The Chemistry SOL will be held in the upstairs gym. May 23, 2012 at 9:52 am
Prom tickets are being sold during all lunches. May 23, 2012 at 9:48 am
Today is a Red Day. May 23, 2012 at 9:48 am
The Class of 2013 will hold their final bake sale after school outside of the cafeteria. May 23, 2012 at 9:40 am
Junior Rowan Shartel is one of the Lifestyles editors for the A-blast. She was a staff writer last year. Rowan participates in track and field hockey. In her spare time, she enjoys drinking soy chai lattes and eating tofu.
Rowan Shartel, Weekend Editor
May 4, 2012
Filed under Last Weekend I..., Weekend
Last weekend I went to the Penn Relays in Philadelphia on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania. Track coaches Sean Miller and David O’Hara took myself and nine other runners to compete in the meet, which is internationally known and lasted from Thursday to Saturday. It was an honor... (more...)
Rowan Shartel, Lifestyles Editor
April 18, 2012
Filed under Lifestyles
This spring, spice up your style by trying a new on-trend nail color. It is a simple way to change up your look and to add color or interest, especially as the school year comes to an end and the motivation to look good for school deteriorates. To keep your nails healthiest, apply a base coat... (more...)
Rowan Shartel, Lifestyles Editor
March 20, 2012
Filed under Lifestyles
Walking through the halls recently, you may have looked at a student’s phone and seen a familiar sight: a blank white screen with colorful doodles forming. A new cell phone application called “Draw Something” has hit AHS, and its popularity has skyrocketed in the past several... (more...)
Rowan Shartel, Lifestyles Editor
February 8, 2012
Filed under News
It is that time of the year again: Valentine’s Day. No other holiday brings about so many strong feelings, both good and bad. There has long been a conflict of interests between people who love Valentine’s Day and all the red roses, chocolate and love that it imparts, and the people who... (more...)
Rowan Shartel, Lifestyles Editor
January 12, 2012
Filed under Lifestyles
We’ve all had dreams before. Some we remember, some we forget and some are just plain strange. “My favorite dream that I have ever had was that I helped write the Declaration of Independence, and Ben Franklin gave me the thumbs up,” history teacher Jonathan York said. “It wasn’t accurate,... (more...)
Rowan Shartel, Lifestyles Editor
January 3, 2012
Filed under Lifestyles
In the realm of fashion blogs, there is so much variation and unique style shared by bloggers. Sometimes there can be so much variation, in fact, that it is overwhelming to try and find a blog to use for inspiration or to enjoy. For students in search of a fashion blog that is not over-the-top,... (more...)
Rowan Shartel, Lifestyles Editor
September 12, 2011
Filed under Lifestyles
As fall approaches quickly, the temperature can be anything but constant. Some mornings a chilly breeze can be uncomfortable, but by the afternoon it can be hot and sunny. How does one cope with this weather dilemma when picking an outfit in the morning? This printed scarf is both functional... (more...)
Rowan Shartel, Lifestyles Editor
September 8, 2011
Filed under Health
Many people are unaware of the health risks that can come as a result of drinking from plastic bottles. During the hot summer months, it may seem like second nature to carry a reusable water bottle around for refreshment on the spot. It seems like a smart decision, helping stay hydrated and... (more...)
Rowan Shartel, Lifestyles Editor
July 15, 2011
Filed under Lifestyles
Junior Jonathan Pratt poses with a fan dressed like Hagrid at the midnight premiere of the movie. “It was so entertaining to just walk around the lobby and see all the interesting costumes and shirts people were wearing,” sophomore Jonathan Pratt, who attended the show at Kingstowne Regal... (more...)
Rowan Shartel, Lifestyles Editor
May 12, 2011
Filed under Lifestyles
Amid the sea of dark t-shirts, sweats and neutral hues in the hallway, a splash of color is a stark but pleasant contrast. Students have been embracing this recently by wearing one of the most classic expressions of color on clothing: tie-dye. Tie-dying is named for the process of using highly... (more...)
Rowan Shartel, Staff Writer
April 8, 2011
Filed under News, Top Stories
As AHS begins to embark on the final stretch of the school year, the exhaustion of many long months is effectively setting in. Tests, quizzes, projects, late nights, long afternoons staying after with teachers and endless practices and meetings are normal for students right now. However, one... (more...)
Rowan Shartel, Staff Writer
April 2, 2011
Filed under News, Story of the Day, Top Stories
As any quarter pulls to a close, teachers assign their last big projects and quickly grade the last of their papers, while students scramble to pull everything together before the big day. April 1 marked the last day of the third quarter, meaning any assignments or extra points that could be... (more...)
Rowan Shartel, Staff Writer
April 1, 2011
Filed under Sports
Hoping to improve on their 2-0 record, the girls tennis team looks to build momentum and take advantage of their skills and confidence as they head into the rest of their season. With their match against Lake Braddock cancelled due to rain, the Atoms expected to be tested in their match against... (more...)
Rowan Shartel, Staff Writer
March 9, 2011
Filed under News, Top Stories
Relaxing with friends after school, enjoying refreshments and experiencing music and literature is an easy way to enjoy an afternoon for most students. Luckily, the AHS literary magazine, The Filament, holds coffeehouses regularly, where students can experience everything described.... (more...)
Rowan Shartel, Staff Writer
March 9, 2011
Filed under News
In order to celebrate the diversity of AHS, students from many different cultures have been rehearsing for almost two months in preparation for Heritage Night, which will be held on March 17. The theme for Heritage Night this year is “A Trip Around the World!” and the show hopes to promote... (more...)
Rowan Shartel, Staff Writer
February 24, 2011
Filed under Lifestyles
Opening up a dusty drawer, pulling out a crisp pair of shorts or a tee shirt, and stepping out of the house without a jacket are some of the telltale signs that spring is in the air. This past week, Annandale got a taste of the warmer weather with unusually high temperatures. Beginning on... (more...)
Rowan Shartel, Staff Writer
February 22, 2011
Filed under Story of the Day, Top Stories
A new sports season was ushered in on Feb. 21, as spring sports began. Tryouts began for lacrosse, tennis, softball, baseball and soccer, with track and field beginning on Feb. 28. Students welcomed the change in activities and had many different reasons for their positive sentiments. “Spring... (more...)
Rowan Shartel, Staff Writer
February 15, 2011
Filed under Sports
In both swimming and diving, competitors have only seconds to make a statement. All of their hard work over the course of the season culminates in several minutes’ worth of competition, leaving them little room for error. One off day can end a season, so come regionals, swimmers and divers... (more...)
Rowan Shartel, Staff Writer
December 17, 2010
Filed under Sports
The AHS Swim and Dive team pulled their record up to 1-1 for both boys and girls following their meet on Dec. 10 against T.C. Williams High School at Mt. Vernon Rec Center. It was a successful night for the team, as the boys won 211 points to 103 points and the girls won 225 points to 81 points. “I... (more...)
Rowan Shartel, Staff Writer
December 13, 2010
Filed under Story of the Day, Top Stories
Last Monday, the cafeteria during all lunches was filled with blaring music and a bustling back table as Leadership prepared to have a demonstration. Students paraded down the main aisle of the room, showing off the recommended attire for each day of Winter Spirit Week, which occurred... (more...)
Rowan Shartel, Staff Writer
December 9, 2010
Filed under Lifestyles
Amid the sea of students making their way from class to class in the halls every day, it is not uncommon to see people sporting many jackets and backpacks with the familiar upward-curving three small stripes that mark the logo of the widely recognized brand, The North Face. One thing that is... (more...)
Rowan Shartel, Staff Writer
November 29, 2010
Filed under Story of the Day, Top Stories
The holiday season has officially arrived, bringing with it mixed feelings for students. After just returning from the four-and-a-half-day Thanksgiving break, some are finding it difficult to get back to work. “I’m really tired because I’ve been sleeping in until 2 p.m. every... (more...)
Rowan Shartel, Staff Writer
November 18, 2010
Filed under Lifestyles
For many students, getting new shoes is like a mini adventure. Opening the carefully placed cardboard lid, smelling the freshness, and wearing the crisp new shoes for the first time is always exciting. For numerous children in third world countries, though, this experience is entirely foreign.... (more...)
Rowan Shartel, Staff Writer
November 15, 2010
Filed under News
As they walked into the auditorium amid the appreciative applause of parents and the occasional camera flash, the 70 inductees of the National Honor Society for fall 2010 took their seats and prepared for their induction ceremony to begin. The event, held at 7 p.m. on Nov. 10 in the auditorium,... (more...)
Rowan Shartel, Staff Writer
October 26, 2010
Filed under People
Every student has been there: sitting in class, counting down the seconds until the bell rings for lunch, awaiting the freedom to eat and have fun with friends. Depending on which class students have, however, can change the time in which they get to experience this freedom. Spanning from 10:19... (more...)
Rowan Shartel, Staff Writer
October 19, 2010
Filed under News
Glossed-over eyes, blank stares and mind games are probably the first things that come to most people’s minds when they think of hypnosis. A clever hypnotist entrances his audience, manipulates his subject’s brain and makes a spectacle out of both. Besides old movies, carnivals and shows,... (more...)
Rowan Shartel, Staff Writer
October 3, 2010
Filed under Health
Everyone has experienced it: the groggy, disoriented feeling of being overtired. Students cope with this every day due to the demands of their busy lives. Besides just causing a person to feel unwell, though, the lack of sleep can have a negative effect on health. “When you get less... (more...)
Rowan Shartel, Staff Writer
September 21, 2010
Filed under News, Top Stories
When senior year comes to mind, the most obvious things that cause students stress are college applications, exams, sports and making it through their final high school year. This year, however, seniors had a whole new issue to worry about: obtaining a parking spot at school. Due to the construction... (more...)
Rowan Shartel, Staff Writer
June 1, 2010
Filed under Sports
When the AHS Girls Varsity Lacrosse team stepped off the field at the end of their game on May 26, the feelings among the players were bittersweet. Although they had fallen in a tough 16-10 loss to Madison, the team had achieved more than ever before. This year, the team advanced... (more...)
