Debate recognized as best in Virginia

Rachel Rogers, online editor
April 22, 2013
Filed under News, Top Stories

Debate celebrated a first place victory at the Virginia High School League State Championship, tying with Thomas Jefferson and placing first and second in the Lincoln Douglas debate category. Seniors Jeffrey Di Santo and Kshitj Kumar represented South Lakes as AAA competitors in Lincoln Douglas debate... Read more »

Students support Safety Nets for Mental Wellness

Rachel Rogers, online editor
April 17, 2013
Filed under News, Top Stories

Mental Wellness Week continued today as students celebrated the use of Safety Nets, particularly in the form of support from friends and family. Students were encouraged during lunch to write down the name of someone who helps them during difficult times in their lives. These names were then symbolically... Read more »

Baseball, Softball reach the halfway mark

Rachel Rogers, online editor
April 17, 2013
Filed under Sports, Top Stories

The baseball and softball teams faced Marshall yesterday in their respective games, with varsity softball winning 3-2 and varsity baseball losing 14-1. Both varsity games were held at home. Marshall was the last team for South Lakes to play against in the Liberty District rotation and marks the hallway... Read more »

The Little Things: a trending sun

Rachel Rogers, online editor
April 11, 2013
Filed under Blogs, The Little Things

If Mother Nature had a twitter, then she would tweet about the recent 90 degree temperatures, pollen, sweat, and shorts. It seems that the environment has switched directly from winter to summer, and many students have switched straight from jeans and jackets to shorts and tee’s, with no period in... Read more »

The Little Things: bunnies act as panaceas

Rachel Rogers, online editor
April 1, 2013
Filed under Blogs, The Little Things

Returning to class after a long weekend is always hard, especially when faced with the looming end to the third quarter. Homework is important again, functioning before noon is essential, and students are expected to pay attention to something besides a television for multiple hours. The silver lining... Read more »

The Little Things: more reassuring then Pepto-Bismol

Rachel Rogers, online editor
March 19, 2013
Filed under Blogs, The Little Things

As another winter comes to a close, many are reflecting not on the snow but on the severity of the flu season. According to many sources, including ABC news, the flu season this year showed as many as 26 times more victims then last year. The largest problem that the flu presents for students is its... Read more »

The Little Things: try some big picture thinking

Rachel Rogers, online editor
March 12, 2013
Filed under Blogs, The Little Things

In life, students often face clashes in their schedule, such as choosing to study for that big test or complete their homework for another class. Even worse is when major, time consuming events are planned for the same day. I recently learned that I have a college visit on the same day as a group... Read more »

Chick Hernandez: CSN sports reporter

Rachel Rogers, online editor
March 11, 2013
Filed under Uncategorized

As a sports reporter for Comcast SportsNet, Chick Hernandez was inspired by such memorable characters as Glenn Brenner and James Brown. His 28 years in the field of journalism originally started during his junior year at the University of Maryland. Hernandez’s carrier choice originally stemmed from... Read more »

The Little Things: spring sport stress

Rachel Rogers, online editor
March 5, 2013
Filed under Blogs, The Little Things

Coaches and athletes alike use the early days of March for intense practicing and the honing of athletic abilities. With only two weeks until most opening season games, many students may find themselves bogged down by stress in their individual sports. There are many large problems, such a juggling... Read more »

The Little Things: Ravens fail to cope

Rachel Rogers, online editor
February 4, 2013
Filed under Blogs, The Little Things

The best advice to give right now is to not be a Raven, the football players - not the birds. Sure they have much going for them, like winning the Super Bowl, national fame, and Ray Lewis’ dance moves, but there is one thing they cannot do. Deal with a little change. Everyone who follows football... Read more »

Students place at Scholastic Art Awards

Rachel Rogers, online editor
February 4, 2013
Filed under News, Top Stories

Seventeen students from South Lakes were awarded for their contribution to the Regional Scholastic Art Awards competition. These students were just a few of the many participants, whose total number of entries numbered higher than 2,000. A total of 20 awards were earned between the 17 students,... Read more »

Light snow leads to driving problems

Rachel Rogers, online editor
February 1, 2013
Filed under News, Top Stories

Fairfax County did not enact a two hour delay when faced with a report of light snowfall on the morning of Feb. 1. However there were three reported accidents within the school zone and an increase in student tardiness. “Apparently the roads were slippery this morning and it was unexpected for South... Read more »

The Little Things: living without hot chocolate

Rachel Rogers, online managing editor
January 31, 2013
Filed under Blogs, The Little Things

Sometimes in life students need to learn to live without, such as when they crave their normal brand of classic Land O’ Lakes Hot Chocolate, but the store decides to stop selling it in bulk. It does not matter what course of action is taken, because a huge, corporate business has decided not to... Read more »

NIDA incites third annual National Drug Facts Week

Rachel Rogers, online manager
January 30, 2013
Filed under News, Top Stories

This week the National Institute of Drug Abuse began its third annual National Drug Facts Week in an effort to inform teens about the dangers of drug abuse as well as dispel myths about narcotics. According to a research survey done by the University of Michigan, with funding from NIDA, 18.6 percent... Read more »

The Little Things: Winter Parking

Rachel Rogers, online editor
January 25, 2013
Filed under Blogs, The Little Things

Students have recently been faced with the terror of an inch of snow, which means that hundreds of new drivers must learn how to park in between the unseen lines of the parking lot. Yesterday many students were flustered and angry about how other people could not park like normal people. However,... Read more »

Library aims to waive certain senior fines

Rachel Rogers, online editor
January 4, 2013
Filed under News, Top Stories

The school library and the finance department are currently working together to help seniors with their fines by forgiving overdue book charges of five dollars or less. This opportunity is open for seniors only and will last the week of Jan. 7-11. The idea was implemented to encourage students to... Read more »

Chat and Chew lacks prominence

Rachel Rogers, online editor
December 12, 2012
Filed under News, Top Stories

Planning to improve student relations, school counselors began the Chat and Chew program and spent lunch inside the lecture hall with open doors for any student that wished to talk with their respective counselors.  “We wanted to offer an informal setting during lunch that would make it easy for... Read more »

Leadership, SGA celebrate Custodian Appreciation Week

Rachel Rogers, online editor
December 7, 2012
Filed under News, Top Stories

In celebration of Custodian Appreciation Week, leadership class and the Student Government Association teamed together to honor the custodians and other hard working staff members within the school. SGA Executive Council Member Becky Owsalt is the student assigned to the Celebrate South Lakes branch... Read more »

Rachel Rogers: becoming a bit crazy

Rachel Rogers, online editor
December 4, 2012
Filed under Opinion

The glare off of the computer screen has reached the point of painful and my tired eyes can barely stand it. Glancing over at my glowing red alarm clock I realize it is only 10 o’clock at night, my usual time to retire to bed. I take another sip of coffee. An empty word document is displayed in front... Read more »

QRU? Marine veteran, IBMYP coordinator Tor Strom

Rachel Rogers, online editor
November 12, 2012
Filed under QRUs, Top Stories

IBMYP Coordinator Tor Strom celebrated Veterans Day, honoring the men that fight for our country while remembering his own years in the Marine Corps. Why did you join the Marines and how old were you when you did? I joined the Marine Corps right after high school in 1987. I was from Fairfax County... Read more »

South Lakes Voting Precinct

Rachel Rogers, online editor
November 6, 2012
Filed under News, Top Stories, Uncategorized

Voting has opened in Virginia and many residents are waiting in line to cast their votes for the next President of the United States. This year there are five major presidential candidates. The two most popular candidates are Barack Obama of the Democratic Party and Mitt Romney from the Republican... Read more »

South Lakes hosts Pixar themed homecoming parade

Rachel Rogers, online editor
October 15, 2012
Filed under Galleries, News, Top Stories, Uncategorized

The annual South Lakes homecoming parade marched down Colt Neck Rd. and South Lakes Dr. on Oct. 13, showing off Pixar themed floats and showering children with candy. The freshmen were the first class to appear in the parade, with students impersonating coral and riding on their Finding Nemo themed... Read more »

Pep rally wraps up Spirit Week

Rachel Rogers, online editor
October 12, 2012
Filed under News, Spirit Week 2012-13, Uncategorized

Seniors won the school spirit stick at this year’s pep rally after earning a decisive five points over the sophomore class. The rally featured many of the traditional events, including performances by the dance team, flag team, band, cheerleaders and manleaders. The team captain relay also took... Read more »

Barbeque added to Powder Puff night; seniors and sophomores win games

Rachel Rogers, online writer
October 11, 2012
Filed under Galleries, News, Spirit Week 2012-13, Top Stories, Uncategorized

Powder Puff was held on Oct. 10, featuring upperclassmen wins, the annual bonfire, and the introduction of a new South Lakes tradition, the pregame barbeque. The night started at 5 p.m. with a freeBBQ, organized by the Student Government Association and leadership students. The menu included hotdogs,... Read more »

Sophomores victorious during Class Color Day

Rachel Rogers, online editor
October 10, 2012
Filed under Galleries, News, Spirit Week 2012-13, Top Stories

Sophomores shocked the school when they won first place during Class Color Day, securing a two day total of 40 points and a second place position in the race for most spirited class. Seniors took second place, a step down from their first place sweep during Opposite Day. They rank first place overall... Read more »

QRU? Oskar Kylvag

Rachel Rogers, online editor
September 19, 2012
Filed under QRUs, Top Stories

In the summer of 2011 senior Oskar Kylvag moved to America from Sweden to live with his father. What part of Sweden are you from? The most southern part of Sweden, a providence called Scania in a city called Helsingborg. What was the toughest part about moving? Readjusting to the way society... Read more »

QRU? Becky Oswalt

Rachel Rogers, online editor
September 17, 2012
Filed under QRUs, Uncategorized

Senior Becky Oswalt is a SGA council member who enjoys making sure the school events run smoothly for the student body. What is your official title? I am part of the Student Government Association Executive Council. What do you do? We do the morning announcements and are in charge of the... Read more »

College Information Night begins senior college application process

Rachel Rogers, online editor
September 14, 2012
Filed under News, Top Stories, Uncategorized

Career specialist Karen Burke and counselor Bill Campbell worked together Sept. 13 to create an educational  College Information Night. Campbell estimated that the turnout may have been the biggest in his fifteen years at South Lakes, numbering around 300 students and parents. Guest speaker Barry... Read more »

Whole Foods to support new school garden

Rachel Rogers, online editor
September 12, 2012
Filed under News

While our school can boast many different commodities, including large football fields, giant murals, and senior walls, one thing it does not have is a school garden. However, when concerned parent Monica Russ learned of the Whole Foods healthy food promotion called Whole Kids, which finances school... Read more »

QRU? Senior Britte Baussus

Rachel Rogers, online editor
September 10, 2012
Filed under QRUs, Student Life

Senior Britte Baussus is a new student at South Lakes who recently moved to Virginia from Texas. Baussus comes with a special trio of siblings. Where did you live in Texas? I lived in Dallas, Fort Worth in Arlington. It’s kind of like  D.C. has Arlington, but in Texas. Why did you move to... Read more »

New leadership, new changes begin 2012-13 school year

Rachel Rogers, online editor
September 4, 2012
Filed under News

Returning to the 2012-13 school year, students should prepare to meet old friends and new changes, including a different Seahawk Seminar, a new personal electronics policy, and new cottages added to the campus. The Class of 2016 faced these changes first during the freshman orientation Aug. 30. Seniors... Read more »

Smith retires after twelve years of teaching

Rachel Rogers, Seahawk Stories editor
June 8, 2012
Filed under Seahawk Stories

Teachers have many different reasons for entering into the academic field. Some wish to mold young minds or want to help teach the future generation of students. Ron Smith just wanted to watch his son play baseball. “When my son entered high school, he played baseball, so he had practice at 2:30... Read more »

Relay for Life participant looks to complete fifth straight 18-hour walk

Rachel Rogers, Seahawk Stories editor
May 9, 2012
Filed under Seahawk Stories

Imagine a person forced to stay awake for 18 hours straight while walking continuously, only having the opportunity to eat while on the move. Now, imagine instead that this person is walking for charity. This is the real life case of sophomore Scott Waters, who walked all 18 hours of the fund raising... Read more »

Commentary: brawling in business class

Rachel Rogers, Seahawk Stories editor
April 30, 2012
Filed under Opinion

Today I was walking to my English class, pushing through the usual mob of teenagers that do not know how to walk down a hallway, when I came across a particularly big blockage in front of the English hallway. My first thought was, why were these students so ignorant that they could not even navigate... Read more »

Public forum team reaches nationals, Bhagwat reaches VHSL states in Lincoln Douglas

Rachel Rogers, Seahawk Stories editor
April 13, 2012
Filed under News, Student Life

Debate gained recognition with the advancement of two students to the National Debate competition in May, with another student to the state competition in April. The Washington-Arlington Catholic Forensic League and the Virginia High School League host these competitions respectively. The team attending... Read more »

Multilingual sophomore studies four languages

Rachel Rogers, Seahawk Stories editor
April 13, 2012
Filed under Seahawk Stories

In a school that teaches over half a dozen different languages, it is not unusual to find a student who studies two, or even three languages. However, one student in particular aims to speak six languages. Junior Guzman is a sophomore who is learning French, Italian, German and Japanese. His primary... Read more »

Newmans walk in honor of brother, raise over $2,000 for Epilepsy foundation

Rachel Rogers, Seahawk Stories editor
April 13, 2012
Filed under Seahawk Stories

On March 31, sisters Brittany and Stephanie Newman will participate in the National Walk for Epilepsy, a 5K walk at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., for their second year after the death of their younger brother.  The Newmans created a group for the walk called "Joshua’s Smile" to honor Joshua... Read more »

New water fountains under construction in the cafeteria

Rachel Rogers, Seahawk Stories
February 16, 2012
Filed under News, Top Stories

South Lakes is currently constructing new water fountains inside the cafeteria in compliance to updates in the building codes. Students express both positive and negative views on the construction. One complaint is that the school is wasting money because there are already water fountains outside... Read more »

Singles: stay positive on Valentine’s Day

Rachel Rogers, Seahawk Stories editor
February 14, 2012
Filed under Opinion

Typically by the time February rolls around, people prepare to either celebrate or condone the national day of relationships. Now on Feb. 14, also known as St. Valentine’s Day, many people are not only celebrating love but also Single Awareness Day. S.A.D. was a term created by recent culture... Read more »

QRU? Junior Abigail Clark

Rachel Rogers, Seahawk Stories editor
February 6, 2012
Filed under Seahawk Stories

Junior Abigail Clark has turned a fun past time into an after school profit, creating and selling small charms she made herself. Her love of culinary arts and her artistic talent comes together in her original charm designs. Why did you decide to make these charms? I’ve always been good at making... Read more »

British entertainment becoming increasingly more popular in America

Rachel Rogers, Seahawk Stories editor
December 31, 2011
Filed under Entertainment

History shows that the youth of America decide what is popular or not, but the newest trends have started to come from outside of the country. Recently, television shows watched by students have taken a turn for the British. “It’s a matter of variety,” said junior Hannah Baum. “It’s something... Read more »

On the fly: journalism program travels to Minneapolis

Rachel Rogers, Seahawk Stories editor
December 16, 2011
Filed under Seahawk Stories

Sentinel staff members experienced a five day trip in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where they travelled to partake in the JEA/NSPA conference. The conference judged the newspapers of the attending high schools and held workshops aimed at helping students improve their papers and writing. The Sentinel earned... Read more »

Rodriquez sells professionally at Anime USA Convention

Rachel Rogers, Seahawk Stories editor
December 16, 2011
Filed under Seahawk Stories

Junior Mariel Rodriguez accomplished what many art students aspire to do on Nov. 18-20. Sell art professionally. Rodriquez, an IB Art 1 student, attended the Anime USA art convention in Crystal City to sell her art for the first time, although she has displayed art at several other conventions. “Like... Read more »

Model UN receives recognition at conference

Rachel Rogers, Seahawk Stories editor
November 30, 2011
Filed under Student Life

Model United Nations  sent 23 students to attend the 25th annual William and Mary High School United Nations conference from Nov. 18-20, where they practiced both parliamentary procedure skills and the ability to create hostile takeover situations. Sponsored by history teacher Brian Vagts, Model... Read more »

QRU? Junior Nici Garanzini

Rachel Rogers, Seahawk Stories editor
November 16, 2011
Filed under Student Life

This year, the new mural for the main hallway is being created by junior Nici Garanzini. How did you get the opportunity to paint a mural on the wall? You have to ask your art teacher and then you need to make a draft of what you want to paint and then you have to pitch the idea to Mr. Butler.... Read more »

On the fly: Shaffi shares her Canadian experience

Rachel Rogers, Seahawk Stories editor
November 4, 2011
Filed under Seahawk Stories

Though an airplane can travel overseas and half way around the world, junior Sania Shaffi went right next door to Canada during the first week of October. Shaffi is a long time traveler and has visited many different European countries, including London, Italy, France, and Germany.  Shaffi has traveled... Read more »

Student juggles schoolwork with 30-hour work week

Rachel Rogers, Seahawk Stories editor
November 4, 2011
Filed under Seahawk Stories

Many students find junior year challenging with long nights and large workloads.  Junior Shaheem Johnson knows this better than most as he juggles his after school job with his school work. Johnson works at the Starbucks in Hunters Woods Plaza. He decided to apply to that Starbucks because it was... Read more »

Students anticipate arrival of Silver Line

Rachel Rogers, Seahawk Stories editor
November 4, 2011
Filed under News

Construction has begun and the color has been chosen for the new Metro line that is coming to the Reston area. Also known as Metrorail, the popular DC transportation system is scheduled to come to the Reston community area as soon as 2014. "I think the Metro station will be really awesome and we’ll... Read more »

Mentor program continues to serve freshmen

Rachel Rogers, Seahawk Stories editor
September 15, 2011
Filed under Student Life

This year, freshman entered the South Lakes community along with a new group of mentors from the Taking Flight Mentoring Program. Started seven years ago to help freshman entering high school and to create unity within the South Lakes community, the program has enjoyed much success. “I think... Read more »

New flex schedule begins Sept. 7

Rachel Rogers, Seahawk Stories editor
September 6, 2011
Filed under News

As the new school year begins so does the new study periods, Seahawk Seminar and Rewards and Remediation, which will replace the previous Flex program. Abbreviated as SS and R & R, these programs are the new way to help struggling students and reward the students in good standing. “It’s... Read more »

German exchange student completes year at South Lakes

Rachel Rogers, Seahawk Stories editor
June 14, 2011
Filed under Seahawk Stories

South Lakes sophomore Juliana Tran returns to her family in Germany on June 30 after a year’s participation in a foreign exchange program that brought her to the United States. Tran started the exchange program, Congress Bundestag Youth Exchange, and arrived in the United States on August 5. She... Read more »

Opinion: let teachers control use of electronic devices in the classroom

Rachel Rogers, Seahawk Stories editor
June 1, 2011
Filed under Opinion

Imagine a situation where an iPod is confiscated by a teacher while a friend is playing Angry Birds on an iPad right next to them. If this hasn’t happened to you, then you are obviously a student who abides by the rules of the school that bans electronic devices during school hours. Or you don’t... Read more »