Tornado Times, December 2021

Pompano Beach High School Student perspective, student voice

December 2021 @TornadoTimes

Vol. 13, No. 2 thetornadotimes.org

JROTC cadets march towards the front of the gym to welcome the veterans as part of the Fallen Heroes ceremony on Nov. 10.

PHOTO BY KEANU SILVA

WOMEN TAKE THE LEAD

What's in the news?

December 2021 Volume 13, Number 2

4 JROTC honors vets, Fallen Heroes A courtyard of flags and presentations for the fallen

5 Ramirez twirls her way to the top Sophomore cheers, leads while taking her hobby to the next level

6 Don’t mess with Texas Florida policymakers should not decide a woman’s right to her body

8 Women in STEM: 4 girls blazing through male-dominated field

10 The future of feminism Senior advocates equal rights for women and pro-choice

11 Senior girls strike early Girls soccer starts season 6-0

13 Wright can’t get away from music

Sophomore Natalia Astaiza keeps the ball in possession.

PHOTO BY KEANU SILVA

Action and comedy director shifts to horror

14 An insight into clubs GSA, Grand Turismo, Mu Alpha Theta

Our Staff Emma Parker, Editor-in-Chief Keanu Silva, Managing Editor Brody Berrios, News Editor Brian Tang, Opinion Editor Alisha Durosier, Student Life Editor Tanner Block, Sports Editor Shanyeri Mills, Photo and Design Editor Chloe Powell, Web Editor and Business Manager Shea Albert, Tyler Bauer, Mila DeRose, Gale Guest, Yasmine Idrissi, Andrew Mogavero, Olivia Rapp, Elise Rothenburg, Isabel Smith, Reagan Van Buskirk, Huiling Zhang, Staff Interns Dr. Andrew Shipe, Adviser

2 | Table of Contents < December 2021 > @TornadoTimes

Calendar

December 13-17. Midterm Week 13. Girls soccer vs Coral Springs (5:00), Boys soccer vs Coral Springs (7:00), Girls basketball vs Hallandale (5:30) 15. Girls soccer vs Stranahan (5:00), Boys soccer vs Stranahan (7:00), Girls basketball vs Plantation (6:00), Boys basketball vs Plantation (7:30) 17-30. Winter Break 25. Christmas January 1-2. Winter Break 3. Boys soccer vs CS Charter (7:00), Girls basketball vs Fort Lauderdale (6:00) 5. Cheer (6:00), Girls basketball vs Stranahan (6:00)

6. Girls soccer vs Coconut Creek (5:00), Boys soccer vs Coconut Creek (7:00) 10. Boys soccer vs Plantation (5:00), Girls soccer vs Plantation (7:00) 13. Boys soccer vs Pines Charter (7:00), Girls basketball vs Monarch (6:00) 19. Girls basketball vs Cooper City (6:00), Boys basketball vs Cooper City (7:30) 21. Girls soccer vs Hollywood Hills (5:00), Boys soccer vs Hollywood Hills (7:00) 24. Boys basketball vs McArthur (7:30) 26. Boys basketball vs Taravella (7:30)

Tornado Times is produced by students at: Pompano Beach High School 600 NE 13 Ave. Pompano Beach, FL 33060 Phone: (754) 322-2000

Print issues in the 2021-22 school year are planned for October, December, February and April.

For the students, parents and faculty of Pompano Beach High School, who need information about the school, its students and events, along with a perspective and analysis on today's issues that students face, Tornado Times is a quarterly newsmagazine and regularly updated website that will provide a public forum, report the news and provide thoughtful interpretation and analysis.

Unlike social media, our product provides reliable information and true student perspective. By giving readers a place to express themselves on issues and concerns, examining the impact of news of students' lives and reporting the events and activities over the entire year, we will promote truth, growth and equality.

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thetornadotimes.org < December 2021 > About Us | 3

JROTC honors vets, Fallen Heroes

By Brian Tang, Opinion Editor The Fallen Heroes ceremony, performed

by JROTC, returned to school on Nov. 10 to invite the community to honor veterans and remember soldiers who gave their lives for their country during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. “(The ceremony was) emotional, and I’m grateful for those who served,” Pompano Beach Mayor Rex Hardin said. “I’m humbled to be here to witness it.”

The event was organized by senior battalion commander Ashley Oliveira and her team with the help of instructors Lt. Col. Gregory Johnson and 1st Sgt. Cynthia Chevrestt.

“It’s definitely, in a sense, harder than last year, because last year had less things to worry about,” Oliveira said. “Since now we have all of these events, it’s definitely harder.”

With last year’s ceremony canceled due to the pandemic and remote schooling, this year’s ceremony had to skimp on some events.

“We cut down some of the things we normally would have done because of the knowledge some cadets don’t have,” Johnson said. “That was the challenge, to not cut too much but keep the feeling of honor.”

Current cadets had little experience performing the full ceremony, but Oliveira made do with what she had.

Cadets performed a presentation of the 50 states’ flags, a flag relay and the unfolding of the U. S. flag. Excluded were a 21-gun salute and a ceremony at a replica of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

The main attraction of the ceremony was the 7,060 flags planted in the courtyard, each with a fallen soldier’s details attached.

The flags were sponsored by the community, collected by the JROTC cadets.

Senior Christenn Loney, the battalion staff in charge of events and media, organized the program, designing and making the cards attached to the courtyard flags for each fallen soldier.

4 | News < December 2021 > @TornadoTimes

Cadets planted several thousand flags in the rain and then individually attached specific detail cards.

“The rain was a hindrance, but planting the flags wasn’t hard,” junior Aaron Arnold said. “Attaching the tags was tedious but also sombering seeing the details of the dead soldiers.”

The ceremony included speeches by veterans and was attended by community members.

“100 percent it was just awesome, ya’ll did an amazing job,” said Joanne Melville, who attended the ceremony. “The JROTC program and all of that was wonderful, no negative feedback.”

Junior McKenzie Jewell prepares to give the U. S. flag to Principal Hudson Thomas at the Fallen Heroes ceremony in the gym on Nov. 10.

PHOTO BY KEANU SILVA

Ramirez twirls her way towards the top Sophomore cheers, leads while taking her hobby to the next level

By Keanu Silva, Managing Editor Sophomore Sofia Ramirez began her dance career when she was three years old.

What started as a hobby became the sophomore’s way of expressing herself.

“The best part of dancing is letting it all out and expressing my feelings through the dance moves,” Ramirez said.

Whatever stress she had gone through before recital, she would put into the dances, using those feelings as motivation

Sophomore Sofia Ramirez performs a scorpion ballet position while practicing her performance at the Dance Theater of Parkland.

PHOTO COURTESY OF SOFIA RAMIREZ

to become a better dancer and show that she wouldn’t let her passion down. The sophomore was joined by her dance peers while in New York City this Thanksgiving to participate in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade.

“It felt incredible, I was with my friends and we were in front of so many people, it felt like a dream,” Ramirez said.

Ramirez joined the school for the academics and the opportunities, but her high

school experience started with a year sitting behind a screen. One of her dance peers recommended the school’s cheer team, which she joined during the spring.

“It felt weird at first but I got used to it,” Ramirez said.

Coming back from the pandemic, Ramirez had already started treating school as a new home with “great” friendships that would stick with her. The sophomore joined the Student Government Association (SGA), wanting to help out and be a part of all the student events.

“She is always interacting and talking to her classmates trying to help,” SGA adviser Lisa Gould said.

Ramirez had already worked in student events, taking part in last year’s pep rally.

For this year’s pep rally, she created and organized the boys’ dance moves.

“After doing it last year, it’s fun making up the dances and enjoying the show, watching the boys perform,” Ramirez said.

She was accompanied at Homecoming by friends and SGA members who took part in organizing the event and giving the students their first dance after the pandemic. “[Sofia] gets along with everyone in the association,” Gould said. “She helps out when she can, since she has no chair position, but I encourage her to apply as she has showcased interest.”

With her school spirit that she has showcased dressing up every day of the spirit week, taking part in SGA and the cheer team, Ramirez plans to keep climbing the ladder, running for historian for the next school year along with preparing to win cheer competitions and participate in dance performances across the state as she defines her path towards success.

“I believe that once I reach my goals I will know that I made it,” Ramirez said. “Success is not something that people define, it is something that you notice once you are there.”

Sophomore Sofia Ramirez chants during the cheerleading performance before the football team’s senior night.

PHOTO BY KEANU SILVA Sophomore Sofia Ramirez serves food while volunteering during the Homecoming dance.

PHOTO BY KEANU SILVA

thetornadotimes.org < December 2021 > News | 5

Don't mess with Texas

Fla. pols should not decide woman's right to her body

The Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade in 1973 prevented states from banning abortions during the first trimester of pregancy. Lately, some states have been trying to bring back the ban. On Sept. 21, Texas passed the most restrictive abortion law, stating that residents are not legally permitted to have an abortion after six weeks of pregnancy.

This decision incited protests throughout the country, arguing for the reproductive rights of not just Texans, but all U.S residents.

It also incited Republican state Rep. Webster Barnaby to propose a replica law titled “Florida Heartbeat Act.” Floridians should be disappointed. Many students are.

“I disagree with the law, and believe a woman has a right to her body and make her own decisions - the law is restrictive and inappropriate,” a female senior said, who did not want her name used because she didn’t want to share her opinion publicly.

Florida is historically known as a swing state, meaning the two major political parties have similar levels of support among voters within the state. Unlike Texas, which has held its conservative stance for as long as it has been a state, this law would not represent what the majority of the state supports.

What doesn’t make sense is that the Republican Party, a party that strongly believes that

masks and vaccine mandates are a violation of personal rights, is fighting for a law that restricts a person’s right to decide about their body, to the point that they don’t have an opportunity to make that decision after a mere six weeks.

Humans have the right to decide what is best for them and their reproductive health; no policymaker should be in the position to make it for them. If states cannot mandate vaccines regardless of personal belief, someone’s decision to put their body through a nine month pregnancy or not deserves the

CARTOON BY ELISE ROTHENBURG

6 | Opinion < December 2021 > @TornadoTimes

same respect.

From a religious standpoint, some believe it goes against their taught beliefs and that abortion is sinful no matter the stage of pregnancy.

“From the perspective of someone who is pro-life and religious, taking away a life of a tiny baby is murder and sinful,” another anonymous senior said, who chose not to

share their name due to fear of critism.“I am for the (Florida Heartbeat Act).”

But if the state uses religious reasons to support the act, such a law conflicts the constitutional separation of church and state. The Florida Heartbeat Act should not get past the legislature level.

Everyone should have every right to decide, regardless of politicians’ personal beliefs.

Policymakers and pro-lifers must realize that those considering an abortion are making their decision not with a light heart but with great thought.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MARVEL STUDIOS

Eternals: Chloe Zhao vs. the MCU

By Alisha Durosier, Student Life Editor “Eternals,” the long-anticipated movie of the beloved Marvel Cinematic Universe, finally made its debut in early November after a series of delays. Throughout the film, we see the creative fingerprints defining the style of the Eternals’ academy award-winning director, Chloe Zhao. From breathtaking earth-toned wide shots, showcasing the terrain of ancient Mesopotamia or the shores of ancient Babylon to dialogue-focused scenes, Zhao attempts to exhibit individuality. However, the film suffers in Zhao’s attempt to maintain her style while following the obligatory outline established by the MCU and Marvel Comics.

Along with Zhao, screenwriters Patrick Burleigh, Ryan Firpo and Kaz Firpo retell the narratives of 10 immortals, known as the Eternals; it was told initially by Jack “King” Kirby in a 19-issue Marvel comic series published in 1976.

Before separating to lead their own lives in the modern world, they spent centuries protecting humans of ancient civilizations from predatory creatures called Deviants.

The Eternals followed the Celestial god Arishem, who demanded they never intervene in human conflict, answering viewers’ questions surrounding the Eternals’ absence during the global level threats the Avengers had to endure. The movie switches between past events, when the Eternals fought in each other’s company, and the present, where the mostly separated immortals assimilate with humans on earth and now deal with the return of the deviants.

For an introductory movie, “Eternals” is dense. The 2-hour-and-37-minute movie is led by 10 main characters, all 10 members of the Eternals.

This obliged Zhao to incorporate the required slew of information and context while delving into the individual narratives of such a diverse ensemble. Brian Tyree Henry’s Phastos was husband to another man, the first gay couple featured in the MCU. Deaf actress Lauren Ridloff made Makkari the first deaf superhero. Ajak, played by Mexican actress Salma Hayek, and Sersi, played

by British-Chinese actress

Gemma Chan, served as the leaders of the Eternals. Kumail Nanjiani, a Pakistani American actor, played the comical Bollywood superstar, Kingo.

Also, 15-year-old Lia McHugh played the androgynous Sprite.

It’s nice to see characters develop alongside the intriguing plot as they struggle with the moral decision to protect current life and defy an apparent god or aid in creating new life at the expense of life on earth.

But even with an A-list cast, it often felt as if the movie was rushing to hit plot points, many of which seemed to be struggling for screen time.

By the end of the film, I was ultimately left unsatisfied with how 2 hours and 37 minutes were distributed among specific themes.

The characters were not given equally fulfilling arcs.

This could’ve resulted from the large number of leading characters and, once again, too much meat for the film to chew and digest. But for me, the film lingered on many of the characters longer than others, leaving others criminally underwritten.

For instance, with Sersi’s character, the film spends a lot of time detailing and developing her relationships with Ikaris (played by Richard Madden) and Dane Whitman (played by Kit Harrington).

With Phastos, audiences see his character develop in his distrust for humans but is willing to fight for them to secure his son’s future. Characters, like Makkari, speed through character introductions; she’s a character but with no dimension. Angelina Jolie’s Thena wasn’t given much of a narrative either. The audience is simply told about her fierce, combative skills, and we see it on a few occasions. However, aside from that, her struggle with Mahd Wy’ry, a mental illness, takes up most of her character arc.

My trust in Zhao’s vision will never falter; in fact, her unmistakable style is what I like the most about this movie. It also does a great job setting up the next phase, but it doesn’t digest well in the belly of a franchise beast. It just becomes more evident that Chloe Zhao works best alone.

thetornadotimes.org < December 2021> Entertainment | 7

Women in STEM: 4 girls blazing throug

By Alisha Durosier, Student Life Editor According to the U. S. Census Bureau, only 27% of jobs in science, technology, engineering and mathematics are filled by women.

These careers, known as STEM, have seen a progressively closing gender gap throughout the years, along with the increase of organizations encouraging girls to pursue STEM-focused jobs.

Two student-established extracurricular activities do just the same: HOSA, the Health Occupations Students of America club, and the Computer Science Club. Both clubs have leadership roles occupied by women. Senior Aashi Chhabra is the vice president of HOSA; under her is junior Keerthana Madhu, HOSA’s public relations officer. Senior Tina Chi is the co-founder and president of the Computer Science Club, and the acting secretary for both clubs is senior Sonia Rodriguez.

Sonia the Science Kid Children’s television programs like “Sid the Science Kid” and “Wild Kratts” sparked Rodriguez’ interest in science growing up, an interest that eventually branched into specific fields of science like biochemistry, computer science and engineering.

“I’ve always had a passion for science,” Rodriguez said. “I think it was the curiosity that drew me in. I wanted to invent things; I wanted to create things.”

Rodriguez used school to nourish her growing passion for STEM, opting to take AP Biology, AP Physics and Computer Science.

However, the discouraging truth that girls are the minority in STEM settled when Rodriguez looked around classes such as Computer Science and noticed that girls don’t even take up half of a class of 30 students.

“It is really scary because it’s hard, but I’m not discouraged because that’s what I’m going to go into,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez sought extracurriculars to hone her passion in specific STEM fields, which led to her participation in the Girls Who Code summer immersion program, her involvement in HOSA, and the recently introduced Computer Science Club.

Chi codes the club The Computer Science Club was created during the second half of the previous school year by Chi. Although introduced to programming during her freshman year, she saw no extracurricular opportunities where she could expand on her ambition.

“So I decided to create one,” Chi said.

And as co-president, Chi plans and leads each meeting not only intending to instruct them but to inspire them to go beyond their comfort zone.

Chi hopes to secure a career in computer science, starting as a software programmer and eventually having her own tech company.

“But it (is) obvious that women in tech are usually looked down upon, and society paints the ideal programmer to be a male in their late thirties,” Chi said.

8 | Feature< December 2021 > @TornadoTimes

gh male-dominated field

(Top, opposite) Seniors Denia Gomez, Jeyra Sanchez and Kevin Diaz work together during their STEM class as they get closer to finishing their measurements for an experiment.

PHOTO BY KEANU SILVA (Bottom, opposite) Seniors Sonia Rodriguez and Tina Chi look over a computer to help a student during a Computer Science Club meeting.

The club meets every Thursday.

PHOTO BY EMMA PARKER

Junior Keerthana Madhu and senior Aashi Chhabra look up more information to share with HOSA members about the club’s upcoming competitions. “I have always been so interested in helping others and being the doctor instead of the patient,” Chhabra said.

PHOTO BY EMMA PARKER

Chhabra to relate to her patients

Madhu: STEM, states, stupendous

The HOSA vice president, Aashi Chhabra, plans to enter the STEM workforce as a pediatric nutritionist, a decision inspired by her own experience in medical offices.

“I’ve been in so many doctors’ offices, and hospitals, and I’ve always been interested in being the doctor instead of being the patient,” Chhabra said.

Chhabra, who deals with severe food allergies, realized that she would be able to relate to some of her patients directly.

In the pursuit of her goals, Chhabra aims to acclimate herself to medical spaces as much as possible, shadowing an endocrinologist on Fridays and participating in a summer research internship program for FIU. But she hasn’t faced many obstacles with her plans of entering a male-dominated field.

“Which I’m really grateful for because I know a lot of girls who do struggle with that,” Chhabra said. “Sometimes it can be a little overwhelming, but at the end of the day, I know that this is what I wanted to do so I just keep on pushing and working toward it.”

Junior Keerthana Madhu is also assured of her plans to enter the STEM field.

“I’m not sure if it’s necessarily going to be a doctor, but definitely something in research or related to STEM,” Madhu said.

Her participation in HOSA has allowed her to explore different aspects of the medical and research fields. Madhu has participated in HOSA competitions since she joined her freshman year, winning regionals and qualifying for states that same year.

“It motivated me to look more into STEM as a career option,” Madhu said.

• As they continue to rise in the STEM sphere, these four girls are a representation of the increasing diversity within STEM-centered fields.

“The future, I would say, is looking pretty bright for women in STEM,” said Chhabra.

thetornadotimes.org < December 2021 > Feature | 9

The future of feminism Senior advocates for pro-choice, equal rights

By Emma Parker, Editor-in-Chief From freshman year, senior Ella Adeline has been fueled with passion and determination for women’s rights issues on a school, district and statewide level.

Adeline earned a fellowship with Broward school board member Sarah Leonardi, becoming a Broward fellow for Ruth’s List, which works to get pro-choice women elected in the state of Florida.

“I believe it (getting more pro-choice women elected) is very transformative within our political society,” Adeline said.

In addition to her political activism, Adeline is the founder and president of Period Ft. Lauderdale, an organization that leads and recruits members to lead community and educational projects and raise money for feminine products in underprivileged communities.

“I have polycystic ovarian syndrome, periods that are very painful and long lasting, so I tried to appreciate the things that I did have, and that was access to clean feminine products,” Adeline said. “It didn’t really stand out to me that this was a luxury, and (I) assumed that everyone else had this luxury.”

Adeline not only has raised money for feminine products that are then donated, but she also has met with legislators to discuss bills like Learning With Dignity, which makes sure

that schools are budgeting to provide menstrual products for all students.

“She (Adeline) takes what she believes in and turns it into action, by aligning herself within the community, making difficult phone calls and (getting) herself out there,” English teacher Jeanne Pellegrino said.

Adeline does all this work while remaining involved in Rho Kappa, Women’s Empowerment Club and Student Government. Her secret weapon that helps her get through it all: therapy.

“Go to therapy”, Adeline says. “Find someone who isn’t involved in your life and just tell them what’s going on. It will save your life.”

Even though her extracurriculars, jobs, school and activism projects take up a big part of her life, Adeline still tries to “have fun sometimes” by practicing her photography, playing with her dogs and spending time with her family.

Adeline plans to pursue a degree in political science with a minor in women studies, which she hopes will help her better understand how the culture of our society is set up and how gender barriers have been created and can potentially be changed to achieve equality for everyone no matter their background.

“I think Ella will go on to be a leader and work for the betterment of the community,” Pellegrino said.

10 | Student Life < December 2021 > @TornadoTimes

Senior Ella Adeline and Ft. Lauderdale High junior Kayla Bello served as volunteers for a women’s march on Oct. 2.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ELLA ADELINE

Ft. Lauderdale graduate Karin Rashid, senior Ella Adeline and graduate Jordan Singer pose with menstrual products donated at Ft. Lauderdale High School to stock the school’s classrooms for students to use throughout the school year.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ELLA ADELINE

Senior girls strike early to start 6-0 Sophomore Natalia Astaiza turns from the opponent to keep the ball in possession.

PHOTO BY KEANU SILVA

By Brody Berrios, News Editor The girls’ soccer team pulled off its first win of the season, beating Monarch 4-2 on Nov. 8.

Senior Bianca Filippone scored in the first five minutes to give the team 1-0 lead. After halftime, Monarch came back and tied it up 2-2, but freshman Ryan Youngblood scored to take the lead back. Senior Jordan King later scored the final goal.

The team started the season strong with eight seniors, including midfielder Isabella Soto. Last season the girls ended with a record of 1-5-1 so starting off the season strong is important.

“I think this win will be a good starting point for our success this season,” Soto said.

Senior forward Alexandra Magers is seeking to motivate her teammates through “teamwork and taking it one step at a time.”

Sophomore Leah Morton always looks for things to work on, even after a victory. After having tied Monarch last year 5-5, the girls needed to make some adjustments.

“Something we could improve at is communication and passing, moving with the ball and taking more shots,” Morton said.

The abundance of seniors on the roster has the team looking ahead.

“I want to leave behind a strong leader reputation that is dedicated to the team,” Filippone said.

Senior Jenna Caccamise agreed.

“I want to teach these young upcoming players how to be a leader and become a good team,” she said.

Sophomore left defender Zoey Katz thinks that the seniors will be good guidance, knowing the teams they’re going up against and having more familiarity on the field.

First-year coach Stephane Olivero wants to set a good standard for the girls, focusing on organization and teamwork.

“I think the number of seniors on the team is going to not only help the girls become a better team but set a good foundation for the future generation of soccer players,” Olivero said.

Junior Samantha Bernstein recieves play pointers from coach Stephane Olivero while playing her first home game against Monarch. Bernstein had suffered from an injury before the game but played and scored.

Senior Jenna Caccamise aims at the ball before a pass during the team’s game against Monarch.

The team won the game 4-2 score, setting expectations high for the rest of the season.

PHOTOS BY KEANU SILVA

thetornadotimes.org <December 2021 > Sports | 11

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HOMESTEAD LOCATION COMING SOON! 12 | Entertainment < December 2021 > @TornadoTimes

Wright can’t get away from the music

By Keanu Silva, Managing Editor

Eloise (Thomasin McKenzie) looks into Sandy’s (Anya Taylor-Joy) past life as she connects into her persona.

PHOTO COURTESY OF FOCUS FEATURES

“Last Night in Soho” is a well made horror equivalent to a lisztomaniac teenage drama musical. The main character struggles with herself and goes through a music-filled supernatural trip.

Director/co-writer Edgar Wright, known for his comedic work with Nick Frost and Simon Pegg, crafts a psychological thriller about moving to London from a small English town. When it comes to that specific dynamic, he’s quite proficient at creating a feeling of being overwhelmed.

On the other hand, the story’s supernatural and mysterious elements burst to life only on a few occasions, but the film also moves smoothly and rhythmically enough to be enjoyable for the most part.

While it doesn’t have the same rhythm or even genre as “Baby Driver,” ...

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thetornadotimes.org < December 2021 > Entertainment | 13

GSA welcomes allies

By Huiling Zhang, Staff Intern What’s your Hogwarts house? Your zodiac sign?

Dogs or Cats? Students scurry around to different points of the room to show their answers. The students now see the people who relate and vice versa. Hesitant after a moment, some students make the first move in engaging in conversation and hopefully making a friend.

After introductions of members, officers, and about the club, students had fun with icebreakers to get to know each other better and meet new people. The officers encouraged members to find a friend in GSA club, a club that supports an LGBTQ community that’s easy to access and interact with.

“I knew of it because my friends did,” freshman Avery Evans said. “I heard it was a very great club and that’s how I

found out about it. It was a very nice place and I felt safe there and felt like it was going to be good.”

Evans is looking forward to attending future meetings.

“I would say it’s a club where you can help others out and it’s good to get your hours in, you can talk to people that have the same interests as you, and it’s just a great club overall and many people should join,” Evans said.

Senior Ariella Jacobson serves as one of the club’s officers.

“My favorite thing (about GSA) is getting to meet new people who share interests,” Jacobson said. “I want people to know that the club has always been and always will be an activity for similar students to make friends and advocate for themselves.”

Advising the club this year is English teacher Jennifer Pliske.

“I do have a background in school counseling and know how important it is that all students feel like they have a safe place to belong,” Pliske said. “In particular, the LGTBQ community of students needs a safe place with a trusted adult in order to meet and feel like they have a place at our school.”

Pliske agreed to take the position after the founding sponsor, Vaughn Henderson, passed away last year.

“I felt it was important to step up and be an ally to those students,” Pliske said.

Feeling comfortable and safe is a big priority for GSA. “GSA is a space that welcomes all,” Jacobson said.

“Whether a student is struggling with their identity, or wants a group of friends they can talk with openly about sexuality and identity, GSA welcomes them with open arms. We will also advocate for anyone who is facing discrimi-

nation or harassment for their sexuality (or) identity.”

As a result, Jacobson said, confidentiality was established to members in the first meeting by officers, and, in or out of meetings, member names will not be disclosed.

While it is focused on the LGBTQ+ community, GSA is not an exclusive club.

“I think the most important thing to know about GSA is that it’s for everyone, whether somebody identifies as being member of the queer community or as an ally,” Pliske said. “In GSA, we welcome all students regardless of gender identity, expression, sexuality.

Come as you are and be a safe place to support each other.”

The club hopes to have a GSA summit later in the year, as was done pre-pandemic.

Meetings will be held in Room 206 every first, third, and fifth Wednesday of the month.

Desi Club members celebrate Diwali during their Nov. 10 meeting. Members used painting supplies for arts and crafts.

PHOTO COURTESY OF SANAM PATEL

14 | Clubs < December 2021 > @TornadoTimes

New memories. Seniors Emily Dhaity, peer counselor, and Maya Gagnaire joke around while making friendship bracelets. Students were able to use materials given by peer counseling to make friendship bracelets during lunch on Nov. 9. “She [Dhaity] inspired me to come over here,” Gagnaire said.

PHOTO BY HUILING ZHANG

Gotta pick up the pencil before you drop the mic.

Spoken Word Poetry Club members collaborate on their work. The club had its weekly meeting in English teacher Paula Rodriguez’ room on Nov. 10.

PHOTO BY MILA DEROSE

Mu Alpha Theta

calculates its return

By Emma Parker, Editor-in-Chief

Mu Alpha Theta, the mathematics honors society, is being brought back this year after being canceled after its former adviser, Alan Gates, left the school at the start of 2020-21.

With senior president Sofia Quintero and advisor Karin Picchiarini leading the group, members plan to have a successful start to the 2021-22 school year.

The club participates in math competitions, tutors struggling students in all math courses and creates a safe community for those inside the club.

“Members can expect a way to work with a subject they love, be challenged, and get more experience outside of the classroom,” Quintero said.

The club meets the first Wednesdays of every month in Picchiarini’s room (332) at 3:35 p.m.

“People should join the club because it helps expand on your own math skills as well as improve the math skills of your peers,” senior Antonio Saladrigas said.

Grand Turismo

offers taste for traveling

By Brian Tang, Opinion Editor

A new club created this year, the Grand Turismo Club, lets members travel to various locations on Fridays. Junior Keanu Silva is the president of the club with adviser Luis Pico Beauchamp.

“School doesn’t need to be taught in school,” Silva said. “We can go anywhere, and find anything to be able to be taught.”

The Grand Turismo Club encourages traveling to areas where they can potentially learn more about the area and help students connect in a way that they usually cannot in school.

“The first trip is in January because we’re waiting for more people,” Pico said. “We’re hoping for people to join after the first trip to Orlando.”

The club takes place every Monday in Portable One. The membership fee is $15.

“I want by the end of the school year for there to be 30 to 40 members,” Silva said. “We also want everybody to know that this club exists.”

Race to first place! The College Prep Club members play Kahoot together after school in order to prepare for college math. The top five winners of the math-styled Kahoot won a sweet treat for showing off their math skills. “College Prep motivates me to study,” sophomore James Ajello said.

PHOTO BY OLIVIA RAPP

thetornadotimes.org < December 2021 > Clubs | 15

The cross-country team’s best runner, junior Jonah Bennett, individually qualified for the FHSAA Cross Country State Finals.

Bennett ran the 5-kilometer race on Nov. 12 at the Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee,and ranked 99th out of 232 other runners with a time of 18:01.

One of Bennett’s teammates, freshman Yash Upadhyay, said the team went “crazy” when members found out that Bennett was selected for the state finals by finishing 19th at regionals.

“With his last run, he beat the school record,” Upadhyay said.

By Isabel Smith, Staff Intern

The cheerleading team had its first competition of the season on Nov. 16 at Coral Glades High School.

Freshmen Christina Castersanna and LaRielle Floyd competed for the first time.

“As soon as I stepped on the mat my adrenalin started pumping and I knew that all those long nights of practice were worth it,” Floyd said.

By Shanyeri Mills, Photo Editor

The football team wrapped up its season with a record of 4-6, winning three out of five home games.

The boys and girls swim teams had their state competition on Nov. 6. Reese Andres, Steven Gary, Lillia Blanco, Joshua Cajuste and Gianni Famiano placed top 10 in their events.

By Gale Guest, Staff Intern

The girls volleyball team finished the season 11-14, beating Somerset Academy and American Heritage before losing in the district final to Coral Springs Charter on Oct. 22, 25-21, 25-16, 25-13.

By Reagan Van Buskirk, Staff Intern

By Yasmine Idrissi, Staff Intern

Freshman Reagan Van Buskirk dribbles the ball past two defenders during soccer practice.

PHOTO BY BRODY BERRIOS

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