Senior of The Month: Sydney Dolan

This month's senior of the month is Sydney Dolan. Sydney enjoys model rocketry, drawing, and watching Rupaul's Drag Race. She has taken AP Literature and AP Language, and her specialty is research papers and Munson essays. Come see her slaving over the blog at the Writing Center during 6th period!

Sydney is clearly at the Writing Center in this photo.

Stephen's Love Advice: Promposals

Dear Stephen,

I don't know how to ask a girl that I like out to prom. Do you have any ideas or advice?

From, Lovestruck Loser

Here are some of my best ideas.

• Dress up as Winnie the Pooh and say "I'm Winnie the Pooh. Prom?"
• Let's have one hellUVA time
• (For a girl name Lynn) I would be Lynnsane not to go with you
• Dress up as a burrito and say "Prom would be Rice"
• I'll treat you better than the CVHS girl's bathroom
• You're more exciting than my honey sandwiches
• Let's make bird calls together.
• Tic-Tac-Toe. Give me an X. Give me an O. Come to Prom?
• *Falls from second floor to first floor* "I literally just fell for you. Prom?"
• "P is for prom and P is for perfection, go to prom with me and I'll show all my affection!"
• P is for prom not for PF Changs, go with me and you'll end up saying "DAAAANG"
• Hey are you a geek  because your eyebrows are on FLEEK. Prom? 

 Sincerely,                      

Swag Daddy Steve

Teacher Appreciation Week

We asked our tutors to tell us about their favorite teacher. Here are a few of their responses.

Sara Khorramshagol

I have many favorite teachers, basically all my teachers that I have had in the past are my favorite. But the one that I've made a close connection with is my sophomore history teacher, Mrs. Beckmann.

I found Mrs. Beckmann to be the teacher that could tolerate my weirdness and craziness. I found her to also be very talented and knowledgeable about World History. Mrs. Beckmann made me love World History. Out of all the subjects in school, World History is one of my all time favorite classes. In Mrs. Beckmanns class I felt comfortable and always wanted to participate, and was actually motivated to do my work. I would always study and put my 100% effort.

Mrs. Beckmann really helped me retain the information. Whenever she could, she would try to connect the info to the real world. She mentioned to the class about I am Malala and I was very interested to read it. I am so inspired to learn more from Mrs. Beckmann.

Alison Gomeiz

In an age where people are overly sensitive, its nice to have a cathartic release from the tension going into his class every 3rd period. His sharp attitude cuts through the fluff of our society and pouts the facts in black and white terms, taking out the "mush" and grey area. Although I discuss with him a lot on policies, we respect the others' opinion. He pushes me to be a better student and his teaching will continue to affect me for the rest of my student career and possibly beyond. He's unorthodox, but he has taught me so much in such a different style of teaching. I wish each student could experience being in a classroom with Mr. O'Rourke.

Senior of the Month: Rachel Steinbach

This month's senior of the month is Rachel Steinbach. Rachel likes to read, sleep, tan, and go to the gym. She has taken AP Literature and AP Language, and she is proficient in tutoring all grade levels. Come see her huddled up under all of her jackets here at the Writing Center during 6th period!

Rachel in her usual attire for the writing center.

Tutors Respond: Nail Polish Colors

Our tutors were asked to come up with a creative nail polish color names. Here are some of our favorites.

Carrot-tine

-Sydney Dolan

You Make Me Blush

-Rachel Steinbach

James Blonde

-Stephanie Chang

Sweet Child of Lime

-Katie Kowalski

Grape To Meet You

-Delaney Madden

Beef Jerkin' It On The Dance Floor

-Sydney Hammrick

Gray's Anatomy

-Metaxia Mysteros

My MAWCA Experience

The MAWCA conference this past weekend was so much fun!!  There were so many different perspectives and techniques to listen to, and everyone was so open with their ideas.  Even the professors and adults wanted to share their knowledge with me instead of enforcing an age barrier.  It was also a great bonding experience with the WWC tutors and the directors.  The campus was also very pretty; it was a nice break from the transience of Northern Virginia.
-Alison

My experience at MAWCA this past weekend was AMAZING! I learned new things from adults, and got the experience of sharing my ideas with other people. Not only did I learn ways to improve the writing center but also there was an amazing keynote speaker. I learned new things from her. 

The food was also amazing. My favorite part of dinner was when Metaxia ate a ball of butter thinking it was cheese. 

I love JMU DUUUUKES

-Sara

My MAWCA Experience

I can say without a doubt that the MAWCA conference was an incredible experience, and something that I definitely want to attend again. The presentations at the conference itself were outstanding and rewarding to participate in. I was especially pleased with the ideas we could exchange with other high schools and universities. (10/10 would do again)

My MAWCA Experience

              This weekend, the writing center went to JMU for the MAWCA conference, and it was so much fun! We got to ride the bus down with a bunch of schools from our area and when we got there the weather was just perfect. JMU has such a beautiful campus, and it was nice and warm. Shortly after we got there, I went to a presentation on accommodating tutees with disabilities and got to talk and share ideas with a group of tutors from West Springfield. It was interesting to see how some writing centers are so similar to ours! A lot are pretty different, though. On Saturday, for example, we went to Katie Kowalski and Sydney Dolan’s presentation on tutor collaboration(which ROCKED) and talked to some college­age tutors. Their writing center has a lot of differences from ours (like the fact that they get paid), so that was cool to hear about. Many of the presentations at the conference were geared more toward college writing centers, but I think we could easily adjust some ideas to fit at our school. One of the panels I went to was explaining a program at UConn where the university teams up with middle and high schools around them to create writing centers. I thought it was a really unique idea, and it might be interesting to try to do something similar with our school. Maybe we could work with the writing center at George Mason!

Sydney Hamrick and I actually presented at the conference, too. We did a workshop about working with ESOL students, and we had about 14 people show up from all different writing centers. It went really well ­­ everyone was engaged in the discussions and seemed to learn a lot from our session! We were both really nervous beforehand, but afterwards we were so happy. That was probably one of my favorite parts of the trip, because a lot of people told us they were really impressed and that we did a great job. I wish there had been more sessions, because I think there’s even more I could have learned, but it really was an enjoyable and interesting trip! (Also, one of the best moments was when Metaxia put an entire ball of butter in her mouth at lunch. Yum!!!!)

Mrs. Hughes, Sydney, and I after our presentation!

MAWCA

Last weekend, our writing center tutors went to the Mid-Atlantic Writing Centers Association Conference, held at JMU. Some of our tutors even had the opportunity to present workshops and host discussions! Over the next few weeks, each of our tutors will be describing their time at MAWCA, what they learned, and what liked the most. Here are some pictures from the conference!

 

ESOL Party

               

   Before Spring Break, the Writing Center had a party with our ESOL buddies. We made decorative Easter Eggs to celebrate. It was fun to hear about how everyone celebrated Easter. Here are some pictures from the party!

Jokes By Our Tutors

My social life.
-Stephen Norod

Stephen's social life.
-Chung Do

Why can't Sally go on a swing?
Because she has no arms.

Knock Knock,
Who's there?
Not Sally
-Alison Gomez

Do you know any chemistry jokes?
Na
-Sydney Hammrick

What's a moles favorite food?
Guacamole!
-Sarah Khorramshogol

Wife: Honey can we go watch 50 shades of grey?
Colorblind husband: That's every day of my life Susan
-Sydney Dolan

What sound does a nut make when  it sneezes?
Cashew!
-Metaxia Myseros

What did Jay-Z call his girlfriend before they got married?
Fiancee
-Stephanie Chang

Interesting Facts from our Tutors

Interesting Facts!!

We asked our tutors to tell us an interesting fact that they know. Here are the responses! 

The french name for "I can't believe it's not butter" translates literally to " False butter has entered our home."
-Sydney

Did you know the elephant is the only mammal that can't jump?
-Stephen

Hellen Keller's favorite food was a hot dog.
-Sydney H

Vincent Van Gogh was left-handed
-Alison

The longest time between twins being born is 87 days.

-Katie

Most land snails are hermaphrodites.

-Stephanie

Hitler invented the punchbuggies.

-Rachel 

Intentionally farting on a Prison guard in California can get you up to 11 additional years in prison.

-Metaxia 

Elephants are the only mammal with 4 knees.
-Delaney

If you farted every minute for six years and nine months enough gas is produced to create the energy of an atomic bomb.
-Sara

McDonalds in South Korea offers free delivery service 24/7.
-Chung Do

Chantilly-Centreville Mixer

Last Friday, Chantilly Writing Center and the Wildcat Writing Center had a meet up to discuss techniques, similarities, and differences between the two centers. We played some ice breaker games so that everyone could get to know each other. Then we role-played some common tutoring situations. Unfortunately, we ran short on time, so we weren't able to finish the discussion between the two writing centers.

Tutors Respond to How the Mixer Went

"Centrevilley with the 'tillys"
-Stephen Norad 

"It was great to be able to meet tutors from other schools, especially in such an informal and relaxed setting."
-Sydney Dolan

"The Chantilly tutors were very nice. I was surprised that they were so nice, funny, and genuine."

-Chung Do

 "I though the mixer was a very fun and entertaining way to spend friday afternoon. I met a lot of potential friends."
-Rachel Steinbach

Bold Predictions for 2015

We asked our Writing Center Tutors to make some bold predictions about the year 2015!

I predict that there will be a lot of social movements that will get a leg up in 2015. Also, Back To the Future will become relevant again. Everyone, get ready for hoverboards. 

-Stephanie Chang

WWIII

-Chung Do Kim

My New Year prediction for 2015 is that Bob Saget will come to Centreville High school and give a speech about closet organization.

-Alison Gomeiz

IN A SHOCKING TURN OF EVENTS, MATHEMATICIANS RULE THAT 9+10 IS INDEED 21. 

-Sydney Dolan

I predict that in 2015 there will be a reunion of gossip girl.XOXO ZARA/SARA

-Sara Khorramshahgol

I predict that in 2015 folk music will make a huge comeback, and Justin Bieber will be sent to rehab. I also predict environmental problems which most people currently ignore will begin to attract attention as the world starts to deteriorate.

-Rachel Steinbach

We will get 6 inches of snow and not have school until June but not make up any days.

-Delaney Madden

The Mayans didn't account for daylight savings and the world will end this year.

-Stephen Norod

An extreme epidemic will come out and half of the world population will die out.

-Metaxia Mysteros

I predict that Miley Cyrus will realize that she's made weird life choices and decide to be Hannah Montana again.

-Sydney Hamrick

Featured Senior of the Month: Brooks Anderson

This is Brook's first year at the Wildcat Writing Center!! Brooks is a smart and sarcastic, and you can count on him for help on any essay. When he's not busy studying or tutoring, Brooks enjoys hanging out with his friend Prabh, and watching movies on Netflix. See Brooks Anderson in the Writing Center!!

An action photo of Brooks tutoring.

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Stephen's Love Advice: Getting A Significant Other

Dear Stephen,

How can I ask the girl I like out? Girls have rejected me in the past, and I feel that if I can come up with a creative way to ask a girl out, she won't reject me.

Sincerely,All-American Reject

Stephen’s Love Advice on Getting a Significant Other:

If you really want to impress the apple of your eye, show them good qualities like determination and drive by coming to the writing center and augmenting your literary skill.

If you’re trying to score a fresh honey, make sure to send your transcript, resume, and teacher recommendations to her parents. Need help organizing and constructing these? Come to the writing center!

Want a girl/boy to go on a date with you? Persuasive essays are effective approximately 90% of the time. The writing center is effective in helping with these 110% of the time.

Just go to the writing center if you want to impress a doll.

December Book Recommendation

Check out some more of our tutor's recommendations on the board next to our room. We are room 202!!
The Green Glass Sea

By: Ellen Klages

(synopsis from http://www.amazon.com/)

It's 1943, and eleven-year-old Dewey Kerrigan is en route to New Mexico to live with her mathematician father. Soon she arrives at a town that, officially, doesn't exist. It is called Los Alamos, and it is abuzz with activity, as scientists and mathematicians from all over America and Europe work on the biggest secret of all--"the gadget." None of them--not J. Robert Oppenheimer, the director of the Manhattan Project; not the mathematicians and scientists; and least of all, Dewey--know how much "the gadget" is about to change their lives.

Satirical Winner from 5th Period

All of our tutors were challenged to write a satirical generic version of some form of writing that is commonplace. Here is essay from the winner in 5th period, Amber Sok!

Life Lessons: The Universal Lessons of Pop Songs

Performed by: Exotically Dressed Possibly Half Naked Woman Who Can Dance Alright

Written by Amber Sok

Building the scene with bornig first verse

Mostly spoken, but that's okay because the beat is good

Proclamation of either love, lust, or hate

Yeah, yeah, yeah

Questionable rhyme scheme hidden musician's muffled singing

Oh my gosh and you look pretty hot

Love is also good

I love you, I hate you

World peace and booty, booty, booty

Dancing and clubs, drugs and love, love

My heart is broken so

Let's be young and wild

More booty, and also love, love

Second verse begins with completely irrelevant lyrics

Because the artist knows that no one is paying atention by now

The beat has taken over and artist's voice is unnecessary

Yeah, yeah, yeah

Rhyme sheme abandoned

Oh my gosh and you look fine

Heartbreak so I go clubbing

I love you, I hate you

World peace and booty, booty, booty

Dancing and clubs, drugs and love, love

My heart is broken so

Let's be young and wild

More booty, and also love, love

I love you, I hate you

World peace and booty, booty, booty

Dancing and clubs, drugs and love, love

My heart is broken so

Let's be young and wild

More booty, and also love, love

Everyone is tired of the chorus by now

But the artist decides to give it one more go

Right after this bridge

I love you, I hate you

World peace and booty, booty, booty

Dancing and clubs, drugs and love, love

My heart is broken so

Let's be young and wild

More booty, and also love, love

Last verse finally arrives after thirty seconds of instrumental/rap

Wait, what was this song about? Oh, yeah

Ties back into the importance of alcohol

And of course big butts

But we can't forget world peace and love

End last lyric on a single chord strum to evoke that

Dramatic, poignant response from audience

Congratulations Amber!

Satire Selection Piece

All of our tutors were challenged to write a satirical generic version of some form of writing that is commonplace. Here is essay from the winner in 6th period, Stephanie Chang!

Teen Book Summary

She looks very ordinary, but in fact is different, much like anyone else who has ever been born. Long list of adjectives describing how exactly she is different from other girls, appealing to the mass by including characteristics that are actually quite commonplace and normal, while defining her as more intelligent and “mature” than her contemporaries. Vaguely misogynistic statement asserting that “other girls” are vapid and boring based on brief and generalized observations of their attire, attitude, and interests. Hypocritical statement then bemoaning the different girl’s low social status because of how she is perceived by others because of her attire, attitude, and interests. In particular, hateful and scathing demonization of the different girl’s arch-enemy, the cruel, wealthy, and beautiful “Popular Girl”. Glaring, gaudy foreshadowing regarding a rather plain, overdramatized romance between a sweet, somewhat unrealistic, popular male student and the unpopular, different girl.

This author has also written the New York Times Bestseller, The Nerdy Guy Who Never Gets Any Until Meeting His Soul Mate, a Girl Who Is Different, and Nerdy Guy 2; The Rise of the Weeaboo.

Congrats Stephanie!

Tweets from Tutors: Second Edition