Opinions of same-sex marriage pour out on social media
Edward Sprenger, Managing Editor
May 2, 2013
Many issues are discussed on social media sites, both of the serious and silly variety. Recently, however, in-between tax debates and foreign crises, one issue that has continued to appear, both in real life, and online, is legitimacy of gay marriage and whether or not gay couples are entitled... (more...)
Advanced classes bring advanced stress
Edward Sprenger, Managing Editor
March 20, 2013
With the end of the year approaching rapidly a large hurdle looms over the student body: AP exams. With a school wide pass rate of approximately 76.4%, it’s no surprise that students see AP exams as one of the most difficult and stressful parts of the year. AP courses take a significantly... (more...)
American guns: Removing the magazine
Edward Sprenger, Managing Editor
February 14, 2013
Guns have become as intrinsically American as apple pie. However where the latter tastes good, lead usually doesn’t. To many, guns represent Truth, Justice, and the American Way, and there are those who would swear by them before they would the Constitution of the country. We do of course... (more...)
It’s the end of the world as we know it (and I feel fine)
Edward Sprenger, Managing Editor
December 18, 2012
It’s 2012 and that means that it’s once again time for everyone to put on their cult robes, gasmasks, and hazmat suits and get into the fallout shelters, and hopefully find someone nice to wait out the impending apocalypse with. Now before you start drinking any questionable Kool-Aid or... (more...)
Aspiring video artists display talent for comedy and animation
Edward Sprenger, Managing Editor
November 13, 2012
On the internet there are dozens of video sharing sites, some are famous, some are so small that they’re practically anonymous, but none are as well-known as YouTube. However thanks to the enormous size of YouTube it is easy for talented people to get lost amidst the plethora of options available... (more...)
Firewall: limitations of our freedoms
Edward Sprenger, Managing Editor
November 12, 2012
There is an acknowledged war going on. No it isn’t the war on drugs. No it isn’t the war on alcohol. No it isn’t even the war on bullying. The war that I speak of is the war between students and the county over the use of the one thing that binds us together as a culture. The thing that... (more...)
VASS grant sees changes in its last year of implementation
Edward Sprenger, Managing Editor
October 10, 2012
Next year the county’s Virginia Advanced Study Strategies (VASS) grant will expire. The VASS grant gives teachers and students of AP-level english, science, and math money based on how well they perform on their AP exams. Last year students received $100 per AP test that they passed. This... (more...)
Get to know the candidates of 2012
Edward Sprenger, Managing Editor
September 16, 2012
With the 2012 Presidential Election looming on the horizon, Virginians are being asked to choose between three distinct competitors all of whom are looking to become president of the United States of America. Mitt Romney is the Republican candidate who is looking to dethrone Barrack Obama,... (more...)
Student body not in favor of Tardy Sweep
Edward Sprenger, Managing Editor
September 13, 2012
This year the administration has decided to make a change in the way that the school will deal with the issue of tardiness. The new system, dubbed “The Tardy Sweep,” focuses on getting kids out of the hallways and into classrooms on time. “Over the last 9 years the number of school rule... (more...)
The simple matter of the dress code
Edward Sprenger, Staff Reporter
April 4, 2012
What is the biggest problem that students at this school face on a daily basis? Is it grades? Bullies? Math homework? Wrong on all counts; the largest problem that the students of this school face is that of the tyrannical dress code! This dress code was put in place to stifle our independence... (more...)
The Republican front runners and their stance on the issues
Edward Sprenger, Staff Reporter
March 9, 2012
In an election year with three Republican candidates in the running each candidate is developing his own platform of ideologies; Economy, Defense, Social Issues, and Energy are all important topics in the election year. Economy features the way that the candidate will fix, or stimulate the... (more...)
Evaluating Obama
Edward Sprenger, staff reporter
February 14, 2012
The last year of President George W. Bush’s presidency had the country wallowing in an unemployment level of 9.9% and deposited America’s national morale at an all time low of 24%. In the wake of his failures Candidate Barack Obama ran for the presidency as an unexpected runaway candidate... (more...)
SOPA: The death of the internet as we know it
Edward Sprenger, Staff Reporter
January 18, 2012
When you think of the Internet what springs to your mind? Is it videos, memes, social networking, blogging, or information? Unfortunately, all of these functions could be about to be destroyed or at the very least rendered unrecognizable thanks to the United States House of Representatives... (more...)
Tattoos: the ink beneath our skin
Edward Sprenger, staff reporter
December 9, 2011
Tattoos have existed for thousands of years and were developed all over the world, including such places as ancient Egypt and New Zealand. Over the ages the tattoo has undergone many changes including people’s views about them, what they mean to the individual who receives them, and the manner... (more...)
Exotic animals, exotic choices
Edward Sprenger, Staff Reporter
November 21, 2011
` Dogs, cats, fish and the occasional bird: these are pets that are generally thought of as good family members. But what happens when you chose a pet that is a little more, exotic? Exotic pets are at an all time high. According to Born Free USA, there are over 6000 tigers... (more...)
Dr. Spence: teacher and farmer
Edward Sprenger, Staff Reporter
October 31, 2011
Dr. Tim Spence, the mild mannered Latin teacher, is not as mild mannered as you think. Over his life he has held a variety of jobs, from janitor to college professor. Now he lives on a farm and teaches Latin to students hungry for his unique teaching style and his eccentric attitude towards... (more...)
Archery club shoots for states
Edward Sprenger, Staff Reporter
October 6, 2011
Are you a student interested in the archery club but not sure whether or not you’d hit the bulls-eye? Well fear not! According to Ms. Kim Stevens anyone from 4th grade to 12th can join, and no prior knowledge is required. “This is a life skill that you can use till you’re 90 as long as... (more...)