By Charlie Glazier
Imagine dancing the night away with your best friends and then it is time to leave. As you drive back to the after party, an ambulance rushes past you. You turn the corner and see your friend’s vehicle flipped upside down and destroyed. The bright red and blue lights blind you as you slow By Alex Long
From a faked moon landing, to beliefs that Beyoncé is in the illuminati, there are conspiracy theories all over the Internet. One of the most recent conspiracy theories involves a mysterious voicemail and a possible alien invasion on April 18. It all started when Twitter user @strayedaway tweeted a screen recording of a voicemail on March 13. By Nicole King & Julianna Mirabile
In the blink of an eye, our Seniors this year will be walking across the Merriweather Post Pavilion stage, eager to accept their diplomas. These past four years at Glenelg have flown by, and there are multiple emotions surrounding it. Some are apprehensive and emotional, while By Zach Kersh
Most high school students do not have an excess of money sitting around for them to spend. Only upperclassmen have jobs to make money. However, Spring Break should be enjoyed by everyone as a time off from school and for relaxation as students approach the final quarter of the school year. Here are some of our favorite ways to have fun on a budget: By Julianna Mirabile
The most common goal that people set is to get into the routine of a healthy lifestyle, though not knowing where to start is something that scares us away. With prom and spring break approaching, getting into shape is at the top of everyone’s priority lists. By Charlie Glazier
The Leukemia Lymphoma Society is a non-profit organization thats mission is to help fund the research to cure Leukemia, Lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and Myeloma. It’s 2017-2018 Students of the Year Campaign is a way to spread the word of the society, collect donations and get high school students involved through friendly competition. Multiple teams from around the area participate in the Maryland chapter event. Each team competes with one another to raise the most money. Glenelg High School is home to eighteen members of the Gladiators team. The campaigning starts on February 3, 2018 at 12:00am and ends on March 23, 2018 at 7:00pm. March 23rd is the night of the LLS gala, marking the end of the campaigning. The winner is announced this night and the auctioning for the baskets and sponsor items are given away. The team leader is Christine Daniel, who brought this extra curricular from her old school Glenelg Country School. She built the team to continue what she set out to do at GCS. Daniel states that “ I am so excited to be helping such an amazing cause and leading a great team.” Each team member starts out with a minimum goal of $1,000 each. The goal amount that is set for the team is $50,000. Brielle Lazarus, a member of the Howard County community, is a pediatric cancer patient that benefits from the LLS campaign. Lazarus was diagnosed with a very rare form of acute myeloid leukemia in 2013 at the age of six weeks old. It is heartbreaking to imagine a child so little going through these life threatening event, and not to mention the endless nights her parents stayed up worrying it may be her last. Luckily, due to months of observation and continual testing, Lazarus found great improvement in her disease. Her cancer is now not in reminnsion or spreading, but the doctors still keep a close eye on her. After meeting Lazarus, team member Olivia Browne states that “It was heartbreaking to see a young happy girl be affected by such a horrible thing. She and many others are the reasons I want to help.” Browne was inspired from Lazarus’s story and will continue to work hard to raise money. The money raised will directly impact Lazarus and many other pediatric patients. With the support and dedication of her doctors and LLS, her family says there is hope for improved treatments and a cure for Lazarus and all other blood cancer patients. Especially with someone’s recognized help we can ensure the continuing of research towards blood cancer to one day put a stop to it. Overall, this is an phenomenal cause and campaign that is run by the drive and initiative of students. Hard work, time, and effort is put into fundraising and campaigning. Every penny counts in the fight against cancer. Everything from attendance to fundraisers to monetary donations can save a life. Money is being collected through the students fundraising pages and sponsored events taking place to support the cause. By Sofia Weddle Marty McFly had a time-traveling DeLorean (DMC-12), 50 Cent is the proud owner of not one, but two Lamborghini Murcielagos, and Paris Hilton seems to own an infinite amount of cars to correspond with her posh outfits. But do Glenelg High School students rival those luxurious rides? Here’s an inside look into the most impressive cars in the GHS parking lot. 2006 Porsche Cayman: Porsche has long been recognized as a premier car brand for flawless sports cars. Most recently, the company has been in the news for its fastest 911 model yet, flying at 211 MPH and “powered by a turbocharged 700-horsepower 3.8-liter six-cylinder engine,” according to CNN reporter Peter Valdes-Dapena. Glenelg High School might seem an unlikely playground for such cars, but Morgan Adams, a Senior at Glenelg, is the proud owner of a renovated 2006 Porsche Cayman track car “made street legal two weeks ago”. This high speed car has a 0-60 mph acceleration time of 5.2 seconds, 20 city/28 highway MPG, a 3.4 L 6-cylinder engine, and a 295 hp. Adams believes the coolest features of the cherry red car are “the sound [of the engine] and just the look over all”. If this Porsche isn’t the epitome of a luxury sports car, then what is? 1990 Jeep Wrangler YJ: Jeep Wranglers were first imagined in the 1940s during World War II for the U.S. army. Since then, the Jeep brand has taken off with Cherokees, Renegades, and various other versions of the classic Wrangler. With the combination of their off-roading capabilities with the classic Jeep Wave (you’ll only know if you own one), Jeep Wranglers define adventure. Daniel Poltorak, a Junior at Glenelg, recently bought his 1990 Jeep Wrangler YJ in December of 2016. Probably the most noticeable aspect of Poltorak’s red Wrangler is its hood, which has a hand painted American flag plastered across. “It was an art project in school which I planned to just put on for Memorial Day, but I liked how it looked,” said Poltorak. The looks aren’t the only features that matter, as Poltorak loves “driving top down in the summer. It’s also manual so it’s more fun to drive”. Here’s to adventure. 2016 Mercedes-Benz CLS 400: The name “Mercedes-Benz” probably brings a lot of things to mind. Opulence, style, speed, and innovation. After almost 100 years in the car industry, the company seems to be more popular than ever with an array of sedans, coupes, SUVs, convertibles, hybrid, and electric vehicles-- even Glenelg’s parking lot has one. Glenelg Junior, Michael Sedrakyan, got his slick black 2016 Mercedes-Benz CLS 400 in the beginning of 2017. Although it wasn’t his own choice to get the car, Sedrakyan has unsurprisingly become hooked. With a 329 hp, 20 city/30 highway MPG, a 3.0 L V6 engine, leather seats, bluetooth capabilities, and a navigation system, it would be hard not to. Sedrakyan loves that the CLS 400 has “a lot of electronics, which makes it really fun to drive” and seat warmers, which are perfect for Maryland’s frigid winter temperatures. Convertible Mustang: Ford Mustangs have a long history of appearing in both blockbuster movies, such as the James Bond films, and normal streets. The convertible top, the high speeds, the timeless look-- what’s not to love? For Jenna McGee, a Senior at Glenelg, absolutely nothing. McGee recently bought a convertible Mustang this past summer of 2017-- a purchase of which she is very proud of as she “paid for it all by myself and continue to pay for my own gas so it [the car] represents hard work and responsibility.” McGee loves the uniqueness of her Mustang, and her ability “to take half my car off whenever I want.” The snowy white car predictably brings a lot of attention, but the thrill of having a distinct, unique convertible is truly what has made McGee fall in love with her Mustang. 2014 Jeep Wrangler YJ: Since Jeep is the quintessential American car brand, it seems only fair to include two Wranglers in this ranking. Martayn Van de Wall, a Glenelg Junior, owns a 2014 YJ Jeep Wrangler of true American and Maryland spirit. Immediately, the American flag grill and Maryland stickers stand out on the shiny black surface of the car. Van de Wall loves “the lightbar I installed because in the night it makes it daytime,” and he believes the coolest features of a Jeep Wrangler are its “off-road capabilities. That’s the best part about Jeeps, is you can take them anywhere”. If the off-roading was not enough, there is always the Jeep Wave which, according to Van de Wall, “is probably the best car culture [there is]”. With both the all-terrain four wheel-drive and the friendly pride that comes with owning a Jeep, it is no wonder the brand continues to surge in popularity both in and outside of Glenelg. 2006 BMW 525i: This German car brand took the world by storm with the BMW 5 series introduced in the 1970s, which merged “uncompromising performance and dynamic driving,” according to the BMW USA website. The BMW 525i is affixed with a 215 hp, 18 city/28 highway MPG, tan leather seats, and a 3.0 L 6-cylinder engine. Avneet Sahi, a Senior at Glenelg and the driver of this BMW, says that her favorite aspects of the vehicle are that “it’s tiny and fits in most places, it’s easy to drive. It’s everything--the seats are really nice, they heat up.” Unsurprisingly, Sahi receives a complement almost every day on her car from Glenelg students and she wouldn’t trade her beloved BMW for any other ride.
By Kendall Howze
From the cinnamon challenge to the ghost pepper challenge, dangerous trends just seem to keep coming back in new and stupid forms. The latest trend is perhaps the worst and most blatantly dangerous. The Tide Pod challenge involves people biting into laundry detergent pods as a part of a “funny trend.” Yes, people are eating detergent for fun. The Tide Pod obsession began with an article published by The Onion titled “So Help Me God, I’m Going To Eat One Of Those Multi Colored Detergent Pods.” The article is written from the point of view of a toddler who strives to eat everything his parents have kept out of his reach. The article is meant to be a joke regarding the curiosity of a growing toddler. As you can probably guess, the child is determined to eat a Tide Pod. While the child never seems to actually eat the detergent, jokes about doing so began to surface on social media, becoming a meme. Yes, eating detergent is now a meme. They are now often referred to as “the forbidden fruit” featured in social media posts. While in the past these dangerous challenges were only popular for a short amount of time, the Tide Pod Challenge has gotten out of control. Initially, people were only pretending to eat tide pods in their challenge videos. Many people, however, did not seem to get the message that people were only pretending to eat tide pods and actually began to eat tide pods. Below that warning is a picture of a child grabbing a tide pod. Because presumably, the concern is that a child may attempt to eat a tide pod because they don’t know any better. Adults, however, should already be aware that tide pods “may be harmful if swallowed.” Just in case a child did in fact eat a tide pod, the number to the Poison Control Center is mentioned, with the direction to “seek medical attention.” Seems safe enough, right? You wouldn’t think that in 2018, adults need to be told not to eat poisonous laundry detergent. Unfortunately, you would be wrong. Senior and Glenelg student AJ Patel gives people the benefit of the doubt, saying that “I think it’s funny, but I don’t think people actually eat them.” He can often be found carrying around a bag full of tide pods as a joke. He, however, knows better than to eat them. “Even though I’m not planning on eating them I still have some pods because they’re fun to play with and watch what other people do with them.” Thankfully, no one has used his Tide Pods to complete the challenge. Hopefully, AJ’s assumptions are correct and Glenelg students are not participating in the internet trend because sure, it may seem funny at the time, but will it still be funny while you’re at the hospital? Many not only find the Tide Pod Challenge dangerous, but offensive. Many have used forms of bleach or detergent to inflict self harm. The new internet trend is insensitive and thoughtless. Glenelg Senior Imani Nokuri said, “Because I know many people who have tried to take their own life with types of detergents and tide pods, I believe that it is insensitive to people who are suicidal to take and eat these tide pods for social gain.” Nothing good can come from eating tide pods. It’s not cool, it’s not funny, and quite frankly, it’s fairly disgusting to watch. Please, for the sake of the internet, move onto the next trend. By Alexis Kominos
Applications and Research Laboratory, or ARL, is a fantastic opportunity for students to gain further knowledge on potential career paths. ARL is offered in Howard County and is a helpful way to get hands-on experience on a topic of choice. How to Know If ARL is Right for You: At Glenelg, and other Howard County schools, there is a day dedicated to bringing underclassmen to the Applications and Research Laboratory to experience what it is like before determining whether or not they want to partake in the class the following year. ARL shadow days are either the first two periods in the morning, or the last two periods of the afternoon during school. Students meet where the buses pick up and drop off. They take the bus ride to the building and there are students holding signs for their specific class topic. The former and current ARL students will tell the new ones where to go and what to do. The students then get to experience what goes on at ARL and decide if it is right for them. The ARL shadow days vary from each school, so students must check online when their shadow is. Academies Offered at ARL: There are many academies offered that any student is free to take. There is Aerospace Engineering, Architectural Design, Automotive Technology, Biotechnology, Construction Management, Cyber Security Networking, Finance, Health Professions, Homeland Security and Emergency Management, Hotel and Restaurant Management, Systems and Project Engineering Visual Communications. As shown there are many academies for any student who wishes to expand their knowledge and get a leg up among his or her peers. For example in the Health Professions academy, in the first year the students learn fundamentals, terminology, and much more to set themselves up for year two. In the second half of year one, students are required to do a research component. Then in year two there is more preparation and students are selected to intern some place and really get to know what the work place is like. This is not the same for every academy. The academies differ from each other in what they entail, but this is generally what goes on. Recommendations or Prerequisites: Each academy has different prerequisites -that is, taking a certain class beforehand- that are required for the student. For example, for Health professions, a standard Biology class and Common Core Algebra 1 are required. Different academies have different prerequisites and generally require a C or higher depending on what class is recommended to be taken for that academy. There are also different recommendations for each academy that are not required; however, if they are taken, they would boost the students’ general knowledge on their chosen academy. These academies with all the information that goes into deeper detail is found at Howard County Public School System ARL. If You Dislike Your Academy: If the student does not like the academy they have chosen for the year, the student is not permitted to drop out of ARL completely, but they can switch into another academy. The student has the choice to be a part of the program Junior and Senior year or just Junior year. The student is able to drop out of ARL up to the first day of school, but after that there is no option for the rest of the school year. Taking two years of the same academy will be most helpful because in year two, internships are often offered for students who complete all the work. According to Junior Ben Kishter, who is in the academy of Homeland Security, there is a pretty large amount of work in ARL, and most of it is busy work. However this also depends on which academy is being taken and the personal preferences of that student. He claims that, “You definitely need to be interested in whichever academy you are in. If you are in one that does not spark your interest or desire to learn, the class may be harder, or boring. And once you go to the ARL on the first day of school, you can no longer drop out, so think long and hard if this is what you really want to do for one or two years.” Why You Should Take ARL: Applications and Research Laboratory (ARL) is a great way to get more knowledge on a topic that any student wants to look further into. According to the ARL.hcpss website, “Students are able to earn industry certifications and college credits while attending the ARL which helps prepare them for success in college and careers.” It is a good source of new knowledge that is not offered within the high school. Students can receive internships and college credits at ARL. They also can determine whether or not he or she is passionate enough to take this learning experience to college and then into the future. By Nicole King
At the end of 2017, a heartwarming discussion brought together by Brittany Vonow was recorded, leaving viewers speechless. A retired veteran, Simon Brown, had an in-depth conversation with a five-year old, Tempy Pattinson, about her contribution to war veterans. Pattinson wanted to not only thank him, but help make a difference for others risking their lives every day. Though he was one of many to choose to fight for our country, his battle wounds will forever leave him scarred. While on a rescue mission in Iraq, Brown saved six of his colleagues when he was suddenly injured by a shot to the left side of his face. This powerful shot left Brown in need of twenty-five operations and many sleepless nights in a hospital bed. The thirty-eight year old survived, but 80% of his sight will forever be unrecoverable. Losing something so important to the daily life resulted in major setbacks which required him to completely rebuild his life. This is nothing anyone can prepare for, including Brown when he stated, “We were trained to invade and fight whereas the rebuilding stage was not what we were used to doing.” Luckily, he did not have to endure this laborious task all by himself. Junior, Jared Thomas, said “Since I’m very patriotic, I like to write soldiers letters to make them feel like they aren’t alone.” These brave men and women travel around the world, risking their lives. The least Americans can do is small activities such as the letters to make them feel at home. After telling his story to the little girl during their interview, she responded by explaining her efforts to raise money at a triathlon. When asked why she felt the need to get involved, Pattinson said “Even though I didn't know any of the soldiers, I just thought that they did something for us.” This passion for giving back started when she was only three-years old and asked her mother what sacrifices soldiers have made for our country. After her mother explained a broad overview of their duties, Pattinson was quite proud and wanted to raise a profit to go towards their extensive recovery. Later on, she biked in a 100 meter triathlon for veterans. Being afraid to ride her bicycle would no longer override her determination to make a difference. Just like Pattinson, Junior, Shea Lally said “I’m not much of a runner, but I once completed a two-mile run to raise our veterans money.” Whether the activity is large or small, the smallest difference can mean a ton to a soldier. At the end of their conversation, the two both stated that they are each other's heroes. Challenges like the ones Pattinson faced and the money she raised allowed soldiers like Brown to get proper treatment. Both their substantial impacts on our country shall not be forgotten. It is crucial for people to be informed of ways to aid those who risk their lives to fight for those they have never even met. Citizens can sleep at peace through the night due to heroes such as Brown who deploy across the world to protect our country. Never take for granted all that these brave men and women do for our country. It is encouraged that everyone takes the time to do something as simple as swim, run, or bike to raise money for our wounded warriors. By Julianna Mirabile
Many Seniors are scrambling to seal the deal on their favorite college and choose the path leading to their future. Senior Natalie Proviano says that, “Picking my college is much more stressful than applying to it.” This stressful point of the process is one that will decide the rest of our lives, which can be frightening to those that are undecided. If you are one of those Seniors that are still looking to find your passion, here are a few majors that may spike an interest and can lead you down a path with different options: Kinesiology: This major has everything to do with becoming an expert in muscle and body movements. It can be anywhere from learning about the mechanical movements to learning spiritual movements. When studying this, you learn about how kinesiology can help with healing and health. The courses taken will have to do with anatomy, exercise science, nutrition, fitness testing, and many others. When earning a degree in kinesiology you have many options going into the workforce. These choices range from a personal trainer to a chiropractor. The opportunities are endless, and with health and fitness becoming more popular this route would be a smart way to go. Business: One of the more popular, yet vast degrees would be studying business. When enrolling in this degree you should expect to take classes in accounting, marketing, and communications. The careers you can get with this degree range from owning your own business, to working in any sector. Some examples include banking, human resources, and finance. Senior, Amy Smith, says that, “Majoring in business is something I am seriously considering. It can lead me down so many different paths.” This broad degree is a useful and intelligent choice if you are still not sure what to focus down on, but you want to be successful. Sociology: When studying sociology you are looking at the functioning and development of humans as a whole. This can include social relationships, matters such as crime or religion, and the way we behave in society. You can expect to be enrolled in classes such as political, religious, and cultural sociology. When obtaining this degree you can go into careers with family planning, counseling, or even could be a good major before attending law school. This study can be entertaining and leave you with a better understanding of the world. Zoology: Zoology is the study of animal functioning, behavior, and development. This degree is more specific than the others and may not offer as many jobs, though if you have a love for animal science this could be perfect. It is a lesser known major and may be offered at fewer schools. You can expect to be in classes related to anatomy, cell biology, chemistry, and vertebrate biology. Careers that come from this degree include zookeepers, working in wildlife parks, ecologist, and several others all relating to working directly with animals and their environments. Since this degree is more unique, you could have a better chance at getting a cool job with it. Philosophy: This major is focused on studying knowledge, existence, ethics, and reason. It is a great foundation career for those wanting to go into law or business. When getting this degree you can go on a variety of paths including journalism, government, and therapy. In college you can expect to be taking classes in logic, theories, and political philosophy. Many people find these courses interesting and may take critical thinking. Overall, whatever major you decide is the right path for you, make sure you have a passion for it. Do not base the rest of your life off of what someone told you to do, or a job you would take just for the money aspect. Whether you decide to take a more difficult path requiring extra schooling, or one that is more basic, make sure it’s a path worthwhile. Enjoying what you do is crucial to living a happy lifestyle. By Bethany Stewart
People always discuss how stressful applying to college can be, but another, less debated, part of the college process that can be just as stressful is applying for scholarships. Trying to win a scholarship can be overwhelming. Many students do not even know where to begin when searching for scholarships that they want to apply for. Senior, Rachel Scheinberg, commented, “When I was looking into scholarships that I was eligible for I was so overwhelmed. I had no clue where to start.” This is not something unusual for a high school senior to experience around this time of year. Here are some tips to get you started on your scholarship search.
By Sayo Jolayemi
It is that time of the year Glenelg, midterms are almost upon us. Whether it happens to be your first or last year of high school, I’m sure you have some level of stress going into these fateful examinations. Fortunately, it does not have to be this way. By making a few adjustments in your daily routine, you can reduce midterm stress and guarantee yourself the highest possible chance of success. 9th Graders: Given that this is your first midterm experience, let’s clear the air: Midterms are not that bad, really. Sure it seems intimidating, but proper preparation prevents poor performance and that brings us to the first major key for managing midterm stress: get started now. You are going to have seven exhausting exams to power through in the final week of January. The sooner you get started the better, and don’t be scared to ask for help! Freshman Evan Whatley gave an insight to his tips for studying by saying, “I’m going to use Quizlets students last year made and modify them.” Many upperclassmen would be more than happy to point you in the right direction, whether it be an older sibling, a GHS Gladiator on the Horizon, or even a friend you have in a class. Their experience gives them an insight you are yet to achieve and they are sure to have some useful advice. 10th Graders: Okay Sophomores, this is your second time around and you may be looking to improve your midterms this year.. Make sure to take full advantage of your teachers this year, as they will not handhold you like they did last year. Midterm review/study guides will be your bread and butter so be sure to not only hold onto all of the review guides you receive, but actually take the time to look over them. Many teachers will only slightly variate their questions from these free handouts and proper inspection of these sheets of paper almost guarantee easy points. Also don’t be scared to ask your teachers questions you may have, going over the study guide with them will be a major convenience to you, and they may even give you tips regarding the exam. After all, who better to ask about a test than the person who wrote it? 11th Graders: Alright Juniors, you are trained in all the usual studying methods, Kahoot, Quizlet, etc. There is not much to introduce to you on that front. As many of you have taken this year to load up on APs and G/Ts in order to boost your class rank, you may very well be stressed out with numerous difficult midterms ahead of you. Lean on your friends! Make study groups with your classmates. Odds are they are just as stressed out as you are, and managing your workload amongst yourselves is a tactic useful for ensuring everyone maintains their sanity. Schedule study group sessions so that you all can go over class notes and analyze different bits of information each of you may have found important. The combined conglomeration of all your notes should ensure that all of you get a better score than what could have been accomplished individually. Just be sure to actually study, since it is quite easy to get caught up having fun with friends and not accomplish anything, so set study goals and stay on task. 12th Graders: Seniors, hopefully by now in your fourth year of midterms you’ve developed a form of studying. Glenelg Senior Dillon Skovron gave us his methods, “I just go over study guides my friends work on every once in a while. A little reviewing helps me a lot” However, if you have not nailed a study technique yet don’t fret, the other tips work for you guys as well. A more relevant issue may be figuring out a form of studying that does work. Especially if you plan to go to college because you will have approximately four more years of these dreaded exams come further education. Obviously, midterms are a big deal. They carry about 10% of your grade so it’s important to do well. Make sure come midterm week you are prepared, well nourished and well rested. Use those half days to get a jump on the next days exams, and you should do well. Hopefully these tips help you get the grade you're striving for coming the final week of January. By Julianna Mirabile
In the blink of an eye 2017 came and went. The ball dropped, ringing in the new year of 2018 all across America. With a new year, comes new resolutions. There are the common ones ranging from being healthy, working out, or learning a new skill. These kind of resolutions are more likely to be broken because they are so broad. There are also more specific goals that people set that focus on certain areas to make sure they are followed, such as working out three times a week, cutting out chocolate, or learning how to play the piano by June. Making your resolutions more specific will help you maintain your goals and finish off the year saying you actually kept up with it all year. If your resolution has to do with cutting out an unhealthy food, try replacing it with something healthy but just as yummy to keep your mind off of it. For example, if you are cutting out chocolate, replace it with eating strawberries everytime you would go to grab a piece. A few years back I used to drink soda daily. After learning about all of the negative effects it has on my body, I decided to cut it out for a whole year as my resolution. I ended up surviving the whole year without soda and replacing it with seltzer water, and to this day I am a seltzer addict and will barely touch a soda can. This year, I will be trying to cut out gluten for at least half the year to keep myself from overeating on unhealthy foods that contain gluten. Learning a new specific skill is always a fun resolution to have. Senior, Julia Herboldt, attended a reiki session (a type of healing that involves natural energies and crystal healing) and said that “I am going to start to study crystals and meditating to release stress. It was an amazing experience and I am interested in getting involved.” Finding something that you are passionate about and pursuing it as a skill or hobby is something that will inspire you to continue throughout the rest of the year. The most common resolution that people set is to start working out, though it is also the most common resolution that is broken. This is because the resolution is too generic. If the resolution is to just “work out”, there will be no strive or determination to actually get up every morning and go to the gym. Senior, Tony Mobley, explains that he specified his resolution to “Go to the gym four times a week at two o’clock every afternoon.” By giving an exact time and how many times a week he plans to go, it will drive him to actually follow through with the resolution. Although millions of people will be setting resolutions this coming year, let's see how many actually make it to 2019. By Hannah Butera
If you hate the cold, you probably hate the winter season. From the often miserable weather to the unfortunate lack of daytime, it may seem like the worst. However, it’s the holiday season and there are plenty of ways to make the most of it. Here are some ideas to consider if you want to enjoy the frigid season, from least to most expensive! There is nothing better than snuggling up at home and watching Christmas movies, away from the freezing weather. If you are hesitant to do anything that suggests being outdoors in this chilling season, or if you want to save your money while making the most of the season, this one’s for you. ABC’s 25 Days of Christmas is arguably one of the greatest parts of the holidays. From December 1st to the 25th, ABC plays non-stop classic holiday movies. The only thing better than watching holiday classics is watching them for free, so go check out ABC! If you like to have a challenge, ice skating is for you! Ice skating is the perfect way to enjoy the winter season with friends and family. The Columbia Ice Rink is a nearby indoor rink that invites people of all ages to skate. At just $9.00 plus an additional skate rental fee of $3.50, it is certainly worth it. If you prefer a more scenic and spirited atmosphere and don’t mind a short road trip, the Pandora Ice Rink located in the Baltimore Inner Harbor is something to consider. For just a dollar more, you can enjoy a view of the Harbor, decorated festively for the holiday season! However, it’s only open until January 15th, so go before the time is up! Another winter activity that will give you a thrill is tubing! While this activity requires a more lengthy road trip, roughly one hour, and is a bit pricier, nothing beats flying down a slope on an inflatable tube. “I’ve never been a big fan of skiing or snowboarding, so I love to go tubing” said Senior Amy Smith. Tubing is perfect if you haven’t skied before or don’t want to spend the money. Liberty Mountain Resort is the closest location that offers snow tubing, and it is priced at $21 for one hour on weekdays and $28 for one hour on weekends. However, tubing isn’t the only activity offered at this resort. This brings us to one of the best parts of winter: skiing and snowboarding. If you’ve never skied or snowboarded before, you’re missing out. There’s no better way to take advantage of the winter weather than by hitting the slopes! Liberty, Whitetail, and Wisp are three resorts that offer great skiing and snowboarding trails! Junior Hailey Griffin looks forward to her family’s annual trip to Wisp every year. “Skiing has been my favorite thing to do since I was five years old, and Wisp is the best place to do it!”, said Griffin. As this activity can be expensive, it will require some planning in advance. Prices vary based off of the resort, the number of people in your group, the day of the week, and much more, so it is crucial to do sufficient research. Usually, the bigger mountain with better trails will be more expensive. This would make for a great family trip or even just a day trip with friends. Since a fourth of the year is winter, you might as well make the most of it! Whether you’re willing to take on a challenge outdoors or prefer staying cozy inside, there are ways for you to make this winter the best one yet. By: Anna Lawson
From elaborate latte art and “freakshakes”, to edible cookie dough and charcoal soft serve ice cream, 2017 has been a year of trendy ingredients and desserts. Publicized mainly through social media, three ingredients and desserts have gone viral worldwide. With the holidays coming up, enjoy these holiday desserts with a trendy twist. Peppermint Rolled Ice Cream Rolled ice cream is a Thai frozen dessert that has become extremely popular due to satisfying social media videos in which a person chops up an ingredient, pours an ice cream base overtop, and smoothes into a thin layer of ice cream. They then scrape the ice cream to create rolls. Glenelg Junior, Lucy Loazer says this ice cream is "actually pretty easy to make, and it tastes delicious!” Traditionally this is done on top of an ice-cold metal surface, allowing for the ice cream to freeze into a creamy texture almost immediately. Unfortunately most people do not have one of these industrial surfaces at home, so instead try with a baking sheet. It does take a bit longer, but it is worth it in the end! Ingredients:
Matcha Crepe Cake Matcha is a green tea powder originating from Japan. It is traditionally used as mood-enhancer since it contains L-theanine, an amino acid capable of relaxing the mind. Glenelg Senior Morgan Adams says that “it is cool how an ingredient can calm someone.” In addition, crepe cakes have become increasingly popular this year. A crepe cakes consists of layers of crepes, which are similar to extremely thin pancakes, with a cream filling in between each layer. Recently, bakers have been adding matcha powder to crepe batter, giving it a green tea flavor. This cake is perfect for the holidays because of the green pigment from the matcha powder. For the Batter:
Crepe Batter
By Bethany Stewart
The holiday season is something everyone gets excited about. Not only are there numerous winter activities, but holiday festivities as well that can fill our time during these chilly winter months. People are always hoping for that picturesque white Christmas. Often times the holidays encompass three main activities, shopping, cooking, and spending time with family- what could be better? It is no surprise that this can be considered the most wonderful time of the year. You can see the spirits of many being lifted by the charity of others around the holiday season. Here at Glenelg, many students are anxiously awaiting winter break which means Hanukkah and Christmas are around the corner. Students of Glenelg were asked questions about their favorite things during the holiday season. When Glenelg students asked were about their holiday favorites, the top movie was Elf by a landslide. This comes with little surprise, as the movie is funny and entertaining for both children and adults. Coming in as a strong contender was Rudolph. This also comes as no shock, as this movie is a timeless Christmas classic. For the favorite holiday song of Glenelg students, there was almost an even split between All I Want for Christmas is You and Jingle Bells. Both song help to really lift the spirits of the holiday season. These songs are extremely popular and played numerous times on the radio during the holidays. The favorite winter activity of Glenelg students came out to be a three way tie between sipping on hot chocolate, sledding, and skiing. When a student was asked why skiing was their favorite activity, they said “Skiing down the slopes with the cold air and snow blowing by my face makes me happy. The adrenaline rush when going down a black diamond is just the best.” Skiing down a mountain is the exact opposite of sipping warm hot chocolate and curling up with a good movie. Cookies were the overwhelming vote of the favorite holiday dessert. With endless variety it is impossible to not find something that everyone can enjoy. One students writes that “Cookies just seem to taste better around Christmas time!” No matter what desert you chose to enjoy this holiday season, there is something out there for you to enjoy. Gladiator’s favorite gift ever ranged from pet bunnies to bikes, but the overwhelming answer was a cellphone or laptop. One student wrote that their favorite gift was tickets to a Selena Gomez concert when he/she was younger. “I loved her and her music, and the concert was so fun” they commented. One cool holiday tradition that the Day family does every Christmas is “eating tacos for Christmas dinner, and ice cream for dessert!” Another exciting holiday tradition that Curtis Rodkey, Senior at Glenelg, does is “walking around our neighborhood giving out holiday treats like cookies.” Whatever your holiday traditions and favorites may be, stay safe and have a great winter break and holiday season! By Nicole King
Dying to have the latest style of shoes? Don’t have the money to purchase them? As high school students are entering the “real world”, we are at a constant battle to have enough money. Our parents refuse to give us money every time we ask so we must be creative and find a solution to this problem. There are many simple ways to earn quick cash on the side instead of getting a laborious job. Below are some options for students to try in order to keep up with the newest styles.
By Julie Amoss
The Glenelg music department is a hive of activity, with one of its parts almost always participating in some event or another. The fall season is full of events and concerts for the music department. Starting things off early, the Glenelg Concert Choir had their first concert on October twenty fifth, and it was immediately followed by Choral Day just two days later. The Pops concert is the first of the year for choir, and the first concert in the entire music department. It’s an entirely choral-based concert, although some of the groups sing with a professional band. Solo acts are also a featured part of the performance, allowing students to show off their own personal vocal talents. Every act shone despite the mere seven weeks of rehearsal time, and the solo acts were positively heavenly, each more beautiful than the last. Around six hundred people attended the event, and it was generally regarded as an excellent show for all involved. Choral day is an event where all of the choir programs from every feeder school to Glenelg gather in our auditorium and each sing a song. Students from grades four to twelve are showcased as parts of their respective choirs, with the Glenelg Madrigals, Women's, and Men’s ensembles all performing as well. At the end, every school joins together to sing one song as a group. The auditorium is of course packed for the performance, as over five hundred students perform across the nine grades featured in the event. The evening is chaotic and often a bit overwhelming; but it’s a lot of fun and the kids are the absolute sweetest. In October, the choir is allowed to volunteer at Larriland Farm serving apple fritters. They spend four hours of their weekend preparing and serving apple fritters to help pay for the choir’s annual spring trip, which this year will be to Williamsburg, Virginia. The stand is almost always busy, so it’s normally all hands on deck for the entire shift. The work is surprisingly fun and hardly feels like any kind of a chore, and it is especially enjoyable when you’re working with friends. The String Thing is an orchestra event that occurred on November first. pairing the Glenelg Orchestra and the Glenwood Orchestra to showcase both groups’ prowess. The Glenelg String Orchestra and Glenelg Chamber Orchestra performed alongside the Glenwood Orchestra, showcasing each groups’ individual prowess and their skill as one cohesive group. Although the show could have been “a little more in tune”, as Izzy Beaumont, a Sophomore violinist, puts it, “It was pretty good overall.” The event was definitely an experience for the younger kids, some of whom are performing with older students for the first time. The Glenelg Marching Band is still performing at football games with the Cheer Squad and Color Guard. They perform the school fight song during intermission, complete with marching choreography. The group is constantly improving and working to better their performance for the future, although they already set a high bar of excellence for themselves. However, every group now has turned their focus to the Winter Concert. The Winter Concert is an event where every part of the Glenelg Music Department performs a variety of holiday music, and it is already looking like it will be a highlight of the winter season. Tickets are available immediately following Thanksgiving break for pre-order and can be purchased at the door as well for just eight dollars. Approximately a quarter of the school’s population has a part in at least one group, and for many the fine arts wing is like a second home. Although the Music Department doesn’t perform every week or go to state tournaments -although there is adjudication in March- like the sports teams, the department is always busy, and definitely worth keeping an eye on now and in the future. By Bethany Stewart
Everyone wants to be able to say that they made millions in their lifetime. There are many ways this is possible, but creating a product that costs less than five dollars and produces a profit in the millions is something difficult. Many new products and ideas are released to the market on a regular basis. But, very few produce a substantial profit for the creator. Below is a list of some of the cheapest products in stores that have been the most profitable.
By Charlie Glazier
Glenelg’s Seniors have already caught the case of “senioritis” for this 2017-2018 school year. Many students during this time of year experience stress over college and application process. The date for the application varies by state and school. Ten out of ten of the Seniors interviewed from Glenelg High School said they have experienced some form of stress due to Senior year. The time it takes some students to apply to colleges can drastically differ per student. When interviewing twelfth grade student, Brittany Anderson, she states that “It only took me ten minutes to finish my applications.” This contrasts with the opinions of Amy Smith, another twelfth grade student, when she states “ Applications took me a long time.” Smith goes on to say that she has put in a lot of time, work, and energy into her applications to ensure her applications are good quality. The application process time can depend on how skilled of a writer a student is, how prepared they are to write the college essays, and how many schools they are applying to. For instance, if a student is set on one school being the one they attend and they do not apply to any other schools, the application process will take then much less time. Most students started the process over the summer. When asking the students how they feel about the application process the common answer revolved around the idea that they were putting so much effort, time, and money into essays that they might not even receive admission for. The average cost of a college application is $37.88 as stated by a survey done by World Market. The students had a very wide range of prices they had paid for applications so far, from thirty to hundreds of dollars. Time management and organization is important when applying due to the amount of work a student is putting into the applications. The overwhelming majority of students were more anxious about getting in and felt pressured about acceptance than any other aspect of the process. Ryan Davis, Amy Smith, and Brittany Anderson all agreed that teachers like Mr. Faran, Dr. Burnett, Mrs. Nunemaker, and Mr. Male all have been extremely helpful in the application process. All of the staff, administration, and other peers of the students interviewed are said to have all lend a helping hand in recommendations, peer review, and application help. Mrs. Ohanian has a workshop dedicated to helping students with college applications. The teachers are all said to be trying to help with anything they can to better their students applications and have been planned lessons around college essay writing. By using these resources and teacher advice given to you by the school, hopefully students feel less inclined to be stressed during this time period. Students should also remember that not everyone gets into their top choice of a school and that putting your best effort forth in the application will help you to succeed. All of the students interviewed also all agreed on the point of them being excited to enter the new chapter of their education and except the freedom and new responsibilities that will follow. The stress of the application season is temporary and the relief of college acceptance will make up for all of the hard work the student have achieved. The concept of “senioritis” is also said to be very real as these students are anxious to move on to bigger and better places in the world. By Alex Long
Cyber Monday began in around 2005 when the National Retail Federation coined the term after noticing a spike in online purchases the Monday after Thanksgiving. This spike is explained by the fact that back in 2005, high speed internet was not readily available. Consumers would wait until they got to work on Monday after the long break to take advantage of their high speed internet and begin online shopping. Online retailers took advantage of this spike in purchases and began to introduce sales as a part of Cyber Monday. However, now that internet is accessible almost anywhere, anytime, is it worth it to wait until Cyber Monday to make purchases? It seems as if the answer is no. Amazon typically begins their Cyber Monday sale 10 days in advance. In addition to that, the flood of consumers purchasing products online causes a back up in retailers. In past years, Amazon has had difficulty getting purchases to their consumers on time due to the overflow. People also encounter a lot of merchandise being sold out due to the flood of purchases. Senior Olivia Paregol shared, “It's too difficult to shop on Cyber Monday. Everything is always sold out, and you don't even know if the clothes are going to fit.” Recent studies have shown that the best deals are actually on Thanksgiving day itself, with prices increasing from Black Friday to Cyber Monday. Cyber Monday is becoming less and less significant through the years. Further proof that Cyber Monday is becoming less important is that some teenagers don't even know what Cyber Monday is, both Luke Gezelle and Maria Collins asking, “What is Cyber Monday?” when questioned about the topic. A recent survey has also found that consumers are 42% less inclined to shop on Cyber Monday this year. This is because good deals online are no longer exclusive to Cyber Monday. Retailers have slowly extended the holiday, some beginning the sales Sunday night, or even continuing them throughout the week. Interestingly enough, the introduction of Cyber Monday has not affected Black Friday shopping, as the percent of sales on Black Friday is still fluctuating in the same fashion as it was prior to the introduction of Cyber Monday. By Hannah Butera
The years you spend in college are arguably the most important of your life. Your social, academic, and independent experiences sculpt you as a person and prepare you for your future plans. In saying this, it is crucial to select a college that best fits your needs. As opposed to selecting a college merely for one aspect, like sports or the social scene, there is a multitude of factors that need consideration to ensure that you get the most out of your college experience. Above all, affordability is the most important. Before anything, make sure the college is in a price range that is affordable to you or your family. It is important to take financial aid and scholarships into account when looking at the price, for the estimated tuition can likely be alleviated based on those factors. Student loans are also a significant factor. While they may allow you to attend the school of your dreams, keep in mind it could mean monthly payments for anywhere from fifteen to twenty years. If you love constant warm weather and sunshine, would going to a school up North make sense? No! That’s why the region and climate you desire is a factor that should weigh heavily on your decision. When I asked Senior Lily Discepolo about her college research process, she said, “When I started my college search, I made sure to research only Southern schools because I am not one with cold weather.” However, aside from personal climate preference, it is also important to go somewhere that is a comfortable distance for you from home. If you don't mind going far, you're options are endless! If you think you're more comfortable staying close to home, that's okay too. Remember, plane tickets can be pricy and not every school has an airport nearby; take this into account as well! The underlying point of going to college is the education you receive, so your academic interest should be a top priority when you make your decision. If you are set on a career path and have an utter passion for a certain subject, choose a school that specializes in it. For example, if you're passionate about becoming an artist, go to an art school, not a school that specializes in engineering or math. However, if you are unsure, going into a larger university “undecided” is a good option, for it will likely offer endless academic opportunities for you to explore. But remember, it is always okay to change your major! What you’re looking for from a social standpoint is also important to think about. If you are looking to have an extremely involved social life, a larger school with a multitude of clubs and organizations is your best answer. Along with this, Greek life is something to consider. If sororities or fraternities are something that call out to you, make sure the schools you're looking into offer them. Junior Leya Prezelski is starting her college research. “Being in a sorority is something I am looking forward to, so I’m looking at colleges that have this option,” said Prezelski. Sports is another aspect that people often seek in a college. A school with involved sports teams is likely a good option for those interested in an involved social agenda. However, if your education and personal growth is your top priority, a smaller campus that offers a more personalized education might be a better fit. Selecting a college requires a lot of time and thought. If the college you choose balances all of the factors you seek in your experience, it will likely be a good match. Make sure you consider every factor, and you’ll find a college fit for you! By Jessica Lipman
What is a better way to spend your Thursday night than learning about different cultures and important issues, playing games, and eating a diverse variety of cultural treats? On November 9th, Glenelg High School’s Black Student Union and the International Cultural Club spent the night inviting the entire school to enjoy a fun filled night of celebrating the clubs. In the beginning of the night, officers from the BSU and ICC took the stage to describe their clubs and the purpose they serve in Glenelg High School. Senior at Glenelg and President of the Black Student Union, Tyler Hebron described BSU to everyone as a club that “aims to provide a sense of community to and support for black students.” The speakers continued to describe when the clubs have meetings for listeners to join them after school. The Black Student Union concluded by explaining their field trip they attended to the Museum of African History and Culture and their end of the year pool party. After leaving the platform, The International Cultural Club took the podium by describing their purpose in the Glenelg community. Based on their powerpoint presentation, the ICC is a club which “aims to provide a sense of community and support to students with diverse backgrounds (races, ethnics, and cultures).” The speakers and leaders continued to describe the club as an educational opportunity to learn and teach others about different cultures. The ICC concluded their speech by stating when they meet and they take part in arts, crafts, watching movies, and cooking foods from different cultures. Students, parents, and staff were then able to walk around the cafeteria and fill their plates with a variety of foods from around the globe. After everyone was seated, the Mads sang “We Are The World” by Michael Jackson. This song was the perfect fit for this event, because the lyrics reflect on how everyone from around the world, no matter what your culture is, need to come and work together. When the performance finished, attendees participated in a game of Kahoot, quizzing everyone on different traditions and music from around the world. As the night came to an end, attendees were able to ask questions to members of both clubs and everyone was able to discuss the events of the night. The 2017 Potluck hosted by the Black Student Union and International Cultural Club was a night filled with laughs and carefree energy, where everyone was able to learn about the difference of cultures and their purpose in the community. Not only was this a night of education and trying new treats, but it created a sense of unity between everyone, showing that it does not matter what your race, ethnicity, or cultural background is. By Bethany Stewart
The day after Thanksgiving, Black Friday, can be described in one word: chaos. This is the day when almost every retail store in the United States has their biggest sales of the year. Many people camp outside stores to get the best deals of the day before they are all gone. Lines are formed to enter the stores, with limited space to shop once you are finally inside. Junior, Hailey Griffin, says that “Every Black Friday, I camp out with my mom at the Towson Mall, and as soon as the mall doors open, we sprint to our favorite stores. Sometimes we get trampled, but we try to buy everything we possibly can.” The news stories about shoppers fighting over items and passing out from all the shopping are almost unbelievable. Some people literally do shop until they drop. Sophomore, Gabby Steinberg, has a Black Friday tradition that she has been doing for the past several years. She explains, “I wake up at 3 AM and go to the Hagerstown outlets with a bunch of my friends and our moms. We typically spend about $1,000, but we do get most of our Christmas gifts, so it is not just for us! Then, when we finally get home, we nap for a good six hours.” Many people avoid going out altogether, but no matter what someone does on Black Friday, it is likely they do not know the reason why this day is called Black Friday, or how the day actually came to be. The term Black Friday was originally used to describe a financial crisis, the crash of the United States gold market on September 24, 1869. To this day, this stock market crash was one of the worst the United States experienced. The market crashed due to a conspiracy, set-up by Jay Gould and Jim Fisk, to buy up a large amount of the nation’s gold, and later sell it for an extremely inflated price. On the 24th, the conspiracy unraveled, causing the crash in market, and stocks to decrease in value. Although the crash occurred in September, Black Friday is used for the day after Thanksgiving, because prices are typically at the lowest point of the year on this day. In recent years, the story behind the name Black Friday has shifted. Now, many people believe that it is called Black Friday because sales for these businesses are in the black on this day, black meaning that profit is being made. This is opposed to sales being in the red, and businesses losing money on sales. Although this is not the original story behind Black Friday, it makes sense as to why many people think this story more suitable. Black Friday is now a day where prices in stores drop dramatically, and people buy ridiculous amounts of various items. Many people use Black Friday to get a lot of Christmas shopping done, but if you want to avoid the chaos, you can wait for Cyber Monday, where many businesses have similar deals online, and you can avoid the ridiculous lines in store. Cyber Monday could be the best way to avoid becoming the next viral internet video, fighting over the last sweater in the store. But if you are up for the madness, get ready for Black Friday, because it is right around the corner. |
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