Call out: seniors deserve naptime

Kaitlin Welker, editor
April 24, 2013
Filed under Opinion

As a senior, I find myself severely struggling to get out of bed in the mornings. Sleep is one of my best friends and it takes a great deal for me to leave that to come to school. You can imagine my emotion when I have to sit in a class that’s whole purpose is to “provide students with teacher... Read more »

Nick Baumgardner, University of Michigan sports reporter

Kaitlin Welker, editor
March 7, 2013
Filed under 2012-13 Staff

From football to basketball to baseball, sports beat writer Nick Baumgardner knew it all. “I grew up infatuated with sports, and everything surrounding sports,” Baumgardner said. “College, pro, high school — whatever. It was a huge passion of mine.” As a child, Baumgardner’s favorite... Read more »

Astudillo to serve as girls varsity soccer coach

Kaitlin Welker, editor
January 25, 2013
Filed under Sports

Less than two months ago the girls’ varsity soccer coach Joan Murphy resigned, leaving the athletic department with only a month to find a new coach before the spring season. Leadership teacher Mike Astudillo stepped up and took over the position. Astudillo formerly coached soccer at Chantilly High... Read more »

PTSA and leadership to host showing of ‘Addiction Incorporated’

Kaitlin Welker, editor
January 10, 2013
Filed under News, Student Life, Top Stories

Parent Teacher Student Association is teaming up with leadership class to present a film screening of the documentary “Addiction Incorporated," Friday, Jan. 11 at 7 p.m. in the Little Theatre. This award-winning documentary follows the decision tobacco companies made to make their products addictive... Read more »

Call out: I mustache you to please calm down

Kaitlin Welker, editor
December 23, 2012
Filed under Opinion, Uncategorized

Trends come and go but it seems that in the past decade they have changed faster than ever. “Back in the day” there were not that many different kinds of styles. When you think of the 1980’s, you think neon windbreakers, Converses and off the shoulder sweatshirts.  When you think 1970’s... Read more »

Book shopping booted in Reston

Kaitlin Welker, editor
December 21, 2012
Filed under News, Top Stories

In early 2013 Barnes and Noble will close up shop, leaving Reston with no store to buy new books. It is no question that bookstores nationwide have taken a hit as technology has taken over readers’ worlds with devices such as the Kindle and Nook. However, this is not the reason for Barnes and Noble’s... Read more »

Seniors travel to Costa Rica on mission trip

Kaitlin Welker, editor
November 12, 2012
Filed under Features, Student Life, Travel

Community service is a way students can give back to their environment, but some find international work more rewarding. "Helping others through community service is my passion," senior Liza Karras said. "I love knowing I can make a difference globally through mission trips. There’s no greater feeling... Read more »

Call out: college deadlines: do not procrastinate

Kaitlin Welker, editor
November 12, 2012
Filed under Opinion

This issue, I am staying away from my sarcastic side. I am not going to call out ignorant students who know nothing about politics posting statuses about their views. And speaking of Facebook, I am not going to call out people for expressing their hate for people in our school all over my news feed. We... Read more »

Call out: autocorrect: do you know that “so” is a word?

Kaitlin Welker, editor
October 19, 2012
Filed under Opinion

As I sit here and write my first editorial of the year, I realize how much we underestimate a tool we use every day. Whether it is spell check, autocorrect, or whatever other system your smart phone or device provides, we are completely spoiled by our programmed word correctors. I have not decided exactly... Read more »

South Lakes welcomes Seahawk alumna Kim Retzer as principal

Kaitlin Welker, editor
October 19, 2012
Filed under Features, Top Stories

She walked the very same halls, learned in the very same classrooms, and even took physical education in the same gym. Kim Retzer has been a Seahawk since she graduated in 1989. Now, she leads Seahawk Nation as principal. Five years after graduating, Retzer became a special education teacher and... Read more »

Learning seminar system from previous years to return for fourth quarter

Kaitlin Welker, co-managing editor
April 19, 2012
Filed under News

A new system of learning seminar was put into place this school year. Students in good standing had a free period, while students who were not were assigned a class in which they would recieve assistance. However, since the beginning of fourth quarter, there will be no more rewards and remediation... Read more »

Allen suffers from lacerated spleen after snowboarding accident

Kaitlin Welker, co-managing editor
April 13, 2012
Filed under Seahawk Stories, Sports, Student Life

Junior Bobby Rae Allen hit a patch of ice and fell with force on his chest while snowboarding at Seven Springs in Pennsylvania on Feb. 3 "It was pretty awful, the physicality of it," said Allen. "I was in a lot of pain." Allen was admitted to the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh where he was in... Read more »

Texting acronyms: OMG plz do not talk 2 me like dis

Kaitlin Welker, co-managing editor
April 13, 2012
Filed under Opinion

The other day I was minding my own business walking to class when I heard something that really disturbed me. Someone, who I can only assume was a freshman, was speaking in texting acronyms. Really? Like OMG please do not just say "LOL" if you think something is funny. You are not even laughing, you... Read more »

Invisible Children’s message: make Kony infamous

Kaitlin Welker, managing editor
April 13, 2012
Filed under News

For almost three decades, Joseph Kony has abducted children, forcing them to become sex slaves and soldiers. He is the  man behind the Lord’s Resistance Army, a Ugandan combatant warfare group. Invisible Children is anorganization comprised of activists fighting for equal rights across the globe.... Read more »

Call out: the Golden Rule

Kaitlin Welker, co-managing editor
April 10, 2012
Filed under Opinion

“Ask questions and get to know people in a new way.” This is Formspring’s idea of a slogan. I already feel violated. To provide a little bit of background information, formspring.me is a website that was created with the intent to allow discussion through the art of anonymous question-asking.... Read more »

Call out: my 2012 resolution: to enjoy failure

Kaitlin Welker, co-managing editor
February 6, 2012
Filed under Opinion

Every New Year comes with new resolutions. Whether it is eating healthier, volunteering more, or getting better grades, the chances of me actually pursuing these goals past February are slim to none.  Literally, I do not think I have ever continued my aspirations after a few months. However, my theory... Read more »

Social media sites promote positivity

Kaitlin Welker, co-managing editor
February 2, 2012
Filed under Student Life

Social networking sites have increased in mass and population during the past decade. Only 30 years ago, the Internet did not exist. Now, it takes less than a minute to connect to the web. Ever since the creation of the Internet, people’s lives have changed dramatically. You can find almost anything... Read more »

Math teacher receives surprise serenade for anniversary

Kaitlin Welker, co-managing editor
December 28, 2011
Filed under Student Life

Math teacher Sherri Evans and her husband have been married for since December 21, 1991. In celebration of their 20-year wedding anniversary, Evans’ husband, Kelly Evans, surprised her with flowers and a serenade on Dec. 21. After school, a group of students from Seahawk Men’s A Cappella met in... Read more »

Student to undergo open-heart surgery

Kaitlin Welker, co-managing editor
December 16, 2011
Filed under Seahawk Stories

 While some students deal with the stresses of school and life, junior Jack Zamborsky has one more thing to worry about. Zamborsky’s ascending aorta has an aneurism, meaning that the artery has dilated and may explode. On Jan. 3, when most students are returning to school after winter break, Zamborsky... Read more »

Call out: is gym class worth it?

Kaitlin Welker, co-managing editor
December 16, 2011
Filed under Opinion

 Let me start off by addressing the rumor that comes up every year: no, the freshmen class will not have gym for all four years. I do not know why people still fall for it every year, but it is not true. While we are on the topic of gym, however, let me express my opinion on the physical education... Read more »

Call out: checkmate

Kaitlin Welker, co-managing editor
November 28, 2011
Filed under Opinion, Top Stories

“Chess club will meet after school this Thursday in Room 286.” Everyone who hears this has to make some kind of joke pertaining to the announcement. I do not get it. Who decided that the chess club would be the target for mockery? I do not know how many of you hooligans, and you know exactly... Read more »

Student band “A Hero Poetic” performs at Jammin Java

Kaitlin Welker, co-managing editor
November 27, 2011
Filed under Entertainment, Student Life

A band of five seniors known as "A Hero Poetic" performed at Jammin Java on November 21. Last year, rhythm guitarist Edy Fahey, lead singer Tim Johnson, lead guitarist Brad Cohen and drummer Austin Chustz, were in a band called "Head Over Heels."  As members came and went, the band eventually turned... Read more »

Williams sisters receive suprise visit from military father

Kaitlin Welker, co-managing editor
November 17, 2011
Filed under News, Top Stories

With many tears of joy, Air Force Col. Stephen Williams surprised his two daughters, freshman Ashley Williams and junior Amanda Williams, during D lunch on November 17. Bystanders cheered on the family reunion with rounds of applause as Williams hugged his daughters, who have seen their father only... Read more »

Call out: Starbucks- ask and you shall receive

Kaitlin Welker, co-managing editor
November 14, 2011
Filed under Opinion

Tall, Grande and Venti.  Most people are familiar with the sizes that Starbucks Coffee offers to their caffeine-addicted customers, right? Wrong. Did you know that Starbucks’ smallest sized cup is actually a "Short?" Of course you did not because it is not published on their overly customized, chalkboard-want-to-be... Read more »

Fish bait or fashion: feather fish ties grow in popularity as hair extensions

Kaitlin Welker, co-managing editor
November 14, 2011
Filed under Trends

 Recently, a new fashion trend of feathered hair extensions has spread its wings at South Lakes. Ever since celebrities such as Miley Cyrus, Ke$ha, and Steven Tyler sported the new look, this hippie style has swept the nation. "I think that the feathers are an awesome new style," said junior Haley... Read more »

Varsity volleyball loses to Madison during senior night 3-0

Kaitlin Welker, co-managing editor
October 26, 2011
Filed under Sports

Varsity volleyball lost to the Madison Warhawks 25-22, 25-22, 25-17 during the last home game of the season on October 25.  Posters and balloons were hung all around the gym in honor of the graduating seniors for senior night. “I'm really proud of [the seniors],” said junior outside hitter... Read more »

Fashion Disaster Day kicks off spirit week

Kaitlin Welker, co-managing editor
October 17, 2011
Filed under Student Life, Top Stories

Fashion Disaster Day, better known as Wacky Tacky Day, starts off homecoming week as the first of five spirit days. "I wish everyday could be like Wacky Tacky Day," said junior Amanda Halacy.  "It's interesting to see everyone's wacky side." "It's a great day to wear everything you regret buying," said... Read more »

Reston experiences rare earthquake

Kaitlin Welker, co-managing editor
August 24, 2011
Filed under News, Top Stories

Reston was shaken up yesterday at exactly 1:51 p.m. when a 5.9 magnitude earthquake hit the east coast. Living in Virginia, most Restonians were caught off guard by this rare occurrence. “I was working at Chili’s and all the customers started freaking out and I had to calm them down,” said... Read more »

Blue team gets its kicks on Green Team 22-5

Kaitlin Welker, co-managing editor
June 1, 2011
Filed under Sports

The Blue team beat the Green team in a 22-5 victory during the yearly faculty kickball game on Thursday, May 26. In a five inning game announced by leadership teacher Mike Astudillo, IB-MYP coordinator Chris Powell earned the title of most valuable player for the scoring the most runs of the game. ... Read more »

Administration looks to minimize tardies

Kaitlin Welker, Co-managing editor
May 27, 2011
Filed under News

Thousands of schools across America are dealing with the problem of student tardiness, and here at South Lakes, the circumstances are no different. Assistant principal of the class of 2011 Lindsey Trout is one of many among teachers and administrators trying to put an end to the cause. “I think... Read more »