Six seniors reflect on memorable teachers who have made a difference, p.

F4-F5

Volume 13 Number 6 James Hubert Blake HS Silver Spring MD http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/blakehs May 13, 2011

Dance performances dazzle, art speaks at annual festival

l ed
ger
e P x by Lily Hua & Gillian Spolarich
olin
a r May 6 marked Blake’s annual Arts and Humanities Festival from 5:30pm to 9pm,
C
& which did not disappoint from any years previous, with events including orchestra,
an dance and musical performances, as well as visual art galleries.
llm
“Art and Soul,” the theme of this year’s show, was based on the quote
Sa

“The artist must train not only his eyes but also his soul” by Russian painter
lam

Wassily Kandinsky. Says senior art student Queenies Nguyen, “I think

hu

the arts are really important. [They] define Blake...[they] show how
G
by

talented our kids are.”

ic

This year’s art show encompassed various art forms such as

ph

photography, dance and ceramics. Senior Katie Lingan, involved

Gra

in all three departments, participated in a Dance Company piece

and performed her own dance solo. Says Lingan, “I think when
people come to the art show, they are amazed at the excellence
that our high school kids have to offer.” Lingan is also a stu-
dent nominee for awards in dance and photography.
Lingan took AP Ceramics and AP Digital Photography

The arts are really important.

[They] define Blake...[they] show
how talented our kids are.
Queenies Nguyen
this year which helped her prepare for the art show. She has
been inspired by the talent she has fostered and has decided
to attend George Mason University in the fall with plans to
major in Photography and minor in Dance. Says Lingan,
“The arts program at Blake has opened so many doors for
my future.”
As well as visual arts and dance performances, Blake’s
instrumental department also had a few selections to show off. The
last musical group to go on was the jazz combo which played a few
selections of old jazz as well as some funk and jazz fusion. Senior Alex
Raul plays piano in the jazz combo and is a student nominee for an award
in the instrumental department this year. He believes that the instrumental
department plays an important role in Blake’s signature arts program. Says
Raul, “We are…a big part of what other people see the school as.”
Continued on A4
Highlights from last week’s festival include (clockwise from top): senior Janee Stanley smiling confidently, while junior Alexis Wallace
tediously shapes her own clay creation. Onlooking senior Brittany Hamson admires student art, while sophomore Lydia Curdts shares a
likeness with a picture on display. Andrew Latona keeps audiences engaged with his hypnotizing harmonies. --photos by Aron Crews

Elated, exhausted seniors await bittersweet finale as graduation nears

“Fire and Ice”-themed prom to spark spirits, cool end-of-year anxieties
by Somala Diby
x & Blaire Hoffman
Students prepare as the end-of-the-year season kick
starts with Prom 2011 tonight at 7pm and graduation June
14.
Prom will be held at the Samuel Riggs Field House on
the University of Maryland campus. The event, themed “Fire
and Ice,” has been hosted at the venue before; however, the
experience will be new to most students attending prom this
year. Says sophomore Jean Suazo, “I’ve put a lot of work
into preparing for [tonight]. I’m hoping it’ll be everything
prom’s made out to be.”
Prom preparation was made easier for some, as a prom
dress sale was hosted in the office on April 2 and April 3. The
“New-To-You” prom dress sale is a program where students
and members of the Blake community alike could donate
their gently worn prom dresses or evening gowns, to be sold
at reduced prices to Blake students.
Senior Shekara Smith was inspired to start the program
at Blake from an article she saw in Seventeen Magazine. After
contacting counselor Christina Gelb, Smith was referred to
PTSA president Robina Barlow who helped to organize the
drive. Students from Blair, Damascus, Sherwood, and Walter
Johnson high schools, as well as Blake students, attended
the “New-To-You” dress event. “Senior year has been very
expensive,” Smith adds. “This program was a way to help
girls find a dress for a cheaper price so they don’t have to sell
their arms and legs to look nice for their big day.”
The night to remember will end at Dave and Buster’s
at White Flint Mall, where the Blake Booster Club will host
After-Prom, an event where students are given free x-play
cards as well as chances to win prizes.
Once the rush of prom is over, seniors will be settling
down in preparation for their last month in high school,
leading up to graduation at the Daughters of the American
Revolution Constitution Hall in Washington D.C.
The senior class council has been working diligently to
organize the event, specifically by creating the program, dis-
tributing caps and gowns, giving out tickets and selecting
news an - c h o r Bruce Johnson of WUSA News 9
(CBS) as the commencement speaker. Says
Public Relations Chair senior Breonna Greenlee, “It’s a lot
to deal with in a little bit of time, but it’s been fun.”
Seniors are strongly encouraged not only to order cap
and gowns as soon as possible, but also to fulfill obligations.
The financial office has made a rule that seniors may not be
given their cap and gowns if they have not yet addressed their
obligations, which will prohibit them from walking across
the stage during the graduation ceremony.
For most seniors, the graduation ceremony is highly
anticipated. “I’ve been waiting 12 years of schooling for
this,” says senior Cynthia Cheng. “When I walk across that
stage, a stage of my life is complete.” Each senior is given
four tickets for family members during the mandatory gradu-
ation rehearsal June 13. If seniors require more than their
allotted four tickets, they must contact senior class sponsor
Kelly McLaughlin via email at Kelly_A_McLaughlin@
mcpsmd.org.
Says senior class secretary Stella Song, “I’m happy
to be so involved in such a big event that every student [ex-
periences]. All the planning will pay off when I walk across
that stage.”

IN THIS ISSUE: Gymnastics Senior Banquet

Seniors win Alicia
Betancourt Prize, defeats Walter superlatives
p. E1 Johnson, p. D4 awarded, p. F1

Former student, current faculty member Ms. Mohler to spend next year in Israel, p. A6
A2 May 13, 2011
Senior organizes fundraiser to help Alzheimer’s Association
Larkin raises over $10,000 for Capstone project with dance, concert
x by Leah Patterson & Karen Vanegas
For her Capstone project in music performance,
senior Ashley Larkin organized a dance and concert May
1 at the Ten Oaks Ballroom in Clarksville to benefit the
Alzheimer’s Association.
Larkin has been working on the event, entitled “A
Dance and Concert to End Alzheimer’s,” since January.
Along with a small team from the Brooke Grove Retire-
ment Village, she worked to find a location, put out adver-
tisements, booked bands and raised funds through sponsor-
ships and fundraisers. “It was really time-consuming, but
it was really worth it,” says Larkin.
Larkin was inspired by her grandfather’s battle with
Alzheimer’s to host this event. “He’s always been a huge
figure in my life…he’s always really supported me,” says
Larkin. Whenever her grandfather, who currently lives at
the Brooke Grove Retirement Village, begins to forget or
“lose himself,” Larkin sings to him to help bring him back,
which inspired the musical aspect of the event.
Larkin herself gave a vocal performance during the
concert. Because Larkin is following the Arts and Humani-
Ashley Larkin ties pathway of music performance, she used her talents
The Blake Beat
to make the event more personal and memorable. Adds
Larkin, “Because it was my event, [singing for it] felt like
the right thing to do.”
The event also featured musical performances from
various bands and dancing for the attendants. The Blake
Jazz Ensemble, the Olney Big Band and the M Street
Brass Quintet all performed musical numbers to help the
cause.
Attracting the attention of local media outlets such
as Channel 9 and The Gazette, tickets sales doubled and
Larkin was able to raise over $10,000. “It was a really
great way to bring people in,” adds Larkin. Ultimately,
Larkin was able to achieve her goal of bringing awareness
to Alzheimer’s disease.
She succeeded in combining a good cause with
the completion of her academy certification. A Capstone
project is a career-focused activity designed to align with
a student’s career academy pathway. Students have the
opportunity to apply their classroom education to real-
world projects that allow them to network with leaders
of the community. With the completion of a sequence of
academy pathway courses as well, a student can obtain an
academy certification.

New schedule changes to be implemented in coming school year

Staff attempts to increase student focus, participation after lunch
x by Leisha Winley
Starting next school year, a new
block schedule will be instituted with
fifth period everyday instead of seventh,
as decided unanimously by the Instruc-
tional Counsel.
The change was proposed by Guid-
ance Resource teacher Jean Smith, who
brought the issue to the Instructional
Counsel, the faculty governance body,
that decided that the change was a good
idea. Says principal Christopher Berry,
“We thought that there would be some
value in having the short period right af-
ter lunch. There are pros and cons to that,
but we really want to give it a shot.”
According to Mr. Berry, one of the
main reasons fifth period will be made
into the constant period is so students
can have five classes and still be able to
intern and work. Another reason for the
change is to help students focus better
after lunch instead of jumping right into
a block period.
Says junior Joshua Chang, “I feel
like it doesn’t matter which period you
have every day. If the class is fun, it’s
great, if it isn’t, then it sucks.”
Chang’s solution to helping stu-
dents focus better after lunch is to make
fifth period the most enjoyable class.
Freshman Kimiesha Dean believes
that the change will only be bad if she
does not like her fifth period next year.
Says Dean, “Students won’t care about
the schedule change and will be [more
I feel like it doesn’t
preoccupied with] the flow of high
school altogether.”
matter which
The change has left some students
confused, especially since students are
period you have
already acclimated to the schedule insti-
tuted now. “Students will probably think
every day. If the
that changing the schedule is pointless
because they’re used to the schedule we
class is fun, it’s
have now,” says junior Claudia Gomes,
who believes the change will be inef-
great, if it isn’t,
fective.
“I anticipate that the change is go-
then it sucks.
ing to work,” adds Mr. Berry. “I think it
will be fine.” Joshua Chang
The Blake Beat May 13, 2011 A3

College and career coordinator Kathy Moore meets with junior Meredith unavailability during summer poses problems to rising seniors looking for advice
Mathis to discuss future oppportunities after high school. Mrs. Moore’s possible in their college searches. -- photo by Aron Crews

School system could be cutting Mrs. Moore’s summer hours

x by Joal Chen & Janine Taira
Rising seniors may lose the opportunity to meet
with college and career coordinator Kathy Moore over the
summer if the Board of Education decides to cut the career
coordinators’ summer positions.
Due to budget cuts throughout the county, the Board
of Education is looking for ways to save by removing po-
sitions. Final decisions will be released later this month.
Mrs. Moore says, “Many of the folks that make the deci-
sions aren’t aware of what goes on over the summer...it
was probably an easy thing for them to say, ‘let’s just take
these two months out.’”
Students and parents schedule appointments with
Mrs. Moore to have an individualized discussion on what
colleges will be right for each student. “Being able to
have a summer appointment and go over the procedures
involved…is essential,” says Mrs. Moore. “These students
have to be prepared to complete their application and have
their recommendation letters all done.”
Senior Niraj Raju made an appointment to see Mrs.
Moore in the career center last summer. “Mrs. Moore was
one of the most helpful people at Blake for me,” he says.
“[Cutting summer hours] would be a devastating loss,
especially to students who rely on people like Mrs. Moore
as their only guideline to college.”
Like many others, junior Rhea Wyse worries that
many students and families will suffer if Mrs. Moore’s
hours are cut. “This really concerns me as there are many
families who schedule career center visits during the sum-
mer to get information about college,” says Wyse. “Her
job is an essential position.”
Rising seniors are not the only students who may
be affected by Mrs. Moore’s unavailability. Sophomore
Kielan Wilcomb plans on graduating early, so she has to
start applying next year. She says, “Without Mrs. Moore’s
summer hours, I’ll have no guidance like [previous] juniors
[had].”
Besides being unable to meet with students, Mrs.
Moore will not be able to update the career center website
or set up appointments with college representatives for the
school year if she does not work through summer. If she
is unable to work during summer, she encourages juniors
to speak with their counselors and use Naviance to build
their resume and search for colleges.

Killing of Osama bin Laden leaves Americans filled with mixed emotions
Many feel differently about death of mastermind behind 9/11 attacks
by Dorian Purse believe that the celebration of seven when 9/11 occurred, so it States has done its duty, but Finn believes that the excitement
freedom and relief was a good didn’t really register as a national believes that this could lead to will die down, after all, she says,
x & Ellen Wood thing for our country,” says crisis,” says Ariel Schwartz. “I future attacks. “that’s the nature of Americans.”
After the announcement of Becca Schwartz, “but those who think that this is more closure for Given bin Laden’s status Ms. Finn believes that an attack
Osama bin Laden’s death, people were celebrating the death of bin people who were [immediately] among radicals, the American is unlikely, and would be in the
took to the streets waving flags Laden were a bit gross.” affected…but it still affected government is bracing itself for far future, if it ever happens.
and chanting about the demise Although the sisters were me.” a possible retaliation. The killing Reactions differ drastically
of a world terrorist. young during the terrorist attacks Says social studies teacher has aroused speculation as to within the United States. While
Senior Ariel Schwartz and of September 11, 2001, they still Dustin Jeter, “I don’t think the whether Americans are safe after many feel relief and choose to
sophomore Becca Schwartz have a clear understanding of celebrations are really necessary, the former leader of a terrorist celebrate, others remain cautious
were in the stirring Washington, what this meant to our country but I understand why [people] organization has been killed by and unsupportive of the efforts
DC crowd to capture the mo- and the people who suffered would be excited.” Mr. Jeter American men. taken towards Al-Qaeda and
ment through photography. “I from the attacks. “I was only feels reassured that the United English teacher Allison terrorist organizations.
A4 May 13, 2011 The Blake Beat

Sister Cities creates link between United States, El Salvador

Spanish classes fundraise, spread awareness for Mesoamerican children
by Molly Cohen
x & Leah Patterson
AP Spanish classes are working to
raise money for Sister Cities International
(SCI), a nonprofit organization that helps
stimulate economies of cities around the
world, in an effort to help the city of Mora-
zán, El Salvador.
SCI is an international organization
that was founded as a United States-based
organization in the 1960s. It creates partner-
ships between US cities with other cities
around the globe to stimulate economic,
community and educational development.
SCI is currently working with over 2,000
communities worldwide. Spanish teacher
Melissa Young says, “[Bringing SCI will
help] Blake students make a connection
between themselves and the rest of the
world.”
Sister Cities is sponsored in Maryland
by the Association for Educational Develop-
ment in El Salvador (ADEES), which has
been working since March 2010 to target
Lots of students are excited to be part of
something international in our community.
cities with poor communities and low aca-
demic performance. Their goal is to develop
an educational experience for children, to
increase the graduation rate and to provide
students with scholarships.
An informational meeting was held
Sunday, April 30 to create awareness for the
nonprofit organization ADEES in order to
educate Maryland residents about the living
conditions in El Salvador. ADEES president
Evelyn Gonzalez explained that Morazán,
Melissa Young
with an estimated population of 174,406,
has the lowest literacy rate at 61.6%. Says
junior Robert Koricinski, “Seeing pictures
of the students and their smiling faces makes
you want to help out and give them a better
life.” With the help of ADEES, students at
the San Jose School have been provided
textbooks, basic school and art supplies,
four computers and sports equipment.
ADEES has created a partnership
with the San Jose School in Morazán and
the Holy Spirit School in San Jose. One of
ADEES’s accomplishments has been send-
ing art and school supplies for 300 children.
Scholarships have also been provided for
certain students of Holy Spirit School.
Mrs. Gonzalez came to speak to Ms.
Young’s AP Spanish classes a few weeks
ago to promote Sister Cities. The classes
decided to make a contribution. Adds Ms.
Young, “Lots of students are excited to be
part of something international in our com-
munity.” Possible fundraisers include a US
soccer clinic and a soccer equipment drive.
All money and supplies will be donated to
the nonprofit organization.

Arts and Humanities Festival

Bengals show artistic

side at annual festival
Continued from A1
Spectators enjoyed the annual FasXion show for $2 at
7:30pm in the gym. Blake students modeled outfits designed
by world renowned designers such as Lous Designs, Estella
Couture and the Charles Roland Collection. Despite facing set-
backs from lack of student designers and scheduling issues, the
FasXion members have created their theme “Resurrection,” to
show their perseverance as a club at Blake. Says FasXion spon-
sor Latoya Livingston, “We fought hard and were determined
to make sure the show still went on, despite many attempts to
bring us down.”
The festival also featured staff artwork in the gallery in D-
hallway. The staff who participated in the gallery included security side of the arts have an interest in them,” says Ms. Hartenstine. Top left: senior Paris Saunders poses on the
team leader Charles Harper, TV production and digital arts teacher A silent auction sponsored by the PTSA and the Booster Club runway during the FasXion show. Middle:
Sara Hartenstine, English teacher Elizabeth Jones, child develop- was held in the cafeteria throughout the night. Various donations junior Brianna Lopez performs her Dance
ment teacher Beth Kauffman, ceramics teacher Nancy McIntosh, for the auction included gift baskets, restaurant gift cards, posters, Company solo. Top right: senior Mariah
digital arts teacher John Overman, English teacher Christopher graduation tickets and gallery artwork. The night was catered by Barnes struts down the catwalk at the
Schenk and media assistant Janet Smith. The artwork included Baja Fresh who grilled on the patio by the cafeteria for $7. FasXion show. Bottom (from left to right:)
photography by Mr. Harper, Ms. Hartenstine, Mrs. Smith and Mrs. The cast of Blake’s spring musical Hairspray performed sophomore Ryan Reynolds, freshman Danny
Kauffman, jewelry by Mrs. Jones, sculptures by Mr. Overman, ce- pieces from their show including, “I Know Where I’ve Been,” “Run Gerson, freshman Katherine Wingate and
ramics pieces from Mrs. McIntosh and a poem by Mr. Schenk. “I and Tell That,” “The Nicest Kids In Town” and “Timeless To Me” senior Evan Peiperl perform an improv piece
think it’s [beneficial] for students to be able to see that teachers out- in the amphitheatre. in the amphitheatre.
The Blake Beat May 13, 2011 A5
Hairspray cast lights up the stage

Freshman Becca Glatt as Amber and senior Brittany Hamson as Velma (top left) play
an antagonistic mother-daughter duo and dance to Velma’s solo in “Miss Baltimore
Crabs.” The Corny Collins gang gathers to hear Harriman F. Spritzer, played by
sophomore Matthew Nee (center of top right photo), announce the Ultra-Clutch
Hairspray beauty pageant. Sophomore Charles Harper as Seaweed courts freshman
Michelle Carter (bottom left), who discovers the beauty in integration as timid Penny
Pingleton. Tracy Turnblad, played by sophomore Jourdan Lewanda (bottom center),
enjoys the limelight for the first time on the Corny Collins show. Senior Somala Diby
(bottom right) preaches the benefits of integration on TV as Motormouth Maybelle
during her solo in “Big, Blonde, and Beautiful.” --photos by Aron Crews
A6 May 13, 2011
Ms. Mohler to work in
Even Yehuda, Israel
x by David Hylton & Lucas Irvin
History teacher Kara Mohler will be moving for a year
to Even Yehuda, Israel to teach History at Walworth Barbour
American International School (WBAIS).
Ms. Mohler’s opportunity arose when the professor of
her online graduate class gave her the suggestion. “At first
I didn’t give it too much thought,” says Ms. Mohler, “but
the idea began to seem too good to pass up and a once in a
lifetime experience.” She will be leaving at the end of July
and will be returning the following year, in July 2012.
Ms. Mohler will teach AP European History, Global
History and US History at WBAIS. “I think her trip seems really
interesting and exciting,” says junior Lauren Paniati, a current
student of Ms. Mohler’s. “It seems like an awesome opportunity
to be able to go abroad and teach others.”
The social studies department is currently in the process of look-
ing for a replacement teacher and will be conducting interviews in the next
month. Ms. Mohler will still have a job with MCPS when she returns since she
is only taking one year of leave. Says social studies resource teacher Jeff
Newby, “Hopefully she will keep in touch and return to teach here at
Blake so future students can benefit from her experiences.”
“[Although] I am extremely excited, [I am] also really sad
to be leaving Blake,” adds Ms. Mohler. “This place has been At first I didn’t
my home forever.”
After submitting her application, which included a let- give it too much
ter of recommendation written by Mr. Newby, Ms. Mohler
was interviewed over Skype and was told she was hired thought, but the
in February. She says the fact that she will be working in
Israel wasn’t initially planned, but she does have friends idea began to
in Tel Aviv and visited there in 2009.
Everyone seems to be thrilled for Ms. Mohler’s seem too good
opportunity. “I’m so excited that she’s going to teach
in Israel,” says senior Renatta Rickford, who takes Ms. to pass up and a
Mohler’s AP US History class. “She’s one of the best
teachers I’ve had in all my high school years; I have no once in a lifetime
doubt that she’ll do [amazingly].”
Although she is excited, Ms. Mohler will have adjusting experience.
to do. She has never lived in another country before and has
very little experience with the Hebrew language. But this does Kara
not dim her enthusiasm. Adds Ms. Mohler, “What better place to
teach history than Israel? [I’ll get to grade] papers on the beach by
the Mediterranean.”
The Blake Beat
Senior raises money for
autism in unique way
Minecraft marathon
benefits great cause
by Yasmin Wamala
x & Melissa Whitaker
Senior Evan Peiperl participated in a Mine-
craft marathon gaming event last weekend, raising
a total of $2,000 for the Autism Speaks Organization
and earning student service learning hours.
Approximately 1.5 million people in the United
States have autism, but the cause or cure for the disorder
is not known. “I think the cause is great,” says English
teacher Michael Kelley. “It’s an unusual way to raise money
but it uses Evan’s talent and love so I think it’s great.”
“It was important to me to support a good thing,” says
Peiperl.
Peiperl was not alone, he had a lot of help from his friends
including senior Jim Halpin who played in the marathon, helped
on the server and donated $30 to the cause. Says Halpin, “At
first I thought it was an unrealistic goal [but] we made more
than I expected and that’s awesome.” Mr. Kelley was also
one of many to watch the event live and donate.
Minecraft is an indie building game where your
imagination comes into play. It’s all about placing
blocks to build and to destroy anything you can
imagine. “It was really appropriate to use the game
Minecraft because it’s really creative, it’s defined
by creativity,” says Peiperl who’s been playing for
almost a year.
“I [was] a little bit stressed…[but now] I’m
pretty impressed with myself,” says Peiperl. The fact
that he and his friends have managed to raise so much
money, enough to be the second biggest fundraiser on
Autism Speaks website, is a huge accomplishment. One
aspect he personally feels could have gone better was get-
Mohler ting the word out about the fundraiser.
You can still donate on Peiperl’s website, www.soild-
plasma.net, or on the Austism Speaks’ website, www.autism-
speaks.org.
The Blake Beat May 13, 2011 A7

Newsbeats
on H edley
Balo
g
him Brand
s er Em eS
Spen ily E
M in Je
agli Malc
n olm J
enkin
s

n n n kins as vice president, Joal Chen as secretary and n n n

Sophomore Emily Eaglin has received a Cer-
tificate of Accomplishment for the 2011 Princeton
Prize in Race Relations, and will attend the award
ceremony in May. Only she and four other students
in the Washington D.C. Metropolitan area were cho-
sen for this award, which is given to students who
work to improve race relations.
n n n
The class and SGA election results for the
2011-2012 school year have been announced. The
representatives are as follows: for the Class of 2014,
the president is Remington Brooks and vice presi-
dent is Allana Dawkins. The Class of 2013 elected
Maddy Bruffy and Lydia Curdts as co-presidents,
Aryn Frazier as vice president and Min Jee Shim
as secretary. Terah Minor-Jones has been elected
the Class of 2012’s president, Karen Vanegas was
elected vice president and Erica Wang was elected
secretary. Students elected Michael Joiner and
Rhea Wyse as SGA co-presidents, Malcolm Jen-
Michael Kister as treasurer. Congratulations to all
new representatives.
n n n
Senior basketball star Brandon Hedley was one
of two Montgomery County players selected for the
District vs. Suburban Capital Classic game and scored
15 points in eight minutes, helping the Suburban
team to their first-ever win in the event, 104-97. The
Capital Classic featured talent from across the mid-
Atlantic region including the District of Columbia,
Maryland and Virginia. Hedley’s 15 points were on
6-for-9 shooting from the floor including 3-6 shoot-
ing from behind the three-point arc, the second-best
percentage in the game. He was also named to The
Gazette’s Second-Team All-County squad as well as
the All-MCPS 3A/2A East Division team.
Leisure World Kiwanis Club has awarded the fol-
lowing seniors with scholarships: Serge Tzeuton (a full
tuition scholarship for one year), Jayson Carter (a full
tuition scholarship for one year) and Mark Fearson (a
$5,000 scholarship for one year). Recipients will attend an
awards luncheon May 20 along with principal Christopher
Berry, Blake Key Club sponsor Sharon Ricks and career
information coordinator Kathy Moore.
n n n
The Montgomery County Council of Parent Teacher
Associations has anounced the results of its 2011 Prom Safe-
ty Video Contest, which was created this year to promote
the message of responsibility on Prom night. The team from
Blake High School, which included seniors Rohan Raju,
Ryan Kerner, Spenser Balog and Brandon Krixer, won
first place in the contest along with students from Gaithers-
burg High School. Included in the first-place prize was free
DJ services. Congratulations to all the participants.

O aCyT
M

130 BLAKE
CALENDAR
May 13 May 23 June 2
Rockville Memorial Day Parade,
SADD assembly, 10am Spring Sports Awards, 6pm 10:30am-12pm
Instrumental Music Awards Night,
Prom, 8pm-12am 7:30pm-9:30pm
May 24 June 9
May 16 Senior Exam 6 & 7
Final Exams 1 & 2
English HSA, 7:25-10:35am Academic Awards Night, 7:30pm

May 25 June 10
May 17 Final Exams 3 & 4

June 13
Biology HSA, 7:25-10:35am Senior Exam 5 & 4
PTSA meeting, 7pm
May 26
May 18
Final Exams 5 & 6

June 14
Senior Exam 1 & 3
Algebra HSA, 7:25-10:35am Instrumental Music Finale Concert,
7:30pm Graduation, 10am
May 19 May 27 June 15
Spring Dance Recital 7:30pm Senior Exam 2 Final Exam 7 & Meake Up Exams
A8 May 13, 2011 The Blake Beat
Spoiled teenagers regress to tantrums originating from toddler years, p. B4-5
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Section B Section B James Hubert Blake

Blake Beat High School
Opinion May 13, 2011 December 17, 2010

Mature Call of
D u t y, G r a n d
tte

Theft Auto and

games
Resident Evil, among
alo

other violent video games,

e-M

despite bearing the M rating,

are accessible to and played by
oan

not for children of all ages. According to

hD

the Entertainment Software Rating

Board, games that are rated M for ‘Ma-
nna

teens
ture’, have content that may be suitable for
ava

persons 17 years and older. So why are parents

allowing their children to play these games that
yS

contain “intense violence, blood and gore, sexual

xb

content and/or strong language?”

For me, I don’t understand why it’s fun to kill people virtually, or why
teenagers enjoy games like Mortal Kombat so much. By partaking in this form of
brutal entertainment, teenagers and children alike are being taught that violence is
just a game and is not a serious issue. Kids forget that guns aren’t just virtual weapons
that help you earn points, but in the real world, are used to commit heinous crimes that
can end someone’s life.
The violent behavior and aggression that is portrayed in these games should not be
exposed to kids of any age, whether they are 16 years old or nine. Many leading studies, as
reported by the American Psychological Association, state that violent video games are directly
related to kids being hostile and destructive. Parents should pay attention to the ratings on video
games in order to protect their children from the possible negative effects.
It’s been stated that many real life examples of violent behavior in kids are linked to brutal video
games, like the teenage shooters in the Columbine shooting, for example. These games are rated M for
mature for a reason – they’re purely meant for mature minds who won’t get caught up in the realm of
brutality. Kids’ brains are not yet developed, which is why they’re so deeply affected by these games.
For most kids who are playing these games, the only way they’re getting access is through their
parents, who purchase them for their children. So parents, remember to pay attention to the labels on video
games. Though it may seem like an innocent form of entertainment, it could be influencing your child more
than you think.

Getting straight A’s Got

not only thing that

a car?
E v e r
since we matters in life
B Could I
x

started going y
to school, grades
have been in the pic-
M
ol Junior wants to
ly
C get a lift?
ture. They used to be in
end obsession
oh
the background, looming en
‘License-less
behind us as a shadow as we
colored or learned how to tell over good
time. As we got older, that shadow Lucas’ discusses
emerged. Now, in high school, the grades
mania that we call grades has set on at full
force as we juggle tests, papers, homework ride freeloaders
and oh, that’s right – life.
The shadow is looming over us as we x by Lucas Irvin
think about college and the future. And, whether we like it or not, we Round, round, get around, I get around -- except when
have to accept the fact that everything is determined by letter grades. I don’t have someone to give me a ride there.
When applying for colleges, everyone must include their transcript. A necessary rite of passage among all upperclassmen is
It is within these documents that these letters, or so-called grades, are getting your license. After that, you don’t need to rely on your
used by colleges to determine whether or not we will be admitted. But parents or anyone else to take you where you need to go; you can
what is it that those grades reflect, anyway? take yourself there, giving you a newfound sense of freedom, and
Many students have trouble balancing their social and academic allowing you to finally avoid the embarrassment from everyone else
life, so their grades often don’t prove their smarts. Other students are hearing your Mom remind you to be safe
simply bad test takers and don’t have time to do the amount of studying I have yet to get my permit. I am a junior. It’s sad that I still have to
necessary for them to succeed. And let’s not factor out the slackers; completely rely on Mom and Dad to get me everywhere. I don’t even have
the ones who know they could do the work, but just don’t feel like it. a reason as to why I don’t have it yet. Whenever I hear that a sophomore got
We all know senioritis kicks in early. I mean, it must be important if his or her permit, I cannot stop myself from thinking that this is not right. I feel
the paper feels that it’s necessary to publish an article about it in each like I should walk around with a bag of shame on my head because my vehicular
issue. Wait, I almost forgot the other category of students, the cheaters. deprivation is that pathetic.
Let’s not fool ourselves, we all know it happens. An inevitably disappointing aspect involves basing plans around when or if some-
As for the students who do care? Well, they might be caring too one can give me a ride. What’s worse is when you have plans and you have to cancel them
much. Let’s say a student volunteers all the time in their community, because there’s no way to get there. Then everyone has fun without you and laughs at you
and spends so much time helping out others that they don’t have time for being deprived and sheltered. (Yes, it is a conspiracy.)
for themselves. Say goodbye to Harvard. There is little chance that At least I can take comfort in the fact that I am not the only one that needs to mooch for
they will accept you when they read your transcript and notice your rides. After exams, I went to IHOP with six other people in one car that safely (and legally) fits
2.0 GPA. There’s another kind of do-gooders; the people who five people. But without another way for us to get there, because there was only one car and driver
have such high morals that even when they aren’t prepared, among us, we had to pile up five people in the back seat.
The that can’t cheat. Their grades will look worse than those of Hopefully, between when I finish this article and when it is published, I will finally get my permit.
cheaters, people who may not be as knowledgable or as If not, Mom, Dad: read this article, observe the suffering I must endure, and end my misery by driving
moral. But who cares if you can actually pass a test me (once again) to finally take the permit test. I cannot bear the burden of this shame anymore.
mania on your own? As long as it looks good, right?
So if grades don’t accurately prove
that we our intelligence or our time management
skills, should they really be used to I feel like I should walk around with a bag of
call grades define our learning achievements?
What do you think- should shame on my head because my vehicular
has set on full our future really depend
on a few measly little deprivation is that pathetic.
force. letters?
B2
Axe takes burying
BO to whole
new level
x by Kristen Frese
Breathing fresh
oxygen is something
I’ve been taking for
granted for years,
now that I’ve re-
alized that there is
something in the
air that is cloud-
ing my lungs and
making me run for
cover. It’s not pollu-
tion; it’s not smoke;
it’s the boys at this
school.
Don’t get me
wrong, there are plen-
ty of lovely-smelling
people here at Blake.
Then there are the stinky-
never-taken-a-shower-in-
their-lives boys; and under
that smelly population are the
I-wear-way-too-much-cologne-
boys, the worst of all.
Just recently I found out that
Axe actually smells really nice, but I
never knew this before because the guys
I know that wear it are drenched in it.
Cologne is not deodorant or a shower sub-
stitute, it is a compliment to your natural
scent – and you kill that when you invade
my lovely nostrils with your not-so-lovely
man perfume. A little spritz is enough;
you don’t have to keep layering it on until
there is a cloud around you. It’s bad for the
ozone and it’s bad for our little noses.
Not only is the amount of cologne
A little spritz is enough; you don’t have to
layer it on until there’s a cloud around you.
wrong, so are the brands. Sure, Axe is
overused, but it’s meant for teenagers and
young men, as opposed to Old Spice, which
is meant for older men. No matter how
young the shirtless man in the Old Spice
May 13, 2011
com-
m e r -
cials is, you
are too young to be
wearing it. Quite frankly,
you smell like my dad, which is not attrac-
tive. And recently, I’ve smelled something
that I thought was dog poop, but then I
realized it was just the new brand of Aber-
crombie and Fitch men’s cologne. Smell-
ing like a dark, crowded store is more than
just a little repulsive – trust me.
This leads me to the worst boys of all:
the brand-whores. Okay, so your families
The Blake Beat
Attack on a
transgender
disturbs teen
Discrimination
fuels violence
in today’s youth
x by David Hylton
Imagine driving home and you
have to pee really badly. You don’t
think you can make it home so you
drop by the closest restaurant to use its
bathroom.
Now imagine that as you leave
the restroom, two teenagers come up
to you, yell at you, curse at you, spit at
you and full-on attack you, leading you
eventually into a seizure just because
you used the bathroom. Seems outra-
geous right? Well, sadly, on April 18, a
woman was attacked for just that; using
the bathroom.
Chrissy Lee Polis is a transgen-
dered woman (born a male, but identi-
fies as a female) who was brutally at-
tacked for using the women’s restroom
at a local McDonald’s in Rosedale. As
she was being beaten, a McDonald’s
worker videotaped the whole attack and
later posted it on the world-wide web.
He did not help her, but in fact encour-
aged the two girls who were tearing her
have
earrings out and punching and kicking
a lot of
her face.
dough, but
This whole occurrence just flat-out
that doesn’t mean dous-
disgusted me. Sorry, put your beliefs
ing yourself in a gallon of Ralph Lauren
or Dolce & Gabbana cologne will make
girls think you’re a hunk with cash. It just
makes us think you’ve lost your sense of
When it comes
smell. down to it,
While looking up the weird brands
of cologne that boys wear, I had a sudden what those two
realization: you guys pay a lot of moolah
for your cologne. One tiny bottle costs $65
– that’s not okay. If you really have to pay
teenagers did
that much money to smell good, maybe
you need to invest in a working shower.
that woman was
Don’t get me wrong, smelling nice
is a great way to attract the opposite sex,
morally wrong.
but it’s not attractive to burn the inside of
my nose.
aside; no one should ever be treated like
that. Like, seriously? You’re going to

World engrossed in fairytale-like Royal Wedding
Junior loves presentation, symbolism of ceremony
x by Karen Vanegas
The Rolls Royce, the red carpet, the union jacks, the
bouquet...The DRESS! An estimated two billion people were
watching the wedding of the century, April 29. And of course,
I was one of them, but unlike many, I did not wake up in the
wee hours of the morning to witness the event.
The way I see it, it is very rare to witness a royal wedding,
but what made this particular matrimony so special was the sym-
bolism that both change and love played in this ceremony. With
the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will come modern ways
to the Royal
F a m i l y. B u t
even more,
With international conflicts making
this couple has
been through
headlining news every day, it was reassuring
ups and downs,
and have man-
to know that for a single day, love and peace
aged to remain
in love.
filled the air for a lovely couple.
Perhaps
I was so excited about this wedding because I am a hopeless
romantic, but I think that beyond my sentiments, this union
showed me that there is still hope left in society. With inter-
national conflicts making headlining news every day, it was
reassuring to know that for a single day, love and peace filled
the air for a lovely couple.
With the weeks and days building up to the nuptials, every
main media outlet was focusing a major part of their broadcast
to the important details of the wedding. From speculations of
the bride’s dress to famous guests, the excitement of the affair
was in everyone’s faces and impossible to avoid.
This event brought together celebrities, leaders and
socialites. And it was perhaps the biggest fashion event of the
year. The pomp centered on this celebration is enough to make
someone yearn for that very special invitation. But rest assured,
if you missed the wedding, there will be many more opportuni-
ties to catch an encore.
Now on to the talk of the wedding…Catherine. With a
simple air of elegance, the Duchess made jaws drop and necks
break. The same woman that caught the Duke’s attention back at
St. Andrew’s University was able to impress the world in a form-
fitting dress with a lace top and nine-foot train. The simplicity of
her dress shows
that less is more,
which is certain-
ly a lesson that
we all can learn
here. The beauti-
ful veil and the
simple jewelry
were the cherry
on top.
And if you did see the wedding, you witnessed his-
tory that you will one day be able to pass on. You will never
forget the reaction of the world as the bride stepped out of the
car, the Maid of Honor’s stunning dress, Mr. Middleton’s face
as he walked with his daughter down the aisle of Westminster
Abbey and the emergence of the William’s shy grin as he saw
his fiancée for the first time.
At the end of the day, I can say that I witnessed history...
and that in my memory will forever live the kiss of a lifetime.
And if we get lucky, maybe we’ll witness the royal wedding of
younger siblings Prince Harry and Pippa Middleton.
beat someone up for using the restroom?
How low can you get? Oh, and for every-
one who says “Oh, she just got punched
a few times,” no, watch the video (warn-
ing: I really suggest that you don’t) and
see how vicious that attack was. It was
inhumane and monstrous. No one helped
Polis; in fact, everyone watched, laughed
or egged the fight on (except for one old
lady who was able to protect the young
transgendered woman towards the end of
the video until the cops arrived).
Thankfully, it wasn’t just me who
was disgusted with this behavior. After
the video spread on the internet, people
around the country began signing peti-
tions and planning rallies. This video
also helped begin talk among Maryland
politicians about anti-discrimination
laws regarding transgendered individu-
als. In fact, one transgendered rights
activist in London, England says that
this event is pivotal in transgendered
rights history. It is being compared to
a gay rights riot outside of a gay bar in
Baltimore in 1969, which apparently was
one of the main events that started the
quest for gay rights.
When it comes down to it, what
those two teenagers did to that woman
was morally wrong. No one should ever
be treated that way. I don’t care about
your beliefs or whether or not you think
the way transgendered men and women
live their lives is correct; it gives you no
right to inflict pain (emotional or physi-
cal) upon them. They use the bathroom
just like us, so let them use the freakin’
bathroom.
The Blake Beat
Notorious double standard boosts guys’
self-esteem, ruins girls’ reputations
Emotions, rumors reach boiling point
as teenage name calling breaks out Students break under pressure
x by Isaac Appel
When a girl hooks up with multiple want to without the negative labels
guys, she earns the reputation as a slut. arising.
But when a guy hooks up with “the slut”
he becomes “the man,” at least by teenage
standards.
This double standard has taken high
school life by storm -- when a girl gets
cheated on, nothing hap-
pens. It sucks for her
and people move on
The whole
-- that’s it. If the dev-
astated girl decides she
point of a
wants a taste of revenge
and finds some lucky
high school
lad and rocks his world,
she becomes the evil vil-
relationship
lain while her ex-prince
charming is now the
is not to find
unlucky sap that must
deal with the heartless,
“the one,”
promiscuous girl.
When did all of
it’s so both can
this become acceptable?
Apparently girls like
hook up as
guys who get with a
lot of girls; it adds to
much as they
“the man’s” outward
appearance. Maybe it’s
want to without
because girls want what
other girls want, and it
the negative
becomes a competition labels arising.
of who can get the cheat-
ing jerk first.
Glee taught me the valuable and
precious knowledge that girls are just as
sexually stimulated as guys, if not more.
We are all humans with the same natural
desires. The whole point of a high school
May 13, 2011 B3
Involved
parents try to live
through their children
relationship is not to find “the one,” it’s
so both can hook up as much as they
as seemingly beneficial advice
transforms into harmful demands
With that said, I’m inclined to
believe the success and key to a x by Tatiana Hetherington
girl’s heart is simply breaking it We’ve all encountered parents that seem overly invested in their children’s lives. These
and moving on to the next one. parents push their children to such a great extent that they end up going past the brink of being
Girls fight all the time because helpful, and become harmful.
a boyfriend of one On an episode of Dr. Phil titled “Pushy Parents,” a couple decided that they wanted their new
hooked up with baby boy to be great at sports. In order to do this, they constantly dressed him in sportswear, only
her friend. Where bought him toys that had to do with the sports they wanted him to play and even picked out his name
is the knight in based on whether or not it sounded sporty.
shining armor in They are basically brainwashing their kid into becoming a jock without truly having his best
all of this, you interests in mind. Sometimes parents do not think about their children’s true interests before making
ask? Well, as the choices that drastically affect their lives.
cat fight ensues As a child, I was always above average when it came to my height, so my family kept pushing
he’s most likely me to play basketball even though I wasn’t really interested. However, I finally agreed to play. At first
getting it on with
another mutual
I was fine with it, but then it seemed like basketball was taking over my life, as a result of a decision
by my parents, not by me.
friend of the two.
Guys get a
I played year round with my team and practiced everyday during the school season. It became so
overwhelming that I would actually wish for an injury so I would have a reason to stop playing. It took
free pass to fool
around and never
my parents five years to finally see that I wasn’t happy and even then, it took a lot of convincing.
Not all children react well to parental pressure. Though some do get inspired to go along
get into trouble
-- all pleasure and
with their parents’ wishes, others feel the need to rebel or they develop conditions that make
them feel in control of some parts of their lives.
no pain. I’m not
criticizing; if you Sometimes parents Some may argue that most pushy parents are
trying to make sure their children live better lives
are getting some,
keep getting it. do not think about than they did; however, they don’t seem to understand
that it’s not their lives to live. That is why children
The problem is, if
it’s OK for a guy their children’s true of pushy parents must stand up for themselves and
explain the effect that their parents are having on
to mess around,
then girls should interests before them.
Sometimes children and their parents may
be able to as well without the
double standard. making choices that also be able to compromise which benefits both
sides. When it comes to pushy parents, only com-
Next time you judge a
girl because she isn’t a prude, drastically affect munication and more communication can help
the situation.
remember to judge guys for
not acting so saintly either. their lives.
B6
YouTube proves successful for upcoming artists to gain fans
x by Sam Glatt
YouTube has become the stomping
ground for people to get recognized by the
public. People try to be funny (emphasis on
try), they cover hit songs and sometimes they
just “vlog” (video blogging). Lately some
new musical artists have been capturing the
attention of the public.
The Cataracs have been in the public
eye for some time now, but they have only
recently been noticed by a larger popula-
tion after appearing on Dev’s new hit single
entitled “Bass Down Low.” In most cases,
The Cataracs provide Dev with the beats for
her music, but they have been known to do
their own solo music. They have a variety of
mixtapes available for free download (you
Juniors agitated by
arrogant teens’
obscure, naive
political ideas
by Isaac Appel
x & Abby Ramlagan
As teenagers we like to think that
we know everything whether it’s about
love or school or people, but one thing
we shouldn’t say we know is politics.
If the topic of the government and
politics comes up in a classroom or lunch
conversation, there are always one or
two people who get extremely fired up.
They start to go off about how infuriated
they are by the latest House decision, or
May 13, 2011
just have to know where to look), as well as
albums and singles available on iTunes. Their
most recent single titled “Top of the World”
is a great song, and is absolutely something
you would hear at the club.
Another upcoming artist, Sky Ferreira,
has also been making music for quite some
time, but hasn’t truly gotten noticed until just
now. She has three singles “17”, “One” and
“Obsession”, the latter appearing on the CW’s
hit TV show The Vampire Diaries. She just
recently released a new EP entitled As If!. You
wouldn’t believe it, but Sky is only 18 and
has more talent than most teenage pop artists
today. Not only can she actually perform live,
but her songs “Haters Anonymous” and “99
Tears” are definitely relatable for most teens.
You might not believe that she can actually
Presidential Address
or passed bill.
They act as if they
are experts on everything
and anything about politics
-- but what do we spend our
nights doing? It couldn’t pos-
sibly be watching the news; we
are too busy gathering information
from Jersey Shore and The Bachelor.
We’re teenagers, and for most of us,
that “political” stuff is not on our top list
of interest. So how do some kids have all
these different types of views that they
would die to defend? The answer: their
very opinionated parents.
Our parents are the ones that care-
fully pay attention to what is actually
happening in the government. Students
abide by some unspoken rule that they
are born into same party that their parents
align with. Just because your family has
certain beliefs does not mean that you
have to get rid of your own opinion if
you disagree.
The Blake Beat
sing since she uses auto-tune for most of
her songs, but just take my advice and look
YouTube has
her up on the cover of Miike Snow’s song
“Animal” on YouTube and you’ll see just
become the
what I mean.
One final artist that deserves recogni-
stomping ground
tion is Natalia Kills. When her single “Mir-
rors” was released back in August, the You-
for people to
Tube video became the talk of Facebook and
Twitter, and she gained popularity quickly.
get recognized.
She released two more singles onto iTunes
titled “Activate My Heart” and “Zombie” and
Lately...artists have
has her album The Perfectionist coming out
later this year. Natalia Kills has great music
been capturing the
that absolutely needs to be shared. Many of
her demos have leaked onto YouTube, so you
attention of the
should definitely check them out as soon as
you can.
public.
There’ve been too
many instances where
Preaching the political
beliefs of your parents
we’ve asked kids why they
are a Democrat or a Repub-
lican. Their answer usually without establishing
is, “because my parents are.”
What you should do instead is
get all the information and then
your own makes you
seem ignorant.
make your decision on what you
do or don’t believe in, like your
parents did.
Some will probably argue that not as well informed as you think you
their parents influenced their viewpoints are; and as you haven’t taken the time to
and that they have their own reasons to understand the inner-workings of today’s
back it up; but I mean really, think about politics, then you shouldn’t be getting
it. Where do you get your information? heated about anything.
YouTube? Congressional debates and If you truly know about politics
presidential decisions are more com- and have formed your own educated
plicated then we know. Preaching the beliefs, that’s great. You have every right
political beliefs of your parents without to defend your opinions. But if you don’t
establishing your own makes you seem and you’re aware that you don’t, save us
ignorant. the contrived political rant, and admit
What may appear to be a strong that you’re just defending an opinion
opinion to you is actually weak and that’s not your own and that you know
pointless. So please, know that you are nothing about.
The Blake Beat May 13, 2011 B7
Junior beyond grossed out by outrageously offensive habits
Nasty acts need to be stopped: people ought to learn some manners

x by David Hylton
Come junior year, you’ve taken a lot
of classes with a lot of people throughout
your high school career. Many of these
come with strange, disgusting habits. And
these disgusting habits have caused me to
have many mental disturbances.
I can’t stand it when I’m sitting in
class and when I look over at the person sit-
ting next to me, digging up their noses for
trea-
s u r e .
Things that are supposed to be
in the body should remain in the body.
And no one wants to see you eat your
findings either, so don’t try that; we’re in
high school now, not kindergarten.
That leads me to the next disgusting
habit I can’t stand: farting. It seems to be
on the reg’ that my friends and I will be
minding our own business in Ceramics
when all of a sudden this horrid stench
just creeps up on us and chokes us,
overtaking out nostrils. Tell me why that
is neces-
sary. If you need to
pass gas, ask to go to the bath-
room or at least warn us that your stink
bomb is headed our way.
It wasn’t until this year that I wit-
nessed this habit in my classes: hair pick-
ing. What is it you might ask? Hair pick-
ing is when someone constantly digs at
their scalp, sending flakes in all directions
and shedding strands of their hair one by
one. Reasons why are unknown; but then
again, why do people dig for bacteria that
builds up in their nose? Beats me. Believe
it or not, I have seen people eat these scalp
flakes as well. Barf bag, please?
Another habit I can’t stand is pop-
ping zits. I understand the whole concept
of trying to
get rid of those nasty
craters, but I’m confused as to
why would you do it in public. It only
embarrasses you. Your face will just get
red and blotchy and you’ll draw attention
to something that no one was looking at
in the first place. So not only do you look
gross when white junk comes flying out
of your face, but everyone in the halls
knows you’re picking at your face when
you walk from class to class with bright
red patches all over your face.
Bottom line, all you nasties that like
to “take care” of your bodies during class:
just stop. It’s gross, it creeps people out
and you’ll just become the “butt” of all
our latest jokes.

Friends are not always what they seem, sometimes better to let go
Senior plays Dr. Phil, gives her insight on self-absorbed ‘best’ pals
Being around positive people will make you a more trouble as well.
x by Regina Cameron positive person. Everyone has goals and aspirations for In some cases, a bad friendship can be saved. Talk to
Throughout high school, we all make and lose themselves, but when you have a friend that discourages your friend about your concerns with their behavior, and
friends: people change and grow apart and sometimes you or crushes your dreams, then give them the boot as if they really care about being friends they will change
we have to make the decision whether or not to end the soon as possible. how they’re acting then they are worth it. However, if they
friendship. The friend who is self-absorbed may cause you continue to cause drama with you, then it’s time to end it.
Just because you call someone your best friend, it to stop and think if they really care about you or is it all That “friend” wasn’t worth your time in the first place.
does not make them a good friend. If you have a friend about them? A friend should be someone you can go to Avoid lopsided friendships in which you are giving
who isn’t genuine at all, let them go. Someone who has with your problems; they should be able to listen. If you more time and effort than the other person. It’s a waste of
lied to you before will lie to you again, so save yourself find that whenever you go to this self-absorbed friend to time and you deserve better. So find someone else to hang
the drama and “break up” with them - you will be happier talk about your own problems the conversation ends up out with and talk to. Whether you are a graduating senior,
later. Why would you want a friend who isn’t sincere? being about them, then rethinking the friendship would or you will be returning next year, now is a good time to
Nobody wants to be around someone who is con- be a good idea. The last thing anyone needs is to have decide who your true friends are. At the end of the day, a
stantly negative; it can drain anyone’s positive spirit. a friend who is a bad influence; it usually gets you into real friend will stick around no matter what.
The Blake Beat May 13, 2011 B8
The James Hubert Blake administration, faculty & staff
congratulate these students on making 3rd Quarter Honor Roll
9th GRADE Maryam Outlaw Tanner Giles-Tucker 11th GRADE Julie Mitchell Kelley Frese
Ruth Addisu Melanie Outtarac Rachel Gist Mohammed Abbas Kristina Mitchell DELILAH GATES
Michelle Adompo Bryan Park Corey Glocker Cody Acker Tara Mitchell Sylvester Gates
CLAUDIA ALARCO Nicholas Park Derek Glocker Kimberly Adam Alexander Morales Gwendolyn Giles
MARY ARONNE Matthew Parsons Gina Gomes Nicole Alexander Juan Moscoso Zachary Goldberg
HUNTER BALOG ESTEFANIA PEREZ Xiomara Gonzales DERICK ANSAH Mihir Nakrani AMY GOTTLIEB
Nicole Barriga Victor Phimphachanh Eric Gottlieb Isaac Appel Christian Nava Kelly Hanlon
Zachary Bartlett Samuel Preza Candace Grant Erika Arancibia Victor Nicholson Madison Hawkes
Sean Bartley Jeremy Radov Paul Gregg Mohammad Ashrafi Tayler Nine Bridget Hawvermale
Gregory Bell Diarra Radway Emily Greitzer Abdoul Bah Nnamdi Odoazu Blaire Hoffman
JULIA BELL Julian Raul Anna Haley Quinndolyn Barnes Oladoyin Olagundoye Lily Hua
Adam Beuttler Maiah Richards Antony Harris Brian Battaglia Alexandra Paintsil Nicholas Hung
Dylan Bond Micah Richards Kellen Healy SARON BIREDA Lauren Paniati Avery Hunter-Hackney
GRAYSON BOONE Ezra Roschu Vivian Henderson Danielle Blocker Seong Hwan Park DYLAN HYSEN
SARAH BRIDEGUM Tiara Royal Azalia Hernandez Stephen Bonhag LEAH PATTERSON Jeremy Iocozzia
TORIE BROER Matthew Russell RACHEL HEWITT Brittany Bradley Susana Pena Christopher Jaeger
Remington Brooks Pierre-Michel Saint Amand Tiyana Hodges ANTHONY BUI Grace Plihal Lucas Jefferys
SILVIA BUGLIO KARA SAVERCOOL Olivia Hubbard Katya Buresh Sarah Prather Donzell Johnson Jr.
KEVIN BUI Connor Shaw JODEH HULEIS Blake Buress Matthew Present Alexander Kahsay
Kimberly Callahan Ashley Sheibaniagdam Francesca Inman Elizabeth Butler Zachary Radov Musu Kawusu-Kebbay
Sherry-Mae Canoy Larson Shilling Samuel Jaffe Nicole Byrd Erica Ragland Zachary Kaye
MICHELLE CARTER David Shipler Konner Johnson Javian Caceres Andrea Ramirez Joshua Kenes
Jasmine Cesareo Brett Silverman Zachary Johnson Alexa Calderon Tai Ramsey Ryan Kerner
Justin Chan Margaret Simpson IRENE JONES MAN CHAN Lenasia Ransom Simone Kirkland
Ryan Chang Tayseer Skeiky Melania Karmazyn Joshua Chang Brooke Rehman Aimee Kohorst
Brandy Chau Sundeep Soni Tharana Karzai CHARLES CHENG Elizabeth Ann Reyes Corinne Konoza
Shoshanna Chito Joel Sorto HAMZA KHAN-TAREEN Hiu Chiu Jahmila Roberts Brandon Krixer
IN JI CHUN Sophia Stanley Barzillai Kim Mark Cirincione Ghulam Sallman Garrett Krixer
ANN CIRINCIONE Thomas Stanton Sandra Kindete Emmanuel Clarke Kimberly Santini Sara Kushner
Bryan Citrenbaum DAVID STEELE Rute Kiros Molly Cohen Kyle Shaw Meagan Lagerlef
Matthew Clanton Kenneth Stone MICHAEL KISTER Charles Conteh Matthew Siegel Ashley Larkin
Casey Clark Noah Sturdivant Crystal Kuffour MIYA COOK Andrew Simmons Michael Leonard
Rene Cordon Nina Tan Cecilia Kwakye Courtney Cristaldi Emily Simmons Jennifer Lien
Alison Coyne Cassidy Tarner Andrew Latona PHUC VU DANG Nicholas Tatnall Katherine Lingan
RILEY CRUICKSHANK CAROLINE TATNALL Ashlin Lee Brandon Davis Megan Taylor BRIANNA LIVESAY
Gabrielle Cudjoe Melinda Tchokogoue Dae Kyu Lee Ryan Deane Theophilus Thomas JULIA MAAS
Mark Davis Dianne Techwei Westin Lee Savannah Doane-Malotte Kimberly Toxie Austin Malner
Yancy Del Cid Emily Temple Jourdan Lewanda Christian Domaas Samara Tu Nicholas Mauprivez
Yodit Denu Aboubakar Toure Kristen Lewis Alexis Earley Nicole Tuttle Matthew McGugan
Natalie Domaas Kelsy Turner BLAINE LOWRY Sara Elalami Jean-Claude Tzeuton Joshua Medina
Ashley Escobar Morgan Ung Cindy Luu Kathryn Evans Karen Vanegas Brooke Mellish
Stephanie Filho Karley Valdes Krystal Martindale MARY FERNANDES Lynne Virgil Nikhil Modha
Jason Fleischer Heather Veli Marina McCaney Hayley Fixler Phabiene Volcimus Winifred Morris
XAVIER FOX James Vernon Zemaye Meseretu Jocelyn Flores Jonathan Wahler Jayonte Morrison
Emma Friedman Tan Vo Marissa Metzger LANE FLYNN Cadijah Walcott Joseph Morstein
Maia Gadsden Robert Walker Richard Miller Manyi Foncham Cheyenne Walker Nicholas Mugge
Kimia Gaines Pascal Wallace-Page KEVIN NANJI Stella Fotso Denise Walker Quynh-Nhu Nguyen
Jason Glantz TANNER WILLIAMS Yonata Negatu Linus Francis Erica Wang Greggory Nicholson
REBECCA GLATT Victoria Wolsh MICHELLE NGUYEN Amanda Freeman Zhichen Wang Gretchen Nicholson
Leah Goldberg Dashawn Woody Adefolarin Orimolade Kristen Frese BRANDON WEBER Georgiette Oduro Boateng
Betsy Gomez Carolyn Worden Andrea Ortiz Kathryn Fuchs Jeffrey Welder Fidelia Okai-Aryeetey
Oscar Gomez Kevin Wright Remi Oyekan Matthew Gagern REBECCA WELLMAN Kemi Olowoofayoku
Andy Gonzales SAMANTHA WRIGHT Olivia Park NEVA GAKAVIAN Jenna Williams Jessica Ortiz
William Graves FELICIA YAU Calvin Perry Valentina Garcia Larisha Winley Morgan Ostrow
Sandra Guevara Michelle Yeung Heidi Petersen JACOB GILL LEISHA WINLEY Leena Owen
ALEXANDRA HADYKA Timaj Yusuf Naomi Piard Cecilia Girolami Ellen Wood Jeongyeon Park
LILLIAN HALLMARK Fenguese Pierre Hayley Glantz RHEA WYSE Ingrid Passmore
Bethany Hamson 10th GRADE PRADIP RAMAMURTI Shawn Glisson Grace Yoo Joshua Paunil
Eric Hawkes Jr Aiman Abdelmouti Rosa Reyes Jacob Gordon Eric Poloway
Asha Henley Christian Abell Ryan Reynolds Ramanda Graham 12th GRADE Sonia Polyzos
Rebecca Hill Whitney Alexis CHRISTINE RICCIARDI Bridget Gratton Jessica Anane Susana Posada
Kristen Hines Abigia Arage Christopher Richard Charles Gross Chelsea Anderson LINDA POWERS
CATHLEEN HO Kwame Asante Patrick Richard WOSSEN HADERO Darlene Aniebonam Carley Pressley
Thao Hoang Nana Asare Lara Richli Lucy Harrelson DANIEL ARIAS Jasmine Pullen
Ashley Holmes Angela Bair Andrew Riedel Bradley Harrison Nicholas Arnold-Medabalimi ALEXANDER RAUL
George Hyde India Banks Isabel Rodriguez Marvin Hart IV Sarah Aylor Maya Reid
Jacqueline Hyman Stephany Barajas CHELSEA RYAN Jack Hawvermale Rachel Babcock Naomi Richardson
Hyla Jacobson Erik Barrios Estefan Santos Heather Heim Julia Baker Renatta Rickford
Janelle Jean Jenna Beers Rebecca Schwartz Tyasia Hutchinson Spenser Balog Olivia Rintoul-Thomas
Ashley Johnson John Beers Katia Segura David Hylton Sadia Bangura Andrea Rizkallah
Madeline Kalen KATHERINE BLACKFORD Susan Shelton-Der Amina Irving Lauren Barlow Steven Rodriguez
DONG KANG Graylyn Broadnax MIN SHIM Janet Jackson Isabela Barriga H Rorie
Abdul Kanu Lilet Broomes Stefan Sigwalt RACHEL JAFFE Ashley Barteck Paris Saunders
Elyssa Kil Edgar Brown Sandra Simmons Malcolm Jenkins Joyce Bartlett Emma Semanyk
Amanda King Madison Bruffy Laura Smethurst Christian Jeong Reanna Beatty Michael Seo
JOCELYN KO Toure’ Burgess ANNA STEINFELD Alyssa Johnson Shannon Bell Isak Shah
Alana Kominski THAIS CALDERON Nicole Sterling Devon Johnson Melissa Blue Max Shannon
Megan Kong Cory Camp Julia Stewart Michael Joiner Julia Boland Andrew Shelton Der
Grant Konoza Samantha Carpenter Kelly Stock ASHLEY JUDAH DeAndra Brown Mariel Shilling
John Kos Devora Castillo Jean Suazo Daniel Kim Mia Browne Daniel Simpson
Alexandra Krakaur Olivia Castro JANINE TAIRA ROBERT KORYCINSKI Destini Bryant Cassandra Smith
CLAUTON KUM GREGORY CHAIMSON Lucas Tax KEVIN LAM Sydnee Bullard JESSICA SMITH
Zachary Kushner Maurya Chaurasia Emily Tchai Melina Latona Catherine Burkhardt Gillian Spolarich
Meyer Lahat Michael Chheang Emily Tempchin Adele Leishman Peter Calhoun IV Christine Garcia St Amand
Cassie Le RYAN CHOE Lena Traore IRENE LEMBEROS Jordan Callahan Spencer Sterling
Gracia Le HOYOUNG CHOI Estefania Velez Peyton Leonard Shaina Callahan Ny’Asia Stewart
Jamie Lee Reyna Claytor DENISE VENERO Emily Lindsay Maya Campbell Alexis Thweatt
THEODORA LEMBEROS Lindsey Comer NATASHA VIRJEE SARAH LIPKOWITZ Rafael Centeno-Armenta Jordyn Tillman
Nicole Lertora Andrew Conchas Wanjiru Waithaka Matthew Lipshultz Christie Chambers Kelly Umana
Christina Lim LYDIA CURDTS Michele Wallace Eugene Litman Cynthia Cheng Akaninyene Umo
Brendan Lindsay NICHOLAS DAVIS Kadedra Walters COLLEEN LIVINGSTONE Maia Chicherio Ryan Valdes
Laura Lopez Aliya Dean RUSSELL WANKE Jenny Lon Git-Yee Chu Kristina Valerio
DUNCHADHN LYONS Assoumou Diby CAROLINE WANNEN MONIKA LOONEY Rachel Cooper Sophia Venero
Carlos Niccolo MacAlino ALSION DIONNE Lillian Watkins JULIE LOPATKA Joseph Crews SHANNON WADE
Madhi Malik Albert Djoum Jr. Matthew Weiss Brianna Lopez Delaney Cruickshank Joshua Waldman
THEODORA MARTIN Julia Doh Chris-Ann Whitehead Daniel Louloudes Alexander Curtin Stacey Waldo
Kristina McKenna McKenzie Dreher Kielan Wilcomb Stephanie Luk Surasree Das Jasmine Walker
Angela Mix Emily Eaglin Kionna Wiley Michael Mansaray Kirstyn Desroches Conor Wallace
MARY MOLLOY Darien Ellis BRYAN WILKERSON Meredith Mathis Somala Diby Alex Wells IV
Diego Munoz Monica Eng Cassandra Wolsh Kyle McArthur LEANNA DIGGS Eric Wiley
Mytaquia Nelson Michael Errigo Karissa Wong Courtney McKenna Christiane Djoum Kira Williams
Brigit Ngaleu Alexus Ford RACHEL WOO Conner McMurray Emmanuel Endishaw PATRICK XIAO
VAN NHAN NGUYEN Aryn Frazier Hannah Wynne MELISSA MCNABB Antonio Escoto Erin Yates
DAPHNE O’GRADY Kamil Gabbani Rebecca Yim Charis McNamara Kathleen Faisca Samoy Young
Thomas Olowu Connor Gaffney Karim Zarhloul MacKenzie Meyer Christyna Falden
Emmanuel Oppong Anna Galeano Terah Minor-Jones Joseph Franks

Names in all caps indicate Straight A’s

Adopted senior discovers biological family, connects with siblings in Russia, p.C3

Section C James Hubert Blake High School May 13, 2011

Principal Berry’s first year filled with challenges, rewards

There isn’t a day I don’t go home and feel like
I’ve had something positive happen.
Christopher Berry

Principal Christopher Berry, seen here in his office, reflects on his first year as
James Hubert Blake High School principal. He believes that a highlight of the year
by Dylan Hysen
x & Conor Wallace
With many new responsibilities and
exponentially more pressure, principal
Christopher Berry has found his first year
on the job anything but easy.
However, a decade of experience as
an administrator at Blake has more than
prepared Mr. Berry for the task.
In the year since he has taken over
as principal, Mr. Berry has noted the
new responsibilities of his job. However,
despite his demanding schedule, he still
finds the extra commitment well worth
it. “It’s a very rewarding job,” says Mr.
Berry. “There isn’t a day I don’t go home
and feel like I’ve had something positive
happen.”
One of his main new duties is con-
flict resolution between staff, students and
even parents. As principal, when an issue
escalates to a certain point, Mr. Berry has
the final say. “You really see all sides of
it,” says Mr. Berry. “You see validity in
both or all the sides involved in a conflict
and you’re called upon it, in a sense, to
mediate.” Mr. Berry cites this as one of the
challenging aspects of his job.
Mr. Berry has persevered and ac-
complished much in spite of the chal-
lenges. He is especially proud of the new
staff the school has taken on. Says Mr.
Berry, “It’s not a guarantee that you’re al-
ways going to hire great, top-notch people.
I feel we were able to bring on some really
strong new teachers this year.”
However, these feats were not
the work of Mr. Berry alone. He names
teachers, department leaders, guidance
has been “simply knowing students in a different role and getting to know so many
more students.” -- photos by Aron Crews
counselors and administrators as important
contributors. “Any accomplishments the
school makes, I really believe, [are] to
the credit of lots of folks that work in this
building,” adds Mr. Berry.
The process of working together
began in the summer during a meeting with
Blake’s Instructional Council. The council,
which includes parents and students, was
influential in the tightening of the cell
phone policy that was put into place in the
beginning of the school year. The staff was
surveyed last spring and cited cell phones
as one of the things most disruptive during
their teaching.
Mr. Berry agrees that cell phones
hinder instruction, but is not totally against
them. In response to the county’s consid-
eration of allowing cell phones at lunch,
Mr. Berry says, “This is probably going
to shock students when I say this: but per-
sonally, I would not have a problem with
that at all…as long as students understand
when lunch is over, phones go away and
[students must] turn them off.”
As Mr. Berry continues his augment-
ed duties, he must face the ever increasing
challenge of budget cuts, which have led
to the cessation of the High School 101
program. “I can’t make something from
nothing. I have to pay people. I have to
have people to lead. I have to put programs
together. And it doesn’t just appear out of
the vapor,” says Mr. Berry.
Mr. Berry still finds the positives in
his job regardless of these hardships. He
says, “For me, a highlight simply has been
knowing students in a different role and
getting to know so many more students
that I didn’t know before.”

Competition allows senior to show off robot

Student boots up dream career in engineering
by Delilah Gates
x & Josh Paunil
Some of us act like robots.
Some of us try to dance the robot.
But very few high school students
actually build and program robots.
Senior Nicholas Arnold-Medabalimi
is one of these few individuals.
Arnold-Medabalimi is part of
All the little tweaks you the Explorer Post 1010 engineering
post’s robotic group that builds and
make to program and to... programs robots capable of per-
forming specific tasks like releasing
design all play a role. balls from a tube and dumping the
balls into a net. “I enjoy finding and
Nicholas Arnold-Medabalimi creating solutions for problem and
making something that can move
for itself,” says Arnold-Medabalimi.
“All the little tweaks you make to the
program and to mechanically design
all play a role.”
Since ninth grade, Arnold-
Medabalimi has been in the Explorer
Post 1010 engineering post spon-
sored by the Lockheed Martin Cor-
poration. The Explorer Post is made
up of two groups: robotics (which
Arnold-Medabalimi is a part of) and
rocketry. “When I first joined…I was
very bored until I realized how much
fun it was to hang out with all the
people,” says Arnold-Medabalimi.
“Once competition started, I actually
began to look forward to the meet-
ings with the intent of getting work
done.” Over the years the members
of the Explorer Post have become
good friends and often hangout out-
side of meetings.
Not only do these robots func-
tion autonomously, they also win
awards. The Explorer Post’s robots
compete in the KISS Institute for
Practical Robotics (KIPR) Open
Autonomous Robotics Game twice
a year, for regional and the global
competitions. “It isn’t the same
as a sports competition,” Arnold-
Medabalimi says. “It is a bit nerve-
wracking but as we watch it I always
note anything that can be improved
for the next run.”
The KIPR Open Game, known
informally as botball, has three parts:
seeding, in which an unopposed
robot attempts to get the highest
score; double elimination, in which
two teams run simultaneously trying
to outscore each other in a bracket
tournament; and documentation, in
which a team is scored based on the
online documentation of the plans
that led up to competition and a ten
minute onsite presentation.
At this year’s regional compe-
tition April 9, the Explorer Post’s en-
tered four robotics teams and raked
in the trophies. “It was probably the
most impressive regional perfor-
mance we had in all my four years,”
says Arnold-Medabalimi. Together
their teams won first and third Over-
all Awards, first and second place
Seeding Awards, first place Docu-
mentation Awards, first place Double
Elimination and multiple Judges’
Choice Awards. The Explorer Post
now has to prepare for the global
competition this summer. Adds
Arnold-Medabalimi, “I would like to
say we will clean house again…but
botball is so unpredictable.”
Arnold-Medabalimi is looking
forward to studying mechanical, bio-
medical or aerospace engineering in
college. “[The Explorer Post] gave
me a lot of leadership experience
as well as taught me a wide variety
of skills,” he says. The program is
only open to high school students, so
Arnold-Medabalimi is getting ready
to say goodbye. He adds, “I will miss
all my friends but…I had a great
four years as a member.” Similar to
others who have graduated from the
program, Arnold-Medabalimi plans
to visit and keep in touch with those
still in the Explorer Post.

Alumna joins Peace Corps, aids small Dominican village with limited resources, p.C6
C2
Juniors help
freshmen to
keep on track
Tutoring program
eases transition
to high school
x by Tara McIntyre
Transitioning from middle school to
high school is usually a difficult change
for incoming freshmen; which is why the
PTSA is offering a beneficial student-tutor
mentoring program everyday at lunch. It all
started last year when ninth grade English
teacher Omari Daniel noticed a majority of
freshmen struggling to keep their grades
up. As a result, he pitched the idea of
student study groups. The PTSA approved
and offered financial support, while PTSA
representative John Arias, PTSA president
Robina Barlow, ninth grade History teacher
Mr. Loftus, and Principal Christopher
Berry agreed to supervise/sponsor.
Along with the teachers and parents
are the student mentors who sacrifice their
lunch daily to help freshmen with home-
work. Shortly after the student-tutor men-
toring program was created, forty juniors
were recommended to be mentors for this
school year. After applying, three junior
boys and three junior girls were selected.
Junior mentor Erika Arancibia says, “We
are making a change in the students who
want to improve their educational skills
on their own, with just a little bit of help
of us.”
May 13, 2011 The Blake Beat
Homework overload causes early
morning blues for sleepy teenagers
Schoolwork creates tired students
x by David Hylton
from lack of sleep or be really jittery,” says
junior Carrie Calloway*. “It messes with
Every day students are assigned
homework; some do it, some don’t. But
those who are devoted to completing this
my circadian rhythm and throws me out of
wack sometimes.”
“My friends in AP Chem (one of my
seemingly simple task find finishing all
the work that their teachers assign requires
morning classes) can tell the next day after
I have had a late night,” adds Barlow.
Omari Daniel
drastic measures.
As upperclassmen juggle schoolwork,
Students find that in order to survive
throughout the day, they have to constantly
jobs and trying to maintain a social life, they drink caffeinated drinks such as Five Hour
According to Dr. Daniel, the pro- find that the only way to keep up with their Energy drinks. For Hackleberry and Cal-
gram consists of four rounds. “Round one homework assignments is to trade sleep time loway, they have even resulted in borrow-
is make up work, round two is becoming for working hours. ing Adderall from
a good student, round three we figure out
what exactly went wrong, and round four
“I [have] to choose
between doing The next morning friends, which is ac-
tually illegal without
we teach students to love themselves”,
he says. Students are allowed to stay the
homework or get-
ting a good night’s I’ll feel on edge being prescribed by
your doctor, in order
entire lunch, or a minimum of 20 minutes;
making some students hesitant to give up
sleep,” says junior
Vanessa Hackle- from lack of sleep to remain focused on
their tasks.
their only free time at school. However the
ones who did give the program a try were
berry*.
These dedi- or be really jittery. Despite these
students’ hectic
astonished when in no less than a week,
their grades shot up.
cated students gen-
erally agree that a It messes with my schedules due to
their homework,
Not only are the students proud, but
also the parents, mentors, and supervi-
normal night means
five to six hours of circadian rhythm in no way do they
blame their teachers
sors. “I love when a kid comes in to say,
‘I don’t have any work’”, Dr. Daniel says,
sleep, but find that
when their home- and throws me out for their problem.
“Sometimes it seems
because that’s when the fun part comes in.
Mentors write personal letters to students,
work load is heavy,
they get a mere two of wack sometimes. that everything is
due at the same time
where they are more than free to speak on to three hours, if which becomes hard
any at all. “I was Carrie Calloway to handle, but just
their problems, how they’re feeling, etc.; it
builds a relationship between the two. okay with getting four to five hours of sleep looking teacher-by-teacher, I can’t say that
Sophomore Celeste Gregory, a for- a night, but it was soon cut down to two to they are unfair,” says Barlow.
mer member of the student-mentor program three hour naps,” says Hackleberry. In fact, these students feel that their
strongly suggests students to give it a try. “I have horrible sleeping patterns to lack of sleep and energy is in fact troubles
“It’s more than just work; it’s a place where begin with, but homework does make things that they have created for themselves. “It’s
people care about you.” She adds, “Those even worse,” adds senior Lauren Barlow. [really] all about time management,” adds
who don’t try it are missing out. Not only Not only do students have to face the Hackleberry. “And let’s face it, teenagers
is it helpful for school, it’s constructive on challenge of staying up, but they also have aren’t really good at managing their time.”
a personal level.” to deal with consequences as well. “The *Names have been changed for
next morning sometimes I’ll feel on edge article.
The Blake Beat
Boland at peace after discovering Russian biological family
by David Hylton
x & Shannon Wade
Everyday countless adoptive children
sit and wonder what their biological parents
are like, who they are or if they have an-
other family somewhere--but few ever get the
chance to discover the answers. Senior Julia
Boland is one of those few.
Boland was adopted from St. Peters-
burg, Russia when she was ten months old.
Although she has wondered who her biologi-
cal parents were since she was eight years old,
Boland didn’t start the process of seeking
them out until a few years ago. “I didn’t know
who I was,” says Boland. “I felt lost when it
came to my identity. I felt like I was living a
May 13, 2011
mystery.”
Parents Cindy and Tim Boland were
very supportive in helping Boland through
the process of contacting her Russian fam-
ily. “I [always] knew Julia would want to
[contact her biological family],” says Mrs.
Boland, “I just never knew when.” After going
to a camp for kids adopted from Russia, the
Boland family was able to use a well-known
biological researcher that helped Boland find
out who her family was and how to get in
touch with them.
After her adoptive parents hired the
researcher, it took only six months for Boland
to contact her biological family. Boland found
out that she has six birth siblings, five of which
she has contacted. Says Boland, “My siblings
C3
had no idea I existed but my [biological] mom
told them and they were excited they had a
little sister in America.” Boland has remained
in close contact with her siblings by creating
a Russian Facebook account.
Mr. and Mrs. Boland encourage adop-
tive parents to be supportive if their children
ever request to contact their birth families.
“I feel that [our relationship with Julia] has
gotten closer now that we have experienced
such an emotional and personal [time],” says
Mrs. Boland.
As for Boland, she continues to show
her avid excitement of her discovery by get-
ting tattoos celebrating her Russian family. “I
feel so much more confident now that I know
everything,” she says. “I’m finally at peace.”

College allows twins to branch out, establish separate identities

will major in different areas, says Sylvester Gates,

xby Brianna Livesay & Shannon Wade
Similar to Hollywood’s release of Mary-
Kate and Ashley Olsen, Blake will soon have to
let go of six pairs of twins. Having been together
their whole lives, some twins are looking forward
to being separated by college while others are
hesitant.
Seniors Niraj and Rohan Raju are pretty
excited about going off to different schools. Says
Niraj Raju, “I definitely will not miss him. Even
though most twins are best friends and ‘connected
at the hip,’ Rohan and I will leave and never turn
our fraternal heads back.”
Niraj Raju is going to DePaul University
in Chicago and Rohan Raju is going to Salisbury
University. The two have always had different
interests despite the fact that they are twins.
They will be majoring in different fields as well,
Music Performance and Environmental Science,
respectively.
Other twins, such as seniors Sylvester and
Delilah Gates, plan to attend the same college:
University of Maryland, College Park. Since they
“I think as the years go on we might not actually see
each other that much because we’ll each get into our
own things.” The two have never been separated for
over a week, so entering different majors will be a
chance to branch out.
Although there are obvious differences in
twins’ feelings towards one another, most agree that
it won’t be a big deal to separate after having been
together all their lives. Adds Niraj Raju, “I think that
finally being away from the person I shared a womb
with will be a breath of fresh and well-deserved
air.” The two agree that it can be fairly stressful be-
ing referred to as “Niraj’s twin” or “Rohan’s twin,”
despite their differences.
However, just because one twin may prefer
winter to summer and the other hot to cold doesn’t
mean that they are all itching to leave each other.
The existence of an ever-present teammate can
sometimes be very encouraging. “Having a twin is
honestly the best thing in the world,” adds Sylvester
Gates. “Having a twin makes me feel secure, like
there is one person to turn to even if everything
else in the world went wrong.”

Loss of Credit policy absence leads to lack of student presence

Skipping school becomes commonplace, especially among seniors
by Delilah Gates
x & Gillian Spolarich
This year’s loss of the Loss of Credit
(LC) policy has many students leaving their
desk seats cold as they go skipping right out
the gym doors.
Bengals are now able to skip as much
as they want thanks to the fact that they can-
not fail a class on the basis of attendance.
Although many students take advantage of
the loss of the LC policy, its impact varies
differently for each person. Senior Rachel
Black* skips two to three times a week in-
cluding her third period block every week.
“I’m a senior, so there’s barely anything to
do in my classes. I’d rather be somewhere
with my friends than in a boring class,” says
Black.
Many students, like senior Carolyn
Thomas* skip to recuperate from the stresses
of high school. Thomas only skips once every
two weeks and uses her time off from school
for a mental health day. “Honestly, I’m just
tired or I feel like I can get more done at my
[I skip] to take a break from school
since it just feels pointless after a while.
There’s no point in being in school if
you don’t want to be there.
house than in my classes,” adds Thomas.
Senior Greg Jones* usually skips once
a week and a full day once every two weeks.
Says Jones, “[The LC policy is] definitely a
good thing [because] you can skip whenever
and you’re good.” Jones skips for various
reasons which sometimes include drinking
or smoking. “[I skip] to take a break from
school since it just feels pointless after a
*Greg Jones
while. There’s no point in being in school if
you don’t want to be there.”
Most students generally agree that
skipping has minimal administrative reper-
cussions. Among those are emails and phone
calls sent at the end of the day to parents,
informing them that their child was absent
from one or more classes. Says senior Dylan
Lee*, “[There’s] some chastising here and
there, some talks, but no lasting punishments.
Some teachers make comments, but no real
damage is done.”
Many would think that skipping
would lead to students easily falling behind
in classes. With the loss of the LC policy,
teachers are able to choose to give zeros for
assignments their students missed because
of an unexcused absence. However, most
students agree that skipping has little effect
on their academics. “I’m a good student and
I don’t let my grades drop,” adds Thomas. “I
skip only when I know I won’t be missing
anything.”
*Names have been changed.
C6 May 13, 2011 The Blake Beat

Schnapp, Mehallick, Sewall to enlist, serve their nation

Students join military in hopes of improving themselves, helping country
by Sarah Mansaray
x & Adele Leishman
For senior Matthew Schnapp and juniors
Matthew Mehallick and William Sewell, plan-
ning to join the armed forces was a decision
that required contemplating the benefits and
sacrifices of what their future could hold.
Enlisting in the military has been a dream
of each of these students since childhood. Me-
hallick says, “I have always wanted to join the
Marines because I have a lot of family that have
been in the military and I like the type of person
it turns you into.” Mehallick has many goals he
wishes to achieve while in the Marines, and aims
to become a Scout Sniper.
While Mehallick is waiting until gradu-
ation to join the military, Schnapp has already
taken initiative by becoming a member of the
U.S. Air Force Auxiliary program, in hopes of
becoming a helicopter pilot in the Army and
eventually a professional airline pilot outside of
the military. Says Schnapp, “I hope to travel, see
new places, and help people through humanitar-
ian crisis situations [while serving as an Army
helicopter pilot].” He plans on attending Utah
State University starting in spring 2012, where
he will be undeployable until after college.
Becoming a part of the military is not
only a journey of physical endurance, but also
a life-changing experience that can modify the
values and characteristics of an individual. “I
hope to become a little more well-rounded,”
says Schnapp. “[I want to] gain effective job
skills, and [have] a nice independent lifestyle
once I become an adult.”
Along with the exciting lifestyle and
individualistic change, becoming a part of the
military has been based around patriotism for
Sewell. “I picked to join the military because
I want to help our country [during] war,” says
Sewell. “I’m making sacrifices. I’m leaving
home to go fight a war.”
Like Schnapp, Sewell expects to pick up
life skills from serving in the military. “I hope
to gain self-defense and discipline [skills],” says
Sewell. As of now, he plans to serve 15 years in
the Army, where he hopes to work his way up to
becoming as highly ranked as possible.
Joining the military is a life changing
decision that most do not make overnight; it
is a serious choice that can not only affect the
individual going into the military but also his
or her family and friends. Matthew Schnapp

Alumna uses Spanish skills to help underdeveloped Dominican village

Peace Corps fulfills D’Albora’s desire to travel and learn new cultures
by Kristen Frese
x & Savannah Doane-Malotte
Living in a small Dominican village
with limited cell phone reception and no
running water does not sound like most
students’ dreams. But for alumna Caitlin
D’Albora, who graduated Blake in 2005,
joining the Peace Corps was the best deci-
sion she ever made.
Before joining the Peace Corps,
D’Albora had a lot of experience with
travel and the culture of foreign countries.
She has travelled to Peru three times with
her family and at one point studied abroad
in Spain. Says father Jim D’Albora, “[Cait-
lin’s] decision to join the Peace Corps was
a combination of desire to continue to learn
about other countries and cultures and a
desire to have a career in which she could
help others.” a better future.
D’Albora has been able to speak
Spanish fluently since she was young. She
Working with the Peace Corps also
has its challenges. “The campo is pretty There were so
attended Rock Creek Forest Elementary
School, a Spanish immersion school, where
lonely. It’s hard to speak in Spanish all day,
and I haven’t met anyone my age,” says many things to
all classes were taught in Spanish except
one hour of English. She also studied up to
Caitlin D’Albora. But, she admits that there
are also lots of fun learning experiences. She consider as
Spanish 5 at Blake, and majored in Spanish,
International Relations and Latin American
has stayed with different host families who
help her learn the culture of each town and I came close
Studies at Miami University of Ohio.
“There were so many things to
treat her to special outings, such as exploring
the Sumbi River with her host brothers. to swearing
consider as I came close to swearing in
and moving to my community,” Caitlin
To keep in contact with her loved
ones in the United States, D’Albora uses an in and moving
D’Albora says. The graduate chose to
work with the youth in the town of El
international cell phone and occasionally,
email. D’Albora also keeps her family and to my
Guineo, Dominican Republic because of
her specialty in Spanish. In her village, she
friends updated on her projects through her
blog, which you can visit at http://www. community.
organizes soccer and baseball games for caitlininthedr.blogspot.com/.
girls and boys, in addition to giving classes *All quotes from Caitlin D’Albora Caitlin D’Albora
on how to be responsible and work toward have been taken from her blog
The Blake Beat May 13, 2011 C7
Juniors scoop in
fruits of labor
Students team up in
local Baskin Robbins
at Plaza del Mercado
x by Lucas Irvin & Britney Stuart
Barack Obama, Bobby Flay, Rosie O’Donnell and Julia
Roberts all have something in common with a group of three
Blake students: they all worked at Baskin Robbins.
Juniors Elizabeth Butler, Julian Carr and Edwin Cal-
lender all work at the same Baskin Robbins scoop shop in Plaza
del Mercado. “It’s a pretty easy job,” says Butler. “[Though]
at times it gets difficult, I manage to balance everything out.”
Her responsibilities largely consist of serving customers and
keeping everything clean.
Though a job as simple as serving ice cream may seem
boring, the employees genuinely do enjoy their job. Butler
adds, “I love my job mainly because I get to interact with all
types of people and see my friends who stop by occasion-
ally.”
Both Butler and Callender have worked at the Baskin
Robbins for only one month, but they both seem to be pretty
settled in. “It did not take long at all to learn how to make all
of the shakes and sundaes,” Callender says. “In general, it is
an extremely chill and fun job.”
However, Carr believes the job to be a little more dif-
ficult. “Lines can get pretty long…and many workers become
overwhelmed and start messing up the orders.” All three juniors
agree that even though it can definitely be difficult at times, it
is still a pretty relaxed job compared to many others.
All three plan on continuing the job over the summer,
mainly because they just began. “It is nice having other Blake
students working with you…it is definitely a motivating factor
to keep this job up,” Butler says.
Even though Carr, Callender and Butler plan on working
over the summer, they are unsure about next year. “I think I
just have to give it more time and see how it goes,” Callender
adds. One definite thing is that working at Baskin Robbins is
never boring. “I look forward to going to work,” Butler adds.
“I know it is something exciting and I definitely recommend Junior Edwin Callender mans the reigster at Baskin Blake students who now work for the ice cream shop.
it to other people looking for jobs.” Robbins in Plaza Del Mercado. Callender is one of three -- photo by Cecilia Girolami

Bengals inform about Seventh Day Adventist religion, lifestyle

Believers practice healthy diet, goodwill, spreading the word of Jesus
x by Simone Taylor
We always give Christianity is the most popular
religion in the world with over 30,000 dif-
back to our ferent branches; one of the most common
branches is The Seventh Day Adventist
community, and Church.
The Seventh Day Adventist Church
focus on how is the twelfth largest religious body in the
world. Says English teacher Katina Chap-
the Bible relates pel, “It is a gift to be able to put aside a lot
of our everyday worries and concerns and
to present day focus on remembering and worshipping
the God who created us.” The community
events. gets all doctrines and beliefs from the Bible
and is distinguished from other Christian
branches by its observance of Saturday as
Demetrius Young the Sabbath, or “day of rest,” instead of
Sunday.
“We always give back to our com- with Seventh Day Adventists, due to the
munity, and focus on how the Bible relates fact that The World Head Quarters for the
to present day events,” says senior Dem-
etrius Young. The Seventh Day Adventist
Seventh Day Adventist Church is located in
Silver Spring, off of Route 29 and Randolph
Church is known for being highly active
in humanitarian activities such as visiting
Road. Says senior Aron Crews, “If you
are involved with the church community,
homeless shelters, providing groceries for
low income families, and other various
it becomes extremely easy to meet other
Adventists in the area via church events
forms of volunteer work.
The community also puts a large em-
and such.”
One of the most important beliefs of
phasis on health and diet. Many members of
the Seventh Day Adventist community are
Christianity is the importance of spreading
the word of Jesus Christ. Christians await
vegetarians or abstain from eating ruminant
animals. Says sophomore Lara Richli, “I
the second coming, or the return of Jesus,
and value informing people of Jesus and
think what separates us from other branches
of Christianity is that we’re based off of
his teachings in the Bible. Adds Crews, “I
value trying to be as ‘Jesus like’ as possible
healthy life style choices.” Frequent exer- in order to be a good example, so others
cise is also highly recommended. will be interested in finding the true joy and
Silver Spring is highly populated comfort have in our savior Jesus Christ.”
C8
STOP COMPLAINING!-thanks
_________________________________
AP EXAMS ARE OVER!!!
_________________________________
Brianna Lopez, will you go to prom with
me?
_________________________________
PROM WOO-HOO!!!
_________________________________
When you’ve seen beyond yourself you
will find peace of mind is waiting there.
_________________________________
Five To One, baby. One to five. No one here
gets out alive.
_________________________________
Disregard wenches, acquire currency
_________________________________
I want Hannah Kenney’s and Allison Di-
onne’s bodies. -Aron Crews
_________________________________
UGH is awesome
_________________________________
Robert Krakaur, will you marry me?
_________________________________
AM+ BR= Caps lovers and cute future
couple
_________________________________
When I’m with KMF I’m with my three
best friends
_________________________________
UGH!
_________________________________
The snack that smiles back- Goldfish! RK
& ML
May 13, 2011
UnClassifieds
See any BEAT staffer to buy your
Unclassified in our next issue.
70¢ for the first ten words, 5¢ for each additional word
1 < 3.14159 Lucas Irvin
_________________________________
I wanna sing a song of love for Daphne’s
ups
_________________________________
You’re never too old to play Hungry Hun-
gry Hippos
_________________________________
I love you my asexual wife! Love Grace
_________________________________
I love you Bui, Love, your Turkish prin-
cess
_________________________________
I love sha-vanna
_________________________________
I don’t want a picture
_________________________________
Sha-shi-eel-ia
_________________________________
I want to talk to HER
_________________________________
Ellen Wood is life
Yes, yes. You love me savan
_________________________________
Riddle, Riddle, would you like to play my
fiddle? Riddle Riddle
_________________________________
Blake Beat represent!
_________________________________
What time is it? Summer time!
_________________________________
Sunny with a high of 75
_________________________________
You’re an idiot.
_________________________________
Daisy Dukes, bikinis on top
_________________________________
We could’ve had it all
_________________________________
I love Lucas : ]
_________________________________
Nick Tatnall <3
The Blake Beat
Stop talking about the royal wedding –it’s
old news
_________________________________
Matt Present loves the ambulance
_________________________________
Spring Break should be longer
_________________________________
Take Jounalism next year!
_________________________________
Class of 2011.
_________________________________
YA’LL SOME NERDS
_________________________________
Cweesh
_________________________________
Wikka wikka fresh!
_________________________________
Wait…is it a…a…bird?! Is it in inside? No...
it’s outside.
_________________________________
Party like its summertime!!!
_________________________________
The reign of Blomala is ending...........
_________________________________
Stink bugs need to go extinct.
_________________________________
Love my new bracelet
_________________________________
Congratulations Mrs. Brown!
_________________________________
I love Rachel Cooper. -Aron Crews
 Redskins have shockingly good draft, trade back for picks and get value, p. D6
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Section D Section
D James Hubert Blake High SchoolBlake May 13, 2011
Beat Sports

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team defeated the Paint Branch
Lady Panthers, 8-2, on Senior Night,
Monday.
After sophomore outfielder Colleen
Burkhardt doubled to lead off the third, junior
first basemen Bridget Gratton homered to tie the
game at 2-2. The Lady Bengals added two more in the
fourth and three more in the fifth and their pitching and
defense shut the Lady Panthers down as they allowed only
one runner to reach base after the fourth. Freshman outfielder Lillian Hallmark also had four hits.
The win over the Lady Panthers extends the Lady Bengal’s win
streak to four in a row to close out the year as they previously defeated
the Poolesville Lady Falcons, the Springbrook Lady Blue Devils and the
Quince Orchard Lady Cougars.
The girls defeated the Lady Falcons, 5-3, Saturday. Hagan hit a two
run single in the first, giving the Lady Bengals a 2-0 lead. The girls got some
insurance runs in the sixth when senior left fielder Catherine Burkhardt singled to
lead off the inning, and after there were two outs, Blake hit three consecutive singles,
putting three more runs on the board.
batters. The Lady Bengals exploded
for five runs in the first as they batted
around, highlighted by a bases clearing
double by Hagan and a two RBI triple by
McCray.
The win over the Lady Cougars was one of
the biggest wins of the season as they won, 13-7. Blake’s
first three batters, Mathis, senior third basemen Bridget
Hawvermale and Colleen Burkhardt all had multi-hit games.
It was a much needed win for the team who was coming off a
7-3 defeat at the hands of the Sherwood Lady Warriors as well as a 4-3
defeat to the Clarksburg Lady Coyotes in extra innings the week before.
“Beating QO really brought the team together,” says Mathis. “It brought back
the confidence that we lost and [the confidence] we need for the playoffs.”
Despite not winning the division title the girls are still confident heading
into the post season. “We didn’t win the division last year and we went on to win the
region,” says coach Jessica Garlick. “We’d rather win the regional title or state title over
the divisional title any day.”

Baseball team goes undefeated in division for second straight year

Squad scores 68 runs in three games, including 21 against Springbrook
x by Josh Paunil
For the second straight season, the
varsity baseball team has gone undefeated
in their division, finishing with a 5-0 record
and has finished in the top five in 3A.
However, the Bengals have struggled
as of late and have lost four straight games by
one run, including Senior Night when they
lost to the Paint Branch Panthers, Monday,
6-5, in eight innings. “It’s definitely a tough
way to end the regular season,” says senior
co-captain center fielder Austin Malner,
“especially as a senior, if we want to go
far in the playoffs we need to start winning
close games.”
In the Bengal’s last away game of the
season, they fell to the Poolesville Falcons,
7-6. However, both captains stepped up as
Malner led off the game with his first career
homerun and senior co-captain pitcher Max
Shannon later added his sixth homerun to the
season as well as three more RBIs.
However, the Bengals were unable to
keep the momentum going and gave up an
unearned run in the bottom of the eighth in-
ning, handing them their sixth loss of the sea-
son. “It was really tough,” says Shannon.“We
had a few opportunities to win the game but
we were unable to take advantage and lost
because of it.”
Earlier that week, Blake faced off
against the Quince Orchard Cougars who
gave them their fifth loss of the season by a
score of 3-2. The Bengals got off to an early
lead when they scored their only two runs
in the game in the fifth inning but ended up
giving away that lead when the Cougars
scored all three of their runs in the seventh
and final inning.
April 3, the squad lost to the Sherwood
Warriors, 2-1, in a game where Blake set a
school record for strikeouts in a game (16).
The Bengals also got off to an early lead due
to a first inning home run from Shannon, but
they then only managed to come up with two
more hits in the rest of the game.
Before their four game skid, the team
managed 68 runs in just three games as they
defeated Northeast Consortium rival Spring-
brook Blue Devils, 21-6, the Watkins Mill
Wolverines, 27-1, and the Wheaton Knights
20-3. “Beating Springbrook is always awe-
some,” says senior outfielder Chris Jaeger,
“but crushing them as badly as we did was
one of the best moments of the season.”

Crushing [Springbrook] as badly as we did was one of the best moments of the season.
Chris Jaeger
jjjywryohwrthnsrsrnsbiuiyulfyuttfcufyufysrjoinbusrjnlisurtnislrutnjsrtnrtnrsttrdrtdn
Beat names seniors Spencer Sterling, Rachel Porzel, as 2011 athletes of year, p. D7
D2 May 13, 2011 The Blake Beat

Coed volleyball squad takes consortium rival to four sets

Players gain experience, look forward to many returning competitors
x by Robert Krakaur
Now that their year has come to an
end, the coed volleyball team looks back on
a somewhat disappointing season, as they
failed to win as much as they hoped. How-
Kimberly Toxie
ever, the players gained valuable experience
in what was their first season for most.
Blake traveled to face the challenging
Wheaton Knights May 2, where they lost
14-15, 12-25, 18-25. “We were pumped to
end our season with a bang,” says junior
Victor Chau. “Though we lost, the team
managed to stay positive throughout the
game.” Chau thinks the Knights improved
since Blake last played them in pre-season
scrimmages.
The Damascus Swarmin’ Hornets
came to Blake April 29, as the Bengals lost
13-25, 9-25, 10-25. Chau, however, felt the
Bengals could have won the game. “Even
though we lost, I know each and every
one of my teammates tried our best,” says
Chau. The absence of senior Rohan Raju
and freshman Zack Kushner also seemed
to hinder the Bengals’ chemistry on the
floor.
Blake traveled to the Magruder
Colonels for a matchup April 13, and lost
8-25, 3-25, 5-25. Says Chau, “I think our
brains were a bit off during the Magruder
match.”
This was junior Daniel Kim’s first
game, and he gained valuable experience.
“Even though we lost, I feel like I learned
a lot, and my teammates were great about
helping and correcting me,” says Kim. Chau
says this experience helped Kim improve
his skills for future games.
Against the Quince Orchard Cougars
April 8, Chau felt the team was very well
prepared. However, the team lost, 17-25,
12-25, 15-25. “During the game we had
some amazing plays. However, our team
lacked some communication, which I think
ultimately affected the outcome,” says
Chau. This game provided valuable experi-
ence for some of the newer members of the
team as well. Daniel Kim
“During the game [junior] Kim [Tox-
ie] and I played really well,” says Kim. “Our much,” adds Chau. “This game wasn’t
teammates helped us have a good game.” our best, and I know we could’ve done
Tensions were high for the Bengals’ better.”
match against rival the Paint Branch Pan- Despite a largely disappointing sea-
thers. Blake came up short, losing 6-25, son, the Bengals look to next year when they
5-25, 5-25. “I wanted to win this one so hope to return almost all of their team.

Boys’ team makes playoffs for first time in Blake history, finish 5-7
Perez-Ferrero, Isimbabi make county All-Star team in record-breaking year
and worked hard to win our last went to five sets, and we competed May 2, the team had a domi- had a good crowd and we knew it
x by Eddie Madden two and make the playoffs,” says with every team.” nating performance against the was going to be our last time ever
Despite losing to the Blair senior Evan Lipshultz. The Bengals The Blazers are the favorites Wheaton Knights, playing well playing at Blake, so we stepped up
Blazers in the first round of the received the 13th seed in the play- to win the county championship and to a four set victory. “We came in and won all three,” Lipshultz says.
playoffs, the boys’ volleyball team offs out of 16 teams. they swept the Bengals in three sets. confident and our team played well Despite the losing record,
still accomplished much in a his- Head coach Dustin Jeter was “We played well and gave it our all, together,” says senior Brandon the Bengals made themselves and
toric season. satisfied with the 5-7 record the [but] we just couldn’t compete with Krixer. “We never let up and we their coach proud and qualified for
Blake finished the season team compiled, along with the play- them,” says junior Jack Hawver- crushed them.” the playoffs for the first time. They
strong with a two game win streak off appearance. “It was a good year, male. Although the loss was tough, The Bengals also handed the also had two members; seniors
to qualify for the playoffs, which we ended up doing pretty well and the Bengals stayed in the game and Damascus Hornets a loss, April 29, Matias Perez Ferrero and Michael
is the first time in Blake’s history. making the playoffs,” Jeter says. in two sets scored 16 and 18 points in three straight sets on senior night. Isimbabi qualify for the county
“We all came together as a team “We played a lot of close games that respectively. “The sets were pretty close, but we All-Star team.
The Blake Beat May 13, 2011 D3
Boys’ lacrosse deals
with difficult season
Bengals keep heads high
despite just a couple wins
x by Sammi Levitt & Savannah Tryens
Although equipped with many able and skillful players, the
varsity boys’ lacrosse team was unable to produce a victorious
season, finishing with only two wins under their belt.
The Bengals started off strong in the first quarter against
3A rival, the Damascus Hornets, but as the game transpired they
were unable to keep up with the quickness and scoring ability
of their opponent. “Damascus was our third game that week,”
says senior captain Jake Mondonedo, “to say we were tired
would be an understatement, but we were also unprepared for
their athleticism.”
The Bengals fell to the Hornets, 14-7, as senior attack Joey
Cane scored twice, junior midfielder Matt Mehallick scored once
and Mondonedo led the team with four goals in the second half.
Despite the rally late in the second half, the team was not able
to execute a win.
One of the closest games of the season was against the
Watkins Mill Wolverines that resulted in a 5-3 loss. The Bengals
were unsuccessful against the team who they beat, 17-1, the pre-
vious year. Says junior midfielder Nick Tatnall, “I think we all
went into the game expecting to beat Watkins Mill by a ridiculous
amount of points, I also think that’s why we lost.”
Along with the Hornets and Wolverines, the Bengals also
played the Clarksburg Coyotes, who they lost to, 7-5, in their
third game in three days. “Three games in a row is pretty much
the worst schedule a team could ask for,” says senior midfielder
Eric Wiley, “it’s really no surprise we lost each one.”
The Bengals had their most difficult game against the Woot-
ton Patriots, who hadn’t lost a to a fellow Montgomery County
team in 74 games. Despite a valiant effort, and another four goal
game by Mondonedo, the Bengals lost, 14-7. “It would have been
great to beat a powerhouse like Wootton,” says junior defender
Cross Klemko, “but at least we gave it a solid attempt.”
Despite a less than successful season, the Bengals were able
to win two games including an impressive 17-0 win over their
division opponent the Kennedy Cavaliers and a 4-3 victory over
the Einstein Titans bringing their division record to 2-3.
However, Blake will be without many of their starters
next year as they lose 12 of their 22 players to graduation and
will face tougher competition as they will move up, along with
every other Blake team to 4A, a league with more challenging Senior midfielder Jesse Boulandi attacks the home victory, marking their first division win of
opponents including the Sherwood Warriors. Kennedy Cavaliers’ defense in a 17-0 shutout the season. --photo by Aron Crews

Girls earn number four seed in 4A/3A West Region state playoffs
Squad finishes the year undefeated in division, just three losses overall
x by Lily Hua & Michael Joiner
Holding a division title and strong re-
cord, the girls’ varsity lacrosse team completed
their season with their heads held high.
After having their last division game
rescheduled from April 27 to May 7, the Lady
Bengals entered the game against the Watkins
Mill Lady Wolverines in hopes of clinching
an undefeated division record, and won, 18-
6. “The season went well,” says sophomore
midfielder Anna Galeano. “All the girls on
the team really tried hard every game which
helped us get better.”
The Lady Bengals found a tough op-
ponent in the Damascus Lady Hornets, losing,
13-10, May 4. Although the team did not win
their game, most of the girls believed that
this was the best game they played all season.
Says sophomore attack Megan Gagern, “We
lost that game... but we learned so much in
that game about ourselves and as a team.”
The Bengals lost their earlier match against
the Wootton Lady Patriots as well April 30,
18-7, which had fueled their match against
the Lady Hornets.
The girls triumphed against their
division rivals this season defeating the
Einstein Lady Titans, 17-4, the Clarksburg
Lady Coyotes, 18-1, and the Kennedy Lady
Cavaliers, 14-3. “Our goal was for the team
to learn to play as a unit, and I think we have
accomplished this,” says head coach Janice
Maloney.
Breaking their early season win streak,
the Lady Bengals lost to the Sherwood Lady
Warriors, 9-5, April 1. “We lost a few times,
but the connections we made with each other
made this season successful,” says junior
defender Valentina Garcia.
“I have learned that your team is what
holds you up,” says junior midfielder Julie
Lopatka. The team fought hard against their
most competitive division rival, the Quince
Orchard Lady Cougars, but lost, 15-10. “You
need to trust every single player on the team
and know that the only way to win a game is
by working together,” adds Lopatka.
The team started off the season strong
with three straight wins, proving that although
many of their players are young, they could
play well against their county rivals. They
won, 21-9, against the Gaithersburg Lady
Trojans March 24, and, 14-9, against consor-
tium rivals, the Paint Branch Lady Panthers
March 22.
D4 May 13, 2011 The Blake Beat

Senior Julia Boland performs on the uneven bars at home in
a dissapointing season for the Bengals. Highlights included
x by Paige O’Flahavan
a first place finish against Walter Johnson and second place
finish against Blair and Whitman. --photo by Aron Crews
Gymnastics fails
to get off mat
Many returning
players provide hope
for future success
Working the floor, vault, beam and bars, the
Lady Bengals’ gymnastics team struggled this sea-
son finishing with a record of 2-4.
The Lady Bengals placed sixth when they
competed in the MCPS championship at Blair, May
5. Senior Jordyn Tillman says, “Counties were not
as good as they could have been; everyone had
nerves.” Tillman thinks that many of the teammates
were a bit shaken after her car was badly hit on the
way to the meet.
The girls were able to finish in the middle
of the pack when they were away at Blair, April
14. The Lady Bengals came in second to the Blair
Lady Blazers and beat the Whitman Lady Vikings.
However, Tillman recognizes that the team did not
meet their full potential. Tillman adds, “As a whole,
the team needs to step up.”
When the Lady Bengals traveled to face the
B-CC Barons, they left with their second loss in a
row. However, junior Johana Martinez was able to
stay optimistic. Martinez adds, “With some practice
and effort we can do anything.”
Their first loss came at home April 4. The Lady
Bengals came in third against the Lady Vikings and
the Sherwood Lady Warriors. Martinez adds, “I feel
like our weakness would be how close we were to
our teammates.”
Winning their first meet of the season against
the Walter Johnson Lady Wildcats March 31 was a
great way for the Lady Bengals to start the season.
“Many of the girls had their own strengths.” Mar-
tinez says. “They all had something different that
they were good at.”
They are only losing four seniors out of the
team of 17 but will still have to work hard in order
to reach any goals they might have. “The remain-
ing two top scorers can’t carry the team,” says
Tillman.
A bit more optimistic, Martinez adds, “This
was my first year on the team and I really enjoyed it.
I learned a lot and I’m excited for next year.”

Track teams slow out of blocks, but things looking up down stretch
Both squads hope to capitalize on upcoming regional and state meets
by Jake Gordon boys were out-hustled, losing, finished eighth out of 35 com- letes won medals, including the Peace Kish also won gold, triple
x & Rachel Jaffe 119-13, to the Patriots and, 109- peting schools in the 1600 sprint boys’ 4 x 400 relay team, who jumping her way to glory. Head
18, against the Wildcats. The medley, just one of a handful of defeated many other schools to coach Charlie Simms says, “The
Boys’ and girls’ track and girls also put up a good fight, highlights that day. win first place. Says senior cap- team kept working hard to get
field teams ran through hard but eventually fell to the Lady Senior captain Rachel Por- tain Samoy Young, “The team better after the losses and it is
times this season, leaving the Patriots, 90-46, and to the Lady zel says, “This season started off learned how to work together, starting to show coming into
girls winless and the boys with a Wildcats, 84-52. really rocky but by the end we all and people realized that they our championship part of our
1-4 record. The teams faced the “In practice we don’t al- came together as a family, broke would get nowhere without hard season.”
toughest competition and, despite ways give 100%, but in meets we and set records and ultimately work.” The team hopes to con-
the statistical results, exhibited give 120%,” says junior sprinter came out on top.” Porzel is one Senior Alistair McLean tinue their recent success in the
great talent and potential. Leroy Radway. As the season of many seniors who have made made the school record books upcoming championship meets.
March 22, the teams hosted continued, the teams pushed an impact this season. in the 300 hurdles, shattering Following the regional meet May
their first meet of the season themselves and each other harder The team earned bragging the old record of 44.96 by four 18 at Linganore High School,
against power houses the Wal- to improve. April 9, at the much rights at the Katie Jenkins Invi- seconds, winning himself a many athletes hope to qualify
ter Johnson Wildcats and the anticipated Woodward Relays tational held at Sherwood High gold medal with his authorita- for states, and put their talents
Thomas Wootton Patriots. The at Georgetown Prep, the boys School May 6 and 7. Many ath- tive 40.66 finish. Senior captain on display for all to see.

Boys’ tennis looks to recover next year from disappointing season

x by Ricky Mancia
As an unsuccessful boys’ tennis
season comes to an end, the Bengals
can look back and notice the good in
a season of injuries.
Rain cancelled the match at the
Wheaton Knights, May 2. The boys
lost to the Magruder Colonels April
28, 7-0. This seemed to be one of the
tougher games of the year; none of
the Bengals could win their matches.
However, frustrations did not cause
the team to fall apart. Says junior
singles player Anthony Bui, “I could
Bengals hope to improve, learn
from mistakes in future matches
after multiple difficult losses
tell everybody worked hard and tried
their best.”
April 27, the Bengals domi-
nated the Paint Branch Panthers,
winning 7-0. Although they shut
out the Panthers, this was not their
easiest game. “The easiest game
was probably against Kennedy… I
was playing very well,” says Bui.
This was a big win for the Bengals
because it came against a consortium
rival.
Blake next traveled to face the
Poolesville Falcons April 26. The
Bengals lost, 6-1, to the much more
experienced Falcons squad. A big
reason for the loss was a weak roster.
“Overall I wish we had a stronger
line-up,” says junior Jake Gordon.
“The spots were not well defined.”
April 14, the Bengals played
the Sherwood Warriors, and lost, 6-1.
This was a hard fought match, but
at the end the Bengals fell short in a
tough effort. While this season may
have not been the best, next year the
team looks to come back and only
get better.
“I hope our team roster and re-
cord are better next year,” adds Bui.
“I want improvement and results.”

I hope our team roster and record are better...I want improvement and results.
Anthony Bui
The Blake Beat May 13, 2011 D5
Softball wins six games despite lack of returning players
Coach Hyman stresses communication, limiting team’s mental errors
“There were a few games early on had one of her best performances 36-9. Sophomore outfielder Kenise were able to relay the ball in from
x by Matt Present in the season that we should’ve of the year, striking out many of Carroll belted the team’s only the outfield faster,” says junior cen-
Despite losing 22-3 to the won but we weren’t ready for that the Lady Cougar batters. home run this season, and Dreher terfielder Terah Minor-Jones.
Poolesville Lady Falcons Saturday, kind of competition.” The season came together added a triple in the victory. The great improvements
the JV softball team is pleased with The Lady Bengals were midway through, as the Lady Coach Stan Hyman had made by the JV team this season
the way they improved over the beating the Watkins Mill Lady Bengals rattled off five wins in six stressed communication to the are signs of a bright future, not only
course of the season. Wolverines, 9-4, May 6, until the games. “We figured out we had girls all season. “I can take physi- for next year’s JV team, who will
With just two returning play- game was halted by rain in the bot- to communicate,” says Dreher. cal errors but I cannot take mental likely improve from the veteran
ers from last year’s roster, the girls’ tom of the fourth inning, making it “When we all talked to each other errors,” says coach Hyman. leadership of some the returning
came together quickly, finishing an unofficial game. before the pitch we knew what to Another area in which the girls. The varsity squad will most
the season with a 6-7 record. “It Despite losing to the Quince do and had more success.” girls improved upon greatly this likely benefit from the girls who
was tough early [on],” says sopho- Orchard Lady Cougars, 15-5, May The Lady Bengals won season was minimizing the damage move up to the varsity level next
more shortstop McKenzie Dreher. 5, freshman pitcher Casey Clark against the Wheaton Lady Knights when opponents reached base. “We year.

Sophomore pitcher/shortstop Derek Glocker gets a solid
hit against the Quince Orchard Cougars. Blake was
unable to hold onto its lead, however, as QO came back
to win, 16-10, in a slugfest. --photo by Aron Crews
JV baseball finishes
strong despite loss
against Poolesville
Year highlights include
Springbrook, Blair wins
x by\ John Beers & Michael Errigo
JV baseball displayed great effort and fought hard
but came up just short as they lost to the Poolesville
Falcons, 4-0, Saturday, finishing the season with a 7-7
record.
The Bengals got a great start from sophomore
pitcher Blaine Lowry, as well as great defense, but could
not score the runs they needed to win the game. “The
game was a lot closer than the score,” says sophomore
left fielder Pete Angeh. “We came out ready to play…
but we couldn’t make the clutch hits and big plays we
needed to get ahead.”
May 6, the Bengals earned their seventh win of the
season, defeating Northeast Consortium rival the Spring-
brook Blue Devils, 10-8. The Bengals came from behind
after allowing the Blue Devils to jump out ahead of them
in the early innings. “We underestimated Springbrook…
[but] we managed to pull off a clutch win towards the end
when we became more focused,” adds Angeh.
A day earlier, the Bengals were the victims of a
comeback, as they lost to Quince Orchard, 16-10. The
Bengals held the lead as late as the fourth inning, but gave
up 12 runs over the final three innings and ultimately lost
the game. “We put [up] a great fight, but we didn’t have
enough to pull it out in the end,” says sophomore catcher
Stefan Sigwalt.
The Bengals opened their season with two losses
to the Rockville Rams and the Northwest Jaguars, but
quickly rebounded as they won six of their next eight
games. Coach Ernie Williams is more than pleased with
the season his team put up. “We improved more than any
other team I’ve ever coached,” says coach Williams.
With ten freshmen on the roster, the team will look
to continue its success next season.

Young squad overcomes inexperience, defeats consortium opponents

x by Lily Hua & Michael Joiner
Consisting of many new players this
season, the JV girls’ lacrosse team worked
hard to earn a 6-5 record despite their inex-
perience.
The Lady Bengals showed off their
lacrosse skills May 6 ending their season with
a well-earned win against the Springbrook
Lady Blue Devils, 13-3. Says freshman mid-
fielder Kaylie Deshler, “If there’s anything
I’ve learned this past season it’s how to be a
good lacrosse player.”
The county’s most competitive teams
challenged Blake, yet the Bengals were able
to put up a close game against both the Da-
mascus Lady Hornets, 12-8, May 4, and the
Wootton Lady Patriots, 14-10, April 30. “We
weren’t as mentally ready as the [Hornets],”
says freshman Emily George. “If we had
played the way we did to catch up in the last
half, the game would have been ours from
the start.”
The Lady Bengals were able to come-
back with a win against the Watkins Mill Lady
Wolverines with a score of 7-3, April 27.
The girls’ lacrosse team had an un-
fortunate loss against the Clarksburg Lady
Coyotes, 6-2, April 11, but felt their teamwork
was still strong. “We have learned a lot, but
we [mainly] learned to play as a team and
trust each other… [which] is important,” says
freshman midfielder Torie Broer.
After half a season of learning the
basics and getting to know one another, the
girls proved to be quite a threat as they faced
the Einstein Lady Titans, April 8, winning
11-2 and the Kennedy Lady Cavaliers, April
4, winning 15-2. Says George, “Trust is one
of the hardest things to gain, but once you
have it; nothing else matters and the game
is yours.”
Although Blake was successful in win-
ning against their historically easier competi-
tions, the girls had a tough time against some
of the stronger teams. The Lady Bengals lost
to the Sherwood Lady Warriors, 10-5, April
1, and the Quince Orchard Lady Cougars,
9-14, March 29, but were able to grow from
their losses. “We were always progressing
and … I now feel confident going up against
experienced players,” says Deshler.
Says coach David Martin, “They
overcame some big losses this year with [an]
outstanding display of team work, sportsman-
ship and perseverance.”

Junior varsity boys’ lacrosse finishes with 5-6 record, improves overall
by Sammi Levitt
x & Savannah Tryens
Though they did not earn
the record they wanted, the JV
boys’ lacrosse team proved to
be tough competition, winning
about half of their games and
taking each win and loss as a
learning experience.
The Bengals played a
tough game against the Damas-
cus Hornets where they were
beaten 14-3. Says junior mid-
fielder Jake Hayman, “We put up
a strong fight but they were by far
one of our toughest competition
all season.” Though the loss was
disappointing, it helped the boys
understand that whether it’s a
win or a loss, all that matters is
that they leave everything on the
field with no regrets.
Playing the evening before,
the boys were already exhausted
when it came to challenging the
Clarksburg Coyotes, May 3. It
was a very low scoring game
with the Bengals losing 4-1.
“The loss was upsetting after
previously winning two games
in a row but we were all pretty
sore and tired and just weren’t
able to pull off the win that
time,” says sophomore goalie
Dan D’Amico.
The Bengals defeated the
Einstein Titans and the Watkins
Mill Wolverines. The boys shut
out the Titans April 28 with a
score of 11-0. May 2, the team
beat the Wolverines 6-1, giving
them confidence in their newly
developed skills and team chem-
istry. “The win felt great,” says
freshman midfielder E.J Hawkes,
“After being shut out 8-0 in the
previous game, coming back and
playing hard really paid off.”
April 27, the boys traveled
to Wootton where they lost 8-0
to the Patriots. Says Hayman,
“I think we went into the game
set on losing and therefore not
playing to the best of our abil-
ity.” April 4, the Bengals played
the Kennedy Cavaliers, winning
2-0. The defense is what won the
Bengals the game as they had to
contain many talented scorers.
Overall, the boys had a
season to be proud of. The team
was young and many of the play-
ers were just starting lacrosse
for the first time. They all really
developed as players and learned
how to connect and play as a
team. The boys will certainly put
up a fight next year when com-
peting for the varsity spots.
D6 May 13, 2011 The Blake Beat

Redskins surprise everyone, make smart draft decisions

Considering all of the shocking developments in the
2011 NFL draft, the fact that the Washington Redskins actu-
ally made good selections and addressed many of the team
needs while not reaching for any players was one of
the biggest surprises of them all.
The Redskins made their first smart decision in
the draft when they traded down from the 10th overall
pick to the 16th overall pick, while receiving a com-
pensatory second round pick from the Jacksonville
Jaguars. Many people would have preferred that the
Redskins pick a quarterback in the number ten spot,
but absolutely no quarterback deserved to be drafted
that high.
Not only was Washington able to add a pick, but
they made a smart selection by taking Purdue defensive
end Ryan Kerrigan, who is a perfect fit for the Redskins
at outside linebacker in their 3-4 scheme. Kerrigan,
who recorded 70 tackles and 13 sacks last season, will
be a great compliment to Pro-Bowl outside linebacker
Brian Orakpo who often saw a double team last year due to
the lack of a pass rush from the opposite side.
The Redskins made another smart pick in round two
when they selected Clemson defensive tackle Jarvis Jenkins
who should provide pressure up front for the Redskins who
finished 25th in the league in sacks last season. He fits in
nicely since nose tackle is a huge need for the Redskins as
the Albert Haynesworth era is hopefully going to be over
soon.
Just after looking at Washington’s first two picks in
the draft you can tell they wanted to upgrade their defensive
line. A lot of people don’t think about it but the front five
was absolutely terrible at times last year, especially in
the Giants game at the Meadowlands.
Washington again executed an intelligent draft
strategy by trading their second round pick for addi-
tional picks later in the draft. By the end of the draft, the
Redskins had traded back several times and went from
having eight draft picks to 12. As a result, they were able
to get good value with their picks.
Third round selection Miami wide receiver Leon-
ard Hankerson is a perfect example of a good value pick
since the Redskins seriously considered taking him in the
second round, but he ended up falling to their third round
pick. After the third round, Washington began picking up
a lot of depth at various positions that included a trio of
Nebraska players in running back Roy Helu Jr., safety
Dejon Gomes and wide receiver Niles Paul.
All in all, Redskins fans should be happy since Wash-
ington got several players who will fit in nicely and add a
lot of depth at many positions.

Capitals thunderstruck by Lightning as Tampa Bay sweeps semifinals

x by Andrew Markowitz
Alex Ovechkin hung his head on the
way back to the bench after the final buzzer
of Game 4 in Tampa Bay with one thought on
his mind: what went wrong?
After making quick work of the New
York Rangers in five games of the Stanley Cup
quarterfinals, the Washington Capitals were
blown away by the Tampa Bay Lightning in
a series sweep in the semifinals. Despite the
point production of their captain, Ovechkin,
the Caps fell apart against their division rivals
in their usual playoff fashion.
A major area of concern for the Capitals
in last year’s playoffs was failing to score on
Goaltender Dwayne Roloson shuts
down Washington’s power play unit
the power play. Despite scoring three man-
advantage goals against the Rangers, Wash-
ington had only one goal on 16 opportunities
against Tampa Bay. The hottest power play in
the league for the last three years was repeat-
edly stifled by goaltender Dwayne Roloson,
who possesses a league-leading 94.1% save
percentage.
Lack of execution in some aspects of the
game dug Washington into a deep hole. Sloppy
line changes cost the Caps game 2, when two
defensemen left for a change in overtime, al-
lowing a 130 foot pass to make its way up the
ice for a two-on-one rush to set up the winner
from Tampa sniper Vincent Lecavalier.
Momentum was a key part of the Caps’
series victory over the offensively-challenged
Rangers, but hasn’t been any help as of late
against a high-powered Tampa Bay roster. A
common phrase in hockey is “no lead is safe,”
which is especially true about Washington.
In games one and three, the Caps grabbed a
one-goal lead and lost their intensity. The lead
would disappear in the blink of an eye, and the
Lightning would take control and put another
tally behind goaltender Michal Neuvirth.
Time is essential in the playoffs, and the
Lightning took full advantage of it in game
three. After Alex Ovechkin scored his fifth
goal of the playoffs on a power play, Tampa
forwards Steven Stamkos and Ryan Malone
scored 24 seconds apart on consecutive shots
to cement a 3-0 series lead.
The Capitals have plenty of time to find
answers to their lack of playoff success as
Washington will trade in their hockey sticks
for golf clubs and spend their time watching
the playoffs at home.

Lack of execution in every aspect of the game has dug Washington into a deep hole.
The Blake Beat May 13, 2011 D7
s

Seniors Spencer Sterling and Rachel Porzel are named athletes of the year. Sterling fall and Porzel has committed to University of Maryland, Eastern Shore where
has committed to the University of Maryland, College Park as a swimmer for next she will participate in track and field. --photo by Aron Crews

Seniors Sterling, Porzel, named Blake Beat Athletes of the Year

Stars separate themselves from the crowd, earn much recognition
x by Josh Paunil
Despite there being many
great athletes at Blake, seniors
Spencer Sterling and Rachel Porzel
stood out from the crowd, earning
them the male and female athletes
of the year award from The Blake
Beat.
The four other male final-
ists are tough competitors: seniors
Brandon Hedley, Eddie Madden,
Brandon Simms and Max Shannon.
Sterling was an All-American and
1st Team All-Met selection by The
Washington Post and broke multiple
county and state records.
Says swim and dive head
coach Jared Fribush, “It’s part
natural ability, but most of it is hard
work…total commitment to swim-
ming.” Sterling was also named 1st
Team All-County by The Gazette
and the MCPS All-County team.
Madden was named to the 1st
Team All-Gazette squad for wres-
tling as well as Honorable Mention
All-Met by The Washington Post.
He was the 4A/3A West Region
140 lb. champion and helped lead
the wrestling team to their first ever
regional and divisional title. Hedley,
a basketball standout, made the 2nd
Team All-County squad and was
named to The Capital Classic, a
mid-Atlantic region all-star game.
Simms was also recognized
by The Gazette by being named
to Honorable Mention and was a
key role player for varsity boys’
basketball since he was a versatile
forward who could guard multiple
positions and make smart plays on
both ends of the court. Shannon was
another multi-sport standout for
both the golf team, where he made
the cut for the state tournament, and
the baseball team, where he led the
squad to an undefeated divisional
record.
The four other great finalists
for the female athlete of the year
award were seniors Nikki Ostrow,
Bridget Hawvermale and Meagan
Lagerlef and sophomore Caroline
Wannen. Choosing Porzel was
tough but she edged out the com-
petition in large due to her state
championship in shot put.
“It’s cool being the first fe-
male to ever win a state champion-
ship in Blake history,” says Porzel.
“Knowing that all my hard work
and practice paid off is the best part
about it.” Porzel won states with a
career-high 36 feet, 6 inches and
was named to The Gazette’s 1st
Team All-County for girls’ indoor
track and field.
In addition to track and field,
Porzel excelled at soccer on defense
where she helped lead the team to a
perfect 5-0 division record and was
named to the Montgomery County
all-star game. “She did a great job
of trapping forwards and stealing
the ball from them… which allowed
fewer shots on goal,” says Ostrow.
Ostrow also excelled at var-
sity girls’ soccer as well as varsity
girls’ basketball and was the captain
of both. Wannen is another multi-
sport star who was named to the
All-MCPS 3A/2A East Division
team along with Ostrow in addition
to being named to The Gazette’s 2nd
Team All-County squad for varsity
field hockey.
Hawvermale, Porzel’s tough-
est competitor for the award, was
also named to The Gazette’s 2nd
Team All-County squad for varsity
field hockey as well as Honorable
Mention by The Washington Post
and is the third Montgomery County
softball player to earn a spot on an
Atlantic Coast Conference’s team
roster with her commitment to the
University of Maryland, College
Park. Lagerlef also made a promi-
nent commitment as she will play
for Howard University and was
named to The Gazette’s 2nd Team
All-County varsity girls’ volleyball
squad.

Mr. Fribush named new athletic director, replacing Mr. Hilliard

x by Josh Paunil
Assistant athletic director Jared Fri-
bush was named the new athletic director
April 11 and will be just the second person
in Blake history to hold the position.
“I’m most looking forward to en-
hancing the experience of our student
athletes,” says Mr. Fribush. “I want our
athletic department to be something our
school can be proud of.” Mr. Fribush will
officially take over the position July 1 after
current athletic director Harold Hilliard
III decided to retire earlier this year. Mr.
Fribush has served as the assistant athletic
director at Blake for five years and was
also the 2011 MCPS swim and dive coach
of the year. However, Mr. Fribush can no
longer coach after he becomes athletic
director.
In addition to his roles in the athletic
department, he believes his accounting
degree helped him get the job. “The ex-
perience as both [assistant athletic direc-
tor and swim and dive head coach] were
some things they were looking for,” says
Mr. Fribush. “But I also think my account-
ing background helped since balancing
the budget is a big deal for the athletic
director.”
The selection process for choosing
the new athletic director went through
principal Christopher Berry since can-
didates were interviewed by him and an
interview panel as well as having to submit
a formal application to him. However, Mr.
Hilliard was not involved in choosing his
successor at any point in the process.
Although he already has a lot of
experience as assistant athletic director,
Mr. Fribush plans on taking the beginning
part of his tenure to evaluate how things
operate instead of making immediate
changes. “There won’t be a lot of change
at first,” says Mr. Fribush, “I just plan on
looking at things and evaluating them from
the perspective as the athletic director.”
However, one change he is considering is
having a different assistant athletic director
for each season in the year.
In preparation for his new position,
Mr. Fribush received some advice from
Mr. Hilliard pertaining to both formal and
informal responsibilities of the athletic di-
rector. “He gave me both professional and
personal advice,” says Mr. Fribush. “He
talked to me about how to run the depart-
ment smoothly, how to find and develop
coaches and how to maintain relationships
that are important to the position.”
D8 May 13, 2011 The Blake Beat
Shah praises romantic comedy, Jumping the Broom, for phenomenal cast, p.E3

Section E James Hubert Blake High School May 13, 2011

Betancourt Scholarship rewards seniors for artistic talents

Three students display creativity, get helping hand with college costs
ize
irst Pr x by Brianna Livesay
awarded with four install- very small and the group
i: F ments of $1,500; senior that actually applies is
Da Artists are often Amy Gottlieb, the second even smaller, choosing
shunned or discouraged place winner, will receive a winning portfolio is
ie
nn

from using their talents an award of $1,000; and an exciting task for the
Co

in their profession; senior Kira Williams, Selection Commit-

but for female senior the third place winner, tee which is made
Blake artists with a will recieve an award up of Blake teach-
GPA of at least 3.5 of $500 dollars. ers and chaired by
and a clean driving Says Dai, “It’s journalism teacher
record, a scholar- an awesome schol- Kevin Keegan ev-
ship exists to make arship mostly be- ery year. Adds
this goal all the more cause, compared Ms. Delacre, “It
possible. to other [scholar- is quite chal-
The scholarship ships], the odds lenging to de-
ond Prize
eb: Sec was created in honor
of Alicia Betancourt, a
are far better.”
There have
termine the
order, since
li
ott Blake class of 2006 student been 3 to 8 we may be
yG

who was fatally injured in a entrants for comparing

Am

car crash during her junior the scholar- the qual-

year before she could pursue ship since ity of a
her hopes of going into art. it has been dance
Says Betancourt’s mother, offered in portfo-
Lulu Delacre, “One of our 2006, and it lio to the
first thoughts after her pass- will be fully quality
ing was… if Alicia couldn’t funded until of a visual
continue on to college to fulfill 2022. arts portfo-
her dreams, others should.” Although lio.” Dai
Prize Senior Connie Dai, the the eligible ap- was chosen as
Third first place winner, will be plicant group is the winner for
s: her exceptional
am

dedication to
One of our first thoughts
illi

Artw

creating artwork
Kira W

even outside of
after her passing was...
ork b

school, despite the

many pressures to
if Alicia couldn’t continue take a different path.
y Co

Information about the

on to college to fulfill her scholarship is available
nnie

on the Blake website,

dream, others should. and all eligible students
Dai

Lulu Delacre are encouraged to enter.

years due to the economic crisis. Through lunch
Yearbook staffers try and the fifth period block, students can attend this festival for
three dollars and pick up and order their yearbooks.
look back and they can show their kids or friends.”
A tremendous amount of work goes into producing the
book, including conducting interviews, taking pictures and

out brand new idea to

For seniors, the yearbook acts as the last reminder of designing the book’s layout. The staff takes their work
very seriously. “[The
[The yearbook is] something that everyone yearbook is] something

promote their product

that everyone looks back
looks back on one day to show his/her family. on one day to show his/her
family,” says Cristaldi. “If
Courtney Cristaldi it looks bad or is inaccu-
x by Joal Chen & Emily Goldman rate, it’s embarrassing.”
their high school life. Senior Shannon Bell, “The yearbook is the one thing people hold on to for
As seniors prepare for life after high school and stress who purchased a yearbook, says, “The yearbook is a way years,” adds junior staff member Nicole Byrd. “People look
levels rise due to AP and final exams rounding the corner, for people to hold on to a piece of their lives…before they back [on the yearbook] because it holds a lot of memories
the yearbook staff attempts to relieve tension for the student begin a new, more independent life.” from that year.”
body with a Summer Cookout Party Fest May 26. Many people who buy the year-
For the first time ever, a festival will help promote the
yearbook, while giving students a break from end-of-the-
year blues. “There are going to be tons of fun activities for
book enjoy the memories it provides
years after the purchase. Yearbook Paintsil, Newman advance
Blake students to participate [in],” says junior staff member
Courtney Cristaldi. “There is going to be food, games, some
supervisor Allison Finn still reads
through her yearbooks and adds,
“People don’t realize the value
to national ACT-SO competition
Medals won in music, art, writing
face painting - it’ll be like a carnival-like event.” of their yearbook until twenty
The festival will act as a fundraiser for the yearbook years from now, when they
staff which has felt some financial strain over the past two
feels great,” says Newman. “It makes me upon leaving the theater I was so riveted and
by Regina Cameron proud. I’m glad I won because it made my moved - I just had to write about it,” says
x & Nia Chin family proud as well.” Newman. “It was more than inspiration; it
It makes me Juniors Alexandra Paintsil and In addition to receiving a certificate on was this feeling of urgency I had inside me
Vanessa Newman both had the op- the local level, Paintsil won as a gold medal- after that film that really propelled me to
proud. I’m glad portunity to exhibit their talents in ist in the drawing category and as a bronze write it.”
the NAACP sponsored Academ- medalist in the classical instrumental category. Paintsil and Newman are thrilled to
I won because ic, Cultural, Technological and Considering that this was her first year in the have a six-day all expense paid summer trip
Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO) competition, Paintsil says, “I was surprised, to Los Angeles to compete in finals. With
it made my competition, and were placed happy and excited.” perseverance, strategy, confidence and hope,
as gold medalists in separate As a bronze medalist in the poetry cat- these juniors hope to have a fulfilling future
family proud as categories. egory her first year, and the first place gold ahead of them. Says Newman, “[I] guess my
Paintsil and Newman beat medalist in the original essay and poetry cat- intuition on entering that piece was dead on - I
well. the odds while competing against egories this year, Newman is ecstatic. For her most definitely got that gold.”
all other high schools in the county. essay, she wrote about her opinion on female Senior Melissa Blue was also highly
Vanessa Newman “I am [the] number one gold medalist genital mutilation in African cultures. acknowledged, becoming a bronze medalist in
in the Original Essay category, which “I saw this film, Desert Flower, and the Music Vocal Contemporary category.
E2 May 13, 2011

Senior creates high school

basketball recruiting site
Paunil attends events, writes
weekly column, uses twitter
x by Dylan Hysen & Conor Wallace
Senior Joshua Paunil’s passion for sports goes beyond
watching them on TV. It even goes beyond writing about them
in the Blake Beat. This great passion has inspired Paunil to
create his own college basketball recruiting website.
Paunil created National Recruiting Spotlight (http://
recruitingspotlight.wordpress.com/) in February. It is dedi-
cated solely to college basketball recruiting and contains
Paunil’s rankings of recruits, recaps of events he attends and
interviews with recruits. Says Paunil, “I thought it would be
a fun thing to do, so I created the website and everything has
just evolved from there.”
Because of his website, Paunil has been able to obtain

Twitter is a great social media

tool because it allows me to
instantly update my readers.
Joshua Paunil
media passes for various high school basketball events,
where he is able to meet and interview recruits. “It’s awe-
some because I get free food [at the events],” says Paunil.
“I also get to meet media members of other outlets, which
is fun too.”
Social networking is an outlet Paunil has put to use.
Says Paunil, “Twitter is a great social media tool because it
allows me to instantly update my readers.” Every post Paunil
makes on his site is automatically turned into a tweet with a link
to the post. He also tweets live from the events he attends.
The success of his new website has led Paunil to a weekly
column on a website called ‘Rush the Court.’ “I’m really happy to
write my weekly column for them because the creator of the website
has helped me improve my writing,” says Paunil. “It’s also helped me
develop contacts since he is a member of the College Basketball Writers
Association.”
Senior Brianna Livesay created the header and logo for Paunil’s web-
site. She creates graphics for many small businesses, websites and also several
school groups. “The graphics were a little different than what I usually do…
because they involve a sport, which hasn’t been a subject of any of the business
I’ve done work for,” says Livesay.
Paunil plans to continue his website in college, where he plans on pursuing
sports journalism and government. Says Paunil, “I have had multiple internships in the Senior Josh Paunil interviews one of the in Hampton, Virginia, for his recruiting
political world and in the sports journalism world so regardless of the path I choose I country’s top class of 2012 prospects, website. Paunil interviews junior Justin
have already gotten started in it.” D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera (top), at the EYBL Anderson (bottom) at the same event.

Students use their binders as canvasses to display personality, style

by Andrea Rizkallah
& Britney Stuart
x student, but also because some students
Today’s fashion forward students
have plunged their creativity into the
rising trend of binder art. Students,
typically in middle school draw pictures,
make collages or simply place pictures
in their binders as decoration. The trend
slowed down but has picked back up
in the recent years among high school
students.
Binder art is appealing to students
not only because is it the original art of a
have taken the hobby and turned it into
something of value. “I wanted to make a
cool birthday present for my best friend,”
says junior Antonella Perez-Ferrero. “I
ended up having so much fun that I made
it for a lot of my friends.”
Binder art transforms a simple
everyday object into something more
personal and intimate for the owner. “I
like it because it makes my binder stand
out from everyone else’s,” says Perez-
Ferrero. “It makes it totally my own--I
will always know what binder is mine.”
In some cases, binder art is used to
display someone’s full artistic potential.
Says art teacher Louise Runion, “I feel
that some students need to express them-
selves, which is what true art is about,
and if you’re doing this all the time you
really are an artist.”
But while some students use binder
art simply to display art work, others use
it as a stress-relieving activity. Says Mrs.
Runion, “It’s very therapeutic for kids
to be able to express themselves in that
way.” Whether it is merely a relief from
the pressures of teenage life, or just sim-
ply a showcase of amazing artistic abili-
ties, binder art is definitely on the rise.
Says junior Rebecca Kalinich, “I
decided to decorate my binder because if
we have to go to school every day, why
not add some creativity to it?”
The Blake Beat May 13, 2011 E3

REVIEWS FOR YOU

Blood Pressures rising with album’s release
x by Sam Glatt
Just when you think they couldn’t get
any better, indie rock band, The Kills comes
out with another album that is sure to blow
everyone away.
Of all four of their albums, I have to
say that Blood Pressures is by far the best.
It combines sounds from all three of their
other albums, Keep On Your Mean Side, No
Wow, and Midnight Boom. They have always
combined unusual, yet original sound effects,
which is evident on this new album.
Within the first minute of the first track,
entitled “Future Starts Slow”, they come out
blazing with loud guitars, and funky rhythms.
The lead single off the album, “Satellite,” is
sure to become a fan favorite, as it combines
sounds from their two most popular singles
from Midnight Boom entitled “Sour Cherry”
and “Cheap and Cheerful”.
My personal favorite “Nail In My Cof-
fin” uses all of their best sounds and creates
a song that you’ll be sure to catch yourself
humming when you least expect it. The song
speaks about how the lead vocalist (Alison
Mosshart, also seen in the band The Dead
Weather) doesn’t need another man that’s just
going to bring her down. The beats from the
song are gritty and rough and the lyrics are
extremely relatable.
Their upcoming single “DNA”, also
from this album, is not my favorite track. The
song is slow and in my opinion, it’s very easy
to hit the next button when this song comes
on, even though I tend to like when The Kills
do slower songs.
Even though they have a lot of slow-
paced songs, The Kills don’t really have any
of what I would define as ballads. However,
they choose to break the mold with “The Last
Goodbye.” Alison Mosshart’s amazing voice
shines on this track, and they still manage to
remain true to their original sound. I highly
recommend listening to this track, even if
you’re not a fan of the album itself.
The album ends with three songs
reminiscent of their Keep On Your Mean
Side days, and the entire album ends with a
bang, literally, with a song called “Pots and
Pans.”
I must warn you, The Kills have a very
unique sound that not all may like. It’s pretty
much just a man, a woman, drums, guitar,
a keyboard, and a whammy bar. However,
the rock duo, manages to create a unique
sound that you must give notice to. Even
if you don’t tend to like music slightly off
its rocker, you should give this worthwhile Sam Glatt
album a chance.

Jumping the Broom sweeps senior right off her feet

x by Isak Shah
Jumping the Broom is the perfect
African American romantic drama. Com-
plete with family drama, secrets that claw
their way in to the limelight, and a pinch
of raw comedy, it’s the ideal cocktail for a
chick flick.
Shot partly in the city of dreams,
New York, and partially in the enchanting
Martha’s Vineyard, the film centers on the
convergence of the lives of two very dif-
ferent people. Sabrina Watson, (played by
the exquisite Paula Patton), an upper-crust
socialite of a wealthy background searches
desperately for love in all the wrong places;
that is, until through a strange twist of luck
she meets Jason Taylor (Laz Alonso), the
Isak Shah man of her dreams. Throughout their five-
month relationship, the couple develops a
bond that even a disastrous wedding in the
Vineyard with hellish in-laws can’t break.
Ms. Taylor (Loretta Divine) and
Mrs. Watson (Angela Bassett) are the two
clashing matriarchs amongst the world of
bidets, yachts, and Moet. Sabrina’s loud and
hilarious best friend, Shonda, who sports
impossibly long hair extensions and a bar-
rage of witty comebacks and her wonky
brother-in-law Willy-Earl, a cross between
Snoop Dogg and Pootie Tang, compliment
Ms. Taylor, a stubborn, bitter single mother
with as much sass as RuPaul.
Sabrina’s mother Mrs. Watson, a
high-class French-speaking lioness of
a woman responds to each and every
problem—even that of a wayward sister
and a husband she can’t even bear to look
at anymore—with sarcasm and poise. One
can only imagine that when the two, Mrs.
Taylor and Mrs. Watson clash, it’s tremen-
dous. As the wedding slowly falls to pieces,
nearly at its breaking point, the dueling
mothers question not only the choices of
their children, but also of themselves and
their judgmental attitudes.
Among the abrasive reactions of each
respective family towards the other, we wit-
ness the trials and tribulations the couple
faces as the bounds of their love are tested
thoroughly. Although we can only hope for
the best, the audience is painfully aware
that neither party will escape unscathed and
unscarred. However, the storyline remains
a beautiful one, a lesson about finding true
love in the most unexpected places and the
unbreakable ties of family.

Portal 2 lacks length but triumphs with creativity

Brilliant physics of new video game excites junior
x by Michael Joiner
Days of moving the joystick up and
down to pass a level are gone; video games
now require a new level of intelligence to
complete each game, and Portal 2 redefines
this complex task.
Portal 2 is nothing more than a game
that will test your thinking ability and
patience. A goal as simple as “open the
door” has never been this hard in a video
game, even when you are given a gun that
creates doorways from one side of a room
to another. You may end up spending an
hour trying to beat one level of the 50 that
the game has to offer, which may then make
you want to throw your controller at the TV,
but remember: patience is key.
In gamers’ eyes, if a game doesn’t
look good, then that game isn’t good; and
Portal 2’s graphics are only on par with
other games in the industry today. The
room designs in the game are just dull
colors that consist of bleak tiles which seem
appropriate for the game in the first hour
or two, but later make you yearn for some
sunlight and color.
By far the most creative aspect is
the game’s physics, which allow you to
manipulate the laws of gravity and theories
of motion to get to the next level. The setup
of each level is extremely well-thought-out,
forcing players to think about new ways
to gain momentum or create paths to pass
the level.
Much like its predecessor, Portal
2’s first player is extremely short, tak-
ing only 6-8 hours to complete the story
mode. However, the game makes up for
this disappointment with its new co-op
and online mode. The tasks become even
more difficult as you try to beat them be-
cause along with having to be smart and
observant, players must have teamwork
and precision.
Although the game is lacking in
length, Portal 2’s forte for creativity in
its complex level completion comes out
strong. Portal 2 deserves a 9.5/10 for its
sheer brilliance, and for giving a rewarding
feeling after beating a difficult level. Michael Joiner

ATTENTION JUNIORS
THE BLAKE BEAT STILL HAS THREE POSITIONS
AVAILABLE FOR NEXT YEAR
FOR STUDENTS WITH STRONG WRITING AND EDITING SKILLS.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE ON OUR AWARD-WINNING NEWSPAPER,
CONTACT MR. KEEGAN BY EMAIL AT
Kevin_N_Keegan@mcpsmd.org
E4 May 13, 2011 The Blake Beat
Find out
Calling allwhat members
seniors! of the
The race Class
is on of 2011 these
to complete are doing after graduation,
Section F Section
F James Hubert
From left to right: First to Die in a Horror Movie Jesse Boulandi and Anna Hinden,
Best Platonic Friendship Spenser Balog and Katie Lingan, Most Likely to Become
President Linda Powers and Daniel Arias (not pictured). and Most Likely to Become
an Olympian Spencer Sterling and Bridget Hawvermale. The following categories
SENIOR SUPERLATIVE WINNERS JOIN MTV REALITY SHOW
by Somala Diby
x & Blaire Hoffman
Real World: Moco First Episode Recap.
This is the true story... of 30 seniors...
picked to live in a house...work together and
have their lives taped... to find out what hap-
pens... when people stop being polite... and
start getting real...The Real World: MoCo.
April 14, the housemates moved into
300 Norwood Road, otherwise known as, the
Bengal Mansion. Most Likely to Appear
on The Bachelor/Bachelorette Brandon
Simms and Rachel Choppin, were the first
to arrive to the house and instantly hit it off,
engaging in an intimate flirtation over virgin
strawberry daiquiris. “Did it hurt?” said
Brandon. “Did what hurt?” wondered Ra-
chel. “When you fell out of heaven,” replied
Brandon with a suggestive smirk. They gazed
intensely into each other’s eyes, and decided
to take a dip in the hot tub.
On their way, they ran into Most
Likely to Become a Gold Digger Bevin
Walker and Carley Pressley, admiring (or
rather appraising) Benny the Bengal’s crystal
chandelier. Carley, in a scarlet cocktail dress,
and Bevin, in a beige suit, gators and a Rolex,
took one last longing glance at the 400-year-
old treasure, and joined Rachel and Brandon
in the hot tub.
While they were enjoying the jets,
Most Likely to Join a Fraternity or Soror-
ity Jake Mondonedo and Rachel Babcock
arrived with a DJ in fluorescent leggings ready
to make the Bengal Mansion into a frat house.
“PAINT PARTY TWO-OH-ONE-ONE!!!”
they shouted. Most Likely to Wear Flip
Flops Year Round Julia Boland and Eric
Wiley (incidentally a member of the same
fraternity Jake was pledging to be on) forced
Jake to break a bottle with his head. Nervous
but determined that the powers of Bro would
come to his aid, Jake knocked his head with
the bottle and fainted instantly. Julia ran for
the phone but tripped on the way because the
strap of her flip flop broke. “Stupid Rainbows
- I paid 500 bucks for these.”
Always Dresses Up For School Aron
Crews was raging to the music when Rachel
splattered him with fluorescent green paint.
“AH! You got paint on my new tux!” cried
ten activities p. F6
before June & F7
1, p. F3
Blake
Blake Beat High
Senior School
Section May
Aron. “Why would you wear a suit to a paint
party?” asked Rachel Babcock. “It’s Tux
Tuesday - duh,” said Aron, running off to put
on a new suit.
Spenser Balog and Katie Lingan’s
Best Platonic Friendship was put to the test
when she spotted him flirting with Rachel
Choppin. “Katie is great,” said Spenser in
his audition video. “She’s so understanding
- I can talk to her about school, girls - any-
thing.”
“We’re just friends,” said Katie, turn-
ing red and glaring lividly in Rachel Choppin
and Spencer’s direction. Luckily, Best Person
to be Stuck on a Deserted Island With Jef-
frey Hacker was around to distract her and
asked her to dance.
First Character to Die in a Horror
Movie Jesse Boulandi and Anna Hinden,
tired of the party scene, decided to explore
the house’s surrounding area and followed a
path into the woods. Other Best Person to
be Stuck on a Deserted Island With Joyce
13, 2011
were not pictured on F2: Most Likely to Toilet Paper Someone’s House Steven Penland
and Catherine Burkhardt, Most Likely to Appear on Broadway Mark Fearson and
Brittany Hamson, and Most Likely to Get Famous from YouTube Clay Rorie and
Simone Kirkland. -- all photos on F1 and F2 by Cecilia Girolami
Bartlett thought she heard screams in the
distance, but figured it was only Most Likely
to Appear on Broadway Brittany Hamson
and Mark Fearson belting “You Can’t Stop
the Beat” from Hairspray. “Say, I wonder if
the two of them have ever done shows for
the Blake Stage Company,” wondered Joyce
cheerfully.
The gang moved into the living room
for a game of Truth or Dare. Cutest non-
couple Willy White and Nikki Ostrow
decided to sit out of the game, until Willy
was dared to kiss other Always Dresses Up
For School Janjay Davis. Nikki gave him
the look, but that wasn’t enough to resist
Janjay’s nude pumps and lace dress. They
shared a quick peck and Nikki stormed out
of the room. “You don’t own me!” shouted
Willy after her.
Most Likely to Become an Olympian
Spencer Sterling and Bridget Hawvermale
were dared to bench each other 20 times.
Spencer benched Bridget a whopping 18
April 30, 2010
times before he collapsed, but Bridget proved
victorious after benching Spencer a startling
21 times. Spencer, feeling emasculated, pro-
ceeded to throw a couch onto Bridget’s bed.
“Heh - let’s see her bench that.”
“Hey don’t I know you from some-
where?” said Carley to Most Likely to Get
Famous from YouTube Simone Kirkland.
“Oh yeah, you’ve probably seen me on the
Rappers-KIRK YouTube Channel. It’s no
big deal,” said Simone. “That channel ain’t
nothin’ compared to C-Boogie’s flow,” said
other Most Likely to Get Famous from
YouTube Clay Rorie.
He began to freestyle when he saw
Marine One landing in the front yard. The
housemates ran out to greet Most Likely to
Become President Daniel Arias and Linda
Powers, who were escorted out of the heli-
copter by two Secret Service agents. “Vote
Powers 2012,” she said, shoving Daniel out
of the way, when she saw that the entire house
was TP’d with paint-splattered toilet paper.
“Oops, I think we got the wrong house,”
whispered Most Likely to Toilet Paper
Someone’s House Steven Penland to cohort
Catherine Burkhardt.
The night ended when Most Likely to
Star in a Reality TV Show Kemi Olowoo-
fayoku and Nigel Truesdale got into a brawl
about who TP’d the house. “Talk s*@#, get
hit,” said Kemi. “You’re lucky you’re a girl,”
retorted Nigel. “HOLD ME BACK! HOLD
ME BACK!” screamed Kemi, as Joyce pulled
her into another room to calm her down. Kemi
then decided to do a confessional about how
she didn’t mean to accuse Nigel of TP’ing
the house. Nigel, eavesdropping outside the
door, walked in and apologized to Kemi. They
made up and returned to the paint party.
Who knows what lies in store for the
30*** housemates?...(montage of clips of
the housemates puking, fighting, dancing,
punching holes in walls, getting rushed to
the hospital in an ambulance, fighting, crying,
packing their bags and fighting again). Tune
in Wednesdays at 10pm, and June 14 for a
special three-hour season finale event you
don’t want to miss -- only on MTV.
***28 housemates. Jesse and Anna
weren’t seen or heard from again and therefore
will not appear on the rest of the season.
F2 May 13, 2011 The Blake Beat
Most Likely to Star in a Reality TV Show Most Likely to Join a Sorority/Fraternity Cutest Non-Couple

Kemi Olowoofayoku & Nigel Truesdale

Willy White & Nikki Ostrow
Most Likely to Become a Gold Digger Most Likely to Wear
Rachel Babcock & Jake Mondenedo Flip Flops Year Round
Always Dressed up for School

Aron Crews & Janjay Davis

Eric Wiley & Julia Boland (not pictured)
Bevin Walker
& Carley Pressley (not pictured)
Most Likely to Appear on the Bachelor/Bachelorette
Most Likely to be the Best Stay-At-Home Parent

Brandon Simms & Rachel Choppin

Best to be Stuck on a Deserted Island With

Lucas Frangou & Jordan Hart Jeffrey Hacker & Joyce Bartlett
The Blake Beat May 13, 2011 F3

Seniors encouraged to make most of final days Make

Last moments of high school to come to a memorable close these
x by Sonia Polyzos
for throwing on thousands of layers of clothes or splattering blue paint all
over our bodies and strutting around the halls all spirited out. And for the
last days
Here we are. We have finally arrived to a critical halt after a prolonged
four years of early-morning-snooze-pressing hours, disheartened plastic
football games, no matter if you’re screaming your head off in the stands
or snuggled up with some hot chocolate, you’re bound to have a great
count,
cafeteria food and congested, narrow hallways.
For most of us soon-to-be college freshmen, the gloomy years of
Friday night.
And of course, we’re all going to miss all of the easy-peasy work.
because
high school are the last thing we want swirling through our preoccupied
minds as we party it up (and of course study it up) in college. But honestly,
Those days of filling in coloring books and skipping class every week are
finally over. It’s time to buckle down and get our life in order, one five
they’re
we all know it guys, as much as we say we’re not going to miss our past
few years, there are a couple of things we wish we could grapple onto just
page paper at a time… and that means not depending on our best friend or
a teacher to let us re-take a re-take quiz that we’ve failed three times.
going
once more.
For starters, there’s that close knit group of friends we all have. The
So, hey seniors; enjoy and be productive these four half-days and
seven full days of high school you have left to experience in your entire
to be
population of our high school is the size of a puny little fly compared to the
massive spider web of students at our future school. While we’re trapped
lifetime (yes, I did count because I am that excited).
Make these last days count, because they’re going to be what you
what you
in this mysterious unknown world of ‘University’ with tens of thousands of
spankin’ new faces, the only thing we’ll crave is some familiar company.
remember the most; don’t SparkNote your last novel for English, don’t
cheat on your last math test and please don’t fail your last semester of high
remember
The spirit weeks: along with the bundle of football games, homecom-
ing dances and class competitions that follow. There’s no better excuse
school. Because as much as we’re all going to miss Blake, I’m not so sure
we’re going to want to be here again another year.
the most.

Senior reflects back with a positive outlook after high school memories
x by Kemi Olowoofayoku Though old friendships fade, new life, but that explanation doesn’t make it any
easier. Who knows what goes on within these
High school is full of choices: it’s dur-
ing these four years that one chooses which ones prove to be more valuable four years, within these walls, that transforms
people? But perhaps it’s best not to dwell
path to follow. Whether that includes the high school and its opportunity to experience freedom was
party route, jock scene or burn-out crowd, the possibilities sure to be intimidating. Things were a lot more pure in ninth
are endless. But one thing that’s for certain is: your friends grade; it was only as time progressed and we grew older that
will accompany you every step of the way—or at least that’s the back stabbing, phony acts and drama arose. Boys found
what you’d like to think. their way in between friendships and the people you thought
If you asked me four years ago if my three best friends you knew suddenly became strangers right before your eyes.
and I would remain inseparable for the rest of our lives—or There’s nothing worse than walking past a former friend
at least throughout the course of high school, an immediate without any acknowledgement of their presence, as if you
affirmative answer would surely be my response. Yet, here I hadn’t shared innumerable memories together, tears shed, or
am years later, down to one of my three besties wondering secrets passed in soft whispers—none of that matters; now
exactly what went wrong. your ex-confidant is simply another face in the crowd.
When we, as a class, first entered Blake, the allure of I guess growing apart and changing is all a part of
on the negatives and find a good point in
any downfall. It’s best to get rid of the weeds before they
infect you too.
So although I may be down a few friends, I know it’s
all for the best because the ones that I’m left with will be
with me for years to come. The hardest part will probably
be during graduation - amidst all of the tears, hugs and con-
gratulations, you’re bound to spot that one lost friend. And
whether you two decide to embrace for one last time or share
a look acknowledging all of your memories is your choice,
but be sure to remember some of the good before you let the
bad times erase them completely from your mind.

Application process, deciding where to go among stressful decisions

Try not to get caught x by Blaire Hoffman
and start an obnoxiously long conversa-
tion about your college plans, quizzing
from around September to May being
asked (from all sides) if you’ve sent
up in all the stress Juniors: enjoy your last few weeks
of freedom while they last because once
you about every little detail.
You may at first think it’s because
your applications out, heard back from
your schools and then made the most
your entire senior senior year hits, everything will revolve
around college; where you’re applying,
they are genuinely interested, but, in
fact, most only ask because they either
important decision of all: committing
to a school.
year because if you what you’re going to major in and even-
tually, where you decide to go.
think it’s what they should be asking
since you’re a senior or they have a
With such a momentous decision
to make that will set the tone for the
do, your last year will The monotonous questions from
everyone and anyone will become
child around your age and they want to
compare you to them.
next four years of your life, try not to
get caught up in all the stress your entire
just fly by and you will overwhelming. There will be times
where you’ll be shopping in the grocery
The inquiries about college will
also come from your friends and fam-
senior year because if you do, your last
year will just fly by and you will miss
miss out on the fun store with your mom and some random
person will stop you (probably some-
ily too. And in some instances you
will be the one asking the questions,
out on the fun of it. After all, you’ll have
to wait four more years before you are a
of it. one whose name you can’t remember
because you haven’t seen them in years)
too. But after a while, it becomes ex-
tremely stressful day in and day out
senior again so you might as well take
advantage while you can.
F6 May 13, 2011
senior directory
Name Future Plans
Ikesha Afamefune Montgomery College/Interior Design
Sheena Afoakwa University of Maryland Baltimore County/Biology
Adrian Agard Montgomery College/Undecided
Morgan Aguilar Pennsylvania State University/Biology
Kazeem Aiyejinmi University of Maryland Eastern Shore /Business & Management
Bryce Akonnor Frostburg State University/Undecided
Misan Akuye Montgomery College/Mechanical Engineering
Ralph Alexis Montgomery College/Undecided
Jessica Anane Mount Saint Mary’s University/Biology
Chelsea Anderson Wesley College/Undecided
David Anderson Bowie State University/Computer Sciences
Jared Anderson Montgomery College/Auto Mechanic Industry
Ian Andrews Glenville University/Accounting
Darlene Aniebonam George Mason University/Biology & Pre-med
Andrea Archila Pfeiffer University/Communications
Daniel Arias Yale University/Political Science
Nick Arnold-Medabalimi University of Maryland College Park/Engineering
Gifty Awusi Montgomery College/Nursing
Sarah Aylor University of Maryland College Park/Speech Pathology
Rachel Babcock Towson University/Journalism
Julia Baker Northeastern University/Chemical Engineering
Spenser Balog Towson University/Music Business
Sadia Bangura University of Ottawa/Biopharmaceutical Sciences
Daniel Barker Montgomery College/Psychology
Isabela Barriga University of Maryland College Park/Biochemistry
Ashley Barteck Coastal Carolina University/Finance & Environmental Science
Joyce Bartlett Grinnell College/Psychology
Alex Beach University of Mississippi/Elementary Education
Reanna Beatty Towson University/Athletic Training
Fasika Belachew Montgomery College/Undecided
Daniel Bell Salisbury University/Business
Shannon Bell Randolph Macon College/French
Darryle Bennett Montgomery College/Game Design & Development
Pearl Bentum University of Maryland Eastern Shore/Psychology
Yanilka Black Montgomery College/X-ray Technology
Claudeesha Blackman Montgomery College/Social Work
Melissa Blue Howard University/Undecided
Julia Boland Von Lee International School of Aesthetics
Georgette Bondon Howard University/Engineering
Jesse Boulandi Montgomery College/Economics
Amanda Breen Montgomery College/Education
Brittany Brincefield Montgomery College/Elementary Education
DeAndra Brown Morgan State University/Hospitality Management
Michael Brown US Navy
Mia Browne Montgomery College/Visual Arts
Destini Bryant Howard Community College/Hospitality Management
Sydnee Bullard Montgomery College/Nursing
Alpha Bundu Morgan State University/Undecided
Mary Burke Montgomery College/Social Services
Stefan Byrd University of North Carolina School of the Arts/Film
Edwin Calderon Montgomery College/Radiology
Peter Calhoun University of Maryland College Park/Business
Jordan Callahan Montgomery College/Physical Therapy
Shaina Callahan Montgomery College/Nursing
Regina Cameron Montgomery College/Dance
Maya Campbell Reed College/Biology & English
Joey Cane Salisbury University/Biology
KyAira Carter Pennsylvania State University/Biology
Aaron Chambers Montgomery College/Automotive Engineering
Christie Chambers Montgomery College/Elementary Education
Jeremy Chen University of Maryland College Park/Business
Cynthia Cheng University of Maryland College Park/Biology
Maia Chicherio Franklin and Marshall College/Animal Behavior
Nia Chin American & Muscial Dramatic Academy/Theatre & Communications
Rachel Choppin McDaniel College/Undecided
Git-Yee Chu University of Maryland Baltimore County/Undecided
Ravin Chun Community College of Baltimore County/Veterinary Tech
Cynthia Chung Montgomery College/Psychology
Lauren Colburn Stevenson University/Early Childhood Education
Maya Congo Old Dominion University/Nursing
Rachel Cooper Morgan State University/Criminal Justice
Devonte Crawford Virginia University of Lynchburg/Sports Medicine
Allison Creekmore West Virginia University/Undecided
Delaney Cruickshank College of Charleston/History
Alex Curtin Ohio Technical College/Automotive
Connie Dai Carnegie Mellon University/Art
Taylor Damskey Montgomery College/Business
Janjay Davis Laboratory Institute of Merchandising/Fashion Merchandising
Janette Delgado Montgomery College/Business
Somala Diby Columbia University/Undecided
Chayeh Dickerson Art Institute of Washington/Audio Production
Christiane Djoum University of Maryland College Park/Biochemistry
Quiara Dorsey Trinity University/Social Work
Bryan Dowdall Stevenson University/Business Management
The Blake Beat
Name Future Plans
Kayla Dyer Bowie State University/Social Work
Portia Egwin Stevenson University/Psychology
Emmanuel Endishaw St. Vincent College/Engineering & Pre-Med
Marco Escobar University of Wisconsin Milwaukee/Undecided
Antonio Escoto Montgomery College/Criminal Justice
Conrad Etchi Virginia State University/Sports Management
Kathleen Faisca Hood College/Undecided
Christyna Falden Stevenson Univesity/Bio-Chemistry
Mark Fearson Towson University/Astrophysics
Heather Fitzgerald Montgomery College/Education
Mason Fisher Howard Community College/Business Management
Laura Fling Montgomery College/Undecided
Kadeja Flowers Bennett College for Women/Graphic Design
Michael Ford U.S. Marines
Joe Franks Montgomery College/Nursing
Victor Gamez Montgomery College/Physical Therapy
Delilah Gates University of Maryland College Park/Physics
Sylvester Gates University of Maryland College Park/Biology
Anthony Gilchrist University of Maryland College Park/Computer Engineering
Briyanna Gilgeous Montgomery College/Biology
Sam Glatt Howard Community College/Undecided
Zach Goldberg University of Maryland Baltimore County/Undecided
Elyana Goldwater Montgomery College/Undecided
Ranier Gomez University of Maryland College Park/Mathematics & Computer Science
Dylan Gomez-Starnes St. John’s University/Undecided
Amy Gottlieb University of Maryland Baltimore County/Physics
Nakea Green Morgan State University/Psychology
Jeffrey Hacker University of Maryland Baltimore County/History
Billy Hall Montgomery College/Computer Gaming & Simulation
Jim Halpin Montgomery College/Biology
Sidra Hamdani Montgomery College/Business
Kelly Hanlon University of Maryland Baltimore County/English & Vocal Performance
Neressa Hart University of Bridgeport/Business & Management
Jordan Hart Jacksonville University/Communications
Ernie Harvey Montgomery College/Political Science & Law & Business
Madison Hawkes University of South Carolina/Mathematics
Bridget Hawvermale University of Maryland College Park/Engineering
Julius Haynes Montgomery College/Video Game & Computer Programming
Aboud Hemed Montgomery College/Undecided
Kenneth Henry Art Institute of Miami/Music
Maria Hernandez Montgomery College/Nursing
Gladys Hetherington Howard Univeristy/Undecided
Tiffany Hill Montgomery College/Undecided
Anna Hinden East Carolina University/Nursing
Caleb Hoey Middle Tennessee State University/Recording
Blaire Hoffman Dickinson College/International Relations
Lily Hua University of Maryland College Park/Journalism & English
Nicholas Hung University of Maryland College Park/Biology
Avery Hunter-Hackney Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University/Sports Management
Marvin Hutchinson U.S. Air Force
Travis Hutchinson Montgomery College/Undecided
Dylan Hysen The College of William & Mary/Undecided
Michael Isimbabi Howard University/Engineering
Christopher Jaeger Montgomery College/Aerospace Engineering
Fatou Jaiteh Virginia Union University/Law
Shawn James Technology-related employment
Terriza Jefferies Long Island University/Psychology
Ashley Johnson Montgomery College/Nursing
Nia Johnson Montgomery College/Undecided
Youna Jung University of Maryland Baltimore County/Nursing
Alexander Kahsey Towson University/Law
Mariama Kamara Towson University/Political Science
Ali Karzai Montgomery College/Business
Musu Kawusu-Kebbay Stevenson University/Biology
Damon King St. John’s University/Communications & Media
John King Coastal Carolina University/Business
Khris King Montgomery College/Undecided
Simone Kirkland University of Maryland Baltimore County/Biology & Psychology
Peace Kish University of Maryland Eastern Shore/Pre-Pharmacy
Nancy Kobe Montgomery College/Accounting & Education
Russell Kocher Montgomery College/TV Production
Aimee Kohorst Kent State University/Fashion Merchandising
Corinne Konoza Sewanee University/Physics & Astronomy
Brandon Krixer Howard Community College/Undecided
Zakaria Kronemer University of Mary Washington/Pre-Med
Sara Kushner Ohio State University/Photography
Meagan Lagerlef Howard University/Physical Therapy
Cameron Lancon Lincoln Technical Institute/HVAC
Ashley Larkin Towson University/Music
Jorge Lazo U.S. Army
Daniel Lee Towson University/Geography & Art History
Kevin Lee University of Maryland Baltimore County/Pre-med
William Lee Montgomery College/Criminal Justice
Michael Leonard Montgomery College/Music
The Blake Beat May 13, 2011
senior directory
Name Future Plans
Phanith Lim Montgomery College/Business Administration
Katherine Lingan George Mason University/Photography
Evan Lipshultz Towson University/Mathematics
Brianna Livesay Pratt Institute/Graphic Design
Patrick Looney Barnett Bicycle Institute/Metal Working & Mechanics
Jasmin Lopez Montgomery College/Nursing
Julia Maas St. Mary’s College of Maryland/International Studies
Emerson Marquez Montgomery College/Undecided
Jalen Marshall University of Maryland Baltimore County/Biology
Emily Matos Montgomery College/Elementary Education
Nick Mauprivez University of Rhode Island/International Relations
Monica Mbuia-Joao Catholic University/Business
Shekara McEachern-Smith Virginia Commonwealth University/Broadcast Journalism
Thokozani Mchenga Virginia State University/Undecided Paris Saunders Bennett Career Institute/Cosmetology
Tiajuana McKinney Montgomery College/English & Literature
Chris McSwain Montgomery College/Undecided
Joshua Medina Montgomery College/Audio Engineering
Jason Mejia University of the District of Columbia Community College/Undecided
Brooke Mellish Fashion Institute of Technology/Fashion Design
Terrell Mercer Montgomery College/Undecided
Helen Merino Montgomery College/Undecided
Carrie Miller Art Institute of Washington/Photography
Brianna Mitchell Bowie State University/Secondary Education
Grace Mling Montgomery College/Construction Management
Nikhil Modha Montgomery College/Accounting
Jake Mondonedo Coastal Carolina University/Golf Mangement & Business Brandon Simms Shepherd University/Business Management
Ramfis Montero Montgomery College/Undecided
Gerson Morales Pratt Institute/Architecture
Shelby Morales Montgomery College/Undecided
Imani Morris Howard University/Biology
Will Morris Howard Community College/Undecided
Winfred Morris Towson University/Business Administration
Jayonte Morrison St. John’s University/Undecided
Nick Mugge University of Maryland College Park/Business
Bryant Musse Montgomery College/Undecided
Jade Myers Wesley College/Medical Technology
Sidney Nascimiento Montgomery College/Architecture
Maria Nassanga College of Notre Dame/Pre-Law
Kansi Navedo Montgomery College/Business & Computers
Ashley Nettleford Mount St. Mary’s University/Pre-Med
Amber Newman Morgan State University/Undecided
Greggory Nicholson Montgomery College/ Diesel Technology & Business
Gretchen Nicholson Montgomery College/Early Childhood Education
Queenies Nguyen University of Maryland College Park/Biology
Toan Nguyen Montgomery College/Theatre Performance
Amarachi Nnadi St. John’s University/Biology
Georgiette Oduro-Boateng McDaniel College/Pre-Med
Paige O’Flahavan Towson University/Undecided
Maureen Ofosu Montgomery College/Psychology
Simi Olamide Bowie State University/Radiology & Pediatrics
Kemi Olowoofayoku Villanova University/Biology & Pre-Med
Jessica Ortiz St. John’s University/Pre-Law
Morgan Ostrow McDaniel College/Business Administration & Finance
Leena Owen University of Maryland College Park/Biology & Pre-Med
Vanessa Owusu Montgomery College/Business & Communications
Kim Palmer Morgan State University/Nursing
Josh Paunil American University/Political Science
Evan Peiperl Independent Game Developer
Miguel Peña Howard Community College/Undecided
Steven Penland Wesley College/Media Art & Kinesiology
Matias Perez-Fererro University of Maryland College Park/Undecided
Jesse Peterson Automotive Engineer
Trung Phan Montgomery College/Computer Science
Heather Phillip Stevenson University/Pre-Med
Joanine Pierre Camel Devry University/Criminal Justice
Jessica Pinchinat Montgomery College/Medicine
Eric Pinnick United States Marine Corps
Caroline Pledger City College of New York/International Studies & Journalism
Eric Poloway Montgomery College/Biology
Sonia Polyzos Pennsylvania State University/Global Studies
Daniel Ponton Local Plumbing Union 5
Rachel Porzel University of Maryland Eastern Shore/Undecided
Susana Posada Montgomery College/Psychology
Linda Powers University of Maryland College Park/Bioengineering
Carley Pressley Towson University/Public Relations
Jasmine Pullen Hampton University/Pre-Law
Antionette Pullman Morgan State University/Communications
Kyle Pyer Bowie State University/Social Work
Niraj Raju DePaul University/Music Performance
Rohan Raju Salisbury University/Environmental Science
Matt Rankin Towson University/Business
Alex Raul University of Maryland College Park/Aerospace Engineering
F7
Name Future Plans
Maya Reid Howard University/Chemical Engineering
Cory Reyes Montgomery College/ Biomedical Science & Engineering
Naomi Richardson Virginia Commonwealth University/Undecided
Renatta Rickford Towson University/Secondary Education & History
Olivia Rintoul-Thomas Animator
Estephanie Rivera Savannah College of Art & Design/Undecided
Andrea Rizkallah Towson University/Mass Communications
Steven Rodriguez University of Maryland College Park/Pre-Vet
H. Clay Rorie Towson University/Early Childhood Education
Max Sabelhaus Towson University/Secondary Education & History
Christine Saint-Amand University of Maryland Eastern Shore/Business
Alejandra Samayoa Montgomery College/Undecided
Natalie Sanchez Montgomery College/Nursing
Matthew Schnapp Utah State University/Aviation Technology
Ariel Schwartz Salisbury University/Elementary Education
Emma Semanyk Pennsylvania State University/Nursing
Michael Seo Montgomery College/Science
Isak Shah Howard University/Biology & Pre-Med
Max Shannon Salisbury University/Undecided
Andrew Shelton-Der Towson University/Undecided
Mariel Shilling Washington College/International Studies & Spanish
Michael Shriner Carpentry
Jordan Silva Montgomery College/Video Production
Maria Silvino The Art Institute of San Francisco/Fashion Marketing
Danny Simpson Howard Community College/Technology
Breant Smith University of Maryland Eastern Shore/Environmental Science
Cassandra Smith Colby College/Biology & Environmental Science
Jessi Smith Armstrong Atlantic University/Speech Pathology
Stella Song University of Maryland College Park/Business
Gillian Spolarich College of Charleston/Communication
Spencer Sterling University of Maryland College Park/Biology & Pre-Med
Nakim St. Jules Montgomery College/Undecided
Britney Stuart Towson University/Undecided
Azeez Sulaimon Neumann University/Computer Information
Miranda Tabe Montgomery College/Nursing
Nicholas Tax University of Maryland Baltimore County/Mechanical Engineering
Simone Taylor Hampton University/Physical Therapy
Taylor Taylor Montgomery College/Nursing
Alexis Thweatt Towson University/English & Mass Communications
Jordyn Tillman Bowling Green State University/Undecided
Jamie Tran University of Maryland Baltimore County/Biology
Nigel Truesdale Long Island University/Business Management
Perdita Tufuoh Montgomery College/Nursing
Connie Tyler Howard University/Psychology
Serge Tzeuton University of Maryland College Park/Biochemistry
Kelly Umana Indiana State University/Nursing
Akan Umo Virginia Community Commonwealth University/Pre-Law
Edine Usher Richmond University in London/Undecided
Ryan Valdes Howard Community College/International Business
Kristina Valerio Salisbury University/Athletic Training
Victoria VanLear Towson University/Music
Christian Varela Montgomery College/Undecided
David Velasquez Montgomery College/Architecture
Sophia Venero Montgomery College/Chemistry
Bailey Veng Ohio State University/Pre-Pharmacy
Shannon Wade University of Maryland Baltimore County/Mathematics
Josh Waldman Clemson University/Mechanical Engineering
Stacey Waldo Montgomery College/Nutrition
Bevin Walker Fullerton College/Computer Engineering
James Walker Delaware State University/Music
Jasmine Walker Frederick Community College/Sociology
Conor Wallace St. Mary’s College of Maryland/Undecided
Brian Walters Montgomery College/Sociology
Tzu-Hui Wang Montgomery College/Undecided
Emily Watt College of Wooster/Biology
Alex Wells Virginia State University/Computer Science
William White Waynesburg University/Athletic Training
Eric Wiley College of Charleston/Undecided
Kira Williams New York University/Undecided
James Wingate Hood College/Undecided
Danielle Witter Montgomery College/Business
Raven Wood Fashion Design
Quanazia Wright Prince George’s Community College/Nursing
Patrick Xiao University of Maryland College Park/Computer Science & Physics
Erin Yates St. Francis University/Early Childhood Education
Bemnet Yazew Virginia State University/Nursing
Demetrius Young Hood College/Biology
Samoy Young Towson University/Education
Shannon Young Montgomery College/Nursing
Alley Zaika Lock Haven University/Special Education
C8
CONGRATULATIONS
TO THE JAMES HUBERT BLAKE
CLASS OF 2011*
Family of Nicole Alexander
The Anderson-Edge Family
The Akonnor Family
The Family of Isaac Appel
Gift Awusi and Family
Amir Azizi and Family
Parents of Rachel Babcock
Sadia Bangura and Family
Celebrating You Spa/Lisa Barnes
Isabela Barriga
The Bartlett Family
The Beers family
Laura Bennett
Meryl Bloomrosen
The Bond Family
The Bondon Family
The Bonhag Family
The Boulandi Family
Elaine Bubes
The Family of Anthony Bui
The Burkhardt Family Mary Ellen Cain/ Emily Goldman
The Calderon Family The Family of Blaire Hoffman
The Cameron Family
The Campbell Family The Leishman/Benson Family
Abbe Carliver
The Carr Family
Ms. Deborah Carter
The Family of Victor Chau
The Chicherio Family The Family of Eugene Litman
The Cirincione Family
Brandon Clutts Family of Colleen Livingstone
The Comer Family
Family of Rachel Cooper
Ms. Lydia Dean-Reese
Family of Kimiesha Dean
Mr. Williams Dean
The Deshler Family
The Diby Family
The Diggs Family
The Dionne Family
The Doane-Malotte Family
The Dollemore Family
The Dowdall Family
The Drucker Family
Christina Eaglin
The Englander Family
The Errigo Family
The Family of Mary Fernandes
Mr. John Fitzgerald
The Freeman Family
Renee Frielich
The Frese Family
The Fuentes Family
The Gates Family
Family of Gwen Giles
The Girolami Family
The Glantz Family
The Glatt Family
The Goodall Family
The Gottschalk Family
The Family of Daphne O’Grady
Paula Hasty
Gladys Hetherington
Burgess and Ivalee Hoffman
The Holsendorff Family
*These people contributed donations to help support the publication of this issue of the Blake Beat
May 13, 2011
The Hua Family
The Hung Family
The Hysen Family
The Hylton Family
The Family of Lucas Irvin
Christian Jeong and Family
Devon Johnson
Miles Johnson
Mildred Family
The Joiner Family
The Kalinich Family
Musu Kawusu-Kebbay
The Kenney Family
The Klein Family
The Klemko Family
The Klumpp Family
Mark Kohorst
The Kos Family
The Krakaur Family
The Kronemer Family
The Family of Diana Le
The Lemberos Family
Sam Lettieri
The Levitt Family
The Linsenmeyer Family
The Livesay Family
Christine St. Amand and Family
Daniel Louloudes
The Looneys
The Lowry Family
The Lyons Family
The Maas Family
Mrs. Maduako
Valerie Manigan
Mansaray Family
Beverly Markowitz
Bruce Markowitz
The McKnight Family
The Mehallick Family
The Family of Tara McIntyre
Meredith Mathis
Grace Mlingi and Family
The Morstein Family
The Murray Family
The Murray Family
The Musa Family
Family of Vanessa Newman
The Nguyen Family
The Nhabay Family
Paige O’Flahavan
The O’Flahavan Family
The Olowoofayoku Family
The Owens
Jonathon Q Parks
The Patterson Family
The Paunil Family Grandmother of Leisha and Larisha Winley
Pearl of Poise LLC The Family of Leisha and Larisha Winley
Beth Pereira
Family of Caroline Pledger
M. S. Pledger
Margo Pokras
The Blake Beat
The Present Family
The Purich Family
The Ramlagan Family
The Reyes Family
The Rizkallah-Pena Family
The Perla Family
Kirsten Petersen
Stephanie Pewitt
Family of Grace Plihal
Barbara Plunkett
The Polyzos Family
Sarah Prather
Rolanda Quigley
The Ramamurti Family
Dora Ramirez
The Raul Family
Kim Reese
The Rehman Family
Sackson Family
The Sallman Family
Hamida Sallman-Ahmad
Kay Secker
The Family of Isak Shah
The Family of Max Shannon
Harriet Sigel
Rachel Soetan
The Song Family
Sow Family
The Spencers
The Spolarich Family
Floyd Starnes
Deborah Steel
The Straus Family
The Stringfield Family
Stuart Family
Natasha Swinson
Miranda Tabe and Family
The Tatnall Family
C. Taylor
The Family of Simone Taylor
The Family of Samara Tu
The Tryens Family
The Twain Family
Joann Valentin
The Valerio Family
The Vanegas Family
The Velez Family
The Walcott Family
The Waldman Family
The Wallace Family
Deborah Wade
Joan Wade
Matt and Pam Wade
Maura and Scott Wade
Don and Helen Waugh
The Family of Brandon Weber
The Weiss Family
David and Janice Williams
The Wood Family
The Yates Family
The Yee Family
The Zaika Family
Murder, mystery, dominate Pretty Little Liars, leaving audience wanting more, p. G4

Section G James Hubert Blake High School May 13, 2011

Students choose right answer by avoiding prep stress

Juniors taking necessary steps to stay calm, get themselves ready for SAT
overwhelming part of junior year, even before your
x Rachel Jaffe & Emily Goldman parents were in high school. “The biggest stress fac-
Wake up, study. Go to school, study. Come home, tors…are balancing adequate preparation with school
study. Go to bed, dream about studying. How can ju- and extracurricular [activities],” says junior Meredith
niors possibly handle the preparation for the upcoming Mathis. “I don’t think [preparing] would be stress-
SATs? ful…if other obligations were not present.” With all of
Prepping for the SATs has been a stressful and the pressures already from school, family, friends, and
sports, it is amazing that students still find time to get
ready for big tests.
You need to quanitfy the In order to be as prepared as possible, students
find various study tactics and stress relievers to get
amount of time and effort themselves ready. SAT prep classes are just one way
that juniors prepare. Junior Julie Lopatka has taken
you are willing to commit. both an in-school prep class and an after-school class.
Joseph Caulfield “The Kaplan SAT class out of school helped a lot; I
learned a lot of great strategies for solving certain types
of questions,” says Lopatka. “The SAT class in school
is good for learning a lot of new vocabulary that shows
up on the SAT.”
SAT prep teacher Joseph Caulfield acknowledges
that the most important part of preparing for the SAT
is commitment. “Whatever course of preparation you
decide to take, you need to quantify the amount of time
and effort you are willing to commit, and then live up
to that commitment,” says Mr. Caulfield.
One of the major stress factors, according to stu-
dents in SAT preparation, is “knowing that …the scores
can determine whether you get into the school you want
or not,” says Junior Brian Battaglia. He has managed to
find some peace of mind in remembering that he can take
the test again and again. Battaglia adds, “It’s not the end
of the world if you don’t do well your first time.”

Books in schools should be bought, taught--not censored, banned

by Joal Chen
x & Vanessa Newman
Sex, drugs and violence. Are
you hooked yet? For most students
these topics would draw them to a
novel, but for parents, teachers and
school boards, these concepts would
prompt them to ban a book.
In a time where reading amongst
youth is decreasing due to blogging
and social networking sites, adults
are not making it easier to reel kids
back in. Fear amongst parents lead
to books being banned. “I’m always
concerned by attempts to conceal
the truth…we need to know all of it,
the good, the bad and the ugly,” says
English teacher Victor Loun.
This is an ongoing dispute; for
years books have been challenged
or removed from public schools and
libraries. When a school bans a book,
students cannot access it in the school
library and teachers cannot include it
in their curriculum. lenged novels 1984 by George Orwell
The question arises: is book
banning appropriate under any cir-
cumstances? For senior Maya Camp-
bell the answer is a blunt no. “I think
once you reach that [appropriate] age
you should be able to [read] it all,”
says Campbell.
However, throughout the coun-
try, numerous books have been re-
moved, ranging from the well known
Harry Potter series to Clifford the Big
Red Dog picture books. In Riverside
County, California, The Merriam-
Webster Collegiate Dictionary was
even banned. Another question sur-
faces, what prompts a book to be
banned? According to the American
Library Association, the main reasons
for challenging a book are sexual
content, offensive language, and
violence.
“I do understand why people of
certain religions or moral values are
offended,” says senior Shannon Bell.
“But that’s no reason to ban a book
since everyone has the right to believe
and write about different things.”
Several books like Huckleberry
Finn are not completely banned, but
certain parts of the book have been
censored or changed. For many that
is just as bad. “I think censoring is
worse because you’re pretending,”
says English teacher Amy Branson.
I’m always concerned by attempts to conceal
“I’d rather not talk at all than have
you make me what I’m not.”
the truth...we need to know all of it, the good,
Some fear that censoring a
book will lead to an authoritarian
the bad and the ugly.
society portrayed ironically by chal- Victor Loun
and Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury.
Junior Danielle Blocker says, “Even-
tually one authority will be deciding
what everyone gets to read. That’s
just not right. Our ideas should not
be sanitized.”
Blake, however, has allowed
students to access a diverse group of
novels in and out of the classroom. “I
feel so blessed to be able to teach at a
school where freedom of expression
and ideas are embraced rather than
banned or censored,” says media
specialist Mary Treat.

Fans wave their wands of paper. The story of Harry Potter was rejected by 12 publishers before being picked
up by Bloomsberry Press. Author J.K. Rowling’s agent said she would never
become successful off of a children’s series, but now she is the world’s first

goodbye to Hogwarts self-made billionaire author.

by Hannah Kenney
x & Melissa Whitaker
With emotions high, fans of Harry Potter wait
anxiously for the eighth and final movie in the epic series
about a boy who no longer sleeps in the cupboard under
the Dursley’s stairs, and now has to save an entire race
of wizards.
Says sophomore Jourdan Lewanda, “Harry Potter
started as entertainment, but once I started understanding
the morals… [I realized] it meant that anyone could make
a difference in the world.” For years, Harry Potter has been
a friend for fans across the world, all of whom will have to say
goodbye to him this July.
It began on a delayed London train where a young woman
recorded her idea for a story about a boy wizard on old napkins and scraps
The books have been published in 69 languages in 200 countries,
with 400 million copies sold worldwide, and has also been turned into
the highest grossing movie series of all time—the boy who lived has
inspired children everywhere. “[My friends and I] used to play Harry
Potter and memorize the spells,” says junior Richard Muhammad.
“It’s the most realistic fantasy series ever,” says junior
MacKenzie Reedy. “I am sad that it’s ending, but in a way I want
some conclusion to my Harry Potter obsession.”
The stars of the film, Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and
Emma Watson have made themselves household names from this
franchise. “It was sad; it’s the end of an era… I gave everything
I could to that role, and I got so much from it,” Watson told Marie
Claire magazine in the November 2010 issue.
“It won’t ever end. The literature might stop coming out, and the
movies might stop being produced but the impact it has will never end,”
says Lewanda. But as the final credits role after the movie is over, fans of
the book and the film will be able to agree on one thing: the Harry Potter legacy
will live forever.
G2
Websites give
new outlets
for education
Social sites
provide peers
with tutoring
by John Beers
x Nicole Sterling
You get home, turn on
your computer and immediately
get on Facebook. This time,
though, it is not to chat or up-
date your status, but instead to
get homework help.
Many adults view social
networking sites as distractions.
Several teachers, however,
believe that online studying
through social networking sites
can be a great advantage to
students. “[These sites make it]
very easy for [students] to jump
over to the class’ group page
and attend a review session
from the comfort of their own
living room,” says AP Govern-
ment teacher Mary Wagner.
Mrs. Wagner created the
Blake AP Government Face-
[In these
groups] you can
help your peers
by answering
tough
questions.
Christian Jeong
book group to allow students to
ask and answer questions they
have about upcoming tests and
quizzes.“Teachers’ schedules
and student’s schedules don’t
always match,” says Mrs. Wag-
ner. “One of the nice things
about using Facebook is that
you can leave your question
and check back later to see if
someone answered it.”
Junior Anthony Bui views
such sites as valuable resources.
“The sheer number of people
with varying amounts of knowl-
edge makes [getting] home-
work help and helping [others]
easier,” says Bui.
Bui was heavily involved
in the AP Government group
as a sophomore. “Groups such
as the AP Government [one]
are great for helping and being
helped,” adds Bui. “I’ve used it
often to study for midterms and
previous AP exams.”
Other classes such as AP
Biology and AP World History
now have Facebook groups
as well. Juniors Seong Park
and Christian Jeong started the
AP Biology group. “[In these
groups] you can help your peers
out by answering tough ques-
tions and just help explaining
things,” says Jeong.
Most students agree that
the greatest advantage of these
groups is the amount of peo-
ple students can reach out to
through social networking.
“Almost everyone in the school
uses at least some sort of social
network,” says Park. “It’s a lot
easier to contact them and ask
for help.”
May 13, 2011 The Blake Beat
Bathroom
conditions
going down
the drain
Unsanitary
restrooms
cause a stir
by Michael Errigo
x & Lorena Martinez
Filth fills the sink. The
floor is cluttered with toilet
paper. The walls are dirty. The
smell is repulsive. The atmo-
sphere is uncomfortable. But
the experience is typical.
Bathrooms are something
most people do not want to dis-
cuss, but these days, it is hard
not to notice the poor condi-
tions of our bathrooms. These
days, students find it hard not
to notice the poor conditions of
Fro s the bathrooms. “The worst part
ml Crew about using the bathrooms…is
eft n
Aro
B re
to the fact that I have to inhale the
s
righ by
l
t: S oto awful stench,” says sophomore
-- ph
a
enio
ak b
rs Ni r.
en g
ck Ta floo Neal Ohri.
x
, Mike F studio
ord, and Edwin Hong tear up the dance Some students believe
e a t s li v e i n t h es e B tween
classes.
“I rarely walk
that they themselves are re-
sponsible for these poor bath-
room conditions, as building
services work hard to keep the
by Danielle Moore to class anymore,” bathrooms clean and sanitary.
x & Ellen Wood adds Ford.
Sometimes the students use their skills
iPods on and spirits pumped, these break- in dance battles. “It is a hobby that is com- Students are
dancers work on their coin drops, jackham- petitive in nature,” says Hong. Hong dances
mers and applejacks - just a few of the many to meet new people, visit new places, learn responsible
incredible moves that help them express their more about himself and because it’s “friggin’
creativity and individuality as dancers.
Senior breakdancers Edwin Hong and
awesome fun,” he says.
While Hong reaps the benefits, Ford uses
[for the
Mike Ford are inspired by friends, family as dance as an emotional release. “I continue
well as choreography from different genres of dancing to forget about all of my problems,”
bathroom
dance. Hong’s brother introduced the B-boy says Ford. “It clears my mind and gives
dance form to him through a YouTube video. “I me motivation to carry on with everything
conditions]...
was captivated by the movement and decided else.”
to learn it thereafter,” says Hong. Both break dancers are open to whatever
we use it most
Ford started dancing at five years old. “I may come of their talents. Hong says, “If
wanted to have something to do that would something comes out of [my breakdancing]
throughout the
define me as a person,” says Ford. Both have in the future adding to the already existing joy
become passionate about their craft. Although I hold for it, then great.” Ford hopes to share
day.
they do not have set practice schedules, they are his enthusiasm by opening a dance studio after
often found dancing during lunch, or even be- fulfilling his contract with the marines.
Abraham Nhabay
Step team stomps with its own style “Some of the bathrooms are just
trashy,” says freshman Carlos
Macalino. “[Building services]
Undefined dancers unite through hard work try to keep [the bathrooms]
clean…but they just keep on
getting dirty.”
x by Michelle Ung & Jamil Gordon Some students feel that
Stomping their way to the top without ever missing a beat, the the main factors that affect the
Undefined Step Team is rising to the challenge with their hard work, bathroom experience are hand
commitment and breakthrough performances.
Most people are only exposed to step dancing through movies like I have dryer malfunctions, sticky soap
dispensers, and the notice-
Stomp the Yard or television shows like So You Think You Can Dance.
However, the Undefined girls are bringing a new form of entertainment seen the able student graffiti covering
bathroom surfaces. They say
to Blake. The step team performs at step competitions, pep rallies and
even at elementary schools. “Performing brings us closer together,” says team at the that some of the problems can
come from simple things, like
sophomore and member Andrea Taylor. “We’re still a team no matter
what happens.” pep rally [and] students missing the trash can,
or even worse the urinal. “Stu-
“They work a lot better than other teams and get along well to-
gether,” says English teacher and coach Monica Saxton. She first started the girls are dents are responsible [for the
bathroom conditions],” says
working with English teacher Omari Daniel, who soon handed over
the position to her. “I take [practice] seriously and make sure [we are] pretty good. sophomore Abraham Nhabay.
“We use it the most throughout
focused,” Saxton adds.
For junior Amber Newman, stepping means freedom and new They are re- the day.”
Some find that the worst
friends. Newman says, “I step because of my love for doing it, no one
really influenced me.” Although Newman has been stepping for four ally unique part of the bathrooms, however,
is the odor that is emitted. “The
years, she admits it can still be a challenge.
The step team drew attention performing at this year’s winter pep and add a lot bathrooms smell like some
animal died in them,” says
rally. “I have seen the team at the pep rally [and] the girls are pretty good,”
says sophomore Brittany Atkins. “They are really unique and add a lot of energy. Ohri. This problem is the big-
gest indicator that it is time for
of energy.” Atkins has been to all of the step team competitions and has a change, according to many
a close friend on the team. “The step team is amazing, their spirit and students. The student body be-
attitude towards stepping is impressive,” adds Atkins. Brittany Atkins lieves that students must make
Even though the season is over for the step team, the girls are eagerly a concerted effort to keep them
anticipating next year so they can stomp their way to the top once more. clean.
The Blake Beat
Lunchtime chaos proves too much for hungry students
Bengals frustrated with long, uncontrolled lines after fourth period
Crowds and long lines plague the cafeteria as students
struggle to purchase their lunch. Cafeteria management
May 13, 2011
x by AJ Butts & Yasmin Wamala
says they are aware of the problem and are taking steps
to fix it. --photo by Cecilia Girolami
F3
Throughout the years, lunchtime has been the
highlight of the day for many students. It’s time for
music, socializing and, of course, eating.
But how enjoyable can this free time possibly
be when it’s spent fighting to get your lunch or strug-
gling to hear your conversation?
By the end of fourth period, students are eager
to get to the cafeteria so they can get their lunch.
However, with all the chaos and craziness of the
lunchroom - specifically the lunch lines - buying
lunch takes much longer than it should. “I feel it’s
not a line; it’s a blob of people,” says junior Sarah
Mansaray.
It doesn’t help that once students have made
it through the lunch lines, they are stuck eating food
that isn’t exactly appealing. “Lots of stuff, like the
pizza, is too greasy and gross,” says freshman Allana
Dawkins. “I think we should have healthier foods.”
Having healthier, more appetizing meal choices may
make the wait worthwhile for many students.
Many students talk louder than necessary in the
lunchroom and put trash everywhere but in the trash.
This hectic atmosphere in the cafeteria discourages
many from entering. Sophomore Cassandra Wolsh
says, “I’d rather spend [a peaceful] lunch with my
friends than be pushed around the cafeteria.”
Cafeteria manager Ronald Ferguson is aware
of the problem with the lunch lines and has reassured
that action is being taken to fix the issue. According
to Mr. Ferguson, rails and dividers are being put in
during the summer, which will force students to stand
single file and hopefully contain the chaos.
Mr. Ferguson has also made a suggestion to-
wards controlling the craziness in the cafeteria itself.
“I’ve considered having two lunch periods,” adds Mr.
Ferguson. With this idea, freshmen and sophomores
would eat during one lunch period, juniors and seniors
in another. Students would have to stay in the cafete-
ria and each lunch period would be 30 minutes.
With improvements made this year, like enter-
ing student ID numbers to buy lunch instead of using
the four digit pin number, and with more changes
soon to come, students can soon look forward to eat-
ing lunch in the cafeteria being less of a hassle.

Just cheat it, cheat it, quizzes won’t need to be repeated

Pupils stealthily master their copying skills as some find it justified
by Emily Eaglin
x & Jake Gordon
Some students cheat only as
a last frantic resort, but others cheat
just to keep their perfect grades. Ev-
ery student encounters the age-old
question in his or her high school
career: to cheat or not to cheat? Self
integrity or GPA?
Constant anxiety caused by
parents, teachers and coaches can
force a student to crack under pres-
sure. “I cheat because of the mad
pressure MCPS puts on students
to succeed,” says senior Rosalina
Baxter*. “Unrealistic standards
and high expectations force me to
cheat.”
A number of people believe
that learning and retaining infor-
mation is weakening because of
students’ current obsession with
grades. “We now just absorb the
necessary details to get by. Ev-
eryone relies on their grade now;
learning is less important,” says
junior Samantha Crystal*.
Students feel cheating is
justified when faced with teachers
who do not enter grades into Edline
or lack the enthusiasm to teach on
any particular day. Says sopho-
more Karen Jacob*, “Cheating can
be justified because it shows that
classmates are pulling together and
supporting one another.”
“I cheat with style,” says
sophomore Lawrence McKinney*,
who is not ashamed to admit his
crafty tricks. Adds McKinney,
“[Cheating is] something that’s
passed down through the genera-
tions in a family.” Some students
have been practicing this fraud
and developing the ‘skill’ ever
since they can remember, and even
consider it an art form.
There are plenty of students
that decide to be successful in-
dependently. Many are wary of
consequences that will bear down
upon them. “I believe that if I cheat
God will shoot lightning at me,”
says freshman James Vernon. “It’s
better to fail with honor than to win
by cheating.”
Junior Andrea Ramirez [Cheating is]
prides herself in the phrase, “trust
thy self.” “I don’t trust other peo- something
ple’s answers; plus you risk get-
ting caught if you do cheat,” says passed down
Ramirez.
Some students fear that not through the
relying on their own brains might
cause them trouble come time for generations
the exam. “I don’t see any genuine
benefit from it,” says senior Edwin in a family.
Hong. “If you cheat now, you’ll fail
later, or at least, that is the way that Lawrence
I was raised.” McKinney
*Names have been changed

Edline beneficial to many but dissapointing to some

Online database for scholastic updates quickly becomes highly visited
by Priya Dadlani
x & Dorian Purse
Make-up work is piling up, the end of
the quarter is coming, and your parents won’t
stop pestering you about grades. What web-
site should you go on to help you? Twitter?
No. Facebook? Definitely not. Tumblr? Too
many distractions. Edline? Just right.
Edline is an online grade book that
gives you the opportunity to view your cur-
rent grades, find assignments and see upcom-
ing test notifications. Sophomore Michelle
Nguyen says, “When a teacher gives me a
bad grade, I can check Edline and raise it as
soon as possible.” Some students and teach-
ers take advantage of Edline and apply it to
their daily routine, but some feel that Edline
is an unreliable stress factor.
Although Edline is available for every
student, some students don’t exercise their
privilege. “I haven’t been on Edline for about
three years,” says senior Alpha Johnson.
“It can be inaccurate and it’s not always
up to date.” Many students don’t make use
of grade reports or assignments on Edline;
they rely on interims and grade reports from
their teachers.
Edline has been around for about five
years. One of the two Edline super-users is
social studies teacher Mary Wagner. “Edline
can be helpful if students use it like it is in-
tended, but you can’t force students to use
it,” says Mrs. Wagner. Edline updates every
weekday and sometimes randomly on week-
ends. Grades on Edline upload automatically
when a teacher updates them into Pinnacle,
relieving teachers of frequently asked ques-
tions about grades.
A lot of teachers go the extra mile and
put up copies of assignments and study tools
to assist their students. It is a lot of extra
work, however, and some teachers do not
have the time. “Math isn’t like other sub-
jects,” says math teacher Patricia Gilmore.
“Students can’t teach themselves through
assignments on Edline.”
Junior Javon Perkins says, “I feel as
if Edline is a tool to guide me through the
semester, but I choose to talk to my teachers
directly because it builds our relationship.”
Teachers have always been the main resource
for students to find out about their current
grades, but Edline is available to students
24/7, whether or not they choose to make
use of it.

Edline can be helpful if students use it like it is intended.

Mrs.Wagner
G4 May 13, 2011 The Blake Beat

Sophomores change
Blake boys’ soccer
team for the better
Giles-Tucker, Richard
bring their passion for
the game to the field
x by Taylor Damskey & Andrew Price
Dew sets on the freshly cut soccer field as players
roll out of the locker room to begin warm-ups for the
morning game. To sophomores Patrick Richard and Tan-
ner Giles-Tucker, this is just another walk in the park.
“What I love most about soccer is the feeling when
you totally take someone out; I mean like really, you
just smash them to the ground,” says Richard. Along
with Richard, Giles-Tucker finds the game extremely
exhilarating. Giles-Tucker began playing at the early
age of three; from there on he immediately had a feel
for the game.
“I love being able to think at a pace, not pausing,
just going,” says Giles-Tucker. Richard began playing
in kindergarten in Bolivia and from there his talent
sprouted. He played varsity as a freshman and now plays
for the ‘94 Maryland Olympic Development Program
(ODP) team. This program enables children from the
ages of 13 to 17 to be trained and improve in soccer and
possibly play in the Olympics.
Giles-Tucker played for both junior varsity and
varsity, and now he plays for the Olney Royals and the
‘95 Maryland ODP team. Whenever he is not practicing
for the two other teams, he practices with the Under-18
soccer team.
Giles-Tucker plans to become a professional soc-
cer player, hoping to leave the country for Europe during
his senior year in order to gain recognition. Giles-Tucker
already traveled to Europe once before to play with
professional youth teams. “The experience of playing
against people at such high quality was a great experi-
ence in its self,” says Giles-Tucker.
Richard, however, plans to pursue a career outside
of soccer. Professional or not, they have had experiences
that they will never forget, and have contributed talent
to not only to Blake, but to their other teams, and for Sophomores Tanner Giles-Tucker (left) and Patrick participate in the Maryland Olympic Development
the game of soccer. Richard continue to improve their soccer skills as they Program. --photo by Aron Crews

Hit TV series captivates viewers with cliffhangers, cunning craftiness

Pretty Little Liars dazzles teens across nation with mystery, suspense
by Brenna Noone
x & Janine Taira
Murder, deception, mystery and
“pretty little lies” are just a few of the
suspenseful characteristics of the new
hit series Pretty Little Liars.
Based off the book series, the
show first premiered June 8, 2010. The
series, written by Sara Shepard, became
a teen phenomenon. From Pretty Little
Liars to Ruthless, the ten books keep
the reader captivated with cliffhangers
and unexpected revelations. Sophomore
Lucas Tax says, “Pretty Little Liars is
an extremely entertaining show. Every
mystery they solve opens doors to new
mysteries that keep the show going.”
Teen dramas are usually full of
twists and turns, but Pretty Little Liars
puts a spin on the norm. “It’s pretty
good [though] kind of confusing, but
that’s the point of it,” says sophomore
Thais Calderon. The show chronicals portrays what some teens deal with
the lives of four tightly-knit teenage every day--the fear of not being able
girls dealing with the murder of their to tell their parents,” says sophomore
best friend, Alison.
The girls, Hanna, Aria, Spencer
Emily Tempchin. “It gives teens a
message to be who they want and not Pretty Little Liars
and Emily, each receive text messages
from “A,” an anonymous stalker, who
be ashamed.”
Pretty Little Liars has not cap- is an extremely
threatens to reveal all their dirty secrets.
“My favorite part [of Pretty Little Liars]
tured the minds of all audiences quite
yet. “I would have really liked it if entertaining show.
is the mystery behind A,” says sopho-
more Tara Vides. “I keep watching be-
I had started watching from the first
episode…it looks really good,” says Every mystery they
cause as soon as I think I’ve unraveled
the mystery, it changes.”
sophomore Laura Smethurst. Those
who have not tuned in to the drama can solve opens doors
As entertaining as the plot is,
some viewers do not make connections
catch up with Season 2 on June 14.
Students that do follow the series to new mysteries
to their own lives. “I can’t relate to this
show at all [because] I have never been
anxiously await the premiere of Season
2 on June 14. SPOILER ALERT! Ac- that keep the show
put in any type of [similar] situation,”
says junior Kim Toxie. “I don’t think
cording to the ABC Family website,
Ezra will be leaving, Toby and Spen- going.
any teenagers have [faced those types cer’s relationship will heat up and Maya
of problems] at all.” will come back. These are just a few Lucas Tax
One of the characters, Emily, prospective shifts for the upcoming
identifies herself as a lesbian. “It season.

Young drivers fail test routinely, but who is actually to blame?

Students who don’t pass at first wonder why, but fault may not be theirs
by Colleen Burkhardt
x& Aliya Dean
Your hands hold steady on the wheel
as you take your first turn out of the park-
ing lot. Your instructor is watching your
every move, critiquing your every mistake.
In the blink of an eye your fate is decided
with a mere pass or fail. You never imag-
ined going through this more than once.
Most students look forward to driv-
ing on their own, but must face a rigorous
in-car driving test first. “I thought I was
going to be able to pass it the first time,”
says junior Bridget Gratton, after admit-
ting to failing the test her first time. A
decent amount of students face the same
outcome as Gratton.
In their Top Ten Reasons for Driv-
ing Test Failures, the Driving Standards
Agency stated that a majority of test candi-
dates fail because of a lack of planning and
judgment. Some drivers believe, however,
it is partially the instructors who simply do
not have the intentions of passing certain
people. “[They] might just have a chip on
his or her shoulder,” says Gratton. “Some-
times it’s not even your fault.”
Drivers who are only weeks away
from experiencing the ordeal feel that
driving well is not enough to pass. “All of
my friends who have taken it have failed
the first time,” says sophomore Lydia
Curdts. “Even ones who are good drivers
have failed.” This kind of fear seems to
be plaguing most young drivers who will
soon be taking the test.
Over analyzing the test seems to
be an ongoing theme in students who fall
short of a passing grade. “I was really ner-
vous and didn’t trust myself,” says senior
Jennifer Durden. “Sometimes it’s hard to
keep your cool when you know you’ve
failed the first couple of times.”
Despite the intense preparation with
driver’s education and practice, students
continue to doubt their ability as driv-
ers and subsequently go amiss. “I think
the hardest part will just be staying calm
throughout the whole test,” adds Curdts.
“Some [drivers] have trouble before even
starting the car.”