TheWolverineTh e Walker School

Arts Students Diversity College

December 2012Volume XIV Issue 3

ARTIST OF THE MONTH:THE KRAIZE

ON PAGE 3

STUDENTS FIGHT FOR

SNACKTIME

ON PAGE 4

WALKER WELCOMES EXCHANGE STUDENTS

ON PAGE 8

SENIORS DISCUSS UNUSUAL

COLLEGE APPLICATIONS

ON PAGE 11

2

The Wolverine, founded in 1999, is the newspaper of The Walker School, 700 Cobb Parkway North, Marietta, Georgia 30062. Tele-phone: (770) 427 - 2689. E-mail: wolverine@thewalkerschool.org The Wolverine is published sev-en times during the school year by the members of the student body. Guest articles and letters to the editor may be submitted. Submis-sions must include the writer’s name and be hand-delivered or emailed. The meaning of any submission will not be altered, but The Wolverine reserves the right to edit for coherence. Rights are also reserved to postpone or with-old publication any letter, article, or advertisement submitted. Fi-nal decision on publication rests with the Editor-In-Chief in con-sultation with the entire Editorial Board and the Journalism Adviser. Guest articles and letters to the editor do not necessarily represent the opinions of the Walker School, its administration, or employees. Copyright authority to the material (articles, graphics, etc.) contained in this publication is strictly held under reserve by the Editorial Board. Any reproduc-tion or alteration without writ-ten consent is strictly prohibited. The staff of The Wolverine is comprised of members of the Upper School Journalism Class. The Wolverine serves as a voice for the Walker Community.

(wolverine@thewalkerschool.org)

The Wolverine

Journalism Adviser:Kaitlyn Ranney

2012-2013 Staff

Editor-In-Chief: Coleman Hedden. ‘14

Managing Editor:Travis King, ‘14

Assistant Editors:Mary Grace Walsh, ‘14Meredith Wright, ‘13

Photographer:Molly West, ‘13

Reporters:Alex Brack, ‘15Courtney Cox, ‘14Victoria Hudson, ‘14Nicolette Paglioni, ‘15

Cover Photo: Senior Cole Warner competing in a Varsity Basketball game v. Trion. Courtesy of Mike Mackey

TheWolverine

Woodward Begins Random Student Drug Testing

BY Travis King

Recently, Woodward Academy decided to implement random, mandatory drug testing of all of its high school students and faculty. This controversial move sparked intense debate throughout the Woodward community about students’ rights and has been put into effect at several other metro Atlanta area independent schools, including Wesleyan. Though Walker has not implemented and is not currently looking to implement such a program, the question remains: how far is too far when dealing with student use of illicit substances? Drugs and alcohol are a hot topic in almost every high school across the country, and Walker is no exception. The school has used several programs in the past to help combat this issue, including presentations from groups like Freedom from Chemical Dependency (FCD) and Interquest, who was responsible for the drug dogs. The administration decided to introduce a detection dog program after input from the faculty, the Board of Trustees, parents, and the Upper School student body. Though this decision caused a bit of controversy in the community, the administration introduced the program with the goal of protecting students, not “catching” them. This mindset is shared by Woodward President F. Stuart Gulley, saying, “The aim of this program is to prevent drug and alcohol use. We do not wish to punish; rather, we wish to educate and protect our students.” Under the school’s new substance testing policy, students in grades 9-12 will be randomly selected to complete a mandatory drug test. An outside fi rm will then analyze the sample and report the results back to the parents. If a positive result occurs, the student and his/her parents will have the chance to discuss why the result occurred (e.g. if any medication could have caused a false positive). Once the fi nal result has been confi rmed, the

Dean of Students will be notifi ed and will meet with the student and his/her parents. For the fi rst offense, students will be required to undergo substance abuse rehabilitation, and the second offense will result in expulsion from the school. A policy of random, mandatory drug testing brings up the issue of student’s rights, among others. Many students believe that the school does not have the right to force a drug test upon them and that what they do outside of school is not the school’s business. An anonymous Upper Schooler, when surveyed about whether or not such a program would violate student’s rights, said, “I think this program violates students’ rights. Students come to Walker to learn. Walker has no business [knowing about] what students do outside of Walker. Drug testing on campus is a violation of student rights and an attempt to fi nd out information about students’ off

campus life.” Another anonymous Upper Schooler shares a different point of view, saying, “No, I think that if you are on school grounds, the administrators have every right to keep their school safe by making sure everyone is drug free.” Head of School Jack Hall believes such a program would not violate students’ rights. Hall said, “As a private school, we can say this is part of who we are. Students don’t have to be here. It’s like your locker. We can go into your locker at any time because it’s our property. It doesn’t seem really fair, but that’s the way the law is.” An anonymous teacher

that teaches at a school who has instituted such a policy weighed inon the issue, saying, “I do not think the practice violates students› rights, particularly if we are talking aboutprivate schools. Parents are free to send there children elsewhere if theare uncomfortable with the practice. Many businesses drug test; I do not believe rights are being violated, oreven that the practice is outrageous.My only concern with drug testinghas to do with what effect, if any, random drug testing will have on the learning environment. Whathappens to the relationships between students and teachers, students and administrators, teachers andadministrators and so on when drugtesting is thrown into the mix?” This is where the controversycomes from. Parents randomlytesting their children for drugs or alcohol is one thing, but manybelieve that schools should remainfocused on education, not drug

testing. As long as drugs remaina problem inAmerica’s privateschools, randomdrug testingpolicies will become more andmore prevalent .

Online Extra:Check out thefull list of Walker

students’ opinions on this practice and as well as conversations with three anonymous Atlanta-area private school teachers about thepractice at...h t t p : / / t w s w o l v e r i n e . c o m /drugtesting.

Weigh In: What are yourthoughts on random student drugtesting? Should it be introduced atWalker? Does it violate students’rights? Voice your opinion at...http://twswolverine.com.

“We do not wish to punish; rather, we wish to educate and protect our students.”

December 2012 3

Artist of the Month: The Kraize

BY Alex Brack

As you walk down the hallways of Walker, you will hear different people talking a variety of things. Some students are talking about a test, while others are talking about sports or the newest video game. However, it seems as if there is one central norm that is spreading like a wild fi re. As many students may already know, an artist known as The Kraize is an up and coming hip hop artist. Freshman Ben Kraieski is the talented musician behind the entire operation. Kraieski’s passion began early on. “I started writing rock and roll lyrics between the summers of fourth and fi fth grade,” said Kraieski, “I started writing rap lyrics in seventh grade.” From this point, Kraieski continued to delegate lots of time towards making his music. According to Kraieski, making music is an extremely involved process. In fact, Kraieski said, “I write all my own lyrics and download my beats off of the internet.” Kraieski continued and said, “Sometimes the lyrics come before the beat, and sometimes vice versa, but I always have an idea for what I’m going to do once I start.” Once this process is done, Kraieski records his fi nal song in his in-home studio. The result is one song of which will

appear on his corresponding mix tape or album. These songs are available on YouTube, Facebook and other various music websites. In fact, Kraieski has announced the release of his next album which became available on December 12, 2012. Before Kraieski’s career as a rapper, he despised the genre of rap. Kraieski said, “I hated rap. It wasn’t until fi fth grade that I heard the Drake song “Forever” and realized that rap had a good side.” This marked the point when rap began to have such a great infl uence on Kraieski’s life. He would continuously loop Eminem’s verse in “Forever,” attempting to mimic the style of the song. Eminem as well as another rapper by the name of Chris Webby are some of Kraieski’s greatest inspirations. The style of these rappers both personally and in the industry has guided Kraieski into and through his career as a rapper. Additionally, Kraieski’s parents have been supportive of his interest in creating music, telling him to follow his dreams and make it happen. Kraieski has received an incredible amount of support from his friends and fans.

Continued on Page 4

The ablum cover of the Kraize’s fi rst album, “Join the Kraize.”

Photo Courtesy of Ben Kraieski

The Wolverine Debuts Online

BY Travis King

As the publishing industry moves away from print, many newspapers are being forced to move much of their content online. Students get much of their news from the Internet, as well as social media sites like Twitter or Facebook, and

traditional newspapers often take the back burner to Internet sources. The Wolverine realizes this trend, and that is why we are announcing a new online edition: The Wolverine Online. Our new website, which can be accessed from both desktop computers and your mobile phone, is located at TWSWolverine.com. On our new site, students, staff, and parents can view the latest headlines from our print edition, enjoy exclusive web-only articles (published more freqently than our print edition), submit questions to Daisy, The Wolverine’s advice columnist, weigh in and voice opinions about the latest stories, send in guest articles and editorials, view additional photos and other interactive graphics, and more! It is important to note that this new online edition in no way replaces the print edition -- we are going to continue publishing a hard copy of the paper approximately every month. However, the online edition allows us to publish more frequent, timely articles that engage more members of the Walker community. For example, the Basketball team

may go on a several-game winning streak, or a special visitor may come to an assembly. In the print edition, we could write articles about these events, but by the time the issue was released to the community these topics would seem like

“old news.” With our new online edition, however, we are able to instantly publish articles, allowing us to feature the latest news, timely events, and more. Our new online edition also makes it much easier for members of the Walker community to submit guest articles or editorials. We welcome contributions from the community, and our website features a dedicated area discussing all the requirements for article submission, as well as a submission form for both editorials and guest articles. Additionally, we have teamed up with Walker’s Communications Department to place PDF copies of our past print editions online. These are located on Walker’s Issuu page (issuu.com/thewalkerschool), as well as in the Archive section of our website. Today, you will fi nd the majority of articles from both Issues 1 and 2 of the print edition online. We are going to begin writing web-only content during the second semester, so check back frequently for more updates.

The homepage of The Wolverine’s new online edition.

Photo Courtesy of Travis King

4 TheWolverine

Tattoos Gain PopularityBY Victoria Hudson

In 2008, 14% of Americans ages 18-25 had at least one tattoo. In 2012, that number has risen to 36%. Tattoos are rapidly gaining popularity among the young generation of Americans. This sudden rise in interest begs the question: why do young Americans want tattoos? Could it be personal conviction, teenage rebellion, or simply curiosity? All of these are valid possibilities as to why young adults are choosing to get tattoos. It is possible that the idea of a tattoo has been over romanticized by the American media. Public fi gures, celebrities, and athletes all seem to be sporting ink representing their personal journey in life. Whether it’s a religious symbol, a song lyric, or quotes from books or movies, each tattoo is different. People often display their tattoos as sources of pride; the idea that tattoos are “cool” has been magnifi ed by media coverage. This is not meant to scare

anyone out of getting a tattoo. These are simply facts to inform s t u d e n t s about the risks of getting a tattoo. Some Walker Upper School s t u d e n t s have tattoos and most people who get tattoos do not have health complications. Tattoos, however, come with risks. Bacterial skin infections, such as Streptococcus and Staphylococcus can be contracted from contact with needles. Viral infections, which can cause permanent damage, are also a risk. Hepatitis B and C, Human Immunodefi ciency Virus (HIV), can

lead to Acquired Immunodefi ciency Syndrome (AIDS). Herpes can also be acquired from getting a tattoo. The best way to ensure that a tattoo does not cause serious health problems is to take the proper precautions and adhere to post-tattooing care tips. These tips are from a 2011 article released by The Mayo Clinic. One of the most

important safety tips is to make surethe tattoo artist is properly trainedand licensed. Licensing standardsand Health Department regulationsvary from state to state so checkingup on the artist and their studio couldsave you some serious health issues. In conjunction with health codes,ensuring that the artist wears glovesand sterilizes equipment is essential.After the tattoo has been completed,it is important to properly care foryour tattoo. Removing the bandage and cleaning the area every 24 hours is recommended. Wearing clothes that cover the area or couldpossibly stick to the tattoo couldlead to problems. The easiest thing to do is watch the tattooed area andlook for possible allergic reactionsor infections. If any discolorationbegins, immediately contact yourdermatologist in order to catch theproblem before it escalates.

Psycho Tattoo, a local tattoo parlor in Marietta.

Photo Courtesy of psychotats.com

Students Fight for SnacktimeBY Courtney Cox

The issue of eating in class has OFTEN been on the minds of many students and faculty and the present is no difference. Although it is technically against the Walker handbook, many teachers allow students to snack on certain types of foods during class periods. Jackie Porbiansky, who is in charge of the facilities at Walker, said, “The main concern of eating in class is the messiness. We don’t want certain foods to become stuck in the carpet.” One of the negatives of eating in class is the possibility of a spill. Not only foods, but liquids like Gatorade and coffee are especially messy. Red and blue dyes are the most diffi cult to get out and likely to stain, ruin, and destroy the carpet and other classroom decor. Insects and rats could also become a serious problem if the habit of sweeping

crumbs off of desks and onto the fl oor continues to be a habit of many students.

Peppermints are a good alternative if the teacher is strict about the “no food policy.” They aren’t as bad because if a candy is dropped onto the fl oor, it can simply be picked up and the disaster of a million tiny pieces ingrained in the carpet is averted. Upper School History teacher Cindy Schafer said she does not mind the snacking as long as it is not a distraction to the rest of the class. Junior Megan Turner said, “Sometimes being hungry is more of a distraction than eating in class.” Many teachers will not let snacking on small foods slide but, Schafer says, “I don’t mind when students snack on small foods or hard candies during my class as long as they ask for permission.” Peppermints and other minty gums are a great idea to keep in the cars for long road trips or in the book bag to pull out for a long

test or quiz. Because all teachers’ opinions about food and candy aredifferent, a student may be able to chew on a mint during class to keep focused on the material. Accordingto a recent study by Baylor Collegeof Medicine, chewing gum canhelp boost the ability to concentrate during class. Even though chewinggum is against the rules, there areother ways to stimulate the brain ifthere is a lack of focus. Highlightthe textbook along with the notes,because the constant moving andthinking can help, also, a stress ballor even doodles can help the mind from wandering. Eating or snacking in class hasmany negatives, but also manypositives that can be discussedwith teachers. Most of them areunderstanding and are willing to bend the rules for occasional matters.

Junior Karmin Shute snacks on a Chick-Fil-A biscuit in her history class.

Photo Courtesy of Courtney Cox

December 2012 5

Dear Daisy...

Sandy Continues to Affect the United States

BY Courtney Cox

Hurricane Sandy, which hit the U.S. in October, may be off the local news, but the families who were caught in the storm still continue to deal with the devastation that it has caused. Many lives will never be the same and many towns will take years to rebuild. The northeast will once again return to its formal glory, but it may take some time because of the mess the vast storm left. According to IHS Global Insight, it is estimated that 25 billion dollars’ worth of business was lost due to the storm. This is including the cancellation of 49 Broadway shows for three days straight, resulting in the loss of eight million dollars in ticket sales. Brad Cox, who lives in Greenville, Conn., suffered what seemed like a direct hit. Cox said, “We lost power for about a week and the only thing that kept the hope for rebuilding alive was our neighborhood.” The storm had one positive: unity, but it was overshadowed by shock. One of the most shocking events was the New York Stock Exchange being forced to shut down for two consecutive days. The shock element to that story is the fact that the Stock Exchange has not been shut down in 124 years since the Blizzard of 1888. The money lost is one of the most overwhelming issues, but deeper problems lie within each home. According to Time, 8.1 million homes lost all power. Not only did

it affect the direct hits of Sandy, but also 17 states that stretched out as far west as Michigan. The power outages did not stop the population from using their smart phones though. It was reported that on October 29, there was ten Sandy-related photos sent in to Instagram, a social networking cite, every second. Also, Twitter was bursting at the seams with 20 million tweets sent out between October 27 and November 1. Charities have all lined up their efforts to help in any way that they fi nd possible. To help with the power issue, 57,000 utility workers came to New York to help restore power to those still in the dark. These workers did not only come from the United States, but Canada made an effort as well after hearing the tragic news of Hurricane Sandy›s destruction. Many local funds have also been set up for easy access to help including the American Red Cross and Save the Children, both organizations now aimed to help the victims of Hurricane Sandy. Students at Walker also gave blood to contribute to the effort. Junior Hannah Clifford said, “The storm affected a lot of people, so I think that we should all do everything we can to help out those in need.” No matter how near or far away, the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy is not an easy issue to deal with, but with years of recovery, the northeast will return to its former glory.

For each issue of The Wolverine, “Daisy” will give her advice to some of your questions. You can submit your questions by e-mailing dear.daisy@thewalkerschool.org. Those who ask these questions will remain anonymous.

Dear Daisy, How do you organize your binder before exams? Sincerely, Stressed

Before exams, it’s best to organize your notes, homework, and tests into sections that focus on a certain topic. For example, in math you may have covered 4 chapters in your textbook since the beginning of the school year. Take what you have from each chapter and put it together so you’re looking at one section at a time. It’s too much to try to study everything at once. If your teacher keeps your tests and doesn’t let you take them out of the classroom, it may be a good idea to go in after school one day and look through them. Tests are an indication of what the teacher found important in the chapter, and that information will most likely be tested on the exam. But the best

advice I’ve received concerning exams is not to panic. Keep in mind that exams are basically a review of things you’ve already learned, and they’re meant to test your ability and not freak you out. Start early so you can avoid cramming in the end. For more study tips, you can take a look at Meredith Wright’s and Molly West’s articles. Going crazy over studying will stress you out, and you may not do as well as you could. Relax, trust your knowledge, and take some time to study prior to the night before. You’ll do great!

Dear Daisy, Will we ever fi nd out who you actually are?Sincerely, Curious

Good question, but you probably won’t hear the answer you would prefer. By keeping the questions anonymous, it would only make sense to keep Daisy anonymous. Students who are looking for advice may rather not know who Daisy is and vice versa. It makes asking and answering questions much easier when the advice-giver is not emotionally involved. All my advice is straight from the heart.

A father and daughter embrace amongst the wreckage of Hurricane Sandy.

Photo Courtesy of New York Times

6 TheWolverine

How to Relieve Exam StressBY Molly West

As midterms are approaching, student’s stress levels are getting higher and higher. But no matter what time of year it is, school is always stressful. The amount of homework and studying is overwhelming. The stress becomes hard to handle and the nights of studying seem to get longer as time goes on. What many students do not know is that it is okay to take a break from all that stress and relax! Junior Lucy Rittenberg said, “When I am stressed I like to lie down on my bed, put my headphones in and listen to my music and focus on my breathing.” Here are some additional ideas to help put students at ease. 1. Exercise. The movement helps boost your brain’s “feel good” neurotransmitters called endorphins. Also, exercising on a regular basis helps reduce the symptoms of depression and anxiety. Any type of physical activity helps whether it is

yoga or football practice. 2. Sleep. A main cause of stress is sleep deprivation. The stress can make you hormonally off balance which throws off your body’s natural sleep process. 3. Eat healthy. Studies show that unhealthy foods can make people depressed so by eating healthier you are able to improve your mood and have the energy you need to get through the day. Also, too much caffeine can cause anxiety and eventually lead to a crash in energy

“A 24-ounce can of Monster Energy Drink, supposedly has 240 mg of caffeine, approximately equivalent to seven cups of coffee.”

soon thereafter. 4. Write. Writing down what you’re thinking and feeling helps get out all the crazy thoughts running through

your head. You will feel relieved writing everything about your day and be ready to move forward. 5. Go do something fun and laugh. It is obvious that putting your mind at ease is the best way to feel better. Hanging out with your friends or doing something you’ve always wanted to do will help you get through those stressful days of studying. Your friends and family all have something they’re stressed about, so relaxing together is always fun.

Life is always busy and fi lled with stressful events, but dealing with stress properly can make some days a little bit easier.. Caffeine is

the number one choice of students who are in need of a pick-me-up in order to stay up to study for a testor recover from a late night, but toomuch of it can lead to serious healthissues. The article “Can Energy Drinks Kill?” from the October2012 issue of Forbes magazine said,“A 24-ounce can of Monster EnergyDrink supposedly has 240 mg ofcaffeine, approximately equivalentto seven cups of coffee. But healthexperts have voiced concerns aboutenergy drinks over the past fewyears, saying the caffeine contentcan be as high as 550 mg.” It is much better to close the books forthe night and get to sleep early. Cramming the night before canmake you incapable of learningnew information so save yourselfsome stress and spread out yourstudying a few days in advance. In the end, regardless of what is going on always be smart about dealingwith stress management.

Artist of the Month: The Kraize

Continued from Page 3

The Join the Kraize Facebook page is fl ooded with positive remarks from fans throughout the community. Sophomore and fan of “The Kraize”, Zach Mudge, said “Kraize is very adept at creating lines that rhyme and his lyrics have deeper meanings than what you

initially perceive.” Kraieski said, “You don’t have to like my music, just respect what I do and the effort I put forth. Also, don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do something, I’ve been told that my whole life. It just gives me more motivation. I love being told you can’t.”

December 2012 7

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The Wolverine’s Guide to Exam Preparation

BY Meredith Wright

Alternate Study Spaces: Sometimes studying in the library may not be the most successful. Switching rooms or spaces can allow your brain to recharge and associate the environment with a new subject. Try highlighting material on the fl oor or doing fl ashcards outside!

Breaks: It is better to take breaks amidst studying periods rather than trying to strain your brain and study for longer periods of time. Taking a break can allow you to recharge and relax. This is the best time to put down one topic and get started on another.

Caffeine: Turning to energy drinks and too much coffee can seem like a good idea, but too much of the sugars in these drinks can hurt you! Try studying when you are most awake, so too much caffeine isn’t needed to help you out. For more information, see Molly West’s article in this issue.

Don’t Procrastinate: “The more you study the better, rather than how intense you study,” said senior Austin Newsome. “Quantitatively not qualitatively.” Beginning to do short study sessions ahead of time will ultimately help you feel less overwhelmed as the week of midterms approaches.

Exercise: Going for a run, walking the dog, or doing yoga are all ways you can easily clear your mind to begin studying. Whether you are indoors or outside, exercising the body can relax the brain and lead to a no stress study session.

Flashcards: When you have a list of terms to learn for the exam, a very effective way to study for that section is reviewing through fl ashcards. It is a portable and easy form of studying, which can allow for consistent results.

Goals: Setting goals for yourself towards a day or a week of studying is a great way to organize your schedule. This also can allow you to stay more concentrated and focused so you can complete the goals that you have set.

Help Out: Studying or reviewing with friends can increase the amount you know about a certain topic. Explaining the life cycle of a plant to your classmate can help you learn the process better, which can result in more knowledge on the topic!

Ipod: Putting study podcasts onto your iPod or mp3 player can allow you to review almost anywhere. Using headphones and walking around the park or going for a run can actually help a lot!

Jam Out to Some Music: Listening to music can be a very relaxing and encouraging way to study. Putting on your favorite CD or a Pandora station can be benefi cial. Just make sure not to get distracted!

Kitten Cuddling: Everyone loves kittens, so take a visit to Petland and visit some cute animals. Even cuddling with your own kitten can help relieve some stress!

Learning Styles: Everyone learns differently, which means everyone studies differently. Catering to the way you learn while you review is ultimately the most successful way to study. There are multiple ways to fi gure out your learning style, and being aware of this can help you fi nd better ways to study.

Mnemonics: Making up lists or sayings can help the material sink in to help you remember it. Categorizing your periodic elements or singing your presidents can allow for a more memorable way to help you recall a lot of information for the test.

No Distractions: Finding the ideal place to study can be easy, but making sure there are no distractions can be more diffi cult. Ensuring there are no loud noises or traffi c from family members can allow for an effective study session. Organize: “Have a schedule for when you going to study each topic,” said Senior Daniel Sosnovsky. By having an organized schedule of when to study each subject, this can decrease stress level, because your mind is not worrying about the excessive amounts of material you have to review.

Podcasts: Recording your study notes or lectures from class and listening to these podcasts over again can you learn most material. Performing simple tasks, like cleaning your room, while listening to your podcast can turn anything into an effective study period. Questions: Make sure to ask questions on the things you don’t understand. Studying ahead of time and going to your teachers to ask questions is a great way to cover the things you are unsure of. “Do some prep work before asking the questions,” said Upper School teacher David Yarborough. “Don’t just go in to learn all the material.”

Rest: Upper School Counselor Anna Kennedy suggests “lots of sleep, a good dinner, and put down studying at a reasonable hour.” Staying up until midnight cramming will generally lead to sleepy eyes, rather than A’s and B’s.

Snack: When a productive studying day is needed, your stomach will somehow fi nd a way to stray you from your books. Having a snack or two next to you can keep your hunger aside, which allows for fewer distractions. Make sure you grab brain food!

Temperature: Being in a room that is too hot or too cold can make studying a challenge and you will be tempted to crawl off to somewhere more comfortable. You don’t want to be too cold that you’re shivering when you start studying but you don’t want to fall asleep!

Upgrade Your Grade: Cool supplies and study materials can encourage you to study. Buying those colorful highlighters will also help you recognize different material and different colors.

Variety: Continuing to review in the same way can combine all the information that you have studied. Varying the techniques that you use and also the days that you study can help keep the information fresh. So change it up!

Writing and Rewriting: From Yarborough’s personal experience, recopying notes over and over is the most effective way to study. The act of writing out the information that you need to study can help you remember it for a longer period of time.

Xerox: If you are hesitant to write in your books, copying them and highlighting the papers is an easy way to review. Also, copying your friends or classmates notes can give you different perspective on a topic.

YouTube: Online videos can help out a lot to help learn a certain topic. There are many online videos that have math tutors available which are useful when you have to relearn things that you were taught in class.

Zzz: This is very important, so we’ll repeat it: Get some sleep! Studying on a tired brain is one of the worst things that you can try to do. Up to 9 hours of sleep is the ideal amount, so make sure you are not falling asleep in your books!

8 TheWolverine

Walker Welcomes Exchange Students

Man on the StreetMan on the StreetWhat’s your family’s weirdest holiday tradition?What’s your family’s weirdest holiday tradition?

“We wait to put up the Christmas tree until a week before.”

- Blake Whiting, ‘16

“We always have canned cranberry sauce at dinner. But no

one ever eats it.”

- Cheryl Rogers, Faculty

“We all wear matching ugly sweaters on Christmas day.”

- Madison Priest, ‘15

“We hide a pickle ornament in the tree and whoever fi nds it

gets a special gift.”

- Riley Kole, ‘14

BY Victoria Hudson

The Walker community is extremely proud of its diversity. Students and teacher from a plethora of races, religions, ethnic backgrounds, and cultures are present at the school. Walker also embraces international students from around the world. Students from South Korea and China are attending Walker this school year. After being at Walker for at least a semester - some have been here longer - these students share their experiences at The Walker School and in America. Annie Hwang is a sophomore at Walker. She joined Walker’s Class of 2015 last school year as a freshman. Hwang is originally from China, and now lives in the United States so she can attend Walker. Hwang said, “America is different [from China] because people are louder.” The students, however, are

not the only difference. “Teachers are more laid back here,” said Hwang, explaining that Chinese Hwang are much more rigid in their teaching styles. Hwang also said she loves being a part of the Walker

community. Despite being from a different country, Hwang said she feels comfortable at Walker and has made many new friends. Daniel Choi is also an international student here at Walker. Choi hails from South Korea, along with

many other international students, including his sister, Jessica. Daniel is a junior who joined the Class of 2014 last year. His sister Jessica is a sophomore who also joined Walker last year. Daniel said, “I love being

at Walker. People are very friendly and helpful.” Daniel also mentioned that outside of school, he enjoys going to the football and basketball games. “They are a lot of fun. There is nothing like them in Korea.” Whether it is making new

“America is different from China because people are louder. Teachers are more laid back here.”

friends, discovering new teachingstyles, or getting involved in anew culture, it is safe to say thatWalker’s international students aremaking a splash here on campus. Not only are these students learningfrom Walker’s culture, but Walkerstudents are learning from them.Junior Molly Hardie was adoptedfrom South Korea as a baby. Hardie said, “It’s been cool getting to know some of them [international students], because some of themare from South Korea, so I can learn about where I’m from, fromsomeone who actually lived there.” Diversity is a tremendouslyimportant part of The Walker School. To see students from all over the world fi nd their place hereand for Walker students to learnabout different cultures from thesestudents is a win-win situation.

December 2012 9

Top 6 Most Underrated Bowl Matchups of 2012

BY Coleman HeddenEditorial

Tomorrow the obnoxiously drawn out, month-long college football bowl season begins. To say the least, the 2014 BCS playoffs cannot come soon enough. Thanks to them, the football juggernaut known as Northern Illinois gets to play in a BCS bowl, but the Georgia Bulldogs, who came up fi ve yards short of a National Championship berth have been relegated to the Capital One Bowl to play Nebraska, who was thumped by a fi ve-loss Wisconsin team and lit up for 70 points in the Big Ten Championship. As a die-hard Dawg fan, I am understandably perturbed by the erroneous rules of the outdated BCS system. However, I am not here to talk about my beloved Dawgs or whine about the BCS (but please forgive me if it happens...I’m only human). After looking through the bowl match-ups for the holiday season, there are a good few that should spark interest in football fans. These bowls are the ones I believe will present the most entertainment and competition, yet are also the most underrated by the sports media. Here are my top six most underrated bowl games for 2012 and my predictions.

6. Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl - TCU v. Michigan State; Dec. 29: ESPN, 10:15 p.m., Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Ariz.

In their fi rst year in the Big 12, Gary Patterson and the TCU Horned Frogs look to extend their eight year streak of eight-plus-win seasons against the Michigan State Spartans who are hoping to avoid their fi rst losing season since 2009. Michigan State is 10th in the country in scoring defense, but TCU holds impressive wins against West Virginia and Texas. TCU will end the season on a positive note after losing their quarterback Casey Pachall to suspension in October and eke out a close battle with the Spartans.

Prediction: TCU 21, Mich St. 17

5. Valero Alamo Bowl - Texas v. Oregon State; Dec. 29: ESPN, 6:45 p.m., Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas

Two teams headed in completely opposite directions will meet in the Alamodome two nights before New Year’s Eve. After a horrendous 3-9 campaign in 2011 which included a season-opening loss to FCS opponent Sacramento State, the Beavers of Oregon State shocked the college football world with their fi rst nine win season since 2008. With an Oregon State team on the rise, the Texas Longhorns, three seasons removed from losing the National Championship game, are trying to salvage a relatively disappointing season. The Beavers’ surprisingly impressive offense against the Longhorns’ horrendous run defense should allow Oregon State to run away with the game.

Prediction: Oreg. St. 42, Texas 20

4. Hyundai Sun Bowl - USC v. Georgia Tech; Dec. 31: CBS, 2 p.m., Sun Bowl, El Paso, Texas

After starting the season ranked #1 in the AP poll, USC limps into the Sun Bowl unranked and relatively unmotivated. After losing quarterback Matt Barkley for their fi nal game against National Championship contender and ironically the BCS #1, Notre Dame, Barkley hopes to return and play his fi nal game in the Trojan uniform. Georgia Tech, who had to receive a waiver to play in a bowl season after falling to 6-7, try to bring the team that smacked 68 points on North Carolina, not the team that was upended 49-28 by a terrible Middle Tennessee squad. However, Tech proved in their valiant loss to Florida State in the ACC Championship that they have the talent to run with the best in the country, and USC, having endured so much disappointment, could fall fl at once again this year. Yet, experience will prevail and Matt

Barkley should lead USC to a tight, high-scoring victory.

Prediction: USC 52, GT 48

3. Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl - Baylor v. UCLA; Dec. 27: ESPN, 9:45 p.m., Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, Calif.

Sit back and enjoy the ride as two blistering offenses take the fi eld in San Diego. Before losing consecutive games to Stanford and missing on a Rose Bowl berth, UCLA had won fi ve straight conference games averaging 42.8 points per game. Baylor, post-RGIII, are somehow even more powerful on offense. Though 7-5, Baylor averaged nearly 40 points in those fi ve losses. If it were not for their putrid defense, Baylor could have contended for a national title especially after knocking off the #1 team at the time, the Kansas State Wildcats. With such a potent offense and motivation to prove themselves after their disappointing fi nish in the PAC-12, Johnathan Franklin and UCLA should run all over Baylor.

Prediction: UCLA 56, Baylor 35

2. Outback Bowl - South Carolina v. Michigan; Jan. 1: ESPN, 1 p.m., Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Fla.

Jadeveon Clowney versus Denard Robinson: perhaps one of the most intriguing match-ups of the entire season. Arguably the nation’s top defensive end, Jadeveon Clowney of South Carolina, will try to contain Michigan and the explosive rushing talents of Denard Robinson. After an injury in early November, Robinson converted from quarterback to solely running back where he has since thrived. Averaging 7.6 yards per carry, Robinson faces a South Carolina defense allowing only 3.1 yards per rush, good for ninth in the FBS. Clowney comes into Tampa after a devastating fi ve

sack performance against in-staterival Clemson. Steve Spurrierhas only won one bowl game asthe Gamecocks’ skipper, but thatnumber won’t be changing anytimesoon as Michigan’s offense will surprise South Carolina’s defensethrough the air and escape with avictory.

Prediction: Mich. 24, So.Car. 20

1. Chick-Fil-A Bowl - LSU v.Clemson; Dec. 31: ESPN, 7:30p.m., Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

In a battle of the Tigers, Clemsonand LSU will face off in perhapsthe most exciting and least talkedabout bowl game. The Chick-Fil-A Bowl has traditionally been a blow-out with only one game decided by single digits since 2005. Ironically, that game in 2007 was also between Tigers (Auburn and Clemson). Thisyear, however, will be a bitter fi ghtto the end. The electrifying offense of Dabo Swinney and Tajh Boyd will try to overcome the alwaysprepared LSU defense led by defensive ends Sam Montgomeryand Barkevious Mingo (who wins the award for best name for adefender, right above Tulane safety Fudge Van Hooser). LSU appearshighly favored in this game as anSEC heavyweight, having lost by a combined twelve points in theirtwo losses (to the current BCS #2 and #3). However, many forget that they struggled mightily against theweak and frankly suckish teamsfrom the Universities of Auburnand Arkansas. Clemson is sixth in the nation in scoring offense andthirteenth in passing yards, whichwill pose problems for an LSU team that has struggled to scorethroughout the season. Expect agritty, nail-biting fi ght to the end,where both coaches pull out all thestops to gain an advantage. Yet, Clemson will pull off the upset.

Prediction: Clemson 28, LSU 27

ignore the problems that exist, orattempt to “not get involved.” By being passive around bullying, thesituation will not improve. Adamssaid, “I think the best thing to do is to create a community of respect. We need to enforce our policy on bullying, so students who are bulliesare dealt with. We also need to work on converting bystanders into allies,so they are empowered to speak out when they witness it.” The surveyconcluded that only a few students are comfortable standing up for thevictim, and the majority admitted to standing by and not doing anything.Speaking out can be a challenge, but talking to an adult when you witness or experience bullying isn’t. Adamssaid, “Another thing our surveysuggested was that pretty muchnobody told an adult when theywere bullied or witnessed bullying. We can’t fi x a problem if we don’tknow it exists.” Many anonymous students hadranging opinions on how and why bullying occurs on campus. Whendiscussing the types of bullying that occurs at Walker, students referenced online drama. Oneanonymous student said, “There’s lots of mean tweets.” Aside fromthe online bullying, students alsosee a certain pressure to have morethan their classmates. “In a placewhere kids have a lot of nice things, there’s added pressure to also have nice things,” said an anonymousstudent. Another student said,“People are so fortunate at Walker that they seem to think that anyonewho has less than them IS less

than them.” In some cases, students believe that these kinds ofpressures don’t occur at Walker.

Continued on Page 11

BY Alex Brack

The fact that millions of teenagers throughout the world are subjected to peer pressure is an unfortunate, but inevitable reality. Anywhere from a school in Munich to Beijing to Atlanta, the average student faces the tormenting struggle between impressing their peers and doing the right thing. As teens grow older, they must begin to make challenging decisions for themselves. Some may not have a defi nitive consensus such as whether you should take algebra or geometry next semester. However, there are other situations where you may be pressured into making serious moral decisions such as whether you should cut class, directly lie to your parents or try a puff of marijuana. Despite the magnitude of the event, decisions like these are made every day by teens. Unfortunately, the reason the average teen decides to embark on such activities like doing drugs or cutting class is not because it interests them, but because they are persuaded to do so by their peers. The reason for this being simply that peers are one of the most prominent infl uences in life. Since the dawn of mankind, we have constantly faced the overwhelming urge to fi t in socially. Consequently, we do things that disrupt our own moral values. The Walker School is no exception to the excellence of peer pressure. However, in the case of the Walker community, peer pressure is considerably less prevalent than that of a public school. The reason for this being that Walker’s student body is relatively small in comparison to a public school and the disciplinarily committee takes school offences very seriously. Needless to say, peer pressure is still a problem at Walker. The form of peer pressure at Walker is not necessarily the same as the peer pressure that occurs in other schools. The pressure to do drugs or binge drink are not very prevalent. On the other hand, the pressure to maintain the appearance as someone

of a high social status is a moderate issue. Many members of the Walker community come from wealthy families. As a result students feel the need to impress their peers. Several Walker students, who wished to remain anonymous, have expressed their thoughts of peer pressure. One student said, “Although peer pressure at Walker is not at a concerning level, sometimes I feel as if I must have all of the best electronics and clothes in order to be considered normal.” The other interviewee said, “My personal experience at Walker has been signifi cantly better in comparison to other schools. The pressure involving drugs, alcohol or sex is seldom. In terms of keeping

up with social trends, I rarely am bothered by other for not having an iPhone or Polo brand clothes, just for example.” Although it is not proven, these students believe that they stand as examples for the majority of Walker students. In an anonymous survey done, several students agreed with the consensus of peer pressure at Walker. One student said “I honestly haven’t encountered many instances of negative peer pressure at Walker. It doesn’t strike me as a big problem in our community.” Another student agrees and said, “I haven’t been under much peer pressure, with the exception of being friendly pressured by others to hang out after school or something. I don’t feel pressure around my friends and I can be who I want to be without having to worry about what others think.” At some point, a student will have to face peer pressure but - on the positive note - it does not seem signifi cant enough to cause excessive turmoil.

BY Mary Grace Walsh

Many students envision bullying as a physical problem; repetitive violence against another person. But in this day and age, bullying has transformed into an even larger issue. The use of Twitter and texting has created a network of constant communication that keeps everyone “in the know” on the personal lives of others. Bullying is no longer simply physical, but it can have a deep emotional impact on its victims. Social networking’s ability to spread word fast has made its mark on Walker, and students and faculty were open to answering some of the toughest questions about how this has impacted them, and what we plan to do about it. A survey answered by Upper

S c h o o l s t u d e n t s gave an inside look at how bullying has affected Walker. Half of students

believe that bullying is an issue, and half don’t. When there is bullying, 80 percent of students agreed that bullying was more prevalent online and outside of school. The drama may be on our phones and off campus, but that doesn’t mean it’s irrelevant. Upper School Science Department Chair Emily Adams has been working with her epidemiology students on bullying and it’s prevalence at Walker. Adams said, “I don’t think that we have much physical bullying and violence, but I do think there are

some people bullying face to face. I think the cyber bullying is easier to get away with because it’s not face to face; you can be more cowardly and still cyber bully.” The real issue is that students

10 TheWolverineGauging Peer

Pressure at WalkerTechnology Adds to Increase in Bullying

“At Walker, peer pressure is much less prevalent than at a public school.”

“25 percent of students said they had had been bullied

in the Upper School.”

December 2012 11

Seniors Submit Unique College Applications

BY Meredith Wright

As the seniors in the graduating class of 2013 begin their last semester of high school, they’ve all began making critical decisions concerning where they wish to attend college next year. A typical college application seems to be a widely well-known process. A series of informational questions, essays, and teacher recommendations can round out one normal application. What many students do not know is the existence of unusual applications; the “unique” ways to apply to college. Generally, if an application falls into this kind of process, the end result is different than others. Pursuing a sport beyond high school or turning days on the high school stage into those on a bigger one are only a few reasons why these unique application processes exist. Senior Lauren Bobo has been dancing as long as she can remember. When it came time for senior year, the decision to pursue her passion in college was an easy one. Rather than a somewhat simple application, Lauren’s process is much mor e

complex. “It is longer, and double the time of a regular application,” Bobo said. There are three main steps when it comes to applying for a school’s dance program. First, you apply to the college and specify the dance program. Materials like recommendation letters, essays, and videos all are submitted to add to the application. Second, Lauren will perform a live audition, varying from a ballet class to modern jazz. And lastly, in front of judges of the college, Lauren will dance a choreographed solo. This process can be very stressful and time consuming, continuing to her last audition in mid-February. In the fall, Senior Mike Ramsey can always be found on the football fi eld. Verbally committing to Duke University over the summer left Ramsey with a “no stress” senior year. “You don’t have to worry about essays, visiting colleges, or applications,” Ramsey said. Up until Ramsey made his decision, it was an intense process to commit to a college’s football program. Making an effort to contact the college is

an important one. Attending the football camps and keeping in touch with all the coaches is also important. “Make yourself known,” said Ramsey. Rachel Novak has been acting since second grade, so the decision to pursue acting in college was an easy one. Recently we saw her up on the stage in Little Women portraying the role of Marmee, but she has gotten starring roles in many productions both in and out of the Walker program. Outside of the Walker musicals, Rachel has

been busy applying and auditioningto many different college theater programs across the country. Since the summer, Rachel hasbeen practicing a series of separatemonologues for the auditions thathave been provided by the colleges.The process can go all the way up to the spring, when she has her lastauditions. “I haven’t found anythingelse that has made me as happy, ever,” said Novak. “I refuse to havea future where it’s like, ‘what if Ihad gone after what I really love.’”

Continued from Page 10

“Perhaps I’m not in the social groups where it’s most prevalent, but I rarely see evidence of bullying. As a result, I’ve never thought of it as

being an issue,” said another a n o n y m o u s student. One student said, “The sense of family at Walker is so strong, I hardly ever see or encounter b u l l y i n g problems.” Students aren’t always aware that there is a Walker policy against bullying. When talking about how the epidemiology class had conducted its research, Adams said, “We wanted to address its prevalence; how common does it occur and were students aware

that Walker has a policy for both bullying and cyber bullying. Thereality is that most students aren’t aware of it.” There are also some misconceptionsfor the term bullying. Adams said,“I think that the word bullying getsoverused. One of the key parts ofthe defi nition of bullying is that it’srepetitive. I think we see one time offenses more frequently. But, fromthe study that the epidemiology classdid, about 25 percent of students said they had experienced bullying in the Upper School. That indicatesthat it’s something we need tolook at further.” In looking further, Adams wants to focus on cyberbullying. Another misconceptionconcerning bullying is that it can’t be prevented. It can with moresupport from students who striveto do the right thing. Even if it’s just pulling someone away froma situation and telling an adult,you’re keeping that person out ofharm. Adams said, “I think there’s safety in numbers, and if there arethree of us witnessing one bully, we have power over that bully. You have to think, what would you wantsomeone to do for you?”

Technology Adds to Increase in Bullying

Open M-F 7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

December 2012 12

Must-See Christmas TV

BY Nicolette Paglioni The holidays have always been a time of joy—presents, holiday lights, and sales at every shopping center. But one of the best ways to celebrate Christmas this December is to watch a good, old fashioned Christmas movie! But there are so many to choose from, where to start? Well, the fi rst step to perfect holiday bliss is fi nding the right time to watch that favorite movie. Which Christmas movie is the absolute best? There

are a myriad of Christmas movies that will air this season. “Miracle on 34th Street,” (1947/1986) is a warm-hearted movie about the real Santa Claus coming to New York to be the Santa at Macy’s. This movie will get the holiday spirit pumping—perfect with popcorn or eggnog and a favorite blanket. Another great holiday movie that is almost always on ABC Family or TBS in December is “A Christmas Story” (1983). This movie is about a grown up man narrating one particularly memorable Christmas in his tiny town in Ohio. Don’t let this movie pass by—it may seem dull by description, but by the end, the “major prize” will be a great holiday season. Now, old movies

are great for holidays, too. An “oldie but a goodie” is always “It’s a Wonderful Life” (1946). Travel with a man named George Bailey, who wishes he’d never been born, and watch as his wish comes true to make him realize how important each person is to the lives around them. This movie has an inspiring message that will really “ring bells” with the old fashioned folk. What’s the holiday buzz around Walker? Senior Joseph Farrell’s

favorite holiday movie is “Elf,” (2003) with Will Farrell (no relation.) This movie is perfect for a comedy-lover! Farrell loves the “Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer,” (1964) Christmas movie, too. Not the animated ones, absolutely not; according to Farrell, Claymation is the only version worth watching. “It’s an inspiring story about a reindeer with a red nose who overcomes all obstacles to save Christmas,” said Farrell. For sophomore Shannon Keegan, the holidays begin in September, when she fi rst starts listening to Christmas music. Her favorite Christmas movie is “The Little Drummer Boy: A Christmas Story,” (1968). “It’s a tradition of ours,” said

Walker Celebrates the Holidays

BY Molly West

As the holidays are approaching, everyone is excited to celebrate through each of their traditions. Walker is a diverse community with students who practice all kinds of religions. Junior Kian Roshani is of the Baha’i faith. His family celebrates and enjoys Christmas, but his other favorite holiday is Norouz. Norouz is known as the Baha’i New Year. It falls on the vernal equinox and represents the renewal of the world after winter. Each holiday is celebrated with gifts and large amounts of food. Junior Lucy Rittenberg practices Judaism and loves the celebration of Hannukah. She said, “My favorite Hannukah memory is when I got my fi rst menorah when I was about six. I loved lighting the candles by myself.” Hannukah is celebrated with a menorah which holds nine candles in total with four on each side of the shamash (a candle in

the middle that is slightly tallerthan the others). The eight candlesrepresent the eight days and nights the menorah was lit even though there was only enough oil for oneday. Each night of the holiday,a new candle is lit. Spinning thedreidel and eating potato latkes arefavorite traditions among people ofthe Jewish faith. These holidays arecelebrated with presents and food,while Director of Technology Kerry Bossak does it differently than most families. Bossak said, “Our familycelebrates Hannukah. Normally on Hannukah you receive one gift pernight for eight nights. Our familydoes it a little different. We receivegifts on four nights, and on the otherfour nights we donate used toys to charities or other less fortunatechildren. Our kids have more toysthan they know what to do with, andwe fi nd it nice to share with othersless fortunate this time of year.” Senior Hermann Tindjou says

that Christmas is his favorite holiday because,

“I am Catholic and it is an important part of our

faith.” Senior McClain McKinneyis a strong leader and supporter in the school’s Fellowship of ChristianAthletes club. He said, “FCA isvery busy prior to the winter breakenjoying a Thanksgiving Pancakebreakfast, preparing our Chrismukah(Christmas and Hannukah) party, along with always having a part in the Holiday Assembly. It is justsomething I’ve looked forward to all of high school.” Walker has always supportedstudents’ diversity and celebration when it comes to the holidays.This year will be no exception asstudents are eagerly anticipatingWalker’s Holiday Assembly onDecember 14.

Keegan. “My little brother, Kyle, could stay up all night, because they make Christmas and Santa real for him.” Senior Kyle Kimrey agrees that tradition is best when it comes to Christmas. “I watch all the same Christmas movies now that I did when I was a kid,” said Kimrey. “It’s a matter of tradition.” His favorite Christmas movie is “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” (1965)—it’s a classic, after all. Sophomore Savannah Wakefi eld’s favorite movie is “Home Alone,” (1990), about a boy who is left at home for Christmas and gets into some trouble! “My whole family laughs when we watch it,” said Wakefi eld.

One of the most beloved Christmas specials, “A Charlie Brown Christmas”

Photo Courtesy of Chicago Tribune

Director of Technology Kerry Bossak’s children

Hayden and Gavin celebrate Hannukah.

Photo Courtesy of Kerry Bossak