March 2010

Can high school students afford to skip their senior year? That?s the question Utah Senator Chris Buttars is asking in his proposal to make the final year of high school optional potentially saving school systems an estimated $60 million. He claims that many students fall prey to ?senioritis? and don?t put the extra year to good use, so there would be no harm is simply missing senior year.

The soccer season has recently kicked into high gear, as both varsity teams opened their seasons on March 15 against Washington-Lee High School. The boys? team lost 0-2 and the girls? team lost by a score of 0-3.
The coaches of each team are optimistic about what the rest of the season will hold.
?Tryouts were competitive and enthusiastic,? girls? head coach Ann Germain said. ?I?d like to think that we can finish in the top four of the Liberty District and advance to the Regional tournament.?
Team members are also enthusiastic about their progress so far.

After 13 years and six studio albums, The White Stripes have finally released their first live album, Under Great White Northern Lights. It was recorded on their three-week coast-to-coast tour of Canada while promoting their 2007 studio album, Icky Thump. The Detroit duo, comprised of divorced couple Meg and Jack White, covered every province and territory, putting on unforgettable shows in sometimes unconventional venues, such as pool halls, bowling alleys, fishing boats and tiny town squares.

After great individual success 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 this season.

"[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 Andrew Dickson also has high hopes for the season.

For years, Marshall has been praised for its outstanding test scores and extracurricular activities. One element of the 47-year-old school that has, until recently, fallen to the wayside is the landscaping.

 A prime example of landscape deterioration is the ?M? formation of bushes on the hill adjacent to the school. But with the help of bake sales, two different groups hope to restore the exterior of the school to its former glory.

The Octagon Club, one of these groups, decided to start a new fundraiser.

While many seniors are nearing the end of their time in school-sponsored athletics, others are choosing to continue to play in college. A number of athletes, including Christine Grilliot, who is already confirmed to play softball at the University of Mary Washington, have been recruited to compete collegiately.

"I knew that I wanted to play softball in college because I knew it would help me get to know some people immediately," Grilliot said.

Boys? and girls? varsity lacrosse began their season with a series of scrimmages before jumping into Liberty District play.

The girls? varsity team had its first game last Tuesday against Annandale High School and lost 7-12. Both the boys? JV and varsity teams had their first games last Wednesday against Annandale as well. Varsity lost 0-18 and JV lost 0-13.

The teams are under the direction of new head coaches Andrew Freeman and Nicholle Depaz respectively.

Team members remain confident despite having many new members and coaches.

Four seniors have recently been selected to be National Merit Scholarship finalists, providing with the possibility of receiving scholarships. The finalists are Conor Dinan, Rebecca Groisser, Kelsey Kolbe and Annie O?Brien.

"Sometimes you get a surprise... one never knows [who will be selected]," director of student services Cindy Blakely said. "But, we usually have a good sense of [who will be a finalist."

O?Brien said she "was really happy [to receive this] big honor."

The Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) team competed at the 2010 Northern Virginia FBLA Spring Regional Conference on Mar. 8, placing in 14 out of the 52 categories.

Competition categories covered a range of topics including computer sciences, business, marketing and public speaking.

Competitors in ninth through twelfth grade who achieved a high placement in any one category at the competition, held at George Mason University, will advance to the state FBLA conference. 10 competitors recieved first place in their categories.