Tornado Times, August 2021

Pompano Beach High School Student perspective, student voice

August 2021 @TornadoTimes

Vol. 13, special issue thetornadotimes.org

Freshmen Talía Lillico, Zoey Katz, junior Nicole Torres and freshman Natalia Lopez are masked up and dressed up for the first ever Spirit Night “homecoming” court. “I am very happy for everyone who won,” Lopez said. “I’m honestly just happy that us freshmen got to feel some type of high school normalcy for once.” The May 21 Spirit Night, hosted by Student Government Association, replicated a normal pep rally with games, powder puff football, class and SGA officers acknowledgments and so much more except for being outdoors due to COVID-19. PHOTO BY NICOLE TORRES

Make first year

By Ashante Anderson, Contributing Editor

Freshmen in 2020 were supposed to walk through the front doors and start learning in a new social environment. That did not happen, not even close, but experienced students and staff had a plethora of ways to help make it a better year.

"I wish someone had told me to be myself and not to hide the best parts of myself," Zoe Horowitz, senior mentor, said, "We all go into new things thinking we can be whoever we want to be; however, some fear tends to hold us back."

Horowitz emphasized that it’s okay to feel fear, just not to let it determine who you are or what you do.

"Freshman year was honestly scary," Horowitz said. "I didn't know many people, and I appear shy in new surroundings.

As time went on, I got more comfortable, but it was different than I expected. But different isn't always a bad thing."

Horowitz said reaching out to others is key. Freshmen should not "be afraid to meet people through your friends."

"Group chats with classmates are another good way to reach out to others who are in the same boat as you," she said.

School counselor Lori Carlson emphasized that the best way to succeed freshman year is to "communicate, communicate, communicate."

"You need to talk with your teachers, put something in the chat box, raise your digital hand in class," Carlson said. "We want you to know what the expectations are for the class, an assignment or an upcoming test so you can perform at your very best."

Having been a counselor for freshmen since 2015, Carlson gets her fair share of common questions when she meets with her average of 12 to 15 students per day. If a student is having trouble getting a grasp on time management, she's got some helpful advice to share.

"Use an agenda or calendar," she said.

"Plan for the days you will work on something in smaller segments so you are not overwhelmed, and then get it done before the deadline."

Alumnus mentor leader Mya Brown wished that somebody told her to always time manage in her freshman year. Even

2 | Special issue < August 2021 > @TornadoTimes

so, she picked up some good habits that have helped her all years of high school.

"Writing everything down in a calendar, being organized and packing everything the night before," Brown said.

Managing time gives you extra time for a sport or club, an important way to get a new fun experience with many benefits.

“You are putting yourself out there” when you join a sport or club, Carlson said. “It allows you to meet new people ..., it is an opportunity to represent the school as an athlete or club, and it is an opportunity to have another adult in your life for reference, as an ally or for a letter of recommendation.”

In addition to social challenges, Carlson had advice for the academic challenges of high school.

"AP classes should be a fit for your strengths and interests," Carlson said.

"Take them to challenge yourself and maybe help you decide on a field of study or career. Make sure you are willing to put in the time to do the outside readings, notes and studying that is required of an AP class."

Sometimes, it can be difficult to succeed, especially with distractions. But just as it is easy to get distracted, it is easy to get rid of them.

First, "find your distraction," Brown said. "If it is social media, delete it, then get it back when you're all done."

By the end of high school, some seniors feel pressured to know what they want to go to college for, but that pressure might also seep down to freshmen. If they don't know what they want to do, should they worry?

Carlson said first-years can investigate what they want to do, but it is better to "get a good solid academic foundation", "excel academically" and "have a good handle on everything first.”

It is easy to get buried in work, due dates and everything else going on at once.

"Take advantage of the time off from school," Horowitz said. "Go out and have fun, safely, while also getting your work done. This time is hard for many, but you can't let it hold you back or put your life on hold."

Staying green through the screen. The Enviromenta Microsoft Teams. The positive impact of the this club w the Environmental Club was still working to keep its m cannot collect the recyclables at school, nor can we do "We are organizing activities that are different from th discussing fundraisers." PHOTO BY MURIEL MARTIN

Signs of a good time. With schools not ready for a comp Sreekumar and the rest of the club are staying virtual for difficulties, especially technical ones, when it came to th through a computer screen, however their goals, has no communicate is that we're trying to express and educate as educate others about deaf culture, in a fun and safe e

the best year!

al club has its clubs meetings led by its sponsor, Muriel-Martin Dupre, via was put to the test as the pandemic's uncertainty kept its members indoors, but members' green minds busy. "We have been impacted by COVID-19 because we o the beach clean-up or environmental service to the community," Dupre said. he normal, such as looking into environmental problems, watching films, and -DUPRE

plete reopening, ASL Club president Vandana r their club's meeting. The ASL club had some he shift from speaking face-to-face, to communicating ot changed at all. "The message we are trying to e others of the fun of American Sign Language as well environment," Sreekumar said.

PHOTO BY VANDANA SREEKUMAR

A helping hand. While socially distancing at home, mentor leader Morgan Reid reaches out to freshmen through text message, email and phone call. "I want freshmen to succeed because it’s important for everyone to have a chance at success, and if I can give someone that chance, then I’m more than happy to do so." Reid said. Mentors like Reid gave advice to new students who need guidance with these troubling times, through whatever means of contact their mentees are the most comfortable with, of which includes FaceTime.

PHOTO BY MORGAN REID

Crafty from the comfort of home. Tea and Craft cub members present the design they all created together through Microsoft Teams. To avoid large group groups and practice social distancing, all club members, including historian Samantha Mills, did hands-on activities through virtual meetings. "We can not supply our members with tea or the supplies for our crafts, and it's harder for us to teach our members specific things like crocheting through a computer screen," Mills said.

PHOTO BY SAMANTHA MILLS

thetornadotimes.org < August 2021 > Special issue | 3

Freshman mental health check

62%

Online Freshmen

38%

In-Person Freshmen

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

Motivation In-person freshmen 71%

Reported feeling more motivated attending in person learning

August 2021 Volume 13, special edition Online freshmen 56%

Reported feeling less motivated attending in person learning

Stress & Anxiety In-person freshmen 43%

Reported feeling less stressed attending in person learning

Online freshmen 41%

Reported feeling stressed attending in person learning

Grades In-person freshmen 59%

41%

Reported an improvment in grades

Online freshmen Reported being pleased with their own grades

Based on a survey of 55 students conducted between March 30 and April 1 GRAPHIC BY ISABELLA CASTELLANOS JOA

Calendar August 18. First day of school 23. Grade level assemblies 24. Open House September 6. Schools closed: Labor Day 7. Schools closed: Rosh Hashana

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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16. Schools closed: Yom Kippur October 4-7. Spirit Week 7. Professional Study Day (half-day for students) 8. Homecoming football game 9. Homecoming dance 13. PSAT 19. Last day of first marking period

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 silver rating for its 2020-21 issues.

Our Staff Emma Parker, Editor-in-Chief Keanu Silva, Managing Editor Chloe Powell, News Editor Brian Tang, Opinion Editor Alisha Durosier, Student Life Editor Brady Williams, Sports Editor Brody Berrios, Photo and Design Editor Tanner Block, Web Editor and Business Manager Ashante Anderson, Nicole Torres, Contributing Editors Dr. Andrew Shipe, Adviser

(not early release day for PBHS) 20. No school: teacher planning November 11. Schools closed: Veterans Day 15-18. Harvest Drive 22-26. Schools closed: Thanksgiving week December 2. Professional Study Day (half day

for students) 20-31. Schools closed: winter break January 10. End of second marking period (not early release day for PBHS) 11. No school: teacher planning 17. Schools closed: Martin Luther King Jr. Day