outlookoak

ton h

igh sch

ool

volu

me 4

4, issu

e 6

Laying up a LegacyGirls basketball continues tradition of success

02

march 11 2010

outlook news

edito

rs’ letter

From,

Alex StratonCo-Editor in Chief

Erica WohllebenCo-Editor in Chief

From,

Outlook Staff

Business ManagersSarah CrainPhilip Tam

Editors in ChiefAlex StratonErica Wohlleben

News EditorsMichelle ChuElise Werner

Opinions EditorZoe Mitchell

Community EditorsTesla JensenKatie Smith

Design EditorSarah Kashanian

Sports Editors

Daniel Chait

Copy EditorVipin Reddy

Photo Editor

Alex BuscemiDaphne Martschenko

Online EditorKoorosh Massoudi

In-Depth EditorCharlotte Dobry

Ads

Lisa BaumgartnerAlex BeldenOwen ChesserNikki ClemonsSpencer ConleyConner DickCharlotte DobryDrew HarringtonMorgan HarwoodKyle HughesMatt JohnsonCallum KeltonJackson LizardoAllen LuethkeJordan Nieusma

Staff

Sarah CrainPhilip Tam

The Outlook is an open forum for student expression. Unsigned editorials reflect the collective opinion of the Outlook staff. Signed editorials represent the opinion of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Outlook or Oakton High School. Reader opinions are important to the Outlook and contributions are welcome. Make your voice heard by sending us a line about what’s on your mind. Letters to the editor may be may be sent via email to editors@oaktonoutlook.com or dropped off in Chad Rummel’s box in the main office or in room 196. The Outlook reserves the right to edit submissions for grammar and content provided the meaning remains unchanged.

AdviserChad Rummel

Michelle OhChristopher PapasJulia PicciottoPasquale PreziosoSonya PriceShannon RaganAndrew ReedShayda ShahbaziBecky SingermanRachel StanleyMatt SteeleNick WardMatt WoodhouseDorothy Yen

Editorial Policy

Coming off of what seemed to be FCPS’s second winter break, the pressure

to get through missed material was put into overdrive. We didn’t really understand the rush on material considering we had assignments that kept us checking blackboard hyperactively. Blackboard may have become more important than Facebook during the cancelled week. Or maybe not.

Speaking of rushed material, you may have noticed our smaller edition of the Outlook. We know what you’re thinking: how could we deprive you of all the normal information the Outlook provides? But don’t worry, although we’re smaller, we’re just as information-packed. The snow has affected our deadlines, along with everything else going on in FCPS.

Not only did the news channel scare us with horror stories about the possibility of being snowed in, generating a mad-dash to the grocery stores to buy every last morsel of food, but they also scared away pizza delivery, too. Without pizza delivery, what were we going to do when we ran out of the $400 worth of groceries? How were we going to try the new Domino’s recipe that repeated in commercials as we watched hours of TV? Thank God there’s a review of local pizza places on page 19.

And while the snow was falling, it was good to have the Winter Olympics to waste away the snowed-in nights. With Bode Miller and Apolo Ohno racking up some serious medals for the U.S., it was no wonder references to Michael Phelps kept coming up. Phelps is almost insignificant considering we have an All-American swimmer, Bradley

Phillips, right here at Oakton. Who knows, Phillips could be the next Phelps, right? He’s already on a successful path with boys swim winning states this year. Check him out on page 23.

On the topic of winning, the boys and girls basketball District Championship games were a double-header to see. From Andrew Daniels scoring a buzzer-beating point to both of our teams flashing the District title signs, rushing the court was an easy decision for the fans, even if it was a bit before the game actually ended.

With the winding down of winter sports, spring sport tryouts have come and gone. As the track was shoveled by many boys soccer hopefuls as well as indoor track runners, and the tennis players were desperately attempting to snow-blow at least one court, it seemed like spring sports tryouts were going to be a no-go, but they went on. Dividing up the gym space was a daunting task, but of course our athletic department figured it out. See how spring sports adjusted on page 21.

Though many of the underclassmen enjoyed missing regular class time during the Electives Fair, unfortunately the seniors didn’t go on the Capitol Hill field trip. It’s that snow again delaying everything, but at least the seniors are taking the trip at a later, warmer date.

So it seems that the snow has had its impact on everything. We probably should have made this issue solely dedicated to snow, but we’re trying to get over it. With the passage of option three, it looks like we can put the snow in hindsight. Enjoy, or don’t enjoy, the last remnants of snow. Go Cougars!

03

mar

ch 1

1 20

10

outlook news

out lookMarch 11, 2010

A winter of record snowfall has left Fairfax County searching for ways to make up school, as well as put students in some dangerous situations.

Helping HaitiTo bring relief to victims of the recent earthquake in Haiti, a student-run charity collects money and is planning a charity

concert at Jammin Java.

NEWS

FEATURE

VOICE

SPORTS

A&ESnowed In

On the Cover: Sophomore Caroline Coyer drives for a lay-up against Stonewall Jackson last Saturday in the

State Quarterfinals. Oakton won 74-58. photo by allie berube

14 Extra Credit

11 Almost FamousTo gain online notoriety, one student has a YouTube channel filled with humorous videos of song covers and ATV stunts.

Student responds to school’s proposed plan to give AP credit to a class that now recieves only honor’s recognition.

15Physical education and personal finance should be required courses, focusing on preparing students for the responsibilities accompanying adulthood.

19 Pizza Taste TestSee what pizza was the favorite of a panel of students who tested Dominos, Pizza Hut, Vocelli’s and Papa John’s.

20 Satire PageAn Outlook writer offers humorous slants on some of the top news stories, including budget cuts, bathroom repairs and the blizzard of 2010.

Body of an AthleteA closer look at senior swimmer Bradley Phillips,

who recently set a national record in the 400 meter freestyle.

A New EraAfter a 38 year streak without holding any titles, the boy’s basketball team’s persistence won them the District Championship.

22

The “Big Dig”Sports have been forced to shovel and move inside in order to stay in shape and ready for competition.

21

23

22

08

10

Real World 101allie berube

nick

war

d

rach

el s

apon

e

04

march 11 2010

outlook news

The same victory that marked girls basketball’s fourth Regional title also was a personal mile-stone for Coach Fred Priester— his 500th career victory.

“It made me take a step back for just a second and think about it,” he said, “think about all the kids I’ve coached through the years and all of the coaches that have had influences on me. It’s nice, but you know, 501 won felt just about as good as 500.”

While the recognition gave him an opportunity to reflect on the past, Priester’s focus is on the future.

“When I was coaching at Mclean [High School], there was a very successful soccer coach who I overheard talk-ing with the new principal,” he recalled. “The principal asked him ‘Coach, how many champi-onships is this for you?’ And the coach said, ‘Well, the only one that matters is the next one.’ So I’ve always tried to keep that in mind, not only in championships but games in general.”

Moments before the beginning of the first game of Regional’s against McLean, the girls

basketball team stood along the side of the court to honor one of their own. Captain Zora Stephenson, a junior shooting guard, was being recognized for scoring her 1000th career point, a feat rarely achieved at all in girls basketball, let alone in only three seasons.

Her team cheered for her from the bench while her coach, Fred Priester, beamed with pride. She stood for a few quick photographs with her parents and then quickly returned to her team.

“It was a surprise, but it really wasn’t that big of a deal,” Stephenson said modestly. “I was happy about it for about two seconds, and then I had to go play a game.”

It is part of the team’s philosophy that the successes of individual players are always secondary to those of the team.

“We try to stay away from the individual stuff,” Priester said. “When individual honors come our way, it’s not a day I’m particularly happy about. I think for the most part the kids feel the same way; we take it for what it’s worth. Right now, there are only four teams left in the state tournament for AAA, and we’re one of them, and that’s the bigger goal.”

The importance of the team is also reflected in the team’s strategy of never relying on a sole player to carry the team.

“I wouldn’t say that we have a ‘star player’. I would say that everyone has strengths that they bring to the table, and everyone does the best they can at what they’re supposed to do,” said Captain Marisa Mahony, senior,” and everything else just falls into place.”

With only two senior players and a starting lineup consisting of four underclassmen, this year’s team is

considered young. While Priester said this brought about some challenges, such as leadership and even arranging carpool, the overall consensus is that their record proves that the age of their

players has not hindered this team’s success.

“In the beginning, we were kind of worried about being a young team and wondered if that would affect us,” Stephenson said. “But now, once you’re on the court, no one

knows that you’re a young team.”

The tradition of success within the girls basketball program not only leaves them with targets on their backs, but also added pressure to continue the streak.

“[What keeps the team motivated] is the standard that Priester requires of the team no matter the ability level,” Mahony said. “His

level of expectation is so high that you will just work so hard to fulfill

the legacy that’s been left behind by

the teams before you.”

by Erica Wohlleben

501Number of career victories (as of press time)

12Number of District Championships won at Oakton

4Number of Oakton Regional Championships (‘01, ‘05, ‘09, ‘10)

16Number of seasons coached at Oakton

PRIE

STER

BY

THE

NUM

BERS

allie berube

Priester’s 500th win

Girls basketball wins District, Region

“...once you’re on the court, no one

knows that you’re a young team.”- Junior Zora

Stephenson

photo by blanton studios

photo by blanton studios

05

mar

ch 1

1 20

10

outlook news

• The Baccalaureate Ceremony, a nondenominational religious ceremony to commemorate graduation, will be held on June 13 at 7:00 p.m. The ceremony is the first official graduation week activity and will be sponsored by the PTSA. It will be held at Saint Mark’s Church in Vienna and is open to parents and extended family members of the graduates.The Oakton Choir and Chorale Chamber Ensemble will perform at the event. • Oakton Drama will

soon be presenting its dinner theatre on March 11th. Dinner starts at 6 p.m. and the shows will begin at 7 p.m. “It will be one act plays, put on by the drama 2’s, 3’s, and 4‘s,” said junior Taylor Volgelzang. Students will be performing shows such as “Dinner with the McGuffins,” “As You Like it,”“The Original Last Wish Baby,” and “Sally and Sam.” The performances will occur in the Robert ‘Skip’ Bromely Auditorium. Tickets will be $10 and may be purchased at the door.• Juniors and seniors have

the option to go on a field trip to Wallops Island on the east coast in Virginia. “We will do biological labs and marine research; [the trip] is very hands on,” said Oceanography teacher, Sean Greeney. Students attending the trip will be the first to stay at the barracks. The trip will be especially beneficial for students enrolled in oceanography or AP Environmental Science. “I get to learn what oceanographers do in real life,” said senior Sierra Hemmig. The trip is scheduled for March 17-20.• The debate team

prepared for districts on Feb. 20. Finalists will move on to regionals on March 20 and to States in April.

newsbriefsSTUDENT INTERESTS

The Electives Fair was the first day of school all over again for underclassman. They roamed the halls looking for classes

to learn more about the courses before creating their schedule for next year. “I think [the Electives Fair] is useful depending on which courses you select,” said junior James Caracoglia. “I think it’s a great way to talk about Advanced Placement classes.” While many students believed that the time was sufficient to learn about classes, others felt it was too short to comprehend all the information. “For me, the time wasn’t long enough because the teachers only gave an overview of the class and what the course was about,” said sophomore Ashley Yim. The Electives Fair helped teachers see the number of interested students. “I had huge turn-outs, more than I have had in previous years,” said human anatomy and physiology instructor Ann Starr. “Normally, students don’t come in and talk about the class.” Teachers discussed the course agendas and features of the course that students may not have known about. “It’s a great way for students to see the room and learn about things that they wouldn’t know about, like the field trips we go to and the labs

we do in class,” Starr said. “The time [for each session] seemed pretty good, but I could have talked a little longer.” The reaction to the Electives Fair was mixed regarding how helpful it was for new students. “I think there should have been more sessions, and instead of just asking the teachers, I wanted to see an actual class,” said freshman Chang Song Yoon. “But overall, I thought it was helpful for freshmen.” by Michelle Oh

Seniors Deja Bowser and Tiffany Nicholls explain the academy course, Animal Science, to interested students. They presented the agenda of what students would be doing for the four quarters. “I brought a chinchilla named Chilli to explain the different animals we have in class,” Nicholls said.

Student tutors mentor peers in Writing Center

E nglish teachers Beth Blankenship and Elizabeth Dean are working together in order to initiate the Oakton chapter of

the Writing Center. Every Wednesday from 2:15 to 3:30 p.m., student tu-tors in the Career Center teach other students proper writing skills. “We are starting it to help all students be able to write better,” Blanken-ship said. “Being a good writer is a very special talent; many people work hard to be a competent writer, but being a good writer is something to be shared.” Tutors were chosen through a meticulous process and trained in order to provide for the best possible tutorial sessions. “The students have strengths all across the curriculum, not just in English class,” Dean said. “They can help with science labs, foreign language essays and even history papers.”

Students are encouraged to come to the Ca-reer Center and take advantage of the opportu-nity. Students should bring the assignment sheet, the grading rubric and the rough draft.

“The tutor is more of a coach, or someone to have a discussion with,” Dean said. “The tutor’s purpose is to listen to concerns about the paper and help [the tutee] through the writing process. Through this writing process, an improved paper will natu-rally evolve.” Nominated student tutors can enroll in a new Writing Center class next year and assist student tutees to revise papers during lunch as well as after school. “The tutor-tutee method of the Writing Center creates

a different, more relaxed environment from that of the classroom,” said junior Angus Wilson. “It provides every student with an opportunity to improve their writing skills.”

by Shayda Shahbazi

Junior Andrew Lankenau tutors sophomore Max Stabile at the Oakton Writing Center on Feb. 24. “I needed someone to help me make revisions on my paper,” Stabile said. “Andrew helped me with my thesis, which set up my whole essay.”

Students attend annual Electives Fair

STUDENT INTERESTS

daniel chait

daniel chait

Advantage Driving School -Classroom and Behind the Wheel for Teens-Driver Improvement Clincs and Online Courses (Earn 5+ points!)-Re-Examination Courses

COUGAR SPECIAL!!

Make your own group of three and get

off the regular price

www.stopwalking.comadvantagedriving@gmail.com

703-255-5051

That’s only $230!!!

245 Maple Ave West #201 Vienna, VA 22180

Regular Price: $280Offer good through the end of February 2010

$509650 - 19 Main Street

Fairfax, VA 22031 • 703.978.7600

1.800.777.7000 • www.c2educate.com

be smarter.• College Counseling• SAT/ACT Prep• K-12• Reading• Writing• Math

“C2 helped me to succeed.”

Allie W. - 9th grade

$50.00Off

703.978.7600

Diagnostic EvaluationWhen you present

this coupon.

“The big impact for my son was taking him from a score of 2050 in March '08 to 2340 in Oct '08. It is not that his'intelligence' increased almost 300 points in that time.It was the course. It provided the proper study materialswith competent instructors and the right amount ofmotivation. That is what made the difference for him!”Mary Jean Merlin, parent of Oakton HS student, Class of '09

SAT PrepExclusively forHigh-AchieversIt's no surprise that Honors Test Prep is the SAT prep program of choice for top Oakton students.

� Outstanding test results (Ask for our list of parent references.)� All instructors have scored 800 on the exam sections they teach� Detailed written critiques of each student's writing exercises � Locations in McLean and Falls Church � Small classes

Visit honorstestprep.com to review our complete '09-'10 course schedule and learn about our SAT Course, SAT Essay Workshop, and PSAT/SAT Course.

7 0 3 - 2 3 7 - 2 6 6 5 s a t @ h o n o r s t e s t p r e p . c o m

Angela’s Happy Stamper

We are your one stop shop for all things papercrafting!

11411 Sunset Hills Rd, AReston, VA 20190

703-435-0051

www.ahappystamper.com

www.ahappystamper.blogspot.com

Become a Fan Today!

Manga

Memory BooksClasses

Rubber

Stamps

Bookbinding

Licensed, Bonded, InsuredWelcome to Driving in Virginia!Let highly skilled and patient instructors teach your teenager how to drive safely, with confidence, and without fear.

-KNOW YOUR CAR -TURNS. RIGHT. LEFT. CURVES -PARKING LOT DRIVING -INTERSECTIONS -LANE CHANGE -RES/ BSSN/ ROADS -HIGHWAY / MERGING-REGULAR/ ANGLE PARKING

3.5 GPA or Higher?

Save $10!

www.eagledrivingschool.netCall- 703-961-9449

Eagle Driving School

Receive a

Free Gift for Signing Up!

Eagle

Driving SchoolSince 2001

We Teach

08

march 11 2010

outlook news

news

briefs STUDENT INTERESTS

• The Oakton chapter of the People for People Club, started by juniors

Maia Roberson and Erin Degutis, is hoping to

gain members and spread awareness about oppression

across the globe.“People for People is trying

to reach out to groups of people who are feeling

oppressed in the United States and internationally,”

Roberson said. A following of interested students developed after

they came up with the idea.“We had the idea and instantly people were

interested,” Degutis said. “It wasn’t hard to gain

popularity.”There are over 40 students

in the People for People club at Oakton and

80 students in total. Roberson hopes to have

even more members join.Though the outlook of

the club is promising, the members still have one more

hurdle to overcome.“A constitution is the set up

of authority for the club and it’s needed in order to make the club official,” Roberson

said. “We haven’t set up a constitution yet.”

Degutis and Roberson hope to bring awareness to

this cause as well as a sense of having reached out to

help someone else. “We’ve already started planning a fundraiser for a safe house for battered

and abused women,” said Roberson.

• DECA Club members are going to the state

competition on March 12. Students created business

ideas and put together portfolios to present in front of a judge who is generally a

business person.

The snow storms of 2010 cost Fairfax County a total of ten school days. To make up for lost time, the school board

has changed April 12 from a teacher work day to a full school day, and as of March 4, made the decision to extend the last day of school to June 25. There were three options that were under consideration, and all proposed changing the teacher workday on April 12 to a full school day. Option one would extend the school days by 30 minutes from March 8 through June 21; and option two would add 30 to 45 minutes to each school day between those dates. Finally, the third choice would take the remaining make-up days and add them on to the end of the school year, extending the school year. “The first three days [we missed] are already built into the schedule, so we don’t need to make them up,” said Princi-pal John Banbury. “Day four and five need to be made up, but after five days you make up every other day from then on.” When following those stadards, Fairfax County has a total of four days to make up for students to reach the require-ment of 990 instructional hours for the school year. “The logical question is ‘why do we do this?’, and I honestly have no idea,” Banbury said. “We don’t have to make up day six, but we have to make up day seven.” Although a decision has been reached, a waiver has been requested and passed for one of

the required make-up days and any additional days missed for the rest of the school year. The request for a waiver passed easily with an 11-1 vote by the Fairfax County School Board on March 4. “The county should ask for a waiver,” said Assistant Principal Chip Comstock. “It makes no sense to go to school three more days. If anything, they should add 30 minutes to the end of each day, but for us to go on three more days

in June, what’s the point?” Though there is a system for assign-

ing make-up days, the question remains of how to designate all of these make-

up hours. This is where the debate rises: which of these options

should the board choose?

“I think that a combi-nation of taking teacher workdays and adding

minutes to the school day is the best option for students

and teachers,” Banbury said. “The most important thing is for teachers to have enough

time to teach and students to have enough time to learn and prepare for upcoming exams.”

Teachers have expressed mixed reactions as many face upcoming, unchangeable test dates, such as SOLs, as well as National AP examina-tions. “Initially I was thrilled. Being from the North-east, obviously I love snow,” said government teacher Eliot Waxman. “The biggest challenge, however, is that I teach an AP class and College Board won’t change the test date for us – May 3 is set in stone.”

While all test days are set, AP govern-ment teachers are scheduled for the first date on the AP examination calendar, giv-ing their classes even less time to prepare and learn curriculum. “Ultimately, we’ll be really crunched for time. I’ve been forced to shave things off my teaching schedule and compact my classes. It’ll put pressure on the students and force us to sort of ‘all be in it togeth-er’,” Waxman said. “Hopefully everyone will have a good sense of humor about it. If not, it’ll be pretty miserable.” AP Language teacher Beth Blankenship said that while she has been working to catch up with her missed lesson plans, her classes can handle the setbacks caused by the snow “I’m for option four,” Blankenship said. “I’ve given my students enough work, and I think we should just move on.”

Aftermath of Blizzard 2010 takes its toll

Make-Up Dates

To make up for lost time, the school board has changed

April 12 from a teacher work day to a full school day, and as of March 4,

made the decision to extend the last day of school to

June 25.

The blizzard of 2010 was the largest snowstorm to hit the Virginia/DC area in over 90 years

Snowfall in Virginia in inches

1990

1995

2000

2005

2010

12.7 12.1

16.7 15.8

33

Information from CNN News

Although the long break due to the snow was much needed for many, for senior Elise Werner and junior Lisa Baumgartner, the snow had near fatal consequences. On Feb. 14, Baumgartner was driving Werner home and was broadsided by an SUV while making a left turn on to Rugby Road from Fairfax County Parkway leaving Werner with a six inch cut on the right side of her head and a concussion. A team of firefighters had to remove the doors from Baumgartner’s Volvo S40 in order to extract Werner who had been stuck in the passengers seat. “I don’t remember anything about the ac-cident or the next few days following the car crash,” Werner said. “I don’t really have clear memories until a week after we crashed. I feel as if things should be normal because I don’t remember it, so it’s like it happened to some-one else and I’m only listening to the story. I feel bad for thinking that this is all overblown when it isn’t. Unfortunately, despite my lack of memory, I’m having all of the side effects like tiredness, curfews and make-up work for school.” (see page 14 for further details)

In addition to the curriculum, “snowmaged-don” has also interfered with school trips and events, such as the senior Model Congress trip to Capitol Hill. “The big thing was we had to postpone the trip until spring, likely until May, though we’re still working on the when and how,” Waxman said. “The reason we postponed was because of the time lost collectively for the whole school, and the government teachers couldn’t prepare students to go.” While the visiting day has been moved toward the end of the year, the student experi-ence will not be significantly impacted; the trip, rather than acting as an introduction to Model Congress, will be a cumulative experience. Though the snow had brought on its consequences at school, it served as a second winter break to students. As the school began announcing snow days, senior Allison Hicks, inspired by the DuPont Circle snowball fight in D.C., decided to form her own event. “It was great,” said senior Anthony Schiavo who attended the “Snow War.” “Everyone had been cooped up inside, so just getting out and doing something snow-related was awesome.” Even though there weren’t thousands of participants as there were in Dupont, Hicks was able to gather around a dozen of her friends at Fox Mill Elementary using Facebook group invitations. “It was fine the way it was. The more people there had been, the more fun it would

have been,” Schiavo said. Now that the snow has stopped and school is back in session, the snow day debate options have reached the student body; both Hicks and Schiavo lean toward option three. “I prefer option three because I am a senior, and I would not be going to those days,” Schiavo said. While Hicks expressed the same view, she said that the smartest option for the county would be to add minutes during the school day to the end of classes. “I know my teachers get the most out of every minute,” Hicks said.

by Michelle Chu, Jordan Nieusma and Julia Picciotto

09

mar

ch 1

1 20

10

outlook news

• English teacher Cara Burke and guidance counselor Sarah Fronckel teamed up with the American Red Cross association to aid individuals affected by the earthquake in Haiti. The Hanes for Haiti clothing drive was held from Jan. 26 to March 5. Students donated cotton goods such as shirts, socks, blankets and underwear.

“Because of the snow, we [extended] the drive through March,” Fronckel said. “We needed to get kids excited about donating to help a country in need.”

Students donated their clothing in decorated Haiti boxes in English classes or directly to Fronckel in the guidance office.

“I brought in athletic socks,” Burke said. “I think that when you have a tragedy of this scale it should appeal to every sense of humanity, and as one human being to another, you should try to help. We owe it to each other.”• Opus is waiting for your creative expression. Applicants may submit any type of original work from photography, prose, poetry and music to Opus at oaktonmedia.net under the Opus tab. The final deadline for all submissions is March 17 before spring break.• Opus will also be sponsoring a Coffee House on March 24 from 2:15-4:15 p.m. in the cafeteria. If you are interested in performing, email opus@oaktonmedia.net. Tickets will be sold in advance and at the door.

newsbriefs

Massive snowfall contributes to car crash, injury for two students during cancelled days

courtesy of lisa baumgartner

courtesy of lisa baumgartner

Senior Heath Micheal and others used the snow as an opportunity to snow-board off of roofs.

SNO

W F

UN

Seniors Brian Shumway, Tim Goodiel and Julian Tigner took a break from snowboarding.

pictures by nick ward

10

march 11 2010

outlook feature

Responding toa Call for Help

Catalyst (band)Jack Kearns (vocals/guitar)Esther Workman (vocals)Ethan Schroeder (vocals/guitar)Holly Kelly (vocals)Alex Le (piano)Blizzard (rapper)Morans (band)Just My Luck (band)Rachel Schwartz (vocals)Must See TV (band)

Collective Change is selling these T-shirts and donating

all proceeds to the Red Cross.

With the world turning its gaze to Haiti in the nation’s time of need, students here at Oakton are doing their part to help out. Junior Amanda Wright and her

friend Erin Horil, a junior at Chantilly, created a charity called “Collective Change” in order to raise proceeds to aid the relief mission in Haiti.

“Erin and I had been talking about starting a charity for a while,” Wright said. “And when the earthquake hit, we knew we had to act then.”

The premise behind “Collective Change” is simple. Wright and Horil set up collection jars for people to leave their loose change in various public places. They are donating all the proceeds to the American Red Cross.

“The disaster in Haiti is much bigger than most people realize,” Horil said. “Even something so small as donating pocket change can help a bigger cause.”

Currently, the only jar Wright has set up is at the Franklin Farm Baskin Robbins, but the charity has already collected over $400.

“I was pleasantly surprised that so many people asked me if I needed help organizing or fundraising,” said Horil. “I think everyone really wants to help, they just sometimes don’t know how.”

Wright and Horil didn’t stop there. In addition to the jars, “Collective Change” plans to sell Haitian relief t-shirts. Wright and Horil also organized a charity concert at Jammin’ Java,

with all the proceeds going to the Red Cross.“I got the idea from the Hope for Haiti

telethon concert last month” Wright said. “Erin and I knew that

we needed to do

something bigger to raise more funds, and the concert seemed perfect.”

Junior Ben Webster is one of several Oakton students who decided to take part in the charity concert.

“My band, Catalyst, was contacted by Amanda to play,” Webster said. “We decided to help out since it’s for such a good cause. It feels good to be helping people in need.”

As they organized the charity, Wright and Horil realized how much work and commitment it really took.

“It’s really something you have to be passionate about,” said Horil. “But to see people helping out and donating is an incredibly rewarding feeling, especially knowing that I helped start it.”

Eventually, Wright and Horil plan to both use the Collective Change jars and organize additional charity concerts for other causes. In the mean time, however, Haiti is their top priority.

“It’s important that people realize that although the media has slowed down on covering Haiti, Haitians will be suffering from [the earthquake] for years,” said Wright. “We can turn off the TV and move on, but they’ll never be able to.”

By Kyle Hughes, Matt Johnson and Allen Luethke

An Oakton student responds to the disaster in Haiti in a creative and charitable way

line up

conc

ert

matt johnson

Home Videos ShowsChannels

spstr icky175’s Channel

1,622,514 people have seen his face. That is 1,622,514 who have watched his videos, who care what he thinks of a new model of car or a song on the radio. 2,458 people who watched him made up as the Joker. 1,734 people who follow his every move on the Internet. He is senior Steven Sharer.

Sharer made his first account (spstricky175) in eighth grade, and over the past four years has made a variety of videos, totaling 78.

Stephen didn’t have to wait long before his channel brought him publicity. A year after he made a music video for a Scot Simon song, he was contacted by Rostrum Records and asked to make a music video for Simon’s pre-release, “The Start of Something.”

“Making that video definitely helped make me a ‘YouTube celebrity,’” said Sharer. “It was then that I realized people enjoyed my videos.”

Stephen’s first time being recognized in public was at the sports store Aardvark by a cashier who’d seen his “Ridin’ Dirty” video.

Stephen continued to make videos and

ended up with a surprise hit-- his “What Is Love?” video.

“[The video] was just something fun my friends and I made for summer swim team,” Stephen explains. “Because of it I got numerous offers to post ads on my channel and even got job offers.”

Not only does Stephen accumulate thousands of views on his main channel, but he also has a side channel with a respectably large audience. The channel, “Singalongcar,” was started as a joke for embarassing videos. “I didn’t care if people across the world saw them, but I didn’t want people here to,” Sharer admitted. “People seem to find them funny though.”

On making videos and his filmmaking career Sharer said, “I don’t remember anymore why I started making videos. I just know that I’ve been making videos since I was old enough to know how to use a camera. My ultimate goal is to be able to work in the movie industry in major films or music videos.” For now Sharer just enjoys making videos, but says, “if fame and success are the result of them, that’s fine with me.” By Shannon Ragan and Becky Singerman

Stephen Sharer ’s AccountFrom: Spstr icky175|March 11, 2010|1,622,514 v iews

Oakton student f inds YouTube fame Search

“‘What is Love?’ was something fun I made for a summer swim team video with Brent Willes,

Joe Clark and Kenny Newcomer. I never planned on it skyrocketing in views. The views shot up by 300,000 in one night. It was crazy, the guys that were in it keep telling me that they get recognized.”

“‘Encore Snow’ was just something fun I wanted to do over the snow days. It [was

filmed] the first time we had good snow this year. My family is notorious for craziness with ATVs in the snow. The other clips are just fun times in the snow.“

“I made ‘Lady Gaga- Bad Romance the Joker’ at seven in the morning

after returning from a Halloween party. ‘Bad Romance’ was popular at the time. Lady Gaga and the Joker are pretty unique. I wanted to try to impersonate the Joker as well and as creepily as I could.”

11

mar

ch 1

1 20

10

outlook feature

“I love ‘Party in the USA.’ This is probably my favorite video. It shows my life in the

summer, which is always the best time of year and it shows the fun things I have designed and built. Watching it always brings back good feelings.”

Victoria Station

Salon and Spa

Womens Cut Mens CutHairstyling and Up DoPermStraightener/RelaxerRelaxer Touch UP

Single Process ColorDouble Process ColorFull Head Highlights

Partial HighlightsCap HighlightsHair Extensions

Polish ChangeBrazilian Keratin Treatment

Traditional ManicureFrench Manicure

Paraffin TreatmentTraditional Pedicure

Hey Cougars!

Womens Cut: Half Price

With Your Student ID!!

115 Beulah RoadVienna, VA703-242-7500

Every student in every major will get kicked out of class at Longwood University … straight into one of Virginia’s best internship programs.Required internships or directed research provide real-world experiencebefore the real world – a guaranteed advantage.

Every student in every major will get kicked out of class at Longwood University … straight into one of Virginia’s best internship programs.Required internships or directed research provide real-world experiencebefore the real world – a guaranteed advantage.

WhyLongwood.com800.281.4677

admissions@longwood.edu

YOU’LL GET KICKEDOUT OF CLASS. GUARANTEED!

TEEN BEHIND THE WHEEL TRAINING

tEEN dRIVERS eD cLASSROOM

rE-eXAMINATION cOURSE/ROAD TEST

dRIVER’S IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (DIP)

•7 days a week, including evenings•7-50 minute period of Driving and Observation•DMV road test waived, we issue license!

•Flexible evening & weekend schedule in 25 weeks!

•If you failed Knowledge/Road Test 3 times at DMV

•Earn 5 good points on your record•Evening & weekend classes every week!CUSTOMIZED LESSONS FOR HIGHWAY &WINDING ROADS

(703) 478-6800www.aadrivingacademy.net

Serving Western Fairfax and Eastern Loudoun Counties

EXPERIENCED & PATIENT INSTRUCTORS FOR NERVOUS DRIVERS

LICENSED BY VA DMV, CERTIFIED BY NATIONAL SAFETY COUNCIL (NSC) & AMERICAN AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION (AAA), MEMBER OF DRIVING SCHOOL ASSOCIATION OF THE AMERICAS (DSAA)

(703) 323-4671

MR. GUTTERCleaning • Screening • Repairing

Roof Repairs

Richard SumnerOwner

Burke, VALicensed/Insured

L earn to read m usic and play the piano

P rivate L essons P rivate L essons P rivate L essons P rivate L essons ---- a ll ages, a ll ages, a ll ages, a ll ages, beginbeginbeginbegin nernernerner to advanced to advanced to advanced to advanced

Oak Hill, Virginia

www.Piano4Life.com

Call today: 703-597-5206 or, Teacher @ Piano4Life.com

Lifetime talent begins today!

Gifted expert teacher of piano and music

-Beach Houses Hold 6-26 People-Special Family Discounts-Spring Break and Winter Rentals

call - 1-800-418-9279

Located in Oakton Shopping Center2912A Chain Bridge Rd Oakton, Va 22124We Deliver (usually within 35 min.)Call Us - 703-281-1668 or 703-281-1670Visit us - www.hunantasty.com

Our Mission is to Bring You the Best Food

Hunan Tasty Chinese Restaurant

14

march 11 2010

outlook voice

It’s no secret that the single individuals in our society tend not to appreciate Valentine’s Day, and I tend to be one of

them. This past February 14 marked a new level of terrible, but it wasn’t because of all the hearts, chocolates and teddy bears.

My evening was actually going very nicely, up until about 11:40 p.m. when a full sized SUV going 55 mph down Fairfax County Parkway hit my poor little Volvo S40. I was on my way to deliver my friend Elise Werner to her house as I pulled into the left turn lane off of the parkway onto Rugby Road. Chances are high that people who know this intersection just mumbled an understanding “oh,” since this intersection is apparently notoriously dangerous.

The light was green, but there was no arrow. While there was a pretty sizeable pile of snow shoved

onto the median blocking the oncoming traffic from my immediate view, I was pretty sure I could still see the headlights in the distance and waited. I was wrong. After about a minute, I figured

it was clear to go. I was wrong again. I guess the road curves and dips and twists and turns in some magical way that hid the SUV flying down the road, and the snow kept it hidden until it was too late.

The next few seconds were a blur. I can barely explain the feeling I got on impact. It was a mixture of horror and complete helplessness as I realized a few tons of steel just slammed into my car and what was going to happen was going to happen. When everything stopped, it was a completely different feeling. My stereo was still playing Lady Gaga, and I was flooded with overwhelming relief as I realized I was okay. It only lasted a second though, because when I looked over I saw Elise, slumped down in her seat unconscious with blood on her arms, hair and shirt. And I screamed.

At the top of my lungs, I screamed until I realized that this was not helping. My second reaction was a little bit more helpful: call 911. For about five minutes, I tried to wake Elise up. Luckily, she gained consciousness right as the ambulances and police arrived. I got out of the car, leaving my friend to the care of professionals in order to give the police officer details, names and numbers.

By 3:30 Monday morning, I was home and I had heard Elise was going to be okay. No moment in my life compares to how terrified, guilty and stupid I felt. I know I’ll never have a worse Valentine’s Day.

The course work is the same. The level of difficulty is the same. The class is exactly the same, in all but name. Physics Honors, a challenging and difficult course offered to juniors and

seniors, has officially been changed to Advanced Placement Physics B for the 2010-2011 school year. The one point weighted credit awarded to students upon completion of an AP course will not be offered to students of Physics Honors, despite the course containing the same course load, level of difficulty and AP exam requirement.

If only we had waited a year. That is the sentiment of numerous juniors who made the decision to complete their Physics requirement in their third year of high school, and add the rigorous course to their schedule. Now, students from the same graduating class of 2011 who are taking the “Physics honors” course their senior year will get an additional one point weight added to their GPA, and the prestige of having the same course called AP rather than honors. Those taking the course this year will get the benefit of a 0.5 weight and will take the AP exam but will only receive recognition for taking an honors course.

Since the first day of school, students of Physics honors have been preparing for the AP Physics B exam. Every exam has been modeled after an AP exam and graded according to the exam scale. Every lab, every assignment, everything we do is geared towards preparation for the exam, as in every other AP class. The course is everything an AP course encompasses, but students of Physics honors are not recognized as AP students and do not get the one point GPA boost.

Simply making the effects of the course’s name and weight change retroactive, so as to benefit students who are currently taking the course, unaware when they registered for Physics honors that in just a year’s time, the class would be a sufficient solution. Making the effects retroactive would pacify the issue, because no student would feel cheated out of the prestige on their transcript and the improvement, no matter how slight, to their GPA.

By making the outcomes of the course’s title and weight change retroactive, all students currently taking the course and those who will take the course will have the prestige of having taken an AP.

Honors physics students should get AP credit

Valentine’s reaches new level of

terrible with crash

baumgartnerstaffer

lisa

reddycopy editor

vipin

15

mar

ch 1

1 20

10

outlook voice

The Staff Editorial is the official opinion of

the Outlook

Students at Oakton receive respected academic training as well as courses that offer them

higher-level analytical skills and a greater work load. Even non-honors and non-AP courses still provide all the necessary educational training to be successful in the future. Academically, Oakton students can face anything.

But Oakton doesn’t suceed enough in providing “real-world” knowledge to students; real, honest-to-goodness “street smarts.” The school needs to start teaching students personal management and the different responsibilities they will soon have themselves, their families, and their community.

In Virginia, Health and Physical Education is a required class that focuses on different aspects of student’s health and excercise. However, P.E. has lost its way, and students spend more time playing meaningless team sports or sitting around than actually doing anything remotely relevant to the purpose of the class. P.E. needs to re-focus on providing real, lasting benefits to students [see sidebar].

The new initiative taken to introduce an Economics and Personal Finance course as a required elective for rising freshman represents everything that P.E. should be and is an intelligent step in the right direction. This required class takes away students’ liberty to decide what classes to enroll in.

Instead of eating up more time in student’s schedules, let’s combine the Economics and Personal Finance and P.E. into one class, as two required electives taken freshman and sophomore year, a “super class” if you will. However, Colleges probably won’t want to see a “Super Class,” so we will have to settle for the official name of Life Skills Development, a course that will encompass all the necessary skills students will need to take responsibility for themselves, while allowing them to still have that extra elective to pursue another of Oakton’s numerous electives.

Life Skills FCPS should revise established mandatory elective requirements to keep up with modern responsibilities.

Outlook suggested two-year class:

Health would continue to cover all of the similar topics currently addressed in the ninth grade class. Most importantly, it should continue to focus on the harms of drugs and alcohol in addition to handling the pressures of being a teen. The course would continue to educate students on how to take care of themselves hygienically and mentally throughout their lives. Contacts for helpful organizations that can be reached in different circumstances should be provided.

One Quarter: Health

Ninth graders would start their first year in Physical Education class, similar to the set-up presently, but with a more focused and purposeful curriculum. It would focus on emphasizing ways to remain active outside of school, instead of the sitting around as they do now. The revamped subject will do students a favor by providing them skills that will allow them to create and develop their own exercise routines, ones that don’t need to be mandated by a coach’s whistle.

The class would help students realize the necessity of physical activity and to becoming healthy adults. It should show how to develop individual exercise routines, instead of learning the rules to various team sports that most students won’t play beyond high school. Eating nutritiously in combination with physical fitness should be stressed to motivate students to fully take on responsibility for their physical well-being.

Three Quarters: Physical Education

Freshman Year:

Driver’s Education would remain the beloved course that is taken as a sophomore, continuing to provide students with the education they need to receive their driver’s licenses. The focus should remain on the dangers of driving and what young people should do to prepare themselves for the challenges of the road.

One Quarter: Drivers Education

Sophomore Year:

For two quarters of sophomore year, students would cover the major points from the manadatory Economics and Personal Finance course.

This class is an excellent addition to the curriculum and will teach students both important financial skills and the characteristics of our market economy. Students, who presently receive this information only briefly in history class as they gloss over various economic topics, will reap enormous benefits from this course as it provides them with the essential life skills that make the difference between real world success and failure.

Next year’s course would have to be cut down minimally to meet the time requirements of the Life Skills Development class, but the revisions would be as small as possible and would still provide students with the necessary tools for economic success.

Two Quarters: Econ and Finance

One Quarter: Family Life Education

Family Life Education would also remain the same, with its useful, if awkward, course load teaching important lessons that students have to learn.

16

march 11 2010

outlook a&e

5movies to look out for

She’s Out of My LeagueMarch 12th

Diary of a Wimpy KidMarch 19th

Clash of the TitansApril 2nd

I Love You Philip MorrisMarch 19th

Remeber MeMarch 12th

Robert Pattinson struggles with love in the wake of his brother’s suicide.

Jay Baruchel is insecure about his

relationship with his impossibly

perfect newgirlfriend.

An adaptation of the book series about a middle school kid’s exaggerated journal

entries.

Jim Carrey stars as a con man who falls in love with his cellmate, Ewen McGregor.

The 3D remake of the 1981 film based on the Greek myth of Perseus.

In today’s world, social networks are a dime a dozen. Formspring.me, brings in the twist of ano-

nymity. Anyone can ask an anonymous question to friends, and those interested in seeing the answer can follow an individual’s profile to see responses as that person answers questions. Answers are also easy to forward to Facebook or Twitter.

Formspring opens new doors for any secret, compliment or complaint to be directly stated while maintaining the veil of namelessness. Any burning crush or long-itching criticism for a friend can be presented without having to worry about the person being revealed.

However, the intrigue of anonymity can be a problem. Formspring also opens the floodgates for new levels of cyberbullying formerly capped by the constraints of having a name attached to a message.

In the right hands, a Formspring account can be an incredibly useful tool for each individual that uses it. But before you sign up, consider whether or not you can handle the messages you could possibly recieve. Not everyone has tough enough skin to hear the truth.

by Kyle Hughes

Misc.formspring.me

Nicholas Sparks has made the bestseller list with many of his novels. The reason

as to why is clear: his books are well written with interesting characters that are believable and interesting. However, unless you’re a hopeless romantic, the plot will most likely not keep your attention. For those of you that have seen “The Notebook”, a movie based off of one of his other novels, you can get a sense of what Dear John would be like.

Nicholas Sparks has mastered the art of writing sappy true love stories. Dear John, along with his other novels, are cute and romantic and have drawn in a large fan base of people eager to get lost in a romantic tale of true love. This type of book is not neces-sarily for me, but I was still able to enjoy this tale of two star-crossed lovers through the various challenges that their love faced. Al-though superficial, it was nice to take a trip into a world where true love can exist.

by Rachel Stanley

BookDear John

Snowmaggedon, Snowpacalypse, Snowverkill…call it what you will, it’s gener-

ally agreed that the recent snow storm, which began on Feb. 5, 2010, dumped a lot of snow. It was actually the greatest accumulation of snow we’ve seen since 1893. While the snow may at first seem exciting— no school, snowball fights, igloos, sledding, skiing— it soon became a rea-son for bemoaning rather than for rejoicing.

The snow, instead of liberating people from

a day of work or school, trapped families inside their homes with no electricity, no heat and nothing to do. The snow quickly became too deep to frolic in, whether with sleds or with boots, and called for lots and lots of shoveling. The sheer amount of snow that fell down from the sky over the course of that week cancelled school for eight days and gave us one two-hour delay

Driving was treacherous and nearly impos-sible. It was really, really cold. On the bright side, there was no school for eight days. That’s over a week of no school…that we’re going to have to make up.

by Nikki Clemons

Misc.Snowpacolypse

17

mar

ch 1

1 20

10

outlook a&e

2) 3)

5)4)

1)

Name:

Favorite Genre:Position:

Now

Top Five Tracks:

Computer and Drawing

Doug Kaltenbaguh

‘80s workout music

Right Said Fred, Chumbawamba, Wham!

“New Divide” by Linkin Park

“You’re the Best” by Joe Esposito

“You’re a Mean One Mr. Grinch” by Thurl Ravesncroft“Star Wars Cantina” by John Williams

“Hail to the Redkins Fight Song”

The Man in Black is back, or at least his music is, with the

posthumous “American VI: Ain’t No Grave”, the last of the American Recordings.

This series of albums has featured Cash doing covers of contemporary songs as well as new material, and while the final installment leans mostly towards the former, Cash finds a way to make it his own. Having recorded the album in the months prior to his September 2003 death, Cash’s foresight of his own demise dominates each track. The lyrics are deliberate and full of meaning, each song chosen for a purpose. The listener hangs onto every word, experiencing this last testament of a legend. Cash fully embraces what awaits, making the album poignant and uplifting in its own right, though not particularly cheery.

Indeed, the entire album

seems to be the culmi-nation of a fifty year career, with the singer’s voice wavering under the weight of time. Yet his voice gains a new gravity perfectly

suited to his last album’s material. It is a portrait of a Man in Black, his original nickname, far removed from his Folsom Prison days, who has finally reached a level of tran-scendence and understanding with the world and his art form. Cash

provides his audience with “one fond embrace…until we meet again.” We are lucky to be able to experience that embrace he offers, and partake in his final,

memorable work of music.

by Chis Papas

CD“Ain’t No Grave” by Johnny Cash

Movie“Alice in Wonderland”

Over a hundred years old, the stories of Alice’s Adventures

in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass, written by Lewis Carroll, have lived on as one the most popular, and in many ways infamous, children stories of all time. Popularized by Walt Disney in 1951 when the animated movie that we all know and love was released, chances are we’ve all seen this movie- and been a little bit creeped out by it. Due to the dark element that seems to hold so much of the appeal with older audiences and the whimsi-cal bits that are what hook us in as kids, when I heard Tim Burton was doing a remake, it seemed like a match made in heaven. When I saw the movie, I had

mixed feelings. Overall, I enjoyed it a lot, but it just didn’t feel like Alice in Wonderland. Yes, it had the characters and some of the plot, with Alice being aged up to 19-years-old. For some reason it was just too light- not a fault one would expect from a Tim Burton creation at all. It was definitely amusing, but if one goes expecting to be immersed in the dark and twisted world that Wonderland seems to be, you may be disappointed. Although, I have to say, I don’t think there’s a moment in film I’ve enjoyed more than Johnny Depp as the Mad Hat-ter’s victory dance- something you have to see for yourself.

by Lisa Baumgartner

Received from official website

Pla

yin

g

Top Three Artists:

*Town Cars* Excursions* Hummer Limousines* Party Buses*

-Arrive in Style -Prom, Birthdays, Special Events and more!

Join Us March 20th and 26th at 7:30PM in front of the Starbucks at Oakton

Shopping Center for a Scavenger Hunt across

Fairfax in your own Private Limo!

Reserve Your Limo-703-273-4222

www.majesticlimoservice.com

Majestic Limousine Service

All Major Credit Cards Accepted

Only $29.99 per person for 3 hours of luxury and fun!

Reservations Required

Want to spend three hours in a Limo with your best friends and get the chance to win a great prize?

19

mar

ch 1

1 20

10

outlook a&e

TASTE TESTThe Outlook Puts Local Pizza Head-to-Head

T h e Jury

The Good The Bad Average

Papa John’s

Pizza Hut

Vocelli’s

“Delicious!”- Sagar Moktan

“It’s really good. It’s really cheesy, and the crust tastes like garlic.”- Christianne Butters

“There’s too much sauce, the pepperoni looks funny, and it’s almost burnt.”- Emily Corridon

“There’s a lot of good flavor in the pepperoni.”- Morgan Saxer

“There were weird holes in the cheese, and the crust is too thick on the bottom.”- Conor Murphy

“The best, by far. The pepperoni is really good.”- Clarke Hildreth

“The sauce and cheese are both kinda bland.”- Allan Meyer

Emily CorridonSophomore

Conor MurphySophomore

Shelby WindmullerJunior

Sagar MoktanJunior

Allan MeyerSenior

Christianne ButtersFreshman

Clarke HildrethFreshman

Morgan SaxerSenior

“The garlicy crust is good, but the pepperoni is kind of burnt.”- Shelby Windmiller

Pizza Company

703-378-3222

Oakton Cougars- Are You Ready for Prom?

Prom Tuxedo RentalsSTARTING AT ONLY

$59.95!Best Bridal and

Tailoringwww.bestbridalsva.com

Need Help Improving Your Writing?

Join Us in the Writing Center

Sign Up Outside the Career Center

Domino’s

6.25out of 10

7.50out of 10

5.50out of 10

6.50out of 10

By the Slice

Santini’s Pizzeria:

Mama Lucia’s:

Church Street Pizzeria:

Less than a mile away from

Oakton, Santini’s thinner, greasier,

New-York-style pizza attracts hoards of

Oakton students on a daily basis.

On Chainbridge Rd

Off of Pickett RoadMama Lucia’s

dishes out huge slices of pizza

for relatively low prices—and

you can go see a movie next door.

Not hungry enough for an entire pizza? Check out these local favorites.

On Church StreetChurch Street Pizzeria might be hard to see from the street, but the consistent rave reviews from both local residents and newspa-pers make it worth searching for. (They have dessert pizza, too!)

by Katie Smith

20

march 11 2010

outlook a&e

Bad hygiene has always been an issue among high school students, but nowhere is the

issue more apparent than in our own bathrooms. The recent increase in urinating on the floor, often by the freshmen, has led to murmurs throughout the student body.

The student government, under the rule of senior president Jay Tucker, has begun putting together a security team to stop these atrocities.

“The degradation of public restrooms by freshmen has become more prevalent over the past few years,” Tucker said. “All we can do is hope that the new security force, which includes security officer Ron Hutchison, investigative reporter Chad Rummel, philosophical advisor Joseph Neuman and McGruff the Crime Dog, will root out the problem and stop the freshmen from depriving students of restrooms.”

The security force, now dubbed Free Restrooms and Equal Stall Habitat Marines And Negotiators, or F.R.E.S.H.M.A.N., went into effect on March 10, 2010.

“F.R.E.S.H.M.A.N. has been meeting regularly every day for about a week,” Hutchison said. “We have seen a slight decrease in acts of depravity after we implemented the new security system in the bathrooms.”

Costing the school over 75 percent of its quarterly budget, the new

cameras, trip wires, fingerprint scanners and other equipment used to deter the grotesque actions of the freshmen are

being installed.“We are putting the brand new

security tools to good use,” McGruff said. “All officers are holstering fully automatic rifles loaded with rubber bullets, tear gas and a squad of blood thirsty dobermen that were donated by the local riot police.”

John Banbury, principle gave his full support to the newly formed team, praising what has been called by some as drastic measures.

“The actions taken by the freshmen have led to nothing short of a new era,” Banbury said. “Urinating on the bathroom floors will not be taken lightly; it is time for a military state in the halls of Oakton.”

by Owen Chesser

Bathrooms under investigation by new security team

“... officers are holstering fully automatic

rifles... and a squad of blood thirsty dobermen...”

COUGAR CARIC TURESA the Oakton Outlook satire page

Degradation of Public Restrooms

Day 1 2 3 4

= 1 Befouled Bathroom

21

mar

ch 1

1 20

10

outlook sports

1/28- 2/04 Districts Girls-1st, Boys-5th2/20 Regionals Girls-4th, Boys-13th2/26- 2/27 States Girls-36th, Boys-35th

On the Scoreboard: Indoor Track Championship Season

”“I had a lot of fun this season. We didn’t

do great in districts, but we had two run-ners place in the top six at states. Overall, it was a good year.

-Allen Meyer, Sr.

charles fu

lgham

F or athletes across the east coast, “Snowmageddon 2010” couldn’t have come at a worse time. Sure

the snow was beautiful at first, but wasn’t too long before it turned things into a sloppy mess.

With winter sports in the middle of District and Regional tournaments and spring sports only weeks away from tryouts, the record shattering snowfall wreaked havoc on coaches’ and athletes’ schedules. To help ease the panic, teams and volunteers pitched in to shovel away the massive amounts of snow blanket-ing the athletic fields. Despite their efforts, the space remained largely covered. “Thirty young men and a few dads were able to clear the inside lane of the track,” said boys lacrosse coach Connor Barhight, “but the field is still under snow and will be for a long time.” Without fields to play on, teams were forced to split time in the Main and Auxiliary Gyms and boys’ varsity lacrosse even showed up before school to fit in part of their tryout.

“It’s pretty cramped,” said senior lacrosse player Lauren Burke, whose tryouts were moved to the cafeteria. “We couldn’t run and score as well as we could on the big field, which is important for showing off our skills.” The coaches’ decision process was also strained. With such

lim-iting conditions, some coaches had a hard time evaluating the players. “The snow has had a major effect on our tryouts and season,” said baseball coach Justin Janis. “We would love for each player to have about three intrasquad scrimmages to prove themselves in a game situation. This year we will be lucky if the players have

one scrimmage on the field.” Athletes spent months pre-paring for the spring season, in

many cases hitting the track and scaling the bleachers only a week after the fall

season’s finish. But when the snow came, training was halted in the middle of the

crucial period of preparation that leads up to tryouts. “We couldn’t hit or throw outside,” said junior baseball player Walker Web-

ster, “so our arms aren’t as warmed up as they usually are.” Being cooped up inside because of the blizzard for nearly two weeks, athletes’

pre-season workout routines were coldly interrupted. Buried under snow, many found alternative ways to stay in shape before the

upcoming spring tryouts. “We couldn’t work out outside before tryouts, so I’m not as well conditioned as I’d like to be,” said junior lacrosse player Amanda Bailey, “I ran on the treadmill and lifted weights on my own to make up for it.” There are a lot of new coaches in mul-tiple sports and, in a way, these coaches are trying out too. There has been a lot of coaching staff changes in recent years so new coaches are looking to earn the re-spect of long time players. Some coaches took the blizzard as an opportunity to do just that. “The snow situation was actually a good opportunity for coach Barhight to show leadership,” said senior lacrosse player Nick Ward, “He took the initiative and got us a field. We probably wouldn’t have had that kind of leadership in the past.”

By Alex Buscemi, Spencer Conley, and Pasquale Prezioso

Sports buried under problems

•Boys soccer and lacrosse hopefuls joined the indoor-track runners in shoveling the track •After about three hours of work, one lane of the track was cleared, just enough for running.Athletes also ran through the snow-covering the football field for extra conditioning.

SHOVELED AWAY

3F I V E 1

boys basketball regular season games cancelled due to the snow

girls basketball regular season games cancelled due to the snow

combined wrestling tournament for Districts and Regionals

SNOW

MAG

EDDO

N BY THE NUMBERS

28 inches of snow from Feb. 5 through Feb.10.

From left to right: Seniors Faris Pat-terson Khan, Ryan Mazon and Coach Alisa Byers on their way to shovel the track in what teachers and students called “The Big Dig.”

rach

el s

apone

22

march 11 2010

outlook sports

On the Scoreboard: Swim & Dive

”“We had a large state team go down and

have outstanding individual and relay performances, especially Kaitlin Pawlowicz, who set a national record. It was the highest we had ever placed.

-Laura Lyons, Sr.

1/29 Districts Boys 1st, Girls 2nd2/15 Regionals Boys 1st, Girls 2nd2/19-2/20 StateBoys 1st, Girls 4th

“[During] our 400 free relay at the end of the state meet this year, I was the anchor leg, so there was a lot of pressure. We needed to place well in order to win the meet. We won the race, and in the process, we broke Robinson’s 2006 national record by more than a second, in a time of 3:31.44, and won the state title.”

“I enjoy freestyle the best because there is more strategy involved in the races. It comes more naturally for me.”

dryland gearon the blocks

linda

tran

Wingspan: 6’4”

Weight: 165 lbs

by matt woodhouse

“On the recruiting trip to UVA, I felt that I fit best with the team. I could really see myself there; it offers the best opportunities as both a

student and an athlete. I felt

comfortable on the grounds, I

had a gut feeling the whole way along.”

the future

“I bought the Gold Reebok pumps online for fun. They were not a very serious purchase, just a joke amongst a few of my friends. I wear them before every

big meet to get pumped up.”

Height: 6’ 3”

Shoe Size: 13

born free

Brad’s AnatomyA breakdown of what makes Senior swim team member Bradley Phillips in the water

fueling the fire

Post-Race: “I like to drink chocolate milk; it is scientifically proven to be the best recovery drink after working out or racing.”

Race Day: “On the day of the race I always get a Subway cold cut trio, 12 inch of course.”

Race Day Eve: “The night before the race we have team pasta dinners. I eat lots of

different pastas to carbo-load.”

23

mar

ch 1

1 20

10

outlookoutlook sports

2/17 Districts 1st Round Girls- Bye, Boys-Win 47-462/19 Districts SemifinalGirls-Win 51-39 Boys-Win 69-532/20 District Finals Girls-Win 64-55, Boys-Win 43-42

2/24 Regionals 1st Round Girls-Win 48-37, Boys-Win 64-352/25 Regionals 2nd Round Girls-Win 44-38, Boys-Loss 37-632/27 Regionals SemifinalGirls-Win 50-31

On the Scoreboard: Girls & Boys Basketball

”“This season has been up and

down. It’s great to have been so successful, and now, in the tournament, we have to focus and we have to survive and advance.

- Zora Stephenson, Jr.

Championship Season

Boys basketball takes District title for first time in 38 yearsScoring the winning, buzzer-beating shot, senior Andrew Daniels propels the team to win Districts, beating Westfield 60-56.

The clock on the scoreboard counts down the final seconds as the team and the fans strain with

anticipation for a moment that will make history. The clock buzzes, and as quick-ly as it started, the game is over, but the season hadn’t ended for the Cougars.

“We always knew we had the talent,” said captain Andrew Daniels, senior. “We expected to do well, but I still couldn’t imagine it. [Scoring the game winning shot] was awesome.”

A series of new coaches over the years offered the team little stability as they sought to make themselves known on the court.

“It’s only been eight months since we’ve all been together,” said coach David Brooks. “The room we have for improvement is just exponential. My thought when [Daniels made the final shot at] 1.7 seconds was that we needed to get back to defense because something bad could happen. When the clock hit zero for the third time, it was just sheer elation. I was just so proud.”

Throughout the season the boys found themselves dribbling and scoring with a new outlook on their ability to compete and work as a team.

“We had confidence,” Daniels said. “A new coach helped us to bring out that new attitude. We couldn’t have asked for a better

team.”Motivated by victory and by each other,

the boys found themselves in the final stages of the District Tournament. In comparison

with past teams, it was exhilarating to be on their home court in the Re-gional Semifinals, which became their last game of the 2010 season.

“It’s the craziest feel-ing,” senior Nick Koutris said. “Last year we only won one game in [the District Tournament], and this year we won the whole thing.”

With a team that has advanced so far in the past season, the success has only just begun for the future of boys basketball in the coming years.

“At the beginning of the year when we would

face adversity, we would doubt ourselves,” Brooks said. “As the year progressed we started to rely on each other and looked to be aggressive rather than timid and intimidated. I try to make the boys realize that they’re playing for something bigger than themselves.” by Daphne Martschenko and

Callum Kelton

1. Standing on the bleachers, the fans cheer on the team at the Regional Semifinals. “Playing at home defi-nitely takes pressure away,” senior captain David Larson said. “We have a lot of people supporting us.” 2. Performing their half time routine, the dance team kick and twirl their support during the second round of the varsity boys regional tournament. 3. Guarded by a Westfield player, senior Andrew Daniels looks for a way to move through the competition during the first round of Districts. 4. With smiles on their faces, the varsity boys watch their teammates advance to the second district round, beating Chantilly 47-46.

allie berube

allie berube

allie berube

then A lot has changed in the 38 years

between this district title and the last...

1972US President: Richard NixonTop Movie: The GodfatherSuper Bowl Champion: Dallas CowboysPopulation of Fairfax County: 455,021Billboard #1 Hit: “American Pie”-Don Mclean

2010US President: Barack ObamaTop Movie: Avatar Super Bowl Champion: New Orleans SaintsPopulation of Fairfax County: 1,015,302Billboard #1 Hit: “Tik Tok”- Ke$ha

vs. now

allie berube1.

allie berube2.

3.

4.

, ,

classes

Training

Intersections$35/hr

Introducing our PayPal Payment Option! - Only Four Monthly Payments of $62