Brendan Marks, Editor in Chief, 2012-13, Author at The Mycenaean

by Brendan Marks, Editor in Chief, 2012-13 May 29, 2013

Dance Ensemble takes NYC

For the ten seniors in Dance Ensemble, the school year is almost over, their high school dance careers nearly finished. Still, before they left Leesville Road High School for good,

by Brendan Marks, Editor in Chief, 2012-13 May 20, 2013

Disney magic has us all under their spell

I’ll be the first to admit that, as a child, nothing brought me more joy than Disney movies. Aladdin, Peter Pan, The Lion King– you name it, I’d seen it,

by Brendan Marks, Editor in Chief, 2012-13 April 22, 2013

Promposals dominate Leesville

With Spring Break officially over, AP exams fast approaching and graduation just around the corner, we, the some 500 graduating seniors of Leesville, are in the home stretch of high

by Brendan Marks, Editor in Chief, 2012-13 April 9, 2013

Viewers dive into Splash

As my avid fans will attest, and as I will shamelessly admit, I have a slight obsession with reality television competitions. The Voice, The Sing-Off, The Apprentice, Duets, American Idol,

by Brendan Marks, Editor in Chief, 2012-13 March 25, 2013

Macklemore redefines modern-day hip-hop

Before I continue, let it be known that I am by no means a professional hip-hop music critic, nor do I consider myself a true fan of hip-hop music. I

by Brendan Marks, Editor in Chief, 2012-13 March 1, 2013

Leesville set to represent in World Karate Championship

At first glance, Kim Dang looks like any other high school senior. She spends time with friends, does homework and goes to class like everyone else. However, Dang does possess

by Brendan Marks, Editor in Chief, 2012-13 February 11, 2013

Te’o hoax, like everything in sports, will blow over eventually

Ray Lewis. Kobe Bryant. Ben Roethlisberger. Tiger Woods. Michael Vick. And now Manti Te’o. Phenomenal athletes. Some will even consider them among the greatest sports figures of all time. Ray

by Brendan Marks, Editor in Chief, 2012-13 February 11, 2013

Espinal, McGarry set to leave Leesville

In the coming months, Leesville Road will lose some 500 graduating seniors, all off to pursue whatever it is life has planned for them, whether it be in the workforce,

by Brendan Marks, Editor in Chief, 2012-13 January 24, 2013

Mainstage play showcases student talent

Friday, January 4 was shaping up to be another ordinary day. After lounging through Art I and Pride Period, I trudged across campus to Mrs. Floyd’s AP English class, looking

by Brendan Marks, Editor in Chief, 2012-13 January 3, 2013

Sandy Hook shooting stirs up spree killing debates

It’s happened before. 1999, 2007, even earlier this summer. So how do we stop it? Can we stop it? Sadly, the answer is no. But at least we can try.

by Brendan Marks, Editor in Chief, 2012-13 December 17, 2012

Food drive finishes, feeds thousands

2,980 pounds of food. $8,662 in donations. Over 45,000 meals. After nearly a month of fundraising, Leesville Road’s food drive finally came to an end on Thursday, Nov. 30. On

by Brendan Marks, Editor in Chief, 2012-13 November 9, 2012

MUTEMATH mutes Marks’ concert fears

As a high school senior, I’m a little embarrassed to admit I’ve never been to a concert. Film premieres, album releases, even amusement park openings– I’ve graced them all with

by Brendan Marks, Editor in Chief, 2012-13 November 7, 2012

State Fair calorie challenge

The challenge: one day at the State Fair, 10,000 calories. Go. When I first heard of the infamous 10,000 Calorie Challenge on the news, I was intrigued. After taking in

by Brendan Marks, Editor in Chief, 2012-13 October 8, 2012

Pride crushes Crusaders to capture top spot

Three straight games, two volleyball powerhouses, one number one ranking. When all was said and done, it belonged to the Pride. On Thursday, Sept. 20, in front of their home

by Brendan Marks, Editor in Chief, 2012-13 October 8, 2012

Celebrity encounter shatters stereotypes

Victoria Justice is a star in the making. First Zoey 101, then Victorious, now the lead in Paramount’s Fun Size— Justice, 19, is already, by the social standard, a celebrity.

by Brendan Marks, Editor in Chief, 2012-13 September 19, 2012

Fantasy football fun for fanatics

The 2012 NFL fantasy football season is officially underway– let the games begin. For the innocent few foreign to fantasy football, the system is simple. Once a year, friends and

by Brendan Marks, Editor in Chief, 2012-13 September 13, 2012

AGT shows true talent on TV

Finally, a winner. As my devout readers (and closest friends) know, I have a strange love, some say addiction, to television singing competitions. From The Sing-Off to The Voice to

by Brendan Marks, Editor in Chief, 2012-13 September 4, 2012

Senior Sidewalk? Class of ‘13 begins new tradition to Senior Wall

Not even a full week into the upcoming school year and the senior class of 2013 has already begun to leave their legacy at Leesville Road High School. On Friday,

by Brendan Marks, Editor in Chief, 2012-13 May 30, 2012

Duets doesn’t quite do-it

After months of hype and anticipation, the time finally came. It was time. Time to do-it. When Thursday night rolled around, I found myself reclining on the sofa, feet on

by Brendan Marks, Editor in Chief, 2012-13 May 30, 2012

Race: More than a matter of color

My name is Brendan Marks, and I am a junior at Leesville Road High School. I live with my parents and my dog, Bitsy; I work as a camp counselor

by Brendan Marks, Editor in Chief, 2012-13 May 29, 2012

Depp saves Dark Shadows from the Depp-ths of despair

Don’t get me wrong, I love movies. Whether I’m closing my eyes during a jumpy horror flick or tearing up during an emotional rom-com, I always try to keep an

by Brendan Marks, Editor in Chief, 2012-13 May 25, 2012

Han makes history as 2012 Valedictorian

14 AP classes. A four year varsity letterman for men’s golf. A devout member of FBLA, NHS, and Brain Game. Fluent in Chinese. A Morehead Scholar. And, add valedictorian to

by Brendan Marks, Editor in Chief, 2012-13 May 24, 2012

Junior opts for gap year, graduates early

Shalini Balagopal should be a junior. However, this June, when the graduating class of 2012 departs Leesville Road for the last time as students, Balagopal will be among them. After

by Brendan Marks, Editor in Chief, 2012-13 May 7, 2012

Fans want to hear The Voice

Here we go again. This past fall, as many of my diehard fans already know, I wrote a scathing review of NBC’s The Sing Off, an a capella spin-off of

by Brendan Marks, Editor in Chief, 2012-13 April 18, 2012

Leesville baseball swinging for the fences

On Tuesday, April 10, after falling behind in the early innings, the Leesville Road men’s varsity baseball team pulled off the late game comeback to defeat Heritage by a score

by Brendan Marks, Editor in Chief, 2012-13 March 29, 2012

Draw Something paints Leesville

Angry Birds, Words With Friends, even Temple Run – all three had their moment of glory, their time in the limelight as “the game.” Now though, all of that has

by Brendan Marks, Editor in Chief, 2012-13 March 23, 2012

Leesville combines, shines at Pieces of Gold

“Finally we’re back, and we made a big splash,” said Mrs. Hoban, Leesville’s dance instructor. On Wednesday, March 14, after a two-year hiatus, Leesville Dance once again took the stage

by Brendan Marks, Editor in Chief, 2012-13 March 19, 2012

Leesville welcomes Dr. Dixon

The end of an era is oftentimes met with harsh criticism, disappointment and a reluctance to change. However, with every parting of ways comes the opportunity to begin anew. Such

by Brendan Marks, Editor in Chief, 2012-13 March 19, 2012

Carpe diem: Latin students join honor society

On Thursday, February 23, the National Latin Honor Society held inductions for the first time in the history of Leesville Road. Dr. Mash, Latin teacher and NLHS advisor, said, “Just

by Brendan Marks, Editor in Chief, 2012-13 March 8, 2012

Capital Pride hopefuls on pitch

Capital Pride held their annual auditions in order to select the students who will represent Leesville Road for the 2012-2013 school year. Mrs. Covington, chorus teacher, described “CP” as an

by Brendan Marks, Editor in Chief, 2012-13 February 29, 2012

Rivalries persist despite diminished relevance

Never lie to others. Listen to your parents. Hate the New York Yankees. Growing up in the Marks’ household, those were the golden rules. Most parents at least try to

by Brendan Marks, Editor in Chief, 2012-13 February 23, 2012

Group projects land one person with all of the work

Melancholy groans echo throughout the classroom. Feet shuffle, only to be masked by the occasional clang of a desk scraping along the floor. Uncomfortable students force out restrained introductions as

by Brendan Marks, Editor in Chief, 2012-13 January 24, 2012

Leesville band: ah, refreshed

On Friday, January 6, the Leesville Road band program received the one belated holiday gift they had been waiting nearly a month for: a $25,000 Pepsi Refresh Grant. According to

by Brendan Marks, Editor in Chief, 2012-13 January 11, 2012

Tebow, woah

It’s called Tebowmania. Tim Tebow. College superstar. Heisman Trophy winner. National champion. First-round draft choice. Starting NFL quarterback. On Sunday, January 8, Tebow earned himself another title: playoff-winning quarterback. Over

by Brendan Marks, Editor in Chief, 2012-13 December 19, 2011

Secret Santa: Ho Ho Hoax

As a Jewish teenager at Leesville Road, Christmas confuses me. Plastic Christmas trees. Multicolored flashing lights. Tinsel and garland from Dollar General. The overwhelming commercialization of December 25 is a

by Brendan Marks, Editor in Chief, 2012-13 December 19, 2011

Caroline Gentry named All-American

When Caroline Gentry woke up on Monday, December 5, she knew something had happened. “By the time I checked my phone before school that morning, I saw that I had

by Brendan Marks, Editor in Chief, 2012-13 November 28, 2011

Unbelievable football season ends with bitter loss

“After everything we’ve been through, all the challenges and adversity we faced, I’m so proud of our guys. We had an unbelievable season, coaches as well as players. I couldn’t

by Brendan Marks, Editor in Chief, 2012-13 November 14, 2011

Leesville loss ends soccer season for Pride

With a 4-2 loss to Jordan High on Nov. 4, the 2011 Leesville Road varsity men’s soccer season came to an unfortunate end. The Pride, under Paul Dinkenor, fell to

by Brendan Marks, Editor in Chief, 2012-13 November 10, 2011

Wrestlers lose weight to gain a championship

After an underwhelming 2010 season, Leesville Road wrestling fell from the ranks of the elite squads in the Cap-8. Wyss is looking to reclaim the conference title this year through

by Brendan Marks, Editor in Chief, 2012-13 November 2, 2011

Arachnids give Marks nightmares

I was but a young lad, a boy of only sixteen, when I first saw it, the thing I changed my life. It was a Saturday night. My father and

by Brendan Marks, Editor in Chief, 2012-13 November 2, 2011

The Sing-Off doesn’t hit a high note

I have always loved the fall. Unfortunately, as I have grown older, I have also grown apart from my childhood in regards to the ways I enjoy autumn. The days

by Brendan Marks, Editor in Chief, 2012-13 November 2, 2011

Pride football wins Cap-8

Blistering cold, constant rain, even seemingly insurmountable injuries– nothing could stop the Pride. With Leesville Road’s 41-16 victory over Wake Forest-Rolesville on Friday, October 28, the Pride did what no

by Brendan Marks, Editor in Chief, 2012-13 October 4, 2011

Cross country runners work towards a strong season

On Tuesday, Sept. 21, the Leesville Road men’s cross country team defeated Sanderson High, while the girl’s team fell just short. Still, riding this victory, the Pride move into third

by Brendan Marks, Editor in Chief, 2012-13 October 4, 2011

“He said” on cheating

Dear Girls, Cheating is not okay. It is, without a doubt, the worst thing you can possibly do to your guy; it strips him of his pride and embarrasses him

by Brendan Marks, Editor in Chief, 2012-13 October 4, 2011

Leesville defeats Broughton in Homecoming game

On Saturday, September 24, the Leesville Road varsity football team blew out the Broughton Capitals 71-21 in Leesville’s Homecoming game. With the win, the Pride move to 5-0 on the

by Brendan Marks, Editor in Chief, 2012-13 September 8, 2011

Moving up: Brewington becomes administrative intern

After serving as a CTE teacher for six years at Leesville Road, Mr. Roderic Brewington has turned a new page in his career; for the remainder of the 2011-2012 school

by Brendan Marks, Editor in Chief, 2012-13 May 23, 2011

Golf wins States

On Tuesday, May 10, the Leesville Road men’s golf team defeated Myers Park High School by four strokes to win the NCHSAA 4-A State Championship for the first time in

by Brendan Marks, Editor in Chief, 2012-13 May 16, 2011

Varsity Women’s Soccer enjoys Senior Night

As each sports season comes to an end, varsity athletes, along with their ever-rabid fans, gather to celebrate that year’s graduates with a Senior Night. On Monday, April 25, seven

by Brendan Marks, Editor in Chief, 2012-13 May 4, 2011

TheVent brings Jewish teens together

Over the weekend of March 25, hundreds of Jewish high-school students from all over the eastern United States gathered at Temple Beth Or in Raleigh for TheVent. TheVent, a social

by Brendan Marks, Editor in Chief, 2012-13 May 2, 2011

Officer Manson: real life hero

Growing up, Officer John Manson always dreamed of becoming a policeman — catching bad guys and being the hero. Now, after almost nine years on the force, he decided to

Author: Brendan Marks, Editor in Chief, 2012-13

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