Cthe ommentator Vol. LXIV, No. I June 2016 Douglas Southall Freeman High School PHOTO: GABBY COX Mr. DSF Candidates Campaign for Crown Kyle Adams Editor-in-Chief The excitement of a long- standing Freeman tradition was resuscitated May 22 when eight Saying Goodbye eager young men competed to earn the title of Mr. DSF. This year’s theme was: “The Presi- Mrs. Poates Leaves a Legacy dential Race.” Former Mr. DSF Peter Humble and Jane Shaw- cross hosted the event with mem- While she had not previously es,” said Mrs. Poates. as Freeman’s principal is An- bers of the SCA. Emily Finto considered leaving Byrd Middle Her hard work and dedication drew Mey. “Mr. DSF is a great way for our News Editor School, she said the opportunity throughout the years have not “The good news is, it is Mr. male students to show off their to come to Freeman was “too gone unnoticed amongst the stu- Mey who knows Freeman and is talents and comedic skills. It good to resist.” dents and faculty. as delighted as I was to have the also is a fun event that the SCA From a Spanish teacher to a “I hadn’t realized how much I “She shows confidence in her opportunity to come on board at students use to raise money for high school principal, Anne missed being in high school… It teachers as professionals by al- Freeman. He also feels like he is scholarships for seniors,” said Poates has affected the lives of was the first day being here and lowing us autonomy in the class- coming home,” said Mrs. Poates. Carter Reilly, SCA sponsor. thousands of students, parents, interacting with high school stu- room. I admire her inclusiveness Her advice to Mr. Mey for his To start the show, the contes- and faculty. The Freeman family dents again, and I felt like I had and her language ability - she is time at Freeman is to just enjoy tants joined in a mostly shirtless will bid her farewell at the end of come home,” said Mrs. Poates. bilingual. But mostly, I love her his work. choreographed dance to patriotic the 2015-2016 school year as she As principal, Mrs. Poates’ goal great sense of humor,” said Pau- “It’s hard work, but the benefit songs while sporting red, white, retires and looks to the future for was “always to encourage teach- la Brown English teacher. of working with a terrific group and blue in various forms. new opportunities. ers to try different approaches… “She is really sweet and nice of students is certainly worth it,” Each candidate was intro- Mrs. Poates began her career as to move out of their comfort and she helped me when I trans- said Mrs. Poates duced and escorted to the stage a middle school Spanish teacher zone.” She took the “job of a ferred here… I could trust her, Mrs. Poates hopes that Free- of the auditorium. Junior Roy at Byrd Junior High School. Af- lifetime” and worked to support and I could go up to her and talk man will continue to evolve and Stevenson was escorted by his ter a semester there, she moved teachers in their efforts in the to her about stuff,” said sopho- adapt once she has left. She has pet fish. A fan favorite was se- to Tucker High School, where classroom and the students’ edu- more Gladis Cazun. confidence that the faculty will nior Mason Chakales’s dance to she taught for 13 years. She then cations. With the school year draw- pursue what is best for the stu- “Hips Don’t Lie” by Shakira as became an assistant principal at Mrs. Poates is dedicated to ing to an end, Mrs. Poates looks dents. he approached the stage with his Godwin High School, where she the growth of the students and forward to discovering what is “There are so many good things mother. stayed for 11 years before mov- staff. She enjoys going to student next for her as she retires. She is going on, and it’s hard for me to Contestants were interviewed ing to Byrd Middle School (soon events and interacting with the not sure what her next step after think about not being a part of it. about the American presidency. to be Quioccasin Middle). She students, both with the entire stu- Freeman is, but she hopes to con- I hope they will be able to contin- Senior Ethan Becker-Mowery served as the principal at Byrd dent body and individually. Her tinue to work in the education ue to capitalize on some of the stated that he would travel back for six years and is completing favorite memories at Freeman department. really good things that we have in time to have dinner with for- her ninth year as the principal at are standing in front of the stu- “I can’t wait to find out what gotten started,” said Mrs. Poates. mer presidents. Freeman. dent section at football and bas- I will do. Education is what I Regardless of where her next The candidates participated in After the retirement of Dr. Ed- ketball games, especially God- know, so I feel like there is bound journey takes her, Mrs. Poates a talent show which included air ward Pruden, former Freeman win games, and any other time to be some way I can continue to will not forget her time at Free- guitar and air juggling. principal, the school was looking she can be with the students. use the skills I’ve learned to do man. The seniors dominated the for someone to fill the position. “Whether it’s on the athletic something on a part-time basis,” “Being a principal at Freeman laughter in the talent show. Ma- When offered the position, Mrs. field or on the stage, I have loved said Mrs. Poates. was a great way to cap off a ca- son revealed his cup-stacking Poates jumped at the chance. sharing in the students’ success- Next in line to fill the position reer,” said Mrs. Poates. abilities in suspenseful fashion. Senior Coleman Greene per- formed a rendition of “Dixie- land Delight” with his father Gov. McAuliffe Aims to Overhaul on stage that made many in the audience tear up. Finally, senior Troy Moore provoked laughter Virginia Graduation Requirements from the audience with his Dad- Bod Workout Video satirizing Sen. Miller, who passed away in school counseling, said she has “Our high schools don’t work 80s instructional videos. Thomas Best April, said in February his plan “definitely noticed a larger push the way they should any more. While the contestants waited was for all high school students for more career preparation in They were built for the Industrial for the judges’ decisions, Peter News Editor to take core classes during their recent years.” As a result of this Revolution,” Gov. McAuliffe presented a final video as reign- first two years of school. After new push, all students, starting said at the signing. ing Mr. DSF. The video earned Governor Terry McAuliffe that, those who wanted to go with this year’s junior class, are These changes came after re- the most laughter of the night. signed legislation aimed at over- onto college could take classes now required to have at least one cent recommendations by the Former Editor-in-Chief of The hauling current Virginia gradua- that would best prepare them for career and technical (CTE) cre- SOL Innovation Committee, a Commentator, Coleman Greene, tion requirements on Thursday, post-secondary education. Oth- dential in order to graduate. nonpartisan group of legislators captured the title of Mr. DSF, May 12 at Arlington’s Wakefield ers who wish to enter the work- and educational leaders tasked winning the Triple Crown for his High School. The purpose of the force directly after high school with “providing various state senior year - Homecoming King, new law is to modernize the sec- could earn credits toward their High schools policymakers with ideas on in- Prom King, and Mr. DSF. His ondary school system by making diplomas for internships and in- have become too novative teaching in the class- Batman impersonation, duet, high school more relevant for dustry certification. room.” William Howard Taft jokes, and students who wish to start on “Virginia’s high school gradu- focused on get- School administrator Warren persona as Mr. Commentator their career path directly after ation requirements — which ting everybody Ahrens praised the new legisla- warranted his crowning in the graduating. require students to take certain tion as a step in the right direc- views of the judges and the ma- “Driving the new standards is courses and pass state Standards ready for college. tion. “High schools have become jority of the audience. a realization that not all students of Learning (SOL) exams — can We need to have too focused on getting everybody “It was an honor to compete want, need or should go to col- make it difficult for some to fit ready for college. We need to with such a great group of guys. lege,” reported Louis Llovio for career and technical education a greater variety have a greater variety of prepa- I felt like it was the culmination the Richmond Times-Dispatch. courses into their schedules,” ratory opportunities for our stu- of all of the great expereinces I Gov. McAuliffe has pushed reported Moriah Balingit for of preparatory dents, not just a single track to have had at Freeman,” Coleman for more career preparation and the Washington Post. “Those opportunities for college,” he said. said. technical opportunities for high courses do not always count to- “Rather than sitting in an al- “The whole production takes school students in the past.