Tornado Times, February 2022

Pompano Beach High School For the students, by the students

February 2022 @TornadoTimes

Black History Month

Vol. 13, No. 3 thetornadotimes.org

What's in the news?

February 2022 Volume 13, Number 3

4

Fun or cyberbullying?

6

Metal detecting who?

7

Nothing against omicron

8

Celebrating Black history

Anonymous Instas spur debate

District ups security

Schools unable to contain spread

Clubs, classes combine to create museum

10

Creating drama

14

Pastorius leaps to finish

Thespians plan first play in 3 years

Senior has heart for 4 sports

Calendar March

2. In-school SAT 3. Professional Study Day (early release) 7 & 8. FSA ELA Writing and Reading retake 8. Water polo Senior Night 9 & 10. EOC Geometry and Algebra retake 15. ACT 17-28. No school (Spring Break)

April

5. 9th grade FSA ELA Writing 6. 10th grade FSA ELA Writing 12. Spring Florida Civics Literacy Exam 13. SAT makeup 14. 9th & 10th grade FSA ELA Writing, Spring Florida Civics Literacy Exam retakes 15. No school 18. Third quarter report cards issued

2 | Table of Contents < February 2022 > @TornadoTimes

Junior Lorenzo Beggs faces off against Cooper City players.

PHOTO BY BRIAN TANG

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.

Student perspective, student voice 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.

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Please contact us by email or by phone if you have any questions.

Advertising which promotes illegal products under Florida law, includes false statements or is written in bad taste will not be accepted.

The opinions in this publication are not necessarily those of advertisers, Pompano Beach High School or Broward County Public Schools.

Tornado Times is a member of the Florida Scholastic Press Association, which awarded the newspaper a silver rating for its 2020-21 issues.

Our Staff Emma Parker, Editor-in-Chief Keanu Silva, Managing Editor Alisha Durosier, News Editor Brian Tang, Opinion Editor Brody Berrios, Student Life Editor Tanner Block, Sports Editor Shea Albert, Coby Barbarosh, Alexis Bernat, Kaitlyn Bernstein, Brooke Butler, Mila DeRose, Daniella Forrester, Gale Guest, Yasmine Idrissi, Drew Mogavero, Nika Mogren, Chloe Powell, John Paul Pumariega, Olivia Rapp, Reagan Van Buskirk, Sakari Wilson, Staff Interns Dr. Andrew Shipe, Adviser

thetornadotimes.org < February 2022 > About us | 3

Fun or Cyberbullying?

Anonymous Instas spur debate

By Olivia Rapp, Staff Intern So much for sleeping in peace. Students sprawled across their desks in deep slumber have been waking up to realize their nightmare has become true; they have been posted on @PBHS_sleepen, one of the first in a trend of anonymous Instagram accounts posting embarrassing images of students at school.

Some students question whether exposing other students on social media without their consent is a form of cyber bullying.

“It makes students insecure about their clothing and appearance,” freshman Rebekah Christie said.

Other accounts include clothing ratings, relationship recommendations and confessions.

“Some people don’t know others’ limits,” freshman Dahnielle Verret said.

School family therapist Andrea Fulcher said she was worried about the effects of such posts on students’ mental health. “if you are anonymously sitting at a screen, posting something about somebody and you can’t see their expression, your brain wouldn’t register how someone feels towards certain

actions or comments,” Fulcher said.

This lack of empathy by the one posting makes the possibility of cyber bullying even greater According to the Cyberbullying Research Center, 27.8% of teens report being cyberbullied. Cyber bullying negatively affects mental health. A study done by Science Daily found that young victims of cyber bullying were twice as likely to commit suicide.

Creators of these accounts said their intentions were the opposite. The creator of the Instagram account PBHS Ship Page, who wanted to remain anonymous to avoid potential ramifications, said they hoped it would “bring people closer together.”

“I made this account because it was a fun way to be able to engage the kids in our school,” they said.

However, many students have been getting offended by these posts and believe the harmless idea of the account creators has backfired, leaving many students feeling down about themselves.

“It perpetuates feelings of isolation and hopelessness in many students,” sophomore Harley Jude Gilson said.

4 | News < February 2022 > @TornadoTimes

GRAPHIC BY ALISHA DUROSIER

Freshmen Dahnielie Verret, Nathalia Guthrie and Rebekah Christie portray cyberbullying and bullying. The group of three made it clear they were against any form of bullying. “I would not participate in cyberbullying because you never know what someone might be going through,” Verret said.

ALL PHOTOS BY DANIELLA FORRESTER

Freshman Dahnielie Verret covers her face with her hands as a way to hide her appearance from prying cameras. Verret stated this would be her reaction if she was ever in a situation where she was photographed without her permission. “If someone ever wanted to take a picture of me and post it to one of those Instagram accounts without my permission, I would simply hide my face,” Verrett said.

Sophomore Harley Jude Gilson appears stressed as he navigates his way through social media. “Cyberbullying often happens to members of the marginalized communities, such as POC and queer folk,” Gilson said. thetornadotimes.org < February 2022 > News | 5

Metal detecting who?

The school board voted on Jan. 11 to purchase more metal detection wands for each school in response to an increase in incidents involving weapons brought to campus. According to Sun-Sentinel, the district reported 78 such incidents between August and November, a much higher rate than before the pandemic, the last time school grounds were full. The wands are to be used to screen students and their bookbags during random classroom sweeps.

The mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas four years ago still weighs heavy on the collective minds of our community and our district. Two school board members lost family members in the shooting.

“After 32 years of being in law enforcement and coming from Marjory Stoneman Douglas, it’s pretty much in the air,” security specialist Joseph Reyes said.

“You cannot distinguish one (suspicious student) from the other.”

However, some students don’t think that this is the best idea.

“Some people could be targeted because of certain demographics, so some type of rubric should be used to tell whether or not a kid is suspicious,” said freshman Samantha Maker.

While we believe that limiting searches only to suspicious students risks targeting historically mistreated groups, we do not agree with interrupting classes with random sweeps.

CARTOON BY NIKA MOGREN

6 | Opinion < February 2022 > @TornadoTimes

There are some cases though, however, when it is smarter to keep an eye on certain students, such as one wearing a long pullover in the Florida heat.

These metal detectors cannot be cheap.

This school, like others in Broward, lacks adequate personnel and materials for the cafeteria, counseling, facilities, substitutes and technology.

There has been added security over the past few years such as gates around the entrances and more security guards.

We deeply thank our security staff for keeping us safe, and we respect Reyes’ opinion: “The more tools I have at my disposal, it’s not that it makes my job easier, but it is easier to protect you guys.”

Metal detectors are not a bad idea for our school; however, our money should go somewhere else. With all things considered it is not necessary for our school at this time.

Schools do nothing against omicron

By John Paul Pumariega, staff intern In December 2021, a new COVID-19 variant was identified: omicron. The fast spreading variant affected a large part of the USA, including nearly 2 million new cases in this state since Dec. 3, according to the Florida Department of Health.

The federal government responded with more social distancing and encouraged wearing your mask more often. Through all of this, the virus was still spreading rapidly in high-density states including Florida, New York and California.

In some areas, teacher unions wanted to return to online schooling. Chicago Public Schools teachers did not come back from winter break to negotiate greater safeguards from their administrators. But shortly after they returned, students organized

a walkout. In Broward, the district couldn’t do much towards the situation because state law prohibited mask mandates. With COVID-19 cases on the rise around the state, Gov. Ron DeSantis pledged to keep schools open and in-person classes going without imposing any new restrictions or mask regulations. In fact, while hundreds of students and instructors missed the first days of school in 2022, the DeSantis administration advised asymptomatic people to avoid being tested for the coronavirus.

The first week back from winter break, 45 cases were reported at this school, according to a staff-wide email. In most weeks, the number of cases here has been in the single digits.

Overall in my opinion, the district and the state did not respond to the variant very well, resulting in a very high increase of cases.

Source: The New York Times GRAPHIC BY ALISHA DUROSIER

thetornadotimes.org < February 2022> Opinion | 7

Celebrating Black history

By Sakari Wilson, Staff Writer This year, African American history teacher Richard Nagy had a vision for Black History Month. He wanted to create something “big” and “inspiring” for students. He pitched an idea to create a Black History Live Museum on the second floor.

“Normally what we do is put up some billboards or some little things,” Nagy said.

“Instead of that, I wanted to just paste all the walls with different angles of music, inventors, athletes, and important people in history.”

With the help of his African American Studies class, Black Student Union club, and Lafaris Dooling’s peer counseling class, this vision became a reality.

This was Nagy’s biggest project in his 10 years at this school. He wanted to encourage not only his students, but also everyone at school to learn more about Black history. He also wanted to make this museum fun and interactive by adding records, items hanging from the ceiling, and laptops displaying videos of important people in history in the hallways.

COVID-19 was also another reason that encouraged Nagy to create this museum.

“This year we’re trying to make it more enjoyable to be at school especially with covid still going around.”

This museum isn’t the only thing that was made for Black History Month.

During morning announcements, a student shared an event or a person that was a part of Black history. Nagy and his students played music and gave out prizes during A and B Lunches on Feb. 3. During those lunches, Nagy also set up a trivia game about Black History Month.

Nagy also recently introduced the Black Student Union club. In its second year, BSU allows Black students to come after school on the last Wednesday of every month, to talk, relate and share important issues related to race.

“I feel like we’ve created this kind of group, this kind of safe haven for the Black students at our school,” said senior Breah Campbell, BSU president. “We just want to spread awareness and remind everyone that we’re together and we hear you.”

Black history is important to many students at our school.

“My favorite thing about Black History Month is that we get to celebrate Black culture, Black beautifulness, Black power,” freshman Sakina Robateau said.

Nagy hoped that everyone got to learn something or someone new during Black History Month.

Senior Breah Campbell places a poster of Barack Obama on the wall of the second floor east hallway.

PHOTO BY SAKARI WILSON

Why do you think Black History Month is important?

"Just remembering that we do have influence in our everyday society, it is much more than we give credit to and it’s important to bring that up…. Black people are kind of known for their suffering, people always want to bring up slavery but we too have done amazing things…. We’ve had many firsts."

— senior Breah Campbell, BSU president

8 | Feature< February 2022 > @TornadoTimes

Senior Taylor Sterling works on a poster for the Black History Live Museum on the second floor.

PHOTO BY SAKARI WILSON What is your favorite part of Black culture?

"Music is very important as we’ve literally started almost every genre of music available from jazz, to hip hop, to even country. I think it’s a really important part of Black culture because as slaves, music is what would unite us, and so I really appreciate the amount of music that I can enjoy now that have a lot of Black influence and Black character."

— junior Samyrah Lewis, BSU secretary

Clubs, classes combine to create live history museum

Junior Dalila Montalvan and senior Emma Lorber paint signs like the ones civil rights activists used in the 1960s.

PHOTO BY ALEXIS BERNAT

Junior Aaliyah Van Tol outlines an equal rights poster for the museum.

PHOTO BY SAKARI WILSON Who is your favorite historical Black figure?

"I think Malcolm X — very important. I liked his views, he was passive, but not very passive with his ideas. It’s because I feel like he wanted it to be known — to get his point across. I liked the way that he thought. I like all of the Black activists from that time period, I feel like they’ve done so much for us. They even inspire modern day activists right now, even in different fields, not necessarily just Black activism, but all activism."

— senior Taylor Sterling

What is something you think more people should be aware of about Black culture?

"How impactful it is on everything. The more I learn, the more I know that it has impacted everything that has happened, even currently – things that are happening.

From music to just general things. Things like waist beads are really popular now, originally African culture.

A lot of things people do or try is an imitation of African culture, so you should know where it’s coming from."

— senior Emma Lorber

Interviews by Huiling Zhang

thetornadotimes.org < February 2022 > Feature | 9

Creating drama

Thespians plan first play in 3 years

By Brooke Butler, Staff Writer The curtain will rise again.

At least that’s the goal of 20 students, meeting after school once every other week to rehearse and set up their upcoming play, in a new theater club.

The club arose after the drama class was disbanded in 2020-21 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the death of teacher Vaughn Henderson.

“Last year was tough,” junior vice president Riley Dion said.

“We couldn't do any productions. But this year we have a club and are working on ‘The Lightning Thief,’ which I’m really excited about.”

Due to the transition from a class to a club, advised by science teacher Jennifer Russo, the group has had more scheduling issues than it did with a definite classroom routine.

However, members of the club are grateful that they still have an outlet for their art.

“We don’t have the time we did in class,” said Dion. “We still practice on Fridays, but it’s difficult for me because I also play softball.”

Despite the challenges faced, the group is grateful for some of the ups that come with a club.

“People who didn’t want to take the class can now join the club,” Dion said. “More people auditioned than usual, so it’s great to see different people getting involved.”

The lead in their upcoming play is a new member. Senior Daniel Funes will be playing Percy Jackson.

“I've only been here since this year,” Funes said. “I'm having fun, so I’m not upset it's a club now.”

Henderson’s death led his classroom to be repurposed for the athletic department.

In the process, the props, costumes and sets that had been purchased over the years were thrown out.

“It happens to art programs. It's fine, we are used to it,” President Amalia Phend said. “We now have a plan to sort of rebuild the program, and (Thespians) are going to states in March. It's going to be great!”

Funds have been difficult to access due to confusion about the theater program’s two different organizations, a drama class/club for putting on productions and a chapter of the International Thespians Society for state and national competitions. The money that had been raised when Henderson taught the drama class could not be transferred to the Thespians, according to district accounting procedures. So Russo set up a GoFundMe for “PBHS Thespians” to pay for the rights to put on the show and to purchase props, costumes and set materials.

The Thespians will perform “The Lightning Thief ” one night only, 7 p.m., Thurs., April 21, in the auditorium. Tickets are not yet available, but will be out soon.

10 | Student Life < February 2022 > @TornadoTimes

Practice makes perfect as sophomore Elizabeth O'Toole rehearses a dance ritual for the upcoming play.

PHOTO BY COBY BARBAROSH

"The Lightning Thief" based on the Percy Jackson novel by Rick Riordan

Thurs., Apr. 21 7 p. m.

Auditorium

Sophomore Elizabeth O'Toole, senior Daniel Funes and junior Talia Bartley act out dialogue while rehearsing for the April 21 production of "The Lightning Thief."

PHOTO BY KEANU SILVA

Senior Daniel Funes uses an umbrella as a prop for a sword while rehearsing a scene with sophomore Matthew Barbosa and junior Jackson Hutton.

PHOTO BY KEANU SILVA

Senior Amalia Phend directs a scene during rehearsal.

PHOTO BY KEANU SILVA

thetornadotimes.org <February 2022 > Student Life | 11

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Pastorius leaps to finish

By Drew Mogavero, Staff Intern Earning varsity letters in three sports is the goal of many high school athletes. But for senior Johnny Pastorius, who has played golf, basketball and track, three is not enough. This year he is trying to add a fourth sport to his portfolio by trying out for volleyball.

Pastorius has always had a love for sports, playing in city recreational leagues and later joining travel teams. This love only increased when he was eight years old and he had open heart surgery due to an infection in his heart. From that day on he always had to overcome a great challenge, not being as strong as the rest of his peers.

“Seven months after my heart surgery I did a 5K for Joe DiMaggio (Hospital),” Pastorius said. “I placed top 10 in

the kids category. The run is now a yearly thing, and I am a spokesman and role model for kids that were just like me.”

The results so far belie the challenges he had to overcome.

Pastorius was the team’s number four golfer at districts and carded a low nine-hole score of 44. He also had a triple-double for the basketball team at an away game.

The success came even when during basketball season Pastorius struggled with a foot injury.

“Constantly staying in shape and healthy is the biggest thing I (can) do,” Pastorius said. “Injuries are the hardest thing to stay away from since basketball is such a contact sport.”

Pastorius’ athletic success parallels his academics with a 3.3 GPA. “School is my number one

priority, so whenever I get free time, whether it’s at home or at school, I try to knock out my homework,” Pastorius said.

“Freshman through junior year I would use my study hall to do most of my work. It’s also really challenging having practice anywhere from 4-8 sometimes even 9 and then you still have to get home and finish projects or study for a test.”

For Pastorius, there is no off-season for sports.

“In the off-season I’m working out during the week, playing golf with friends, going to the Pompano courts to hoop with different people and running with my step brother who is a runner as well,” Pastorius said.

Track is now on the clock and Pastorius is training hard.

According to track Coach

Senior John Pastorius goes up for a shot against Cooper City during the winter basketball season.

14 | Sports < February 2022 > @TornadoTimes

Thomas Didymus, Pastorius is ranked number three in the region for high jump, looking to build on last season’s personal record of 1.77 meters (5 feet, 9 5/8 inches), set at last year’s district meet. During track season, Pastorius is also playing volleyball.

“I’m just doing it ’cause last year I almost had a season ending injury in track, so by doing multiple sports I’m stretching out,” Pastorius said. “I also enjoy it as it is a lot of fun.”

As his high school career comes to an end, he is waiting to hear back from a few schools including Florida Atlantic University and the University of Central Florida. As of now he doesn’t plan on playing any sports in college, but if the opportunity comes he will take the chance.

PHOTO BY BRODY BERRIOS

Seniors John Pastorius and Giovanni Caffro pose for a photo after the 2016 Heart Run, four years after Pastorius had open heart surgery.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JOHN PASTORIUS Senior John Pastorius trains during last track season for the regional meet. Pastorius had jumped a personal best 5 feet, 9-5/8 inches at the district meet.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JOHN PASTORIUS

GRAPHIC BY BRIAN TANG

Senior John Pastorius pitches a nine iron on a par three during the fall golf season.

PHOTO BY DREW MOGAVERO

thetornadotimes.org < February 2022 > Sports | 15

The girls soccer team finished the season 13-4-1 and qualified for regionals for the first time in school history.

“Being the first soccer team ever to go to Regionals felt great,” senior forward Bianca Filippone said. “I’m so proud of everything we have gone through, and this season will have a forever place in my heart.”.

The season ended with an 8-0 loss against American Heritage Delray..

“We had a good fight,” freshman midfielder Maddi Elder said. “I am proud

of how well all our starters and players played, working their butts off to keep their defense strong.”

The boys varsity basketball team ended off this previous winter season 6-13 and JV ended on 0-7.

“It was a great learning and bonding experience for me to get go through with the team throughout this season, their were many highlights and rough moments but it was all worth it” freshman JV point guard Jaleel Walters said. “Making the memories like bus rides to the games and practicing

together was the best part even through some of the struggles.”

The competitive cheerleading team placed ninth out of 13 teams in the state tournament at the University of Florida on Feb. 1-2.

“Next year we want to work on new stunts, more difficulty and perfecting our techniques,” junior co-captain, Ally Vagelos said.

Reports by Gale Guest, Yasmine Idrissi and Reagan Van Buskirk

Sophomore Ella Casey dribbles down the court while senior Ashley Gerber follows.

PHOTO BY BRODY BERRIOS