Cape Henlopen High School Volume 42 No. 4 Viking Ventures Student Newspaper

December 2010 Viking by Anonymous What’s Inside? What’s Inside? Happy Non-Specific Holiday (Cont.)

Page 2: New Teachers ~Grace Hetfield, ‘13 Page 10: Showcase Update

The air is rich with the aroma of gingerbread and hot cocoa. It’s that time of year again: a time to celebrate kindness and/or materialism depending on one’s Christmas traditions. However, not everyone cel- ebrates Christmas. While many secular families have adopted the holiday, Christmas is a traditionally Christian holiday. Several groups, both religious and opposed to religion, opt not to deck the halls with bells and holly. Careful measures are made to not offend Page 3: Student Contributions anyone with the use of the non-specific phrase “happy holidays” but Christmas seems Page 11: TSA Leaders to overshadow all these other non-specific holidays. The “holiday” decorations that adorn every public place and even Cape Henlopen High School (the tree in the rotunda or the motifs decorating the school website, for example) are blatantly Christmas- themed with their use of red and green colors, Santa Claus, and other Christmas em- blems. Even the use of religious imagery such as nativity scenes is on display at some public places. Is it okay that Christmas seems to overshadow other religious holidays of the season? Or is it offensive to shove Christmas spirit in the faces of those who will Page 4: NYC Mosque not be decorating trees this holiday season? Page 12: Looking For Alaska Sophomore Brittney Robinson’s opinion is no. “I know atheists who celebrate Christmas. I know Jewish people who celebrate Christmas. Not everyone celebrates the religious aspects of the holiday.” Sophomore Myranda Gransbury agrees. “My opinion now is that Christmas now is not about religion. It’s about Santa and presents.” My- randa voices passionately, anchoring herself to the cafeteria table with a curled fist. Their views may be biased, as they both celebrate Christmas, but not all Christmas celebrators agree that Christmas cheer is not offensive to some groups of people. It may Page 5: Rocketry Club be offensive because, “we get all our holidays off...why can’t they get their holidays Page 13: Punk Rock off, too?” says 2013 graduate Katelyn Gebbia about the winter [continued on pg. 13] break. Joseph: A Look Inside

~Taylor Goebel, ‘12 Page 6 & 7: Sports Walking into the theatre at 6PM (a half hour early before ev- Page 14: Student Spotlights eryone was called) I was not surprised to see Zack Leary and Triever Sherwood hanging out on the main platform. Zack was playing “Hal- lelujah” on the guitar and singing along with Triever Sherwood. Their voices drifted throughout the ancient Greek-inspired theatre, as did their cackling and rambunctious voices (due to boredom). Daniel Iammatteo arrived shortly after, confronting me about why the dressing room was not open yet. Dramatically, I ex- claimed that I just did not have the keys, and Mr. Dutton (aka DD, Derek, or Duuur- Page 8: Addiction rek, the theatre manager) was not here. Page 15: Soon though, everyone arrived in droves. Jessica Stevenson excitedly rushed in to the group of cast members, plopping a rather large bag of make- up on the platform (and whatever else necessi- ties were needed for the Egyptian look), exclaim- Page 9: Youtube Page 16: Surf Bagel ing “Mother!” (An inside joke that would make anyone question the theatre kids’ nor- malcy- or lack thereof).

The “tapdance of death” [photo by D. Bland] [continued on pg. 4] 2 Viking Ventures Tough It Out Same Love ~Cassie Gotto, ‘11 ~ Jillian Brower, ‘13 Everyone has their stronger and weaker subjects As people are progressing, and society is getting less in school. For some, math comes very easily. For others, and less judgmental, same-sex relations seem to be more English is their strongpoint. For me, math is not only a widely accepted than before. In 1942, the American Psychi- school subject but also a daily struggle. Math is the one atric Association declared homosexuality as a disease. In thing that stands between me and graduation day. Maybe the present day, there are still many people who view it that you are struggling in math, or maybe English is your way. Ryan Brower, 17, says, “It’s wrong. I believe in the most-hated subject. Whatever you are having difficulties Bible, and it says man shall not lay with man, and woman with, things can be done to improve your grade and your self-confidence.shall not lay with woman.” Unfortunately for some, our school requires four credits in math Even though there’s a noticeable population of people who are AND English in order to graduate. If you aren’t happy with your grades against and relations with the same sex, there’s also a big percent that don’t at this point in time, don’t fret. The first semester doesn’t end until after have a problem with it. “They aren’t any different than people who date the break. Until then, try your absolute hardest in the class(es) that you are opposite gender. They just happen to look at personality rather than gender. struggling in. Put off some of your extra-curricular activities to make timeI just don’t think you should care about who other people are seeing, as long for some homework or possibly some extra credit work. Maybe ask your as they’re happy,” says Allie Mueller, a sophomore. teacher if you can sit in the front of the classroom. Surprisingly, grades do According to statistics, 28% of gay and lesbian students dropped out tend to rise the closer you sit to the front of the room. You will be forced to from being teased and pressured about being gay. 26% of gay and lesbian behave and focus because your teacher will always be right in front of you. teens are forced out of their homes from their families disowning them. A Sometimes bombing one test can bring your whole grade down lot of teens struggling with fitting into a society they can’t, end up isolating to failing. Ask your teacher if you can retake the test or quiz that you did themselves from everyone else. In fear they won’t be accepted, or in fear of poorly on. If this is not an option, see if extra credit work is a possibility. what people would say. Failing one quiz or test should not bring down your whole grade. It might “Honestly I don’t feel alienated here at Cape. I like girls, and not be pain staking to stay after school and retake a quiz, but it will be so many people know, but it’s not like I’m hiding it. No one should really be afraid to show their true colors. Their true friends will be there no matter worth it when you see your grade rise. what, just like mine are.” Says an anonymous Junior here at Cape. There It is hard to focus on school when Christmas presents and vacation isn’t a huge uproar about discrimination against someone’s orientation. At is on the brain, but if you can hold on a little while longer and concentrate Indian River High School last year, they wouldn’t allow a female student to on your grades, your break will end up being a better after all. If your bring another female guest. Everyone’s subject to their own opinions, and grades are good, maybe you’ll get some goodies in your stocking instead there’s no right or wrong, but with society now leaning towards being more of coal. lenient about open-gay/bi relationships, people can feel more themselves, and express who they are. Viking Ventures Cape Henlopen High School 1250 Kings Highway Lewes, DE 19958 Editor-in-Chief Assistant Editor Cassandra Gotto Slater Clampitt

Advanced staff Colleen Beck, Taylor Goebel, Bethany Graves, Morgan Kaplan, Kirstin Pollock, Courtney Puckett, Conrad Rutkowski, Jennifer Rutkowski, Matt Wilson Welcome, New Teachers! ~Kayla Doud, ‘14 Introduction to Journalism staff We would like to welcome two new teachers to our Mateo Andrade, Brian Beitzel, Amber Bobbitt, Jillian Brower, school - Mr. Greg Berman, who took Ms. Serman’s place, Rose Campbell, Nora Carle, Kayla Doud, Nikki Dumigan, and Mr. Rex Willoughby, who is replacing Mr. King. Rebecca Dziak, Matt Gerle, Ryan Gross, Brittany Hart, Devin Heron, Mr. Berman is teaching Span- Grace Hetfield, Suzi Jamgochian, U.J. Johnson, Katie Kolobielski, ish 1 and 2 in room D111. He once Adrienne Lineaweaver, Alexandria Lewis, Amber Maloney, lived in Japan for three years and he Margaret McClure, Bryanna Miller, MacKenzie Miller, used to teach Japanese. Berman even lived in Ecua- Kayleigh Murphy, Daniel Myers, Yasmeen Othman, Ryan Pedrick, dor last year where he learned Spanish. He commuted Denise Pizzola, Emily Reed, Claudia Ratner, Georgia Shenk, between the U.S and Ecuador but then decided that he Kassy Sizemore, Elizabeth Sparks, Brian Spicer, Romy Stancofski, wanted to come back to the Cape School District. Lacey Steele, Taylor Trimmer, Rachael Webb, Leah Wilson For many students, he is a familiar face and because of his odd resemblance to Chris Daughtry. Mr. Berman acquired Adviser - Amie King that nickname from his former BMS students. One student, Charlie Bur- ton, greeted him like an old friend. Another ninth grader, Kierstyn Miller said “He was always there to talk to. He was really cool! I’m glad to see him again.” Mr. Berman, who also likes to be called Mr.B, loves it when his students have that aha! moment, when it really clicks for them. “That’s what I like about my job,” says Ber- man. The newest addition to the math department is Mr. Willoughby. He is teaching pre-calculus, algebra II, and physics, all in room E211. He is joining us from Lake Forest High School, where he also served as a Science Olympiad advisor. An interesting tidbit is that Mr. Willoughby studied Geography at Salisbury University. When asked how his latest transition is going, he said that he’s “had a lot of help from the faculty and the administration getting me settled in.” He also added, “the kids are very pleasant.” Introduction to Journalism class period 3 [photo by A. King] Be sure to stop by and say hi to our newest faculty members. Viking Ventures 3 Student Contributions High school students possess talent that sometimes goes unnoticed. Some of them are excellent at draw- ing. Others are great behind the lens of a camera. Whatever talent you possess, we would love to see it and share it with other students here at Cape! If you would like to see your work of art in the next issue, please send an email to [email protected] or just bring it to the Cape Publications Lab, room B115.

“Impressionistic Self-Portrait” by Madeline Meade, ‘12 “Bell” by Edison Howell, ‘12

“Still Life” by Sadie Tenerovich, ‘13 “Surreal Road” by Becca Schall, ‘12 4 Viking Ventures A Look Inside (cont.) others had exclaimed as they bustled in, “Every door was locked! I couldn’t get in!” – everyone was finally here and ready to travel back to the land of Canaan and Egypt “not long after the Bible began.” People began rushing around, asking me (the questions seemed to overlap) if this door was locked, where Talon’s crook was, if Hunter’s and Zack’s guard belts were correctly placed, where Jack’s overalls were (a small catastrophe of the evening), if Brie had adjusted Daniel’s mic so it wouldn’t sound so “community theatre,” and a plethora of other questions that I, the stage manager, was responsible for. After having a ten-minute vocal run, I had to tell everyone to “shut up!” so we could figure out the problem with the number of feedbags on stage right and left. After set- tling that with the girls’ chorus, every single person was off to make-up and costume. Checking several times to see if the props were set just right (every scarf, quick costume change, shackle, Ishmaelite accessory, and so on), I ran around everywhere, yelling “thirty minutes, people!” in expectation of a “thank you thirty!” though that occurred after only a few yells. The band was in full swing until the last half hour, which was when we opened house. “Quiet everyone!” was ironically yelled at chatter- ing groups of people backstage. Cast members mingled from hallway to backstage to dressing room. A small amount of dramatic tension between certain people added to the regularity of a theatre production. Everyone talked about everyone, laughed, rolled their eyes, all with “Quiet every- one!” yelled at them every five minutes. It seemed like only fifteen minutes had occurred when I was yell- ing “ten minutes!” and having everyone gather into the traditional circle in the hallway before the show. Mrs. Pfieffer spoke first, saying how all of us had enriched her life, bringing a smile to everyone in the circle. I spoke saying, “Guys, when I tell you to shut up, it comes from the heart,” which elicited laughter all around. Mrs. Pfieffer initiated a chant all around, bringing everyone’s hands in the middle and up! They went. Time flew as fast as Derek tried to fly in the props, and right then I was yelling “Places, people!” Right after that, I was rushing out the backstage door up to the sound booth where I found Brie and Bacon waiting, calm and ready to start the show.

Pros of NYC Mosque ~Morgan Kaplan, ‘12 If you have tuned into the news or read a newspaper recently, chances are you have heard about the Cordoba Center. Park51 is proposing the Cordoba Community Center that is located two blocks away from Ground Zero and is getting heat for it. Many facts have been manipulated and negative comments publicized nationally to ruin the chances of a beneficial com- munity center from being built. I am a firm supporter of this nondenominational community center. The Cordoba Center will contain a two-story ‘prayer place.’ In addition, a culinary school, library, gym and others. This building will not only support the city of New York but the people of New York. Support The Cordoba Initiative and the good it can do. Who has heard that this is a Mosque? Once again this is fabricated. The definition of a Mosque is a holy place for Muslims where only Islamic services can be practiced. The Cordoba Center has a two-story prayer space that welcomes all people, religions and beliefs. The other 15-stories will be used as common activity areas that don’t relate to a religion or ethnicity. A culinary school will be instituted giving many a chance to learn a trade that will put food on their family’s tables. Also, a restaurant, gym, library and child-care facilities will be crafted. In ad- dition, full-sized basketball court and a swimming pool are being included in the design plans. Even a 500-person auditorium will be included. Lastly a 9/11 memorial will be featured. Who wouldn’t want a useful and salutary place to call theirs? The media, anti-Islamics, and many ignorant, wrongly informed citizens are making this seem like a terrorist headquarters is being built. This is not only wrong but disrespectful and untrue on so many levels. Islams and Al-Qaeda are two very different things. Islams are being blamed for 9/11 saying that it was their doing. However, it was the extremists and radicals who were responsible for 9/11. Michael Moore said, “Blaming a whole group for the actions of just one of that group is anti-American. Timothy McVeigh was Catholic. Should Oklahoma City pro- hibit the building of a Catholic Church near the site of the former federal building that McVeigh blew up?” Just because someone says something doesn’t mean it is true. Also, 9/11 victims and victims and victim’s families have been quoted saying that they are in favor of it. Frank Tatum whose mother died in 9/11 said, “We do have religious freedom. I know the [9/11] wounds are still very open, mine included, but you have to look at the big picture. You can’t practice these freedoms only when it suits us. You have to practice them all along.” The Cordoba Initiative will do so much good for the community. New York City: bright lights, tourists, Broadway shows, Time Square. You think of these profitable, famous attributes. However, most don’t think about the others in the city; the ones who are jobless and hopelessly struggling. The Cordoba House will have a full-time work staff of 150. In addition, 500 part time workers are needed. This gives 650 jobs to citizens. When building the community center, it has been said that over $100 million dollars will be added to the infrastructure. This is great economic news during economically depressed times. Michael Bloomberg, NYC Mayor stated, “Whatever you may think of the proposed mosque and community center, lost in the heat of the debate has been a basic question – should government attempt to deny private citizens the right to build a house of worship on private property based on their particular religion? That may happen in other countries, but we should never allow it to happen here [in the US]. This nation was founded on the principle that the government must never choose between religions, or favor one over another.” The Cordoba House is the equiv- alent a multi-cultural YMCA or Jewish Community Center. Therefore it should be allowed. Even 9/11 victim’s families support the center. In my eyes there a no cons to this center. It will bring jobs, activities, meeting centers, schools, gyms and money into a much needed area. Support The Cordoba Initiative and their Cordoba House! For this and more information visit: http://wtcmuslimcenter.procon.org/. Viking Ventures 5 Blast Off to Rocketry Club!

~Rebecca Dziak, ‘13

Every Wednesday afternoon, when most students are heading home or to sports practice, a small group of students makes their way upstairs to Doctor P’s room, where they will be for the next hour. No, theses students aren’t serving detention or being tutored, they’re going to their weekly meeting for rocketry club.

During weekly meetings, members of Rocketry Club explore the science of rockets as well as how to make them. The club began to meet at the end of October, and until May, the team will work on a plan to design a rocket to fly in the Nationals, which is a competition of Rocketry teams across the country. But for this competition, not just any old rocket will do. Some of the many regulations for the rockets would be eligible to place are that the flight must be a duration of 40-45 seconds, and the rocket must carry one raw egg as cargo, and a simple crack in the egg will lead to disqualification (no pressure, right?). But placing would mean more than just a trophy and bragging rights. Every year, more than $60,000 in scholarship money is awarded to students. And the prize for first place is an all-expense-paid trip to England to see the Farnborough Air Show.

Caila Gentner, a freshman, is a member of Rocketry club. What started as a reason to get out of the house for one afternoon a week turned into a hobby she was determined to be successful. To help get a better idea of what the club is all about, she says, “The purpose of this club is for students to learn aerospace science and systems engineering by designing and building a stable rocket.” When asked why she liked the club so much she said “I like that we get to use our own ideas and put them together in the final product (the rocket) because we do it as a team and the rocket incorporates everyone’s ideas. And it’s really fun. It’s not your normal after-school clubs. You learn a lot. And it opens up a lot of op- portunities, such as the chance to get a scholarship.”

So whether students are into rockets or they just want to get out of the house (and, hey, even if they’re not into rocket science just yet, it could grow on them,) they should consider joining rocketry club. It’s a great way to meet new people, learn something new, and maybe even get a scholarship. Though it’s too late to join this year, the 2011 school year will bring a new season of rocketry club, open to seasoned members and new recruits.

A Love For Social Networking

~MacKenzie Miller, ‘13 When something receives over 500 million fans

understatement. Since the birth of sites like Twitter, Facebook,within six years,and Myspace, calling it the a “trend” interest would in social be anetwork definite- ing has grown immensely. According to web-strategist.com, the world spends 110 billion minutes on social networking sites. So why has event while it’s still going on, grown so popular? the idea For of “adding”most people friends who to don’t a profile, know or how uploading to use the pictures internet from or an

Social networks market their sites as “easy-to-use” or “user friendly” justa computer, for this reason.it can understandably They have kept be the a verycomforting difficult “user thing friendly” to learn. promise by making it so that virtually anyone with an email address and a computer can become connected to the instantaneous world of social networking. The majority of new users on Facebook are older in age and even senior citizens. This means that it’s not only teenag- ers trying to update their statuses; it’s their parents and grandparents that are commenting on them. Sites like Tumblr and Youtube give an outlet for people to express themselves through statuses, pictures, interests and dislikes, even wall posts. This also helps to reconnect with people that haven’t even been mentioned since pre-school and family members that are only seen once a year. Anyone with an account on social network- ing sites can be found and requested which makes it easier to stay in touch with friends and family. Sadly enough, social networking sites, though intended for rec- reational purposes, can be used for dangerous and misleading things. The reasons why people love using sites like these can also be the rea- sons for unsafe happenings like online predators and cyber-bullying. Though unfortunate things sometimes occur on social networking sites, it’s no secret that the majority of people love social network- ing and use it everyday. The easy access to friends, family, and even celebrity pages appeal to the average person bored with their internet experience. But in today’s world of advanced technology and commu- nication, it’s easy to understand why two-thirds of the world’s Inter- net population visit social networking or blogging sites every day. Viking Ventures 6 Sports Soccer is a Sport!

~ Taylor Trimmer, ‘12

Twenty-four million people witnessed Spain’s hard earned win against the Netherlands in Africa, while 8.821 million people watched the game on Univision, and ABC had 15.45 million viewers. Now, some people think that soccer is a ‘stupid’ and a ‘non-sport’. Not many people think soccer is a good sport and it’s a waste of time to play or watch it, some think it’s not even a sport because it’s not like football. If soccer wasn’t a sport, and didn’t have hard contact then why would over 48 million people just be watching the 2010 World Cup? Those num- bers don’t even include college soccer, high school soccer, and little club soccer for the younger kids. Soccer isn’t like football or Lacrosse or baseball; it’s totally different. These athletes are in amazing shape and have outstanding coordination. Just because they don’t get hit as hard like the NFL doesn’t mean they are wimps and babies. Soccer is a hard-core contact sport that is why there are many knee, ankle, leg injuries and concussions. During the game there a lot of collisions causing some injuries, most players shake it off and keep playing. True, there are some people that fake it more than it actually is, but that’s in all sports nothing new. Just imagine running full speed towards the goal, and then all of a sudden it feels like running into a brick wall, there are no pads, or helmets or protection. Just tiny little shin guards that don’t really do much. That is defiantly some hard-core contact. There is no reason for soccer haters to say that soccer isn’t a contact sport, especially after they experience a hard hit. Most kids in the world started off their first sport with soccer. Many kids excelled in the games that they play so they continue on to middle school, past high school and then into college hopefully. The kids that couldn’t do well in soccer are the main ones that say soccer is the ‘stupidest sport ever, its not even a sport’. It’s most likely because they probably couldn’t keep up with the other players. Soccer is a very tiring game, it involves a lot of running, players need endurance and speed in order to stay in the game. This involves a lot of training; this takes time and hard work. “I think Soccer is a hard sport. Senior Alberto Martinez shows off I personally think it takes a lot of smarts, strength and endurance. Plus, soccer chicks are narly!” Senior Scar- his impressive soccer skills. lett Stout says. [Photo by D. Cook] “Soccer is a cool sport, not really my type of sport because I play football and lacrosse. But it’s hard work because of all the running they do and it takes dedication” Senior Dean Julian said. Juniors Morgan Reynolds and Edison (EJ) Howell agreed; “Soccer is a sport because it takes a lot of endurance and hard work. It’s actually really fun to watch.”

Applause is Due For These Seniors

~ Matt Wilson, ‘11

In the fall of 2007, a brand new class came through the doors of Cape Henlopen, eager to begin a new journey in their lives. Some students had hopes of becoming straight A students, while some dreamed of getting as many girlfriends as possible. For a select few, their greatest aspiration was to become athletes whose names would ring out forever when Cape athletics were brought up. Four years later, many of these young kids are now almost adults, and this winter, they will be playing their final season of high school sports. The careers of these athletes have all been memorable, and they all hope to end their careers on a very high note. The freshmen class of 2007 was one of the most talented to come into Cape for basketball in a great many years. Several stand out middle schoolers were finally entering high school, and these kids were coming with much hype. While a select few of these athletes weren’t able to make it to this season, the players that did have all had outstanding careers. Coming out of Mariner, Turrell Bowe was regarded as one of the best players in the entire state. To this day, he is still Mariner’s all time leading scorer. In his high school career, Bowe has been phenomenal. He is one of the sharpest shooters the squad has, and has always been a player capable of putting up big points. As for the Beacon alumni, there are several standouts graduating. Andrew Merlo has been a consistent leader since his freshmen year, and is on pace to have his best season as a Senior. When asked about his career, Merlo said, “It was awesome getting to play varsity for three years. I matured so much as a player, and played in a lot of huge games.” The player who has made the biggest strides since his Freshmen year is Paris White. Paris started out as a pure scorer, but is now the team’s strongest rebounder, one of its best shooters, and a true leader. Josh Hackney and Andrew Scrutchfield, two guys who have always been tough, are wrapping up wonderful careers as well. On the girl’s side of the ball, there is a trio of Seniors who are graduating as the most prolific the school has seen in a good number of years. Similar to Bowe, Johnesha Warren is Mariner’s all time leading scorer. Since her Freshmen season, Johnesha has been the most athletic player on the squad. Now, four years later, she is arguably the best player in the entire state. At some point this season, Warren will score her 1,000th point, putting her in elite company. But she isn’t the sole member of her team who will be accomplishing this feat. Meg Bartley will score her 1,000th as well, leaving the Vikings with an extremely accomplished one-two punch. Meg has been the rock of the team for four straight years, and is one of the most technically sound players Cape has seen. Just as Paris White made great strides as a player, Taylor Harris has come as far as anyone. Not only has she matured on the court, but Harris is now one of the most talented girls in the state, capable of getting a rebound over anyone and just as lethal from three-point range. These three have been amazing, and hope to end their careers with that elusive state championship at the conclusion of the season. While basketball is arguably a more popular sport, wrestling is still one of the most exciting sports here at Cape. Perhaps the most exciting wrestler of all is Chris Young, who has a realistic shot at becoming the all-time leader in wins for the entire Cape program. Chris has placed in the state tournament every year since he was a freshmen, and hopes to finally win a state championship this year. Besides Young, there are two other Seniors who are wrapping up brilliant careers. Dan Smith has been successful since he first made varsity as a Sophomore. While he has yet to qualify for the state tournament, Dan hopes to change that this season, and is off to a very strong start. On his time at Cape, Dan commented, “I had a lot of ups and downs. It was always hard cutting weight, and I could get really frustrated from losses. But I feel like I had a strong four years, and wouldn’t trade it for anything.” Ian Eckrote, since he was a Freshmen, has always been one of the hardest working wrestlers on the squad. He too is hoping to end his Senior year by winning a state championship for the squad. All three wrestlers have meant volumes to the program. For four years, all of these athletes poured their heart and soul into competing for this school. The accomplishments they have achieved in their careers are amazing. While some may be taking their talents to the collegiate level, and some may not, it does not change the fact that all of these athletes worked together to produce four very memorable years for Cape athletics. Viking Ventures Sports 7

The Cape Basketball Cheerleaders held their 3rd annual Youth Cheer Camp on Saturday, December 11th. Participants learned a cheer, three chants, and a dance that they will show off during half-time at the Girls Basketball game Friday, December 17th versus Sussex Tech. Shown above are (middle row) Kathleen Ott, Teri Jones, twins Sarah & Zachary Naar, Rayoni Whidbee, and Sydney Pederson, (front row) Ciara Pastrana, Zsalaya Santana, Alexis Brown, Martina Pistole, and Emily Simon. Team members (back row) are Deante Bland, Kayla Jones, Nhi Le, Nora Carle, captain Jazmine Queen, Chanel Martinez, Anastasia Maker, Dawnya Bland, and Alex Korwek. (not pictured: captain Novia Watson and Lacey Steele). [Photo by A. King]

Vikings Off and Swimming Cape Cheer is Fired Up!

~Rachael Webb, ‘14 ~Elizabeth Sparks, ‘14

If the announcement hasn’t been heard yet, With the season just starting, there are many The Cape girls indoor soccer league is starting up, expectations for the competition and wrestling squad The First game was Sunday December 12 the next this year. After winning State Championships last game is Sunday December 19, and that day the girls year for their division, one thing the senior captains, will play two games, at the Ocean City Recreation and parks. This Sarah Thompson, Danielle Christiansen, and Danielle Diener can is a Sunday Indoor Soccer League for girls and boys from differ- all agree on, is to repeat that this year. With 15 girls on the squad ent High schools around this area. This is good practice for girls for this season, it’s looking pretty bright. who want to play girls soccer in the spring. Practices started in the last couple of weeks and the entire squad has been working hard to learn cheers for the wrestlers and Caitlyn Hardy, a student who has been in the League previ- start to prepare for the State Championships competition in Feb- ously says: “This is a lot of fun! We can kick the ball on the walls, ruary. But that’s not the only competition for the team this year; and the game moves faster than outdoor!” Evelin Martinez, new there are at least three other times when the squad will try to bring to this league, says: “ Im pretty excited about this, Im going to home another trophy. Captain Sarah says that she wants to win as play the spot of goal keeper, and try defense, like I did in middle many competitions as possible this year. school for 3 years!” The team is working hard to prepare for the vigorous two minute and thirty second routine by conditioning every practice. The girls uniforms consist of a Cape Ballerz jersey that looks The captains are working hard to make this a season that everyone exactly like the Cape Crazies jerseys, indoor soccer shoes, shin remembers. Danielle Diener says that she wants to get to know guards, black or white socks, and black shorts. the girls’ strengths and weaknesses so that she can help them the best way possible. And from watching the team now after only There will be no practicing unless scheduled by the team; the about a week of practice everyone can see it’s working. girls will just be playing in the games at the Recreation center. The state championships are February 27, 2011, so make sure The coach for this indoor league is Mr.Colucci, who has a daugh- that everyone tries their hardest to go and support the captains, ter that also plays varsity soccer here; her name is Tricia Colucci. coaches and team members of the 2010-2011 Competition and Wrestling Squad. 8 Viking Ventures

America Runs On...Addiction?

~MacKenzie Miller ‘13 The sun’s barely up, there’s a major test first period, and that late-night marathon of House probably isn’t looking too good anymore. No worries, just grab a cup of coffee. Those 100 milligrams of caffeine are sure to fuel anyone through the day…or are they? According to Medicine.net, caffeine is the most commonly used psychoactive drug in the world. This means that 90% of Americans are addicted to this drug, and use it everyday. Though considered to be ‘not a real drug,’ any form of caffeine can cause severe addiction and withdraw symptoms. This includes coffee, espresso, caffeinated sports drinks and sodas, teas, even some candy bars. NaturalNews.com explains the technical process of caffeine addiction. The caffeine goes directly to the brain and nervous system, setting off stress responses all through the body. This causes muscles to tense, blood sugar to drop, and blood pressure to rise. Once the body is put through all of this, then the “2:30 feeling” sets in: fatigue, headache, and anxiousness. Naturally, the body craves more caffeine to boost the adrenaline and feel more awake again. Sophomore Molly Martin includes her opinion by saying, “I don’t consider myself addicted to caffeine but I do drink coffee almost every- day.” Eager to quit? Prepare for intense headaches, extreme fatigue, and irritability. Though difficult, once caffeine is out of the body’s system for good, the person starts to feel better and more rejuvenated. Giving up caffeine doesn’t have to mean being tired all the time; there are tons of healthi- er alternatives to help wake up. There are hundreds of different flavors of naturally energizing juices and teas that have no caffeine and energize the body and mind in a healthier way. If the cold-turkey style of quitting sounds harsh, try substituting coffee for green or black tea. These can be found at any local grocery store and they hold half as much caffeine, which can make kicking the habit easier. Viking Ventures 9 Rock Our World

~Kassy Sizemore, ‘12

Who likes to rock? Who’s ever talked to someone about music interests from half way across the world? Rock Our World is an international trading collaboration that Mrs. Ippolito’s Computer Art II students are a part of. It is a chance to trade music made in the Garage Band program with other kids around the globe. It is a good opportunity for the, students to learn a little bit of culture from other places. Lori Roe, Cape’s instructional technology specialiast, is helping the class send out their rockin’ tracks and communicate with the other schools in their group. “It’s good to have fun while still learning. The kids love it and we all have a lot of fun making and listening to our music,” says Mrs. Ippolito, the Art teacher.

The theme for this year is anything peace; peace of mind, world peace, or being at peace, anything! All of the students in the class have to make up an original ‘track’ using a program on their MacBook. A track is a thirty-second music beat that can be made up of different types of instruments and sounds. One track was chosen from the class, by the class, to be sent to the next school to have them add more to it. Each artist also creates an animation that will be posted and used to demonstrate what Cape has to say about our ideas on peace.

Although most of the participating schools are located in the US, there are kids anywhere from six years old to seniors in high school. There are also some schools in Australia, Poland, Canada, Egypt, Japan, Peru, and New Zealand! Most of the kids in the collaboration are younger than the students here at Cape, but they appreciate the opportunity just as much. Mrs. Ippolito’s class has had the chance to Skype with the cool young minds of Stone Middle in Melbourne, FL and West Tisbury, MA. They have found that they aren’t that much different from each other. Ju- nior Darcy Woodall, an Art II student in the class, said “Garage Band let’s us be open minded and creative.”

This is a very good opportunity for the students to learn and communicate with others with likes, dislikes, and interests just like them. This is definitely a great experience that everyone could get in to if they were interested. It’s always fun to learn! If you would like to learn more about this program visit www.rockourworld.org and have some fun. Whether it’s making an animation, or just looking through someone else’s artwork, always remember what peace is and how to change the world. Youtube + Vlogs = Entertainment

~Georgia Shenk, ‘14

If YouTube has brought anything, it’s that now there are more ways to get noticed then ever. Whether students are into “skateboard- ing dog” or listening to a wannabe singer’s cover on a catchy pop hit, they’re sure to have logged on to this mega-hit website at one point or another. Few, however, have really noticed some undiscovered gems of the site—Vlogs. Whether they’re serious or beyond hilarious, a lot probably deserve more views than “dramatic chipmunk.” While some are probably not worth three minutes, some are definitely worth checking out.

If students have ever seen the show Tosh.0 on Comedy Central, they’re sure to love this first vlog. Ray William Johnson (channel name: raywil- liamjohnson), a 23 year old comedian and video blogger, runs a popular show on YouTube called “=3.” Like the Comedy Central favorite, his vlog reviews viral videos while throwing in his own humor along the way. “His reviews are hilarious, and the points that he make are actually relevant,” com- mented senior Phyllica Barlett. Viewers are encouraged to answer the comment question of the day, and admittedly they usually answer inappropriately. Regular viewers find it difficult not to pick up Ray’s signature lingo like “you ain’t got no pancake mix,” which he claims will win any argument. With over a 100,000 views on every video, it’s definitely worth a couple minutes to watch.

Whether people are into Broadway or prefer to stay as far away as possible, Andrew’s Blog is a must-stop location on YouTube. His videos may only have about five thousand views each, but that doesn’t make them any less hilarious. Andrew Keenan-Bolger (channel name: UrInTown), a 25-year- old theatre geek, runs this laugh-out-loud video blog. From hi-jinks with his friends Jake Wilson, Dana Steingold, and Vanessa Ray to being on-set with the cast of his latest show, the show touches topics that would make anyone crack up, whether theatre’s their forte or not. In Andrew’s words, it’s pretty “campy”—definition: anything beyond hilarious, whether it means to be or not.

No matter who watches these videos, it’ll almost inspire them to grab their camera, grab their buds, and start filming.Vlogs are often inspiring, funny, witty, and well thought out. They provide meaning and hilarious input, or sometimes just a way to really get out what the blogger is feeling. They let the viewer in on the life of the host. So next time people click to YouTube, they should check out a few vlogs… they might actually enjoy their time watching these, more than a six second clip of a chipmunk turning around. Local Channel: BLIKproductions

~Kayleigh Murphy, ‘14

Most everyone loves watching Youtube videos, right? Like many other students at Cape, freshman Madison Long has her own channel on the site. One of her accounts, BLIKproductions, shows seven short comedies including Mackenzie’s World, The Picnic of Doom, and Behind the Scenes of the Teacher’s Lounge. Jessica Stevenson, who is also a freshman, is in most of the videos and says, “They are very funny and fun to be in.”

Madison also created a new account to feature her claymation videos: PinkyMeowProductions. The channel currently has only one video, but Madison plans to upload more. The Adventures of Pinky, the video featured, is a 1:44 minute stop motion video made with clay, which Madison did all by herself. A person looking for humorous short videos would definitely want to check out either BLIKproductions or PinkyMeowProduc- tions for their high quality hilarious videos. 10 Viking Ventures Showcase Update ~Bethany Graves, ‘11 The Cape Showcase is coming up and there is still time for students, staff, and anyone in the community to rent tables. Plan to come shopping! It will be in the Cape cafeteria from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday December 22nd. Interested in participating? See Mrs. King in room B115. Table rentals are only $10 and that goes towards Cape Publications production costs. And the best part? YOU get to keep all the profits you make at your table! Come support local artists while finishing up last-minute holiday shopping! You’ll find at the Showcase: friendship bracelets, hemp neck- laces & bracelets, bottle lights, cupcakes, brownies, cookies, face painting, nail painting, picture frames, flip flops, hair clips, earrings, purses, hats, vintage & costume jewelry, Cape’s Finest wristbands, a silent auction, candy-filled stockings, and much more!

“Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.” ~ Hamilton Wright Mabie State Facts

~Rose Campbell, ‘11 Vermont Ski Trip Did you know that six states have the cardinal as their state bird? Ohio, Virginia, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana ~Rachael Webb, ‘14 and North Carolina. Here’s something really interest- ing: North Carolina touches Virginia, Virginia touches Interested in snowboarding or skiing? Then Kentucky and Kentucky touches Ohio and Indiana. Indiana also touches read on! A trip to Vermont is being planned for Illinois and Ohio. February 19-21, 2011 and it is open to everyone. · Dr. Proseus teaches science and he is from North Carolina. · Mrs. King, who advises both the yearbook and the newspaper The price for this trip is $75 per person, plus hotel and teaches geometry, is from Indiana. costs, The more people that stay in a room, the less · North Carolina and Virginia both have beaches just like here in expensive it is: $265 per person if quad occupancy, $280 per Delaware. person if triple occupancy, and $305 per person if double · Ohio, Kentucky, Illinois and Indiana are all land-locked, which occupancy. The group going will stay at the Holiday Inn means that they have land surrounding them. Express in South Burlington, Vermont. The skiing will take place at Stowe Ski Resort.

Included in the cost are: the motor coach that included a vcr to make a better trip, two night accommodations, a pool and recreational facilities, one dinner, two continental breakfasts including fruit, breads, cereal, and beverages, and two all-day lift tickets. Some plans for Saturday evening after a full day of skiiing and boarding include swimming in the the pool, various games and activities along with some TV and/or movie watching, and maybe even more!

Students participating will need some extra spending money for two lunches at the resort, dinner at fast food restaurants on Friday and Saturday and money for ski and snowboarding equipment. During the Jobs for Delaware Graduates Initiation and Instillation Ceremony (JDG I&I, for short), Markwaun Sheppard, Rashawn Davis, Those going on the trip will be going to school on Courtney Gibbs, Anastasia Maker, and Kurtia Maker raise their hands and Monday, First-time skiers or snow boarders must take a lesson recite the pledge as they are installed as the new officers. first, before trying out the slopes. [photo by J. Brower] 11 Viking Ventures Throwing a Tangent T.S.A. Leadership

~Taylor Goebel, ‘12 ~Katie Kolobielski, ‘ 14 It’s so illogical, math that is, being required to take math in high school. The old argument of, “I’m never going Mr. Griswold took six Cape students to the to use this when I get a job and go off into the real world” T.S.A Leadership Conference in October. T.S.A. is blatantly ignored by teachers, or the student getting back stands for Technology Student Association, which this nice counterargument: “Most colleges require it.” Backfire time: helps students learn leadership strategies through different “Most jobs don’t.” Then again: “Well, student, most jobs require a college activities, problem solving, and communication. The students degree.” So the question is: Should colleges require high school math education? were chosen first by if they were T.S.A officers and then by if Think about it. There won’t be a trigonometric identity problem on they were advanced. a job application or a need to memorize geometric formulas when buying Students Andrew Horsey, Ryan Collins, Ricky Kline, a house. Most of the kids at Cape take in the information just long enough Mitchell Taylor, Jacob Kee, and Jared Schrader went to the to pass a test or exam, and then drop it a marking period or semester later. Sheraton Hotel in Dover for the conference. Prior to the And years later, they won’t even know what SOH CAH TOA stands for. In conference, they raised money through a charity links. Selling math terms, this logic cancels out the argument that math, along with other a dollar at a time, seventy dollars total was raised for Nemours, subjects, contributes to a student’s ‘well-rounded’ education. The students’ A.I. Dupont Children’s Hospital, and the American Cancer motivation for a ‘well-rounded’ education stems from the need to pass that Society. trig identity quiz next Monday. At the conference, students enjoyed a buffet lunch, Of course, basic math is a great asset in life (How can one go performed different helpful tasks, played games, and even through life without knowing what 2+2 is?). It is learned in elementary and worked with other schools. Overall, it was a great learning middle school, but in high school the concept of math is a bit much. Who cares if the cosine of 90 degrees is 0? No one will remember it when they experience as well as a charitable event. get an actual job. Junior Elena Leonhart says, “I would rather be required Ricky Kline, who was part of the conference, was proud of to take a class in finance, bills, taxes, etc because I’m actually going to use the part that he played in this event. “I had a lot of fun playing it in real life.” different games and learning new leadership skills,” he said. Not to say that such specific math subjects are useless to everyone. Subjects like calculus are great in engineering and according to whenwilliusemath.com, the “‘top 15 highest-earning college degrees all have one thing in common -- math skills.’” It’s nice to know that some people like to take money into account for the usefulness of math, but it still ignores the student’s argument. Math also makes the brain smarter, but there are plenty of smart people in the world who don’t use math to stimulate their brain’s intelligence. This also brings up another point. If math is required, but it is not entirely useful to a lot of people in the future, then why not, say, require students to take a plethora of other courses that are not that useful to everyone as well? For example, why not require people to take a course in theatre? Or how about environmental science? This would surely strengthen a student’s ‘well-rounded’ experience, wouldn’t it? In whole, this argument is not about strictly planning for the future (in college, for a career, etc). It is about students better preparing themselves to do something they love. For example, many schools in India allow students to pick their major(s) during the eleventh grade and focus on that through the rest of high school. It seems like a waste of time to do something that is not beneficial (other than passing a few tests that won’t really have any significant meaning in the future) to the students. The TSA Leaders Andrew, Ryan, Ricky, Mitch, Jacob, and Jared prepare school system forces them to because education is like a domino effect: to to participate in the games. One had four people all stand on a big get on to the next stage, one must pass a series of tests and requirements. If mat, then flip it over, without having anyone step off of it. Another schools thought more about the benefit of the students and less about being one involved decoding a piece of paper with several secret language on top in the education industry, there wouldn’t be such a thing as a waste systems. These activities helped take everyone out of their own ele- of time in school. ments and help everyone feel comfortable with others. [photo by B. Griswold] One For One

~Leah Wilson, ‘14 The holiday season is quickly approaching, and most people are worried about the perfect gifts for their friends. Teenagers tend to run out of ideas, so why not buy something that will be the perfect gift but also help a child in need? TOM’s Shoes are the perfect gift for anyone. The founder of TOM’s Shoes is Blake Mycoskie. In 2006 the traveler went to Argentina and saw that the local children had no shoes on their feet. He created TOM’s Shoes to help towards the cause, for every shoe that was sold, a pair of brand new shoes would be given to a child in need. TOM’s have been featured in Teen Vogue, Elle Magazine Online, and Seventeen Magazine. Not only would purchasing a pair of these be helping out someone else, it would also help keep the receiver up with the latest trends! The shoes were inspired by the local footwear in Argentina that farmers wore, “alpargata” shoes. Alpargata is a fancy word meaning a light canvas shoe with a plaited fiber sole. TOM’s shoes are made from cotton and have soles made of rubber, they are even available in vegan styles. Senior Kayla McKelvey says, “I think TOM’s Shoes are so awesome because they have so many different kinds and each pair you buy, TOM’s gives shoes to a child in need. Coolest thing ever.” One might think, “Why are shoes so important? I walk around on the boardwalk barefoot all the time!” There are many dangers to not wearing shoes, not only could not wearing shoes put cuts and sores on your feet which could lead to infections, but also in countries like Argentina there are things called “soil-transmitted diseases” which can injure the skin on bare feet. Not only is not having a pair of shoes on hazardous, but shoes are required in schools, if a child can’t go to school, they won’t get educated and be able to become a part of our future. So why not think of others while shopping this holiday season? Check out TOM’s shoes at www.toms.com. 12 Viking Ventures Looking For Alaska

~Jillian Brower, ‘13

“What you must understand about me is that I am a very unhappy person.” Looking For Alaska is the first book John Green had written, shortly after graduating from Kenyon college in 2000 with a double major in English and religious studies. The book leaps into the world of Miles “Pudge” Halter, when he moved from Florida to Alabama to attend Culver Creek his junior year. What he didn’t expect was meeting, and falling, for the wild, self-destructive Alaska Young, and the search for the Great Perhaps. His best friend, Chip “The Colonel” Martin is the smartest student in the school, who has a knack for drinking and planning elaborate pranks. One comment Chip made while dating a Weekday Warrior (The rich, snotty people at the Creek) was, “I guess I stay with her because she stays with me. And that’s not an easy thing to do. I’m a bad boyfriend. She’s a bad girlfriend. We deserve each other.” During his first week at the Creek, Pudge broke many of the rules: smoking on campus, drinking on campus, being in a girl’s room with the door closed after seven p.m., etc. One night, Truth or Dare turned into a make-out session between Pudge and Alaska. Too drunk and tired, Alaska said, “This is so fun, but I’m so sleepy. To be continued?” And with that they went to sleep. At some point through the night Alaska got up and went to the payphone. And some point after that, she, freaked out and barged into the room crying. Pudge and The Colonel helped her sneak off campus, and at some point between where she was, and where she was going, she crashed her car and died. Pudge was caught in the world of missing her, and not really having known her. He loved her, and he hated her for leaving. He hated himself for letting her go, and he hated that he wasn’t sure if the kiss had meant anything to Alaska. He wound up missing the perfect girl that he had made up, rather than the actual, screwed up and mood swing queen who was Alaska Young. “I lacked the courage and she had a boyfriend and I was gawky and she was gorgeous and I was hopelessly boring and she was endlessly fascinating. So I walked back to my room and collapsed on the bottom bunk, thinking that if people were rain, I was drizzle and she was a hurricane.” Alaska Young talks about the Labyrinth of suffering throughout the book. The question she wants answered is how do you get out of it? After the accident, or not accident, Pudge read in the book that her answer was Fast & Straight. Was this insight into what Alaska was thinking the last moments of her life? Did she see an opportunity and take it? Or was she just too drunk, and in too big of a hurry to get somewhere that she didn’t think she’d crash? These are all questions Miles will never have the answers to. He was Alaska’s last kiss, and he loved what he knew of her. He loved as much as she would let him know of her. And that had to be enough. John Green does a fantastic job at bringing everything together in the ending pages of Looking For Alaska. “When parents say, “Teenagers think they are invincible” with that sly, stupid smile on their faces, they don’t know how right they are. We need never be hopeless, because we can never be irreparably broken. We think that we are invincible because we are. We cannot be born, and we cannot die. Like all energy, we can only change shapes and sizes and manifestations. They forget that when they get old. They get scared of losing and failing. But that part of us greater than the sum of our parts cannot begin and cannot end, and so it cannot fail.” Looking For Alaska was Johns’ first book, and a great success it was. It won the 2006 Michael L. Printz Award, and made the ALA 2005 Top 10 Best Book for Young Adults. The film rights to Looking for Alaska were purchased by Paramount in 2005 and the movie scheduled to be released in 2013. Some other popular works by John Green include, Paper Towns, (2008) which was number fiveon the New York Times bestseller list for children’s books, and was also awarded the 2009 Edgar Award for best Young Adult novel. An Abundance Of Katherines, (2006) and Will Grayson, Will Grayson, (2010) Which was on New York Times children’s best-seller list for three weeks. Green also ran a vblog called vlogbrothers, on their site Brotherhood 2.0 which included question Tuesdays, amusing songs, and nerdfighters.

TSA Pat-Down

~Ryan Gross, ‘11

Traveling to see family this holiday season? In an attempt to make airports safer from terrorist threat, the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) has made several adjustments to airline procedure. While these securities help make the public safer, people are now wondering, “metal detector or pat down?”

Technology is becoming more advanced as time goes on; this concept applies to metal detectors as well. Compared to the old metal detectors, the new Advanced Imaging Technology, or AIT ones do much more. The new technology allows the detectors to take an x-ray like image of a person, revealing any concealed weapons, drugs, or other paraphernalia. According to the TSA website, these scans use millimeter waves, “is thousands of times less than a cell phone transmission”. The old detectors are available, but a traveler is directed to a detector, regardless of preference. It seems like it would be no big deal, but skeptics are worrying about whether there is a potential danger through these scans.

Some are growing concerned about the TSA workers; they are constantly exposed to these scans. What could the ramifications for such exposure in long-term use? There have been speculations that the millimeter waves could lead to unwinding DNA over time, but it’s apparent research has disputed such claims. Like other technology, such as cell phone radiation, the effects aren’t fully known yet. Only a few generations have constantly used such devices. And, if the threat of radiation doesn’t deter a passenger, one’s privacy may. While a CNN article specifically states that these scanners only show “a somewhat blurred outline of the passenger’s body” with no visible facial features, high-profile images have already been leaked onto the Internet. So, can these body scanners be trusted.

So, a traveler decides to forego on the body scanner, in opt for a pat down by a trained TSA officer. These pat downs have spurred dozens of horror stories for the past few weeks. For instance, Thomas Sawyer, a bladder cancer survivor, mentions how he “was absolutely humiliated” when TSA officers ignored how he wore a urostomy bag, only to pop it, causing it to leak urine over his person. Sawyer had to wait until the plane boarded and took off before changing. Meanwhile, on YouTube, videos of disabled children being forced to walk because they’re in a wheelchair are causing lots of controversy. While these isolated incidents have been addressed by the TSA, it makes one wonder if either choice is worth the hassle.

As the holidays approach Cape Henlopen High School, students are recognizing this controversial issue. Some students, like Avery Mallon, class of ’12, believes that “it all just seemed to come out of thin air. Like the TSA just started implicating these harsher techniques out of nowhere.” On the other hand, some Cape students may be impartial to the recent changes. Either way, there’s always the option of taking a road trip to Grandma’s for the holiday season. 13 Viking Ventures Punk Rock Is Not Dead

~Grace Hetfield ‘13

Though a worn-in ash black tee shirt might proclaim otherwise, the punk genre has not been buried six feet underground. Many bands, veterans and novices alike, are keeping the DIY spirit alive. “Punk is a constantly evolving genre,” says freshman Emily Stanton. Push aside those preteen-marketed pop punk albums and check out some pretty hardcore albums from the past few years.

The Eternal by Sonic Youth, Matador Records Released June 9, 2009 The Eternal is incredibly fitting name for the album heralding Sonic Youth’s return to an indie label. Since their eponymous debut EP released in 1979, Sonic Youth has been transcending their own genre through their avante garde approach to music. Their interesting and unique sound has inspired legions of musicians, including many of the grunge bands of the early 90’s, but has yet to be replicated. This album is very representative of Sonic Youth’s signature style of music, catchy rock melodies that lead into artsy collages of sound. The high points of this album are definitely any time bassist Kim Gordon’s magnetic vocals glide over a track. Despite the fact that it has same approach to music as their past albums, this album still sounds fresh and is very accessible compared to the violent noise found on the Sonic Youth EP or even their haunting 1988 masterpiece, Daydream Nation.

Majesty Shredding by Superchunk, Merge Records (owned by members of the band) Released September 14, 2010 Majesty Shredding is tight, well-put together album that showcases Superchunk’s talent for melodic pop punk songs. The songs aren’t that different the ones featured on Superchunk’s 1991 LP No Pocky For Kitty, but with better recording quality. Some of the album’s best tracks are “Rosemarie”, “Learned To Surf”, and “My Gap Feels Weird” where guitarist/vocalist Mac McCaughan nasally moans “We’ve all got forever skinned knees.”

King of The Beach by Wavves, Fat Possum Records Released August 3, 2010 On their third album, Wavves changes their sound from the lo fi anthems and songs about slacking found on previous albums, and instead garners inspiration from 60’s surf pop as well as Nirvana. The result is irrestible album that is driven by guitar riffs and vocal harmonies, that seems to embody summer. Wavves discards the distortion found on their other albums and now, Nathan William sings clearly about sunburns and idiots. The only minute flaw of this album is the use of a drum machine on some tracks (for example, “Baseball Cards”), but this flaw is easily overshadowed the number of standout tracks on this album.

Med Head Review Beatles on iTunes

~Adrienne K. Lineaweaver, ‘13 ~Henry Pfeifer,’14

Med Head: My Knock-down, Drag-out, Drugged- In November, iTunes announced that they were up Battle with My Brain is by James Patterson and Hal now going to be selling the Beatles music on their online Friedman. Med Head is a story about Hal Friedman’s store. This is a huge deal for the basic fact that many son, Cory Friedman, who struggles with Tourette’s famous bands have not allowed iTunes to sell their music syndrome, obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression and anxiety. It all on the iTunes online store. Another band is ACDC; this is the reason started when Cory turned 5 years old that he started to have a small why CD sales have still been very high as well as profitable. The main tic that gradually got worse as time went by to where he’d get up in factor, of course, was money. Obviously money is the key to almost the middle of class and say inappropriate words that his parents have everything and because of that, the Beatles are now on iTunes. never said nor watched on the television. Cory soon realizes that he can make his tic’s seem funny to the other students and then gets in trouble, Emma Trugman, a freshman, explained what she thinks of this not because of his medical condition, but because he begins to be the announcement from Apple Inc. “I think that Apple has done a great job problematic student. with making their business a success and allowing their options to ex- What hurts his parents is how much he gets into trouble and pand, but this will not be a day where everyone will remember it.” how many medications the various doctors prescribe to him. Cory soon suffers the side effects of the many drug therapies and changing doses he was prescribed to “help” his symptoms. Though at times the drugs left him drooling and obese, they provided no relief, so he self-medicated with alcohol, compulsive smoking, and rage. Finding “out-cast” friends and partying whenever, his friends steal his medications and cause all Happy Non-Specific Holiday (cont.) sorts of ruckus within his basement bedroom. After a big party with a few fights, Cory is left to clean up after his “friends” before passing out with a lit cigarette in his hand that catches the couch on fire. When the The most important opinion is obviously of those who don’t cel- smoke alarm goes off, his parents claim they have had enough and Cory ebrate Christmas. While other students are adding on yet another item to agrees, so they send Cory off into a mountain camp for delinquent boys their Christmas lists, one anonymous student admitted she was among where the start of Cory’s recovery begins. those who weren’t celebrating any holiday during winter break. This In this biography, Cory will take you down roads that have never anonymous source says that she doesn’t experience a winter holiday until been published and will make a persons heart cry out to help others. The February, when her family celebrates Chinese New Years. “I don’t care if book allows readers to feel the intensity of his torment, both physically people are celebrating.” She divulged. “I don’t take it offensive because and emotionally to where the reader will not be able to put the book everybody has different holidays they celebrate.” Maybe the most impor- down. Read and enjoy! tant question this time of year is not what ‘s a suitable present for Mom or Aunt Sally or Uncle Vladimir, but who are we trying so hard not to offend. Is it everyone? Is it the younger generation? Or is it the parents? Our anonymous source says she still isn’t sure of the answer. 14 Viking Ventures Student Spotlights

Freshman Sophomore Avery Rebecca Fitzgerald, Mallon is a very or “Becca” as her well-rounded stu- friends call her, is one dent. He is very in- of the kids that no- volved in band. He body knew could do plays trombone in so much. “I’ve danced both the Concert and with Mia Michaels, the Jazz Bands. Be- Shane Sparks, and Dave Scott,” she says with- sides trombone, he also plays drums in his out even blinking an eye. spare time. “I went home and sat at my drum- She goes to two different dance studios set and learned a few of our drumline’s ca- and participates in jazz, hip-hop, pointe, and dences.” contemporary tap. Why is she so interested Avery, who is from Seattle, is also in- volved in theater and played Simeon and the “so I started when I was about two.” Impres- Pharaoh in Joseph and the Amazing Technicol- sivelyin dance? enough, “My sistershe has did plans it first”, to perform she said, in the or Dreamcoat. He will also going to be fea- dance rendition of Twilight in May. tured in The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Athletic to the core, Becca is also a wres- For those who haven’t met Avery yet, he tling cheerleader. That’s no surprise, as she is the tall, relaxed guy who is always cracking is usually happy and high-spirited. Keep up jokes in the hallways. He also enjoys playing the good work cheering and dancing! his Playstation 3 with his twin brother Kear- ney.

Junior Steven Senior James Pa- Gebbia is building vese is someone who 16-feet high trebu- really stands out in chets. Yes, a 16-foot a crowd. He is al- catapult–like con- ways making people traption. It’s located laugh. But his has a on a family farm and serious side, too. He “it’s for this year- is Second Lieutenant long science project.” in JRTOC and is also a Platoon Leader. Addi- Most people may not know that he is ex- tionally, is is an active member of the Raider tremely humorous, as Steven is a silent type, Team. Besides JROTC, James plays trumpet in opting to keep to himself. He’s from Wilm- the band. ington and loves technology, especially build- James explained that his favorite band is ing computers. “Yeah, I’m smart. I’ve always Queen and his favorite song by them is “Bo- been smart. But it’s a lot of work to try. So I hemian Rhapsody.” He can often be found in just sleep.” Ah, the humor... his car rocking out with Queen blaring. Steven is also an amazing photographer. In his spare time, he enjoys playing Air- After much prompting, he has graciously soft with his friends. Looking to the future, shared many pictures he has taken with the James is planning to join the Marine Corp. Valhalla Yearbook staff to be included in this after he graduates. Finally, he is a wonderful year’s book. Be sure to check out some of his brother to a younger brother and sister. The sports shots! two little ones were usually found at the foot- ball games emulating their big brother. 15 Viking Ventures Cape Questions

~Jillian Brower, ‘13

Q: How do I get my school work done and still have time for a life? A: I’m sure a lot of people are wondering the answer to this question. With the mid term coming up, and the stress about college, it’s hard to feel like you have time to do what you want, and have fun. You should try to get as much work done as you can in class, as long as it doesn’t interrupt with what you’re doing. During lunch try going to the library or a quiet classroom to both eat and knock out some homework. It’s great to excel in school, but don’t forget that you need time for yourself.

Q: How do I help my suicidal friend to realize that her life is more important than she thinks? A: Suicide really isn’t something to joke about. It’s not your job to take on that task all alone, but be there for her as much as you can. Try to help her out with that. There’s some free hotlines you could suggest tofigure her outthat what’s she might wrong, be interested and why she’s in. 1-800-SUICIDE, upset so that maybe and 1-800-273- you can TALK. If she’s been talking to you about suicide, she’s trying to reach out for help, and your best bet might be to go to an adult. She may be pretty outraged and torn, but it’s better that she gets help and that someone’s aware of it rather than her turning up dead one day. Try to make her see the good things about life, and that she has plenty of people that care about her.

Q: How do I know if I’m falling in love with my best friend? A: I’m sure this is a question that runs through a lot of kids’ minds at one time or another. Wanting to be more than friends, not sure if there’s something there or if they feel the same, etc. But if you re- ally think that you want to go to the next step, maybe you should try talking to them about it. You could even just start out with a joking approach, and see what there reactions are, so that you can blow it off and spare further humiliation, but it’s always worth a shot. Best Buddies Hosts A Pageant Q: How do I know if I’m gay? A: That’s really a question I only think you can answer. Your teenage ~Alex Lewis, ‘12 December 14 was the Male Staff Pageant to help inyears general, are a youbig timeshould for try exploration, sorting out and your trying feelings to figure to see out if maybe who you it’s raise money for Best Buddies. Best Buddies is an onlyare, but a really you’re close definitely friendship, not alone. or if it’s If you’remore than attracted that. toAnd one if it’sperson more organization at Cape where students are paired with than that, then you should really talk to them. They should be able to students in the Sussex Consortium to create friendships. understand, and they could help you out with your curiosity, and they At the pageant, male staff members including Mr. LaFazia, Mr. Walls, might feel the exact same way. You could talk to Mrs. Sutton about Mr. Myers, Mr. Tingle, Mr. Evans, and others, strutted about the stage joining the Gay Student Alliance at Cape, which is for Gay and Bi stu- modeling casual wear, formal wear, and were required to show off a dents, and you could get some advice from people going through the certain talent. They also answered questions from the crowd. same thing, and they could help you out with whatever you’re feeling. “I went to the Male Staff Pageant and I thought it was really funny and cute. It was for a good cause and I would gladly go again (if Mr. Dutton turned the sound system down a little),” Kelly Hartnett, ’12, jokes. Technology Mr. Walls won first place, but everyone was great. There was a good turnout and it helped Best Buddies acquire the funds they need Education to keep the organization strong and to keep having events such as the pageant. students are “It’s a great opportunity to make friends and have fun while doing it!” says Taylor Henson, ’12, secretary of Best Buddies. “We’ll designing and try to host more interactive activities so that more people will get in- volved. It’s really a great experience and I would encourage anyone to building wall join.” clocks in Mr. Griswold’s class. 16 Viking Ventures