December 20, 2014 Volume 38 Issue 3

Montgomery County school calendar decision stirs up controversy. Page 4

Vinyl makes a comeback into the music scene. Page 6

get connected. @CHSWingspan chswingspan.wordpress.com Photo: Martha Hutzell. There’s more to NEWS News VOLUME 38 ISSUE 3 F ASH madhu lal news writer New National Honors Society members to be inducted On January 13, the National Honor Society (NHS) will be having their annual induction ceremony. The ceremony will be celebrating and welcoming new members into the NHS family. The event will be held in the auditorium of the school 7:30-9 p.m. All NHS former members, as well as new inductees and their parents, are invited to this event.

madhu lal news writer

Centennial choir students participate in choir feeder concert All high school choir students will be visiting various middle schools across Howard County on January 16. The choir students will be performing for the up-and-coming freshmen in order to inspire them to join the choir pro- gram in high school.

amanda krew a&e writer Music to Keep On Your Radar

Our Love by Caribou Genre: Experimental, Electronic If you like: SBTRKT, Disclosure, FKA Twigs Canadian artist Dan Snaith has released his third album under the stage name Caribou. The beats on this album feel very tight and calculated, a bit of a pun as he has a Ph.D. in mathematics. While this album features a very steady base layer of rhythm, Snaith braids unexpected samples such as a strings in the track “Silver.” This album contains pleasingly impersonal tracks that radiate a hollow warmth of sound. Rips by Ex Hex Genre: Rock If you like: Blondie, Chrissey Hinde, Heart DC’s , formerly in , Helium and Autoclave, has started her new all-girls trio Ex Hex. Rips, Ex Hex’s debut album, gets its influences from classic ’70s girl bands with its three-part harmonies over heavy-handed, fuzzy instrumentals. The entire track list of this album is drenched in teen angst, touching on subjects like heart break, cheating and infatuation with bad boys, but in no way is this a “girly album” with its cutting guitar solos by Timony.

For more reviews on music, check out chswingspan.wordpress.com under the reviews section. Design: Miranda Mason and Sammy Kastner. 2 chswingspan.wordpress.com There’s more to editorial Dec 20, 2014 than holiday cheer:

Editors-In-Chief Why this isn’t a holiday issue Sammy Kastner Miranda Mason miranda mason sive way that is more appro- serves to lift spirits and co-editor in chief priate for and polite to a di- encourage togetherness, it is Online Editor-In-Chief verse audience, the holiday still wrong to put something Giana Han season brings with it a sense forcely positive in place of During the month of De- of obligatory cheerfulness, something real that doesn’t Managing Editor cember, everything becomes Margaret Heck which would prevent The follow along with what is saturated with the holidays, Wingspan from fulfilling its expected and wanted; it goes Arts & Entertainment from the menu at Starbucks duty as a newspaper. While against the purpose of the Amanda Ali (editor) to the plotlines of television positivity in journalism is by newspaper. Amanda Krew shows. Usually, the “holi- no means a drawback, the In this issue of The day” sentiment turns more feeling of being obligated Wingspan, there is only one Feature into a Christmas sentiment to report only the cheerful article that is related to any- Maryam Elhabashy (editor) than anything else-- which leads to ignoring things that thing involving the holidays, News and that is because it is the Amanda Ali (editor) It’s undemocratic and goes against only holiday-themed article Madhu Lal that promised a fair and our ethics as journalists to ignore thought-out view on things, Opinion not something that agreed Jonah Drenning (editor) or avoid a topic simply because with what people think it doesn’t fit in with the popular should be published this Sports time of year. Michael Moore (editor) opinion of the time. The Wingspan has a Photo mission to inform the Cen- Corey Grable (editor) makes sense for coffee shops don’t fit into that narra- tennial community about Martha Hutzell and tv programs that need tive. Any sort of obligatory relevant topics throughout Caroline Oppenheimer to please their mostly-Chris- mindset restricts journalists, the entire year, and that tian customers and viewers even subconsciously, by includes a month during Media in order to stay in business. making events and opinions which almost everything Anna Mitchell (editor) However, it doesn’t make that don’t fit in with that else focuses in on one thing. sense for The Wingspan positivity less likely to make There is nothing wrong with Staff to follow in these holi- Ashely Berry their way onto the page. service-based industries Sabrina Han days-turned-Christmas It’s undemocratic and tailoring their products to Izzie Chausse footsteps. The role of a goes against our ethics as please their customers, but newspaper is not to please journalists to ignore or there is something wrong Advisors its customers, it’s to report avoid a topic simply be- with a newspaper going out Holly Pasciullo the news that is relevant to cause it doesn’t fit in with of its way to do the same. Rus VanWestervelt its audience-- an audience the popular opinion of the All opinions expressed with- that is more diverse than time. While it’s not done in the pages of the Opinion just those who celebrate section of The Wingspan with the intention of being are those of the individual Christmas. irresponsible, just with the writers and do not neces- sarily reflect the views of Even when the holidays intention of supporting the staff in its entirety, its are incorporated in an inclu- something that generally Design: Miranda Mason Design: Miranda Mason adviser, or the school. and Sammy Kastner. and Sammy Kastner. chswingspan.wordpress.com 3 Different religions, opinion VOLUME 38 ISSUE 3 different rules: Is removing holidays from the calendar a good idea?

jonah drenning sion appears to wipe religion opinion editor off the school calendar, the end result is the same as the school board simply deny- Making national headlines ing the request of Muslim across the country, the families. One would think Montgomery County school that a school system would district responded to re- be proud of the religious di- quests from Muslim families versity, and it is unfortunate for a day off on the holiday that it is being suppressed of Eid al-Adha by removing instead. all mentions of religious Additionally, this re- holidays from the school sponse attempts to pin calendar. There will still be the blame for the decision no class on holidays such as to remove all holidays on Howard County still gets off of school on some religious holidays. Photo: Caroline Oppenheimer. Howard County is a diverse environment, that celebrate them. Since quite clearly discrimination the days off are being given against a minority, some- and although the school system frequently anyway to certain religions, thing school systems usually follows Montgomery County’s lead, it would the decision could appear strive to avoid. as the school board going Howard County is a be a mistake to do so this time. out of their way to offend diverse environment, and

Christmas and Yom Kippur, the Muslim families who but the school’s schedule simply wanted their religion [It] is quite clearly discrimination will be based on attendance recognized alongside the statistics instead. However, others. The combination against a minority, something school there will still be school on of refusing to be tolerant Eid al-Adha because the and immaturely deflecting systems usually strive to avoid. school board states that the condemnation onto there isn’t a high enough an already disappointed religious families by refusing although the school system rate of absence to qualify it, minority group is unfitting to recognize their holidays frequently follows Mont- according to The Washing- of an organization partially as important enough to even gomery County’s lead, it ton Post. responsible for the future of mention. would be a mistake to do so While some may believe our country. Also, the troubling aspect this time. Hcpss.org states this is a victory for the sep- Furthermore, it is foolish of the school board’s denial that one of their guiding aration of church and state, for the Montgomery County of a Muslim holiday still principles is “enriching it is only religious discrim- Board of Education to pre- remains. The most worry- learning by honoring our ination under the guise of tend to ignore religious hol- ing part of the decision is diversity,” and hopefully secularism. In other words, idays while still not having the reasoning; basing it on they will follow it in making the school board has given school on them. Ignoring the fact that there is a small a similar decision in the itself justification to selec- religious holidays will not amount of Muslim students future. tively discriminate against make them disappear, espe- despite its status as a ma- religions. Although the deci- cially to all of the families jor worldwide religion is Design: Miranda Mason and Sammy Kastner. 4 chswingspan.wordpress.com Different religions, S e n i O r s O f different rules: Is removing holidays from the calendar a good idea? T H E M O N T H

JORDANBURK JESSEKINSTLER

BIRTHDAY: April 7, 1997 BIRTHDAY: July 25, 1997 SIBLINGS: Drew & Owen SIBLINGS: Ethan DREAM VACATION: Greece MAJOR: Musical Theatre HERO: Mrs. Griffiths HERO: Superman FAVORITE BOOK: Sparknotes FAVORITE SHOW: The Flash QUOTE: “I literally can’t even.” HOBBIES: Not being vine famous FICTIONAL CHARACTER: Hannah Montana - FUN FACT: I’m a Leo You get the best of both worlds FAVORITE SPORTS TEAM: I don’t sports ACTIVITIES: 1st team All County soccer manager BEST WORD TO DESCRIBE YOU: Dramatic BEST PART ABOUT BEING A SENIOR: QUOTE: VW’s English class “So what does All Call mean?”

ANDREWCONCA-CHENG ALICIATOWNSEND

BIRTHDAY: Oct. 2, 1997 BIRTHDAY: N o v. 4 , 1997 HOMETOWN: Silver Spring HOMETOWN: Camarillo, CA NICKNAME: “Conca-Cheng” or “Conca” NICKNAME: Ali, A-Town, Al FAVORITE CLASSES: Photo and Euro MAJOR: Industrial Engineering HERO: Casey Neistat FAVORITE FOOD: All FAVORITE SHOWS: Psych/The Office COLLEGE PICKS: WVU Baby! (West Virginia University) FICTIONAL CHARACTER: Groot HEROS: Carolyn Cole and Marina Glennon HOBBIES: Photography, running, basketball, traveling BEST PART ABOUT BEING A SENIOR: Slumpin’ it DREAM VACATION: New Zealand FAVORITE ACTRESSES: Tori Stroud and Brittany Davis WHAT WOULD YOU DO WITH A MILLION DOLLARS? QUOTE: Buy a nice camera and start a non-profit organization “Well, it may be stupid, but it’s also dumb.” - Patrick Star

Design: Miranda Mason Photos: Martha Hutzell and Caroline Oppenheimer. and Sammy Kastner. Design: Amanda Ali. chswingspan.wordpress.com 5 Music Listeners are A&E VOLUME 38 ISSUE 3 Turning to Vinyl The Rise of Vinyl Popularity

to get their hands on the 12” amanda krew disks. Vinyl, the way that a&e writer our parents listened to rock and roll and our grandpar- ents listened to jazz, is now In 1948, the LP hit shelves of the way that Generation Y record stores only to be re- is supporting the artists that placed by the compact cas- mean the most to them. sette in 1963. Both of these People argue that vinyl is innovations were substituted the way to go when listening by the CD in 1982 and put to your favorite artist. Se- to rest in 2001 when music nior Matt Brady notes, “it’s was in your pocket with not separate digital parts put Apple’s first iPod. Thirteen together. Its one consistent years have passed since the sound.” The Archive record store in Old Ellicott City displays their $1 record bins. release of the iPod, and yet, It is true that the grooves it seems that the way of the in a record are much warm- White Stripes, Jack White, an LP, you are not going to is one of the artists fighting be spreading free copies of to bring vinyl back into the the record. It seems that the way of the mainstream with the release Disregarding the record of his second solo album, itself, when was the last time future is the way of the past. Lazaretto. The disk itself you were able to truly enjoy features bells and whistles the album artwork on the such as a fixed groove on tiny, six-inch screen of your future is the way of the past. er to the ear than the 1s and the outside of the B side, iPod? It may seem trivial, During the past few 0s being pirated off the web, a duel groove intro to “Just but the album art contrib- years, *artists have been but vinyl was almost extinct One Drink,” and the kick- utes just as much to the releasing their albums on by the time that iPods er, a hologram of an angel album as the guttural bass vinyl to eager fans lining up reached people’s pockets. spinning around the inside guitar or the steady beat of at the front of record stores Former front man of The of the record. the drum line. The draw to vinyl is not When I asked Jason simply as skin deep as a few McMillan, owner of The extras tacked onto the disk. Archive record store, “why Vinyl listeners feel closer to vinyl?” he admitted to have the artist and more involved formulated the answer in his in the thought process the head many times through- artist took to write these out the years. songs because vinyl gives “There’s something about them the ability to look each little pop or click or through the lyric sheet crackle you might encounter tucked away in its cardboard on [the record] that kind sleeve. Owning an album on of happens over time, so vinyl ensures loyalty to the you are kind of hearing its artist because unless your lifespan in a way. That’s what Jason McMillan, owner of The Archive, places a vinyl on a record player. laptop has a 12-inch slot for I’m drawn to.”

Photos: Amanda Krew and Madhu Lal. Design: Amanda Ali. 6 chswingspan.wordpress.com Music Listeners are Turning to Vinyl The Rise of Vinyl Popularity

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Photos: Amanda Krew and Madhu Lal. Design: Amanda Ali. CHS CLUBS OF THE MONTH HORIZON CLUB Members: ~100 Purpose: To provide our members opportu- nities to get involved within the community through a series of volunteer events When and where does your club meet? Every other Thursday in the cafeteria Club Presidents: Tahiyat Sheikh and Caroline Tussing Why join the club?We have something to offer everyone Fun Fact: We are the largest and longest lasting club at Centennial Goals of the club: To give back to the community by helping out anywhere needed Club Motto: Help. Lead. Change. Achieve. Do. BEST BUDDIES Members: 60 Purpose: To promote friendship between individuals with and without intellectual disabilities When and where does your club meet? Monthly in the cafeteria Club Presidents: Ryan McGuire Sponsors: Mr. Corbin and Ms. Seen Why join the club? To make new friends Club Motto: Change the conversation, stop using the R-word (R-Word campaign slogan)

Design: Miranda Mason and Sammy Kastner. Photos: Izzie Chausse and Caroline Oppenheimer.