Is the SAT Really A Fair Assessment?
by Tara Harkins

Since 1925, the SAT has been used as a factor in measuring a student’s academic ability. As time passed, factors such as the essay, high school transcript, and an impressive list of extracurricular activities were added to determine academic ability. This is because more colleges are realizing that the SAT is not an accurate measurement for assessing the academic ability in a student. This conclusion has led various schools, such as Bowdoin College, Middlebury College, and George Mason University, not to require SAT score results for admission.
      George Mason University has become the first public school in the state of Virginia to drop SAT requirements for some students. George Mason did a three-year analysis of the 821 freshman who had a GPA of 3.4 or higher. They found that the correlation between the students GPA and their SAT scores was .19, on a scale of 100. Senior Kristin Gates said, “Knowing that the colleges don’t see the SAT as such an important factor anymore takes a lot of pressure off when preparing for and taking the test.”
      However, do not get too excited, as there are some conditions for exemption from the SAT at George Mason. Most importantly, you must qualify not to take the test. You must rank in the top 20 percent of your class and have a grade-point average of at least 3.5. Instead of submitting SAT scores, the student must provide two additional letters of recommendation from their teachers.
      If you plan on being considered for the honors program, or any scholarships, you must submit scores. In addition, if you plan to major in any kind of engineering field, or were previously home schooled, you must take the test. Lastly, if you plan to become an athlete in the NCAA, you are not exempt.
      Andrew Flagel, the Dean of Admission at George Mason, stated that the school’s primary concern was excluding students who could thrive at the university, but were not accepted because they were bad test-takers. Flagel’s logic is that “if you know a score isn’t telling you about the likelihood to succeed, using the score doesn’t make sense.” Flagel, as well as Bob Schaeffer, a spokesmen at FairTest, think that this is a direction that many schools will follow. FairTest is a nonprofit organization devoted to ensuring fair testing among different types of learners.

      So what do SAT-defenders have to say on the matter? Caren Scoropanos, a representative for the College Board, argued that a students’ GPA as well as his or her SAT is the best and most thorough way to predict a student’s success. Jennifer Karan, national director at Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions, said in April of 2005 that colleges are actually relying more on standardized tests because of grade inflation. By grade inflation, she means weighted GPAs and a higher rubric scale.
      The founder of the SAT, a Princeton University professor named Carl Campbell Brigham, originally created the test during World War II for the purpose of determining a soldier’s success in a future job. Later Brigham said the results proved “Nordic supremacy,” since immigrants scored poorly.
      The conclusion of whether the SAT is a good assessment for a student’s academic ability remains a controversy. Shannon Hensley, senior at Bishop Ireton, said she “loved the idea, but is disappointed that most schools still require the test.” However, until enough institutions make a decision for themselves, and study the effects, each person is left to their opinion.

New Teachers On the Block
by Rahna Faddoul

Summer is over and we are back in school. Are you excited? No? Well, you should be. It is a new year, with new changes, new classes, and of course new teachers.
            Every year, there are always a few new people around the school to notice and make an effort to talk to. This year, along with a bunch of new students, we have many new teachers and faculty members. We like to call them the “New Teachers on the Block.”
            In the math and science department, Mr. Donald DeLuca is the newest teacher. He teaches 12th grade Physics and Honors Algebra II/Trig for freshmen and juniors. When asked what he was like, Senior Alex Trumbell said, “I think that he is a really good teacher. He has a different style of teaching than most of us are used to, but I like him. He’s really energetic and funny.” It seems like everyone is adjusting well to him. On the other end of things, Mr. DeLuca seems excited to be here. He loves everyone from the students to the staff and he says that Bishop Ireton has a great environment to be in.
            In the computer science department, we have a new teacher as well. Mr. Naduvilekunnel teaches computer science classes to freshmen students. He offers both college preparatory and honors courses in Computer Applications and Computer Networking classes. Students of his all agree that he makes learning about computers easy and fun. Although his class may be a little challenging, his passion for technology is a definite up-lifter!
            Next on the list of new teachers? Mr. David Patterson. Of course, everyone is going to miss Mr. Inman and his great P.E. classes. But no one should have a worry in mind because Mr. Patterson seems to be just as great. Along with his normal hours at school, he also coaches J.V. Girls Volleyball. Freshman Rachel Buldagi says, “Coach Patterson is really nice. He makes volleyball fun but at the same time we learn a lot from him.” Without a doubt, Coach Patterson will be able to prepare his team and his students for a great year ahead.
            Last but not least, we have Ms. Julianne Wallace. Do you ever wonder how our school liturgies are put together or who takes the time to help you find your much needed service hours? (Other than the wonderful and dearly beloved Mrs. Kelly, of course.) Well here is your main lady! After working in a parish for four years, she has decided to step back into the high school world. Ms. Wallace is really excited to be at Ireton. She says, “I love it! It’s very welcoming. The students are great. The faculty is great. Everything is just amazing.” She and Mrs. Kelly will be working together this year in bringing all of the classes closer together physically and spiritually by preparing fun liturgies and prayer services. Mrs. Kelly loves working with her and says “She is the absolute best!”
            Now that you know a little bit about the new teachers at our school, do not be afraid to introduce yourselves to them. You remember when you were a freshman and you did not know anybody, and for you freshman who had to make new friends this year, everyone remembers that feeling of being out of place. Do not let the opportunity to acquaint yourself with these people pass you by! They seem to be awesome and a great addition to our Ireton family. So take a minute out of your day to let them know who you are and make them feel at home.

CafeteriaChaos
by Audrey Delgizzi

Have you ever sat down to lunch and realized you only had fifteen minutes to actually enjoy eating?  This is sadly the case for a lot of students here at Bishop Ireton.  Every letter day there is at least one lunch packed with students eager to buy their food provided by Sage Dining Services.  The process of choosing and purchasing one’s food sometimes seems like a more difficult feat than any of Mr. Jasper’s worksheets! 
                The cause for such mass hysteria practically every lunch is still a mystery to most people.  Maybe it is because once the bell rings, freshmen run downstairs to get in line first, where they do not have to wait, since there is no longer a senior priority door.  The source of such a food purchasing delay could also be because people congregate around the main cafeteria doors.  This is apparently the cool place to talk with friends these days.  Either way, having to deal with the long haul at the lunch line has turned many students off from even attempting to purchase food, including this writer.
                Although seniors now have the privilege of having their lunch in the Resource Center, many continue to buy their lunch from the cafeteria, willing to face the long lines.  This is where the lunches at Bishop Ireton could use improvements.  Senior Tara Moran stated, “I’m pretty sure I would buy French fries more often in the cafeteria if there was salt on the senior tables.”  This seems kind of stubborn, since anyone’s immediate response would be to bring the salt upstairs, or just put salt on the fries in the cafeteria, but she does have a valid point.  Salt is not the only request seniors have to improve their eating space.  Utensils, napkins, and even installing a vending machine in the Resource Center have been proposed.  Asking for these items sometimes portrays the senior class as ungrateful that we even have our own lunchroom, but this is very untrue.  The seniors appreciate their own space to eat and enjoy the company of their friends, but just a few improvements to the already privileged class would be even more desired.  For example, if the Resource Center had its own vending machine, it would cut down on the amount of people in the cafeteria at one time.  Now that is something that the entire school would love.

The Scoop On Ireton's Newest Teachers
by Liz Tierney

This year at Bishop Ireton there are nine new teachers! Almost everyone has at least one on their schedule. Even though it is sad to see some of our favorite teachers leave, it is exciting to have the new ones. For example, after the beloved language teacher, Mr. Grimes, was replaced by Mr. Anthony Cirelli and Mr. Colin Ashby.  “Mr. Cirelli has pretty big shoes to fill,” said Junior Mary Cathrine Ross, “but so far he’s been a great teacher.”
                This reporter had the chance to sit down and talk to two of these new teachers, Mr. Ashby and Mr. Lee Barkell. Mr. Ashby is the new German teacher. This is his first year as a teacher, though he has subbed for a while in Arlington County’s middle and high schools. He is originally from Norristown, Pennsylvania and attended Middlebury College in Vermont. He says that he has wanted to be a teacher since he was in high school. When asked if one of his teachers specifically influenced him he replied, “All of them. All of the good ones and all of the bad ones, I wanted to be like the ones I thought were good but I also thought ‘I’m not going to do that.’ for the bad ones.”  His favorite part about teaching is how it is always challenging. “There’s something different everyday, I’m not just at a desk pushing paper,” he said with a laugh.
                “Mr. Barkell really breaks the mold as a math teacher,” said Sophomore Jake Robertson. Mr. Barkell is originally from a very small town in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan with less people than Bishop Ireton students. He then went to college at the Naval Academy. After college he served in the Marine Corps then went on to work as a teacher in Southern California. First in an inner city school, in east LA. Then he switched to a very nice public school on the California coast. The parents were very wealthy and donated money to the school but more importantly they were involved in their childrens’ lives. Mr. Barkell said that teaching is something that he has always wanted to do, but he had a family obligation to be in the military. The whole time he was serving, he was working towards becoming a teacher. The teacher who influenced him the most was a coach of his, Walt Kitty. “He was the model teacher, he believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself,” said Mr. Barkell. He said that he enjoys math and has always been good at it. He wanted to share that with his students. “I compare myself to a carnival barker, I try to entice the students to enjoy math the way I do.”

Everyone knows the Madonna song “Material Girl”, but this season the word material should definitely be in our vocabularies. Wool, stripes, and tweed are back. At Fashion Week in New York the color palate was simple; grey, black, and a touch of white. Every once in a while navy blue might have graced the runway but there is no room for vibrant colors this fall. Yves Saint Laurent, Louis Vuitton, and Calvin Klein have all displayed the fashion world’s current take on style. One could say that this season’s looks are definitely reflecting the times. With all of the despair going on in the world, a girl probably does not feel like dressing up in happy colors. However, not every girl feels the need to go along with fashion’s somber state.  For instance, when Zeina Azar, a senior at Ireton, was asked about the current trends she said, “All the reds are awesome but I don’t want to dress sad for the times.” Red is a classic choice to pair with black. So if you are feeling bold, go for it. It is always good to throw a bit of your own individuality into the mix.
When it comes to shoes and bags it is all about personality. For these accessories the word material is just as important. Suede and leather are the way to go. Boots are big this fall. There are many different styles of boots to choose from depending on what you prefer. To look sharp this fall, your tall boots should have thicker heels and fun accents like laces, buckles, and folds. If heels are not really your thing you can go with flat boots too. They are modern and comfortable at the same time. If you want to try an ankle boot choose simple suede with a thin heel. The pumps this fall can be described in two words; platforms and patent leather. Patent leather has been modernized while still keeping its retro vibe. When choosing a bag for fall make sure it stands out. A bag can be the perfect accent to any outfit. It could be a clutch or a fun tote. Just choose one that fits you. So remember, keep the clothes simple this fall and let your shoes do all the talking.

                Summer vacation has come to mean a break from the hard work of school, but many opt to work throughout the summer. Chances are that you have had or have thought about getting a job. Working is becoming an increasingly popular activity with teens, whether you work as a cashier or baby-sit. Working was once seen as a burden, but has now become a rite of passage. 
                According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, 5.97 million teens between the ages of 16 to 19 worked in 2005. That figure was up from 5.9 million in 2004. Some teens work out of necessity; while others choose to work for extra spending money.  Most of the students that were interviewed look forward to getting to work and to making their own money.
Seven of the ten students, that were interviewed have or have had jobs in the past. Everyone that was talked to who has worked thought it was well worth doing and plan to do it again prior to entering college.  A common plus to working is, its opportunity to spend time with friends while making some money. Anne Sisaye, a junior, had this to say about her job: “Lifeguarding was fun because I got to hang out with my friends and I got paid to basically do what I always do; tan and hang out at the pool.”
       Many teens do not keep their job during the year; however, two teens that were interviewed are still working and do not have a problem keeping up with their studies. Senior Andrea Schwanz works year round as a Kennel Assistant at an animal hospital.  She enjoys getting experience in the area where she wants to work after college. Thaddeus Babiec, a Freshman, works twice a week year-round as a soccer referee. He said about his work, “It’s an easy way to make money while doing something in my area of interest.” On the other hand, Sara Woodruff, a Sophomore, is using time to study and manage her schoolwork. Sara does not plan to apply for a job for a few more years.
Whether holding a job now, working during the summer, or choosing not to work at all, work can have an immense impact on life. Employment at a young age can be an incredible and worthwhile learning experience for later in life. Jobs can be very time consuming but to many it is time well spent. Whatever the decision, make it work.