September 22, 2007Band stereotypes are mostly trueJustina Shandler | Hidden Valley High School 
There are more than 1,200 students who attend Hidden Valley High School. Of those, more than 200 are in the marching band. When you hear “marching band,” you may think of geeks who have no social life. Contrary to popular belief, band is the social ticket to paradise. Well, maybe not every band, but the Mighty Titan Hidden Valley High School band definitely redefines the stereotypical “band geek.” Aside from the music, I joined band to be a part of a massive and dysfunctional family. Yes, band is my family. Here’s the scoop: Let’s say you are in no way musically inclined. Let’s say you have social issues. Let’s say you’re downright strange and freaky. These hypothetical personalities are your everyday enlightenment at marching band, without whom, you could not survive. And it all begins with band camp. We all know the infamous line: “What happens at band camp stays at band camp.” So much happens at band camp that if someone were to document it, they’d collapse from laughter before reaching the second day. For a week, band members learn sets to the songs they will perform at football games. This year, we’re playing “Everyday People,” “You Dropped a Bomb On Me,” “Fire,” and “Thank You” (if you don’t know the songs, YouTube them - they’re catchy). Band camp is one week of pure, uncensored bliss. It is where the family bonds and members get to know their section. All day, we sweat and work in the sun. But at night, we par-tay! Each section has its own personality. Yes, these are stereotypical, but mostly true. The flute players are girls. I know. There is no such thing as a girl instrument or a boy instrument. But all the flutes are girls. And boys, don’t let this intimidate you if you have flutist abilities. They are determined and graceful. The clarinet section is pretty equally split gender-wise. This is probably the most diverse section. They have charismatic and fun-loving personalities. The sousaphones and French horns are small, but spunky and outgoing. Alto and tenor saxes are basically psychotic and are funny in the strangest ways. The trumpets are loud and enthusiastic, with their own hilarious sense of humor. Percussion, well … if I didn’t know better, I’d think the majority of them were not all there. But once you get to know them, they’re just as cool -- if not cooler -- than the rest of the bunch. Trombones are tall and blunt with their thoughts. Seriously. This year’s trombone players soar to the sky. They’re pushing six feet here, and their sense of humor is just as big. Tubas are…STRONG. Carrying that instrument for hours on end has got to take physical as well as inner strength. So I’ve covered band camp. But camp is just the beginning of endless band adventures. There is band practice after school for two hours, three times a week. Aside from melting in the sun, we have fun reviewing our songs and perfecting all the tiny details. Hey, it’s hard work being the best marching band in the world. But all the preparation and effort pays off during football games. When we’re not marching on the field, the band is playing in the bleachers. When we’re not playing, we’re screaming for the team. We are always doing something, and the crowd loves us. Playing in front of all those people gives band members the most exhilarating feeling. Moving your feet to precise rhythmic beats with 200-plus other people creates the most beautiful arrangements, and each person contributes to the masterpiece. So, next time you are debating whether to go to the football game, come! Because now you know what band is all about. You know you come to football games just to hear the band, anyway! Justina Shandler is a freshman at Hidden Valley High School. September 18, 2007Cell phones show your personalityBy Shiimayne Brown | Patrick Henry High School  In the world of fashion, we see many different styles on the runway that we call life. But one style we didn't expect to see was the cell phone. Cell phones are the newest crave. The color, the style and the price all say something about your personality. The RAZR, the slider and the iPhone are some of the new devices that can help you make the statement you want. They're also great for making phone calls. So, what does your cell say about your personality? Post a comment Shiimayne Brown is a freshman at Patrick Henry High School. Apple refreshes the entire iPod lineBy Byron Lawson | Northside High School  So it’s that time again. And once again, Apple has amazed us with its new, fancy (and expensive) iPods. During a special Sept. 5 press event, Apple refreshed the entire iPod line. They also introduced yet another phenomenal device that even rivals the iPhone itself. To start, the iPod Shuffle -- referred to by some as the runner’s aid -- was lightly updated, despite a refreshed selection of colors that seem more washed-out than previous models. The iPod shuffle still retails for $79 for the same 1GB model. The iPod Nano, Apple’s most successful iPod to date, was completely redesigned. Referred to as the "stubby-pod" by a few editors, the new Nano has shrunk in height and expanded in width while still maintaining the impossible slenderness the Nano line is known for. Along with the redesign, Apple has added video playback capabilities, followed by the tagline: “A little video for everyone.” With the seemingly-small storage capacity, it would only seem justifiable for music videos rather than full-length movies and TV shows. The new Nano retails at $149 for the 4GB model, and $199 for the 8GB model. The original, full-size iPod -- which Apple has touted as being a commonly-overused description of the main iPod of their product line -- has been renamed the iPod Classic. The only real update to the iPod Classic is that the storage capacity has been vastly improved to 80GB and 160GB (previously 30GB and 60GB). The iPod Classic retails at $249 for the 80GB model, and $349 for the 160GB model. With the Nano finally being able to play video, the only real difference between it and the full-sized iPod is the storage capacity. Both the iPod Nano and iPod Classic were updated via their interface. Rather than the full screen text lines we’re all accustomed to, Apple sought a new way to navigate the menus by splitting the screen in half. Now, when you blast through the menus in search of a song, you’re treated to a quick preview of album art on the right half of the screen, while reading the information on the left. Despite fears that the new interface will make the screen more difficult to read, reviewers say it doesn’t feel any worse, if not a lot better. Among other interface updates for both the iPod Nano and Classic, Apple has now added CoverFlow as an option to search through your music library. With this option, you’re enticed with all of your albums represented by the album art, and can easily look through them using the innovative scroll wheel we have come to know and love. Now for the new product we’ve been anticipating since January, when the iPhone was announced: the iPod Touch. Somewhat identical to the iPhone -- down to the single physical home button -- the iPod Touch is even thinner, at just 8mm over iPhone’s 11.6mm. If you know anything about the iPhone, you know it primarily for its gorgeous, 3.5-inch multi-touch screen and its incredibly simplified interface. Wi-Fi is also built into the iPod Touch for its web-browsing capabilities using Apple’s accredited Safari browser, as is YouTube and the all-new iTunes Wi-Fi Store. The iTunes Wi-Fi Store allows users to purchase and download songs via a wireless Internet connection. Despite being modeled after the iPhone, the iPod Touch does lack certain core features of its touch screen sibling.Of course, one main difference is the lack of a phone feature, as well as phone-related features such as SMS (Short Message Service) text messaging. Several of iPhone’s applications -- such as Google Maps, e-mail, weather and even the stocks application -- could have been included on the Touch, via its Wi-Fi antenna. Also missing is the built-in 2.0 mega-pixel camera. The iPod Touch retails for $299 for the 8GB model and $399 for the 16GB model. It will be available Sept. 28th. Just when it seemed the announcements were over, Apple had yet more news to roll out. The iPhone was blessed with a major price drop just months after its June release. The 8GB model, previously $599, dropped to $399. Following the price drop was the announcement to discontinue the 4GB model, which sold for $499. Though most believe this was a key element to increase sales for the holidays, early adopters of the phone were left in the dust with their disappointment over losing roughly $200. However, a few days after the announcement, Apple CEO Steve Jobs wrote an open letter to early buyers on Apple's web site. The letter explained technology always decreases in price as time passes, but what shocked many readers was Jobs' offer to give early phone buyers $100 in store credit to Apple 's retail and online stores. Stay tuned for my review of the 16GB model of the new iPod Touch in early October. Byron Lawson is a senior at Northside High School. September 12, 2007Red Bull Air RaceBy Matt Vail | William Byrd High School 
Red Bull has always supported various adventure sports around the world, but the air race being sponsored by the energy drink company is perhaps the most original and exciting for spectators. The air race consists of 13 different pilots who travel to major cities around the globe competing in a slalom course. Elevated pylons serve as the boundaries, more commonly known as “air gates.” Pilots race against the clock in knockout rounds, where two pilots compete head-to-head. The contender with the fastest time advances. The next event brings Red Bull to the United States, where the pilots will race through skies above the San Diego Bay. The competition takes place Sept. 22, and will air on the FSN network at 6 p.m. on Nov. 11. The next race that FSN will air is actually going to be the fairly recent race from Istanbul. Every Sunday at 6 p.m., you can tune into FSN for weekly coverage of the Red Bull Air Race. Be sure to check Red Bull’s Air Race web site for videos, pictures, results and any additional information. Before this coming Sunday, though...you should probably Get Out! Matt Vail is a senior at William Byrd High School. September 6, 2007Welcome to Fashion ForwardBy Shiimayne Brown | Patrick Henry High School When you look around this fall, you're going to see a mix of different styles. The most popular for girls are mini skirts with leggings and a band, graphic or designer T-shirt. Polos are also always great to wear. There is also a fashion statement that's coming back -- vintage -- which usually consists of big pocketbooks, chunky bracelets, big - big belts, stiletto heels, beaded necklaces, baby doll dresses and skinny jeans. For the guys, the usual fashion statements are hole-filled jeans, band T's or pants so low you'll trip over them. All of these may have seemed normal last year, but what's in now for the guys? The current trend is a cross between baggy jeans, long T-shirts, band T's, base ball caps, firm jeans (which are are snug, but not too tight, so you will not look like the girls), and chains that hang around your neck and off your pants. Shiimayne Brown is a freshman at Patrick Henry High School. Welcome to Get Out!By Matt Vail | William Byrd High School Welcome all, You’ve successfully navigated your way to the new outdoors and adventure blog for the Edge -- congratulations! Check here first for the latest adventure stories and featured outdoors-related news from the Roanoke Valley and beyond. Here, I’ll cover everything from the most recent adventure reports taking place around the globe (i.e. Red Bull Air Race in San Francisco Bay, or the latest survival stories from the Himalayas) to the more locally-focused outdoors reports. As teens in the valley, we are presented with a million and one chances to get out and enjoy the wild. We have everything right outside our Blue Ridge back door, from kayaking the James River to backpacking the epic Appalachian Trail, hiking up the Peaks of Otter or even mountain biking Explore Park's bike trails. We’d be crazy not to get out and take in all that life offers us here in the valley. So, remember, check back every Wednesday for updates. But, in the meantime...Get Out! Matt Vail is a senior at William Byrd High School. |
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