Busy Board Meeting

by Charles Condro, Jabberwock Staff Reporter

Although the meeting lasted only 80 minutes, the matters discussed at the September 18 Regional Board meeting, ranged from individual recognitions to discussion of policy changes.

Before the official meeting began, a resolution in honor of Mrs. Charity was presented to her son Jamie Charity and her daughter Kristi Charity Harris. An additional copy of the resolution was framed and hung in the Regional Board room.

Sixteen new faculty members were introduced to the board, followed by the recognition of several students who had achieved various awards in different subject areas.

MLWGS ADMISSIONS PROCESS UNDER REVIEW

At the June board meeting, a group of four professors from U.Va were awarded a $69,456 contract to investigate the admissions process at MLWGS.

The committee will investigate the entire admissions process, from how the school advertises to prospective students, to how points are assigned on the applications.

They will then report their findings back to the regional board with their recommendations.

“Everything is being looked at,” said MLWGS Director Mr. Douglas Hunt.

“They are reviewing the admission process to determine whether it’s a fair process or not. If they see ways that they can improve it, they will make recommendations to the board.”

The group recently began the process of giving out surveys to people associated with the school. This will include students, parents, teachers and personnel from the local school divisions who work with MLWGS.

The names of the consultants are Dr. Carolyn M. Callahan, Dr. Tonya R. Moon, Dr. Catherine M. Brighton and Dr. Holly Hertberg Davis.

NEW DIRECTOR SEARCH

The process of finding a replacement for current MLWGS Director Mr. Hunt was an important topic at the Regional Board meeting.

The committee to find the new director is chaired by Mr. John Axselle of Hanover County. During the meeting, Mr. Axselle updated the school board on the committee’s progress.

Mr. Axselle said that the committee is putting the final touches on a survey that will ask those involved in the school what they are looking for in the next administrator.

The committee will then distribute advertisements in November on a local, national and international scale.

“They will be surveying the stakeholders to find out what characteristics they want in their new director.”

Advertisements will not go out until November because no ads can be released until Mr. Hunt formally retires. He plans on doing this by November.

If the plan goes according to schedule, the committee hopes to begin interviewing potential candidates in January and February.

The decision could be announced at the March Regional Board meeting at the earliest.

Math teacher Ms. Lynn Reed, the faculty representative to the Regional Board, was glad that progress is being made in the director search.

“I’m looking forward to them letting us know how we can have input,” said Ms. Reed.

“I want to make sure that everything is well-communicated to all groups.”

FREE LUNCH AT MLWGS?

Another change to the MLWGS agenda is possibility of providing free lunches to those students who need them.

The issue was brought to attention when Richmond School Board representative Lisa Dawson told the board that at least one student had not applied to MLWGS because there was no free-reduced lunch plan in place.

MLWGS Coordinator of Administration Mr. Phil Tharp will lead the investigation into how the school can obtain lunch funding for needy students.

Mr. Tharp will then report his findings to the school board at the October meeting.

“I will be contacting the major school divisions and talking to their nutritional administrators about how they qualify students for the program,” said Mr. Tharp.

The current plan is to have students apply for free-reduced lunch through their home school systems. Then the school districts would send MLWGS the list of qualifying students.

Mr. Tharp would then take this list and work with the company who provides lunch at MLWGS to secure cash cards for the selected individuals. At the end of each month, Mr. Tharp would send a receipt to the school districts for the amount of cash used.

Each qualified student would receive an allowance of 20 dollars a week on the cash card. This would allow for four dollars a day, which is enough for a hot lunch.

When MLWGS moved into its new building in 2001, Chesterfield County supplied the lunch. This was done by them at a loss of $20,000 a year, so two years later the school was faced with the choice of finding a new way to provide students lunch or to find a way to offset the $20,000-a-year deficit that the Chesterfield County Public School System was accumulating.

The Regional Board decided to use a subcontractor to provide the lunch. MLWGS does not make any profit off of the lunch and provides all of the equipment, but the food service must buy the food, provide the staff and clean the kitchen. This allows for the food service to turn a profit while providing MLWGS students with lunches that are not too expensive.

Staff Writers Danny Yates and Logan Ferrell contributed to this report.

Kristi and Jamie Charity hold copies of a resolution honoring their mother, Ms. Joyce Charity. Photo by Mr. Hal Waller.

Director Dilemma

The front page of the June 6, 2008 Jabberwock mistakenly announced “The Hunt for New Administrators Begins.” Unfortunately, this title was a bit premature.

In fact, the search for a new MLWGS director will not officially begin until early November, when an application for this position will finally become public.

At the September Regional Board meeting, Mr. John Axselle, director’s search committee chairman, provided an update on the status of the director’s search.

The update was disappointing.

Last year’s suggested plan to hire a new director who could “shadow” Mr. Hunt for the last portion of the current school year is now entirely infeasible. It is now known that committee will not begin interviewing job candidates until February at the earliest, and selection of the new director will “hopefully” be reached by May.

This news comes as a shock to those who were under the impression that a new director would be selected by mid-year in order to allow for “on the job training.”

Another disconcerting aspect of the proposed director’s search was revealed with the committee’s make-up. The committee will consist solely of seven Regional Board members.

The lack of faculty, student, and parent involvement on this crucially important search committee is utterly disheartening.

Some in the MLWGS community have hinted at the possibility that a new director may have already been quietly selected and that the “search” will merely serve as a formality. At the very least, the search committee should include several non-voting parent, student, and faculty members to allay any such unfounded concerns.

In the midst of all this, however, it is reassuring to hear Mr. Axselle’s reminder that the committee will search not only locally, but nationally, and possibly even internationally to find the next Mr. Hunt. While a specific plan for how the search will be conducted is still a bit blurry, one thing is clear:

MLWGS cannot simply wait until crunch time to find a new director. Although this worked once, with the last-minute, “temporary” hiring of Mr. Hunt, we just can’t count on being so lucky for the second go-round.

Diversity Debate

$70,000 is a heck of a lot of money. $70,000 could go a long way. $70,000 could hire another teacher and reduce class sizes. $70,000 could cover the costs of building a MLWGS field house and bathroom/concession stand complex. $70,000 could buy another green school bus or equip a lab with new computers.

Unfortunately, this year, $70,000 is the amount of money that will be spent to conduct a highly controversial “diversity assessment” for MLWGS. For the next several months, four U.Va researchers will examine the fairness of MLWGS’ “recruitment, admissions, and retention process.”

A common sentiment among teachers, students, and parents is that that the best way to increase our school’s diversity is through recruiting efforts and gifted programs aimed at elementary and middle school students. No simple affirmative action solution could every fully succeed.

Another aspect of the study deals with the level of diversity among MLWGS faculty. Some in Richmond, such as mayoral candidate Lawrence Williams, believe that teacher diversity should be proportional to the community’s demographics and “reflect all complexions.” Mr. Williams’ opinion is both confining and self-limiting.

A more balanced viewpoint and applicable stance for MLWGS was voiced by Regional Board member Lisa Dawson, who offered her perspective on educational diversity in a recent Richmond Times Dispatch article.

“I don’t think the color of the teachers has one thing to do with it,” said Ms. Dawson.

So, if you happen to see one of the U.Va researchers in the next few weeks, be sure to say hello and share your voice. Spread the word that diversity at MLWGS cannot be achieved through rash decisions.

A Personal Freedom

by Logan Ferrell (’ 11)

As the school moves away from yet another Constitution Day commemoration, complete with lessons and discussions, we are faced with an issue that continually reemerges with new vigor and riled emotions.

It is certainly an issue that touches on some of the most sensitive of beliefs, and opens the door for many more inflammatory arguments. However, it appears to me, that the American tradition of secular government can be preserved without intruding on the religious beliefs of any one group.

Any school, but even more so our own, should be a place of openness, an environment in which knowledge and curiosity may be pursued (naturally to an extent) without hindrance. Therefore, I see the institution of school sponsored prayer (banned by the Supreme Court in Engel v. Vitale) and the ban of any religious expression as equally destructive.

How can one determine the lesser of the two evils, when neither option seems to encroach less on the liberty of the student body than the other?

Instead, I believe religion should remain exactly as it was enumerated in the nation’s founding document, a freedom. Students should always be free to pray (of their own accord), expand their knowledge through religious debate, or even engage in consensual theological group discussion.

The power of faith over individuals and even societies has been shown consistently throughout history; and if a person has powerful feelings of faith they simply do not require a determined time or area. No matter the deity, if one believes strongly enough, faith may be shown anywhere and does not need specific regulation.

The degree of religious freedom allowed in this nation is comparable to few others, and must be remembered as such. To squabble over the preservation or banning of religion in schools, is to blatantly ignore what religion in this country means, freedom and a personal choice.

With Matter in Mind

by Mitch Caudill (’10)

While new to this paper, I believe that it can and should become a leading forum of intellectual discussion and dissent and accordingly I will write to that end. My intent is not to write thesis and treaties, so much as sketch ideas and arguments that can be discussed and debated throughout the school.

Many of you, I am sure, spent Constitution Day (or a legally certified proxy) discussing religion as it relates to school. On of the themes during the discussion, as I found in both my class and from talking to others, was that of offense as a threshold for action or injunction.

That is, that something is okay to do (religiously or otherwise) as long as it does not upset another person.

However, the question then becomes: what if the truth is offensive? The simple matter is that there are several academic truths that offend certain groups or believers.

Chinese nationalists are outraged at the idea that their beloved republic is suppressing Tibet, and blue-blooded patriots shrink at the idea that America has committed atrocities during war.

By barring activities from school that are otherwise educational and beneficial, on the basis of offense and leads to the willful self-blinding of society.

Whether or not a menorah, cross, crescent, or other religious symbol and their practices offend you, there are people who sincerely believe and act on them, and understanding these symbols and religions is integral to understanding the world.

In a school system that is under-funded or under-equipped, the only exposure students may have to foreign religion is an active practitioner, and if they are offended then it is these students who need the exposure more then anyone.

A Conversation with MLWGS' Own Mr. Irvin Charles

Maggie Walker Alumnus and MLWGS Head of Security shares his thoughts

How is Ms. Bowman feeling now that she is back?

She’s slowly getting back to her old self. What we did find out when she was gone was that it takes a unique individual to run that attendance office. It is a very stressful job.

Do you have an update about the parking lot?

As always it has sold out. They haven’t started towing yet, but pretty soon we’ll have that going.

What about off-campus parking?

I want students to be mindful of their surroundings and I suggest they stick together when going off campus. In the afternoons and evenings especially. Students can call the security hotline at 354-3608 anytime with any concerns.

Have there been any major security issues so far this year?

We’ve done pretty well. There have been no major issues, only a few small things. But, just because we haven’t had something doesn’t mean it can’t happen. We will be practicing different crises situations in the next few months

Just the other day, I went over to VCU and met with the director of the Siegel Center. VCU has agreed to let us use this facility during a crisis. He showed me all the safe areas, the showers, and all that we might need.

Any thoughts for the diversity consultants?

I think we all get along real well at this school. For the most part, people respect each other and each other’s diversity. I hope they see that.

Anything else?

I would just like to thank all the teachers that support our security department. Teachers like Ms. Losen and all the teachers on the third floor whose windows face the student parking lot… they all always keep an eye open for me.

*Q&A by Danny Yates

Mr. Charles: Now Hiring

by Elaine Hillgrove, Jabberwock Staff Reporter

It happens in the night…without warning, without a sound, without being witnessed. No one knows how, no one knows why. It just happens.

But actually, it doesn’t. It takes a lot of hard work, dedication, and patience.

What is this mysterious job, whose perks include “community service, hard hats, big jackets, security medals and sashes?” Who does the job now? Why is it available? And what does it have to do with Mr. Charles?

The answers are simple. The job – changing the marquee outside the school to various messages throughout the year. The current job-holders – Mallory Noe-Payne and Becca Diakun. Why it’s available – they’re graduating. What it has to do with Mr. Charles – everything.

For the past three years, Noe-Payne and Diakun have been changing the sign outside of the school. Their looming graduation, though, is forcing them to look for replacements.

“We want a freshman with a free period before lunch,” said Diakun.

Why a freshman?

“This is a very integral job, and staring out as a freshman, the years of experience going ahead will be good,” said Mr. Charles, who not only acts as the Head of Security, but also as the overseer of the “sign girls.”

“It took us a while to get the hang of it,” said Noe-Payne. “We want people who are up for the challenge.”

One challenge in particular sticks out in the minds of Diakun and Noe-Payne. The girls wanted to make the marquee read “peace” in different languages for the winter holiday.

“We had to decide what languages to use and look up how to say it,” said Diakun.

“We wanted to say peace in Chinese,” added Noe-Payne. “But we had to make the characters. We had some blank [letters] and we used electrical tape. It took all day.”

The hallowed MLWGS marquee.

Field Hockey Back In the Game

by Karthik Ilakkuvan, Jabberwock Staff Reporter

Field hockey, as most everyone knows, is one of the most successful teams at our school.

Field hockey, as most everyone knows, usually goes undefeated for a good part of the season before succumbing to their first loss.

Field hockey, as most everyone knows, is a fast-paced sport, with so many stoppages for minor fouls, that the grand majority of fans don’t completely understand all (or any) of them.

So, once MLWGS’ field hockey team hit a two-game losing streak, people started to dismiss them – that they weren’t as good as previous years, that they didn’t have as much talent, or that they didn’t have as much offense.

Field hockey showed them.

Following a disappointing 3-0 loss to Thomas Dale, they regrouped, and won an enticing 1-0 game at home versus Monacan that even went into overtime.

A scoreless game throughout, a big crowd near Monacan’s goal ended up with Amanda Watson (’09) scoring the winning goal.

“We played with a lot of intensity because we didn’t want to lose, but we also wanted to prove to everyone that we still are one of the top teams in the region,” Kelsey Huffer (’09) said. “Even though we had to go into overtime, the win still helped us bring up our spirits and morale after two losses.”

After that close win, Maggie Walker played Mills Godwin at home on Wednesday night. It was a battle between two top-10 teams. The #4-ranked Green Dragons and the #6-ranked Eagles. Godwin was 4-1 on the season, while Maggie Walker was a game over .500, at 3-2.

The game was close, the score was closer, and the end result was a win. Battling for position and possession throughout, Maggie Walker came with the scoring first, with Huffer establishing an early 1-0 lead, the same score that would end the first half.

Fortifying their lead, Maggie Walker had a beautiful cross from Deirdre Gill (’09) to Cassie Turnage (’11) for a score, increasing their lead to two scores.

Seeming increasingly unlikely to lose, the game was going well. Another shutout seemed on its way. But teams aren’t ranked top 10 in the region for no reason. Godwin came back to score with a little over five minutes left in the game, but the Green Dragons were able to hold on.

“There were a couple times Godwin almost had fast breaks, and we played really good defense. Since we haven’t been able to score as much as we have in past seasons, we’ve had to rely even more on our defense to prevent other teams from scoring,” Huffer said. “The defense has been even more important than in years past because they help keep us in the game.”

Now comes an even bigger task in the form of Manchester on Friday. Facing the team that beat them in double overtime by one goal, the Green Dragons want some payback. On top of that, Manchester is the team that broke our winning streak last year, resulting in our only regular season loss.

“Were going to come out with full intensity wanting to win, and we’ll see what happens,” Kelsey Sawyer (’09) said.

To add even more to the atmosphere, this is going to be a Green Machine game. Anticipated to be the largest field hockey turnout by Green Machine ever, the excitement is in the air. Thus far this year, Green Machine has shown up to four games – one Varsity Boys Volleyball game, one Varsity Girls Volleyball game, and two Varsity Field Hockey games.

Maggie Walker’s record in those games? 4-0.

As Ese Shaw (’10), one of the leaders of Green Machine, put it, “when Green Machine shows, Walker wins!”

The MLWGS field hockey team battles against Godwin and comes away with a win during a September 24 home game.

New Board Member Elected to School Foundation

Rebecca Breamer Booth (‘97) was elected to the Governor’s School Foundation Board on August 27, due to the board’s expansion and retirement of 3 past members.

The Governor’s School Foundation Board is an organization established to keep alumni connected, and support the Governor’s School through fundraising.

Ms. Booth graduated from the Governor’s School when it was still a part of Thomas Jefferson High, and was involved in German Club and S.C.A. She was chosen out of a large group of applicants for the job.

"I’m a local to Richmond, which I think also swung the scale in my favor," said Mrs. Booth.

New Students Still Expected

MLWGS' freshmen class is projected to gain at least two new students in the coming months to replace those who moved away over the summer.

The class of 2012 is most prevalently populated by students from Chesterfield, Richmond, and Henrico. Out of the 884 students who originally applied, 181 are currently enrolled at MLWGS.

"This is a particularly smart group," said Mr. Karl Zweerink, freshman class counselor. "I'm really looking forward to working with them."

New Teachers at MLWGS

Over the summer, MLWGS has hired 16 new teachers to fill vacant teaching positions.

"They are a very talented pool of teachers, and we are very fortunate to have them on our faculty." said Mrs. Barbara Marshall, the Executive Assistant of Administration at MLWGS.

The majority of the new teachers previously taught at Henrico County Schools.

Each teacher hired has either gifted endorsements or is on their way to acquiring some.

New Plans For Lunch

New plans abound this year in the Maggie Walker kitchen where the chefs work to bring students a diverse array of available meals.

“The main thing I want people to know,” said Mr. Wilson, head chef, “is that you should be able to get all the same kinds of foods here that you could get at a restaurant.”

The lunch line continues to support the charge card program. Various seasonal foods will also be provided, including funnel cakes at fair time.

New Counselors Join Staff

The Counseling Department has made many changes for the 2008-2009 school year. The website is updated, college counseling has been improved, and two new counselors have been brought in to make student life easier.

Ms. Rachel Loving, senior and college counselor, and Ms. Joy Davis, sophomore/junior counselor, are the two latest additions to the department staff. They're great, we're really excited to have them here," said Mr. Karl Zweerink, department chair/freshman counselor.

Perhaps the largest change in the department this year is the name itself. According to Mr. Zweerink, the name "Guidance" implies that students always have problems and that the department is telling them what to do. Using "Counseling" instead says that the department is there to help.

New On-line Databases Available

The MLWGS library has received some cyber-savvy updates since last year, broadening its internet scope. Mrs. Wendy Sellors, Media Specialist, says that several new databases have been procured, including three science-related information banks, a literary reference center, and a citation-storing program.

There are also between a hundred and a hundred and fifty new books in the library, and several reference physical reference books now are available online.

“Most of the [programs] we started last year will continue this year,” Mrs. Sellors remarked.

Solutions to Gas Price Woes

by Virginia Cross, Jabberwock Staff Reporter

You’re standing at the gas pump, filling up your car with your week’s worth of gas. While you watch the numbers go up, you can’t help but think of all the time you worked at your summer job for this one tank of gas. There goes ten hours spent bagging groceries at Ukrops’, just so you can drive to school for a week.

As gas prices continue to rise and the economy becomes increasingly unstable, many MLWGS students and faculty have begun to change the way they get to and from school. In just the past year, gas prices in the Richmond area have risen over than a dollar per gallon to a citywide average of $3.69.

Although the rising gas prices affect all drivers, people in the MLWGS community may have an especially hard time dealing with the costs. Whereas public schools draw students from the immediate vicinity, students at MLWGS come from 12 different districts in the region.

“I live in Charles City, about 40 miles away,” said Jeannette Carter (’10). “I only drive about two or three times a week, only when it’s necessary. If the gas prices weren’t as high, I’d probably drive more often.”

Many people trying to save money on gas decide to ride the bus instead of driving, but those who play sports have to provide their own transportation.

“Because I play volleyball, I have no option but to drive to school so my mom doesn’t have to pick me up at 8:00 every night,” said Marley Hall (’10), a member of the girl’s varsity volleyball team. “But as soon as volleyball ends, I’ll definitely be riding the bus again every day.”

Paola Ilarraza (’09), who might have been one of the students hardest hit by the gas prices, found a way to both save money and help the environment by driving a car that uses less gas.

“I live in Prince George, which is 45 miles away, but I drive a hybrid,” Ilarraza said. “It actually only ends up being about two gallons a day.”

Kevin Xiao, co-president of SECSEE, MLWGS’ Environmental Club agreed that driving a hybrid saved money by using less gas and was also much better for the environment. He emphasized the value of carpooling, riding the school bus, or using public transportation.

“I’m no economist here, but common sense tells me that if demand falls and the [gas] supply is around the same level, then the prices will fall,” Xiao said. “On a personal level, try to cut back on individual fossil fuel use and take the public transit or carpool.”

Ms. Jennifer Todd, a science teacher, takes advantage of this opportunity by carpooling every day to and from school with Ms. Cuellar and Ms. Riles. “By not driving every day, I save between 80 and 100 dollars a month,” said Ms. Todd. “Carpooling means I don’t have to be awake and drive every morning, and it’s also a social thing.”

While people in the MLWGS community may have little control over the prices at the pump, making a few changes can directly reduce what people pay to fill up their gas tank.

“[The price of gas] pushes people to become conscience of their energy use,” said Xiao.



Deanna Gulick (’10) drives to a volleyball game.


Kevin’s SECSEE Tips for Saving Money on Gas

- “Ride the school bus. I know it’s not super cool, but those buses are going near your house to pick you up and drop you off every day. You have that option; maybe use it once in a while.
- “Adjust your driving—turn off the AC, try not to stall that much. I see junior and senior drivers try to jam their way out of the student parking lot. Stagnate so there is less time spent stalling, which basically burns and wastes gas while staying stationary.”
-”Turn off the AC.”

Kevin Xiao is co-president of SECSEE, MLWGS’
Environmental Club

Embrace Gervais

by Lindsey Toiaivao, Jabberwock Staff Reporter

It may be a ghost movie, but it definitely does not merit a “boo”.

“Ghost Town” comes across as witty and enjoyable, owing largely to its leading man, Ricky Gervais, the star of the popular British comedy series The Office and Extras. The movie is oddly formulaic, with a plotline straight from the book of romantic comedy ideas. Gervais’ performance keeps “Ghost Town” from falling flat on its face with banality.

The plot is reminiscent of most romantic comedies: a man falls in love with a woman (Téa Leoni) he has always ignored and starts to turn his life around. From here, the movie starts to depart from the stereotype.

To start, the opening scene finds us tailing a suave and debonair, if shamelessly immoral, man named Frank Herlihy, played by Greg Kinnear. He strolls through the city, wearing a formal suit and berating his real-estate agent over the phone for telling his (Herlihy’s) wife about the new love nest he had just bought for his mistress. A rich, handsome adulterer with a penchant for secrets? This sounds like a great leading man!

But wait. He’s not. And within a few minutes, he’s dead. (An air conditioning unit falls from the window of an apartment building, which he notices and dodges into the road to avoid. He is promptly hit by a bus.)

Enter Ricky Gervais as Dr. Bertram Pincus, a deadpan misanthrope who seems to have gotten into dentistry as a way of professionally silencing people. When he cannot shut people up by obstructing their mouths with dental instruments or plaster for taking impressions, Pincus effectively quiets and alienates people with a blank, uncaring stare or a sly patronizing quip.

After a botched colonoscopy renders him dead for seven minutes, Pincus awakens from his flatline to find that he can see dead people. (Don’t think “The Sixth Sense”; there is no gory makeup here.) Now faced with an entire town of the deceased whom he cannot silence or avoid despite his best efforts, Pincus reluctantly agrees to help Herlihy break up his widow and her self-righteous new boyfriend if the legions of other undead citizens with unfinished business agree to leave him in peace.

Let the hilarious hi-jinx ensue!

Pincus, who happens to live in the same building as Herlihy’s widow, finds himself attracted to her, apparently an odd new feeling for him as a people-hater. He fumbles over his words, trying to joke about dentistry or the times that he didn’t hold the elevator for her and stole her cab. Shockingly, she is not immediately won over.

The progression of their relationship is hindered by her undead husband, always hovering beside them and making additions to their conversations that only Pincus can hear, which ultimately make Pincus even more awkward, especially as he makes references to her dead husband whom he’s not supposed to know.

Gervais plays the part like no one else could, reviving the dry fast-paced humor and awkward pauses that made his performance in The Office (UK) magical. In reality, he is the movie’s saving grace; without him, none of the jokes would fall, even classic jokes about how Chinese names sound funny. Though the plot is essentially old and thin, the resolution, wherein Pincus learns to accept and understand the people he once found irritating and loathsome, satisfies because Gervais makes it believable. Overall, the movie is good for a romantic comedy, but only because Gervais shines in his role.




Ricky Gervais being quite the misanthrope

Good Cop, Bad Neighbor

by Gabriella Cifu, Jabberwock Staff Reporter

When is having a policeman next door a bad thing? Chris and Lisa Mattson (Patrick Wilson and Kerry Washington) find out in Lakeview Terrace, when they move in to an upscale Californian neighborhood.

They appear to be happily setting in, until they meet Abel Turner (Samuel L. Jackson), an opinionated law enforcement officer.

As time passes, the Mattsons are offended by Turner, and Turner’s insistence on having a light on his house directed into the Mattson’s bedroom is only the start.

Turner particularly embarrasses Chris by sharing secrets, such as the fact that he smokes, with Lisa. In addition, Turner aggressively proves that not only does he dislikes his neighbors, but is unwilling to passively sit-back and accept their residence in the neighborhood.

This harsh side of Turner is eerily countered by his role as a father in the movie. At times, he seems like a loving father. Other times, his stringent rules make the viewers want to call child services. As Turner’s past is revealed, his motive, apparently racially based, becomes more pronounced, as does his desire to torment the Mattsons.

Jackson was born to star as Abel Turner. His forceful manner and threatening persona caused readers to fear his power, and wonder what limits he would extend to in order to harass his neighbors.

I never had any difficulty believing the credibility of his character. He was fully committed to the role, and portrayed Turner as the character needed to convincingly aggravate his perfectly cordial neighbors. Wilson and Washington, while both well suited for the roles, did not nearly contribute as much emotion to their characters. Their anonymity as actors made their character portrayals enjoyable, but forgettable.

Unexpectedly, this movie was a gripping psychological thriller. While mundane and predictable throughout parts, it seemed fresh in comparison to the clichéd horror movie phenomenon that exists in the present movie industry.

The location of the film was beautiful and encompassed many smaller plots, such as the California wild fires. The set was well designed and brought viewers into the mix of the disgruntled suburban neighborhood.

The script was nothing extraordinary, but Turner had some particularly memorable lines. His short, rhetorical questions such as “Or what?” or “Says who?” often left Chris speechless, and played perfectly into his character still.

Unlike so many predictable suspense films however, Lakeview Terrace still had me sitting on the edge of my seat, wondering how the conclusion would play out. As more was found out about each character, I continually amended what I thought the finale would bring.

How could a loving father become a symbol of downright terror, once outside the walls of his house?

Lakeview Terrace is sure to provide nerve-wracking entertainment, if not also a new perspective on living next to a police man.

Kerry Washington meets Jackson’s children.

Jackson and Wilson become acquainted.

Field Hockey and Green Machine

MLWGS Field hockey players compete at a recent game as the Green Machine shows its support.