Obama Stumps in Richmond

On an early Wednesday morning last week, MLWGS students signed out in droves to attend an Obama rally held at the Richmond Coliseum. The rally gave students who support Obama an opportunity to see the candidate in person, but it also gave those who work with the campaign an increased drive to volunteer in the final week before the election.

I saw Obama for the first time, and it was amazing,” said Nik Philipsen (’10). “I’m an intern with the Obama campaign, which means I volunteer about 15 hours a week. At the rally, I got to see the result of all this work we’re doing.”

According to the Richmond Times Dispatch, about 13,000 people attended the rally, and an additional 7,000 people were even turned away at the door.

Although 74 students signed out for the rally, not everyone made it in time to get into the Coliseum. Although Obama greeted supporters who were turned away, the MLWGS students left outside were discouraged they didn’t get to go to the rally.

“I stood in line for two hours with some other Maggie Walker people, but only one of us got through security,” said Jonathan Crawford (’09). “I was really disappointed I didn’t get in because I was so excited about the rally. It still was really good to be there, though, and see everyone so unified for Obama.”

Most of the students who attended the rally were ardent supporters before the rally, but for one student, the rally dramatically changed her opinion of Obama.

“Before the rally, I thought that it would be a good opportunity to see someone who might be the future president,” said Mackenzie Tucker (’10).“I didn’t have a strong opinion about either of the candidates, but I went to hear what Obama had to say.”

“When I saw all the supporters, I felt the energy of everyone who believed in him,” she continued. “I know he must be a pretty inspirational person to get a crowd like that.”

Many of the students who went to the rally have volunteered in the past at local Obama offices, but some even considered the going rally another way to help out the campaign.

“Because we can’t vote, going to the rally and showing our support is the next best thing we can do,” said Callie Guy (’10), an Obama volunteer. “I hope that all the other people at the rally saw our spirit and enthusiasm and felt more excited about the Obama campaign.

Fall Sports Wrap Up

by Karthik Illakuvan, Jabberwock Staff Reporter

Golf
With regionals over three weeks ago, the golf season has long been over, and its successes (and failures) can be described by one overlying theme: one stroke.

Coming in third at the mini-district tournament at the beginning of the season, the Maggie Walker Golf team was looking forward to a great season – and they delivered.

Two historic wins defined their great season – the Green Dragons beat the Godwin Eagles for the first time in school history, and they came up big against Douglas Freeman, winning for the first time since Coach Brown took over the team.

Travis McCall (’10) led the group, qualifying for regionals, missing All-District by one stroke. Corbin Bagenstose (’10) also had a great season, missing regionals by one stroke.

When playing against Godwin for the second time, it looked as if the Green Dragons were going to make school history again, becoming the first golf team to beat Godwin twice in one season.

Yet, it was not to be – two double pars, and the Green Dragons found themselves looking at a two stroke loss.

Regardless of these disappointments, the golf season was a success.

As Scotty Clark (’09) put it, “We did our best, we played hard, and I think we really established Maggie Walker as a dominant power in the golf world (Colonial District).”

Charles Hearn (’09) had another reason for their great season.

“Our awesome success can be attributed to the shine on Travis and Corbin’s hair interfering with the other teams’ concentration,” Hearn said. “They were really an inspiration to me during the season. “

Field Hockey
First in the district (again) comes as no surprise to the Maggie Walker Girls Field Hockey team. With an impressive 12-3 regular season record, the Dragons have already won their first district game and played in the district finals against Deep Run (11-4) on Thursday night.

“We’ve worked really hard and overcome some defeats this year,” Ellen Graham (’09) said. “We’re going to make it to states this year.

We’ve already qualified for regionals, and the top two teams from regionals advance to states, so we have a really good chance.”

If the Green Dragons do qualify for states this year, it will be the first time since 2003.

Green Machine has relentlessly supported the Field Hockey team, even showing up during their suspension.

“It’s really nice to have better fans that a normal school might have.”

Boys Volleyball
The most improved team this fall season, the Maggie Walker Boys Volleyball team went 12-8, and came one win short of qualifying for regionals.

At Mills Godwin High School, the Green Dragons took on J.R. Tucker to see who would play in the district final versus Deep Run.

The first set was a nailbiter, with the lead switching back and forth, but Tucker came up big at the end, winning 25-22.

Although the Dragons ended up losing in three, this season was its most successful by far.

“Our success was not owed to a single player, but to every single player, as every win was a team effort,” Ramin Haidari (’09) said.

“But if I had to point out one player, it would have to be the Keith [Keith Webb (’09)]. He is my, and everybody else’s, inspiration.”

This showed in the All-District selections – Matt Wilkinson (’10) was placed on first team All-District, Parker Kirwan (’10) and David Wagner (’10) were placed on the second team All-District, and Webb received an honorable mention.

Also new to this season was the presence of Green Machine, who showed up in force to many home volleyball games throughout the season, with the volleyball team winning all of those games convincingly. There were some really intense games, especially near the end of the season.

“The last set in the last game of the regular season against Tucker was really emotional,” Webb said. “It just kept going back and forth, and we didn’t know who would win.”

Webb also left some advice for fans next year.

“Most of our team played off-season volleyball last year, and they will continue to play off-season this year - look for an even better season next year.”

Girls Volleyball
A winning record says a lot, especially at Maggie Walker. The Maggie Walker Girls Volleyball team went 11-10 this season, impressing critics and fans alike.

“There was a lot of improvement overall in everyone, especially in the team as a whole,” Nora Linkous (’09) said. “There was a lot more cohesiveness this year. We played really well at the playoff game at Patrick Henry.”

Since Patrick Henry and Maggie Walker were tied in the district standings at the end of the season, a playoff match was held to see who would qualify for districts. The Patrick Henry game was intense, full of emotions, and the Green Dragons came out on top. With Linkous leading the way with 17 kills, the Dragons never looked back. This was the also first year the Green Dragons beat Hermitage and Patrick Henry.

The success wasn’t limited to the Patrick Henry game, though. Meredith Bearden (’10) and Linkous were placed on second team All-District, and Meredith Nuttycombe received an honorable mention.

At districts, the Green Dragons went up against Douglas Freeman.

“Even though Freeman didn’t go our way, I still feel it was a good effort. It may not have ended the way we wanted it to, but we fulfilled our goals as a team for the season,” Linkous said.

Boys Cross Country
The MLWGS Boys Cross Country season is winding down, and regionals are right around the corner. Districts were last weekend, and the Green Dragons placed third, with the top four teams qualifying for districts. It was a tight race between Deep Run and Maggie Walker for third place, but the Dragons pulled it out.

“Boris a rock-awesome running God,” Kris Kusnerik (’09) said. “We ended up tying with Deep Run for third, but we had Boris. He was our sixth runner, and he edged out Deep Run’s sixth runner.”

In addition to their running success, the runners have had some off-the-track success. During the pep rally, they went up against the Girls Field Hockey team, winning 2-0.

“It finally proves that runners are the most athletic people – it was a much needed win for our organization,” Peter Askin (’09) said.

Girls Cross Country
The MLWGS Girls Cross Country team has the best record of any of the fall sports, and the title is well-deserved: undefeated, 13-0, #1 in the district.

Qualifying for regionals with ease, the team will probably be ranked second, behind Midlothian.

“Our goal is to place in the top five at states, but first, we have to qualify. The top four in regionals qualify, and I think we have a good chance,” Susannah Piersol (’09) said. “We have a tight pack of runners this year, and it looks promising. One meet in Albemarle, our team got second, but it was to the #2 team in the state, so were really happy.”

“The last set in the last game of the regular season against Tucker was really emotional,” Webb said. “It just kept going back and forth, and we didn’t know who would win.”

Webb also left some advice for fans next year.

“Most of our team played off-season volleyball last year, and they will continue to play off-season this year - look for an even better season next year.”

Girls Volleyball
A winning record says a lot, especially at Maggie Walker. The Maggie Walker Girls Volleyball team went 11-10 this season, impressing critics and fans alike.

“There was a lot of improvement overall in everyone, especially in the team as a whole,” Nora Linkous (’09) said. “There was a lot more cohesiveness this year. We played really well at the playoff game at Patrick Henry.”

Since Patrick Henry and Maggie Walker were tied in the district standings at the end of the season, a playoff match was held to see who would qualify for districts.

The Patrick Henry game was intense, full of emotions, and the Green Dragons came out on top. With Linkous leading the way with 17 kills, the Dragons never looked back. This was the also first year the Green Dragons beat Hermitage and Patrick Henry.

The success wasn’t limited to the Patrick Henry game, though. Meredith Bearden (’10) and Linkous were placed on second team All-District, and Meredith Nuttycombe received an honorable mention.

At districts, the Green Dragons went up against Douglas Freeman.

“Even though Freeman didn’t go our way, I still feel it was a good effort. It may not have ended the way we wanted it to, but we fulfilled our goals as a team for the season,” Linkous said.

Boys Cross Country
The MLWGS Boys Cross Country season is winding down, and regionals are right around the corner. Districts were last weekend, and the Green Dragons placed third, with the top four teams qualifying for districts.

It was a tight race between Deep Run and Maggie Walker for third place, but the Dragons pulled it out.

“Boris (Cameron Napps) a rock-awesome running God,” Kris Kusnerik (’09) said. “We ended up tying with Deep Run for third, but we had Boris. He was our sixth runner, and he edged out Deep Run’s sixth runner.”

In addition to their running success, the runners have had some off-the-track success. During the pep rally, they went up against the Girls Field Hockey team, winning 2-0.

“It finally proves that runners are the most athletic people – it was a much needed win for our organization,” Peter Askin (’09) said.

Girls Cross Country
The MLWGS Girls Cross Country team has the best record of any of the fall sports, and the title is well-deserved: undefeated, 13-0, #1 in the district. Qualifying for regionals with ease, the team will probably be ranked second, behind Midlothian.

After regionals, the girls team will most likely advance to the November 8 state tournament, held in Northern Virginia.

“Our goal is to place in the top five at states, but first, we have to qualify. The top four in regionals qualify, and I think we have a good chance,” Susannah Piersol (’09) said.

“We have a tight pack of runners this year, and it looks promising. One meet in Albemarle, our team got second, but it was to the #2 team in the state, so were really happy.”

So Bad It's Good

A Saturday night showing of W proved that the slogan “based on a true story” was not meant as a joke. Who knew? Ten minutes into the movie, ten minutes without one single spoof on the president. As it turned out, a viewing of High School Musical 3 was scheduled at the same time.

I figured that it would inevitably be horrible, but at least more entertaining than a documentary on cough-worst president ever-cough-cough. For the record, HSM 3 was hilarious… correction: HSM 3 was hilariously terrible. It is one of those movies that’s so bad it’s funny.

The senior group is back for yet another year of spontaneous singing in HSM 3. In their final year before college, the group is planning one last spring musical.

All the while, they are busy with plans for college and organizing prom. Sharpay, Ryan, and Kelsi are counting on scholarships to Julliard, while Troy and Chad are balancing multiple basketball scholarships.

When Gabriella receives an honors scholarship to Stanford, she must leave early, leaving her friends, the musical, and Troy behind. As they all begin to adapt to the change that is coming, they begin to prioritize their lives, and realize what is most important to them.

It was not my intent to see HSM 3, and I definitely could not be considered a fan of the previous two films. The concept of the former films are inane, and I did not expect this one to be any better. Within the first few minutes I predicted the end of the movie. Surprise, surprise: my predictions were frighteningly accurate.

The plot was as mundane as it has always been: change coming, strife between friends, and reconciliation in the end. There were no unexpected twists and of course, a happy ending.

The introduction of younger students, all looking to be trained as the new sports captains and drama leads added additional humor to the film. From Sharpay’s British secretary, Tiara Gold to Troy-wannabe Jimmie Zara, it almost seemed as though this younger generation of students was preparing to take over for (yikes!) the rumors of a High School Musical 4.

In a movie with “musical” in the title, good singing should be a guarantee. Yet, it appears as if the same songs have been used movie after movie.

Lovers of Gabriella and Troy duets were not disappointed, nor were fans of Wildcat basketball songs. Troy had his usual one scene solo, and Sharpay and Ryan contributed to the film with a Broadway performance. While I am not fond of Gabriella’s solos, basketball songs, or cheesy Broadway routines, I did enjoy Zac Efron’s “Scream”, as well as several other group songs, particularly Troy and Chad’s duet.

While it would be wrong to say the overall singing was good, it was definitely entertaining. It was amusing how sometimes the singers appeared were wary of their performance, while others looked as if they were just carrying on a conversation from before.

The title implies a high school atmosphere, yet it is made for fifth-graders. Every time something romantic is about to happen, they all just break into song.

The dancing , which was far from stellar, also provided for a good laugh. In one memorable Chad and Troy duet entitled “The Boys are Back”, viewers got a glimpse of the two as friends when they were younger.

Granted, the mere presence of Efron, added to the “integrity” of the film.

All in all, the quality of the movie was as low as expected. Despite the terrible singing, acting, and dancing, not-to-mention the awkward transitions, it was sure to have you laughing, making the film almost worth seeing. However, this is not to insinuate the movie should have come out in theaters.

Any future HSM films should resort back to being a Disney Channel Original Movie, but the overwhelming funds HSM 3 brought in during its first week may tell the producers otherwise.

Turning Over A New Page

by Charles Condro, Jabberwock Staff Reporter

Throughout the city and across the nation, elections for positions of every level from the town hall to the oval office are winding down to the final weeks. One candidate hoping to be elected on November 4, is former MLWGS sophomore-junior guidance counselor Ms. Dawn Page. She is running for the Richmond City School Board from the eighth district.

Ms. Page, who has been working part-time for Hanover Public Schools since leaving MLWGS after last year, decided to run so she could try and improve the public school system.

“As a product of Richmond Public Schools,” said Ms. Page, “I want to improve the quality of education by ensuring accountability, fiscal responsibility… and increase parental and community involvement.”

The eighth district is in Richmond’s Southside, on the border of Chesterfield County. Ms. Page is running against Mr. Charles Willis.

Mr. Willis works as the director of Willis Entertainment, a special event consultant agency. He had worked in Richmond Public Schools for thirty years before leaving in 2003.

“I started in the eighth district thirty years ago as a janitor and I eventually worked up to becoming an administrator,” said Mr. Willis.

Funding for MLWGS is one of the many topics that have come up in this election.

“I will continue to support funding for MLWGS,” said Ms. Page. “MLWGS is a wonderful learning environment for all to explore endless educational opportunities.”

“I fought for its funding and since then [the beginning of the school],” said Mr. Willis. “I’ve always supported the mission of that school.”

While Ms. Page no longer holds a position at MLWGS, she has left an impression on her fellow counselors.

“Ms. Page is a wonderful person who always has the interests of the students at heart,” said Guidance Director Mr. Karl Zweerink. “She would make an excellent addition to the School Board.”

“She has a very warm personality,” said senior guidance counselor Ms. Penny Deck. “She has a very good rapport with youth.”

The election of all of the School Board members has significance to MLWGS because of the funding that the Board sends to MLWGS. Several students, particularly in the eighth district, will have a chance to have their input on the election by voting on Election Day.

“She did a lot of great work at our school,” said Chris Richardson (’09), a resident of the eighth district. “If I had the opportunity [to vote for Ms. Page], then I would.”

Staff writer Danny Yates contributed to this article.

Green Machine on Probation

by Ginny Cross, Jabberwock Staff Reporter

Most people remember the annual field hockey homecoming game as a high-spirited event with loud cheering, human tunnels, and painted stomachs. However, following news of a suspected two-week suspension of the MLWGS Green Machine, the tone of Wednesday's homecoming game was somber and unusually subdued.

"I felt like no one even was watching the game," said Hillary Hurd ('09), a member of the varsity field hockey team.

Although leaders of the Green Machine were notified of a two-week ban just prior to the homecoming game, MLWGS director Mr. Douglas Hunt announced during a meeting held Thursday afternoon that the probation had been shortened from two weeks to three days. However, many students are unhappy that the suspension had to be enacted in the first place.

“There’s a Green Machine ban… [but] there’s also no more fun or dancing,” said Brennan Dolson during the homecoming game. “Actually, I may have just mixed up the ban with the plot of Footloose.”

The probation was a result of a string of complaints from parents, coaches, and referees that the Green Machine was disrespectful to opposing sports teams. Members of the Green Machine argue that any cheers against the other teams were far from malicious, and that the mission of the club has always been to support the MLWGS sports teams.

"The purpose of Green Machine is to cheer our team to victory," said Erik Fox ('10). "We may have a few people who take it too far, but that is not what we are here for." Some members of Green Machine believe the energy put forth by the group to support MLWGS teams may surprise parents and coaches from opposing teams.

“What it comes down to is they aren't used to having fans like that for games other than football and basketball," said Ese Shaw ('10), the founder of the Green Scream and a co-president of the current Green Machine.

The Green Machine was created in the fall of 2006 by Andy Rudd ('07), Keith Moran ('07), and Nathan Lautzenheiser ('07) as a student cheering section exclusively for MLWGS basketball games. The Green Machine itself remained solely for basketball, but last fall a group of sophomores formed a new cheering group, the Green Scream, which was intended to support a wider range of MLWGS sports teams.

"As an athlete, I know what it’s like to have just your parents out there," said Shaw . "When you have a crowd of students, it makes it so much more fun to play and gives you a stronger desire to win. I wanted to spread... the atmosphere of basketball games."

At the end of last year, the Green Scream merged with the Green Machine under the Green Machine name, and the club moved forward under the leadership of the former Green Scream. This fall, the "Green Machine 2.0" has cheered on varsity field hockey and both varsity volleyball teams.

Although the school has received numerous complaints throughout the season, some believe the final straw leading to the probation was a girls' varsity volleyball game against Patrick Henry Tuesday night. At the game, some members of the Green Machine chanted, "you should be on JV" when a player on the other team missed the ball.

According to Ms. Paige Hawkins, MLWGS co-athletic director, the disgruntled Patrick Henry coach notified the Patrick Henry athletic director Tuesday, who then called Ms. Hawkins to complain about the conduct of the MLWGS fans.

"As a whole, nothing out of the ordinary happened at the volleyball game. We were just cheering," said Norris Guncheon, a Green Machine member who attended the game. "I think the parents who complained need to realize it's all for the fun of the sport. We were there to hype up our own team, not attack the other."

Many members of MLWGS sports teams, as well as parents of athletes, have agreed that the turnout of Green Machine pumps up the team. Out of the 11 games that Green Machine has attended this fall, MLWGS has won nine.

"I've enjoyed having the Green Machine at field hockey games, said Ms. Kathy Spraggins, parent of varsity field hockey player Carly Spraggins ('11). "They lend a lot of spirit and excitement to the game, and the players are absolutely more psyched up when they have a large crowd."

"Although students are encouraged to show enthusiasm for MLWGS teams, there is a careful balance that must be struck between showing support for the MLWGS teams and resorting to poor sportsmanship," said Mr. Phil Tharp, Coordinator of Administration.

“If the derogatory comments toward specific players continue after the end suspension, I don’t know if we want the Green Machine to be representing the school in the future,” he said.

Although the official suspension has been considerably shortened, the behavior of the Green Machine will be kept under a close watch.

“I can’t say this clearly enough: do not single out individuals,” said Mr. Hunt. “Other than that, you’re back in business from next Wednesday on.”

Local Leaders

It has been almost two years since Senators Obama and McCain launched their campaigns for the White House. For more than 21 months we’ve been bombarded with the media fanfare and national spotlight on a seemingly endless, knock-down, drag-out presidential campaign.

There is so much money, energy, time, and hype devoted to familiarizing us with McCain and Obama, but I bet only one out of ten voters knows the name of the candidates for mayor, city council, county superintendent, or school board in their district.

Stop and think about this for a minute.

Who is responsible for running your neighborhood’s schools?

Who determines your property tax?

Who manages your municipality’s police, fire, and emergency response services?

Who allocates the money to repair your roads?

Who supervises your trash removal, recycling, and sewage?

The answer to all these questions and many more is found in the daily agenda of your local government’s leaders!

Local elections have the greatest bearing and impact on our daily lives of any other election. Therefore, we must invest research, time, and commitment to making the right choices.

Your school board member’s position on how to fix local schools is ten times more important than Obama or McCain’s viewpoint on secondary education

Your mayor’s choice of police chief is twenty times more important than McCain or Obama’s choice of Secretary of Homeland Security.

Recently, five MLWGS seniors had the opportunity to meet all five Richmond mayoral candidates at a community forum. The candidates spoke for ninety minutes about the best ways to fix the city’s biggest problems.

Everything from the benefits of city charter schools to the future of the James River was discussed during the mayoral debate. And, this forum was only one of the almost twenty debates in which all five candidates are attempting to gain the confidence of city voters before Election Day.

At another mayoral forum, four candidates spoke about, or were asked by the Jabberwock to speak about, their opinion of MLWGS and the “diversity issue.” Issues that directly affect you, me, and the Richmond community are being proposed, discussed, and argued at events like these.

On Monday, October 20 at 7 pm, candidates seeking local office to represent MLWGS’ Newtowne Neighborhood will visit room 153, meet community members, and discuss the issues that matter. Interested students should attend and show our neighbors that we care about MLWGS and the people who live nearby.

Similar candidate forums are held in every locality across the region for every locally elected office – county supervisor, city councilperson, school board representative, and even sheriff!

So don’t be lazy! Get out and meet the people who are seeking your vote for local office. Check out their websites or read about their positions in the newspaper.

Attend a debate, or just open the door and listen with an open-mind if a candidate comes to your house while canvassing. Volunteer if you find a candidate whose positions resonate with you and your beliefs!

If you are old enough on November 4, be proud when you go to the polls. When you look at the ballot, don’t let yourself be one of those uniformed voters who cannot recognize your local candidates’ names.

Choose the members of your local government wisely, because when it comes down to the issues that matter, these people are the ones that make choices which affect you each day.

Mayoral Candidates Speak About MLWGS

Four of Richmond's 2008 Mayoral Candidates* Spoke with Danny Yates During a Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce Forum on October 7.

The Candidates Spoke On the Question of Diversity and the MLWGS Admissions/Hiring Process.

Question: Currently the number of African American Governor’s School students from Richmond is disproportional to the percentage of African American students in RPS.

This past June, the Maggie Walker Regional School Board voted to spend $70,000 to hire a consulting firm to assess the level of diversity in the school and to propose methods for increasing minority representation.

The question is this - would you support a race-based affirmative action program in the school’s admissions and hiring procedures to increase minority students and faculty?

Their responses are listed below (in the order which they spoke)

Councilman William Pantele, Local Attorney and Richmond City Council President:

“...in that case there would certainly be something that would merit review and study, of course, I think it also illustrates one of the issues with charter schools...one of the risks is, charter schools tend to gravitate towards cherry-picking students … The Governor’s School is a great facility it has to be accessible to all of our students who qualify where there is a slot available. I’m glad the school is looking into the diversity. issue and I will be interested, in fact, I will insist on a copy of the results. “

Lawrence Williams, Local Architect and Richmond Public Schools Parent:

“I don’t think you need to waste money on a consultant. Many of these things, people of good common sense work out over time … Robert and I are from John Marshall when it was being integrated and because of that we had some major opportunities. I was able to go to the University of Virginia and Harvard University from there….Very frankly, once you have those opportunities, you have a different perspective and you care about where you came from. Pantele will not go to Fairfield court and fight to the death to make sure that that community changes. I will, and that is just a fact of life.”

Robert Grey, Local Attorney and Former President of the American Bar Association:

“I don’t think you have to hire anybody for $70,000 to figure this out. This is a community that has always had difficulty with race, and we have got to start getting a handle on this by making sure that we provide equal opportunity to all students to attend whatever school we have, and I mean that throughout the city. ...There is no perfect system to do any of this. It requires people of good will, good conscience, and it requires people of commitment to a city that will grow through the strong diversity of its neighborhoods…”

Delegate Dwight Jones, Local Pastor and Member of the Virginia House of Representatives:

“I didn’t know that there was a 70,000 dollar contract out there to just bring diversity to the Maggie Walker high school. If I had known, I would have put a bid in. That’s an easy job. And I probably would have done it for 35 (thousand). The question is easily answered. We have got to have the leadership that requires that there is diversity in all places, and that requires intentionality, somebody who is going to push the envelope and have these conversations that are somewhat difficult to have.”

Four Richmond mayoral candidates spoke at a recent forum. From left they are Bill Pantele, Robert Grey, Lawrence Williams, and Dwight Jones. Photo by Danny Yates

*Candidate Paul Goldman did not attend the forum due to a religious commitment. On repeated attempts for contact, Goldman was unavailable for comment.