http://voices.washingtonpost.com/hs/annandale/ en-us Copyright 2008 Mon, 16 Apr 2007 08:28:52 -0400 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=4.2rc4-en http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss More students are sleep deprived now than ever before in history; what needs to be done? By Paul Mathis In-Depth Editor Sarah Lewis, a junior, has a problem with sleep. "I am suffering from a serious lack of sleep," she said. "I fall asleep in class all of the time, I can't do well on class work, I come home and I can't do my homework. It's like a never-ending sickness." Lewis seems to be in a stressful situation: she is taking 4 IB classes complete with hours of homework each night, works with AHS Theatre after school, and rushes to and from voice lessons throughout the week. But Lewis is in a state that is not uncommon am many students. In fact, it is clear that in today's society, adolescents are not getting enough sleep. The psychological community contends that students need between 8.5 hours and 9.25 hours http://voices.washingtonpost.com/hs/annandale/2007/04/what_happened_to_sleep.html http://voices.washingtonpost.com/hs/annandale/2007/04/what_happened_to_sleep.html Mon, 16 Apr 2007 08:28:52 -0400 As the NCAA Basketball tournament approaches, fans prepare for the Big Dance By Jeffrey Dean Sports Xtra Editor The bright lights, the fireworks, the fire blazing bright throughout the night, it's that time of year again. Kids running around having fun, realizing dreams that have come true. Pepper spray bottles and the stench of alcohol creating an aura around the streets. Fourth of July? No, rather the pandemonium and epidemic that has no cure: March Madness. This was the scene of the euphoria of University of Maryland students after their men's basketball team won the 2002 NCAA basketball championship. A euphoria that had built up since the existence of the basketball program, since the creation of the tournament in 1939, and had been built up through the first five games of the NCAA tournament. The excitement hit the D.C. metropolitan area with a vengeance that had not been seen since http://voices.washingtonpost.com/hs/annandale/2007/03/the_madness_is_coming.html http://voices.washingtonpost.com/hs/annandale/2007/03/the_madness_is_coming.html Mon, 12 Mar 2007 12:54:15 -0400 A parent and his son tell the story of their journey across the U.S. Mexican border By Waliha Gani International Editor Darkness. Fear. Loneliness. Survival. These were the only thoughts and feelings swimming through junior Carlos Galicia's father, Federico Galicia, as his wife, with baby Carlos inside her womb, were crossing the U.S.-Mexico border illegally. Federico's story With illegal immigration becoming more of a tumultuous issue than ever before, Galicia tells his story of coming to the U.S., and the obstacles that aroused once he arrived. In order to camouflage with the dark night, one must wear dark clothing to prevent chances of getting caught. "My wife and I didn't even know we had to wear dark clothes, so we came out wearing white shirts, and ended up wasting time to go back to buy those black, long shirts," said Galicia. The lonely night "When my wife and I were http://voices.washingtonpost.com/hs/annandale/2007/03/one_mans_experience_1.html http://voices.washingtonpost.com/hs/annandale/2007/03/one_mans_experience_1.html Thu, 01 Mar 2007 09:51:12 -0400 Many students tell their story and experiences of the beginning of a new life By Vanessa Cerro and Waliha Gani International Editors One cramped apartment, two rooms, and six people. That is the life of junior Luis Pac who has been living in the U.S. as a resident for almost six months. Pac decided to come to the United States for a better life. "It's really hard to be an immigrant because one wants to have opportunities, and in our countries we don't have that. We come over here and try to get a better life," said Pac. The United States has been overwhelmed with the major immigration issue that has been occurring over the past few years. Many students believe that more harm than good done to the nation than good with immigrants coming into the states. "They're not paying taxes, and they get free health care," said junior http://voices.washingtonpost.com/hs/annandale/2007/03/finding_new_life_in_the_us_1.html http://voices.washingtonpost.com/hs/annandale/2007/03/finding_new_life_in_the_us_1.html Thu, 01 Mar 2007 09:38:43 -0400 By Layluma Hotaki Entertainment Editor On Nov 19, 2006, what were you doing? Senior Earl Lacefield was in line camped out in front Toys 'R Us in Kingstowne Plaza. The reason for this you might ask? He was the 109th person in line out of 500 people waiting to purchase the new gaming system Nintendo Wii. "I probably could have sold my spot in line for $200," said Lacefield. "But it was fun because we watched movies and played Connect 4." This gaming system, worth around $250 is the most revolutionary of it's kind. Since Lacefield bought his Wii on the first day of release, 3.19 million others were sold. Wii creates a more interactive game that create and argument against the parents who don't approve of video games for their children. Is America really too fat? Wii might be able to change that because it enables you to move http://voices.washingtonpost.com/hs/annandale/2007/03/wii_sets_high_standards.html http://voices.washingtonpost.com/hs/annandale/2007/03/wii_sets_high_standards.html Thu, 01 Mar 2007 09:31:00 -0400 Social studies teacher pushes for a Gold Star license plate in Va. to commemorate the Iraq War By Lucas Higgins Staff Writer In honor of what has been a longer-then-expected, very drawn-out war, many states are now approving license plates designs that commemorate soldiers and the war struggle itself. A dozen or so other states, including Wisconsin and Illinois have already adopted these Gold Star license plates. License plates are a good way to keep people constantly thinking about the war. Obviously, we have all been touched by the war in one form or another, but those with family members involved in the war are cursed with never-ending worry and concern until their loved ones come home. However, even this is a pleasant thought when compared to the worst-case scenario. One of our very own staff members, Social Studies teacher Greg Commons, lost his son, Army Ranger Cpl. Mathew Commons, http://voices.washingtonpost.com/hs/annandale/2007/02/teacher_designs_liscense_plate_1.html http://voices.washingtonpost.com/hs/annandale/2007/02/teacher_designs_liscense_plate_1.html Fri, 23 Feb 2007 10:17:16 -0400 Security developments continue to help AHS reduce vandalism, violations and crime By Ebony Chambers Staff Writer Have you ever felt like you were being watched? Well, you are. Three years ago AHS was one of the first schools in Fairfax County to have security cameras installed. There are now nine cameras installed outside around the school. "I have seen the cameras but I never thought that the administrators or whoever actually paid attention to them and watched the cameras to see what was going on outside," said junior LaToya Potts. According to Safety and Security Specialist Cliff Cornwell, one of the main reasons the cameras were installed was to catch people that were breaking into student and faculty cars. Because of the addition of the cameras, as well as new administrative changes, AHS has become one of the safest schools in Fairfax County, said Cornwell. There are nine cameras located http://voices.washingtonpost.com/hs/annandale/2007/02/cameras_provide_increased_secu_1.html http://voices.washingtonpost.com/hs/annandale/2007/02/cameras_provide_increased_secu_1.html Fri, 23 Feb 2007 10:01:23 -0400