X aims to combat prejudice

X aims to combat in-school prejudice

By Kayla Gayle, the awareness of the issues that Student Life Editor we have at our school and that

There has been a history it would put administration in of prejudice occurring in our a position where they would hallways, classrooms and now have to reply, where they would even Microsoft Teams Meet- have to say something.” ings. Students complain about X created the account two the supposed lack of action by days after sending the email administration which leads because she had yet to receive them to not have the school a reply by then and she hoped spirit they are expected to. to inform other students

A Black female student, about the issues occurring on under the alias “X,” which campus, which is exactly what was chosen to represent the she did. unknown, decided to make an “I didn’t really know about Instagram account (@pbhs. (the racial prejudice at Pomsafespace_fromignorance) to pano) until that account was combat the discrimination she’s made,” Junior Jack Lewis said. witnessed. “I think it’s a good thing that

X chose to stay anony- someone made (the account) mous due to a fear of possible and brought those issues to backlash from her classmates, light.” parents, and school. When emailed for an inter-

“There’s been a lot of people view in regard to this article, in the account’s DMs (Direct Thomas, Spencer, Carlson and Messages) that’s been spreading Samaroo were unavailable for a lot of hate and I don’t want to comments before the publicabecome a target because of it,” tion’s deadline. X said. The account gained positive

Despite those fears, X still feedback from multiple stucreated the account to raise dents that believe it is making a awareness of the situation suf- difference. focating students of minorities. “I think (the account) is im-

Originally, X emailed Princi- portant because a lot of people pal Hudson Thomas, Assistant don’t know or pay attention to Principals Jill Samaroo and Lo- what’s going on and not only ralyn Carlson, Intern Principal (does it) inform, (it is) also an Lisa Spencer, all the guidance outlet for people who just want counselors and BRACE Advi- to talk,” Sophomore Krystal sor Mia McFadden on behalf Felix said. of Black and Hispanic students. Though, not everyone agrees The email, which is posted on with the account and how X the Instagram account, detailed is running it. Senior Amanda several accounts of racist acts Flynn described the account as done by fellow students. “extremely messy” in terms of

“When I emailed the school the account’s action plans. at first, I was expecting them “Their emails are just ranted to reply to at least acknowledge statements as far as I’ve seen that I said something but they with no directive to actual didn’t and that made me really change,” Flynn said. “You can’t upset,” X said. “So I knew mak- just rant to administration, at ing the account would spread the end of the day they do have other responsibilities, so you have to have an actual plan.”

In response X said, “I understand where they are coming from… However, when you want change, a bit of ranting may occur to show the person/ people you are ‘ranting’ to that there is a pattern, an issue. The entirety of the email was NOT a rant, it was a report. It was a cry for help I made on behalf of the Black, Indian, Hispanic, etc. community.”

“As a ‘directive of change,’ we are trying to get administration to notice there is a clear issue. We are trying to cause a rise so they will do something about the issue. I tried to set up a meeting where students would be able to express their feelings and voice concerns about the issue at our school, but the staff at our school refuses to acknowledge it,” X said. “That’s where the change would’ve started. The plan was to do the meeting, which I was expecting them to agree to for the sake of the Black and Hispanic population at our school, but they foiled that plan.”

Due to administration failing to reply to her email about setting up a meeting with her and other students, X’s new plan consists of contacting the school board and said, “if they choose to do nothing about it, I won’t hesitate to go to the news.”

“We understand that administration has ‘other responsibilities’ but their priority is the welfare of the students,” X said.

Other students seem to share this sentiment.

“No matter how big or small it is, it’s still an issue that needs to be addressed and resolved. I hope the admin will do something,” Lewis said. “All we can do is just bring awareness and educate about the issue.”

Though X originally created the account and contacted the school in regards for racial issues, they have decided to expand their message.

“When I saw there were other issues like with the LGBTQ community and other races too: Asians and Hispanics, I was like okay this needs to be more broadcasted, this is an issue we need to fix,” X said.

Students of different minority groups seem to also have problems regarding discrimination.

“I feel the issue with most of our issues (is that) they’re all little things that no one sees the purpose of but they all bubble together and everyone is mad but they can’t pinpoint one area to be mad at,” Flynn said.

“I just want to say we have a zero-tolerance policy for cheating and bullying,” X said. “But why isn’t the one for discrimination against other people not as strictly implemented?”

Spring sports athletes hang on with travel clubs

By Javier Garcia, Sports Editor Matthew Restrepo and senior Tahj Reed clear a turnover of possessions downfield during the travel Gold

Senior Tahj Reed may have Coast Shootout tournament Oct. 20 had his lacrosse season cut PHOTO COURTESY OF TAHJ REED. short by COVID-19, but that didn’t mean he stopped playing. Like many spring sports athletes, he has been enjoying weeks of travel lacrosse practice, keeping him from catching “quarantine body” and looking forward to testing his skills at a series of tournaments, one as early as this October.

“Obviously there had to be some changes, forms that needed to be signed, risks that need to be acknowledged,” Reed said, “but at the end of the day we still get to play lacrosse in a relatively remote setting.”

Playing fall travel sports means a lot more than just another opportunity to play. To some, it has provided a much needed distraction to help get through the odd times.

“I was very relieved because soccer helps me out a lot, with stress and health,” senior Jacob Giraldo said.

Even pre-COVID, many athletes used sports as a gateway out of their regular life, or as Giraldo put it, to “cope” with the things they’re dealing with. When the days are started to mush together, the repetitive cycle of isolation confined in the four walls we call home could finally be broken a few days a week to go out and have fun.

“I can’t compare how important this time is for me, but beyond (just) for my skill, but for my mental (state) and how I get to look back at this final Senior Paul Spada defends the goal at a game on year,” Reed said. Oct. 6

PHOTO BY MICAHEL YEARY GRAPHIC BY EDUARDO ANDRADE

14 | Sports < October 2020 > @TornadoTimes

Players look forward to return of football

By Eduardo Andrade, Editor-in-Chief

After the season was delayed for months, the football team will be playing its first game a few weeks into the second quarter on Oct. 29 against Boca Christian, this game will also be Senior Night for the team. Broward County Public Schools allowed teams to begin voluntary workouts on Sept. 21.

“As soon as they said practice was starting (I knew) I was gonna be there,” senior Nicholas Mickol said. “I missed too much time on the field already, (I’m not) going to miss more.”

The late start to the season means that there will be fewer games, with only six matches in the season, ending with a home bowl game against Pine Crest on Dec. 11.

“Our seniors won’t get the chance to have their final season to be played to the fullest,” junior Neile Thomas said. “With how much extra work we have put in as a team, their final season should be one to remember.”

After a few weeks of conditioning, the team started their first practice on Monday Oct. 12th. New safety protocols were put in place for the conditioning and practices as a precaution against

COVID-19. Players and coaches must have their temperature checked before starting practice and players must fill out a wellness form. Everyone must stay six feet apart from each other when on the sidelines and masks must be worn, except when players are running drills.

“I’m excited. Not really worried about getting the virus, if I’m being honest,” senior Brayden Larosee said. “I think the safety protocols taken are enough to make me feel safe.”

“I didn’t realize how much I would really miss playing ... But it feels great to be back out with everyone and competing.”— Nicholas Mickol, senior

Though the virus has limited opportunities to recruit new members to, the football team has been able to add new underclassmen.

“Everyone who was on the team last year just tried to get all their friends to join,” Larosee said.

However, this influx of inexperienced players combined with the limited conditioning, practice time, and the lack of preseason games could mean that the team starts a step slow this year.

“It’s been a while since anyone has played, so I can see us making stupid mistakes more often, like jumping offsides, forgetting a play, etc.,” Mickol said.

The team is especially looking forward to its first two games, home games against Boca Christian and Pembroke Pines Charter on Oct. 29 and Nov. 6, respectively. The game against Boca Christian will also be the first home game of the season and the teams Senior Night.

Mickol says he is excited to just be “able to walk out there (on Senior Night) and reflect on the last couple of years that has led up to the moment.”

The game against Pembroke Pines Charter will be the first time the two teams meet since they met at the end of last year. Pompano won the game 21-0, securing its second win in the last game of the season. The game ended with an altercation between players.

“Pembrok Pines Charter is a game everyone who played last year is looking forward to,” said Larosee. “Last year’s game ended in a fight and also led to words being exchanged over social media. I guess you could say it may be a rivalry.”

Despite the setbacks and new restrictions, players have been happy to return to the field. “I didn’t realize how much I would really miss playing,” said Mickol. “But it feels great to be back out with everyone and competing.”