December 2014 thetornadotimes.org
Vol. 6, No. 2 @TornadoTimes
Pompano Beach High School pbhsnewspaper@gmail.com
Texting, the cause of bad essays - Page 2
Hammond² - Page 8
Ehrlich wins state championship - Page 10
PHOTO BY JESSE BAKER
Living in struggling households - Page 4
Texting leads to bad essays By Millena Rodrigues, Staff Intern
“Text me later if you’re going to go” or “Txt me l8er if ur gonna go”? The use of abbreviations, acronyms and slang are affecting the student’s daily life. Because they are used to texting all the time, students don’t realize their mistakes when writing school assignments. “Not only do I notice the words ‘gonna’ and ‘wanna’ in the essays turned into me, but I also see that students aren’t using their expansive vocabulary taught to them for many years. Not doing so makes their sentences look short and choppy,” said Dr. Melillo, English teacher. These errors negatively affect students when taking their SATs as well. A portion of the exam requires students to identify sentence errors. “I’m always on my phone texting using abbreviations, so I’ll admit, writing essays is tough for me,” freshman Garrett Moore said. However, some students believe that texting doesn’t affect them at all when it comes to writing essays. “Personally, texting doesn’t affect my essays since I read many books, providing me with a vast vocabulary,” sophomore Sierra Molina said. To give her ninth-grade students experience in formal English, Mrs. Hammond has a goal this year of completing four novels, not including required texts like “Romeo and Juliet,” and tests on all of them. “They’ve already finished ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ and have been tested on the vocabulary throughout the story as well,” Mrs. Hammond said.
By Ashley Voet, Editor-in-chief
Sophomore Sierra Molina reads her novel after finishing her work in AP World History. “Texting doesn’t affect me when writing my essays since I read many books each day, which gives me a vast vocabulary,” she said.
“I’m always on my phone using abbreviations, so I’ll admit, writing essays is tough for me.” — Garrett Moore, freshman
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Page 2 • News
‘Hocobola’ spreads, infects students
December 2014 • Vol. 6, No. 2
PHOTO BY MILENA RODRIGUES
GRAPHIC BY NICOLAS GALLARDO
The week after the homecoming dance, Oct. 27-30, 174 students missed at least one full day of school. A majority, 119 were juniors and seniors. A large group of students had contracted a sickness and deemed it “hocobola.” Victor Zielinski, senior, was credited with the creation of the term, tweeting “Hocobola spreadin like wildfire” on Oct. 27. The term was born, and to Twitter they went. Tweets portraying hocobola’s effect infected Twitter, all of which received many retweets and favorites. The cause of the epidemic has been debated. “At homecoming everyone is so close together and because we can’t miss school, you come to school sick and infect others,” Heidi Bauer, junior, said, Junior Shannon Gordon thinks “people sharing drinks” contributed to the spread of the illness. Some students blame the dance. Bauer said, “I think they put something in the water.” Gordon said, “Someone probably got sick (before the dance) and then germs spread at homecoming.” Senior Kelsey Lunde claims to have solved the mystery. “Me, I started it 100 percent,” he said. Lunde was treated by a doctor and had the flu. Gordon missed two and a half days of school and was treated by a doctor and prescribed antibiotics to treat strep throat. Bauer missed two days of school and also saw a doctor. She was prescribed an antibiotic Z-Pak to treat bronchitis and the flu.
December 2014 • Vol. 6, No. 2
News • Page 3
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Driving rules apply to schools
not be texting while driving, but When driving to and from school, instead should wear their seatbelts many students don’t take the time and be cautious. Speeding is not acto think of the potential risks they ceptable when coming to and from are putting themselves in. On Aug. school because you are not only putting yourself at risk, but your 28, junior Margarita Murphy was peers as well.” T-boned by a texting driver who Juniors Genae Brown and Miriam Mata volunteered at The Harvest Drive on Nov. 24. The Harvest Drive After being involved in her acciran a red light. She wasn’t wearing is an organization that helps out families that are struggling to make ends meet. dent, Murphy is a strong proponent PHOTO BY ASHLEY VOET her seatbelt. of safe driving. “My friend Hannah Clark and I “Make sure you don’t text and were driving south on 441, turning drive,” Murphy said. “Always wear east on Hillsboro on our way home a seatbelt as well, because you don’t from school, when we were hit by want to be responsible for the life the other driver,” Murphy said. “He was texting and I wasn’t wear- of another.” ing my seatbelt while driving when Vazquez said the donations of By Jesse Baker, Student Life Editor food and supplies were greater this his car slammed into my door. I Food fights are never this good. was lucky.” year than ever before.. There was Students race around, tossing Many South Florida teens don’t boxes and cans into carts, and roll- also a much larger sum of lefttake into account the rules of drivover food, especially rice. Families ing off to the next bag to fill at the ing, especially after having their received triples, and some even Harvest Drive in the gym. licenses for a long period of time. For two weeks, students, faculty, quadruples, of items. According to Teens in the Driver Approximately 120 people vollocal businesses and community Seat, a program in which teens unteered at the drive, including members brought food, drinks, teach teens about auto safety, students from JROTC, SGA. hygiene products and money to every year, about 3,000 teenagThe Harvest Drive also held a the school. As these items added ers are reported to be in fatal car up, they were separated and set up clothing boutique, managed by Peer accidents. On top of that, for every Counseling, for the families. for the big day. killed teen, another 100 teenagers “I feel like (the Harvest Drive) On Nov. 24, students worked are injured in vehicle accidents. is a great opportunity for me to be from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. to put all School resource officer Dep. involved in the community and items into designated bags. help people in need,” Vasquez said. Smith has noticed many students According to junior Gonzalo coming into school speeding. “The students aren’t supposed to Vasquez, 265 families received “There is a safe rate on defense eight bags each. In all, the families get anything out of it; they are just as well as offense,” Dep. Smith donating out of kindness.” received 18,000 items, 3,000 of said. “Students need to be careful which were donated by the school GRAPHIC BY NICOLAS GALLARDO of their surroundings. They should along with $670. By Rebekah Garretson, Staff Intern
Harvest Drive gives thanks by giving back
Ashley Voet, Editor in Chief Sydney Van Dreason, Managing Editor Megan Mead, Asst. News Editor Kara Purinton, Asst. News Editor Sabrina Conza, Opinion Editor Betsy Archelus, Asst. Center Spread Editor Brooke Henderson, Asst. Center Spread Editor Jesse Baker, Student Life Editor Kayla Sanders, Asst. Student Life Editor Michael Rice, Asst. Sports Editor Nicolas Gallardo, Graphic Design Editor Robert Barclay, Photo Editor Julianne Gross, Website Editor Mitchell Horlick, Business Manager Jorgeandres Herrera, Asst. Business Manager Christopher Swan, Asst. Business Manager Dr. Andrew Shipe, Adviser Staff Interns Sara Buechler Rebekah Garretson Mia Marquez Jessica Moschette Millena Rodrigues Rebecca Yap Tornado Times is produced by: Pompano Beach High School 600 NE 13 Ave. Pompano Beach, FL 33060 Phone: (754) 322-2000 Email: pbhsnewspaper@gmail.com Website: thetornadotimes.org Twitter: @TornadoTimes Issues in the 2014-15 school year are planned for October, December, March and May. The purpose of this newspaper is to inform and interest the population of Pompano Beach High School on the happenings of the school and beyond through the production of a student-run newspaper. Tornado Times is a public forum for student expression. The newspaper staff is responsible for determining what subjects are to be covered and warrant placement in the newspaper. As a public forum, Tornado Times welcomes letters to the editor. Letters must be signed. The staff reserves the right to edit letters for poor taste, libel and space. Advertising rates are available at estore. browardschools.com. Please contact us by email or by phone if you have any questions. Advertising which promotes illegal products under Florida law, includes false statements or is written in bad taste will not be accepted. The opinions in this publication are not necessarily those of advertisers, Pompano Beach High School or Broward County Public Schools. Tornado Times is a member of the Florida Scholastic Press Association, which awarded the newspaper a gold certificate for its 2013-14 issues.
We can help low-income, struggling families this winter Poverty is an issue that many people in the United States must deal with because of the struggling economy. A study done by United Way shows that 47 percent of the families in Broward County are in poverty. This statistic is higher than the number of families facing poverty in Florida, which is still an appalling 45 percent. Some students at our school are living in struggling households, helping to pay the bills and are qualifying for free or reduced lunch because of their low income. “I live in a family of five, so if we had to pay for lunch every day, it would really chip away at our funds,” a female student who did not want to be named said. Some students live in families who can barely afford to pay the bills. Especially in low-income families, the teenagers and older kids are increasingly relied on. “I help pay bills every month. I pay rent, I pay for the house phone, my cell phone, my car insurance, my car payments, gas, and if I have any money left over, I send money to my grandmother to help her out,” senior Sebastian Hemmerling said. Hemmerling works at Panera as a shift supervisor to make the money to help pay bills.
Living in a low-income household is hard on the parents, but it can also be difficult for the kids. When there are younger siblings involved, the oldest may be responsible for taking care of them while their parents work. “Some nights I have to watch and cook dinner for my siblings instead of finishing my homework,” another female student who didn’t want to be named said. Yet many of these students who work harder than some adults each day are happy and thankful for what they have. “Other people have it worse,”
GRAPHIC BY NICOLAS GALLARDO
Hemmerling said. “You just do what you have to do.” As a school, we need to band together and support the struggling families that we know. The yearly Harvest Drive is a step in the right direction. This year the Harvest Drive fed about 265 families for Thanksgiving. The newspaper staff calls upon students to help a family in need. Anyone can participate in the Harvest Drive, be there for a friend in poverty or donate to charity. Doing something small in your eyes can go a long way.
Celebrities should have equal rights By Sabrina Conza, Opinion Editor
Many people say that when a person becomes a celebrity, they’re choosing to give up their rights. But celebrities sing, dance, act and entertain, for our enjoyment. So why should they give up their basic human rights? thetornadotimes.org As United States citizens, Page 4 • Opinion December 2014 • Vol. 6, No. 2 we are protected by the Bill of
Rights, which gives us individual rights promised by our forefathers. Because a celebrity is in the limelight, does this mean that he or she has forfeited these rights? As Americans, we believe that we should have fundamental freedoms and privacy. The fact that a person is well known should not prohibit him from being able to leave the house without being photographed by paparazzi or bothered by fans. On multiple occasions, Kanye West has been photographed treat-
ing paparazzi badly. Because of this, many look down upon him. Most don’t consider West’s perspective. Random people with large cameras are violating his personal space and privacy for personal gain, and West is expected to cooperate. The lack of respect shown for celebrities is unnerving. If I were a celebrity, I would feel unsafe leaving my home due to the possibility that a stranger with a camera legitimately may be stalking me.
December 2014 • Vol. 6, No. 2
Money can buy happiness likes to break out the shades and speed down I-95. I’m talking about using your money to bring other Money makes the people happiness. According to the Census Buworld go ’round. reau, nearly 50 million Americans Diamonds are a struggled with poverty in 2013, and girl’s best friend. 17.3 million of those people reportWe are living in a material world. It’s ed having trouble obtaining food to all about the Benjamins. feed their families with. Song lyrics exaggerate a lot, and Think about how much happiness it seems impossible that these money can bring to those starving small coins and flimsy paper rectand struggling 50 million people. angles can be the causes for joy. As teenage students, we tend to And yet they still manage to bring be consumed with decisions about smiles to people’s faces each and what kind of present we’re going to every day. buy our significant others for their I’m not talking about using birthdays or what new boy-band money to buy a new car for yourself merchandise we’re going to puror anything else of the sort. Sure, chase next. that simple action can bring plenty Some students even have partof joy, especially to someone who time jobs after school or on the By Sydney Van Dreason, Managing Editor
weekends that allow us to obtain this money that we need to buy these “essentials.” What I would like to know is why new cars, updated phones and concert tickets qualify as “essentials” when there are millions in our own country struggling to find food and water.
I’m talking about using your money to bring other people happiness. What if we were to put our own wants aside for a minute and focus on those who need help. As teenag-
Opinion • Page 5
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ers, we may not think we can do all that much to help. But everyone has the ability to make a difference in another person’s life. Volunteering and donating to charity are two of the most common actions that teenagers can take to bring other people happiness. We may view these acts of kindness as inconvienent, but we may not fully realize how much help and happiness we can bring. Some argue that money can’t buy happiness, that by spending money we are acting selfishly and irresponsibly. To an extent, they’re right. But this holiday season, I’m going to go out and buy canned foods, some cases of water and maybe a blanket or two. Let’s see how much happiness my money will bring.
Assault and Pepper:
YouTube community shocked with so many abusers of power By Julianne Gross, Web Editor
Sexual abuse and assault is a very serious issue, but Sam Pepper doesn’t seem to care. In September, Sam Pepper posted a video of himself pinching girls’ rear ends. Later, Pepper uploaded a second video with the roles reversed and a third part where Pepper, a former contestant on Big Brother and prolific YouTuber, explains that it was all a social experiment. Labeling his third video as a “social experiment” leads me to believe that he’s trying to save his reputation from the first video. Pepper is getting a lot of hate. Vidcon and YouTubers React, two large affiliations with YouTube, have dropped him. With all the outrage over Pepper’s video, girls are finding the
courage to speak up about Sam Pepper and about being sexually abused or assaulted by him. This past year, the YouTube community has also been shocked with other YouTubers being outed as sexual abusers, including Alex Day, Tom Milsom, Mike Lambardo, Ed Blann, Tom McLean, Josh Macedo, Kelly Montoya, Danny Hooper, Alex Carpenter, Adam Roach, Luke Conrad, Corey Vidal, Travis Neumeyer, Gregory Jackson, Stephen Purcell, Bryon Beaubien, Harry Gilliat, Ricky Richards, Jason Sansome, Neil Johnson, Destery Smith, King Russell, Jeremy Sacks, Paul Parker, Daniel Glover, Alex Goot, Paul Sykes, Lewis Parer, Mike Jaroszczak, and Tom Sinclair. This isn’t me saying you can’t trust anyone but you should be cautious of the people on the Internet. As of now no legal action has been taken against Sam Pepper. His victims may never see justice served.
Sam Pepper’s butt pinching video was posted on Sept. 20. The video was removed by YouTube two days later due to the amount of accounts that reported the video. GRAPHIC BY NICOLAS GALLARDO
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Page 6 • Lit mag
December 2014 • Vol. 6, No. 2
December 2014 • Vol. 6, No. 2
Lit Mag • Page 7
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Mother, son teach together the same high school. Although Patricia and Billy Hammond have teaching different subjects, they find ways to work and come togethshared a lot as mother and son. er with their jobs. Mrs. Hammond is mainly a freshman English teacher. Mr. Hammond teaches AP and Honors American History to juniors. He is also the coach of the golf and girls basketball teams. Both Mrs. and Mr. Hammond have taught junior Tyler Krinkie. Krinkie visits Mrs. Hammond whenever he has the time to and said he would take another opportunity to take a class with her again. The most noticeable resemblance between the two of them, according to Krinkie, is their KenPHOTO BY ROBERT BARCLAY tucky accent. But they never thought they would Mrs. Hammond said she never share the same workplace. expected this to happen because Their interests in education led she did not think he would ever them both to go down the path of become a teacher, but she is pleasteaching and get hired to teach at antly surprised. She truly enjoys being able to keep up with how he By Jessica Moschette, Staff Intern
is and with her former ninth-grade students. Mrs. Hammond said she “never” sees her son around school on most days. “But, on planning days we eat lunch and spend the day together,” she said. “It is great to touch base with him.” Both Hammonds agreed that she benefits from his fresh outlook while he benefits from her experience. Mr. Hammond said he loves working with his mother, getting to see his mom in a new professional light he never saw growing up. According to him, the only help that she asks him for is with moving heavy objects. Mr. Hammond said, “The pressure put on me because of children and administration is nothing compared to the pressure to never let mom down.” Mr. Hammond said he gets asked all of the time if he is Mrs. Ham-
mond’s husband or brother, and his students are surprised when he tells them that he is neither; he is
PHOTO BY ROBERT BARCLAY
her son. He said, “She’s the best mom anyone could have, a great friend and the best teacher that I have ever met.”
Senior class prepares for prom
By Rebecca Yap, Staff Intern
The senior class has been working towards making the prom of 2015 the best one yet. However, many complications go along with organizing prom. “Our goal is to raise as much money as possible so we can have as much decorations as possible and create the best prom ever,” senior class president Mary Williams said. The fundraisers are set throughout the school year, and the main fundraiser is the selling of the senior class shirts. According to a student government member who did not want to be named, there will also be food-related fundraisers, like cookie dough sales Nov. 3-13. The senior class is also selling senior packages that include senior
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activities like Grad Bash, prom, senior T-shirt, yearbooks, sports packages and more. The prices for the packages range from $250$400 and there are three possible packages. First is the Blue Pass, which includes a Prom ticket, Grad Bash ticket and a T-Shirt. Next is Gold
Page 8 • Student Life December 2014 • Vol. 6, No. 2
Pass that has everything from the Blue Package plus a hoodie and a yearbook. The final option is The VIP Package, which includes everything from the Gold Package and a Homecoming Package, first choice for table for Prom, first choice for bus for Grad Bash and a Sports Package.
SGA meets on Dec. 3 to discuss school events. The senior class has been planning fundraisers for prom. PHOTO BY BLAKE RIEDEL
The senior class meets the first Thursday of every month to discuss fundraisers and exchange ideas for prom. The officers are president Mary Williams, vice president Madison Schneider, treasurer Paige Alsten and secretary Brett Miller. It is up to the officers, student government and the whole senior class to raise an adequate amount of money, book a hotel, choose a date and finalize a theme. According to student government president Chelson Exume, “Prom takes more than just one school year to plan. From freshman year, all the way until the last few weeks before prom, the senior class is extremely busy doing fundraisers in order to provide the student body with the best possible experience on prom night.”
Universal tops Disney
December 2014 • Vol. 6, No. 2 Student Life • Page 9
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With Rip Ride Rockit, The Hulk and Dragon Challenge, Universal The newest improvement at the and Islands of Adventure have theme park Universal Studios is the some of the best roller coasters of second section of The Wizarding all time. The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman (in 3D), The Transformers 3D Ride, The Simpsons Ride, Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey give you a roller coaster feel. Men in Black Alien Attack adds an interactive ride to the mix. GRAPHIC BY NICOLAS GALLARDO Some may argue that Disney World of Harry Potter. Due to this improvement, along with the abun- World is more well known and possibly more fun for little kids, but for dance of roller coasters, Universal teenagers Universal is much more is more fun than Disney World. appealing. By Sabrina Conza, Opinion Editor
‘Big hero’ delivers big thrills Honey Lemon (Genesis Rodriguez). It’s really hard to pick my favor“Big Hero 6” is a new Disney aniite, but I am going to have to go mated film based off of an obscure with Hiro. He grew through the Marvel comic. The main plot is that Hiro Hama- story and I came to admire him as a da (Ryan Potter), his friends and a character. Another aspect of the movie that robot that Hiro’s brother, Tadashi (Daniel Henney), invented have to I loved was the animation. A new program for animating, Hyperteam up to fight a bad guy whose ion, was being created during the motivation and identity is unproduction of this film. This proknown. Saying anymore will spoil gram involves using natural light in the movie. It sounds like all the other recent animation without animators havDisney movies that have come out. ing to manually create the lighting. Hyperion was only one of the 50 Something sad happens and then to 60 programs that were created there’s a battle between good and specifically for “Big Hero 6.” evil. This movie is original, funny, I had no complaints for this and action-packed. I never saw the movie. I applaud the directors, plot twist coming. Don Hall and Chris Williams, for a My favorite part of the movie was job well done. the characters; they were unique, This is a movie that I recommend hilarious and I loved them. The for everyone. The only word of admain characters beside Hiro are vice I can give is to stay until after Baymax (Scott Adsit), Fred (T.J the credits. Miller), Go Go (Jamie Chung), Wasabi (Damon Wayans Jr.), and By Julianne Gross, Web Editor
GRAPHIC BY NICOLAS GALLARDO TEXT BY JESSE BAKER AND KAYLA SANDERS
Girls score with strong start to season By Sydney Van Dreason, Managing Editor
The girls varsity soccer team started off the season undefeated in its first six games. “The soccer team has started out stronger than ever, and we are ready for all the challenges that are coming our way,” junior Delaney Stuart said. The first two games against Piper and Stranahan ended with a mercy rule, finishing before time expired due to an 8-0 lead. The team’s first tie (1-1) occurred during the third match against St. Andrews. The team then beat Coral Springs Charter (2-1), tied Western (11) and defeated Monarch Nov. 12 (3-1).
Senior Amanda Lima scored goals in both the matches against St. Andrews and Monarch. In the match against Western, junior Katie Bejlovec and freshman Samantha Baron both were standout players and dominated the defensive line and the midfield. New players welcomed into the varsity family this year include juniors Nicole Romer, Doria Raynor and Heidi Bauer, as well as freshmen Kayla Cunneen and Baron. The team is led by its three captains, Lima, Bejlovec and junior Alyson Richardson. Future home matches include Gibbons on Dec. 11 at 5 p.m., Northeast on Dec. 18 at 5 p.m. and Coral Glades on Jan. 7 at 5 p.m.
Spiking their way to college
Junior Joey Lamberti (#32) dunks againts Plantation High School on Dec. 5. The Tornadoes lost 71-63. PHOTO BY ASHLEY VOET
Basketball season begins By Rebekah Garretson, Staff Intern
As winter sports begin, the girls basketball teams are making their mark. After a tough season last year, both varsity and junior varsity are making improvements. “This year our main goal is to get better at ball handling skills, communication and learning plays,” said head coach, Mr. Hammond “we just want to make an improvement from last year.” After a one-point loss to Coconut Creek High School on November 14th, the varsity team made a great comeback and won against West Broward High School by twelve points on November 17th. The varsity team has been lead to
several victories by team members Destiny Farell, #5, Nathalie Richard, #23, and Sue Ferrer, #3. Junior Varsity has won the majority of their games including defeating some tough competition like Monarch High School, American Heritage, and Stranahan High School. They were lead to this victory by captains, Jada Howden and Gianna Midkiff. “The best way other students can support the team is by coming to the games and cheer,” said Coach Hammond. The next home game will take place on December 12th, at 6pm, against Coral Glades High School.
Winter guard prepares for upcoming competitions By Sabrina Conza, Opinion Editor
Nikki Esposito (left) and Paige Alsten (right) sign their National Letters of Intent to play college volleyball for Florida State and Mercer University. Esposito signs to Florida State University’s sand volleyball program; meanwhile Alsten commits to Mercer’s indoor volleyball program. The girls volleyball team finished last season as regional runner-ups.
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Page 10 • Sports
December 2014 • Vol. 6, No. 2
PHOTO BY MICHAEL RICE
The color guard had the Florida Bandmasters Association (FBA) competition, their first competition of the year, on Nov. 1 at Coral Springs High School. Marching band and color guard worked together all through the first quarter and during the summer to practice for that competition and for the competitions to come after the new year. The results of this competition determined the color guard’s ranking in the county and the funding
for the band. Participation in this competition was required because the school planned on having a winter guard, which is the competition season for color guard. The first winter guard practice was on Nov. 11. Winter guard practices on Tuesdays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The first competition of the winter guard season is on Jan. 31 at Jupiter High School.
December 2014 • Vol. 6, No. 2
Sports • Page 11
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Ehrlich dives into state championship By Mia Marquez and Sara Buechler, Staff Interns
Carly Ehrlich performs a back dive pike at state championships on Nov. 14. Ehrlich won the competition by seven points with a score of 432. PHOTO BY SCOTT FISHER
Falling behind, sophomore Carly Ehrlich became nervous behind the diving boards. Her next dive had to be amazing or it would cost her the first place medal. With a combination of hard work and perseverance, Carly Ehrlich gained the first place medal at the Class 2A state championship swimming and diving meet on Nov. 14 in Stuart. Ehrlich had to face the state champion from last year, senior Carol Gerhardt from Stanton College Preparatory in Jacksonville. Ehrlich was well behind her competitors after her first two dives, but began rising with her third dive, motivated by the cheers of her
mother and diving team. Junior Hannah Lindgren, also a diver, went to states with Ehrlich and placed fifth. Lindgren described Ehrlich’s performance as “amazing and graceful.” Ehrlich not only executed her dives well, but she also won the competition by seven points, with a score of 432.
Her performance was “amazing and graceful.” — Hannah Lingren
International Summit brings world to school
Polish teacher Anna Krzeminska-Kaczynska stands beside her students with a gift for Principal Thomas. The International Summit week began on Dec. 8. Teachers from India, Brazil, France and Poland along with a headmaster from Poland are visiting the school. Their activities for the week include a welcome breakfast, classroom visits, cultural games and the International Summit Capstone Event on Dec. 11, where they will answer questions from students and community leaders. PHOTO BY ASHLEY VOET
By Minhny Tran-Nguyen, Staff intern
The International Summit is a week-long event taking place at school from Dec. 8-11. This is the second time the school is hosting an international summit. The first was two years ago. The summit is a chance for students to understand education and culture of different countries. Principal Thomas said the experience was designed to help students connect with the world and prepare for a future in global affairs. The International Summit was planned and organized by the Summit Leadership team: Mr. Thomas, Ms. Carlson, Ms. Narus, Ms. Ver-
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Page 12 • On View
December 2014 • Vol. 6, No. 2
linde, Ms. Morden, Mr. Bankowski and others. Mr. Bankowski, magnet coordinator, described the International Summit as an “opportunity for our students to gain an appreciation and an understanding for other cultures.”
people from different countries.” Guests, which include a principal from Brazil, a teacher from India, and a principal, teacher and 12 students from Poland, arrived Dec. 6.
“(It’s an) opportunity for our students to gain an appreciation and an understanding for other cultures.” —Mr. Bankowski, magnet coordinator Mr. Thomas added that the summit provides “a time for our students to assimilate with
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