Coach Somers encourages each player to compete to the best of their ability. It is important to set a goal at the beginning of the season; that way you have something to focus on. “We are aiming for the District Tournament and Regional playoffs this year,” stated Coach Somers.

 Having a competitive match is a new and exciting experience that each player has to concentrate on.

 “We play to win,” said Senior Cody Stevens. That is the attitude players have to have when competing in a match or tournament; being positive is important.

 According to http://tennismetro.com you need to, “Be aware – Be aware of what is happening so that you can correct any mistakes that you can notice that you are making during the game. The excitement of the game itself sometimes is overwhelming causing you to lose focus”.

 Even though some may consider tennis to be an individual sport, “Everyone is a key player,” stated Senior Kyle Morris.

 Seniors who have helped this team succeed include Eric Anderson, D.J. Smith, Greg Baugher, Kyle Morris and Cody Stevens. Captains include Senior Eric Anderson and Sophomore Jacob Balgoyen.

 “We have a good team this year and I think were going to finish in the top half of the district,” stated Senior Cody Stevens.

 Keep an eye out for these knights as they compete at Culpepper High School on the 29^th.

 “We are strong enough to have a big chance at the district title, we believe that this season is going to go very well,” explained Senior Mandi Catlett.

 As the 2010 season approaches, these Knights come together as a team. They go bowling, make team T-Shirts and camp out; team bonding is very important.

 “Play the game you love, and love the game you play; it can’t get any simpler than that,” said Junior Victoria Milling.  This team represents dedication and love.

 “It might be called softball but there is nothing soft about it,” laughed Junior Tori Sorrell.

 These ladies play hard and work for a victory every time they step out on that field.

 The Knight’s Softball team has prepared emotionally, physically, and mentally for this competitive season. “We are up and ready for anything, and anyone who wants to bring their game; we are always up for the challenge,” stated Junior Tori Sorrell.

  According to Team USA Coach Mike Candrea, “It’s a game of making great pitches at the right time, being opportunistic by getting a run at the right time and playing good defense.”

 They have done everything they can do for the moment in time, that’s what confidence is all about.

 “The biggest game this year will definitely be against Chancellor and Courtland; they are both competitive and are our rivals,” said Catlett.

 Be on the lookout for these competitive ladies, as they host Courtland on March 30^th and Chancellor on April 1^st; both of these games are going to be aggressive, so make sure you’re there!

 In his first season so far, “practices are more intense, games are more competitive, and the atmosphere around the team is stronger than ever,” said senior goalkeeper Valerie Perry.

 Len Carlson has instilled a new look on the girls team and he says they are, “dedicated, determined, and relentless.” Their play compliments the fact with the first game being a victory against Louisa. The new coaching regime is bigger, badder, and has an in-your-face attitude.

 Carlson said his team has a key ingredient implanted in its game plans that other teams do not: the “heart factor.” With this heart factor in mind, Carlson picked his squad based on talent and sheer athleticism, not seniority.

 With five starting underclassmen on the team (Chelsea White, Jessica Strong, Kacey Payne, Cristal Iden, Jessica Cisson, Tori Huber, and Candice Marbaker), Carlson sees this team with loads of potential for years to come.

 With the season upon the team, the coach had this to say, “It’s us against the world- no one respects us based on the team’s prior history. We plan to right the ship and make a name for ourselves in the district. Chancellor and Courtland are the favorites to win the district but I feel confident we can play with them.”

 With the new charismatic coaching staff, untapped potential, and a desire to win, the 2010 Girls Soccer team is one to watch.

 The top six has now been rounded out with freshmen newcomer Bailey Christoforatos at number one, Caitlyn Crummett at number two, captains Soo Lee and Victoria Wilson playing three and four respectively, Lezel Aglipay at five, and Emily Banocy rounding out at number 6. Coach Smith has an intense passion for the sport, and is very competitive and has the hopes to upset some division opponents. The team’s biggest rival is King George, and the rivalry stretches back before Ms. Smith was the coach.

 With a new direction, fantastic coaching, and a few upsets along the way, the Spotsylvania Girl’s Tennis Team is on the rise, so be on the lookout for this up-and-coming squad.

 “We don’t have enough runners to compete in meets,” said senior Josh Barton.

  Although the team cannot win as a unit, the individual performance of the team is fantastic. “The girls’ long distance and the guys’ mid distance runners are phenomenal,” said Taylor Weisbrod.

 With all of the disappointment about the team’s situation, one person stands proud of his squad. “David is a fantastic leader, and he deserves it for all of the work he put in,” said senior Josh Barton.

 With rival matches against King George and Caroline coming up, the team is preparing for a long season. “We’ll persevere,” said sophomore Taylor Weisbrod.

 Ms. Lowery, the nurse here at Spotsylvania High School, suggests watching out and taking medicine such as Clarinex, Allegra, and Zyrtec. Also, nurse Lowery says bees are now out and if you get stung, epi pens and Benadryl will definitely help the swollen area.

 According to the American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology, the most common allergy is rhinitis, also known as “hay fever,” which is an irritation of the nose that affects over 40 million people in the United States. Up to 40% of students have allergic rhinitis, and they miss millions of school days each and every year because of it. Symptoms of rhinitis are nasal congestion, sneezing, mucous build-up, and tearing eyes. This is all usually seasonal but most frequent in the springtime. To help ease these symptoms, pharmacists and doctors recommend over-the-counter prescriptions to help.

Senior Chelsea Kimlel participated in Retail Merchandising, where she placed in the top ten for role play one, as well as placing top ten overall out of 60 other contestants. Kimlel also was recently notified of qualifying for nationals, in Louisville, Kentucky, in April.

Junior Bryn Huxoll competed in an event called role play, where she placed and became a finalist overall. She also placed in the top eight for the category of Sports and Entertainment Marketing and also qualified for nationals.

Seniors Glynnis Downs, Brittany Durante, and Junior Bree Kraft participated in the Advertising Campaign Category. Freshman Devin Kraft and Jeffrey Durante also competed in Sports and Entertainment Marketing for Team Decision Making.

Over the years, Spotsylvania’s DECA has grown and developed immensely. The members were very proud of their competition results.

“I think we did great!” stated Senior Chelsea Kimlel. “Each year we keep growing in size and getting further in the competition.”

According to Mayoclinic.com, most teens need about nine hours of sleep a night. But in a recent study, 90% of teens reported sleeping less than the recommended time. On that same note, 10% reported getting less than six hours of sleep a night. This sleep deprivation can all be attributed to extensive homework, part- time jobs, sports, and early school hours. These reasons bring up the important question: Why does high school start so early?

In schools all over the country, high schools begin first, followed by middle schools and then elementary schools. In most people’s minds, this is reversed from what the order should be. Elementary school children have much less responsibility than high school students when it comes to work load, sports and jobs. I believe that if elementary students started earlier than the others, then it would prepare the kids for the daily grind in the real world, and by the time they get to the work force they will have been used to getting up so early.

In an article by the Washington Post, it was reported that Brown University Professor Mary Carskadon led a team of researchers to help prove that (biologically speaking), “teenagers really are out of it in the morning.” Carskadon and her team measured the presence of the sleep inducing hormone melatonin in various teen’s saliva at different times of the day. As it turned out, they learned that the melatonin levels rise later at night than they do in children and adults — and remain at a higher level later in the morning. To put this in simpler terms, teens need to sleep later into the morning than do younger children and adults. I say, if science backs us up, then let us sleep and I’m sure millions of other teens agree with me.

 Now I’ve never had senioritis, but all my friends have. My one friend in particular contracted senioritis back in sophomore year. As the years progress it became worse and worse for her to come to school. We thought for sure she was a goner. But, recently she’s gained control and has been trying to kicks Senioritis in the butt. Her record for being in schools consecutively this year has been two straight weeks.

 When she does come to school we are all surprise and let her know that we didn’t think she was going to make it today day. Soon we started asking each other if we thought if she would be coming in today, or we would check our texts to see if we had something from her. One day she told me to stop parking in her parking spot and my response to her was that when she got here on time for once she could have it. I never thought that she would ever beat me to school, but she did today.

She is only one proof that Senioritis has taken over the school. Less and less of the senior student body has been seen in the hallways now days. As it gets closer to the graduation date, more and more seniors are seen as the days progress. Will Senioritis wipe out the class of 2010 or will the students rise up and graduate? The teachers and administrators are probably praying for the latter.

1. Freshman Matthew Smith enjoys whistling
2. Sophomore William Cumbia loves to sing
3. Junior Rachel Smith has been playing the clarinet for approximately six years
4. Senior Shannon Coleman has been playing the flute for seven years
5. Special Education/English teacher Ms. Deborah Collins is a mean crocheter. 

What do you want to be when you grow up?

1. Matt aspires to be a Park Ranger
2. Will sees himself being a history professor
3. Rachel thinks she is best suited to be a pediatrician
4. Shannon wants to be an ultrasound technician
5. Ms. Collins has always dreamed of being a librarian.

What do you want to do before you die?

1. Matt thinks it would be totally awesome to skydive
2. William wants to travel the world; to place like Egypt and Greece
3. Rachel just wants to jump off the top of the Empire State building
4. Shannon would like to make a huge impact on someone’s life
5. Ms. Collins wants to travel to every continent, except Antarctica

Who is your favorite teacher?

1. Matt’s favorite teacher is Ms. Laracco
2. Will’s is Mrs. Fellinger
3. Rachel’s is Mrs. Herndon
4. Shannon’s is Mrs. Pitts
5. Ms. Collins’ favorite teacher was her Government teacher, Mr. Saint Ledger, who taught her that you have to work hard to succeed in life

What kind of car do you drive?

1. Matt doesn’t have a car yet but he wants a MX 5 Miata
2. Will drives his mom’s purple van
3. Rachel drives a 2005 Mitsubishi
4. Shannon drives a 1998 Pontiac Grand Dam
5. Ms. Collins drives a 1996 Chevy Corsica

What is your favorite movie?

1. Matt’s all time favorite movie is The Goonies
2. Will can watch Oceans 11 over and over
3. Rachel cracks up every time when watching The Benchwarmers
4. Shannon’s favorite is Save the Last Dance
5. The Shankshaw Redemption and The Princess Bride are too hard to choose from for Ms. Collins

What is your favorite album or artist?

1. Matt’s favorite singer is Chris Allan
2. Will’s favorite album is Wicked the musical
3. Rachel loves Earth, Wind, and Fire
4. Shannon has every Trey Songz album
5. Ms. Collins loves her alternative rock, Wilco