Men’s Choir, Women’s Choir, Concert Choir, Festival Concert Choir, Chamber Choir, and Eagles in Harmony all gave remarkable performances, surprising the crowd with the choirs’ theme Come Travel With Me. “I liked the songs Mrs. Helming chose for our choir, they were enjoyable to sing,” said Tori Nguyen (‘15), a member of Women’s Choir. The songs were in many languages from Russian to Gibberish. They were spirituals as well as folk songs.

Lawry Denyer, Vanessa Garner, Kelsey Stewart, and Samantha Corsey each did well on their solos in the song Why We Sing by Greg Gilpin. They kept their heads held high and sung with pride and charm as they approached the crowd.

The choirs kept the audience involved with the variety of songs. The women of all the choirs sang a song, Adiemus, in the audience, which created a different mood and experience for audience members. The songs also varied from rhythmic songs with body movements to slow, meaningful songs, such as The Famine Song, which described the emotions of people during a famine and the hope that comes with rain.

Linking all the Choirs together, Ms. Helming chose songs Like An Eagle by Carl Strommen and Why We Sing by Greg Gilpin to tie the knot on the last concert of the school year.

The teams were commanded by Kathryn O’Grady (’12) (Armed Exhibition), Aaron Harper (’13)( Armed Regulation), Terrance Hayes (’12) (Armed Color Guard), Ray Salvagnini (’12) (Armed Inspection), Jamey Finley (’13) (Unarmed Regulation), Enrique Osborne (’13) (Unarmed Inspection), Daija Hunter (’13) (Unarmed Exhibition), and Tierra Marbray (’13) (Unarmed Color Guard).

The teams prepared for this competition all year by competing at multiple drill competitions within the Charles-Prince George’s County area. They also practiced after school every week. “We work really hard, because we want to be the best we can be,” said Harper.

The teams performed well at the National Drill Competition, but they did not place. “We performed at our best and we gave it our all,” added Finley. The competition gave the teams the drive to work harder for next year’s nationals.

The teams were able to experience many different types of drilling while at the competition. They watched various routines from teams from all the different branches (Air Force, Army, Marines, and Navy). “It was a great experience, being exposed to the various drill teams,” said Kortney Brothers (’14).

The commanders were very proud of their teams for the hard work they had put into their performances. “I was glad to see how hard everyone worked and performed and couldn’t be more proud of them,” commented O’Grady. At the end of the trip, the seniors of the team wished the underclassmen the best of luck in their future competitions.

One of the problems that may result to no NEST next year is the numerous amount of trash that is being left all over the school from lunch time. Students need to make sure that they are picking up all of their trash and keeping the area’s they were in as clean as possible.

Another thing that is important for students to do is continue to go to NEST activities such as tutoring and club meetings. Every time that a student goes to one of these things and uses their school ID, it helps show that NEST time is being used appropriately and for more than just social reasons.

“ The school should keep NEST because NEST not only gives students time to eat and chat with friends, it also gives students time to participate in clubs and get tutoring from teachers,” Jasmine Powell (’14) said.

“Right now we are focused on keeping NEST. We know how much NEST helps our students and our main concern is trying to keep it going strong,” Mr. Mast stated.

It would be a shame if we no longer had NEST and had to go back to the four different lunch periods because of poor choices made. Think about it: No hanging out for a hour with friends, or getting extra help on work not understood. To make sure these things stay for not only next year but at North Point in general, students need to make sure to do their part. Let’s not have to wonder if we will have NEST next year, let’s know that we will.

The class teaches students how economies work. The first semester, microeconomics, focuses on the interactions between firms and households. It delves into the American economy and domestic interactions.

The macroeconomics portion discusses the international economy. It introduces students to the processes of trade, exports, and imports. Students learn how international trade affects the value of American currency as well as the currency of other countries.

The AP Economics class at North Point differs greatly from that of an AP Economics class at any other Charles County high school, where students either take microeconomics or macroeconomics for the whole year. The course is fast paced at North Point, which adds more of a college feel to it.

The class incorporates real life application through weekly projects called Economic Literacy Projects (ELPs). These projects require students to find news articles and analyze them for economic qualities, information and values. The project focuses on six principles of economics that are introduced to the students at the beginning of the school year.  Many students feel that the projects have allowed them the opportunity to become smart spenders and educated consumers in the national and global economy.

“My goal for my students in the class is that they become more economic shoppers and consumers,” said Mr. Lesko, the AP Economics teacher. The class also teaches students how to wisely spend and use their money. “We have learned good ways to invest our money and how to follow the economy to know how to make our money grow and have more value,” commented Brandon Foster (’12).

“I feel that this class has enhanced my education in the use of money and how to be a conscious consumer,” added Zach Keeler (’12).

AP Economics concludes with the College Board’s AP Exam, scheduled for Thursday, May 17^th.

Bonds began playing basketball at the well-cooked age of six. Baseball was his main sport while basketball was his leisure activity. When his height surpassed his peers, he switched to basketball full on because it became easier for him. By eighth grade, he was playing competitively on teams. Ever since he has taken the trophy as a basketball state champion, scored twenty points and seventeen rebounds in single game, and obtained fourteen charges in one season. His power even reverberates with his teammates. “He is a good basketball player…. he put in a lot of hard work during the off season to get where he is.…He should be a huge factor to us winning that state champion next year,” said Tavon Wimbish (’13). When playing basketball, a rush of energy and excitement fills Bonds’ body to the brim. That same feeling is amplified with every hoop made. “I want to help my team our before personal accolades,” he said.

In his sophomore year, Bonds set out on the Junior Varsity Basketball team. By working hard, making the most of his game, and aspiring to reach higher heights, he leveled up to true Varsity by the end of the season. There, he played with his older brother and new teammates, honing fresh talents and enjoying the sport. Once the State Championship rolled around, he got on the court for twenty seconds. That day, he earned his state champion title. “I learned what I need to do so that next year we would be in the same situation,” said Bonds.

This year, as a key contributor in the states semi-finals games, Bonds felt the sting of defeat. “I think I was heartbroken when we lost. I think I could have been a bigger factor in helping with the game,” Bonds stated. Nevertheless, he is pressing on, working now he is working harder than ever to improve. Lifting, free throws, shooting, and dribbling are all on the intense regimen to prepare for the state championships next year.

With his eyes on the future, Bonds aspires to up his game to college basketball and get a paid education. Knowing that his two older brothers did not have long basketball careers, he hopes to change the pattern and become the first brother to have a successful college experience.  It sounds like the greats will have some intense competition.

There are several crimes that most often lead to students spending time in front of a judge instead of a teacher.  Among them are theft, assaults, fights, and drug offenses. “They’re pretty much the same as adult crimes,” commented Savoy. She added, “There seems to be a growing number of robberies…things are always being taken.”

After a student is charged, it is Savoy’s job to take on their case. This can mean giving recommendations on whether a student should be subject to rehabilitation, treatments, a new home, or other alternatives. Savoy also writes court memos and works with staff at North Point to intervene where necessary.

Obviously, probation is no joke. It lasts about a year, but can extend until the age of 21. Individuals must complete every item in their court order and have upstanding behavior, like getting a job and maintaining good attendance.

Savoy’s job certainly keeps her on her toes. “It’s very hard to say sometimes how your day is going to be,” she commented. “You plan one thing, and then a kid walks in and says ‘I’m going to be in a fight’.” In a moment, her schedule is out the window.

Savoy is a Charles County native, having graduated from Henry E. Lackey High School. After finishing college, Savoy immediately dived into a job with the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services in the school parole officer position, originally at La Plata High. She worked there for five years before making the jump to North Point. Savoy glowed as she commented on how “North Point is like one big family.”

From speaking with her for a short time, it is clear that Savoy loves her job. “I want to help the kids work to be adults,” she said. “Who knows, the kids I’m working with could be my kid’s doctor in a few years.”

In The Lucky One, Zac Efron plays a Marine named Logan who while serving in Iraq stops to pick up a picture of an attractive woman that was lying on the ground. In that moment, a bomb lands right where he was standing.  Thus, the picture saved his life. Logan determines that when he returns home he is going to track the woman down and thank her for saving his life. He ultimately finds the woman, Beth (Taylor Schilling), but he learns that she has lost her brother in combat. He was also a marine, so Logan doesn’t have the nerve to explain his presence. He takes a job in her family’s dog kennel, and wins over both her grandmother and her young son. Slowly getting over a slight case of PTSD, Logan gains more responsibility and strengthens the kennel business.

Beth and Logan quickly spark an interest in each other and a romance begins. Beth’s ex-husband, a local cop and the son of the town judge, immediately sets out to ruin their romance. He eventually uses Logan’s secret against him, which sparks a drastic turn of events that shapes the rest of the story.

I rate this movie a four out of five. It is expectedly predictable; after every scene you could figure out what would happen next if you’ve seen any other Nicholas Sparks film That, however, is the only downfall of the plot. Other than that, the movie was outstanding and for some even a tear jerker. This is the perfect date movie for any couple who is seeking a romantic night out.

The game started off with both teams fighting to score first. Stone looked to do just that as they got on base from a North Point error, but couldn’t take advantage. As things moved on, it was the Eagles’ Kevin Hodgson (’14) who hit a long double to centerfield in the bottom of the second to give the North Point squad some life. With this, left fielder Gunnar Staples (’12) came up to the plate and brought him in as he scored a RBI double to give the  Eagles their first points of the game. Kahlil Jones (’13) then brought Gunnar home from third using a sacrifice fly that scored two runs. By the end of the inning, the Eagles had put up two runs and were now ahead two to zero.

In the next inning Jeremy Remalia (’12), North Point’s starting pitcher, was pulled after giving up three walks and two hits. Relieving him was Junior William “McLovin” Hoxie who took over with a runner on first and second base. William didn’t let this rattle him though as he caught the Stone runner on second off guard, throwing a perfect ball to pick him off. The Stone players didn’t let this bring them down as they did come out of the inning with a run scored.

Over the next couple of innings the game progressed, but not much was done from either team on the offensive side of things. They were not making good contact with the ball; each team hit multiple groundouts, pop-ups, and fly outs. Picking things back up in the bottom of the fifth, North Point Coach Chichester made a substitution, bringing in sophomore #17 Austin Bently, who grounded out. With just one out the Stone infield was looking solid, but then disaster struck. They committed two crucial errors, giving up a triple to North Point’s Mikey Escanilla (’12), and an infield RBI double to Justin Craft (’14). Catcher Zach Keeler (’12) made it even worse as he hit a RBI double to bring Craft home.

The next two innings went by lightning fast as Escanilla made a beautiful diving catch to rob Stone of a base hit in the top of the sixth. North Point added another run due to more Cougar errors and a nice play by Hamilton, who scored off of  #21 Armando Rivera’s RBI single. At this point the game was pretty much over, but the Stone Coach felt the need to argue the scoring play. The argument didn’t last long, and Jones collected another RBI, this time a single.

Hoxie finished what he started as the Eagles squad handled their business, ending the game in the top of the seventh with a total of six runs, ten hits, and two errors. This puts the Eagles at 13-3 on the season as they try to continue their success and fight for the SMAC title.

For students who do exceptionally well with challenging course loads and high expectations, the rewards, and recognition, are meager at best. There is the quarterly ritual of handing out honor roll certificates, but this takes place unceremoniously, in home room. Receiving this mass produced mark of academic achievement is no more special than being handed a random flyer. The  ubiquity of these certificates has made them mostly worthless.

Additionally, as the year comes to a close, there is an underclassmen Awards Ceremony. To be honest, though, the proceedings feel more like a time filler than a place to congratulate the best of the best students. The ceremony is highly impersonal and a bit rushed. Eagle Cards are appreciated, but do not feel like much of an achievement.

When it comes down to it, having a championship winning basketball or football team is great, but the worth of a school lies in how well it educates its students and how well those students succeed.

In fact, four North Point seniors (Natalie Griffin, Cayley Dymond, Ian England, and Connor Roberts) were named National Merit Commended Scholars for this school year. Despite the fact that this honor is given to just the top 3% of high school seniors, their achievement was largely unnoticed. A situation like that is unacceptable.

When students win prestigious scholarships and prizes, as quite a few in the Class of 2012 have, they should be recognized.

When students put in the hours of hard work and dedication it takes to maintain straight A’s through four, eight, twelve or sixteen quarters at the school, they should be recognized.

When students score 4’s and 5’s on multiple challenging Advanced Placement Exams that are a magnitude more daunting than High School Assessments or Quarterly Assessments, they should be recognized.

The question is: recognized how? There are a few ways to start. First, the administration could hold Academic Achievement Banquets every quarter or semester to recognize students who are consistently on the Honor Roll, high performers on national and state exams, or have distinguished themselves academically from the rest. These ceremonies could be split by grade to keep them intimate.

At Westlake High School, students who take four or more AP classes gain the privilege of using the AP Student Lounge, a place for relaxation, studying, and entertainment. North Point, if it could find the space, should adopt a similar idea, if at least during NEST time.

Those suggestions are just a start and there is much progress to make. Senior Erica Adedeji put it best, saying “After all, academic achievement is the backbone of any school. Students who achieve great grades and quite simply work their butts off deserve all the rallies in the world…Maybe if greater importance were placed on academics, instead of just dreaming about the letterman jacket, students would dream of the letterman jacket and the stole.”

Ever since she could remember, art was her niche. Whenever she was in the mood, Castillo used her free time to draw and sketch. Once she got to middle school, where she was fortunate to have a great art teacher, her love for art only grew, sprouting like a plant. Castillo chose to stick to it all three years. Since then, she has continued to improve her skills and ace her art classes. In her words, “Just getting that final grade on that paper with the 100% and seeing that A in the grade book is a big enough accomplishment.”

Brainstorming comes first in Castillo’s artistic process; sometimes the ideas gush forth like a river, while other times, it can be a mountain of challenge. Once the concept is solidified, the artist attacks the piece, boldly carving and completing every aspect of it. Once she is in the zone, nothing can stop her because she naturally knows what next to complete. There is no question in her mind when she is finished. “When I don’t ask myself what should of, would of, or could have done because then I know I will actually be really satisfied with it,” she said.

Art has always been a hobby for Castillo. It is a good means of concentration and relaxation at the same time. As a creative person, she prefers to be in an art studio than doing math in a grey workspace. Though college is right around the corner, she hopes to continue on with art- perhaps by taking art and ceramics classes here and there. For now, she does not plan on turning any new leaves, but simply adding more. Perchance, she may go into full bloom as an artist in the future.