Sophomore Anthony (Tony) Lehrer died on April 4 due to a respiratory condition that had been diagnosed prior to his death. The community mourns the loss of Lehrer, who was an exceptional student, friend and an inquisitive young man who recognized the challenges that he faced due to his medical condition, cerebral palsy, but did not let it define who he was. “He was such … Continue reading In memoriam: Anthony (Tony) Lehrer
Every morning dozens of cars take a right out of Greenplace Terrace and cross an unnamed and underappreciated bridge before turning left into the student parking lot. To many of us, that’s just how we get to school and the bridge we cross is just another part of Wootton Parkway. But the bridge will not just be another part of the road for much longer-it … Continue reading City of Rockville votes to name bridge after late principal
Every year my elementary school had a Chinese New Year celebration put on by the second grade class. It was the typical school celebration; make decorations, walk in a parade and sing songs that we had been practicing for nearly a month. One of those songs repeated the Chinese phrase “gong xi fa cai” (happy lunar new year) over and over. Being the immature second … Continue reading In-, out-group biases complicate social interaction
The air is cool, almost cold against her skin. Leaning over slightly, she readies herself for the race to begin. Beside her three other girls do the same. Butterflies run rampant in her stomach. The stakes are high, but she refuses to think about that. Thinking about what could happen if she won would not ensure that she actually wins. The signal is given. All … Continue reading Speed skater secures spot on Team USA
Students pack into the bleachers. After only a few minutes, everyone is already hot and sweaty and their face paint is beginning to melt. It’s the first Friday and the first pep-rally of the school year. The SGA steps onto the field. “Let’s hear it for the seniors!” they call out and immediately screams and shouts echo across the field. The poms, cheerleaders and marching … Continue reading Lack of school spirit obvious among students
Sources of Strength, a nationwide program that came to MCPS schools including this one two years ago, was restarted on Nov. 29. The program is based on the idea that students can use social networks to change unhealthy norms, especially ones that exist in school, and in doing so they will help to prevent the amount of bullying and suicide. The mission is, according to … Continue reading Spreading positivity; Sources of Strength program restarts
About 800 students stand huddled in their coats. On the opposite side of the football field, someone is holding a poster high into the air. The cardboard says “not my president” Its Monday morning, 10 a.m., and rather than being in class, students from Blair have gathered to protest Donald Trump’s election as president. The walkout was pre-planned and allowed by MCPS school officials. However, … Continue reading MoCo students engage in walk-outs
The day after Halloween, almost every shopping center in the area is taking down the spiderwebs and pumpkins in the window, replacing them with garlands and wreaths. Holiday music is suddenly everywhere and commercials and ads promote Black Friday sales. As stores jump from advertising Halloween to advertising the winter holidays, our brains do too. The leap that the stores make causes society to gloss … Continue reading Go ‘cold turkey’ on materialistic gripes this Thanksgiving
Coulrophobia, the fear of clowns, has spread from children who are simply overwhelmed at a circus to the general public as reports of clown attacks continue. These attacks, which began in late August, originated in South Carolina where clowns were spotted trying to lure children into the woods with promises of candy and money. Since then, violent clowns have become a national phenomenon and sightings … Continue reading Not just clowning around
Screams and cheers echo through the stadium. On the field, class officers, athletes and the Student Government Association (SGA) are jumping about, their features barely distinguishable behind the copious amounts of red, white and blue face paint. The first pep rally of the year has begun. The annual back-to-school pep rally, held on Sept. 2, did more than just introduce the sports teams and reveal … Continue reading School spirit soars at pep rally
