Kevin Teng


Name: Kevin Teng
Position: Online News Editor
Graduation Year: 2009
There are some things in which people believe. Some people believe in other people. I believe in meatloaf. I believe that we all should have fun eating whatever meatloaf we want to eat. Sorry, that was "Harold and Kumar"-esque. Life is pretty good because I'm now a senior. GG son!


Stories (74)


100 days, 100 decisions

By David Tao, Kevin Teng | April 29, 2009, midnight | In National »

The course of a presidential legacy is often defined by the actions a president takes in his or her first 100 days of office. These first 100 days, often called "the honeymoon period," are an opportune time for a president to sway the country's policy because of the public and congressional approval granted to a newly elected chief of state.

SMOB candidate Q&A

By Emily Hsiao, Kevin Teng | April 27, 2009, midnight | In Local »

As April comes to a close, MCPS students are getting hyped up for another election of their own - Student Member of the Board (SMOB) elections. And of course, the most important thing to do before checking off the ballot on April 29 is to get to know the SMOB candidates. Since it might be difficult to reach the two candidates personally as they are busily campaigning around the county, Silver Chips Online has just the tool to help voters make the right choice on election day.

National News for April 11 - 24

By Kevin Teng | April 27, 2009, midnight | In National »

Vienna, Va. April 22 - Freddie Mac Interim Chief Financial Officer (CFO) David Kellermann was found dead in an apparent suicide by hanging, according to sources close to the investigation. Kellermann has worked at Freddie Mac for the past 16 years and was made acting CFO in September after the government seized control of Freddie Mac in the midst of the economic crisis. Kellermann's actions at work had been under strict government regulation since he took the position.

International News for March 28 - April 10

By Kevin Teng | April 13, 2009, midnight | In International »

United States The Obama Administration has agreed to join regular talks with Iran and other nations about Iran's nuclear program. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said in a speech that he would welcome new talks given that they shifted in an "honest" direction. This approach to foreign policy has differed from the approach taken by the Bush administration, which refused to meet with Ahmadinejad.

National News for March 14 - 27

By Kevin Teng | March 27, 2009, midnight | In National »

March 15 - Insurance firm American International Group (AIG) distributed $165 million in bonuses and sparked an outrage among government officials and concerned citizens, as it received $182 billion in bailout money from the government late last year. In response, the House Financial Services Committee began pushing legislation aimed at instating a 90 percent tax on bonuses to employees working at bailed-out corporations. The bill would not require that AIG employees pay back their bonuses, but would prevent any more bailout money from reaching corporations with such bonuses. President Barack Obama warned the committee that the tax rate was too high, prompting them to revise their proposal, which will be debated and could be passed as early as next week.

International News for Feb. 28 - March 13

By Kevin Teng | March 13, 2009, midnight | In International »

Protesters around the world rallied on the 50th anniversary of the Dalai Lama's exile. On March 9, 1959, the Dalai Lama fled Tibet when the Chinese government began to enforce its laws on religious organization. Currently, legislation in Washington is on the table that would put pressure on China to work towards a resolution with the Dalai Lama, who is now 74. On March 10, the United States State Department issued a statement that called for cooperation between the Chinese and the Tibetan exiles.

National News for Feb. 14 - 27

By Kevin Teng | Feb. 27, 2009, midnight | In National »

Feb. 16 - President Barack Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 into law after pushing it through both houses in Congress. The law will spend $787 billion in various areas including healthcare, education, infrastructure, energy, housing and research. About $288 billion will be allocated to tax relief. Many Republicans in both houses criticized the bill for not giving enough tax cuts. Some economists that favor the idea of a large stimulus to increase spending believe that the stimulus amount is too low. Obama has promised governmental oversight into the stimulus plan to ensure that no money is wasted on corporate bonuses and earmarks.

ASK Chips...of Love

By Sean Howard, Anika Manzoor, Kevin Teng | Feb. 14, 2009, 9:32 p.m. | In Ask Chips »

Right after a day of misfortune (Friday the 13th) comes Valentine's Day - the day where love and commercialism are in the air, creating an annoying sense of obligation for some, a romantic pink-laden aura in others and a ping of loneliness to all the single ladies (yes, all the single ladies) and gents. But never fear, this month of romantic endeavors comes with help.

International News for Jan. 31 - Feb. 13

By Kevin Teng | Feb. 14, 2009, midnight | In International »

Feb. 12 - Pakistan has officially acknowledged that the November Mumbai attacks were at least partially planned in Pakistan. Interior Ministry Chief Rehman Malik stated that Pakistan has already apprehended most of the suspects, including "the main operator." The Indian Foreign Ministry has responded that Pakistan's official acknowledgment is a move in the positive direction, but urged the Pakistani government to take more action to dismantle terrorist groups organized in Pakistan. The Pakistani government had previously denied any involvement in the Mumbai events. The terrorist attacks, synchronized over several locations in downtown Mumbai, resulted in at least 173 dead and over 308 wounded. Military intelligence in other countries, such as the United States and India, had deemed that the attacks originated in Pakistan.

National News for Jan. 18 - 30

By Kevin Teng | Feb. 2, 2009, midnight | In News »

Jan. 20 - President Barack Obama's inauguration officially made him the first black president and the 44th overall President of the United States. Over a million people attended the inauguration in D.C., and millions more watched the event on television or on the Internet around the world. The inauguration marked the official "peaceful transition" of power between Republican and Democratic control in the executive branch.

International News for Jan. 3 - 17

By Kevin Teng | Jan. 20, 2009, 9:09 p.m. | In International »

Intense fighting continues as Israel continues to march towards Gaza. The death toll has increased rapidly since the fighting has begun, with over 1,000 Palestinians dead. The international media have been barred from entering the area by Israeli troops. Humanitarian aid to injured Palestinians is limited as Israel continues to control the flow of goods into the area. The United Nations passed a unanimous resolution on Jan. 13 urging for the immediate ceasefire between these two warring bodies, although the U.S. abstained from voting. Both parties are still fighting but have been conducting diplomatic negotiations in neighboring Egypt. Osama Bin Laden allegedly released an audio message on Jan. 14, calling for a jihad against Israel because of the Gaza conflicts. Thousands around the world have protested the Gaza conflict, calling for its end. On Jan. 17, Israel announced that it would cease fighting.

NFL – Conference championship predictions

By Sean Howard, Anshul Sood, Kevin Teng | Jan. 18, 2009, midnight | In Professional »

The last weekend of games before the big game is here. Philly and Arizona squars off to determine who wins the NFC, and Baltimore and Pittsburgh duel to decide which AFC North team will win the AFC title.

NFL - Divisional playoff predictions

By Sean Howard, Anshul Sood, Kevin Teng | Jan. 10, 2009, midnight | In Professional »

The NFL playoffs kicked off last week with a great set of games. The Cardinals exerted their dominance over rookie Matt Ryan and the Falcons. The Chargers knocked the Colts out in overtime. The Ravens forced Miami into five turnovers even though the Dolphins entered the game with the fewest turnovers in the league. The Eagles spooked the league with a stellar defensive performance against the Vikings.

NFL - Wildcard predictions

By Sean Howard, Anshul Sood, Kevin Teng | Jan. 3, 2009, midnight | In Professional »

The BCS may not have a playoff system, but the NFL sure does. Wildcard games kickoff this weekend with four matchups. The Chargers defeated the Broncos on Sunday night to get a playoff spot and the Dolphins beat the New York "Bretts" for the other AFC playoff spot.

National News for Dec. 6 - Dec. 19

By Kevin Teng | Dec. 20, 2008, midnight | In National »

Washington, D.C. The government is continuing to work on an automobile bailout package after Republican senators blocked the passage of the $15 billion bailout, reasoning that the bill would give the industry too much freedom without sufficient financial responsibilities. The bailout money will most likely come from the existing $700 billion plan or from the Federal Reserve's emergency fund, as the auto industry is expected to receive up to $15 billion. Current public opinion of the auto bailout is divided - 47 percent of Americans are for and 46 percent are against it, according to a Gallup poll. General Motors and Chrysler have said that their money will dry up within weeks while Ford has stated that they can still stay afloat. Chrysler halted production for a month starting Friday.

NFL - Week 16 predictions

By Sean Howard, Anshul Sood, Kevin Teng | Dec. 18, 2008, midnight | In Professional »

The Redskins' playoff chances are dying quickly, but they're not dead yet. The Skins need to win out and get tremendous help from other teams to get the final wild card spot. It's not impossible, but it is much more difficult following a loss to the Bengals.

NFL - Week 15 predictions

By Sean Howard, Anshul Sood, Kevin Teng | Dec. 12, 2008, midnight | In Professional »

The Redskins' playoff hopes are diminishing quickly as they have fallen deep into an offensive slump, epitomized by their loss to the Ravens last Sunday. At the same time, running back Clinton Portis is lashing out against coach Jim Zorn for not giving him enough touches late in the game.

International News for Nov. 22 - Dec. 5

By Kevin Teng | Dec. 6, 2008, midnight | In International »

Nov. 29 - Indian commandos regained control of all attack sites in Mumbai after more than three days of terrorism. Ten terrorists, nine of whom are now dead, attacked several densely populated areas in Mumbai with heavy assault weapons and targeted mostly American and British nationals. As of Dec. 3, an estimated 188 people were killed, including six Americans. The only captured terrorist has claimed that the group Lashkar-e-Taiba, an extremist Muslim terrorist group based in Pakistan, is responsible for the series of coordinated attacks.

NFL - Week 14 predictions

By Sean Howard, Anshul Sood, Kevin Teng | Dec. 4, 2008, midnight | In Professional »

Drama was in New York this week as Plaxico Burress's season has effectively ended following a four-game suspension from the Giants' front office. Burress may have more troubles ahead with a bigger authority: the law.

Ask Chips 3: Made of real meat

By Sean Howard, Anika Manzoor, Kevin Teng | Dec. 2, 2008, midnight | In Ask Chips »

We know all teachers have seemingly inappropriate questions about students. So take a break from the grading, planning and acting like you're awake. If you're funny enough, we'll publish you (with or without your name) so that all your students can laugh with (at) you! Plus, we promise you won't get fired for your opinions. At least until our fearless leader Mr. Williams files a lawsuit, in which case we may be forced to disband or give your name, all in the name of Blair, so that the media won't tar our reputation.

NFL - Week 13 predictions

By Sean Howard, Anshul Sood, Kevin Teng | Nov. 28, 2008, midnight | In Professional »

After a short week of school, students get a long Thanksgiving weekend to eat heartily, be with family and watch football. The NFL scheduled three games for turkey day and the rest at normal times. However, us experts take Thanksgiving as a break and therefore did not pick those three games.

National News for Nov. 7 - 21

By Kevin Teng | Nov. 21, 2008, midnight | In National »

Congress has been working on a $25 billion bailout for the failing U.S. auto industry. The Detroit's "Big Three" automakers (General Motors, Ford and Chrysler) have been adversely affected by the failing economy, as their share prices have dropped due to reduced profits from a low number of car sales. Automakers are likely to lose even more sales due to the frozen credit crisis. Democrats have been pushing for the $25 billion to be carved out of the existing $700 billion bailout for the housing crisis, whereas Republicans have asked that the money come from funds currently allocated to alternative energy research.

NFL - Week 12 predictions

By Sean Howard, Anshul Sood, Kevin Teng | Nov. 20, 2008, midnight | In Professional »

This last week in the NFL saw the Titans continue their undefeated streak, the Lions continue their defeated streak, the Skins fall to the Cowboys and the Eagles and Bengals tie. Tie? Yes, apparently games can end in ties. It was the first tie in the NFL since the 2002 season.

NFL - Week 11 Predictions

By Sean Howard, Anshul Sood, Kevin Teng | Nov. 14, 2008, midnight | In Professional »

The Skins are back after their bye week and welcome with them ex-Raider cornerback DeAngelo Hall. However, concerns over an injury to Clinton Portis could spoil his welcoming and make a victory for Washington harder as they take on Dallas at FedEx Field.

Living with the dead

By Kevin Teng | Nov. 11, 2008, midnight | In News Blog »

Every once in a bored while, I surf the Internet looking for something to do. I generally don't care too much about what I see online – there's the occasional LOL on Digg or the sarcastic comic strip. But rarely do I see things that are, quite frankly, demented.

NFL - Week 10 predictions

By Sean Howard, Anshul Sood, Kevin Teng | Nov. 8, 2008, midnight | In Professional »

Brady Quinn made his NFL debut on Thursday night against the Broncos and he did not disappoint. Unfortunately, the unsure hands of Kellen Winslow (and other factors) cost the Browns the game. All three of our experts picked correctly, giving them a 1-0 record in week 10 action so far.

International News for Oct. 24 - Nov. 7

By Kevin Teng | Nov. 8, 2008, midnight | In International »

Nov. 4 – People around the world congratulated Barack Obama on winning the U.S. presidency. Political leaders from Britain, Germany, China, France, Indonesia, Japan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Israel and Russia have spoken with optimism in reaction to Obama's win. Iran's Deputy Parliament Speaker Mohammad Hossein Abutorabifard spoke with slight optimism, saying, "If the United States takes into consideration the realities of the world and chooses suitable policies, America can play its (proper) role in the relations between the United States and the countries of the region and the world of Islam."

The second coming of Ask Chips

By Sean Howard, Anika Manzoor, Kevin Teng | Nov. 6, 2008, midnight | In Ask Chips »

We're back! After a five-month hiatus. the A.S.K. (Anika, Sean and Kevin) combination has valiantly re-energized themselves and triumphed in a tiring war with laziness for a new (actual) round of Ask Chips. For those of you who remember us and have requested our re-emergence as a world power, yay! We hope you're as excited about our second return as we are. Of course, if you ever have any questions, e-mail askchips.sco@gmail.com and we'll hook you up. We use your semi-appropriate (and even fully inappropriate) questions when we can, so it's your time to be funny (in that way) if you are funny (in that way). We love you (in that way, bom chicka wah wah). So, without further ado, let's answer some questions!

NFL - Week 10 predictions early edition

By Sean Howard, Anshul Sood, Kevin Teng | Nov. 5, 2008, midnight | In Professional »

Welcome to an early edition of SCO's NFL predictions. Thanks to the Cleveland Browns and the Denver Broncos, football fans get an early dose of action on Thursday night. Our regular recap of last week will come in the full edition of this week's picks in the next few days, but to get you started, let's see how our experts fared last week.

Counting down the days

By Alisa Lu, Kevin Teng | Nov. 2, 2008, midnight | In News Blog »

Election Day is upon us. In 48 hours, Americans will go to the voting booths and decide who will lead this country for the next four years - one who will inherit a worsening economy, an increasingly polarized nation and many other not-so-great things. Some final thoughts as we all hold our breath...

NFL - Week Nine predictions

By Sean Howard, Anshul Sood, Kevin Teng | Oct. 30, 2008, midnight | In Professional »

The Tennessee Titans continue to impress. Their latest victims: the Indianapolis Colts. A 7-0 start is unprecedented for the growing franchise. Who knows where it will take them - maybe to the Super Bowl with the currently 6-2 Redskins? The Skins take on the Steelers on Monday Night Football before heading into their bye week.

At issue at the polls

By Jeremy Gradwohl, Poorna Natarajan, Kevin Teng | Oct. 26, 2008, midnight | In National »

Ten days remain in what has been a long, tiring, historic race - one dubbed the most important of a lifetime - between Democratic presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama (Ill.) and Republican presidential candidate Senator John McCain (Ariz.). For those undecided or just plain confused Blazers, Silver Chips Online has summed up the ideals of these candidates that are the most important to the Blair community.

NFL - Week Eight predictions

By Sean Howard, Anshul Sood, Kevin Teng | Oct. 24, 2008, midnight | In Professional »

Another tumultuous week for Dallas finds the Cowboys falling at the hands of the Rams, who have now knocked off two NFC East powers in a row. Brett Favre has been accused of telling the Lions how to beat the Packers. Well, it didn't help them if he did. But the main stories coming into week eight are injuries. The Patriots lost two starters and the Saints lost a star running back. On a positive note, the Eagles get back Bryan Westbrook this week.

Burnin' up: Election Day nears, McCain trails in polls

By Alisa Lu, Kevin Teng | Oct. 20, 2008, midnight | In News Blog »

With the election almost just two weeks away, both sides (especially the trailing McCain/Palin ticket) are kicking it up a notch. And with that, we, the SCO News Editors, have decided to dedicate this blog to Obama and McCain's campaign strategies.

NFL - Week Seven predictions

By Sean Howard, Anshul Sood, Kevin Teng | Oct. 17, 2008, midnight | In Professional »

The NFC East was once thought to be untouchable, but then week six happened. The previously undefeated Giants fell to the then-one-win Browns. Our hometown Redskins fell to the then-winless Rams. And the Cowboys fell to the Cardinals in overtime. The Eagles were able to dispose of the 49ers.

What went wrong with the U.S. economy

By Kevin Teng | Oct. 16, 2008, midnight | In National »

All this talk about mortgage, credit and recession has been getting really hot. The stock market fluctuates every day, mostly rapidly decreasing and sometimes rebounding. People have been snickering about this $700 billion bailout plan, yet the discussions have turned mainly political now as Americans wait to see how the economy settles. Many wonder what the crisis means in the long run.

National News for Sept. 26 - Oct. 10

By Kevin Teng | Oct. 11, 2008, midnight | In National »

The $700 billion bailout plan was passed to calm financial nerves. The money will go to banks that need to pay off bad debts. The plan is intended to restore confidence in the loan industry, which suffered as a result of the mortgage crisis. Insurance giant American International Group, which has suffered extreme losses and is a large recipient of bailout money, has allegedly spent $400,000 recently on a lavish vacation for its executives, according to Democratic Presidential Candidate and Senator Barack Obama (D-Ill).

NFL - Week Six predictions

By Sean Howard, Anshul Sood, Kevin Teng | Oct. 10, 2008, midnight | In Professional »

And then there were two. The Bills fell last week, leaving only the Giants and the Titans with perfect records so far. Our hometown Redskins are not far off with a 4-1 record after winning four straight games, two of which were division road games. This week, the Skins tackle the winless Rams in what should be an easy match up, but crazy things happen in the NFL. In other league news, "Pacman" Jones is in trouble once again and his career hangs in the balance.

Let the battle begin

By Alisa Lu, Kevin Teng | Oct. 6, 2008, midnight | In News Blog »

Silver Chips Online has decided to implement blogging, a new feature that is intended to improve participation and interest in our publication. Every other week, two opinions on one topic will be written. Everyone is entitled to make their own opinions, so Silver Chips Online will recognize and appreciate of all of them; we expect you all as readers to do the same. The exchange of opinions creates a forum for discussion for students, fancy saying for "WE WANT YOUR OPINION." Do comment - fight, argue, agree and support. We want your ideas, but at the same time, we do not want any slander or personal attacks. Please remember that the clearest, most cohesive and decisive arguments will help us understand not only others, but ourselves.

NFL – Week Five predictions

By Sean Howard, Anshul Sood, Kevin Teng | Oct. 3, 2008, midnight | In Professional »

Washington celebrated last week as the 'Skins marched into Texas Stadium and took care of the Cowboys with Santana Moss showing what he can do when he's healthy. The Broncos' undefeated streak ended at the hands of the then-winless Chiefs. But a new week brings new match-ups to keep an eye on. The hometown Redskins head to Philly for another division battle against the possibly Brian Westbrook-less Eagles. The Titans and Ravens square off in a battle of tough defenses as the Titans try to remain undefeated along with the New York Giants and Buffalo Bills.

National News for Sept. 13 - 26

By Kevin Teng | Sept. 26, 2008, midnight | In National »

The financial markets experienced extreme price volatility after the recent failures of the financial industry. The fundamental problem was caused by constant declines in housing prices. Banking institutions suffered major losses on home mortgages, as homebuyers are unwilling to pay the banks more than the property is currently worth. The mortgage problem has snowballed into other equity investments because the total capital losses of these major institutions result in reduced investor confidence; investors are not as willing to put money into major institutions that give bad loans.

NFL - Week Four picks

By Sean Howard, Anshul Sood, Kevin Teng | Sept. 26, 2008, midnight | In Professional »

Another week brought another Redskins victory, but also left many big-name players out for a few games. Jeremy Shockey, Willie Parker, Dawan Landry and Jason Taylor will all miss this week and possibly more. Also in the NFC East, Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress has been suspended for two weeks for violating team rules, though a bye week for the Giants means he will only miss one game during week five.

Blair student charged with possession of handgun

By Kevin Teng | Sept. 23, 2008, midnight | In Local »

Blair student Edith Hernandez-Mendez, 18, was arrested around 2:15 p.m. on Sept. 18 under charges of allegedly possessing a handgun, according to the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD). She was apprehended on property owned by St. Bernadette's Catholic Church and School, located across the street from Blair at 80 University Blvd East. Police believe that her possession of the handgun was gang-related.

NFL - Week Three predictions

By Sean Howard, Anshul Sood, Kevin Teng | Sept. 18, 2008, midnight | In Professional »

Another week into the season and coach Jim Zorn has his first win as a head coach, in thrilling fashion too. Meanwhile, rookie safety Chris Horton looked good on the field, reminding some of the late Sean Taylor. A disputed call gave Denver a victory over San Diego as the Broncos went for two in the closing seconds instead of kicking the extra point to tie the game. Who does that? The Vikings are now 0-2 and the Packers are 2-0. And Matt Cassel knocked off Brett Favre's Jets, showing he is a suitable starter in place of the injured Tom Brady.

NFL - Week Two predictions

By Sean Howard, Anshul Sood, Kevin Teng | Sept. 14, 2008, midnight | In Professional »

Only one week into the season and so much has happened already. Tom Brady is out for the season with a knee injury and is replaced by career-backup Matt Cassel. Brett Favre showed he can still play in his Jets debut. The Bears crushed the Colts with Kyle Orton at the helm. And our hometown Redskins got off to a slow start as the west coast offense looked more like it should have stayed in the west. But a new week brings new match-ups and another chance for the Redskins.

First pep rally of the school year held today

By Kevin Teng | Sept. 12, 2008, midnight | In Local »

The outdoor fall sports pep rally was held Sept. 12 in the stadium after a shortened full-day schedule. During the pep rally, a common theme kept emerging: Blair pride.

NFL - Week One predictions

By Sean Howard, Anshul Sood, Kevin Teng | Sept. 4, 2008, midnight | In Professional »

As school begins to pick up, sports fans will find some solace on weekends and Monday nights with the NFL season ready to kick off! Adrian Peterson is back to dominate, Brett Favre returns for another season following a soap opera offseason and the hometown Skins look to use new head coach Jim Zorn's West Coast offense to turn heads in the NFC. Thursday starts what promises to be an NFL season with many stories and many glories.

The return of Ask Chips

By Sean Howard, Anika Manzoor, Kevin Teng | May 30, 2008, midnight | In Ask Chips »

We're back! After a two-year hiatus - due to lame bureaucratic incompatibilities - the A.S.K. (that's Anika, Sean and Kevin, your resident geniuses) combination has fought valiantly and triumphed in an emotional war for a new (potential) round of Ask Chips. For those of you who remember us, yay! We hope you're as excited about our return as we are. For those of you who have no idea who we are, that is perfectly fine - you'll learn quickly. So, without further ado, let's answer some questions!

National News for May 3 - 16

By Kevin Teng | May 17, 2008, midnight | In National »

May 10 - Barack Obama took the first superdelegate lead over Hilary Clinton for the Democratic Nomination, according to superdelegate counts by the media. Since the nomination race begun, Obama has trailed Clinton in committed superdelegates. The change in alliance by some superdelegates that formerly supported Clinton and the commitment from previously unaligned superdelegates occurred shortly after Obama earned a convincing win in North Carolina and a close loss to Clinton in Indiana; Clinton required huge margins in those primaries to weaken Obama's momentum in the race. Some news outlets reported that Obama's loss in Indiana occurred mostly because of crossover votes from Republicans, signaling that Republicans see Obama as more of a threat to the presidential run of the presumptive Republican candidate, John McCain.

Blair students win awards at Montgomery County Schools Media Festival

By Kevin Teng | April 23, 2008, midnight | In Local »

Juniors Jean Fan and Jiali Fang and the group of freshmen Ezra Wexler and Julian Boilen won certificates at the Montgomery County Schools Media Festival (MCSMF) on April 17. The MCSMF is an annual competition that celebrates artistic expression through various media.

"Shutter" dies away with a click

By Kevin Teng | March 25, 2008, midnight | In Movies »

The realm of photography attempts to evoke emotions in its most artistic forms, many times becoming a time capsule of our culture. But when emotions take the form of spirits and ghosts in photographs and dreams, the end product is just a low-budget scary flick.

Beautiful bunnies

By Kevin Teng | March 22, 2008, midnight | In Food »

Once all the eggs have been hidden and found, children and adults alike will be looking forward to feasting with family and friends. While adults find ways to avoid all the sugary treats, kids will seek some sugar to stay hyper and happy. Raw candy may be easier to prepare, but the customized presentation of a bunny-like desserts will delight those who want something new. All the leftover Easter candy needs to go somewhere - get some brownie points for doing it right!

Blazers win awards at Montgomery Area Science Fair

By Kevin Teng | March 19, 2008, midnight | In Local »

After submitting reports of their own scientific research over the past year, 10 Blazers were awarded at the science fair this weekend. Projects were judged on March 15, and the awards ceremony was held on March 16 at Gaithersburg high school. Most of the awards were issued by ScienceMONTGOMERY, an Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) affiliated regional fair; other awards were given by community and corporate sponsors.

A chat for change

By Kevin Teng | March 5, 2008, midnight | In Op/Ed »

With the two frontrunning Democratic presidential candidates in this year's election - a black man and a female - showing a stark departure from the typical white male nominee, national attention has been focused on the country's supposed progress. Yet regardless of what makes for feel-good headlines, the classic stereotypes are tossed around in regards to these candidates, and unfortunately, in the halls of Blair.

Great-tasting Thai food is hidden in Wheaton

By Kevin Teng | Feb. 24, 2008, midnight | In Restaurant Reviews »

Walking distance from Wheaton Plaza is a small, modest Thai restaurant. Looking cozy cozy in a run-down parking lot, beset by small shops on either side, Ruan Thai's outside appearance makes it easy to miss, but the food is memorable and will keep customers coming back for more. For a reasonable price, Ruan Thai's fresh food trumps the meager portions of more upscale restaurants.

Blazers advance to National Merit Finalist and National Achievement Finalist status

By Kevin Teng | Feb. 15, 2008, midnight | In Local »

All forty-three National Merit Semifinalists at Blair have advanced to the Finalist stage of the 2008 National Merit Scholarship Program (NMSP). Six black Blazers have become National Achievement Finalists.

Clear roads, blocked communication

By Kevin Teng | Feb. 3, 2008, midnight | In Op/Ed »

In a county school district, every constituent is entitled to rights – most importantly, the right to question authority. But when Devraj (Dave) Kori, a senior at Lake Braddock High School called Dean Tistdat, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Chief Operating Officer (COO) to ask why school hadn't been cancelled after three inches of snow, the call was returned with a hysterical message from Tistdat's wife, Candy. Calling an administrator at a publicly listed home phone is not a show of peskiness; it is a show of initiative.

Madness is not all good

By Kevin Teng | Jan. 16, 2008, midnight | In Movies »

Stealing money always looks easy in movies. Teams of people walk away with loads of cash, ranging from old Western train robberies to hi-tech casino break-ins. In the end, the subterfuge is complicated and near perfect, carried out seriously. "Mad Money" differs by putting lax into the strategy, so much that the movie feels incomplete.

And a happy new year

By Kevin Teng | Dec. 31, 2007, midnight | In International »

With 2007 coming to an end, it'll soon be time to pull out the champagne and sparkling cider to toast the start of 2008. Resolutions will be made, and the impossible goals of weight loss and the elusive four-point-oh will be tossed around. But as the big ball drops in New York City to the tune of "Auld Lang Syne," countries around the world will have already celebrated their New Year with their own longstanding cultural traditions.

"The Great Debaters" earn a win

By Kevin Teng | Dec. 25, 2007, midnight | In Movies »

Over the years, Hollywood has seen many attempts to detail racism's ugly past and showcase attempts to shelve it. Although "The Great Debaters" reuses many components of the cliché moral-based film, its emotional characterization and method of dealing with racism make the movie quite exceptional.

A crack at history: perfection is fleeting in the NFL

By Kevin Teng, Andrew Kung, Elsi Wu | Dec. 22, 2007, midnight | In Humor »

The New England Patriots have looked all but invincible in 2007, sitting pretty at 14-0 with just two games away from the perfect season. Led by golden-boy Tom Brady, who juggles NFL record books and supermodel baby mamas with uncanny grace, this modern-day juggernaut is destined for greatness. But in their pursuit of history, there is one unlikely obstacle: the 1-13 Miami Dolphins.

"Beauty and the Beast" tryouts to be held Dec. 11 – 13

By Kevin Teng | Dec. 6, 2007, midnight | In Local »

Tryouts for casting roles in "Beauty and the Beast" will be held Dec. 11 – 13 after school. The sign-up sheet for auditions is posted on the announcements bulletin board next to the chorus room in the fine arts hallway.

Montgomery County students form political action committee

By Kevin Teng | Nov. 23, 2007, midnight | In Local »

Members of the Montgomery County Region Student Government Association (MCR-SGA) created a political action committee (PAC) last month to support local political candidates running for 2008 seats on the Montgomery County Board of Education. The committee, Montgomery County Student Government Political Action Committee (MCSGPAC), was founded by MCR-SGA President Ben Elkind with help from other students involved in MCR-SGA.

"Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium" offers as little as its title

By Kevin Teng | Nov. 20, 2007, midnight | In Movies »

Few movies targeted at young children feature a silent audience – babies cry, small boys laugh uncontrollably or little girls scream in delight. In "Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium," however, the only excitement within the movie theater comes from the children on the movie screen playing with magical toys.

"As I Am" aspires and nearly reaches

By Kevin Teng | Nov. 19, 2007, midnight | In Music »

Without question, Alicia Keys is this generation's Whitney Houston. She has a powerful voice and has shown it, winning nine Grammys between her last two albums. Even though "As I Am," Keys' third album release, is much of an improvement over her previous releases, her voice is not yet perfect – the rhythmic patterns in her songs are not aggressive enough to accompany her powerful tone.

Soliciting the country to death

By Kevin Teng | Nov. 4, 2007, midnight | In Op/Ed »

More than 50 candidates are currently running for president of the United States, fighting for a chance to represent their party and spending an absurd amount of money on political advertisements in the process. On Oct. 15, candidates filed spending reports to the Federal Election Commission (FEC), revealing the high cost of campaigning – a whopping $420 million so far. Despite the considerable number of issues that the candidates need to debate and discuss, candidates are going about their campaigns wrongly, spending enormous amounts of money and time in order to gain publicity – a counterproductive exercise.

Why do we put up with AYP and NCLB?

By Kevin Teng | Oct. 20, 2007, midnight | In Op/Ed »

In an attempt to save the country's floundering education system, the federal government enacted the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) in 2001 to set minimum standards for student proficiency in reading and mathematics. Under NCLB, Blair has failed to meet Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) standards for two years in a row. However, all of the fault for the failure should not be heaped on Blair alone. The government's methods to help schools meet the standards disregard differences in the way education is run in states and impose unreasonable constraints on state governments.

Senior wins short story contest

By Kevin Teng | Oct. 14, 2007, midnight | In Local »

At the F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Conference on Oct. 13, senior Sara Cohen was named the 2007 winner of the F. Scott Fitzgerald High School Short Story Contest. Cohen and other Blazers attended the conference yesterday, participating in workshops and meeting notable writers.

"The Kingdom" comes with a blast

By Kevin Teng | Oct. 3, 2007, midnight | In Movies »

Politics and economics are the basis for the troubling war that is going on in the Middle East, something that director Peter Berg's "The Kingdom" tries to convey and capture while flaunting the brutality of armed conflict. The unexpected combination of violence and a serious message about world affairs allows for an enjoyably explosive film experience.

From past to present

By Kevin Teng | Sept. 23, 2007, midnight | In Features »

Ten years ago, downtown Silver Spring was a different city, home to many abandoned, run-down buildings. The once-charming Silver Theatre had lost its beautiful look, and there was neither turf nor Majestic Theater. The declining trend, which began in the sixties with the opening of Wheaton Plaza, seemed to have no end.

The "One" that you shouldn't watch

By Kevin Teng | Sept. 17, 2007, midnight | In Movies »

This movie is boring. Naps are appropriate during several irrelevant scenes throughout the movie, since most of the two hours of screenplay are of Erica Bain (Jodie Foster) talking in a stoic tone or walking, listening to the environmental noise in New York City. The only substance in the movie comes from the sporadic vulgarity and gunshots, barely enough material to make a ten minute short film that belongs on YouTube.

"The Invasion" of mediocrity

By Kevin Teng | Aug. 19, 2007, midnight | In Movies »

There are so many problems with "The Invasion" that it's hard to know where to begin. The film saw problems early, when director Oliver Hirschbiegel was unavailable for reshoots and the producers had to call in replacement James McTeigue. But the shoddy acting, and the fact that "The Invasion" is the third film based off of the book The Body Snatchers" only supplement the movie's demise.

Preservationists win round one of three

By Kevin Teng | Aug. 18, 2007, midnight | In Local »

The Historic Preservation Committee (HPC) voted in favor of recommending two sites in downtown Silver Spring for addition to the Master Plan for Historic Preservation (MPHP) during a committee meeting on Wednesday. HPC will draft a letter to the Planning Board, stating reasons as to why the Falkland Apartments, near the Colesville Rd and East-West Hwy Intersection, and the Perpetual Building Association Building (PBAB), located at 8700 Georgia Ave, are architecturally suited to be put on the MPHP. The recommendations were made based on criteria given in Section 24A-3 of the Historic Preservation Ordinance.

Git out of Gitmo

By Kevin Teng | June 30, 2007, midnight | In Op/Ed »

White House officials have been discussing the prospect of closing the detainment facility at Guantanamo Bay – an interrogation and holding facility for suspects of terrorism. Last Friday, they finally acknowledged that this issue has become a priority.



Images (7)


Photo: Moco festival

By Kevin Teng | April 23, 2008, midnight | In ‎Latest »

The Media Festival logo is projected onto a screen in AFI in Downtown Silver Spring.

Photo: bunnycake2

By Kevin Teng | March 22, 2008, midnight | In ‎Latest »

Spread pudding atop the cookies.

Photo: Bunny pudding

By Kevin Teng | March 22, 2008, midnight | In ‎Latest »

Bunny pudding is a delight

Photo: bunnycake3

By Kevin Teng | March 22, 2008, midnight | In ‎Latest »

Coat with marshmallows.

Photo: bunnycake1

By Kevin Teng | March 22, 2008, midnight | In ‎Latest »

Begin with a layer of Oreo cookies.

Photo: bunnycake4

By Kevin Teng | March 22, 2008, midnight | In ‎Latest »

Frost the almost-completed cake

Photo: bunnycake5

By Kevin Teng | March 22, 2008, midnight | In ‎Latest »

The finished product!