“ Seeing this unrealistic presentation of life “ Coach Dunham wanted to take Back in the day it wasn’t over and over as we scroll through our the track team to new heights: “about fame or who you newsfeeds has its repercussions. winning the DCSAA was... -Nora Charles”P. 5 -Isaac Frumkin” P. 12 ” -Yung Gleesh P. 14

Woodrow Wilson High School

Please Recycle THE EACON February 27, 2015 3950 ChesapeakeB St. NW Washington, D.C. 20016 | www.thewilsonbeacon.com VOLUME 78 ISSUE 6

A giant crowd of students descended on The Beacon office when Rapper Yung Gleesh came to Wilson for an interview with The Beacon's Monet Jones. Gleesh, 23, grew up on 18th and Monroe in Northeast DC and YUNG GLEESH attended Wilson. He never envisioned himself where he is today, with Interviewed by videos on MTV, bookings going for $10,000, and a current national tour. A Monet Jones former congo player in the DC gogo band T.O.B., Yung Gleesh never even expected to start rapping. He never gave up despite going unnoticed for work. In the interview (on page 14) he said that in DC we are "crabs in a barrel," all clawing each other just trying to save ourselves. Nonetheless, he is humble and he is real. He deserves fame because he represents DC in a way most celebrities that made it don't, using words like "moe" and "kill" in his music. He is not A-list yet, but there is no doubt Yung Gleesh will video on put DC on the map. Find out more about Gleesh on monettjoness.tumblr. thewilsonbeacon.comPhoto by Asa Canty com and on thewilsonbeacon.com. cont. pg 14 Wall-E Goes to Mexico Danielle Breslow Tara Bretzfelder Staff Writer, Contributor Thirteen Wilson students will travel to Mexico City to compete in the FIRST Mexico City regional robotics competition. Cartoon By Amanda Kartano According to physics teacher Angela Benjamin, Eating Disorders the team’s coach since 2009, Wilson’s robotics team is the only team from the United Cause Education States that is going. “FIRST [For Inspiration and Recognition of Student Technology] Robotics to Suffer PhotoPhoto by by Luc Luc Nikiema Nikiema . adolescents, with a mortality is an acronym for inspiring Ellie Melick HEAVY METAL - Thirteen members from Wilson’s rate 12 times higher than any students in STEM education,” Web Style Editor Robotics team will be headed to Mexico City to be a part other cause of death in females says Benjamin. “We have huge of the FIRST Mexico City competition. This is the teams This year’s National Eating aged 12-24. Despite how international competitions.” first time out of the country for competition. Disorders Awareness Week was common they are, there is still The Wilson team usually February 22 through 28, and its a widespread misunderstanding competes in the DC regional she says. help of others, and I’m the lead goal was to educate the public regarding eating disorders. and the Chesapeake regional They are currently working programmer,” he said. on the often misunderstood “Eating Disorder” is a competitions, but this year on a robot that can move more Senior Colin Escribano said illnesses. blanket term for all instances they have added the Mexico than one crate at a time.The what he is most excited about The theme of this year’s of disordered eating. There competition. team will have to take the robot going into the trip is “to travel Awareness Week, which is being are several specific diagnoses The competition in to Mexico and will have a pit and see different monuments organized by The National of eating disorders, including Mexico will have different crew that will be modifying it that they have.” Eating Disorder Association Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia objectives than their previous the whole time. “I’ve been on the team (NEDA), is “I Had No Idea,” Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder, competitions. “This year we The event has four-minute since ninth grade, this is my the main focus being on “early and Other Specified Feeding don’t really like the goal,” said rounds where the team has fourth year. I’m excited to go intervention and recognizing or Eating Disorder (OSFED), Benjamin. Instead of having a to control the robot on the to Mexico,” senior Sebastian the diverse experiences of among other less common robot that can throw a frisbee computer and complete the Quilter said. people personally affected by ones. Each illness has a defining or a ball, the overall goal of the goal. For at least one round, Wilson’s Robotics team disordered eating,” according to set of characteristics and competition this year is to build junior Tobias Shapinsky will is looking forward to the NEDA’s website. requires different approaches a robot that can move crates, be operating the robot. “I’ve adventure and is preparing to In the U.S., up to 24 to treatment. But no matter and stack them on top of each programmed the robot and built take home the gold! • million people of all ages and what particular eating disorder other. “It’s like a factory game,” the pneumatic system, with the genders have at some point someone has, if they are a suffered from an eating disorder, student, they are likely to see according to NEDA. Anorexia their education suffer. Nervosa is the third most When dealing with an common chronic illness among CONT. ON PG 2

BÉISBOL - The boys baseball team, along with a few members of the Wilson community, travelled to the Dominican Republic from February 10 to 16 to begin their season. They played nine games in five days against local teams, some featuring minor league players. However, parts of the trip were spent working with local kids where the team hosted a baseball clinic for them. Read more on page 11. Photo Courtesy of Henry Cohen 2 NEWS February 27, 2015 By Sophie ReVeal NEDA Focuses on Q&A With Mr. Bargeman and Greg Kopetsky Early Intervention Q: What are your main goals as interim principal at Wilson? A: Well, we have the goals that they’ve given me, and that is ninth grade promotion rate. So what if I was too sick,” said a former FROM PG 1 we’re doing about ninth grade promotion rate for as far as next year’s concerned, because I’m in Bulimict, now fully recovered charge of putting the plan together for next year, we’re bringing back the Ninth Grade Academy eating disorder, school slips and in her freshman year of because we want to make sure we are focusing on the ninth grade. We’re looking at the data of ninth down the list of priorities, and college. “Most teachers were grade and we’re looking at the students, and if students fall behind we want to make sure we put it becomes harder to focus understanding…not asking a lot some strategies in place for them to make sure they’re successful. on work. The illness always of questions, letting me make Q: How do you feel about the changes at Wilson with the absence of Cahall? comes first; whether you’re in up work. But one teacher was A: I think we are moving in the right direction. They have given me Mr. Cahall’s goals and told me, treatment or still stuck in its awful about it. She demanded “These are now your goals and you have to achieve those goals.” grips, everything else takes a explanations,” she said, “and Q: Like you’ve gotten comments from parents and administration? backseat in your life. when I finally told her what A: Yes, a lot of people have known I’ve been here for a while. I’ve been at Wilson for 14 years and they One recovering anorectic was going on, she had zero sort of feel comfortable with me. describes how, prior to sympathy.” Q: Do you think this change was for the greater good of the Wilson community? medical treatment, she was One goal of this year’s A: I don’t know. I don’t know all of the details behind all of why Mr. Cahall was released. in “a constant state of feeling Awareness Week is to combat Q: Who informed you of the change and how have they been keeping you updated with physically crappy…which is the false perception that eating information? not a very fun or efficient way disorders aren’t real illnesses, or A: They called me over the winter break and asked me would I be interim because Mr. Cahall was leav- to go through high school.” not as serious as strictly physical ing and so my boss, Dan Shea, has been keeping me abreast on what I need to do in the principal job. The current Walt Whitman illnesses. Many of people with Q: Have you kept in touch with Cahall? senior, who does not wish eating disorders choose to keep A: I spoke to him this past weekend. He’s telling me he has a new job, he’s feeling less stressed. to be identified, missed so their condition private because Q: What kind of principal does Wilson need right now? much school due to physical they worry they’ll encounter A: A principal that connects with the students and the parents. A principal who is complications, as well as two judgment if they don’t. focused on improving the school and a principal who can bring in community orga- months spent in inpatient NEDA hopes that by raising nizations. treatment, that she may not awareness, people suffering Q: What are your future plans, as in applying for the job again? be able to graduate with her from eating disorders won’t A: I do want to be a principal, I plan on applying, but I also plan on- if there’s classmates this June. have to encounter ignorance and something else out there for me, any other principal jobs. But Wilson might be my “There’s no way you can judgment on top of everything number one choice. I’ve been assistant principal for six years so I think the time is make up two months of work else. With this year’s “I Had kind of good. and try to get used to living at No Idea” theme, extra focus is Q: What are your personal opinions and what do you think hap- home and keep up treatment being placed on eating disorder pened with Cahall? Based on everything that has been report- at the same time,” she explains. education, so that if someone is ed on and what you’ve heard, is there something you think “In which case I either have to developing a problem, they can people don’t know? get my credits over the summer be recognized as struggling and A: What they tell me is, it’s a personnel matter and I can’t dis- or just do senior year all over receive earlier intervention. The cuss it. • again.” Whitman senior agrees that if Because of the stigma she’d started treatment earlier, TO FIND OUT ABOUT THE BARGE’S MYSTERIOUS associated with eating disorders, she’d probably be graduating PAST, THOUGHTS ON TOMATO SANDWICHES, AND THE some patients prefer to keep this June. But she’s thankful to REDSKINS, READ THE FULL TEXT OF THE INTERVIEW AT their illness a secret, even from be on the road to health, saying THEWILSONBEACON.COM. teachers. “I’d miss a lot of class it is “better to stay an extra year for doctor’s appointments, or in school than be sick.” • Photo Courtesy of XXXXPhoto by Elena Remez Student Dissatisfaction Disregarded in Teacher Evaluations

to Bargeman, “If they fall below Emma Buzbee Web News Editor 2.0, then the principal could make the argument to keep the Anticipation quickly teacher.” Bowser said a principal turns to disappointment and may vouch for a teacher if frustration when a student they believe he or she still has gets their new school schedule potential: “Just like [students] in late summer and sees the have rough years, sometimes name they’ve been dreading: teachers have difficult case loads. that terrible teacher cursed by The principal may write that in a so many of their friends. The statement to Central Office, but only glimmer of hope for the in the end of the day the Central student is to switch out of the Office can decide, ‘We accept Cartoon by XiXi Simmons class as soon as possible to avoid that or not.’” a guaranteed year of misery. In more extreme cases, This is a common quandary at class.” difficult thing I would ever do, Assessed Student Performance, other methods are used for Wilson, where teachers can’t Junior Ingrid Fekete, who impossible to succeed.” The and that’s 10 percent.” Teachers teacher termination. If a be fired because of student switched out of her math class at student’s counselor ultimately pick an assignment to submit teacher has engaged in some dissatisfaction. the start of the year, explains, “I told the student they could as their TASK, such as their level of inappropriateness There are some teachers had the same bad math teacher switch out, but it would be students’ midterms, and then with a student, such as an whose classes students drop since freshman year and I got a long process. The student the scores of the students inappropriate comment, Bowser in droves every year. Assistant [them] again this year.” Fekete believes, “They didn’t want me to will demonstrate whether the explained that, “we can follow Principal Tennille Bowser says her counselor, Pamela switch out because so many kids teacher was effective over the up with progressive discipline acknowledged that there are Bright, was not surprised that wanted to in the class before me. that semester. for the teacher by writing them times when large numbers she did not like her teacher There were 30 students, now The final, most personalized up. That could be a pathway that of students leave a class. because Bright said she often only about 20 show up.” category, is Commitment to could lead to their termination, The administration will then speaks with students who Though these teachers are School Community (CSC). outside of the IMPACT “address it with the teacher want to switch out of the class. unpopular among students, Interim Principal Gregory evaluation.” and we try to work with the However, Fekete said that this many have been at Wilson Bargeman said an example of Although administrators are instructional coaches to find year “I was the only one who got for multiple years. Teacher CSC could be “the number of aware that some teachers have out what is happening in that to [switch out].” Fekete’s teacher termination is based on a students passing the teacher’s large numbers of students who classroom that so many students had also been unpopular during complex evaluation system class. If less than 80 percent attempt to switch out of their don’t feel successful in that Fekete’s freshman year; students that gives teachers an overall are passing, then the teacher class, student satisfaction with space.” had switched out of the class score of one to four. “Teachers could be downgraded on the teachers does not factor into Occasionally the then as well. are evaluated based on nine evaluation scale.” teacher termination. “There’s administration has to restrict A Wilson student who standards of their IMPACT and If a teacher has a 2.0 been some talk about using how many students can leave. wishes to remain anonymous those standards are [generally] evaluation score or below [student satisfaction] as a factor Bowser explained that this is: attempted to switch out of based on rigorous instruction for two years in a row, they in evaluations,” Bowser said, “because it isn’t fair to other one teacher’s class at the start and engagement with students. are eligible to be terminated. “but right now that does not teachers to increase their of the year. “I heard a lot of That’s I believe 75 percent,” However, the principal of the play a role in evaluations.” • caseload because students aren’t stories from other kids who Bowser said “Then there is school has the power to argue on successful in another teacher’s said her class would be the most something called TASK, Teacher behalf of the teacher. According February 27, 2015 OPINIONS 3 By Sophie ReVeal and Greg Kopetsky THE BEACON Co-Editors-in-Chief Give New Parents More Time Off The argument for paid Claire Parker Elias Benda Opinions Editor family leave is that employers Annie Rosenthal should take responsibility for Chief Web Editor Physics teacher Patrick the wellbeing of their employees Erin Sternlieb O’Steen, always punctual and and their families. There has Managing Editor present, missed three weeks of been back and forth between Lauren ReVeal classes last advisory. He was not progressives and conservatives sick, there was no death in his in U.S. politics for years, with Visual Content Editor family, and he was not taking a the latter insisting that such Sarah Torresen personal vacation. O’Steen was rules would be harmful to Photo Editors caring for his newborn child, business and thwart economic Ellie Le Blanc and his three sleepless weeks of growth. changing diapers and feeding his The opposite is the case. Rochelle O’Brien Photo Courtesy of Patrick O’Steen son were unpaid. Paid leave would ensure families Business Manager O’Steen is not unlike many that cannot afford to take It is a shame that O’Steen Alex Conte other parents in the U.S. We are unpaid time off work are able was not able to take advantage Layout the only developed country in to care for their children, and of the new DC FMLA changes, Mason Strazzella the world to not offer national encourage women to join the but it is good that DC is paid parental leave, according workforce knowing they can implementing measures to Alexei Girdis to the Huffington Post. Only 12 return to their jobs if they correct a problem that has Advisers percent of private employees in choose to have children. It is existed for far too long. Equally Mary Stapp the United States are covered for important for people to not fear important, if not more so, is Alexandra Stryker paid family leave, meaning the consequences of having children, the fact that 12 weeks does not vast majority of the workforce and to know that their employer sufficiently cover the amount PRINT WEB are forced to take unpaid or sick offers a constant and secure of time a parent needs to spend News Editor News Editor leave in the event of the birth of source of income. with a newborn. Sophie ReVeal Emma Buzbee a child. DC is making progress, The change to the DC FMLA Opinions Editors Features Editor This fact reflects a larger although O’Steen just missed his is a good start, but it isn’t nearly Elias Benda Rachel Page problem in the American chance. On January 27, 2015, enough to provide parents the mentality towards workers. the DC Department of Human time and resources that they Erin Sternlieb Sports Editor As opposed to most European Resources extended paid family and DC children deserve. The Features Editors Erin Doherty countries, where it is the explicit leave of up to eight weeks to all 365 days offered by the UK and Maria Brescia-Weiler Style Editor responsibility of the government city workers. Previously the DC Australia make sense, erasing Gregory Kopetsky Ellie Melick and employers to care for their Family Medical Leave Act (DC the need for expensive day care Sports Editors Videographer employees needs, the United FMLA) made eligible employers and allowing the parent-child Matthew Smee Carl Stewart States allows the burden to give employees up to 12 weeks bonding so important for infant fall on its workforce. The same of unpaid leave for the birth of development. It is good that Henry Shuldiner Graphic Designer goes for health care: neither the a child. The new family leave DC has made steps ahead of the Style Editor Mason Strazzella government nor employers are policy puts DC among only three rest of the country, but it sadly Sophie ReVeal obliged to provide insurance states – California, New Jersey, seems to be a case of too little. • or medical coverage for their and Rhode Island – to offer paid Graphic Designers workers. family leave. Jane Martin, Alexei Girdis Junior Editors Anna Bucknum, Nora Charles, Maya Edwards, New Principal Must Meet Certain Criteria Ellice Ellis, Zach Essig, Ella Feldman, Isaac By The Beacon Staff Frumkin, Brian Keyes, Alex Martin, Sam Masling, that is solely administrative. administration have lacked in Elena Remez This February, Wilson Cahall was great with students recent history, from the school students and parents voted because that was what he knew system’s refusal to disclose Staff Writers for parent members of the best – during his career he information about Cahall’s Danielle Breslow, Asa Canty, David Fadul, Ben Principal Selection Committee, moved through the ranks of termination to the controversy Kostyack, Chloe Leo, Zoe Mills, Abby Tanen who will be part of the gym teacher to administrator surrounding this year’s Contributors interview process for potential without extensive time in a Homecoming Court. A good Tara Bretzfelder, Amanda Kartano, Monet Jones, principals. We hope that the purely educational position. principal must make decisions Emilia Majersik, Lucy McCurdy, Luc Nikiema, Melinda principal selection process An ideal principal would have using such clear judgement Oluhara, XiXi Simmons, Claire Shaw, Madeleine Teems, will be as transparent as spent time studying education that he or she is willing to Zahra Wardrick DCPS’s responses surrounding or teaching, thereby being share them with the entire Thank you to our faithful volunteer, Mary Carpenter. former principal Pete Cahall’s equipped to forge productive Wilson community. The Beacon is published monthly by students of Woodrow Wilson termination were secretive. relationships with teachers Future Wilson principals High School, 3950 Chesapeake St. N.W., Washington D.C., 20016. Since Wilson students and understand their unique should also take a page Unsigned editorials and cartoons are the views of the staff; personal have not been invited to offer concerns. from Cahall’s book on the commentaries reflect the opinions of the writers. Our mission is to provide an accurate representation of the input into the process, we Supporting Wilson’s issue of free speech. School diverse views, opinions, and concerns of the students of Wilson have outlined here our ideas diverse student body also administrations in the U.S. High School. We aim to serve as the voice of the students. Through about the vital qualities of an requires an understanding of have the legal right to prior responsible, ethical journalistic practices, we strive to provide thorough, reliable news coverage of issues relevant to Wilson. effective principal. our culture. A good principal review – being able to preview Advertising and subscription rates are available by emailing The most important must respect the values and a newspaper before publication [email protected]. quality a Wilson principal can beliefs of students, which can – but Cahall never exercised The Beacon welcomes all student and guest contributions: articles, photographs, art, commentary, and letters to the editor. All have is balance. Wilson is a be hard when those beliefs it. He had no qualms with submissions can be sent to [email protected], and become study in contrasts, from racial conflict with the official views hauling Beacon staff into his property of The Beacon. divides to our many academies of the school system. office when we published The Beacon is a public forum created for the purpose of expressing the views of and providing information to the Wilson to the division between Many students remember things he disagreed with, student body. Thank you for readingThe Beacon. extracurriculars and academics. the 2012 Turkey Bowl, when but he also seemed to grasp Cahall’s strengths often played the Wilson football team was the importance of student to one side of the teacher- disqualified because of the voices – the fact that we need student division. He formed ineligibility of one player. somewhere to express our strong connections with Instead of going with the views without restriction from students of all backgrounds – school system’s decision, Cahall the administration. We hope but sometimes at the cost of fought for the students’ right that the Principal Selection relationships with staff, as we to play. Though Wilson was Committee also understands MARCH found in our investigation of banned from competing in the importance of a free his termination. Wilson needs that year’s championships, student press. a principal who is there for we gained something possibly No matter how qualified 9th students, but also understands more important: the feeling you are, being the principal of and works closely with that we had a principal who a large urban high school is a educators. was on our side. balancing act. It is crucial that This type of principal- Another important set our next principal caters to teacher relationship requires a of skills are transparency and all of the needs of the Wilson principal who has an academic communication. Both are community.• background as opposed to one qualities that DCPS and Wilson 4 OPINIONS February 27, 2015 Wilson Versus High Tiger Explores New Land: School in Ghana Ellice Ellis about any of the ten subjects I my teachers, the students, the stay orientation, one of the of my biggest victories. Junior Editor take. crowded hallways, or the fact volunteers working with my I pat myself on the back Being in high school in The textbooks and my that the metal detectors never program told me and the for being able to greet my Ghana, and a boarding school at senior schoolmates’ notes have worked, it was a combination other academically-frustrated classmates in three of the local that, is basically the last thing become my academic bible here of these and much more, which exchange students that the languages and for getting them I ever thought I’d be doing for in Ghana. I’ve embraced the any high schooler has to deal “best” schools in Ghana are the to read “Gone Girl” – despite my junior year. I never pictured popular phrase “learn hard,” with. But now I know the real ones where the teachers show the fact that I did terribly on my being told the only student which is basically any teacher’s meaning of “You don’t know up about three times a week. agriculture exam last week. I’ve bathroom was an abandoned way of saying, “I’m going to what you’ve got until it’s gone.” And now I know this to be true. learned to value the education dorm, or that there would be dictate you a summary of what When I first started school The campus of disconnected that has been given to me monkeys swinging about in we are supposed to learn this in Ghana, I had hope. “It’s gonna concrete buildings, also known through more than just reading trees distracting me from my term and the rest is up to you.” get better” is what I would say as Ghana National College, was a textbook but also by discussing schoolwork and teasing me with Rote memorization is what I to myself. I approached the constantly praised by all the and analyzing the world around their freedom while I sit up have become accustomed to – situation by describing it as Ghanaians I encountered before me. straight for nine hours a day on that and being asked random a “me problem.” I was always my exchange. And now every Ghanaian school and Ghana a hard, back-problem-causing questions on my exams about waiting for something exciting time I find myself in the middle itself have taught me more than wooden seat. material that I have no memory to happen in class, but no, for of the school day taking a two- any textbook or lecture ever Despite the obvious of learning. I miss Socratic the past six months things have hour nap, I curse them for their could. I’ve learned that the grass differences, like my school being seminars, essays, and all the pretty much been dull when lies. is not necessarily greener on smack in the middle of the freedom I had in the U.S. as a it comes to my school lessons. You may conclude that I the other side; it’s just different. jungle, and me being the only student. In the midst of all my It didn’t take me more than hate school in Ghana, but that When I get back to Wilson, I’ll person in school with hair, it’s frustrations with Ghanaian two months to realize that my isn’t 100 percent true. It may be wishing I was sitting at my fascinating that school is pretty school, I find myself, every now favorite parts of school were seem like I want to hop on the wooden school desk in Ghana much the same: stressful. My and then, dreaming of Wilson. the hours I got to talk to my next plane home, or that this that has probably given me school day starts at 7 a.m. and “I hate Wilson” was a classmates and sit in the corner school year has been a waste scoliosis – just like how right ends at 3:10 p.m., and during popular phrase of mine before of the school’s library reading by academically. But I learn more now, thousands of miles away in this time I learn more about I embarked on my exchange to myself. about Ghanaian culture every Ghana, I long to be walking the Ghanaian culture than I do Ghana. It wasn’t specifically Recently at my mid- day at the school, and that is one hallways of Wilson. • Tenleytown Lacks Excitement TOP 10 Movies About Wilson Photo by Sarah Torresen stops. And even this brought was a pool hall/cafe named Sam Masling 1. American Pfeifer Junior Editor little excitement, as people have Babe’s Billiards that ruled the been and will continue checking scene. Not only did it serve There’s no way to sugarcoat the WMATA app anyway. breakfast until 3 a.m., but it 2. 50 Shades of PDA it or beat around the bush – During the first of couple had pool, darts, and foosball Tenleytown has become boring. months of hanging out in tables for all to enjoy. Something 3. The Fault in Our DC For Deal sixth graders, Tenley Tenley, whether going to grab like this brings life into the represented the newfound a quick bite to eat, or lingering commercial epicenter we call freedom they got from finally for hours on end, there was Tenley, but today, one has to STARS becoming a middle schooler. No never not something to do. But travel to Dupont Circle to find more walking to your friend’s as more time was spent there, something similar. 4. The Hobbit: The house while your respective and the same restaurants were While there’s no easy fix to babysitters chitchatted behind visited over and over again, make the area more interesting, you. No more waiting for your things got boring. With the the issue can certainly be viewed Adventures of Sal mom to pick you up and drive constantly going-out-of-business as beneficial. Wilson students you to your piano lesson. Now restaurant across the street from are branching out, no longer Caccavale you had the opportunity to go the library, the mob of people being satisfied with what gets where you wanted to go, with at Chipotle, and the deceptively put right in front of them. Your 5. Interseller: the Coupon people you wanted to be with, expensive meals at Z-Burger, classic AU kids can be found without any intervention. To nothing changed. And as new, all over the city these days, these wide-eyed sixth graders, more attractive places opened up from getting Shake Shack on Kid Story Tenley was limitless with across the city, our after-school Capitol Hill to playing soccer in opportunity. adventures spread likewise. Georgetown. 6. Hood Boy As the years went on, and As these winter months Of course, not everything Tenley stayed the same, you drag on, and temperatures in Tenley is boring and old. The couldn’t help but notice that drop, a brisk walk into Tenley ever-appealing late night meal 7. Guardians of the things got repetitive. Going to seems much more appealing from Steak and Egg is always the same places every day for than taking a train downtown delicious, and the sprawling Hallway: Chronicles of three years isn’t the most fun or waiting outside 15 minutes fields at Fort Reno are often thing to do, but as it got worse for a bus in order to go some host sporting events for all to and worse, you clung to that place with more excitement. But see. Also, the Fort Reno summer Mark Martin little bit of wide-eyed hope left while wandering around Tenley concerts bring hundreds of in you, reminiscing about the looking for something to do, a spectators and great music. 8. Into the Woods: the awe-inspiring Tenley hangouts pit of dread fills your stomach as While outdoor sports don’t last from sixth grade. you recognize the futility of your the whole year and the summer Wilderness of Ft. Reno For those of you who have goal. There’s still nothing to do concerts only go for a couple been Tenley-ites since day one, in Tenley. of weeks, Tenley still has a few this regression of allure and For students living outside interesting places and events 9. The Grand Seneca attraction has been coming of AU Park and Chevy Chase, that make it unique. on for quite a while now. this has never been much of a As the development Motel There’s food, but there’s food problem. And lucky them. But of commercial Tenleytown everywhere, and besides that, for Tenley-ites, the general lack continues to grow, the needs and Tenley doesn’t have much to of non-edible attractions that wants of high schoolers as well 10. Word, Man: I Totally offer. The most exciting thing Tenley has to offer is becoming as adults should be kept in mind to happen to Tenley recently increasingly boring. Years ago, to ensure the welcoming of all Agree was the implementation of right across the street from into the neighborhood. • electronic signs above the bus Hudson Trail Outfitters, there February 27, 2015 OPINIONS 5 Open Your Eyes, There’s No Harm in Lies! reporting career. I stand firmly Brezhnev, the then current know what Great Hidden Secret which one was a lie? If you Ellie Melick Web Style Editor in solidarity with Archbishop leader of the USSR (he was my lies within the Mona Lisa? In the guessed #3, you’re wrong! If you Williams, and to demonstrate third best friend on Snapchat, lower lefthand corner, Leo drew guessed #2, you’re also wrong! As you may have heard, my devotion, I’d like to engage nbd). He responded with a selfie a small penis, then covered it And if you guessed #1, you are NBC News’ former anchor, Brian you in a friendly game of Two from the Kremlin, and captioned with a light coat of paint. Such a the most wrong of all! Williams, has recently come Truths and a Lie. it with the angry red face, the jokester. All three those stories are under attack. Well, actually, As the name implies, I’m Russian flag, and some bomb true. I’ve had an incredible life, the helicopter in front of him going to tell you three stories emojis. He put a lot of bomb 3. Do you remember the and my passion for sharing my has come under attack. Well, from my life, two of which are emojis, come to think of it. Charlie Bit My Finger video? own stories, along with others’, actually, a helicopter in an 100 percent word-for-word true, Yeah, that was me. sometimes, is greater than I can entirely different fleet has come and one of which is a lie. It is up 2. I shared Limoncello articulate. I wouldn’t dare lie, under attack, about 30 minutes to you to identify the lie. I am with Leonardo Da Vinci while After years of keeping it exaggerate, or modify even the before the chopper Williams was doing this to demonstrate that my brother posed as “Mona a secret, I’ve finally decided to smallest detail. I know Brian in flew over that airspace. every reporter becomes a victim Lisa.” come clean: I am Charlie from Williams wouldn’t either. Much to my dismay, my of misremembering every once Charlie Bit My Finger. My older Okay, so a few details from man BriWi caught a lot of flack in a while, and when they do, Yes, you read that right; the brother, whose finger I bit, was my stories may not totally check for his misremembering of a it’s really no big deal. What did a Mona Lisa is actually a dude. My the aforementioned Steve. We out. But anything I’ve recalled day he was reporting from Iraq, little inaccuracy ever do to hurt older brother Steve, to be exact. set the whole thing up one day incorrectly has simply and back in 2003. Even more to anybody? We were at a little get-together with our parents, who happened honestly been misremembered. my dismay, people have been at Leo’s place, when Steve put to be extremely talented makeup The fog of memory obscures ‘investigating’ his ‘lies’ over 1. I recorded a Snapchat on a dress and a wig, and was artists. They made me into a things from time to time, but the ‘years’; for example, his video of Neil Armstrong all, “Yo Leo I look great can you baby (though Steve actually that happens to everyone. ‘description’ of ‘seeing’ a ‘dead planting the American flag flick me up right quick?” Since looked like that) and we did Even to me. And even to Brian body’ after ‘Hurricane Katrina’, on the surface of the moon cameras hadn’t been invented a few takes performing the Williams. and so on and so forth. then sent it to the Soviet yet (duh) the term “flick me up” Steven Spielberg-written script. So, folks, don’t waste your I, for one, am appalled by Union and rubbed it in their referred to portrait painting. The Our parents later edited the time doubting and double- these fruitless allegations. I face. old ‘Nardo obliged, and I made video and posted it to Youtube. checking journalists’ claims. consider Mr. Williams a close sure our glasses were constantly The next thing Steve and I If they do occasionally get friend of mine, a father figure, Now this is a moment I shall filled while he worked. The knew, we were superstars! We things wrong, it’s probably an if you will. He has personally truly never forget. I felt such a whole thing took about ten or couldn’t bask in our stardom, honest mistake, and not at mentored me throughout the powerful swell of patriotism that fifteen minutes, and none of us though. Mom and Dad wanted all a ploy to boost ratings or years, and we’ve shared many I might’ve lifted off the ground had any idea it would become to keep our role a secret, so garner sympathy or heroize a laugh over his charming and gone floating into space, if it the international sensation it some kids in England got to themselves or any combination anecdotes, from JFK’s [1963] weren’t for Buzz Aldrin standing is today. Of course, Steve didn’t enjoy all the credit while Steve of the three. Truthfulness isn’t assassination to Pearl Harbor by to protect me from the low even live long enough to see and I remained unknown and all that important to journalism, [1941]. It is an insult to me gravity. When Neil, Buzz, and the movie adaptation of Dan unappreciated. But hey, at least anyway. Just ask Brian Williams- Movies when people question the whoever that other guy was Brown’s novel “The Da Vinci he got to be Mona Lisa. -he can tell you that himself. • veracity of his claims, as he went over to marvel at the Code”, but Leo and I still share has greatly influenced me flag, I caught a vid of them on a laugh about it every once in Now after those three About Wilson throughout my own lengthy Snapchat and sent it to Leonid a while. Oh yeah, you want to stories, do you think you know FEATURES Through Sickness and BLACKOUT MIXER TICKETS Health but not High School $10 Breathing shaky, uneven “happy” things? Nora Charles breaths, I tapped “divorced.” No one’s life is all happy. TONIGHT Junior Editor “Changes will not appear in But to someone who learns At the time of this printing the “Blackout” Wilson Since it was Valentine’s News Feed,” Facebook alerted about their friends from mixer is scheduled to be held be tonight in the atrium. Day, it seemed fitting to reflect me. Excuse me, why not? checking Facebook, Instagram, After the idea of a school dance with Wilson and Walls fell on my marriage. Regrettably, Getting divorced was a pivotal Twitter, or Snapchat, it might through, student body president Jennifer Li suggested the I had forgotten who my wife moment in my life, but Facebook appear that way. People post school have a mixer where students from schools in the was. Panic began to set in, evidently did not care-- and it smiling pictures from their district, private and public, can purchase tickets. but before long I realized that assumed my 891 friends felt the beach vacations and lists of the The students from the other schools can either have modern technology could help same way. To put it lightly, I was colleges that accepted them, not a friend buy their ticket, which will be held at the door, me figure this one out. I logged hurt. their dull night of homework or they can purchase their ticket upon arrival. Senior on to Facebook and checked Indignant, I toyed with and disappointing rejection class president Sarah Marion came up with the theme of my relationship status. I was the idea of selecting other letters. blackout, which “was inspired by how cool the seniors married to a middle school relationship statuses, starting Seeing this unrealistic looked at the pep rally.” She also added that most other friend whom I hadn’t seen from the top of the list. It presentation of life over and themes are hard for students to follow in cold weather. since our romantic eighth grade turns out that Facebook also over as we scroll through our In preparation for the dance, the Student Government graduation ceremony. refuses to display when one is newsfeeds has its repercussions. Association (SGA) has made posters, hired DJ Ricochet, Did three years of limited separated, becomes single after The University of Michigan and designed the tickets. The tickets for the mixer are contact with one’s wife being married, or is widowed. published a study in 2013 that only $10, compared to thel $15 for homecoming tickets. constitute a good marriage? These things are all deemed found that the more often Homecoming had black lights, glow sticks, and tables of I pondered this. After about by our people checked food; the upcoming mixer will not have these features, half an arduous second I culture Facebook, the lowering the cost. decided it did not. I then to be worse they felt According to Marion, the administration told the faced what would become my sad about their SGA the consequence for students who are caught under reality: divorce. lives. This the influence of drugs or alcohol will be suspension. Believe it or not, it was phenomenon SGA faculty adviser Jessie Poole said that one difference significantly easier to get can be between the mixer and homecoming is that, when buying divorced through Facebook than attributed tickets for the mixer, students must sign a contract U.S. court. The process started in part to the showing they understand that the consequences of being and ended with clicking one way social media under the influence. “I hope being transparent about of the relationship status facilitates and consequences will discourage that kind of behavior,” she options on the site. There encourages social said. were myriad options: “single,” comparison. When Poole explained that the administration and SGA are “in a relationship,” “engaged,” Facebook refused cracking down on students because “we’re not talking “in a civil union,” “in a domestic to let my ‘friends’ see about talking in class, we’re talking about the law.” partnership,” “in an open and that I went through a The dance will happen tonight unless the Student relationship,” “it’s complicated,” negative. heartbreaking divorce, it Government has not met the ticket quota and received “separated,” “divorced,” and Why does hurt them all as well. • sufficient revenue. • By Sophie ReVeal “widowed.” Facebook only want to display Graphic by Jane Martin 6 BLACK HISTORY MONTH February 27, 2015 Black History Month Has Roots in Carter G. Woodson Month. to snow, but school librarian Lucy McCurdy Contributor Each year there is debate Pamela Gardner says they are on the value of having a month being rescheduled. The precursor to Black specifically for celebrating black “I’m impressed with the History Month, Negro history. Critics argue that no screening and discussions,” says Appreciation Week, was the race should have its history world history teacher Sylvia brainchild of famed historian relegated to a single month, Boateng, “but I think these and activist Carter G. Woodson. that black history should be events need to be publicized Born in 1875 to two former taught as American history. more.” slaves, Woodson was the second However, others contend that Some teachers have chosen African American to earn a Black History Month provides to mark the occasion in the doctorate degree from Harvard a platform for useful discussion classroom, but senior Asya Photo by Warren K. Leffler, Library of Congress University. He went on to start about people and events that Crump believes that this is not the Association for the Study are underrepresented in history enough. “A lot of people fought of Negro Life and History. classes during the rest of the really hard for Black History Woodson devoted his career to year. Month and we don’t even really documenting and publicizing At Wilson, Black History celebrate it. I definitely think black history in America with Month is heralded by the arrival Wilson should do more,” she the belief that cross-cultural of informative powerpoint says. understanding would serve to presentations broadcast on Many students are unaware combat racism. His legacy is the televisions in the atrium of or unlikely to attend Black most clearly apparent in the and by a series of events in History Month events outside of nationwide celebration of Black the library media center. Five class. “How much history are we History Month each year. different films were screened actually learning?” asks English In 1926, the first Negro in the library, including the teacher Sandra Wright. “I think Appreciation Week was documentary “Unchained the events need to have more of scheduled for the second week Memories: Readings from Slave a focus.” of February to coincide with Narratives” and the dramatic The consensus among the birthdays of both Frederick World War II movie “Red Tails.” students and teachers at Wilson Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. There was also a scheduled seems to be that Black History Photo by Warren K. Leffler, Library of Congress Schools and colleges nationwide speaker series featuring lectures Month is a valuable occasion at DREAM DEFERRED - Pictured above are scenes of gradually began to adopt the entitled “Black Tenleytown” school, but we should do more to destruction after the 1968 riots in DC in response to concept, and in 1971 the federal and “Memories of the Kids of make sure students are engaged Martin Luther King Jr’s assassination. DC was left in government officially recognized Birmingham, 1963.” Some of in it. • shambles. February as Black History the lectures were cancelled due Black History Month Isolates Black Culture a part of this big production that Zahra Wardrick Contributor is the United States of America, picture when in reality we’ve been some Black History Month: that of the disturbingly large number series of 28 days out of 365 of stage hands who don’t even when people act like posting get their names in the program. some vague quote by Harriet Somehow, having a single month Tubman, Zora Neale Hurston, of the year--which happens to Langston Hughes, or Martin be the shortest--is supposed to Luther King, Jr. on social media make up for it by showing that means they understand the “Hey! Black people have actually complex timeline of an entire done things too!” group of people. In school we While that separation may maybe have a discussion or be considered fine to those some poorly planned assembly who see Black history as both that’s repeated year after year. a part of something bigger and But outside of that, what is still deserving of its own time there to Black History Month? to be reflected upon, the issue A quickly televised memorial of how it’s celebrated comes feature between commercials back to center stage. In this on our local news station? I’ll day and age of pervasive mass admit this isn’t always the case, media only the bare minimum but most of the time something is being done to recognize Black along those lines is pretty History Month, and it’s clear accurate. that this isn’t enough to give Black History Month serves Black History the credit it’s due. to isolate Black people and our To summarize, while putting culture more than highlight aside time to commemorate them. We live in not just a Black History hasn’t done much country, but a world where, prior to now, if it’s to be a thing, according to an incredibly don’t let its importance stop oppressive Western view, being come March 1. Otherwise, we of any kind of African descent risk setting it back those 200 almost always makes you the years our textbooks start it at. underdog that rarely gets rooted But that’s another article of its for. The separation of our history own. • from the rest says that we’re not

Photos By Ellie Le Blanc Collage by Jane Martin Photos from Creative Commons February 27, 2015 BLACK HISTORY MONTH 7 1954 The Racial History of THEN Wilson High School including a change of principal. In fact, in the days after King’s Gregory Kopetsky & Features Editor “He [the previous principal] assassination, as Koczela recalls, made us think he’d never seen a black armed National Guardsmen were Flipping through the senior kid before,” says Louis Hankins, posted on the corner of Wisconsin NOW photos of the 1954 Woodrow Wilson graduate of the class of ’72. “He was and Van Ness, just a few blocks from Wilson High School yearbook, one sees page a fish out of water when it came the Wilson campus. after page of beaming faces, hundreds to integration.” The new principal, Luckily, racial violence was rarely Graduating of excited eyes perched above rented Maurice A. Jackson, connected more seen within Wilson High School. Classes tuxedos and suits. Page after page of closely with the student body, and was “Some fights broke out the first couple faces – white faces. better suited to lead Wilson in a more of weeks [of 1969], but after a while Woodrow Wilson was once an progressive time. we learned we had more in common all-white school. That’s the fact of the “He knew everybody by name,” than to fight about,” says Hankins. 2014 matter. recalls Pamela Gardner, Wilson Occasionally, according to In 1954, the Brown vs. Board of librarian and graduate of the class of Hankins, students would take Education decision by the Supreme ‘73. advantage of the tense environment Court finally made it illegal for school Other members of the by staging fights between white and districts to separate schools based on administration were equally black kids, which would usually result race. After 1954, Wilson opened its unprepared to interact with the in a cancellation of school. doors to black students for the first changing student body, a fact that Wilson has come a long way. Last time. was evident in how they treated black year, Wilson was 49 percent black, But for almost 15 years after students. 25 percent white, and 17 percent this historic decision, black students “No matter how smart you Hispanic, according to the DCPS were rarely seen at Wilson, as only were, the guidance counselors would website. We are no longer a school kids living in the majority white recommend every black student for for one race, but for all races, trying neighborhoods west of Rock Creek vocational school,” Hankins recalls. to cater equally to the educational Park lived within the attendance Nothing, however, highlighted needs of all students. Now, flipping boundaries. this difference in treatment better through the senior photos of a recent It wasn’t until 1968, when DCPS than the tracking system, which yearbook, or just walking down one of pushed the school boundaries east to separated kids into two groups: the our crowded halls, one can see bright 16th Street, that Wilson started to more advanced students on the upper faces of all colors. become truly integrated. track, the others on the lower track. However, this school and this In 1969, one year after the “If you were black, you were most city still have work to do. The vestiges boundary changes, nine percent of likely put in the lower track,” says of our school’s segregated past are Wilson’s graduating class was black. Hankins. still apparent in academic and social Two years later, in 1971, that number Black people experienced this spheres, where many students are jumped to 29 percent. By the mid kind of inequality all across the divided along racial lines. Whether 1970s, Wilson was majority black. country, resulting in a palpable it is a result of self-segregation, “Every year, you could see the tension which often boiled over into the city’s segregated history, or SECOND GLANCE - From 1954 to 2014, faces of Wilson students change from violence. a combination of factors, the Wilson’s senior class has changed immensely. white to black,” says Jack Koczela, In the District, the tension was phenomenon continues. Students and Integration in 1954 began to split the class of ‘70. never clearer than in 1968, when administrators at Wilson should keep difference, and by the mid 70s Wilson was As black students began thousands of Washingtonians took to the legacy of Wilson’s segregation in majority black. attending in larger numbers, Wilson the streets following Martin Luther mind when making decisions that will underwent some major changes, King Jr.’s assassination. impact our school’s future. •

FEATURES Synesthesia Brings a Different Perspective that these sensory links are grade. Her teacher dismisses my senses mixing as Mia had Emilia Majersik unusual. As they get older her automatically, and Mia described.” Claire Shaw and are diagnosed or begin to doesn’t tell her parents about Some synesthetes Madeleine Teems Contributors understand that others don’t her difficulties for several more see their condition as an share their sensory experiences, years. advantage. Individuals living Imagine if every time you it can be both difficult and After reading the book with synesthesia often have heard your name you tasted exciting. Seeing as there in elementary school, young enhanced memory or enhanced chocolate in your mouth. Or are many variations of the students often wished they had senses. Many famous musicians every time you read the word condition, it’s common to think synesthesia. Freshman such as Jimi “dog” you saw the color yellow. you have it. However, severe Hendrix, Stevie This might sound crazy, but cases can be difficult to deal with Wonder and John for people with a condition day to day. Mayer have or called synesthesia, this is Depending on how strong a had synesthesia. everyday life. Synesthesia is reaction a person experiences, It can be useful a rare neurological condition sometimes synesthesia can be for occupations MUDDLED SENSES- in which two or more of your very overwhelming. People such as wine Neurologists Edward M. senses are connected. Most have reported sensory tasting – synesthetic Hubbard and Vilayanur Wilson students interviewed for overload, confusion, wine tasters can see the S. Ramachandran devised this article had never heard of and sometimes different tastes of the liquor this test for synesthesia. synesthesia. panic. Often people – and musicians, who can feel or Where most people see According to research done have a hard time taste the music they play. black numerals on a white at the University of California, understanding A lot of these symptoms background, synesthetes synesthesia is believed to what they’re seem fun, but can be may see a triangle of affect less than one percent of experiencing or disconcerting. Some people 2s, because the numbers Americans. It manifests itself in explaining it to may have bad tastes triggered appear to be in different a variety of ways: some people others. “A Mango- by noises. Or seeing different colors. This test first link certain numbers to colors Shaped Space,” colors with every word you read appeared in the Journal of while others see shapes when a popular book by Illustration by may grow distracting. All these Annie Rosenthal Consciousness Studies in tasting foods. Any sense can be Wendy Mass, tells the preferences are based on point 2001. triggered, so the possibilities of story of a girl living with of view, and with time most different links are endless. synesthesia. Mia Winchell, the Camille Williams says, “I synesthetes come to embrace Growing up, many kids main character, first notices her remember reading that book their unique experiences as a with synesthesia do not realize symptoms when she is in third and wishing I could experience special gift. • 8 FEATURES February 27, 2015 WilsonLetter from Pizza Mr. Cahall A Slice of Life: Seller Interviewed By Ella Feldman Q: When did you start selling pizza? Junior Editor A: About a year ago, September 2013. Q: What are the perks and challenges of your job? A: I like driving myself, nobody bothers me. But too Mahjoub much headaches. Sometimes traffic, lots of pressure. Photo by Sophie ReVeal Graphic by Jane Martin Q: Do different guys sell pizza each day? Q: Favorite pizza topping? A: No. I work five days. A: Veggies. Q: What's your favorite pizza place? Q: What's your favorite food? A: Domino's maybe. It's all same same. A: Healthy food.

Q: Where are you from? Q: What's your craziest work related story? A: Morocco. One year and A: Students are crazy sometimes. Sometimes I give three months in DC. him change, he says I don't. Sometimes they steal.

Q: What are your interests? Outside of selling pizza, of course. A: Stay home with my wife, sometimes movies. Watch soccer.

Q: What's your favorite soccer team? Q: If you could have any job, what would it be? A: From my country, Raja Casablanca. A: I like driving, so taxi driver.

Q: Thoughts on dessert pizza? Q: It's like pizza but with sweet toppings, like chocolate A: What? and sprinkles and Oreos. A: Ohhhh...I don't like it! My Life So Far: Tobias “HTML” Shapinksy winners for each organization the past few decades means that Rachel Page Web Features Editor won a trip to Google’s California there are a growing number of headquarters and the chance resources available for students Most Wilson students spent to talk to Google engineers and who are interested in learning their winter breaks catching company mentors. how to code. up with family or enjoying the Coding has been one of “Mr. Jacoby’s AP Computer cold weather, but junior Tobias Shapinsky’s hobbies for a long Science class is great, and Shapinsky had greater goals time: he first wrote a program it gets better every year,” in mind: a worldwide coding at the age of nine after learning Shapinsky says. Websites like contest hosted by Google. the basics from an older cousin. Khan Academy, code.org, and Shapinsky was one of the “In middle school I would write Codecademy also offer free 36 finalists in this year’s Google basic programs to do things like lessons on beginning coding Code-in, an annual contest in the quadratic formula for me,” geared towards high school which students between the ages he says. At Wilson, he “fulfilled students. of 13 and 17 compete against the role of tech support” by The most important thing each other to complete tasks fixing teachers’ computers an aspiring coder can do, says for participating organizations. when they were not operating Shapinsky, is to learn how to use Contestants choose between correctly. But this was his first Google. “I know it may sound 12 open-source organizations, year participating in the Google silly, but knowing how to Google including Wikimedia and Code-in. problems that you are getting Apertium, and are then assigned Despite the time-consuming when you start coding can specific jobs that can range from nature of many coding projects-- alleviate a lot of frustration.” designing a logo to writing a he spent between three to five Shapinsky sees coding as blog post. The students who Photo by Luc Nikiema . hours on each individual task a real career possibility in his complete the most tasks within in the contest – Shapinsky future. “I wouldn’t want to CRACKING THE CODE - Junior Tobias Shapinsky partic- the seven-week period win the still finds the time to pursue work for Facebook or any of ipated in the Google Code-in this year and was one of 36 competition. other interests. He is the lead those social media companies,” finalists. Shapinsky sees coding as a future career. Shapinsky chose to work programmer, driver, and co- he says. “I’d much rather be for Copyleft Games, a company company’s game engine, and contest. captain of the Wilson Robotics working on code for spacecraft which supports and promotes designed logos. At the end of As one of the five team, was part of the cast of this and robots.” entertainment software the seven weeks, Shapinsky had finalists named for Copyleft year’s fall musical, and plays on Though he may be just a products. Throughout the course completed a total of 13 tasks, Games, Shapinsky received a Wilson’s ultimate frisbee team. junior in high school, Shapinsky of the contest, he hosted Google beating out the vast majority certificate and a Google Code- The success of the Internet is already shooting for the Hangouts, wrote code on the of the 668 participants in the in sweatshirt. The grand prize and organizations like Google in stars. • February 27, 2015 FEATURES 9 At Wilson, There Is Such a Thing as a Free Lunch who chooses to buy lunch waits money a school has to pay for time off work to Abby Tanen Staff Writer in line, gets their food, and its food is determined by the come into Wilson punches their ID number into numbers of students eligible for to fill out a form When the bell rings at the machine at the end of the free or reduced-priced lunches that should’ve 11:16, hordes of students head line –which takes the correct compared to the total number already been pro- down to the cafeteria to eat: amount of money from an ac- of students buying lunch. For vided to them. some pay for the school lunch, count set up by the student or example, a school like Wilson If you have while others are eligible for free their parents – before sitting where fewer than 60 percent of an ID number, or reduced-price meals. The down to eat. There is no distin- the students get reduced-price you have a school main purpose of serving meals guishing between students who lunches is reimbursed $2.98 for lunch account. To is not to raise money for Wilson; pay full price for their lunches every meal served to a quali- add money to the it’s for students to eat! and students who qualify for fied student, while schools with account, students The Wilson cafeteria serves reduced-price or free lunch. higher percentages of students paying either breakfast and lunch every day. Still, Alex Wilson says that some eating reduced-price lunches full or reduced Breakfast is free to anyone and students who are eligible for free get reimbursed $3.21 for every prices for lunch full-price lunch is $2.60. For or reduced-priced meals are not meal. can go to one of some students, these are the applying because of shame or The tricky application the machines only two meals they will receive embarrassment. process is one reason that not stationed by the in a day; that’s why administra- In fact, he believes that everyone applies for free or rose garden in the tors and the cafeteria staff so every parent should fill out an reduced-price lunch. In the past cafeteria, type in often promote the food. When application for reduced-rate when parents have come to Wil- their ID number getting breakfast in the morn- lunches, because it can take the son at the beginning of the year and insert bills Graphic by Jane Martin ing, cafeteria manager Lakisha embarrassment out of turning in to register their child, they could into the machine. Ferguson says Ferguson often tells students to the form if everyone does it. The fill out the forms for reduced- that students who don’t put Ferguson said, but was not very take at least three items and “as application process is simple. rate lunches along with the money on their accounts can popular amongst students. A many fruits as you want.” She After filling out the forms, which registration forms. However, in still get food, but that puts them second program that provided explains that she encourages are located in the main office, it recent years, lunch forms have into debt. Each time they type in dinner for students who stayed kids to take the fruit because, takes from five to seven busi- arrived at the school days after their ID number, it shows them late at school was more popu- even if they don’t eat it, they can ness days for the application to the registration forms. Parents how much money they owe. This lar “because it was more like a keep it in their bags for later and be processed. Then the student then had to come in another day money adds up, and if they do meal,” according to Ferguson. eat it as a snack. finds out if they are denied or ac- or their child could bring the not pay it off, the debt is added The school ended this program, Academic Director Alex cepted for reduced-price or free form home, have them fill it out, to the student’s senior dues. “It’s too, though the cafeteria staff Wilson says that many people lunch. and bring it back-- which, as any just like a book fine,” she says. In doesn’t know why. would be surprised to find out The National School Lunch teacher who has handed out a the end, this can be very costly. As the nation continues that they qualify for free or Program (NSLP) was imple- permission slip will say, is not In the past, Wilson has tried to strive to find the perfect reduced-price meals. According mented by the U.S. Department always a highly effective process. different programs to provide meal plan with the best nutri- to the USDA website, the yearly of Agriculture in 1946. The Wilson says that coming back more food for students. The first tional values for school lunches, household income for a family NSLP requires that all cafeteria to school to fill out the forms was a snack program for stu- Wilson just wants to make the of four had to be below $43,568 food be provided by the USDA can be difficult because many dents who were doing sports or food available and affordable to in order to qualify for reduced- and ensures that schools provide parents who have a low income studying after school. The snack all. So whether you think you’re rate lunches during the 2013- meals that meet the federal are most likely out looking for a was something small, “just like qualified or not, head over to the 2014 school year. requirements. The amount of job, or they cannot afford to take a muffin and a fruit or cereal,” office and fill out that form. • At Wilson, each student

V-Day Shoutouts

Compiled by Maria Brescia-Weiler

Check out our romantic Valentine’s playlist on our website www.thewilsonbeacon.com 10 SPORTS February 27, 2015 How GPA Wilson Athletes Affects Sports Participate on DC Alex Martin their grades continue to drop. Junior Editor Sometimes star players don’t get a chance to play for their With extracurriculars high school or even go to col- Hockey Team and schoolwork, among other lege because of their grades. things, Wilson students have a lot to balance, but the athletic The required 2.0 GPA has, Erin Doherty restriction means that students’ however, had a positive impact Web Sports Editor GPAs don’t suffer. The 2.0 grade on students, who are motivated point average requirement to to work hard to improve their The snow-covered sidewalks play a school sport is not unique grades. The teams with the high- and the frigid temperatures that to Wilson and is used in school est combined mean GPA of all have plagued DC the last couple systems across the the athletes are both girls and of weeks have turned the city country. The boys crew, along with into an icy tundra. As the major- effect of ultimate frisbee ity of Wilson students hides in the re- and girls soccer. their houses anxiously awaiting quire- The students’ spring weather, some Wilson ment high GPAs allow athletes find enjoyment on can be their teams to something the rest of DC wants Photo Courtesy of: William Sheldon seen on practice and to avoid: ice. STARS, BARS, AND ICE - Students across DC came some compete at the The DC Stars Ice Hockey together to form the DC Stars hockey team. After an of Wil- highest possible team is a team with openings impressive start to the season the Stars lost 7-5 in the son’s level without for any DC student who doesn’t playoffs. young- anyone having have a hockey team at their est to take time off to high school. Athletes from a tenth season on Friday, Febru- until they reached the USA hock- student improve grades. These dozen schools including Maret, ary 20, in a controversial loss ey officials who let them play in athletes. Theo teams are able to thrive be- Georgetown Day School, Ed- to their rival Montgomery Blair the playoffs.” Ultimately, the DC Shapinsky, a player cause they can practice without mund Burke, Sidwell, Anacostia, High School in the second round Stars lost 7-5 and their season on the freshmen boys basket- distractions. School Without Walls, and, of of the playoffs. The DC Stars was over. ball team, said “many players With college tuition con- course, Wilson come together cruised through the first round Although the team was have missed games and that tinuing to rise, many families to make up the team. Wilson of playoffs, winning 6-1 against disappointed by the end result has affected the potential of need their son or daughter to students on the team include Magruder High School in of their season, the friendships the team.” Many players miss get some kind of scholarship in freshman Oscar Lonaeus, sopho- Rockville. Going into the second that were created cannot be practice because of low GPAs, order to attend college. How- mores William Sheldon and round, the team had a respect- overlooked. When asked about making it difficult for the team ever, less than 20,000 students a Kieran Irwin-Leventhal, junior able record with ten wins and the highlights of their season, to improve. year get full scholarships to col- Jonathan Costan, and senior only three ties. both Oscar Lonaeus and Wil- Many athletes at Wil- leges and only 138,000 students Will Oakley. The game proved to be liam Sheldon commented on son struggle to maintain the get sports scholarships. Sports Experience is not necessary, controversial, however. Accord- the lasting friendships. “It has required grade point average. can change lives in many other as coaches just look for athletes ing to league rules, each team been fun getting to know all the Often instead of practicing with ways than just the classroom. with “the drive and eagerness to can only have a certain number guys from all different schools,” the team, a student athlete will Athletes who get into college learn the game,” Sheldon said. of athletes from each school. Lonaeus said. Similarly, Sheldon have to go to a teacher after have the opportunity to find a The team practices once a week Blair broke this rule and “were commented, “when we hang out school to get their grades up to new passion that can improve at Fort Dupont ice rink and supposed to be disqualified from as a team, it’s not about whether the necessary standard. This can their life, but in order to achieve plays games all around the DC the playoffs,” Sheldon explained, he goes to Maret or Anacostia, cause the player to lose motiva- that, they must meet the GPA area. “Of course they [Montgomery it’s about the hockey.” • tion on school work and have requirement. • The Stars concluded their Blair] appealed and appealed

Athletes Turn Dreams into Reality on Signing Day

Asa Canty to execute, and thus National These visits are an opportu- transferring to Maryland or UVA hotbed of controversy. From the Matthew Smee Signing Day was born. Any com- nity for the school to make their after the first year.” issue of sports being a billion Staff Writer, Sports Editor mitment an athlete makes to a best case for why the student McDonald is not the only dollar industry that doesn’t For thousands of student school is purely verbal until they should attend their college, and Wilson scholar who has already pay the athletes who generate athletes every year, the first sign a letter of intent to play for for the student to get a feel for transferred allegiances to his fu- the money to the question of Wednesday in February marks the college, binding the two to the campus where they might ture school. Senior Skyler Mack- how young is too young when the beginning of a new chapter. each other, and Signing Day is be spending their next four ey signed her letter of intent recruiting sites start ranking The many months of recruit- the first day that a senior can years. This was a crucial part of to play soccer at University of sixth graders, there is much to ment, with the countless sales sign this letter of intent. recruitment for McDonald, as he Maryland Baltimore County on be angry and disappointed about pitches given to teenagers by On February 4, Wilson se- noted the huge size of Virginia National Signing Day. Although when it comes to college athlet- college coaches all trying to sell nior and member of the varsity sticking out as a negative, and very excited about her future as ics. Yet, the world continues their school to athletes, culmi- football team, Kareem McDon- Monmouth’s proximity to the a student and athlete at UMBC, watching college sports because nate with the 24 hour period ald, signed his national letter beach as an appealing factor. she has mixed feelings about the there are enough moments that that is National Signing Day. For of intent to play at Monmouth McDonald says the reason he whole process, explaining that it make people forget about the many young athletes, hosting a University, despite having ver- went with Monmouth, however, “is a little unfair because there corporate greed running the press conference where they don bally committed to play at the was not a result of preference are many athletes who haven’t game and instead focus on the their new school’s hat with pride University of Virginia on August but a decision made out of his been recruited but are amazing.” young men and women who are and sign the letter of intent to 5 of last year. After changing control. McDonald has attended This is a result of these play- spending their foray into adult- play the sport they love for the his recruitment multiple times, more than one high school, and, ers not “playing on top-ranked hood playing the games they next four years is a dream. On McDonald is no stranger to how although he eventually trans- teams in the country.” Further- love in front of fans who adore February 4, several Wilson stu- the process works. “If a school ferred smoothly to Wilson, his more, Mackey believes that them. Sports can be romanti- dents made this dream a reality. likes you, they’ll start sending credits did not; and without “coaches put a lot of pressure cized because of these young Prior to 1981, college con- you mail, come to the school a valid set of class credits, the on athletes so it can become people, and no matter what the ferences held conference signing and start talking to you,” he University of Virginia revoked stressful.” Despite this, Mackey world thinks about the sports days around the country to explains. According to McDon- its offer. Despite this series of can attest to the day being a very industry in which these student publicize pledges athletes made ald, the team then brings you to unfortunate events, McDonald rewarding experience for the athletes participate, the joy to play at schools. As publicizing their school, where the prospec- is optimistic. “I’m happy with athletes who have obviously put on their faces as they formally commitment to a school to play tive student athlete gets wined how it turned out. The school’s a in a tremendous amount of work commit to a college on National a sport became more popular, and dined by current members good size where it won’t swallow in their sport. Signing Day is one reason so this tradition became difficult of the team. me up, but I’m thinking about Today college sports are a many love sports. • February 27, 2015 SPORTS 11 athlete of the month: Lindsay

Cunningham By Henry Shuldiner

Senior Lindsay Cunningham has helped lead the girls varsity track team to a very suc- cessful season. Cunningham, over her four years on the track team, accomplished many feats, including being a part of the qualifying 4x400m relay team for New Balance Indoor Nationals in March. The team qualified at a track meet at Virginia Tech earlier this season. Regarding goals for the upcoming outdoor season, Cunningham said that she hopes to “shave my times down, make new personal records and overall make sure I can help lead the team to victory in any way possible.” She also hopes to be a strong competitor in the 800m race in the outdoor season. “It’s going to take a lot of guts and determination but that’s why I love it,” said Cunningham. The team has evolved quite a lot over the course of the season and has turned into a Girls championship caliber program. The girls track team placed second in the DCIAA meet and third in the DCSAA this winter, but look to finish back on top this spring. “Going into the season it’s all about staying humble and preparing to defend our outdoor championship Varsity DCIAA and DCSAA title,” said Cunningham. Cunningham has not made a final decision about whether or not she will run in college, but has accepted an academic scholarship at Hampton University. She is excited to get more involved with more academic programs. “Being an athlete will always be a major part of my Track lifestyle,” said Cunningham. “Track has taught me many important lessons in life.” One of Cunningham’s favorite quotes is “No one ever drowned in sweat. Gold medals aren’t really made of gold. They’re made of sweat, determination, and hard-to-find alloy called guts.” This ideology showcases Cunningham’s tenacity and diligence at track and in school, along with her commitment to both. • Photo by Rochelle O’Brien Baseball Team in Dominican, Going to Come Back and Win Again! Ben Kostyack Major League teams to support of the day, we were sad to leave team as a whole, and for each week. The memories of the peo- Staff Writer their families. our new friends. It was particu- person that came along. We not ple we met and the experiences As we arrived at the hotel larly hard for us to see these kids only got to improve our game we had will live with us forever, As temperatures reached on Tuesday afternoon, weary walk back into the tiny shacks alongside some of the world’s as this was truly an eye-opening record lows in DC last week, from a long day of travel, we they called home as our bus most passionate coaches and trip for all Tigers involved. • Wilson’s varsity baseball team were told to change into our uni- drove away. players, but we got to experience traveled to the Dominican Re- forms. When we got to the field, This trip did a lot for our and live in another culture for a public to play some ball and soak we were met by a field of players up the Dominican sun. The trip, ready for the first pitch to be organized by Wilson alum and thrown, and a good-sized crowd D.C. baseball aficionado John curious to see how a team from McCarthy, Wilson, and boosters the United States would com- of the Wilson baseball program, pete with their local ballplayers. lasted from February 10 to Feb- The atmosphere was incredible. ruary 16. We stayed in a hotel Dominican music that begged in Juandoilo, a province about for dancing filled the air, and a 45 minutes outside of Santo colorful announcer described Domingo, and played games in the action play-by-play while nearby Conseulo. simultaneously entertaining the We played nine games in crowd. The other team was good, five days, finishing with a record but that is a given when you’re of 5-3-1. Although happy with in the Dominican Republic. We our record at the end of the trip, ended up winning the game, the focus was not on wins. The surprising the crowd and our goal was to be immersed in the opponents. Dominican culture by playing A big problem in the Do- baseball. minican is the huge gap between Baseball is a huge part of the wealthy and the poor. Our the culture and daily lives of the hotel was in a gated community, Dominican people because, for full of mansions owned by for- some, it can be a ticket out of mer and current Major League poverty. It is hard to ignore the stars. Yet just a few miles down poverty in the Dominican Re- the road, there were people public. Like most islands in the living in severe poverty, cutting Caribbean, it is glamorized as a sugarcane for a living. On one of beach destination with extrava- the days, we went to a village to host a clinic for the area’s youth. gant resorts. But the Dominican Photo by Henry Cohen Republic is still considered a We quickly bonded with the ¡HONRON! - After playing nine games in the Dominican Republic, the boys developing country. Sometimes kids. Although we didn’t speak baseball team went 5-3-1. Through this successful trip, they expect to there is an immense amount of the same language, we shared have a good season. pressure put on kids living in a passion for baseball, and that poverty to get recruited by U.S. was enough for them. At the end 12 SPORTS February 27, 2015 Boys Varsity Lacrosse Expects A Promising Season

Matthew Smee schools like St. Albans and Mt. gonna have a great season if Sports Editor Vernon. He hopes to bring both everyone’s prepared and ready short- and long-term success to to practice,” sophomore Damani As the lacrosse season ap- the program. Macadoo said. proaches, members of the boys “Obviously our number one To counter the loss of varsity team are optimistic. goal is to win the conference, experienced players last year, With a new coach who has big and I think we are well posi- the team looks to add a number plans for the team’s future, it tioned to do that,” Wilson said. of new players as well as place seems the players do, in fact, But it’s what he plans to do with veterans into key roles for this have a lot to look forward to. the team, going forward, that’s season. With these leadership At the end of last year, with even more exciting. changes, “the team will be more coach George Arlotto’s depar- As a lifelong fan of the than capable of stepping up ture and multiple graduating sport, he loves “the idea that to the task [of winning],” said seniors, the team’s future was the game is growing” and thinks senior Max Cooper. uncertain. The team experienced coming to Wilson is a great op- With all this confidence, a stroke of luck, however, when portunity for it to grow in the Wilson can look forward to see- they found a very qualified new city. This means expanding the ing what this team can show us head coach in Anthony Wil- program and playing teams of a this spring. • son. Wilson has been playing higher caliber, such as Potomac lacrosse since he was a child and and Landon. “I’m looking for- Graphic by Jane Martin coaching for almost a decade at ward to that, and I think we’re

The Success Story of Coach Dunham All-Met Coach of the Year three Coach Dunham has important life outside of track is Isaac Frumkin That type of commitment transformed Wilson’s track team to his student-athletes. “Track Junior Editor was evident in everything he times. Following Roosevelt, did. By his senior year, Dunham Dunham coached for four years into a perennial DC champion. is only temporary,” Dunham Growing up in what was was the captain and MVP of at University of Maryland. As the girls cross-country coach, reminds his athletes. He requires then the murder capital of Howard’s cross-country and Dunham said he enjoyed Dunham has led Wilson to three every student-athlete to turn in the country, Gary, Indiana, track teams. He graduated from coaching at Maryland but straight championships from a progress report signed by all proved to be the first of many Howard with a bachelor’s degree missed coaching high school 2012 to 2014. In the last three their teachers. challenges track coach and gym in physical education and later track. He wanted a job in DC years (including indoor and “One of the best feelings teacher Desmond Dunham earned a master’s degree from so when the Wilson position outdoor), Wilson’s boys have in the world is when I see one had to overcome. Dunham Trinity University. opened up, it was a perfect fit. won four DCIAA championships of my former student-athletes imagined himself having a career Fast forward to Dunham’s He began his tenure here with and the girls have won two. and they’re successful with their in basketball, and it wasn’t new passion: coaching. After lofty goals: “Develop a positive While winning the DCIAA family and in their career and until high school that he was college, Dunham was on his culture at Wilson where student- is certainly an impressive feat, their community,” Dunham says. introduced to running. way to medical school when Coach Dunham wanted to take Like Askew, fellow senior After the first practice, he found a way to give back to the track team to new heights: Steve Sneed had his reservations Dunham immediately knew that the community in a more self- winning the DCSAA. The about their new coach at first. cross-country was for him. He fulfilling way. “I then realized DCIAA consists of all the His doubts were quickly erased: also realized that running was that I had more of a purpose DC Public Schools, and “Once I met him and found out his way out of Gary. His coach in life and passion for the DCSAA includes his plans for the team, I was quickly became a father figure coaching than I did for all DCPS in addition confident in Wilson’s future.” to Dunham, who was raised in a pursuing a medical to all the private Coach Dunham helped single-parent household. With career,” he says. and charter Sneed determine that track was his mother working 24 to 28 By the end of schools located the sport for him. Next year, hour shifts at her job, Dunham his second year in in DC. While Sneed will be running college wanted to give himself an coaching, Dunham these schools track at Stevenson University. opportunity to provide for his was the head coach of may have In addition, five runners from family. three different track better facilities last year’s senior class received Running proved to be teams, in addition and more track and field scholarships for Dunham’s escape when he to starting his own prestigious college. earned a joint cross-country Junior Olympics reputations, The Wilson track team is and track scholarship to Howard team with his wife. Dunham makes enjoying continued success University. The hard work did “And I absolutely loved sure that Wilson this year as the indoor season not end in high school. When all of it!” he adds. To his is always the most recently came to a close. the Howard cross-country athletes he emphasizes his prepared. The girls 4x400 relay team, team was not practicing, each seven pillars: positive attitude, Freshman Mariah consisting of Asia Amis, Druex athlete was required to run ten resilience, respect, community, Randriambololona agreed Collins, Lindsay Cunningham, miles a day on their own. One accountability, commitment, with Dunham’s strategy: “I and Jordan Dean, is heading night, Dunham said, he was and communication. use my training as positive to the New Balance Indoor comfortably in bed at midnight During his five years as athletes develop traits and encouragement when I’m Nationals in New York City next when he remembered his coach at Eleanor Roosevelt HS, characteristics for a successful running because I know I have month. Askew and Sneed are workout. Most people would Dunham led the girls cross- life.” put in all the necessary hard close to leading their respective probably go back to sleep at that country team to three Maryland “At first, I couldn’t see work during our practices.” relay teams to qualification for point, but not Dunham. State titles and the track team myself talking to him,” current When the DCSAA came Nationals. Outdoor season is “I was cheating myself to nine state championships. senior Chris Askew says. around in 2013, the team was starting in the upcoming weeks and that wasn’t acceptable to Roosevelt broke national “But after I heard about his prepared to make history. The and anyone is welcome to come me,” he recalls. Within minutes records in the 4x800 and sprint accomplishments and his girls narrowly pulled out a and try it out. Just know that Dunham was running along medley relays and earned high achievements and the type of victory, and Wilson became with Coach Dunham, there is a Georgia Avenue. And not placement at Nike Indoor/ person that he is, I realized that the first public school to win a lot more to track than running. only did Dunham run the ten Outdoor National track meets. Coach Dunham is a man who is DCSAA title in any sport. “It starts with track but it miles, he ran two extra as self- Coach Dunham was recognized serious about what he does and Still, Coach Dunham ends with success,” he said. • cares about his athletes.” constantly stresses how punishment. by the Washington Post as the Photo Courtesy of Coach Dunham February 27, 2015 STYLE 13

Compiled by FASHION IN THE HALLS: BOYS’ HAIR Melinda Oluhara

One Acts Don’t Lack Laughs By Chloe Leo and Tara Bretzfelder From a senior eating an Auditions were held mid­ onion in his underwear to -January in the Black Box: a re-creation of the “Dirty juniors and seniors were given Dancing” jump scene, Wilson’s the opportunity to direct 2015 “One Acts” provided lots them, while any one could of laughs. Assisted by faculty try out as an actor. The shows member Jill Roos and social took place on February 12, studies teacher Jonathan 13, and 14, in the Black Box Shea, the Wilson Players di- theater, where tickets were $5 rected, acted in, and produced to students, and $7 to every- the plays. This annual winter one else. festival, including 10 humor- The audience remained ous acts which were each entertained throughout the Photos by Tara Bretzfelder around 9­-10 minutes, is always whole show, laughing at a AND, CUT - The 2015 One Acts came to a close on February 14. These ten a big hit around the Wilson wide variety of jokes about the student-directed, produced, and acted plays were a huge success. community. absurdity of certain stereo- Among these ten were two types, outrageous situations, student-written plays, “From and others of that nature. One as a bitter­sweet goodbye. Russia With (Gay) Love” writ- of the highlights of the show Although there were a few Check out videos of all the ten by Ellie Melick and Nicky was a performance of “We’re complications, and the Players Swanson Hutchinson, and All In This Together,” from had to make some last minute One Acts on our website “Just My Cup of Tea” written “High School Musical,” by the changes, the shows were a huge www.thewilsonbeacon.com by Helen Malhotra and Zoe senior class members who success, despite the cancellation Mills. participated in the One Acts, of the last show. • Student Artist Drops New Mixtape

tive on many of his Soundcloud two MC’s do not waste “Gladia- possibly ask for. For those who David Fadul off his expansive vocabulary, Staff Writer songs, “From Nothing Out of casually rhyming “catechizing tor Flow’s” spectacular beat, fir- aren’t already associated with Nowhere” has songs like “[F] what I see” with “emulating ing off bar after bar of wordplay. the duo’s music, From Nothing “20-20 vision man I see my Your Party,” a Skunk-only song what I be.” They also take shots at unnamed Out of Nowhere has enough dreams clear/ bouta blow up where he raps about superficial To those who are familiar rappers who would dare com- songs to get a taste of their it ain’t even been a year” raps topics like weed and sex. Of with Skunk’s reflective songs, pete against them. Skunk calls style, and maybe even turn you Danny Skunk on “New Flava,” course it’s impossible to talk “Facts” is most similar to songs out the “fakes” who have only into a fan. assisted by the beat from the about a collaboration mixtape like “Melancholy Music.” The befriended him for his new- Admittedly, the mixtape classic 1994 song “Flava In Ya without mentioning Skunk’s two MC’s reflect on the struggles found money, and $avvy tells might get repetitive at times, Ear.” Skunk and $avvy each de- fellow MC, $avvy (real name they’ve endured throughout the lame rappers to “shape up and of course not all songs can liver wordplay-laced verses, try- Eddie Bosques). This Moco/DC their lives. $avvy describes the like a haircut.” Skunk and $avvy be winners. “We’ll Never Know,” ing to out-brag each other. This artist has been rapping since violence he’s witnessed in a very shine on New Flava as they although it does have its share song is effectively a summary of second grade, and it’s evident Nas-esque verse, most notably replicate the flows of the rappers of good lyricism, feels like a Nothing Out of Nowhere, Skunk in his music. From the all-out with the lines “in the who featured filler track. More importantly, and fellow rapper $avvy’s debut boasting on “Classic” to the dark land of the hitters “Bars on point on the classic though, the mixtape shows mixtape, which is full of brag- and reflective verses on “Facts,” you gotta watch the 1994 song and the hunger of the two young gadocio, references to drugs and $avvy shows off his versatility. whispers/Nafi got and I ain’t lyrically flex rappers. From Nothing Out of life in poverty, and piles upon His verses on “Facts” are some- killed getting candy with lines like Nowhere is a solid mixtape, one piles of wordplay. thing I wish we saw more of on for his sister.” Skunk talking ‘bout a “When you on I recommend to anybody willing Junior Danny “Skunk” the mixtape. describes the pov- s p e ar.” fire they can’t to try new music. For those who Kunk’s work is nothing new to The mixtape starts off with erty he has endured match you” only want a taste of their music, Wilson. It seems like many stu- the song “Classic,” which Skunk and argues that and “Bars on I would recommend “Classic,” dents know of his presence on has already debuted on his being white does not mean life point and I ain’t talking ‘bout a “Facts,” “Gladiator Flow,” and Soundcloud, and many will even Soundcloud page. Sampling a is free of hardships. He ends the spear.” “New Flava” for their incred- name some of his most well- fast-paced 90s beat, $avvy goes song on a positive note, remark- For those familiar with ible beats and lyrics, which are known songs, like “If Heaven in for a solid minute and forty ing how the two are now “on the Skunk and $avvy’s music, From both deep and clever. Hopefully is a Ghetto” and “Melancholy seconds without pause, deliver- map.” Nothing Out of Nowhere is a we’ll be around to see some of Music.” But this mixtape shows ing a verse studded with drug “New Flava” and “Gladiator very welcome addition to the Wilson’s own fulfill their claim: a side of Skunk that we don’t and sex references. With barely Flow” are arguably some of the collection. It has philosophical “On the rooftop but I came from see as much on his page. While 50 seconds left Skunk comes in best songs on the mixtape, along musings, allusions to drugs, the basement.” • he’s philosophical and introspec- with an intricate verse showing with “Facts” and “Classic.” The and all the one-liners you could 14 STYLE February 27, 2015 Former Wilson Student Yung Gleesh is Now Up and Coming Rapper

Monet Jones don’t like, you I live my life off structure. In five Contributor don’t like em, trust years I need to be up, all the way me, I know. It’s just up. Setting my kids up for the The Beacon: Where did you the environment next 15 years. grow up? we was raised in… Q: What’s your favorite DC Yung Gleesh: 18th and like how I said slang word? Monroe, Northeast. I used to be on A: Moe. I got something [new] Q: What did you do growing that trash can. for them though. Imma take it up? (During his time to the old school joint, the bama A: I was in T.O.B, the gogo band, at Wilson, Gleesh joint when our parents used to we went everywhere. I wasn’t stayed posted on say “Joe,” take it back to “Joe.” no regular kid, everyone was a trash can in the They not gonna know what hit waking up late as s**t on the hallways.) I’m from them on the next mixtape. weekend, I was already at band Northeast and Q: What do you get from the practice getting ready for four this a Southwest corner store? shows that day. school, I knew A: Sprite and Fanta and Q: What DCPS schools have everybody from Backwoods. I like to say I live a you attended? Southwest but, luxury lifestyle, we not all the A: I started off elementary y’all ain’t from my way 5 star, but I still go and school at Amidon, graduated hood so I don’t owe get my necessities. I don’t eat there in sixth grade, went to you guys nothing McDonald’s or nothing like that, Jefferson till eighth grade, then to even bang with no no, don’t stoop down to none CAPS in 9th (uptown by Georgia you. As far as other of that. McDonald’s, Popeye’s, Av) then an alternative school DC rappers, y’all Wendy’s, Long John Silver’s, called Foundations, then ended know how it go... I that s**t is terrible. Why is there up in Wilson. don’t feel ‘em just a Long John Silver’s? It’s like the Q: Did you graduate from cause they wasn’t seafood version of McDonalds. Wilson? feeling me. It was Who does this s**t? A: Nope, took my GED. a long time and Q: What was the most Q: What was your favorite the end. You might go up and I just like a stupid idea but I wrote nobody saw me come up. I felt influential moment of your subject in school? might go up. You might go down some bars and I liked what I like I was doing the same or life? A: I ain’t have one, I didn’t really and I might go down but we wrote. I was like damn, I didn’t better of what they was doing. I A: The day I got verified on like school, never had school gone have problems regardless, know I could do that like that was looking at it like, how could Twitter. spirit, I never liked going to pep it don’t matter if you up or and I just kept writing like that y’all listen to this? Y’all don’t Q: How do you feel about rallies. I never liked crowds I somebody now… Let’s squash all whole week, whole next month even know them. I walked in the recent killings of young couldn’t control. Y’all seen me this beef. DC ain’t never used to after that. I just never stopped. to sign in at the front door and black men? Like the recent at my show... I got control over get down like that. A lot of people get tired but I the lady at the front desk still Trayvon Martin case. that crowd. Q: How did you start never stopped. A lot of people remembered my name. I don’t A: I’m a real big conspiracy Q: I heard you say in a rapping? might not see progress in their remember those guys, so I can’t believer, but, like it’s sad cause previous interview that A: I was in gogo, and everybody process and they fade away but I sit here and condone what they the way we lived for the past you didn’t like what DC has know gogo ain’t nowhere near stuck with it. talking about is the truth. Then 100, 200 years we used to that. become. Can you elaborate? rapping. Then I wasn’t even on Q: What’s your relationship I hear some of the stuff they Like what are we gonna do? A: Back in the day it wasn’t the mic. I was in the background like with Makonnen and talking about bricks and pounds Protest? People been protesting about fame or who you was, playing percussions... One of A$AP Rocky? of coke, I don’t remember none for years and nothing happened. if you didn’t have any street our keyboard players, Roderick, A: It’s crazy that I be knowing of this. We was in the gogos it New World Order, man. The credibility or we couldn’t pull ended up making a transition these people, able to pick up the wasn’t no bricks on the street, Trayvon Martin situation is your work up in the street, we from gogo to producing. It was phone and they answer, text all this money them guys talk f****d up but that’s what’s wasn’t tryna hear anything just like a and all that. However I wanna about I don’t remember. That’s happening, that’s whats going else you was talking about. If joke one communicate with them, it’s the truth. on right now in America. Now we had problems and you day and easy to communicate. I f**k Q: Where do you see yourself everybody can wake up and was up, I’m not about to they with them. I don’t really like in the next five years? see or we gone keep living stop having problems was like too many people, especially in A: Everything’s been going good how we living. And even if with you cause you “yeah the industry. And I really don’t in the past year so I haven’t everyone wake up and see, what up. We just gonna man, like doing music with too many thought about can we really do? We know have problems you people because that’s when the our government ain’t doing and that’s should friendships turn into business. future, everything they say they doing. what it’s rap.” It Rocky cool, the reason he Wars ain’t for what they said gonna was know me is because of Yams, they was... we birds for be R.I.P Yams. Yams put him on real, we believe ‘till to me and stuff. Makonnen everything they cool. I bang with Fredo. tell us. • Everybody else in the industry come and go, ya know what I mean? Q: How do you feel about other DC rappers? A: Man, y’all know what DC like. We a barrel of crabs man, and we all haters. You a hater, I’m a hater, we all haters. Anybody doing something you

Photos by Asa Canty February 27, 2015 STYLE 15 Artist Profile: Hyper Bole is Joyce the Superbowl Distinto By Zoe Mills of Poetry

artist, Distinto remarks reflec- painting tively, “Every piece is an ac- with bright complishment because it makes colors. me a better artist. Every time I Though pick up a paint brush or pencil she may be ac- for something to do, it makes complished and me better.” has been creating As a senior, Distinto will pieces since she was in be graduating from Wilson in Senior kindergarten, she is still the spring and will attend DC’s Joyce Distinto looking to improve. “I definitely Trinity University in the fall. marvels at a picture of a marble have improved,” she says. “I see While Trinity does not offer statue in her Latin textbook the heads of busts I’ve made, classes in an art program, Dis- before beginning the interview, like there’s one from my sopho- tinto is very much looking for- obviously adoring the technique more year and I can see how far ward to creating a lot of work on employed by the sculptors. I’ve improved ‘til now. As I get her own. She hopes to develop “Honestly it’s just something I better I just want to keep on her skill and possibly pursue a was born with,” Distinto says going.” graduate program in the arts. about her interest in art. “I just One of Distinto’s stron- A strong believer that art continued until I got better.” gest influences is Banksy, is a vital and healthy way for Distinto knew by the age of whose work she describes as an people to express themselves, five that art was what she loved. “eye-opener.” She also admires Distinto’s main goal is to get “People told me I would grow Claude Monet’s impressionist a job as an art therapist for out of it, and from then on I style and how the change over children. “Art is a really good just had to prove them wrong.” time is visible in his work. Wil- way to heal, and I love working Distinto enjoys creating son art teacher Mary Lambert is with children.” Every time she many different styles and forms also an important role model to draws or paints is a learning of art, usually finding herself Distinto, who has taken classes experience for Distinto, and sketching portraits, something with her since freshman year. something she plans to continue Photo by Ellie LeBlanc When asked about her she began doing for her friends throughout her entire life. • SNAPS - Wilson poetry club attended the Hyper greatest accomplishments as an as early as middle school, or Bole at George Mason University on January 31. One Wilson student, Odera Oliver, advanced to the finals. ginia students. Ellie LeBlanc As some of the Virginia Photo Editor teams were coming home from Nerves were high as the the slam on the Metro, they de- gaggle of Wilson students cided to perform their pieces for entered George Mason Universi- each other. By sheer coincidence, ty’s Johnson Center on January or perhaps fate, the director 31 to participate in the annual of student activities at George Hyper Bole. After registering, Mason was on the same train. students were free to begin He liked what he heard so much practicing their poems individu- that he arranged for the school ally or with others. Shortly into to host an annual poetry slam their warm-up, Wilson librarian on campus. and poetry club director ­­­Pamela The goal? “Bring stu- Gardner called the students dents together to talk about together into a group huddle. things that matter to them “We’re going to take a and introduce them to things minute to just get ourselves that they may not be aware together-- get all the kinks out, of,” said Green. This occurs in calm down and then do our workshops that are hosted by thing.” George Mason students. Before A silence fell over the room the workshops, students went as students joined hands and through the first stage of the bowed their heads in reflection. competition, during which each “Now everyone take a big person presented two original deep breath in….and let it out...” poems for the judges. The circle rose with the air Following lunch and the they inhaled and sank as that air workshops, students were able was released along with tension to participate in an open-mic and anxiety. session, which allowed them to Next, in order to get their hear people they hadn’t heard excitement flowing, poetry club earlier. Once the list for finals coach Asha Gardner had the was posted, students, teachers, students spit all their poems parents, and staff gathered to out at once. The room suddenly hear the finalists compete. filled with dozens of voices, each At this year’s festival, trying hard to be heard over so Wilson senior Odera Oliver many others. advanced to finals. Oliver is a Each year students from first year poet who was brave schools around the DMV enough to stand up and speak come together to compete in a about personal issues openly. daylong poetry slam festival. Although she did not make it Co-founded and managed by to the second round, the young Joseph Green and Brian Hanan, poet will continue to write with the Hyper Bole was patterned the hopes of being able to share after “Louder Than a Bomb,” a her art with others throughout Photo Credits: Joyce Distinto separate poetry slam for Vir- high school and beyond. • FebruaryMarch 24, 27, 2011 2015 KIDS IN THE HALL Compiled by Ellie Le Blanc and Elena Remez What’s the best/worst thing a teacher said about you at parent teacher conferences?

“You got an A- on your packet!” “Your brother is so smart...” Jada Coley, 9 Teo Topa, 10 “Oh... you’re back” Christian Calhoun, 10

“You’re brilliant, but you don’t “Your son asks too many questions” do your homework” Nathaniel Tolbert smith, 12 “Your son disappoints me” Frank Borris, 9 Nathan Kovar, 11 “We think your son has ADD” Max Aviles, 12 Charlie Steinman, 11

“She totally disrespected me and cussed me out” “I’m late to class too much” Kechelle Thomas, 9 Christian Hudson, 11 “You’re my best buddy” Lazaro Cardenas, 10

“I talk too much” May McLaughlin, 9 “I’m unfocused” Jaednee I. Ramirez, 9 “He always smells like brownies...” Zach Potts, 12