FCPS

Inking dates back to at least 5,300 years ago. Tattoos were identified on a frozen mummy dubbed “Ötzi the Iceman” found near the Italian-Austrian border in 1991, according to the Smithsonian Magazine. They have told the stories of cultures worldwide ranging from the Ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and Siberian nomads, to Indigenous Polynesians, Native South...

Two significant periods of spiritual observance stand out this time of year: Ramadan and Lent. Ramadan, the holiest month in Islam, and Lent, observed in Christianity, share themes of reflection, sacrifice, and spiritual renewal. With both entailing fasting and introspection, the concurrent celebrations of Ramadan and Lent among students illuminate their unique religious bonds and...

The atoms girls soccer team is off to a 1-1 record. They played their most recent game last Thursday and unfortunately came up short losing 1-2 against Washington Liberty high school.  Prior to this game they had their first win against Meridian high school, beating them in a close match 3-2. The team has shown...

2024’s March Madness starts March 19. This is an annual tournament hosted by the NCAA where 68 teams in the NCAA come to compete for the title. The first round starts with the top teams playing the lowest teams. This idea suggests that the top seed team has the easiest start to this tournament as...

Many people underestimate the power of a warm cup of tea. While visiting the China Folk House in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, a warm cup of tea was the start to a day of exploration and discovery; refreshing, warming, and welcoming. On Sat., March 9, the Global Leaders of Fairfax County took a trip to...

One Love, Bob Marley’s new biopic, captivates and dives into Marley’s life and the struggles he faced growing up. The film begins with one of Marley’s interviews which gives a sense of deja vu with the contrast between his youth and his adult self, demonstrating Marley’s upbringing. It depicts Marley’s  strong love for music and...

At AHS, students are expected to go to class, do their work, and pay attention. Yet recently, students have been skipping classes more often, whether that be in-between classes via a hall pass or not going to class in the first place.  This has been a problem for awhile but not only at AHS. Schools...

The month of February is Black History Month and honors the accomplishments of Black Americans throughout history. AHS has been including educational video lessons on the origins and history behind why we celebrate Black History Month during W4 lessons. These lessons are made by students who take African American History. According to the Annandale Community...

  From protesting nuclear arms and the Vietnam War in the 1970s, to marching with Black Lives Matter and calling attention to genocide in Gaza, the youth has always been known for sparking social change. AHS is a community of over 66 countries, with more than 90 languages spoken. As a result, students are affected...

  AHS orchestra teacher and recipient of the 2024 GRAMMY Music Educator Award, Annie Ray was in attendance at The Grammys on Sun. Feb. 4th in Los Angeles, California. At the event, Ray was recognized for her outstanding achievements in music education.   Ray was selected from over 2,000 initial nominees and as the winner...

Keith Farrelle Cozart, better known as “Chief Keef” is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois at an early age he was introduced to rapping by using his mother’s karaoke machine and tapes to record his music. He rose to fame in the early 2010s thanks to his...

In today’s world, where trends come and go in the blink of an eye throughout the past years. There’s a clear revolution taking place among the younger generation. Instead of chasing the latest fashion trends or spending money on expensive designer clothing, many kids are now finding joy and fulfillment in an unexpected place. Thrift...

Your final biology grade will be determined by the next exam. Walking into the classroom with nothing but three hours of sleep under your belt and no preparation is probably not the best idea. Developing an effective study routine or method can help produce consistent grades and test scores, but it’s up to you to...

I waited four weeks for a test to be graded and put into the gradebook. Turns out I needed a retake, scheduled two days later. Those next two nights I put aside my other homework and spent my nights reteaching myself the unit I had already mostly forgotten. We were busy moving on with the...

High schoolers express themselves in many ways, and some take it to the permanent level of body art by accessorizing themselves with tattoos and piercings. However, what are the laws and regulations around body art for minors? The National Institute of Health states “Children (typically under 17) cannot provide informed consent. As such, parents must...

The Annandale Girls Varsity Soccer team just finished their three days of tryouts. The program has always had a large number of girls competing for spots on the team. With around seventy girls trying out this season, the players were given numbers to pin onto their shirts so that they could be easily identified.  The...

A small world of artistic gems hidden in Arlington can be found in the Museum of Contemporary Art. With free entry, many visitors are welcomed into a small art museum with a variety of exhibitions of different artists and art styles. The Museum’s exhibitions program presents solo to group exhibitions featuring artwork by local and...

he suit of cups in a classic deck of tarot cards has 14 cards, beginning with ace of cups going upward to the ten of cups, finishing with the court cards: the page, knight, queen, and king all of cups. The suit of cups is connected to our emotions, relationships, and matters of the soul....

It’s the first time in 14 years since AHS has had a jazz band. Since winter break, AHS musicians have recently been working on a student-led jazz band. They’re creating it completely from scratch and it has been highly anticipated. Having a jazz band here is exciting because it allows the students to express themselves...

With the NFL season ending on February 11th 2024, football fans are bummed to have to wait until the start of the new season on Sept. 5th.  With the NFL having such a long break, fans need some sort of football to hold them until the highest league, the NFL comes back into season. This...