Junior Alex Hunter-Nickels rehearses after school for Les Miserables. Photo by Paulina Rendon.
Junior Alex Hunter-Nickels scored one of the lead roles in this year’s musical, Les Misérables. Hunter-Nickels plays the crime solving police officer, Javert, who is obsessed with catching the ex-convict Jean Valjean, played by junior Sam St. Ours.
“Going into the audition, I didn’t really have a plan, I just did it,” Hunter-Nickels said. When the cast list went up a week later, Hunter-Nickels was surprised by his success, but enthusiastic to start working. The first month of practice, Hunter-Nickels worked extremely hard on his solo song “Stars”, which talks about the struggle of finding Valjean, and how he will live his life by the law. Junior Caitlin Kelly thinks Hunter-Nickels is just the right person to play Javert.
“He is working really hard on the music as well as making sure that Javert has a true character,” Kelly said.
“I spend ten to fifteen minutes before practice meditating. I just sit down, close my eyes and kind of become Javert, feel his emotions and get into character,” Hunter-Nickels said.
Hunter-Nickels has also developed a strategy to help improve his singing. He records himself while he practices, and then listens to it, listening for places that need improvement.
“The hardest song for me to sing vocally is during The Robbery. I have to start on a really low, intense first note, but my favorite scene has to be when Javert commits suicide during Act 2. It is so twisted and emotional, I try to make my voice mirror Javert’s pain,” Hunter-Nickels said.
Hunter-Nickels plans on doing the musical again next year, but not into college.
“I definitely plan on playing music, even if I don’t continue with musical. I love to jam on the guitar with people,” Hunter-Nickels said.
Dates of Les Misérables are the 15th-18th at 7 p.m. and Sunday the 19th and 3 p.m.
]]>
Riots in Egypt killed over 70 people. Photo from Wikimedia Commons and Jerry Jackson.
According to Al- Ahram, a reputable Egyptian news source, 74 people died and hundreds were injured in Port Said, Egypt during a riot at a soccer game yesterday. The soccer game between teams Al-Ahly and Al-Masry was part of the Egyptian Soccer clubs cup. People don’t know exactly why those young people died (many were just teenagers), but claims are that the Port Saidian police let the event happen and did not interfere. The Egyptian government said it will be investigating to find out more about the riot.
People commentating on this incident on Egyptian news sites are also blaming the Egyptian military for not providing protection for the spectators. The riot started at the end of the soccer game when Al-Masry’s (the winning team) spectators attacked the Al-Ahly fans. Many Egyptians claim that the massacre was planned and is part of a plan to unleash chaos on the Egyptian streets. Also according to Al-Ahram, the Port Saidian governor has resigned and the Egyptian Clubs soccer cup has been canceled indefinitely.
]]>
Cheerleaders perform in BCS Bowl's halftime show.
On January 6, the HHS cheerleaders flew to New Orleans, LA and began preparations for their performance during halftime at the National Championship BCS Bowl.
The BCS Bowl is a collegiate football series in which ten teams compete in a five-game showcase, and the top two competitors go helmet -to-helmet in a playoff game. This year, Alabama and Louisiana State competed at the Super Dome in New Orleans on January 9.
HHS’s varsity cheerleading team was invited to perform during the BCS Bowl in the middle of the competitive season prior to the district tournament. In order to raise the $1500 necessary for plane fare and costumes, the cheerleaders brainstormed fundraiser ideas, and head coach Bridget Smith selected the best idea. The team decided to sell cookies and fudge, and purses out of a ThirtyOne catalogue. Each teammate was accountable for selling at least 30 boxes of cookies, but if any of the athletes sold 40 or more, they were rewarded with an Under Armour sweatshirt.
“It was hard to raise that much money because not everyone liked what we were selling, and the people we sold one thing to we wouldn’t want to go back and sell something else to,” senior captain Gentry Dove said. “Me and three other girls spent about five hours going door-to-door selling cookies one day. We all worked really hard.”
A little over a month prior to the BCS Bowl, Smith and assistant coach Devon Skelly received a video of the routine they would be performing during halftime.
“We gave each of the girls a copy of the DVD,” Smith said. “David Scott choreographed it. He choreographed the Step Up movies and was also on So You Think You Can Dance.”
The cheerleaders worked on learning the dance at each other’s houses over break, and rehearsed the routine several times during scheduled team practices at HHS. As opposed to being taught by an instructor step-by-step, the cheerleaders repeatedly watched select parts of the video and mimicked the dancers’ moves.
“The girls in the video danced the whole way through the routine without stopping and giving any advice or instruction,” senior captain Evan Wetsel said. “That made it really hard to learn.”
The dance was comprised mostly of body rolling and hip-hop based moves; however, the Scott also incorporated cheerleading stunts and tumbling into the routine. Each cheerleader was required to pack black tennis shoes, black spandex, and their performance dresses for the trip. In addition, the entire team had to match for rehearsals.
The entire trip stemmed over five days. The team left Harrisonburg, VA at 2:00 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 6 and carpooled to the Dulles Airport. From there, the cheerleaders took two flights – from Dulles to Atlanta, GA, and from Atlanta to New Orleans; they arrived in the Big Easy at 12:00 p.m.
“The plane ride was crazy! Some of the girls were freaking out because they’d never been on a plane before, but we were all really excited to go,” junior Sarah Bell said.
Once they arrived, the team checked in at the hotel and left to take a tour of the swamp. After the tour, the team returned to the hotel, changed, and headed to their first dance rehearsal, which lasted three hours. On Day 2 of the trip, the cheerleaders had practice from 8 a.m. until 12:00 p.m., and then went on a trolley ride to a cafe and took a steamboat tour to eat dinner. The following day, the team had an eight hour rehearsal from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Afterwards, the athletes were surprised with tickets to a Cee-Lo Green concert, succeed by a traditional Cajun dinner and dancing.
“The Cajun dinner was really cool because it was a completely different culture and the music sounded like something I’d never heard before,” Dove said.
During rehearsals, the choreographer instructed each of the athletes through every move, ensuring they fully understand all the skills and movements.
“[Our choreographer] was really fun, but there was a point where he had to be strict too so we could get it done. We all liked him because he was funny and laid back about a lot of things,” Dove said.
On the fourth day of the trip, the team boarded the charter buses at 8 a.m. for a four hour dress rehearsal at the Super Dome. The team had about two-and-a-half hours of free time before they had to prepare for their performance. The team of seventeen got dressed and did their hair and makeup before being whisked away to dinner with the other teams performing during halftime. Before their BCS Bowl performance, the team had put in almost twenty hours of preparation in only three days.
“When we did our hair and makeup, it made us all more excited. Our makeup was really ridiculous, but we had to do it because the stadium lights flush out your face. When we went to dinner and saw all the other hundreds of cheerleaders and dancers dressed up too, it was amazing. We were even able to watch the game on a huge screen during dinner, which was cool, because a lot of us are Alabama/Louisiana State fans,” Dove said.
After dinner, everyone was rushed to the backstage of the stadium.
“All of us had to fit in a small tunnel under the seats until halftime,” Wetsel said. “We could see the clock and the game and everything. It was really amazing.”
As soon as the second quarter ended, the cheerleaders rushed onto the field to perform the routine, a culmination of the team’s hard work and dedication.
“I think all of us had a huge adrenaline rush. It was pretty much the best feeling in the world. Looking around and knowing all the spectators were watching us was unreal,” Dove said. “During the performance, I was just having fun with it and concentrating on the steps, but at the same time, I knew i would never be able to do it again.”
After spending an additional day in New Orleans eating at Hard Rock Cafe for lunch and sightseeing on Bourbon Street, they flew out at 6 p.m. and arrived back in Harrisonburg at 1:30 a.m.
“It was nice to be home, but [performing during halftime] was definitely my highlight of the year. I got to be in New Orleans with seventeen of my best friends,” Dove said.
]]>
The forensics team competed in the VHSL district compeition. Image via vhsl.org
On Tuesday January 31st, the HHS forensics team took part in the VHSL district competition in Waynesboro, Virginia. The meet was held at Waynesboro High School. To continue on to regional competition, students had to place in the top 3 of their category.
Freshman Mia Karr placed first in impromptu speaking. In that category, students must compose speeches based on random topics they are given such as shopping or Pippa Middleton.
“I was really excited. Before, I was just hoping I would place in the top three. It was unexpected,” Karr said.
In the end, Seniors Lindsey Carpenter and Ama Ansah, Freshman Mia Karr, and Sophomore Tyler Edwards all placed first in their categories. Senior Allison McKenzie and Sophomore Daelyn McCleave placed second in their categories. Sophomores Deb Halpern and Ellen Upton placed third in Humorous Duo Interpretation while Freshman Anna Dick placed third in Serious Dramatic interpretation. All these students will be going to regional competition on February 25th.
“I’m really excited. I don’t know what to expect because I’m not sure how the competition will increase,” Karr said.
McKenzie is also stoked for the next competition. “I’m super pumped,” McKenzie said. “I’m really proud of my team.”
]]>
Drawing by Nahla aboutabl
I saw a picture of a rich prince from Dubai, Bin-Talal, in his palace airplane. Next to it was a picture of a starving, skeleton thin, Somalian child. The point of the two images being side by side was to compare the wealth of Bin-Talal with the inhumane conditions of the child. And it worked. This plane cost over £300 million and includes twenty guest rooms, a sauna and a garage (just to name a few luxuries that are not on your typical airplane). The starving Somalian child? He had nothing. As a matter of fact, he hardly had enough calories in his body.
Call it class warfare, call it socialism, call it what you will, but do not expect that these filthy rich and greedy people to live without being judged by others. And by judged I don’t mean “Oh, your palace plane is so amazing”. I mean “Oh how utterly useless you are to humanity.” No one man should have all that money to waste, and not be obligated to pay high taxes or donate a lot of money to poor countries. There’s so much wealth to go around, it’s crazy that some people don’t even have drinking water and food. Why? Well, because if anyone says anything about taxing the rich (fairly, not equally) in America or in any country it is called “class warfare” or “envy”. People die because they cannot eat while others dive in their hot baths on their palace planes. Yes, Bin-Talal is the only person up until now to own such a monster of an aircraft, but he’s not the only rich person in this world. The likes of him are everywhere and they are fighting to maintain the low tax rates they pay, if any. It’s like governments applaud the rich and try to make them happy but leave the poor get poorer.
Revolutions in the Arab world erupted because of such inequality and so did the Wall Street movement, yet leaders and the filthy rich fail to realize that in a world of 7 billion, sharing your wealth with the needy is more than necessary. Feeding people and keeping them clothed and safe is necessary. Educating young children is necessary. Working on peaceful solutions rather than killing innocent civilians is necessary. But no where in this world or in any other should a palace plane be a necessity or even an optional luxury. I don’t understand how such wealthy people can not feel guilt as they hear about child after child dying of starvation. Yes, there are good examples of wealthy people that give back to the world, like Bill Gates (who has founded a charity foundation) and Warren Buffett, but I’m sure if every able person gave money to charities and made it their goal to help others, the world would be a much better place. We don’t need to sacrifice the well being of many just to satisfy a few.
I’m not trying to spread liberal agenda nor do I envy the rich. I’m just doing what I can as of now to help those who are in need. Writing a blog like this to raise awareness can result in maybe it being read by a rich person who thinks to him/her self “You know what, I will make it my goal to share with others.” And maybe this will resonate with a student who reads it now and becomes wealthy later in life. I don’t know, but unfair is unfair, and the world we live in today is a perfect example of how humans can be the only evil and greedy species known to man.
]]>
The Replacement is a haunting read.
The Replacement, by Brenna Yovanoff, has one of the best book covers I’ve ever seen. It shows an old fashioned baby carriage under a mobile of scissors, knifes, and other sharp objects. Yes, it’s very creepy, but it catches your attention. This book certainly caught my attention.
The book’s protagonist, teenager Mackie Doyle, is a changeling living in the close-knit town of Gentry, England. He comes from a race of strange creatures living underground that are allergic to iron, blood, and consecrated ground. As a result, Mackie is on the brink of death in the human world. He becomes close with Tate Stewart, whose sister has just been stolen by these creatures. Together they try to save Tate’s sister, Mackie, and ultimately the whole town.
The book’s plot is pure fantasy, but I appreciate how many of its themes relate to real life. It is as much about people trying to cover up and look away from what is uncomfortable as it is about macabre fairy-like creatures. The relationships between Mackie and his family are realistically complicated.
As I was reading the book, I kept thinking about how good a movie it would make. I could picture the hopeless underworld that Mackie visits, the snappy action scenes at the climax, and the romantic relationship between Mackie and Tate, which would be milked for all it was worth. Music features heavily in the plot, and I could practically hear a soundtrack that would fit the somber mood. I think this proves that the book never dragged and never got boring.
The thing that might stop some people from liking this book is its dark nature. I would not say that it ever really scared me, but if you get squeamish when reading about the occasionally rotting dead creature, I would stay away. Many people prefer stories where the setting is somewhere warm and sunny and romances happen between characters that are both totally human and far from death. There’s nothing wrong with that. However, it you are not one of those people, and you enjoy fantasy, The Replacement is an amazing book.
]]>
The lighting board controls over 130 lights and functions. All photos by Rafael Snell-Feikema
Lesser-known by most, the lighting technician is still an important piece in the musical’s production process. HHS’s musical, Les Miserables, will be illuminated via the work of senior Ben Marks.
Marks is in charge not only of the administration and technical setup of lights, but also planning the lights and timing them in the production, a highly important factor in creating mood, suspense, and emotion in a play. Darkness and light are, as with their metaphorical senses, key ways to dramatize the “light” or “dark” in the events of a scene.
More concrete importance in tech includes allowing the audience to hear and see the characters. As a musical, not only are the words that the actors speak important, but also they add the additional artistic element of song.
Lighting can also clarify to the audience where the most important character is (and whom it is). When one character is more brightly illuminated than others, their emotions, their voice, and their appearance are all accented. Through this, lighting could actually be considered a piece of the plot.
“Without lights and sound, you couldn’t hear or see the actors. It’s important,” Marks said.
Marks will be working tirelessly every day after school setting up the lighting and sound program, as well as the physical lights. Everything has to be timed perfectly from the little dark room in the back of the auditorium, from which Marks controls one hundred and thirty different light channels and each of their orientations on the stage.
“The way it works, I do practically nothing for the first few weeks of the musical, then it all hits at once and I have to do everything. I’m here three to six hours a day, even on weekends,” Marks said.
Lighting systems are complicated, including a huge variety of lights, from ellipsoidals to parnells. Whole beams of individual lights, called battens, have to be moved up and down in advance for each individual scene. The lights’ colors, movements, and brightness, are all controlled from the far off backroom, where the lighting technician watches the production as it unfolds and controls each individual light scene.
On Marks’ part, this is a voluntary effort, despite the long hours, hard work, and complicated systems.
“Someone’s got to do it,” said Marks.
The HHS production of Les Miserables will be shown from Wednesday to Saturday, February 15th to 18th in the HHS auditorium at 7:00 PM, as well as a separate showing on Sunday, February 19th at 3:00 PM. General admission is $10 for adults and $6 for students and children.
]]>
Image via lesmis.com
Seniors Jack Burden and Mikala Wolter went through high school never participating in musicals. This year they join the cast of Les Miserables, their first acting and singing roles. Both students have their reasons for joining the musical cast their senior year, whether it be just for fun or to get back into something that they love.
“Pit convinced me to try it, it was a lot of fun,” Wolter said.
Although practice times are a lot longer than anticipated, they both enjoy the experience.
“Practicing for so long can’t be helped,” Burden said.
When learning the lines, Burden has trouble staying in character. Wolter, on the other hand, has never sung on stage and is having more difficulty adjusting to learning the music.
“This is definitely different than pit. The hardest part is learning how to start on the right pitch, I’m not the best singer,” Wolter said.
Burden had experience with singing prior to musical, he gave up that hobby right before coming into high school.
“I stopped singing after middle school and I wanted to get back into it. Musical is a good way to do that. I wanted to try it out for all of high school, but I didn’t have the time. And acting has never been my thing,” Burden said.
Injuries from her softball season prevented Wolter from trying out her freshman and sophomore year. Last year, her time was divided between school and pit so she could not try out.
For Burden the hardest part is trying to stay in character the whole time, as for Wolter learning the lyrics and practicing pitch is a hard task.
“I sit at my piano and practice. I also listen to the Les Miserables soundtrack and sing along,” Wolter said.
Her role involves acting like an extreme flirt since her part is the Prostitute, Wolter has to be comfortable with putting herself out there in front of all her peers.
“I’m good at flirting, that comes naturally,” Wolter said.
Burden and Wolter both agree that their cast-mates are supportive and fun to be around, they have faith that the show will be a great one.
“It’s coming together really well, I’m a little nervous about performing,” Burden said.
Wolter knows that on opening night, she will have nerves about performing but as for right know, she is not too concerned about the result.
The Shins haven't released an album in 5 years, making the anticipation for their new album extremely high.
Recently a lot of big bands are announcing releases that are set to drop this year. Ranging from classic rock heroes Aerosmith, and indie outfit Of Montreal, everybody seems to be breaking the news. These are my top five albums (No Order) you should be getting pumped about this year.
1) The Shins – Port of Morrow (release date: 3/20/12)
This is The Shins first release since 2007, and many things have changed about the band. They have switched labels from Sub-Pop, to frontman James Mercer’s label Aural Apothecary which will be distributed through Columbia. Another unique twist, is that the album was recorded with pop producer Greg Kurstin (Foster the People, Kelly Clarkson) which is quite the departure from Mercer’s recent collaborator, Danger Mouse. The Shins have released three critically acclaimed albums, and this new direction in production, combined with their signature sound, as flaunted in their single “Simple Song”, promises to add another to their list.
2) Rush – Clockwork Angels (release date: Unconfirmed)
Rush has the record for most consecutive gold and platinum certified records only behind The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. The album was announced the album in early February, but production was slow to happen, pausing midway with a 2010-2011 tour. The album finally is set to release sometime this year, and fans are already getting excited, and why shouldn’t they be. Rush has consistently released good material, as shown by there impressive track record, and has maintained the virtuoso line up for 30+ years. Amazing talent, amazing output.
3) Brendan Benson – What Kind 0f World (release date: 4/21/12)
This is some of my personal bias but Brendan Benson is one of the best songwriters out there. His style is pop-rock/acoustic, and really stands out writing what good, catchy songs should sound like. However he debuted in an era dominated by grunge, then fell into an era of synthpop, so he never really made waves, and got brushed under the carpet. However despite this he continues to release new material, this time under his newly established label, Readymade Records. If this album is anything like previous albums, it will be another great piece of music people never discover. Discover it.
4) Black Sabbath – Untitled (release date: Unconfirmed)
The original line-up of Black Sabbath is recording an album and are touring it. You know it’s no big deal or anything, they aren’t the group of four guys who essentially started metal or anything , so you know, no big deal. Even despite guitarist Toni Iommi’s recent cancer diagnosis, they are pushing through recording, and still are planning to tour having confirmed several headlining dates for major festivals. This is bound to be good. There’s very few ways I can imagine this going poorly.
5) Metallica – Untitled (release date: Unconfirmed)
Thrash gods, Metallica, are set to release an album this year, and everyone is hoping that Lou Reed is not involved. After recently releasing the “Beyond Magnetic” EP, there is hope of the Metallica that wrote “Ride the Lightening” and not “Lulu”. This album could really go in one of two ways, which is why this album should be on your radar. It is either going to be another flawed record that strains away from their roots to much (“Lulu”, “St. Anger”) or it could pave the way for a more organic sounding record as “Death Magnetic” did. Either way it will be at least interesting.
This column was written to: Jane’s Addiction – “Ritual de lo Habitual.”
]]>
Every student now has to take a midterm and possibly a final no matter what grade you have or what grade you are in. Photo by Paulina Rendon.
In the past, it has been a senior privilege to skip out on final exams at the end of the year. However, the administration this year is forcing the seniors to take a midterm and possibly a final no matter what grade they have.
“It is dumb if a student with an A has to take a final,” senior Evan Shank said. “This is another example of the blatant disregard for senior privileges by the administration. It is unfair to seniors that have waited for this benefit.”
A lot of seniors are appalled because past seniors got this privilege and they feel cheated. “If a student has an A in the class, that student should not be forced to take a midterm or final,” senior Jonny Arteaga said. “This shows that the student knows the curriculum and does not need to be assessed anymore.”
Some students think a midterm and a final are too much. “If we are going to have a final, why should we have a midterm,” senior Zak Kraimeche said. “It is overload to have possibly eight midterms after winter break. It can be detrimental to our grades. The midterm is also the only grade that colleges look at.”
I do not agree with the new policies. I believe that if a student is a senior and has an A in the class, he or she obviously knows the material. I know the administration is trying to prepare us for college, but we are still in high school. Let us be high school students.
]]>