The following Searchlight reporters have written about their senior year, the ones they miss most, and the ones who have made a huge difference not only in their senior year but in their lives.

Talaya Heard
“My four years at Oxon Hill High School has been an interesting experience. I’ve never been suspended or had to have dispensary actions towards me. Despite going through difficult sicknesses and countless doctor appointments; I’ve made lifelong friends and participated in all kinds of clubs. I will miss my years here at Oxon Hill.

The beginning of my senior year, I was recovering from a kidney infection, and the side effects caused tendonitis; where I couldn’t walk for the most part. Too bad the tendonitis wasn’t temporary. However, I kept my head held high and I was looking forward to all of the upcoming events.

I was in charge of so many clubs, and I wanted to make so many things happen before the day I receive my diploma. I was President of International Club and Drama Club, AFJROTC MD-11’s Wing Training Officer, Honor Guard Sergeant of Arms, and a College Summit Peer Leader. I was a busybody. I would come to school at 8:30am every morning and wouldn’t leave until around 6pm or 7pm.

During my senior year, I have been the most active and social. I earned the reputation of being the girl who was outgoing, fun to be around, funny, organization, and a little crazy. Because of that reputation, many teachers, all of the administration and security, and even Oxon Hill’s principal Dr. Jean Paul Cadet know me. Personally, being known for all of the good things that I have help contribute to my future alma mater makes me feel like I’ve been a part of history.

My mentor for the last three years was Ms. D. Hutchinson. She is one of my inspirations to study the art of the Theatre and the English word. Mrs. E. Hillian was my mentor for the Adopt-A-Senior mentoring program, and she was my final convention to be an English teacher. I’ll be attending Bridgewater College in the fall and majoring in English Education-Secondary and minor in Theatre. I hope that I can be the half as good as both of my mentors for my mentee, Monica Kim.

I think that what I’ll miss most about Oxon Hill is the G crew. The G crew consists of my best friends and I. We have been best friends since freshman and some of us long before then. I feel so blessed to have had Shannell Austin, Brittany Jefferson, Ronnetta Zack-Williams, Christian Canada, Holly Baptist, Yasmine Price, Olivia Moore, and Andrew Stephens as G’s. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Within our group, we have future generals, doctors, senators, prestigious lawyers, along with best-selling authors. I want my friendship with them to never die because they have supported me and helped me in more way in one.”

Dominique Gatling
“As our senior year comes to an end, we take time to reflect on our experiences here at Oxon Hill High School. As seniors, we are preparing to cross the threshold into adulthood. Whether we go into the military, college, or workforce, we will always be united as the Class of 2010.

Even with all the obstacles put in our way, we have managed to overcome it all and have a successful senior year with the help of Ms. Richo, Mrs. Graves-Henderson, and Ms. Dixon, our senior sponsors and administrator. Thanks to these astounding women and the support of our principal Dr. Cadet, the senior class will have pleasant memories of our last year here at Oxon Hill. In a year or two, we will either remember how we danced all night at our Masquerade Prom or how we all sat around enjoyed a nice hot dog from the grill at our senior picnic, for sure when we walk across that stage May 28, we will do it together, as one big clipper family.”

Tanisha Dozier
“Becoming a senior this year made me realize that I am about to become an adult. Now that it is time to graduate, I have to decide what I want to do after I walk across that stage: will I continue my education or take a year off and rest? Those are all the ideals that go through my mind when as a senior.

Oxon Hill High School was an expreience of a lifetime; I loved every minute of it and I will miss some of the people who made my last 4 years the best years of my life. But with high school comes drama, tears, laughter, and smiles. There are a lot of sad moments but there is also a lot of happy moments. Looking back, I would not change a thing I did in Oxon Hill; the only thing I would do better is stay focused in class and in my studies. But for everyone else, make your last year of high school your best year; no matter what, stay focused and make sure you graduate!”

Ronnetta Williams
“When you’re a freshman, the upperclassmen always tell you to enjoy your four years and take advantages of opportunities because they go by fast. As a freshman, you do not really pay attention to this because you are just excited to be in high school. You are excited about making new friends and all the activities you could join, but the years do go by quickly.

Personally, I am a senior now getting ready to graduate and I still cannot believe it. I still remember my second day of high school (the first day is a blur) with my middle school friends. We were anxious and nervous before we got there, but after a couple of days, we fit right in. Freshman are usually the young kids that always get picked on, but I believe the class of 2010 held their ground. We are the best class at Oxon Hill High School.

I know many seniors are ready to leave Oxon Hill for good and I am one of them. Although we are ready to leave, there are some things will miss at Oxon Hill. For example, Mrs. Brown and her giddy morning announcements, the pep rallies (where we were able to leave out of class) and most of all, the good friends we made at Oxon Hill High School.

After graduation, we will all be going our separate ways, some to college and others to the military or maybe straight into the workforce, but whatever we do, we’ll never forget our high school years.”

Over a course of three years, the Engineering Department of the Science and Technology has seen numerous changes. Following the 2006-2007 school year, the Technology Education Department lost the Department Chair, Mr. Antosh. Then the Science and Technology suffered another loss on Monday, November 24, 2008, when Mr. Mrad passed away. Mr. Simmons’ departure earlier this year left another hole in the engineering department.

Kelvin Moncera, a S/T Senior, said, “I remember how in Engineering Foundations I, each quarter freshman would shift from one technology to another; one quarter you had Mr. Antosh, then Mr. Mrad, then switch to Mr. Lifsey. Each teacher taught something different. I loved how this set-up ensured we would receive a sampling of all that the Engineering Major had to offer.”

But this isn’t the case anymore. Engineering Foundations I students no longer receive the opportunity to change between teachers.

An important aspect of the program is at the end of tenth grade, scholars select one of three major studies: pre-engineering technology, biological sciences, physical sciences, or science and technology exploration. Choosing a focus area allows students to receive special education in their fields of interests.

One of the requirements for Engineering Majors includes either Electronics/Energy Systems or Production/Statics System. It is questionable whether a replacement teacher for Production systems/Electrical Systems can be found in time for the next school year. Thus, Engineering major students are left uncertain if the program will still exist.

Can we have a Science and Technology Program minus the Engineering part? What about the one-hundred and sixty-two students in 9^th grade, one-hundred and thirty-eight students in 10^th grade, one-hundred and twenty-eight in 11^th grade who have are enrolled in and already invested time into the Science and Technology Program?

There is much uncertainty of what changes to the Science and Technology Program will happen next year.

Editor-In-Chief: Jianina Samiley

Reporters:
Denison Allejo
Brittany Allen
Anthony Aquino
Carina Arboleda
Reginald Arije
Isaac Brown
Tyrell Byrd
Angel Chase
Nathan Clinkscale
Devonte Dillingham
Tanisha Dozier
Adriana Featherstone
Dominique Gatling
Brittany Goodman
Robert Hampton
Talaya Heard
Rachel Howard
Brittany Jefferson
Lauren Johnson
Laze Jones
Donnel Lopez
Sherice Lyles
Lydia Mackey
Bronte McMillan
Quadiym Morgan
Tia Pulliam
Kenya Riddick
Edgar Salvador
Danyelle Stroud
Dominique Tecson
Quiana Vines
Ronnetta Williams
Casey Young
Charmaine Zimmerman

Reasons for the dwindling number of seniors graduating vary from community service requirements and failure to pass the HSA.

High school students enrolled in Maryland are required to complete 36 hours of community service in order to graduate. During the last senior class meeting, Ms. Hemby and Ms. Dickerson announced the submission of a list of seniors who have yet to meet the service hour requirements. This list of seniors has been reviewed by both senior counselors and Dr. Cadet to decide what course of action will be taken.

Along with the community service requirement, seniors will not receive their diploma this year because they didn’t pass the Maryland High School Assessment. Any 12th grade student who has failed any HSA Test after two unsuccessful attempts or who has not acquired a 1602 composite score are required to either enroll in summer school or take part in the Bridge Plan for Academic Validation. An alternative to summer school is the completion of a project to supplement a passing score in the HSA.

Known as the Bridge Plan for Academic Validation, students who have not passed an HSA after taking the test twice and are currently participating in a PGCPS extended learning/tutoring program can complete one or more project modules in the content area.

Seniors who are eligible for the Bridge Plan are those who failed to pass the HSA twice, participated in a PGCPS extended learning/tutoring program, passed the HSA-related course, and are making “satisfactory” progress toward graduation.

Contrary to the misconception that the project is easier than passing the HSA test, the Bridge Plan is designed to incorporate core topics tested in each HSA through a series of challenging projects. Once a student is deemed eligible, they must complete either one or more projects based on the student’s highest HSA score in a specific content area. Seniors who choose to do the project receive assistance from a teacher, meeting with them to design an Academic Validation Project Package

For community service matters, contact Ms. Parker located in Guidance and for HSA Testing Status, contact Ms. Sanderson located in the library. Guidance warns that senior dues paid will not be refunded if the student fails to meet graduation requirements.

As May 28, 2010 approaches, many seniors are currently scrambling to complete requirements in order to graduate alongside their peers. The question remains how many seniors will be receiving their diploma at 5:30 PM in the ComCast Center on the campus of the University of Maryland at College Park for the Oxon Hill High School Graduation.

      One effective way is “limopooling.” With limo prices ranging from $600-$2,000 a night, it’s easier to split the cost six to eight ways rather than just two. Some future prom-goers are even considering renting party buses where each person will only have to pay $12-20 each to cover the cost. 

      Another way is for seniors to get a sponsor. One “seniorita” Ashley B. said she’s getting her church to sponsor her, and all she has to do in return is write a 300-word essay expressing how much going to prom means to her. Seniors are even selling candy around school as their personal fundraisers to get money to pay for their prom. 

      These are only a few ways to bring down the cost of prom but there are plenty of other ways to do it. You could go to the store to get your attire rather than pay for shipping and handling. Also there are numerous prom season sales for dresses, tuxedos, and limos. So for seniors who are financially restrained, there are ways to cut down the price of prom and still arrive in style and have a good time.

If you take a map back in the 1800s-1900s to 2000- 2010, there is a big decrease in trees. Developers are cutting down forest with no forethought or remorse. There are some forests that are protected but, what about the rest?

Just like we need a home, woodland creatures need a home too.  Imagine if one day, we come home and find that our house was torn down.

Decreases in trees are not even half the problem though. There is also pollution from almost everything. The air and bodies of water are filled with trash from people who don’t consider the consequences of their actions.  They might think that the one candy bar wrapper that they dropped to the ground won’t make a difference, but it will.

People of 2010 are now doing little things to help the environment, like using less plastic and reusing certain items. You don’t have to go environmentally crazy like reusing your shower water!

If you think about it, you and I live in this world together, right? Right!

This is our home. We need, we should take care of our home like a newborn baby.

We need to protect it and give it the nourishment it needs to be healthy. We have to live on this earth so why not take care of it a little?

Ninth graders seem to have the highest fighting rate solely because they are still trying to find themselves in this jungle called high school, but it’s not just them. All grade levels have participated in fighting. To some, walking away from a fight shows that you’re weak, a ‘punk.’ To accept an apology from someone who has stepped on your shoes or bumped into you would be much too kind for these people, unfortunately. Certain individuals feel the need to pick on and humiliate their prey like savages, like bullies.

There’s a lot of bullying going on and it’s not just at Oxon Hill; it is a nationwide epidemic. It used to be that a bully was just a big person pushing around a smaller person, but not anymore. A bully can be anyone from a pretty girl picking on a not-so pretty girl, or a boy dressed in designer clothes making fun of  a boy in thrift store threads.

Teens today are bullying for various reasons as well. They’ll bully for a seat on the bus, lunch money, territory in the halls, but mostly for respect. Mrs. Paulette Brown, Peer Mediation counselor commented, “They want everyone to respect them but they don’t know how to give respect.”  Now bullying has evolved into a whole new form into Cyber Bullying.

Conflicts now often start on social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, and Myspace.

Taylor Butler, peer mediator, says, “A lot of mediation is based off somebody posting something on Facebook, somebody sending a text message, or talking about a picture on Myspace. It doesn’t even start at school anymore.”

Most of the time teenagers forget that what they’re posting on a website can be read worldwide. You can delete the comment, but can the pain of reading something negative about you be deleted too?

One solution to such harassment is peer mediation.

The process of mediation is simple. First there’s an introduction: everyone involved, including the mediators, introduce themselves. Then rules are set, such as no interruptions, no profanity, and especially no violence. Next, each person explains why he or she thinks they are there. Lastly a contract is made between the opposing sides to resolve the problem. The main goal of peer mediation is to come to a compromise; that way everybody wins.

Ms. Brown said, “Conflict is normal. Conflict is everywhere. We wake up in a world full of conflict but it’s all about how you handle it.”

Problems need to be addressed and worked out if we want a safer, more peaceful learning environment here at Oxon Hill High School.  And most of us do.

However, girls are wearing their skirts too high and short and are catching people’s attention in a negative way.  Other students should not have to look at you and see too much skin.  It is a part of Oxon Hill High School’s uniform policy that you place your hands on your side and make sure that your skirt should NOT be shorter than your fingertip length.

But the issue still stands that wearing an extremely short skirt is not only a uniform violation but a violation of your youth and purity.  Wearing skirts that show too much skin show what kind of attention you are looking for and other students will judge your motives. 

Remember that innocence is the greatest necessity that we will need to be successful in life so protect it.  Skirts can be worn in multiple ways- and yes, it is meant to show skin but in a way that makes you look cute and conservative at the same time. 

Also, remember that wearing skirts that are way too short can get you suspended.  Administrators are still on the lookout for students who are not adhering to the uniform policy, like wearing too-short skirts and sandals.

It is said that the administrators were able to suspend over 50 students for not wearing the proper uniform. And remember that this policy not only applies to the ladies but also to the gentlemen who decide to wear regular t-shirts without collars.  

As students of Oxon Hill high School, following the uniform policy is a way of organizing students and their behavior.  We should be able to recognize the fact that the administrators do not discriminate between those who have good grades and those who do not.  

They will give you several days on that suspension slip.  We only have a couple of weeks.  Until the summer comes, hang on tight and follow the rules.  

GO CLIPPERS!

It is prom season and senior girls everywhere are dress shopping, shoe shopping, and trying to find a date. 

 For some seniors, this is what they have been waiting for since freshman year. 

It is an exciting time; you feel like the day is all about you.  But be careful not to get too caught up in yourself, girls, because you have the most to do: get the hair done, find a make-up artist, and buy jewelry, shoes, and of course, the hardest of all…the dress. 

There are many decisions to make: which style– short or long; what color– vibrant and lively or dark and sophisticated; strapless or traditional, etc.  Then you must painstakingly search from store to store until you find the perfect dress.

There are many stores to choose from to purchase your dream dress, but you must try to find one where you do not have to worry about someone else having the same dress on.  First, try the department store Nordstrom’s.  They have many dresses to choose from and they come in all styles and colors for different shapes and sizes.  Lord and Taylor also has beautiful long gowns and some very nice short ones, with difference textures of fabric.  The dresses from Nieman Marcus are very sophisticated, and quite upscale; very top of the line gowns, all worth every penny – and a close to certain guarantee that no one will duplicate your effort. 

Boutiques are also a great place to shop because their dresses are very creative and original, usually one of a kind.  If you’re looking for something fun, short, and funky, try the designer Betsy Johnson.  She has many good, but odd dresses to choose from. 

You can also shop online and order your dress but be very cautious.  With time running short, you may run into some issuesif you need to do a last minute exchange and/or alteration. 

It will be a day to remember. Good luck, have fun, take plenty of pictures, and enjoy the prom!

“We aren’t being aggressive and getting the bat on the ball so we aren’t scoring much,” says one of three team captains and starting pitcher, senior Sean Woods.

Woods and fellow team captain Jordan McDougal have been on varsity since their freshmen year.

“Being a captain is great; it is a really good feeling knowing you are someone people look up to,” says Woods.

Woods hopes to make it far into the playoffs and even have a chance at states. The team lacks a lot of experience.

“We have a lot of people on the team who haven’t played much baseball and don’t really know the game well,” Woods says. Fortunately, the team also has a strong defense and potential to make their mark this year.

“We have a lot of heart and fight but we lack timely batting,” says McDougal, who hopes to beat Roosevelt or Bowie in the playoffs this year.   Although the Clippers have had a rocky start, with their drive and determination, they are destined to finish their season on a good note!