Students help raise over $10,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, p.

A4

Volume 13 Number 5 James Hubert Blake HS Silver Spring MD http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/blakehs March 25, 2011

Art students succeed despite myth of program decay

x by Somala Diby
The myth of Blake’s decaying arts signature is
just that: a myth.
Rumors of a disappearing arts signature have
been circulating in recent years, but with good rea-
son: the marching band has shrunk, attendance at
Blake’s annual Festival of the Arts has fallen, and
funding towards the arts signature is running dry.
This apparent decline, however, fails to mark a
decline in the arts signature, which continues to
grow and prosper every year.
“Students and teachers are excelling at a
time where resources are low,” says Signature
Coordinator Michel D’Anna. “Our staff...which
is superb...is still holding strong.” As a member
of the State Arts Panel, Mr. D’Anna meets twice a
year with fellow members to determine distrubtion
of the arts programs in Maryland as well as funding
they recieve.
In the last five years, Mr. D’Anna has noticed a drop
in student enrollment in the arts across the board, which them-
proves contrary to the boost in enrollment in the arts Blake selves
will witness in the coming school year: two to three hundred enough in a creative personal way,” says
students will become a new addition to Blake’s supposedly visual arts teacher Louise Runion who has
ailing arts department. been teaching at Blake for nine years. Differ-
The myth stems from the apparent push for students ent, however, does not mean worse. “They’ve
to enroll in Advanced Placement (AP) classes, which pose as got to produce teachers that can…wrap their arms
incentives to save in college. Additionally, with the economic around technology in order to really connect with
downturn of 2008, the county has cut back from signature students,” adds Ms. Runion. To p R i g h t :
programs across the county and is prioritizing academics to Teachers under the signature program see Colleen Livingstone
incease test scores. the annual Electives Fair as a prime time to sketches masterpiece
Says principal Christopher Berry, “When we as the recruit students. TV Production and digital during art class.
adults are asked to take more of our time to focus on [academ- art teacher Sara Hartenstine along with her Center: Senior
ics], we have less time to focus on [the arts which] makes photography students used the fair as a Aimee Kohorst
us part of who we are.” chance to set up a photobooth, allow- i n t e n s l y
However depleted the arts signature budget may be, ing students to develop their phots in a concentrates as
Mr. Berry continues to campaign for grants for the program. darkroom. “It’s really awesome to see she played her
“[Mr. Berry is] pro-signature program, pro-academy, pro- that realization when [students] realize violin during
AP—he believes that we can do it all,” says Mr. D’Anna. “He that they’re capable of something they orchestra.
is a masterful principal [in] making sure that the programs thought they couldn’t do,” says Ms. Bottom Left:
that serve the students are still in place.” Hartenstine. Senior Amy
Mr. Berry’s enthusiasm for preserving the arts signa- Arts signature teachers remain Gottlieb poses
ture lies in his past not only as an administrator and social hopeful that the impact on their arts in arabesque,
studies teacher, but as Signature Program Coordinator, vocal- education will be as great as the impact practing her
ist and actor. The pressure of AP classes and of technology on their academic education. Adds Mr. moves for dance
have shifted the method by which students learn and respond Berry,“I look at [the arts] as an integral part class. --photos by
best in the classroom. of [what] Blake high school is. So when I stand Aron Crews
“[Students today] haven’t been taught to express there asking for money, I see it as part of our core
mission.”

BHS staff rallies together to protest new budget plans

x by Blaire Hoffman
Union members from across
the state of Maryland marched on Law-
yer’s Mall in Annapolis March 14 for the
rally to “Keep the Promise,” protesting
against Governor Martin O’Malley’s
proposed changes to the pension system,
as well as school budget cuts.
Governor O’Malley’s proposal
would cut teachers’ salaries by rais-
ing bi-weekly contributions to
the pension plan. Additionally,
in the governor’s budget
cut plan submitted
to the Gen-
eral Assembly, he cut $94 million dollars
from public school systems. The “Keep
the Promise” rally drew an estimated
15,000 people -- a significant increase
from the projected 10,000 -- making it
one of the largest rallies in recent An-
napolis history.
First-year special education teacher
Stephanie Staub was inspired to attend
from her experience at the “Rally to
Restore Sanity” back in October where
there was a large mass of people working
towards a common goal of sending a mes-
sage to the media and government. Mrs.
Staub adds, “Although, I am nowhere
near retirement and have serious doubts
that there will even be a pension when
I retire, I realize that this issue affects
me now.”
College and Career Information
Coordinator (CCIC) Kathy Moore also
attended the rally, since her position,
along with all other CCIC’s, is being
cut from 12 to ten months. Mrs. Moore
will no longer be available for meetings
during the summer, be able to plan fall
college/university visits, obtain scholar-
ship information or continue to update the
Career Center website about upcoming
events.“I recognize the difficult budget
issues facing MCPS,” Mrs. Moore says.
“But that amount of money pales in com-
parison to the assistance which is given
to our students in advising and planning
for their futures.”
Many of those who attended the
rally are optimistic that it will be effec-
tive in creating positive change as well
as draw attention towards the problem.
Computer teacher and Head Building
Representative for the rally, David Heller
hopes that the rally will demonstrate to
educators that it is possible to influence
the legislature that affects their daily
lives. “Unfortunately, school workers
tend to not be very politically active as
a whole,” says Mr.Heller. “The recent
events in Wisconsin as well, as the
proposed changes…have served as a
wakeup call.”
Continued on A2

IN THIS ISSUE:
Bengals take Hong, Gilgeous:
Baseball hopes
France by storm, models of excel-
for successful
page A3 lence, page B5
season, page C1
Four Bengals go through grueling audition process to join the All-State Choir, p. B4
A2 March 25, 2011 The Blake Beat

Students of all nationalities Rising gas prices create

come together for literature problems for teen drivers
Those with international background Students stumble upon many
share stories at annual Author’s Tea obstacles as they struggle to
the former international students. “The Blake find revenue to pay for their fuel
by Samara Tu write their own stories for the event, just like

x & Karen Vanegas

faculty [was] moved and [the Author’s Tea]
by David Hylton was not going to be by my side paying
For the fifth year, the Author’s Tea will be has inspired them to give their [own] stories to
for everything the rest of my life,” says
held May 20 in the amphitheater, loved ones,” says Ms. x & Michael Joiner Lingan, “but I think it will make a big dif-
giving international students the Kompare when re-
Students who pay for their own gas ference on how independent I grow up to
opportunity to share stories from garding past Author’s
now have to deal with the stress of reas- be.” To earn money for gas, Lingan works
their home country. Tea events.
sessing their budget as local and national as a figure skating coach three times a
English and Special Edu- Before, it was
gas prices continue to rise. week and occasionally babysits. “If the
cation teacher Patricia Kom- the students that cre-
Unlike their parents who work full prices continue to rise, I will probably
pare’s main goal is to build ated their own book.
time, students have to juggle school life start working an extra day,” she adds.
leadership among the interna- But, thanks to a grant
tional students who have suc- and donations, the
cessfully completed the ESOL
program. “[Our] cultures bring
memoirs will ulti-
mately be published It was a shock when I realized
a wealth of riches and they need
to be shared,” says Ms. Kom-
into a hard cover
book, combining ev- my mommy was not going
pare. To incorporate everyone,
students and teachers alike are
eryone’s memoirs
for the first time. to... [pay] for everything.
encouraged to attend the annual “My desire [is] to Katie Lingan
event. appreciate who we
Students from nations are as individual[s]
and a job in order to earn enough money Middle Eastern countries that ex-
that include Cameroon, Ethio- and as participating
to pay for gas. “I feel that the gas prices port gasoline have been having economic
pia, Guinea, Jordan, Korea member[s] in soci-
are outrageous,” says senior Kristina troubles because of new revolutions,
and Liberia, will present their ety,” says Ms. Kom-
Valerio. “It already costs a lot of money which have increased the prices in Mary-
memoirs to their family and the pare.
Bemnet Yazew [to have a car]...and with gas prices so land by a dollar in only a year. “I notice
Blake community. Ms. The Media Center
high, I feel like it is a rip off.” [the gas prices] and avoid the highest, but
Kompare says, “It is an unforgettable moment staff helps assemble the student’s writings into
Valerio tutors twice a week and I do not always pay as much attention as I
in their lives.” booklet form. “Our [international] students have
works as a doggy daycare assistant and should,” says junior Rachel Jaffe.
Former international student, Senior rich and amazing stories to tell,” says Media
feels, in the end, that she does not have The continual rise in prices is forc-
Bemnet Yazew believes that this event gives Specialist Mary Treat. “They have a very unique
any extra time or money to do what she ing student drivers to learn how to take
people the chance to learn about others’ lives. perspective on life in America that can inform
wants. She adds, “I try to find any work responsibilities for themselves when it
As a learning experience for all students, Yazew us as well as reflect on our own lives.”
that I can do so I have the money.” comes to their privilege to drive. “Now
says, “[I encourage students] to be confident and The Author’s Tea is a free event and hap-
Although making ends meet is that I have my own car, I understand my
to give it all they have.” pens during sixth period. Students who would
stressful, senior Katie Lingan finds that responsibility to support myself,” says
Superintendent Jerry Weast and Principal like to volunteer or attend the event should see
she can only benefit from the situation. “It Lingan. “I think paying for my own gas
Christopher Berry have been encouraged to Ms. Kompare.
was a shock when I realized my mommy is a step into the real world.”

Teachers march
in Annapolis to WRC-TV NEWSCASTER JIM VANCE
protest budget AMONG PRESENTERS FOR
Pension, salary AFRICAN AMERICAN SYMPOSIUM
cuts affect MCPS
Continued from A1
Mrs. Moore believes that standing
idly by, assuming the problem will solve
itself, is not enough. “If MCPS employees
are not willing to stand up for their jobs
and benefits, we will surely see devastating
cuts,” adds Mrs. Moore.
English teacher Elizabeth Jones, who
attended the rally for many similar reasons,
was happily surprised by the turnout from
Blake staff at the rally. “I worry…Maryland
will not attract the same quality teachers
we have now,” says Ms. Jones, bringing
up another concern to add to so many oth-
ers being voiced concerning the proposed
budget cuts. She adds, “College graduates
will go to other states that offer a better
future once they retire.”
The Blake community has also
showed its opposition to Governor
O’Malley’s budget cuts, especially the
effect that it will have on CCIC’s. PTSA
President Robina Barlow addressed the
Board of Education members, highlight-
ing all the resources and services CCIC’s
provide to students and asking them not
to “shortchange our students” by cutting
back the position. Additionally, the PTSA
sent out an email to Blake parents asking
them to write letters to councilmember’s to
protest against local budget cuts proposed
by Montgomery County Executive Isiah
Leggett and MCPS Superintendent Jerry
Weast.
Just two days after the rally, the
House Appropriations subcommittee on Longtime Channel 4 newscaster Jim Vance spoke to Symposuim. Mr. Vance stressed the importance of personal
education voted to keep per-pupil spending journalism students and TV production students in the Black responsibility and told students that the only thing that can
the same, which was a key issue teachers Box Theater February 23 as part of Blake’s African American hold them back is themselves. -- photo by Cecilia Girolami
vowed to protect during the rally.
The Blake Beat March 25, 2011 A3
Bengals reconnect with “Frenchies” on exchange trip

While in Paris, students visited the Louvre (above), the Eiffel Tower and the Arc senior Briyanna Gilgeous, sophomore Sara Lettieri, freshman Kaylie Deshler,
de Triomphe. From left to right: junior Zoey Lee, junior Margie Warner, junior sophomore Becca Schwartz, freshman Daphney O’Grady, sophomore Irene
Jonathan Parks, sophomore Maddy Benjoar, freshman Riley Cruickshank, Jones and sophomore Chelsea Ryan. --photo by Savannah Doane-Malotte

by Lucas Irvin
x& Savannah Doane-Malotte
French students from both Blake and Paint Branch
high schools travelled to France March 8 for two weeks
to participate in a foreign exchange program, in which
they lived with french exchange students who previously
visited the US in October.
The students spent the first three days in Paris to
see popular tourist attractions and learn about the City of
Light, and then journeyed to the city of Besançon, where
they lived with their exchange students and their families.
“It’s really amazing getting to know a French student,”
says sophomore Irene Jones. “Completely trading lives
with someone is something I’ll never forget.”
The goal of the program is to have French and
American students interact, so that they may learn
more about each other’s culture. While in Besançon, the
Americans spoke French with their families, partook in
educational field trips, and filled out a journal document-
ing their trip.
“This program gives me a chance to practice my
[French] vocabulary and speaking,” says sophomore
Becca Schwartz. Students also attended their hosts’ high
school, experiencing classes and teaching methods used
in a French school.
In Paris, students visited world-renowned land-
marks such as the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe
and the Louvre. With only three days to see one of the
most famous cities in the world, there was little time to
rest. “It was a bit hectic trying to see everything in such
a short time,” says freshman Kaylie Deshler, “but we got
to experience so much - it was so worth it.”
The students in the exchange also hosted the French
exchange students previously in the year. After becoming
close friends with the “Frenchies,” as they were affection-
ately called, and having been apart for five months, most
of the students found it difficult to wait for so long.
The French and American students were in con-
stant contact through Facebook, their only way to com-
municate, and even did countdowns until the day the
Americans would leave for France.

Completely trading lives with someone is something I’ll never forget.

Irene Jones

College anxiety settles down as Class council planning special night

seniors receive acceptance letters Seniors look back on past four years
School notifications come rolling in
x by Emily Eaglin & Janine Taira
Seniors apprehensively linger on
the edge of their seats waiting to hear
the decision that will transform their
lives as the majority of colleges across
the country send out their last decision
letters around April 1.
Even those accepted early action
have experienced anxiety. Senior Nicho-
las Arnold-Medabalimi was accepted to
Georgia Tech, Purdue University and the
University of Maryland after submitting
applications by the early action or priori-
ty deadlines. He is still awaiting response
from Carnegie Mellon, University of
Michigan and Cornell University.
“I have already been accepted
into three schools… but [the ones I am
College can seem
scary at first, but
it’s just another
adventure ready
for us to
embark on.
Toan Nguyen
awaiting a response from] are some of
the higher ranking institutions I applied
to,” says Arnold. “I’m nervous to see if
I got in.”
Senior Linda Powers received
an early acceptance letter from the
University of Maryland in February,
so the pending applications are not an
ordeal. However, she is still awaiting
notifications from six colleges. “I’m not
as worried about getting the rest of my
results back as I was a couple months
ago,” says Powers. “I have a place that
wants me, so I feel reassured that I’ll be
going to college next fall.”
Senior Kevin Lee was only expect-
ing to hear back from one college. The
University of Maryland in Baltimore
County, Lee’s first choice, accepted
him in February. Lee was one of many
students who managed to avoid the
pressures and stresses of waiting for the
last deadline by applying early action.
“Procrastinating on college applications
is a big no-no,” Lee says.
Even though students may be bit-
ing their nails now, many have found
that it is all just part of the experience.
“College can seem scary at first, but it’s
just another adventure ready for us to
embark on,” says senior Toan Nguyen,
who looks forward to his future oppor-
tunities at Montgomery College.
x by Lily Hua
Kicking off the countdown until
graduation, the Senior Banquet for the
Class of 2011 will be held at the Ten Oaks
Ballroom on the evening of April 15 from
7pm to 11pm.
The Banquet is a night of celebra-
tion, complete with food and entertain-
ment, dedicated to the senior class to
It is the last chance for all of us to dance
together and laugh together.
congratulate them on completing their
four years of high school. Seniors can
look forward to dancing, a buffet, superla-
tive awards and a slideshow, which will
feature a collaboration of photos sent in
by the seniors themselves. Tickets will be
sold the week before the banquet for $15.
Says class sponsor Kelly McLaughlin, “It
will be one of the last opportunities [for
seniors] to be with their class and remi-
nisce with people they might not see in a
couple of months.”
2011 class sponsors Scott Sussman
and McLaughlin are putting together the
event, along with class council president
senior Rachel Babcock, senior co-vice
presidents Damon King and Lucas Fr-
angou, senior Secretary Stella Song, and
senior Treasurer Jamie Tran. This affair
is strictly a seniors-only event in order to
create a more exclusive atmosphere for
seniors. “It is the last chance for all of
us to dance together and laugh together,”
says Babcock.
In order to prepare for the occasion,
class council has been hard at work, mak-
Rachel Babcock
ing sure the festivities for the evening will
be ready. Some of their tasks include: hir-
ing a DJ and catering services, purchasing
decorations, putting together a slideshow
and creating the paper plate awards for
superlatives. Frangou says, “It’s going to
be a night to remember.”
With 21 days left before the first
senior festivity for the end of the year,
seniors are setting out to find dresses
and company to share the evening with,
whether it be escorts, dates, or simply
a group of friends. Says senior Renatta
Rickford, “I’d most likely go with a group
of my friends because that’s just more fun
and less pressure than a date.”
A4 March 25, 2011 The Blake Beat

International Night offers new world views to Bengals

Blake community enriched from entertaining cultural performances
by Larisha Winley
x & Leisha Winley
International Night was held March
4 to celebrate the cultures and back-
grounds of students in the Blake com-
munity with dinner, a fashion show and
cultural performances.
“The importance of [the night
was] to break down people’s stereotypes
and ignorance of other cultures,” says
junior Josh Chang. “International Night
makes learning about other cultures fun
and relaxing.” Chang sang “Go on Girl”
by Ne-Yo at the event with freshman
Stephen Han, who attends Springbrook
High School.
The theme of International Night
was “Around the World and Back”. The
main goal of the affair was to introduce
unfamiliar countries to others. Says
security guard and co-sponsor of the In-
ternational club Gary Jean-Charles, “It’s
important that everyone knows different
cultures and gets familiar with their food
and clothing.” He hopes that those who
attended International Night gained an
appreciation for other cultures and their
customs.
The night started out with a potluck
dinner in the cafeteria with selections of
food from different countries. The buffet
style dinner ranged in cuisines from Afri-
can rice to Argentine cookies. “I like the
idea of the dinner because then you can
experience what [other] cultures eat,” says
junior Carolina Camacho. “[The food]
was really delicious.”
After dinner, the United States and
Black National Anthem was sung by ju-
nior Naiani Sykes. Students then strutted
down the stage modeling traditional cloth-
ing from their respective countries. Stu-
dents in the International Club, along with
Blake’s Undefined Step Team partook in
different performances and routines.
Adds junior Claudia Gomes, who
modeled clothing from the country Ban-
gladesh, “I would have to say my favorite
performance would…be seeing [math and
Chinese teacher as well as co-sponsor of
the International club Hsinyu] Ho on stage
rapping and our Blake break dancers…
those guys really wowed me.”
During the event, representatives
from several Asian cultures participated
in a sing-off. Mr. Ho performed under his
stage name “5 Dimes” with sophomore
Steven Jung representing Korea and
Taiwan. Chang and Han sang during the
competition as did senior Toan Nguyen
and Springbrook sophomore Eric Nguyen.
Mr. Ho and Jung won with the loudest
applause from the audience.
The night ended with all partici-
pants coming on stage, holding hands
and singing Michael Jackson’s “We Are
the World.”

Teens voice opinions after inappropriate video passed among peers

Students express disapproval; controversial issue floods the hallways
by David Hylton
x& Larisha Winley
Due to a recent video of
a Montgomery County eighth
grade girl performing sexual acts
with two guys that was spread
around the community, the ris-
ing controversial issue of public
exploitation of teens has sparked
much debate.
Sex tapes, by celebrities
and students alike, have become
a widespread concern. The local
sex tape has resulted in many
students making fun of and ridi-
culing the eighth grader. “Sex
tapes being leaked is not a joke
and it can ruin somebody’s life,”
says senior Amy Bryant*. “This
girl is going to have to live with
this mistake she made for a really
long time.”
Says junior Gwen Hold-
ing*, “If a sex tape is out in the
world, you can’t expect people
not to make jokes. The best thing
you can do is keep your sexual
relationship behind closed doors,
and not behind a video camera.”
While many students blame
all parties for the sex tape getting
leaked, some disagree for who’s
at fault for the sex tape even
existing.
“I feel that whenever
something like this happens, it
just shows how insecure some
girls really are,” says sophomore
Tommy Pitts*, “and I think that
is the saddest thing about all
this happening.” However, some
students believe that the girl is
responsible for putting herself in
the situation in the first place.
However, others think that
the guys who participated in the
video are the ones to blame for
releasing the video and sending it
around to friends. “Most people,
especially dumb, stupid, mean
boys, will record a girl just so they
can show their friends,” Bryant
adds. It is a federal crime to dis-
tribute sex tapes of minors.
Regardless of who is to
blame, students agree that this be-
havior is not acceptable. “Nobody,
especially students, should be re-
cording themselves having sex,”
says Bryant. “No matter what age
a person is, they shouldn’t think
that it’s okay to be making sex
tapes of themselves.”
Holding believes that the
dangers of creating a sex tape in
general are too high to begin with.
“You never know who might leak
out these videos,” says Holding.
“The person who you are filming
these videos with may not be the
same person after the camera is
shut off.”
*Names have been
changed.

School raises over $10,000 for Leukemia and Lymphoma patients

As a result of meeting Blake’s fundraising goal, teachers held up their end of Special Education teacher Jessica Garlick and Sponsor and Counselor Christina
the bargain by fulfilling their teacher incentives. English teacher Deena Barlev, Gelb dressed up as fellow Blake students. --photo by Cecilia Girolami

by Tyasia Hutchinson
x & Simone Taylor
Blake recently received third place
in the community for the Pennies for Pa-
tients (P4P) High School Challenge. As a
whole, Blake collected $10,743.12 for The
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society which is
$4,000 more than collected last year.
The top Montgomery County School
was Walter Johnson High School raising
$37,900.87 followed by Walt Whitman
High School raising $22,060. Throughout
the month of February, students engaged
in numerous activities to raise money for
cancer patients. Says Senior Meredeth
Majower, “I thought it was great to see
students get excited about raising money
for something so important.”
The fundraising activities included
several dining nights at local restaurants,
the collection of change through English
classes, a Basketball game fundraiser, as
well as a new tradition: a second spirit
week. Students donated a dollar each day
to participate in each day of the spirit week.
The days included pajama day, team day,
nerd day, GQ/Vogur day and celebrity day.
Says Counselor and P4P sponsor Christina
Gelb, “I think the sprit week was [successful]
and we’ll definitely add [it] next year.”
A winter dance was planned and was
expected to raise a large amount of money
for the fundraiser, but due to a lack of ticket
sales, the dance was cancelled. However,
students continued to give money and show
support by attending the annual Bengal Ball
tournament and the highly anticipated Mr.
Blake competition.
Mr. Blake raised the most money out
of all the activities for the event. Adds Mr.
Blake Runner up Lucas Frangou , “Know-
ing that all the proceeds go to cancer pa-
tients made it that much more enjoyable.”
After the end of the competition the
fun continued with the Pennies for Patients
pep rally. The rally had appearances by
Mr. Blake contestants, a performance by
the marching band, and staff incentives.
Teachers dressed as students, sported
dyed hair, and dressed up in tuxedos. The
positive response from students has caused
high expectations for next year’s Pennies
for Patients High School Challenge. Adds
Gelb, “It’s only going to get bigger and
better.”
The Blake Beat
Newsbeats
ie Dai
Conn Hay
ley
Fixl
er
n n n
Junior Colleen Livingstone and senior Olivia
Rintoul-Thomas are two talented art students
whose work will be displayed during the Festival
of the Arts on May 6. Livingstone is a candidate
for two $12,000 Maryland Distinguished Scholar-
ships; one for her academic performance and the
other in visual arts. Rintoul-Thomas is participat-
ing in the Megahertz Shortie Award program.
n n n
Juniors Michael Joiner and Rhea Wyse are run-
ning for SGA President, freshman Alana Dawkins
and junior Malcolm Jenkins are running for SGA
Vice-President, junior Joal Chen is running for
SGA Secretary and sophomore Michael Kister is
running for SGA Treasurer. Elections will be held
April 13.
n n n
Senior captain Spencer Sterling made The Wash-
ington Post’s first team All-met and The Gazette’s
first team All-County along with senior Cameron
O aCrT
M
2150 BLAKE
March 25
Varsity softball at Northwest, 3:30pm
JV softball vs. Northwest, 3:30pm
Coed volleyball at Springbrook,
5:15pm
Swing Night X in cafeteria, 6pm
Boys’ volleyball at Springbrook, 7pm
March 26
Varsity baseball at Northwest, 1:30pm
JV baseball vs. Northwest, 10am
March 28
Coed volleyball vs. Whitman, 3:30pm
Boys’ volleyball vs. Whitman, 5:15pm
March 25, 2011
aB eers
Jenn
Lydi
a Curd
Lancon who made Honorable Mention. Sterling,
Lancon and sophomore Cory Camp were also
named to the Coach’s MCPS All-County team.
n n n
Led by junior captain Lucas Irvin, the It’s Aca-
demic team defeated George Mason and Walt
Whitman high schools March 5, 635-465-395.
Seniors Dylan Hysen and Conor Wallace also
started for the Bengals in a game which airs April
16 on Channel 4. Blake plays Richard Montgom-
ery and a team still to be decided in the semifinals
April 30. Tickets are free to be in the live studio
audience.
n n n
Junior Hayley Fixler is one of 30 students to re-
ceive honorable mention for her video “A Different
Kind of Orphan” that she entered into C-SPAN’s
national, annual student documentary competition.
There were over 1,069 entries, a record-breaking
number. The video can be viewed at http://student-
cam.viddler.com/videos/watch.php?id=443abb76.
CALENDAR
March 29
Boys’ tennis at Rockville, 3:30pm
JV girls’ lacrosse vs. Quince Orchard,
3:30pm
JV boys’ lacrosse vs. Quince Orchard,
5pm
Varsity girls’ lacrosse at Quince Or-
chard, 5:15pm
Varsity boys’ lacrosse at Quince Or-
chard, 7pm
March 30
Varsity baseball at Kennedy, 3:30pm
JV baseball vs. Kennedy, 3:30pm
Outdoor track and field at Richard
Montgomery, 3:30pm
Coed volleyball vs. Sherwood, 5:15pm
Boys’ volleyball vs. Sherwood, 7pm
A5
ot tlieb
Amy G
ts
n n n
AP Government teacher Mary Wagner and sopho-
mores Jenna Beers and Lydia Curdts attended
the Governor’s Youth Inaugural Event at the
University of Maryland, February 18. At the event,
Governor Martin O’Malley and Lieutenant Gover-
nor Anthony Brown shared their views on various
issues with students from all over the county.
n n n
Seniors Connie Dai, Amy Gottlieb and Kira Wil-
liams are finalists for the Alicia Betancourt Prize
for Excellence in the Arts. A $5000 scholarship
will be awarded to the winner, with the first runner-
up receiving a $1000 scholarship and the second
runner-up a $500 scholarship. The prizes will be
given during the Academic Awards Night May 24.
n n n
Sophomore Westin Lee’s name was left off The
Beat’s Honor Roll ad in the February 18 Issue. Beat
editors regret the omission.
March 31
Boys’ tennis vs. Springbrook, 3:30pm
Varsity softball at Kennedy, 3:30pm
JV softball vs. Kennedy, 3:30pm
Gymnastics vs. Walter Johnson, 6pm
April 1
Boys’ volleyball at B-CC, 5:15pm
JV boys’ lacrosse at Sherwood, 5:15pm
JV girls’ lacrosse vs. Sherwood, 5:30pm
Varsity girls’ lacrosse at Sherwood,
7pm
Varsity boys’ lacrosse at Sherwood,
7pm
Spring musical: Hairspray, 7pm
A8 March 25, 2011 The Blake Beat

MCPS changes unpopular

cell phone policy after
many persistent requests
Students now permitted to
text message during school
x by Sammi Levitt & Savannah Tryens
As of Tuesday, the MCPS cell phone policy has changed, allowing
students to use their cell phones throughout the day. You heard us right
kids, no more, “I was using it as a calculator,” excuse. You are now free
to flaunt your phones and boldly say, “I was using it to text.”
Really? Texting during the school day? Sorry to burst your bubble,
but April Fools! Now that we have caught your attention, let’s focus on
what we all really lose sleep over come April: good April Fools jokes. Our
personal favorite is going up to someone on that beautiful April day and
simply saying “Hey bro, I’m really sorry but I just found out your mom
died.” Are you kidding me? That’s a sure fire way to get yourself punched
smack in the face.
Let’s get down to business (as you’ll soon see, we mean that literally)
because this prank is only for the best of the best—the true geniuses. All
you need is a little saran wrap and, hopefully, a merciful victim. It’s simple:
lift the toilet seat, tightly secure saran wrap on the bowl, put the toilet seat
back on and, voila, you have just created your very own splash zone.
The string tied to a dollar is another classic trick. Consider yourself
warned because this is a recession, and people will do anything for an extra
dollar. All you do is puncture a small hole in the bill with something like
the edge of a paper clip, loop some (preferably transparent) string through
the hole, throw the dollar in the hall and go fishing. When you get a bite,
yank the string back like it’s the last dollar you’ll ever have, because if
they get it before you do, trust us, you’re not getting it back.
Now what’s really the most important thing is that you censor your-
self. I know we all have urges to slip someone a few sleeping pills or give
someone who’s allergic to nuts some peanut butter—we get the urge on
a daily basis—but April Fools’ is about humor, not hostility, so have fun
with it and don’t go overboard.

How to rid yourself of obsessed stalkers who will just not leave
Simple guide to shaking off your creepy admirer without breaking hearts
with that awkward, nerdy boy that what they may do. responding to their chats or (shud- ings by completely ignoring them
x by David Hylton you’re nice to because he doesn’t fit Now, the first step: limit der) texts. in the halls. I’m not saying wave to
You’re sitting in chemistry in. This is something hard to deal conversation. I, if ever in this Second step: try mixing up them every time they see you (that
class and the girl next to you looks with because you feel bad and don’t sticky situation, tend to make it your schedule. Instead of sitting in would just lead to a relapse of their
around helplessly, asking for a pen- want to hurt their feelings. But obvious when I’m not really listen- the same lunch spot day after day, addiction), but do acknowledge
cil. You tell her you have an extra when you notice them walking by ing to somebody, hoping they’ll switch it up a little bit. And if your their presence occasionally. Maybe
one, but as you’re passing to her, your lunch spot five to seven times take the hint. Short responses are class is not assigned seating, every you’re the one thing that brightens
your finger tips lightly touch and per day, you can’t help but want to always the best -- you’re not being now and then sit somewhere else. up their day.
you see a spark light up in her eye. get rid of them. completely rude by ignoring them, The fewer opportunities your stalk- Finally, freedom! You’ve
Uh-oh. This is awkward. Sadly, it’s going to have to but you’re not making it look like er has of seeing you, the better. completed the process and now
Guys, I’m sure you’ve all be a gradual process - for your own you’re interested in talking to them Final Step: once you’ve es- you don’t have nightmares anymore
dealt with this at least once in your safety. I know, I know, you can’t by any means (phrases like “uh- tablished that you’re not interested about waking up and them being at
life, and girls, you probably have stand their presence, but people are huh,” “oh yeah,” “oh true,” “yeah, and the talking is very limited be- the foot of your bed. Now about that
experienced something similar crazy these days; you never know you’re right”). Also, gradually stop tween you two, don’t hurt their feel- creepy teacher of yours…

YouTube provides new outlet for instant 15 minutes of fame, fortune

Viral videos prove to change lives without pulling a Kim Kardashian
x by Leisha Winley
YouTube is great for a lot of things:
listening to music, watching video and
becoming famous? That’s right. YouTube
has changed from a source of entertain-
ment to the foundation for fame.
YouTube has launched the careers
of many of our favorite singers, actors
and catch phrases. One of the most well-
known stars of YouTube fame has to be
Justin Bieber, who posted videos of him-
self singing. Before he knew it, he had a
manager and a record deal. He has since
been nominated for two Grammys, writ-
ten a book and has a successful movie,
Never Say Never. Not to mention he is
the most stalked teenage boy in the world.
He somehow even got into the nail polish
business; seems like he is snatching up
any offer he gets.
Lucas Cruikshank is another kid
who became famous after posting videos
of himself as “Fred”, a weird kid with a
screeching voice who has anger problems.
The videos are funny, yet a little creepy-
especially when he crosses his eyes -- but
people like them. He was the first person
to ever have one million subscribers on
his YouTube channel. He appeared on
iCarly, Hannah Montana and had his
own movie, Fred: The Movie. Congrats,
Lucas. Your videos now encourage weird
people to do weird(er) things.
Antoine Dodson also experienced
sudden fame from YouTube. His sister
almost got raped and as the news was
covering the story, Antoine gave a memo-
rable and (very) passionate interview. The
Gregory Brothers saw the video, remixed
it and created the song “Bed Intruder”.
The video went viral. I have seen
it numerous times and (sadly) know all
of the words. Antoine received offers to
appear on talk shows, his song hit iTunes
and he opened the BET Awards. He even
had a top selling Halloween costume and
is filming a reality show. He got America
to hide their kids and their wives and their
husbands, too (now run and tell that).
YouTube is a new way for people
to be famous without taking the Kim
Kardashian path. So kids, all you need
is a little talent, a bit of rage and a touch
of humor and you too can be the next big
internet sensation.

Goodbye textbooks, hello 21st century version of cyber-learning

x by Savannah Doane-Malotte
Every semester, students receive numerous smelly,
hundred-pound textbooks that they are assigned to lug around
for the remainder of the school year. These books may help
us with our studies, but are in no way convenient or fitting
for the modern-day era. MCPS textbooks need to be replaced
with something that 50% of all schools in the United States
use; online ‘techbooks’.
Although MCPS has adjusted in some ways (introduc-
ing Promethean Boards, for example), techbooks are a needed
improvement. Discovery Education, the techbook program
that is primarily used throughout the US, helps educate
students in an interactive format, which is a great change
from the dry, dull textbooks that we’re used to. Students can
play games and videos, as well as effortlessly flip between
chapters while reading.
The online textbooks are also useful for students with
learning disabilities, as the program has features that allow
students to hear a passage read aloud or to click a word and
see its definition. This method creates livelier course mate-
rial and encourages students to actually comprehend the text
instead of merely skimming over passages.
Teachers as well as students are constantly complain-
ing about the ancient, beat-up textbooks that the county
provides with, especially when they need to be reordered
and purchased again due to damage. If we upgraded to online
textbooks, schools wouldn’t have to spend all the money
wasted on buying new books or repairing old ones. Teach-
ers would no longer nag us to cover our books, or frequently
ask us to bring them into class. They’d be right there, on the
computer; worry free.
In addition, imagine all of the paper MCPS could
save! Most of my textbooks have 700 pages, if not more;
but techbooks are completely environmentally friendly in
this regard. Paper would no longer be wasted on Biology or
AP Stat textbooks, as we’d have all that information at our
fingertips, online. With all of those worksheets and note sheets
we’re always getting in class, we don’t need any more paper
dwindling away.
Despite the fact that techbooks do cost money for a
subscription, it’s a well-made investment for the county. Our
technology savvy generation deserves more than the outdated
textbooks we’ve dealt with so long; so please, MCPS, join
the twenty-first century and update to techbooks.
The Blake Beat March 25, 2011 A9
Astrological signs foretell destiny with expert advice
Horoscopes, like, totally necessary for living life to fullest potential,
can’t surivive without

x by Sonia Polyzos
Horoscopes: the “Science of the
Stars” derived from the Greeks and Babylo-
nians. It’s one of the most ancient philosophies
in the world; in fact, zodiac signs and astrology itself
has been an ultimate cure to tribes, countries, and leaders
of the world, often predicting the future.
And now, the popularity of zodiac signs and horoscopes is
stronger than ever. C’mon, it’s the year 2011; who doesn’t have the daily
horoscope application on their smartphone? Or all of the Seventeen Magazine
horoscopes cut out of their magazine and hung up on their walls? Horoscopes are
and always
will be hu-
manity’s guide to
living life.
The myriad of an-
swers about our life are simple
to find. They eagerly lie in the leaves
of each magazine fold, in the depths of
the Google search engine, and the messages
from horoscope-expert-spammers craving to tell
you about yourself. You can even go on www.twitter.
com/horoscopes, and your questions are answered in just
one click.
It’s the specificity of astrology that I really appreciate. I find
it to be really neat that all of the 6,903,211,932 people in this world can
be classified into twelve different personalities. Thanks to the knowledge
of zodiac signs, now I know that every single person that’s an Aries (born from
March 12th to April 19th) is independent, outgoing and assertive. Not to mention, an
Aries man is “all about the thrill of the chase. Do not however, act as if you don’t care
about him.” Thanks, Zodiac Sign Astrology, for the spot-on advice!
I’m a daily horoscope reader myself – usually checking it about six times a day on
Twitter. This morning, at approximately 5:30am, I woke up and of course the first thing I
did was check my Leo horoscope. It tells me, “Try something you’ve never done before.
See what you can discover about yourself and the world.”
Then, BAM! It hit me. I realized that I need to go on a journey to re-discover who I
really am. Today I will stand on the lunch tables and break into dance in the middle of the
cafeteria. On my way home, I’ll run in the middle of the Randolph and New Hampshire
intersection and do cartwheels along the crosswalk. And to end off the day, I’ll squirt
chocolate syrup all over the aisles of the nearest grocery store and slide through it.
Wow, I’m really living my life and finding myself along the way. Thanks horo-
scope!
See guys, I don’t understand why everyone doesn’t analyze every word of their
astrological predictions. Advice is handed to you like a free movie ticket, and just like
that, you know which direction to move your life in.
So thanks Hellenic astrologers for studying the Sun and the heavenly body’s
control on the destiny of every man who has ever lived. Without you guys, I’d probably
just be going to school, hanging out with friends, doing homework and leading a normal
teenage life.

Privacy slowly going down drain, personal lives exposed for all to see
Innocent minds corrupted by constant supply of unnecessary gossip
x by Kristen Frese
As I sat in science class enjoying the beautiful sound
of my science teacher telling us all about stars, my lovely,
innocent science bubble was suddenly popped by the shrewd
voice of the girl next to me blabbing about her pregnancy
scare. Sure, that was more exciting than the worksheet on
my desk that I knew none of the answers to, but there are
some things that need to be kept private.
I mean, c’mon, people. I’m glad that you’re all so
comfortable shouting to the whole world that you wet the
bed last night or that you got arrested over the weekend for
doing drugs at the local park (heard that in science class,
too), but your comfort level is making me a tad bit uncom-
fortable. Whatever happened to people writing each other’s
business in bathroom stalls? I’m not advocating that in any
way, but at the rate we’re going, we’ll be carving our own
drama into the gray walls of the fresh smelling bathrooms
here at Blake.
It’s not just at school either; ever since I joined the
masses of Tweeters, I’ve found out so much more about
many of you than I ever wanted to know. I thought Twit-
ter might be an innocent place where we could all just tell
each other about our strolls through the park or how cute
our kittens are.
Feel free to keep a PRIVATE
diary in a book with a lock
and key. Otherwise, please
learn to whisper.
I was wrong. Having only been on Twitter for about
a month, I have discovered so much gossip. While having a
constant source of scandals is endlessly entertaining, I think
of you differently when you come to school on Monday after
drunk-tweeting about your crush on your brother or your
collection of mice. It’s just plain creepy.
And while I’m on this internet tangent here, let’s
talk about the apparent need to upload pictures of yourself
holding a glass that is filled with a liquid probably about
.0000001% alcohol, while lifting up your shirt to expose
your currently-forming beer belly and holding a mysteri-
ous looking drug in your right hand. That’s not cute. And
not only that, while stalking your profile (you do it, too), I
discovered that you’re friends with your mom. So not only
are you broadcasting your underage drinking, drug doing and
shirt-lifting to the whole school, you’re also broadcasting it
to your mom. She must be proud.
I guess what I’m trying to say here is that shouting
your personal business at the top of your lungs is not only
evasive to my innocent mind, it is also inappropriate and
unnecessary. You might be proud that you got drunk and
hooked up with 47 boys who were all about 14, but it’s not
something I want to know. Feel free to keep a PRIVATE
diary in a book with a lock and key. Otherwise, please learn
to whisper.
A10
Conflict via internet, big mistake, handle it face-to-face
Junior advises peers against talking smack behind computer screens
x by Isaac Appel
That girl over there just said
you have a flappy butt, and that
boy just said you’re a scrawny
scrump of a man. Instead of
growing a pair, you decide the
best way to confront the problem
is by making a twitter status or
sending a rough worded text mes-
sage...lame.
What happened to the days
of a full out brawl in the middle of
the hallway or at least some cool
calm and collected argument with
a hint of trashy words?
Anyone can act tough by
sitting comfortably at home in
their computer chair and typing
away with miles in between them
and the other person. Venting
those feelings online is just a way
for people to make their puny,
little selves feel a tiny bit bigger.
On the other hand, I’m not
saying go grab a pitch fork and
start a fight, because if you’re
like me—a charming, handsome
Jew from the rough streets of
Stonegate who knows nothing
about fighting—then you will be
the one getting a beating.
March 25, 2011
Anyone can act How about you start think-
ing outside the little box known
tough by sitting as the online web and try using
actual words and sounds. There
comfortably at have been too many times when
I have heard people tell stories
home in their saying, “And then I said ‘Oh no
computer chair and you didn’t!’…but you know, not
really…just in my head.”
typing away with Talking and vomiting your
feelings all over a Facebook page
miles in between just makes the problem bigger
and makes you look even more
them and the other pathetic. Do you think anyone
person. looks tough on Facebook?
Let’s say you decide to mouth off
The Blake Beat
on Facebook, like the big tough
Guido we are all dying to be, and
the person you are whining about
confronts you in person. For start-
ers, you will look like a wuss and
probably need a diaper change;
then you’ll be so embarrassed
you’ll stutter when it’s your turn
to talk.
Men, it’s time to man up
and women, it’s time to uh…
woman up? So for all you wimpy
chumps out there, gain some con-
fidence and confront the people
in person, stop hiding behind a
fire wall.

Quick tips for making college visits an unforgettable, successful day

Making an impression has never been easier with Pledger’s advice
x by Caroline Pledger
As senior year winds to a close, I look
back on the countless nights I spent staring at
a computer, waiting for my college applica-
tions to write themselves.
Though undoubtedly, a process requir-
ing undying stamina and absolute devotion to
the task at hand, every word was worth the
inevitable $2,000 per credit (or more) I would
be paying at my fine institution of choice.
But regardless of petty details like
money—since I can always sell my organs
on the black market if I really need a quick
buck—I feel confident that I have applied
to the right schools because I followed the
key steps below, which, might I add, are
straight off the very credible College Board
website.
When you first arrive, you will be
dazed and confused by the bright lights that
shine behind what you believe to be the
wrought iron gates of heaven. This is called
College, sometimes even University, and
for those who are on their official first visit,
this is the best time to pee your pants over
the excitement your future holds. Thank-
fully, undergrads on campus know that this
is a stressful time for you, and fully expect
you to hold your parent’s hand and/or suck
your thumb.
On your campus tour coax your guide
with some food from your packed lunch so
that you’ll gain his trust. This ensures that he
will like you more and tell you where all the
cool kids hang out on the weekends. In fact,
laugh at ALL his jokes and try to become
best friends as soon as possible; that way you
can ditch the ‘rents right as the tour ends and
check out the underground party scene with
your future roomie.
While you’re there, tour a class!
There’s no better medium than college to
express your ideas and be heard, so pick a
moment from any high school movie and
re-enact this for the class. Personally, I chose
to stand on top of my desk and shout “Carpe
Diem!”- but that’s just me; if anything you
should go with an even bigger approach.
By the end of class you should start
to see yourself fitting into the diverse atmo-
sphere of the University. And don’t forget
to take meticulous notes during the lecture,
including, but certainly not limited to: Cut-
est Boys, Hottest Clothing Trends, Easy-A
Classes, Best Spots for Secret Trysts and
Nearest Bathrooms—all the essentials for
college.
And for further reference, take as
many creepy pictures as possible—get in
people’s faces and ask the real questions.
If you’re timid, be like me and lie until you
get somewhere. There’s no shame in being
a pseudo-photojournalism major for one
afternoon.
And finally, the most important step
of all: hit the gift shop on your way out. It’s
safe to say that schools determine which
students they admit based on how many
pairs of sweatpants they bought while on
their visit. Nothing says affection for higher
learning like “Fear the Turtle” written across
your backside.
Plus, you’ll be the center of attention
when you return to the bland, confining walls
of high school, as everyone will beg for an-
swers and yearn secretly for your success.
In conclusion, it’s best to sever all ties
to the University after you’ve left for home.
If they really want you, then they’ll fill out
the application for you, but don’t be too shy
to leave a courteous final impression.
As a thank you card, send back the
charred remains of the business cards you
collected from counselors and staff, because
there is no better way to express the bold,
daring attitude colleges look for than to leave
them with your signature sour attitude.

You can learn

to do well or
learn to do good.

Why not both?

At Siena, success is measured not only by personal achievement,
but the positive impact you have on others.

www.siena.edu
The Blake Beat March 25, 2011 A11
Inexperienced teachers confounded by Promethean Boards
Frese finds new school technology incapable of assisting students
we choose not to. But now that we’ve had to know in order to pass the final exam. But obsessed with technology. If we surround
x by Kristen Frese the boards for a while, I’m starting to realize she’s just one of many. five year-olds with high-tech instruments in
Most teachers still don’t know how to that we really don’t need them. I’ve had teachers spend the first half of school, they’ll become intrigued and depen-
utilize them; students don’t get to use them; The Promethean boards were really class trying to write on it while they’re still in dent on all types of technology.
and when the company takes them back, there exciting when they were first put into most of eraser mode. So the boards are cool–but they High schools don’t even need Pro-
will be huge holes in our school’s white- the rooms—until I had to sit through countless might be too cool for some of the teachers metheans – so elementary schools definitely
boards. So what was the point of temporarily hours of teachers struggling to figure them at our school. don’t. I can just imagine an elementary teach-
installing Promethean boards? out. In ninth grade, my math teacher thought But it’s not even just high schools er struggling to use the boards, except those
At first, I thought the high-tech boards that the “Clear Annotations” water bottle sign that have these pieces of technology. Most students can’t help them figure it out.
were really cool, and that they were part of on the Promethean board was a goody bag. elementary and middle schools have Pro- Promethean boards: one step forward
the new age, which was supposed to include That really didn’t help her case. Nor did it methean boards; and yet, parents and school for technology…six steps back for teach-
flying cars and robots that do all the tasks help me learn how to do the math that I needed boards complain that young kids are too ers.

Ditch killer heels,

invest in stylish flats
x by Tatiana Hetherington
Everyone knows that the shoes make the outfit.
Women have been known to indulge in many different
types of shoes. One well-liked shoe type is high heels. From
an inch to four inches, women seem to have taken a liking to
these fashionable accessories. Who could blame them?
High heel shoes have been known to bring out the
physique many men seem to admire in women. By wearing
heels, women are able to lengthen and slim their legs without
having to lose tons of pounds. Heels also make women feel
more comfortable and confident in their look.
But do these reasons justify the price women must
pay to wear heels? High heel wearers are more prone to
foot, knee, back and posture problems. They also have an
increased chance of gaining injuries caused by falls and risk
developing shortened calf muscles.
Based on a study by the American Podiatric Associa-
tion, thirty nine percent of women wear heels in the United
States every day. Of those thirty nine percent, three out
of four women reported having foot ache caused by shoe
related factors.
However, women can easily avoid this situation by
wearing flats more often in order to rest their feet from the
strain put on them by the heels. Women should also buy
heels that fit their height and foot shape. Simply slipping
gel pads into heels while wearing them has been known to
decrease the formation of calluses on feet which tend to
cause pain.
Women have been known for the many sacrifices they
make in life; wearing heels is just another to add to the list.
So for the ladies out there who are looking for a way to look
attractive while staying safe, according to recent runway
shows, flats are back this spring!

Lax Bros placed under microscope, criticized as numbers increase

Stick sightings on the rise, junior snaps as more boys fall to stereotype
x by Abby Ramlagan
No matter where I go I can’t
escape it. The gloves, the sticks,
the annoying fluorescent shorts
and the words that start the night-
mare all over again: Lax Bros.
We know that the first of
every March they emerge in all
their long-haired and ignorant
glory, and this year it’s the worst:
unfortunately, the pack has grown
even bigger, meaning more people
will follow the Lax Bro rules that
we all know and love:
1. Must Bro-snap as often
as possible.
2. Always be a D-bag to
everyone, no matter what.
3. Always wear shirts that
have no sleeves to show off
the muscles that don’t impress
anyone.
4. Carry your stick to each
class even if you have a locker
(make sure it’s visible to all others
walking in the hallway, in order to
show off your lax-bro-ness).
5. Always wear neon color
shorts even though you look like
you’re wearing a bathing suit from
the 90’s.
6. Always keep your hair
long, even if you look like an
under-groomed dog.
7. And finally, never care
that half the school wants to
burn each and every one of your
sticks.
I must say that this year’s
Lax Bros are amazing at sticking
to these rules. I have yet to see one
Blake Lax Bro fail to follow his
pack. It’s time that we realize that
these boys do not care, nor will
they ever care, that they are the
biggest annoyance to us all (see
rule number seven).
But that’s alright, because
we totally understand your de-
cision. We all get that it’s just
because you guys want to live up
to the status quo associated with
being a Lax Bro, even if we all
want to cause you harm.
A12 March 25, 2011 The Blake Beat
Senior reviews new Bradley Cooper film Limitless, exciting plot enthralls, p. B7

Section B James Hubert Blake High School March 25, 2011

Students’ hard work pays off with rewarding scholarships

Riderwood aids employees with opportunities to pursue higher education
by Sammi Levitt
x & Savannah Tryens
Riderwood Nursing
Home gives deserving
students endless op-
portunities by
awarding
them a

schol-
arship to assist
the financial burden of
college.
Seniors Emily Watt, Bemnet Yazew,
Grace Mlingi, Maria Nnassanga and
Bryce Akonner are all receiving the
Riderwood Scholarship this year. To be
eligible to apply for the scholarship, em-
ployees must have worked a minimum
of 1000 hours and been employed for
two years. To apply for the scholarship,
the students were required to fill out an
application, get a recommendation from
a resident and write two essays: one on
how Riderwood contributed to their suc-
cess and the other as a thank you note to
the residents.
Working at Riderwood has addi-
tional benefits besides just receiving a
pay check. “I’ve learned a lot of skills that
will help me in the real world, especially
dealing with people and organizing my
time,”
says Watt.
“I’m very pleased
to know that the residents of Clock wise from left: Senior Grace Mlingi, just a few of the many Blake students who
Riderwood care about us enough to sophomore Jean Suazo, junior Cadijah ride the Riderwood bus to work. -- photo
help us go to college.” The schol- Walcott and junior Tracy Velazquez are by Aron Crews
arship entitles a total of $1,500 a with their residents and enjoy their go home. Watt enjoys going to the gym
year for a four year college, totalling presence. Says senior and Riderwood on campus when her shift is over.
$6,000. employee Jade Ross, “The people there, While every student is very grate-
The job is also very convenient for including residents and staff, make the ful for the scholarship, it is just the
students because Riderwood provides a job worthwhile.” icing on the cake since the job already
bus that comes directly after school to Once the students arrive at Rider- provides such good benefits. This group
pick up the students and take them to the wood they have around 45 minutes be- of seniors really appreciates all that Rid-
Riderwood facility. It makes it especially fore they have to clock in. Most students erwood has done for them. Adds senior
easier for students who do not have li- use that time to grab something to eat and Grace Mlingi, “It is just a blessing to
censes because they do not need to find change into their uniforms. A usual shift help my residents. It becomes less of a
a ride to work every day. ranges from 4:30pm to 8:00pm. Once job and more as a favor I would do for
Most of the workers have bonded their shifts are over, everyone is free to a friend.”

Teacher uses new methods, makes old Shakespearean language fun

Students cast insults at each other to comprehend classic literature
x by Dylan Hysen & Conor Wallace
Feuding houses spew venomous insults at one an-
other as rocks are thrown in malice at the opposition. One
after another, different members of each house walk away
victorious from individual clashes of colloquies.
This may not seem like the atmosphere of a ninth
grade English class, but that’s exactly what English teacher
Deena Barlev’s classes were transformed into for the third
annual Shakespearean Insult Fest.
The fest featured two teams named for the opposing
houses in Romeo and Juliet, the Capulets and the Mon-
tagues. Each team was required to come up with a list of
old English style insults to harangue the opponents. Says
Ms. Barlev, “My goal is for students to have fun with the
language of Shakespeare, to play with the texture, music,
flavor and rhythm of the words.”
In each round, one member of each team took turns
coming up with a string of insults. The other team members
cheered on their cohorts while throwing paper balls or
“rocks” at the opposition’s feet. Then judges, who included
students from past years, decided which person had come
up with the best insult.
The Fest contained fervor you would not normally
find in any educational class. “Most classes go wild over
this activity and prepare for it with great enthusiasm,” says
Ms. Barlev. “Former students stop by to remind me with
great nostalgia of the fun we had.”
The insults seemed randomly strung together with
the insertion of words like “foot-licker” and “rabbit-
sucker,” but that does not bother Ms. Barlev. “Students
needn’t actually know what a ‘waggish, wenching, reeky,
rump-fed, shrill-gorged, lily-livered rampallion’ is to have
fun hurling that insult at a foe,” says Ms. Barlev. “The
text is just a script; a performance involves many other
elements, like movement, intonation, gestures, facial ex-
pressions and timing.”
The students seemed to enjoy the activity, despite
clearly not comprehending the semantics involved. Says
Logan McMurray, freshman and captain of the second
period Capulet team, “I didn’t know what most of that we
were saying meant, but it was a fun way to use Shakespear-
ean language.” The students crafted the insults by selecting
words from a guide sheet given to them by Ms. Barlev.
The Insult Fest comes from the MCPS English 9
Curriculum and is intended to help make Shakespeare
more interesting for the students. Ms. Barlev incorporates
the feud from Romeo and Juliet to heighten the passion
in the activity.
While that passion was apparent in the students, it
was also clearly present in their teacher. Says Ms. Barlev,
“I want them to discover for themselves that, like poetry
or song lyrics, these words are meant to be heard and
performed, not just read on the page.”

I want them to discover...these words are meant to be heard and performed.

Deena Barlev
B2 March 25, 2011 The Blake Beat

Beloved National Capital Trolley Museum finally reopens

Relocated historical site upgraded, offers old-time feeling to public
by Sadia Bangura
x & Lily Hua
Make tracks for National Capital
Trolley Museum as it reopens to the
public after a year and a half of relocation
and renovations.
Complete with trolley rides, nu-
merous information panels and silent
movies, the new trolley museum cre-
ates an old-time setting for its modern
visitors. “It brings us back to a time
of peacefulness,” says museum visitor
Marilyn Nelson. Mrs. Nelson and her
husband are no strangers to the trolley
museum, having gone to the museum
at its old location. Although it has been
closed down for a year and a half due to
the need to relocate; when it reopened
it was 500 yards away from the old site
and even closer to the old railroad tracks.
The museum is still located right off of
Bonifant road.
People like to be able to ride this piece of
equipment that is 50 plus years old that
still works.
The main attraction of the museum
is the ten minute trolley ride that takes
riders out on a mile long course through
the park. Says dispatcher Eric Madison,
“People like to be able to ride this piece
of equipment that is 50 plus years old
that still works.” There are a total of 18
streetcars in the museum’s possession,
the oldest dating back to the early 1890s.
Eric Madison
The trolley has similar characteristics
compared to a bus or a train, but it is
powered by electricity from overhead
wires.
Although the museum is very spa-
cious, displays will be continually added
as they come in, many of which will
depend on funds and availability. While
some of the panels are permanent, some
of them will be rotated throughout the
year allowing visitors to learn different
aspects of how streetcars influenced the
Washingtonian area.
The majority of the workers at the
museum are volunteers (with the excep-
tion of two positions) who either want
to give back to the community or enjoy
learning about streetcars as they continue
to work at the museum. Says director of
marketing Bob Clarke, “I enjoy working
with the people, not just the volunteers,
but [also] the visitors.”

Junior is last link to Blake’s Cunningham-Cristaldi family tradition

by Adele Leishman
x & Abby Ramlagan
In most cases, when you go to a
school that your siblings have already at-
tended, there is always that expectation to
follow in the footsteps of your brother or
sister, rather than finding your own path
like many of those around you.
In spite of that pressure, junior
Courtney Cristaldi, the youngest of
eight children, has learned to embrace
the legacy her seven older siblings have
established at Blake.
Cristaldi says that although she has
followed behind her siblings in athletics,
she has created her own path throughout
high school. “I take my own path but I kind
of do do some of the same things as my
siblings... however I do different things as
well, so it’s a modified path of my own,”
says Cristaldi.
Initiating the Cunningham-Cristaldi
family tradition, her brother Kevin Cun-
ningham (’01) was one of the first students
Courtney Cristaldi
to attend Blake when it opened in 1998.
Courtney’s sisters, Katie West (’03),
Kristin Cristaldi (’03), Jenny Cunningham
(’05) and Keary Cristaldi (’10); and broth-
ers, James Cunningham (’05) and Tommy
Cunningham (’10), have continued the
tradition, which will end with Courtney’s
graduation in 2012. Courtney says “I’ve
been at Blake my whole life and it’s weird
that I won’t have a sibling going there
once I graduate…it will be bittersweet to
leave behind essentially a huge part of my
childhood.”
Although she loves being the only
Cristaldi-Cunningham at Blake, Court-
ney Cristaldi says, “I wanted to be an
only child when I was younger but now
that it’s just me, I miss everyone [being]
around.”
The family is well known at Blake
for their excellence in athletics. James
Cunningham played on the boys’ lacrosse
team along with his brothers Kevin Cun-
ningham and Tommy Cunningham. He
and his brothers also played for Blake’s
baseball team. Kevin Cunningham went to
states with the varsity baseball team.
Courtney Christaldi’s sisters par-
ticipated on the lacrosse and field hockey
team, as well as the Poms squad, while
attending Blake. Says Courtney Christaldi,
“My sisters Kristin, Jenny, Keary and I all
played field hockey… [we] were all goal-
ies for lacrosse.”
Like her brother Kevin Cunning-
ham, Keary Christaldi also traveled to
states with the girl’s lacrosse team. She
played goalie the first time the team made
it to states in 2009. Kristin Cristaldi was
named all-county by The Gazette in her
senior year, while Katie led poms as cap-
tain in both her junior and senior year.
Courtney has followed in their footsteps
by playing field hockey and lacrosse.
The family’s legacy has grown with
their donation to the football field’s con-
cession stand, upon which the names “John
and Patti Cunningham” were printed. “I
grew up playing under the bleachers at
football games,” Courtney Christladi adds.
That kind of pride and loyalty to Blake will
hopefully be home to the next generation
of the Cristaldi-Cunningham family.
The Blake Beat
Freshman
Kevin Wright shows off his skateboarding tricks. Despite
criticism for the hobby, students, like Wright, still enjoy
skateboarding. -- photo by Aaron Crews
March 25, 2011 B3
Skateboarders look to defy
stereotypical opinions
Students defend scrutinized
lifestyle, learn life lessons
x by Sarah Mansaray & Abby Ramlagan
For decades, people have viewed skateboarders as being
the long-haired, skinny jean wearing troublesome teenagers
present in images all over the media. But is this really true
about all of them? Blake sophomore Jake Gottlieb and fresh-
man Kevin Wright refute such claims.
“They pretty much see us as people who wreck up
property - but we don’t,” adds Gottlieb, who skateboards
frequently-- just for fun, not misconduct. The true image
of skateboarding came from the three Z-boys: Tony Alva,
Jay Adams and Stacy Peralta. They made skating about
not caring about anybody else’s opinions, being who you
are and skating because you love it.
Despite humble beginnings in Dog Town Venice
with the three Z-Boys, the act of skateboarding has
somehow transformed into the greasy, immoral, rebel-
They pretty much see us
as people who wreck up
property--but we don’t.
Jake Gottlieb
lious image for skateboarders today. This image often puts these
skateboarders in a very bad light, whether they care or not. Junior
Tram Truong says, “When I think of skateboarders, I think of emo,
screaming music, obnoxious behavior and them skating around doing
their little flips and jumps.”
Senior Darryle Bennett believes that this image was birthed because
skateboarding got around to neighborhoods and schools that are a little less than
preferable. Another possible reason is because stereotypical skateboarders such as
Jay Adams, give off the image of apathy for public well-being. “He doesn’t care about
anything materialistic or people’s opinions,” says Wright, who is inspired by Adams’ at-
titude.
However, there seems to be a good portion of skateboarders who are actually not follow-
ing that image. To some, the only image dedicated skateboarders want is the one created by the three
Z-Boys because skateboarding is something truly important in their lives. Wright says, “When you don’t
have the ability to do a trick, and you keep trying to do it over and over again, trying to land it, it’s not just
skateboarding now, it’s a life lesson.”
B6
CONGRATULATIONS
TO THE JAMES HUBERT BLAKE
CLASS OF 2011*
Family of Nicole Alexander
The Anderson-Edge Family
The Akonnor Family
The Family of Isaac Appel
Gift Awusi and Family
Amir Azizi and Family
Parents of Rachel Babcock
Sadia Bangura and Family
Celebrating You Spa/Lisa Barnes
Isabela Barriga
The Bartlett Family
The Beers family
Laura Bennett
Meryl Bloomrosen
The Bond Family
The Bondon Family
The Boulandi Family
Elaine Bubes
The Family of Anthony Bui
The Burkhardt Family
The Calderon Family
The Cameron Family
The Campbell Family
Abbe Carliver
The Carr Family
Ms. Deborah Carter
The Family of Victor Chau
The Cirincione Family
Brandon Clutts
The Comer Family
Family of Rachel Cooper
Ms. Lydia Dean-Reese
Family of Kimiesha Dean
Mr. Williams Dean
The Deshler Family
The Diby Family
The Diggs Family
The Dionne Family
The Doane-Malotte Family
The Dollemore Family
The Dowdall Family
The Drucker Family
Christina Eaglin
The Englander Family
The Errigo Family
The Family of Mary Fernandes
Mr. John Fitzgerald
The Freeman Family
Renee Frielich
The Frese Family
The Fuentes Family
The Gates Family
Family of Gwen Giles
The Girolami Family
The Glantz Family
The Glatt Family
The Gottschalk Family
The Family of Daphne O’Grady
Paula Hasty
Gladys Hetherington
Burgess and Ivalee Hoffman
The Hua Family
*These people contributed donations to help support the publication of this issue of the Blake Beat
March 25, 2011
The Hung Family
The Hysen Family
The Hylton Family
The Family of Lucas Irvin
Christian Jeong and Family
Devon Johnson
Miles Johnson
Mildred Family
The Joiner Family
The Kalinich Family
The Kenney Family
The Klein Family
The Klemko Family
The Klumpp Family
Mark Kohorst
The Kos Family
The Krakaur Family
The Kronemer Family
Mary Ellen Cain/ Emily Goldman
The Family of Blaire Hoffman
The Family of Diana Le
The Leishman/Benson Family
The Lemberos Family
Sam Lettieri
The Levitt Family
The Linsenmeyer Family
The Family of Eugene Litman
The Livesay Family
Family of Colleen Livingstone
Daniel Louloudes
The Looneys
The Lowry Family
The Lyons Family
The Maas Family
Mrs. Maduako
Valerie Manigan
Mansaray Family
Beverly Markowitz
Bruce Markowitz
The McKnight Family
The Mehallick Family
The Family of Tara McIntyre
Meredith Mathis
Grace Mlingi and Family
The Morstein Family
The Murray Family
The Murray Family
The Musa Family
Family of Vanessa Newman
The Nguyen Family
The Nhabay Family
Paige O’Flahavan
The O’Flahavan Family
The Olowoofayoku Family
The Owens
Jonathon Q Parks
The Patterson Family Grandmother of Leisha and Larisha Winley
The Paunil Family The Family of Leisha and Larisha Winley
Beth Pereira
Margo Pokras
The Present Family
The Purich Family
The Blake Beat
The Ramlagan Family
The Reyes Family
The Rizkallah-Pena Family
The Perla Family
Kirsten Petersen
Stephanie Pewitt
Family of Grace Plihal
Barbara Plunkett
The Polyzos Family
Sarah Prather
Rolanda Quigley
The Ramamurti Family
Dora Ramirez
The Raul Family
Kim Reese
The Rehman Family
Sackson Family
The Sallman Family
Hamida Sallman-Ahmad
Kay Secker
The Family of Isak Shah
The Family of Max Shannon
Harriet Sigel
Rachel Soetan
The Song Family
Sow Family
The Spencers
The Spolarich Family
Christine St. Amand and Family
Floyd Starnes
Deborah Steel
The Straus Family
Stuart Family
Natasha Swinson
Miranda Tabe and Family
The Tatnall Family
C. Taylor
The Family of Simone Taylor
The Family of Samara Tu
The Tryens Family
The Twain Family
Joann Valentin
The Valerio Family
The Vanegas Family
The Velez Family
The Walcott Family
The Waldman Family
The Wallace Family
Deborah Wade
Joan Wade
Matt and Pam Wade
Maura and Scott Wade
Don and Helen Waugh
The Family of Brandon Weber
The Weiss Family
David and Janice Williams
The Wood Family
The Yates Family
The Yee Family
The Zaika Family
The Blake Beat March 25, 2011 B7

REVIEWS FOR YOU

Grab your Pokéballs, Team Plasma awaits
x by Brianna Livesay
Pokémon Black and White was
released March 6 as the latest addition to
the Pokémon series, causing many fans to
wonder, “Will it be just as good as its pre-
decessors? Will the graphics have improved
since Soul Silver and Heart Gold? Will the
new Pokémon look entirely ridiculous but
have amazingly strong attacks?” Yes, yes,
and, for better or worse, yes.
Black and White’s turn-by-turn
battles, opposing team conflicts and type
advantages are characteristic of all Poké-
mon games before it; however, among the
common roots of its game-play thrives an
exciting new plotline centered not only
on right and wrong, but on ethics and
morality—which may do more to entertain
older players than Team Rocket’s mindless
stealing and meanness.
The plot also builds each time a
player enters a new city, where the new
opposing characters (Team Plasma), one of
your friends or even an unmet gym leader
might meet up with you. This makes the
game quite a bit more involved than Red
or Blue, even more so than recent versions
such as Diamond or Pearl.
Another exciting feature of Black
and White is the updated, almost three-
dimensional graphics. For those unfamiliar
with the Pokémon series, this might not
sound too exciting, but trust me, it is down-
right beautiful. The slant of the ground has
gone down to about 40 degrees, though it
changes in some places for a great cinematic
experience. In battles, you zoom in on your
opponent when they are taking an attack
from your team of one to three. That’s right,
three of them all out at once. You can even
run into two Pokémon at the same time in
some grassy areas.
Although several of the newer
Pokémon are a little uncreative (a trash
bag Pokémon? Come on, Nintendo…), the
oddities of it all really add to the experi-
ence some of us had when we had no idea
what to expect when first playing Pokémon
Red. Social additions such as the C-Gear, a
device you can use to interact with nearby
friends, also make the game more player-
integrated and unique to Pokémon’s most
hard core fans and those who have never
played it before.
All strange designs considered, Poké-
mon Black and White games are very beau-
tiful and impressive games- they are great Brianna Livesay
additions to an already engaging series.

Limitless’ refreshing plot takes viewers on a wild ride

x by Isak Shah
Limitless is the nonpareil of modern
film. Neil Burger’s innovative take on
camera angles, a near-perfect cast and a
plot that runs at breakneck speed serve to
take the audience on the proverbial ride
of its life.
The story centers itself around a new
street drug, designed to allow its user ac-
cess to an abnormal 100 percent of their
brain. The user? Eddie Morra, portrayed by
the suave Bradley Cooper, is a failing, dirt-
poor “writer” at the end of his rope who has
yet to write a single word of his so-called
novel. Of course, given the circumstances,
the man will nearly try anything to get back
on track. As Morra says, “How many of us
Isak Shah ever know what it is to become the perfect
version of ourselves?”
As the audience follows Morra
through his blazingly bright highs, and his
painful, desperate lows; whirling, flashing,
skipping camera angles draw us literally
in to the story. We become firsthand wit-
nesses to the springs of potential unleashed
by the drug, and of its immense capacity
to crush and destroy. To call this film
“trippy” would be the understatement of
the year. In fact, far from stopping at just
the title of film, it is an experience- an
insight to be recommended to anyone and
everyone.
At every twist and tantalizing turn,
those of us on the outside were left guess-
ing and wishing we knew what would
come next. The refreshing part was that
my guesses were almost never correct;
this movie actually is unpredictable. From
one-night-stands, to foreign tongues, to
the constant noise of a city that never
sleeps, you will love each and every one of
Morra’s exotic settings- truly, the high life
has never looked so appealing or seemed
so close.
I can honestly say that Limitless was
a sweet breath of fresh air- a wonderful
change from the monotony of the pileup
of cliché, recurring themes that continue to
mar Hollywood’s silver screen. Amongst
the thousand-and-one horror flicks about
evil, demon possessed children, and the
inane animated children’s’ films, we finally
have ourselves another monumental piece,
ergo Inception. Here’s to you, Limitless,
showing us that the minds of Hollywood
are still…limitless.

Jane Eyre movie doesn’t do original novel justice

Fans may be unhappy, but cinematography impresses
x by Molly Cohen
A cloaked figure darts across the
screen. The camera shakes, forewarning that
something must be wrong. Jane Eyre is run-
ning, but from what remains a mystery.
Jane Eyre’s story is told through
flashback and candlelight. The film jumps
from her days at the Rivers’ household to
Jane’s childhood, all the while portraying her
sense of integrity, self-respect and innocence.
Her relationship with Mr. Rochester, played
by Michael Fassbender is natural; however,
there is not enough time in the film for it to
truly develop.
Much of the witty banter between
Mr. Rochester and Jane, who is played by
Mia Wasikowska, can’t be found in the movie,
which is disappointing because it’s one of the
best parts of the novel. More importantly,
Jane’s wit is one of the defining traits of her
character, so movie-goers don’t get a good
sense of who Jane truly is. Her character in
the film is gentler and accepts everything Mr.
Rochester gives her, whereas her character
in the novel is more headstrong and doesn’t
accept things from him so easily.
What Jane lacks in character, the
film makes up for in its cinematography.
From the haunted yet beautiful Thornfield
Hall to the lavish home of Ms. Reed, you’ll
find yourself indulging in the film’s beautiful
landscapes.
The camera angles play a key role
in shaping the spectator’s experience. At
the beginning the camera boxes you in, as
if you are trapped with Jane at Ms. Reed’s.
However, after meeting Mr. Rochester, the
cameras zoom out, representing a change in
Jane’s emotions.
Wasikowska is the perfect choice
for Jane Eyre. Though there is little dialogue
in the film, she manages to project Jane’s
character perfectly.
Director Cary Fukunaga leads you
through the halls of Thornfield Manor on a
journey through an imaginative world that
becomes a reality. You will quickly forget that
it is merely a tale of fiction.
I would give Jane Eyre 3 out of 5
stars. Molly Cohen

Junior cautions avid fans to lower expectations

Brown’s pre-released singles help promote his FAME
x by Michael Joiner
Chris Brown has had quite the
month: dyeing his hair a repulsive
blonde, having a nude picture of
himself leaked on the internet and
now releasing his new album, FAME
(Forgive All My Enemies), with high
expectations from die-hard fans after
his well-received album, Graffiti.
FAME was released Tuesday;
however, Brown released six songs
as singles - the strongest part of
the album - throughout the year of
FAME’s creation. “Yeah 3x” is by
far Brown’s best song on the album,
and its original pop dance beat kept
Michael Joiner me fist-pumping as I enthusiastically
belted the lyrics.
This album features eight well-
known artists with different styles,
who blend well with Brown in the
songs, creating a unique combination
of music. “Look At Me Now” featur-
ing Busta Rhymes and Lil Wayne, was
one of the best songs in the album, as
Busta Rhymes kills the song with his
speedy delivery of the lyrics.
Although all of the songs have
very creative beats, a big flaw is in the
bridges: they are either nonexistent or
too similar to the choruses that follow.
In other words, there is no “wow fac-
tor” to any of the songs.
One of the shortest songs on the
album is “Love Them Girls,” yet it
feels much longer because the chorus
is just an annoying and hypnotic rep-
etition “love me,” which gets me to
feel anything but love for this song.
Regardless, “She Ain’t You” has
to be his worst on the whole album.
Its 1990s wannabe beat, along with
Brown’s auto-tuned voice, gives
reason to why Brown should rename
this song “A.T.M.F” (Apology To My
Fans) for having to hear this atrocity.
Overall, I would give the album
FAME a seven out of ten, mainly for
the superiority of the singles on the
album that were released early. Instead
of buying the entire album, it would
be wise to just purchase the few songs
that make you “put ya hands up.”
B8 March 25, 2011 The Blake Beat

The Blake High School

Stage Company and Music Department
Present

Opening night is just weeks away…

Get Your Tickets Soon!
$10 General Admission for all ages.
Seating is not reserved and available in advance or at the door.
$15 Reserved Seating for all ages.
Assigned on a first-come, first-served basis and will only be pre-sold during
school day. No Reserved Seats may be purchased during the weekends as
offices are closed.
Cash and checks made payable to Blake High School accepted. No credit cards.
For more information, see Box Office Manager, Denice Wepasnick at 301-879-1300.

The Blake High School Stage Company

Booster Club says “Break a Leg!”
www.blakestagecompany.org
Athletic director of 40 years and one of original Blake staff members retiring, p. C7
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Section D Section
C James Hubert Blake
Blake Beat High School
Sports March
25, 2011 December 17, 2010

Varsity softball team hopes for repeat as regional champs

Experience, talent major factors in previous and possible future success
x by Matt Present
Varsity softball looks to have a prom-
ising season after making it all the way to
the state semi-finals last year, since they
retain almost the exact same team heading
into this year.
“It’s huge for our team to have a lot
of experience,” says head coach Jessica Gar-
lick, who looks forward to the possibility of
the team returning to states. “For chemistry
it’s also huge, everyone [is] comfortable with
one another both on and off the field.”
The girls opened the season Monday,
defeating the Seneca Valley Lady Screaming
Eagles, 5-3. Junior pitcher Meredith Mathis
had a dominant performance, striking out
11 Screaming Eagles’ batters. The Lady
Bengals took the lead, 2-1, when senior co-
captain third baseman Bridget Hawvermale
led off the fourth inning with a single, stole
second and scored on a single by Mathis. Af-
ter stealing second and third, Mathis scored
on senior catcher Catherine Burkhardt’s
sacrifice bunt.
A big key for the Lady Bengals’ this
season will be Mathis who had great suc-
cess the past couple seasons. “To continue
to be successful I just need to work with
my defense and my catcher so that
we’re all on the same page,”
says Mathis.
Another big
component for
the team this
season
will be
Hawvermale, who hit for an astounding .608
average last season, and has committed to
play Division I softball at The University
of Maryland, next year. “I try to lead by
example and be a good student in school,”
says Hawvermale. “On the field, I try to
communicate a lot, along with my team-
mates.”
The Lady Bengals’ few defeats last
season all came as a result of being on the
short end of low scoring games. “We’ve
really improved offensively, hitting and
bunting in particular,” coach Garlick says.
“We spent a lot of time on bunting which
I think is going to help us a lot this year.”
Dropping down bunts will likely become
useful for the Lady Bengals in the playoffs
when runs come at a premium.
Today the Lady Bengals
will travel to Northwest and
play the Lady Jaguars
at 3:30pm. They will
also face the Ken-
nedy Lady Cava-
liers Thursday
at 3:30pm at
Kennedy.

Baseball starts
strong with win
Defense, pitching
keys to victory
x by Josh Paunil
After finishing last season with
a division championship and regional
championship appearance, the Blake
baseball team looks to repeat their suc-
cess and is off to a good start with a 4-2
win to open their season.
As the Bengals took on the Seneca
Jun

s
Valley Screaming Eagles in the first game
ew
i or

of the season, senior captain pitcher Max Cr

cen-
Shannon starred in a 4-2 win as he pitched
pit

t e r
on
ch

a five-inning shutout and hit a two-run home

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fielder
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run. “I was able to throw a shutout because of my

by

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defense,” says Shannon, “they made huge plays

to

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when they had to.” cW

- - p who scored on
Sophomore shortstop Pradip Ramamurti was ill 0.
among those who helped Shannon preserve his shutout by
ia m
n 2- Shannon’s home
throwing out a runner at home plate and making an unas-
sp
itc wo run, was named as
he a ls one of the players who
sisted double-play, ending the inning in both instances. sa ng the Bengals will have to rely
Ack- g ai e Be
n h
Ramamurti also provided the Bengals with their first two st th at t on this season. “Those three give
runs of the game as he battted in junior third baseman er, who was e Ele
an or R m a ge th us a lot of versatility,” says head coach
Andy McWilliams in the second and fourth innings, both named to the Mary- oos evelt R aid ers in a scri m
Steve Murfin, “in that they can pitch effectively
on two-out hits. land State Association of
and play multiple positions.”
Shannon was able to start off the game strong by re- Baseball Coaches Preseason All-State Team, recorded The team plans on taking each game one at a time,
cording two strikeouts in the first inning and finishing with three strikeouts and gave up just one earned run in his two starting with the Northwest Jaguars tomorrow in their first
a total of four strikeouts in five innings. After his shutout innings of work and sealed the win for the Bengals. “Be- away game of the season at 1:30pm. “Our bats need to
pitching performance and two-run home run, Blake had a ing named to the preseason all-state team was definitely come alive from the start and stay hot the whole game,”
4-0 lead heading into the sixth inning in which junior first an honor for me,” adds Acker.
baseman Cody Acker came in to close the game. Along with Acker and Shannon, senior captain and says Malner, “and if we can do that, plus play solid de-
fense, we’ll get the win.”

Hardworking gymnasts prepare for first meet of year on Thursday

Skilled A squad looks to succeed while B team trains for future fruition
x by Paige O’Flahavan
Bruised and tired, the mem-
bers of Blake’s gymnastics team
finish tryouts very sore, proving
they are ready to start the season
off with a bang.
Returning senior Jordan
Tillman knows about all the chal-
lenges that the sport entails. Tillman
says, “Gymnastics is one of the
hardest and most dangerous sports
at Blake. It takes a lot of courage or
maybe just a lot of crazy to do it.”
The team has a great work
ethic which is bound to pay off
later in the season, and help them
win their meets. Junior Johana
Martinez says, “The girls are very
hard working and put a lot of effort
into it.”
Gymnastics is an under-
standing team and coaches Danielle
D’Anna and Victoria White are
trying to build a good program this
year; therefore they decided not
to cut anyone. Instead, the team
has an A and B team. The B team
trains with the A team and is being
prepared for next season, when they
will be primed and ready to com-
pete. Tillman says, “We’ve lost a
lot of talent these past years but we
have a lot of potential this year.”
The team also has many per-
sonalities and skill levels. “We have
a lot of differences skill wise and
personality wise,” says Tillman. “It
might take us a little while to get
to a comfortable base but we’ve
always gotten there in the past, I
see no reason we won’t get there
this year.”
For Martinez, this is her first
year doing gymnastics and the new
experience has been great for her
and she is very optimistic about the
season. Martinez adds, “Not only
do the coaches help us learn but the
team helps one another.”
Come out and support the
Lady Bengals in their first meet of
the season Thursday at 6pm as they
take on the Walter Johnson Lady
Wildcats at home.

We’ve lost a lot of talent these past years but we have a lot of potential this year.
Jordan Tillman
jjjywryohwrthnsrsrnsbiuiyulfyuttfcufyufysrjoinbusrjnlisurtnislrutnjsrtnrtnrsttrdrtdn
VCU, Richmond, Butler among surprise teams in upset-riddled tournament, p. C6
C2 March 25, 2011 The Blake Beat

Varsity boys’ team looks to rebound after opening loss

Lacrosse squad stacked with promising talent, experienced players
by Sammi Levitt
x& Kristen Frese
Varsity boys’ lacrosse
players are optimistic as their
high level of experience and
leadership skills could lead to a
winning season.
The season started off
rough, however, with a 14-3
loss to Paint Branch, Monday.
Though the team has been prac-
ticing many different skills,
players felt those talents were
not shown at the game. Says
junior middie Nick Tatnall, “We
need to work on the basics and
play smarter. We have a lot to
Nick Tatnall improve on.”
The team has many notable
strong points this season. Coach
Patrick Howley hopes these
strengths will propel the boys
far. This year’s team includes
many players from a variety of
sports, so the team is extremely
athletic. “I’ve been really excited
for this team,” says coach How-
ley. “I’ve tried to pull [players]
from other teams that have done
really well.”
Many members of the team
are returning varsity players, so
the bond between them already
exists. “I really enjoy the connec-
tion I feel with the other guys on
the team,” says senior attack Matt
Rankin. “I look forward to build-
ing our chemistry together.”
The team expects to do well
because each player is dedicated
to their position. Senior middie
Eddie Madden excels at face offs,
which helps the team to start off
strong every game. “I have guys
that take pride in all the small
parts of the game…that’s my type
of team,” says coach Howley.
Because of the the great amount
of strong players, coach Howley
has trouble picking leaders or
stand-out players.
Many seniors brought not
only their skill, but also their
leadership qualities to the team
this year. A number of the juniors
hope to follow in the footsteps
of these strong teammates. Says
Tatnall, “All the seniors this
year are really athletic and help-
ful -- they assist us in any way
possible.”
Upcoming games include
away matches at Quince Orchard,
Tuesday, and at Sherwood, Fri-
day. One of the toughest games
this season will be Wootton
where the boys look forward to
a challenging game and are look-
ing to shock their opponents with
their new skill and experience.
“With the athletes we have, I
think we can surprise them, says
coach Howley. “These guys will
push for the win–they really
want it.”

Athletes warm up legs as spring season sun shines over outdoor track
by Jake Gordon
x & Rachel Jaffe
Arms pump. Legs push harder with
every step. Coaches yell at every turn. “Next
group, GO!”
While many of us go home for snacks
and entertainment after school, the outdoor
track team holds practice in Blake’s back-
yard, sprinting, jumping and throwing their
way across the finish line.
Athletes have been working throughout
the winter to prepare for a hopefully historical
spring season. This year’s team is seeing a lot
of changes, and its ability to make it through
the season will prove to be their greatest
undertaking in the coming months. “We lost
a lot of good runners last year,” says junior
mid-distance runner Cameron Constantine.
Despite its losses, the team has a num-
ber of returning athletes that hope to make
big appearances. “Our new coaching staff is
awesome, and the team definitely has a lot of
potential,” says senior sprinter Samoy Young.
“My personal goal is to make it into Blake’s
record books for something.”
Senior captain Rachel Porzel’s perfor-
mance in shotput won states in this winter’s
Indoor Track and Field. She hopes to continue
her winning streak in the spring season. “I
plan on making it to states and hopefully
winning again,” says Porzel. “I hope my
fellow teammates will [also] accomplish
their goals.”
Also making the transition into the
spring season is sophomore Connor Gaffney,
one of the four captains during indoor track.
“Being a captain...was a lot of responsibil-
ity,” says Gaffney. He still plays the role of
a leader among the distance runners, espe-
cially with the addition of many freshmen
to the team.
One of the numerous changes this
season is a slightly modified coaching staff,
with the retirement of longtime head coach
Anthony Nazzaro. The staff will consist of
returning coach Charlie Simms who is now
head coach, his wife, Mary Simms, who
specializes in shotput training and is new to
the team, and Victoria White, who will focus
on training sprinters.
Coaches and runners alike are focus-
ing their energies on the competitions. “I’m
looking forward to the Woodward relays at
Georgetown Prep and the county, regional and
state meets,” says Coach Simms. Athletes will
try at every meet to get a personal record to
keep improving themselves and the team.
The running Bengals will face the
Richard Montgomery Rockets Tuesday at
3:30pm. Says Coach Simms, “I want the team
to work hard and get faster every meet. I want
to have a very competitive team.” Rachel Porzel
The Blake Beat March 25, 2011 C3

The Lady Bengals are all smiles after a long practice preparing for their game Tuesday and Melina Latona, sophomore Lillian Watkins, juniors Valentina Garcia, Emily
against the Lady Cougars. Top row (from left): seniors Erin Yates and Andrea Archila, Lindsay, and sophomore Anna Galeano. Bottom row (from left): Senior Madison
junior Ellen Wood, sophomore Alison Dionne, senior captain Rachel Babcock, Hawkes, juniors Danielle Routhier and Nia Edwards, and sophomore Megan Gagern.
sophomore captain Caroline Wannen, juniors Courtney Cristaldi, Julie Lopatka, Not pictured is senior captain Joyce Bartlett. -- photo by Cecilia Girolami

Loss of record-setting seniors not hindering lady laxers

Girls’ squad looks to improve teamwork to continue last season success
x by Michael Joiner
Starting the season off with-
out their record-setting seniors
from last year, the Lady Bengals
are working to strengthen their
teamwork in order to compensate
for their losses.
The varsity girls’ lacrosse
team has had a very impressive
record for the past couple years,
and the Lady Bengals see this
year is an opportunity to continue
that high level of play. “I think we
have a lot of talent on our team this
year,” says junior midfielder Ellen
Wood. “We should work to be as
good as years before and aspire to
do better.”
“Our team this year is great,”
says senior Andrea Archila, who is
a three-year veteran to the team that
consists of many new players on
the Varsity level. “We all get along
so well with each other; we’re like
a weird but unique family,” adds
Archila.
Although the Lady Bengals
only had a couple of chances
to scrimmage other schools, the
schools that they were able to play
were helpful. “There was a huge
difference between our first two
scrimmages,” says sophomore cap-
tain midfielder Caroline Wannen.
“The first one, we were all over the
place, but in the second scrimmage,
we really focused and played great
together.”
The athletes have the upmost
respect for coach Janis Maloney and
her knowledge of the sport. “During
practice, I usually learn something
new every day,” says junior attack
Emily Lindsay. “She always has us
doing different drills to make our
skills better as a team.”
The next games that the Lady
Bengals will play are against what
they believe to be their toughest
competition, as they take on the
Quince Orchard Lady Cougars
Tuesday at 5:15pm and the Sher-
wood Lady Warriors April 1 at
7pm.
C4 March 25, 2011 The Blake Beat

Squad wins opener over Rams, faces Blue Devils tonight
x by Eddie Madden
Although their record last year may not have dis-
played it, the boys’ volleyball team is building a solid
program, looking to take off this year. and played together last year, so we’re pretty comfortable
The Bengals started off the season right with a 3-1
victory over the Rockville Rams on the road. “We got off
to a good start and never looked back,” says senior Lucas
Frangou.
Head coach Dustin Jeter, who has been the coach for
three years, believes this year can be the first successful
one. “We have a lot of talent this year and the work ethic
in practice is really picking up [with the beginning of] the
season,” says coach Jeter.
As only a couple seniors graduated last year, the team
has built up a lot of chemistry which should be a big factor
this season. “A lot of us played together in the off-season
with each other on the court,” says Frangou.
Six starters are returning from last year and plan to
make up most of the starting lineup. Senior captains Mat-
ias Perez-Ferrero and Mike Isimbabi and junior captain
Daniel Anduray look to lead the team to victory through
their guidance and knowledge. “[The year is] looking
very promising; we have a lot of returning talent,” says
Perez-Fererro.
The team fared well, winning two of their first three
scrimmages. They beat the Springbrook Blue Devils and
the Wheaton Knights, but fell to the Richard Montgomery
Rockets. “Blowing out Wheaton was a confidence booster
and is giving us a lot of momentum going into our first
game,” says Frangou. “As long as we play and control the
game the way we did against them, we can beat anyone.”
The Bengals will face their consortium rival, the
Springbrook Blue Devils, in a game which coach Jeter has
already highlighted as one of the most competitive games
this year, today at 7pm at Springbrook. Fans can come out
and support the Bengals in their first division game as they
look for a win.

Boys prepare Volleyball

for season
Tennis looks
to serve up
championship
x by Ricky Mancia
Now that the heat has arrived,
the tennis season has as well, and
this year’s boys have a message
to send about the strength of their
roster.
As the season starts, the
Blake boys’ tennis team is making
adjustments with a new lineup.
“With many members from last year
returning,” says junior Christian
Jeong, “we’re able to stay focused.
We should propel through the sea-
son.” Those returning understand
the level of intensity the team has
to play with every game.
Although the team did lose a
couple starters from last year, they
gained eager newcomers. “We have
some great additions this year,” says
Jeong. If all goes well, the team
looks to have a break-out year and
a strong run in the playoffs.
However, Division 1 and 2
schools pose a threat for the team.
Junior Anthony Bui says, “In the
past, we’ve never had much trouble
with Division 3 schools, but the best
realistic challenges we will face will
derive from Division 2 schools.”
The boys understand this challenge,
but look to overcome it and excel
with their poised technique.
“All the schools that we play
bring something new to the table
every year,” says Jeong. The boys
realized that they cannot take any
team lightly if they expect their hard
work to pay off.
The players did not cut them-
selves short; they had a strong plan
and worked hard to get better. Says
junior Jacob Gordon, “During the
off-season I worked a lot on my fun-
damentals and techniques. Hope-
fully it will pay off this season.”
Practice makes perfect and the team
understands that principle.
Expect big things out of the
tennis team. A fine-oiled machine is
what the team is striving to become.
Says Bui, “I wanted more from my
tennis form, so I tried to practice
at least once a week, which for the Junior Christian Jeong practices his serve in
most part, did happen.”
preparation for the Bengals’ opening match of
the season, in which they defeated the Kennedy start against their consortium
Cavaliers, 6-1. --photo by Aron Crews
hoping to
start strong
Team gets
past first loss
by Robert Krakaur
x & Andrew Markowitz
As the coed volleyball
team begins their season, they
look to open up a new chapter in
team history, hoping to distance
them from a forgettable 0-12
record from last season.
The Bengals opened up
their season with a loss to the
Rockville Rams Monday. “I
really thought we had the win,:
says junior Brandon Seo, “We
played pretty good. We just
couldn’t pull it out.”
The team introduced a
whole new squad, with no play-
ers returning from last season.
This makes junior captain Kim
Toxie’s job all the more impor-
tant. “As the captain, it is my
job to bring the team together,”
Toxie says. “Although we don’t
really know each other very
well, I think we’re building
close relationships.”
For junior Brandon Seo,
this will be his first time playing
volleyball. “I know a bit about
the game, including the rules
and everything. Kim’s been
great in answering my ques-
tions, and I think I’m getting
better.” Seo hopes to improve
on the disappointing record
from last season. “I think if we
play hard and practice hard, we
could be a really good team.”
Looking ahead to the sea-
son, many challenges will arise.
“I think the biggest challenge of
the season will be Sherwood,
because they have a very good
volleyball team,” says Toxie,
“We are really going to have to
pull together to win that one, but
we can do it.”
The Bengals will face-
off against the Springbrook
Blue Devils today at 5:15pm
at Springbrook High School as
they look to get off to a good
rival.
The Blake Beat March 25, 2011 C5
JV girls’ lacrosse has high aspirations for spring season
Lady Bengals build chemistry, prepare to face Quince Orchard, Sherwood
x by Michael Joiner
While the JV girls’ lacrosse players may
lack understanding of the sport, they are eager
to work hard, improve their play and gain vital
knowledge of the game.
The JV team looks to build chemistry as
it is a new start for many of the athletes. Says
freshman middie Caroline Tatnall, “Our team
is mostly freshman… but the girls on our team
are really close so it makes playing together on
the field that much easier.”
“Since I’ve never played lacrosse before,
I hope to learn the game and have a basic under-
standing for the rules,” says freshman defender
Kristina McKenna, emphasizing the team’s high
hopes as they enter the season, as well as their
determination to get better. “I like that the game
is so quick; you have to know where to be and
what to do,” adds McKenna.
The girls’ coach, David Martin, helps
keep the girls in good shape and physically fit,
which is a key component for how they play.
Aside from caring for the girls’ stamina, coach
Martin also knows how to apply lessons to the
game and teamwork. Tatnall says, “[Coach
Martin] knows how to improve everyone’s
skill level without making it feel too boring or
too basic.”
The Lady Bengals have played two scrim-
mages so far, and have been pleased with the
results. They won their first scrimmage, and lost
the second by only one goal. “We’ve played
really well in our scrimmages,” says freshman
middie Victoria Wolsh. “There’s good com-
munication out on the field.”
The Lady Bengals have two home games
right around the corner against the Quince Or-
chard Lady Cougars, Tuesday at 3:30pm and
the Sherwood Lady Warriors, Friday at 5:30pm.
They hope to utilize the teamwork and skills
they have been building up at practice in order Freshman Kristina McKenna (left) and sophomore Lindsey against the Quince Orchard Lady Cougars Tuesday at
to win these games. Comer (right) practice as they prepare for their home game 3:30pm. --photo by Cecilia Girolami

Boys hope for strong season after surprise opening win against rival
by Sammi Levitt
x & Kristen Frese
With both a young coach and
squad, the JV boys’ lacrosse team
is filled with new faces to start off
the season.
2005 alumni Theo “TJ” Jo-
sephs returns to Blake as the teams’
coach. With him, he brings new
strategies and plans for develop-
ing a successful team. Says coach
Josephs, “They are a strong willed
team not only to win but to succeed
as a family.”
Monday, the team took on
Difficult matches loom as squad is ready
to conquer their challenging schedule
rival Paint Branch and came out
with a win. They started strong,
scoring three consecutive goals
before Paint Branch was able to
score at all. Both teams gave it
their all in the second half and Paint
Branch ended up tying the score.
The game was sent into overtime,
where the Bengals came out with a
5-4 win. Says junior goalie Angelo
Di Biasi, “We [came] out against
Paint Branch and shocked every-
body, including ourselves.”
The team consists mostly
of underclassmen, but also has six
juniors. With such a range of ages,
the team feels it is necessary to
work on communication in order to
have a good season. Says freshman
mid- fielder Brett Silverman, “Our
team really bonds well together -
both on and off the field.”
The team has great potential,
in both individual and group devel-
opment. Coach Josephs strongly
believes that each player is im-
perative to the team and has an
impact on the other members. “I
stay away from picking captains
because everyone should be ready
to be in a leadership role at any-
time,” says coach Josephs. Instead
he plans to have a weekly rotation
of captains to make sure everyone
gets the chance to be in a position
of leadership.
The boys’ upcoming sched-
ule includes the Quince Orchard
Cougars, Tuesday and Sherwood
Warriors, Friday, who should be
some of their toughest opponents.
Both the team and coach Josephs
look forward to a winning sea-
son but they recognize that the
dedication and hard work start with

New coach looks to lead softball to Baseball attempts to overcome

winning year despite inexperience young team, improve on 9-4-1
Co-captains Dreher, Minor-Jones, Promising future, hard work highlight
Williams players to watch out for prospects for potentially superb year
the veterans on the roster and is helping the cause we don’t know each other,” says
x by Matt Present younger players become more comfortable x by John Beers & Michael Errigo freshman pitcher Brendan Lindsey. “But
Although the JV softball team is with the game. “A lot of our players are JV baseball looks to display the hard I’m sure we can pull together.”
inexperienced, with many Lady Bengals new to softball but they’ve soaked in the work and commitment they have shown The players consider the coaching
playing the game for the first time this year, game pretty fast,” says Minor-Jones. “They throughout the early days of the spring as staff an integral part of the team on the
there is nothing stopping their hard work understand what they’re being taught and they begin what looks to be a promising field and in the classroom. “[A] goal for
and enthusiasm. they work hard to improve.” One of those season. this season [not only] to get better as a…
The Lady Bengals also have a new rapid improvements has been in pitching as “We have a young team that finds a team, [but] keep our GPA over a 3.0” says
coach this season, although he is no stranger sophomore Nia Banks and freshman Emily way to win,” says Coach Ernie Williams. Sigwalt.
to Blake or the athletic program, as Stan Kong each toe the rubber for the first time. “What we lack in talent we make up for in “The coaching staff is very interac-
Hyman begins his first season as a Bengal Just like in any sport, repetition and toughness.” Mr. Williams leads a team that tive. They help us on and off the field to
softball coach. Coach Hyman is not new to practice are keys to improvement. “They will turn to such players as sophomores make sure we excel in academics,” adds
the sport however since he was an assistant need the repetition to make sure they un- catcher Stephen Sigwalt and shortstop Lindsey.
coach for Paint Branch softball when athletic derstand the game mentally,” says coach Derek Glocker to try and improve on last However, the players know that
director Harold (Butch) Hilliard was there, Hyman. “I can accept physical mistakes… year’s 9-4-1 record. their coaches cannot do everything. “We
making Coach Hyman a logical choice for but I need to get them to the point where they Age may seem like a problem but just need to talk it up on the field and
the Blake vacancy. understand the rules so they aren’t making this young team has already shown that support each other,” says freshman first
With the lack of experience on the mental mistakes.” they have the right mindset. “Our team baseman Steven Johnson. Working as a
Blake roster coach Hyman looks to spend a The Lady Bengals look to keep im- is a very young team,” says Sigwalt. unit is a key the Bengals think will lead
lot of time teaching his team the intricacies proving in all aspects of the game as they “Many players have to step up and have to success.
of the game. “We’re very young and inex- play the Northwest Lady Jaguars today at confidence in themselves.” They hope The Bengals have confidence that
perienced,” says coach Hyman, “so it is my 3:30pm at Blake. They will also play host that their preseason practice will pay off, they will reach their goals. “We want to
job to take the classroom from inside Blake to the Kennedy Lady Cavaliers Thursday at and the Bengals remain confident in their win 14 games,” says Coach Williams.
and put it out on the softball field.” 3:30pm and the Einstein Lady Titans next team unity. “Our goal never changes; we want to win
Junior Terah Minor-Jones is one of Saturday at 10 am. “We might struggle a little bit be- every game we play.”
C6 March 25, 2011 The Blake Beat

Ohio State, Kansas remain favorites in upset-heavy tourney

Coming into the NCAA tournament this year, all
the top seeds were expected to cruise to the later rounds.
However, #1 seed Pittsburgh has already fallen to Butler in
the third round and many double-digit seeds have made the
Sweet Sixteen.
Pittsburgh, thought to have by far the easiest re-
gion in the tournament, fell to Butler’s team who returns
almost their whole roster from a National Championship
runner-up squad, causing many busted brackets and
shocked Panther fans.
One of the other most surprising upsets of the
tournament so far has been the play of VCU, a team
who many thought shouldn’t have even made the NCAA
tournament. They have beaten USC, Georgetown and
Purdue and look to continue their George Mason-like
run tonight against the Florida State team who has also
pulled their fair share of upsets by defeating Texas A&M
and #2 seed Notre Dame.
A couple of other surprising upsets thus far have
been Louisville losing to Morehead State in the second round
and Syracuse, a team who many projected to make the Final
Four, losing to Marquette in the third round. Richmond is
yet another team to pull off an upset by beating Vanderbilt
in the second round and then beating Morehead State to
make the Sweet Sixteen.
Along with the shocking fall of many highly-seeded
teams, there have been many memorable games so far in the
tournament, like San Diego State’s double-overtime victory
over Temple or the foul-controversy to end the Pittsburgh-
Butler game. The third-round match-up between Arizona
and Texas was also a thrilling game as star-forward Derrick
Williams hit the game winning and-1 with the clock running
out for the Wildcats.
Of the teams left, the two top seeds Ohio State
and Kansas remain the favorites to win it all as they
have both crushed every opponent they have faced in
impressive fashion. However, the North Carolina Tar
Heels will prove to be a tough match-up for the Buck-
eyes so don’t be surprised if North Carolina’s length and
front-court play is too much for Ohio State to handle.
One game that you should tune into tonight is
the VCU and Florida State game, as the winner will
be the first double-digit seed in years to advance to
the elite eight and will make for a very interesting
possible match-up against the heavy favorite Kansas
Jayhawks.
This NCAA tournament has already shown that
there is a lot of potential for upsets so don’t be surprised
at all if another top seed comes tumbling down in the Sweet
Sixteen. No matter who ends up winning, this year of March
Madness promises to be the best in a while.

Caps end season craving to make playoff run, capture Stanley Cup
Despite past disappointments in postseason, Washington has high hopes
playoffs, the Caps have much to scoring. More shots from the blue tap-ins from the crease. Youngster which yielded a power play goal,
x by Andrew Markowitz do to prevent a repeat of last year’s line can open up scoring chances Marcus Johansson has great speed and threw a hit that allowed the
With less than 15 games breakdown. down low around the goal crease, and playmaking abilities, while de- puck to drift to an open Canadian
remaining in the NHL regular One problem they will face an area of expertise for gritty wing- fenseman John Carlson is great at forward for a breakaway goal.
season, the battle for the Stanley is their lack of scoring during ers Jason Arnott and Mike Knuble, jumping up and joining the rush. Two potential playoff op-
Cup is looming overhead. But the power plays. Washington was only both Stanley Cup winners. Costly penalties have ponents for the Caps are the New
big question remains, how far will able to put one power play goal The Capitals have plenty of plagued Washington in the postsea- York Rangers and Buffalo Sabres.
the Washington Capitals make it in the net against the Montreal young talent to rely on instead of son, such as penalties by Tom Poti The Rangers were eliminated
this year? Canadians on 33 attempts, which just their top three forwards. The and Mike Green, which ended their by Washington in 2009 in seven
The Capitals are no strang- is nothing compared to the 11 man- speed of veteran winger Jason series against both Philadelphia games. Buffalo would prove to be
ers to postseason disappointment, advantage tallies scored against the Chimera can be utilized into an and Montreal. Poti’s penalty came a challenging opponent indeed,
having never made it past the semi- New York Rangers and Pittsburgh effective power play weapon and during overtime, setting up the backed by Vezina-winning goal-
finals and being knocked out in the Penguins in 2009. Pretty passing hard-hitting center Matt Hendricks series-winning goal by Flyers for- tender Ryan Miller and the danger-
first round twice in the past three has attributed to Washington’s creates excellent traffic in front of ward Simon Gagne. Green took a ous offensive abilities of winger
years. Looking ahead to the 2011 lackluster postseason power play the net, allowing for deflections or bad penalty against the Canadiens, Thomas Vanek.

One problem they will face [in the playoffs] is their lack of scoring during power plays.

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The Blake Beat March 25, 2011 C7
Athletic Director
Hilliard to retire
Original Blake staff
member leaving
school at end of year
x by Dylan Hysen & Conor Wallace
After coming to Blake 13 years ago, Athletic Director
Harold “Butch” Hilliard is retiring at the end of the school
year, ending his 40-year career as an Athletic Director.
Mr. Hilliard was one of the pioneer staff members to
work at Blake. As the Athletic Director, he essentially built
the school’s athletic program from the ground up, selecting
the original coaches, deciding which fields would be used for
what sports and even choosing the school’s colors.
Mr. Hilliard arrived at Blake after 27 years of working
at Paint Branch. “I thought the premise of opening a new
school was intriguing,” says Mr. Hilliard. “I wanted to be able
to put a positive spin on the school for the athletic programs
from the beginning.”
Mr. Hilliard believes he will leave Blake with a strong
athletics program. Says Jared Fribush, assistant athletic di-
rector and swim and dive coach, “What he’s done is giv[en]
every program the resources it needed to be successful.”
Under Mr. Hilliard, Blake has won the Montgomery County
Sportsmanship title three times.
Beginning Blake’s athletics program did not arrive
without its share of challenges. Mr. Hilliard cites taking
students from different middle schools and blending them
together at Blake as one of the hardest obstacles. Says Mr.
Hilliard, “That was a challenge…to get [those students] to
think the Blake way instead of possibly a different philosophy
from where they came from.”
Another challenge for Mr. Hilliard was starting Blake
with mostly Junior Varsity teams, which made it especially
difficult to find coaches. “You were trying to sell people on
the idea of coming here as a JV coach when they had been
a varsity coach for most of their career,” says Mr. Hilliard.
“That was a difficult sell.”
The decision to retire was not an easy one for Mr. Hill-
iard. “It’s hard to change direction after you’ve been doing
something for most of your adult life,” says Mr. Hilliard.
With Mr. Hilliard’s retirement comes the first time
Blake will have to hire a new Athletic Director, although Mr.
Hilliard is not involved in selecting his successor. Says Mr.
Hilliard, “I have every confidence that they are going to hire
somebody who’s going to take my program, the Blake High Athletic Director Harold “Butch” Hilliard is retiring Blake staff members and built the Blake sports program
School program, and make it even better and stronger.” after a 40 year career. Hilliard was one of the original from the ground up. --photo by Aron Crews

Varsity sports teams have sucessful winter with many high points
Memorable moments include firsts by Porzel, boys’ swim and dive team
states with Falden placing eighth and Agok well with the given circumstances of losing a from February 18 to February 19 where the
x by Paige O’Flahavan placing twelfth. lot of good players from last year.” The Lady Bengals pulled out another great tourna-
Countless firsts were accomplished Losing in the second round of play- Bengals were able to crush their competi- ment, placing sixth. Adds Penland, “I think
this winter season for many different teams offs, 71-57, to the Kennedy Cavaliers, the tion in the first round of playoffs by almost the team finished great considering the plac-
and individuals, which contributed to Blake varsity boys’ basketball team did not do as tripling their opponent’s score, 63-22. ing outcomes.”
having one of its most successful winter well as they may have hoped. Senior forward After finishing the regular season un- The Blake Swim and Dive team fin-
seasons ever. Brandon Simms says, “I think we fell a little defeated, winning the division and beating ished the season very strongly with the boys’
Senior shot putter Rachel Porzel was shorter than our expectations.” In the first Springbrook for the first time, the wrestling finishing 6-0, and the girls’ finishing 5-1.
the first female in Blake history to bring round of regionals the Bengals were able to team made it to the state semifinal, where Senior Corinne Konoza says, “Consider-
home a state championship title for the in- crush the Einstein Titans, with a final score they lost to the eventual state champions. ing we lost almost everything last year and
door track team. “It felt great to win states of 91-54. However, the team did pull off a Senior captain Steven Penland says, “All dropped a division, the season overall was a
even though I doubted [I’d] even place,” division championship title. the returning guys from last season really big improvement.” The team finished sixth
Porzel says. “I didn’t realize what an honor Falling to the same fate as the varsity stepped it up and pushed hard this season at the Washington Metro Championships,
it was until I came to school and Mr. Berry boys’ team, the varsity girls’ basketball team because we all were a veteran group.” Dur- February 23-26. Konoza adds, “We have a
told me I was the first girl in Blake history also lost in the second round of playoffs, ing regionals, from February 25 to February lot of promising underclassmen so I think
to win states.” Along with Porzel, seniors 53-44, to the Watkins Mill Lady Wolverines. 26, the Bengals were able to place third. Blake can look forward to another success-
Nhial Agok and Christyna Falden also made Senior captain Nikki Ostrow says, “We did Counties were held at Montgomery Blair ful swim year coming up.”

Junior brings in new wave of water sports, shows off hardcore moves
After surfing accident, Wood turns to little-known sport of skimboarding
by Kemi Olowoofayoku water sports in general, she de- participating in several competi- During the off-season,
x & Andrea Rizkallah cided to search for an alternative. tions, in which Woods excelled, Wood keeps in shape by snow-
“I would see kids on the beach and with the help of Wilson and boarding and practicing on an
Skimboarding is not the that didn’t have to go deep into Mahoney, she was quickly signed indo-board. The indo-board helps
most likely dinner table topic the ocean,” says Wood, “As I got to the company. “It felt amazing her keep balance and snowboard-
of discussion in your household better I wasn’t afraid of the water to get sponsored. I really felt like ing has become another favorite
and chances are you don’t even anymore.” For those unfamiliar I accomplished something,” adds pastime of hers. “Any chance I get
know exactly what it is, but for with boardsports, skimboarding Wood. to go down to the beach in the off
junior Ellen Wood, skimboarding involves gliding over shallow wa- However, it isn’t all fun season, I’ll go in the water with a
involves way more than just talk- ter on a beach and into oncoming and games. During the on-season, wet suit and skim,” adds Wood.
ing about it. waves close to shore. Wood practices everyday. “The Wood also takes the op-
Wood picked up skim- At the age of eleven, Wood sport isn’t really developed and portunity to teach younger kids.
boarding after a surfing accident was introduced to Jason Wilson people don’t really know what’s “Teaching is such a rewarding
that involved her getting sucked and Corey Mahoney, two profes- going on,” says Wood, “So prac- experience. Any chance I get to
out into a rip tide at the age of sional skimboarders who own tices are a great way to promote expand the sport, I’ll definitely
nine. Instead of retiring from the company Alley Oop. After the sport as well.” take advantage,” says Wood. Ellen Wood
C8 March 25, 2011 The Blake Beat