Tornado Times, May 2019

Pompano Beach High School May 2019 Vol. 10, No. 7

Change of Command Principal Hudson Thomas presents senior Ayanna Williams with a silver stole during the JROTC change of command ceremony April 24 in the auditorium. Roses were given to graduating females and stoles were given to all senior cadets at the end of the event. page 2

PAGE DESIGN BY JULIA LATCHANA AND MATTHEW SHANBOM

PHOTO BY CHARLOTTE HOOD

Fewer duals

Seize the day

Super seniors

Softball sisters

District limits number of college classes

Four years goes by too quickly

Musicians reflect on changes

Russos pass bat on

page 3

page 5

page 10

page 14

2

news

thetornadotimes.org • May 2019

Ceremony promotes junior

By Eduardo Andrade, Asst. Section Editor

Junior Colin Beadle has been promoted to battalion commander of JROTC, succeeding senior Georgia Brown at the change of command ceremony in the auditorium on April 24.

“It’s really a great feeling. The past couple of years has been getting prepared for it. It feels good to know you earned something big like that.”

Beadle said.

As battalion commander, Beadle will be in charge of coordinating events such as the Fallen Heroes and 9/11 ceremonies and other JROTC programs.

Beadle said his main focuses as commander will be collaboration, growth and respect. He hopes to get the battalion to “try to work and try to build and try to grow” together.

Brown, who held the position this year, worked closely with Beadle and decided to recommend him to Lt. Col. Gregory Johnson in December. “(Beadle is) really good with people and motivating people,” Brown said. “He stays calm even when things are stressful. He’s just overall a really good leader.”

Brown has seen consistent improvement in Beadle since he joined JROTC in his freshman year, noting that he has “grown up a lot” since then.

Other senior members of JROTC said they are confident in his abilities and expect him to have a successful year as commander.

“He’s ready to carry on the culture and the tradiSeniors Madison Landau, Debra Dhaity, Georgia Brown and Ayanna Williams receive their roses at the end of the JROTC change of command ceremony April 24 in the auditorium.

Williams was overcome with emotion as the ceremony concluded.

PHOTO BY CHARLOTTE HOOD

tion of being the battalion commander,” senior Alexander Beaulieu said. “He’s going to be overwhelmed at first, but he’s going to adapt because that’s just who he is.”

In Beadle’s speech at the ceremony, he thanked Brown, Johnson and 1st Sgt. Milton McGruder for their tutelage and the examples they’ve set.

“They’ve given us a solid blueprint of what a successful JROTC looks like and successful leadership looks like,” Beadle said.

Beadle is especially grateful for Johnson and McGruder for their individual work with him in his three years in JROTC. “It takes a lot of mental preparedness to become a leader,” Beadle said. “Lt. Col. Johnson and 1st.

Sgt. McGruder have been mentors to me personally, just helping me out … being there when I need them to be.”

Beadle credits JROTC leadership with their success in improving all cadets, not just himself.

“They’ve built character” among the cadets, Beadle said in his speech.

Beadle is looking ahead to a full year of being battalion commander and and has high expectations.

“Look out for the Tornado Battalion of the 2019-2020 school year,” Beadle said. “I’m looking forward to this year and looking forward to doing great things with this battalion.”

Lt. Col. Gregory Johnson promotes junior Colin Beadle to battalion commander at the change of command ceremony.

Senior Georgia Brown, this year’s commander, recommended Beadle to Johnson in December.

PHOTOS BY CHARLOTTE HOOD

news

May 2019 • thetornadotimes.org

3

College credit crunch

Some not cool with new dual rules

By Kayla Gayle, Asst. Section Editor

The school district is imposing new restrictions on dual enrollment starting in the fall semester of 2019-20, and students looking to load up on college credit and bonus grade points are not happy.

“I think that a lot of kids are upset because they want to do more than one dual class so they can be finished really early,” freshman Desi Heuss said.

According to school counseling director Lisa Spaulding, freshmen and sophomores can sign up for only one course per semester at Broward College, juniors can take no more than two college courses, one at BC and one at their high school; and seniors are limited to three dual courses per semester, of which only two may be

off-campus.

“Seniors are allowed a maximum of 11 credits because once you hit 12, you are considered a full-time student at whatever college,” counselor Kathleen Fish said.

Students will also be limited to one course over the summer, starting in 2020.

Online courses are included in these rule alterations as well.

“If a student does a course, whether it’s online or physically on BC’s campus, it is counted as the at BC one,” Spaulding said.

The new rules are causing worry amongst some students.

“I feel like it could really hinder people’s education and chances for a good college,” sophomore Jack Joannou said.

Although the new rules will affect all students, juniors will possibly be most affected.

“I think our juniors feel the impact the most because many of them may have taken two courses at BC, so they’re the ones feeling the restriction of only being able to take one,” Spaulding said.

Junior Indya Evans calls the restrictions “terrible” and “not fair at all.”

“If a student has time to take the classes that they want they should be able to take as many classes as they want,” Evans said.

Fish said that positive results may come from the rules.

“I think that is going to help them more carefully consider their academic options, possibly add more

(Advanced Placement classes) since they can’t go off campus as easily,” Fish said. “But we do have other kids who I think might consider, especially if they’re seniors, early admission because then they can do their full classes over at Broward College but still be considered a Pompano Beach High School student” Some students look at the bright side of the changes, noting how high class ranks are often boosted by selecting a slew of the particular duals where A’s are easier to get. .

“I think that it’ll push anyone that’s trying to get ahead back, but I think we’re still getting a great opportunity to still get ahead, maybe just not as far ahead as we want it to,” sophomore Camilla Lall said.

GRAPHIC BY KAYLA GAYLE

4

news

thetornadotimes.org • May 2019

Safe corners marked, debated

By Delaney Staples, Asst. Section Editor

A simple diagram of a roof over three faceless human figures has been stuck to the walls of some classrooms.

By district mandate after last year’s shooting at Stoneman Douglas High, all classrooms are supposed to have such clearly labeled safe corners, where students and staff should hide away from the sight line of a potential active shooter at the classroom door.

“Most teachers can determine which corner is the safest by common sense,” security specialist Medford MacLemore said, though he added that it does take trained professionals such as security, investigators and police to most accurately identify them.

Reporters observed 40 classrooms and found 32 of them, including the minigym, have identified safe corners.

The big gym does not.

All third-floor classrooms have them except in the south wing (tech hallway).

On the second floor, only five out of 12 classrooms have them; however, in two of the science classrooms tape marks a safe area of the room.

Downstairs, all the rooms have safe corners except JROTC and the art room.

To students like senior David Dunham, safe corners do not appear to be an effective strategy.

“If we all huddle in one part of the room, that could make it easier for a shooter,” Dunham said.

MacLemore and school resource deputy Stephanie Smith admit there is no perfect solution.

“We don’t know it’s effective until the incident occurs,” MacLemore said.

“I think we need to focus on being aware and focus on the mental health of people instead of just safety measures.

It’s sad that we have to be implementing these things in the first place.”

— Maria Palmer

Since the MSD shooting and its aftermath, community leaders have called for a greater emphasis on mental health care, rather than just security procedures.

“I think we need to focus on being aware and focus on the mental health of people instead of just safety measures,” sophomore Maria Palmer said.

“It’s sad that we have to be implementing these things in the first place.”

Sophomore Imaan Khan believes there were several missed opportunities to stop the MSD shooter before he took an Uber and walked onto school grounds near the end of the day with an assault rifle in his backpack.

“People saw the signs but they took it as a joke and didn’t care,” Khan said.

Labeled safe corners are the latest response to the MSD shooting. The school has already enclosed the campus with a gated fence, executed code red drills more frequently and created a “Zen Room” in the counseling office for students when they need to calm down.

Some students have been so overwhelmed with all the changes, they haven’t noticed the safe corner sticker in their classrooms.

“I wouldn’t know what to look for,” senior Jordan Lovett said.

opinion

Seize the day before it passes Life goes by in a blink of an eye.

Four years ago, the Class of 2019 stepped onto campus to register for classes and began what should be the best four years of their lives. However, these supposed best years can hardly be remembered.

“If I’m being honest, high school went by so fast I barely remember anything,” senior Kaelib Measel said.

“I blinked and now I’m graduating next month.”

For most of us, our day is a routine complete with waking up, attending school, working, eating, doing homework and other mundane activities. We don’t realize that each moment of these days will never be the same again, and we fail to stop and remember it. Milestones have come and gone.

Do you remember your freshman year homecoming football game or the end of the year pep rally that symbolized you moving up to the next grade?

There will come a time when we all look back on our days in high school and struggle to remember the details that made up those four years. The Class of 2019 graduates in almost one month, and most of us can say that we remember moments few and far between. Freshman and sophomore years were a blur, and junior year was full of stress and excitement.

Everyone is so prepared and excited for the future because we live for the future, but when you live for the future, you neglect the present and each moment that makes it memorable. Many times we don’t recognize the true value of a moment until it becomes a memory. That moment moves on and escapes our loose grasp. We should take the time now to live for today and be present in each moment.

You are here today, living and breathing, surrounded by people and events that make each day memorable. You do not know what tomorrow could bring. It may be a 180-degree

turnaround from today’s events, but living for the possibility that tomorrow will be slightly better will push you into a perpetual cycle of waiting for tomorrow to happen and hoping that today ends.

You might just find yourself staring at a clock and watching the hours pass by, rather than watching what is going on around you.

The ticking clock has been placed in front of us our whole lives, and we choose to ignore it until it is too late, and we end up chasing it down for the rest of our lives. We see time as a race that we must fight against and win over when in reality it is a

helping hand to make us realize that each moment is fleeting and the time to experience life is now.

“The past four years of high school have gone by extremely fast, and it just reminds me to cherish every moment and experience,” senior Isabella Fonte said.

Each day make a note of what made that day special. When you consciously make an effort to remember, you recognize the parts of the day that fade away with time.

Your long-term memory is boundless which enables your mind to store noteworthy events. Maybe you will find yourself noticing what made you laugh that day, how you felt when you woke up or something that was really difficult for you to do. Recognizing these events make you remember the good, the bad, the everything.

Work seizing the day into your daily routine. Time is continuous, and we either move with it or it moves on without us.

GRAPHIC BY JULIA LATCHANA

May 2019 • thetornadotimes.org

5

Jessica Buchanan, Editor in chief Alexis Schatten, Managing Editor Charlotte Hood, Section Editor Jordan Brown, Section Editor Emily Powell, Web and Business Editor Eduardo Andrade, Asst. Section Editor Andra Danu, Asst. Section Editor Javier Garcia, Asst. Section Editor Kayla Gayle, Asst. Section Editor Julia Latchana, Asst. Section Editor Kimberly Scanlan, Asst. Section Editor Matthew Shanbom, Asst. Section Editor Delaney Staples, Asst. Section Editor Madison Tappa, Asst. Section Editor Dr. Andrew Shipe, Adviser 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 Print issues in the 2018-19 school year are planned for October, January, April and May. Online issues are planned for September, November, February.

For students, parents and teachers who need to be informed about what’s happening in and out of the school that affects them, Tornado Times is a print and web publication that provides timely multimedia and interactive coverage. Unlike social media, our product is focused around school events from the perspective of the bigger picture.

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 and sent to pbhsnewspaper@ gmail.com. 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.

6

opinion

thetornadotimes.org • May 2019

Learning languages lacking in US By

to take three years of language, and let’s be real -- most students BS it. To most of them, language seems too difficult and fluency unattainable. Some believe that it just doesn’t matter.

Asst. Section But what those students don’t understand is that language is freedom, and Editor it is the key to understanding people.

The way a language is formatted, The United States is a country filled with diversity. Its people come from all its grammar rules, its idioms and the thought process behind it all can tell over the globe, carrying their cultures someone a lot about a culture. For exand languages with them. About one in four children hasat least one parent ample, a Turkish idiom is “alın yazısı” which, in English, translates to “what born outside the U. S., according to is written on your forehead.”

Kaiser Family Foundation.

To a majority of English-speakers, Yet, the value we put on learning this doesn’t make very much sense, but about other cultures and most importhis is a very important phrase. The tantly, other languages, is very little.

When it comes to language learning, idiom is similar to how we say someone’s fate being “written in the stars”. our education system is a mockery to The belief that fate is predetermined our nation, which is supposed to stand is widespread in Turkey and is an for diversity and unity. We cannot be diverse or united if we don’t place val- important aspect in its culture, but this belief is not taught in geography ue on learning the languages and the class. A lot of the time, language is the cultures that exist everywhere around us. The world does not revolve around only key to understanding. Psychology, America. Magnet students are required history and other classes commonly

Delaney Staples,

taught in schools can’t teach you about people like a language can.

Languages are dying. In 2007, there were 7,000 languages in the world. Today, there are less than 6,500. Entire cultures, entire histories, have been lost.

It is very important that the world doesn’t become monolingual. If we do, so much culture, history, and diversity will be lost and these are things that are nearly impossible to get back. To keep languages alive, to prevent the catastrophe of losing connections to entire civilizations, people need to speak them, and we need to learn them.

Despite what most Americans believe, learning a language isn’t the most difficult thing to do. It can be learned just like any subject in school; it only requires us to apply ourselves.

However, language learning is scientifically proven to be easier the younger a person is. That is why other countries start their kids off learning a second language almost right away. English is one of the most-taught languages, and

kids start learning it from the time of elementary school; however, in America kids don’t start learning second languages until middle school or high school.

Throughout the world, many people are bilingual or polylingual. According to the European Commission 56 percent of Europeans can hold a conversation in a second language, compared to 20 percent of the U. S. population according to the American Community Survey.

This alone shows how much America lacks in foreign education, and frankly, it could be a contributing factor as to why other countries aren’t fond of us.

They bother to learn our language, but we don’t bother to learn theirs.

Language is freedom because language brings people together. It can open new ways of thinking, unlock understanding, allow a person to meet new people, get into colleges, get jobs and more. There are many benefits to language learning, and it’s sad how little we Americans seem to value it.

Tips for rising seniors to rise to occasion last year.

Davis Major, who will be attending University of North Florida, said that the letters he received from the teachers he befriended helped him in getting scholarships.

Web and Business “Form good, strong bonds with Editor teachers,” Major said. “They can help you with letters of recommendations and be a person to talk to.”

The Class of 2020 is about to take Emily D’Agostinis will be attending over next school year, but senior year Nova Southeastern University on a is not time to slack off and ruin the Dean’s scholarship of $60,000 total for chance to attend a great college. all four years.

Fortunately, a few graduating seniors “Stay on top of your work,” have some tips for a fun and successful

By

Emily Powell,

D’Agostinis said. “Just because it’s your senior year doesn’t mean you have a free pass to not do anything. It still counts.”

Alyssa Nace, who will be attending Florida Atlantic University, did not attend many school events this year.

“Go to every event you can,” Nace said. “You will miss it when you’re gone and will regret it dearly.”

Dionna Johnson, who will be attending University of Central Florida, spent almost everyday in BRACE adviser Mia Mcfadden’s office getting scholarships to apply for.

“Request transcripts and letters of recommendations early,” Johnson said. “Most scholarship deadlines occur at the beginning and the end of every month so be on the lookout and talk to Ms. McFadden.”

Rising seniors, there is so much more you need to know in order to have a fun and successful last year. If I were to continue, however, it would probably take up the entire newspaper.

Make it count, rise to the occasion, and please pass this information down to Class of 2021 next year. They really need it.

Letter to the Editor

‘Captain Marvel’ shows studio doing its best to diversify

Dear Editor, I recently read an article you wrote about the movie Captain Marvel (“‘Marvel’ leaves angry fanboys in dust,” by Kayla Gayle, April 2019). It was a great movie and I appreciated the fact that you offended a white boy in my class. But I disagreed with parts of it.

I feel as though Marvel could not

have had a previous female solo movie with the characters listed, except for maybe Peggy Carter. But as you may recall she has a show with the title, Agent Carter. Related, I do not feel that the wait was “ridiculous”.

I also do not think that Maria was perceived as “Danvers’ sidekick”. She was her own person but she also was not the main character. The story was

about Carol Danvers not Maria.

I feel like there was a lack of diversity in the film, but not enough to comment about. People are trying their best to diversify more movies as they come out.

Once again the characters selected for solo movies, Brunnhilde, Kamala Khan, the Dora Milaje, and Riri Williams, are not suited for a solo film or

are already apart of a show.

Women of color do need more diversity in media, but an effort is being made. I know there will be some backlash for disagreeing with you. But I appreciate you taking the time to read my email.

Sincerely, Danielle Chiwara

opinion

May 2019 • thetornadotimes.org

7

Talkers, huggers need to move on By

Matthew Shanbom, Asst. Section Editor In this school and many other schools around the country, there is an epidemic affecting the safety of all students that roam the halls: people who stop in the middle of the hallway.

These human barricades can be divided into two categories: talkers and huggers.

The talkers are annoying. They see somebody and all of a sudden, they have to talk. And it’s always the same somebody because everybody has the same schedule, so, yeah, on Blue Day between Block 3 and 4,

you’re going to see the same people.

Just get their number or Snap them during class like the rest of us do. At least we’ll all get to class on time now so we have more time to Snap our friends and not bother anybody.

The huggers are insidious. And there’s no app to replace

GRAPHIC

BY JULIA LATCHANA

their unsanitary habit.

Again, they know their friend is coming. We’re like rats in a maze, taking the same path on every Blue Day, and the same path on every Gold Day. Still, they’re so incredibly surprised every time to see that special someone

that they have to block the whole hallway for a full-frontal embrace.

This habit risks an entirely unnecessary and uncomfortable group hug.

Because the person behind the suddenly stopped hugger bangs smack dab into the hug, and is then sandwiched between the hugging couple and the cursing scholar smashing into the back of him.

If the chain reaction isn’t somehow stopped, the whole hallway is stopped up in a glob of humanity forced into an orgy of hugging and affection.

Here’s another image for you: imagine a river, flowing rapidly. All of a sudden, A dam is built and only a small portion of the original water can get through.

Worst of all, all this blockage can make you drop your phone. Now you can’t Snap your friends in class.

A simple hug can cause this much

damage.

There are ways to prevent this horrible epidemic. If people feel the need to talk in the hallway, they can walk and talk together.

If their classes are not near each other, they can delay their conversation for another time such as at lunch or at the bus loop (or they can wait until class starts and engage in a more meaningful form of conversation, like the rest of us, and take care of their Snap streak at their desk).

School is designed to prepare us for life, and the passing periods are the most important parts of the day to do that. The Brightline train has killed over 10 people around the state since it opened in January 2018. So if you don’t want to grow up to be hit by a train, pay attention in the hallways.

Letters to the Editor

SAT doesn’t prepare students for the future

Dear Editor, You (“SAT: Slow, tedious, but necessary,” by Charlotte Hood, April 2019) say that the 154 question SAT is necessary, but what is it necessary for? The SAT teaches you how to bubble in answers as you show your abilities to memorize facts, but does knowing the Pythagorean theorem

or the date of battles in World War I, for example, help you in the long run? Does the SAT help you confirm your understanding of how to manage finances or safely apply for a loan so that you can afford to get into the college or university that you say the SAT is supposed to prepare you for?

As you stated in your article, “SAT

scores offer a single standard to which they can compare all students.” Can a student really be a tell tale of a student’s “readiness for college” if one may not be able to retain large amounts of random facts and information they learned in a century old, prison-like environment?

I respect your opinion on the

vitality of the SAT assessment, but I have to say that there is a lack of practicality to assess students in that way without helping them put it to use in the near future.

Sincerely, Kevin Diaz

Paper straws still suck because they don’t Dear Editor, I also think that paper straws suck (“New city law absurd in practice: Paper straws suck,” by Alexis Schatten, April 2019). I do not really receive them that much, but when I do, I get very annoyed.

You are right about how the reason to get a coffee before school is to be

energized. Then when you continue to drink something, then see that the paper straw is crumbled. It completely ruins your mood. Instead of being energized and happy because you got a drink, you instead are annoyed and irritated at the fact that you can’t even consume it.

When you put the statistics in your

article, I realized that straws make up such a small percentage of the plastic waste in the environment. I did not know that plastic straws were easier for disabled people to use compared to paper straws.

What you wrote about how many things need to be better regulated today and that plastic straws is not

one of them is something I agree with. This article is what caught my attention the most compared to others. I liked it very much.

Sincerely, Celine DeJesus

Let us know what you think!

Scan this QR code:

centers

Freshman year

thetornadotimes.org • May 2019

Van Dreason pays Then freshman Madison entation. Students ori at SGA for her lunch ation along with were given pizza at orient ortunity to a school-wide tour, an opp new friends. ke ma learn about clubs and

n took a selfie e Jason Nguye or mit. om ph so n The rnational Sum tors at the Inte .

17 with Irish visi 20 -27, visited Jan. 21 The students

Junior year

8

Then jun ior thought w Ethan Cronk rest s deep in hile readin g one of on his pr the storie actice PS A s Te was given to him at xam. This practice a boot ca media ce mp in the nter on S ept. 21, 2 017.

ella Ribeiro Seniors Gabri a anbury learn St and Camille iss Sw a nce from traditional da nal io at rn te In the visitor during d te udents visi Summit. The st Feb. 1, 2019. to from Jan. 28

That’s a wrap!

spread

May 2019 • thetornadotimes.org

Class of 2019 i

9

n review

OURTESY OF GRACIE

Senior year

PHOTO C

Then junio rs Gracie L orber and K Bergeron p aitlyn ose with th eir class rin the Class o gs at f 2019 ring ceremony. T ceremony w he as held in th e auditoriu on Oct. 18, m 2017.

LORBER

r talk it out in la Fonte and Jessica Rome Then sophomores Isabel m would be the of one it to hear which the gymnasium as they wa ed. wn cro r mer was late homecoming duchess. Ro

Sophomore year

Then freshmen Tiffany De Faria, Isabela Abrego, Kaelib Measel and Sarah Kline take a group picture before entering the 2016 Sadie Hawkins dance.

lva-Walker aco and Lee Si on M a in eg R s e talent show Senior karaoke” at th ol po ar he “c m or perf ov. 15, 2018. T ditorium on N n he w ly al ci held in the au pe ughing, es la d ow cr e th two had ll off the stage. they almost fe e Neysmith, Elis igh Livesay, Jaya and llo te os Seniors Ashle C la Stept, Gabriel ams’ Llorens, Katie rite sports te se in their favo day of po s st ie fir R e e ir th la C 18. This was 20 , 24 . pt Se jerseys on Spirit Week.

Homecoming

PHOTOS BY THE TORNADO TIMES AND THE BEANPICKER YEARBOOK PAGE DESIGN BY ANDRA DANU, JULIA LATCHANA AND MATTHEW SHANBOM

10

student life

thetornadotimes.org • May 2019

Left: Ricardo Stewart, Malik McGowan and Kelly Zhang discuss their performance. The seniors have been in band for four years.

Top: Senior Kelly Zhang leads the band in a run through of a piece in an after school practice on Apr. 23. Zhang is one of the two drum majors of the marching band.

Chord changes

PHOTOS BY JORDAN BROWN

Musicians reflect on 4 years, superior rating

By Jordan Brown, Section Editor

Four years of hard work and dealing with changes has paid off. The wind ensemble earned the music program’s first superior rating since 2008 at the District 15 high school concert band Music Performance Assessment at Dillard on March 12-13.

“I could’ve quit but I fell in love with the people and the idea of band and being a part of something bigger than myself,” band captain and trumpetist Ricardo Stewart said.

After the previous director, Sarah Odio, left for personal reasons, Gianni Bolanos has been music director since 2017-2018. According to the musicians, the sudden change has helped the band in some ways but also hurt in others.

“Those who were under Odio mostly do not agree with things that Bolanos has changed,” drum major and flutist Kelly Zhang said.

Bolanos already had experience as a music teacher, but not as a director of an entire music program, so both he and others had to make adjustments. “(The musicians) had gone through a couple of directors, so they weren’t in a good state,” Bolanos said. “It was just a lot of incorrect expectations from all around: parents, students, administration.”

Each music director uses their connections to experts, like marching band technicians or wind ensemble directors, to improve students’ technique and performance. So the change in director also brought a change in who would work closely with students.

“I could’ve quit, but I fell in love with the people and the idea of band and being a part of something bigger than myself,” — Ricardo Stewart “I wish we had more technicians like we used to,” drum major and saxophonist Malik McGowan said.

With the change in adult leadership came changes in student leadership like removing certain positions and increasing what was expected from studentleaders.

“When the director does less hands-on stuff, then

it makes the upperclassmen do more hands-on to make up for what we aren’t getting from the director,” McGowan said. “I’ve done two or three times more work than my drum majors in freshman and sophomore year, which isn’t bad, just different.”

Some attribute this year’s superior rating to the previous director and the students that were under her tutelage.

“We got superiors this year because of the foundation that Odio laid and how we’ve been building off of it,” Zhang said.

Bolanos said the superior rating is clear indication of his and the band’s hard work to revolutionize the program.

“We had a lot of work to do to clean it up last year and even more this year,” Bolanos said. “I came in trying to clean it up basically.”

As the band moves forward, beyond the current seniors, one common wish along them is that the school pays more attention to it and its recent achievements.

“People dismiss the band and a lot of times, they don’t even know that we have one,” Zhang said.

“The school usually sees us as irrelevant and unimportant, so I wish that the school would take us more seriously since we’re going to states.”

student life

May 2019 • thetornadotimes.org

11

Seniors moving on to new prospects

By Jessica Buchanan, Editor-in-chief

May 31, the date of graduation, is not the only date emphasized on seniors’ calendars. On May 1, they must have decided which college they plan to attend in the upcoming school year because most schools require the tuition deposit by that date to confirm admission.

The schools seniors commit to are often very different from those they targeted last summer.

“I saw myself attending Baylor University because I have family in Waco (Texas), and they have a really good medical program,” senior Addison Nguyen said.

Senior Rachel Raybuck’s dream schools had very low acceptance rates, so she also applied to other schools. .

“I didn’t think I would get into MIT or Princeton, so I figured I’d attend a school like Duke, Northeastern or Georgia Tech,” Raybuck said.

Six months later, their options and final decision are much different than they envisioned.

“I ended up choosing to attend University of Florida because I have been to their campus and they gave me scholarship money,” Addison Nguyen said.

Raybuck was admitted to MIT, Princeton, and Duke and has yet to make a final decision.

“It’s going to be about the culture and which one I think will be a better fit for me, as well as which one I think will offer me the most rewarding college experience,” Raybuck said.

Other seniors knew where they wanted to go and had no doubt that they wouldn’t attend.

“You have to be 100 percent positive no matter what,” Duke-bound senior Angel El said. “I wanted to attend Duke as it was my dream school.”

Senior Bailey Campbell has not only changed prospective schools over the past few months, but Left: Seniors Isabella Fonte and Liza Aleksyeyeva do lunges together in the line for the Forbidden Journey ride in Harry Potter. The line was two hours long.

“We knew the lines were going to be long, so going in we decided to do small workouts,” Fonte said.

also her career path.

“I originally wanted to attend Stanford for engineering, but now I will be attending the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business,” Campbell said. “My senior year I worked with Key Club Marketing … and some non-profit representatives from March of Dimes, the American Cancer Society, UNICEF, United We Dream and Rustic Pathways, which made me change my track to business.”

Many seniors have seen themselves attending in-state schools since they were young.

“I’ve always seen myself going to FSU,” senior Katie Stept said. “Ever since the first time I visited when I was 15, I fell in love with the campus and the college town vibes.”

Even though some seniors didn’t get in to their dream school, they are still happy with their options and struggling to make a final decision.

“In October I wanted to attend the University of Chicago,” Jason Nguyen said. “Now I don’t really know where I am going because it’s all about how much money I would be in debt. I am choosing between UCF, Georgia Tech and NYU.”

Senior Kyle Verlangieri, who will be attending University of Florida, takes a philosophical approach to this life-changing choice.

“No matter where you go, if you put in the time and effort you can get the same opportunities as everyone else,” senior Kyle Verlangieri who originally wanted to attend MIT said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re at FAU or Harvard, putting in the work will always see results, so don’t be upset that you’re not where you are in the moment because in the future you will be where you want.”

GRAPHIC BY CHARLOTTE HOOD Top Right: Seniors Jared Cox, Tony Saavedra and Kaelib Measel walk to thesecurity check in line. Seniors split up into groups before entering the park so that they could get through security faster. “Right when we got off the bus we started walking quickly to the line because we wanted to rush over to the Hulk,” Measel said.

PHOTOS BY JESSICA BUCHANAN

Bottom Right: Aleksyeyeva and senior Sanni Gargallo ride Kang & Kodos’ Twirl ‘n’ Hurl in Universal. They only went on three rides the entire night. “It was almost 11 and we were really tired … and the Simpsons ride only had a five-minute wait, so we just decided to do it,” Gargallo said.

12

entertainment

thetornadotimes.org • May 2019

‘Endgame’ stronger than infinity gauntlet

By Matthew Shanbom, Asst. Section Editor

The latest installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe provides a strong ending to the Avengers films and to the first four phases of the universe as a whole.

“Avengers: Endgame” masterfully divides itself up into several acts, each stronger and more meaningful than the last. On opening night, April 25, viewers felt a wide spectrum of emotions, ranging from sadness to cheering and applause. These emotions helped shape it into a strong, compelling story that kept the audience guessing for all three hours.

The main motif of “Endgame” is moving on, from the superheroes’ lost loved ones, to accepting new team members like Rocket or Captain Marvel.

One scene towards the end of the

movie illustrates this perfectly as the avengers tag in and out with each other in battle. This motif of moving on then applies to the fans who are moving on to the new avengers instead of focusing on the old.

While the movie was good overall, some things could’ve been better executed.

Captain Marvel was not utilized correctly and was seemingly only involved when needed. Whenever she

PHOTO COURTESY OF MARVEL STUDIOS

came in, the battle would dramatically flip because of how overpowering she is. She received little to no character development in this movie from what we already knew.

This can be partially understood as the movie mainly put its focus on characters that survived Infinity War and how they changed. It was not a coincidence that many of the characters that survived the snap were original avengers. These characters had great development and the movie does a great job of recognizing all of the original avengers and their accomplishments.

Overall, “Endgame” does a good job of giving due time to most characters that were in the avengers movies. It makes for a great close to this chapter of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and I cannot wait to see how the universe develops in 2020 and beyond.

sports

May 2019 • thetornadotimes.org

13

Have goggles, will travel Bencie competes in Australia

By Madison Tappa, Asst. Web and Business Editor

however do track in ninth grade.”

Bencie went to Australia for a grand Some of the school’s athletes total of 17 days, so jet lag was a mahave traveled as far as Key West or jor factor for her upon arriving back the shore of Lake Okeechobee for a home. game. But senior Gwendolyn Bencie “It was 23 hours from plane to plane, can top that, competing in a swimand coming back it took three days ming competition over the summer because of weather,,” Bencie said. “I that was 17 hours away from Florida lived in the airport and going there (to in Australia.

Australia) it wasn’t horrible, but com“I was nervous but excited,” Bencie ing back (home), I slept for like three said. “It was so scary because the days straight.”

17-hour difference going across the Bencie managed to make finals in world but the pool was so cool.” two swimming events in Australia.

Bencie has been swimming for 13 “It was super fun and I met so many years while never delving into other people from around the world, but the sports and and plans to continue in coaches were so strict, I could barely college as well. visit Australia,” Bencie said. She swims “I never really ventured off into outside of school and went to Australia other sports,” Bencie said. “I did with her personal coaches.

Now that Bencie has gotten her wish and visited, she wants to go back.

“I want to move to Australia,” Bencie said.

14

sports

thetornadotimes.org • May 2019

Russo sisters take on softball

By Charlotte Hood, Section Editor

As much as the softball team is going to miss senior Maddie Russo’s .507 career batting average in the lineup, it’s not going to miss having a Russo. Maddie’s freshman sister, Ella, started her varsity career this year, batting .514 and pitching to a 3-3 record.

“I am sad to leave the team, but obviously (I) am excited to be moving on and attending college,” Maddie said.

“I know my sister will ‘fill my shoes’ and that she will continue to play the game with lots of heart.”

Inspired by her sister’s skill and dedication, Ella is determined to live up to Maddie’s legacy.

“She’s a really good player, so I feel like I do have to fill her shoes,” Ella said. “I’m definitely going to have

to work hard … and start bettering myself to try to contribute more to the team since she won’t be there.”

Both have a long history with softball, coming from a family that participated in and encouraged such pursuits.

“Growing up, my whole family was always involved in sports,” Maddie said. “I would always go and watch my brother play baseball …. I think seeing how much fun the team was having on the field inspired me to play.”

While their initial motivation came from family example, the Russo sisters ignited each other’s passion for the game, inspiring the other to do their best in the sport.

“She’s always asking if I want to go out in our backyard and throw,” Ella

Freshman Ella Russo pitches while her sister, senior third baseman Maddie Russo, gets ready to react. The softball team won 13-3 against Deerfield Beach High School on April 11.

PHOTO BY CHARLOTTE HOOD

said. “(It) motivates me to practice more and get better,” Ella said.

Maddie wants to set a good example for her younger sister on the team and is working diligently in order to achieve that goal.

“I want to be a role model for her,” Maddie said. “It has motivated me more this year to try and play to my best ability.”

Playing on the varsity softball team seemed like a daunting task for Ella since the majority of the players are upperclassmen, but her sister soon set her worries at ease.

“As a freshman, it can be intimidating, but knowing that I have somebody I know and that I’m close with … was really good (for) transitioning,” Ella said.

Maddie has high hopes for her sis-

ter’s high school softball career, knowing that her ambition will lead her to great things.

“I know she will always put in the hard work to ensure that she is performing at her best,” Maddie said.

“Even though she is only a freshman, I feel like she has great leadership skills and enough experience to have a leadership role on the team.”

Although Maddie will soon graduate, she hopes the advice she gave to Ella at the start of the season will always stay with her.

“I told my sister to be herself and have as much fun as possible,” Maddie said. “Although softball is a competitive sport, the best way to make memories is to enjoy yourself and always keep a positive mindset.”

sports

May 2019 • thetornadotimes.org

15

Boys lax sticking around

Young program relies on youth for improvement

By Javier Garcia, Asst. Section Editor

Freshman Matthew Hicks attempts to maintain possession of the ball against a West Broward defender as he drives for the goal. He scored one goal in the game against West Broward.

PHOTO BY EDUARDO ANDRADE

The boys lacrosse team ended their season 5-5.

Freshman attack Matthew Hicks, the team’s leading scorer, ended with 17 goals this season.

“Everyone and everything on the team needs to still improve as there were a few teams we played and lost to when we shouldn’t have,” Hicks said.

Players that will be returning to the team next year after playing for a travel lacrosse team this summer plan to return to hopefully a more intense and competitive environment and season.

“About half of our starters are going to be playing for the travel team that just moved down here that Coach ‘X’ Johnson is also a coach for,” said sophomore Steven Katz, “so those of us that return from that would be used to a competitive environment, hopefully we have the chance of competing in districts next year.”

Last year, lacrosse was made a school sport and one year later there has been tremendous growth.

The boys team was 1-6 for its opening season with a part-time coach who had just graduated high school and was going to college for his freshman season.

This year, the team improved to 5-5 under a new full-time coach, Xavier Johnson. taking on his first year as a head coach was the face of these changes brought to the program.

“To have a successful program you have to start with the younger kids and get them developed early, so when it’s time for them to step in, they are good to go and aren’t learning from nothing,” Johnson said.

Johnson substituted freshmen and sophomores into games frequently to gain in-game experience and to drill basics and fundamentals.

“Since this is my first year playing this sport ever, I didn’t really know what to expect and getting that opportunity to get some good field time really opened my eyes for possible seasons further on,” sophomore

The girls lacrosse team ended their season 7-5.

Sophomore attack Virag Mahler completed her second season with the team, also her second ever playing the sport.

“Something I will always remember about this year was how close we all got,” Mahler said.

The girls finished their season 7-5.

The flag football team ended its season in district semi-finals with a 13-0 loss to Dillard.

The team’s final record was 8-4.

Brayden Larosee said.

The opportunity for playing time made the roster deeper and prepared the team for a bright future.

“Our younger guys really had to step up and be the leaders of the field, myself included,” freshman attack captain Matthew Hicks said.

“We kinda threw our new guys out there and they seemed to pick up on it really fast.”

Johnson also added more games to the schedule, playing more teams than last year, from all over the county.

“In order for these boys to get experience, you gotta give them the opportunity to get it in the first place,” Johnson said. “So I was scheduling with as many schools as possible all the way from pre-season to the very end of it.”

Johnson, with his five years of playing and three years of coaching experience, was pleased with the results.

“This year went beyond my expectations,” Coach Johnson said. “I had one goal and that was for the team to improve from last year and without a doubt we improved.”

The varsity softball team won 7-3 in its April 25 match against McArthur.

“We started off pretty rocky, but we got it together in the end and played very well,” junior outfielder Brianna Caffro said.

Players are proud of the hard work that has led to a record of 10-5.

“We have been doing really well as a team. The girls this year have just created this bond that helps us play better,” Caffro said. “We work so hard, and it’s finally beginning to show.”

16

last look

thetornadotimes.org • May 2019

The game of (college) life START HERE Where do you want to live?

I work better alone

What kind of learner are you?

I work better in a group of people

Big city Small town

Are you comfortable around people?

Not at all

I love people!

How far away from home do you want to go?

GRAPHIC BY JORDAN BROWN

What is your favorite type of weather?

Summer all day every day

I like all seasons

Where do you spend most of your time?

At home

Not far

Super far

Are you an introvert or an extrovert?

Introvert

Extrovert

Out with friends

Do you like to travel?

Yes, I do

Not really

Are you good in school?

Yeah, I am

Not really

Do you have a Florida-based college fund?

Yes, I do

My money’s good anywhere

Go to college in state!

Perfect if you don’t want to move too far but still want freedom.

Go to college out of state!

Perfect if you want to experience completely different things.

Go straight into the workforce! Perfect if you think college is a waste of time and money.

Go to community college!

Perfect if you don’t want to move at all and like the opportunities in Florida.