. From left to right: Sophomore Cory Lucas Frangou. -- photo by Aron Crews

Tragic event triggers fight against drunk driving

Continued from A1
Others believe that prevention of such a situation
is the first step. “If you see someone considering driving
drunk, do everything in your power to stop them,” says
senior Jordan Hart, sister to Camille. “I would never want
any of my fellow students to have to deal with what the
Lancon family, my sister, my family, and those closest to
Kyle are going through.”
Though the passing of Kyle has been saddening,
students and teachers alike remember the selfless and
compassionate facets of Kyle. “He was so goofy and
carefree,” says Jordan. “He really looked after me...and
was willing to help me with anything.”
Senior Brooke Mellish is also a close family-friend
to the Lancon’s and has been friends with both Cameron
and Kyle since childhood, having spent every Christmas
with them. Kyle was also her softball coach in the past.
“Kyle was a really good guy and I miss him,” says Mel-
lish. “[This accident] made me realize I need to cherish
my life.”
During his time at Blake, Kyle was a star player on
the Varsity Soccer team. Says Victor Loun, sponsor of
Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) and Eng-
lish teacher, “[Kyle] was a vivacious student and a good
soccer player.” In the near future, SADD hopes to release
a short segment to be aired on Eubie TV in response to
the passing of Kyle.
Others in the Blake community are also making ef-
forts to commemorate Kyle. Alumnus Dominic DiPietro
has created the Kyle Lancon Foundation, a charity with
a mission to “inform the world about the seriousness of
drinking and driving.” Parts of the foundation’s efforts
are giving out memorial bracelets in exchange for dona-
tions.
The Lancon Family held a wake for Kyle October
15 at the Hines-Rinaldi Funeral Home. His funeral was
held that Saturday at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Olney.
Many Blake students and alumni attended to pay their
respects to the passing alumnus.
The tragedy has prompted many students to make
better driving decisions and be more conscious of their
actions. Adds Mr. Loun, “Remember all the people you
will affect by your decisions - people who will always
carry your memory around with them.”
The Blake Beat
‘Sexting’ on rise among teens, risks damaging future
by Kristen Frese
x & Leah Patterson
In recent years, the trend
of sending nude pictures or sexu-
ally explicit messages via cell
phone, also known as “sexting,”
has been on the rise - especially
among young people.
Teenagers tend to feel more
confident and comfortable when
using technology. Sometimes
they do and say things they
would not in person. Without
the risk of pregnancy and sexu-
ally transmitted diseases, many
students feel it can be a safer way
to be sexually active. Says senior
Scott Michaels*, “I love it. It
gives me an adrenaline rush.”
There are risks to sexting,
however, ranging from the pic-
tures being spread to legal con-
sequences. Says guidance coun-
selor Jeannette Hayes, “Unless
you are ready for your parents to
see it at some point, don’t send
it.” More seriously, minors can
be charged for production and
distribution of child pornography
November 12, 2010
and become registered as a sex
offender.
The risk of the images
being seen by multiple people
prevents many students from
sending sexts in the first place.
“I just think it could lead to
worse things, like forwarding
and spreading,” says junior
Anna Wilford*. It is especially
easy now with the new forms of
technology for people to upload
other students’ pictures onto the
internet.
Many students do not real-
ize that it is illegal to send nude
pictures as a minor. But those
who are aware often refrain from
sending pictures and prefer to
only receive. Says alumni Mack-
enzie Lowry*, “Sexting isn’t that
bad as long as you’re not the one
sending the pictures.”
Putting the risks aside,
many students find enjoyment
from sexting. As technology ad-
vances, teens are finding ways to
take sexting even further. They
can now use their webcams to
have “Skype sex,” or use blogs
A3
such as Tumblr to post explicit
pictures and messages.
Colleges and employers are
also able to access a database of
registered sex offenders, which
could greatly affect a young
adult’s future. Says Ms. Hayes,
“The biggest risk is that what
was meant to be private gets seen
by other people… I wouldn’t
want that on my resume.” It
is important to remember the
consequences of sexting before
pressing “Send.”
*Names have been changed

Students give
blood for cause
Goal overreached
despite troubles
x by Michael Joiner & Britney Stuart
Filling out all of the spots on the sign-up
sheet, October 6, Blake managed to donate 61
units of blood to Inova Health System, which
was 11 units above its goal.
Due to their hard-working, campaigning
and advertising, Blake’s SGA and Leadership
class, who were in charge of the drive, were
able to get all their spots filled, adding even a
few extra to allow more donations.
“It’s a good [cause],” says SGA spon-
sor Christina Gelb. “It’s hopefully something
they could do for the rest of their lives and
contribute to helping others.”
Although the blood drive was a success,
some students began to feel dizzy and light-
headed, and three students passed out. One
of the students was junior Lucas Irvin, who
passed out right after giving blood early in the
morning, and hit his head on the floor. To en-
sure Irvin’s safety, he was sent to Montgomery
General Hospital. “I thought I was fine,” says
Irvin. “I’ll just make sure to eat and drink some
more so this doesn’t happen again.”
The students go through screening and
tests before having their sample blood drawn
by the phlebotomists, specialized workers who
draw the blood, to make sure that they are
qualified to have their blood taken.
Phlebotomist trainer Terrence Cochran,
assistant director of Inova AJ Hughes and
senior account manager Sandi Bourget made
sure all the phlebotomists were well-prepared
for the event by setting up stations properly,
making sure students felt comfortable and
informing participants of the blood-taking
process. Says Ms. Bourget, “There is nothing
more rewarding to [anyone] that can directly
affect someone’s life than donating blood.”
In spite of the few troubles, Blake was
able to continue the day with more success.
Senior David Anderson played a significant
part, taking the leadership role in making
sure everything went according to plan and
ensuring every station had a helper ready at
command. “I don’t consider myself any dif-
ferent than anyone else in this class because
we all worked together,” says Anderson. “I
am just doing this because it really is for a Junior Joal Chen suffers through a little pain for a great cause System. Because of the SGA’s efforts, the blood drive was able
good cause.” during this year’s blood drive sponosored by Inova Health to donate 61 units of blood. --photo by Aron Crews

Experts train pupils in money matters, help avoid financial faux pas
by Savannah Doane-Malotte
x & Samara Tu
Find out all the essentials about col-
lege tuition at Blake’s annual Financial Aid
Workshop Thursday at 7pm, where many
knowledgeable guest speakers will be shar-
ing their insight on the topic.
This workshop is available to all
students, but will mainly benefit juniors
and seniors. It will focus on state and
federal aid programs and how to complete
the Free Application for Federal Student
Aid (FAFSA). “It’s the time of the year to
think about financial aid,” says College and
Career Coordinator Katherine Moore, “and
this workshop is a great way to learn more
about it.” Financial aid, unlike scholarships,
is given to anyone who has need, regardless
of talent or grades. It is dependent not only
on parental income, but also on number of
family members and age of parents. This
way, it is easier for students to attain aid.
“My parents’ income is not enough to pay
for a four year span of college,” says senior
Andrea Archila. “I’m hoping [the workshop
will help me learn] ways to earn college
money.”
Melissa Gregory, the Director of Fi-
nancial Aid at Montgomery College; Wendy
Maldonado, the Outreach Counselor in the
Office of Financial Aid at Montgomery Col-
lege and Mrs. Moore will be speaking at the
event. All three women are experts on the
matter, with years of experience in helping
students obtain and apply for financial aid.
“The goal is to give parents an over-
view of the types of financial aid and how to
It’s the time
apply for financial aid,” says Ms. Gregory.
“It’s basically a ‘Financial Aid 101’ course.”
of year to think
Subjects that will be stressed are financial
aid types, how to apply for aid and the
about financial
FAFSA. The FAFSA is especially important
because all colleges require it when ap-
aid and this
plying for financial aid; the workshop will
clarify all questions on how to fill it out.
workshop is a
The workshop will also cover some
scholarship information, and alternative
great way to
ways to help pay for college; it will be given
in English and Spanish in the Amphitheatre
learn more.
and the Career Center respectively. Katherine Moore
A4 November 12, 2010 The Blake Beat

Blake students had no trouble enjoying themselves on Halloween. Junior Daniel Louloudes Christian Domaas and Brianna Lopez (top right) enjoy the jelly bean look while juniors
(top left) gets dressed up as Spiderman while junior Sarah Prather (bottom left) dresses as Courtney McKenna, Julie Lopatka, and Emily Lindsey (bottom right) show off the Charlie’s
the Mad Hatter with sophomore Jourdan Lewanda dressed as a yellow power ranger. Juniors Angels look. --photo of Spiderman by Karen Vanegas, other photos by Cecilia Girolami

Students treat themselves to favorite Halloween traditions

Teens never grow too old for getting candy, dressing up in costumes
xby Andrea Rizkallah & Shannon Wade
Trick-or-treat, smell my feet, give
me something good to eat. This has
been the Halloween slogan for gen-
erations and it was no different this year.
Even though Halloween took place
on Sunday this year, the festivities started
long before. The preceding Friday, many
students showed their enthusiasm by show-
ing up to school in full costume and char-
acter. “I thought school was a great place
to show off my costume and get started
on the Halloween spirit,” says junior Alex
Morales. But the spirit did not end there.
Many students took part in ac-
tivities throughout the long weekend
such as going trick-or-treating, visit-
ing the Haunted Forest, attending local
house parties and hitting DC hot-spots.
Some believe that trick-or-treating
stops when you reach high school, but
others believe it should be an ongoing tradi-
tion no matter how old you are. “Come on,
you walk around and get free candy from
strangers,” says senior Michael Shriner.
“Who doesn’t want that?” One of the local
trick-or-treating hot-spots was Hallowell,
which was filled with teenage candy-goers.
“I come trick-or-treating here every
year and I always run into a lot of friends,” says
senior Shelby Morales. “Everyone knows
that neighborhood gives out the best candy.”
On the other hand, some students
decided to try something different. One
of the main attractions was the Haunted
Forest in Poolesville. “We decided that
trick-or-treating wasn’t our thing any-
more,” says senior Aracelys Lopez, “but
this still kept us in the Halloween spirit.”
The Haunted Forest is a scream fest,
with a surprise around every corner
ready to scare the next unwitting victim.
Among these many attractions,
were the local house parties. Some were
thrown for people to dance and mingle
with friends, while others were thrown
to relax and watch scary movies. Says
Shelby, “After trick-or-treating, my friends
and I crashed at my house to watch scary
movies and trade our spoils.” All the
houses were decked out for the occa-
sion, sporting decorations such as ghouls,
fog and creepy sound effects to match.
For all the legal adults out there,
DC was a big hit for celebrations. The few
seniors that are above 18 hit clubs, such as
Bistro and Ultrabar, which both held big
costume events. “Bistro is always a hot
spot on Friday nights, especially for Hal-
loween,” says senior Sidney Nascimento.
“Everyone goes all out and participates
in the contests and has a good time.” For
those who have nothing to do, you can
never go wrong with partying in DC.
The four-day weekend that Hal-
loween landed on was convenient be-
cause it gave everyone a chance to find
something to do. Whether keeping up
with tradition or trying something new,
Halloween is always a highly-anticipated
event for everyone no matter how old.
The Blake Beat November 12, 2010 A5

Secretaries Krystal Prillman-White and Denice Zach Radov (bottom left) became a pirate, and
Wepasnick (top) dressed up as Snow White freshman Kevin Wright dressed up as an elderly
characters. Senior Mark Fearson (middle left) man. Snow White photo by Cecilia Girolami.
transformed into Link from Zelda, junior Bottom three photos by Karen Vanegas.
A6 November 12, 2010 The Blake Beat

End of first quarter marks start of Renaissance events

Students are recognized for hard work in classroom, academic excellence
by Sammi Levitt
x & Savannah Tryens
Every year the Renaissance
program finds a way to creatively
honor students who have excelled
academically with dinners, ral-
lies, tea parties and various other
events.
Renaissance events are not
only for students who make the
Honor Roll. “By recognizing stu-
dents…we hope that the students
[will] continue to work hard,”
says Renaissance director Hector
Morales. “We hope those students
continue to raise their grades to
one day be on the Honor Roll.”
Beginning the second quarter,
students who raise their GPA
.5% can attend the Renaissance
festivities.
The All A’s dinner, Wednes-
day, will mark the beginning of the
Renaissance program’s events for
this year, the dinner will be fol-
lowed by a Top 25 Tea November
23 and the Renaissance Rally
November 24 which will conclude
the celebrations for November.
The Renaissance program is a club
made up of 20-40 students who
work to organize these events to
commend their classmates.
Wednesday’s dinner is not
the first one the program has held.
Renaissance prefers dinners be-
cause the parents are able to attend
but breakfasts will be held later
on in the year because students
are more inclined to attend during
classes. The dinner will be held in
the Blake cafeteria at 5:30. it memorable.”
The Top 25 Tea, held at The rally will be held in
6pm in the cafeteria, honors hard-
working students who raise their
the auditorium, the morning of
the 24th. The celebration will By
GPA the most. Both parents and
students are invited to partake in
have games such as limbo, pie
eating and marshmallow eating recognizing
the night’s activities, which will
be attended by administrators and
competitions and tricycle races.
Poms and the Blake Percussion students...
hosted by Mr. Morales and the
student committee.
Band will both be performing at
the event. we hope that
The first quarter Renais-
sance rally is for students who are
Renaissance holds events at
the end of every marking period the students
considered to be the cream of the
crop, those who made Honor Roll.
in order to motivate students to
do better the next term. “Our [will]
The rally is the most prepared
event Renaissance organizes.
ultimate goal is to have more
students performing at a higher continue to
Says junior Renaissance member
Ghulam Sallman, “We prepare
level,” says Sallman. “ If a student
gets a B instead of a C because work hard.
for upcoming events at all of our they want to play musical chairs
meetings, but the rally has the or limbo at one of our rallies our Hector Morales
most attendees so we have to make job is done.”

Despite hysteria, 2012 Mayan apocalypse not all it is cracked up to be

x by David Hylton & Simone Taylor
Recent studies have shown that the current calcula-
tion of the Mayan calendar may be off by almost 50 to 100
years, affecting the recently hyped 2012 apocalypse date.
The Mayan calendar is a sophisticated system of
almanacs created by the Mayan civilization that developed
the concepts of months and years. Some people believe
that the world will end when the Mayan calendar ends;
December 2012. After recent calculations though, that date
may be false. “This ‘delay’ seems to be a cushion net if the
This ‘delay’ seems to be
a cushion net if the world
doesn’t end in 2012.
Anthony Bui
world doesn’t end in 2012,” says junior Anthony Bui.
The mistake occurred when historians tried to
convert the Mayan calendar to the current calendar, the
Gregorian calendar. A mistake was made when determin-
ing a conversion value. However, some believe that this
release of a “new apocalypse date” is just to cover up
something they believe may not happen. “They probably
found evidence that would contradict everything they’ve
been trying to advertise to believers,” says junior Erica
Wang. “After 100 years, the new [historians] will predict
another [new date].”
Some classes at Blake let students watch videos
covering various Doomsday predictions, including the Ma-
yan calendar theory. “[Mythology and Astronomy] totally
reinforced my disbelief about this whole deal,” says senior
Corinne Konoza. According to Konoza, the only significant
thing about the end of the Mayan calendar is that all the
planets will be aligned. There is no evidence that the Mayans
noted December 2012 to be the end of the world.
Despite believers’ efforts to convince the public
that 2012 is serious, most students disagree. “Most of my
friends and peers joke around about it,” says Wang. “‘Why
does homework matter? We’re just going to die in 2012
anyways.’”
Bui adds, “After Armageddon, Y2K, and 6/6/06,
how many times are [people] willing to believe the world
will fall?”
The research field is not the only place that has
experienced the 2012 hype. News stories are constantly
covering families that are getting ready for the end; sav-
ing water jugs and packing other essential items that they
believe may be scarce after the notorious date. Hollywood
has shared its bit of hype when movie industry Columbia
Pictures distributed the film 2012.
Despite disbelief, Wang admits she will miss the
hype. “I [guess] I’m kind of relieved,” says Wang, “but at
the same time I was looking forward to an end of the world
party…just kidding.”
The Blake Beat November 12, 2010 A7

Newsbeats
es aker
om Julia B
ina G Iren ee
G e Le in L
mbe Kev
ros Yuju
n Cao

n n n n n n

Para-educators were welcomed to Montgomery
County Public Schools at an orientation October 15.
Senior Sydnee Bullard, one of two student speak-
ers, spoke about her high school experiences and the
positive impacts of para-educators in the classroom.
The Leader of Office of Human Resources and De-
velopment Carole Goodman also spoke.
n n n Carpenter and freshman Yujun Cao participated in
Senior volleyball star Meagan Lagerlef recently
committed to Howard University. She accepted a
full-ride scholarship offer and chose Howard over
the University of Pittsburgh. Lagerlef chose How-
ard for its exceptional sports therapy program and
for the new direction the volleyball team is headed
under new coach, Dawn Barnes.
Seniors Julia Baker, Alex Raul, Linda Powers,
Nicholas Tax, Lauren Barlow, Rainier Gomez,
Grace Mlingi, Delilah Gates, Andrea Archila
and Kevin Lee, juniors Brandon Weber, Irene
Lemberos, Rachel Jaffe, Phillip Dang, Robert
Korycinski, Rhea Wyse, Lucas Irvin, Jonathon
Parks, Jahmila Roberts, Victor Chau and Charles
Cheng, sophomores Gina Gomes and Samantha
the University of Maryland Math Competition Part I
October 20.
n n n
Beginning Monday, the D253 computer lab will be open
before school for students to use the Triumph SAT soft-
ware available on the MCPS website at montgomery-
schoolsmd.org, where students would then click on the
test preparation icon on the left side of the homepage.
Triumph provides excellent SAT practice as students
learn test-taking tips, take real SAT practice tests or
sections, get feedback on those tests and use practice
questions to help eliminate weaknesses. To use the
Triumph software, students input their six-digit ID
number for their user name and then use that same six-
digit number as their password.
Students can also use the Triumph software from a
home computer.
n n n
The It’s Academic team took on Mt. Vernon high
school and Robinson secondary school October 23,
winning handily with a score of 560-385-320. The
game will air December 11 at 11am on NBC 4. This
years’ team starts junior captain Lucas Irvin and
seniors Conor Wallace and Dylan Hysen.

OO
N CV
T

120 BLAKE
CALENDAR
November 12 November 15 November 19
Fall play: Tales of the Arabian Nights, Club and sports group pictures, Club and sports group pictures,
7:30pm 7:30am-2pm 7:30am-2pm

November 16 Fall play: Tales of the Arabian Nights,

November 13
7:30pm
Armed Service Vocational Aptitude Bat-

Black College Expo at University of

tery (ASVAB): Career Exploration Test
administered, 7:30am
November 20
November 17
Maryland College Park in Reckford Fall play: Tales of the Arabian Nights,
Armory, 9am-5pm 7:30pm

November 23
Preparing for success event for high
All A’s dinner, 5:30pm
school girls at Montgomery College,
10am-4:30pm
Fall play: Tales of the Arabian Nights,
November 18 Top 25 Tea, 6pm
7:30pm Seniors’ financial aid workshop, 7pm
Varsity Cheerleading Competition at Fall play: Tales of the Arabian Nights,
7:30pm
November 24
Blair, 9:30am
Morehouse College recruiting at Gaith- Renaissance pep rally, 9:39am
ersburg, 6pm
A8 November 12, 2010 The Blake Beat
Students wear purple to remember tragic suicides in the LGBT community, p. B3

Section B Blake Beat Opinion November 12, 2010

Girls think too hard, guys play along with their games
x by Sonia Polyzos
“Talking”: the stage in which you are
still single but interested in another person.
This ends when the dating stage begins, as
defined by Urban Dictionary.
Every girl prowling for a high school
sweetheart goes through this exhausting yet
thrilling stage; guys, I’m going to give you a
girl’s over-thought perspective on this gruel-
ing process. Girls, preach with me here.
Guy starts talking to Girl very ca-
sually; maybe a Facebook chat, a quick
exchange at lunch. This one conversation
tends to be very successful and all of a sud-
den: BOOM! Girl’s already doodling hearts
on her notebook.
The next few days, Girl “plays hard to
get.” She stays up late on Facebook wait-
ing for him to appear online but she doesn’t
message him, and when a “hey” pops up in
her chat box, she waits five extra minutes so
she does not seem too interested.
Girl and Guy talk. He asks for her
number very casually after about four days.
Secretly, this is the moment Girl’s been wait-
ing for all week.
Guy texts Girl about a few days after
that with a simple “hey what’s up” (usually
9pm or later) and Girl freaks out. Conversa-
tion seems to be going well…
Guy doesn’t talk to Girl next day. Girl
thinks to herself, “Okay, I can break my rule
just this one time” and texts Guy something
slightly flirty, glancing at her phone every
20 seconds.
Girl’s plan fails. Guy thinks he has all
the power. The conversation for the next few
days is as dry as your lawn in November.
They stop talking for a few days. Girl
doesn’t want to seem annoying. Guy thinks
Girl will text him again. But she doesn’t.
“What am I doing? I’m supposed to
be the one who’s ‘talking,’” thinks Guy and
texts her. Conversation runs smoothly...
Girl and Guy begin to chat every day.
Slowly, it leads to texting until three in the
morning. Girl ends up falling asleep on her
doodled math journal in class.
Guy begins to call girl every night.
Guy makes move: “So when will we
finally hang out?”
The rest is history.
Girls, maybe we do put too much
thought into when to talk, how to act, what
rules we can break, and what rules should
remain unbreakable. But guys, you play
along too. Every unofficial couple knows
the rule of “talking”; it’s simply a guilty
pleasure.

Survive Black
Friday storm
of shoppers
by Sammi Levitt
x & Savannah Tryens
Forget the food on the
table and loved ones; come
Thanksgiving all we will be
thankful for is the 50% off sales
and early bird specials going
on at our favorite stores.
For most, Black Friday
is just another tale about a
women being trampled by
mobs of crazed shoppers, but
for the brave few who dare to
participate, a couple of tips
would never hurt.
Choose your location
wisely: your favorite mall,
like Columbia or Montgom-
ery, may be nice for a week-
end shopping trip but not for
Black Friday. If it is your
favorite mall, chances are it’s
a half-a-million other people’s
too. Stick to low-key places
or forget malls all together.
Places like Rockville Pike
or Wheaton Mall usually fly an extra five hours of sleep kicks or a cute shirt from to wait until your next birthday you from wasting your time,
under the radar. sounds a lot better to us. By Nordstrom, we tend to ignore to get it back again. and everyone else’s.
Turn off your alarm then, the lines outside the price tags. No more! It may be Finally, make a wish Black Friday is an oc-
clock: it’s an urban myth that doors will be gone and you tempting to buy superfluous list: this is no day to be “just casion everyone can take ad-
shoppers need to wake up will have more energy than clothes and accessories but looking”; you need to have a vantage of; just make sure
at 4am to walk out satisfied. everyone else. you need to stop somewhere. game plan. If you know what you know what you’re doing
Sure, an extra 5% off is nice Set a budget: when it If you blow all your birthday you want, you will also know before you walk into the dan-
for an early bird special but comes to a pair of fresh new money in one day, you’ll have where to find it. This keeps ger zone.

No need for 3D glasses to see money popping out of your wallet

Ticket prices go out of control as new trend emerges in movie theaters
x by Lily Hua
With One small soda: $5.25, a pack
of Twizzlers: $3.50, one large pop-
overpriced corn: $8.00, two 3D movie tickets:
the opposite of priceless—$30.
snacks Remember when you could
go to the movies for $20 and have
and movie enough for the ticket, snacks and
dinner? This concept is now long
tickets, it’s gone. With the overpriced snacks
and movie tickets, it’s no wonder
no wonder people are complaining about
prices. And for those who don’t
people are complain, they can’t say they
haven’t snuck food into the theatre
complaining. at least once.
A regular movie ticket costs
about $11 after 6pm for the matinee
movie. Before 6pm the tickets cost
only $9. It’s not that huge of a dif-
ference in prices between matinee
and evening tickets, especially once
you compare it to the extra $4 fee
you need to pay in order to watch
a 3D movie.
Now you would think, “Why
don’t I just watch the 2D version
instead of the 3D version?” Well,
after a certain time period, coin-
cidentally before 6pm—the time
before the night movie crowd comes
in—there won’t be any showings
in 2D, so you’ll either have to wait
until the next day or pay extra to
watch it in 3D.
It used to be somewhat special
when there was a 3D movie out, but
now it’s so commonplace that it’s
no surprise if the next great movie
to hit the big screens is shown in
3D. Since 3D movies are so com-
mon and popular with audiences,
film makers are utilizing this and
It’s no
creating most of their movies with
3D visuals. The issue with this is
surprise
that most of these movies will turn
out with poor storylines or acting,
if the next
and all they will have are just good
graphics.
great movie
Film directors should take
note of the growing popularity of 3D
to hit the
movies, but they should also make
sure that their movies are exception-
big screen
ally great, even if they are shown
in 2D instead of 3D. Three -dimen-
is shown in
sional graphics are meant to enhance
the movie experience, not to be used
3D.
as an excuse to make a poor movie
into a satisfactory movie.
B2 November 12, 2010 The Blake Beat

Addicting social network prevents junior from doing work

Student procastinates, uses Facebook instead of completing assignments
x by Lucas Irvin
Normally, I would try to
begin an article with some sort of
creative lead, but I got distracted
on Facebook, so I have to rush
through this like all my other
homework.
It is nearly impossible for
me to do anything on a computer
without checking Facebook at
some point, even if there’s noth-
ing to check. With so much time
to spend and nothing to spend
it on, I ended up wasting time
changing my language to Pirate
and seeing what I understood.
It took me about ten minutes
to change the settings because
I couldn’t understand that “Ye
Ship’s Rigging” meant “Profile
Settings.”
Such loss of focus is in-
credibly common and leads to
groups like “You know you’re
addicted to Facebook when…”
(One of the many pointless but
popular lists) and “I’m sure
grade averages have dropped
since Facebook started.” Face-
book always makes homework
take a little longer to finish. In
fact, while I was “researching”
for this article, I repeatedly lost
track of my thoughts and started
Facebook-stalking. (Don’t try
and deny it; everyone does it.)
The allure of Facebook-
stalking often leads me to look
at entire photo albums, even if
I’m only in one or two of the
photos. The day after Halloween,
I went through whole albums
to see how many costumes I
could find from the video “13
Costumes You’ll See At Every
Party.” Unfortunately, I found
only a couple, unless you count
each Jersey Shore costume,
which would probably make up
for the rest.
Facebook’s newest cre-
ation, group chat, is one of
few features that actually has
potential for productivity. Theo-
retically, a large group of people
can chat together and help each
other with class work. But since
everyone in the chat is notified
when one person decides to com-
ment on something outside of the
chat, everyone else is pulled off
track too. So unless you’re talk-
ing with some devoted scholars
or people who are cramming for
tomorrow’s exam, not much is
going to be accomplished.
Regardless of how much
I’m distracted by Facebook, I’m
still often led to other sites that
It is nearly
further my distraction. After I
saw that a few of my friends
impossible
were playing Tetris, it rekindled
an old addiction and made me
for me to do
see if I was still any good.
YouTube is another site
anything on
my mind commonly wanders to,
because it is impossible to see a
a computer
fan page with such an awesome
name as “Is it a Good Idea to Mi-
without
crowave this?” without wanting
to see someone stupid enough to
checking
actually do this.
The unending entertain-
Facebook at
ment diversion that Facebook
provides keeps me from doing
some point.
anything productive and is an ad-
diction that needs to be cured.

Smash hit television show not as ‘glee-ifying’ as everybody thinks

Cast covers songs greedily, stealing stardom, credit from original artists
x by Abby Ramlagan
If you ask any die-hard Glee fan about a song fea-
tured in the show, they can tell you which characters sang
it, the scene it was from, how good or bad it was and so on.
But if you ask them anything about the original versions
of those songs you will get nothing but silence.
I watch Glee every week and I buy some songs, but
I don’t buy every single one. Not all of them are good,
but to obsessed fans, this doesn’t matter. They only care
if “smoking hot” Puck or androgynous Kurt sang it. Sense
my pattern here?
Glee songs featured are in the top ten every week
not because the original version is loved, but because they
are featured during the show. Unfortunately, Glee fans
don’t realize that some of the originals songs are better
than the newer versions performed on the show. For me,
after hearing a Glee song, I automatically buy the original
because it’s not a question of whether the Glee Cast sang
it better…I know that answer.
It’s obvious that they can’t sing the song better
than the original artist, so why then do they get as much,
or even more, attention? The cast of Glee thinks that by
singing covers of the originals, they are doing a service
to that hard-working artist by making it popular again. In
reality, however, they are not because the Glee kids are
the ones getting all the attention. Pretty unfair, right?
With most songs, the editing consists of cutting it
up and changing the beat and tempo, which completely
butchers it. Besides that, some of the original artists aren’t
even alive to see their work being disrespected. But we,
the fans, are. And we should be very protective of them
and their work. Some Glee fans don’t know anything
about the original version and artist because the only
tribute made is when Mr. Schuester says; “This week
we are making a tribute to [insert famous singer here.]”
What a truly sincere and informative tribute. Thanks Mr.
Schuester!
I’m pretty sure that if the artist’s name wasn’t
mentioned, most Glee fans would never know who sang
the original song and some might even conclude the per-
former on Glee is the original artist…scary thought.
Glee has really brought some songs out of the dust
and into the light, but sadly, those great songs come on
twice every season, whereas the ruined songs air on every
other episode. I think I speak for many when I say that I
am tired of getting frustrated because Glee continues to
ruin and disrespect quality music.
The Blake Beat November 12, 2010 B3
Legend’s death
exploited by Sony
Junior wants record
company to “Beat It”

x by David Hylton
Michael Jackson was one of the most talented
performers in history. Unfortunately now that he is no
longer living, the music industry is using his success and
popularity to make a profit.
In March, record company Sony Music Enter-
tainment announced that it would release a series of
posthumous albums from the late King of Pop. The first
installment will be released December 14. I could not
wait to add new songs to my daily jam sessions from the
person that brought us hits such as “Thriller,” “Beat It,”
and my personal favorite, “Smooth Criminal.”
But once the high wore off, I began to question
Sony’s intentions in releasing the albums. Most CDs
these days contain 12, sometimes 15 songs, but Sony
announced the first installment would feature only ten
previously unreleased songs. Why give small pieces of
music to fans when you could supply a whole chunk? Oh
right. This isn’t about giving fans what they pay for, it’s
about making money; and it doesn’t take a rocket scientist
to realize that more albums equal more profit.
Many fans are under the impression that Jackson’s
three children will be given a large sum of the money
made by Sony. But, after looking into it, I realized that
it has never been officially announced. So now fans will
buy these albums thinking that their money will help three
young kids who have recently lost a father, but in reality,
their money is going to some wealthy businessman.
This isn’t Sony’s first attempt to use Michael
Jackson’s death to cash in at the bank. Last October, fans
pre-ordered tickets to go see the limited theatrical run of
This Is It, a film documenting the rehearsals of Jackson’s
would-be comeback tour.
The Jackson family had expressed how little they
supported the film, yet Sony produced it anyway, and
will continue to release products featuring the King of
Pop because they are confident in the success of future
sales.
Because let’s face it, Michael Jackson was a legend
and fans will do anything to hear new music from the
King of Pop, even if it’s from a corporation who makes
money off the mourning of someone’s death.

Gay harassment leads to tragic suicides within LGBT community

x by Sam Glatt
September 22 was a very
sad day for the members of the
gay community. This was the day
that Tyler Clementi took his own
life by jumping off the George
Washington Bridge in response
to being bullied because of his
sexuality.
Clementi’s roommate se-
cretly filmed him having an in-
timate encounter with another
male and broadcasted it to all
of his friends over iChat. Days
later, after learning of this, Cle-
menti jumped off of the George
Washington Bridge outside of
the Rutgers University campus in
New Jersey.
Clementi’s suicide cata-
lyzed what seemed to be a horrific
chain of events. In the last month,
there have been over nine suicides
of LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual,
Transgender) teenage youth in the
news, and still more that haven’t
been featured in the public eye.
October 20, the community ex-
hibited its support of gay rights
by remembering the LGBT teens
who took their own lives due to
bullying and abuse.
Dan Savage, a famous jour-
nalist and media pundit, started
a YouTube campaign after these
events entitled, “It Gets Better.”
This campaign features YouTube
users (both famous and normal
everyday people like you and me)
telling others that even though it
may not seem like it now, it will
get better. Some celebrities in on
the campaign include musical
artists Ke$ha and Adam Lambert
as well as the gay couple from the
television show Modern Family
played by Eric Stonestreet and
Jesse Tyler Ferguson. These vid-
eos are made to tell the viewers
that it genuinely will get better,
and let’s hope it actually will.
Gay and Lesbian Alliance
Against Defamation (GLAAD)
started a campaign over Facebook
and Twitter that allows users to
change their profile pictures to the
color purple to represent their sup-
port for the gay community. Many
people asked the question, “Why
wear purple? Why not blue? Or
pink? Or green?” The purple rep-
resents spirit, according the gay
pride flag. When others see people
wearing purple and they ask why,
people will tell them that it was
in remembrance of the spirits of
those who took their lives because
of how others treated them.
I think it’s horrible how the
gay community is being treated.
The government and the people
surrounding them in everyday
life are treating LGBT like they
are nothing, worthless; like they
shouldn’t even by allowed to be
a part of this nation. It makes me
sick that in this day and age, peo-
ple are telling others that the gay
community means nothing. Even
our government says that gays
are worthless. They refuse to give
them rights that everyone else has
and it’s just plain wrong.
It’s time that our nation
recognizes the LGBT community
as people too. The last thing we
should ever want is innocent teen-
agers ending their life because of
how others are treating them.

Sad singles look to warm up their hearts in chilly months to come

Love is in air when winter season brings romantic hopefuls together
x by Ricardo Mancia with. Throw in your jersey; it’s time to quit I’m talking about month-long relationships.

Short dresses, tank tops and pool

the game and “save.”
To break it down for you, cut off all
hopping are out of season, along with be-
ing single. Now that there’s a chill in the
the booty calls and keep that main “joint.” In
other words, this means stop “talking” to all
air, it’s time to bundle up with a jacket, hot
chocolate and hopefully someone to cuddle
the people who you aren’t serious about and
pick one person to be with long-term.
Teens flirt – it’s natural. It’s not so
much of a stretch to keep those flirtations
To break it down limited to one special person; keep that one
contact in your phone that says “baby” or
for you, cut off all “boo.” Please don’t expect to find the right
one on the first try; you’re still young – love
the booty calls and comes and goes. With the cold weather, it
takes just a little more hard work to find
keep that main the perfect fit, but boy is it worth it. Find
someone you can bring home to mom and
‘joint’. dad and announce to them that “we’re dat-
ing.” Two day relationships just don’t cut it;
You need stability to get you through the
blizzards and snow days.
Let’s just be
Boys look to find girls that are pretty
and who they can chill with, while girls look
real--high school
for boys that will cuddle with on snowy
nights. However, both males and females
relationships
can agree that they want someone there
during the cold season. Who can turn down
usually don’t last
a winter night watching one of your favorite after the caps get
movies with someone you love?
I’m not saying you’ve got to find thrown.
someone who you’re going to spend the rest
of your life with. We aren’t looking for hus-
So wrap up those ongoing “friends-
bands and wives here—just find someone
that you can keep around for a while and if it with-benefits” flings, catch up on your game
and remember the cardinal rule of saving
works out then more power to you. Let’s just
be real—high school relationships usually season; build trust, because no relationship
will get through the ice without it.
don’t last after the caps get thrown.
B6 November 12, 2010 The Blake Beat

Lack of creativity becomes reel pain for movie-goers

Audiences unimpressed by drawn-out film sagas, ready for improvement
x by Isak Shah
Movies are supposed to take us out of our boring,
monotonous world and thrust us in to the land of fantasy
where everyone is airbrushed to perfection, and where
life actually does have theme music. However, when this
dream world begins to unravel and fold over upon itself,
repeating like a broken record, the true allure of the movie
industry loses its glitz and glamour.
The Disney classics we grew up with, like The Lion
King and Bambi, now sport obnoxious sequels, introduc-
ing new characters and annoying plot twists that ruin the
perfectly good endings we knew so well. Saw has become
a disgustingly long saga, extending even after the death of
Jigsaw. And just when we thought Rocky was done fight-
ing, and he and Adrian could finally retire in peace, out
comes another movie, Rocky Balboa with “It ain’t over
‘til it’s over,” as the slogan. I mean, really Mr. Stallone;
shouldn’t this fight have been over about 3 movies ago?
Everyone loves Rocky, but isn’t it time he had a happy
ending once and for all? the ones from last year. All we ask is that the story lines
Now, not all current movies are terrible sequels and
remakes- some are just brand new terrible ideas. Featured
in the “coming soon” section of Fandango.com, is a movie
simply titled Rubber. Sounds fairly harmless, right? Wrong.
The movie is about a killer tire- yes; a tire, as in the tires on
your car –with psychic powers. The tire roams the country
causing objects, like human heads, or birds, to explode in
its wake. I’m sorry Mr. Quentin Dupieux, but no amount
of incredible footage and cinematography will ever make
a tire scary.
I know we’ve all heard the phrase, “Let sleeping dogs
lie.” With so many screenplay writers in the industry, how
is it possible that there aren’t more new storylines? With
exorcism after exorcism, animated mice in abundance, and
a slew of monster movies on the way, it becomes difficult
to differentiate between the movies you saw last week, and
change it up a little, so that we’re actually surprised after
paying a whopping $11 to see the latest “new” flick.
More realistic films like Juno or (500) Days of Sum-
mer certainly wouldn’t hurt, or maybe a couple of new
faces on screen to stir the pot of new star crushes would
improve the boredom. A little less of the vampy Robert
Pattinson might actually push the bloodsucker craze back
in to 6th grade, where it’s always belonged. No offense,
Twilight fans, but really, it’s only the shirtless boys you
like, not the pale vampires or the weird wolf boys.
We need more Breakfast Club and less supernatural
junk; more Singing in The Rain, and a lot less Snakes on
A Plane- get on it, movie industry.

Monstrous energy, sport drinks proven villainous to athletes’ health

No longer hiding under bed, concealed side effects emerge from darkness
x by Tatiana Creppy
Ever since they first ar-
rived on the market, energy and
sports drinks have grown popular
amongst men and women of all
ages.
Drinks such as Gatorade,
Propel water, Five Hour Energy
and Monster have been said to
improve people’s health and give
them an extra boost. Commercial
after commercial shows the many
benefits of energy and sports
drinks, but what they fail to men-
tion is how these drinks can lead
to health risks.
Energy drinks are a huge
example of the industries’ failure
to advertise the serious health risk
behind the drinks they produce.
Energy drinks can lead to many
diseases and can ultimately kill
you. Luckily, I was able to obtain a
package of information on energy
drinks form our nurse Darlene
Battle and believe me, what I
found out is alarming.
Energy drinks have been
known to cause jitteriness, ner-
vousness, dizziness, dehydration
and accelerated heart rates which
increase your chances of having
a heartattack. They also affect a
student’s ability to focus in class
and staying on task. So if you are
trying to stay awake in class, stay
away from the energy drinks.
Sports drinks have many
advantages when used properly.
By properly, I mean that sports
drinks can only be consumed
when or after exercising due to
the significant amount of sugar
put in drinks such as Gatorade
(for example G2 has seven grams
of sugar per serving).
Most people do not consider
the repercussions of consuming
energy drinks. Exposure to ex-
cessive amounts of sugar on a
regular basis can lead to obesity
and potential diabetes in the long
run, just to name a few.
As for athletes, imbibing
sports drinks on a daily basis
may help you when it comes to
keeping your body hydrated dur-
ing workouts. According to W.
Larry Kenney, who is a professor
of physiology and kinesiology
at Penn State, sports drink may
actually be better to drink than a
bottle of water.
Sports drinks contain many
ingredients not found in water.
Components such as electrolytes
which help regulate your body’s
hydration, nerve, and muscle
function that enable you to move
more effectively during workouts.
Sports drinks also contain carbo-
hydrates which provide energy to
the body during a long period of
exercise. This will help you re-
main focused, limiting the chances
of you losing your breath.
Sadly, these sports drinks
are not beneficial to your dental
hygiene. According to a study of
Dental Research in Miami, sports
drinks can cause major tooth dam-
age. This damage varies from the
deterioration of your dentin to the
weakening of the enamel which
can increase the possibility of
infection.
Everyone tries to find things
that will help them function bet-
ter day to day. Sports and energy
drinks have become a part of many
people’s daily activities.
Though energy drinks were
created to help your body they
unfortunately have harmful con-
sequences that aren’t advertised.
Next time you pick up a Gatorade
or a Monster drink, think about
how it will affect your health and
your teeth.
The Blake Beat November 12, 2010 B7
Guide to get
boredom out
of your mind
No more dull days
with junior’s list
of useful advice
x by Larisha Winley
You’re sitting at home flipping aimlessly
through television channels, in a desparate search
for something – anything – to watch. So when you
realize there is absolutely nothing on, you head
to the computer where you spend hours on end
stalking friends on Facebook, playing games and
tweeting to your 15 followers. Every day you find
yourself doing the same thing – nothing.
Well, I think it’s time for a change. Lucky
for you, here’s a list on how you can stay produc-
tive when you are bored to tears.
Volunteer or find an organization to join.
It’s so easy and simple to get involved; there is
no excuse not to. You can volunteer at any Mont-
gomery County school, library, dog shelter or
hospital (they are everywhere!). An added bonus
is that you will earn more than the required 75
SSL hours.
Visit the nation’s capital. D.C. offers a va-
riety of fun places to explore and they are all just
a Metro ride way. Many of the museums down-
town are free of charge and give you a chance
to discover things you may not learn in school.
There are also plays, concerts, cultural festivals,
restaurants, architecture and so much more that
you won’t be able to see it all in just one day.
Find a hobby. Being able to text with your
eyes closed is not a talent to boast about. Find
something to do for fun and you might just dis-
cover you possess far greater gifts. Take classes,
join a club and find your true potential!
Read a book…for fun. I realize you have
tons of school work and that it’s difficult to find
the time to read, but if you exchanged those hours
you spend shopping online for reading, it could
be done. You can read books about drawing, ani-
mals, football, politics or just a magazine; at least
you’re reading and spending your time wisely.
Do your homework or study. After being
in school for five days a week, seven hours a day,
the last thing you want to think about is all the
work your teachers have given you. But believe it
or not, doing your homework ahead of time will
leave you feeling less stressed than procrastinat-
ing and doing it all the night before will. And if by
some chance you have no homework, study and
review what you have been learning in class.

Couples link through technology

Teens depend on social networking
systems to form virtual relationships
x by Rachel Babcock
When was the last time you actually
picked up the phone and called the guy or
girl you are talking to right now? Confron-
tation scares teens to death now-a-days,
so we end up coping by making all of our
moves through technology.
Now we get butterflies in our
stomachs when we get attention through
technology. Whether it’s when text mes-
sages light up our cell phones; chats on
Facebook pop up at the bottom of our
computer screens; juicy statuses and
tweets have us gasping for air; and of
course, those occasional flirtatious inbox
conversations that eventually lead to
exchanging numbers, talking in person
does not occur.
My point is that technology has
taken away the true meaning of get-
ting to know someone, and has made
relationships very impersonal. We stress
ourselves out by constantly checking our
significant others’ wall posts and pictures,
making sure nothing sketchy comes to
surface; and heaven forbid a picture is
taken with their arm around someone’s
shoulder that isn’t you—then of course
all hell breaks loose.
Not only does technology have us
wrapped around its fingers, it also takes
us away from reality and thrusts us into
an electronic world where tone and emo-
tion do not exist. It makes us upset if the
text did not “sound” interesting or upbeat,
when in reality, it is simply unspoken
words that are hard to attach emotion to,
unless the person says it themselves.
We are slaves to technology and
it often breeds false perception in our
minds. I cannot tell you how much time
girls spend racking their brains wondering
why “he” did not text her back when in re-
ality he probably only got his phone taken
or it was just not with him. It is not that
they are crazy; it is that the break in con-
sistency through technology that causes
girls to take everything so personally.
Technology has evidently taken a
large toll on society – I am sure we are not
too far from virtual roses and chocolate.
The Blake Beat November 12, 2010 B8
Students, staff take part in new technology craze as proud owners of kindle, iPad, p. C2

Section C Blake Beat Features November 12, 2010

Unique renovations put ubiquitous Eubie TV in spotlight

Seniors motivate,
provide experience
for underclassmen
by Dylan Hysen
x & Conor Wallace
Eubie TV might still have the same
focus, but it has a completely new feel to it
this year. With a new format and set, the news
looks to start your morning off with a bang.
“We have changed the entire format
and we’re not finished yet,” says first period
news production teacher Sara Hartenstine.
Eubie TV has begun the year with improved
categories such as Meetings, Classnotes,
Activities, Events and Sports. However,
there are plans to revise the Sports and
Classnotes sections and to possibly add a
weather section.
The changes this year to Eubie TV do
not stop there: a new set designed by Media
Services Technicians John Ovington, Nick
Piegari and Robert Lodge is now present.
“We wanted to give the settings a more
modern feel and appearance,” says Mr.

I wanted to present
what I felt was an
idealized version
of Blake: artful yet
accessible.
John Ovington

Ovington. “I wanted to present what I felt

was an idealized version of Blake: artful yet
accessible.”
Everyone is enthusiastic about the new
set. Says senior and TV Production manager
Daniel Bell, “The news is a lot better this year
because of our changed set.”
Changes this year accompany an influx
of younger students into TV Production.
Previously consisting of mostly seniors;
this year there are more sophomores. Says
Ms. Hartenstine, “We have younger, more
enthusiastic students who are really willing
to step up and get involved.”
However, having a younger staff does
have some negatives. Among these prob-
Senior and lead anchor of Eubie TV Janjay Davis sits show. Students and staff of production hope renovations will
enthusiastically on newly updated set of the morning news engage and impress peers to watch. -- photo by Aron Crews
lems are inexperienced anchors in the news chors, senior Janjay Davis and junior Michael production,” says Archila. “Call me a dork for
rotation. Senior and TV Production manager Joiner. TV Production rotates hosts and sports loving it so much, I could care less.”
Andrea Archila says, “We are in the process casters and hopes to have more anchors Ms. Hartenstine wants students in TV
of training anchors because we don’t have as trained in the future. In addition, managers Production like Archila and Bell to really be
many properly-trained people as we would like Archila have their own rotation between involved in making the news. “I want the
have hoped.” Due to this training, the staff studio manager, operations manager, features students to feel connected and make many
has not had time to create new openers or manager and general crew members. of these decisions themselves,” says Ms.
promos yet this year. Archila has been in TV Production Hartenstine. “I want the students to have a
For now, Eubie TV has two lead an- for all four years of high school. “I love TV vested interest in the news.”

Search for cure continues as seniors fight to survive college process

x by Lily Hua
Senioritis strikes again!
Class of 2011 is fighting
against the urge to procrastinate as
college application deadlines grow
near. As the priority, early action,
and early decision dates pass, seniors
who have been postponing their
college applications must work to
make sure they turn their materials
in promptly. “Know when all your
deadlines are and exactly what you
have to do by those dates,” says
senior Nicholas Arnold-Medabalimi,
“[because] nothing [will matter] if
you miss them.”
As most seniors are learning,
college applications are not difficult;
they are just tedious. Each applica-
‘Doctor’ Hua and Alumna Gifford prescribe
remedies, seek to give hope to students
tion requires multiple components
such as SAT scores, college essays,
recommendations, and transcripts.
Not to mention the compiled resume
and the student brag sheet – that
must be completed before any rec-
ommendation letters can be written.
“It takes awhile to do a college ap-
plication,” says guidance counselor
Jamie Raley. “If you wait until the
last minute to do them you may not
get them in on time.”
The major factor students
need to be aware of is time; teach-
ers and counselors need at least 15
days to write recommendation letters
and the registrar should be given
three weeks to process transcripts,
so make sure things are handed in
early.
Blake alumna Elise Gifford
advises students – including those
who have yet to finalize their schools-
to inform teachers beforehand if they
are planning on asking them for rec-
ommendations. “Each day I waited
I got more and more stressed,” says
Gifford, “even though it was an easy
problem to fix.”
One of the best ways to final-
ize the college list is to visit each
school. The importance of finalizing
a list is so students will be able to
save money on application fees.
Ms. Raley recommends touring the
campus to help narrow down the
college list.
If campus tours are not pos-
sible, another option is to attend col-
lege information sessions available
in the Career Center. Developing
a relationship with the university’s
admissions office will help students’
chances since most schools will note
each time they are contacted. If there
are any specific questions about a
school that cannot be answered by
looking on its website, then appli-
cants should email them. “You are
entrusting these people with your
education for the next four years,”
says Gifford. “So you should be
as impressed with them as they are
with you.”
The essays or personal state-
ments are pertinent pieces to the ap-
plication packet, so make sure plenty
of time is spent writing them. Before
submitting applications, students
should review, proofread, and print
out an extra copy of their applica-
tion. “The application process,” says
Ms. Raley, “allows for colleges to
get a big glimpse of who you are as
a student and a person.”

You are entrusting these people with your education for the next four years,
so you should be as impressed with them as they are with you. Elise Gifford
C2
Junior Devon Dey shows off his iPad and preference
of the Apple product over Amazon’s Kindle. The
November 12, 2010
iPad allows user to download music, browse the web
and play games. photo by -- Aron Crews
The Blake Beat
iPad, Kindle touch
electronic junkies
Latest gadgets acquire
acclaim around globe
x by Molly Cohen & Adele Leishman
You know the feeling you get when you spot that one
thing you just cannot live without? Well, for all you tech savvy
teens, there is a new and improved technology that has your
name written all over it…literally.
Apple’s latest invention, the iPad, and Amazon’s Kindle
both allow users to download e-books and read on-the-go. How-
ever, the iPad enables users to download music and browse the
web as well. Junior Devon Dey says, “The iPad is great, with
dozens of apps, you can do almost anything with it.”
Recently ranked fourteenth among the Top 100 Must-
Have Gadgets for 2010, the Amazon Kindle is also very
popular. AP Language and Honors English teacher Allison
Finn says, “I just really wanted one. I can’t even explain why;
I just needed one.”
With a rechargeable battery that can last up to two weeks,
this device is great for readers everywhere. The screen is de-
signed to eliminate eye strain and fatigue caused from staring
too long at the product.
Although the Kindle does not provide complete internet
access, Amazon’s wireless Whispernet serves as a program
that enables you to download e-books virtually. “During the
snowstorm last year, it was invaluable,” says Ms. Finn. In times
of cabin fever, the Kindle allows one to download new books
every time he or she finishes the last one.
The iPad, listed as fifth on the list of the Top 100 Must-
Have Gadgets, comes with a variety of apps including Safari,
YouTube, and Facebook. Dey is one of the many students who
enjoys the latest Apple product. “I like the iPad way better
[than the Kindle],” says Dey. “The Kindle is for reading - I
hate reading.”
Not only is the iPad larger than the Kindle, but it also
includes a color touch screen. The ability to turn the iPad
sideways allows you to watch videos and read in landscape
view. Although Dey admits he would never attempt to type an
essay on the iPad, he says, “It is the ultimate way to entertain
yourself. You can do anything with it.”
The Blake Beat November 12, 2010
Tumblr becomes new hot spot for social networking
Teen users feel safe expressing feelings, opinions through blogging
by Leah Patterson
x& Karen Vanegas
Twitter. Facebook. Myspace. Our
generation experiences countless trends
in social networking and the microblog-
ging site Tumblr is the new “in.”
“My favorite part about this site
is getting to express myself without
boundaries,” says junior Grace Plihal.
Tumblr allows users to blog their feel-
ings and thoughts to the World Wide
Web. Students can post pictures, text,
videos, GIFs, quotes and audio to their
“tumblelog.”
Tumblr has been growing in popu-
larity amongst Blake students this past
year. Students sometimes use it as a
platform to discuss social matters, pop
culture, and current events. Junior Erika
Arancibia says, “You can express your
social life on the internet, and see a posi-
tive side of the world.”
Erika Arancibia Tumblr’s popularity may be ac-
credited to the image it has received on
Facebook and Twitter. The blogging site
allows users to notify their other social
networks when a new blog post has been
added. This allows students to share their
blogs posts with other friends who do
not have a Tumblr account, encourag-
ing them to share their own ideas and
opinions.
Along with this, Tumblr enables
students to share more than a simple 140
character status or a video captured in
their rooms. Tumblr allows its bloggers
to explore different layouts, allowing
uniqueness to reach its full potential.
With this, users can explore blogs that
appeal to them. “I like logging in every-
day knowing that I’ll find something that
would relate to me,” adds Arancibia.
However, the increasing popular-
ity among their peers does not sit well
for some Tumblr users. A few students
don’t want to have too many followers
they actually know from school. These
C3
blogs often contain personal stories and
opinions some would like to have only
open to the current Tumblr community.
Plihal says, “[More Blake students using
Tumblr] kind of destroys the sacredness
of the site.”
A sense of privacy is a plus, as
many students’ names cannot be easily
identified. The only way to really know
who you are following is if you actually
know the person. In this manner, differ-
ent views can be expressed without any
fears. Some users see this blog almost as
a diary to share with the web.
With the freedom to post, comes
certain risks that users take once they log
on to the site. While it can be informative,
interesting, and witty, some blogs contain
inappropriate or risqué content. Junior
Vanessa Newman says, “I think Tumblr
gives people a false sense of security and
self-expression.”
Despite new trends, the Tumblr fad
is here to stay.

Students well on way for

college courses through
beneficial Capstone class
by Danny Lee
x & Brianna Livesay
Entering high school can be
an overwhelming experience, but
by joining an academy, a student
can structure their schedule based
on their career interest and prefer-
ences.
The Academy programs at
Blake include Arts and Commu-
nications; Business and Consumer
Service; Humanities and Public
Service; Science, Technology, En-
gineering and Mathematics - each
of which has its own pathway of
courses a student can take to qualify
for a Senior Capstone Experience.
“Capstone has given me time
to organize my portfolio,” says
senior Connie Dai. “It’s helped me
make time to apply for college.”
The Capstone Experience is a
senior-only course in which stu-
dents spend 75 hours per semester
working on a project specific to
their career goals or aspiration.
Dai is working on her college art
portfolio, while fellow classmate
senior Jalen Marshall is doing a
scientific research project for his
STEM Capstone Experience.
Marshall says his STEM
Capstone experience has prepared
him for college level study and
has motivated him to do well on
his project. “It has prepared me for
various college programs that I wish
to pursue,” says Marshall. “I am
excited to conduct research like this
at a university.” Students are even
encouraged to find mentors who
work within their field of study to
aid them in their research.
The Capstone class is lead
by teachers Barbara Podnos and
Harold Hilliard, both of whom are
dedicated to aiding their students
in their studies and research. “I was
nervous at first - giving the students
so much free time to work on their
projects,” says Mr. Hilliard, “but
the students have really proven
to be dedicated and hardworking.
I’m really proud of the class as a
whole.”
The Capstone class has
helped Blake Alumnus such as
Robert Bennett, who focused his
project on videotography. Bennett’s
hard work has paid off; the Cap-
stone Experience helped land him
at the University of Miami where he
is studying Motion Pictures. “I had
ample time to work on my portfolio
and get feed back from [Ms. Pod-
nos] and the other students,” adds
Bennett, “it was so much easier to
apply to college having everything I Senior Steven Rodriguez’s capstone project Every student in the class creates a presentation
needed finished in capstone class.” slideshow on his anticipated veterinary career. like his. Screen shot by Brianna Livesay
C6 November 12, 2010 The Blake Beat

Group of animated seniors gets together to discuss comics

Anime Club reads into Japanese culture in fast-paced manga mania
x by Paige O’Flahavan & Tara McIntyre
ZIP! ZAP! POW! The phenomenon of the action packed
comic books from our parents’ generation has come back with
a new force among young people in graphic novels.
The range of graphic novels is just as wide as that of its’
readers spanning from romance to action, and sci-fi to fantasy.
“My favorite part is getting into the storyline and being able to
connect with all the
characters,” says Se-
nior Toan Nguyen.
Graphic nov-
My favorite part is getting into the
els have also been
made to convenience
storyline and being able to connect
their readers and are
physically printed or
with all the characters.
even published on-
line to create easier
access. “What’s great about graphic novels is that they are
read like comics but are thick and have a novelistic plot,”
says Nguyen.
Japanese originated graphic novels, such as manga,
have several differences from your every-day narrative. “Most
Japanese styles you read from right to left; from the back of the
Shelby Morales book to the front of the book,” says senior Shelby Morales.
Graphic novels often have two to four artists and often
times only one author. Graphic novels have grown so popular
throughout Blake’s student body in the past years that there is
currently an Anime Club.
Every Friday the three year old Anime Club consisting of
about 20 students gathers. Morales states, “Basically it’s a place
where those interested in graphic novels can meet and discuss,
as well as be themselves.” The Anime Club’s president is
Senior Shannon Wade,
and is accompanied
by Morales and Dela-
ney Cruickshank as
vice presidents. Club
members bring in a
variety of different an-
ime shows and graphic
Toan Nguyen novels to get everyone
else into a series.
In order to keep matters exciting, the Anime Club often
takes trips to graphic novel conventions which can be quite
crowded and chaotic. At these conventions, excited fans are
shown new releases of anime in an area called the “dealers
room”. In the dealers room you can purchase anime products,
which are usually priced between $20-$40, depending on the
novels popularity and author.

Students turn towards keyboards, leave behind elegant penmanship

x by Kemi Olowoofayoku
“Once you go to middle
school and for the rest of your
life, you will have to write in
cursive. If you don’t know how,
you can’t succeed in life.”
We have all heard our
fifth-grade teachers preach these
words. Yet here we are, years
later, still not writing in cursive.
So what went wrong?
“I think it’s really sad that
people don’t know how to write
in cursive anymore,” says senior
Stella Song. “It’s just another
thing that’s become obsolete
because of technology.” Stu-
dents would now rather type out
an assignment on the computer
than spend time attempting to
construct a perfectly written
paper in cursive.
The lack of student’s abil-
ity to write in cursive is espe-
cially evident while taking the
SAT. One section of the test
involves copying a short state-
ment that must be in cursive.
From this simple act that should
take no longer than five minutes,
test takers find themselves wait-
ing ten minutes for everyone
to complete the task. “It’s so
weird to write in cursive during
the SAT,” says senior Brooke
Mellish. “I was like… this still
exists?”
Whether it is the overall
lack of know-how or laziness
to produce a legible product,
writing in cursive has become
archaic. “What’s the point of
slaving over your paper trying to
write perfectly in cursive when
you can just type it up?” adds
Mellish. Most teachers rarely
give students the opportunity
to do homework assignments
in cursive, so students are not
allowed the chance to prac-
tice the skill. Says Song, “The
problem with cursive is that it’s
supposed to be pretty. A lot of
people just don’t have pretty
handwriting.”
Not everyone believes that
cursive is something that only
belongs in old movies and love
letters. “I think it’s really sad
that people don’t write in cur-
sive,” says sophomore Konner
Johnson. “It’s just another beau-
tiful thing that’s become part of
the past due to technology.”
The Blake Beat November 12, 2010 C7
New game causing ‘chain reaction’ among classmates
Clever mind puzzle keeps brains busy, gains momentum throughout halls
by Sammi Levitt below it creating a two-word classes…sometimes I’ll think of Although Owen created an for all who play it. Says Hagan,
x & Savannah Tryens phrase. For example: Final F S D one and text [a friend] to see if she impressive 30-word long chain, “People find it so fun because
Party would comes out to be Final can get it.” length does not necessarily mat- it’s a brain teaser and once you
From TV to the hallways, Four, Four Square, Square Dance Though it is not played ter; it is the cleverness that counts. start you can’t stop until you’ve
Chain Reaction is creating a stir and Dance Party. competitively, students play with Junior Brian Battaglia spends his completed it.”
amongst students who are reacting Senior Bridget Hawver- friends and get them to join in on time in biology class and at lunch For many students, practice
positively to the new sensation, male, despite watching the show the craze as well. Hawvermale making chain reactions. “My best time, class time and spare time,
playing it whenever they get the when she was younger on the and junior Sarah Hagan began to one was only five words but almost is consumed by Chain Reaction.
chance. Game Show Network (GSN), play at field hockey practice. “I’ve no one could get it,” says Battaglia. Fads like these come and go, but
Chain Reaction is a game picked up Chain Reaction from watched the show on GSN for a “Once I explained it everyone real- this game has created more of a
where a chain of words is created; friends seniors Linda Powers and couple years now and as soon as I ized how smart it was.” reaction than any other recent rage,
each word must be somehow Leena Owen. “I play all the time,” heard it was floating around Blake The game has become a chaining students together with a
connected to the word above and says Hawvermale. “Even during I had to play,” says Hagan. huge phenomenon and is addictive common interest.

“It’s a brain teaser and once you start you can’t stop until you’ve completed it.”
Sarah Hagan

Bell, Lyons experience

farm life, raise animals
with family members
Senior, freshman balance
work at home, academics
by Savannah Doane-Malotte
x & Britney Stuart
For most, the fact that old McDonald had a farm was
just part of a silly childhood song. But for senior Daniel
Bell and freshman Duncan Lyons, working on a farm with
their families is part of their everyday lives.
Both students have grown up on farms practically
their whole lives, due to their parents’ strong interest in
farm life. Bell’s mother has been riding horses since she
was a teenager, and could not wait to get her son involved.
Says Bell, “My favorite part of working on a farm is in-
teracting with all the different horses because each one
really has its own personality.” Bell works at Greystone
farm in Brookeville, training and riding horses as well as
doing odd jobs.
Lyons’ family has owned and lived on Willow Grove
Farm in Olney since he was two years old. When they
bought the farm, his parents both had very demanding and
busy careers, but decided they needed some peace and quiet
at home. Running a farm was the perfect solution. Lyons
says, “[My parents] were both always cooped up in their
offices, but always wanted to live on a farm.”
On Lyons’s farm, there are more than a dozen goats,
two horses and six chickens, which means there is always
a lot of work to be done. To help his parents, Lyons per-
forms several jobs on the farm; such as feeding the animals,
milking the goats, stacking hay, cleaning out the barns and
many others. Both students aide their families as much as
they can, working after school and on weekends.
Lyons became involved with farms due to his mom,
who had worked on a dairy cattle farm while she was grow-
ing up, and because of the county 4H program. Owned
by Anne Crowles and her daughter K.C., Bell’s farm is
primarily a horse farm. “I mainly ride a lot of the horses at
the farm,” says Bell, “and help train them.”
Even though their farms are important to them,
both students balance out working on the farm with their
personal responsibilities at work and school. Bell adds, “I
have to balance out working at the farm with lacrosse and
hockey and my other job.”
Despite the amount of work, farming seems to pay
off in the end for these Blake students. “I have learned that
I have to put other priorities before [my own],” says Bell, Senior Daniel Bell tries to balance school work with rides horses. Bell’s involvement stemed from his
“in order to take care of the things I truly care about.” working at his family’s farm where he trains and parents’ strong interest. -- photo by Aron Crews

Birth names left behind; students choose new, signature identities

Upperclassmen find comfort, make connections to creative alias titles
x by Abby Ramlagan
One common thing you hear teen-
agers complain about is names—they
are too weird, too long or too simple.
So some kids have nicknames that make
them unique and show off their amazing
personality; they don’t want to be just
another “Katie” or “John”.
“Brooklyn represents everything
about me,” says senior Joshua Hu-
bert, who has a very interesting alias:
Brooklyn. His family members started
the creative idea; they used to call him
“Big Brooklyn,” his little brother “Little
Brooklyn,” and his older brother “New
York.”
Because Hubert is the middle child,
they just left it simply as Brooklyn. He
has been called that for so long at home
and at school that it is more comfortable
for him than his birth name.
Junior Kimberly Adams simply
never used her real name. After her birth,
her parents agonized over baby names;
her mom favored McKayla, which is her
middle name, and her dad wanted to call
her Kimberly. Her dad surrendered and
she grew up being called by her middle
name.
Since she is rarely ever called Kim-
berly, Adams is usually uncomfortable
when substitutes or teasing friends use it.
“It bothers me because I don’t feel like
that’s my name,” says Adams, “but if I
had always been called that my entire life
then I wouldn’t [be bothered].”
Junior Selene Bae has a different
explanation for using a double-name.
Growing up, she was called Kyeongseon
only by her family, which means “have
mercy” in Korean.
Nowadays, she goes by Selene in
efforts to ease the pronunciation prob-
lem for her peers and teachers. Bae now
sports both a Korean and American name.
For her, choosing an American name was
not something difficult for her, but rather
an exciting experience. Bae says, “I’m
interested in stars/constellations and the
name Selene is related to my constella-
tion Libra.”
So admire these students, and oth-
ers, that take inspiration from family,
friends and creativity to find a name that
truly suits you.
C8
Well here I go again with life
____________________________
Thank you so much Mrs. Branson for my
recommendation!
____________________________
Class of 2011!
____________________________
Who pays for unclassifieds, anyways?
____________________________
I love Holly Stein with all of my heart.
<3
____________________________
Mes amis français m’adorent beaucoup.
Vous me manquez!
___________________________
You’re beautiful. Please smile!
____________________________
What’s an unclassified?
____________________________
It should be Thrilling Thursday, not Terrific
Thursday.
____________________________
I believe I can fly with Aron Crews and his
amazingness.
____________________________
I love Aron and Ellen Wood.
____________________________
Should I ask her out?
____________________________
What is better, Guava or life?
____________________________
Guava
____________________________
Sitting next to Savannah in class is an
honor
____________________________
We are who we are!!
____________________________
I whip my hair back and forth, I whip my
hair back and forth, I whip my hair back
and forth. Best song ever!!!
____________________________
Kristen & Nick are the cutest couple!
-DH
____________________________
10 DAYS UNTIL NICKI MINAJ’S AL-
BUM!!
____________________________
Mr. Ho is the best
____________________________
Come see Tales of Arabian Nights!!
____________________________
A man. A plan. A canal. Panama.
amanaP. lanac A. nalp A. nam A.
____________________________
Bacon-Stephanie Rivera
____________________________
To love and be loved is to feel the sun on
both sides.
____________________________
Lucas Irvin, will you marry me? Love,
B-Ham
____________________________
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
____________________________
Only for you, Lucy.
____________________________
Thanks Josh for paying for my unclas-
sifieds.
____________________________
The quads are amazing.
November 12, 2010
UnClassifieds
See any BEAT staffer to buy your
Unclassified in our next issue.
70¢ for the first ten words, 5¢ for each additional word
Josh’s loaning company-coming to a news-
paper near you!
____________________________
Caroline and Brit are awesome!
____________________________
I <3 you pie!
____________________________
Yes Savannah I’d love to marry you- Ali-
son
____________________________
Foursome First!
____________________________
Sammi Levitt needs to get off Twitter
____________________________
Lindsey Comer, I love you
____________________________
BVGS Seniors <3, you’ll be missed.
____________________________
Claudia Gomes, Carolina Camacho, Leah
Patterson, Kathryn Evans…LOVERS!
____________________________
Alison Scher. It’s your belated birthday!
Love ya smexy person!
____________________________
The best time to wear a striped sweater is
all the time!!
The bell forgot to ring a minute ago.
____________________________
There’s ponies on my driveway
____________________________
I will hurt you, with Jon Stewart
____________________________
I refuse to take jokes seriously
____________________________
That was random to the point of redun-
dancy
____________________________
Forever & always
____________________________
Devon Dey is my best friend
____________________________
I love Abby Ramlagan-Your secret ad-
mirer
____________________________
I.J. <3-by You-go
____________________________
I love USA
____________________________
Kaylie Deshler can’t sneeze
____________________________
March 8 can’t come soon enough
____________________________
Lucas Irvin bleeds a lot
____________________________
Je réfléchis et je te dis plus tard
____________________________
Lucas + Kristen=<3. Bui, watch out
____________________________
Friends 4 life
________________________________
Happy Birthday Lafortune!!
____________________________
Gifty A.-can cross the road by herself
now!!
____________________________
I thought we were BF’s forever…Sadie
B.
____________________________
Kitty is stupid
____________________________
Hi Valentina
____________________________
Hi Jake
____________________________
What’s in the name?
____________________________
Does anyone else love life!?
____________________________
Beware of the Bengals!
____________________________
Come to ACTION!
____________________________
Be the change
____________________________
Don’t get caught!
____________________________
Buy unclassifieds
____________________________
Don’t laugh, it hurts too much
____________________________
Smile. You know you want to.
____________________________
RIP Kyle Lancon…stay strong Killa Cam
____________________________
I love you Lil’ D
____________________________
Ricky & Kemz 4evaaa
____________________________
Kanye West is a musical genius and every-
one should bow down to him
____________________________
I can’t wait to go to college and leave all
you gossiping groupies
____________________________
Everybody buy Runaway
____________________________
I love pumpkins.
____________________________
I’m really going to miss Snooki. Come
back. Wahhh
____________________________
Rachel B. loves Kemi sooooo much
_________________________________
BUY UNCLASSIFIEDS FROM KAREN
VANEGAS!
____________________________
Join The Hispanic Leadership Club!
____________________________
The Blake Beat
Come Dance with Fuego Latino!
Make A Difference With Project Change!
____________________________
Happy Early Thanksgiving!
____________________________
Feliz Cumpleanos, Mamita! <3
____________________________
Come to Improv! Every Friday at lunch in
the amphitheatre!
____________________________
Seriously, come to Improv!
____________________________
Derek Glocker is my manz!
____________________________
D^2...
____________________________
Nick Tatnall <3
____________________________
Mr. Madison, what you’ve just said is one
of the most insanely idiotic things I have
ever heard. At no point in your rambling,
incoherrent response were you even close
to anything that could be considered a ratio-
nal thought. Everyone in this room is now
dumber for having listened to it. I award
you no points, and may God have mercy on
your soul. -Kristen, Lucas and Matt
____________________________
Bombing
____________________________
Julia Baker is a beautiful princess. Happy
late birthday <3
____________________________
THE DREAM TEAM!
____________________________
Did you know that FREE SAT Prep is
avialable online through the MCPS web-
site (www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org)?
Log on to the homepage and click on “test
prep” on the upper left corner, then click
on SAT Prep. Your six digit student ID is
your username and that same six digit ID is
your password. LOTS OF GREAT STUFF
AVAILALBLE HERE! Including tips for
preparing, actual SAT tests and practice
excercises.
____________________________
The Blake Beat is already looking for ideas
for are our mid-December issue, and we are
especially interested in story lines about
Blake students and their out-of-school in-
terests. Give your ideas to any Blake Beat
staff member or our adivsor, Mr. Keegan.
____________________________
The Blake Beat is also looking for digital
photographers for second semester. If you
are a junior with considerable knowledge
of Photo Shop, please see Mr. Keegan in
Room A205A before school.
____________________________
BUY UNCLASSIFIEDS!!
____________________________
Cupcakes.
____________________________
Floccinaucinihilipilification.
____________________________
Team D!
____________________________
Wikka wikka fresh!
____________________________
Take Blake Journalism. I mean really,
take it!
____________________________
Keeg’s crack ups: “Listen up, weenies.”
“Kill the door.” “Hey, sports fans.” “Kee-
gan to Earth.”
____________________________
I like cake, cake is good. Cake is great!
Former Bengal Jermaine Dixon now playing professional basketball in Japan, p. D7

Fasdmen;rit
uhnbroiutbn-
srtnrtnsrtjsrtj
rysrjrstjsfsr
D?
Section D Blake Beat Sports November 12, 2010

Junior quarterback Julian Carr prepares to throw a pass as senior captain Titans. The Bengals lost 21-7 in a game where they led at halftime due to a senior
runningback Steven Penland blocks an oncoming rusher from the Einstein captain runningback Brandon Simms’ rushing touchdown.

Football team finishes tough season, seniors bid farewell

Despite disappointing record, Bengals remain tight-knit on, off field
x by Eddie Madden & Josh Paunil
Despite a 1-9 final record, the varsity football team
played well throughout the season as they often took the lead
early in games; however, in most games they could not hold
on for the win.
In the Bengals’ senior night game against the Rockville
Rams, the team was unable to pull out the victory in a 29-6
loss. The Blake defense was incapable of slowing down Cru-
soe Gongbay, the metropolitan area’s leading rusher, who ran
for over 100 yards and four touchdowns. “Our defensive line
wasn’t getting any penetration and he has great field vision,”
says senior captain TE/LB Willy White.
When the team squared off against the Quince Orchard
Cougars in their final away game, they lost to the Washington
Post’s fifth ranked team, 44-20. Despite taking an early 6-0
lead in the first quarter on a one-yard touchdown run by senior
captain RB/DB Brandon Simms, the Bengals could not hang
on as they gave up 28-unanswered points on three touchdowns
runs and a 67-yard punt return.
Simms led the charge for the Bengals’ offense by scor-
ing three rushing touchdowns on two four-yard runs and a
one-yard run. “The offensive line did a great job blocking,”
says Simms. “They opened up huge holes and gave me a lot
of space to run.”
Before Blake played the Cougars, they took on the
Einstein Titans. Even though the Bengals held a 7-0 lead at
halftime after a Simms’ touchdown run, they gave up 21 unan-
swered points in the second half resulting in a 21-7 loss.
Reminiscent of the team’s losses to the Cougars and
Titans, Blake took an early lead against the Seneca Valley
Screaming Eagles on a ten-yard touchdown pass. However,
the Bengals could not hold on as the Screaming Eagles scored
40 unanswered points in the last three quarters of the game.
“They just came out firing on all cylinders,” says senior captain
RB/LB Steven Penland. “And we didn’t come out with the
mindset we should have.”
Although the Bengals did not have as good of a season
as they would have liked, the seniors are still going to miss
playing for the team. Says senior OL/DL David Anderson, “It
was a great experience playing for Blake. I’m going to miss
my team; they were my second family.”

Girls’ varsity soccer wins first division title but falls short in playoffs
A loss to Linganore ends 6-6-1 season with undefeated divisional record
by Ricky Mancia and we had a rocky start,” says se- up to show that we could beat including five division wins and a while Diggs and Comer added
nior captain forward Lea Diggs. them,” says senior forward Kris- victory over consortium rival the a goal apiece. This was one of
x & Matt Present Despite the early playoff tina Valerio. Springbrook Lady Blue Devils. the girls’ many dominant perfor-
After winning their first exit, the team is still proud of October 21, the Lady Ben- The girls defeated the Lady Blue mances in their run to the top of
division title in school history, the its accomplishments. “I’m really gals played the Quince Orchard Devils, 4-0, with goals from Diggs, their division.
girls’ varsity soccer team fell short proud to be a part of a division Lady Cougars to a 2-2 draw. Valerio, sophomore midfielder The Lady Bengals took on
this year, losing in the first round champion team,” adds Diggs. Junior midfielder Sammy Comer Lindsey Comer and freshman the Einstein Lady Titans and won
of the playoffs. “We made history and we worked scored just before time expired in midfielder Kaylie Deshler. The a close game, 1-0. Diggs scored
October 28, the ten seed really hard to get there.” double overtime to preserve the girls’ defeated the Rockville Lady the only goal for the team that led
Lady Bengals traveled to face The girls ended the season tie. “I was in shock,” says Comer. Rams, 3-0, October 12, as Valerio, them to victory. Diggs is one of the
the seven seed Linganore Lady with a tough loss as they fell to the “It was with my left foot and I Diggs and Deshler scored. many seniors leaving this year and
Lancers to open up the playoffs. Blair Lady Blazers, 8-1. Sopho- scored to tie the game against a November 11, the girls as a captain she has left her mark
However the Lady Bengals lost, more midfielder Denise Venero team we lost to last season.” played the Wheaton Lady Knights on this season. Comer adds, “We
5-0, ending their 2010 season. had Blake’s lone goal. “Our fear of Prior to the tie the Lady and executed efficiently with a are losing 12 seniors and we are all
“Linganore came out really strong Blair showed and no one stepped Bengals had won six straight, 5-1 win. Valerio tallied two goals were very close to them.”
D2 November 12, 2010 The Blake Beat

Girls’ tennis team enters playoffs with high expectations

Despite tough competition, squad gives it their all in postseason play
by Michael Joiner
x & Andrew Markowitz
Entering the tournament
with a 6-5 overall record and a
5-3 record for Division 3A, the
girls’ tennis team was hoping to
do well, knowing their competi-
tion would be challenging.
The first doubles team,
senior co-captain Linda Powers
and junior Kristen Frese, won
their first match against the Wat-
kins Mill Lady Wolverines in
straight sets October 18. Howev-
er, they lost their second match
against the Walt Whitman Lady
Vikings, who was the first seed
in the tournament, 6-0, then, 6-2,
October 19. “It is really hard to
compete with people who have
so much more practice time on
the court with private coaches,”
says junior Irene Lemberos.
After a first round bye, se-
nior co-captain Joanne Park and
Lemberos lost to the Sherwood
Lady Warriors’ second doubles,
6-1, then, 6-0, in the second
round of the tournament. “The
tournament is really difficult,
because you have to play against
teams in all different divisions,”
adds Lemberos.
Senior Shannon Wade, the
second singles, and senior Shan-
non Bell, the fourth singles, both
won their first matches against
the Lady Wolverines by default.
However, in the second round
Wade lost to a Bethesda-Chevy
Chase Lady Baron and Bell lost
to a Lady Viking.
“I was prepared but not as
prepared as I could have been
for the tournament,” says junior
Lynne Virgil. Virgil, who was
the first single, lost to a North-
wood Lady Gladiator.
After showing a lot of
progress throughout the season,
junior Stella Fotso moved up
to the third singles position but
lost to a Lady Gladiator. “It did
not go as I had expected,” says
Fotso, “I imagined it was going
to be easy since I had already
beaten her before.”
Senior Rachel Babcock
and junior Joal Chen, the third
doubles team, lost in their first
match against the Wootton Lady
Patriots, October 18. However,
the team feels its season was
more successful than previous
seasons regardless of the losses
in the tournament. “[We] really
did have fun this year,” says
Park. “I really am going to miss
them.”

Varsity field hockey

reaches regionals
Lady Bengals fall to
QO after a great year
x by Sammi Levitt & Savannah Tryens
With another winning record under their belt,
the varsity field hockey team finished their season after
a disappointing 2-0 loss to the Quince Orchard Lady
Cougars in the Regional Championship game.
Ending the regular season 9-6, the Lady Bengals
had an impressive playoff run, defeating the Tuscarora
Lady Titans and the Clarksburg Lady Coyotes. In the
championship game, the team was able to keep the Lady
Cougars to a close score of 1-0, but after a penalty stroke
which resulted in a goal, the team could not catch up.
“We really wanted to go to states like last year,”
says junior midfielder Hayley Glantz. “The Quince
Orchard we played in the regional match was not the
same Quince Orchard we played at the beginning of the
year. They got a lot better and that’s why we lost.”
In their game against number two seed, the
Clarksburg Lady Coyotes, the number three seed Lady
Bengals pulled off an impressive 2-1 victory in double
overtime. Glantz and sophomore forward Caroline Wan-
nen scored the goals, but it was Wannen who scored the
game-winning goal. Says Wannen, “It felt good to score
that goal for my team, it was a big boost of motivation
for the next game.”
The Lady Bengals defeated the Lady Titans with
an easy 3-0 victory. The Lady Titans were seeded 11th,
so the Lady Bengals had home field advantage for the
first round. “It’s best to have home games during the
playoffs so you have strong support from your fans,”
says junior forward Sarah Hagan. Hagan scored the
first goal along with junior Lane Flynn and sophomore
Francesca Inman.
The girls finished their season with a two game
winning streak over the Damascus Lady Swarmin’
Hornets and the Walter Johnson Lady Wildcats. The
Lady Bengals defeated the Swarmin’ Hornets 4-0 and
the Lady Wildcats 2-0 bringing their division record
to 3-2.
Throughout the season the team was led by
Hagan, who had the most goals countywide with 15
recorded goals. “It meant a lot to not only lead my team
but to also lead the county,” says Hagan. “I worked hard Junior midfielder Ellen Wood fends off an attack from a in the 3A West Region Quaterfinals. --photo by Aron
at every practice and I’m happy it finally paid off.” defender on the Tuscarora Lady Titans in a 3-0 victory Crews
The Blake Beat
Sophomore midfielder Patrick Richard dribbles past
a defender from the Linganore Lancers in a first
November 12, 2010
round 3A West playoff game after a 3-7-2 season.
--photo by Karen Vanegas Keran Vanegas
D3
Boys’ soccer team
starts season low
but finishes high
After slow beginning,
Bengals pick it up in
second half of season
xby Paige O’Flahavan & Karen Vanegas
Despite a slow start to begin the season, the varsity
boys’ soccer bounced back in the second half of the sea-
son, going .500 and tying their archrival, the Springbrook
Blue Devils.
In the Bengals’ opening round playoff game, they
squared off against the Linganore Lancers October 29.
However, Blake lost this game 5-2 leaving them with a 3-7-
2 record to finish the season. Junior captain defender Trey
Cooper and sophomore midfielder Tanner Giles-Tucker
scored the Bengals’ only two goals in this match.
The team’s notable 20 minute response in the second
half against the Lancers was accomplished by a formation
change that allowed the forwards to get their job done.
“Linganore was a pretty good team,” says junior goalkeeper
Jacob Gill. “They were good at taking advantage of any
and all of our mistakes.”
The team traveled to play the Blair Blazers October
26 in their last game of the season, which resulted in a 4-1
loss. “We could have done better, but we did not play as a
team,” says sophomore midfielder Steven Botto.
October 21 brought a 3-1 loss for the team against
the Quince Orchard Cougars. “[It] was a tough loss,” says
sophomore midfielder Christopher Richard, “We were not
focused on the game. Failure to focus is the sole reason we
were unable to hold a winning season.”
The Bengals were able to keep the Blue Devils off
the board in a 0-0 tie October 18. Sophomore defender
Cole Bradshaw says, “We put up a good fight...because we
all knew a lot of players on their team.”
October 12 gave the Bengals their third win of the
season, as Botto scored the lone goal to defeat the Rockville
Rams, 1-0. The team then traveled to play the Wheaton
Knights October 11, ending with a 2-1 loss. Cooper says,
“We just were not focused for that game at all [and we]
did not execute.”
Looking forward, sophomore midfielder Patrick
Richard says, “What really gives me hope is [how much of
a] connection we have with each other on the field now.”

Girls’ volleyball earns three seed, dominates early in post-season play

x by Robert Krakaur & Danny Lee
Dominating their first postseason
game against the Kennedy Lady Cavaliers,
the Lady Bengals advanced to the regional
semifinals with confidence and ease.
Blake won the first set 25-12, the
second set 25-5 and the third set 25-10.
“We served and received very well to-
day,” says Coach Leigh Tinsley, “[senior
captain outside hitter] Meagan [Lagerlef]
and [sophomore outside hitter] Francesca
[Kuhney] played well.” The Lady Bengals
were very vocal and energetic the whole
match. Says Lagerlef, “We were able to
pull out of a rough beginning…we had a
lot of energy.”
After a three game losing streak, the
team finished off their regular season with
a win against the Wheaton Lady Knights.
Blake won against the Lady Knights in
straight sets 25-6, 25-15 and 25-14.
The Lady Bengals lost to the Gaith-
ersburg Lady Trojans, the Poolesville Lady
Falcons and the Magruder Lady Colonels.
Blake lost all three sets to the Lady Colo-
nels 25-17, 27-25 and 25-18.
“We weren’t playing as a team,” says
junior captain Tara Mitchell. “We would
have a run of adrenaline and then a series
of mistakes would occur on our part.”
Blake won against both consortium
rivals the Springbrook Lady Blue Devils
and the Paint Branch Lady Panthers. Blake
defeated the Lady Panthers in straight sets.
“We are pretty much equally matched with
them so we stayed strong throughout the
match” adds Mitchell. “Once you get into
their heads nothing can stop you.”
October 14, Blake won against the
Lady Blue Devils in five sets: winning the
first 25-16, losing 25-28 in the next two
sets and coming back to win the last two
25-14 and 17-15. In the first set, the Lady
Bengals played well, energetically beating
the Lady Blue Devils.
Mitchell says, “The first [set] we
played like we thought we would, with total
confidence.” Blake lost the next two sets,
but came back to win the final two. Says
Mitchell, “We pulled ourselves together
and worked as a team to come back.”

Cross country gives valiant effort in practice, shows in playoff run

Bengals finish 6-1, reach regionals, overcome key injuries to top runners
x by Lucas Irvin
Following a near-perfect
regular season, the boys’ cross
country team’s year drew to a
close after Saturday’s regional
championships, while the under-
manned girls’ team worked to
improve their skills.
Without four of the top
runners participating for medical
reasons, Blake was knocked out
in regionals, the last round before
the state championship. “[Looking
back at the season] everyone really
worked hard and it showed in the
races,” says senior captain Rohan
Raju. “I am very happy and proud
to be part of such a great team.”
In the October 23 Mont-
gomery County Championships,
Blake did not place very high,
finishing twentieth, but it was
enough for them to move on to
regional level. Those who also
ran in last year’s county cham-
pionships all improved on their
individual rates.
In the Scorpion Crawl and
Georgetown Prep Classic on
October 11 and 16, the boys’
team did not do so well, finish-
ing in 12th and 29th. However,
there were strong times from the
veterans of the team and younger
team members showed potential
with surprisingly low times, such
as sophomores Tony Harris and
Connor Gaffney.
October 5, the team went
up against division rivals Paint
Branch, Seneca Valley and Spring-
brook high schools. Raju adds
“Springbrook [was] the only team
that [gave] us a challenge for the
division title.” The Bengals were
not able to beat the Blue Devils,
but they squeaked by the Panthers, [Looking
with only a three point score dif-
ference, and won significantly back at the
against the Screaming Eagles,
winning 19-40, ending the regular season]
season and bringing their record
to 6-1. everyone
The Bengal’s strong per-
formance against the Panthers, really
Screaming Eagles and Blue Devils
secured their spot as second in worked
their division for the third year in
a row, behind only the undefeated hard and it
Springbrook.
The team will be losing showed in
several players, but that doesn’t
seem to concern senior Danny the races...
Lee. “The team will [miss] a lot of
determined and long-time runners I am proud.
next year,” says Lee, “but I hope
that they can still stick together
Rohan Raju
Rohan Raju
and win some races.”
D4
Morgan Bailey
JV athletes finish season, begin transition to varsity
by Paige O’Flahavan
x & Matt Present
As the fall sports season
drew to a close, junior varsity
players had one last chance to
battle it out on the field. For some,
these last games marked the begin-
ning of the transition from JV to
varsity.
JV boys’ soccer finished the
season on a good note with a 2-2
tie against the Quince Orchard
Cougars October 21. However,
the Bengals finished their season
1-8-2. The Bengals lost, 5-0, to
the Springbrook Blue Devils
October 19. Says freshman mid-
fielder Miles Sabin, “The season
overall ended up not the way we
had hoped.”
The team suffered back-to-
Miles Sabin
back losses against the Wheaton
Knights, 3-0, and the Einstein Ti-
tans, 2-1. Although they struggled,
they were able to hang in and
make the games close. Freshman
defender Larson Shilling says, “I
think our weakness would be that
we weren’t used to playing with
each other.”
The JV girls’ soccer team
faced the Lady Cougars in a 1-0
loss, finishing the season 6-3-2.
Junior defender Tracy Velazquez
says, “Even though it was a loss,
we won inside because it was one
of the few games that we played
with heart.”
The Lady Bengals earned a
great win, defeating consortium
rival, the Lady Blue Devils, 2-0.
Sophomore midfielder Andrea
Ortiz says, “Anything can hap-
November 12, 2010
Teresse Rewoldt
pen…we weren’t expecting to be
as good as we were.”
Winning, 5-0, October 11
against the Lady Knights was a
confidence boost for the Lady
Bengals that proved they were ca-
pable of pulling out a strong win.
“Our weakness was trusting each
other,” says Velazquez. “But that
changed quickly and became our
strength.” The Lady Titans proved
to be a tough opponent for the
Lady Bengals as the match ended
in a 1-1 tie October 5.
The JV field hockey team
ended the season on a good note
beating the Walter Johnson Lady
Wildcats, 2-0. They lost to the
Whitman Lady Vikings, 7-1, after
tying the Clarksburg Lady Coyotes
1-1 and playing the Paint Branch
Lady Panthers to a scoreless tie.
Prior to that, the Lady Bengals
lost two close games, to the Blair
Lady Blazers and the Sherwood
Lady Warriors, 1-0 and 2-0.
After the season concluded,
sophomore midfielders Anna
Galeano and Franny Inman joined
the varsity squad and got a glimpse
into the competition they will face
next fall. Sophomore captain de-
fender Morgan Bailey also looks
forward to playing at the varsity
level. “On varsity…I hope to con-
tinue to provide encouragement,
fun and have a successful season,”
says Bailey.
Despite a difficult end to the
season, the girls’ JV Volleyball
team managed to remain over
.500 finishing the season 7-6. The
Lady Bengals lost three straight
matches to end the year as they
The Blake Beat
Tracy Velazquez
were beaten by the Gaithersburg
Lady Trojans, 25-21 and 25-15,
in their final game. They were also
defeated by the Poolesville Lady
Falcons 25-11 and 25-21 and the
Magruder Lady Colonels 25-11
and 25-20.
Prior to their losing streak,
the Lady Bengals beat the Lady
Blue Devils 25-11 twice, as well
as defeating the Lady Panthers
and the Kennedy Lady Cavaliers
in straight sets. “I feel that even
though we had a winning season
we could have done a lot better,”
says sophomore Kelly Crabtree.
At the end of the JV season
Crabtree and sophomore Teresse
Rehwoldt moved up to varsity.
Says Rhehwoldt, “[Moving up]
will definitely help me to work…
so I can get up to their level.”
The Blake Beat November 12, 2010 D5

Sophomore runningback William Scott rushes past the arms of an oncoming to an undefeated season for the first time in Blake’s history. This win was the
defender from the Rockville Rams as the JV Football team wins 28-0 en route team’s fifth shutout of the year. --photo by Aron Crews

JV Football team ends season undefeated for first time

Historic year includes five shutouts as squad outscores opponents by 215
x by Eddie Madden & Josh Paunil
For the first time in Blake’s history, the JV football team
finished the season with an undefeated 9-0 record.
In the Bengal’s final game of the season, they defeated
the Rockville Rams, 28-0. This was the team’s fifth shutout of
the year and the fifth time they scored at least four touchdowns.
“We have believed all year that we had the talent and the work
ethic to be 9-0,” says Assistant Coach Dustin Jeter.
After traveling to face the Quince Orchard Cougars,
Blake kept their perfect season alive with an 8-0 shutout win,
scoring the only touchdown of the game in the fourth quarter.
Their defense caused multiple turnovers and penalties in the
game but also had turnovers and penalties of their own, result-
ing in this low-scoring affair.
October 21, the team had an impressive win over the
Einstein Titans, 29-14. Thanks to a quick start and 29 unan-
swered points to begin the game, the Bengals were able to take
out their starters in the third quarter and get others playing
time. “The team consistently came to practice ready to get
better and the results showed,” adds Coach Jeter.
While the game against Seneca Valley was supposed
to be challenging, the Bengal’s offense was too much for the
Screaming Eagles as Blake won, 22-8. The game was close
until the fourth quarter when the Bengals scored two touch-
downs to seal a victory over their best opponent to date.
The Bengals shut out Kennedy Cavaliers at home Oc-
tober 9, with an impressive score of 36-0, giving the Bengals
their third shutout of the year. Throughout the season, the
Bengals outscored their opponents, 259-44, showing their
remarkably balanced offense and defense. Says Coach Jeter,
“[They] worked really hard in the off-season to turn this
team around.”
Although the team was proud to be undefeated, they
never became over confident and never lost their focus. “It
didn’t take much to keep them focused on their goal,” adds
Coach Jeter. “The chance at making history as the first Blake
undefeated team and the opportunity to gain respect around
the county was enough motivation for the team.”
Head Coach Isaac Williams is in his second year
coaching at Blake and has seen much improvement from last
year’s 4-5 record. “The reason for the team’s success is that
they finally understood the meaning of three very important
words,” says Coach Williams, “commitment, pride, and re-
spect on and off the field.”
D6 November 12, 2010 The Blake Beat

Burgundy and gold fumble away win before bye week

After a great start with an undefeated division record
and 3-1 conference record, the Redskins stumbled into their
bye week losing two of their last three games.
The big problem for the Redskins on offense has
been the offensive line. They have given up the second
most sacks per game and block poorly in the run game
leading to the ninth-worst rushing attack in the NFL.
The lack of pass protection has also lead to Donovan
McNabb being at the bottom of the league in passer
rating, completion percentage and touchdown to in-
terception ratio.
Solving the problem of the offensive line strug-
gles would do wonders for Washington’s offense. Just
protecting McNabb in the pocket would allow him to
complete more 50-plus yard passes, a stat he leads the
NFL in, which is especially important for the Redskins
considering they struggle to keep drives alive. A better
rushing game would also cause defenses to put more
defenders in the box opening up the passing game for
Washington off play action.
Fixing the offensive line also allows Santana Moss
to perform at a high level as he has for the first eight weeks
of the season. Moss is top-five in the NFL in both receiving
yards per game and in catches per game. His speed also
stretches the defense vertically opening up opportunities
for his teammates such as Chris Cooley (who is second
amongst tight ends in receptions).
The way the Redskins can fix their offensive line
woes is simple: keep their starters healthy and add depth
at the same time by signing free agents or making a trade.
The problems begin for Washington when they have to put
in back-ups such as Stephon Heyer who hold the defensive
lineman or simply don’t block them.
One thing Washington has done a good job of is
pulling out wins even though they are performing poorly
in every statistical category besides two: the final score
and the turnover ratio. The Redskins lead the NFL in
turnover ratio with +8, meaning they have eight more
takeaways than giveaways, and cornerback DeAngelo
Hall has more interceptions and defensive touchdowns
than anyone else in the NFL.
Another new development that has helped
Washington is the emergence of Brandon Banks as
return man. Not only is he top-ten in average return
yards, but he gives the Redskins an explosiveness
they have not had in a long time, shown by the kickoff
returned for a touchdown against the Lions.
Despite the Redskins’ .500 record, their future
is brighter than meets the eye since they are still un-
defeated in the NFC East and 4-2 versus conference
opponents. Washington has the opportunity to keep up this
successful winning percentage as they take on division
rival the Philadelphia Eagles Monday, which is a much-
needed win.

Solid goaltending helps Ovechkin led Capitals in October resurgence

Team flourishes offensively, defensively despite power-play troubles
x by Andrew Markowitz
With just a flick of his wrist, Alex-
ander Ovechkin knows how to get a crowd
going and that is just what he has been do-
ing as the Washington Capitals close out
the month of October on a high note.
After a rocky start in the season
opener against Atlanta, the Washington
Capitals have rebounded quite nicely
with a solid record of 7-4. Backed by
solid performances by goaltender Michal
Neuvirth and left wing Alex Ovechkin,
the Caps are slowly but surely starting to
look like the President’s Trophy winners
from last year.
However, seven victories cannot
cover up for the Capitals’ struggles on
special teams. The team’s power play
unit is currently ranked 13th in the NHL,
only managing to score 17 goals on 42 at-
tempts. However, the penalty killing unit
has greatly improved from last season,
killing off 90% of their penalties, earn-
ing 4th place in the league. The power
play went silent for five games before the
Caps scored three man-advantage goals in
a 7-2 victory against the Calgary Flames
October 30.
The power play wasn’t the only thing
that took five games to get going. Ovechkin
went on a five game scoring slump of his
own before scoring the lone Washington
goal in a 2-1 loss to the Minnesota Wild.
Ovechkin had his second multi-goal game
of the year against Calgary, scoring two
power play goals in 18 seconds. The 25-
year old Russian currently has seven goals
and 13 points in 11 games.
The real MVP of the Capitals early
on has been Neuvirth, who is building a
strong case that he deserves the number
one spot. Through 11 games, Neuvirth
is 7-3, with a save percentage of 92.6%.
Neuvirth was awarded a great milestone
in his young career when he earned his
first NHL shutout in a 3-0 victory against
the Carolina Hurricanes. Tied for first in
the NHL for wins (seven), Neuvirth looks
to build on his strong success between
the pipes.
The Capitals hit the road tomorrow
when they face-off against Ryan Miller
and the struggling Buffalo Sabres at HSBC
Arena. The Sabres have lost three of their
last four meetings against the Capitals.

The real MVP of the Capitals early on has been goaltender Michal Neuvirth.
The Blake Beat
Senior Bridget Hawvermale outlifts the boys as she
prepares for softball and field hockey. Hawvermale had a
November 12, 2010
.608 average last year in softball and has committed to play
for the University of Maryland --photo by Aron Crews
D7
Senior handles
heavy weights
of school work,
extracurriculars
Hawvermale breaks
down stereotypes, out-
lifts many male jocks
x by Isaac Appel & Savannah Doane-Malotte
In one corner of the weight-training class, we have
the average male jock, feeling cocky and ready to bench
boatloads of weight, waiting to see who his lifting opponent
could possibly be. Imagine his surprise when senior Bridget
Hawvermale emerges, ready to put this guy in his place.
With three years of weight-training under her belt
and plenty of athletic experience, Hawvermale is a wor-
thy challenger of anyone who wants to compete with her.
“Girls can definitely be stronger than guys,” Hawvermale
says. “Just because I’m not a guy doesn’t mean I can’t
lift weights.” She has always participated in many sports,
including varsity softball, field hockey and indoor track
at Blake, along with snowboarding and the Riviera Beach
Spirit softball team outside of school.
Hawvermale has been one of the few girls in her
weight-training class since her sophomore year, and takes
the course to get stronger and to prevent injuries. “I think
I’m stronger than most guys,” Hawvermale says. “Show-
ing them up is [the] main reward [of the class].” She also
has a weight room in her house which she uses regularly
to stay in shape for her various athletic activities.
Her interest and ability in sports have led her to
success at Blake. Last spring, Hawvermale had a batting
average of .608 in varsity softball, and helped her team
win its first regional title. “I’m very intense about sports
and I take it seriously,” Hawvermale says. Her varsity field
hockey season has been going well too, with the team’s
last game November 22. And with all of this going on,
she has managed to maintain a 4.6 weighted grade point
average.
This varsity athlete plans to continue her sports
career in the future, as she has already committed to
the University of Maryland to play Division 1 Softball.
Hawvermale says, “I’m really excited. I want a challenge,
and I want to get better at what I do. It’s exactly what I
want.” Both of her older brothers, Dan Hawvermale, and
Blake alumnus Duncan Hawvermale attended and attend
UMD respectively.
Every day, through her athletic ability and determina-
tion, Hawvermale breaks down stereotypes about women
and paves the way for female athletes that will come after
her. It is apparent, that with her skill and work-ethic, she
will go far, after Blake and beyond.

Former Bengal standout Dixon now playing professionally in Japan

x by Eddie Madden & Josh Paunil
Jermaine Dixon is a former division
one basketball starter for Pittsburgh, a player
for a professional basketball team, the brother
of famous Maryland basketball star Juan
Dixon and has a chance to be drafted in the
NBA. He is also a Blake alumnus.
Dixon is currently playing for the Phoe-
nix Hamamatsu, a professional Japanese team
that plays in the BJ League. “I love my team
in Japan,” says Dixon, “This place is great.”
Although he joined the team a month ago,
Dixon has been starting ever since he began
playing for the team.
In his first experience playing profes-
sional basketball overseas, Dixon played for
KK Bosna in Bosnia, a team who recently
had a player in the NBA. Dixon looked to
continue the trend of sending players to the
NBA by leading the Bosna in rebounds, as-
sists and steals.
“Playing basketball in Europe was
great,” says Dixon, “I enjoyed every minute
of it.” However, due to financial reasons the
team was disbanded. “I loved my team in
Bosnia. I wish that they had the money to
keep us around because that was going to be
a special group.”
Before joining KK Bosna, Dixon was
a two-year starter for the University of Pitts-
burgh. During his tenure, he helped lead the
team to an elite eight appearance and a #6
ranking to end the season in his junior year.
During Dixon’s time at Blake, he
helped lead the team to the state finals his
senior year 2005 and he says he owes it to for-
mer Blake basketball coach, Damon Pigrom.
Says Dixon, “He helped make me the player I
am today. I loved playing for that guy.”
Even when he was in high school, Mr.
Pigrom thought he had a chance to be suc-
cessful playing basketball. “I thought he had a
chance to play overseas,” says Pigrom. “He’s
got a tremendous work ethic… he’s always
trying to get better.”
However, even with all the success
Dixon has accumulated, he has not forgotten
where he came from. “Me and my team from
Blake are always talking,” say Dixon, “We
will always keep in contact because we had
a family not just a team.”

Fantasy football fans feel fantastic for favorite players and stats
x by Lucas Irvin & Matt Present
It’s changing the way people see football, forcing fans
to decide whether to root for their favorite NFL team or the
team they handpicked online. It’s the obsession of people
across the nation: fantasy football.
In fantasy football, owners draft teams of 16 real NFL
players and gain points based on their starters’ statistics. They
play head-to-head against other owners in their league and
whichever team has more points for that particular week wins.
Since there are only nine starters on a team at a time, choosing
who to start when, is a significant part of team strategy.
This game has become increasingly popular in recent
years and is popular among many Blake students. Says junior
Nick Tatnall, manager of the Manville Partiers, “I like win-
ning, and it keeps you more in touch with football around the
league instead of just watching one team.”
To me it’s always home
team over fantasy team.
Ryan Deane
For some, the motivation is winning nothing other than
bragging rights or maybe a little prize money. Others try to
prove that they really can manage a team better than their
favorite team’s general manager. “It’s fun to have a competi-
tion with my friends,” says junior Brandon Weber who owns
the San Juan Vipers.
One of the toughest things for fantasy owners is rooting
for their players when they go against their favorite teams. “To
me it’s always home team over fantasy team,” says junior Ryan
Deane, manager of the Deane Machine, “but if [Saints quar-
terback] Drew Brees throws for 300 yards and 4 touchdowns
[against the Redskins] I wouldn’t be upset about it.”
Many managers put a lot of creativity into their team
names, such as junior Mark Cirincione who owns the Italian
Stallion and junior Edwin Rodriguez who owns the New York
G-Gangstaz. Staying up to date with the players also takes
time as nobody wants to lose as a result of starting someone
who was injured or had a bye week.
Since the beginning of fantasy football, when all stat
recording was done by hand, many ways to track your scores
have evolved. Tatnall regularly checks ESPN.com, Rodriguez
has a fantasy football application on his phone and Weber
watches NFL RedZone, a television channel that launched last
season a shows fans all scoring plays as they happen.
Fantasy football seems to be a hit with just about ev-
eryone who has played. “It has enchased my life completely,”
says Tatnall. “I just love football way more because I know
a lot more about the players and their stats.”
D8 November 12, 2010 The Blake Beat
Blake Theatre Company premieres Tales of the Arabian Nights tonight at 7:30pm, p.E2

Section E Blake Beat Fine Arts November 12 , 2010

Junior Alex Reeves (left), and seniors Erin Yates (middle) and Aimee Kohorst (right) Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part One which is to be realeased November 19. The
show off their excitement for the seventh installment of the Harry Potter series, Harry three definitely have a bias for Gryffindor. ---photo by Aron Crews

Legions of fans excited for Harry Potter’s magical return

Deathly Hallows promises to enchant many Potterheads next week
x by Gillian Spolarich
Fans will be flying to the theater to be enchanted and
captured as Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part One
is released worldwide November 19.
“Nowhere is safe” next week as the Death Eaters infil-
trate the Ministry of Magic and an inevitable war begins that
leaves Harry, Ron and Hermione with little time to find the
remaining Horcruxes that could destroy Voldemort forever.
All six of the Harry Potter films have had mixed reviews;
some fans have consistently praised the adaptations and some
have been left disappointed by the outcome. “The movies
obviously don’t even come close to how amazing the books
are,” says junior Bridget Gratton, “but they managed to do a
fantastic job with them nonetheless.”
Any die-hard fan would be eager for the new movie
regardless of some missing scenes. “I’m really excited for
some of the opening chapters - the Order of the Phoenix taking
Harry to the Burrow, the wedding, [and] running away from
Death Eaters,” says senior Brittany Hamson. “They’re some
of the coolest scenes in the book.”
Many fans have raised a similar concern about the
movies’ ongoing plot differing from that of the book. Says
Hamson, “The movies have left out plot lines that are pivotal
in Deathly Hallows. Fans who haven’t read the books won’t
really know what’s happening.”
Nonetheless, many factors hinder the movie from being
exactly like the book. “You can’t put everything from the books
into the movies. It’s just impossible,” adds Gratton. “You’d
have a seven hour movie and it would cost a fortune. But they
really got the main stuff down.”
Reprising their roles and leading the cast in Deathly
Hallows is Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter), Rupert Grint (Ron
Weasley) and Emma Watson (Hermione Granger). David Yates
directed the film along with Harry Potter and the Order of the
Phoenix and Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
Fans can learn and see more about part one of the final
installment on the official website: http://harrypotter.war-
nerbros.com/harrypotterandthedeathlyhallows/index.html,
where stories, videos and a gallery among other features are
available. Part two is due to be released worldwide starting
July 15.

Local concert band strums community’s heartstrings with performances

by Regina Cameron
x & Brianna Livesay
Percussion, wind, strings! The Olney
Concert Band (OCB) fearlessly performs
at scheduled events, producing beautiful
melodies for the ears of hundreds.
The OCB proves that “band geek”
is no longer an appropriate term for in-
strumentalist who play for an audience.
In fact, anyone who’s seen the OCB play
has been just as pleased as its members.
“[The] OCB has been a great experience
for anyone in it,” says senior bass clari-
netist Sylvester Gates. “It’s the epitome
of what I want from life; it’s a love for
music.”
Blake’s OCB members include
Gates, senior contra-alto clarinetist Cas-
sandra Smith, senior B-flat clarinetist
Delilah Gates and senior percussionists
Gregg Nicholson and Victoria Vanlear;
all joined because of their affiliation with
Brian Damron, music teacher and conduc-
tor of OCB. “He’s a different person [in
OCB] than in school. He’s more casual
and treats us as peers,” says Nicholson.
The rest of the members are talented mu-
sicians from across Montgomery County
and its neighboring cities.
The OCB plays mainly at retirement
homes and community events founded by
Mr. Damron. They practice every Wednes-
day from 7:30pm to 9:30pm in prepara-
tion for shows. Says Smith, “It’s like any
other commitment; it’s worth the time that
you have to sacrifice because the overall
experience is positive.” Smith, Vanlear,
Sylvester and Delilah have all been in the
band for one year, while Nicholson has
been in it for a total of four years.
Having been in the program for so
long, the students have experienced many
audiences and venues. “My favorite event
was a performance we did outside,” says
Sylvester, “people were just sitting on
lawns enjoying our music. It was nice.”
It’s not the hype that the students enjoy,
nor the fancy show for gatherings, but
the relaxing and involved feeling that the
students achieve by playing music for
their community.
Any local musician can join this
group and Blake’s OCB players wish that
more students get involved. “It would be
more beneficial if we had more students,”
adds Nicholson. “It just feels so awe-
some to be doing something good for the
community that everyone can enjoy—
especially [us].”

Strathmore keeps interest in arts alive with holiday performances

x by Caroline Pledger
Constantly intriguing artists
and unique music fill the halls of
Strathmore, but who knew this
year’s season of enchantment
would begin October 30 with an
atypical performance: A Night
with Chuck Brown:The Father of
Go Go!
With an annual budget of
$8 million, a beautiful property
boasting 21 acres, a mansion and a
2,000-seat concert hall, Strathmore
in Bethesda embodies its slogan: an
intersection of the arts and life.
Founder and CEO of Strath-
more, Eliot Pfanstiehl, was the
graduation speaker for the class of
2010. As a proponent of the arts in
schools, he says, “The arts are like
lawn sprinklers. Wherever they are,
everything seems to grow better.”
Before Blake’s opening in 2000,
Mr. Pfanstiehl testified to establish
Blake as an arts signature school.
In that vein, Mr. Pfanstiehl
works hand-in-hand with the Board
of Directors at Strathmore every
year to create a season of music that
spans the interests of many. Spe-
cifically for teenagers, Strathmore
created “Friday Night Eclectic,” a
9:30 club like atmosphere in the
Mansion that features up and com-
ing bands for only $10.
With free parking, great
artists, no handling fees, a close
location, and a nearby metro stop
at Grosvenor/Strathmore, how can
one not make the journey to see at
least one sensational performance
this season?
Regardless of what you may
think of a classical performance
space, Strathmore defies the ex-
pected. With information and per-
formances on Facebook and Twit-
ter, students can start their journey
at home and end up at the in-house
café following anything from folk
to international acts.
A real connection has been
established between Strathmore
and Blake thanks to Mr. Pfanstiehl’s
continued interest with keeping the
signature program alive. He adds,
“Strathmore has long been sup-
portive of Blake and its music pro-
gram.” Strathmore even provides
students with an affordable option:
A pass that gives a 10% discount
on everything.
The most anticipated show
of the season for teens showcases
Kris Kristofferson tomorrow night
at 8pm. If family fun is what you’re
looking for, shows like the Smooth
Jazz Christmas with Dave Koz
December 6 or the Great Russian
Nutcracker by the Moscow Ballet
December 8 and 9 are great options.
Mr.Pfanstiehl adds, “Strathmore is
very much busy during the holi-
days…now is the best time to go.”
E2 Novmeber 12, 2010 The Blake Beat

Annual fall
play opens
Show brings
new costumes,
casts, effects
by Kristen Frese
x & Leisha Winley
Autumn is great for lots of
reasons: bonfires, the changing
leaves, football games, getting candy
on Halloween and most of all, the
fall play.
This year the Stage Company
is performing Tales of the Ara-
bian Nights, which opens tonight
at 7:30pm. The play is about two
lovers overcoming an evil scimitar,
played by junior Alex Reeves, to
find happiness. Says sophomore
Jourdan Lewanda, “We’re turning
the play into a fantastic show and
incorporating lots of modern music
and dancing.”
“It’s a great show,” says soph-
omore Laura Savary. “We’re add-
ing music and dance to a play that
doesn’t usually have any.” Another
feature that makes this play special
is that the cast strays away from
their more classical pieces and fuses
pop culture into an old production.
With songs from artists such as Lady
Gaga, this is a must-see.
The play is different than
many from past years because stu-
dents in all grades have lead roles.
Some of the 24 roles are shared
among multiple cast members, such
as Lewanda shares the lead role
of Sheherazade with senior Maia
Chicherio. The ensemble will act,
dance and sing throughout the whole
production. Says director Michel
D’Anna, “This is a very talented cast
that enjoys playing the characters
from these tales.”
The cast members will also be
throwing in some twists for the audi-
ence members. Sophomore Charles
Harper says, “The most exciting
thing about this play is that we are
interacting with the audience a lot.”
Their rendition of the play also in-
cludes many cool vibrant costumes.
The cast and crew have been
working to keep many of the new
special effects and costumes a se-
cret, so students will have to go see
the play to find out what they have
planned. Says Harper, “I think [the
play] will keep the audience glued
to their seats.”
Tales of the Arabian Nights
will be showing tomorrow night,
next Friday, Thursday and Saturday
at 7:30pm. “[The play] is way more
of a family-oriented play and closer
to theatre for children,” adds Mr. In the fall play opening on the Blake stage tonight, junior Richard Scimitar in the lavish stage production of Tales of the Arabian
D’Anna. “It’s wild fun.” Muhammad who stars as Sharir and junior Alex Reeves plays Nights. --photo by Aron Crews

Natural History Museum provides cousins side-by-side experience

Seniors seize opportunity to dive into history with educational jobs
by Delilah Gates
x & Kemi Olowoofayoku
Most teens find themselves work-
ing within a typical range of jobs, from a
burger joint to your local clothing store—a
museum is definitely out of the ordinary.
But for seniors Jalen Marshall and Antio-
nette Pullman, the opportunity to work
at the Smithsonian National Museum of
Natural History was more than ideal.
“It was one of the best options, as
far as pay and environment go,” says Mar-
shall. “I don’t have to scrub off french-fry
grease or anything.” Working at the mu-
seum’s IMAX Theater, Marshall spent his
time taking tickets, sanitizing 3D glasses,
My favorite part is working with people all
around the world.
manning the cash register, and overseeing
the theater during IMAX shows.
Besides getting the chance to watch
free IMAX movies, Marshall’s job came
with an added bonus—his cousin Pullman
also worked at the museum. “It was kind
of strange, knowing she was there,” says
Marshall. “But often we didn’t end up
working together.”
Pullman started working at the
Antionette Pullman
museum three years ago as a cashier
and was recommended for the job by
her aunt. She then inspired Marshall to
pursue a job alongside her. “My favorite
part…is working with people all around
the world,” says Pullman. “It’s really re-
warding to be exposed to such different
cultures.”
Although it may be the Smithsonian,
work is still work. Marshall did a lot of
standing around at the job. “[Watching]
IMAX 3D repeatedly for free…that gets
old,” says Marshall. “The only difficult
thing I have to encounter…is boredom.”
Marshall stopped working at the National
Museum of Natural History two months
ago. Says Marshall, “I was getting a little
antsy working and going to school at the
same time.”
Managing school and work has also
been an issue for Pullman. The National
Museum of Natural History is the most
visited of all the Smithsonian museums
and is open 364 days out of the year. “It’s
definitely a lot of work but it’s something
that I enjoy,” says Pullman. “It gives you
an education you can’t find in school.”
The Blake Beat
REVIEWS FOR YOU
Student raves about eccentric DC hot spot
x by Damon King
Take a bit of Borders and mash it
together with modern afrocentric ambiance.
Throw in jazzy music, and a pinch of liberal
poetry. Shake it all up, top it off with amaz-
ing food, and voila, you’ve got yourself
Busboys & Poets.
Busboys, which is located at 14th and
V in DC, was established in 2005 by Iraqi-
American activist, Anas Shallal. Busboys &
Poets has been described as a safe haven for
intellectuals, poets and musicians to come
together and promote progressive social and
political thinking, feeding both DC Metro-
politans’ stomachs and minds.
Upon entry, you’re bombarded with
abstract art pieces, soulful music, and di-
verse patrons that definitely establish the
restaurant. If you find yourself there on a
Isak Shah
Book guides students through labyrinth of finance
Debt Free U relieves senior of college tuition stress
by Caroline Pledger
x What drew me to the book in the
Thanks to the constant bombardment
of emails, letters and even phone calls, col-
leges are giving me the biggest headache
of my life when it comes to deciding which
one I will eventually call my home.
However, no matter how cute the
campus may look in the pictures or how
perfect the programs may be, it still all
comes down to one factor: cost.
It’s so easy to get swept up in the
statistics or tuition costs of colleges when
comparing them all side by side, so when
I stumbled across the Zac Bissonnette’s
book Debt Free U, I knew I had found a
source that would present the real facts
about financial aid packages one can
Maria Nassanga
November 12, 2010
busy weekend, you will be pointed in the
direction of its personal library-lounge to
wait for available tables. The eclectic selec-
tion of novels, poetry compilations, children
stories, and African-American biographies
fill the shelves.
Once you peek your nose from behind
one of your books of interest you’re flagged
down by one of many young, friendly wait-
ers. They direct you through the dimly lit
lounge where diners can enjoy their meals
on sofa chairs, taking advantage of the res-
taurant’s free Wi-Fi. Eventually, you find
yourself in a separate section of the restau-
rant where you spot a stage framed with
pictures and trimmings. Throughout the
week, this stage is used for shows performed
by DC’s very own artists; shows range from
open mic nights to book releases.
I am sure anyone who enjoys the oc-
Monumental film holds rainbow of life’s perspectives
x by Isak Shah
At first glance, For Colored
Girls seems almost off-putting; the
title is certainly an attention-grabber,
perhaps for all the wrong reasons- but
stick it out, and you will find that you
aren’t watching a “train-wreck,” as
others might describe it—you are tak-
ing a tiny glimpse in to the life of every
woman that has ever lived and ever
will live. It’s real, it’s raw, it might
make you cry—but not seeing it would
be nothing short of a crime.
The film is filled with mono-
logues that overlap and wind them-
selves throughout the plot, enhancing
the experiences of each woman and
drawing the audience in to the movie.
One by one, the ten women, all con-
receive.
first place was that it declared right on
the cover the success of its 21 year old
author, currently enrolled as a senior at
University of Massachusetts, who is pay-
ing for college without the aid of loans or
his parents.
The point he emphasizes right from
the get-go is that in these poor economic
conditions, a student has to be motivated
to seek out methods in which they can
save money on their own, and not turn to
private loans that will sink them into debt
for the rest of their life.
Unlike any other college guide I’ve
read, this has been the most helpful be-
cause just four years ago Bissonnette was
Documentary series tries to break social barriers
MTV’s If You Really Knew Me changes perspectives
x by Maria Nassanga
MTV’s documentary series, If You
Really Knew Me breaks down walls and
boundaries of young teens, one high
school at a time. The show is filmed in
coordination with “Challenge Day,” a
social program in which trained leaders
visit high schools and try to break down
the emotional barriers and social “boxes”
that keep students from getting to know
one another.
The show hopes to make a shift in
the typical pattern of teenage social interac-
tions and communication. It clearly draws
inspiration from different high schools in
its depiction of Challenge Day. It helps
students’ voices be heard, and allows
E3
casional trip to Fudruckers will be more
than satisfied. Same goes for people who
enjoy vegan or vegetarian choices. On
busy nights the service may be a little
slow, but once your smoking plate slides
on to your table and your first whiff of the
aroma is followed by the first satisfying
bite, all is forgiven. My personal favorite
is the Mediterranean Burger: a burger
with goat cheese and grilled tomatoes
served in a whole wheat pita pocket,
paired with delicious sweet potato fries.
If you’re tired of the monotony
of typical restaurants, taking a trip to
U Street/African-American Civil War
Memorial/Cardozo or one of the two
other locations, soon to be four, will
definitely be worth the commute. It’s an
experience every DC Metropolitan has Damon King
to indulge in.
nected by some strange twist of fate, and hidden feelings.
bend, break, and weep under the The beauty of this film is that
pressures of crushing tragedies. They it brings all of those things to the
are drawn together by this series of surface, complete with music and
foundation-shaking events, despite montage. It lays out the dark corners
the boundaries of class, pay grade, and of every human mind for all to see—it
pride by the one thing they all share: provokes self-evaluation and it leaves
the endurance of hardship. us with the distinct impression that life
In addition to the brilliant sto- must be appreciated.
ryline, the movie’s cinematography So, no—For Colored Girls is
and score are flawless. The shots are not just for colored girls, nor is it just
intimate, without revealing too much for people of color. It is for everyone
all at once. The silences in the script who has ever hurt inside, for everyone
speak volumes, as do the tears that who has ever loved and suffered, and
flow alternately from the eyes of each for every woman who needs to redis-
woman. As we watch their worlds cover the happiness she once lost. The
crumble, we can empathize, because movie gets a whopping 5 stars from
we, as women, have all felt the hard- me, and I recommend it to everyone
ships of womanhood. The reality is who will appreciate it for all its im-
that everyone hurts, and has secrets mense worth.
in my shoes—filling out the same tedious
online applications and stressing over how
much money the FAFSA would give him
to pay for his ambitions to come true.
But what I found most intriguing
was the way he balanced talking profes-
sionally enough for my parents’ approval,
with breaking down scary terms like
Return of Investment or Expected Family
Contribution for me.
Though I don’t necessarily agree
with all his suggestions, I think he shares
vital insights as to what is really important
when choosing a college- finding a com-
fortable fit, but opening your options up
to schools you never considered, that for
a cheaper cost, could get you much farther Caroline Pledger
in life. Go check it out!
them to express their emotions and deep- stories and experiences may be different,
est secrets. but the common thread felt by all of them
Each high school student has a dif- is the want to be accepted in society as
ferent character that is built in the story individuals.
line. The character defies stereotypes and The goal of the show is to allow each
decides whether they’re willing to cross the and every student across the nation to ex-
lines dividing their subcultures. Though it press who he or she truly is, to celebrate the
is difficult to carry all your burdens alone, gift of life each student has, and demand
students make themselves feel better the acceptance each student deserves. If
through making fun of others. You Really Knew Me encourages students
High school is notorious for cliques. to take risks in order to connect with others
Some students say “it’s a tradition,” so that they otherwise would not have tried to
what if the jocks, nerds, emo kids, mean connect with.
girls, popular or the outcast tried to learn I have seen each episode and it has
more about each other? When these stu- changed my perspective of how I view
dents pass the “Story Line”, a line students things. I think this show reminds everyone
cross if asked questions that apply to them,
they are facing their biggest fears. These
of how we aren’t so different from one
another.
E4 November 12, 2010 The Blake Beat