Issue 1 by Galleon News

Spanish River High School 5100 Jog Road Boca Raton, FL 33496 galleonnewsonline.com Issue 1 - September 2011

TheGalleon

Spanish River welcomes new principal, Mr. William Latson

New bullying hotline established Shelaina Bloukos Staff Reporter

Joey Birchansky News Editor On September 2, about two weeks after former principal Dr. Susan Atherley’s unannounced leave, Mr. William Latson introdued himself to Spanish River as its new principal. Assistant Principal Ira Sollod had served as interim principal until Latson was selected. “Dr. Atherley loved Spanish River,

but she was driving an hour to work every day, so she needed to be closer to home,” Sollod said. Atherley is now the principal of Dreyfoos School of the Arts in West Palm Beach, which is only a 10-minute drive from her house. The school district was unable to hire a new principal by the start of the school year. A selection committee consisting of Superintendent Bill Malone, district employees and parents represented River. Only

applicants who met specific criteria made by a group of parents, students and faculty could be interviewed for the position. The committee voted officially on Wednesday, August 31, almost two weeks after the first day of school. That Friday, Latson began his first day at River, saying he was “proud” to be the new principal. Latson is already familiar with this area of Boca Raton, having previously worked as the principal of Calusa *continued on page 3

DECA, Office Depot partnership raises money Emily Bergman Staff Reporter The Office Depot Foundation recently partnered with Spanish River’s DECA Academy, a high school program that prepares young entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance and hospitality. The Office Depot headquarters’ gift store, the Gift Shack, donates proceeds to Office Depot’s charities as well as to the DECA Academy. For every 20 hours of student volunteer work in

All Over the World

Spanish River students travled the world far and wide this summer. Find out where they went. Page 9

the Gift Shack, Office Depot donates $300 in school supplies and $300 in cash to DECA. Each year, DECA students have the Photo by Julie Bergman choice to participate in a DECA com- The Office Depot headquarters on Milipetition. Junior Elizabeth Oester con- tary Road in Boca Raton. tacted Mary Wong, president of the Office Depot Foundation, for a part of that she expressed interest in being her written portion of the competi- involved with our [school] DECA tion. chapter.” “The president of the Office Depot Oester works at the Gift Shack two Foundation was very impressed with to three times per week. She is highly the level of commitment and enthusi- involved in running and managing asm I showed while working with her,” the shop, which is open to all corpoOester said. “[She was] so impressed *continued on page 3

Hogwarts River High

Take The Galleon Sorting Hat Quiz to discover what Hogwarts house you were meant to be in. Page 12

Love is the Answer

How new additions to the football team have sparked a teamwide resurgence. Page 17

Inside this Issue

Photo by Julie Bergman

Mr. Latson poses with the Spanish River Shark in the courtyard. Latson has previously worked as the principal of Calusa Elementary, Seminole Trails Elementary, Polo Park Middle, and Boynton Beach High School.

Two Spanish River students dropped out in the 2010-2011 school year after being punished for bullying, a problem that “is very serious” and “need[s] to be addressed,” according to Assistant Principal Dr. Jon Prince. In response, the Palm Beach County Department of Safe Schools has created a new way for students to report a bullying incident: the Bullying Hotline. The Bullying Hotline is a phone line that is automatically directed to Prince’s voice mail, which tells the caller to relay information such as the victim, the bully, and when and where the incident took place. After the caller leaves the message, he or she receives an email with an audio file of the voicemail. The head of the Bullying Hotline then forwards the email to the caller’s designated assistant. Once caught, the bully may receive detention, O.R., suspension or other consequences depending on the severity of the act. Two students have already called the hotline since the beginning of the school year, according to Prince. “Teachers don’t focus on bullying that much and maybe they need to,” senior Lexi Weiss said. “The bullying hotline makes kids a lot more comfortable since they don’t have to face the assistant principal themselves.” Bullying awareness is being raised all over the world. The documentary film Coexist, which was recently shown at Florida Atlantic University, tells the stories of citizens whose lives were destroyed by the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Director Adam Mazo hopes people watching his documentary will understand how the hatred of genocide also fuels bullying. “Bullying leads to suicide. Is it not worth saving a life [to stand up]?” Mazo said. “It takes tremendously [more] courage to stand up than to stand by.” Through Coexist, Mazo hopes to raise bullying awareness everywhere, especially in the classroom. To report bullying or hostility, call 561-241-2225. News.............................1, 3 Opinion.......................4-5 Features......................8-9 Feature Focus......10-11 Entertainment....12-13 Student Life..........14-15 Sports................17-18, 20 .

SHARK ATTACK

September 2011 The Galleon

Letter From the Editors

Spirit-Fest!

Welcome back to school, River! Has the excitement of the new school year faded already? Well, cheer up. Spanish River has been quite the busy place so far; with a new principal, a much improved football team and an Argentinian neurologist guest speaker, The Galleon has you covered just in case you’ve been living under a rock for the past month. Ever wonder what the assistant principals were like when they were your age? Check out Features and find out. Also, Entertainment has put together a magical page for all you Harry Potter fans, including The Galleon’s very own Sorting Hat. With Homecoming week and Halloween right around the corner, get ready for an exciting school year. Joey Goldman, Nicole Granet, Phoebe Dinner and Lee Ginton Editorial Board

Channel One films at Spanish River!

Photos by Lee Ginton

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Spanish River now a “B” school Whitney Sha News Editor After seven consecutive years as an “A”-rated school, Spanish River will be a “B” school when the Florida Department of Education releases school grades this year. School grades are calculated based on a number of categories called “cells,” which include FCAT performance, graduation rate and Advanced Placement (AP) participation. “Our tests overall were good, and [performance in] most cells went up,” Assistant Principal Ira Sollod said. “It all came down to one cell – achieving 50 percent learning gains for the lowest 25 percent of FCAT scorers. We were only a few points short.” The break in the “A” streak has students concerned about River’s reputation. “It’s very disappointing,” junior Taylor Noeth said. “I don’t know what colleges are going to think of it.”

The Galleon Insider

I know Spanish River is a good school. We’re prepared to work hard to raise the grade. Terry Spurgeon English 1 Honors Teacher

Even though River dropped in Florida’s grading system, it ranked 185th in Newsweek’s America’s 1,000 Best High Schools last year. Newsweek calculates rankings based on categories such as graduation rate, college entrance rate and AP participation, but excludes FCAT scores. Because of River’s high Newsweek rating, students need not worry about the impact of the “B” grade on their college applications, according to Sollod. “We moved up in Newsweek and our AP scores went way up, so the letter grade doesn’t matter at all,” Sollod said. “What’s most important [for colleges] is what you do as an individual student.” Additionally, Florida’s grading system is only one measure of a school’s performance, according to English 1 Honors teacher Terry Spurgeon. “We don’t want people too concerned about one year,” Spurgeon said. “I’ve taught here for 20 years, and I know Spanish River is a good school. We’re prepared to work hard to raise the grade.” Although the drop in letter grade was upsetting, effects of the “B” grade are less extensive than expected. Teachers and administrators plan to raise River to an “A” school again next year by focusing on underachieving cells and maintaining its current performance in others.

NEWS

September 2011 The Galleon

New principal announced

The Galleon

Elementary. He has also worked as the principal of Seminole Trails Elementary, Boynton Beach High, and, most recently, Polo Park Middle School in Wellington. “I didn’t think [this position] would come open anytime soon,” Latson said. “Though once I heard that Dr. Atherley left, I applied. I wanted to be closer to home and I was at the point where I was ready to go back to [working at] a high school.” Latson has enjoyed his first few weeks at River, meeting many students in the halls between classes. “What I like [about this school] is that the students are very upbeat and

Editors-in-Chief Joey Goldman Nicole Granet Associate Editors Phoebe Dinner Lee Ginton Advertising Director Samantha Cohen Layout & Feature Focus Editor Ilana Weisman News Editors Joey Birchansky Whitney Sha Features Editor Caroline Posner Entertainment Editors Ariel Brown Lee Ginton Sports Editor Josh Benrubi Student Life Editors Phoebe Dinner Emma Grubman Art Editors Gali Deutsch Caroline Posner Photography Editor Julie Bergman Web Editor Claire Dykas Staff Reporters Emily Bergman Shelaina Bloukos Jamie Brecher Zach Schlein Adviser Suzanne Sanders Principal William Latson

*continued from page 1

positive,” Latson said. Since beginning his work at River, Latson has made it a priority to understand the particular needs of the school. “The process of getting adjusted … is more of me finding how to fit into the culture [here] and finding my own way to enhance it,” Latson said. For now, Latson plans to work closely with the PTSA and the Spanish River Foundation. He also wishes to create partnerships between the Academies and local businesses in order to “attract the best and the brightest to our school” and encourage growth of the Academies.

DECA fundraises with Office Depot *continued from page 1 rate employees of Office Depot. The Gift Shack contains many products that are handmade by volunteers of the foundation. “It really [lets] the students gain experience with how a store is managed and marketed [and also gives] them the opportunity to make professional connections,” Oester said. Currently, a committee ensures that the store is always staffed with DECA students. The committee also guarantees community service hours to stu-

dents for their time spent helping the foundation. “It’s a great way for students to gain retail and display skills because they are running the store [themselves],” DECA adviser Deborah Carter said. “[The students] are merchandising and providing free labor.” The Office Depot Foundation’s partnership with the DECA chapter is providing marketing students with hands-on experience of real world entrepreneurship.

2011-2012

The Galleon is a public forum. The Galleon is a member of Quill and Scroll Honorary Society for High School Journalists, Florida Scholastic Press Association, Columbia Scholastic Press Association, National Scholastic Press Association

IT’S ALLMONEY ABOUT THE MONEY MONEY

The aftereffects of the economic recession and falling tax revenues have led to district budget cuts, which have affected students and teachers alike. “Right now, science teachers are teaching 2,600 kids,” Science Department Chair Eric Dybas said. “We want to expand labs, and we need money to purchase chemicals and equipment, but we’re receiving less than $2 per student in supply funds when we actually need about $20,000 total.” Budget curiosity led The Galleon to investigate school spending in science as well as other areas. Here are the numbers: Art by Gali Deutsch Source: Palm Beach County School Records Information compiled by Whitney Sha and Joey Birchansky

VOICES IN THE CROWD

How do you think the school supply budget is spent, and how should it be spent? “I think 50 percent of the budget goes to sports and PE, 25 percent goes to band and other extracurriculars, and 25 percent goes to academics ... I think we need to spend more on science and academics.” - Krista Laudato, 9

“I’m guessing [the district gives Spanish River] $50,000 - 60 percent on textbooks and 40 percent on lab materials ... I think the school should spend more on computers and other technology.” - Yoli Navas, 12 Photos by Julie Bergman

September 2011 The Galleon

OPINION

Have national Dear freshmen, welcome to River holidays lost Nicole Granet importance? Editor-in-Chief Dear Class of 2015, Congratulations – You made it to high school! I may be a senior, but I clearly remember the overwhelming excitement, confusion and curiosity that accompany freshman year. In three years, I’ve acquired insight about what I wish I knew as I trekked to and from the portables, sporting my freshman size backpack and wondering how I’d ever make it through the mountain of real homework and studying that awaited me. I made it through, and so will you. So here it is, take it or leave it, a bit of advice from a senior to a freshman. Everything counts. You are going to hear it over and over again, but that’s because it is true. With every grade earned and activity pursued, you create a foundation for your high school career. What you do today, tomorrow and throughout this year impacts you when applying to colleges and reflecting on

your high school years. Not only does every year count, every year flies. Amidst 700 new classmates in the theater for orientation, four years may have seemed like an eternity, but trust me, it’s not. When the upperclassmen chant “four more years” at the pep rally, just keep in mind that in the shortest four years of your life, you’ll be saying the same thing to the class of 2018! Won’t there be flying cars by then? My point: make it last because it goes way too fast. These are your four years to fill. So fill them well. Get involved. From Step Team to Debate Team, to Academic Games and Classic Film Club, there are so many...too many... ways to grow your passions and excel at your interests in high school. Find a balance between pigeonholing and over-extending. As someone who has endured both sides of the spectrum, I’ve learned two things – first follow your instincts, then learn to say “no”... in that order. Seek out what truly excites you, but once you find yourself attending 10 different clubs meetings in one week (even if all are of genuine appeal to you) remember that sleeping and eating are also of genuine

appeal. When you’re filling your time with club meetings, homework, and study groups, don’t forget to factor in school functions. If I have one regret about high school thus far, it’s not going to enough sporting events – swimming, baseball, football, the works. As we are currently experiencing an unprecedentedly amazing football season, I’ve attended some of the games and immersed in the spirit that one can so easily miss out on. Throughout Homecoming and Spring Fling Weeks, different activities (planned for students, by students) are scheduled for each night. Go! Don’t be afraid. High school is a time to explore interests, expand comfort zones, learn, meet people and accomplish feats you never dreamed you could. Take your work seriously, but don’t forget to enjoy the journey. Dive in. You’re sharks now, so get swimming.

Art by Gali Deutsch

Caffeine intake determines social standing Phoebe Dinner Associate Editor On an LTM, getting spotted without that plastic cup in your hand is a form of social suicide. Even if you love the latte in the venti glass, we all know it means more than just a pick me up in the morning. Carrying a Starbucks cup around at 10:30 AM means something special for Spanish River students. What it means, no one can be sure, but to say that you pick up Starbucks for the pure joy a passion fruit tea brings, is a lie. And of course, size matters. You can’t go around school with a tall machiato, that’s an embarrassment. Go big or go home. A venti says, “yeah, I love coffee and I am cool and old and more mature than you.” But ever since this trenta came around, the game has completely changed. If you carry around that trenta, not only is your bladder some kind of science experiment, it means you are a special kind of person. The most vicious teens might even say bad things about the ambitious trenta coffee drinker. The content of the drink though, seems to be overlooked. For example, a regular caffeinated coffee may mean that you were tired that morning and could no longer sit through Calculus without a little help from the friendly people in green smocks. But then there is the person who orders a passion fruit - lemonade which is essentially like drinking fruit punch that is twice the price and 10 times the envy of other students. This person is not actually interested in the

drink, but more like what the symbol carries. The sugary drink is not coffee, but just because it is wrapped in a cleverly constructed package means that it is so much more than any Hi-C or Kool- Aid on the market. There is also the question, “Oh my god, what are you drinking?” You will hear people all around school discussing what comes inside of the cup. And the words that come out is from a language unlike any culture I have encountered. It could never be as easy as a small or large, regular or” decaf”. To be cool you need to understand the language. I don’t know which one is worse, not having a signature drink at Starbucks or getting up to the counter and holding up the rest of the long line because you have no idea what to order or how to

say the words. These people should stay away from the counters until they are completely prepared for the Starbucks experience. Therefore you will see girls around the school asking each other what the other one drinks in the hopes that they too will discover their signature drink. I myself have to admit to waiting a little longer to finish my iced green tea until I entered the 8000 building. But maybe you do love Starbucks and have a hard time staying away in the morning because the frappacino is the only thing that you look forward to in the day. In this case, I’m sorry, and you can disregard all the slander I have thrown your way. But let’s face it, high school is a caste system and you have to up your caffeine intake to get to the top.

Lee Ginton Associate Editor 20 bucks to the first person who can tell me why we celebrate Labor Day. How about St. Patrick's Day? And does anyone find it strange that Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday is on January 15 (a Sunday) and yet were celebrating it on the 16th (a Monday)? No, no one? That's probably because the modern American will use any excuse to take a day off or have a party. Who cares that 400 years ago we massacred Native Americans for their homeland, as long as we get to stuff our faces with turkey and mashed-potatoes until we reach the point where all we are capable of doing is sleeping. I for one believe that we should start caring. Living in a society where ignorance spreads like the common cold, not only gets extremely aggravating but also leads to danger. Now, I'm not stating that a Civil War is going to break out because nonMexicans are drinking Margaritas on Cinco de Mayo, but I am stating that we are in danger of forgetting history. If we continue on such a path these days of remembrance will fade into oblivion. May 5th will simply become "National Get Wasted Day" and the hard work of the Mexican militia at The Battle of Puebla will be completely forgotten. We have all heard the profound adage "history repeats itself". Call me crazy, but I am a firm believer that if we don't start remembering the true reason for such holidays then, at some point in the future (whether I will still be alive to say I told you so, who knows) history will in fact... repeat itself. This danger can be easily avoided in such a way that we can still have our days off and stuff our faces with food and drinks. What if before Mom sets out the cranberry sauce and pies we take time to actually think about what we are thankful for? Perhaps even a bit of gratitude toward Dr. King can be shown - after all the man did risk his life to fight for the rights of millions of people. Maybe even on President's Day we can start thinking about actual Presidents rather than sales and discounts. Maybe then these honored Americans won't be turning over in their graves. **Disclaimer: For those of you who do know why we celebrate Labor Day, I will not actually be giving you twenty dollars - so please do not bombard me with facts (but I can give you a pat on the back).

Photo courtesy of Google Images

OPINION 5 How a missing ring can teach us all a lesson September 2011 The Galleon

Wanda Langlois, kept his senior class ring as a token of his time spent at Spanish River. His original ring was never found, however. The chances Senior Skip Day, 1992. Spanish of finding a tiny ring washed out to River senior Joseph Barnier, affec- sea are nearly nonexistent; it's like tionately known as Joe, joined his trying to find a needle in a haystack, friends for a day of scuba-diving near except in this case, the haystack covDeerfield Beach. Only after he had ers every corner of the planet. returned home Patricia Pennell did Joe realize that found the needle. his senior class While on a recent ring had slipped walk along Spanoff while diving, ish River beach, leaving him no Pennell, a Deerother choice but field Beach resito buy a replacedent and owner ment. Life went of Pennell Marine, on though, and Inc., noticed somebefore long Joe thing sticking out Photo courtesy of Spanish River graduated as part of the sand. In an of Spanish River's Barnier, pictured here second from the right, inexplicable act was a member of the 1992 Spanish River class of 1992. The of fate, the thing Video Club. future was bright Pennell pulled for Joe, and soon after the gradua- from the sand was Joe's original class tion he made the brave, honorable ring. After nearly 20 years and decision to join the United States Air a near infinite number of Force. At only 19 years old, Joe trans- places it could have ended formed from Spanish River graduate up, Barnier's ring was found to Airman Joseph R. Barnier. wedged into the warm Then tragedy struck. On March 8. sands of a beach only 10 min1993, Joe died unexpectedly while in utes away from his alma matter. California, devastating his family and Joe, an avid fan of scuba-diving and the entire Spanish River community. jogging on the beach, seemed to find His memory lives on; Joe's mother, peace around the ocean; it seems

Joey Goldman Editor-in-Chief

All too frequently do high school fitting then that his ring was found students want nothing more than to there. When she first found the ring, Pen- just graduate already. In my grade, this phenomenon mannell had no idea of the ifests itself intensely, complex story behind it. a condition known as All she knew was what "senioritis." And after the ring's inscriptions high school graduaread - that it belonged tion, it's easy to forget to a Spanish River stuabout the countless dent named "Joe" who days we spend inside had graduated in 1992. classrooms and school Curious, Pennell sent halls, you known since the ring and a letter we're so busy with colexplaining the situalege and everything. tion to Spanish River But we shouldn't be so High School. After a quick to forget. High quick scan through the Photo courtesy of Spanish River school is the platform '92 Spanish River yearBarnier’s senior portrait in the we spring off of into the book and some online ‘92 Spanish River yearbook. whirlpool of life; one of research, school bookkeeper Donna D'aria discovered the the last steps of growth and maturity tragic story of Joe Barnier. Eventually, before it's off to the real world. Our D'aria managed to contact Joe's par- days in high school undoubtedly ents at their home in Colchester, Ver- make us who we are. You enter high mont. When she told them school as nothing more than a nerthe story about Pennell vous, pimply freshman, but only four and the ring, it brought years later you feel ready to conquer about an emotional anything thrown your way. Our ties release for Joe's parents, to our high school days run deep, and a sense of closure. D'aria, whether you like it or not, part of who incredibly inspired after you are and who you will be is due to listening to Joe's parents remi- Spanish River. Sooner or later we all return home. nisce about their son, told The Galleon about his story. Which brings That home is Spanish River. us here.

FACE OFF Lila Stallone Ms. Spanish River

RISE AND SHINE!

PEP RALLIES ARE NOW IN THE MORNING. HAVE SOME PEP WITH YOUR COFFEE, WHY DON’T YOU?

Music blaring, students screaming, teachers dancing – there is no doubt that pep rallies at Spanish River are some of the most looked forward to events throughout the school year. They’re an excuse to make fun outfits with your friends, get competitive with the classes and. above all else, show your school spirit. So what I don’t understand is why everyone is so upset over the recent time change from after fourth period to during first period. If anything, making the pep rallies early in the morning allows for more fun throughout the day. Sure, it is early and most of us are barely awake, but what could possibly be a better way to wake up then screaming as loud as you can in the gym with all your friends to represent your class and the entire school? True, early pep rallies may entice those of us who can drive not to come in as early but I don’t see why the time is stopping anyone from participating in something that has always filled our school with so much energy and excitement. By having the pep rallies during first period, we can carry out the school spirit throughout the rest of the day. Getting pumped up early will carry us through a regular, mundane school day and will provide for more liveliness among the students and teachers. Contrary to popular belief, the whole point of a pep rally is not to bash other classes and scream “four more years” at the freshmen (although it does give it a little extra something) but rather to bring the school together as a unit, spreading school spirit among all of the students, teachers and administrators. Just because a pep rally is earlier in the morning it does not mean that it becomes any less fun, any less exhilarating, or any less of the tradition that we as Spanish River Sharks have grown to anticipate, appreciate and love. The fact of the matter is pep rallies are fun. Why complain?

Gil Vizner Senior

BACK TO SLEEP...

Everyone sees pep rallies differently. Coaches and athletes finally get some recognition, leadership members get a sense of accomplishment for a well-run event, and Mr. and Mrs. Shark get a chance to shine. But for those of us in the stands, pep rallies are what we make of them. Many feel as if they are forcibly subjected to an hour of 100+ decibels madness, and others just don’t feel so into it. I however elect to make the most fun out of the situation as possible (a little bit of forced enthusiasm can go a long way). When else do I get a chance to see a dance team performance and a step team performance and the Lampman 8 and Boyz IV men and a Cirque du Soleil retiree all at the same time? And sure, by the end of it I’m all full of school spirit. It took me a few times to learn but now I’d say I really enjoy them. Some people say that the time change of the pep rally is in part due to an oversized freshman class. By changing the time to first thing in the morning, the school hopes to reduce turnout and maintained at its normal sardine level. I feel the decision misses the point of pep rallies. They’re made to instill unity and pride in the school. To implement a change that intends to leave people out would completely go against the idea and decrease the unifying experience. It would be a shame to see the senior class of 2015 devoid of school spirit and class pride just because they weren’t forced to be heckled by us seniors four times a year. They’d be missing out. And so would we. A second apparent reason for moving the time of the event lies with those students who get too enthusiastic. Administrators feel that moving the event to the morning would discourage alcoholic consumption among students. I feel that this change doesn’t really address the issue. Students who are stupid enough to make the decision to show up drunk to a pep rally won’t be inhibited by this at all. If anything, it would change the sketchy and easily detectable bathroom drinking to an unpoliceable pounding of mimosas in the parking lot. Changing the time of the event won’t change stupidity. And for the rest of us who are already at the point where we can responsibly enjoy pep rallies for all their worth, I would say that sometimes early is just too early.

September 2011 The Galleon

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SHARK FAMILY

September 2011 The Galleon

River to support one of its own

Phoebe Dinner Associate Editor

Jamie Quevedo taught sophomore English at Spanish River for over a decade. She is a daughter, a mother and a friend to the entire faculty at River. At the age of 33, Quevedo was diagnosed with ALL (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia), while pregnant with her second son, Joshua. After the birth of her son and three rounds of chemotherapy, Quevedo was viable for a bone marrow transplant. After a successful procedure, she was able to participate in her first “Light the Night” walk in November of 2010. But after the 2010 walk, Quevedo was diagnosed again with Leukemia and is still fighting today. Due to a bout with pneumonia,

Quevedo is currently in the Intensive Care Unit, and hopes that her entire family, Sharks included, will walk at this year’s “Light the Night” event with her team. To support Quevedo’s team and research for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, please visit http://pages.lightthenight.org/ pb/WPalmBch11/jamie.quevedo, and attend the “Light the Night” walks in October and November. Spanish River is also starting a scholarship fund for Quevedo’s two boys, currently ages two and five, where we will come together and raise money so they can have a bright future. If interested in donating, please make checks payable to Spanish River and turn your donations in to the Main Office.

Art by Caroline Posner

Save the Date...

Light the Night

Boca Raton

November 12, 2011 Sunset Cove Amphitheater 12551 Glades Rd., Boca Raton Walk Distance: 2 miles Check In: 5:00 PM Presentation: 6:30 PM Walk Start Time: 7:00 PM

West Palm

November 4, 2011 Meyer Amphitheatre 104 Datura St., West Palm Beach Walk Distance: 2 miles Check In: 6:00 PM Presentation: 7:30 PM Walk Start Time: 8:00 PM

Photo Courtesy of Google Images

Former students reflect on Quevedo’s teaching in The Tempest or when she so meticulously described Dante’s levels of hell that I thought I was lying in garbage myself along with the other sinI was slouched in my seat drained ners of circle 3, Ms. Quevedo shared a after three hours of class. I only had contagious light of passion with her to make it through one more hour, students. One can tell that Ms. Queonly one more torturous hour before vedo always held a vast distinction I could venture off to lunch and at- from some of the other teachers; she tempt to rejuvegenuinely cared nate myself and for the well-being somehow recof her students ollect the brain and consistently cells that I lost in sacrificed her own the morning. All time off to help but one shared aid her students my delirium. Ms. with their comQuevedo came prehension. Every in every morning test she would fourth period of come around and sophomore year give each student with energy and a piece of candy passion, either to alleviate the wonderfully hidburden of the test ing her tiredsimply out of the ness or simply goodness of her loving what she heart. On Hallowdid. And after a een, she dressed year knowing up as a pirate and her, I would put Photo Courtesy of Tiburon her energy transmoney on the Jamie Quevedo’s 2008 yearbook photo. ferred around the latter. I have nevroom like wildfire; er had a more everyone shared passionate, fun-loving teacher in my her bright spirit. Her love for teaching life. She somehow managed to raise truly impacted everyone she taught. everyone’s spirits and bring all of her Amiss the blur of the SATs, ACTs, colstudents out of their morning de- lege applications, college placement lirium, which of course, is not easy to exams, rush and sorority activities, do for high school students. Whether I am still able to sit here three years it was her reenactment of a scene later and recall the curriculum of

Lindsey Gold Editor-in-Chief ‘10-11

sophomore year English. That in itself should be self-explanatory. Ms. Quevedo’s teaching had such an impact on everyone she taught; her curriculum was poignant and her attitude was flawless. It is unfortunate that every student has not had the opportunity to share in her love for education and experience first-hand her joy for life. However, her legacy and impetuous passion for teaching lives on through those many students who were graced by her instruction, and by her peers who were lucky to have worked with such a glowing, amazing person.

Poster for “Light the Night” to raise more for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Photo Courtesy of Google Images

For more information, visit http://pages.lightthenight.org/pb/WPalmBch11/jamie.quevedo

Katiana Krawchenko Editor-in-Chief ‘08-09 About three years ago I stepped into Ms. Quevedo’s class for the very first time. Sure, I remember learning about the motifs in Going After Cacciato and our lengthy discussions about A Handmade’s Tale in Literature Circles. But what I’ll never forget is Ms. Quevedo’s undying passion for teaching. She taught class almost every day even when she might not have been feeling well. And even when she was absent, she left extremely detailed instructions for substitute teachers. She was just about as dedicated as they come-meticulously pouring over our papers and reports, making sure we understood the difference between motifs and themes. And most of all, she cared about her students like they were her own children. Two years ago I saw proof in this connection when she was diagnosed with cancer for a second time, having also given birth to a brand new miracle baby boy who came out fine despite her treatments. As soon as students heard the news about Ms. Quevedo’s second bout with cancer, they formed a Facebook group to spread the word and help raise money to support the Quevedos’ food bill, medical treatments, and of course, her two little boys. She was an excellent teacher, an excellent friend, and an excellent parent. My heart goes out to her family during this rough time, and I hope they know what an appreciated member of the Spanish River Community she was.

FEATURES

September 2011 The Galleon

BACK TO SCHOOL: administration revisits their teenage years MS. GORON

danced ballet, pointe, modern,

MS. AMBURGEY

jazz and tap every day.

from Logan, West Virginia (popu-

wanted to be a social stud-

lation: less than our school).

ies teacher.

inspiration for teaching?

favorite movie was Gone

Two high school English teachers, and my grandmother, who started the ﬁrst ESE program in our county.

with the Wind.

college application process was intense. Ended

listened to Notorious B.I.G.,

up transferring, but second school- George Washington University- was a great ﬁt. extracurriculars? I was editor of the yearbook, in National Honor Society, French Honor Society... and I babysat.

Faith Evans, P.M. Dawn.

for fun All the kids went to

hang out near the school.and we liked to go bowling. It was a small town, we just got a WalMart about 10 years ago. applied to one college, West Virginia University. I took the ACT and then I got in!

MR. SOLLOD

played basketball and baseball. wanted to be a teacher. (Before that, an favorite band first job was a

air trafﬁc controller.) was The Eagles and Jackson Browne.

paper route and then a referee in high school.

We used to register for our classes all in one day. Every single class offered was listed on a giant board, and they crossed it off as soon as it ﬁlled up.

what’s changed?

wanted to be a teacher. favorite band was Creedence Clearwater Revival. first job was a lifeguard. best high school memory? Winning the National Championships in

Argentinian journalist inspires Spanish language students in that and doesn’t prepare a speech often. After many radio and TV appearances, he knows [how to] not have a speech ready.” This spontaneity and resulting eloquence certainly has worked to Aguinis’ advantage; after a Early in September, AP Spanish Language and 45-year long career, he was nominated for a UnitLiterature students were treated to a speech given by Argentinian writer Marcos Aguinis. Aguinis, a ed Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Aslife-long academic and grandfather to two Spanish sociation (UNESCO) Education for Peace Award, among several other River students, planned prestigious internato visit when AP Spantional awards and ish teacher Monica recognition. Friedmann organized a The students who lecture with him for her listened to Aguinis’ students. In addition oration were wowed to being a renowned not only by his writer, Aguinis practices accomplishments neurology and has exand experiences, but tensive training in inalso by his poise as a ternational literature, speaker. medicine, psychoanaly“I loved the sis, art and history. way he talked in a Although Aguinis’ relatable, informal most recent work, a way and made us novel entitled Liova laugh, ” junior Patricia corre hacia el poder, Matos said. “It was so was released this Auinteresting and fun. gust, he chose to speak I was at the edge of about his life experimy seat through the ences in an improvised Photo by Ilana Weisman whole speech.” speech, according to his Marcos Aguinis describes his life as an Argentinian “Marcos is an idol granddaughter, junior journalist and cultural ambassador. to many people, but Michelle Aguinis. to me, he’s more than that, ” junior Martin Aguinis “He gave the speech on the spot - total improsaid. “He is my grandfather. I have many fascinating visation,” Michelle Aguinis said. “He is constantly giving spontaneous speeches, so he is very trained conversations with him about [his] novels, life and experiences which I truly admire.”

Ilana Weisman Feature Focus Editor

MR. MARKWARDT

swimming!

Spanish River

celebrates

H MONTH ispanic

eritage

In honor of Hispanic Heritage month from September 15 to October 15, the Spanish National Honor Society is teaching students the Spanish origins of a few English words.

SOMBRERO CONTENTO FAJITA MACHO ARMADILLO Images courtesy of Clip Art

FEATURES

September 2011 The Galleon

Oh! the places you’ve gone

Photos courtesy of Carter Main

Senior Carter Main photographed this Buddhist monk peacefully meditating during his five weeks in Thailand.

Caroline Posner Features Editor Camp, teen tours, work, Caribbean cruises and trips to Israel; it’s easy to list the well-known summer destinations for Spanish River students. This summer, however, students broke borders with colorful travels to faroff countries, and they’ve brought back their share of stories and experiences. From South America to Asia, these students experienced contrasting cultures, breathtaking landscapes and flavorful cuisines. Within three months, freshman Derek Donev found himself on three continents. Visiting family and friends in two distinct home countries, he traveled to both Colombia and Macedonia, with stops in Italy and France during the one-month tour. This summer included his second trip to his grandmother’s town of Medellín, Colombia, a city once known as a drug-trafficking capital and one of the world’s most dangerous locations in the late 1980s, according to TIME magazine. Donev felt as though he stood out in the impoverished neighborhood, dressed nicely among kids he saw in ripped clothing. They do not have the conventional toys that many American children own and resort to playing in the street with cans and sticks,

freshman

fifteen Spanish River welcomes the newest bunch of freshmen to the halls. Here are some stats on the class of 2015.

Donev said. Still, he was surprised by the friendliness he found in this modernizing city. “The people were incredibly nice,“ Donev said. “You could walk down the street and they’d say, ‘Hey, how are you?’” Halfway around the world, Donev also vacationed in Macedonia, his father’s home country in Europe’s Balkan Peninsula. Aside from catching up with relatives, he reminisced that the most memorable aspect of the trip might have been the food. “My dad always told me how he had rice and chicken always for dinner, growing up,” Donev said. “A kabob, the No. 1 treat in Macedonia, was only eaten about once a month. I got to try one this summer and compare it to an American kabob. It was so delicious.” The city of Monospitovo, Macedonia, is a combination of urban buildings and rural farmland. Unlike the agriculture in the United States, Donev says that the people of Mono-

All in the family The freshman class ofﬁcers aren’t ﬁrst generation River students. President

Tiffany Eisner VP

Eliza Rosenberg Treasurer

Jordan Tell & Secretary

Sammy Boursiquot all have had older siblings at school

stant noise of traffic, only dustier. “I’ve learned from this how to live my life to the fullest and not take anything for granted,” Dennis said. “A lot of people around the world don’t even have clean water to drink. It’s just a different way of living that I’ve grown to love.” Meanwhile, seniors Carter Main Senior Carter Main comes across a statue and Dylan Rosenberg helped out of Buddha in a village shop on his trip to villagers in Southeast Asia. The two Southeast Asia. opted to spend their summer volunteering on a Rustic Pathways teen trip to three small towns in Thailand over five weeks, with one condition - they could bring only one backpack with a set of clothes, toiletries and basic necessities. Traveling by van from place to place, they roomed in modest houses Senior Dylan Rosenberg helps build a ditch and slept on the floor or on bamboo for plumbing in a village in Thailand. mats. In Nohbu, their first stop, they built a stage and bathroom for the young Burmese refugees who attend spitovo work the farms by hand. “They’ve got baskets for handpick- the Nohbu Academy. “Only some of them spoke English, ing vegetables and kneepads and hats to protect them while they work and they live and dress differently all day,” Donev said. “My uncle col- than us,” Rosenberg said. “But they do lects kneepads just for this. They’re the same things. They go to school out there growing peppers, rice and and play sports. We’re really the same.” vegetables.” Main adds that the kids were Like Donev, senior Setutsi Dennis saw family on her vacation, but Den- excited about the stage and grateful nis has experienced the unique West for the American teens volunteering. Their next stop was a rural and African country of Liberia every summer since fourth grade. She spent isolated village where no one spoke time with cousins and friends in a English. There, the 16 teenagers laid two-story house in a busy urban set- down flooring for a cafeteria for kids. “It doesn’t sound like a big deal, but ting. Still, most students can’t imagine having to boil water in a coal pot it’s basic,” Rosenberg said. “They don’t for a hot shower in a country that was want to eat on dirty ground. They’ve fighting a civil war less than 10 years got pride, too.” Though these vacations are out of ago. Dennis says that her life in Sinkor, the ordinary, they were eye-opening a neighborhood in Liberia’s capi- to life thousands of miles from Boca tal Monrovia, is still safe and com- Raton. No matter their motivation or desfortable, even if it is not much of an orthodox vacation. The bustling tination, these students agreed that capital looks like a modern city, with their summer was, if anything, unforpaved roads, streetlights and the con- gettable.

There are

698

students

in the class of

2015

They would ﬁll

“

High school was a little overwhelming at ﬁrst, but we’re adapting and getting used to it.

We’re so excited.

”

- Tiffany Eisner

two Boeing 767s. Of them, one third are enrolled in an academy. Photo courtesy of Airliners.net

September 2011 The Galleon

FEATURE

Clique Here

Birds of a feather flock together. Peas in a pod. Pack mentality. We are told that we associate with people who are similar to us - but is that the case at Spanish River? Do we have cliques? Do teachers notice them? How much do they affect us? What is a clique, anyway? The Galleon cliques in.

Do teachers know of and teach to different cliques? Jamie Brecher Staff Reporter Cliques may be defined by students as the people they eat lunch with or a group of friends they hang out with. But, teachers also see and define cliques themselves. “Of course I can see them,” AP World History teacher Wendy Woodmore said. “At this age, it’s obvious.” To students, though, cliques are independent of age. “Most of the people I hang out with now are my friends from years back,” sophomore Alex Goldstein said. “All of us have grown up together and have gone to school together since I can remember.” Some students note that having a close group of friends may be a negative aspect in relation to the social world. “The bad part about having a close group of friends is that you don’t get to branch out that much,” junior Rachael Brooks said. “You are with the same people all the time.” Cliques are especially apparent to teachers at Spanish River. A number of them mention that cliques affect learning in the classroom. “I usually wait about a week or two

to create a seating chart for my class,” trigonometry teacher and River graduate Tara Rothberg said. “This way conversations about social issues won’t affect the learning environment.” Other teachers aren’t concerned about who is in what clique or who is dating, but rather how well they do in school. “It doesn’t matter who’s friends with who. What I care about is how my students perform, not what clique they’re in,” Woodmore said. In the eyes of some teachers at River, cliques have changed over the years. Though they may represent the same stereotypical title, close groups of student have become smaller and smaller. “When I was in high school, there were big groups of students that could be noted as a clique, but in each group, you would have a couple of really close friends to hang out with out of school,” Rothberg said. “Now, when I look at the student body, I’ve noticed that cliques have gotten smaller in size.” All things considered, cliques don’t disappear after high school. “The truth is, [cliques] continue into the workplace and adulthood,” academy director Deborah Stenner said. “It’s not something that’s out with high school.”

HOW “CLIQUEY” ARE YOU?

River by the Numbers 38.3% of

students consider themselves members of a clique

out of every 3 think that River students are stereotyped

Nearly one

quarter

think that teachers teach to different cliques Information compiled and Graphics by Ilana Weisman

HOW TO BE A HIPSTER: 1. Make a 2. Buy a pair of gray, acid-washed skinny jeans, Raybans, a vest, floral print, plaid, and loafers. Multiple pairs.

3. Take artsy pictures (3.5 Post said pics on Tumblr)

4. Find underground bands. Drop them upon becoming “mainstream.” Alternate idea: listen to international radio. 5. Stay off the beaten path and enjoy hipster-dom! Photos by JULIE BERGMAN

E FOCUS

September 2011 The Galleon

Mean Sharks: Stereotypes at Spanish River separate students Ilana Weisman Commentary Stereotyping is bad. Labeling people is bad. We’ve heard it all before ... but we do it anyway. I can’t put myself on a pedestal above stereotyping myself and my peers; I’m a proud member of the AP Nerds, known last year as the Super Sophomore Geek Squad (thanks, Mr. Turner). You may know my friends and our equivalents in other grades as those weird kids who appear to have no social lives and study all the time. (To set the record straight, we do have active social lives - just with each other - and studying habits vary.) I don’t take offense to the title, partially because I’ve been called significantly worse and partially because it’s completely true - my best friends are my biggest competition in school. It’s awful among us, and it further separates us from the rest of our class. The walls we’ve made divide different groups and completely obscure accurate views of one another, leaving us all to only generalize cliques and people themselves.

RUSH: Spanish River High

Here’s a stereotypical high school generalization for you: We’ve all seen Mean Girls. We all know of the crazy rumors and wild antics of that particular movie. We all can identify its quotes - remember “Gretchen’s” dramatic “You can’t sit with us!” That one line vehemently points toward the universal existence of cliques. Cliques in Mean Girls were further seen in “Janice’s” über-detailed cafeteria diagram labeling the school, intended to help new student “Cady” ease into the new atmosphere. While at Spanish River we may not need a map to help new students assimilate nor be able to place groups of students on a map, comparable groups certainly exist. In fact, we may be just as bad as the junior class of North Shore High. Picture the stretch between the 8000 building and the cafeteria. You know, that long, picnic table-laden span in front of the Biotech building and the Shark Shop? That’s the one. Now, picture every different picnic table walking down that path. Much like the cafeteria in Mean Girls, it’s fairly easy to see who’s friends with whom. If you’re any-

thing like me, you probably don’t know many of the kids surrounding you. At one end of the hall, there are kids who may or may not be freshmen sitting on the ground in circles. At the other, there’s a few tables packed to the brim filled with some boys talking about some random sporting event. The stereotypes we place here would be that, one, freshmen sit on the ground because they are subordinate to upperclassmen, and two, all boys like sports and thereby bond over them. Neither may be true. Generalizations like these are what we should attempt to avoid buying into - they only cause trouble and separate people even more. How often do you walk down the hallway and see a group of kids you hardly know and automatically give them a name? And would you go so far as to come up with a name horribly offensive, horribly cliché - sluts? Emo misfits? Freaks? Losers? I admit that I have hastily grouped kids together in cliques. I feel bad that titles are all I can associate with other students, but at the same time, I know I can be reluctant to branch out. I hate

BANDIES

“It’s marching season, not football. season.” - Courtesy Facebook

to say it, but I’m stuck within my circle of friends, and no matter how wideranging it is, I don’t know enough. I hate that along with our entire school, I have fallen into that stereotypical high school cliché - by stereotyping cliques. It’s time to bulldoze the forts we’ve built around our circle of friends separating ourselves from each other, whether it’s by taking a new elective (pottery for some, AP Biology for others) or by sitting with someone unfamiliar at the next pep rally. We need to branch out. We need to abolish the resemblance to a certain cafeteria map before it becomes a permanent aspect of student life. As students, we don’t want to be labeled falsely, and we don’t want to be stuck living in a school filled with generalizations and clichés. Because, as Janice so wisely put it, we have “your freshmen, preps, jocks, Asian nerds, cool Asians, black hotties, girls who eat their feelings, girls who don’t eat anything, wannabes, burnouts, sexually active band geeks” - but without ignoring our clique stereotypes, who knows what group the “best people you will ever meet” are in?

“We need to eat a lot. But only because we exercise a lot, too!” - Ellyn Snider, 11

JOCKS

Partiers “They’re those whose IQs exceed their weights.”

You’ve seen them, - Urban Dictionary talked with them, maybe even are Nerds a part of them. Here are River’s most prominent groups, as told by students in a Galleon survey. “Academically oriented, but we have fun...science fun?”

Geeks

- Jenny Hunter, 12

“Sex, drugs and rock & roll...”

- Guns ‘N Roses

“Everyone’s loud - in a good way.”

- Kennedy Smith, 9

Thespians Art by GALI DEUTSCH Photo by ILANA WEISMAN

September 2011 The Galleon

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT cures fans’ Potter-No-More blues

Ariel Brown Entertainment Editor On July 14, millions of devoted Potter fans worldwide spent the day gearing up for the midnight premiere of the final installment of the Harry Potter movie saga. They dressed in their finest wizarding attire, with costumes ranging from long black robes and round-rimmed glasses to red-and-gold striped scarves with wands. The anticipation mounted until finally, at approximately 2:30 AM on July 15, the Harry Potter era came to an end – or so everyone believed. Much to the glum fans’ delight, Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling recently announced her newest imaginative creation: Pottermore. Pottermore is an interactive website that allows users to experience the world of Harry Potter firsthand. The experience begins at Privet Drive, Harry’s home until age 11. From there, the user continues into the familiar Wizarding World of Harry Potter, replete with background stories of several of the series’ more minor characters, e-books, audiobooks, and foremost, personalized activities in accordance with the first book of the series. “I was most excited to be sorted by J.K. Rowling her-

self through the questions and quizzes she wrote,” junior Scott Shapiro said, who has been placed in Ravenclaw. “It was cool to see where the actual author of Harry Potter thought I should be.” Registration for Pottermore began on July 31, the shared birthday of both Harry Potter and J.K. Rowling. At this time, the millions of fans attempting to access the site were informed of the weeklong Magical Quill Challenge; the first one million users to successfully answer the tricky Potter-related questions would be granted early access to the website, with the official opening date declared as October 1. Several Spanish River students make up a fraction of these one million lucky Potter enthusiasts, one of which is senior Jake Netko. “Pottermore is awesome; I have early access and was placed in Slytherin already,” Netko said. However, some winners of the Magical Quill Challenge still eagerly await their official early-access invitations, which provide them with the necessary information to access the site’s contents. “I am one of the lucky few who will receive early access to Pottermore, though my welcome letter has not arrived yet,” Shapiro said.

Overall, the c o n c l u -sion of the Harry Potter films, and all new media pertaining to the material of the actual series itself, has been met with mixed emotions. Some fans were not thrilled about t h e end but were simply accepting of it. “Harry Potter had to end sometime,” Netko said. “No one wants to hear about the adventures of a middle-aged wizard. Harry Potter and the 401K? Boring.” On the opposite end of the spectrum, some fans were devastated upon their viewing of the final scene of the concluding movie. Though, for those melancholy fans, the anticipated opening of the website has seemed to soften the blow. “Harry Potter is far from over,” Shapiro said. “The series has a near limitless potential to grow. Pottermore is only just starting ... so we can expect Harry Potter to be around, surprising us with fresh new ideas, for many years to come.” Upon Pottermore’s October 1 grand opening, the Harry Potter era will officially continue to thrive via the World Wide Web. Art by Gali Deutsch Image courtesy of Google Images

*Answers on page 13

Ever wonder what Hogwarts house you would be sorted into? Do you dream of practicing spells with Hermione or playing Quidditch with Malfoy? Take this quiz to find out which house suits you best. 1. You find a wallet in the 8000 building, you: A. Track the owner down B. Hurry off to class and leave it there C. Bring it to Suite A D. Keep the money 2. Your extra-curricular activities are most similar to: A. Sports B. Math team C. Habitat for Humanity D. Student government 3. You walk into class late for the first time the whole year and your teacher gives you a lunch detention, you: A. Discuss reasonably with the teacher after class B. Appeal to an Assistant Principal C. Sit down and accept it D. Argue with the teacher 4. Your friend forgets his lunch at home, you: A. Convince the Shark Shop to accept an IOU B. Lend him money to buy lunch C. Offer to share your lunch D. Laugh

Brave. Daring. Chivalrous.

Cunning. Ambitious. Competitive.

5. Your teacher leaves the room while the class is taking a test and some students begin to cheat, you: A. Don’t let anyone continue the test until the teacher comes back B. Continue your test C. Tell the teacher after class D. Cheat with them 6. You are given a difficult extra-credit assignment, you: A. Don’t do it but spend your time in Key Club B. School-work is never hard for me, do it in 5 minutes C. Work with friends to figure it out D. Make someone else do it for you 7. A classmate who you’re not interested in asks you to homecoming, you: A. Find him/her another date B. Explain to him/her that you only think of them as a friend C. Go with him/her anyway D. Flat out reject them 8. You see someone getting bullied in the hallway, you: A. Break up the fight B. Report it to the Bullying Hotline C. Tell the nearest teacher D. Keep walking

Clever. Intelligent. Witty.

Friendly. Modest. Hard-working. Photo courtesy of Google Images

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

September 2011 The Galleon

Living Room Theater provides unique cinema experience acter-driven film that is made outside the traditional Hollywood film system with a very small budget and keeps For students seeking a unique alternathe artist/filmmaker’s original tive to a typical night out in Boca Raton, vision intact without corporate Florida Atlantic University’s (FAU) new Living corruption,”according to www. Room Theater provides a cinematic experimakeindependentfilms.com. ence that one cannot get from most movie “[My father] is a filmmaker theaters. Consider an elegant New York and we wanted to expand City coffee house combined with a clean the outlets that showed indeand quiet movie theater and a picture of pendent cinema,” manager of the Living Room Theater will begin to form. Living Room Theater Diego Conveniently located within FAU’s Boca Rimoch said. “We believe we Raton campus, Living Room Theater takes an provide a superior experience approach that is uncommon when it comes to other theaters including better films, better to screening movies. Rather than showing environment and comfort, better concesthe Hollywood Blockbusters found in the sions and better service overall.” Screening independent films is not the only feature that separates Living Room Theater from others. Typically when one imagines a movie theater one thinks of popcorn, candies and foods a nutritionist would cringe at the thought of, but the Living Room Theater offers healthy and fulfilling alternatives. From salads to paninis to handmade vegan truffles, the concessions are made with nothing frozen and everything fresh by the theater’s own in-house chefs, according to Rimoch. Taking comfort to a new level, one can order a meal and be served right Photos by Lee Ginton Moviegoers can indulge in tasty and healthy concessions before, in the theater. Additionally, within the theater lies a restaurant for those who during and after a movie. prefer to eat leisurely before the movie. majority of movie theaters, the theater “At most theaters I’m stuck choosing chooses only to play independent films. An between greasy food and soda, while at [Livindependent film is classified as “any charing Room Theater] I have options I can feel good

Lee Ginton Entertainment Editor

about,” senior Monika Larsson said. “Plus, from cappuccinos to lattes, [Living Room Theater] uses quality coffee beans and ingredients that may make Starbucks jealous.” Each theater room is equipped with 46 large leather seats designed with extra arm and leg room in mind. In addition, large walkways make it easy for one to get up without disrupting the audience, according to Rimoch. At first glance, a screening room in Living Room Theater may appear identical to any other movie theater, but it will not take long before one begins to notice the unique aspects intended to enhance one’s comfort. At only 6.50 dollars per ticket for students, Living Room Theater can be a special experience whether one is looking for a romantic place to take a date or somewhere to simply unwind. From the leather seats to healthy treats, Living Room Theater reinvents the phrase “dinner and a movie.”

Drama department shines in “A Night of One Acts” fairy costume, she used a coat hanger and cellophane, rather than use up the already tight budget at a generic costume store. "I had to make something nice that worked for The lights begin to dim and the red curtain starts the production with a very little budget and small rolling away. It is 7:00 on September 21 - opening amount of time," Matos said. "I worked with volunteer night for “A Night of One Acts,” Spanish River's moms who do sewing and fitting and now I am going to be designing the costumes for every first black-box show." production of Without the help of volunteer parents, the 2011-12 A Night of One Acts would not have school year. been possible, according to Matos. Lori When putting Ditzel, mother of drama member Zantogether a der Birghenthal who plays Dunham, successful prohas spent the last three years at River duction, time, designing costumes for the theater cooperation, department. Ditzel, along with 12 other effort, money, parents, devoted about 20 hours per dedication, week preparing for the show. From cosand skill are tumes to props to concessions, they did all necessary, it all. according to Photo by Lee Ginton "This is my chance to work with the Theater Arts The cast of “A Night of One Acts” takes stage. kids, spend time with my son, and be creProgram Director Rocco D'Attolico. In the case of “A Night of ative." Ditzel said. If working with a small budget wasn't enough of One Acts,” two of those factors were missing - time and money. But was the show still successful? The a challenge, dealing with an even smaller time frame engulfing sound of the audience’s applause at the was, according to student director Phoebe Stacy. From auditions to the final costume rehearsal, the cast end of the show sure made it seem so. When D'Attolico revived the Black Box (a theater had three weeks to put together the production. For a within the Drama room where small productions larger production, a cast is typically given about threecan be held) in 2010, he had one thing in mind - put- four months to prepare and about a month to memoting out more shows in order to display the talents rize lines. For A Night of One Acts, they had about a of the actors and actresses at River. However, more week to memorize lines. To ensure success, the cast productions do not lead to a higher budget, which rehearsed at least twice a week until 5:30, in addition became a challenge for the Drama department to a Saturday rehearsal. "Everyone banded together and spent time preparwhen designing sets and costumes, as they had almost no money to work with. Resultantly, ing both in school and at home," Stacy said. "It's a lot of altering costumes from previous productions and hard work, but when the applause comes at the end of improvisation became essential. When costume the show it makes it worth your while." designer junior Patty Matos needed wings for a

Lee Ginton Entertainment Editor

Photo by Lee Ginton

Costume designer junior Patty Matos puts home-made fairy wings on Savannah Dieser, who plays Chance.

Photo by Lee Ginton

Parent volunteer Lori Ditzel helps her son junior Zander Birghenthal get into costume.

Sorting Hat Quiz results: Mostly A’s - Gryffindor Mostly C’s - Hufflepuff

Mostly B’s - Ravenclaw Mostly D’s - Slytherin

STUDENT LIFE Model UN increases River’s global outreach September 2011 The Galleon

“We go to competitions, debate international issues and represent countries,” junior Phil Esterman said. The club officers gave campaign 32 of Spanish River’s politically speeches that did not revolve around active students joined together on popularity, rather who would be September 9, 2011 to discuss the the most qualified to make the club future of River’s first Model United great. Junior Maggie Niu hopes to be Nations [UN] club. Secretary General involved in international affairs in the of the club, Caroline Posner, and future, so she ran for Under Secretary history teacher Robert Henerichs General. “I want to go into political are responsible for putting this club science as a career,” Niu said. “Specifically [involved] with the United Nations.” After Niu’s victory, she admitted that she is excited to get everyone involved. This though, is officially junior Ilana Weisman’s job, who is in charge of club membership. “I have a weird fascination with the world,” Weisman said. This fascination secured ely to her the membership position s lo c n te s nts li iver stude and has already reached out Spanish R r. n s o line P e ro a C r io on Facebook to 46 followers n ju and set up a table at club rush to get students interested. Students together. “As a Social Studies teacher, any such as junior Jenifer Rose noticed interest in government and world these efforts and decided to join. “A lot of friends told me it was fun,” affairs is important to support,” Rose said. “I think it is interesting and I Henerichs said. Henerichs observes the meeting want to see where it takes me.” For Esterman, the Model UN gives while the students began elections for positions like Under Secretary him the opportunity to focus on his General, Under Secretary Membership interests that classes at school do not offer. and Historian of the Model UN.

Phoebe Dinner Student Life Editor

“What I really love [is] international politics,” Esterman said. There are students like Esterman who hope to take a serious role in politics, and those like junior Jordan Diccicco, whose aspirations are a little different. “I want to be dictator of Australia,” Diccicco said. Eight of the club members are planning on going to “KnightMUN,” which is a Model UN conference for students all over the state of Florida. The J event will take place unior Ilana Weism job as U nder Se an prepares fo the same weekend as cretary r her Membe homecoming, forcing rship. the club members to choose between the two. “I am of disappointed that I am missing homecoming,” Niu said. “But at the same time, it will be a fun and educational experience, and this is something I am really passionate about.” Henerichs hopes that all of the members will benefit from the experience of this club. “I would hope that students take away an understanding of how important it is to take part in the world of politics,” Junior Jor da Henerichs said. “In world the Model n Diccicco ca UN. mpaig ns in fr politics, you have an effect.” on

t of

Photos by Phoebe Dinner Art courtesy of Google Images

County policy causes shift in River’s demographic Zach Schlein Staff Reporter Over the past year, Spanish River has undergone a number of changes: pep rallies are now first thing in the morning, several long-standing teachers and assistant principals have left, and a new principal has been hired, among other things. However, just as many changes have hit the heart of Spanish River itself; the student body. After many years at Spanish River, the Harid Conservatory, a well renowned ballet training school for high school

students, withdrew its students from River. In previous years, students from Harid would attend school for four periods in the morning, and would then return to the conservatory to resume ballet practice. Now, students from Harid are taking classes on Florida Virtual School at home rather than River. When asked about the switch, Assistant Principal Ira Sollod maintained that River administration had no say in the matter, and the choice was strictly that of the conservatories. “[The Harid students] were great, we wanted them here,” Sollod said. “But we never played a part in the decision making one way or the other.” Junior Johanna Thiger, a former student at River and a current attendee at Harid, said that the decision stemmed from the Palm Beach County school board, not Harid. “We are not allowed to come back because of the school board,” Thiger said. “We live in Palm Beach County

but our parents aren’t residents, so it just started this huge deal.” Thiger noted that if it were up to her and many other Harid students, they would still be at River. “I liked going to regular school better, it is easy to not understand things or get behind in online school,” Thiger said. “Regular school also gave us some time away from Harid now we are just here all day.” Chemistry teacher Margarita Leeds’ daughter, who is now enrolled in college, was also a ballet dancer. However, Leeds made sure her daughter attended a physical school. “When my daughter was in high school, many of her friends were home schooled because of their ballet commitments,” Leeds said. “I made sure my daughter went to Dreyfoos, because I think students need be in a physical school environment rather than at home.” Although Harid students have left, River is now home to 60 new stu-

dents formerly from Boynton High. This came about as a result of “No Child Left Behind,” the highly controversial act signed by former President George W. Bush in 2001. The act requires that in order for states to receive educational funding, they must enact assessments for students on different grade levels in order to ascertain their performance. Depending on the performance of students, the state will receive a certain amount of funding, according to Sollod. “If a student isn’t reaching their potential, parents have the option to transfer them to a different school,” Sollod said. “For the first time, Spanish River was one of those options.”

Art by Caroline Posner

STUDENT LIFE

September 2011 The Galleon

Aliases

Students go undercover with Facebook aliases upon entering their senior year of high Emma Grubman school. “I decided to change my Facebook Student Life Editor name because I do not want colThe red cup, with the help of social leges seeing my Facebook page; not networking sites like Facebook, has because there are inappropriate phobecome a prominent symbol of teen- tos/information, but because it is my age culture. Although acquiring a neg- personal life,” senior Brenna Hirshorn ative connotation, this plastic, 10-cent said. “I think most seniors change cup has the power to affect change, their names when hiding inappropriate information in mind, but I personand it already has. Traditionally, the primary factors ally changed my name just for humor that contribute to one’s college and because I do not want my profile admission are SAT scores, grades and looked at by people I do not know.” This name change revolution, howextracurricular activities. However, with the introduction of social net- ever, has not only occurred in precauworking into society, Facebook pro- tion of applying to colleges; it is also files have become an additional factor inspired by the fear that inapproprispeculated by students to be under ate information will be uncovered consideration in the admissions pro- here in classes. Students involved in cess, though some admissions officers Student Government are especially affected by the potential consequences say otherwise. “We do not communicate or reach involved with having an inappropriate out to students through Facebook Facebook profile. “If you’re a member of Student Govwhatsoever in the admissions process,” Florida Atlantic University Admissions ernment, the consequence for inappropriate information or pictures usuCoordinator Julio Mata said. Despite colleges claiming that stu- ally result in a disqualification from dents’ Facebook profiles are not a fac- the class, especially if it’s an officer,” tor in admissions, high school students Student Government Vice President are changing their Facebook names Roudy Boursiquot said. “As a student

leader, it’s important to keep a clean public image in order to set an example for other students.” Facebook’s mission statement is to help users connect and share with the people in their lives. Over time, however, this description has been distorted. In many cases, Facebook has served as a giant fan page for the aforementioned red cup. Jonathan Murstein, a Spanish River alum and Harvard graduate, gave insight to students who attempt to hide such information on their Facebooks. “Since these sites were created for individuals to share information with the parties of their choosing, I cannot condemn any student’s decision to employ a false name in their networking endeavors in order to shield their information from prospective colleges or future employers,” Murstein said. “As long as students are conducting themselves within our society’s legal confines, I believe such actions to be more prudent than deceptive. They’re not dealing with the IRS here.” At the end of the day, the consensus seems to be if you would not want your parents to see it, then do not post it.

The Galleon discovered who has changed their names on Facebook.

Sydney Solomon A.K.A. Sydney Australia

Olivia Grossman A.K.A. Olive Garden Photos by Julie Bergman Art by Phoebe Dinner

Spanish River’s population reaches new heights Gali Deutsch Staff Reporter As the new school year dawned upon us, students at Spanish River quickly realized space and seats were limited. The population of River has increased by a few hundred students, leaving the hallways and buses bustling and students learning from the plastic tiling floors in their classrooms because to a lack of seats. Students are becoming overwhelmed by the new transition to limited space. “With the school being so crowded, it makes it hard to get to class on time, especially when class is across campus and it’s so crowded it takes five minutes just to get through the door,” senior Amanda Gold said. According to Assistant Principal Ira Sollod, compared to last year the amount of students has gone up by a few hundred; however, these new students were expected by district and River’s population to reach a projected quota. There are 694 freshmen and 2,391 students total. Many stu-

Sharks By the Numbers Student Enrollment by Year

2011-2012 2010-2011

2397

2298

2198

2009-2010

Information complied by Jamie Brecher and Claire Dykas

dents have described the situation as “claustrophobic.” “There are more people than can actually fit on my bus,” sophomore Yittah Meltzer said. “The bus ride home feels twice as long and twice as hot because of the amount of people we squish into the bus every day.” Unfortunately, space is not the only issue. Because of the 25 students per core class amendment that was put

“From the teaching point of view, I have the same amount of students in three AP classes as I did in five AP classes the past two years,” Kunf said. “So, that means I now have not only those essays to grade, but the essays from an important class like English 2 where [students] have FCAT Writes. That’s just a tremendous amount. It can be tiresome and demoralizing. The other thing is I can’t always get

Photo by Julie Bergman

Students scramble in the crowded hallway of the 8000 building.

into effect this fall, teachers and students worry about non-core classes expanding in size. “From my students’ point of view, you feel like you can’t breathe or you can’t move. Consciously, psychologically, when you have too many kids in a class, it is just unnerving, especially for some students who just don’t do well,” AP Literature and Composition Teacher Marcia Kunf said. As an AP Literature and Composition and English II teacher, Kunf believes her students will greatly be affected by the new amendment considering AP Literature and Composition is not a core class.

papers back in a timely way. It’s difficult to give students the one-on-one they need.” Three weeks into the school year, Kunf admits it is a struggle for her to learn all the names of her students in her most crowded class, which has 37 students. The class size seems to be a great factor in not only learning, but relating to a student as a teacher, too. “I think I have almost lost that personal touch with them. On a psychological level, on a work ethic level, on a relational level, large classes just make it difficult to do the same amount of quality work,” Kunf said. Sollod offers similar viewpoints to

that of Kunf’s. “The negative is the amount of papers the teachers have to grade, especially the English teachers who have a lot of papers, so hopefully it won’t deter them from giving the same amount of assignments,” Sollod said. “We’ve gone up every year and last year is even better as far as passing rates. I think our AP students are still going to come through and our teachers will still come through.” Class has not increased too greatly. It used to be common that a lot of classes would be around 30 students and now we have 25 and then 35-to-40 in a class. In order to meet the 25 student per core class amendment guidelines, non-core classes had to increase. Even in the past years, AP and non-core classes were mostly around 30. As the year progresses, students and teachers will eventually adjust to the overcrowded population, but whether the population will affect their learning in a negative way will remain a mystery until the following school year.

September 2011 The Galleon