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THE LAKELANDS PARK MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT NEWSPAPER
Volume 5, Issue 2
SPRING-SUMMER 2013
On the web in color: http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/lakelandsparkms/
The Wonderful World of Alice in Wonderland Jr!
Photos and Article By ELENA ASOFSKY
On May 8th and
9th, our school performed “Alice in Wonderland Jr,” directed by
Mrs. Bowden. The play
was based off the wellknown folktale, Alice in
Wonderland. It’s about a
young girl named Alice
who finds herself lost in
a strange world. All in
all, it was a well-told and
well-performed play.
I attended both
showings. The play was
double cast, so I am de-
lighted to inform you
that both castings were
done well.
The play opened
with an upbeat song accompanied by a dance.
From that opening, I
could tell the actors and
actresses were talented.
Everyone that sang
made sure to be heard,
and anyone with a solo
did a wonderful job. The
dances were well choreographed; each dance
Continued on Page 3
Students perform a song from “Alice in Wonderland Jr.” and
impress the audience.
The Superior Streak Continues for the LPMS
Band and Orchestra!
By TARA MANZARI and MICHAEL VAZQUEZ
In April, the
Lakelands Park Advanced Orchestra and
Band marched into Damascus High School for
their annual festival
competition. This county-wide festival marks
the excellence of each
orchestra and band en-
semble and critiques
them on their performance. A superior rating of “One” is required
to pass onto State Competition, and on that
lovely April day, the
Lakelands Orchestra
and Band did just that.
Then again, on
th
May 13 , the band traveled to a school near
Baltimore and was
awarded the highest
rating of Superior by all
four judges. On May
15th the advanced orchestra was also awarded rating of Superior by
all adjudicators and a
rating of Excellent in
Sight Reading. This
overall rating of Superior ranks our band and
orchestra as one of the
best in the state and
continued their streak of
excellence.
Continued on Page 4
Inside this issue:

Bittner Gym and
Memorial Walk

Outdoor Education

8th Grade Events

Awesome Basketball
and Soccer Seasons

Spring Break Trip

Mrs. Textoris Rocks!

Meet Ms. Mika

Moving in the Military

Poetry, Games, and Art

Opinions and Reviews

And Much More!
THE FALCON FLIER—Page 2
NEWS
By ELENA ASOFSKY
Many things have been
happening at LPMS.
Which ones did you know
about?
LPMS Community Art
Day took place on
March 15 and 16 with
artist, Arturo Ho, and
Ms. Hoover. Students,
staff, and families had
the opportunity to work
on the beautiful mosaic
which is now installed in
the main hallway leading to the 8th grade
wing.
the completion of the
event.
On May 26 we had our
2nd Annual Bittner
Memorial Walk.
Check out the mosaic on your way to your lockers!
Photo by Elena Asofsky
The Black Eyed Susan
Book Voting party was
held on April 25.
65 students
were invited
to bring their
lunches to
the media
center during their
lunch time and enjoyed
cookies, candy, and
Contemporary Comfruit as they voted
munications classes
online for their favorite
visited the Newseum in Black-Eyed Susan
DC on March 20 with
books. Ms. Tsai and
Mrs. Corprew. Students Mrs. Culliton appreciate
had the opportunity to
all the students and
visit exhibits of their
teachers who participatchoice, as well as see a
ed this program. Con4D film! They especially gratulations to all who
enjoyed the exhibits
were able to attend!
about 9/11 and the car
Check out the list of
bombing of a journalist
winners on Page 11.
with the actual car on
display. They also loved
the interactive newsOn Friday May 3rd,
room and the HP media students enjoyed our
gallery where they could second annual Internatake pictures of themtional day. It was graselves and tweet about
ciously hosted by our
their visit to put on disWorld Languages Deplay for the Newseum.
partment. All students
taking a language were
included in this celebration of culture, in which
we were provided with
traditional food from 7
different countries.
Foods included Churros,
Causa, Inca Colas, Masitas, Obelas, Cheeses,
Cookies, and Fried Rice.
It was an excellent opportunity for the
students to experience
part of the culture of
the language they are
learning. Students also
completed a “passport”
of comparisons upon
Photo by Victoria Arden
We shared memories
about Mr. Bittner and
honored him by walking
around our school. The
gym has now been dedicated to him, and you
can see the new plaque
as you enter. Thank you
to everyone who made
the memorial video,
ceremony, walk, and
plaque possible.
Students gather in Bittner gym before the memorial walk.
Photo by Ms. Tsai
THE FALCON FLIER—Page 3
NEWS
Lakelands Park Adventures in Wonderland Continued from Page 1
smoothly, with no long
pauses or delays.
For the second
showing, they fixed
certain microphone
difficulties that happened during the first
night. If there were any
other problems, the
actors and actresses
were able to cover them
up by acting naturally
and adding improv.
fit the mood of the song.
More than anything, it
was the casting that
made both shows incredible. I was completely
blown away.
The audience
responded to the acting;
they laughed, gasped,
and even awed as if on
cue. Changes between
scenes happened
ones who made the
stunning set, operated
lights and microphones,
and worked hard to
make the play run
smoothly. They did it all
without being seen until
the very end when they
bowed on stage.
Anyone that did
not attend the musical,
missed out on a fantastic experience.
I also wish to
compliment the crew,
who were, in short, the
helpful ninjas of the
play. They were the
Awesome Outdoor Education!
By JULIA KRAFT, VICTORIA ARDEN, and SAFIYA SULIMAN
Outdoor Ed is a
time for 6th graders to
enjoy and learn about
the great outdoors. On
April 15-17th and 17-19th
6th graders and teachers
had the chance to participate in fun activities,
amazing food, and
more.
First, the food
was scrumptious and
the activities were awesome. The activities
were: history hike, predator prey, confidence
course, survival earth,
and orienteering. In the
history hike we walked
over to the original
Washington Monu-
ment. For predatorprey we pretended to
be herbivores, omnivores, and carnivores in
a unique game of tag.
The confidence
course was full of obstacles which we had to
work together to get
through. During survival earth we tested and
observed the natural
qualities of Skycroft
Center.
Finally, in orienteering we were put in
groups to find red and
yellow poles with the
help of a map and compass. All of the events
were a TON of fun! Eve-
ryone also was told a
ghost story and roasted
marshmallows for the
night activities.
On the second
night of camp some of
the girl cabins were paid
a visit from “Gerald.”
Some girls in the Poplar
cabin opened the curtains during this visit revealing Gerald to be who
they recognized as Ms.
Koser and Mrs. Filano!
For many 6th
graders, Outdoor Ed.
was a great experience!
THE FALCON FLIER— Page 4
NEWS
Superior Orchestra and Band Continued from Page 1
Our principal
Mrs. Higdon said, “The
members of our band
and orchestra showed
great confidence, musicality, preparation, and
presentation. In short,
they were wonderful
representatives for our
school and community.”
So what happens
at Festival? The band
and orchestra boarded a
rather comfy coach bus
and set off from Lakelands. During the drive,
the students could be
seen laughing, taking
pictures, and conversing
with their classmates
and our awesome conductor, Mr. John Lopez.
Once we arrived,
students were instructed to leave the bus to
collect their instruments. We followed a
high school monitor and
sat in the auditorium,
waiting patiently for our
cue. After watching other schools perform, we
left for a brief practice
of our three songs.
The Orchestra
performed three musical selections by the
names ,“Sahara Crossing,” “Soon I Will Be
Done (With the Troubles of the World)” and
“Dramatic Essay”.
The Band performed three songs as
well. The judges were
very critical in their
grading of volume variations, pitches, and
maintaining a continuous speed.
Even our appearances were adjudicated! However, the
Lakelands music groups
had been training for
many months just for
these performances. In
the end our work paid
off!
Great job Band
and Orchestra on a
wonderful job at both
County and State Festivals and two fantastic
concerts this year!
Engineering in Tech Ed: LPMS Students Participate in the
Naval Seaperch Project! By DYLAN KEARNEY and ADINA YAW
Seaperch is a national program and
LPMS was one of the
few lucky schools that
geo to participate,
thanks to Tech Ed
teacher, Mrs. Campbell!
Mrs. Campbell wanted
to bring a fun group project to the school for her
7th grade classes.
During the project, students make
ROVs, which are submergible, remotely operated vehicles. One of
the main reasons for the
project is to get kids interested in engineering,
through engaging,
hands-on experiences.
The students in
her classes use many
different tools, and the
project gets them interested in the real world.
Some of the tools are a
PVC cutter and the soldering iron. They go on
many field trips to the
Naval Surface Warfare
Center, and while there,
they demonstrate their
ROVs to real engineers.
This year,
they’ve visited the center 4 times! This was
great news because only
ten schools get to go to
this exciting event each
year. Their final trip for
this quarter was on June
3. Every time, the students are complimented
on this field trip. They
are always prepared
with important skills and
problem solving by using the engineering design process.
Their “Mission” is
to get the ROV to pick
up the ping pong balls
under water. If they
chose to do this in the
future, they would be
using the ROVs to pick
up oil globs, after an oil
spill.
Mrs. Campbell
thinks it’s an awesome
project. “It’s great to
get the kids to use tools
they’ve never used before or may never have
the chance to use anywhere else,” she says.
Students get to
learn about engineering
while being with real
engineers. Students also
have the experience of
touring the Naval Center
and testing their models
with the engineers. “It’s
great to participate in a
national project that’s
hands on and teaches
kids about Naval Architecture,” she added.
THE FALCON FLIER—Page 5
FEATURES
Rockin’ with Mrs. Textoris
Do you know Mrs. Textoris? Well if you don’t, you
should really get to know her.
She’s one of the amazing 8 th
grade science teachers. In her
class we get to learn about plate
tectonics, rocks, minerals, and
much more!
years, and enjoys EVERYTHING
about it, especially the age group
she’s in, where she can tell jokes
and have fun with her class. If she
were to describe herself, she says
she would be, “happy, optimistic,
motivational to students, and
very silly.”
She grew up in Pittsburgh
and attended The University of
Pittsburgh, where she majored in
Elementary Education and minored with Environmental Sciences. She said that has always
wanted to be a teacher. Mrs.
Textoris has been teaching for 27
She loves to spend time
with her family, read (especially
mysteries), and to travel. She
also likes to walk, which she does
every day. She has one son, a
freshman at Quince Orchard,
who plays on the tennis team.
She says he’s the best thing that
happened to her. She also has a
Bernese mountain dog, named
Verena, and a rabbit named
Caroline. She likes all kinds of music, and has learned a lot more
new music from her son.
One great thing she once
did was teach in Riga, Latvia,
where she taught English to children. She says that if she could
change the world, she would like
there to be no mean people, because there is no need for them.
She also says her favorite things
about LPMS are the kids and the
wonderful staff. Now you know a
little more about Mrs. Textoris!
Recycling with Ms. Mika
educate the young people about
how to keep the environment
clean and healthy.”
What do you like to do
during your free time? “I like to
read and go on walks with my
dog, Bella.” What types of music
do you like? “All types of music
pop, country, rap, I love Taylor
Swift, Maroon 5, Pink. I don’t like
Justin Bieber, but I do like Justin
What college did you atTimberlake.”
tend? “I attended the Ohio St.
If you could make a law
University.” How long have you
what would it be? “That people
been teaching at LPMS? “This is
would have to be nice to everymy 2nd year, but I have taught for 5 one.” What’s your favorite
years.” How many languages do
thing about LPMS? “Many
you speak? “I speak a bit of Span- things: the students, the staff, it’s
ish and actually know a little sign
just a warm, fun place to be.”
language.”
I also asked the recycling
What’s your opinion on
club a few questions too. How
earth day and recycling? “It’s re- would you describe Mrs. Mika?
ally important and we need to
“She’s, friendly, positive, and
By DYLAN KEARNEY
By MICHAEL VAZQUEZ
Have you ever wondered
how teachers are outside of
school? Even what types of hobbies they have or how they started
being a teacher? Well I decided to
interview Ms. Mika, an Extensions
teacher and the Recycling Club
sponsor, to get to know a little
more about her. Here’s what I
asked her.
good with kids,” one student
said. Another student answered,
“There’s no one word to describe
her.”
Well, there you have it!
Be sure to thank Ms. Mika for all
of her work with recycling club
and for helping our school save
energy this year. We will miss
her as she goes to a new school.
THE FALCON FLIER—Page 6
FEATURES
A Spring Break to Remember: Amazing Italy!
By SOPHIA WILCOX and LISA HERNANDEZ
Photos Courtesy of Ms. Luensman
Can we just start off by saying that we had the most amazing 10 days of our lives? Italy is not only visually stunning,
but has so much interesting culture and history behind it.
Italy is a magical place. That’s the only word to describe it.
We would definitely recommend visiting Italy. Let’s get
started:
Day 1 & 2: We (19 students and 3 teachers) met at
Dulles Airport at around 5:30 to catch an 8 hour overnight
flight to Paris. Once we arrived in Paris we SPRINTED
through the airport (and probably looked like crazy people) because we thought we’d lost the flight. However, we
made it just in time to board the two hour flight to Rome!
Once we got off that flight, we were all very excited as we
gathered our belongings, and picked up our luggage…
EXCEPT for 3 people whose luggage got lost. However,
while we were waiting we met our tour director, Luigi,
who we can honestly say is the best tour director ever.
Once on the tour bus we met our bus driver, Walter, who
we can also say was the best driver ever.
After driving around the streets of Rome we got
off the bus to our first stop. We walked through some
small alleys with terraces and brightly colored walls
until we made it into a huge square where we saw THE
TREVI FOUNTAIN! It was amazingly beautiful. The water was turquoise and you could hear the splashing of
the fountain water crashing into itself. After we were
done admiring it, we threw two coins over our shoulder
(one so that you would come back to Italy one day, and
another to make any wish you want to make). Next,
we went to eat at a small restaurant in the square
where we had our very first slice of Italian pizza. The
pizza there is SO delicious! We thought we were in
love; of course that was until we walked out of there
and into a gelato place, which is similar to ice cream,
down the street. After we were done eating, we
drove to our hotel, which was small, cramped, and
very creepy. After dinner we all tried not to think
about sleeping in a haunted hotel.
On day 3, we woke up bright eyed and bushy
tailed….sort of. It took us around an hour and a
breakfast to fully wake up. The weather was not the
best, but we didn’t care because we were going to go
to the Coliseum and Vatican City! After we an hour
and a half, we arrived at our first destination; Vatican
City. First we met our tour guide and went through
security; then arrived at the entrance square. From
there we visited St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine
Chapel, which were breathtaking. They were so well
done with bright colors, and it was hard to believe
they were painted over 6 centuries ago! Also, they
were not painted on small, flat canvases, but in
rounded ceilings and walls that covered at least 100
feet, and stood hundreds of feet tall!! Looking at the
paintings, sculptures, tapestries, and mosaics that
were done with so much care, detail, accuracy, creativity, and passion thousands of years ago makes you
take a step back. Honestly, walking through steps
and tracks that were walked upon by Michaelangelo,
Popes, and Emperors thousands of years ago, and are
still standing, just makes everything around you seem
like a dream.
After lunch, we traveled to the Coliseum,
where we learned all about the gladiator fights, the
animal vs. human fights, and how they used to flood
the arena to have naval fights. We looked at the seats
that were used thousands of years ago by Romans
Continued on Page 7
THE FALCON FLIER—Page 7
FEATURES
ITALY Continued….
geous view of the ocean. It was exactly what you’d imagine a little Italian town to look like.
On day 6 we went to Siracusa. On this day, we
saw some very cool sites. We saw a huge animal sacrificing temple, gladiator graves, a Greek Theatre, a Roman
Amphitheatre, and a beautiful water fountain fed by an
aqua duct built thousands of years ago and STILL working. After a tour around the city, which was amazingly
beautiful and rich with history, we went to an ancient
castle overlooking the city. After the castle, we had free
time to walk around and try GRANITAS, which were
amazingly good (try the tangerine).
Day 7, we went to Palermo, where we visited The
Palermo Cathedral which had amazingly beautiful statues and pretty zodiac signs. The church was also beautiful from the outside, with its gothic, Arabic, and Greek
architecture. We also visited the massive Cathedral of
Monreale. This church was especially beautiful because not only was it huge, but about
98% of its walls were covered with mosaics…..that had gold!! The walls were literally
covered in gold. How amazing is that?! We
also went to Cappella Sistina and Palazzo Dei
Normanni which were equally as beautiful as
the other two. We then went out to explore
the city, shop, and stuff our faces with more
food. Next. we went to the sea dock because
were taking an overnight all the way from
Sicily to Naples. The ferry was of course, not
everyone’s favorite part, but we made it
through because we were sleeping most of
the time and the ferry was huge, so the swaying wasn’t as
strong.
Day 8 wasn’t very interesting because we spent it
traveling. Day 9, however, was spent in Naples exploring
Pompeii. Pompeii is beyond words. It is huge, and to see
all the artifacts and people frozen in cooled down lava
really leaves you speechless. When you learn about how
people who lived in Pompeii and learn about the tragedy,
you are so overwhelmed it takes you a minute to process
everything. Later, at our hotel, we stayed outside (since
the hotel was surrounded by fields) until it was time for
dinner.
Day 10 we traveled. We woke up in the morning
and drove to the airport where we said goodbye to Walter and Luigi. It was a very bitter sweet moment because
while we were sad to leave Italy, we were very happy to
come home. We can honestly say we had the time of our
lives . We would strongly encourage you to visit Italy because you won’t be disappointed. However, make sure
you take motion sickness pills just in case!
and tried to imagine what the theatre must have sounded
and looked like with thousands of people cheering and
people battling in the arena below. After the Coliseum, we
visited the Roman Forum, which was amazing to see. The
ruins were not as preserved as the Coliseum, but if you
used your imagination, you could picture what it would
have looked like bustling with businesses and people.
On day 4 we went to the beautiful island of Capri.
However, to get there we had to take a ferry. To say that
boat was fun would be a complete lie. Most of us got nauseous, but once we arrived at the port in Capri, we realized
that the suffering was totally worth it. Capri was beautiful!! It had brightly colored shops with bustling cobblestone roads. Once everyone was feeling a little better, we
took a mini bus to get to the top of the island. These roads
are called ‘Mamma Mia!’ roads because they’re only about
8.5-10 feet wide, have sharp turns, and are
hundreds of feet above the ground. After
we got over the initial nervousness of being
on these roads, we were able to appreciate
the view. From the hundreds of feet up in
the mountain, we saw turquoise waves
crashing into the brightly colored boats on
the shore, the bright green grass covering
fields, and houses perched on the sides of
the mountain. After traveling, shopping,
and eating lunch, we traveled to our next
hotel which overlooked the sea and enjoyed
a walk at night.
Day 5 was one of the best days. We
got up bright and early to go to Mt. Etna. We rode a bus
most of the way there, but hiked up the rest. Once we got
to where we were going to explore the volcano, we gathered around and set a meeting point. After that happened, we got to explore around, take pictures, try the
local honey (delicious!), and the local pistachios. The view
of Italy from where we were was breathtaking. You could
see miles upon miles of brightly painted houses, fields of
vivid green, and even the main land of Italy faintly in the
horizon! After leaving Mt. Etna, we went to the absolutely
gorgeous, Taormina. The most kind guide (aside from Luigi), Angelo, took us to an English garden with an amazing
view of the seaside. The garden itself was so pretty and
calming; we wished we could have stayed there longer.
Then, we went to a square where we had free time to
shop and eat. The square was beautiful with little shops
off to the side; narrow walkways filled with bustling people, and came to an end in a big circular open space with a
checkered black and white tiled floor, a church on one
side, a restaurant with little tables outside, and a gor-
THE FALCON FLIER—Page 8
FEATURES
Last Days as a Falcon: 8th Grade Events!
By KASONDE CHISAKA
Hey, have you heard? The end of the year is
approaching fast. This is the last year all the 8th
graders will be together, so why not end it with a
bang! Our 8th grade teachers have planned an
amazing array of events to celebrate our three
years at Lakelands Park Middle School. During
these first two fun events we can strengthen our
friendships before we go our separate ways.
8th Grade Dinner Dance:
Don’t forget your party shoes. This is a
chance for you to show your cool dance moves on
the dance floor! Remember, this dance is for Lakelands Park Middle School 8th grade students! NO
FAMILY MEMBERS OR FRIENDS FROM OTHER
SCHOOLS ALLOWED! When is it? It is on June 7,
2013 from 7 to 10 P.M. Where is it? It is being held
at the Gaithersburg Marriot Washingtonian Center.
9751 Washingtonian Blvd. Gaithersburg, MD 20878.
Most students know it as The Rio. Food and Activities? There will be a buffet where you can stuff your
face for hours with all the food you want. As well as
an unlimited photo booth in which you can take as
many duck face pictures as you want! If you want to
burn those calories, you can shake your tail feather
on the dance floor while the DJ plays hit music we
actually like.
Girls here are some things you might want
to bring: Clutch, Lip gloss/chap stick, Blotting
sheets, Phone, Flats, Hair tie and bobby pins, And a
jacket in case it gets a little bit chilly. Boys: Wear
deodorant please. Also a little cologne goes a long
way, so please do not marinate in it. Thank You!
Celebration at Smokey Glen:
I know what you might be thinking,
“Smokey Gen is basically a farm. I don’t want to go
to a farm!” The name maybe off putting, but remember you should never judge a book by its cover.
Smokey Glen is a family friendly Picnic Place (their
words not mine). We will be meeting there after the
Awards Ceremony at Bohrer Park. When is it? June
13, 2013 9:30 AM – 1:30PM. We will meet there after
the Award Ceremony. Where is it? This event is
being held at Smokey Glen. 16407 Riffleford Road
Gaithersburg, Maryland 20878. Food and Activities? The food that is served there looks FANTASTIC. It is a buffet, just like the dance, so you can as
much as you want. They will be serving hot dogs,
hamburgers, and cheeseburgers. If you are vegetarian they have coleslaw, potato salad, and baked
beans, *potato chips and drinks. If you don’t want
to feel bloated, Smokey Glen has an abundant
amount of activities for you do to. You can play
with sports equipment, climb a rock wall, and go on
an obstacle course as well as the bungee run.
*potato chips, drinks and all vegetarian options are
offered to all.
Here are some more tips for both boys and
girls: Bring deodorant, Wear shorts (it may get
hot!), Wear sneakers (You might stub your toe if
you’re running in flip-flops), Bring extra Chap Stick/
lip-gloss, Bring extra hair ties, Drink a lot of water!!!!
You will get dehydrated! Enjoy the food, but do not
eat too much or you will end up bloated and sitting
out!
8th Grade Recognition Ceremony:
Before the fun at Smokey Glen, students will
be recognized for all of their hard work and participation this year. Parents may take their child to the
park directly, or students can come to LPMS by 7:40
to receive transportation. When is it? June 13, 2013
8:30-9:30AM. Where is it? Bohrer Park, 506 S.
Frederick Ave. Gaithersburg, MD.
High School Orientation:
At the end of the day on June 13, 8th graders
are now off to high school and will report to their
new school for orientation. When is it? June 14,
2013. Where is it? NOT LPMS! Wake up early to
catch the bus or have your parents drive you to high
school. You are now a 9th grader!
Before the year is over, be sure to thank all the
teachers for the great years at Lakelands Park
Middle School. Ask Mrs. Corprew (8th grade team
leader) or Mr. McMillen (8th grade counselor) if
you have any questions about these events. I hope
to see you there! 7th grade, this is what you can
look forward to!
THE FALCON FLIER—Page 9
SPORTS
AWESOME Lakelands Park BASKETBALL!
By DYLAN KEARNEY
For the second year in a row, the LPMS Boys’ Basketball team was undefeated!!!
Coach Jim Reed said, “They are very hardworking kids. They not only work hard on the team,
but also in class.” There were many new kids this year, and he wasn’t sure if the kids would be nervous about
it, but everyone worked together. Another thing Mr. Reed shared is that everyone puts the team goals before their own goals. One of the proudest moments he mentioned was the team’s first game. The first half
the team was down 15 to Gaithersburg, and the score was 27-12. During the second half in the last 3 minutes
of the game, the team was still down 10 points. He said he could give as many motivational speeches as he
wanted, but in the end it was up to the kids whether they would try or not. They did, and won 40-39!
One other challenge Mr. Reed mentioned was the balance between school work and the team. After
a long day at school, the boys would come to practice, and still have homework afterward as well. He also
said it was important kids with good character were on the team. Even after the long day, he said the kids
responded, “Like a dream come true,” and they definitely succeeded. For next year. he would like to stress
that the new players joining must be good citizens and good students. Even if they are the best player, character counts a lot more. When asked why he coaches at LPMS, Mr. Reed says he loves coaching, has been
playing basketball his whole life, and the kids are the greatest. Coach Reed first and foremost would like to
thank Mrs. Higdon, for giving him so much support and the ability to coach this amazing team. He says he is
only as good as the boss lets him be, and he’s so grateful for the support he’s been given this season.
Boys Basketball team photo, courtesy of Mr. Reed and Ms. Allen
The Girls’ Basketball team ended the season with a successful, 6-1 record. Coach Stacy Azizirad described that the season was a success because of the girls who played on the team. She said, “The girls were
compassionate and cared about each other, so they worked well together. One of the biggest highlights was
when they beat the team they lost to last year.” Something else Coach A enjoyed was getting to know all of
the girls on her team.
Some of the challenges the team faced was that at times some girls thought they weren’t good
enough to play on the team, and Coach A always told them, “Remember why you’re on the team.” She
meant that you are on the team because you love the game. Next year, Coach A is really looking forward to
coaching the returning 7th graders and getting to know the new team members. Go Falcons!
THE FALCON FLIER—Page 10
SPORTS
By RANAGA TAN and LISA HERNANDEZ
Yet again LPMS can boast
about another undefeated athletic team. The Boys’ Soccer team,
coached by Coach Sean Keiller,
has finished untouched for 2
years in a row.
Coach Keiller teaches in
the Extensions program at LPMS
and will continue to coach next
year. He said, “This team was a very enjoyable
team to coach. They played very well together and
played with a lot of heart and school pride.”
His proudest moment came during the
game versus Ridgeview: “Double overtime win in
the closing seconds to defeat our biggest rivals!”
As a member of the team, I know that everyone’s
got their sights on next year and hopes to keep up
the undefeated streak. Without the 8th graders
next year though, how will Lakelands do? Only
time will tell. ~ Ranaga Tan
The girls soccer team poses for a yearbook photo.
The boys’ soccer team join Coach Keiller for a photo.
This year, the Girls’ Soccer team had an incredible season, ending the year with a winning 4-1
record. In an interview with the Lakelands Park soccer coach, Kathleen Tiedemann, she said, “I had so
much fun this year with this group of girls! We
worked hard, learned a little, and most importantly,
had fun! I could not have asked for a better group of
girls to coach.”
She also confided that her “proudest moment actually came in our one loss to Ridgeview.
The girls played their overall best game
as a TEAM. We may have lost that game,
but I could not have been prouder of
their intensity and the effort they put
forth.”
While she used to teach at
Lakelands Park MS, she now teaches in
an Autism Program at Gaithersburg Middle School. She enjoys coming back to
Lakelands and will be back to coach
again next year.
~Lisa Hernandez
Thanks for a great soccer season!
Photos Courtesty of Ms. Allen
THE FALCON FLIER—Page 11
OPINIONS
Moving in a Military Family
My father has been in the
Coast Guard for twenty years,
and he was in the Marines for
several years before that. He has
been transferred from coast to
coast over the years, never
spending more than four in each
place, and, of course, my family
has accompanied him. People
ask me all the time what it’s like
to frequently move from place to
place. I always give them this answer: you don’t sever your old
ties, you just make new ones. It’s
almost like going from elementary school to middle school, or
from middle to high school.
I was born in Elizabeth
City, North Carolina. Soon after,
we picked up and moved across
the country. Sacramento, California was where I had my first
friends, my first school experience, and my first real taste of
life. I still have some friends from
there, most of whom have parents also in the Coast Guard; just
this spring break, I had the
chance to see one of them for the
first time in over eight years.
In the summer of 2005,
we transferred back to North
Carolina. For three blissful years,
from first-third grade, I enjoyed
the company of my friends, both
new and old. My dad was, at that
time, a navigator on a C1 -30, a
large plane commonly used in
Coast Guard field operations. He
was gone for weeks at a time, but
he rotated with other navigators,
so there were long lapses between trips.
This all changed in 2008,
the year he was given a promotion. He accepted, and the Coast
Guard moved us back to California, but this time, we were transferred to Alameda, a small
peaceful town across the bay
from San Francisco. This time, I
was old enough to be affected by
the move. My friendships with
countless neighbors and classmates were shattered, and I was
relocated to a school whose students had completely different
ideals. Whereas Elizabeth City’s
students didn’t care whether
boys and girls were friends, in
Alameda, rumors about who
liked who were sparked by some-
By LILY THOMPSON
one absentmindedly staring into
space and having the misfortune
to do so in the direction of the
back of someone’s head. Disoriented and distraught, I made mistakes that caused my classmates
to regard me as crazy, wild, and
awkward.
By middle school, however, I had figured my way around
enough to view sixth grade as a
new start. I had a few really good
friends, and I made many more
over the course of sixth and seventh grades. Still, I was relieved to
be moving to Maryland. I had
made a number of embarrassing
mistakes during my time in Alameda, so it was a new start for
me, and I enjoy living in Maryland.
One of the things that people say to me when I’m about to
move is that they’ll miss me. This
is gratuitous, redundant, and often leaves me feeling sad. While I
appreciate that they’ll miss me, I
enjoy hearing more encouraging
things. One of my greatest fears
concerning moving is that I’ll be
forgotten, and it’s always nice to
hear someone tell me they’ll always remember me, even after I
move. A friend from a military
family will always appreciate hearing that.
Read these Black Eyed Susan Books this Summer!
Looking for a great
book to read this
summer? Check out
the most popular
books and authors from this
year’s Black Eyed Susan List, according to LPMS readers:
Thanks to Ms. Tsai for this information!
A Tale Dark & Grimm by Adam
Gidwitz
The Apothecary by Maile Meloy
Eight Keys by Suzanne M.
LaFleur
Okay for Now by Gary Schmidt
Cold Case by Julia Platt Leonard
This year’s winners are….
Grades 4-6 – Wild Wings by Gill
Lewis
Grades 6-9 – A Tale Dark &
Grimm by Adam Gidwitz
High School – Divergent by
Veronica Roth
THE FALCON FLIER—Page 12
OPINIONS
Summer 2013 Fashion Trends!
Want the outlook
on the newest and
upcoming fashions? Stripes, cutouts, florals, and
many other styles
have contributed to new edgy
looks that should be a priority in
your closet!
First up are stripes. Stripes
are a great pattern for your shirts,
pants, dresses, skirts, and anything else you name. The pattern
can be flattering and heightening
for petite women. Even though
stripes are a must, horizontal
stripes are something to avoid as
they make you just look wider.
Next, cut-outs! Cut-outs
are the shapes cut out of the fabric
to create a certain style for the
outfit. Cut-outs within your ward-
robe can add a modern look to any
of your outfits. Look for clothing
items with cut-outs that will intrigue and fascinate everyone. Get
ready to be the subject of everyone’s conversation!
Is that your grandma’s
lace? Lace is a pattern that seems
to never fade, but this spring it has
a new twist within itself! As an accent or the center piece, lace will
bring a feminine and classy look to
whatever you may wear with it.
By SOPHIE URBAN
Next on
the list of trends
is florals! This is
just another basic
of every spring
season, but it seems to be more in
than ever. Florals can go from a
shirt, to your shoes. You can almost find a floral pattern on any
piece of clothing.
So what are you waiting
for…Get in with the top trends
and make a statement!
Want a tougher, edgier
look? Leather is the way to go!
Leather will easily transition itself
into spring and summer! When
wearing leather, remember that
wearing it the wrong way can really mess up the look you had
planned.
Spread the Word to End the Word!
By DYLAN KEARNEY
I am speaking for the use of the “R” word to stop! This means to no longer use the word retard(ed)
about anyone! The problem is that many people are using the “R” word without thinking; and they don’t
really know the impact of its meaning. Even if you’re just joking, using the word may hurt other people. The
pledge, “Spread the word, to end the word” is raising awareness and urging people to stop.
For example, in an article I read, a student in Maine where schools have started the pledge, does not
like when people say it. She has an intellectual disability herself and she’s very surprised at the way students
use it. One way people have taken action is that schools have gotten involved. Students and teachers have
already made pledges to stop using the word and have received hundreds of signatures. You can do the
same thing as many students up north are doing.
The “Spread the word, to end the word” program is not just good to end the R-word, but also to teach
people to respect each other. I think this is very important. Instead of bringing people down, we can bring
others up and make them feel like they’re in a real community. Basically, I feel the word is wrong, and everyone should really think about what they say to others. If you believe this too, there are many individuals who
agree. We can all make many people happier! That’s what really matters.
For more information, please visit http://www.r-word.org/
THE FALCON FLIER—Page 13
Would You Rather?
By VICTORIA ARDEN
Imagine yourself in one of these situation where you HAVE to choose one or
the other. You cannot say “neither.”
Read the following questions out loud
with your friends and explain why, or answer them by yourself.
Get Ready! Would you rather…
1)
Drink…Coke or Pepsi?
2) Own a…Dog or Cat?
3) Eat…Waffles or Pancakes?
4) Wear…Stripes or Dots?
5) Take…Math or Reading?
6) Be in…Hot or Cold?
7) Use a…Computer or iPad?
8) Eat…Sugar or Salt?
9) Watch with…Netflix or Hulu?
10) Buy things on…Amazon or Ebay?
11) Dress as a…Devil or Angel?
12) Ride a…Bike or Bus?
13) Use a…Pencil or Pen?
14) Use…Google or Bing?
15) Be a…Singer or Dancer?
OPINIONS/GAMES
A couple things
I know about
you…
By RANAGA TAN
Try taking this quiz to see if it’s true.
Here’s what I know about you...
1. You are human.
2. You’re not blind.
3 You can’t say the letter “P” without
separating your lips.
4. You just tried it.
6. Don’t blink.
7. You are now aware of every time
you blink.
8. You skipped number 5.
9. You just checked to see if there was
a number 5.
10. You just grinned. Slightly, but you
did.
11. You’re smiling.
12. You’re on the verge of laughter.
13. You’re silently chuckling to yourself.
14. You didn’t realize there wasn’t a
period in number 3.
15. You just looked at number 3.
16. You’re going to re-read this and try
not to fall for anything.
17. But you just fell for it.
THE FALCON FLIER—Page 14
OPINIONS
10 Tips to Being a Better Songwriter
By YASH SOMAIYA
5-Use arpeggios
Instead of boring chords, try using arpeggios. They’re
just chords played in sequence. They sound really pretty,
and make an instrument more exciting.
6-Remember what key you’re in and the intervals
Keep in mind the key and what chords and intervals are
in it. Intervals are the distance between two notes. Some
sound happy and others sound sad, but they all fit into
keys. Being out of key, or using the wrong intervals can
ruin a great song. A common progression is I-IV-V (C/F/G
in C major), which work really well together.
7-Use good recording tools
Students in guitar class, practice their song-writing skills.
Music is a form of expression, and you can convey so
much feeling through it. There are many different techniques and ways to convey emotions in a song. Whether you just like to sing and compose for fun, or are a
piano virtuoso, here are some tips that can make your
song sound different.
1-Use a thesaurus/dictionary
It’ll help you find more words that fit the song and
stops the lyrics from being bland.
2-Just start singing
If you can’t think of what you want your song to be
about, just play the chords or the backing track and
start singing. The lyrics or theme will just come naturally.
3 If you’re stuck on one part of the song, try another
Make sure you use a good microphone to record your
song, and a good audio mixer/digital audio workstation if
you decide to record your song. It’ll make your song
sound more polished. Also try recording tricks, like different microphone placement, and multitracking.
8-Don’t be afraid to experiment
You don’t always have to follow rules. They’re just guidelines. If it sounds good, use it.
9-Keep trying, and don’t give up
No one succeeds on their first try. Keep writing, and
you’ll get better. Practice makes perfect.
10-Have fun!
If you don’t like what you’re writing or just aren’t having
fun, take a break. Music is about expressing yourself and
doing what you love, and there’s no point writing music if
you don’t enjoy it.
If you’re absolutely stuck on lyrics, or a chord progression, try working on another piece of the song. You
could work on a different part, like a bridge or another
chorus, or work on another instrument, like the bass or
percussion. You’ll get ideas, and have a better foundation for what you’re stuck on.
4-Use different or weird chords
Chords are just a group of notes. Adding different types
of chords with weird notes besides major and minor
chords can really make your song more exciting. 7th
chords can add a lot of color to a chord and a power
chord can sound really powerful. Just make sure it’s not
out of place. Don’t use power chords in a slow love
song, or major 7th chords in a heavy metal song, for
example.
SERT Ad by Diego Rojas, Grade 7
THE FALCON FLIER—Page 15
OPINIONS
Summer Bucket List!
By Brianna Dunnmyer, Lisa Hernandez, Kasonde Chisaka, Sophia Wilcox, and Sophie Urban
So with summer practically at our
doorstep you may have some fun
things planned out already. However, you may be like most of us,
and have no clue what you’re going to do. To help
you we have put together a Summer Bucket list of
the Top 40 things you don’t have to do, but we think
you’d have a blast doing!
1. Go to the beach and eat ice-cream while walking
around the boardwalk
2. Tan at the pool (but don’t forget your SPF!)
3. Take a photo everyday
4. Visit a place outside of Maryland
5. Go swimming with dolphins
6. Go to the zoo
7. Try new foods and drinks
8. Hang out with your friends
9. Dip dye your hair
10. Make a lemonade stand
11. Buy a new outfit
12. Remodel an old piece of clothing
13. Buy new clothes
14. Get a summer job
15. Go to a concert
16. Tie dye a shirt
17. Go to a drive in movie theatre
18. Have a picnic
19. Make a cake
20. Carve your name on a tree (just make sure you’re
not trespassing)
21. Sleep in a tent outside (or your backyard)
22. Stay at the pool from the time it opens until it
closes
23. Re-read your favorite book
24. Buy a new pair of shoes
25. Play mud football
26. Run a 5k
27. Make homemade smoothies for your friends
28. Catch a firefly
29. Watch a midnight movie premiere
30. Go to a camp or try a new sport
31. Have a movie fest with your friends
32. Go to a frozen yogurt place a pack it to the brim
with all the toppings and yogurt you want
33. Have a dance party with your friends
34. Learn how to do a new hairstyle
35. Buy new music
36. Try gelato!!
37. Spend the day at the mall
38. Walk through DC
39. Make up a new handshake with your friends
40. Try to learn a new language (or words). That includes sign language and pig Latin.
Now, those are some of our suggestions. You can
choose which ones you want to do or not do. We hope
we helped you, and that you have great summer!
YEARBOOKS ON SALE NOW!
The year is almost over
and it’s your last chance
to purchase a Yearbook!
The cost is $35, and extra
forms can be found in the
main office. If you have
any questions, please see
Ms. Allen.
SERT Ad by Jonathan Draghici, Grade 7
THE FALCON FLIER—Page 16
Movies to See This Summer!
By Tara Manzari
Many exhilarating films have been produced
as of late, but the summer has much to hold!
Here’s a list of many new films coming out
this summer:







If you’re in the mood for a comedy, hit
the cinema for the movie “The Internship” on June 14th
“Man of Steel” is the new Superman
movie and it will be premiering nationwide June 14, the last day of school! Celebrate the end of the year with this awesome and action-packed superhero film.
“World War Z” has a twist of intensity
and suspense fused into action. Zombies
can have quite a kick, June 21st.
Remember “Monster’s Inc.”? Well Mike
and Sullivan are back, but this time we’ll
see them during their college years in
“Monster’s University,” June 21st.
“The Wolverine” is back! Don’t miss the
chance to catch the remarkable superhero on June 26th.
Personally, I am all for action-comedy
films, and there’s one coming to the box
office called “White House Down,” June
26th.
Remember our despicable friend Gru?
He’s coming back with “Despicable Me
2” on July 3rd.
Enjoy the films
and have a very
lovely summer,
Lakelands Park!
OPINIONS
Fun, Local Day Trips in
Our Area!
By SOPHIE URBAN
Interested in taking a day trip
with your family, and having a fun time in
the summer? These places are right here in
Maryland. Do you like to kayak, bicycle,
hike, or camping? If you do, you should visit
Deep Creek Lake. Located in Garrett County, Maryland, the lake hosts many fun activities for the whole family during summer,
and the fresh water makes an enjoyable and
refreshing swim!
If you’re looking for a thrilling experience right here in Maryland, think about going to Six Flags. Six Flags offers a variety of
rollercoasters for every age. Even if you
don’t like rollercoasters, there are entertainment theaters to fill your expectations. Six
Flags also includes a waterpark that includes
a wave runner, inner tube pool, lazy river,
splash pool, and so much more!!
You may think museums are boring,
but have you seen the Newseum? It offers
interactive exhibits that teach you about the
history of news and modern day uses and
top stories. The Newseum also offers and
very thorough exhibit of the 9/11 events
with and actual piece of one of the twin towers. The Newseum also holds a piece of the
Berlin Wall. This museum is top rated and is
a great place to learn while having fun!
In order to have fun, you don’t need
to leave the area! So next time you’re bored,
and want to get out of the house think
about what we have offer right here, locally!
THE FALCON FLIER—Page 17
OPINIONS/POETRY
Cat Ecstasy!
By Lily Thompson
Lovely Paradise
by Tara Manzari
Love cats? Here are some amazing cats
you may not have heard of before. The Egyptian
Mau, the Ocicat, the Bengal- all are beautiful felines with stunning speckled coats. From the sleek
silver sheen on the lithe pelt of the silver Egyptian
Mau to the wild patterns of rosettes splashed on
the Bengal’s jungle coat, these cats are epic.
The Egyptian Mau is the fastest domesticated cat, with speeds reaching up to thirty miles
an hour. It achieves this through a flap of skin extending from its rib to its hind knee. It is the only
naturally spotted domestic cat breed and comes in
three colors: bronze, smoke and silver. Bronze
maus are dark, ruddy orange with brown spots.
Smoke and silver maus have very similar fur styles.
Each has white fur tipped with black, but in the
smoke variety, more than two-thirds of each hair is
black, while in silver maus, less than one-third is
black. Each version has black spots.
Ocicats were the first purely domesticated
cat that was bred to resemble a wild cat. Its colors
include tawny, chocolate, lilac, fawn, and six
shades of silver. Its body is stocky and well-built,
with muscular legs and a thick-set stance.
Bengal cats are exotic, highly sought after
felines with a coat of marbled spots and an exotic,
wild face. Their hind legs are longer than their
front legs, creating a long stride and powerful run.
These cats bark rather than meow, Bengals normally have good health, including an immunity to
feline leukemia, but inbreeding due to high demand has corrupted their lines, so some may have
hereditary diseases.
The sound of crickets linger in the air
Along with the bright chirps of laughter
The sun slowly sinks into the horizon
Leaving behind streaks of lavender
Ginger
And rose
Lovely wisps of wind sail
As the moon gazes down at the land
The next day promises
Visits to the beach
Scoops of ice cream
And constant strings of laughter
Time was mine
Life was mine
Hello, summer
THE FALCON FLIER—Page 18
The Staircase
I caught myself, yesterday,
Just staring at the sky
I was inside, then
POETRY
Poem and Sketch by Elena Asofsky
8thgrader Elena Asofsky.’s poem, “The Staircase.”
won the silver key prize in the 2013 Scholastic writing Awards and was published in the anthology,
Teen Voices of the DC Scholastic Writing Awards.
I had climbed the stairs in the morning.
Walking down the steps, on the top floor
I saw my kingdom outside the windowed stairwell.
The wind was blowing, and trees were dancing,
Luminescent foliage,
And tile roofs in the background,
Subtle shades of gray.
I didn’t look for very long,
I had another class to get to.
I walked down a flight of stairs
And then I saw that my kingdom had gone
The two-story windows showed only the sky now,
The memory of clouds, white wisps flying past
The bell rang
I was late
I rushed down another flight.
At ground level, as I was rushing back into the hallway,
I glimpsed the door that lead outside
And
I stopped
All my view was, was a street
A parked car
Spring and Summer Haiku Poems
By Victoria Arden
And litter
A leaf blew across my landscape
Flitting away
Flowers are growing
Warm weather, shirts, flip flops, tanks
I wish it would last
I turned and left,
For after all,
I had to climb the staircase
to get to fourth period.
Summer is fun time
Have fun now and be silly
Want to enjoy it!
THE FALCON FLIER—Page 19
GAMES
Spring Word Search
B
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A
K
U
J
M
R
J
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O
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W
F
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B
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By MICHAEL VAZQUEZ
ALLERGIES
APRIL
BIRDS
BLOOMS
BUTTERFLIES
BREAK
CLEANING
BUNNIES
DAFFODILS
DANDELIONS
MARCH
EASTER
MAY
GRASS
PASSOVER
REBIRTH
SUNSHINE
ROSES
TULIPS
SPRING
Artwork by Elena Asofsky
Summer
time Cro
ssword
By H
ANNAH H
O
Across
1. something hot and bright on the sky
2. when you stay in the sun for too long
5. activity on two wheels
7. somewhere far people go during break
8. an activity in the water
9. the biggest break from school
Down
1. a type of lotion or spray
2. another word for shades
3. another word for sandal
4. a sandy place with ocean water
THE FALCON FLIER—Page 20
Photo Scavenger Hunt!
By VICTORIA ARDEN and DYLAN KEARNEY
How observant are you? Try to find these items around our school!
#1:
#3:
#2:
#4:
Answer s: 1. Window of Stairwell #4. 2. Security c amer a in the h allway. 3. Sign in the media c enter. 4. Student clipboard in the main offic e.
Lakelands Park Middle School
1200 Main Street
Gaithersburg, MD 20878
Victoria Arden
Elena Asofsky**
Kasonde Chisaka
Lisa Hernandez
Hannah Ho
Dylan Kearney
Julia Kraft
Tara Manzari **
Yash Somaiya
Rihana Stevenson
Safiya Suliman
Ranaga Tan
Lily Thompson**
Sophie Urban
Michael Vazquez
Sophia Wilcox
Adina Yaw
**Student Editors
Sponsor and Layout:
Mrs. Kirsten Tippets
The Newspaper Club meets on
Wednesdays in Room 168 for
snacks and then works in Lab
157. Come join us next year to
have fun and see your work
published!
© 2013