Iliya Smithka


Name: Iliya Smithka
Position: Online Staff Writer
Graduation Year: 2008
Iliya Smithka will graduate from neither the CAP nor the Magnet Program. However, she somehow managed to get a decent education. While representing no particular program during her stint on Silver Chips Online, Iliya was a spectacular staff writer, although she never really mastered the elusive art that is a nut graf (mostly she hung with her peeps Clement and Betsir, and of course her main man Will). In other words, Ms. Smithka is absolutely ridiculous and stunningly gorgeous. [Does that not count as a nut graf?] Iliya enjoys playing for Blair's fabulous field hockey team, playing phantastic phrisbee, reading/writing/rithmetic, sailing the seas and using alliteration (gotcha!). She also enjoys singing but unfortunately Iliya has very little natural ability in that department. A Unitarian Universalist and feminista, Iliya often has flashes of profound brilliance, asking, "Why are we here?" "Where in the world is Carmen Sandiego?" and "How come Chinese isn't on the food pyramid?" In her former lives, Iliya was a gypsy-pirate and a British politician. She aspires to do many things in this lifetime, among them being accepted into Harvard but not going, learning Italian and/or Arabic and owning a purple pick-up truck. In the Bollywood movie musical of Iliya's life, the drama queen and super hero will play herself opposite Drew Lachey (who was absolved of all uckiness from 98 Degrees by playing Mark in Rent on Broadway for two months). Seriously though, Iliya will most likely major in oceanography, political science or psychology, and pursue a career in any of those wonderful fields. In conclusion, Iliya is probably partying like a rockstar, seeing as how she likes to pop, lock and drop it, even while on the Youth and Government trip to Annapolis. Ay, mami make it roll...


Stories (13)


Gainous's shoes are not an easy fit

By Iliya Smithka, Gus Woods | May 29, 2007, midnight | In Op/Ed »

On July 1, Principal Phillip Gainous will say farewell to Montgomery Blair High School. Now that his decision is final and his departure imminent, the school has turned its attention toward his replacement. As Gainous himself has said, "Nobody is concerned about my leaving, it's who's coming in." Blair's new principal must continue Gainous's precedent of excellent cooperation with vocal students by exercising the administration's obligation of oversight while consistently taking student rights of expression into consideration.

Tasty taco meat

By Iliya Smithka | May 4, 2007, midnight | In Entrées »

For a quick fiesta, make this simple recipe for taco meat! While the name may be a bit misleading, this festive food can be eaten in any number of ways: either in a taco as specified in the name, in a cheesy queso dip for your nachos, on a sandwich like a sloppy joe or with elbow macaroni, cabbage and cheese for a main dish. Taco meat is a veritably versatile food.

Spirit week to culminate in spring pep rally

By Iliya Smithka | April 30, 2007, midnight | In Local »

This week marks the spring spirit week that will end with a pep rally on Friday, which is the first school-wide pep rally since the Fall 2003 Homecoming. Spirit week includes Backwards Day on Monday, Toga Day on Tuesday, Culture Day on Wednesday, Tropical Day on Thursday and Culture Day on Friday.

Revival of "Richard III"

By Iliya Smithka | March 21, 2007, midnight | In Movies »

In the winter of their discontent, the English royal family is plagued by assaults and plots from within and outside the family. Fickle friends turn to foes, and in the worst possible way: murder one another. Richard III's experience is one of the more infamous of these as it was immortalized by Shakespeare's historical tragedy "Richard III."

Back with a bang

By Iliya Smithka | Feb. 21, 2007, midnight | In Television »

Although the "Lost" has a similar premise to that of "Gilligan's Island," the show couldn't be any further away from it. Since Oceanic Flight 815 crashed on an island in the Pacific Ocean, the survivors have managed to endure the hard living, the threats of the hostile "Others" and their own natural drama. Now in its third season, "Lost" is back after a twelve-week hiatus and ABC is airing 16 new consecutive episodes at a new time slot, 10 p.m.

Democratic Congress vs. Republican White House

By Iliya Smithka | Jan. 3, 2007, midnight | In Op/Ed »

For the first time since the Republican Revolution in 1994, voters have elected a democratic majority in Congress. Now, with a 51-49 majority in the Senate and a 232-201 majority in the House of Representatives, the Democrats can pass the legislation that they've wanted to for the past 10 years. But with a Republican White House and divisions within their party, they may find it hard to get enough support for their bills. With topics controversial across America and in the Capitol, representatives will vote based on their loyalties: with their party, with their constituents or with their own initiative.

Hot and cold holiday drinks

By Iliya Smithka | Dec. 13, 2006, midnight | In Food »

Winter has arrived, and with it comes the holiday season. Whether you're trying to warm up after a snowball fight or throwing a party to celebrate the holidays, you can use these hot and cold drinks that could make even Scrooge happy.

It's a wonderful light

By Iliya Smithka | Dec. 12, 2006, midnight | In Features »

December's already here, and the countdown to the winter holidays has officially begun. With exams coming soon after Winter Break, everyone can use some holiday cheer at the end of the year. These five local holiday hot spots light up during the holiday season, with light displays, Christmas trees, live music and nativity scenes.

PRO/CON: MCPS flyer distribution policy

By Pia Nargundkar, Iliya Smithka | Nov. 28, 2006, midnight | In Op/Ed »

Iliya Smithka says YES: Organizations have the right to free speech within schools. Pia Nargundkar says NO: Students should not be forced to take home material of questionable content.

Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade pleases all

By Iliya Smithka | Nov. 22, 2006, midnight | In Entertainment »

The sky was clear on Saturday, Nov. 18, for the ninth annual Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade in Downtown Silver Spring. Just before 10 a.m., police officers on motorcycles revved their engines and led the way down Georgia Avenue. Officers on Segways joined the usual procession of the color guard, the police car and motorcycle motorcade as well as mounted park rangers. Blasting the "Cops" theme song "Bad Boys," the police procession was only the beginning of a barrage of free candy, creative floats and politics.

Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade to be held Nov. 18

By Iliya Smithka | Nov. 16, 2006, midnight | In Local »

The ninth annual Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade will be held this Saturday, Nov. 18 in Silver Spring. The parade will start at the intersection of Sligo Ave. and Georgia Ave. at 9:30 a.m. and will then march North on Georgia, turning onto Ellsworth Drive and ending at Fenton Street, according to the Downtown Silver Spring website.

Wishy-washy law makes sick people suffer

By Iliya Smithka | Nov. 15, 2006, midnight | In Op/Ed »

Last March, President Bush signed the Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act (CMEA) into law as part of the Patriot Act. Pharmaceutical drugs containing ephedrine, pseudoephedrine (PSE) and phenylpropanolamine (PPA), common decongestants found in Sudafed and Claritin-D, are now available only behind the counter in your neighborhood drugstore, and require photo identification to purchase. The law's intent, according to the Office of Legislative Policy and Analysis, is to regulate the sale of drugs used to make methamphetamine or amphetamine, both addictive and dangerous drugs. But instead of stopping meth addicts from mixing their brew, the CMEA harasses customers with the common cold.

Soulful "Devil Wears Prada"

By Iliya Smithka | July 4, 2006, midnight | In Movies »

Post-college jobs usually range from the tediously clerical to the simply nitty-gritty – and all pay miserably. That's why Andrea Sachs is only too happy when she gets a call to work at "Runway," a fashion magazine, after weeks of dropping résumés off at magazines all over New York. But the job "a million girls would die for" is an assistant position under the infamously unreasonable editor-in-chief. Andy must deal with her demanding boss and the effect her job has on her social life in the successfully adapted film, "The Devil Wears Prada."