Tornado Times, October 2014

October 2014 thetornadotimes.org

Vol. 6, No. 1 @TornadoTimes

Pompano Beach High School pbhsnewspaper@gmail.com

Clubs create complete kids

Fighting Ferguson Page 4

Page 8

Volleyball tops Gibbons

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Senior Chelson Exume calls SGA meeting to order. What can the school do to support black males?

PHOTO BY ASHLEY VOET

Will you be taking 7 EOCs?

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invade EOC changes spark mixed feelings Freshmen at orientation

By Kayla Sanders, Asst. Student Life Editor

With the start of the new school year comes new teachers, new classes, new friends and — according to Florida state standards — new end-of-course (EOC) testing.

Although not yet initiated into schools, the state of Florida has passed a law stating that during the 2014-2015 school year, every course will be required to have an EOC assessment.

In addition to the Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Biology and U.S. History EOC exams for students, Florida law now requires end-of-course exams for all higher-grade level subjects, and even for elective classes like art and creative writing.

Over the summer, language arts teacher Dr. Melillo attended an EOC exam seminar. At this training session, she helped write questions for EOCs. “It was an interesting experience,” Dr. Melillo said. “I attended an eight-hour training session that focused on Creative Writing, TV Production and theater-filmcinema.”

Designing the EOC exams is quite a long process. “First you propose a written question,” Dr. Melillo said. “It is then approved by two people and is sent to the data bank where it gets published.

It is then up to the county to decide if it will be included in an exam.”

Despite this law being passed nearly a year and a half ago, the district has yet to decide on how these exams will be implemented into local schools.

Superintendent Robert Runcie requested a three-year delay for the new EOC changes to take place.

“He still hasn’t received an answer yet on the status of the exams,” Dr. Melillo said. “We just don’t know how things will play out. They really haven’t jumped

thetornadotimes.org

Page 2 • News

By Ashley Voet, Editor-in-chief

Mr. Holley teaches Pre-Calculus to juniors Katie Bejlovec, Doria Raynor and Tiffany Cook. All courses, according to state law, are supposed to have end-of-course exams this year, but the school is waiting for the district and state to decide how these exams will be implemented.

PHOTO BY MEGAN MEAD

the gun.”

A 2012 Sun Sentinel article detailed Runcie’s feelings on the numerous changes taking place at this time. He is quoted, “Let’s take a really strong look at the 2014 date where we’re going to see the intersection of FCAT, Common Core, assessments, end of course exams and pay for performance.

How we’re going to integrate all those things which are moving parts is a serious concern.

“The other piece is doing some general analysis on the volume and quantity of testing that’s out there and figure out if there’s a way to minimize it.”

Although waiting for these changes is frustrating for teachers and students, assistant principal Ms. Carlson said the school can make no decisions on EOC exams until the district and the state

October 2014 • Vol. 6, No. 1

complete the process of defining expectations.

“For now, we are waiting for things to be interpreted at the district level before these changes will be implemented into schools,” Ms. Carlson said.

While teachers and administrators have been anticipating this move for a while now, students have been taken by surprise.

“It’s really stressful,” senior Tamura Jabouin said. “The fast pace, heavy workload, and extra studying makes it harder to find time to apply and prepare for colleges.”

Just when seniors thought they were finished with EOC testing, they may have to stick it out one last year.

For more information on the new EOC tests, visit www.thetornadotimes.org

For most ninth-grade students, Aug. 12 was the first time they stepped on campus. Every year, SGA organizes a day of games, group activities and a school tour for the incoming freshmen class.

Mr. Thomas said he thought the freshmen were a “good group” and he was surprised that they have already become so involved.

“They’re usually frightened,” Mr. Thomas said.

During his Skype session from Brazil to the freshmen, Mr. Thomas said, “personalization is very important.” He thought the reassurance from administration “really broke the ice” and that the new students felt “more at ease.”

Part of the ease might come from the freshman class’s academic background. “This is one of the academically strongest freshmen classes to enter PBHS,” Mr. Bankowski, magnet coordinator, said.

Out of the 376 students accepted, 136 earned a Level 4 on the eighth grade FCAT reading, and 111 earned a Level 5. “We expect the class of 2018 to carry the PBHS tradition of excellence,” Mr. Bankowski said.

SGA president Chelson Exume was happy with the outcome of freshmen orientation. “(There was) a lot of positive feedback from the freshmen,” he said.

Freshman (from left to right) David Hugentugler, Desmond Pete and Tiera Hudson eat lunch on Aug. 12 during orientation.

PHOTO BY MADISON SCHNEIDER

New drama teacher starts new act, scene

October 2014 • Vol. 6, No. 1

Learning and teachers and tests, oh my!

4 others join faculty

By Sydney Van Dreason, Managing Editor

Before coming here, Mr. Clayton taught at Coconut Creek High School for 10 years. This year, he is teaching Calculus, Pre-Calculus and Geometry Honors. Mr. Clayton loves to see students succeed, and is most looking forward to “teaching and learning new things.”

Mr. Didymus taught at Deerfield Middle School for four years. He is excited to be teaching here and is interested to “see how the students are,” especially compared with his memories as a PBHS graduate from the Class of 2004. Mr. Didymus will be overseeing online classes.

Ms. Lichtenberg joined the staff this year as the Micro-Computer Technical Specialist, a job that will include managing the media center and taking care of all the technology schoolwide. She has worked in Broward County for 24 years total. She said, “I’m really enjoying being a part of this amazing high school.”

Mr. Didymus PHOTO BY JORGEANDRES HERRERA

By Sydney Van Dreason, Managing Editor

Ms. Warrior, the new drama and reading teacher, will not let students give in to stage fright.

“I like it when they start doing something, and they think they can’t do it, but then they realize that they can,” Ms. Warrior said.

“It makes me feel good.”

Ms. Warrior previously taught at Northeast High School for seven years before moving on to Ramblewood Middle School for the last two years. Overall, she has been teaching for 18 years.

“I want to build a culture of people who don’t see drama as just a class full of playing and goofing around,” Ms. Warrior said. “People use drama skills all the time, even in the job world, and they don’t even know it.

I want to help people see the beauty of drama.”

In the next few years, Ms. Warrior hopes to add a class on stagecraft, where students can learn how to use saws and other tools in order to build sets for plays.

“I’m also looking forward to having a technology class where students can learn lighting and sound effects,” Ms. Warrior said.

“I want (students) to be able to realize that drama can be a place

where you can learn (about how to succeed in the future).”

While Ms. Warrior is looking forward to teaching her students all about the world of drama, she said she is struggling with finding sponsors and raising money because she is new to the school. “I’m really hoping people will start to see the drama club as something cool and support us,” she said.

As an idea to raise more money, the drama club, along with Ms. Warrior, is hoping to be approved to host a Robin Williams Tribute Night.

“We’ll just get together and watch some of his films,” Ms. Warrior said.

The films will be free to all students, but passes for food and drinks will be available for purchase.

“The passes will allow (the students) to have Coke, chips, and other snacks like that.”

Despite the current lack of sponsors, Ms. Warrior still has high hopes and great optimism for her upcoming years here.

“I like to see the reactions on the actors’ faces at the end of opening night after all of that hard work has paid off,” Ms. Warrior said.

“I especially love to see them get a standing ovation and watching them take that final bow. It’s such a nice feeling.”

Coach Judd

Coach Judd worked 12 years at Coconut Creek Elementary, and has also been a swimming coach for six seasons at various Broward County high schools. He will be the new teacher for HOPE, weight training and team sports, as well as the head swim coach for both boys and girls. “I’m looking forward to being part of the Golden Tornado tradition,” he said.

Mr. Clayton

Ms. Warrior teaches drama and reading classes. Her goal for teaching is to enlighten students in the world of drama and its many opportunities.

News • Page 3

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Ms. Lichtenberg

No more Fergusons Ashley Voet, Editor in Chief Sydney Van Dreason, Managing Editor Megan Mead, Asst. News Editor Kara Purinton, Asst. News Editor Sabrina Conza, Opinion Editor Betsy Archelus, Asst. Literary Magazine Editor Brooke Henderson, Asst. Literary Magazine Editor Jesse Baker, Student Life Editor Kayla Sanders, Asst. Student Life Editor Michael Rice, Asst. Sports Editor Nicolas Gallardo, Graphic Design Editor Robert Barclay, Photo Editor Julianne Gross, Website Editor Mitchell Horlick, Business Manager Jorgeandres Herrera, Asst. Business Manager Christopher Swan, Asst. Business Manager Dr. Andrew Shipe, Adviser Staff Interns Rebekah Garretson, Mia Marquez, Garrett Moore, Eugenia Pearson, Millena Rodrigues 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 Issues in the 2014-15 school year are planned for October, December, March and May. The purpose of this newspaper is to inform and interest the population of Pompano Beach High School on the happenings of the school and beyond through the production of a student-run newspaper.

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. 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, which awarded the newspaper a Gold certificate for its 201314 issues.

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Page 4 • Opinion

Accept others, fight black stereotypes An unarmed black teenager named Michael Brown was shot and killed

by Darren Wilson, a police officer, in Ferguson, Mo., on Aug. 9. These events have caused protests on the streets and indignation on social media.

Police say Brown was shot during a fight for Wilson’s gun, but some witnesses say Brown put his hands in the air and was then shot by Wilson, while others claim that Brown stepped toward the officer in a threatening manner and therefore was shot.

The deep emotional response nationwide to this event shows this country is still burdened by racism. A random survey of 87 PBHS students shows that 86 percent think racism is a large problem in the United States today.

In terms of racism, this country has improved. When asked if things are better off for black males today then when he was growing up, Assistant Principal King said, “Yes, when I was growing up there was segregation.

Everything was segregated. There were white churches, black churches, white bathrooms, black bathrooms, even white drinking fountains and black drinking fountains.”

But racism remains an issue. Mr. King said, “I think it’s good to bring awareness to the students that racism still exists.”

Although racism is an issue in the United States, 82 percent of students feel that racism isn’t an issue at PBHS. “I haven’t seen any racism at our school,” Mr. King said. “If everyone was like this, the world would be a much better place.”

Although most students believe that racism isn’t an issue, 31 percent feel black males are stereotyped at PBHS. Is the stereotype of a group considered racism? Dep. Smith says it is.

“People look at a black man and think he’s a thug or a robber; they hold their purse closer,” Dep. Smith said.

Outside of school, students face racism every day. “One time at my job at Panera, a customer called me ‘Black Soup Maker,’” senior Chelson Exume, SGA president, said.

As a school that believes in equal-

October 2014 • Vol. 6, No. 1

GRAPHIC BY NICOLAS GALLARDO

ity, shouldn’t we try to spread these ideals to the rest of our country? Yet 48 percent of students believe that there are no measures that we can take as a school to prevent racism.

When told this statistic, Principal Thomas said, “I don’t believe they’re right. With education we have the ability to create a more open environment.”

Dep. Smith said, “Racism wouldn’t be an issue if everyone just judged others by their character and didn’t make assumptions.”

But to judge someone by his character, you must first get to know his character.

“The basis for any kind of interaction is having a relationship,” Mr. Thomas said. “(Conversation) breaks things down.”

Mr. Thomas would like us students to do a simple thing to prevent racism. “I think that we should have a day to say good morning to someone you don’t know. We’ll call it ‘Good Morning, Pompano.’ This could be a great opportunity for students to get out of their comfort zones and possibly build

friendships. But the interaction takes two people willing to communicate.”

Exume had a similar idea on how to overcome racism: “Not every person is the same. To stop racism we should get to know a person before judging them.”

Through the survey, students anonymously gave suggestions on how to prevent racism at our school. One student suggested, “We should have guest speakers come to our school to talk about how they have been stereotyped and treated badly because of their color.”

Another student suggested we call upon not only the students and staff at school but also the music industry to become more accepting: “To prevent racism it’s important that we stop singing offensive and racist songs.”

As a school we must get together and accept each other. The color of a person’s skin doesn’t determine his personality and who he is inside. The stereotypes for each race aren’t accurate because every person is different.

We are all human beings.

October 2014 • Vol. 6, No. 1

Follow me: all students can lead of students, making it seem as though leaders can only be people of outgoing character and supreme Welcome to the intelligence. generation where We shouldn’t justify who we everyone is expect- think is and is not a leader just beed to be a leader, cause someone is shy or not ranked but only certain in the top 10 percent of his grade. qualities are ac“A leader is someone who takes cepted as “leadership-worthy.” charge and isn’t afraid to think out According to CNN, leadership of the box,” junior Stephanie Young is a trait that can “vary in style.” said.

Yet when experts were asked what Some of the most successful qualities a person must have in leaders have confessed to having order to become a leader, the most a personality that contrasted with common responses always tend the accepted definition of being a to be responsible, intelligent and leader. Women like Eleanor Roosoutgoing. evelt and Princess Diana were not Schools and parents push every the most outgoing people, and yet student to be a leader, but their they managed to make lasting imdefinition of a leader is hard to fit. pressions on their countries.

Many students don’t believe they The most important thing anycan be a “true leader.” one can do to help them become “You can be shy and still be a better leaders, according to Time leader,” said junior Elisabeth Pala- Magazine, is to “surround yourself cios, president of the Music Appre- with people who complement your ciation Club. “You just have to be strengths.” By doing this, leaders able to step out of your comfort box can gain confidence in themselves for the benefit of others.” and their strengths.

Leaders are all around us, Potential leaders should also whether it be your class’s president focus on completing one goal at or the group leader for a project in a time. If focused on too many class. Society has burned the conobjectives, a person may become cept of leadership into the minds overwhelmed and suffer on one or

Opinion • Page 5

thetornadotimes.org

By Sydney Van Dreason, Managing Editor

Junior Miriam Mata leads the JROTC students in an inspirational chant. The 9/11 ceremony was held on Sep. 11 in the gym.

more of their goals. When a leader completes a goal, he raises his confidence and feels like he can accomplish even more the next time he sets out to do something.

Students who strive to become future leaders can take steps that may seem insignificant at first but will have an important impact in the future. Stay organized, whether just keeping your backpack neat or cleaning your room every week.

PHOTO BY ASHLEY VOET

Speak up in class once in a while too. Even if your answer is wrong, at least you built up the confidence to speak out loud.

Society has done a wonderful job over the years of making sure that students identify leaders as people who are intelligent, responsible, organized and outgoing. But everyone has the potential to be a leader, whether they believe they can be or not.

Fast food industry makes test scores drop

By Sabrina Conza, Opinion Editor

Nowadays, the fast food industry is worldwide. McDonalds, the most well-known and profitable fast food restaurant, has locations in over 100 countries.

But popularity doesn’t mean quality. Fast food is terrible for your health and is usually prepared in unsanitary environments.

Students seem to understand the harm done by fast food. Tornado Times surveyed 149 students in early September and found 66

percent believe that if you want to be healthy, you should never eat at a fast food restaurant.

Even with this knowledge, 75 percent of our students said that they eat at a fast food restaurant at least once a week.

There are some benefits to eating fast food. It is quick to pick up and bring home, it’s inexpensive, and all of the artificial flavoring and added fat and sugar make fast food taste pretty good.

The negative aspects of fast food greatly outweigh the positive ones. A British newspaper, The Telegraph, tested students and the results showed that people who

eat a lot of fast food score lower on tests. The food is also extremely unhealthy and can cause obesity if eaten excessively.

The meat used to make the infamous McDonalds chicken nuggets is made from left over chicken byproducts. Maria Godoy from National Public Radio reported on a study by doctors to determine the ingredients of those nuggets: “The nuggets examined were only 50 percent meat at best.”

Therefore, it’s the least healthy part of the chicken that the McDonalds employees deep-fry and serve to you. The same is said for burgers and any other meat at fast food

restaurants.

The dependence that our nation has on fast food is incredible. Every person in this country knows what fast food is and where the nearest fast food restaurants are in relation to where they live, go to school and hang out.

Even though we criticize fast food restaurants daily and know how unhealthy the food is, when our mom calls and asks where you want dinner from, we’ll still name our favorite fast food restaurant.

Still the only time we should eat fast food is when there isn’t anything else to eat.

“

You’re not of earth. You’re brave. You’re otherworldly.

”

Anything that’s needed A mouth to argue your lost cause Just take it with you.

You’ll be gone awhile And who knows when you’ll find your way back To yourself Just hope that the clear eyed you You left behind Doesn’t turn into a chainsmoking nobody.

Because that would suck ….And stink.

FOUR YEAR PRIZE

BY BROOKE HENDERSON

Especially since you’ve waited so long to find you, You ought to do it right.

No take backs.

You pick up a limb and wear it for a while Because sooner or later, you’ll come back

S KINDA. CHOOL SPIRIT.

NOT REALLY.

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Page 6 • Lit mag

October 2014 • Vol. 6, No. 1

DRAWING BY NICOLE APPLETON

To the land of pink princesses and race car beds And you’re going to wish You brought a new you.

One that’s evolved, At the very least, From a hype beast into a leech In a symbiotic relationship— Suck what you want That’s the goal, isn’t it?

Your four year prize that hopefully Won’t embarrass you at the reunion And bothers to remember both your face And name.

“

I thought she was beautiful, but I, too, was afraid of her.

”

October 2014 • Vol. 6, No. 1

Lit mag • Page 7

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Her name was Callie, but to the kids at school, she was Vicious. She transferred to my middle school in the seventh grade, and immediately, she was a source of fear.

Beyond her wardrobe of torn stockings, black lace, and crosses, her appearance was hardly threatening. She stood at a whopping five feet, two inches- in heels. She wore thick glasses and had braces with purple rubber bands. Her Irish heritage was fairly noticeable; her hair, which she rarely let down, was comprised of frizzy, copper ringlets and her skin was dotted with freckles, and so transparent that she frequently looked as though she were blushing. Her lips were hardly any darker than her skin, but even without color, they were impressive. Hooker lips, she called them. I thought she was beautiful, but I, too, was afraid of her.

Most of the time, when a new kid came to school, the popular kids would immediately try to win him or her over with snacks and praises and warnings about the “weird kids.” Not with Callie though, no one would take her. For the first few weeks of school, no one had even heard her voice outside of the mandatory “Hello, my name is.” At lunch, she sat by herself and never ate. She didn’t listen to music, she didn’t look at her phone, she didn’t read; she would just stare at the table in front of her. People began to speculate that perhaps she was one of those freaks that believed that they were vampires. In any case, no one wanted to be friends with her, yet everyone was intrigued by her.

Despite her seemingly antisocial nature, it was she who approached me. At that time, all she said was “You look lonely” before sitting next to me. Even after these first words, it took me so long to realize the importance of the word “lonely” to her. It took slumber parties where she would spend the night crying instead of sleeping, screaming on the phone with her father, detached conversations with her mother, and even a week that she spent in a psychiatric ward before I realized just how much she hated being alone. You’d never know this if you saw her at school. At school, you only saw the girl dressed like a Goth, who got in fights, pinned a boy to the floor in Geography, and bit hard enough to draw blood. At school, you’d never even begin to fathom that it was all an act; that she was the type to cry until I sang to her to sleep in my lap. At school, they thought that they knew her. They had no idea just who she was.

1. there are thousands of universes out there, and this is only one of them. in the 78th parallel, you have fallen from the sky and are off fighting giant plush wolves in new york city, and speak in an australian accent even though you’re not of earth. you’re brave. you’re otherworldly. there are legends and myths written about you, and you are entranced by coffee and poptarts. really. in this universe, every college essay feels like an impossible and grueling mission because your soul is used to mightier things and isn’t used to sitting in one place for so long. this pen isn’t too heavy, not for you. there are hymns and kelly clarkson songs written about you: this won’t kill you. you already are stronger.

2. if you’ve managed to stay awake for the past two months of physics and know that energy is never destroyed, why do you speak so little of yourself? you’re breathing in the same air particles as genghis khan and caesar augustus and freddie mercury and your empire isn’t ever going to collapse, no matter how heavy the burden seems to be on your shoulders or what you got on your human geo test in ninth grade.

INTERLUDE: rookiemag dot com slash 2014 slash 07 slash notes dash on dash fear slash 3. keep an agenda and actually use it. make sure it fits your aesthetic. stop relying on your muscle memory to remember things—you and i both know you’re not going to instinctively pick up your chemistry book when you get home from school. make every minute home from this place count. there are only so many hours in your day, and you have a thousand other lifetimes to watch lifetime.

4. look, sorry for all the science references, but there are billions of cells in your body, and they all play an important role. they all have their place, and they all care and support for you in their own way. the antibiotic that’s making you feel so horrid now is only there so you know what to expect next time, so your skin is tougher and harder to crack open. even now, you are not cracked open. stop fighting with yourself. stop fighting with the people who love you. your cure is coming.

VICIOUS

BY JADE CROSBY A FOUR STEP GUIDE TO NOT DYING IN OCTOBER

BY BETSY ARCHELUS

“

Just hope that the clear eyed you you left behind doesn’t turn into a chainsmoking nobody.

”

Clubs offer choices for involvement school (by joining clubs),” freshman Nicole Sloss said.

The social aspect of clubs is one Tons of homework every night big draw, but the impact clubs and and energy-draining tests are just leadership positions will have in two of the challenges that must be met for success in high school. An- the future is another. “Being in a club looks better on college appliother is joining clubs. cations,” Sloss said.

When freshmen enter school, “It gets you into colleges easier if one of the first things they are told you show interest in extracurricular at orientation is to participate in activities,” Manifould said. clubs and get involved. “(People Junior Elisabeth Palacios said join clubs) to make new friends and that being part of a club shows to hang out with people who have the colleges that a student is wellshared interests,” senior Kendall rounded and can handle more reManifould said. sponsibilities than just academics.

“I joined clubs to make new friends and to hang out with people Being active in clubs can also help who have the same interests as me,” strengthen social ties and can help friendships grow.

Manifould said. “(I also joined) to The tricky part of joining a club, do stuff out of school that I actually however, is deciding what club to want to do in my spare time.” join.

“You’ll also get to know more The school offers many clubs to about the school and people at

By Sydney Van Dreason, Managing Editor

choose from, ranging from sportsrelated clubs like color guard to science ones like Chemistry Club. The key is choosing a club that relates to who you are.

“I joined color guard because I thought it would be a good way to get involved and it seemed fun,” sophomore Ariel Madan said. “I thought it was a good way of keeping in shape too.”

Color guard is similar to dance theater and flag spinning. Throughout the year, the color guard enters in numerous competitions against other schools.

Sloss has also entered the extracurricular realm of sports as she tries out for the soccer team.

Other clubs focus on artistic endeavors. Palacios is president of the Music Appreciation Club, “where people can share and listen

Seniors Jackson Minett and Richie Reyes compete against one another in the game Super Smash Flash. They are two of the members of Esports club who challenge each other to multiple online games. Esports club is just one of many clubs where students can feed their interests and be themselves.

thetornadotimes.org

Page 8 • Student Life

October 2014 • Vol. 6, No. 1

PHOTO BY ROBERT BARCLAY

to music,” she said. “(People) can learn to appreciate different types of music here too.”

While being involved in a club is appealing and has many benefits, it requires a commitment and dedication to that group.

“Besides sports, I haven’t joined any clubs because I have lots of homework and I don’t think I’d have the time to do it all and still stay after school for an hour or two,” Sloss said.

The commitment and responsibility shouldn’t scare students away from the many clubs and opportunities that are offered. A study by the American College of Education conducted in 1999 showed that 74 percent of the 300 adolescents who participated in clubs referred to the club as a home and benefited academically because of their involvement. “(Clubs) give you something else to do besides academics,” Manifould said.

Choosing clubs to join can be tricky, but the most important thing to remember is to stay true to yourself. Choose clubs that express your interests and ones you consider fun to escape the pressures of school for an hour or so.

To make joining clubs easier, bring along a friend that you think will enjoy the club as well.

It will be reassuring to know that you’ve already got one person to hang out with in the club. And if you can’t find any existing clubs that appeal to you, grab a couple of friends and find a staff member to sponsor you and create your own.

Joining clubs at school will make your high school experience much more memorable, and it has everlasting benefits to it.

“It looks good on a record, and it is dedication to the extreme,” Madan said.

October 2014 • Vol. 6, No. 1

Student Life • Page 9

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Improved vending machines spark controversy “I do still think students will buy from the vending machine because First Lady Michelle Obama it is quick and convenient,” she launched a campaign against said. childhood obesity that led to the “If the only vending machine has creation of a law to improve nutrihealthy snacks in it, I do believe tion nationwide. To do this, Obama kids will eat healthier.” is getting rid of sugary snacks in Most students agree that school vending machines and deObama’s goal of changing the food creasing portions. in the vending machines is honorWhile Obama may have good able. intentions with her actions, many Sophomore Laura Botero said, “I students have mixed emotions on actually feel really good about (the the new, healthier food in the vendnew vending machines). At least ing machines. someone is attempting to battle the “Kids should be able to eat what growing problem of obesity, and they want and they should be able to get the portion that they pay for,” sometimes tough actions need to be taken to solve a problem.” sophomore Chelsea Keeton said.

Borghi agrees with Botero on the Sophomore Antonella Zambrano benefits of this new law. “I believe has mixed emotions about the new vending machines: “I will continue that (Obama) is trying to make America as a whole become healthto buy food from the vending maier, starting with children and chines, but I wish that food would teenagers, since they are America’s stay the same.” future,” she said.

Unlike Keeton and Zambrano, “Her work could help prevent sophomore Aurora Borghi agrees obesity, heart attacks and other with the new changes in vending diseases associated with people machines. consuming fast foods.”

“I definitely will buy the granola The intention of Obama’s new bars and protein bars from the law is very appealing to Thompson (new vending machines). I think too. other students will too,” she said.

“It’s no laughing matter that “If students are hungry, they will America is a country that is sufbuy anything, and in the long run fering from obesity,” she said. “By these new vending machines can having healthier vending machines help them become healthier.” in schools, (Obama) is trying to Junior Lauren Thompson also make this new generation healthier believes that this change will be and hopefully less diabetic.” beneficial.

By Sabrina Conza, Opinion Editor

GRAPHIC BY NICOLAS GALLARDO

Preseason injuries spur changes for football team

By Mike Rice, Asst. Sports Editor

Two injuries during the preseason game versus Coral Glades High School put the football team and its fans in a state of despair for the upcoming season.

Senior wide receiver John “Colton” Collier was running down the field for the opening kickoff when he stepped the wrong way and fell to the ground. After he walked off the field, further testing revealed he had torn his anterior cruciate ligament in his knee.

The bad luck repeated itself on the kickoff to open the second half.

Senior Matthew McDermott, while approaching the tackle, was hit from the side of his planted foot and immediately fell. McDermott was rushed to the emergency room after the

Sophomore Logan Good hands the ball off to senior Zack Good on Aug. 28. Coral Glades won 13-12.

PHOTO BY REBEKAH GARRETSON

play, where MRI results came back positive for a torn anterior and medial collateral ligaments,

Bowlers seek to strike at states

By Millena Rodrigues, Staff Intern

Either they make it to states or they’re left feeling pinned down.

Bowling team members have a big job on their hands: making it to states again. Last year’s top bowler, Brandon Sucher, graduated.

According to Coach Frey, “They’ll have to step up their game.”

Brodie Barclay admits the task is tougher this year.

“Seeing as Brandon was, and is, an excellent bowler, we aren’t re-

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Page 10 • Sports

October 2014 • Vol. 6, No. 1

ally better than last year, but we are definitely getting to where we were and we are one of the better teams out there,” Barclay said.

Head bowler James Shefferman confirms that this year they’ll have to work harder.

“We have a great group of bowlers, and with our commitment, we’ll get things together,” he said.

The team practices Tuesdays and Thursdays at Sawgrass Lanes in Tamarac.

Only the two top teams in the district go to states at the end of the season.

as well as a torn meniscus.

After this career-ending injury, McDermott said he plans on

becoming an orthopedic surgeon in the hopes to find an easier path to recovery for people suffering from similar impairments.

McDermott said he was viewing the incident and its aftermath as a learning experience.

“Don’t add unnecessary stress to yourself worrying about things you have no control over,” he said. “Take everything one step at a time, and listen to what your coaches and teachers tell you to do. They only want what’s best for you.”

Collier and Mcdermott had their surgeries on Sept. 4. The following day, they began their 12-week rehibilitation.

McDermott is on pace with his therapy and predicted to be able to run in December 2014.

Collier is predicted to be completely recovered by the winter 2015.

Girls spike Gibbons performance this year all that much. Last year’s juniors practiIn the past 25 years, Cardinal Gib- cally carried the team, so now that bons girls volleyball team has only they are seniors the team has improved, if anything,” Mr. Strachan, lost to a public school twice, until girls volleyball coach, said. now.

“This year, everyone’s more dedi The lady tornadoes set off to cated,” Casey Calhoun, co-captain, Cardinal Gibbons High School on Oct. 7 the to give them a run for their said, “everyone has the same menmoney, and came out victorious. The tality” and “works hard at practice.” game was a nail-biter right from the Mr. Strachan said that the team start; however, in hindsight, beating needs to improve their “physical Gibbons 22-25, 25-15, 25-22, 18-25, strength.” “(We’re) close off the court, which 15-8. seems worth the cuticle dammakes it easier to work on the age.

The team has set out in this season court.” Calhoun said.

Calhoun said “(we need to) imin hopes of improving their strategy prove on executing in tough games and teamwork from last year.

“The absence of last year’s senior because we have what it takes but don’t always execute.” players hasn’t affected the team’s

By Mike Rice, Asst. Sports Editor, and Ashley Voet, Editor-in-chief

Swimmers take their marks

By Garrett Moore, Staff Intern

The swimming and diving team kicked off the season with a big splash. The girls are undefeated and the boys are not far behind with only a close loss to Coral Glades on an otherwise perfect record.

According to Coach Judd, the most important boys are seniors Joe Ring, Victor Zielinski and Andrew Coffey.

With all three on their last year to leave a mark on the team, they plan on making it to state finals on Nov. 14 in Stuart, Florida.

The girls are led by juniors Courtney Stewart and Meg Collier, and freshman Mia Marquez.

This is Coach Judd’s first year as teacher and coach at the school.

Sophomore Taylor Barton said, “He makes practice fun and exciting.”

“The swim team is the strongest it has been in a long time because of the young talent and the hardworking upperclassmen,” Coach Judd said.

Barton said, “The team is very strong … therefore we should place high in tough and important meets.”

“The swim team is the strongest it has been in a long time ....”

— Coach Judd

Junior Margaret Collier swims a 200-meter individual medley at a meet against Coconut Creek on Sept.

10. The girls team is 9-0 and the boys team is 8-1 with one regular-season meet before districts on Oct. 31 in Port St. Lucie.

PHOTO BY EUGENIA PEARSON

October 2014 • Vol. 6, No. 1

Sports • Page 11

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Playing The (P)ART

Ms. Wites conducts her students in music class. Elective courses such as Music and chorus provide students with an outlet from their other subjects.

Senior Briana Cantalupo evaluates her drawing in art class Monday. Common core standards have been implemented across the curriculum.

Drumline students practice outside Thursday during their seventh period. Band is scheduled at the end of the day so that practice can continue after school.

Freshmen Tedrick Wilson and Jada Howden practice a skit in drama class. Each year, scores of new students choose drama as their elective.

PHOTOS BY KAYLA SANDERS

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Page 12 • On View

October 2014 • Vol. 6, No. 1