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A Deer in the Headlights

THE LION’S ROAR

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Bright-eyed and bushy- tailed Freshman at the pep rally!

Confident Sophomores are loud and proud are loud and proud this year!

Juniors are nearly kings and queens of the school, two more years!

Seniors are all smiles because they know....ONE YEAR LEFT!

by Pamela Dahl ’14, Arts & Culture Editor

Lion’s Roar StaffEditor-In-ChiefEmily Moliken

Formatting/LayoutPamela Dahl

World & Local News EditorsMaddie Correiro

Arts & Culture EditorPamela Dahl

Reviews EditorCatherine Bean

Academics EditorMrs. Carneal

Staff Writers and ContributorsBrandon KingChristen Dahl

Spencer FitchettMrs. Taylor

Rachel LambDana Needham

Dalton McAninchAlysse Colleti

Courtney MarbleChase BrowningHannah Carrales

Yasmine Curmon-Ward

The Lion’s Roar is published by Menchville students interested in journalism. Join us Thursdays after school in the library. The

opinions published in The Lion’s Roar do not necessarily reflect the views of its sponsors or

contributors.

Menchville High School Fall 2012 Newport News, VA

Crossing thresholds into new environments is always difficult and the transition into high school is one of the most terrifying. Beginnings at Menchville High went smoothly for some and for others the first weeks of school were full of schedule changes and trying to find their way in the large, suffocating crowds. The first days of school are also when the four classes are easy to tell apart. The seniors are laid back, ready for their last year of high school and then to enter the beyond; juniors are happy/dreading to be back, finally in the upper food chain of the social hierarchy; sophomores are more confident than last year and finally getting into the groove of things. Enter the freshman, who either look like a scared deer in the headlights or a brave one, facing the car headlights (that is high school) head on. There are ways to make the transition, the beginnings of things, easier. Get involved early. I know teachers and counselors have been saying this since day one. They’re right. Get involved with something. Sports, clubs, and extracurricular activities really make the difference in your high school career. Frankly, it gets the ball rolling and before you know it the four years are over and you’re off to bigger and better things, like adulthood. Ha ha. Talking with freshman about their first weeks at Menchville is like pulling dried, melted

cheese from a paper plate, it’s tedious work.W h a t d o y o u d o y o u t h i n k o f Menchville so far?“The teachers are good, the hallways are crowded and the cafeterias smell weird. Spirit Week and the pep rally were really fun too. I’m really glad I finally figured out where everything is in the school!” –Christen Dahl, ’16 It is certainly true that one of the biggest challenges newcomers face at Menchville is figuring out where certain places are. The only reason I knew where just about everything in the building was my freshmen year is because I spent my eighth grade year running around the school during Cross Country season. Trust me, if you’re still lost and are hopeless with directions, it will get better. Or get a compass: that helps too. What were your expectations of MHS

before your first day? Have those changed at all?“It is a lot different from private school, but I like it. I was afraid of how the people would act and that I’d get lost. Yeah, I’ve made a lot of friends and most everyone is nice. I never got lost either.” –Madi Bristow, ’16

What do you like about the school and how is it different from middle school?“You have a lot more freedom and I feel more independent.” -Lauren Williams,’16

“I like how you have more freedom to go to each class, no lines is definitely a plus and you have more chances to make new friends because of the different classes. There are a lot of choices of sports and clubs to choose from too, which is fun.” –Christen Dahl, ’16 Beginnings are everyday and the transition from private school or home s c h o o l i n t o t h e p u b l i c s c h o o l atmosphere is one of the most difficult. There are a lot of rumors that surround MHS, that we are the most unruly school, and have the most fights, which scare a lot of the new or potential students. This may be true, depending on how you look at it, but I know one thing for sure; no matter who you are you will find a place at Menchville, a people, a niche, you could say where you fit in completely. Whether it takes you a year, two years, or all four, I promise you high school will have its ups and downs, but mostly ups.

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A Political Parrotby Emily Moliken ’15, Editor-In-Chief

Election years bring out the worst in all of us. Every four years we as kids are subjected to the severe right and left wings of our parents stepping out and clashing with neighbors, coworkers and news anchors alike. Republicans think democrats are liberal hippies, giving away America, while democrats think republicans are stuffy, rich warmongers that fear progression and tolerance. We teenagers have the opinions of adults, especially our parents, hardwired into us from birth. It is up to us whether or not to believe every political statement or viewpoint we hear from our parents.

It seems on a daily basis that we hear other kids bashing Obama or calling Romney an idiot. However, if you stop and ask these people why they think this, they simply have no logical answer. They believe these “facts” to be true because their parents think this way. The constant streams of racism, elitism, and entitlement flowing from our parents affect our youth in a major way. If we are told growing up that a certain political party is corrupt and another is holier than thou, we’re going to believe it just as we believe that it’s impolite to point and acceptable to use slang. We’re brought up this way and it is because of this upbringing that we are

crippled when it comes to forming our own opinions.

Mimicry of someone else’s ideas is not always something to be viewed negatively. We draw great inspiration from the guidelines established by our parents. They teach us right from wrong and how to live in this world. But it is such a shame to see that teenagers nearing adulthood can’t form their own political opinions. It is acceptable for us to carry on the family tradition of supporting a particular party, but ignorance is not bliss in the case of choosing our nation’s leaders.

In a recent Gallup Youth Survey*, teenagers (ages 13-17) were asked how much they thought their political opinions differed from that of their parents; whether they were more conservative, liberal, or close to the same. It is sad to say the results were not shocking. 7% of those surveyed were more conservative, 21% more liberal, and a whopping 71% about the same. In another survey also conducted by Gallup, results concluded that not only did the majority of teenagers have similar views on most political topics, but they also identify with the same political party as their parents. Phillip Longman, a senior fellow at the New America Foundation doesn’t find these results to be shocking at all.

Down to the Wire: Politics at MenchvilleBy Madison Correiro ’15, Staff Writer

The time to vote in the 2012 Presidential Elections is around the corner, and opinions both strong and uncaring circulate the halls of Menchville High School. Although the candidates this year seem to have different perspectives, both speak passionately about their beliefs and plans for the future of America. Barack Obama, our current president, was sworn into office January 20, 2009. Now Obama is running once more for his second term as President. His opponent is Mitt Romney, an ambitious Republican who is confident about his beliefs and plans to help our future. 

Most students at Menchville are not able to vote yet and while this age restriction does not bother a most students, not everyone is satisfied with this law. When asked the question 'Do you believe people under 18 should be able to vote?', some students easily voiced their opinion. "No, not at all," Says an anonymous senior. "Because they're not educated enough, well the vast majority." Contrary to previous opinions, one junior said.  "Up to a point. I mean, 18 is a bit of a high age, but like 16 and 17, most people do know enough and have a very strong

Herein lies the musings, pondering, and powerful rants of two people who think too much and write too little. Covering areas in politics, music, and general teenage angst, the pieces in this section hope to rectify misconceptions, portray the truth in smoldering sunlight, and give advice on how to face a daunting world.

opinion about what they want in their country." The students of Menchville appear to be conflicted on the

decision of our future president. Some say they are rooting for Obama while others cheer for Romney, but do they have reason to their choice, or are they just guessing?  Polling students students of all grades suggest that support of select issues are a strong reason for choosing a candidate. Most students are concerned with problems like abortion, gay rights, and the tax rate for the middle working class. Mikhail Bobrick,(class of ’14) said he would vote for Obama "[Because] he's going to lower college tuition for students….". Opposing this junior's opinion, senior Jack Nichting speaks his beliefs. "…my family is extremely Republican, that is what began my support for Romney. From what I have heard from my parents and other people and from information I have looked up, I feel Obama is a big liar and the things he says he is going to do never actually happen. To me, he follows a saying that is 'The bigger the lie, the more believable'. That is why I do not like Obama… Also, we are in a ton of debt and I believe Obama's 'Obamacare' plan will increase the deficit a ten-fold because it will require a trillion dollars to be spent…. These are all things that I hear

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WORLD AND LOCAL NEWS

"…Today's young people are exceptionally bonded to their parents," he says. "At the same time, the notion that society is ever seriously torn by generational conflict is probably overblown. I, too, am a child of the 1960s and 70s, and so the harmony that exists today between parents and their children does seem a bit strange compared to my own rebellious youth. But even among baby boomers, those who wound up having children have turned out to be remarkably similar to their parents in their attitudes about 'family' values." -Phillip Longman

We must take on the responsibility of researching political candidates and forming our own opinions. Getting some outside influence can open your eyes and allow you to see both candidates in new ways. Watching political debates and listening to information other than the voiceover on a campaign commercial is a civic duty. An informed voter is one who can see both viewpoints and choose the one they most agree with, not the one their parents agree with. It is counterproductive for our generation to sit back and vote like those before us simply because they say so. When have we ever done something just because our parents say so? We must progress and prosper.

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gsMelodious Musings

Mumford and Sons:I really like Mumford and Sons because of their diction and the stories in their songs. Because if you listen closely to the lyrics, they are really complex and full of metaphors. They recently did put out a new album called Babel in September and I have listened to it a couple of times through. -Pamela Dahl ’14, Arts & Culture Editor

by Yasmine C-W ’13, Staff Writer

and believe to be true."So, what are the real reasons behind students'

choice of candidate?   Why do high schoolers have preferences? Could it be parental or religious influence, the physical attributes of the candidates [including but not limited to race, facial features and background], lack of knowledge, or even impact from negative campaigning commercials. Ads alter words and snippets of information to sway and manipulate the indecisive or uneducated population of America, including high schoolers all around the country. But really, how many

students have honestly paid attention to the debates and interviews, researched the candidate's plans on issues such as the economy? It is important for us as Menchville students to understand that, as we become legal voters, we must be able to distinguish the facts from the fiction, for we are the ones that ultimately decide our future.

WORLD AND LOCAL NEWS

Written by Coach Henderson

Menchville High School has just completed the 2012 Fall Athletic Season.   The season was filled with many surprises. Menchville High School is proud to put a product on the field that will represent the school in a positive manner both in the classroom and on the playing field. These athletes represent the best Menchville High School has to offer in athletic and academic activities. The following are the outstanding accomplishments these teams and athletes have contributed to Menchville High School:

GOLF – 2ND place in the districtAll-District1st Team = Adam Kennedy2nd Team = Hunter Martin                     Matthew IceHonorable Mention = Erick Weinreich

Cheerleading – 3rd place in the district

Field Hockey – 2nd place in the districtAll-District1st Team = Jordan Russnow, Jenna McFadden, Sabrina Miller, Kaitlyn Firestone2nd Team = Jessica Korecky, Dominique Butts,     Honorable Mention = Lindsay Smith

2 Chainz:Based on a T.R.U Story Album released August 14th, 2012

“I love 2 Chainz! His delivery is funny and every hook is catchy.” -Krista M.

“2 Chainz album stands out from the rest because his lyrics are original and creative, they make you think.”-Yasmine C-W, Staff Writer

“I mostly listen to what’s played on the radio, I am not a big fan of rap but I like his music because its comedic and up beat.” -Hannah Carrales, ’13, Staff Writer

Girls Volleyball – 1st place in the districtAll- District2nd Team = Katie Evans, Bethany Willis, Natalie Vaughn, Victoria Cartaya

Honorable Mention = Bonnie Nicholson

Boys Volleyball – 3rd place in the districtAll –District1st Team = Mark Alley, Justin Leaphart, Zack PearsonHonorable Mention = Trevor Rountree

Football – 8th place in the districtAll-District1st Team = Placekicker – Dillon Christopher2nd Team = Linebacker – Joron FosterHonorable Mention = Nick Hairston, Quaret Hilbert

Boys Cross Country – 2nd place in the districtDreux Gray won the peninsula district meet with a time of 16:14Other top finishers were: Daniel Gerlach, Ben Smith, Chris Martin, Christian Gray, Louis Rizzi, Logan Alligood

Girls Cross Country – 2nd place in the districtTop finishers in the district meet were: Sarah Scott, Stephanie Arnold, Lindsay Crain, Catherine Bean, Jenna Hyde, Anna WebbSpencer Fitchett

Congratulations to the athletes and coaches for an outstanding fall season.

RECAP OF FALL ATHLETIC SEASON (2012)

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Why   is   Teddy   Roosevelt     your   favorite   president  and  what  is  your  favorite  quote  from  him?Teddy  Roosevelt  is  my  favorite  president  because  he  did  what  was  right  and  was  unapologe9c  for   it.     If  his  party   didn’t  like  what   he  thought  was  right,  he  didn’t  care.    He  had  independence  of   thought.    He  had  a  very  strong  moral  fabric.    He  didn’t  believe  in  was9ng  his  life  in  idle  pursuits  –  spent  his  life  in  the  service  of  his  country  and  I  think  public  service  is  the  greatest  virtue.            

Quote:  “  Far  and  away,  the  best  prize  that  life  offers  is  the  chance  to  work  hard  at  work  worth  doing.”-­‐  Teddy  Roosevelt

I’m  having  trouble  managing  my  =me.    I  do  sports,  take   several   AP   classes   and   have   a   lot   of   HW.    Help?Read  about  Teddy  Roosevelt  strenuous  life  and  re-­‐read  your  ques9on.    You  can  do  it.    You  are  capable,  be   strong   and   persevere.     Academics   should   take  precedent   over   your   academic   career   –   but   never  do  anything  half  way.     If   you  play  sports,  do  it  hard  and   strong   and   if   you   are   going   to   do   academics,  make  good  grades.

If   the  AP   classes   are  hur9ng   your   GPA,   reevaluate  your   course   schedule.     But   my   best   advice   is   just  “Get  Tough!”

When   growing   up   and  moving   onto   college,   how  do  you  find  out  what  you  want  to  be  or  do?If   you   go   to   college   and   you   don’t   have   any   idea  what  you  want  to  do  you  shouldn’t  be  afraid.    If  you  get   to   your   junior   year  of   college   and   don’t  know  what  to  do,  you   should  be  afraid.     I   think   the  best  college  is  a  liberal  arts  college  where  they  teach  you  how  to  think.    Don’t  focus  on  one  major  right  away  –   keep   your   op9ons  open.     People   work   best   at  what  they   like  to  do  –  start  there  –  find  a  compass  and  direct  yourself  to  that  goal.      

How  did  you  learn  to  sing?Like   everything   in   life,   the   John   Axsom   puts   110  percent   towards   all   endeavors.     With   a   naturally  beau9ful   voice,   a   gorgeous   physique   and   a  personality  that  could  light  up  Plato’s  cave,  it  is  only  natural  that   the  ar9st  who   is  known   as  “all   that   is  man”    would  endeavor   to   share  his  “Frank  Sinatra  mixed  with  Hank  Williams”  voice  with  the  world.    

Ask Axsom!Where you ask him the questions and the Axsom answers!

 by Mrs. Taylor, Contributing Writer

Getting good grades in high school is not just important for the future. It is also important during the years that you are in high school. Good grades can have a rewarding effect on you. Many sports require you to maintain a good grade point average. Here are a few tips, attend class, use your time wisely, be organized, and study. Beginning your freshman year of high school your grades will follow you until graduation. This means the information you submit to colleges will be impacted by every grade you make.

Many colleges focus on a student’s GPA as well as their overall academic achievement and willingness to learn. Getting good grades while in high school can create a number of college opportunities that you can choose from.

To calculate your high school GPA you assign a numeric value to each grade that you receive in everyclass.

---For an “A” assign 4 points---For a “B” assign 3 points---For a “C” assign 2 points---For a “D” assign 1 point---For an”F” no points (0)

After you have given a numeric value to all of the courses that you have taken, total them up and divide by the total number of courses you have taken. That is how you calculate your grade point average.

CALCULATING YOUR GPA

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Q- How do you pick the songs for the morning announcements?

Surry- There is sort of a method to my madness. First, I have to use songs that have no innuendos and or bad words. Most of the songs that I choose are from t h e s i x t i e s , s e v e n t i e s , eighties, nineties, and some into the two-thousands. The old songs rarely have words that wouldn’t be appropriate for school, so I pick them that way. Sometimes there may be a singer/songwriter or band member that may have passed away so I may play one of their songs just as a memorial. Sometimes, like for homecoming we played “The Lion Sleeps Tonight”, because we’re the monarchs, so everybody thinks we’re sort of sleeping, but we’re going to go out there and get them. It’s kind of a fun way to think about. Then of course for Valentine’s Day it’s usually a Valentines song and all (the week of Halloween) we’ll play something spooky about monsters, or a Halloween themed song. In February, we usually try to honor Black

Mr. Surry Talksby Madison Correiro ’15 and Sydney Shohan ’15, Staff Writers

History artists and musicians. As we approach Winter Break there will usually be songs like “Let it Snow” or something along those lines that

would be winter oriented. I will mix in Hanukkah or Christmas songs. The Ides of March would be March 15, and so we’ll do something like “Men to Work” which is about everyone wanting to rule the world. Half the time most of the people wouldn’t realize it. Some teachers would say, “Oh! Cool reason,” or “Cool song for that particular day,” but most of the kids have no idea what it will means. For Homecoming week, which was perfect, we were able to pick something from the sixties, seventies and eighties

that played during our Rock or Ages week, and that allowed us to pick some of the key songs for each of those decades.

Q- Is there ever a specific message you try to send when playing the songs?

Surry- Yes, but not always for every song. A lot of times as we’re doing SOLs it’s about something powerful, or sometimes it’s the message of perseverance or keeping something going, you know the “stay the course” sort of idea. I’ll use the old Cat Stevens song if people

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by Mrs. Carneal, Academics Editor

Here are some hints contributed by the faculty at Menchville to help you study. Report Cards recently went out and could have the comment “Does poorly on Tests/Quizzes.” Do you have “Test Anxiety”? Could you use some helpful tips to get the most out of your studying?

. Read over these easy-to-do hints and gain some confidence in your own work! Most of these hints need to be done throughout the semester, so don’t wait until the day before the test to study!

• Come to class prepared. Do the homework and jot down questions you may have from the last class. Look at the objective on the board and see what the teacher is trying to accomplish in the class today. Look over your notes briefly in the first few minutes before class starts to refresh your memory about where you left off.

• Review your notes each night. It is difficult to write and think at the same time. During class you are taking notes and might not have time to think about the material until later. Reviewing your notes will help you to organize the material for yourself and locate areas where you may have questions. Condensing your notes helps you to organize the material in your head and decide what is important and what is not.

• Get a note-sharing companion. Select another student in the class to share notes with and meet periodically to study together. Don’t forget to go over homework and quizzes when you study!

• Don’t leave your studying to the last minute. Some students seem to think they can learn nine weeks of material in one or two nights. Is that even feasible? The best way to study is to keep up with it as the class progresses. Then you understand the material and can leave the last minute studying to brush up on the few weak points rather than learning the basics.

• Use the resources the teacher gives you. Many teachers have websites that are useful to the students with links for extra help. Teachers usually have a schedule for after school help and are available to assist struggling students. Search for additional information on a subject that confuses you by going to the library or looking through the assigned text book.

• Get a good night’s sleep before the exam. Sleep is a crucial component in memory. It is not a good idea to stay up late studying for an exam. Studies indicate the lack of one or two hours of sleep can reduce your effectiveness by 25%.Next Issue: Hints from the Faculty On Taking the Test

Thoughts in the HallwayStudents were randomly asked:

“Why are you here?”

-At Menchville? To get an education.

- Are you talking to me?

-I’m here to get an education and achieve my goals.

-It’s the law.

-What period is it?

-Just trying to get the grades and get out.

-Why am I here? I’m here to get my education.

-I’m late...in the hallway? I’m on my way to class.

-I’m in school so I can get out.

are getting antsy. The words in there are really about doing the right thing, peace and making sure we care about people, but sometimes it’s probably only noticeable to me. On my birthday, I’ll just find my favorite song and I’ll play my favorite song. And if I’m going to the outer banks for the weekend I may play “In My Mind I’m Going to Carolina” or one of the James Taylor songs, something like that. Those are fun. Last year, I had to go to a conference and I had to fly there, so I played “Leaving on a Jet Plane” that morning. Sometimes it’s just fun for me to find something like that. Frequently there may be some message to what I’m trying to put out there, and sometimes it’s just that I like that song.

Q- How far ahead of time do you pick out the songs?

Surry- I always pick out songs a month ahead, but right now I’m a little behind schedule. But often, with iTunes, I’ll find something I like and think “Oh! I want to play that!”

Hints from the Faculty to Help You Study

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An Elementary ReviewBy Pamela Dahl ’14, Arts & Culture Editor

Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes seems to be all the hype right now in literary and cinema. The BBC has a very popular show about the famous literary detective called Sherlock and now CBS is turning out one of its own. CBS’ Elementary draws the old, lovable characters in a new and interesting light.

This “new light” caused a large outcry by fans of the original stories, numerous adaptations and most of all, fans of BBC’s Sherlock. American television was going to mess up something that was nearly strictly British. Holmes is a recovering drug addict living

in New York City, very far away from his home field of London. John Watson is redefined as Joan Watson, a former surgeon, a fierce and beautiful woman who becomes Holmes’ sober companion. But CBS, so far, has done an excellent job with the characters. They’ve created new Holmes and Watson characters while staying true to the originals. The hate that Lucy Lui got when fans found out she was to play Watson was immature and unkind. Why can’t a woman play a man’s part? Is it because a woman can play it better? Lui embodies Watson’s intelligence, which

sometimes gets lost in the shadow of Holmes’, and his loyalty, which he is best known for. Her strong portrayal is what makes the show interesting and very fun for me. This Watson does not back down from Holmes when the great detective ridicules or insults someone. Joan Watson stands up for her self and for others around her against him, which is something young women need nowadays, strong women to look up to

and learn from them. The crimes in Elementary certainly are not as complex or elaborate as Sherlock’s, but the show is more invested in the characters and their growth. Johnny Lee Miller plays an interesting Holmes who is just like Holmes always is,

forever deducing, socially awkward and extremely intelligent. But he also has his moments where he is very kind and almost…human. In Sherlock, Holmes is cold, pompous and self-righteous who does not care for hardly anyone’s feelings, not even Watson’s. But that set aside, both shows are brilliant and very well written, it’s just a matter of opinion, but Elementary is definitely one to look out for and watch.Elementary comes on at 10 pm, Thursday nights on CBS.

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gsREVIEWS & OPINIONSThe MHS review section will include movie, TV show, restaurant, new stores, and book reviews. If you have recently seen a new movie, gone to a restaurant, or read a book or new author, that you feel very passionate or dispassionate about, please write a review and bring it to the library for it to be submitted to the newspaper.

Cult Films? How Very.by Rachel Lamb ’14, Contributing Writer

When you hear the word “cult,” I’m sure your mind has visions of killer Kool-Aid and brainwashing dancing through it. But when I hear the same word I remember the first time I watched Donnie Darko. The time I finally, finally saw Heathers and then proceeded to watch it two more times after. Cult f i l m s a r e w e i r d , captivating, and break barriers. They earn the title with their mass, obsessive followers. I’ve compiled a short list of cult films that every beginner should see. And surprise! They’re all set in high school . And they’re all, as of now, a v a i l a b l e t o w a t c h instantly on Netflix. You’re welcome.

Heathers

In the ‘80s, John Hughes was making big bucks off of teen movies about walking to the beat of your own drum and skipping school. Meanwhile, Daniel Waters chose to walk down the path less traveled by with this twisted “teenage love story.” Starring Winona Ryder and Christian Slater before they were cool, this cult classic is complete with witty dialogue, dark humor, and “teenage suicide” (don’t do it!).

Donnie Darko

This movie shares common ground with movie buffs, your hipster friends, and sci-fi nerds: they all think it’s hop-on-my-skate-board-and-fly-to-the-moon rad. Yeah, that rad. Jake Gyllenhaal stars as the title role: a mentally unstable teen being controlled by a giant bunny. It explores concepts of time travel, reality, and controlling the fate of everyone around you. I guess you could say this one broke barriers. Well, more like smashed them.

Clueless

Any movie that humanizes your typical high school mean girls—while they’re wearing ridiculous fads from the ‘90s—deserves a gold star in my book. And Clueless does exactly that. It centers on Cher, a lovable teen with a penchant for “helping” her friends. This movie is a gift from the ‘90s. And not a stupid gift like the socks you got for Christmas when you wanted a Barbie dream house. As if!

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“The Perks of Being a Wallflower”by Dana Needham ’15, Contributing Writer

“The Perks of Being a Wallflower,” based on the novel of the same name by Stephen Chbosky, is advertised as a light, perky comedy, but that couldn’t be more deceiving. People who saw the movie with only the trailer as knowledge were in for a big surprise. “Perks” is very deep and intense, focusing on real issues that are unfortunately relatable to most high school students. The movie is a look at the life of privileged teenagers with occasionally rough lives; scarred by drugs, abuse, homophobia, and bullying. “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” is definitely an eye opening film. Logan Lerman delivers a fabulous performance as Charlie, the wallflower. He is a high school freshman who is just trying to fit in. Charlie is sensitive and caring, and you instantly form a connection with him. Less than five minutes into the movie you feel like he is your friend. Towards the end of the movie Charlie uncovers a past horrific event from his subconscious, and the sob inducing performance is Oscar worthy. Charlie becomes friends with seniors, Patrick and Sam, and they basically save his life. Patrick (Ezra Miller) is bold,

REVIEWS PAGE 2brave, and fearless. His performance is remarkable, uncovering issues that we might not even know exist as often and as close to home as they do. Sam (Emma Watson) is Patrick’s half sister. She is quirky, smart, and is not concerned with what other people think. Charlie falls head over heels for Sam immediately. The trio is very close, and you want so badly to have a unique alternative group of friends like them who perform in “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” and ride through tunnels on the back of a pickup truck with music blaring (a scene that features the famous quote, “We are infinite.”) “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” is a quality indie flick. It has a not-so-mainstream cast, but you still recognize many faces. It contains a fabulous soundtrack (The Smiths, Cocteau Twins, David Bowie, Dexy’s Midnight Runners, etc.) which is the perfect play list that always feels relevant. “Perks” features classic independent camera work that evokes emotions in the viewer and gives the scene validity. People who read the book and saw the movie were no doubt pleased. So many movies based off books don’t even compare to the original story, but “Perks” stayed true to the book and very little detail was left out. This is because the genius man who wrote the book, Stephen Chbosky, also directed it and wrote the screenplay. This really gave the movie more validity, because it wasn’t handed to a famous Hollywood director who morphs it into a money maker. I would recommend “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” to everyone. It teaches so many lessons and reveals a lot of relevant issues. The characters are very real and relatable; they’ll stick with you for a long time. “Perks” is an unforgettable movie that will without a

doubt make you feel “infinite.”

A Review: Mark of AthenaBy Pamela Dahl ’14, Arts & Culture Editor

(May contain mild spoilers) Rick Riordan’s Mark of Athena came out on October 2nd and was received with joy and apprehension by all his fans. The previous book in The Lost Hero series, the Son of Neptune ended on a major cliffhanger and forced fans of all ages to wait a full year for the next book. Riordan was true to his word and the cliffhanger was fulfilled in Mark of Athena, which led the way into even more trouble for the main protagonists of the series. Personally, Mark of Athena was slightly disappointing.

The hype that grew from a year of waiting deflated like a weak balloon as I read the book. And why yes, the book was just like Riordan’s others, but it lacked something that I had been looking forward too. I wanted something new, something fresh. It just seemed same old, same old, like he was baking cookies all cut from the same cookie cutter shape. I guessed the end of the book right from the beginning. The only thing that really impressed me was his writing of Annabeth’s point-of-view. I was

disappointed that he hadn’t visited her before in his previous Heroes of Olympus series because being in her head was so much more interesting than anyone else’s, with the exception of Percy. Annabeth’s commentary, though it is third person omniscient, was very strong, entertaining, and insightful, much like her character. Mark of Athena only got interesting for me when she went off on her solo quest and then on till the end, which is heartbreaking (thank goodness there are two more books). Overall, in my opinion, the book was good but not his best. It was a typical Rick Riordan book, humorous, exciting and full of puns (which I love). His characters continue to be well fleshed out and dynamic, but I can’t wait to see how they continue to grow individually and in their relationships.

Cookout: A New Type of RestaurantBy Spencer Fitchett, ’14 Contributing Writer

  A huge traffic jam is awaiting you… but it’s not an accident, it’s not roadwork… what is it? COOKOUT! Ladies and gentlemen, Newport News is proud to present the delicious, fast new way to receive your family’s Sunday night dinner! Cookout is a restaurant chain originating in the south. The menu consists of only “cookout” food. This includes burgers, hotdogs, fries, hush puppies and much more! Alongside the numerous food choices, the menu also offers and endless number of milkshakes from cherry cobbler to banana fudge, there’s a flavor to suit everyone’s cravings! Cookout’s atmosphere is family friendly and built looking like a cabin on the western frontier. The employees are kind and the traffic patrol is always outside helping cars move along and find parking. The prices are also teenage wallet friendly! They offer great deals on combos and burgers. Much of the food is under five dollars. The new traffic-stopping Cookout is located at 12472 Jefferson Avenue! So, if you’re out and craving some fourth-of-July picnic style southern food, look for the fluorescent vests and traffic cones and give Cookout a try!

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gsARTS & CULTUREThe Arts & Culture section of the MHS Lion’s Roar newspaper has a lot to offer. From games, art, which will include photos of student artwork around the school, music and anything that really falls under the scope of “culture” here at Menchville. Culture is defined as, “the behaviors and beliefs characteristic of a particular, social, ethnic or age group” and as we all know, Menchville is very, very diverse and the Art & Culture section of the Lion’s Roar wants to embrace that.

Fashion: The Swagtastic Team Talks about the Bottom Halfby Alysse Colleti ’16 and Courtney Marble ’16, Contributing WritersWant to look your best every day? Do you want to be dressed in current trends? These few simple tips can guide you to the perfect outfit every day.Girls normally focus on their shirts when getting ready for the day, often overlooking the importance of the bottom half of their outfit and their shoes. The trend this year packs a lot of punch in that part of the outfit, highlighting floral pants and studded flats. Bottoms impact your look and contrary to popular belief, flare jeans are making a comeback! Jeans are selling in various prints and are the top seller in stores today.If you’d prefer to wear a skirt, we’ve got you covered in that area as well. Have you seen the High-Low skirts? Those are a major-must when shopping the trends. When you pair a skirt with a patterned tight, you’ll look just right walking down the halls of Menchville.Let’s not forget the shoes. Oxfords are a cute way to show your classiness and still be super chic. Boots are also showing up in the hallways as the months become cooler. Just make sure a cute knee sock peeps out of the top! One of the top selling shoes among teens are Toms. Have you seen the sequined version of this shoe? This stylish canvas shoe ties together most looks.It doesn’t take much to look well put together. Take these simple tips and look great every day!

MHS’ Featured Artists

Ashely Lambert ’13

Brandon King ’15, Contributing Artist

Amber Basil ’13

Christen Dahl ’16, Contributing Artist

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Attention all lady Monarchs, you are now reading a column especially designed for you! A fellow sister Monarch, better known as Hannah Carrales has an exciting, girl friendly column for you! Hannah will cover the importance of positive body image, were to buy the latest fashion trends for less, make-up tips, and dating advice.

Ladies’ Digest by Hannah Carrales ’13, Staff Writer

Embrace Your Body High school is said to be the most carefree years of our lives and to some it is. However there are those that have a difficult time accepting themselves for who they are in their own skin. Have you ever been bored in class and caught yourself starting at a pretty girl across from you and wishing that you were her? Thinking to yourself “if only I had her long hair, her perfect size two body, or better yet her entire wardrobe.” If you do think these thoughts, you’re not the only one. Even I have had these moments and in this day and time, its so easy to compare yourself negatively to other females thinking that you’re not pretty enough or that you don’t have that perfect body.Well, I’m here to say it’s time for a change! I know it may sound cliche’ but we are ALL beautiful in our own way. Each and everyone one of us have unique traits and talents that make us beautiful one way or another. Ladies, how we see ourselves is very important. If we don’t think that we are beautiful how can we expect anyone else to? Thinking positively of our body image is hard at times, but it can be done. Instead of putting yourself down for what you don’t have, try to find the beauty in you by embracing your own body. Confidence will make you happier than any diet ever will. So learn to love your curves instead of trying to hide them. Look into the mirror every day and tell yourself that you are beautiful, on the outside and in the inside as well.

by Hannah Carrales ’13, Staff Writer

by Pamela Dahl ’14, Arts & Culture Editor

During the month of November, writers all around the world gather together in person, over the internet, over the phone, or on video chat to encourage one another to complete 50,000 words (the length of a standard novel) in 30 days. November is known to writer’s around the world as National Novel Writing Month or NaNoWriMo for short and is the month long struggle to achieve one’s dream.

Nanowrimo.org, is the official website for National Novel Writing Month and you will find many resources to use there, including: your own account to keep track of all your words in a beautiful looking bar graph, forums where writers all over submit questions or problems for others to answer and weekly peptalks in the forms of emails from published writers and others who finished NaNoWriMo in year’s past. The website is run by a non-profit organization called The Office of Letters and Light, who also run Camp NaNoWrimo (the summer version) and the Young Writer’s Program.

This is my second year doing NaNoWriMo and by far, it is so much harder than last year. Punching in 1,666 words everyday for 30 days doesn’t seem so hard, but when you sit down to do it…it is grueling and exhausting.

The long process is what makes you a better writer though and it answer’s the following questions. “How good are you under pressure?”, “Can you get past the sticky middle part where you want

to give up?”, “How in the world am I supposed to get my characters to the ending?”It is possible, with a little courage and insanity. It takes a lot to write straight through a story, without editing and without stopping. It takes a lot more energy to tell yourself that it doesn’t have to be perfect and that you just need to finish.

I think all writers, new or old, should try NaNoWriMo. You really get to see yourself improve as a writer and maybe, you realize, that writing is something you seriously want to get into or not. Either way, NaNoWriMo has introduced me to the community of writers, to their kindness and support of total strangers. But then again, we aren’t total strangers, we’re all in the same boat, the same kind of crazy people who would torture ourselves for an entire month.

So do not fear, there are others out there like you, those who are crazy and write a novel in a single month, those who are in love with poetry and the written word. You are not alone in your nerdiness, never, never, never. Be proud of it and do something crazy that you love. If you’re looking for a challenge and would like to test your skills at completing such a race, try your hand at National Novel Writing Month. It may seem suicidal and idiotic, but its totally worth it in the end.

NoNoWriMo or YesYesWriMo?

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gsPassion Page

  “Check,”  said  Chief  Johnson  as  he  trapped  my  king  with  his  queen.  I  then  used  my  rook  to  take  his  queen  while  simultaneously  checking  his  king.   “Check.”  I  said,  while  watching  the  Chief  make  a  face  of  disbelief  in  his  rookie  mistake.  The  Chief  had  diagonally  moved  his  king  into  a  trap.  I  had  my  bishop  waiting  for  this  move.   “Check  mate,”  I  announced.  The  Chief  sighed  in  disappointment  and  leaned  back  in  his  chair  relieving  the  mental  stress  the  game  gives  you.           “I  will  beat  you  one  day,  Dr.  Wilson.”   “Well,  we’ll  see  about  that,  Chief.    You  need  to  learn  from  your  mistakes,  you  focus  on  offense  to  much  at  the  expense  of  leaving  your  king  open.  Come  on  lets  go  outside  to  see  where  we  are  at.”    We  began  walking  to  the  deck.  Chief  Petty  OfHicer  Johnson  had  worked  in  the  mechanical  room  for  14  years.  He  was  in  his  mid  thirties  and  probably  my  only  friend  on  this  journey  to  the  Bermuda  Triangle.  The  government  wanted  me  to  travel  there  to  observe  any  seismic  activity  in  the  Earth’s  plates  that  may  be  the  cause  of  the  mysterious  disappearances.   We  reached  the  deck  and  as  expected  there  was  nothing  but  ocean  to  view.    We  decided  to  go  visit  the  helm  to  get  an  idea  on  our  location.    We  walked  up  the  stairs  and  to  Seaman  Aarons.     “  How  long  until  we  reach  the  Bermuda  Triangle?”  I  asked.     “  Give  or  take,  Hifteen  minutes.”   “Alright  then.  I  am  going  to  go  back  to  my  quarters  to  check  my  research.”I  had  just  Hinished  doing  research  on  the  Zone  of  Silence  in  Mexico.  It  runs  along  the  same  latitude  as  the  Bermuda  triangle,  the  twenty-­‐

eighth  parallel  north.    The  Zone  of  Silence  experiences  similar  problems  as  the  Bermuda  triangle,  radio  signals  can’t  be  transmitted,  there  are  UFO  sightings,  and  in  one  case  a  missile  had  gone  off  course  and  crashed  in  this  region.  Is  it  a  coincidence  that  it  is  on  the  twenty-­‐eighth  parallel  or  is  it  something  else?  I  lost  track  of  time  -­‐  so  an  hour  later  I  decided  to  go  back  up  on  the  deck  and  see  how  far  into  the  Triangle  we  had  gone.  As  I’m  walking  up  the  stairs  the  ship  suddenly  turned  left  and  I  almost  fell  off  the  stairs.  I  continue  up  the  stairs  to  the  deck.     “Chief  Johnson,  what  happened?”  I  ask.   “We  seem  to  be  in  some  kind  of  current  that’s  carrying  us.”   “It  must  be  the  Gulf  Stream  but  I  did  not  think  it  would  be  this  strong.”  At  that  moment  the  ship’s  engine  stopped.   “Uh  oh,  that’s  not  good  let’s  go  check  the  helm,’  Said  Chief  Johnson.  We  began  to  make  our  way  up  the  helm,  seeing  that  people  had  begun  to  freak  out.  When  we  had  made  it  to  the  helm  it  was  clear  that  none  o  f  the  instruments  were  working.   “I’m  going  to  go  see  if  I  can  Hix  the  engine,”  Chief  Johnson  said  as  he  left.   “Alright,  good  luck.”  I  responded.  I  decided  to  go  back  to  the  deck  to  check  the  stream.  It  was  obvious  that  the  current  was  moving  us  and  we  weren’t  going  to  get  out  of  it  without  an  engine.  Even  then  it  would  be  hard  due  to  how  strong  the  current  was.  Looking  at  the  ocean  I  started  to  think  of  ways  to  get  out  of  this  current  but  I  could  not  think  of  anything.    I  noticed  a  light  in  the  water.    It  was  underwater  and  looked  

like  a  road.    It  was  very  long  and  went  farther  than  I  could  see.    Suddenly  the  light  came  out  of  the  water,  reaching    straight  into  the  sky.  At  this  point  it  had  captured  everyone’s  attention.   “Hey  Dr.  Wilson  what  is  that?”  asked  Petty  OfHicer  Evans.   “I  think  it’s  the  Bimini  Road,  a  rumored  part  of  Atlantis  that  is  found  in  the  Bermuda  Triangle.”   “Well  why  is  it  glowing  like  that?”   “I’m  not  exactly  sure,  but  this  could  be  the  mysterious  light  that  Christopher  Columbus  reported  seeing  once  he  had  entered  the  Bermuda  Triangle.”   “So  how  does  that  help  us  in  the  situation?”   “I  doesn’t  really,  it’s  just  a  light.”  At  that  moment  we  had  noticed  that  waters  were  getting  very  choppy.  The  ocean  in  front  of  us  had  begun  to  quickly  spin.  This  must  have  gotten  us  out  of  the  Gulf  Stream  because  we  were  no  longer  moving.  The  water  had  moved  the  ship  like  a  rubber  duck  in  the  bathtub;  the  sailors  moved  off  to  arm  themselves.    We  weren’t  sure  what  was  going  to  happen  next.  What  made  things  even  stranger  was  the  complete  absence  of  clouds  in  the  sky.    The  water  around  us  began  to  funnel  like  a  tornado.  The  waterspout  moved  the  ship  so  it  was  inside  of  the  hollow  part  of  the  waterspout,  making  a  tunnel  around  us.            

~To Be Continued

 ✪Would  you  like  to  have  one  of  your  stories  published  in  The  Lion’s  Roar?    Write  us  a  story  on  anything  you’d  like,  whether  it  be  a  swashbuckling  story  of  Somalia,  the  latest  vampire  heartthrob  or  a  political  satire,  all  stories  are  welcome  to  be  submitted  for  revision  and  possible  publishing  in  The  Lion’s  Roar  or  on  The  Lion’s  Roar  website.  

The Bermuda Triangle: the  Hirst  of  a  four  part  story  by  Dalton  McAninch  to  be  put  into  The  Lion’s  Roar.    The  story  is  sure  to  be  suspenseful,  thrilling  and  entertaining  for  all,  so  the  next  part  of  the  tetralogy  will  be  a  must-­‐read  after  the  

by Dalton McAninch ’14, Staff Writer

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Writer’s Bios!

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Emily Moliken is a s o p h o m o r e a n d Editor in Chief of The Lion’s Roar. She hopes to become a journalist later in life, but loves art and all things artsy. Emily listens to i n d i e m u s i c w i t h favorite bands like Mumford & Sons and Vampire Weekend. Though you won’t see Emily on the field, you

can usually spot her and her best friend at most of the football games, freezing in the stands. While she is unsure of where she wants to go to college, she does know that wherever she goes, she hopes to pursue a career in writing, and The Lion’s Roar seems like a good place to begin.

Chase is a dog with peanut butter constantly on the roof of his mouth. He enjoys exploring uncharted territories, geography, making music, running, and writing. His favorite day of the week is Sunday.

Cat Bean is a sixteen year-old junior at M e n c h v i l l e high school. She is part of t h e c r o s s country team,

Thespian society, soccer team and Morning Announcements. Her goal is to graduate medical school and become a successful doctor; with a yellow 911 Porsche convertible. She is the Review’s section editor and committed

to graduate in 2014.

Pamela Dahl is the editor for the Arts & C u l t u r e section of the Lion’s Roar and a junior this year at

M H S . S h e enjoys a variety of things, which include writing, reading, a little photography, baking and all things nerdy. She spends most of her days nestled up with her laptop working on her third novel and being ultimately ridiculous. She is committed to graduate in 2014.

Sydney Shohan is a s o p h o m o r e i n t h e Newspaper Club at Menchville High School. She enjoys writing and occasionally drawing or paint ing . She l ikes

almost all alternative music and plays the piano when bored. In the winter, Sydney loves to go skiing at S n o w s h o e , a n d o n o c c a s i o n s , Wintergreen.

Madison Correiro moved from Rhode Island in the year 2009. She is an avid r e a d e r w h o e n j o y s literature and playing soccer. Madison lives with her two parents alone with two younger siblings. This year will be the first time working

as a member of the Lion’s Roar, although she has worked with other styles of writing before. This sophomore acts like a complete goofball around those she is comfortable with, and has a (not so) secret love for anything chocolate. When it comes to news, whether local or world-wide, Madison is your girl.

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Helping!You!Achieve!Your!Dental!Goals!!!

Jordan Overton is a man of perspective. He likes playing sports, hanging out wi th h i s f r i ends and hearing different opinions on everything. Taking pictures is what he is best a t , H e i s a l s o v e r y interested in MX races as well as S.W.A.T.

You can reach the Lion’s Roar staff at mhs.lionsroar@nn.k12.va.us.

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Menchville Moments so far-2012

Fall Performance “Our Town” by Drama Department Coffeehouse- performances by students and staff Chorus- M’Pulse, our show choir featured on Wavy TV 10. See the video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRUwzj0nBoQ National Honor Society Inductions Band- superior rating in all competitions this fall and invited back to London for 2014 Robotics-1st and 2nd place in recent competitions

Beginning of Smart Moment Service Projects for each Homeroom classes Upcoming Moments

Holiday concerts by Band, Chorus, Orchestra and GuitarRobotics Competition

Menchville Rocks (TBA)Library Book Fair at Barnes and Noble February 13, 2013

Team Cat? Team DogWhich are you?

Room 131 is collecting dog and/or cat food for the SPCA

between November 26-December 14.

Bring a can and get your button!

Menchville TweetsChris Cruz ‏@_CruzControl60#InHighSchool I asked Mr. Surry to write me a letter of recommendation, he actually wrote me a novel, its sequel, and a spin off.

taylor green @ThumbKissBlissThe girls bathroom at menchville makes me cringe

Brady Forrest ‏@brady14forrestI wonder if Menchville will have kayak parking spots tomorrow?

Here at Greenbrier Management Company, we do everything we can to make life simple for

both the owners and the residents of our properties

13195 Warwick Blvd, 1FNewport News, Va 23602

757-874-7255