Letters to the Editor
2006-2007

Lasso encourages readers' response.
Letters to the Editor should be e-mailed to lassogmhs@hotmail.com.
Letters must be signed.

June 3, 2007

Editor:
After many years of falling short in our quest to get to the States, sometimes in heartbreaking fashion (a 4 overtime loss to Clarke County in 2004 being a particularly painful one), we finally broke through versus your Mustangs on Wednesday night.

It is a testament to the excellence of YOUR Soccer program that the win will be considered one of our program's biggest ever. My congratulations to your team on another outstanding year and, given the relative youth of this years Mustang squad, I'm sure I can look forward to the rematch next year!!

We'll do our best to keep the State title in Region B , as Mason has done so many times previously.

With great respect to all of your ballplayers, coaches, parents, and fans
from all of us here in the beautiful county of Nelson,

Matt Dwyer
Nelson Travel U-18 Coach/Advance Scout


June 3, 2007

Dear Mustangs,
Thank you so much for your awesome support of the Girls Soccer team in the Regional Final game against Clarke County. I wish that the final result had gone our way, but the students, staff, parents and friends of George Mason showed pure Mustang Pride through the entire game. From the painted faces and bodies to the flags, drums, electric guitar and constant cheers, it was an experience to warm the heart of every Mason Mustang.

I was in the press box, seated next to the reporter from the Winchester Star. He was amazed by the turn out of our fans. This was his first time reporting from our field and he was quite impressed with the facilities and the school spirit. Here is his quote from Saturday's paper: "Playing on their home turf in front of a sizeable student section (including a pep band), the Mustangs put the pressure on Clarke right from the start." People notice. The teams notice. It makes a huge difference to every player to know that you care that they are representing your school.

I know that we can't pull of this kind of event for every team and every game. Our students are busy people. Our parents are probably busier. But one of the real caveats of attending George Mason and living in Falls Church is the close community we enjoy. We are there for each other. Last night you were all there for the Lady Mustangs. Thank you.

Linda Hamill
GM Parent


May 31, 2007

Editor:

I read your editorial Recycling: It’s Everyone’s Responsibility Let’s Restore the Will (May 2, 2007) with great interest.  As a member of the Environmental Services Councils, Education Task Force, we worked very hard to have a policy in the Falls Church School system that was finally passed about five years ago that says:

RECYCLING AND WASTE MANAGEMENT

The Falls Church City School Board is aware of the increasing stress placed upon our natural environment both locally and globally.  The Board believes that serious attention must be given to how routine behavior impacts the environment and our children's future.  The Board understands that changes in habits in all the locations of human activity, including schools, can help reduce the negative impact which human activity places on the natural environment.  Modeling positive behavior, incorporating discussion of recycling and waste management into the instructional program where practicable, and supporting student activities such as ecology clubs, are important parts of an approach.

As part of a comprehensive approach to recycling and waste management, the Falls Church City Public Schools will:

1.      designate personnel to implement recycling and waste management practices
2.      collect recyclable materials
3.      consider the purchasing of recycled products
4.      discourage the use of non-recyclable, non re-useable, or environmentally hazardous materials and
5.      maintain litter free school grounds and provide for outdoor recycling containers.

The Superintendent is authorized to issue regulations to implement this policy.

Also the Falls Church Lions Club donated over 100 recycling containers to GM about ten years ago.  All of this was in hopes that Recycling would catch on in our school system.  But here is an example where it will take "Student Leadership" to make it work.  The Environmental Services Council and the Falls Church Lions Club are ready to help again, but without the students behind the effort I don't think it will ever happen in our school system.

Barry Buschow, GM Class of 1967


May 31, 2007

Editor:

I would like to congratulate you on your recent article reminding students and staff about the importance of recycling at GMHS!  Great job!  If you would like any further help or information about recycling, please feel free to contact me.  Thanks,

Kathy Allan

Environmental Programs Specialist and Recycling Coordinator
Department of Environmental Services
City of Falls Church, Virginia
300 Park Avenue
Falls Church, VA 22046



May 25, 2007

Editor:
Thank You, Faculty

            This year’s junior/senior prom was…well…uncomfortable.  With an exception to the great venue and glamorous decorations, I can easily say that of all the dances George Mason High School has held, this was by far the worst.

            Walking in to the Clarendon Ballroom was like walking into “old Hollywood”, but as soon as my prom group arrived, which was rather late, there was hardly a single person dancing.  When my friends and I got on the dance floor when we heard one of our favorite songs start to play, I found out why no one had been dancing.  The faculty simply wouldn’t let us.

            According to the rules listed on the GMHS website…

“Students are expected to be respectful of each other on the dance floor and responsive to prompts from chaperones. The direction that students are facing while dancing, and whether they are dancing alone, in pairs, or in groups is not cause for concern unless a group is so large as to prevent chaperones from properly supervising the dancing and interactions.  On the other hand, excessive contact, inappropriate touching, groping, and sexual simulations will be cause for time off the dance floor, parent contact, or dismissal from the dance and may result in additional school sanctions.”

            These rules are understandable and can be easily abided.  However, the way the faculty placed themselves in the middle of the dance floor and broke up any group that formed made it extremely difficult to do anything without feeling completely mortified.  The faculty made efforts to break up the dancing because of assumptions that the way we were dancing would turn into any of the various inappropriate actions listed above.  I was at the first meeting to discuss the “dancing issue”, and we (the faculty and the students) all seemed to be in agreement of what was appropriate and what wasn’t.  However, the dancing we seemed to agree on being appropriate was the dancing that was being broken up.  The students are supposed to trust their school’s faculty, but how can we do that if our faculty doesn’t seem to trust us. 

            It was also presumed that because it is a junior/senior prom, the students in attendance would be treated with a little more respect due to our more mature age compared to those that were in attendance at the 2006 Homecoming Dance, when the “dancing issue” originated.  Since I am 18 years old, and a legal adult along with a large portion of our senior class, I was embarrassed and upset because of how awkward I was feeling while I was dancing.  Being an adult, I felt demeaned having teachers stare at me the entire time like I was doing something wrong, when all I was trying to do was dance.

When the threats arose to stop playing today’s top music that we were all used to, I was outraged along with my peers.  This was supposed to be our prom, it is called the junior/senior prom…isn’t it?  When the music I was accustomed and partial to came to a stop, so did my dancing.  I don’t like dancing to music my parents listened to at their prom.  I’d rather listen to today’s music, music I like.

            I had thought that, being a senior, my last prom would be amazing and unforgettable.  The time and money spent preparing for that night along with the usual school spirit encouraging us to look forward to prom, only fueled my anticipation that it would be one night I will never forget.  Well, I will never forget my last dance, but not in the way I would have liked. 

            So, finally, I would like to thank the faculty for an unforgettable evening, I swear, I will never forget it.

Sara Greenberg


May 4, 2007

Editor,

I enjoyed reading the article titled, “Leaving the Classroom to Discover What Is Out There.”

I am Mrs. Herrington, the International Relations teacher at George Mason. I absolutely agree with taking advantage of the local resources that we have available to us. I have tried to do my part in accomplishing that goal.

I have taken my International Relations class on field trips to the World Bank, the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, the U.S. State Department and the Pentagon. At both the State Department and Pentagon, the students met with top policy makers and had the opportunity to ask them questions about their respective fields. These topics included Iraq, Iran, Israel, North Korea and Sudan. They even had the opportunity to listen to the current Acting Secretary of the Army speak about the U.S. role in Iraq.

In addition, we have had the privilege to host numerous guest speakers. For instance, we learned about the political currents of the Democratic Republic of the Congo from Mr. John Katunga, an OSI Policy Scholar. Mr. Peter Gantz explained his position as a Peacekeeping Associate with Refugees International. William K. Davis, as the Director of the United Nations Information Center, explained the role of the UN in current foreign affairs. Furthermore, Tom Sheehy, as the staff director of the Subcommittee on International Terrorism and Nonproliferation of the Committee on International Relations in the U.S. House of Representatives taught us about the role of congress in fighting the “war on terror”. And lastly, Joanna Lewis, a Senior International Fellow at the Pew Center on Global Climate Change spoke to us about Global Warming and the impact the international community has on this issue.

Once again, I agree that we have a unique gift with our proximity to our nation’s capital and all it has to offer. I will continue to try to expand my classroom to include these opportunities. 

Thank you,
Holly Herrington


April 20, 2007

Dear Lasso Online,

I just wanted to write and say that it means a lot to me as well as my fellow Hokies to see Lasso Online's new layout. It has been a hard week for us to get through and it helps to see that our high school paper, as well as the rest of the world, is supporting us while we deal with this horrific event. I can’t wait to see a majority of the student body participating in our tradition of maroon and orange effect.

I'm sorry that it has been so long since I have stopped in to catch up. I will try to stop by once we are out.

Thanks again,
Sara Sugrue


March 23, 2007

Estimado editor,

Me alegro de leer el comentario escrito por Xavier Alarcón sobre la vueltita de Bush por la tierra latinoamericana. Total, su argumento es bien informado. Estoy de acuerdo con su análisis acerca de la Escuela de las Américas que "sólo ha ocasionado muertes y disturbios." Claro, se refiere a la historia larga de agresión y terrorismo que los EE.UU. ha perpetuado en países desafortunados como Nicaragua, Haiti, y Cuba. Para mí, no es obvio que cualquier sucesor del Señor Peligroso sea de buena voluntad cerrar dicha escuela, tampoco lograr relaciones más amigos con las democracias del sur como Venezuela cuyo líder tiene más apoyo popular, de hecho, que cualquiera del hemisferio occidental.

Emir Parrotta


Editor:

Congrats to the GM Robot Team as they prepare for competition in Atlanta. Special congrats to my longtime friend and neighbor in Columbia, SC, John Ballou who is the sponsor and coach of the GM team. John has eight brothers. All have made their mark in various fields - law, science, medicine, business. John's Mother, Geri Ballou still is my neighbor, The Ballou family, top to bottom is a quality bunch and I am very proud of their accomplishments and grateful for their continual friendship for nearly 40 years. Go get 'em big time, John!!!

.Zane Knauss


 

January 21, 2007

Dear Editor,

Although I have left Mason almost three years ago, I have not found the time to check out Lasso online until now.  I am on vacation until MARCH (Yay!), so I decided to see what is happening in my favorite online newspaper, and I LOVE IT! 

The idea of making it bilingual is BRILLIANT!  I wish I had done it while I was there, but I guess at the time it was not quite a natural thing to do yet.  It is an obvious demonstration of journalistic sixth sense to recognize the school's need for articles in Spanish.  Anyways, congratulations on the innovation! 

Sincerely, 

Andrea Genovese Soares
Brasilia / Rio de Janeiro, Brazil  


January 11, 2007

Dear Editor,

Congratulations to Lasso Online for reaching the 250,000 milestone—a momentous achievement.  The decision to transform Lasso into an online paper turned out to be a good one.  It’s wonderful to see that Lasso Online has become such a success.  Thank you so much for your continued dedication and effort.

Although it’s been five years since I graduated from Mason, I still check Lasso on a regular basis.  In fact, I read it more often than I read the online version of my college newspaper, the Earlham Word.  While acknowledging my own biases, I believe that the Lasso Online far surpasses the Earlham Word in content, layout, and journalistic quality.  Keep up the good work!

Sincerely,

Juliana Pearson
GMHS ‘02


December 21, 2006

Dear Editor:

I have a few observations about the Ted Peetz’s thoughtful commentary regarding the BCS.

Although his preference is for a playoff, that option is not likely unless the college presidents who control the situation have a complete change of heart.  So let’s compare the BCS to the system that was in place previously.  Football rankings were the subjective judgment of sportswriters and coaches.  While I agree that both these groups possess expertise, they also are subject to human bias and subjectivity.  They systematically rewarded the large schools with strong football traditions.  While no attempt was made to quantify strength of schedule, some conferences were considered stronger than others.  Independents, other than Notre Dame, were routinely dismissed.  In 1969 Texas was crowned champion while unbeaten Penn State was ignored. 

The previous poll system was not immune to disagreements and controversy regarding final ranking. The seventies saw different teams ranked #1 by competing polls in 70, 73, 74, and 78.  More recently, the writers and coaches disagreed in 90 (Colorado, Georgia Tech), 91 (Miami, Washington), and 97 (Michigan, Nebraska).   I believe that the addition of objective data to subjective opinion was on the whole a positive step.  Look at how colleges have added stronger opponents to their schedules to improve their BCS position.   This has been good for the game. 

I also question the self interest of the sportswriters and coaches whose opinions are now only part of the final rankings.  I don’t remember their lobbying for a playoff with any of the current intensity as long as they were in charge.

Finally, let’s consider a playoff.  While I personally would love an extra few weeks of college football, perhaps interest in the regular season would be reduced.  How many people discuss college basketball until March rolls around.  Under the BCS system every weekend is important in football and general interest heightened.  Fans engage in ‘what if’ discussions endlessly.   If a playoff system is not an option as college presidents maintain, what should replace the BCS?  Do we give it back to the ‘kingmakers?

Eileen Backofen


December 5, 2006

Editor:

As an actor who has participated in many Mason plays, I would like to congratulate Hunter on his article. It does provides a peek into the world of Mason theatre for non-arts people. I must say, though, that I do not agree with everything he says. I have talked to some "techies," and they say that they do not like actors in general, though they do not mind specific actors. I have seen t-shirts that define techies as people who are blamed when actors mess up. I know that there are some actors who do this, and I think that is wrong. I blame actors when actors mess up, and techies when they do. I know that there is a tense relationship, and I can't exactly blame the stage crew for not liking "us," as there are some actors who don't know how to wash a brush properly. I, personally have been known not to put enough newspaper down when painting. I get quite annoyed with the actors who don't take care of school property as well. Maybe because I'm a "nerd," I understand the techies better. Anyways, I really appreciate their work- our plays would not be the same without our sets. I would also like to mention that all our sets are amazing, but the Fools one in particular was amazing. Thank you stage crew!

Katie Buenneke
Freshman and avid actor.


Editor,

I'd just like to laud Hunter Burkey's piece on the
stagecrew/proto-thesbian dynamic. That said, my enjoyment of this
otherwise even-handed bit of writing was interrupted by repeated
cringing at the use of the term "[stage]crewmen". When neologising
with reckless abandon I'd caution the Lasso staff to avoid lazily
patriarchal mindsets. I suggest the preferred nomenclature be
" [stage]crewperson". Doesn't that just slide off the tounge?

- Bjorn Westergard (veteran crewperson)


November 17, 2006

Dear Lasso staff,
As a new faculty member at GMHS I want to let you know how impressed I have been with your work thus far this year. I am an almost daily reader of Lasso online and am consistently amazed by the quality and thoroughness of your articles. If I didn’t know any better, I would have a difficult time believing high school students are the writers. I would like to specifically mention the commentary by Rebecca Gomez, the review of “Babel” by Anna Duning, and the football coverage by Charlotte Volpe as examples of the tremendous work I have read recently. Please keep up the fantastic job you all are doing.
Sincerely,

Brad McAdam
School Counselor
George Mason High School


October 15, 2006
(Re: K-K Bracken's Commentary, October 6, 2006)

Miss Bracken,

I enjoyed reading your article on your appreciation of country music.  My son is a freshman at Terre Haute (IN) South High School.  He has a pretty wide taste in music, which includes various country songs and artists. 

Like you, I started to really appreciate country music as a high school student 1980 and 1981.  Before high school back then, it just wasn't cool to even appear to like country music.  It's interesting that you mentioned George Strait in your article, because one of the songs that really helped get me hooked on country at that time was "Unwound," which is an early George Strait classic.

Ultimately, I became a big Merle Haggard fan.  I like him because I really enjoyed the low tones of his voice, as well as the fact that he was a singer-songwriter.  I realize that you may have never listened to much of Merle's stuff, but you should give it a try.  Try listening to some of his 80s stuff, such as "Someday When Things Are Good," "That's The Way Love Goes," or "I Think I'll Just Stay Here and Drink."  If George Strait is too twangy for your liking, then Merle will be "off the charts" twangy.  But you like Garth, who is also very twangy and has a cry in the voice like Merle (although Garth has too much cry in his voice, in my opinion).

I might also suggest that you give a listen to The Bellamy Brothers Greatest Hits.  It's a great collection of "Tears" and "Cheers."

Timothy R. Hayes
Attorney at Law

Terre Haute, IN


October 10, 2006

Dear Editor,
Today quite a few cowboys, cowgirls and robbers roamed the halls- however; this was not a Western jailbreak- the long anticipated Homecoming Spirit week has started. It’s always fun to see your friends dress up, and to chide the more fashionable students for their “lack of spirit,” but is there something we’re missing behind the bandannas and spandex?

Weeks before anything was planned or announced, students were already talking about Homecoming; the girls about the dresses they need to buy, and the guys about the girls they need to ask. Friends plan fun parties afterwards, and everyone gets pumped for the football game. But, even with the red and black war paint on, what makes us all have this often mentioned “school spirit”? As obvious as it might sound, George Mason high school is a community of thinkers, learners, and the unique.

During Spirit Week the school seems more united, more excited to be a part of something big, but for the rest of the year, does the fact that we are all a community even cross our minds? To be frankly honest, I usually don’t think twice about smiling at people or asking someone if they need help with carrying their things on the way to my classes. But .  .  . if we really think about it, being an accepting, open group is what George Mason should be all about. During the long, tedious class conversations, we get swamped with terms like “respect, “community,” “cooperating for success”-- you get the picture. However, if we want to make a change in the environment we are forced by law to spend about 56 hours a week in, we have to do something ourselves. Yes, making George Mason a place where seniors can help out Greats and Freshmen, people always have someone to sit with at lunch, and attending every game possible and screaming your lungs out is a daunting task.

But, I think we’re off to a good start. Hopefully this Spirit Week we won’t focus only on who is asking who to the dance, or who looks hotter in their pirate gear. This year might be the year where spirit week never really stops--where grades have class pride, people come to events and have fun, and the school is excited until the bell on the last day rings. I hope that this week you have lots of fun and show your school spirit, but also think about what it means to be a Mustang year round. So get ready for Disney Day, and GO MASON!

Ana Petillo


Tell us what you think.  E-mail lassogmhs@hotmail.com