On Thursday Sept 21, CNN released ‘Euphoria’ actor Angus Cloud’s cause of death to be an accidental overdose. A spokesperson for the Alameda County Coroner’s office in California said, “Angus Cloud died from a lethal combination of fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine.” Cloud played Fezco, a kind-hearted drug dealer in ‘Euphoria.’Continue Reading
Organizing a school play from start to finish is usually a tough job, but for stage manager and senior Aysha Berry, this year’s first online play brought new challenges for the crew. “Called Out” consists of the general premise wherein the actors, who receive their roles on the spot, areContinue Reading
The theater department’s production of “Geek!” took place from Nov. 8 to 10 after the student holidays. This year’s fall play surrounds two outcast teenagers who seek out their comic book idol at a convention in Ohio. During their journey, Dayna and Honey come to realize no quest can hideContinue Reading
“Metro: Exodus” has two sides to its overall plot. In the beginning, the game is a first-person shooter, horror and adventure. The second side is an outdated game design with a whole mountain of technical problems that will surely bring someone to a nervous breakdown. But, I want to startContinue Reading
On September 27, 2:40 p.m., students across Virginia walked out of class to protest Governor Youngkin’s new school policies, and Marshall walked with them. The new guidelines would prevent transgender students from using bathrooms, joining sports teams, and using pronouns of the gender they identify as. “It’s a real setbackContinue Reading
What would Juliet’s life have been like if she didn’t die for Romeo? Broadway’s new performance of the 2019 hit & Juliet aims to answer this question with iconic pop songs and fun new twists on the classic story. The musical also features multiple queer characters—none of whom are demonizedContinue Reading
Rank&File Reporters Rhea Newnaha and Georgia Streett followed the Theater Department’s production of the Laramie project to track down the message in Laramie, Wyoming. Watch the video below to see what they found and a little peek at the fall play. Continue Reading
Students now have a new way to access mental health resources — and it’s free. In its new partnership with Hazel, FCPS is giving students access to the program’s free teletherapy sessions. These sessions are with licensed therapists trained to help students from kindergarten through 12th grade. To start usingContinue Reading
Embedded between a handicapped and visitor parking spot in the front lot stands the “Statesman of the Week” parking spot, which serves as an opportunity for faculty recognition, as it has for the past four years. But, faculty left the spot unoccuppied during the entirety of September and October thisContinue Reading
With a senior year coming to a close, a new chapter of the Class of 2019’s life begins. With this in mind, Rank&File has compiled a list of colleges graduating seniors will be attending in the fall. American University Brandon Huling American University of Paris Katie Rines Arizona State University BreannaContinue Reading
Stroll through F Hall, down the stairs near the gym, take a sharp right into the Marshall Academy, and head to room 503. This secluded, professional area is where junior Ellen Shpetishvili and other Criminal Justice 2 students have class every morning. Criminal Justice is just one of the classesContinue Reading
The Marshall Mob has new rules for the winter season following an email by Principal Jeffrey Litz Monday afternoon to the Statesmen community. The message came after numerous reports of students behaving disruptively at sports events. “Since basketball season began in November, my administrative team and I have become increasinglyContinue Reading
What were you doing before you came to Marshall? “I was in sales, but then after I had kids, I decided that I wanted to do something that helped other kids, so I became a Special Education teacher for one year. That is very time-consuming, because I still have kidsContinue Reading
What were you doing before you came to Marshall? I was working in human resources for Fairfax County Public Schools. What’s something no one here knows about you? There are a lot of things that students at Marshall don’t know about me. I’m Cuban, and I was born in Cuba,Continue Reading
Between the shrunken size and the open front wall, the Marshall Neon Rave of 2021 looked like a museum display designed to show aliens what prom looked like. The white tent in the upper parking lot never exceeded a third of the 97 strong guest list at one time. AlthoughContinue Reading
The last five weeks have seen debates in hallways, classrooms and beyond over the debut of a new 40-minute class. The class, Advisory, builds on the social-emotional learning time introduced last year. Advisory co-leads Patrick McDonough and Katy Sokolove said the administration gathered student opinions in 2020 where some studentsContinue Reading
Nutrition advocacy group Real Food for Kids struck another victory for healthy food with a $25,000 grant from the Pittsburgh-based Sampson Foundation. The grant, awarded on April 9, will allow the group to expand upon their other projects, and continue to work for a healthier Fairfax County.
In the past, Real Food for Kids has lobbied for better meals and cooking facilities in public schools, influencing the School Board to allocate funds to renovate Marshall’s kitchen and push for salad bars in public schools.
Alicia del Barrio Escribano spent her early years in Spain with a growing passion for learning the English language. Decades later and now at Marshall, she uses it to teach Spanish. Escribano moved to the United States 20 years ago with her American husband and two daughters. American culture wasContinue Reading
Come Halloween, senior Catie Cryan is busy decorating her house and dressing up. But, this year, her plans have had to change. Because of the ongoing pandemic, the traditional trick-or-treating and Halloween parties are up in the air. Cryan said the circumstances surrounding this year’s Halloween only add to theContinue Reading
The start of a new school year brought renewal to the Marshall Anime Club. Designed to provide a friendly environment for students interested in the unique styles of Japanese animation, the club has undergone major “revisions” this year according to club Vice-President Alexis Benjamin, senior.
Anime, unlike western animation, is characterized by its exaggerated physical features, stylized facial expressions, and outrageous actions. Much of the art style of anime is influenced by traditional Japanese calligraphy and painting.
Marshall’s Best Buddies club joined together for their annual W&OD trail walk on Saturday, November 11th to spread their message of community. These trail walks have become a tradition within the club, dating back to before COVID-19. President of the Marshall Best Buddies club and senior Faye Vanstory recalled theContinue Reading
The annual blood drive on Friday, December 2 aimed to make donation simple and accessible for students and faculty. Phlebotomists and medical staff from Inova drew blood from participants. Student volunteers like senior Rubi Neupane also helped organize the event through Leadership classes. “I wanted to volunteer because I wasContinue Reading
Teen artists recently submitted their best creations to the Scholastic Art & Writing competition designed for artists, photographers and writers.
Several different types of prizes can be awarded to those who submit, beginning with recognition in either a regional or a national award. Each of these types of recognition consists of a gold, silver and honorable mention category.
According to the Scholastic website, artandwriting.org, “approximately seven to ten percent of all regional submissions are recognized with Gold Key Awards and all are considered for national-level recognition.”
Continue Reading
FCPS students participating in winter and spring sports must be vaccinated against COVID-19, Superintendent Scott Brabrand said in a community newsletter Monday. The mandate, which comes after the Virginia Department of Education classified athletics as a “high-risk activity,” will come into effect on Nov. 8 Brabrand said exposure to COVID-19Continue Reading
As time runs out in the school year, so do basketball coach and teacher Dan Hale’s days at Marshall, following an announcement he will be returning to his home state of Hawaii. Hale said he has accomplished much during his time at Marshall, winning multiple district championships and receiving coachContinue Reading
Marshall students who opt in to Superintendent Scott Brabrand’s return to school proposal, which was first presented on October 19th, will return to the building by February 1st. Rank & File analyzed the proposal on several key levels as it was presented by Dr. Brabrand as well as Principal LitzContinue Reading
During the month of February, counselors scheduled meetings with students to decide class options for the next academic year. The process is still ongoing due to high volume and inefficiencies. Limited and conflicted time during the day prevent students to obtain a conference slot. Instead, I had to stayContinue Reading
Families and friends came together in the cafeteria to support the senior class—and play some Bingo along the way. On Friday, Feb. 9, the class of 2024 held a bingo night to raise money for the senior class’s events later on in the year. Bingo night co-organizer and parent volunteerContinue Reading
A mini-documentary about Marshall High School’s theater department’s production of “Blue Stockings”. Watch the director, actors, and crew explain the ins and outs of a play, including an interesting twist: doing a British accent!Continue Reading
Superintendent Scott Brabrand presented a plan to return all students who opted to go back to the school building by February. The plan included a new concurrent model for learning and dates for all students to return to the school building. Students will return to school in phases, with highContinue Reading
FCPS will continue to require masks for students and staff, said superintendent Scott Brabrand during a town hall meeting on Monday. The meeting was in response to Governor Glenn Youngkin’s Jan. 15 Executive Order allowing parents to decide whether their children wear masks in school. This order is now beingContinue Reading
What were you doing before you came to Marshall? “I was a physical education teacher at Daniels Run Elementary for the last 11 years.” What’s something that no one here knows about you? “When I was in college, I took a semester off to backpack through Europe. That was prettyContinue Reading
Junior Avery Burke is ready to return to lacrosse season after sitting out the previous one due to a tear in her Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL). Burke’s knee popped unexpectedly last March in the second scrimmage of the season when she went to change direction. Burke said the seven monthContinue Reading
A team of application developers have attempted to tackle public mental health issues using an innovative, holistic app called Calm. Calm focuses on a variety of techniques and tools meant to aid a user in the process of improving their sleep, stress level and overall mood. I was initially skeptical,Continue Reading
Junior Mattaniah Wilson said she does not feel comfortable doing her work if she is forced to have her camera on during class. Wilson said it is awkward to use cameras when students are not collaborating and teachers are lecturing, and she feels more comfortable working and listening to teachersContinue Reading
After the unprecedented end to the 2019-2020 school year, a wave of uncertainty hit the Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) community. While Virginia’s COVID-19 cases have been decreasing, Fairfax County remains the most affected by the virus, with more confirmed cases and deaths than anywhere else in the state. OnContinue Reading
On Dec. 13, Washington Capitals and Wizards owner Ted Leonsis and Virginia governor Glenn Youngkin announced that the district’s hockey and basketball teams will move to a new stadium in Alexandria, VA, by 2028. Washington, D.C.’s crime rate and financial gain are credited as Leonsis’ main reasons for the move.Continue Reading
What were you doing before you came to Marshall? “I was a different role as an instructional assistant in special education.” What’s something no one here knows about you? “I am a scuba diver. I have up to my rescue diver certification. So I done over 100 dives. I wouldContinue Reading
In the era of COVID-19, science classes adapted by utilizing virtual labs last year. Now, lost lab skills are coming back to bite IB Chemistry 2 seniors. Even in the 4th quarter of last year with a mix of in-person and virtual students, the science department decided to keep theContinue Reading
A once energetic and collaborative elective has gone silent. Choir students, now confined to their own houses, can only turn on their microphones and sing together when celebrating someone’s birthday. Choir classes now use Sound Trap, an application that allows them to record themselves independently and play all the recordingsContinue Reading
On Wednesday May 18, temporary choir director Anna Valentino conducted the spring concert, her last concert at Marshall. “In the beginning, I was very nervous,” Valentino said. “But it was incredible. It went really well and I’m so proud of everybody. Valentino said she was sad to be leaving everybodyContinue Reading
Every year, the choir program performs the spring show as a big event to celebrate the hard work of the choir members. This year’s show revolves around a Disney theme. However, timelines changed when choir teacher Kelli Pierson announced she was expecting a child in the spring. “I still wantedContinue Reading
What were you doing before you came to Marshall? “I got my masters’ degree in aerospace engineering from UVA, but before that I was teaching. This is actually my ninth year teaching high school math.” What’s something no one here knows about you? “I did study abroad in Australia, whichContinue Reading
Claire Tinsley had an epiphany when she switched career paths to go into teaching. Tinsley majored in art history at William and Mary and intended to become a curator at a museum. But, after interning at the Kennedy Center, she realized it was not the right fit. “I ended upContinue Reading
Juniors Salma Roquet and Morgan Sergio have been friends throughout high school, but the pair came to a crossroads over their learning option this year. Both students take English teacher Matthew Horne’s fifth period IB English Language and Literature class. The only difference between the two is that Roquet attendsContinue Reading
Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) members conducted a chapter service project on the weekends of March 10 and 16. The group partnered with Spring Hill Recreation center with plans to enter a state wide competition. When initially reaching out to the Spring Hill Recreation center, FBLA member and juniorContinue Reading
In past years, clubs used Learn for meetings, but with the new 4th period schedule, some club leaders say organizing gatherings is much more difficult. Social Studies teacher Patricia Coppolino, sponsor of both Mock Trial Club and Women in Politics, said she’ll likely have to move meetings to after school,Continue Reading
2020 saw a rising financial crisis, pandemic, political instability, andtragic explosion hit Lebanon, but also the creation of Marshall’s Peace in the Middle East club. On May 14, the new club organized a fundraiser at local chain Burger 7 to raise money for Lebanon. “The money we donated is usedContinue Reading
Deion Sanders has brought headlines to the University of Colorado Boulder’s football team when he became the new head coach of the Buffaloes this summer. Sanders is an NFL Hall of Famer who played 14 seasons with 8 Pro Bowl selections, 2 Super Bowl rings and a Defensive Player ofContinue Reading
What were you doing before you came to Marshall? “Before I came to Marshall, I was an elementary art teacher. I taught at Wakefield Forest for a few years, and Lee’s Corner for another couple of years. In between those years, I took a year off and traveled all overContinue Reading
Over the school year, colleges advertise their distinct programs to students at Marshall by sending them personalized emails and mail. The college’s consulting companies share surveys, websites and tools designed to get students to apply for their school. They attract each student by targeted marketing and collecting personalized data filledContinue Reading
The Marshall Mob sold pink t-shirts from Oct. 1 to Oct. 5 in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Sophomore Isabel Church said the pink shirts are a good way to unite the Marshall community. “I feel like [Marshall] has come together as a community to support breast cancer,” ChurchContinue Reading
To combat Virginia’s blood shortage, senior Manas Atluri helped organize a schoolwide blood drive in coordination with INOVA Health System. “I think we as high schoolers have a role in society to do something good,” Atlrui said. “Doing this would be saving a lot of people’s lives, especially people whoContinue Reading
Today marks the 29th annual International Day of Persons with Disabilities, and what began as a yearly observance first celebrated by the United Nations in 1992 has made its way into the classrooms of George C. Marshall High School. English Teacher Claire Tinsley has been promoting this day through InstagramContinue Reading
The clock strikes midnight and the new year starts, bringing a fresh beginning for many. After two weeks of winter break, it’s time to get back to our normal routines. The new year brings pressure to revamp your lifestyle and create resolutions that are not always attainable. Resolutions are aContinue Reading
Course selection is a lengthy process, especially this year due to being virtual. The information overview of courses cannot be transmitted as well as in a class setting. As course selection roams nearer, students are up to decide which classes would be the best fit for them. Choosing between takingContinue Reading
Course selection is a lengthy process, especially this year due to being virtual. The information overview of courses cannot be transmitted as well as in a class setting. As course selection roams nearer, students are up to decide which classes would be the best fit for them. Choosing between takingContinue Reading
After graduating from the Marshall Academy in 2011, Sean Appleby’s love for teaching became a reality. “I started coaching basketball because I just love the sport,” Appleby said. “It’s so much fun.” Appleby started coaching small programs during high school preparing him for working at Marshall now. “I’ve been coachingContinue Reading
Ashleigh Williams took a flight across the world and landed as a history teacher in D hall. She couldn’t be happier about it. After three years in Japan, Williams joins Marshall while balancing a number of personal goals as vast as the journey that got her here. “How do IContinue Reading
“Most people don’t know I am the oldest of seven kids.” “[I want] to travel overseas, I have never been outside of the continent, [so] somewhere in Europe maybe.” “I was living in Blacksburg, Virginia and I just finished my master’s degree in math education from Radford University.” Continue Reading
As the chaos of the coronavirus circulated through the country, many testing locations for the SAT on March 14 began closing. One day before the test, Fairfax County Public Schools’ (FCPS) Twitter account announced the cancellation of all SATs scheduled in FCPS locations. “I am upset that I couldn’t takeContinue Reading
The highly anticipated movie adaptation of Kevin Kwan’s book Crazy Rich Asians has garnered much attention in the months before its release on Aug. 15. It is currently dominating the box office, and with good reason. At its surface, the film is not all too exciting: Rachel Chu (Constance Wu),Continue Reading
During his high school career, senior Daniel Deaver became the first basketball player to score over 1,000 points for boys basketball. “I never thought I’d be able to be a 1,000 point scorer,” Deaver said. “It never really hit me until I finally did it and it was really overwhelming,Continue Reading
Administration sent an email before winter break that raised concern about teachers not recording grades in the Student Information System (SIS) across various classes. According to the Fairfax County Public Schools website, one of the requirements for teachers is to enter at least nine grades per quarter. But for aContinue Reading
Although Disney has made a point to diversify their image by including princesses of different ethnicities and social backgrounds, it refuses to change its passé beauty standards.
Continue Reading
Junior Eujin Lee said in the previous year, she noticed a lack of motivation in her orchestra class. One student claimed they hadn’t touched their instrument all year. With the county granting students the ability to leave their cameras off throughout the year, the prevention of cheating was nearly impossible.Continue Reading
In theory, odor makes up 20 percent of one’s senses, which is why it would seem to be a priority to ensure a school has one pleasant odor throughout the entire building. But the smell factor seems to have taken a backseat in maintaining the school and, as a result,Continue Reading
Here’s a rank&recap of the Marshall Minds Matter therapy dog event during Learn on Thursday, Jan 11. Marshall Minds Matter brought in Alliance of Therapy Dogs to help students find healthy coping mechanisms for end-of-quarter stress.Continue Reading
For senior Sriya Thammisetti, the end of the first quarter brought even more stress as the early deadlines for college application approached. The traditional Nov. 1 due date for early decision and early action applicants coincided almost perfectly with the last day of the first quarter on Oct. 30, causingContinue Reading
We’re over 600 days into the COVID-19 pandemic, but Fairfax County Public Schools is still lagging behind for coronavirus testing. FCPS recently announced new COVID-19 testing procedures, including optional opt-in parental consent forms that must be signed for any student to be tested as a plan to test 10% ofContinue Reading
Instead of limiting the cast to strictly Marshall students, theatre director Bernard DeLeo cast elementary schoolers for the younger roles in the upcoming play “The Sound of Music.” The play is suitable for all ages and it follows a true storyline. “‘The Sound of Music’ is a classic, golden ageContinue Reading
What were you doing before you came to Marshall? I was busy as a mother raising of four children, who all graduated from Marshall high school. That was a big job. I was a substitute teacher for Fairfax County. I worked at Pottery Barn. I was also a nanny. AsContinue Reading
Hispanic Heritage Month is a worldwide celebration that embraces hispanic culture. “The most important thing is that we are all connected,” Spanish teacher Norma Banks said. “To me, connections are important because we are all part of a big community.” Spanish teacher Silvia Montes said that there are always similaritiesContinue Reading
The three IB English SL classes held a live retelling of the German play The Visit. The play was made up of many students who had zero experience in theater, making for a unique classroom experience. “I was nervous at the start and a bit skeptical because I’ve never actedContinue Reading
ESOL is “a profound class that teaches a lot of new and sophisticated material,” freshman Isabella Ariza stated.
When Ariza first came to the U.S. from Colombia, she was dissapointed for being placed in English for Speakers of Other Languages classes.
However, Ariza gives great credit to ESOL for developing her skills in English and allowing her to pursue a more rigorous academic lifestyle.
She stated that she is now part of more mainstream classes such as Biology Honors and English 9 thanks to the progress she made in ESOL English classes.
Falls Church City Public Schools (FCCPS) began a new phase in the pandemic on February 14: optional masking for students. In a letter to the community on February 10, FCCPS Superintendent Peter Noonan said the option to opt-out of masking comes with a decrease in positive COVID-19 cases since theContinue Reading
Thanksgiving is an opportunity for people to gather and celebrate, but for those missing family members, the occasion can feel incomplete. Though the holiday offers a chance to spend time with family and reconnect, unfortunate circumstances that are out of their control can affect the celebration. Sophomore Emily Halverson saidContinue Reading
There has been a rise in the interest of veganism over the years, yet Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) has not provided enough vegan options for students. The only vegan breakfast options offered by schools include apple juice, orange juice and sides of fruit. Not only are the options extremelyContinue Reading
Hackers have compromised Fairfax County Public Schools’ (FCPS) data, though the extent of the attack remains unknown. On Friday, the FCPS Office of Communication released a statement addressing the cybersecurity issue. In the statement, FCPS said the ransomware is likely the work of hackers who have been targeting multiple organizations.Continue Reading
After Glenn Youngkin was sworn into office as Virginia’s 74th Governor on Jan. 15, he issued an executive order within hours designed to end mask mandates in Virginia schools. The new executive order is intended to allow parents to opt-out of mask mandates, although the timetable and legality of theContinue Reading
The FCPS School Board has announced that Dr. Karen Garza is their preferred candidate for the soon-to-be-vacant Superintendent position, with plans to finalize the nomination later this month. This decision was announced on April 10, after a unanimous vote by the Board. She will be the first woman superintendent in FCPS history if she is accepted.
FCPS announced a joint lawsuit against Governor Glenn Youngkin’s executive order banning school mask requirements Monday morning. Fairfax County joins six other districts, including neighboring Alexandria, Arlington, Falls Church and Prince William, in challenging the order. “At issue is whether locally-elected school boards have the exclusive authority and responsibility conferredContinue Reading
As a requirement for her IB Visual Arts class, senior Samantha Feldman submitted a photograph for the Regional Scholastic Art Awards in January. Now, not only has her photo “Glamour Shot” received a gold key, but it has also recieved one of the five American Visions & Voices nominations withinContinue Reading
I started being catcalled when I was in my early teens. Maybe 15 to 16 years old. I was able to ignore it pretty well until this year, when it started happening almost every time I went on a run. During the summer, the cross country team runs long runsContinue Reading
English teacher Pierce Bello will revive the Film Studies course next year, but this time without its IB designation. Bello said student interest in the class dwindled due to the IB workload, so rather than coming back as an IB course, the class will be an elective. “I just fundamentallyContinue Reading
With fully online learning comes major changes for both leaders and members of clubs at Marshall. Far different from listening to morning announcements, students now have to check Instagram or Schoology to find information about clubs they are interested in. History club president and senior Katherine Reback’s club held itsContinue Reading
The first thing a student needs to do to create a club is to find a sponsor for their club. “You need a sponsor before you get into the paperwork,” assistant director of clubs and activities Laura Campbell said. After that, the student must fill out an interest form ofContinue Reading
Love is in the air at Marshall High School. For freshman Dean Vance, his valentine is Instagram model Alexis Ren who has 13.1 million followers on the platform. Vance followed Ren for a few years and said his crush on her has been a long-term inside joke between Vance andContinue Reading
In-person again for the first time in two years, the Freshmen Transition Program, or FTP, gives incoming freshmen the opportunity to learn from a group of senior mentors during fourth period. FTP allows seniors to teach lessons intended to help ease a freshman’s transition from middle school to high school,Continue Reading
English teacher Nikita Washington worked for Capitol Records where he collaborated with celebrities and worked at high-profile events before returning to teaching. Capitol Records is a subsidiary of Universal Music Group, and is a record label that has signed artists such as Pink Floyd, Katy Perry and The Beatles. AtContinue Reading
After a distinguished career in the military, 9th grade Health and PE teacher Michael Horn brings his experience to his classes. Horn started teaching as an instructor for firearms and tactics around eight years ago. “I started instructing while I was in the First Ranger Battalion, overseas and here,” heContinue Reading
As a result of the government shutdown, furloughed government employees had to make ends meet in whatever ways they could. The recent shutdown of the federal government, lasting from Dec. 22, 2018 to Jan. 25, 2019, left employees without paychecks and invoked protests countrywide. As a result, certain school districtsContinue Reading
Watchers hit the end of Game of Thrones Sunday evening with backlash in line with their reaction to the rest of the final season. While season eight of the epic saga saw the highest viewership of any HBO series ever — Sunday’s episode netted 19.3 million viewers, according to NielsenContinue Reading
Over 400 schools participate in the Project LIT program to allow students, teachers and community members to obtain relevant and diverse books. Librarian Krissy Ronan recently initiated Marshall’s “chapter,” in the program. In an attempt to eliminate “book deserts,” or areas where community members are unable to easily acquire printedContinue Reading
This year Marshall welcomes four new counselors to Student Services. Get to know them a little better below! Armin Mustedanagic (Alphabet Range: A-BN) Mustedanagic has been a counselor for three years. He first worked at a Florida high school, and spent last year with South County High School in FCPS.Continue Reading
The girls soccer team changed the practice time from 5:30 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. due to the coach’s and staff’s inability to attend after school practice as well as conflicting practice field scheduling. “[The rescheduling] has to do with our coach being a teacher here,” sophomore and varsity player OliviaContinue Reading
Growing up in Panama, junior Leo Perez chose his path at an early age. Alongside becoming a golfer at age seven, Perez added guitar to his list of talents. “I lived in Panama for around seven years.” Perez said. “I was born in Venezuela, and we moved [to Panama] whenContinue Reading
The government shutdown is a challenging situation that can have a wide-ranging impact on various sectors of the economy, as well as the public. Government teacher Elise Iddings explained what a government shutdown is. “A government shutdown happens when the government does not meet their yearly deadline to passContinue Reading
The Summer Residential Governor’s School is a competitive, selective program that gives exceptional students with similar interests the opportunity to spend four rigorous and educational weeks together from late June to early July. “A good candidate is someone who’s super […] talented, super committed,” Governor’s School contact and art teacherContinue Reading
An alarm rings halfway into English and Theory of Knowledge teacher Hendrick Booz’s classes, signalling a quick break not only for his students, but for Booz himself. Initially, the breaks included scavenger hunts among other activities, with the purpose of allowing students to get out of their chairs. But, uponContinue Reading
Halimah Wells has a bachelor’s degree in African-American studies, but when she interviewed with Mr. Litz she had no idea she would get the opportunity to teach Marshall’s first African-American history class. Along with teaching the brand new African-American Studies class, Wells will now work with the diverse English asContinue Reading
Our staff discuss their fav and least favs of all time below Gilmore Girls: Rory Gilmore By Rebecca Paz From the very first episode of “Gilmore Girls,” the writers and producers built Rory Gilmore up as someone to idolize. She was a good student and aspiring journalist with a coffeeContinue Reading
The pilot lunch line known as the Statesmen Station made a splash in the Northern Virginia community, providing healthier lunch options; it is the first of its kind in Fairfax County. Real Food for Kids, an organization dedicated to promoting healthy food in Fairfax County, planned and supported the StatesmenContinue Reading
On Hot 99.5, the day opens with the babbling of four hosts on The Kane Show, a national, or syndicated, culture show that is featured on the popular DC radio station. Hot 99.5 (or WIHT-FM) is one of the top stations in the Washington DC/Maryland/Northern Virginia area, reaching over 100Continue Reading
With no teacher carefully watching students as they take assessments and open access to nearby technology, the test taking process has lost much of its integrity. IB Biology student and senior Sanjoli Jain said there were clear signs of cheating during the first test of the year, leading to theContinue Reading
IB Business students had the opportunity to experience a business in the community. 86 students ventured to TopGolf to learn about the business. “It was a lot of fun,” junior and IB Business student Preston Balisky said. “I really enjoyed getting to learn about how the business works.” Students firstContinue Reading
On the evening of Jan 10th, students in grades 8-10 and their parents gathered both virtually and in the auditorium to learn about the International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma. 8th grade Kilmer student and incoming Marshall freshman Briar McNerny attended the meeting with her mother and was intimidated by the amountContinue Reading
Starting second semester, all seniors in the IB World Topics classes will no longer take Essential Knowledge (EK) tests. The department decided to remove EKs to address the seniors’ poor essay scores, allowing them to focus on preparing for those exams instead. Social studies teacher Matthew Axelrod said seniors willContinue Reading
I have taken Spanish for four years, but I never fully embraced the culture or dedicated myself to the language. Studies show listening to a language greatly improves fluency and comprehension, so this week I am adopting Spanish culture to improve my language skills. Monday: I normally listen toContinue Reading
Severe weather has led to the cancellation of a total of eight sporting events this year, presenting problems with the student athletes’ schedules, studies and sanity. The weather, ranging from 90 degree heat to pouring rain, has cancelled two races for the cross country team as well as seven gamesContinue Reading
Apple’s new iOS Screen Time feature allows users to track phone usage and set limits, which leads to an increase in awareness and improved productivity among students. Screen Time allows Apple users to see their phone usage based on productivity, social networking, entertainment, games and creativity. The feature also providesContinue Reading
A cause of concern for this year’s girls volleyball team is the team’s lack of representation compared to the boys basketball and football team. Sophomore Erin Fuchs shares her opinions and experiences as a varsity volleyball player for Marshall. “I would say for tryouts, we have about 150 girls tryContinue Reading
The end of the first semester of the school year is here, which entails teachers working diligently to get in grades, students using these final moments to improve theirs, and Marshall’s admin implementing grade-boosting opportunities like Saturday school, return, and learn. It seems that both the student body and manyContinue Reading
On Feb. 7, as judges called out the winners for the annual VHSL Northern Regional theater competition, Statesmen Theater sat in hopeful anticipation to hear who won. Just like in their district round, the cast once again took home first place, an announcement that erupted in cheers, hugs and tearsContinue Reading
After attending an influential summer camp, junior Jackson Dabich wants to bring slam poetry to Marshall. “I really just wanted to build a writing community,” Dabich, the club’s president, said. “I did this camp over the summer and I felt that everyone is so supportive of your writing, it’s aContinue Reading
Tough physical conditioning, discipline training and working to build character. This weekend junior Ethan Um will continue to delve into service academy life through a challenging leadership course. Um’s Unit of the Air Force division Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps is holding a Cadet Leadership Course from May 26 toContinue Reading
It has been a controversial year for Chicago rapper Kanye West, whether it be his now infamous “slavery was a choice” comment on TMZ, his feud with Canadian rapper Drake or his support for President Donald Trump, which has drawn ire from the public. He is now pushing back theContinue Reading
On Feb. 10, the highly controversial rapper and producer Kanye West released his first album in three years, “Vultures 1”, to high acclaim. There’s a lot to love about this album, from the stellar production to the incredible verses from Kanye, Ty Dolla Sign, Freddie Gibbs and others. Kanye releasedContinue Reading
What were you doing before you came to Marshall? “Before I came to Marshall, I was working in the medical field as a social worker”. What is something no one else knows about you? “In high school, I was in the chorus of the Wizard of Oz [play]”. What isContinue Reading
Wrestling is the antithesis of social distancing. The six-feet-apart rule does not exactly lend itself to the close-quarter grappling the sport entails. All the same, the sport is subject to its own set of regulations. Full body Lysol cleaning before and after each bout Each wrestler disinfects their entire bodyContinue Reading
Gymnasts from James Madison High School and McLean High School are practicing in one gym with the Marshall gymnastics team due to lack of room for practice. Gymnastics head coach Kristi Bzdafka said sharing space is an opportunity to observe different coaches and perspectives, which has been beneficial because ofContinue Reading
Classroom discussions have gone silent. Students’ faces have been reduced to a mere profile picture on Blackboard Collaborate. Without sound or visuals, many teachers said they have become the only participants in their classes. Biology teacher Angela Rizzo said her students’ unwillingness to participate in class has left her feelingContinue Reading
The casual, neon-lit world of laser tag conceals a competitive side— one that junior David Tu said he hopes to bring to light. Laser tag started off as a father-son activity, but Tu said it became more when he and his dad created a team to compete in the ZoneContinue Reading
Music filled C hall last Wednesday at the first acoustic LEARN concert of the year. The concert showcased student bands CPK, Bad Flowers, and Paved, in addition to English teacher Walter Miller, who played Kid Cudi’s “Pursuit of Happiness” on guitar. “I was shocked to hear him singing, because heContinue Reading
Come back for a photo essay on Statesmen Theatre’s Legally Blond Production!Continue Reading
It is not just a flag. It is just another reminder that Marshall never belonged to us. Marshall was a place where “n—r,” “f—t,” and “go back to where you came from” were unsurprising to hear in the seven minutes walking between classes. Marshall was a place where my peersContinue Reading
Varsity field hockey player and sophomore Cayley Sullivan stands on the first set of hash marks, waiting to receive a hit. She misses the first one. It zooms past her to the end of the field. Another teammate is standing there working on her own hits. Normally, she’d put herContinue Reading
Principal Jeff Litz removed and redistributed all color printers in November due to the high cost of color toner. Litz removed six to eight color printers from teacher workrooms out of the approximately 20 in the building. Litz said he had to pay for color ink directly out of theContinue Reading
Due to ice hockey not being a VHSL-approved sport, students interested in playing participate in a separate independent league outside of school. Ice hockey is the ninth-most popular sport in the world according to Total Sportek, as it is a prominent in 76 countries worldwide. Despite this, the sport itselfContinue Reading
Winter break is a 12 day hiatus from school that lasts from Dec. 24 to Jan. 4. For students and staff alike, it is a chance to relax and rejuvenate without daily stressors. While the break is a time to step away from school, long term deadlines for higher levelContinue Reading
According to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, more than three million people die from vaccine-preventable diseases each year. The World Health Organization reports that an improvement in the global vaccination coverage, which has remained at 85 percent for the past few years, would help avoid an additional 1.5 million deaths.Continue Reading
Holding a job as a student can be challenging with all the responsibilities you need to handle at once. However, being able to be part of the work field at a younger age can give you numerous benefits in the long run. Junior Lucas Davila shares his experience working atContinue Reading
What were you doing before you came to Marshall? “Before I came to Marshall, I was a student at Adelphi University getting my master’s degree so that I could be a competitive applicant at Marshall”. What’s something about you that no one else knows? “That’s a tough one, I’ve startedContinue Reading
Lunch and Learn sets Marshall High School apart from other schools in the fact that this program encourages students to take the initiative to achieve their own personal goals at their own times. After being confined to classrooms and a structured environment in the morning, Lunch and Learn allows studentsContinue Reading
For eight years, junior Iain MacKeith has competed as a road cyclist and races in national competitions across the country. He is currently a part of the team DC Velo. MacKeith said he has wanted to compete as a road cyclist before he was able to ride a bike. TodayContinue Reading
Because Maple Avenue is cluttered with a seemingly random assortment of stores and restaurants, Magnolia Dessert Bar and Coffee can be easy to miss. The building may not necessarily be the most eye-catching or attractive, but the value of this restaurant, especially its originality, lies within. After entering, the settingContinue Reading
Come back soon to see a video about the 2022 Marching Band Season! Continue Reading
What were you doing before you came to Marshall? Grad school mostly, I had a plethora of different jobs when I got out of college. They inevitably led me to grad school, which inevitably led me here. What’s something no one here knows about you? I hate the mercator projectionContinue Reading
Despite the dangers of parking on George C. Marshall Drive, students who did not purchase a school parking pass still choose to do so. Perpendicular to Leesburg Pike, this road serves as both an alternative parking location and a connection between the high school and the three neighborhoods opposite toContinue Reading
Varsity Football Head Coach Jason Strickland repudiated recent accusations his players used racial slurs toward Wakefield High School players during their game on March 5, saying he has seen no evidence of bigoted behavior during his tenure. Though he admitted there was aggression between two players, Strickland said in aContinue Reading
In 2021, federal grants acknowledged the impacts of online school and pandemic-related stress on students by investing $85 million in mental health services in schools. The funds have allowed Marshall to pursue more mental health initiatives, including an assembly Wednesday featuring motivational speaker Anne Moss Rogers. Counselor Kathleen Sokolove assistedContinue Reading
The library released a compilation of data from the second quarter. The librarians collect data from the computer sign-in at the library entrance and they use the data to improve the function and effectiveness of the library. “The data does help us with budgeting and prioritizing how we spend ourContinue Reading
A part of the Friday Night Lights experience is socializing after games. From football season to basketball season, students convene at the McDonald’s on Chain Bridge Road year after year to catch up with friends. The tradition began soon after Marshall opened, as it was the closest McDonald’s to MarshallContinue Reading
Junior Robert Chitic Patapievici and freshmen Bharat Karla and Will Tedesco represented the Marshall Quiz Bowl team, placing second on the game show “It’s Academic” against Hayfield secondary school and James Hubert Blake High School on Jan. 12. The final score was 610-400-250. “It’s Academic” is a game show thatContinue Reading
Just five years ago, 2012 Marshall alum Johnny Nguyen was sitting in his cubicle at Navy Federal. While his days were filled with staring at a screen, his nights were filled with — cookies?! Inspired by his old late-night haunts at James Madison University, Nguyen would go on to openContinue Reading
The Fairfax County School Board Regulation 8541 requires all Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) facilities to recycle, but the extent to which Marshall does so is unclear. The U.S. Department of Education named FCPS the 2017 Green Ribbon School District due to their initiation of Get2Green in 2010, a programContinue Reading
This year, Rebecca Fenton became the first female auto technology teacher in the history of the Marshall Academy. Fenton came to Marshall looking for a change. Before coming to Marshall, Fenton worked in the automotive industry and at Alexandria City High School for seven years. “I taught in Prince WilliamContinue Reading
Teaching has always been new math teacher Mark Steinberg’s passion – but it wasn’t always his profession. Before his teaching career, Steinberg had been a reporter, editor and website programmer for various news outlets, worked in information technology development and even served as a project manager in Silicon Valley. HisContinue Reading
The Young Democrats club hosted at-large school board member Ryan McElveen on Apr. 15 to discuss his leadership in the school system and his passion as a public servant. Passing around a 2004 issue of the Rank & File, McElveen showed students that it is never too early to make change. TheContinue Reading
After a one year gap, students interested in medical science have a club again. Although the club technically existed last year, it was inactive due to lack of interest.
The medical science club plans on studying and doing activities based on and around particular illnesses by investigating them and watching videos about them.
The club essentially exists to give students a background in the knowledge they will need for a medical job.
“One major activity is to show students what goes on in a [medical] job,” club sponsor and science teacher Sunny Nieh said.
Mr. Kline – Social Studies Teacher “I was a lawyer for 15 years,” Kline said. “I was a civil trial attorney, so that means I did lawsuits rather than criminal cases. I did mostly cases where I was presenting to either a judge or jury, and there are aContinue Reading
Dear people who stand in the middle of the hallway, You are the scum of the Earth. How dare you block everybody’s way to stand in an unreasonably large circle while the rest of us are like squished salmon just trying to get to class. Seriously! What makes you thinkContinue Reading
Thanks to a new collaboration with MetroBus, students will now have more access to free public transportation to and from school. The Fairfax County Public Schools Board of Supervisors discussed the initiative on September 22 of this year. Students at Justice, Annandale, Falls Church and George C. Marshall High SchoolsContinue Reading
Four-time Grammy award winner and Canadian jazz singer Michael Bublé released his tenth studio album, “Love,” as an expression of gratitude for his oldest son Noah’s recovery from cancer. Bublé has been absent from the music scene for the past two years due to his focus on Noah’s health, whichContinue Reading
What were you doing before you came to Marshall? “I was a seventh grade middle school teacher at Liberty Middle School in Clifton, Virginia”. What is one thing no one knows about you at Marshall? “I am the new assistant coach to the girls freshman basketball”. What is one onContinue Reading
“What were you doing before you came to Marshall?” I had actually been home for four years with my little girl named Jacklyn. Prior to that, I actually taught at Marshall. So I was at Marshall for the 2013-2014 school year, and before that I was at Chantilly High School.Continue Reading
On Halloween, the Leadership class organized for the teachers to dress up as minions and to have Principal Litz dress up as Gru. “An email was sent out to Mr. Litz and that was then forwarded to all the teachers who wanted to volunteer to do it,” freshman Katie KuczkowskiContinue Reading
Marshall’s Mock Trial team advanced to states after placing 6th in their regional competition on January 30. Mock Trial is a form of debate club for aspiring lawyers and attorneys that simulates an actual court trial. To prepare for the regional competition, the team had meetings everyday after school. “WeContinue Reading
Everyone knows Patrick Mohan as an English teacher, but a lesser-known fact about him is he is also a stand-up comedian. Mohan started performing stand-up comedy in August 2015 at Eastville Comedy Club in Brooklyn, New York, and has had a total of eight performances throughout the years since. “IContinue Reading
National Novel Writing Month is an annual challenge that authors, whether published or aspiring, commit to every November. Their goal is to use the entire month to write a 50,000 word novel, which may either be a complete piece of work or the first 50,000 words of a novel thatContinue Reading
For the past few months, stories of the coronavirus have flooded the news, and representatives have urged the public to stay home and take precaution. But, everything changed after thousands of people began leaving their houses to fight for equality through protests. While two major issues are clashing with eachContinue Reading
As sports and social issues intertwine, politics have joined the mix as well. New Orleans Saints Pro-Bowl quarterback Drew Brees came under fire from peers, teammates and past players for the comments he made recently, where he said he opposed kneeling during the national anthem because of his family’s militaryContinue Reading
Junior Kendall Hymes is watching history repeat itself. While she learns about the civil rights unit in her History of the Americas class, the protesters get louder and louder about the injustices African Americans still face in the United States today. The connections between the nationwide demonstrations and what studentsContinue Reading
When junior Sonel Cutler’s family decided protesting in Washington, D.C. would be too risky, she jumped at the chance to demonstrate locally at a peaceful protest in Vienna. “I had to talk it over with my parents because they had valid concerns about being in a big crowd,” Cutler said.Continue Reading
It is despicable to value corporations over lives, yet this ideology is ingrained into American society. There has been an uproar on social media recently, not only about the unjust murder of George Floyd, but also the riots that resulted. The biggest controversy is over the destruction of property; peopleContinue Reading
Grady Dillon: Defunding the police is by far the stupidest proposal anyone has ever come up with. I have heard some idiotic ideas before in the past, but this is the most outrageous of them all. On June 7, the Minneapolis City Council passed a veto-proof decision to not onlyContinue Reading
Junior Minnah El-Berier’s move to Virginia this summer from Dubai brought her closer to her family and the IB curriculum, but it also led her to the girls basketball team. El-Berier has played basketball for almost 11 years, most of which was spent playing with boys teams, putting her atContinue Reading
It was two days before the presentation, and I knew tomorrow I had work until the evening, Yvon had football practice, and Abby was embroiled in the logistics of a school-wide food drive. We decided to plan ahead and agreed to meet for Wednesday off hours. No warning given, noContinue Reading
The Parent Teacher Student Association, along with assistant principal Kevin Wallace and senior Jane Hurley, implemented a food pantry in order to provide necessary nourishment for students who may not be able to access it. Earlier this year, PTSA market committee co-chair Sarah Shamlal contacted Wallace about adding a potentialContinue Reading
New math teacher Mr. Willmore comes from a background of law, engineering, teaching college courses and everything in between. While Willmore now teaches, he started with engineering. Willmore went to Virginia Tech for undergraduate. “I’m glad I did… I got inducted into Eta Kappa Nu,” Willmore said. Willmore also receivedContinue Reading
Senior Anthony Miroff’s first ballot will not be cast at a typical voting booth. This year, along with many other voters, Miroff will be mailing in his vote for this presidential race. “It’s both more convenient for me and can help in-person voting remain safe and quick for those whoContinue Reading
County workers installed a new ramp outside of Door 3 last week to meet standards for handicap accessibility. According to administration, workers built the ramp granting access to campus from Marshall Drive replaced a small set of stairs so the entrance could be handicap accessible. But, students said they questionedContinue Reading
While large crowds cheering on Statesmen athletics are unable to take their usual place on the bleachers, a new FCPS deal will let fans watch the games from the comfort of their own home. The installation of cameras in both the gym and football fields will permit the audience atContinue Reading
What were you doing before you came to Marshall? “Before I came to Marshall, I was working in the entertainment industry, in particular at Capital Records doing digital marketing for different artists such as Katy Perry, the Migos and a few others.” What’s something that no one here knows aboutContinue Reading
Custodians receive minimal recognition for maximum effort The custodial staff garners little recognition for the task of keeping the school building functioning. Among this culturally diverse group are cafeteria workers, who receive a level of gratitude that is not proportional to the amount of work they put in. Custodian MyriamContinue Reading
Due to inclement weather, FCPS switched learning to synchronous virtual instruction for Wednesday. The only issue? Marshall students are already virtual, and we are scheduled to have a catch-up day, not a synchronous one. Without a clarification, students were left to wonder what information was correct. On top of theContinue Reading
Silence. As I sit and wait in my breakout room there is nothing to be heard as we all wait for one person to gather up the courage to say the first “hello”. After that, microphones and cameras remain turned off until we return back to the main group. ThisContinue Reading
Ever since COVID-19 changed our lives, the morale around Marshall has been low. After last year’s football scandal, it fell even lower. But this school year was different; a ray of hope burst through the darkness with student turnout at football games and basketball games exemplifying togetherness as a MarshallContinue Reading
Everyone in the stands knows why the penalty flag is on the field. Even those who could not see the play unfold could hear the loud crack of two helmets smacking into each other. Those who could see the play know the defender’s decision to hit the ball carrier inContinue Reading
The Science Research Advisory class is new to Marshall this year and already a great success. The class was offered to higher level IB science students as a helping hand through the science fair process. The class was originally proposed as a half-semester class for junior IB diploma candidates whoContinue Reading
In a normal week, junior Henry Thatcher would go to the gym six days a week to work out. While COVID-19 has stopped him from going to the gym, it has not stopped him from finding other ways to stay healthy. At the start of the shutdown, Thatcher assembled aContinue Reading
While the cost of private tutoring can range from 30 to 85 dollars, most schools offer peer tutoring for free. Some benefits of peer tutoring include higher academic achievement, improved social development and increased motivation. With the many benefits of peer tutoring, more students should take advantage of programs likeContinue Reading
After bouncing back from a year online, the music department has proven it can’t be silenced. The virtual setting forced students to take their musical education into their own hands and adapt to COVID’s demands. “[Last year,] we experimented with new things in band such as recording yourself at homeContinue Reading
Classrooms typically do not have barking dogs or annoying family members within their walls, but that has become the reality for students in virtual instruction. Senior Cory Peiffer said it can be a challenge to stay focused and attentive in his classes when there is a lack of authority. “IContinue Reading
Scenes of banned books and starry nights fit together every day as students work on the library’s daily puzzles. However, puzzles are no longer the only avenue of entertainment in the library. Librarian Elizabeth Toledo said the library released a call for LEGO donations, and for the last couple weeksContinue Reading
With the start of the new year, Tiffany Powell switches schools to become the new choir director, coming from another High School. Choir teacher Tiffany Powell is new to Marshall, but not to choir. Powell said she taught choir for 17 years at Oakton High School and enjoyed choir whenContinue Reading
Prince George’s County Public Schools in Maryland announced a return to virtual learning on Dec. 17, due to the increase in COVID cases in their schools. The county began online classes from Dec. 20 and kicked off the new year virtually, planning to return to in person learning on Jan.Continue Reading
The slow process to fix items around the school seems to be a common complaint, but students actually reporting maintenance issues is a rarity, and so they resort to just sticking signs on broken lights or toilets. Principal Jeff Litz said that as a result of the economy crash inContinue Reading
Though teachers do not require students to take private lessons to be successful in their music courses, taking lessons can put them at an advantage over other musicians and enhance the level and skill of their technique. Orchestra teacher Catherine Bond said students who want to progress at a fasterContinue Reading
President Donald Trump is responsible for the MAGA bomber. While he did not directly tell Caesar Sayoc to send 14 pipe bombs to prominent Democrats and journalists, his overall rhetoric at speeches and rallies shows that these bombings were inevitable. Since he announced his candidacy for president, Trump has usedContinue Reading
As students spend more time in the limited boundaries of their homes during quarantine, participating in popular trends becomes more enticing than ever. “I got my lights after they started trending and placed them around my door frame. I would definitely recommend them to others since I personally like howContinue Reading
Rank&File reporters Rachel Ackerman and Rhea Newnaha talked to your classmates about the Grammy song of the year “Just Like That” by Bonnie Raitt. Watch them as they try to guess the song and share what they think of this year’s pick!Continue Reading
School-Based Technology Specialist Rachel Baxter brings a new perspective on inclusive learning with her passion for social justice. Baxter is used to misconceptions about her job, the most notable being the “Technology” part of her title. “I don’t think tech is always the answer,” Baxter said. “I think a lotContinue Reading
Updated 3/19/21 – 10:50 a.m. Arlington Public Schools (APS) officials accused Statesman varsity football players of using racial slurs during a fight at a recent game. The incident sparked controversy and larger concerns of a cultural issue at Marshall and within the athletic program. After a failed conversion on 4th-and-24Continue Reading
Rank & File announced today that it has launched the beta version of the newest incarnation of its online edition. A pet project of new publications adviser Daniel Reinish, the goal of the Web site is to provide an additional outlet for the Marshall community to view and appreciate the hard work of the school’s journalism students.
Letter from the Editor Gwyneth Murphy – Editor-in-Chief In our November issue, we published an article entitled “Criminal Justice increases prop security following graphic video.” Rank&File articles go through an extensive editing process, and this story was no different. We felt justified in its publication because we conducted research fromContinue Reading
Q: What do you think is the most important thing in getting recognition? Senior Oriana Piazza – If people never realize we’re actually doing it and we’re doing well in it, then we won’t have more interest and won’t do better. People want to join a winning team, fully recognizingContinue Reading
The opinions presented in this article reflect those of the individual reporters, not of the Rank & File collectively. 1. Geico Gecko: The classic mascot of an unknown ethnicity. 2. GoDaddy Girls: Probably the least classy mascots of all time, the GoDaddy Super Bowl commercials are, if nothing else, unforgettable.Continue Reading
Sexual harassment and assault have been at the forefront of political consciousness on both the local and national level, sparking mass campaigns like the Me Too and Time’s Up movements, which became increasingly relevant in 2016 following the presidential election and the numerous misconduct allegations against people in power. AccordingContinue Reading
Gamers had Oct. 26 circled on their calendars for months leading up to the release to Red Dead Redemption 2. Eight years prior, Rockstar Games released the prequel. They produced the first trailer in 2016 on Oct. 20, and proceeded with two-year radio silence about the game and its progress.Continue Reading
Sophomore Regina Honigford began dancing at the age of six, and is currently on four dance teams. She is also taking classes, and currently participating in a preprofessional program. She started her career on an all star cheer team at Infinity. “At first, I didn’t want to join dance, butContinue Reading
October 28, 2022 marked the end of the quarter and English teacher Rebecca Wray’s last week, with Adam Richards stepping in as her replacement. Richards grew up in a small town in Connecticut. At 15 he started studying Japanese, and during his senior year, he left for an exchange inContinue Reading
In the past several weeks, gas prices locally and nationwide have continued to rise well above the previous averages. This rise in gas prices has caused students to have to adjust the way they get around For newly licensed sophomore Anna Musgrove, rising gas prices have limited her new freedomContinue Reading
The Gryphon Robotics team began the year with planning, designing and building a robot to compete in the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) with a new module. FIRST is an international organization that facilitates robotics competitions for grades K through 12. Under strict rules, limited resources and limited time, FRC challengesContinue Reading
Alongside the fall comes cold nights, which makes for miserable running conditions for Senior and Winter Track team captain Spencer Schmid. In a normal year, November would be a time for runners. The new normal has forced winter sports practices to be unofficial, meaning when Schmid returns to his startingContinue Reading
Darrell General, the Cross Country and Distance Track & Field coach, recently changed jobs from school custodian to a Constructional Assistant, working in the ISS room. General’s new job will allow him to stay off his feet and stay connected with Marshall students, offering help to those in need. GeneralContinue Reading
Darrell General, the Cross Country and Distance Track & Field coach, recently changed jobs from school custodian to a Constructional Assistant, working in the ISS room. General’s new job will allow him to stay off his feet and stay connected with Marshall students, offering help to those in need. GeneralContinue Reading
There is no better feeling in the world than waking up to a Ryan McElveen alert that school has been canceled due to snow. But be careful – your snow days are under assault. The advent of online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic has brought rise to a new movementContinue Reading
As social distancing issues have resurfaced, the amount of outdoor seating open during lunch has waned. The rise in outdoor eating and frustration over underclassmen in the Senior Courtyard have raised questions of whether to open up other outdoor spaces. “We want to give individuals enough space to properly distanceContinue Reading
Shot putter and senior Sarah Pounder is slightly superstitious. She used to lick her finger before every throw, as a ritual of sorts. But, now with a mask covering her face during practice and meets, she and all her teammates have had to adjust to the new circumstances of theContinue Reading
Appearing on TEDx, Dancing with the Stars and even sporting a Grammy Award nomination consideration, musician SaulPaul spoke and sang to freshmen in an Advisory assembly. On his “Be the Change’’ tour, consisting of 100 schools in 32 states, the artist played music and spoke of his own life experiencesContinue Reading
As Marshall has quickly readjusted to in-person school after over a year of virtual and hybrid learning, school security has taken on a new meaning. “There’s probably a mental health piece where kids haven’t been in schools in a year and a half in a physical building,” Student Resource OfficerContinue Reading
Achieving the highest honor in Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts is an endeavor that spans over the majority of a scout’s childhood and demands a highlevel of dedication. According to Scouting magazine, there were 55,494 Boy Scouts who achieved Eagle Scout rank in 2017, with a combined total of 8,461,760Continue Reading
Arriving at school I was mostly feeling frustrated and nervous driving into the upper lot early that morning. I had wanted to return to school for so long, but Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) implemented it too late for me, a senior with three months left in high school, toContinue Reading
High school graduation is a celebration of 13 years of personal and academic development, and as such, it boasts hundreds of beloved traditions like walking across a stage to receive one’s diploma and adorning oneself with cords and stoles to represent various honors, achievements or awards. Our school, however, refusesContinue Reading
UPDATED 3:14pm In an email to Marshall families Friday afternoon, principal Jeff Litz said he and his staff are taking the controversial social media post very seriously, and he will begin engaging in school-wide lessons surrounding race towards the end of the first quarter. Litz also said despite theContinue Reading
Quarantine is prime time to develop a sense of style, and seniors Robert Pereira and Jason Harrington have just the podcast to introduce people to the fashion scene. “Order Confirmed” is all about making fashion and style accessible to guys that may not have as much money to splurge onContinue Reading
The Student Government Association placed flags in front of the school for Veterans Day, in rememberance of soldiers who lost their lives. Veterans Day is an annual U.S. holiday which fell on Nov. 12 this year, to honor those that served in the armed forces. “The flags show we areContinue Reading
The Student Government Association-organized Film Festival, a competition featuring student-made films, will occur on Friday.
Open to all grade levels, submissions were due on April 10. Students entering video submissions did not have to be taking a film class. The content of submissions was essentially unrestricted, and there were no requirements or quotas to fill for potential directors. However, in order to qualify for the festival, all submissions had to follow IB and FCPS guidelines and the code of conduct.
Last week, junior Shanuak Sinha won the grand prize in energy at the regional science fair, moving on to the international fair in Atlanta, Georgia this May. His project, PAMN, is a novel cooperative modular neural network to accurately predict and optimize electrical energy within Heaving Point Absorbers. Sinha startedContinue Reading
elementary school contest Rank&File hosted a journalism contest for the sixth grade class at Lemon Road Elementary School following a visit and lesson from the editorial staff. After careful consideration, the staff selected “Sixth graders prevent imminent demise of trout” as the winner, which earned Rishika Jain a spot in theContinue Reading
Senior runner becomes first male individual winner for school since 1989 Senior Ben Smith won the individual race at the last cross country conference on Oct. 25, which marked an accomplishment for Smith as the first male winner from Marshall since 1989. The conference took place at the Burke LakeContinue Reading
Due to snow days and two-hour delays, seniors in IB science classes had limited time to work on their Internal Assessment (IA) labs. In order to help them, biology teacher Michael Osborn gave his students as much time as possible to complete their labs. “To ensure fairness, equitable access toContinue Reading
The creation of a new European soccer league has led some Marshall students to reconsider their overseas allegiances. Twelve European teams from England, Italy and Spain confirmed they will join the European Super League, which would disqualify them from some of the world’s best domestic leagues, the most prestigious existingContinue Reading
After a successful season, softball went to the regional tournament but lost in the semifinals to Madison High School, which went on to win the Northern Region championship. Coach Laura Campbell said that the season has been the ?best season our softball program has seen.? Campbell believes that the playersContinue Reading
After a successful season, softball went to the regional tournament but lost in the semifinals to Madison High School, which went on to win the Northern Region championship. Coach Laura Campbell said that the season has been the ?best season our softball program has seen.? Campbell believes that the playersContinue Reading
After a successful season, softball went to the regional tournament but lost in the semifinals to Madison High School, which went on to win the Northern Region championship. Coach Laura Campbell said that the season has been the ?best season our softball program has seen.? Campbell believes that the playersContinue Reading
This year’s junior class has undoubtedly noticed the changes that have taken place regarding the Standards of Learning examinations. The state-required tests have become increasingly more difficult and rely heavily on the use of technology.
Last year the Algebra II SOL test increased its rigor and incorporated “technology-enhanced questions.” In March, the English writing SOL test underwent the same changes, as will the reading portion in May.
Taking the SAT is a significant part of the college admissions process. But, with no prior experience taking the PSAT in school, sophomore Meera Naik said she worries about her preparedness for the college-readiness exam. “Going into junior year and taking the SAT is a lot of stress and pressureContinue Reading
SoulCycle is not just a spin class, but a stress-free, high energy experience that prompts customers to consistently return. SoulCycle is a fitness company that offers stationary cycling workout classes. The Manhattan-based fitness phenomenon first opened its doors in 2006, and now has multiple studios across North America. “The objectiveContinue Reading
This winter, students will participate in the winter Special Olympics of Virginia to increase representation of athletes with intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics is the largest global sports non-profit organization for people with mental disabilities. They offer over 30 Olympic-style individual and team sports. Senior activities director of Fairfax SpecialContinue Reading
Between youth soccer and balls being kicked around, soccer was everywhere at Marshall on Saturday. But some of the most spirited games on display at the stadium field were those of the Special Olympics. Special Olympics is an international organization that provides both children and adults with intellectual and physicalContinue Reading
Sports Review: 3/13 Boys soccer beats Chantilly 1-0 Girls tennis falls to Langley 0-9 Baseball beats Edison 15-4 Girls soccer beats Chantilly 1-0 Softball falls to Edison 9-10 Boys tennis falls to Langley 2-7 3/14 Boys lacrosse falls to West Potomac 2-17 Girls lacrosse falls to West Potomac 5-17 3/15Continue Reading
The band’s annual spring Pyramid Concert will be taking place on Tuesday, April 30, at 6:00 p.m. in the auditorium. The event is free to attend.
Jazz band will perform four numbers, along with Kilmer Middle School’s symphonic band, and Marshall-Madison elementary school-area bands, according to music teacher and band director Paul Vesilind.
These schools form the Marshall Pyramid in Fairfax County.
Despite date changes and complications, the theater program’s production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is underway. A year away from the physical stage still affects the preparation for November’s fall play, not only for the actors, but especially what goes on behind the scenes. “There have been many changes whileContinue Reading
The student government association (SGA) touts Stress Less Week as a valuable way to help students relax, but in reality the structure of the week misses the mark. As a junior and IB diploma candidate, I have a large workload and numerous Learn obligations including club meetings, getting tutoring pointsContinue Reading
To help relieve the pressure of upcoming examinations, the administration has extended the tradition of last year’s Stress-Free Day by creating a Wellness Week.
The event, which is organized by Student Services, consists of stress-free activities that all students can participate in during Learn and all three lunches.
“There are a lot of things that can stress out a student. We want them to know that we’re here to support them,” school counselor Gina Fajardo said.
Wellness Week began on Monday and will continue through Friday.
Midterm elections took place on Nov. 6, garnering the highest midterm voter turnout in 50 years. The midterm elections are general elections that take place halfway through a president’s four-year term, which give voters the chance to elect members of Congress. More than 47 percent of the voting-eligible population castContinue Reading
Junior Sophie Delta began a job as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) last summer at the Cabin John Park Fire Department in Bethesda, Maryland. EMTs work alongside paramedics and care for the sick or injured in emergency medical settings. They respond to emergency calls, perform medical services and transport patientsContinue Reading
When junior Zimraan Sadeque was posed with the question of whether or not to attend in-person school back in July, he hoped he would eventually get the chance for full weeks of in-person instruction. Sadeque is one of many students who – despite originally planning to return to in-person –Continue Reading
With a new school year comes new changes: more days off from school These days off consisted of national holidays, religious observance holidays, and teacher workdays. Sophomore Julia Ortega said she found the new schedule to be likeable. “I love having more days off because it gives me the opportunityContinue Reading
For the first time in almost a year, senior Zamir Ticknor will walk through the doors of Marshall, ready to start in-person learning. Ticknor said that while he enjoyed the freedoms of online school, he is ready to get back to in-person learning. “What makes me most excited is theContinue Reading
After attending virtual classes all day long, Junior Henry Thatcher puts on his mask and leaves to begin his cart catcher job at Wegmans. Thatcher said he finds balancing his job with school much easier now that he has found a way to better organize his time. “I can balanceContinue Reading
With break around the corner, students are excited to go on the first “normal” spring break in 3 years. Junior Orianna Piazza plans to visit her grandmother. “Every year for Easter my family has gone down to Florida to visit my grandmother who’s 87,” Piazza said. “It’s hard for herContinue Reading
Depending on grade, opted-in students will take either the SAT or PSAT on Wednesday, October 15. The PSAT helps students familiarize themselves with the types of questions on the SAT and puts top-scorers in the pool for the National Merit Scholarship. For some seniors, this is the final opportunity toContinue Reading
On April 1, five Future Business Leaders of America competitors across three competitions qualified for nationals. A team of juniors featuring Akhil Metukuru, Abhishek Mathew and Hayden Krisko placed first in the state for the Banking & Financial Systems competition. “I feel like we had a really good amount ofContinue Reading
Marshall’s closest professional football team finally has a new name, to the joy of some fans and disappointment of others. The Washington Commanders unveiled their new name Wednesday morning after two years as the Washington Football Team. “The new name isn’t anything special.” sophomore Ogulcan Gazioglu said. “The new jerseysContinue Reading
In response to a Social-Emotional Learning screener showing only 43% of Marshall students responded favorably in comfort talking about race, students had an Advisory lesson about difficult conversations. A school wide equity team made up of staff and students that meets every month helped to create an effective Advisory lessonContinue Reading
Nothing brings more joy to a teacher than a former student visiting their class. But, like many normal school activities, the onset of the coronavirus and virtual learning has disrupted this opportunity. Spanish teacher Carlota Shewchuk said she is yet to see any of her students from last year, sinceContinue Reading
The school year usually brings months of all work and no play, but for freshman Kate Butterworth, online school allowed for a more idyllic start to her first year at Marshall. Butterworth said she traveled to Myrtle Beach in early September with a friend’s family. But, because the school yearContinue Reading
In a Zoom meeting with the Robotics team, junior Caitlyn Fitzgerald noticed one member, senior Jett Han, was not present. Soon, a teacher provided answers as to why. “It was an extremely emotional time,” Fitzgerald said. “We talked a lot about how we can cope and who we can talkContinue Reading
Approximately 350 students participated in a walkout during 7th period Friday in response to an alleged Islamophobic attack at Fairfax High School, according to an email from Principal Jeffrey Litz. The walkout, organized by the Muslim Student Association (MSA) branch at Marshall, and in cooperation with branches across the county,Continue Reading
Financial aid scams are always an issue in high schools, but risks rise during spring when students are looking to apply to colleges. College and Career Center Specialist Gardener Humphreys said he’s working to provide students with resources to identify and avoid financial aid scams. “People just get stressed aboutContinue Reading
It was like a movie. Like my life was some perfect story with the perfect family, faith, friends and social status. In reality, I didn’t have those things, and when my health went, so did most of my friends and parts of my family. Then, you would expect that afterContinue Reading
In light of former swim coach Steve Leduc’s resignation, Coach Marijke Landon hopes to bring new insight to the team. Leduc served as head coach for 3 years and assistant coach for 2 years prior. He quit earlier this year because he was offered a full time position at MachineContinue Reading
Matthew Kulikosky on guitar spring concert featuring special student solos and group performances of all genres: What differs between the spring and winter shows? The spring show is kind of special because [during] the second half of the show students can perform in their own groups. They can perform soloContinue Reading
by sahar jiwani While orchestra teacher Catherine Bond is on maternity leave, Tanya Ratner is temporarily taking her place. Ratner is a professional orchestra conductor who taught at universities in Australia before coming to Marshall. Music education in Australia is different than it is in the U.S. because choir, orchestraContinue Reading
While doodling on her math homework in the seventh grade, 2016 Marshall graduate Quiana Dang designed a character: a cat with human legs. When Dang was a student at Marshall, she and her English teacher Mathew Horne thought of the idea of screen-printing the catman onto t-shirts. From this idea,Continue Reading
On Friday, Dec. 2, Fairfax County Police arrested and charged special education teacher Amy Bonzano on two counts of assault. The teacher was allegedly witnessed assaulting a student on Sept. 28, by a staff member who reported the assault. On Oct. 13, police were notified of the event and openedContinue Reading
The ability to work from home for months on end may sound like a blessing to many, but Biology teacher Michael Osborn’s two children occasionally force him to travel to school in the middle of a pandemic to escape the noise. “I have to balance teaching my class, then checkingContinue Reading
While last week’s new optional masking policy may seem like a factor that changes student life, teachers are equally affected. For French teacher Mary Wittrock, the new policy is a welcome change. “Our [COVID-19] numbers are way down, which is awesome, and I think at this point, it’s the rightContinue Reading
The choice of whether to unmask or remain masked has become a major decision for students and staff alike since new regulations went into effect on March 1. Virginia’s SB 739 allows parents to elect for their child not to wear a mask at school without submitting a formal reason.Continue Reading
A Rank&File editor breaks down green days, yellow days and blackout periods The most intense elements of every sport take place during competitions and practices during the season. But for every sport that competes for a single season, there are three other seasons left, providing time to train and prepare.Continue Reading
The Miami Dolphins blew the Broncos out of the water with a 70-20 win on September 24th, starting their season off strong with a 3-0 record. This Sunday, the Dolphins fell to the Bills 20-48, setting both the teams at a 3-1 record. The Bills have a highly ranked defenseContinue Reading
The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington D.C. successfully mixed theatrics with classic holiday music, in a modern and comedic performance at Lincoln Theatre on Saturday. This singing group is unique in its mission, as its website says they try to “inspire equality and inclusion with musical performances and education promotingContinue Reading
Along with the title of senior, there are perks to the job, one of which being senior skip days. When presented with multiple senior skip days this school year, students and teachers have mixed reactions on to how to spend them. “It’s my last year of high school, so IContinue Reading
What started as a joke has turned into a reality for seniors Kenny Gomez, Sophia Rader and German Urias Colindres Since September of 2023, the seniors have worked together as a band under the name “Baby Talk” with Gomez and Radar playing lead guitar and performing vocals and Urias ColindresContinue Reading
Lemon Road Elementary School participated in a rank&file contest for best article in the sixth grade, and the following story was a runner up. Recently, our sixth grade classes took a field trip to a hands-on interactive science lab called Thinkabit Labs. The trip was composed of four parts: theContinue Reading
The Fairfax County Public School system introduced new three hour early releases with the intent to give teachers more time to plan and complete work. Though FCPS has good intentions, the new early release timeline does not benefit teachers or students because there is no opportunity to learn any newContinue Reading
“I took down two top 10’s on the FBI counter-terrorism list.” “[I want] to retire at the beach.” “I was working counter-terrorism operations with the FBI.” Continue Reading
While tipping is not a mandatory gesture, restaurants and hotel chains have greatly enforced the idea that you should tip your servers for adequate to good service. As someone who has been working in the restaurant industry for a little over five months now, I have realized how important tippingContinue Reading
Gymnastics had to make cuts for the first time since Alexandra Mostoller has been the head coach at Marshall. The coaches only offered 25 spots on the team this season. “I think around 10 people got cut,” sophomore Molly Peksens said. There was an increase in numbers at tryouts comparedContinue Reading
At the awards ceremony on Thursday, May 26, two athletes were recognized for their achievements this past year. Seniors Rylie Hughes and Adien Hrnjez won the annual female and male Athlete of the Year awards. The award is not exclusive to seniors, but this year Hughes and Hrnjez were theContinue Reading
Lemon Road Elementary School participated in a rank&file contest for best article in the sixth grade, and the following story was a runner up. Recently the flamingos were stolen from the front of the trailers. The students from the trailers made WANTED posters and hung them up in the hallwaysContinue Reading
As a tradition for many Virginia high schools, Marshall hosted this year’s Fanquest. Marshall’s Unified Special Olympics team was created in 2018 following an invitation to their very first Fanquest at Lake Braddock Secondary School. “We invited Robinson and Madison Unified Special Olympics teams to take us on in basketballContinue Reading
The varsity cheerleading team won the National District Finals on Monday, Oct. 15 at Wakefield High School. After competing successfully in the semi and quarter finals, the team reclaimed their title as National District Champions. “It felt so good to take our title back,” junior Sophie Little said. “The teamContinue Reading
The varsity volleyball team lost in the district tournament finals for the first time in five years against Falls Church High School on Oct. 20. Volleyball head coach Michael Carroll attributed the loss to the unfamiliar offense of their opponent. “It is just the matter of things,” Carroll said. “ThisContinue Reading
Varsity wrestling finished the regular season with a record of 12 wins in 18 matches, with 12 members qualifying for regional championships. The regional championship tournament took place for two days at Fairfax High School. The tournament consisted of the Northern region and the Occoquan region. The championship was aContinue Reading
Imagine if the average high school student had a quarter for every day they forgot a pen or pencil. Now imagine if a school of 2,000 students had a quarter every time any teacher, student or administrator needed materials they did not have. The Richmond Convention Centre brought this simpleContinue Reading
The Virginia House of Delegates passed House Bill 340 on Friday, which would allow students to pursue the Advanced Diploma through Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses in lieu of foreign languages. “I think it’s interesting,” Junior and French 4 student Eleanor Pride said of the bill, “But I thinkContinue Reading
The smell of greasy funnel cakes mingles with the strong barbecue fumes of Town Green Park. Syrupy hands grip melting snow cones. Rock music pounds through the air. These scenes repeat every Memorial Day weekend at the Viva Vienna festival, but the experience of some high schoolers isn’t what theyContinue Reading
There is so much more a student can do during the pandemic than promote social distancing on their Instagram stories. However, some students’ volunteer efforts are interrupted due to fear of Coronavirus infection. Upon surveying 21 students, 19 said they have not volunteered during quarantine. Though some people may avoidContinue Reading
Thanks to a Sunday evening update, stories posted to the Rank & File Web site may include photographs for the first time. This new capability is just the next step in the newspaper’s ongoing quest to create a professional-grade online edition. This feature was implemented by installing a new module in the publication’sContinue Reading
Though Jews only make up a small percentage of the Fairfax County community, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) tends to overlook the celebration of major Jewish holidays such as Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashanah (High Holy Days). Winter break, otherwise known as “Christmas break,” has brought to my attention thatContinue Reading
“How do two poets greet each other?”
According to Brian Hernandez, they say, “Hey haven’t we metaphor?”
If you have ever visited Brian Hernandez’s Twitter or Facebook profile they are littered with similar puns that one can’t help but chuckle over. Hernandez is a current junior and an IB diploma candidate and is known for his carefully worded puns that receive a multitude of likes, favorites and re-tweets and have even given him the unofficial title of “class clown.”
Continue Reading
The Young Democrats club hosted a voter registration drive during Learn for students 16 years of age and older. Junior and President of Marshall’s Young Democrats chapter Samad Quraishi explained that the drive was in partnership with two nonprofit organizations, Turning Point USA and Voters of Tomorrow are 501(c)(3) andContinue Reading
It is hard to accept that a high school friendship may not last. But the bonds members form in youth groups such as Young Life or the B’nai B’rith Youth Organization (BBYO), are lifelong. If teens took advantage of youth groups, they could form relationships that could last a lifetme.Continue Reading
On Dec. 6, YouTube Spotlight released a new video in the Rewind series. The Rewind series highlights almost every trend throughout the year including their biggest YouTube stars. This year, YouTube Rewind 2018 reached a milestone nobody would ever want to achieve; the most disliked video on YouTube. On Dec.Continue Reading
