here - The Shield

Prom and Year-end Obligations Fill Seniors’ Agendas
Much Work Left to Do while Anticipating Graduation
By Amber Simmons
W
ith
the
prom
approaching quickly,
the Class of 2006 has
much on their plates. The prom,
themed “A Night in Paradise,”
will be held on May 6 at the
University
of
Maryland
University College Inn and
Conference Center by Marriott
from 7:30 pm to 11:30 pm.
Music will be provided by deejay
Brian Sanders. This year, tickets
for the prom cost $60 for a
single ticket and $110 for a
couple.
The menu for the prom
includes sesame chicken with
plum sauce, swedish meatballs,
vegetable quesadillas, and minicrab tots. There will be a
chocolate fountain for dipping
fruit as well as cheese and veggie
trays. Smoothies and a Viennese
dessert table will also be
provided.
There is much preparation
for what some students
anticipate as their most
memorable night of high school.
Most students have already
rented their tuxes or selected
their dresses. Hair and manicure
appointments have been made.
Students have been warned about
the perils of drunk driving
through the Prom Promise
Assembly which took place last
week. The waiting is almost
over. Let the party begin.
Prom is not the only item on
the seniors’ agendas. On April
21, the Senior Class and the LHS
Step Team, the Blaque Stallion
Steppaz, sponsored Laurel
High’s Third Annual “Step Off
to Show Off” event. The show
featured step teams from across
the county, including teams from
Eleanor Roosevelt and Charles
Herbert Flowers High Schools.
Additionally, the coveted
Senior Class T-shirts are in, and
may be purchased during lunch
for $11 for sizes S-XL and one
dollar extra for each size above
extra large.
This is also a time of the year
to recognize seniors for their
outstanding abilities.
The Senior Awards
Assembly will be held on
the evening of May 25
in the multi-purpose
room. Students will be
given a variety of
awards,
including
Superintendent and
Principal’s Awards as
well as a variety of other
recognition.
At the top the list of
priorities is graduation
day, which is scheduled
for May 30 at the
Comcast Center on the
campus
of
the
(Photo by Tina Staffieri)
University of Maryland
at College Park. The A wrecked car on the school lawn serves as a reminder to seniors to keep
ceremony begins at 9:00 their prom promise to not drink on prom night.
am, but prospective
graduates must arrive by
7:30 am or they will be placed at additional allotments, parents graduate if they don’t perform
the back of the graduation line. and/or guardians must contact and submit their community
Rehearsals are on May 25 at Principal Dwayne Jones and service hours which are due no
8:00 am in the gym, during students must pick up these later than May 23.
With graduation around the
which students may pick up their extras on May 26 between 7:30
corner,
Co-Sponsor Ms.
am
and
3:00
pm.
first set of graduation tickets.
Stephanie
Walker
advises, “Get
Some
seniors
may
not
Tickets come in sets of ten; for
your student service hours in,
clear all holds, turn in your
textbooks on time and pass all
of your classes!”
Laurel High Students Won’t Be Wearing Uniforms Next Year
Proposal Will be Revisited with Administrative Hopes for 2007-2008; Students Are Divided
school year.
The administration sees
Less than a month after this as only a postponement
student protestors rallied and and will ardently pursue
chanted outside the main uniforms once again for the
building and the Laurel High 2007-2008 school year.
The uniform debate has
School library quickly filled to
capacity, those awaiting the become one of the most hotly
verdict as to whether or not debated topics in the school’s
history, emerging
LHS students
would
seemingly out of
wear uniforms
nowhere in the
next year got
middle of the
their answer.
school
year and
Laurel High,
quickly gaining
lacking the
fanatical support
immediate
both
for and
support (the
against it.
required 400
On March 7,
signed forms in
an informational
favor
of
for
uniforms) from “Uniforms in school are an meeting
parents,
teachers,
exemplary
idea
for
students
to
parents will
not be home to be more organized and focus and students
on their studies.”
provided a forum
uniforms next
By Justin Cousson
45 against uniforms for every Laurel High School
teachers and staff.
family. If 75 percent of the
If Laurel High were to ballots returned are in favor of
adopt a mandatory uniform a uniform policy, then it would
policy, first, 20 percent of go into effect.
parents must agree that they
want uniforms by signing a form
Principal Dwayne Jones,
in support that was sent home who has made no secret of his
with students and available at
hopes to have a Laurel
the meeting.
High uniform
Four
policy in the
hundred forms
near future,
returned would
believes that
result in a
students
in
committee being
today’s society
formed to decide
already have
on the make-up
enough on their
of the uniforms.
minds, and
After the uniform
making what
“I think uniforms will limit my c o m m i t t e e
they wear
freedom of expression, but it decides on a
“There are several other ways easier will
might also be a good idea. I could
to make Laurel a high standard
style of uniform, school. I do not think uniforms relieve some
put more concern into my school
their
work instead of what I have to a ballot would are a way for students to express of
(continued
p.3)
be
sent
out
to
wear everyday.”
their own individuality.”
for both to explain the steps
necessary for a uniform policy,
and to voice opinions both for
and against school uniforms for
Laurel High.
Weeks before the meeting,
the faculty of Laurel High
School voted 126-7 in favor of
student uniforms
and 84-
PAGE 2
The Shield
Voice of the Students
WHY SPEND MONEY ON
TEMPORARY AC?
Dear Editor,
I was wondering why we are
having a new air conditioning unit
installed in the annex when it will
eventually be bulldozed anyway
with the new addition.
Sophomore Ashley Hanavin
MUSICAL VARIETY NEEDED
AT SCHOOL DANCES
the playground. It is not safe for
children to play on the slide and
lean and the jungle gym is broken.
Also, the fence is too low allowing
anyone from the outside to
trespass. Making the daycare area
safe again would not only benefit
the children, and parents who need
care providers, but it would also
benefit the students.
Freshman Tiffani T. Foster
INCONSISTENT HEATING AND
Dear Editor,
AC CREATE WIDE RANGE
We need different music
OF TEMPERATURES
for the school dances. Not
everybody listens to the same type
of music and so it would be better
to have a wide variety of songs
available. We could have pop, rock,
rap, hip-hop, line dance songs and
more. The students should take a
survey asking what type of music
they would prefer to have at the
school dances. Thank you for
taking the time to read my letter.
Freshman Kara McMillan
MUSICAL BELLS WOULD BE
AN EXCITING CHANGE
Dear Editor,
I think we should replace
the boring sound of the dismissal
bells with music because some
schools play songs at the change
of classes. I think this would be
something new and exciting for the
students to enjoy.
Junior Ymoni Staton
CHILD DEVELOPMENT
PLAYGROUND NEEDS
TO BE REBUILT
Dear Editor,
I would like to ask the
school staff to help support the
rebuilding of the child
development playground. One of
the reasons children are not able
to come to daycare for child
development class this year is
probably because the playground
area is unsafe. How are students
supposed to learn anything about
child development if they have no
real source or experience? One
way we can get the children into
the daycare system is to rebuild
Dear Editor,
In our school we have had many
instances where there is a problem
with either the air conditioning or
the heaters. There have been days
with uneven temperatures in the
school. At times when school was
closed for several days and upon
returning, students find it either
freezing cold or severely hot. No
one knows when to wear the
appropriate clothing for the
temperatures inside the school.
Those of us who do expect to know,
request that the temperature in the
building be set to average,
allowing us to wear what we want
to wear without shivering or
sweating in classes. We would like
to have this problem dealt with as
soon as possible.
Freshman Zoeya Saleem
important as every other sport in
the fall and winter. Each year, the
fall athletics are recognized at the
pep rally during Homecoming
Week and there is even a winter
pep rally to recognize the winter
sports teams. It’s unfair not just
to the school, but mostly to the
athletes and coaches who work
hard everyday. From my
experiences and what I have heard,
Laurel High has never really had
a spring pep rally. I think it would
be a good idea to end the year with
a spring pep rally for everyone to
enjoy.
Senior Eva Kiourkas
MORE MINUTES NEEDED TO
TURN IN ABSENT NOTES
Dear Editor,
I think it is unfair that there
is a time limit that students have to
turn their absent notes in by. It is
so hard to get to school early
enough to get your note in when
you have to walk to school. You can
only turn in absent notes from 7:00
to 7:35 and some students don’t
get to school by these times. I think
last year’s policy of turning in
your absent notes to your first
period teacher was fairer and a lot
easier for students. I know some
people who get to school right at
the time the Career Center locks
and then they can’t turn in their
notes and they get marked as an
COMPLIMENTS TO LHS
unexcused absence. It would be a
lot more convenient to students and
TEACHERS AND STAFF
parents if we could just turn in our
Dear Editor,
I want to congratulate the notes to our first period teachers.
Sophomore April Williams
faculty and staff for trying their
SENIOR PARKING LOT
best to educate all of their students.
FENCES CAGE US IN
They are doing a great job.
Junior Diane Placide Dear Editor,
One thing that concerns me
WHY HASN’T THERE
is the fact that “cages”/a tall fence
EVER BEEN A
has been put up where the student
parking lot is located. These
SPRING PEP RALLY?
“cages” are for student security but
Dear Editor,
so are the cameras and the police
In my four years at Laurel standing outside. This is
High School, I have realized understandable but the cages are
something that has upset me. I ridiculous. The school is turning
have never seen a spring pep rally. into a prison more and more every
I think it is unfair to leave out year.
spring athletics. They are just as
Raj Patel
April 2006
The Shield
The Shield is published by the students of
Laurel High School,8000 Cherry Lane, Laurel
MD 20707. It is sold at the price of twenty five
cents per issue. The Shield is a member of the
Columbia Scholastic Press Association, the
Maryland Scholastic Press Association, the
American Scholastic Press Association and the
International Quill and Scroll Society.
Staff
EDITORS
Editor-in-Chief
Tina Staffieri
Managing Editor
Justin Cousson
Assistant Editor
Antonio Quick
Layout
Tina Staffieri
Megan Bancroft
Melita Bell
Photography
Tina Staffieri
Copy
Amber Simmons
Ashley Hanavin
News
William Asiedu
Feature
Krishna Dalsania
Sports
Brian Lentz
Entertainment
Amber Simmons
Ashley Hanavin
Opinion
Nachelle Edwards
Exchange
Justin Megaughey
MANAGERS
ANAGERS
M
Advertising : Nancy Barboza
Public Relations : Darien Daniels
Jeslyn Miller
Buisness : Krishna Dalsania
Circulations : Kayla Williams
Patrons : Eva Kiourkas
Unclassifieds : Nachelle Edwards
Librarians : Amber Simmons/Melita Bell
REPORTERS
Lolade Bokini
Alysha Brown
Wesley McMillan
Ra’Neta Oliver
Rodrigo Ortega
Taneisha Thomas
Justine Wheeler
ADVISOR
DVISOR
A
Robert Giuliani
PRINCIPAL
RINCIPAL
P
Dwayne Jones
The objectives of The Shield are to report
all news pertinent to the intrest of students and
staff in an objective maner, to heighten awareness in the student body, to increase involvement in student affairs, to provide entertainment, and above all, to provide a medium of
support and encouragement of the ideals expressed in the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America. The newspaper is run without any censorship from administration or faculty.
Editorials in The Shield represent the views
of the editors. They do not necessarily reflect
the views of the administration, faculty, student
body, advisor, or other members of the staff.
Letters to the editor are welcomed and encouraged. Letters must be signed and written
in good taste. They are subject to editing. Please
deposit letters in Mr. Giuliani’s mailbox, email
them to [email protected], or give them
to any member of the staff.
The Shield
PAGE 3
April 2006
Additional Algebra Class Created to Help Students Pass HSA
Students Switched to “Algebraic Concepts” in Mid-Year
By Justin Cousson
According to the Maryland
State Department of Education
(MSDE), in 2005 only 25.6 percent
of Laurel High School students
who took the Algebra High School
Assessment test passed.
In other High School
Assessment testing subjects,
including government, biology,
and English, 44.3, 35.8, and 54.3
percent respectively of Laurel
High students who took the test
passed. While these numbers may
be distressing, it has to be noted
that last year’s – and in all prior
years of HSA testing – Laurel High
students were not required to pass
the HSA exams as a graduation
requirement. Now, after years of
development, the High School
Assessments are officially a
graduation requirement for the
Class of 2009 and following
classes.
Previous LHS classes have had
to take the tests and had results
printed on their transcripts, but
were not required to pass. “They
had to do a lot of pilot-testing to
make sure the test was valid,”
notes Laurel High Instructional
Coordinator Ginger Sutula. “[The
Maryland State Department of
Education] has been collecting
data from the past HSAs to find
out what worked and what didn’t.
[Previously], the tests were a workin-progress as the MSDE had to
determine what a passing score
would be. They took into
consideration a test that’s both
“This year, [most of the
Class of 2009] are just
taking the Algebra HSA,
but next year most students
will face three classes in
which they will have to
pass the HSA. It’ll get a lot
more serious.”
-Instructional Coordinator
Ginger Sutula
valid and reliable.”
The added pressure on the
Class of 2009 to pass tests has
resulted in some controversy
dealing with algebra and a brand
new class being added to the LHS
curriculum.
The county believed that many
students who were facing Ds and
Es were not going to be able to
pass the Algebra HSA which is to
be administered in late May. To
help alleviate the problem, the
county decided that students
needed more time in algebra, and
thus, a new class, Algebraic
Concepts, was born. After
freshman students pass Algebraic
Concepts, they will head into
Algebra 1 in their sophomore year.
Between 150 and 160 LHS
freshmen were moved mid-year
into the new Algebraic Concepts
classes (taught by Ms. Fail, Ms.
Seymore, Ms. Nelson, Ms. Burford
and Mr. Stanley), which aim to
better explain concepts that
students may not have been
adequately prepared for by their
previous pre-algebra classes.
While the new Algebraic
Concepts class has proven to be
a step in the right direction as far
as preparing the Class of 2009 for
the Algebra HSA, Sutula insists
that their journey is far from over.
“This year, [most of the Class of
2009] are just taking the Algebra
HSA, but next year most students
will face three classes in which
they will have to pass the HSA.
It’ll get a lot more serious.”
LHS Black History Assembly Focuses on “Celebrating a Rich Heritage”
By Kayla Williams
Laurel High School presented
“Celebrating a Rich Heritage,” a
Black History event organized by
Business Instructor Mandana
Reed, which was presented on
February 24, 2006. The show
began at 6:30 P.M. and took place
in the LHS cafeteria.
February is the month in which
we acknowledge the pride and
struggles that many African-
Americans experienced in their
history. The members of this
presentation focused on gathering
students, teachers and parents,
and educating them about the
history of African Americans and
some of their many struggles and
achievements.
It included
readings, poems, and musical
selections.
“Celebrating a Rich Heritage”
began with a welcome by Andre
Steward followed by the
“Presentation of Colors” given by
the AFROTC. The story, “The
Occasion,” was read by senior
Roquois Clarke. This story was
about how Black History Month
came to be. It stated how Black
History Month began as just a
week and evolved into a month.
Other important events that
occurred during this period were
also discussed.
Next was a musical selection
entitled “Lift Every Voice,” which
was sang by Dominque Spriggs
and a personal poem read by
Jennifer Tillery followed. Soon
after was another musical
selection sung by the Gospel
Choir. Kristina Rowley also read
a personal poem. A dance of praise
was performed by Roquois Clarke
and Akua Boaduah read his
autobiography.
“Guide My Feet,” another
musical selection, was performed
by Bobby Adams.
Christopher Hill read his awardwinning essay which spoke about
the importance of Black History.
The evening ended with a musical
selection entitled “Sometimes I
Feel like a Motherless Child
performed by Ms. Nelson.
Principal Jones ended the program
with his closing remarks.
Students Are Divided on Uniform Policy Initiative
(Uniforms-continued from p.1)
students who will be entering representatives of Interphase’s
tension and anxiety. According to Laurel High School in the future Urban Form School Uniform
Jones, uniforms reduce problems will already have experienced what Division, a local company that
that come with certain types of it’s like to wear a uniform every supplies many area schools with
clothes, alluding to the numerous day, whether they liked it or not. uniforms. Beginning with the
incidents involving North Face “I’ve never worn a uniform, but, I showing of an advertisement, and
jackets.
do have a sister who wears one at then later showing their many
Jones also noted several Eisenhower,” began junior Brad different styles of uniform apparel,
safety and security reasons that Lust, “the first thing she does the salesmen were met with a
could be addressed with a uniform when she comes home is run mixed response. “Do you honestly
policy, claiming that students straight to her room, changing think anyone will wear these
cutting class in uniforms would be clothes as quick as she can. She clothes outside of school?” asked
easier to identify.
just says, ‘Don’t look at me!’ and junior Antoine Gordon, who
Refuting arguments from locks the door. In high school, you stated, “Uniforms won’t create a
students that uniforms hinder have to worry about so many sense of community – the Laurel
their
individuality,
Jones things…getting good grades, High School students already are
responded, “Clothes don’t make getting into college, getting a a community. We all have our own
the person. Your individuality date…acne…It’s
the
most personalities, and
o u r
comes from what you’ve got important time of your life, and also
inside.”
t h e
most self-conscious. I
Helping the argument for j u s t
want to say that
uniforms is the fact
there are good
that the two main
things and bad
“feeder” middle
things
about
schools that send
uniforms,
but,
students to Laurel
teachers, parentsHigh – Eisenhower
think about your
and King, both
students, because
already have, or are
this is a decision
in the process of
that will affect
having a uniform
them more than it
policy. Last week
affects you.”
“Uniforms may take away our
King announced
Present at
individuality, but they also make it
“Uniforms
are
going
to
come
the approval of
the
meeting
easier for us to get ready in the
uniforms for next sooner or later so we might as w
e
r
e
morning.”
well
get
used
to
it.”
year.
Many
clothes are a part of what we are.” the 2007-2008 school year. “We
Rhonda Dixon, the guardian of weren’t that far off from the target,
an LHS student, is one of many we just ran out of time this year,”
parents advocating a uniform Jones notes. “It’s all up to the
policy. “It’s not gonna kill [the parents.” Jones is also determined
students] to wear a school that any decision made will not
uniform. [School is] eight hours a cause a division among the LHS
day, it’s just like having a job.”
community. “[If we go to uniforms]
LHS parent Bebbie Rhodes, a it would have to be because the
parent against school uniforms, parent vote is overwhelmingly in
gained a cheering ovation from favor of it, or else you’d be
several students at the meeting fighting a population that would
after she proclaimed, “Students always be upset. A close vote
are told all day what they can and would make enforcement of the
they cannot do, and they don’t policy even more difficult.” While
have a say. I share the same plans to implement uniforms at
concerns. I am one parent Laurel will start far earlier next
absolutely against uniforms.”
school year, students do not need
As of April 5, 270 forms in favor t o
fear that their future has
of uniforms hadbeen turned in,
already
been
short of the
decided for them. “I
required 400.
just
want
to
Jones has noted
emphasize that there
that the campaign
has not been a
to bring in the
decision made, and
forms will start
it’s up to the
far earlier next
parents,”
Jones
year, with forms
insists, “but I’ve
to vote both for
never heard of any
or against at Back
school that adopted
to School Night,
a uniform policy and
making
the
went on to reverse
earliest Laurel
“Uniforms stifle peoples’ cre- the decision the
High could see a
next year. There are
ative spirit. It feels good to look
uniform policy
too
many
different from other people.”
positives.”
The Shield
PAGE 4
April 2006
International Night Provides Proud Displays of Cultures
An Opportunity to Experience the Various Tastes of the World through Dance, Fashion, and Food
By Lolade Bokini
International Night and the
multicultural events associated
with it are Laurel High School
fixtures that students and
teachers alike have looked
forward to each year for the
past eight years. This year’s
International Night, which took
place on March 17, was guided
by the theme, “All In One
Family, Bridging The Gap.”
“The aim of International
Night is to give students an
opportunity to show pride in their
culture,” said Ms. Michelle
McQuillan, who has been a
sponsor of Leaders of Promise
at LHS for ten years. This
organization supervised the
event and all hands were on
deck, from the decorators to the
technical team and performers.
Their aim was to make sure
everything went smoothly. The
price of admission for the event
was one cultural dish, which
was to be shared at the buffet.
International Night featured
performances and foods from
a wide array of countries,
including Latin America, India,
Pakistan, and many African
countries. The show started at
7:15 pm with the National
Anthem sung by junior Kelly
Smith and a multilingual
welcome address by students
representing
different
countries. The masters of
ceremony hosting the night
were junior Sernika Catholic
and senior Randolph Johnson.
The first presentation of the
night was a drama skit
presented by the French
National
H o n o r
S o c i e t y,
followed by
an Indian
dance by
Krishna
Dalsania and
Disha Patel.
L a t i n
American,
Pakistani and
African
cultures were
a l s o A collage of culture was displayed at International Night 2006.
represented
Principal Dwayne Jones, who country, the United States of
in dance. Students and
commented, “It shows the America. The International
performers alike proudly wore
cosmopolitanism, neapolitanism, Night came to an end at 9:15
their cultural clothes.
and unification of Laurel High.” pm, leaving excited students
This year’s show drew a
The dinner buffet was an with a lot to say about the event.
respectable gathering as
unforgettable experience, “I enjoyed the whole show,”
families, students and teachers
showing that one did not have said junior Michele Hung.
came to support the event. Also
Many involved in the event
to travel around the globe to
in attendance was LHS
were
also pleased, such as the
experience the tastes of the
backstage manager, junior
world.
Beverly Luckett; “It was
The last event of the night wonderful,” she stated,
was the fashion show, which “[International Night] really
displayed a variety of clothing shows the different cultures in
styles from different parts of the our school.”
world, including the event’s host (Photos by Tina Staffieri)
The Shield
April/May 2006
PAGE 5
Laurel’s ROTC Cadets Capture Seven Trophies
Competing in Drills and Colors Competition in New Jersey
By Ashley Hanavin
Laurel’s AFJROTC Cadets
participated in a Drills and Colors
Classic Competition on April 8 in New
Jersey against schools from all over the
Mid-Atlantic
Region.
In
the
competition the cadets brought home
seven trophies: a first place in
Unarmed Basic Drill, a second place in
Jeopardy Challenge, a third pace
overall in Academic Challenge, a third
place in Armed Color Guard, a fourth
place in Armed Inspection, a fourth
place in Flag Detail, and a third place
overall in Armed Competition. The
participating cadets included Klyston
Barclay, Brenda Cadenas, Valencia
Chambers, Tyrone Clarke, Alejandra
Colindres, Monique Grant, Elmer
Granados, Narima Hassan, Cedric
Heyward, Abdullahi Iro, Katrina
Iroegbu, Alexander Kalka-Butler,
Brittany Loman, Keith Moyler,
Michael Overton, Joshua Phillips,
Alexander Redfield, Tiffany Redfield,
Angel Saunders, Alexander Scafidi, and
Bryan Velasco.
The team gathered at the annex at
4am in order to reach the competition
in New Jersey on time. The cadets
participated in many different
inspections and drills and were judged
very carefully. Uniform inspections are
(Photos by T. Staff.)
extensive and thorough. A misplaced
pin or a loose threat could determine
the difference for a first place or a
second place for a team. During drills,
each schools team follows a set routine.
It must be completed with precision in
7 minutes or points are taken off. Aside
from drills and inspections, cadets also
participate in the Academic Challenge.
This challenge consists of two parts, a
presentation, and rounds of Jeopardy
versus other schools. Each event
displays the military knowledge of the
cadets for the judges.
At the end of the day, all
participating schools gathered in a gym
to participate in or watch the team and
individual “Knock Out” competition.
The “Knock Out” competition is when
military drill commands are given and
cadets follow the sequences to the best
of their ability. If a cadet misses a move,
they are out. The judges are very
particular about each movement, if
someone flinches when they are not
supposed to or has their feet at the
wrong angle, they are taken out.
To finish out the day, the schools
gathered in the auditorium for the
presentation of awards. The room was
filled with cheers from each school as
they were called up to accept trophies
for the events. This ceremony was a
unique one for PG County schools
however.
Area
rival
schools
Bladensburg, Roosevelt, and Oxon Hill
were also competed against the others,
but united respectfully during the awards
ceremony. When a PG county school
was called to the stage, cheers were
followed with “Hoo-rah (schools name
here)” from the other area schools. To
many this was something to remember
because it did not matter who was
winning then, just that ever school was
being supportive regardless of being
rivals back home in Maryland.
“Drills and Colors competition is
new to the LHS AJROTC,” stated Chief
Jimmy Jackson. He adds, “This is the
first year that we have experienced
winning or placing in a Drills and Colors
Competition. Our success in a Drills and
Colors Competition. Our success is due
to teamwork and dedication. Every
cadet devoted many hours of time
practicing the art of drill. However, we
could not have been successful without
the leadership and assistance of our
former Wing Commander Brandon
Holley and present leaders Klyston
Barclay, Michael Overton, Cedric
Heyward, and our present Wing
Commander Alexander Scafidi.”
Earlier, on February 4, the Drill
Team attended a drill competition held
at Glasgow High School near Christiana,
Delaware. Eighteen Laurel High cadets
attended and competed against close to
20 different high schools from all over
the East Coast. The cadets competed
in “armed color guard, unarmed
regulation drill, the academic challenge,
the unarmed inspection, and individual
drill knock-out,” stated Colonel Douglas
Hole. The drill team and color guard
events were scored using a point system
and, according to Hole, were judged “on
military bearing…execution of a series
of commands, cover and alignment, and
unit integrity.” Laurel cadets Monique
Grant, Katrina Erogbu, Arshaneka Ross,
and Valencia Chambers represented
Laurel in the academic challenge
competition using a PowerPoint
presentation on wire-tapping. After
giving the presentation, they were then
asked a series of questions pertaining
to the slide show. When the
competition wrapped up, the LHS Drill
Team ended up capturing three awards:
a first-place trophy for the Academic
Challenge, and two second-place
trophies for Armed Color guard
Regulation and Regulation Unarmed.
“Personally, it’s the first time we’ve
won any trophies,” stated Hole, “what
made the difference was that [the
cadets] practiced after school every day
two weeks before the competition.”
Although the cadets did not participate
in the armed drill events because they
did not have the rifles needed to
perform, they plan to in the future.
After the competition, the Laurel High
School ROTC purchased 10 new rifles
in order to compete in armed
competition in the future. Despite a
near-flawless performance put on by
the Drill Team, there were “minor
details” says Hole, that needed to be
worked on. According to Hole, the
cadets will study the video from the
competition in order to improve their
performance. Hole insists the cadets
are going to enter as many events as
possible. The Drill Team was scheduled
to compete on March 25, but dropped
out of the competition because “They
weren’t ready,” stated junior Abdullahi
Iro, one of the cadets in attendance at
the February 4 competition.
(Tina Staffieri contributed to this article)
The Shield
PAGE 6
April 2006
Instructor Brennan Enjoys Acting Out His Subject Area
Social Studies Instructor Avidly Takes Part in Reenactments of of Civil War Battles
By Brian Lentz
“I’ve always had a passion for the
Civil War,” acknowledged Laurel High
School Social Studies Coordinator
Dale Brennan, “and it helps to have a
hobby related to your passion. It
satisfies your curiosity, and for me,
(Photo T. Staffieri)
that is to experience what life was like
back then. It’s kind of like being one
of those guys who goes to baseball
fantasy camp just so they can be a
major league player for a week.”
During school hours, one can often
find Brennan in room 334 teaching AP
United States History. At other times
one might find him debating politics
with fellow Social Studies Instructor
Mr. Yoder, a former reenactor himself.
But on some weekends during the
year, he is lugging around his
equipment as a Union soldier for the
First Maryland Volunteer Infantry US
at state parks, reenacting historical
Civil War battles such as the First Bull
Run and the Battle of Gettysburg.
Recreating Civil War history centers
on these two types of activities:
Living Histories and Reenactments.
Living Histories are when the soldiers
set up camp and do firing
demonstrations for the public with 1530 men participating. Brennan
describes Reenactments in the
following way: “That is where we
actually try to recreate a portion of
the original battle. For instance, in the
Battle of Gettysburg, we might reenact
Pickett’s Charge.”
The reenactors carry all the same
equipment the soldiers did. Some of
the equipment they carry include
canteens, muskets, cartridge boxes,
family pictures, and the ammunition,
called minnie balls, named after the
Frenchman who invented them,
Claude Minie. Brennan and his fellow
Civil War enthusiasts use blank
bullets.
“From Friday night to Sunday
afternoon, we live like the soldiers did
during the time,” stated Brennan. “We
eat what they ate, sleep in the tents as
they did, and wear the uniforms. And
then we reenact the battles.” The
battles usually last for about one to
two hours each. Sometimes the
reenactors do two battles a day. A real
Civil War battle, though, would last
from hours to days, depending on how
many troops there were and how
skilled they were.
died in this war than any other, but
because it ultimately ended slavery.
“Obviously it was important because
it ended slavery in this country,”
commented Brennan, “it forced us to
seamstresses, laundresses, and
housewives. There were also women
soldiers, women who pretended to be
men to fight in the war. There are also
black reenactors, as seen in the film
Brennan described the soldier’s life
as being boring, spending most of their
time either doing drills, or sitting
around waiting for the next drill. “For
recreation, you gamble,” Brennan
stated, “you played poker and dice.
These were all thrown away before
the battle or left in camp for others to
use if you happen to die. The soldiers
(Photo courtesy of Kristine Buls of the Baltimore Examiner)
did not want their loved ones to know
that they were gambling. For those Civil War Reenactor Dale Brennan answers a young interwho could read, they did. There were
ested spectators question after a event at Fort McHenry.
also those who wrote letters to home.
Those who couldn’t write asked others deal with an issue that we were dealing Glory
(The
Fifty-Fourth
to write the letters for them”
with for almost two centuries.”
Massachusetts).”
The soldiers did not have a varied
diet. The soldiers sometimes carried
White men are not the only group
If you are interested in attending a
vegetables to make stews or soup, but of people that you see reenacting these Civil War event, Fort McHenry in
other than that, they carried coffee, battles. There are also many women Baltimore will be sponsoring one on
salted pork, and hard tack, which is who come to reenact as well as many the weekend of July 15-16. And if
made of flour and water.
African-American men. “Women you are looking for Mr. Brennan, just
The Civil War was an important reenacted women who were in the look for the guy in the dark blue
war not only because more Americans war,” stated Brennan. “They were uniform.
German Christoph Lohrengal Plays Three Sports for LHS
Enjoying America but Yearns for his Native Country’s Cuisine
By Rodrigo Ortega
German exchange student
Christoph Lohrengel is one of the
many exchange students here at
LHS this year. Born on May 7,
1989, Christoph is 16 years old. He
arrived in America on August 23,
2005.
Lohrengel’s goals here in
America are to improve his
English, become familiar with the
American culture, go to school,
meet new friends, and have a lot
of experiences that he could not
get at home in Braunschweig,
Germany. Another goal he has
made very clear is, “I want to
become more independent, and the
exchange program is a big chance
to get it.”
When asked what he thinks
about the U.S., Lohrengel replied,
“I like the U.S.; it’s a very different
culture, but in a positive way.”
Before he arrived, he was really
excited to come to America, unable
to imagine how it would be. Four
things that he likes most about
America include traveling around
to different places, learning how
to ski and snowboard, playing
football for Laurel and meeting
some great people.
Lohrengel lives with his host
mom, Cathy Mott, Rodrigo, and
their dog, Sam. “I like them; we
get along pretty well. We had fun
together
traveling to
different
places and
making
memories
that will be
unforgettable.
We
had
been
to
p l a c e s
such
as
New York,
Williamsburg,
B u s c h
Gardens, skiing, and we are still
traveling and there are still places
that I still want to see like
California.”
Lohrengel misses many things
from back home in Germany. One
thing he misses most is the food.
One of the foods that he yearns
for is called “doener” which is
common to the American
shishkabob. He also misses his
friends; many of them are
somewhere else as exchange
students around the world.
Lohrengel lives in Germany with
his mom and a 23 year old brother
Felix.
One difference between
Germany and America that he
noticed and he does not like is that
he thinks that school is too strict.
“There are too many policies, like
time restriction, IDs, absences and
tardy policies, or even going to the
bathroom,” he said.
However there are some things
that he does like about the school.
Lohrengel played football for LHS
during the fall season, swam for
the Spartans in the winter season
and now he plays tennis for Laurel
High.
“People here in America seem
to be more welcoming than in
Germany. It is easier to start a
conversation with
people, even those you
do not know,” He says
he will miss all these
American things
including his 18 year
old
roommate,
Rodrigo Ortega.
“We are like
brothers, we get
along very well
even being from
such different
parts of the
world,” stated
Lohrengel. The
chance of them
seeing
each other
again is
slim to nil.
Although
Lohrengel
does not
k n o w
exactly
when he is
leaving,
he does
know that
he will
miss his
n e w -
found friends greatly.
(Photos by Tina Staffieri)
The Shield
April/May 2006
PAGE 7
Spartan Winter Athletes Recognized at annual Pep Rally
Spirit Groups Perform and Teachers Once Again Defeat Students in Annual Basketball Game
By Justine Wheeler and
Megan Bancroft
A
n
annual
winter
celebration of Spartan
Spirit took place during the
week of February 13.Each day was
assigned a theme. Monday was Heritage
Day, but school was canceled due to
snow. On Tuesday the school was a sea
of red for Valentines Day. On Wednesday
Laurel entered a time machine for
Throwback Day. Thursday was Blue
and Gold Day, displaying school colors
to show school sprit.
On Wednesday the students
challenged the faculty in a basketball
game in the gym. The game started after
Math Instructor Ms. Nelson sang the
National Anthem and announcer
English Instructor Robert Giuliani
introduced each member of the teams.
The students experienced a close
loss to the faculty 40 to 34. Senior
Carlos Russell, one of the star players
for the students stated, “I made 16
points out of the game, but I wasn’t
surprised that the faculty won. If we
made more shots, it would have been
over for the faculty.”
The students who played in the game
were all seniors: Kwamei Brock, James
Brown Jr., Robert Bowen, Derrell Coates,
Rolando Custis, Jordan Ellis, Cherelle
Fleming, Neil Hainsey, Kevin Hill,
Norman Jones, Marcus Hoque, Matthew
Lofton, Teyvon Porter, Fred Rouse,
Carlos Russell, Yorsef Ward, and
Rakeeda Wellman.
The coaches for the students were
Kandace Davis, Marcus Jones, Felicia
Kelly, Brandon Simpson, and Derrick who as always was very energetic and
After the drumline’s stunning
ready to get the crowd pumped.
Ware.
performance, Giuliani introduced
Junior Dominique Spriggs started
Announcer Giuliani requested the
members of the wrestling team. When
the pep rally with his magnificent
faculty to supply nicknames to add more
members of each team were announced
rendition of the National Anthem.
color to the commentary. The faculty
they went to the center of the gym
Shortly thereafter the drumline floor to stand for recognition.
team consisted of Henrique “The
“Stick Control,” under the direction of
Complete Package” Vissotto, Corey
The next winter sports team to be
“ T h e
announced
Wildman”
was
the
Harris, Coach
track team.
Simmons,
After the
nicknamed
indoor track
“He Could Be
team was
a Problem,”
announced,
T o m m y
t
h
e
“ S t e v i e
cheerleaders
W o n d e r ”
performed
Harrison, Matt
to a mixture
“It’s
Him”
of popular
Jones, Antwan
songs.After
“Dr. Doom”
t
h
e
Gaither, Mr.
cheerleaders
W i n s t o n ,
s t e l l a r
dubbed, “The
performance,
M
a
d
the head of
Scientist,” and
t
h
e
Principal
cheerleaders,
Jones, “The
Monique
Big Kahuna,”
Lamar, was
who doubled as
announced,
a player and
along with
coach
with
all
the
encouragement
s e n i o r
on
the
members of
(Photo T. Staffieri) squad.
sidelines from
V a r s i t y
Following
B a s k e t b a l l Although the teachers soared high, the students came close, losing 40-34. t
h
e
Coach Keith
announcement
Chuck Zimmerman, performed several of the senior cheerleaders the swim team
Coutreyer.
of their cadences.
On Thursday the annual pep rally
members were announced. The swim
Senior Jason Schlemmer had this to
took place in the gym, with a significant
teams had the best winning record of
number of students who showed up to say after the drumline’s performance:
any winter sports team. Several of the
“Stunning! [it was] an impressive
support their fellow schoolmates.
members wore their swimming uniforms
routine with a wonderful display of
The event was emceed once again
during the pep rally.
dedication and discipline.”
by English Instructor Robert Giuliani,
A
s the 2005-2006 school year winds down, it is a good time to
consider employment opportunities. Whether you’re thinking about
a summer job or exploring long-term career decisions, the University of MD
Career Center suggests you ask yourself the following:
1.
2.
3.
What are you drawn to?
What do you do well?
What is important to you?
E
ven if you’re not graduating this year or have already landed summer
work, it’s not too soon to make education and job-related plans.
The Prince George’s Community College Career Center advises that you
consider similar questions including:
1. What are your unique talents, skills and interests?
2. How can you use these to build a meaningful career?
3. What skills do employers want and where is the
market for the skills you have?
4. How can you increase your value to an organization
through education and training?
For more job and career planning advice,
visit the University of MD Career Center
Web site, www.careercenter.umd.edu and
the Prince George’s Community College
Web site, www.pgcc.edu/pgweb/pgdocs/
student_services/career_job_services_html
A message from your
County Councilman,
Tom Dernoga
Next SWAT performed to the club
hit, Peanut Better Jelly Time by
Buckwheat Boys. The crowd went wild
over SWAT’s choreographed dance and
their all matching black and white tshirts. Their dance was put together by
Ms. Martin the sponsor of SWAT.
Poms next performed to Busta
Rhymes’ Get Low and Nelly’s Grillz.
Their costumes consisted of black tops,
white hoodies, and khaki boy shorts
similar to those worn by Ciara. Also
several of the member of the poms were
wearing fake “Grillz,” matching one of
their songs. Grillz are platinum mouth
peaces that are usually worn by rappers.
The poms sponsors are Kianna Maagett
and Theresa Cerone.
Giuliani then introduced Girls’
Basketball Head Coach Tommy
Harrison, who introduced both the
varsity and junior varsity member of
the team, which showed much
improvement this year.
Boys’ Basketball Head Coach Keith
Coutreyer announced the member of
the varsity and junior varsity members
of the boys’ teams, which also improved
their records this year.
The final scheduled performance
was the Black Stallion Steppaz which is
sponsored by both Stephanie Walker
and Eraena Seymore. They performed
their all-time favorite Don’t Sweat Me,
which was said to be even better than
the first time they performed it at the
Winter Step Show.
After the Black Stallion Steppaz
finished their performance, extra time
allowed the drumline to do an encore
performance to close the event, which
was sponsored by SGA, under the
direction of Ms. Latonya Black and Ms.
Cynthia Augustus.
The Shield
PAGE 8
Retirements, transfers and career
moves continuously change the face of
Laurel’s staff. This year alone, over
thirty new faces have come aboard. Let’s
take this opportunity to meet more of
Laurel’s family. This is a continuing series of highlighting new staff members
throughout the year.
M S . M ARTIN
By Amber Simmons
Laurel High School has made
quite a first impression on Ms.
Jaclyn Martin, a new addition to
the LHS family. “I thought [LHS]
was incredibly diverse, which I
love, and there was a lot of school
spirit. It seemed like a lively place
to work.”
Born in Fairfax, Virginia, Martin
was raised in Prince George’s
County, where she graduated from
Eleanor Roosevelt High School.
Martin then attended and
graduated
from
Towson
University, first as a psychology
major. However, after taking a
Women’s Health class, Martin
changed her major to Health, the
subject that she now teaches at
LHS.
Many of her students see
Martin as reliable, fun, and young.
Amazingly, she sees her students,
along with her mother and Oprah
Winfrey, as heroes.
When not at school, Martin
enjoys the world of music. “I like
to go hear live music – not
clubbing – live music,” Martin
says smiling. “I like to dance, of
course. I’ve been dancing since I
was two.” It was her love of dance
and “sheer student persistence”
that moved Martin to become the
sponsor of SWAT, Laurel High
School’s new dance team.
If she could change one thing
about today’s youth, “[It would
be] the lack of motivation and not
having any pride in themselves—
the negative attitude. [I want them
to have a] desire to be better
people.” As graduation day nears
for the Class of 2006, Martin
advises, “Always have Plan B.
Stay focused on your dream no
matter what the obstacles are.”
M RS . L ESSER
By Nachelle Edwards
“I always loved helping people
and I especially like teenagers,”
stated Mrs. Elizabeth Lesser as
she described her motivation for
joining Laurel’s Guidance
Department. Lesser attended
Rivier College and earned her
Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary
Education. She also attended the
University of New Hampshire
where she received her Master’s
Degree in Guidance and
Counseling.
Lesser also worked at Nashua
High School and Pelham Middle
School, both located in New
Hampshire, where she counseled
and taught French. She later had
the opportunity to go to Belgium
for two years to learn about the
French culture and language.
As a guidance counselor,
Lesser said the most important
thing she does is “listen to my
students, pay attention to what
they are really saying, and help
them make the most meaningful
choices for themselves.” But this
guidance counselor’s job doesn’t
stop here. Lesser also assists
parents
and
families,
administrators, and teachers with
the decision-making process
concerning students.
The hardest part of her job,
Lesser said, is “Trying to do
everything, be everything, and
help everyone, [and] trying to be
the end-all, solve-all without
losing myself along the way.” The
pile of paperwork on her desk
everyday probably doesn’t make
the job easier, either.
When it comes to her
contributions to Laurel High
School, Lesser feels that she
presents a different point of view
for the students and staff. “I like
to think I represent established
values that benefit most people.
As we are in a multi-cultural
society, I think it is very important
to think outside the box and try to
consider all sides of the situation
before taking action or making a
decision.”
Why decide to counsel the
adolescence at Laurel High
School? Mrs. Rachel Mitchell, a
good
friend
of
Lesser,
recommended the school to her,
saying it was a good learning
environment with good kids and a
nice place to work. Based on her
experience, she says, “It all turned
out to be true.”
M R . R AGIN
By Amber Simmons
Among the many fresh
faces of the Math Department
this year is Mr. David Ragin.
Born in Wilmington, North
Carolina among three sisters and
one brother, Ragin grew up in
Loris, South Carolina, where he
attended Loris High School.
Ragin furthered his
education at Morris College in
Sumter, South Carolina, where
he earned a Bachelor of Science
degree in Mathematics. He later
attended the University of
Massachusetts, Amherst, where
he received a Masters in
Secondary Education and he also
attended the University of
Massachusetts, Boston, where
he earned his Masters in Urban
Education and Curriculum
Development.
“Coming out of college, the
math field was small. I started
teaching and have been doing it
ever since.” Ragin stated that he
had twenty years of teaching
experience under his belt. In
addition to being a husband and
father of two children, Ragin also
enjoys outdoor sports and
reading.
Agreeing with fellow new
teacher Ms. Martin, Ragin
believes that the problem with
today’s youth is, “Most of our
kids lack the ability to see where
they are in the current time. Our
kids don’t dream anymore; they
want the tangible. Because of
that they lack the motivation to
succeed on a larger scale.”
A final answer to a question
(If I were down to my last ten
dollars, what would I do?) posed
to Mr. Ragin, revealed a caring,
selfless, individual. He explains,
“I would buy food for my
children because I believe that
I’d rather be without than them
being without.”
M RS . G RAVES
By Taniesha Thomas
With a smile on her face while describing herself, one of Laurel High’s
new guidance counselors, Monique
Graves, says, “I have a lot of fun!”
She adds, “I’m a jokester, but always
willing to listen.”
Graves grew up in Lanham, Maryland and attended Eleanor Roosevelt
High School. She attended college
undergraduate school at Hampton
University. After she graduated she
April 2006
went home for a year and worked. “I
knew I was going back to school,”
Graves explained. She attended the
University of Tennessee in Knoxville
for graduate school and earned her
Masters in Community Counseling.
One might wonder what brought
her to LHS? After working part time
at other P.G. County schools such as
Suitland and Oxon Hill, she says, “ I
wanted to experience another part of
the county.”
When asked what her first impression of LHS was, she explained, “I
was pleased with how business was
being managed.”
When it comes to the students,
Graves believes “they are a lot alike.”
Compared to her past experiences,
she feels that the student body of
LHS is more conscious of their education. Being a newcomer to the faculty of Laurel High, Graves has found
all her experiences to be pleasurable.
She is one who finds Principal
Dwayne Jones personable and approachable. “That’s important in a
principal,” she comments.
When asked about views of the
county overall, Graves believes “Despite the way it is portrayed, there
is a lot of good coming from the
county,” using herself as an example
explaining that she was a product of
Prince George’s County Education.
“I was adequately prepared for college and beyond” laughs Graves,
“and I didn’t even know it.”
As one would imagine, being a
guidance counselor is a busy job: filling out papers, making schedules for
all students, parent-teacher conferences, along with other meetings-all
this, while trying to maintain a personal life.
One reason that Graves is a guidance counselor is due to the unfortunate death of her mother during her
freshman year in high school. She
confesses that this caused her high
school years to be much harder than
average. “I didn’t realize the importance of a guidance counselor!” She
continues by stating that she would
like to be an outlet for the students
of LHS. Graves mentions that even
if she could pick another career it
would still be working with young
adults. While growing up, both her
parents had careers in the field of
helping people, Graves feels “it was
natural for me to help young adults
prepare for the future.”
Remembering with a smile that
as a child she thought she might be a
champion diver or even a songstress.
Fortunately for students here at Laurel she is here guiding their future.
“I have 300 plus children,” she
laughed, adding, “I keep them during the day and they go home to their
biological parents in the afternoon. I
have too many to name!”
Counselor Monique Graves
seems more than willing to help students and she says that she is excited about being at Laurel.
M S . B ARBER
By Kayla Williams
Laurel High gives a warm
welcome to its new Technology
Coordinator, Ms. Marilyn Barber.
Hailing from Baltimore, she attended
Woodlawn High School and received
degrees from several colleges including
Goucher College in Towson, Maryland.
Barber received a Bachelor of Arts
degree in special education with an
emphasis on learning disabilities. Later
she attended Harvard University where
she earned a Masters of Education
degree in reading.
Barber taught at Montpelier
Elementary in Laurel as a reading
specialist, which is when her interest
in computers began. She later decided
to take courses at Johns Hopkins
University where she received a
Masters of Science Degree in
Technology Leadership.
Her interests in computers began
when she was a reading specialist. She
was required to gather information for
the entire student body, where she
learned that computers made it easier
to organize data, while keeping track
of all reading groups. Barber has been
working with computers for eight
years.
Barber explained, “I enjoy working
with students at the high school level
because they are often more mature
than students on the elementary and
middle school levels, where I
previously taught.” In comparison
with schools where Barber was
previously employed, she states that
Laurel High School’s student body is
doubled and the faculty is tripled.
“I’ve learned a lot and am still
learning because technology constantly
changes. I’ve also learned how to
network with those who have
specialized in specific technology
areas,” explains Barber.
Her goals for this year are “to get
all the new equipment set up while
helping the students and teachers with
it.” She continues, “Since they exist, I
do have a passion for computers
because they are a great way to organize
various tasks we do everyday.”
Barber’s hobbies include reading,
traveling, listening to Christian
contemporary music, singing in various
concert choirs, attending musicals, and
training teachers at such colleges as
Bowie State and Goucher. Her favorite
sports teams are the Baltimore Ravens
and the Orioles. She also enjoys
spending time with her family, including
her sister and brother, and has dedicated
her time to giving scholarships for
Community Outreach.
The Shield
April 2006
MR. SELLERS
By Megan Bancroft
“[A computer with] Internet access,
a pet monkey, and a life-time supply of
bananas for [his] pet monkey” is all
new Laurel High School Science
Instructor Ben Sellers would need to
survive on a deserted island.
Growing up in the small town of
Menlo in northwest Georgia, Sellers
attended Chattooga High School where
he participated in a post-secondary
option program in his senior year. The
program is similar in format to LHS’s
concurrent enrollment, which allows
students to take college classes while
still being enrolled in high school.
Sellers now oversees a study hall in
addition to teaching Environmental
Science. He refers to himself as a big
kid who enjoys watching The Simpsons
and joking around all the time. His love
for comedy was obvious as a high school
student when he took an active role in
the school’s news show and often ended
up re-creating Saturday Night Live skits.
Sellers was also a proud member of his
school’s golf team.
Sellers attended the University of
Georgia, were he studied anthropology
and archaeology. In 2001, he decided
to become a teacher after realizing he
had a love of talking and entertaining.
In teaching he could do both, as well as
enrich younger generations with the
wonders of science.
Sellers’s tenure at LHS has proven
to be a positive one. “I enjoy Laurel,”
he says, “I like the A Day, B Day
schedule, and all the rules and policies
of the school.” Sellers lives in Silver
Spring with his wife Amanda and their
two dogs, Zoi and Tori.
MS. CAMPBELL
By Ra‘Neta Oliver
“I feel I owe it to my students. I
feel obligated to give back what my
teachers gave me,” states Sharon
Campbell a new addition to Laurel
High School.
Campbell is spending her first year
teaching English 10. “I love it here and
enjoy my students,” she explained.
Campbell first moved to Laurel back
in 1966 always wanting to be a teacher,
being influenced by her wonderful
teachers while attending Arundel High
School.
Campbell majored in English
Literature and minored in writing at
Western College earning her
Bachelors’ Degree and later taught at
McDaniel College. She also attended
the University of Baltimore for her
Masters’ Degree in Publications
Design. After college, Campbell
worked as a veterinary technician for
twenty years.
Campbell feels that one difficult
aspect of teaching is discipline. “I
have to stay focused, inspiring my
students to desire learning,” explained
Campbell.
Her plans for the upcoming school
year include improving her teaching
strategies. She explains, “I want to
look and apply the things I’ve
learned.”
In conclusion, Campbell states, “If
I’m half the teacher that my teachers
were to me, then I will be a success.”
MR. STANLEY
By Justine Wheeler
Here at Laurel we have a first year
teacher who is very happy with both
the students and the administrators.
His name is Mr. David Stanley and he
his not a stranger to the area of Laurel
or the state of Maryland. Stanley
grew up in Severn, Maryland, which
is only fifteen minutes away from
Laurel.
Stanley graduated from UMBC.
When asked what inspired him to
become a teacher he says that in
college he was a math and physics
tutor. He enjoyed passing out
information and seeing people learn
and do great on those intimidating
college exams.
PAGE 9
After the first three quarters here
at Laurel, he says the students are a
bit of a challenge. Since algebra or
math period is not always a student’s
favorite subject, he feels he has to
push and motivate his students to learn
that math is an interesting subject.
Stanley says it just takes time and
motivation and students will be
learning all they need to know.
Stanley is happy with the
administrators who promote a safe
environment. He is concerned with
the student’s well-being while learning
here at Laurel High School.
One of Stanley’s outside interests
is learning about science. Two of his
other hobbies include weightlifting and
playing pool.
MS. WHITE
By Nancy Barboza
Among the many new staff members
here at LHS this year is Lisa White.
She currently teaches Conceptual
Physics, LSN Government, and World
History. White can often be located in
room 326.
She graduated from Fayetteville
State University. She taught Criminal
Justice at South View High School in
North Carolina. Since her husband has
retired from the military, she has
learned to adapt quickly but claims that
the staff and co-workers here have
made the process comfortable and
smooth. She claims to love Laurel
because of the “togetherness.”
Her goals for this year? “To make
sure students are prepared to pass the
HSA. White’s opinion on the new ID
policy that requires a list with names to
be sent down instead of every single
student without an ID is that it’s
working. “It’s resulting in more students
with their ID. I don’t think it’s too
strict because all employees have to
wear a name tag so why should it be
different in the school system when it’s
for our own safety?” The new ID policy
eliminates many students who walk
around the school claiming to go to ID
sweep.
“[I] absolutely love it,” states White
in reference to the school uniform
controversy. “It’ll eliminate dress code
problems and we wont have to worry
about whether something is
inappropriate or not.”
T
he bell rings at 2:25 in the afternoon and
students from Laurel High School are rushing
to get to their buses or cars to go home for the day. When
they finally arrive in the sanctuary of their room, many
of them sit down on their computers and enter the world
of “Cyber Land.”
Although media controversy has focused mainly on
personal sites such as myspace.com., blog/journal sites
such as xanga.com and Livejournal.com. are also on
the radar of watchdogs, who consider some of the posted
Laurel
17
LAUREL
MARYLAND
By Eva Kiourkas and Tina Staffieri
“Myspace has taken over my life!”
is a common saying said today by many
teenagers, college students, and even
adults in today’s world.
material to be controversial.
Xanga.com is a unique site which allows free and premium (paid) membership, a customizable
interface and an overabundance of options to add to the online journal experience. Xanga originated
back in 1999 as a site for sharing book and music reviews. Driven by member preferences, it quickly
morphed into a full-scale blog site, but it retains the original ability to share reviews. An amazing
report blows away previously known figures for the number of blogs in existence. This new info
indicates that Xanga.com, already know to be a leading provider of blogs to younger people, has 40
million users, which would easily place it as the most popular blogging service on the planet. This figure is quoted in a WPXI report on the spread
of the “Blogs are Bad” virus into Pittsburgh.
Of the 40 million users, 91 percent of users are said to be between 13 and 29 years old. The community feel comes into play with user-created
groups called blogrings, which anyone can join upon request, and the creator adversely can reject any member he/she pleases. With the addition
of being able to list friends on one’s site to promote a string of Xanga profiles, the online journal serves as a friendly community in which anyone
can enjoy sharing photos, feelings, or just their thought of the day through journal entries.
Though there a many benefits to Xanga, there are several downfalls as well. Compared to other online journals/blog sites, the advantage of
two or more photos is lacking on Xanga unless the pictures are incorporated with posts. Also, for some, the prospect of just posting entry after
entry, especially if the entries are not being widely read, makes the experience quite linear and leads to transitions, usually to myspace.com, or
other online journals/blog such as livejournal.com.
Livejournal.com (LJ), also launched in 1999, is very similar to Xanga; however it is considered to be an online means of connecting with
individuals who share similar interests. LJ also allows free and premium membership accounts. A free account is a basic account that only allows
users to use basic features such as a limited ability to customize your LJ, capability to add an animated or non-animated icon, often an animal or
face to illustrate a mood, a place to include the song they are listening to, the ability to post pictures in post, and the right to read and comment on
your LJ.
For the most part these sites have been found to be very safe, however there have
been some problems just like with other blog sites. There have been some cases of slander,
and plagiarism and invasion of privacy. These sites can be dangerous. Some school
systems have blocked sites similar to these such as myspace.com. Prince George’s County
Public School System has blocked myspace.com. Private schools also have sent out
warnings about potentially dangerous blog sites. Parents of students at St. Mary of the
Mills Elemantary School in Laurel received letters warning about the possible dangers.
A recent article written (Ispeakofdreams.com) in November of last year by Danah
Boyd stated, “Across the country, law enforcement officials get some 6,000 cases a year
involving teens victimized as a result of online activity, estimates Parry Aftab, a Fort Lee
(N.J.) privacy lawyer who founded WiredSafety.org to help keep kids safe from cybercriminals.”
Students however, disagree. Kylle
Summers stated, “It’s the individuals
that use Live journal are what make it
dangerous. If people would use the site
as intended, LJ would be as safe as its
creators intended it to be.”
If used in the correct way, these sites
are beneficial. The problem is that in
our society there are always people who
will go too far and exploit these sites to
their advantage.
Myspace.com is a free internet site
offered to everyone, everywhere to
communicate in many ways of blogs,
commenting, user profiles, groups,
photos, and an e-mail system.
Founded in July of 2003,
Myspace.com was created by Tom
Anderson, a musician and entrepreneur
who is an alumnus of both UC Berkeley
and UCLA. Since then over 75 million
users have registered on Myspace.com.
With about 180,000 new users a day, it
is ranked 13th as the most searched site
according to Nielsen/NetRatings.com
Despite the many features the site
offers, such a large community online
has downfalls. Myspace has caused
controversy throughout the United
States debating the amount of safety and
privacy for users. In September 2005,
a Virginia college student named Taylor
Behl was murdered after meeting an
older man through Myspace. This
sparked an awareness in the DC metro
area throughout school systems and
homes. Throughout the country
(including Prince George’s County and
surrounding school districts),
Myspace.com has been blocked/banned
from being viewed on school
computers.
For many eager and “addicted” students, sites
known as “proxies” that unblocked myspace were their
way to get on the site during the school day. However,
school systems have since blocked nearly all the
proxies known to students. To many concerned parents,
this is a good thing because myspace has kept many
teens on the computer for hours searching peoples’
profiles which does not always end up well.
Many teens’ profiles feature photos that ‘no mother
would approve of.’ Girls and boys photos have raised
eyebrows among many parents. Some of the sites’
comments were very questionable and gave parents a
shocking view into their children’s lives online.
Along with visual red flags, reports of slander and
juvenile crime have also been reported and seen on
myspace. Despite the feature that does not allow users
to post a comment unless they are a friend, the blogs
are sometimes used to write inappropriate material
aimed at others.
There is a negative and positive side to this situation
however. Police in Boulder, Colorado were able to
use a friend’s list from a myspace profile to track down
rape and robbery suspects. Also in Riverton, Kansas,
police used myspace to track down and arrest five
teenagers who were plotting a shooting rampage at their
high school on the anniversary of the Columbine
shootings.
On the down side, according to the Washington Post,
many gangs are making sites online to promote their
groups and gather members. Teens post the gangs they
are affiliated with, along with their interests and decorate
their pages to represent their group. Revelations such as
these have led parents and even the Attorney General of
Connecticut, Richard Blumenthal, to ask myspace to
improve the site and make it safer.
Myspace responded with posting safety ads as a campaign
to make users aware of the risks of internet profiles. On
myspace, users under 13 are not permitted to join, and
users ages 14 & 15 automatically have “private profiles”
viewable only to their friends.
This may not stop all underage users profiles being
viewed by predators, but it is just one of many precautions
myspace is taking to make the site safer.
Despite the negatives myspace has, there are positives
to the site as well. Myspace features film makers, video,
and music artist profiles that can make or break a career.
A myspace user in Los Angeles named Davis Lehre made
“MySpace: The Movie” as just a form of entertainment
at his 21st birthday party. Lehre’s movie was viewed
millions of times on his personal site and a popular video
site, YouTube.com. Lehre is just one of hundreds and
thousands of users on myspace that post their videos and
music hoping to be the next “big thing.” Myspace has a
record called “Myspace Records Vol. 1” that features
bands with profiles on the site.
Along with music and film, many users use the site to
reconnect with long lost old friends, make new friends
in their area, or check out the dating scene. With millions
of users registered on myspace and similar sites, many
users find old friends and make new ones in the process.
Another online personal site that is gaining media
coverage is the college based Facebook.com. Facebook
was founded in February, 2004 as a site for college
students to connect with peers in their college. Currently
Facebook has over 7 million users and now allows both
high school and college students to register. The site
supports more than 2,500 colleges and 22,000 high
schools with more added every day.
One unique safety feature that Facebook has is that to
see another users information or photos, they must request
to be a friend or attend the same school school. If they
do not, only the user’s name and thumbnail photo are
viewable by other users.
On myspace, each user has 12 photos that are viewable
which is a small number to many users. Facebook offers
the ability to post hundreds of photos (60 photos per
album) in albums for friends to view.
As one can see online journals/blogs have the
potential to be both helpful and destructive. The user
must be cautious and realize that all users are not
benevolent.
The Shield
PAGE 12
SOPHOMORES
By Jeslyn Miller
In two more years, the Class of
2008 will be graduating from Laurel
High, but until then the sophomores
will be holding various fundraisers to
contribute money to the school when
they leave. Sophomore Class CoSponsor Kari Rea has wonderful ideas
for adding money to the class’s
account. She explains, “We will be
holding more fundraisers.........”
Several sophomores expressed
how they felt their class could raise
money. “The sophomore class could
raise money by holding bake sales
inside and outside the school,” replied
sophomore Shenae Francis.
“They could also hold car washes to
benefit the community and to benefit
the Sophomore Class,” stated
sophomore Breanna Johnson.
The sophomores have a variety of
ideas and at last week’s meeting, they
started to plan to put some of them
into action. They are considering
participating in a school yard sale on
May 13. Announcements will be
forthcoming from the sponsors.
The Sophomore Class Council
consists of President Victoria Epps,
Vice-President Melita Bell, Secretary
Krishna Dalsania and Treasurer
Cymone Hilton. All of these students
obtained Honor Roll and are very
active in class activities.
JUNIORS
By Lolade Bokini
This year the Class of 2007 is
upping the ante towards their ultimate
goal of a prom to remember and an
awesome Grad Night next year. Class
sponsors and officers say these are
attainable goals, provided the Junior
Class shows their support by helping
to raise more money.
“Last time we had a restaurant
fundraiser; no one from the Junior
Class showed up. We need support
from the whole class,” said CoSponsor Tom Miller, who continues
to encourage juniors to take greater
interest and participate more in the
fundraising efforts.
The Class of 2007 can reflect on a
variety of fundraisers this year. Their
restaurant fundraiser efforts included
April 4 at Coldstone Creamery and
last week at Chick-Fil-A. Receiving
profits from the sales is a great way
to make money and doesn’t require as
much effort on the part of class
members. They just need to show up
and mention LHS.
Earlier in the year in late February,
a class assembly was held specifically
for the Junior Class. During the
assembly, class officers and sponsors
discussed a brochure fundraiser
intended to boost the class funds by
selling items for the class. There were
also incentives aimed at encouraging
students to participate. For every sale
of sixty dollars made by students, a
discount would be taken from their
senior class dues, which currently
stand at $180.
The members of the Class of 2007
are encouraged to take all fundraisers
April 2006
seriously. “Where we have a prom
depends on the juniors’ support for
the brochure and restaurant
fundraisers,” added Miller.
With increased support and
attendance of students at scheduled
fundraisers, sponsors said they would
be confident that the Class of 2007
would be well on their way for their
senior year activities.
ART CLUB
By Krishna Dalsania
When we think about art, we
imagine paint brushes, portraits, and
crayons. One wonders, is this all there
is to the Laurel High School’s Art
Club? No. This club proves it has a
lot more to offer. Sponsored by Ms.
Andrea Lee and Ms. Amanda Jones,
the Art Club this year put an
exceptional effort towards their task
of decorating for International Night
with backdrops and pictures.
Decorating for International Night
wasn’t their only big task. The Art
Club is also going to help with the
Senior Awards Assembly, which will
take placeon May 25.
In accordance with the Art Club is
the National Art Honor Society. The
NAHS has also accompanied the Art
Club with the International Night.
They also sponsored free face painting
that night. They are also helping out
with the awards ceremony in the near
future. NAHS also sponsored by
Jones and Lee. During the Winter
Showcase, the NAHS also held free
face painting.
The students also lend a hand in
securing the artwork on the walls in
the hallways.
Lee exclaimed, “The students are
doing great!”
The Art Club and the NAHS meet
every Tuesday in either room 234 or
142 at 2:45 after school.
LEADERS OF PROMISE
By Krishna Dalsania
Leaders of Promise is a program
sponsored by LHS English Instructor
Michelle McQuillan. Its aim is to build
leadership skills. There is not one
leader; all the members are leaders,
each making a contribution to the
program in their own way. Students
are encouraged to build their
leadership skills through workshops,
community service, program
development, and the mentoring of
underclassmen.
The members of the club
assist and sponsor a variety of
activities throughout the year.The
Tenth Annual Career Day was held
last week with strong help from the
Leaders of Promise. International
Night – a mixing-pot of LHS cultures,
which took place on March 17, is
another event sponsored by Leaders
of Promise as well as the blood drive
that was held in February. The
Kwanzaa Celebration in December
gave the members of the club a chance
to bring together some of the school’s
staff members and students and exhibit
some of the meanings of why people
celebrate Kwanza.
(Photo - Tina Staffieri)
At a recent Outdoors Club trip, the Medieval Times Knights gather around before a jousting tournament against each other.
Leaders of Promise meets every
other Thursday in the Media Center
from 2:45 pm to 4:30 pm.
P OMS
By Taniesha Thomas
As one might have noticed, the LHS
Poms Squad has been, and still is,
reaching new heights with many
changes in uniforms, dance skills and
overall performance.
“They have a new look; it’s fresh,
it’s funky, and full of excitement,”
stated Junior Diane Placide. Formerly
known as the Poms Squad, the
“Spartanettes” are really changing.
Now with a new coach, a new
name, a new captain, who is Saphia
Allsop, new co-captains, Ymani Staton
and Camri Jeter, new dance skills, and
new uniforms, these ladies have
managed to create a new reputation
for themselves. Not only has the
student body responded well to their
performances, they have also earned
several first-places in outside
competitions.
March was a busy month for
competitions. During a March 4
competition at Bladensburg High
School, the ladies did well, placing
first in their jazz and hip-hop routine
and third in their prop and short pom
routines. Next the Spartanettes
themselves hosted a competition here
at Laurel High School on March 11.
An ending result to the poms
competition season was on Saturday,
March 18, when they participated in
a competition where they placed first
in their hip-hop and jazz routines,
second in their prop dance, and fourth
in short pom. By placing first in many
routines throughout the season, they
were promoted from a Division 2 to
a Division 1 squad.
Earlier in late February at Liberty
High School, the Spartanettes came
in first place for their jazz and hip-hop
routine. They placed second for their
pom and prop routine.
Who is coaching these ladies? Kianna
Marzett is her name. Marzett meets
the standards of being a good coach
with her pom and dance background.
During her high school years, she
attended LHS and was on the poms
squad. After she graduated with the
Class of ‘97, Marzett went on to
become an Ooh La La dancer at
Howard University.
The squad is sponsored by Theresa
Cerone. She handles all the team
business and organization of the team.
From getting the girls involved in
school events to signing them up for
competitions, Cerone plays a very
important
role
on
the
S p a r t a n e t t e s ’ t e a m .
“Without her, I don’t know where we’d
be,” states Ariel Nelson who has been
a team member for three years and
wanted to show her appreciation.
MENTORING PROGRAMS HELP
LHS STUDENTS BE SUCCESSFUL
By Kayla Williams
High School is often known for
its many pep ralleys, sports teams,
and clubs. This year Laurel High
School offers much more. In addition
to athletics and clubs, Laurel High
sponsors both male and female
mentoring programs.
These
programs are influential; they teach
the values of leadership, and require
nothing to join but a permission slip.
Members of the Laurel High
School Female Mentoring Program,
which is sponsored by Ms. Queen,
meet in room 233 every other
Tuesday at 2:45. All Laurel High
females may attend, grades nine
through twelve. What is the purpose
of this program? “To help guide and
navigate our young ladies through
their life principles,” stated Queen.
The goals that this program focuses
on are developing a personal mission
statement that outlines and provides
in detail, their goals and objectives,
while promoting unity among Laurel
High School’s females. Unity is
strongly stressed in this program.
Queen did not just become a
leader overnight. In 1975, she became
the
first African-American
Homecoming Queen at Parkdale High
School, and was captain of the
cheerleading squad. She currently
participates in the “Women of
Fellowship Mentoring Program” at
Hope Christian Church. The youth
pastor supports her, members of her
church and other teachers in the
school such as Ms. Ritter, Ms. J.
Jackson, and Mrs. Adami. When
asked how she felt about the attitudes
of the students of this program, she
stated, “They are simply selfmotivated, independent thinkers and
pioneers.” The key principle of this
program is ‘everyone wins.’ “I want
to build hope for them and let them
know their future is bright,”
commented Queen.
Similar to the female mentoring
program is the male mentorship, “The
Political Awareness Mentor ProgramFinding Your Purpose,” sponsored by
Mr. Bailey. This program also meets
every other Tuesday in room 266. All
males grades nine through twelve may
attend, along with the involvement of
outside mentors. This program focuses
on helping the male students of Laurel
High School communicate with the
opposite sex on mature levels, while
allowing them to establish leadership
qualities. “My goal is to decrease the
number of suspensions and referrals,
help students achieve good attendance,
and attain their volunteer hours,”
stated Bailey. The purpose of this
program is to help students understand
the political process and to become
empowered. Mr. Bailey never
participated in a mentor program,
which is why he decided to become a
mentor. He states, “I feel it is a spiritual
calling in which I am looking to inspire
and encourage our youth to achieve.”
The Shield
April 2006
PAGE 13
V for Vendetta Offers Futuristic Action with Stunning Effects
Movie’s Style Combines Shakespeare, Orwell’s 1984, and Phantom of the Opera
Set in a futuristic London
after the destructive results of a
Based on the comic books third World War (with the United
by Alan Moore (From Hell, The States basically destroying itself
League of Extraordinary and the British Parliament
Gentlemen) and boasting a script entering a complete totalitarian
by the Wachowski Brothers government), the story follows
(The Matrix Trilogy), the action V (Hugo Weaving), a knifethriller V for Vendetta made a slinging freedom fighter on a
debut splash at the box office quest to bring down the British
P a r l i a m e n t ’s
rule. Here, he
encounters
Evey (Natalie
Portman), a
young girl who
ends up being
part of V’s
plan after one
night when she
is out past the
e n l i s t e d
curfew,
he
V talking to Evey after he has killed someone.
saves her life
from members
on the March 17 weekend,
of
the
secret
police,
dubbed the
topping the charts with a $26.1
“Fingermen.”
million dollar bow.
By Justin Megaughey
Wearing a mask (a caricature
of Guy Fawkes, notable for a
1600s attempt to blow up
Parliament), the literary-quoting
V’s plan in life is to carry out
what Fawkes started, bringing
Evey into his plot to bring down
the government headed by the
evil Chancellor Sutler (John
Hurt), a Big Brother-esque
dictator of the British
government. Sutler has control
over what is said to the people
and if any news gets out that he
doesn’t like, he consults his
Board of 5 to “fix” the problem.
Meanwhile, Detective Finch
(Stephen Rea) will stop at nothing
to unravel the case and find out
who V is and what he is planning
and why.
V for Vendetta was produced
by Joel Silver, who was also
made the films House of Wax,
Ghost Ship, Thirteen Ghosts, and
several others. Silver has said
that part of his motivatioin for
making the film was its adages, “and ideas are
controversy. He thought the film bulletproof.”
reflected the world’s
controversial times.
V for Vendetta is its
own kind of film which
pulls from many
different genres of film
and
plays
like
Shakespeare, George
Orwell’s 1984, and even
The Phantom of the
Opera (the subplot
regarding V and Evey’s
relationship) rolled into
one. A dynamic film
with stunning visual
effects and a thoughtprovoking plot, “V for
Vendetta” was sold
under the tagline,
(Photos courtesy of Warner Brothers)
“People should not be
afraid of their governments.
V for Vendetta is out in
Governments should be afraid of theaters now and is rated R for
their people.” “Under this mask both strong violence and
is an idea,” starts one of V’s language. Running time: 131
minutes.
Taking a Look at a Sampling of CDs from Early 2006
HAWTHORNE HEIGHTS
By Megan Bancroft
Hawthorne Heights released their
sophomore album If Only You Were
Lonely, on February 28, through
Victory Records. The album was
released with two different covers, one
featuring a male and the other,
featuring a female, both alone in a bed.
By combining the two covers, it forms
a story.
The story is a concept album about
a young boy and a young girl who fell
in love. The boy moved away and kept
in touch, but the girl moved on to
someone else.
Hawthorne Heights has a very
diverse sound, influenced by such bands
as Led Zeppelin, Quicksand, and
Nirvana. Their music combines “emo”
(emotional) music, and the strong, angry
guitar sound of heavy metal, which is
evident in the work of the band’s three
guitarists.
After the success of their first album,
The Silence in Black and White, which
eventually sold over 750,000 copies,
Hawthorne Heights spent the summer
on the road touring with the Vans Warped
Tour. While traveling around United
States, the group wrote most of If Only
You Were Lonely.
Among the twelve tracks, the first
song to really stick out was their first
single, Saying Sorry. Saying Sorry is
about saying good-bye to the one you
love. In this case, the boy was saying
goodbye to the girl with which he grew
up and fell in love. The repeating lyric,
“Saying goodbye this time, the same
old story/seeing you cry makes me feel
like saying sorry,” captures the meaning
of the song.
Decembers is the slowest song among
the twelve tracks on the album, and
proves to be very emotional through
its lyrics about being lonely. Lyrics like
“I miss you so much, a self-inflicted
coma,” reveals the band’s darker side.
Another song that is included on the
album is Where can I Stab Myself in the
Ears. Where can I Stab Myself in the
Ears is remixed and put on the
Underworld Soundtrack. With lyrics
such as, “I guess I could have sent a
letter from the road/with words that
always meant more than updates on the
phone/The signal’s fading fast and the
ink is running out/the words look good
in pen, but sound better from my
mouth.”
A statement from Victory Records on
the band’s website explains, “They will
continue their path toward world
domination, one broken heart at a
time,” and with this extraordinary album
(great for driving, walking, or simply
for listening), it’s hard to doubt that.
Recommended Related Listening:
Paramore, Spill Canvas, Yellowcard
RON WHITE
By Ashley Hanavin
Blue Collar Comedy Tour veteran
Ron “Tater Salad” White is at it again
with his third comedy CD, You Can’t
Fix Stupid. The CD (and bonus DVD)
come with a parental advisory sticker
and earn it with good reason. White
breaks away from his usual redneck
routine and the result is an interesting
mix – to say the least – of jokes that
your mother probably wouldn’t
appreciate.
Many of the tracks are simple
sexual jokes, exceptions including the
amusing “Landscaper,” the bizarre
“Flipper,” and one or two others.
“Michael Jackson” is a humorous, yet
slightly disturbing track because
somewhere, there really are people
considering the purchase of a Ferris
wheel.
“Cheesewheel” is one of those
tracks that upon hearing, you are
unable to look at cheese the same way
again. You are advised to not wander
into the dairy section at the grocery
store after hearing “Cheesewheel” as
you may have the urge to run away
screaming. A majority of the tracks
transition nicely from one joke to the
next, but there are a few jokes, such
as “Petticoat Junction” and “Squirrel
Man” that seem to have been stuck in
to take up space. The randomness of
some track placement is reminiscent
of the late Mitch Hedberg’s rambling
and neurotic stand-up routines.
While the bonus DVD is really
nothing more than the video
accompanying the audio, it does offer
some insight into “Cheesewheel” and
“Refill.” However, White’s vivid
descriptions convey the jokes well
enough that you really don’t need to
watch the DVD.
You Can’t Fix Stupid is an odd mix
of jokes that talk more about sexuality
than Jamie Foxx’s Unpredictable, but
is worth listening to if that’s your
thing.
Rating: B+
Recommended Listening: Ron
White-They Call Me Tater Salad and
Drunk in Public, Blue Collar
Comedy Tour
P.O.D
By Justin Megaughey
The rap, metal, and reggaeinfluenced San Diego band, P.O.D.
(which stands for “Payable on Death”)
formed in the early 1990s, first
achieved mainstream success with the
single “Alive” from their second fulllength album, Satellite. Their lyrics
often deal with the themes of religious
awakening and rebirth, which
especially ring true of frontman Sonny
Sandoval, who denounced gang life
and drugs and converted to
Christianity after his devout mother
died of leukemia. After losing original
guitarist Marcos Curiel, (replacing him
with Christian thrash/death metal band
Living Sacrifice’s Jason Truby), they
followed up Satellite with 2003’s
Payable on Death, which failed to live
up to Satellite’s three-times-platinum
success. Now, the band is back with
their third album, Testify, another
positive, heavy-rock expression of the
band’s belief in and dedication to God.
The album’s first single “Goodbye
for Now” is one of the better songs on
the CD, and strikes a universal chord
with optimistic lyrics like, “I can still
see the light at the end of the tunnel,
shine through dark times even when I
lose my mind.”
The album, while well-produced,
straddles the line between trying to
please the band’s fan base, and moving
on in a new direction. Tracks such as
“This Time” and “If You Could See
Me Now” prove to be musical
departures from the band’s typical
sound, bringing on a heavier rock
sound that wasn’t apparent in their
earlier records. “On The Grind” and
“Mistakes & Glories” are rap-heavy
tracks that recall their previous hits
“Alive,” and “Youth of the Nation.”
Testify was originally set to be
released in December, displaying the
band’s first new material since The
Warriors EP, Volume Two. Testify
finally hit stores on January 24, 2006.
Rating: B
Recommended Listening: P.O.D. Satellite, Blindside, Pillar, Anberlin
The Shield
PAGE 14
April 2006
Established and New Artists Create Memorable Sounds
PRINCE
By Ra’neta Oliver
Born Prince Rogers Nelson on June
7, 1958 in Minneapolis, Minnesota and
also self-renamed as The Artist Formerly
Known As Prince from 1993 to 2000,
Prince is widely regarded as a musical
genius and his music is often referred to
as the “Minneapolis Sound.” Prince
was influenced by his father, John L.
Nelson, who played in a jazz trio, The
Prince Rogers Trio, hence Prince’s birth
name. He lived briefly with his father,
who bought him his first guitar. Prince’s
musical knowledge broadened while he
was a member of a high school band
called Grand Central, which was later
renamed Champagne.
Prince first attracted attention with
his interest in colorful clothes and high
heel shoes on his short frame of 5
feet, 4 inches. He is also known to
strongly flaunt and express his sexuality
while on stage and in his music which
had people questioning his sexual
orientation.
Prince’s newly released album, 3121
is another collection that should add to
the legendary status of Prince.
Experimenting with different sounds,
textures, and genres, this album shows
remarkable stylistic growth, and musical
diversity. Prince writes, composes, and
produces his music and he even plays
most of the instruments on his albums.
Since he has a reputation for being
difficult to work with, doing much of
his own work is probably helpful. Prince
produces, arranges and composes all his
albums at Paisley Park Studios in his
hometown.
The first track on the CD is 3121, a
pop-funk track with a different, but
funky beat. Lolita is a potential pop hit
about affection for a younger woman,
which is one of the guitar-driven tracks
on the CD. Te Amo Carazón is the first
slow-tempo song about Prince
expressing his feelings he has for his
sweetie. Black Sweat is an erratic track
which brings life to the lyrics of the
live instrumentation. Incense and
Candles is just one of the five tracks in
which singer Támar has additional
vocals adding to this steamy R&B track
about a physical attraction Prince has
for a woman.
lFrom the title, Love, may look like
a slow track about being head over heels
saved.” Beautiful, Loved, and Blessed
speaks of the knowledge and
understanding that you are as beautiful
as think, you’re loved by so many, and
blessed in so many ways possible. The
Dance expresses the feeling of being
caught in the middle of LOVE: “If I
can’t be your lover. I don’t wanna be
your friend. No, I don’t want to give
you love.” The CD ends with an instant
pulse of horns, drums, and bass on the
final track, Get on the Boat, which
contains lyrics that give a feel of a
celebration.
Prince’s music has spanned myriad
styles including funk, pop, rock, R&B/
Soul, and hip-hop. His latest CD, 3121,
is another testament to both his talent
and his diversity.
NE-YO
By Kayla Williams
in love with a person, but it’s the exact
opposite. Prince adds a distorted sound
of a synthesizer to this fast tempo song
explaining how love can be whatever
you want it to be. Satisfied is a bluesy
bedroom ballad with a co-lead from
Támar. Fury gives an instant drum and
guitar pulse sending you back to the
Nineties. This song explains the fury
of a woman scorned.
The Word includes a smooth midtempo beat with Prince preaching about
getting saved: “There’s no reason to feel
such pain…get up, come on, let’s do
something. Don’t you wanna go get
Expires 6/4/06
Multi-platinum R&B artist Ne-Yo
has arrived with a fresh and unique style
for the public to hear.
Ne-Yo has been busy working on his
new solo CD titled In My Own Words,
which made its debut release on February
28 of this year. In My Own Words sold
301,000 copies in a week, and his track
titled So Sick topped number nine on
the Billboard’s Hot 100 singles. The
lyrics of this CD display bittersweet
romance that gives its listeners a new
outlook on love and relationships.
Ne-Yo (also known as Shaffer
Chimere Smith) was born in Arkansas
on October 18, 1982. He grew up in
Los Vegas where he soon found his
passion for music. Before his singing
career went into full stride, Ne-Yo was
already writing songs for R&B
Expires 6/4/06
superstars like Mary J. Blige, Mario,
Faith Evans, and Omarion. In fact,
Ne-Yo co-wrote Mario’s hit single, Let
Me Love You, which was a number one
hit in 2004.
Ne-Yo begins his CD with the upbeat
track titled Stay featuring Peedi-Peedi.
This song expresses Ne-Yo’s love for
his girl and how he wants her to stay
with him: “maybe I’m a fool, maybe
I’m a fiend, ...... without you I just can’t
go on.”
His second track titled Let Me Get
This Right talks about making the love
work between him and his girl.
The next single, which is the first
slow track on the album, is titled So
Sick. This tune earned a number 1
status at the top of the charts. Its lyrics
include “and I’m so sick of love songs,
so sad and slow…so why can’t I turn
off the radio.” In this track, Ne-Yo
sings about his bad break-up and
everything that reminds him of his old
relationship which he can’t seem to get
over.
Following So Sick is When You’re
Mad. Ironically, in this track Ne-Yo
sings about how he is attracted to his
girl more when she’s mad.
Although Ne-Yo already has a girl,
in It Just Ain’t right he sings that “when
I’m with my girl, I call your name, and
it just ain’t right.” He wonders if he
and his ex-lover still have feelings for
each other because he finds himself still
wanting her.
Next is the erotic track titled
Mirror. In this song Ne-Yo sings about
the beauty that mirrors can portray,
especially when he is with his girl.
In Sign Me Up, Ne-Yo sings about a
girl and how he is willing to be with her
and do anything for her. He wants to
Expires 6/4/06
be the only man that she wants and is
ready to be committed.
In I Ain’t Gotta Tell you Ne-Yo recalls
how fine his girl is, however, he doesn’t
have to tell her because she already
knows.
It is obvious to see that Ne-Yo cares
a lot about relationships. In Get Down
Like That Ne-Yo states that his cheating
ways have changed and when he has a
girl, he refuses to return to his former
cheating ways.
Sexy Love is a harmonious song
about the passion that he feels for his
girl.
Next, Ne-Yo expresses his feelings
for his ex-lover in Let Go. Even though
he is no longer with this girl, his lyrics
show he still has a lot of feelings for
her.
Lastly, in the track titled Time, NeYo sings about time and how when you
wait too long to proclaim your love for
someone their love for you eventually
fades away.
With comments and philosophy on
love and relationships forming the basis
for his lyrics, along with singable catchy
beats, Ne-Yo’s new CD, In My Own
Words, is filled with memorable tracks.
The Shield
PAGE 15
April 2006
LHS Student Bands Create A Variety of Sounds
From Go-Go to Rock, Young Musicians Demonstrate their Talent and Stay Out of Trouble
By William Asiedu
T
he art of arranging
sounds in time so as to
produce a
continuous,
unified, and evocative
composition, as through
melody, harmony, or rhythmthis, which is known as music
has come to be a part of life
for many high school students
at Laurel High School. Within
the hallways we walk, there
are numerous aspiring
musicians and artists, who have
come to form bands with
genres ranging from Go-Go,
rock, and heavy metal to jazz
and many more.
Too Much Attention, a
band of 11 with members
deriving from Laurel and Largo
High School, prefer the music
genre of Go-Go, a continuous,
complex, heavy rhythm
arrangement focused through
two motifs performed on
multiple congas, tumbadoras,
and rototoms, interspersed with
timbale and cowbell parts,
driven by heavy-footed
drumming and punctuated by
crowd call-and-response
vocals.
Dujuan Tucker, a senior at
LHS, as well as the band’s
timbale and rototom player,
explains, “We are all big fans
of Go-Go, which is why we are
a Go-Go band.” Although he
enjoys the music, he confesses,
“It’s fun while it lasts, but you
can’t do this forever.” The band
consists of members between
the ages of 16 and 19. The band
states its purpose to be “for the
ladies.” You can catch TMA at
the Market Lounge, as well as
at many up-and-coming band
events which are often
advertised through flyers and
street posters.
High Speed Stereo is a rock
band consisting of three LHS
juniors: bassist Justin Cousson,
guitarist Gregory “One Man”
Hood and Bradley Lust, who
has been playing drums for 10
years. The band came together
out of mutual music tastes and
“gripping teenage boredom,”
explains Cousson. Rehearsing
and recording from a postercovered makeshift studio space
dubbed “the Bat Cave,” they
are currently focusing on their
six-song demo, which they
intend to use to book gigs at
D.C.’s Velvet Lounge in the
summer. The band describes
their music, inspired by such
artists as Queens of the Stone
Age, The Vines, The Beatles,
and Blur, as straightforward
rock n’ roll and extremely
percussion-driven, with “more
rhythm than the average rock
band.”
One of the acts included at
Laurel High’s Business Class’s
annual talent show was Young
Boys Crank Band (YBC),
which delivered a musical taste
of D.C.’s very own Go-Go
sound. The band consists of
nine Laurel High students, who
claim “they get’em hype.”
These members include Wayne
Matthews (lead), Reginald
Glascoe (hype man), Daniel
Leysath (singer), Marcell
(singer), Allan (drums), Byron
(Roto Toms/Timbales), Rico
(keyboards), and Marcus
(congos). “We were all friends
before we started the band,”
explained Reginald Glascoe,
who was the last addition to the
band. “We want to reach the
audience; we want to sound
like the best…to be good. Our
goal is to play good GoGo and
crank.”
As young musicians, all the
members use the band as an
escape route from doing what
they shouldn’t be doing. “The
band is motivation and keeps us
off the streets,” states Glascoe.
The band practices every Friday
after school at the Tabernacle
Church in South Laurel. YBC
has played at hotel parties, talent
shows, as well as at the
Tabernacle. The band has been
influenced by their LHS peers
TMA, which helps to manage
the young group. “They went
to Laurel just like us. We see
ourselves at Club Neon
partying with everyone else on
stage….we’re gonna be big
though.”
A group of nine members,
with drummer William Asiedu
representing Laurel High
School, the End Time Band, is
a Gospel Go-Go band. Formed
in 2002, and hailing from the
“uptop” area of Washington,
D.C., the band has played
regularly in D.C. at 11th and R
St, and at Rock Creek off 16th
St., with plans to add a show
with fellow groups TCB and
YDB at a block party this
summer on Georgia avenue.
“The thing about our band
that sets us apart,” says Asiedu,
“is that we’re true musicians:
people who can play any
instrument they see. We’ve
been playing for years.” Asiedu
believes that the band is a
positive influence on him and the
rest of the crew, keeping them
out of trouble, and “keeping their
heads on right.” End Time
Band’s distinctive sound,
according to Asiedu, is rooted
in their desire to “make some
good music that’s not always
about telling a girl to shake her
laffy taffy…but to make some
good Gospel music. We’re
trying to reach people with
music they can enjoy.”
The Shield
PAGE 16
April/May 2006
Spartan Varsity Softball Team Playing .500 Ball
Ladies Aim to Advance in Playoffs
By Eva Kiourkas
As of late April the varsity softball
team owned a 5-5 record. Returning
Spartans on the team include seniors
Amber Haering, Amanda Herron,
Krystal Krpan, Kelsey Lepore, Iliana
Rosa and sophomores Nakesha Bowers
and Lauren Keim. The returnees were
joined by several former JV players and
a handful of newcomers.
The new players on varsity include
seniors Kristin Brown and Eva
Kiourkas, juniors Alisha Brooks, Poetri
Deal, sophomore Lacey Ennis and
freshmen Allison Klauenberg and Katie
Staub.
This year’s varsity captains are
returning captains Iliana Rosa and
Amanda Herron, who will be joined by
new captains Amber Haering and Kelsey
Lepore. All four were picked due to the
leadership skills and determination they
bring to the team. Rosa and Lepore were
also named to last year’s All-County
Second Team.
Along with the start of the new
season comes new rules for equipment.
In the previous years, the girls would
use helmets without bars for face
protection. Starting this year, the girls’
helmets will include bars similar to
those used by the football players.
Also new to the Spartans will be
the use of the double bag on first base.
The white bag will be used by the first
basemen to step on, while the orange
bag will be used for a runner to run
through and to not interfere with the
first basemen.
The players and coach say that the
goal of this year’s varsity team is to
win the County Regional. Last year’s
varsity team made it to the semi-finals
but lost to rival Eleanor Roosevelt
High School.
The girls kicked-off the season
with three scrimmages against the
Maryland School for the Deaf,
Annapolis High, and Howard High
before starting the regular season
against the Roosevelt Raiders which
ended in a devastating loss of 2-9.
“Beating Roosevelt, definitely,” states
Iliana Rosa was the attitude going into
the game. Rosa goes on to say that
she
hopes
everyone will give
it their all and go
to
the
championships.
The girls’ next
games were played
at home at Rawls
Field
against
Parkdale
High
School on March
24 and Largo High
School on Saturday
March 25. The
Lady Spartans defeated the Parkdale
Panthers 15-4, but lost to the Largo
Lions 6-0.
Then the Lady Spartans bounced
back with their wins against the
Northwestern Wildcats 23-2 on March
28 and against the High Point Eagles
16-4 on March 31. However, the Spartans
have to make up a game against the
Suitland Rams do to a no-show at Rawls
Field on April 1.
Then on April 4, the Lady Spartans
were overwhelmed by the Bowie High
Bulldogs at home 16-3. Then the ladies
faced another tough loss at home against
(Photos by Tina Staffieri)
Charles Herbet Flowers High with a
close score of 7-6.
As of spring break, the girls had two
scheduled games postponed until the
end of the season.
After spring break, the Lady
Spartans resumed with the season
playing once again the rival Eleanor
Roosevelt High Raiders. Throughout
the game, the ladies were within striking
distance of the Raiders. The Spartans
started 7-0, but entered trailing in the
7th ining with a close 10-7 score. The
final score was 14-7 Roosevelt.
On April 21 the Spartans trounced
the Parkdale Panthers 16-2 at Charles
Carroll Middle School. The Spartans
were led by the six stikeout pitching
performance of senior Kelsey Lepore
and a strong Spartan defense which
helped to win the game. The Spartans
improved their record to 5-5 with their
win against the High Point Eagles 1713 at home on April 25.
In the months before the spring
season began, the softball team worked
hard for this season. With fundraisers,
meetings, and conditioning, the girls and
Head Coach Ed Murphy, along with new
Assistant Coach Tom Landi were looking
forward to the season and improving on
last year’s record of 14-6.
Ever since November the girls have
been meeting in Mr. Harrison’s room
for upcoming events. Over the summer,
a golf tournament helped the team raise
over $1,000. In December, Chick-FilA on Route 198 helped sponsor the
team for their fundraiser for equipment
and jackets. Coach Murphy states that
both fundraisers were very successful.
Also, every Tuesday since the first
week in January through March 1, there
was voluntary conditioning from 3 pm
to 4 pm in the school gym to get the
girls in shape and to run drills that they
would use for the week of tryouts. Time
will tell how much this conditioning will
be rewarded.
If you would like to see the softball
team in action, they host Crossland on
May 5 at home.
LHS Tennis Team Currently Sports 7-3 Record
Spartans Beat Bowie but Lose to Roosevelt Twice
Karl Holovach. He also explained that
beginning players who make the team
are placed on a B team if they require
As of late April, the Laurel tennis extra practice.
team finds itself with a 7-3 record. This
The lead players for the 2006
year’s team consists of 24 players, season included junior David Martin
half boys and half girls. Many and senior Ana Ruta for first singles,
members are returning players from senior Nilesh Chopde and junior
last season and stated that they enjoy Hilda Boateng for second singles,
working with the beginners. “I am sophomore Kara Rutherford and
open to beginners trying out for the junior Alisha Ladenburg for girls’
team because you always have to start doubles, and senior Rodrigo Ortega
somewhere. I have had inexperienced and freshman Costin Ruta for boys’
players make the team and they doubles.
improved a lot throughout the season.
Holovach hopes to keep his team
Players who are just beginning can in championship contention this
make the team as long as they show season, but predicts that Roosevelt
commitment,” explained Head Coach and Bowie High Schools will be the
t e a m ’ s
toughest
opponents.
The team lost
to
both
schools last
season, but
Holovach
hopes they
can overcome
them this
year.
After
defeating the
(Photo: T. Staff) teams last
y e a r ,
Robin Bansal returns a serve.
Holovach
By Nachelle Edwards
predicted wins over Northwestern
High School and Largo High School for
this season.
Let’s take a look at the season. The
team played their first match against
Roosevelt High School on March 21,
and suffered a 9-0 loss. After this
setback, the team triumphed in their
next 4 matches. They overpowered
Parkdale High School 8-1 on March 23.
On March 28 the Spartans toppled
Largo High School 9-0. Northwestern
High School fell victim to the Spartans,
6-3 on March 30. Earlier this month,
on April 4, the match against High Point
High School ended in a 6-3 Laurel
victory. On April 6, the Spartans’match
against Suitland High School was
postponed. On April 19, Laurel
suffered a defeat against C. H. Flowers
4-5.
Laurel managed a clutch win against
Bowie High School 5-4 on April 21.
Beating the Bulldogs was one of the
team’s early season goals. In last week’s
rematch against Roosevelt the Spartans
lost 7-2.
“I think that we are improving a lot,”
declared senior Mira Egedova.
The team practices every day after
school at the tennis courts at
McCullough Field near Pallotti High
School.
(Photo: T. Staff)
Hilda Boateng lunges to return the ball.
Last season two of the team’s
players advanced to the Regional
Championships: junior David Martin
finished in second place and senior
Nilesh Chopde finished fourth. Martin
advanced to the State Championships
where he lost in the first round. Even
though he lost, he was the first Laurel
High student in five years to advance
to the State Championships.
At the beginning of the season,
Holovach explained, “ I hope to lead
by example this season and grow my
hair out just like the tennis champion,
Roger Federer.” With a record of 6-3
last year, the team aims to improve its
record. Holovach has been teaching
the co-ed varsity tennis team at Laurel
for the past three years. Holovach tries
to incorporate a high level of play, as
well as the basic tennis skills into each
lesson. “I think the most important
quality to have in any team is unity.
Even though tennis is an individual
event, it is important that the team is
willing to work together to win the
overall match,” he explained.
For those who would like to see
the tennis team in action they are
playing at Largo on May 4.
The Shield
PAGE 17
April/May 2006
Varsity Baseball Team Compiles 4-6 Record
New Coach Dennis Augustyniak Leads the Rebuilding of Young Team
By Eva Kiourkas
After losing many seniors to
graduation, some underclassmen
starters to injuries and some
players transferring to rival Pallotti
High School, this year’s Laurel
High School Varsity Baseball team
is forced to rebuild itself for the
future with few returnees, a new
coach, and hopes of improving on
last year’s record of 9-6. As of the
end of April the team has compiled
a 4-6 record.
The team has three returning
varsity players: juniors Shawn
Liberto and Paul Alston, and
sophomore Brian Robison, who
are joined by former JV players:
juniors Philip Cooper, Justin
Cousson, John Crabill, Neville
Hewitt, and Gregory Hood;
sophomore Daniel Herron, as well
as newcomers freshman Logan
Churchwell and sophomore
Raynel Gibson.
“This year is going to be
a rebuilding year,” states
Shawn Liberto, “this year,
guys from JV and returning
Varsity players will have to
step up.”
The boys kicked off the
season
with
two
scrimmages against River
Hill High School and Meade High
School before playing their first
regular season game against the
Eleanor Roosevelt High School
Raiders on March 23, which ended
in an overwhelming loss of 11-1.
However, the Spartans bounced
back with their win at home against
the Parkdale Panthers 6-5 on
Saturday March 25.
On Monday, March 27, the
Spartans defeated the Largo Lions
in a tremendous10-0 shutout.
However, the Spartans lost two
games in a row: the first on March
(Photos by Tina Staffieri)
30 against the Northwestern
Wildcats with a close score of 1715, despite an early 6-1 lead and a
home run by Brian Robison, and
on April 1 the Spartans were
trounced by the High Point Eagles
14-0.
Then on April 3 the Spartans
redeemed themselves with a win
against the Suitland Rams at
Spartan Field 18-11 with two clutch
runs driven in by junior Justin
Cousson
and
triples
by
sophomore Brian Robison and
junior Shawn Liberto.
The Spartans earned their
first away victory, and
improved their record to 4-3
on April 18 against Frederick
Douglass, winning 6-4.
Sophomore Daniel Herron
pitched a complete game for
the Spartans, aided by
doubles by John Crabill and
Shawn Liberto.
The Spartans faced a
crushing loss at home on
April 20 against the Eleanor
Roosevelt Raiders. The Spartans
held the Raiders to one run until a
disasterous fifth inning that saw
several errors and 18 runs. The
final score was 19-0.
The Spartans next played the
Northwestern Wildcats on April 24
at home. The Spartans lost 13-3
making their record 4-5.
After coaching Laurel High’s
baseball team since 1986, coach
Paul McCarthy retired from
coaching (more info on this in the
next issue)this season. New Head
Coach Dennis Augustyniak, a
traffic accident investigator and
retired Baltimore County police
officer took the job at the
beginning of the year in January.
“I like his discipline,” states
Laurel High Athletic Director Terry
Parfitt,
“he
believes
in
fundamentals.” Parfitt had
interviewed quite a few coaches
before finally deciding to hire
Augustyniak.
“[Coach Augustyniak] is a real
no- nonsense guy and the team is
coming together really well,”
states junior Justin Cousson. “We
can only get better from here.”
Augustyniak graduated from
Archbishop Curley High School
in 1972. He spent five years
coaching at Archbishop Curley
and one year coaching at LoyolaBlakefield High School in the
MIAA Conference. Using the
Baltimore Orioles’ Minor League
Playbook as his handbook,
Augustyniak believes in playing
fundamental baseball and creating
a very conditioned squad, as
evidenced by the six-day-a-week
practice schedule.
“It’s fundamentally sound
principles, the execution of routine
plays, and a desire to play the
game that makes a good team,”
Augustyniak stated, “we’re taking
steps forward in our practices and
I hope that we can make the school
proud.”
Outdoor Track Team Seeks Support and Runners
Spartan Runners Show Improvement
disappointed when a couple of
athletes left, but they shrugged it
off and said that they would do it
without them. They sure left an
Laurel’s Outdoor Track team
impression on some schools in
constantly tries to recruit new
North Carolina.
They have
members. Newer members this
improved so much that all we need
year include freshmen Wesley
to work on are the little things. All
Jackson, Simon James, Daria
the signs are there, but they are
Willoughby; sophomores David
still young. I have seen a
Willoughby, Tonisha Cox; juniors
championship won with 5 kids,
Israel James, Keli Thompson,
though.”
Sullaiman Fayelu, Achirikwa
On March 29, the team
Achirimofor, and senior Terry
participated in a Bowie Invitational
James.
held at Bowie High School. The
Dayvon Anderson, Alfonzo
coach said the team demonstrated
Diaz, Charles Piccioni, Andre
much personal improvement. His
Sams, Jerome Pyuzza, Tim
standouts for the meet included
Alvarado, Hans Colglazier, Bryant
Cleland, Nwuju, Tran, and
Furbush. Pyuzza also showed key
improvements in the 800 meter
relay. “This was probably the best
meet of the year,” declared
Colglazier. “A lot of athletes broke
their personal records.”
On the first day of April, the
team ran at Charles H. Flowers
High School. Boys placed fourth
in the mile run. “Went well,
showed off a lot of new talent. The
B- team shocked me, while placing
fourth,” remarks Coach Harris.
Pyuzza placed fourth in the boys’
mile in the 4x400. Furbush placed
sixth in the 100 meter dash. Pyuzza
timed a 4:54 in his personal best in
the mile run. “Lots of new people
(Photo T. Staff.) ran this time, so it gave us the
opportunity to see the new talent,”
Some runners can take the baton without even looking.
states Harris.
By Krishna Dalsania
Tran, Mark Sesay, Steven Cleland,
Ashley Furbush, Gabrieline
Amankwaa, Raynel Gibson, and
Janylle Nwuju are the veteran
members of the track team.
After starting their season with
a tough meet against the always
top Roosevelt on March 22, led
by Cleland, the boys’ outdoor
track team traveled down to North
Carolina Central University in
Durham, NC on March 24.
“I think the season is going to
go well. I saw a couple plus signs,
such as Steven Cleland and
Alfonzo Diaz stepping up,” said
Head Coach Corey Harris. “Their
mindset is helping us.” We were
(Photo T. Staff.)
Passing the baton requires skill and coordination.
What about the season? “So
far it looks good, and if things go
like planned, it will go well,”
reasons Harris.
“The seasons going well,”
confiirmed Diaz. “We are starting
to take first and second places, and
we are definitely making our mark.”
On April 21, the Meade
Stampede was held at Meade High
School. “Everyone showed bright
spots that day,” said Coach Harris.
The key players were Gibson who
ran the 4x100, and 4x200 relay, and
Diaz, who ran the 4x200 and the
4x400 relay.
In girls, Furbush ran the 4x100,
4x200, and 4x400 relay and Nwuju
ran the 4x100 and the 4x200.
Another
top
runner
was
Thompson, who ran the 4x100,
4x200, and the 4x400.
At press time for this issue,
members of the team were in
Philadelphia participating in the
Penn Relays, which run April 2529.
Members of the track team said
they plan to keep their head up
high and their feet on the right
track, but the said they can’t do it
alone.
“We
need
your
support.Come and see us smoke
people,” boasts Diaz.
The Shield
PAGE 18
April 2006
Lady Spartan Kandace Davis Sets Defensive Record
Basketball Star Accepts Scholarship to Towson University
By William Asiedu
L
aurel High’s Varsity
Girls’ Basketball Team
Captain Kandace Davis is
standing tall (6 feet, no less) as one
of most promising basketball
players in Laurel’s history. Holding
her own against some of the best
teams and players in the county, the
LHS senior has became Laurel
High’s latest athletic celebrity as
she re-writes the Lady Spartans’
record books.
Kandace Davis was born on
August 4, 1988, at Prince George’s
Hospital in Cheverly, Maryland.
The third child of four, she
describes her childhood, with a
smile, as fun. Davis refers to herself
as fun-loving, funny, and friendly,
and enjoys listening to music in her
free time. Davis also used to play
the trumpet and the piano. Davis
attended and played basketball for
Capitol Heights Elementary School
and Kenmoore Middle School. She
first picked up a ball at age 8 when
she played for a local Takoma Park
recreational team. “Basketball just
looked fun to me,” she states.
As she sums up her four-year
basketball experience as a Spartan,
she states that, “Ninth grade, I
basically sat on the bench. In tenth
grade my main job was to play
defense. In eleventh grade I had to
step up and be a leader as well as
score more points, and in twelfth
grade, I broke the record,
rebounded more, and scored more
points than in any other year.”
Davis, who was last year’s
Laurel High
Defensive
Player of the
Year, has put on
s e v e r a l
dazzling
performances
as the center for
the
Lady
Spartans this
year.
On
December 20,
she scored 24
points, grabbed
13 rebounds,
blocked six
shots and had
five steals in
the
Lady
Spartans’ 56-43
win over High
Point
High
School.
On January 6, Davis had a
triple-double against C.H. Flowers,
scoring 17 points to go along with
14 rebounds, 10 blocks, and three
steals in the Spartans’ 60-57 victory.
Even in the Lady Spartans’ 69-22
loss to Roosevelt, Davis held her
own with 15 rebounds and 14
blocks to accompany her own
seven-point performance.
“When it came down to crunch
time, Kandace always took a bite,”
stated junior Brittany Jackson.
Davis was recently announced
as a member of the 2006 Star/
Gazette All-County Girls’
Basketball Team.
Davis averaged 17 points a game
this year and set a new LHS record
for most blocked shots. Colleges
have just been eager to woo the
young athlete, and Davis received
full scholarships to six schools
including Towson University,
Delaware University, Mount St.
Mary’s, University of Maryland
Eastern Shore, Howard University,
and Bowie State
University.
Davis chose
T o w s o n
University
because
she
aspires to be a
teacher, and she
believes
she
would receive the
best education in
the educational
field of study at
Towson.
Although she
is not focused on a
career
in
basketball, Davis
is receptive to the
opportunity to
play professional
basketball, where
she would rather
play overseas in order to earn more
money.
“I think that she is going to do
well,” acknowledged Girls’
Basketball Coach Tommy Harrison.
“She has the opportunity to start as
a freshman. I plan on working with
her over the summer. I also plan on
following her career.”
As Davis looks to her future,
she gratefully expresses that “she
appreciates the team now that she
is leaving and thanks them for
helping to get a better record.”
She contributes her success to
her mother as well as Coach
Harrison, whom she describes as a
great coach. Davis looks at her team
as a family, in which she describes
her teammates as children, and
Harrison as the father. As Davis
moves on to play at the college
level, she expects her position at
Laurel High to be fulfilled by junior
Brittney Jackson.
Coach Harrison explains that,
“she broke a record that won’t be
broken for a while. It might be a
while before we get someone with
the defensive presence as Kandace.”
“This is the most memorable
season of basketball I have ever
had,” Davis states.
With such accomplishments,
Davis tells of people whom she
doesn’t even know, who have come
up to her, congratulating her. As
Davis escalates in her career, she
leaves a mark here at Laurel High
as one of the greatest basketball
players to walk Laurel’s halls.
“I wish her well,” states
Harrison. “I wish her well.”
The Shield
PAGE 19
CALISA
Flowers in bloom and
warm air coming soon, I’m
glad we’re together to share
in every spring moon.
Wesley
SENIORS
We’re almost free! Free at
last!
Antonio Quick
DOMONIQUE, DREA,
ZHANE
I just want to give a shout out
to Domonique, Drea, Zhane,
YEAH!
Reeses Pieces
GREG
Your life is brilliant. Your love
is pure. You’re beautiful. It’s
true.
Greg
ROSIE BEATRES
Te quiero mucho. I hope we
are friends forever.
Dora
AMBIE AND NERP
Gosh I love nicknames!
Suqe/Rice Cake
THE CLASS OF 2007
Come on out and support the
prom effort you guys!
A 2007 Class member
April/May 2006
old, so your grandchildren can
attack you.
Little Midget
ALL MY LOVING
FRIENDS
I love everybody I met this
year! I’m glad I met y’all.
Thanks for being there when I
needed you!
Janaè David
ASH
I can’t believe you’re
graduating! We’ve been
through everything together. I
know you’re gonna do great
and I wouldn’t trade you for
anything. Love ya sis.
Court
I would die for you.
Isolde
ANGELICA &
FRANCESCA
Happy Birthday. Don’t
grow up too fast.
Daddy
ENGLISH
DEPARTMENT
You are doing a great job.
Maintain your dedication. You
touch the future
Mr. Giuliani
TINA
Hours after school combined
with altruism will reward you.
“Nothing Good Comes Easy.”
Mr. Giuliani
MOM
I love you.
Robert
KALKA!
Do you like pickles? Good
cause Sweet pickes are on
sale at Food Lion! Your fave!
Patty and Tina
SENIORS!!!
Be remembered! Don’t be
forgotten!! Turn in your Last
Wills & Testaments to Mr.
Giuliani in room 269.!
Newspaper Staff
SPRING
UNCLASSIFIEDS
TOMMY
I love you! You are my
inspiration!
K bear
NEWSPAPER STAFF
Keep it up!
Antonio Quick
NANCY AKA LIL FISH
Sorry I’m never in class to
hear all your stories. Next
year we’re going somewhere
for spring break.
Nena
ASHLEY
I love you!
Amy
MI CARIÑA
I love you baby and I’m so glad
we’re together. I hope our love
grows like the flowers do in
springtime. *muah*
Cookie Lips
JANEÉ, TORI, FIFI,
KELSEY
We’re almost done, we can
do it!
Megan
BAND
We’ve done so well this year!
Keep it going next year! WE
ROCK!
Worlds Greatest Band Geek
DY, YMANI, NEISHA,
BRI, ALIA, BRIT
I love you guys!
K
A. Nonymous
Jack Adami
Mary Armbruster
Angel Ball
Erin Bancroft
Nancy Barboza
Francine Barnes
and Family
Deola Bell
James N. Bell Sr.
Thelma B. J. Bell
1 yr. Adrinne Bello
Bashido Betts
Lysha B.
Connie Binder
Blue Jay
Ayanna Briscoe
Heaven and C. Brown
Mrs. K. Boyer
Caroline Boyette
Charnita Brown
Shawnee and
Dominic Buckner
George Bush
Teresa Butler
Julia Cousson
Sherry Cyrus
Krishna Dalsania
Mrs. Davies (library)
Cheryl Davis
Mr. Dinkens
Rebecca Dubiel
Hillary Duff
Denise Dunn
Arnetta Durham
End Time Band
G. Ennico (cho)
Brandon And Eva
Everton America Maryland
(Steve Craig)
Myra Exum
Andy and Lea Fitzsimons
Rev. Carolyn Fredericks
Robert Giuliani
Rosanne Giuliani
Angelica Giuliani
Francesca Giuliani
ASHLOCKE ROWAN
Happy Birthday!! I know it’’s
kind of early but all the same.
Habiba
LIZ
Schools almost over chikita.
Hope you had a good spring
break and didn’t get into too
much trouble.
Nena
DINA
I know better days are ahead
for you so let the bad ones go.
Nancy
APRIL W., JONWUIL, &
MARIAMA
Thank you for teasing me
how short I am. I hope you
guys will shrink when you get
Holiann Haag
Vivian C. Hall
Jennifer Hammer
Reggie Harris
Mr. Harrison
Douglas and Susan Hayes
Lenore Hayes
Tyler Headley
Charles R. Hiller
James and Melinda Ittenbach
Ms. Christina Jackson
Tylisha Jackson
Dwayne Jones and Family
Johnny Depp Fan Club!!
Anita Katial
Lauren Keim
Leslie Kight
Francois Kuou
Ryan Macaulay
Charles Manson and Family
Sra. Marlene
Deloris Massey
Mrs. McCoy
PAQUITO
You are one funny friend.
Thanks for making me smile

Lil Fish
MICHELLE AND
ASHLEA
Congratulations. You deserve it.
Nothing more needs to be said.
Sincerely,
Mr. Giuliani
TRISTAN
Eric, Karen, and Collin
McPherson
Mecanite
Robin Miller
Nan Miller
Yavatta Morris
Cathie Mott
Mrs. Mykytyn
Mrs. Randy Orton
Our Senior Lutheran Church
Youth Group
Riggs Park
JP Passino
Melissa Pumphrey
Antonio Quick
Mandana Reed
Keri Rezac
Renee C. Richardson,
Counselor
Ian Rodriquez
Rachael Rossi
Alister Rush
Lois Sarfo-Mensah
Andrea Segada
Mr. Sellers
John Shearin
Shield Staff
Mrs. Kim Simmons
Nancy Stanton
Nicole Stanton
Mr. Stark
Sting
Cathy Strine-Adams
Kylle Summers
Mr. Festus Tagyen
The Taylor Family
Dr. Phillip Terry
Virginia Tracy
Benjamin Tubbs
Henrique Vissotto
Denise Waters
West Laurel
Wesley and Calisa
Daron Williams
Kamali Williams
Kayla Williams
Zena
The Shield
PAGE 20
April/May 2006
By Nancy Barboza and Antonio Quick
MAKE WISE DECISIONS WHEN CHOOSING FAST FOOD
changes have been made, although
McDonalds claims the changes are
completely unrelated. One example is
the elimination of the supersize option
from the menu.
whether you look at fast food like disgusting slop or as a divine gift from the
heavens. The decision is ultimately up
to you. The most important thing is that
you keep yourself informed on what
you’re eating. When you have to choose
“I think it’s just kind of sad that fast food choose the healthiest fast food
they had to do that,” junior Justin available.
Cousson laments, “I mean they had
to remove an option. That’s how they
To help you be informed in order
have to get people to eat in modera- to make wise decisions, here is an extion. It’s just sad that people don’t ample comparing the calories and fat in
realize they don’t have to eat a bucket servings of fries at two of the most
of food just because it’s an option.” popular fast food chains, McDonalds
and Burger King.
Cousson is one of many who believe that personal responsibility
counts more than how many calories
“It’s convenient, it’s
The fact is, however, that 15 there are in your two double cheesequick, and it’s good,” says
percent of children between the burgers and your medium fries. And
ages of 6-19 are overweight, he isn’t alone in his belief.
senior Alysha Brown.
according to 1999-2000 data.
“People who blame fast food for
This number is almost three
All of this is true and
times what it was only their problems have to remember,
the fast food companies
are more than happy to
twenty years ago. Teenage they don’t have to eat it,” says seobesity is on the rise and nior Eva Kiourkas, “they don’t have
give you quick conveWATCH OUT FOR…….. Salad
Dressings
some are pointing fingers at to eat it now and they didn’t have to
nient service for a fair
the fast food industry and the eat it then.”
price, but what are you exKEN’S Creamy Caesar dressing (2 oz)
franchises. Taking the most heat
changing for this expediency?
210 Calories 21 Fat grams 32% of fat
The key word seems to be modis McDonalds. Several lawsuits have
daily intake
Senior Megan Bancroft states, been filed against the company over eration. What you eat is a matter of
KEN’S Honey Mustard dressing (2 oz)
“Home cooked meals are good and the past several years and several personal choice and regardless of
“It’s like temptation. It may seem heathly, however some families just
good, but it’s not good for you,” says don't have the time to cook a meal, so
sophomore Jeslyn Miller. This is the fast food is a solution.”
conflict that many teenagers face, caught beMany teenagers, like Bancroft,
tween what tastes dewould sacrifice their double
licious and what’s accheeseburgers for hometually nutritious. Fast
cooked meals, but these
food is notorious for being unmeals aren’t available for everyhealthy and yet, like an
one so they turn to fast
on and off girlfriend or
food, pre-prepared and
ready-to-eat orders.
boyfriend, we return to
it wondering why we
left in the first place.
“I can’t make it at home
But why do we return
so I eat fast food," says senior Ashley Erwin, “I love
to this somewhat unfast food.”
healthy relationship?
270 Calories 23 Fat grams 35% of fat
daily intake
FAT- F I L L E D H A M B U R G E R S
DOUBLE WHOPPER Sandwich 900 Calories 57 Fat grams
T R I P L E W H O P P E R S a n d w i c h 11 3 0 C a l o r i e s 7 4 F a t g r a m s
Wi t h c h e e s e
1230 Calories 82 Fat grams
Better Choices
Zesty Onion Ring Dipping Sauce (1 oz)
150 Calories 15 Fat grams 23% of fat
daily intake
Fruit ‘n Yogurt Parfait with granola 160 calories 2 fat grams
TO DETERMINE
THE NUMBER OF
CALORIES YOU EAT:
Apple Dippers with low fat
Inactive lifestyle: Body weight * 11
Caramel Dip 100 calories .5 fat grams
Reasonably active lifestyle: Body weight * 13
Vanilla Reduced Fat Ice Cream Cone 150 calories 3.5 fat grams
Mobile lifestyle: Body weight * 15
VS
Very mobile lifestyle: Body weight * 18
Baked Apple Pie 250 calories 11 fat grams
Hot Fudge Sundae 330 calories 9 fat grams
Hot Caramel Sundae 340 7 fat grams
McFlurry® with M&M’S® 560 20 fat grams
Chocolate Triple Thick® Shake (32 fl oz) 1160 27 fat grams
Burger King’s Dutch Apple Pie 300 calories 13 fat grams
Burger King’s HERSHEY Sundae Pie 300 calories 18 fat grams
Women should not consume less than 1200 calories per day, and
men should not consume less than 1500 calories per day.
It is recommended that women do not consume more than 1200
calories per day and men should consume more than 1500 calories
per day.
3500 calories equal one pound of fat so in order to loose 1lb of fat
a week, lower the number of calories you consume by 500 calorie per
day.