Over the past few months, like you, I’ve witnessed careful construction: a foundation poured, leveled, smoothed; supports set, checked, reset; and new wires stretched, tested, aligned. Though I could be describing the new science wing, I’m thinking about all of the developments I’ve seen from the AVID students, along with Taryn Barber, the AVID coordinator, and the rest of the AVID team.

In August, I participated in the AVID orientation, helping push a few kids out of summer stupor while also being surprised at how quickly most were adopting a new view of themselves as scholars.
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Afrequent counterpoint to passionate political leaning speakers among critics is calling them ‘bigots’ or just obtuse.
However, a study by the University of Nebraska found that some people are actually biologically disposed to have fundamentally different political views.

Neuroscientists came to this conclusion by testing patients’ physiological arousal to a liberal and a conservative speaking, respectively.

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The dimming lights and the consequent hush that fell over the auditorium at sharply 6:45 p.m. last Wednesday signaled the start of Marshall’s annual International Night.

International Night is an event that celebrates the cultural diversity at Marshall. With over 20 countries and their cultures showcased, the night offered food, information boards and a variety of cultural performances.

The size and scope of the event mandated the collaboration of teachers, students, clubs and parent volunteers to achieve its large-scale goals of uniting the diverse cultures at Marshall.

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As you walk in to Sushi Yoshi, the first question asked is: “Do you have a reservation?” Reservations seem a bit out of place in the small and quiet restaurant.

The modern hanging lamps are a contrast to the traditional fabric prints on the walls, which surround the small tables sprinkled throughout the room. The look hovers between eclectic and mismatched. In the back of the room, behind a tall bar, the sushi chefs are at work, crafting rolls and sashimi in front of patrons.

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Senior Ashley Coates sized herself up—not just against her competition, but more importantly, herself. At the Skills USA Hot Foods Preparation Competition on Feb. 11, Coates tested her cooking skills against fellow high school students.

“I have always grown up around cooking,” Coates said. “I thought it would be a fun thing to see if I actually know as much as I think I do.”

At the competition, Coates demonstrated her knowledge of hot food storage, knife skills and preparation of a roasted chicken.

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A rubber boot swaying on his head, multitudes of ties peeking out from under his salt-and-pepper beard, presidential candidate Vermin Supreme proudly distinguishes himself from the other presidential hopefuls with his signature opening line: “I am a friendly fascist, a tyrant you can trust.”

His campaign manifesto includes a mandatory dental hygiene law, funding for time travel research and an energy policy that involves harnessing the power of zombies.

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The Marshall football program recently welcomed back alumnus Greg Sullivan to become its new head coach.

Sullivan, who graduated in 1979, has a long history in coaching football. He spent five years coaching at Ottawa University in Kansas before moving back to the Northern Virginia area. After spending three years as a head coach for the football team at T.C. Williams High School, Sullivan became an offensive coordinator at McLean High School.

However, Sullivan’s time away from Marshall has not stopped him from following his alma mater’s team.

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After experiencing success at districts, the Theatre program placed third in the Feb. 10 Northern Region festival hosted by Lake Braddock High School.

The competition involved judging one-act plays. Marshall’s entry, “The Sea,” was directed by theatre teacher Mark Krikstan.

Despite their first place win over Stone Bridge High School and three other schools in the Liberty District competition, Marshall placed third overall at regionals. Junior Sarah Chapin was awarded Best Actress.

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Choral director Keri Staley is in the early stages of reviving the currently dormant men’s choir. She hopes to start the choir by this spring.

The group would be an extracurricular club, meeting on the first Red Day of each week during Learn. Though there has never been a male-only choir at Marshall for as long as Staley can remember, she hopes the new group will appeal to all-male singers with an open Learn schedule. Due to Staley’s other obligations, she would only be able to teach the choir in the morning on Red days.

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Six members from the Marshall Debate team traveled to Harvard University in Boston to compete in 38th annual Harvard National Forensics Tournament last Friday to argue in a weekend-long competition.

“This is probably the biggest thing Marshall Debate has done in a long time,” sophomore Olivia Martin said.

Freshman Anna-Liis Sutt and Sanam Analouei competed together, as did sophomores Taruni Paleru and Martin in the JV Public Forum. Public Forum duos debated the abolition of birthright citizenship in the US.

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