Service, sports and arts: Chantilly students have managed to excel in all three this past year and hope to continue in the new year.
Just before the year ended, new members were inducted into the National Honor Society, increasing the society by about 200 members.
“I think induction went great,” NHS president and senior Ngoc Duong said. “All our officers worked overtime from the beginning of Sept. to pull it off. [English teacher] Ms. Bucco was our guest speaker and we definitely couldn’t have picked a better person to share insight with the inductees.”
The new members will only benefit the society and the community.
“I’m really excited to have all the new members join us,” Duong said.
While the new year has just begun, NHS’s year begins earlier than the calendar year.
“We always have service opportunities available to our members, so I don’t think the new year brought any more opportunities,” Duong said. “But I would hope members would make it their new year’s resolution to get more involved in the community and turn in their NHS dues.”
Like service opportunities, the qualities learned in NHS transcend 2010 and high school. Duong said that she feels NHS has made her a better person.
“I strive to lead by example, so if I’m asking members to do 10 hours of service, I’ll be sure to do at least 40,” Duong said. “I’m also more confident as a leader, and I anticipate taking on more leadership roles in the futures. The lessons I’ve learned both as an officer and member are ones I know I’ll take with me into the next part of my life.”
The gymnastics team is undefeated as of now and is continuing their winning streak toward states. Photo by Monica Vuong
As for winter sports, the gymnastics team is undefeated so far.
“The season has been going great,” gymnastics captain Heather Guryansky said. “We’ve won all of our meets so far, so we’re feeling confident.”
Guryansky’s teammate, junior Gabby Snedeker, said she feels the same way.
“It feels great to be undefeated this season,” Snedeker said. “I am so excited for districts and hopefully regionals because I feel like we have a really good chance of winning them both.”
Practice and support are some of the things that help keep the gymnastics team going strong and performing to the best of its abilities.
“The most important thing has probably been all the practice,” Snedeker said. “Everyone puts in a lot of time to make sure their best moves are ready for each meet, and we really support each other. This season we have a pretty big team, and even when some of us are not competing, we always cheer on the girls who are.
"All you need is four solid scores and hit routines," senior Heather Guryanksy said. Guryanksy said that she knows her teammates will continue to excel even after she leaves.
“All you need is four solid scores and hit routines,” Guryansky said. “The girls are gaining more and more experience with each meet. My teammates are awesome.”
The drama department has also started off the year on a good note; the children’s play, “Mother Goose,” premiered on Jan. 21. The children’s play, written by Drama teacher Ed Monk, was designed so that Drama 1 and 2 students, who normally might not get a part in a play, had the chance to show their skills and see if they truly love acting.
“Drama is really fun, and it’s a lot more intense than middle school,” freshman Marra Sherrier said. “It’s also really cool how they can put together this whole show in less than two months.”
Thus far, Sherrier is really enjoying her time in drama.
“So far, it’s been pretty good,” Sherrier said. “Mr. Monk and [Drama teacher] Mrs. [Khatcheressian] are really funny, but they still have control over us. All the older drama kids are hilarious, too.”
Though the standard was set very high from last year’s performances, sophomore Johnny Cuddehe said that he has yet to make judgments on which year’s overall performance was better. “Although it’s gone good so far, only time will tell how good we are,” Cuddehe said.
Other actors in the play were encouraged by the opening performance.
“I thought the opening show went very well,” Cuddehe said. “I was entertained by it even though I knew what was going to happen.”
“Mother Goose” is done, but drama students still have the rest of the year to look forward to.
“I want to try out for the main stage play,” Sherrier said. “I might do the spring children’s play, too.”
Students in Holiday Spectacular played a prank by wearing fake moustaches during their performance for some laughs. Photo by Stefanie Feldman
Students participated in science fair on Jan 19. They took the opportunity to display their hard work. Photo by Chloe Cunningham
Speech and debate students won their tournament 3-1 and received 11th place overall. Photo by Jane Muir
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