Rank & File

The opinions presented in this article reflect those of the individual reporter, not of the Rank & File collectively.

For years, Alabama resident Laura Mallory campaigned against the wildly successful Harry Potter books, claiming them to be "dangerous and deceptive" and blaming them for "mainstreaming witchcraft [for children]".

Mallory challenged the books’ placement in school libraries and appealed multiple times in effort to have the Potter series banned from her local schools. However, Mallory no longer had any children in public schools by the time she was making her most recent appeals.

With the publication of this final issue, volume 48 of Rank & File is officially complete, marking a day I never thought, or hoped, would come. Over the course of this year, our staff has diligently worked to fulfill the promise I made in September to provide this community with a worthy record of its achievements and particularities. This year has provided us with ample material for the stories that filled our pages and inspired our work.

As seniors clean out their lockers, preparing never to return to school again, some teachers are preparing for a similar farewell. While some are retiring, others are pursuing personal goals or simply teaching at another school.

Among the teachers leaving is English teacher Kelly McDonald. She is returning to Gar-Field High School after teaching here for two years.

McDonald is "leaving for new opportunities and new challenges," she said.

McDonald cites the awards ceremony as one of her favorite memories.

Several students will participate in the Virginia Governor’s School program this summer. The program consists of a collection of magnet schools and summer programs for select students throughout the state.

In addition to offering students an enrichment opportunity, the program aims to provide talented students with academically and artistically challenging courses beyond the offering of their base schools.

Last Wednesday, students filed into the auditorium to watch Marshall’s first student film festival. The event showcased short films produced by Marshall students and was arranged by Film Studies teacher Pierce Bello.

Leaving the support of their teams behind, the top four players from each of the boys’ and girls’ varsity tennis teams battled their district counterparts in the Liberty District singles and doubles tournament last week.

Seniors David Freund and Robbie Hayes advanced to the second round of the boys’ doubles tournament after beating South Lakes High School’s top doubles team in round one. Freund and Hayes were defeated in the second round of districts.

Senior Kelly Crider also won in her first match at the girls’ singles tournament and lost in the second round.

Varsity baseball played Stone Bridge High School at a game on Thursday and lost 6-0. The JV game meant to be the same day was cancelled.

Aside from this game, the team has shown a pattern throughout the season: a good defense but a poor offense.

“Our pitching is keeping us in games, but we’re struggling getting timely hits,” coach Joseph McDonald said.

The team strove throughout the season to become a better defensive team.

“We have improved on most flaws by improving our defense,” senior and captain Jake Bennett said.

The girls’ varsity lacrosse team won a close match against Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology on Thursday to earn its first victory in district competition.

The team also won on the road against Wakefield High School 23-0 on April 29.

Girls’ coach Nicholle Depaz said that to be successful in tournament play the team needs to “maintain possession on transitions.”

The team had won its last four games in a row with a combined score of 75-19 goals for and against.

As the season comes to a close, both the boys’ and girls’ varsity soccer teams anxiously await district competition.

Neither team has experienced much success this season. The boys’ team went without a win in the regular season, going 0-13, and the girls’ team has had similar problems, ending the season 1-12.

Both teams have experienced a great deal of hardship throughout the season.

“We’ve suffered multiple injuries,” girls’ coach Ann Germain said. “Some of our players have [had] mono all season.”