the viking / issue iii / november 2014

V I K I N G

Claiming Your Identity

Loudoun Valley High School / Purcellville, VA / Issue III / November 2014

TH

E

Senior Gonzo Ocampo takes a look at the different backgrounds and experiences that make up the Hispanic community.

THEVIKING

Newsmagazine Staff 2014-2015

Editors-in-ChiefBrianna JenningsHenry Webster

Senior Managing Editor

Emma Rodriguez

Advertising Manager

Jennifer Colantonio

Design EditorElizabeth Sikora

Managing EditorLeila Francis

Online EditorsClaire Deaver

McKenna Holtz

AdviserPaige Cox

Writers, Photographers, Business and Promotional StaffEmily Baer, Carina Bucci, Christopher Cerne, Cassandra Good, Alexandra Krens, Benjamin Manning, Gonzo Ocampo, Dalton

Smolens, Helen Sternberg, Tyler Valentine, Sean Webster, Rachel Weinstein

Letterfrom the

EditorsWe do not tamper with

interviews; the words you give us during an interview are what you will see printed unless you tell us otherwise. Our interviews are backed up via audio files, and we promise to never intentionally place your quotes out of context.

This issue explores different cultures within the school as well as extracurricular activities, business reviews and globally discussed topics.

Check out our online

newspaper, twitter and Instagram for current news coverage with articles, photos and videos.

If you want an advertisment please contact our advertising manager Jennifer Colantonio at [email protected]. We hope you enjoy this issue of The Viking.

Thanks,Brianna JenningsHenry WebsterEditors-in-Chief

thevikingnews.com | Twitter: @lvhsviking | Instagram: lvhsviking

ultimately everything is produced and crafted by our student staff.

If there is something you want us to cover, let us know! Our goal is to serve the community around us, knowing what you all are interested in reading will help us reach this goal.

We are serious about our work and hope to bring national, global and local issues to light. However, we are also concerned about giving you, the student body, entertaining content each issue.

Dear Vikings,The Viking is a completely

student-run and student-funded newsmagazine, meaning that our staff is responsible for everything you see printed, unless otherwise credited. Our adviser, Ms. Cox, guides us through the process, but

Multimedia EditorSacha Gragg

The Valley drumline performed during the Homecoming pep rally, using trashcans rather than typical drums for their performance.photo / Elizabeth Sikoracover photo / Elizabeth Sikora

Music Madness

Ebola

Coffee Conundrum

4

5

6

8

CONTENTSNovember 2014

What to Know about GMOs

10 Claiming Your Identity

12

13

LVSIMu Alpha Theta

Prince of Purcellville

Everything you need to know about the epidemic.

Where’s the best coffee in Purcellville?

14 Breaking Stereotypes

16 What to Watch

Gonzo Ocampo describes the experience of Hispanic students.

18

19

An investigation into band, chorus and orchestra.

An investigation into the controversial genetically modified organisms.

Darius Fraser: Son of the mayor of Purcellville, dancing king, comedy cult member and acclaimed actor.

Despite popular belief, alcohol consumption among teens has gone down in recent years.

Many students are looking for television shows to watch on Netflix. Here are a few choices to warm up the winter months.

You Wouldn’t Say...Slurs against race, gender, sexuality and religion are not socially acceptable. Neither are slurs against mental disabilities.

On November 5, the senior Powderpuff team played against Woodgrove.

Powderpuff Power

Senior Elijah Cooper prepares to tackle a member of the Culpeper County team during the first playoff game. The Vikings won 20-14.photo / Elizabeth Sikora

4 THEVIKINGNEWS.COM NOVEMBER 2014

The chorus is planning an eventful year and the students are very excited for the up-and-coming year.

“We are singing more jazz and contemporary music, but we will keep singing the classics and foreign language pieces,” senior Sarah Midolo said.

“The type of music may not be changing a lot, but the group’s songs are getting harder to sing and more complex each year.

“I look forward to learn new challenging music and spend time with some of my best friends,” junior Meegan Hall said.

The chorus will be having two concerts, a winter concert in December and a spring concert in April. The groups will also be performing at the Veterans Day program.

“My favorite part about chorus is the absolute family feeling. Everyone trusts one another and all of us are extremely close. It’s that closeness that creates a unified sound and allows us to perform and sing advanced music,” Midolo said.

The orchestra department has exciting plans for the current school year. One such plan is a field trip to Baltimore in November; the students will be visiting the Baltimore aquarium and listening to one of the five national orchestras perform.

“We’re going to see the Baltimore Philharmonic which is [one of ] the best ones in the world,” senior Alexa Gracias said.

All three orchestras will be performing in a December concert. The songs range from classic concertos to more modern pieces with upbeat tunes. In addition, the chamber orchestra performed in the Veterans Day program.

“We’re playing lots of patriotic repertoire, and it should be a lot of fun,” Gracias said.

Students are also excited to be part of the program. The school orchestra has proven to be a major part of Valley’s music program.

“I’m really excited to be playing harder music with more experienced people, [and] I think people in this orchestra want to be here and want to play,” freshman Natalie Morris said.

High Note by Helen Sternberg

Orchestra Outlook by Helen Sternberg

The band, including wind, jazz and percussion ensembles and the symphonic marching bands, consistently offers a culture entirely its own to students. The bonds between band members are obvious as they can be found completing homework, walking the hallways and preparing for games—all together.

“It was really nice because this was my first year at Valley, and I got to know people, so I actually had friends in my classes,” senior Michaela Bennett said.

Unity is an integral part of the band’s identity, and members seek to include everyone. In addition to this unique culture, band offers countless opportunities for musical expression, always one-upping their previous performances and finding new, creative pieces to perform.

“I’ve been learning a lot of fun music, and we have a cool percussion piece called ‘Me Tarzan’ and it’s all body percussion,” Bennett said.

With culture and creativity, band provides a renowned experience to its members.

Band Together by Leila Francis

The band plays at the homecoming pep rally. The band performs at many events central to school spirit and culture.

Senior Lelia Busch performs at the Veterans Day assembly. The assembly is one of many events planned for the orchestra in the upcoming year.

photos / Sacha Gragg and Elizabeth Sikoralayout / Emma Rodriguez

Music Update

NOVEMBER 2014 THEVIKINGNEWS.COM 5

TransmissionThe only way someone can contract Ebola is through direct contact with bodily fluids of an infected person. These fluids include, but are not limited to, sweat and saliva. Ebola is not airborne and cannot be spread through water or food.

HUMOR Many social media outlets feature numerous posts and “memes” poking fun at the disease. Also, some teens have made humorous remarks when discussion of the disease arises. “I’ve heard students make off-handed jokes when someone sneezes, like, ‘Oh careful, they might have Ebola,’” English teacher Rebecca Walter said.

ORIGINThe disease orginated in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sudan in 1976. The total casualties between the two countries amounted to 431 people. The most recent outbreak is the largest one ever recorded in terms of scope and fatality.

RumorsOutlandish rumors claim that the entire state of Texas is infected with Ebola and that some Ebola-infected corpses have risen from the dead.

layout / Brianna Jennings and Sean Webster

“I’ve heard students make off-handed jokes when someone sneezes, like, ‘Oh careful, they might have Ebola.’”

EBOLA

Number of Casualties from Past Outbreaks

of Ebola recorded so far during the 2014 West African outbreak.

CASES13,703

By Sean Webster

TREATMENTNo FDA-approved vaccine or medicine is available for Ebola.Symptoms of Ebola are treated as they appear. The following basic interventions, when used early, can significantly improve the chances of survival:

Providing IV and balancing

electrolytes

Maintaining oxygen and

blood pressure

Treating other infections if they occur


A GMO is a genetically modified organism, usually a plant that has a foreign gene in it, typically from a bacteria but potentially from a higher form of life. For example, some researchers are trying to insert salmon genes into tomatoes for a redder, juicier tomato. Everything from locally grown corn to ice cream is likely to contain GMOs. The idea of GMOs emerged in the 1900s when American biologist Norman Borlaug created a type of wheat through selective breeding resulting in more edible kernels rather than the usual, long inedible stems. This gave farmers more grain per acre, and companies began to investigate modification of genes to yield more food. Senior Logan Potts, whose family has owned Dogwood farm for generations and has been shipping milk since 1932, uses GMOs on his corn to increase the harvest and resist weeds. “We use this because it can produce more feed for our cows without having extra land. Because we have no room to expand our farm, we have to find other ways to produce more feed,” Potts said. By the year 2050, it is estimated that the world’s population will reach a plateau around 9 billion. By planting more of the world’s arable land with GMO products, it would offer an alternative way to boost crop production without using environmentally harmful pesticides or taking up more land. Researchers have found that with the use of GMOs, the world can produce enough food for each person to receive three square meals a day. With the ability to end world hunger, GMOs sound like the quick fix to one of the world’s biggest problems. GMO crops have been adopted by 28 different

countries and are planted on 11 percent of the world’s plantable land, including half the cropland in the United States. Since their creation in the 1990s, Americans have been consuming GMOs for nearly two decades. However, in Europe and Africa there is argument over the safety of consumption and environmental effects that have generally banned the use of GMO crops. This movement is now spreading to the United States, notably the youth and concerned mothers. Critics view GMOs as a risky move because of the lack of reliable studies done on their effects. With threats of allergic reaction, abnormal tumor growth and intestinal damage, some people try to avoid foods with GMOs because independent studies on rats showed all these effects at exponential rates. “Sometimes, a modification to an organism can have unforeseen effects on the environment and consumers. For example, at one point, tomatoes were on the market which had been modified to no longer produce polygalacturonase, the substance that primarily causes tomatoes to rot. These tomatoes therefore lasted much longer than natural tomatoes. However, it was later found that this change had caused them to become cancer-causing, and it was taken off the market,” senior Ian Gallagher, who genetically modifies organisms at AOS as an independent project, said. Americans put the safety of their food into the hands of the FDA to approve and disapprove what they eat. However, many of these companies have a large influence over the studies they show to the

FDA, as many of them are funded by the agrochemical companies. “The protocols are not nearly stringent enough and favor the industrial giants. In fact, those same giants have written the majority of the rules used by the USDA,” Environmental Science teacher Liam McGranaghan said. These agricultural companies that manufacture the GMOs own the patents for both the seeds and herbicides farmers use,

locking farmers in a never-ending cycle of buying these seeds and chemicals. Although farming with GMOs may create enough food to feed the entire world, industrialized food might need a little more research before it can become the hero of hunger.

“GMOs have the potential to bring many benefits. They can make farming more efficient and productive. However, they also have the potential to inflict serious harm. Overall, I think that GMOs are a good thing, as long as they are heavily regulated,” Gallagher said.

layout / Elizabeth Sikoraphoto / Elizabeth Sikora

sources / Huffington Post, Organic Con-sumers Association, Non-GMO Project, National Public Radio

What to know about GMOsIn North America, over 80 percent of the food we eat contains GMOs, but less than half of Loudoun Valley students know what a GMO is or what foods contain it. With studies showing possibilities of being able to feed the whole world or to cause cancer, the use of GMOs in food spark a controversy in students.By Elizabeth Sikora

“GMOs have the potential to bring many benefits. However, they also have the

potential to inflict serious harm.”-Ian Gallagher


Over 40

The number of people we could feed with GMO use in crops.

The number of countries that ban or significantly restrict the use of GMOs in food.

9 billion


Loco Joes

Market StreetStarbucks

Bicycles & Coffee

COFFEE CONUNDRUM

Popularly known for having a big red coffee cup seen along Main Street, Loco Joes is a fairly recent addition to Purcellville. Compared to Market Street, Loco Joes has a much cleaner finish with more lighting and lighter colored walls, but still captures the warm coffee shop feel. The business supports several local businesses by selling their products such as bagels, pastries, soups and mugs. Loco Joes also hosts a farmers market outside their building every Saturday morning from 9 a.m.-1 p.m, supporting local vendors, who sell everything from homemade soaps to organic fruits and vegetables.

After a stressful school day, Market Street provides a place to hang out with a warm vibe given by its red walls, comfy couches and dimmed lighting. Many students have study groups here as they sip on their different flavored drinks. On weekends, Market Street often has local musicians perform, drawing big crowds that are even sometimes out the door. Seniors Ian Gallagher and Grant Frazier, junior Josh Poncin and sophomore Ted Gallegos are among some of the past performers at the shop. In addition to coffee, Market Street offers pastries, soups, gelato and some breakfast foods.

layout / Claire Deaver and McKenna Holtzphoto / Claire Deaver and McKenna Holtz

This budding business is unique in that, in addition to coffee, they are a full service bicycle shop. Some of their services include renting and repairing bikes and selling athletic attire. The bicycle area takes up a majority of the store, but one small corner is set aside to make coffee. The shop is a great place for bikers to stop in halfway through their trips on the trail to socialize and take a short break. Although the sitting area is smaller than places like Market Street and Loco Joes, it’s more practical for its double use as a bike store and coffee shop.

By Claire Deaver

Coffee is an integral part of teenage culture and hometown coffee shops provide a welcoming atmosphere for students to study and relax.

Probably the best known provider for coffee in Purcellville, this business offers various elaborate types of coffee such as sea salt caramel frappuccinos or gingerbread lattees. Starbucks differs from Market Street and Loco Joes in that it’s a national chain. Based on coffee, Starbucks lacks in quality. Most of the drinks are very sweet, satisfying most teenagers’ taste buds, but they also have a very high sugar and fat content. Starbucks is located in Harris Teeter, providing a very small area for the business. Therefore, there is usually a long line, making the wait extensive. A new Starbucks is in the process of being constructed in the Harris Teeter shopping center featuring a drive thru, an important facet for many customers.


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Claiming Your Identity

Senior Gonzo Ocampo shares his journey of learning to embrace his Hispanic background and takes a look at the different backgrounds and experiences that make up the Hispanic community.

I hear it time and time again. “So… you’re Mexican, right?” My bronze skin and fluency in Spanish deceive the minds of my colleagues. I ponder whether it is legitimate ignorance or simply lack of conversational effort.

Through past experiences, I’ve seen a generalization of Hispanic people, including myself. I’ve frequently heard students referred to as “Mexicans” and slang terms directed towards Latin-American students.

Of course it is not a negative thing to belong to the Mexican nationality, but when someone isn’t from that country, it’s the same thing as calling a Canadian an American. The ignorance may seem innocent initially, and while it may be taken lightly by some, for others it is a sign of disrespect.

These types of situations affected me, especially in a time when I was trying to

define my identity. When I was younger, I often felt nervous or even scared to display my race to others. At times, I was even embarrassed to speak Spanish in front of anyone. I didn’t want people to find out I was Hispanic.

We all know, in a predominately white community, stereotypes and racism still occur, sourcing from both a lack of understanding and a closed off mentality about different cultures. This type of behavior makes it difficult for any minority student to feel truly comfortable.

Nonetheless, as I got older I began to grow beyond this fear and take pride in my background. I began to feel that my Hispanic culture was a large part of me that I had not been appreciating.

Being raised in Northern Virginia by two native Peruvian parents, I come from a completely different background than most

of my peers. Even though I am bilingual and my parents lived most of their lives in another hemisphere, the fusion of the two widely different cultures has a positive effect. While I teach my friends and peers about my culture, I learn and assimilate into theirs, keeping our relationships reciprocal.

I have changed a lot in the last four years. Now that I have a budding sense of comfort, I find it easier to share my background. What I once thought was a weakness developed into a strength and a part of me that is interesting.

CHALLENGESIn my experiences, I began to notice the

broad spectrum of students that represent Hispanic culture. There are students that come from all over South and Central


America. The person sitting next to you in biology class may be from somewhere you are not remotely familiar with. Their story can be fascinating and may have the power to change your outlook on the world.

It is almost impossible to tell a student’s ethnic background or the struggles they may face by looking at them. Some students within the school can barely speak English, some students moved to the United States only a few months ago, some students may still be struggling with the immigration process. Many Hispanic students must deal with difficult issues while also trying to assimilate into a new culture.

In the process of writing this article, I realized how tough it is for those immigrating to the United States. Not only is it difficult considering the language barrier and the cultural obscurity, but leaving a comfortable life and all of your family and friends behind can be extremely overwhelming.

Upon speaking with four students who have just moved to the United States from Latin-American countries, I got the opportunity to learn more about their different experiences.

Senior Sergio Rodriguez, who moved

“Some people don’t really know too much about their heritage. I am proud to say I’m a Salvadoran.”-Zulma Hernandez

from Bolivia only four months ago, said that moving to the United States was refreshing because it made him feel like he is able to share cultures. He feels that gradually, he is fitting in and getting accustomed to the way of life here in the United States.

Other students shared similar experiences. Although there is an evident language and social barrier, essentially, they thought it was exciting being able to learn more about another culture.

Sophomore Manuel Jimenez moved from Mexico to the United States in 2012. He said that in his old school in Mexico, there were only 35 students in his entire grade. It’s hard to imagine such a difference, but this is only one of the changes Jimenez must face.

These struggles not only apply to some immigrated students, but also to a large portion of the Hispanic population at the school. Some students said they have trouble assimilating into the social realm. But non-Hispanic students could learn so much from minority students while making minority students feel more integrated and welcome.

Freshman Rene Rodriguez had this to say about the matter: “I think everyone fits in because in America, everyone is an immigrant; we all come from a different place.”

I have dealt with similar hardships in the past and I feel that most Hispanics have as well, but Rodriguez has a great point—we really are all immigrants. Because of this, I think it’s important to find interests and similarities among all of us.

CULTURAL PRIDE

While Hispanics deal with hardships and difficulty, they also find that belonging to such a rich culture is a blessing. Food, pride and the bond of family are central to Hispanic culture. My family and I abide by this standard. On a typical Sunday afternoon spent with my family, we have a bunch of friends over and scarf down ají de

gallina (a Peruvian cuisine) while watching Aaron Rodgers and the Packers play on TV. This is one of the many examples of how my American culture has rubbed off on the rest of my family.

Junior Kris Crickenberger said, “Food is something that really unites Hispanic families together. The food itself is something very unique. My favorite dish called ceviche: it’s cut-up fish cooked in lime juice.”

Crickenberger also explains, “Family is the biggest benefit of being Hispanic. With so many uncles, aunts and cousins, it’s hard to ever feel alone. Holidays are the best time, because no matter what, family comes first while we get together and celebrate.”

Similarly, senior Oscar Ayala shared his favorite parts of being Hispanic: “You get to experience two vastly different cultures, speak two languages, eat great, exotic foods and, most importantly, still experience many

friendships. It helps me get along with basically anybody from anywhere.”

To add to that, freshman Zulma Hernandez said, “The best part of being Hispanic is knowing my background, where I stand. Some people don’t really know too much about their heritage. I am proud to say I’m a Salvadoran.”

The aspects Crickenberger, Ayala and Hernandez shared are a common pattern between almost all Latin-American countries and can bring students together.

At the end of the day, school is just another environment for students to learn. The variety of cultures adds to the wealth and diversity of Loudoun Valley. While some students live with a mélange of cultures and others are completely accustomed to the American lifestyle, both can learn and broaden their outlooks on the rest of the world.

photos / Elizabeth Sikoralayout / Elizabeth Sikora


For many, activity period offers a time to scramble to finish homework assignments that are due first block or chat with friends. Others use Friday activity periods to serve in the community. One of the clubs emerging in popularity among students is Loudoun Valley Service Initiative (LVSI).

“[LVSI] offers students who would otherwise be too busy or uninformed an opportunity to be involved. I also like that you have to have a certain number of points to stay in the club, because it means that only people who seriously want to participate can come to the meetings,” sophomore and member Cameron Fischer said.

Activities include the annual cystic fibrosis talent show, the Sleep-In for the homeless, the hygiene drive and food drives.

“The Sleep-In experience is a unique experience because you’re spending an extended period of time in the school building,” LVSI sponsor Heather Olis said. “I get to hang out with students in a

different way. It’s fun and it’s for a good cause.” Involved in various sports and other activities, each member

brings different ideas and projects to the organization.“I volunteered for three hours at the kids’ games in

Barktoberfest. I loved it because of the feeling of involvement and the opportunity to meet new people,” junior Jules Simpson said.

Olis has found over the years that students are not always aware of how satisfying it is to help others until they become involved.

“My way of thinking is, I’m capable and blessed with so many things so if I have things to give, then I should,” Olis said.

photo / courtesy of Loudoun Valley SCAlayout / Brianna Jennings

Pi day, a celebrated occasion across the math field, takes place on March 14 every year, which follows the digits of the mathematical value, pi. Their new president, senior Roxi Smith, is ecstatic for the new year and is full of fresh ideas. On September 25, Mu Alpha Theta started a program called Theta Thursdays in room 106 where students can come in to get math help for all different levels from members of the club starting at 8:15. The program has been successful and has helped several students.

“I want it to be fun and not pressured,” Smith said. “Also, it’s good for students whose teachers don’t come in in the morning.”

Since the activity has started, students have appreciated the help and the club has received decent turn out each week.

“I think Theta Thursdays are a good tool for learning,” senior Dillon Richardson said. “Students can get help from other students and work in groups.”

Another new addition to the club is the Mu Alpha Theta market which they plan to have once a month. Smith wants to sell

sweat bands, school supplies, snacks, temporary tattoos and other items. Another goal for the club is to have a pie-eating contest during lunch periods and a pie-throwing contest involving two math teachers to raise money for the club. Lastly, during the week of Pi Day, the club wants to have a spirit week with different days to dress up like “mathletes.”

“I just want to make math fun and interesting and helpful,” Smith said.

photo / Elizabeth Sikoralayout / Brianna Jennings

Loudoun Valley Service Initiative While some students simply see club days as another study hall, others spend it in a club dedicated to serving the community.BY EMILY BAER

Mu Alpha Theta

BY CLAIRE DEAVER

Roxi Smith works with students seeking help in math during the club’s weekly Theta Thursday.

Senior Roxi Smith seeks to improve Mu Alpha Theta, making it a core aspect of math education as well as bringing a more fun feeling to math.

Andrew Lohr, Robert Fairfax, Meg McAnally and Sara Nelson pose with the LVSI poster at Vikingfest.


Prince of

Q & A:

What made you decide to run for mayor?I was motivated to run from my commitment to my own family, my love of our wonderful community, my passion for open government and my experience in organizing, working with people and successfully leading large endeavors.

What was it like running for mayor?Running for mayor tested me physically, mentally and spiritually. Going door to door was physically challenging at times, but the determination to meet and listen to our neighbors’ concerns and ideas kept me going. I had to dedicate many hours to become knowledgeable of the town’s financials, the issues, the comprehensive plan and the strategic vision.

What are your visions for the town?As promised to the citizens of Purcellville, we will increase transparency and place our citizens first, we will ensure future growth and value preservation is approached in an assessed and managed fashion through the lens of our comprehensive plan, we will take measured steps to increase operational efficiency and pursue new revenue opportunities and we will reduce our debt, tax burden and utility fees to ensure our citizens keep more of their hard earned dollars and support of local businesses.

BY HENRY WEBSTERPurcellville

In the eyes of the school, sophomore Darius Fraser is associated with confidence and a magnanimous personality—you can’t help but love him. With a father elected as the first African-American mayor of Purcellville and himself often dubbed the “Prince of Purcellville,” the Fraser family is now referred to as the first family of Purcellville.

Kwasi Fraser was officially sworn in on July 1, 2014 as the town mayor of Purcellville. Fraser has been a town resident for eight years and is originally from Guyana.

“He knows how to operate a business, and he feels that the town is like a business,” Darius said. “And he believes that if we operate correctly, the town can be successful.”

Adding his own flair to the family, Darius, with his widely recognized charisma, involves himself in many aspects of the school, participating in SCA, Comedy Cult, drama and the dance team. Between his knack for comedic acting and his impressive mastery of facial expressions, there is rarely a moment in which Darius is not entertaining the student body.

“I was a little hesitant to join [the dance team] last year,” Darius said. “But I gave it a shot and it’s honestly been a blast.”

photos / Rachel Weinsteinlayout / Henry Webster

“At Valley there is a place for everyone. It’s a great place for continuing doing things that you love, as well as finding new hobbies.”

Darius Fraser poses for a shot in the black box. Along with the dance team on the football field at half time and the casts on the auditorium stage, the Comedy Cult in the black box is one of the many groups in which Fraser participates.

Mayor Kwasi Fraser, Darius’s father, on running for mayor and plans for the town during his term.


Breaking Stereotypes

There is often a perception that Americans, and especially American youth, use alcohol destructively. However, in recent years, teen drinking nationally and in Virginia has been on the decline, showing a shift in teen alcohol culture.

According to the Department of Health and Human Services, nationally, teen drinking recently dropped from 17.6 percent in 2002 to 11.6 percent in 2013. Virginia and the county have also seen a decline in the number of teens drinking.

“Being in an affluent county, [a decrease in teen drinking] coincides with the national trends,” Amy Iliffe, the Loudoun Valley Substance Abuse Specialist, said. “There is not one single reason teen drinking is on the decline; there has been an increase in marijuana use and a decrease in alcohol use among teens. This displays that when something is perceived as less harmful, as marijuana is, it

is abused more. Alcohol is seen as more harmful than marijuana, which could be one reason [teen alcohol use] is declining.”

Perhaps because of the programs and actions warning of alcohol dangers, the numbers of alcohol-caused incidents have been on the downfall. According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), the number of teens from age 15-20 convicted of DUI in Virginia decreased from 2,209 to 1,391 from 2007-2011.

“There is a lot more awareness on the destructiveness of alcohol,” a recent graduate, who wishes to remain anonymous, said. “Also, by trying to protect against the dangers of underage drinking, there are more disciplinary actions taken by police and adults, leading to kids not [drinking] as much because of the detrimental things it could do to their futures, whether it be on their permanent record or if it takes someone’s life.”

Contrary to popular belief, recent studies indicate a decline in teen drinking, resulting from a vari ety of contributing factors. By Brianna Jennings


Various cultures view alcohol and its consumption differently. According to the Social Issues Research Centre, alcohol-related problems are associated with specific cultural factors, relating to beliefs, attitudes, norms and expectancies about drinking. Generally, societies with positive beliefs about alcohol experience significantly fewer alcohol-related problems; negative or inconsistent beliefs and expectancies are associated with higher levels of alcohol-related problems.

According to Iliffe, it is hard to say for sure that disciplinary actions and informational programs have led to this decline, but they could definitely be factors along with changing cultural norms.

photo / Elizabeth Sikoralayout / Brianna Jennings

Virginia Underage Drinking and Crash Statistic from 2007-2011

National Survey Comparing Teen Drinking from 2002-2013

Contrary to popular belief, recent studies indicate a decline in teen drinking, resulting from a vari ety of contributing factors. By Brianna Jennings

The StatisticsTeen drinking declines in the nation and across the state.

source / Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)

source / Department of Health and Human Services


Comedies Intense Not For Parents

A government worker deals with bureaucracy and gets into wacky misadventures along the way. Saturday Night Live star Amy Poehler plays Leslie Knope and brings humor to the seemingly boring town of Pawnee, Indiana.

Normally, it wouldn’t be possible to make a sitcom out of the stories their father shares. A particular father named Ted recounts hilarious tales to his children of his exploits leading up to meeting their mother.

We’ve all heard things about the crazy antics of actors and actresses—now imagine working with them. The performances by cast members such as Alec Baldwin, Tracy Morgan and Tina Fey create characters for the viewer to build false friendships with.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you would know that you should be watching Breaking Bad. Plus it will give you a new respect for chemistry teachers.

With the horrifying plotlines in each season, American Horror Story will make you check the closet, check under the bed, sleep with the lights on and still watch the next episode.

A modern take on the classics by Arthur Conan Doyle, get ready for a plot so convoluted that you’ll be asking yourself: what are Holmes and Watson doing now? The entertainment, however, pulls you right back into the show.

Awakening from a coma can be scary, especially if you’re surrounded by zombies. Also, the average coma patient doesn’t have to deal with Rick Grimes’s gruesome and ethically challenging world. The Walking Dead is the first zombie apocalypse show worth watching.

An FBI most-wanted felon proposes a deal with the FBI in which he provides them with infromation to find highly dangerous criminals. Each episode explores a different, bizarre case ranging from felonies like murder to treason.

Having an affair with the president isn’t a big deal right? In this show Olivia Pope’s relationship with the president takes a backseat while she helps her clients deal with their own “scandals.”

Everybody knows that preppy, corporate-types are made for prison. Right? Especially when their ex-girlfriend is waiting with a band of fellow inmates. An absolute “do not watch with parents.”

A congressman climbs his way up the Washington food chain in an overly violent and cruel depiction of our nation’s politics. Watch Kevin Spacey in the Emmy award-winning Netflix original.

What to Watch

These shows will give you your daily dose of humor as well as a much needed respite from the family chaos of Thanksgiving break.

If somehow the drama in school isn’t enough for you, turn to these shows for edge-of-your-seat action and excitement.

Awesome shows for binge watching. However, watching them with your parents is ill-advised.

Perfect for the parents that won’t stop talking about how great the 70s were and the teens who want a series to mindlessly watch that entertains and amuses them.

Legen...Dary “Say My Name”

Power Corrupts

Just Plain Creepy“Miss me?”

Hello Wisconsin!

How ‘bout Knope Scandalous

TV on TV Don’t Look Back Helpful Felon Behind Bars


Walking through the halls of high school, the word “retard” and other derogatory slurs for intellectual disabilities can often be heard. The words “retard” and “retarded” have become

accepted and commonly used to describe acts considered dumb or complaints about something. Students frequently use the terms “that’s retarded” or “you’re a retard” without pausing to think of what they are truly saying.

The word “retard” used to be the medical term for individuals with intellectual disabilities; however, it is no longer the correct term. Thus, the word needs to be eliminated from our vernacular. There is no reason to use it. There are multiple slurs for different ethnicities, and when people use these terms, they are frowned upon and people take offense. In fact, when faculty members hear students use these words there is typically disciplinary action involved, but when they hear the word “retard” used, there are few to no repercussions.

Most do not idly stand by as someone is making a racial remark or joke; however, when people use the word “retarded,” it is funny and considered acceptable. But that is not the case. The word “retard” is just as offensive as any derogatory slur for any other group of people and should be treated as such. It is targeting a specific group and belittling and bullying them for something with which they were born. Most people feel that because they aren’t calling someone who has an intellectual disability “retarded” it is fine and it’s not hurting anyone’s feelings. This is the biggest misconception, because even using the word is offensive because it is making disabilities into a joke and not taking it as a serious matter.

People with intellectual disabilities are just that: people. They deserve to be treated as such and not made fun of for something they can’t control, and when the word “retarded” is used it humiliates them for something they can’t help. Some organizations are taking steps to ban the use of this degrading word. The best known is Spread the Word to End the Word, or R-Word. Through this organization, students can pledge to not use the word and educate people on why the word is not politically correct. As of November 17, the organization has 504,209 pledges, including some from this school. The Partner’s Club, a club that works towards creating a welcoming environment for all, has led this campaign at the school and has centered itself around the cause.

We have altered our society to accept those of different cultures and ethnicities, yet we are still ignorant of how we treat those with disabilities. In today’s world, people are uncomfortable around those with disabilities and do not know what to say to them or how to act around them. This fear has caused people to hide behind the word because it is easier to mock them instead of trying to understand them.

You Wouldn’t Say...You wouldn’t use derogatory slurs for gender, race, religion or sexuality, so why use the word “retard?”

photo / Rachel Weinsteinlayout / McKenna Holtz

EDITORIAL


On Wednesday, November 5, the senior Powderpuff team played Woodgrove’s Powderpuff team to raise money and awareness for mental health support. The girls and coaches developed unique strategies such as doing jumping jacks to block field goals. The team narrowly lost 20-22 in the last few minutes of the game. “It was really cool to see both Woodgrove and Valley wearing yellow for suicide prevention awareness. Even though Woodgrove won in the end, we were all there supporting a good cause and the energy of the night was very uplifting,” senior Emily Anderson said.

photo / Elizabeth Sikoralayout / Elizabeth Sikora

Powder Power

Seniors Sammy Iliff and Bryanna McDonald reach for the ball thrown by junior and quarterback Emily Thompson.

the viking / issue iii / november 2014

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