Windsock

Do Students Cheat?

Academic cheating is a common occurrence in high schools. Improved technology allows students to easily acquire test answers and plagiarize papers. One student says, “I’ve witnessed students cheating on homework and tests, from Bible to U.S. History. It happens through phones (ChaCha) and through peers. I don’t know how to stop it or report it, but it must be stopped. There is nothing that ticks me off more in a school setting than cheating.” ChaCha is a search engine that can be accessed by texting a question and receiving an answer.

An Update on Touring Choir

Auditions for the most prestigious choir at EMHS are finally over. Nerves are dying down, but there is still pressure on those who made it. In preparation for upcoming shows and events for touring choir, songs must be learned and memorized.

Touring choir’s first performance will be during an afternoon service at VMRC. The choir sang there last year; the residents enjoyed it so much that they invited the choir back. The director, Jay Hartzler, hopes that by the time of the first performance 10 songs will be learned. The next time touring choir will be singing in public is senior parent weekend; it will be the weekend following the performance at VMRC.

The choir is working hard to achieve their goal of learning 25 songs by the time they leave for their one week trip to Puerto Rico in the spring. “I’m impressed with the sight reading,” Hartzler said. Sight reading is a valuable skill in learning new songs. Because of this and dedication, the choir will undoubtedly reach their goal.

-Samantha Rimer

EMHS Volleyball Defeats North Cross

The EMHS varsity volleyball team was victorious yet again against North Cross last week. The girls played a fantastic game. “The team worked really well together, and there was a lot of energy,” said junior Lauren Rhodes. The game was wrapped up quickly with a final score of 3-0.

Should School Start Later?

 
Humans, like plants and animals, have a biological clock that tells us when to sleep and wake up. An adolescents’ clock differs from adults’ because the body secretes the sleep-related hormone melatonin at a different time. For example, teenagers may not be tired until 1 or 2 a.m., while adults can fall asleep hours earlier.

Should the School Monitor Facebook?

Where is the line drawn between our academic lives in school and our social lives on Facebook? It’s hard to tell; the lines are blurred almost beyond recognition. Names like “gay” that are thoughtlessly thrown around are jumped on by the “big brother” who is always watching. But why are students being monitored and questioned? It may be possible that we are actually being cared for. Imagine that.

Students have been questioned by administration for what is said over Facebook, even if it does not relate to school or academics. This leads many to inquire as to when it becomes anyone’s business but their own. Indeed, Facebook is open for all to see; what is posted is never confidential. However, students ask that their school life remain academic and their Facebook discussions be unmonitored by school officials.

Dress Code Dilemma

The dress code at EMHS has always been a hot button issue. Students continue to push the limits, and the faculty continues to be on constant lookout for any suspicious article of clothing. There are many opinions that need to be voiced on both sides of the issue.

Last week the journalism class conducted an experiment to see if the faculty and staff would dress code some girls and not others. We wanted to know if girls dressing up for an athletic event, girls who have longer legs, or girls who have a past record would be dress coded either more or less often. Several students were asked to wear dresses or skirts that would be questioned as to whether or not they were dress code appropriate. Everyone who was asked willingly agreed, and throughout the first day eight girls carried out the experiment. 

Varsity Volleyball Wins Fredericksburg Tourney

Last Saturday, the EMHS girls varsity volleyball team remained undefeated in the Fredericksburg tournament against five other schools: Grace, Fredericksburg, Greenbrier, Model, and Seton. “We played well and worked together as a team the whole day,” said Jacqueline Willis, a junior at EMHS.  Mary Hine, head coach, thought all the girls played well, especially in the match against the hosting team, Fredericksburg.  “Overall it was a very upbeat tournament for the team; even the teammates that didn’t get to play much showed tremendous enthusiasm,” stated Mary Hine.

The team lifted each other up during every game; even the girls who didn’t play as much as others felt they contributed to the team effort and improved their skills.  Senior Leah Jacobs was awarded MVP and had 59 kills throughout the tournament.  Juniors Maggie Hine and Michelle Sauder received the award of All-Tournament Team.  Junior Lauren Rhodes thought the tournament brought the team closer together and helped to improve their communication skills.  Maggie Hine said, “There was team bonding between games which produced good connection on the court.”