Rank & File

Despite the widespread budget cuts the county is experiencing, several new classes will be available for students to take next year, including International Baccalaureate (IB) Film Study and guitar class.

Maple Avenue Restaurant incorporates a wide array of foreign flavors into their contemporary American style of food. Additionally, the ingredients are organic and supplied by local providers.

The menu at Maple Avenue is comprised of small plates, main plates and sweet plates (appetizers, main courses and desserts, respectively).

One of the small plates we ordered was the Spanish dumplings — tiny morsels of minced beef, carrots, potatoes and onions cased in batter and deep fried. Unfortunately, they had a very neutral, bland taste.

Beginning on Friday, the theatre department will showcase their newest production, Musical Comedy Murders of 1940. Based on the play written by John Bishop, the play will show will begin on April 23 and conclude its showings on May 1.

Unlike previous productions, the cast is composed of only 10 cast members and four understudies; in comparison, Peter Pan had almost 40 cast members. This sizeable difference "makes rehearsals a lot easier and there’s more time to do individual scene work," senior Meara O’Malley said.

Witold Dzeilski, First Secretary from the Polish Embassy, will be visiting on Thursday for Europe day, an annual celebration of the formation of the European Union (EU).

Dzielski will discuss the history of the EU, Poland’s role in the EU and in the world and US – EU relations. He will also address Poland’s perspective on more pressing topics, such as current EU involvement in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

On Friday, members of the Gay-Straight Alliance participated in the National Day of Silence, which, according to sophomore Anna Chuslo, aims to raise awareness of hate crimes against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people.

"The event is designed to show support for people who can’t speak out on their own," Chuslo said.

In addition to the Day of Silence, silhouettes were taped in the lobby to represent real victims of hate crimes.

"I hope to see people understand the difficulty LGBT students face," Doan said.

On May 11 and 12, the Fairfax County Public School (FCPS) Board will have public hearings on the proposed cuts to rectify the County’s projected $174 million deficit for the 2011 Fiscal Year (FY).

The cuts, which were suggested by Superintendent Jack Dale earlier this year, will be voted on in an upcoming meeting.

If Hollywood was to hold an Olympics for acting, its most difficult event would undeniably be comedy, as there is nothing rarer among actors than perfect comedic timing. But for the few masters of this skill, there would be an ultimate competition called ‘Drawing hilarity from a categorically unfunny script.’ And Tina Fey and Steve Carell would be its champions. Amidst cliché conflicts and overly hyperbolized metaphors, Fey’s and Carell’s unique senses of humor made Date Night, a film which would have flopped under any other two actors, likeable and entertaining.

Model United Nations (MUN) members attended a National High School Model Arab League (NHSMAL) conference on Friday and Saturday at Georgetown University, representing Jordan and Palestine. Results of the conference were not available as of press time.

This event attracted MUN members of Arab decent, in particular.

"We look at [NHSMAL] as an opportunity for many of our Arab [members]," MUN sponsor Tom Brannan said. "They have an opportunity to discuss issues important to [the] Arab world."

On March 22, the Obama administration reached a milestone, as the health care reform bill was passed through the House without a single Republican vote of support.

For those who don’t know what the health care reform bill entailed, it essentially states that all Americans will be able to receive medical insurance by 2014, according to history teacher Matt Axelrod.

"Relatively immediately, children under 26 will be able to be covered by their parents’ health care plans, as well," Axelrod said.

After the individual successes in the indoor track season, the spring track and field team hopes that the momentum from the winter will carry over into the upcoming season.

Junior Courtney Herbolshiemer has high expectations for the team.

"[I expect that] we will make it to the Penn Relays and that we will show well in the district meet, and maybe even win districts [as a team]," Herbolshiemer said.

Senior and co-captain Andrew Dickson also has high hopes for the season.