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freedom high school newsmagazine | volume 3 | issue 2

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STAFF Adviser Dana Baker

Editor-in-Chief Samaleh Omar Managing Editors Amanda PeĂąa Jessica Scott Design Editor Joytsana Sangroula Copy Editor Meghan Adams Business Editor Arnav Kumar News Editors Cayley Kilduff Holly Chun Features Editor Shravani Reddy Culture Editor Erin Janiga Opinions Editor Helina Wondwossen Sports Editor Jessica Scott Photo Editor Aishwarya Ramesh Staff Writers and Photographers Kayla Cooper Fawaz Khan Aayusha Khanal Thor Moy Ava Proehl Lynne Tran Belle Tran Claire Wodack Kaise Dualeh Emily Peacher Sergio Cervantes Uncaged is the newsmagazine of Freedom High School. The attitudes, opinions, views, and ideas expressed in Uncaged do not necessarily reflect those of this staff, the faculty adviser, Freedom High School, or the Loudoun County Public School system. Uncaged follows the county and state guidelines established for student high school publications, and disclaims any liability with respect thereto the use or reliance on any such information contained in this publication. The Uncaged staff welcomes contributions and encourages the expression of students, faculty, staff, and members of the Freedom High School community.

Cover photo illustration by Aishwarya Ramesh

table of contents

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The caged bird sings with a fearful trill of things unknown but longed for still and his tune is heard on the distant hill for the caged bird sings of freedom. //excerpt from I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings Maya Angelou

[news] [culture] [features] [opinions] [sports] [back cover]

4 8 14 22 26 32

CONTENTS

from the editors Welcome back, freebirds! Hey, freebirds! Can you believe this is already the second issue of the year? Don’t worry, after this, there are still two more to go. Obviously, we’re hopeful for a bunch of days off during the winter (a couple members of our staff are committed to sleeping with their pajamas backwards and a spoon under their pillow), but with the limited number of school days, we’ll have to work extra hard to produce another great issue for you all to enjoy. Now that we’ve gotten past our growing pains that we faced in the first quarter, we’re ready to grind out the rest of this year. We cannot wait for you to see our product in the months to come, and we hope that you will be as proud of it as we are. Shoutout to all the seniors who have been working tirelessly in the college admissions process. We hope that you all get to chase your passions and interests at your dream schools. We know that it can be tough to balance school, work and college applications; however, your efforts will be worth the struggle at the end of the year. As for now, relax, enjoy a cup of hot chocolate and get reading! P.S. We’re working on some monumental changes to this publication, so be on the lookout! Big things are coming. n

[Photo by Jun Wong, 12]

letter from the editors

NEWS

FREEDOM GOES GREEN

ow often do you think about the environment? Really, how often? With the Paris Climate Agreement reached in 2015, and subsequently revoked in 2017, it is fair to say that the environment has been a big focus for the US in the last 5 years. An example of Freedom caring for the environment is AP Environmental teacher Debra Savage and her “grass-heads.” This sustainability project is created by making a plant doll, which is decorated before being gifted to teachers. “If you take a look at its plastic packaging and the grass-head itself, they are all materials that you have at your home,” Savage said. “I wanted to show the students that you can use everyday products and repurpose them. That’s sustainability.” FHS’s Environmental Club, which is sponsored by Savage, focuses mainly toward advocating for recycling within the school. The club competes with other Loudoun County schools in generating the most recyclable material by weight while striving to make recycling a habit for students. “A lot of people know that the bins are there, but it’s the habit of it,” Environmental Club president Nicole Balog said. “We don’t see the [negative] changes often here in South Riding, so we can throw away our plastic and not

see it go into the ocean because we don’t live right by the beach.” Savage and her students are the perfect example of FHS’s dedication to the environment. Loudoun County Public Schools and FHS have been the recipients of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star Award every year since 2009. The award is granted to places that conserve energy through closing doors to trap heat and shutting down technology during times of non-use, like vacations. On top of this, the school has implemented the use of recycling bins both in the cafeteria and in classrooms. “I believe that we have consciously started a really good recycling program,” Assistant Principal Neelum Chaudhry said. “There are two dumpsters outside, one is a trash dumpster and the other is a recycling dumpster.” Excess food is another byproduct of running a school that is damaging to the environment. Food waste that ends up in landfills produces a large amount of methane, which is a more powerful greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. At FHS, excess food is cut down by the cafeteria staff calculating how much of each type of food is bought by students. By doing this, they can approximate how much food should be prepared, minimizing the amount of

waste as a result. Despite this and similar efforts, a lot of progress still needs to be made. According to the EPA website, the United States still generates approximately 254 million tons of trash, which calculates to about 4.4 pounds per person per day. Only 34.3% of that trash is recycled, with the rest being incinerated or dumped in a landfill. Small increases in the recycling rate can have huge effects on communities all over the country, both for animals and the environment alike. “Here’s the problem with our recycling-not just here at FHS but in the United States as well-if people throw food scraps in there or they don’t empty out their gatorade or their water, the whole thing is going to end up in a landfill,” Savage said. FHS is not perfect, but students and teachers have shown commitment to making this school more environmentally conscious. It is up to the rest of us to make smart decisions that will make our school a model for our community, so that we can preserve our planet for years to come. n [Story by Kaise Dualeh and Sergio Cervantes] [Photos by Ava Proehl and Kaise Dualeh]

Carl Wilkens discussing the nature of forgiveness with students grades 10-12.

HOW TO BE A FREE THINKER

any topics that students learn about in school can seem irrelevant to life in South Riding. Certain concepts, like genocide, can be difficult for a Freedom student to even fathom. To remedy this, Carl Wilkens, the sole U.S. citizen who remained in Rwanda during the Rwandan genocide, annually visits FHS to discuss the genocide and to put a face to such a foreign concept. History teacher Jessica Legnini invited Wilkens to speak at FHS for the first time three years ago, and it has been a valuable asset for the students. This year, Wilkens spoke to several AP World History classes on Dec. 7. “When [Wilkens] comes to talk to us, first of all, you’re talking to a man that has an understanding of the human capacity for bad, but he also has this incredible understanding of human capacity for good,” Legnini said. “So, he has this very nuanced understanding of human action, and that is very important because I think that most of us lack that nuance in our understanding.” For the sake of simplicity, many students can view history as a strug-

gle between those who are good, and those who are bad, however, Wilkens’ experience enables him to look further. This is an invaluable skill that fosters a population focused on the collective good. Upon reflection of events during the genocide, Wilkens often finds himself with a matured understanding. When he speaks, Wilkens does not limit himself just to the events of the genocide. Instead, he focuses on human behavior and philosophical questions. Some of these discussion points include the relationship between guilt and shame and how to make decisions when the choice is unclear. His intention is not only to inform people about the horrific genocide, but also to provoke students into thinking about big topics that can be applied to all aspects of life. One of the main topics he spoke about during his trip this year was how to forgive people without trivializing the harm they have done. “Yes, we can forgive, but be clear what we mean when we say forgive,” Wilkens said. “Forgiveness does not mean that there are no consequences. Consequences are important and when we

keep consequences in the conversation then that helps us realize that we are not minimizing anything.” Some of these questions may not have a definitive answer, but the point of the discussion is to view them from different perspectives. Having lived in Rwanda during the genocide and seen a humanitarian crisis first hand, Wilkens has a unique perspective on life. Aside from his complex philosophical discussions, Wilkens also discusses current issues that Rwanda is facing. “[Wilkens] is not frozen in the past,” Legnini said. “We understand Rwanda in terms of genocide. He understands Rwanda as this country that is rebuilding itself, reconciling and all of these other things.” Each year, the discussion changes, evolves and grows. Students at FHS recognize that history is alive, and it is up to them to decide the future and how to remember the past. n [Story by Samaleh Omar and Meghan Adams] [Photos by Samaleh Omar and Amanda Peña]

NEWS

FLYING EAGLE A

viation is an accomplishment that allows people to see sights that before we could only dream of. Senior Mustabinur Bhuiyan has been attracted to flying since he was little. “I enjoy looking down and just seeing what the world has to offer basically and just the breathtaking scenery that you get to see,” Bhuiyan said. Bhuiyan has been flying for months now and is on track to receive his private pilot’s license before he gets his driver’s license. “[My interest in aviation] all started when my dad used to work for the [Dulles] airport for United Airlines,” Bhuiyan said. Getting a pilot’s license is similar to getting a driver’s license. The person who intends to be licensed needs to go through a step by step process that includes a knowledge and practical test. The knowledge test consists of information based on the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules depending on the type of license the person is pursuing. Following the knowledge test is the practical test or flight test, similar to a driving test in

which the person has to demonstrate his/her capabilities within an airworthy aircraft. “I still have about three or four more of the certifications to complete, so I am currently at the first phase of [getting the pilot’s license],” Bhuiyan said. “I’m doing the practical part right now, and I do the knowledge or the academic part of it at home.” Aircraft and cars have many differences, with the biggest being how the controls are set up. The major similarity between planes and cars is the yolk which controls how a plane turns. “Driving is similar [to flying] because when you drive, you try to drive safely in a straight pattern same with an airplane,” Bhuiyan said. “When you use the yolk or steering wheel you turn it left to bank left and turn it right to bank right.” Flying is not a simple task and it is not something that everyone can do. The biggest challenge of becoming certified is the cost of flight school. “I manage to pay for [flight school with] my parents [currently] helping me out,” Bhuiyan said. “I have a job that I work full time to pay for [flying lessons],

and then I have been taking out loans for it and also getting scholarships for it as well.” Balancing school, work and flying is a difficult task. To overcome these difficulties, Bhuiyan has created a plan that works for him. “I try to balance my schedule out,” Bhuiyan said. “I try to at least get in two days of flying [a week] to have all my skills ready so I don’t lose [them],” Bhuiyan said. For school, Bhuiyan tries to get his homework done right after the lessons are taught in class. Bhuiyan’s future with aviation contains a lot of possibilities and opportunities to expand his knowledge and career in aviation. Possessing a pilot’s license can create many options both with the federal government and with commercial airlines. This initial certification will also provide openings and the ability to earn more certifications to help improve Bhuiyan’s own abilities. n [Story by Thor Moy] [Photo provided by Mustabinur Bhuiyan]

PUT SAFETY INTO ACTION

t is easy for high school students to be an easy target because students who stay after school for clubs or sports practices are walking home when its darker outside. Therefore, when students are walking home at night due to extracurricular activities academic support, or clubs, it is important that they take precautions in order to be mindful of their own safety. Freedom High School’s resource officer Deputy Jason Gadell said,“I do think [teens and adults] need to put a little bit more focus on their surrounding areas knowing where they’re at, who’s around them.” Gadell suggests that teenagers should evaluate their surroundings instead of focusing mainly on their cell phones. “Their whole world is in this phone, [but] the reality is that the world extends way beyond this five inch glass,” Gadell said. “The whole world’s out in front of you, you got to see what’s out there, you got to see what’s coming.” Using a cell phone while walking is a distraction. This makes the person more vulnerable because it is easier for criminals to target those who are distracted. So how can a cell phone help teenagers stay safe? A simple call or text mes-

sage can be sent to update family and friends about their whereabouts. There are mobile applications that can track a phone’s location. Deputy Gadell advises that being attentive and aware can secure the safety of the teen and the whole community. “Call somebody and say ‘hey I’m leaving practice now [and] I’m going directly home’,” Gadell said. Public Information Officer Deputy Aleksandra Kowalski from the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office suggests that teenagers take action to prevent themselves from being caught in undesirable situations. “Do proactive things like [take] self defense classes,” Kowalski said. “Always let people know where you’re going if you leaving whether it’s leaving the house… leaving school or whatever so somebody knows that where you heading off to.” Caitlin Sullivan, a math teacher at FHS, took self defense classes last year. “It started out as a Christmas present from my sister because we had a conversation about how I was living by myself and sometimes at night, I get worried about going home and getting safely into my house,” Sullivan said. From her self defense classes, she

learned techniques that help her defend herself. Sullivan recommends that students carry a flashlight with them so they can see clearer when they are walking home or to walk home with a friend. The Dulles South School Awareness and Firm Enforcement (S.A.F.E.) initiative started during the 2016 school year and focuses on school zone safety and traffic issues. Recently, the number of patrols in the South Riding, Brambleton, and Aldie areas have increased. According to the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, there has been a very minimal decrease in robbery, but an increase in rape cases from 2015. Both Deputy Gadell and Kowalski advise that your own safety will only be protected if you take charge and make responsible decisions like reporting anything suspicious you come across when you’re out in the neighborhood. Not only is it important to be aware of your surroundings and location, but also inform others of your location so that if something was to happen, parents or friends will know your location. n

[Story by Holly Chun and Belle Tran] [Photo by Aayusha Khanal]

CULTURE

[Story by Shravani Reddy and Aishwarya Ramesh]

ugar is addictive. We’ve all heard it, whether it be from parents, doctors, enthused health bloggers or during Dr. Legnini’s lessons on Atlantic trade. So, naturally as journalists, we, the staff of [Uncaged.], set out to see if it’s true. For 21 days, we challenged 13 Freedom students to completely cut refined sugars out of their diet, a sugarcane product artificially added to foods. Of all raved about diets, we picked this detox for a very specific reason. According to several studies from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, excessive consumption of refined sugars is connected to less energy, negative emotions, decreased focus and overall poor physical and mental health. These studies also note that teenagers overwhelmingly consume the most milligrams of refined sugar, and therefore, experience the most of these adverse effects. Although a seemingly simple challenge, refined sugars are found in virtually all processed and packaged food, disguised with misleading names, like “dextrose” or “evaporated cane juice.” Yet the participants—curious, motivated and equipped with comprehensive tracking spreadsheets—were ready for the challenge. After three short weeks in November, we analyzed our data and discovered that not a single one of our participants was successful. Of the 13 who participated, everyone cheated at least once. Most of the participants who cheated did so on purpose, deciding to make exceptions for certain occasions during the three weeks before the study even began. Five participants did not make it past day two, seven participants gave up between day two and day 17, and only one participant got back on track and made it to day 21. Despite these discouraging numbers, the study shed some light on the prevalence of sugar in the average American diet, especially to participant Aayusha Khanal. “I attended many birthday parties where my friends offered me cake or ice-cream even though I told them I couldn’t have any sugar,” Khanal said. “But to be fair everyone is so accustomed to eating sugar, including myself, that it’s hard to remember that you can’t have it anymore.”

Due to this omnipresence of refined sugars, we also evaluated the diet’s long-term practicality. We asked the participants to record the difficulty level of the diet, on a scale of 1-10, with one being easy and 10 being hard. For instance, participant Lauren Osborne found the difficulty level to increase around her peers. “I was having trouble because a lot of people were telling me, ‘It’s okay to treat yourself, have cake, it doesn’t really matter,’ and I found that really unmotivating,” Osborne said. “Although they meant to be nice, they didn’t understand that that wasn’t really the main point of the challenge for me.” Every participant, including Osborne, that lasted over two weeks recorded that the diet was significantly easier to follow later on than it had been at the beginning of the month. During the first three days, the hardest time period of a diet, the most successful participants recorded the lowest difficulty, an average of three, and the least successful participants recorded the highest difficulty, an average of six. This may mean that our most successful participants simply consumed less refined sugar before the study, and therefore transitioned more easily into a sugar-free diet. As for greater energy and focus, there were mixed results. Some participants felt lighter and more energized than ever, as others longed for the quick energy provided by coffee and cookies to get them through school, homework and extracurriculars. Our most successful participant, Emily Peacher, recorded that she felt highly energetic at the end of the experiment, specifically for the last school week. This variance in results was due to unknown and uncontrollable variables. The participants had drastically different schedules, environments, sleep duration, quality of sleep, emotions and caloric intake, preventing us from reaching conclusive results about the correlation between many factors. Overall, we recognize the limitations and inherent flaws in our study due to the extremely small number of overall participants. However free birds, if you’re feeling particularly inspired, let us at [Uncaged.] know how the detox goes for you! n

POP INTO SODA SHOP

o you know of a place in Freedom where students can go express their individuality in music, showcase their talents and see their peers perform? Soda Shop is an event that’s an open and welcoming environment for all who participate in musical activities, including the audience. Students can relax in a comfortable atmosphere and display their music abilities. Soda Shop occurs twice a year, giving students time to prepare for both shows if they desire to perform. Senior Emily Heer has been participating in Soda Shop for three years. Last year, she performed with junior Carter Levin, both singing “Lovebug” by The Jonas Brothers while Levin played the guitar. Performing for many years has given Heer many opportunities to display her talents. Heer performed with her friend, David Rios, as they played the guitar and the ukulele in the spring of Heer’s sophomore year. Her performance experience has helped her gain confidence on stage, which has prepared for her rising career. “Taking deep breaths and realizing that people are here to appreciate others performances and they’re not going to tear me down if I mess up a lyric or something arbitrary [helps me combat stage-fright],” Heer said. Soda Shop is a collective team of members who appreciate music, which makes performing easier once having

realized that everyone is there for the same reason. “[My favorite part of Soda Shop is] seeing other people doing what they love and how others appreciate others performing,” Heer said. Sophomore Paige Pisano has been participating in Soda Shop for two years and is looking forward to continuing for the rest of her high school career. To Pisano, Soda Shop is a comforting place where she can showcase her talents. “It’s a fun little get together of musicians and we all perform things,” Pisano said. “It’s really low key and not intimidating at all, I love it!” Pisano explains that throughout the years, performing becomes more comfortable as she practices. Keeping a clear mind and a calm attitude is what contributes to performing well without anxiety. “It gets easier like as you start becoming more comfortable doing it,” Pisano said. “Last year was a little bit more nerve-wracking because I didn’t know if it was a big thing or not, but this year knowing that it’s a little get-together in the library doesn’t make it feel as intimidating. Also, I would just remember that it’s a five minute moment in my life and that it’s not a big deal if I mess up.” Pisano has become more experienced in performance, giving her more confidence in daily tasks and future targets. Sophomore Fiamma Rossini has been

participating in Soda Shop for two years and plans to continue. Music comes naturally to Rossini, as she has been playing instruments and singing since she was a child. “My dad taught me the piano when I was little,” Rossini said. “I got a ukulele for Christmas in 2016, it’s a very portable and small instrument which is convenient. I started playing the clarinet in sixth grade because it was an open spot in the band, it was similar to the saxophone so I found an interest in it because my dad plays the saxophone.” Rossini participates in a band at Dulles Community Church, which helps her gain practice for performing and combatting her stage-fright. “I practice performing at church so that’s been helping [combat my performance anxiety],” Rossini said. “I also try to take deep breaths and realize that it’s just people that I know and it’s going to be okay.” As a musician, Rossini has a wonderful time listening and taking in the performances, as she sees individuals express their love for music at Soda Shop. “I enjoy the welcoming atmosphere and how anyone can join to pursue their passion for music,” Rossini said. n [Story by Emily Peacher] [Photos by Claire Wodack and Aishwarya Ramesh]

CULTURE

OPEN YOUR MIND FHS student responses to the following poll questions: How often do you read the news? Never Once a day Twice a day Three or more times a day

How many sources do you get news from? One Two Three Four or more

What is your preferred type of news outlet?

Television Online Publications Print Socia Media

he news is accessible with a simple swipe of the thumb. Millions of people can access this technology and be kept up to date with current events. The Freedom High School community has more than 2,000 students, each with different perspectives and opinions. We asked FHS students about social topics and how the news impacts their lives. A community is objectively better off when it understands the news, rather than if they just listen to it. The students will be able to form their own opinions about an issue contributing to their development as a person. Three students were asked if they were up to date with current events outside of school. One of these students answered, “Yes” Another student hesitantly responded with, “Kinda...7/10” The third student put it blatantly, “When it comes to marching band i’m up to date with it, I don’t know much about global news” Two out of the three students answered a variation of yes. With this in mind, what can be said is that the students acknowledge the presence of the news, and they don’t shy away from it. This can be seen as a clear sign of how we’ve fully embraced technology and constantly learn from the open flow of information. The news has reported some hard hitting events over the months. Knowing these events is how you become aware of the important matters. A useful skill to have is to be able to detect which news stories are important and relevant. This way you are much more aware of the events in the world around you. To find out what

On a scale from 1-10, how informed are you on global issues?

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

important events the students knew, they were asked what storm had hit Puerto Rico recently. One of the students in question said, “I believe it was Jose.” The student thought about his answer before responding with, “Isaac.” The final student said “I don’t know.” What we can gather from these responses is that most of the students were at least able to name a storm that was significant. What this tells us is that the students have watched the news to even be able to list a recent storm. The students themselves show that they all couldn’t distinguish the storms from another, so what they are lacking is an attentiveness for the news. The news as a whole isn’t just about politics and serious issues, there is also a much more lighthearted attitude. The different attitudes come from local and cultural news. These attitudes towards certain subjects is how we can see what certain people like. This makes it possible to be your own person by listening to whatever interest you. The students were then asked what type of news were they interested in whether that be more serious toned news such as business, global or environmental, or if they listened to any other type of news. In response to the question, the student responded with, “Political stuff, things like that.” The second student responded that the news they listen to is more

“Political, National.” In response to the question the third student said they regarded business, global and environmental news, but they only listened to it, “A little bit yeah.” What can be taken from this is the students are somewhat into the news. What can be gathered is that it shows that they know what they want to hear. What these responses tell us is that students in general aren’t so engrossed in technology that they don’t have time for the news. By seeing these results, the students have shown that the news has been watched and acknowledged. n [Story by Fawaz Khan]

CULTURE

MAJOR KEYS TO THE SAT “

I would say not to freak out about [the SAT], because it’s not a huge deal. It really is just another thing that you have to get done. Your score’s all based on you, and you shouldn’t be comparing yourself to other people.”

“

Even with the help of the practice book, help of your parents or a tutor, that is only 10% of it and you need to practice. Practice meaning regular practice, it is very important.” [Story by Aayusha Khanal and Emily Peacher] [Photos taken by Aayusha Khanal]

ALEXA, WHY ARE YOU SPYING ON ME?

oday, every person has access to hands-free versions of everything, from cars to vacuum cleaners. Tedious tasks can be completed without even lifting a finger, and there is no doubt technology saves us both time and energy. However, as technology inevitably becomes an increasing part of our lives, security is always an issue. Recently, people have become worried about smart speakers such as Google Home, Amazon Echo, and the yet to be released Apple HomePod. Each of these rivaling products is always listening for a trigger phrase, like “OK Google,” before its virtual assistant can help the user. The problem that seems to have most people worried is the phrase “always listening.” “My Alexa records everything we say,” junior Zanoula Spyridakis said. Companies responsible for these products have all tried to reassure consumers they are not taking a government spying tool into their homes, and it seems to have worked. As the biggest seller of smart speakers, Amazon plans to ship more than 10 million speakers to homes by the end of

2017. “I think we’re just going to get dumber and dumber if we keep relying on technology to answer our questions,” freshman Morgan Pugh said. The fear of new technology is not a recent phenomenon. With whistleblowers like Edward Snowden uncovering questionable government practices, many people have become suspicious of their technology, like computers and phones, sending information about them. People fear the government has the ability to see all internet history from emails to internet searches, and also that they are being watched through the webcam on their computers. “Let’s just say the government doesn’t need a Google Home or an Alexa to spy on us,” FHS Biology teacher Hyun Yim said. Technology will always influence our lives, but that doesn’t mean we have to be afraid of progress. It seems most people at FHS draw the line when we stop thinking for ourselves; when we decide to defer to technology instead of utilizing it. n

[Story by Kaise Dualeh]

FEATURES

E D U C A T I O N t o

unior Lydia Carpenter spends half of her school year learning about the vast world of the filmmaking industry— something that many people interested in moviemaking don’t get to experience until they are well out of high school. Carpenter’s passion for TV production and filmmaking stems from when she was a child watching cinematic classics such as “Kill Bill” and “Silence of the Lambs.” On most days at C.S. Monroe Technology Center, Carpenter is busy learning how to use a DSLR camera, sound equipment and multitudes of editing programs. Carpenter is surrounded by other Monroe students who hold the same interests as her in filmmaking and TV production. “Every person [at Monroe] is very passionate about what program they’re in,” Carpenter said. “If they weren’t passionate, they wouldn’t be attending Monroe in the first place.” Carpenter has only spent a couple of months at Monroe, because it’s her first year in the program. During this short time, she has already had multiple opportunities where she is paid to film courtroom cases. “[Monroe] really gives us access to internships and actual jobs while we’re still in high school,” Carpenter said. Carpenter hopes that her experience at Monroe’s Television Production and Digital Moviemaking pathway will pay off when she continues to pursue filmmaking after high school. n

enior Alison Perlberg lives in a “Grey’s Anatomy” fantasy without all the drama. Perlberg spends her Monroe classes in the Inova Emergency Room at the Leesburg hospital learning about health and medicine, and she even has had the chance to see open heart surgery. Perlberg has gained a lot of insider knowledge about medicine, and she hopes that her education at Monroe will give her a solid foundation for when she attends medical school. Unlike most Monroe students who attend the academy for two years, Perlberg is one of the few students that will spend three years in the program because of the unique nature of the medical program. During her time there, she has learned about medical terminology, physiology and anatomy. Perlberg’s last year at Monroe, as well at Freedom, will be spent working toward earning a pharmacy technology degree. “At the end of this year, I’ll be allowed to take a pharmacy certification exam which allows me to work as a certified pharmacy tech which is an amazingly [high] paying job for a high school student that just graduated,” Perlberg said. Although Perlberg is planning on working as a pharmacy technician during college, her dream job is to be a neurosurgeon. n

EMPLOYMENT F

he Academy of Engineering and Technology (AET) has multiple pathways, including entrepreneurship, technology, and engineering. Sophomore Cher Jiang is taking the business and entrepreneurship pathway at AET. The knowledge she gains from her classes at AET benefits her outside of the academy. She is in the Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) at Freedom, which is a club for students interested in entrepreneurship. Currently, Jiang is working on a year-long AET project where she will be developing and possibly launching her own business. She will be pitching her group’s ideas to investors in order to earn money to launch their business. “Our business is a dog-training app that’ll address concerns that new dog owners can have,” Jiang said. She is planning on launching her app into the real world and make it profitable. Even though Jiang’s primary focus at AET is business and entrepreneurship, she benefits from the AET math and science classes that incorporate skills that are useful for her entrepreneurship pathway. “It’s important to solve real world problems and then test it and gather data to see if a problem actually exists,” Jiang said. “So [in a way], business is like a scientific method.” n

reshman Pranav Singh attends AET on the engineering pathway. Although there are other academies that students can apply for besides AET, such as Academy of Science (AOS) and Monroe, AET appealed to Singh the most. “[Attending AET] was my choice. It was my first choice school, because I’m not really interested in science and AET is more focused on what I want to do, which is engineering,” Singh said. His interest in engineering helps make his dream of becoming an aerospace engineer a reality. Singh is interested in flying and hopes to go into aerospace engineering when he is older. He believes his strong interest in engineering will help him get there one day. “I want to go into engineering and by attending this engineering curriculum, I think I will be a lot further ahead,” Singh said. What Singh learns at AET strengthens his passion for flying, as well as his plans for the future. n [Story by Aayusha Khanal] [Photos by Aayusha Khanal and Aishwarya Ramesh]

[Pho tos pro vide d

]

FEATURES

hat is fashion? Or more so, what constitutes a “fashion sense?” Fashion has long since been a source of self-expression and is arguably a good indicator of one’s interests and self-perception. For some, choosing articles of clothing is not a process that they pay much attention to, but for others, fashion is a unique outlet in which extensive time and attention is put in to either make a statement or express their views. Fashion, particularly in schools that do not enforce student uniforms, serves as a platform for individuality, showcasing all that makes students unique and different from each other. So what makes one particular “fashion sense” or particular style special? Or more importantly, what does your style say about you? n [Intro by Jessica Scott]

or sophomore Christina Mellot, fashion is not just about wearing the clothes, it’s also about making them. Her love for fashion and sewing were brought together in eighth grade when she began making her own clothes. “There [were] a lot of YouTubers I saw making clothes,” Mellot said. “I tried it from their tutorials and I caught on to it.” Mellot’s first piece of clothing was a basic skirt she made with fabric from Walmart, but it didn’t hold up too well. Now she gets her fabric from JoAnn Fabrics and Crafts. “I start by buying fabric, which is my favorite part of the design process,” Mellot said. “I normally find a pattern that I like, then I cut it out and sew it.” Mellot sometimes even makes her own patterns, which are the designs for her clothes. She’s made around 50 pieces of clothing and tries to wear something she’s made every day. She finds some of her clothing inspirations from popular styles and shows, but also in stores. “Sometimes I like to go in stores to try stuff on to see how I like it, and that sometimes gives me inspiration,” Mellot said. “Most of the time though I like to recreate things I see people wearing around school. The show Project Runway also gives me lots of ideas and

inspiration.” Mellot looks forward to owning a clothing business one day or even having her own shows. Fashion shows are another aspect of the inspiration that goes into each unique clothing piece. “I watch [fashion shows] all the time,” Mellot said. “I’m really interested in the big sparkly dresses and things like that.” Mellot considers herself a dress person: they’re her favorite piece of clothing to make or wear. She also loves sparkly fabrics, which contribute to her inspiration and excitement around homecoming season. In 2016 she made a dress just for herself, but this year she took on an even bigger project—making homecoming dresses for her group of friends. “It was interesting working with all the body types because some of my friends are really small, so I had to think about that,” Mellot said. “There was pressure, but [the dresses] all turned out good.” One of Mellot’s friends and fellow classmates, Alison Herrera, wore one of the five dresses Mellot made. She was slightly nervous about how everything would end up looking, but she loved getting to experience the whole dress making process. “I didn’t know how the dress would come out,” Herrera said. “We all gave ideas over the summer on the styles and design. We had to do fittings and

sizings.” After months of waiting, Herrera and her friends got to see and wear the dresses. They were amazed by Mellot’s great work. Herrera commented she would even let Mellot make her dress again next year. “When she was done, it was amazing!” Herrera said. “I mean that dress was so comfortable!” Mellot hopes to get a larger homecoming group next year and wants to keep making dresses for her friends throughout high school. This would help her prepare for a career in the fashion industry when she’s older. She hopes to inspire others to express themselves through their style, just as she has been able to through her clothes. “I hope to continue [making clothes],” Mellot said. “I want to get a bigger group next year and be able to say ‘Hey, I’m the girl that makes dresses!’” n

FEATURES

or senior Lisa Lupetaliaami, fashion wasn’t always part of her life. At age 11, she recalls she wore Justice just like everyone else. But a trip to visit her brother in Chicago sparked an interest in fashion that’s impacted her style choices ever since. “I went to Chicago and [my brother] said ‘The style here is super nice,’ and so then I realized, maybe I shouldn’t wear Justice,” Lupetaliaami said. “I started looking at fashion blogs, like the Style Rookie, and that’s when I started picking up my own sense of style.” The Style Rookie, Tavi Gevinson, is one of Lupetaliaami’s top fashion icons, along with artist Yayoi Kusama. Lupetaliaami also gets inspirations from fashion shows. “I like watching [Yves Saint Laurent’s] shows and Meadham Kirchhoff’s shows, and Tyler the Creator, he’s pretty cool,” Lupetaliaami said. French fashion from the 1960s to the 1980s and U.S. 80s fashion as a whole are big inspirations for Lupetaliaami’s look, which she believes displays her personality.

“I like to mix-match a lot,” Lupetaliaami said. “Right now, I’m wearing bright pink shoes and I’m wearing kind of dull clothing, I kind of have pops of color. I’m really unorganized and it’s really reflected in my clothes.” While she does shop at some well known stores like Zara, H&M and online on Depop, Lupetaliaami gets a majority

of her clothes a unique way—thrifting. “I really like getting vintage clothes and such,” Lupetaliaami said.“I like to go thrifting because I know there’s a lot of stuff out there. I know there’s stuff from the 90s and the 80s and sometimes I’ll score stuff from the 70s, which is cool, even the early 2000s is cool.” Thrifting is something different and fun, and Lupetaliaami loves the idea that it’s good for the environment too. She donates her clothes as a way to give back to the community. She also upcycles her own clothes, which is reusing old clothes to make better ones. To Lupetaliaami, thrift shops are also unique because there are always unpredictable finds. “If you’re looking for something in particular, don’t go thrifting, unless it’s a turtleneck because you can find all the turtlenecks,” Lupetaliaami said. “But if you are looking for something like a patterned jacket, with no specific pattern, then you can go and find it. It’s definitely easy.”n

hile he doesn’t design his own clothes, junior Jahaad Boone has his own fashion sense. He describes it as a compilation of street brands and upscale style. Most of his clothes are from H&M and Pacsun, but he likes more expensive brands as well. “[My favorite brands are] Jordan, Nike, Pacsun,” Boone said. “I also like upscale stuff like Louis Vuitton and Gucci.” Boone doesn’t have any one set inspiration. He doesn’t look to other fashion designers, he has his own style. “I dress the way I dress,” Boone said. “I have my own sense of fashion.” Boone hasn’t always paid attention to fashion or how he dressed; it all began to change this year. “I started getting more into fashion and getting a better taste of clothing pretty much this summer,” Boone said. “I didn’t really dress like this last year. Now, I’m starting to dress different, try new stuff.” The inspiration for Boone’s unique style change came from a large influence in many teen’s lives—the internet. “I had seen stuff on social media and I was like ‘alright, that looks nice, I might see how that looks on

me,’” Boone said. “I’d try it out, and if it looked pretty good on me, I’d start wearing the stuff I liked.” Although his style is constantly changing, Boone believes that it reflects his personality and his different sides. “It’s like one day I could be wearing sweatpants and moccasins, and the next day I’ll be wearing my ripped skinny jeans and a vintage rock t-shirt or something,” Boone said. “It shows that I have tastes and different scenes of fashion I

guess.” Fashion is important to Boone not only because it helps him express himself, but also because he feels better when embracing his own style. “It just feels good to put on a nice outfit and present yourself well and look nice,” Boone said. For Boone, fashion is more than a hobby, it’s also his dream career. He wants to be involved in the fashion industry later on in life, and possibly work with some of his favorite brands. “I definitely like to do design, that’s the main thing I want to do,” Boone said. “I love [to] design T-shirts, so either T-shirts, jeans or some type of shoe collaboration. My first brand [to collaborate with] would probably be Jordan, and I love Vans, so probably Vans too.” Boone understands that fashion may not be for everyone. He knows that some people aren’t interested in it, but he loves that his style helps him stand out. “I think I’m a unique dresser and what I wear is different from everyone else,” Boone said. “Honestly, I don’t think you can really find a whole bunch of people who dress the way I do.” n

[Stories by Ava Proehl] [Photos by Aishwarya Ramesh and Ava Proehl]

FEATURES

any of us have grown up here in South Riding or the Northern Virginia area. We’ve spent our days with the same groups of people as we move on from elementary, middle school and high school. Although this seems like the standard for which we experience life, not everyone has had the same upbringing. Senior Kaitlin Key’s childhood was a cultural adventure. Her dad just recently retired after serving 20 years in the Navy, and she has made many memories from moving around. Key has lived in Virginia for a total of eight years but has lived in other various places including Hawaii, Japan and California. By moving to and from all of these places, Key was able to embrace new cultures very quickly. However, moving around so much at a young age can be extremely difficult when taking school and social aspects into account. Making long lasting connections and keeping up with the change of academics are some of the most difficult tasks young people with parents in the military face “I remember moving from Virginia Beach to California and we were only there for maybe eight months, so I kind of very quickly was exposed to the idea that you’re not going to be here for long so I haven’t really developed any sentimental attachment to a specific place,” Key said.

Although moving has been tough, Key also expressed how she has been able to learn from her experiences. She has a very positive outlook on relocating often and always tries to make the best out of her situation. Key encourages other students with parents in the military to reach out to others, embrace their new home and to do their best to make connections. “I kept in contact with my best friend Hayley from California for at least four years after I moved out of California,” Key said. “Just don’t be afraid to talk to anyone and don’t stick yourself in the bubble of ‘I’m not going to make friends because I’m only going to be here for so long’ because that’s only going to make you more miserable in terms of your social life and it’ll actually just make your whole experience there be less. So branch out socially and you’ll learn a lot about the culture of the area which will just add to the life experiences you can use in the future.” By allowing herself to become comfortable with every new place she lived in, Key found herself having an easier time in school both socially and academically. Because of the constant moving around Key was able to grow as a person and break out of her shell. n

aving a parent in the military can be difficult for many reasons such as being away from your parent for long periods of time, but Senior Brennan George takes note of the positives. George recalls that his dad always did his best to provide for him and his brothers when moving around in any way he could. “When we moved here, my dad picked some place that was the best school, so he picked Freedom, the neighborhood here,”George said. “So when he was moving around, he had a long commute to work, but he put us first. That impacted us pretty well”. Since his dad strives to always give George and his siblings a sense of consistency through the schools and neighborhoods they live in, his experience adjusting has been easier. Although George’s’ dad had

served in the Navy for 25 years, the military isn’t the career path that he wants to pursue. Although he has no intentions follow his father’s footsteps, George’s oldest does. George’s brother went to ROTC for school and plans to go into the military. “[My brother’s] been pushed a lot because you’ve got to have a strong will for that,” George said. “He’s had a good time, he loves it, he loves military stuff. He wants to fly when he’s older, so he’s had a pretty good experience overall.” Switching schools, frequently relocating, and living apart from a parent at times is undoubtedly difficult to deal with while juggling academics. But, despite those challenges, George remained positive all throughout his parent’s military service. n [Story by Kayla Cooper] [Photos provided]

OP-ED

let’s talk about... W

Y O U T H S

hen I was in elementary school, I definitely did not know the difference between private and public property. In fact, I am pretty sure that I was still figuring out how to spell “property.” Apparently, elementary school children today know the difference between public and private property, or so they think. One afternoon, I crossed through a community playground on my way back home from the bus stop. A little girl running around on the playground came up to me and asked me if I was a teenager. I told her that I was indeed a teenager, a 16-year-old teenager to be specific. She then proceeded to tell me that I was not allowed to be at the playground because I was too old and the play area was meant for ages 5-12. “I am just walking home,” I said with a smile. I began to continue home, but then the little girl spoke up again. “This is private property,” she said. “Don’t walk through here next time.” For the record, I was walk-

ing around the playground, not through the playground. I do not think the child saw the difference though. After giving her a smile, I laughed and started to walk back home, but I could not help but think about how she tried to tell me the meaning of private property. To make matters worse, she was wrong: the playground is most definitely NOT private property. I did not think much about my encounter with this girl until days later, as I began to realize that there is an underlying issue behind what this schoolgirl said to me. As a young girl, she was talking about the difference between public and private property, a complicated concept that many high school students might not even understand. I could not help but wonder why a girl her age was worrying about such an intricate legal matter. What happened to the times when little children were just concerned with riding bikes and eating ice cream? While I applaud this girl for trying to uphold her playground’s integrity, we need to prevent children from acting too mature for

“

their own good. In society today, especially in Northern Virginia, parents are trying to mold their children into active citizens who are astute, witty and creative. I have no problem with parents trying to instill these core values in their children; however, I do not think they should be indoctrinated with such knowledge at a young age. Our society needs to let young children understand the world around them in a natural manner. In elementary school, children are not old enough to apply complex knowledge learned into the real world, and parents need to begin recognizing this. What does society gain by having misinformed 6-year-olds? I am all for inspiring the next generation of well-informed and socially conscious citizens. All I ask is that we teach children concepts that are appropriate for their age. n [Story by Arnav Kumar]

What happened to the times when little children were just concerned with riding bikes and eating ice cream?

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[Illustrations by Mardelle Singleton]

OP-ED

let’s talk about... PERCEPTION

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We’re seen as lazy, selfish, irresponsible and overdramtic.

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We have strong ties to our community, we work hard at the things we love, we stand up for our beliefs.

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TEENAGE

very day, students at Freedom High School listen to the administration give shoutouts to students over the morning announcements for doing “good deeds” like returning a lost phone, money or keys. After letting everyone in the building know the students mentioned did a good deed, they put their names into a drawing for a chance to win a Moe’s gift card. Does this incentive really work? Do adults believe that in order for a teenager to do the right thing, they need to be driven by a measly free taco? Teenagers don’t have the best reputation. Even going into our early 20’s, many adults our parents age and older still have low expectations of us. In the media especially, the amount of stories about teenagers being vandals outweigh the coverage of how much high school students have earned in scholarships in the past few years. We’re seen as lazy, selfish, irresponsible and overdramatic. TV shows and movies sensationalize our emotions and depict us performing mischievous behavior regularly, when in reality, that’s not the case. Colleges are more competitive than ever, and most high school students spend a majority of their time on school work and extracurriculars, doing anything they can to make their application stand out to universities. We have this ongoing battle between generation X, millennials, and generation Z. We’re constantly blaming each other for any problem we have. Boomers seem to think that our generation pushes away their morals and values.

They have this picture painted in their head of what a teenager is, and everyone who falls between the ages of 13-18 has to fit that perception. To them, we are self-absorbed and glued to our phones, without a care in the world except how many likes and retweets we get. And then when we do something right, it feels as if they reward us too much. After all, we are part of the, “everyone gets a trophy” generation, right? When we do the right thing, adults put us on a pedestal. One time, I was walking on the boardwalk at the beach and saw that a bunch of empty food containers had been collecting outside of the trash can rather than in the trash can. I decided to pick it up and put it where it belongs instead of just letting the litter collect on the walkway. While I was doing that, an older lady came up to me and began to praise me for discarding the empty food containers. She explained how amazing it was for someone my age to “take such responsibility.” It felt strange for her to think so highly of me for doing what I think should have been expected for anyone who walked by. Maybe I’m biased. Maybe we really are just a bunch of iPhone loving, apathetic, entitled individuals. But as a teenager, I witness my peers’ behaviors every day. We have strong ties to our community, we work hard at the things we love, we stand up for our beliefs. This whole idea that adults project onto us of what a teenager really is diminishes all of that. It’s insulting that no matter how much effort we put into being the opposite of what a teenager “should be,” it will always be discredited by older generations. n [Story by Claire Wodack]

TAKING

ust sending thoughts and prayers won’t fix anything. Everyday we wake up to the latest breaking news story, whether it be a natural disaster, shooting, bombing or death of a celebrity. In today’s society, news travels fast, and websites allow us to access details of events happening miles away in a matter of seconds. As humans, many of us naturally feel sympathetic for the people affected by these tragedies. In October, after the two shootings in Las Vegas and Texas, there were more than 500,000 tweets, posts and messages all over the internet saying, “My thoughts go out to the people affected.” Then, Hurricanes Maria and Harvey swept through Puerto Rico and Texas, causing #PuertoRicoStrong and #PrayForTexas to trend on Twitter for weeks. More than 20,000 people tweeted about Puerto Rico. But, months later, a fourth of Puerto Rico’s population is still without clean drinking water, according to CNN. While it’s considerate to send your thoughts and prayers to the people affected by these tragic events, merely thinking about someone isn’t going to fix their situation. Unless there is action taken along with typed words, thinking of people after a disaster is not going to prevent it from happening again. As Abraham Lincoln once said, “Actions speak louder than words.” When a natural disaster occurs somewhere in the world, do something—don’t just tweet about it. Starting a fundraiser, or holding a food drive will leave a longer lasting impact than a post. While it is nice to know that you’re thinking about those who have lost family members or homes, you aren’t providing them with clean water, clothes or assistance. Following Hurricane Maria, the Red Cross, St. Jude and UNICEF all started drives across the country. FHS even held a drive that brought in hundreds of donations for the victims of Hurricane Harvey. These drives helped bring basic living supplies to victims of the massive

ACTION hurricane that happened. The actions taken, not the words spoken, helped improve lives. Although these terrible events are happening so far away that it may seem that they don’t impact us, or we can’t help them, that is not the case. Sitting at your computer and ranting online about incompetent politicians and the need for stricter gun laws after a shooting is not going to help anyone. Take action. Call your local government officials, or even your senator, and tell them what matters to you. Let them know your concerns and what should be done to fix it. By calling them, you are initiating a possible response, and while the legislators have no obligation to do anything about your call, it at least makes them aware of how you feel about the issue. There are even little things you can do about issues close to home. If you are passionate about helping the homeless, you can volunteer at the Dulles South Food Pantry, or perhaps hold a clothing or food drive for a local shelter or maybe even donate money toward the cause. You can do so much more than just typing a post on your phone. If you feel that there is truly nothing you can physically do to aid a cause, help people become more aware of the world around them. Direct people who aren’t educated about the news to a reliable source where they can become more informed about an issue or event. Everyday, tons of laws are passed, and shootings or natural disasters go undetected by those with more power. Get educated and tell those who can help it to get it on their radar. We, the people of the United States, have a moral responsibility to make sure we help others. Don’t just tweet, post, or rant— follow through with actions and do something to positively impact the world around you. n [Story by Ava Proehl] [Photo Illustration by Aishwarya Ramesh]

SPORTS

EN GARDE! a direction to be ready to fence, taking the opening position for action

encing has been an important part of Rahul Jha’s life ever since he was 14 years old and stumbled upon this particular sport on TV. There are three basic weapons to fencing: the foil, épée and sabre. To win a match, different techniques must be mastered, depending on the sword that is used. Jha’s weapon of choice is the épée, a thrusting sword, which gives him the chance to attack his opponent by hitting any part of the body. This year, Jha got the chance participate in the 2017 Junior Olympics, which was held in Kansas City, Missouri. “Being put up against those types of [higher ranked] people really made me nervous, and that’s why I may not have done as well as I would have liked to,” Jha said. “Even though I did lose to some of the top nationally ranked fencers by margins of one or two points, I still feel like I could have done better.” Without the dedication and endless hours of practice, Jha would not have been able to fence among his fellow national level athletes. Even though he worked incredibly hard, being asked to participate in the Junior Olympics seemed unfathomable to Jha. His continued involvement in fencing has even allowed him qualify to compete in the 2018 Junior Olympics. Jha has most definitely grown

[Photo provided by Rahul Jua]

as a fencer and appreciates the art behind this sport. He wishes to become nationally ranked one day, however, he does not see himself professionally fencing in the long-term. “I want to continue fencing throughout my entire life; I want to hopefully one day get a medal at a national competition,” Jha said. “But for the time being, I’m going to focus on school and college, and fencing is just going to be that sport that I do on the side.” Despite having a busy schedule and balancing school and after-school activities, Jha still makes time for fencing. Although he is unable to train every day, he does make sure he gets the practice that he needs in order to improve for future matches. Jha feels as though fencing has allowed him to express a side of him that he otherwise may not be able to. “I love fencing and that’s the reason I continue,” Jha said. “I don’t believe that I’m going to get some significant scholarship to some ivy league, I just love the sport and that’s why I continue to fence and train.” Fencing may seem odd to some individuals, but to Jha fencing has become a very special part of his life and has let him channel himself through the rapier-style sport. n [Story by Joytsana Sangroula]

ast year, Freedom High School had the privilege of bringing one of the largest teams to states in our school’s history. Not only did many FHS swimmers have the chance to compete in this challenging meet, but there were many members of the team who had a successful day. Seniors Sophie, Mia and Tim McKinley, who were juniors at the time they competed in states as a part of the FHS swim team. The McKinleys competed in states during their second season on the swim team. For them, the experience at states was different yet exciting. “There were more people from different teams, the whole [state of ] Virginia, instead of our conference, so that was different, and there were only a few people from each team,” Sophie McKinley said. Throughout the season, the McKinleys trained hard in preparation for states. On Tuesday’s practices, the team did more swimming, whereas on Fridays they worked more on techniques. Swim is different from the other sports teams at FHS because they have to travel about thirty minutes to the pool they use to practice. This means that the team is only able to practice twice a week in the pool. When they aren’t in the pool they have dry land practices once a week to

keep in shape. To prepare for an important meet like states, swimmers trained and worked hard throughout the season. While preparing for states, coach Katie O’Brien worked on starts and turns. Right before the meet, the swimmers tapered, which means that practices were reduced. “To prepare for [states] everyone had their end goal that they had to get to make states, so it was a big goal throughout [the season],” O’Brien said. Last year was O’Brien’s first year as the swim team coach, and she enjoyed being able to get more involved with the students at FHS. “They are a fun group of kids, they try hard in practice. It’s good seeing them in a different environment,” O’Brien said. Because FHS has moved to the 5A conference, it will be harder for swimmers to qualify for states due to cuts. In order to continue the team’s success, O’Brien plans to have more intense practices to prepare the swimmers. She looks forward to seeing the team improve like they did last year. “A lot of swimmers started working harder at the end of [last] season,” O’Brien said. “We saw a lot of time improvement last year.” n [Story by Cayley Kilduff] [Photo provided]

SPORTS

usical talent, physical ability and time management are just a few of the skills needed in order to become a member of Freedom’s marching band. Around 150 students have exhibited these skills and dedicate 20 hours a week, in practice and competition, to make their season a successful one. Whether these students are responsible for specialized tasks or marching on the field, each job in the band requires intensive training. Seniors Rachel Bean and Andrew Cho have participated in marching band for the entirety of their high school careers, earning both of them the leadership position of drum major. Drum majors like Bean and Cho are responsible for conducting and leading the band during competitions and football games throughout the fall season. “I keep everyone in time during our show, and I’m responsible for making sure we have everything ready for rehearsal and getting everyone hyped up,” Bean said. Committing to marching band has been challenging for

Bean and Cho due to the physical toll and the amount of time put into practicing and competing. Marching requires students to engage multiple muscles while moving at fast speeds, and carrying instruments while doing so makes the task even more physically demanding. “The time commitment and physical toll is super hard,” Bean said. “We start in August and we have two weeks where we have 12 hour rehearsals every day.” Despite having to dedicate large amounts of time and effort into perfecting their routines, Bean and Cho both agree that marching band has been beneficial in the long run, allowing them to improve time management skills and fitness. Fulfilling the drum majors’ tasks, such as providing guidance for their teammates, has helped the students improve their leadership skills as well. “[Marching band] really helped me grow as a leader and it’s helped get a lot of positions in other activities, not just from adding

marching band to my resume but through the actual skills I have acquired,” Cho said. Although committing to marching band may seem daunting, students who are current members have the ability to not only gain new skills, but to meet new people as well. Through marching band, junior Melissa Abel has been able to create strong relationships with people inside and outside of her grade. “Most of my best friends I made through marching band, and I stay close with my marching band friends throughout the entire year,” Abel said. “Being friends with people throughout all the different grades and getting to meet them through marching band has been great.” The ability to create new friendships through participating in marching band has impacted how rewarding band is for Bean and Cho as well, since they too have established new relationships in band.

“Before band I would always hang out around the same crowd, but now band really showed me that there’s something cool about everyone” Cho said. Regardless of the many positive aspects and opportunities given to members in marching band, there continues to be many present misconceptions when it comes to the band itself. These preconceived ideas are in regards to the difficulty of marching band and the social status of students who choose to participate in the activity. However, members of the band strive to contradict the misconceptions presented to them everyday. “People say it’s easy, but those people have never played an instrument while marching on the field,” Bean said. “They don’t know what it’s like to learn the instrument, play really difficult music and march difficult routines.” Marching band tends to be more physically inclined than many people think, due to the constant need to march at extremely fast paces while carrying and playing heavy brass instruments. “I also think a lot of people don’t realize that marching band is not

just walking with instruments, the different techniques we use make it a lot more physically demanding,” Abel said. “We’re moving constantly the whole time, and you can’t breathe regularly because playing the instrument requires a lot more air, movement and focus.” Many aspects such as musical ability and fitness must be included in the band’s everyday routine to ensure a successful season. Time, exercise and a positive mentality are just a few things needed of every member. Marching band has made a huge impact on the 150 students currently participating in it, and has left them with a new outlook on high school and themselves. “Marching band showed me that there’s another side to high school instead of trying to fit in,” Cho said. “If you work hard in whatever you do people will respect that, no matter what is.” n

Scan code to view a live performance [Story by Helina Wondwossen] [Photo by Aishwarya Ramesh]

SPORTS

OUT WITH THE W

inter sports at Freedom have been doing well these past seasons, but how will moving from 4A up to the 5A conference affect our winter athletes? FHS is now in the 5A conference due to Freedom’s growing student population. Now FHS will be competing against Briar Woods, Broad Run, John Champe, Potomac Falls, Rock Ridge, Stone Bridge and Tuscarora. Compared to the 4A conference, the 5A conference is going to be tougher competition for the boys basketball team. According to Justin Powers, the boy’s varsity basketball coach, they have to prepare to play John Champe, but they also have to be prepared for other schools as well. “[They] are traditionally good basketball schools that have good [programs], so we are going into a conference that’s a football powerhouse and a basketball powerhouse,” Justin Powers, the boy’s varsity basketball coach said. Powers does not plan to change his strategies going into this winter season. Their current offense and defense seems to be successful, so there is not a need to change it. “We are going to do what we do and play the same style that we’ve played and maybe adapt a little bit,” Powers said. Seniors Zyan Collins and Jeremy Cofield feel that Stone Bridge will be their toughest competition, but they are confident that their teamwork is good enough to beat other teams. “Stone Bridge can shoot the ball pretty well and

that’s why I think they are the toughest,” Collins said. “Tuscarora is the second toughest and really close to Stone Bridge competition-wise.” In comparison to boys varsity basketball, the 5A conference should be a little easier for the girls varsity basketball team without their most challenging rival, Liberty, who is in the 4A conference. Although Liberty and FHS are no longer in the same conference, they have played once this season. “I think Liberty is still the best team within this area that we’ve played against,” junior Rose Burnham said. “We will play Liberty at least once this season so that will prepare us for the conference.” Junior Michael Parnell feels confident about the upcoming wrestling season due to the conference change. “If we all just keep our eyes on that district, regional and state title. We will definitely prosper in 5A,” Parnell said. That does not mean the wrestlers should be going into the season too overconfident. They still need to fix the problems they are currently facing right now. “We also have to hone our skills so that we can still be on the same level if not higher than our opponent,” Parnell said. For FHS winter season sports, going into the 5A conference will create new challenges for FHS winter athletes to face. From working on basic skills to staying humble, these athletes have to continue working hard this winter season. n [Story by Lynne Tran]

IN WITH THE

[Artwork by Sharon Eusebio]