Rank & File

We spend four years of our lives trying to juggle the stresses of school, a social life, extracurricular activities and jobs, and it’s not always easy to stay motivated to do those necessary things. But would creating your own curriculum or getting paid to go to school keep you motivated throughout the year?

Teamwork and determination, according to boys’ lacrosse coach Andrew Freeman, are the two things that the varsity team needs to work on if they want to see an improvement in their ongoing losing streak. Girls’ varsity, on the other hand, has been experiencing both wins and losses in recent weeks. Both teams are keen to improve their performances in upcoming games.

Among the numerous banners hanging in the gym, the softball team’s district banner bears a single date – 1976.

"The last time we won a district championship was in 1976 and we hope 2010 will be the next," freshman Mina Don said.

According to senior Christine Grilliot, the team uses an old softball jersey believed to be from 1976 as a source of inspiration before games.

Last Wednesday, boys’ and girls’ tennis battled McLean High School for the second time this season, beginning the second round of district matches; the boys lost 1-8, losing number one doubles in a close tiebreaker, and the girls lost 0-9. Both teams played Stone Bridge High School on Friday and Fairfax High School yesterday, but results were not available as of press time.

The track and field team recently attended the Northern Virginia Inivitational, held at Thomas Edison High School on April 9 and 10, and achieved some good results.

Seniors Brittany Johnson and Meara Goss each won one of the events they participated in. Goss earned first place in the girls’ discus, while Johnson placed first in the girls’ long jump. Both athletes also qualified for district competition in these events. Additionally, Johnson qualified in the triple jump and Goss earned qualification in the shotput.

Between April showers and May’s warm temperatures, spring weather is unpredictable, calling for versatile clothing. Many of this year’s spring essentials are classic styles that have been updated to keep up with modern trends. These styles are functional yet reflective of the vibrant colors of spring.

White

New on DVD, Pirate Radio, starring Philip Seymour Hoffman (Doubt, Capote), Rhys Ifans (Elizabeth: The Golden Age, Hannibal: Rising) and Tom Sturridge (Being Julia, Vanity Fair), propels viewers into the world of 1960’s music, fashion and culture.

In the late 1960’s, the British Broadcasting Corporation stops airing rock music on their channels, leading a group of music lovers, played by Hoffman, Bill Nighy, Ifans and Rhys Darby, to set up a broadcasting tower on a boat just outside English boundary waters.

If there’s one thing that can undoubtedly be said about MGMT’s new album, Congratulations, it’s that the band certainly hasn’t gotten too repetitive with their music. While their debut album, Oracular Spectacular, was filled with catchy pop singles, Congratulations features an entirely different sound.

The first day back from spring break, students in English teacher Bobby Forst’s classes were greeted by a surprising new face. Matthew Horne, the new long-term substitute, was also pleasantly surprised, although it remains to be seen if he will become a teacher here.

"I love Marshall," Horne said. "The kids are really enthusiastic; I was expecting it to be a little tougher, but so far kids have been really involved."

Anyone who has gone to the movies in the past year knows about the current craze sweeping cinemas across the world – 3-D animation. From Up to Avatar, moviegoers have the option of spending extra money on 3-D versions that have action shots appear right in front of their faces. For movies such as The Final Destination, which have no substance whatsoever, this isn’t such a problem. But for movies that should rely on cinematic techniques and subtlety, 3-D is a gimmick that does nothing to improve them.