Tornado Times, February 2018

Hate in the halls: What to do about slurs?

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Black out racism

February 2018 Pompano Beach High School 600 NE 13 Ave. thetornadotimes.org @TornadoTimes

Vol. 9, No. 4 Pompano Beach, FL 33060 pbhsnewspaper@gmail.com

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What staff thinks about race

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Senior starts African American Club

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Playing baseball while black

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What does my race mean?

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Senior Amorie Barton plays Yank in “The Hairy Ape,� being arrested by a police officer, played by junior Anderson Michel. The production ran in the auditorium Jan. 24-26.

PHOTO BY JORDAN BROWN

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February 2018 • thetornadotimes.org

news

4 seniors plan to enlist in military

By Charlotte Hood, Assistant Section Editor

As students leave high school for the real world, they are met with the daunting task of deciding their futures: what to study in college, what career to pursue, etc. According to the New York Times, only 0.5 percent of them plan to go into the armed forces. From the 288 students of the Class of 2018, four of them plan to enlist after graduation.

Senior Marrina Guadagnino plans to serve in the Army Reserves in an administrative position as she attends college, following in the footsteps of her family, like her uncle who was a major in the infantry.

“My uncle inspires me in so many ways,” Guadagnino said. “He would talk to me about what he did in the military and it was interesting to me.”

Senior Anthony Gocinski hopes to attend the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn., after high

GRAPHIC BY CHARLOTTE HOOD

school, specifically for engineering or rescue swimming. His experience as a lifeguard has inspired his decision to enlist.

“I don’t want to have a normal desk job,” Gocinski said. “I want to go out and actually save people’s lives and make a difference.”

In all branches of the military, aspiring members must meet certain physical standards, requiring lots of time dedicated to reaching peak condition for service.

“Physical training is a must,” said senior Andrew Frasco, who plans to enlist in the U.S. Army Active Duty.

“Two miles under 10 minutes, pushups, situps, all the physical needs to be in the United States Army.”

Guadagnino is currently training to meet the physical requirements to qualify her for enlistment, including those regarding weight.

“I’m eating a lot of food, so I can gain weight [to] meet the weight

requirement,” Guadagnino said.

“I’m going to start working out with my father and start running to meet all those physical requirements.”

Once they have met the requirements, members are enlisted and begin Basic Training to prepare

them for service. Frasco said he needs to start preparing himself for the rigors of that initiation process.

“I plan to work on a sleeping schedule because everyday you get up at four in the morning,” Frasco said. “Right now I’m getting up at around nine in the morning.”

February 2018 • thetornadotimes.org

Hate in the halls: Students demand sanctions for slurs

By Charlotte Hood & Julia Latchana, Asst.

Section Editors

ent in the school is typically verbal comments,” Severine said. “For According to multiple reports, example, using transphobic slurs or three students during a presentaperpetuating rumors or stereotypes tion in Mr. Lovejoy’s international about trans people.” business class used an offensive Senior Mads Young also has term to refer to a person who heard other students using various dresses in the style of the opposite transphobic slurs and has experigender. enced other situations revolving After hearing the students say, around such speech.

“We do not like traps,” classmates “Bullies don’t just make fun of questioned the presenters, who people and tease people in front then said, “We do not like trans,” of teachers,” Young said. “They short for transgender, which are certainly not nice people, (but) describes a person who identifies they’re not dumb either. They know with the opposite gender. how to get away with derogatory Classmates reporting to Tornado comments and stuff like that.”

Times did not want to be identified, Assistant Principal Carlson said fearing their grades would suffer in such situations need to be adthe class. Lovejoy said he did not dressed and dealt with accordingly witness the incident and if he had to ensure a safe learning environheard the comment he would “have ment for all. to look at the parameters” in order “If a student says anything ofto have an appropriate reaction. fensive or hateful, they should Gay Straight Alliance co-presireceive a referral because that’s dent Kylie Severine, junior, said unacceptable,” Carlson said. “Some transgender people frequently face teachers handle it with a personal such hateful speech at school. “A conversation with the student, and lot of the transphobia that is pres- the student can go apologize so that

to stay for three and a half weeks with host families. The three stuThroughout winter and spring, dents will shadow the French the school will be hosting four different exchange opportunities in students and participate in the International Forum at the end of conjunction with its French sister their visit. school, Lycee Jules Gusede.

On April 9, four additional PBHS On Feb. 9, seven French exstudents will be going to Montpelchange students from LJG will lier for the International Forum the arrive to shadow students and exschool will be hosting with repreplore South Florida. The students sentatives from over 30 countries. will be staying with host families While visiting PBHS, the French throughout the trip. students will sightsee around South On March 20, 23 International Florida and attend the MulticulturTraveling Tornadoes will travel to al Show held by the International Paris and then to Montpellier to visit LJG for a day before departing Traveling Tornadoes at 6 p.m. on March 1 in the auditorium. Many of on the rest of their spring break trip in Southern France and Spain. the French exchange students will also be staying with the PBHS stuAlso on March 20, three exdents’ families that they will then change students from PBHS will be hosting in France less than two depart for Paris, France and then travel south to Montpellier, France months later.

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there’s a consequence.”

Principal Thomas agrees, emphasizing the staff’s duty to speak about hateful speech and bullying.

“For the teachers’ part, (they should) definitely say something,” Thomas said. “We would want to know, as administrators, that the students made this comment... we want to make sure that we’re aware of it, and then we can do something about it.”

Senior Sierra Harding, who identifies as gender-fluid, believes the staff needs to take a more active approach in addressing and correcting the behavior of such individuals.

“I have noticed that teachers, instead of taking the issue head-on, they tend to ignore it,” Harding said. “The most that they would say is don’t say that. I feel like they are not getting enough of a punishment to make it seem as like they shouldn’t be able to do that... the teachers are a bit too lenient on those kinds of slurs.”

French lycee exchanges with school

By Alexandra Griffin, Editor-in-Chief

news

“The way the exchange works is (the French student) will be coming here for three weeks and shadowing me for three weeks… and then when I go over (to France) I will stay with his family,” junior Jason Nguyen said.

While in France, students from the three PBHS groups will have the opportunity to shadow an LJG student’s classes, sightsee and spend time with host families.

The International Forum, from April 7 to April 14, is an event at LJG modeled after last year’s International Summit at PBHS. “When the French ambassador came to (our International Summit), they decided they wanted to replicate what we did, but in France,” Nguyen said. “I’m going to the forum portion of the ex-

GRAPHIC BY CHARLOTTE HOOD

change which is only a week.”

Senior Haley Blatt said that students from the different schools hosted at the forum will do a performance and presentation to represent the cultures from their home countries.

According to Nguyen the Forum and exchange programs facilitate open-mindedness towards other cultures and provide students with connections around the globe.

“I did the International Summit last year and it was so much fun,” Nguyen said. “We were told there would be another one at the school two years later and then the French school announced that they would be doing one...I was like ‘Yes, sign me up!’”

Alexandra Griffin, Editor in Chief Jessica Buchanan, Managing Editor Jamie Black, Gray Page Editor Samuel Rosser, Asst. Gray Page Editor Alexis Schatten, Asst. Gray Page Editor Madison Steinkamp, Asst. Gray Page Editor Charlotte Hood, Asst. Gray Page Editor Maria Suarez, Color Page Editor Julia Latchana, Asst. Color Page Editor Jordan Brown, Asst. Color Page Editor Andra Danu, Asst. Color Page Editor Emily Powell, Business and Web Editor Kristina Latchana, Asst. Business and Web Editor Dr. Andrew Shipe, Adviser Tornado Times is produced by: Pompano Beach High School 600 NE 13 Ave. Pompano Beach, FL 33060 Phone: (754) 322-2000 Email: pbhsnewspaper@gmail.com Website: thetornadotimes.org Twitter: @TornadoTimes Print issues in the 2017-18 school year are planned for October, December, March and May. Online issues are planned for November, February and April.

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

Tornado Times is a public forum for student expression. The newspaper staff is responsible for determining what subjects are to be covered and warrant placement in the newspaper.

As a public forum, Tornado Times welcomes letters to the editor. Letters must be signed and sent to pbhsnewspaper@gmail.com. The staff reserves the right to edit letters for poor taste, libel and space.

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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 certificate for its 2015-16 issues.

Black out racism Sixty-five years after Brown v. Topeka Board of Education, 55 years after Martin Luther King’s March on Washington and “I Have a Dream” speech, 10 years after the election of our first African-American president, you would imagine that we would get over racial biases and baseless concepts of superiority. But unfortunately, we haven’t.

We see unarmed black men getting shot and we debate about police brutality. We argue over whether it is OK for football players to kneel during the national anthem to protest the treatment of African-Americans. We argue about racial issues as “#BLM” (referring to Black Lives Matter) is covered over on a student’s mural on the third floor.

As nice as it would be to assume that these are just isolated incidents, they aren’t and they happen more than some may think. However, discussion can help prevent these racial issues from being a commonality.

Talking about racial tension and discrimination that occurs is important, but we must do it correctly. Besides having the healthy dialogue, we must also have all the facts presented to us.

It’s often easier to ignore the things that we don’t like rather to admit they are there, but we as a whole have to stop doing that. To make a better future for this country, we must see all sides of a story.

When a group of 100 students of all grades were surveyed, only 14 percent of those students believed that the staff of the school was dealing with racial issues very effectively. 45 percent viewed the staff to be somewhat effective, 24 percent somewhat ineffective and 17 percent very ineffective.

The survey also shows how we are divided by race: 58 percent of surveyed black students found administrative action ineffective at addressing this issue, compared to 45 percent of all non-white (which includes blacks) and just 32 percent of white students.

School Resource Deputy Smith says the school has taken action when dealing with racial issues, but stated that in her opinion not enough has been done to address the issue.

The blame can’t be put all on one person, or in this case all on administration. As students we have the duty to continue to speak up on any racial issues we have seen or faced.

More often than not we let issues only have rele-

58 percent of surveyed black students found administrative action ineffective at addressing racial issues, compared to just 32 percent of white students.

vance and discussion just until the next controversy pops up, but that is not the way to make change happen. So often in history change has been made after repeatedly voicing concerns.

In order to create change it is vital that we voice any concerns in a respectful and productive manner, especially when it comes to racial issues and discrimination. That is why Tornado Times will be hosting a town hall in Tornado Alley at 3:30 p.m. on February 14, to provide the respectful and productive environment for students to have healthy discussion of racial issues.

We are the open forum for student expression at this school, and we want to use that position to ensure a better, equal learning environment.

Fresh Start:

February 2018 • thetornadotimes.org

opinion

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Ninth-graders describe transition, pan mentoring By

of my middle school friend group to get accepted into Pompano. I had no friends and didn’t know where I was going or what I was doing. I , had to fend for myself until things Section Editor finally fell into place.These freshmen, though? They are persistent; they just may survive high school.

Kyle Zahn was the only freshman A quick survey shows that the out of the groups surveyed to say Class of 2021 have different views that his transition was very posion their transition from middle tive. Zahn attended Deerfield Beach school to high school, most describ- Middle School and was a part of the ing it as “somewhat positive” with International Baccalaureate (IB) “little help from their mentors and program, which he thinks helped staff.” with his transition.

Graduating from middle school “The workload was about the is a great achievement, but as we same as this, and the IB program continue to grow and transition, really helped me prepare for Pomschool can become more difficult. pano Beach High School,” Zahn The school becomes bigger, the said. work gets harder, the teachers seem Other freshmen saw their transistricter -- it’s basically a fresh start. tion differently. Paul Spade, for exAs a freshman two years ago, ample, was one of the many freshmy transition was kind of tough, men who described their transition considering I was the only one out as somewhat positive, mentioning

Emily Powell

how useless the mentoring program is in easing this dramatic change in their lives.

“Mentors don’t really do anything, and they can’t relate to us,” Spade said.

Jon-David Delcastillo had similar views as Spade, also describing his transition as somewhat positive in spite of the mentoring program.

“Freshmen don’t really want to do anything at the mentoring sessions,” Delcastillo said. “Mentors do nothing, anyway.”

The current freshman class feels that they have not been given enough help to ease their transition into high school, but the mentors have their own opinions on this.

They feel that the freshmen don’t want or won’t ask for their mentors’ help despite having it. Mentors feel that there is room for improvement with the program, though, and shared their thoughts on the matter.

Senior Katerina Argianas

suggested that the program would be more effective if mentors were assigned to fewer kids than they’re assigned to now, such as providing one mentor for two kids instead of one mentor for five.

“Doing this would allow more people to communicate with each other,” Argianas said.

Junior Matthew Narkier also recommended that there should be fewer activities and more bonding between mentees, since they’ve agreed that the program is “boring.”

“We should be able to talk to them and hang out with them,” Narkier said. “I feel like they kind of feel like it’s more of a ‘work thing’ whenever we see them because they’re always doing little projects and stuff like that.”

So, freshmen, help is here for you. Please, don’t be afraid to ask!

School vouchers for bullied students to compound problem, not solve it

hope that nobody ever has to go through being bullied or feels like they need to be a bully, if you are involved, it’s not a problem from , which you can just run away as the Editor-in-Chief legislature proposes. Confronting bullies and pushing through the experience promotes the problem solving and collaboration techA proposal reached the Florida niques that life in college and the Senate on Jan. 23 which would use workforce demand. taxpayer money to provide bullied The bill teaches students who are students with school vouchers so bullied that they do not have to live they can attend private school. Doing in an environment that is hostile so will not only compound the bully- or unfriendly when the legislators ing problem, but will be costly to the making the bill know first hand state budget, a budget that already that people can be cut-throat and under-funds public schools. unkind. An elected official cannot While bullying is terrible and I just resign from office after he loses By

Alexandra Griffin

an important debate or is called out by an opposing party member, so why propose we train the next generation to do so?

Letting victims of bullying run away from their bully/bullies also makes the perpetrator(s) more likely to target another student.

If culprits are never chastised or never realize that their actions are wrong, how are they supposed to fix them?

Additionally, by approving the bill the state government would be throwing its support at private schools that do not pay their teachers as much, do not have a better education than public schools and do not necessarily

have a better solution to bullies than public schools have. In fact, out of the top 10 schools in the state only a third of them are private, according to the U.S. News and World Report.

The solution is easy: allocate those funds from the school vouchers to programs that help to make students’ voices heard. There is no way to fully outlaw bullying without taking away freedom of speech, but students will feel better if they have someone to talk to and someone to help them solve the problem in a safe and healthy manner.

6 centerspread

The Tornado will be hosting a town hall in Tornado Alley on February 14 at 3:30, this town hall will provide the respectful and productive environme February 2018 •Times thetornadotimes.org

“Through social media sometimes you do silly things and we got blown out of proportion, so I would say that yes, I’ve seen (racism) happen. I’ve heard it happening, but I’ve never see it within the classroom and I don’t see it with students walking in the hallways, so I would say that mostly racism isn’t apparent at Pompano Beach High School.”

- Mr. Marchand

“In our classrooms we don’t foster it, so we don’t see and I personally don’t see a lot of it because I don’t foster, I don’t treat anyone differently based on their race and I try to work with all students and have all students work with each other, and a lot of it is we don’t know the social issues that are happening outside of the school. The teachers are sometimes the last to know there was a fight or there was this discussion or what is happening unless students talk to us.”

- Ms. Maharaj

WE A SCHOO ABOUT THIS IS THEY H SA

The Tornado T a town hall in To 14 at 3:30. This t the respectful an ment for studen cussion of racial

ent for students to have healthy discussion of racial issues.

ASKED OL STAFF T RACE. S WHAT HAD TO AY.

Times will be hosting ornado Alley on Feb. town hall will provide nd productive environnts to have healthy disl issues.

centerspread 7

February 2018 • thetornadotimes.org

“I think the administration and the faculty here are doing a great job addressing the situation for the kids to understand that we have a multiracial community and they come from different walks of life and different races, but there is a common ground for everybody to interact and to understand that the most important race is the human race.”

- Mr. Pico

“I can’t speak of what happened before I started working here, but I am aware of what happened last year. ” - Mr. Stone

“I think it’s probably always been a problem, I think now there are more students that are less apt to sit back and take it. A la last year, when they came out and said ‘This is taking place and we’re not gonna tolerate it.’ So its always taken place, now it’s just more students that are not gonna tolerate. Now, what is PBHS doing to address the issue? In my opinion, not enough.”

- Deputy Smith

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February 2018• thetornadotimes.org

student life

‘Hairy Ape’ challenges cast, crew

By Jordan Brown, Asst. Section Editor

“‘Harvey’ was a lighthearted comedy of errors while The drama department, ‘The Hairy Ape’ is more of a led by Mr. Henderson, put serious expressionist piece on their production of “The with a deep philosophical Hairy Ape” from Jan. 24 to meaning,” Barton said.

Jan. 26. The play, written by “Both are great shows and I Nobel Prize winning author think it shows off the versaEugene O’Neill and first tility of our drama departproduced in 1922, revolves ment.” around the themes of social Since the play had to be recession and racial issues, adapted for a high school concepts that are more comstage and theater company, plex than the majority of its there were clashes on things previous productions. like how the play was to be “The story itself revolved interpreted and who was around my character, Yank, doing what. very closely, which meant I “There have been a few had to work extensively on clashes on the fact that character development and people from other commitSenior Amorie Barton, sophmore Mari Larsen, and freshamn Audrey Maggio practice their perfromace for “The Hairy Ape”. The drama department performed “The Hairy Ape” Jan. 24 to Jan. 26. line memorization,” senior tees would try to do jobs on Amorie Barton said.

PHOTO BY JORDAN BROWN another committee instead The entire department worked students are in charge of different approached we started to have of their own.” junior Madison Tapareas of the production,” Barton together for months to put on this rehearsals practically every day pa said. production, Henderson dividing said. after school as well as on Fridays,” Despite the complexity, the payoff Like all drama related producthe students in the class into sepaBarton said. was worth it for the department at rate committees assigned to differ- tions, planning and rehearsals have Last year’s production, “Harvey”, the end of the three-day run. ent tasks. been extensive. was a bit less work in areas like line “Knowing that we were all able to “We started preparing for “We like to try and run the drama memorization and complexity com- overcome any difficulties to put on class like an actual play company this play in the beginning of the pared to “Hairy Ape” but fulfilling a show that we can be proud of is school year, and as opening night in which different committees of nonetheless. incredibly rewarding,” Barton said.

Sineus seeks racial awareness, unity

By Kristina Latchana, Asst. Web and Business Editor

felt like she was not good enough and was often made fun. In spite For senior Debbie Sineus, rankof this, Sineus remains resilient ing in the top 20 percent and and works hard inside and outside taking several AP and dual enrollof school to better herself and her ment classes was not enough. She community. noticed that there were many clubs Sineus is involved in several supporting marginalized groups extracurriculars, including SGA, and felt one important group was NHS, the Ignition Hip Hop Dance missing, so she founded the African Team and cheerleading. Sineus American Club and became its first co-headed the Trick-or-Treat for president.

UNICEF with senior Marlen Spen“Due to past incidents in this ce, raising around $800. school, it served as a catalyst for me Outside of school, Sineus is part to promote social awareness and of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sororstudent unity,” Sineus said. ity and will be a debutante at the Sineus said that, as the child of Kappa Kappa Omega Chapter 37th Haitian immigrants, she has always annual Tea Rose Cotillion.

Senior Debbie Sineus sits in her dual enrollment English class. Sineus founded the school’s African American Club this year “to promote social awareness and student unity.”

PHOTO BY CHARLOTTE HOOD

Wa t c h ‘Listen’ shows

February 2018 • thetornadotimes.org

entertainment

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importance of hearing what teenagers are saying

By Alexis Schatten, Asst. Section Editor

Students were given the opportunity to watch “Listen” and discuss the movie with director Erahm Christopher on Jan. 17, and it might just be one of the most hard-hitting films of this decade.

The movie revolves around several students, who each have their own struggles inside and outside of a school setting. None of these students felt that they had people they could speak to about their problems, leading to a variety of bad outcomes.

A teen drama with an underlying message that everyone should be kinder to each other because they don’t know what others are going through is nothing new, but Christopher took it to the next level by creating a group of characters that are based on people he’s met, instead of compiling a list of high school stereotypes, with each have their own problems buried deep down, like many of today’s teen-targeted films and shows.

The movie, which was far from lighthearted and was presented with a forewarning that students would be able to leave at any time if they found the movie to be too intense, tackled many common issues, like body image and pressure from parents, that most films

and TV shows would never dare to go into.

This disregard for the idea that these normally taboo topics should be kept far from the big screen made the movie that much more real for me and many other students who found that they could relate to at least one, if not more, of the characters that Christopher brought to life.

However, several teachers felt that it wasn’t the best film to play to a room full of teenagers.

“I think it might’ve been a good idea, the point that they were trying to get across, but I don’t think it came across in the best way,” math teacher Mrs. Picchiarini said. “I thought it was over the top; it was every stereotype exaggerated.”

The heavy topics this movie brought up was the reason it has been played at high schools throughout the district, as explained by peer counseling teacher Mrs. Dooling, who wanted to show this movie for this reason specifically.

Despite the hesitance displayed by some teachers, the showing of this movie was a positive step, showing students that they always have someone they can talk to at our school and just what many students needed in today’s society.

Immense hype surrounds ‘Black Panther’

By Jordan Brown, Asst. Section Editor

“Black Panther” comes out Feb. 16 in theaters, and everyone’s holding their breath for the first Marvel movie where a black man in authority will be the main character.

“Black Panther” was directed by Ryan Coogler, known for directing “Creed” and “Fruitvale Station”, and is the sixth movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s third phase (the 18th overall).

“Black Panther” will tell the story of T’Challa, whose plan to return home and ascend to the throne is

sidetracked by the return of a powerful adversary.

The hype for this movie began all the way back in 2014 when Marvel announced its plan to make a solo movie for the universe’s first-ever black superhero. From that announcement to the appearance of some of the cast at San Diego Comic-Con 2016, this movie went through several directors before landing on Coogler.

Read more at thetornadotimes.org

PHOTO COURTESY OF IMDB

‘Jumanji’ remake lives up to original

By Jordan Brown, Asst. Section Editor

“Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” debuted in theaters last month and it, surprisingly, lives up to the original 1995 classic.

Directed by Jake Kasdan, this is the second film of the series and puts a vintage twist on the way the main characters, kids in high school, get sucked into the game by appearing to the kids as an old video game console.

The cast perfectly balances huge celebrities like Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Nick Jonas and Jack Black.

Jumanji being his third serious film role, Jonas surprisingly keeps up with film veterans like Johnson, Black and Gillian. His character had been stuck in the game for close to 20 years until the other teenagers came along and inducted him into their group to get out of the game.

Unlike the first film of the series, “Welcome to the Jungle” caters more to the teenage audience by including things like classic high school stereotypes, video games and humorous moments.

The first Jumanji is one of my favorite films, and, in my opinion, Robin Williams could never be replaced. Instead of disrespecting the first film, “Welcome to the Jungle” pays homage to the 1995 classic in ways on and off the screen. If you

look close enough, Williams’ character’s name is carved into a tree that Jonas stands next to in one of the scenes.

Johnson portrays the video game version of one of the main characters so well that you kind of miss him when they complete the game.

He keeps the weak, nerdy pushover personality of his teenage counterpart in his hulking frame, which makes for a lot of laughs throughout the entire movie. Eventually, he comes to embrace his new physical body and even prefers it to his real body (which makes for a bit of a problem). Being forced into the role of the leader of the group, Johnson doesn’t completely lose his teenage personality while trekking through the dangerous Jumanji.

Jack Black makes an explosive reappearance on the big screen after being gone for almost a year. He makes for the funniest character in the movie, his teenage counterpart being the queen bee whose biggest worries is chipping a nail. It takes a bit for her to become accustomed to being trapped in Jack Black’s body. but the movie gets even better when she finally does.

“Welcome to the Jungle” makes bold new strokes with everything it does, like dialogue and societal norms, while staying close to the foundations of the 1995 movie.

10 sports

February 2018 • thetornadotimes.org

Hiott strikes out stereotypes

By Charlotte Hood, Asst. Section Editor

Some are typically viewed as dominated by a certain race. Black baseball players were not allowed in the Major Leagues until 1947, and while the ratio of MLB players who are black peaked at 18.5 percent in 1975, it has since dropped to 6.7 percent, according to the Society for American Baseball Research.

“Baseball is white man’s sport,” said Adam Jones, an African-American outfielder for the Baltimore Orioles, who was heckled with racial slurs at a game in Boston last season, in an interview with USA Today.

While the school baseball team reflects this trend by having only one black player, senior outfielder Ryan Hiott, members say that race

is insignificant in the field, with the only factor that matters being skill and the ability to secure a position.

It’s about one’s batting rather than background. “(When) playing a sport, I don’t think race is a matter of concern,” senior teammate Alex Skirvin said.

Hiott, who has been playing on the team since freshman year, feels that his teammates are a part of his family and that their connections run deeper than outside appearances.

“We’re all brothers out there, so we don’t really see color,” Hiott said.

Senior pitcher Trevor Kniskern agreed.

“I (don’t) only look at him as a friend, as a teammate,” he said.

Ryan Hiott stands waiting for the pitch. Hiott, a senior outfielder, is the only black player on the varsity team.

PHOTO BY SAMUEL ROSSER

Cheerleading team remains hopeful after regionals

Thompson, with each practice, the team becomes more in sync, makThe cheerleading team came in ninth place at regionals on Jan. 26. ing learning routines easier over time.

“We didn’t do as well as we “Being a cheerleader has taught should’ve so the placing wasn’t as good as we’re used to,” junior Paris me about teamwork and working together,” Thompson said. “As you Colbert said. “I would love for the team to have smoother transitions work with these people everyday, you guys become more than a and cleaner stunting. Flyers must trust their bases, and vice versa, in team. You become like a sisterhood order for the routine to hit without and you see everyone as family.”

Despite the season coming to any falls or deductions.” an end, the team is continuing to Team members are confident that they’ll be able to improve upon work hard to place well in the next their routines by their next compe- season. tition if they work hard.

“We practice six out of seven days Scan with Snapchat to of the week with two to four hour practices,” junior Tatiana Johnson see the cheerleading team said. “Practice doesn’t make perfect compete in but permanent.” regionals on The cheerleading team performs a stunt during their routine at regionals. The team finished ninth According to sophomore Krystian Jan. 26

By Alexis Schatten, Asst. Section Editor

at regionals on Jan. 26.

PHOTO BY ALEXIS SCHATTEN

sports11

February 2018 • thetornadotimes.org

The girls basketball team played their last game on January 26, losing to Stranahan 51-39. The team’s record this season was 2-13, ending sixth in the 6A District 16 League.

The cheerleading team competed at regionals on Jan. 26 and came in ninth place. The regional competition marked the end of the season.

Senior Mareena Reedy gets ready to throw the ball to her teammate as she warms up before practice Jan. 25.

The boys soccer team has an overall record of 8-13-3 and a district record of 6-3. In their first playoff game against Pines Charter the boys lost 7-0, ending the season.

Senior Katie Palm concentrates on her agility drills during practice Jan. 25.

The boys basketball team lost to Monarch on Jan. 29 69-44 bringing the team’s overall record to 3-13. The team has a district record of 1-4. The team will play Taravella on Feb. 6 to end the season.

The boys and girls water polo teams will play South Broward in their first games on Feb. 8.

Track and Field will have their first meet on Feb. 13 at Coral Springs.

RECORDS AS OF FEB. 5

PHOTO BY CHARLOTTE HOOD

Cuneen soars as captain

By Samuel Rosser, Asst. Section Editor

Senior Kayla Cuneen is one of the captains of the girls soccer team.

Q: As the captain, how did you get ready to lead the team each season?

A: I try to make connections with everyone before the season starts.

Q: You mentioned making connections with the players, what has the team done to strengthen those connections?

A: This year everyone on the team was very close. We all talked and got to know each other.

Q: Do the connections you have made with the team help?

A: The chemistry made people want to work and help each other get better on and off the field.

Q: What did you expect out of the season that just ended?

A: I expected to compete with all the teams in our district and make Pompano Beach High School a team people would remember.

Q: What is the team’s best quality?

A: Hard work.

Q: The season is over now, but how did you keep in shape during the previous off season?

A: I played travel soccer and that helped keep me in shape.

Varsity tennis serves up hope for new season

By Jessica Buchanan, Managing Editor

The 2018 varsity tennis team’s season is right around the corner with tryouts having just concluded and the team made official.

Nine of the girls and four of the eight boys return from last year’s team.

Junior Rachel Raybuck thinks the “new talent” on both teams “holds promise.”

Last year, out of 13 matches, the girls team won eight and the boys team won six. They placed fifth out of seven at districts.

Members of this year’s team are hopeful for a better turnout.

“The tennis team is pretty laid back, and we accept our losses and celebrate our wins,” Megan Tirrell,

third year returning player, said.

“I can’t wait for this season and I think we’re going to win a good amount of matches.”

Each player has been improving their game to better prepare for this year’s season.

“Since last year, I’ve been practicing and trying to increase my strength,” Raybuck said.

“I’ve also been working on placement and angling

“The tennis team is pretty laid back, and we accept our losses and celebrate our wins,” Megan Tirrell said.

my shots.”

The tennis team’s first match is against Coral Springs High on Feb. 15 at the Pompano Beach Tennis Center.

12 last look

February 2018 • thetornadotimes.org

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PHOTOS AND DESIGN BY ANDRA DANU

“My race means a lot to me because it affects me in my daily life. There are some taboos in my religion that I must follow, which I do everyday. By following these taboos I show that I care about my race. My race is more complex than just my appearance because you wouldn’t have to be my skin color to be Indian.”

-Vishram Doodnauth, freshman