Latin Ice Cream Social

     The Latin Club started off the year with their annual ice cream social. There were lots of ice cream, toppings, and syrup. The ice cream was a big hit, but there were a lot of other reasons to come and ways to have fun.

     The Latin Club officers introduced themselves and told everyone about things that are going to happen this year. These include a homecoming float, a Saturnalia party, Virginia Latin Convention, a pumpkin carving contest, and lots more. Also, the kickball game against the German Club will take place on September 29^th. Latin Club won last year, and intends on winning again.

     Most of the Latin Club activities aren’t academic, so if you think Latin is too hard, and that’s why you’re not joining the club, you should reconsider. The dues are ten dollars and there’s a form, which are both due by September 30.

     For those of you interested in academic activities, there are some of those as well, but they’re separate from Latin Club. A few examples of this are Certamen, in which a Riverbend team has won the state competition the past two years. Also, Riverbend offers a trip to the Virginia Latin Convention, which Riverbend has two officers in. 

Shannon Becker, Staff Writer

Foster the People On the Radio

Foster the People was formed by Mark Foster in Los Angeles back in 2009. Their increasing popularity is credited to their hit song Pumped up Kicks that has a psychedelic dance feel to it. Other songs such as Helena Beat and Don’t Stop have increased their popularity because they are upbeat dance measures. Now, I respect underground music that catches the audience’s attention, but Foster the People has worked its way into the mainstream through airtime on the radio and airtime in major retail stores such as American Eagle.

 If I could give Foster the People some advice I would strongly advise that they stay in the underground. I feel that mainstream bands only produce music that will please its listeners and so they can rake in money. It’s the underground bands that tend to make music for the sheer joy of making music and not necessarily to make money. If Foster the People decides to go into the mainstream, I am afraid that they will lose some of their originality, because they will just have to pump out songs in order to keep the masses fed. Radio time and airtime in major businesses will only bring in a crowd of ‘fans’ that only enjoy the music because it’s what everyone else is listening too. So please, Foster the People, stay underground!

Chris Jones, Staff Writer