Would you take the risk?

By Isabel Vargas

 

As some of us know, there have been some tornados in parts of, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Mississippi and somewhere there are always storm chasers taking a big risk in recording these dangerous storms.

The tornado in Louisville, Mississippi was this past Monday, April 28^th.

Most people would run away from tornadoes because of extreme fear or danger, but one brave person, Scott Peake, a storm chaser drove towards the tornado this past Monday and recorded very closely. The tornado crossed the road right in front of Scott, but luckily Scott was not harmed. Even though Scott is a storm chaser, it is still very risky to chase after a storm. Scott records videos for Basehunters Chasing. He uploads the videos that are usually 4-5 minutes long on YouTube with viewings more than 22,000 views on each one.

Another storm chaser, Nathan Rohrbough also records videos for YouTube but his videos are far more dangerous than Scott’s. In another storm in Tupelo, Miss. Nathan drove into this tornado. Nathan is very fortunate to still be alive to tell others what happened. He drove so far in the tornado that in the video he recorded, his voice is not audible anymore because of the tornadoes extremely loud wind. This is not the first time Nathan is close to danger due to taking risks when recording tornado videos for YouTube, he still takes the risk every time. Some of the comments on his YouTube videos criticize Nathan for putting himself into this amount of danger. Escaping just in time only with minor injuries, he has had three of his trucks windows smashed.

Nathans videos also 4-5 minutes long are viewed more than 56,000 times.

These storm chasers take a big risk in chasing after these dangerous storms and driving through them while taking videos.

 

Why I love Falls Church

By Emily Grabauskas

“Gossip Girl here. Your one and only source into the scandalous lives of Manhattan’s Elite.” 

Many of us Gossip Girl lovers would die for a day to enjoy Blair Waldorf’s wardrobe, but are you willing to deal with Queen B and her minions the entire time too. Surely Chuck Bass would not sweep you off of your feet. On the upper East side, there is rarely a dull moment. Whether there is family drama or fights with your best friend, the Queen B will always have her friends to stand by her; or does she? Blair Waldorf may actually be one of the most highly feared students at Constance High School, but that is what attracts all of her wannabes. Is that what makes life enjoyable? Wanting to fit in is understandable, but on the upper East side, the stakes are set too high of a price. Falls Church is definitely the more friendly of choices unless you, yourself, are ready to compete with Blair Cornelia Waldorf.

At Falls Church High School, everyone is welcome and there is no place that we feel safer. There are no mean girls and no cliques, and surely no queen that must always sit higher than you on the Met Steps. At Falls Church High School, we are all on family. One that does not spread gossip or judge others. We stand by each other and aim to make the high school experience enjoyable for all. So be careful next time you watch Gossip Girl because no matter how much you are dying for a day in the life with to die for clothes or a date with Chuck Bass, love where you are because there is no better home than the home of the Jaguars. 

“You know you love me. XOXO”
-Gossip Girl

Most Stressful Time for Seniors?

by Juliana Clifford

       Fourth Quarter is full of AP Exams, Finals, College Decision deadlines, Setting up future college plans, Prom, and the rising fever of Senioritis. Most seniors that are taking AP classes are being challenged at a college level in difficult classes, but seniors are slacking off. They take these classes to tell colleges that they are still pushing themselves, but by the time they get acceptances, they tend to stop pushing themselves. With seniors taking off these past months due to senioritis, they are cramming to learn all the knowledge before the AP Exam to attempt to get college credit. 

Most exams take place mid May, the same time as Prom. Prom is a stressful and expensive time. Tickets are $55 each, with no discount if you have a date. Dresses range from $100 to $400, without any accessories. Tux’s usually $100 to $200. Then Corsages and boutonnieres range from $30 to $50. Then there is dinner and a party bus or limo. During this time, seniors are also paying senior dues, buying yearbooks, and buying tickets for all-night-grad party. Being a senior is expensive. Lets not forget about the stress of prom dates and actually finding a dress or tux. 

Deciding on a college is never easy. Seniors need to get over being rejected from schools and pick a school that they will live at for the next four years? That’s not an easy choice. Some ways to decide a college is to visit, see if the campus and the people are a right fit for you. If you can’t visit, another way is to compare the schools, rating them by housing, cost, social life, degrees, academic prestige, extracurriculars, and anything else important to you, then the one with the highest ranking at the end is the best fit. 

For Seniors with Senioritis, two months left. We can do this. 

Spring Break is hanging by a Thread

Spring Break is hanging by a Thread

By Anna Ziegler

                Only two more days left of school, which in total is fourteen more hours of learning. This week is the hardest week for some. The sun is out and all some students want to do is get outside and have fun, not be stuck in a classroom. Spring break is a sacred time for high school students, it is a time to relax and not worry about school work. This spring break has been later than past years, but that is in our advantage because now those who are staying at home have extra nice weather. Last year for those who stayed home were in the riots because the weather was cold and yucky all seven days.

                This year the highs are in the 80s and the sun looks like it is out to play. Do not worry if you are staying home this spring break because you sure enough to have a blast! Here are some activities if you are staying at home:

1). Go to your local Rec-Center:

The pools are not yet open but the recreation centers are opened to visitors all spring break long. The cost is only five dollars to get in for the whole day. Not only does the re-center have a pool but also racquet ball courts and a gym. The closest recreation center to most people is Providence, which is right next door to Falls Church!

2). Have a fun day in D.C:

We are so lucky to have one of the most toured places in the world only fifteen minutes away from us. D.C is packed with so much to see, so take a day and appreciate all that it offers. Also do not forget to see the famous Cherry Blossom Festival which is on Saturday, April 12^th.

3). RELAX:

This is one of the most important things to do on spring break, take a break and relax. School is a major stressor for so many students and that can have some really bad effects on your mind and your body. So go and take a walk around your block or go fill up your bath tub with bubbles. Set time away from stress and just relax!  

The salary of the senate

The Salary of Senate
Does Senate disserve a raise?

By Edward Cochrane

Soon to retire Jim Moran of senate recently stated that senators disserve more money, this got a bad response from the American public across the board. Middle class Americans see senators as wealthy businessmen outside of senate so a raise in salary is unnecessary. Moran claims that senate has been unproductive in the past year due to a lack of motivation which is detrimental especially in a year where gun violence has been so present. Moran suggests that offering a raise in salary for increased productivity would substantially increase the overall productivity of senate. I agree with senator Moran but not for the reason he argues, I believe that now senate is exclusively for wealthy people because the salary is low un wealthy people would have difficulty supporting themselves so a raise is necessary to make it easier for less wealthy people to hold public office. Before senators were paid nothing so un wealthy people were unable to hold office now they earn a salary of about 50,000 dollars a year this is not a substantial salary now a days.